The Global Intelligence Files,
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2151
The Global Intelligence Files

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# The Global Intelligence Files

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

## USA/UNITED STATES/AMERICAS

Released on 2012-08-16 00:00 GMT

Email-ID | 660547
Date | 2010-08-11 12:30:06
From | dialogbot@smtp.stratfor.com
To | translations@stratfor.com

Table of Contents for United States
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Brazilian Committee Denounces US, ROK 'War Moves'
KCNA headline: "U.S. And S. Korean Puppet Forces' War Moves Under Fire"
2) Thai Officials Seek US Help in Finding Information Linked to Local
Bribery Case
Report by The Nation: "Officials seek US help in Bt64m bribery case"
3) Northern Central America Press 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
4) Argentina Political and Economic Issues 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
5) Brazil Political &amp; Economic Issues 6 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
6) Xinhua 'Analysis': Hopes High for Ending Row Between Venezuela,
Colombia
Xinhua "Analysis": "Hopes High for Ending Row Between Venezuela, Colombia"
7) Indian Commentary Urges Iran To Focus on Talks To Ease Nuclear Tensions
With West
Commentary by Atul Aneja: Iran: the Politics of Sanctions
8) Xinhua 'China Focus': Growth in Chinese Exports, Imports Slows in July
Xinhua "China Focus": "Growth in Chinese Exports, Imports Slows in July"
9) 2nd Ld: Growth in China's Exports, Imports Slows Down in July
Xinhua: "2nd Ld: Growth in China's Exports, Imports Slows Down in July"
10) Delhi Article Discusses India's Options on Afghanistan After Kabul
Conference
Article by D Suba Chandran, deputy director, Institute of Peace and
Conflict Studies, IPCS, New Delhi: "Af-Pak Diary-IV: Indias Options after
the Kabul Conference"
11) US will be d riven out of Mideast - Iran president
12) Cordoba House Controversy Shows Islamophobia Still Rages
"Cordoba House Controversy Shows Islamophobia Still Rages" -- Jordan Times
Headline
13) 10 August 2010
For a copy of the video, contact GSG_GVP_VideoOps@rccb.osis.gov or the OSC
Customer Center at (800) 205-8615. Selected video also available at
OpenSource.gov
14) Afghanistan to review foreign policy after studying leaked war reports
15) Germany Details Payments Made to Victims of Afghan Air Strike in Sep
Corrected version: reformatting subject line: "Germany Pays Out to Afghan
Strike Families: Ministry" -- AFP headline
16) Pakistan Press Nawa-e Waqt 10 Aug 10
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
17) Weekly Roundup of Pan-Arab TV Talk Shows 1-7 August
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
18) UK security firm was target of suicide attacks in Afghan capital
19) Taleban claim responsibility for Kabul suicide attack - agency
20) Germany Details Payments Made To Victims Of Afghan Strike In September
"Germany Pays Out To Afghan Strike Families: Ministry" -- AFP headline
21) Afghan leader sends letter to Obama urging strategy review - Afghan
report
22) Civil, Military Leaders Must Reciprocate UK Premier Utterance
Article by Mir Adnan Aziz: Playing Fields of Eton
23) Article Says Only Pakistan Can Help US, NATO Forces To Easily Leave
Afghanistan
Article by Umar Waqar: WikiLeaks and the last chopper
24) Afghan news agency head criticizes NATO over civilian deaths
25) WTO Condemns Aussie Restrictions on NZ Apples
Unattributed article from the "Business" page: "WTO Condemns Aussie
Restrictions on NZ Apples"
26) Xinhua 'Roundup': Countries, UN Offer Condolences To China Over Deadly
Mudslides
Xinhua "Roundup": "Countries, UN Offer Condolences To China Over Deadly
Mudslides"
27) Press Roundup on Defense, Science, Technology 2-8 Aug 10
The following a selection of relevant reports, editorials, and articles on
defense, science, and technology published in two English newspapers--The
News and Pakistan Observer--from 2 to 8 Aug:
28) Egyptian Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Egyptian press on 10 August.
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
29) Syrian Press 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from t he Syrian press on 9 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
30) Sanctions Force Government To Enforce Policy of Self-Sufficiency
Unattributed news report: "Self-Sufficiency Order for Strategic Products"
31) Business Community Not Satisfied With Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit
Trade Pact
Report by Mushtaq Ghumman: Controversial APTTA: Ministry not interested
in taking Cabinet into confidence
32) JFJB Views US Military Option Against Iran Unlikely
Article by Tian Yuan: "Use Force or Mouth?"
33) Gen Kayani 'Demands' ISAF, Afghanistan To Halt Militants Infiltration
Report by Maqbool Malik: "Kayani for Halt to Militants Infiltration"
34) ROK Defense Chief Visits Afghanistan To Encourage Troops
Updated version: upgrading precedence, rewording headline, and adjusting
tags; By Kim Deok-hyun: "S. Korean Defense Chief Visits Afghanistan to
Encourage Troops"
35) Afghan people want strong army, police before withdrawal of foreign
forces
36) Afghan paper calls on USA to help clean up Kabul
37) ROK Editorial Urges Japan To Put Apology Into Action
Editorial: "Centenary of Annexation"
38) Afghan daily urges unity within international community on war
strategy
39) Palestinian Reports on Socioeconomic Projects 30 Jul - 6 Aug 10
The following lists highlights of reports on socioeconomic projects
carried in the Palestinian press between 31 July and 6 Aug. To request
additional processing, or for assistance with multimedia elements, call
OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
40) Iraqi Kurdish Arabic Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from two Baghdad-based Kurdish
newspapers on 10 Aug. To request additional processing, please call OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735.
41) Iraqi Press 10 August 10
The following lists selected items from the Iraqi press on 10 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
42) Highlights of Khabat, Kurdistani Nuwe 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the two leading Iraqi Kurdish
newspapers, Khabat and Kurdistani Nuwe, on 9 August. To request additional
processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax
(703) 613-5735.
43) UK Arabic Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the UK Arabic Press on 10 Aug 10.
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
44) Highlights -- Iraqi Southern Governorates Newspapers 01 - 07 Aug
The following lists selected items from newspapers published in the Iraqi
southern governorates 01 - 07 Aug. To request additional processing,
please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735.
This product is provided by the commercial establishment MediaWatch Middle
East, Dubai, UAE. OSC is not responsible for the editorial standards of
this translation
45) Tehran Commentary Argues West Imposed New Sanctions Despite Iran
Agreeing Talks
Unattributed commentary: "Iran's Response to Vienna Group"
46) Vietnam Discusses Civil Nuclear Co-Op Agreement With U.S.
Xinhua: "Vietnam Discusses Civil Nuclear Co-Op Agreement With U.S."
47) US Agency To Provide $4 Million for Public Health Essential Services
to Angola
Unattributed report: "USAID's Angolan Health Services Estimated at US$4
Million"
48) A ustria's Schlaff Portrayed as 'Networker' With Own 'Best Interests'
in Mind
Report by Hedi Schneid and Thomas Seifert: "Billionaire on Delicate
Mission" -- first paragraph is Die Presse.com introduction.
49) Colombia, Andean Crime and Narcotics Issues 9 Aug 10
50) Mugabe's Anti-West Remark Affects Effort To Re-Engage With EU
Article by Njabulo Ncube: "EU Re-Engagement in Trouble: 'Go To Hell West'
at the Centre of it"
51) Toyota Suspends Auto Exports to Iran Over Nuclear Row
52) Google Raided By Police on Privacy Violations
53) Japans Health Requires a New Relationship With Washington
"Japans Health Requires a New Relationship With Washington" -- The Daily
Star Headline
54) Bulgaria, World Bank Sign Memorandum on Infrastructure Development
Cooperation
"Prime Minister Borisov, World Bank Group Presid ent Sign Memorandum of
Understanding for Stepping Up Cooperation in Infrastructure Development"
-- BTA headline
55) Somalia Daily Media Highlights 11 Aug 10
56) Okinawa Local TV Evening News 10 Aug 10
For a copy of the video, contact GSG_GVP_VideoOps@rccb.osis.gov or the OSC
Customer Center at (800) 205-8615. Selected video also available at
OpenSource.gov.
57) New US Sanctions 'Weaponless Surgical Strike' Against Kim Jong Il
"Korean Peninsula Watch" column by Ruriko Kubota: "Target of US 'Pinpoint'
Attacks Money Used To Prop Up Kim Jong Il Regime"
58) China Economic News in Brief: Jiangsu Textile Exports; Xiamen Port
Turnover; Baotou Rare Earth Trading Center
Xinhua: "China Economic News in Brief: Jiangsu Textile Exports; Xiamen
Port Turnover; Baotou Rare Earth Trading Center"
59) Foreign Donors Send Relief Items Not Cash for Flood Victims
Report by Mehtab Haider: "Pakistan fails to get foreign aid in cash for
flood victims"
60) India Wonders Whether Obama To Skip Pakistan Altogether During Nov
Asia Trip
Report by Ramesh Ramachandran: "Will Obama do a Carter on Pak? India
Wonders"
61) RF MoD Budget of R2.025 Trillion for 2013 Analyzed, Spending Methods
Criticized
Article by Vladimir Kalinin under rubric "Realities": "Military Financial
Dead End: Defense Ministry Will Get a Substantial Addition to the Budget,
but Seemingly Does Not Know Where To Spend It"
62) Hun Sen Orders Cambodian Provincial Governors To Adhere to 'One-China
Policy'
Report by Meng Chhai: "Cambodia Reiterates the Implementation of One-China
Policy"
63) US Says DPRK Artillery Fire Killed 'a Lot of' Fish
Unattributed article: "U.S. Says N.Korean Artillery Fire 'Killed a L ot of
Fish'"
64) Smart Yet Resolute Reaction
65) Is China a Guardian of North Korea?
"Viewpoint" column by Park Sung-soo, a visiting professor of media studies
at Myongji University: "Is China a Guardian of North Korea?"
66) Lessons From The Korean Diaspora
"Viewpoint" column by Song Ho-keun, a professor of sociology at Seoul
National University and Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "Lessons
From The Korean Diaspora"
67) DPRK Radio Reports on 10 Aug DPRK-US Senior Colonel-Level Contact in
P'anmunjo'm
Unattributed report carried as the 10th of 16 items in newscast
68) DPRK Notes Need To Create 'Peaceful Atmosphere' on US, ROK Military
Exercises
Special article by reporter Song Yo'ng-so'k: "Exercises for a War of
Northward Aggression Can Never Be Justified"; The author's title in the
byline provi ded by KPM may be different from that which appears in hard
copy; For assistance with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer
Center at (800) 205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
69) US-DPRK Hold Fourth Round of Senior Colonel-Level Talks
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried the
following as the 10th of 16 items in its 1200 GMT newscast on 10 August,
which OSC plans to translate as first referent item; KCNA Headline:
"Fourth Round of DPRK-U.S. Senior Colonel-level Military Working Contact
Made"
70) Further on Police Searching Google Korea for Alleged Breach of Privacy
71) Further on ROK Vowing To 'Act Resolutely' Against DPRK Provocation
72) North Korea Opens Account With Global Video-Sharing Wesite YouTube
73) UNC, DPRK Finish Colonel-Level Talks With No Progress
Xinhua: "UNC, DPRK Finish Colonel-Level Talks With No Progress"
74) DPRK Party Organ Criticizes US Scheme for 'New Cold War'
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station via Satellite in Korean
carried the following at 0900 GMT; OSC processed the below Rodong Sinmun
"signed article" as first referent item; KCNA headline: "Scheme For New
Cold War Blasted"
75) DPRK Reportedly Registers, Posts Videos on YouTube
Updated version: upgrading precedence, rewording headline; Report by Sam
Kim: "N. Korea goes YouTube-savvy in its propaganda offensive"
76) Police Search Google Korea for Alleged Breach of Privacy
77) ROK Military Vows To 'Act Resolutely' Against DPRK Provocation
78) DPRK Website Derides Situation of ROK 'Pressed' by US To Join Iran
Sanctions
Commentary by Kim So'ng-ho: "Colonial Running Dog's Inescapable Fate";
This appears to be DPRK media's first men tion of US request for ROK
cooperation with sanctions on Iran, as cited in first referent item;
KPNK1STM
79) US Aid Delivered in 'Correct' Manner To Mend US-Pakistani Ties
Editorial: "An opportunity in the midst of natural calamity"
80) Thai Article Says Country Becoming Hub of Narcotics Trafficking
Article by Thanok Bangphon: "Foreigners Turn To Use Thailand as Hub of
Making Steroid Drug"
81) UK Ambassador Urges ROK To Join Iran Sanctions
Updated version: rewording headline, adjusting tags, and adding source
graphic; Report on interview with Martin Uden, British Ambassador to South
Korea, by Christine Kim; date and place not given: "U.K. Ambassador Urges
ROK to Join Iran Sanctions"; For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact the OSC Customer Center at (800) 205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
82) Iranian Military Developments, 24-30 July 2010</ a>
83) London Pan-Arab Daily Warns Netanyahu Government Prevents Obama
Delivering Peace
Editorial by Jihad al-Khazin: "Applying the Litmus Test"
84) Iranian Shipping Company Files UK, EU, US Complaints Over Sanctions
Imposition
Unattributed report: "Iran's Three Complaints Against Shipping Sanctions"
85) Pakistan Daily Warns Govt Against Western Propaganda Aims At
Disfiguring ISI
Editorial: Propaganda of Rogue Spies
86) Former President Bush Expected in Haiti 10 Aug
Unattributed report: "George Bush Expected in Haiti This Tuesday"
87) US, India To Chart Bilateral Defense Cooperation Ahead of Minister
Antonys Visit
Report by Sandeep Dikshit: India, U.S. Review Defence Cooperation
88) Indian commerce minister terms proposed US visa fee hike
'discriminatory'
89) Xinhua 'Comment ary': Is Global Power Really Shifting Eastward?
Xinhua "Commentary": "Is Global Power Really Shifting Eastward?"
90) India says US senator's remarks on IT firm 'unfortunate and avoidable'
91) Indonesia's Cleric Bashir Declared Suspect on Terrorism
Xinhua: "Indonesia's Cleric Bashir Declared Suspect on Terrorism"
92) Syrian Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Syrian press on 10 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
93) Us Lawmaker Cuts $100 Million Aid To Lebanons Military
"Us Lawmaker Cuts $100 Million Aid To Lebanons Military" -- The Daily Star
Headline
94) Lebanese Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 10 August.
To request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
95) US State of Georgia, Liberia Sign Agreement on Management, Security of
Ports
Report by Julius Kanubah: "Liberia/Georgia Sign Agreement"
96) Turkish Islamist Press 10 Aug
This product lists selected items carried in the Turkish Islamist press on
10 August. To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer
Center at (800) 205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
97) Visits to Russia, US 'Yet To Be Planned'
"Lithuanian President: Visits to Russia, US Yet To Be Planned" -- BNS
headline
98) Lebanese Press 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 9 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
99) Boeing Likely to Win Contract For S. Korea's Presidential Jet: Sources
100) Iranian Vice President Warns of Tariffs Against ROK Over Sanctions
Unattributed report: "Iran Warns Korea Over Sanctions"
101) Iranian general downplays US war option
102) US worst suppressor of media, people - Iranian president
103) Malaysian, Singapore Chinese Press 10 Aug 10
The following is a selection of editorials, commentaries, and reports from
Malaysian and Singapore Chinese press on 10 August
104) Hardline Islamic Charities Said Providing Relief to Pakistan Flood
Victims
AFP Report: "Islamic charities versus the US in battle for Pakistan aid"
105) Critical Commentary on US Iran Policy
Commentary by Dmitriy Voskoboynikov: "Iran. Why Bomb?" (Komsomolskaya
Pravda Online)
106) Pakistan Taliban Urge Government To Reject US Aid
AFP Report: "Pakistan Taliban urge government to reje ct US aid"
107) Iran TV Criticizes 'Dual Approach' of US to Rebel Group MKO
108) Taiwan Political Issues 9 August 2010
109) Iran Cannot Protect Self From Israeli, U.S. Air Strike
110) Iran 'in no condition' to counter Israeli, US air attack - Russian
analyst
111) Iranian Commentary Argues Domestic Opposition Leaders Supplement
Foreign Threats
Commentary by Abbas Haji Najjari from the "Note" column: "All Parts of a
Puzzle"
112) Iran Cannot Protect Self From Israeli, U.S. Air Strike - Russian
Analyst
113) Ma Ying-jeou Says Despite Improved Cross-Strait Ties, Taiwan Still
Worried
Unattributed report: "Ma Ying-jeou Says Procuring US Arms Is Necessary 'In
Order To Eliminate the Obsolete Arms and Bring Its Weaponry Up-To-Date'"
114) Saudi Website Highlights 10 Aug 10
This roundup includes significant Saudi websites other than those of
Jihadist groups, which OSC covers separately. To request additional
processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800) 205-8615 or
OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
115) Asustek Sales At Computer Show Up 30 Percent
By Chang Liang-chih, Han Ting-ting and Frances Huang
116) Foreign Office Seeks US Support To Tackle Devastating Floods
Report by Kaswar Klasra: Pak can't handle flood calamity alone
117) Xinhua 'Feature': Gulf Coast Dogs Seek New Homes in New Jersey
Xinhua "Feature": "Gulf Coast Dogs Seek New Homes in New Jersey"
118) Senators Submits Motion Against Issuance of Visas to 600 US Nationals
Report by staff correspondent: JI moves Senate against Jang Group, Geo
intimidation
119) S. Koreans Going to The U.S. to Start Paying Fees For Electronic
Travel Authorization Next Month
120) Mexico Economic Issues 10 Aug 10
121) Mexico Regional Press 10 Aug 10
122) Mexico Political Issues 10 Aug 10
123) Asia-pacific Posts Highest Air Passenger Traffic in H1
124) `Smart TV Shock` to Revolutionize Industry
125) Intelligence Minister Warns Conversion to Christianity Part of Soft
Warfare
126) Iran -- Foreign Ministry Briefing; Rules Out New War (2)
127) Embassy Unaware of Suspected Spy's Plans to Go Back to Peru
128) Immigration Bureau Reportedly Apprehends 302 Human Trafficking
Victims
Report by Gemma Garcia and Ludy Bermudo: "302 Filipinos Victims of Human
Trafficking"
129) Police Raid Google Korea, Say Personal Information Illegally
Collected
Updated version: replacing 0906 GMT version with s ource-supplied 1106 GMT
update, which "UPDATES with Google executive's remarks at bottom,"
upgrading precedence, rewording headline; Yonhap headline: "Police raid
Google Korea on suspicion of communication law violation"
130) Panama Media 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
131) President Martinelli Talks Security, Trade With US Congressmen
Unattributed article: "Martinelli Talks Security and Trade With US
Congressmen"
132) Slovakia To 'Evaluate' US Decision To Impose Fee on Travellers From
EU
"Slovakia to Evaluate Charges for People Travelling to U.S.A." -- TASR
headline
133) The First Phase Of The Vigilant Eagle Exercise Completed
134) HK Column: Difficult To Be Optimistic About Prospect of Sino-US Ties
To request additional processing, ca ll OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov
135) About 100 U
136) Police Release US Journalist 'Arrested' for Trespassing Gold Mine
Report by Mugini Jacob: "American Journalist Set Free"
137) US Offers Condolences Over Deadly Flooding, Mudslides in China
Xinhua: "U.S. Offers Condolences Over Deadly Flooding, Mudslides in China"
138) USA gives 4.8m dollars for famine relief in northeastern Uganda
139) Uzbekistan, Oman to Set Up JV For $250 Mln Cement Plant By Year-end
140) Qinghua University Scholar Says US Security Concept Not Sustainable
Article by Zhang Liang and Han Chengzhen: "Expert: US Security Model
Unscientific; Sustainable Security Belief Should Be Promoted"
141) Deputy PM Proposes Levying Duties on Russia's Imports o f GPS
Navigators
142) Govt Drafting Concept Of New Glonass Program - Putin - 2
143) All Vehicles Sold In Russia From 2012 Should Be Linked To Glonass -
Putin
144) Russian Equities Slip on Tues Following Weak U.S. Stats
145) Dollar Moves Up on MICEX, Euro Slides
146) NASA Plans Second Spacewalk For Mending ISS Cooling System
147) Foreign Consular Services Keep Working Despite Heat Wave
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Back to Top
Brazilian Committee Denounces US, ROK 'War Moves'
KCNA headline: "U.S. And S. Korean Puppet Forces' War Moves Under Fire" -
KCNA
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:56:13 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agenc y. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
2) Back to Top
Thai Officials Seek US Help in Finding Information Linked to Local Bribery
Case
Report by The Nation: "Officials seek US help in Bt64m bribery case" - The
Nation Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:15:38 GMT
(Description of Source: Bangkok The Nation Online in English -- Website of
a daily newspaper with "a firm focus on in-depth business and political
coverage." Widely read by the Thai elite. Audited hardcopy circulation of
60,000 as of 2009. URL: http://www.nationmultimedia.com.)
Mater ial in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
3) Back to Top
Northern Central America Press 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Central America -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:36:09 GMT
-- San Salvador La Prensa Grafica.com in its editorial asserts that what
El Salvador needs at the moment are "cool heads" to steer the nation
through the tensions created by the change in government. These tensions
are present throughout the state apparatus and could increase due in part
to the traditional lack of interaction between the thre e branches of
government. Currently the administration is focused on obtaining financing
for its programs, while the disputes within the legislature have created a
volatile correlation of forces that encourages short-sighted decisions,
while the Supreme Court is marked by unprecedented divisions that have
resulted in dangerous decisions such as authorizing independent political
candidates. Democracy requires rational thought and all political and
private forces must commit themselves not only to ironing out differences,
but also to a sustainable governability to overcome the antidemocratic
attitudes that still prevail in many sectors. (San Salvador La Prensa
Grafica.com in Spanish -- Website of independent, moderately conservative,
largest-circulation daily founded by Jose Dutriz; critical of the FMLN;
URL:
http://www.laprensagrafica.com/portada/default.asp
http://www.laprensagrafica.com/portada/default.asp ) FMLN Accuses
Right-Wing Lawmakers Of Blocking Agreement Wit h Cuba
-- San Salvador La Prensa Grafica.com reports that Farabundo Marti
National Liberation Front (FMLN) lawmakers accused legislators from
right-wing parties of blocking the ratification of a cooperation agreement
on technology and science with Cuba signed on 13 March in Havana by
Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez. The opposition lawmakers maintain that the
agreement is ambiguous and could allow for the arrival of thousands of
Cubans in the country threatening the jobs of Salvadorans. Daily Says
Former, Current Colombian Presidents Violated Human Rights
-- San Salvador Diario Co Latino.com in its editorial asserts that it is
hard to understand why the Colombian people elected Juan Manuel Santos as
their president since Santos and former President Alvaro Uribe are
responsible for the genocides that took place in Colombia. The editorial
reminds that last month Colombia asked for an urgent meeting of the OAS to
denounce that Venezuela was allowing a guerrilla grou p to use its
territory. However, the editorial highlights that on the same date a
clandestine burial site was located in Colombia in the Meta region where
an estimated 2,000 bodies are buried, many victims of Colombian
paramilitary groups. It asserts that the calls for an OAS meeting to
denounce Venezuela were "an evil ploy" to distract attention from the
burial site and the "massacres" committed by the Uribe administration. The
editorial concludes that Uribe and his successor will definitely have to
pay for their crimes. (San Salvador Diario Co Latino.com in Spanish -
Website of left-of-center daily published exclusively in San Salvador;
Editor-in-chief Miguel Pinto, Critical of the National Republican
Alliance; Circulation 10,000; URL:
http://www.diariocolatino.com http://www.diariocolatino.com ) Salvadoran,
Brazilian Presidents Promote Commercial Ties
-- San Salvador Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of El
Salvador official we bsite publishes a press communique reporting that
President Mauricio Funes and his Brazilian counterpart Luis Inacio Lula da
Silva inaugurated an event designed to strengthen ties between the two
nations' private sectors. Some 300 business owners from El Salvador and
the Sao Paulo State Federation of Industries (FIESP) explored investment
and trade opportunities. During the event President Funes praised Brazil's
success in promoting democracy and cooperation between the public and
private sectors adding that the "prejudices" against a leftist government
are being eliminated in El Salvador. The two presidents also met privately
for an hour, while officials from the two administrations signed eight
cooperation agreements covering social programs and other issues. (San
Salvador Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of El Salvador in
Spanish -- Official website of the Salvadoran Ministry of Foreign
Relations; URL:
http://www.rree.gob.sv/ http://www.rree. gob.sv/ ) GUATEMALA President
Colom Warns Administration Facing Grave Financial Shortfall
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com reports that President Alvaro Colom
warned that "we are reaching a limit that could put the public
administration in trouble" if lawmakers fail to approve increasing the
budget in coming months. "The 13 ministries are in trouble," Colom stated
explaining the funding priorities are reconstruction, dealing with
emergencies, and security issues. Colom also said that during his recent
visit to Colombia he met with his Mexican, Honduran, Salvadoran, and
Colombian counterparts to discuss security issues. (Guatemala City Prensa
Libre.com in Spanish -- Website of independent highest circulation daily;
Editor-in-Chief Gonzalo Marroquin Godoy URL:
http://www.prensalibre.com http://www.prensalibre.com ) Honduras Denies
Political Asylum Request By Former Official
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com reports that President Alv aro Colom
said that the Honduran Government would not grant political asylum to
former Penitentiaries System Director Alejandro Giammattei. The former
official sought refuge in the Honduran Embassy on 5 August alleging
political persecution. A court issued an arrest warrant against Giammattei
for his involvement in the death of seven prisoners during an operation to
retake control of the Pavon penal farm. US Lawmakers Said To Support
Granting TPS To Guatemalan Immigrants
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com reports that President Alvaro Colom
revealed that he met with seven US lawmakers from the Republican and
Democrat parties while in Colombia to attend that nation's presidential
inauguration. Colom said that the US lawmakers agreed that Guatemalan
immigrants should receive the same treatment as other Central Americans
that already enjoy the benefits of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
program. HONDURAS Schoolteachers Associations Continue Strike
-- Teguciga lpa La Tribuna Online reports that schoolteachers associations
continue on strike and demanded a meeting with President Porfirio Lobo
Sosa to discuss their demands. The teachers want the administration to pay
its debt to the Teachers' Social Security Institute and also demand the
dismissal of Education Minister Alejandro Ventura. (Tegucigalpa La Tribuna
Online in Spanish -- Website of centrist daily owned by the family of
Carlos Flores, a former Honduran president from the Liberal Party who
continues to wield significant political influence; URL:
http://www.latribuna.hn www.latribuna.hn ) US Deported Over 14,000
Hondurans
-- Tegucigalpa La Tribuna Online reports that according to groups working
with deportees US authorities have deported 14,442 Hondurans so far this
year, 88% are men and 12% are women.
The following media were scanned and no file worthy items were noted:
San Salvador fmln.org.sv
Guatemala City Sigloxxi.com
Guatemala City Alvaro Colom Government
San Pedro Sula Tiempo.hn
Tegucigalpa Presidency of the Republic of Honduras
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
4) Back to Top
Argentina Political and Economic Issues 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Argentina - OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:27:35 GMT
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Augusto Rojas reports from Bogota that although
new Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Venezuelan counterpart
Hugo Chavez wagered on direct dialog to overcome their diplomatic crisis,
a nalysts and Colombian government officials stressed the role played by
former President Nestor Kirchner, as Union of South American Nations
(Unasur) secretary general, and Brazilian President Lula in the
rapprochement. And they stated that the regional entity emerged reinforced
by its performance. Yesterday, Kirchner visited Santos to ask him about
the convenience of his attending today's summit with Chavez and the
Colombian leader authorized him to participate and told him that "his
presence was important." (Buenos Aires Clarin.com in Spanish -- Online
version of highest-circulation, tabloid-format daily owned by the Clarin
media group; generally critical of government; URL:
http://www.clarin.com/ http://www.clarin.com ) (OSC translating)
Commentary Mercosur Makes Argentina's Falkland Sovereignty Claim Strategic
- Buenos Aires Clarin's first of two editorials writes that the recent
Mercosur Summit in San Juan reiterated backing for Argentina's Malvin as
(Falkland) sovereignty claim and extended it to our country's continental
shelf. This is an advance in the regional claim given the economic and
strategic interest in the existing natural resources in the disputed area.
(OSC translating) National President Accompanies Trucker Rival
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Guido Braslavsky reports that in an effort to
situate herself "above" internal General Workers Union (CGT) disputes,
Cristina Kirchner was the "star guest" yesterday at the presentation of
the new clinic for the Federation of Retail Business and Services
Employees (FAECYS), which is headed by Armando Cavalieri, one of the
so-called "fat cats," who oppose trucker Hugo Moyano's CGT leadership. In
her address, the president said that the FAECYS project only "can be done
in a country in growth" and she stated that a "comrade of the workers I
will always be." The ceremony was "sober and without drums," in Parq ue
Norte, where Cavalieri "rules," and participants included several "fat
cats" and Health Minister Juan Manzur and Presidential General Secretary
Oscar Parrilli. Moyano was glaringly absent. "Internal CGT issues are not
our concern," said an important official after the ceremony.
Left-to-right: Cavalieri, Cristina Kirchner, and Manzur (Presidency)
Kirchner Begins 'Seduction' Plan
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Leonardo Mindez reports that the "seduction" is
underway. Nestor Kirchner is spending much of his time talking to the
Buenos Aires Justicialist Party (PJ) leaders that left him or flirted with
leaving. He wants them back into the sheepfold, to play their electoral
cards in the official PJ next year or, at least, not to do so in Federal
Peronism (PF). As Clarin reported two weeks ago, if the PF threatens to
boycott the PJ primary and leave it without candidates, Kirchner plans "to
run the dry cleaner" ov er it. His system is similar in all cases. He
calls the PJ leaders to meetings in Olivos, gives them a monologue about
the national and international scenario, reviews the "K" administration's
achievements, and tries to convince them that the only alternative next
year is Kirchnerism. "In 2003 I had 5% of voter intention and I won the
presidency. Do you know how easy it is now with 30 and what (opposition)
there is in front," he tells each one of them. "The doors are open and
everyone disputes the primary," repeats Kirchner, who seeks to appear to
be much more tolerant than in the past. His discourse may not suffice to
reconvert the lost to the Kirchnerite faith, but it does suffice to avoid
open hostilities and desertions to the "anti-K PJ." Meanwhile, "in the
strictest reserve," PF leaders plan to dine tonight to try to overcome the
disputes that started when former President Eduardo Duhalde announced a
rally in Parana on 4 September. In the afternoon, there will also be PF
meetings in the Senate and the Lower House. Buenos Aires Governor
Unconcerned About Candidate Proliferation - Buenos Aires La Nacion's
Ramiro Sagasti reports from La Plata that according to his aides, Daniel
Scioli does "not" interpret Kirchner's decision to encourage several
ministers to become gubernatorial candidates as an offensive to weaken
him. Scioli knows that Kirchner needs to win big in the Buenos Aires PJ
primary to reinforce his, or his wife's presidential candidacy and Scioli
has confirmed his alignment with the former president. (Buenos Aires
lanacion.com in Spanish -- Website of conservative, second
highest-circulation daily; generally critical of government; URL:
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/ http://www.lanacion.com.ar )
Daniel Scioli and gubernatorial hopeful Social Development Alicia Kirchner
at a ceremony in Buenos Aires yesterday (La Nacion)
Most Governors Seek Re election
- Buenos Aires El Cronista's Analia Argento reports on 9 August that of
the country's 24 governors, two do not have elections next year and six
cannot legally seek reelection: eight in total. Of the other 16, twelve
are already working on reelection, even San Luis Governor Alberto
Rodriguez Saa, who had announced, with his senator brother Adolfo, that no
Rodriguez Saa would be a gubernatorial candidate in 2011 for the first
time since 1983. But he has contradicted himself and said that he would be
a gubernatorial and presidential candidate. (Buenos Aires El Cronista.com
in Spanish -- Website of independent newspaper owned by Spain's Recoletos
Group, focusing on financial information; URL:
http://www.cronista.com/ http://www.cronista.com ) Spanish Judge Ridicules
Duhalde, Agrees To Help Government
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Juan Cruz Sanz reports that in press statements
after participating in a human rights seminar in the Lower House
yesterday, Bal tazar Garzon severely criticized former Duhalde's bill to
plebiscite the continuity of the dictatorship trials -"a barbarity" and
"an electoral 'gag'"- and appeared to meddle indirectly in Argentine
politics. Later, he announced after a meeting with Foreign Minister Hector
Timerman that he would cooperate with Casa Rosada in the development of
programs related to the defense of human rights. Later, he met the
Argentine Workers Union (CTA) leadership, in the framework of an
acknowledgement of "your commitment to truth and justice." Today, he will
be in the public gallery at former dictator Jorge Rafael Videla's trial in
Cordoba. Commentary Kirchner To Place All Bets on Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's political analyst Carlos Pagni writes on 9
August that Nestor Kirchner goes "for all or nothing" in Buenos Aires,
were the "presidential succession" will be decided. It is a "gigantic
challenge" for someon e who comes from losing there. To make matters
worse, the dissident PJ can attract the ruling-party "clientele" with a
candidate with "presidential dimension" such as PF Deputy Francisco de
Narvaez. (OSC translating)
"Recognition" - Nik depicts cabinet chief telling newsman: "Within the
government there are optimists and pessimists..." "How do you recognize
the
optimists?" "They scream: to the votes, to the votes!!" "And the others?"
"To
the boats, to the boats!!" (La Nacion)
Other issues National Schools To Study Dictatorship, Identity
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Silvina Premat reports that in a ceremony in
the Education Ministry yesterday, Estela de Carlotto, Grandmothers of
Plaza de Mayo head; Minister Alberto Sileoni, and Cabinet Chief Jaime
Perczyk presented the texts and DVD that will be sent to primary and
secondary schools nationwide for students to analyze and study -for the
first time since the return of democracy- the issue of the dictatorship
appropriation of minors and the recovery of identity, according to the
work done by the Association of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo. Federal
Police Chief Urges Justice To Increase Controls
- Buenos Aires La Nacion reports, on its front pagea and in an article,
that amid the "commotion" over recent cases of insecurity, Nestor Vallecca
stated yesterday in his address at the funeral of Christian Aoun, one of
the thre e Federal Police (PFA) agents murdered recently, that "justice is
up to the circumstances, but I think that it should look a little more at
the issue of the releases" from prison of persons indicted or sentenced.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires Justice and Security Minister Carlos Casal
revealed yesterday that 38,000 persons had been released from prison while
awaiting trial and that 27,000 persons were being held in prisons and
3,000 preci ncts: 30,000: More outside than inside. Meanwhile, retired
Inspector Major Edgardo Aoun, former PFA Robbery Division head, was with
his family at his son's funeral yesterday. Economic President Announces
New Gas Pipeline
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Oliver Galak reports that Cristina Kirchner
headed a ceremony in Casa Rosada yesterday to sign the contract to
construct the Juana Azurduy Integration Pipeline (GIJA) and announced that
it would be operative next May: 32 km in Argentina and 18 in Bolivia.
Meanwhile, Carlos Villegas, Bolivian Government Oil Deposits (YPFB) head,
said yesterday that the new gas field discovered southeast of Santa Cruz
de la Sierra "permits us to continue meeting the commitments with the
internal market and the contracts with Argentina and Brazil."
Cristina Kirchner, accompanied by Governors Jorge Capitanich (Chaco),
Planning Minister Julio De Vido, Ricardo Colombi (Corrientes), Gildo
Insfran
(Santiago del Este ro), and Maurice Closs (Misiones) in Casa Rosada (La
Nacion)
Santa Cruz Creates Airline With 'Official Planes'
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Santa Cruz correspondent Mariela Arias reports
from Rio Gallegos on 9 August that the Santa Cruz government has created
its own airline with two "official planes." It is authorized to fly
non-regular internal and international services to transport passengers,
cargo, and post. Momentarily, the service will consist in sanitary
flights, which can be contracted by trade-union and private health
companies and even by other Patagonian provinces. The planes are a Cessna
Citation and a Beechcraft King, which were acquired when Kirchner was
governor. India To Purchase More Soybean Oil
- Buenos Aires El Cronista reports that after Ambassador Rengaraj
Viswanathan said yesterday that Indian purchases of soybean oil would
increase 48% year-on-year in 2010 to $1.5 billion and help close the
vacuum left by China, H ector Timerman celebrated the news on Twitter.
"Indian ambassador confirmed soybean oil purchases of $1.5 billion. They
will also increase their investments, which already exceed $1 billion," he
wrote. China Seeks New Options
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Alfredo Sainz reports that Chinese companies
want to invest here and the most attractive sectors are mining,
electronics, and telecommunications. Yesterday, Zhao Xuemel, head of the
Latin American Study Center at the University of International Business
and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing, said that "to locate with a plant in
Argentina, in many cases, represents the best alternative to the measures
that stop the entry of imported products today, as occurs with electronic
and telecommunication-equipment plants." She is here to participate in
"The Construction of China-Argentina Economic Links" seminar, organized by
Tres de Febrero University and the UIBE. Border dispute over pulp mill
Environmen talists Believe Problem Continues
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Jorge Riani reports from Parana that the
Gualeguaychu environmentalists are upset by Timerman's statement there was
nothing further to resolve here and "some" of them have started talking,
in a "moderate tone" momentarily, about the possibility of restarting the
highway blockade if a system to monitor the plant, which would satisfy
their expectations, is not established within nine days. Nevertheless, the
principal Environmental Assembly leaders have sought to clarify that there
is no interest momentarily in restarting the protest.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
5) Back to Top
Brazil Political &amp; Economic Issues 6 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Brazil -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:11:08 GMT
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo reports that President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva attended today the opening meeting of the South American-African
Summit Secretariat in Caracas and ensured that after the end of his
administration, Brazil will continue seeking unity among countries. In a
farewell tone, Lula recalled his experience in eight years of
administration and underscored the importance of the alliance between the
two regions, which according to him have great potential and are alike for
thinking of "building" a common future. President Lula also promised that
after his term in office is over, he will be available to contribute to
Latin America and Africa. (Sao Paulo Folha de Sao P aulo Online in
Portuguese - Website of generally critical of the government,
top-circulation newspaper; URL: http:www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp) Clean
Record Legislation Expected To Bar At Least 100 Candidates from Elections
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo reports that according to a projection of
the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), at least 100 candidates will be barred
from running based on the Clean Record Law. According to the report, of a
total of 1,030 candidacies barred so far, little over 70 were based on the
new legislation. The law also prevents the candidacy of politicians who
resigned to escape punishment decisions for misconduct. (Sao Paulo O
Estado de S. Paulo digital in Portuguese -- Website of conservative,
influential daily, critical of the government; URL:
http://www.estadao.com.br/ http://www.estadao.com.br ) PSDB Chairman Deems
Serra's Performance in Debate 'Blaster'
- Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Carolina Freitas reports that Senator S
ergio Guerra, national chairman of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party
(PSDB), considered the performance of the PSDB's presidential candidate,
Jose Serra, in the debate on TV Bandeirantes "a blaster." According to
Guerra, "he conveys more fluency and confidence to voters. Dilma
(Rousseff) talks in circles, always the same thing." According to Guerra,
the distance between Lula and Rousseff weakens her: "Rousseff is not
Lula." "Lula articulates his speech, has intellectual muscles. Rousseff's
problem is not just vocal. It is intellectual," he noted. Presidential
Candidates Avoid Thorny Topics in First Debate
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo reports that thorny topics, which were cause
of controversy during the campaign and the pre-campaign and which would
lead to heated discussions among the candidates, were not mentioned
throughout the two hours of debates. According to the report, Serra did
not refer to the alleged relationship between the Workers Party (PT) and
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the attempt of
creating a file of documents against the PSDB's executive vice-president,
Eduardo Jorge Caldas Pereira, and the relationship between Brazil and
Iran. In related news, another report in Folha de S. Paulo adds that
Rousseff stated that she was "pleased" with her performance in her first
debate as candidate and also mentioned that she did not feel any
aggressiveness from her main opponent, Jose Serra.
Serra, Rousseff Polarize Debate, Focus on Health, Unemployment
- Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Gabriel Manzano reports that the first
debate between the presidential candidates on TV with Jose Serra (PSDB),
Dilma Rousseff (PT), Marina Silva (Green Party - PV), and Plinio Arruda
Sampaio (Socialist Party - PSOL) turned into a duel between Serra and
Rousseff, which Serra tried to focus on health and Rousseff on the figures
and achievements of the Lula ad ministration. According to the report, it
was a mild confrontation, with litt le emotion, except fo the short and
hard criticism from Sampaio against the other candidates. Story notes that
"Rousseff survived with some nervousness and long and generic sentences,
in her first major public test." Serra Recalls Humble Origin, Rousseff
Focuses on Lula Administration
- Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Gustavo Uribe reports that in the last
bloc of the debate, dedicated to final statements, the presidential
candidates explored their key campaign strategies in the dispute this
year. According to the report, Serra focused on the image of a candidate
with a humble background and tried to deconstruct the image of a serious
man. Rousseff focused on connecting her political career to President
Lula, and the honor of having coordinated the administration team during
her term as Civilian Household Chief. Marina Silva tried to be the
alternative option to the PT and the PSD B administrations, while Sampaio
complained about questions on his defense regarding the country's default
of the foreign debt. Roussef To Launch Web-based Fundraising
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo's Fernando Rodrigues reports that Rousseff
will launch on Monday, 9 August, a website for online fundraising.
According to the report, supporters can use credit or debit cards to
contribute and the system will be the first of its kind in the country.
Serra's campaign leaders have signaled that he will not be able to offer
this option to supporters. Supreme Court Ministers Want Salary Worth
30,000 Reais
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo's Felipe Seligman reports that the Supreme
Federal Court (STF) will send next week a draft bill to Congress asking
for a 14.79% increase in salaries of ministers, which would come into
effect in January 2011, which would raise the current ceiling from the
current 26,723 reais (R) to a monthly salary of R30,675. EH Vale To Invest
$300 Milli on More in Peru
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo's Janaina Lage reports that Vale company has
announced plans to expand the production of the Bayovar phosphate mine in
Peru by 50%. According to Vale chairman, Roger Agnelli, in 18 months the
installed capacity will grow from 3.9 million tons to 5.9 million.
According to the report, the mine has already received investments worth
$566 million and was inaugurated yesterday with the presence of Peruvian
President Alan Garcia. Story notes that the expansion will require an
additional investment of $300 million. Bovespa Drops by 0,89% Influenced
by Pessimism in International Market
- Sao Paulo Folha de S. Paulo reports that after fluctuating near
stability in the start of operations, the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange
(Bovespa) stabilized in a downward trend, and recorded an 0.89% drop,
falling to 67,804 points. On 5 August, the Bovespa closed at a 0.20%
increase. Story notes that the commercial exchange rate to the dollar re
corded an increase of 0.39%, closing at R1.761 to the dollar and the
country risk rate recorded 204 basis points, namely 1.49% higher than the
previous figure. The Department of Labor announced that 131,000 jobs were
cut last month, though mostly temporary posts, and the private sector only
hired 71,000 employees in the month, under the 90,000 expected by
economists. In related news, another report by Jacqueline Farid in O
Estado de S. Paulo adds that the Expanded Consumer Price Index (IPCA)
recorded a positive variation of 0.01% in July, as announced today by the
Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), while the National
Consumer Price Index (INPC) dropped by 0.07% in July. Yet another report
by Alessandra Saraiva in Agencia Estado adds that the industrial
production fell in 9 of the 14 regions surveyed by the IBGE in June, in
comparison with May. According to the IBGE, the greatest drop in
industrial activity was recorded in Goias and Bahia. Mantega Please d with
IPCA in July
- Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Sabrina Valle reports that Finance
Minister Gui do Mantega stated today that he was very pleased with the
IPCA announced today by the IBGE, which stood at 0.01% in July,
accumulating an inflation of 4.6% in 12 months. Agriculture Minister Says
US Embargo on Brazilian Beef Almost Over
- Sao Paulo Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Gustavo Porto reports that
according to Agriculture Minister Wagner Rossi, the US embargo on
Brazilian processed beef, which has been in effect for over two months,
"is very close to reaching a solution." According to him, the
implementation of the Brazilian administration's action plan to solve the
problems pointed out in samples exported next week. Camex Lowers Imports
Duty on Aircraft to Zero
- Sao Paulo Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo's Rosana de Cassia reports that
the Foreign Trade Board (Camex) lowered the imports tax on aircraft to
zero, as well as the tax on foreign purchases of parts and pieces and
light training equipment and related goods.
The following media were scanned and no file worthy items were noted:
(Sao Paulo Valor Online in Portuguese - Website of financial daily
published jointly by the Folha and Globo media conglomerates; URL:
http://www.valoronline.com.br http://www.valoronline.com.br )(Description
of source: Sao Paulo Brasil Economico - Online version of economic daily;
URL:
http://www.brasileconomico.com.br www.brasileconomico.com.br )
(Rio de Janeiro JB Online in Portuguese - Website of center-right
commercial daily affiliated to the Catholic Church; URL:
http://jbonline.terra.com.br http://jbonline.terra.com.br )(Rio de Janeiro
O Globo Online in Portuguese -- Website of Rio de Janeiro's top
circulation daily, part of the Globo media conglomerate; URL:
http://oglobo.globo.com http://oglobo.globo.com )(Brasilia Correio
Braziliense Online in Portuguese -- Websit e of pro-government daily
generally differs from printed version, which is available on site to
subscribers; URL:
http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/ http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br
)(Porto Alegre Zero Hora (Internet version-WWW) --- Porto Alegre's leading
daily
http://zerohora.com.br/ URL:http://zerohora.com.br )
(Brasilia Jornal de Brasilia (Internet Version-WWW) in Portuguese ---
Brasilia daily URLhttp://www.jornaldebrasilia.com.br/)
(Sao Paulo Agencia Estado in Portuguese - Center-right, largely
pro-administration news agency)
(Brasilia Agencia Brasil WWW-Text in Portuguese -- Government-owned news
agency. URL: as of filing date: http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/)
(Sao Paulo Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA) (Internet Version-WWW) - website
affiliated with the Brazil-Arab Chamber of Commerce)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
6) Back to Top
Xinhua 'Analysis': Hopes High for Ending Row Between Venezuela, Colombia
Xinhua "Analysis": "Hopes High for Ending Row Between Venezuela, Colombia"
- Xinhua
Tuesday August 10, 2010 12:02:05 GMT
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hopes are high that Venezuela and Colombia
will put aside their diplomatic row when the two countries' leaders meet
on Tuesday to seek a repairing of ties, analysts say.
However, the dust of their dispute over Colombia's accusations that
Venezuela was harboring Colombian guerrillas, is unlikely to settle for at
least some time.CONCILIATORY MOVESColombia's charges prompted Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez to sever diplomatic ties with Colombia on July
22.But with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos taking office on Aug.
7, tensions between the two countries are beginning to ease.Santos, unlike
his hard-line predecessor Alvaro Uribe, is more practical and has voiced
willingness to mend ties between the two countries.Santos' conciliatory
tone was welcomed by Chavez, who sent his foreign minister Nicolas Maduro
to Santos' inauguration ceremony and directed him to arrange a bilateral
summit.Santos and Chavez will meet in Santa Marta, Colombia, at the site
close to where South American independence hero Simon Bolivar died in
1830.Chavez seems keen to take advantage of the talks to resume contact
with Colombia. He said on Sunday that the talks would mark the beginning
of a new relationship between the two neighboring countries.Restoring
bilateral trade, which plummeted from 7 billion U.S. dollars to 700
million dollars last year, will be top on the agenda of their talks.Trade
activities have been on the decline amid fears of a potential war along
the border, though some observers told Xinhua that there was no evidence
such a war would break out.Besides, leaders of the region have played an
important role in efforts to mediate between the two sides.After Nestor
Kirchner, secretary-general of the Union of South American Nations,
visited Venezuela on Aug. 5-6, Chavez changed his position by sending his
foreign minister Maduro to Santos' inauguration ceremony.Leaders of
Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador and Uruguay also appealed for an easing of
tensions.DEEP-ROOTED DIFFERENCES TO REMAINHowever, despite the latest sign
of a rapprochement between the two neighbors, analysts expect their
dispute to linger for a long time due to their ideological
differences.Miguel Angel Latouche, an expert at the Central University of
Venezuela, said Venezuela and Colombia represent two kinds of political
models in Latin America.The root causes of conflict lie in their different
understanding of democ racy and the gap cannot easily be bridged by way of
diplomatic reconciliation, Latouche said.Venezuela and Colombia also
differ sharply over the status of the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC).The Colombian government labels FARC, the leftist guerilla
group which has been fighting the government since the 1960s, as a
terrorist group.But Chavez has asked the international community to stop
classifying FARC as terrorists.Their differences also lies in their
attitudes toward the United States.Bogota, a stanch ally of Washington,
infuriated Caracas in July 2009 by signing a pact with the U.S. that gives
the U.S. military access to seven Colombian bases. Chavez denounced the
move as a threat to regional peace.In their latest spat, Chavez threatened
to cut off oil supplies to the U.S. if his country is attacked by
U.S.-backed Colombia.Although Chavez has not made any new remarks about
Uribe, there are clear indications that their relationship ended on a sour
note .One of Uribe's actions before leaving office was filing a complaint
with the Hague-based International Criminal Court against
Chavez.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's
official news service for English-language audiences (New China News
Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Indian Commentary Urges Iran To Focus on Talks To Ease Nuclear Tensions
With West
Commentary by Atul Aneja: Iran: the Politics of Sanctions - The Hindu
Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:48:51 GMT
Since the imposition of a new round of stringent sanctions, attention has
been focussed on Iran's capacity to cope with the fresh attempts by the
West to enforce its economic isolation. Led by the United States, Iran was
confronted with three sets of sanctions in quick succession. The fourth
round imposed by the United Nations Security Council on June 9 has been
followed by a stringent set of economic measures, slapped unilaterally by
the U.S. and the European Union.The purpose of the sanctions is apparently
to promote the international non-proliferation agenda. By causing Iran
economic pain, the West hopes to discourage it from pursuing a path of
acquiring atomic weapons. In other words, the economic route is being
pursued to achieve a political objective -- of persuading Tehran to
relinquish such measures that may take it closer to acquiring nuclear
weapon capability. Unlike the Bush administration, which flashed "regime
change" as its call sign, the new mantra in Washington is about changing
"regime behaviour." Applied to Iran, i t means enforcing a change in its
nuclear policy by confronting it with the prospect of severe economic
deprivations.In seeking to deny Iran atomic weapons, the Security
Council's focus so far has been on curbing uranium enrichment. Uranium,
when enriched above a 90 per cent level, can be used for making atomic
weapons. Iran has enriched most of its uranium to a level of five per
cent. However, since February, it has begun enrichment to a 20-per cent
level. The Iranians argue that they need a 20-per cent level to eventually
fabricate the nuclear fuel necessary to produce medical isotopes required
for treatment of cancer.Unsurprisingly, a string of resolutions passed by
the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany has called
upon Iran to halt uranium enrichment -- a demand it has refused to meet.
The global powers have been especially alarmed at Iran's 20 per cent
enrichment for, they fear that unless checked, this could be a stepping
stone for Tehran purify ing uranium to a weapon-grade level. As for the
five per cent uranium stockpile, there has been a concerted attempt, led
by the West, to remove the bulk of this material to locations outside
Iran.Will the heavy sanctions be weighty enough to persuade Tehran to
sufficiently rein in its atomic programme? Given the level of suffering
they are likely to cause, it is unlikely that sanctions alone would be
severe enough to exhort Iran to significantly re-orient its atomic
programme. However, there is a subtle but powerful political message in
the new set of sanctions that Iran may find difficult to ignore, and which
could encourage a dialogue in the future.Among the latest sanctions, those
imposed unilaterally by the Americans and the Europeans strike at the very
foundations of Iran's economy -- its oil and gas sector.For instance, EU
sanctions ban the sale, supply or transfer of equipment and technology
that Iran can use for refining, exploration and production of oil. The ban
co vers liquefied natural gas as well. The U.S. sanctions hope to target
Iranian petrol imports. While Iran is one of the world's largest producers
of crude, it lacks sufficient refining capacity. Consequently, nearly 40
per cent of its petrol requirements are met through imports, although the
figure may have declined to 30 per cent if Iranian official estimates are
to be believed. A Reuters report quoting the Oil Ministry said Iran's
daily consumption of gasoline since March stands at 63.1 million litres.
Of this, 45 million litres is produced domestically, which means Iran
requires to import 18 million litres a day. Taking advantage of Iran's
dependence on imports, the U.S. on June 24 passed its sanctions
legislation, which not only imposed restrictions on its own companies but
also targeted th e international firms that supply petrol and petroleum
products to Iran. Under the new law, firms violating the sanctions will
face denial of access to the U.S. financial system or con tracts.The
significantly tightened sanctions have begun to take effect. In July, Iran
reportedly received four shipments of petrol, far short of the 11 monthly
cargoes of around 45 million litres each it normally requires at this time
of the year. Of these, three were provided by the Turkish refining firm
Tupras and China's Unipec, trading arm of Chinese refiner Sinopec.
Venezuela was expected to provide the fourth gasoline cargo to Iran.
Selling petrol to Iran has become all the more difficult as Lloyds of
London, a trendsetting firm, has since July 9 decided that it would not
insure or reinsure petroleum shipments bound for that country.Though the
petroleum and financial sanctions have hit Iran hard, it may not find it
unbearable to shoulder the burden. Iran has adopted a three-pronged
strategy to meet its gasoline shortfall. First, it has decided to slash
consumption. In the coming days, Tehran is expected to cut subsidies on
gasoline. Second, it expects that friends such as China, Turkey and
Venezuela will continue to support it with their petroleum supplies. While
supporting the U.N. sanctions, China publicly rejected the imposition of
unilateral sanctions by the U.S. and the EU which severely target Iran's
oil and gas sector. Third, Iran plans to rapidly expand its domestic
refining sector to acquire self-sufficiency within the next few
years.While Iran may be prepared to face the economic hardship, it is the
political challenge posed by the sanctions that may make it uneasy.
Notwithstanding the dismissive rhetoric, it is unlikely that Tehran would
have missed the political signal sent by the sanctions -- that the West
may be running out of non-military options to curb its nuclear programme.
The latest round of sanctions, in other words, may have brought war closer
to Iran's doorstep than ever before.A combination of factors -- the
retirement of the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
Mohamed ElBaradei, a vocal critic o f military action in the region; and
the re-emergence of the hawkish Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin
Netanyahu, and his powerful partners in New York and Washington -- has
hardened the anti-Iran mood in large sections of the U.S. establishment.
Combined with the intense exertions of the non-proliferation crowd within
the American bureaucracy, Washington's intolerance of an independent
Iranian nuclear programme has been further re-energised. Some of the rich
Gulf Arab petro-monarchies are also doing their bit to exhort the West to
curb Iran's atomic programme.Those opposing the Iranian nuclear programme
argue, unfairly, that once armed with atomic weapons, Iran would be well
positioned to destabilise West Asia. In the West, there are also fears
that after acquiring atomic weapons, it would emerge as a regional
heavyweight, impossible to contain. A nuclear Iran, it is feared, would
become a mighty counterweight to Israel, a key anchor well positioned to
defend core western in terests in large parts of West Asia. Iran's
emergence as Israel's potent rival would, therefore, change the pro-West
balance of power in the region. Once in command of a nuclear deterrent and
insulated from a military attack, Iran, it is believed, would also have
the capacity to impede vital western interests on two other fronts.First,
Iran would be unrestrained to tamper at will with the flow of
international energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that
would have a disastrous impact on the global oil industry. Second, a
nuclear Iran would be well positioned to cause instability in some of the
neighbouring oil rich Gulf countries, with significant Shia populations.
For Saudi Arabia, a nuclear Iran is the ultimate nightmare for, most of
the Shia population is concentrated in the country's eastern provinces,
where much of the Saudi oil and related infrastructure is locate d. Iran
would therefore emerge as a significant threat not only to the Kingdom but
also to the global economy because the world's largest oil reserves are
located in Saudi Arabia.From an Iranian standpoint, the latest round of
sanctions signals a time for serious circumspection, followed by a sharp
focus on dialogue to ease nuclear tensions with the West. The promise of
the revival of Iran's talks in September with the Vienna group, comprising
the U.S, Russia, France and the IAEA, presents an opportunity for nuclear
confidence-building measures which neither Iran nor the global powers can
afford to miss. Iran's position supporting the involvement of Turkey and
Brazil in talks with the global powers is also logical, and maybe
necessary, in order to prevent the standoff between Tehran and the West
from heading towards the brink of war.
(Description of Source: Chennai The Hindu Online in English -- Website of
the most influential English daily of southern India. Strong focus on
South Indian issues. It has abandoned its neutral editorial and reportage
policy in the recent few years after its editor, N Ram, a Left party
member, fell out with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and has
become anti-BJP, pro-Left, and anti-US with perceptible bias in favor of
China in its write-ups. Gives good coverage to Left parties and has
reputation of publishing well-researched editorials and commentaries; URL:
www.hindu.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Xinhua 'China Focus': Growth in Chinese Exports, Imports Slows in July
Xinhua "China Focus": "Growth in Chinese Exports, Imports Slows in July" -
Xinhua
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:06:06 GMT
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's exports rose 38.1 percent year on
year to 145.52 billion U.S. dollars in July, but the growth rate was down
from the 43.9-percent surge in June, the General Administration of Customs
(GAC) said Tuesday.
Imports increased 22.7 percent from a year earlier to 116.79 billion U.S.
dollars. The pace of growth, slower than June's 34.1-percent increase, was
the smallest since imports resumed growing in November 2009 after having
fallen for a year.Slower growth in imports of commodities such as steel,
copper and plastic products was in line with the softening in fixed assets
investment growth, said ANZ Bank analyst Zhang Hao.It also indicated
China's policies to optimize industrial structure and ease excessive
capacity has paid off, Zhang added.On a monthly basis, exports in July
were up 5.9 percent from June, but July's imports edged down 0.4 percent
from the previous month, the administration said.China's growth in exports
will continue to slow in line with the expected slowdown in economic
growth in the United States and the European Union from the third quarter,
said Wang Tao, economist with the UBS Securities.Wang said growth in
exports will continue to outpace that of imports for the rest of the year
and she expects the annual trade surplus to hit 185 billion U.S. dollars
this year.The country's foreign trade totaled 262.31 billion U.S. dollars
last month, up 30.8 percent from a year earlier.The trade surplus for the
first seven months totaled 83.93 billion U.S. dollars, down 21.2 percent
over the same period last year.July's trade surplus widened to 28.7
billion U.S. dollars, the highest level since February last year, sparking
speculation that pressure on a stronger yuan will rise."The increase in
the trade surplus is likely to add pressure to the exchange rate while the
continued stronger-than-expected expansion in exports might help reduce
some of the domestic concerns abo ut a possible sharp weakening in
external demand," Barclays Capital said in a report to clients."A possible
pickup in capital inflows in the coming months in view of the global
easing monetary conditions and excess liquidity searching for yield may
also add to the appreciation pressure," it said.The central parity rate of
the yuan weakened to 6.7745 per U.S. dollar Tuesday from Monday's 6.7685,
the strongest level since China abandoned a decade-old peg to the U.S.
dollar in July 2005. The currency is allowed to float on the inter-bank
market within a daily limit of 0.5 percent each way of the central parity
rate.The People's Bank of China, the central bank, announced on June 19
this year it would further reform the formation mechanism of the yuan
exchange rate to improve its flexibility.Liu Dongliang, financial analyst
with China Merchants Bank, expects the exchange rate of the yuan to
strengthen to 6.75 against the greenback by the end of the month.According
to the GAC, China's trade with the European Union, the country's largest
trade partner, climbed 36.6 percent year on year in the January-July
period to 263.16 billion U.S. dollars.Trade with the United States jumped
30.6 percent during the period while that with Japan expanded 34.9 percent
in the first seven months compared with a year earlier.Brazil overtook
Russia to become China's 10th largest trade partner, with bilateral trade
surging 54.6 percent to 32.51 billion U.S. dollars from January to
July.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official
news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
9) Back to Top
2nd Ld: Growth in China's Exports, Imports Slows Down in July
Xinhua: "2nd Ld: Growth in China's Exports, Imports Slows Down in July" -
Xinhua
Tuesday August 10, 2010 05:02:52 GMT
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's exports rose 38.1 percent year on
year to 145.52 billion U.S. dollars in July, but the growth rate was down
from a 43.9-percent surge in June, the General Administration of Customs
(GAC) said Tuesday.
Imports increased 22.7 percent from a year earlier to 116.79 billion U.S.
dollars. The pace of growth was slower than June's 34.1-percent
increase.China's exports growth would continue to slow in line with an
expected slowdown in economic growth in the United States and European
Union from the third quarter, said Wang Tao, economist with the UBS
Securities.Wang said growth in exports would continue to outpace that of
imports for the rest of the year and she expected the annual trade surplus
to hit 185 billion U.S. dollars this year.On a monthly basis, exports in
July were up 5.9 percent from June, but July's imports edged down 0.4
percent from the previous month, the administration said.The country's
foreign trade totaled 262.31 billion U.S. dollars last month, up 30.8
percent from a year earlier.The trade surplus for the first seven months
totaled 83.93 billion U.S. dollars, down 21.2 percent over the same period
last year.Trade with the European Union, the country's largest trade
partner, climbed 36.6 percent year on year in the January-July period to
263.16 billion U.S. dollars, the GAC said.Trade with the United States
jumped 30.6 percent during the period while that with Japan expanded 34.9
percent in the first seven months compared with a year earlier.Brazil
overtook Russia to become China's 10th largest trade partner, with
bilateral trade surging 54.6 percent to 32.51 billion U.S. dollars from
January to July.(Descr iption of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English --
China's official news service for English-language audiences (New China
News Agency))
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Delhi Article Discusses India's Options on Afghanistan After Kabul
Conference
Article by D Suba Chandran, deputy director, Institute of Peace and
Conflict Studies, IPCS, New Delhi: "Af-Pak Diary-IV: Indias Options after
the Kabul Conference" - Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:30:50 GMT
Nearly two weeks after the Kabul conference, which witnessed 70 plus count
ries taking part along with Hillary Clinton and Ban-ki Moon, the UN
Secretary General, the end game is getting clearer. There seems to be a
consensus at the international level, in terms of agreeing to President
Karzai's request that the security of Afghanistan be totally handed over
to the Afghan National Army (ANA) and his government taking 'total
ownership' of the administration. Meaning, that the international forces,
by 2014 would have left completely, and that Karzai will be in absolute
charge. What are the implications of this process, leading to a 2014 exit?
What should be India's strategies to meet the likely fallouts?
The above development of Karzai taking ownership of Afghan security and
government should be read with three other recent developments - all of
which have grave implications for India's investments in Afghanistan and
its likely strategies in the future. First was the peace jirga, held by
Karzai a month before in Kabul, which suggested that the government of
Afghanistan should start a process of negotiation with the Taliban. Second
development was a meeting (now denied), sometime during May-June, between
Karzai and Sirajuddin Huqqani (of the notorious Huqqani network,
responsible for the attack on Indian investments, including the embassy in
Kabul), brokered by none other than Gen Kayani, Pakistan's Army Chief.
Third development was the conclusion of Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade
agreement (which excluded any transit rights to India).
All the above three developments, if seen together would show a pattern
emerging, which includes the following. First, the decision by Karzai and
his government to negotiate with the Taliban. What are they likely to
negotiate? A general amnesty for the Taliban in return for Mullah Omar and
Sirajudin Huqqani laying down their arms and promising a good conduct? Or
a sort of understanding between the Taliban and Karzai in power sharing?
The latter seems to be the most plausible outco me of this negotiation,
which will fructify once the American led international troops start
leaving Afghanistan. This is why Karzai seems to be in a hurry to ask the
international force to leave, despite understanding the limitations of his
ANA. The international community (especially the US) understands this; it
appears, there seems to be a tacit approval for such a negotiation.
Second is the growing reliance of Karzai on Islamabad, especially on
Pakistan's Army and its ISI. This reliance is perhaps a tactical
understanding; Karzai, perhaps believes there is no other option than to
deal with the devil, which will otherwise lead to his downfall and the
collapse of his regime. Pakistan, especially its ISI, by constantly
pursuing a twin strategy of supporting the Taliban, yet undertaking select
military operations against it, seems to have convinced Karzai and the US,
there is no other way to deal with the situation, other than talking to
the Taliban. The recent trade agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan
should be seen from this perspective.
Now, what happens to the Indian investments, which are more than a billion
dollars now? What happens to New Delhi's political investment in Karzai as
a bulwark aimed at scuttling Pakistan's influence? What are India's
options now?
First option is to cut losses and get out of Afghanistan. This is what the
entire gamut of countries and donor agencies have concluded; Kabul
conference deadline is an expression of this exit strategy. From US to
Australia, countries have made huge investments - precious lives have been
lost, and billions of dollars went in the drain (or in select Afghan
pockets!). These counties have decided to cut their losses and get out;
enough is enough seems to their mantra. India could also pursue the same
strategy; it certainly is an option.
Second option is to start a negotiation with the Taliban. Since its return
is imminent after 2014 , if not before thi s deadline, why not talk to the
Taliban and tell them that New Delhi would be only interested in building
Afghanistan's infrastructure, from roads to bridges and hospitals. Or, New
Delhi could pressurize the US and Karzai, that it is willing to agree to
their decision to negotiate with the Taliban, with a condition that its
economic investments will be protected after 2014.
Third option is to explore working with the Northern Alliance (or what is
left out of it) and considering the option of being present militarily, at
least in the Northern Afghanistan. Boots on the ground is an option that
needs to be debated, instead of simply overthrowing it. The hypothesis
that it would have negative implications on the Indian Muslim community
needs to be tested. Such a substantiation (or accusation) that the Indian
Muslim community will keep its religious interests in the forefront at the
cost of national interest is unfounded. Did they ever object to the
Indo-Pak wars or the h uge Army presence in Kashmir valley?
Let there be a debate on all three options - both in the Parliament and
outside. We have not run out the options; but the time is running out.
(Description of Source: New Delhi Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
Online in English -- Website of independent think tank devoted to studying
security issues relating to South Asia. Maintains close liaison with
Indian ministries of Defense and External Affairs; URL: www.ipcs.org)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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US will be driven out of Mideast - Iran president - Press TV Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:33:22 GMT
Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 10
AugustIran says the US will be forced to leave the Middle East in the face
of increasing opposition to its overseas military bases and defeats in
Iraq and Afghanistan.In an interview with The New Yorker on Tuesday (10
August), Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad stressed that the situation
in Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrated how Washington's "domineering
policies" had been fruitless."Today, nations are extremely distressed by
the presence of US military bases in their countries, and demand their
closure. This is while just 40 years ago they welcomed the bases on their
soil," the president's official website quoted his remarks."This means
that America's military dominance is over," he added.The president went on
to criticize Washington for sacrificing the welfare of Americans and good
relations with the Middle East through its unwaver ing support for
Israel."While the US can maintain friendly, cultural and economic ties
with the Middle East, nearly 97 per cent of the region's population are
opposed to the US support of the Zionist Regime."Ahmadinezhad said
Washington could "spend the hefty sum (it spent) supporting the Zionists
and (on) invading Iraq and Afghanistan to enhance the quality of life for
its nation or for cultivating and investing in the Middle East."President
Ahmadinezhad slammed the White House for what he described as decades of
hostility and interference in Iran's internal affairs."The US politician's
hostility towards the Iranian nations is not limited to recent years...the
US government carried out a coup in Iran 57 years ago, for which (former
Secretary of State Madeleine) Albright claimed full credit," he said. "The
US supported (Iraqi dictator) Saddam (Husayn) during the eight-year
(Iraqi-) imposed war."The Iranian president also criticized the US for its
nuclear weapons stockpile, which is "in breach of the NPT (Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty)."(Description of Source: Tehran Press TV Online
in English -- website of Tehran Press TV, 24-hour English-language news
channel of Iranian state-run television officially controlled by the
office of the supreme leader; www.presstv.ir)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Cordoba House Controversy Shows Islamophobia Still Rages
"Cordoba House Controversy Shows Islamophobia Still Rages" -- Jordan Times
Headline - Jordan Times Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:23:07 GMT
11 August 2010
By Hasan Abu Nimah Afierce controversy is raging in the United States
overplans to build an Islamic community and outreach centre, including a
mosque, inLower Manhattan, several blocks from "Ground Zero" - the site
where the WorldTrade Centre stood when it was attacked on September 11,
2001. The controversystarted when the Cordoba Initiative, led by Imam
Feisal Abdul Rauf, wanted toget a permit to build the centre, to be called
Cordoba House. Writing in theNew York Daily News, Ilhan Tanir commented
that "one of the biggest motives ofthis controversy is the image of Islam
in America... For many, Islam is areligion which chiefly spreads hatred. A
lot of Americans believe that Islam isan exceptionally brutal religion in
which basic human rights are unimportantfor especially those who belong to
other faiths. Since 9/11, this chain ofbeliefs has gained more evidence to
prove its arguments are worthy, in light ofmany radical Islam ic
terrorists?blowing up innocent women or infants almostevery single day."
If that is the impression Americans have, it is not justbecause of what
Muslims did and did not do, but because demagogues andanti-Muslim
activists fanned the flames, seeking to sow fear and hatred ratherthan
seek any common ground. Many claimed that locating Cordoba House so
closeto Ground Zero would be insensitive to the feelings of family members
ofvictims of the 9/11 attacks. Former Republican vice presidential
candidate andAlaska governor Sarah Palin jumped into the fray to oppose
the mosque, ad?ingfuel to a fire that raged in the American media over
what came to be known,misleadingly and disparagingly, as the "Ground Zero
Mosque." In its missionstatement, the Cordoba Initiative clearly states
that one of its aims is"bringing back the atmosphere of interfaith
tolerance and respect that we havelonged for since Muslims, Christians and
Jews lived together in harmony andprosperit y eight hundred years ago." We
can only hope that Cordoba House willfulfil this noble mission, but some
lessons emerged from the controversy.President Barack Obama, despite his
famous Cairo speech to the Muslim worldlast year, remained entirely
silent, which might indicate his administrationfeels too intimidated to
stand up to the wave of Islamophobia sweeping thecountry. It is hard to
imagine such silence if any other religious group facedsimilar
high-profile hostility. Many will wonder, if Obama can't even reach outto
American Muslims what can the rest of the world expect. But after
theproject cleared its last technical hurdle - a vote of the New York
CityLandmarks Commission - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a
stirringand commendable speech defending the tolerance and openness of his
city and theUnited States. Although he has taken extreme pro-Israel
positions, Bloombergshowed enough courage to stand up to the raging
bigotry. One of the loudestopponents to Cordoba House was Abe Foxman,
national director of the pro-Israellobby group the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL), which advertises itself as anorganisation committed to fighting
bigotry. Firmly aligning himself with thebigots, Foxman argued:
"Ultimately this is not a question of rights, but aquestion of what is
right. In our judgement, building an Islamic centre in theshadow of the
World Trade centre will cause some victims more pain -unnecessarily - and
that is not right?. "If you want to heal us, don't do it inour cemetery,"
he added. This was ironic, not least because Foxman has beentotally silent
about the agony caused to Muslims by the plans of the LosAngeles-based
pro-Israel group, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, to build aso-called "Museum
of Tolerance" on top of Muslim graves in Mamillah Cemetery inJerusalem.
The head of the Wiesenthal Centre also opposed the Cordoba House.Foxman's
endorsement of the anti-Muslim racists seems to have caused a back
lashagainst a powerful organisation that is used to getting its way.
FareedZakaria, CNN host, editor of Newsweek International and Washington
Postcolumnist, responded by returning a prize the ADL had honoured him
with fiveyears earlier. "I was thrilled to get the award from an
organisation that I hadlong admired, but I cannot in good conscience keep
it anymore," he wrote.Zakaria also returned the $10,000 that came with the
award. While Zakariashould be commended for this action, the question
remains as to why he hadaccepted the award in the first place. Any honest
observer should have seen therole the ADL has played in promoting the most
extreme anti-Arab policies ofIsrael as well as many of the extremist "war
on terror" policies of the USadministration. And beyond his action,
Zakaria's defence of Islam implied majormisconceptions. He wrote that "the
lasting solution to the problem of Islamicterror is to prevail in the
battle of ideas and to discredi t radical Islam."This is utterly wrong. In
the same way that there are terrorists, warcriminals, murderers, thieves
and torturers who adhere to all kinds of faiths,there are also Muslims who
fit in such deplorable categories. How could therenot be when Muslims are
a third of the world's population? We do not speak of"Christian terror" or
of "Jewish terror" just because there are terrorists whohappen to be
Christians or Jews. After all, don't Israeli soldiers and settlerscommit
abominable crimes every day with the endorsement of rabbis, claimingthat
they do it for the sake of "Judaism" or the "Jewish people"? Hundreds
ofthousands of Muslims have been killed in the wars waged in Iraq and
Afghanistanby the United States and its allies. What about the millions of
people who werekilled in Southeast Asia during America's war in Vietnam?
Should we call themvictims of "Christian violence" - especially after it
was revealed that some USsoldiers' rifles in Iraq were engraved with
verses from the Bible? Just likeother people, sometimes Muslims engage in
violence because they are underoccupation, just as French, Belgian and
Dutch Christians did in Europe. It justso happens the only countries in
the world under foreign military occupationtoday are Muslim countries.
Religion is entirely incidental to the fact thatpeople took up arms,
though they might find inspiration, comfort or courage init, but it has
become convenient to blame their religion in order to obscurethe original
causes of the violence. Zakaria urges support for Imam Rauf, andrightly
so, describing him as a "moderate" Muslim clergyman, who
"routinelydenounces terrorism" and "speaks of the need for Muslims to live
peacefullywith all other religions&amp;#1577; He advocates equal rights
for women, and arguesagainst laws that in any way punish non-Muslims." But
there is nothing novel orgroundbreaking in any of that. With all due
respect the imam is notreinterpreting Islam, he is simply describing part
of its peaceful mission asMuslims all over the world live it every day.
The reference to laws that punishnon-Muslims, however, is quite
implausible. I am not aware that such laws existin Islam. Laws in general
punish violators or breakers of the law regardless oftheir religion.
Allowing the Cordoba House to be built in downtown Manhattanand offering
it support is not a great gesture to Islam. It is meant to be asymbol of
healing and reconciliation for all faiths. As such it is not anIslamic
shrine despite the fact that it would include a mosque, and it will beopen
for worship for all. What the campaign against it reveals is that
theIslamophobia gripping many "Western" countries is growing, not
diminishing, andfew are speaking out against it.11 August 2010(Description
of Source: Amman Jordan Times Online in English -- Website of Jordan
Times, only Jordanian English daily kno wn for its investigative and
analytical coverage of controversial domestic issues; sister publication
of Al-Ra'y; URL: http://www.jordantimes.com/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
13) Back to Top
10 August 2010
For a copy of the video, contact GSG_GVP_VideoOps@rccb.osis.gov or the OSC
Customer Center at (800) 205-8615. Selected video also available at
OpenSource.gov - International -- OSC Multimedia
Tuesday August 10, 2010 17:12:23 GMT
M
14) Back to Top
Afghanistan to review foreign p olicy after studying leaked war reports -
Pajhwok Afghan News
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:04:18 GMT
reports
Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency
websiteKabul, 10 August: The Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday
Afghanistan's foreign policy would be reviewed after a thorough study of
thousands of war reports released by the WikiLeaks.Speaking at press
conference in Kabul, Foreign Minister Dr Zalmay Rasul said the president
had asked his ministry and the National Security Council to study the
leaked documents."The study will determine how these reports will affect
our national and foreign policy so that we could adjust ourselves
accordingly," he said, adding they would send the results to Karzai and
then review the foreign policy.The secret US military reports blamed
Pakistan and Iran for supporting the Taleban insurgency in Afghanistan.
The papers also contained some accounts of civilian killings by American
soldiers.(Description of Source: Kabul Pajhwok Afghan News in English --
independent news agency)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
15) Back to Top
Germany Details Payments Made to Victims of Afghan Air Strike in Sep
Corrected version: reformatting subject line: "Germany Pays Out to Afghan
Strike Families: Ministry" -- AFP headline - AFP (North European Service)
Tuesday August 10, 2010 15:05:40 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP in English -- North European Service of
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
16) Back to Top
Pakistan Press Nawa-e Waqt 10 Aug 10
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Nawa-e Waqt
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:59:37 GMT
pictures on page one show people migrating from flood-hit areas, Army
personnel engaged in relief work, President Asif Ali Zardari meeting
Syrian counterpart Basharul al-Assad, and Saudi ambassador meeting Nawaz
Sharif. Lead Story: Report by special correspondent: Flood situation; such
devastation had not been witnessed if Kalabagh D am had been built: Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
The prime minister said that the government would start building the
Kalabagh Dam if consensus was evolved. (pp 1, 8; 800 words) Report by
special correspondent: Emergency meeting of Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC) should be summoned; prime minister should launch appeal
to world community to provide assistance for people affected by flood:
National security committee (pp 1, 9; 400 words) NNI news report:
Government should make relief, rehabilitation work its priority: Nawaz
Sharif (pp 1, 10; 300 words) Nawa-e Waqt report: Does parliament want
people to take to streets for withdrawal of its decisions? Chief justice
(pp 1, 9; 600 words) APP report: President Bashar al-Assad meets President
Zardari; views exchanged on flood devastations in Pakistan, situation in
region (pp 1, 9; 200 words) Report by special correspondent: Senate
Standing committee on interior expresses indignation over awarding of
contract to Israeli company by Pakistan State Oil (PSO); says those
brining enemy to country are enemies of nation; threats posed to national
security (pp 1, 9; 200 words) NNI news report: Visit was imperative for
apprising world about Pakistan's sacrifices: President Zardari (pp 1, 9;
300 words) Report by Javed Siddique: There were two opinions by President
House, Foreign Ministry over visit of President Zardari to United Kingdom:
Spokesman (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Report by special correspondent: President
excels cricket team in brining bad name to nation; Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N) becomes nightmare for Pakistan People's Party (PPP):
Chaudhry Nisar (leader of opposition) (pp 1, 9; 500 words) Online report:
Zardari ridicules media, masses; have no regret over throwing shoe: Shamim
(person who tossed shoe at president Zardari) (pp 1, 9; 100 words) Report
by special correspondent: Public Accounts Committee meets; recommends
death sentence for corrupts like China (pp 1, 9; 300 word s) NNI news
report: Swat man arrested after threatening to blow up airplane (pp 1, 9;
100 words) Bureau report: Sister of Asfandyar Wali critically injured
during shooting by unknown persons (pp 1, 10; 200 words) NNI news report:
Group of terrorists arrested in Islamabad: Interior Minister; MPs, several
other important personalities were on their hit list (pp 1, 9; 200 words)
Report by Itrat Jaffery: Achievement of economic targets becomes
impossible because of flood devastations (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Report by
Suhail Abdul Nasir: Armed forces start implementation on joint strategy to
save people stuck because of flood (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Report by
Shoibuddin: Around 1.8 million people affected by floods in Punjab;
damages estimate is 100 billion rupees (PRe) (pp 1, 9; 800 words) Report
by special correspondent: People start migrating after orders to vacate
Muzaffargarh city; UN says greatest crisis of world emerges (pp 1, 10; 800
words) Report by special correspondent: Affe cted people in Muzaffargarh
chant slogans against president, governor; Salman Taseer (Punjab Governor)
cancels visit (pp 1, 9; 200 words) NNI news report: We have not given any
directives about closure of channels: Babar Awan, Qamar Zaman Kaira
(federal ministers) (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Report by special correspondent:
Afghan leader Ustad Mohammad Mohaqiq meets Fo reign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi (pp 1, 9; 100 words) Report by special correspondent: General
Ashfaq Pervez Kayani meets Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul (pp 1,
9; 100 words) SANA news report: We fear Pakistan will seize Afghanistan
after US withdrawal: Indian foreign secretary (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Page 2:
News From Islamabad, Rawalpindi
Page two has a column besides local news and advertisements. Column by
Marwi Memon: Open letter to Pakistani Americans
The column appeals to the Pakistanis living in the United States to assist
their brethren, who are suffering because of flood in the country. (800
words) Page 3: National, International Reports
The page three has national and international news. Column by Rafique
Dogar: Peace, prosperity, purity of heart
The column criticizes the policies of the rulers. (800 words) SANA news
report: Bomb attack in southern Afghanistan; US solider killed (pp 3, 10;
200 words) Report by special correspondent: Those making propaganda
against religious schools following West's agenda (pp 3, 10; 300 words)
Report by special correspondent: Licenses of 22 private security companies
functioning in federal capital cancelled (pp 3, 10; 200 words) Page 4:
News From Islamabad's Suburbs Column by Saeed Aasi: Fresh indifference
The column lashes out at the joyride enjoyed by President Zardari to his
palace in France as the nation is reeling under worst floods. (1,000
words) Page 5: Business, Commerce Column by Ahmed Ali Baloch: people
affected by flood, prime minister
The column discusses flood devastations and visi t of the prime minister
to several affected areas. (800 words) Page 6: Continuation of Reports
From Other Pages Page 7: Classified Ads Page 8: Continuation of Reports
From Other Pages Column by Khalid Nawaz: Some remarks on 'Birmingham
tragedy'
The column discusses the incident of throwing shoe at President Zardari
during a public meeting in the United Kingdom. (1,000 words) Page 9:
Continuation of Reports From Other Pages Page 10: Continuation of Reports
From Other Pages Page 11: Sports World Page 12: National, International
Reports
Three-fourth of the page 12 is covered by advertisements. Report by
special correspondent: Burning newspaper bundles attempt to gag media:
APNS; miscreants subjected hawkers, workers to violence, threatened them
with dire consequences
At its emergency meeting, All Pakistan Newspapers Society condemned the
incident in which political workers were involved. (pp 8, 12; 300 words)
Report by special correspondent: Demonstration h eld for release of Dr
Aafia Sidiqui, finding of missing persons; Amina Masood (HR activist) says
protesters prevented from going to US Embassy to register protest (pp 8,
12; 200 words) Report by Salman Ghani: UAE becomes active after Saudi
Arabia announces assistance for people affected by flood: (pp 8, 12; 300
words) ANN news report: Federal government not providing assistance for
flood victims in Balochistan: Balochistan chief minister (pp 8, 12; 200
words) Report by special correspondent: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif
should stop playing 'flood politics': Fauzia Wahab (PPP leader) (pp 8, 12;
300 words) Report by special correspondent: We'll fully assist brethren
affected by flood: Saudi ambassador (pp 8, 12; 200 words) Nawa-e Waqt
report: Hearing on bail application of Zakiur Rehman accused of
involvement in Mumbai attack case adjourned (pp 8, 12; 50 words) Nawa-e
Waqt report: Twenty Pakistanis imprisoned in Maldives appeal to chief
justice for help (pp 8, 12; 200 words) Report by special correspondent:
Prime minister had not ordered inquiry for investigation into sugar import
scam: Commerce Ministry (pp 8, 12; 50 words) Page 13: Supplement by a
private university Page 14: Editorial, Lead Articles
Page 14 has editorials and articles besides the regular gossip column "By
the way" and regular series of Islamic teachings from the Koran. It also
has couplets from Allama Iqbal and Muzaffar Warsi and a saying of
Qaid-e-Azam. Editorial: Refusal by Kashmiri freedom fighting leaders to
attend All Parties Conference of Indian prime minister; plebiscite only
solution of Kashmir issue
The editorial discusses an All Parties Conference summoned by the Indian
prime minister in New Delhi today on the situation in Occupied
(India-administered) Kashmir. The Kashmiri leaders have refused to attend
the conference and demanded withdrawal of Indian troops from Kashmir. They
say talks with India can only be held after withdrawal of troops. (1,200
words) Editorial: No confidence in government; who will assist?
The editorial discusses appeal by the prime minister that world community
should assist and help people who have been affected by flood. There is no
much hope that the appeal would prove effective. The government will have
to rely on its own resources. (300 words) Editorial: Burnt shops of
Pashtuns
The editorial discusses torching of vehicles and dozens of markets owned
by Pashtuns in Karachi in the wake of the killing of a Muttahida Qaumi
Movement (MQM) MP. (100 words) Article by Mohammad Izharul Haq: Ministries
only or dignity as well? (800 words) Article by Mohammad Tariq Chaudhry:
Flood tide (1,000 words) Article by Amirah Ahsan: Why master has tied?
(part-I)
The article discusses proposed law on terror. (600 words) Article by Rana
Ijaz Ahmed Khan: Propagation of Kashmir issue in London (800 words) Page
15: Articles
Page 15 has articles on national and international issues. Article by
Abida Tahir Abbasi: Presidential palace, Pakistan Government seized by
cowboys (800 words) Article by Fazal Hussein Awan: Clouds of mist
The article believes that billionaire rulers do not know how a poor person
brings up his children. (600 words) Article by Zaiba Hassan: And we'll
continue to get charity (800 words) Article by Mohammad Sharafat Ali Zia:
France; why law about wearing veil? (600 words) Page 16: Special Edition
Nawa-e Waqt report: Young generation should beware of Indian nefarious
designs; Majid Nizami says Hindus wants to turn Pakistan into Somalia,
starve us to death (1,000 words)
(Description of Source: Rawalpindi Nawa-e Waqt in Urdu -- Privately owned,
widely read, conservative Islamic daily, with circulation around 125,000.
Harshly critical of the US and India)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regardi ng use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
17) Back to Top
Weekly Roundup of Pan-Arab TV Talk Shows 1-7 August
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at (800) 205-8615 or
OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Middle East-- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:49:02 GMT
Polakow-Suransky
3. "In Depth"
Time and date: 1905 GMT, 26 JulyPresenter: Ali al-ZufayriGuest: Sasha
Polakow-Suransky, editor for the US Foreign Affairs and author of The
Unspoken Alliance book; and Nura Irikat, lawyer, human rights activist,
and professor at Georgetown University.Topic of discussion: The program is
devoted to discussing the relationship between Israel and the "racist"
South Africa, economic relations, and the nuclear cooperation between
Israel an d South Africa.OSC/JN does not plan to process this episode.
Irikat
4. "From Washington"
Presenter: Abd-al-Rahim FuqaraTime and date: 1706 GMT, 3 AugustGuests:
Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at London University;
Shibly Talhami, political science professor at Maryland University; and
Wendy Chamberlin, former US ambassador to Pakistan.The program also runs a
recorded interview with Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell.Topic of
discussion: The program discusses the Afghanistan related documents that
were posted to the WikiLeaks website. More specifically, the program views
the effect of the issue on the upcoming Congress elections, the the Obama
administration, and the US military endeavor in Afghanistan.OSC/JN plans
to process this episode.
Jirjis
5. "The Opposite Direction"
Presenter: Faysal al-QasimTime and date: 1906 GMT, 3 AugustGuests: Shafiq
al-Ghabra, professor of political science at Kuwait University; Wajdi
Sawahil, an expert in higher education affairs.Topic of discussion: The
episode discusses the effects of having Western universities in the Arab
world.OSC/JN does not plan to process the program
Talhami
6. "Without Borders"
Time and date: 1905 GMT, 4 AugustPresenter: Ahmad MansurGuest: French
Urban Affairs Minister Fadela Amara.Topic of discussion: The program
discusses the new French regulations, which Muslims in France consider as
targeting them. The program also discusses the threats issued by French
President Sarkozy against French citizens of foreign origin. The program
also discusses aspects of the president's threats, the niqab law and the
racist behavior against foreigners in France.OSC/JN does not plan to
process this episode. 7. " The File"
Presenter: Sami KulaybTime and date: 1905 GMT, 6 AugustGuests: Jamil
al-Sayyid, former Lebanese Army general, who was accused of killing
Lebanese Pr ime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri; Dr Tahir Bu-Jalal, expert in
international courts and law; Judge Nabil al-Arabi, expert in
international courts.Topics of discussion: The program discusses role of
international tribunals, their credibility and honesty in dealing with
Arab causes.OSC/JN does not plan to process the program. 8."Open Dialogue"
Time and date: 1903 GMT, 31 JulyPresenter: Ghassan Bin-JidduGuests: The
program hosts Staff Brigadier General Mustafa Hamdan, former commander of
Lebanese Republican Guard; and Dr Amin Jammal, professor of political
science at the University of Tel Aviv, from Nazareth.Topics of discussion:
The program is devoted to discussing the recent clashes between Lebanon
and Israel in Al-Idaysih in southern Lebanon, the doctrine of the Lebanese
Army, and how Israel viewed the Lebanese Army's reaction to the Israeli
forces.OSC/JN plans to process the episode. Al-Arabiyah 1. " Beirut
Studio" Time and date: 1905 GMT, 5 AugustPresenter : Gizelle KhuryGuests:
Former Minister Dr Muhammad Shattah; Lebanese journalist Raghdah Dirgham;
Syrian Journalist Thabit Salim; and Nadah Rab'ah, sister of agent for
Israel Tariq Rab'ah.Topic of discussion: The program discusses real
outcome of Syrian and Saudi leaders' visits to Lebanon, the military
clashes between the Israeli and Lebanese Armies, the possibility of the
return of the Syrian role in Lebanon, the repercussions of discovering
Israeli agents, and reasons behind setting fire to the house of Israeli
agent Tariq al-Rab'ah. OSC/JN does not plan to process this episode.
Jamal
2."From Iraq"
Time and date: 1630 GMT, 6 AugustModerator: Hasinah WishanGuests: Staff
Lieutenant General Dhafir Jamal, commander of the Border Guard.Topics of
discussion: The program discusses and carries reports on the planting of
opiates and drugs, which are threatening agriculture in Iraq. It also
discusses the lack of car license plates, which Al-Qa'i da utilizes by
launching attacks using stolen cars with fake number plates. The program
also carries reports on attempts to reclaim Iraqi looted and stolen
artifacts from all countries except Spain and Iran.OSC/JN plans to process
this episode.
Badi
3. "Cairo Studio"
Time and date: 1705 GMT, 6 AugustPresenter: Hafiz al-Mirazi.Guests:
Muhammad Badi', the general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, MB, in Egypt;
Dr Ahmad Kurayma, Professor of religious legislation at Al-Azhar
University; Dr Salim Abd-al-Jalil, assistant minister of endowment.Topics
of discussion: The program discusses through an interview with Muslim
Brotherhood's general guide in Egypt, its expected role in the upcoming
elections in Egypt and attempts to unify the calls for prayers in all
mosques in Egypt.OSC/JN processed the interview as GMP20100806693001. 4.
"Death Industry" Time and date: 1907 GMT, 6 AugustPresenter: Rima
SalihahGuests: Lawyer Muntasir al-Zayyat, l awyer for Islamic
groups.Topics of discussion: The program carries the second part of an
interview with Lawyer Muntasir al-Zayyat, a specialist in Islamic groups'
cases, to talk about his relations with Ayman al-Zawahiri, the reason for
withdrawing his book "Ayman al-Zawahiri as I Knew Him," his relationship
with Al-Zawahiri, the talk about him becoming Al-Zawahiri's spokesman in
London, and the secret of receiving one thousand Egyptian pounds from
Al-Qa'ida.OSC/JN processed this episode as GMP20100806693004.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
18) Back to Top
UK security firm was target of suicide attacks in Afghan capital - Pajhwok
Afghan News
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:38:26 GMT
capital
Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency
websiteKabul, 10 August: A suicide bomber blew himself up near a British
security company in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing himself, a
second bomber and two security guards, a security official said.A third
guard was also injured in the gunfight and blast which happened at about
3:30pm on street 9 of the Taimani neighbourhood in central Kabul, Brig-Gen
Sayed Abdul Ghafar Sayedzada, head of the Kabul crime department told
Pajhwok Afghan News.The two armed bombers, carrying her explosives in
bags, had tried to enter the compound of the British security company,
ARD, but were confronted by security guards, he said.A guard shot one of
the attackers who detonated his explosives, killing both bombers and two
ARD employees, he said.The bombers were dropped off by a Lexus sport
utility vehicle, sa id a witness, Muhammad Akbar. The vehicle left before
the bombers attempted to penetrate the building, he added.Two neighbouring
houses were also damaged in the explosion.A purported Taleban spokesman,
Zabihollah Mojahed, claimed responsibility for the incident, saying four
bombers were involved in the attack.Mojahed said one had detonated his
explosives and the rest were fighting national security forces.A Pajhwok
reporter at the scene said there was no more gun fire and the area
appeared to be under a full control of security forces.Taimani is a quiet
residential area home to many foreign guesthouses and restaurants.The
attack comes just a day before the holy month of Ramadan.(Description of
Source: Kabul Pajhwok Afghan News in English -- independent news agency)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. o f
Commerce.
19) Back to Top
Taleban claim responsibility for Kabul suicide attack - agency - Afghan
Islamic Press
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:17:10 GMT
Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news
agencyKabul, 10 August: A heavy explosion was heard in Taimani area (east
of Kabul) this afternoon.A source told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that a
suicide attack happened at 9th street of Taimani near a guesthouse. The
source also said that at least 10 civilians were killed or injured.
However, AIP does cannot confirm this report by any reliable source yet.A
Taleban spokesman has claimed responsibility for the attack.Talking to AIP
(over the phone), from an undisclosed location, he said that two Taleban
who were equipped with explosive vests, hand grenades and other s mall
weapons, attacked a foreign guesthouse located at 9th street of Taimani
areas.He said that one of the two Taleban blew himself up inside the
building and the second was still resisting outside. He added that some 30
foreigners and 20 Afghans were trapped inside the building.Sources close
to the Ministry of Interior said that the building belonged to the ART
organization, a USAID subcontractor.Police have condoned off the area and
there are no accurate reports on the casualties.(Description of Source:
Peshawar Afghan Islamic Press in Pashto -- Peshawar Afghan Islamic Press
in Pashto -- Peshawar-based agency, staffed by Afghans, that describes
itself as an independent "news agency" but whose history and reporting
pattern reveal a perceptible pro-Taliban bias; the AIP's founder-director,
Mohammad Yaqub Sharafat, has long been associated with a mujahidin faction
that merged with the Taliban's "Islamic Emirate" led by Mullah Omar;
subscription required to access content;
http://www.afghanislamicpress.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
20) Back to Top
Germany Details Payments Made To Victims Of Afghan Strike In September
"Germany Pays Out To Afghan Strike Families: Ministry" -- AFP headline -
AFP (North European Service)
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:05:00 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP in English -- North European Service of
independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright ho
lder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
21) Back to Top
Afghan leader sends letter to Obama urging strategy review - Afghan report
- Pajhwok Afghan News
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:26:28 GMT
Afghan report
Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency
websiteKabul: President Hamed Karzai has sent a letter to his US
counterpart, Barack Obama, asking him to review his strategy for fighting
terrorism, an official said on Tuesday (10 August).The letter was
dispatched a few days ago, the source familiar with the memo said on
condition of anonymity.Karzai has stressed avoiding civilian casualties
caused by NATO-led air strikes, the source told Pajhwok Afghan
News.Karzai's chief spokesman, Wahid Omar, confirmed a letter was s ent to
the White House, however, avoided providing further details.The Afghan
president has repeatedly warned the international community that civilian
casualties caused by foreign troops would fuel the insurgency.Meanwhile,
the UN has released its mid-year report on civilian casualties, saying the
deaths of non-combatants caused by pro-government forces fell 30 per cent
in the first half of 2010 compared with the same period last year. The
report blamed NATO and Afghan forces for the death of 386 civilians in
this period.The report said the number of civilian deaths increased 31 per
cent as 1,271 civilians had been killed and another 1,997 wounded in the
first half of 2010.The concerns about Afghan civilian casualties have
mounted after the revelation of 92,000 war logs, suggesting that some
incidents caused civilians deaths were not reported.(Description of
Source: Kabul Pajhwok Afghan News in English -- independent news agency)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
22) Back to Top
Civil, Military Leaders Must Reciprocate UK Premier Utterance
Article by Mir Adnan Aziz: Playing Fields of Eton - The Nation Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:51:52 GMT
In the last week of November 1862, the British Commissioner to Rangoon,
Captain H.N. Davis, wrote to London: "Have since visited the remaining
State Prisoners - the very scum of the reduced Asiatic harem; found all
corre-ct....The death of the ex-King may be said to have had no effect on
the Mahomedan part of the populace of Rangoon, except perhaps for a few
fanatics who watch and pray for the final triumph of Islam. A bamboo fence
surrounds the grave, and by the time the fence is worn out, the grass will
again have properly covered the spot, and no vestige will remain to
distinguish where the last of the Great Moghuls rests" (in The last Mughal
and the clash of civilisation by William Dalr-ymple).
Orwell said: "Probably, the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing
fields of Eton but the opening battles of all subsequent wars have been
lost there." David Cameron of royal blood, an Etonian and Prime Minister
at the age of 43, has openly declared Britain is no more a "junior
partner" of the United States. Cameron's "loudmouth" logic is to make
himself unpredictable hence more important. It is human nature to focus
more on somebody unpredictable. Cameron wants to be poles apart from the
political waffling of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tony Blair's
image of being a Bush poodle.
The WikiLeaks, reports prepared in connivance with the Northern Alliance
(pro-India) Afghan government, lacked substance. In any case, it gave
further ammo to the likes of Hamid Karzai, our President's "brother", who
for the umpteenth time called for NATO strikes on Pakistani soil, while
Admiral Mullen along with Defence Secretary Robert Gates said at a
Pentagon news conference: "There have been elements of the ISI that have
got relationships with extremist organisations, and we consider that
unacceptable." He also demanded of the ISI to "strategically shift its
focus."
David Cameron, obviously on a political high, as most world leaders feel
when in India, spoke of his horror at the 2008 terrorist attacks in
Mumbai. New Delhi and the Indian media directly blamed the ISI and
Pakistani authorities for the same within seconds of the attack. Cameron
endorsed that view when he said: "We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea
that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able to promote the
export of terror whether to India or Afghanistan or anywhere else in the
world." What he conveniently tolerated was the export of terror to
Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan and the bloody purge carried out by
his hosts of the helpless people of occupied Kashmir.
Totally false that his utterance was, the timing was extremely insensitive
and callous. Pakistan dragged into an alien war had an extremely tragic
air crash in Islamabad, whereas the country was ravaged with rains and
floods. It was also akin to belittling the blood of about 3,000 members of
the security forces (100 ISI officials included) that laid down their
lives and more than 4,000 severely wounded. These figures are apart from
the 4,000 civilian casualties along with 9,663 wounded. Other estimates
put the figure at 30,000 civilians killed or wounded. There is a bizarrely
confounding disconnect somewhere. The military and the politicians own
this thankless war, yet many have said an d maintained that a change in
policy is imperative for the survival of Pakistan.
The government and the military owe the people an answer. If not the
servile political leadership, General Kayani with an extended tenure owes
an answer to the families of those martyred; why their loved ones lost
their lives? Merely putting off an ISI delegation' visit is not enough.
President Asif Zardari made it a point to go to London, more so in the
wake of the called off Lt Gen Shuja Pasha-led ISI delegation visit.
President Zardari has avai led this chance of reiterating his stance of
having been always "focused" and needing no strategic shift in the same.
He has also shown his unflinching resolve, despite the "odds" at home.
After all, the colonial mindset sees more glory in seeking alien blessings
than tending to a Peshawar to Karachi battered Pakistan.
It is imperative the military and civilian establishment respond to
Mahatma Cameron's (the gle eful Indians are remembering him thus)
statements in the same vain. Diplomacy is an art practiced in reciprocity.
Let the UK, US and Afghanistan fight their own wars for a change. That
Afghanistan is no Waterloo and that global politics does not have playing
fields, like Eton never had in Duke Wellington's time, will be for them a
lesson difficult but worth learning.
The writer is a freelance writer.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The Nation Online in English -- Website
of a conservative daily, part of the Nawa-i-Waqt publishing group.
Circulation around 20,000; URL: http://www.nation.com.pk)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
23) Back to Top
Article Says Only Pakist an Can Help US, NATO Forces To Easily Leave
Afghanistan
Article by Umar Waqar: WikiLeaks and the last chopper - The Nation
Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:33:42 GMT
WikiLeaks are a hot topic for discussion these days, with Pakistan playing
the role of the ultimate whipping boy and ISI as the target of all and
sundry from 10 Downing Street to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. There is anger on
losing the war on terror, as the US administration sees the last American
solider leave the Bagram Air Base by the summer of 2011, a la April 75
Saigon replay, when the last GI left Saigon for good.
The chorus started with WikiLeaks conniving at the ultimate propaganda
machine headed by publishing houses of the Guardian, New York Times and
Der Spiegel. Even the Indian Foreign Office joined the chorus by stating:
"We have seen media reports about classified information, supposedly from
the US government sources, put out in public domain, on support to
terrorism by ISI - Pakistan's military intelligence agency. Sponsorship of
terrorism, as an instrument of policy, is wholly condemnable and must
cease forthwith. The utilisation of territory under Pakistan's control to
provide sanctuaries for recruiting and sustaining terrorist groups, and to
direct terrorist activity against neighbours, must stop if our region is
to attain its full potential for peaceful development." The new mouthpiece
of the free world, David Cameron, after getting the necessary instructions
from the White House, vented his anger during his recent visit to India,
where he alleged that the Pakistani intelligence and military were
sponsoring terror networks in Afghanistan and India.
The WikiLeaks episode reminds us of the day when the 'last chopper' left
Saigon in 1973, followed by the publishing of The Pentagon Papers.
According to Wikipedia: "The papers revealed that the US ha d deliberately
expanded its war with bombing of Cambodia and Laos and coastal raids on
North Vietnam, none of which had been reported by the media in the US. The
revelations widened the credibility gap between the US government and the
people, allegedly hurting Nixon's war effort. But the most damaging
revelations in the papers revealed that four administrations, from Truman
to Johnson, had misled the public regarding their intentions."
Something eerily similar is taking place today. The US administration is
trying different methods to propagate their way out of Afghanistan, hoping
to confuse the entire world about their withdrawal. Today, Pakistan is
being used as the scapegoat, although the US-led NATO forces cannot easily
exit Afghanistan without its help. It is probably too early to open up the
Pandora's box regarding the WikiLeaks, but this does show how much
frustrated the US and NATO forces are. They want to leave Afghanistan
quickly but to hide their emba rrassing defeat they will make Pakistan as
the new Cambodia and Laos.
Putting pressure on their most precious ally will not help; in fact, it
will worsen the situation. Pakistan is the only country that can help US
and NATO forces to easily leave Afghanistan. As they have already worsened
relations with Iran by imposing purposeless sanctions and are doing even
more mundane things by pressurising their biggest ally. I think they want
Pakistan to clean their dirty work by engaging Taliban inside Afghanistan.
Sorry Mr Obama, but that's not part of the deal. Pakistan is not Cambodia;
it is a nuclear power and it would be awfully hard to annihilate it.
Thus, the so-called saviours of the world have committed shameless war
crimes. In Iraq, every year about 30 percent of Falugean offspring's are
born deformed and everyone knows what kind of munitions and bombs were
used to destroy Fallujah. WikiLeaks published in The Guardian on July 25th
describes these war crimes as : "The coalition put out a press release
which referred to the fire fight and the air support and then failed
entirely to record that they had just killed or wounded 11 police officers
in Jalabad. Yet, later that week, on Sunday, June 17, as General Sherzai
hosted a shura council at which he attempte d to reassure tribal leaders
about the safety of coalition operations, Task Force 373 launched another
mission, hundreds of miles south in Paktika province. The target was a
Libyan fighter, Abu Laith al-Libi. The unit was armed with a new weapon,
known as Himars. The plan was to launch five rockets at targets in the
village of Nangar Khel where TF 373 believed Libi was hiding. The result
was that they failed to find Libi but killed six Taliban fighters and
then, when they approached the rubble of a madrassah, they found an
'initial assessment of 7 x NC KIA' which translates as seven
non-combatants killed in action. All of them were children. One of them
was still alive in t he rubble: 'The Med TM immediately cleared debris
from the mouth and performed CPR'. After 20 minutes, the child died."
Can these ruthless operations develop goodwill in the heart of a common
Afghan whose brother, father or son got killed by the high-tech and highly
accurate weapons of the coalition forces? Certainly not, Mr Obama and Mr
Cameron. As Mullah Umar remarked: "You have all the watches but we have
all the time." And especially when your time is up; go back Mr Obama with
bag and baggage and save the lives of the common GIs fighting in this
purposeless long war. And why blame Pakistan with 30,000 lives lost and
many more crippled for life on the altar of Capitol Hill? Pakistan can
ill-afford any further destruction of its socio-economic fabric.
If I were the US President, I would welcome my troops back home in this
very year, rather than propagating to the whole world about reasons of
failure in the AfPak and making Pakistan the whipping boy. I don't think
this is the right time to get frustrated and blame others for your dirty
work. This can also harm NATO in another way, as they could lose their
foremost ally Turkey for good. Since frustration will lead to new
conflicts and the possible formation of Iran-Turkey-AfPak nexus, it is
better to leave just as the Soviets did and say: "I have learnt it the
hard way that Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires, as I have myself
experienced it."
The writer is a freelance columnist.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The Nation Online in English -- Website
of a conservative daily, part of the Nawa-i-Waqt publishing group.
Circulation around 20,000; URL: http://www.nation.com.pk)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Afghan news agency head criticizes NATO over civilian deaths - Afghan
Islamic Press
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:49:59 GMT
Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news
agencyMohammad Yaqub Sharafat (head of Afghan Islamic Press news agency):
How can NATO mistake civilians for the Taleban 5 km away from the
battlefield?Since NATO and America attacked Afghanistan, civilian
casualties caused by foreign forces have been an issue that the
international community and the Afghan government have been unable to
solve so far.When NATO and ISAF kill civilians in an area, they say they
were killed because they were present in the battlefield.However, on 5
August, a NATO plane targeted a car carrying a coffin and the relatives of
the dead and dropped bombs on it in Hashimkhel area of Khogiani District
in eastern Nangarhar Province approximately 5 km away from where NATO
forces were embattled with the Taleban. Eleven people died in this
incident, including women and children.Earlier the same day, the Taleban
had clashed with NATO forces in Koz Korona area of Nakarkhelo village, 5
km away. NATO forces bombarded the area and 13 people were killed. NATO
said all of the killed were Taleban, but there were civilians among them
at least two of whom were 12- and 13-year-old children. Local residents
have complete information regarding the civilians killed.NATO and NATO
commanders always talk about avoiding civilian casualties in Afghanistan
in their remarks and speeches, but how can bombarding civilians car 5 km
away from the battlefield be justified?There were no indications of a
clash or armed activities in Hashemkhelo Khwar village at all and the
vehicle was stuck in mud after heavy floods in the area.The real question
is why did a NATO plane target a civilian vehicle carryin g a coffin 5 km
away from the battle zone and packed with civilians, including women and
children?There is no doubt that dropping bombs this far from the battle
zone on women and children in a civilian car cannot be justified in any
way. It raises questions whether NATO is really committed to sparing
civilian lives?Does NATO follow its combat rules and regulations and
really make sure there are no civilians in an area it is targeting?This
and similar questions have created some doubts as to whether NATO has
really come to save civilian lives and make attempts to spare civilian
lives during combat.Some sources say the bombardment was called by some
local Afghan government commanders. If that is true then NATO should not
take responsibility for an action that has taken the lives of 11
civilians, saddened many families and should reveal all facts and reasons
that led to the killing of innocent people.And if Afghan officials are not
involved then there is no other way for NATO b ut to directly take
responsibility for killing civilians.NATO gives different reasons every
time civilians are killed, but what angers and saddens Afghans is that on
none of the occasions has NATO identified the spy whose wrong information
has caused civilian casualties. In most cases some Afghans give wrong
information to NATO forces about their personal enemies to take revenge on
them.Anyway, bombardment by NATO in Khogiani District and in an area 5 km
from the battle zone cannot be justified and there is no doubt that the
many counts of civilian casualties in Afghanistan are the reasons behind
the destabilization of Afghanistan and have created many challenges for
NATO and the international community. This is why speculation that NATO
will be defeated in Afghanistan is getting stronger and
stronger.(Description of Source: Peshawar Afghan Islamic Press in Pashto
-- Peshawar Afghan Islamic Press in Pashto -- Peshawar-based agency,
staffed by Afghans, that describes itself a s an independent "news agency"
but whose history and reporting pattern reveal a perceptible pro-Taliban
bias; the AIP's founder-director, Mohammad Yaqub Sharafat, has long been
associated with a mujahidin faction that merged with the Taliban's
"Islamic Emirate" led by Mullah Omar; subscription required to access
content; http://www.afghanislamicpress.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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WTO Condemns Aussie Restrictions on NZ Apples
Unattributed article from the "Business" page: "WTO Condemns Aussie
Restrictions on NZ Apples" - The China Post Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:10:38 GMT
GENEVA -- Australia's decades-old restrictions on imports of New Zealand
apples break international trade laws and should be amended, the World
Trade Organization said on Monday. The WTO panel ruling should open the
way for New Zealand to resume sales of apples to its biggest trading
partner after nearly 90 years, and holds out the possibility of access to
other Asian markets where its apples are banned for similar reasons.
Like many trade disputes this one turned on health and safety rules, which
are vulnerable to being exploited by domestic producers to ward off
foreign competition.
The WTO experts did not back Wellington on all its claims, disagreeing
that Australia's sanitary controls were arbitrary.
But in a 597-page report they found that Australian safety checks on New
Zealand apples were unscientific and disrupted trade more than necessary,
and that New Zealand's rights under global trade law had been damaged as a
result.
The dispute marks a rare tiff across the Tasman Sea, involving two
neighbors with about US$13 billion a year in two-way trade. Both countries
have strict quarantine rules to protect their agriculture from foreign
infections.
Australia banned New Zealand apples in 1921 because of fears that fire
blight, a disease that attacks apple and pear trees and rose bushes, could
spread. Wellington has tried to have the ban lifted since 1986, and began
a challenge at the WTO in 2007.
New Zealand exports 75-80 percent of its annual crop of about 400,000
tons, mainly to Europe and especially Germany and Britain, as well as to
the United States and Asia, notably Taiwan.(Description of Source: Taipei
The China Post Online in English -- Website of daily newspaper which
generally supports the pan-blue parties and issues; URL:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited . Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Xinhua 'Roundup': Countries, UN Offer Condolences To China Over Deadly
Mudslides
Xinhua "Roundup": "Countries, UN Offer Condolences To China Over Deadly
Mudslides" - Xinhua
Wednesday August 11, 2010 03:32:38 GMT
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and countries including
Japan, the United States, Canada, Germany and Mexico have offered
condolences to those affected by deadly floods and mudslides in China.
"The secretary-general is saddened by the loss of life and devastation
caused by the severe flooding that has affected considerable portions of
China. He extends his deepest condolence s to the families of those who
have died or been injured or lost their homes and possessions," said a
statement issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman on
Tuesday."The secretary-general is aware of the tremendous efforts being
undertaken by the government of China to evacuate people out of harm's
way, to carry out search and rescue operations, and to respond to needs
arising from this situation," the statement said. "He reaffirms the
commitment of the United Nations to assist in any way in this effort
should it be required."Landslides hit the Zhouqu County in China's
northwestern province of Gansu early Sunday morning following torrential
rain overnight, burying houses and crushing buildings in their way.The
death toll from the mudslides has risen to 702, with 1,042 others still
missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Tuesday.Heavy floods have also
caused deaths and devastation in northeastern province of Jilin and the
southern par ts of the country over the past two months. China has been
swiftly mobilizing relief efforts. The People's Liberation Army has
dispatched 5,300 soldiers to Zhouqu.U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton
on Tuesday also offered condolences over the flooding and mudslides in
China."I join the American people in expressing our deep regret over the
loss of life and devastation wrought by recent flooding in south and
central China and by the mudslides in Gansu Province this past weekend,"
Clinton said in a statement."The United States is providing support for
the ongoing relief efforts through assistance to the Red Cross Society of
China," she said."To those affected by this tragedy and to all the people
of China, we send our heartfelt condolences," Clinton said.Canadian
Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon has also offered condolences over the
deadly mudslides in Zhouqu."On behalf of the Government of Canada and all
Canadians, I wish to express my hea rtfelt sympathy to those who have been
affected by this terrible disaster. We send our condolences to the
grieving families -- our thoughts are with you," he said.Canada stands
ready to provide support to the people of China, he said, adding that
Canadian officials in Beijing are contacting Chinese authorities to
determine whether Canadian assistance may be requested.Mexico's Foreign
Ministry also issued a statement to express its condolences to the people
and government of China."The foreign ministry expresses its most sincere
regrets to the victims' families, offers its solidarity to the government
of the People's Republic of China and wishes for a swift recovery in the
region," it said.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime
Minister Naoto Kan have also offered their condolences on separate
occasions to the victims of the mudslides in Zhouqu and those
affected.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's
official news service for English-language audiences (New China News
Agency))
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
27) Back to Top
Press Roundup on Defense, Science, Technology 2-8 Aug 10
The following a selection of relevant reports, editorials, and articles on
defense, science, and technology published in two English newspapers--The
News and Pakistan Observer--from 2 to 8 Aug: - Pakistan -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:50:11 GMT
The 2 August issue of The News on page 1 carries a report headlined:
"Pakistan committed in fight against Taliban: Gates." The report says: "US
Defence Secretary Robe rt Gates defended Pakistan, saying the country was
actively targeting militants, after leaked documents alleged Islamabad's
spy service was guiding Afghan insurgents." The report quoted Gates as
saying on ABC News channel: "What I see is a change in the strategic
calculus in Pakistan. They are more and more partnering with us and
working with us and fighting these insurgents and 140,000 soldiers are in
north-western Pakistan fighting some of the same insurgents as we are.
There's a concern about the allegations. But I would say that, again, we
walked out on Pakistan and Afghanistan in 1989 and left them basically
holding the bag. And there is always the fear that we will do that again.
And I believe that's the reason there's a certain hedge. Pakistan has
shown it is now committed to tackling Taliban fighters by raiding militant
safe havens in South Waziristan and Swat. And so the Pakistanis going
after any of these groups, I believe, overall, helps us in wha t we're
trying to accomplish, both with respect to Afghanistan and with respect to
al-Qaeda." The report adds: "His defence of Pakistan comes after new
questions about links between the country's powerful Inter-Services
Intelligence agency and Taliban leaders." Robert Gates Hints at Military
Operation on Both Sides of Pakistan-Afghan Border
The 3 August issue of The News on page 1 carries a report headlined:
"Gates hints at operation inside Pakistan." The report says: "The US has
said that it is undertaking a major build-up of forces in eastern
Afghanistan, a stronghold of Haqqani faction, for a decisive push against
terrorists' safe havens close to the borders of Pakistan. Disclosing this,
the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, hinted that the operation could
be one 'on both sides of the border.' His comments came as he voiced
concern over leaks by whistleblower website Wikileaks that Pakistan's
military Intelligence was maintain ing links with Taliban and al-Qaeda."
The report quoted Gates saying on ABC program: "We are increasing
cooperation with Pakistanis in terms of working on both sides of the
border, in terms of trying to prevent people from crossing that border. We
are increasing our forces in eastern Afghanistan that will help us do
this." The report adds: "US and Nato forces which would swell to almost
150,000 by September this year have so far only concentrated on flushing
out Taliban from their southern Afghanistan strongholds of Helmand and
Kandahar. The American forces are yet to launch a major foray into eastern
Afghan provinces of Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Gardez, Logar and Ghazni which
are a bastion of Jalaluddin Haqqani." US General Offers Logistic Support
for Pakistan's Flood-Relief Efforts
The 4 August issue of Pakistan Observer on page 1 carries a report
headlined: 'US Gen discusses logistics with COAS." The report say:
"Commander Tran sportation Command, United States Armed Forces General
Duncan J. McNabb called on Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez
Kayani at General Headquarters. Military sources said that Gen Duncan
expressed his grief over the loss of lives and destruction caused by the
floods in various areas of the country especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gen Kayani thanked the US Gen for his support and told him that the army
is taking active part in relief activities for the flood affectees a nd is
transporting them to safety via helicopters and boats. Meanwhile US
embassy in a press statement said General Duncan McNabb is in Pakistan for
a two day scheduled visit to consult with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,
Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, regarding U.S. military logistics
operations in the region... During the meeting with General Kayani, McNabb
emphasized the U.S. commitment for continued support to Pakistan during
the current flood relief efforts and beyond. The U.S. Transportation
Command is responsible for the overall coordination of transportation,
sustainment and distribution efforts across the U.S. military and in
coordination with partner nations." US Spokesman Disagrees With President
Zardari's Assessment of War in Afghanistan
The 4 August issue of The News on page 1 carries a report headlined:
"White House, Pentagon disagree." The report says: "The White House
dismissed comments by President Zardari that US-backed coalition forces
are losing the war in Afghanistan. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said
US President Barack Obama, who days earlier said progress was being made
in Afghanistan, disputed the assessment from President Asif Ali Zardari.
'I don't think that the US President would agree with President Zardari's
conclusions that the war is lost' Gibbs told journalists. The reaction
came after Zardari said in an interview published in France that the
coalition is losing the war against the Taliban." Pa kistani Military
Operation in Bajuar Agency Leads to Surrender of 45 Insurgents
The 5 August issue of The News on page 12 carries a report headlined: "45
militants surrender in Bajaur Agency." The report says: "Forty-five
militants, including three known commanders, surrendered to security
forces in Sarkari area of Nawagai subdivision in Mohmand Agency, official
sources said. The sources said that 45 insurgents belonging to Afghan
militant group operating in Bajaur Agency and led by Qari Zia-ur-Rehman
laid down weapons and surrendered to security forces. They included three
commanders Abdur Rehman, Aiwab Khan and Hashim Khan. Meanwhile, security
forces seized weapons including bombs, rockets and mortar shells,
Kalashnikov rifles, anti-tank mines and hand grenades during search
operation in the mountainous Charmang valley of Nawagai subdivision." US
Likely To Offer T wo Intelligence Gathering Systems to Pakistani Military
The 7 August issu e of The News on page 1 carries a report headlined: "US
ready to provide intelligence gathering systems." The report says: "The
United States Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, Michele A Fluornoy,
said the US had offered two intelligence gathering systems, unmanned
aerial vehicle (UAV) and Scan Eagles, to Pakistani military and it was up
to them to make a choice. Responding to a question about provision of
drone technology during a press talk here at the US Embassy, the visiting
official said the US had given details of two intelligence gathering
systems and the cost to the Pakistan military and it is up to them to make
a choice and it is hoped that they would choose them and forward the same
to us, she said. Michele A Flournoy is in Pakistan to co-chair the Defence
Consultative Group (DCG) meeting, which concluded in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The Scan Eagle system is designed for autonomous field operation. Scan
Eagle carries a payload of 6 kg, operating at a ceiling of 5,000m and can
be launched and retrieved over any terrain, including naval operations.
American forces and security agencies use the unarmed UAV Shadow as an
intelligence asset and for training operatives of Reaper and Predator
drones. These UAVs are unarmed and essentially low flying machines used
for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering... To a question about her
meeting with the Army chief, she said they discussed issues related to the
war against terrorism; that we did not discuss launching of operation in
North Waziristan... About defence cooperation, she said since 2001, the US
had provided to Pakistan more than $12 billion in security assistance and
$8.1 billion in Coalition Support Funds; that this year alone, Pakistan
will be provided more than $1 billion in security assistance."
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiri es regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
28) Back to Top
Egyptian Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Egyptian press on 10 August.
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Egypt -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:44:57 GMT
http://www.ahram.org.eg/ http://www.ahram.org.eg/
1. Article by Dr Nabil Umar comments on Sa'd-al-Din Ibrahim's remark "the
Muslim Brotherhood is a powerful alternative to the regime". "The Muslim
Brotherhood may be stronger than other political parties. But it is part
of the greater scheme of political weakness," the writer says. (p 4; 500
words)
2. Article by Dr Mustafa al-Fiqi examines the situation i n South Sudan
and the future that awaits it. "We Arabs have not offered South Sudan the
incentive to stay as part of a greater Arab entity," the writer says. (p
11; 2,000 words)
3. Article by Dr Wahid Abd-al-Majid examines whether renewed tension in
South Lebanon is a prologue for war. The writer discusses three possible
scenarios: (p 10; 1,500 words)
Cairo Al-Akhbar --state-owned daily; root URL:
http://www.elakhbar.org.eg http://www.elakhbar.org.eg
1. Editorial says signs indicate that the NDP is capable of maintaining
the majority in the next parliamentary elections. (p 6; 250 words)
2. Article by Ilham Abu-al-Fatah deduces from official statements that "we
still suffer from lack of strategy to manage crises" such as that of
wheat. (p 17; 400 words)
3. Report by Halah al-Isawi points to the amendments which Obama
introduced on his predecessor's missile shield plan designed to deter
Iran, which he criticized dur ing his presidential campaign. The writer
views the amendment as proof that Obama "backed down and yielded to the
Israeli view that opts for the military option." She examines the "main
features of the amendments". (p 18; 1,200 words)
4. Report by Amal al-Maghrabi examines tension between Israel and Turkey
and the Israeli "provocation" that always stands in the way of efforts to
mend the fences. (p 18; 800 words)
5. Report by Radwa Abd-al-Latif examines the war between the United States
and Taliban. The writer argues that the United States is missing the fact
that the Taliban's power lies in its ideology that still attracts
supporters opposed to the US policies and unjust wars. (p 18; 1,000 words)
Cairo Al-Jumhuriyah -- state-owned daily; root URL:
http://www.gom.net.eg http://www.gom.net.eg
1. Article by Chief Editor Muhammad Ali Ibrahim argues "the electronic
signatures that make the headlines in the pri vate and party press are not
proof of success for the opposition as much as they are proof of political
emptiness and vacuum." The writer says "bloggers" work without any
political program and do not express the masses or the poor, because they
have the luxury to sit before computer screens for hours. He observes that
most blogs are based in Cairo and wonders why there is no single blog that
speaks for the dreams of farmers or labor. "The NDP is a big party, the
biggest in the Arab region.....Important as it is to have an electronic
instrument to fight rivals, this will never be the main goal of the
party," the writer says. (p 3; 1,000 words)
2. Editorial points to Netanyahu's attempt "to wash his hands clean of the
blood of unarmed human right fighters and activists" by pinning the blame
on the minister of defense, although the decision to attack the freedom
fleet was collectively taken by the Israeli government. The paper stresses
that the government of the "three partners" will not escape punishment. (p
8; 200 words)
Cairo Al-Wafd -- opposition New Wafd Party daily; root URL:
http://www.alwafd.org http://www.alwafd.org
1. Front-page headline highlights Wafd Chairman al-Sayyid al-Badawi's
remark at a massive rally "Egypt is too big to be handed down to heirs".
Full coverage of the rally is provided in inner pages. (pp 1; 7-9; 10,000
words)
Cairo Al-Misri Al-Yawm --Yawm--Independent daily focusing on domestic
issues
1. Report by team of correspondents notes the launch of a new Facebook
campaign called "the popular union for change" that rejects all suggested
presidential candidates. The founder of the campaign, Ahmad Ammar, says
the campaign seeks to sensitize voters of the negative sides in all
candidates. The report cites Muhammad Sa'd al-Katatni as saying the
National Society for Change has not reached a final decision on boycotting
e lections. (p 1; 300 words)
Cairo Al-Dustur -- Independent anti-regime daily newspaper
1. Report cites politicians as saying Ali-al-Din Hilal's affirmation that
Mubarak is the NDP presidential candidate "torpedoes the hereditary rule
project". (pp 1, 3; 700 words)
Cairo Rose Al-Yusuf --State-run daily newspaper
1. Article by Abd-al-Qadir Shuhayb says Abu-Mazin seems to be waiting for
guarantees that will not be offered in the foreseen future. The writer
says it will be hard for Abu-Mazin to make a decision on direct talks
despite the green light he obtained from Arab foreign ministers,
especially since Fatah is opposed to direct talks. (p 2; 650 words)
Cairo Al-Shuruq Al-Jadid -- Independent pro-reform liberal daily,
moderately critical of the government
1. Article by Wa'il Qandil wonders where ElBaradei "gets all that
confidence" when he affirms that the hereditary rule project will not
pass, although it is procee ding earnestly." The writer fears that the
people may rest so reassured that the project will not pass and hence turn
their attention to other issues as the "other party extends horizontally
and vertically everyday." (p 2; 650 words; processing)
Cairo Al-Yawm Al-Sabi --Independent weekly focusing on domestic issues
1. Article by Chief Editor Khalid Salah offers advice to voters when the
time comes to elect parliamentary representatives. Of the advices he
offers, "Don't ever believe that appointing the sons of the constituency
in government jobs or extending sanitary drainage pipes in your
neighborhood is more important than political reform"; "don't be deceived
by the slogan 'the devil you know'"; and "don't be tempted by bribes". (p
3; 700 words)
2. Report examines "the war of collecting signatures and hanging posters"
among supporters of Jamal Mubarak, ElBaradei and Ayman Nur. (p 3; 1,200
words; pr ocessing)
3. Report by Ahmad Mustafa cites observers as they tie the return of Dr
Sa'd-al-Din Ibrahim to the visit which the US prosecutor general paid to
Egypt. (p 5; 500 words)
4. Report by Amal Raslan examines the crisis between Egypt and HAMAS in
the wake of the rockets that were fired from Sinai in the direction of
Elat and Aqaba. (p 6; 600 words)
5. Report by Merit Ibrahim and Wahbah al-Sayyid argues that "panic of
al-Qa'ida and Mosad" was behind the Black Berry crisis in the UAE and
Saudi Arabia. (p 6; 500 words)
6. Report by Nur Ali examines signs that several MB parliamentarians will
be crossed out of the Muslim Brotherhood's election ticket in light of the
evaluation of their performance in parliament. (p7; 1,200 words)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Syrian Press 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Syrian press on 9 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Syria -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:27:40 GMT
http://tishreen.info/ http://tishreen.info)
In a 345-word editorial in Tishrin entitled "Betting on the Collective
Memory," Chief Editor Samirah al-Masalimah, commenting on the developments
concerning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, says: "It is true that
individual memory is forgetful by nature, but the collective memory is
certainly not like that, and the nation's memory must be present at any
time." She adds: "Our need for it is linked to the importance of a
ffirming that the behavior of the Israeli intelligence, with its different
apparatuses and various names, from the Mosad to the Shabak and others,
that is entrenched in its arrogance, and political crimes everywhere, is
constant behavior rooted in the nature of these gangs, and has reached a
point where it should not be overlooked."Pointing out that "Israel
assassinated dozens of Palestinian leaders inside the occupied land, and
in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as in Dubai, Rome, Paris, London, and other,
Arab and Western, capitals, using all means and tools of assassination,"
the writer asks: "What are Israel's links, officially and on the security
level, between its black rooms and the investigators of the international
investigation commission, and consequently with the Special Tribunal, that
make Israel able to say openly and in full view of everyone that the
(expected) indictment carries within it the seeds of sedition in Lebanon."
Al-Masalimah says that "the biggest question is: What is the nature of the
Zionist plan and its scope?" She concludes: "In any case, we believe that
all of us, and the Lebanese in particular, should prevent Israel (from
implementing) its old new project, and affirm that Arab Lebanon, the
country of coexistence and national unity, is concerned by opposing Israel
on the political, media, and resistance levels."In a 450-word editorial in
Al-Thawrah entitled "The American Failure," Chief Editor As'ad Abbud
writes about the war on terror and its implications. He says: "The United
States raised the banner of the war on terror, but turned out to be the
greatest failure in that regard, because it was preoccupied with the
banner itself, under which it sought shade, while it was dwarfed in the
face of the basic task that it imposed on itself, that is, the fight
against terror." "There is no doubt," he adds, "that the American people
suffered sever e terrorist strikes, more than once. On that basis, the
United States declared war on terror; but to begin with, the fight against
terror does not need justifications. However, the American approach was to
exploit the fight against terror then the war against it... (ellipsis as
received) and not to confront it effectively, in spite of the legions that
arrived in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere."Abbud considers that "the
United States was led to the war on terror on the basis of very erroneous
criteria, from the description of terrorist incidents, to the
politicization of terrorism, and the war against it! Even on the military
level, and despite the armed involvement, the international alliances, the
bombing of safe houses, and the killing of civilians, it (the United
States) failed to subdue an organization like the Taliban, or a poor
country like Afghanistan. Is it true that America fought terrorism in
Afghanistan, and in Iraq? And what about the terrorism in occ upied
Palestine? If the United States does not know what its failure would mean
opposite the Taliban and Al-Qa'ida, as well as its failure in Iraq,
despite the devastation it caused in that country, then this is certainly
stupidity not worthy of a major power that possesses the largest research
and study centers in the world."The writer indicates that "the impact of a
Taliban victory would not be limited to Afghanistan, and therefore the res
ults of the American effort would be the broadening of the base of
terrorism, activating its environment according to its (America's) vision
and description of it." "In addition to that," he says, "there are
political factors that control the American position in determining who is
a terrorist. America rejects (finding) a definition for terrorism, 'which
is an old Syrian request,' and, consequently, it let itself choose a
purely political description of what it calls terrorism." "Imagine the
Ameri can position," Abbud adds, "vis-a-vis a country hostile to Israel
that supports the resistance to occupation -- an Arab and a Muslim
(country) that rejects hegemony. How can it be designated by the United
States? A supporter of terrorism, a silent (observer), or more than that?
The American policy has distorted the natural human position regarding
terrorism, thus opening the doors wide to its activities, and (later)
covering its actions politically."He concludes: "Can a sane person believe
that those who fight terrorism do not see it also in the destruction of
Lebanon, and in the phosphorous bullets on Gaza, and in the heinous crime
on the Freedom Flotilla? The United States continues to pull out every
year from its drawers reports and documents that it reads to the world,
just as they are, because those who were required to (declare) submission
did not." (Description of source: Damascus Al-Thawrah Online in Arabic --
Website of the government-owned newspaper; URL:
http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy/ http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy)
In a 470-word article in Al-Ba'th entitled "Between the Al-Udaysah Tree,
the Ma'man Allah Cemetery, and Tal al-Qadi," Abd-al-Latif Umran, chairman
of the board of directors, writes about the continuing "Zionist project."
He says: "There are no changes today in Israel's Zionist and racist
policies, as the aggression continues to be associated with the rigging of
geography and history; there are no geographical or political boundaries
for Israel and its ambitions in the region; and the point the ruling
fascists' force can reach constitutes the vital range of Israel."The
writer adds: "The blatant aggression yesterday on the Lebanese village of
Al-Udaysah shows the scandalous arrogance of Israel, and (highlights) the
great pain resulting from this regrettable change in the region, because
the international community considered that the Al-Udaysah tree prev ented
the enemy from observing the areas behind the Blue Line inside the Arab
land, and saw that the tree 'is on the Israeli side.' In addition, America
does not allow the Lebanese Army to use the American arms (it has) to
counter the Israeli aggression, and does not permit any Arab army such
use."Umran points out that "the attitude of the West regarding the tree is
recognition of the fallout of occupation, such as arrogance and
domination, which makes the issue of supporting the resistance an honor,
and an essential duty."
He continues: "In this context, the village of al-Araqib in the Negev was
wiped out, as well as the historic Ma'man Allah cemetery in the holy city,
one of the oldest Muslim grave sites," indicating that "this comes in
light of regional and international pressure to resume the
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations." The writer goes on to say that "with
the continuing occupation and Zionist aggression, Israel perse veres in
defying the international community, and inventing new kinds of blatant
assault on history and rights," noting that Israel worked with UNESCO to
give the site of Tal al-Qadi in the Golan Heights the new name, 'Tel Dan,'
using forged maps and documents that are not recognized." He concludes by
saying: "It is the Zionist project, opposite which is the Arab nationalist
thought, and its project should be reconsidered in a changing world in
which the resistance, with its various military, intellectual, and
political forms, has demonstrated that it is one of the most important
ways to strengthen the Arab national project in the face of the Zionist
project; it is the most significant and only opponent." (Description of
source: Damascus Al-Ba'th Online in Arabic -- Website of the newspaper of
the ruling Ba'th Party; URL:
http://www.albaath.news.sy/ http://www.albaath.news.sy)
In a 310-word commentary in Al-Watan entitled "Shuffling the Cards in
Preparation for a New War," Malik al-Natur, writing about the possibility
of war, says: "As soon as Israel completes a game, it starts a new one
with the sole purpose of shuffling the cards in the region in order to
fuel the conflict, (taking it) to its limits, which will realize Israel's
desire to ignite a new war through which it will try to restore its
respectability and damaged prestige, after failing to achieve anything in
the wars of July (2006), and Gaza." "Israel," he adds, "recognizes that
this war will not be a tactical or a limited one, and that it will be
crucial (for it) to impede the significant progress of the resistance and
its approach in the region. It will be open as well, because the
resistance alliance will no longer accept being singled out."Indicating
that "the Americans have failed in Iraqp, while it (Israel) has failed in
Lebanon and Gaza, at a time when it realizes that (victory over) Iran is
elusive , while the lies of peace have fallen through," the writer says:
"Israel as we know it, will not calm down and will not stay quiet seeing
itself rolling from one failure to the other, and from one scandal to
another. That is why it will be looking for a pretext, through which it
will regain its role; and this window, in its opinion, will only be war,
because it does not know any other way to achieve its objectives."Calling
on Arabs to "wake up" and "support the resistance approach and its tools
in the face of the fiercest enemy in history, instead of waiting for the
results as observers, al-Natur indicates that "the recent Saudi move in
coordination with Syria to prevent sedition in Lebanon through the
politicized Special Tribunal, is an important step toward strengthening
Arab solidarity in the face of Israel's tricks to affect Lebanon." He
concludes by saying: "The timing is very important, because the features
of a new war have become clear. So, it is necessary to change the
atmosphere that prevailed during the July war with a new climate of
solidarity and unity in order to thwart the Zionist goal of controlling
the region." (Description of source: Damascus Al-Watan Online in Arabic --
Website of the independent daily; URL:
http://www.alwatan.sy/ http://www.alwatan.sy)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
30) Back to Top
Sanctions Force Government To Enforce Policy of Self-Sufficiency
Unattributed news report: "Self-Sufficiency Order for Strategic Products"
- Donya-ye Eqtesad online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 21:11:07 GMT
Industry and mine desk: The implementation of a new round of sanctions by
the West against Iran has led Tehran's senior officials to make Iran
self-sufficient in the manufacture of strategic products at any cost. The
minister of industries and mines told all the Ministry of Industries'
subsidiary units: "What I am announcing from this platform today should be
considered as a circular to all units: support all products that make the
country self-sufficient in any industrial sector without any limitations."
According to a report by Donya-ye Eqtesad, Ali Akbar Mehrabian added: "In
future, the most important duty of the Industrial Development and
Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) must be unconditional support for
industrialists. IDRO must soon prepare a set of regulations that would
support any researcher who has a plan for the manufacture of an industrial
product." The member of the 10th cabinet referred to the implementa tion
of the new round of sanctions by Western countries and said: "If Western
countries prevent the import of machineries and parts needed in our
industries, they should be certain that we will close our country's doors
to their secondhand junk." The import of 100 types of catalysts
The industries minister, who was speaking on the sidelines of the
inauguration ceremony of the country's first catalyst factory, announced
the import of 100 types of catalysts into the country and said: "Out of
these 100 types of imported catalysts, 25 have more applications, and we
have now become self-sufficient in the manufacture of these catalysts.
With the facilities provided by the Ministry of Industries, we must become
self-sufficient in the manufacture of all kinds of catalysts within the
next year."
According to Donya-ye Eqtesad, as one of the most important strategic
products, catalysts are used at least once in more than 90 percent of all
the fuel mole cules normally used in transport systems. In addition,
around 80 percent of chemical products are made with the aid of catalysts
and catalyst products. For example, the methane gas that is used by
families for heating purposes is turned into methanol, which is a clean
gas known all over the world, through the use of a particular type of
catalyst. However, if the catalysts that are used in the country's
refineries, in petrochemical products, and even in the steel industry are
sanctioned, most of these will suffer serious problems within the next
three to five years, and some may even stop production. These five
countries
It is worth mentioning that 7,000 tons of catalysts are used in the
country annually and that the amount of currency spent on the import of
all types of catalysts into the country is around $400 million, and this
figure will double in the near future. Furthermore, the value of six types
of catalysts, the knowledge for the production of which has become
indigenized, equals approximately 25 percent of all imported catalysts;
this amounts to $98 million annually.
At present, only the US, Britain, France, Germany, and Denmark can
manufacture industrial catalysts globally, but, from now on, Iran will be
added to the list of countries that manufacture catalysts.
Self-sufficiency in one year
The industries minister referred to the possibility of manufacturing three
kinds of strategic catalysts domestically and said: "At present, there is
a possibility of manufacturing 20 kinds of industrial catalysts on an
experimental basis inside the country." The mines and industries minister
said that it is being forecast that, by the end of the current year, the
industrial and mass manufacture of three other catalysts will be possible
domestically. He explained: "At the moment, 100 kinds of industrial
catalysts are manufactured in different countries, and, under present
conditions, Iran has obtained the technica l know-how for all these
catalysts." He added that currently approximately 7,000 tons of different
industrial catalysts are being used in the country's various industries
and said: "These catalysts are used mainly in the oil, petrochemical, and
steel industries and refineries." He emphasized that, when the needed
catalysts are manufactured domestically, there will be a savings of $400
million in currency leaving the country and said: "The manufacture of
catalysts domestically is economically viable because this strategic
product has various uses in the country's different industries." Planning
for export
Mehrabian also reported that planning is under way to export catalysts to
countries that request it. He referred to the possibility of manufacturing
two types of refined and petrochemical gasoline domestically and said:
"One kind of gasoline is extracted from crude oil using the refinery
method, and the other kind of gasoline is procured from petrochemical
complexes." Mehrabian pointed out that existing petrochemical units can
produce 15 million liters of gasoline daily and emphasized: "With the
indigenization of gasoline catalysts, both methods for the production of
gasoline can be carried out simultaneously."
On the other hand, during this ceremony, Majid Hedayat, managing director
of IRDO, said: "Catalysts made in Iran will soon be mocking their Western
counterparts through their significant and pronounced presence in global
markets."
The industries and mines minister added: "Today, our country has turned
into a design power, and, in the coming decades, Iran's products and
capabilities will have plenty to say on the international scene."
The managing director of the National Petrochemical Company, Abdolhoseyn
Bayat, stressed the need to support domestic manufacturers and
industrialists and to cover the investment risk for the manufacture of
industria l catalysts. He said: "At the moment, at the order of the oil
minister, a comprehensive electronic system has been launched for the
purchase of products and equipment inside the country so that, if there is
a possibility of a product being manufactured domestically, there will no
longer be any imports in that sector." He pointed out that all the
domestically manufactured products and equipment will be included in this
electronic system with an identification code and said: "The Oil Ministry
is also required to use the domestically manufactured equipment and to
support domestic manufacturers."
(Description of Source: Tehran Donya-ye Eqtesad online in Persianwebsite
of privately owned paper that focuses on economic issues; appears to take
positions based on financial rather than political considerations;
www.donya-e-eqtesad.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obta ined from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
31) Back to Top
Business Community Not Satisfied With Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit Trade
Pact
Report by Mushtaq Ghumman: Controversial APTTA: Ministry not interested
in taking Cabinet into confidence - Business Recorder Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:12:24 GMT
ISLAMABAD (August 10 2010): The Commerce Ministry is not interested in
taking the Federal Cabinet into confidence over the controversial
Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), recently agreed
between the two countries. The country's business community believes that
the pact, which is yet to be formally signed between the two countries,
does not serve Pakistan's interests.
Sources said that the C ommerce Ministry would brief the top leaders of
national political parties about the 'secret benefits' of the pact,
tailored under reported pressure of Washington. "The Ministry will clear
the doubts of national leadership about the record notes, now being
converted into a pact and signed in the presence of US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton and Ambassador Richard Holbrook," sources said.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, sources said, had directed the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce to jointly give a presentation
to national leaders to remove their apprehensions. The top brass of
Commerce Ministry, however, is worried that national leaders would
criticise it, especially for offering a 'side letter', which would allow
Indian goods to be transported through Wahgah border to Afghanistan at
some future date. "Thanks to America, Afghanistan gets what India was
dying for the last several years," commented one of the stakeholders .
Provincial governments have also raised their voice against the federal
government for not taking them into confidence over the undesired
agreement. Commerce Ministry also claims that the General Headquarters
(GHQ) and Inte- Services Intelligence (ISI) were taken on board before the
'record notes' were signed with the Afghan delegation. This claim has not
been substantiated from other sources, including ISPR.
The 'record notes', which would now be incorporated in the agreement, were
finalised by the officials of the two countries at a local hotel. The
'record notes' show that the meeting was held between the Afghan Finance
Minister Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who reached Islamabad on Saturday evening, a
day prior to the signing, Dr Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, Afghan Commerce Minister,
Amin Fahim, Commerce Minister, and Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Finance
Minister, on July 17, 2010.
The meeting was held in a spirit of co-operation and understanding. The
two sides stated the ir positions and agreed to resolve the issues, which
could not be settled during the meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) held
on 16-17 July, 2010. Pakistan's business community has dispatched comments
on the 'record notes' which probably would not be taken on board by the
government, stated one disheartened private transporter.
(Description of Source: Karachi Business Recorder Online in English --
Website of a leading business daily. The group also owns Aaj News TV; URL:
http://www.brecorder.com/)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
32) Back to Top
JFJB Views US Military Option Against Iran Unlikely
Article by Tian Yuan: "Use Force or Mouth?" - Jiefangjun Bao Onli ne
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:40:03 GMT
Was it the intention of Mullen's remark to expose the secret about the
true military card in the hands of US policy on Iran or to help the US
administration send "harsh words" to Iran in order to up the bargaining
counters for negotiations?
For many years, the United States had always either not uttered a single
word or had been ambiguous or had spoken evasively on the issue of whether
or not it would use force against Iran. Therefore, the actual state of
affairs was unclear, and this provided room for people to chase the wind
and clutch at shadows (speak or act on hearsay evidence) or even make
insinuations. If we leave aside for a moment the issue of whether or not
the United States really has the intention and plan to use force and
merely look at the timing that Mullen chose to make the remark, we will
feel that there is a di fferent kind of arcane truth (to what he said).
Since the United Nations promulgated new measures to impose further
sanctions this June, including banning member states from exporting heavy
weapons to Iran, the United States itself has again been intensifying its
efforts to unilaterally engage in a set of "malicious moves" to impose
sanctions on Iran. After that, the European Union, its old ally, also
followed in its footsteps and introduced unilateral sanctions that are
aimed at Iran's energy sector. The energy industry, including petroleum
and natural gas, is an important route for Iran to gain foreign exchange
and transfuse blood into economic and social development in the country.
Obviously, this is intended as a jab at Iran's soft ribs and to cut off
Iran's road to wealth!
Faced with higher and higher waves of sanction voices and more and more
relentless sanction methods, Iran, which is used to sanctions and
punishments from western countries, appea red not to have shown much fear,
much less admitted defeat. Yadollah (Javani), deputy commander for
political affairs of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, struck a
"fighter" posture and claimed that the Iranian armed forces are not
"vegetarians" and have long ago formulated a forceful plan to deal with
the possible use of force against Iran by the United States or Israel. He
also said: Iran has long ago gotten used to this kind of "child's" play
that the United States employed to pressure Iran.
A western saying says that there are two sides to the coin. Behind the
economic means used by the United States to impose sanctions on Iran in
every possible way, dialogues conducted recently between the two sides at
the negotiating table also evolved overtly and covertly as well as vividly
and dramatically. First, the US secretary of state and secretary of the
treasury performed a two-person act and said that the US administration
wil l still devote itself to solving the Iran nuclear issue through
diplomatic channels. After that, a spokesman of the US State Department
said that over "the next few weeks" consultations would be held together
with Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany and claimed that this
"mechanism is a suitable communication channel." At the same time, Iran
also continued to call for reopening talks with the International Atomic
Energy Agency and submitted a letter to the latter in a serious manner to
express its eager wish for "unconditional" talks on the nuclear fuel
exchange issue.
There is an old saying in China, "There can never be too much deception in
war," which perhaps can be very appropriately applied at this time and in
this scenario to interpret Mullen's authoritative viewpoint. The old
scores am ong the rivers and lakes between the United States and Iran and
their readiness to go to war have gone on year after year and g eneration
after generation. The two sides had engaged in battles of words sometimes
and resorted to use of force to force each other at other times but they
eventually did not walk to the fringe of war. At the moment, one foot of
the United States is bogged down in the quagmire of the war in Iraq and
the other is stranded in the Afghan battlefield, and the United States'
two hands are also busy utilizing the military drills with the ROK to
upset plans for the East Asian security issue while making indiscreet
remarks on the issue of China's South China Sea. The United States, which
has always considered itself the "world police," really finds it a bit
hard to cope with too many problems, and the possibility of it raising its
hands to strike Iran at this critical moment is probably almost zero.
Therefore, the "military option" revealed by Mullen undoubtedly is a "big
stick" to intimidate the adversary and is only talks about military
strategie s on paper. If we mechanically apply a currently popular
terminology in the international financial sector to this, this would be a
"stress test" that the US military conducted on Iran on the Iran nuclear
issue! It (the United States) was only exercising its lips.
(Description of Source: Beijing Jiefangjun Bao Online in Chinese --
Website of daily newspaper of the Central Military Commission of the
People's Liberation Army (PLA), reporting on a wide range of military
affairs. URL: http://www.chinamil.com.cn/)Attachments:jf0809b.pdf
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
33) Back to Top
Gen Kayani 'Demands' ISAF, Afghanistan To Halt Militants Infiltration
Report by M aqbool Malik: "Kayani for Halt to Militants Infiltration" -
The Nation Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:17:39 GMT
ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has
demanded of the commanders of ISAF and Afghan National Army (ANA) to take
appropriate steps in order to purge Afghanistan from terrorist sanctuaries
rather than blaming Pakistan.
He made these remarks during the 31st meeting of the military forum, the
Tripartite Commission comprising USA-led ISAF, Afghanistan and Pakistan
held in Kabul on Monday.
Well-placed military sources informed TheNation that General Kayani asked
the allied commanders of ISAF as well as ANA for appropriate steps to curb
infiltration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan. He questioned
the ability of ISAF and ANA, saying if Pakistan with its meagre resources
had established hundreds of check posts on its b order, what stopped the
ISAF and ANA from taking such steps, as they still lagged behind thus
giving greater freedom of movement to the Afghan militants. "ISAF and ANA
should have checked and curbed illegal border crossings a long time ago,
but failed so far," the sources quoted the COAS as telling the allied
delegates.
Meanwhile, the ISPR in its statement, issued here said that General Ashfaq
Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff, General David H Petreaus, Commander
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and General Sher Muhammad
Kirmi, Chief of General Staff of Afghan National Army headed the
respective delegations.
It said that the forum reviewed the security situation of the areas
situated along Pak-Afghan Border. The participants showed satisfaction
over the existing level of cooperation. Chief of Army Staff, General
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also met President of Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai and discussed matters of mutual inte rest.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The Nation Online in English -- Website
of a conservative daily, part of the Nawa-i-Waqt publishing group.
Circulation around 20,000; URL: http://www.nation.com.pk)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
34) Back to Top
ROK Defense Chief Visits Afghanistan To Encourage Troops
Updated version: upgrading precedence, rewording headline, and adjusting
tags; By Kim Deok-hyun: "S. Korean Defense Chief Visits Afghanistan to
Encourage Troops" - Yonhap
Tuesday August 10, 2010 05:52:19 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semioffici al news
agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
35) Back to Top
Afghan people want strong army, police before withdrawal of foreign forces
- Hasht-e-Sobh
Sunday July 11, 2010 15:28:26 GMT
foreign forces
Text of report by Qodratollah Jawed entitled "Premature withdrawal of
foreign troops according to people's viewpoints" published by Afghan
independent secular daily newspaper Hasht-e Sobh on 10 JulyNote: Based on
the US government strategy announced by Barack Obama, US president, last
year, the process of the withdrawal of US tr oops from Afghanistan will
begin from 1 July next year.This issue has created some disagreement both
in the USA and Afghanistan. In its latest incident, some US senators and
some officials from the Afghan government have called the withdrawal of US
troops from Afghanistan a mistake and said that this move will strengthen
the Taleban and Al-Qa'idah.Fraidun Azhand - HeratHoma Azimi, a lecturer at
Herat Education University: "Undoubtedly, no Afghan likes the foreign
troops staying in their country but, for the time being, the presence of
foreign forces is an important necessity. We still do not have enough
capability to combat terrorism, ensure security and even defend our
territorial integrity and besides that, terrorism has always targeted our
country as a threat. The premature withdrawal of foreign forces from
Afghanistan will create a dangerous challenge for all the efforts made by
the international community to bring stability in Afghanistan. Terrorists
will think tha t they will soon gain victory, even the warlords, who have
kept silent because of the fear they have of the foreign forces, will
think again to destabilize the country. Therefore, the withdrawal of
foreign forces is necessary, but not for the time being."Jamshid Farahi, a
worker in Herat new city: "Now that foreign troops think that they should
withdraw from Afghanistan, it would be better if they strengthen the
Afghan security forces. If foreign forces leave Afghanistan and the Afghan
armed forces are also weak, the neighbouring countries, which have always
wanted to destroy this country, will once again send their slaves to
Afghanistan and we will go back the situation of 10 years ago. The
international community should first see that we have the power to
maintain power, and then they should think about withdrawal from
Afghanistan."Hamidollah Sarwari, a Herat citizen: "With its all-sided
presence and support from a democratic government and all the valu es
which had been forgotten in this country, the international community has
revived that. But despite all that these values such as freedom, human
rights, democracy etc have not been institutionalized completely. With
more power now, the opponents of these values are looking for an
opportunity to make themselves dominate the Afghan people contrary to the
people's wishes. The withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan at a
time when Afghanistan does not have enough power is regarded as a big
mistake, a mistake which will once again lead Afghanistan towards
destruction."Zia Hosaini - GhazniMohammad Amin, a resident of Ghazni
Province: "The beginning of the withdrawal of US forces in 2011 from
Afghanistan shows that the Taleban have gained victory in their fight
against all the countries, which have a military presence in Afghanistan.
With this decision, the Taleban's morale will surely be boosted because
they have apparently gained victory in the fight against th e
international community. During the past nine years, the Afghan security
forces have not reached the required capacity to defend the people and the
country alone. This withdrawal is a kind of escape from the scene of
combating terrorism."Abdol Satar, a shopkeeper in Ghazni city: "The
premature withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan means capitulating to
the Taleban's power. This is a kind of confession that the Taleban are
stronger than the international community in Afghanistan. On the other
hand, it will encourage the Taleban to prolong the war in Afghanistan.
Most importantly, the consequences of the withdrawal of US troops from
Afghanistan will be the beginning of destructive civil wars in Afghanistan
from which, our people have suffered for more than three decades and they
are concerned about this decision by American officials. The people are
concerned that the situation will become like it was nine years
ago."Habibollah , a teacher in one of the sch ools in Ghazni: "The
decision by the US officials based on their withdrawal from Afghanistan
indicates that the international community's struggle to eliminate
terrorism, was a mistake and now the US forces do not want to repeat that
mistake. On the other hand, this premature withdrawal indicates that the
Taleban were not included in the list of terrorist groups. Therefore, US
officials have decided to leave Afghanistan. But our people do not want US
officials to leave Afghanistan until our people and our country find the
ability to defend themselves as well as their country."Qodratollah Jawed -
KabulObaidollah Zormati, a cashier in Kabul city: "I believe that foreign
forces should leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. But before that, our
National Army and National Police should be increased and heavy weapons
such as tanks and war planes should be put at their disposal. Currently,
the number of National Army forces is too little. Our neighbouring
countries h elp the Taleban and the terrorists. The war is continuing. The
Taleban have made most of the provinces in our country insecure. In my
judgment, we will not be happy with the presence of foreign troops in our
country when our country is secure. But in the current situation, foreign
forces should stay in Afghanistan until our country becomes secure."Elyas
Amiri, a student at Kabul University: "Foreign forces should leave our
country. This is because during the past nine years that foreign forces
are in Afghanistan, not only has the security situation in our country not
improved, it has also deteriorated during recent years. I am doubtful
about the activities of foreign troops. Why could they not eliminate the
Taleban during the past nine years? I think if they stay in our country
for more time and they do not gain any achievements, it would be better if
they left our country very soon. The foreign troops say that they will
leave Afghanistan after one year. I think th at if the foreign forces have
come here to combat the Taleban and terrorism, this one year is also
enough to eliminate them. If they want to remove our doubts, foreign
troops should struggle against terrorists very seriously."Gholam Faruq, a
salesman in Kabul, "Our security forces are not in a position to ensure
security for the entire country. Several years of war and destruction have
destroyed all our infrastructures and properties. We need foreign
assistance. If foreign soldiers leave our country, factional fighting will
start again. On the other hand, the Taleban will be strengthened. We
should not let the Taleban dominate us again. Therefore, I think that
until our National Army forces and our National Police forces get
strengthened, the foreign forces should help people both in terms of
military and in terms of economic affairs."Sayed Karim Jawed -
BamianNajibollah, a shopkeeper in Bamian city: "The withdrawal of foreign
forces from Afghanistan is n ot in favour of the Afghan people because, so
far, neither has security been ensured nor have the Afghan security forces
(army and police) been strengthened completely. Despite the presence of
foreign forces, most of the provinces are insecure. If international
forces leave Afghanistan, insecurity will further increase".Sayed Mohammad
Mosawi, a teacher in Bamian: "If we had good security; the withdrawal of
foreign forces would have been in favour of the Afghan people. But I think
that until security is completely ensured, the presence of foreign forces
is very necessary."Mohammad Ali, a resident of Bamian Province: "During
the past several years, thousands of Afghans were killed by the Taleban so
we should not waste this opportunity. If foreign forces leave Afghanistan
in an untimely fashion, the security situation will deteriorate
further."Sayed Samiollah Sayedi - NangarharBabrak Miakhel, a teacher at
Nangarhar University: "In my own judgment, perhaps most Afghans will agree
with me and they will go along with me that foreign forces should leave
Afghanistan. This is because nobody wants foreign forces to stay in our
country and if some people want them to stay, they are compelled to say
so. But the main point is that if foreign forces, particularly US forces,
want to leave Afghanistan before their withdrawal, they should strengthen
our army, police and other security bodies so that they can ensure
security in their country. If the Afghan security forces are not able to
ensure security in the country and the foreign forces also leave this
country, then Afghanistan will once again face a bad destiny and it will
plunge into a very big catastrophe. So I hope that before the foreign
forces leave Afghanistan, they will rebuild all our institutions. They
should make our army, police and other security bodies in our country
stand on their own feet and then they should withdraw from
Afghanistan."Khalid Mandezi: " I think that the withdrawal of foreign
forces from Afghanistan right now will take Afghanistan back to the 1990s.
The current situation in Afghanistan is similar to the situation where the
Taleban regime was on the verge of collapse. If foreign forces leave
Afghanistan in the current situation where we do not have even one strong
security body, then this country will plunge into a civil war again and
questions will also be raised why the foreign forces stayed in our country
for 10 years".Jamshid Radfar - BalkhAdib, a resident of Mazar-e- Sharif:
"If the situation continues like this and there is the same government
with the same performance, then the withdrawal of foreign forces from
Afghanistan will be premature even after 10 years. This is because we are
still not able to meet a very small requirement of our society and despite
the pouring in of billions of dollars, the Afghan government has not been
able to show signs of a sound governance, which could attract p eople's
attention and confidence based on the government's independent strategies
if foreign forces withdrawal from Afghanistan".Sohrab Aria, a resident of
Mazar-e-Sharif: "If attention had been paid to the army and police forces
over the past 10 years, they would be well-equipped. Today, we would have
been able to ensure security in our country on our own and the best option
would have been the withdrawal of foreign forces. Our army and police
forces should be equipped and they should be professional. We hope that
the Afghan government will pay keen attention to the army and police
forces so that they can become self-sufficient and protect the identity of
their country on their own."(Description of Source: Kabul Hasht-e-Sobh in
Dari -- Eight-page secular daily launched in May 2007; editor-in-chief,
Qasim Akhgar, is a political analyst and Head of the Association for the
Freedom of Speech. )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Afghan paper calls on USA to help clean up Kabul - Arman-e Melli
Sunday July 11, 2010 10:51:47 GMT
Text of editorial entitled "Symbolic works cannot solve Kabul's problems"
published by independent Afghan newspaper Arman-e Melli website on 10
JulyThe US ambassador to Afghanistan participated in a collective
campaign, launched by many Kabul residents, to collect rubbish and clean
the city. By collecting pieces of paper from a road, the US ambassador
showed that he is interested in seeing a clean Kabul, devoid of
rubbish.The symbolic gesture by the US ambassador is laudable. He appeared
on TV cameras, say ing he is interested in seeing a clean Kabul and seeing
the city get rid of the contaminated weather.However, the action by Mr
Ambassador, who appeared on camera and collected some pieces of paper
along with a number of others, will not tackle the problem of garbage and
Kabul's contaminated weather.Kabul, where millions of dollars are spent by
the international community in the name of a reconstruction programme, is
the filthiest city. However, necessary attention has not yet been paid to
Kabul as piles of rubbish are seen in and around the city.The Kabul
municipality cannot resolve the problems with its own means. The
municipality's officials have always been vocal regarding shortages of
possibilities and means.Taking the matter into consideration, it would be
better if the US ambassador made specific suggestions to the US
departments concerned with regard to the contaminated weather and
collection of rubbish from Kabul and convinced them to help the Kabul
municipality on t his important issue and solve the municipality's
problem. In fact, symbolic actions will not solve the problems of Kabul
city. There is a need to take serious and practical steps in this
regard.(Description of Source: Kabul Arman-e Melli in Dari )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
37) Back to Top
ROK Editorial Urges Japan To Put Apology Into Action
Editorial: "Centenary of Annexation" - The Korea Times Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:35:35 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul The Korea Times Online in English -- Website
of The Korea Times, an independent and moderate English-languag e daily
published by its sister daily Hanguk Ilbo from which it often draws
articles and translates into English for publication; URL:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
38) Back to Top
Afghan daily urges unity within international community on war strategy -
Weesa
Sunday July 11, 2010 10:51:46 GMT
strategy
Text of editorial entitled "Afghanistan is quagmire for international
community" published by pro-government Afghan newspaper Weesa on 8
JulySenior American officials can no longer hide their differences over
Afghan strategy. These differences res ulted in the removal of a general
(McChrystal) from his position. It is clear that the removal of that
general has disappointed one group. However, the differences over strategy
and Afghanistan's problems have not been resolved yet. There is a strong
possibility that fighting will intensify for some time in Afghanistan. The
new chief commander of NATO and American forces has openly announced that
he will avoid civilian casualties, but not at the cost of jeopardizing the
life of their soldiers. According to Gen Petraeus, they will use all types
of arms and resources in war to avoid casualties on the part of their
soldiers. This is an open change in strategy that will increase civilian
casualties.The opposition side has its own justifications (Pashto:
Estedlal) for this strategy. Senior Afghan officials have been promised at
official meetings that (the international community) will continue
supporting Afghanistan. However, it is ignoring the demands and needs of
the Afghan peo ple. This strategy will produce extremely devastating and
dangerous consequences. The Afghan nation will never bow to anyone, no
matter how many Afghans are killed. On the contrary, the continuation of
civilian casualties incites people to stand against the international
forces. The new chief commander of American and NATO forces was appointed
and assumed his mission a few days ago. A number of civilians and national
army soldiers were killed in bombing raids over these days.The series of
mistakes that Gen McChrystal tried to prevent has resumed with the arrival
of the new commander. Gen McChrystal prevented such mistakes to a great
extent. Anyhow, America will definitely witness a reaction to the strategy
it is pursuing in Afghanistan. The differences between America and other
sides of the international community over the Afghan war is a sign of lack
of unity, coordination and agreement between them on a common strategy. In
general, this has created doubts, threats and prob lems to the present
mission of the international community in Afghanistan. America and the
international community should also realize that there are many small and
major groups and forces in the region which are exploiting such
shortcomings. These differences help them achieve their goals. Time will
tell how they exploit the differences between different sides of the
international community.(Description of Source: Kabul Weesa in Pashto --
pro-government daily launched in early 2006; supports reconciliation with
the Taliban and Hekmatyar's groups.)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
39) Back to Top
Palestinian Reports on Socioeconomic Projects 30 Jul - 6 Aug 10
The following lists highlights of reports on socioeconomic projects
carried in the Palestinian press between 31 July and 6 Aug. To request
additional processing, or for assistance with multimedia elements, call
OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - West Bank
&amp; Gaza Strip -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 05:29:07 GMT
http://www.wafa.ps/ http://www.wafa.ps ) Ramallah: Jerusalem Open
University, 'GTZ,' Sign Cooperation Agreement in Training Field
- On 4 Aug, a report says that Jerusalem Open University and the German
Technical Cooperation Foundation 'GTZ' have signed a cooperation agreement
in the field of training on ORACLE database management for a group of the
Ministry of Interior's personnel. The report adds that this training
course is expected to start after the holy month of Ramadan Arish: Libyan
Aid Arrives at Al-Arish On Way to Gaza
- On 3 Aug; a report says that the Libyan aid convoy 'Al-Quds1' has
arrived in Al-Arish town in Egypt on its way to the Gaza Strip in an
attempt to break the blockade imposed against the strip since 2007. The
report adds that the convoy is comprised of 20 trucks loaded with
`approximately 1000 tons of medicine and medical supplies, milk, juices,
mineral water, foodstuff, clothes and other items. The report further adds
that 64 persons, 3 of whom are doctors in various specialties, are coming
with the convoy to carry out surgeries at Gaza hospitals. Ramallah: EU
Issues New Payment for Civil Servant Salaries, Pension Fund
- On 5 Aug, a report says that the EU is going to issue today its 8th
contribution to the salaries and pensions of more than 81000 civil
servants and retired personnel in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The report
goes on to cite the EU as noting in a press statement that this month's
contribution which is issued through PIGAS Mechanism amounts to 14 million
Euros. The report adds that the funding is part of an aid bundle totaling
158 million Euros from the European Commission for 2010 in addition to
assistance from the Swedish Government totaling 50 million Kroner.
Nabulus: Governor Delivers President Abbas Donation to Students
- On 3 Aug, a report says that the Governor of Nabulus Governorate Jibrin
al-Bakri has delivered President Abbas' donation to the students who
scored the highest marks in the high school examinations in the
governorate. The report adds that this came in a ceremony organized by the
governorate under President Abbas' auspices. Ramallah: Economy Minister
Announces Consumer Protection Measures in Ramadan
- on 3 Aug, a report cites the Minister of National Economy Dr Hasan
Abu-Libdah as announcing that the ministry has created a list comprised of
the names of 42 items to monitor their prices during the holy month of
Ramadan in order to ensure maximum consumer protection and fairness of
prices. He adde d that the Ministry will increase the number of personnel
in the consumer protection department to 200 employees and they will be
divided into two shifts to work around the clock to prevent monopoly,
exploitation of consumers, and marketing of settlement products. Umm
al-Fahm: For First Time: Exhibition Opened for Palestinian Products in
1948 Lands
- On 3 Aug, a report says that the first exhibition of Arab products in
1948 lands has been opened under the emblem 'Made at Home'. The report
goes on to say that the is organized by Immar Association for Development
and Economic Promotion with participation of the biggest companies and
Arab enterprises that produce and manufacture goods inside the Palestinian
territories. The exhibition was held at Al-Waha Park in Umm al-Fahm town.
Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah Al-Birah: Education Ministry, USAID Opens 2 nd
Educational Forum
- on 5 Aug, a report says that that the Ministry of Higher Education has
opened the 2nd educational f orum under the title: "Educational
Communities. Models for School Development in Palestine" with funding by
the USAID and support by the AMIDST. The report cites the Director of
Education Division in the USAID Karen Axel as saying that this forum is
organized for the development of schools in Palestine, supporting the
school facilities, and to develop the education sector so that it can cope
with modern education requirements (Internet Version-WWW in Arabic -- PA
owned daily, supportive of the Presidency, URL:
http://www.alhayat-j.com/ http://www.alhayat-j.com ).
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
40) Back to Top
Iraqi Kurdish Arabic Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from two Baghdad-based Kurdish
newspapers on 10 Aug. To request additional processing, please call OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735. - Iraq -- OSC
Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:36:40 GMT
http://www.alittihad.com/ http://www.alittihad.com )
--Al-Ittihad 2,000-word report citing Al-Iraqiyah List member Shakir Kitab
as saying that during his recent meeting with Kurdistan Region President
Mas'ud Barzani, Premir Al-Maliki failed to achieve a rapprochement with
the Kurds. He added that the visit can be described as unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Al-Tawafuq Front member Salim Abddallah said that the Kurds are
closely associated with the National Alliance, and that the next
government would bring together the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition and the
National Alliance. As for the Al-Iraqiyah List, it has to resign itself to
this reality, he maintai ned. INA member Baha al-A'raji said that the INA
will forge an alliance with the Al-Iraqiyah List and the Kurdistan Blocs
Coalition if the SLC's position regarding the post of prime minister
remains unchanged. He added: The INA is about to forge an alliance with
the Al-Iraqiyah List and the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition. SLC member Kamal
al-Sa'idi said that Al-Maliki's visit to Arbil laid bare the claims made
by some political forces to the effect that the Kurds are opposed to a
second term in office for incumbent Premier Al-Maliki. He added that the
Kurdistan Blocs Coalition is not opposed to a second term in office for
Al-Maliki. For his part, Sami Shorish, member of the Kurdish negotiating
team, said that forging an alliance with the other Iraqi political blocs
is contingent upon their approval of the 16-point program submitted by the
Kurdistan Blocs Coalition's delegation.
--Al-Ta'akhi 250-word report citing SLC Spokesman Hachim al-Hasani as
saying that there is a gre at convergence of views between the SLC and
Kurdish parties, which prompts a further enhancement of ties between the
two sides. Al-Hasani was commenting on Premier Al-Maliki's recent visit to
Arbil, where he met with Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud Barzani.
(Description of source: Baghdad Al-Ta'akhi Online in Arabic - Website of
Al-Ta'akhi, daily newspaper published b y the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic
Party, KDP; URL:
http://taakhinews.org/ http://taakhinews.org )
--Al-Ta'akhi 130-word report citing INA member Muhammad al-Bayyati as
saying that the INA will not be part of a government that does not meet
the requirements of success.
--Al-Ta'akhi 400-word report citing Salih al-Mutlaq, key leader of the
Al-Iraqiyah List, as saying that the talks are continuing with the SLC on
several issues pertaining to the Political Council for National Security,
such as the armed forces General Command, and whether it will be
associated with the Political Council or th e Prime Ministry. He added
that the Al-Iraqiyah List seeks to expand the powers of the Political
Council for National Security.
--Al-Ta'akhi 130-word report citing Dara Muhammad, member of the Kurdistan
Blocs Coalition, as saying that the Kurdish negotiating team will begin
its official talks with the Iraqi political blocs in Baghdad today. He
added: The talks will be held with SLC leader Al-Maliki, Al-Iraqiyah List
leader Iyad Allawi, and INA leader Ammar al-Hakim. The Kurdistan Blocs
Coalition will submit a 20-point working paper to the aforesaid three
blocs, and the talks will address these points.
--Al-Ta'akhi 120-word report citing Kurdistan Alliance member Muhsin
Sa'dun as predicting that the political blocs will achieve an agreement on
a distribution of the top posts next week. He added: International and
domestic pressure as well as the security deterioration in the country
will push the political blocs to achieve this agreement next week. The
recent vi sits to the Kurdistan Region by Premier Al-Maliki and
Al-Iraqiyah List leader Iyad Allawi helped achieve a convergence of views
between the SLC and the Al-Iraqiyah List on the distribution of top posts.
If the political blocs fail to achieve an agreement on the top posts next
week, the parliament should pass a resolution on conducting a repeat
election.
--Al-Ta'akhi 150-word report citing an informed source as saying that a
heated debate took place at the latest meeting held by the Islamic Da'wah
Party (IDP) between those insisting that Al-Maliki should retain his
candidacy for the post of prime minister and Ali al-Adib, key IDP leader,
who asked for replacing Al-Maliki with another candidate for the post.
Political sources disclosed to media outlets a few days ago that Husayn
al-Shahristani, oil minister and key SLC leader, and some members of his
Independents List are planning to break away from the SLC and hold a
dialogue with the INA. Miscellaneous Reports
--Al-Ittihad 200-word report citing Planning Minister Ali Baban as saying
that his ministry is proceeding with its plans to conduct a population
census on schedule regardless of whether or not the new government is
formed.
--Al-Ittihad 150-word report saying that several civil society
organizations filed a lawsuit with the Federal Court over the parliament's
failure to perform its functions and duties.
--Al-Ta'akhi 300-word report citing Yunadim Kanna, leader of the Iraqi
al-Rafidayn Bloc, a Christian political entity, as saying that the
countries that encourage Iraqi Christians to immigrate are committing a
crime against them. Kurdistan Region Developments
--Al-Ittihad 450-word report citing Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud
Barzani, in a telephone conversation he had with US Vice President Joe
Biden, as stressing the need for forming a real partnership government in
Iraq. Barzani met with UK Ambassador to Iraq John Jenkins and Jeremy
Macadie, UK consul general to the Kurdistan Region, yesterday.
--Al-Ittihad 140-word report citing Ahmad Qadir, top commissioner of the
Sidakan Subdistrict, an affiliate of the Choman District in the Arbil
Governorate, as saying that the residents of 114 villages fled their homes
as a result of the ongoing artillery shelling by Iranian and Turkish
troops.
--Al-Ta'akhi 100-word report on a telephone conversation held between
Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud Barzani and US Vice President Joe Biden.
Barzani affirmed that the Kurds are playing an effective role to expedite
the formation of the new government.
--Al-Ta'akhi 350-word report citing an interview Kurdistan Region Premier
Barham Salih granted to the London-based Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper in
which he described Premier Al-Maliki's recent talks with Kurdistan Region
President Mas'ud Barzani in Arbil as important. Press Commentaries
--In a 450-word editorial in Al-Ittihad, Deputy Chief Editor Abd-al-Hadi
Mahdi says: Following the UN Security Council (UNSC) deliberations on the
report submitted by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq
(UNAMI), which listed the positive and negative aspects in Iraq, and the
recommendations that these deliberations elicited, it is noteworthy that
no official Iraqi statement was issued either supporting or denying the
contents of the report as if the report had nothing to do with Iraq.
However, the report blames Iraq for certain things, especially on issues
related to Kuwait, which makes the effort to remove Iraq from the mandate
of Chapter VII of the UN Charter a difficult undertaking. This is
indicative of the failure of Iraqi diplomacy. The paragraph on Kuwait
should have elicited an official Iraqi statement to explain the situation
and disclose the facts to the public. Parts of the UNAMI report addressed
the security situation. It is unfortunate that some politicians only saw
the parts of the report that address the ongoing political cri sis. The
government's failure to respond to the UNAMI report might have been caused
by preoccupation with the ongoing political crisis, or the incumbent
government might have been convinced that its mandate has expired, and so,
it does not have to respond and take responsibility for what is enshrined
in the report. Iraqi political forces highlight the UNAMI reports when
they are favorable, and they question them when they find them
unfavorable. And the proof of this is that the political entities
continued to highlight the UNAMI statements which commended the conduct of
the elections. The UNAMI report was comprehensive. A serious effort should
be made to examine the report and draw the necessary conclusions to remedy
the ailments highlighted by the report. The question is: If the UNAMI's
work is called into question, why then did Iraq ask for extending its
mandate on Iraqi territory for one more year?
--In a 750-word article in Al-Ittihad, Sati Raji says: The message that US
President Obama allegedly sent to Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani shows that
the US Administration has exhausted all possible means to reconcile the
various Iraqi political forces and push them toward a solution to the
ongoing standoff over the formation of the new government. That is why he
resorted to Al-Sistani in the hope that the latter might be able to push
Iraqi political forces, particularly Islamist parties, toward a solution
to the crisis. Since 2003, the religious authority has repeatedly
contributed to reconciling the various Iraqi political forces. But, things
are now different. For the political forces do not nowadays seek the
guidance of the religious authority, and they do not easily accept the
religious authority's pressure. The Obama administration is apparently
rummaging through the Iraq files of the Bush administration to find clues
to Iraqi domestic politics. That is why it named Ambassador James Jeffrey,
who managed the Iraqi file during the Bush adm inistration years, as its
new ambassador to Iraq. That is also why it once again recalled the clout
of the religious authority. But, what the Obama administration has
forgotten is that the Iraq of 2010 is different from the Iraq of 2003,
when the political process was in its beginnings, and when Islamist Shiite
parties were operating under the mantle of the religious authority. As for
the Iraq of today, it is completely different, for Iraq is now gearing up
for the withdrawal of US troops, and Iraqi politicians have relished power
and political office. As a result, they are demonstrating political
intransigence. Those knowledgeable about the affairs of the religious
authority have said that Obama's message will only compound the situation
because the religious authority does not need any prodding to work to
reconcile the various Iraqi political forces. But any greater pressure by
the religious authority from now on will be seen as a response to the US
request, which is rejec ted by clerics in Iraq, let alone the religious
authority. For nobody wants to be accused of being a US stooge.
--In a 1,200-word article in Al-Ittihad, Husayn Ali al-Hamdani says: The
UNAMI report discussed by the UNSC on 4 August shows that Iraq is moving
in the right direction on many fronts, including the security front. For
it highlighted the repatriation of many internally displaced persons and
refugees and commended the development plans implemented in Iraq. The
report was not completely negative, as it contained many positive aspects.
Besides, it commended the elections and urged Iraqi political leaders to
make greater efforts to expedite the formation of the new government.
Average Iraqis awaited the UNSC session held on 4 August, especially since
31 August is the deadline for completing the withdrawal of US combat
troops from Iraq. Many people, including officials, have fears that
terrorist elements and sleeper cells might seize the opportunity offered
by th is US troop pullout to carry out terrorist attacks here and there to
achieve purely media purposes. Iraq is in a race against time to solve
constitutional and other problems. Hence, the formation of the new Iraqi
government has become a pressing need.
--In a 600-word article in Al-Ta'akhi, Mahdi al-Ghazzi says: The ongoing
standoff over the formation of the new government has shown the true
colors of some political forces. Hence, politicians must reconsider their
calculations to see how close to the people they are. The ongoing crisis
has laid bare the impotence of Iraqi politicians. The crisis has shown
their selfishness. This impotence has only compounded the situation, and
it will open the door for foreign intervention. The question is: What are
the national forces, the religious authorities, and the masses required to
do to end this crisis? The aforesaid parties are definitely capable of
ending this political stalemate. The religious authority is now required
to p ut pressure on politicians, because the masses are fed up with what
is happening in the political arena. They are awaiting a move or a call
from the religious authority or the national forces--a move that expresses
dissatisfaction with what is going on. We hope that the religious
authority or the national forces will act on this issue, because their
actions will be restrained, fruitful, and useful to the political process.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
41) Back to Top
Iraqi Press 10 August 10
The following lists selected items from the Iraqi press on 10 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Iraq - - OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:11:21 GMT
following issues: I. CONTACTS TO FORM NEW COALITIONS
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page and on page 2 a 1,000-word
report on outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's recent meeting with
Kurdish President Mas'ud Barzani and other Kurdish leaders in Arbil, which
was devoted to discussing the formation of the new government. The report
cites Kurdish Presidential Office Chairman Dr Fu'ad Husayn as outlining
the Kurdish leadership's four conditions for the alliance that will form
the new government. The report cites senior Al-Iraqiyah List Leader Salih
al-Mutlaq as saying that the list insists on its constitutional right to
form the new government despite the US support for Al-Maliki.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 760-word report citing Ali
al-Allaq, senior State of Law Coalition leader, as saying that the
coalition insists on the nomination of outgoing Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki for a second term. The report cites Baha al-A'raji, senior State
of Law Coalition leader, as saying that if the State of Law Coalition does
not nominate another candidate for the next prime minister's post by
today, 10 August, the alliance will enter into alliance with the
Al-Iraqiyah List to form the new government. The report cites Al-Iraqiyah
List Spokesman Haydar al-Mulla, as doubting the seriousness of the
coalition and alliance to cooperate with the list.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 400-word report citing US Forces
Commander General Odierno as predicting the formation of the new
government before 1 September.
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 600-word report citing senior
Kurdistan Coalition Leader Mahmud Uthman yesterday, 9 August, as saying
that outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki did not give written assurance
pertaining to the implementation of A rticle 140 of the Constitution to
the Kurdish leadership. Uthman says that the coalition will support
Al-Maliki's nomination for a second term if the negotiations with the
State of Law Coalition reach a satisfactory agreement.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page and on page 2 a 1,300-word report
citing Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, during an interview that will be
published tomorrow, 11 August, as affirming that the Al-Iraqiyah List
rejects the nomination of outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for a
second term because he broke his promises to the political forces one week
after assuming his office in 2006.
Al-Muwatin on 9 August publishes on the front page a 410-word report
citing Muhammad al-Bayyati, member of the Iraqi National Alliance, as
strongly criticizing the talks that are being held by the political blocs
for concentrating on the issue of the distribution of the senior posts
only without discussing the government's program. Al-Bayyati added tha t
the delay in the formation of the next government is negatively affecting
the services sector and the security situation in the country. The report
also cites Jum'ah al-Atwani, member of the alliance, as saying that the
United States is seeking to deprive the alliance of its right to
participate in the next Iraqi Government.
Al-Muwatin on 9 August publishes on the front page a 150-word report
citing Sami Shurash, member of the Kurdistan Coalition, as saying that the
coalition will hold negotiations with the other political blocs on the
issue of the formation of the next government with the aim of reaching a
consensus to contain the current political crisis.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 240- word report
citing a well-informed source in the Al-Najaf Governorate as saying that
Husayn al-Shahristani and Khalid al-Atiyah, members of the State of Law
Coalition, met with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in the
governorate and discussed wi th him a number of issues, including the
crisis over the formation of the next government.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 180-word report citing
Kamal al-Sa'idi, member of the State of Law Coalition, as saying that the
State of Law Coalition will not leave the National Coalition, and
affirming that the next prime minister will be chosen from the National
Coalition.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 340-word report citing
Ali al-Shalah, member of the State of Law Coalition, as strongly
criticizing the statements a number of members of the Al-Iraqiyah List
made in which they attacked the coalition.
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 420-word report saying that Vice
President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi and a delegation representing the Al-Sadr
Trend led by Karrar al-Khafaji, chairman of the Al-Sadr Trend's Political
Commission, held a meeting during which they discussed the latest
political developments in the Iraqi politi cal arena, including the
efforts that are being exerted to form the next government and the
deterioration of the security situation in the country. The report also
cites Baha al-A'raji, parliament member for the Iraqi National Alliance,
as saying that the alliance will ally with the Al-Iraqiyah List to form
the next government if the State of Law Coalition insists on nominating
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for a second term. Al-A'raji added that the
list gave concessions during the talks with the alliance. He said that the
alliance insists on choosing the next prime minister from the alliance.
The report also cites Muhsin al-Sa'dun, member of the Kurdistan Coalition,
as calling for forming the Presidential Commission of the Iraqi Parliament
if the political blocs fail to settle the issue of the formation of the
next government this week.
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 125-word report on the statement
the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council issued saying that Ammar al-Hakim,
chairman of the council, and Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifah,
during a telephone conversation, discussed the latest political
developments in Iraq, including the formation of the next government and
ways of promoting bilateral relations between the two countries in all
fields. The report adds that Al Khalifah invited Al-Hakim to visit
Bahrain.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 100-word report citing Furat al-Shar,
member of the Iraqi National Alliance from the Iraqi Islamic Supreme
Council from the Basra Governorate, as calling on the political blocs that
insist on assuming the senior posts to give concessions for the sake of
the interests of Iraq. (OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 100-word report saying that Vice President
Adil Abd-al-Mahdi and the deputy chief of mission the US Embassy in
Baghdad held a meeting at Abd-al-Mahdi's office in Baghdad during which
they discussed the latest political developments in the Iraqi political
arena, including the ongoing efforts by the political blocs to form the
next government and ways of promoting bilateral relations in all fields.
(OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 100-word follow-up report citing Hanin
al-Qaddaw, secretary general of the Al-Shabak Democratic Grouping, as
saying that the legislative elections might be re-held if the political
blocs fail to settle their disputes over the issue of the formation of the
next government. (OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Sabah publishes on the front page a 400-word report citing sources from
the Al-Iraqiyah List as saying that Nuri al-Maliki, prime minister and
chairman of the State of Law Coalition, and Iyad Allawi, chairman of the
list, held a meeting last Friday during which they discussed the crisis
over the formation of the next government. The sources added that the two
blocs exchanged letters on this issue.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 3 a 950-word report on the ongoing talks
between the political parties on the issue of the formation of the next
government. The report adds that Kurdish President M as'ud Barzani met
with the British ambassador to Iraq and discussed with him the latest
political developments in Iraq and ways of quickly forming the next
government. The report also cites Ali al-Allaq, member of the State of Law
Coalition, as saying that the coalition has no intention to replace Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the next prime minister's post. The report
also cites Ali al-Dabbagh, member of the State of Law Coalition, as
denying that the next government would be formed before the holy month of
Ramadan.
Al-Zaman publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Hamid
Mu'allah, leader in the Iraqi National Alliance, as saying that the
alliance gave the State of Law Coalition a deadline to change their
candidate for the post of the prime minister and that the alliance will
start talks today with the Al-Iraqiyah List and Kurdistan Coalition on
forming the next government. The report cites Baha al-A'raji, leader in
the Al-Sadr Trend, as saying that the concessions and flexibility the
Al-Iraqiyah List has given have led to a major progress in the
negotiations on the formation of the next government.
Al-Zaman publishes on the front page a 100-word report saying that a
number of female activists from civil society organizations staged a
demonstration outside the parliament building during which they called for
holding parliamentary sessions to speed up the formation of the next
government.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 400-word report citing Salih al-Mutlaq,
leader in the Al-Iraqiyah List, as saying that a candidate for the State
of Law Coalition will get the post of the chairman of the Political
Council for National Security because the list insists on getting the post
of the prime minister in spite of the US support for Nuri al-Maliki.
Al-Mada publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Shwan
Muhammad Taha, leader in the Kurdistan Coalition, as saying that Kurdish
President Mas'ud Barzani informed Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that only
the delegation of the Kurdish factions in Baghdad has the right to
negotiate on the formation of the next government and that the Kurds will
coalesce with the factions that respond to their demands.
Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 500-word report entitled "Deputies Tell
Al-Mada: Delay in Formation of Next Government Will Aggravate Services,
Security Problems."
Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that a number of
civil society organizations have filed a lawsuit against the parliament
because of its failure to solve the crisis of forming the government.
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on the front page citing Usamah al-Nujayfi,
leader in the Al-Iraqiyah List, as saying that the list might either form
the next government or withdraw from the entire political process.
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 400-word report
saying that the United States has suggested giving the post of the prime
minister to Nuri al-Maliki while Al-Iraqiyah List would hold the posts of
the parliament speaker and the chairman of the Political Council for
National Security.
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 300-word report citing
Muhammad al-Bayyati, leader in the Iraqi National Alliance, as saying that
the United States wants only the State of Law Coalition and Al-Iraqiyah
List to form the next government.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 100-word report
citing Mahmud Uthman, leader in the Kurdistan Coalition, as saying that
the political factions need to hold a parliamentary session to settle the
issue of the three presidencies as soon as possible. II. REACTIONS TO
MERGER BETWEEN STATE OF LAW COALITION AND IRAQI NATIONAL ALLIANCE
Al-Mu't amar publishes on the front page a 120-word report citing Ali
Shakir Shubbar, parliament member for the Iraqi National Alliance, as
saying that the alliance is still committed to the Ir aqi National
Coalition, and urging the State of Law Coalition to nominate another
candidate for the next prime minister's post.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 230-word report citing
Abd-al-Hadi al-Hasani, senior State of Law Coalition leader, as saying
that that the Iraqi National Coalition is a strategic coalition and will
not split.
Al-Alam publishes on page 2 a 1,000-word report citing Khayrallah
al-Basri, senior State of Law Coalition leader, yesterday, 9 August, as
expressing regret over the recent exchange of accusations between the
coalition and Iraqi National Alliance. The report cites an Iraqi National
Alliance source, who requested anonymity, as holding outgoing Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki responsible for the recent escalation and saying
that Vice Presiden t Adil Abd-al-Mahdi was forced to respond to
Al-Maliki's recent statements. IV.PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
Al-Bayan on 9 August publishes on the front page a 130-word report citing
a source at the Independent High Electoral Commission as saying that the
commission will start paying the salaries of the employees who worked for
the commission during the legislative elections that were held on 7 March.
V. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND COMMENTS
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page and on page 2 a 1,400-word
report by Muhammad Hayyawi citing western observers as saying that the
Kurdish leaders are more concerned about the concessions that the next
prime minister would offer pertaining to the issues of Kirkuk and the
export of oil from Kurdistan than who the next prime minister would be.
The report says that despite the US pressure, Al-Iraqiyah Leader Iyad
Allawi cannot ignore his Sunni allies who insist on the list's right to
form the new government. The report sa ys that both the Al-Sadr Trend and
Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, IISC, reject the nomination of outgoing
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for a second term. The report says that US
President Obama's recent letter to Grand Religious Authority Ali
al-Sistani urging him to intervene to resolve the current political crisis
over the formation of the new government as the only solution to the
current crisis in the country.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 2 a 760-word report by Ali al-Tayyar
discussing the implications of US President Obama's recent decision to
withdraw the US forces from Iraq. The report cites retired US Colonel
Garry Anderson as predicting that a civil war would break out between the
Shiite groups in southern Iraq and that the Kurdish leaders would announce
an independent state in Kurdistan.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 360-word report citing Kurdish
Premier Barham Salih as praising the results of outgoing Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki' s recent meeting with Kurdish President Mas'ud Barzani in
Arbil.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 700-word report entitled
"United Nations: Slow Progress in Development in Iraq; Economists Doubt
Success of Five-Year development Plan, Affirm: Iraq Lacks Plan for
Development of Industrial Sector."
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 3 a 900-word report on the sit-in protest
the Iraqi Democratic Trend Forces Coordination Committee in Britain staged
outside the Iraqi Embassy in London on 6 August, to protest the delay in
the formation of the new government.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 200-word report on the statement
Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi issued condemning the recent terrorist
bombings in the Basra Governorate.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing an
official source at the Trade Ministry as urging the rationed food agents
to receive the holy month of Ramadan's rationed food quotas .
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 500-word editorial by Dr Hamid
Abdallah saying that US President Obama is going to withdraw the US forces
from Iraq while neglectin g the dangerous consequences of the political
and security vacuum in the country.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 2 a 700-word report by Wadi Awwadah citing
Israeli observers as expressing concern over the implications of the
withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq on the Middle East region.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Awad Haydar
Bur, member of the Iranian Shura Council's National Security Committee, as
affirming that the council is preparing a bill obliging the Iranian
Government to follow-up the issue of war reparations from Iraq.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page and on page 3 a 1,100-word report
citing The Washington Post Newspaper as quoting a high-ranking US Army
officer affirming that the Al-Qa'ida Organization is financing its
operations in Iraq by kidnapping and extortion.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 300-word editorial
commenting on the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq as a
result of the delay in the formation of the next government.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing
Husayn al-Asadi, parliament member for the State of Law Coalition, as
calling for releasing Iraq from the mandate of UN Security Council's
Chapter Seven.
Al-Zaman publishes on the front page a 100-word report saying that Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki held a meeting with Egyptian Oil Ministry
Undersecretary Abd-al-Alim Taha and the delegation accompanying him. The
report adds that they discussed the bilateral relations between the two
countries and the role the Egyptian companies can play in the
reconstruction of Iraq.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing Ziyad Tariq Aziz as
saying that the health of his father, who wa s a leader in the former
Iraqi regime, is rapidly deteriorating and that he is unable to walk any
more.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 17 a 100-word report saying that new Iraqi
Ambassador to Sweden Husayn Mahdi al-Amiri presented a copy of his
credentials to the director of the Protocols Directorate in Sweden. The
report adds that the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the
two countries and the available investment opportunities to the Swedish
companies.
Al-Mada publishes on the front page a 200-word report citing Muhsin
al-Sa'dun, leader in the Kurdistan Coalition, as calling for choosing a
parliament speaker even if the political factions fail in settling the
issue of the government this week.
Al-Mada publishes on page 3 a 400-word report entitled "Civil Society
Organizations Representatives Complain of Marginalization of their Role in
Political Decision Making Process."
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August devotes all of pages 4 and 5 to an interview with
Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi. VI. SECURITY AND MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 500-word report citing a Kurdish
source as affirming the arrest of three people, who are suspected of
responsibility for the fire that broke out in the forest near the Zawitah
Tourism Resort.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page and on page 3 a 1,000-word report
citing a traffic police officer, who requested anonymity, as saying that
the traffic police patrols have been provided with guns in the wake of the
recent attacks that targeted a number of traffic police officers and
wardens in Baghdad.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 450-word report citing an
official source at the Basra Health Department as saying that 43 citizens
were killed and 185 others were injured as a final toll for the recent
terrorist attacks that targeted the Al-Ashar Market in the governorate.
The report also cites a security source in the Al-Anbar Governorate as
saying that 13 persons were killed and 27 others were injured in the
explosion of a boobytrapped car in the Al-Ramadi City.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 300-word report on the statement the Trade
Ministry issued denying that a fire had broken out at the ministry's depot
in the Al-Tubji Neighborhood in the capital.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 640-word report by the editor saying that
Maysan Criminal Court Judge Haydar Hannun escaped an assassination attempt
in the explosion of a sticky explosive device that was planted in his car.
The report also cites a media source as saying that the districts and
sub-districts police forces in the Kirkuk Governorate, in cooperation with
the Al-Hawijah District and Yayji Sub-District police forces, arrested 11
terrorist and wanted persons during raids in five villages near the Himrin
Mountains. The report also cites Ahmad al-Sulayti, deputy chairman of the
Basra Governorate Council, as saying tha t the council is considering
compensating the families of the victims of the recent terrorist attack
that targeted the governorate.
Al-Sabah carries on page 4 a 260-word report citing Vice President Adil
Abd-al-Mahdi as condemning the recent terrorist attacks that targeted the
innocent citizens in the Basra Governorate. He added that these attacks
were aimed at obstructing the ongoing talks between the political blocs to
form the next government.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 500-word report citing a police source as
saying that six persons were injured in an explosion that targeted a
medical complex west of the capital. The report also cites a security
source as saying that a force from the Anti-Terrorism Agency arrested the
director of the Abu-Ghurayb Police Station for involvement in terrorist
acts. The report adds that the security agencies arrested 29 wanted
persons, including a prominent Al-Qa'ida leader, during raids in separate
areas of Iraq.
Al -Sabah publishes on page 4 a 160-word report citing an official
security source as saying that the civil defense teams have managed to put
out the fire that broke out at the Al-Sadir Hotel in Baghdad.
Al-Zaman publishes on the front page a 200-word report saying that the
Interior Ministry has decided to issue weapons to the traffic policemen to
protect themselves against the terrorist attacks following the attacks
that targeted them in a number of districts in Baghdad. The report adds
that an explosive device targeting a traffic police directorate in the
Al-Ghazaliyah District in Baghdad was detonated killing two people,
including a traffic policeman, and injuring eight others, including five
traffic policemen.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that the Basra
Governorate Council has announced three days of mourning in the
governorate over the terrorist attacks in the Al-Ashar District that led
to the death of 43 people and the injury of 185 others. The report adds
that the council has decided to question Basra Police Commander Adil
Dahham about the bombings.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that a conference
organized by Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-Isawi was held to discuss the
security situation in the Al-A'zamiyah District in Baghdad and the public
services that are provided to the citizens.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 120-word report saying that the US handed
over three military bases to the Iraqi Army in the Maysan Governorate.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 100-word report saying that the person who
assassinated the mayor of Al-Multaqa Sub-district in the Kirkuk
Governorate handed himself over to the security forces.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 3 a 200-word report saying that the security
forces arrested two persons in possession of drugs in the Al-Aziziyah
District in Baghdad. The report adds that two others were arrested for the
same reason in the Al-R afa'i and Al-Shatra Districts in the Dhi Qar
Governorate. The report adds that clashes erupted between the security
forces and armed groups in the Abu-Ghurayb District in Baghdad.
Al-Mada publishes on the front page a 200-word report citing Traffic
Police Commander Ja'far al-Khafaji as saying that the Interior Ministry
has drawn up new plans to protect the traffic policemen.
Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 400-word report saying that a member of the
Awakening Councils was assassinated when gunmen opened fire on him in the
Ba'qubah District in the Diyala Governorate. The report adds that the
security forces arrested the gunmen after cordoning off the area.
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 120-word report citing
Environment Minister Narmin Uthman as saying that there are a large number
of land mines in Iraq and that the government has a plan to remove them in
collaboration with foreign companies until 2018.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 100-word report
citing a source as saying that the security forces arrested four officers
in the Diyala Passports Directorate after the disappearance of 1,200
passports from the directorate. VII. HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 240-word report citing Salam
al-Khafaji, deputy minister of immigrants and displaced persons, as
affirming that more than 32,000 Iraqi people from central Iraq, especially
from the Ninawah Governorate, have left their homes to live in Kurdistan.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 300-word report on Kurdish Health
Minister Dr Tahir Hurami's visit to the Al-Shikhan District. The report
says that Hurami affirmed plans to expand the Al-Shikhan Public Hospital.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 200-word report saying that Asus
Najib Karmayani, Kurdish minister of labor and social affairs, met with
the coordinator of the European Union in Kurdistan to discuss bilate ral
cooperation.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 9 a 400-word report entitled "Culture
Ministry Holds Meeting for Chairmen of Cultural Committees in
Governorates."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 13 a 760-word report citing scholars
as urging the government to establish centers for the rehabilitation of
patients who suffer from psychological disorders in order to prevent the
terrorist groups from exploiting them in their terrorist operations.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 13 a 600-word article by Dr Mu'taz
Muhyi Abd-al-Hamid on the suffering of the families of mentally retarded
children.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 3 a 300-word report entitled "Inauguration
of Project for Development of Financial Resources of Young People in
Baghdad."
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 5 a 900-word report by Zuhayr al-Fatlawi on
the primitive tools that are being used in the production of ice blocs and
the lack of quality cont rol and health monitoring of ice production
plants in the country.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 240-word report citing an official source
at the Health Ministry as affirming that an Iraqi medical team has
successfully performed a test tube fertilization operation on a barren
woman, for the first time in Iraq, at the Kamal al-Samarra'i Hospital in
Baghdad.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 400-word report citing Adil Mustafa,
director of the Justice Ministry's Property Ownership Registration Office,
as affirming that the office has succeeded in reorganizing 90 percent of
the files that were looted or destroyed after the downfall of the former
regime in 2003.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 200-word report citing Baghdad Deputy
Governor Muhammad al-Shammari as affirming the payment of the salaries of
the first and second groups of the Social Protection Network's
beneficiaries in Baghdad.
Al-Muwatin on 9 August publishes on page 3 a 130-word repo rt saying that
the Al-Rasafah Health Department organized a medical conference that was
attended by Health Minister Dr Salih al-Hasnawi.
Al-Muwatin on 9 August publishes o n page 3 a 240-word report citing Jasim
Muhammad Ja'far, youth and sport minister and acting chairman of the
Political Prisoners Establishment, as saying that the establishment will
pay 30 million Iraqi dinars to every political prisoner.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August carries on page 2 a 120-word report citing the
media spokesman for the Karbala Health Department as saying that the
department has closed a number of water treatment factories for violating
the health regulations.
Al-Sabah carries on page 5 a 90-word report citing a medical source in the
Kurdistan Region as saying that the number of diabetes patients in the
region is increasing. (OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Zaman publishes on page 3 a 300-word report saying that a US medical
staff specialized in children heart s urgery visited the Dhi Qar
Governorate and that it will perform surgeries and train medical staff in
the governorate.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 4 a 400-word report entitled "Christians in
Dahuk Governorate Commemorate 70 th Anniversary of Massacre of Five
Thousand People."
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August devotes half of page 6 to a report on the
radioactive pollution in Iraq.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 100-word report
saying that the Babil Health Directorate has inaugurated a center for
medical rehabilitation and physiotherapy at the Murjan Hospital in the
governorate. VIII. ECONOMIC NEWS AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page a 150-word report citing an
official source at the Communications Ministry's Post and Communications
State Company as affirming that the company has begun the tentative
operation of the prepaid card system to improve the land-based telephone
services in the country.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 7 a 1,800-word report on the
electricity crisis in the Baghdad, Ninawah, Wasit, Maysan, Al-Diwaniyah,
Diyala, and Babil Governorates.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 8 a 500-word article by Sadiq
al-Azraqi on the chaotic import policy and trade activities in the
Al-Shurjah and other wholesale markets in Baghdad.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 8 a 1,500-word part one of a
three-part report by Dr Salam Sumaysim entitled "Stock Market, Economic
Development."
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 4 a 1,400-word report by Hamdi al-Ani on
the suffering of the poor families due to the high cost of living in the
country.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 4 a 750-word report by Nahi al-Amiri
criticizing the Baghdad Mayoralty for its failure to remove the ongoing
violations by the large number of livestock vendors on Baghdad's parks and
streets.
Tariq al-Sha'b devotes most of page 5 to public c omplaints.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 5 a 1,400-word report by Ali Hashim citing
citizens as saying that the high rent rates have forced them to build
their houses on public properties.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 200-word report citing an official source
at the Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry as saying that
the ministry has decided to allow students, whose average mark is 64.5, to
apply for the postgraduate studies in the next academic year.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 700-word report citing Monorail Project
Director Muhammad Ali Hashim as saying that the Baghdad local government
is holding negotiations with a Russian company on the implementation of
the project.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 170-word report saying that
a delegation representing a Turkish company visited the Al-Diwaniyah
Governorate and discussed with Al-Diwaniyah Governor Salim Husayn Alwan
the investment opportunities in the gover norate.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on the front page a 160-word report on the
statement the Electricity Ministry issued saying that 10 high-voltage
power lines that feed Baghdad have been sabotaged, leading to an increase
in the power outages in the capital.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 130-word report citing Hadi
Jaddu, director general of the State Company for Shopping Centers, as
saying that the Trade Ministry has signed a number of contracts to import
food items for the company's shopping centers.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 220-word report citing Oil
Ministry Spokesman Asim Jihad as saying that the ministry rejects the
export the Kurdistan Region's oil to Iran, and affirming that this oil
must only be exported through the oil pipeline to the Turkish Ceyhan Port.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 90-word report saying that
Mahmud Abd-al-Rida Talal, chairman of the Wasit Governorate Council, and a
d elegation representing a South Korean company held a meeting at the
council's building during which they discussed the possibility of
implementing a number of projects in the agriculture sector. (OSC plans no
further processing)Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 65-word report citing
Najah Naji, Al-Qadisiyah deputy governor for technical affairs, as saying
that the governorate will implement 60 projects in the educational,
services and health sectors at a cost of 83 billion Iraqi dinars as part
of the 2010 Regions Development Plan. (OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing Basra Water
Resources Director Ala-al-Din al-Tahir as saying that the Water Resources
Ministry will implement a drinking water project in the governorate.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 250-word report citing Agriculture
Minister Dr Akram al-Hakim, during a symposium, as saying that
desertification is the main problem facing the agricultural sector in the
country. The report also cites Science and Technology Ministry
Undersecretary Fu'ad Kazim al-Musawi as affirming that desertification is
negatively affecting the national development plans in the country.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 135-word report on the statement the
Baghdad Investment Commission issued saying that the commission has
granted three investment licenses to implement a number of projects in the
housing, commercial and cultural sectors in the capital.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing a source in the Dhi
Qar Governorate as saying that Dhi Qar Deputy Governor Haydar Abd-al-Wahid
al-Bunyan and a number of directors of the services departments in the
governorate held a meeting during which they discussed the governorate's
five-year plan.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 125-word report on the statement the
Baghdad Municipality issued saying that the municipality has allocated
seven billion Iraqi dinars to solve the problem of garbage in the capital.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 100-word report citing Jasim al-Fatlawi,
member of the Human Rights Committee at the Karbala Governorate Council,
as saying that the council has resumed providing the Bab Baghdad Prison
with electricity from the emergency electricity lines. (OSC plans no
further processing)
Al-Bayan on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 270-word report citing Baghdad
Mayor Dr Sabir al-Isawi as announcing a new proposal on creating a real
economic partnership between Iraq and the Arab countries through
attracting the Arab companies to implement investment projects in Iraq.
Al-Bayan on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 130-word report citing the
construction and housing minister as saying that her ministry has
completed the rehabilitation of the Al-Jibayish Street in the Dhi Qar
Governorate at a cost of two billion Iraqi dinars.
Al-Bayan on 9 August publishes on page 3 a 140-word report citing Baghdad
G overnor Dr Salah Abd-al-Razzaq as saying that the Baghdad Investment
Commission has granted an investment license to construct a media city in
the capital.
Al-Sabah publishes on the front page a 130-word report citing a media
source at the National Retirement Commission as saying that the Finance
Ministry, in coordination with the parliament, has prepared a study to
increase and amend the pensions of civilian and military pensioners.
Al-Sabah carries on page 2 a 170-word report citing Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki, during his meeting with Egyptian Oil Ministry Undersecretary
Abd-al-Alim Taha in Baghdad, as inviting the Egyptian companies to
participate in the reconstruction campaign in Iraq.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 130-word report citing Hashim Muhammad
Hatim, director general of the State Company for Iraqi Fairs, as saying
that the company has completed the preparations for organizing the Baghdad
International Fair in the capital.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 130-word report citing Shakir al-Zamili,
chairman of the Baghdad Investment Commission, as saying that the State
Company for Iraqi Railways has submitted an investment bid to construct
the Baghdad Monorail in the capital.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 270-word report citing Muthanna Jabbar
Abd-al-Zahrah, director general of the State Company for Grain Processing,
as urging the citizens and flour agents not to receive poor quality flour.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 130-word report citing Zahid al-Bayyati,
the prime minister's adviser for agricultural affairs, as saying that the
Water Resources Ministry will implement the Basra Irrigation Channel
Project will supply drinking water from north of the governorate to the
southern part of the Al-Faw City at a cost of 142 billion Iraqi dinars.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 120-word report citing Abbas Nasir Hasani,
chairman of the Construction and Strategic Planning Committee at the K
arbala Governorate Council, as saying that the Al-Faw State Company for
Implementing Irrigation Projects and Agricultural Land Reclamation has
completed the construction of an irrigation channel in the governorate at
a cost of six billion Iraqi dinars.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 190-word report citing the construction and
housing minister as saying that her ministry implemented 1,613 services
projects in Iraq during the past four years at a cost of 1.2 trillion
Iraqi dinars.
Al-Sabah carries on page 5 a 120-word report citing the media spokesman
for the Kurdish Electricity Ministry as saying that 100 megawatts will be
added to the electricity grid in the Kurdistan Region soon.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 120-word report citing a source in the
Kurdistan Region as saying that the higher education and scientific
research minister in the region discussed with a delegation from the
Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministry ways of enhancing the
mutual cooperation and improving the higher education sector in Iraq.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 4 a 200-word report entitled "Bag hdad
Municipality Calls for Arab Partnership to Implement Reconstruction
Projects."
Al-Zaman publishes on page 4 a 200-word report citing Baghdad Governor
Salah Abd-al-Razzaq as saying that the Media City Project will be
implemented by a Malaysian company in the coming five years at an
approximate cost of $128 million.
Al-Mada publishes on page 4 a 300-word report citing Baghdad Mayor Sabir
al-Isawi as saying that the Baghdad Municipality has decided to allocate
an extra seven billion Iraqi dinars to improve the services in the
capital. IX. PRESS COMMENTS
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 2 a 900-word article by Amir al-Hilu
urging the writers who post their articles online to adhere to the ethics
of journalism.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 3 a 600-word article by Jihad Zayyir
on the sufferin g of the Iraqi travelers due to the ongoing violations by
the transportation companies.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 9 a 600-word article by Dr Hadi Hasan
Ulaywi entitled "Political Elite's Historical, Ethical Responsibilities."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 1,200-word the last part of a
two-part article by Dr Azhar al-Gharbawi entitled "In Light of US
President Obama's Strategy, Will US Forces Withdraw From Iraq by End of
2011?"
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 900-word article by Ra'd Abbud
Rashid commenting on US President Obama's recent statements affirming the
withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq, and saying that the US
Administration has failed to resolve the disputes between the rival Iraqi
political leaders over the formation of the new government. The article
says that apart from the next prime minister's post, the Iraqi political
forces do not actually know what they want.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 500-word article by Mahmud
Khayyun criticizing former President Saddam Husayn and other megalomaniac
leaders who destroyed their countries.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 5 a 400-word article by Abid Ali Jawad
criticizing the widespread corruption and bribery at the state
institutions.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 5 a 500-word article by Kifah Muhammad
Mustafa strongly criticizing the Iraqi Government and political forces for
their failure to resolve the unemployment problem in the country.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 7 a 600-word article by Yusuf Qasim Rida
entitled "Iraqi Communist Party's Youths, Progressive Literature."
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 7 a 600-word article by Abd-al-Aziz Lazim
urging the civil society organizations to consolidate their cultural and
social activities in society.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 8 a 600-word article by Adil
Abd-al-Zahrah Shabib entitled "We Still Need Marx," commenting on the
current global economic crisis.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 8 a 1,200-word article by Muhsin Hasan
Uwaynah discussing the 2010 budget.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 8 a 900-word article by Rawhi Aziz
al-Sa'd discussing ways to combat the ongoing money laundering.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 1,800-word article by Dr Sabih
al-Jabir strongly criticizing some Iraqi satellite television channels and
other media outlets for exploiting the freedom of the press in the country
to mislead the public opinion and defame the ongoing democratic process in
the country. The article also criticizes some Iraqi political leaders and
officials in the government for their anti-government discourse.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 an 800-word article by Ibrahim
al-Mashhadani commenting on the ongoing disputes between the rival Iraqi
political leaders over the next prime minister's post and other senior
posit ions. The article predicts that the new government would be based on
the sectarian proportional power sharin g system and would be even weaker
than the outgoing government.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 1,000-word article by Baqir al-Fadli
commenting on the ongoing disputes between the rival Iraqi political
leaders over the next prime minister's post and other senior positions in
the new government. The article says that during his recent interview with
the Al-Iraqiyah Satellite television Channel, outgoing Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki revealed the sectarian nature of the ongoing political crisis in
the country.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 1,200-word article by Rida al-Zahir
strongly criticizing the prominent Iraqi political leaders and forces for
their struggle over power while neglecting the challenges facing the
country and the Iraqi people.
Tariq al-Sha'b devotes all of page 10 to part three of a report listing
the names of the 2,612 Iraqi Communist Party's martyrs who have been
granted pension recently.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 an 800-word article by Sa'dun Thamir
strongly criticizing the Iraqi officials and parliament members for their
undeserved handsome salaries and privileges while a large number of Iraqi
are living below the poverty line.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 an 800-word article by Raghib al-Rikabi
entitled "Liberalism, Democracy."
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 a 600-word article by Hawwas Mahmud
entitled "Arab Societies Suffer From Terrorism or Tyranny."
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 a 1,300-word article by Khalil Hasan
entitled "Religion Between Modernization, Westernization."
Al-Mashriq publishes on the back page an 800-word article by Sabah al-Lami
strongly criticizing the rival Iraqi political leaders for their ongoing
disputes over the next prime minister's post while neglecting the problems
of the Iraqi p eople.
Al-Alam publishes on page 8 a 600-word article by Maytham Lu'aybi
discussing the concept of the state budget.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 700-word article by Abd-al-Khaliq Gitan
urging the government to develop the Al-Jumhuriyah Street and other
districts in central Baghdad.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 1,000-word article by Nabil Ali Salih
entitled "Islam, Violence: Role of Intellectuals in Changing Traditional
Image.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 1,400-word article by Ahmad al-Wazzan on
the danger of administrative economic corruption.
Al-Muwatin on 9 August publishes on the last page a 300-word article by
Majid Zaydan strongly criticizing Tariq Aziz for urging the Americans to
stay longer in Iraq.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 5 a 470-word article by Ahmad
Abd Radi commenting on the real reasons for the delay in the formation of
the next government.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 5 a 400-word article by Ammar
al-Amiri commenting on the attacks by the Iraqi politicians on each other
and the dilemma of the formation of the next government.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 5 a 480-word article by Ahmad
Shalash commenting on the challenges facing the political process in Iraq
as a result of the delay in the formation of the next Iraqi Government.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on page 7 a 580-word article by
Abd-al-Razzaq al-Safi commenting on the delay in the formation of the next
Iraqi Government.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 540-word article by Sa'd Sahib al-Wa'ili
commenting on the report the Oxfam International Agency issued on the
widows in Iraq, and calling on the Iraqi Government and parliament to
improve the living conditions of widows.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 320-word article by Dr Ali Khulayyif
commenting on the fires that broke out at the Trade Ministry's building
and at a number of other minis tries and government institutions.
Al-Adalah publishes on the last page a 440-word article by Hafiz
al-Bisharah commenting on the withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq.
Al-Sabah carries on page 3 a 280-word article by an observer commenting on
the recent terrorist attacks in Iraq, saying that they are aimed at
destabilizing the security situation in Iraq at this time to send a
message to the Iraqi people telling them that the current political crisis
has negatively reflected on the security situation in the country and that
the withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq will lead to chaos.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 13 an 800-word article by Zuhayr Kazim Abbud in
which he says that the terrorist attack that targeted a number of Iraqi
soldiers and burned their bodies were aimed at fuelling sectarian sedition
in Iraq again.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 13 a 500-word article by Umran al-Ubaydi
commenting on the violations on the Iraqi Constitution that took place
following the recent legislative elections.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 15 a 400-word article by Jasim Ali al-Musawi
entitled "Iraqi Uprisings between Spontaneity, Organization."
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 2 an 800-word article by Ibrahim
Ahmad entitled "Democracy before Federal Court."
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 300-word article by Sabah
al-Shammari entitled "Loopholes in Constitution, Impact on Political
Situation."
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 400-word article by Burhan
Muhammad al-Ubaydi entitled "New Government, Hope for Better Future."
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 500-word article by Dr Adil Izzi
al-Bayyati entitled "Withdrawal of US Forces, Readiness of Iraqi Forces."
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August devotes half of page 6 to an article by Khalid
Shabashki entitled "Why Does Saudi Arabia not Accept New Iraq?"
Al- Bayyinah on 9 August publishes on page 11 a 300-word article by Ala
al-Turayj who criticizes Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the recent
statements he made during an interview that was broadcast on the
Al-Iraqiyah Satellite Television Channel.
Al-Bayyinah on 9 August publishes on page 11 a 400-word article by Ibrahim
Ahmad al-Ghanimi who praises the religious authorities for their concern
for the political process and the interests of the people.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 August publishes on page 6 a 300-word article
by Nasir Sa'id al-Bahadili who calls on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and
Finance Minister Baqir al-Zubaydi to keep their promises and hold a live
debate in front of the people to discuss the allocations of the past four
years.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 August devotes half of page 10 to part two of
an article by Qasim al-Ubudi entitled "Impact of Electoral System in
Partisan Coalitions."
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 9 Augu st publishes on page 19 a 400-word
article by Muhammad al-Yasiri entitled "Sa'dun al-Dulaymi: Compromise
Candidate." X. CORRUPTION
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 7 a 1,600-word interview with Joseph
Stanford, coordinator of anti-corruption at the US Embassy in Baghdad, on
the widespread corruption at the state institutions in Iraq.
Al-Istiqamah on 9 August publishes on page 2 a 280-word report saying that
the National Center for Consultations and Administrative Development in
the Maysan Governorate organized a workshop during which it discussed the
National Strategy for Combating Administrative Corruption in Iraq.
Al-Istiqamah carries on page 4 a 600-word interview with Qays Ali Husayn,
assistant inspector general of the Finance Ministry.
Al-Da'wah on 9 August publishes on page 7 a 550-word article by Muhammad
Sadiq Jarad calling for combating the spread of administrative corruption
at the government's departments.
Al-Sabah p ublishes on the front page a 140-word report citing Ala Muhyi
al-Din, secretary general of the Electricity Ministry, as saying that the
ministry has started an investigation into the stoppage of a number of
recently constructed electricity power units of electricity stations.
Al-Zaman publishes on the front page a 400-word report citing Education
Ministry Inspector General Muzaffar Yasin al-Sa'dun as saying that a
network of persons who have been counterfeiting certificates has been
uncovered and that they include a number of employees in the ministry.
Baghdad on 9 August publishes on page 4 a 100-word report citing Ziyad
Ahmad Diwanah, chairman of the Integrity Committee in the Diyala
Governorate Council, as saying that the Oil Products Directorate in the
governorate suffers from widespread financial and administrative
corruption.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
42) Back to Top
Highlights of Khabat, Kurdistani Nuwe 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the two leading Iraqi Kurdish
newspapers, Khabat and Kurdistani Nuwe, on 9 August. To request additional
processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax
(703) 613-5735. - Iraq -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:51:52 GMT
http://www.xebat.net/ http://www.xebat.net)
-- Khabat carries a 2,000-word page 2 report on a press conference by
Mas'ud Barzani and the visiting Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki,
following a meeting between the two in Arbil. Barzani denied allegations
that he was against Al-Maliki's re-election as the next Iraqi premier,
adding that no one is allowed to speak on his behalf in this way.
Al-Maliki says Article 140 is not out of date, but is an active
constitutional article that needs to be implemented. He adds that, if the
Iraqi people to do not adhere to the constitution, there will be no future
for any of these constituents in the country. Barzani says the US
delegation to Iraq never asked the Kurds to relinquish their demand for
the Presidency, adding that the Kurds will never agree to such a request.
-- Kurdistani Nuwe carries a 500-word report on pages 2 and 3 saying that
the PUK Political Bureau convened a meeting to discuss the Iraqi political
crisis and the delay in forming a new government. The meeting expressed
concern over the disagreements among the Iraqi political forces. The
meeting also stressed the need for the PUK to collaborate with the
Kurdistan Region Government, KRG, on the unification of the Peshmerga
forces. Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president and PUK secretary general,
chaired the meeting. (Description of source: Al-Sulaymaniyah Kurdistani
Nuwe Online in Kurdish - website of Kurdistani Nuwe, daily newspaper
published by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, URL:
http://knwe.org/ http://knwe.org) Kurdistan Region Affairs
-- Khabat carries on pages 1 and 13 a 200-word "clarification" by the
Arbil security department saying that the editor of the magazine, Hawdam,
recently appeared on the satellite TV, KNN, in which he claimed that the
Arbil security forces had inspected the magazine's office in Arbil without
cause, and that those who run the magazine decided to suspend publication
until the legal proceedings are over. The security statement says that the
magazine recently misled many youngsters from the city of Arbil and sent
them to known destinations.
-- Khabat carries on pages 1 and 13 a 400-word statement by the Kurdistan
Journalists' Syndicate condemning the Al-Sulaymaniyah-based magazine,
Levin, for cond ucting and publishing an interview with a Kurdish PhD
student at Harvard University, who made allegations against the late
Mustafa Barzani, the founder of the KDP. The statement says that the
magazine has crossed the limits of freedoms. It says that the entire Levin
item, which was published on 1 August, is aimed at slandering the Kurdish
leader. It adds that the item serves the enemies of the Kurdistan Region
and undermines the Kurds' unity of rank.
-- Khabat carries a 1,200-word page 3 interview with Khalaf Ghafur,
political editor of the PUK-funded daily newspaper, Aso, to comment on the
nature of the Iraqi State. The report says that Iraq is only a name that
does not carry the sense of a country, and while the Kurds never aspired
to be part of Iraq, they have always found a way to adapt to the
environment and the regional setup. Ghafur says that the more Kurds become
aware, the more the idea of a united Iraq fades away. He says that while
the current geopolitical setup is not conducive to the deceleration of an
independent Kurdish state, it does not mean that the Kurds have to let go
of their dream -- one day it will come true.
-- Khabat carries a 300-word page 3 report saying that the KRG is planning
to build five modern detention centers across the Region.
-- Kurdistani Nuwe carries a 2,500-word page 9 interview with Bayiz
Talabani, KRG finance minister, to comment on the ministry's plans and
relations with Baghdad. He also explains the reasons behind the cuts in
KRG allowances for NGOs, which he says are mainly due to the fact that
some NGOs that were working for similar causes were run separately under
the two Kurdish administrations prior to their merger in 2005. In line
with a KRG decision, they had to be amalgamated, or their funds had to be
cut. The funds of others were cut because they were inactive. He also says
that several important issues remain unresolved between the KRG and
Baghdad, such as the budget of the Peshmerga forces, which is supposed to
be paid out to the KRG, but the Iraqi Government has failed to so. He says
that due to such problems with Baghdad the Kurdistan Region has suffered
some 4 trillion dinars (3.3 billion dollars) in losses over the past four
years.
-- Kurdistani Nuwe carries on page 17 a 2,500-word interview with Imad
Ahmad, PUK Political Bureau member, to comment on the PUK action plan as
recommended during the latest party conference. The recommendations
include shrinking the number of PUK centers in the cities and setting up a
central council for the party. As to reports about PUK involvement in the
export of oil, Ahmad says that the PUK has nothing to do with such
activity, but it is a matter for the government to deal with, adding that
the oil exported abroad is only surplus oil product that cannot be refined
in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq Issues
-- Kurdistani Nuwe carries a 300-word page 2 report saying that, in line
with an Iraqi Oi l Ministry decision, 1,186 new staff members have been
recruited in the Northern Oil Company in Kirkuk and other departments
under the ministry, but the percentage of Kurds among the new recruits is
reportedly considerably low compared with that of Iraqi Arabs. Jamal
Mawlud, of the Kirkuk Governorate Council's Oil and Gas Committee, says
all the decisions by the Oil Ministry are politically motivated. MP Sirwan
Ahmad, of the Kurdistan Alliance, says the move is an extension of the
Ba'th regime's Arabization policies. Kirkuk Governor Abd-al-Rahman Mustafa
strongly criticizes the move.
-- Kurdistani Nuwe carries a 500-word report on pages 2 and 3 citing Harem
Kamal-Agha, head of the PUK Center in Mosul, saying that Nur-al-Din
al-Hayali, member of the Coalition for Iraqi Unity, has called on Mosul
MPs to stand against the general census in the city, saying that it would
create a rift among the constituents of the city. Kamal-Agha says such
statements will not affect the process, which is fully backed by the
Kurdish leadership. Commentary
-- In a 700-word page 13 Article in Khabat, Tariq al-Hamid says: While the
United States is reaffirming the country's commitment to the withdrawal of
its forces from Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki continues to hang on to his seat,
despite the fact that he lost in the last election round. It is also
surprising to see Iran backing him and calling on the Iraqi factions to
accept him. It is only left for an observer to believe that there is no
difference between Saddam Husayn and Nuri al-Maliki. The question is: Why
did the Americans remove Saddam Husayn in the first place -- only to
replace him with another? And it is also wise to ask: What is the
difference between today's Iraq and the one that was managed by Saddam,
and what will be the scale of the threats Iraq will face after the
withdrawal of the US forces? The article was first published in Al-Sharq
al-Awsat.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
43) Back to Top
UK Arabic Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the UK Arabic Press on 10 Aug 10.
To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - United Kingdom -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:18:34 GMT
1. Article by Husam Itani saying opposition to building mosque near Ground
Zero in New York reflects endeavor to perpetuate a typical hostile vision
of Islam and Muslims. (600 words, processing)
2. Article by Jihad al-Khazin calling demand by American Republican
representatives on Obama's administration to back Israel fully against
Iran is a blank check for war on Iran that will spread to engulf the
entire region. (700 words, processing)
London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in Arabic 10 Aug 10 (Website of
influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line reflects
Saudi official stance. URL:
http://www.asharqalawsat.com/ http://www.asharqalawsat.com/)
1. Report on statement by Saudi official that Saudi demand to have its own
Blackberry server is a sovereign principle. (400 words, processing)
2. Report saying Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki's meeting with Kurdish
leader Mas'ud Barzani was not as successful as claimed by Al-Maliki's
supporters. (800 words, processing)
3. Report citing Iraqi sources on conditions by Al-Sadr Trend and Kurdish
Alliance that are impeding the formation of new government. (800 words,
processing)
London Al-Quds al-Arabi Online in Arabic 10 Aug 10 (Website of
London-based independent Arab nationalis t daily with strong anti-US bias.
URL:
http://www.alquds.co.uk/ http://www.alquds.co.uk/)
1. Editorial saying Nasrallah's presentation of evidence of Israel's
involvement in Al-Hariri's assassination was convincing adding that the
anticipated indictment of Hizballah wants "to demonize Hizballah so as to
create the excuses for an Israeli strike against it in preparation for an
aggression against Iran to destroy its nuclear program. (600 words, no
processing planned) Negative selection: London Ilaf.com in Arabic 10 Aug
10 (Saudi-owned, independent Internet daily with pan-Arab, liberal line.
UR L:
http://www.elaph.com/ http://www.elaph.com/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
44) Back to Top
Highlights -- Iraqi Southern Governorates Newspapers 01 - 07 Aug
The following lists selected items from newspapers published in the Iraqi
southern governorates 01 - 07 Aug. To request additional processing,
please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735.
This product is provided by the commercial establishment MediaWatch Middle
East, Dubai, UAE. OSC is not responsible for the editorial standards of
this translation - Iraq - OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:40:01 GMT
Chairman of Basra Provincial Council, Jabbar Amin Al Lateef, announced
that more than 4000 Iranians enter from Al Shalamja crossing point, east
of Basra, every day. Jordan hosts seminar on electricity in Iraq Al Khuld
Studies and Researches Center in Jordan's capital, Amman, organized a
seminar on the 'developing electricity in Iraq'. Iraqi Minister: Delay in
forming government affects work of the ministries Minister of Sciences and
Technology, Raed Fahmi, said the delay in forming the new Iraqi government
affected the work of the Iraqi ministries. Electricity ministry signs MoU
with French group. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity signed a memorandum
of understanding with the French Industrial Group to install electricity
stations of 1200MW capacities. Basra Civil Forum holds conference The
establishing conference of the Basra Civil Forum was held last week in the
presence of 25 civil society organizations in Basra. Roz Nouri Shawis
receives US ambassador Deputy Prime Minister Roz Nouri Shawis received
Kari Karabo, the ambassador at the US Embassy in Baghdad, and discussed
with him the bilateral ties and ways of enhancing them for the interest of
both nations. Basra Sawt al-Mar'ah in Arabic -- Weekly issued by Asma
al-Hassan, 01 August 2010 In the country of oil and two rivers
The article here is written by Kathem Aska r. He sheds light on the hard
living conditions in Iraq and the increase of poverty despite the fact
that Iraq is considered the state of oil and the two rivers. Basra
environment dept. organizes workshop on Al Balti fish Basra environment
department has organized a workshop on the Balti fish in the regional
waters of Iraq, its environment and spread as well as its impact on the
environmental system. IQD2.5bn allocated to fight Nile flower and harmful
herbs in Dijla and Furat rivers The ministry of water resources announced
allocating IQD2.5bn to fight the Nile flower and harmful herbs in Dijla
and Furat rivers. Basra youth department opens first conference of Basra
Civil Forum The establishing conference of the Basra Civil Forum was held
by the Youth and Sport Department in Basra. Trade Ministry opens doors for
local and foreign companies to invest in Iraq The Iraqi Trade Ministry
announced opening the doors for the local and foreign companies to invest
in the local central markets in Baghdad and other provinces according to
the law. Seminar held in Arbil The development organization of the
Kurdistan students, in cooperation with the International forum for
Islamic youth, held a seminar presented y Islamic thinker, Sabah Kafri in
Arbil Iraqi institute adopted training project The Iraqi institute
concluded a workshop held in Beirut at the aim of supporting the Iraqi
women in the parliament council. Project of establishing boats marine
continues The center of reviving Al Ahwar area in Iraq continues works in
its project to establish a marine for boats in Basra province, Hartha,
east of Hor Al Salal area. Al Mustansiya University receives Arab League's
ambassador President of Al Mustansiya University, Ahmed Al Quraishi,
affirmed the importance of setting up a cooperation strategy between Al
Mustanseriya and the universities in the Arab League. MoH holds first
seminar on Mental Retardation The Iraqi Ministry of Health held its first
seminar on the Mental Retardation under the theme 'let us protect our
children from Mental Retardation'. Zebari affrms readiness of embassies to
help planning ministry conduct census Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari
received Minister of Planning Ali Baban and discussed with him the
preparations for conducting the general population census in Iraq.
Election commission dimisses Hamdiya Al Husseini The commissioners council
of the independent higher commission for elections re-elected Faraj Al
Haidari as chairman of the council. Kareem Al Tamimi was elected as
chairman of election department to replace Hamdiya Al Husseini. Mosawi:
gaps in constitution open door for political blocs to explain it as they
want Member of the national coalition, Kamila Al Mosawi, said the
political crisis is increasing because of the gaps in the constitution
which allow the political blocs to explain the items of the constitution
as they want. Biden praises Iraqi leaders US Vice President Joe Biden said
the US for ces will end its mission in Iraq within a month as President
Obama promised right after he resumed the presidency on January. Finance
Minister instructs including companies of mixed sectors in operational
loans Minister of Finance Baqer Al Zubaidi instructed the government's
banks to include the companies of the mixed sector in the operation al
loans. This was upon meeting of the minister with Ali Juma, the chairman
of national union of labors syndicates and a many members from the union.
Sadi company to invest $300 million in electricity sector in Basra Basra
International Airport witnessed first meeting between a Saudi investment
group and the local government of Basra in a step towards activating the
investment in Basra. Governor of Basra Sheltagh Aboud, said during meeting
a delegation from Al Jumaih Group of energy companies, said the Saudi
investment is welcomed in Basra and all facilities will be presented for
them. Damlouji: Current government ended its mission by en d of previous
parliament council Spokesperson of Iraqiya list and former parliament
member, Maysoun Al Damlouji said the previous parliament council gave the
authority for the current government and since the parliament council
ended its period, the government ended its period as well. Zeinab Al Kenan
accuses heads of blocs for delaying forming the government intentionally
Parliament member of the National Coalition, Zeinab Al Kenani said some
leaders of political blocs worked intentionally to delay forming the new
government to open doors for the US occupation administration, represented
by the Security Council, to interfere for forming the government. Basra
governor discusses investment with Saudi companies Governor of Basra
Sheltagh Aboud held a meeting with a delegation from Saudi companies and
discussed with them implementing projects in Basra in the various fields.
Oil Ministry to open gas sector for foreign investment The Ministry of Oil
announced that it will open th e sector of the natural gas, which
accompanies oil operations, for the foreign companies to invest it. Al -
Adhwaa Newspaper, 01 August 2010 E-library to open soon in Basra
University Dr Hamed Al Thalemi, the secretary General of the central
library at Basra University, said the e-library will be open soon,
pointing out that it will contain more than 320,000 e-books. Hassan
Ibrahim Mahmoud interviewed Here is an interview with Hassan Ibrahim
Mahmoud, the director general of Basra Center for Special Education for
Autism Children. Mother leaves her daughter as shame The article here is
written by Maysam Zeid. She tells a story of a 12-year old girl who went
to buy something from the supermarket for her mother at noon but she was
kidnapped and raped by some men. They returned her back and then ran away.
The girl died after that as her brother killed her in the name of honor.
Private lessons phenomenon The article here is written by Wesam Nayed Al
Zaydi. He sheds light on the ph enomenon of private lessons given to
students at the various levels which have become worrying for parents and
the official of the education ministry. Women and children trafficking
spread The article here is written by Maysam Zeind. She sheds light on the
phenomenon of women and children trafficking which have spread across Iraq
especially after the fall of the former regime. Driver and passenger pay
the price The article here is written by Laith Al Lami. He said the
transportation and paving the roads as well as allocating garages are main
significations for civilization and prosperity. The writer sheds light on
the suffering of passengers and the drivers alike in light of
deterioration in the situation of transportation. Barber profession The
article here is written by Aziz Al Bazouni. He sheds light on the Barber
profession which is one of the most spread professions. The article
includes view points of some barbers and of customers about the hai r
fashions. Al Dh eik: S and dam on Furat river is fruitful Taleb Ali Al
Dheik, the Director General of Water Resources Dept. in Al Ahwar said the
sand dam which was build on Al Furat river improves the quality of water,
increases the level of water and decreases the level of saltiness.
Training course on media concluded Some of 20 trainees of journalists and
members of civil societies ended the training course on media which was
organized by the Society of Developing media in Maissan in cooperation
with the National Fund for Democracy. Dr Saeed Jassem Al Asadi interviewed
Here is an interview with Dr Saeed Jassem Al Asadi, the professor of
educational and psychological guidance department at the Faculty of
Education. Basra receives grant of 200 green houses The US Department of
Agriculture granted 200 green houses for Basra province to support the
small farmers in the province. Seminar held on international treaty for
combating corruption The executive office of the general inspection
department of the Electricity Distribution Directorate in Southern areas
held a seminar to shed light on the international treaty and the national
strategy 2010-2014 for combating corruption. Southern Electricity
Distribution Dept. continues campaign against violations in Basra Upon
directives of the Cabenit, the Southern Electricity Distribution Dept.
continues its campaign against the violations on the electricity network n
Basra. Women Leadership institute holds play and artistic exhibition At
the aim of combating gender-based violence in Baghdad, Basra and Thi-Qar,
the Women Leadership Institute organized a play entitled 'Press
Conference' at Jordan Girls' School in Al Ma'qel area funded and supported
by the UNICEF. Al Qaeda attacks Al Arabiya office in Baghdad Some of six
people were killed and 20 others were injured in the attack of Al Qaeda on
Al Arabiya channel's office in Baghdad. The military operations command in
Baghdad uncovered a terror plan that will target the mass media, channels
and journalists. Number of Iranian visitors at Al Shalamja point increases
Chairman of Basra Provincial Council, Jabbar Amin Al Lateef, announced an
increase in the number of Iranian visitors who enter from Al Shalamja
crossing point in Basra. Local government in Basra rejects violating the
city's electricity share Chairman of Basra Provincial Council, Jabbar Amin
Jaber said the local government refuses any violation on the province's
electricity share which is about 900-1000 MW per day. Basra council
discusses projects value IQD286bn The Basra Provincial council discussed a
number of projects for the year 2011 within the budget of developing the
areas at a value of IQD286 billion. Contract signed for establishing plant
for producing Chlorine and Caustic Soda The general company for
petrochemical industries, which is part of the ministry of industry and
minerals, signed a contract with Knowledge Dar Company for Petroleum and
Engineering Equipment to establish a pla nt for producing Chlorine and
Caustic Soda. Husseini Education Department holds many activities A
delegation from the Husseini Center for Studies in London visited Kuwait
and Iraq during July 4-23, 2010, within the frame of introducing the
Husseini Education Department. Al Ashar River Here is a photo caption of
Al Ashar River which is almost dry. Driver and passenger pay the price The
article here is written by Laith Al Lami. He said the transportation and
paving the roads as well as allocating gara ges are main significations
for civiliza tion and prosperity. The writer sheds light on the suffering
of passengers and the drivers alike in light of deterioration in the
situation of transportation. Dr Saeed Jassem Al Asadi interviewed Here is
an interview with Dr Saeed Jassem Al Asadi, the professor of educational
and psychological guidance department at the Faculty of Education. Where
to ? The article here is written by Wafi Al Ameri . He sheds light on
situation in Iraq and the suffering of poor people who are seeking to have
jobs and depend on the ration cards in their daily life. Editorial News
said there is an initial agreement between Al Maliki and Allawi to share
the power and to give the Kurds the position of Speaker of parliament but
the main problem remains who will be the prime minister during the last
two years while the presidency will for the other party. Baghdad
Al-Manarah in Arabic -- Independent political daily; Internet version
available at: http//:www.almannarah.com, 04 August 2010 Pentagon can't
account for how it spent $2.6 billion in Iraqi funds The Washington Post
newspaper uncovered a new episode in the chain of corruption in Iraq when
it posted news about the disappear of $2.6 billion in Iraq. Because of
poor record-keeping and lax oversight, the Department of Defense cannot
account for how it spent $2.6 billion that belonged to the Iraqi
government, according to the inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.
Lawsuit of $1bn filed against newspaper Metro center for defending
journalists, which represent the media freedom observatory in Kurdistan,
expressed deep concern about the lawsuit filed against Roznama newspaper
by the secretary of the political office of the Kurdish Democratic Party
demanding the newspaper to pay $1 billion as compensation. Faculty of
Management and Economics at Maissan University establishes new classrooms
The faculty of management and economics at Maissan University signed a
contract with a Turkish company to build two new classrooms. Comprehensive
survey in Wasit launched The information department at Wasit provincial
council announced the launch of the comprehensive survey for the regions
and districts in Wasit province. Government of regional accord The article
here is written by Jassem Al Halfi. He sheds light on the role of the
regional intervention in process and discussions of forming the new Iraqi
government. Water resources ministry still working on establishing dam in
Basra The Ministry of Water resources continues working in establishing Al
Suwaib Dam in Basra province, Al Qarna area. The project is extended on
200,000 sqm and values IQD27.628bn Nainawa health dept: 1443 medical
machines installed in 2009 The Health Department in Nainawa province said
the 1443 medical machines were installed at the hospitals in the province
during 2009. July organization concludes computer training course in Babel
July Organization for social development concluded the third computer
training course in Babel province which was held during June 20- August
1st with the participation of 14 trainees. Center of training widows
concludes 11th course in Baghdad The department of training widows in
Baghdad graduated the widows and orphan women who concluded the 11th
training course which included 4 workshops on computer and Internet,
sewing and textile, health rehabilitation, and English Language, in
addition to a workshop on human rights w hich focused on the combating
violence against women. Rosaries making in Iraq The article here is
written by Muntaser Al Ta'ei. He sheds light on the rosary-making
profession in Iraq. He said the rosary is one of the folkloric needs that
Iraqi people has been familiar with since ages and it is still inherited
from father to son till these days. Women Rights between tradition and
religion The Iraqi women have been suffering from the traditions of tribes
which violate their rights such as the tradition that gives the man the
right to marry his cousin even if she does not want to which is against
Islam and its Sharia. The article here sheds light on some viewpoints in
this regard. Trade Ministry catches fire The Iraqi Ministry of Trade's
headquarters in Baghdad caught fire. Police said the fire started at the
fifth floor, the department of trade contracts of the ministry, but the
reasons were not discovered till now. Maliki: We agreed to set up a true
reform paper Iraqi Prime M inister Nouri Al Maliki said his desire to stay
in his position is not the real problem facing forming the new government.
He pointed out that the regional interference is reason behind the current
crisis. The only solution to elect the new prime minister The article here
is written by Haydar Al Asadi. He sheds light on the contradictory
statements and the officials who stick to their positions, while the Iraqi
people are suffering from lack of services and hard conditions. Al Muallem
uncovers Syrian-Iranian conflict regarding forming Iraqi government Syrian
Foreign Minister Waleed Al Muallem said there is a disagreement between
Syria and Iran regarding the political process in Iraq because Iran
insists to nominate another candidate to be the Prime Minister of the new
Iraqi government. Iraq intelligence fiasco could happen again So now we
know. Iraq posed no real threat prior to the Anglo-American invasion of
March 2003. There was no credible intelligence to suggest any link between
Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. But what the assault on Iraq did do
was proliferate jihadism across the Middle East and incubate Islamist
extremism in the UK, leading to the London Tube and bus bombings five
years ago and 15 other "substantial plots". "Arguably we gave Osama bin
Laden his Iraqi jihad," Eliza Manningham-Buller, former director-general
of MI5, the British domestic security service, told the UK war inquiry
this week." Spreading cancer in Iraq The article here is written by Sameer
Saeed. He said that after the massacre committed by the US occupation
forces in Al Fallouja city in Iraq and using the banned bio-chemical
weapons, the eyes are concentrating on the city as it is still suffering.
A new study conducted by the Lester university in the UK showed that the
percentage of death of the new porn babies increased in Fallouja in
addition to doubling the number of cancer infections by 10 folds. US
security wars The article her e is written by Ayman Khalid. He said there
will be more of the mysterious bombings in many countries such as
Pakistan, India, Iran, Iraq and maybe Turkey and some Arab countries. All
these bombings are similar in the way of performing them and it shows
there is a US hand in this. National government or government of
partnership? The article here is written by Abbas Al Sayed Jassim. He
said: In spite of the improvement in the security situation in Iraq since
2007, the gap between the Iraqi people's aspirations and the reality is
still wide. He sheds light on the clashes between the political blocs to
form the new government regardless of the interests of the citizens. Trade
Ministry catches fire. The Iraqi Ministry of Trade's headquarters in
Baghdad caught fire. Police said the fire started at the fifth floor, the
department of trade contracts of the ministry, but the reasons were not
discovered till now. Al Athamiya... between two scenes The article here is
written by Mwauf faq Al Rifai. He sheds light on the terror attack in Al
Athmaiya which led to killing many citizens and injuring many others.
Constituent conference for injured political prisoners in Wast held A
gathering for the injured politicians from the policies of the former
regime held a constituent conference in Wasit province in the presence of
local officials. Deyaa Al Khateeb, the chairman of the preparatory
committee of the conference, said the gathering is independent and is not
linked to the government. 200 Iraqi prisoners held by US forces The US
forces has handed the Cropper prisoner, news Baghdad International
Airport, over to the Iraqi government mid of July and transferred 1500
prisoners, but the US side is still holding 200 prisoners in one of the
Cropper prison's sections. Dr Riyad al Asadi The article here is written
by Dr Riyad al Asadi . He said the modern Islamic renaissance started
strongly in the second half of the 20th century after the failure of the
regional an d international blocs and the fiasco of the liberalization to
provide solutions out of the known economic frames. The writer talks about
the Islamic moves and politicians in Iraq and their role in the political
process. Baghdad Al-Manarah in Arabic -- Independent political daily;
Internet version available at: http//:www.almannarah. com, 07 August 2010
Despite pledges, Iraqi Kurd oil still flows to Iran Despite a pledge by
Iraqi Kurdistan to crack down on the flow of fuel being smuggled to Iran,
the only real impediment truck drivers say they face are long lines that
force them to wait for days to cross. Perhaps around 100 tanker trucks
corralled into groups of 10 or a dozen by Kurdish police idled on the road
to the border point of Haj Umran on Tuesday, waiting for their chance to
pass over to unload fuel at Iranian ports or fuel depots. Revolution of
July after a century and two years The article here is written by Faleh
Abdul Jabbar. He sheds light on the Revolution of J uly, 1958. He said
those who celebrate this anniversary remember the revolution and its
objectives that included: liberty from occupation, agricultural reform,
establishing the national oil company, sheltering the migrant farmers in
modern cities and issuing a family law that protects the women's rights.
Sabah Ali Al Shaher The article here is written by Sabah Ali Al Shaher. He
raises questions about the US forces and why did USA destroyed the
infrastructure in Iraq. He said the occupation forces wanted to privatize
the facilities and resources in Iraq. Villages in Wasit calls on
authorities to interfere to make Iran release water in Al Kalal river
Citizens in the villages near the Iranian borders in Wasit province called
on the local government to interfere to make the Iranian authorities
release the water in Al Kalal river as the situation is deteriorating at
the humanitarian and economic levels. UN relief agencies report slow
improvement in Iraq, but situation still 'prec arious' United Nations
relief agencies reported a slow improvement today in the humanitarian
situation in Iraq but there were still many areas for concern, with
spokesmen describing the state of affairs as "precarious" and "tense." A
new corridor for food supplies was opened, more doctors were returning to
hospitals, water supply had improved and the electricity was back on in
scattered areas of Baghdad. Al Hakeem calls on Maliki to explain where did
the $280bn disappear Leader of the Higher Islamic Council, Ammar Al
Hakeem, renewed call on the government to show where did it spend $280
billion during the past five years, describing the statement of Prime
Minister Nouri Al Maliki as 'big corruption'.
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45) Back to Top
Tehran Commentary Argues West Imposed New Sanctions Despite Iran Agreeing
Talks
Unattributed commentary: "Iran's Response to Vienna Group" - Jam-e Jam
Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 17:20:29 GMT
On 3 Khordad (24 May), Iran sent a letter to the IAEA, informing the
organization and also the US, France, and Russia (Vienna Group) officially
about the details of the Tehran Declaration. According to the Tehran
Declaration, Iran has agreed to entrust its 3.5-percent enriched uranium
to Turkey. In return for this, the Vienna Group should hand over 120 kg of
20-percent enriched fuel needed for the Tehran reactor to Iran within one
year.
This letter from Iran remained unanswered. Simultaneously, with the
ratification of the Security Council's fourth sanction resolution against
Iran on 1 9 Khordad (9 June), IAEA head Yukiya Amano informed the Board of
Governors that he had received letters from the French, Russian, and US
Governments as responses to the Tehran Declaration. This happened when
many political experts regarded the Tehran Declaration as an appropriate
opportunity for the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue. They defined the
insistence by America and its allies on issuing new resolutions as a sign
of their dishonesty.
Anyhow, about a month and a half later and after separate letters by the
member countries of the Vienna Group to Tehran, IAEA head Yukiya Amano and
Ali Akbar Soltaniyeh, Iran's permanent representative to this
organization, held a meeting. At this the latter officially announced
Iran's readiness for talks with the Vienna Group on the fuel swap for the
Tehran reactor in the framework of a new letter. Iran's Readiness for
Participation in Talks Without Conditions
After handing this letter to the agency, Soltaniyeh said : "This letter's
important, definite, and evident message is Iran's complete readiness for
participation in talks on the provision of fuel for the Tehran reactor
without conditions."
In his interview to ISNA (Iranian Students News Agency), he pointed to
Amano's remarks in this meeting by saying: "The director general of the
agency welcomed and praised Iran's decision on its readiness for talks on
the provision of fuel, announcing that he will make any attempts toward
this goal and will not withhold any effort for implementing this project
in the framework of the agency." Iran's representative in the agency
added: "The agency head also said that he will hand the text of Iran's
letter, which has been written in three pages, to the three countries of
America, France, and Russia." Soltaniyeh said: "We have announced in this
letter that, as soon as the other sides announce their readiness, Iran is
completely ready to participate in talk s and meetings on the ways of
providing fuel for the Tehran reactor."
In addition, in his interview with the Al-Alam Television News Channel,
Soltaniyeh pointed to handing Iran's letter to the agency, stressing that
a new opportunity for an immediate start of talks without conditions and
the resolution of all problems has been provided. He said this letter
expressed Iran's official position and can be a positive step for entering
talks without conditions. He emphasized: "Now the ball is in the
westerners' court and the West should take steps in the frameworks of the
agency with this regard, and put its political goals and desires aside."
Soltaniyeh expressed the hope that the agency will consider the Tehran
Declaration in the forthcoming talks on the Iran nuclear issue and the
westerners will not lose this opportunity.
Al i Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has
pointed to this letter a few days ago, announcing: "Iran's letter is a
general answer and the technical details will be announced in the possible
talks that will take place in future." Sanctions in Return for Talks
These steps are taken by Iran for the continuation of talks, while the
western countries still insist on their claims about imposing new
sanctions against Iran. Based on this, the US tried to add to the volume
of sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council by deciding unilateral
sanctions about a month ago. Following the US, the EU and Canada also
decided new sanctions against Iran last Monday (26 July).
According to Mehr, the new sanctions by the EU, which gained an executive
nature with the signature of the union's foreign ministers last Monday,
include a ban on investment in the gas and oil sector, and further
limitations on the shipping and banking sectors. In addition, because of
these sanctions, 41 Iranian officials, 57 companies and their
subsidiaries, 15 companies managed by the (Islamic Revolution) Guards
Corps (IRGC), and the companies active in some shipping lines are on the
list of the sanctions of the EU.
Immediately after the announcement of the unilateral sanctions of the EU
and Canada against Iran, the US secretaries of state and treasury welcomed
these sanctions in a joint statement. European Union Has Created Doubts
About Its Independence
The spokesman of our country's Foreign Ministry has condemned these
sanctions, stressing that the EU is taking steps on a wrong path with
closed eyes under American pressure and that it has created doubts about
its nature and independence. According to the Central News Unit, Ramin
Mehmanparast considered the new sanctions imposed by the EU as ineffective
and non-constructive. He added: "These sanctions are neither useful for
the progress of negotiation and the policy of negotiations, nor will they
create a gap in the Iranian nation's will for attaining their legal rights
and followin g their peaceful nuclear plan."
Mehmanparast stated: "Iran has made moves for cooperation with the goal of
creating a positive atmosphere several times, while the EU's action will
make the situation more complicated." The Foreign Ministry spokesman
added: "The recent move by the EU is the continuation of the West's failed
policy against Iran over the past 30 years, and will gain no result but
the strengthening of the great Iranian nation's self-reliance and
stability. In addition, this will deprive Europe and the West of
opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with a regional power that
has huge capacities in various political, economic, and cultural spheres."
Mehmanparast added: "The sanctions route is an old, tested, and
inefficient one and has the opposite effect."
The Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed to Iran's moves for creating trust,
addressing the question of why, in a situation when a step forward is
taken , some sides have entered the operation and are trying to turn
cooperation into the opposition of the members of the EU. He emphasized:
"Iran evaluates the recent move by the EU as another step in the path of
enmity with the Iranian nation, which will intensify the distrusting
atmosphere between the Iranian nation and the initiators of this action
and will have negative consequences for them." Russia: Europe's Sanctions
Against Iran Were Insult to UN
Russia has shown in the past few years that it only takes steps in favor
of its own interests. However, after the decision on the new EU sanctions
against Iran, which endangers some of that country's interests in Iran, it
has criticized these sanctions by issuing a statement.
According to Fars, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the
EU's unilateral move through a statement, stressing that these sanctions
are considered an insult to the UN. According to this statement, the EU's
sanction s against Iran are an obstacle on the path of international
efforts for the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue and deviates the
hopes for close cooperation between Russia and the West on this issue.
Ankara Does Not Implement EU's Sanctions Against Iran
Turkey's Finance Minister also stressed that his country will not follow
the US and EU unilateral sanctions against Iran. According to Fars, in an
interview with the British Financial Times newspaper, Mehmet Simsek
pointed to the implementation of the UN resolutions by his country,
saying: "When requests are made by single countries for extraordinary
sanctions, we should not implement them." He added: "The easing of
commercial activities with Iran, which have not been banned according to
the UN resolution, should continue and will continue. If a trade deal
needs financial support, we should find a way of providing for it."
The Turkish finance minister has made these remarks while, at a me eting
in Istanbul last Sunday (25 July), the foreign ministers of the three
countries of Iran, Brazil, and Turkey announced their faithfulness to the
Tehran Declaration and mentioned it as the best opportunity for the
resolution of the Iran nuclear issue.
(Description of Source: Tehran Jam-e Jam Online in Persian -- website of
conservative daily published by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
(IRIB), whose head is appointed by the supreme leader; URL:
http://www.jamejamdaily.net)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
46) Back to Top
Vietnam Discusses Civil Nuclear Co-Op Agreement With U.S.
Xinhua: "Vietnam Discusses Civil Nuclear Co-Op Agreement With U.S." -
Xinhu a
Wednesday August 11, 2010 03:54:49 GMT
HANOI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam is having discussions on negotiations
with the United States about a civil nuclear cooperation agreement,
Vietnam News reported on Wednesday, citing spokesperson of Vietnamese
Foreign Ministry.
The agreement on civil nuclear cooperation covers the transfer of
information relating to nuclear materials, equipment and technology by the
United States to ensure that nuclear weapons are not proliferated, said
spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga on Tuesday in a written reply to reporters'
queries.According to Nga, Vietnam strongly supports and actively
contributes to the world nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of
nuclear weapons.As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,
Vietnam has been speeding up the use of nuclear energy for peaceful
purpose, Nga said.Vietnam has always been committed to fully implementing
its obligations under the treaty and many countries and nations appreciate
this effort, she said.Vietnam is willing to expand international
cooperation on the use of nuclear energy to provide electricity, said
Nga.Earlier this year, Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding on
nuclear energy cooperation for peaceful purpose with the United States in
March.Vietnam has signed bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with
Russia, China, France, India, the Republic of Korea and Argentina,
according to the report.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English
-- China's official news service for English-language audiences (New China
News Agency))
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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47) Back to Top
US Agency To Provide $4 Million for Public Health Essential Services to
Angola
Unattributed report: "USAID's Angolan Health Services Estimated at US$4
Million" - PANA Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:41:42 GMT
(Description of Source: Dakar PANA Online in English -- Website of the
independent news agency with material from correspondents and news
agencies throughout Africa; URL:
http://www.panapress.com/english/index.htm)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
48) Back to Top
Austria's Schlaff Portrayed as 'Networker' With Own 'Best Interests' in
Mind
Rep ort by Hedi Schneid and Thomas Seifert: "Billionaire on Delicate
Mission" -- first paragraph is Die Presse.com introduction. - Die
Presse.com
Tuesday August 10, 2010 12:10:43 GMT
Five months ago, Israeli photographer Rafael Haddad travelled to Libya
with his Tunisian passport (he has dual citizenship) to take photographs
of Jewish sites on behalf of an organization called Or Shalom. Although
there are no more Jews living in Libya these days, Jewish life used to
flourish in the past. According to Or Shalom, Haddad's job was to document
the Jewish heritage there. Haddad obviously attracted the attention of the
Libyan authorities and was arrested in March for suspicion of espionage.
The Israeli authorities did all they could to bring him back home to
Israel. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, Israel, officially at war
with Libya, asked the United States, France, a nd Italy to help get Haddad
free. Haaretz also reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
personally asked his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi to intervene
for the benefit of Haddad. Two months ago, Israel's controversial Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman decided to contact his friend Martin Schlaff
with the request to intercede.
Schlaff has excellent contacts with the Al-Qadhafi family; he is regarded
as a friend of Saif al-Qadhafi, the son of Libyan revolutionary leader
Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Schlaff succeeded where Berlusconi obviously failed:
Haddad was set free. Schlaff sent his private jet to Libya straight away
to pick Haddad up and fly him to Vienna. Lieberman, who had come there
from his vacation in Moldova where he was born, welcomed Haddad and
accompanied him back to Israel.
Aviv Aharon Shir-On, Israel's Ambassador to Austria, thanked the Austrian
authorities and Schlaff for their "support." Yossi Levy of the Israeli
Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem was effusive in his interview with Die
Presse : "Minister Lieberman would like to express his gratitude to the
Austrian authorities and his friend Martin Schlaff. This was a fantastic
achievement. We in Israel do not always see happy endings, but today, we
did. The atmosphere in the airport on Mr. Haddad's return was wonderful."
Super Networker
Yet there is doubt both in Israel and in this country that all Schlaff
wanted to do when bringing about the deal with Libya was a selfless good
deed. The businessman, who is known for risky, but all the more profitable
transactions, has probably had his own specific best interests in mind,
also in this case: Schlaff will have tried to put the government in
Jerusalem in a "mild" mood.
Schlaff has attracted the attention of the Israeli legal authorities,
suspecting him of having paid bribes in the amount of some 3 million euros
to the family of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharo n, who is in a coma.
According to Haaretz, the Israeli fraud squad recommended in June to
charge Schlaff and Sharon's sons Gilad and Omri with corruption. Chief
Public Prosecutor Yehud Weinstein is to make a decision soon. The money is
said to have gone through the hands of British-South African businessman
Cyril Kern in 2002, who paid it into a BAWAG account from where it was
transferred to Sharon's sons. It was paid back that same year -- whether
to Schlaff himself or business partners is unclear.
A second affair over corruption charges concerns Lieberman himself.
Schlaff is believed to have transferred huge amounts of money to him. All
those involved in the matter must be presumed to be innocent. "Someone
like Mr. Schlaff has not and will not bribe anyone," Schlaff had his
spokesman Fink tell Die Presse back in 2006 already when the stories
surfaced. Nothing needed to be added in this respect, the statement on
Monday was.
Yet Schlaff steers clear of Israel: he even stayed away from the funeral
of his father in April, because Israeli police had threatened to arrest
him for questioning on the two cases of suspected bribery. Schlaff's
lawyer had submitted an application requesting to allow him to enter the
country for a few hours to attend the funeral, which the authorities
rejected. Discreet Networker
The 57-year-old, who is considered to be extremely shy when it comes to
publicity, will not like the fact that he is making the front pages at the
moment. The billionaire, who is also regarded as a friend of late
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, prefers to pull the strings in his global
network from the background -- in politics just as in business and art.
The son of a Jewish merchant family trading in timber and paper has made
discretion his principle -- his multi-million deals rarely hit the
headlines. He bought mobile phone companies in Bulgaria and Belarus which
he then sold on to Telekom Austria, p ocketing more than 600 million
euros. The casino in Jericho, originally developed together with Casinos
Austria and expected to become a goldmine, has been closed since the
Intifada broke out in the fall of 2000. Its reopening is presumed to have
repeatedly played a part in the conversations between Sharon and Schlaff.
(Description of Source: Vienna Die Presse.com in German -- Website of Die
Presse, an independent, high quality center-right daily; URL:
http://diepresse.com/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
49) Back to Top
Colombia, Andean Crime and Narcotics Issues 9 Aug 10 - Andean -- OSC
Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 19:27:32 G MT
Bogota El Tiempo reports that legislator Ivan Cepeda has sent a letter to
President Juan Manuel Santos asking him to postpone the extradition to the
United States of Eder Pedraza Pea, alias Ramon Mojana. El Tiempo also
reports that Cepeda wrote this letter following the authorization by the
Supreme Court of Mojana's extradition. Cepeda also said that "experience
shows that extradition to the United States of former paramilitary leaders
does not promote the judicial proceedings of crimes against humanity and
freezes knowing the truth." (Bogota eltiempo.com in Spanish -- Website of
pro-Liberal Party, most influential newspaper published by Casa Editorial
El Tiempo with the largest circulation in Colombia; URL:
http://www.eltiempo.com/ http://www.eltiempo.com ) Supreme Court
Authorizes Extradition of Person Allegedly Involved in Training Drug
Couriers --
Bogota El Espectador reports that the Criminal C ourt of the Supreme Court
has authorized the extradition to the United States of Maria Odilia
Machado, alias La Negra. El Espectador also reports that Machado allegedly
prepared human couriers to be used by drug traffickers to send narcotics
through Ciudad Juarez in Mexico to Texas. El Espectador further reports
that Machado was captured last January in Bogota during operations in
Villavicencio (Meta), Popayan (Cauca), and in Mexico City. (Bogota
elespectador.com in Spanish -- Website of right-leaning daily owned by
Bavaria Group and Santodomingo family; URL:
http://www.elespectador.com/ http://www.elespectador.com ) Weekly Reports
Intimidations Against Judges, Detectives in Illegal Surveillance Case --
Bogota Semana reports that threats against important witnesses, judges,
and detectives have started now that the trial in the DAS (Administrative
Department of Security) illegal surveillance case is about to begin.
Semana published a picture of the house of Det ective Alexander Menjura
following the explosion of a grenade launched last January. Semana also
reports that Judge Jenny Rosalia Jimenez reported receiving death threats
following ordering the arrest of Mario Aranguren, UIAF (Information and
Financial Analysis Unit) director. Semana further reports on an
unidentified witness who allegedly received death threats against her kids
and said "they are capable of doing that or more" in relation to a strange
incident on 31 October 2009 in which a DAS agent killed two DAS colleagues
at a party. Semana spoke with at least eight detectives who have been
intimidated and reports that the media have also received threats. (Bogota
Semana.com in Spanish -- Website of private, most influential weekly news
magazine; URL:
http://www.semana.com/ http://www.semana.com ) Authorities Capture Alleged
FARC Leader Involved in Drug Trafficking --
Cali El Pais reports that a source in the Narino Palace has confirmed the
killin g of Felix Antonio Munoz Lascarro, alias Pastor Alape, during
operations in the Perija Mountain range. Munoz, who was a member of the
FARC's command staff, was charged with drug trafficking by the United
States Government. El Pais also reports that US authorities accused Munoz
of being a drug trafficking leader in the Magdalena Medio region and
offered a reward for his capture. (Cali El Pais in Spanish -- Website of
Pro-Conservative Party daily; URL:
http://www.elpais.com.co/ http://www.elpais.com.co ) Authorities Capture
Alleged Associate of Alias Comba in Bogota --
Bogota Caracol Radio website reports that Dijin (Judicial and
Investigative Police Directorate) and Interpol agents have captured Oscar
Eduardo Galvis Pena in Bogota. Galvis is a fugitive from US justice who
was an alleged member of the Calle brothers, Javier Antonio and Luis
Enrique Calle Serna, alias Los Comba's gang. The website also reports that
Interpol had issued a red notice for his capture. Galvis is wanted for
allegedly belonging to a drug trafficking gang. (Bogota Caracol Radio
Online in Spanish -- Website of private radio station owned by Spain's
Promotora de Informaciones, S.A. (Prisa); URL:
http://www.caracol.com.co/ http://www.caracol.com.co ) BOLIVIA Daily
Reports Defense Lawyers Trying To Stop Money Laundering Trial --
Cochabamba Los Tiempos reports that the defense lawyers for Enrique
Saavedra, Silvia Saavedra, and Candida Dorado de Saavedra are trying to
stop the trial by saying that the prosecutors in the case are trying to
define for the first time a crime called "legalization of illegal
earnings." These three persons are involved in a money laundering case
called Saga for its relation to convicted drug trafficker Gaston Saavedra.
(Cochabamba Los Tiempos.com in Spanish -- Website of conservative
newspaper with widest circulation in Cochabamba, owned by the Canelas
family. Published in partnership with the Rivero family, m ember of the
Grupo Lider media conglomerate which also inlcudes PAT (Periodistas
Asociados de Television) television network, owned by the Daher family of
Santa Cruz; URL:
http://www.lostiempos.com/ http://www.lostiempos.com ) Bolivian, Peruvian
Authorities Cooperate in War Against Smuggling --
Cochabamba Los Tiempos reports special police groups from Bolivia and Peru
are sharing information to dismantle gangs involved in smuggling and other
crimes. Los Tiempos also reports that gangs involved in smuggling use the
same routes to bring counterfeit currency into the country. Los Tiempos
also reports that the Desaguadera point is one of the most important
border crossings on the border with Peru. ECUADOR National Police
Intelligence Director Reports Black Eagles, Drug Traffickers, FARC
Operating in Ecuador --
Guayaquil El Universo Online publishes an interview with National Police
Intelligence Director Fabian Solano in which he says that drug trafficking
ga ngs under investigation are involved with the FARC. Solano also said
that the Black Eagles gang is trying to control areas in Ecuador as
"happened in Colombia" and that drug traffickers are renting farms and
paying high prices for the land. Solano further reports that the
authorities have seized more than 10 tons of narcotics and two
submersibles. Solano also said that finding the two submersibles was a red
flag. (Guayaquil El Universo Online in Spanish -- Website of influential
daily owned by Grupo El Universo C.A.; consistently critical of the
government; URL:
http://eluniverso.com/ http://eluniverso.com ) Daily Reports Abandoned
Villages Due to Eradication, Spraying Programs in Putumayo Near Border --
Guayaquil El Universo Online reports that persons living in villages in
Putumayo Department near the border with Ecuador have moved to Narino
Department or to Ecuador following spraying and eradication programs
"which left us without a source of income." The website also reports that
in El Palmar in Ecuador commercial activity has disappeared and people
selling $5,000 on a monthly basis now hardly sell $1,000. PERU Ecuadoran
Drug Traffickers Allegedly Kill Intelligence Agent in Lima --
Lima RPP Noticias Online reports that two drug traffickers from Ecuador
are allegedly involved in the killing of Gustavo Adolfo Castillo Ortiz,
42, non-commissioned officer for the Intelligence Unit of the police. The
website also reports that the two Ecuadorans left the club with a Peruvian
who was captured and charged with being an accomplice in the murder. (Lima
RPP Noticias Online in Spanish -- Website of top-rated commercial news
radio station, owned by Grupo RPP, S.A. (Radio Programas del Peru); URL:
http://www.rpp.com.pe/ http://www.rpp.com.pe/ ) Coca Growers End Strike in
Ucayali --
Lima RPP Noticias Online reports coca growers in Ucayali Department have
ended a strike following "momentary s uspension" of eradication of coca
crops by the Corah (Special Project for the Controland Eradication of Coca
in the Upper Huallaga). The website also reports that eradication will be
suspended until requirements by coca growers are met. The coca growers
require eradication projects to be consensual and the creation of a law
forbidding commercializing the coca leaf. The following media were scanned
and no file-worthy items were noted:
(Bogota Cambio.com.co in Spanish)(Medellin El Colombiano.com in
Spanish)(Barranquilla EL HERALDO.COM.CO in Spanish)(Cartagena El Universal
Online in Spanish)(Bucaramanga Vanguardia.com in Spanish)(Bogota Office of
the President in Spanish)(Bogota RCN Television Online in Spanish)(Bogota
National Navy of the Republic of Colombia in Spanish)(La Paz La Razon
Online in Spanish)(Santa Cruz de la Sierra eldeberdigital.com.bo in
Spanish)(Quito El Comercio.com in Spanish)(Lima La Republica Online in
Spanish)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
50) Back to Top
Mugabe's Anti-West Remark Affects Effort To Re-Engage With EU
Article by Njabulo Ncube: "EU Re-Engagement in Trouble: 'Go To Hell West'
at the Centre of it" - The Financial Gazette Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:32:34 GMT
With talks of fresh elections next year to bring closure to the
inconclusive 2008 po-lls, which gave birth to the current coalition
government, President Mugabe could already have entered into election
mode.Whenever an election approached in Zimbabwe, it has always been
anti-Western rhetoric that made the greatest dimension of ZANU-PF's strate
gy, noted Maisiri. "So the scolding is supposed to alert all ZANU-PF
supporters that it is once again election time and that there is need to
start to raise the perennial anti-western propaganda in order to brainwash
the rural masses who unfortunately are robbed of pure, truthful and
development-based news," he said.
(Description of Source: Harare The Financial Gazette Online in English --
Website of privately owned weekly whose audience is primarily the
middle-to-upper income segment. Often critical of government policies and
largely believed to be owned by Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono; URL:
http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
51) Back to Top
Toyota Suspends Auto Exports to Iran Over Nuclear Row - AFP
Wednesday August 11, 2010 03:59:52 GMT
to Iran indefinitely in line with global sanctions against Tehran's
nuclear programme, the company said Wednesday.
The world's largest carmaker has halted auto shipments to Iran since early
June, "considering the international environment," Toyota said in a
statement."Our company will continue to closely monitor the international
situation," it said without elaborating.Toyota's auto shipments to Iran
sharply declined to some 250 Land Cruiser four-wheel-drive and other
vehicles in 2009 from 4,000 units in 2008. Toyota has exported 220 cars so
far this year.The Nikkei business daily reported that Toyota's exports to
Iran may not violate US sanctions, but the company had decided to stop
shipments because "firms continuing to deal with Iran have come under
scrutiny from the US government."North America is a key market for Toyota,
with sales in the United States exceeding those in Japan. Toyota's North
American sales jumped nearly 40 percent on year in the April-June
quarter.The UN Security council adopted fresh sanctions in June against
Iran's nuclear programme, while the US and the European Union have
strengthened their own sanctions.In the United States, any business
breaching the sanctions faces restricted access to the American market.
Washington fears Iran is developing a nuclear arsenal under cover of its
energy program, something Tehran denies.si/dwa/hg(Description of Source:
Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of the independent French
press agency Agence France-Presse)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
52) Back to Top
Google Raided By Police on Privacy Violations - JoongAng Daily Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:07:57 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Police raided the offices of Google Korea yesterday on
suspicions that the Korean unit of the Internet search giant Google Inc.
violated the country's communication privacy protection law.
"We obtained a search warrant after we found evidence that, while Google
Korea was creating Google Street View, it collected individuals'
information from wireless networks without seeking their permission," said
an investigator at the anti-cyberterrorism team of the National Police
Agency.Sixteen investigators dispatched to Google Korea headquarters in
Yeoksam, southern Seoul, yesterday morning confiscated computer hard disks
and documents . The search ended at 5 p.m.Police plan to summon Google
Korea officials who are responsible for the project after they finish
examining the confiscated materials.Australian and German police have
launched similar investigations into Google for violating privacy laws
when the company has gathered information for Google Street View in those
countries.Google Street View is a popular feature that offers panoramic
views of street scenes in many cities around the world.Google initially
launched the service in May 2007 for several cities in the United States
and later expanded coverage to include other global cities.In Asia, Street
View is currently available in some areas of Japan, Singapore, Taiwan,
Hong Kong and Macau.Google's mapping service has been controversial as
critics have argued that the search engine company does not pay enough
attention to privacy issues when it collects data, which can include
information gathered from public Wi-Fi networks.(Description of Source: S
eoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website of English-language daily
which provides English-language summaries and full-texts of items
published by the major center-right daily JoongAng Ilbo, as well as unique
reportage; distributed as an insert to the Seoul edition of the
International Herald Tribune; URL: http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
53) Back to Top
Japans Health Requires a New Relationship With Washington
"Japans Health Requires a New Relationship With Washington" -- The Daily
Star Headline - The Daily Star Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:28:13 GMT
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Revolutions, it is often claimed, do not happen when people are
desperate.They occur in times of rising expectations. Perhaps this is why
they so oftenend in disappointment. Expectations, usually set too high to
begin with, failto be met, resulting in anger, disillusion, and often in
acts of terrifyingviolence.Japan-s change of government in 2009 - when the
Democratic Party ofJapan (DPJ) broke the almost uninterrupted monopoly on
power held by theLiberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 1955 - was not a
revolution. But,rather like the election of the first black president of
the United States, itwas fizzing with popular expectations, promising a
fundamental shift from thepast.This was even truer of Japan than the
United States. The DPJ not only put manynew faces into power, it was going
to change the nature of Japanese politics.At last, Japan would become a
fully functioning democracy, and not a de factoone-party state run by bu
reaucrats.To judge from the Japanese press, as well as the DPJ-s plunging
pollratings, disillusion has already set in. The permanent bureaucracy
provedresistant, and DPJ politicians, unused to power, made mistakes. One
of theworst was Prime Minister Naoto Kan-s announcement in June of
aconsumption-tax hike just before the Upper House elections, which the DPJ
wenton to lose badly.The other disappointment has been the government-s
failure to get the USto move its Marine airbase out of Okinawa. This
promise by the DPJ was meant tobe part of Japan-s new assertiveness, a
first step away from being a mere'aircraft carrier' for the US, as a
former LDP prime minister oncedescribed his country.If Japan-s status quo
is to change, the country-s oddly skewedrelationship with the US is one
key factor. Too much dependence on Americanpower has warped the
development of Japanese democracy in ways that are notalways sufficiently
recognized by the US.Japan-s one-party state, under the conserv ative LDP,
was a product ofWorld War II and the Cold War. Like Italy, the old Axis
partner during the war,Japan became a front-line state in the battle
against Communist powers. And, asin Italy, a right-wing party, backed by
the US, dominated politics for decadesin order to crush any chance for the
left to take power. Even former Japanesewar criminals, one of whom became
prime minister in the late 1950s, becamesubservient allies of the US in
the wars (hot and cold) against Communism.In fact, Japanese dependence on
the US was even greater than that of Italy andother European powers. West
European armies were embedded in NATO. Japan, whosearmed forces were
entirely blamed for driving the country into the catastrophicPacific war,
was not even supposed to have an army or navy. During theiroccupation of
Japan in the 1940s, Americans wrote a new pacifist Constitution,which made
the use of Japanese military force abroad unconstitutional. Inmatters of
war and peace, Japan abdicated its sovereignty.Most Japanese were happy to
be pacifists and concentrate on making money.Japanese governments could
devote their energy to building up thecountry-s industrial wealth, while
the US took care of security, and byextension much of Japan-s foreign
policy. It was an arrangement thatsuited everyone: the Japanese became
rich, the Americans had a compliantanti-Communist vassal state, and other
Asians, even Communist China, preferredPax Americana to a revival of
Japanese military clout.But there was a steep political price to pay. A
democracy that isover-dependent on an outside power, and monopolized by
one party whose mainrole is to broker deals between big business and the
bureaucracy, will becomestunted and corrupt.Italy, under the Christian
Democrats, had the same problem. But the end of theCold War in Europe
changed the political status quo - with mixed results,to be sure. Old
parties lost power, which was a good thing. The vacuum wasfilled in Italy
by the rise of Silvio Berlusconi, which may have been less of agood thing.
In East Asia, by contrast, the Cold War is not yet entirely over.North
Korea still causes trouble, and China is nominally a Communist state.But
it is a very different world from the one left in ruins in 1945. For
onething, China has become a great power, and Japan, like other Asian
countries,must adapt to new circumstances. But, while it is the only Asian
democracy ableto balance the power of China, the system established after
World War II is notbest suited to this task.This was recognized by the
DPJ, which would like Japan to play a moreindependent role, as a more
equal ally, rather than a mere protectorate, of theUS, and thus be a more
assertive political player in Asia. Hence, the firstsymbolic step was to
get the US to move its Marines from Okinawa, an islandthat has carried the
burden of a US military presence for much too long.The US did not see
things that way. The DPJ threatened to change comfortableold ar
rangements, whereby the US could tell the Japanese what to do. As aresult,
the US showed little patience on the Okinawa question, and has
barelyconcealed its contempt for the DPJ government, feeding popular
disappointmentwith its performance.The US seems to prefer an obedient
one-party state to a difficult, faltering,but more democratic partner in
Asia. The Obama administration, struggling tofulfill its own promises of
change, should be more understanding of itsJapanese counterpart. If the US
is as serious about promoting freedom as itclaims, it should not be
hindering one of its closest ally-s efforts tostrengthen its democracy.Ian
Buruma is a professor of democracy and human rights at Bard College.
Hislatest book is 'Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy on
ThreeContinents.' THE DAILY STAR publishes this commentary in
collaborationwith Project Syndicate (c)
(www.project-syndicate.org).(Description of Source: Beirut The Daily Star
Online in English -- Website of the indep endent daily, The Daily Star;
URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
54) Back to Top
Bulgaria, World Bank Sign Memorandum on Infrastructure Development
Cooperation
"Prime Minister Borisov, World Bank Group President Sign Memorandum of
Understanding for Stepping Up Cooperation in Infrastructure Development"
-- BTA headline - BTA
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:06:17 GMT
(Description of Source: Sofia BTA in English -- state-owned but
politically neutral press agency)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permiss ion for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
55) Back to Top
Somalia Daily Media Highlights 11 Aug 10 - Somalia -- OSC Summary
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:32:21 GMT
AFP20100810517002 Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali 07 Aug 10
AU forces opened fire on a commuter bus in Mogadishu this morning. Two
people were wounded after the Burundian troops deliberately opened fire on
a commuter bus near the former Jale Siyad Military Academy in Mogadishu.
Those injured included a woman and a young man and were rushed to Daynile
Hospital, where one of them died, according to medical sources.
It is important to remember that Burundi forces saved the lives of about
30 civilians after the brakes o f a commuter bus failed and hit the bank
in a previous incident. The Burundi soldiers treated the injured
passengers on the bus.
However, it is unclear why the peacekeepers opened fire on the vehicle
carrying civilians. Ugandan peac ekeepers had, on several occasions,
previously opened fire on public service vehicles in Mogadishu.
(Description of Source: Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali -- An independent
website which seems to favor the Puntland regional administration.
According to the website it aims to create "public awareness and
disseminate factual reports that will eventually help the Somali public
achieve maturity;" URL:
http://shacabka.net/ http://shacabka.net )
Somalia: Tension High in Gedo Region as Government, Allied Forces Plan To
Attack
AFP20100810517003 London Warsheekh.com in Somali 07 Aug 10
Reports reaching us from Baardheere in Gedo Region (southwestern Somalia)
say that there are military movements ongo ing in some parts of Buulo
Xaawo and Dollow districts.
The military movements are being conducted by forces loyal to the
Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a
group. The two forces are mobilizing themselves to attack the region.
On the other hand, Al-Shabaab, which is in control of Gedo Region, has
also been conducting military movements and preparing to fight the allied
forces of the government and Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama'a, which are heading
towards the region.
A resident said that some of the residents of Buulo Xaawo town fled last
night and crossed into Kenya, where they are expected to go to the refugee
camps in the country.
Tensions were high in Buulo Xaawo, Baardheere and Dollow towns last night.
Area residents fear that the fighting between the two sides will affect
them.
Al-Shabaab has put its forces on high alert and is planning to deploy
additional fighters to these areas.
(Description of Sou rce: London Warsheekh.com in Somali -- Website run by
pro-government moderate Islamist group Ahl-al-Sunnah wal-Jama'a; URL:
http://www.warsheekh.com/ www.warsheekh.com )
Clan elders accuse UN of fuelling violence in Somalia
AFP20100810950068 Mogadishu Simba News.com in Somali 10 Aug 10
Text of report by privately-owned Somali Radio Simba website on 10 August
The Islamic council of Hawiye elders has strongly condemned the UN and
accused it of being responsible for the problems in Somalia.
The council's spokesman, Muhammad Ahmad Guled, who spoke to the press in
Mogadishu, condemned the UN statement in which it announced that it will
reopen its offices in Somalia, which remained closed for a period of more
than a decade. He said that reopening of UN offices will worsen the
current situation in the country.
"The UN is behind the fighting in the country, if it (UN) relocates to
Somalia, it will then bring the fighting even mor e closer (and worsen the
violence)," said Muhammad Ahmad Guled.
The UN is planning to reopen its offices in Somalia within two months.
These offices will be opened at Mogadishu international airport controlled
by the government.
(Description of Source: Mogadishu Simba News.com in Somali -- Website of
Mogadishu-based independent FM radio station; presents balanced reports;
URL:
http://www.simbanews.com/ http://www.simbanews.com )
Al-Shabaab Orders Clan in Central Somalia to Recruit Fighters
AFP20100810517005 London Warsheekh.com in Somali 07 Aug 10
Clan in elders in the town of Jalalqsi (in central Somalia) are concerned
about a request made Al-Shabaab which ordered them to recruit youths from
their clans to take part in fighting alongside Al-Shabaab in the country.
The order follows a three day meeting between Al-Shabaab officials and
elders of Jalalqsi District. Al-Shabaab ordered the elders to bring youths
from their c lans within a week. However, the group did not give the
number of fighters they require.
One of the elders in the district, who sought anonymity, said that many
youths have fled the town after hearing the Al-Shabaab order requiring
them to take pa rt in fighting.
The youth fleeing Jalalqsi have been pouring into Mogadishu in the last 24
hours. Some of them were planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, Kenya and
Ethiopia. Most of these who fled Jalalqsi are farmers, herders, and
students.
This is not the first time that the few Somali youths that remain in the
country have started fleeing. Al-Shabaab's call for the youth to take part
in the fighting in Somalia has caused an increase in the number of youths
fleeing the country.
(Description of Source: London Warsheekh.com in Somali -- Website run by
pro-government moderate Islamist group Ahl-al-Sunnah wal-Jama'a; URL:
http://www.warsheekh.com/ www.warsheekh.com )
Somalia: UN Reportedly 'Considering' To Maintain 'Light Presence' in
Mogadishu
AFP20100810599008 New York UN News Centre in English 09 Aug 10
(Unattributed report: "UN Deliberating Possible 'Light Presence' in Somali
Capital")
With the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Somalia nearing its full
capacity, the United Nation is now "seriously considering" the second of
its three-part strategy in which the world body would have a light
presence in the capital, Mogadishu, and other parts of the war-ravaged
country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
AMISOM, the mission, is close to reaching the target of 8,000 authorized
personnel, as mandated by the Security Council, which is part of the first
phase envisioned by Mr. Ban. That stage also includes helping build the
capacity of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and training Somali
troops and police.
Before Augustine Mahiga, who recently took up the post of the
Secretary-General's Special Representative, departed for Nairobi, Mr. Ban
said the two men held discussions on the second phase, in which some UN
personnel would be relocated to Mogadishu and other areas in Somalia.
The UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), headed by Mr. Mahiga, has
been based in Nairobi due to security concerns.
"At this time, (Mr. Mahiga) will take all necessary measures (for)
staffing and to ensure safety," the Secretary-General told reporters in
New York, adding that his envoy will have to coordinate closely with the
UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS).
Mr. Mahiga's predecessor, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, told the Security Council
last year that "our temporary presence in Nairobi has lasted far too long.
We can only work effectively for peace with the Somalis and address
pressing humanitarian needs if we are close to the victims of famine,
violence and different abuses."
He noted that the establishment in Mogadishu of a so-called Green Zone,
similar to those elsewhere, could help facilitate this process.
In a related development, the latest meeting of the Joint Security
Committee (JSC), comprising Somali officials and interested partners,
wrapped up yesterday in Nairobi, with participants welcoming AMISOM's
renewed commitment to mentoring TFG forces.
The meeting, chaired by Mr. Mahiga and Somali Prime Minister, Omar
Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, also ended with a recommendation that the
international community gradually move its offices back to Mogadishu.
(Description of Source: New York UN News Centre in English -- UN online
news service; URL:
http://www.un.org/news/ http://www.un.org/news/ )
Somalia's Al-Shabab bans three NGO's
AFP20100809950070 Mogadishu Shabeelle Media Network.net in Somali 09 Aug
10
Al-Shabab Islamic Movement has banned three international NGO's from
operation in Somalia for preaching Christianity, Somalia's Shabeelle websi
te reported on 9 August.
"Three organizations have been banned from operating in the country and
they are ADRA, World Vision and Diakonia", a letter issued by Al-Shabab
office for foreign NGO's said, adding that the organizations have been
involved in spreading Christianity a mong the Somali people.
Al-Shabab said in the letter that ADRA organization was established by a
church called Seventh-Day Adventist.
"Diakonia NGO was established by five churches from Sweden and its aim is
to preach Christianity" said Al-Shabab in its letter dated on 8 August.
Al-Shabab has also accused World Vision of conveying Christianity messages
to Somali children and families.
(Description of Source: Mogadishu Shabeelle Media Network.net in Somali --
Internet site of independent FM radio and television network based in
Mogadishu; network claims an audience of more than 1.8 million; target
audience includes Somalis in-country; diaspora; and S omalis in Kenya,
Ethiopia, and Djibouti; policymakers working with international
organizations; and the UN; site has partnership with Radio France
International; URL:
http://www.shabelle.net/ http://www.shabelle.net )
Somali Islamists Ban Activities of International Christian Organizations
AFP20100810527006 Baydhabo Radio Andalus in Somali 1000 GMT 08 Aug 10
The Al-Shabaab Mujahidin Movement Office for monitoring humanitarian
agencies has issued an order banning three infidel (international
Christian) agencies which operate within Somalia. Our reporter Mohamed
Hassan Tartiibsade has the details. Mohamed can you please tell us what it
entails this order?
(Begin Tartiibsase recording) Thank you, Abdikarim (Announcer). This order
came from the Al-Shabaab monitoring office for the movement of foreign
agencies known as OSOFA today issued the order banning the activities of
three infidel agencies in Somalia that were working in various areas. The
agencies include World Vision, ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief
Agency) and DIKANIA (as heard). The office accused the agencies of
engaging in activities against Islam and pure Somali traditions. The
banning of these agencies followed investigations into the work of each of
the agencies in the country. The office explained for instance that the
World Vision agency is a Christian NGO that spreads the Christian faith
and undertakes teaching and inculcation of the Christian faith to children
and other social groups while it conceals its real intentions under the
guise of a humanitarian organization. The office added that the agency
works to propagate immorality within the Muslim society and therefore in
order to save the people from this corruption, the office had decided to
stop their work. World Vision has been one of the biggest organizations on
the ground in Somalia, which prides itself in undertaking many activities
in Somalia.
(Announcer) OK tell us about the other two agencies?
(Tartiibsade) The DIKANIA agency it consists of five Christian churches
that aim to assist people affiliated to these churches. This organization
came here to propagate Christianity and take advantage of the Somali
people, who are in the war and in need of assistance. (End Recording)
(Description of Source: Baydhabo Radio Andalus in Somali -- Al-Shabaab
owned radio station)
Somalia: Ethiopian Army Reported To Reach Bakool Region, Evacuate Dead,
Wounded
AFP20100806353001 Somali Memo in Somali 06 Aug 10
(Unattributed report: "Hundreds of Troops in Ethiopian Army Come to the
Rescue of Yeed District, Bakool")
A critical situation and preparations for renewed fighting was reported
this morning from the district of Yeed in Bakool region, where there was
fighting recently between Al-Shabaab mujahidin and militias supported by
Ethiopia.
Reports coming from the district of Yeed say that the Et hiopian army
consisting of hundreds of troops has reached the city to reinforce the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) militias.
This Ethiopian army, which is pouring into the city of Yeed, is said to be
participating in the evacuation of the injured and the dead after the
recent fighting in the Baliga BM-Ka outside Yeed.
Thousan ds of Al-Shabaab mujahidin forces are also in military movement at
Rabdhuure district all the way to Ceelbarde district where the two armies
are facing each other. People are afraid that a long battle may begin at
the border between Somalia and the land of the western Somalis (Ethiopian
Somalis).
The Ethiopian army and the TFG militias have suffered great losses in the
fighting that took place recently in the Baliga BM-Ka. It is clear that
the Tigray government of Ethiopia does not have any hopes of taking
control of new districts in the area.
(Description of Source: Somali Memo in Somali; news website that updates
da ily and reports news with a clear bias towards Somali terrorist group
Al-Shabaab; URL:
http://www.somalimemo.net/ www.somalimemo.net.)
Somali Islamists recruited in USA, Europe travelled via Kenya - paper
AFP20100810950050 Nairobi Nairobi Star in English 09 Aug 10
Text of report headlined "US Islamists lived in Nairobi undetected"
published by privately-owned Kenyan daily newspaper The Star on 9 August
Thirteen newly-recruited American and European Al-Shabab Islamist militias
lived in Nairobi undetected by authorities for three weeks in July.
The young men from USA, Canada, Norway and Sweden answered a call from
Al-Shabab's top hierarchy for fighters in the countdown to the Kampala
bombing that killed close to 80 people on 11 July.
The young men aged 18-25 barely speak Somali and are citizens and
residents of USA, Canada, Norway and Sweden. They started arriving in
Kenya on 2 July and lived in various lodgings in Nai robi's Eastleigh
estate (mainly inhabited by Kenyan and immigrant Somalis).
The group that the Star made contact with said Eastleigh was their
convergence point where they kept low profiles to avoid being smoked out
by security agencies.
Our team tracked down the young men in Eastleigh and travelled with them
from 27 July to Somali's Hargeysa region and on to Mogadishu where they
were received by the Al-Shabab leaders. The recruits said the little they
knew about Somalia was what they read from books and watched on
television.
The eldest among them was Jamal Abdi, a 25-year old Swedish national who
was also their leader. Jamal, who has relatives in Nairobi South C Estate,
revealed that the relatives were not aware that he was headed for Somalia
to join the Al-Shabab brigade fighting the transitional government of
President Shaykh Sharif Ahmad.
"We are all here by our own will. No-one forced us. It is our religion
that has called us to protect what's right and condemn what is wrong,"
said Jamal.
Abikar Mohammed, a 23-year-old US national, believes by joining Al-Shabab
he was helping Somalia.
"I have a chance to make a difference, I'm here to fight for my home
country and protect Islam, protect the women and children who are every
day killed by the Amisom (African Union Mission in Somalia) troops, the
Western-backed army meant to finish Islam from the face of the earth,"
said Abikar, who is from Minneapolis.
Amisom is the acronym for the African Union Mission in Somalia.
According to Abikar, the new recruits paid for their own air fare to Kenya
and Somalia. Those who did not have money were funded by Somali elders in
their mosques back home.
"We travelled individually; some of us came in groups of five or three and
we had one person we were meant to contact when we got to Nairobi. He has
been very helpful to us. The elders told us that young people are needed
back home to defend Islam and our birthplace where we left some of our
family members," said Abikar.
Abikar said that when they landed in Nairobi, they were taken to different
hotels by their contact person. In the night, they would meet at the
contact's house to go over their plans to travel to Mogadishu.
Another member, 19-year-old Abdirahman Gullet, said that although he was
an American citizen, he never felt quite at home in the US because of
discrimination against him and other Somali Americans.
Nuno Ahmed, 18, lives in California. While travelling from Nairobi to
Hargeisa, he said he was willing to die for the Al-Shabab.
"I do not care if I will die as long as I know am dying for the right
cause and that's fighting tooth and nail for my religion," said Nuno.
His family back in California has no idea where he is, he told us.
"They don't understand. My mother says that Al-Shabab does not fight for
Islam but sh e is wrong. We have lived in the Western world so much that
most of us are getting lost. We're fighting for the same religion. We know
we are hated by the international community, but Al-Shabab has its own
structure and strict rules and it is Islam," said Nuno.
Omar Hassan, 22, went to Canada through family members who had emigrated
there earlier.Omar said that Al-Shabab is not a terror group but one that
is meant to make sure that shari'ah law is observed.
"This is a holy war and all the young people who have died before us have
done that for the sake of religion," he said.
Adan Hussein, 24, also from Minneapolis, said he did not care to return to
his family in Minneapolis.
"I was idle back home; this is a chance for me to make the difference,"
said Adan.
(Description of Source: Nairobi Nairobi Star in English)
Muslim Body Says RSA Troops in Somalia To Back US 'Chosen' Government 'Bad
Move'
AFP2010081 0532001 Cape Town Voice of the Cape in English 1443 GMT 29 Jul
10
(Telephone interview with the Dr. Faizel Suliman of the South African
Muslim Network (SAMNET) by VOC announcer Shafiq Morton on the "Drive Time"
program -- live)
(Voice of the Cape presenter Shafiq Morton) South Africa will possibly be
sending peacekeeping troops to Somalia, that strife-torn part of Africa.
The record, and what happens to peacekeeping troops in certain parts of
the world is not always a happy story and it doesn't always have very good
implications for the countries involved -- Uganda will certainly testify
to that one (passage as heard). On the line to tell us what he feels about
this is Dr Faizel Suliman, from an organization called SAMNET. Dr Faizel
Suliman, as salaam alaikum.
(Suliman) Wa alaikum assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu, and thank you
for having me, Shafiq.
(Morton) The pleasure is ours. Just very quickly, who is SAMNET? I said on
anothe r interview, you get KykNet, Spoornet, MNET, you get lots of nets,
but SAMNET, that's a new one. Tell us, who exactly is SAMNET?
(Suliman) Well, the South African Muslim Network has been around for about
two years, formed by a whole host of (words indistinct) in Durban.
(Morton) Sorry, Dr. Suliman, could you just talk directly into your
mouthpiece, you are fading here and there.
(Suliman) I think it is the cold. Okay. It was formed as a representative
network of Muslim organizations and bodies, we haven't rolled it out
extensively, mainly due to a lack of resources, but if you look perhaps on
the website, you will get an idea of its mission statement and vision and
what participants it has. Primarily, it has been involved in media and
political analysis and the public relations development community, in the
mainstream media. Some of it has been a bit of a watchdog function, but
others have been, you know, watching part of a story, looking at
alternativ es, art and cultural stuff that doesn't get presented about the
Muslim world in the mainstream press, and we have been trying to do some
of that.
(Morton) What organizations have actually come onboard to SAMNET? It
seems, if I'm looking at it from a distance, it seems to be very much a
youth kind of orientated set-up.
(Suliman) It certainly has a good mixture of traditionally older people,
and certainly, lots of young people. We have had cooperation from the
charity organizations like Gift of the Givers, Al-Imdaad Foundation, the
Minara Chamber of Commerce, Vision 20-20, Muslim Vision. We have had some
dealings with, or cooperation with the MJC (Muslim Judicial Council), the
Al-Quds Foundation, the Media Review Network. So we have been trying to
interact. And then of course many of the Halaal bodies, and then in
particular then we have in Durban, we have the Al-Ansaar Foundation, the
Al-Ansaar radio stations, the Al-Qalam newspapers. A lot of the work, you
know , media and public relations are not the in your face stuff that you
see us presenting in the open, for example, the work that we would do if
we had a feature on 702. A lot of it is behind the scenes work. It is not
out there in the open.
(Morton) And your organization, I think, is the one that has said that
Muslim journalists working within the Muslim milieu need to be paid fair
wages.
(Suliman) Oh, absolutely. Yes. We cannot hope to improve both the scope
and the professional challenge that is within the community. One can make
the same argument for Imams and people who speak in the Madrassas, and
hope for a better crop of people to enter the profession. If it is seen as
a grudging, well I have talent, then we all complain (indistinct words)
rapidly. But absolutely. I think if you want to develop this category, it
has to be commensurate with what is in the market. (passage as heard)
(Morton) I've seen a lot of talented people, for example, pass throug h
Voice of the Cape, and we have to be very honest about these things
because I think the community also needs to know these things; and if you
work within Muslim media, whether it's print, radio or wherever it is, as
a Muslim journalist, you are going to be paid peanuts and that's the
bottom line. And one sees so many talents not being able to stay within
this framework. They have to go elsewhere to get their work. I'm sure
you'll agree, that is a real waste, isn't it?
(Suliman) Oh absolutely, Shafiq. You asked me why we aren't able to roll
out, and I argued a lack of resources. I mean, strangely enough, if I went
to the community and said I work in KwaMashu, a township in Johannesburg
and I want 100,000 for blankets or giving our grants or for pillows or to
build a little Madrassa, really I would literally collect it in a day. But
when I go out and say listen, give money so that I can hire a journalist
and secure public relations. I mean, I am a doctor, I am a pro fessional,
what do I know about the media? But the point is, you go out there and
tell the community you need money for lobbying public relations or the
development of journalists in these fields, really there are still a lot
of people with their heads in the sand, and I couldn't agree with you
more.
(Morton) And of course, it is the best way to fight the scenario of
Islamophobia, although we don't have it badly in South Africa at all I
must say. As a Muslim community in South Africa in my travels, I reckon we
have the best but it's still absolutely critical. I'm sure you'll agree
that we have to have professional communicators at the coalface. And how
many times have we shot ourselves in the foot just in the last year when
people representing us simply cannot talk to the media?
(Suliman) Oh absolutely, I couldn't agree more and it's going to happen,
and one of the concerns we will get to now when we speak about Somalia, it
is just going to take a nutcracker or a fall flat operation to turn the
lives of Muslims upside down, or whatever we take for granted, as we say,
anyone who has been to Europe and look at the paranoia with which Muslims
are treated. It doesn't take much for civil liberties to fly out of the
window. And it's not just to interact with the Western media and
non-Muslims. The fact is, if we are going to hope to raise the level of
discourse in our communities and move away from the sort of traditional
role that we keep discussing that don't take us forward, we have to
improve the quality of the print and the journalists. So it is both for
our interaction, as you say, interacting in the Islam ophobia scenario,
but also within our own communities. Journalists, who are so good that
they command some sort of respect, and you know, whatever newspaper, can't
just get rid of them or pay them peanuts because they are influential, and
influential because their work is good and not just because they have a
large Muslim suppo rt.
(Morton) Indeed. I mean, at the end of the day, journalism is a trade, and
if you don't deliver the goods, well, you go down the tubes basically.
Let's have a look at the scenario - okay, we've dealt with the media
landscape, but of course, Somalia I would say is quite a victim of it. You
have a take that sending South African peacekeeping troops to Somalia, is
it a good idea or is it a bad idea?
(Suliman) No, we think it is not a good idea. Basically, some sort of
background--as people know, look, there is lots of oil, there is Uranium.
I mean one looks at Somalia and you think it is barren land, but it isn't.
It is ironically blessed with minerals, the resources, with livestock,
with land that is very arable. It is also strategically located in the
Gulf of Aden. I mean we know now of the pirates who have been able to take
these huge oil tankers, so are the implications of a strategic location. I
think people will know, Shafiq, that you had a proxy with t he United
States and with Ethiopia for quite some time now. There was a whole move
to eradicate the court movement (Union of Islamic Courts) and whatever
else, they have been called different sorts of names. Now if anyone
disagrees with the obscure manner in which they a ccepted some of the
Shariah rules, I mean a lot them are more inclined towards how the Taliban
adapted some of the rules. The point is they don't deserve to be occupied
and they don't deserve what has been happening to them. The nature of this
cloak and dagger stuff is this horrendous bomb that you referred to in
Uganda with the World Cup final that killed over 70 people and
subsequently Uganda saying that they may have to withdraw their troops
from there, and they urge to get the African Union, and South Africa
included, to send our troops there. Our concerns are two-fold. One, South
Africa, morally, has a high ground. We have a good role diplomatically
that can be played in Sudan or the ICC. Possibly, it c ould have the moral
high ground and neutral stance to look at negotiating a settlement in
Somalia. Once you send troops there, I think, you lose a lot of that
neutral role. Secondly, one really doesn't know in this day and age
whether it was Al-Shabaab or whether it was a third force that planted
that horrific bomb in Uganda. And we know when these things happen - in
Madrid, London, New York, the anger, the hysteria and, of course, the
political opportunism it presents, is for the liberty (words indistinct).
Now you have South African troops there, where they are directly in
Somalia, some nutcracker or some third force operation takes place in
South Africa that targets, God forbid, a high-ranking political or
something like that. What you have mentioned, the comfort with which we
practice religion in this country, immediately there would be a public
outcry and a hysterical outcry in the media and you would have a lot of
these social liberties that we take for granted, possi bly fly out of the
window with essentially an whole anti-terror bill and we will see Muslims'
lives change drastically, the freedom with which you can give a lecture at
a Masjid will change. So, I think from all of these points, we all
certainly think it is appropriate that South Africa can choose how to
maintain the status quo, which is essentially what I refer to, and that is
America fighting a proxy war in Somalia. I think we should be sending
messages to government that we really think government should be serious.
And, of course, we have budgetary constraints here as well that we need to
be looking at. We would feel that the potential for bombs by Al-Shabaab,
you know, today, Shafiq, it is so easy to label someone al-Qa'ida-linked
and then you don't have to prove anything, you just claim that they are
terrorists and then you can go and bomb them. The label of
al-Qa'ida-linked is something that is so widely used, but with very little
proof and we know that a lot of the i ntelligence is flawed. So we really
would be urging caution here.
(Morton) So you're saying in essence that in Somalia peace has to be
defined there first, because what we have at the moment is that South
African troops are going into a scenario where peace hasn't quite been
defined, where in fact law and order and peace are defined as a status quo
that doesn't really meet the approval of many of the citizens of the
country that's concerned.
(Suliman) Oh absolutely. What I refer to now, Al-Shabaab or the insurgents
or the fundamentalists are people who haven't been at war, they are people
who just didn't want the occupation of their country and a de facto
US-backed government, and took up the resistance. Like I said, whatever
one thinks of the religious affiliation or religious interpretation, that
country does not deserve to be occupied, nor does it deserve to be run by
what essentially would be Western chosen, an American chosen government.
So if you go ther e preserving, it's like sending peacekeeping troops into
Gaza, you are exactly preserving the status quo and making it easy on the
occupier. We think it would be morally, diplomatically and strategically a
bad move.
(Morton) What do you think should actually be the short term solution in
Somalia to try and get, I don't just like using the words, l a w and
order, that can be interpreted any way that one wants, even peace, but to
get a situation on the ground where the Somalians themselves can start to
work towards a normal lifestyle and a normal political dispensation.
What's the first step?(Suliman) The first step is to stop having American
drones directly bombing Somalia and supplying Ethiopians with arms to
defend, and to have a withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops. I think once you
have that, then one can talk about a peacekeeping neutral force in there
to maintain some sort of stability and law and order and then work to a
constitutional process. That cannot happe n as long as you have foreign
troops there, armed, supplied and funded by the United States.
(Morton) My final question. Do you think that the world also needs to sit
up and ask why do we have Somalian pirates? I've been told by numerous
commentators the reason why a lot of the Somalis have resorted to piracy
is because European countries have been using their seas as a dumping
ground for toxic waste and that fishing fleets from Europe have come and
depleted their waters.
(Suliman) Yes, they have. No, absolutely, especially at the height of
piracy - certainly that is true. It still doesn't justify piracy and
taking hostages, but yes, there is a rationalization to it. Some of it is
pure criminality. I don't think we can dispute that. There is a definite
element of criminality. But you are absolutely right, particularly if you
talk about the fishing, they have been fished out completely. A lot of
them live off fishing, they can't do that anymore and so they res ort to
piracy.
(Morton) Let's hope that the Somalian situation does have a happy ending.
I think the people of Somalia long deserve that. It's been hell for too
many decades. Dr Faizel Suliman from SAMNET advising that his organization
doesn't think it's a good idea for the South African Government to send
so-called peacekeepers to Somalia at the moment. Dr Faizel Suliman, it's
been a pleasure.
(Description of Source: Cape Town Voice of the Cape in English -- Muslim
community radio station controlled by the Muslim Judicial Council of South
Africa)
Ethiopia: Somali Team Discusses Peace, Development Issue With Diaspora in
US
AFP20100810597008 Addis Ababa Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
English 10 Aug 10
(Unattributed report: "Gov't Delegation Holds Discussion With Somali State
Diaspora")
Somali State Diaspora in Minnesota, and Somali State government delegation
led by Abdifitah Sheik Abdullahi, Chairman of the Somali People Democratic
Party (SPDP), held a historic meeting on August 8, 2010 in Minneapolis to
renew their commitment to the peace and development of the Somali State.
Among the hundreds of participants of the conference were scholars,
students, numerous business individuals, and laypersons from almost every
county in the State of Minnesota.
The Minneapolis Conference fully supported the peace accord signed on
07/29/2010 by the Ethiopian Government and the United Western Somali
Liberation Front (UWSLF), and the ongoing peace talks between the
Government and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), in which
Abdifitah has contributed a lot to its success.
The participants discussed ways and means by which their people in the
region could achieve peace, good governance and development.
Participants vehemently welcomed the government's peace program, which is
open to all armed opposition groups in Somali State that shun violence and
respect the cons titution of the country and are willing to join in
building a peaceful Somali State.
They also expressed their support for the government's willingness to talk
to every opposition group about peace.
Good governance is the base of the strategy to achieve stability and
prosperity in Somali State and improvement in this area should not only
increase the confidence of the people in Somali State in their own future,
but also strengthen security improvements and economic and social
development, the participants said.
Somali State Diaspora praised the various activities made by Somali State
government in order to ensure good governance.
Participants greatly welcomed both the Federal and State governments
integrated development agenda in Somali State, which is focused on broad
based economic growth driven by the region's priority programs on
agriculture and rural development, human resources development and
infrastructure development.
They further emphasized that success of these areas depend on the creation
of a strong enabling environment for private sector investment, including
public and private partnerships in social and economic development.
Participants recognized that the development challenges facing the region
require considerable investments and the mobilization of financial
resources from Somali State Diaspora.
Finally, the participants congratulated the newly elected President of
Somali State, Abdi Mohamud Omar. Somali State Diaspora in Minnesota
applauded the huge contributions made in the region's peace and security
by President Abdi Mohamud Omar, and SPDP Chairman, Abdifitah Sheik
Abdullahi. Participants acknowledged their role in building peaceful and
prosperous Somali State.
(Description of Source: Addis Ababa Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
in English -- Website of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; URL:
http://www.mfa.gov.et/ http:/ /www.mfa.gov.et/ )
Hijacked Panama-flagged ship said carrying weapons for Somali Islamists
AFP20100810950020 Asmara OSC Translation on Sub-Saharan Africa in Tigrigna
08 Aug 10
Text of report by Eritrean opposition Assenna.com website on 8 August
A Panama-flagged ship carrying a variety of weapons was hijacked on 2
August 2010 on its was from Pakistan to Eritrea, according to internal
sources.
It has been learnt that the ship, MV-Suez, owned by an Egyptian company
called "Shark-Gat", was hijacked at 5:30 a.m. (local time) on 2 August in
the Gulf of Aden.
Although the Eritrean government is claiming that the ship was ferrying
construction materials, sources privy to the issue say the ship was
carrying modern anti-aircraft missiles, explosives and time bombs sent
from Iran to Al-Shabab (radical Somali Islamist group fighting to
overthrow the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia).
It has been confirmed that the ship, whose hijackers are y et to be known,
was in contact with a member of the Central Command of the Eritrean Navy,
Brig-Gen Ftsum Gebrehiwet. It was supposed to offload its cargo in Massawa
(in eastern Eritrea), after which the weapons would have been channelled
to Al-Shabab which carried out terror attacks in Kampala, Uganda, and
areas bordering Kenya (and Somalia) in recent months.
Al-Shabab, referred to as (Alliance for the) Re-liberation of Somalia by
the Eritrean government, is said to have close links with Al-Qa'idah.
(The Eritrean state media reported this week that the cargo ship was
carrying construction materials from Pakistan to Eritrea, and "more
details will be provided in due course").
Thai Navy Joins Effort To Suppress Piracy in Somalia, To Send Ships to UN,
US
SEP20100810145011 Bangkok Bangkok Post Online in English 10 Aug 10
(By Online reporters: "Thai Navy to join piracy suppression")
(Text disseminated as received witho ut OSC editorial intervention)
The Thai navy is prepared to sent two ships to join the United Nations and
the United States in the suppression of piracy in Somalia, said navy chief
Admiral Kamthorn Poomhiran.
He said the navy is ready in terms of personnel and equipment for the
mission, but is still waiting for cabinet approval.
A source said the navy is interested in taking part in the suppression to
gain experience in an international peace-keeping role. Moreover, Thai
ships had earlier been hijacked by the Somali pirates.
Meanwhile, Col Sithichai Makkunchorn, the spokesman of the Royal Thai
Armed Forces Command, said it was reported to a meeting of the armed
forces commanders on Monday about the army's preparations to dispatch Task
Force 980, a battalion or about 800 of troops, to Darfur, Sudan, to serve
on the United Nations' peace-keeping mission.
Weapons and equipment will be transported by boat to Sudan on Sept 1. They
are expected to arrive in Mukja on Sept 25.
The first group of 397 soldiers will leave for Sudan on a chartered flight
on Oct 25 and the second group of 400 on Nov 23.
(Description of Source: Bangkok Bangkok Post Online in English -- Website
of a daily newspaper widely read by the foreign community in Thailand;
provides good coverage on Indochina. Audited hardcopy circulation of
83,000 as of 2009. URL:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/ http://www.bangkokpost.com.)
PUNTLAND Somali Islamist Radio Reports Heavy Fighting in Puntland's
Galgala Mountains
AFP20100810527007 Baydhabo Radio Andalus in Somali 1000 GMT 08 Aug 10
Heavy fresh fighting today broke out between the mujahidin militia led by
Shaykh Muhammad Said Atom and the apostate militia of Puntland state
(REFERENCE to troops loyal to the government the regional state of
Puntland) in the Galgala Mountains. The fresh fighting followed an attack
carried by the apostate militia group that works for th e Christian
government of Ethiopia, which suffered heavy casualties. Our reporter
Muhammad Hasan Tartiibsade has the details.
(Begin Recording)(Tartiibsade) Reports coming from Galgala mountains say
the fighting erupted this morning in eastern Boosaaso between the apostate
militia group, led by Abdurrahman Faroole (Puntland president), and the
forces of Galgala area (Islamist forces). This morning at around 4:00 am
the fighting erupted between the two sides, which used all kind of weapons
in the fighting. A senior official of the mujahidin side (Islamists),
whose name remains undisclosed, confirmed that they bunt two vehicles and
captured one. He added that they killed 10 militiamen while the rest ran
to Boosaaso town. The Puntland militia retreated and many of their
militiamen were captured by the mujahidin. Ten names of the captured
militia were given to reporters. They are Ahmad Ali Musse, the head of
corruption, Mustafa Gurey, an army inspector, Mohamed Dhe ere and Jamaal
Ciise Kaar, whose titles were not mentioned, as well as Ali Musse, an
inspector, Muhammad Jaamac Ahmad Yusuf, a driver of a wagon known as Abdi
Bile, Muhammad Elmi, Farah Xooje and other officials of Puntland. Report
say the fighting inched closer to Boosaaso town where the apostate militia
suffered serious casualties, which were not reported on the mujahidin
side. The president of Puntland and his militia rejected an effort by
elders to reconcile the two sides and opted to attack the mujahidin in
Galgala area. There have, however, not been independent reports from the
apostate militia and this is the second fighting between the apostate
militia and mujahidin fighters, who have not hidden their intention to
apply the Islamic sharia. (End recording)
(Description of Source: Baydhabo Radio Andalus in Somali -- Al-Shabaab
owned radio station)
Somalia: Puntland Forces Capture Galgala Area From Rival Islamist Group
AFP20100810517001 Shanghai Miisaanka.com in Somali 09 Aug 10
Puntland forces have officially taken over all the areas where they fought
with Shaykh Atam's fighters yesterday (8 August). Independent sources say
that the entire Galgala locality is currently in the hands of Punltand
forces.
The report regarding the capture of the locality was also quoted by the
Puntland forces.
Shaykh Atam's forces, which suffered a big blow yesterday, made no
resistance this morning.
Puntland forces were ordered not to make any halt in their offensive
against Shaykh Atom's fighters until they drive them out of their
hideouts. Puntland forces are still chasing the scattered Atam's fighters
who are said to be hiding in the mountains and valleys in the area.
Shaykh Atam's group are anti-peace and said to be connected to Al-Shabaab,
which is linked to international terrorism and caused trouble in southern
Somalia.
(Description of Source: Shanghai Miisaanka.com in Somali -- Pro Ah l
al-Sunnah group website which usually criticizes Diaspora Somali clerics
for allegedly supporting radical Islamists in Somalia; URL:
http://www.miisaanka.com/ http://www.miisaanka.com )
Somali Islamist vow to fight Puntland forces despite losing ground
AFP20100810950064 Dayniile online in Somali 10 Aug 10
Text of report by Swedish-based Somali Dayniile website on 10 August
The cleric fighting Puntland forces, Shaykh Muhammad Sa'id Atam, has for
the first time spoken about the fighting at his former base, and said that
his fighters have surrounded the mountains in Galgala locality, in
northeastern Somalia.
He said that Puntland forces accompanied by three Americans destroyed a
(Islamic) library in Galgala and even took picture of the library. He said
that the three Americans were part of what he described as part of
counter-terrorism.
Shaykh Atam said that Puntland forces are causing suffering to the
residents of Galgala loca lity and even tortured some of the locals and
burnt farms in the area.
He said that his fighters will recapture Galgala and will continue the
fighting until leaders, who are opposed to the interest of Puntland
people, are driven out of the regional administration. He said these
leaders include President Abdirahamn Muhammad Farole and his deputy
Abdisamad Ali Shire, whom he said work for the enemy of Islam.
Shaykh Atam said that he lost one fighter and three others were wounded,
adding that his group inflicted loses comprising of soldiers and armoured
vehicles to Puntland forces. (Passage indistinct)
It is unclear what impact will the statement made by Shaykh Atam would
have on the fighting in the area at a time when Puntland forces have taken
over Galgala locality from his fighters.
(Description of Source: Dayniile online in Somali -- Swedish based, news
oriented website that appears sympathetic to Somali Islamist insurgents;
URL:
http://ww w.daynille.com/ http://www.daynille.com )
Somalia's Puntland forces conduct operations in Islamists' captured
hideout
AFP20100810950083 Dayniile online in Somali 10 Aug 10
Text of report by Swedish-based Somali Dayniile website on 10 August
Latest reports from Galgala locality, where Puntland forces and the
fighters of Shaykh Muhammad Sa'id Atam clashed, say that Puntland forces
have been conducting security operations after capturing the area from
Atam's fighters yesterday.
Puntland forces were seen in the mountains surrounding Galgala locality
which is located on the outskirts of Puntland's commercial town of
Boosaaso. Puntland soldiers have been conducting security operations since
this morning after Shakyh Atam's fighters left the area.
Puntland forces are said to be accompanied by top officials of the
regional administration and the commanders of Puntland paramilitary force
and PIS (Puntland Intelligence Service). PIS is respons ible for fighting
what is described as terrorists and is supported by the US government. It
is also the most powerful force in Puntland.
Puntland officials currently in Galgala locality told the media that no
arrest has been made so far following the capture of the area from Shaykh
Atam's fighters. The officials said that they will beef up security in the
area to ensure that anti-Puntland forces do no return to the area.
(Description of Source: Dayniile online in Somali -- Swedish based, news
oriented website that appears sympathetic to Somali Islamist insurgents;
URL:
http://www.daynille.com/ http://www.daynille.com )
Somalia: Minister Urges Moderate Islamic Group, Galmudug To Help Fight
Islamists
AFP20100810301001 Markacadey.net in Somali 09 Aug 10
The interim Somali government has called on Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama'a and the
Galmudug (regional) administration to assist the Puntland government in
the fighting taking place in Galgala lo cality.
Minerals and Water Resources Minister Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdid, speaking
at a news conference, said the Galmudug administration and Ahlu Sunnah wal
Jama'a ought to take part in the Islamist-Puntland fighting. The minister
expressed full confidence in the ability of the Puntland government and
its people to defeat what he called anti-peace elements, in reference to
Islamists fighting the Puntland government.
Minireals and Water Resources Minister Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdid's
statement came amid an eruption of fighting between Islamist forces headed
by a cleric named Muhammad Sa'id Atam and the Puntland government.
(Description of Source: Markacadey.net in Somali -- Independent news
website; URL:
http://www.markacadey.net/ http://www.markacadey.net )
Somalia: Puntland Forces Pursue Shaykh Atam, Forces in Galgala Area
AFP20100810517004 Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali 07 Aug 10
Puntland forces are conducting the biggest mil itary movement at Galgala
Mountains, where there is fear of war breaking out. A strong force was
deployed in the mountainous localities of Galgala, where Shaykh Atam, who
has a large number of militants, is hiding.
A senior commander of Puntland forces inspected the areas where the
soldiers have been deployed in the past few hours. The Puntland soldiers
are armed with armoured vehicles and heavy artillery.
The soldiers are said to be moving towards to the large mountainous area.
Confrontation between the two sides can erupt at any time.
The specific area where Shaykh Atam and his fighters are stationed within
the mountains is unknown; however, it is believed that they are based in
the mountains between Sanaag and Bari regions.
The president of Puntland announced that his government will carry out a
major offensive against the group loyal to Shaykh Atam and said that
Puntland forces will kill them in the mountainous areas, where the group
organiz ed the war against Puntland.
(Description of So urce: Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali -- An
independent website which seems to favor the Puntland regional
administration. According to the website it aims to create "public
awareness and disseminate factual reports that will eventually help the
Somali public achieve maturity;" URL:
http://shacabka.net/ http://shacabka.net )
Somalia: Puntland Vice-President Vows To Crush Islamist Leader Atam
AFP20100810532008 Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali 09 Aug 10
The vice-president of Puntland, the current general commander of Puntland
forces taking part in the Galgala offensive, Gen Abdisamad Ali Shire, has
vowed to crush the group leader Shaykh Atam.
Speaking in Boosaaso, the vice-president vowed to conclude the offensive
against Shaykh Atam's group hiding in Galgala Mountains soon. He said that
Puntland forces killed many fighters loyal to Shaykh Atam and boasted that
they are still pursuing the remnants of Atam's fighters.
He said that that Puntland forces are aware of where Shaykh Atam was
hiding and stressed they would capture him soon.
Gen Abdisamad further said that their fighting had began with victory
adding that they will conclude the operation of getting rid of the
supporters of the Shaykh Atam.
Tension is still high in the area and it is feared that it might take
another dimension following statements made by the clan of Shaykh Atam.
(Description of Source: Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali -- An independent
website which seems to favor the Puntland regional administration.
According to the website it aims to create "public awareness and
disseminate factual reports that will eventually help the Somali public
achieve maturity;" URL:
http://shacabka.net/ http://shacabka.net )
Somalia: Puntland Leader Urges Residents to Report Secret Meetings
AFP20100810517006 Kingstone Shacabka.net in Som ali 07 Aug 10
Puntland Regional Administration President Abdirahman Muhammad Farole has
called on the residents of Puntland to inform the authorities' about
people who hold secret meeting with children. He also urged them to report
if they see two people holding a suspicious discussion.
The president who was speaking in a Mosque in Garowe, urged the local
residents to call the telephones numbers on public service vehicles, in
case they see youth holding meetings or two people holding discussions.
The president lashed out at clerics and teachers of Koran Schools and
warned them that action will be taken against them if they do not stop
holding meetings with children.
"Report to the authorities when you see gatherings being held for children
in temporary shelters known as Koran School where they are being taught
terrorism ideology. Likewise, inform the police and security officers if
you see two people holding suspicious meetings. We will so on establish
hotline numbers which every person can call," said the president.
He said that Puntland forces will soon attack Galgala area and urged the
public to evacuate their children from the area.
The president denied that they were fighting a clan based in Galgala and
said that the clan does not have a black flag. He stressed that they were
fighting terrorists.
The statement by the president is the strongest he has made of late. He
made the statement at a time when his government is unable to fight the
prominent cleric called Shaykh Atam.
(Description of Source: Kingstone Shacabka.net in Somali -- An independent
website which seems to favor the Puntland regional administration.
According to the website it aims to create "public awareness and
disseminate factual reports that will eventually help the Somali public
achieve maturity;" URL:
http://shacabka.net/ http://shacabka.net )
Somalia: Puntland Security Authori ties Impose Ban on Carrying of Weapons
AFP20100809631012 Boosaa so Radio Horseed in Somali 1130 GMT 07 Aug 10
The Nugaal Regional administration in Garowe town, the capital of
Puntland, have imposed a new order that bans carrying of weapons within
the town. Our reporter Ajman Ahmed Ciise Turabi has the details.
(Begin Reporting) (Turabi) The government security committee of Puntland
has introduced the law banning the carrying of weapons within the town.
The Nugaal administrator Abdi Xirsi Cali Qarjab said that the aim of this
action was to ensure the security of the Garowe district of Nugaal region.
(Qarjab) The aim of this action is to tighten security in this region and
to counter all insecurity incidents. Can you tell if everybody takes his
own gun and we don't know who is on duty and who is not? That is what we
are avoiding completely.
(Turabi) He added that legal action will be taken against whoever breaks
this order.
(Qarjab) Whoever is caught breaking the order will be disarmed and taken
into custody if he doesn't obey the order.
(Turabi) This order follows the meeting over this issue in Garowe, the
capital of Puntland. (End recording).
(Description of Source: Boosaaso Radio Horseed in Somali - independent)
SOMALILAND Somaliland Elders Call on Government To Pull Its Forces Out of
Buuhoodle
AFP20100810517007 London BBC Somali.com in Somali 09 Aug 10
Somaliland Defense Minister Ahmad Haji Ali Adami said that the government
has not reached any decision to change the current Somaliland military
strategy regarding its forces present in Buuhoodle District of Sool
Region, eastern Somaliland.
Adami's statement follows an interview made by traditional leaders
including sultans from Togdheer and Buuhoodle who concluded a meeting in
Xadh-xadhan locality between Coodninle and Buuhoodle. The elders issued
resolution calling for the pull-out of Somaliland forces ou t of Buuhoolde
area.
The minister said that although the government supports the efforts made
on the crucial peace talks, it is important for them to submit their views
and advise to the government since it is the final decision maker that
could execute any decision.
Among the sultans that took part in the meeting held in Xadh-xadhka were
Sultan Sa'id Usman Ali, who is among the traditional elders from
Buuhoodle, and who explained to (BBC's) Abdinur Shaykh Muhammad the
objective of the meeting and its resolutions.
On the other hand, the Sultans from Burco (Togdheer Region), including
Sultan Mahmud Haji Husayn, who when they returned to Burco town, spoke to
the BBC reporter, Husayn Aw Jibril Hagar, who asked him why such a big
meeting that brought together many sultans remained a secret.
(Description of Source: London BBC Somali.com in Somali -- Text version of
reports carried on the external radio service of the United Kingdom's
public service bro adcaster; URL:
http://www.bbcsomali.com/ http://www.bbcsomali.com )
Attachments:Somalia Highlight Wednesday 11 August 2010.pdf
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
56) Back to Top
Okinawa Local TV Evening News 10 Aug 10
For a copy of the video, contact GSG_GVP_VideoOps@rccb.osis.gov or the OSC
Customer Center at (800) 205-8615. Selected video also available at
OpenSource.gov. - Japan -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:54:03 GMT
No relevant reports.Naha NHK Television in Japanese is the Naha-based
station of Japan's public broadcast network Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK). Naha
OTV Television in Japanese, "OTV Super News" 0917-0955 GMT (1817-1855
local)
Click here to view the streamed video in .wmv formatThe main local news
segment of "OTV Super News" carries as its 2nd story a 1-minute report on
Naha City Mayor Onaga lodging a protest at the Foreign Ministry's Okinawa
Office and the US Consulate General for an alleged sexual assault on a
local woman by a US military service member on 4 August.Naha OTV
Television in Japanese is an affiliate of Fuji Television, part of the
Fuji-Sankei group. Naha RBC Television in Japanese, "RBC THE NEWS"
0915-0955 GMT (1815-1855 local)
No relevant reports.Naha RBC Television in Japanese is affiliated with TBS
Television, which has ties with major daily Mainichi Shimbun. Naha QAB
Television in Japanese, "Station Q" 0928-0953 GMT (1828-1853 local)
No relevant reports.Naha QAB Television in Japanese is an affiliate of TV
Asahi, owned by major daily Asahi Shimbu n.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
57) Back to Top
New US Sanctions 'Weaponless Surgical Strike' Against Kim Jong Il
"Korean Peninsula Watch" column by Ruriko Kubota: "Target of US 'Pinpoint'
Attacks Money Used To Prop Up Kim Jong Il Regime" - Sankei Shimbun Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:56:08 GMT
over the sinking of the ROK warship by the DPRK will soon be reaching
their peak. Following the largest-ever joint US-ROK military exercises in
the Sea of Japan, South Korea started its own anti-submarine exercises in
the Yellow Sea on 5 August. The United States will anno unce soon its list
of targets for economic and financial sanctions, the ultimate focus of the
sanctions being the money used by General Secretary Kim Jong Il to
maintain his rule. The question is what actions North Korea will take to
demonstrate its angry reaction to the sanctions. Pinpoint Attacks
According to a US State Department source, the targets for the new
economic and financial sanctions against North Korea will be "North Korean
trading companies and individuals involved in illicit activities around
the world." The list will be announced soon, and the sanctions "will start
as soon as the list is announced."
In this regard, Robert Einhorn, the State Department's special advisor in
charge of sanctions against Iran and North Korea, has already visited
South Korea and Japan to explain the US sanctions to the governments of
both countries, and he will visit China sometime this month to officially
request the cooperation of the Chinese go vernment.
At a news conference after a meeting between the foreign and defense
ministers of the United States and South Korea (two-plus-two meeting) in
Seoul last month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared that the
target of the additional sanctions will be the "North Korean leadership,
which is advancing illicit and provocative policies." The sanctions will
aim to cut off the supply of funds that prop up the Kim Jong Il regime.
Although they avoided naming names, it is rare for a US cabinet member and
a high-level government official to make such public statements,
indicating that the US government is confident of the force of the new
sanctions.
The sanctions are expected to see the US government issue advisories to
third-country financial institutions holding accounts of targets on the
sanctions list to shut down those accounts. If they do not cooperate, the
US government will warn those institutions that any dealings they have
with US fi nancial institutions will be suspended.
The legal basis for the sanctions is UN Security Council Resolution 1874,
which imposed economic sanctions on North Korea following its nuclear test
in May 2009. Those sanctions block procurement routes of secret or illicit
funds used for North Korea's nuclear development and other uses. The new
US sanctions will be imposed to stop illegal actions such as money
laundering and the circulating of counterfeit currency under orders of the
North Korean government. The scope of the sanctions will aim to extend to
all of the funds used to prop up the regime.
The amount of pressure put on third-country financial institutions may
vary, but if the measures are put into full force, the actions taken
against the Macau-based bank Banco Delta Asia in 2005 will be replicated
around the world. It is possible that the sanctions will go after the
secret accounts held by the Kim Jong Il family in Swiss banks. The
freezing of North Korean ba nk accounts could have a big impact on the
North Korean economy because, depending on the actions against
third-country banks, the sanctions could have a widening impact on North
Korea's legitimate commercial dealings.
Among those involved, these sanctions are called "weaponless surgical
strikes against the Kim Jong Il regime." Since many of the regime's
dubious accounts are in banks in China and Southeast Asia, it appears that
in the end the effectiveness of the sanctions will boil down to haggling
between the United States and China. Wearing Down the North Korean
Military
The United States and South Korea have been ramping up their
demonstrations of the kind of military prowess that could be launched
against North Korea.
On 5 August, the South Korean military began staging large-scale
anti-submarine exercises in the Yellow Sea near the area where the South
Korean naval vessel was sunk. In addition to army, navy, and air force
units, ROK marin e and special forces units are participating in the
exercises. The joint US-ROK Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, an annual
computerized command and control exercise (computer simulation exercise)
that hypothesizes contingencies on the Korean Peninsula, will take place
in the middle of August, and joint US-ROK military exercises are also
scheduled to be held in the Yellow Sea in September.
How much pressure are these military exercises putting on North Korea?
Commented a military affairs expert: "Military exercises can turn into
real warfare once they start. The military is on a footing that is
virtually the same as it is for an actual contingency. Thus the side that
the exercises are being conducted against feels fairly strongly pressured
that 'this could turn into war.' Moreover, once the exercises begin, they
cannot be stopped mid-way." Each time there is an exercise, North Korea
responds by putting its military on a wartime alert, which, the expert
said, "causes considerable economic attrition."
North Korea reacted angrily to the South Korean military exercises begun
on the 5 th, the KPA's western zone command warning, "We will suppress
them with a strong physical counterstrike." However, at this point in
time, the KPA is making no major moves.
Regarding the joint US-ROK military exercises conducted at the end of
July, North Korea's National Defense Commission prognosticated that the
DPRK would start a "retaliatory sacred war based on nuclear deterrence."
The Choso'n Shinbo, the official organ of the General Association of
Korean Residents in Japan, suggested the likelihood of a third DPRK
nuclear test, stating, "North Korea believes that nuclear testing is an
essential step for securing nuclear deterrence."
Will the escalation of tensions and angry reactions force the development
of contacts behind the scenes between North Korea and the United States
and So uth Korea? Or will they induce military action by North Korea? The
answers to those questions are not known now, but there is apprehension
that these rising tensions could cause some kind of accidental collision.
The United States' position has consistently been that it will "absolutely
protect our allies." The US State Department source says there is "another
message" included in this.
Said the source: "The implication is the importance of Okinawa for the
United States, the importance of US interests in Asia. That is the message
to Japan, but the response of the Japanese government appears to be dull."
(Description of Source: Tokyo Sankei Shimbun Online in Japanese -- Website
of daily published by Fuji Sankei Communications Group; URL:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com)Attachments:Sankei7Aug--ChosenHanto.pdf
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
58) Back to Top
China Economic News in Brief: Jiangsu Textile Exports; Xiamen Port
Turnover; Baotou Rare Earth Trading Center
Xinhua: "China Economic News in Brief: Jiangsu Textile Exports; Xiamen
Port Turnover; Baotou Rare Earth Trading Center" - Xinhua
Tuesday August 10, 2010 07:52:02 GMT
BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The following are China economic news items
in brief.
JIANGSU TEXTILE EXPORTS UPEast China's Jiangsu Province exported 1.12
billion U.S. dollars worth of textiles, clothing and accessories in the
first half, a rise of 28.9 percent year on year, according to the customs
house in the provincial capital of Nanjing.The total included 710 million
U.S. dol lars worth of textiles, up 40.6 percent, and 410 million dollars
worth of clothing and accessories, up 12.8 percent.In the first half,
Jiangsu sold 220 million U.S. dollars worth of textiles and clothing to
the United States, up 46.2 percent, 170 million dollars worth to the
European Union, up 1.3 percent, and 150 million dollars to Japan, down 0.9
percent.The value of the province's exports to ASEAN members soared 93.8
percent to 83.84 million U.S. dollars.XIAMEN POSTS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN
PORT CARGO TURNOVERXiamen, a major port in east China's Fujian Province,
handled 60.68 million tonnes of cargoes in the first half, a rise of 20.88
percent year on year, according to the local port administration
authority.The port handled 2.74 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of
containers, up 28.22 percent.The port saw its international trans-shipping
business increase sharply. It had 188,000 TEUs of containers
trans-shipped, representing a year-on-year growth of 740 percent an d
surpassing the 175,000 TEUs for the whole of last year.Xiamen recorded
160,000 TEUs of containers directly transported to Taiwan in the first
half, up 15.91 percent year-on-year.N. CHINA BAOTOU TO LAUNCH RARE EARTH
TRADING CENTERBaotou, a city known for its rich rare earth resources in
China, is preparing to build a national rare earth trading center.The
proposed trading center, which is planned to start operation at the
beginning of 2011, will provide a market-driven pricing mechanism for rare
earth products, said Ren Fu, director of Baotou Rare-Earth Development
Area's administrative committee.Baotou, located in north China's Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region, accounts for 87 percent of China's rare earth
reserves and 50 percent of the nation's exports.The world's largest rare
earth producer, exporter and consumer, China provides 95 percent of the
global rare earth demand, though its reserves only account for the 25 to
30 percent of the world's rare earth resources, said Lin Donglu, secretary
general of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths.(Description of Source:
Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for
English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
59) Back to Top
Foreign Donors Send Relief Items Not Cash for Flood Victims
Report by Mehtab Haider: "Pakistan fails to get foreign aid in cash for
flood victims" - The News Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:38:56 GMT
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has not received even a single penny from multilateral
and bilateral donors in shape of hard cash for providi ng emergency
assistance to the worst-ever flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Sindh and the Punjab, it is learnt.
Although, Pakistan has so far remained unable to generate foreign
assistance in the shape of hard cash but Islamabad is going to request the
United Nations for flash appeal of $400 million to $500 million for
helping authorities to undertake relief phase for the flood-affected areas
in the next couple of days.
Out of total commitment of $94.8 million from all donors for providing
emergency rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit areas, Islamabad has
got assistance in the shape of goods and services only and no hard cash is
so far available to the PPP-led regime due to a variety of reasons,
including trust deficit being cited as major impediment in the way of
receiving money.
According to assessment done by UN, the number of people suffering from
the massive floods in Pakistan could exceed the combined total in three
recent mega dis asters -- the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir
earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It further stated that Pakistan
would require billions of dollars to undertake relief and reconstruction
of flood-affected areas.
However, the authorities of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) are not
yet clear whether the committed amount of $94.8 million from the donors is
part of the ongoing lending programmes or it is additional money keeping
in view the devastated flood hit the country in its history. Except
Islamic Development Bank (IDB), no other donor has even bothered to commit
any hard cash.
"The IDB has committed $10 million in shape of loan, which Islamabad is
going to receive after completing all required procedures," a senior
official disclosed to The News after attending a high-level meeting
chaired by Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh here on Monday.
When contacted, spokesman of the Economic Affairs Division here on Mon day
confirmed that out of total $94.8 million committed assistance, Pakistan
is going to receive $22 million through UN system, $60 million in shape of
goods and services and $10 million in the shape of loan from the IDB.
According to official data prepared by EAD, USA has committed $10 million,
Saudi Arabia $10 million, EU $10 million, Japan $3.23 million, UN $22
million, IDB $10 million (loan), $1 million from IDB for relief operation
and the UK $10 million.
When contacted, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar,
told The News that the emergency assistance usually received in shape of
goods and services and hard cash started pouring in at the stage of relief
operation.
"We are going to request the UN for flash appeal to undertake relief
operation for which Pakistan will have to seek around $400 to $500 million
assistance on immediate basis," she added. She said the earthquake of 2005
had hit only nine districts of the count ry but severity of the recent
flood was huge.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -- Website of
a widely read, influential English daily, member of the Jang publishing
group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of domestic and
international issues. Usually offers leading news and analysis on issues
related to war against terrorism. Circulation estimated at 55,000; URL:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
60) Back to Top
India Wonders Whether Obama To Skip Pakistan Altogether During Nov Asia
Trip
Report by Ramesh Ramachandran: "Will Obama do a Carter on Pak? India
Wonders" - The Asian Age Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:21:41 GMT
New Delhi -- Will Barack Obama do a Jimmy Carter? The question is
uppermost in the minds of many in India and Japan, but for entirely
different reasons.
As the 44th President of the US gets ready for an Asian tour in November
which will take him to India, South Korea and Japan, Indians are asking
whether Mr Obama will, like Mr Carter before him, skip Pakistan
altogether, or will he go the way of Mr Bill Clinton, who spent five days
here and five hours in Islamabad?The Japanese, on the other hand, would
want to know whether Mr Obama will indeed visit Hiroshima when he travels
to Yokohama for the annual Apec summit. The unprecedented presence of the
US ambassador to Japan at the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima
has raised hopes that Mr Obama might become the first sitting US President
to visit the city after Mr Carter visited Hiroshima's peace mus eum in
1984, after his term had ended.
Neither New Delhi nor Washington has officially announced the dates for Mr
Obama's visit, but it is expected to take place in the second week of
November. All the Republican Presidents to have visited India -- George W.
Bush in 2006, Richard Nixon in 1969 and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1959 --
travelled to Pakistan, too. In contrast, Democrat Presidents have been
discerning. While Mr Clinton spent five days in India and five hours in
Islamabad in 2000, Mr Carter skipped Pakistan altogether in 1978.
The details of American presidential visits are kept secret because of
security considerations, more so when the destinations are places such as
Pakistan or Afghanistan. Either the announcement is made closer to the
date of travel or after the visit is concluded. So Mr Obama might still
transit Pakistan, but his calendar is tight.
(Description of Source: New Delhi The Asian Age Online in English --
Website of the independent daily with good coverage of security issues.
Harshly critical of US policies, run by T. Venkattram Reddy. Circulation
estimated at 244,317, with an elite audience; URL:
http://www.asianage.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
61) Back to Top
RF MoD Budget of R2.025 Trillion for 2013 Analyzed, Spending Methods
Criticized
Article by Vladimir Kalinin under rubric "Realities": "Military Financial
Dead End: Defense Ministry Will Get a Substantial Addition to the Budget,
but Seemingly Does Not Know Where To Spend It" - Nezavisimoye Voyennoye
Obozreniye Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:17:59 GMT
On 29 July last week the RF Government approved basic characteristics of
the federal budget for 2011, which were stated publicly at a Budget
Planning Commission session a day earlier. The figure of R2.025 trillion
was like music to the ears for Anatoliy Serdyukov. That was how much the
military department will get in 2013.
As a reference, budget expenditures under the "National Defense" section
are R1.264 trillion in 2010. It has not yet been announced how they will
grow in 2011 and 2012, but in an interview at the Farnborough Aerospace
Show, First Deputy RF Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin told journalists
that the amount of State Armaments Program funding will be R20 trillion
over the next 10 years. Journalists immediately calculated that the
government plans to spend an average of R2 trillion annually on defense,
but probably with a gradual increase.
We will hope this money will not go to pay for the latest repairs to th e
building on Znamenka in Moscow, for imported furniture made of valuable
species of wood for Mr. Serdyukov, and for generals' uniforms from leading
Russian fashion designers. Calculations and Reflections
To begin with let us look into how big this figure appears in the eyes of
military officials themselves. It did not seem as big to Acting Chief of
RF Armed Forces Armaments Lieutenant-General Oleg Frolov back at the
beginning of June as it did to simple taxpayers. The general would like to
receive R3.6 trillion annually to procure arms and military equipment.
We know generals' appetites grow in disproportion to capacities of the
country's economy, so the government has to constantly readjust them. But
it simply is sinful to spend so much on Armed Forces that are shrinking
like shagreen before our eyes. It was not by chance that Deputy Chairman
of the Military Industrial Commission under the RF Government Vladislav
Putilin was against increasing defense exp enditures, motivating his
position by the fact that the Defense Ministry does not know what to spend
budgetary money on. We will recall that he was talking about the previous
amount of R1.264 trillion.
In the course of a month the military department evidently quickly drew up
a cost estimate and submitted it to the Budgetary Planning Commission for
consideration. The military obviously also included in the substantiation
for the growth in their own expenditures the results of recent Exercise
Vostok-2010, presented to the Supreme Commander as an outstanding
achievement in bringing the "new look" to the RF Armed Forces.
At one time Mikhail Kozhukhov, press secretary for Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin, put it this way in the interview "I See No Options": "He (Putin --
V.K.) is forced to rely on what the military report to him.
"As we all know, they are inclined to lie to public opinion, conceal
losses, and embellish their vict ories. That is how it always has been, at
any rate for the extent of my conscious life."
Such generals' gimmicks are even more difficult to figure out for current
Supreme Commander Dmitriy Anatolyevich Medvedev, who has not served a day
in the Armed Forces. So seemingly everything shown to him in Exercise
Vostok-2010 made a very strong impression on the Supreme Commander, and he
could promise an increase in the Defense Ministry budget with ease.
There are many petrodollars in our country, and it is not especially
difficult to increase the budget of any department. What to spend this
money on so there is both a benefit to the Armed Forces and consequently
also protection for the state is another matter.
We start from an addition to the Def ense Ministry budget in 2011
amounting most likely to R125 billion. As a matter of fact, at first
glance this does not seem to be a very big addition compared with other
state expenses such as for public health and agriculture, where figures
are another order of magnitude. But the base budget in the social sphere
pales in comparison with the defense budget; it is enormously less.
Therefore the very addition of hundreds of billions of rubles will improve
the state of affairs in these spheres only by a little.
It is another matter to compare with commensurable sectors: Air Force with
civil aviation, Navy with civilian shipbuilding, military with civilian
space.
It is planned to spend most, R75.8 billion, on peaceful space, in second
place civilian aviation at R32 billion (a 45% increase), in third place
science (R21.6 billion, an increase of 2.9 times), in fourth place
development of the electronic component base and electronics (13 billion),
and in fifth place civilian shipbuilding (10.3 billion, a 50% growth).
Financial and Organizational Issues
It is unknown how much money has been allocated to the Air Force to
procure new aircraft, but based on overall exp enditures, it too will be
clearly insufficient to implement the enormous number of plans of military
pilots. They already have nothing to fly. Military experts declared
earlier that under a contract allegedly signed back in 2009, funding will
begin in 2010 for procurement of 60 Su-35, Su-30, and Su-27 fighters for
R80 billion overall and 32 Su-34 bombers (the contract is valued at
approximately R35.2 billion). The bottom line is an amount enormously
greater than R125 billion. But the aircraft enumerated represent only a
small -- albeit the most expensive -- part of the bulk of arms and
military equipment the Air Force needs today.
Speaking to Black Sea Fleet command personnel in Sevastopol, CINC Navy
Admiral Vladimir Vysotskiy stated that R31 billion had been allocated for
laying down submarines and surface ships for the Navy. Is this a lot or a
little? Everything is comparative. For example, the cost of building three
Project 11356 missile frigates for the Ind ian Navy is approximately $1.1
billion, i.e., R33.2 billion. If we build three new frigates for
ourselves, money for the shipbuilding program will come to an end.
And the fact is that plans also are being hatched to build two brigades of
Project 677 Lada diesel submarines. True, the talk for now is only about
two divisions of four submarines each. The lead "unit" is Sankt-Peterburg.
The report of her acceptance into the Navy finally was signed on 22 April
of this year after long years of ordeals connected with remedying
construction deficiencies. Another two submarines, Kronshtadt and
Sevastopol, are on the ways in different degrees of readiness. But money
still is needed for building five new nuclear submarines at Severodvinsk,
for modernizing the three Project 1144 Orlan nuclear-powered missile
cruisers Admiral Nakhimov, Admiral Lazarev, and Admiral Ushakov (she
definitely never will be repaired, having been turned into a pile of
radioactive scrap me tal long ago), not counting expenditures for
repairing and maintaining the technical readiness of ships and submarines
included in the Navy.
Four years ago the CINC Navy (at that time this position was held by
Admiral Vladimir Masorin) stated that in the next 15-20 years it was
planned to build a series of 20 modern Project 22350 frigates, five for
each fleet. That is, we already should have a minimum of four frigates,
each costing from $320 to $400 million. But where are they now? They do
not exist. In the future the CINC Navy did not exclude construction of
"one or two aircraft carriers." Specifically "one or two." That is how
they put it in a store: "Wrap up a couple of pirozhki for me." There is no
harm in dreaming, of course, but it is better to do this in early
childhood.
We now have over 60 ships and vessels of various types and displacements
in construction or repair. We also will be able to purchase the dock
landin g ship Mistral in exchange for some kind of preferences provided to
us by France, and order another two similar ships, although they will not
cost us a half-billion, as some of the mass media have written, but
enormously more. Only why feed foreign shipbuilding companies and the
state budget of another country or purchase our own morally obsolete arms
and military equipment? The fact is, there is nothing new. For example, we
will buy the dock landing ship in France, unmanned aerial vehicles from
Israel, avionics for aircraft from Great Britain, and the electronic base
for military space equipment from the United States. And in the final
account what kind of weapons will the Russian Armed Forces get? Problems
and Pitfalls
So it turns out that Deputy Chairman of the Military Industrial Commission
under the RF Government Vladislav Putilin, who spoke against an increase
of defense expenditures, is right.
Indeed, before spending money one has to understand what we wish to arm
the Armed Forces with. The present state of industry, particularly machine
building, does not allow providing the Armed Forces with modern armament.
They were building the diesel-electric submarine Sankt-Peterburg for 12
years and were unable to build her as originally conceived.
We have been building the Project 885 multipurpose nuclear submarine Yasen
for over 16 years, inasmuch as first we cannot create a new complex, then
we cannot "fit" the systems in, then there simply is nowhere to purchase
new-generation electronics. Be that as it may, the situation on remote
posts is more important for the Armed Forces than what is happening in
high-level offices; photo PhotoXpress.RU
The long-suffering Bulava refuses to fly. This year it was nominated for
the "Serebryanaya kalosha" (Silver Muddle) prize, presented for the most
dubious achievements in show business. Twelve test launches turned into a
real show and now the "au dience" is waiting for the next one, the 13th
(spare me!), planned for the period from 9 through 12 August. We do not
have long to wait to find out yet another time whether a tragedy or farce
is being played out on the way to Kura Range on Kamchatka. If the 13th
launch is successful, tests will continue, but if Bulava again displays
its weakness, then doubt may be cast on the entire missile building
program and even on its revision in favor of liquid-propellant ballistic
missiles.
But is Bulava itself at fault for its failures if first its fuel lines
crack -- they were made of the wrong metal, then rotational springs of the
nozzles crumble like glass -- again, they used the wrong make of metal for
the springs, but the necessary make is not being produced. And so it is
from "trifles" that an overall picture is assembled of the inability of
our industry, above all that of defense enterprises that have passed into
private hands, to produce those product s that indeed are required to
create new arms and military equipment.
It was sufficient to visit the first international forum "Technologies in
Machine Building-2010," which more resembled a show than an exhibition of
innovations and achievements in technologies. "Waltzing" tanks and
boogeyman-jeeps, whose engines operate without oil, like Zepter dishware
in which it is possible to fry without oil and cook without salt -- the
value of these "innovations" is not great. And is it possible to call what
was shown to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh innovations? The guest
was shown the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (in the inventory since
1990), T-90A (a T-90 modification) and T-90S (T-90 export ve rsion) tanks,
and the T-80U tank being manufactured back in the Soviet Union (in the
inventory since 1976). The integrated amphibious BTR-80 armored personnel
carrier presented at the exhibition was created in the 1980's. The Buk
M-12 self -propelled SAM complex is only a modified Buk which they began
to create almost 38 years ago!
A static exposition showed 23 pieces of combat equipment presented by the
RF Defense Ministry and 25 models from equipment-manufacturing enterprises
that just did not make it to the Armed Forces for various reasons,
including very unpleasant ones for the manufacturers of this equipment.
The Defense Ministry budget should not be increased now until the system
for funding and crediting the State Defense Order has been adjusted. A
Sorry Outcome
If enterprises do produce military equipment and arms now, they do so
almost in single copies. In contrast to series products, such "piece
goods" demand enormous additional outlays for training and technical
retooling not only of the general contractor, but also of subcontractors,
for which they clearly are not prepared. Joint-stock -- read "private" --
enterprises raise prices on materials and completi ng parts annually,
since they are not regulated by the state and are not even registered by
the state client and RF Federal Tariff Service (FST). Monopolists take
advantage of the situation to make a bigger killing. As a result, the cost
of any model of military equipment turns out to be higher than the initial
cost by the end of construction or repair. This is brought on by
indexation, undocumented work, expenditures to purchase additional
equipment, warranty servicing, extension of warranties, and payments under
licensing agreements.
The Defense Ministry, however, does not want to take note of economic
conditions and reasons for end product appreciation. Moreover, the
military department refuses to comply with that procedure for forming,
coordinating, and registering prices specified by the instruction and
order of Minekonomiki (Ministry of the Economy) and Minpromenergo
(Ministry of Industry and Energy). The Defense Ministry has one argument:
outlays must not exceed amounts envisaged by the State Armaments Program.
While acknowledging the very fact of annual inflation, the military
department refuses to index the unpaid portion of the State Defense Order
in terms of deflators, which is recommended by Minfin (Finance Ministry)
and Minekonomrazvitiya (Ministry of Economic Development and Trade). The
Defense Ministry substituted itself both for Minfin and Minekonomrazvitiya
by establishing its own understated deflators. The matter also is
complicated by the fact that the military department pays for the defense
order based on delivery of the "commodity." Military people pretend never
to have heard about it when they are reminded that the production cost of
a finished product includes expenses for bank interest on credit that must
be taken for anticipatory targeted funding. Enterprises which were
fortunate to wangle a state defense order must make do with their own
resourcefulness, as they say.
Perhaps thi s is why it takes decades to build our ships and aircraft, and
those ending up in repair in the final account are sent "to be scrapped"
in order to settle with the workers from earnings from the sale of scrap
metal? It is well that we have such odious figures as Chubays and
Serdyukov. They have become the object of national indignation. But are
they the only ones at fault for the collapse of the Army and Navy? No,
they are not warm and fuzzy, but somehow one cannot believe that two
people can run the Armed Forces into the ground.
So it turns out that industrial enterprises are not interested in getting
a state defense order that is complicated to fulfill. And it is also more
advantageous for workers to manufacture plastic dishware, for example,
than the electronic innards of modern tanks.
We prefer not to delve into these trivia, though, but to argue about
future innovative breakthroughs. With such tendencies, the nanotanks and
nanoaircraft abou t which ditties already are being sung possibly soon
will appear in our Armed Forces. And in the near future our Armed Forces
will receive the full right to be called a nanoarmy.
P.S. Continuing the radical reform of the Armed Forces, which must learn
to spend money only on effective business projects, Serdyukov recently
announced that Russia will reduce the strength level of Black Sea Fleet.
(Description of Source: Moscow Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye Online in
Russian -- Website of weekly military newspaper published by Remchukov's
Nezavisimaya Gazeta; URL: http://nvo.ng.ru/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
62) Back to Top
Hun Sen Orders Cambodian Provincial Governors To Adhere to 'One-China
Policy'
Report by Meng Chhai: "Cambodia Reiterates the Implementation of One-China
Policy" - Reaksmei Kampuchea
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:02:35 GMT
At a ceremony to disseminate the democratic development program at the
sub-national level for 2010-2019 on Monday morning 9 August 2010, and in
front of charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Cambodia, Samdech
Decho Hun Sen pointed out that we implement a one-China policy; Taiwan is
only a province of the People's Republic of China.
The clarification by the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia was made
as a verbal order for governors of provinces and cities nationwide
concerning the one-China policy which Cambodia has been adopting.
Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen added that Taiwan has repeatedly requested
the opening of a representative office in Cambodia. So, on this is sue I
would like to specify that even at the coming national day of Taiwan,
hosting Taiwanese flag in various provinces on Cambodian territory is
absolutely not allowed. All provincial governors have to be careful on
this matter; otherwise, they will be removed immediately.
With that announcement by the samdech head of the Royal Government, he
also talked about the transfer of some power from minister level to
sub-national level. This power, however, is not for provincial or city
governors to set up a republic or federation, or to have the right to set
up an armed force, or to accommodate foreign ambassadors.
Samdech Hun Sen pointed out that the transfer of power from minister to
provincial governor concerns only some autonomous power dealing with some
points only. You do not have the right to set up a separate armed force,
send ambassadors or consul officials, or to call on Taiwan to set up a
representative office in your province.
The island of Taiw an has been trying to separate itself from the Chinese
administration with the backing of the United States.
It should be pointed out that the one-China policy has been frequently
reiterated by the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia. With
Cambodia's policy, the Beijing government has decided to give a lot of
financial aid to Cambodia, and especially to sustain the heroic father of
the Cambodian nation Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.
The diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China was set up in the era
of Sangkum Niyum of Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk with Chinese Prime
Minister Zhou Enlai (Romanized name as published) in July 1958.
In December 2009, China decided to provide around $1,200 million loans to
the Cambodian government to develop infrastructure, roads, and bridges
when Cambodia deported 20 ethnic Uighurs back to China. The ethnic Uighurs
were accused of causing violence against ethnic Han Chinese in Xinjiang
autonomous region in mi d-2009.
(Description of Source: Phnom Penh Reaksmei Kampuchea in Cambodian One
of the oldest and most widely read pro-government daily newspapers. Title
translates as "Light of Cambodia." Circulation between 15,000 and 20,000.)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
63) Back to Top
US Says DPRK Artillery Fire Killed 'a Lot of' Fish
Unattributed article: "U.S. Says N.Korean Artillery Fire 'Killed a Lot of
Fish'" - Chosun Ilbo Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 03:43:43 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Chosun Ilbo Online in English -- English
website carrying English sum maries and full translations of vernacular
hard copy items of the largest and oldest daily Chosun Ilbo, which is
conservative in editorial orientation -- strongly nationalistic,
anti-North Korea, and generally pro-US; URL: http://english.chosun.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
64) Back to Top
Smart Yet Resolute Reaction - JoongAng Daily Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:08:00 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - North Korea's provocation against South Korea has gone
far beyond the level of what's permissible. Without warning, North Korea
fired more than 100 rounds of artillery near the Northern Limit Line, the
maritime border in the Yellow Sea. More than 10 of those shells landed in
the waters south of the NLL - the first time since the Korean War that
shells have landed on our side of the border. The attack appears to have
been a carefully calculated one, as it occurred immediately following the
conclusion of our military exercises in the Yellow Sea.
North Korea's seizure of a fishing boat on Sunday also appears to be an
attempt to use the nine fishermen aboard the ship as hostages, because the
North Korean patrol boat sailed a long distance to tow it away.All of
these actions seem aimed at shaking up the hard-line stance of our
government and inciting internal chaos in this country.North Korea has
already labeled our defensive drill as a "military exercise for invasion,"
raising the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula. Under the
circumstances, it is possible that the North intends to create a crisis in
the South through a series of provocations. For example, by firing shells
in the waters below the NLL, it may be seeking an excuse for a more
serious provocation, because it knows that an action such as that could
trigger a reaction from the South. Then, if a regional clash were to break
out, the North could hold the South responsible. It is possible that the
North believes that such an action will allow it to avoid responsibility
for the sinking of our naval warship Ch'o'nan (Cheonan).When the Korean
War broke out, the North's military was superior to ours. But now our
military retains an overwhelming advantage over the North, thanks to our
strong alliance with the United States. Therefore, the possibility that a
war will break out, which the North has repeatedly threatened, is slim,
because the North knows that they will be defeated in the end. Still, we
should take precautions for the possibility that the North will resort to
its signature strategy by provoking a direct military clash in areas,
including the waters around the NLL.To do that, we should be fully
prepared to counter any provocations by the North, while not allowing
ourselves to be exploited by its deliberate scheme. For instance, it would
be unnecessary for us to launch a counterattack in response to the recent
shelling because we did not incur substantial damage. But in cases like
the Ch'o'nan (Cheonan) sinking, which inflicted direct damage on us, we
need to respond aggressively.This is the time for the government to show
North Korea a nimble, discreet and resolute reaction to future
provocations.(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in
English -- Website of English-language daily which provides
English-language summaries and full-texts of items published by the major
center-right daily JoongAng Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed
as an insert to the Seoul edition of the International Herald Tribune;
URL: http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
65) Back to Top
Is China a Guardian of North Korea?
"Viewpoint" column by Park Sung-soo, a visiting professor of media studies
at Myongji University: "Is China a Guardian of North Korea?" - JoongAng
Daily Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:12:01 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website
of English-language daily which provides English-language summaries and
full-texts of items published by the major center-right daily JoongAng
Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert to the Seoul
edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL: http://joon
gangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
66) Back to Top
Lessons From The Korean Diaspora
"Viewpoint" column by Song Ho-keun, a professor of sociology at Seoul
National University and Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "Lessons
From The Korean Diaspora" - JoongAng Daily Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:00:54 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website
of English-language daily which provides English-language summaries and
full-texts of items published by the major center-right daily JoongAng
Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert to the Seoul
edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
67) Back to Top
DPRK Radio Reports on 10 Aug DPRK-US Senior Colonel-Level Contact in
P'anmunjo'm
Unattributed report carried as the 10th of 16 items in newscast - Korean
Central Broadcasting Station
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:17:03 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station in
Korean -- DPRK state-run domestic radio network)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by th e
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
68) Back to Top
DPRK Notes Need To Create 'Peaceful Atmosphere' on US, ROK Military
Exercises
Special article by reporter Song Yo'ng-so'k: "Exercises for a War of
Northward Aggression Can Never Be Justified"; The author's title in the
byline provided by KPM may be different from that which appears in hard
copy; For assistance with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer
Center at (800) 205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Rodong Sinmun
(Electronic Edition)
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:44:29 GMT
aimed at aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula to an extreme
and then lighting the fuse of a war of northward agg ression -- are
becoming more reckless with the passage of time. After the South Korean
belligerent forces staged the largest-ever combined naval drills in
history against our Republic in the East Sea of Korea (Sea of Japan) with
the United States under the pretext of the incident of the warship
"Ch'o'nan," the puppet forces have frantically staged anti-submarine
drills on their own in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) of Korea, and in this
course the danger of the outbreak of a war of northward aggression has
increased to an extreme point on the Korean peninsula. Approximately 4,500
troops of the puppet Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, 29 warships
of all types, including destroyers, submarines, and patrol ships, and
approximately 50 fighters such as "F-15K" and "KF-16" were committed to
the war exercise staged in the West Sea of Korea from 5 through 9 August.
The puppet warmongers were heated up in staging a naval bombardment drill,
torpedo-f iring, depth bomb- and mine-dropping drills, a surface gun
firing drill, and an air strike drill with the emphasis of the exercise on
enhancing the joint operational capability of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force. What is even graver is the fact that the warmongers, during the war
exercise staged this time, frantically staged even ground, sea, and
underwater firing drills to carry out strikes on us in the waters near the
five islands in the West Sea of Korea, where the two sides -- the North
and the South -- are standing in acute military confrontation. The fire
game racket that the South Korean puppets have kicked up this time is an
intolerable challenge to our dignity and sovereignty, and this, as a
deliberate and premeditated act of military provocation aimed at further
aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula and provoking a second
Korean war, is evoking surging rage and vigilance from our army and
people.
The South Korean belligerent forces, in order to h ide the graveness of
their acts of military provocations and to mislead public opinion,
gibbered that the drills staged this time were the "defensive drills"
aimed at enhancing "responsive capability" against someone else's
"asymmetric provocations." However, with anything, the puppets can never
conceal the aggressive and provocative nature of the war exercise racket
they kicked up this time and can never escape the responsibility for
bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the threshold of a war.
Under no circumstances can exercises for a war of northward aggression be
justified.
The fact that, as part of the "military countermeasures" against the
incident of the warship "Ch'o'nan," the South Korean authorities have
staged the largest-ever joint naval war exercise in history against our
Republic is, in itself, a blatant military threat and provocation to us.
It is becoming clearer every day th at the so-called "result of the
investigation" into the incident of the sinking of the warship is an
anti-Republic smear forgery that the South Korean puppets have fabricated
in conspiracy with the United States. Neither in South Korea nor in the
United Nations the "result of the investigation" into the incident of the
sinking of the warship has received credence, and discussions are underway
between the DPRK and the United States to probe into the truth of the
incident. Nonetheless, after staging the largest-ever combined naval
drills in history with the US imperialist forces of aggression by linking
the incident of the sinking of the warship with us in a far-fetched manner
and by challenging public opinions at home and abroad, the South Korean
authorities have staged a puppet forces' independent joint naval war
exercise; this cannot but be a reckless, absurd act by those who are going
haywire in confrontation and war.
Moreover, the fact that th e puppet military selected the area where the
warship "Ch'o'nan" sank as a theater for the war exercise, and the
dangerous fire game commotion was kicked up in the waters near the five
islands in the West Sea of Korea where the two sides -- the North and the
South -- are standing in acute military confrontation is a deliberate
provocation. By this, the South Korean warmongers have laid bare without
qualms their dangerous, wicked plot to militarily confront us and not to
hesitate to provoke a war of northward aggression by linking the
slanderous incident of the sinking of the warship with us to the end and
by using this as a pretext. The situation shows that the large-scale war
exercise racket that the puppets kicked up in the West Sea of Korea was
not a "defensive exercise" but a deliberate act of military invasion aimed
at lighting the fuse of a war of northward aggression.
Exercises for a war of northward aggression are a main factor that heigh
tens tension and disturbs peace on the Korean peninsula.
Today, the situation on the Korean peninsula is more acute than ever
before, because of the atrocious anti-Republic, confrontational maneuvers
perpetrated by the belligerent forces within and without. On the Korean
peninsula where a touch-and-go danger of a war is looming over, a more
crucially and urgently growing issue than any other is the creation of a
peaceful atmosphere. No issue can be correctly resolved between the two
sides in the tense situation where a war may break out at any time.
The provocative fire game rackets -- which the South Korean ruling forces
have successively kicked up against the other side -- show that they do
not desire reducing tension on the Korean peninsula and peace there but
are scheming to realize their wild ambition for northward aggression in
conspiracy with the United States.
(After) More than half a century, the situation on the Korean peninsula
has remained in the state of neither war nor peace. After the emergence of
the pro-US, conservative Lee Myung-bak (Yi Myo'ng-pak, Ri Myo'ng-pak)
"regime" in South Korea, North-South relations -- which had been favorably
developing since 15 June (the 15 June North-South Joint Declaration) --
have deteriorated all of a sudden and have entered the worst phase
following the incident of the sinking of the warship. The war exercise
rackets for northward aggression, which are kicked up under such
circumstances, are further aggravating the situation on the Korean
peninsula, which is already in a crisis, and bringing about a grave
consequence of increasing the danger of a nuclear war.
Exercises for a war of northward aggression are an anti-reunification act
of crime that throws cold water on the nation's ardent desire for
reunification and intensifies confrontation among fellow countrymen.
Historically, all the exercises for a war of northward aggression, which
have been staged in South Korea, have served as a factor that intensifies
North-South confrontation and tension and hampers the fatherland's
reunification. It is a well-known fact that, whenever our nation's ardent
desire for reunification had grown, the warmongers within and without
frantically staged large-scale war exercises in order to intentionally
make the situation tenser and to hamper the resolution of the
reunification issue. The large-scale rackets of a war of northward
aggression -- which the South Korean puppets have successively kicked up
despite the unanimous opposition and condemnations at home and abroad --
are the deliberate and premeditated provocations aimed at blocking the
road to dialogue and peace and further aggravating North-South relations.
History clearly shows that all the military exercises staged in South
Korea, regardless of their forms, have aggravated North-South relations
and created grave obstacles to Korea's independent and peaceful
reunification .
The South Korean puppet warmongers are raving that they will kick off the
"Ulchi Freedom Guardian" joint military exercise with the United States on
16 August, and that they are planning to stage the same war exercises as
those staged in the East Sea and the West Sea every month. Regarding these
war exercises, too, they are advertising that the exercises are done to
demonstrate the so-called "alliance" with the United States and to deter
"provocations." But this is a shameless sophistry.
Our army and people are currently keeping a sharp eye on every move of the
United States and the puppet warmongers, and they will crush the provokers
and their strongholds in their entirety with the merciless strikes that
defy imagination, should there be even the slightest attempt to provoke a
war of northward aggression. Preemptive strike is not the warmongers'
monopoly. In the situation in which the puppet warmongers are regarding
the prov ocation of a war of northward aggression as an irreversible fact
and are successively kicking up fire game rackets, we, at any time when it
is due and with our own style of a sacred retaliatory war, which is based
on the nuclear deterrent, will clearly show what the real taste of a war
really is to those who are restive with the fever of war.
By looking squarely at our will, the United States and the South Korean
puppets should not run recklessly but should do away with reckless fire
game rackets.
(Description of Source: Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun (Electronic Edition) in
Korean -- Daily of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea;
posted on the Korean Press Media (KPM) website run by the pro-Pyongyang
General Association of Korean Residents in Japan; URL:
http://dprkmedia.com)Attachments:retaliatoryWarRS10Aug10.pdf
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69) Back to Top
US-DPRK Hold Fourth Round of Senior Colonel-Level Talks
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried the
following as the 10th of 16 items in its 1200 GMT newscast on 10 August,
which OSC plans to translate as first referent item; KCNA Headline:
"Fourth Round of DPRK-U.S. Senior Colonel-level Military Working Contact
Made" - KCNA
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:28:17 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
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holder. Inquiries regarding u se may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
70) Back to Top
Further on Police Searching Google Korea for Alleged Breach of Privacy -
AFP
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:16:09 GMT
searched the offices of Google Korea to investigate whether it breached
privacy law in collecting information for its Street View service, an
officer said.
"We searched Google Korea as it is suspected of breaching the law on the
protection of privacy in the course of collecting information needed for
its Street View service," the officer involved in the case told AFP on
condition of anonymity.Armed with a search warrant, a total of 16
investigators were mobilised for the search which lasted for several
hours, Yonhap news agency said.Police seized computer hard discs and other
material. Af ter analysing the material they plan to summon the company's
staff for questioning, it said.Google Korea later admitted it had
collected some personal information but said it had not been used."Google
has inadvertently collected some individuals' personal information in the
process of Street View production in Korea and other countries. But Google
suspended the production after learning of the information collection," a
senior executive at Google Korea was quoted as saying by Yonhap."The
collected personal information has never been illicitly used."Google
Street View provides panoramic views from various positions along many
streets in the world. Launched in 2007 and originally covering only
several US cities, it has since expanded to more cities worldwide.In 2005
the South's presidential office expressed concern about the US giant's
Google Earth service, which shows satellite photos of sensitive facilities
in the country.It said the service sparked secur ity concerns in a country
still technically at war with North Korea.(Description of Source: Hong
Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of the independent French press
agency Agence France-Presse)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
71) Back to Top
Further on ROK Vowing To 'Act Resolutely' Against DPRK Provocation - AFP
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:11:07 GMT
Tuesday to "act resolutely" against future provocations after North Korea
fired an artillery barrage into waters near the two countries' disputed
Yellow Sea border.
Some 10 of the 130 shells which were fired Monday evening la nded on the
South's side of the line, Seoul military officials said, heightening
months of tensions.The South's military in a faxed message to the North
described the firing as a "grave provocation" that violates the armistice
and a non-aggression agreement, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff
told AFP."If North Korea continues its provocative actions, without
apologising for the Cheonan incident, South Korea will act resolutely,"
the spokesman quoted the message as saying.Tensions have risen sharply
since late May when South Korea and the United States, citing a
multinational investigation, accused the North of torpedoing one of
Seoul's warships, the Cheonan, near the contested border.The South staged
its largest-ever anti-submarine exercise as a show of force in response to
the March sinking. The five-day exercise ended just before the North's
artillery salvos began.The North, which denies involvement in the Cheonan
case, describes the South's war games -- and an earlier joint exercise
with US forces -- as a military provocation designed to trigger a war.It
has threatened retaliation, including with nuclear weapons, to any attack.
Rodong Sinmun, newspaper of the ruling communist party, repeated the
threat Tuesday.The North "will clearly show to those buoyed by war fever
what a real war is like, any time it deems necessary, through a war of
retaliation of its own style based on its nuclear deterrent", it said.The
US State Department criticised the artillery barrage."It is not a helpful
sign by North Korea and this is exactly the kind of behaviour that we
would like to see North Korea avoid," said spokesman Philip
Crowley.Relations worsened further after North Korea last weekend seized a
South Korean squid fishing boat operating off the east coast. Seoul has
urged Pyongyang to free the 41-ton boat and its seven crewmen -- four
South Koreans and three Chinese -- as soon as possible.The South's coastg
uard has said the boat was presumed to have been operating in an exclusive
economic zone proclaimed by the North when seized. There has been no word
from Pyongyang.Army colonels from North Korea and the US-led United
Nations Command met Tuesday at the border truce village of Panmunjom for a
fourth round of talks about the sinking of the Cheonan, but made little
progress.The UN Command has been based in the South since the end of the
1950-1953 Korean War to enforce the armistice which ended the conflict.A
UNC spokesman told AFP the two sides met for more than two hours.
"Basically, they agreed to meet again at the colonel level but they did
not set a date," he said.The North took issue with the "unsavoury" and
"double-dealing" attitude of the US side in previous rounds of talks,
Pyongyang's official news agency said.Its delegation repeated demands to
send a team of investigators to the South to inspect evidence dredged from
the seabed, including what Seoul says is part of a North Korean
torpedo.South Korea has rejected the demand, saying the UN Command should
handle the case as a serious breach of the armistice.(Description of
Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of the independent
French press agency Agence France-Presse)
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72) Back to Top
North Korea Opens Account With Global Video-Sharing Wesite YouTube - AFP
Tuesday August 10, 2010 12:00:04 GMT
(Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of
the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
73) Back to Top
UNC, DPRK Finish Colonel-Level Talks With No Progress
Xinhua: "UNC, DPRK Finish Colonel-Level Talks With No Progress" - Xinhua
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:40:42 GMT
(UNC) and DPRK military authorities on Tuesday finished the fourth round
of colonel-level meeting without much progress, local media reported
citing a UNC official.
The two-hour meeting, convened the fourth time since July 15 to discuss
the sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), only confirmed their differing stance on t he
issue and ended without a new round of talks proposed, the Yonhap News
Agency said.Pyongyang has repeatedly denied its role in the sinking in
March, which killed 46 South Korean sailors. The current series of
meetings precede general-level talks over the sinking, the UNC has
said.The two have held 16 general-level talks since 1998 as part of a
trust-building measure, and the latest round was held in March
2009.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official
news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
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74) Back to Top
DPRK Party Organ Criticizes US Scheme for 'New Cold War'
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station via Satellite in Korean
carried the following at 0900 GMT; OSC processed the below Rodong Sinmun
"signed article" as first referent item; KCNA headline: "Scheme For New
Cold War Blasted" - KCNA
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:26:27 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
75) Back to Top
DPRK Reportedly Registers, Posts Videos on YouTube
Updated version: upgrading precedence, rewording headline; Report by Sam
Kim: "N. Korea goes YouTube-savvy in it s propaganda offensive" - Yonhap
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:46:47 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news
agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
76) Back to Top
Police Search Google Korea for Alleged Breach of Privacy - AFP
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:13:15 GMT
searched the offices of Google Korea to investigate whether it breached
privacy law in collecting information for its Street View service, an
officer said.
< br>"We searched Google Korea as it is suspected of breaching the law on
the protection of privacy in the course of collecting information needed
for its Street View service," the officer involved in the case told AFP on
condition of anonymity.There was no immediate comment from Google
Korea.Armed with a search warrant, a total of 16 investigators were
mobilised for the search which lasted for several hours, Yonhap news
agency said.Police seized computer hard discs and other material. After
analysing the material they plan to summon the company's staff for
questioning, it said.Google Street View provides panoramic views from
various positions along many streets in the world. Launched in 2007 and
originally covering only several US cities, it has since expanded to more
cities worldwide.In 2005 the South's presidential office expressed concern
about the US giant's Google Earth service, which shows satellite photos of
sensitive facilities in the country.It said the ser vice sparked security
concerns in a country still technically at war with North
Korea.(Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong
service of the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
77) Back to Top
ROK Military Vows To 'Act Resolutely' Against DPRK Provocation - AFP
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:46:53 GMT
to "act resolutely" against future provocations after North Korea fired an
artillery barrage into waters near the two countries' disputed Yellow Sea
border.
Some 10 of the 130 shells which were fired Monday even ing landed on the
South's side of the line, Seoul military officials said, heightening
months of tensions.The South's military in a faxed message to the North
described the firing as a "grave provocation" that violates the armistice
and a non-aggression agreement, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff
told AFP."If North Korea continues its provocative actions, without
apologising for the Cheonan incident, South Korea will act resolutely,"
the spokesman quoted the message as saying.Tensions have risen sharply
since late May when South Korea and the United States, citing a
multinational investigation, accused the North of torpedoing one of
Seoul's warships, the Cheonan, near the contested border.The South staged
its largest-ever anti-submarine exercise as a show of force in response to
the March sinking. The five-day exercise ended just before the North's
artillery salvos began.The North, which denies involvement in the Cheonan
case, describes the South 's war games -- and an earlier joint exercise
with US forces -- as a military provocation designed to trigger a war.It
has threatened retaliation, including with nuclear weapons, to any attack.
Rodong Sinmun, newspaper of the ruling communist party, repeated the
threat Tuesday.The North "will clearly show to those buoyed by war fever
what a real war is like, any time it deems necessary, through a war of
retaliation of its own style based on its nuclear deterrent", it said.The
US State Department criticised the artillery barrage."It is not a helpful
sign by North Korea and this is exactly the kind of behaviour that we
would like to see North Korea avoid," said spokesman Philip
Crowley.Crowley said it was unclear what Pyongyang hoped to achieve by
such "chest thumping" and said: "The firing of a very large number of
rounds in the region is the last thing we want to see and is not the best
way to reduce tension."Relations worsened further after North Korea last
weekend seized a South Korean squid fishing boat operating off the east
coast.Seoul has urged Pyongyang to free the 41-ton boat and its seven
crewmen -- four South Koreans and three Chinese -- as soon as possible.The
South's coastguard has said the boat was presumed to have been operating
in an exclusive economic zone proclaimed by the North when seized. There
has been no word from Pyongyang on the incident.Army colonels from North
Korea and the US-led United Nations Command met Tuesday at the border
truce village of Panmunjom for a fourth round of talks about the sinking
of the Cheonan, but appeared to make little progress.The UN Command has
been based in the South since the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War to
enforce the armistice which ended the conflict.A UNC spokesman told AFP
the two sides met for more than two hours. "Basically, they agreed to meet
again at the colonel level but they did not set a date," he said.At a
previous round of talks the North demanded the right to send investigators
to the South to inspect evidence dredged from the seabed, including what
Seoul says is part of a North Korean torpedo.South Korea has rejected the
demand, saying the UN Command should handle the case as a serious breach
of the armistice.(Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong
Kong service of the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
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78) Back to Top
DPRK Website Derides Situation of ROK 'Pressed' by US To Join Iran
Sanctions
Commentary by Kim So'ng-ho: "Colonial Running Dog's Inescapable Fate";
This appears to be DPRK media's first mention of US req uest for ROK
cooperation with sanctions on Iran, as cited in first referent item;
KPNK1STM - Uriminjokkkiri
Tuesday August 10, 2010 05:26:34 GMT
coordinator" (chejae chojo'nggwan) -- who crawled into South Korea not
long ago -- reportedly pressed the gang of traitors to actively join the
move of imposing sanctions against Iran, at the place where he held
confabs with puppets to strengthen sanctions against the Republic.
The puppets -- who regard the United States as their master and who give
it everything they can possibly give while despicably begging it for the
maneuver of sanctions against the Republic -- have come to (a situation
where they) have no option but to accept their master's demand against
their will.
By nature, it is not something desirable for the puppets to join the
United States' sanction game against Iran. This is because the puppets
import major strategic materials such as crude oil from the Middle East,
including Iran, and because enormous losses will be brought to the South
Korean economy should Iran take retaliatory actions. In addition, they
will suffer enormous political losses, because they will be isolated and
rejected by Iran and other Middle Eastern nations.
For this reason, the puppets, while trying not to displease the United
States which is getting heated up in the maneuver of imposing sanctions
against Iran, have believed that their master would at least "understand"
their difficult position. However, the United States -- which regards the
Lee Myung-bak (Yi Myo'ng-pak, Ri Myo'ng-pak) gang only as unimportant
puppets that sit down, if told to sit down, and stand up, if told to stand
up -- has had absolutely no reason to leave them alone.
This time, the United States loudly raved that (the "sanction
coordinator") would visit South Korea to hold confabs for the racket of
anti-Republic sanctions. But inwardly, while seeking "sanctions" against
us, he crawled into South Korea more importantly for the purpose of
pressing the puppets, who are inactive in imposing sanctions against Iran.
This can be seen from the fact that the members of the so-called US
"sanction team" while visiting frequently the "Ch'o'ngwadae" (ROK Office
of the President), the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade," the
"Ministry of Finance and Economy" (chaejo'ng kyo'ngjebu, as published),
and other relevant agencies, as if they were darting in and out of their
houses, spent many hours during their two-night and three-day stay in
Seoul in pressing them to join the sanctions against Iran.
Succumbing to US pressure, the puppets are currently intensely scurrying
about in, among other things, investigating the Iranian bank in South
Korea.
The fact that the Lee Myung-bak gang has come to have no option but to ful
ly accept the United States' totally unjust demand for joining the
sanctions against Iran completely lays bare what the "strategic alliance,"
"blood ties," and so on -- which the United States and the South Korean
puppets babble about whenever they open their mouths -- really are.
After taking power, the Lee Myung-bak gang has run amok with blood-shot
eyes in implementing the pro-US policy of following the United States
while raving about (giving) "priority to ROK-US relations" and while
talking about "traditional friendly relations" and so on more loudly than
ever before. There would be no end if all the despicable, pro-US
submissive acts committed by the gang of traitors -- which has completely
offered everything to its master regardless of what can be given and what
cannot be given -- were to be listed; it has obediently offered its beef
market to the United States and played the game of postponing the
"transfer of wart ime operational control."
Even if it has committed such ugly, nation-selling acts of betraying the
nation, the gang of traitors has blown its own trumpet while saying,
"Never has there been a time when 'ROK'-US relations were as good as they
are today," and has impertinently bustled about, while believing that
everything will go well if they gain the favor of the United States.
However, the United States -- which is seeking to gain global hegemony --
has had absolutely no reason to consider the circumstances of the puppets
who are nothing more than running dogs. The United States is the one that
does not hesitate to do anything if it is for its own strategic interests.
The United States' hidden intention is to completely use South Korea's
human and material resources through the puppets for its aggressive,
anti-Republic maneuvers and for its strategy for global hegemony.
Through the incident this time, it has been even more clearly revea led
that the "strategic alliance," "blood ties," and so on are nothing more
than an outwardly handsome signboard for the United States to use the
South Korean puppets as servants, and that they are only a facade for the
puppets to justify their ugly, flunkeyist nation-selling acts.
What is clear is the fact that the puppets -- who stake their fate on the
United States and who remain alive by adulating and flattering to it --
have become placed in a more difficult dilemma by joining the sanctions
against Iran.
The gang of traitors -- which has been condemned and rejected because it
has offered South Korean youths and men as the victims of the master's
"anti-terror campaign" -- has, to add insult to injury, now come to have
no option but to join the game of sanctions against Iran, which will
squeeze the neck of its economy; this is truly an inescapable fate of the
poor colonial running dogs that serve the United States as a master.
The problem is the fact that, as long as the pro-US, nation-selling forces
such as traitor Lee Myung-bak stay in power, the United States will
continue to put forth such brigandish demands, and in this course the
South Korean people's disgrace and humiliation will become even more
unbearable.
If the South Korean people are to be freed from today's misfortunes and
agony caused by the US imperialists' military occupation and domination,
they should kindle the flame of anti-US struggle even more fiercely and
should immediately wipe out the Lee Myung-bak herd of traitors, which is
engrossed only in committing the nation-selling acts of betraying the
nation while giving no heed to the dignity and interests of the nation.
(Description of Source: Pyongyang Uriminjokkkiri in Korean -- External
website targeting overseas Koreans; technically administered out of
Shenyang, China but reportedly run by the Workers Party of Korea United
Front Department; URL: http://ww
w.uriminzokkiri.com)Attachments:IranSanctionsUMK06Aug10.pdfIranSanctionsUMK06Aug10b.pdf
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79) Back to Top
US Aid Delivered in 'Correct' Manner To Mend US-Pakistani Ties
Editorial: "An opportunity in the midst of natural calamity" - The Nation
Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 03:28:40 GMT
(Description of Source: Bangkok The Nation Online in English -- Website of
a daily newspaper with "a firm focus on in-depth business and political
coverage." Widely read by the Thai elite. Audited hardcopy circulation of
60,000 as of 2009. URL: http://www.n ationmultimedia.com.)
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80) Back to Top
Thai Article Says Country Becoming Hub of Narcotics Trafficking
Article by Thanok Bangphon: "Foreigners Turn To Use Thailand as Hub of
Making Steroid Drug" - Post Today Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:25:59 GMT
But, when the case is considered in detail, it does not look like an
ordinary one as the Narcotics Suppression Bureau had received the help
from the US Drug Enforcement Administration officials in Thailand and
Swedish officials before arresting the suspect. This indicates that a lot
of preparations wer e made by the personnel for the arrest.
Police Major General Saengsun Kannasut, commander of the Narcotics
Suppression Region 1, told journalists about the arrest of Kim Roger
Erikson, 29, a Swede. He said that Erikson was allegedly a notorious
international narcotics trafficker. He said that Erikson started his
illegal trade by selling steroid drugs over the Internet by using Thailand
as his manufacturing hub. The police spent more than a year to trace him.
Eventually, the police noticed that a Swede had suspiciously ordered some
equipment and chemical solutions.
The police took aerial photos of Erikson's house, around 2-rai plot (1 Rai
= 1,600 sq.m.), in Tambon Sakphong, Klaeng District, Rayong. The house is
only 100 m. away from Sanam Ratanawat Temple. The police noticed that
Erikson had modified his garage. The garage initially housed two luxurious
cars. He added two more rooms to use the garage as a laboratory for
manufacturing methamphetamine and ice drug or crystal methamphetamine
hydrochloride.
The police have learned that Erikson had been in Thailand for three years.
He left and reentered Thailand several times as he needed to return to
Sweden for the trial of a firearm case.
Apart from using the house to manufacture drugs, he also has been in
contact with the Bandidos gang of chopper motorcyclists. The Bandidos has
a worldwide network, and the Bandidos gangsters helped smuggle chemical
solutions, which were used to prepare ice drug, for Erikson. Several
government agencies did not know that the solutions are used to make ice
drug.
Saengsun said that he had lab officials from the Office of Narcotics
Control Board to check the solutions and that the officials confirmed that
the solutions could be use to prepare narcotics. He said the officials
were surprised to see the drug-manufacturing equipment because the
equipment was much more advanced than the equipment of Thai officials.
The chemical sol ution, found in the refrigerator of Erikson, was
methamphetamine hydrochloride or pure amphetamine. Erikson's friends, who
were chemists, helped him in the preparation of drugs. The police also
found books about the chemicals and instructions for preparing the ice
drug and methamphetamine.
Although the police have strong evidence against him, Erikson has denied
the allegation. During interrogation carried out, with his wife acting as
an interpreter, Erikson claimed that he was just preparing a new
dish-cleaning solution.
"The suspect was really making a dish cleaner and liquid soap for hand
wash. At first, he denied the charge, but when we showed the evidence, he
denied some of the evidence," Saengsun said.
A few days after the Erikson's arrest, Saengsun has led the police to raid
a house at 3 Soi Sutprasoet 7, Bangkhlo Subdistrict, Bangkholaem District,
Bangkok. The raid followed the tip-off that the house was used as a base
to prepare steroid drugs and Viagra-equivalent drugs without license.
The raid was conducted with the cooperation between the Thai police and US
officials. The Thai police were alerted that an American was preparing
steroid drugs in Thailand. A subsequent investigation found that the
drugs-making base was in Charoen Krung.
Rung Sunthonkanit, 41, was arrested while packing the bottles of drugs as
mail parcels. She said that the person who owned the drug manufacturing
facility was Roman Adam, 29. Adam is an American who lives in Hong Kong.
Rung said that Adam rented her house for 10,000 baht (B) a month and hired
her to make and deliver the drugs for him for B 50,000 a month. The
American supplied chemicals for her for the preparation of the drugs and
taught her how to prepare it.
Adam received orders from Internet via the astealth website and had the
drug delivered only by post. Most of the buyers are in the United States,
South American, and Asian countries.
The drug was packaged in tubes or plastic bags, and well hidden in bottles
of various types of chili paste. The police took nearly two years to
investigate before they found out that the drug was prepared at a house of
Soi Charoenkrung, 79, and the money was transferred to Adam via Western
Union service.
"Adam earned around B 4-7 million a month. The cost of the drug per bottle
is B 100 but he sold it for $100 per bottle abroad. He also has a
manufacturing base in Hong Kong, and he drives Lamborghini car, and the
authorities will launch further investigations to seize his assets,"
Saengsun said.
The police could only charge Rung with making medicine without
registration, which caries a maximum fine of B 5,000 and a maximum
three-year imprisonment and manufacturing medicine without permission,
which carries a maximum fine of B 10,000 and a maximum five-year
imprisonment. Rung also faces the charge of making fake medicine, which
carries a jail term bet ween three to 20 years.
"This is because steroid in our country is controlled under the food and
drug law but in the United States, it is considered as a narcotic. We use
different laws. That is why, more and more foreign criminals are using
Thailand as a hub of preparing drugs and steroids. The cost and penalties
here are low," Saengsun said.
It is sad that Bangkok has become a hub for the preparation and exporting
of narcotics. The situation has worsened a lot as so many foreign
criminals are reaching Thailand to commit the crimes and the local police
have failed to handle the situation. So, who will tackle this problem?
(Description of Source: Bangkok Post Today Online in Thai -- Website of a
sister daily publication of the English-language Bangkok Post providing
good coverage of political and economic issues and in-depth reports on
defense and military affairs. Owned by the Post Publishing Co., Ltd.
Audited hardcopy circulation of 50,000 as of 2009. URL:
http://www.posttoday.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
81) Back to Top
UK Ambassador Urges ROK To Join Iran Sanctions
Updated version: rewording headline, adjusting tags, and adding source
graphic; Report on interview with Martin Uden, British Ambassador to South
Korea, by Christine Kim; date and place not given: "U.K. Ambassador Urges
ROK to Join Iran Sanctions"; For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact the OSC Customer Center at (800) 205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - JoongAng Daily Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:30:44 GMT
Great Britain wants K orea to lend a hand in imposing sanctions on Iran,
and it is willing to help the Korean government with the procedures, the
British ambassador to Korea said yesterday.The British Embassy recently
shared information with the Korean government regarding an Iranian bank
suspected of aiding nuclear proliferation in Iran, according to another
British diplomatic source who sat in on an exclusive interview with
Ambassador Martin Uden by the JoongAng Daily and JoongAng Ilbo."We have
been talking about the UN Security Council sanctions, about the U.K.'s own
actions domestically for Bank Mellat, and about the implications to
Seoul," said the source.Uden urged the Korean government to proceed with
sanctions, because "(Korea's) interest in the Middle East will be
threatened if we see an escalation of tension there."Bank Mellat, which
has been accused of illegal financial transactions to aid Iranian nuclear
proliferation, currently operates a major branch in Seoul.The U.S. has
been pressuring the Korean government to close the branch, and local
officials are still debating the matter. The UN announced new sanctions
against Iran on July 9 for failing to comply with international
nonproliferation obligations.Emphasizing that there should be more
pressure on Iran, the ambassador pointed out that previous sanctions have
so far not had the desired effect."We don't have any objection on Iran
following a peaceful nuclear program, but there are suspicions," said
Uden. "I believe there's more we should be doing. And it's quite clear at
the moment that the sanctions aren't working."The ambassador showed
distrust of Iran's uranium enrichment program and said that "it should be
under proper international safeguards under the (International Atomic
Energy Agency)."International news reports have indicated that Iran since
February has been in possession of uranium enriched up to 20 percent,
which can easily be turned into weapons-grade material.Korea is in a tight
spot with Iran, its main supplier of oil. Korea has no oil reserves of its
own. Still, Uden said, if Korea were to lose its bilateral trade with the
Middle Eastern country, which measures up to $10 billion a year, it would
be incomparable to "what could happen further down the road.""I think if
we were to allow Iran to go forward and develop a nuclear program, you're
really going to suffer," said the ambassador. Uden said that Great Britain
does not import oil from Iran. He said Britain's bilateral trade with Iran
has been about $632 million a year - with about $537 million of that going
from Britain to Iran.The British ambassador wanted to respond to a
previous interview with the Iranian ambassador to Korea, Mohammad Reza
Bakhtiari, because Uden believed "readers should have both sides of the
story." It has been rare for ambassadors in Korea to speak out against
each other on a specific issue.The Irani an ambassador warned in the
interview that there would be economic consequences if Korea were to apply
stricter sanctions."As an increasingly (significant) diplomatic member of
the international community, and as host of the G-20," Uden said, Korea
should take a stronger stance in facing Iran."With strength comes
responsibility," Uden added. Because of the large trade relationship Korea
has with Iran, the British ambassador feels if South Korea imposes
sanctions, it would send a "potent message.""If the international
community sends a really clear signal to Tehran, they will return to the
negotiating table and we'll take off the sanctions. That's what we're
trying to do here," he said.
(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website
of English-language daily which provides English-language summaries and
full-texts of items published by the major center-right daily JoongAng
Ilbo, as well as unique report age; distributed as an insert to the Seoul
edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
82) Back to Top
Iranian Military Developments, 24-30 July 2010 - Iran -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 21:53:29 GMT
The following are highlights of Iranian military developments as reported
in various Iranian domestic and opposition websites monitored by OSC.
Technological Advancements IRGC Deputy Commander Says Iran Capable of
Mass-Producing Ballistic Missiles
- the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps deputy commander of Brig. G eneral
Hoseyn Salami on 25 July announced that Iran is now capable of
mass-producing ballistic missiles, the Fars News Agency reported the same
day. He said Iran has made great progress in developing the technology and
production capabilities to produce not only ballistic missiles but also
air defense systems in large quantities. The report observed that the
Defense Ministry's Aerospace Organization has made great achievements in
designing and producing missiles, including the surface-to-surface
solid-fuel Sejjil missiles; the long-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile,
which has a range of up to 1,200 miles; and the Zelzal and Fateh missiles.
The solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil missile, which is considered to be the
third generation of ballistic missiles built in Iran, has a longer range
than that of the Shahab-3 model and entered large-scale production last
year (Tehran Fars News Agency in Persian and English - hardline
pro-Ahmadinezhad news agency; headed as of December 2007 by H amid Reza
Moqaddamfar, who was formerly an IRGC cultural officer. URL:
www.farsnews.com).
Military-Related Activities Supreme Leader Appoints New Deputy Chief of
Armed Forces Joint Staff
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene`i issued a decree on 30 July
appointing Rear Admiral (first name not provided) Saleh as Armed Forces
Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff for Plan and Budget Affairs, IRNA reported
the same day. Speaking at an introduction ceremony attended by Khamene`i
and Saleh, Armed Forces Chief of the Joint Staff Major General Hassan
Firuzabadi said the Iranian armed forces should be more vigilant, more
careful, and more informed than ever as enemies have widened the scope of
their activities against the Islamic republic and the Iranian nation
(Tehran IRNA in Persian and English - pro-Ahmadinezhad official news
agency, controlled by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. URL:
www.irna.ir). Iran Exporting Military Equipment to 40 Countries
- The Fars News Agency on 24 July quoted Yadollah Javani, a senior Iranian
military expert, as saying the sanctions imposed by the United Nations
Security Council, the United States, and the European Union would not have
any impact on Iran's military capabilities, and he stated that the country
is currently exporting arms and military equipment to 40 countries. He
explained that Iran launched an arms development program during the
1980-88 Iran-Iraq war to compensate for a weapons embargo imposed by the
United States, adding that the country has been producing advanced weapon
systems since 1992 and today manufactures a range of advanced weapon
systems, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, and
fighter planes. Air Force To Stage Maneuvers
- Deputy Commander for Operations Major General Mohammad Alavi on 26 July
announced that the Air Force will stage "massive and countrywide"
maneuvers and air drills between 31 July and 7 August, Tabnak reported the
same day. "The war games will be called Fada`ian-e Hareem-e Velayat and
will involve more than 40 fighters and bombers from bases throughout the
country," he announced. A variety of aircraft - including F-4 Phantoms
(photo below), the No rthrop F-5, the F-7 Chinese-built version of the
Russian MiG-21, and Russian Sukhoi SU-24 fighter-bombers - from air bases
in Tehran, Tabriz, Dezful, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Shiraz, and Esfahan will
take part in the maneuvers in Hamedan. Alavi said the aircraft would take
part in gunnery competitions involving a variety of air-to-surface
ammunitions and conduct night bombing operations for the first time. He
added that the Air Force would practice refueling operations in a bid to
exercise long-distance flights by its F-4 and SU-24 jets. He also stated
that four unmanned aerial aircraft and electronic warfare jets will also
be involved in the maneuvers (Tabnak in Persian - a conservative website
associated with Expediency Counci l Secretary and former IRGC commander
Major General Mohsen Reza'i. URL: www.tabnak.ir).
The Fars News Agency on 26 July quoted Deputy Air Force Commander Mohsen
Darrehbaghi as saying that a new set of advanced air-to-surface missiles
and guns would be used in the military exercises.
Basij Commander Says New Bases Being Established
- Basij Commander Brig. General Mohammad-Reza Naqdi announced on 28 July
that 7,000 new Basij bases will be established by the end of the current
Iranian year 1389 (ending 20 March 2011), Basij News reported the
following day. Speaking at a gathering of leaders of the Basij force in
Zanjan, Naqdi urged militia members to intensify efforts in the context of
their "spiritual movement to manage the country." He also stated that the
Basij is creating a "hejab and morality network" throughout the country
designed to educate provincial officials and administrators regarding
their responsibilities in enforcing Isl amic dress and morality codes
(Basij News Agency in Persian - website of the Basij, or paramilitary
forces; as of June 2008, Basij forces merged with those of Pasdaran or the
Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and came under the latter's control. URL:
http://www.basijnews.ir). Official Statements US Warships Easy Targets for
Iranian Navy - Admiral Morteza Saffari, former commander of the IRGC Navy,
said Iranian naval forces are capable of repelling possible attacks on the
country and claimed that, in the event of war, each United States warship
would be swarmed by more than 100 Iranian military vessels and would be
"easy targets," the Fars News Agency reported on 25 July. The report cited
an interview published by the weekly magazine Panjareh in which Saffari
pointed to the presence of more than 100 foreign military vessels in the
Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and described them as targets of
opportunity. He explained that each United States warship carries a large
crew and that Iran is able to target a number of them, thereby inflicting
heavy losses of men and material on the enemy forces. "As soon as the
Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamene`i ) wishes, or in case the enemy dares
to pose the smallest threat against the Islamic regime, all the IRGC
troops, together with Basij forces who have had the necessary training,
are ready to rapidly react," Saffari added. The report noted that, in the
wake of intensified threats by the United States and Israel, the exclusive
responsibility to safeguard the Persian Gulf has been turned over to the
IRGC, which has pre-positioned missile batteries capable of destroying any
target throughout the Persian Gulf. It also warned that senior Iranian
military officials have repeatedly warned that Iran would close the Strait
of Hormuz if Israel or the United States were to launch an attack against
the country (Tehran Panjareh in Persian - conservative weekly owned by
anti-Ahmadinezhad Majles Deputy Alireza Zakani). Senior Military
Commanders Say US and Israel Are Unable To Attack Iran, Warn of
Repercussions
- Armed Forces Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff for Cultural Affairs and
Defense Publicity Brig. General Mas`ud Jazayeri claimed that the United
States and Israel are unable to launch military attacks on Iran but warned
that, in the event of such an attack, Iran is prepared to counter
effectively, the Fars News Agency reported on 26 July. "The enemy has
devised many scenarios, but it is unable to successfully implement them.
Iran, too, has drawn precise plans for confronting possible threats," he
said in an exclusive interview with Fars. Jazayeri reiterated Iran's
defensive and offensive capabilities and noted: "The Islamic Republic of
Iran's strategic depth stretches deep into the United States of America.
The enemy is well aware of Iran's military and political power and
strength and is informed of our strategic depth to some extent. Therefore
, it is not able to launch hasty actions against the Islamic republic."
Jazayeri (photo below ) described "the recently intensified war rhetoric"
against Iran as nothing more than "political bluff," and he claimed that
the many problems confronting the United States and Israel, coupled with
their limited military resources, would preclude any attack on Iran, which
he said would result in a new crisis in the region. The report said he was
alluding to recent reports that Republicans in the United States Congress
have introduced a measure that supports an Israeli bombing campaign
against Iranian nuclear sites.
Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said there was a low probability of an
attack against Iran by the United States and Israel, the Ministry of
Defense web site reported on 24 July. Commenting on support by Republicans
in the US Congress for an Israeli military strike against Iran and the
increased use of threats by American and Israeli officials , Vahidi told
reporters that Washington is creating tension in the region in order to
advance a "propaganda campaign" that is primarily for domestic
consumption. Referring to remarks by some American and Israeli military
experts about Iran's powerful defensive and offensive capabilities, he
added, "We, too, advise them (decision makers) not to seek trouble and
tension in the region." Vahidi stressed that the Iranian armed forces
enjoy high morale and are eager to repel enemy attacks and defend the
country's vital interests and territorial integrity (Ministry of Defense
of the Islamic Republic of Iran web site in Farsi. URL:
http://mod.ir/).Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces Brig. General
Ahmad-Reza Purdastan warned the United States, Britain, and Israel about
the serious repercussions of engaging in any new military confrontation in
the Middle East and the "heavy price" they would pay in case of an attack
against Iran, the Mehr News Age ncy reported on 28 July. Commenting on a
23 July statement by Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad that the United
States and Israel plan to attack two countries in the Middle East within
the next few months, Purdastan (photo below ) warned: "Americans can be
certain that, in the event of a ground, naval, or aerial attack against
our country, they will be faced with a crushing and decisive response that
will be much more fatal and destructive than their initial" attack. He
went on to say that the United States, Britain, and Israel should know an
attack against Iran would "cost their countries dearly. ... I advise
American, British, and Israeli military commanders and analysts not to res
ort to another unwise action in order to escape their desperate situation
caused by failures in the Middle East region." He warned that Iran would
"severely respond to any attack from land, air, or sea," but he also noted
that an attack was unlikely due to the c urrent problems facing the United
States in Iraq and Afghanistan, the low morale of American troops, and
continuing disagreements between US officials (Tehran Mehr News Agency in
Persian and English - conservative news agency; run by the Islamic
Propagation Office, which is affiliated with the conservative Qom
seminary. URL: www.mehrnews.com).
Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, former commander of the IRGC, told a
gathering of school teachers in Tehran on 24 July that United States and
Israel are unlikely to attack Iran due to the country's defensive
capabilities, Sepah News reported the same day. "They may decide to launch
an attack against Iran, but they will not be able to determine the
duration of such a war and when it will end," he noted. Rahim-Safavi, who
is the military adviser to Ayatollah Khamene`i, predicted that any
possible attack against Iran would be conducted by air and naval forces
and that Iran's defensive capabilities are advanced to such a n extent
that the attackers would regret their action. The Iranian military is a
great power in the Middle East, and any attack against the country would
not be without consequences, he stated (Sepah News in Persian - IRGC
website created in 2006; provides news and information on Iran's armed,
naval, and ground forces as well as on the Basij and security forces. URL:
www.sepahnews.ir). Armed Forces Chief Claims US on Imperialist Plot To
Dominate the World
- Armed Forces Chief of the Joint Staff Major General Firuzabadi warned
that the United States has embarked on a new imperialist plot to dominate
the world's capital resources, the Fars News Agency reported on 25 July.
"They are organizing a global network of greater imperialism," Firuzabadi
said during an address to the science board members and professors of the
National Defense University in Tehran on 25 July. Claiming that the
objective of US imperialism was to defeat other capitalist powers, he said
t he recent financial crisis in the United States and Europe was
engineered within the context of Washington's plan to dominate the world.
"This new movement is trying to bring down Europe and force Russia and
China to surrender," Firuzabadi theorized. IRGC Commander Urges
Preparedness for Soft War
- IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad-Ali Ja`fari warned that Iran's
enemies are engaged in a soft war that targets the country's younger
generation, and he called for further preparedness to confront soft
threats against the Iranian nation and the Islamic republic, Sepah News
reported on 24 July. "We are engaged in a soft war with the enemies. Their
plans and hidden and clear moves in this regard are distinctive," he said,
adding that the nation does not have an adequate understanding of the true
threat of such a conflict and that therefore the country, and especially
its youth, must be more vigilant. Saying the IRGC has "a grave
responsibility for defending the Islamic revolution and its values and
achievements," he claimed that this duty is not restricted to times of war
and that the IRGC is tasked with defending the revolution against any
manner of threat, including soft ones. Iran Intensifies Security Measures
Along Borders
- Minister of Interior Mostafa Moh ammad-Najjar announced that the country
has further tightened security measures along its borders following the 15
July terrorist attacks in Zahedan, the capital of the southeastern Sistan
and Baluchestan Province, the Fars News Agency reported on 29 July. Saying
a number of security and intelligence measures have been taken to
strengthen border control and impose restrictions on illegal entry from
neighboring countries, including roadblocks along roads frequented by
terrorist groups, the interior minister announced that security and police
forces killed nine terrorists in recent clashes in this region. Commenting
on the 15 July explosions in Zahed an, he said: "As we have said before,
we know the people behind the incident, and we are currently pursuing the
case," adding that nine individuals had been arrested in connection with
the terrorist attacks. "Two have been indicted, and seven individuals are
suspected of aiding and abetting the perpetrators of the attacks," he
said. Ahmad-Reza Radan
, deputy commander of the National Police Force, announced on 25 July that
the country has decided to further tighten security measures along its
eastern borders after the recent terrorist attacks in Zahedan, the Fars
News Agency reported the same day. "Control of the country's eastern
borders will be intensified," Radan said in a ceremony held to introduce
the new police chief of Iran's western Ilam Province. He added: "The
recent events in Zahedan and an examination of the existing clues all
indicate the necessity for paying further attention" to the need to
enhance security measur es. Radan also revealed that Iran's call for
further security measures along its shared borders had been presented to
Pakistani authorities during a recent meeting between security officials
from the two countries.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
83) Back to Top
London Pan-Arab Daily Warns Netanyahu Government Prevents Obama Delivering
Peace
Editorial by Jihad al-Khazin: "Applying the Litmus Test" - Al-Hayah Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 19:46:38 GMT
My own view is the same as those of the president and the secretary
general. I further add that Binyamin Netanyahu is at the head of a fascist
government that represents the most despicable form of political extremism
and racism. President Barack Obama has tried to pressure Netanyahu but
failed. He then fell back on President Mahmud Abbas, because he is an
easier target.
Abu-Mazin (Mahmud Abbas) is subjected to enormous pressure that I have
never seen before on any Palestinian or Arab leader. The United States is
putting pressure, and so are the European Union, the UN secretary general,
and certain Arab states. This is in addition to all the Palestinian
organizations, including the Fatah organization. Abu-Mazin threatened to
resign if he does not find a way out. I know him very well, and I know
that he is capable of resigning, as he did when he was prime minister in
2003.
In his message, President Barack Obama reminded Abu-Mazin that he is the
US President that has backed the emergence of a Palestinian state the
most. He added that, if the Palestinians do not accept direct negotia
tions, he will then end his help for them. I here content myself with
citing a comment made by Dan Margalit in Yisra'el HaYom. He said that
Obama's message looks like it was written by the Likud Central Committee.
I am still convinced of the good faith of the US President, and his
commitment to a just solution, but I am convinced also that he just cannot
deliver. I have found that our brother Amr Musa also appreciates the good
faith of the President and his commitment to a solution. However, he added
that the Arabs, represented by the (Arab) Follow Up Committee, are not
against direct or indirect negotiations, but they need clarifications and
guarantees so as not to engage in negotiations for the sake of
negotiations.
The secretary general spoke about a sound reference and an agenda for
negotiations, as well as measures against settlement construction, and the
protection of Arab rights in Jerusalem. Thus, there are neither conditions
nor a green light in t he Follow Up Committee's message to the US
President, but requests for guarantees and clarifications, and letting the
Palestinian president appreciate whether he wants to engage in direct
negotiations. I personally hope that he will not do that. I absolutely
cannot see any possible result of such negotiations. If there is a benefit
in sitting with the Israelis, it is not to give a chance to any party
accusing the Palestinians of not giving talks a chance. This means that
Abu-Mazin should put the call for negotiations to the litmus test.
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said that the three demands of
the Palestinians for starting direct negotiations are impossible. They
want negotiations to start where they stopped with Ehud Olmert in 2008 and
to end with an agreement on complete withdrawal from the occupied
territories, in addition to the continuation of the settlement
construction freeze.
In fact, these demands are not impossible. What is impos sible is that
Abu-Mazin or anyone else accepts less than that. There is no sense in any
negotiations without a Palestinian state that forms a geographical entity
that is viable and with Jerusalem as capital.
Abu-Mazin has been subjected to contemptible campaigns on the part of his
political adversaries. However, I know him better than them, and I assert
that he will not abandon any of the constants. I hope that I will be taken
at my word if he does the contrary.
His po sition is in complete contrast to that of the Israeli Government.
Avigdor Lieberman, the brothel-keeper from Moldova who has become Israel's
foreign minister, said that he is waiting for the end of the settlement
construction freeze next month "so that we may lead a normal life," as he
put it. This means in order for him to resume stealing the homes of
Palestinians, displacing them, and then asking them to swear the oath of
allegiance to the state of Nazi war criminals.
Ther e is no peace with this Israeli Government. It is either surrender or
resistance.
(Description of Source: London Al-Hayah Online in Arabic -- Website of
influential Saudi-owned London pan-Arab daily. URL:
http://www.daralhayat.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
84) Back to Top
Iranian Shipping Company Files UK, EU, US Complaints Over Sanctions
Imposition
Unattributed report: "Iran's Three Complaints Against Shipping Sanctions"
- Jam-e Jam Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:48:27 GMT
In an interview with Jam-e Jam, Mohammad Hoseyn Dojmar added: "After the
unilateral sanctions against Iran and the latest sanctions by the EU, the
shipping company, based on international shipping laws, filed a complaint
in Britain, the EU, and the US with the help of its lawyers. This
complaint will be reviewed in the UK by next week." He said: "According to
international shipping law, shipping companies do not have any
responsibility for the type of shipments that they carry. The
responsibility lies with the owner, who has to mention the nature of the
shipment in the legal documents. Therefore, one cannot impose sanctions
on, or freeze the bank account of, the Islamic Republic shipping line just
for the sake of carrying a shipment."
Dojmar emphasized: "The issue is quite clear and I hope that the
independent courts of these countries cancel the sanctions imposed against
the Iranian shipping line." He added: "If any sanctions against the
shipping line or its sister companies are imposed, it must be according to
pro of or evidence. If the evidence is just based on the media and they
want to impose sanctions against a commercial shipping line, their motive
is clearly political and they are looking for excuses."
The general manager of the Iranian shipping line added: "There is not even
one instance about the shipments carried by Islamic Republic shipping line
that can provide an excuse to the western countries."
A while back, they had claimed that there were weapons in a chemical
shipment headed for Syria, even though the owner of the shipment was a
private company. Despite the controversy that the Zionist media created,
they could not prove anything.
He said: "My question is, if the action of the shipping line or the
shipments that it is carrying is the issue, then why they do not take
their claims to the legal authorities, so that the parties can bring
forward their arguments to the court? What we mean is that they should
submit explicit evide nce. However, when the controversy becomes a media
style, then it is obvious that the claims against the shipping company are
baseless and absurd."
Dojmar emphasized: "To date, there has not been one instance about any
shipment that has given them an excuse, and this makes us proud." Negative
Response to Inspection
In a response to a question regarding any inspection of the Islamic
Republic shipping line fleet to date, he said: "Based on international
shipping laws, an inspection is authorized if the country whose flag the
ship is carrying gives a go ahead. During this time, only one instance
took place, which faced Iran's negative response."
With regard to measures intended against the shipping line's sanction, he
said: "The ultimate aim for sanctions is that they want to stop the
activities of the shipping line. However, since this fleet is continuing
its activities with full force, it shows that the sanctions are ineff
ective with the measures that we have taken. We also had the experience of
such sanctions earlier, but it had no effect on our activities. Of course,
it did slow the pace of our activities and made them difficult, but it did
not affect our overall performance."
He also mentioned the boost in shipping line activities in the Caspian
Sea, stating: "Iran has a 20-percent share in the Caspian Sea shipping
line. Compared to the other countries bordering the sea, our fleet is
newer and of higher quality."
The detailed Jam-e Jam interview with the general manager of the Islamic
Republic shipping company will be published soon.
(Description of Source: Tehran Jam-e Jam Online in Persian -- website of
conservative daily published by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
(IRIB), whose head is appointed by the supreme leader; URL:
http://www.jamejamdaily.net)
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Commerce.
85) Back to Top
Pakistan Daily Warns Govt Against Western Propaganda Aims At
Disfiguring ISI
Editorial: Propaganda of Rogue Spies - Pakistan Observer Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 09:57:06 GMT
PRESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari, in an interview to The Sunday Telegraph, is
reported to have said that the security forces of the country had been
cleansed of, what the Western world alleges, rogue elements. He told the
paper, "I think that everybody is completely accountable now".
The President has done well in countering the Western propaganda aimed at
disfiguring the image of Pakistan's security agencies because they are
seen to be the main hurdle in realization of the nefarious designs of some
foreign forces against the country. His remarks carry more weight as they
came in the backdrop of allegations by British Prime Minister David
Cameron accusing Pakistan of exporting terrorism. However, in our view,
the President seems to have given not much thought to his remarks as these
amount to lending credence to the venomous propaganda against our security
agencies especially the elite organization, the ISI. When you talk about
cleansing them and that now everyone is accountable, then it invariably
means you are admitting occurrence of some foul play in the past. This is
unfortunate as the United States and some of its allies have all along
directed their guns against ISI and way back when late Benazir Bhutto was
Prime Minister of the country the Western pressure led to either dismissal
or transfer of over one hundred experienced hands from the ISI. The
process continues till now under foreign pressure and inf luence and the
objective is to weaken this premier intelligence agency that has always
vigorously guarded the interests of the country and countered moves of the
enemy. Under these circumstances, it would have been better if the
President would have made remarks after proper thinking and countered the
propaganda against our national institutions.
(Description of Source: Islamabad Pakistan Observer Online in English --
Website of the pro-military daily with readership of 5,000. Anti-India,
supportive of Saudi policies, strong supporter of Pakistan's nuclear and
missile program. Chief Editor Zahid Malik is the author of books on
nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan; URL: http://www.pakobserver.net)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
86) Ba ck to Top
Former President Bush Expected in Haiti 10 Aug
Unattributed report: "George Bush Expected in Haiti This Tuesday" -
MetropoleHaiti.com
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:49:30 GMT
"President Bush's trip should draw attention to the needs that Haiti
continues to have and he intends to prompt Americans to give what they can
to help their neighbors in need," one can read in a communique made public
by the former American president's entourage.
Mr. Bush should meet some of those people who are involved in the
reconstruction of the country.
We should recall that, on the request of President Obama, the former US
chief of state visited Haiti first last March. He was accompanied by his
colleague, (former US President) Bill Clinton, who at the time was making
his third visit to Haiti.
The objective was to create the Clinton-Bush Fund for Haiti, an
institution which is supposed to collect money to help victims of the 12
January earthquake.
(Description of Source: Port-au-Prince MetropoleHaiti.com in French --
Website of Radio Metropole, centrist commercial radio station; URL:
http://www.metropolehaiti.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
87) Back to Top
US, India To Chart Bilateral Defense Cooperation Ahead of Minister
Antonys Visit
Report by Sandeep Dikshit: India, U.S. Review Defence Cooperation - The
Hindu Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:40:57 GMT
NEW DELHI: Ahead of Defence Minister A.K. Antony's visit to the United
States next month, New Delhi and Washington exchanged notes on fostering
defence cooperation through more equipment sales, greater joint exercises,
frequent high-level exchanges and the possibility of inking three military
agreements.Led by Under Secretary of Defence on Policy Michele Flournoy, a
team from the Pentagon interacted with its Indian counterparts to prepare
for a meeting of the Defence Policy Group, the joint committee headed by
top civilian bureaucrats in the two Defence Ministries, that charts
bilateral defence cooperation."We also want to get some progress ahead of
(U.S. President) Barack Obama's visit (in November)," Ms. Flournoy told
journalists here after meeting Mr. Antony, National Security Adviser
Shivshankar Menon and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar. "Natural partner"
Maintaining that the U.S. viewed India as a "natural partner," the
Pentagon official indicated Washington' s wish list. It includes
purchasing more American-origin defence equipment, "realistic" joint
exercises and stepped up visits by Indian armed forces officers.Ms.
Flournoy described the three military agreements, which the U.S. has been
pursuing with India, as "foundational" in nature. This is the same
terminology she used while interacting with journalists in the U.S. last
month. But during this interaction, she provided more details of why the
U.S. wants India to ink the agreements despite its having been
cold-shouldered on this count for nearly two years.The three "foundational
agreements" being offered have been inked with many close partners, and
this has enabled the Pentagon to offer cutting-edge defence technology.
They also allow the U.S. to "share" the next higher level of technology.
"It is not a requirement (for closer cooperation). It is a choice of the
government of India," she clarified."Of course, economics is involved,"
Ms. Flournoy said, while pointing out that the agreements and weapon
purchases from the U.S. would fulfil its strategic aim of ensuring
inter-operability in future and investing in a long term relationship.The
U.S. feels there has been "tremendous progress" in the number of joint
exercises, but the need is to make them "meaningful" so that they are
"reflective of the real world situation." Asked to explain what that
meant, Ms. Flournoy said the exercises must prepare both sides to jointly
undertake counter-piracy operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief."We also have to respond to maritime security and freedom of
navigation and against those contesting the accepted rules of the world.
We will have to work to prevent that. We have to be prepared in terms of
capability."In the area of visits, the Pentagon says although "several
hundred" Indian military officers have visited the U.S. for course s or
interaction, it would like to "broaden the range."Asked whether the U.S.
was monitoring weapon sales to Pakistan in order not to upset the military
balance with India, Ms. Flournoy pointed out that since terrorism came
home to Pakistan, there had been a shift in political will, which was
reflected in the military operations in South Waziristan. U.S. weapon
sales to Pakistan, she said, were focussed on equipment efficiency to
support the current counter-insurgency operations.
(Description of Source: Chennai The Hindu Online in English -- Website of
the most influential English daily of southern India. Strong focus on
South Indian issues. It has abandoned its neutral editorial and reportage
policy in the recent few years after its editor, N Ram, a Left party
member, fell out with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and has
become anti-BJP, pro-Left, and anti-US with perceptible bias in favor of
China in its write-ups. Gives good coverage to Left par ties and has
reputation of publishing well-researched editorials and commentaries; URL:
www.hindu.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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88) Back to Top
Indian commerce minister terms proposed US visa fee hike 'discriminatory'
- PTI News Agency
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:38:24 GMT
Text of report by Indian news agency PTINew Delhi, 10 August: Terming a US
proposal to increase visa fees as discriminatory, Indian Commerce and
Industry Minister Anand Sharma Tuesday (10 August) said the increase would
cost Indian firms 200m dollars extra a year and make them less
competitive."The bill will ha ve an (estimated) additional cost
implication of over 200m dollars annually, and an adverse impact on the
competitiveness and commercial interests of Indian companies," Sharma said
in a letter to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.The US Senate on 5 August
had approved a substantial increase in application fees for H1 B and L
visas, the most sought after Indian IT (information technology)
professionals. The hike is proposed to fund a 600m-dollar emergency
package to improve security along the porous Mexican border.The Senate
measure increases the visa fee to 2,000 dollars per application on those
companies that have less than 50 per cent of their employees as American
citizens.In his letter, Sharma conveyed the concerns of the Indian
software industry that the increase in US visa fee would adversely impact
companies of Indian origin, which account for about 12 per cent of the
total number of visas issued by the US.Sharma said though the need of the
US government to streng then their border security is understandable, "it
is inexplicable to our companies to bear the cost of such a highly
discriminatory law".While the US companies use H-1B and L visas in larger
numbers, they will not be liable for the increased fees, but Indian
companies will be affected as they are likely to have more than 50 per
cent of the their employees on these visas.Sharma further said that the
Indian software industry is already deeply burdened in the absence of a
totalization (as received) agreement, requiring them to pay more than 1bn
dollars every year to the US government in the form of social security,
with no benefit or prospect of refund.The proposed massive increase in
visa application fee would primarily affect the top Indian IT companies,
who rely majorly on these categories of visas to continue with their work
in the US.Software giant Infosys had said yesterday that the hiked US visa
fees is discriminatory and did not help create an open, competitiv e
market.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI News Agency in English )
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
89) Back to Top
Xinhua 'Commentary': Is Global Power Really Shifting Eastward?
Xinhua "Commentary": "Is Global Power Really Shifting Eastward?" - Xinhua
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:21:44 GMT
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The suggestion that global power is now
shifting from the West to the East is at best a half-truth and therefore
misleading.
The power-shift theory is basically drawn from a judgement that the next
few years will see a dramatic acceleration in the shift of global economic
powers eastward. But it ignores the very fact that the majority of
countries in the East are largely developing and poor countries.The theory
has gained more popularity recently as major developing countries such as
China and India have been doing well in warding off the impact of the
global financial crisis while most rich nations were plagued into severe
economic downturn.With a combined population of some 3 billion, China and
India, the two vast countries in the East, will reclaim their positions as
economic giants in this century, some Western media proclaimed.This kind
of power-shift theory, however, may have neglected an obvious fact that
the two Asian countries are only developing nations with their per capita
GDP lagging far behind developed countries, despite economic strides over
the past decades thanks to their opening-up economic policies.The World
Bank put China and India's per capita GDP in 2009 at 3,687 and 1,122 U.S.
dollars respe ctively, ranking 103 and 140 worldwide, whereas the per
capita GDP of the United States amounted to 46,436 dollars in the
year.Therefore, the significance of China's and India's soaring GDP should
not be exaggerated, considering the real scenario where a large proportion
of people in the two countries are leading a relatively poor life, not to
mention the huge gaps between the East and the West in technological
know-how, military capability and political influence on international
affairs.Undoubtedly, it is true to say that global power is experiencing
some changes in recent years thanks to the development of economic
globalization and multipolarization process.More and more countries and
regions, or international bodies, such as the European Union, BRIC
countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), the Group of 20, have played
greater political or economic roles on the world stage after the end of
the Cold War, during which the world was dominated by two superpowers --
the U nited States and the Soviet Union.Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi said recently that the world is witnessing a trend that various
international forces are moving toward a relatively balanced direction, an
inevitable outcome of multipolarization, economic globalization, and rapid
scientific and technological revolution.The process toward a multipolar
world not only involves the rapid development of newly-emerging major
developing countries, but also the strengthening of many developing
countries as regional powers, Yang said.This occurred not only in Asia,
but also in Africa and Latin America, Yang added.In fact,
multipolarization has become the most significant trend of the modern
world. Developing countries as a whole, not just those in the East, have
been gradually rising on the world stage and should have more say on
international affairs.It's better to say that Western domination of the
world is being diluted by a multipolar world, in which developing
countries shou ld have equal rights of development.Meanwhile, an
outstanding problem at present is that the reasonable rights and
legitimate demands of developing countries do not receive due respect and
attention.It's much better for some Western theorists to recognize the
trend of multipolarization and to help developing countries win equal say
and rights of development, instead of ringing false alarm on the rise of
certain major developing countries.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua
in English -- China's official news service for English-language audiences
(New China News Agency))
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90) Back to Top
India says US senator's remarks on IT firm 'unfortunate and avoidable' -
PTI News Agency
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:10:53 GMT
Text of report by Indian news agency PTINew Delhi, 10 August: Indian
government Tuesday (10 August) termed as "unfortunate and avoidable"
remarks by a US senator describing India's IT major Infosys as "chop
shop"."Infosys is one of the leading companies. It has a global name and
brand. Any disparaging remark, I would term it unfortunate and avoidable,"
Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said in the Rajya Sabha (Upper
House of Indian Parliament).He was responding to a concern raised
Shantaram Laxman Naik (Cong) on the remarks by Democrat Senator of New
York Charles E Schumer.Sharma said while MPs and senators in different
countries have right to make observations, "Indian IT industry has made
notable contribution and has acknowledged global presence."Participating
in a debat e on the Trademark bill, Naik said, "The US senator referred to
our company as a 'chop shop'. We never called US a 'banana republic' when
it was facing the worst global economic crisis...we could have called
Union Carbide as 'slaughter house', but we didn't say so."Criticising
companies outsourcing American jobs, Schumer had last week described
Infosys as a "chop shop", a place where stolen cars are dismantled and
parts sold separately.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI News Agency in
English )
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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91) Back to Top
Indonesia's Cleric Bashir Declared Suspect on Terrorism
Xinhua: "Indonesia's Cleric Bashir Declared Suspect on Terrorism" - Xinhua
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:16:12 GMT
JAKARTA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police has declared Muslim cleric
Abu Bakar Bashir suspect on terrorism, national police chief of detective
Ito Sumardi said here on Wednesday.
Bashir, 71, was arrested on Monday in West Java by the police's
anti-terror squad amid a tight security."He (Bashir) has been declared a
suspect on terrorism. He has involved in a terror plot and persuaded
others to implicate on terror acts," Sumardi told Xinhua over phone.Police
spokesman Edward Aritonang has said that the cleric implicates on
planning, funding and managing militant training at a camp in remote Aceh
jungle in westernmost of Indonesia, the camp was raid by police in
February.The chief of detective said Bashir has used the video of the
training to raise fund among business people.The cleric refused to answer
q uestions in interrogation and said the arrest was made up by the United
States.The arrest on Bashir is the third since 2000. He has served over
three years of imprisonment for conspiracy in Bali bombings in
2002.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official
news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
92) Back to Top
Syrian Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Syrian press on 10 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Syria -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 20 10 20:40:01 GMT
http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy/ http://thawra.alwehda.gov.sy)
In a 375-word article in Al-Ba'th entitled "Antecedents of Murder and its
Proof," Id Abu-Sikkah, comments on the Israeli prime minister's testimony
before a commission looking into the deaths of nine Turkish activists
during the raid on the Freedom Flotilla. He starts by saying: "We once
said that killing and 'assassination' have been the rule rather than the
exception in the imagination of Israeli leaders since the establishment of
their Zionist entity, and even before that! And nothing suggests that they
might one day re-do their calculations and give up this character, after
all this long list of victims and martyrs in whose deaths the Israeli
Mosad was proven to be involved through atrocious crimes to liquidate
them."The writer adds: "Yesterday, in the latest development in the
repercussions of the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, in which nine
martyrs from neighboring Turkey fell, Binyamin Netanyahu presented a comic
theatrical scene in front of a commission created by the Israeli
Government. He did not hesitate to announce Israel's responsibility in the
crime of 'the attack on the Freedom Flotilla,' but this attack, from his
point of view, was conducted in accordance with the provisions of
international law." Abu-Sikkah continues: "That is Israel, that does not
fear to recognize the material element in each crime it commits, but
ignores what the jurists call the moral element of the crime, which is,
every time and every day, (reflected in) its right to kill, assassinate,
impose siege and displacement, carry out Judaization and the demolition of
houses and the rape of Arab and Palestinian territories, (in addition to)
its right to slaughter the elderly, children and women, and pursue and
arrest whoever it wants."He concludes by saying: "(All this continued)
until yesterday and the speech of Hizballah's secretary general came to
restore things to normal, and let procedures follow the right track they
should be on, so that the Israeli antecedents of murder and assassination
would not be excluded from the circle of accusation in the assassination
of martyr Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. This is what we call
overwhelming evidence that corresponds to the huge number of Israeli
agents and spies in Lebanon, and also to Israel's interest in sabotaging
any national unity and stability in Lebanon." (Description of source:
Damascus Al-Ba'th Online in Arabic -- Website of the newspaper of the
ruling Ba'th Party; URL:
http://www.albaath.news.sy/ http://www.albaath.news.sy)
In a 285-word commentary in Tishrin entitled "The Negotiations,"
Izz-al-Din al-Darwish says that "(George) Mitchell's visit to the region
today does not constitute a story in and of itself, but rather the results
that this visit will pro duce will be the news, although they will be
devoted, as it seems, to arranging for the commencement of direct
negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, according to
American sources." Indicating that "there is ample evidence that these
negotiations, if they are conducted according to what is planned for them
by the Israelis and the Americans, will represent a new setback for the
Palestinian cause," al-Darwish notes that "when the Palestinians call for
a reference, titles, and schedules for these negotiations that is because
they feel in advance the dangers that might result if they are held
according to the Israeli-American way.""And that is what some observers
draw attention to, and stop at at length," the writer adds, "given the
racist nature of the Netanyahu-Lieberman government, and its basic
rejection of the principle of peace." He continues: "Netanyahu's
government wants them (the negotiations) as a co ver for its plans, and to
pass the time, while the Americans are counting on them, as they look to
the potential success of the pressure they put on the Palestinian side
under the cover of the prior Arab approval of these negotiations." He
concludes: "And certainly, Mitchell, who will begin his meetings today,
will not deviate from this defined framework for negotiations, at least
during the current round." (Description of source: Damascus Tishrin Online
in Arabic -- Website of the government-owned newspaper; URL:
http://tishreen.info/ http://tishreen.info)
Al-Watan runs an unattributed 150-word report entitled "Some 70 Million
Barrels of Oil Our Production in Six Months," in which it indicates that
"the total oil produced in Syria during the first half of this year
amounted to 69.903 million barrels of light and heavy oil and condensate,
with an implementation rate of 106 percent, or 386,000 barrels per day,
that is, an increase o f 10,986 barrels per day on the same period last
year." "With regard to gas production," the paper adds, "Syria has
produced 4.945 billion cubic meters of non-associated and associated gas,
with a daily average of 27 million cubic meters." (Description of source:
Damascus Al-Watan Online in Arabic -- Website of the independent daily;
URL:
http://www.alwatan.sy/ http://www.alwatan.sy)
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93) Back to Top
Us Lawmaker Cuts $100 Million Aid To Lebanons Military
"Us Lawmaker Cuts $100 Million Aid To Lebanons Military" -- The Daily Star
Headline - The Daily Star Online
Wedne sday August 11, 2010 01:28:16 GMT
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A top US congressman has blocked $100 million in aid to Lebanon-smilitary,
saying he cannot be sure the country-s armed forces are notworking with
Hizbullah.The news sparked criticism from an aide to the Lebanese
president, who said themoney was needed to underpin the country-s
sovereignty.Howard Berman, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee,said in a statement Monday that the hold had been in
place since August 2,pointing to last week-s deadly clash between Israeli
and Lebanese troopsalong the countries- shared border.'Until we know more
about this incident and the nature of Hizbullahinfluence on the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF) - and can assure that theLAF is a responsible actor - I
cannot in good conscience allow the US tocontinue sending weapons to
Lebanon,' Berman said.'The incident on the Israel-Lebanon border only one
day after m y hold wasplaced simply reinforces the critical need for the
United States to conduct anin-depth policy review of its relationship with
the Lebanese military,'he added.Relations between Israel and Lebanon have
been strained in the wake of thedeadly exchange of fire last week that
killed two Lebanese soldiers and ajournalist, as well as an Israeli
officer.The standoff was sparked when Israeli troops tried to cut down a
tree on theborder, prompting the Lebanese to fire.On Monday, Iran offered
support to Lebanon-s Army.The offer from Iran, which supports Hizbullah,
could fuel Western concern thatTehran is increasing its influence near
Israel-s northern border.Iran-s ambassador to Lebanon met Lebanese Army
chief Jean Kahwaji onMonday and said Tehran was ready to 'cooperate with
the Lebanese Army inany area that would help (it) in performing its
national role in defendingLebanon.'Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
is expected to visit Beirut next month.Meanwhile, State Departm ent
spokesman Philip Crowley said the United States wasnot planning 'to
re-evaluate our current military cooperation withLebanon in light of this
incident,' adding that military cooperation withLebanon remains in US
interests.'We are not aware that there was any US equipment used during
theincident,' he told reporters.'We do have training programs with
Lebanon. It-s hard to saywhether those who were directly involved in this
incident were part of anyprogram.''The last thing that the US or any other
friend of Lebanon should do isto weaken the effort to build up our
national army,' Mohammad Chatah, anadviser to Prime Minister Saad Hariri,
told the Associated Press on Monday.He added that government officials
were contacting Washington 'to makesure that there is a better and fuller
understanding of the situation inLebanon and along the
border.'Representative Eric Cantor earlier warned that the lines between
Hizbullah andLebanon-s armed forces had become 'blurred.''The days of i
gnoring the LAF-s provocations against Israel andprotection of Hizbullah
in southern Lebanon are over,' added Cantor, thenumber two Republican in
the House of Representatives.'Lebanon cannot have it both ways. If it
wants to align itself withHizbullah against the forces of democracy,
stability and moderation, there willbe consequences,' said Cantor, a
fierce defender of Israel.Cantor said the United States had provided
roughly $720 million since 2006 inmilitary aid 'to build up a Lebanese
fighting force that would serve as acheck on the growing power of the
radical Islamist Hizbullah movement.'But, he said, 'for the past few
years, the US and the internationalcommunity looked the other way as the
lines between Hizbullah and the Lebanesemilitary and government became
blurred.'In Beirut, Nazem Khoury, an adviser to President Michel Sleiman,
said 'itis in the interest of those who claim to defend Lebanon-s
sovereigntythat Lebanon have a strong army.'The United States says it su
pports that sovereignty, but thesestatements should also be translated
into acts,' he added.'It is time the Lebanese Army be adequately armed,
and we are counting onthe friends of Lebanon to help the army.'Sleiman
announced Saturday a plan to build up the armed forces'regardless of the
position of some countries,' in apparentreference to Israel-s complaints.
A statement from his office said he hadreceived numerous phone calls 'from
Lebanon and Lebanon-s friends... ... who expressed the desire to
contribute to arming the military.'On Tuesday, the municipality of the
Beqaa town of Zahle sent a letter toPresident Sleiman, informing him that
it will donate 100 million LL to supportthe Lebanese Army, the state-run
National News Agency reported. -Agencies , with The Daily Star(Description
of Source: Beirut The Daily Star Online in English -- Website of the
independent daily, The Daily Star; URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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94) Back to Top
Lebanese Press 10 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 10 August.
To request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Lebanon -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 20:40:12 GMT
"Pictures of aerial surveillance after the revelation of the secret of
Al-Ansariyyah and confession tapes of collaborators regarding
assassinations and monitoring activities"
"Nasrallah gives a comprehensive report on accusations against Israel:
Evidence and data that open up new horizons but are not convincing proof&
quot; Al-Akhbar
"Nasrallah's press conference: An accusation that is looking for a
tribunal"
"Nasrallah's evidence: Aerial pictures and collaborators" Al-Safir
"The AWACS flew and the commandos scanned the coastline and the enemy's
collaborator was at the crime scene"
"Nasrallah accuses Israel based on its aerial pictures and the confessions
of its spies: An MK plane monitored Al-Hariri's train in Beirut, Faqra,
and Sidon" Al-Diyar
"Nasrallah points all fingers at Israel based on evidence and dates"
"The investigation before his press conference is not the same as after
it" Al-Anwar
"Nasrallah presents information and evidence on Israel's involvement in
Al-Hariri's assassination" Al-Liwa
"Nasrallah accuses Israel of Al-Hariri's assassination and does not trust
the Special Tribunal" Coverage in details 1. Beirut Al-Nahar (Internet
Version-WWW ) in Arabic (Independent, moderate, centrist, and Christian;
URL:
http://www.annahar.com.lb/ http://www.annahar.com.lb
a. Hizballah Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah crowned his
successive television appearances during the past few months by launching
his comprehensive report accusing Israel of the assassination of former
Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. the report says that Nasrallah rushed
remarkably to comment on what he presented in his conference, saying, I do
not pretend that I am offering convincing proof, I am giving evidence and
data that open up new horizons to investigate Israel for the first time.
Hizballah made sure to show video tapes of aerial surveillance from
Israeli reconnaissance planes that monitored the primary places where
Al-Hariri was located. The report notes that Nasrallah divided his
accusation into four sections. In the first section, he revealed the
profile of agent Ahmad Nasrallah, who, according to him, worked in 1993 on
con vincing Al-Hariri that Hizballah was plotting to assassinate him. In
the second section, Nasrallah reiterated the reasons why he is accusing
Israel, based on the issue of its agents and those who collaborated with
it, most of whom were captured between 2009 and 2010.The third section was
about the Israeli aerial surveillance, which Nasrallah described as the
cornerstone of everything Israel is doing on the Lebanese scene. And in
the fourth section, Nasrallah talked about the investigation carried out
by Hizballah into the assassination of Al-Hariri, after his visit to the
Al-Hariri family residence and upon the family's request. (1,300 words)
b. Article by Rosanna Bu-Munsif saying that European and Arab capitals
acknowledge that the demands raised by President Mahmud Abbas to move on
to direct negotiations are legitimate. However, American and European
pressure is put on President Abu-Mazin to resume direct negotiations,
while the Arabs want to show some optimism and respond to this endeavor
for many considerations. This is despite the fact that the Arabs realize
that the ability of the United States to put pressure on Israel is
decreasing. According to sources, the American President informed
President Mahmud Abbas that the message of guarantees he sent to him to
encourage him to move to direct negotiations is the maximum the United
States could offer. However, sources believe that the Palestinian
president should move to direct negotiations in order to avoid giving
Binyamin Netanyahu a chance to fiddle with the negotiating tracks and
choose one over another. (1,200 words)
c. Article by Ghassan Hajjar titled: "The Government's Responsibility in
the Issue of the Collaborators," saying that the series of arrests of the
collaborators is illogical and insulting for the state's apparatuses and
the government. The ministers say that the issue was not seriously
discussed in the Council of Ministers and the general direction fo r
dealing with this issue has not been determined. He notes that the Free
Patriotic Movement did well when it called for referring Fayiz Karam to
the judiciary and not leaving him under arrest. The writer says that,
while the security bodies did not disclose the names of the collaborators
before, to maintain the secrecy of the investigations, they are competing
today to disclose the names and this is not right according to the writer.
(600 words)
d. Unattributed report saying that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
refuses to comment on leaks from the Special Tribunal for Lebanon because
he is not authorized to do so. Ban said that UNIFIL forces in Lebanon help
with defusing the tension and restoring calm on the Israeli-Lebanese
border and that these forces' report on the recent clashes will be
presented to the UN Security Council once it is complete. (400 words) 2.
Beirut Al-Akhbar Online in Arabic -- Website of Al-Akhbar, a political
daily espousing Arab nationalist v iews, pro-resistance, pro-Syria; URL:
http://www.al-akhbar.com/ www.al-akhbar.com
a. Report saying that the capability, the motive, the confessions, the
agents, the secret of the Al-Ansariyyah operation, aerial footage captured
by Israeli reconnaissance planes, the Israeli air traffic on 14 February
2005, and agent Ghassan al-Jid formed the main evidence given by Hizballah
Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah as signs of Israel's involvement
in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The report
adds that Nasrallah said that the international investigation committee is
capable of obtaining the map of the Israeli aerial monitoring, or it can
ask for it from Israel or from friendly countries that have radar. When
asked about giving the data to the international investigation committee,
Nasrallah replied that he does not trust the investigation, but is ready
to give the data to the Lebanese Government. (1,000 words)
b. Article by Ibra him al-Amin saying that, before he went for a vacation
in Sardinia, Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri told his aides that they should
remain silent and avoid participating in the discussions over the Special
Tribunal and the anticipated indictment. According to the writer, this
means that nothing has changed in his reading or calculations and that he
is giving his aides the green light to continue to accuse Hizballah of the
assassination. The writer says that the revelations of Hizballah Secretary
General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah in his press conference yesterday could be
the ladder Al-Hariri needs in order to end the politicization of the
investigations. (800 words)
c. Unattributed report on the reactions to Nasrallah's press conference,
saying that General Michel Awn said that the information revealed by
Nasrallah represents a foundation for opening new investigations. Speaking
to Al-Manar TV, Deputy Walid Junblatt said that the facts relayed by
Nasrallah opened up new ho rizons as to how the murder took place, adding
that we have to remember that what led to this catastrophe was Resolution
1559. Former Future Movement Deputy Mustafa Allush said that Nasrallah
should have given names, the means of the assassination and how it took
place, and other details. He added that he is not convinced by the
information Nasrallah revealed. (500 words) 3. Beirut Al-Safir Online in
Arabic -- Website of Al-Safir, independent and leftist, espousing Arab
nationalist views; URL:
http://www.assafir.com/ www.assafir.com
a. Front-page report saying that Hizballah Secretary General Sayyid Hasan
Nasrallah confirmed in his press conference that what he has presented is
accusatory evidence and not convincing proof, it is only some evidence and
data that open up new horizons for the investigation. Asked about the
reason why Nasrallah would not meet Prime Sa'd al-Hariri, he said, there
is no rupture in relations with Al-Hariri and there could be a meeting
between us. I will not ask him for anything; we do not want him to abandon
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon; we want to reveal the truth. Nasrallah
confirmed his distrust of the tribunal, refusing to give it his data.
(1,200 words)b. Article by Sati Nur-al-Din on the Israeli attack on the
Lebanese Army, saying that the Lebanese were close to thanking Israel for
dragging the Lebanese State to the southern border, and for participating,
intentionally or unintentionally, in downplaying the internal tension
resulting from the imminent issuance of the indictment. The writer says
that Israel, which is stirring up conflicts on the border with Lebanon,
does not seem to be looking for a pretext to go to a new war. However, it
is showing the Lebanese that it is their common enemy. (500 words)
c. Article by Imad Marmal on the armament of the Lebanese Army, saying
that the clashes in Al-Udaysah opened the file of the armament of the
Lebanese Army and eliminated many illusions re garding the positions of
some Western countries toward the army and their seriousness in
reinforcing it. The Al-Udaysah incident reemphasized that the United
States wants the Lebanese Army to carry out a specific role, i.e. facing
Hizballah and the fundamentalist terrorism. No American weapon will be
given to the army unless it will be exclusively used in this direction.
The writer ironically says that the Israeli and American campaign against
the armament of the Lebanese Army implied that the weapons used by the
army in the Al-Udaysah clashes were very advanced and threatening. In this
sense, the army will lose nothing if the United States stops arming it.
The writer says that after the Al-Udaysah clashes President Michel
Sulayman called for arming the Lebanese from any source without
conditions. But will the parties participating in the cabinet agree to the
armament of the army from any source that does not set any preconditions,
including Iran for example? (1,000 words)
d. Article by Malak Aqil titled: "The 14 March Christians Understand
Junblatt: He is Afraid of a New May," saying that Deputy Walid Junblatt no
longer provokes the 14 March Christians. The writer says that all the 14
March Christians are annoyed with Deputy Walid Junblatt's positions.
Lebanese Forces' Deputy Antoine Zahra strongly attacked him recently and
said that he is no longer in the center, but he has, rather, joined the 8
March group. Faris al-Sa'id, coordinator of the 14 March General
Secretariat, says that Junblatt's position vis-a-vis the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon will determine his stand now. If he sides with the group
calling for topping the tribunal under the threats of Hizballah, then he
will lose his leadership. Sources from the Phalange Party say that
Junblatt was the first to accuse Hizballah of Al-Hariri's murder, when he
literally said on 28 January 2006 that the vehicle used in the attempt to
assassinate Marwan Hamadah was boobytrapped in Beirut's Southern Suburb.
(1,200 words) 4. Beirut Al-Diyar Online in Arabic -- Website of Al-Diyar,
pro-Syria political daily; URL
http://www.addiyaronline.com/ http://www.addiyaronline.com
Article by Jihad Nafi on the visit of Syrian Ambassador Ali Abd-al-Karim
Ali to Al-Duniyah, saying that the visit is a prominent political event
and turnaround in the political activity of the Syrian ambassador. The
writer says that the political mood in Al-Duniyah has changed after the
opposition achieved victory in the municipal elections. Today, Al-Duniyah
welcomes the Syrian ambassador, while this area was shut down before any
pro-Syrian figure. The ambassador was received at the residence of former
Deputy Jihad al-Samad, who succeeded in confronting the forces controlling
Al-Duniyah, manipulating the failure of Deputy Ahmad Fatfat to make the
people rally behind him. (700 words) 5. Beirut Al-Anwar Online in Arabic
-- Website of Al-Anwar, moderate, centrist, and inde pendent daily; URL:
http://www.alanwar.com/ www.alanwar.com
Article by Rafiq Khuri saying that Lebanon is facing a fierce Israeli
enemy and it is time to give priority to the armament of the Lebanese
Army. The writer praises President Sulayman's calls to launch a campaign
for the armament of the army, and says that he chose the right time and
place in southern Lebanon to launch his campaign. The writer says that the
Lebanese Army protects the national unity that protects it, and adds that
the Lebanese Army and its armament should be the pillars of the defense
strategy. (500 words) 6. Beirut Al-Liwa Online in Arabic --Website of
Al-Liwa, a mainstream Sunni political daily;URL:http://www.aliwaa.com.lb
Report citing sources saying that the file of investigations with Fayiz
Karam, the retired brigadier general who was arrested on suspicion of
collaborating with Israel, includes descriptions of all the suspicious
materials in his possession as well as evidenc e of his phone
conversations with external parties. The source says that the case file
also includes statements made by Karam during preliminary investigation of
his espionage activities. According to the source, Judge Saqr Saqr will
study the case before transferring it to Military Investigative Judge
Riyad Abu-Ghida. (350 words)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
95) Back to Top
US State of Georgia, Liberia Sign Agreement on Management, Security of
Ports
Report by Julius Kanubah: "Liberia/Georgia Sign Agreement" - Star Radio
Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:04:02 GMT
(Description of Source: Monrovia Star Radio Online in English -- Website
of the independent Star Radio; URL: http://www.starradio.org.lr/)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
96) Back to Top
Turkish Islamist Press 10 Aug
This product lists selected items carried in the Turkish Islamist press on
10 August. To request additional processing, contact the OSC Customer
Center at (800) 205-8615 or OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Turkey -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 09:36:42 GMT
Ergenekon," Yeni Safak
publishes a front-page report which asserts that the Supreme Council of
Judges and Prosecutors, HSY K, has taken steps to "bypass" the Justice
Ministry's summer decree on the appointment of judges and prosecutors
through a "promotion formula" that entails the appointment of Erzincan's
Chief Public Prosecutor Ilhan Cihaner, a "suspect" in an anti-government
conspiracy being investigated as part of the Ergenekon probe, as Ankara's
chief public prosecutor.
In a 602-word article entitled "Waiting for That Statement," Yeni Safak
columnist Ibrahim Karagul comments on what he refers to as an impending
statement by Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah expected to disclose
"concrete information" about the architects of the murder of ex-Lebanese
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. After highlighting earlier remarks by
Nasrallah citing Israel and Mosad as culprits in the killing of Hariri,
Karagul argues that the Hariri murder belongs along with the later killing
of Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to the category o f
"BMEI (Broader Middle East Initiative) assassinations," which "constitute
the region's real history in the past 20 years" as events that "cleared
obstacles to the United States and its allies' regional plans."
In a 451-word article entitled "Who Won, Who Lost?" Yeni Safak columnist
Fehmi Koru links public interest in the promotions and appointments
implemented at Supreme Military Council, YAS, meetings to the Turkish
Armed Forces' influence in political life, asserting that how the
military's command structure is shaped at such meetings is a matter of
curiosity simply because people tend to wonder how the army's four-star
generals view important political issues. He claims that the
"extraordinary" developments at the latest YAS meeting, where he asserts
the representatives of the political authority claimed and exercised some
of the powers conferred on them by the law, might potentially serve to end
"military t utelage" over politics in Turkey. He also explains in what
sense the meeting resulted in a "win-win" situation for the Government and
the TSK. (Istanbul Yeni Safak (Ankara edition) in Turkish - Daily
targeting Islamic reformists; close to the ruling Justice and Development
Party - URL:
http://www.yenisafak.com http://www.yenisafak.com ) Vakit
Under the headline, "New Era in the TSK," Vakit carries a front-page
report which asserts that "the eight-day YAS crisis" has ended with the
Government "once more managing to get its own way" against the TSK by
deciding appointments to posts like Land Forces Commander. According to
the report, the YAS decisions have made it possible for General Necdet
Ozel to be appointed as Chief of Staff after General Isik Kosaner's term
as the army's commander-in-chief has ended.
In a 727-word article entitled "Turkey is Emerging From the Fear Tunnel,"
Vakit columnist Abdur rahman Dilipak expresses the hope that now that "the
YAS crisis is over," domestic political debates will become less strident.
He proceeds to comment on allegations that two TSK officers discussed
shooting down Heron UAVs during a military operation against the PKK
because they were causing the terrorists to sustain extensive losses. He
refers to this "incident" as one that revealed possible secret cooperation
between the "Turkish Ergenekon" and the PKK and calls on the General Staff
to make a statement about the claims. He also urges Prime Minister Erdogan
to repeat his "YAS performance" in opposing the HSYK's "efforts" to
appoint certain prosecutors implicated in the Ergenekon conspiracy to
"critical" posts.
In a 962-word article entitled "New Era in the TSK: Junta Loses, Democracy
Wins," Vakit Editor-in-Chief Hasan Karakaya hails the results of the
latest YAS meeting as a "civilian revol ution" marking the start of
government control of the TSK's top command for the first time in Turkey.
He argues that the "traditions" to which General Basbug and his aides
referred in trying to persuade Prime Minister Erdogan to endorse General
Hasan Igsiz's appointment as Land Forces Commander were nothing but a ploy
to prevent General Necdet Ozel from becoming Chief of Staff three years
from now and place themselves in a position where they could shape the
TSK's command structure in the next 11 years. He also claims that the TSK
will be using "different methods" in the fight against terrorism in the
next three years under the leadership of General Isik Kosaner, General
Erdal Ceylanoglu, and General Necdet Ozel and that the three generals will
make sure the TSK stops being a "controversial" establishment. (Istanbul
Anadolu'da Vakit (Internet Version-WWW) in Turkish - Islamic
fundamentalist daily - URL:
http://www.vakit.com.tr htt p://www.vakit.com.tr ) Zaman
In a 443-word article entitled "Who Lost at the YAS Meeting?" Zaman
columnist Bulent Korucu analyses the results of the recent YAS meeting
from the standpoint of the "gains" they entail for the "democratic
system." He claims that the results signify that "the principle of the
rule of law has prevailed," that the authority of the unwritten rules
called military tradition has been undermined, and that the civilian
authority has come closer to achieving the status it deserves within the
political system. He also argues that what took place at the latest YAS
meeting might turn out to be to the TSK's benefit by putting Turkey's
generals in a position where they could devote more attention to
professional matters.
In a 502-word article entitled "The Rabbit Out of the Hat," Zaman
columnist Ahmet Turan Alkan criticizes the way in which the "Kurdish
issue" is being represented as a problem where the Turks have to make some
sort of payment to the Kurds. He claims that while this perception is not
wholly wrong, the use of terrorism as a means of obtaining Kurdish rights
prevents Turkey from taking steps to redress perceived wrongs done to
Kurds. He proceeds to assert that a significant number of Kurds insist on
using armed force to coerce Turkey into coming to the negotiating table,
adding that this "arm-twisting" strategy is only serving to "poison
dialog." He also argues that while "we do have a 'Kurdish issue,'" this is
a trouble "magnified by Kurdish fixations" rather than being a true social
problem. (Istanbul Zaman (Ankara Edition) in Turkish - moderate
pro-Islamic daily supportive of Nurcu Sect leader Fethullah Gulen - URL
http://www.zaman.com.tr http://www.zaman.com.tr ) Today's Zaman
In a 670-word article entitled "Military Fights Back While Withdrawing
From Politics," Today's Zaman columnist Lale Kemal asserts that the
"crisis" over this year's YAS meeting "marked a turning point in forcing
the military gradually, if not immediately, back to its barracks, its
natural place in a democracy." She also claims that "the political
authority's intervention" in military promotions is distinguished from
similar past moves by presidents and prime ministers by the fact that it
"comes against the backdrop" of Turkey's efforts to qualify for EU
membership. (processing)
In an 854-word article entitled "Social Psychology of Military-Civilian
Relations," Today's Zaman columnist Ali Bulac comments on the "underlying
causes of the recent YAS crisis" using "tools afforded by social
psychology in order to make sense of today's group, administrative and
political conflicts." (processing)
In a 732-word article entitled "An American Victory: A Mosque Near Ground
Zero," Today 's Zaman Washington correspondent Ali H. Aslan lauds New York
city authorities for "unanimously voting to clear the way for a mosque
near the Ground Zero site." He also discusses how "the heated national
debate about the mosque project revealed both strengths and weaknesses on
the part of the US." (processing) (Istanbul Today's Zaman (Ankara Edition)
in Eng lish - moderate pro-Islamic daily supportive of Nurcu Sect leader
Fethullah Gulen - Root URL:
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web )
Milli Gazete
Under the headline, "Warrants Canceled, Crisis Ends," Milli Gazete carries
a front-page report which asserts that "the crisis" over the military
appointments at the recent YAS meeting was solved when the arrest warrants
issued for a number of generals as part of the investigation into the
so-called Sledgehammer coup conspiracy were canceled. (Istanbul Milli
Gazete (Internet Version-WWW) in Turk ish - Mouthpiece of the Felicity
Party (SP), affiliated with Necmettin Erbakan's National View Organization
- URL:
http://www.milligazete.com http://www.milligazete.com )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
97) Back to Top
Visits to Russia, US 'Yet To Be Planned'
"Lithuanian President: Visits to Russia, US Yet To Be Planned" -- BNS
headline - BNS
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:33:12 GMT
"Moscow is not yet being planned because, as I have already said, visits
to foreign countries must have a purpose and be well-prepared. As soon as
certain agreements are drafted, preparations of the visit will start. The
date for the visit has not been set yet. There is no date (for Washington
D.C.), as well, however, there will be about two or three trips per month
starting September," she told journalists on Tuesday (10 August).
Among the nearest visits, the president referred to the European Council
session in Brussels next month.
Grybauskaite made her last foreign trip in July -- she attended events to
mark 600 years of the Zalgiris (Grunwald) Battle in Poland.
(Description of Source: Vilnius BNS in English -- Baltic News Service, the
largest private news agency in the Baltic States, providing news on
political developments in all three Baltic countries; URL:
http://www.bns.lt)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
98) Back to Top
Lebanese Press 9 Aug 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 9 August. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Lebanon -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:45:02 GMT
"Fayiz Karam's file is transferred to the judiciary and the (Change and
Reform) bloc criticizes the violation of legal principles"
"Nasrallah releases the presumption of accusation today"
"Birri: Collaborators do not belong to any religious community" Al-Akhbar
"Nasrallah reveals his documents tonight: I accuse" Al-Safir
"Junblatt: Let us arm the Lebanese Army from any source; beware of not
respecting its fighting credo"
"Tehran says war is unlikel y and praises the 'wisdom' of Damascus and
Saudi Arabia"
"Nasrallah issues his 'indictment' today: A methodical accusation of
Israel" Al-Diyar
"A surprise is expected today with Nasrallah's information on confessions
and documents"
"Sulayman continues his meetings and will launch an initiative on 19
August" Al-Anwar
"Sulayman's request for anti-aircraft missiles will be discussed in the
Council of Ministers"
"The army's leadership warns against launching rumors against militants
and decides to investigate with them" Al-Liwa
"Nasrallah calls for overcoming strife today and reveals information on
Israel's involvement in Al-Hariri's assassination" Coverage in details 1.
Beirut Al-Nahar (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic (Independent, moderate,
centrist, and Christian; URL:
http://www.annahar.com.lb/ http://www.annahar.com.lb
a. Front-page report citing sources from the opposition saying that Sayyid
Hasan Nasrallah did not inform his close aides of the substance of his
press conference tonight, and that key sources within the opposition and
the state do not have any realistic and serious indications regarding what
he will be saying. Other opposition sources said that Nasrallah will
reveal data that is likely to change the course of the international
investigation, thus forcing all those involved to deal with a new reality.
The report adds that Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said that his
ministry listed the names and cases of collaborators, "which, as it turns
out, amount to around 150 cases." Najjar said that the file prepared by
the ministry has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
which will then transfer it to the UN Security Council. Al-Nahar has
learned that Speaker Nabih Birri instructed Development and Liberation
Bloc ministers yesterday to call during the first session of the Council
of Minister s for executing all legal sentences concerning collaborators
and spies. Interior Minister Ziyad Barud told Al-Nahar that investigations
with Brigadier General Fayiz Karam came to an end and that the case has
been transferred to the prosecutor general's office." Barud said: "I know
nothing; it is necessary to preserve the presumption of innocence, which
presupposes the need to protect the secrecy of the investigation." (1,200
words)
b. Article by Nabil Bu-Munsif saying that all the rumors and information
about an expected cabinet reshuffle are forms of pressure put on the
government to adopt new policies and decisions. The writer says that there
are indications that some forces are trying to transfer the increasing
tension from outside the government to inside it with regard to the issue
of the Special Tribunal. The writer says that the government will soon
find itself obliged to face escalating crises starting with the conflict
with Israel, the Special Tribunal's accusations against Hizballah, and the
social and economic issues and files that affect the lives of the Lebanese
citizens. (700 words)
c. Article by Rosanna Bu-Munsif citing Western political sources saying
that the escalating positions of Sayyid Nasrallah will cancel the positive
effects of the tripartite summit that was held in Beirut, and warns that
these positions might pave the way for certain actions and movements. The
sources add that Iran is exploiting Lebanon and trying to change its
political situation as part of its battle and confrontation with the
international community. The sources add that the internal Lebanese
situation will face crisis as a result of internal and external factors.
The sources continue to say that Nasrallah's positions lead to the
possibility of Hizballah gaining control over the Lebanese State through a
new version of the 7 May events or through toppling the national unity
government and replacing it with a new one and c ontrolling the Ministries
of Defense and Interior. The sources say that if Hizballah is able to
prevent the issuance of the tribunal's decision through threatening to
destabilize Lebanon, then this will be a huge victory for it and will
enable it to control Lebanon and to be the sole and only decisionmaker in
the country. (1,200 words)
d. Article by Naylah Tuwayni saying that the media outlets should protect
the authority and status of the Lebanese Army and the security
institutions by avoiding the publication of names of officers and army
personnel who are under suspicion of collaborating with Israel, before the
accusations against them are verified. The writer says that the
publication of these names affects the secrecy of the investigations and
the structure, status, and authority of the Lebanese Army institution.
(700 words) 2. Beirut Al-Akhbar Online in Arabic -- Website of Al-Akhbar,
a political daily espousing Arab nationalist views, pro-resistance,
pro-Syria; URL:
http://www.al-akhbar.com/ www.al-akhbar.com
a. Report saying that Hizballah Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah
is scheduled to hold a press conference that will last for more than two
hours, during which he will reveal a series of paper and electronic
documents. According to a source within Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu's office, Hizballah's accusations against Israel bear witness to
the party's concern on the eve of its indictment by the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon. According to the source, "the accusation against Israel is
ridiculous." On another note, the report says that Brigadier General Fayiz
Karam is to be transferred to the competent judiciary authorities today
following the end of the preliminary investigations on Saturday (7
August). The sources involved with the case within the Internal Security
Forces (ISF) Intelligence Department hope that an arrest warrant will be
issued against him. The report notes that over the past couple of days
Free Patriotic Movement officials went from being mere bystanders to
cautiously calling for abstaining from anticipating investigation results
and refusing to grant the ISF Intelligence their total confidence.
According to an informed source, the Lebanese Army does not only need
advanced weapons and equipment, the delivery of which is banned by Western
states; rather, it also urgently needs primary and basic equipment. (1,000
words)
b. Unattributed report saying that the ongoing technical investigations
into the telecommunications sector, which started with the detention of
individuals who work in this sector on suspicion of collaborating with
Israel, showed that a major and mysterious infiltration occurred on the
level of the network of the mobile company, "Alfa," during the July war
2006. The report says that the sources and nature of the infiltration are
not known yet. (100 words)
c. Article by Ibrahim al-Ami saying that the ar rest of Fayiz Karam, the
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) official, was politically exploited by
political sides against General Awn and the opposition in general. The
writer says that these sides want to say that discovering an Israeli spy
within the FPM ranks should push the FPM and the opposition in general to
maintain silence and stop their campaigns with regard to this issue. The
writer says that Karam's arrest revealed several facts and issues: First,
the anger that existed within the different FPM ranks proves that General
Awn was able to reinforce the concept that collaborating with Israel is
not allowed and that Israel is the enemy. Second, the Israeli attempt to
infiltrate the FPM highlights the significant role that it is playing on
the level of the conflict with Israel. Third, it is normal for Israel to
try to recruit a spy who is close to General Awn personally, and
ironically asks: Will Israel try to recruit someone close to the Lebanese
Forces? Fourth, the near future will reveal to the security, public, and
private sectors in Lebanon more shocking facts on the level of Israeli
infiltration. (1,000 words)
d. Unattributed report on the political situation in Tripoli in north
Lebanon. The report says that the influence of the Future Movement has
decreased in Tripoli due to several reasons and factors, and that the city
is currently suffering from a political vacuum that needs to be filled by
the political forces. (700 words) 3. Beirut Al-Safir Online in Arabic --
Website of Al-Safir, independent and leftist, espousing Arab nationalist
views; URL:
http://www.assafir.com/ www.assafir.com
a. Front-page report citing informed sources saying that Hizballah
Secretary General Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah's statements will open new
prospects for the investigation, which the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
can build on if it wants to be sincere. The report cites Deputy Walid
Junblatt saying that the president was right about stres sing "the need to
provide the army with weapons without submitting to any political
conditions." Junblatt said that he held a meeting with the Progressive
Youth Organization and PSP leaders during which they discussed his new
choices. The report says that, following his meeting with his Lebanese
counterpart, Ali al-Shami, in Tehran, the Iranian foreign minister
noticeably emphasized "UNIFIL's deficiencies in southern Lebanon." Asked
by Al-Safir about the Saudi-Syrian rapprochement, the foreign minister
hailed any rapprochement between Damascus and Riyadh, saying that "it
emanates from the wisdom and foresight of their respective leaderships as
well as the Lebanese leadership." (1,200 words)
b. Article by Talal Salman on the accusations leveled against Hizballah
with regard to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri.
The writer says that the accusations are political ones and aim at
stirring up strife in Lebanon and jeop ardizing the image of the national
resistance. The writer says that the accusations are part of an
international war, led by the United States and Israel. (800 words)
c. Report by Nabil Haytham on the visit of Ali Akbar Velayati,
international affairs adviser for Iranian Supreme Jurisconsult Ali
Khamene'i, to Lebanon. The report says that the visit has several
indications. First, Iran is a major player in the Lebanese arena and all
the Arab and international countries should consider this reality. Second,
Iran will not allow or accept the accusations leveled at Hizballah and the
resistance, and will protect it in the face of the campaigns launched
against it. Third, Iran is comfortable and satisfied with the Saudi-Syrian
efforts to find a solution for the Lebanese crisis. Fourth, the Iranian
and Syrian roles are complementary to each other. Fifth, Iran will support
Hizballah and the Lebanese people against any Israeli act of aggression.
(800 words)
d. Report by Ja'far al-Attar on the fabricated witnesses in the
investigations into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq
al-Hariri. The report says that Al-Safir was able to obtain a video of
Murad's testimony in which he says that he was lured into testifying
against Ali al-Hajj, former director of the ISF. Murad says that he was
visited by several individuals close to the 14 March forces, who promised
to get him out of prison if he testified against Al-Hajj. Murad says: "I
went to the international investigation committee and I said what they
asked me to say." The report presents the full details of Murad's
testimony. (1,000 words)
e. Report by M.K. citing an interview with Mohammad Reza Sheybani, former
Iranian ambassador to Lebanon. Sheybani says that Iran supports the
resistance, and that "a war is always a possibility with Israel," adding
that it is not easy for Israel to launch a war after the July war in 2006.
He adds that Israel wants a wa r the results of which it can guarantee;
however, this is not possible considering the current conditions and
circumstances. Sheybani talks about the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and
says that "it targets Hizballah as a means to target the security,
stability, and national unity of Lebanon." (300 words) 4. Beirut Al-Diyar
Online in Arabic -- Website of Al-Diyar, pro-Syria political daily; URL
http://www.addiyaronline.com/ http://www.addiyaronline.com
a. Report by Yasir al-Hariri citing information stating that one of the
Lebanese security apparatuses is close to detaining a major official after
the investigations with the Israeli spies in the telecommunications sector
revealed that this official provided the Israeli spies with several
services and eased their access to information. The information also
states that an official provided a political side with some files, files
believed to be genuine but that turned out to be fabricated. These files
accus e Hizballah of Al-Hariri's assassination. The writer cites sources
saying that Sayyid Nasrallah will call on the security apparatuses to
prevent the escape of these officials and individuals outside Lebanon.
(700 words)
b. Report by Radwan al-Dib saying that the opposition's campaign on the
Special Tribunal is due to the information stating that the efforts of
Saudi King Abdallah with regard to this issue are facing American and
French obstacles and insistence on issuing the tribunal's decision. The
writer talks about those who are advocating the theory of existing tension
on the level of the relations between Syria and Hizballah, and says that
they are working under illusions, as the tribunal's decision includes a
clause stating that "the terrorist group that carried out the
assassination of Al-Hariri was trained by an organized army," which links
Syria or Iran to Hizballah in this regard. 5. Beirut Al-Anwar Online in
Arabic -- Website of Al-Anwar, moderat e, centrist, and independent daily;
URL:
http://www.alanwar.com/ www.alanwar.com
Article by Ra'uf Shahuri on President Sulayman's statements in which he
called for the armament of the Lebanese Army. The writer describes
Sulayman's position as an honorable national one, and adds that the
Lebanese Army suffered from a conspiracy that prevented its armament it
for decades. The writer says that the Lebanese State and people cannot
oblige the international community to provide the Lebanese Amy with
weapons; however, the significance of Sulayman's position stems from the
fact that an official Lebanese decision has been made in this regard. (450
words) 6. Beirut Al-Liwa Online in Arabic -- Website of Al-Liwa, a
mainstream Sunni political daily;URL:http://www.aliwaa.com.lb
Report by Hasan Shalhah on an interview with Deputy Tammam Salam, who says
that the Arab summit in Beirut focused on preserving stability and
preventing strife. He adds that a cabinet reshuffl e is not an option, and
that it would be extremely difficult to form an alternative national unity
government. Salam talks about the military clashes that took place in
southern Lebanon, the Israeli violations and the role of UNIFIL, the
implementation of UN Resolution 1701, the tripartite summit that took
place in Lebanon, the Lebanese internal situation, the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, Prime Minister Al-Hariri's visits to Arab and foreign
countries, the Lebanese Government and the rumors regarding a cabinet
reshuffle and the issue of the Israeli espionage networks in Lebanon. (800
words)
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Commerce.
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Boeing Likely to Win Contract For S. Korea 's Presidential Jet: Sources -
Yonhap
Tuesday August 10, 2010 21:36:51 GMT
Boeing-presidential jet
Boeing likely to win contract for S. Korea's presidential jet:
sourcesSEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- Boeing Co. of the United States will
likely win a contract to build South Korea's new presidential jet as its
archrival EADS, the European parent of Airbus, decided not to submit a
bid, informed sources said Wednesday.South Korea plans to buy a
presidential jet by 2014 to replace its presidential plane put into
service in 1985. President Lee Myung-bak (Yi Myo'ng-pak) is using a Boeing
747-400 jet for overseas trips under a five-year lease contract with
Korean Air ahead of the planned purchase.The Defense Acquisition Program
Administration (DAPA), South Korea's weapons procurement agency in charge
of the presidential jet project, is reopening a tender that failed on Aug.
3 because it attr acted only one bidder, Boeing.But EADS would not submit
a bid by the Monday deadline for the second-round tender, a well-informed
military source said, clearing the way for a potential Boeing win."EADS
decided not to submit a bid for the presidential plane contract because it
sees little chance of winning," the source said on condition of
anonymity.An official at the Seoul office of EADS declined to comment on
the matter.With the exit of EADS, the DAPA will review the sole bid by
Boeing and complete price negotiations by October."If all things go
smoothly, Boeing will be able to sign a formal contract for the new
presidential plane in December," said another source at the DAPA.Boeing is
offering its B-737 commercial airliner, and the price would be up to 400
billion won (US$342.5 million), the DAPA source said.(Description of
Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news agency of the ROK;
URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
100) Back to Top
Iranian Vice President Warns of Tariffs Against ROK Over Sanctions
Unattributed report: "Iran Warns Korea Over Sanctions" - Chosun Ilbo
Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:32:52 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Chosun Ilbo Online in English -- English
website carrying English summaries and full translations of vernacular
hard copy items of the largest and oldest daily Chosun Ilbo, which is
conservative in editorial orientation -- strongly nationalistic,
anti-North Korea, and generally pro-US; URL: http://english.chosun.com)
Material in the Wor ld News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Iranian general downplays US war option - Press TV Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:06:07 GMT
Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 10
AugustChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Maj-Gen
Hasan Firuzabadi says the United States is keeping the "war option" open
to justify its huge military budget.Maj-Gen Firuzabadi on Tuesday (10
August) downplayed remarks made by his American counterpart Admiral Mike
Mullen last month, claiming he was prepared to give the green light for an
attack on Iran if he was conv inced it would keep Tehran from building
"bombs.""If American politicians do not keep the war option on the table,
how will they be able to garner the 1,000-billion-dollar budget that Mr
Mullen is seeking to spend for military operations?" the Iranian general
asked.He went on to say that Mullen needed to use such an excuse in order
to "justify Congress and the American nation" to fund a massive military
budget at a time when the "financial crisis has broken the backs of
Americans."Maj-Gen Firuzabadi said Iran's Armed Forces are capable of
countering any attack, warning that another war, particularly one with
Iran, would "completely finish off" Washington."However, the US is not in
a position (to launch a fresh war). It can neither spare heavy expenses
nor can it tolerate a war with heroic Iranian Basijis."The remarks came
hours after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) equipped its
naval fleet with 12 Zolf aqar class torpedo-launcher speedboats.Over the
weekend, the Iranian Navy also increased the number of its stealth mini
submarines to 11.(Description of Source: Tehran Press TV Online in English
-- website of Tehran Press TV, 24-hour English-language news channel of
Iranian state-run television officially controlled by the office of the
supreme leader; www.presstv.ir)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
102) Back to Top
US worst suppressor of media, people - Iranian president - Press TV Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:43:25 GMT
Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV websi te on 10
AugustThe Iranian president says while US accuses Iran of restricting its
media the American people and media are the targets of the "worst kind of
suppression.""The worst kind of suppression exists in the United States.
During the tenure of (former US president George W.) Bush, they controlled
postal packages and tapped phone calls," Mahmud Ahmadinezhad said in an
interview with The New Yorker, according to the president's official
website.Ahmadinezhad was referring to heightened security measures taken
during the Bush era following the September 11, 2001 attacks, which the US
blames on Al-Qa'idah militants.The Bush administration acknowledged that
intelligence agencies conducted warrant-less eavesdropping on Americans
with the help of telecommunication companies.However, a bill passed under
pressure from Bush granted telecom companies immunity from multiple civil
lawsuits related to their handling of phone records.Ahmadinezhad further
said the US was to blame for the lack of relations between Tehran and
Washington and stressed that Iran is ready for talks with the US that are
based on "justice and respect."The president stressed Iran "does not
welcome the current atmosphere" in Tehran-Washington relations and said,
"Unfortunately Mr Obama is on the path of failure which has no future as
it is the same path taken by Mr Bush in the past."Ahmadinezhad said Iran
was ready to "help bring the US out of the crises" it has created in Iraq
and Afghanistan, where thousands of US soldiers and hundreds of thousands
of civilians have been killed."Iran is ready to help them, based on
justice and respect... I hope there is someone with an ear among US
politicians to understand this and brings no more deaths to the people in
Iraq and Afghanistan as well as US soldiers," he said.(Description of
Source: Tehran Press TV Online in English -- website of Tehran Press TV,
24-hour English -language news channel of Iranian state-run television
officially controlled by the office of the supreme leader; www.presstv.ir)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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103) Back to Top
Malaysian, Singapore Chinese Press 10 Aug 10
The following is a selection of editorials, commentaries, and reports from
Malaysian and Singapore Chinese press on 10 August - Malaysia-Singapore --
OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 20:42:26 GMT
An editorial in Sin Chew Daily says: "The visit of US nuclear aircraft
carrier George Washington to Vietnam signifies that the bilateral military
cooperation between V ietnam and the United States has matured as days
went by. However, the timing of the arrival of George Washington to
Vietnam is sensitive for the region because of the recent accident of the
South Korean naval vessel Cheonan. The US nuclear aircraft carrier's visit
to Vietnam has also highlighted the Obama government's intention to
maintain a high degree of influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The
normalization of US military policy in Vietnam is not only the symbol of a
new US-Vietnamese era, but also the beginning of a new US order in
Southeast Asia as a whole. Such development may have a far-reaching impact
to countries in this region. The United States understands that East Asia,
which includes China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN countries, is a fast growing
region in term of political and economic forces. Therefore, when President
Obama came to power, he gradually began focusing on a political-economic
strategic framework covering the entire Asia-Pacific region. It is the i
ntention of the United States to include East Asia as part and parcel of
the US-led Asia-Pacific powerbase. The United States wants to ensure that
it can have an influential role in the affairs of East Asia. The US-ROK
(the Republic of Korea) joint military exercise is a concrete display of
the US strategy on the Asia Pacific. Countries in this region should note
that when the United States begins to actively develop military ties with
Vietnam, such development will have an impact on the security concern in
Asia, especially for country such as China. In recent days, the US-China
ties have strained. The closer US-Vietnam military cooperation will
inevitably make China suspicious that the United States is out to win
Vietnam and other ASEAN countries to its side with the hidden agenda to
contain China. Such development will deepen China's psychological
intention to actively expand its friendly and cooperative relationships
with ASEAN countries to compete the political and econo mic dominance of
the United States in Asia in the coming days. On the positive side, this
development will balance the growth of major powers in Asia. However,
increasing competition between China and the United States in this part of
the world can also lead to division and turn this region into a conflict
zone."
(Petaling Jaya Sin Chew Daily in Chinese -- Daily with the highest
circulation in Malaysia. Per Audit Bureau of Circulations data, Sin Chew
has a circulation of 357,163. Provides broad coverage of domestic
political issues. Sin Chew came under the control of timber tycoon Tiong
Hiew King in 1988.) Commentary: Impact of United States-Vietnam Nuclear
Technology Cooperation on ASEAN Nations
A commentary by Yu Chi in China Press says: "Last week, the US Department
of State announced that the United States-Vietnam nuclear technology
cooperation has gained much progress. Normally, it is not an issue for two
countries to engage in technical exchange . However, Vietnam has now
become the first country in Southeast Asia to use nuclear energy for
development. Vietnam's industrial development has progressed speedily. Of
late, massive foreign investors, especially those which have suffered
setbacks in China have gradually making plan to move to Vietnam. Such
development has given Vietnam greater confidence to go for
industrialization, using nuclear power. Vietnam has decided to build
additional 13 nuclear power plants. Among the ASEAN countries, Vietnam is
the only nation, which dares to confront China over the South China Sea
island sovereignty dispute. When the United States said that it would not
prevent extensive use of nuclear power in Vietnam and that it would allow
Vietnam to handle its nuclear waste enrichment industry, it became clear
that Vietnam was moving closer to the United States than China now. This
means that eventually Vietnam can produce the raw material for making
nuclear bombs. Of course, ASEAN nations a nd the United States have the
common trust that Vietnam will apply its nuclear power for peaceful use
only. However, since Vietnam and China have strong dispute over the
territorial rights over some islands in South China Sea and since Vietnam
and some ASEAN countries have accepted the participation of the United
States in ASEAN affairs and dialogue, such a political trend may lead
China to help Burma develop nuclear energy industry. Once Burma has the
nuclear power technology, China will also be able to confront Vietnam,
which has, of late, taken a clear stand to move ahead with the United
States. Such development may have an impact on the future course of ASEAN
too."
(Kuala Lumpur China Press in Chinese -- Carries general domestic and
political news. Along with sister publication Nanyang Siang Pau, it came
under timber tycoon Tiong Hiew King's media empire in 2007. Per Audit
Bureau of Circulations data, China Press has a circulation of 231,539.)
Commentary Urge s Malaysians To Find Solution to Racial Differences
A commentary by Lin Zhao Ying in Kwong Wah Jit Poh says: "The proposal by
DAP (Democratic Action Party) MP Tony Pua calling the ruling government to
set high-end property purchase discount for Bumiputera (indigenous group
and the Malays) buyers, has riveted strong protest from the UMNO (United
Malays National Organization) youth wing chief and PAS (Pan Malaysian
Islamic Party) president. They strongly opposed the repeal of any
preferential treatment enjoyed by the Malays in property purchase. From
the recent media reports, we can sense that the sensitive racial issue
still prevails in the society. Hence, it is important for opposition party
leaders like the one from the DAP to take note that although UMNO and PAS
will not merge simply because of MP Tony Pua's remarks, they have,
nevertheless, expressed the view of the Malay society. We feel that
although the opposition party politicians can always criticize the ruling
party politicians, but when it comes to sensitive policies, it is
important for them to take a consultative approach with other parties to
handle the issue carefully. We should take positive steps to ease the
tension between different ethnic communities to create a harmonious
environment in the society. Traditionally, Malaysians have been used to
the Barisan Nasional's approach to deal with sensitive issues through a
consultation platform to avoid touching the baseline of different ethnic
groups. This can be one of the ways to reduce ethnic tension. Prime
Minister Najib is a good representative of moderate Malays. He does want
to let people know the importance to maintain racial harmony by his
One-Malaysia concept. This concept is specifically designed with the
non-Malays in mind. Together, all citizens, regardless of ethnic
background, should find a way out to eliminate racial differences."
(Penang Kwong Wah Jit Poh in Chinese -- Oldest Chinese daily in M alaysia.
Focuses mainly on news from northern peninsular Malaysia. Along with
Oriental Daily News it is one of the few Chinese dailies not under timber
tycoon Tiong Hiew King's control. Per Audit Bureau of Circulations data,
Kwong Wah Jit Poh has a circulation of 71,350.) Editorial: Government
Needs To Work With Private Sector on Formation of Minimum Wage System
An editorial in Nanyang Siang Pau says: "At a recent seminar organized by
the human resource ministry to discuss the government's intention to
implement a minimum wage system, the executive chairman of the Malaysian
Employers Association pointed out that if the government insisted on the
implementation of a minimum wage system and forced the local industry to
upgrade the current salary level of workers from 30 to 60 percent, many
factories would have no ch oice but to lay off many workers to survive. In
this regard, it is crucial for the government and the private sector to
discuss and find a suitable sol ution before the implementation of a
minimum wage policy that is essential for Malaysia to move toward economic
transformation. A recent World Bank report noted that in the past 15
years, the wage increase in Malayia's private sector is only 2.6 percent
while the cost of living during the same period has increased by more than
15 percent. This statistics has shown that the wages of workers in the
private sector are, indeed, lopsided and would need the help of the
government to come out with a fairer wage structure as the country aims to
become a high income nation by 2020."
(Petaling Jaya Nanyang Siang Pau in Chinese -- One of Malaysia's oldest
Chinese dailies. Provides wide coverage of both domestic and international
news. Per Audit Bureau of Circulations data, Nanyang Siang Pau has a
circulation of 114,049. It was acquired by timber tycoon Tiong Hiew King
in 2007. Prior to 2007 it was owned by the ruling coalition component
party Malaysian Chinese Association ( MCA).) Singapore Editorial:
Singaporeans Dream Anew As Nation Celebrates 45th National Day
An editorial in Lianhe Zaobao says: "Singapore celebrated its 45th
National Day on 9 August. Singapore, at 45, is still a young country, and
a young country needs young dreams. All Singaporeans should have a common
Singapore dream. Speaking at a National Day dinner, Senior Minister Goh
Chok Tong said that Singaporeans should not lose sight of the things that
were going well in the country. He said that his dream of having five Cs
is to help Singaporeans have better "career," live in "comfort,"
surrounded by "children," and be "considerate" and "charitable." This
should spur Singaporeans to think what their dreams are, how to dream, and
how to turn their dreams into reality."
(Singapore Lianhe Zaobao Online in Chinese -- Website of the leading
Chinese newspaper in Singapore; URL:
http://www.zaobao.com.sg/ h ttp://www.zaobao.com.sg )
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Hardline Islamic Charities Said Providing Relief to Pakistan Flood Victims
AFP Report: "Islamic charities versus the US in battle for Pakistan aid" -
AFP
Wednesday August 11, 2010 05:53:08 GMT
(Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of
the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be d irected to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
105) Back to Top
Critical Commentary on US Iran Policy
Commentary by Dmitriy Voskoboynikov: "Iran. Why Bomb?" (Komsomolskaya
Pravda Online) - Komsomolskaya Pravda Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 15:59:12 GMT
That same Khamenei declared nuclear weapons to be "contrary to Islam," and
these bearded fellows do not joke around with religion. The Iranian fatwa
(religious ruling) (consider it to be an immutable sentence) against
nuclear arms is an officially registered document, kept in the UN. Tehran
was practically the only one to try - and is still trying - to have the
Near East declared a nuclear-free zone. (Unlike Israel, which has a large
nuclear arsenal, refuses to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and
is not allowing in IAEA inspectors). Nevertheless, for the last decade,
all we hear is that "in about 5 years," the militant Iran, whose military
budget is less than that of Singapore, will acquire nuclear weapons, and
then look out!
The thesis of the need to "wipe Israel off the map" is being stubbornly
ascribed to President of Iran Mahmud Ahmadinezhad. He never said that.
Five years ago, he cited the words of the "father of the Islamic
revolution" of 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini, to the effect that "the regime
occupying Jerusalem must disappear from the chronicles of time." This was
not a declaration of aggressive intentions, but an ideological postulate.
Tehran believes that the artificially created state of Israel -- like the
Soviet Union in its time -- will soon expire, and this would lead to the
fact that Muslims, Jews and Christians in the Near East would become
brothers. It is only Iran's opponents that are frightening the wo rld with
"preventive" military actions. But the myth about "wiping off the map"
continues to be circulated by unscrupulous mass media.
As a result of this and other propaganda rumors, the world is living in a
heavy atmosphere of supposedly inevitable and necessary attack on Iran.
The non-stop propaganda has led to the fact that over two-thirds of
Americans (poor people!) believe that Tehran has already acquired nuclear
weapons, and Congress - which is controlled by a pro-Israeli lobby - is
pushing through such resolutions that we can only make us wonder.
Specifically, Resolution 1553 in fact provokes the US to a war with Iran,
if the latter somehow responds to an attack by Israel. This draft was
proposed on 22 July by a Republican member of Congress (from Texas, as
strange as it may seem, and not Tel-Aviv), Louie Gohmert, who is demanding
support of Israel's right "to use any necessary means to oppose the
nuclear threats emanating from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their
destruction, including by means of application of military force." Are you
familiar with the expression, "pulling someone else's chestnuts out of the
fire?" Sorry excuse for intelligence
Back in 2007, the US National Intelligence Council reported that Iran does
not possess nuclear weapons, and that there was no credible information
about the presence of such plans. Today, an updated version of this study
has been prepared, where, judging by information from competent sources,
it is concluded that Iran is not conducting any nuclear military programs.
And Washington "hawks" are furious. They are demanding that the document
be filled with rhetoric that instills terror. There is insane pressure
being placed on the professional intelligence men. Here is one example.
The Wall Street Journal published an article by a certain Edward Jay
Epstein. The provocateur writes: "The mistake (referring to the rep ort of
2007) may be explained by the prejudicial nature of the analytical policy
and the misinformation emanating from Iranian double agents." And so,
these agents are hanging around Washington. Their numbers exceeded only by
the Palestinian ones...
And here is clever fellow, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike
Mullen, who knows that an attack on Iran may lead to "unexpected, hardly
predictable consequences in an incredibly unstable part of the world," who
manages to utter: "Military options (of action) have always been and still
are on the table."
It is sad. The Iranian -- and generally the Near Eastern -- policy of
Barack Obama is becoming ever more reminiscent of a line from the once
popular Odessa song, "Solomon Plyar School of Dance: "One step forward and
two steps back." One of its contemporary couplets begins with the
declaration made by Obama at the beginning of his presidency to the
television compa ny, Al-Arabiya ("If such counrties as Iran are ready and
willing to open their fist, they will find our outstretched hand"), and
ends with a rejection of a meeting with Ahmadinezhad within the scope of
the September session of the UN General Assembly. As the White House press
secretary explained, first Tehran must admit its own evil-doing. The
refrain has not changed much since the times of Bush-junior's presidency:
A permanent "war against terrorism," which leaves pools of blood along the
way.
And then, there is the freedom-loving Internet resource, "Wikileaks,"
which has disclosed who knows whose "secrets." It does not say anything
new about the atrocities in Afghanistan, but an attack on Iran is
justified. "They are secretly arming, financing and training the Taliban,
Afghan rebels associated with Al-Qaida, and suicide bombers," it turns
out. Unnatural ties with the ephemeral Al-Qaida were once attributed to Ir
aq. But in the case with Iran, the "alliance of evil-doers" appears even
more insane: It is hard to find anyone who hates each other than more than
the Shiite Muslims who rule in Tehran, and the Wahhabite Sunis, who
presumably make up Al-Qaida. It should rather seek like-minded followers
in Saudi Arabia which, according to certain announcements (which it
refutes) has given consent to Israel's use of its air space to inflict an
attack on Iran. ***
In recent days, a group of former high-level associates of the CIA, the US
Defense Department and the US State Department, led by Raymond McGovern
(he prepared the daily briefing on intelligence data for Presidents Reagan
and Bush-senior) sent an open letter to Barack Obama. Fearing that Israel
may attack Iran already in August, the veterans stress: "This can be
prevented, but only if you quickly and publicly condemn this step." The
answer was silence.
(Description of Source: Moscow Komsomolskay a Pravda Online in Russian --
Website of mass-circulation daily owned by the YeSN company of Grigoriy
Berezkin, who has links to energy projects and the Russian Railways; it
sometimes serves as a vehicle for Kremlin officials, security; URL:
http://www.kp.ru/)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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106) Back to Top
Pakistan Taliban Urge Government To Reject US Aid
AFP Report: "Pakistan Taliban urge government to reject US aid" - AFP
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:25:44 GMT
(Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of
the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
107) Back to Top
Iran TV Criticizes 'Dual Approach' of US to Rebel Group MKO - Vision of
the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:57:48 GMT
gangs sponsored by themselves (US), in other words, Monafeqin (Hypocrites,
reference to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, MKO). Ali Ramazani will
tell us more about this dual-approach.
(Ramazani) The Americans have come to the fore affecting a totally
discredited policy of feigning a phoney dispute. A conduct that is so
palpably artificial has been adopted.(Presenter) Well, on the one hand the
American Government comes to the fore and places this group on the
blacklist of terrorist groups and, on the other hand, a kangaroo court is
convened in which...(Ramazani, interrupting) Quite so! In effect this is
the same discredited dual-approach policy.(Presenter) Removes them from
this list!(Ramazani) Quite so; as I said the court which acquits these
people whose hands are drenched in the blood of thousands of innocent
people and on the other hand they put this lot on the blacklist of
terrorism. This is, in effect, a policy of dual-approach and indicates
various contradictions of the American Government. In the report prepared
for us by my colleague Vahid Hajhoseyni you will see the
details.(Hajhoseyni) It was approximately a month ago that the federal
court made a ruling that the terrorist organization of Monafeqin are no
longer terrorist and the Government of America has to remove them from the
blacklist of terrorists. Without referring to the dark history of this
gang, this court even scorns the action of America in its blacklisting
games. It calls this action illogical adding that since 2001, this gang
has not resorted to arms and has not committed any crimes.This is against
a setting of the last few days where the Information Dissemination Office
called LEGAL (as heard) has printed documents.On the basis of what has
been submitted, the Monafeqin have not only not suspended their heinous
acts but in that same year, referred to by the kangaroo court of America,
they have provided training for some young women to perpetrate suicide
bombings in Iraq using jackets.One case in point is the incident of the
bombing in the holy city of Karbala in 2001 and the martyrdom of the
Shiite.Now after so much failure and disgrace, the Monafeqin have
transformed themselves into the infantry of the grounded Ba'athists of
Iraq who have no place in the nation of Iraq.The published documents on
this very site have also unveiled the role o f the Monafeqin in creating
mayhem, the destruction of public property, and insulting the sacred
places coordinating with the Government of America.Nevertheless, it would
have been impossible that the good services of this terrorist gang for its
American bosses does not get rewarded in their being cleansed and enjoying
a phoney change in their dossier by the American court.Despite the fact
that the name of this group remains on the blacklist of the American
Government, the attempts made by the Americans make it quite clear that
this terrorist gang and its actions are of great significance for the
Government of America.(US footage in English) To remove the MeK (MKO) off
this list and I will continue to do so.(Further US footage) I have joined
223 members of this house to pass a resolution to call on the US
Government to ensure the protection of Camp Ashraf (MKO base in Iraq) will
in fact continue.(Hajhoseyni) But, even if one believes the claims of the
American court that the heartless Monafeqin have never perpetrated any
crimes the evidence shows that the Monafeqin have perpetrated crimes in
Iraq and have been foiled by the security organs of our country where they
have tried to do the same here. All of this indicated that this terrorist
gang is a savage lot.It will not be wiped away by any water or any
color.But in the end this question remains: why has the federal Government
of America never made any allusions to its confirmed assistance to the
terrorist organizations such as the PKK, (Abdolmalik) Rigi's group
(Jondollah), Monafeqin, and other world terrorists? Of course, the answer
to this question can be found in the history of America in using terrorist
organizations against various nations of the world.(Description of Source:
Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1 in Persian --
state-run national television, officially controlled by the office of the
supreme leader)
Material in the World News Connection is generall y copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
108) Back to Top
Taiwan Political Issues 9 August 2010 - Taiwan -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:29:34 GMT
-- According to this Tzu-yu Shih-pao report by Hsu Shao-hsuan and Ch'iu
Yen-ling, Taiwan's intelligence departments have concluded that Taipei's
plan to purchase eight submarines and 66 F-16C/D fighters from the United
States is almost impossible to achieve because of China's strong
opposition. The report claims that legislator Lin Yu-fang, a member of the
Foreign and National Defense Committee, said on 8 August that he has heard
from the US side that it might be difficult for the time being to sell t
he F-16C/D to Taiwan because of China. According to Lin, Washington may
offer to upgrade Taiwan's F-16A/B fighters instead. The report claims that
a Taiwan policy-making level navy commander said the US government has
made a policy announcement in public its intent to sell submarines to
Taiwan, and as a world power the United States would not break its
promise.
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-t1.htm
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-t1.htm "Is Taipei's
Plan To Purchase Submarines, Fighters Futile? Legislator Urges Government
To Continue To Make All-Out Effort"
-- According to this Chung-kuang Hsin-wen report by Li Jen-yueh, although
the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has denied the Tzu-yu Shih-pao
report that Taiwan's plan to purchase F-16C/D fighters and submarines from
the United States is likely to be futile, legislator Shuai Hua-min, who is
familiar with military affairs, said he was not surprised at the T zu-yu
Shih-pao report. Shuai said the national army should engage in
reorganization and upgrading of the IDF and Mirage fighters as soon as
possible. According to Shuai, submarines are important strategic weaponry,
and therefore Taiwan should never give up in making an all-out effort to
get the submarines.
http://news.chinatimes.com/politics/0,5244,50204234x132010080900603,00.html
http://news.chinatimes.com/politics/0,5244,50204234x132010080900603,00.html
"Taiwan's Intelligence Official Says China To Increase Number of Missiles
Aimed at Taiwan to 2,000"
-- According to this Tzu-yu Shih-pao report by Hsu Shao-hsuan, an
authoritative intelligence official said China planned to increase
missiles aimed at Taiwan from the current 1,500 plus to at least 1,800.
However, according to the source, the number will not exceed 2,000.
According to the official, China deployed the missiles mainly to
counterbalance the United States. The official also said that even if
China announces to withdraw its missiles aimed at Taiwan it would not
scrap the plan to produce missiles. According to the official, China will
soon establish a number of new missile brigades.
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-fo6.htm
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-fo6.htm "Lin Chong-pin
Says China To Address Issue of Existence of Republic of China"
-- This Chung-kuo Shih-pao special report by Ch'i Le-yi states that Lin
Chong-pin, former deputy defense minister and a professor of the Institute
of Strategic Studies at Tamkang University, said Beijing is likely to
announce a new argument on the existence of the Republic of China before
Taiwan holds the presidential election in 2012. Lin also said he would not
rule out the possibility that China would make an adjustment to its way of
handling issues related to the deployment of missiles targeted at Taiwan
before the municipality mayoral elections are held at the end of this
year. According to the report, Lin cited a number of articles and reports
in China to support his prediction. It is reported that Lin argued that
China's Taiwan affairs officials realized that economic exchanges alone
were not enough to impress the pe ople of Taiwan. Therefore, he said, to
strengthen or to make a major breakthrough in cross-Strait relations,
Beijing had little choice but to address political and military issues.
http://news.chinatimes.com/mainland/0,5245,50504458x112010080900165,00.html
http://news.chinatimes.com/mainland/0,5245,50504458x112010080900165,00.html
"Su Tseng-chang, King Pu-tsung To Campaign in United States"
-- According to this Tzu-yu Shih-pao report by Wang Yu-chung, Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayor candidate Su Tseng-chang is to
campaign in Los Angeles on 14 August, and Kuomintang (KMT) Secretary
General King Pu-tsung will also be in the area on 12 August to campaign
for KMT's mayoral candida tes of the five municipalities. The report
claims that President Ma, who doubles as chairman of the KMT, asked King
to lead a group to campaign for the party in the United States. According
to the report, King and his group will be in California for five days and
will meet overseas Taiwanese in San Francisco on 15 and 16 August.
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-p2-2.htm
http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2010/new/aug/9/today-p2-2.htm
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
109) Back to Top
Iran Cannot Protect Self From Israeli, U.S. Air Strike - Interfax-AVN
Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:09:57 GMT
intervention)
Iran cannot protect self from Israeli, U.S. air strike - Russian analyst
(10.08.10 17:58:31) MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax-AVN) - Iran would be unable
to protect itself from an Israeli or U.S. air attack, the likelihood of
which is gradually increasing, Center for Analysis of Strategies and
Technologies (CAST) Director Ruslan Pukhov said. "On the whole, the
Iranian Air Force's and Air Defense Forces' potential should be evaluated
as quite low. Iran cannot disrupt an Israeli, not to mention American, air
attack on its nuclear facilities with the use of high-precision weapons
and prevent their significant damage or destruction," Pukhov told Interfax
on Tuesday. If the Israeli and/or U.S. forces decide to strike Iran, "they
are likely to attain their ends on the whole," he said. "For the Iranian
Air Force and Air Defense Forces in their current condition, even the
simple destruction of several Israeli or U.S. pla nes would be a huge
success," he said. "Despite their nominally large size, the Iranian Air
Force and Air Defense Forces are outdated and polytypic," Pukhov said. The
Iranian Air Force numbers about 300 planes now, Pukhov said. These include
some 140 U.S.-made warplanes (thirty-five F-14A, fifty F-4E and D, six
RF-4E, and fifty F-5E and F) 21 French planes (Mirage F.1EQ/BQ), fifty
Chinese ones (F-7M/N), 65 Russian ones (twenty-four MiG-29, thirteen
Su-25, and twenty-eight Su-24MK), and about 30 Iranian-made ones (twelve
Simorgh, six Azarakhsh, and about 12 Saeghe), he said. "It is absolutely
obvious that most of these aircraft have become obsolete both physically
and morally (technologically). The fleet of U.S.-made planes has been
significantly worn out. An acute shortage of modern air weapons, primarily
air-to-air missiles, is also a serious problem for Iran," he said. In
addition to shortages in modern air defense weapons, Iran also lacks early
wa rning and control systems, Pukhov said: "Of all anti-aircraft missile
system possessed by Iran, only modern Russian short-range systems Tor-M1
and Kvadrat systems recently modernized and armed with new 9M317 missiles
with Russia's assistance can be of real combat value." As for all the
other Iranian air defense missile systems, they are likely to be
effectively suppressed by modern electronic warfare systems and will not
be efficient in intercepting targets, Pukhov said. "This will particularly
concern medium- and long-range systems, which will enable attacking
aircraft to act on medium and high altitudes virtually without being
interrupted. The fact that Iran has not obtained modern S-300PMU2
anti-aircraft systems from Russia has dealt a colossal blow to the Iranian
Air Defense Force's potential and virtually deprived it of a core around
which the country's modernized air defense system could be built," Pukhov
said.(Description of Source: Moscow Interfax -AVN Online in English --
Website of news service devoted to military news and owned by the
independent Interfax news agency; URL: http://www.militarynews.ru)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
110) Back to Top
Iran 'in no condition' to counter Israeli, US air attack - Russian analyst
- Interfax-AVN Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:21:04 GMT
- Russian analyst
Text of report by corporate-owned Russian military news agency
Interfax-AVNMoscow, 10 August: Iran is in no condition to defend itself
against an Israeli or American air attack, the likelihood of which is
continuing to grow, believ es Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Centre for
the Analysis of Strategies and Technologies."Overall, the combat potential
of Iran's air force and antiaircraft defences should be rated as very low.
Iran will not be able to defeat an Israeli air attack and even less so an
American air attack on its nuclear facilities, attacks that would involve
the use of high-precision weaponry, and prevent those facilities being
seriously damaged or destroyed," Pukhov told Interfax-AVN on Tuesday (10
August).Most probably, the expert believes, should a strike be launched
against Iran, Israeli and (or) US forces "will, overall, achieve the
objectives they have been set"."Given the current state of Iran's air
force and antiaircraft defences, they ought to regard it as a huge success
if they manage simply to destroy several Israeli or US aircraft," the
agency's interlocutor noted.In his assessment, "despite their notionally
significantly proportions, the Iranian air force and antiaircraft defences
are outdated and mixed".The Iranian air force's fleet of frontline
aircraft, Pukhov explained, currently numbers an estimated 300. This
comprises around 140 US-made aircraft (35 F-14A, 50 F-4E and D, six RF-4E,
50 F-5E and F, 21 French-made aircraft (Mirage F1EQ/F1BQ), 50 Chinese-made
aircraft (F-7M/N), 65 Russian-made aircraft (24 MiG-29, 13 Su-25, 28
Su-24MK) and around 30 improvised Iranian-made aircraft (12 Simorgh, six
Azarakhsh and around 12 Sa'eqeh)."It is absolutely clear that the
structure and character of the majority of this equipment are now out of
date. The fleet of American-made aircraft is severely worn-out. Another
serious problem for Iran is its severe shortage of airborne weapons, first
and foremost air-to-air missiles," the expert stressed.According to
Pukhov, Iran is also experiencing shortages not only of modern
antiaircraft weaponry, but also notification and control systems. "Of
Iran's surface-to -air missile systems, the only ones that have any combat
value are the modern Russian short-range Top-M1 systems and the Kvadrat
systems, which were recently upgraded with Russian help and were given new
9M317 missiles," Pukhov said.He believes that all the other surface-to-air
missile systems in Iran's antiaircraft defences would probably be very
effectively overpowered by modern electronic warfare devices and would not
be able to launch fire successfully. "This applies in particular to mid-
and long-range systems, which would enable the attackers' aircraft to
operate at intermediate and high altitude virtually unhindered. Iran's
failure to obtain modern S-300PMU2 surface-to-air missile systems from
Russia deal the potential of the Iranian antiaircraft defences a massive
blow, effectively depriving it of the 'core' around which the country
could build modernized antiaircraft defences," Pukhov noted.In his
estimation, an attack by Israel and the US on Iran &qu ot;is looking
increasingly likely"."It is more or less clear that the current US
administration, which is bogged down in Afghanistan and has been forced in
its policy to comply with the 'dovish' spirit of Barack Obama's
declarations, is unlikely to decide to launch an independent, 'purely
American' strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. So it is therefore almost
certain that the Americans will entrust the formal mission to strike
against Iran to Israel, which will appear to be acting independently,"
Pukhov said.However, he isn't ruling out the possibility that these
actions by Israel "will be tacitly supported and reinforced by limited
American strikes, which will be launched under the cover of Israeli
strikes and will be camouflaged as 'Israeli' strikes".(Description of
Source: Moscow Interfax-AVN Online in Russian -- Website of news service
devoted to military news, owned by the independent Interfax news agency;
URL: http://www.militarynews.ru)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
111) Back to Top
Iranian Commentary Argues Domestic Opposition Leaders Supplement Foreign
Threats
Commentary by Abbas Haji Najjari from the "Note" column: "All Parts of a
Puzzle" - Javan Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:06:20 GMT
A recent example of such harmony is the written interview given by Karrubi
to the BBC, in which the draftsmen of the written text for Karrubi
attacked the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Basij.
Claiming that the IRGC is not capable of handling major economic projects,
they declared that the new sanct ions are according to the seventh and
eighth chapters of the UN Charter. On this matter, in his note published
on the Kalameh website on 4/16/1389 (7 July 2010), Mirhoseyn Musavi
accentuates the sanctions resolutions of the hegemonic system and attacks
the IRGC, stating: "Today, the IRGC is entangled with questionable issues.
On the one hand, the IRGC's weapons have replaced the enemy against the
people and it ranks first in the suppression, arrest, and interrogation of
political forces and protesters. Meanwhile, on the other; it is entangled
with economic issues to an incredible extent."
Coinciding with the declaration of the clear stance of the leaders of
sedition toward the effective forces against possible threats from the
enemy, the very same stance was clearly declared by the directors of the
White House and the EU. In addition, in their sanction resolutions, they
targeted part of the domestic potentials that have a great role in
neutralizing sanct ions.
Speaking to the BBC on why the IRGC was targeted in the resolutions of the
UNSC and the EU, Stuart Levey, US undersecretary for terrorism and
financial intelligence, said: "The IRGC was the institution that
suppressed the post-election public riots, and this suppression is ongoing
today. Taking into account all this, the IRGC is an important element in
Iran's politics and the US policy toward Iran and is the focus of our
attention." Speaking to the BBC, Levey added: "We have one objective;
changing Iran's behavior, especially that of the IRGC. If we can focus
sanctions on institutions like the IRGC, which are active in the economy,
the missile program, supporting terrorism, and suppressing the public
protesters in Iran, we will be able to impose sanctions in such a way that
the people of Iran cannot stand up to support the government."
Last week, admitting the ineffectiveness of the sanctions against Iran,
the Christian Science Moni tor newspaper claimed that what changes Iran
are domestic changes. If we analyze the reason behind the escalating
pressure and threats against Iran in various fields of economy and
military, and the whipping up of the soft war, we will see that
undoubtedly more important than the Iran nuclear issue is that of changing
Iran's attitude. And, according to the nice interpretation of the supreme
leader, they have targeted changing the Islamic Revolution's direction so
that in their opinion they get rid of the problems and consequences of the
Islamic Revolution's influence in the region and the contemporary world.
As a result, they have focused all their capabilities in different aspects
on realizing the strategy of "changing the attitude" of Iran. Besides the
strategic goals of the enemy in this field, there is no doubt that the
attitude of the Iranian people toward pressure and threats is effective in
supplementing the process of the enemy's pressure. That i s, if the
pressure gives rise to concerns and anxiety in public opinion, and in the
opinion of the Americans causes a lack of people's support for the
government, the pressure and threats will definitely increase as the enemy
has found the weak point and it will continue from that point. In this
case, the military threat is also likely, as such a threat wi ll be
realized when it is followed by social signs and the weakening of the
national morale. However, if the morale of national resistance and
struggle of the Iranian people is as strong as it was during the Holy
Defense (Iran-Iraq war), naturally, any military move and threat will turn
into the strength of the national morality and solidarity. This is against
the will of the Islamic Revolution's enemies.
Here, it may be worth reviewing the events of the early Islamic period.
When the Prophet and Muslims were facing sanctions in Mecca, the main goal
of the infidels was to weaken Muslims and make them surrender. In fact, if
the Prophet and the Muslims had surrendered to the Qoreysh infidels at
that time, would there be any name of Islam in the contemporary world? The
historic resistance of Muslims during that time, and especially their
resistance against the infidels' sanctions in the early years of the
formation of the Islamic government in Madinah al-Munawwarah that led to
disputes among factions and the Muslims' victory, took place in conditions
when the Muslims stood up with all their power against sanctions and
pressure. That resistance now is an example for us to resist against the
widespread attacks of enemies.
There is no doubt that now the leaders of sedition, the hegemonic system,
and antirevolutionary groups are all parts of a single puzzle that have
targeted the integrity, reputation, and value of the Islamic Revolution.
Hence, this is our historic duty to once again prove the capabilities and
strength of the Islamic Revolution to the enemies and impose the st
ability of the Islamic Revolution on them, just as we did during the Holy
Defense and the period of neutralizing the enemies' soft war last year.
(Description of Source: Tehran Javan Online in Persian -- website of
hardline conservative daily affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps (IRGC); www.javannewspaper.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
112) Back to Top
Iran Cannot Protect Self From Israeli, U.S. Air Strike - Russian Analyst -
Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:04:48 GMT
MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax-AVN) - Iran would be unable to protect itself
from an Israeli or U.S. air attack, the likelihood of which is gradually
increasing, Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST)
Director Ruslan Pukhov said."On the whole, the Iranian Air Force's and Air
Defense Forces' potential should be evaluated as quite low. Iran cannot
disrupt an Israeli, not to mention American, air attack on its nuclear
facilities with the use of high-precision weapons and prevent their
significant damage or destruction," Pukhov told Interfax on Tuesday.If the
Israeli and/or U.S. forces decide to strike Iran, "they are likely to
attain their ends on the whole," he said."For the Iranian Air Force and
Air Defense Forces in their current condition, even the simple destruction
of several Israeli or U.S. planes would be a huge success," he
said."Despite their nominally large size, the Iranian Air Force and Air
Defense Forces are outdated and polytypic," Pukhov said.The Iranian Air
Force numbers about 300 planes now, Pukhov s aid. These include some 140
U.S.-made warplanes (thirty-five F-14A, fifty F-4E and D, six RF-4E, and
fifty F-5E and F) 21 French planes (Mirage F.1EQ/BQ), fifty Chinese ones
(F-7M/N), 65 Russian ones (twenty-four MiG-29, thirteen Su-25, and
twenty-eight Su-24MK), and about 30 Iranian-made ones (twelve Simorgh, six
Azarakhsh, and about 12 Saeghe), he said."It is absolutely obvious that
most of these aircraft have become obsolete both physically and morally
(technologically). The fleet of U.S.-made planes has been significantly
worn out. An acute shortage of modern air weapons, primarily air-to-air
missiles, is also a serious problem for Iran," he said.In addition to
shortages in modern air defense weapons, Iran also lacks early warning and
control systems, Pukhov said: "Of all anti-aircraft missile system
possessed by Iran, only modern Russian short-range systems Tor-M1 and
Kvadrat systems recently modernized and armed with new 9317 missiles with
Russia's assi stance can be of real combat value."As for all the other
Iranian air defense missile systems, they are likely to be effectively
suppressed by modern electronic warfare systems and will not be efficient
in intercepting targets, Pukhov said. "This will particularly concern
medium- and long-range systems, which will enable attacking aircraft to
act on medium and high altitudes virtually without being interrupted. The
fact that Iran has not obtained modern S-300PMU2 anti-aircraft systems
from Russia has dealt a colossal blow to the Iranian Air Defense Force's
potential and virtually deprived it of a core around which the country's
modernized air defense system could be built," Pukhov said.va ap(Our
editorial staff can be reached at
eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950040-JCQZCBAA
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be di rected to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
113) Back to Top
Ma Ying-jeou Says Despite Improved Cross-Strait Ties, Taiwan Still Worried
Unattributed report: "Ma Ying-jeou Says Procuring US Arms Is Necessary 'In
Order To Eliminate the Obsolete Arms and Bring Its Weaponry Up-To-Date'" -
Zhongguo Tongxun She
Tuesday August 10, 2010 06:24:14 GMT
Besides this, Ma Ying-jeou said: The Economic Cooperation Framework
Agreement (ECFA) signed recently across the Strait not only reduced
tension, but also helped bring about institutional development. In an
effort to sign ECFA, the two sides have conducted separate and joint
studies. The negotiations and consultation, including four major
negotiations and a dozen or so small-sized talks, took more than half
years. The contact between the two sides is more extensive and deeper than
in the past.At the same time, on his own accord he explained "US-Taiwan
disputes over the import of beef," saying that the ground beef and
intestine banned for the import account for a very small proportion of the
import. They have long been covered by the huge volume of boned and
boneless beef. He hoped that people would focus more on useful things.
(Description of Source: Hong Kong Zhongguo Tongxun She in Chinese --
PRC-owned press agency (China News Agency))
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
114) Back to Top
Saudi Website Highlights 10 Aug 10
This roundup includes significant Saudi websites other than those of
Jihadist groups, which OSC covers separately. To request additional
processing, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800) 205-8615 or
OSCinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Saudi Arabia -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 13:16:09 GMT
The website carries a factual agency report headlined "Iran Closes Last
Sunni Mosque in Al-Ahwaz." The report says the Iranian authorities stormed
the Imam al-Shafi'i Mosque near the "occupied city of Abedan in al-Ahwaz
and closed the mosque, which is the last Sunni mosque in Al-Ahwaz, as the
authorities destroyed all the mosques there." The report adds that the
"Iranian occupation destroyed all the Sunni mosques in Al-Ahwaz, and all
reports indicate that the situation is horrific in every sense of the
word." The report claims that the Iranian authorities have recently "sent
thousands of scholars and preachers to convert Sunnis t o the Shiite sect
in Al-Ahwaz after the people of Al-Ahwaz had started to convert to the
Sunni sect."
http://www.almoslim.net/node/132498
Islam Today 10 August 2010 (Islamtoday.net in Arabic -- Saudi cleric
Shaykh Salman al-Awdah's official website, covering the clerics'
activities in addition to Muslim, regional, and international issues. URL:
http://www.islamtoday.net)
The website carries a commentary entitled "Pakistan and America... The
Worst has not come yet." The commentary says that there has been tension
from time to time in Pakistani-US relations since President Obama took
office. The commentary adds that there have been numerous question marks
about the status of the "strategic alliance" between Washington and
Islamabad in light of "the repeated criticisms by key figures in the Obama
administration of the Pakistani role inside Afghanistan." The commentary
highlights the "accusations" made by Se cretary of State Clinton and
Defense Secretary Gates against Pakistan and its failure to play a role in
"restoring stability in Afghanistan and fighting terrorism." The
commentary expects further tensions in bilateral relations in the wake of
the recent leak of 90,000 secret documents by Wikileaks, adding that this
is attributable to "the atmosphere of distrust" between the two
countries."
http://www.islamtoday.net/albasheer/artshow-13-137642.htm
Rasid 10 August 2010 (rasid.com in Arabic -- Website focusing mainly on
Saudi Shiite issues. URL: http://www.rasid.com/)
The website carries a report headlined "United States To Sell Saudi Arabia
F-15s Without Weapons." The report cites The Wall Street Journal, saying
that "the United States plans to sell Saudi Arabia 84 F-15 fighter
aircraft but without equipping them with long-range missile systems due to
Israel's protest." The report says the deal "is wort h $30 billion over 10
years." The report says that some Israeli officials expressed to the Obama
administration their fears that supplying Saudi Arabia with these advanced
fighter aircraft might affect Israel's military superiority in the
region."
http://www.rasid.com/artc.php?id=39362
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
115) Back to Top
Asustek Sales At Computer Show Up 30 Percent
By Chang Liang-chih, Han Ting-ting and Frances Huang - Central News Agency
Tuesday August 10, 2010 05:36:10 GMT
Taipei, Aug. 10 (CNA) -- Personal computer firm AsusTek Computer Inc. had
sales at t he 2010 Taipei Computer Applications Show that were 30 percent
higher than a year earlier on stronger sales of notebook computers.
"We saw sales at the five-day computer exhibition hit NT$150 million
(US$4.74 million) , up about 30 percent from last year's event, " Jose
Liao, AsusTek senior product manager, told the Central News Agency."The
increase in sales was the result of the launch of new ultra-thin notebook
computer models to stimulate buying," Liao said.The computer applications
show attracted a record 640,000 visitors during its run from Aug. 5-9, a
10 percent higher turnout than a year earlier, according to the Taiwan
External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the organizer of the trade
show.During the show, AsusTek sold about 7,000 notebook computers, or one
almost "every 30 minutes, " with its new U-series laptops proving
particularly popular, according to TAITRA.AsusTek said its desktop
computers, LCD displays, LED displays and navigation cell phones also
attracted interest.On Monday, AsusTek reported that its sales in July rose
11.8 percent from June to NT$23.07 billion, in contrast to rival computer
makers that reported double-digit month-on-month declines in July
revenues.Quanta Computer posted NT$86.19 billion in July sales, down 14
percent from June, and Wistron Corp. had NT$48.97 billion in sales last
month, down 12.8 percent from a month earlier.Mars Hsu, an analyst with
Grand Cathay Securities, said sales of AsusTek's motherboards remained
strong, helping offset declines in notebook computer demand.Quanta and
Wistron serve as OEM manufacturers for top global notebook computer
vendors, while AsusTek spun off its manufacturing arm in the first half of
this year to focus on building its own brand.Goldman Sachs has lowered its
forecast for shipment growth of the global notebook computer sector for
the third quarter of this year to 5 percent from 9 percent.The investment
bank said top global notebook computer vendors have cut their orders to
their OEM suppliers, leading to declines in sales by those OEM companies
in July."The expected weaker demand in the third quarter reflects a slower
pace of global economic growth, " said Joanne Chien, head of research at
Digitimes.Chien said "back to school" sales in Europe and the United
States are worse than expected, and she believed the market also expects
Christmas season sales to be less than satisfactory because of declining
economic fundamentals.(Description of Source: Taipei Central News Agency
in English -- "Central News Agency (CNA)," Taiwan's major state-run press
agency; generally favors ruling administration in its coverage of domestic
and international affairs; URL: http://www.cna.com.tw)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
116) Back to Top
Foreign Office Seeks US Support To Tackle Devastating Floods
Report by Kaswar Klasra: Pak can't handle flood calamity alone - The
Nation Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:15:18 GMT
ISLAMABAD - As the flood continues playing havoc across the country,
moving into the southern Sindh province, Foreign Office made it very clear
to US envoy on Monday that Pakistan was unable to tackle this catastrophe
all alone.
"We need the US to come forward and help us tackle this natural disaster
as it is beyond our capacity to deal it by our own,"Secretary Foreign
Office Salman Bashir told US Ambassador to Pakistan Ann W Peterson, said
sources.
However, spokesperson of US Embassy, when contacted, said he was unaware
of th is meeting.
"Yes, our Ambassador is back to Islamabad, however, I am not in knowledge
of her meeting with Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir," Richard Snelsire,
spokesperson of US Embassy in Islamabad told TheNation when contacted to
confirm such meeting.
However, spokesperson of Foreign Office did not take up calls made to his
cell phone to confirm such meeting.
Insiders told TheNation that Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs
stressed upon the US Ambassador to Pakistan to grant more aid to Pakistan
as it was an uphill task to tackle this natural disaster with limited
sources.
Ann W Peterson is said to have assured Salman Bashir to help Pakistan in
every possible way. Also on Monday United Nations officials called for
relief operations to be ramped up. Pakistan on Sunday said around 12
million people have been afflicted by the worst floods in almost a
century. US and Pakistani officials say rebuilding flood-hit areas will
require more ass istance than pledged to Pakistan after 2005 earthquake.
Meanwhile a team of US officials has arrived in Islamabad to help Pakistan
tackle the flood crisis.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The Nation Online in English -- Website
of a conservative daily, part of the Nawa-i-Waqt publishing group.
Circulation around 20,000; URL: http://www.nation.com.pk)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
117) Back to Top
Xinhua 'Feature': Gulf Coast Dogs Seek New Homes in New Jersey
Xinhua "Feature": "Gulf Coast Dogs Seek New Homes in New Jersey" - Xinhua
Wednesday August 11, 2010 00:38:46 GMT
NEW YORK, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Heather Cammisa, president of St. Hubert's
Animal Welfare Center in the U.S. state of New Jersey, had a different
take on the phrase "dog days" this summer.
Her Center accommodated a total of 94 dogs transported from the Gulf of
Mexico Coast last Friday, and they are now available for viewing and
possible adoption since Tuesday."It was like Christmas here. We are so
happy to welcome them in New Jersey, though it is very sad for the reason
that they need to come here. It was like a dog afternoon," said Cammisa,
recalling the dogs' arrival.The Humane Society of the United States
partnered with St. Hubert's to help those 4-legged victims of the
catastrophic Gulf oil spill to healthy homes in central New Jersey. Most
of the dogs came from nine shelters along the Louisiana coast that saw an
increase in families giving up their pets after the oil spill."A lot of
families at Gulf Coast were downsizing and the livelihood had been ruined.
The uncertainty had caused people to give up their animals. So the
situation of the increase in surrender and decrease in adoption made us
want to help out," Heather told Xinhua on Tuesday.It was quite an
adventure for these 94 dogs of different sizes and types. They were
trucked up north from overwhelmed Louisiana shelters and spent 24 hours in
a crate. After they landed at St. Hubert's, staff handled them in a
coordinated and smooth manner.They allowed them a stretch, a walk, a cold
drink of water and a much needed break to relieve themselves. Then the
shelter staff checked their paperwork, microchipped them and checked their
overall condition to prepare them for the viewing and adoption.Marie
Baeyens, who drove to the Center on Tuesday afternoon with her four
children, said she would love to adopt a dog from here this summer."We all
know what happened at the Gulf Coast. We thought it was a great
opportunity to help out this wa y," said Marie.Almost every dog here has
its own story. A black-and-white dog named "Oreo" came here with the Oreo
cookies. A small puppy "Yoda" was given up when people moved into
apartments.Bill Haskel took careful notes of each dog introduced by the
staff, because he wants to find a proper partner for his dog Paco, which
was also adopted from a pet shelter."I found Joan quite compatible in
terms of size and temperament. I am really a dog person and I am happy to
be able to help out," said Haskel, adding that he might adopt a dog on
Wednesday.The 16-acre St. Hubert's has a very friendly adoption procedure.
Visitors only need to fill out a form to tell something they are looking
for, a couch potato dog, or a running partner, so the Center can help them
find the right dogs for their homes.The Center also does follow-up calls
after the adoption contract is signed. It also has a dog training school
and dog trainers' calls to see if they can h elp with any transitional
issues someone may have in the home.To foster the human-animal bond, St.
Hubert's provides education programs to children coming to learn kindness
and compassion for all living creatures. In summer, it organizes ice-
cream social, where dog owners can come here to have ice cream while dogs
can eat Frosty Paws ice cream."We want to be here for these animals, for
the rest of their lives," said Cammisa.(Description of Source: Beijing
Xinhua in English -- China's official news service for English-language
audiences (New China News Agency))
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
118) Back to Top
Senators Submits Motion Against Issuance of Visas to 600 US N ationals
Report by staff correspondent: JI moves Senate against Jang Group, Geo
intimidation - The News Online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:02:04 GMT
ISLAMABAD: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has submitted an adjournment motion in
the Senate Secretariat against the closure of transmission of Geo TV and
ARY TV channel, and burning of copies of The News and the Daily Jang.
The adjournment motion, which bears signatures of JI Senators Professor
Khurshid Ahmad, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim and Dr Aafia Zia, said the
transmission of Geo TV was blocked, and copies of the publications of the
Jang Group were burnt at the behest and patronage of the government.
"The condemnable action amounts to curbing freedom of the press and create
harassment against the media and journalists," said the senators in the
motion. In another adjournment motion, the senators raise issue of the i
ssuance of multiple visas to 600 US nationals.
The third adjournment motion pertained to the death of three children
including two sisters in Faisalabad after getting some injections. They
regretted neither any investigation was conducted into the incidents, nor
was any action taken against those responsible for tragic deaths.
(Description of Source: Islamabad The News Online in English -- Website of
a widely read, influential English daily, member of the Jang publishing
group. Neutral editorial policy, good coverage of domestic and
international issues. Usually offers leading news and analysis on issues
related to war against terrorism. Circulation estimated at 55,000; URL:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
</ a>119) Back to Top
S. Koreans Going to The U.S. to Start Paying Fees For Electronic Travel
Authorization Next Month - Yonhap
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:27:47 GMT
S Koreans-US travel-fees
S. Koreans going to the U.S. to start paying fees for electronic travel
authorization next monthSEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans traveling
to the United States under the visa waiver program (VWP) will have to pay
for the necessary travel authorization starting next month, the foreign
ministry here said Wednesday.According to the ministry, the U.S. Customs
and Border Protection has announced that travelers from 36 VWP countries,
including South Korea, must pay US$14 to apply for the Electronic System
for Travel Authorization (ESTA) beginning Sept. 8."The payments for ESTA
must be made by credit card or debit card,&q uot; a ministry official
said. "When South Korea joined the VWP in 2008, the U.S. had already
explained the possibility that it could start charging for ESTA."Nationals
of the VWP countries can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a
visa. Under the VWP rules, obtaining ESTA prior to travel to the U.S. has
been mandatory since January 2009.Once approved, ESTA is valid for
multiple entries into the U.S. for up to two years, or until the
applicant's passport expires or other situations that warrant a
reapplication, whichever comes first.The Customs and Border Protection
said travelers with an approved ESTA will not need to pay again when
updating their applications. Those with new passports, however, will have
to pay the fee when reapplying for the ESTA.The agency said US$4 of the
total fee will cover its costs of providing and administering the ESTA
system, while the remainder is the mandatory fee under the U.S. Travel
Promotion Act of 2009.(Description of Sour ce: Seoul Yonhap in English --
Semiofficial news agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
120) Back to Top
Mexico Economic Issues 10 Aug 10 - Mexico -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:20:59 GMT
-- Mexico City El Financiero reports that according to figures released by
the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), Mexico's international reserves continued to
grow and saw their 22 nd historic maximum so far this year. Banxico
reported that from 2 to 6 August, Mexico's international reserves had
increased by $757 million to an unprecedented $105.62 billion . (Mexico
City El Financiero en linea in Spanish -- Website of major national
business and financial daily; URL
http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx ) SCT
Promotes Greater Security in Ports, Ships
-- Mexico's Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) reports
in press statement 128 that the secretariat has taken measures and
acquired new equipment to improve the security of the country's ports and
ships. (OSC is translating the full text of this press release as
LAP20100810050001 Mexico Promotes Security on Ships, Port Facilities With
New Measures, Equipment) Trade Unions Take Measures To Allow Survival of
Mexicana
-- Mexico City El Universal reports that given Mexicana de Aviacion's
(CMA) difficult financial situation, trade unions representing the
airline's workers have adopted measures to ensure its survival. Thus, the
National Trade Union of Transport, Transformation, Aviation, and Services
Workers (SNTTTASS) repo rted that it was negotiating with Mexicana on the
voluntary discharge of 150 ground workers. Meanwhile, the Trade Union of
Aviation Pilots (ASPA) announced that all pilots at Mexicana and at the
airline's Click subsidiary would accept the deferred payment of their
salaries and would continue to fly "for a reasonable period," in order to
allow the airline to resume ticket sales and ensure cash flow as soon as
possible. Furthermore, the pilots' union revealed that it was in talks
with possible investors who could help to ensure Mexicana's long-term
viability. (Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL.com.mx in Spanish -- Website of
influential centrist daily; URL
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx http://www.eluniversal.com.mx ) Mexicana Not
To Pay Salaries
-- In a related item, Monterrey El Norte reports that none of the three
airlines in Grupo Mexicana de Aviacion (GMA) -- Mexicana, Click, and Link
-- will be able to pay the salaries of their employees today. According to
a letter addressed to the employees by GMA Human Resources director Manuel
Escobar, the company lacks the necessary funds to pay their salaries,
which were due on 10 August. Escobar explained that this decision had been
made to optimize the airline's resources and to maintain operations, thus
allowing the maximum possible number of passengers to complete their
flights. (Monterrey El Norte.com in Spanish --Website of northern Mexico
centrist daily, owned by Grupo Reforma; URL:
http://www.elnorte.com http://www.elnorte.com ) Judge Grants Bankruptcy
Protection to Comercial Mexicana
-- Mexico City Reforma reports that a federal judge granted bankruptcy
protection to Controladora Comercial Mexicana (Comerci), which will grant
the retail giant one year for the financial restructuring of the company.
Comerci had requested the measure and had presented a debt restructuring
plan already agreed with most of its creditors. (Mexico City REFORMA.com
in Spanish -- Website o f major center-right daily owned by Grupo Reforma;
URL:
http://www.reforma.com http://www.reforma.com )
Attachments:ATTH4YZ5.doc
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
121) Back to Top
Mexico Regional Press 10 Aug 10 - Mexico -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:25:03 GMT
Acapulco, Guerrero, El Sur reports that in a document that was delivered
at the National Action Party's (PAN) National Executive Committee (CEN)
and national elections committee, a group of state leaders of the party in
Guerrero led by Carlos Millan Sanchez presented the results of a poll that
showed that 65% of the members of the PAN oppose to joining a coalition
with the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), the Labor Party (PT),
and the Convergence Party. Millan stated that the members of the PAN in
Guerrero "do not want a 'blind' alliance, they do not want to be a filler
in an electoral alliance and they do not accept an alliance created under
the exclusive conditions of the PRD. We must find a coalition with other
parties, we cannot be in a coalition where they tell us that we are useful
and where we will later not be taken into consideration." The poll also
showed that Millan was the most popular pre-candidate with 52% of the
votes, the Mexican Ambassador in Colombia Florencio Salazar Adame received
37% and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development,
Fisheries, and Food (Sagarpa) delegate Jorge Camacho Penaloza was favored
by 3%. (Acapulco El Sur Online in Spanish - Website of daily from Guerrero
State; URL:
http://www.suracapulco.c om.mx/ http://www.suracapulco.com.mx )
POST-ELECTORAL NEWS AGUASCALIENTES Incoming Governor To Face Serious
Public Debt --
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mural reports that the PAN-run administration of
Aguascalientes Governor Luis Armando Reynoso Femat will leave PRI
Governor-elect Carlos Lozano de la Torre with a public debt of more than
2.29 billion pesos ($180 million), which will prevent him from being able
to request any additional funds for the state. In addition, the
elimination of the car owner's tax (tenencia) would decrease the
government's current's tax collection by 230 million pesos ($18 million).
When Reynoso's term began, the State of Aguascalientes had a public debt
of 377.7 million pesos ($29.71 million). (Guadalajara Mural.com in Spanish
-- Website of daily from Jalisco State, owned by Grupo Reforma; URL:
http://www.mural.com/ http://www.mural.com ) OAXACA Opposition Party Block
To 'Veto' PRI in Congress --
Mexico City Reforma reports that 15 o f the 17 existing deputies of the
current opposition parties in Oaxaca (the PAN, the PRD, the PT, the
Convergence Party, and the Social Democratic Party (PSD)) have committed
not to support any bills that are proposed by the PRI in order to avoid
the party from having the majority vote in congress. The PAN coordinator
Dagoberto Carreno Gopar explained that with this alliance, the PRI will be
unable to approve any constitutional reforms that could hinder the
performance of the the next state government, which will be headed by
Gabino Cue Monteagudo. (Mexico City Reforma.com in Spanish -- Website of
major center-right daily owned by Grupo Reforma; URL:
http://www.reforma.com/ http://www.reforma.com/ ) POLITICS CHIHUAHUA
Governor: Prisons Hone Criminal Skills --
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, El Diario reports that Chihuahua Governor Jose
Reyes Baeza has declared that the scheme and programs behind the so-called
Social Rehabilitation Centers (Cereso) have failed beca use many of the
inmates that are released leave prison with new and improved criminal
skills. In spite of all the efforts, the authorities have been unable to
avoid internal confrontations that have produced the death on many
prisoners. "We have failed in the process of rehabilitation on a national
level, in the process of reintroducing the processed individuals into
society. I believe that the main objective has fail ed, we have caused
that that when those who are serving their time leave, they show a higher
level of violence," said Reyes. (Ciudad Juarez El Diario Online in Spanish
-- Website of most widely read daily in border area, founded in 1976 and
published in Chihuahua State; URL:
http://www.diario.com.mx/ http://www.diario.com.mx ) Crime Prevention
Campaign Distributes Informative Pamphlets --
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, El Diario reports that the Secretariat of Public
Security (SSP) in Chihuahua has launched a crime prevention campaign that
is distributing thousands of informative pamphlets featuring basic
recommendations that will allow the people of Chihuahua to avoid becoming
victims of the criminals by following a series of simply guidelines. The
project is expected to directly reach and benefit 750,000 people in all of
the state. The information will also be broadcasted in the different
media, including brochures, posters, booklets, etc. ECONOMY OAXACA
Remittances From US Decrease 4.11% in Oaxaca --
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Diario Despertar reports that according to information
from the Bank of Mexico, the people of Oaxaca have received $598.6 million
in remittances from their families that are working in the United States
from January to June 2010. Even though the figure has dropped 4.11%
compared to 2009, Oaxaca is still among the top ten states that receive
foreign currency in the form of remittances. (Oaxaca Diario Despertar
Online in Spanish -- Website of daily from Oaxaca State, founded in 2008
and p ublished by Editorial Tercer Milenio, S.A.; URL:
http://www.diariodespertar.com.mx/ http://www.diariodespertar.com.mx )
The following media were scanned and no file worthy items were found:
Hermosillo El Imparcial.com, Merida El Diario de Yucatan, Merida PorEsto!
Online, Mexico City El Universal.com.mx, Mexico City Excelsior Online,
Mexico City La Jornada Online, Mexico City Milenio.com, Monterrey El
Norte.com, Oaxaca El Imparcial Online, Tijuana Frontera.info, and Tuxtla
Gutierrez Cuarto Poder.com.mx
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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122) Back to Top
Mexico Political Issues 10 Aug 10 - Mexico -- OSC Summary
Tuesday Augu st 10, 2010 17:37:37 GMT
-- Mexico City El Universal reports that President Felipe Calderon
revealed the content of a letter sent to the leaders of Mexico's political
parties, with whom he is scheduled to meet to discuss a State strategy
against organized crime. In his letter, Calderon urged the political
parties to close ranks against organized crime. (Mexico City EL
UNIVERSAL.com.mx in Spanish -- Website of influential centrist daily; URL
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx http://www.eluniversal.com.mx ) (OSC is
translating the full text of this article as LAP20100810016003 Mexico:
Calderon Urges Parties To Close Ranks Against Crime) Debate on
Legalization of Drugs: Fox Reaffirms Support for Legalization of Drugs
-- Mexico City El Universal reports that after defending the legalization
of drugs in an article published on his blog, former President Vicente Fox
reaffirmed his position in a radio interview, and he call ed for the
withdrawal of the Armed Forces from the fight against organized crime.
(OSC is translating the full text of this article as LAP20100810016004
Mexico's Fox Defends Legalization of Drugs) PAN Legislators Reject Fox's
Proposal To Legalize Drugs
-- In a related item, Mexico City Excelsior reports that a number of
deputies and senators belonging to the PAN (National Action Party)
rejected former President Vicente Fox's proposal to legalize the
production, sale, and distribution of drugs, arguing that this would have
a negative impact on Mexican society. Deputy Mario Alberto Becerra
Pocoroba declared that "we cannot legalize (drugs) here if they are not
legalized in the United States, and if we did so we would have to see the
consequences to our country." Meanwhile, Deputy Javier Corral declared
that before debating on the possible legalization of drugs, it was
necessary to root out police corruption. Senator Guillermo Tamborrel added
that Fox's proposa l was "unacceptable, especially now that we have
started to win spaces back from drug trafficking." (Mexico City EXonline
in Spanish -- Website of major right-of-center daily Excelsior owned by
Grupo Imagen; URL
http://www.exonline.com.mx http://www.exonline.com.mx ) Other Political
News: Calderon Calls for Reduction of Red Tape
-- Mexico City El Universal reports that after the federal government
announced the elimination of 12,234 administrative proceedings that were
considered superfluous, President Felipe Calderon urged the Legislative
branch, as well as Mexico's state and municipal administrations, to follow
suit. Furthermore, Calderon urged society at large to demand this
elimination and simplification of red tape. Calderon was accompanied by
Finance Secretary Ernesto Cordero, Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari, Health
Secretary Jose Angel Cordova, and Secretary of Communications and
Transportation Juan Molinar Horcasitas. Interior Secretary Reaffi rms
Commitment to Safety of Media
-- Mexico City Reforma reports that Interior Secretary Francisco Blake met
with UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Frank La Rue and with
his OAS (Organization of American States) counterpart Catalina Botero.
During the meeting, Blake expressed the Mexican Government's commitment to
the protection of journalists. (Mexico City REFORMA.com in Spanish --
Website of major center-right daily owned by Grupo Reforma; URL:
http://www.reforma.com/ http://www.reforma.com/ ) Editorials &amp;
Commentary: PAN Chairman Argues Against Legalization of Drugs
-- A commentary by PAN Chairman Cesar Nava in Mexico City El Universal
argues that the legalization of drugs would not resolve the problems of
crime and violence, and would increase the number of drug addicts in Mexi
co. (OSC is translating this commentary as LAP20100810016005 Mexico:
Ruling Party Chairman Argues Against Legalization of Drugs) Commentator
Declares Alig nment With US Policies Prevents Move Toward Drug
Legalization
-- A commentary by Jorge Fernandez Menendez in Mexico City Excelsior
questions Vicente Fox's call for the legalization and taxation of drugs,
after the former president failed to take any action in this direction
during his administration. Fernandez Menendez responds that during his
term, Fox -- like other former Mexican and Latin American leaders who have
defended the need to legalize drugs after leaving office -- had no choice
but to align his policies with those of the United States, which ruled out
the possibility of legalizing drugs. The commentator laments that none of
those former leaders have explained the obstacles that prevented them from
promoting the legalization of drugs while they were in office. On a
separate topic, Fernandez Menendez declares that the recent cases of
corruption in the Federal Police (PF) do not invalidate the need to
centralize police commands. In response to those who claim that corruption
affects all law enforcement bodies and that unifying those bodies would
therefore be pointless, Fernandez Menendez declares that at least in the
latest case of corruption in the PF there was a higher authority able to
dismiss the corrupt officers, while no such action is possible in cases of
corrupt municipal police forces. Commentator Supports Legalization of
Drugs, Warns of Complications
-- A commentary by Leo Zuckermann in Mexico City Excelsior welcomes the
debate on the legalization of drugs, and argues that this issue is better
treated as a matter of public health than of public security. Furthermore,
Zuckermann argues that the State will never be able to win the war on drug
trafficking, as there will always be someone willing to sell drugs for as
long as there is someone willing to use and buy them. Nevertheless,
Zuckermann argues against the total legalization of all drugs overnight,
and he suggests a gradual legalization, starting with marijua na. The
commentator adds that the State would have to impose and enforce strict
regulations on all stages of the drug trade, including stiff taxation to
pay for the health costs generated by their use, as well as firm controls
to prevent drug sales to minors. Furthermore, Zuckermann warns that if
legalization cut off the income source of today's drug trafficking
cartels, these organized criminals would branch out into other activities
such as extortion and kidnapping. Zuckermann concludes that the
legalization of drugs by itself will not resolve the problem of organized
crime. Commentator Sees Drug Legalization as 'Common Sense'
-- A commentary by Federico Reyes Heroles in Mexico City Reforma declares
that the ongoing war against drug trafficking in Mexico, with its rising
death toll and apparent stalemate, represents an "affront against common
sense," when seen in conjunction with the increasing trend toward the
legalization of marijuana use in the United States. Reyes Heroles
celebrates President Felipe Calderon's invitation to debate the possible
legalization of certain drugs and he argues that this measure would
strengthen the Mexican State. The commentator argues that Calderon has the
"moral authority" to organize an international conference on the issue,
which would "reveal the double or triple standards of some nations."
The following media were scanned and no file-worthy items were noted:
(Mexico City La Jornada Online in Spanish -- Website of major left-leaning
daily, critical of PAN and PRI administrations; URL:
http://www.jornada.unam.mx http://www.jornada.unam.mx )
(Mexico City Milenio.com in Spanish -- Website of independent, centrist
daily owned by Grupo Editorial Milenio; URL:
http://www.milenio.com/ http://www.milenio.com/ )
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from th e copyright
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123) Back to Top
Asia-pacific Posts Highest Air Passenger Traffic in H1 - Yonhap
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:12:37 GMT
Asia-Pacific-air traffic
Asia-Pacific posts highest air passenger traffic in H1SEOUL, Aug. 11
(Yonhap) -- Demand for air travel in the Asia-Pacific region was the
highest in the world in the first half of the year thanks to a speedy
recovery from the global financial turmoil and China's fast economic
growth, data showed Wednesday.The region's air passenger traffic reached
494.3 million in the January-June period, up 1.5 percent from the same
period in 2008, according to the data by the Airports Council
International (ACI).It is the first time the Asia-Pacific region has
outperformed Europe and the United States in terms of air passenger
traffic.According to the ACI data, Europe's air passenger traffic fell 7.3
percent from two years ago to 488.6 million, due to the ash clouds from
Iceland's volcanic eruption that disrupted flight schedules in April.
Europe topped the list in the first half of 2008.The number for the U.S.
slumped 7.7 percent to total 471.9 million in the six-month period,
ranking third worldwide.The world's total air passenger traffic edged up
0.7 percent from the same period two years earlier to 1.66 billion in the
first half, the data showed.(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in
English -- Semiofficial news agency of the ROK; URL:
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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`Smart TV Shock` to Revolutionize Industry - Dong-A Ilbo Online
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:35:16 GMT
(DONG-A ILBO) - Intense competition since the 1980s had resulted in thin
profit margins for PC makers, but Microsoft earned a bundle through its
epoch-making Windows operating system.
The mobile phone industry has undergone a major shakeup after Apple
launched the iPhone with its cutting-edge software and applications.
A similar big bang is set to happen in the TV market.
Apple and Google, the main drivers of the smartphone boom, will launch
smart TVs to challenge the world's top two TV manufacturers, Samsung
Electronics and LG Electronics.
Smart TV goes beyond showing TV programs or movies from the Internet. The
new concept TV allows users to download Web application s and share a
broad array of Internet content in electronics devices such as laptops and
mobile phones.
Korean companies have suffered from "iPhone shock" and are keen to
maintain their lead in the TV market. Critics say, however, that lack of
software capability can pose a major hurdle for Korean companies as it did
in the smartphone sector.
Prompt action by Samsung and LG
Google in May teamed up with Sony and Intel and will roll out smart TVs in
this year's second half. The plan is to combine Sony's TV manufacturing
technology and movie content with Intel's CPU expertise. Apple is pushing
its own smart TV venture, planning to release soon smart TVs containing
television receivers in addition to set-top boxes already on sale.
Against this backdrop, Samsung and LG are rushing to develop their own
operating systems and applications for smart TVs.
Following its release of IPTV in 2007, Samsung launched the application
store Samsun g Apps this year to allow the downloading of Internet
applications on TVs. The company is rushing to secure content through
partnerships with foreign video content providers Blockbuster, Vudu,
Netflix and Pandora.
To provide content to overseas customers, Samsung also holds Samsung Apps
contests for application developers in Korea, the U.S. and Europe.
Industry sources say Samsung and SK Telecom have invested 25 billion won
(21.3 million U.S. dollars) to build an open innovation center, which will
be expanded to support apps and content for TVs in addition to mobile
phone content.
LG set up a team exclusively for smart TVs to release the sets early next
year. It is also developing an operating system and chipset for smart TVs
and will introduce an apps store.
LG Electronics Vice President Jung Do-hyun said, "Smart TVs are likely to
become more common going forward, so we'll promote the convergence of TV,
PC and mobile phone businesses and bui ld an integrated platform."
Major hurdles
Critics, however, speculate that Korean companies will need time to catch
up with the smart TV apps made by Apple and Google.
A Samsung Electronics source said, "It's not easy to find apps that can
compete in TVs." While the company earlier rejected a proposal from Google
for a smart TV alliance, it is now open to collaborate with Google and
Apple.
Lack of content creation capability has reportedly pushed Samsung
Electronics to change its stance.
The emphasis of Korean companies on hardware is another problem. A smart
TV is different from a smartphone, which is a simple electronic device,
and should be considered a software platform that enables the downloading
of content from the Internet.
Samsung is increasing the number of software developers but the way they
are perceived and treated are problematic. Choi Seon-gyu, a digital media
professor at Myongji University in Seoul, said, "Samsung and LG still tend
to treat developers like simple contract workers. An environment in which
developers can take the lead in product development should be formed."
Forming a value chain among telecom operators, broadcasters and cable
companies is also important. Fears are rising among terrestrial and cable
TV operators over a monopoly of TV ad revenues by platform developers such
as Google and Apple.
Lee Gyeong-suk, a research fellow at Korea Institute for Industrial
Economics and Trade, said, "There is the possibility that resistance from
related parties can delay the smart TV business, as was the case with
IPTV."
(Description of Source: Seoul Dong-A Ilbo Online in English -- English
website carrying English summaries and full translation of vernacular hard
copy items of the second-oldest major ROK daily Dong-A Ilbo, which is
conservative in editorial orientation -- generally pro-US, anti-North
Korea; URL: http://engli sh.donga.com)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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Intelligence Minister Warns Conversion to Christianity Part of Soft
Warfare - Fars News Agency
Tuesday August 10, 2010 09:51:59 GMT
intelligence has said: "Conversion of schoolchildren in the country to
Christianity is one of the enemy's projects in the soft warfare, (with the
"enemy") acting with the slogan 'Only Jesus'."
According to a report by the reporter on social issues of the Tavana news
club of Fars news agency, (Intelligence Minister) Hojjat ol-Eslam Heydar
Moslehi spoke this evening (9 August ) at the closing ceremony of the 27th
gathering of heads of regional offices of the Ministry of Education from
across the country, held in the Hall of Meetings of Heads of Islamic
Countries. He said, referring to different threats by the enemy to
overthrow the system (of the Islamic Republic): "One of the enemy's plots
in the soft warfare is conversion of schoolchildren to Christianity,
which, according to information received, has been launched in schools by
the Protestant movement 'Only Jesus', which is supported by Zionists."He
added: "This trend, like Christianity in the USA, is connected with the
Zionist regime whom we certainly consider different from the religious
minorities recognized officially in the Islamic system."Hojjat ol-Eslam
Moslehi added: "They have succeeded in influencing and guiding a number of
teachers and schoolchildren by establishing NGOs in the education sphere
and, certainly, this issue is not raised due to the importance a nd
intensity of their work but as a warning about the existing situation."The
minister of intelligence noted that during the 30 years after the
Revolution the enemy has tried to confront the pure Islam of the Prophet
Muhammad by smart soft warfare. He said: "One of the important arenas of
this soft warfare is the education sphere; certainly, despite the
successful experience that the enemy has had in this regard, it has not
succeeded in achieving its goals due to the peculiarities of Iran's
Islamic system."(Passage omitted: Minister talks about the West's past
efforts against the Soviet Union in soft warfare; 17bn dollars invested in
unrest in Iran)Interesting document on enemy's investment in
educationHojjat ol-Eslam Moslehi said: By misusing teacher's name, some
counter-revolutionary foundation, which has received 315,000 dollars from
the enemy at one stage alone, is performing activities against the Islamic
system. Therefore, a set of documents indicates th at imperialism focuses
on education, especially schoolchildren, in the soft warfare.(Passage
omitted: Minister criticizes establishment of Baha'i kindergartens in the
country, secularist tendencies among post-election rioters' leaders,
Iranian students abroad being recruited by foreign intelligence
services)Decryption of enemy's e-mail passwords by Unknown Soldiers of
Lord of Time within 48 hoursHe went on: "In the process of observation of
seditionists' and their leaders' e-mails, as soon as they felt danger, all
their e-mails were encoded within 24 hours by the US espionage
organization (CIA) and Mossad, but through the devoted efforts of the
Unknown Soldiers of the Lord of Time (intelligence agents) they have all
been decrypted within 48 hours, this being a heavy blow to the
enemy."(Passage omitted: Minister speaks about threat of soft warfare and
need for education workers to cooperate with Iran's intelligence
services)He noted: "Our responsibility in this regard is to inform workers
of the education and cultural system and schoolchildren about conspiracies
and threats of the enemy, while the responsibility of the workers of the
education and cultural system is to inform immediately the Unknown
Soldiers of the Lord of Time about suspicious moves in the education
system."(Description of Source: Tehran Fars News Agency in Persian --
hardline pro-Ahmadinezhad news agency; headed as of December 2007 by Hamid
Reza Moqaddamfar, who was formerly an IRGC cultural officer; www.fars.ir)
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Iran -- Foreign Ministry Briefing; Rules Out New War (2) - Islamic
Republic of Iran News Network Telev ision (IRINN)
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:39:46 GMT
continues its live relay of a briefing by Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast in Tehran.
The spokesman said he rules out the possibility of a new war in the
region."Our view is that despite the intentions of several groups in
America or the West, especially the Zionist regime, to damage security in
the region, funds invested in this ill-considered action rule out the
possibility of a war. That is, there are a lot of serious provocations,
but extremely high costs will reduce the possibility of this becoming
reality," Mehmanparast said.Mehmanparast also commented on the fact that
his country is seeking the expulsion of the opposition Mojahedin-e Khalq
Organization (MKO) from Iraq. He also urged Interpol and international
organization to secure their extradition to Iran."As regards the
hypocrites (re ferring to the MKO), as a terrorist group that has killed
more than 12,000 innocent people in our country, documents on these crimes
have been submitted to Interpol and various countries, and we seek the
expulsion of members of this terrorist group from Iraq," he said."We think
that such groups should not be based in neighbouring countries,"
Mehmanparast said. "The existence of such groups may damage relations and
endanger the security of that country. We seek to ensure that criminal
members of this terrorist group of hypocrites are handed over to us by
Interpol and international organizations. Those who believe that they have
not committed a crime can return to their families," the spokesman
added.Mehmanparast criticized the International Court for not considering
Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah's statement that Israel was implicated in
the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri."If
there is evidence that can hold the Zionist regime accountable, why didn't
the International Court even bother to work on this theory according to
which it is possible that this terrorist attack was committed by the
Zionist regime?" Mehmanparast asserted."The court is looking for a
political process, not a legal one," he said.Hezbollah leader Hasan
Nasrallah said recently that he had documents implicating Israel in
al-Hariri's assassination and that his assassination was of benefit to Tel
Aviv.Further as warranted.(Description of Source: Tehran Islamic Republic
of Iran News Network Television (IRINN) in Persian -- 24-hour news channel
of state-run television, officially controlled by the office of the
supreme leader)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Embassy Unaware of Suspected Spy's Plans to Go Back to Peru - Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:12:17 GMT
MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The Peruvian Embassy in Moscow has no
information as to whether one of the suspects in the recent spy scandal
between Russia and the U.S., deported to Russia, wants to go back to the
South American country."We have no such information at the moment," the
Peruvian diplomatic mission in Russia told Interfax on Tuesday.On August 7
the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal wrote that Juan Lazaro, whose
real name is, according to some documents, Mikhail Vasenkov, who was
involved in the recent spy story, would like to go back to Peru with his
Peruvian passport. The newspaper cited his lawyer Genesis Peduto as
saying.The spy scandal broke out in late June, when the U.S. exposed a ne
twork of illegal agents who allegedly worked for Russian intelligence. The
U.S. authorities arrested and then deported eleven people, including
Lasaro, to Russia.kk mj(Our editorial staff can be reached at
eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950040-WRMZCBAA
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Immigration Bureau Reportedly Apprehends 302 Human Trafficking Victims
Report by Gemma Garcia and Ludy Bermudo: "302 Filipinos Victims of Human
Trafficking" - Pilipino Star Ngayon
Tuesday August 10, 2010 12:46:44 GMT
(NAIA) prevented 302 Filipinos, suspected of being victims of hu man
trafficking, from leaving the country.
According to a report by BI Officer in Charge Ronald Ledesma, most of the
passengers are believed to be unregistered overseas Filipino workers, who
pretend to be tourists.
Arvin Ramos, chief of the BI airport operations division, said that of the
302 passengers, 284 were prevented from leaving NAIA, while 18 were held
back at Mactan International Airport in Cebu.
The incident took place on 4 and 5 August, a day after a reshuffle of
airport personnel.
A source said that most of the apprehended passengers had no employment
permit and clearance from the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration, that they were not legitimate tourists and that they were
on their way to other countries for work.
Ledesma vowed that nobody could stop the campaign of his agency to stop
human trafficking operations in all airports of the country.
Ledesma immediately deployed additional personnel at NAIA, Clark, S ubic,
and Cebu airports as part of the antihuman trafficking campaign.
The focus of the new administration is to resolve the worsening human
trafficking in the country after the United States rated the Philippines
"Tier 2" in human trafficking.
(Description of Source: Manila Pilipino Star Ngayon in Tagalog --
Privately owned tabloid daily; sister publication to the English-language
Philippine Star. Good coverage of political developments in Manila.)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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Police Raid Google Korea, Say Personal Information Illegally Collected
Updated version: replacing 0906 GMT version with source-supplied 1106 GMT
update, which "UPDATES with Google executive's remarks at bottom,"
upgrading precedence, rewording headline; Yonhap headline: "Police raid
Google Korea on suspicion of communication law violation" - Yonhap
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:20:22 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news
agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Panama Media 10 Aug 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Panama -- OSC Summary
Tuesday August 10, 2010 19:10:03 GMT
mailto:oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
The following is a selection of press highlights from the Panamanian media
on 10 August 2010: Security and Law Enforcement News 470 Homicides in
First Seven Months of 2010 --
Panama City El Siglo reports on the results of an investigation into the
nationwide crime rate. During the month of July there were 51 violent
crimes for a total of 470 homicides in the first seven months of 2010, an
average of 2.2 per day. This figure is a 3.7% increase -- 17 victims --
over last year's total for the same period. According to statistics
gathered by El Siglo, weekends are the most violent time periods, with
62.7% of the crimes taking place between Fridays and Sundays. (Panama City
El Siglo.com in Spanish -- Online version of daily tabloid owned by the
Waked Group -- URL:
http://www.elsiglo.com/ http://www.elsiglo.co m ) (OSC plans on texting
this item.) Panama City, Colon Among Most Violent Places --
In related news, Panama City El Siglo reports that the most violent places
are Panama City (with 45% of crimes taking place there), the San Miguelito
District (19.6%), Bocas del Toro Province (7.8%) and Colon Province
(11.8%). Trends indicate that crimes in these places are due mostly to
gang violence and the large number of firearms on the streets. According
to the National Police (PN), there are 93 gangs in Panama City, 50 in San
Miguelito, and 44 in Colon. (OSC plans on texting this item.) Political
News Special Commission on Law 30 Opens Up Dialogue --
Panama City Presidency of the Republic of Panama reports on the results of
the first meeting of the Special Commission For Dialogue on Law 30. Luis
Ernesto Carles, deputy minister of labor and labor development, reported
that the commission members admitted the recent executive resolution
authorizing the review of Law 30 in full. The commission also agreed on
the need for other sectors to participate in the discussion, as the bill
in question deals not only with labor issues, but also those related to
aviation, the environment, and criminal issues. Present at the first
meeting were representatives from various labor organizations, the private
business sector, the Catholic Church, and deputies from both the ruling
and opposition legislative blocs, among others. Carles expressed
satisfaction over opening up the discussion with technical experts in the
areas in question. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 11 August.
(Panama City Presidency of the Republic of Panama Online in Spanish --
Official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Panama; URL:
http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/ http://www.presidencia.gob.pa ) Labor
Unions Threaten To Withdraw From Dialogue --
In related news, Panama City La Prensa reports that the labor union
representatives threatened to withdraw from p articipating in the dialogue
if the government does not annul Law 30. Andres Becker, of the Trade Union
of Banana Industry Workers and Related Companies (Sitraibana), said that
the organization had agreed to participate with the purpose of getting the
controversial bill annulled. Failing that, he said, the group will take
other measures. He added that people in Bocas del Toro have not forgotten
the violent clashes that took place last month between banana workers and
the police. Becker warned that if Sitraibana members do not receive a
positive answer, they will take to the streets again with increased
fervor. Meanwhile, union leader Saul Mendez, of the Single National Union
of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs), said that the meeting
served to prove there are two radically different points of view: the
government speaks of reviewing Law 30, while the labor unions demand its
annulment. He refused to continue parti cipating in the dialogue if both
Law 30 and the bill known as the "jailhouse law" (criminalizing street
protests) are not annulled. He threatened to call for a 24-hour strike at
the end of August if the parties fail to reach an agreement. In contrast,
Deputy Minister Carles dismissed the possibility of fully annulling Law 30
because the agreement reached in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro, only dealt
with its review. This is despite the government having recently expressed
willingness to discuss the bill as a whole. Carles announced the topics to
be discussed at the next meeting, which include the possibility of other
sectors participating through sub-commissions to discuss specific aspects
of the bill. Furthermore, Vice President and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos
Varela said that the 90-day period established for suspending three
articles of the law is ample time for overcoming the difficulties
generated by the Bocas del Toro events. Nonetheless, discussion on the
draft bill to suspend the articles remains deadlocked at the National
Assembly. Deputy Rogelio Paredes, of the opposition Democratic
Revolutionary Party (PRD), said that the issue is being delayed
intentionally. Deputy Luis Eduardo Quiros, of the Panamenista Party (PP),
denied this, adding that the draft bill would be approved later this week.
(Panama City Prensa.com in Spanish -- Website of most widely circulated
daily, pro-business; URL:
http://www.prensa.com/ http://www.prensa.com/ ) Vice President To Suggest
Reviewing Bill Approval Process --
Panama City La Prensa reports on statements by Vice President Varela, who
said that the government must evaluate the submission and approval of laws
that include several regulations on various subjects. Varela said that
this lesson was learned with Law 30, adding that the procedure has to be
reassessed in those cases where citizens believe the matter needs to be
discussed further. In fact, Law 30 was approved by the executive branch on
26 May, but it was not until 13 days l ater that it was submitted to the
National Assembly and citizens learned of it. Varela said that this will
be one of the topics he will discuss today with President Ricardo
Martinelli and Presidency Minister Demetrio Papadimitriu, along with the
Foreign Ministry's legal team. Politics, Wiretaps, Dismissals, and Arrests
--
Panama City La Estrella carries an opinion piece by political analyst
Mario Rognoni on the country's lack of political maturity. Rognoni says
presidents still feel the need to manipulate and control key government
positions as soon as they take office, and Martinelli has been no
exception. While he promised to "rule with the best," it seems this did
not include officials who had been appointed by the previous
administration. Rognoni suggests that as long as we have politicians who
are unable to accept the continuity of government officials, it would be
better for each incoming president to have full control of all these
positions. It would thus solve the problem of the current government
wasting time and effort in attempting to dismiss these officials. One year
after Martinelli took office, there are only two people left for him to
change: the solicitor general and the ombudsman. The former is currently
"seeing the writing on the wall," while nobody seems to care much for the
latter. Furthermore, says Rognoni, while every government has reiterated
its commitment to fight against corruption, this fight has been anything
but objective and fair. Rognoni mentions several cases against
high-profile figures in which justice has been "selective and
discriminatory." He says that Panama still has not learned the meaning of
having conflicts of interests, of being impartial. He concludes by saying
that we will not see the change promised by Martinelli in the area of
corruption, as Panamanians have become afraid of denouncing the current
government's crimes. (Panama City La Estrella Online in Spanish - -
Privately owned independent-centrist dai ly; URL:
http://www.laestrella.com.pa/ http://www.laestrella.com.pa ) Former
President Torrijos Involved in Two Scandals --
Panama City La Estrella reports that former President Martin Torrijos is
currently "in the eye of the storm" due to being associated with two
corruption scandals. One refers to the statements by former deputies
Manuel De La Hoz and Carlos Afu on Torrijos's involvement in the bribery
to approve the Multimodal, Industrial and Services Center (Cemis) in 2001.
De La Hoz and Afu said that Torrijos, acting as the PRD's secretary
general (the PRD had control of the National Assembly in 2001), had
coordinated the payment of $20,000 to the opposition deputies in exchange
for their vote to approve the project. Meanwhile, Torrijos has been
mentioned in the recent scandal over the use of wiretaps at the Solicitor
General's Office. Solicitor General Oscar Ceville said that his former
security head Jo rge Abrego had attempted to blackmail him, and that
Torrijos had taken the case to the Security Council. Neftali Jaen,
assistant to Acting Attorney General Giuseppe Bonissi, said that Torrijos
could be summoned to make statements on the matter. While Bonissi has said
that his office is still gathering evidence, La Estrella learned that the
Foreign Ministry has been asked to provide information on Torrijos's
immunity. The former president is a member of the Central American
Parliament (Parlacen), and Panama is currently in the process of
withdrawing from this organization. Torrijos has not made any statements,
and his fellow party members insist this is all "political persecution."
Economic News Martinelli Meets US Representatives To Discuss Trade Issues
--
Panama City Presidency of the Republic of Panama reports that President
Martinelli met on Monday, 9 August, with members of the US Congress to
discuss issues related to security and trade. Also present wer e
Panamanian Ambassador to the US Jaime Aleman and Vice President Varela.
The US representatives reiterated their support for the signing of the
US-Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and expressed satisfaction at the
stable trade relations between both countries. Government's Frenzy For
Investments Raises Concern Over Execution --
Panama City La Prensa on its "As of Today" editorial column comments on
the hectic rhythm with which the government is implementing its plans for
state investments, in contrast with the poor execution of the state
budget. This frenzy stirs concern about the government's capacity for
executing the budget, for controlling so much money -- especially when the
comptroller general is a former employee of the president -- the country's
capacity for debt, and many other concerns. The editorial calls for an
explanation on these matters. New Hospital Compound To Solve Medical Needs
'For Next 100 Years' --
Panama City La Prensa repor ts on statements by Guillermo Saez-Llorens,
director of the Social Security Fund (CSS), on the plans for building a
new hospital compound. Saez explained that the current CSS facilities --
built in 1962 -- were planned for satisfying the needs of 1.5 million
inhabitants, and today's population is almost double that amount. The new
facilities will occupy 10 times the area of the current compound, and will
be built on land that was formerly used by the US Army. Saez said that
these new facilities will satisfy medical care needs for the next 100
years. The project's cost has been estimated at $450 million, and should
be completed in three years. "I want to inaugurate this," said President
Martinelli, who announced that the new compound will be located close to
the new city market and the PN headquarters. State Deficit Reduced by $284
Million, Expenditures Still Higher --
Panama City Panama America reports that in spite of the government having
obtained more inc ome through the recent fiscal reforms, expenditures are
still slightly higher. According to a report by the Ministry of Economy
and Finance (MEF), compared to the deficit of $409.8 million (1.7% of the
GDP) during the first six months of 2009, this item improved to $125.8
million this year. This means that the country's finances improved by $284
million. The report states that direct tax collection rose 7.3% or $790
million during the same time period, in contrast to $736 million in 2009.
Regarding current expenditures, the item that increased the most was that
of transfers, with 27.9% or $118 million. MEF Minister Alberto Vallarino
explained this was due to the "100 For 70" pension plan as well as
compensations paid to former state employees. On the other hand, regarding
capital expenditures, the report states that due to the current 57% budget
execution rate this item was reduced by 15.5%. However, Vallarino said
that this item might increase at the end of the ye ar due to collection of
Panama Canal income and other contributions. (Panama City Panama America
Online in Spanish -- Right-of-center, business-oriented daily owned by
Grupo Editorial Epasa Publishing House. URL:
http://www.pa-digital.com.pa/ http://www.pa-digital.com.pa/ )
The following media were scanned and no file-worthy items were noted:
Panama City Ministry of Foreign Relations Online in Spanish, Panama City
Martes Financiero Online in Spanish, Panama City Capital Financiero
Attachments:Panama--Political--General--sm.jpg
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President Martinelli Talks Security, Trade With US Congressmen
Unattributed article: "Martinelli Talks Security and Trade With US
Congressmen" - prensa.com
Tuesday August 10, 2010 18:35:39 GMT
According to this press release, Martinelli and the Congressmen also
reaffirmed that the US and Panama continue to enjoy good bilateral
relations.
Also present at this meeting, which was held at the Presidency of the
Republic, were Vice-President and Foreign Minister of Panama, Juan Carlos
Varela, and the Ambassador of Panama in the US, Jaime Aleman.
The US official reiterated their support for the signing of the trade
promotion agreement (TPC) pending between both countries.
During an official visit to Colombia this past Saturday, 7 August,
Martinelli met with several US congressmen, who promised that the TPC will
be ready to debate following the upcoming elections in that country,
slated for November.
(Description of Source: Panam a City prensa.com in English -- Online
version of most widely circulated daily, pro business; URL
http://www.prensa.com)
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Slovakia To 'Evaluate' US Decision To Impose Fee on Travellers From EU
"Slovakia to Evaluate Charges for People Travelling to U.S.A." -- TASR
headline - TASR
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:59:36 GMT
(Description of Source: Bratislava TASR in English -- official Slovak news
agency; partially funded by the state)
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The First Phase Of The Vigilant Eagle Exercise Completed - ITAR-TASS
Wednesday August 11, 2010 04:22:16 GMT
intervention)
KHABAROVSK, August 11 (Itar-Tass) - Russian and U.S. fighter jets,
refueling aircraft and civilian air traffic control services are taking
part in the first ever Russia-U.S anti-terror exercise, nicknamed the
Vigilant Eagle.One of the headquarters of the exercise is located in
Khabarovsk; the other is at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in the U.S. State
of Alaska."Representatives of the military agencies of both countries will
give a press conference late on Wednesday. They will sum up the
preliminary results of the ex ercises and answer journalists' questions,"
a source at the Far Eastern air force and air defense formation told
Itar-Tass. He said that the final phase of the first stage of exercises
was under way. Maneuvers over the northern part of the Pacific involve
NATO fighter jets, Russian A-50 reconnaissance planes, American AWACS
aircraft and refueling aircraft from both countries.According to the
scenario, cooperative actions of combat units dealing with acts of
terrorism were simulated. Notional terrorists hijacked a plane with 10
passengers onboard. It took off from an airport in the United States, cut
off all radio contacts with the ground and demanded that the plane land in
the Far East. The pilots managed to send a signal to the ground that
terrorists had hi-jacked the plane.The F-22 Raptor fighter jets took off
to detect it. Then, the monitoring of the hi-jacked aircraft was handed
over to Russian MiG and Su-27 planes.The event is authorized under a
cooperative militar y agreement between the Russian and US
presidents.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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134) Back to Top
HK Column: Difficult To Be Optimistic About Prospect of Sino-US Ties
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov - Ching
Chi Jih Pao
Wednesday August 11, 2010 02:21:43 GMT
(Description of Source: Hong Kong Ching Chi Jih Pao in Chinese -- "Hong
Kong Economic Times," non-PRC-owned economic daily with good s ources in
the PRC and a slightly pro-Beijing editorial line)Attachments:ccjp0811.pdf
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135) Back to Top
About 100 U - ITAR-TASS
Wednesday August 11, 2010 00:59:54 GMT
intervention)
WASHINGTON, August 11 (Itar-Tass) - The U.S. State Department has allowed
the technical staff of the U.S. embassy in Moscow and the families of
diplomats to leave the Russian capital for a period of 30 days because of
the unfavourable environmental situation in the city.According to the
State Department spokesperson Philip Crawley, approximately 100 people
will be able to leave Moscow if they wish. He added that experts from the
U.S. International Development Agency division responsible for rendering
assistance to foreign countries hit by natural disasters continue staying
in Moscow for consultations with the Russian government.In the meantime,
the U.S. embassy in Moscow has allocated 50,000 dollars from its emergency
fund for relief aid to the fire victims.(Description of Source: Moscow
ITAR-TASS in English -- Main government information agency)
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136) Back to Top
Police Release US Journalist 'Arrested' for Trespassing Gold Mine
Report by Mugini Jacob: "American Journalist Set Free" - Daily News Online
< br>
Tuesday August 10, 2010 10:30:30 GMT
(Description of Source: Dar es Salaam Daily News Online in English --
Website of the state-owned daily; URL: http://dailynews.co.tz)
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137) Back to Top
US Offers Condolences Over Deadly Flooding, Mudslides in China
Xinhua: "U.S. Offers Condolences Over Deadly Flooding, Mudslides in China"
- Xinhua
Wednesday August 11, 2010 01:10:59 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official news
service for English-l anguage audiences (New China News Agency))
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138) Back to Top
USA gives 4.8m dollars for famine relief in northeastern Uganda - Daily
Monitor online
Tuesday August 10, 2010 08:01:08 GMT
Text of report by Evelyn Lirri "US gives Shs10b in relief food to
Karamoja" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily
Monitor website on 10 AugustThe US government has offered 4.8m dollars
(about 10bn shillings) to buy relief food for people in Karamoja
sub-region. The money is being delivered to the UN World Food Programme
and will be used to buy food for people threatened by hunger in Kotido,
Kaabong, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Abim districts (all in northeastern
Uganda).The UN food agency said prolonged drought and failed crop harvest
for three successive years has left thousands of people vulnerable to
hunger and starvation. Almost three-quarters of Karamoja's close to a
million pastoralist population rely largely on food aid from the WFP."The
donation is in response to poor harvests in the region in the past three
consecutive years due to the erratic rainfall. With the return of rains to
Karamoja this year, we are optimistic about the upcoming harvest," said Mr
David Eckerson, the USAID mission director in Uganda."We, however, have
serious concerns that the nutritional status of the most vulnerable people
in Karamoja will deteriorate before the harvest. Therefore, an immediate
response is critical to prevent the population from resorting to
destructive coping mechanisms."According to a WFP ass essment conducted in
December 2009, about 22 per cent of households in Karamoja did not
cultivate any food crops in 2009 and of the 78 per cent that did, over 70
per cent of them did not harvest substantial amounts.This has resulted
into high malnutrition rates especially among children with acute
malnutrition in the region estimated to be bordering emergency levels.The
WHO said cases of malnutrition usually occur when children don't have
enough food with all the required nutrients to eat.(Description of Source:
Kampala Daily Monitor online in English -- Website of the independent
daily owned by the Kenya-based Nation Media Group; URL:
http://www.monitor.co.ug)
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Uzbekistan, Oman to Set Up JV For $250 Mln Cement Plant By Year-end -
Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 09:51:58 GMT
TASHKENT. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Uzbek national holding company
Uzbekneftegas, the joint-stock company Uzstroimaterialy, and Oman
Investment Fund plan to set up a joint venture by year-end for the
building of a cement factory in the Surkhandarya region costing $250
million, an Uzstroimaterialy management source told Interfax."Before the
end of August, Oman Investment Fund is to name a company that will be the
joint venture's cofounder from Oman," the source said. An
intergovernmental agreement between the two countries concerning the main
principles for the JV's creation was signed in March, he said, and, "The
main package of founding documents is ready, and we are close to the joint
venture's creation."The cement factory's a ctual construction is now
figured to begin in 2011 and end in 2014. Projected capacity will be 1.7
million tonnes per year of special types, including well cement for the
oil and gas sector.Project financing will come from Oman Investment Fund
credit resources and the Uzbek companies' own monies.Plans call for
another two cement plants to be built in Uzbekistan aside from this one:
one in the Dzhizak region (2 million tonnes per year) and another in the
Kashkadarya region (1.5 million tonnes). And in 2009, the Uzbek-U.S. joint
venture Rakhnamo-Nur began building a $103.2 million cement factory (1
million tonnes) in the Karakalpak region.Uzbekistan has six operating
cement factories with combined established production capacity of 6.5
million tonnes, the biggest of which are OJSC Kyzylkumtsement (3.08
million tonnes), OJSC Akhangarantsement (1.74 million tonnes), and OJSC
Kubasaitsement (920,000 tonnes).Cf(Our editorial staff can be reached at
eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax -950140-JPHZCBAA
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140) Back to Top
Qinghua University Scholar Says US Security Concept Not Sustainable
Article by Zhang Liang and Han Chengzhen: "Expert: US Security Model
Unscientific; Sustainable Security Belief Should Be Promoted" - Zhongguo
Xinwen She
Tuesday August 10, 2010 17:12:23 GMT
Liu Jiangyong maintained: to have genuine and sustainable peace it wants,
the world must imbue in countries the sustainable security belief; be
people-centered; and underscore the unity between national survival,
security environment and ecological environment.
He pointed out: after the Second World War, security beliefs such as
"comprehensive strategy for safeguarding security," "common security," and
the "fully accommodating security concept" have appeared. However, owing
to insufficient theories and practices of these beliefs, many countries
have come up with the ideas, measures and money for achieving unilateral
security; but these things have in fact created new insecurity, worsened
the security environment, and produced a totally different result, namely
"security dissimilation" (an quan yi hua).
Citing the United States' strategy for national security, Prof Liu
Jiangyong pointed out: the US security model is very unscientific. Because
of this model, which it wants to use to maintain hegemony, the United
States has to pay excessively high costs for security; but US citizens'
security environment has worsened and the people's sense of security has
lowered. The impacts on t he climate change created by the enormous energy
consumption and the carbon emissions of the mammoth systems that produce
nuclear and conventional weapons and the incessant external wars are
absolutely not any less than the impacts created by the United States'
industrialization process.
Liu Jiangyong, the first Chinese scholar who promotes and studies the
"sustainable security" theory, pointed out: the "sustainable security"
belief is a belief that inherits and develops the new Chinese and foreign
concepts of security. "Sustainable security" refers to the objective state
where peace and security can be sustained for a long time in nations,
regions and even the world at large. The objective it is after is
sustainability of high security at low costs and to prevent any threat
from disrupting this state of security.
He elaborated: to achieve "sustainable security," sovereign nations must
not settle their disputes by means o f war, especially by using nuclear
weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. Sustainable security is
against nuclear proliferation and arms race. And a nation must not
exchange its security or the security of a bloc of nations at the expense
of the economy and ecology.
Liu Jiangyong pointed out: the presentation of the "sustainable security"
concept indicates that the study of security concepts has entered a new
stage. The theory of sustainable security, once it has been established,
will have important significance for guiding nations' security models and
decisions.
(Description of Source: Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She in Chinese -- China's
official news service for overseas Chinese)
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141) Back to Top
Deputy PM Proposes Levying Duties on Russia's Imports of GPS Navigators -
Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 17:52:19 GMT
RYAZAN. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov on
Tuesday proposed that Russia levy duties on imports of navigators linked
to the U.S.'s Global Positioning System (GPS) effective from January 1,
2011."The time has come to consider levying, not prohibitive duties but at
least some kind of import duty on GPS navigation equipment, which is still
imported into Russia at zero duty," Ivanov told a conference in Ryazan."We
have been working on such proposals, and I believe that this can be done
as of January 1," he said.He also backed plans for all motor vehicles
manufactured in Russia to be fitted with Russian-made navigators.Deputy
Prime Minister Ser gei Sobyanin supported a proposal for a law to
prescribe that all motor vehicles that governmental bodies at all levels
buy with state money be fitted with navigators linked to Russia's Global
Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).He said it was feasible to bring out
such a law before the end of 2010.as ap(Our editorial staff can be reached
at eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950040-AITZCBAA
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142) Back to Top
Govt Drafting Concept Of New Glonass Program - Putin - 2 - ITAR-TASS
Tuesday August 10, 2010 17:41:08 GMT
intervention)
RYAZAN, August 10 (Itar-Tas s) -- The government is drafting the concept
of a new federal Glonass program for the period until 2020, Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.The new program will target for the use of
the Glonass system, and the government pins hopes on active participation
of regions in that process, Putin said."A large number of vehicles and
other technical means will be equipped with navigation systems starting
from 2011. This is a part of new technical regulations, which will apply
to water and high-speed railroad transport," he said.Meanwhile, the use of
Russian navigation systems in vehicles does not exceed 10%. "We need to
boost this use," he remarked."We have launched two social projects related
to Glonass. There is the 112 number for calling rescuers, doctors and
police. We have also started to form the ERA-Glonass system providing
rapid response in case of traffic accidents. Both systems will drastically
cut the time of the arrival of emergency se rvices," he said.All the new
vehicles sold in Russia from 2012 should be linked to the Glonass system,
Putin said."In my opinion, all the vehicles sold from 2012 should be
equipped with Glonass gadgets and linked to the ERA-Glonass rapid response
system," he said. The system will be deployed across the country by 2014,
he said.Some 60 billion rubles have been invested in the Glonass space
navigation project, but all the major expenditures have been covered and
the project is successful, Putin said.The Glonass network will soon
enlarge, and the coverage will become global, he said. "Now we must make
this system efficient and profitable," Putin said.About 48 billion rubles
will be invested in the Glonass space and land infrastructure in
2010-2011, he said."We plan to launch another six .125Glonass.375
satellites before the end of this year, and no less than 24-28 satellites
will permanently stay in orbit after that," he said.Test flights of n
ew-generation Glonass-K satellites will begin this December.Deputy Prime
Minister Sergei Ivanov has called for levying import duties on GPS systems
in Russia starting from January 1, 2011."Time has come for some import
duties on GPS gadgets, which are being taken to Russia at nil rates," he
said at the Tuesday conference on the development of the Glonass space
navigation system chaired by Putin.The import duty must not be
prohibitive, Ivanov stressed. "We have discussed this proposal, and I
think the duty may be levied from January 1, 2011," he said.It is also
quite possible to order the mandatory equipment of vehicles manufactured
in Russia with the domestic navigation systems, he said.The duty may reach
25%, Ivanov noted after the meeting. He also said that the compulsory
equipment of all vehicles with Glonass navigation would apply to
state-owned transport. "We cannot force individuals to install Glonass
navigators in their cars. It is the questio n of state-owned vehicles
only," he said.Head of the government office, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei
Sobyanin supported the proposal to equip all vehicles purchased with
budget money with Glonass navigators. "It is possible to pass this law
during the autumnal session," he said.Glonass is a radio-based satellite
navigation system, developed by the former Soviet Union and now operated
by the Russian Space Forces. It is an alternative and complementary to the
United States' Global Positioning System (GPS) and the planned Galileo
positioning system of the European Union (EU).Development on Glonass began
in 1976, with a goal of global coverage by 1991. Beginning on 12 October
1982, numerous rocket launches added satellites to the system until the
constellation was completed in 1995. Economic problems suspended the
project, and Russia committed to restore the system in 2001.On May 18,
2007, then Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree officially
providing open access to the civilian navigation signals of the Glonass
system, to Russian and foreign consumers, free of charge and without
limitations. The Russian president also directed the Federal Space Agency
to coordinating work to maintain, develop and enable the system for
civilian and commercial needs.Glonass was developed to provide real-time
position and velocity determination, initially for use by the Soviet
military for navigation and ballistic missile targeting. It was the Soviet
Union's second-generation satellite navigation system, improving on the
Tsikada system, which required one to two hours of signal processing to
calculate a location with high accuracy. By contrast, once a Glonass
receiver is tracking the satellite signals, a position fix is available
instantly.A fully operational Glonass constellation consists of 24
satellites, with 21 used for transmitting signals and three for on-orbit
spares, deployed in three orbital planes. The three orbital planes' ascend
ing nodes are separated by 120 .875 with each plane containing eight
equally spaced satellites. The orbits are roughly circular, with an
inclination of about 64.8 .875, and orbit the Earth at an altitude of
19,100 kilometers, which yields an orbital period of approximately 11
hours, 15 minutes. The planes themselves have a latitude displacement of
15 .875, which results in the satellites crossing the equator one at a
time, instead of three at once. The overall arrangement is such that, if
the constellation is fully populated, a minimum of five satellites is in
view from any given point at any given time.The cluster is made up of 23
satellites, including two on standby.(Description of Source: Moscow
ITAR-TASS in English -- Main government information agency)
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143) Back to Top
All Vehicles Sold In Russia From 2012 Should Be Linked To Glonass - Putin
- ITAR-TASS
Tuesday August 10, 2010 16:41:39 GMT
intervention)
RYAZAN, August 10 (Itar-Tass) -- All the new vehicles sold in Russia from
2012 should be linked to the Glonass system, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
said on Tuesday."In my opinion, all the vehicles sold from 2012 should be
equipped with Glonass gadgets and linked to the ERA-Glonass rapid response
system," he said. The system will be deployed across the country by 2014,
he said.Glonass is a radio-based satellite navigation system, developed by
the former Soviet Union and now operated by the Russian Space Forces. It
is an alternative and complementary to the United States' Global
Positioning System (GPS) and th e planned Galileo positioning system of
the European Union (EU).Development on Glonass began in 1976, with a goal
of global coverage by 1991. Beginning on 12 October 1982, numerous rocket
launches added satellites to the system until the constellation was
completed in 1995. Economic problems suspended the project, and Russia
committed to restore the system in 2001.On May 18, 2007, then Russian
president Vladimir Putin signed a decree officially providing open access
to the civilian navigation signals of the Glonass system, to Russian and
foreign consumers, free of charge and without limitations. The Russian
president also directed the Federal Space Agency to coordinating work to
maintain, develop and enable the system for civilian and commercial
needs.Glonass was developed to provide real-time position and velocity
determination, initially for use by the Soviet military for navigation and
ballistic missile targeting. It was the Soviet Union's second-generation
satellite navi gation system, improving on the Tsikada system, which
required one to two hours of signal processing to calculate a location
with high accuracy. By contrast, once a Glonass receiver is tracking the
satellite signals, a position fix is available instantly.A fully
operational Glonass constellation consists of 24 satellites, with 21 used
for transmitting signals and three for on-orbit spares, deployed in three
orbital planes. The three orbital planes' ascending nodes are separated by
120 .875 with each plane containing eight equally spaced satellites. The
orbits are roughly circular, with an inclination of about 64.8 .875, and
orbit the Earth at an altitude of 19,100 kilometers, which yields an
orbital period of approximately 11 hours, 15 minutes. The planes
themselves have a latitude displacement of 15 .875, which results in the
satellites crossing the equator one at a time, instead of three at once.
The overall arrangement is such that, if the constellation is fully
populated , a minimum of five satellites is in view from any given point
at any given time.The cluster is made up of 23 satellites, including two
on standby.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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Russian Equities Slip on Tues Following Weak U.S. Stats - Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 15:31:58 GMT
MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The Russian stock market declined on Tuesday
to levels posted at the end of July following a decrease on world markets
and oil prices owing to weak U.S. stats and doubts that a me eting of the
U.S. Federal Reserve will announce new measures for mitigating measures
for supporting the economy.Benchmark stocks on the MICEX went down by
1.52% to 1,397.66 points while the RTS Index decreased by 1.82% to 1,492.9
points.Futures on the RTS Index dropped by 13 points against the base
asset indicating a generally negative mood among investors.Decliners for
the day on the MICEX were VTB (RTS: VTBR), down 1.4%, Gazprom (RTS: GAZP)
- 1.8%, Gazprom Neft (RTS: SIBN) - 2.9%, MMC Norilsk Nickel (RTS: GMKN) -
0.6%, Lukoil (RTS: LKOH) - 1.8%, Polyus Gold (RTS: PLZL) - 0.9%, Rosneft
(RTS: ROSN) - 2%, Sberbank (RTS: SBER) - 1.1% on common shares and 3.3% on
prefs, Surgutneftegas (RTS: SNGS) - 2.3% and Tatneft (RTS: TATN) -
1.1%.Posting losses on the MICEX Stock Exchange were Novolipetsk
Metallurgical Combine (NLMK), down 4.8%, Transneft (RTS: TRNF) - 3.7%,
Belon - 3%, Severstal (RTS: CHMF) - 2.8% and TGK-2 (RTS: TGKB) -
2.5%.Posting gains were Seventh Continent (RTS: SCON ), up 1.6%, Acorn
(RTS: AKRN) - 0.8%, Diod - 0.3% and North-West Telecom (RTS: SPTL) -
0.2%.Total Classic Trading on the RTS Index for the day came to $5.92
million, RTS Standard - $390.98 million and MICEX Stock Exchange
transactions - over 38.11 billion rubles.Ih(Our editorial staff can be
reached at eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950140-NMSZCBAA
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145) Back to Top
Dollar Moves Up on MICEX, Euro Slides - Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 14:26:07 GMT
MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The U.S. dollar went up noticeably on Tuesday
while the euro slid on the MICEX fol lowing its trajectory on the forex
and declining oil prices. The Russian ruble declined against the Central
Bank's bi-currency basket.The dollar went up by 14 kopecks to close at
30.05 rubles/$1 while the euro dropped by 16.73 kopecks to finish at
39.477 rubles.The bi-currency basket (set at $0.55 and 0.45 euro) went up
by 12 kopecks to 34.29 rubles.The dollar's average weighted exchange rate
on the MICEX increased by 18.08 kopecks to 30.0114 rubles/$1 in Today
deals on Tuesday and 15.82 kopecks to 30.0192 rubles/$1 in Tomorrow deals.
Total dollar trading on the MICEX amounted to $4.579 billion with $743.7
million in Today deals and $2.835 billion in Tomorrow deals.The average
weighted rate of the euro went down by 8.67 kopecks to 39.65237rubles/EUR1
rubles in Today deals and 13.4 kopecks to 39.5016 rubles/EUR1 in Tomorrow
deals. Total euro trading came to 401.5 million euro, of which 91.5
million euro were Today deals and 310 million euro were Tomorrow deals.The
overnight M osPrime Rate remained unchanged at 2.73%.Ih(Our editorial
staff can be reached at eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950140-TSRZCBAA
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146) Back to Top
NASA Plans Second Spacewalk For Mending ISS Cooling System - ITAR-TASS
Tuesday August 10, 2010 12:16:17 GMT
intervention)
NEW YORK, August 10 (Itar-Tass) - NASA specialists on Monday continued the
preparation of plans for the organisation of the second spacewalk of the
International Space Station's (ISS) astronauts for removing a malfunction
in the ISS cooling system, representatives of the American space ag ency
said on Monday that this spacewalk is scheduled for August 11.The first
spacewalk that was performed by American astronauts Douglas Wheelock and
Tracey Caldwell Dyson for the repair of a broken down pump that supplies
liquid ammonia to a circuit of the station's cooling system, was
unsuccessful. Their task was to disconnect 6 cables and 4 ammonia pipes
after which they needed to hook up the pipes to a special connector that
will prevent pressure rise in the broken circuit of the cooling
system.However, they faced a problem with disconnecting an ammonia pipe
because the fixation was too hard to unfasten. Wheelock had to work on
this fixation for several hours until he succeeded. Besides, during the
work with the pipes the astronauts had a minor ammonia leak, which also
affected the time of the spacewalk.If the operation to dismantle the
broken pump on August 11 is successful then the ISS crewmembers will have
another spacewalk on August 15 during which they will install a reserve
pump and restore the station's normal research activity that was suspended
in order to avoid excessive heating of the equipment.According to NASA, in
the wake of an eight-hour, three-minute spacewalk Saturday that fell short
of removing the failed pump module due to a leak in the fourth of four
ammonia line connectors hooked up to the old pump, mission operations and
station programme officials laid out a series of procedures for Wheelock
and Caldwell Dyson to perform at the beginning of the second spacewalk
Wednesday designed to greatly reduce, or eliminate the possibility of
ammonia leaking from the final fluid connector - called M3 - when it is
demated to set the stage for the failed pump to be removed from the
truss.The plan would call for Wheelock and Caldwell Dyson to close other
quick disconnect lines where the S1 and S0 trusses meet that will isolate
ammonia upstream in the system from the final connector, preventing any
recurrence of leakage while the new pump module is being installed.
Additional work to configure lines and valves would be conducted by the
spacewalkers prior to the final electrical demating of the old pump so it
can be parked on a stowage bracket on the station's Mobile Base System.The
goal Wednesday will be to remove the old pump and stow it on a payload
attachment bracket on the Mobile Base System on the station's truss while
preparing the replacement pump for its removal from a stowage platform
adjacent to the Quest airlock and its installation on the truss during a
third spacewalk targeted for no earlier than next Sunday.NASA said that
the Russian cosmonauts - ISS Commander Alexander Skvortsov and crewmembers
Mikhail Korniyenko and Fyodor Yurchikhin are not directly involved in the
repair operations, because the American space agency is responsible for
the repairs.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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Foreign Consular Services Keep Working Despite Heat Wave - Interfax
Tuesday August 10, 2010 11:42:48 GMT
MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has received
official notification of the suspension of visas being issued as a result
of the current heat wave from the U.S. Consular Service."We have been
informed that the U.S. embassy on August 9 suspended holding interviews
(by one day) on B1/B2 non-immigration visas. The suspension does not apply
to other categories of citizens," sources in the Russian Foreign Ministry
told Interfax.The Italian Embassy said disruptions were likely, the source
said."The Italian Embassy's consular service has not suspended work thus
far, but warned that it will have to if the situation does not change,"
they said, adding that the consular services of other embassies have made
adjustments in their schedulessd mj(Our editorial staff can be reached at
eng.editors@interfax.ru)Interfax-950040-CSPZCBAA
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