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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 2012-08-22 09:00 GMT

Email-ID | 813629
Date | 2010-06-15 12:30:02
From | dialogbot@smtp.stratfor.com
To | translations@stratfor.com

Table of Contents for United States
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Made in China Is Taking on a New, More Formidable Shape
Made in China Is Taking on a New, More Formidable Shape -- The Daily Star
Headline
2) Bangladeshi Group Issues Statement on US, ROK Authorities' 'Anti-DPRK
Moves'
KCNA headline: "U.S. And S. Korean Authorities' Anti-dprk Moves Flayed"
3) Brazil Crime and Narcotics Issues 14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
4) Pakistan Article Says New Sanctions Against Iran Expose UNs Dubious
Role
Article by Jalees Hazir: Global foul play
5) Iran Protests Over Mexico's UN Vote for Sanctions
Report by Silvia Otero: "Iran Protests Mexico's Vote for Sanctions"
6) Article Calls For Collective Efforts To Counter US-Western Mindset
Art icle by Dr Haider Mehdi: Conflict management
7) Lebanese Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
8) Pan-Arab Editor: Sanctions 'Will Hurt' Iranian Regime, 'May' Benefit
Reformists
Commentary by Raghidah Dirgham: "Will the Sanctions against Iran Succeed
in Weakening the Regime?"
9) Syrian Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Syrian press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
10) Iraqi Press 14 June 10
The following lists selected items from the Iraqi press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
11) Turkish Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Turkish press on 14 Jun; to
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735. For Islamist press highlights, see
GMP20100614006001.
12) Editorial Asks Govt To Stop Supporting So-Called War on Terror
Editorial: Zardari at SCO summit
13) Taleban execute man in Afghan south accused of spying
14) Pakistan Press Nawa-e-Waqt 14 Jun 10
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
15) Malaysian, Singapore Chinese Press 12-14 Jun 10
The following is a selection of editorials, commentaries, and reports from
Malaysian and Singapore Chinese press on 12-14 June
16) Pakistan Daily Flays UK Report Claiming ISI Pulling Strings of
Afghan Taliban
Editorial: Pak Targeted Again
17) Polish Editorial Dubs Tusk's Call for Afghan Withdrawal Political
'Opportunism'
Editorial by Piotr Semka: "Electoral Afghanistan"
18) Afghan Police Issues 16-31 May 2010
The following OSC Summary provides a summary of monitored media coverage
on Afghan police issues in and related to Afghanistan during the period
16-31 May 2010; for assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at
1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
19) Taleban commander claim inflicting casualties on foreign forces in
Afghan east
20) Taleban claim inflicting casualties on Afghan, foreign forces in
Afghan east
21) Abbas, Fatah Hold Contacts With HAMAS, Urge Reconciliation To End Gaza
Siege
Report by Ali al-Salih: "Al-Ahmad to Al-Sharq al-Awsat: 'I Am Personally
Holding Contacts With HAMAS Leaders in Gaza, West Bank'; Abu-Mazin
Receives in Amman MP Al-Khudari, Head of Committee Against Sie ge in Gaza
Strip, Announces Dispatch of Delegation"
22) Argentina Political and Economic Issues 12-14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
23) Egyptian Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Egyptian press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
24) UK Arabic Press 14 Jun 10
25) HAMAS Media 10-11 Jun 10
Corrected version: correcting mistake in Al-Batsh's rank in text; The
following lists the leading items featured by HAMAS-affiliated media on
10-11 Jun. For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at
1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
26) News Roundup 11-14 Jun
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov
27) Commentary Suggests Greece Use Turkish-Israeli Rift For Foreign Policy
Gains
Commentary by ELIAMEP Think Tank Director Thanos P. Dokos: "Opinion: Will
It Be An Opportunity for Greece?"
28) Pakistan Author Urges Consensus of UN Members for Security Council
Enlargement
Article by Asif Ezdi: Reforming the UN Security Council
29) DPRK Party Organ Denounces IAEA Director General's Remarks on DPRK
Nuclear Issue
Commentary by reporter Kim Chong-son: "Spiritless Remarks of an Ignorant
Man"; The author's title in the byline provided by KPM may be different
from that which appears in hard copy
30) DPRK Central Radio Program Review for 14 Jun 10
Following is a compilation of Korean Central Broadcasting Station's
program previews for 14 June, which are aired daily at approximately 2000
and 0300 GMT. Programming schedule changes and summaries of talks and
programs are noted in ed itorial brackets; no further processing planned
on any of the items unless otherwise indicated. OSC has filed program
summaries of all the newscasts as the two referent items.
31) Colombia Crime and Narcotics Issues 14 Jun 10
32) S. Korea to Complete Design of New Mid-size Reactor By Late 2010
33) Today In History
34) Bolivia Press 14 June 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
35) Greek Press 12 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Greek Press on 12 June; To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735
36) US State Department Says DPRK Remains Among 12 'Worst' Human
Trafficking Countries
Updated version: "UPDATES with more details, background throughout;"
Yonhap headline: "N. Korea Remains Among 12 Worst Human Trafficking
Countries: State Dept." by Hwang Doo-hyong
37) Thai Column Says ASEAN 'Needs' To Pressure Burma To Clarify Nuclear
Plan
Commentary by Kavi Chongkittavorn: "Regional Response Needed for Burma's
Nuclear Ambition"
38) RMRB Article Says World Must not Wait in Handling Climate Change
Matters
Article by RMRB editor Xin Benjian: "The World Must not Hesitate in
Combating Climate Change" Ctirlg:
39) ROK Official Says 'No Objections' From UNSC Members on Sunken Ship
Probe
Yonhap headline: "No objections from U.N. Security Council members on
sunken ship probe: official" by Chang Jae-soon
40) UNSC to Hear Both Koreas on Cheonan Sinking
41) Mexico's Northern Border Crime/Narcotics/Security Issues 12-14 Jun 10
42) Mexican Legislators Urge US Counterparts To Approve Immigration Refor
ms
Report filed in Campeche by special correspondent Claudia Salazar:
"Coherence on Migration demanded From US"
43) Mexico Southeastern Crime/Narcotics/Security Issues 14 Jun 10
44) Mexico Political Issues 12-14 Jun 10
45) Former Policeman Linked To Drug Scheme Arrested
Unattributed report "Ex-cop Wanted for 30 Killings Captured in Mexico" --
EFE Headline
46) ROK, DPRK To Address UN Security Council Over Ship Sinking
Updated version: Replacing 0105 GMT version with update provided by source
at 0640 GMT, which recasts first 3 grafs and updates graf 5, 10-11, 14-15
with comments from the foreign ministry spokesman, and provides a by-line;
By Chang Jae-soon: "South, North Korea to Address U.N. Security Council
Over Ship Sinking"
47) DPRK Threats, PRC Reluctance 'Hobble' ROK's Response to Ch'o'nan
Unattributed report: "Uncer tainties Hobble S.Korea's Response to Cheonan
Sinking"
48) US Increases aid To Protect Civilians, To Promote Economic Recovery
Report by Nicolas Michel: "Obama and the Ugandan Patient"
49) Foreign Visitors in Cuba 7-13 Jun 10
50) Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Dominican Republic Media 14 June 2010
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
51) ROK, Colombia Start 3rd Round of Free Trade Talks on 14 Jun
Updated version: adding International Economic tag; Yonhap headline: "S.
Korea, Colombia start 3rd round of free trade talks"
52) S. Korea, Colombia Start 3rd Round of Free Trade Talks
53) Police Launch New Agency To Track Down Transnational Criminals
Report by Wassayos Ngamkham: "New Agency Bags Robbery Gang"
54) Government Break down as a Political Risk
"Government Breakdown as a Political Risk" -- The Daily Star Headline
55) Arms Expert Cited on Club Missile System Development, Operation, Sale
Report by Sergey Turchenko: "Soviet-Vintage Biryuza Has Given the
Americans a Fright. 1983 Development Has Proven More Reliable Than Bulava"
56) Ousted Kyrgyz President's Son Detained In Britain
Updated Version, amending tagging
57) Ousted Kyrgyz President's Son Detained In Britain (Adds)
58) Greece Attempts to Prevent Turkey's Request Not to Submit Flight Plans
in Aegean
Report by Angelos Athanasopoulos: "A Game of 'Chess' With Ankara on the
Flights in the Aegean"
59) Natl Foreign Policy Lab Director Proposes Count Formula for Next START
Article by National Foreign Policy Laboratory Director Nikita Ivanov:
"Reality of the Strategic Balance"60) UK-Based Pan-Arab Editor Lists
Demands Arabs Want Turkey To Resolve
Commentary by Tarqi al-Humayd: "Turkey: Here's Our List of Demands"
61) Iran's Military Warns Against Inspecting Iranian Ships in Persian Gulf
62) Syrian, US Sources Deny Reports Syrian Ambassador Withdrawn From
Washington
Report by Kamil Saqr in Damascus: "Following Senate's Refusal To Appoint
Robert Ford Ambassador in Damascus, US and Syrian Sources; Ambassador
Mustafa's Long Vacation Does Not Mean a Call Back From his Duties"
63) Kenya Calls on Security Council To Upgrade AU Peacekeeping Mission in
Somalia
Report by Nick Wachira: "Kenya Wants the Mission Upgraded to UN Mission"
64) Iraqi Kurdish Arabic Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from two Baghdad-based Kurdish
newspapers on 14 Jun. To request additional processing, please call OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735.
65) Iran's Press TV airs documentary on post-election violence
66) Roundup of Khuzestan Province Friday Prayer Sermons 11 Jun 10
67) London School of Economics Report Claims ISI, Zardari Back Taliban
Unattributed report: ISI, Zardari join forces to back Taliban!
68) British Energy Group BP Says Gulf Oil Spill Costs Reach 1.6 Billion
Dollars
"BP Says Gulf Oil Spill Costs Reach 1.6 Billion Dollars" -- AFP headline
69) Security, Space Make Lebanese Shy Away From Couchsurfing
"Security, Space Make Lebanese Shy Away From Couchsurfing" -- The Daily
Star Headline
70) Xinhua 'Roundup' on UNSC Resolution 1929 Imposing New Sanctions on
Iran
"International Observation" roundup by foreign-based reporters Wang
Xiangjiang, Gu Zhenqiu, Bai Jie, Du Yuanjiang, and He Guanghai: "The
Iranian Nuclear Issue: the meaning of the New Resolution on Sanctions"
71) British Foreign Secretary Urges Iran To Heed UN Sanctions, Engage in
Dialogue
Article by British Foreign Secretary William Hague: "A Message That the
Iranian Government Should Not Ignore"
72) Afghan state TV reports Karzai's meeting with new British PM
73) Northern Central America Press 12-14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
74) 2 US-Bound Guatemalan Soldiers Carrying Heroin Arrested
"Salvadoran Cops Arrest 2 Guatemalan Soldiers With Heroin Bound for US" --
EFE headline
75) Talk Of The Day -- Ecfa Effect: Volkswagen To Set Up Plant Here?
By Sofia Wu
76) The Buck Should Stop With Lee
"Viewpoint" column by Kim Jin, an editorial wri ter and Translation by the
JoongAng Daily staff: "The Buck Should Stop With Lee"
77) Local Tensions Keep Lid on Nation's Credit Rating
78) Lawmaker Calls For Castration of Pedophiles
79) Three Die in Mogadishu Explosion
Xinhua: "Three Die in Mogadishu Explosion"
80) Magazine Alleges Signing of 'Confidential' Agreement Over Transition
Unattributed report from 'Confidential Reports' section: "The Rabat
Declaration"
81) Palestinian Reports on Infrastructure Projects 5-11 Jun 10
The following lists highlights of reprots on infrastructure projects
carried in the Palestinian media between 5 and 11 June. To request
additional processing, or for assistance with multimedia elements, call
OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
82) Czech Jun 14 Press Views Slovak Election Result
"Czech P ress Survey" -- Czech Happenings headline
83) S. Korea's Credit Rating Remains Relatively Low Among G20 Nations
84) Making Our Schools Safe
85) Xinhua 'Roundup': Indonesia Preparing for Coping With European Crisis
Xinhua "Roundup" by Mulyanda Djohan : "Indonesia Preparing for Coping With
European Crisis"
86) Activists Protest About Plan To Build Nuclear Power Plants in Country
Report by Andri Haryanto: "Rejecting Nuclear Energy, 100 Persons Protest
at Proclamation of Independence Monument"
87) Roundup of Middle East Friday Sermons 11 Jun
88) Commercial Times: Crisis Underlying Taiwan's Public Debt
By Y.F. Low
89) Kan's Characteristics as Politician and Understanding on Security
Issues
Article by Rui Abiru titled "Naoto Kan Takes the Mound with Priority on
Performance and H is 30 Year Plan, Light Demeanor of Kan Could Be a Good
or Bad Omen." Article discusses Prime Minister Kan's strong desire for
upward mobility, his catering to the wishes of the people, his feelings
about the Imperial family, and concerns about his understanding of
security. Kan's light demeanor could turn out to be either a good or a bad
omen.
90) Okinawa Local TV Evening News 14 Jun 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.
91) DPRK Party Organ on US-ROK-Japan Agreements at 5 Jun Defense Minister
Talks
OSC plans to process the below-cited Rodong Sinmun "signed commentary" as
first referent item; KCNA headline: "S. Korea-u.S.-japan 'Cooperation' in
Moves For War of Aggression Against DPRK Under Fire"
92) DPRK Condemns IAEA Chief's Comment on Nuclear Issue
X inhua: "DPRK Condemns IAEA Chief's Comment on Nuclear Issue"
93) S. Korea Unlikely to Follow Japan's Housing Market Crash: Goldman
Sachs
94) Scientists To Retrieve Japanese Asteroid Capsule Landed in Australia
"Scientists scramble for Japanese asteroid capsule" -- AFP headline
95) An Alliance Reconfirmed
"Viewpoint" column by Kim Jung-wook, the Washington correspondent and
Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "An Alliance Reconfirmed"
96) Pan-Arab Editor: Riyadh Will Not Allow Israel Use Its Airspace Against
Iran
Commentary by Abd-al-Rahman al-Rashid: "The Saudi Corridor and the Israeli
Strike"
97) Pan-Arab Editor: 'Illogical' for Saudi Arabia To Allow Israel Use its
Airspace
Commentary by Editor in Chief Tariq al-Humayd: "Israel and Passing through
Saudi Airspace"
98) M acedonian Commentary Sees Israeli Raid on Turkish Ship as 'Tactical
Blunder'
Commentary by Edon Qesari: "Nothing new From Eastern Front"
99) Kenyan religious leaders rap Biden over remarks on draft constitution
100) Gcc Chief Says Israel Has No Options After Saudi Smear Campaign
Reports
"Gcc Chief Says Israel Has No Options After Saudi Smear Campaign Reports"
-- KUNA Headline
101) Obama Asks Congress To Fund Israel's Rocket Defense System
"Obama Asks Congress To Fund Israel"s Rocket Defense System" -- KUNA
Headline
102) Metro Policeman Faces Charge of Trying to Extort Bribe from US Soccer
Fans
Report by Charl du Plessis: "Cop Fleeces US Tourists" - "Americans Lay
Corruption Charge over 'Bribe'"
103) Opinion Calls for US President To Provide Proof in MBS Case
Opinion by Gustavo Mavie: "Ques tioning the Existence of al Qaeda Training
Camps in Mozambique
104) South African 2010 Soccer World Cup Media Highlights 13-14 Jun 10
Corrected version: Replacing text with reedited version
105) South African 2010 Soccer World Cup Media Highlights 13-14 Jun 10
106) Nothing Could Dampen Spirits of Red Devils
107) Thai Column Urges ASEAN Rights Body To Join Probe Panel on 19 May
Crackdown
Commentary by Sarinna Areethamsirikul: "The Thai Political Crisis and the
Future of ASEAN"
108) Editorial Urges Thais To Recognize 'Moral Obligations' in Middle East
Conflict
Editorial: "Time We Grasped Palestinian Issue"
109) Thai Editorial Asks UN To Dissuade Iran From Developing Nuclear
Weapons
Editorial: "Iran Dismisses UN Sanctions"
110) Thai Envoy Asks US To Refrain From Mediating in Tal ks With Red-Shirt
Protestors
Unattributed report: "Thai Envoy Asks US To Steer Clear of Mediation"
111) Recommendations for Malaysia To Improve Human Trafficking Enforcement
BERNAMA report from the "General" page: "Several Recommendations For
Malaysia To Improve Human Trafficking Actions"
112) Malaysia Chinese Press 12-14 Jun 10
The following lists selected reports carried in Malaysia's Chinese press
on 12-14 Jun 10. To request additional processing, please contact OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
113) Malaysia Rises to Tier 2 of US Trafficking in Persons Report
BERNAMA report from the "General" page: "Malaysia Rises To Tier 2 Of
Trafficking In Persons Report"
114) Report Says Kingpin Call Unsurprising, Drug Trafficking Increasing
Report by Paul Fauvet: "Revisiting Recent History"</ a>
115) Taxi Company Owned by Bashir's Niece Affected by US Drug Kingpin Ban
116) Nigerian Commitee Denounces 'Anti-DPRK Campaign' of US and ROK
KCNA headline: "Anti-dprk Campaign of U.S. And S. Korea Accused"
117) JFJB on US Patriot Missiles in Poland, Anti-Missile Systems in Europe
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
118) Rwandan court delays US lawyer's plea hearing
119) Militant Behind US Consulate Attack Said Killed in 'Accidental Blast'
Report by Mushtaq Yusufzai: "LeJ Commander Qari Zafar Killed in
'Accidental IED Blast'"
120) Urdu Press Roundup on Turkey's Protest Against Israeli Aggression
121) Urdu Press Roundup Discusses Role of US, UN in Israeli Siege of Gaza
The following is a rou ndup of excerpts from editorials and articles on
the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a result of prolonged Israeli siege,
the repercussions of Israeli attack on the aid workers traveling to Gaza
in Freedom Flotilla, and the role of different stakeholders including the
United States, published in the 12 June edition of three Urdu dailies
122) Protests, Conferences in Cities Against Blasphemous Caricatures
Unattributed report: "Hurmat-e- Rasool [Honor of Prophet] Conferences,
Protest Demonstrations Against Blasphemous Caricatures, Israeli
Aggression; Demand for Blasphemy Law at International Level"
123) Foreign Nationals Renting Houses in Quetta Arouses Curiosity
Report by Jawad R Awan: Shadowy activities of US operatives in Quetta
124) Report Says F-16 Fighter Jets Being Given to Pakistan Under Tough
Conditions
Online report: PAF to get F-16s with tough stipulations
125) Kidnappers Kill Abducted Employee of US-Based NGO in Quetta
Unattributed report: Abducted NGO employee slaughtered
126) Khaksar Tehreek Chief Says People Should Unite Against Imperial
Forces
Report by staff correspondent: People should unite against imperial
forces
127) Minister Says Gas Project With Iran Not to Affect Ties With US
Unattributed report: Gas project not to affect ties with US: Naveed
128) Official Reports Show Double Increase in Drone Attacks in 5 Months
Report by Asif Ali Bhatti: "Double Increase in Drone Attacks; 38 Strikes
in 5 Months"
129) Former Afghan Intelligence Chief Behind Propaganda To Malign
Pakistan
Report by staff correspondent: Ex-Afghan intelligence chief behind
anti-Pakistan propaganda
130) Pakistan Article Says US Strategy To Weaken Afghan Taliban Bound To
Fail
Article by Asif H aroon Raja: Kandahar Operation Bound To Fail
131) Well-Known Website Declares President Zardari as US Citizen
Report by Azim M Mian: Website declares Zardari US citizen
132) Detained Militants in Afghanistans Bagram Prison May be Used Against
Pakistan
Report by Sikander Shaheen: Bagram detainees may be used against
Pakistan
133) Saudi Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Saudi press on 14 Jun 10. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735.
134) ROK Naval Exercise To Mark 60th Anniversary of Korean War
Updated version: upgrading precedence, modifying headline, adding
metadata, adding cross ref; Yonhap headline: "Naval Drill to Mark 60th
Anniversary of Korean War"
135) DPRK Releases Joint Statement on 10th Anniversary of 15 Jun Joint
Declaration
P yongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried
the following in its 2100 GMT newscast on 14 June, which OSC plans to
translate as first referent item; KCNA headline: "All Koreans Called Upon
to Unite Under Banner of June 15 Joint Declaration"
136) State Department Says Senior US Official 'Due' in Seoul To Discuss
Ship Sinking
Yonhap headline: "Campbell Due in Seoul on Ship Sinking, Other Issues:
State Dept." by Hwang Doo-hyong
137) PRC Article Wary of ROK Explanation of Ship Sinking
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
138) ROK Defense Ministry To Offer Cultural Tours for US Soldiers
By Song Sang-ho: "U.S. Soldiers to Get Cultural Tours"
139) DPRK Party Organ Says IAEA Chief Makes 'Imbecile' Remarks on Nuclear
Issue
KCNA head line: "IAEA Chief's Reckless Remarks Snubbed"; OSC is texting
the full vernacular version as first-referent item; Pyongyang Korean
Central Broadcasting Station in Korean is scheduled to broadcast the
following at 0952 GMT on 14 June.
140) People's Daily Online: 'Thomas Barnett Recommends US Never Go To War
with China'
Article by John Milligan-Whyte and Dai Min: "Thomas Barnett Recommends US
Never Go To War with China"; headline as provided by source
141) KCNA Carries DPRK Army's 12 Jun 'Proclamation' Against ROK
Loudspeakers
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried the
following as the second of two items in its 0300 GMT newscast on 12 June;
KCNA headline: "KPA General Staff Issues Crucial Declaration"
142) ROK Editorial Urges President Lee To Complete Military Reshuffle 'As
Soon As Possible'
Editorial: "Is The Military Ready to Deal With N.Korea?"
143) DPRK's KCNA: Czech Group Issues Statement Supporting 'Struggle for
National Reunification'
KCNA headline: "Korean People's Struggle For National Reunification
Supported"
144) NK Threatens to Make Seoul `Sea of Flames`
145) Seoul Set to Present Evidence At UN
146) MPs Reject Commission List To Oversee South Referendum
147) TKP Column Views US Policy of Returning to Asia
Article by Ts'ui Ning: "The United States 'Has To Change' Its Policy
Toward Taiwan"
148) Taiwan Democracy Rooted In Decades Of Practice: President
By Lee Shu-hua and Deborah Kuo
149) Talk Of The Day -- New Model For Cross-strait Negotiations
By Sofia Wu
150) Turkey Not Fully Comply With Eliminating Human Trafficking, But
Trying
"U.S. REPORT SAYS TURKEY DOES NOT FULL Y COMPLY WITH STANDARDS FOR
ELAMINATION OF HUMAN TRAFICKING" -- AA headline
151) Somali commerce minister wants trials of suspected pirates held
inside country
152) US official says Turkey conference to discuss restoring peace in
Somalia
153) USA reportedly refuses to sign new ICC statute
154) Vietnam Head Triet on Political, Economic Relations, 'Vietnam-Towns'
Interview with Nguyen Minh Triet, president of Vietnam, conducted by Irina
Reznik on 10 Jun 2010; place not given: "'Russia Will Ensure the Whole
World's Security' -- Nguyen Minh Triet, President of Vietnam"
155) Analysts Urge Zimbabweans To Find Ways To Lift Self-Imposed Sanctions
on State
Article by Kholwani Nyathi: "US Imposed Sanctions: Facts and Fiction"
156) Third Round Of Talks On Child Adoption Deal Begins
157) Russia Cal ls For Drafting OSCE Concept Against Drug Trafficking
158) Senior US Official to Visit Seoul This Week
159) US Troops in ROK Invited To Participate in Cultural Tours
Updated version: modifying headline, adding metadeta, adding cross ref;
Yonhap headline: "U.S. Troops in S. Korea Invited to Participate in
Cultural Tours"
160) People's Daily Online: 'US Must Restrain Provocative Military
Actions'
Unattributed report: "US Must Restrain Provocative Military Actions";
headline as provided by source
161) Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan 'Tops' 5 Million Units
Yonhap headline: "Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan Tops 5 Mln"
162) ROK Trade Surplus With US Narrows in Jan-May Period
Updated version: rewording headline, adjusting tags; Unattributed report:
"Korea's Trade Surplus With U.S. Narrows in Jan.-may&qu ot;
163) Prosecution System to Reform For Enhanced Transparency
164) Korea's Trade Surplus With U.S. Narrows in Jan.-may
165) Chinese FTA a Bittersweet Prospect
"Viewpoint" column by Song E-young, a professor of economics at Sogang
University and Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "Chinese FTA a
Bittersweet Prospect"
166) KT Hits a Wi-fi Milestone
167) Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan Tops 5 Mln
168) Israeli Gov't OKs Flotilla Inquiry Panel; Netanyahu Notes Goals,
Briefs EU Leaders
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Back to Top
Made in China Is Taking on a New, More Formidable Shape
Made in China Is Taking on a New, More Formidable Shape -- The Daily Star
Headline - The Daily Star Online
Mond ay June 14, 2010 06:57:25 GMT
Monday, June 14, 2010
'It-s a dying business,' said the owner of a garmentfactory I met in
Zhuhai, a city in Guangdong Province. Like many in his line ofbusiness, he
is packing up. Lured by abundant cheap labor, investors flooded toZhuhai
two decades ago. Gone, it seems, is the heyday of T-shirts, toys,plastic
flowers, tiles, hooks, springs, and the like. Today, the costs
ofmanufacturing such items are lower in countries like Bangladesh and
Vietnamthan in Guangdong.As labor costs continue to climb, is China set to
lose its coveted spot as theworld-s workshop?Rising labor costs are
inevitable. China-s government introduced toughlabor laws and a minimum
wage in 2008. Recent policies to improve ruraleconomic conditions have
slowed the flow of migrants from the countryside.Workers are demanding
higher compensation to match the fast-rising cost ofliving in China-s
cities, as manifested in an ong oing and high-profilelabor strike at a
Honda plant based in Guangdong. Salary was the major point
ofcontention.Workers on strike demanded a raise in pay from the current
1,500 renminbi($234.00) to 2,000-2,500 renminbi ($373.13) per month.
Clearly, Chinesefactories can no longer offer dirt-cheap prices.Apparel
production is a prime example of China-s declining competivenessin markets
dependent on low-cost labor. According to a study by the USconsulting firm
Jassin O-Rourke, labor costs in China are higher than inseven other Asian
countries. The average cost for a worker is $1.08 per hour inChina-s
coastal provinces and $0.55-0.80 in the inland provinces. Indiawas in
seventh place, at $0.51 per hour. Bangladesh offers the lowest cost,only
one-fifth the price of locations like Shanghai and Suzhou.Adding to
China-s labor woes, the financial crisis during the last twoyears had a
disastrous effect on foreign demand. In 2009, China-s exportvalue fell by
16 percent from 2008. Labor intensive industries were especiallyhard hit.
In the textiles industry, profits declined for the first time in 10years
in 2008. In March 2009, exports of electronics and IT products
tumblednearly 25 percent from the previous period. Although Chinese
exports have begunto recover in 2010, the impact of the financial crisis
remains palpable. ByJanuary 2010, the value of exports has returned to its
previous level in thesame period of 2008. But many factories have already
perished.For Chinese manufacturers, a long-term trend of rising costs
coupled with ashort-term export slump were unprecedented challenges. But
the government andentrepreneurs are not idly sitting by as competitiveness
slips. These adverseconditions have inadvertently propelled a long-delayed
restructuring ofChina-s labor-intensive industries. As costs surge,
Chinese producers areseeking higher value, new niches, and more influence
over policymaking.Along China-s dynamic coastal belt, local governments
are drafti ng neweconomic blueprints to push their firms up the
value-added chain. Consider thecase of a textiles manufacturing center in
Jiangsu province, dubbed the'silk capital' of China. Three-quarters of the
city-s GDP hadbeen coming from textiles production. Last year, however,
exports fell by about15 percent. For local planners, the export shock was
a wake-up call for change.As a result, officials in Jiangsu are no longer
content with sewing clothing.Leveraging a mixture of administrative
guidance and monetary incentives, thecity government plans to reduce the
share of garments in the output of textilesproducts by 25 percent in three
years and to increase the industrialapplications of chemical fibers, which
promise much higher returns than apparelproduction. Already, according to
local officials, the city-s factorieshave acquired the ability to
mass-produce super-thin fibers first designed inJapan.In fact, the global
meltdown may turn out to be a blessing in disguise forindustri al
upgrading. Slumping orders devastated low-end producers, whichbarely
survived on wafer-thin margins. Half of China-s toy factories wentbust by
the end of 2008. Though alarming in the short term, the eradication
ofsmall producers spells good news for those that survived the crisis. As
firmsconsolidate market share, they gain economies of scale. Larger firms
are morecapable of pooling resources for research and development, which
is the key toChina-s aspirations to climb the value ladder.Less fragmented
industries also lobby better. Traditionally, contractmanufacturers in
China are scattered and fiercely competitive. They have littleif any say
over domestic and international regulations. Producers in Jiangsu,for
example, were forced to adapt constantly to fickle product-safety
andenvironmental standards in export markets. Compared to producers in the
UnitedStates and Europe, those in China are weakly organized and
passive.This could change. As surviving firms gain in size, Chinese
businesses mayexercise more bargaining power vis-a-vis the Chinese
government andforeign firms. Exercising a louder voice in politics at home
and abroad couldmean reduced uncertainty for Chinese exporters. Consider
the strategy ofLenovo, China-s largest computer manufacturer; it has hired
a lobbyist inWashington DC, reportedly the first Chinese company to do
so.In decades to come, China can no longer sustain the cost advantages
thatdefined its initial period of export success. But it is a mistake to
think thatChina-s manufacturing will remain in the doldrums. Compared to
manydeveloping countries, China-s government is stable and embraces
foreigninvestment. Industrial clusters have been established in many parts
of thecountry, where business connections can compensate for rising costs.
Domesticconsumption is growing. Further, as low-end, low-cost labor jobs
morph towardhigher-end, higher-cost jobs, China will move not only into
more valuablemanufactured goods, but als o into the service industries,
such as design. Thischange, too, could give the US a difficult new
run-for-its-money.When China-s labor-intensive industries emerge from
their metamorphosis,we should expect to see firms that are larger, that
invest more in productinnovation and design, and that hold more sway over
business and tradepolicies. So 'Made in China' is not losing international
dominanceyet. It is merely taking on a new - and possibly more formidable
-shape.Ang Yuen Yuen is a professor of international affairs at Columbia
University.THE DAILY STAR publishes this commentary in collaboration with
ProjectSyndicate (c) (www.project-syndicate.org).(Description of Source:
Beirut The Daily Star Online in English -- Website of the independent
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 b e directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
2) Back to Top
Bangladeshi Group Issues Statement on US, ROK Authorities' 'Anti-DPRK
Moves'
KCNA headline: "U.S. And S. Korean Authorities' Anti-dprk Moves Flayed" -
KCNA
Monday June 14, 2010 03:51:27 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. 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.
3) Back to Top
Brazil Crime and Narcotics Issues 14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia e lements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Brazil -- OSC Summary
Tuesday June 15, 2010 03:29:00 GMT
On 14 June Ana Bizzotto reports in Sao Paulo O Estado de Sao Paulo Digital
that as of December the Federal Police (PF) will issue a new passport; the
document with a five-year validity will contain an electronic chip similar
to the one already adopted by a number of countries in the EU, as well as
in Japan, Australia, and the United States. The chip will store the
bearer's image, 10 fingerprints, and signature; it will cost the PF double
the amount spent to issue the current Brazilian passport that is blue due
to a Mercosur agreement. In a related article Bizzotto explains that the
electronic passport will ease reentry for passengers coming home. (Sao
Paulo O Estado de Sao Paulo Digital in Portuguese -- website of
conservative, influential daily, critical of the government; URL:
http://www.estadao.com.br/ http://www.estadao.com.br/ ) Sao Paulo Alley in
the Aldeia Slum where the death of an accused pedophile set off a wave of
vigilante gang killings - 13 June - O Estado de S.Paulo Sao Paulo
Organized Crime Gang Convicts, Executes Pedophile Sparking Vigilante Gang
Murders in Reprisal --
On 13 June Bruno Paes Manso Sao Paulo O Estado de Sao Paulo Digital
reports that in early April women in the Aldeia shantytown in Vicente de
Carvalho, a district of Guaruja, a Sao Paulo coastal resort, accused night
watchman Anderson Oliveira dos Santos, 31, of pedophilia. Santos was taken
in a van to a hut in the Vila Baiana slum some 20 kilometers away and put
before a panel made up of members of the First Command of the Capital, or
PCC, a criminal organization based in Sao Paulo. Aldeia slum crime boss
Eduardinho headed the panel. Santos was apparently convicted, or so his
disappearance immediately after the events seems to convey. The case would
have ended there as another suspected crime case solved by a local
criminal organization, were it not for the fact that Santos was the
brother of Celio, a Military Police (PM) officer in Diadema, a town in Sao
Paulo's ABCD region up the coast from Guaruja. PM Celio led a number of
search parties to find his missing brother over the fortnight that
followed his so-called trial. The search parties are said to have
humiliated women and children, as well as beaten and shot persons
questioned in connection with the case. On 18 April hooded men on two
motorcycles fired 10 rifle shots at Paulo Raphael Ferreira Pires, a PM
soldier in his car parked in Guaruja. According to witnesses Pires and his
brother were part of PM Celio's gang searching for Santos or his body.
Pires' murder preceded a total 23 executions in the city and nearby towns
between 18 and 26 April. The rise in the Sao Paulo State murder rate that
had been declining for 10 years is attributed to the Guaruja killings.
According to Guaruja Alderman Ronald Luiz Nicolaci, a former PM officer,
the episode is a repeat performance. The PCC runs drug dealing in the
region's slums. Police officers who live in districts adjoining the
shantytowns are often threatened and cannot count on support from their
commanding officers. As a result PMs band together and take matters into
their own hands to mark their territory. Following the wave of attacks
coordinated by the PCC in May 2006, 10 unattributed murders took place in
Guaruja; the state tally stands at 89. Tension between organized crime
gang members and PMs has been growing since 2008, when wiretaps linked PCC
members to the murder of two PMs and the attempted murder of another two.
A PM anonymously said in an interview that he sleeps with his pistol
beside his bed and no longer rides in a car with his wife and son to
ensure their safety. In 2009 66 PMs died while off duty; many o f them
moonlig hting as security guards. In a related article Manso describes the
other side of the story outlining crimes committed by PMs banded together
in vigilante operations and associations that congregate family members of
their victims. Since the 2006 PCC attack wave killers wearing ninja-style
hoods have killed 360 people, according to newspaper reports. The
disguised killers may not have all been PM officers, argues a victim
support group member, but chances are many are at least linked to the
police.
Federal Highway Police Seize 1 Metric Ton of Marijuana in Sao Paulo
Hinterland --
On 14 June Sao Paulo O Estado de Sao Paulo Digital reports that on the
same date Federal Highway Police (PRF) seized close to 1 metric ton of
marijuana hidden under false flooring and in the bodywork of a truck in
driving on Federal Highway BR-153 in Ourinhos, Sao Paulo. The PRF arrested
the driver who confessed that he was paid 2,000 reais to pick up the ma
rijuana in Parana and deliver it in Sao Paulo City.
Rio de Janeiro Federal Police Dismantle 30,000 Subscriber Clandestine
Cable TV Operation in Rio de Janeiro --
On 14 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that Federal Police
(PF) dismantled a clandestine cable TV network in Rio de Janeiro state
that served some 30,000 subscribers and generated revenues of some 500,000
reais ($278,000) per month. The PF arrested five persons in linked to the
pirate service; one suspect is a police officer and one a former prison
guard. The operation that seized equipment, vehicles, and optical fiber
cables is still seeking to arrest some 10 suspects. The clandestine
service was based in a district in downtown Nova Iguacu and had affiliated
offices in other districts of Rio's Baixada Fluminense region. (Rio de
Janeiro Globo G1 (Internet Version-WWW) in Portuguese --- Rio de Janeiro
Globo Network website - center-right, generally pro-government
URL:http://g1.g lobo.com/) Rio de Janeiro Military Police Kill Suspected
Drug Dealers in Shantytown Shootout --
On 13 June Bernardo Tabak reports in Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website that
on 12 June Military Police (PM) officers shot and killed two men said to
be drug dealers in the Para Pedro slum of Colegio, a Rio de Janeiro
suburb. According to the hospital where the victims were taken, both were
apparently 20 years old and killed by several bullets. According to the
PM, the dead suspects fired first. The PM's seized a grenade, a 763
machine gun, a 9mm pistol, and a substantial but unspecified amount of
drugs from the suspects.
Shootouts in Rio de Janeiro Leave Three Dead and Seven Injured in Violent
Weekend --
On 12 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that a number of
shootouts left seven people injured in Rio de Janeiro on the 12-13 June
weekend, plus three dead in the Mare and Serrinha slums as well as on the
Red Line expressway. Rio de Janeiro Civi l Police Uncover Credit Card
Robbery Scheme, Arrests Embezzlers at Wedding Party --
On 13 June a report in Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website opens with images
of a wedding. After the bride and groom exchange their vows, Civil Police
(PC) officers arrive and arrest not only the bride and groom but 8 guests
all linked to an embezzlement scheme; the PC arrested nine more suspects
elsewhere. The gang engaged Post Office workers to intercept credit cards
and use them to purchase goods passed on to stolen goods' dealers. Among
other things such as travel, the gang used the embezzled funds to pay for
the wedding party. The newlyweds face up to 20 years in prison along with
their associates. Mato Grosso do Sul Trained dog finds cocaine in Mato
Grosso do Sul Globo G1 website - 14 June Federal Police Catches Mules With
4 Kg of Cocaine in Mato Grosso do Sul Hinterland --
On 14 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that on 12 June Federal
Police (PF) arrested t wo unidentified persons aged 22 and 27 driving a
car on Federal Highway BR-262 near Terenos, Mato Grosso do Sul, and seized
4 kg of cocaine hidden under false flooring in the vehicle. The mules
confessed that they were hired to pick up the cocaine in Corumba and
deliver it in Campo Grande, both in the same state. Drug sniffing dogs
found the cocaine. Mato Grosso do Sul Based Drug Dealing Gang Sold
Cocaine, Pirated Discs --
On 14 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that on the same date
Federal Police (PF) officers arrested at least four people linked to a
drug dealing gang that also sold pirated CDs and DVDs. Civil Police (PC)
officers are linked to the gang that bought Bolivian cocaine, brought it
in to Corumba and Campo Grande, in Mato Grosso do Sul, to distribute it to
other states from there. A PC officer linked to the gang was arrested in
April with 14 kg of the gang's cocaine. Among the suspects arrested is a
man said to own a facility that r eplicated the pirated discs that the
gang sold.
Border Operation Agents Seize Truckload of Illegal Wood in Mato Grosso do
Sul --
On 14 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that before dawn on the
same date Border Operation Department (DOF) agents arrested a 39-year old
unidentified driver and seized a truckload of wood in Corumba, Mato Grosso
do Sul. The driver claimed that he bought the wood in Bolivia and was
doing to deliver it in Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, but
he did not have the required documents.
Rio Grande do Sul Federal Police Seize 25 Kg of Cocaine in Rio Grande do
Sul Hinterland --
On 14 June Rio de Janeiro Globo G1 website reports that on 14 June Federal
Police (PF) officers arrested three unidentified men in Viamao, Rio Grande
do Sul, and seized 25 kg of cocaine, two vehicles, cell phones, and an
unspecified amount of money. The narcotic was destined for distribution in
Porto Alegre, the state capital .
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
Pakistan Article Says New Sanctions Against Iran Expose UNs Dubious Role
Article by Jalees Hazir: Global foul play - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 22:40:12 GMT
A resolution for new sanctions against Iran was adopted by the United
Nations Security Council last week exposing yet again the council's
dubious role in world affairs. Rather than ensuring security in the
region, the new sanctions have sown the seeds of war. It is no secret that
the United States is relentlessly working towards engineering a military
confrontation with Ira n, while simultaneously fomenting trouble and
working for a regime change in the Islamic republic next door. In
approving the unwise and dangerous sanctions pushed by the US, the UNSC
has acted, once again, as a tool to further the agenda of this global
bully. So what is one to make of our brave new multi-polar world?
It does not take an expert on international relations to decipher the
US-Iran standoff and how it is obviously spiralling in a dangerous
direction. The new round of sanctions can be used to create precarious
situations and skirmishes as war-mongering US ships, in the garb of
enforcing the sanctions, attempt to inspect and even attack Iranian
vessels. In fact, given its track record, it is safe to say that this is
exactly what the US plans to do next. It is known for inventing similar
reasons to start wars. In recent history, we've seen how the devious
superpower eventually invaded Iraq using provocations disguised as
enforcement of sanctions and fabricat ed weapons of mass destruction as an
excuse.
In Iran's case, there has been a build-up since the Bush days, and Obama
has continued with his predecessor's overt and covert operations to
destabilise the Iranian government. The US government has openly allocated
funds to cultivate and encourage dissenting local Iranian groups for what
it calls the promotion of democracy, and allowed its army in neighbouring
Afghanistan to carry out spying and other subversive activities. Using
Iran's nuclear programme as an excuse, it has consistently built public
opinion at home and internationally for military intervention. While the
European powers are known to be little more than American puppets, even
Russia and China seem to be oblivious to the dangerous game that the US is
playing in their neighbourhood. Or have they been co-opted through
nefarious trade bargains and strategic carrots? They went along with other
permanent UNSC members in approving the new sanctions.
It is not incorrect to say that new centres of power are assuming more
significance, and China and Russia are recognised as two of the most
important players in the emerging order, but there is little to inspire
hope that they are interested in anything other than joining the
exploitative club of old bullies. Do they have the clarity of vision to
resist corruption by the established poles of the US and Europe or will
they be satisfied with their piece in the global pie? What the world needs
today is not just an increase in the number of exploitative poles that use
the power of money and weapons to have their way, but a new approach
towards co-existence that respects the diversity of people and their right
to use their resources for their development.
In the present instance, Brazil and Turkey stand out as the silver lining
around the dark clouds of so-called multi-polarity: the only two UNSC
members who voted against the sanctions. Through their sincere
peace-building effor ts, they brought Iran round to signing the May 17
Tehran Declaration, that should have given a boost to diffusing the
tension around its nuclear programme. Acting in a manner that is
characteristic of the two-faced American diplomacy, Obama first encouraged
the leadership of the two countries, at the Nuclear Summit he hosted and
later in separate letters to Brazilian president Lula and Turkish
president Erdogan, to talk to Iran, and after they had succeeded in
bringing Iran round to an agreement that the American president had
clearly supported, his administration took a somm-ersault and pushed ahead
with the sanctions. President Lula has now released that lett er for the
whole world to see the insincerity of the US. It is obvious that the US is
only interested in raising the temperature, and for that it needs to keep
the mountain it has created around the mole-hill of Iranian nuclear
programme intact.
Again, it is hard not to notice that Iran is being systematically
isolated. It is being singled out to be punished for a crime that has not
been established against it. The IAEA has yet to find evidence that Iran
is developing nuclear weapons. The US, our self-appointed global nuclear
policeman, on the other hand, is happy to openly dish out vulgar helpings
to Israel and India of the same goodies that it suspects Iran of having.
Isn't it strange that when Iran was ruled by the Shah who did what the
Americans wanted, the US actually helped in setting up of the nuclear
programme that it now views as a danger to world peace? Is it just a
coincidence that the last time the US engineered a coup against the
Iranian government, it was also against a democratically elected regime
that refused to throw away its precious natural resources to western oil
companies? Unless, one does not wish to read it, the writing on the wall
is clear as daylight.
We live in a sick world with a rotten global architecture that supports
the perpetuation of power ful interests. What makes it even sicker is the
ability of the powerful actors, greedy dirty corporations and the
governments they bring to power and sustain in the 'developed' world, to
co-opt the challenges to their evil domination. The solution does not lie
within the perverse pillars that uphold the stench-filled status quo; the
UN system, World Bank, IMF, WTO and other instruments of global domination
that have been crafted behind a facade of lofty principles but only work
to strengthen the stranglehold of established powerful interests. They are
designed to suffocate efforts to work towards a peaceful and just world.
They are all part of one exploitative pole.
Multi-polarity as a concept needs revisiting. Some of the actors being
dished out as challenging the status quo might just be standing in the
queue to join the old bullies' club. What is required are new structures
for operationalising the strength of credible new power centres. We
already have two to star t with: Brazil and Turkey.
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.
5) Back to Top
Iran Protests Over Mexico's UN Vote for Sanctions
Report by Silvia Otero: "Iran Protests Mexico's Vote for Sanctions" - EL
UNIVERSAL.com.mx
Monday June 14, 2010 22:04:24 GMT
The Embassy of Iran issued a statement in which it criticized Mexico for
having given in to pressures from the United States, even though Iran had
supported Mexico's candidacy for the (temporary) Security Council seat for
the 2009-2010 period.
Resolution 1929 that the Security Council adopted on 9 June prohibits Iran
from making foreign investments in key areas like uranium mines, and it
freezes the assets of individuals and businesses with ties to Iran's
Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
Iranian ships may be inspected on the high seas, and the new resolution
prohibits the sale of eight new categories of weapons, as well as of tanks
and combat aircraft. These are just some of the sanctions.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran said that "it deeply regrets
the vote of countries like Mexico, which consider themselves to be
supporters of peace and human rights. Such countries know perfectly well
that, in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has the right
to enrich uranium for peaceful uses."
The Embassy statem ent argued that International Atomic Energy Agency
reports "have approved (the Iranian nuclear program) on different
occasions and have said that, in spite of the massive inspections, there
is no proof for the allegation that Iran's nuclear programs are not
peaceful."
The statement thanked the countries that voted against the resolution,
Turkey and Brazil, "for rejecting the pressure of the US Government and
displaying the independence of their vote in defense of the rights of the
Iranian people, and their choice to back the path of diplomacy and
dialogue."
(Description of Source: Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL.com.mx in Spanish --
Website of influential centrist daily; URL http://www.eluniversal.com.mx)
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.
< a name="t6">6) Back to Top
Article Calls For Collective Efforts To Counter US-Western Mindset
Article by Dr Haider Mehdi: Conflict management - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 22:40:11 GMT
Speaking at the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner,
Obama mock-threatened the boyband idolised by his daughters with these
words: "Boys - don't get any ideas. Two words for you: Predator drones.
You will never see it coming."
The audience applauded the President's cruel and coarse humour without
realising that the said remarks in themselves and the appalling response
was being watched by the world at large as an indicator of a specific
mindset in how to deal with conflict management by the US political
establishment and the American public. The implicit message in the
President's spee ch was that a lethal, quick and debilitating response by
brutal force to any adversary is the strategic doctrine of the Obama
administration in face of a conflict situation - deliver the blow first,
ask questions later!
Human conduct and behaviour are the mirror image of the internal thought
process which reflects hidden intentions. Humanity at large has devised
language and used rhetoric as a concealing strategy to hide intentions.
Take for example, Obama's rhetorical excess. He came to the American
presidency with a specific promise of "change" and a commitment to "world
peace" and "building bridges" with Islamic nations. In reality, what Obama
has done is to expand the American right-wing ideological doctrine to
promote worldwide conflicts and to conduct conflict management by military
force. Obama "expanded the war on terror into North-West Pakistan," wrote
Pankaj Mishra in the Guardian news recently.
It is instructiv e to understand the relationship between "time" (as a
process in the execution of a specific policy) and real "intentions" of
policymakers in the conducting of conflict management. Obama, and for that
matter the entire Western political establishment, has been quick in
delivering military solutions against the Afghan insurgents (though
absurdly impractical and strategically flawed). On the other hand, the
Western powers and now Obama's administration have been deliberating
"timelessly" about giving a fair and just solution to Palestinian issues
of a homeland after theirs was illegally snatched by the Zionists six
decades ago. There seems to be no concern, either on a humanitarian basis
or for political efficaciousness, that a long period of nearly seven
decades has gone by without giving due justice to the impoverished people
made homeless by deliberate political intentions plotted in Western
capitals. Consequently, it is obvious that the longer the "time span" in
the resolution of a conflict management, the more this process points
towards hidden and deceitful "intentions" of the major political actors
involved in perhaps not giving a just and reasonable solution to the
issue.
Another vivid example of this long extended "time span" and deceitfully
concealed political "intentions" in conflict management is India dragging
its feet on the Kashmir issue. Though over 60 years have gone by, the
Indian political establishment was still deliberating "on the issues of
confidence-building measures, economic development, strengthening of ties
across the Line of Control, good governance and centre-state relations"
with Srinagar in May 2006. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day
visit to Kashmir on June 7, 2010, was primarily to discuss with the
Kashmiri Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, "the movement forward in the
dialogue process and how it can be taken to its logical conclusion." The
question is: what logical conclusion? Isn't it absurd to be still talking
about "the movement forward in the dialogue process" after over 60 years
have gone by? Why is India still at the "dialogue process" stage? Doesn't
it tell us loudly and clearly that India has no intention of resolving the
Kashmir issue or making a commitment to bow to the demands and to the
political aspirations of the Kashmiri people? The fact of the matter is
that India is not planning to let the Kashmiri people decide on their own
political future and on their own political independence or destiny. The
long "time span" combined with hidden Indian "intentions" is a testament
to this ugly political reality. The Kashmiri people are left with only one
option: continue their struggle for independence in whatever manner and by
whatever means they have to!
Compare this deliberate delaying strategy of long "time spans" ;
intertwined with concealed "intentions" in conflict management with the
swiftness of political action in a given conflict situation where
"intentions" are honourable and long "time span" tactics are not used to
conceal hidden political "intentions" and "agendas".
Brazil's President Lula da Silva and Turkey's PM Tayyip Erdogan were able
to hammer out in a mere 18 hours of negotiations with Iran's President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the agreement to resolve and defuse the so-called
international crisis over Iran's nuclear activities. The agreement makes
provisions for Iran to transfer 1200kgs of low enriched uranium to Turkey
within one month and to receive in exchange 120kgs of higher-enriched
uranium for medical purposes within one year. Case closed, solution found,
conflict management by good "intentions" and swiftness in "time" put
together in viable political judgment and simple prompt political acti on.
Not acceptable (as expected) in Washington, London, and some of America's
allies who have dismissed the agreement as a "delaying tactic". The
practitioners of delayed "timeframes" and hidden "intentions" cannot come
to terms with sophisticated swiftness in diplomatic skills and the search
for peaceful resolution in an initiative that might change the prevailing
strategic outlook in global conflict management.
There is another important side to it: If the Tehran agreement sticks, the
US and its allies fear that there might be a recognition in the developing
countries that "rising powers have a stake in sustaining a rules-based
global order." And that is precisely what the US-Western imperialist
political establishments cannot imagine contending with.
Rules-based global order is not an option viewed favourably and positively
by Washington and its allies in Western European capitals. The sky will
fall should the l ikes of China, Turkey and Brazil be the flag-bearers of
a rules-based global order and contribute to the development of a conflict
management strategy as major political actors. From the western
perspective, they should simply be "stakeholders" in a system that must
remain undisputedly controlled by the US and its allies.
"Seen from Ankara or Brasilia, or indeed from Beijing, there is an
important snag in this argument. They are not being invited to craft a new
international order but rather to abide by the old (Western) rules," wrote
Philip Stephens in the Financial Times recently.
A rules-based global order - that does not seem to be a prospect in the
near future!
Didn't Obama say: "Boys - don't get any ideas. Two words for you: Predator
drones. You will never see it coming."
That is the shape of things to come....Unless we, the people around the
world, collectively put an end to the US-Western mindset!
Unfor tunately, India has already fallen into that Western way of
thinking!
The writer is an academic, political analyst and conflict-resolution
expert.
(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.
7) Back to Top
Lebanese Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Lebanese press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Lebanon -- OSC Summary
Monday Jun e 14, 2010 17:41:37 GMT
"The battle of the two candidates from the Al-Khayr family in
Al-Minyah-Al-Duniyah ends with the victory of the Future Movement"
"The third summit will be held tomorrow (between Lebanon and Syria) amid
major progress" Al-Akhbar
:
"Al-Mabhuh's phantom haunts Israel"
"Syria-Lebanon: Amending 15 agreements and conventions" Al-Safir:
"Lebanese-Syrian understanding on amending bilateral agreements; the 11
billion-controversy is still ongoing"
"The Future Movement wins in Al-Minyah and its foes progress" Al-Diyar:"
Future Movement candidate Kazim al-Khayr wins and turnout does not exceed
34%"
"Contacts by Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey shielded the cabinet from the
repercussions of the abstention" Al-Anwar:
"The Future Movement candidate wins in Al-Minyah-Al-Duniyah&q uot;
Al-Liwa:"
The Future Movement settles a difficult battle in Al-Duniyah-Al-Minyah in
its favor" Coverage in detail 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 saying that the Council of Ministers will convene
today at the Presidential Palace in order to resume the discussions
regarding the 2010 draft budget, the completion of which seems to require
two more sessions at least.According to ministerial sources, President
Michel Sulayman's visit to Damascus tomorrow is important due to a series
of foreign and domestic factors, the most important of which is the
regional mood that requires the preservation of coordination between
Lebanon and Syria on the highest levels.Sources told Al-Nahar that the
Syrian-Lebanese summit meeting coincides with a positive development, as
the joint follow-up committee concluded y esterday the final wording of 15
bilateral agreements in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.The report
also says that the Lebanese administrative and technical committee headed
by Minister of State Jean Ogassapian returned to Beirut, having sought in
Damascus the final drafts of proposals to develop Lebanese-Syrian
agreements and suggest new ones.Al-Nahar cites Ogassapian saying that
"major progress has been made" and predicted that the drafts of many
agreements will be finalized within two weeks prior to their signing by
Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri during his visit to Damascus. (1,200 words)
b. Article by Emile Khuri on the summit scheduled to be held tomorrow
between President Bashar al-Asad and President Sulayman, saying that the
reassurances President Michel Sulayman and Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri
obtained during their foreign visits and through their foreign contacts
might not be enough to protect Lebanon from an Israeli act of aggression
if the se reassurances are not associated with clear reassurances obtained
from Syria and Iran.Sources say that the Sulayman-Al-Asad summit held in
Damascus tomorrow will be fruitful, and will be similar to the summit held
between President Shahab and President Jamal Abd-al-Nasir, who agreed that
both countries should coordinate foreign and defense policy.The writer
says that President Al-Asad and President Sulayman should reach an
agreement on the foreign and defense policy and coordinate any steps they
would take.The writer asks: Will Lebanon and Syria go together for a war
or peace talks?Lebanon could go to a war while Syria engages in peace
talks, as the case is now. (1,400 words)
c. Article by Rosanna Bu-Munsif citing sources saying that Switzerland is
putting efforts into grouping representatives of Lebanese politicians in
order to initiate discussion and dialogue over the controversial issues in
Lebanon.The writer says that the Swiss ambassador to Lebanon has been ver
y active since his mandate started in Lebanon.Moreover, efforts were made
to bring Swiss experts on defense strategy and political pluralism to
Lebanon in order to discuss with the Lebanese rivals the hot issues.
(1,200 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. Front-page report by Muhammad Badir on the assassination of HAMAS
leader Mahmud al-Mabhuh, saying that, after the decisions made by Britain
and Australia to deport Mosad operatives operating on their respective
soils, Israel is concerned that Germany and France might be about to take
tougher measures, especially following the arrest of a suspect in Mahmud
al-Mabhuh's assassination in Poland.Der Spiegel said that the arrest of
the suspect is a new diplomatic plight facing Israel, especially since the
issue is between two countries that are considered to be among Israel's
best friends. (1,200 words)
b. Article by Ily Shalhub headlined: "Iranian Authorization for Al-Asad to
Name Iraq's Ruler and Protect his Sunnis," saying that it seems that the
solution to the crisis of forming the Iraqi Government was given to
President Bashar al-Asad.It was an Iranian authorization that the Turks
endorsed, and was given to President Bashar al-Asad to name Iraq's ruler
and protect the Sunnis in it.This happens at a time when the Iraqi parties
are engaged in a battle of negotiations.The writer says that the picture
in Baghdad is still foggy and the political rivals are exchanging
accusations and rumors and are engaged in negotiations that are themselves
facing a deadlock.But the developments that occurred over the past weeks
and months were very significant and revealed the strong strategy among
Iran, Syria, and Turkey.The latter's positions, namely, toward the
Arab-Israeli conflict, are among the important signs too.The report notes
that Tehran tasked President Bashar al-Asad with choosing whoever he deems
appropriate for heading the Iraqi Government.Turkey understood the
circumstances of this authorization, and endorsed it as well.The writer
says that it has become clear that Iyad Allawi has become outside the game
now.He failed to understand that the road to the Iraqi Government passes
through Al-Najaf.The Iranian complex he suffers from is among the key
reasons.There is also the fact of the conflicting interests between him
and his list.For example, he is a Shiite heading a Sunni list.The writer
says that his new statements on Iran's attempt to assassinate him
politically and physically reveal that he has nothing to lose now and thus
he is trying to play the role of a patriotic leader and practicing a
blackmail policy in a final attempt to attract the missing Iranian
satisfaction.Sources say that the three parties of the national alliance
are likely to agree over choosing the coalition' s candidate for the
premiership.The sources say that the State of Law and the Higher Council
agreed that the alliance enters the parliament with three candidates, who
are Al-Maliki, Abd-al-Mahdi, and Al-Ja'fari, whereby the National Assembly
chooses one of them.The sources however add that such an agreement still
needs the approval of the Al-Sadr Movement. (2,500 words)
c. Article by Abd-al-Kafi al-Samad on the by-elections in
Al-Minyah-Al-Duniyah, saying that the by-elections event might have passed
calmly, but the Future Movement's decision to back a candidate at the
expense of another and its rejection of the customs and traditions that
prevail in this area pushed him to engage in elections that it considers
fateful.The writer says that the low turnout, which did not exceed 34%,
compares with 56% in 2009, was not all against the interest of the Future
Movement, since the final results were in favor of its candidate, Kazim
al-Khayr, who obtained 20,119 votes.His riv al, Kamal al-Khayr, obtained
14,097 votes.This means that the candidate running against the Future
Movement obtained more than 40% of the votes.Sources say that the low
turnout is attributed to many reasons, including the fact that these are
by-elections and thus the voters are less enthusiastic.The sources add
that another reason is the clear flaw in the work of the Future Movement
electoral machine. (1,500 words)
d. Article by Ibrahim al-Amin entitled: "Gaza's Blockade: Western (Sides)
and Agents Are Helping Israel in Beautifying the Killing Machines," saying
that "the first result of the anti-blockade activities, namely the Freedom
Flitilla attack, is that the Arab and international cover for the
Israeli-Egyptian blockade on the Strip has been weakened.What Helen Thomas
said was an expression of the world's absolute dissatisfaction with Israel
and its crimes."Al-Amin says that it has become clear now that Israel
itself is no longer able to brand ish the idea of the blockade.The efforts
and plans discussed with the United States and Britain and others,
including the Arab and Palestinian sides, will lead to a new situation
that will reduce the burden put on the Strip's people, but they will not
solve the problem.The Palestinian group in Ramallah will claim their
responsibility for lifting the blockade, while some of them are at the
heart of the conspiracy against the Gazans.In Egypt, Al-Amin says, they
want the step of lifting the blockade to be coupled with a political
settlement that secures their control over the Palestinian file.The writer
says that the Arab states are still as disloyal as they have always been,
and what happened during the Arab League meetings reflects the collapse on
all levels.(1,000 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 t hat Kazim al-Khayr, the Future Movement
candidate, won in the Al-Minyah-Al-Duniyah by-elections.However, the
number of votes he won and turnout rate showed an overall regression in
the Future Movement's popularity.The report notes that the Ministry of
Finance issued a statement asserting that the "11 billion US Dollars
expenditure was according to the financial customs in force, including the
public accounting law and the special law that allowed the
spending."According to parliamentary sources from the opposition, the
preliminary reactions reveal that this statement will not put an end to
the debate over the 11 billion US Dollars, but rather add a new chapter to
it.According to opposition circles, the statement's timing on the eve of
the plenary session of the parliament aims to divert attention away from
former Prime Minister Fuad Siniora's responsibility in this regard and
channel it toward the Ministry of Finance's statement, thus sparking a
controversy between deputies on the one hand and, on the other, the said
ministry and the cabinet.According to the same circles, the statement
glossed over the fact that "there is no law in the whole world that makes
allowance for spending frameworks while failing to adopt budgets for four
years in a row."This amounts to an implicit admission that this
expenditure was illegitimate.On another note, the report says that the
Lebanese delegation of the Lebanese-Syrian technical preparatory
commission in Damascus on Sunday (13 June) requested more time to review
five agreements on taxation, investor protection, coordination of foreign
policy, and security and defense coordination.The report cites an
unidentified source saying that the Lebanese delegation had reservations
about clauses on security and defense coordination in the agreements.The
report cites a Syrian source saying that "Damascus supports established
institutional relations between the two countries."The source adds that
Syria is ready to accept the amendments desired by the Lebanese. (2,000
words)
b. Article by Talal Samlan entitled: "Amr Musa in Gaza To Lift the Turkish
Blockade?"The writer says that Amr Musa made a big mistake when he went to
Gaza, not to refute the blockade and lift it, but he went there upon
American-Israeli-Egyptian approval in order to ease the embarrassment he
faced in his capacity as the secretary general of the Arab League.The
timing of his visit was determined by the resounding results of the
Turkish and universal campaign to rescue the Palestinian people.There was
a need for an Arab move to absorb the universal anger and popular outrage
in the aftermath of the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla.Salman
strongly criticizes Amr Musa and the "impotence" of the Arab League,
saying that, as usual, Musa spoke a lot to cover for the absence of a
strong Arab position, supposing that the visit itself is an announcement
of the end of the blockade.He says that Amr Musa is an expert in this
regard, as he has been officially tasked with rescuing the Arab regimes
and the US Administration and the Israeli Government. (900 words)
c. Article by Sati Nur-al-Din on Turkish-Lebanese relations, saying that
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu revealed last week that the
Turkish prime minister, president, and him, have spent many hours over the
phone with high-ranking Lebanese officials, discussing how to protect the
unity of the Lebanese Government after Lebanon abstained from voting on UN
Resolution 1929.The writer says that this is not the first time contacts
are made between Ankara and Beirut over the past years.Many announced and
secret visits have taken place, ever since the Syrian role retreated and
the Iranian role expanded.But this is the first time when Turkey publicly
announced that it played such a role and interfered in an issue that seems
a minor one, but, according to the Turkish prime ministe r, it threatened
to topple the national unity government if Ankara did not advise the
government to abstain from voting, contrary to the Turkish desire, which
was in favor of Lebanon's rejection of UN Resolution 1929.Nur-al-Din adds
that Turkey did not ask Lebanon to abide by its decision and vote against
the resolution.This is a rational political position, and the Lebanese
should be aware enough to avoid dealing with the Turkish role as they did
with the Syrian, Iranian, Saudi, or Egyptian. (600 words)
d. Article by Nabil Haytham on the resignations from the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, saying that, although the media group of the tribunal tries
to underestimate the influence of these resignations and their
repercussions on the structure of the tribunal and the course of the
international investigation, these resignations raise many questions on
their circumstances.This leads us to questions on the indictment and the
facts governing the investigations and the evide nce and proof used.The
writer says that Daniel Bellemare, given the facts within his hands, is
unable to issue any indictment against any local or foreign side, and if
we reach the end of year without any indictment, then the tribunal will be
unable to obtain funding for the new year, i.e. 2011.Sources thus expect
Bellemare to say something before the end of this year, so that he secures
the continuation of his job and that of the tribunal. (1,100 words)
e. Report on an interview with Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Ghadanfar
Roken Abadi by Ammar Na'mah.The ambassador expresses his surprise at
Lebanon's decision to abstain from voting on UN Security Council
Resolution 1929.He says that "the solid relations that group us with
Lebanon, as governments and people, for long years, should have prompted
(Lebanon) to vote against the sanctions, just as Turkey and Brazil did."He
also speaks on the possibilities of war and peace in the region, stressing
that the politic al sanctions imposed on his country replaced a war on it,
and came to save the face of the US Administration in the aftermath of the
attack on the Freedom Flotilla.The Iranian ambassador welcomes the
forthcoming visit by Prime Minister Sa'd al-Hariri to Iran, saying that
"Iran is a rich country and it can benefit Lebanon in many fields." (1,100
words; OSC plans to process this report)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 saying that President Michel Sulayman's visit to Damascus
Tuesday (15 June) constitutes an important event.Sulayman will be
accompanied by Defense Minister Ilyas al-Murr and Interior Minister Ziyad
Barud.Sources spoke to Al-Diyar about the contacts that were made prior to
the adoption of sanctions on Iran, saying: "President Sulayman and Prime
Minister Sa'd al-Hariri called Syrian officials and the Syr ian answer
was: 'We are against the sanctions, but you are better judges of your own
interest.'"According to the sources, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad
called his Brazilian and Turkish counterparts and informed them that if
they abstain from voting, Iran will withdraw the nuclear commission it
gave Turkey.This prompted Turkey and Brazil to vote against the sanctions
to protect their diplomatic gains."According to the sources, Turkey
considers itself responsible for Lebanon's confusion.Hence, it contacted
Syrian officials in order to keep the domestic consequences of the vote in
Lebanon in check, thus leading to the alleviation of tension.The report
cites an Iranian diplomatic source saying that it is unlikely for the
sanctions to affect Iran.The source warns that any search of an Iranian
vessel will make matters worse, because the United States knows that Iran
controls the Strait of Hormuz. (2,000 words)
b. Article by Hasan Salamah on the regional si tuation amid the blockade
on Gaza and the sanctions imposed on Iran, saying that many questions are
raised on whether or not Israel would stage a war on Lebanon and Syria in
an attempt to escape forward.According to informed political sources, what
happened in Gaza and the sanctions on Iran will have many repercussions in
the coming period, particularly with the increasing extremism of Israel's
leaders.The sources present a number of possible scenarios that are
expected to see light in the region in the coming months.They say that the
US attempts to make a breakthrough in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations
will fail, and thus the situation will explode in the absence of any
chances for a settlement.Israel might thus stage an act of aggression on
Lebanon or Syria or elsewhere.The sources say that the situation that
prevailed after the Freedom Flotilla attack put more pressure on Israel
and exposed its violence.Thus, this might also push Israel to stage a war.
(800 words)
c. Report by Yasir al-Hariri citing a source saying that, although the
Finance Ministry released a statement on the issue of the past
government's expenditures, the opposition ministers still believe that
there is a need for a detailed discussion and investigation of the issue
of the expenditure.The sources say that this issue is likely to escalate
the political situation locally and sharpen the conflict among the
Lebanese rivals.There are also questions on whether or not the government
should be changed. (600 words) 5. Beirut Al-Anwar Online in Arabic --
Website of Al-Anwar, moderate, centrist, and independent daily; URL:
http://www.alanwar.com/ www.alanwar.com
Article by Ra'uf Shahuri on the regional and the international crises.The
writer says that Israel is the main reason behind all the crises of the
world.He adds that the global financial crisis, the wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq, the Iranian nuclear program crisis, and the crisis with Turkey
are all directly or indirectly connected to Israel.The writer says that
the reason behind all these crises is that Israel does not want to achieve
peace, and the United States is not able to free itself from the Jewish
influence on it. (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 by Hasan Shalhah citing an interview with Minister of
Communications Sharbil Nahhas.Nahhas talks about the general budget, his
role and performance during the Council of Ministers' sessions, the
Lebanese position with regard to imposing sanctions on Iran in the
Security Council, the Ministry of Communications, and the mobile
network.(3,000 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.
8) Back to Top
Pan-Arab Editor: Sanctions 'Will Hurt' Iranian Regime, 'May' Benefit
Reformists
Commentary by Raghidah Dirgham: "Will the Sanctions against Iran Succeed
in Weakening the Regime?" - Al-Hayah Online
Monday June 14, 2010 16:54:13 GMT
Namely, what is being anticipated is the answer to the basic question that
is splitting politicians and experts: will the sanctions on Iran lead to
further popular support for the regime and divisions in the opposition in
the latter's favour?Or will the popular reaction to these sanctions be
considering them a necessary approach to weaken the regime, in particular
to break the spine of the Basij and the Revolutionary Guard that dominate
power in Iran at present?This is the question that will soon be answered
by the quality and size of the demonstrations that will march on the
anniversary of the elections, which imposed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as
president despite its results, and unleashed the uprising inside Iran.The
tug of war has already started at another level, following the consensus
of China, Russia, Europe and the United States over the harshest sanctions
regime yet against Iran, while keeping the door open to Iran to return to
negotiations and suspend the sanctions.The Iranian leadership has thus
repeatedly crippled itself in dealing with this issue.This time, it tied
up its own hands when Ahmadinejad embarrassed Erdogan in the name of
keeping the Tehran Declaration alive, in order to build on diplomatic
solutions.As a result, Ahmadinejad has denied himself the capability of
avenging the sanctions resolution.
(Description of Source: London Al-Hayah Online in Englsih -- Website of
influential Saudi-owned London pan-Arab daily.URL:
http://www.daralhayat.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted b y 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
Syrian Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Syrian press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Syria -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 16:54:14 GMT
http://tishreen.info/ http://tishreen.info)
In a 320-word editorial in Tishrin entitled "Israel and the Policy of
Shuffling the Cards," Chief Editor Samirah al-Masalimah says: "Israeli
policies on the whole aim to bring a high degree of tension to the region,
by continuing to conduct military exercises with a certain military and
intelligence complexity, while highlighting the contents of these
exercises, and adding to them a batch of fiery statements containing
explicit threats in all directions."She adds that "Israeli leaders, in the
framework of this policy, send their messages in all directions through
their visitors and foreign envoys, in an attempt to shuffle the cards
between the prospects of war and peace.Obviously, everyone in the region
and beyond has uncovered the truth of these policies and
objectives."Al-Masalimah indicates that "Israel is today the only entity
in the world that deserves punishment in all its forms, factual and
legal."She concludes by asking: "Are those who still send to Israel
ammunition and prohibited weapons aware that their fellow citizens in
particular have been subjected to such weapons in the attack by Israeli
forces on the Freedom Flotilla?And is the American Administration aware at
all that the American citizen, Rachel Corrie, was killed by an Israeli
bulldozer that Israel bought with American money?In a 420-word editorial
in Al-Thawrah entitled "The 10-Hour Visit," Chief Editor As'ad Abbud
comments on the visit of Amr Musa to Gaza.He says: "The secretary general
of the Arab League was in Gaza for 10 long hours. Finally the Arab League
recognizes the pain of Gaza, and sends its secretary general so he could
blow on the wound, or maybe the League today fears that the free of the
world will steal the city from its Arabs!" "The secretary general arrived
too late," Abbud adds, "but he is the secretary general, and it is the
Arab League, owner of the largest legacy of decisions dealing with Gaza,
Jerusalem, Palestine, the occupation, and the issue of war and
peace.Perhaps it is -- I hope I am not wrong -- the worst institution in
the world in terms of implementation of its decisions; (but) I do not
think that Amr Musa is the problem.The problem is in the League...
(ellipsis as receiv ed), in the Arab decision, that is, if there is Arab
decision!"Praising Musa for not conforming repeatedly to "the yawning Arab
decision," and adopting what the Arabs did not adopt, such as announcing
"the death of the Arab peace initiative and peace," the writer says that
"this man has a lot on his conscience, which he did say yet."Abbud recalls
what he wrote in his column just before the flotilla attack, when he said
the "siege of Gaza is over."Adding to this thought, he says: "All
indications came in the following days to confirm what we have stated, and
what was not a prophecy, but, rather, a reading of what is happening.""No
doubt," he concludes, "that this strengthened our convictions of an
(imminent) end to the siege of Gaza.And, now that Mr secretary general has
visited Gaza for 10 hours, this seems crucial (in proving) that the siege
has ended.In any case, we wish that the secretary general would risk
everything, so that what he said in Gaza would have the power to be
translated into fact on the ground." (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 355-word economic report in Al-Ba'th entitled "Inflation Rate up to
5.64 percent in April," Samia Yusuf cites a report by the Central Bank
saying that the "inflation rate increased significantly during the month
of April to 5.64 percent, an increase of 0.94 percent compared with March
levels." "The Central Bank measures inflation through a basket composed of
a set of goods and services within the national economy, where the overall
level of the price of this basket is compared in consecutive time periods,
and this is what is called the inflation rate calculated on an annual
basis," the report adds.The Central Bank, in its weekly report, confir ms
the increase of the consumer price index (CPI) in April by 5.64 percent
compared with the month of April 2009, when the rate of inflation reached
3.06 percent. (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 235-word
commentary in Al-Watan entitled "Misplaced International Sanctions," Ziyad
Abu-Shawish says: "The UN Security Council, instead of adopting a firm
decision to condemn the brutal Zionist aggression against the Freedom
Flotilla (perpetrated) without any legal or moral cover, adopts a
resolution under Chapter VII for new sanctions against Iran for seeking to
obtain peaceful nuclear energy, in a legitimate manner, under the
supervision of the IAEA, and after it had shown evident flexibility in the
recent (tripartite) agreement with Turkey and Brazil."The writer considers
that "the Americans used all the ir weight, including financial bribes to
some major countries, and threats to others, in order to pass this
resolution in its unfair form."
He indicates that "everyone knows that Israel possesses nuclear weapons,
that it pursues enrichment for military purposes, and refuses to sign the
NPT, and yet the United States refuses to debate its nuclear file,
providing it with all the requirements of aggression against its
neighbors; thus, it is natural that countries in the region seek to create
a balance with Israel.In spite of this, it (the balance) did not
happen.Added to that, Arab countries and Iran participate in the treaty.Is
this justice?And can Iran be blamed, if it takes measures and decisions to
close the file in the face of international interference, while, if it
rejects the resolution, it will face the prospect of its vessels being
inspected by force? (Description of source: Damascus Al-Watan Online in
Arabic -- Website of the independent daily; URL:< br>
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.
10) Back to Top
Iraqi Press 14 June 10
The following lists selected items from the Iraqi press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Iraq -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 16:10:48 GMT
following issues: I. REACTIONS TO RESULTS OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
Tariq al-Sha'b devotes most of page 4 to a report on the lawsuit outgoing
Parliament Members Mufid al-Jaza'iri and Umar Ali Husayn filed with the
Federal court on 25 January 2010, complaining about the amendment of
Parliamentary Election Law No. 16 of 2005. II. CONTACTS TO FORM NEW
COALITIONS
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on the front page a 400-word report
citing Legal Expert Hatif Kazim as warning that if the new parliament's
first session is turned into an open session, Iraq will suffer from a
constitutional and political vacuum because the president, prime
ministers, and ministers, who take the constitutional oath at the new
parliament, will not be able to carry out their duties in the outgoing
government.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 450-word report citing Iraqi
Al-Tawafuq Front Spokesman Salim al-Juburi as outlining the results of the
front's negotiations with the State of Law Coalition in the last few
days.Al-Juburi says that the front is trying to mediate between the
coalition and Al-Iraqiyah List to build the national project in the next
stage.The report cites senior Front Leader Rashid al-Azza wi as saying
that the front will announce its stand toward the newly formed Iraqi
National Coalition after it announces its program.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 400-word report citing Iraqi
Al-Tawafuq Front Member Walid Abbud as saying that the front is trying to
bring the rival winning political forces together in order to quickly form
the next government.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 350-word report citing Iraqi
Al-Tawafuq Front Member Ala al-Sa'dun as predicting that the new
parliament's first session that will be held today, 14 June, to be turned
into an open session and that the newly formed Iraqi National Coalition
would form the next government.
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on the front page a 450-word report
entitled "New Parliament Holds First Session Tomorrow; Zafir al-Ani:
Violating Al-Iraqiyah List's Right by Other Political Forces Endangers
Democratic Process in Country; Al-Mutlaq: Foreign Pressur e Behind Merger
of Iraqi National Alliance, State of Law Coalition; Al-Jumayli:
Al-Iraqiyah List Insists on Its Constitutional Right To Form New
Government, List's Candidate for Next Prime Minister's Post Iyad Allawi."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page a 160-word report citing
Al-Iraqiyah List Speaker Haydar al-Mulla yesterday, 13 June, as saying
that Kurdistan Coalition Member Fu'ad Ma'sum will preside over the new
parliament's first session today.Al-Mullah explains that List Member Hasan
al-Alawi, who is the oldest parliament member, has apologized that he
could not preside over the session for health reasons.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 1,000-word report citing
political observers as predicting that the parliament's first session
today, 14 June, will be turned into an open session until the rival
parliamentary blocs reach an agreement on the distribution of the senior
positions in the next government.The report focuses on th e ongoing
political moves to nominate the next prime minister, president, and
parliament speaker.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 1,100-word editorial by the
newspaper's political editor urging the Iraqi people to intensify their
peaceful movement to pressure the rival winning parliamentary blocs to
quickly resolve the current political crisis over the formation of the new
government.The editorial urges the new parliament and political forces to
put Iraq's national interests before their interests.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on the front page a 120-word report citing Haydar
al-Hurani, senior State of Law Coalition leader, as saying that th e Iraqi
National Coalition is qualified to form the next government because it is
the largest parliamentary bloc.
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 1,200-word report entitled
"Senior Al-Iraqiyah List Leader: Al-Maliki's Meeting With Allawi
Successful, List Insists on Its Constitutional Right To Form New
Government; Parliament To Hold First Session, Parliament Members To Take
Constitutional Oath."
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 3 a 1,100-word report by Haydar Hamadah
entitled "New Parliament To Hold First Session Today 100 Days After
Elections; Al-Maliki, Allawi to Attend Session."
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June pu7blishes on the front page a 280-word
commentary by Adil al-Abid on the meeting that was recently held between
Nuri al-Maliki, outgoing prime minister and chairman of the State of Law
Coalition, and Dr Iyad Allawi, chairman of the Al-Iraqiyah List.
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 100-word report citing Basim
al-Awadi, media adviser to Ammar al-Hakim, chairman of the Iraqi Islamic
Supreme Council, as saying that the IISC welcomes the meeting between
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Al-Iraqiyah List Chairman Iyad Allawi as
it will help in speeding up the formation of the next government.
Al-Adalah publishes on the f ront page a 100-word report citing Iraqi
Government Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh as saying that it is too early to
discuss the distribution of ministries among the political entities.
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on the front page a 50-word report citing
former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari as calling for a government with
unlimited powers.
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on the front page a 100-word report citing
former Parliament Member Qays al-Amiri as saying that the Al-Iraqiyah List
suffers from lack of coherence and that it has to respect the merger of
the Iraqi National Alliance and State of Law Coalition.
Al-Da'wah publishes on the front page a 60-word report citing Rashid
al-Azzawi, member of the Iraqi Al-Tawafuq Front, as saying that the front
has no objection to joining the National Alliance. III. REACTIONS TO
MERGER BETWEEN STATE OF LAW COALITION AND IRAQI NATIONAL ALLIANCE
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on the front page a 400-wor d editorial
by the newspaper's chief editor commenting on the announcement of the
merger of the Iraqi National Alliance and State of Law Coalition to form
the largest parliamentary bloc a few days ago.The editorial says that the
Al-Sharqiyah Satellite Television Channel, which supports Al-Iraqiyah List
Leader Iyad Allawi, has frequently hosted senior Al-Sadr Trend Leader Baha
al-A'raji over the past two and a half months to attack outgoing Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki.The editorial says that the Iraqi National
Alliance has given the Al-Iraqiyah List the impression that it would not
enter into merger with the State of Law Coalition to form the next
government.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on the front page a 250-word report
citing Mahmud Uthman, member of the Kurdistan Coalition, as saying that
the new coalition between the Iraqi National Alliance and State of Law
Coalition is aimed at preventing the Al-Iraqiyah List from forming the
next government. IV.PARLI AMENTARY ELECTIONS
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on the front page a 130-word report
citing President Jalal Talabani as calling for forming a national
partnership government that must not exclude any bloc from participating
in it.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on the front page a 180-word report
citing a legal expert as warning against turning the first parliamentary
session into an open session since this would lead to a constitutional
vacuum in the country.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on the front page a 270-word report
citing Tariq Harb, legal expert and president of the Legal Culture
Associat ion, as saying that the new parliament members, who assume posts
in the government, cannot attend the first parliamentary session.
Al-Sabah publishes on the front page a 370-word report on the first
parliamentary session that will be held today, 14 June.
Al-Sabah publishes on the front page a 370-word report citing US Amba
ssador to Iraq Christopher Hill, during a press conference that was held
at the US Embassy's headquarters, as saying that Washington will support
any Iraqi Government that is chosen by the Iraqi Parliament.He added that
the issue of choosing the new prime minister is an Iraqi internal affair.
V. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND COMMENTS
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on the front page a 360-word report
citing Yahya Abid Mahjub, member of the Ninawah Governorate Council for
the Iraqi Islamic Party, on 13 June, as warning of the danger of a
political deal to partition the Ninawah Governorate after the formation of
the new government.Mahjub criticizes the government for remaining silent
over the Iranian incursion into the Iraqi territories.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on the front page a 360-word report
citing a Kurdish official as denying the presence of secret agreements
allowing Iran to shell the border villages in Kurdistan.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June p ublishes on the front page a 200-word report
citing Electricity Minister Karim Wahid as saying that the ongoing
political disputes are negatively affecting the ministry's performance and
projects.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 100-word report citing Ammar
al-Yusuf, member of the Salah al-Din Governorate Council for the Iraqi
Islamic Party, as urging the council to quickly elect a new governor and
council chairman.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 260-word report citing Iraqi
Al-Tawafuq Front Member Amal al-Qadi as attributing the deteriorating
security situation in the country to its 'occupation' and the interference
of the neighboring countries.
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on the front page a 350-word report
citing the newspaper's political editor as criticizing Italy for awarding
the
http://www.fondazionebellisario.org/new/eng/premio.html Marisa Bellisario
Prize to Human Rights Minister Wijdan Mikha'il.
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on page 2 an 800-word report on the
statement the Iraqiyun Group led by Usamah al-Nujayfi issued expressing
solidarity with the Kurdish people and condemning the recent Iranian
incursion and bombardment of the border villages in Kurdistan.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page and on page 2 a 1,200-word
report citing US Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill, during a news
conference in Baghdad yesterday, 13 June, as saying that he along with
other foreign ambassadors will attend the parliament's session today.Hill
denied US interference in the formation of the next government.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page a 200-word report entitled
"Izzat al-Duri's Aide Arrested in Al-Dur District."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 900-word report on the speech
President Jalal Talabani delivered at the third conference of the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan following his election for a second term in
Al-Sulaymaniyah on 12 June.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 200-word report entitled "Kurdish
President Mas'ud Barzani To Visit Paris Today."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 200-word report citing Ashti
Hurami, Kurdish minister of natural resources, as saying that Kurdistan
can supply Turkey with 15 million cubic meters of natural gas.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 5 a 400-word report entitled
"Inauguration of Fourth Italian Industries, Technology Fair in Arbil."
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 400-word report citing an
official source at the Interior Ministry as affirming the arrest of Ahmad
Shihab, former Vice President Izzat al-Duri's aide and leader of the
Al-Naqshabandiyah Movement in Iraq, in the Al-Dur District in the Salah
al-Din Governorate.The report cites Baghdad Operations Command Spokesman
General Qasim Ata yesterday, 13 June, as affirming the arrest of the
leaders of the Ansar al -Sunnah Organization, who admitted responsibility
for a large number of crimes against the Iraqi people and security forces.
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 900-word report entitled "Armed
Elements Wearing Police Uniforms, Including Suicide Bombers, Break into
Central Bank; Baghdad Operations Command Closes Baghdad's Streets, Bridges
for Long Hours; Joint Iraqi Forces Foil Attempt To Break in Bank, Engage
in Clashes With Insurgent Group."
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 350-word report citing
Electricity Ministry Spokesman Ibrahim Zaydan yesterday, 13 June, as
saying that the ministry will fulfill its previous pledges to reduce the
number of blackout hours as of tomorrow.
Al-Mashriq publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Abid
Dhiyab al-Ajili, minister of higher education and scientific research, as
saying that the ministry will announce the results of the admission of
secondary school graduates at the Iraqi unive rsities on 1 November.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page and on page 3 a 1,500-word report on
the mysterious attack on the Central Bank in Baghdad yesterday, 13 June.
Al-Alam publishes on the front page and on page 3 a 1,200-word report on
the problem of increasing salinity in the Shatt al-Arab Waterway in the
Basra Governorate.
Al-Alam publishes devotes all of page 2 to an interview with Vice
President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi on the latest developments in Iraq.
Al-Alam publishes on page 3 a 1,000-word report entitled "Muhammad
al-Maqdisi's Son Killed in Clashes With US Forces in Mosul; Security
Official Announces Arrest of Official in Charge of Al-Naqshabandiyah
Army's Military Wing."
Al-Manarah on 12 June publishes on page 4 a 450-word report on the issue
of questioning Wasit Governor Latif Hamad al-Tarfah.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing
Electricity Minister Karim Wahid as saying that the current political
disputes are obstructing his ministry's performance.
Al-Istiqamah devotes all of its pages to reports and articles on the
seventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim,
brother of Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, former chairman of the Iraqi Islamic
Supreme Council, who was killed upon his return to the country in 2003.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 70-word report saying that Foreign Minister
Hoshyar Zebari held a meeting with the members of the Iraqi Embassy in
Egypt and discussed with them ways of promoting Iraq's relation with
Egypt.(OSC plans no further processing)
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 120-word report saying that Habib al-Sadr,
new Iraqi ambassador to the Vatican, presented a copy of his credentials
to the Vatican.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 150-word report saying that Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki sent a congratulatory cable to President Jalal Talabani on
his reelection as secretary gener al of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 300-word report entitled "New
Parliament Holds First Session Today."
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 120-word report citing Hasan
al-Sunayd, leader in the National Alliance, as saying that the government
will continue to hold full power until the new government is formed.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 120-word report saying that Ammar
al-Hakim, chairman of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, met with the
Turkish ambassador in Baghdad and discussed with him the latest
developments in the political situation in Iraq and the bilateral
relations between the two countries.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 300-word report citing Ahmad Anwar,
parliament member for the Kurdistan Coalition, as saying that Hasan
al-Alawi, oldest parliament member, has apologized for not being able to
preside over the first parliamentary session for health reasons and that
Fu'ad Ma'sum, the leader in the coalition, will preside over the session
instead.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 60-word report saying that former Prime
Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari met with Egyptian Consul Hisham Sabri and
discussed with him the political situation in Iraq and the expected
support from the Arab countries.
Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that Nuri al-Maliki,
secretary general of the Islamic Da'wah Party, has sent a congratulatory
cable to Jalal Talabani on his reelection as secretary general of the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 200-word report citing Husayn al-Falluji,
parliament member for the Al-Iraqiyah List, as calling on the Federal
Court to reconsider its interpretation of Article 67 of the constitution
about the meaning of the largest parliamentary bloc that will form the
next government.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that Tariq
al-Hashimi ended a visit to Turkey during which he met with a number of
senior Turkish officials.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on the front page a 100-word
report citing Iraqi Government Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh as saying that the
regional projects against Iraq have failed while the national project has
succeeded in the country.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 100-word report
citing Zaynab al-Kinani, member of the Al-Sadr Trend, as saying that the
trend members will not attend the first parliamentary session if it is
attended by US Ambassador Christopher Hill.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June devotes all of page 10 to an interview
with Mustafa Amin, Kurdish parliament member for the Change List.
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing
Isam al-Sa'di, member of the National Alliance, as saying that the
alliance members have agreed to have three deputy prime ministers for the
next three years, one for security affairs, one for services and a third
for energy affairs.
Al-Muwatin on 13 June devotes all of page 6 to a report on the meetings
Lebanese Journalist Jihad Zayn held with the religious authorities in the
Al-Najaf Governorate. VI. SECURITY AND MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on the front page a 200-word report
citing a security source in the Karbala Governorate as affirming that four
people, including a woman, were killed and three others were injured in an
airdrop carried out by joint US and Iraqi forces in the Al-Husayniyah
Sub-district on 12 June.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 240-word report citing a
security source in Kirkuk as affirming the discovery of two unidentified
bodies on 11 June.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word report entitled
"Two Civilians Killed, Nine Injured in Roadside Bomb Explosion in Al-Durah
District in Baghdad."
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word report entitled
"Sixty-Four People Killed or Injured in Boobytrapped Car Explosion in
Tikrit."
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word report entitled
"Boobytrapped Car Explosion Targets Checkpoint in Al-Amiriyah District in
Baghdad."
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word report entitled
"Abducted Girl Freed, Two of Her kidnappers arrested in Wasit
Governorate."
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 publishes on page 2 a 200-word report ent itled
"Salaries of Teachers of Elementary Schools Stolen in Al-Muthanna
Governorate."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 3 a 900-word report entitled
"Terrorist Killed in Al-Radwaniyah District; Abducted Girl Freed, Her
Kidnappers Arrested in Al-Yarmuk District in Baghdad; Flyers Instigating
Violence Circulated in Ba'qubah; Two Al-Qa'ida Organization Elements
Arrested in Al-Anbar, Kirkuk Governorates."
Al-Mu't amar publishes on the front page a 600-word report citing a
security official as affirming that dozens of Central Bank officials and
insurgents were killed in the attack on the bank yesterday, 13 June.The
source says that approximately 25 insurgents wearing military uniforms
broke into the bank yesterday.
Al-Manarah on 12 June publishes on page 3 a 240-word report citing Rashid
Ghadban al-Saray, commander of the third area border guard forces, during
a press conference, as saying that his forces have managed to stop the
infiltrations across the Iraqi-Iranian borders.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on the front page a 90-word report
citing Abd-al-Ilah Kazim, member of the Al-Iraqiyah List, as saying that
the list will hold a conference in the Basra Governorate to protest the
continuous Iranian shelling of a number of Kurdish villages on the
Iraqi-Iranian borders. (OSC plans no further processing)
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 20 0-word report citing
Jalil al-Khayrallah, political adviser of the National Security Council,
as saying that more than 2,000 prisoners will be released soon.
Al-Sabah publishes on the front page a 100-word report citing an official
security source at the Interior Ministry as saying that the security
forces arrested one of Izzat al-Duri's aides in the Salah-al-Din
Governorate.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 570-word report citing a police source as
saying that 12 citizens were killed and 40 others were injured in four
explosions near the building of the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad.The
source added that the security forces foiled an attempt to break into and
rob the bank.The report also cites Abd-al-Rahim al-Shammari, chairman of
the Security and Defense Committee at the Ninawah Governorate Council, as
saying that Ninawah Deputy Governor Faysal Hamidi al-Yawir escaped an
assassination attempt in the Mosul City.The report also cites the US Army
in Iraq as sayi ng that a security force killed two persons, wounded two
and arrested seven others during two security operations in the suburbs of
the capital.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 240-word report citing the Sabaean Mandaean
Sect as calling on the government to form a security council that will be
entrusted with the task of protecting the minorities in the country.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 190-word report on the statement the Dhi
Qar Police Directorate issued denying reports that the directorate's staff
was involved in smuggling drugs to the Al-Anbar Governorate.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 100-word report on the statement the
Ninawah Governorate issued saying that Ninawah Governor Athil al-Nujayfi
met with the commander of the US forces in Iraq and discussed with him the
latest political developments in the governorate and the ongoing talks
between the Al-Hadba and Ninawah Lists to settle the unresolved issues
between them. (OSC plans no further pro cessing)
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 200-word report citing a source as
saying that seven terrorists and 16 employees in the Iraqi Central Bank
were killed and a number of others were injured when terrorists tried to
raid the bank in the Al-Rashid Street in Baghdad.
Al-Adalah publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing a source as
saying that the security forces arrested an aide to Izzat al-Duri, leader
in the former Iraqi regime, in the Al-Dur District in the Salah-al-Din
Governorate.The report adds that the security forces arreste d a wanted
suspect in the Al-Urubah District in the Kirkuk Governorate.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 50-word report saying that the security
forces arrested 12 wanted suspects in the Balad District in the
Salah-al-Din Governorate.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 250-word report saying that the security
forces killed two terrorists and arrested seven others during two military
operations in Baghd ad.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 3 a 400-word report saying that Ninawah
Governor Athil al-Nuajyfi met with US Forces Commander Raymond Odierno and
discussed with him the security situation in the governorate.The report
cites Yahiyah Mahjub, member of the Ninawah Advisory Council for the Iraqi
Islamic Party, as warning of a potential deal among the political factions
to divide the governorate into two parts after the formation of the next
government.
Al-Mada publishes on the front page a 600-word report on the attempt of
the Al-Qa'ida Organization to raid the Iraqi Central Bank.
Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 300-word report citing Baghdad Operations
Command Spokesman Qasim Ata as saying that the security forces have
defeated the Ansar al-Sunnah Army after arresting most of its senior
leaders.
Al-Mada publishes on page 4 a 100-word report saying that the Dhi Qar
Police Command has denied the involvement of its members in smuggling
drugs.
Al-Z aman publishes on the front page a 300-word report citing Supreme
Judicial Council Spokesman Abd-al-Sattar al-Birqdar as saying that a
committee has been formed to settle the issue of the Iraqi detainees at
the US camps before they withdraw from Iraq in 2011.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 100-word report saying that the security
forces freed a girl and arrested her kidnappers in the Al-Yarmuk District
in Baghdad.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 120-word report saying that a number of
tribal chiefs staged a sit-in protest outside the Iranian Consulate in the
Basra Governorate over the Iranian raids on villages in the Kurdistan
Region.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 120-word report saying that the
Salah-al-Din Advisory Council has formed four brigades to protect the oil
pipelines in the governorate.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing a source as saying
that Ninawah Deputy Governor Faysal al-Yawir survived an assassination
attempt when an explosive device targeting his convoy was detonated.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on the front page a 150-word
report citing a source as saying that there is a plan to assassinate
Al-Iraqiyah List Chairman Iyad Allawi and that a number of local and
regional sides are involved in the plot.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word report
citing a source as saying that the Al-Qa'ida Organization has warned the
displaced families in the eastern side of the governorate not to return to
their houses, otherwise they would face death.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June devotes all of page 9 to a report
entitled "Awaking Councils Members Threaten to Cooperate with Al-Qa'ida
Organization Again."
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 60-word report saying that the
Ukraine will deliver a number of military aircraft to Iraq next summer.
VII. HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 pu blishes on page 2 a 200-word report entitled
"Kurdish Clerics Reject Construction of Beer Factories in Kurdistan."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 4 a 600-word report entitled
"Construction of 5,000 Residential Units for Journalists in Baghdad."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 900-word report by Zaynab
al-Hasani on the growing popularity of beauty parlours in Baghdad.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 1,400-word report by Uras Hussam
on the problems of d ivorced women in Iraq.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 8 a 1,300-word report on the activities
of the Iraqi Women's Forum both inside and outside Iraq.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 8 a 1,300-word report citing female
vendors as outlining their problems and urging the government to ensure
their rights.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 340-word report citing an official source
at the Immigrants and Displaced Persons Ministry yesterday, 13 Ju ne, as
affirming the allocation of one million Iraqi dinar grants to the Kurdish
families who sustained damage due to the Iranian and Turkish bombardment
of the border villages in Kurdistan.
Al-Mada devotes all of page 9 to an interview with Khulud al-Ma'jun,
acting minister of the Ministry of State for Women's Affairs.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 5 a 400-word report entitled "Financial Support
for Patients with Incurable Diseases in Al-Sulaymaniyah Governorate."
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on page a 100-word report entitled
"Establishing Center for Mass Graves in Al-Najaf Governorate." VIII.
ECONOMIC NEWS AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 1,200-word report citing
owners of fishing ponds in the Kirkuk Governorate as criticizing the
Agriculture Ministry for refusing to issue licenses for them.The report
cites Kirkuk Water Resources Director Shihab Hakim Nadir as saying that
the fishing ponds aff ect the level of underground water.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 600-word report entitled
"Importers, Truck Drivers Complain About New Taxes Imposed by Iraqi
Ports."
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 300-word report entitled
"Tikrit University Signs Scientific Agreements With Russian Universities."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page a 150-word report citing an
official source at the Baghdad Mayoralty as saying that the mayoralty, in
coordination with the Baghdad Operations Command, is planning to
rehabilitate and reopen four main streets to resolve the traffic
congestion problem in Baghdad.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the front page a 150-word report citing
Sami Sabir Ubayd, director of the State Automobiles Trading Company-Basra
Branch, as outlining the branch's activities.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 4 a 600-word report entitled "New
Programs, Plans for Developmen t of Oil Industry in Iraq."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 11 a 1,000-word report on the Al-Zarwa
Public Park and Zoo in Baghdad.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on the front page a 300-word report on the
demonstration the Iraqi Communist Party and civil society organizations
staged in the Al-Najaf Governorate yesterday, 13 June, to protest the
recent increase in the price of electricity.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 2 a 900-word report citing Nazim al-
Jasur, dean of the Al-Mustansiriyah University's College of Political
Sciences, as outlining the college's activities, achievements, and
preparations for the scientific conference that will be held in October.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 3 a 500-word report citing Maysan
Governor Muhammad Shiya al-Sudani as affirming that the Al-Shib border
crossing will be reopened on 16 June, after a five-month closure.
Tariq al-Sha'b devotes most of page 5 to public complaints.
Tariq al -Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 600-word report entitled "School
Curriculum, Political Awareness."
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 900-word report on the postgraduate
studies programs in the country.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 9 a 600-word report on the first
students' scientific conference the Babil University's College of Fine
Arts that was held in Al-Hillah last week.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 3 00-word report citing Finance Minister
Baqir Jabr al-Zubaydi as urging the Arab countries to write off Iraq's
debts.The report focuses on Al-Zubaydi's participation in the Arab-Turkish
Forum that was held in Istanbul recently.
Al-Manarah on 12 June publishes on page 3 a 230-word report citing Dhi Qar
Governor Talib al-Hasan as calling on the US Reconstruction Team to
coordinate with the executive and legislative authorities in the country
in order to solve the problems facing the implementation of the projects
in the governorate .
Al-Manarah on 12 June publishes on page 3 a 120-word report citing Dr
Ra'id Sa'i, chairman of the Maysan Investment Commission, as saying that
the commission met with a delegation representing a Turkish company and
discussed with it the investment opportunities that are available in the
governorate.
Ishraqat al-Sadr on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 160-word report citing
former Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr-al-Ulum as saying that the delay in
re-establishing the National Oil Company does not serve the plans of
rehabilitating the Iraqi oil sector.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 75-word report saying that Kurdish Prime
Minister Barham Salih arrived in Britain to participate in the Kurdistan
Region Investment Conference that will be held in London on 15 June. (OSC
plans no further processing)
Al-Sabah publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing Sinan al-Jalabi,
Kurdish trade and industry minister, as expecting the trade relations
between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey to improve in the near
future.Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 120-word report citing an official
source at the Planning and Development Cooperation Ministry as saying that
the Central Agency for Standardization and Quality Control has detected
nine types of construction materials that do not meet the national
standards.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 5 a 240-word report citing the media adviser of
the Public Works and Municipalities Ministry as saying that the minister
inaugurated two sewage projects in the Karbala Governorate.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 14 a 500-word report citing an economist as
commenting on the importance of the tourism sector in rehabilitating the
Iraqi economy and providing the unemployed persons with a large number of
job opportunities in the country.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 14 a 150-word report saying that the Wasit
Chamber of Commerce organized an economic symposium on the role of the
Iraqi banks in supporting t he private sector in Iraq.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 300-word report saying that the Baghdad
Municipality is cooperating with Baghdad Operations Command to reopen the
Al-Rashid, Al-Jumhuriyah, Port Sa'id and Al-Chiwadir Streets in Baghdad.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 200-word report saying that the Ninawah
Investment Commission has issued a license to an international company to
build a model city with 1,000 housing units.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 300-word report citing Baghdad Mayor Sabir
al-Isawi as saying that the Baghdad Municipality will grant land plots to
the journalists to build 5,000 housing units in the Al-Karkh and
Al-Rasafah Districts of Baghdad.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 4 a 300 word report citing Iraqi Government
Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh as saying that the cabinet has agreed to exempt a
Russian company from paying fines for the delay in rehabilitating four
agricultural aircraft.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 4 a 300-word report entitled "Citizens
Voluntarily Return 700 Antiques in Wasit Governorate."
Al-Zaman publishes on page 4 a 300-word report citing Electricity Minister
Karim Wahid, during a meeting with members of the Ninawah Advisory
Council, as saying that the political tension between the political
entities has led to the deterioration in the services that are provided by
the ministry.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 17 a 300-word report entitled "Ninawah Governor
Discusses with Japanese Embassy Enhancing Economic Relations."
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 300-word report
citing Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani as saying that Iraq's revenues
from the border crossings reached 500 billion dinars during 2009.
Al-Da'wah on 13 June devotes half of page 5 to an interview with
Al-Nu'maniyah District Mayor Majid Jasim Hamad.
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 120-word report citing former
Oil Mini ster Ibrahim Bahr-al-Ulum as saying that the delay in forming the
National Oil Company is not good for the oil sector in Iraq.
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on page 5 a 200-word report saying that a
power station with a 750 megawatts capacity will be established in the
Ninawah Governorate. IX. PRESS COMMENTS
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 600-word article by Walid
Abbas entitled "Iraq Without Childhood."
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 900-word article by the
newspaper's economic editor entitled "Step Toward Food security," praising
the Agriculture Ministry's recent decision to ban the import of
vegetables.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 900-word article by Adnan
al-Juburi criticizing the Iraqi politicians for their poor performance.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 900-word article by Yusur
al-Nu'aymi criticizing the Electricity Ministry for its failure to fulfi
ll its previous pledges to improve the electricity supplies.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 1,000-word commentary
criticizing the rival political forces for raising the ceiling of their
demands in preparation for the negotiations on the formation of the next
government, while ignoring the problems of the Iraqi people.
Dar al-Salam on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 750-word article by As'ad
Abd-al-Wahab urging senior Al-Iraqiyah List Leader Hasan al-Alawi, who
will preside over the new parliament's first session today, 14 June, to
elect the new speaker and his deputies tomorrow to speed up the formation
of the next government.
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 900-word article by Abdallah
Bin Sa'd al-Ubayd entitled "Liberalism Between Secularism,
Fundamentalism."
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 900-word article by
Abd-al-Wahab Badrkhan commenting on the first anniversary of US President
Obama's spee ch in Cairo.
Al-Mustaqbal on 13 publishes on the back page a 500-word article by Hatim
Hattab urging the new parliament members to put Iraq's national interests
before their personal interests.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 2 a 700-word article by Amir al-Hilu
drawing a comparison between the salaries and privileges of former Iraqi
and Arab leaders and the current Ira qi leaders.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 3 a 2,700-word report by Fadil
al-Rubay'i on the growing popularity of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in
the Arab countries.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 3 a 500-word article by Dr Muhammad
Falfi urging the new parliament members to fulfill their electoral pledges
and put the interests of the Iraqi people before their personal interests.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 12 a 1,300-word article by Hawwas
Mahmud entitled "Tyrants: Comprehensive Study on Tyranny in More than One
Country, Era."
Al-Sab ah al-Jadid publishes on page 13 a 1,200-word article by Hasan
Hafiz entitled "Political, Psychological Anxiety."
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 13 a 600-word article by Khalid Ni'mah
al-Shati criticizing the religious leaders and clerics for remaining
silent over the Salafi and takfiri ideologies that promote the concept of
suicide bombing among the young generations.The article strongly
criticizes some political parties and satellite television channels for
supporting the insurgent groups, which are responsible for the ongoing
killings in the country, and giving the impression that Iraq is on the
verge of a major disaster.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 13 a 500-word article by Rafi Matar
urging the government to improve the living standards of teachers and
develop the education sector in the country.
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on the back page a 650-word article by Jum'ah
al-Halfi commemorating late Iranian Leader Khomeini.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 5 a 600-word article by the newspaper's
editor emphasizing the importance of studying the social changes and their
implications on political life and the economic sector in Iraq in the past
three decades.
Tariq al-Sha'b publishes on page 5 a 500-word article by Kifah Muhammad
Mustafa on the water crisis in the country.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 a 1,000-word article by Dawud al-Basri
commenting on the recent reports on the Syrian Government's recent plans
to divert the Tigris River.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 a 900-word article by Dr Nusayyif Jasim
Muhammad discussing why the Iraqi universities do not conduct applied
research.
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 8 a 1,100-word article by Sarbast Nabi
entitled "Political Contribution to Development of Democracy."
Al-Mu'tamar publishes on page 9 a 1,000-word article by Basim al-Madi
entitled "Intellectuals, Power in Iraq."
Al-Ma shriq publishes on page 5 a 700-word article by Rawa Haydar entitled
"Beggary: Poverty, Government's Failure; Victims Women, Children."
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 5 an 800-word article by Ala Fadil entitled
"Drug Addiction, Quick Profit Dream of Unemployed Workers in Iraq."
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 7 a 1,200-word article by Abd-al-Karim
al-Wa'ili entitled "Features of Political Radicalism in Iraqi Society
1921-2003."
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 7 an 800-word article by Dr Karim Subuh
commemorating former Prime Minister Fu'ad Arif.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 7 a 600-word article by Shamil Abd-al-Qadir
praising Parliament Member and Scholar Hasan al-Alawi.
Al-Alam publishes on page 8 a 600-word article by Maytham Lu'aybi
discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the pricing policy of
vegetables and other important food items in the local markets.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 1,700-word arti cle by Haydar Sa'id
entitled "Civil Society in Iraq, Monitoring of Post-Election Process."
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 900-word article by Sarmad al-Ta'i
commenting on his interviews with Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 760-word article by Fadil al-Nashmi
criticizing the Baghdad Mayoralty and mayor for their frequent statements
and poor performance.
Al-Alam publishes on page 11 a 760-word article by Hafal Zakhawi
commenting on Kurdish President Mas'ud Barzani's recent statements
describing the situation of the freedom of the press in Kurdistan as
chaotic.
Al-Alam publishes on the back page a 600-word article by Ahmad al-Muhanna
urging the Iraqi leaders to form an efficient government that is able to
encourage foreign investments to develop Iraq's oil resources.
Al-Adalah publishes on page 2 a 400-word article by Sa'd Sahib al-Wa'ili
who calls on the National Alliance to speed up the formation of the
national partnership government and not give a chance to the factions that
want to impede the political process in Iraq.
Al-Adalah publishes on the final page a 300-word article by Hafiz
al-Bisharah entitled "New Government's 10 Commandments."
Al-Mada publishes on the final page a 200-word article by Ali Husayn who
calls on the new parliament to observe the constitutional articles and
draw up a platform for the government.
Al-Zaman publishes on page 15 a 700-word article by Iyad Allawi entitled
"How Can Iraq Support its Fragile Democracy?"
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on the front page a 250-word
editorial that criticizes some of the neighboring countries, including
Saudi Arabia and Iran, for adopting negative stances on Iraq.The writer
says that these countries failed in their plans to make the political and
democratic process fail in Iraq, adding that the Iraqis are enlightened
and strong in confronting th ese attempts.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 200-word article
by Isam al-Bayyati who comments on the difficult conditions that have
faced the Iraqis since 2003.The writer says that the government has failed
in solving these crises and dealing with the bad phenomena in the
government institutions.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 300-word article
by Sattar Jabbar who criticizes the criminals who killed Muhammad Baqir
al-Hakim, former chairman of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council.The writer
praises the character of Al-Hakim, describing him as an honest man who
sought Iraq's interests.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June devotes half of page 3 to an article by
Kazim Habib entitled "When Will it be Possible to Have Peaceful Handover
of Power in Iraq?"
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 4 a 350-word article
by Ahmad Shakir al-Halfi who comments on the difficult situation of the co
untry since the 1990s and how the people have faced a number of crises.The
writer proposes a number of suggestions that the government must adopt in
order to solve Iraq's problems.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 6 a 200-word article
by Ghayath Abd-al-Hamid who comments on the electricity crisis facing the
country and how the people are suffering from the summer heat.The writer
calls on the Electricity Ministry to solve this problem and provide the
people with electricity.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 6 a 450-word article
by Abdallah Mushkhati entitled "Duties of Parliament."
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 6 a 600-word article
by Ghazi Ibrahim Rahu who comments on the positive role the Iraqi
Christians in have played building the country throughout history.The
writer comments on the difficult conditions of the Christians who are
being targeted by killing and displacement.The writer calls on the honest
politicians to protect them and provide them with good living standards.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 8 a 300-word article
by Zuhayr Kazim Abbud entitled "What Comes after Endorsement of Winning
Parliament Members?"
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June pub lishes on page 8 a 700-word article
by Husayn Ali al-Hamadani who says that three months have passed since the
elections and yet the politicians have so far failed in forming the
government and solving the problems of the people.The writer comments on
the difficult conditions facing the people and how they are suffering from
a bad security situation, poor public services and poverty.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 8 a 450-word article
by Ali Naf'i Hammudi entitled "Citizenship, Democratic Construction."
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 8 a 300-word article
by Jawad Kazim al-Khalisi who comments o n the important role the media
outlets have played in Iraq.The writer criticizes some of these outlets
for negatively affecting the political situation in Iraq while others have
positively affected it.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June devotes all of page 12 to an article by
Abd-al-Sattar Awdah al-Muhannah who critici zes Nazim Kizar, former
official in the Ba'th Party, describing him as a criminal and bad
politician who hunted down the communists in Iraq.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June devotes all of page 16 to an article by
Ahmad Abd-al-Rahman who discusses the life of the late Muhammad Baqir
al-Hakim, former chairman of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, describing
him as an honest man who sought Iraq's interests.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 17 a 400-word article
by Ali al-Khayyat who comments on the spread of corruption in the country
and how the government must confront and eliminate this bad phenomenon.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 17 a 500-word article
by Hasan Hatim Madkur who comments on the responsibilities and duties of
the prime minister, adding that he must be honest and not an agent to
other countries.The writer says that some of the neighboring countries
have planned to make the next prime minister implement their agendas in
order to control Iraq.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 17 a 700-word article
by Lua'y al-Khalifah who criticizes the former Iraqi regime that harmed
both the Iraqi and Kuwaiti people.The writer comments on the negative
stances of Kuwait toward Iraq and how it has planned to punish the people
for the crimes that were committed by the former regime.
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on page 17 a 450-word article
by Salim Mashkur entitled "Iraq that Arabs Reject."
Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah on 13 June publishes on the final page a 120-word
article by Abd-al-Zahrah al-Bayyati who comments on the negative role some
of the neighboring countries have played in Iraq and how they support the
terrorists who have planned to make the democratic process fail in Iraq.
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on page 3 a 400-word to part one of an
article by Rasim Qasim entitled "Iraq, Influences of Regional Conflicts."
Al-Da'wah on 13 June publishes on page 9 a 300-word article by
Abd-al-Karim al-Wa'ili entitled "Political Parties in Iraq."
Al-Muwatin on 13 June devotes half of page 12 to an article by Nizar
Haydar entitled "Solution Lies in Minority Government."
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on the final page a 150-word article by
Muhannad al-Layli who comments on the difficult conditions facing the
Iraqi graduates, adding that most of them are without jobs and face bad
conditions.The writer says that the ordinary people cannot secure any
government jobs without having strong connections with officials.
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on the final page a 200-word article by
Majid Zaydan who comments on the difficult conditions of the Iraqi people
and how most of them are suffering from abject poverty while they are
living in the richest country in the region. X. CORRUPTION
Al-Sabah al-Jadid publishes on page 2 a 300-word report on the news
conference Integrity Commission Rahim al-Uqayli held in Baghdad yesterday,
13 June, to outline the commission's activities and achievements in 2009.
Al-Mashriq publishes on page 4 a 260-word report on the statement the
Finance Ministry issued yesterday, 13 June, affirming the referral of
former Deputy Minister Karim Humud Faraj and a number of senior ministry
officials to the judiciary for their involvement in corruption cases.
Al-Sabah publishes on page 4 a 120-word report on the statement the
Finance Ministry issued saying that it has agreed to refer former Finance
Ministry Undersecretary Karim Hammud Faraj and a f ormer employee to the
judiciary for their involvement in administrative corruption.(OSC plans no
further processing)
Al-Muwatin on 13 June publishes on page 2 a 100-word report citing Jamal
al-Battikh, leader in the Al-Iraqiyah List, as saying that his list will
reveal corruption cases in which Pr ime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's
government is involved.
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.
11) Back to Top
Turkish Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Turkish press on 14 Jun; to
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735. For Islamist press highlights, see
GMP20100614006001. - Turkey -- OSC Summary</ div>
Monday June 14, 2010 12:49:22 GMT
http://www.milliyet.com.tr http://www.milliyet.com.tr )
Viewing the denial of government officials that Turkey's axis is shifting
from the West to the East, Hurriyet columnist Ferai Tinc wonders why the
prime minister's style is getting closer to "the style of the dictator
leaders of the front opposed to the West" if the intention of the Ankara
government is "to continue on its path as the trusted ally of the Western
alliance." Tinc goes on point out the contradiction between the prime
minister's remarks that someone has to give an account for the widows in
Iraq and the logic of sending a delegation to the United States to
convince the US administration that Turkey's axis has not shifted. Drawing
attention to the futility of cursing and abusing old friends in the
process of forging new alliances, Tinc concludes her 420-word art icle by
expressing the view that Turkey is actually not changing its axis but that
anti-Western speeches are directed toward domestic politics and are being
delivered because of populist considerations. (Istanbul Hurriyet Online in
Turkish -- Website of pro-secular, mass-appeal daily, one of country's top
circulation papers, owned by Dogan Media Group; URL:
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr http://www.hurriyet.com.tr )
Revolting against the pride and happiness expressed by the family of a
19-year-old who was killed during the Israeli flotilla attack in a
380-word article in Hurriyet, Tufan Turenc argues that the jihad mentality
can only drag the country into a disaster. Underlining that in this era
problems are solved through reason and diplomacy and not through jihad,
Turenc notes that the Palestinian problem cannot be solved by a leader who
casts aside the problems of his country and aspires to be the leader of
the Arab world. A policy that equates the destiny of Jerusalem with that
of Istanbul and the destiny of Gaza with that of Ankara is devoid of
reason, writes Turenc, arguing that HAMAS's rejection of Ankara's proposal
to mediate between HAMAS and al-Fatah goes to show how unrealistic
Ankara's policy is.
In an 800-word article in Hurriyet Daily News, Cem Oguz examines the
various reasons for the deterioration in Turkish-Israel i relations,
arguing that had there been a government other than the AKP in power there
still would have been a falling out, the only difference being in the
style and tone of the rhetoric. (processing) (Istanbul Hurriyet Daily
News.com in English -- Website of Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review,
pro-secular daily, with English-language versions from other Dogan Media
Group dailies; URL:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ )
Viewing media reports that Erdogan might intervene for the release of
Gil'ad Shalit, the Israeli soldier being held hostage by HAMAS, in a
380-word article in Hurriyet Daily News, Mehmet Ali Birand urges the AKP
government to use its power over HAMAS and prove that it is a powerful
actor. (processing)
In an 870-word article in Hurriyet Daily News, Yusuf Kanli assesses the
"reverse flotillas" the Israeli ultranationalists are planning to dispatch
to northern Cyprus and to Turkey. He goes on to refute Israeli claims of
Turkish hypocrisy regarding the Cyprus invasion, the oppression of the
Kurdish minority, and the Armenian genocide claims. (processing) Sabah
carries a 490-word interview Tzipi Livni, former Israeli foreign minister,
granted to ATV's Bora Bayraktar assessing the current state of
Turkish-Israeli relations, Turkey's stand on HAMAS, and the embargo on
Gaza. (processing) (Istanbul Sabah Online in Turkish -- Website of
pro-government daily owned by Calik Group, close to the ruling Justice and
Development Party; URL:
http://sabah.com.tr http://sabah.com.t r )
Viewing the various assessments made in the United States regarding
Turkey's recent foreign policy moves in a 530-word article in Sabah, Omer
Taspinar writes: "The first rule in international relations is to consider
states as the fundamental actors. Therefore, Turkey, above all, should
consider how the Obama Administration, in other words the US state, views
certain issues." When viewed from that angle the situation is not
encouraging, says Taspinar, adding that the Obama Administration's
disappointment in Turkey is growing. The problem is not about a shift in
axis, argues Taspinar, pointing out that key personalities in the Obama
Administration do not base their assessment on simplified categories such
as "Islamist" or "pro-Western," but on more realistic perspectives. He
continues: "In other words, the issue is about ideology but about being
practical and pragmatic. The situation is not promising because according
to the assessment made by the Obama Administration serious differences
have emerged in the national priorities and interests of Turkey and the
United States." As a result, Taspinar maintains, Washington is shying away
from a "strategic partnership" with Turkey on various issues and moving
toward a "transactional" partnership. Explaining this transactional
partnership to mean "what do you want from us and what kind of a support
are you willing to extend in exchange," Taspinar asks the following
question: "Is Turkey ready to enter a transactional relationship on the
issue of its national interests? Becoming a regional power entails such
calculations." Vatan
carries a 2,460-word interview Kamran Inan, one of the doyens of Turkish
politics, granted to Mine Senocakli. Joining the debate of the shift of
axis, Inan says that there is no axis left to shift, adding that Turkey
might be expelled from NATO. Noting that the current foreign relations are
based on religion and beliefs and not on an axis, Inan underlines: "There
is no place for ideology and beliefs in foreign relations. There are only
national interests." Stressing that the duty of a state is primarily to
defend its national interests and not to become the advocate of others,
Inan describes the nuclear swap deal concluded with Iran as "not a very
successful diplomatic victory." Recalling that Iran's biggest economic
partners, namely Russia and China, were on the side of the United States,
Inan questions the logic of uniting with Brazil in the swap deal. Inan
says: "The entire Western world has lost its trust in Turkey as a result
of the recent incidents. Soon, Turkey's expulsion from NATO might be
included on the agenda." Assessing that the Turkish Republic has entered
the most difficult period in its history, Inan states that all the
principles of its foreign policy have collapsed, adding that Turkey will
have to pay a heavy price for it. (Istanbul Vatan Online in Turkish --
Website of pro-secular daily owned by Dogan Media Group; URL:
http://www.gazetevatan.com http://www.gazetevatan.com ) Taraf
carries a 2,400-word interview Nese Guzel conducted with Prof. Dogu Ergil,
a sociologist, social psychologist, and political scientist who has
written of book about Fethullah Gulen and his movement. During the
interview, Ergil tries to address the questions of why Gulen felt the need
to make his recent statements, who were the recipients of his messages,
why Gulen wants Turkey to maintain good relations with Israel, and whether
Gulen's statements will affect Turkish foreign policy. He further goes on
to assess whether the United States and Israel will try and interfere in
Turkish domestic politics and whether PKK actions will spread to
metropolitan areas. (processing) (Istanbul Taraf Online in Turkish --
Website of antimilitarist and liberal daily; URL:
http://www. taraf.com.tr http://www.taraf.com.tr )
Egemen Bagis, Turkey's chief EU negotiator and state minister, in a
500-word article in Radikal writes that the historic steps being taken by
Turkey in the national and international arena are being reduced to the
level of a debate on a shift in axis. Referring to claims that Turkey is
moving away from the West and slipping toward the East, Bagis argues that
this intentional debate has its source in a mentality that is similar to
that of the "Cold War," a mentality that views the world along two axes.
Attesting to the existence of those who have still not freed themselves
from that old habit both in Turkey and the world, Baris argues that there
are still sectors both at home and abroad that view the world in line with
the Cold War mentality, thus interpreting it as "I and the others."
Underlining that claims of a shift of axis are not innocent, Bagis advises
those who make these claims to observe Turkey's pos ition in the globe.
The question should not be whether Turkey's axis is shifting but whether
the West wants to represent contemporary values or whether it chooses to
opt for double standards, writes Bagis. (Istanbul Radikal Online in
Turkish -- Website of pro-secular and liberal daily owned by Dogan Media
Group; URL:
http://www.radikal.com.tr http://www.radikal.com.tr ) UN Sanctions Against
Iran
Viewing the UN Security Council, UNSC, sanctions against Iran in an
880-word article in Hurriyet Daily News, Gwynne Dyer writes: "The mountain
labored for a year and a half and finally gave birth to a mouse." Noting
that the sanctions will cause Iran no grave inconvenience, Dyer argues
that this is only fair since the crime of which Iran is accused has not
been proven either. The writer concludes: "The U.S.-Israeli obsession with
Iran's alleged nuclear weapons will probably drag on for years, but it is
ultimately just a distraction from more serious ma tters. The weapons
aren't real, and neither are the sanctions." (processing)
Assessing the "no" vote cast by Turkey at the UNSC in a 940-word article
in Vatan, Can Atakli questions whether this defiance of the world will
cause serious trouble for Turkey. Atakli writes: "It can be said that
Turkey is embarking on a big adventure and that we might have to pay a
heavy price for this. Naturally, as citizens of this country, we wish the
opposite. One should not also ignore the possibility that Turkey might
emerge as the 'regional leader' from these developments. However, this is
a difficult feat." Viewing Turkey's image as a country that on the one
hand stands by HAMAS, which is desc ribed as a terrorist organization, and
on the other is supportive of Iran, which is considered to be a threat by
Western countries, Atakli says that this image is not positive. Atakli
blames the Greater Middle East Project and the US view that a government
with a more Islamist image can better promote US interests in the region
for the current situation. (processing) Kurdish Issue
According to an 850-word report in Cumhuriyet, the indictment against the
Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan, KCK, details the organization's
monetary relations. The report notes that Democratic Society Party, DTP,
officials who were elected mayors in the last elections donated their
first two salaries to the organization. (Istanbul Cumhuriyet Online --
Website of Kemalist daily; URL:
http://www.cumhuriyet.com http://www.cumhuriyet.com ) HAMAS Outlook on
Ankara, Cairo
Viewing Turkey's policy on Iran, Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz writes:
"The fact that Turkey has been left alone on the issue of Iran might be
applauded in the streets of the Middle East as an 'honorable stand.'
However, it is debatable whether this outcome will actually increase
Turkey's effectiveness in the region. When we look at the issue from the
viewpoint of Egypt's role in the region and the relations of HAMAS with
Cairo, the image that emerges is different than that being portrayed in
Turkey." In a 480-word article, Idiz assesses that HAMAS views Egypt as
"the big brother of the region" and that it expects Cairo and not Ankara
to reconcile the Palestinians. Recalling the remarks made by Isma'il
Haniyah, prime minister of the HAMAS-run government in Gaza, to the effect
that "no country can play the central role Egypt is playing in the
Palestinian national cause," Idiz underlines that while Haniyah is
engaging in real politic, the Justice and Development, AKP, government,
having abandoned real politic, is acting in line with its ideological
instincts. Interview With Huseyin Celik
In a 2000-word interview he granted to Milliyet 's Devrim Sevimay, AKP
deputy leader Huseyin Celik speaks about the Gaza flotilla incidents, the
contacts held with the Israeli authorities, Turkey's Middle East polic y,
Turkey's stand on HAMAS, the US occupation of Iraq, and anti-Semitism in
Turkey. (processing) Survey on Polarization in Politics and Society
Radikal
carries the second 2,000-word installment of a nationwide survey that
explores the state of polarization in the society. (processing) Gulen
Statement to New York Times
Focusing on the statement Fethullah Gulen made to New York Times
correspondent Brian Knowlton to the effect that "the worst state is better
than chaos," Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol in a 400-word article writes:
"This is one of the fundamental principles of the thousand-year Sunni
political doctrine. It is a principle that legitimizes the current secular
state authority! This principle is the expression of 'traditional Islam'
that is incompatible with 'Revolutionary Islam' and even with 'Political
Islam.'" Explaining that for a state to be legitimate it does not have to
be 'Islamic,' Akyol continues: "The legitimacy o f the state is dependent
on its ensuring its security and its general acceptance by the community.
In classical theory it is strongly advised that the state be just. Today
values such as 'freedom, equality, democracy' can be added to these
qualities. The concept of 'the worst state is better than chaos' is true
both in the traditional and the modern sense; it is the expression of
lawfulness. The fact that the Gulen movement distances itself from
confrontation is a positive product of this understanding. Conclusion: The
'TC State' whose characteristics are written in the Constitution is a
fully legitimate state; naturally, it should raise its standards of democr
atization." Interview With Stefan Fule
Stefan Fule, EU commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood
Policy, in a 510-word interview he granted to Sabah 's Duygu Leloglu in
Brussels comments on Turkey's shift in axis, the constitutional amendment
package, Turkey's stand on Iran, the Israeli attack on the Gaza aid
flotilla, the recent PKK attacks, and the Cyprus negotiations.
(processing)
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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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Editorial Asks Govt To Stop Supporting So-Called War on Terror
Editorial: Zardari at SCO summit - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 22:34:07 GMT
PLEADING forcefully the case of Pakistan's inclusion in the ranks of the
Shanghai Cooperation Council as a full-fledged member, President Zardari
observed at its 10th Summit at Tashkent on Friday that Pakistan was the
gateway to the landlocked Central Asian States to provide access to them
to a major part of the world through the shortest route. An easier
approach could, obviously, facilitate interaction with the outside world
and promote economic development. Mr Zardari was absolutely right also to
stress the country's strategic location, and so were his views that
economic and commercial cooperation among SCO, of which Pakistan was a
part and parcel, could spell a radical change for the better in the lives
of people in the region.
Such cooperation would obviously be more feasible and more result-oriented
once Pakistan becomes its full-fledged member. The Summit adopted
guidelines that would make it possible for Pakistan and India, currently
both observers, to become SCO members, but as a Chinese diplomat attending
the conference remarked, it is only one percent of the way they have
covered; Iran would find itself left out because of the iniquitous UNSC
sanctions. The present membership consists of the CAS, China and Russia.
A sizeable part of Mr Z ardari's address was devoted to the twin menaces
of extremism and terrorism and what, in his view, was their root cause.
Abject poverty could be a contributory factor to the strengthening of the
forces of terrorism since the poor are more likely to fall to the
temptation of monetary gain that they would make by joining the ranks of
terrorists.
But certainly, the President should know, the roots of terrorism lie
elsewhere: in the centuries old exploitation of the defenceless,
resource-rich countries by the imperialist West, and, in the present time,
the same aggressive exploitation under the pretext of terrorism. Unless
the root cause of that persistent injustice is removed, which, in simpler
terms, would mean not only the vacation of aggression from Afghanistan and
Iraq, but also abandoning the control of resources of weaker states and
ensuring political and economic justice to the oppressed nations. Osama
bin Laden, who is accused of setting off the present-day wave of
terrorism, prompting the US to wage a war against it, specifically pointed
to the West's exploitation of Arab resources and Israel's brutal ways and
illegal occupation of Palestine, as his main grievances.
The Zardari government should be spending more of its energies to convince
the US to get out of the region and let the forces from within restore
peace and manage resources. And, as a first step, he should be picking up
the courage to withdraw its support to the so-called war. The most
significant outcome for Pakistan would be an automatic unwinding of the
terrorist coil.
(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 directe d to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Taleban execute man in Afghan south accused of spying - Afghan Islamic
Press
Monday June 14, 2010 16:21:54 GMT
Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news
agencyGhazni, 14 June: A man has been executed for spying.Zabol Province
spokesman said the Taleban executed a man last night (13 June) for
spying.Zabol Governor's spokesman Mohammadajan Rasulyar told Afghan
Islamic Press that the Taleban have taken a young man out of his house and
shot him dead, accusing him of spying for Afghan and foreign forces in the
localities of Shah Joy District of Zabol Province.He named the deceased
individual as Asadollah and added he was not spying for the foreign forces
nor had any links with the Afghan government.He said he as a civilian.The
Taleban claimed responsibility for Asadollah's killing.A Taleban spokesman
Qari Mohammad Yosuf Ahamadi also told AIP that they have killed or wounded
eight police officers in a mine explosion on their vehicle in Barakzo area
of Qalat city (The provincial capital of Zabol Province).Zabol governor
spokesman Mohammadajan Rasulyar confirmed that a security company guards
in Qarabaghio area of Qalat city but said he was unaware of the
casualties.Rasulyar denied Taleban claims regarding the explosion in
Barakzio area.(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)
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holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
14) Back to Top
Pakistan Press Nawa-e-Waqt 14 Jun 10
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Nawa-e Waqt
Monday June 14, 2010 14:55:38 GMT
pictures on page 1 show Pakistani and Iranian authorities exchanging
documents of gas pipeline agreement, religious leaders attending meeting
of nonfunctional, the Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA), and thousands of
Jama't-ud-Da'wah Pakistan activists attending Jerusalem Rally in
Lahore.The lower half of the page has a quarter-page advertisement. Lead
Story: AFP report: Riots in Kyrgyzstan; hundreds of Pakistanis trapped, 15
held hostage, student killed
The foreign minister has said that efforts are on for brining back the
stranded Pakistanis. (pp 1, 9; 600 words) Report on press release:
Government should take measures for safe return of besieged Pakistanis in
Kyrgyzstan: Nawaz Sharif (pp 1, 9; 100 words) Report from monitoring desk:
Meeting on revival of MMA ends inconclusive; Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F
(Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rehman group) chief, faces media attack (pp
1, 9; 600 words) NNI report: Successful dialogue; Sajid Mir PML-N
(Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) senator, congratulates Maulana Fazlur
Rehman; Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaquat Baloch says Maulana should tell
inner story of reconciliation with government (pp 1, 9; 200 words) Report
by Muhammad Nawaz Raza: Assurance of 'practical measures' given to Maulana
Fazlur Rehman; deadlock ends; Zardari-Fazlur Rehman meeting likely in next
few days (pp 1, 9; 500 words) Report from monitoring desk: Iran gives
final approval for gas pipeline project with Pakistan; agreement formally
signed; supply to begin in 2014 (pp 1, 9; 300 words) AFP report: Pakistan
Army rejects report of British educational institution terming it
malevolent; report says Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) providing
resources, training, hideouts to Taliban, attends their meetings (pp 1, 9;
600 words) Report by special correspondent: Jamaat-ud Dawa's defense of
Jerusalem caravan; mob of people throng Mall Road to express solidarity
with Palestinian Muslims; Hafiz Saeed says crusade about to yield results;
conspiracy being hatched to make country barren, target Pakistan's nuclear
program (pp 1, 9; 600 words) Nawa-e Waqt report: President accepts
resignation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman (pp 1, 9; 200
words) Report by Salman Ghani: PML-N rejects proposed acco untability bill
by expressing dissatisfaction over it (pp 1, 9; 800 words) NNI report:
We'll break hand heading toward independence of judiciary: Supreme Court
Bar President Qazi Anwar (pp 1, 9; 200 words) AFP report: Pakistan
hesitating in launching operation in North Waziristan: Analysts (pp 1, 9;
200 words) Report by special correspondent: Baluchi Minister Jaffer George
detained on charges of brawl, misbehaving with women dismissed (pp 1, 9;
300 words) Report by special correspondent: Senate elections should
directly be held: deputy chairman senate Jan Muhammad Jamali; sincere
efforts needed to make amends for Balochistan's afflictions (pp 1, 9; 300
words) Report by Salik Majid: If Qaid-e-Azam had been alive, he would not
have allowed changing name of frontier province on ethnic basis: Ata
Rabbani (Qaid-e-Azam's ADC) (pp 1, 9; 300 words) Report by special
correspondent: Protest conferences across country against blasphemous
caricatures; grandeur of prophet rally held from Punjab Assembly to Data
Shrine; thousands form Mustafavi (followers of prophet Muhammad) chain (pp
1, 9; 600 words) Report form news desk: British prime minister narrowly
escaped Taliban in Afghanistan (pp 1, 9; 100 words) NNI report: President
Zardari takes notice of lawyers' rowdiness at Superintendent Office (pp 1,
9; 400 words) Report by special correspondent: Power shortfall increases
to 1,812 MW; six hour of power shortage continues in rural areas (pp 1, 9;
200 words) Page 2 : Full Page Advertisement by Town Developer Page 3:
National, International Reports
The page 3 three has national and international news. Column by Taiba Zia
Cheema: Sixth floor
The column opines that former military dictator Musharraf is under the
misperception that Pakistan is a failed state without him and the country
direly needs his services. (1,000 words) Column by Marvi Memon: Do not
steal from people
The column criticizes lavishness ensured in budget instead of providi ng
relief to the common people. (1,200 words) SANA news report: Afghanistan;
eight security personnel including three NATO soldiers killed in bomb
blast (pp 3, 10; 100 words) Page 4: News From Suburbs Column by Dr Ajmal
Niazi: Change to come in weeks
The column lightly discusses situation in the country and failure of the
leadership to deliver. (800 words) Page 5: News From Islamabad, Rawalpindi
Page 5 has a column besides local news and advertisements. Page 6: Special
Edition on Blood Donor Day Page 7: Classified Ads Page 8: Continuation of
Reports From Other Pages 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
Prominent pictures on page 12 show relatives of a youth subjected to
torture by police protesting in Quetta, and scene of clash between
demonstrators and Indian forces in Srinagar on the killing of a youth.
Report by special correspo ndent: Pressures mounts on Fazlur Rehman for
parting ways with government
At the meeting of MMA, Sajid Mir has said that if religious parties do not
unite, the religious alliance should formally be dismantled. (pp 8, 12;
300 words) Report by special correspondent: Sind home minister directs
updating lists of highly wanted persons of outlawed organizations (pp 8,
12; 200 words) Report by Aziz Alvi: Massive investigation into attack on
NATO containers at Tarnol; assailants fled to Attock; raids being
conducted to arrested culprits (pp 8, 12; 200 words) Report by special
correspondent: Qadianis; cannot be called as brethren: Maulana Fazlur
Rehman (pp 8, 12; 300 words) NNI news report: Khuzdar; shutter down;
complete blockade in many areas; vehicles torched (pp 8, 12; 200 words)
Report by special correspondent: Rawalpindi; terrorist arrested on
blockade; grenade, maps, documents seized (pp 8, 12; 200 words) SANA
report: Federal budget disappointing: Jamaat-e-Islami (pp 8, 12; 300
words) NNI report: Most corrupt clique obstacle in way of rule of
constitution: Imran Khan (pp 8, 12; 300 words) Report by special
correspondent: Swat, Mohmand Agency; four including three militants killed
as shell falls; one killed in Miran Shah on charges of spying (pp 8, 12;
400 words) NNI report: Panjgoor; offices of Pakistan Telecommunication
Company Limited Cantonment, post office set on fire (pp 8, 12; 100 words)
Report by special correspondent: Pakistan values its relationship with
brotherly country Turkey: Law minister (pp 8, 12; 200 words) Report from
news desk: Pakistan Steel Mills package feared to go waste: General
(retired) Abdul Qayyum, former chief steel mills (pp 8, 12; 300 words)
Online report: There will be no confrontation with judiciary; cases
against president cannot be reopened: Deputy information minister (pp 8,
12; 200 words) NNI report: There would have been no crisis including
electricity if Musharraf had been in power: former Minister She r Afgan
(pp 8, 12; 200 words) Report by special correspondent: Report sent to
government for giving franchise rights to overseas Pakistanis (pp 8, 12;
300 words) NNI report: PML-N official opposition; has ruined Punjab; I
want government to complete tenure so that it may not come to power for 50
years: former Punjab chief minister Pervez Illahi (pp 8, 12; 300 words)
Waqt report: Planning should be made for permanent settlement of people
affected by Lake at alternative place: Chief of Hunza (pp 8, 12; 300
words) Page 13: Children's Page 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: Liberation of Kashmir, Palestine; all Muslim heads
should take flotilla
The editorial discusses statement of law minister that the people will
take Free dom Flotillas to break the Israeli siege.Although the UN General
Assembly and Security Council had acknowledged the right of
self-determination for the people of Palestine and Kashmir, these were
never implemented.Regional and international peace cannot be imagined
without liberation of Kashmir and Palestine. (1,200 words) Editorial:
US-India collision and Pakistan's negligence
The editorial discusses activities of India in Afghanistan and expresses
fear that Pakistani prisoners in Bagram jail might be used against
Pakistan.The access of India to Bagram prisoners is clear evidence of
India-US collision. (400 words) Editorial: Balanced budget of Khyber
Pakhtoonkhwa Province
The editorial appreciates the balanced budget presented by the Khyber
Pakhtoonkhwa Province. (400 words) Article by Dr Hussein Ahmed Piracha:
Objective Resolution and secular wisdom 1,000 words) Article by Mustafa
Kamal Pasha: Afghanistan; again a bleeding wound (1,000 words) Article by
Amira Ahsan: Qallander's talk
The article criticizes the previous and present rulers for pursuing pro-US
and pro-Israel policies. (1,000 words) Page 15: Articles
Page 15 has articles on national and international issues. Article by Prof
Mohiuddin: Disintegrating US empire in 2020? (last episode) (600 words)
Article by Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi: Joint agenda of international secret
agencies against Pakistan (1,000 words) Article by Muhammad Arif Chaudhry:
Facebook and Dignity of faith (800 words) Page 16: Children's Page
(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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holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
15) Back to Top
Malaysian, Singapore Chinese Press 12-14 Jun 10
The following is a selection of editorials, commentaries, and reports from
Malaysian and Singapore Chinese press on 12-14 June - Malaysia-Singapore
-- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:50:40 GMT
(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 Says US Military Finds Difficult To Stop Arresting, Bombing
Terrorist Target in Afghanistan
A commentary by Liow Lian Chuan in the China Press on 13 June says: "The
first Afghan National Peace Conference was recently held in the Afghan
capital Kabul.This conference was attended by 1,600 delegates from
different tribes and factions.Of note is that at the conference, the
Karzai government and the Taliban and other rebels hoped that they could
all lay down their arms and return to society to begin nation-building.One
of the resolutions passed at the conference is that all parties should
sever ties with Al-Qai'da terrorist network.They also called on the
foreign military to display goodwill, but stop bombing and arresting the
rebels.The fact that the United States has agreed for the Karzai
government to hold peace talk with the Taliban has reflected the reality
that the Taliban are indeed a difficult force to beat.But the difficult
situation faces by the United States is that as long as the rebels
continue to use force and befriend Al-Qa'ida, there is no way for the US
military to stop arresting and bombing the insurgent forces in Afghanistan
or to use the US unmanned aerial vehicles to eliminate the terrorist
elements in Afghanistan.&quo t;
(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.)
Editorial Urges Government To Carry Out In-Depth Review on Implementation
of Fair Transparent Economic Policies
An editorial in the Nanyang Siang Pau in 14 June says: "Prime Minister
Najib Razak said that the New Economic Model would not stress on giving
the Malays the 30 percent quota in equity share but would only help those
young Malays inspired to achieve success in business.On the same day, Tan
Sri William Cheng, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
Malaysia (ACCCIM) president, has again point ed out the need for t he
government to review the existing administrative problems in public
services.He added that if the policies implemented by the government did
not benefit those who were really in need, it would only result in
continuing the past policies by allowing certain people to find economic
shelters under the government's protection.This would also create a group
of people good at finding ways and means to reap personal economic
benefits from the government.Tan Sri William Cheng further added that
ACCCIM would support the government's New Economic Model on the condition
that the implementation process of the New Economic Model is transparent
and fair to all ethnic groups.According to data sourced from China's
International Contractors Association, China has invested 50 billion
ringgit (M$) in Indonesia; some major Chinese companies are also
aggressively investing in Africa.Yet, in retrospect, in the case of
China-Malaysia trade volume, from 2000 to 2008, the average China's total
investment in Malaysia was only M$ 0.5billion.Such a vast investment
figure between Indonesia and Malaysia by Chinese investors should warrant
in-depth review and reflection on the need for the Malaysian Government to
implement fair and transparent national economic policies."
(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).) Editorial Says 10th Malaysia Plan
Highlights Prime Minister Najib's Cautious Political Consideration
An editorial in the Guo Ji Shi Bao on 14 June says: "Prime Minister Najib
has presented his 10th Malaysia Plan in the parliament.The 10th Malaysia
Plan that covers the period from 2011 to 2015 involves the use of M$ 230
billion to carry out various projects in order to move Malaysia into a
high income nation.Nevertheless in a n utshell, the ruling government's
basic national policy has not changed greatly, particularly in the part
that under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the government will continue to uphold
the 30 percent Malay equity share in the next five years.We always heard
Malaysian national leaders urging the Malays to discard the economic
crutches provided by the government and be independent.However, such
statements were easier said than done.In his address, Najib said that the
government would further increase the participation of bumiputera (Malays)
in senior management level and that the government would also allocate M$
3 billion to help the Malay businesses and entrepreneurs through various
means and programs.In this regard, this 10th Malaysia Plan has highlighted
the cautious political consideration of Prime Minister Najib."
(Kuching Guo Ji Shi Bao in Chinese -- Local Chinese daily founded in
Sarawak in 1968.Together with Berita Petang Sarawak, it is one of the
subsidiary com panies of Wee Boon Ping Group, which is headed by Chinese
educator and entrepreneur Wee Kok Tiong.Circulation 21,540; URL:
http://www.intimes.com.my) Editorial Urges Government To Encourage Foreign
Investors To Setup Factories in Rural Districts
An editorial in the Sin Chew Daily on 14 June says: "ACCCIM President Tan
Sri William Cheng urged the government to encourage foreign investors to
setup their firms in rural areas.He said that the advantage for foreign
investors to setup factories in rural towns would include cutting down
labor cost and promoting local employment opportunities.With the
government begins to raise the import tax of foreign workers to Malaysia
next year, the government's encouragement for foreign investors to set up
their firms in rural area can also help to reverse the flow of workers
from urban to rural districts.This should help to resolve the problem of
acute worker shortage faced by foreign investors like those coming from
Taiwan in urb an cities."
(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.) Singapore Editorial Says Singapore To Raise Level of
Counterterrorism Measure
An editorial in the Lianhe Zaobao on 14 June says: "The Public Transport
Security Committee will review the overall security of the local public
transport network over the next six months because of the recent Metro
Rail Transit (MRT) graffiti incident.Singaporeans are still concerned
about this issue even though SMRT has issued a statement explaining the
incident and announced improvements to its security measures.The fact that
the authorities want to take six months to do a comprehensive review of
national security reflects that there is a pressing need for Singapore to
raise the level of its counterterrorism measure.This six-month review of
the public transport safety should be very different from the past
counterterrorism measure.In this regard, the authorities should learn from
the past experience of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain
for these countries had suffered actual terrorist attacks before.It might
also be good to employ foreign counterterrorism experts to review the
security systems to ward off possible terrorist attacks after the MRT
graffiti incident."
(Singapore Lianhe Zaobao Online in Chinese -- Website of the leading
Chinese newspaper in Singapore; URL: http://www.zaobao.com.sg) Commentary
Discusses Reasons for China's Endorsement of UNSC Resolution To Impose
Sanction on Iran
A commentary by Xue Li Tai in the Lianhe Zaobao on 14 June says: "The
reason why China voted in favor of the UNSC resolution to sanction Iran
are based on the following reasons.First, China wants to cut off the po
ssibility that the East Turkistan separatists might get 'dirty bombs' from
Iran.Today, the three forces in Xinjiang (religious extremism, ethnic
separatist forces, and violent terrorist forces) are very rampant.Second,
China wants to maintain international nuclear nonproliferation system and
commitment and to avoid collision with the Western world.Third, China
wants stability on the Middle East and the Gulf region to maintain its
steady supply of fuel and gas.Moreover, once Iran has nuclear missiles,
Iran will include major cities in Europe as its range of nuclear strike.It
will become the 'Islamic bomb'.When such scenario becomes a reality, the
United States is bound to resort to use military action on Iran."
(Singapore Lianhe Zaobao Online in Chinese -- Website of the leading
Chinese newspaper in Singapore; URL: http://www.zaobao.com.sg)
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 Daily Flays UK Report Claiming ISI Pulling Strings of Afghan
Taliban
Editorial: Pak Targeted Again - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:48:05 GMT
EVERY time the US wants to pressure Pakistan or conduct a campaign
targeting it, the media complies.So just when we in Pakistan became aware
of the Indo-US plan to use Bagram detainees against Pakistan, the British
media came up with the same mantra of Pakistan's ISI pulling the strings
behind the Taliban in Afghanistan.A new twist was given by claiming that
President Zardari himself if now part of this campaign of covertly
supporting the Taliban!This is bordering on the bizarre, given how Zardari
is not only beholden to the US, but has so far done their bidding to the
detriment of his own citizens- be it acquiescence to the drone attacks, or
the infiltration of US covert operative in the country or number of the
concessions made to US demands.Whole details have been concocted in a
report that defies the imagination and assumes that Pakistan military,
with whom the ISI is linked, is either mad since it supports the people it
then has to act against in FATA; or it is totally Machiavellian and will
readily play a double game so effectively that it can conduct real time
operations against the Taliban in FATA, while aiding, abetting and
training them to killing their own soldiers!All this defies logic but then
logic has never been a US-NATO strong point when dealing with Pakistan.
Undoubtedly, much will be made of this report relating to the Pakistani
state's complicity with the Taliban, but what Pakistan should focus on is
the growing strength of India in Afghanistan, especially in terms of the
support being given it by the US to aid and abket militnace and terrorirms
in Pakistan.The report relating to the Bagram detainees being used against
Pakistan by the Indian and American should alert the Pakistan leadership
to the growing negative role being played by the US towards
Pakistan.Clearly as the US-NATO moves increase to have a dialogue with the
Afghan Taliban, the Indians would like to minimise the role of Pakistan
despite the fact that without Pakistan's support there can no lasting
peace in, or viable exit strategy for the US from Afghanistan.However, the
Indians continue to push the US into supporting their dangerous game in
Afghanistan theatre.
The timing of the Taliban-Pakistan nexus, which also cited as LSE report
by a Harvard scholar, is also interesting because it coincides with this
Indo-US plan to exploit the Bagram prisoner against Pakistan.There is
certainly a double game going on here but it being played rather skillf
ully by the US and India with NATO a compliant partner.Of course, since
these players are all playing covert games that directly target Pakistan,
it is s in Pakistan interests to keep all Afghan options open.And it is
certainly time to realize the harsh truth that the US is against us, not
with us!
(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
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Polish Editorial Dubs Tusk's Call for Afghan Withdrawal Political
'Opportunism'
Editorial by Piotr Semka: "Electoral Afghanistan&q uot; - rp.pl
Monday June 14, 2010 14:48:21 GMT
The PO won the parliamentary election in 2007 with the slogan of
withdrawing the Polish Army from Iraq. Clearly worried that its candidate
may lose, the party now has no scruples about making a populist gesture
intended to preempt Poles' distaste for the Afghan mission, surprising
everyone in the process. This is because the PO did not, of course,
consult anyone about its idea. Could it be that the National Security
Council (RBN), which Sejm Speaker Komorowski has done so much to promote
as a forum for dialogue, is the right venue for presenting the black box
recordings from the Tu-154, but not for discussing the issue of our
troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan?
It is hard to resist the impression that Poland is moving increasingly
further away from the concept of special relations with the United States.
So-called realists will probably point out that it is hard to stand by
this approach when Barack Obama's administration itself is turning its
back on Central Europe. This is true, but a country like Poland should
have its own foreign policy, mapped out for the next 20-30 years, and its
own tenets. A foreign policy that is capable of enduring a temporary shift
in our partner's policy in the name of long-term objectives. One of these
objectives should be to supplement our EU and NATO membership with special
relations with Washington.
If, on the other hand, our policies are supposed to respond to every
ripple in the polls, then they will quickly become grotesque. Of course,
one could call this grotesqueness realism. We could also focus solely on
maintaining good relations with Berlin and Moscow, and scale back our
ambitions to suit the aspirations of small new EU members. The problem,
however, is how does this accord with the aims of a country that, not so
long ago, wanted to become one o f the six main players on our continent?
(Description of Source: Warsaw rp.pl in Polish -- Website of
Rzeczpospolita, center-right political and economic daily, partly owned by
state; widely read by political and business elites; paper of record;
often critical of Civic Platform and sympathetic to Kaczynski brothers;
URL: http://www.rzeczpospolita.pl)
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holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Afghan Police Issues 16-31 May 2010
The following OSC Summary provides a summary of monitored media coverage
on Afghan police issues in and related to Afghanistan during the period
16-31 May 2010; for assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at
1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@ rccb.osis.gov. - Afghanistan -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:46:50 GMT
Click here to access full PDF report with embedded video link.
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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.
19) Back to Top
Taleban commander claim inflicting casualties on foreign forces in Afghan
east - Afghan Islamic Press
Monday June 14, 2010 18:44:09 GMT
Afghan east
Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news
agencyJalalabad, 14 June: Taleban have reported destroying a foreign
forces armoured vehicle.Hajji D awran Safi, A renowned Taleban commander
in Konar Province told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) over the telephone that
the Taleban they destroyed a foreign forces armoured vehicle in a mine
explosion in Barkandi area of Manogai District of Konar Province late
today and killed all in the vehicle.Safi was talking to AIP around 08:00
local time (1530gmt) and said that the victims of the incident were
airlifted by helicopters. He added "The armored vehicle is still ablaze
and four helicopters are circling the area."He said the road between
Asadabad (Provincial capital of Konar Province) and Manogai District was
shut for a while.(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, ha
s 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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20) Back to Top
Taleban claim inflicting casualties on Afghan, foreign forces in Afghan
east - Afghan Islamic Press
Monday June 14, 2010 18:23:06 GMT
Afghan east
Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news
agencyJalalabad, 14 June: There have been fierce clashes in Nangarhar
Province.There have been heavy clashes in the localities o f Sherzad
District of Nangarhar Province today (14 June) and the Taleban have
claimed inflicting heavy casualties on Afghan and foreign forces.A Taleban
spokesman, Zabihollah Mojahed told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that the
Taleban attacked a foreign forces supply convoy in Gandomak, Mamakhel and
Hashemkhel area of Sherzad District today (14 June).He added that they
have captured all security posts in Sherzad District as the result of
fierce clashes and that they have surrounded the district headquarters.A
district official who did not want to be named told AIP that there is a
fierce clash in progress but the police are resisting.Mojahed said they
have killed at least 13 Afghan national army soldiers and destroyed eight
ranger type army vehicles. He added that four foreign force armoured
vehicles have been destroyed and casualties have been inflicted on those
onboard. He also said that they have captured an Afghan army soldier and
several ranger type army vehicles.Mojahed sa id they have also sustained
casualties and that four Taleban fighters have been wounded as the result
of the attack.Afghan government officials have not yet commented on the
incident. ISAF press office in Kabul confirmed the incident but rejected
Taleban's claims regarding the casualties and loses.Local residents
confirmed the incidents in the area and told AIP that they have seen at
least eight foreign and Afghan forces vehicles destroyed in Gandomak and
Hashemkhel areas. They also mentioned government forces casualties and
bombardment. One local resident told AIP that one of his friends was
working as a police officer in Sherzad District and came home saying the
district was captured by the Taleban.There are no reports of civilian
casualties from the area.It should be mentioned that the area where the
clash has occurred is located 45kms west of Jalalabad (the provincial
capital of Nangarhar Province) and the district headquarters of Sherzad
District is located 55kms west o f Jalalabad.(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)
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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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21) Back to Top
Abbas, Fatah Hold Contacts With HAMAS, Urge Reconciliation To End Gaza
Sieg e
Report by Ali al-Salih: "Al-Ahmad to Al-Sharq al-Awsat: 'I Am Personally
Holding Contacts With HAMAS Leaders in Gaza, West Bank'; Abu-Mazin
Receives in Amman MP Al-Khudari, Head of Committee Against Siege in Gaza
Strip, Announces Dispatch of Delegation" - Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online
Monday June 14, 2010 19:50:20 GMT
Sources close to Al-Khudari, who is heading the Popular Committee Against
the Siege in the Gaza Strip and served as minister of technology in the
10th Palestinian Government that was formed by dismissed Prime Minister
Isma'il Haniyah, said that, when Al-Khudari heard about Abu-Mazin's
positive inclinations, he called and requested a meeting. They added that
Abu-Mazin agreed and a meeting was held in Amman.
It was Abu-Mazin who asked to meet Al-Khudari in Amman before leaving it
for Istanbul in Turkey to participate in a forum for Asian cooperation.
Abbas will then head for Washington to meet with President Barack Obama
tomorrow. He also plans to meet with a number of the leaders of the
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
According to the sources, Al-Khudari discussed with Abu-Mazin all the
disputed issues. They said that clarifications were made regarding many
issues and there was an expression of willingness to achieve
reconciliation. They added that there was talk about a way out of the
crisis. They stated that, yesterday, Al-Khudari left Amman for Cairo on
his way to Gaza, where he will convey this way out to HAMAS. They said
that he hopes he will succeed in unwinding the situation. The sources
refused to reveal the nature of this way out.
Nevertheless, Azzam al-Ahmad, national relations commissioner at the Fatah
Central Committee and the official in charge of the negotiations with
HAMAS, told Al-Sharq al-Awsat that he is personally holding direct
contacts with HAMAS leaders. He said th at these leaders include HAMAS
Political Bureau member Mahmud al-Zahhar in Gaza, and Nasir-al-Din
al-Sha'ir and Samir Abu-Ayshah in the West Bank. He added that these
contacts are being held on the basis of "go sign" the Egyptian
reconciliation document. He stated: "We have expressed a willingness to
take into consideration all the remarks of HAMAS and the other factions
and agree or reach agreement on them, as HAMAS is suggesting. This is in
addition to taking these remarks into consideration during
implementation."
In an interview with the Turkish NTV television channel, Abu-Mazin said
that he was going to send a delegation to Gaza to hold reconciliation
talks with HAMAS. He added: "The best way to retaliate (for the assault)
is to achieve reconciliation between the Palestinian factions and resist
Israel hand in hand." He stated: "We have formed a delegation that
comprises Palestinian officials who will visit Gaza to convince HAMAS of
the (necessity of achieving) reconciliation." He held on to his condition
for achieving reconciliation by stressing the need that HAMAS accepts the
Egyptian document. He expressed the hope that: "we will achieve this goal
this time."
For his part, Al-Ahmad said: "We told HAMAS that, if it believes that it
can lift the siege through ships, then this is an unrealistic notion that
will not be realized." He added: "However, if we want the Palestinian
people to benefit from these ships and the state of affairs they have
created, then reconciliation is a necessity. This is because through
reconciliation alone will it be possible to lift the siege and change the
course of political events." He stated: "The (conflict of) interests will
not allow the United States and Europe to maneuver and will not allow
those hesitant Arabs to act based on reactions."
The Fatah official said: "If Freedom Flotilla, for whi ch the close friend
Turkey is credited, has produced any positive results, then such results
must not be exploited to achieve organizational gains." He added: "HAMAS
must understand that such fleets will not lift the siege. Rather, it is
through reconciliation that the siege can be lifted and a political
transformation can be brought about in the region." He stated: "Those who
believe that the siege will be lifted through ships alone are mistaken. No
real end to the political, security, and economic blockade will be
realized and no freedom of movement and travel for the residents will be
achieved except through reconciliation."
Concerning the rumors about the existence of Turkish mediation efforts to
achieve reconciliation, Al-Ahmad said: "There was a suggestion to have
Ankara secretly host talks between the HAMAS and Fatah delegations, in an
effort to eliminate the differences in positions between the two sides.
This was in order fo r them to travel to Cairo at a later time and sign
the Egyptian reconciliation document." He added: "However, this issue has
been postponed at present."
(Description of Source: London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in Arabic --
Website of influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line
reflects Saudi official stance.URL: http://www.asharqalawsat.com/)
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holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
22) Back to Top
Argentina Political and Economic Issues 12-14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Argentina - OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:51:35 GMT
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Natasha Niebieskikwiat reports on 12 June that in
his visit to Congress yesterday, to welcome the recent committee approval
of the Reciprocal Assistance Treaty, which now goes to the floor, Gang
Zeng, Chinese ambassador to Argentina, reportedly complained about ongoing
Argentine restrictions on Chinese imports.Meanwhile, Hu Jintao's
administration is reportedly upset about Argentina's failure to keep its
promise, made during former President Nestor Kirchner's visit to Beijing
in 2004, to acknowledge China as a market economy. (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 ) China Wants Tensions
Resolved, Values Relationship
- Buenos Aires La Nacion reports on 12 June that Gang Zeng spoke in the
Progress Club and told representa tives of the River Plate University
Foundation (FURP) that "we have to resolve the tensions, as (the) friendly
countries that we are.When the volume of interchange in high, and grows,
it is inevitable for frictions to arise."He added that "in 1972, bilateral
trade reached $6 million and today, reopening achieved in China and
democracy restored in Argentina, the bilateral-trade numbers increased
2,400 times: they reach $14.4 billion."He added that it was important to
consider that bilateral relations resided not only in the economy and that
"culturally we are very close: In Argentina 70,000 Chinese live.And there
are many Argentines learning Chinese.Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jorge
Taiana said in Shanghai yesterday that he was convinced that the
president's upcoming visit to China would be "very successful" and signify
"a new point of departure to reinforce the strategic relationship, very
rich politically and commercially, with that Asian nation.He added that
"it is almost sure" that Cristina Kirchner would include Shanghai in her
visit to the Asian giant. (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 ) Kirchner To Visit
Ecuador
- Buenos Aires Telam reports at 1355 (1755 GMT) on 13 June that Nestor
Kirchner, Union of South American Nations (Unasur) secretary general, will
meet Rafael Correa, pro-tempore Unasur head, in Guayaquil next Tuesday, on
an invitation made by Correa, according to sources close to the former
president, during his visit to Buenos Aires for the Bicentenary.Kirchner
will be accompanied by his advisers Rafael Folonier and Juan Manuel Abal
Medina, Public Administration secretary in the Office of the Cabinet
Chief. (Buenos Aires Telam in Spanish -- Official website of
government-owned news agency; URL:
http:// www.telam.com.ar/ http://www.telam.com.ar ) National Government
Denies Suspicious Trust Fund Set Up With Chavez -
Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 13 June, on its front page and in its
leading article by Antonio Rossi, that in an attempt to take distance from
the case investigating parallel diplomacy and alleged bribes in bilateral
trade with Venezuela, the Planning Ministry, which Julio De Vido heads,
informed investigating Federal Judge Julian Ercolini in writing last week
that the trust fund with Venezuela was "never" formally created and that
Argentine exports were contracted directly by President Chavez's
administration from different entities and local companies.
World Cup -"Mission accomplished-" front page shows coach Maradona and
star
player Messi embracing after Argentina "overcame the exam of the debut and
faces classification with optimism" (Pagina/12, 13 June)
The Post Office has distributed betw een 10,000 and 15,000 set-top boxes
(STB), "the 'little black machines' that nobody knows how to connect," to
sectors of fewer resources in Federal Capital and Greater Buenos Aires,
has
50,000 deliveries pending, and hopes to have 400,000 distributed in July
and
1.2 million in October. The project is part of the launching of the new
high-definition digital terrestrial TV system. (La Nacion, 14 June)
Dissident PJ Needs City Mayor To Defeat Kirchnerism
- Buenos Aires Perfil's Fernando Oz reports on 13 June that according to a
recent national survey made by US Datamatica on 4,700 interviewees, if the
presidential elections were today, Nestor Kirchner would have to confront
Julio Cobos in a runoff.The former president's voter intention is 15% and
the vice president's 16%.However, if the dissident Justicialist Party (PJ)
leaders unite, they would accumulate 15% voter intention -former President
Eduardo Duhalde 6%, Santa Fe Senator Carlos Reutemann 4%, Chubut Governor
Mario Das Neves 3%, and Deputy Felipe Sola (Buenos Aires) 2%- and could
upset the present balance between Kirchnerism and a sector of the Radical
Civic Union (UCR).Once again, as in last year's midterm elections, Macrism
becomes a decisive factor.Mayor Mauricio Macri's voter intention is 9%: An
important amount in a probable three-way-parity scenario between
Kirchnerism, Civic Agreement, and Federal Peronism (PF).The survey
excluded Deputy Francisco de Narvaez (Buenos Aires) because he may not be
eligible to run. (Buenos Aires Perfil in Spanish -- Website of centrist,
critical of Government, newspaper published by Perfil Group.URL:
http://www.diarioperfil.com/ http://www.diarioperfil.com )
Datamatica survey: Presidential candidates' voter intention and governors'
positive images (Perfil, 13 June)
Kirchner, De Narvaez Head Buenos Aires Surveys
- Buenos Aires Perfil's Emilia Delfino repo rts on 13 June that according
to a recent Management &amp; Fit survey, made on 1,200 interviewees in
Buenos Aires Province, indecision still reigns in the country's most
important electoral district, but if elections were today, Buenos Aires
would elect Kirchner president with only 19% of votes; followed by Macri
(7.8%), De Narvaez 7.7%), and the rest: Duhalde, Cobos, Cristina Kirchner,
and UCR Deputy Ricardo Alfonsin.Meanwhile, for the gubernatorial election:
50% is undecided and the other 50% is divided between Governor Daniel
Scioli and De Narvaez, who polls 2.3% above Scioli.
Management &amp; Fit survey: National and provincial leaders
positive/negative
image (Perfil, 13 June)
Anti-Kirchnerite Socialism Retains Party Control
- Buenos Aires Clarin's Lucio Fernandez Moores reports on 14 June that the
anti-Kirchnerite sector was comfortably leading the Socialist Party (PS)
internal elections last night. "Our ticket won by over 90% of votes
nationwide.This election marks the firm decision by the socialists that
they do not want a party directed by remote control from Olivos," said
Senator Ruben Giustiniani (Santa Fe), first candidate to the PS National
Executive Committee for the sector distanced from the government, which is
headed by Santa Fe Governor Hermes Binner, who is on an official visit to
Kuwait.Its victory was overwhelming in Federal Capital: 95%.The only
victory for the Kirchnerite sector was reportedly in Santa Cruz. Alfonsin
Defeats Cobos for Second Time in Seven Days
- Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 14 June that Neuquen Mayor Martin
Farizano, UCR Deputy Ricardo Alfonsin's (Buenos Aires) candidate, defeated
national Deputy Horacio Quiroga, Cobos's candidate, in the Neuquen
internal UCR elections yesterday to elect a gubernatorial candidate.
Former Army Chief of Staff Says 'Not One Bullet Missing'
- Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 12 June that Martin Balza, ambassador to
Colombia, testified yesterday in the case investigating armament
trafficking to Ecuador and Croatia from 1991 to 1995 and said that he
"never" saw any trafficking, that there was "not one bullet missing" in
the Army, that he was informed about the existence of Argentine arms in
Croatia in September 1992, that that information came from Serbian press
reports, and that he reported it to then Defense Minister Oscar Camilion,
one of the 17 persons, including former President Menem, indicted in the
case.Meanwhile, ten heavy cannons are still missing in the Army today.
Malvinas Veterans Protest Against LAN Chile Flights
- Buenos Aires La Nacion reports from Rio Gallegos on 13 June that former
Malvinas (Falkland) veterans, members of the Buenos Aires Civil
Association of Malvinas Combatants, staged a peculiar protest in the
airport here yesterday: A LAN Chile plane made a stopover on its flight to
the islands and they unfurled a bann er, "Glory to th e 649 Heroes of
Malvinas," threw bombs of sky blue and white smoke at the ends of the
runway, and called for the immediate suspension of LAN Chile flights to
Malvinas.This is the same entity that sneaked into the Bicentenary
military parade and marched in front of the stage.Neither the smoke nor
the flag, according to LAN Chile sources, affected the normal operation of
the flight.Meanwhile, the veterans issued a statement condemning the
installation of an oil rig off the Malvinas and RAF flights from Mount
Pleasant through Argentine airspace toward Chile.
Protest (http://www.opisantacruz.com.ar/home/ , 13 June)
Economic Soybean Exporters Put 'All Expectations' on President's Visit to
China
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Jose Crettaz reports on 12 June that China gave
another indication this week that commercial tension with Argentina is far
from ending; it is increasing: In an absolutely unusual decision, it
purchased at least 80,000 tonnes of US soyb ean oil to partly replace
what, under normal conditions, it would have acquired in Argentina.Another
relevant fact is that before making those purchases, the Asian giant
derogated a phytosanitary requirement that was affecting US-manufactured
product.China's restriction on Argentine soybean oil is retaliation for
Argentine trade barriers on entry of about 400 Chinese industrial
products.Now, after failure to progress in visits to China by negotiators
Carlos Paz, National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) vice
president; Secretaries Alfredo Chiaradia (international trade) and Eduardo
Bianchi's (industry), and Taiana himself, "all expectations" are presently
on Cristina Kirchner's upcoming visit there.Meanwhile, Argentine exporters
have managed to place the volume of soybean oil usually purchased for
China in "third" markets, including India, Egypt, and South Africa, and an
important official has revealed that the exporters are reaching the C
hinese market from India. "They are triangulating," he said.Export
sources, who opted for anonymity, did not confirm or deny, but they did
say that operations of that type were "practically impossible." Swap
Enters Final Week: 60% Adherence Targeted
- Buenos Aires El Cronista's Esteban Rafele reports that the debt swap
enters its last week today, 54% of bondholders has entered, and road shows
restart in Japan, Italy, and Switzerland.Finance Secretary Hernan
Lorenzino and Undersecretary Adrian Cosentino will be in Tokyo tomorrow,
Milan on Wednesday, and will travel to Rome or Switzerland on Thursday.
(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 ) Government Says May
Inflation 0.7%; Private Analysts Say From 1% to 1.6%; Gap Closing
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Oliver Galak reports on 12 June that due to
seasonal factors, May is one of the months when inflation is lowest.That
is the reason why the 0.7% that the National Institute of Statistics and
Census (Indec) announced yesterday for May does not represent a slowdown
in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), despite being the lowest rate in the
last eight months.Measured in year-on-year terms, the accumulated 10.7%
that the CPI posted, is the highest in the last 44 months: It was 5.3% in
June 2009.For the Indec, the main drivers were education (3.4%), household
goods and maintenance (1.3%), and clothing (1.1%).Nevertheless, the 0.7%
in May is much higher than the 0.3% posted in May 2009.Meanwhile, as
usual, the "totality" of private analysts reports data considerably higher
than the official for May: From 1% to 1.6%.However, the gap between
official and private indexes, which used to be double or more, has
shortened. Basic Food Basket Increases 20%
- Buenos Aires La Nacion adds on 12 June that a ccording to the basic
basket officially announced yesterday, the average family needed 532.21
pesos ($135.8) and 1,153. 70 pesos ($294.5) in May not to fall below the
indigence and poverty lines, respectively.These figures are 19.9% and
15.2% up on May 2009.Independent analysts report that the respective
figures are 993.50 pesos ($253.6) and 1,881.20 pesos ($480.1). State Oil
Company Increases Fuel Prices Again
- Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 13 June that YPF, which has over 50% of
fuel-market share, has increased prices again: An average of 4%
nationwide, but up to 6.96% in Federal Capital, where its premium products
cost 4.529 pesos ($1.15) and 4.079 pesos ($1.22) per liter (0.264 gallons)
of petrol, Fangio XXI; and diesel, D-Euro; respectively. Meanwhile, sector
sources say that, without considering these last increases by YPF,
year-on-year accumulated increases are 34.2% and 28.5% for Premium and
super petrol, respectively; and 46.9% and 31% for the lowest- and
highest-priced diesel, respectively. Border dispute over pulp mill
Environmentalists Could Raise Blockade Temporarily
- Buenos Aires La Nacion's Marcelo Veneranda reports on 14 June that the
Gualeguaychu Environmental Assembly agreed last night to vote in a meeting
next Wednesday, open to all residents, on the possibility of raising the
highway blockade for 60 days under the condition that the government
demand environmental control of pulp mill UPM (former Botnia) inside the
plant.Meanwhile, there was a climate of "euphoria" in the government
yesterday with the possibility that the blockade could be lifted and the
possibility is "not" being ruled out in Uruguay that President Jose Mujica
could accept in-plant control if that raised the blockade. Clarin's
Leonardo Mindez adds that this is the first time in "42 months" that the
environmentalists will analyze the possibility of raising the blockade.
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23) Back to Top
Egyptian Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Egyptian press on 14 June. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Egypt -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 09:55:58 GMT
http://www.ahram.org.eg/ http://www.ahram.org.eg/
1. Article by Chief Editor Usamah Saraya refutes Israeli press reports
that Abu-Mazin is opposed to lifting the blockade on Gaza, because this
can consolidate HAMAS's position, and that Egypt supports that position.
The writer stresses that Israel's evasive attempts to avo id paying the
price for its crimes will not work and that it has to admit the crime, end
the siege and refrain from taking advantage of Palestinian discord to
perpetuate the occupation. He says HAMAS should not use Amr Musa's visit
to consecrate dissention and that Musa should have taken Arab
sensitivities into account and that he should have dedicated his time to
ending Palestinian discord. He pays tribute to the Turkish position and
Erdogan's emphasis that Turkey backs the Egyptian role in conciliation.
(pp 1, 5; 1,500 words; processing)
2. Article by Abd-al-Mu'ti Ahmad states that Amr Musa's visit to Gaza did
not come in reaction to the Israeli attack on the aid flotilla. The visit
does not consecrate the idea of two states in Gaza and the West Bank, and
will not legitimize the deposed government in Gaza, the writer stresses.
(p 6; 600 words)
3. Article by Makram Muhammad Ahmad stresses that the Bar Association and
the judicial establishment have to reexamin e the rules governing the
professional behavior of their members. (p 10; 550 words)
4. Article by Abd-al-Azim Hammad regrets that developments in the past two
weeks revealed that the "chronic ailments of the Egyptian political elite"
have not been cured and that there is no hope of curing them in the near
future. The writer reiterates that the opposition is "too weak to lead an
organized current to push democratization ahead on the basis of collective
involvement." He says Muslim Brothers failed to respond to the
prerequisites of political rationalization in terms of democracy, national
unity and national security and that all others engaged in "personal"
disputes. He finds it clear that Mubarak's chairmanship of the NDP guarded
the party's stability and unity and protected it from inner disputes. To
turn into a real democracy, Egypt does not lack thought. It lacks
democratic and peaceful organizational means, the writer says. (p 10; 1,20
0 words)
5. Editorial stresses that differences are natural between the various
segments of the society and that peaceful dialogue is the right way to
resolve these differences. (p 11; 300 words)
6. Article by Muhammad Uthman stresses that Egypt and Turkey complete each
other and that they are not in competition. (p 11; 300 words)
7. Article by Board Chairman Dr Abd-al-Mun'im Sa'id says the NDP's
overwhelming victory in Consultative Council elections reveals a high
degree of support for the NDP as much as it reveals a "defect in the
political system". The writer points to "disconcerting signs" in the
political scene, where "liberal groups throw themselves in the embrace of
fascist and autocratic groups", thinking that the Muslim Brothers truly
want a civil and democratic state. He also points to a state of confusion,
where the three major powers overlap and the judicial power meddles in the
jurisdiction of the legislative an d executive powers. (p 11; 2,000 words)
Cairo Al-Akhbar --state-owned daily; root URL:
http://www.elakhbar.org.eg http://www.elakhbar.org.eg
1. Article by Chief Editor Muhammad Barakat stresses that nobody has the
right to use the power invested in him to attack or insult anybody else
and that all are equal in the eyes of the law. The writer trusts that
judges and lawyers will have the wisdom to safeguard each other's dignity
and esteem. (pp 1, 5; 900 words)
2. Report says Egypt filed a complaint with the International
Telecommunication Union over jamming Nilesat transmission during the
opening of the world cup. (p 1; 20 words)
3. Editorial states that Amr Musa's "historic visit to Gaza" came by an
Arab foreign ministers' decision to break the siege and bring about
inter-Palestinian conciliation. (p 6; 250 words)
4. Article by Nabil Zaki attributes US success in wrestling the approval
of 12 UN Security Council members of a resolution imposing further
sanctions on Iran to the "numerous mistakes of the Iranian leadership,"
including its attempts to fan sectarianism, its continued occupation of
the three UAE islands, its backing of Hizballah and HAMAS, Ahmadinezhad's
statements about obliterating Israel from the face of the earth, among
other reasons. (p 18; 1,800 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 is surprised that a group
of Egyptian youth are protesting in front of the Ministry of the Interior
to demand the people involved in the death of a "junky" brought to trial,
especially after forensic reports confirmed that the diseased died after
he swallowed a "joint". (p 3; 1,000 words)
2. Editorial says Amr Musa broke the siege on Gaza carrying an Arab
resolution. (p 8; 120 words)
3. Report cites Usamah al-Shaykh, chairma n of the Radio and Television
Union, as he welcomes Al-Jazirah's open broadcast of the world cup
matches. This spares the Egyptian citizen the burden of descrambling the
code, he says. Al-Shaykh says the Egyptian television covered the charges
of airing world cup matches from state subsidy and commercials.
Al-Jazirah's decision to air the matches on the open channel sought to
deprive us of the revenues of commercials on earth channels, al-Shaykh
says. The contract has a penalty stipulation in that regard and we will
bring them to account for it, he adds. He further explains that commercial
revenues go to FIFA and to the soccer union. He is surprised that
Al-Jazirah accused Nilesat of jamming transmission. It is unreasonable for
Nilesat to harm itself, he stresses. He accused Al-Jazirah if trying to
tarnish the image of Nilesat in favor of Arabsat. (p 16; 550 words)
4. Article by Samir Rajab says Amr Musa's visit to Gaza reflects his
courage and his determination to sa ve what could be saved regardless of
whether or not he stays in his post. If Musa succeeds in reaching a
formula to end the dispute between HAMAS and Fatah, the road will be paved
for lifting or easing the siege on Gaza, the writer says. He is critical
of the statement of Salah al-Bardawil, who described demands to sign
conciliation as political blackmail. (p 20; 700 words)
Cairo Al-Wafd -- opposition New Wafd Party daily; root URL:
http://www.alwafd.org http://www.alwafd.org
1. Article by Muhammad Shirdi says the "dispute" between the Egyptian
television and Al-Jazirah is all about the expected revenues of
commercials. (p 16; 550 words)
2. Article by Dr Amr al-Shubaki runs a comparison between Egypt and Turkey
in terms of their modernization experience. He believes that Turkey was
ahead of Egypt because of its legal and political system that allowed it
to move on to a democratic system where respect for the law represented
the starting point. He also stresses that success at the domestic level
paves the way for success at the outside level. (p 16; 1,400 words)
Cairo Nahdat Misr --Independent daily; root URL:
http://www.gn4nahdetmisr.com http://www.gn4nahdetmisr.com
1. Report says the first round of negotiations in which the parliament
speaker and Ahmad Izz acted as middlemen to resolve the differences
between lawyers and the judiciary has failed. The head of the judges club
refused to sit with the chairman of the Bar Association. (p 1; 600 words)
2. Report cites Isam al-Uryan as he reacts to a news analysis by
Researcher Husam Tammam, in which he said the Muslim Brothers were using
ElBaradei to market them internationally. Al-Uryan denied that Muslim
Brothers are using ElBaradei as an international tool of pressure to
promote their political program in the United States. He denies that the
group will lead the Egyptian Society for Change. The group is just an
ordinary member of t he society and will not seek to lead it, al-Uryan
says. (p 1; 200 words; processing)
3. Report by Wala Abd-al-Karim examines the phenomenon of the "Chinese
invasion of Egyptian markets" by smuggled goods and growing reliance on
Chinese labor. (p 5; 1,500 words)
Cairo Al-Misri Al-Yawm --Yawm--Independent daily focusing on domestic
issues
1. Report on the escalating crisis between lawyers and the judiciary. (p
1; 450 words)
2. Report by Mahmud Jawish and Adil al-Darjali cites informed sources on a
three-hour meeting in the house of former ambassador Ibrahim Yusri between
the general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood and a large number of
politicians. The meeting discussed domestic affairs and chance s of
coordination between the society's active powers. It was agreed to hold
similar meetings regularly, the report says. (p 1; 400 words)
3. Report says the security forces banned a demonstration in front of the
Ministry of Interior to de mand bringing to trial those who were behind
the death of a young man in Alexandria. (p 1; 400 words)
4. Report says Egypt filed an official complaint with the International
Telecommunications Union over jamming of Nilesat transmission during the
airing of world cup opening events. The audience was surprised when
Al-Jazirah aired the match between Nigeria and Argentina on its open
channel despite the fact that the Egyptian television had bought the
match. The Egyptian television is said to have lost millions of pounds
because of jamming. The head of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union is
cited as saying ERTU is examining legal procedures against Al-Jazirah for
violating the contract and for airing the matches on its open channels
although a large number of people had already paid subscription fees.
"Refunds can cost ERTU big losses, because it obtained commission from
audience subscriptions and made great efforts to collect those
subscriptions," al-Shayk h is cited as saying. The executive director of
the Consumer Protection Apparatus is cited as saying subscribers are not
entitled to take legal measures against or demand compensations from
Al-Jazirah, because airing matches on open channels constituted no
violation of contracts. He suspects that a "third party" might be
responsible for jamming transmission. (p 4; 900 words)
5. Article by Muhammad Habib examines the "obstacles" standing in the way
of renaissance. He says rigging in Consultative Council elections
represented a scandalous and disgraceful act that harmed Egypt and its
people and made us look ridiculous before the world. He views violations
of human rights as another obstacle standing in the way of the nation's
rise. (p 6; 2,200 words)
6. Article by Dr Yahya al-Jamal examines the future prospects of a Middle
East settlement in light of the latest developments, especially the attack
on the aid flotilla. The writer believes that f uture prospects depend on
our vigilance and our preparedness to take advantage of the opportunity
Israel presented to us with its stupidity and vanity. (p 17; 1,600 words)
Cairo Al-Dustur -- Independent anti-regime daily newspaper
1. Second part of interview with Dr Muhammad ElBaradei by Chief Editor
Ibrahim Isa. ElBaradei says the Egyptian people must realize that they
have a responsibility. He says he is ready to lead the experience,
provided that the people rally round him. He says the only way to bring
about change is to stand up and say what one thinks. He thinks change can
come overnight if the necessary constitutional amendments are made. He
does not think that his international obligations stand in the way of his
work in E gypt. He states that he is not a professional politician and
that he returned to Egypt as an ordinary citizen. He says the regime does
not apply democratic methods and that one has to use unconventional
methods with the regime, such a s addressing youth via the Internet,
because youth are eager to bring about change. He says he is willing to
respond to an invitation to meet with the president and discuss his
vision. (p 7; 3,500 words)
Cairo Rose Al-Yusuf --State-run daily newspaper
1. Article by Abd-al-Qadir Shuhayb finds it natural of Iran's leaders to
avoid showing their weakness before the United States after the Security
Council imposed further sanctions on Iran. The writer expects sanctions to
reflect negatively on Iran. (p 2; 700 words)
2. Report by Intisar al-Ghitani examines the impact of Al-Jazirah's
measure of opening its scrambled channels to air world cup matches on the
Egyptian television's revenues from commercials. (p 19; 1,400 words)
3. Article by Board Chairman Karam Jabr wonders when Egypt will have a
"new government" that does not take the side of corrupt businessmen or
spend a holiday on the beach as the people boil with frustration. The
writer won ders why the minister of justice has not intervened to
disengage lawyers and judges. (p 20; 1,000 words)
4. Article by Chief Editor Abdallah Kamal says "unbridled media"
deliberately destroy morale, spread frustration and work against the
interest of the society. How can the country rise in such a climate and
how can we fight in the event of war if the domestic front, the backbone
of the country, is in this state, the writer asks? (p 20; 1,200 words)
Cairo Al-Shuruq Al-Jadid -- Independent pro-reform liberal daily,
moderately critical of the government
1. Report by Sabir Mashhur and Yasmin Salim on further escalation in the
crisis between lawyers and judges. (p 1; 500 words)
2. Report by Muhammad Khayyal cites Isam al-Uryan, official spokesman of
the Muslim Brotherhood, on discussions underway to set up a coalition list
of candidates for parliamentary elections under the name of the National
Society for Change. The coalition is to inclu de all national powers,
including Muslim Brothers, al-Uryan says. (p 1; 180 words; processing)
3. Article by Imad-al-Din Husayn states that Mubarak's decision to revoke
all contracts in the tourist village of Amun is not enough. The entire
file of the deal involving two cabinet ministers must be referred to the
prosecution, the writer stresses. (p 2; 600 words)
4. Article by Dia Rashwan says things developed from bad to worse during
the three decades of the NDP domination of the scene, especially in terms
of providing guarantees for clean elections. The writer argues that the
"individual ticket" system is no longer suitable. He points to the low
turnout, which never exceeded 25 percent of the voter community. He refers
to various suggestions concerning the electoral system and the required
amendments to ensure public involvement and clean elections. (p 9; 2,000
words)
5. Report by Inas Abdallah examines whether Nilesat reputation is "at st
ake" and whether certain parties are behind attempts to tarnish the
reputation of the satellite network. The report cites Usamah al-Shaykh,
chairman of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union ERTU, as he accuses
Al-Jazirah channels of jamming transmission to serve "ulterior motives".
Nilesat will not sacrifice its reputation or status over childish acts,
al-Shaykh says. Engineer Salah Hamzah talks about "magnificent
cooperation" between Al-Jazirah and Nilesat, who were both affected
negatively by jamming, which he views as "common" and can happen anywhere
in the world. Hamzah believes that there is a "common enemy" who wishes to
ruin relations between Egypt and Qatar by politicizing the issue. "We deal
with Al-Jazirah as our client and we don't deny that it was harmed as much
as we were by that jamming," he adds. He discredits claims that Qatar
wants to jam the Egyptian satellite because it plans to launch its own
satell ite. (p 15; 2,000 words; processing)
6. Article by Fahmi Huwaydi provides a reading into Dr Mufid Shihab's
testimony before the UN Human Right Council about the state of human
rights in Egypt. Dr Shihab's testimony as is an expression of "good
intentions rather than reality", Huwaydi says. He states that human right
conditions are deteriorating under emergency laws. (p 16; 600 words)
7. Article by Hamdi Qandil wonders why we demand Israel to lift the siege
on Gaza when we refrain from lifting the siege by opening the Rafah
crossing permanently. (p 16; 1,600 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
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24) Back to Top
UK Arabic Press 14 Jun 10 - United Kingdom -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 09:12:45 GMT
1. Editorial by Ghassan Sharbil on opportunities Iranian regime missed
during Ahmadinezhad's first year of his second term both locally and
internationally and the risks it took that do not serve the stability of
Iran or the region. (700 words, processing)
2. Article by Dawud al-Sharayan saying Arab League Secretary General's
belated visit to Gaza Strip exposed marginalization of Arabs in the
region. (500 words, processing)
3. Article by Jihad al-Khazin defending Turkish leaders against charge of
trading with Palestinian cause and pointing to the emergence of an
Egyptian-Syrian-Turkish alliance against Israel. (800 words, processing)
London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in Arabic 14 Jun 10 (Website of
influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line reflects
Saudi official stance. URL:
http://www.ashar qalawsat.com/ http://www.asharqalawsat.com/)
1. Report citing various Iraqi sources on meeting between Iyad Allawi and
Nuri al-Maliki and the view it was message to Iraqi National Alliance they
could forge alliance and form the government. (700 words, processing)
2. Article by Chief Editor Tariq al-Humayd pointing out that despite its
opposition to a nuclear Iran, Saudi Arabia cannot be so reckless as to
have military cooperation with Israel as claimed in reports that Riyadh
gave Israel permission to use its airspace for strike on Iran. (500 words,
processing)
3. Article by Abd-al-Rahman al-Rashid rejecting claim that Saudi Arabia
will allow Israel to use its airspace for strike on Iran. (600 words,
processing)
London Al-Quds al-Arabi Online in Arabic 14 Jun 10 (Website of
London-based independent Arab nationalist daily with strong anti-US bias.
URL:
http://www.alquds.co.uk/ http://www.alquds.co.uk/
1. Report citing Syrian and US Embassy in Damascus sources denying reports
that long stay of Syrian ambassador in Washington means his withdrawal
following Senate's refusal to approve Robert Ford as ambassador to Syria.
(500 words, processing)
2. Editorial commenting on Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa's visit
to Gaza Strip asking what he will do after seeing the destruction caused
by the Israelis and concluding that "past expe riences with the official
Arab order and the Arab League are not cause for optimism at all and
therefore we do not rely too much on Musa's visit to the Gaza Strip or
expect much from the countries he represents." (600 words, no processing
planned)
3. Article by Madawi al-Rashid saying the Arab order's absence from the
political stage has made the Arabs turn away from it and look for a hero
from outside it to defend their causes. (1,400 words, processing) Negative
selection: London Ilaf.com in Arabic 14 Jun 10 (Saudi-owned, independent
Internet dai ly with pan-Arab, liberal line. URL:
http://www.elaph.com/ http://www.elaph.com/)
London Ilaf.com in Arabic 13 Jun 10 (additional selection)
1. Report on security situation in Yemen's Ma'rib Governorate and on
interview with Alawi al-Pasha, secretary general of Alliance of Ma'rib and
Al-Jawf Tribes Council, accusing authorities of seeking to move the war
from Sa'dah to the province and denying reports of alliance with
Al-Qa'ida. (1,200 words, processing)
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.
25) Back to Top
HAMAS Media 10-11 Jun 10
Corrected version: correcting mistake in Al-Batsh's rank in text; The
following lists the leading items featured by HAMAS-affiliate d media on
10-11 Jun. For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at
1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - West Bank &amp; Gaza Strip --
OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 09:03:07 GMT
2. 00:04:07 The European campaign for breaking the siege on Gaza announced
that it has secured the funding for the first six ships of the second
Freedom Flotilla. The flotilla will set sail soon, while other ships from
Bahrain, Egypt, and Kuwait will set sail in the next few days. Anchorman
Tamir al-Sharif interviews a couple of people involved in the flotillas
and their organization in Kuwait and the Gaza Strip. (13 min. 18 sec.)
3. 00:17:37 An Arab artists delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip today
through Rafah crossing to show solidarity with the Palestinians and the
Freedom Flotilla. (3 min. 1 sec.)
4. 00:20:27 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stresse d that
his country will not allow the crime Israel committed against the Turkish
citizens on the Freedom Flotilla to go unpunished. Meanwhile, the
Arab-Turkish Economic Forum meetings started in Istanbul. (3 min. 44 sec)
5. 00:24:59 This evening, the national and Islamic forces in the Gaza
Strip held an "important" meeting with Ambassador Hisham Yusuf, assistant
to Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa, to prepare for the latter's
upcoming visit to the Strip. (23 sec.)
6. 00:28:05 HAMAS Political Bureau Member Mahmud al-Zahhar welcomed Amr
Musa's visit to the Gaza Strip, considering it a positive step toward
breaking the "siege." (1 min. 40 sec.)
7. 00:29:45 HAMAS has condemned statements by Palestinian President Mahmud
Abbas to the effect that he will never deny the right of the Jewish people
to the land of Palestine. HAMAS believes these statements provide the
occupation with a cover for its behavior. (1 min. 35 sec.)
8. 00:31:20 Muhammad Asqul, minister of education in the Gaza Strip, said
his ministry continues its efforts to prepare and render successful the
graduation exams for students in the Gaza Strip. (1 min. 12 sec.)
9. 00:34:35 The Mediterranean Sea is reportedly drawing much attention
following the discovery of a new gas field by an American and Israeli
company. Excavation work will start in the end of 2010. Lebanese Chamber
of Deputies Speaker Nabih Birri called on the Lebanese Government to claim
its right to the gas field and prevent Israel from taking over it. (4 min.
47 sec.)
10. 00:47:04 Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip expressed their
frustration with the fact that they will not be able to watch the football
matches in South Africa due to some technical and bureaucratic problem
relating to transmission rights and fees. (2 min. 54 sec.)
Click here to view the front Page of Gaza Filastin in Arabic, the
HAMAS-run daily newspaper on 11 June Main Headlines
Prisoner Martyred in Occupation Prisons, 16 Citizens Arrested in West Bank
HAMAS: Abbas Statements in Washington 'Unprecedented Political Failure'
Al-Ahmad: Abbas Will Never Visit Gaza
Because Cairo 'Does Not Want Us to Hold Direct Talks With HAMAS' --
Kouchner Pessimistic With Respect to Possibility of EU Supervision on
Rafah Crossing Administration
'Futuh': Occupation Promised To Study Possibility of Allowing Essential
Goods Into Gaza Strip
German Jews Preparing Sail of Humanitarian Ship to Gaza
Arab Artists Union Holds Special Conference in Gaza
Lieberman: Gaza Strip Border Crossings Will Not Be Opened Until Shalit
Receives Visit Ramallah Government Resolves To Postpone Local Elections
86557 Students To Take High School Exams 12 June
Top Stories
A 150-word report on page 9 says that Brigadier General Taysir al-Batsh
was appointed deputy Police chief in Gaza "to promote police wor k and
develop the organization."
A 650-word report on page 14 cites officials from several Palestinian
factions on the statements by US President Barack Obama on the situation
in Gaza. (processing) Opinion
In a 350-word commentary on page 7, Isam Shawir argues that based on
previous experience with the US "global campaign to dry up the resources
of humanitarian aid under the pretext of waging war on terror," it is
likely that "the weak US President Obama will finish the job of fighting
charitable and humanitarian activities which was initiated by the fools
who preceded him in the White House." The writer predicts that the current
situation will change, the embargo on the Gaza Strip will be lifted, and
Israel and the United States will fail in their "schemes to fight Islam
and Muslims."
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyrig ht
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
26) Back to Top
News Roundup 11-14 Jun
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov - Iran - OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 08:54:00 GMT
The following is a roundup of reports appearing in the Iranian media
sources in English, and news and commentaries published in non-US media on
11-14 June 2010. This roundup is in the following sections: (Click on the
links to go to the desired section) POLITICS/DIPLOMACY NUCLEAR
ISSUE/SANCTIONS ECONOMY/ENERGY MILITARY/SECURITY TERRORISM/CRIME/NARCOTICS
DISSENT/OPPOSITION SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY/RELIGION HEALTH/MEDICINE
CULTURE/MEDIA/SPORTS COMMENTARIES/ANALYSES/INTERVIEWS
POLITICS/DIPLOMACY Fars New s Agency: "Iran's President urges Europe to
avoid following US policies"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underlined the decline
in the US power and influence in the world, and called on the European
states to distance themselves from Washington's policies. Speaking to the
United Arab Emirates TV network 'Al-Aan', the Iranian president asked the
European states to act independently and stated, "If they want to move
under the US influence and arrange their ties on the same basis, they
should know that the US power is on a downward trend." "In this case they
will decline like the US," Ahmadinejad went on saying. Pointing to the
West's efforts to isolate Iran from the international community,
Ahmadinejad stressed that the world does not mean just a few European or
western states, rather it is formed of a large number of countries. "In
the NPT conference in New York, Iran proposed its stances and raised its
proposals. The Americans and Europeans also presented their reasons, but
finally more than 180 countries supported Iran's stances and this clearly
shows who has been isolated," he said. President Ahmadinejad also
underlined Iran's close and friendly ties with other states, and added,
"The Iranian nation has sincere and friendly relations with all the world
nations, except the Zionist regime and the US administration." Asked about
Iran's weak relations with countries like Germany and France, Ahmadinejad
said that these two countries were Iran's main trade partners, "but they
are not anymore today". "Today Iran's ties with most of the world
countries are more extensive than those of the European countries. Iran
has no need to Europe anymore; Iran does not need to rely on any alien
power because Iran is a big power itself," the Iranian president went on
saying. (Back to top) Press TV: "Iran slams UNSC silence on aid attack"
(Sun, 13 Ju n) The Iranian president slams the UN Security Council for
approving new sanctions against Iran while "remaining silent" on an
Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid convoy. Speaking to Iranian state
television on Sunday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the UN double standard
regarding the two issues indicated the Security Council is "losing its
legitimacy." Ahmadinejad said the US secured Russia and China's vote for
new sanctions through deals but realized that it had "in fact gained
nothing" through the resolution. The Iranian president also said the
Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla, which killed 20 people, sparked
"global hatred" against Tel Aviv and that the whole world was now
"questioning Israel's 60-year occupation of Palestine." (Back to top) Fars
News Agency: "Turkish Speaker starts visit to Iran"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin arrived in
Tehran on Sunday to discuss ties and cooper ation between the two
countries in meetings with senior Iranian officials. Sahin's three-day
visit takes place at an invitation by Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali
Larijani. During his stay in Tehran, Sahin, who is heading a six-member
delegation, is slated to meet with senior Iranian officials, including
Larijani, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr
Mottaki to discuss bilateral ties and exchange views over recent regional
and international developments. The Turkish speaker will also pay a visit
to Iran's central city of Isfahan in a bid to visit the city's cultural
and historical sites and monuments. This is the first time a Turkish
Parliament Speaker is visiting Iran in a decade. Reciprocal visits by
Iranian and Turkish officials have increased in recent months due to the
two countries' significant role in regional and international issues. A
number of senior Iranian officials, including President Ahmadinejad and
Foreign Minister Mottaki were in Tu rkey last week. Ahmadinejad was in
Istanbul on Monday to attend the high-profile international Conference on
Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). (Back to top)
IRNA: "Anti-Iran resolution, disturbing - Turkish parliament speaker"
(Mon, 14 Jun) Speaker of Turkish parliament Mehmet Ali Sahin here on
Monday called the recent anti-Iranian resolution issued by the UN Security
Council as a disturbing case. Making the remark in a meeting with his
Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani, visiting Sahin said the resolution was
passed in spite of the Tehran Declaration issuance. Referring to the
Tehran Declaration as a positive and useful stride in Iran's nuclear
program, the Turkish official said his country believes that the Iranian
nuclear dispute could be solved through talks. Sahin also said higher
parliamentary cooperation between the two countries will boost bilateral
brotherly bonds. He added that the Turkish government supports all-out
coop eration with Iran in economic and trade fields in particular. The
Turkish parliament speaker also expressed his country's readiness to
remove any obstacles to Tehran-Ankara relations. Meanwhile, Iran's
Larijani said the recent resolution against Iran indicated the
international powers' anger at effective roles the new countries are
playing in solving complicated international problems. Larijani further
pointed to the Tehran Declaration on which Iran, Turkey and Brazil reached
agreement and opined that a new era in international arena is taking
shape. "The international powers' negative reactions to the Tehran
Declaration showed that they do not seek solving the issue, but they want
nuclear monopoly in the international interactions," Iran's speaker
underscored. Larijani called for Iran-Turkey cooperation in the
international and regional spheres as well as strengthening bilateral
parliamentary interactions. Sahin arrived in Tehran on Sunday to meet with
the top Ira nian officials and confer on bilateral relations. (Back to
top) Fars News Agency: "Speaker: World powers seeking to trouble Iran's
ties with Europe"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in a meeting with
Portuguese Envoy to Tehran Jorge Dias Cabral took certain world powers
responsible for problems in Iran-Europe relations. "Some world powers do
not want a development of all-out ties between Iran and the European
countries and by portraying a frightening image of Iran they channel
Europe into a direction that it cannot define common interests with Iran,"
Larijani said at the meeting here in Tehran on Saturday. A number of other
Iranian officials and politicians had earlier warned of western attempts
to spread Iranophobia in the region and the world. A senior Iranian
legislator in February had cautioned that the US move to expand its
anti-missile batteries in the Persian Gulf was aimed at portraying Iran as
a major threat and insp iring the regional states with a feeling of
Iranophobia. Larijani further underscored the importance of parliamentary
relations between Iran and Portugal for facilitating and strengthening
bilateral exchanges in different fields. "The parliaments of the two
countries can define new viewpoints and fields for the growth and
expansion of bilateral relations," he added. During the meeting, Cabral
lamented that the level of economic ties between the two countries does
not fit the age-old relations between Iran and Portugal, and said, "The
two countries enjoy abundant capacities in economic, trade and cultural
fields to develop their bilateral ties." (Back to top) Fars News Agency:
"Official: West fears new ideology presented by Iran"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Head of the Supreme Leader's Office Hojjatoleslam Mohammad
Mohammadi Golpaigani said that the new ideology presented by the Islamic
Republic of Iran is the root cause of West's animosity towards the
country. "Resolutions against and opposition to Iran are not rooted in the
issue of nuclear energy, rather enemies are fearful of the Islamic
Republic of Iran's new ideology that has invalidated all their 'Isms'
(i.e. schools of thought like capitalism and communism)," Mohammadi
Golpaigani stressed, addressing inauguration of Adineh cultural complex
here in Tehran on Sunday. "Because this new ideology will ruin their
fragile palaces," he added. Mohammadi Golpaigani also highlighted Iran's
nuclear achievements despite continued opposition by the West, and noted,
"In the past the westerners claimed that 20 centrifuge machines are more
than enough for Iran, and they accepting possession of 5 machines (by
Iran)." "But now we possess 6,000 centrifuge machines" due to our
resistance against their bullying and irrational demands, he added. The
remarks by the Iranian official came in reaction to West's growing
pressures on the country at the UN Security Council which approved a
fourth round of sanctions against Tehran on Wednesday. (Back to top) Mehr
News Agency: "Egypt to allow Iranian MPs to enter Gaza through Rafah
crossing"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Egypt has agreed to allow Iranian lawmakers to use the Rafah
border crossing to travel to Gaza, Iranian MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi
announced on Sunday. Boroujerdi stated that he talked with his Egyptian
counterpart on Saturday, adding that Egyptian officials expressed
readiness to allow Iranian lawmakers to enter Gaza through the Rafah
border crossing. "(We) have asked the Egyptian government (to allow) the
Iranian parliamentary delegation to go through the Egyptian channel to
enter Gaza," said the MP, who is the chairman of the Majlis National
Security and Foreign Policy Committee. He added that Egypt's overall views
on the issue are positive. On June 8, at a meeting with the director of
the Egyptian Interests Section in Tehran, Aleddin Hassan-Yous sef,
Boroujerdi said the Majlis plans to dispatch a parliamentary group to
Gaza. In addition, Iranian MP Mahmoud Ahmadi-Biqash said on Sunday that
the Egyptian government has agreed to issue visas for 70 Iranian
parliamentarians who have registered to travel to the Gaza Strip. (Back to
top) Mehr News Agency: "Administration is obligated to obey the law: GC
chairman"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Guardian Council Chairman Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati says the
administration is obligated to implement the Majlis ratifications approved
by the Guardian Council. In response to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
recent letter, the Guardian Council published a letter signed by Ayatollah
Jannati. "As you have mentioned, the body which has jurisdiction to
determine whether the Majlis ratifications are in line with the
Constitution and sharia (Islamic law) is the Guardian Council... it should
not be forgotten that after the completion of the examination of the
ratified laws by the coun cil, all bodies have no alternative besides
abiding by the law," Jannati told Ahmadinejad in the introduction of the
letter. Jannati also wrote, "The first two ratifications mentioned in the
letter have been approved by the council and now are considered the law
and the administration should observe them." On June 7, Ahmadinejad sent a
letter to the Guardian Council, saying some laws ratified by the
parliament contravene the Constitution. The president had objected to
three Majlis ratifications in his letter. The first two ratifications were
the Home Construction and Supply Protection Plan and modifications in the
admissions rules of some universities. The president's letter came in the
wake of a fierce row between the Majlis and the administration over the
administration's refusal to implement some of the plans ratified by the
parliament. Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says the administration has
violated some laws ratified by the Majlis, but Ahmadinejad insists that
some ratified laws are not consistent with the Constitution. (Back to top)
IRNA: "President says Iran, Saudi Arabia should stand by each other"
(Sun, 13 Jun) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Sunday that Iran and
Saudi Arabia should stand by each other because they have splendid
position and share common interests and enemies. "Iran and Saudi Arabia
should taje the side of each other given their common religion,
outstanding position and common interests and enemies," President
Ahmadinejad told Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to Tehran Mohammed Ibn
Abbas al-Kallabi here on Sunday. The president said Iran and Saudi Arabia
should have fraternal bonds for three reasons: First of all they are
Muslim and follower of a common religion; secondly, both are main bastions
for Muslims and thirdly they have common enemies. He said Iranians'
resistance to the US and the Zionist regime is in fact aimed at defending
entire regional states. "Enemie s are seeking geopolitical change of the
region, including Saudi Arabia, and today, the Iranian nation has
powerfully stood up to their sinister wishes and is supporting all Muslim
states as a duty." President Ahmadinejad also told the Saudi diplomat that
there are extensive grounds for Iran-Saudi Arabia cooperation. "The
cultural, religious, political, international and economic grounds and
defense of rights of Muslims are the opportunities which both countries
can seize for expansion of mutual cooperation. Absolutely, there are many
enemies which do not wish closer ties between the two countries. We should
be careful and nullify their plans. If Iran and Saudi Arabia stand by each
other, enemies will not dare to continue aggression, occupation or
pressurize world Muslims," said President Ahmadinejad. Al-Kallabi,
submitting his credentials to the President, said in turn that his country
wants to have extensive cooperation with Iran, believing that there are am
ple subjects which the two countries should address through mutual
cooperation. Undoubtedly, no body can affect mutual ties thanks to strong
determination of the two countries' officials to upgrade bilateral and
regional ties and cooperation, he added. (Back to top) IRNA: "President
calls for stronger Iran-Thailand relations"
(Sun, 13 Jun) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Sunday urged stronger
Iran-Thailand ties, saying that certain countries are unhappy and worried
about close relations among states. "The ill-wishing and bullying powers
do not favor security and dignity of nations and countries and therefore
they are trying to impede nations' progress," President Ahmadi nejad told
Thai Ambassador to Tehran Pichai Israbhakdi. The President said there are
extensive grounds for stronger cooperation between Iran and Thailand at
bilateral and international levels which should be used by the two sides.
He said Iran and Thailand can further expand c ooperation and relations in
line with their nations' interests and in favor of global peace, security
and fraternity. Israbhakdi, submitting his credentials to the president,
said for his part that positive historical background of bilateral ties
has proved a suitable opportunity for broader relations in many fields. He
said western media give improper and distorted image of conditions in
Thailand, attributing violence in Bangkok to its government. "These are
not true," he added. (Back to top) IRNA: "Ahmadinejad: Ties between Iran,
Cyprus benefit both nations"
(Sun, 13 Jun) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that the
Islamic Republic of Iran and Cyprus can broaden mutual, regional as well
as international relations and cooperation. President Ahmadinejad made the
remarks in a meeting with the new Cypriot ambassador to Tehran. Profound
cultural ties between the two countries benefit both nations as well as
the entire region, said the Ira nian president. There is no limit on
expansion of all-out cooperation between the two countries, he said,
adding that Iran is ready to expand relations with Cyprus in all fields.
The new Cypriot ambassador, for his part, submitted his credentials to
President Ahmadinejad and said ties between the two nations are very
deeply rooted. Cyrus is determined to further bolster friendly ties with
the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said. He expressed the hope to witness
further expansion of relations between the two countries. (Back to top)
Mehr News Agency: "Grand ayatollahs say Imam Khomeini's family must be
respected"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Grand ayatollahs Ali Safi Golpayegani and Abdollah Javadi
Amoli have expressed deep regret over the recent disrespect to Hassan
Khomeini, the grandson of Imam Khomeini, and urged all groups and
individuals to respect the great Imam's household. "Unfortunately, when we
need unity, empathy, and integrity... some people do unethical a nd
ill-advised things, which undermine unity," Grand Ayatollah Safi
Golpayegani said in Qom on Sunday. He also advised media outlets,
especially Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, to respect the Imam's
family and to try to raise people's hope in the Islamic system. Grand
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli strongly criticized the disrespectful action,
saying it was unjust treatment of the Imam and the Imam's family. On June
4, a number of hecklers prevented Hassan Khomeini from speaking at Imam
Khomeini's mausoleum during the ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of
his grandfather's demise and he was forced to abandon his address. The
move provoked widespread outrage and many clerics and political figures
censured those who disrespected the grandson of the Founder of the Islamic
Republic. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency: "MP dissatisfied with
Ahmadinejad's visit to China"
(Sat, 12 Jun) MP Mohammad Mehdi Shahryari has criticized the president's
visit to Chin a which voted in favor of new sanctions against Iran on
Wednesday. "Whenever a country acts against another country, bilateral
ties won't boost," Shahryari, a member of the Majlis National Security and
Foreign Policy committee, told Mehr News Agency on Saturday. A day after
the adoption of the fourth round of sanctions against Iran by the UN
Security Council, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited China to attend
the Shanghai Expo at "Iran Day". "Since most of political observers and
experts agree on the fact that China and Russia are not reliable partners,
ties with these countries should be revised. As long as a country acts
against the other, their mutual ties won't expand." Lamenting an
endorsement of the resolution by some countries like Uganda, Gabon and
Bosnia, Shahryari stated: "Their votes show that even if Latin American
countries were the members in the United Nations Security Council, they
could have been voting against us." ; "Our relations with these countries
(Uganda, Gabon, and Bosnia) are limited and we cannot have more political
and economic ties with them. They are actually under the pressure of the
West, especially the U.S.," Shahryari noted. He also expressed his
disagreement with some lawmakers who say Iran should use its supremacy in
the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf in reaction to the new
sanctions. This approach is neither effective nor rational, he explained.
"These measures should only be used as the last resort against threats,
more sanctions and foreign animosity against Islamic Republic of Iran,"
Shahryari noted. The new resolution allows inspection of Iranian ships.
However, some MPs have threatened if Iran's ships are inspected Iran will
retaliate by inspecting foreign cargo. (Back to top) NUCLEAR
ISSUE/SANCTIONS Press TV: "Iran mulling response to UN resolution"
(Mon, 14 Jun) Iranian MPs are deliberating on how to react to a four th
round of sanctions against Tehran approved by the United Nations' Security
Council on the ninth of June. "The new round of sanctions proved American
officials' hostility toward the Iranian nation", parliamentarian Kazem
Delkhosh told Press TV's reporter after Parliament's open session on
Monday. "But this will only make Iranians more determined to acquire
modern technology, and they will fight harder for their rights", added the
top MP. This comes as a question mark hangs over Russia and China's stance
on Iran. Although their strong economic ties with Tehran have stopped
sanctions from affecting oil exports, their backing for further sanctions
is regarded as unacceptable by members of Parliament. "The MPs will
definitely have a proper response", member of Parliament Mehdi
Kouchakzadeh told Press TV. "Some MPs have proposed withdrawing from the
NPT while others suggest reducing cooperation with the IAEA",
parliamentarian Asgar Jalali an told Press TV. He said the MPs will
continue their deliberations until arriving at a final decision. In the
meantime, the parliamentarians have reiterated that they will study the
matter carefully to avoid making any hasty decisions. (Back to top) Press
TV: "'Iran to enrich uranium to 20%'"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed the UN
Security Council's sanctions resolution against Iran and announced that
Iran plans to enrich uranium to 20 percent. "We presented a nuclear fuel
exchange agreement to walk on the path of cooperation with the
International community, not to confront other nations," Ahmadinejad told
an ISNA reporter at a press conference in Shanghai on Friday. "Iran will
provide the 20 percent enriched fuel it needs," he added. Ahmadinejad said
the new UN sanctions against Tehran "deliver a death blow to the Security
Council and US President Barack Obama." The Iranian president made th e
remarks after attending events for Iran Day at the World Expo in the
Chinese port city of Shanghai. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran's
President: UNSC sanctions backfire"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday described
the new UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran as a futile
move, stressing that the decision by the world powers to impose further
pressures on Tehran would backfire. Addressing cabinet ministers and
officials from state-owned bodies and organizations to mark the
anniversary of Iran's 10th presidential election last year, President
Ahmadinejad dismissed the world powers' approach and allegations that they
are defending themselves by imposing pressures and sanctions against
Tehran. "The bullying powers issued the resolution in a bid to defend
themselves. But their defense was such an inexperienced move that it
struck a blow at themselves," President Ahmadinejad stated. (Back to top)
Press TV: "Iran scouting for new nuclear site"
(Sat, 12 Jun) The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)
says the country plans to identify a suitable location to build a new
nuclear site there. Ali Akbar Salehi said Saturday Iran hopes to be able
to spot a new location in the country by March 2011 for the construction
of another nuclear site,
http://www.irna.ir/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1173448 reported IRNA. "However,
we won't rush into it; rather, the job should be followed up with great
care and sensitivity", added Salehi. The AEOI chief further touched upon
Tokyo's readiness to cooperate with Tehran on construction of nuclear
power plants. "Not long before the release of the Tehran Declaration had
Japan announced that it would work with Iran to build new nuclear power
stations", Salehi underscored. "Now that the Tehran Declaration on nuclear
fuel swap has been released, Japan is expected to make good on its promise
", added Salehi. Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi said the Bushehr nuclear
power plant is undergoing the last phases of its final test dubbed the
'warm water test'. "The test will be complete in one week", underlined
Salehi. "The AEOI's top priority at the moment is to discover and extract
uranium", added Salehi. He further said exploration operations have been
carried out in almost one third of the country, and will soon be conducted
in the remaining areas. "With the plans and activities carried out, Iran
will turn into a manufacturer of power plants over the next 10 to 15
years", said Salehi. (Back to top) Press TV: "Iran 'ready for dialogue
with P5+1'"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iran's nuclear point man says Tehran is still ready for
dialogue with the P5+1, provided that they modify their preconditions. The
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi
told IRNA on Saturday that the P5+1 -- the five permanen t member of UN
Security Council plus Germany -- are obstructing the talks aimed at ending
the standoff over Tehran's nuclear program. "We have repeatedly stated our
readiness for dialogue, and it is they (the P5+1) who announce a new
precondition each time," Salehi said. "This is while the Islamic Republic
has declared that it will enter talks based on the two proposed packages,"
he added. Salehi criticized the six for creating problems by "proposing a
dialogue that only follows their own interpretations." The AEOI head also
stressed that as Iran's nuclear priority was security, membership in the
Convention on Nuclear Safety would serve Iran's national interests. (Back
to top) Press TV: "Salehi says West pushed to corner"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iran says Western powers have been pushed to a corner of
isolation ever since they decided to adopt new sanctions on the country
over its nuclear activities. Days after the UN Security Council (U NSC)
threw its weight behind a US-proposed resolution for more sanctions on
Tehran, Director of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali-Akbar Salehi
said Saturday that Western countries have already been mired in the hasty
decision. "Already, western countries have been entangled in a quagmire of
their own making," IRNA quoted Salehi as telling a group of reporters.
"The only way (Western powers) can survive this situation with dignity is
for them to accept the Tehran declaration," he added, referring to a deal
issued by Iran, Brazil and Turkey on nuclear fuel swap. (Back to top)
Press TV: "Iran not to exceed obligations with IAEA"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iran says it will continue to cooperate with the
International Atomic Energy Agency, but not beyond its obligations under
the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "The agency will be allowed to carry
out its routine inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities and we are
determined to maintain coopera tion with the IAEA and continue our uranium
enrichment within the NPT framework," Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali-Asghar
Soltanieh,
http://isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1555678 told ISNA on Friday.
"But our cooperation will not exceed our original obligations under the
NPT, so we ask the IAEA to step in line with the NPT in its demands and
requirements from Iran," he added. Soltanieh said the IAEA should also
"act according to its legal framework," expressing regret about the UN
Security Council's "rash decision" to impose fresh sanctions on Tehran
over its nuclear program. He said the move testified to Washington's
rather distinct "uneasiness about the lack of unanimity among the
15-member Council" in the Wednesday vote for a fourth round of sanctions
against Iran. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Spokesman condemns West's
'carrot and stick' policy on Iran"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Tehran - Iranian Foreign Minis try Spokesman Ramin
Mahman-Parast blasted the western countries for their dual track approach
towards Tehran to persuade Iran to give up its indispensible right of
access to civilian nuclear technology. "The carrot and stick policy is
ridiculous and the Iranian nation views it as an insult to itself,"
Mahman-Parast said, addressing a group of university students here in
Tehran on Saturday... Referring to the US efforts to find an excuse or a
flaw in Iran's nuclear program, Mehman-Parast reiterated, "No country is
more aware than the US that Iran is in pursuit of peaceful nuclear
technology for civilian purposes. "But it still seeks excuses, puts
pressure and uses double-standard policies against us," he added. The
spokesman underscored that the pressures exerted by the world powers on
Iran could never force the country to give up its rights of access to
peaceful nuclear technology, and said Tehran's policy is based on logic
and rationale. "If t hey can convince us, we accept (their demands) but if
they cannot convince us, we will stand against them united and will in no
way retreat from our rights," he reiterated. (Back to top) Fars News
Agency: "Iranian judiciary chief deplores 'unjust' UN resolution"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani
condemned the new UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran,
saying the measure unveiled West's lies about its support for peace and
tranquility. "Unfortunately the UN Security Council in an unfair measure
took punitive measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran which has been
committed to all international rules and undertakings nuclear grounds,"
Amoli Larijani said, addressing a number of judiciary officials here in
Tehran on Sunday. "The approval of the resolution revealed the untrue
nature of their peace-seeking claims," he added. The comments by the
Iranian judiciary chief came days aft er the UN Security Council approved
a new round of sanctions against Tehran with non-permanent members Turkey
and Brazil opposing the move and Lebanon showing abstention. Noting that
the resolution was approved under intensive pressures by the US and the
Zionist lobby, Amoli Larijani stressed that the world body approved the
measure against Iran, while it shows indifference to certain countries
which possess hundreds of nuclear warheads, defy requests to joint the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and still continue their illegal
activities. Meantime, he downplayed effectiveness of sanctions against
Iran, and said Iran's experience in the post-revolution era shows that
such sanctions, often completely political in nature, have always
backfired and caused Iranian people's progress and increased their talents
and aptitudes. (Back to top) IRNA: "OIC Union berates UN Security Council
for anti-Iran resolution"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Mahmoud Erol Kilic, Secretary-General of the Parliamentary
Union of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in a statement on
Sunday condemned the United Nations Security Council resolution 1929 on
Iran. In a strongly worded statement, Erol Kilic, described the move as
politically-motivated aimed to prevent the country from vindicating its
legitimate rights on peaceful use of nuclear energy. "The OIC
Parliamentary Union expresses outrage over such resolution and is to
strongly condemn any sanctions against each of Islamic states. Such
resolution runs counter to the principles of human rights and
international rules and regulations," he underlined. (Back to top) IRNA:
"Speaker says Iran will confront US nuclear plots stronger than before"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Sunday the US
and its puppets should never doubt that the Iranian nation will resist
their nuclear plots even stronger than before. He made the remark in an
open session of Majlis this mornin g in reference to issuing of another
resolution by the United Nations Security Council on Iran's nuclear
program. He said Americans has been for so long following up the issue of
Iran's fuel swap both in direct and indirect manners. He further noted
that the US President Barack Obama had in person wrote letters to his
Brazilian and Turkish counterparts asking them to mediate in the issue.
The speaker said that at the mean time the US was trying to make belief
that the issue of fuel swap would take place only within the framework of
interaction and commitment and that confrontational attitudes would be out
of question; a claim, which Larijani said, was later proved to be a hollow
one. Now the world nations, in less than a month after the Tehran
Declaration, were witnessing that America was using the UNSC to have
another resolution approved against Iran, he added. He believed such
behavior in itself reveals the deceiving attitudes of the US to the world.
(Back to top) Fars New s Agency: "Senior MP: Russia losing Iran's trust"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Russia has lost the Iranian people's trust and confidence
after it gave a yes-vote to the new UN Security Council sanctions
resolution against Tehran, a senior Iranian legislator said on Sunday.
"The public opinion in Iran has many ambiguities about Russia's
performance in the past. There is now a wall of mistrust which could have
been brought down earlier," Rapporteur of the parliament's National
Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem Jalali told reporters. The
comments by the Iranian lawmaker came days after the UN Security Council
approved a new set of sanctions against Tehran with Russia and China being
among the supporters of the US-sponsored plan. Jalali expressed the hope
that Russia and China would correct their viewpoints, and said Iran and
Russia move one a similar track in confronting unilateralism "but Moscow's
vote at the UN damages such strategic view". He also reiterated that the
fourth resolution against Iran like the previous resolutions is cruel and
unacceptable to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Russia and China's support
for the UN sanctions resolution against Iran was faced with serious
criticism and protests in Iran. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran to
supply sanctioned goods through intermediaries"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Sanctions and pressures against Iran over its peaceful
nuclear program have no effect on the country, an Iranian legislator said
on Sunday, mentioning that Tehran can purchase its needed commodities
boycotted by the UN Security Council resolutions through international
intermediaries. "Despite sanctions, we can even buy many sanctioned goods
through intermediaries and we shouldn't be concerned in this regard,"
Seyed Mostafa Tabatabaeenejad told FNA. "Many sanctions have, thus far,
been passed against Iran, but none of these sanctions has had any impact
(on the country), " he added. The UN Security Council approved a fourth
sanctions resolution against Iran on Wednesday after non-permanent member
states Brazil and Turkey voted against the new sanctions and Lebanon
abstained from voting. Tabatabaeenejad pointed to the dual-approach of
Russia and China on Iran, and said the yes vote of these two countries to
the new sanctions against Tehran will not affect the trend of Tehran's
progress and its international interactions with other countries. Russia
and China's support for the UN sanctions resolution against Iran was faced
with serious criticism and protests in Iran. (Back to top) Fars News
Agency: "Iran threatens Russia, China with reciprocal sanctions"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Tehran will certainly adopt some reciprocal measures against
those countries which have voted for the new UN Security Council
resolution against Iran, a senior Iranian lawmaker cautioned on Saturday.
"The parliament's Energy Commission has studied way s for taking a
decision on imposing sanctions against these countries," Deputy Head of
the parliament's Energy Commission Abdollah Ka'bi told FNA. "Countries
like China and Russia which enjoy the highest volume of trade and economic
exchanges with Iran will certainly sustain a serious damage in case of any
decrease in the volume of (Iran's) trade with these countries," Ka'bi
reminded. He also underlined that Iran should certainly give a crushing
response to the supporters of the sanctions resolution, as any negligence
in this regard would embolden the arrogant powers to take more measures
against Iran. The lawmaker stated that imposing sanctions on Iran has been
a cruel and stupid measure. He also said the Zionist regime and the US
have obviously made abundant efforts to persuade other countries to vote
against Iran at the UN Security Council. (Back to top) Press TV: "Iran not
to reduce Russia,China ties"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iran says it has no plans to decrease relations with Russia
and China, despite having grievances over their support for a new round of
UN sanctions against the country. Speaking to
http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/NewsDetail.aspx?pr=s&amp;query=&amp;#200;&amp;#209;&amp;#230;&amp;#204;&amp;#209;&amp;#207;&amp;NewsID=1099776
Mehr news agency on Sunday, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National
Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said the
country has made no plans to downgrade relations with long-time partners,
Russia and China. "Iranian officials are rather disappointed with Russia
and China's approval of more sanctions against Tehran, but this does not
mean we are looking for ways to reduce the level of relations with the two
countries," Boroujerdi said. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Rafsanjani:
Iran not to surrender to sanctions"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanja
ni on Sunday blasted the recently approved UN Security Council sanctions
against Iran, and said Tehran would never give in to pressures. "All these
(developments) could be psychological warfare again to bring us closer to
surrender under threats. Of course their experience has shown that Iran
will not give up," Rafsanjani said, reminding that the EU, US congress and
Group 5+1 had all mounted threats of sanctions against Iran in the last
few days before the new resolution was approved at the UN Security
Council. Pointing to three decades of pressures exerted on the Islamic
Republic since the onset of the Islamic Revolution, Rafsanjani stated,
"Thus far, Iran has always proved that it stays loyal to the interests of
the Revolution and people and continues resistance, and all of them have
experienced this." Also during the session, the chairman and members of
the Expediency Council condemned the new round of UN Security Council
sanctions against Iran, and de scribed the move as further bullying by the
arrogant powers to deprive Iran of its inalienable rights. (Back to top)
Fars News Agency: "Parliament to review Iran's cooperation with IAEA"
(Sat, 12 Jun) An Iranian legislator announced on Saturday that the
country's parliament plans to discuss a bill tomorrow on lowering the
level of Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA). "A double-urgent bill for downgrading the level of (Iran's)
cooperation with the IAEA will be put on the parliament's agenda
tomorrow," Alireza Fouladgar said in an interview with FNA. He added that
the Iranian people and parliament are united in supporting the country's
right to access peaceful nuclear energy. Fouladgar blasted the recently
approved UN Security Council resolution against Tehran's nuclear program,
and added, "The US-led western states do not want to endorse Iran's
peaceful nuclear activities." "This is a wrong path take n by the US-led
western states against the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added. The
legislator reminded IAEA's several reports about non-diversion of Iran's
declared nuclear materials, and said all "Iran's nuclear activities are
conducted under the supervision of the agency", meaning that Iran is
pursuing a civilian and peaceful path towards the acquisition of the
nuclear technology. "But the western states are pursuing their own
hegemonic policies towards the Islamic Republic of Iran," he continued.
Fouladgar also underlined inefficiency of the imposed sanctions, and
stressed that such pressure would not foil Iran's quest for the
acquisition of the nuclear technology. "Iran continues the path of its
nuclear activities," he reiterated. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Aboul
Gheit dismisses efficienty of sanctions against Iran"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit underlined a
negotiated end to Iran's n uclear issue, saying that sanctions against the
country would produce no result. In a statement issues on Thursday, Aboul
Gheit reminded that previous sanctions against Tehran have proved
ineffective and merely led to tension between the two sides. He said
sanctions will not help find a peaceful formula to Iran's nuclear standoff
with the West. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Lebanon's vote at UN
Security Council displeases Iran"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iran's envoy to Beirut Ghazanfar Rokn-Abadi voiced Tehran's
displeasure at Lebanon's approach towards new UN Security Council
sanctions resolution against Iran, saying Tehran expected Beirut to oppose
the resolution rather than showing abstention. The Iranian ambassador to
Beirut made the remarks while commenting on Lebanon's vote of abstention
to the UNSC's Resolution 1929 which was adopted on June 9 under US
pressures by twelve votes for, two votes against from Brazil and Turkey
and one abstention from Lebanon. The resolution imposed a fourth round of
sanctions against Tehran for its peaceful nuclear program. Referring to
the Tehran-Beirut friendly ties, the ambassador told the Islamic republic
news agency that Iranian officials had expected their Lebanese
counterparts to oppose the resolution by giving a "No" vote to it.
Meanwhile Rokn-Abadi appreciated those Lebanese political parties and
groups who had expressed dissatisfaction by releasing separate statements
over the adoption of the new resolution and Beirut's move during the
voting process as well. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Russian party
condemns Moscow's yes vote to anti-Iran resolution"
(Sat, 12 Jun) The Russian Constitution Party in a statement deplored
Moscow's yes vote to a new sanctions resolution against Iran at the UN
Security Council. "We are surprised to see that the Russian government has
taken this position and participated in the anti-Iran propaganda at the UN
Security Coun cil and assisted the US to spark a new center of tension at
Russian borders, as this position runs counter to the national interests
of the Russian Federation," the statement said. The UN Security Council
(UNSC) on Wednesday passed a sanctions resolution against Iran with 12
votes while the non-permanent UN Security Council member states - Brazil
and Turkey - voted against and Lebanon abstained from voting. Noting that
the resolution was an inappropriate measure taken against a country which
does not possess nuclear weapons, the Constitution Party reiterated that
the world community should pay attention to those countries and regimes
which are not members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and possess
atomic warheads. "In addition, everyone is well assured that India,
Pakistan and Israel possess nuclear weapons. Possibly South Africa and
North Korea also have nuclear weapons, while these countries have no
undertakings in this regard," the statement added. ( Back to top) Press
TV: "Russian MP: Anti-Iran aye harmful"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Deputy speaker of the Russian parliament Vladimir
Zhirinovsky has criticized Moscow's 'harmful' approval of fresh UN
Security Council sanctions against Iran. Zhirinovsky, the founder of the
Russian Liberal-Democratic Party (LDPR), said Friday that the "Yes" vote
to the US-back proposal had been a mistake, RIA Novosti reported. "The
imposition of fresh sanctions against Iran could harm our relations with
the Islamic Republic," the parliamentarian was quoted as saying Saturday.
"What did the Americans do? They have driven us away from Iran," the
founder of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia went on to say. (Back to
top) Press TV: "Iran sanctions futile: Syria FM"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says the new round
of UN Security Council sanctions against Iran over Tehran's nuclear
program will prove futile. In an interview with the Syrian newspaper
Al-Watan published on Sunday, Muallem stresses that the fourth round of
punitive sanctions was not the solution to the standoff over Iran's
nuclear program. "We, in Syria, still believe that the policy of imposing
sanctions is not useful. The previous UN experiments have proved the
failure of those policies," Muallem was quoted as saying. (Back to top)
Press TV: "Hezbollah slams UNSC hypocrisy"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qasim has
denounced UN Security Council's (UNSC) stance on Iran's civilian nuclear
program and called the body an Israeli advocate. Speaking at a
commemoration ceremony for the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam
Khomeini, in Beirut on Saturday, Qasim said that the latest anti-Iran
sanctions come amid Israeli aggressions in the region and the Security
Council's blind support for Tel Aviv, IRNA reported on Monday. The
Hezbollah official also criticized the pa ssivity of the UNSC and called
it a place where cruelty is legitimized and the principles of justice and
fairness are undercut. "The problem with Iran is not because of the
country's nuclear program, but due to its ethics that disallow the West to
force it into submission," he stated. (Back to top) Fars News Agency:
"Senior MP views UNSC resolution against Iran as opportunity"
(Sat, 12 Jun) The new UN Security Council's sanctions resolution against
Iran can be an opportunity for the country, a senior Iranian legislator
said on Saturday. "The Security Council resolution will not have much
effect and we will turn it into an opportunity through special measures
and we will do something that will make the US repent its deeds," Deput y
Head of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission
Esmai'l Kosari told FNA. Similar to the previous anti-Iran resolutions,
the country will adopt appropriate measures to prevent the new s anctions
from inflicting any damage or harm on the Iranian people. (Back to top)
Fars News Agency: "Bahraini Speaker hails Iranians' wisdom in confronting
crises"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Bahraini Parliament Speaker Khalifa Bin Ahmad al-Dhahrani in
a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Manama Hossein Amir Abdollahian
praised the Iranian officials' wise and powerful treatment of crises. "The
officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have always acted with wisdom,
insight and might after any kind of crisis," al-Dhahrani said on Friday,
referring to Iran's stance on the new sanctions resolution approved by the
UN Security Council on Wednesday. Stressing the firm position of the
Bahraini government, people and parliament on supporting Iran's right to
use peaceful nuclear technology, he reiterated, "Peaceful nuclear energy
is the right of all countries and Iran." During the meeting, Amir
Abdollahian underlined Iran's steadfast stance in dealing with its nuclear
issue, and said the new resolution against Iran was approved under the
pressures exerted by the Zionist lobby and lacks credit and value. (Back
to top) Mehr News Agency: "Iranian MPs draft plan to reassess ties with
Russia, China"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Some lawmakers have drafted a plan to lower ties with Russia
and China due to their vote for new sanctions resolution against Iran,
announces MP Vali Esmaili. "The Islamic Republic has extensive economic
relations with China and Russia, and we did not expect they vote for the
sanctions," said Esmaili, a senior member of the Majlis majority faction.
Unfortunately, these two countries were swayed by the Zionist lobbies and
the Unites States and supported the adoption of the resolution against
Iran, he said on Saturday. In response to this move, lawmakers decided to
draft a proposal to reduce ties with Russia and China which will be
submitted to the Majlis presiding board in the near future, he explai ned.
A conservative politician, Hamid-Reza Taraqi, is of the opinion that China
and Russia would not go ahead to implement the terms of the new sanctions
on Iran. "The recently-approved resolution will not have any affect on
Iran in practice, and Russia and China have announced that they are not
committed to implement this resolution," Tarraqi, a member of the Islamic
Coalition Party, told the Mehr News Agency. This resolution has been
adopted only to put Iran under political pressure to halt its nuclear
program, the former lawmaker opined. However, he suggested that Iran
should reconsider ties with the countries that voted against Iran. He
added Iran has wrongly put too much trust on some countries. (Back to top)
Mehr News Agency: "Moscow betrayed Iran for a pittance: MP"
(Sat, 12 Jun) MP Parviz Sorouri has said that Moscow betrayed its
long-term interests for a pittance by voting in favor of fresh round of
sanctions against Iran. Iran expecte d China and Russia to use their veto
power to block the anti-Iran resolution, Sorouri, a member of the Majlis
National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told the Mehr News Agency.
(Back to top) ECONOMY/ENERGY Mehr News Agency: "Iranian delegation in
Geneva for ILO meet"
(Sun, 13 Jun) The Iranian labor and social affairs minister heading a
delegation of labor and employer representatives arrived in Geneva Sunday
to take part in the 99th International Labor Organization gathering. ISNA
news agency reported that Abdolreza Sheikh-ol Eslami and his group will
review ways of supporting homemakers, reducing the spread of disease in
work environments, creating jobs and the follow-up of the 1998 Declaration
concerning basic rights of laborers. Sheikh-ol Eslami plans to meet his
counterparts and hold talks with Juan Somavia, Director-General of the
International Labor Office during the week-long meeting. (Back to top)
IRNA: "Minister: Iran to turn into m ajor supplier of gas to neighbors"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Minister of Oil Masood Mir-Kazemi said here Sunday that Iran
has diversified plans to meet gas needs of its neighbors, thereby securing
flow of global and regional energy supply. "We explicitly announce that as
a country having huge gas reserves, Iran will play a key role in
guaranteeing global energy security in the future," Mir-Kazemi told
reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony during which a $ 7.5 billion
Iran-Pakistan gas project was finalized. The project is dubbed as 'Peace
Pipeline' to start supply of natural gas to Pakistan from Iran from 2014.
Mir-Kazemi said that as of coming years, Iran will be among key players in
guaranteeing world energy security in the gas sector. Pakistan and Iran on
Sunday finalized $7.5 billion gas project to start supply of natural gas
from Iran to Pakistan from 2014. The landmark agreement was signed by
Iran's deputy oil minister Javad Ouji and a Pakistani delegati on
including Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Resources Kamran Lashari and
Managing Director of Inter-State Gas Company Naeem Sharafat in Tehran.
"Now the project has entered into a new phase and there are no further
formalities left in its way" Naeem Sharafat said. He said the IP project
was another testimony to the long historic and cordial relations between
Pakistan and Iran," the official said. The pipeline will connect Iran's
giant South Pars gas field to Pakistan's Balochistan and Sindh provinces.
Pakistan has to construct about 700 kilometers of pipeline from the border
to connect to its existing gas transmission network at Nawabshah. A
42-inch diameter pipeline is planned to be built, which is estimated to
cost $1.65 billion. The project is crucial for Pakistan to avert a growing
energy crisis, already causing severe electricity shortages in the country
and the project would help generate around 5,000 megawatts of electricity.
Under the gas sale and purchase agreement (GSPA), Pakistan will import
about 750 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) with a provision to
increase it to one billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). The volume of
imported gas will be about 20 per cent of Pakistan's current gas
production and the agreement is valid for a period of 25 years and
renewable for another five years. Iran has the world's second largest gas
reserves after Russia but has struggled for years to develop its oil and
gas resources. Iran state television said the pipeline was 1,000 km (620
miles) long, with about 907 km of it already built. Pakistan would be
allowed under an agreement signed in March to charge a transit fee if the
proposed pipeline is eventually extended to India. The project was revived
and bilateral Iran-Pakistan Joint Working Group (JWG) was established with
its first meeting being held from December 29-30, 2003 in Islamabad. (Back
to top) Fars News Agency: "Pakistan dismisses link between UN resolution,
gas agreement with Iran"
(Sat, 12 Jun) The Pakistani foreign ministry announced on Saturday that
the new UN sanctions resolution against Tehran will in no way affect
Islamabad's intention for supplying gas from Iran. "The recent anti-Iran
sanctions at the Security Council will have no effect on the pipeline
contract for transferring Iran's gas to Pakistan," Pakistani Foreign
Ministry Spokesman Abdul Basit said today. The UNSC's resolution (1929)
was adopted on June 9 under US pressures by 12 votes for, two votes
against from Brazil and Turkey and one abstention from Lebanon. The
resolution imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Tehran for its
peaceful nuclear program. Basit pointed out that sanctions are focused on
Iran's nuclear program and the country's ballistic missiles, while the
pipeline agreement is an economic issue and is not related to the
sanctions. He made the remarks referring to the endorsement of a final
agreement by Tehran and Isla mabad in March to launch implementation of a
project for exporting Iran's rich gas reserves to the energy-hungry
south-Asian nation. (Back to top) Press TV: "Iran oil industry to draw $50
bn in funds"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Iran's oil industry is expected to absorb more than $50bn in
foreign investment by March 2011 given the projects already underway
across the nation. "We welcome foreign investment in the projects.
However, we will tap into domestic potential if there is a lack of foreign
finances", Iran's Deputy Oil Minister Ahmad Ghal'e Baani was quoted by
IRNA as saying on Saturday. On Iran's oil policies in the wake of the new
UN sanctions resolution against the country, he said "A series of measures
will definitely be adopted in that regard". "Iran's oil industry has long
been operating independently and does not need others' (foreigners')
decisions", added the top official. He underlined Iran will use sanctions
as an opportunity to utilize local potentialities. "Iran's current oil
production hovers around more than four million barrels per day which is
based on the quota set by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC)", added the deputy oil minister. OPEC's official output
ceiling presently stands at 24 million 850 thousand barrels per day. (Back
to top) IRNA: "Agricultural exports reach $4.2b - minister"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Minister of Agriculture Jihad Sadeq Khalilian said Sunday
that the country enjoyed 4.2 billion dollars worth of agricultural exports
in the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2010). Khalilian made
the remarks while addressing a national seminar in the capital. The
minister underlined the need for obtaining self-sufficiency in the
agricultural field and promotion of agricultural exports in the country.
(Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran hikes non-oil exports by 33%"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Iran's non-oil exports showed a 33.3% growth in value and
amounted to over $4.5 billion in the first two months of the current
Iranian year (March 20 to May 20). "Iran's exports, including liquid gas
byproducts, in the first two months of the current Iranian year amounted
to over $4.5 bln, showing a 30% growth in weight and 33.3% increase in
value, compared to the same period last year," Iranian Custom's
Director-General for Statistics and Information Technology Hossein Kakhaki
told FNA. The official further pointed out that the country's imports
showed a decline of 6.3% in weight, and 19.8% in value during the same
period and reached nearly $8.4 bln. According to Kakhaki, the top 10
Iranian non-oil export products were hydrocarbons, liquid gases, liquid
propane, polyethylene, liquid butane, pistachio nuts, ethylene, methanol,
Portland cement, cucumbers and pickles. He added that the primary
destinations of Iranian exports are China, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates,
India and Afghanistan. The c ustoms officials also noted that while the
annual figures for Iran's export in the past year have not been finalized,
the country realized $21.32 bln in non-oil exports which exceeded
government target of $12.7 bln, reflecting a 165.9% surplus. (Back to top)
Mehr News Agency: "1.5m tons of goods transited through Iran in 2 months"
(Sun, 13 Jun) In the first two months of the Iranian calendar year
(started March 21) over 1.5 million tons of various goods worth some $4.68
billion were transited through Iranian borders. The Mehr News Agency
reported that these figures are 60 percent heavier in terms of weight and
38 percent more in value compared to the same period the year before. In
the period from March 21 to May 20 230,000 tons were exported first and
foremost to Iraq which constitutes 14.7 percent of the total exports
through Iran. China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the UAE and other counties
stood in lower places respectively. (Back to top) Mehr News A gency: "Iran
car output up 9%"
(Sat, 12 Jun) Domestic car producers manufactured 218,694 cars of
different types in the first 2 months of the current Iranian calendar year
(started March 20, 2009). The amount shows a 9 percent increase compared
with the figure corresponding to the same period last year, the Islamic
Republic of Iran News Network reported. In the mentioned period, 187,507
passenger cars have been produced, which is 9.5 percent more than the year
before. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "MP: Western companies competing
for investment in Iran"
(Sun, 13 Jun) Western companies are striving hard to take part in
investment projects in Iran despite a fresh set of UN Security Council
sanctions against the country, a member of the Iranian parliament stated
on Sunday. "Companies active in the West and Europe are seeking to
establish proper ties and contacts with Iran through economic mediators
and intermediaries," Rapport eur of the parliament's Development
Commission Mohammad Reza Hosseinnejad told FNA, responding to a question
about possible impacts of new UN sanctions on Iran's economy. "Crisis in
the economic situation of the countries that back up the sanctions
(against Iran) as well as their investment companies' lack of relations
with Iran have brought large losses for them," the Iranian legislator
explained. He stressed Iran's economic independence, and underscored,
"Iran's economy has grown due to its independence, and that was for the
same reason that the financial crisis in the West and Europe did not harm
our country effectively." Hosseinnejad also underlined that Iran's
self-sufficiency contributes a major share in the steadfastness of the
country's economy in confrontation with sanctions. (Back to top) Fars News
Agency: "Analyst: Iran-UAE trade ties unaffected by sanctions"
(Sun, 13 Jun) An Iranian economic activist in the United Arab Emirat es
stressed that the UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran could not
affect the country's trade ties with other countries. "The new restriction
and sanctions do not affect our business in the UAE because we have
already been hit by the previous sanctions in the latest three rounds,"
Executive Deputy Head of the Iranian Business Council in the UAE Morteza
Masoumzadeh said on Sunday. "It's not something that will affect our
future," he said. Pointing to the close economic ties between the two
Persian Gulf littoral states, Masoumzadeh stated that "Iran and the UAE
have historical and traditional ties" and such measures cannot leave a
major impact on the two countries' relations. "This is not something new;
there have always been Iranian trade houses in the UAE and Emirate
businessmen in Iran... around 8,000 Iranian companies are operating in the
UAE at the moment," he noted. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Official:
Iran's i mports, exports not affected by new sanctions"
(Sun, 13 Jun) The Security Council's sanctions resolution against Iran
will leave no impact on the country's imports and exports, a customs
official said on Sunday, stressing that the measure cannot inflict any
damage on the Iranian nation. "The new Security Council sanctions against
Iran have been imposed on strategic goods, including weapons and
munitions, and will not have any effect on Iran's exports and imports of
commodities through intermediaries and investment," Iranian Customs'
Director-General for Statistics and Information Technology Hossein Kakhaki
told FNA. The official also said Iran's non-oil exports showed a 33.3%
growth in value and amounted to over $4.5 billion in the first two months
of the current Iranian year (March 20 to May 20). "Iran's exports,
including liquid gas byproducts, in the first two months of the current
Iranian year amounted to over $4.5 bln, showing a 30% growth i n weight
and 33.3% increase in value, compared to the same period last year," he
said. (Back to top) MILITARY/SECURITY Fars News Agency: "Iran-made
choppers start operation"
(Sun, 13 Jun) A senior Iranian Army commander announced on Sunday that a
number of sophisticated unmanned choppers newly designed and produced by
the country's experts started operation for the Iranian military.
Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza
Pourdastan said in an interview with FNA that the unmanned choppers have
already been tasked with scouting and combat missions. "Production of
unmanned choppers for scouting missions, which can also be armed for
combat missions, was carried out in the Army Ground Force and the choppers
are used in different sections," Pourdastan mentioned. "The choppers have
already been tested and evaluated in different wargames," the commander
continued. The commander also noted that utilization o f Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs) has now entered the literature of and become a routine for
the Iranian Armed Forces. Last week, a senior Iranian commander announced
that the Air Force plans to form a battalion of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAVs) in all its bases across the country. "In every Air Force fighters
base, a UAV battalion will be formed," Lieutenant Commander of Iran's Air
Force Mohsen Darrebaqi told FNA, adding, "These UAV battalions have
already been formed in four bases." Noting that the UAV units of the Air
Force have been operative for as long as many years, Darrebaqi pointed out
that these units are currently tasked with intelligence and information
gathering and reconnaissance missions. (Back to top) Press TV: "Iran
insists on S-300 delivery"
(Sun, 13 Jun) A senior Iranian lawmaker urges Moscow to "stand by its
commitments" after the Kremlin made a snap decision to freeze the sale of
the S-300 defense system to Tehran. In the wake of a UN Security Council
decision to impose fresh sanctions on Iran, Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin has reportedly assured fellow Western leaders that Moscow
would shelve a long-stalled deal to deliver the S-300 air-defense missiles
to the government in Tehran. Deputy Head of the Iranian Parliament's
National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Esmail Kowsari reacted to
the sudden decision made by the Kremlin on Saturday, asserting that Russia
is "bound by an agreement to provide Iran with the advanced defense
system." "Russia should abide by agreements made between the two countries
and deliver the system to Iran," Kowsari told Mehr news agency on
Saturday. "But if they end up refusing to deliver the systems, we are well
capable of producing missile defense systems that are very much similar to
Russia's S-300 apparatus," he noted, referring to plans in Iran to develop
an air defense system that is reported to be comparable to and even more
sophisticated than the advanced Russian S-300 system. (Back to top)
TERRORISM/CRIME/NARCOTICS Press TV: "Iran arrests Kurdistan assassins"
(Mon, 14 Jun) Iranian security forces have identified and arrested at
least 13 members of a terrorist organization allegedly involved in the
assassination of its Kurdistan province's high-ranking figures. In a
statement released on Monday, Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced that
police officials have managed to track down the terrorists, who staged the
assassination of two prominent Kurdish figures in September 2009. Mohammad
Sheikholeslam, the representative of Kurdistan Province in Iran's Assembly
of Experts, was shot dead on his home doorsteps in the Western city of
Sanandaj, only days after the city's Friday Prayers leader Borhan Ali was
gunned down by a group of armed individuals. "The group was directly
engaged in various assassination plots and acts of violence against (Irani
an officials) and were captured while they were scattered in the provinces
of Qazvin, Hamedan, Kurdistan, and Mazandaran," the statement said. "They
had in their posses (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran arrests MKO
members"
(Sun, 13 Jun) An Iranian official announced on Sunday that several members
of the anti-Iran terrorist group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization
(MKO), were arrested in Tehran yesterday, while they were seeking to spark
tension in the Iranian capital on the anniversary of the last year's
presidential election. "Based on the information received (thus far), a
number of MKO members are among the individuals who were arrested by the
people (civilians) yesterday," Governor-General of Tehran Morteza Tammadon
said on Sunday. The official declined to provide any further det
27) Back to Top
Commentary Suggests Greece Use Turki sh-Israeli Rift For Foreign Policy
Gains
Commentary by ELIAMEP Think Tank Director Thanos P. Dokos: "Opinion: Will
It Be An Opportunity for Greece?" - I Kathimerini tis Kiriakis
Monday June 14, 2010 08:42:17 GMT
(Description of Source: Athens I Kathimerini tis Kiriakis in Greek --
Sunday edition of the influential independent daily)
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.
28) Back to Top
Pakistan Author Urges Consensus of UN Members for Security Council
Enlargement
Article by Asif Ezdi: Reforming the UN Security Council - The News
Online
Mond ay June 14, 2010 07:14:39 GMT
Monday, June 14, 2010
The US-India Security Dialogue held in Washington in the beginning of this
month has raised expectations in India of a forward movement, with US
backing, on India's so far stalled bid to become a permanent member of the
UN Security Council. Apart from the heart-warming words on India's
emerging global role, US officials also made plenty of "forward-leaning"
statements, to use Assistant Secretary Blake's language, on India's
aspirations for a seat at the top table. At a media briefing, he mentioned
in particular Under-secretary Burns' statement on the eve of the dialogue
that India's expanding global role would naturally make it an important
part of any future consideration of Security Council reform.
Hillary Clinton also made a similar statement at the opening of the
plenary session. Later, at her press conference with Krishna, she
reiterated that US w as very committed to considering India, while also
pointing out that the challenge was to find a consensus on the reform
issue.
At his interaction with the media, Blake spoke also of an ongoing debate
in the US government on how to expand the Security Council while at the
same time maintaining its effectiveness. This, combined with Blake's
remark that Obama is looking forward to "ambitious results" from his visit
to India in November, has triggered speculation in India that he might on
this occasion announce US support for an Indian permanent seat. As is
known, after getting the nuclear deal from Washington, Delhi has almost
made the Security Council issue the litmus test of US's declared goal of
helping India's global rise.
By coincidence, the India-US security dialogue took place at the same time
as the UN General Assembly began discussion in New York on a controversial
"negotiation text" on Security Council reform. The first step towards this
highly divisive move was taken in September 2008, when the Assembly
decided, after years of inconclusive discussions in a working group, to
shift the matter to its "informal plenary" for intergovernmental
negotiations, as demanded by India and other aspirants for a permanent
seat. Their expectation was that the new format, which permits
decision-making by vote in place of the consensus rule followed in the
working group, would enable them to push through a resolution for creating
new permanent members. The objections and reservations of a large number
of influential countries which included not only those like Pakistan that
oppose new permanent members but also three of the existing permanent
members (US, China and Russia), who similarly favour a consensus-based
outcome on the reform issue, were overruled.
It remains to be seen whether this move for "text-based negotiations" will
bring India and its allies in the Group of Four (G-4) - Brazil, Germany
and Japan - any nearer to their cherished goal of permanent membership.
The last time they tried to put the matter to a vote was in 2005. They
came close, but failed because of some last-minute lobbying by the United
States and China, which for different reasons were opposed to the G-4
expansion plan, though not to the idea of creating a few more permanent
seats.
There has been no significant change in the positions held by different
countries and groups since then. The main divide is between G-4 and other
aspirants for permanent seats on the one hand and the dozen or so
"mid-tier" countries (including Pakistan) who oppose new permanent seats
on the other.
Not surprisingly, the main concern of the five permanent members is to
preserve their privileged position. Two of them (US and China) have
nothing to fear. United States is the super-power of yesterday, today and
tomorrow and while willing to add more members to the Security Council
would li ke the expansion to be small so that it retains its
"effectiveness."
China, generally considered as the superpower of tomorrow, has supported
Security Council expansion to give greater representation to the
developing countries but it has strong reservations on giving a permanent
seat to Japan. On India's candidature, Beijing has maintained a studied
ambivalence.
The two weakest members of the club of permanent members are France and
Britain. These former great powers have come to realise that if Security
Council reform is delayed for too long, the decline in their international
influence might have gone so far that their status as permanent members
may become untenable. Without their seats on the Security Council, their
international clout would be about the same as that of Spain (no offence
meant), another country with a glorious imperial past but hardly one of
the movers and shakers on the world scene. Britain and France have
therefore recently bee n pressing for an early increase in permanent
membership in the hope of perpetuating their own permanent seats. They are
now among the staunchest supporters of India's claim to a permanent seat.
Among countries which have been nursing ambitions for permanent seats are
not only the four members of G-4, but others like Indonesia, Mexico
(formerly) and a few African countries. The main contenders for the two
permanent seats envisaged for Africa under the G-4 proposal are South
Africa, Nigeria and Egypt.
The main opposition to G-4 comes from a dozen large countries (Pakistan,
Indonesia, South Korea, Iran, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Algeria and
Mexico) which are not prepared to be reduced to third-class status, along
with the vast bulk of the UN membership, as would be the result if the G-4
manages to get permanent seats. For want of a better collective title,
these countries (some of which are actually bigger than half the
membership of G-4) are referred to as mi ddle-sized or mid-tier states.
They could also be described as "threshold countries" because they can all
make plausible cases for becoming permanent members. Not all of these
countries are members of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group which
opposes G-4's claim, because some of them, like Egypt and Indonesia,
entertain the false hope that they could themselves become permanent
members. Iran too has not joined the UfC for a mixture of motives.
The unending debate on Security Council enlargement has firmly pitched the
aspirants for permanent seats against the threshold countries. The
positions of the two sides have now become so deeply entrenched that a
compromise is virtually impossible. If new permanent members are created,
it is hardly conceivable that the threshold states (or most of them) will
acquiesce in being reduced to a third-class status. There is already a
precedent. In 1926, Brazil withdrew from the League of Nations when it was
not given a per manent seat on the Council although Germany, which joined
the League in the same year, got one. Spain also gave notice of withdrawal
but later decided to remain a member.
The threshold countries may not have the numbers to match the G-4 in the
General Assembly but collectively their collective political weight is
enormous. It would greatly help clarify the stakes involved if they were
to make it known how they would react if the demand of a handful of
countries for permanent seats were accepted. One option would be to for
these mid-tier countries to terminate their cooperation with the Security
Council. But there are other possibilities as well. This is a matter they
should be deliberating upon individually as well as collectively. A summit
meeting of the threshold countries before the next General Assembly
session should be considered to discuss this matter.
The argument that the current composition of the Security Council does not
represent the present-day re alities is right. But adding four, five or
six new permanent members is not the answer. At the end of the Second
World War, power was concentrated in hands of the Big Three. Today, it is
diffused among two dozen or so countries. The restructured Security
Council must reflect this reality and the new configuration must be based
on consensus of the entire UN membership. If the G-4 is allowed to
gate-crash into the club of permanent members, they would be putting the
future of the world organisation in serious jeopardy.
(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.
29) Back to Top
DPRK Party Organ Denounces IAEA Director General's Remarks on DPRK Nuclear
Issue
Commentary by reporter Kim Chong-son: "Spiritless Remarks of an Ignorant
Man"; The author's title in the byline provided by KPM may be different
from that which appears in hard copy - Rodong Sinmun (Electronic Edition)
Tuesday June 15, 2010 02:19:37 GMT
He uttered spiritless remarks that our country should fulfill all of its
"obligations" related to the nuclear non-proliferation and that it should
comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Safeguards
Agreement in accordance with the United Nations Secu rity Council (UNSC)
"resolution" (adopted) following the nuclear test in 2006 and "inform" the
IAEA of the status of the implementation. He even called on the countries
concerned to make effort for a resumption of the Six-Party Talks, with the
aim of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.
Ignorant people are bound to ramble incoherently. Amano appears to be an
ignorant man who does not know whether the Sun rises in the east or in the
west. What he grumbled about was unreasonable sophism not worth listening
to.
It is already known what kind of person Amano is. He is a Japanese with
strong pro-US tendency who initially failed to be elected as the director
general of the agency due to the opposition of the developing countries,
but later barely managed to have himself elected through money diplomacy.
He is the person who made such a presumptuous remark, as soon as he
assumed the office of the IAEA Director General, that Japan has "made its
u tmost" in the field of nuclear non-proliferation in the postwar period
and that he would settle the nuclear issue involving the DPRK and Iran
before his term of office expires. There is no reason to believe such a
person, who is so pro-US and so insanely subservient to the United States
and who dances to the tune of his US master, will speak reasonably. Now,
it is necessary to seize this opportunity to make him get rid of his habit
once and for all.
How ignorant he is to insist that we should implement our "obligations"
regarding the NPT and comply with the Safeguards Agreement! Our country is
not a member of the IAEA and not a signatory to the NPT. Moreover, our
Republic has never recognized the unfair UNSC "resolutions."
Amano exhibits his ignorance through his careless words, not knowing the
history of the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula. The nuclear issue of
the Korean peninsula in essence came into existence because the Unite d
States brought nuclear weapons into South Korea and has posed nuclear
threats to us for over half a century.
The United States is the ringleader that brought nuclear weapons into
South Korea first. In the latter half of the 1950s, the United States
relocated nuclear weapons it had deployed in Japan to South Korea. The
deployment of nuclear weapons in South Korea by the United States has
continued without interruption and its number reached approximately 1,000
by the mid-1970s.
To cope with a serious situation in which the United States turned South
Korea into the largest nuclear arsenal in the Far East by bringing into it
a large number of nuclear weapons, while devoting itself to maneuver of
nuclear blackmail against the DPRK, our Republic has made every effort
possible to turn the whole of the Korean peninsula into a nuclear-free
region and ultimately eliminate the danger of a nuclear war from this
region.
Had the United States not threatened and bla ckmailed the DPRK, the
nuclear issue between the DPRK and the United States would not have
cropped up to begin with and the situation on the Korean peninsula would
not have worsened to the degree as seen today. The United States gravely
threatened our country's sovereignty and right to exist after designating
the DPRK as a part of an "axis of evil" and a "target of preemptive
nuclear attack."
It was for the purpose of eliminating the US nuclear threat and exercise
the right to use nuclear (energy) for peaceful purposes , not for the
purpose of having its right trampled upon that our country subscribed to
the IAEA and the NPT in the past.
We have withdrawn from the IAEA and the NPT to cope with the serious
situation where nuclear threat from the United States increased and the
supreme interests and security of the country were seriously infringed
upon and had no choice but to have our own nuclear deterrent in our
possession. From the moment w e withdrew from the IAEA and the NPT, our
country bore no obligations whatsoever.
It is absurd for Amano, who does not know anything about this, to talk
about the so-called implementation of "obligations" and compliance with
the so-called Safeguards Agreement. Such an absurd logic will not convince
anyone.
It is highly ludicrous to hear him say as if he were "interested" in the
resumption of the Six-Party Talks. It is due to the United States and
South Korea that the Six-Party Talks are not being held. The Obama
administration has kept the nuclear issue from moving ahead by enforcing a
hard-line, hostile policy toward the DPRK and in the end, had the South
Korean puppets fabricate the sinking incident of "Ch'o'nan (Cheonan)," a
smear act against the Republic, and used it to completely block the
process of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula and resuming the Six-Party
Talks.
Would it not be the least requirement for the Direc tor General of the
IAEA to have a basic knowledge about and history of the nuclear issue of
the Korean peninsula and in what state the Six-Party Talks are?
It is doubtful whether such a person who does not know anything about such
things and thoughtlessly dances to the tune of the United States would run
an international agency without a hitch. If Amano serves the United States
as its spokesman and acts like a puppet whose wire is pulled by the
latter, while extremely distorting the essence and history of the nuclear
issue of the Korean peninsula by being servile to the United States, and
plays the game of putting pressure on us, this will only disgrace his
stature as the director general of an international agency and dim its
image. He is well advised to have clear understanding of the essence and
history of the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula, take a fair position
on it, and act properly, if he is interested in settling it.
(Description of Source: Pyong yang 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:ComIAEADirectorGeneralRS14Jun10.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.
30) Back to Top
DPRK Central Radio Program Review for 14 Jun 10
Following is a compilation of Korean Central Broadcasting Station's
program previews for 14 June, which are aired daily at approximately 2000
and 0300 GMT. Programming schedule changes and summaries of talks and
programs are noted in editorial brackets; no further processing pla nned
on any of the items unless otherwise indicated. OSC has filed program
summaries of all the newscasts as the two referent items. - Korean Central
Broadcasting Station via Satellite
Monday June 14, 2010 14:50:36 GMT
(This first of the five-part repercussion by the world people, progressive
mankind's boundless praise of "Great Leader (widaehan ryo'ngdoja) Comrade
Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho'ng-il)" who is "intensifying and developing chuch'e
idea through his extraordinary wisdom and prominent political ability and
immortal contribution in realizing the cause of independence of
mankind."Opens with praise carried on Peruvian newspaper article. (6
min)); Followed by music of Merited State Choir at 2016 GMT
2023 Poem "The General Stood Before Mother (o'mo'nim ap'e changgunnimu'n
so' kyesyo'tsu'mnida)"
(Repeat; This poem by "(Kim To'k-so'n)" a nd read by "(Announcer Han
Kyo'ng-hi)" about the general standing at Osando'k (hometown of Kim
Cho'ng-suk) unable to forget the mother's love and telling that day of
powerful state that both the fatherly leader (o'bo'i suryo'ngim) hoped for
all throughout his life and mother picture in her mind is approaching.
talks about the general's pledge to speed up day of a powerful state
encouraged by mother's smile (joy). (5.5 min))
2100 News and weather2200 News and weather2225 Unattributed talk "Fiery
Revolutionary Who Lived (His) Whole Life Like Fire" (This program about
"Comrade Kim Ch'o'l-chu (Kim Chol Ju; Kim Jong Il's uncle) upon the 75th
anniversary of his demise (on 14 June 1935).Introduces anecdotes that
showed him as devoting his youth and whole life to carry out the great
leader's (widaehan suryo'ngnimu'i) revolutionary cause according to the
great leader's intention, line, policy and instructions.Notes Kim
Ch'o'l-chu being example of " ;chuch'e-type revolutionary" today.Notes his
great life and immortal revolutionary achievement forever shining together
with the military-first era and greatly encouraging the DPRK people's
struggle to build a powerful state today.Concludes noting the people while
engraving in their hearts, indomitable revolutionary fighter Comrade Kim
Ch'o'l-chu's spirit of death-defying implementation and highly upholding
the respected and beloved general Kim Jong Il's military-first
revolutionary leadership, to make this year that marks the 65th founding
anniversary of the party into meaningful year in which brilliant heyday of
the improvement of the people's living standards unfolds. (8.5 min))
2300 Music (Starts with "Unforgettable Song" that opens with the Song
"Workers Party Is Our Guide (rodongdangu'n uriu'I hyangdoja)" that was
created in 1957) 14 June
0000 Overview of today's central newspapers (Overview of 14 June Monday
Rodong Sinmun (Nodong Sinmun) (nearly 5 min))0012 (0010 GMT) Rodong Sinmun
special article "Our Party's Immortal Achievement That Led Chuch'e
Socialist Cause to Victory"
(This 11 June Rodong Sinmun page-two special article by Kim Hong-ku'n
talks about the general's guidance and immortal achievement for the
socialist cause and the DPRK army and people's will to complete chuch'e
socialist cause.(14 min))
0100 News and weather0113 (Unscheduled) Editorial carried on page-one of
Rodong Sinmun "Functionaries, Advance at Vanguard of Great Upswing While
Upholding Banner" (OSC plans to process this editorial carried on page-one
of 14 June Rodong Sinmun hardcopy as KPP20100614104001 (8.5 min))
0200 "Everything for the Improvement of the People's Living Standards!"
header Program "On-the-spot Guidance Units That are Vigorously Waging
Manuring and Cultivation of Crops With the Very Spirit (Demonstrated)
During Rice Transplanting"
(This tot al 9.5-minutes program introduces units that received the
leader's on-the-spot guidance of all parts of the country that are
vigorously waging manuring and cultivation of crops.This program consists
of:
(1) Unattributed talk "With Spirit of Completing Rice Transplanting in
Good Time Qualitatively" that introduces feats of functionaries and
agricultural working people of rural areas of all parts of the country
that received on-the-spot guidance who are vigorously kindling flames of
innovation while taking the lead in manuring and cultivation of crops
after successfully completing rice transplanting.Introduces leading units
that are carrying out farming work with burning will to repay the
respected and beloved general's love and faith bestowed upon them such as
Migok Cooperative Farm of Sariwo'n (North Hwanghae Province); Samjigang
Cooperative of Chaeryo'ng County (South Hwanghae Province); Oguk
Cooperative Farm of Anak County (South Hwanghae Province); Sinam
Cooperative Farm of Yongch'o'n County (North P'yo'ngan Province);
Ch'o'ngsan Cooperative Farm of Kangso' District (Kangso' County, South
P'yo'ngan Province); U'nhu'ng Cooperative Farm of T'aech'o'n County (North
P'yo'ngan Province); and Tongbong Cooperative Farm of Hamju County (South
Hamgyo'ng Province) that are concentrating efforts in weeding after
successfully completing rice transplanting in between interview with
"Comrade (?Kim Sang-nam), member of Ministry of Agriculture." (nearly 6
min)
(2) Forum by Comrade Cho Ch'ang-hwan), Work Team No 1 Leader of Ch'o'ngsan
Cooperative Farm of Kangso' District, Namp'o entitled, "Will Carry Out
Manuring and Cultivation of Crops In Scientific and Technological Way" on
will to carry out this year's farming well by carrying out pending
manuring and cultivation of crops, especially work of applying fertilizer,
in scientific and technological way that is connected with grain yield.
(2.5 min))0300 News and wea ther; Followed by music of Merited State Choir
at around 0316 GMT0321 (0322) "Everything for the Improvement of the
People's Living Standards!" header program "Great Fruit Producing Base
Where Great General's Far-reaching Plan Unfolded Into Reality"
(This total 17.5 minute program about Taedonggang General Fruit Farm that
realized the great general's far-reaching plan to carry out the fatherly
leader's dearest wish to supply more fruit to the people consists of:
(1) Unattributed talk "Another Rare Scene That Represents the
Military-first Era" that talks about and looks around fruit storage house
and apply drying (process) plant and other grounds and facilities of
Taedonggang General Fruit Farm, large-scale fruit producing base set up at
Samso'k District (Pyongyang), in between interviews with "Manager Kim
Ch'ang-ch'o'n"; "Apple Drying (Process) Plant Manager Comrade (Ri
Ch'ang-yo'p)"; one of the female mechanic s, and one of the family member
of Comrade Kim Sang-man, whose house that the general visited, who look
back on the great general's on-the-spot guidance and instruction to the
plant (15 min)
(2) Forum by (Female) Leader Comrade Chang So'n-hu'i entitled, "Will Repay
the General's Favors With Production of More Fruits" about resolution to
repay the general's love and faith by producing more fruit and supplying
them to people (2.5 min))0400 Novella "Burning White Snow (pult'anu'n
paekso'l)" (2) (Installment of novella by "Pak Yun that was published in
2004, Chuch'e 93" and read by "Pak U'n-a"(15 min)); Followed by music of
Merited State Choir at 0415 GMT0500 (Unscheduled) Important proclamation
(chungdae p'ogo) of the Korean People's Army (KPA) General Staff: "(We)
Will Respond (taeu'ng) to Puppets' Resumption of Anti-Republic
Psychological Warfare With All-Out Military Strike on All Fronts" (Repeat;
OSC processed this i mportant proclamation as KPP20100612051003; KCNA
KPP20100614971056 (3.5 min)); Followed by music at 0503 GMT0506
(Originally scheduled at 0500 GMT) "Great Man of the Century" header
music-and-article "Shine Glory, Workers Party of Korea!"
(Repeat; This program about the song "Hail to the Workers Party of Korea
(choso'n rodongdang manse)" that sings of invincible party that encourages
the army and people to advance on single road of chuch'e under the
general's military-first revolutionary leadership (8 min)); Followed by
music of Merited State Choir at 0514 GMT
0600 News and weather
0700 (Unscheduled) Important proclamation (chungdae p'ogo) of the Korean
People's Army (KPA) General Staff: "(We) Will Respond (taeu'ng) to
Puppets' Resumption of Anti-Republic Psychological Warfare With All-Out
Military Strike on All Fronts" (Repeat of KCBS 0300 GMT 12 June, OSC
process this item as KPP20100612051003); followed by music
0700 (Actually carried at 0706 GMT) Program "Let Us Resolutely Smash the
Rash Desperate Maneuver of Fanatics of Confrontation"
((1) Unattributed talk: "Maniac of Confrontation Brining About Calamity of
a Nuclear War Over the Heads of the People" Talks about how it was agreed
between the North and South to recognize and respect each others' ideology
and system; not interfere in each others' internal affairs; and do not
carry out any acts of destroying the other side, however the South is not
abiding by this principle aggravating North-South relations, continues to
denounce how the South is carrying out various anti-reunification acts,
denounces various South-US military exercises which are aimed at northward
aggression, it then talks about ship sinking incident, how the South is
blaming the North for the incident, denounces the Lee regime for clinging
to confrontational commotion (6 min)
(2) Platform by Hyo'n Su'ng-mo, head of the bur eau of affairs of Koreans
residing in Japan: "The Lee Myung-bak (Ri Myo'ng-pak, Yi Myo'ng-pak) Gang
of Traitors Should Not Carry Out Rash Acts" Talks about how the situation
on the Korean peninsula is very tense, dangerous, notes how the Lee regime
is running amok counter to the nation's desire, notes that the whole world
knows that the ship sinking incident was fabricated by Lee regime, notes
that is also fabricated new north wind incident to turn the public opinion
elsewhere and thus escape their political crisis, continues to note how
the Lee regime is trying to drive situation to confrontation, urges the
gang of traitors to correctly look at situation and receive judgment
before history, urges the Lee regime to act with discretion (5 min)
(3) Repercussions by the international community condemning and denouncing
the scheming ship sinking incident by the South Korean gang of traitors:
"(We) Brand and Condemn the Smear Act and Fabricated Act the Unite d
States and the Lee Myung-bak Gang of Traitors" Talks about how various
countries France, Great Britain, and Russia denounce the United States and
South Korea for fabricating the ship sinking incident (4.5 min))
0752 (Added) Unattributed talk "Putting Efforts in the Work To Educate
Future Generation"
(Same title as 14 June Rodong Sinmun page-six article by Cho'n Yo'ng-hu'i
that notes China's efforts in the work to educate future generation (6.5
min))
0800 News; Kindergartners and schoolchildren's music
0853 (Added during afternoon preview; actually carried at 0849 as " Rodong
Sinmun commentary") Commentary "Extremely Dangerous Maneuver of
Cooperation in War of Northward Aggression"
(OSC plans to process this 14 June Rodong Sinmun page-five commentary by
U'n Cho'ng-ch'o'l as KPP20100614104003 which notes the puppets' maneuver
to provoke a war of northward aggression, which is being reinforced upon
the stra tegic vessel sinking incident, as reaching extremely dangerous
stage (5 min))
0900 (Actually carried at 0823 GMT) Unattributed talk "Banner of the Era
That Adheres To Movement for Independence and Reunification"
(Talks about significance of historic Pyongyang summit and 15 June Joint
Declaration which opened great national unity and new era for independent
reunification, continues to note how the joint declaration is a banner of
the era in the movement for independent reunification, elaborates on the
joint declaration which is for peaceful reunification (8 min))
0900 (Unscheduled) Central report meeting held at the People's Palace of
Culture to mark the 10 th anniversary of announcement of 15 June Joint
Declaration. (For details see FYI processed as KPP20100614021001; KCNA
KPP20100614971111; OSC to process Yang Hyong Sop's (Yang Hyo'ng-so'p)
report made at the meeting as KPP20100614021002)
0911 Program "Anti-Reunification Rogues Who Trample on the Nation's
Dearest Wish for Reunification Will Not be Able To Avoid Fellow
Countrymen's Stern Judgment" (Not carried)
0952 (Added during afternoon preview; actually carried as " Rodong Sinmun
commentary") Commentary "Nonsensical Remarks by Ignorant Fellow"
(OSC plans to process this 14 June Rodong Sinmun page-six commentary by
Kim Chong-son as KPP20100614104004.This commentary denounces rash remarks
that insulted the DPRK by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Director General Yukiya Amano at meeting of IAEA Board of Governors that
opened in Vienna, Austria on 7 June (6.5 min))
1000 Music (not carried instead carries Important proclamation (chungdae
p'ogo) of the Korean People's Army (KPA) General Staff: "(We) Will Respond
(taeu'ng) to Puppets' Resumption of Anti-Republic Psychological Warfare
With All-Out Military Strike on All Fronts" (Repeat); followed by music)
1028 Long novel "Spring Thunder (pomuroe)" (6) from collection of works
"Immortal History;" Segment of novel by So'k Yun-ki
1100 News and weather
1128 Great leader (widaehan suryo'ng) Comrade Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so'ng)'s
memoirs "With the Century" Part 1 "Anti-Japanese Revolution" Volume 8
(Succession Volume) (14)
1200 News and weather
1224 (Added during afternoon preview; actually carried at 1225 GMT)
Unattributed talk "Cancer to Middle East's Peace That Harbors Dangerous
Wicked Scheme for Nuclear"
(This 14 June Rodong Sinmun page-six unsigned article discloses Israel's
dangerous wicked scheme and ambition for nuclear program (6 min))
1300 News
1319 (Added during afternoon preview) Poem "For the Party and the
Fatherland (tanggwa chogugu'l wihayo')"
(Repeat; Poem by Kim Yo'ng-ch'o'l created in 1953; This poem describes the
scene of a village bombarded by the enemy warplanes and the resolv e of
servicemen to launch a retaliatory attack against the enemy.The poem also
portrays the scene of soldiers holed up in trenches waiting to ambush "the
US imperialists and finally leading the charge in taking their vengeance
upon the enemy troops that occupied the highland (10 min))
1337 Broadcast drama based on reminiscences "A Revolutionary Should Always
Not Be Picky About the Guard Post of the Revolution" (1)
1400 Appreciation of revolutionary opera music
1500 Music till sign off
(Description of Source: Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station via
Satellite in Korean -- Satellite feed of DPRK state-run domestic radio
network)
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.
31) Back to Top
Colombia Crime and Narcotics Issues 14 Jun 10 - Colombia -- OSC Summary
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:40:25 GMT
Bogota El Tiempo reports that during Operation "Camaleon" or Operation
"Maestria" in Guaviare Department, 300 soldiers from the Army's Special
Forces have rescued General Luis Mendieta, Colonel Luis Enrique Murillo,
and Sergeant Arbey Argote from the FARC after 12 years in captivity. El
Tiempo also reports that the authorities started this operation on 12
March following the capture of alias Marcos Parrilla from the FARC's Front
1, who demobilized following his capture, and provided information on the
location where the FARC kept the officers. El Tiempo further reports no
casualties during the operations and the officers are looking for Colonel
William Donato, who separated from Sergeant Arbey Argote during the
operati on to increase the possibility of success. (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 ) Daily Reports on Money
Laundering Scheme Using Emerald Business, Soccer Club --
Bogota El Tiempo reports that New York District Prosecutor Bonnie Klaper
is planning to reveal all the evidence in a process in which the Santa Fe
Soccer Club appears in the middle of a scandalous and gigantic money
laundering operation. El Tiempo also reports that pending closing of the
investigation is the tracking of dozens of transactions by emerald
businessman Alberto Lozano Pirateque, alias Don Jota, or alias Patico, who
owns 50% of an emerald concession and who according to US authorities is
the missing link in a story running through Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil,
and other businesses in Colombia. El Tiempo also confirmed that Interpol
has issued a red notice against Lozano for drug trafficking and money
laundering, and that he has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the
United States. El Tiempo further reports that even though the
investigation is not against the soccer club there are clear indications
of "the connection between Lozano and the other two persons indicted,
Claudio Javier Silva Otalora, and Luis Agustin Caicedo Velandia, and the
soccer team and with money laundering totaling $1.5 billion. The
mechanism: showing phony emerald sales and the investments of front men
entering the soccer club." Army, Navy Forces Destroy Three Cocaine Labs in
Cauca, Putumayo --
Bogota El Espectador reports that the National Navy's 2nd Battalion
counternarcotics troops have found and destroyed two cocaine laboratories
in Miranda in Cauca Department allegedly belonging to the FARC's Front 6.
During the operation, the authorities seized 250 gallons of gasoline, 200
k g of coca leaf in process, 25 kg of lime, 25 kg of caustic soda, and 20
kg of urea. El Espectador also reports that troops from the Army Special
Battalion have destroyed a cocaine laboratory in Orito in Putumayo
Department. During the operation, the authorities seized 150 kg of coca
leaf in process, 10 kg of lime, and 25 gallons of gasoline. (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 ) Authorities
Prevent Extortion Payment Worth 1.3 Billion Pesos --
Bogota El Espectador reports that following a 60-day investigation by
Gaula (Police Unified Action Groups To Rescue Kidnap Victims) officers and
DAS (Administrative Department of Security) agents in Cundinamarca
Department, the authorities have prevented a 1.3 billion pesos (about
$674,834) extortion payment in Neiva in Huila Department. El Espectador
also reports that the authori ties captured three persons when they were
receiving 60 million pesos (about $31,146) from the businessman who was
being extorted. Weekly Reports Person With Suits Against Government Worth
300 Billion Pesos --
Bogota Semana reports that Edgar Botero Henao, an engineer who at one
point worked building roads, is now the adviser for engineering companies
with 300 billion pesos (about $155.73 million) worth of lawsuits against
the state. Semana also reports on a 59 billion pesos (about $30.63
million) payment the Invias (National Roads Institute) has to make to
seven companies in a 25-year-old lawsuit involving a 22 km road worth 690
million pesos (about $358,181) at the time. Semana further reports that
Botero is a minority stakeholder in one of the firms in the litigation.
Also reported by the weekly is the fact that Invias lawyers and
prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office went to a guarantee judge
to stop the 59 billion pesos payment, arguing irregularities a nd to
prevent embezzlement, but the hearing did not take place. Former
Transportation Minister Gustavo Canal pointed out that "what is happening
here is an absolutely gigantic corruption case." Semana concludes that the
seven firms advised by Botero, who already received 24 billion pesos
(about $12.45 million) for this case, "are relaxed because they know that
every day of delay in payment increases the amount to receive due from
interest." (Bogota Semana.com in Spanish -- Website of private, most
influential weekly news magazine; URL:
http://www.semana.com/ http://www.semana.com ) Authorities Rescue Three
Persons From Kidnappers in Choco --
Bogota Office of the President of the Republic reports that President
Alvaro Uribe has thanked law enforcement officials for the rescue of three
employees of a road building company who were kidnapped on 2 June in Choco
Department. President Uribe also said that "we have to avoid getting used
to the kidnapping of engineers building roads." (Bogota Office of the
President in Spanish - Official website of the Colombian Presidency; URL:
http://web.presidencia.gov.co/ http://web.presidencia.gov.co/ )
Authorities Capture Two Persons Allegedly Involved in Card Cloning in
Bogota -- Bogota Caracol Radio Online reports that Bogota Metropolitan
Police officers have captured Guillermo Alonso Ardila Arenas and Giovanny
Torres Calderon, who were members of a gang stealing more than 100 million
pesos (about $51,910) on a monthly basis using cloned cards.
Investigations show that "employees in some financial institutions
cooperated with this gang." Ardila and Torres have been charged with
misrepresentation of a public document and abusive access to information
systems. (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 ) Authorities in
Argentina Deny Release for Alleged Colombian Drug Trafficker Wanted by
United States --
Bogota Caracol Radio Online reports that the authorities in Argentina
denied a request for release from prison for Luis Agustin Caicedo
Velandia, alias Don Lucho, who has been charged with being the leader of a
major drug trafficking gang and who is wanted for extradition by the
United States. The website also reports that the magistrate argued that if
Caicedo were released from prison he could escape and that will hinder the
extradition request. Caicedo, who was captured in Argentina, was
trafficking narcotics and then sent the money to Colombia through Mexico.
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)(Cali El Pais in
Spanish)(Cartagena El Universal Online in Spanish)(Bucaramanga
Vanguardia.com in Spanish)(B ogota RCN Television Online in Spanis
h)(Bogota National Navy of the Republic of Colombia in Spanish)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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S. Korea to Complete Design of New Mid-size Reactor By Late 2010 - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 02:35:45 GMT
S. Korea to complete design of new mid-size reactor by late 2010
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will complete a "standard design"
for a new type of mid-size fission reactor unit by the end of this year as
part of its efforts to lead the global atomic energy market, the
government said Monday.The Ministry of Educati on, Science and Technology
said a consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corp. and made up of 13
companies, including POSCO and STX Heavy Industries Co., agreed to invest
100 billion won (US$81.7 million) to complete design work and technical
verification of the system integrated modular advanced reactor (SMART).The
state-run Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute will foot an additional
70 billion won with authorization for construction to be approved next
year after a detailed review by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, it
said.SMART is expected to have a power output of around 100 megawatts and
is designed to be smaller, cheaper and easier to operate than the current
generation of conventional reactors, which have a power output exceeding
1,000 megawatts of power."It will be a reactor suitable for developing
countries that do not have large-capacity transmission and distribution
power grids," a government official said.He said South Korea would decide
in 20 11 if it would build a testbed reactor in the country that can be
used to show prospective overseas customers the feasibility and safety
features of the system.Local work on SMART began in 1997, with a total of
140.1 billion won poured into research and development so far.Such
smaller-size units may cost around 500 billion won to build, compared to
several trillion won for larger reactors.These reactors can provide
electricity for up to 100,000 people, and if a desalination plant is added
to the design, provide large quantities of drinking water.The ministry,
meanwhile, said studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy claimed
around 700 SMART-like compact reactors worth 350 trillion won may be built
by 2030.The United States and Argentina are also engaged in the
development of compact reactors called mPower and CAREM units.The
establishment of the SMART consortium is part of the larger South Korean
goal of becoming one of the top three exporters of nuclear reactors, a
long with the United States and France, by 2030.The country has secured a
deal to build four 1,400 megawatt reactors for the United Arab Emirates by
2020 and is aiming to win a contract to build an atomic power plant in
Turkey.
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Today In History - Central News Agency
Monday June 14, 2010 01:15:02 GMT
Taipei, June 14 (CNA) -- Today is Monday, June 14, or the third day of the
fifth month of the Year of the Tiger according to the lunar calendar.
Following is a list of important events that have occurred on this date in
the past: 1777: The US Congres s adopts the "Stars and Stripes" as the
official flag of the United States.
1838: Yamagata Aritomo, Japanese soldier and twice prime minister, is
born. He played a major role in turning Japan into a formidable military
power.1894: After displaying the first commercial motion-picture machine
at the World's Colombian Exposition in 1893, Thomas Alva Edison's company
presents the first sports-related movie on boxing.1900: The first Grand
Prix, or international car race, takes place in Paris.1920: In China, war
between the Chihli and Anhwei warlords breaks out. Tsao Kun of the Chihli
faction and Chang Tso-lin of the Fengtien faction join forces to fight
against Tuan Chi-jui of the Anhwei faction.1936: Chang Tai-yen, a noted
scholar of Chinese literature, dies in Soochow at the age of 67.1940:
German troops march into Paris, and the flag of Nazi Germany, bearing the
swastika, is hoisted up the Eiffel Tower.1941: President Franklin D.
Roosevelt orders the freezing of all German and Italian assets in the
United States.1943: The Battle of West Hupeh ends with Japanese troops
driven back to their previous positions.1949: Bao Dai is installed as
president of Vietnam.1952: The Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered
submarine, is put on public display in the United States.1955: The
Republic of China and the United States sign an agreement in Washington on
the peaceful use of nuclear energy.1964: In the ROC, the NT$3.2 billion
multipurpose Shihmen Dam is dedicated.1971: The Tourism Bureau under the
Ministry of Communications is inaugurated in Taipei.1973: A 10-member
Chinese national judo team headed by Mao Ming-chu leaves for Lausanne to
take part in the 8th world championships.1974: Vice Premier Hsu
Ching-chung and Deputy Premier Cuthbert Edwy Talma of the Barbados sign a
joint communique in Taipei announcing the extension of the Sino-Barbados
agricultural technical cooperation agreement.1975: More than 500 Chinese
poets and Dr. Jeno Platthy, chairman of the Organizing Committee of the
Third World Congress of Poets, gathered in Taipei to celebrate Chinese
Poets Day and pay homage to poet Chu Yuan of the period of Spring and
Autumn Annals.1978: A technical cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia
and the Republic of China is signed.1979: President Chiang Ching-kuo
appoints Huang Shao-ku and Hung Shou-nan as president and vice president
of the Judicial Yuan, respectively, following unanimous approval by the
Control Yuan.1982: Argentine troops surrender to the British commander of
land forces in the Falklands, marking the end of a six-week conflict that
cost 254 British and 750 Argentine lives.1982: President Chiang Ching-kuo
visits the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Taipei to extend his condolences over
the passing of King Khalid ibn abdul Aziz.1989: Former governor of
California and US President Ronald Reagan is knighted by Queen Elizabeth
II.1992: Ronald Freeman, vice president of the European Bank for
Reconstructio n and Development, visits the ROC to discuss Sino-European
trade and financial relations.2000: U.S. President Bill Clinton sends his
greetings to the participants in the 24th annual Joint Business Conference
of the U.S.-ROC (Taiwan) and ROC-U.S.A. Business Councils, which kicks off
in Taipei.2001: A 23-member mainland Chinese delegation arrives in Taipei
to take part in an unprecedented cross-Taiwan Strait long-distance race as
part of a campaign for mainland China's bid to win the right to host the
2008 Olympic Games.Confucius' lesson of the day: "Your meek men of
respectability, are they who unmercifully destroy all sense of moral
sentiment in man."(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)
Material in the World News Connection is general ly 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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Bolivia Press 14 June 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Bolivia -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 09:40:14 GMT
-- Cochabamba Los Tiempos reports that a power pylon was damaged on 12
June causing a 30-minute power cut in more than a third of the city of
Cochabamba. The damage is thought to have been caused by a dynamite attack
although no-one has yet claimed responsibility. (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, member of the Grupo Lider media
conglomerate which also includes PAT (Periodistas Asociados de Television)
television network, owned by the Daher family of Santa Cruz; URL:
http://www.lostiempos.com/ http://www.lostiempos.com ) Foreign Ministry
Appeals to UN Not To Waste Opportunity To Listen to Peoples
-- Cochabamba Los Tiempos reports that the Foreign Ministry has issued a
communique appealing to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) to include proposals being made by social movements. The
communique was issued after a recent UNFCCC meeting in Bonn excluded
several suggestions including the conclusions of the World People's
Conference on Climate Change held in Tiquipaya in April. "Do not waste
this third opportunity to present a text that really reflects the position
of all parties. Listen to everyone. Especially listen to those who suffer
most from the impacts of climate change although th ey are least
responsible for this serious threat. Listen to the peoples. Listen to
Mother Earth," Ambassador to the UN Pablo Solon said. Opposition Accuses
Government of Losing Interest in Sea Demand
-- Cochabamba Los Tiempos cites Fides News Agency as reporting that
Bolivia's maritime demand was excluded from the OAS agenda for the first
time in 30 years at the 8-10 June annual assembly meeting in Lima.
Progress Plan Bolivia Deputy Franz Choque accused the government yesterday
of losing interest in Bolivia's sea demand and the Foreign Ministry of
negligence on failing to ensure its inclusion on the agenda. Government
Assigns Importance To US Arms Case
-- Bolivian Government News Agency (ABI) reports that Defense Minister
Ruben Saavedra said yesterday that the conclusions of Prosecutor Marcelo
Soza's current investigations into a case of arms trafficking in the
United States could be very important. "If the US Criminal Court condemns
(Bolivians) Mr Al fredo Asbun and Alfredo Rodriguez in the United States,
we could basically know the contacts these people had with the (Bolivian)
political world," Saavedra said. (La Paz Agencia Boliviana de Informacion
in Spanish -- Website of government-owned news agency; URL:
http://abi.bo/ http://abi.bo/ ) Chapare Coca Growers Await
Industrialization Projects
-- Santa Cruz El Deber publishes an investigative report into coca
production in the Chapare region since President Evo Morales came into
power. It cites a coca federation leader as saying that he is caught
between respecting government policy and the coca growers' demands to
increase coca crop areas, but says the farmers will wait for the results
of the legal coca study before increasing crops for industrialization.
(Santa Cruz de la Sierra El Deber.com.bo in Spanish -- Website of
conservative, influential, pro-business, regional newspaper with the most
prestige and widest circulation nationwide. Owned by the Ri vero family,
member of the Grupo Lider media conglomerate which also includes PAT
(Periodistas Asociados de Television) television network, recently
acquired by the Daher family of Santa Cruz; URL:
http://www.eldeber.com.bo/ http://www.eldeber.com.bo ) FELCN Says Drug
Groups From Eight Countries Operate in Bolivia
-- La Paz La Razon reports that the Special Antinarcotics Force (FELCN)
sources have indicated that groups from eight different countri es are
operating in Bolivia, although the biggest groups are Colombians and
Brazilians. (La Paz La Razon Online in Spanish -- Digital version of
conservative newspaper, owned by the Spanish Promotora de Informaciones,
S. A. (Prisa) media conglomerate, which also includes ATB Red Nacional de
Television. Although it is not part of Grupo de Diarios de America, it
reproduces special reports by this group of conservative Latin America
dailies; URL:
http://www.la-razon.com http://www.la-razon.com ) Cartoonist Depicts
Government X-Ray Eye on USAID
-- Trond cartoon in
La Razon depicts Vice President Alvaro Garcia observing an Uncle Sam
figure giving a hamburger labeled "US aid" with a hidden "agenda" to some
Bolivians.
La Paz La Prensa.com in Spanish was not updated at time of release
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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35) Back to Top
Greek Press 12 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Greek Press on 12 June; To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735 - Greece -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 10:59:57 GMT
--
Ang. Athanasopoulos reports on page 9 of Athens To Vima that the United
States is pressing for a settlement of the Macedonian name issue prior to
the November NATO meeting. (500 words)
On page 9 Ang. Athanasopoulos reports that Turkey is maneuvering through
ICAO to avoid submitting flight plans for its military aircraft flying
into Aegean airspace; and how Greece is trying to thwart this. (500 words)
(OSC will process this item)
Y. Skordhilis reports that the Greek government's sluggish action to
resolve the blockade the naval labor union is imposing on Italian-owned,
British flagged ro-ro vessels in Korinthos is on the verge of causing "a
diplomatic incident." (page 10, 300 words) (Athens To Vima--independent
daily, critical of the New Democracy party) (OSC will process this item)
Athens Ta Nea has a report by Aristotelia Peloni that the Greek government
is concerned by Turkey's "Islamic slide," towar ds Iran and against
Israel. Peloni says that Athens fears that Greek-Turkish relations "may
assume second place, and also it is concerned about the domestic
repercussions of this shift, and the consequences on (Turkish PM)
Erdogan." (page 30, 500 words) (Athens Ta Nea--left-of-center daily) (OSC
will process this item) Turkish - Israeli Relations
--
Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti has a report and commentary by Khristina
Poulidhou referring to recent developments in Turkish-Israeli relations
and the Israeli assault on the flotilla. The headline an subheads read
"While (Turkish PM) Erdogan is hailed the new 'caliphs' of Moslems
everywhere, his political foes are shooting down his choices, Israel is
being vilified the world over;" "was it a trap Israel set for Turkey or
vice versa?" (page 29, 600 words) (Athens O Kosmos tou
Ependhiti--Independent, political and economic weekly) (OSC will process
this item) Energy
--
Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti carries an interview with Environment,
Energy and Climate Change Minister Tina Birmbili by Thodhoris Panagoulis.
Birmbili refers to the government's existing and coming plans for
increasing energy efficiency and clean energy production; on the
government's privatization program regarding energy; and on the "snags" to
the major projects, including the Burgas - Alexandroupolis pipeline. (page
9 of the financial section, 700 words) (OSC will process this item)
Athens To Vima has an unattributed report that Bulgaria has scuppered the
Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project. (page 19, 200 words) Domestic
Political, Domestic Economic; PASOK
--
Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti has a report by Panos Kosmas describing the
key provisions of the bill to be tabled in the week of 14 June, regarding
"fiscal governance." Kosmas describes it as "the third pylon" of the
government's economic policy, following taxation and social security
reform. He says that the bill will introduce "seismic" changes in fiscal
matters; "will change radically the way in which the budget will be
drafted, monitored and implemented;" will introduce controls of public
revenue and expenditure;" moreover it will disclose all the figures. (page
5 of the financial section, 700 words) (OSC will process this item)
A commentary and report by Stavros Liyeros says that in the eyes of the
electorate, the two leading parties are discredited; the crisis in
political representation has assumed "unprecedented dimensions" and that
the financial crisis with its social repercussions is hastening the
process. Liyeros lists actions, tactics, errors and omissions by the major
political figures (PM Papandreou, ND Chairman Samaras, Dora Bakoyianni) to
suggest that bipolarity "and autonomous governments" may be on the way
out. (page 6, 800 words)
Andreas Konstand akatos reports that the local government elections in the
Fall are the next electoral milestone for the government and that already
the fear of political fallout is impacting negatively on the governments'
effectiveness; moreover that certain government ministers persist in
trying to consolidate their own positions. (page 10, 700 words)
There is an interview with Justice Minister Kharis Kastanidhis by Lambros
Kalarritis. Kastanidhis describes how he intends to make it more difficult
for ministers to enjoy immunity for their misdeeds; and refers to a
"partisan" judiciary. (page 18, 800 words)
On page 21 a report by Dhimitris Maris lists highlights from the annual
report by the Public Administration Watchdog Authority to demonstrate
"seven typical cases of corruption." (500 words)
Dhimitris Kokkoris and Yeoryios Perdhikis report that the higher taxation
being imposed on corporations' profits (ranging between 24-45percent
depending o n whether retained or distributed) is leading many
corporations to change their registered office to countries in the EU, in
which the taxation ranges between 10 to 16 percent; and how this is
alarming the government. (page 5 of the financial section, 700 words) (OSC
will process this item)
A report by Dh. Nikolakopoulos on page 3 of Athens To Vima says that the
implementation of the "Kallikratis" local government reform program will
result in massive shifts in civil servants, local government employees and
employees of state-controlled corporations. He says that initially, until
31 July, the employees will state their preference for the position or
service they wish to move to; failing which, between August and September
they will be told where they are moving to. The report says that 10,000
individuals will be employed in local government by end 2010, down from
35,000 last year. (500 words)
A report by Fotini Kalliri on page 15 of Athens I Kathi merini says that
the government will carry put a census of civil servants and individuals
on state payroll, to be conducted from 12 July; and that it is hoped that
by the end of the year it will know how many individuals are on its
payroll. (300 words) (Athens I Kathimerini--influential independent daily)
The editorial on page 8 of Athens Ethnos says that while the government's
measures for reforming the civil service may be painful, "they are
necessary." (Athens Ethnos--left-of-center daily) ND
--
Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti carries an article by ND Chairman Andonis
Samaras with the headline "the ideological awakening of the center-right."
(page 8, 600 words ) (OSC will process this item)
A report by A. Ravanos on page 8 of Athens To Vima says that the "(former
PM) Karamanlis stalwarts" are seeking election and appointments to key
party posts; and the resistance they are meeting from "Samaras" faction
members. (500 words) Dora Bakoyianni
--
An unattributed report on page 8 of Athens To Vima says that Dora
Bakoyianni is building bridges with liberals in Europe. The report refers
to her coming meetings with Christian Democrat and Free Democratic Party
figures in Germany. (300 words) (OSC will process this item) Sinaspismos
and SIRIZA
--
A report by Vangelis Papadhimitriou on pages 22-23 of Athens O Kosmos Tou
Ependhiti the departure of the four deputies of the reformist faction
threatens Siriza's coherence and Sinaspismos' future. The headline and
subhead read "Lafazanis, Alavanos and (Siriza's) constituent elements
constitute a quadruple blow to (Sinaspismos Chairman) Tsipras." (500
words) (OSC will process this item)
Athens Ta Nea has an article by professor Yiannis Voulgaris profiling the
elements of the "meta-communist" left wing and analyzing why Sinaspismos
and Siriza have parted ways. (page 9, 800 words) ( OSC will process this
item) Military
--
In the military column of Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti, there is a report
and commentary by Manos Iliadhis arguing that seven months into this
government's tenure, the situation in the defense field continues to be
characterized by an evident by now indecision, if not inertia." Iliadhis
suggests that Defense Minister Venizelos "is being briefed
'insufficiently';" and that "vagueness and confusion reigns regarding arms
procurements." (page 39, 500 words) Security
--
Athens O Kosmos Tou Ependhiti carries a report by Manolis Stavrakakis
describing the Security Ministry's plan devised to "save" the center of
Athens, addressing the problems which have arisen from "street vendors,
petty crime by illegal immigrants, unsanitary points of food sale, drugs,
brothels, the homeless, abandoned buildings." (pages 24-25, 900 words)
Immigration
--
Athens I Kath imerini has a report by Maria Dhelithanasi that the Frontex
patrols of the sea have reduced illegal landings on Agathonissi island in
the Aegean by 70 percent. The report mentions how Turkey is using vague
wording in an agreement to avoid having to receive apprehended illegal
immigrants deriving from its shores. (page 3, 900 words) (OSC will process
this item)
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 State Department Says DPRK Remains Among 12 'Worst' Human Trafficking
Countries
Updated version: "UPDATES with more details, background throughout;"
Yonhap headline: "N. Korea Remains Among 12 Worst Human Trafficking
Countries: State Dept." by Hwang Doo-hyong - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 23:14:23 GMT
countries in human trafficking, along with 12 other nations, the U.S.
State Department said Monday.
The 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report categorized North Korea with other
Tier 3 countries that "do not fully comply with the minimum standards and
are not making significant efforts to do so" under the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act.The congressionally mandated report cited North Koreans
subjected to human trafficking in neighboring China while seeking food,
work and freedom."North Korea continues to be a Tier 3 country in this
year's report," Luis Cdebaca, director of the office to monitor and combat
trafficking in persons, told reporters. "We have not seen any indication
that the North Korean government is actually addressing the
human-trafficking problem."North Korea has been on the list sinc e
2003.The other countries with the worst records are Congo, Cuba, the
Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Iran, Kuwait, Mauritania, Myanmar, Papua New
Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Zimbabwe.The U.S. government imposes
financial sanctions and a ban on humanitarian aid on Tier 3 countries for
two straight years.South Korea was listed among Tier 1 countries, which
fully comply with the minimum standards on human trafficking."The
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) is a source
country for men, women, and children who are subjected to trafficking in
persons, specifically forced labor and forced prostitution," the report
said. "The most common form of trafficking involves North Korean women and
girls forced into marriage or prostitution in China. Women and girls from
North Korea migrate to China, often with the help of a facilitator,
seeking food, work, freedom, and better life prospects."China has been
under criticism for repatriating North Korean refugees under a secret
agreement with North Korea, categorizing defectors as economic immigrants
rather than refugees, despite the danger of them being persecuted back
home."If found by Chinese authorities, victims are deported back to North
Korea, where they may face harsh punishment, and may be subject to forced
labor in DPRK labor camps," the report said. "NGOs and researchers
estimate that tens of thousands of undocumented North Koreans currently
live in northeast China, and as many as 70 percent of them are women.
Their status in China as economic migrants who may be deported to North
Korea makes them particularly vulnerable to trafficking."NGO stands for
nongovernmental organization.A human rights report released by the State
Department in March said that hundreds of thousands of North Korean
refugees defected to China last year.Repatriated North Koreans are subject
to "a minimum of five years of labor correction," or "indefi nite terms of
imprisonment and forced labor, confiscation of property, or death," the
rights report said.Most North Korean refugees, fleeing poverty, head to
South Korea via neighboring China.South Korea has received about 18,000
North Korean defectors since the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War. The U.S.
has taken in nearly 100 North Korean refugees since the North Korean Human
Rights Act of 2004.The U.S. raised the refugee issue during the first
human rights dialogue with China under the Obama administration held last
month."I think again this is an area -- maybe another area where a more
regular discussion about refugee protection issues could be a very useful
thing," Michael Posner, assistant secretary for democracy, human rights
and labor, said at the time. "And we're certainly following those cases
and we'll continue to raise them."Cdebaca said, "What we'd like to see
from the government of China is that there would be actual screening of pe
ople within that refugee flow to see which are the people who are actually
trafficking victims... We'd like to see more screening and then more
victim protections on the part of the Chi nese government."The official
also expressed concerns about reports of abuse of North Korean workers
abroad."When the North Korean government exports labor to other countries,
are those people -- in the places that they're going -- do they have a
modicum of freedom there? Or is the government sending, whether it's
police or security services or others with them in order to keep them in
line?" he said. "I think the Czech Republic actually terminated their
contracts with (North Korea) because of their concerns of the type of
abuse that was happening with the exported North Korean
laborers."(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial
news agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Thai Column Says ASEAN 'Needs' To Pressure Burma To Clarify Nuclear Plan
Commentary by Kavi Chongkittavorn: "Regional Response Needed for Burma's
Nuclear Ambition" - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 06:27:54 GMT
US Senator James Webb, chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs
Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, abruptly postponed
his visit to Burma June 3 - only a few hours before his scheduled flight
after learning of a report about Burma's nuclear ambitions.It was a bad
time for such a trip, he said, due to new allegations the Rangoon junta
leaders were col laborating with Pyongyang to develop a nuclear program. A
few days ago, after his return to the US, Asean ambassador Scot Marciel
said that if the allegation was true, it would impact on stability and
security in the region.Webb would not have taken such a drastic step if he
had not been influenced the report produced by the Norway-based Democratic
Voice of Burma, through Al Jazeera, that alleged Burma was moving towards
nuclear technology.Since last August, he had miraculously widened US
engagement with Burma and created storms of controversy followed the first
high-level contact by any US political figure. He had always hoped to
bring peaceful change and prosperity to Burma, as he once did in
Vietnam.However, the 10-month intensified dialogue and contacts between
the US and Burma, symbolised by the two trips of Kurt Campbell, Assistant
Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, had not yet produced
breakthroughs or the kind of regime that the US or the internati onal
community would like to see - a regime that promised an inclusive, free
and fair election with creditable international poll monitoring.Equally
important to the US agenda was ensuring that there was no violation of the
UN Security Resolution 1874 that imposes sanctions against North Korea.
Indeed, these endeavours have resulted in continued frustration.Worse is
the prospect of stronger Burma-North Korea relations. Both are rogue
states, which were enemies for the past 23 years. Now they are each
other's best friend amid growing international isolation and tightening
economic sanctions. Thanks to Pyongyang's willingness and foreign-exchange
needs, Burma's nuclear confidence has shot up to the point that one day it
would have the kind of bargaining power enjoyed by other nuclear
aspirants.After decades of complacency, the Thai security apparatus,
especially the National Security Council (NSC), has finally paid more
attention to its long-standing assumption that Burma does not and will not
have the capacity to assemble a nuclear bomb.The main argument was
simplistic - Burma is poor and backward so it is highly unlikely for the
country to embark on the project. In addition, persons familiar with NSC
analyses of Burma would immediately recognise the narrative pattern of
"appeasement" and "don't rock the boat" syndrome in handling its western
neighbour.The often-cited justifications are fragile security along the
porous 2004 kilometre border, and Thailand's growing dependency on natural
gas from the Gulf of Martaban.Last year, the Foreign Ministry asked
energy-related agencies and their top decision makers to come up with
policy options to reduce energy needs from Burma and other neighbours. So
far, they have not yet done so, arguing much was at stake as lump sums of
money had been invested already in the natural-gas related development
projects with Burma. Thailand imports an estimated US$880 million (Bt28.5
trillion) worth of energy from Burma annually. From their vantage point,
preservation of status quo at any cost was desirable, fearing the
country's future energy security would be compromised.An additional
problem is the deep-rooted fear of Burma's aggression (what the Burmese
generals can and are willing to do against this country and its
people).Anytime the word "Pha-mah"- meaning Burma in Thai - is mentioned
to ordinary Thais, not to mention the authorities, they are likely to go
hysterical with negative comments and endless condemnation. It immediately
conjures up the heartless burning of Ayutthya, which took place in 1774 --
some 236 years ago. However, to Thais the to tal annihilation of the
Siamese capital is as vivid as ever with the aid of numerous historical
books, dramas, folk tales and word of mouth. One would think that such
phobia should serve as a kind of energiser to consolidate the Thai
security officials and related agencies to look for common policy options
to counter Burma's move. It has not happened.Strangely enough, the Thai
military's intelligence officials, who have been working closely with the
US and Australian counterparts in tracking the junta's nuclear ambitions
for the past decade, knew all along of this dangerous ambition - but they
have not shared information or made serious assessments with the energy
sector.No wonder Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is concerned as he is and
kept informed of Burma's well-kept secret. It is possible that Thailand,
along with other Asean members, might raise the nuclear weapons programme
at the Asean foreign ministerial meeting next month in Hanoi (July 9-13)
asking Rangoon to further clarify the issue. Nobody expects Burma to tell
the truth. But Asean needs to put the issue on record as its reputation is
at stake, especially at the time the grouping wants to increase its
profile to promote peace and stability as well as economic well-being
internationally. After all, Burma was among th e ten signatories to the
region's first no-nuke treaty, the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon Free
Zone. Asean is also party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but quite a few
members have not yet ratified it.The Obama administration has been pushing
for a nuclear-free world and trying to rid it of potential nuclear
terrorists. Expectation in the region is high that the US would continue
to pressure Burma internationally to comply with the relevant UN
resolutions as well as any future engagement for the Vienna-based
International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect all nuclear-related
allegations. Sooner than later, Asean must take up Burma's nuclear plan
and other global issues to iron out differences in order to forge common
views and positions, which the Asean foreign ministers have to submit to
their leaders at the Asean Summit in October in Hanoi.
(Description of Source: Bangkok The Nation Online in English -- Website of
a daily newspaper with "a firm focus on in-dep th business and political
coverage." Widely read by the Thai elite. Audited hardcopy circulation of
60,000 as of 2009. URL: http://www.nationmultimedia.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.
38) Back to Top
RMRB Article Says World Must not Wait in Handling Climate Change Matters
Article by RMRB editor Xin Benjian: "The World Must not Hesitate in
Combating Climate Change" Ctirlg: - Renmin Ribao (Overseas Edition) Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 03:03:42 GMT
Following the frustrations the world had in Copenhagen, Denmark, in
combating climate change, climate change skeptics have a gain stepped
forward to question loudly the veracity of the global warming claim. The
flawed characterization -- that "the Himalayas glaciers may vanish in
2035" -- that the UN Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) made
in its 2007 report on global climate change, and the 2009 "climategate" in
which some scientists in Britain had deliberately hidden certain figures
that did not support rising temperatures have become the proofs these
skeptics use. In an article published earlier this year, Germany's weekly,
Der Spiegel, claims that research figures show that the global
temperatures have been quite stable and have not risen in the last decade.
The New York Times, the US paper that consistently supports the viewpoint
that the global climate is getting warm, also published on its front page
in early February this year the skeptics' viewpoints and criticized the
IPCC report for its bias. This year, the US Senate simply has not placed
the US Clean E nergy and Security Act on its voting agenda.
However, many scientists who support the view that the global temperatures
are rising have not stopped their efforts to combat climate change. China
has put forth the "Carbon Allocation Plan Based on Accumulated Per Capita
Emissions." The plan, which proposes that each and everybody should enjoy
the right to development and carbon allocation based on the per-capita
principle, has taken into consideration developed countries' historical
obligations and universal equitability in climate matters.
In early May this year, 255 academicians of the US National Academy of
Sciences (including 11 Nobel Prize laureates), co-signed an open letter
published in the authoritative Science magazine. They hold this in the
letter: "Scientific conclusions always have certain uncertainties, and
science can never absolutely prove anything. When someone says that
society should not act until scientists are absolutely sure, it is the
same as saying that society should never take action. As far as climate
change is concerned, which is an issue that may cause great catastrophes,
no action means that our planet will face situations threatening;" and the
events, such as the "climategate" that occurred recently, cannot change
the basic conclusion that "the earth is warming up."
While the climate change skeptics can question the veracity of the claim
about rising global temperatures, they cannot evade the reality that
mankind's sustainable development is facing serious challenges. The
limited reserves of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, and
the serious environmental pollution caused by the use of these fuels, have
compelled us to change the modes of our current energy consumption and
economic development and to adopt the low-carbon economic development mode
that conserves energy and reduces emissions.
As far as China is concerned, no matter whether the global climate is
warming, China must change its development mode that "consumes great
amounts of energy, causes high pollution, and produces high emissions."
China is now in the process where industrialization and urbanization are
picking up speed. The country's energy structure and resource endowment
marked by "ample coal but little oil and natural gas resources" as wel l
as the factors -- such as undertaking the transfer of greenhouse gas
emissions from developed countries as the "world factory" -- are forcing
China to work hard to reduce energy consumption and reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. Otherwise the country will have to face the grave
consequences of continuous ecological deterioration and unsustainable
energy supply and security.
This being the case, energy conservation emission reduction are objective
things China needs to do to change its economic development mode; and it
is also the most important move China must tak e to combat the global
climate change. Doing these two things together not only is essential for
China, but also is essential for all parts of the world. We as common
people should begin with ourselves and lead a low-carbon life rather than
engaging in any endless debate on whether it is true that the global
climate is warming up. Without regard to science and climate change and
bury our heads in the sand will definitely not bring us any good fortune.
(Description of Source: Beijing Renmin Ribao (Overseas Edition) Online in
Chinese -- Online version of the daily newspaper (People's Daily Overseas
Edition) of the CPC Central Committee targeting overseas Chinese
audiences. URL:
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb)Attachments:rroe0607climate.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.
39) Back to Top
ROK Official Says 'No Objections' From UNSC Members on Sunken Ship Probe
Yonhap headline: "No objections from U.N. Security Council members on
sunken ship probe: official" by Chang Jae-soon - Yonhap
Tuesday June 15, 2010 02:53:08 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.
40) Back to Top
UNSC to Hear Both Koreas on Cheonan Sinking - Chosun Ilbo On line
Monday June 14, 2010 23:09:22 GMT
(CHOSUN ILBO) - The UN Security Council started discussion on Monday
afternoon about the sinking of the South Korean Navy corvette Ch'o'nan
(Cheonan). The UNSC expects to hear South and North Korean views about the
incident.
South Korea's investigation team led by Yoon Duk-yong, an honorary
professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, will
say that the North sank the warship in clear violation of the UN Charter
and the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953 and show
footage of the Navy salvaging a North Korean torpedo propulsion device
discovered on the seabed near where the Ch'o'nan (Cheonan)
sank.Investigators will stress that all members of the international
inquiry team from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Sweden agreed that
chemical substances found in the propulsion shaft and the shipwreck were
identical.Earlier, the North asked Mexico, the current chair of the UNSC,
for an opportunity to explain its position. According to a diplomatic
source, the UNSC agreed to give the North a chance before it makes its
decision.Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, in an interview on Fox
News said the sinking "was an outrageous act of aggression that we condemn
and it needs to be punished. Our hearts go out to the families of the
sailors whose lives were lost in that event."U.S. Assistant Secretary of
state Kurt Campbell will fly to Seoul on Wednesday with the U.S. chief
nuclear negotiator Sung Kim to discuss the UNSC response to the sinking
with South Korean officials.Campbell will discuss a Seoul-Washington
summit on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Canada in late June.Believing
that it is unlikely the UNSC can agree a firm resolution sanctioning the
North due to opposition from North Korea's staunchest ally China, which
has a veto as a permanent member, Sout h Korean and the U.S. are already
aiming only at a so-called chairman's statement denouncing the North. The
UNSC is expected to make a decision next month.(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 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
Mexico's Northern Border Crime/Narcotics/Security Issues 12-14 Jun 10 -
Mexico -- OSC Summary
Mo nday June 14, 2010 17:11:53 GMT
CRIME/NARCOTICS TAMAULIPAS Twenty Shot Dead in 3 Ciudad Madero
Neighborhoods; Murders Allegedly Committed by Los Zetas --
Tampico Milenio Diario de Tampico on 12 June reports that 20 corpses were
found severely beaten and shot to death yesterday morning in three
different neighborhoods in the Ciudad Madero municipality.Two men and one
woman were found at the corner of Honduras and Baja California streets in
the Talleres neighborhood, while the same number and sexes of victims were
also found in that neighborhood's intersection of Nuevo Leon and
Aguascalientes streets.Five more males were found handcuffed and dead from
coup de grace gunshots to the head at the corner of Pachuca and Cuauhtemoc
streets in the same neighborhood.Unofficial sources indicated that these
five victims were members of "Los Alacranes," a gang of car-parts
thieves.Six more male bodies were found handcuffed and shot to death on
Las Flores Avenue in the Adriana Gonzalez de Hernandez (or "El Chispus")
neighborhood.And the other three victims were found with gunshots to the
head near the intersection of Cuauhtemoc and 19th streets in the Hipodromo
neighborhood. (Tampico Milenio Diario de Tampico in Spanish -- Daily from
Tampico, Tamaulipas State.URL:
http://www.milenio.com/tampico/milenio
http://www.milenio.com/tampico/milenio )
A related item from Monterrey El Norte in the evening of 11 June notes
that the bodies found on Las Flores Avenue were arranged in the letter Z,
presumably a reference to the Los Zetas Cartel. (Monterrey El Norte in
Spanish -- Major northern Mexico centrist daily; sister, predecessor
publication of Mexico City Reforma newspaper.URL:
http://www.elnorte.com/ http://www.elnorte.com )
And a related item from Mexico City El Universal on 12 June reports that
all of the victims were allegedly members of the Los Alacranes gang
.(Mexico City El Universal in Spanish -- Major centrist daily.URL:
http://www.el-universal.com.mx/ http://www.el-universal.com.mx/ ) Civic
Group Calls for Fundamental Change in Fighting Crime --
Tampico Milenio Diario de Tampico on 13 June reports that Citizen
Movement, an NGO in Tamaulipas, has called for government officials at all
three levels to meet with civic and business groups to establish concrete
alternatives to the current failed policies of dealing with the state's
growing crime problem."It's necessary that the people speak, that they
make known their main concerns and of course, their fears," said the
group's leader, Ricardo Guerrero Hernandez, who also remarked that
government and police authorities are overwhelmed by crime.He stressed
that while police have the will to protect the public, they lack the
capacity to do so. CHIHUAHUA Juarez Daily Calls for Extradition of Border
Patrol Agent Responsible for Teenager's Death --
An edi torial from Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 13 June calls on the
Mexican Foreign Relations Secretariat (SRE) and the Barack Obama
Administration to go beyond merely "condemning" the shooting death of
teenager Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca.They must instead join others in
demanding that the US Border Patrol agent that shot the boy be extradited
to Mexico to face trial.The daily attributes this death, and other attacks
on Mexicans and migrants, to racist and xenophobic elements within the
Border Patrol. (Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx in Spanish -- Most widely read
border daily published in Chihuahua State.Root URL as of filing date:
http://www.diario.com.mx/ http://www.diario.com.mx ) Civic Groups Protest
Shooting Death of Teenager at US-Juarez Border; Second Day of Protests
Becomes Violent --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 12 June reports that members of civic
organization s protested for two hours yesterday at the Puente Negro
(Black Bridge) near the P aso del Norte border crossing between Ciudad
Juarez and El Paso, Texas.They joined family members of teenager Sergio
Adrian Hernandez Guereca, who was shot to death near Puente Negro by a US
Border Patrol agent on 7 June.Many demonstrators shouted at Border Patrol
agents on the US side of the international boundary, some of them calling
the agents "murderers."The slain teenager's family members were more
temperate in their language, indicating that they simply wanted justice to
be served.
A related item from Diario.com.mx on 13 June reports that another day of
protests turned violent, as many demonstrators hurled rocks at US Border
Patrol agents, vandalized the border wall, and in some cases, jumped over
the wall into the United States.Family members of the slain boy, as well
as members of the Plural Democratic Front (FPD), which had organized the
event, repeatedly urged participants to refrain from these activities.
Juarez Police Officers Pessimistic During Funeral of Fallen Colleague --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 14 June reports that several Ciudad Juarez
Police officers, speaking anonymously yesterday at the funeral of Officer
Sergio Arturo Jimenez Buenrostro, were cynical about the chances of
defeating organized crime. "It's a lost war," one officer declared. "The
commanders don't have effective strategies to face what's happening to
us.Nobody's life is guaranteed.For the sake of our family, we should quit
and live."Other officers at the funeral expressed similar sentiments, many
indicating that they are considering leaving the force.Jimenez Buenrostro,
along with Officer Jose Sifuentes Solis, was shot dead on 10 June.Their
murders took place just hours before Commander Julian Armando Medina
Villagran was also gunned down. Thirty Murders in Ciudad Juarez Over
Weekend --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 14 June reports that there were 30 murders
in Ciudad Juarez from Friday through Sunday (12-14 June).There were 11
homicides each on Friday and Sunday, while eight murders took place on
Saturday. Investigators Identify 19 Victims of Drug Rehab Center Shooting
in Chihuahua --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 12 June reports that the State Attorney
General's Office (PGJE) has identified the 19 men killed the night of 10
June when gunmen opened fire at a drug rehabilitation center at 325
Tarahumara Street in the Villa Nueva neighborhood of the Chihuahua
capital.Several victims were apparently members of the Los Mexicles gang,
which works for the Sinaloa Cartel.The article, however, names only one
shooting victim: Enrique Castillo Delgado (32), son of the clinic's
general director, Rene Castillo Hermosillo.Health Secretary Octavio
Martinez commented that the center was in compliance with the state
regulations.Investigators recovered at least 189 casings from bullets
fired "indiscriminately" at the scene.The gunmen also stuck around to
leave four &quo t;narco-messages" on poster board.Officials declined to
reveal the text of the messages.
A related item from Monterrey El Norte on 14 June reports that the drug
rehab center had received threats two weeks before the attack, according
to Beatriz, whose son, Jose, was one of the 19 victims.Jose had told his
mother that several members of Los Mexicles admitted themselves to the
clinic in an effort to escape their gang rivals.
Another related item from El Norte on 12 June adds that during the past
nine months, 61 persons have been murdered at drug rehab locations in
Ciudad Juarez and the Chihuahua capital.
Drugs seized in Guadalupe y Calvo (Milenio, 14 Jun)
Army Seizes Drugs Worth US$4.6 Million in Guadalupe y Calvo --
Tampico Milenio Diario de Tampico on 14 June briefly reports that Army
soldiers confiscated two metric tons of marijuana, opium gum, and crystal
methamphetamine worth 58 million pesos (nearly US$4.6 million) in the
Guadal upe y Calvo municip ality.This community is part of the Golden
Triangle zone, a hot spot for drug trafficking that lies along the shared
borders between Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Durango states. Police Officer
Gunned Down in Chihuahua Capital --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 13 June reports that a group of gunmen shot
and killed Officer Jorge Alejandro Ortiz Rascon of the Chihuahua Municipal
Police yesterday on the corner of Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra
Pelona streets in the city's Sierra Azul neighborhood.The body was found
inside a Ford Lobo with no license plates.Officials recovered at least 60
bullet casings from AK-47 assault rifles at the scene. Colombian
Journalist Urges Mexicans to Stand Up to Drug Traffickers --
Ciudad Juarez Diario.com.mx on 12 June runs a column from Colombian
journalist Raul Benoit, who calls on Mexican citizens to boldly fight
organized crime together, despite threats and killings from drug
traffickers and complicit law enforc ement officers. "One of the most
effective weapons used by criminals is to spread fear," Benoit writes.
"But society's strongest shield is to confront (the criminals) with a
united front, without running away."After noting many similarities between
Mexico and his country in the realm of drug trafficking, the journalist
indicates that citizens, working together, were able to make a difference
in Colombia by refusing to do business with traffickers and reporting them
to authorities. NUEVO LEON Seven Gunmen Killed During Shootouts With
Soldiers in Los Aldamas --
Monterrey El Norte on 13 June reports that two gunfights between Army
soldiers and presumed members of an organized crime gang left seven of the
latter group dead yesterday in the Los Aldamas municipality.Officials
seized a rocket launcher, a grenade launcher, 13 shoulder firearms, and 10
vehicles (two of them armored) after the incidents.A presumed kidnapping
victim was also rescued. (See OSC items LAP20100613049003 and
LAP20100613049003 for more information) 'King' of Gasoline Theft Captured
in Monterrey --
The Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) in bulletin 341 on 13 June
reports that Francisco Guizar Pavon (58) was arrested today in Monterrey,
based on information obtained in the investigation of seven alleged
gasoline thieves arrested in Jalisco State on 9 June.They are suspected of
stealing 90,000 liters of gasoline.The new suspect, nicknamed "King of
Gasoline," has allegedly been leading a gang of gasoline thieves since at
least 1993, when he was fired after 19 years of working for Mexican
Petroleum (Pemex) for stealing gasoline.He allegedly maintains ties with
the Los Zetas Cartel in Veracruz State and La Familia Michoacana in
Michoacan State. (Mexico Secretariat of Public Security in Spanish --
Official website of the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security.URL:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/ http://www.ssp.gob.mx/ ) Purge of Monterrey Tr
ansit Police Continues Despite Kidnapping of 2 Officials --
Monterrey El Porvenir on 13 June reports that the Monterrey Transit Police
will continue its push to purge the agency of corrupt officers, according
to Ricardo Cantu, a civilian member of the committee in charge of the
effort.This declaration comes on the heels of two brief kidnappings of
high-level Transit Police officials.While police have not officially said
so, it is widely believed that these officials were targeted for their
involvement in ridding the agency of corruption.Three hundred Transit
officers have already been fired during the current
administration.(Monterrey El Porvenir in Spanish -- Daily from Monterrey,
Nuevo Leon State.URL:
http://www.elporvenir.com.mx/ http://www.elporvenir.com.mx ) Gunmen Fail
in Grenade Attack at Hotel Occupied by Federal Police in Monterrey --
Monterrey El Norte on 12 June reports that gunmen threw a grenade that
failed to detonate early yesterday mornin g at the Plaza del Arco hotel at
309 Madero Avenue in Monterrey, which is occupied by Federal Police
officers stationed in the city.The attackers also shot two rounds from
AR-15 rifles at the front of the building.No one was wounded during the
incident. COAHUILA Survey Shows Little Support for Single State Police
Model in Saltillo --
Saltillo Vanguardia on 13 June reports that a survey of 120 persons in
Saltillo conducted by the newspaper shows that residents are not on board
for the Single State Police model being eagerly adopted by Coahuila after
the federal government announced its intention to implement the plan.Of
the respondents, 73% believe that the new police system will make no
perceptible improvement to crime in the city.About the same percentage of
respondents have little confidence in the Saltillo Municipal Police force
and also believe that citizens, not the state government, should choose
the single state police agency chief.And just over half of respond ents
would prefer the federal government in control of public security over a
single state police agency.(Saltillo Vanguardia Online in Spanish -- Daily
from Coahuila State.URL:
http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/ http://www.vanguardia.com.mx ) Fourteen
Killed in Single Day in Torreon --
Torreon El Siglo de Torreon on 13 June reports that six men were gunned
down late yesterday morning near the intersection of Espana and Juan
Antonio de la Fuente streets in the Ana neighborhood of Torreon.The
victims are identified as Gerardo Castaneda Rodriguez (67), Carlos Alfonso
Olivares Longoria (23), Luis Martin Herrera Gonzalez (21), Luis Armando
Ontiveros Hernandez, Jose Luis Sanchez, and Jesus Alejandro Silvestre
Barajas (56).(Torreon El Siglo de Torreon in Spanish -- Daily from
Torreon, Coahuila State.URL:
http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/ http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx )
A related item from Saltillo Vanguardia on 13 June adds that two more
murder victim s were found late at night at the corner of Felipe Angeles
Street and Rio Bravo Road in the city's Zacatecas neighborhood.Six victims
from the scene were rushed to area hospitals; however, three of them
died.Two more victims were killed at the corner of Rebollo Acosta and
Ejercito Mexicano boulevards, while one more victim was murdered in the La
Feria subdivision.
An updated item from El Siglo de Torreon on 14 June identifies the initial
victims of the shooting in the Zacatecas neighborhood of Alberto Flores
Rodriguez (38) and Esther Hernandez Delgado (65).The three that died on
the way to the hospital are identified as Alejandro Rodriguez (38),
Agapito Hidrogo Olvera (42), and Jesus Carlos Hernandez (39).Meanwhile,
the following three were wounded: Luis Abraham Rodriguez Castillo (19),
Daniel Venegas Marmolejo (49), and Oscar Sanchez Robles (31). SONORA Three
Gunmen Killed During Shootout With Soldiers in Saric --
Nogales El Diario de Sonora on 14 June reports that three gunmen were
killed while exchanging gunfire with Army soldiers two nights ago in the
Saric municipality.One soldier was also wounded during the gunfight, which
took place in the Cerro Prieto area of the municipal seat. (Nogales El
Diario de Sonora in Spanish -- Daily from Nogales, Sonora State.URL:
http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx/ http://www.eldiariodesonora.com.mx )
SECURITY/HEALTH
(no selections)
OSC found no file-worthy material in the following sources: PGR website,
Sedena website, Semar website, Mexicali Periodico La Cronica.com, Tijuana
Periodico Frontera.info, Hermosillo Periodico El Imparcial.com, Chihuahua
El Diario de Chihuahua, Ciudad Victoria Hoy Tamaulipas
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
Mexican Legislators Urge US Counterparts To Approve Immigration Reforms
Report filed in Campeche by special correspondent Claudia Salazar:
"Coherence on Migration demanded From US" - REFORMA.com
Monday June 14, 2010 21:57:17 GMT
PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) Senator Rosario Green said that
the condolences offered for the deaths of two Mexican citizens, Anastasio
Hernandez and Sergio Adrian Hernandez, were not sufficient and that
greater coherence on immigration reform is needed.
"Undocumented Mexicans have ultimately become an electoral issue, no more
than a name on a list. That reflects poorly, very poorly, on a country
with which I have not always agreed, but which I have always admired.
"I had hoped that these lamentations and expressions of condolences that w
e had received from our US counterparts and that were shown on all the
television channels would be backed up in the tone of our
inter-parliamentary meeting," said Senator Green.
Porfirio Munoz Ledo, chair of the Chamber of Deputies Foreign Relations
Committee, warned that without the passage of immigration reform in the
United States, bilateral relations with Mexico would be "rotten."
Democratic legislators from the United States admitted that they would not
be able to begin discussions about immigration reform until after the
November elections, and added that they still do not have the votes of the
Republicans.
The chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration, (California Representative)
Zoe Lofgren, said that to obtain a majority for immigration reform they
would need at least 60 Republican votes.
According to a summary of the meeting to which Reforma had access,
(California) Representative Linda Sanchez said that until they have a
Democratic majority, they will not be able to move forward on immigration
reform.
"There is a small minority that is angry, that talks negatively about
migrants, and that describes migrants as traffickers, smugglers, and
terrorists. Logic cannot make any inroads on the thinking of that small
minority," she said in a troubled voice.
(Arizona Representative) Ed Pastor, a Democrat, explained that now the
debate in the United States is about whether or not a politician supports
the regularization of immigration and whether the migrant is legal or not.
(Texas Representative) Solomon Ortiz asked for patience and said that for
the first time there were 100 legislators in favor of comprehensive
immigration reform.
The members of the US Congress ruled out (any possibility) of US gun
control reform.
(Description of Source: Mexico City REFORMA.com in Spanish -- Website of
major center-right daily owned by Grupo Reforma; URL: http://www.refo
rma.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.
43) Back to Top
Mexico Southeastern Crime/Narcotics/Security Issues 14 Jun 10 - Mexico --
OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:48:13 GMT
The Secretariat of Public Security website reports in bulletin 339 on 13
June that federal police officers in Morelos arrested Irving Eduardo
Solano Vera, a.k.a. El Gato, a 29-year-old operator for Edgar Valdez
Villarreal, a.k.a. La Barbie, of the Beltran Leyva Cartel.Jose Luis Solano
Morales, a.k.a. Rengo, an alleged lookout for the group, was also
arrested.Solano Vera entered the Morelos Office of the Attorney Gener al
on 27 July 2000 and worked as a ministerial officer in the Murder
Investigation Group until 18 November 2003.He joined the Beltran Leyva
Cartel while he was still a ministerial agent and earned the trust of La
Barbie and worked under him in charge of paid assassin groups and drug
transportation operations in Guerrero and Morelos.He was also in charge of
security logistics for La Barbie.Investigations indicate that he was
planning to sell drugs in other states and to break into the US market.He
is linked to at least 30 murders.When arrested, he and Solano Morales were
in possession of a grey Volkswagen vehicle, Mexico City plates 434-WZC; a
9-mm Glock handgun; two clips; 31 live cartridges, 9 mm; and 56 bindles of
cocaine. (Mexico Secretariat of Public Security in Spanish -- Official
website of the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security.URL:
http://www.ssp.gob.mx/ http://www.ssp.gob.mx/ ) Federal Police Detain Man
with 72 Capsules of Cocaine in Stomach at Mexico Cit y Airport -
The Secretariat of Public Security website reports in bulletin 336 on 11
June that Federal Police were questioning passengers boarding flight 2206
to Guadalajara, Jalisco, at the Mexico City International Airport.Geovanni
Issac Galvez Reyes, a 22 year old, was nervous and seemed hurried to board
his plane, so they took him in for further questioning.He confessed to
having swallowed 72 capsules of cocaine before boarding his flight in
Lima, Peru.He was taken to a hospital and authorities obtained the 72
capsules, which weighed a total of 710 g. Galvez was arrested. Federal
Police Arrest Member of Los Petriciolet Kidnapping Gang in Xochimilco -
The Secretariat of Public Security website reports in bulletin 337 on 11
June that federal police officers conducted an operation in the Potrero
San Bernardino neighborhood of the Xochimilco delegation of Mexico City
and arrested Jesus Valdes Orozco, a.k.a. El Frank, a suspected member of
the Los Petriciolet ki dnapping gang.He allegedly joined the gang in 2007,
at the invitation of someone known as Luis, a.k.a. La Botarga.Valdes was
in charge of keeping watch over nine kidnapping victims.When arrested, he
was in possession of the following: a 2005 silver Honda Accord, Mexico
City plates 693-VYT; four cellular phone devices; and a variety of
identifications. Mexico State Family Gunned Down in Home -
Mexico City El Universal on 11 June reports that several armed men burst
into a home on Zaragoza Street, in the Tultepec municipality of Mexico
State, just two blocks from the municipal government buildings, and opened
fire on a couple and their baby.The woman and infant were killed, and the
man was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.Authorities believe
this may have been a settling of scores. (Mexico City El Universal
(Internet Version-WWW) in Spanish -- Major centrist daily. Root URL as of
filing date:
http://www.el-universal.com.mx/ http://www.el-universal.c om.mx/ )
Kidnapping Gang Arrested in Tabasco -
Mexico City Reforma on 13 June reports that a gang of kidnappers was
arrested in Tabasco: Guadalupe Gallegos Hernandez, a.k.a. Lupillo;
Crecencio Caraveo Castro; and Silviano Ascencio Feliciano, a.k.a. El
Sabocho.They were identified by a former victim, who was released by them
after his family members paid ransom. (Mexico City Reforma in Spanish --
major centrist daily newspaper, advocates journalism reform.URL:
http://www.reforma.com/ http://www.reforma.com/ ) Experts: Narco-Violence
Only Contained, Not Prevented -
Mexico City Reforma on 14 June reports that experts say President Felipe
Calderon has done nothing but contain organized crime in the four years
since the start of the struggle to recover public security.They say
nothing has been done towards prevention or solving the real problem of
national security. "Up until now there has been containment, but to go
from that to suppose that ground is b eing gained or that victory is near
is to be outside of reality," says Carlos Humberto Toledo, a security
specialist.Arturo Alvarado, instructor and researcher at the College of
Mexico, says, "The problem is protection, whether it be at a
rehabilitation center or at malls, authorities have no or do not want to
give information on their ability to prevent and respond, everything is
left unpunished, it is unprecedented, nothing more than a ministerial
report is made, the deaths pile up and that's it."
The following media were scanned and no file-worthy items were noted:
Mexico City Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, Mexican Naval
Secretariat, Mexico City Secretariat of National Defense, Coatzacoalcos El
Liberal del Sur, Merida Diario de Yucatan, Mexico City Proceso, Oaxaca
Noticias, Oaxaca El Imparcial, Poza Rica de Hidalgo La Opinion, Tuxtla
Gutierrez Cuarto Poder, Villahermosa Tabasco Hoy, Mexico City La Jornada,
Centro de Medios Independie ntes (Indymedia) Chiapas, Zapatista National
Liberation Army
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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44) Back to Top
Mexico Political Issues 12-14 Jun 10 - Mexico -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 17:59:16 GMT
-- Mexico City El Universal reports on 13 June that according to Mexican
Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan, the Mexican Government is
awaiting the results of an investigation into the death of 14-year-old
Mexican national Sergio Adrian Hernandez -- who was shot by an agent of
the US Border Patrol -- before deciding what legal action to take in this
case. In an interview during the 49 th Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary
Meeting, the ambassador affirmed that the Mexican authorities had videos
of the shooting taken from the Mexican side of the Ciudad Juarez-El Paso
border, while videos shot on the other side of the border where being
studied by the US authorities. Sarukhan added that while the
investigations were underway, the Mexican authorities "are evaluating all
resources available to us, to which we will resort if the investigation
concludes that any of these agents are guilty, and we are also evaluating
the legal and diplomatic instruments at our disposal, which we will
implement as soon as this investigation concludes." The ambassador denied
that his government's reactions to the recent deaths of Mexican national
at US hands had been "lukewarm." (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 ful l text of this article) Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary
Meeting Concludes Without Agreements
-- Mexico City Reforma reports on 14 June that the 49 th Mexico-US
Inter-Parliamentary Meeting concluded in Campeche without any concrete
agreements, although Mexican and US legislators expressed their intention
to discuss trade, security, and migration issues in their respective
legislative chambers. Thus, PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) Deputy
Francisco Rojas, head of the Mexican delegation, affirmed that the Mexican
and US legislators alike had defended the need for Mexico to act against
drug trafficking and for the United States to take action against
gunrunning, while both delegations agreed on the need to curb domestic
drug use. Rojas added that the approval of comprehensive immigration
reforms in the United States would avoid "repressive" measures which
harmed bilateral relations, such as Arizona's SB1070. Meanwhile, PAN
(National Action Party) Senator L uis Alberto Villarreal declared that
until immigration reforms were approved in the United States, measures
were needed to ensure that the human rights of Mexican migrants were
upheld. (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/ ) Mexican Legislators
Demand Punishment for US Agents
-- Mexico City El Universal reports on 12 June that during the 49 th
Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, legislators from the United States
and Mexico jointly condemned the deaths of Mexican nationals Sergio Adrian
Hernandez and Anastasio Hernandez Juarez, and they demanded thorough
investigations by their respective governments. Furthermore, PAN Deputy
Francisco Ramirez Acuna, speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, declared that
US agencies should stop using lethal force against migrants. PAN Senate
Coordinator Calls for Extradition of US Agent
-- Mexico City El Univers al reports on 12 June that PAN Senate
coordinator Gustavo Madero called for the extradition of a US Border
Patrol agent, to be tried for the murder of Mexican teenager Sergio Adrian
Hernandez. Madero affirmed in an interview that the Legislative branch was
preparing a motion to voice its concern over the "increasing trend" and
the "escalation" of assaults against Mexi can migrants by authorities in
the United States. The PAN senator went on to acknowledge that it was up
to the federal government to request an extradition, but he stressed that
the Senate wished to express its concern over this case. Mexican
Legislators Urge US Counterparts To Take Action on Immigration Reforms
-- Mexico City Reforma reports on 13 June that PRI Senator Rosario Green,
chairwoman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former Foreign
secretary, declared at the 49 th Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting
that the condolences of her US counterparts over the deaths of Mexican
nationals Anastasio Hernandez and Sergio Adrian Hernandez would not
suffice, and she called for greater coherence on the issue of immigration
reforms. "Undocumented Mexicans have ultimately become an electoral issue,
no more than a name on a list. That reflects poorly on a country with
which I may not always agree, but which I have always admired," Green
declared. The PRI senator added that "I had hoped that these lamentations
and expressions of condolences that we had received from our US
counterparts (...) would be backed up in the tone of our
inter-parliamentary meeting." Meanwhile, PT (Labor Party) Deputy Porfirio
Munoz Ledo, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Relations
Committee, warned that without the approval of immigration reforms in the
United States, bilateral relations with Mexico would be "rotten." (OSC is
translating the full text of this article) Mexican Legislators Urge US
Counterparts To Remove Obstacles Hin dering Free Trade
-- Mexico City Reforma reports on 13 June that Mexican legislators urged
their US counterparts to cancel a series of obstacles that were preventing
free trade between the two countries, in violation of the terms of NAFTA
(North American Free Trade Agreement). The Mexican delegation at the 49 th
Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting complained of measures such as the
imposition of import tariffs, obstacles against the transportation of
goods from Mexico to the United States, and a veto on Mexican-caught tuna,
among other issues. According to Deputy Ildefonso Guajardo, the Mexican
and US legislators agreed on the need to improve trade exchanges and
cooperation, in order to reinforce the global competitiveness of the North
American region. Mexican, US Legislators See Need for Amendment of
'Exhausted' NAFTA
-- Mexico City El Universal reports on 13 June that Mexican and US
legislators acknowledged that the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFT A) was "exhausted," "devalued," and in need of amendments. The
legislators assembled at the 49 th Mexico-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting
pointed out that the North American region was losing global
competitiveness to the Asia-Pacific region, while PRI Deputy Ildefonso
Guajardo, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies' Economy Committee, declared
that NAFTA "has fulfilled its duties, borne its fruit, had its successes,
and must now be programmed for the future. Now that it has reached a point
of exhaustion, it should be re-launched with a series of actions by our
Executive and Legislative branches, in order to strengthen the North
American region in comparison with other world regions." PAN Senator Luis
Alberto Villarreal added that NAFTA could still generate wellbeing for
Mexico and the United States, but that the agreement required "new
criteria," to include a greater focus on "infrastructure, technology,
social development, and educa tion, in order to defeat problems including
crime and violence in the region." INM Reports Almost 3,000 Mexicans
Accepted Voluntary Repatriation Over 12 Days
-- Mexico City La Jornada reports on 13 June that according to Rolando
Garcia Alonso, coordinator of International Relations at Mexico's National
Migration Institute (INM), almost 3,000 Mexican nationals have returned to
their places of orig in during the first 12 days of a Mexico-US voluntary
repatriation program, while almost 30,000 were expected to accept this
voluntary repatriation during the three-month program, from June to
September. Garcia Alonso explained that in an exceptional measure, the US
authorities were paying air and bus fares for any undocumented migrants
who decided to return to their places of origin from the Arizona-Sonora
border region. The INM official affirmed that despite bilateral tension
caused by recent attacks against Mexican migrants by US agents, the
authorities sought to maint ain institutional relations which benefited
Mexican nationals. Garcia Alonso explained that the repatriation program
aimed to reduce the death rate of Mexican migrants attempting to cross the
border during the hottest months of the year. (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 ) International
Relations: Iran Protests Against Mexico's UN Vote on Sanctions
-- Mexico City El Universal reports on 12 June that the Iranian Embassy in
Mexico issued a statement expressing its country's "forceful protest"
against Mexico's vote in the UN Security Council, which approved financial
sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The Iranian statement
lamented that Mexico had "given in" to "pressure" from the United States,
despite the fact that Iran had supported Mexico's bid to occupy a
temporary Secur ity Council seat from 2009 to 2010. The Iranian statement
went on to thank Turkey and Brazil "for rejecting the pressure of the US
Government and displaying the independence of their vote in defense of the
rights of the Iranian people, and their choice to back the path of
diplomacy and dialogue." (OSC is translating the full text of this
article) Other Political News: Calderon Declares Crime, Not Government,
Responsible for Death Rate in Mexico
-- Mexico City Reforma reports on 13 June that a day after Mexico
experienced its worst week in terms of violent deaths, with 271 murders,
President Felipe Calderon and the Interior Secretariat (Segob) stressed
that this death rate was the result of clashes among criminal groups, and
not of the government's actions. In a statement defending his government's
strategy against crime, Calderon declared that "rather than a 'war of the
government against drug trafficking', the most deadly war being fought at
the moment is among criminals (...). In their current turf wars, (criminal
organizations) are committing especially violent homicides, such as
beheadings, torture, and mass executions." Calderon added that the aim of
the government's actions was to stem this wave of violence. Meanwhile, the
Segob issued a statement declaring that "most of the violent deaths"
reported in Mexico were caused by criminal organizations.
The following media were scanned and no file-worthy items were noted:
(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 )
(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/ )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtaine d from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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45) Back to Top
Former Policeman Linked To Drug Scheme Arrested
Unattributed report "Ex-cop Wanted for 30 Killings Captured in Mexico" --
EFE Headline - EFE
Monday June 14, 2010 18:13:54 GMT
Irving Eduardo Solano Vera was in charge of logistics for Valdez
Villarreal's organization, the secretariat said. The 29-year-old Solano
Vera, a native of Cuautla, Morelos, was arrested last Friday along with
Jose Luis Solano Moreles, another member of the gang.
Solano Vera was in charge of the criminal organization's hit squads and
drug shipments in Guerrero and Morelos states, the secretariat said.
The 36-year-old Valdez Villarreal was the right-hand man and most rut
hless gunman employed by drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva, who was killed in
a shootout on Dec. 16 with Mexican marines. A battle for control of the
Beltran Leyva cartel has been raging since Arturo's death, intelligence
sources say. A faction of the gang under the command of Valdez Villarreal
is battling the group led by Hector Beltran Leyva for control of
territory.
U.S. authorities are offering a $2 million reward for information leading
to the capture of Valdez Villarreal, who was indicted last week in
Atlanta, Georgia.
Solano Vera served in the Morelos state police from July 2000 to November
2003, then rejoined the force on Jan. 8, 2005, the secretariat said.
"While serving as a state police officer," Solano Vera was invited to join
the Beltran Leyva cartel, the secretariat said, adding that the suspect
left the state police in May 2009. The Beltran Leyva cartel is involved in
smuggling cocaine, marijuana and heroin, as well as in people trafficking,
money laundering, extortion, kidnapping, contract hits and arms
trafficking.
Arturo Beltran Leyva and another brother, Mario Alberto, shared the
leadership of the Beltran Leyva cartel, which arose as a splinter group of
the Sinaloa cartel, Mexico's oldest and largest cartel.
The Beltran Leyva brothers reportedly broke with Sinaloa cartel boss
Joaquin "El Chapo" (Shorty) Guzman after the January 2008 arrest of
Alfredo Beltran Leyva.
The brothers blamed Alfredo's arrest on Guzman and killed one of the
Sinaloa cartel chief's sons in a grenade attack on a Culiacan shopping
center.
The betrayals and killings sparked a war between Guzman and the Beltran
Leyvas, who allied themselves with the Gulf cartel, a bitter enemy of the
Sinaloa cartel boss.
The Beltran Leyva cartel managed to infiltrate the security forces and put
Noe Ramirez Mandujano, who served as Mexico's drug czar, on their payroll.
Ramirez Mandujano was a rrested in November 2008 during "Operation
Clean-Up," an initiative to root out corruption in the upper reaches of
the Federal Police and Attorney General's Office. The former drug czar had
been taking $450,000 monthly from drug traffickers, officials said.
(Description of Source: Madrid EFE in English -- independent Spanish press
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.
46) Back to Top
ROK, DPRK To Address UN Security Council Over Ship Sinking
Updated version: Replacing 0105 GMT version with update provided by source
at 0640 GMT, which recasts first 3 grafs and updates graf 5, 10-11, 14-15
with comments from the foreign ministry spokesman, and provides a by-li
ne; By Chang Jae-soon: "South, North Korea to Address U.N. Security
Council Over Ship Sinking" - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 07:09:32 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.
47) Back to Top
DPRK Threats, PRC Reluctance 'Hobble' ROK's Response to Ch'o'nan
Unattributed report: "Uncertainties Hobble S.Korea's Response to Cheonan
Sinking" - Chosun Ilbo Online
Sunday June 13, 2010 23:40:19 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 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
US Increases aid To Protect Civilians, To Promote Economic Recovery
Report by Nicolas Michel: "Obama and the Ugandan Patient" - Jeune Afrique
Monday June 14, 2010 04:39:18 GMT
continues to terrorize the entire region. The United States is banking on
economic development to stop the massacre.
The United States is a long-time ally of Uganda, considered as an island
of stability in the Great Lakes region. Reagan, Bush senior, Clinton, Bush
junior and now Obama, have all had cordial ties with Ugandan President
Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. And all of them
supported his struggle against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) of
"Prophet" Joseph Kony, who has been terrorizing the Acholie region, in the
north of the country, for almost twenty years now.
It is, therefore, not surprising that Obama, on 24 May, promulgated a law
on "the disarming of the LRA and the reconstruction of the north of the
country" that commits his country to increase aid destined for the
protection of civilians and to promote the region's economic recovery.
Obama, on this occasion, paid glowing tribute to the Ugandan government
for its action in favor of the Acholie region and its reintegration
programs for those leaving LRA ranks.
Barbaric practices
Since the carrying out of Operation Lightning Thunder by the Ugandan and
Congolese armed forces against Kony's men in December 2008, the LRA has
been, seriously, weakened, but continues to spread terror between Congo,
Sudan and the Central African Republic. "The figures have, undoubtedly,
been underestimated, but, according to Ugandan intelligence, the LRA has
between 500 and 2,000 men scattered over a territory as big as Spain.
Besides, the term army is inappropriate. There are hardly any contacts
between them. As to their funding, there is talk of the Acholie Diaspora,
but there is no evidence of this. "Today, the LRA is a threat, above all,
to the population, and not to states," says Thierry Vircoulon, who is in
charge of Central Africa in the International Crisis Group (ICG).
The ICG estimates at 1,40 0 the number of LRA victims, since December
2008, in the various countries concerned. Abductions, acts of rape,
plundering, mutilations: the barbaric practices of Kony's soldiers -
facing a warrant of arrest of the International Criminal Court, since
2005, for crimes against humanity - have not changed with their
diminishing chances of seizing power in Kampala. "Kony and his comrades
are hiding in an immense and under-administered territory, where it is
easy to disappear," Vircoulon explains.
Protecting civilians
According to the ICG, the military option of capturing or eliminating Kony
has, nevertheless, proven to be inadequate, especially as "Uganda
jeopardized its own chances of success by failing to coordinate its action
with its partners, thereby giving them insufficient reasons to take up the
fight against the LRA." Organization argues in favor of a better "division
of labor" that would enable the United Nations Mission in Su dan (MINUS)
and the United Nations Mission in DR Congo (MONUC) to protect civilians in
the areas concerned. Its voice has, probably, been heard, since United
Nations Resolution 1925 of 28 May transforms MONUC into "United Nations
Mission for the Stabilization of DR Congo" (MONUSCO), with the aim of
improving the means that the Congolese government has at its disposal to,
efectively, protect the population, threatened, among others, by the LRA.
As for Museveni - who is already campaigning for the 2011 presidential
election - he will not spare the cost of special efforts in favor of the
north. Poverty is the cause of many ills, with an average rate of 30
percent in the country and peaking at 60 percent in the Acholie region.
(Description of Source: Paris Jeune Afrique in French -- Privately owned,
independent weekly magazine)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained fr om the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
49) Back to Top
Foreign Visitors in Cuba 7-13 Jun 10 - Cuba -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 17:26:31 GMT
Havana Radio Rebelde in Spanish 1000 GMT on 7 June reported that Seretse
Khama Ian Khama, president of Botswana, arrives in Cuba today on an
official visit at the invitation of the Cuban Government.
(LAP20100607464001, LAP20100607361004, LAP20100613002003see also
AFP20100607567008)
Havana Cubavision in Spanish 0000 GMT on 8 June reported that Seretse
Khama Ian Khama, president of Botswana, met with Council of State
President Raul Castro Ruz.After an official welcome ceremony, the leaders
discussed the "satisfactory" state of bilateral ties and international
affair s.Vice President Esteban Lazo Hernandez was also in attendance.
(LAP20100608499001, LAP20100608464003, LAP20100608464004,
LAP20100608361003, LAP20100613002001, LAP20100613002004)
Havana Cubavision in Spanish 1700 GMT on 8 June reported that Seretse
Khama Ian Khama, president of Botswana, visited the Internationalist
Soldiers Mausoleum, where he placed a floral wreath.Several Cuban
cooperators are contributing to health, education, and sports sectors in
Botswana (see also AFP20100609567006).Khama extolled Cuba's collaboration,
stating that Cuba has given Botswana more than any other nation.
(LAP20100608361003, LAP20100609499001, LAP20100609464002) (He also praised
Cuban educational facilities and opportunities (AFP20100610567015);
pledged to advocate for the lifting of economic sanctions against Cuba
(AFP20100611589004); to explore new avenues of cooperation
(AFP20100611589005); and signed two new coooperation agreements
(AFP20100614589005)).
INTERNATIONAL
Havana Cubavision in Spanish 2230 GMT on 10 June carried a roundtable with
international guest panelists attending the 2nd international conference
on Jose Marti's ideas.They included Frei Betto, Brazilian theologist and
intellectual; Mexican senator Yeidckol Polevnski; Marina Coronado,
president of the Guatemalan Chamber of Professional Broadcasters; Luis
Gomez Soromenho, mayor of Villa Real de San Antonio, Portugal.
(LAP20100611052001)
UNITED STATES
Havana Cubavision in Spanish 0000 GMT on 9 June reported that the governor
of Georgia paid a two-day visit to Cuba.He stressed that the primary
reason for the visit was to develop trade relations and noted there was no
opposition to his journey. (LAP20100609499001) Foreign media outlets
reported no additional information on foreigners visiting Cuba that was
not covered above.
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the cop yright
holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
50) Back to Top
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Dominican Republic Media 14 June 2010
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - OSC
Monday June 14, 2010 11:19:22 GMT
-- San Jose La Nacion reports that a month and a half after the start of
the new legislature, deputies have sidelined security projects and that
bills await the formation of committees to discuss them. (San Jose
Nacion.com in Spanish -- Website of ultra-conservative national
circulation daily owned by Grupo Nacion Corporation; URL:
http://www.nacion.com/ http://www.nacion.com/ ) Foreign Policy Said Not a
Priority for Chinchilla
-- San Jose La Prensa Libre reports tha t experts consider that foreign
policy is not a priority for President Laura Chinchilla. They point out
that her administration has a more environmental and a low profile
regarding international relations, in contrast to the administration of
Oscar Arias. (San Jose La Prensa Libre Online in Spanish -- Website of
independent daily; Director William Gomez Vargas; URL:
http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/ http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/ ) NICARAGUA
MRS Deputy Monica Baltodano Urges Popular Opposition Against Ortega
-- Managua La Prensa reports that Deputy Monica Baltodano, from the
Sandinista Renewal Movement (MRS), said that President Daniel Ortega's
strategy to perpetuate himself in power "will not work" as there are
people in Nicaragua "who cannot be bought, are not afraid of him, and are
willing to give up their lives." She added that the political opposition
was weak and urged the people to carry out demonstrations against Ortega.
(Managua La Prens a.com.ni in Spanish -- Website of independent leading
national circulation daily; La Prensa generally supports free market,
neo-liberal economics and is largely pro-US. Owned by the Chamorro family;
URL:
http://www.laprensa.com.ni/ http://www.laprensa.com.ni/ ) Article Analyzes
Opposition's Lack of Unity
-- Managua La Prensa reports that more than three years after promising
unity to lead a front against Ortega and regain power in 2011, the
opposition factions have been unable to join forces, while the periods
proposed for unity are expiring with no results. Analysts said that
personal ambitions, the buying and selling of opposition votes in the
National Assembly, and a disregard for the opinion of independent voters
are the main obstacles in the road to unity. (Pooled as LAP20100614022001)
Police Investigating Fumigation Airplane Case
-- Managua La Prensa reports that a Costa Rican, a Czech, and a Mexican
were arrested and then released in Costa Rica ov er a fumigation airplane
that took off in Costa Rica but made a forced landing in Nicaragua. The
owner of the airplane has a history of drug trafficking, however no drug
remains were found in the airplane. Article Lauds NDI Program To Train
Politicians
-- Managua La Prensa reports that the announcement made by the US National
Democratic Institute (NDI) to launch a specialized education program for
Nicaraguan politicians fills a large vacuum, as the country's political
class "has a great need of political training and democratic education."
Justices Unable To Break Impasse
-- Managua Informe Pastran reports that Justice Manuel Martinez's period
as president of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) expired without calling
a plenary meeting to elect new authorities, as the impasse over the
participation of Justices Rafael Solis and Armengol Cuadra, whose terms
had expired, was not solved. Justice Alba Luz Ramos, from the Sandinista
National Liberation Front (FSLN), is scheduled to become the new president
of the CSJ. (Managua Informe Pastran Online in Spanish -- Website of daily
political and economic news bulletin edited by Adolfo Pastran Arancibia;
URL:
http://www.informepastran.com/ http://www.informepastran.com ) Article
Claims Civil Society a n 'Instrument' of the United States
-- Managua La Voz del Sandinismo reports in an article by Prensa Latina
correspondent Alfredo Pierrat that US strategy towards Nicaragua seems to
have changed in the past few months, with the low profile of Ambassador
Robert Callahan and the virtual acceptance of Francisco Campbell as
ambassador to Washington. He points out that the United States is making
efforts to instill in Nicaraguan civil society political views and
practices that have no space for dissenting opinions, much less for
leftist ones. (Managua La Voz del Sandinismo Online in Spanish -- Official
Sandinista National Liberation Front, FSLN, news portal; URL:
htt p://www.lavozdelsandinismo.com/ http://www.lavozdelsandinismo.com )
(Pooled as LAP20100614022002) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Editorial Says Reelection
Speculation Harms PLD, Fernandez
-- Santo Domingo Listin Diario reports in an editorial that the discussion
of President Leonel Fernandez's reelection harms the Dominican Liberation
Party (PLD), given that the idea is rejected by large segments of society,
that a newly approved constitution expressly forbids it, and that the PLD
won elections by a landslide with Fernandez heading the campaign. The
editorial adds that the idea of reelection makes Fernandez look like an
insatiable leader. (Santo Domingo Listin Diario.com in Spanish -- Website
of independent pro-Dominican Revolutionary Party administration daily;
Director Antonio Gil; URL:
http://www.listin.com.do/ http://www.listin.com.do ) Cuba, Dominican
Republic Discuss Free Trade
-- Santo Domingo Hoy reports that Cuba and the Dominican Republic are
discussing a partial free trade agreement to strengthen current trade
levels, estimated at $70 million per year, emphasizing cooperation and
technical assistance in technology and tourism. The Dominican Republic
exports food, cosmetics, and construction material to Cuba, while
importing pharmaceuticals. (Santo Domingo Hoy Digital in Spanish --
Website of independent national circulation daily published by Editora
Hoy; Director Mario Alvarez Dugan URL:
http://www.hoy.com.do/ http://www.hoy.com.do/ ) (Pooled as
LAP20100614022003)
The following media were scanned and no file-worthy items were noted:
NICARAGUA
(Managua El Pueblo Presidente Online in Spanish -- Citizen power news
portal supportive of the Ortega administration URL:
http://www.elpueblopresidente.com/ http://www.elpueblopresidente.com )
(Managua El 19 Online in Spanish -- Website of pro-government daily; URL:
http://www.el19digital.com/ http://www.el19digital.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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51) Back to Top
ROK, Colombia Start 3rd Round of Free Trade Talks on 14 Jun
Updated version: adding International Economic tag; Yonhap headline: "S.
Korea, Colombia start 3rd round of free trade talks" - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 10:13:10 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news
agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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52) Back to Top
S. Korea, Colombia Start 3rd Round of Free Trade Talks - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 08:03:20 GMT
S. Korea, Colombia start 3rd round of free trade talks
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Colombia began Monday their
third round of free trade negotiations in Seoul, the trade ministry
said.The two countries will discuss a range of issues such as services and
investment until Friday, the ministry said. Both sides held the first
round in Seoul in December.Their bilateral trade reached US$922 million in
2009, with South Korea's exports to the South American country reaching
$797 million, according to the ministry.South Korea's main export items
include cars and electronic goods, and it imports coffee and resources,
such as coal and n ickel, from Colombia.The South American country has
free trade pacts with the United States, Canada and the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and
Liechtenstein.South Korea also has free trade pacts with Chile, Singapore,
the EFTA and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations.A free
trade pact between Korea and the United States was signed in 2007, but
still awaits ratification by the legislatures of both countries.
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53) Back to Top
Police Launch New Agency To Track Down Transnational Criminals
Report by Wassayos Ngamkham: "New Agency Bags Robbery Gang" - Bangkok Post
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 03:22:11 GMT
Transnational crime under spotlight, writes Wassayos Ngamkham.The recent
arrest of 11 members of an alleged Colombian robbery gang marked a
promising start for a new police agency charged with cracking down on
transnational criminals in Thailand.The Transnational Crime Arrest Warrant
Information Centre officially opened on May 9, and officers from the
agency played a key role in last week's arrests.The centre will operate as
an arm of the Immigration Bureau, which is considered the country's first
line of defence against overseas criminals.The bureau also aims to
establish Thailand as a regional hub specialising in tracking down
transnational criminals."We're making Thailand a 'market' for arrest
warrants issued worldwide," said Immigration Police Bureau chief Wut
Liptapanlop.He said he wants Thailand to become a centre for information
in Southeast A sia on transnational criminals. The centre would accomplish
this by compiling arrest warrants issued by foreign countries in its
computer network, he said.The centre's work would enable officers to
better monitor the entry of foreigners into Thailand, which has at least
20 million visitors each year, he said.Pol Lt Gen Wut said the massive
number of travellers entering the country makes it easier for
transnational criminals to slip through.The bureau says foreign criminals
entering Thailand can be divided into three groups. The first commits
crimes abroad and flees to Thailand, while the second intends to commit
illegal acts here. The third uses the country as a place to launder money
through a range of investment projects here.The Colombian gang falls into
the second group, police said, as members had tricked officials by using
fake Spanish passports to enter the country.Police allege that Vincent
Johnaon, a Ghanaian national, helped forge their passports.The gang is
accuse d of raiding houses in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces to steal
valuables, some of which were sent to Colombia. It also allegedly stole
items and cash from cars."Our duty is to prevent them from entering, but
if they do get in, to nab them," said Pol Lt Gen Wut. "If you manage to
sneak into our country, we'll hunt you down."The Transnational Crime
Arrest Warrant Information Centre has compiled arrest warrants from
various agencies in its computer network which can be checked at
immigration police checkpoints nationwide.The bureau said 1,333 warrants
are from Thai courts, 253 are from Interpol, 263 are from foreign
embassies, 10 are from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and eight
are from the US Drug Enforcement Administration.The targets of most arrest
warrants are Asian (1,012 people), followed by Europeans (377), Africans
(94), North Americans (91), South Americans (50), Australians (31), and
people of unknown nationality (212).Pol Lt Gen Wut s aid a coming
immigration police crackdown on transnational criminals would focus on
guest houses and hotels where foreigners stay. Owners would be obliged to
provide police with complete guest lists upon request.
(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.)
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54) Back to Top
Government Breakdown as a Political Risk
"Government Breakdown as a Political Risk" -- The Daily Star Headline -
The Daily Star Online
< br>
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:22:37 GMT
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ever since financial crisis in Greece last February, financial markets
haveturned sharply negative. The euro is down about 15 percent against the
dollarthis year; the Dow Jones Industrial Average just had its worst May
in 40 years;the interbank lending rate doubled in the past few weeks; and
oil prices areheading south. At least one new and powerful undercurrent
explains the anxietyamong investors and traders: the quantum increase in
political risk.The definition of political risk has generally meant the
risk of war, coupsd-etat, government expropriation of private property,
sharp orcapricious increases in regulation. But today market concern is
with anexpanded concept of political risk that encompasses the growing
incapacity ofgovernments to accurately define the magnitude of the
challenges they face, andthen to devise and exec ute policies befitting
the scale of their problems.Political risk also includes the increasingly
limited ability of governments tocooperate with one another to solve
global problems. Markets hate politicalrisk because it is all about
calculating the weakness of people andorganizations, something that
doesn-t fit well into Wall Street-scomputer models.Here are some examples
of how political risk is increasing:Markets worry that Germany, France and
other users of the euro are incapable ofthe economic changes called for by
the International Monetary Fund and EuropeanUnion. Spain, for example,
says it will cut its budget deficit from 11.2percent of GDP in 2009 to 3
percent in 2013, a staggering cutback. Recently,the Socialist government
barely passed the first of what should be many morecuts. But now GDP is
expected to slow even more and Prime Minister JoseLuis Rodriguez
Zapatero-s political fate is hanging by a thread, makingfurther cuts
problematic. France could face a similar drama when legislationcomes up
this summer to raise the retirement age for public sector pensionsfrom 60
to 62.Markets also remain unconvinced that Greece and others can grow out
of theirdebts, even with the new $1 trillion rescue package, and assume
that debtrestructurings - a polite term for 'default' - are acertainty.
But if governments wait too long to postpone pain, as they are proneto do,
then the defaults will be chaotic and send shockwaves throughout
marketswell beyond the euro zone.Markets doubt that the rhetoric about
achieving a stronger economic Europeanunion - the sine qua non for a
credible and stable euro over time -far outstrips the willingness of
European governments to make the necessaryhard decisions. Germany, the
most important country, shows no inclination tosubordinate its policies to
broader European needs, such as stimulatingdomestic demand to allow
expansion of its trading partners- exports. As aresult, traders and
investors increasingly bet against the euro.The United States, the United
Kingdom and Japan all run unprecedented peacetimedeficits relative to GDP.
Each will not only have to make drastic budget cutsand raise taxes, but
must dramatically downsize pension guarantees and statesubsidies. All need
to pare down the cost of security, health and publiclyfinanced education.
Markets doubt that enough cuts will happen, given thecertainty of powerful
and sustained political pushback, and they worry aboutwhat kind of
economic chaos the resulting fiscal paralysis will cause.The quality of
government in China also represents a gigantic political risk,especially
since all big economic decisions emanate from Beijing. Massivepressures
are mounting on China to grow fast while avoiding inevitable bubblesand to
remain ferociously competitive while simultaneously facing pressures
toimprove wages, revalue the currency and export into a slow growing
westernworld. If China falters, all bets on a global recovery are
off.Another pol itical risk is increased financial regulation in America
and Europe,where the lack of trans-Atlantic coordination is creating the
specter of aspaghetti bowl of conflicting rules that lead to opportunities
fordestabilizing regulatory arbitrage. Even after a year of intensive
effort,including three G-20 summits, it is not clear how banks will be
taxed, whatlevel of reserves they will have to carry, what rules will
govern shortselling, what constraints will be put on derivatives trading
and much more.Markets watch the big deficit nations like the US, and the
big surpluscountries like China and Germany for signs of a major global
economicrebalancing, a key requirement for a more stable global economic
system. Theysee virtually no progress. US savings rates have reached a
plateau, and Beijingand Berlin want a continuation of the old system, the
one that helped usher inthe global credit crisis.Markets sense that in the
event of a double-dip recession, governments are outof fiscal and monetary
ammunition, and could force central banks to monetizedebt by printing
money to buy it, thereby setting off serious inflation.Already the
European Central Bank has come under attack for buying low-ratedGreek
bonds.Markets recognize that what may be logical for one country doesn-t
workfor all of them. They wonder how both the US and Europe can
regaincompetitiveness by supporting weak currencies, the implicit
underpinning oftheir respective future hopes, without setting off a
protectionist binge ofcompetitive devaluations.It doesn-t take much
imagination to conjure up scenarios for whichgovernments are not yet
prepared, because they are so overwhelmed handlingcurrent crises. What if
a rating agency downgrades a major country-s debt- say Japan - which is
skirting deflation and has sky-high debt andweak government, the latter
symbolized by the recent resignation of PrimeMinister Yukio Hatoyama, the
fourth prime minister to quit in the last fouryears? What if a major city
like Los Angeles declares bankruptcy, sendingshockwaves through municipal
financial markets around the world?We should not be surprised if
governments have big trouble rising to thechallenges they face. After all,
the past few decades have celebratedderegulation and the reduction of
trade and financial barriers, whilehigh-paying business jobs siphoned off
top talent from public service -the talent in great demand today. And the
problems facing society - suchas the phenomenal growth of financial
markets or the profound issuessurrounding climate change - have become
much more complex due totechnical sophistication and global linkages.If
political risk is to become less of a menace to the markets, the
knowledgeand experience of politicians must be vastly upgraded. Our
political leadersneed the courage to make bold changes in economic and
social programs and inthe organization of bloated bureaucracies, let alone
to face the heat fromcitizens who feel aggrieved. A massive in crease in
international coordinationis required, too.Hopefully, all this will happen
in time, but right now it-s hard not tosympathize with those on Wall
Street who see all this as a bridge too far.Jeffrey E. Garten is the Juan
Trippe professor of international trade andfinance at the Yale School of
Management. He was formerly undersecretary ofcommerce for international
trade in the Clinton administration. This commentaryis reprinted with
permission from YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu).Copyright (c)
2010, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization,
YaleUniversity.(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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55) Back to Top
Arms Expert Cited on Club Missile System Development, Operation, Sale
Report by Sergey Turchenko: "Soviet-Vintage Biryuza Has Given the
Americans a Fright. 1983 Development Has Proven More Reliable Than Bulava"
- Svobodnaya Pressa
Monday June 14, 2010 16:11:16 GMT
Daily Telegraph has gotten itself into a panic in the shape of an article
concerning the combat capabilities of Russia's Biryuza missile complex
(export designation Club-K), which was demonstrated recently at the
Defense Services Asia Exhibition in Malaysia. "This system makes possible
the proliferation of ballistic missiles on a hitherto unseen scale" --
this is the assessment of the Club-K's potential made by Reuben Johnson, a
Pentagon defense consultant. "Thanks to the careful disguise you will no
longer be able to easily ascertain that an object is being utilized as a
launcher. First a harmless freighter appears off your coast, the next
minute your military installations have already been obliterated."
Commenting on the innovation, another military expert, Robert Hewson,
emphasized: "This Club-K is a total game-changer. The threat is simply
immense, because no one will be able to say where a strike will be coming
from." Robert Hewson told the newspaper that the Club-K will enable even
carriers to be destroyed. As Hewson describes it, the Biryuza's developer
-- Russia's Novator Experimental Design Bureau (OKB) -- is advertising its
merchandise chiefly as a means of protection against aggression on the
part of the United States. Yet carrier groups constitute one of the
cornerstones of the American armed forces.
The American military are particularly concerned that Russia is openly
offering the Club-K to everyone who is under threat of attack fr om the
United States. As The Daily Telegraph writes, the Club-K will enable even
the poorest countries to acquire a powerful weapon enabling them to strike
unexpectedly at the best-protected targets even of an adversary possessing
military superiority. If it falls into the hands of "rogue states" like
Venezuela or Iran, The Daily Telegraph points out, the Club-K can
substantially boost their defense capability in the event of aggression on
the part of the United States and its allies.
Alarm is also voiced by the Israeli publication Debka.com: In the event
the missiles are sold to Syria or Iran, they can easily fall into the
hands of anti-Israeli terrorist organizations like Lebanon's Hizballah.
This can change the balance of forces in the Mideast entirely.
So just what is this missile complex that has alarmed the Americans in
such a way?
"The Club missile system (Russian name Biryuza), NATO classification
SS-N-27 Sizzler, was developed and is produced at OKB Novator
(Yekaterinburg)," Colonel Yuriy Matushkin, an expert with the Oruzhiye XXI
Veka (Weapons of the 21st Century) information center, told the Svobodnaya
Pressa correspondent. "It incorporates 3M-54E and 3M-54E1 antiship
missiles, 91RE1 and 91RE2 antisubmarine missiles, and 3M-14E
precision-guided missiles for use against land targets. They can be
installed on aircraft, surface ships (launching from a 3S-14 universal
vertical launcher), submarines (launching from torpedo tubes), Kalibr-M
(Club-M) coastal missile complexes, and any water craft, trucks, and
railroad flatcars (Club-K). In the latter instance the missile complex is
disguised as a standard freight container, which cannot be identified by
conventional reconnaissance assets. Its standard ammunition load is four
missiles of various modifications intended for use against land and
water-borne targets. The 3M54E1 version of the missile is particularly
dangerous for an adversar y, being capable of delivering a 400-kg
high-explosive penetrating warhead a distance of up to 300 km. In the
sustainer phase the 3M54E1 flies at Mach 0.8, the normal velocity for
missiles of this class. In the terminal segment of its flight the missile
loses height, jettisons the sustainer engine, and accelerates, reaching
Mach 3.0. In this mode it is extremely difficult to bring it down using
standard air defense assets.
"This magnificent missile complex has a Soviet pedigree. Its development
began back in 1983. The first main element of the complex is the Alfa
universal missile, which was demonstrated in 1993 (10 years after
development work got under way) at the Abu Dhabi arms exhibition and the
MAKS-93 International Aerospace Show in Zhukovskiy. It entered service
that same year.
"According to media reports, the first test launch of this complex's
antiship missile was made from a Northern Fleet nuclear submarine in March
2000, the second -- in June of that year from a Project 877 diesel
submarine belonging to the Baltic Fleet. Both launches were deemed
successful.
"Today Russia is selling this complex to a number of countries. India
became the first foreign buyer of the Club system. Surface- and
submarine-launched missile complexes have been installed aboard the Indian
Navy's Project 11356 (Talwar-class) frigates and Project 877EKM diesel
submarines built by Russian enterprises. The Club is being installed
during maintenance and modernization procedures aboard submarines
purchased previously. According to media information, the 3M-54E and
3M-54TE missiles are being installed on Indian submarines and frigates
respectively. The Club missile system is being delivered to China. Other
countries, too, are currently showing much interest in the missile
complex." From the Svobodnaya Pressa Files
The Club complex can be installed in coastal positions, aboard different
classes of ships and boats, and on railroad and automotive platforms. The
Club-K complex is housed in a standard 40-foot marine container.
The price of the complex -- which includes, aside from the universal
launch module (USM), combat management and energy-supply and life-support
modules -- is just $15 million, according to information carried in the
press.
Specifications and performance characteristics:
The 3M54E, 3M54E1, 3M14E, 91RE1, and 91RTE2 missiles range in length from
6 to 8 meters, are 533 mm in diameter, and have a launch weight of between
1200 and 2300 kg.
The payload, weighing up to 450 kg, can be high-explosive penetrating,
high-explosive fragmentation, or submunition. It has a range of up to 300
km.
(Description of Source: Moscow Svobodnaya Pressa in Russian -- Website
carrying political, economic, and sociocultural news; URL:
http://www.svpressa.ru/)
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56) Back to Top
Ousted Kyrgyz President's Son Detained In Britain
Updated Version, amending tagging - ITAR-TASS
Monday June 14, 2010 20:21:11 GMT
(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main government
information agency)
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57) Back to Top
Ousted Kyrgyz President's Son Detained In Britain (Adds) - ITAR-TASS
Monday June 14, 2010 20:10:03 GMT
intervention)
BISHKEK, June 14 (Itar-Tass) -- Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek
Bakiyev's son, Maxim Bakiyev, has been detained in Britain, acting head of
the national security service Keneshbek Duishebayev said on Monday.He said
Maxim Bakiyev was detained by British border guards immediately after a
private jet carrying him had landed at Farnborough Airport in
Hampshire."You know, he has been charged on a number of counts and put on
the international wanted list through Interpol," the Kyrgyz news agency
Aki-Press quoted Duishebayev as saying.He noted that the Kyrgyz
authorities would also raise the question of Maxim Bakiyev's
extradition.The British newspaper Sun, which reported Maxim Bakiyev's
detention, said he was arrested at a tiny Home Counties airport on
Sunday."Bakiyev - whose father is former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek
Bakiyev - was arrested moments after flying into the UK to seek asylum,
sources said today. He was captured by UK Border Agency officials after
touching down at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire in a privately hired
jet," the newspaper said.According to The Sun newspaper, he was planning
to seek asylum in Britain. Interpol issued an international arrest warrant
for Maxim Bakiyev, the former head of the Kyrgyz Central Agency for
Development, Investment and Innovation, on May 6. In Bishkek, he is wanted
on fraud charges.Maxim Bakiyev was in Washington DC when his father's
administration collapsed amid mass protests on April 7.Edil Baislaov, the
leader of the newly formed Aikol El party and the provisional government's
former chief of staff, called on the British authorities to keep Maxim
Bakiyev in custody."It will no doubt cost the Kyrgyz tax payer millions of
dollars to have him extradited, but, finally, he's is locked up," Baisalov
told EurasiaNet.org on June 14.Kyrg yzstan's Prosecutor-General's Office
claim that last year Bakiyev illegally transferred at least 35 million
U.S. dollars of a 300 million U.S. dollar Russian loan to accounts at
several banks under his control. He and his business associates allegedly
used the rest of the Russian loan to buy and sell shares on foreign stock
exchanges, The Sun said.Farnborough airport is the venue of the
Farnborough Airshow and is usually used for planes of various commercial
companies.(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information agency)
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58) Back to Top
Greece Attempts to Prevent Turkey's Request Not to Submit Flight Plans in
Aeg ean
Report by Angelos Athanasopoulos: "A Game of 'Chess' With Ankara on the
Flights in the Aegean" - To Vima
Monday June 14, 2010 15:23:08 GMT
A tough game on the diplomatic chessboard for the flights in the Aegean is
underway between Greece and Turkey. Ankara attempts "through the back
door" as well as through the ICAO to avoid the Greek request for
submission of flight plans for Turkish military aircraft flying in the
international airspace in the Aegean. Turkey takes advantage of the
discussions over the past couple of years, within the framework of the
ICAO, as well as the tolerance of powerful nations like the United States
and the United Kingdom, to promote its plans.
There is a lot to say about the case in question. About two years ago, in
2008, the ICAO began discussions to implement the concept of "Flexible
Airspace Users" (FUA). What does this mean? It means that it was necessary
to find appropriate regulations for easier and freer use of the
international airspace.
As is widely known, Greece insists that Turkey must submit flight plans
for its fighter aircraft flying within the Athens FIR (Flight Information
Region). Ankara does not accept that. The problems began in July 2008.
During the first ICAO discussions on the EANP (European Air Navigation
Plan) the first position was recorded that military activities (for
example, exercises) can be carried out within the Athens FIR, without
notifying the Greek side, therefore without submitting flight plans.
Athens reacted. Soon, however, a serious problem was noticed: the Greek
side could not prevent a negative development, since a future decision
would be made by a simple majority. Turkey proceeded with a step further
in May 2009. It proposed that the EANP include the "photographic"
reference that "there are certain circumstanc es" in which a country (in
this case, Turkey) could even not notify about a military operation. The
aim of the Turkish proposal was clear: to put an end to the submission of
flight plans.
Officials of the ICAO, who visited Athens in the summer of 2009, exerted
pressure for the lifting of the Greek objections. The impasse was
apparent. Eventually, Greece managed to include in the text that failure
to disclose military operations can take place only in "exceptional
circumstances" and that the safety of civil aviation must be taken into
account. It also managed to add a clear footnote to the text of the ICAO
with its position.
Finally, Greece lodged a formal objection on 22 January 2010, having
secured earlier an extension of the deadline it had to respond. The issue
has been pending since then in the ICAO Air Navigation Commission.
According to sources, the commission has referred the matter back to the
Regional Bureau for Europe and North A tlantic in Paris for consultation
with Athens, as well as Nicosia, which has also lodged an objection.
(Description of Source: Athens To Vima in Greek -- Independent daily
critical of the New Democracy party)
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59) Back to Top
Natl Foreign Policy Lab Director Proposes Count Formula for Next START
Article by National Foreign Policy Laboratory Director Nikita Ivanov:
"Reality of the Strategic Balance" - Krasnaya Zvezda Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:49:13 GMT
Consent to the Treaty by the United States registers what for it already
is the superfluo usness of a greater number of SYaS (Strategic Nuclear
Forces). It is interested further in a reduced role of nuclear weapons
altogether. One feature of the Prague Treaty already is Russia's response
to this -- recorded there for the first time, albeit on a small scale, is
the role of nonnuclear weapons in global parity in the form of a count of
general-purpose delivery vehicles. Nonnuclear weapons can perform
strategic offensive functions today, especially in a first counterforce
strike. Therefore if one does go on to a second stage after SNV (START)
ratification, the subject of discussion must be the question not of
nuclear weapons, but of the kind of nuclear or nonnuclear capabilities
with which countries can attack each other's national territories from
standard positions of weapons and troops. If by "divulging" the overall
number of warheads the United States is engaging in fantasy on the subject
of peaceful coexistence, then we too can do so. As they say , I have a
dream (Translator note: latter phase rendered in English). Crisis of
Traditional Views on the Security System
The entire modern architecture of strategic mutual security is compelled
to be built on an artificial paradigm. Only certain mutually agreed-upon
kinds of arms are subject to control, often with artificially restricted
characteristics and with no consideration of the broad range of
ever-expanding threats.
For example, the Soviet-American ABM Treaty envisaged a limit of 3 km/sec
on the speed of interceptor missiles. Can a country with the capability of
making interceptor missiles with a speed of 5 km/sec long adhere to a
limit of 3 km/sec? In the very same way, the 1987 Soviet-American Treaty
on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles set
artificial limits on the development of this kind of weapon in both
countries-parties. This cut short attempts to influence the balance of
forces by preserving formal parity in SY aS. But this agreement simply
engendered in the United States and other Western countries (and now also
in us) a striving to develop "circumventing" kinds of weapons of the very
same range class.
Of course, it was impossible to do otherwise. All these treaties played
their part by limiting the endless buildup of strategic nuclear arsenals
when the latter already were sufficient for destroying the entire planet.
This allowed both sides to "factor out" of the relevant balance their
nonstrategic and nonnuclear potentials, which before the beginning of mass
introduction of satellite guidance systems remained strictly a tactical
class of weapons.
The situation changed fundamentally in the 1990's. Disintegration of the
USSR and Warsaw Pact and the total reorientation of all former European
satellites of Moscow and of a number of former Soviet republics toward the
West led to almost instantaneous obliteration of the entire Russian
"strateg ic security area," which was part of the relevant reality under
previous agreements. As a result of the NATO enlargement that followed,
Alliance borders came right up to regions of "historical Russia." In the
military sense this coincided with the latest "revolution in military
affairs" that occurred in the West in the form of large-scale introduction
of information te chnologies and the proliferation of precision-guided
munitions (PGM), with a leap in their qualitative characteristics.
As a result, by taking advantage of its technological and financial
advantage, the United States wants to create such military superiority
over Russia and any other powers that would be expressed in neutralization
of the threat of mutual assured destruction. A situation already has
formed where the United States and its allies can threaten Russia with
their nonstrategic and nonnuclear forces in a most direct way and
essentially have been given the opportunit y to execute strategic missions
with nonstrategic forces.
Thus, if strategic nuclear forces are limited today, the PRO (BMD) will be
developed; if the BMD is limited, means of delivery will be improved; if
the latter are limited, the United States and NATO will physically move
their military contingents and fleets to Russia's borders, they will
develop electronic means of neutralizing a launch, and so on. And this is
progress: in the final account we will not be able to limit RDT&amp;E in
the United States, nor do we want to do so. Proposal of a New Approach
In the 21st century it makes sense to think about a fundamentally
different approach based not on attempts to limit the innovative
component, but on comprehensively linking all the main types of threats to
each other's national territory and bringing them to a single formalized
balance. By the way, the second feature of the Prague Treaty already has
been the first step -- agreement to the formula that each party itself
determines the makeup of its strategic forces, i.e., there is an overall
number of arms, but how to manage them is up to each party. This same
experience must be transferred to all threats.
With the weakening of conventional Armed Forces, Russia now views its SYaS
as the foundation of national defense. The United States, to the contrary,
is objectively interested in reducing the role of nuclear weapons as the
"great equalizer." In addition, the United States has been involved in a
large number of armed conflicts in various regions of the world and is
interested in expeditionary groupings having precision or tactical nuclear
weapons as the primary means of defense, or more correctly, of attack
(legal (term), preemptive actions (last two words rendered in English), a
"preemptive first strike," as US National Security Strategy states).
The basis of the approach can be the inclusion in the count only of those
elements of th e sides' armed forces which actually are capable of
providing for those same preemptive actions (last two words rendered in
English) with respect to the enemy's national territory. All
geographically remote, nondeployed, and especially reserve components of
the sides' armed forces must be factored out. In other words, it is a
matter of counting all forces capable of delivering a first strike against
the opposite side's territory without changing position. Such elements are
the deployed SYaS units; only tactical nuclear weapons with the real
capability of delivery to national territory; groups of forces with a
factor that is a function of numerical strength, armament, and proximity
to each other's borders; and any other elements with the capability of
delivering a strike (submarines and fleets, PGM with fixed-site basing at
military bases, and so on). The stipulated limit of consideration for
ground troops can be the capability of redeploying to the opposing side's
border s within 12 hours from a location outside of national territory.
For the air force and naval aviation it can be the capability of reaching
the opposite side's territory in terms of technical radius with minimal
combat payload but without aerial refueling. For navies it can be
groupings of the main types of combatant ships deployed in sea TVD's
(theaters of military operations) washing the territory of the parties.
Methodology of Consideration
Without question, practical treaty reconcil iation of such diverse kinds
of armament with consideration of their factor of deployability and reach
represents a serious problem. We believe that to this end a uniform system
of units must be introduced that are common to all kinds of armament based
on a conditional factor of "destructive force" or "infliction of damage."
It is proposed to take one nuclear warhead of arbitrary "standard" yield
(from 100 to 550 kt) as the unit of measurement. A kind of arbitrary unit
of "strategic offensive potential" (later abbreviated as YeSNP) thus is
formed. All other forces and resources subject to being counted are
equated to this unit with an individual factor.
The count of "strategic offensive potentials" of the allies of both sides
is a separate problem. The contribution to military potential by legally
bound US allies in the NATO bloc surpasses the same contribution of states
that now can be considered allies of Russia. Moreover, not one of them can
strike US national territory. In view of this catastrophic imbalance, the
United States is not interested in agreeing to counting the forces of
allies within the framework of any kind of agreements on strategic issues,
but in all fairness of course, they have to be considered, say, with a
factor of 1 to 4. It is apropos here to count UK nuclear forces as 1 to 2,
and on the other hand exclude France entirely from the nuclear count. For
its part, Russ ia could agree to exclude nondeployed nuclear weapons from
the count -- although it is obvious that the US system presumes the
capability of more rapid deployment -- or omit the possibility seen by
experts for the United States to use variously based interceptor missiles
in Europe as offensive weapons.
So in summing up, a flight of NATO fighter-bombers with PGM at an air base
near Russia's borders must be considered the very same strategic offensive
weapons with respect to Russia as the Russian Topol-M intercontinental
ballistic missile with respect to the United States. Specialists will
decide how to "weigh" them correctly; we only suggested a first approach.
But for now look into the eyes of reality: even if we take the Moscow
Treaty as duly executed and equalize the SYaS, the United States has the
capability of attacking Russia with forces superior to ours in yield by an
equivalent of almost 500 warheads. Such a difference is not catastrophic
in the count "in general," but we are talking only about deployed weapons
and formations capable of realizing this difference for a first
counterforce strike. Then the remaining free forces are left unpunished
for a second countervalue strike. And the less the size of the SYaS, the
more the weight of this difference in other armaments. This is a
preliminary count, but we assume the picture is clear in a rough
approximation.
Equality of mutual threats is the future of relations between Russia and
the United States. It appears that only by having explained ourselves in
this matter is it possible to move forward and a joint global BMD can
become reality, for example. * * * Correlation of Units of Strategic
Offensive Potentials (YeSNP) of a First Strike With Respect to One Another
(Russia and United States)
2010 Makeup ofDeployed Threats
Russia(YeSNP)
USA(YeSNP)
Explanations
Strategic Nuclear Forces
2,200
2,200
It is proposed to consider the Moscow Treaty duly executed already today
(formally by 31 December 2012). We will note, however, that if we take dat
a of the Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation (VCI),
which counts maximum payload capability of a delivery vehicle, then as of
1 July 2009 the United States had 5,916 BCh's (warheads) on deployed
delivery vehicles as opposed to 3,897 for Russia -- 2,000 more.
Tactical nuclear weapons
26
316
TYaO (tactical nuclear weapons) with the capability of operational
delivery are to be counted. Thus, for Russia the delivery vehicles
(Tu-22M3) capable of reaching Alaska in principle (count as) 1 delivery
vehicle -- 1 warhead; 16 KRKB's (not further expanded, probably
ship-launched cruise missiles) on 2 deployed APL's (nuclear submarines) in
the countable location. For the United States: 200 warehoused bombs in
Europe (all with warheads); Navy -- 50% of Tomahawk KRKB's and 33% of
aerial b ombs for alert duty on APL's, ships, and deck-based aircraft
(used from among those warehoused).
Conventional weapons
0
115
Means of striking enemy national territory from an attack position
(iskhodnoye polozheniye) are to be counted. Russia has none. For the
United States: 48 F-22A's in Alaska, counted as 12 YeSNP, 3 KMP (Marine
Corps) expeditionary battalions in the countable location in naval forces,
600 PU KR (cruise missile launchers) on 31 naval units in the countable
location -- 100 YeSNP.
Allies (with reduction factors)
0
174
UK SYaS -- 192 warheads with factor (according to 1998 statement on
limiting each of 4 PLARB's (SSBN's) to 48 warheads; UK SYaS can have a
maximum of 768 warheads). NATO aviation -- 1,220 strike aircraft,
countable as 305 YeSNP with factor. NATO naval and ground forces -- 8
YeSNP with factor.
Total
2,226
2,805
(Description of Source: Moscow Krasnaya Zvezda On line in Russian --
Website of official daily newspaper of the Russian Ministry of Defense;
URL: http://www.redstar.ru)
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UK-Based Pan-Arab Editor Lists Demands Arabs Want Turkey To Resolve
Commentary by Tarqi al-Humayd: "Turkey: Here's Our List of Demands" -
Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:48:14 GMT
(Description of Source: London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in English --
Website of influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line
reflects Saudi official stance.URL: http://www.asharq-e.com/ )
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holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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Iran's Military Warns Against Inspecting Iranian Ships in Persian Gulf -
Al-Alam Television
Monday June 14, 2010 18:29:02 GMT
Armed Forces Staff, warned against the inspection of Iranian ships by some
countries after the passing of the latest sanction resolution by the
Security Council.
(Muted image of Al-Jazayeri in front of Al-Alam's microphone) Al-Jazayeri
told Al-Alam that Tehran will respond accordingly to any hostile measure
that targets the Iranian ships and planes. He added that Iran called on
all parties to discipline their behavior because Iran had carried out an
inspection of ships in the Persian Gulf.Commenting on the possibility of
an Iranian response, by inspecting ships in the Persian Gulf, Al-Jazayeri
said that his country will take the appropriate decisions on the basis of
emergency developments.(Description of Source: Tehran Al-Alam Television
in Arabic -- 24-hour Arabic news channel, targetting a pan-Arab audience,
of Iranian state-run television, officially controlled by the office of
the supreme leader)
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Syrian, US Sources Deny Reports Syrian Ambassador Withdrawn From
Washington
Report by Kamil Saqr in Damascus: "Following Senate's Refusal To Appoint
Robert F ord Ambassador in Damascus, US and Syrian Sources; Ambassador
Mustafa's Long Vacation Does Not Mean a Call Back From his Duties" -
Al-Quds al-Arabi Online
Monday June 14, 2010 11:23:26 GMT
In the details that "Al-Quds al-Arabi" has obtained, a high-level Syrian
source with connections to the Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed its
surprise at the reports that Syria had withdrawn Imad Mustafa, its
ambassador in Washington, in response to Washington's delay in sending its
ambassador to Damascus. It pointed out that Amb. Mustafa "is having a
working vacation" in Syria and took part in several official occasions and
meetings in Damascus. When the same source was asked if matters had
recently reached what could be a dead end in the prospects of the
political dialogue and thus prompted Syria to withdraw its ambassador, the
source said contacts were continuing between the Syrian and American
capitals and there was no blocked prospect between the two countries.
In parallel to this, informed sources at the US Embassy in Damascus said
these reports were political speculations for which there were no
justification because, according to the American sources, the long
vacation of any country's ambassador which he spends in his country does
not mean he has been recalled from his post. They pointed out in their
statements to "Al-Quds al-Arabi" that the US Embassy had no knowledge or
information of this kind and added: "Such things do not happen in secret.
We as the American Embassy were supposed to know of this." They disclosed
that a technical American delegation would visit the Syrian Foreign
Ministry. (Passage omitted on Syrian President's meeting with US Senator
Bob Corker)
(Description of Source: London Al-Quds al-Arabi Online in Arabic --
Website of London-based independent Arab nationalist daily with strong
anti-US bias. URL: http://www.alquds.co.uk/)
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Kenya Calls on Security Council To Upgrade AU Peacekeeping Mission in
Somalia
Report by Nick Wachira: "Kenya Wants the Mission Upgraded to UN Mission" -
The East African Online
Monday June 14, 2010 11:33:33 GMT
(Description of Source: Nairobi The East African Online in English --
Website of the weekly (Monday) English-language newspaper published by the
Nation Media Group; coverage is primarily concentrated on Kenya, Tanzania,
and Uganda but includes other regions as well; URL: htt
p://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/)
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Iraqi Kurdish Arabic Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from two Baghdad-based Kurdish
newspapers on 14 Jun. To request additional processing, please call OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735, or fax (703) 613-5735. - Iraq -- OSC
Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 11:02:00 GMT
http://taakhinews.org/ http://taakhinews.org )
--Al-Ta'akhi 150-word report citing SLC member Kamal al-Sa'idi as saying
that the National Alliance will secure the post of prime minister, noting
that some Arab and regional countries which he did not name sought to
steal the post of prime minister. He expected that the Al-Iraqiyah List
will get the post of parliament speaker, as that the Kurds will secure the
post of president.
--Al-Ta'akhi 350-word report citing Al-Iraqiyah List member Muhammad
Salman al-Ta'i as saying that the meeting between Allawi and Al-Maliki
contributed to opening new horizons for the achievement of understandings
that would facilitate the formation of the new government and get
everybody out of the bottleneck. SLC member Abd-al-Hadi al-Hassani said
that the meeting between Allawi and Al-Maliki is an important step in the
right direction. Tariq al-Ma'muri, a political analyst, said that the
meeting cleared the atmosphere between the two men, who are competing for
the post of prime minister. He added: the meeting is a prelude to new
understandings.
--Al-Ta'akhi 70-word report citing Al-Iraqiyah List member Jamal
al-Battikh as saying that new stands on t he formation of the new
government will emerge in the next two days. He added: The meeting between
Allawi and Al-Maliki paved the way for relevant negotiations. Immediately
following the end of the Allawi-Al-Maliki meeting, joint SLC-Al-Iraqiyah
List committees began meetings to discuss the formation of the new
government. The Al-Iraqiyah List will not renounce its constitutional
right. The negotiations that have started will achieve solutions to the
issue of forming the next government.
--Al-Ta'akhi 60-word report citing Kurdistan Alliance (KA) member Muhsin
Sa'dun as welcoming the meeting that brought together Allawi and Al-Maliki
on 12 June. Sa'dun added that all members of the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition
delegation will be in Baghdad today for talks with the winning blocs on
the formation of the new government.
--Al-Ittihad 50-word report on the arrival of President Talabani in
Baghdad from Al-Sulaymaniyah, where he participated in the 3d Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Congress. (Description of source: Baghdad
Al-Ittihad Online in Arabic - Website of Al-Ittihad, daily newspaper
published by the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK; URL:
http://www.alittihad.com/ http://www.alittihad.com )
--Al-Ittihad 400-word report citing Al-Iraqiyah List Spokesman Haydar
al-Mulla as saying that Al-Iraqiyah List member Hasan al-Alawi apologized
to the Council of Representatives for not being able to chair the new
parliament's 1 st session slated for today, Monday, due to indisposition.
Deputy Prime Minister Ruz Nuri shawis said that KA member Fu'ad Ma'sum
will chair the new parliament's 1 st session.
--Al-Ittihad 1,000-word report citi ng Al-Iraqiyah List Spokesman Haydar
al-Mulla as saying that the Al-Iraqiyah List's pursuit of the premiership
is a strategic decision. He added: We stick to our constitutional right to
form the next government. The Al-Iraqiyah List cannot come under external
pressure or be part of political bargains. Commenting on the creation of
the National Alliance, Al-Mulla said: The Al-Iraqiyah List believes that
the Federal Court has overstepped, as there is no authority that can
register the merger of coalitions. KA member Ala Talabani said: I expect
the new parliament to announce the name of the largest parliamentary bloc
which will be assigned the task of forming the new government. INA member
Qasim Dawud expected the new parliament's 1st session to be a ceremonial
one. SLC member Adnan al-Sarraj said that the possibility of forging an
alliance between the SLC and the Al-Iraqiyah List is far-fetched. Security
Developments
--Al-Ta'akhi 300-word news agency-datelined report on the seizure of the
Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) by gunmen in Baghdad yesterday.
--Al-Ittihad 1,000-word report on the CBI seizure by gunmen yesterday,
which, according to the report, resulted in killing 15 persons and
wounding around 50 others. Meanwhile, an Iraqi polic e source said that
dozens of CBI employees were killed in the CBI attack. Several gunmen
believed to be affiliated with the Al-Qa'ida Organization were also killed
in the attack. CBI security chief Abd-al-Mahdi al-Amiri said that seven
gunmen were killed while trying to storm the CBI, and that 16 CBI
employees were either killed or wounded in the attack.
--Al-Ittihad 450-word report citing a statement issued by the Sabean
Mandean Community Presidency as calling for the creation of a security
council to provide security for the minorities of Iraq. Such a council
could be associated with the Armed Forces General Command, the statement
added. Kurdistan Region Developments/Iranian Artillery Shelling of Border
Areas
--Al-Ta'akhi 170-word report on a telephone conversation held between
Kurdistan Region President Mas'ud Barzani and President Talabani. During
the telephone conversation, Brazani congratulated Talibani on the success
of the 3d PUK Congress and on his re election as PUK secretary general.
--Al-Ta'akhi 300-word report saying that the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition
delegation left for Baghdad for talks with the key winning blocs on the
formation of the new government. The delegation underlined the need to
resolve outstanding issues between Baghdad and Arbil, particularly those
pertaining to Kirkuk and disputed areas.
--Al-Ta'akhi 130-word report on a meeting held between Falah Mustafa, head
of the Foreign Relations Department in the Kurdistan Region, and Farah
Anwar Pandith, US State Department special representative to Muslim
communities. Ties between the United States and the Kurdistan Region and
the political process in Iraq were discussed.
--Al-Ittihad 100-word report citing Sinan Chalabi, minister of trade and
industry in the Kurdistan Region, as saying that a joint committee between
Turkey and the Kurdistan Region was formed to promote trade ties between
the two sides.
--Al-Ittihad 400-word report saying that a Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG) delegation will leave for the United Kingdom to attend the Kurdistan
Trade and Investment Conference 2010, slated for 15-16 June.
--Al-Ittihad 70-word report saying that several areas in the Choman
District, an affiliate of the Arbil Governorate, came under Iranian
artillery shelling yesterday, Sunday. Material damage to farmlands and
private property was caused. 3d PUK Congress
Al-Ittihad 400-word report listing the names of the people elected to the
PUK Leadership Committee. Hiro Ibrahim Ahmad, President Talabani's wife,
and Shalaw Kosrat Rasul, son of PUK second-in-command Kosrat Rasul Ali,
were among those elected to the Leadership Committee. Commentaries
--In a 450-word edi torial in Al-Ittihad, Deputy Chief Editor Abd-al-Hadi
Mahdi says: All eyes are now set on the new parliament's 1 st session,
slated for today, Monday, 14 June. People want to know the outcome of this
session, which will be held at a time when the relevant parties are still
in disagreement over issues. Some expect today's session to be a
ceremonial one, while others think that the names of the largest blocs
will be announced at this session, particularly since the Federal Court
settled this issue. But all this is pure speculation. This session will be
a ceremonial session. Once the session is held, the parliament will be
kept in open session after the eldest MP is selected as interim speaker to
manage the parliament deliberations pending the election of a parliament
speaker and his deputies. A new constitutional hurdle that has recently
emerged concerns the fact that according to Article 49 of the Iraqi
Constitution, it is not possible for one to be an MP and hold an official
post at the same time. That said, the convening of the new parliament's 1
st session is an important step in the midst of the political moves under
way in Iraq. Optimists believe that the convening of this session will put
an end to the ongoing tug-of-war and expedite the formation of the new
government. Meanwhile, pessimists do not think that the new government
will be formed in the foreseeable future.
--In a 500-word article in Al-Ittihad, Sati Raji says: Major world media
outlets, including newspapers and television networks, have categorized
Iraqi election lists by saying that they are either Shiite or Sunni. The
election results proved this judgment and assessment by these media
outlets to be true. Outside of Iraq, the story of the Turkish aid flotilla
sent to the Gaza shores and the relevant developments were looked at from
a sectarian prism, from the perspective of rivalry and competition between
Turkey, a Sunni state, and Iran, a Shiite state. Likewise, reactions to
the selection of Rima Fakih, an American citizen of Shiite Lebanese
descent, as Miss USA, were also tinged with sectarian sentiments. This
sectarian reading of developments by media outlets raises many questions.
One wonders whether this sectarian reading and categorization of
developments is forced upon media outlets, or whether this only reflects
the personal views of editors and correspondents. The question is: Does
this sectarian categorization of figures, parties, and regions make it
easier for media persons and outlets to understand and analyze
developments? Or has the region actually sunk into a sectarian quagmire?
--In a 1,300-word article in Al-Ta'akhi, Halim al-A'raji ponders the
meaning of the phrase "the new Iraq" saying: The new Iraq is a reversal of
what Iraq knew and did prior to April 2003. The new Iraq put an end to an
era of dictatorship, despotism, marginalization, and the monopoly of
authority by elites. A new jargon has emerged. People are now talking of
democracy, freedom, federalism, partnership, the ballot box, the peaceful
exchange of authority, participation in the decisionmaking process,
withholding of confidence, transparency, team work, respect for the
constitution and human rights, and the independence of the judiciary.
Other regions modeled on the Kurdistan Region might emerge in central Iraq
and southern Iraq. One needs to be optimistic, as, judging from the
experiences of other nations and peoples, drastic change is usually
accompanied by bottlenecks and hurdles, which cannot be overcome
painlessly. However, there are selfless figures who are working to push
the new Iraq forward. Meanwhile, there are others who seek to destroy the
new Iraq.
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Iran's Press TV airs documentary on post-election violence - Press TV
Monday Ju ne 14, 2010 10:32:31 GMT
A documentary aired by Iran's English-language Press TV on 12 and 13 June
accused Western media, including the BBC, of fanning public protests in
the wake of the 12 June 2009 presidential polls, which it said acted "like
a vaccine" and strengthened the ruling regime."Foreign media, especially
BBC Farsi, played a significant role in fanning the fury of the
post-election unrest," said the documentary ("The Real Fake"), produced
and narrated by Iranian film director Nader Talebzadeh."The post-election
trauma acted like a vaccine - momentarily weakening the body but
ultimately strengthening it in the long run," it said.The documentary was
designed to provide "realistic insight" into the developments in Iran
before and after the election. It was also aimed at resolving the
"ambiguities that foreign audience may have about the presidential
election" , Press TV said in a report posted on its website on 12
June.However, the documentary appeared to support the positions of the
authorities on the election dispute and sought to disprove opposition
claims that the vote was rigged in favour of the incumbent president,
Mahmud Ahmadinezhad.It drew attention to what it described as a
discrepancy between statements by the main opposition candidate, Mirhoseyn
Musavi. Before the vote was over, Musavi held a press conference claiming
that, according to information received from his representatives all over
Iran, he had won. This is while he also said that his representatives had
been thrown out of polling stations across the country, the documentary
said.In an apparent bid to support the idea that Ahmadinezhad had a
significant backing of people in rural regions of the country, the
documentary showed interviews with villagers in various parts of the
country who said they had voted for Ahmadinezhad because he was a
"modest", "honest" and "devout" man.Commenting on the casualties during
the unrest, including the murder of a nephew of Mirhoseyn Musavi and a
young woman, Neda Aqa-Soltan, the documentary said: "The perpetrators of
both crimes are yet to be found... These crimes were planned, strategized
and executed for political gains."The documentary also promoted the idea
that the opposition had braced itself for unrest well before the election.
It quoted Musavi's wife, Zahra Rahnavard, as telling a Saudi television
channel: "If there is no fraud, Musavi will be president."It also showed
video featuring blurred pictures of a veiled woman, identified as the wife
of influential pro-opposition cleric Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, saying in
Farsi with English subtitles: "People should pour into the streets if
there is fraud."The documentary also showed people, identified as
protesters, destroying and setting fire to public property, including
buses and b anks.(Description of Source: Tehran Press TV in English --
24-hour English-language news channel of Iranian state-run television,
officially controlled by the office of the supreme leader)
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Roundup of Khuzestan Province Friday Prayer Sermons 11 Jun 10 - Vision of
the Islamic Republic of Iran Khuzestan Provincial TV
Monday June 14, 2010 08:56:01 GMT
Persian at 1530 GMT on 11 June broadcast a roundup of the Friday prayer
sermons from that province in which the prayer leaders focused mainly on
the new UN Security Council resolution on Iran, the late st Israeli raid
on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and the Muslim month of Rajab.
The Ahvaz interim Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam val Moslemin
Hasanzadeh, spoke of his appreciation of people's enthusiastic
participation in the 21st anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeyni and
said the UN Security Council resolution on Iran contradicted international
law. "This resolution has been adopted while the UNSC does not adopt even
one resolution to condemn the recent crime of the Zionist regime, namely
the attack on the humanitarian Freedom Flotilla," Hasanzadeh said.
Pointing out that this resolution would have no result but "disgrace" for
the west and America, he said: "Brazil and Turkey voted against the
resolution and the governments and peoples of these countries deserve to
be praised." He said: "These resolutions are unable to influence the
intent of the Muslim and revolutionary people, who are devoted to the late
Imam Khomeyni and s upreme leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i), to reach
their ideals and achieve peaceful nuclear energy." He then congratulated
the people on the anniversary of the establishment of the Constructive
Jihad Organization (currently the Agricultural Jihad Ministry) and
described it as the key service for many people in villages. He pointed to
the International Desert Greening Day and expressed his hope that, with
the authorities' effective measures, the problem of dust storms, which the
province has been suffering from for several years, would be resolved
soon.The Ahvaz Kutabdollah interim Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam
Jaberian, condemned the UNSC resolution on Iran. He said that before the
17 May Tehran declaration on a nuclear fuel swap, Obama had sent two
messages to the presidents of Brazil and Turkey on the diplomatic
settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and said: "The issuing of the new
resolution signals the dual and biased behavior of America towards the
Iranian nation." While pointing out that "America intends to mislead the
world public opinion regarding the crimes of the Zionist regime" he said:
"They should know that they can no longer cheat nations." He said that the
Iranian nation would always support the oppressed Palestinian people "and
would defeat the enemy of nations and humanity with the help of God and
the wise supreme leader" and added: "These sanctions will have no effect
on the wish and will of the people of Iran." He congratulated people on
Agricultural Jihad Week and said he appreciated the efforts of the
personnel of the provincial branch of the Agricultural Jihad
Organization.The Andimeshk Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Khodami,
said that "the more enemies threaten Iran, the firmer its basis will
become."The Shushtar Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohaqeq, said:
"The adoption of the new resolution by the Security Council indicates t
hat the world faces a biased and unjust international system, which is
based on the rule of super powers."The Ramhormoz Friday prayer leader,
Hojjat ol-Eslam Musavi, condemned the UNSC resolution on Iran and said:
"This council proved its unreliability on the international scene."The
Shadegan Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Savari, referred to the
formation of the Mahdaviat Foundation (to promote the culture of believing
in the hidden imam Mahdi) in the township, and called on people to
cooperate with this establishment in all fields.The Ramshir Friday prayer
leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Salmanpur, described the UNSC's recent resolution
on Iran as yet "another blot on the activities of colonialist and
tyrannical powers."The Taleqani Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam
Mo'arref, referred to the UNSC resolution on Iran and said: "This
resolution is ineffective and only boosts the Iranian nation's
self-confidence."The Abadan interim Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam
val Moslemin Abdollah-Esfahani, said that "the recent resolution of the
UNSC, which is adopted under the pressure of America and the UK, is
completely fake and illogical."The Khorramshahr Friday prayer leader,
Hojjat ol-Eslam Nuri, referred to the "recent crime of the Zionist regime
of attacking the Gaza Freedom Flotilla" and said: "As a result of the
comprehensive support of the leaders of America and Britain for the fake
Zionist regime, this regime gets courage to commit brutal and inhuman
crimes against the Gaza people and entire nations."The Hendijan Friday
prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Qoveyshavi, said that the UNSC resolution
would have no impact on the will and aims of the Islamic Republic's "holy
system."The Arvandkenar Friday prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Sharafi,
said: "Through their endeavor, the Iranian youth will trample on the
recent American resolution of the UN Security Council and will make even
more effort towards the country's progress and honor."The Haftgel Friday
prayer leader, Hojjat ol-Eslam Ebrahimipur, deemed the UNSC resolution
"completely illogical" and said: "Our devoted government will never give
up pursuing the nuclear rights of the nation."The Dezful, Mahshahr, Izeh
and Omidiyeh Friday prayer leaders referred to the approaching Muslim
month of Rajab and called on people to follow God's orders.(Description of
Source: Ahvaz Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Khuzestan Provincial
TV in Persian - state-run provincial television)
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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London School of Economics Report Claims I SI, Zardari Back Taliban
Unattributed report: ISI, Zardari join forces to back Taliban! - The
News Online
Monday June 14, 2010 07:37:58 GMT
London School of Economics report claims Pakistan playing a double-game of
astonishing magnitude; Zardari told Taliban prisoners they were arrested
because he was under US pressure; Army, presidential spokeswoman, Afghan
Taliban reject report
LONDON: The ISI intelligence agency provides funding, training and
sanctuary to the Taliban in Afghanistan on a scale far greater than
previously believed, a study claimed on Sunday.However, the Pakistani
military dismissed the report for the London School of Economics (LSE) as
"malicious and baseless".
The LSE study, based on interviews with nine Taliban field commanders in
Afghanistan between February and May this year, claims the relationship
between the ISI and the militants goe s far beyond current estimates.
"Although, the Taliban have a strong endogenous impetus, according to
Taliban commanders the ISI orchestrates, sustains and strongly influences
the movement," wrote author Matt Waldman, a fellow at Harvard University.
"They say it gives sanctuary to both Taliban and Haqqani groups, and
provides huge support in terms of training, funding, munitions, and
supplies. In their words, this is 'as clear as the sun in the sky'."
Waldman said the ISI appears to exert 'significant influence' on strategic
decision-making and field operations of the Taliban and controls the most
violent insurgent units, some of which appear to be based in Pakistan.
Insurgent commanders claimed the ISI was even officially represented, as
participants or observers, on the Taliban supreme leadership council, he
said. The report alleges that President Asif Ali Zardari himself had
assured captive senior Taliban leaders that they w ere 'our people' and
had his backing. He had apparently authorised some to be released from
prison.
The study drew an angry reaction from the Pakistani military. "It is a
part of a malicious campaign against the Pakistan Army and the ISI," Army
spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP.
"It is baseless. The sacrifices by Pakistan's army and the ISI and the
casualties in the war on terror speak for themselves," he said. "We have a
series of questions on the credibility of the report."
Most interviewees explained the ISI's involvement in terms of Pakistan's
rivalry with India, as the regional powers vie for influence ahead of the
start of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan next year.
Waldman's report argues that resolving this is key to bringing Islamabad
onside efforts to defeat the insurgency. "Without a change in Pakistani
behaviour it will be difficult if not impossible for international forces
and the Afghan government to make progress against the insurgency," he
concluded.
The ISI is accused along with the CIA of helping create the Taliban
militia, which ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, by channelling
funding to Afghan fighters battling the Soviet occupation in the 1980s.
For his report, Waldman interviewed nine insurgent field commanders, three
operating in the south of Afghanistan, three in the centre and three in
the southeast, as well as one high-level Taliban intermediary.
He also talked with 10 former senior Taliban officials, a number of Afghan
elders, politicians and analysts, as well as foreign diplomats and
security officials. A research assistant interviewed six further
insurgents.
Reuters adds: The research strongly suggested support for the Taliban was
the 'official policy' of the ISI.
Although links between the ISI and Islamist militants have been widely
suspected for a long time, the report's findings, w hich it said were
corroborated by two senior Western security officials, could raise more
concerns in the West over Pakistan's commitment to help end the war in
Afghanistan.
The report also said President Asif Ali Zardari was reported to have
visited senior Taliban prisoners in Pakistan earlier this year, where he
is believed to have promi sed their release and help for militant
operations, suggesting support for the Taliban 'is approved at the highest
level of Pakistan's civilian government'.
Presidential spokeswoman Farah Ispahani dismissed the allegations in the
report as 'absolutely spurious'. She said there 'seems to be a
concentrated effort to try to damage the new Pakistan-American strategic
dialogue'.
Militants were feeling the pressure, she added, because "we will rout them
from every area of Pakistan we find them in."
"Pakistan appears to be playing a double-game of astonishing magnitude,"
said the report. In March 20 09, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US
Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General David Petraeus, head of US Central
Command, said they had indications elements in the ISI supported the
Taliban and al-Qaeda and said the agency must end such activities.
Western officials have been reluctant to talk publicly on the subject for
fear of damaging cooperation from Pakistan. "The Pakistan government's
apparent duplicity -- and awareness of it among the American public and
political establishment -- could have enormous geopolitical implications,"
said the report's author, Matt Waldman, a fellow at Harvard University.
More than 1,800 foreign troops, including some 1,100 Americans, have died
in Afghanistan since US-backed Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban in late
2001. The war has already cost the United States around $300 billion and
now costs more than $70 billion a year, the report said, citing 2009 US
Congressional research figures.
The report said in terviews with Taliban commanders in some of the most
violent regions in Afghanistan 'suggest that Pakistan continues to give
extensive support to the insurgency in terms of funding, munitions and
supplies'.
"These accounts were corroborated by former Taliban ministers, a Western
analyst and a senior UN official based in Kabul, who said the Taliban
largely depend on funding from the ISI and groups in Gulf countries," the
report said.
Almost all of the Taliban commanders interviewed in the report believed
the ISI was represented on the Quetta Shura, the Taliban's supreme
leadership council based in Pakistan.
"Interviews strongly suggest that the ISI has representatives on the
Quetta Shura, either as participants or observers, and the agency is thus
involved at the highest level of the movement," the report said.
The report also said Zardari, and a senior ISI official, allegedly visited
some 50 senior Taliban prisoners at a secret location in Pakistan where he
told them they had been arrested only because he was under pressure from
the United States.
"(This) suggests that the policy is approved at the highest level of
Pakistan's civilian government," the report said.
Afghanistan has also been highly critical of ISI involvement in the
conflict in Afghanistan. Last week, the former director of Afghanistan's
intelligence service, Amrullah Saleh, resigned saying he had become an
obstacle to President Hamid Karzai's plans to negotiate with the
insurgents.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters at his home a day after he
resigned, Saleh said the ISI was 'part of the landscape of destruction in
this country'.
"It will be a waste of time to provide evidence of ISI involvement. They
are a part of it. The Pakistani army of which ISI is a part, they know
where the Taliban leaders are -- in their safe houses," he told Reuters.
Mushtaq Yusufzai adds from Pesh awar: The Afghan Taliban on Sunday
rejected the report of the London School of Economics. "The report is a
pack of lies aimed at damaging our image among the Muslims supporting
mujahideen all over the world," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
He called 'The News' from an undisclosed location to record the Taliban
reaction to the LSE report. He said it was not the first time the Western
powers and organisations had associated Taliban with the ISI.
Zabihullah Mujahid opined that the Western powers led by the US were ready
to defame Taliban whenever they accelerate attacks and inflict losses on
the occupation forces in Afghanistan.
The report even alleged that ISI officials attend meetings of the
Taliban's supreme council and extend them financial assistance. The
Taliban spokesman said there was no question that people other than senior
Afghan Taliban commanders would attend their meetings.
"Our movement is indigenous and has been launched for the liberation of
our country from the clutches of the occupying forces," he said, adding:
"There is no doubt we are receiving financial assistance from kind-hearted
Muslims from across the world, but we never got any help from the ISI."
He argued as to why the Afghan Taliban would expect any help from Pakistan
or the ISI when Taliban fighters were arrested in Pakistan whenever they
went there for treatment or other personal needs.
Zabihullah Mujahid argued that the Afghan Taliban started their resistance
against the US-led occupying forces the day their country was invaded and
Pakistan was a key ally of coalition forces in this war.
Also, he said, there was no chance the LSE would have interviewed Afghan
Taliban commanders for the research report that appeared on Sunday. "If
they are talking about former Taliban ministers, we have categorically
stated that they are not part of our movement," the Taliban spokesm an
said.
He said the Taliban movement had entered the decisive phase and had forced
the US and its allies to offer them talks. "It is our firm belief that the
sacrifices of our Mujahideen will bear fruit one day," he said.
(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
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British Ene rgy Group BP Says Gulf Oil Spill Costs Reach 1.6 Billion
Dollars
"BP Says Gulf Oil Spill Costs Reach 1.6 Billion Dollars" -- AFP headline -
AFP (North European Service)
Monday June 14, 2010 06:53:18 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.
69) Back to Top
Security, Space Make Lebanese Shy Away From Couchsurfing
"Security, Space Make Lebanese Shy Away From Couchsurfing" -- The Daily
Star Headline - The Daily Star Online
Monday June 14, 2010 06:52:19 GMT
Monday, June 14, 2010
BEIRUT: 'I haven-t always relied on the kindness of others, youknow,' says
Chris Schaffer, a 24-year-old German who lives in SaudiArabia. 'I used to
be a miserable cynic.'Chris is visiting Beirut as a couchsurfer, a now
wide-spread term in thetraveling world that describes a member of
couchsurfing.com - an onlinenetworking organization that connects
travelers with like-minded'Hosts' - people offering spare sleeping
surfaces -with the intention being that the traveler can stay with the
host for free.'It-s not widespread in Lebanon though,' says Chris, who
wasvisiting one of the very few couchsurfers in Beirut. 'I don-t
thinkthere-s anybody here who even knows about the project ... ... It-sa
big loss.'The idea of couchsurfing is simple: after producing an online
profile that isthen advertised on couchsurfing.com, one applies to
'Couchsurf,'where a 'Surf er' stays with another member in his or her
home, or'Host,' where a member allows other travelers to stay with them,
oradvertises himself as willing to meet for a 'coffee or drink.'The
project, which is free to join, and only asks for a voluntary donation,
isof infinite appeal to a vast number of travelers from Europe, the
UnitedStates, Asia and Australasia, spurred on by the Holy Grail of
travel: culturalintegration with locals as they seek respite and shelter
with like-mindedpeople across the globe.'I host because its fun to meet
new people, to know more about anotherculture and it-s a way to change the
(daily) routine in life,' saysCharlotte Cambier, a single woman and active
host in Beirut.'But the most annoying part of couchsurfing is not to do
with security,it-s when my guest has no sense of humor at all.'There are
just under 2 million couchsurfers worldwide, representing 238countries and
73,000 cities, and to many 'fun and sun' touristscoming to Beirut this
summer, th e prospect of high accommodation rates athotels and hostels can
also be slightly off-putting, which leads them to lookfor cheap
alternative shelter.'I-ve only hosted two people so far,' says Cambier,
'aSpaniard and a couple from Japan. I love hosting people and learning
more aboutother cultures. The only problem I find is when the person I
host is boring orunfunny.'In Beirut, the idea appears not to have caught
on and there are only 43 peopleadvertising a 'Maybe,' 'Yes,'
or'Definitely' status on their profile, signalling the degree oftheir
willingness to host, as compared with 693 in London.'The problem is that
most people haven-t heard of the idea,'says Issa Kutkut, a first-year
medical student at the American University ofBeirut (AUB). 'Last year I
was the only person in AUB who met people (fora coffee or drink), and now
I know of at least four others.'Mounir Marrash, a salesman for an
electronics shop in Gemmayzeh, is an exampleof the local lack of
information about couch surfing, and some of theunderstandable
trepidation.'You let people stay in your house for free?' he asks.
'Well,that-s normal here. I know the mentality and that would be fine for
mostpeople I know. The only problem is security.''(The problem is) that no
one knows about it,' he says. 'Butwe already have the idea of letting
strangers stay with you, it-s part ofour great Lebanese hospitality - why
shouldn-t it succeedhere?'To many people living in Beirut, the issue of
security, as well as limitedliving space, appear as barriers to creating
an account and hosting strangers.Naturally, Issa is a proponent of the
idea of couchsurfing, which he said isgrowing slowly in Lebanon, but asked
why he was personally unable to hosttravelers himself, he replied, 'I am
living on the campus here, Ihaven-t got space to put people in my room and
(I don-t think)I-m allowed to have guests stay.''I think that a lot of
young people here live with their families, andmany families might not be
so rea dy to host foreign strangers, (but I think)it-s partly because of
issues to do with space as well,' says Issa.'I have told a lot of friends
about my experiences, but they all look atme strangely and ask why I would
want to meet strangers at all?' he adds,shrugging his shoulders.Murray
Wilson, a 22-year old student from Leeds, England, who is living
andhosting in Amman, disagrees.'Of course people are strangers when they
arrive,' Wilson says.'But I have met some of the best people in the world
on couchsurfing andyou become friends fast, having lived together.'Users
should still be cautious however, in August 2009, a 29-year-old womanfrom
Hong Kong was raped while using couchsurfing in Leeds, highlighting
therisks that some users face when staying with strangers.To counter this
obvious problem of security, couchsurfing.org offers areference system
that works to eliminate abusers and reward positive members,whereby both
the host and the couchsurfer leave references for each oth er,whether
positive, negative or neutral, so that future hosts can make
betterjudgments of character.'I-m not going to let a murderer or thief
into my house,obviously,' says Murray. 'But I do feel that couchsurfing
hasreasserted my faith in mankind.''If I see that someone has no
references or even negative references thenI will reply and tell them that
my couch isn-t available,' he says,while making tea for three new surfers
that he was visiting in the Beirutdistrict of Ashrafiyeh. 'After all, why
would anybody go to the bother ofmaking 10 good references just so that he
can go and murder the 11th person?That doesn-t make sense.''If, after all
the security that is provided, the person steals fromme,' he adds,
smiling, 'I (usually) take his passport number whenhe arrives, so all I
have to do is notify the police that somebody has stolenmy shower gel and
the problem is solved.''Not that any one has ever stolen my gel, however,'
he says.'But imagine the reference I-d leave if t hey had.'Couchsurfing is
not only for students and the young, as according to officialstatistics
posted on the website, members age up to 80 years of age, withgroups
available pertaining to every age group, although the average ageremains
28.'I never used to be so trusting, or even trustworthy,' Chris
says,proffering a cigarette and smiling to himself. 'But then I never used
tosmoke either, I guess people can be changed.'(Description of Source:
Beirut The Daily Star Online in English -- Website of the independent
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
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70) Back to Top
Xinhua 'Roundup' on UNSC Resolution 1929 Imposing New Sanctions on Ir an
"International Observation" roundup by foreign-based reporters Wang
Xiangjiang, Gu Zhenqiu, Bai Jie, Du Yuanjiang, and He Guanghai: "The
Iranian Nuclear Issue: the meaning of the New Resolution on Sanctions" -
Xinhua Domestic Service
Monday June 14, 2010 05:10:05 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua Domestic Service in Chinese --
China's official news service (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.
71) Back to Top
British Foreign Secretary Urges Iran To Heed UN Sanctions, Engage in
Dialogue
Article by British Foreign Secretary William Hague: "A Message That the
Iranian Government Should Not Ignore" - Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online
Sunday June 13, 2010 23:57:56 GMT
The Iranian Government often blames its woes on Britain and the outside
world. This should not fool anyone. The British Government would like a
constructive relationship with Iran, an important country with a long and
proud history and a dynamic and youthful population. It helps none of us
that Iran is excluded by its own actions from consultation on issues that
affect it and the region, and that matter to us in Britain too. Neither
does it serve the interests of millions of young Iranians who find
themselves left behind on the international stage, unable to use their
energy and skills to their full potential or to enjoy the rights and
freedoms that all peoples are entitled to. President Ahmadinejad's
response to the UN sanctions has been predictable. By like ning the
sanctions to a "used handkerchief, fit only for the rubbish bin" he may
have made the news, but he is evading the key issue for his Government:
These sanctions will have a real impact on its economic situation. His
calls on Iran to reconsider its ties with the IAEA will only reinforce the
sense of an Iran that is isolated from normal international relations.
This isolation is entirely of the Iranian Government's own making. Over
the past year it has continued to enrich uranium. It defied UN resolutions
and accumulated a stockpile of enriched uranium sufficient to build a
nuclear weapon over time. The Iranian Government has done nothing in the
past few months that alters these facts. While we welcome the recent
efforts to secure an agreement to supply the Iranian research reactor with
fuel (an agreement that Iran turned down in the past), this agreement
never addressed the wider concerns over its program. Tehran knew that new
sanctions would follow if it di d not comply with United Nations
resolutions. Anything that it says contrary to the above is a distortion
of the truth.
The Iranian Government claims that its nuclear program is peaceful. But it
cannot explain why the military arm of the state is heavily involved in
that program, or why it insists on enriching uranium when it has no power
stations that need such fuel. Its history of deception and secrecy
regarding its nuclear program inevitably leads other countries to believe
that its intention is a nuclear weapons capability.
Tehran's actions risk a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. These
actions gravely undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at a
time when the international community has just renewed its commitment to a
world free of nuclear weapons. This is why international action is so
urgent and why as a new Government we pressed for UN sanctions this week.
We will resolutely demand strong additional measures by the European Union
again st Iran in the coming months, as well as close cooperation with our
partners in the region. Reinforcing UN sanctions will be an important test
of European resolve and a positive example of how the European Union's
collective political and economic weight in the world could be harnessed
to telling effect. Some seek to reduce this crisis to a clash between Iran
on one side and the US, Israel, and their allies on the other. The Iranian
Government seeks to portray itself as the champion of the developing world
against an imperious and uncaring West. Nothing could be farther from the
truth. Mexico, Nigeria, and Uganda were among the countries that voted in
favor of new UN sanctions. This fact exposes Iran's propaganda for what it
truly is. Iran's actions on the nuclear front undermine the position of
non-nuclear weapons states that respect resolutions. Moreover, its
posturing in the Middle East unacceptably undermines those working to
support the peace process.
We are seek ing a long-term solution through diplomacy and negotiations.
That is why we continue to urge the Iranians to come to the table and
discuss their nuclear program. The pressure on Iran to engage will only
grow over time. This is a message that the Iranian Government should not
ignore. As well as sanctions, the costs to Iran of its deliberate defiance
are already high. Its oil production is declining because of lack of
investment from international companies. Its economy is in a miserable
shape, adding lack of opportunity to the political repression endured by
its population, which is prominent in everyone's minds this weekend. These
factors only underline the case for Iran altering course. Iran can have a
far better relationship with the outside world. The international
community would respond overnight to any change of direction by the
Iranian Government, if it took meaningful steps to restore confidence that
its intentions are serious. Britain and its partners remain ready t o meet
Iranian negotiators at any time for meaningful discussions on their
nuclear program. Iran has been offered a package of incentives that would
lead to the lifting of sanctions and provide trade benefits, dialogue on
key international issues and, importantly, co-operation on the civil
nuclear power that Iran claims is its goal. It is a powerful and important
offer, made in good faith and one that the new British Government has
reaffirmed.
We call upon the Iranian Government to carefully consider this offer for
what it is -- a genuine attempt to change the relationship between our
governments and present a path forward that can dissipate all of our
concerns. The tactic of simply refusing to negotiate over its nuclear
program will not work and will not weaken our resolve.
(Description of Source: London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in Arabic --
Website of influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line
reflects Saudi official stance. URL: http://www .asharqalawsat.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.
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Afghan state TV reports Karzai's meeting with new British PM - National TV
Afghanistan
Saturday May 15, 2010 17:53:11 GMT
Text of report by state-owned National Afghanistan TV on 15 MayThe
president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamed Karzai and the
British prime minister, David Cameron, today met at the prime minister's
residence in London. Cameron renewed Britain's strong commitments to
Afghanistan and vowed to continue his cooperation with the people of
Afghanistan in various fields. The two leaders talked about the success of
President Karzai's visit to Washington and stressed the need to strengthen
relations between the two countries in various fields. They also discussed
the upcoming National Consultative Peace Jerga, due to be convened in
Kabul on 8 Ghbarghola (29 May).Meanwhile, the Afghan president and the
British prime minister agreed to strengthen and expand relations between
Kabul and London.Karzai congratulated Cameron on his election as the
British prime minister and praised the UK for its cooperation with the
Afghan nation over the past few years.He also praised the British
soldiers' efforts in Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism.It is
worth mentioning that after his election, it was the first meeting of the
new UK prime minister with a foreign leader. Afghanistan is top on the
foreign policy agenda of the British government led by David
Cameron.(Description of Source: Kabul National TV Afghanistan in Pashto --
state-run television)
Material in the World N ews 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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Northern Central America Press 12-14 Jun 10
For assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Central America -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 20:01:27 GMT
-- San Salvador Diario Co Latino.com on 12 June reports that Foreign
Minister Hugo Martinez was satisfied by the commitment shown by
multilateral organizations and the Central American governments and civil
society groups during the First Central American Forum on Migration and
Development held in El Salvador from 9 to 10 June. Participants agreed to
promote regional efforts to benefit migrants including teaching basic
financial skills, reinsertion programs for those deported, and temporary
worker programs. There was also a strong commitment to defend migrants'
human and labor rights. The proposals would be divulged during the II
Ibero-American Forum On Migration and Development also to be held in El
Salvador from 22 to 23 July. Martinez was also pleased by the fact that El
Salvador was chosen to host the next OAS General Assembly and regarding
Honduras' return to the regional body he explained that the Salvadoran
Government views as "indispensable" the full reestablishment of democracy
and human rights in Honduras and that the "best course to commit Honduras
to this goal is to promote its reincorporation to this forum." Meanwhile,
the Norwegian and Salvadoran foreign ministries agreed to establish a
cooperation agenda and create a mechanism for consultations on bilateral
issues. (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 ) GUATEMALA
Presidency Weakened By Crisis Over Cicig Director's Resignation
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com on 12 June reports that analysts
coincided that the resignation of Carlos Castresana, head of the
International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (Cicig), and the
subsequent exit of Prosecutor General Conrado Reyes weakened President
Alvaro Colom. The analysts noted that Colom failed to show leadership
during the crisis and reminded that Reyes had been appointed by Colom. The
crisis also reveals that Colom lacks an advisory team with the proper
legal and political experience. Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberta
Menchu said that Colom "decided not to be a leader" and that the president
"chose inaction" and left to others the task of resolving the crisis "he
himself had provoked." Analysts opined that the lessons learned during the
crisis include eliminating external influences over the nominating process
for public officials, the need for civil society groups to oversee these
processes, and that the Judicial Branch must allocate more resources for
the court system. (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 ) President Offers
Continued Support For Cicig
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com on 12 June reports that President
Alvaro Colom promised to continue to support the International Commission
Against Impunity in Guatemala (Cicig) and said each branch of government
would have specific responsibilities in backing the Cicig as well as
seeking to expand and extend the commission's manda te. "Definitively we
must make a revision of the agreement with the United Nations," Colom
stated adding he would meet with the heads of the legislature and
judiciary to prepare an agenda with specific goals that could include
approving new legislation and building a maximum security prison. The
president revealed that he would have dismissed Prosecutor General Conrado
Reyes if the Consti tutionality Court had not annulled the process through
which Reyes was elected. Colom noted that the appointment by Reyes of Juan
Roberto Garrido as head of security at the Public Prosecutor's Office was
a mistake because Garrido has ties to Carlos Quintanilla. "That man
Garrido did not do anything right," Colom stated and said that civil
society groups and the international community were justified in rejecting
his appointment. He also offered to meet with all sectors to guarantee
that the next prosecutor general is chosen in a transparent manner.
President Colom Propos es Tax To Finance Reconstruction
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com on 13 June reports that President
Alvaro Colom announced that he would ask lawmakers to approve a fiscal
reform that includes new taxes to finance reconstruction projects. Colom
said that over 2 billion quetzals ($249.7 million) are needed for
reconstruction, although the damage is still being quantified. The
president said that 500 million quetzals ($62.4 million) had already been
spent on relief efforts and commented the additional revenues could be
raised through a tax on financial transactions, such as bank deposits.
Illegal Telephone Wiretapping Reportedly A Common Practice
-- Guatemala City Prensa Libre.com on 14 June reports that politicians and
social and business leaders suspect that illegal telephone wiretaps have
become a common practice and are carried out by organized crime and
political institutions. Government Minister Carlos Menocal acknowledged
"it is a fact that individua ls and groups perform telephone wiretaps
outside the established legal methods." Patriot Party lawmaker Roxana
Baldetti said she would soon reveal the name of a government agency that
was carrying out surveillance on journalists and politicians. Meanwhile,
lawmaker Nineth Montenegro reminded that years ago the Presidential
General Staff acquired sophisticated eavesdropping equipment, but its
current location is unknown. The appointment by former Prosecutor General
Conrado Reyes of individuals linked to Carlos Quintanilla, the disgraced
former head of the Administrative Affairs and Security Secretariat, to
positions within the Public Prosecutor's Office Special Methods Unit,
which includes the Communications Monitoring Center, only served to
exacerbate fears that the use of illegal electronic eavesdropping was
spreading. Daily Sees Rise In Xenophobia Among US Citizens
-- Guatemala City Sigloxxi.com on 13 June publishes an editorial asserting
that Hispanics in the United States are increasingly becoming the target
of violent xenophobic attacks. It maintains that since Arizona enacted a
law criminalizing immigrants "acts of violence against foreign citizens
have increased," several at the hands of law enforcement officials, and
warns that abuse and even torture against Hispanics is rising. The daily
notes that the Hispanic contribution to the United States is very valuable
and helps to power the US economy and insists that it is unfair for an
individual to suffer discrimination because of their race or skin color.
The growing intolerance in the United States will only cause "more
violence and unnecessary confrontations," which could be avoided by
eradicating the feelings of xenophobia that exist in several US
communities. (Guatemala City Sigloxxi.com in Spanish -- Website of
business-oriented daily published by Corporacion de Noticias; URL:
http://www.sigloxxi.com/ http://www.sigloxxi.com/ ) HONDURAS Presiden t
Lobo In South Africa To Watch World Cup
-- Tegucigalpa La Tribuna Online on 12 June reports that during a press
conference President Porfirio Lobo Sosa confirmed that he would be in
South Africa to watch the national soccer team's matches at the World Cup.
Lobo Sosa said that "the people" would be running the country in his
absence and explained that the presidential designates were reluctant to
assume the responsibility because it would disqualify them from a future
run for president. Regarding an alleged plot to oust him from power Lobo
Sosa asserted that he explained to representatives from the international
community that sometimes individuals speculate about possible scenarios,
but that these ideas usually only remain in the minds of their originators
and never become concrete actions. However, the president stated that his
claims of a possible coup are valid and that he would not make jokes about
such an issue. He declined to identify those responsib le for the threats,
but said that they included business owners and members of the Liberal and
National parties, but no military officials. (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 ) Two Presidential Designates
Heading Administration
-- Tegucigalpa La Tribuna Online on 14 June reports that presidential
designates Maria Antonieta Guillen de Bogran and Victor Hugo Barnica will
share the responsibilities of the presidency while President Porfirio Lobo
Sosa is in South Africa to watch the World Cup soccer matches. Guillen
explained that since Lobo would be absent for less than 15 days the
presidency's duties would be handled by her and Barnica. Lobo Sosa is
expected to return on 22 June. Prosecutor General To Meet With President
Lobo Over Coup Alle gations
-- San Pedro Sula Tiempo.hn on 12 June reports that Prosecutor General
Luis Alberto Rubi said that he would ask President Porfirio Lobo Sosa to
provide evidence to back claims that groups are plotting a coup d'etat.
Rubi explained that he would order an investigation only after meeting
with the president instead of automatically opening an inquiry. The
prosecutor general also commented on a communique by the G-16 group of
cooperating nations asking for an investigation into continued human
rights violations. He said the communique expresses the concerns of the
foreign representatives, but that "What is important is that these
concerns do not have the intention of wanting to interfere in some of the
authorities." (San Pedro Sula Tiempo.hn in Spanish -- Website of
center-left daily owned by Grupo Continental; URL:
http://www.tiempo.hn www.tiempo.hn ) Robberies, Homicides Most Common
Crimes
-- San Pedro Sula Tiempo.hn on 13 June reports t hat data from the Supreme
Court reveals that robbery is the most common crime with 3,456 incidents
followed by homicides with 2,812. The data covers information obtained
from the inmate population for the years 2007 through 2009. During that
time there were also 1,990 drug trafficking cases, 1,669 cases involving
rape, 1,484 for illegal possession of a firearm, 1,109 for illicit
association, 686 cases of domestic violence, and 467 firearm thefts. Daily
Asserts Government Falling Into Disarray
-- San Pedro Sula Tiempo.hn on 14 June publishes an editorial remarking on
the latest statements by President Porfirio Lobo Sosa regarding alleged
plots to oust him from power. It notes that Lobo Sosa accepted the term
"tutti-frutti" to describe the varied makeup of those seeking to remove
him from office. The editorial concludes that this latest round of
speculation and rumors of a coup indicates that the government has fallen
into political volatility and disorder and notes that the Public
Prosecutor's Office refuses to open an investigation into the alleged plot
arguing that the president must first provide evidence to justify an
inquiry. The concerns are exacerbated when Lobo Sosa and several important
officials travel to the World Cup tournament leaving the country in the
middle of a crisis of uncertainty since Lobo Sosa stated "the people" will
be in charge instead of the presidential designates. However, this
attitude reveals that since last year's coup the re al control of the
country is not in the hands of the government, but is with groups seeking
the militarization of the public and political power in Honduras.
The following media were scanned and no file worthy items were noted:
San Salvador La Prensa Grafica.com
San Salvador fmln.org.sv
San Salvador Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of El Salvador
Guatemala City Alvaro Colom Government
Tegucigalpa Presidency of th e Republic of Honduras
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2 US-Bound Guatemalan Soldiers Carrying Heroin Arrested
"Salvadoran Cops Arrest 2 Guatemalan Soldiers With Heroin Bound for US" --
EFE headline - EFE
Monday June 14, 2010 14:47:09 GMT
The shipment, valued at $72,000, was discovered Friday (11 June) night in
the military boots that Lieutenants Juan Jose Pineda Vasquez and Genaro
Pineda Rojas were carrying in their luggage, the head of the Attorney
General's Office's anti-drug unit, Jorge Cortez, told El Diaro de Hoy.
He said that the two men had managed to insert a total of 154 capsules of
heroin into the soles of the jungle boots, which are part of their
standard military equipment, and they had covered them with socks.
The press report said that the two men had entered El Salvador by land,
but appeared nervous as they waited to catch a flight to the United States
at El Salvador, or Comalapa, international airport.
"We've had foreigners who entered the country by land, but then tried to
leave by air.In this case, the new thing is that members of the Guatemalan
Army are involved in international drug trafficking," Cortez told the
daily.
Authorities said that it is not known whether the final destination of the
drug was New York or whether it would have been shipped on to Europe.
The daily cited figures provided by the National Civil Police, or PNC,
indicating that in the first year of President Mauricio Funes's
administration, authorities have seized 1,178 kg of drugs valued at an
estimated $12 million.
(Description of Source: Madrid EFE in English -- independent Spanish press
agency)
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Talk Of The Day -- Ecfa Effect: Volkswagen To Set Up Plant Here?
By Sofia Wu - Central News Agency
Tuesday June 15, 2010 03:50:41 GMT
Premier Wu Den-yih revealed on CtiTV Monday that a senior executive of
Volkswagen, the world's largest automaker, met with him last week for a
second time on the company's plans to set up a plant in Taiwan.
According to Wu, the automaker's investment pl an is indicative of the
positive effect of a proposed cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation
framework agreement (ECFA) , which will bring tariff reductions or
exemptions to some Taiwan-made exports to China.Unlike domestic ECFA
opponents, Wu said, many business people from Japan, the United States,
Europe and even Taiwanese businessmen operating in China look forward to
an early striking of the ECFA deal.The ECFA benefits, coupled with the
reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 17 percent under the
Industrial Innovation Act, have lifted Taiwan's competitiveness to a
world-class level, Wu said.The following are excerpts from the local media
coverage of the issue: United Daily News: Industry sources said the
company mentioned by Wu is assessing the feasibility of launching an
investment project in Taiwan and that its consultations with the
government are entering a final stage but have yet to come to a
conclusion.According to data available in the industry, Germany's
Volkswagen replaced Japan's Toyota as the world's No. 1 automaker last
year after it acquired Porsche Co.Wu disclosed Monday that representatives
from the company will tour a local industrial park next week to further
gauge the feasibility of establishing an assembly plant for vehicle
modules in Taiwan for sale to the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries.The
premier said the company's executive has told him that made-in-Taiwan
products are more attractive than made-in-China ones.In addition to
manufacturing prowess and management expertise, Wu said Taiwan's
democratic system and rule of law are also its strengths in attracting
foreign investors. Once the ECFA is signed, Taiwan's competitiveness will
be further enhanced, he added. (June 15, 2010).Commercial Times:
Industrial Development Bureau Director-General Woody Duh will accompany
Volkswagen executives to tour the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park in
central Taiwan next week to study whether to set up a new auto assembly pl
ant there.Swire Group reportedly has invited Volkswagen to launch a joint
venture in Taiwan to produce compact cars for sale to China, as assembled
cars are likely to be included in ECFA's "early harvest" list in the
future.Volkswagen has asked Volkswagen China Co., a Shanghai-based
Germany-China joint venture auto company, to study the Swire
Group-proposed Taiwan investment plan, a company manager said.The group
will take into consideration the market situation in Taiwan, China and
Southeast Asia in deciding whether to set up a production base in
Taiwan."We will not just focus on the ECFA tariff benefit in deciding the
fate of the new investment project. The key lies in whether a division of
labor can be created between the Taiwan plant and those in Southeast Asian
nations," the Volkswagen China Co. official said.According to his
estimate, the Taiwan plant should be able to churn out at least 100,000
cars a year to reach a scale of economy, a capacity th at requires a
capital infusion of NT$3 billion to NT$5 billion. (June 15, 2010).Economic
Daily News: Swire Group, Volkswagen's Taiwan sales agent, declined to make
any comments on the report about Volkswagen's investment plant.As
assembled cars will not be included in the "early harvest" list for tariff
exemptions, it deserves close observation whether the German automaker
will change its mind.An IDB official said Volkswagen's German headquarters
will send executives to tour the Changhua industrial park next week. If
the company approves the investment project, the construction of its
Taiwan plant will get underway late this year.Duh said the IDB will assist
the company in launching its investment project in Taiwan and will ask it
to procure as many Taiwan-made auto parts and components as possible. Once
assembled cars are included in the "early harvest" list in the future, its
cars will be qualified for tariff exemption privileges, he
added.Industrial so urces said that while the assembly plant may only
require a capital investment of NT$1 billion, it could create positive
momentum for the country by signaling foreign investors' confidence in
Taiwan's economic prospects with improvements in cross-strait
ties.According to the sources, Volkswagen's potential Taiwan facility
would be targeted at both the Southeast Asia and South Asia markets, where
4 million to 5 million cars are sold a year. (June 15, 2010).(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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The Buck Should Stop With Lee
"Viewpoint" column by Kim Jin, an editorial writer and Translation by the
JoongAng Daily staff: "The Buck Should Stop With Lee" - JoongAng Daily
Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:10:33 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)
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Local Tensions Keep Lid on Nation's Credit Rating - JoongAng Daily Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 00:58:16 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Korea's credit rating has stayed relatively low compared
to the world's leading economies due to exposure to geopolitical risks,
the government said yesterday, underlining the need to more accurately
explain its economic conditions to appraisal agencies.
According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Korea ranked 10th or
11th among the Group of 20 industrial and emerging countries in terms of
sovereign credit levels as of the end of May. Among the 31 countries that
are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,
Korea came in 22nd or 23rd.The rankings vary slightly, as the three majo r
credit ratings agencies differ in their rating of Asia's fourth-largest
economy, the ministry said. Standard &amp; Poor's put Korea in the
sixth-highest rating level of A, while Moody's and Fitch give the nation
A1 and A-plus, the fifth-highest level in their rating systems.Among the
G-20 countries, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and
Canada hold the highest credit ratings, while Japan and Italy came next.
Korea and China were on the same level in terms of credit
ratings.(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)
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Lawmaker Calls For Castration of Pedophiles - The Korea Times Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:50:57 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul The Korea Times Online in English -- Website
of The Korea Times, an independent and moderate English-language 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)
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Three Die in Mogadishu Explosion
Xinhua: "Three Die in Mogadishu Explosion" - Xinhua
Monday June 14, 2010 18:52:14 GMT
MOGADISHU, June 14 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and
almost eight others were injured on Sunday in an explosion in the south of
the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses said.
The blast thought to be a roadside bomb explosion occurred as fuel tanker
passed the area where Somali government troops were patrolling but none of
the soldiers were hurt."The bomb went off and three people very close to
the place died on the spot and the wounded were rushed to the hospital.
They were eight," Omar Elmi, an eyewitness, told Xinhua.No group has so
far claimed responsibility for the attack but Islamist rebels are known to
target Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers based in
Mogadishu.Separately the pro-government militia group, the Ahlu Sunnah
Waljama (ASWJ) announced the appointment of a senior commander for their
forces that have been battling with Islamist rebel movements of Hezbul
Islam and Al Shabaab.The ASWJ controls a number of important towns in the
central Somali regions of Galgaduud and Mudug while the group's fighters
have been fighting alongside Somali government forces in parts of the
capital Mogadishu where the Somali government controls.Meanwhile the
leader of Hezbulk Islam, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys reiterated his group's
resolve to continue fighting the Somali government and African Union
peacekeepers as long as there was what he termed foreign involvement in
Somali problems.He accused neighboring Ethiopian and the United States of
interfering in the internal affairs of the war torn east African
country.The Islamist leader said in a rare news conference in the
Mogadishu that the ban his group imposed on a Britain-based Somali
language TV channel stands and that an apology by the station would not be
accepted.The Islamist groups of Hezbul Islam and Al Shabaab banned the
Universal TV station from operating in Somalia after they accused it of
airing controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohamed early in the
month.The TV station has repeated apologized for what it said was a
mistake and pledged it will never repeat the airing of the cartoons adding
that the reporter and editor responsible for the story were "laid
off".(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's official
news service for English-language audiences (New China News Agency))
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Magazine Alleges Signing of 'Confidential' Agreement Over Transition
Unattributed report from 'Confidential Reports' section: "The Rabat
Declaration" - Jeune Afrique
Tuesday June 15, 2010 04:22:02 GMT
Concluded on 5 January between General Sekouba Konate on the one hand and
the adviser for Africa at the Elysee (French Presidency), Andre Parant,
and his counterpart at the U.S. State Department, Johnnie Carson, on the
other hand, all under Moroccan supervision, this "Rabat Declaration aimed
at promoting peace and a democratic transition in the Republic of Guinea."
The document includes four important points.
In this document, General Konate pledged to "personally assume
responsibility" for the transition which will lead "to democratic, free,
and transparent elections as quickly as possible.&q uot;
In order to "forestall any risk of violence" during this period, the
future president promises "to ban the return of Captain Dadis Camara to
Guinea."
Finally, Sekouba Konate gave assurance that he will facilitate legal
actions against "any person found guilty of abuse of power or acts of
violence."
In return, the French and the U.S. sides pledged to provide their
technical, material, and financial assistance "during and after the
transition period" to the process. They also pledged to "mobilize the
support of the international community," with Morocco playing the role of
coordinator.
(Description of Source: Paris Jeune Afrique in French -- Privately owned,
independent weekly magazine)
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Palestinian Reports on Infrastructure Projects 5-11 Jun 10
The following lists highlights of reprots on infrastructure projects
carried in the Palestinian media between 5 and 11 June. 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 in Arabic 05-11 Jun 10
Monday June 14, 2010 19:07:25 GMT
http://www.wafa.ps/ http://www.wafa.ps ) Ramallah: Agreement To Support
Projects in Nine Villages Signed
-- A 7 June report says that an agreement was signed today to support a
number of structural projects between Sami Yusif, chief of the Papist
mission in the Palestinian territories, and nine municipal councils in t
he governorates.The report adds that cost of these projects is $170,000.
Ramallah: Agreement Signed To Implement Phase II of Health Facilities
Development Project
-- An 8 June report says that the Ministry of Higher Education signed
today a business agreement with the Palestinian branch of the Islamic
Trans-World Relief Organization to start phase II of a health facilities
development project in three directorates in the northern governorates.The
report adds that agreement signed at the ministry's headquarters in
Ramallah aims at developing the school environment facilities and provides
the appropriate conditions for the students at a cost of $70,000. Hebron:
Al-Qawasimi Opens Main Street, Tafuh Municipality Premises
-- An 8 June report cites Local Governance Minister Khalid al-Qawasimi as
saying that projects implemented in Tafuh town are the result of
cooperation of the people and institutions that are keen on providing the
necessary services to citizens and to develop all sectors. Hebron:
Education Ministry Receives Yatta Martyrs Elementary School Building
-- On 10 June the Ministry of Higher Education took possession of the
building of Yatta Martyrs' Elementary Girl's School affiliated to the
Education Directorate in southern Hebron with funding from the Arab
Monetary Fund.The report adds that the school was built on an area of
2,354 square meters.There are 15 classrooms, two rooms for teachers, a
computer lab, and other facilities, at a cost of $985,660. Janin: Project
To Install Lighting in Teacher, Staff Housing Opened
-- On 10 June a report says that Dr. Umar Katanah, chief of the Energy and
Natural Resources Authority, began installing lighting in the teacher's
association housing and the Ministry of Education staff building in Janin
Governorate.He added that an electric power generation plant will also be
built in the governorate to provide power to the northern West Bank and
offer job opportunities. Al-Hay at Al-Jadidah Ramallah: Public Works
Ministry Announces Vital Road in Jericho Repaired
-- A 7 June report says that the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has
announced the completion of road repair on the road connecting the
Intercontinental Hotel in Jericho with the city center, with funding from
the USAID.The report adds that length of road is 2.6 kilometers and cost
of $1.07 million. (Ramallah Al-Hayah al-Jadidah (Electronic Edition) in
Arabic -- PA-owned daily, supportive of the Presidency; URL:
http://www.alhayat-j.com/ http://www.alhayat-j.com ) Ramallah: BETA,
French Development Agency Launch Project to Empower IT Sector in Gaza
-- An 8 June reports cites AFD Director Herfi Konan as announcing the
"EnTeg" project in Gaza.The report adds that project was announced during
Palestine's Investment Forum recently held in Bethlehem.The report adds
that the 500,000 euros provided by the AFD is being used by Palestinian
Information System Unio n of Companies "BETA" in cooperation with the
Palestinian Trade Center, "Pal-Trade."
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Czech Jun 14 Press Views Slovak Election Result
"Czech Press Survey" -- Czech Happenings headline - Czech Happenings
Monday June 14, 2010 09:37:42 GMT
Smer-SD, which the Slovak right camp says should not be asked to form a
government (as it has no ally to side with), is therefore in a situation
different from that of the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD (Czech Social
Democratic Party)), who won the Czech elections only narrowly in late May,
Uhl points out.
He says the ousting of Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic
Slovakia (LS-HZDS) from parliament alone is the victory of Slovaks. Meciar
has been playing on everybody's nerves for almost 20 years. The rightist
camps in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have made a scarecrow of him.
Nevertherless, he was not a democratic man and was burdened with financial
scandals.
That is why it is good that his HZDS has left the Slovak parliament, Uhl
writes.
On the other hand, it is not good that parliament has been narrowly
entered by Jan Slota's Slovak National Party (SNS), another junior
government party that Fico has repeatedly yielded to, Uhl writes.
It will be difficult for the four "right-wing" parties which have a
four-vote majority in parliament to form a government, also because two of
them are not actually rightist and can hardly reach agreement on a joint
programme, Uhl writes.
They are the Freedom and Solid arity, reminiscent of a private business
project, and the moderate Hungarian-Slovak Most-Hid, an efficient medicine
against both Slota and the Great-Hungary rhetoric of Hungarian PM Viktor
Orban, Uhl writes.
Either Fico will form a government with the two above mentioned parties or
an unviable conglomerate will emerge and disintegrate soon afterwards, Uhl
concludes.
Slovak PM and Smer-SD leader Robert Fico, like his former Czech Social
Democrat (CSSD) counterpart Jiri Paroubek, behaved in a way that gradually
narrowed their coalition potential. They each have eliminated their
possible partners by themselves, Viliam Buchert writes in Mlada fronta
Dnes.
They failed to recognise that in the period of the economic crisis people
want to know ways out of the economic trouble rather than hear parties
promise more money to them, Buchert writes.
Neither Paroubek nor Fico managed to win support of young voters who
rejected the arrogance of both. The problem does not rest in a generation
gap, as in the Czech Republic young people massively supported 72-year-old
Karel Schwarzenberg (TOP 09 (Tradition, Responsibility, Prosperity 09)).
The problem rests in a clash of ideas.
Moreover, the young generation resents being taught lessons and hates
propaganda reminiscent of the communist regime. Both Paroubek and Fico did
"outstandingly" in this area, Buchert writes with irony.
They waged a nonsensical war against the media that could not be won.
Instead of assessing reality by themselves they relied on public opinion
polls. True, marketing and a bombastic campaigns can work for a while, but
sooner or later people find out that politics can be done moderately,
calmly, openly and prudently, and without conflicts with the media,
Buchert says.
Paroubek and Fico did not understand this, nor did former German
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder understand it a few years ago. French
President Nicolas Sarkozy does not u nderstand this either and his
popularity in on the decline. The same applies to U.S. President Barack
Obama who often fails to transform his solemn vows into effective deeds.
The Americans have started realising this only recently, Buchert writes.
Slovak PM Robert Fico's party has gained its 35 percent of election vote
from a strange conglomerate of voters, including low income and decent
Slovaks who have not unveiled Fico's real nature and who have no one to
support on the left, but also xenophobes and nationalists pleased by
Fico's neo-Nazi-tinged election posters that scared with the Hungarian
threat, Lubos Palata writes in Lidove noviny.
Furthermore, Fico's electorate includes populists and orphans of communism
who delight in his totalitarian-like style, Palata writes.
His Smer-SD seems to be generously financed by billionaires whom he has
let steal money within public orders, Palata adds.
Fico has nothing in common with decent social democrac y. The time has
come for the Party of European Socialists (PES) to realise whom it has
supported and whom it has been linked with in Slovakia, Palata writes.
(Description of Source: Prague Czech Happenings in English -- Internet
magazine with focus on political and economic reporting, published by CTK
subsidiary Neris; URL: http://www.ceskenoviny.cz)
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S. Korea's Credit Rating Remains Relatively Low Among G20 Nations - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:50 GMT
S. Korea's credit rating remains relatively low among G20 nations
SEOUL, Ju ne 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's credit rating stays relatively
low among the world's leading economies due to exposure to geopolitical
risks, the government said Monday, underlining the need to more accurately
explain its economic conditions to appraisal agencies.According to the
Ministry of Strategy and Finance, South Korea ranked 10th or 11th among
the Group of 20 industrial and emerging countries in terms of sovereign
credit levels as of the end of May. Among the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development, South Korea came in 22nd or 23rd of its 31
member countries.The rankings vary slightly as three major credit ratings
agencies differ in their rating of Asia's fourth-largest economy, the
ministry explained. Standard &amp; Poor's holds South Korea at the
sixth-highest A, while Moody's and Fitch give the nation A1 and A plus,
the fifth-highest level of their rating systems.Among the G20 countries,
the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and C anada hold
the highest credit ratings, while Japan and Italy came next, the ministry
said. Korea and China were in the same level in terms of credit ratings.Of
the OECD countries, South Korea's rating stayed on par with such Eastern
European countries as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Especially, Moody's
gives the highest rating of Aaa to Spain, one of the major European
countries suffering from national debt trouble.The comparison comes as
some experts here are taking issue with credit ratings given to South
Korea, claiming that they do not seem to reflect the nation's accurate
economic fundamentals. Most agencies cite North Korea as a main reason for
hesitating to raise credit levels for South Korea."Credit companies do not
seem to give the right appraisal to South Korea," a government official
said. "We are still working hard to explain our accurate economic
conditions to those agencies and remove any misunderstanding as their
appraisal is very important to such open economies as ours."
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Making Our Schools Safe - JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:42 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Even schools are no longer safe havens for our children.
A sexual predator recently cruised onto an elementary school playground in
broad daylight and snatched a girl, dragging her away to commit a terrible
sexual offense.School campuses can easily be breached because they are
open to outsiders and there is a lack of surveillance.Today, doors to main
school buildings are left wide open during the day as well as after
classes have ended. As a result, school grounds have become increasingly
vulnerable to a host of crimes ranging from light offenses to major
felonies.In Seoul, nearly 90 percent of the city's roughly 2,000
elementary, middle and high schools keep their campuses open to outsiders.
Many have even removed the tall walls that once surrounded their
perimeters in an attempt to provide locals in the neighborhood with free
access to school facilities.But school campuses in Korea have now become
breeding grounds for gang fights, littering and booze-fueled parties.In
this context, we believe that the current policies of maintaining open
school grounds can undermine safety and the learning activities of
students.In May of last year, for instance, a man in his 20s suffering a
mental illness walked into a girls' high school classroom during and after
school hours, scaring students inside.Over the past year, police have
received reports of three attempts of sexual abuse on school grounds. To
protect schools and students from outside dangers, there must be some
limits to accessing school zones.Outsiders who aren't tied to school
activities should not be able to freely enter schools, and time limits
should be imposed on the use of playgrounds after classes end.In the
United States and Britain, many schools bar outsiders - including parents
- from entering school grounds without an appointment. Japan also employs
such a system. In France, schools only open their doors to outsiders for
20 minutes before and after classes.In Korea, the administration councils
of each school should be allowed to decide what kind of restrictions
should be put on school access, depending on their individual needs.The
Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations has already filed a petition
with a Grand National Party lawmaker for a bill that would give teachers
the power to protect their schools via various methods, including limiting
outsider access.It's time for the National Assembly to take swift action
on this issue.(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)
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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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Xinhua 'Roundup': Indonesia Preparing for Coping With European Crisis
Xinhua "Roundup" by Mulyanda Djohan : "Indonesia Preparing for Coping With
European Crisis" - Xinhua
Monday June 14, 2010 12:01:30 GMT
JAKARTA, June 14 (Xinhua) - The prediction on impact of the European debt
crisis on Indonesia has been mixed recently.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Funds (IMF) have warned on
the possibility of capital outflows from Indonesia as the global investors
prefer to shift their risk assets from developing countries which have
promised a high return to secure assets.But the Indonesian authorities
have depended on that the Southeast Asia's largest economy has a sound
macro-economic fundamentals amid the relatively stable political
condition.Many predicts that the crisis in Europe will not spread impact
as serious as the crisis in 2008 and 2009 resulted from the subprime
mortgage in the United States.Besides, Indonesia's economy is less
dependent on its exports but now much relying on a huge domestic
consumption in the country with over 230 million population.T he country's
exports to Europe is only 11.4 percent of its total overseas sales which
accounts for 32 percent of its GDP.But, on the financial market the impact
has already taken place as the foreign investors sold their ownership at
short-term certificate at the central bank known as Serifikat Bank
Indonesia or SBI in May.The total funds exited from the country reached
over 40 trillion rupiah (some 4.35 billion U.S. dollars) in the month,
mostly trimming the state foreign exchange reserve to 74.6 billion U.S.
dollars from 78.6 billion U.S. dollar at the position of April 30, Deputy
governor of central bank Darmin Nasution has said.The deputy said that the
central bank would not impose a capital control but will prepare a policy
which could indirectly slow the outflows and inflows of capitals.Analysts
have said that the European debt crisis may still give impact on the
volatility of the rupiah.In a long term, the government has also prepared
a step to anticipate it, should a n economic crisis occur.The new measure
rules what kinds of steps to be taken by authorities during the
crisis.Most of Indonesia's exports are natural-resources-based products
and agricultural commodities, which may suffer from the decline of global
prices and demands, should the economic activities in the European
countries weaken.Indonesia survived from the global financial routs last
year by registering growth at average of 4 percents at the first and the
second quarter, the highest in the world's after China and India, while
other countries suffered from strong contraction.The country's economic
growth accelerates faster at 5.7 percent in the first quarter of this year
amid the rebound of exports and investment, after growing at 5.4 percent
at final quarter of last year.The exports surged by 53.68 percent to 35.39
billion U.S. dollars in the first three months this year from the same
period of last year, and investment rose by 25 percent.Indonesia's economy
is expected t o grow at 6 percent and 6.4 percent this year and next year
respectively.(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.
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Activists Protest About Plan To Build Nuclear Power Plants in Country
Report by Andri Haryanto: "Rejecting Nuclear Energy, 100 Persons Protest
at Proclamation of Independence Monument" - detikcom
Monday June 14, 2010 10:15:13 GMT
The protest by people's movement to say no to nuclear power plant
development was attended to by representatives of regions where nuclear
power plants have been planned, like East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan,
Maduar, and Bangka Belitung.
Protesters held banners that read "No Nuke No More Chernobyl" (as
published) and "Greenpeace Energy Revolution Now" as well as "The
Motherland is a Nuclear- Free Zone."
They also erected a six-by-three m. tent, where discussions were held, and
photos of victims of nuclear radiation were displayed.
"We have our own renewable energy. There is no need for involvement of
external parties," said Kahar al Bahri, an environmental activist from
East Kalimantan.
Taufiqurahman from Madura conveyed the same view. According to him, the
plan to build a nuclear power plant in Madura is based on the assumption
that Madura will face water and electricity crises by 2015. But water has
been abundant until now.
"We will be turned into a second Iraq by the superpower. The poss ibility
of a leak in the nuclear power plant is high because our country is
corrupt," Taufiqurahman said.
Arif Fiyanto, Greenpeace Southeast Asia's campaigner for climate and
energy, said that people in the surrounding areas rejected nuclear power
plants because they carried very high risks.
(Description of Source: Jakarta detikcom in Indonesian -- Independent
internet portal that is updated regularly with fast-breaking national
news. Widely read by urban, educated, middle-class; URL:
http://www.detik.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.
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Roundup of Middle East Friday Sermons 11 Jun - Middle East -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 16:59:15 GMT
Amman Jordan Television Channel, official television station of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, at 0944 GMT is observed to carry live today's
Friday sermon from the King Husayn Bin-Talal Mosque in Amman.Shaykh
Abd-al-Karim al-Khasawinah, general mufti of the kingdom, delivers the
sermon.
He begins by praising God, praying for the prophet and his companions,
urging worshippers to fear God and to obey Him.
In his Friday sermon, the preacher highlights the "special qualities" God
bestowed on man.To support his argument, the preacher quotes the following
verses from the Koran: "We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,
then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,- except such as
believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing."
(Koranic verse, Al-Tin (The Fig), 95:4-6) The preacher elaborates on this
issue and quotes mor e verses from the Koran and sayings by the prophet to
this effect.
The preacher quotes the following verses from the Koran to prove that
"faith has a high status with God and that God will not abandon the
believers:" "Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you":
And frightened them: But it (only) increased their Faith: They said: "For
us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs."And they
returned with Grace and bounty from Allah. no harm ever touched them: For
they followed the good pleasure of Allah.And Allah is the Lord of bounties
unbounded." (Koranic verse, Al Imran (The Family of Imran), 3:173)
He says: "The issue of closing ranks is self-evident.We have seen its
great benefit when the Islamic nation was united and we have suffered a
great deal when the nation became disunited and when its solidarity
vanished."He adds: "Therefore, we notice that we should close our ranks, m
aintain national unity, and rally round the Hashemite leadership."
The imam concludes with a prayer for pardon and mercy. Lebanon:
Beirut Lebanese National News Agency WWW-Text in Arabic -official
government news agency carries reports on the Lebanese Friday sermons:
At 0711 GMT, the news agency carries a report on the Friday sermon, which
Shaykh Ali Fadlallah delivered on behalf of Scholar Muhammad Husayn
Fadlallah at the Imams Al-Hasanayn Mosque in Beirut.
In his Friday sermon, Fadlallah says: "The big powers always rush to
protect the Zionist entity every time political and humanitarian pressures
increase on it.These pressures have come following the recent crime, which
it committed in international waters against the Freedom Flotilla, which
was heading to break the siege on Gaza.Despite this, the enemy's
government still rejects the idea of international investigation.This is
because it wants to emphasize a host of issues: First, tha t it is a
state, which is above international laws, which the world sways on the
oppressed peoples and their countries only.Second, confirming its security
control on the sea in a way to prevent any naval activity, which conflicts
with its rules and policies and the rules and policies of the big
powers.This is particularly true since NATO, some time ago, has accepted
it as a part of its naval activity in the Mediterranean.Third, securing an
objective reality through which it is preparing to steal huge gas fields
in the Lebanese territorial waters."
Fadlallah adds: "While we value the Turkish Government's position, we
stress the need to insist on the positions of the Turkish people,
particularly in light of the enemy's wagering on the time factor and on
the indulgence in the World Cup games to make the Islamic and Arab world
forget its martyrs and causes.After this, the arrogant policy will involve
us in more than one tunnel in which all achievements that hav e been made
will be lost.At the same time, we stress that the official Arab position
is still below the acceptable level.The issue is not one of a partial
opening of the crossing or an issue of food and medicine, but, in addition
to this, it is an issue of people and land and resistance and
steadfastness.Therefore, supporting these people is one of the basic
Islamic and humanitarian rules.In fact, this is the religious
responsibility of everyone, peoples and officials, before God and
history."
Fadlallah says: "The Arab and Islamic street has become sick of the
humanitarian or verbal impetuosities by some Arab and Muslim officials
when the issue embarrasses them before their peoples.This broad street
wants the issue to be an issue of responsibility, which expresses itself
at all times based on plan and action, and not on improvisation and naive
action.We tell everyone: Do not wager on fooling the peoples, for peoples
have many points of awareness as a result of all the bitter experiences
through which you have tried to kill their spirit.The cause of Palestine,
all Palestine, is still alive for these peoples, and the officials should
rise to their level.They should stop their attempts to silence them
through direct oppression, emergency laws, or the like.As for the
Palestinians, who call for unity, we tell them to respond to those who
call for unity and to pave the way for the success of the internal efforts
to achieve reconciliation.However, beware of the thieves of negotiations
and the merchants of politics in the Arab and international arenas, who
will be lying in wait for this unity to foil it at any new political
turning point in the region."
Fadlallah adds: "The UN Security Council, which is the institution, which
is the biggest conspirator against the freedom of peoples, which refused
to denounce the enemy's exposed barbaric crime against the Freedom
Flotilla in international water, and which covers the en tire history of
the Zionist crime in Palestine and the region, it has imposed new
sanctions on Iran.This is despite the Islamic Republic's great positive
dealing with the international efforts, particularly the Turkish and
Brazilian efforts.It was extremely transparent regarding the peaceful
nuclear issue.This is because it has become clear that the arrogant
states, which influence the positions of decision-making in this world,
work, in one way or another, to guarantee that there will be no position
of power, even on the scientific and technological level, in the Arab and
Islamic world.They do not allow any developing state to have any influence
on the political action, whose game is run by these big powers."
Concluding, Fadlallah says: "In light of this situation, Lebanon should
work to fortify its society in the face of changes on the level of
tackling the social problems, beginning with the problems of poverty,
education, teachers, energy resources, and the like.This is in addition to
consolidating the elements of strength in the face of the Zionist entity
based on realism and away from the slogans, which hide behind them the
disguise of submission to all the threats of the arrogant ones."
At 0856 GMT, the news agency carries reports on Friday sermons by other
preachers, as follows:
Shaykh Khalid al-Sulh, mufti of Ba'labakk-Al-Hirmil, says: "The Lebanese
Government's wise position, which abstained from voting at the UN Security
Council, proves Lebanon's refusal to take part in the game of nations and
in the issue of settling accounts in this game in the Lebanese arena."
He adds: "Lebanon, the people, the institutions, and the government, are
in the forefront of the states, which reject the weapons of mass
destruction and the nuclear weapons.The international community should
adopt a unanimous position on stripping the Zionist entity of its nuclear
weapons.This is because peace and st ability will not be achieved as long
as the Zionist entity, which usurps Palestine, is armed to teeth with
nuclear and mass destruction weapons."
Al-Sulh criticizes the US position, "which uses double standards."He says:
"This position is with the nuclear weapons in Israel and against them in
Iran.A fair position should reject the existence of nuclear weapons in all
states in the Middle East, and not to allow this state to possess them and
incite against other states."
Shaykh Judge Ahmad Darwish al-Kurdi calls on the Arab and Muslim leaders
"to adhere to their solidarity and unity to take the Middle East region
away from the dangers of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass
destruction."He calls on America and the UN Security Council "to look with
one eye at the dangers of nuclear weapons and to completely prevent their
existence in any state in the region, particularly the Zionist entity in
Palestine."He says: "Ot herwise, why Israel is allowed to possess nuclear
weapons and other states are not allowed to possess them?"
In conclusion, "he praises the recent Lebanese abstention from voting at
the UN Security Council because the UN Security Council resolution is
unfair, taking into consideration that the Zionist entity is allowed to
possess these lethal weapons, and in fact, it is supplied with money,
expertise, and information."
Shaykh Ahmad al-Baba, member of the Administrative Council of the Islamic
Awqaf in Beirut, "hails the Lebanese Government's position at the UN
Security Council." "He praises the important speech, which Prime Minister
Sa'd al-Hariri delivered in Istanbul, and in which he called for promoting
Arab-Turkish partnership."
He says that the "Lebanese-Turkish relations and Turkish-Arab relations
constitute the cornerstone in besieging the Zionist influence in the Arab
region."He calls on the Arab states to "emulate the advanced Turkish
example, particularly the position of Prime Minister Erdogan, who said
that Jerusalem is like Istanbul and Gaza is like Ankara and took upon
himself to break the siege, which is imposed on the Palestinian people,
specifically the Gaza Strip."
In conclusion, Al-Baba calls on the Lebanese leaderships "to work to close
ranks and to support the government in order to enable the state to find a
way out of the region's crisis with as minimum losses as possible, taking
into consideration that Lebanon, with its size and capabilities, cannot be
a part of the game of nations and its deals, whose price the small states
pays."
At 1001 GMT, the news agency carries a report on a Friday sermon by Grand
Ja'farite (Shiite) Mufti Shaykh Ahmad Qabalan.
In his Friday sermon, Qabalan says: "The entire region is passing through
a stage of complication and regional and international tension.Therefore,
the Lebanese, par ticularly the Lebanese officials, should have a high
degree of coordination and integration in adopting the positions and
making the decisions, which fortify Lebanon and make it stronger in the
face of challenges, particularly the Zionist challenges.This is
particularly true since all previous and current indications showed that
Israel is an outlaw, that it was established on terrorism, that it will
not relinquish its hostility to the region and its peoples, and that it
will not accept anything less than the continuation of this tense
situation, which could explode at any moment no matter how many
concessions or submissions were made to it."
He adds: "What Israel did against the Freedom Flotilla, out of its known
hostility, and the massacre it has perpetrated against peace activists,
whose main concern was to break the siege imposed on Gaza and to bring
food and medicine to its besieged sons and children, prove for the one
thousand times that the policy of n egotiations and the carrying of the
olive branch with this enemy has become one of the rejected things, which
cannot be accepted regardless of advices, pretexts, and justifications."
Qabalan says: "The word neutrality in the peak of struggle between the
Arab truth and the Zionist falsehood is a dubious word and includes
meanings, which undermine the dignity of the Lebanese and disdain the
blood of the martyrs, who rejected the dictum of Lebanon's strength lies
in its weakness.This is why t hey have sacrificed their blood for the sake
of the unity of this country and the pride of its sons.These martyrs have
proved that after the achievements of victory, Lebanon is no longer a ball
in the international court, but it has become a key player, who declares
the truth and does not compromise on it, and who is capable of adopting
positions courageously and without dictates from anyone.Based on this, we
are astonished at the Lebanese Government's ambiguous position, which has
led it to abstaining from voting at the UN Security Council on an unjust,
arbitrary, and a criminal resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran
on the pretext that Lebanon's interests necessitate this.This
justification is inappropriate, and we do not envy those who believe in it
on their erroneous assessments and readings, which are still upside-down,
and which show the ugliness of their positions no matter what they do to
beautify them."
Qabalan points out: "Experiences showed that the international community's
umbrella and resolutions have always been in the service of the Zionist
entity and for the sake of protecting it.When the issue has something to
do with the rights of other states and peoples, we find that this umbrella
is out of order and its resolutions are invalid.In fact, we see that they
are biased toward Israel, with which the entire current political and
diplomatic activity is no longer useful.Therefore, it is no longer allowed
to deal with it except with the language it understands and masters."
In conclusion, he calls on the Arab regimes, which "have open and secret
relations with this enemy, to sever these relations immediately, to put an
end to the US Administration's political hypocrisy, and not to wager on
the kind of peace, which comes from Washington."He says: "We also call on
these regimes to establish firm fraternal relations with Iran and Turkey
and to build the largest alliance, which includes all the region's states,
in order to form an integral deterrent force against the US-Zionist
projects."
At 1155 GMT, the news agency carries a report on a Friday sermon by Shaykh
Abd-al-Amir Qabalan, vice chairman of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council.
In his Friday sermon, Qabalan says: "Palestine has become a victim and we
are the reason behind this because we have disavowed our values, people,
and unity.Islam is the religion of unity, righteousn ess, and amity.On
this day, the day on which the faithful hearts gather, we call on you to
abide by all that is good and to avoid evil.The Arabs and Muslims should
be in one trench against the accursed Satan and against the Zionist enemy,
which is lying in wait on the border."
He adds: "Palestine appeals to the consciences of Arabs and Muslims to
support it, to support its people, and to rescue its holy places and break
the siege, which is imposed on its cities and villages.Entire Palestine is
besieged because it is still under occupation, which is tightening the
grip on it."
Qabalan calls on the Lebanese state to "work to meet the people's needs,
to work in their favor, and to improve their living conditions."
Concluding, Qabalan says: "There are good signs of understanding and
cooperation among the Iraqis, who, today, call for relinquishing
selfishness and envy, for closing ranks, and for bolstering Iraqi unity
through coo peration, consultation, and accord.We want Iraq to recover and
to work on the straight path in cooperation with its brothers inside and
outside Iraq.Therefore, we should protect it, along with its institutions,
through accord and cooperation, in order to allow it to live in security
and stability." Qatar:
Doha Qatar Television Service, official television of the State of Qatar,
carries at 0838 GMT a live sermon from Umar Ibn-al-Khattab Mosque in
Doha.An unidentified preacher delivers the sermon.
The preacher begins his sermon by praising God and His Prophet Muhammad.H
e then urges worshippers to fear God.
In this Friday sermon, the preacher highlights the importance of adherence
to the religion and teachings of God and the guidance of the prophet,
particularly in this age, which produced "materialistic civilization,
whose advocates are atheists and infidels, who blaspheme God and Muhammad,
the Messenger of God."He says: "They know no religion, they do not accept
any religion, and they do not believe in the hereafter.They plan for their
civilization away from God, his teachings, worship, and laws.They have
dropped from their minds every consideration for God; for His Messenger,
God's peace and prayers be upon him; and for his religion and laws.They
entertain themselves like cattle and their abode is hellfire."The preacher
elaborates on this issue and quotes verses from the Koran and sayings by
the prophet to this effect.
He adds: "Despite their progress, as they call it, we see that they
inflict injustice on peoples, attack them with their weapons and destroy
their countries, and plunder their resources.At the same time, we find
them in the organizations, which they call humanitarian, defending human
rights at a time when they are the first ones who violate human rights.In
fact, they themselves, and no one else, are the first to encroach on human
rights and inflict injustice on man.Their prisons and jails are full of
innocent people, of Muslims and other oppressed people.They want the whole
world to embrace their systems, approaches, and the destructive ways of
their life."
The imam concludes with a prayer for pardon and mercy.He prays to God to
"support Islam and Muslims."He beseeches God to "support the Book, the
Sunna, and your Muslim servants, grant victory to anyone who supports your
Book and the Sunna of your prophet, and humiliate anyone who rejects your
Book and the Sunna of your prophet."He prays to God "to make the enemies'
plots backfire on them," and "grant victory to our Muslim brothers,
particularly the people of Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iraq."
Syria:
Damascus Syrian Arab Republic Radio in Arabic -- official radio station of
the Syrian Government - carries at 0839 GMT a live sermon from the Umayyad
Mosque in Damascus.Shaykh Dr Muhammad Sa'id Ramadan al-Buti delivers the
sermon .
He begins by praising God and His prophet and urging the worshippers to
fear God, to be faithful to Him, to rely on Him, and to seek forgiveness
from Him.
In his Friday sermon, Al-Buti says: "The tyrants, who were intoxicated by
tyranny, which robbed them of their minds, behave as if they do not have
minds or reason."He adds: "This description applies to the tyrannical
clique, which is weighing heavily on our Arab and Islamic land in
Palestine.Tyranny has intoxicated it and thus, it has lost its mind.This
is so that God's divine decree applies to it.It no longer fights anyone
who stands in its face to defend his right and land only, but it began to
fight the very heart of humanity.It fights humanity wherever it maybe.This
is because it knows that humanity disapproves of its tyranny.It knows that
humanity, wherever it may exist, disapproves of its arrogance and
haughtiness.Consequently, it is now an enemy of humanity itself, and not
only an enem y of those who defend themselves or their rights.Therefore,
this clique views food, which might take its way to the innocent and
peaceful people, as being a weapon that is sent to them.This is why it
imposes siege on these poor people, who are only waiting for food or
water.It imposes siege on them and considers the food sent to them as
being a destructive weapon that is put in their hands."
He says: "This clique has declared war against humanity, although it only
carries some love and sympathy.Thus, it has destroyed its humanitarian
convoy, which only carries sympathy and love for these people.This
sympathy and love are represented in food to be eaten, clothes to be put
on, and medicine for treatment.This is what the world is seeing today."
He adds: "Their minds were stripped off them.This is if they have minds.I
do not think that there is any mind, which can coexist with
tyranny.Tyranny has always been and is still their habit.Tyranny into
xicates more than wine.The Lord of the Worlds has made this clique lose
what has remained of its mind to make it act haphazardly and to carry out
more reckless acts so that the Western world will declare its hatred,
which has been and is still hidden, but is increasing in chests.This is
also to make the West announce its anger, which has been and is still
boiling in hearts.The Western man, however, was not able to declare this
because of the cover of politics, which controls him and deprives him of
the freedom to say what he wants and to puff out the sighs, which are
hidden in his chest.However, what this tyrannical clique did on our
Islamic and Arab land and its war against humanity wherever it may exist
have made the hidden feelings of the Western man triumph over politics and
over the cover of politics.This cover was thick in the past.Therefore, it
was difficult for the Western man to penetrate it.However, it has become a
thin cover today, which is easy to penetrate." ;
Al-Buti says: "You will see that the Western street, and I do not say
Western politics, the European and the US street, will gradually announce
its mammoth wrath against this clique, which declared its war and plots
against humanity.It does not fight a group of people who are besieged in
Gaza or elsewhere, but it fights humanity wherever it maybe.This mammoth
wrath there is expanding day by day.I am certain that the feelings of
hatred are boiling in chests there.They were hidden like a volcano, which
conceals what is inside it, but one day will come when this volcano
explodes with everything in it.It began to explode today.This is a fact,
which we should have in mind and which we should link to God's laws."
He adds: "What is regrettable and painful, however, which we should not
forget, is that a group of our kinfolk and relatives, still enjoy
humiliation and weakness.They have all surrendered to this side, which
declares war against humanity wh erever it maybe, the side, which makes
out of food and medicine a dangerous issue as if they were weapons of mass
destruction.This group, whether it is small or big, of our people, still
enjoys this humiliation.They respond to the signals of this side, which
has declared war against humanity wherever it maybe, against all heavenly
laws, against all international laws, and against all humanitarian
laws."He says that such people have no excuse to do so.
He says: "Turkey is only one of the states or groups, which has
humanitarian feelings, and therefore, it wants to defend humanity, which
lives inside it and in its entity.Why they accuse Turkey that through
this, it searches for the crown it has lost and its pride, which it has
lost when the caliphate was lost?"He also criticizes those who accuse
Turkey of seeking influence in the Arab and Islamic countries.He says that
this is "strange nonsense."
Al-Buti adds: "This is one of the law s of the Lord of the Worlds.The
Messenger of God informed us of this law when he said, "If God wants to
implement his divine decree, he strips the minds off those who have minds,
why, so that God's decision will apply to them." "He then quotes the
following verse from the Koran: "Behold! thy Lord did declare that He
would send against them, to the Day of Judgment, those who would afflict
them with grievous penalty.Thy Lord is quick in retribution." (Koranic
verse, Al-A'raf (The Heights), 7:167)
He says: "O servants of God, this is not speculation or arbitrary talk,
but it is a decision, which will be implemented.The Western man will
become angrier and he will declare his hidden feelings, and in fact, he
began to do so as of today, toward this side, which fights humanity in one
of its purest facts and principles.You will see the sacred human wrath
declared in the streets of the West, with its US and European part s,
against this clique.You will then see God's decision implemented before
your eyes; namely, "Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send
against them, to the Day of Judgment, those who would afflict them with
grievous penalty."
The imam concludes with a prayer for pardon and mercy. Yemen:
Sanaa Republic of Yemen Television in Arabic, official television station
of the Republic of Yemen, carries at 0911 GMT a live sermon from the
Al-Salih Mosque in Sanaa. Shaykh Hasan Abdallah al-Shaykh delivers the
sermon.
He begins by praising God and His prophet and urging the worshippers to
fear God, to be faithful to Him, to rely on Him, and to seek forgiveness
from Him.
In his Friday sermon, the preacher highlights the importance of sincerity
and honesty in the life of the believers.The preacher gives examples of
"cheating and deception" by merchants.He then quotes the following verses
from the Koran: "Woe to those that deal in fraud,- Those who, when t hey
have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they
have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due.Do they not
think that they will be called to account? - On a Mighty Day, a Day when
(all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds?" (Koranic verse,
Al-Mutaffifin (Those Who Deal in Fraud), 83:1-6) The preacher elaborates
on this issue.He gives more examples of "cheating" in the life of people
and explains its negative effects on their life and on the society, which
they live in.He quotes more verses from the Koran and sayings by the
prophet to this effect.
The imam concludes with a prayer for pardon and mercy.He prays to God to
"support Islam and Muslims, humiliate polytheism and polytheists, destroy
your enemies, the enemies of religion, and protect the seminary of Muslims
with your mercy."He beseeches God "to grant victory to our brothers who
perform jihad in your cause, who seek to elevate yo ur word; support them;
help them; and close their ranks."
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Commercial Times: Crisis Underlying Taiwan's Public Debt
By Y.F. Low - Central News Agency
Tuesday June 15, 2010 04:29:06 GMT
Official statistics show that the debt owed by the central government
stands at just NT$4.6 trillion, accounting for 35.3 percent of Taiwan's
average gross national product for the past three years.
The calculation was made based on Taiwan's unique definition of public
debt, which excludes debt owed by nonprofit funds, short-term loans, and
self-redeem ing debt. In other words, if all these items are included --
which is how the United States, Europe and Japan define their public debts
-- the outstanding amount of Taiwan's public debt as a percentage of the
country's gross domestic product (GDP) could be much higher.According to
an estimate by the Legislative Yuan's budget center, the outstanding
amount of central government debt accounted for 90.5 percent of GDP in
2008. Another estimate by the Ministry of Audit, which includes hidden
debt, put the amount at NT$19.7 trillion, accounting for 151 percent of
GDP.Such unclear definitions of public debt has drawn widespread doubts
and has also sowed the horrible seeds of crisis. As shown from Greece's
example, non-transparent debt statistics can do far more serious harm than
the debt itself.We urge legislators to amend the Public Debt Act to adopt
the internationally accepted definition for public debt so as to prevent
Taiwan from repeating Greece's error. (June 15, 2010)(Desc ription 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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Kan's Characteristics as Politician and Understanding on Security Issues
Article by Rui Abiru titled "Naoto Kan Takes the Mound with Priority on
Performance and His 30 Year Plan, Light Demeanor of Kan Could Be a Good
or Bad Omen." Article discusses Prime Minister Kan's strong desire for
upward mobility, his catering to the wishes of the people, his feelings
about the Imperial family, and concerns about his understanding of
security. Kan's light demeanor could turn out to be either a good or a bad
omen. - Sankei Shimbun Online
Monday June 14, 2010 21:45:36 GMT
During a speech in Tokyo on 2 June, the former Minister of Internal
Affairs and Communications Kunio Hatoyama, who is also Prime Minister
Hatoyama's younger brother, reflected on the events in which Kan
participated when the former Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was formed in
1996.
"My brother and I decided to try and form the framework for the DPJ.
Later, Kan entered the picture and said that he would be reluctant to
participate unless he was the party president, so Kan and my brother
served as co-presidents."
The impression that the people who are close to Kan have of him is that he
is the kind of person who has a strong desire for "upward mobility" and
who is "greedy for power". In fact, in the eight elections for DPJ party
presidents thus far, Kan declared his candidacy seven times. The only
exception was in the party president election of May last year when
according to a lawmaker who is a close advisor to Kan, "There was no
advantage with the state of affairs, so he wasn't able to make a move."
This time however, Prime Minister Hatoyama resigned and DPJ Secretary
General Ichiro Ozawa, who had a bad reputation due to problems with
"politics and money" resigned as well. As a result, the line of sight of
voters on the DPJ has softened. However, that does not mean that there has
been a dramatic improvement in the tough circumstances that the DPJ will
face in the Upper House election.
The understanding of the people of Okinawa Prefecture for the problem of
relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City,
Okinawa Prefecture) has not been obtained, and no prospect has yet emerged
for reaching a solution. In fact, the DPJ is still a long way from
securing the financial resources needed to execute its manifesto (policy
statements) from the Lower House election last year.
Did Kan, who daringly risked his own neck in a situation where it appeared
that he was blocked in every direction, have a winning chance? Even though
the conditions were unfavorable, perhaps Kan did not want to let the
opportunity to become prime minister pass him by.
Prime Minister Hatoyama took a chance and boldly stated that the Futenma
base should "at the very least be relocated outside of Okinawa" and that
the issue would "be decided by the end of May." According to Vice Minister
of Finance Yoshihiko Noda, these statements became Hatoyama's "own goal"
and are what eventually destroyed him. Kan avoided the problem by claiming
that he "was not involved", but what should he do?
In the case of Prime Minister Hatoyama, his past remarks such as "The
wrongdoing of my secretary is the wrongdoing of a Diet lawmaker"
boomeranged and came back to damage him personally. However, when it comes
to boomerangs, Kan is known as the "original wielder" of boomerangs.
As DPJ President at the time, Kan pursued the Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) on the problem of unpaid annuities, but in 2004, Kan was forced to
resign as DPJ President when it was discovered that Kan himself had not
paid annuities. He then shaved his head and made a pilgrimage to t he 88
temples on the island of Shikoku. Catering to the Wishes of the Public
From the time that he won his first election thirty years ago, Kan has
become well known by those around him by the nickname "Ira-Kan", or
"Irritable Kan", due to his reputation for having a hot temper.
However, he is not simply a person who acts on impulse. He also shows
glimpses of being a "populist (a politici an who caters to the wishes of
the public)" who turns to the right or to the left depending on the
situation.
While Kan has felt pride in the Zenkyoto generation (united front
generation) and rejects the "establishment", his focus on liberalism is
strong. On the other hand, when he sees the momentum of the conservatives
in the party, he does not miss opportunities to appeal to that group
either. During his speech for the party president election of 2006, he
quoted at great length from "The Dignity of the Nation", a book by the
conservative mathematician Masahiko Fujiwara, and according to a
mid-ranking lawmaker, "It was entirely unbecoming of him."
In September 1996, Kan formed the former DPJ and resigned as Welfare
Minister. Concerning this, Etsuko Kawada, the plaintiff in a lawsuit about
AIDS caused by contaminated blood products, pressed, "Even though it's a
new political party, it's lacking principles, so I can't supp ort it." Kan
responded as follows.
"What do you expect with a political party."
Perhaps because of that type of division, Kan has wandered from party to
party during his political career, serving as a political independent,
joining the Socialist Democratic Federation (SDF) and then being immersed
in a small party after being quieted by the SDF. Perhaps it is because of
his political career that Kan likes a performance.
When the outbreak of the avian flu occurred, Kan appeared before cameras
eating chicken rice bowls. Then, when BSE (bovine spongiform
encephalopathy = mad cow disease) became the topic of conversation, Kan
was shown eating dishes of beef on rice, and finally, when there were
questions about radish sprouts being tainted with the O157 strain of the
E. coli bacteria, Kan appeared before a camera eating three packs of
radish sprouts.
In January 2002 while serving as the DPJ Secretary General, Kan took a
group of reporters with him to inspect a public job stabilization office
and used a personal computer to try a job search.
"Age 55, monthly income of 500,000 yen." The job search ended in criticism
about the high level of Kan's desired monthly income and complaints that
he did not understand the difficulty in finding a new job. Recognition of
the Imperial Family and Security
The area in which there is a feeling of anxiety is how Kan will deal with
the issues of foreign diplomacy, security, and his understanding of
history.
At a press conference in the city of Naha in January 2003 while serving as
DPJ President, Kan expressed his pet theory that if the DPJ gained control
of the administration, the party would demand a withdrawal of the marines.
He stated, "The security of the Far East can be maintained even without
(U.S.) Marine Corps bases and troops in Okinawa. We are considering
relocation in the basic direction of relocation outside of Japan."
Currently, Kan is of the position that the relocation of the Futenma base
should be based on the agreement between Japan and the United States for
relocation within Okinawa. How is this position compatible with his pet
theory?
There is also the problem of Kan's signing of a petition calling for mercy
and the release of the former death row inmate Shin Kwang-Soo, a North
Korean agent who committed the crime of abduction. On Kan's own home page,
he apologizes for signing the petition and states, "I want to apologize
for my carelessness." However, in an e-mail newsletter dated 4 June,
former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sarcastically remarked, "(The former
death row inmate Shin Kwang-Soo) must have wanted to send him a message to
congratu late him on his ascension to Prime Minister."
Kan's view of the Imperial family is also difficult to perceive. When Kan
was nominated as the new Prime Minister on 4 June, the Emperor was slated
to go on a retre at beginning that same day, and because the Emperor's
schedule could not be confirmed, Kan passed on a swearing in ceremony at
the Imperial Palace that day.
In May 2005, Kan made it clear that he recognizes that at the end of World
War II Emperor Hirohito should have been abdicated.
At the government sponsored "celebration to commemorate the Emperor's 20
th year on the throne", which was held in November of last year, Kan
served as the vice-chairman of the celebration committee. Nonetheless, it
was pointed out (in response to a question from Lower House LDP Lawmaker
Taro Kimura) that in the presence of the Emperor, "His head bobbed up and
down time and time again and then he dozed off."
Kan is showing signs of "lightness" with a wet feel that differs from the
clear, gravity-free flightiness of Hatoyama. All we can do now is wait and
see if this demeanor becomes a good or a bad omen for Kan.
(Description of Source: Tok yo Sankei Shimbun Online in Japanese --
Website of daily published by Fuji Sankei Communications Group; URL:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com)Attachments:sankei5jun-kansogo2.pdf
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90) Back to Top
Okinawa Local TV Evening News 14 Jun 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
Monday June 14, 2010 14:52:40 GMT
The main local news segment of "Haisai News 610" carries as its first
story a 1.5-minute report on Okinawa Gover nor Hirokazu Nakaima's first
meeting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan to be held at the Prime Minister's
Official Residence on the morning of 15 June.The governor will reportedly
request from prime minister measures to reduce the burden of the US
military bases on Okinawa and discuss the relocation of the US Marine
Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma and economic measures.
The fourth story of the day is a 1.5-minute report on a spouse of a US
military member stationed in Okinawa convicted for smuggling marijuana.
The fifth story of the day is a 1.5-minute report on the US military, the
Japanese government, and Okinawa prefecture holding a working-level
meeting at Naha on measures for reinforcing discipline on US military
members to prevent crimes.
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)
< br>Click here to view the streamed video of the first report in .wmv
format.
The main local news segment of "OTV Super News" carries as its third story
a 1-minute report on the Democratic Party of Japan's (DPJ) Okinawa chapter
giving up on fielding an upper house candidate who is against relocating
MCAS Futenma within Okinawa and instead cooperating with the Social
Democratic Party's candidate.
The eighth story of the day is a 1-minute report on a US-military related
civilian given a one-year sentence for smuggling marijuana from the States
in April 2010.
The 11th story of the day is a 1-minute report on Okinawa Governor
Hirokazu Nakaima meeting with Prime Minister Naoto Kan tomorrow at 0830 in
Prime Minister's Official Residence.
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)
Click here to view the streamed video of the reports in .wmv format.
The main local news segment of "RBC THE NEWS" carries as its third story a
1.5-minute report on a working team consisting of the US military, the
Japanese government, and Okinawa prefecture's representatives hold meeting
on measures to prevent crimes and accidents by US military members.The
team reported that the US military-related crimes and accidents have
doubled to 26 incidents from the period of January to April this year
compared to the same period last year.
The fourth story of the day is a 1-minute report on Okinawa Governor
Nakaima's meeting with Prime Minister Kan on 15 June for the first time
after the prime minister's inauguration.
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)
Click here to view the streamed video of the reports in .wmv format.
The main local news segment of "Station Q" carries as its first story a
1-minute report on the DPJ's Okinawa chapter giving up on fielding an
upper house candidate who is against relocating MCAS Futenma within
Okinawa.
The second story of the day is a 0.5-minute report on Okinawa Governor
Nakaima's meeting with Prime Minister Kan on 15 June for the first time
after the prime minister's inauguration.
Naha QAB Television in Japanese is an affiliate of TV Asahi, owned by
major daily Asahi Shimbun.
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DPRK Party Organ on US-ROK-Japan Agreements at 5 Jun Defense Minister
Talks
OSC plans to process the below-cited Rodong Sinmun "signed commentary" as
first referent item; KCNA headline: "S. Korea-u.S.-japan 'Cooperation' in
Moves For War of Aggression Against DPRK Under Fire" - KCNA
Monday June 14, 2010 05:17:09 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
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DPRK Condemns IAEA Chief's Comment on Nuclear Issue
Xinhua: "DPRK Condemns IAEA Chief's Comment on Nuclear Issue" - Xinhua
Monday J une 14, 2010 05:55:36 GMT
PYONGYANG, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK) on Monday slammed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
chief's comment on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
A statement carried by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Yukiya
Amano's demand last week for the DPRK to fulfil its obligation under the
nuclear Non-Proliferation of Treaty (NPT) was "ignorant."It said the DPRK
is not a member of the IAEA and has quit the NPT, adding the DPRK "has no
obligations to obey the NPT."The statement said the DPRK had done its best
to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and the tense situation on the
peninsula is caused by the U.S. anti-DPRK policy.The statement urged Amano
to know the concept and history of the nuclear issue and the process of
the six-party talks involving the DPRK, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan
and the United States, w hich is aimed at resolving the nuclear issue on
the Korean Peninsula.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English --
China's official news service for English-language audiences (New China
News Agency))
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93) Back to Top
S. Korea Unlikely to Follow Japan's Housing Market Crash: Goldman Sachs -
Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 04:55:58 GMT
S. Korea unlikely to follow Japan's housing market crash: Goldman Sachs
By Kim Young-gyoHONG KONG, June 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is not likely
to undergo a housing market crash similar to the one Japan experienced in
th e 1990s, global investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted Monday.The
forecast amid escalating worries that South Korea may suffer a
Japanese-style real estate deflation due to the possibility that a large
amount of housing-backed loans could go sour, prompting apartment prices
to tumble."The housing market in Korea is unlikely to crash as it did in
Japan, given subdued price-to-income trends in housing, a different macro
backdrop, low tail-risks in mortgages and prudential regulation," Goldman
Sachs said in a report.According to a report released by the country's
central bank last month, a sluggish real estate market sapped household
lending demand, dropping South Korea's interest rates on bank loans in
April for the third consecutive month.Earlier in March, a think tank at
the state-funded Korea Development Bank warned that apartment prices here
are too high compared with household income, and said the bubble in the
country's housing market may burst in the near fut ure, just like those in
Japan and the United States.Golman Sachs, however, admitted that South
Korea appears to trail Japan by about two decades on demographics and
per-capita income."Korea resembles Japan in many respects, and in
particular in terms of its growth performance, main industries, high level
of savings and demographics. Given these similarities, investors have
concerns about the risks of a property market collapse and prolonged
economic stagnation in Korea," it said.The bank forecast stagnation in
housing prices, rather than a bubble burst, is more likely to occur,
leading more Koreans to accumulate financial assets in lieu of
property."Our analysis suggests that Korea's rapidly aging population will
contribute to a stagnation in housing prices, leading to an accumulation
of financial assets in lieu of property investments," it said, adding that
equity holdings have low shares in household portfolios.
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Scientists To Retrieve Japanese Asteroid Capsule Landed in Australia
"Scientists scramble for Japanese asteroid capsule" -- AFP headline - AFP
(North American Service)
Monday June 14, 2010 02:43:49 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP (North American Service) in English --
North American service of the independent French press agency Agence
France-Presse)
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rce.
95) Back to Top
An Alliance Reconfirmed
"Viewpoint" column by Kim Jung-wook, the Washington correspondent and
Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "An Alliance Reconfirmed" -
JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:48:51 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)
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96) Back to Top
Pan-Arab Editor: Riyadh Will Not Allow Israel Use Its Airspace Against
Iran
Commentary by Abd-al-Rahman al-Rashid: "The Saudi Corridor and the Israeli
Strike" - Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online
Monday June 14, 2010 16:26:55 GMT
Saudi Arabia's judgment can be seen in the manner which they have dealt
with 50 years of regional conflict.Saudi Arabia has always avoided
becoming embroiled in military confrontations, regardless of the magnitude
of its political differences (with others).I think that politicians in
Riyadh are well aware that Iran is no small country, and that both Iran
and Saudi Arabia have the longest coastlines in the Gulf.They know that
getting involved in the war by allowing Israel i or even American jets to
use its airspace would mean Saudi Arabia becoming practically involved in
a war with Iran.Nobody can predict what would happen after this; Saddam
Hussein was embroiled in a terrible war with Iran for eight years due to
his foolishness.The Saudi Arabians are certainly concerned with Iran's
nuclear project and fear that this is targeting them and the rest of the
Gulf States; however this suspicion is not enough of a motive to get
involved in a destructive war of adventure with a country that is three
times the size of Saudi Arabia.
(Description of Source: London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in English --
Website of influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line
reflects Saudi official stance.URL: http://www.asharq-e.com/ )
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97) Back to Top
Pan-Arab Editor: 'Illogical' for Saudi Arabia To Allow Israel Use its
Airspace
Commentary by Editor in Chief Tariq al-Humayd: "Israel and Passing through
Saudi Airspace" - Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:51:36 GMT
(Description of Source: London Al-Sharq al-Awsat Online in English --
Website of influential London-based pan-Arab Saudi daily; editorial line
reflects Saudi official stance.URL: http://www.asharq-e.com/ )
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98) Back to Top
Macedonian Commentary Sees Israeli Raid on Turkish Ship as 'Tactical
Blunder'
Commentary by Edon Qesari: "Nothing new From Eastern Front" - Koha
Monday June 14, 2010 17:10:20 GMT
The clash that took place in the Mediterranean waters a few days ago has
perhaps offered the only episode in the long history of the Israeli-Arab
conflict in which the Israeli government does not find itself in open
conflict with international law. Over the last decades the finger was
pointed at Israel precisely in this direction. There were many arguments
condemning Israel's indifference to the international law. There was of
course a repeat of them in the days that followed the clash in the
vicinity of Israel's territorial waters. According to what is being said
in the world's main dailies, Israel's armed forces have fallen foul of
international norms at least on two points: they have attacked a neutral
ship in international waters and have made use of excessive force (as
stressed by Sarkozy). The latter point remains to be clarified by
international courts, but in our comments we will try to understand some
aspects of international conventions.
According to the Manual of International Law Applied to Armed Maritime
Conflicts (codified in 1909 and updated in 1994), legal arguments look
broad enough. According to the manual, as an enemy of the HAMAS
organization, the Jewish state has the right to block from the land, the
Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the above organization. As long as a
majority of world's states have declared HAMAS a terrorist organization,
the isolation of Gaza and the blockade laid on it are justified under the
international law, regardless of the fact that now the entire
international community has come up against this blockade.
According to the same manual by 'territorial waters' is meant th e
maritime area that extends 12 miles beyond the territorial sovereignty.
Beyond that there is another 12-mile extension (the so-called
'intermediate zone') within which a state has the right to act according
to the international law in defense of its interests. Hence, if what the
witnesses say is true, namely, that the Turkish ship was stopped 68-75
miles from Israel's shores, the navy of the latter comes under charges of
violation of international norms. On the other hand, many experts say that
the right of laying a blockade on an enemy country (in this case, of
Israel on Gaza) gives Israel the right to stop a ship that is identified
with its enemy's territory. We may add that the international law
prohibits actions against neutral merchant, that is, peaceful, ships, but
from the Israeli side there is the argument that the ways for conveying
aid to Gaza are internationally known. Why, then, did the Turkish ship
chose to run the blockade? For the sake of truth, it mus t be said that
other ships had also run the blockade over the last two years. It remains
a mystery as to why Israel reacted precisely now and with so much
violence.
After all, is it not a right of the Israeli state to use force against a
ship that tries to run a blockade? The answer seems to be yes, although
this right has its restrictions. The degree of reaction must be
commensurate with the degree of aggression. There are many who argue that
the Israeli commandos responded with bullets to an aggression that, after
all, was symbolic, that is, carried out with sticks and other objects.
Still, all things considered, the fact must be told that the Israeli
military justifies the reaction with the violence that was exercised on
them by people, who after attacking them with knives, also tried to disarm
them. There are videos of soldiers thrown overboard and of ship's
passengers seeking 'martyrdom'.
Without resorting to further arguments, which may appear ever more
complex, it can be safely said that the incident will not end with that.
Many states are hastening to accuse Israel both over the incident
mentioned above and the violation of the human rights of the Palestinians.
But media reaction to an incident is one thing, and the legal
interpretation of it in the international sphere is quite another thing.
As Peter Pham, a strategic adviser with several European governments and
also the US administration, said for the Reuters news agency, "while
waiting for the investigation to be wound up, going by the facts at our
disposal so far, it seems that Israel has acted in its full right." As for
human rights, a weighty though rather controversial argument, they must be
considered from a more realistic standpoint. The UN commission, which
adopted the resolution against the Jewish state and which proceeded
precisely from the violation of the human rights of the Palestinians, has
given rise to many questions. We will sing le out only one: are Cuba, a
member of this commission, or Iran (which is a candidate for chairing a UN
commission on women's rights) the right models of respect for human rights
to criticize Israel?
Still, apart from these and other arguments, Israel seems to have made a
big tactical blunder. Even if Jerusalem is found legally not guilty for
what happened, the political precipitation of the Netanyahu government
cannot be condoned. In the field of international diplomacy, Israel seems
to have precipitated those changes in the international relations of which
its powerful ally, the United States, is so much afraid. The new position
Turkey is trying to assume must be seen in this light. The Israeli raid on
a ship under Turkish flag provided for the Ankara government with another
pretext for it to continue on a road that takes it ever farther from the
West. That Erdogan is seeking new spaces for his country may be seen in
the international role Turkey is also tryin g to play with Iran, the
avowed enemy of both Israel and the United States. Actually it has long
been aiming to play a dominant part in the Middle East, and it can do only
that by cooling its relations with Israel. The Israeli raid on a Turkish
ship only made the choice easier for it. That is why we think that the
incident did not mark the onset of a new period in the Turkish-Israeli
alliance (of a few days ago). It was only the more apparent reflection of
many changes that the Erdogan government was already carrying out. One
does know, however, what that will lead to. What is sure is the extremely
difficult position of the Obama administration in the Middle East. It is
certain that it will pay ever growing attention to future developments in
the Israeli-Palestinian relations, which means that it will be less
committed to developments in other parts of the globe. That holds
especially true for the Balkans in which the Americans have already
declared they have little interest. That should make the Balkan peoples
understand certain things. But it is rather hard for one to understand
what is not in one's favor.
(Description of Source: Skopje Koha in Albanian -- privately owned daily
with close ties to opposition Democratic Party of Albanians)
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Kenyan religious leaders rap Biden over remarks on draft constitution -
KTN Television
Monday June 14, 2010 08:00:16 GMT
constitution
On the evening of 13 June five people were killed and 112 injured in the
Kenyan capital, Nairobi, after two explosions rippe d through a prayer
meeting-cum-political rally held to campaign against the proposed new
constitution for Kenya.Before the attack, said to be grenade explosions,
Christian religious leaders led thousands of people at the venue of the
meeting, Uhuru Park, in persuading them to vote No in the referendum
slated for 4 August 2010.What is commonly known as the No camp, comprising
some politicians plus the Church in Kenya, have taken issue with some
articles in the draft. Two of the most controversial issues are on the
abortion and Islamic courts clauses. The clergy present at the meeting
decried what they termed the manner in which Kenyans were being urged to
hurriedly pass the draft constitution.They also took issue with what they
termed interference by American Vice-President Joe Biden during his recent
visit to the country, where he urged Kenyans to pass the draft.In a
meeting with Kenyan leaders on 8 June, Biden promised that "when these
reforms take place, you will find a completely different atmosphere about
investment in this country".Lashing out at Biden, pastor Mark Kariuki,
speaking to the crowd in Kiswahili wondered, "What is in this constitution
which has attracted the Americans to the extent that an American has come
here to tell us that should we pass (the draft) we will be given something
small?"Said Maina Ng'ang'a, another pastor: "The president and the prime
minister should not think that we are now following them. We have the
right to say No! We have the right to say No! Say No!", to which the crowd
responded, "No!".MP William Ruto, a cabinet minister who is against the
draft and who leads the No campaign told the rally that "On 4 August you
must say No, so that you can claim this country. And let nobody put in
doubt that we want a new constitution; we want a new constitution. We want
a constitution that is going to unify this country... I am proud to be
part of this thing because I know if God is for us (cheers from crowd) who
can dare be against us?"(Description of Source: Nairobi KTN Television in
English -- independent Nairobi TV station with respected news coverage;
majority of audience is in Nairobi)
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Gcc Chief Says Israel Has No Options After Saudi Smear Campaign Reports
"Gcc Chief Says Israel Has No Options After Saudi Smear Campaign Reports"
-- KUNA Headline - KUNA Online
Friday May 14, 2010 21:27:22 GMT
RIYADH, May 14 (KUNA) -- Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary
GeneralAbdulrahman Al-Atiyya on Frida y described reported Israeli
plannedinternational media and legal campaign against Saudi Arabia as "a
position thatillustrates political bankruptcy." According to Israeli daily
Maariv, rightistIsraeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman plans to launch
a global campaignagainst Saudi Arabia.The campaign, if launched, will
include the use of various means of leverageand lobbies in the United
States, Europe and other places around the world,raising select social
issues in the US Congress, the European Parliament andother venues, a
public relations campaign and even lodging complaints withinternational
courts, according to Maariv.In a statement to the press, Al-Atiyya said
that the plan reveals "a pitifulattempt aimed at covering up facts," and
an attempt to "avert attention fromIsraeli predicaments brought about as a
result of continued aggressive andxenophobic practices against
Palestinians, and which stand against initiativesintended for just and
compr ehensive peace in the Middle East." Al-Atiyyastressed that Saudi
Arabia's policies towards Arabs and Muslims are obvious andrespected
throughout the Arab, Islamic and international communities. He alsosaid
these policies were "above any taunts or suspicious plans cooked up
inZionist circles, drowning in a pool of arrogance, which expresses a
mindsetthat opposes justice, equality and peace." He considered the
Israeli plans aclear declaration that "proves without a doubt, the
success, clarity and nobleaims of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy towards
Arab and Islamic issues." TheArab Peace Initiative has pit the Israelis
against major challenges afterscoring unprecedented Arab, Islamic and
international support, he said.It has also forced the Israeli government
into committing to comprehensivepeace concessions, "which is what makes it
natural for Israel to fabricatethese crises against Saudi Arabia, which
has presented a sensible plan on thepeace proc ess and its success, he
explained.(Description of Source: Kuwait KUNA Online in English --
Official news agency of the Kuwaiti Government; URL:
http://www.kuna.net.kw)
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101) Back to Top
Obama Asks Congress To Fund Israel's Rocket Defense System
"Obama Asks Congress To Fund Israel"s Rocket Defense System" -- KUNA
Headline - KUNA Online
Friday May 14, 2010 11:00:56 GMT
WASHINGTON, May 14 (KUNA) -- US President Barack Obama is seeking
Congressapproval of USD 205 million to help Israel speed up deployment of
a new shortrange rocket defense system known as the Iron Dome, it was
reported here lateThursday.White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor was quoted
as saying that Obama "recognizesthe threat missiles and rockets fired by
Hamas and Hezbollah pose to Israelis,and has therefore decided to seek
funding from Congress to support theproduction of Israel's short range
rocket defense system called Iron Dome." Heaffirmed that "as the president
has repeatedly said, our commitment to Israel'ssecurity is unshakable and
our defense relationship is stronger than ever.""The United States and our
ally Israel share many of the same securitychallenges, from combating
terrorism to confronting the threat posed by Iran'snuclear-weapons
program," Vietor stressed.According to State Department records, US
military aid to Israel in 2009reached USD 2.55 billion, where this will
increase to USD three billion in 2012and will total USD 3.15 billion a
year from 2013 to 2018.(Description of Source: Kuwait KUNA Online in
English -- Official news agency of the Kuwaiti Government; URL:
http://www.kuna.net.kw)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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102) Back to Top
Metro Policeman Faces Charge of Trying to Extort Bribe from US Soccer Fans
Report by Charl du Plessis: "Cop Fleeces US Tourists" - "Americans Lay
Corruption Charge over 'Bribe'" - Times Live
Tuesday June 15, 2010 04:22:04 GMT
(Description of Source: Johannesburg Times Live in English -- Combined
website of the credible privately-owned daily and weekly newspapers The
Times and Sunday Times, with an emphasis on news from South Africa. The
site also features multimedia and blogs. URL: www.timeslive.co.za)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
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Opinion Calls for US President To Provide Proof in MBS Case
Opinion by Gustavo Mavie: "Questioning the Existence of al Qaeda Training
Camps in Mozambique - Diario de Mocambique
Monday June 14, 2010 14:48:42 GMT
by the South African Sunday newspaper the Sunday Times about the existence
of al Qaeda training camps in Tete and Nampula, my experience as a
reporter stopped me suspecting that it could be yet another piece of news
made up with no other purpose than to harm a country that someone does not
like.
Now that I have more facts, I am progressively more convinced that the
abovementioned news has been made up, and that it is aimed at killing two
birds with one stone.
In my view, one of the birds is to associate our country with the great
soccer world cup festival that is currently grabbing the attention of
millions of people around the world and thus affect the image that
Mozambique enjoys abroad, because it is one of the few countries that was
able to lift itself out of the pit of the destabilizing war into which it
had been thrown by its enemies.
Another fact is that it is registering an impressive economic performance,
at a time when most of the world's countries are sinking in the turbulent
sea of the world financial crisis.
For those who do not wish us well, this economic and democratic success of
ours is making them lose their sleep and is making them green with envy.
The other bir d that this type of news aims to kill is, without a doubt,
the World Cup, which this time is being held in neighboring South Africa,
something that obviously does not please those who have made every effort
so that our continent will always continue to be seen to belong to
worthless individuals who only serve as "beast of burden" or to kill each
other.
Besides, it makes no sense that the intelligence agency of a country that
is after al Qaeda, using every method that exists in the world -- in this
case, the United States -- should discover two of this organization's
training camps and not take measures to destroy them and eliminate the
trainers and their trainees, merely limiting itself to publishing the news
about their alleged discovery.
Does this make sense?Of course it does not
Military logic forces me to say that if this NEFA Foundation (an
anti-terrorism institution set up after the attacks in New York in
September 2001) had in f act discovered the abovementioned camps in Tete
and Nampula, it would have at least simultaneously informed the
governments of the United States, Mozambique, and South Africa, so that
they could take joint measures to destroy them and subsequently eliminate
the instructors and potential terrorists.
Moreover, if the US Government had been told by Congress, as the news in
the Sunday Times stated, it would have asked the Mozambican Government for
permission to carry out military action and kill all those who would have
been there, in one swoop.
Therefore, the news that would have been published by the Sunday Times
would have been about the destruction of two training camps and the
subsequent elimination of their occupants, and not just the revelation of
their existence.
Even military operations lay people know that, once you discover the
presence of an enemy in a certain place, the first thing you do is
eliminate him before he even knows he has bee n spotted, and only
afterward do you issue a communique telling the public about the raid and
its outcome.
Therefore, you never reveal anything beforehand, because that would be the
same thing as scaring away the prey, so that it runs off.
Thus we can conclude that, due to the urgent manner in which the United
States has tried to eliminate al Qaeda from the planet, if it had found
its training camps in our country, US President Barack Obama would have
immediately contacted his Mozambican counterpart, Armando Guebuza, to get
him to give the "green light" to erase any threat to the Soccer World Cup,
where players and supporters from the whole world, not just Africa, will
be present.
But according to what our President told us, he is unaware of the
existence of the alleged camps, and so I really have doubts about this
discovery.
But would it make sense for the United States to keep a problem like this
a secret, one that has to d o with its biggest-ever enemy, which is al
Qaeda?Would it makes sense for its warships, which it keeps in the Indian
Ocean, to be there just for show and not to launch its guided missiles
against military targets like these camps of Osama Bin Laden's, which are
said to exist in the country?
If we believe this is possible we are really naive.
What would have been normal would have been for this type of matter to be
discussed in the greatest secrecy between the leaderships of the three
countries, and only after their destruction and the death of their
occupants would it have been revealed to the newspapers, never about its
discovery.
Because the news is simply made up, our President and his South African
counterpart Jacob Zuma were never informed about the discovery of these
camps, which just shows that this news is purely and simply aimed at
manipulating those who are more susceptible in Mozambique, and thus
sullying the image we have all created and have been building up since
1992, when the savage 16-year war ended.
The aim of this type of news is to destroy this good image that results
from our peace efforts, our work toward reconciliation and rebuilding our
country.
Mozambique has been in the news more because of good things and not bad,
which would not be to the liking of those who do not like to see an
African nation taking positive steps.
Having said that, I emphasize that when it is said that those who are
being trained then aim to carry out terrorist attacks during the Soccer
World Cup, then the aim is to prove that an event of this nature can never
go smoothly in an African country, which is the same thing as saying in
Africa.
Basically, it is aimed at getting the countries whose teams have been
selected to give up attending the event.This news is definitely aimed at
sabotaging this World Cup and de-motivating supporters, reducing their
participation in this great fe stival that will surely be making the
organizational capability of our Africans more visible.
Those who write this type of news know that most people do not know that
the organization of a Soccer World Cup it is not only up to the host
nation, but up to the whole world, especially when it comes to security.
This is to say that, after identifying a threat, no matter how small, the
whole world gets involved so that nothing tragic will occur.
Having said that, if NEFA had found the abovementioned camps in
Mozambique, the organization itself and the Washington Government would
have immediately informed the Mozambican and South African authorities, as
well as FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) and the
International Police (Interpol).
But, according to what both countries' governments said, none of this was
done.
Linking these facts, and geared toward the logic of world security, I feel
obliged to say that this US foundation did not discover any al Qaeda
training camp in Mozambique, and that if there is any terrorist attack at
the World Cup, it will certainly have nothing to do with people trained in
our country.
And the lack of proof of the charges against Bachir
Another revelation flawed by a lack of support, or which at least is not
founded on credible evidence, is the United States' charges brought
against Mozambican businessman Mohamed Bachir Suleman, whose initials MBS
form the name of his business conglomerate.
In my view, this accusation is flawed because it does not make use of
evidence, which makes one think of what the United States did against the
now-hanged Saddam Hussein, whom it accused at the time of dealing in
weapons of mass destruction.
Like what it did to Hussein, Washington limits itself to accusing the
Mozambican businessman of being a drug lord, a charge for which there is
no proof, in the same way that it never provid ed proof against the Iraqi
leader.
This leads some to question the material sustainability of this
accusation.There is no lack of proof, skepticism will prevail, so much so
because the United States has already proved that it is not infallible.
The false accusation against Saddam was just one of the other countless
ones it made.In my view, this charge is based on the same allegations that
have been made against this Mozambican businessman and others with great
fortunes.
It would be a good thing if a superpower like the United States could
substantiate its accusation with irrefutable facts, so that it does not
just repeat out loud those accusations that I have already said have
already been made by many people, who speculate on hearsay... ...
Personally, I have already heard that there are even clients at MBS stores
who buy refrigerators, freezers, and TV sets from his stores, and when
they open them at home they find large quantities o f heavy drugs, and
that when they return them they were given astronomical amounts of cash to
keep their mouths shut, making them rich overnight.
Those who spread these stories about the MBS have never indicated, not
even from afar, who these clients, made rich by Bachir, may be. They
simply limit themselves to saying that they have also heard about these
clients, like those superstitious people who are always saying that in
such-and- such a place there is great witchdoctor who knows everything and
can solve everything, including naming those who come to him for
consultation, without their having identified themselves.
In order not to make assumptions and to accept the theory as valid, which
some have already started to defend, that Bachir is in fact being made a
victim mainly because of his political affinities, just as Saddam was
sacrificed for refusing to bow down and give his country's oil to the
United States in Bush's era, Obama will have to show t hat he is different
from his predecessor and accuse Bachir with proof that all of us can see,
and not just limit himself to sending them to our government, as his
country's embassy in Maputo has alleged.
For his own good, I advise Obama not to believe blindly in the reports
that are sent to him by his diplomatic agents in Maputo, because some of
them have already proved that they have a great dose of "Jetism" (meaning
unclear) and that they spend their time making up reports that do not
reflect reality.
Without wanting to be Bachir's lawyer here and now, or solemnly sign that
he is innocent and is being slandered, I think that for Obama to keep his
good image and credibility among us Mozambicans, with which we have
associated him up till now, it is urgent that he provide clear proof.
Should he not do so, he will be viewed as having made the same faux-pas
that his predecessor did when he accused Hussein of having weapons of mass
destruc tion and thus starting a terrible war that ended up killing many
Iraqi citizens who were innocent, before orchestrating a fictitious trial
that sentenced him to being hanged on TV for a crime that the United
States itself would later acknowledged he had not committed.
(Description of Source: Beira Diario de Mocambique in Portuguese --
influential independent daily with limited circulation mostly available in
the bigger cities, carries reporting on political, social and economic
issues and commentary on latest developments)
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source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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104) Back to Top
South African 2010 Soccer World Cup Media Highlights 13-14 Jun 10
Corrected version: Replacing text wi th reedited version - South Africa --
OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 08:16:29 GMT
The following is a selection of World Cup reporting highlights from the
South African media on 13-14 June.
Click here to view the full document.
Table of Contents
1. SECURITY. 1
RSA: Police Clash With 'Hundreds' of Stewards at Durban Stadium Over
Wages. 1
Police Pass First 'Major' Security Test With Peaceful US, Argentina Games.
2
Police Chief Says No 'Tangible Evidence' of Xenophobic Violence After
World Cup. 2
Expert Commends 'Extremely Impressive' Security Measures. 2
Durban Trains Guides To Patrol Beaches for Criminals, Traffickers. 3
2. LOGISTICS. 3
Budget Backpacking Lodges Fully Booked as Fans Look for Cheaper Options. 3
Journalists Unharmed After 'Emergency Landing' at Lanseria Airport 3
Transport Problem s Affecting Attendance. 4
3. BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS. 4
South Africans Say World Cup 'Killing' Local Businesses. 4
4. VIDEO LIBRARY.. 4
Video Shows Police Dispersing Stadium Workers in Durban. 5
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South African 2010 Soccer World Cup Media Highlights 13-14 Jun 10 - South
Africa -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 07:45:33 GMT
Click here to view the full document.
Table of Contents
1. SECURITY.. 1
RSA: Police Clash With 'Hundreds' of Stewards at Durban Stadium Over
Wages. 1
Police Pass First 'Major' Security Test With Peaceful US, Argentina Games.
2
Police Chief Says No 'Tangible Evidence' of Xenophobic Violence After
World Cup. 2
Expert Commends 'Extremely Impressive' Security Measures. 2
Durban Trains Guides To Patrol Beaches for Criminals, Traffickers. 3
2. LOGISTICS. 3
Budget Backpacking Lodges Fully Booked as Fans Look for Cheaper Options. 3
Journalists Unharmed After 'Emergency Landing' at Lanseria Airport 3
Transport Problems Affecting Attendance. 4
3. BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS. 4
South Africans Say World Cup 'Killing' Local Businesses. 4
4. VIDEO LIBRARY.. 4
Video Shows Police Dispersing Stadium Workers in Durban. 5
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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 name="t106">106) Back to Top
Nothing Could Dampen Spirits of Red Devils - JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:49 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Pouring rain couldn't keep Korean football fans from
crowding the streets to cheer for the national team's first-round World
Cup match against Greece on Saturday.
Police estimated that around 47,000 Red Devils packed the grounds of Seoul
Plaza - beginning in the gray drizzle at 3 p.m. - and another 200,000
people visited 45 different cheering areas around the city.But the noise
was loudest around Seoul Plaza, the must-go spot for die-hard fans."I
heard many people were planning on going to COEX in southern Seoul for
cheering this time. But I think no place could beat Seoul Plaza for the
best cheering experience," said 18-year-old Kim Eun-ji, who arrive d early
enough to grab a seat right in front of the screen.Three mammoth screens
were set up at different angles in the square to give the maximum number
of spectators a good view of the match.The decibel level started to rise
as soon as M.C. Kim Han-suk took the microphone, and soon the crowd was
singing the team songs they've had memorized since 2002 (a new song
written for this year's Cup had far fewer people chanting along).As the
game went into the second half with Korea ahead, the screaming got
louder."I knew Park Ji-sung would make a history. He is a victory maker!"
said 45-year-old Kim Yong-doo as he watched the team captain drive a goal
into the net.Even some expats got caught up in the full force of Korea's
cheering culture."It's my first time going out to cheer for Korea, and I'm
very excited because I've seen pictures of Koreans cheering in previous
World Cups. Even though it's raining today, I wanted to be at the first
game," said David Wesco tt, an English teacher from the United
States."It's wonderful to be in a country that's so passionate about
soccer," added Chris Foss, who also came out in the storm to cheer for
Korean team in 2006.Many Korean fans with young children picked the Seoul
World Cup Stadium as the best cheering site."Here I can cheer for the team
as crazily as I want and still avoid getting wet. Because I wanted to come
out with my children, having assigned seats were a major factor that made
me decide to come here," said Min Jae-du, who was with his wife and their
two small children.Although a plan to set up an outdoor screen in front of
the stadium was cancelled because of the heavy rain, the weather made no
difference to the frenzied fans."I consider the raindrops I get on my
shoulder the sweat from players from South Africa," said 25-year-old Ryu
Hyun-ji.The weather, in fact, was no drawback for people sporting new and
eye-catching fashions to support their team . Many fans sported red rain
coats, and others decorated red umbrellas with plastic devils' horns or a
soccer ball spirals. And to keep their face-paintings from being washed
away by the rain, many came prepared to cover up with Korean
flags.*Interns Ginny Kim and Angela Park contributed to this
article.(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)
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Thai Column Urges ASEAN Rights Body To Join Probe Panel on 19 May
Crackdown
Commentary by Sarinna Areethamsirikul: "The Thai Political Crisis and the
Future of ASEAN" - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 06:27:54 GMT
From March to May, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, or
the red shirts, returned to the streets, gathering for its biggest
demonstration and seizing several strategic sections of Bangkok. Then the
crackdowns left 91 people dead and more than 1,800 injured.The political
unrest and violence in Bangkok are starkly inimical to the development of
Thai democracy and have blemished the country's regional and international
reputation.Then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was urged by the United
Nations, European Union, United States, and national and international
media to set up an independent committee to i nvestigate recent
events.Thailand's UN envoy Sihasak Phuangketkeow responded to the UN,
saying that "the Thai government deeply regrets the loss of lives and
injuries that occurred, and is committed to bring those responsible to
account". However, at home the government had no words of condolences to
share with Thais, but overstepped them to impose its roadmap for national
reconciliation.A few days ago, the Abhisit government finally set up the
panel. However, its credibility as an independent body is barely
acceptable in the eyes of some Thais, especially among the red shirts.Kavi
Chongkittavorn, The Nation's columnist, suggested recently that Abhisit's
government should invite the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human
Rights (AICHR) to join or observe the truth-seeking team, although the
AICHR is not equipped with teeth.Long-term political instability in
Thailand could lash regional security in Southeast Asia. Singapore is
afraid that the Thai political cri sis can hinder economic growth and
deter foreign investment in the region, since Asean has set its sights on
becoming a regional production network.The Asean chairman in Hanoi issued
a unified statement on the Thai political crisis, expressing concern and
support for Thailand.But can't Asean do more than that?In 2008, the
members ratified the Asean Charter after 40 years of its inception in
1967, pledging to create a regional community by 2015. Under the Charter,
the 10 Asean members endorsed the new regional values of democracy and
human rights while strongly emphasising its long-standing principle of
non-interference.Political variegation in Asean - ranging from absolute
monarchy in Brunei to presidential democracy in Indonesia - allows Asean
to accept a vague charter with lots of room for interpretation. The word
"democracy" in the Charter is left undefined while the boundaries of the
non-interference policy are blurred.What we are seeing here is a tug of
war be tween the cast-iron principle of the so-called Asean Way -
referring to non-interference and consultation - and the new regional
values of democracy and human rights. This often leads to the victory of
the non-interference policy over the values of human rights and
democracy.Last October the AICHR was established, but due to its mandate
to only promote, not protect, human rights, it has no power to investigate
any cases of human rights violations.So, what can we expect from Asean in
managing political crises? The candid answer is not much - probably only
political statements.However, Asean finally has its own human rights
organ. I agree with Kavi. The AICHR should join the probe team. This is
not only a chance for Thailand to regain its regional credibility but also
for Asean to prove its significance by providing expertise in conflict
management. I guess Asean does not want to be just a paper tiger, but a
strong regional community.Sarinna Areethamsirikul lectures at Naresua n
University's Bangkok campus.
(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.)
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Editorial Urges Thais To Recognize 'Moral Obligations' in Middle East
Conflict
Editorial: "Time We Grasped Palestinian Issue" - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 06:20:52 GMT
Thais must recognise we have moral obligations in the Middle EastThe issue
of Palestine and Palestinian statehood will eventually hit Bangkok's front
door and it's best to take up the debate now and prepare our country for
it. Along the way, the government could be genuinely scoring political
points with the Malay Muslims in the deep South, instead of insulting
their intelligence by bringing foreign clerics who know nothing about the
historical sentiment of the region and the mistrust.As a member of the UN
Human Rights Council, Bangkok should at least feel it has a moral
obligation to the people in Israel and Palestine.Let's hope Thailand is
not just wanting a seat on the council to boost its sagging image,
following days of clashes with the anti-government red-shirt protesters
that left 89 dead and 1800 injured.For Muslims worldwide, Palestine is
heart of their heart, and the plight of the people there cannot be
forgotten.Can Thailand afford to turn a blind eye to the conflict in
Palestine and continue its relationship with Israel? Probably.Otherwise,
it could choose to do something about it now and be respected in the
international community and show the world that this Buddhist kingdom is a
responsible nation, respecting the concerns of its Muslim citizens, and
one that doesn't bend whenever or wherever the wind blows.Internationally,
the climate for such discussion is conducive. In Europe, foreign ministers
are meeting this week to discuss proposals from Spain for lifting Israel's
blockade of the Gaza Strip - the latest European Union (EU) attempt to
forge an effective policy following international outrage over the killing
of nine Turkish activists on board a "freedom flotilla'.All eyes are on
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who proposed a unilateral
declaration of a Palestinian state by 2011.He wants to start off with
building effective police and paramilitary units and transparent
institutions - and then go after international recognition.This approach
is drastically different to the late Yasser Arafat who toyed with both
diplomacy and militancy to get recognition before building institutions
for Palestine's statehood.Fayyad's plan should be taken seriously because
it would not be good only for Israel and the US, but for moderate Arabs as
well.A successful Fayyad plan would not only replace Israeli occupation of
the West Bank with an independent Palestinian state, it would also deny
Iran an entry point into Palestinian mainstream politics as the
Palestinians themselves would be dictating the course of their own
destiny. Moreover, it would also deny the hardline and some Islamist
groups who somehow think Israel will implode under the current course of
events.Israel has demonstrated it doesn't give a hoot to global sentiment,
partly because it knows it has the backing of the Jewish community in the
US with a powerful lobbying machine at its disposal.But a successful and
independent Palestine could also mean independence fro m countries like
Iran, together with their Shiite proxies, such as Hezbollah, in southern
Lebanon. Both have vowed to wipe the Jewish state from the world map.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu understands this very well and
that's why he supports the two-state solution. Unfortunately, he doesn't
have the courage to stand up to his coalition partners, who think Israel
can continue to be a Jewish state, a democratic nation and a country that
continues to illegally occupy other people's territory.If Israel chooses
to remain a democratic country, then it must treat the Palestinians as
equal citizens. But what happens when the Palestinian and Arab populations
outnumber the Jewish population? Think South Africa.Israel can be Jewish
and democratic - but that means it must return the occupied territory to
the people it dominates.Something's got to give.
(Description of Source: Bangkok The Nation Online in English -- Website of
a daily newspaper with "a firm focu s 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.)
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
Thai Editorial Asks UN To Dissuade Iran From Developing Nuclear Weapons
Editorial: "Iran Dismisses UN Sanctions" - Bangkok Post Online
Monday June 14, 2010 05:08:04 GMT
The United Nations took the correct step last week in condemning Iran once
again for its secret nuclear programme. Some credit is due to the five UN
nuclear powers plus Germany for working towa rds a common stand on the
issue. Iran has bamboozled and blustered its way through a project to
achieve nuclear power without adhering to either the spirit or the letter
of international law. It is telling that nations with such a wide range of
opinions and policies were able to come to the unique conclusion that Iran
is a serial offender that deserves punishment.The vote by the Security
Council was the fourth UN action against Iran in as many years. It
obligated UN members to issue sanctions against the Teheran government and
certain parts of its regime, specifically the Republican Guards. This
group is the elite spearhead of both the development and enforcement of
Iranian law-breaking and defiance. It is no accident that the Republican
Guards also head the brutal suppression of the Iranian
opposition.Condemnation of the Teheran regime is welcome, that is
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and supporters, including the Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khamanei. But the self-congratulati ons of the move by its chief
sponsors are certainly early and perhaps misguided. The United States in
particular has pushed hard for such sanctions against Iran, but President
Barack Obama appears to have lost the plot for the moment at least, and
his allies in Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany have not clearly
dissented.In his reaction to the successful vote in the UN Security
Council, Mr Obama congratulated the policy. He said that because of the UN
vote, "Iran will find itself more isolated". He repeated that claim in
noting that Iran has slapped aside his offer of direct talks, which would
have reduced Teheran's isolation.But the UN vote was not highly debated
and passed in order to isolate Iran. The purpose of sanctions must be to
dissuade Iran from developing nuclear weapons that will destabilise the
Mideast and therefore the peace of the world. There is already new
evidence that Mr Obama's claim of isolating Iran is wrong, and further
that the UN vo te has, if anything, stiffened Mr Ahmadinejad's
ill-considered goal of stepping up his secret nuclear project. Since no
one believes the Iranian president's claim that he only wants nuclear
power to light his cities, it seems clear that the UN sanctions have not
worked.Mr Obama may not have noted that his Iranian counterpart last week
was in China -- a country which has gone along with the UN sanctions but
has barely put any into action. His Chinese hosts did not complain that Mr
Ahmadinejad used their country to sneer at Mr Obama personally. He also
said the UN resolution would be thrown "in the waste bin" as his regime
continues its programme of nuclear enrichment. As the UN debated the
sanctions, he was meeting in Teheran with the leaders of Brazil and, more
worrying still, Turkey.Shunned by Europe and effectively ignored by Mr
Obama's administration, Turkey has edged closer to Teheran. This is why
the Arab states and Israel, for different reasons, are so concer ned about
the rise of Iran.Far from being isolated, Mr Ahmedinejad has put together
a coalition of rogues and rogue-followers. That should worry anyone
concerned about the nuclear programme of Iran, designed to bring nuclear
weapons to the Middle East.
(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.)
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
Thai Envoy Asks US To Refrain From Mediating in Talks With Red-Shirt
Protestors
Unattributed report: "Th ai Envoy Asks US To Steer Clear of Mediation" -
Bangkok Post Online
Monday June 14, 2010 03:01:00 GMT
A special envoy from Thailand has asked the US to refrain from trying to
mediate in the wake of bloody street protests.Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva dispatched Kiat Sittheeamorn, president of the Thailand Trade
Representative Office, to Washington on Friday to make the case that the
red shirt protesters who occupied central Bangkok for weeks included armed
and Marxist elements.While US support of the government's reconciliation
plan was welcome, further US involvement in the dispute with the red
shirts might not produce the desired results.Mr Kiat, who met members of
Congress and President Barack Obama's administration, said the government
welcomed US suggestions but was pursuing its own reconciliation plan."We
ourselves also see some difficulties in negotiating and discuss ing with
the red shirts," Mr Kiat said. "If the US extends a helping hand, I don't
know if it will have different results. "There is also the risk that it
might complicate the issue even further," said Mr Kiat.Mr Kiat recalled
Thailand's reaction to the Sept 11, 2001, attacks when "our friends were
in trouble". "Did we have concern that from now on we should advise our
people not to come to the United States? Are we concerned that the United
States government cannot handle the situation? Certainly not," he said."We
always respect the decisions of any government; it's their right. "But
obviously it would be nice to see that . . . when your friends are in
difficulties, you get all the support you can," he said.The army broke up
the red shirt rally on May 19 after weeks of protracted negotiations broke
down. The clashes left 89 people dead.Scot Marciel, a deputy of Kurt
Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for Ea st Asia, told Congress
that the United States has engaged all sides in Thailand and supported Mr
Abhisit's plan for reconciliation. "The United States can be a source of
support as the Thais work to resolve the issues that still divide them,
but it is the Thai people themselves who must make the difficult choices
on how to proceed," Mr Marciel said.The reconciliation plan includes early
elections, although Mr Kiat said they were unlikely to be held this
year.Mr Marciel admitted that in 25 years working on Southeast Asia, "I'm
not sure I've encountered a situation as complex as the Thai one in terms
of trying to understand the politics".Mr Kiat said that some red shirts
had legitimate grievances, but they did not constitute a straightforward
demonstration as they included armed groups and Marxist-Leninist
ideologists.Senator Jim Webb, who heads the Foreign Relations subcommittee
on East Asia, recently visited Thailand and agreed that aspects of the red
shi rts were "classic Marxist". "You had the incitement of people based on
poor versus the rich in a country that has made enormous advances over the
last 30 years," he said.
(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.)
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
Recommendations for Malaysia To Improve Human Trafficking Enforcement
BERNAMA report from the "General" page: "Several Recommendations For
Malaysia To Impro ve Human Trafficking Actions" - BERNAMA Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 02:49:05 GMT
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The U.S. Department of State, which has
upgraded Malaysia from Tier 3 to Tier 2 Watch List in Trafficking in
Persons Report (TIP) 2010, is urging Malaysia to build on initial law
enforcement actions under the Trafficking in Persons Act, particularly
relating to labour trafficking.
It recommends that Malaysia apply stringent criminal penalties on those
involved in fraudulent labour recruitment or exploitation of forced
labour.
Releasing the Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 posted on its website on
Monday, it also calls on Malaysia to increase efforts to prosecute and
convict public officials who profit from or are involved in trafficking or
who exploit victims.
The report also recommends that Malaysia develop and implement procedures
to identify labour trafficking victims among vulnerable groups, such as
migrant workers and refer them to available protection services.
The report calls on Malaysia to ensure that victims of trafficking are not
threatened or otherwise punished for crimes committed as a result of being
trafficked.
It proposes that Malaysia re-negotiate MoUs with source countries to
incorporate victim protection and revoke passport or travel document
confiscation.
It suggests that Malaysia increase cooperation with non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) to improve victim protection efforts, including in
shelters, for trafficking victims.
It also suggests that Malaysia continue to expand the training of
officials on effective handling of sex and labour trafficking cases, with
particular emphasis on victim protection, and continue and expand a
comprehensive and visible anti-trafficking awareness campaign to encompass
both labour and sex trafficking.
The TIP Report ranks c ountries based on their level of compliance on
established minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
Tier 1 countries are for governments that fully comply with minimum
standards of the Trafficking Victims' Protection Act (TVPA).
Tier 2 countries are for governments that do not fully comply with the
minimum standards but are making significant efforts to comply.
The Tier 2 Watch List is for governments that do not fully comply with the
TVPA's minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring
themselves into compliance with those standards, and:
a) the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very
significant or is significantly increasing;
b) there is a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat
severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year; or,
c) the determination that a country is making significant efforts to bring
themselves into compliance with minimum standards is based on commitments
by the country to take additional future steps over the next year.
Tier 3 countries are for governments that do not fully comply with the
minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
The report says the Malaysian government does not fully comply with the
minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making
significant efforts to do so.
"Because the assessment that the government has made significant efforts
is based in part on its commitment to undertake actions over the coming
year - notably greater implementation of Malaysia's anti-trafficking law
against labour trafficking - Malaysia is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List,"
it says.
The report says the Malaysian government has shown greater commitment to
address human trafficking that is expected to lead to increasing
investigations and prosecutions of labour trafficking offences and
identification of labour tr afficking victims, increasing efforts to
prosecute trafficking-related corruption by government officials and
greater collaboration with NGOs and international organisations to improve
victim services in government shelters.
During the reporting period, senior government officials, including the
prime minister, publicly acknowledged Malaysia's human trafficking
problem.
The report says the government has also increased its investigations into
trafficking cases and filed an increased number of criminal charges
against traffickers, significantly expanded training of officials on the
2007 anti-trafficking law, conducted a public awareness campaign on human
trafficking, opened three more shelters for trafficking victims, and
launched a five-year national action plan on human trafficking.
"Nevertheless, these early efforts will require continued attention, as
there are many serious concerns remaining regarding trafficking in
Malaysia, including the deten tion of trafficking victims in government
facilities," it says.
The report says the Malaysian government made some progress in law
enforcement efforts against sex trafficking during the reporting period,
and limited progress in prosecuting and convicting offenders of labour
trafficking.
Malaysian law prohibits all forms of human trafficking through its 2007
anti-trafficking law, which prescribes penalties that commensurate with
those for other serious offences, such as rape.
During the reporting period, the government convicted three sex
trafficking offenders and reported initiating 180 trafficking-related
investigations and filing 123 charges against 69 individuals, though it is
unclear how many of these cases were for actual trafficking, it says.
The report says the government made minimal progress in protecting victims
of trafficking during the reporting period.
"Efforts to identify and protect both sex and labour trafficking v ictims
remained inadequate overall. The government did not report the
identification of any Malaysian victims of trafficking," it says.
The report notes that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community
Development continued to run two "shelters" for women and children and
opened a third in July 2009, which detained suspected and confirmed
foreign sex trafficking victims involuntarily for 90 days until they were
deported to their home countries, per Malaysian law.
During the reporting period, the government also opened its first two
shelters designed to house male victims of trafficking, although these
shelters also detained victims involuntarily until they were deported, it
says.
According to the report, during the reporting period, 139 women and
children were certified as victims and detained in the shelters.
An additional 232 individuals were given initial protective orders but
were ultimately determined by the government to not b e victims of
trafficking and were deported, though the officials acknowledged that some
of these might have been trafficking victims who were reluctant to
cooperate with law enforcement proceedings, it says.
The report also notes during the year, the government reportedly made some
improvement in its screening to identify individuals possessing UNHCR
cards or possessing traits of trafficking victims in order to separate
them from the illegal migrants.
The report says the anti-trafficking law provides immunity to trafficking
victims for immigration offences such as illegal entry, unlawful presence
and possession of false travel documents, but victims continue to be
detained and deported as they would be if they were arrested for illegal
immigration.
-- BERNAMA
(Description of Source: Kuala Lumpur BERNAMA Online in English -- Website
Malaysia's state-controlled news agency. Known for in-depth coverage of
national and international political issues; URL: http://www.bernama.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
Malaysia Chinese Press 12-14 Jun 10
The following lists selected reports carried in Malaysia's Chinese press
on 12-14 Jun 10. To request additional processing, please contact OSC at
(800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Malaysia -- OSC
Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 13:15:58 GMT
2. Interview with China's Department of Asia-Pacific Studies, Shanghai
Institute for International Studies Director Ma Ying by Chua See Keat
entitled " Ma Ying Urges ASEAN To Strengthen Power To Play Balancing Role
Among Major Powers in Region." In this interview, Professor Ma says that
by highlighting its stand on South China Sea issue at Singapore's Asia
Security Conference, it is clear that the United States wants to maintain
its traditional role to lead in Asia. However, Ma said that ASEAN had
adopted an open policy and China and the United States must coexist with
ASEAN. (p 26; 800 words, 14 June)
3. Report by Pang Wing Sin entitled "Pan Malaysian Islamic Party To
Strengthen Cooperation with Other Pakatan Rakyat Parties." The report says
that through the 56th Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) Annual General
Assembly, held during the weekend, it is clear that the PAS now
understands that in order to become a ruling party, it needs the support
of multiethnic community. The PAS is now moving closer toward this goal by
upgrading the non-Malay support club as one of the political wings of the
PAS parent body. (p11; 800 words 12 June)
4. Unattributed report entitled "PAS President Hadi Awnag: PAS Not To Hold
Talk With United Malays National Organization." In Kota Bharu, the PAS
President said that the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat had its own
principle regarding the running of government. There will not be any
PAS-United Malays National Organization (UMNO) dialogue in the future. (p
08; 500 words, 15 June) Petaling Jaya Nanyang Siang Pau in Chinese -- One
of Malaysia's oldest Chinese dailies. Provides wide coverage of both
domestic and international news. As Per the Audit Bureau of Circulations
data, the 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).
5. Interview with Election Chairman Abdul Aziz by Yet Chong Jian entitled
" Abdul Aziz: Rezoning Boundaries of Electoral Constituencies To Face
Resistance." In this interview, Election Com mission (EC) chairman Abdul
Aziz talks about his plan and resistance as EC plans to carry out the
rezoning of constituency exercise in March next year. (A3; 1,500 words, 14
June)
6. Article by Zhang Chin Wei entitled "China-US-South Korea-North Korea
Relationship in Post-Cheonan Incident Era." This article by China Affairs
commentator says that in dealing with the Korean Peninsula issue, China
will not give up North Korea as a buffer zone for its country. (p A10; 750
words, 13 June)
7. Article by Qiu Zhenhai entitled "China's Current Military Situation as
Viewed Through Shangri-La Dialogue. Part Two." This article by current
affairs commentator of Phoenix TV opines that the arms sale to Taiwan, as
expressed b y China and the United States at the Dialogue, is not the real
conflict between the two countries. The real problem is that both China
and the United States want to lead in the Asian region. (p 11; 400 words,
12 June) Kuala Lumpur Orien tal Daily News in Chinese -- One of the few
remaining Chinese dailies not under control of timber tycoon Tiong Hiew
King. Provides independent views on domestic political issues and has
emerged as one of the strongest critics of the government. As Per the
Audit Bureau of Circulations data, the Oriental Daily News has a
circulation of 102,802
8. Report by Nam Zhong Hwa entitled "Malaysian Air Force Facing Difficulty
in Sustaining High Maintenance Cost of Military Aircrafts." The report
says that when Malaysian Air Force Chief General Datuk Sri Rodzali
accepted interview with some local press in conjunction with the 52nd
anniversary of the Air Force, Rodzali not only exposed the embarrassing
scandal of stolen F-5E fight jet engine to the general public, he also
revealed that the Royal Malaysian Air Force was finding it difficult to
handle the expensive maintenance cost of the MiG-29 N. This report also
cites the March issue of the Air and Space Magazine that c overs a report
that has shown that in Malaysia's military exercise with the US navy, the
US F/A 18 D has shown superiority over MiG-29N. (p MG 8, MG9; 3,000 words,
14 June) China Press in Chinese -- Carries general domestic and political
news. Along with the sister publication Nanyang Siang Pau, it came under
timber tycoon Tiong Hiew King's media empire in 2007. As Per the Audit
Bureau of Circulations data, the China Press has a circulation of
231,539.As per the Bureau of Circulations data, the Oriental Daily News
has a circulation of 102,802.
Negative Selection Penang Kwong Wah Jit Poh in Chinese -- Oldest Chinese
daily in Malaysia. Focuses mainly on news from northern peninsular
Malaysia. Along with the Oriental Daily News, it is one of the few Chinese
dailies not under timber tycoon Tiong Hiew King's control. As Per the
Audit Bureau of Circulations data, the Kwong Wah Jit Poh has a circulation
of 71,350.
Negative Selection Petaling Jaya Malaysiakini in Chine se --
Chinese-language version of the leading alternative online news portal
owned by Mkini Dotcom. Offers independent news and views, focusing mainly
on political issues. Often features exclusive interviews with leading
opposition and government figures. Exact readership unknown; URL:
http://www.malaysiakini.com
Negative Selection
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
113) Back to Top
Malaysia Rises to Tier 2 of US Trafficking in Persons Report
BERNAMA report from the "General" page: "Malaysia Rises To Tier 2 Of
Trafficking In Persons Report" - BERNAMA Online
Monday June 14, 2010 09:32:41 GMT
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has risen to Tier 2 of
Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) 2010 released by the United States
Department of State.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein told Dewan Rakyat on
Monday he was informed of this via a letter from the United States embassy
this morning.
"This is in recognition of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2007, creation
of Anti-Human Trafficking Council and government action to address the
issue," he told reporters at parliament lobby.
Malaysia dropped from Tier 2 to Tier 3 according to TIP Report 2009 issued
on June 16 last year.
The TIP Report ranks countries based on their level of compliance on
established minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
Tier 1 countries are for governments that fully comply with minimum
standards of the Trafficking Victims' Protection Act (TVPA).
Tier 2 countries for governments that not fully comply with the minimum
standards but are making significant efforts to comply.
Tier 3 countries are for governments that do not fully comply with the
minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
Earlier, replying to a question by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong),
Hishammuddin said 1,447 people were given interim protection order (IPO)
under Section 44 (2) of Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2007 from Feb 28-May
30.
"Of the number, 338 were identified as victims of human trafficking and
given protection order (PO) under Section 51(3) of the same act," he said.
Tan wanted to know problems faced by the government in tackling the issue
and the number of human trafficking victims traced.
The government faced many challenges in efforts to check human trafficking
as it involved transborder crimes with links to prostitution, drug
trafficking and money laundering.
"Most victims entered this country as tourists but later got involved with
human trafficking syndicates. Lack of public cooperation to provide
information and threats by syndicates made victims scared to make
reports."
Hishammuddin said internal and external factors also led to the prolonged
situation.
"Transnational crimes occur in most countries including developed ones as
it give a high return of US$38 billion annually.
"Malaysia's rapidly growing economy attract foreigners to come here in
search of jobs."
He said the government had implemented a mechanism to check crimes but
lack of will on the part of source countries caused many people to fall
prey to syndicate members.
-- BERNAMA
(Description of Source: Kuala Lumpur BERNAMA Online in English -- Website
Malaysia's state-controlled news agency. Known for in-depth coverage of
national and international political issues; URL: http://www.bernama.com)
Material in the World News Connection i s 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
Report Says Kingpin Call Unsurprising, Drug Trafficking Increasing
Report by Paul Fauvet: "Revisiting Recent History" - Agencia Informacao
Mocambique
Monday June 14, 2010 15:45:26 GMT
Yet the American move against an alleged Mozambican drugs "kingpin" should
have come as no surprise.Since the mid-1990s, Mozambique has been used as
a corridor by drugs traffickers, but to date no key figure in the
trafficking has ever been convicted.
Large scale drug seizures have been made.Thus in 1995, the police seized
40 tonnes of hashish being carried across Maputo in two trucks.The
investigations petered out, and the only person ever jailed in connection
with this haul was a driver, Samssudine Satar.
Also in 1995, a laboratory producing the drug mandrax was discovered in
the Trevo neighbourhood in the southern city of Matola.The people working
there set it on fire, but this attempt to destroy the evidence was
botched, and the police concluded that the equipment there was for the
mass production of mandrax, a drug for which a sizeable market exists in
South Africa.
The ten Asian workers arrested in Trevo, mostly recruited off the streets
of Bombay, were released by the Maputo provincial attorney, Luis Muthisse,
even though a judge had refused to grant them bail.The intervention of
Muthisse (who lost his job over the affair) was one of many indications of
high level collusion with traffickers.
The ten Asians, although they were penniless, were able to hire the
services of a top lawyer, Maximo Dias, who refused to tell repo rters who
was paying him.Coincidentally, Dias is now the lawyer for Mohamed Bachir
Suleman.
The mandrax equipment had been imported via the fishing company
Afropesca.The Afropesca managing director, Spanish businessman Luis da
Costa Virott, was arrested, on suspicion of trafficking Pakistani hashish
to Mozambique.Like the ten Asians, he was mysteriously released from
custody, after the intervention of a high powered Portuguese lawyer.The
release was conditional on Virott staying in the country - but a few days
later he was on a plane heading for Lisbon and no attempt was made to stop
him.
In August 1997, 12 tonnes of hashish was seized from a hideout in
Quissanga, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.A well-known
businessman, Gulamo Rassul, was arrested in connection with this case.This
was his second arrest in connection with drugs - he had earlier been named
in connection with the smuggling of hashish to America and Europe from the
port of Nacala in conta iners where it was disguised as tea.
When this case came to trial the following year, the minor players -
Quissanga fishermen and boat owners - received long sentences, but the men
the prosecution regarded as the drug barons, Rassul and a certain Momade
Bachir (no relation to Bachir Suleman), were acquitted.Thus Rassul's
chauffeur picked up a 12 year jail sentence, but the learned judge would
have the public believe that Rassul knew nothing of his chauffeur's
activities.
Trafficking also takes place by boat in the Mozambique Channel, in
Mozambican territorial waters.This came to light dramatically when a boat
carrying hashish ran aground on rocks off the coast of Inhambane province
in June 2000.About 16 tonnes of hashish packed into tins was washed
ashore.
The nine Pakistanis who escaped the shipwreck were sentenced to lengthy
prison terms.But once again nothing was revealed about the destination of
the hashish or its owners.
Those who investigate d the drugs trade reached some startling
conclusions.London-based journalist Joseph Hanlon wrote, in an article
published on 28 June 2001, in the independent newsheet "Metical" , that
"the value of illegal drugs passing through Mozambique is probably more
than all legal foreign trade combined, according to international experts"
(This was before the MOZAL aluminium smelter, the mainstay of Mozambican
exports, had reached full production).
Those experts (who were not named) "estimate that more than one tonne per
month of cocaine and heroin are now passing through Mozambique".That
monthly drug traffic had an estimated retail value of about 50 million US
dollars.
Since Mozambique is essentially a transit route rather than a consumer of
illicit drugs, most of the money would end up outside the country.But
Hanlon suggested that perhaps 10 per cent would be the take for local drug
dealers - which would be 60 million dollars a year.
< br>Hanlon suggested that "drug money must be one factor in Mozambique's
record growth in recent years".
This article identified two drug routes.Hanlon wrote that heroin moves
from Pakistan to Dubai then onto Tanzania and Mozambique, before it is
eventually channeled to Europe.The cocaine route is in the other direction
"from Colombia to Brazil to Mozambique and on to Europe and East Asia".
Hanlon argued that the money from these hard drugs, but also from hashish
and mandrax, is laundered through banks, and foreign exchange bureaux.The
explosion in the number of foreign exchange bureaus (41 at the time of
Hanlon's article) was certainly hard to explain given the relatively small
size of the legal economy.
Hanlon's article, a shortened version of which was published in English by
AIM, elicited no outraged denial.No official sources attempted to refute
Hanlon's claims.
And Hanlon was far from alone in warning of the dangers of dru g
trafficking, money laundering and organised crime.
In a speech made at an international seminar in Portugal in 2003, judge
Augusto Paulino (who is now the country's attorney general) made much the
same points.He agreed that Mozambique had become a transit area for the
cocaine trade and that a second network "active since 1992, consisting
mainly of Pakistanis and Mozambicans of Pakistani origin, is concentrating
on hashish and mandrax".On top of this came the heroin route, from
Pakistan to Tanzania and Mozambique and then to Europe.
"The various drug trafficking networks are well organised companies", said
Paulino, "perhaps better organised than the structures of the State,
involving importers, exporters and transporters of dugs, operators on the
ground and informers".
Paulino had no doubt that this was only possible with the connivance of
corrupt officials within the Mozambican state. "Customs officials are
bribed to let drugs pass, immigration officers facilitate identification
and residence documents, police are paid to look the other way, and it is
even said that magistrates receive bribes to order illegal releases", he
noted.
Drug profits were laundered, and the result was a proliferation of
"mansions and luxury cars" - but some of the money would be "reinvested in
legal businesses to allay future suspicions".
In the seven years since Paulino spoke, no significant drug trafficker has
been arrested, but there is little doubt that Mozambique remains on the
traffickers' map.Regularly police and customs announce the seizure of
cocaine at Maputo and Beira airports, often carried in the stomachs of
young Mozambican women who have traveled from Brazil.
In no case have the women revealed who hired them.Fear of reprisals is
clearly greater than the fear of prison.And for all those who are caught -
how many more pass through the airports undetected ?
One of the most senior parliamentarians in the ruling Frelimo Party,
Teodato Hunguana, in 2002 warned that if the state does not take action
against the bandits, then the bandits will capture the state.
"The only way to prevent the State from falling definitively into the webs
of crime is to unleash a war without quarter against the lords of crime",
Hunguana said.If the war was restricted just to the hitmen and the small
fry, leaving what the Americans call the "kingpins" untouched, that would
allow them "to become ever more powerful, and capable of taking over the
state itself".
When Paulino or Hunguana sounded their warnings, they were widely
applauded by the Mozambican media - the same media which today throws up
its hands in horror when the American president and Treasury Department
take a serious step in the fight against organised crime.
Of course, it would have been much better had Mozambican law enforcement
agencies been willing and able to identify and bring to justice drug
barons.Since they have not done so, it is entirely reasonable for the
Americans to take measures to protect their financial system from dirty
money from Mozambique, just as they do when the duty money comes from
Colombia.
Obama deserves praise for his action, not a welter of cheap anti-American
abuse.
(Description of Source: Maputo Agencia Informacao Mocambique in English --
government-owned news agency carrying a selection of national and African
news, distributed via email)
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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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115) Back to Top
Taxi Company Owned by Bashir's Niece Affected by US Drug Kingpin Ban -
Agenci a Informacao Mocambique
Monday June 14, 2010 15:34:15 GMT
In the city there is an MBS taxi and car hire firm.MBS-Taxi is owned by a
niece of Bachir, according to the paper's sources, rather than by Bachir
himself.But American institutions that operate in Quelimane are
interpreting the Treasury's ban on Bachir's business empire as covering
MBS-Taxi as well.
All American citizens, companies and other institutions are banned from
having any financial transactions with Bachir or his companies.Up until US
president Barack Obama designated Bachir as a "narcotics kingpin",
MBS-Taxi had a thriving business providing services to various
non-governmental organisations working in Zambezia, many of which are
funded by the United States.
One NGO source told "Diario de Zambezia" that his organisation was paying
5,000 meticais (about 150 US dollars) a day to hire vehi cles from
MBS-Taxi.Sometimes this NGO would hire two or three vehicles for periods
of 30 days or more.
But with the designation of Bachir as a drugs baron that has all abruptly
ended.This NGO contract was cancelled, and the NGO is looking for
alternatives to meet its transport requirements.With the lucrative NGO
market closed to it, this taxi firm may face a somber future.
(Description of Source: Maputo Agencia Informacao Mocambique in English --
government-owned news agency carrying a selection of national and African
news, distributed via email)
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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Nigerian Commitee Denounces 'Anti-DPRK Campaign' of US and ROK
KCNA he adline: "Anti-dprk Campaign of U.S. And S. Korea Accused" - KCNA
Tuesday June 15, 2010 04:18:59 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
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JFJB on US Patriot Missiles in Poland, Anti-Missile Systems in Europe
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. -
Jiefangjun Bao Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 04:07:23 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Jiefangjun Bao Online in Chinese --
Website of the 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:jf0603s.pdf
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Rwandan court delays US lawyer's plea hearing - RNA
Monday June 14, 2010 08:53:58 GMT
Text of unattributed report entitled "Erlinder in High Court with
complaints against prosecution" published in English by Rwandan news
agency RNAKigali : Embattled American lawyer, Peter Erlinder, was back in
court Monday (14 June) to plead for his release, but the High Court had to
adjourn for an hour as the accused raised serious concerns against the
prosecution, RNA reports.As the High Court sitting in Nyamirambo got to a
start at 8:00a.m., Erlinder rose to complain that he had not been able to
see his lawyers, and that he just been given the necessary documents
requested from the prosecution. He said he had not been allowed enough
time to prepare his case.Court ruled that the hearing be adjourned for an
hour. It is now back into session.Details later.(Description of Source:
Kigali RNA in English )
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Militant Behind US Consulate Attack Said Killed in 'Accidental Blast'
Report by Mushtaq Yusufzai: "LeJ Commander Qari Zafar Killed in
'Accidental IED Blast'" - The News Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 02:43:02 GMT
PESHAWAR: A dreaded militant commander, Qari Zafar, allegedly involved in
the attack on the US Consulate in Karachi on March 2, 2006, has reportedly
been killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Miramshah
in North Waziristan a few days ago.
The US had announced five million dollars in head money on him for his
alleged involvement in attack on their consulate in Karachi. Zafar
belonged to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and was wanted to the government
for his involvement in several terrorist attacks. His close aides
confirmed his death and claimed he was killed after mistakenly touching
some explosives dumped inside his Hujra (male guesthouse) near Miramshah
in North Waziristan. They said that he was killed on June 7 but members of
his militant organisation did not want to make it public.
"He was actually searching for some materials and suddenly touched wires
which triggered the blast in the IEDs stored there. He and a child,
belonging to his relatives, died on the spot while two bodyguards
sustained serious injuries," a Lashkar-e-Jhangvi commander told The News
on condition of anonymity.
Talking to this scribe by telephone from somewhere in North Waziristan,
the Taliban commander said Qari Zafar, aged 38 to 40 years, was living
there for sometime with his family and relatives. He ruled out the widely
believed rumours among the militants that some people might have planted
an IED to kill him.
"He used to be very cautious and had restricted his movement to a great
extent, but life is mortal and everyone has to die sooner or later,"
remarked the Urdu-speak ing militant commander.
(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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Urdu Press Roundup on Turkey's Protest Against Israeli Aggression -
Pakistan -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:51:19 GMT
the situa tion in the wake of the Israeli aggression against the Freedom
Flotilla, the role of different countries, including the United States and
Turkey, and the world at large, published in the 13 June edition of four
Urdu dailies: Express: Article by Babar Ayaz Sees Flotilla Mission
Accomplished
Emphasizing that relief workers aboard the Freedom Flotilla have succeeded
in drawing the world's attention toward the humanitarian situation in
Gaza, the article writes: "On the return of Talat Hussain and his
colleagues to Pakistan, the people have heaved a sigh of relief.However,
this relief is transitory.People across the world have been experiencing
an unending agony for the past 62 years because of the treatment being
meted out to Palestinians.Those killed in the savage Israeli attack on the
Freedom Flotilla, which was sailing from Turkey, a few days ago, were our
friends from the humanitarian point of view.Therefore, the rage of
peace-loving people cannot be pacified by their release alone.Activists
belonging to both the right and left wing had together organized the
Freedom Flotilla.They have achieved the objective of drawing international
attention to the inhuman blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt." Express:
Article by Abdul Qadir Hassan Sees Turkey Assuming Leadership Role
Hailing the courage of Turkey in strongly expressing its outrage against
the Israeli aggression, the article says: "Despite old diplomatic ties
with Israel, which only a few Islamic countries have with Tel Aviv, Turkey
has raised the flag of Islamic dignity.A relief ship set sail from Turkey
toward besieged Gaza.It was Turkey's courage.We, in Pakistan, too, have
raised vociferous slogans; thank God, one of our journalists was aboard
the ship; otherwise, our slogans would have proved hollow.We Pakistanis
take pride in the Islamic courage and valor of Turkey at a time when our
rulers fear that if they speak out, the United States may stifle them.It
is strange that we are an Islamic Republic of Pakistan, while Turkey is a
secular country, and secularism has basic position in its constitution.The
rulers of our Islamic country are secular as well, but the rulers of
secular Turkey are most Islamic in the world at present and are active
against their enemy, Israel.Every one has his own fate and fortune (to
play leadership role)." Jang: Article by Air Commando (retired) Muhammad
Yaqub Deplores Soft International Reaction
Believing that the world community should have come forward with full
force against the Israeli act, the article says: "This naked aggression by
Israel can only be termed barbarism.This peaceful fleet, comprising six
ships, was carrying nearly 10,000 tons of edibles, medicines, toys for
children, and books, among other necessities, at the initiative of the
Turk NGO, 'Free Gaza Movement.'The ship was on its way to Gaza from
Cyprus.Philanthropists hailing from some 40 countries were traveling on
board the main ship of the fleet, 'Mavi Marmara.'It may be recalled that
the naval fleet was carrying relief goods for the helpless and
famine-stricken people of Gaza.There is no doubt that the grave tragedy
that the Freedom Flotilla has met with, has, once again, drawn
international attention toward the Palestinian issue and plight of
Palestinians; however, the strong international reaction that was expected
was not seen.The emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) was
convened at the request of Turkey, but it merely resulted in a demand to
Israel to release detained people and to return the ships.The more
perplexing attitude is that of the Muslim community.The people of all
Muslim countries continue demonstrations against the aggression of the
Jewish state of Israel, but the Muslim leadership has raised no voice from
any Islamic platform." Jinnah: Editorial Criticizes US Tilt Toward Israel
Emphasizing that the countries of the world have strongly rea cted but the
United States has not, the editorial says: "Attack on the relief caravan
on its way to Gaza was strongly condemned, but the United States did not
condemn the inhuman tragedy.Although it claims to be the champion of human
rights, in practical life, it is an open antithesis of its character.Are
Muslims not humans in the eyes of the United States, or do they not have
human rights?It is a wild goose chase on the part of the world community
to demand the United Nations to impose sanctions on Israel or to hope that
it will do so.Instead of looking toward the United Nations, Israel should
socially be boycotted, and it should be told that it will have to respect
international laws and respect them while living in the comity of
nations." Jinnah: Article by Anwaar Hussain Haqqi Believes World Awakening
Against Israel
Analyzing the impact of the Israeli attack on the relief workers of the
Freedom Flotilla at the international level, the article says: " ;We have
heard the sobbing tale of Freedom Flotilla passengers from Talat Hussain,
a Pakistani journalist onboard.He saw death closely and told the world
that despite paying the price of their dreams and aspirations, the unarmed
Palestinian Muslims could not be released from prison (Israeli siege).If
the exhausted Palestinian Muslims, who have the identity of being part of
the Muslim fraternity, complain about emancipation from the prison of
Jewish atrocities, they are subjected to new slaughter houses like Sabira
and Shatilla at times, and sometimes in the form of Freedom
Flotilla.However, because of the voyage of Freedom Flotilla, the issues of
besieged people of Gaza have come into limelight, and justice-loving
nations of the world have started realizing that the Israeli intransigence
should be eliminated.It is worth mentioning here that the brotherly
country, Turkey, has been at the forefront of this wave of awakening
against Israel.Turkey was the first country that esta blished relationship
with Israel." Mashriq: Article by Dr Sajid Khakhwani Finds Israel Flouting
International Calls
Criticizing Israel's defiance at the world level and its trampling down of
international laws and norms, the article says: "On this heartrending
incident, the US President has only said that Israel should be held
accountable.The UNSC only agreed that the matter should be investigated,
and the UN Human Rights Council demanded a probe into the incident in a
bid to join the chorus.Israel spurned everyone's sacred statements and
emphatically said that it would not allow any international agency to
meddle into its affairs and that it would tackle the matter on its
own.After this Israeli statement, all institutions became silent, because
they might have made their statements to get such a statement from Israel,
or it may also be that they have lost the power to speak after this
Israeli threat.It may also be that these statements were issued just to a
ppease the world.History bears witness to the fact that Israel's measures
have always enjoyed the backing of the United States and champions of
secularism.This support continues to date.The question is: What would have
been the reaction of international institutions if it would have happened
to an Israeli ship at the hands of Iran?
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Urdu Press Roundup Discusses Role of US, UN in Israeli Siege of Gaza
The following is a roundup of excerpts from editorials and articles on the
humanitarian situation in Gaza as a result of prolonged Israeli siege, the
repercussions of Israeli attack on the aid workers traveling to Gaza in
Freedom Floti lla, and the role of different stakeholders including the
United States, published in the 12 June edition of three Urdu dailies -
Pakistan -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 14:51:20 GMT
Discussing the dismal role of the United Nations in the resolution of
conflicts and help the suffering nations, the editorial says: "If the
situation in the Middle East is reviewed by keeping in view the ground
realities, it will not be wrong to say that the United Nations is mainly
responsible for the worst situation and the ongoing humanitarian
catastrophe.The United States takes efforts to ensure implementation on
resolution that are based on the interests of the United States and big
powers.However, the interests of the poor and backward countries have not
been ensured.The partiality of the United Nations, which is responsible
for world peace, is creating new problems and aggravating their int ensity
across the globe.The first and foremost excess is the veto power of five
big countries because the entire world makes some decision, but one of
these (veto wielding) countries comes forward and torpedoes it."
Express:Article by Talat Hussain Asserts Aid Workers Brought Gaza Tragedy
to Limelight
Claiming that the attack on the aid caravan by Israel drew the world
attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza once again, the article
says: "Five major foreign organizations of the world and 600 guests and
six ships exposed Israel to the worst situation of its history.There was
hardly any nook and cranny of the world where the Israeli attack on the
relief caravan was not condemned.The US statements aimed at saving Israel
from the world outcry were swept away by the surging tide of grief and
outrage that was seen in the Islamic world and every other country, where
the report of the Israeli attack reached.The embassies of Middle East
countries agree that s uch strong and widespread protest than this had not
been seen during the past 10 years.It appears as if the dry mouths that
were protesting have again become watery (forceful) and the tongue that
was shackled in tense jaws is again slapping the face of Israel."
Islam:Article by Abdul Qudoos Muhammad Discusses Enthusiasm, Sympathy for
People of Gaza, Flotilla Workers
Giving eyewitness account of the embarking of the Freedom Flotilla from
Turkey and heartiest send off given to it, the article says: "When the
relief caravan started sailing, the scene was worth watching.There was a
weird and wonderful environment amid a mob of one million humans,
fluttering red and green flags of Islamic brotherhood, and heart-warming
slogans by Turkmen and women in great ecstasy.The feelings that I had
while embarking on the mission of helping the oppressed brethren,
closeness to holy Jerusalem, and representing Pakistan, are ineffable."
Ausaf:Article by Mussaddiq Ghumman Lauds Turkish Prime Minister's Role
Appreciating the strong stance of the Turkish prime minister after the
Flotilla tragedy, the article says: "Turkey, with whom memories of the
last golden period of the Islamic world, that is, caliphate are attached,
is lucky that nature has blessed it with a leader like Tayyip
Erdogan.Turkey is among those countries of the Islamic world that have
recognized Israel.Erdogan does not let it become his weakness but is using
it as a force.Erdogan, who has a close eye on global politics, realizes
that under the mounting world pressure, Israel will be unable to maintain
its blockade of Gaza for a long time.Pressure on Israel is mounting with
each passing day.It is just possible that Israel might announce lifting of
sea blockade of Gaza before the voyage of Erdogan to Gaza.Even if it does
not happen, the strongman of Turkey will do what no other leader of the
Muslim world can imagine to do." Ausaf:Article by M.M. Adeeb Condemns Mi
ld Criticism of Israel by US
Analyzing the soft reaction of the Obama administration of Israel's attack
on Freedom Flotilla, the article says: "Low-tone c ondemnation of Israel
by US President Obama indicates that he supports the concept existing in
the religious circles of the United States that under the Old Testament
that the Jews have a natural right on the Middle East.That is why, the
United States refrains from protesting against the Israeli measures to
deprive the Arabs of their rights like the ancient natives of the United
States (same is the case with the West European countries).This is one
aspect of Israel's aggression and the US behavior.The second important
aspect is that the United States wants to sabotage Iran's nuclear program
through Israel and wants to make it clear to the Islamic world that it
should refrain from joining the nuclear race."
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Protests, Conferences in Cities Against Blasphemous Caricatures
Unattributed report: "Hurmat-e- Rasool [Honor of Prophet] Conferences,
Protest Demonstrations Against Blasphemous Caricatures, Israeli
Aggression; Demand for Blasphemy Law at International Level" - Khabrain
Monday June 14, 2010 11:23:26 GMT
The Muslims should come out of the slavery of dollar, euro, and pound. Why
are the people who ban Muslim welfare organizations silent over Israeli
terrorism? The Muslim rulers should make efforts to get blasphemous law
passed at international level. The participants expressed their views in
the meeting. Prof Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki , Maulana Amir Hamza, Hafiz
Saifullah Mansur, Maulana Saifullah Khalid, Qari Muhammad Yaqub Sheikh,
Hafiz Muhammad Masood, Maulana Hasnain Siddiqi, Hafiz Khalid Walid, and
some others participated in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Said said that the movement for protection
of the honor of the Prophet Muhammad would be continued in the entire
country with full force. Holding of processions, Hurmat-e- Rasool
conferences, and rallies in all small and big cities and towns of four
provinces and Azad Kashmir would be further speed up. It was stated in the
meeting that acts are being carried out against the Muslims because of
weak and hippocratic attitude of the Muslim rulers.
The Israeli attack on the Aid Flotilla for the Palestinian Muslims is the
worst terrorism. By getting united, the Muslim rulers should devise a
strong strategy, and the Israeli aggression should be given a befitting
reply.
Meanwhile, Hurmat-e- Rasool conferences were held in Kasur, Raiwind,
Jehlum, Rawalpindi, and Jaranwala, in which, many people belonging to all
walks of life participated.
(Description of Source: Islamabad Khabrain in Urdu News, a
sensationalist daily, published by Liberty Papers Ltd., generally critical
of Pakistan People's Party; known for its access to government and
military sources of information. The same group owns The Post in English,
Naya Akhbar in Urdu and Channel 5 TV. Circulation of 30,000)
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Foreign Nationals Renting Houses in Quetta Arouses Curiosity
Report by Jawad R Awan: Shadowy activities of US operatives in Quetta -
The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:43:43 GMT
LAHORE - Shadowy activities of foreign nationals continued to be witnessed
in the provincial capital of Balochistan and they are stated to have
rented several houses in posh residential areas of Quetta for their
operations, TheNation has learnt.
Well-placed sources privy to the actions of such people in Quetta told
this correspondent on Sunday that these persons were found involved in
suspicious activities, however, they maintained a low profile to avoid
public exposure. They have rented houses in Chaman Housing Scheme,
Satellite Town and adjacent places to these housing areas in Quetta,
divulged the sources.
The process of renting houses by foreign nationals in such areas started
sometime back and had intensified in the last few weeks, while they were
also fortifying and fencing their residences besides deputing security
personnel and installing surveilla nce system, stated the sources. When
contacted, senior JUI-F leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, who hails from
Balochistan, endorsed the information of this scribe about the foreigners'
activities and renting of houses in Quetta, asserting that they could be
members of notorious Blackwater, as the Americans had already intensified
their covert activities through the stated organisation in Islamabad,
Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore.
Hafiz Hussain said that the process of renting houses by foreigners,
especially the Americans, had started three months back but it gained
momentum last month, while they were also making security arrangements in
the surroundings of the houses similar to those in Islamabad.
He said the US administration was definitely planning its presence in
Balochistan, keeping in view its borders with Iran and Afghanistan.
The JUI-F leader said Iran was more important for the US in the backdrop
of recent sanctions on Tehran, however, they were also f acing stiff
resistance from Afghan Taliban.
He said the US ambassador in Pakistan had informed the newsmen that the US
wanted to open a consulate in Quetta, while it was on the record of the
media that organisations like Blackwater were carrying out activities
under diplomatic cover.
Meanwhile, informed circles of Balochs, talking to this correspondent on
condition of anonymity asserted that the Americans' presence in
Balochistan is aimed at finding Taliban's so-called Quetta Shura and
monitoring Iran and technical coordination of their operations with their
forces in Afghan areas, bordering Pakistan.
(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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Report Says F-16 Fighter Jets Being Given to Pakistan Under Tough
Conditions
Online report: PAF to get F-16s with tough stipulations - The Nation
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:43:41 GMT
ISLAMABAD (Online) - Despite being a key ally in the war against terrorism
in which Pakistan have rendered innumerable sacrifices, the United States
is extending military assistance to Islamabad under strict conditions and
stipulations, reflecting the nature of relations between the two
countries.
According to sources, Washington will deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by the end of this month under a series of
conditions including an assurance from Pakistan that aircraft would not b
e used in any conflict with India.
During last week's strategic dialogue between India and the US, the Indian
leaders had conveyed to their counterparts in Washington their concerns
over the US military assistance to Pakistan. Besides assuring Indian side,
Washington for the first time came out open to state that it was taking
steps to ensure that its military aid to Pakistan would not be used
against India.
Sources said the US Air Force engineers would accompany the delivery of
the F-16s and supervise not only the airbase but also the operations to be
carried out by the PAF against Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Though the PAF pilots
will fly the jets, the logistics, management and control is stated to
remain with the US engineers.
Sources said the Block 50/52 Model F-16 jets equipped with latest missiles
would land at Shahbaz Airbase in Jacoabad.
It is said that around US$500 million were spent to upgrade the airbase to
make it conducive to the new F-16s .
(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
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Kidnappers Kill Abducted Employee of US-Based NGO in Quetta
Unattributed report: Abducted NGO employee slaughtered - The Nation
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:47:45 GMT
QUETTA - Kidnappers have killed one of the abducted employees of a
US-based NGO, Mercy Corps, reliable sources told The Nation late Sunday
night.
Unidentified g unmen had kidnapped four Pakistani employees of Mercy
Corps, including Islamabad-based Dr Asif, provincial coordinator Iftikhar
Shafiq, assistant programme officer Bebarg Suleman and Habibullah, driver,
as they were heading towards Qilla Saifullah from Zhob in February this
year.
According to the sources, the abductors had slaughtered Habibullah and
dispatched a video footage to the families of the victim and other three
officials, warning them if the ransom was not paid within next few days,
the remaining three would also be killed.
The sources said the kidnappers had shifted the NGO officials to the
tribal areas and were demanding Rs100 million ransom for their safe
release.
(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
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Khaksar Tehreek Chief Says People Should Unite Against Imperial Forces
Report by staff correspondent: People should unite against imperial
forces - The News Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:32:34 GMT
LAHORE: PEOPLE should unite against imperial forces to get rid of
price-hike, poverty and state terrorism of America. This was stated by
Quaid Khaksar Tehreek Dr. Sabiha Al-Masharaki while addressing a protest
demonstration in front of the Lahore Press Club on Sunday.
She said 80 percent poor and 15 percent middleclass of the country should
stand against pro-American rulers and politicians of the country who had
made people's life miserable. They have swallowed billions of rupees
through money laundering by waving of loans.
She said international conspiracy of the US and its allies was exposed in
2000 when they attacked Afghanistan under the cover of so-called war
against terrorism. So far Nato forces killed thousands of Muslims in
Afghanistan, and US drone attacks at tribal areas of Pakistan claimed
lives of several hundred innocent Pakistanis, she added. Moreover, US blue
eyed killed thousands of innocent Palestinians; and India was doing the
same in Held Kashmir, she maintained.
Dr. Sabiha said now time had come to start resistance movement against the
pro-American rulers and the US to get rid of their clutches. She urged the
people to get united for this noble cause.
(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 do mestic 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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Minister Says Gas Project With Iran Not to Affect Ties With US
Unattributed report: Gas project not to affect ties with US: Naveed -
Business Recorder Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:26:23 GMT
ISLAMABAD (June 14 2010): Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural
Resources Syed Naveed Qamar on Sunday said Pakistan and Iran have signed
gas pipeline project on Su nday and it would not affect Pakistan-United
States relations. Talking to a private news channel, he said the Pakistan
People's Party (PPP) government signed the agreement, which would go a
long way in meeting the energy needs.
The minister said that this gas would be used for power generation in the
country and it was utmost requirement of the country to overcome energy
crisis, he added.
(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/)
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.
128) Back to Top
Official Reports Show Double Increase in Drone Attacks in 5 Months
Report by Asif Ali Bhatti: "Double Increase in Drone Attacks; 38 Strikes
in 5 Months" - Jang
Monday June 14, 2010 10:32:33 GMT
to the last year, double increase in drone attacks has been witnessed in
the first five months of 2010, and until 3 June, 38 drone attacks were
carried out, in which a total of 309 people were killed. It was also
claimed that the deceased included 17 commanders of the Taliban and
Al-Qa'ida. However, 21 close aides of terrorist groups were also killed in
the attacks.
Official sources say that intelligence and investigative agencies have
confirmed killing of Al-Qa'ida leader Abu Yazid al-Misri along with his
wife and children in the drone attack on Dattakhel, which was carried out
on 21 May and was being described a big achievement by the United States.
According to the documents gathered in collaboration with US
organizations, av ailable with the Geo News, it has been stated in details
that most of the drone attacks this year were carried out in North
Waziristan and four attacks were launched in South Waziristan and one in
Khyber Agency, in which 71 people were killed.
The sources said that an increase in suicide attacks in Pakistan had also
been witnessed, and a total of 28 attacks during the first five months of
the year were launched on important government buildings. More than 900
people, including 270 security personnel, were killed and about 2,500
others suffered injuries in more tan 1,000 terror incidents. The
intelligence agencies have also expressed danger that terrorist groups can
carry out some bigger and more attacks this year with the support of
Al-Qa'ida, and in these attacks, Lahore and Karachi can be targeted.
However, Peshawar is being described the most vulnerable in this regard in
the second grade.
(Description of Source: Rawalpindi Jang in Urdu The War, an influe
ntial, largest circulation newspaper in Pakistan, circulation of 300,000.
One of the moderate Urdu newspapers, pro-free enterprise, politically
neutral, supports improvement in Pakistan-India relations)
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.
129) Back to Top
Former Afghan Intelligence Chief Behind Propaganda To Malign Pakistan
Report by staff correspondent: Ex-Afghan intelligence chief behind
anti-Pakistan propaganda - The News Online
Monday June 14, 2010 10:17:16 GMT
ISLAMABAD: The former chief of Afghan intelligence gathering outfit
Amrullah Saleh has taken up the full-time job to malign P akistan on one
end while providing all sorts of assistance to terrorists to step up
activities on the soil of Pakistan on the other.
He throughout had been in league with Indian Research and Analysis Wing
(RAW) to destabilise Pakistan but has been recently ousted by Afghan
President Hamid Karzai due to his dubious role in the affairs of the
state. Amrullah has also assumed the task of creating difficulties for the
Afghan administration. The story carried by the Sunday Times and so-called
report against Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) by London
School of Economics are the handiwork of Amrullah Saleh.
Well placed diplomatic sources told The News that Amrullah Saleh has
threatened his leadership that he would bring the peace fragility back in
the region to the previous level since he was refused a free hand to play
the Indian game in the region.
Amrullah has been brought up and groomed by the Indian intelligence
organisation and he had been inv olved in anti-Pakhtun activities
throughout his career. He was the head of the Afghan National Directorate
of Security (NDS). He was appointed to the position by President Hamid
Karzai in early 2004, succeeding Muhammad Arif Sarwari.
Saleh is an ethnic Tajik from Panjshir, and worked for the Northern
Alliance under Ahmad Shah Masood. In 1997 he was appointed to lead the
Northern Alliance's Dushanbe office, where he served as the main conduit
linking the CIA to Masood.
With the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States and the
beginning of US bombing against the Taliban, Saleh returned to Afghanistan
towards the end of October to help lead Northern Alliance intelligence,
serving as the special assistant to intelligence chief Muhammad Arif
Sarwari. The Northern Alliance subsequently took over Afghanistan's
existing intelligence apparatus. While Sarwari became director, Saleh was
appointed to head Department One, whose duties included liaison with forei
gn military, diplomatic and intelligence organisations.
Sarwari and Saleh reportedly had a falling out over the latter's
enthusiasm for greater reform, leading to Saleh's assignment to a lesser
post in late 2003. Sarwari was removed from his post as leader of the NDS
in early 2004 amidst various criticism that he had, amongst other things,
abused his powers, worked against the government and that the NDS had
committed human rights violations. President Hamid Karzai appointed
Amrullah Saleh in his place in February 2004. Saleh resigned from the NDS
on June 6, 2010 after a Taliban attack against the national peace jirga
held by President Karzai. He was temporarily replaced by Engineer Ibrahim
Spinzada. Saleh has been accused of following the footprints of his
predecessor.
(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.
130) Back to Top
Pakistan Article Says US Strategy To Weaken Afghan Taliban Bound To
Fail
Article by Asif Haroon Raja: Kandahar Operation Bound To Fail - Pakistan
Observer Online
Monday June 14, 2010 08:54:00 GMT
It is being propagated by US that Pakistan was principally responsible for
creating and supporting Taliban. It forgets that Afghan Mujahideen were
motivated , funded, trained and used in Afghan jihad against the Soviet
forces by CIA. Mujahideen were renamed as Taliban once they fell from
grace of US oil merchants. The latter had eyed untapped oil and gas
resources of Central Asian Republics (CAR) since long and saw their dreams
getting near fruition once USSR collapsed in 1991 and USA emerged as sole
super power. When the Afghan Mujahideen failed to stabilize Afghanistan ,
critical to ship out oil and gas from CAR to European and American markets
through Afghanistan and Balochistan , US oil group UNOCOL started to
evince interest in Taliban movement in 1994.
Karzai was an employee in UNOCOL and was supportive of Taliban. In
December 1997, Taliban visited UNOCOL's Houston refinery operations to
sort out details of construction of pipelines. Kandahar was the city near
which gas pipelines were to pass. Mullah Omar belonging to Kandahar was in
UNOCOL camp. Sanctions had been imposed on Taliban regime once it came to
power in 1996 to pressurize them to agree to US terms. After Bush came to
power in January 2001, several Taliban envoys were received at State
Department, CIA, and National Security Council. They fell from grace when
they refused to strike a deal on the terms heavily tilting in favor of
UNOCOL. Invasion plan was finalized to bring a regime change and 9/11
whether actual or fabricated gave an excuse to mount the assault.
When Iraq venture began to prove troublesome and costly, it was decided to
quash al-Qaeda, considered as the chief trouble maker in Iraq through
troop surge and division of resistance forces through bribe. Sunnis in
heavy majority in central Iraq having suffered the most at the hands of
coalition troops and Shias and Kurds who had extended support to the
invaders to topple Saddam regime, were cultivated and convinced to fight
al-Qaeda under the plea that it was preventing stabilization and
reconstruction of Iraq. Gen Petraeus and Gen McChrystal were the brains
behind this scheme. 170,000 Sunni tribesmen in Iraq were armed to teeth by
USA in 2007 to help combat al-Qaeda. Slight reduction in militancy in Iraq
after troop surge in 2008 in two most volatile provinces of Fallujah and
Ambar gave erroneous impression to US leadership that a big breakthrough
had been achieved. With presidential election drawing near, Bush
Administration announced that US forces had turned the tide. Delusional
victory signs were waived and Petraeus and McChrystal eulogized.
Activation of Iraq front divided the attention of coalition forces and
allowed the Taliban to regroup and strike back to recover some of the lost
spaces in Afghanistan . Situation in Afghanistan kept deteriorating
because of resurgence of resistance forces and application of excessive
force by occupation forces. As per UNAMA Report, from 2007 onwards, each
year there has been 40% increase in civilian casualties in Afghanistan .
It did not take long for US military-NATO to get bog ged down in two
quagmires of its own making. Purpose behind troop surge of 21000 US troops
in August 2009 was to accelerate process of killing irreconcilable Afghan
Pashtuns so as to even up the score card of killing in the two theatres of
war. In Iraq versus Afghanistan the ratio has been 1.5 million: 100,000
killed. The other purpose was to reduce the influence of Taliban in
southern Afghanistan , seen as their major base and to push out
undesirable elements from Helmand into Pashtun belt of Balochistan and
make it restive. Yet another reason was to lend greater support to
unpopular Karzai. USA wants to ensure his continuation in power once US
troops depart from Afghanistan .
Violence in Afghani stan up surged after troop surge. 13000 attacks took
place from July-August 2009. In August alone, 10 attacks took place each
day. By September the casualty state of coalition forces crossed the
figure of total fatalities taking place from October 2001 onwards. This
factor t ogether with debacle in Nuristan where US troops abandoned posts
laden with arms and rations jolted Gen McChrystal. He hurriedly wrapped up
all the forward posts and ordered troop withdrawal from forward locations
to main cities and towns in rear to avoid fatalities. Making an assessment
of morale of troops that had sunk to lowest ebb; he sent a distress signal
to Washington to send 40,000 additional troops on emergency basis if
Afghanistan was to be retained.
Second US troop surge of 30000 was meant to recapture the lost space in
southern and eastern Afghanistan, break the linkage between Taliban and
Al-Qaeda, divide and weaken Taliban, train and equip Afghan National Army
(ANA) enabling it to takeover frontline duties, make India guardian of
Afghanistan, negotiate with Taliban from position of strength and then
withdraw leaving behind US friendly regime. Millions of dollars are being
doled out to Taliban by US security companies to buy their loyalties.
Another opera tion was launched in Marjah with 15000 foreign troops and
ANA with high expectations that it would turn the tide. After the
operation ran into snags, attention got riveted towards Kandahar . Much
hyped Kandahar has been postponed from June to August since the planners
are developing cold feet. To cover up another embarrassment, its success
has been made contingent upon an operation in North Waziristan , (NW)
described as the hub of terrorism wherefrom militants in Afghanistan are
guided.
A false picture is being given to the world that Kandahar is the bastion
of Taliban and its capture will break their back and its outcome will
decide the future strategy. This assumption has been made on the premise
that Mullah Omar and most Shura members belong to this city. It should be
well understood that only Kabul and Kandahar are in effective control of
government forces and they have a large presence and well fortified
positions. Most militant attacks in this city are conducte d by raiders
coming from outside and not from within. Having announced the operation
and the likely month, it will be foolish on part of the Taliban believing
in strategy of guerilla tactics to wait for them and offer a pitched
mismatched battle in Kandahar . Moreover, Kandahar is poised towards
Balochistan and not NW. It was only when very little actionable
intelligence could be yielded from arrested Mullah Baradar that Quetta
Shura story got punctured. Soon after, Faisal Shahzad fairy-tale was
concocted to drum up NW.
Peace jirga of tribal elders called by Karzai was initially scheduled in
April. It was postponed to May 2 and then to May 29 essentially because of
arrest of some important members of Taliban Shura by security forces in
Pakistan . It was finally held on 5 June which was attended by as many as
1600. Although the Jirga is being claimed as a roaring success since his
plans were endorsed by the participants, none can deny that Karzai is
still an unpopular and unwanted leader seen as a surrogate of USA .
Rather than first holding talks and then resorting to fighting in case
negotiations prove unproductive, the US is putting the cart before the
horse by fighting first and talking later. Many among coalition partners
do not subscribe to this strategy. Even there are rumblings and dissent
within US administration. What if back of militancy is not broken after
Kandahar operation? Presently US policy makers are working on single hope
of sufficiently weakening Taliban, which in their perception will propel
Taliban fighters to reach out to Karzai and abandon their leaders and thus
weaken the position of Mullah Omar and Haqqani. Like other imprudent plans
this plan is also bound to fail.
--The writer is a retired Brig and author of several books.
(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 polic ies, 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)
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.
131) Back to Top
Well-Known Website Declares President Zardari as US Citizen
Report by Azim M Mian: Website declares Zardari US citizen - The News
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 07:48:06 GMT
NEW YORK: A well-known US website, which contains the record of 36,000
prominent figures of the world, has declared President Asif Ali Zardari a
US citizen, and said that he suffers from depressi on and is a diabetes
patient.
The revelation of 'Noteable Names Database', the US website established in
2002, may create further problems for President Zardari and his comrades.
The website says it collects such information about famous personalities
through general sources, besides its own intelligence and other sources
that are not known to the common man.
If the information given on the website is correct, President Zardari may
have to face a court challenge for contesting the presidential election by
concealing his foreign nationality, taking oath as the president of
Pakistan in the presence of the US oath and other reasons. A US
nationality holder takes oath to raise weapons against the anti-American
elements and promises to perform his duty, keeping US oath and interests
supreme to all other loyalties and oaths. While the president of Pakistan
takes oath to abide by the Constitution and interests of Pakistan.
The website has declared Dr Abdul Qade er Khan, Singer Nusrat Fateha Ali
Khan, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf, Ziaul Haq and Ayub
Khan holders of Pakistani nationality.
(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.
132) Back to Top
Detained Militants in Afghanistans Bagram Prison May be Used Against
Pakistan
Report by Sikander Sh aheen: Bagram detainees may be used against
Pakistan - The Nation Online
Monday June 14, 2010 06:05:41 GMT
ISLAMABAD - Detained militants in Afghanistan's Bagram prison would be
'utilised' against Pakistan in the coming days in the wake of
'resurrection' of ever growing Indian presence in Afghanistan.
All the pertinent developments this week in the backdrop of 'resurrection'
of Indian camps in Afghanistan well decipher that the powerful Indian camp
in Afghanistan has made all the arrangements with the patronage of US to
marginalize Pakistan's role in the country. According to details received
from Afghanistan based sources, a credible Indian diplomatic delegation
had held intensive meetings with NATO's top brass earlier this week to
'negotiate' about the future of Bagram detainees. Three other important
meetings of Indian diplomats with Nato commanders have reportedly taken
pla ce this week. As result of these 'deliberations,' the 'potential'
militants detained in Bagram have been 'selected' to divulge all the
presumably fabricated details that would certainly not bode well with
Pakistan.
These informed circles see the US reluctance in granting access to
Pakistani investigators to interrogate David Coleman Headley, a Mumbai
attacks suspect, as a move strongly inter-linked to it. The ever-rising
tide of Indo-US collusion in Afghanistan had somehow slowed down followed
by Jundullah's Chief Abdol Malek Rigi's arrest earlier this year when the
presence of Indian sponsored militant camps with the support of the US had
hit the media.
As part of the revived Indo-US strategy in Afghanistan, the focus is to
ridicule the presence of all the 'hostile elements' that oppose the
stealthy visits of banned militants in Afghanistan, to make covert deals
with Indians and NATO sponsored camps. Given these obvious reasons, the
role of the United Nations in Afghanistan as well as credible
international observers that oppose the presence of terror elements and
favour dialogue solely with Afghan Taliban had been virtually sidelined.
UN-based diplomats say that they were completely kept in dark regarding
the recent Indo-US collusions. It is pertinent to recall that restless
Indian camp had started taking counter moves after the London Moot on
Afghanistan had encouraged the involvement of Afghanistan's immediate
neighbours in the redressal of the country's crises thus creating space
for Pakistan's influence.
The extensive Congressional hearings in last March conducted by the
Congress sub-committee on Foreign Affairs headed by India-backed Senator
Gary Ackerman against 'LeT's growing ambitions in Pakistan' continued for
over a month. These proceedings only slammed Pakistan's role in what they
termed as sponsoring terrorism but did not utter a word about Indian camps
in Afghanistan.
(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.
133) Back to Top
Saudi Press 14 Jun 10
The following lists selected items from the Saudi press on 14 Jun 10. To
request additional processing, please call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735. - Saudi Arabia -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 07:14:06 GMT
1. Palestinian Issues
a. Abha Al-Watan (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Daily newspaper
known for its exclusive reports and in-depth coverage of local, Arab, and
foreign news; strongly critical of Israel; financially supported by Asir
Governor Prince Khalid al-Faysal; URL:
http://www.alwatan.com.sa/ http://www.alwatan.com.sa/) editorial entitled
"Reconciliation And the Palestinian Will To Take Action" says: "The visit
by the (Arab League) secretary general and the Arab League delegation to
Gaza, the first to the Strip, has deep significance that no reasonable
Palestinian can deny since the Israeli enemy, who is in control of the
sea, land, and air, have become a hostage ever since the freedom flotilla
massacre at the end of May despite the Security Council's failure to
condemn it." (400 words; no processing planned) 2. Yemen
a. Jedda Ukaz (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Daily newspaper of
wide circulation; known for its exclusive reports and interviews with
Saudi officials; often critical of Israel and US Middle East policy; URL:
http://www.okaz.com.sa http://www.okaz.com.sa) reports, citing local
sources in Al-Dali in southern Yemen, that four Yemeni soldiers were
killed in an ambush. It also reports that several members of Al-Qa'ida
were hiding in Ma'rib in Yemen, citing Ma'rib Governor Naji al-Zayidi.
(700 words; processing)
3. Israel
a. Al-Watan editorial entitled "Allegations Unworthy of a Response" says:
"The kingdom, which refused to allow the United States to use its
territories during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, despite the kingdom's
strong relationship with Washington, will never allow Israel, with which
it has no relations at any level, to use its airspace to attack Iran."
(450 words; no processing planned)
II. Local Issues
1. Health Issues
a. Jedda Saudi Gazette (Internet Version - WWW) in English 14 Jun (Daily
newspaper; twin sister of Ukaz; largest circulation English daily; URL:
http://www.okaz.com.sa/sgazette/ ht tp://www.okaz.com.sa/sgazette/ )
reports "Nine AIDS cases detected by pre-marital tests in Jizan":
"Pre-marital tests have revealed nine cases of AIDS in Jizan, saving the
lives of prospective partners, according to Mohsin Tubaiqi, director of
the Health Department in Jizan. Tubaiqi was speaking at a symposium on
health in marriage in Jizan Sunday. "Pre-marital tests are crucial in
stopping the deadly infection from spreading to unsuspecting partners," he
said." (220 words; no processing planned) III. Negative Selection: a.
Jedda Arab News (Internet Version - WWW) in English 14 Jun (English
language daily; formerly owned by the late Prince Ahmad Bin-Salman, son of
Riyadh Governor Prince Salman; URL:
http://www.arabnews.com/ http://www.arabnews.com/)
b. Riyadh Al-Jazirah (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Daily
newspaper of wide circulation; strongly critical of US Middle East policy;
URL:
http://www.al-jazirah.com http ://www.al-jazirah.com)
c. Riyadh Al-Riyad (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Daily
newspaper of largest circulation; focuses on domestic policies; critical
of Israel and US Middle East policy. URL:
http://www.alriyadh-np.com http://www.alriyadh-np.com)
d. Al-Dammam Al-Yawm (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Daily
newspaper focusing on Eastern Region news. URL:
http://www.alyaum.com/ http://www.alyaum.com/)
e. Jedda Al-Madinah (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Conservative
daily providing coverage of general domestic, regional, international, and
religious news -- URL:
http://www.almadina.com http://www.almadina.com)
f. Riyadh Al-Iqtisadiyah (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 14 Jun (Economic
daily providing coverage of business and consumer affairs, especially in
Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states -- URL:
http://www.aleqtisadiah.com/ http://www.aleqt.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.
134) Back to Top
ROK Naval Exercise To Mark 60th Anniversary of Korean War
Updated version: upgrading precedence, modifying headline, adding
metadata, adding cross ref; Yonhap headline: "Naval Drill to Mark 60th
Anniversary of Korean War" - Yonhap
Tuesday June 15, 2010 02:29:44 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 dir ected to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
135) Back to Top
DPRK Releases Joint Statement on 10th Anniversary of 15 Jun Joint
Declaration
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried the
following in its 2100 GMT newscast on 14 June, which OSC plans to
translate as first referent item; KCNA headline: "All Koreans Called Upon
to Unite Under Banner of June 15 Joint Declaration" - KCNA
Tuesday June 15, 2010 00:25:58 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. 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.
< br>
136) Back to Top
State Department Says Senior US Official 'Due' in Seoul To Discuss Ship
Sinking
Yonhap headline: "Campbell Due in Seoul on Ship Sinking, Other Issues:
State Dept." by Hwang Doo-hyong - Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 23:25:33 GMT
this week to discuss the torpedoeing of a South Korean warship by North
Korea and other issues of mutual concern, the State Department said Monday
(14 June).
"Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell will
be in the region later this week," spokesman Philip Crowley said. "He will
depart Washington tomorrow, arrive in Seoul on Wednesday, June 16. We're
going to meet with senior Korean officials, including officials from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense."Campbe ll will also
visit Tokyo Thursday on his way back home, the spokesman said.Campbell's
visit comes as the UN Security Council began discussing South Korea's
complaint against North Korea for the sinking of the warship Ch'o'nan
(Cheonan) in the Yellow Sea in March, which killed 46 sailors.An
international team concluded last month a North Korean mini-submarine was
responsible for the sinking, but Pyongyang denies involvement and has
warned of war if sanctioned.South Korean officials said they are seeking a
stern warning to North Korea as a precaution against North Korea repeating
such a provocation, rather than additional sanctions. Pyongyang is already
under sanctions for its nuclear and missile tests.China, however, has yet
to blame the North for the ship sinking, spawning concerns that Beijing, a
veto-wielding council member, will not approve even a council presidential
statement condemning Pyongyang, let alone a resolution carrying further
sanctions.Campbell will also like ly discuss preparations for President
Barack Obama's upcoming summit meeting with South Korean President Lee
Myung-bak (Yi Myo'ng-pak) on the sidelines of the G-20 economic summit in
Canada later this week.Also likely high on the agenda will be the meeting
of defense and foreign ministers of the two countries in Seoul in late
July.Some analysts believe South Korea will raise the issue of a possible
delay in the transfer of the wartime operational control of its troops
during next month's strategic security dialogue with Defense Secretary
Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Conservatives from
both Seoul and Washington have called for a delay in the OPCON transfer,
fearing a possible gap in the joint defense of South Korea, amid
heightened tensions after North Korea's sinking of the Ch'o'nan (Cheonan)
and recent nuclear tests and missile launches.The wartime OPCON transition
agreement was reached in 2007 under former liberal President No Mu-hyo'n
(Roh Moo-hyun) , who sought a greater role for South Korea in maintaining
its own defense. Peacetime control of South Korean forces was returned in
1994.The U.S. currently maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy
of the Korean War, in which the U.S. fought alongside South Korea against
invading North Korean troops aided by China.(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.
137) Back to Top
PRC Article Wary of ROK Explanation of Ship Sinking
To request additional processing, call OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202)
338-6735; or fax (703) 613-5735; or email: oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - Guoji
Xianqu Daobao
Monday June 14, 2010 15:35:07 GMT
(Description of Source: Beijing Guoji Xianqu Daobao in Chinese -- a weekly
general affairs newspaper, "International Herald Leader," published by
Cankao Xiaoxi (Reference News); Cankao Xiaoxi is a publication of Chinas
official news agency Xinhua)Attachments:gjxqdb0402a.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.
138) Back to Top
ROK Defense Ministry To Offer Cultural Tours for US Soldiers
By Song Sang-ho: "U.S. Soldiers to Get Cultural Tours" - The Korea Herald
Online
Monday June 1 4, 2010 14:51:15 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul The Korea Herald Online in English --
Website of the generally pro-government English-language daily The Korea
Herald; URL: http://www.koreaherald.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.
139) Back to Top
DPRK Party Organ Says IAEA Chief Makes 'Imbecile' Remarks on Nuclear Issue
KCNA headline: "IAEA Chief's Reckless Remarks Snubbed"; OSC is texting the
full vernacular version as first-referent item; Pyongyang Korean Central
Broadcasting Station in Korean is scheduled to broadcast the following at
0952 GMT on 14 June. - KCNA
Monday J une 14, 2010 08:19:32 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. URL: http://www.kcna.co.jp)
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People's Daily Online: 'Thomas Barnett Recommends US Never Go To War with
China'
Article by John Milligan-Whyte and Dai Min: "Thomas Barnett Recommends US
Never Go To War with China"; headline as provided by source - Renmin Ribao
Monday June 14, 2010 07:46:04 GMT
US News &amp; World Reports describes Thomas Barnett as "one of the
leading stra tegic thinkers of our time." Barnett has seen and understood
the world from his roles of senior advisor to the US Secretary of Defense,
Chief of Staff, Central Command, Special Operations, and led the five-year
NewRulesSet.Project for the U.S. military. He is the author of two books
that have been profoundly influential: The Pentagon's New Map: War and
Peace in the 21st Century and Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth
Creating. Barnett's comments were posted on his website,
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/globlogization/tag/china, in response to an
article in the Financial Times on May 24, 2010,
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de337ab6-66ca-11df-aeb1-00144feab49a.html.The
Financial Times article titled "The way to increase America's exports to
China" was published as the second round of the Strategic and Economic
Dialogues began by Dr. Huo Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of
International Trade and Economic Cooperation, a subsidiary of China's
Ministry of Co mmerce, and John Milligan-Whyte, chairman of the Center for
America China Partnership. Barnett quoted five paragraphs from the article
stating that they are a "nice summary of China's thinking regarding our
bilateral economic relationship" and "an excellent and hard-to-refute
summary argument." These are those paragraphs:"America is used to having
it all its own way. In 1972, as the US opened diplomatic relations with
China, it abandoned pegging the dollar to gold. That enabled it - through
its monopoly on printing US dollars - to create huge trade and investment
advantages. Its economy grew strongly as it managed the value of its
currency at the expense of other nations.Washington has not always fully
acknowledged that from 2000, the year China joined the World Trade
Organization, to 2008 the US dollar declined against many currencies,
while from 2005 to 2008 Beijing gradually increased the US dollar exchange
rate of the renminbi by 21 per cent.
The US stimulus plan increased America's debt and deficits and will
decrease the value of the dollar. China increased its holding of dollars
as America's other trading partners reduced theirs. As the US financial
crisis loomed, China pegged the renminbi to increase stability and exert a
positive influence on its economic recovery. It will keep a relatively
stable renminbi exchange rate to ensure its economic growth is steady
rather than uncontrollable, which would harm all nations. Currently, China
is providing stability as the largest holder of US government debt and US
dollar-denominated reserves.China-US relations changed when the world
learnt that America's financial system would collapse unless the
government saved insolvent US-based global banks, insurance companies and
carmakers. The bail-out turned the US government into the largest
shareholder of formerly privately-owned companies, subsidising their
commercial failure. Laisser faire theories, which US policymake rs still
demand that China adopt, were suddenly replaced by massive US government
control of market forces.The US often pursues policies that are "win-win"
for itself alone. Its policy-makers would undermine China's vital national
security and economic interests while seeking China's help in protecting
America's vital interests. But the reality is that the policies America
proposed are implementable and sustainable only if they are beneficial
also for China. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue should focus on new US
policies instead of trying to change China's policies, which are essential
for global economic recovery.Thomas Barnett has an extraordinarily
American reputation and track record of successfully prompting American
policymakers to realize that profound changes in US military strategic
thinking are required. Today the US's conventional economic and national
security policies have not provided either economic or national security
although the US economy is by far the largest in the world and US military
spending is over half of all nations. As Paul Kennedy explained in 1987 in
The Rise and Fall of Great Powers, America was over extending itself
militarily and economically, as Rome, Spain and England did. American
policymakers ignored Paul Kennedy's analysis which has become reality
unfortunately.
New US armed conflict with North Korea or Iran will be catastrophic for
the US and global economy. Military expenditures are 18 percent of the
Obama's administration's budget. The US government has enormous deficits
and debt that are already unsustainable at even current levels. China is
the largest holder of US debt and dollars and its support for the US is
vital for capital market confidence in US government's monthly debt
issues. China as it should be, is helping the US to stabilize an unstable
global economy. In doing so, it is indirectly funding America's military
and other policies. Iran supplies 25 percent of China's oi l and US armed
conflict with Iran could quickly limit US and China oil supplies and
cripple the US and global economy. Heavily armed, erratic and economically
fragile North Korea is China's neighbor dependant on China for its oil and
economic viability. North Korea's peaceful coexistence with the US is
critical to the safety of South Korea, Japan, Asia's and global peace and
economic growth. This kind of tinderbox of oil needs and alliances
triggered two world wars in the past century.US policymakers find it
difficult to change their mindset or policies. They must immediately
because of the American people's rapidly growing financial, economic,
unemployment, government solvency, national security and military
crises.Chinese policymakers have understood for thirty years, as Thomas
Barnett stated this week, that America and China must never go to war.
President Obama implementing that advice requires healthy changes
America's whole relationship with China. China's military spe nding is 12
percent of the US, although its population is 500 percent larger. China
has been at peace with all nations since 1979 and had the fastest growing
economy in the world because it's policymakers adopted Deng Xiaoping's
policies of opening up to foreign investment and peaceful coexistence with
America and all other nations. America must now reciprocate Deng
Xiaoping's policies. President Obama must become America's Deng Xiaoping.
For 60 years there has been a fundamental core problem in US-China
relations that only President Obama can and needs to change now: US
policymakers and policies have not accepted the legitimacy of the Chinese
government. Chinese policymakers were optimistic when President Obama was
elected with the promise and mandate for change at a time of profound
American economic and national security crises. It has been 60 years since
the birth of modern China and resulting outbreak of the Korean War, which
never formally ended as the sinking o f a South Korean naval vessel
reminded us. The views of Thomas Barnett quoted above support an
unconventional perspective for American policymaking: that America should
accept peaceful coexistence with the 22 percent of mankind and the
legitimacy and success of their indigenous government. It has been very
successful in managing sustained economic growth, social and political
stability, peaceful foreign and defense policies, and reform and opening
up to American investment.China's policymakers are ready, willing and able
to help America's policymakers and people deal successfully with the most
serious financial crisis in 100 years. Every leader of China including Mao
Zedong wanted to an arrangement of peaceful coexistence with the US.
However, Secretary of State Dulles would not even shake hands with China's
Premier Zhou Enlai. After testing the Chinese in the Korean and Vietnam
Wars, President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger were delighted to
shake hands with Mao Zed ong in 1972.President Obama has the genius and
constitutional ability required to now lead America in embracing and
reciprocating China's policies of peaceful coexistence, which is the only
thing that will solve the current and prevent future conflict between the
world's two largest economies. The time has come for American policymakers
to really accept China's government's legitimacy, capabilities and
admiration and desire for friendship with America.To clear the way for the
breakthrough in US-China relations that is now as urgent as it is
essential, President Obama needs to be the first US president to fully
transcend the core problem in 21st century US-China relations: five
generations of conventional American policymakers' ideologically driven
hostile and therefore ineffective China policies.
Senior American policymakers are part way thru the change in mindset and
policies, but part way is not enough now because of the Iran and Korean
crises. US China policies are based on tragically outdated 20th century
assumptions. Many US policymakers' mindset towards China is today driven
by Cold War goals and strategies seeking to destabilize and defeat China
in the now fundamentally changed circumstances of the 21st
century.America's conventional policies are undermining global security
and economic growth. These include selling arms to Taiwan, when
cross-strait relations are steadily improving or because they are
improving, and funding the Fung Gong to creating software to circumvent
Chinese internet censorship, which the State Department announced just
before the second round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogues, and
funding unrest in Tibet and Unger, constant military information gathering
that creates dangerous and unnecessary confrontations with Chinese
military forces and collisions in the air and confrontations at sea, and
the many other policies that endanger American economic and national
security by seeking to undermine China's ec onomic and national
security.Today, US policymakers simultaneously seek to undermine China's
economic and national security and seek Chinese policymakers' help in
protecting America economic and national security. This is an astonishing
and relentless mistake that was less important before the current crises.
Tomorrow it can destroy the American and Chinese peoples economic and
national security. It can destroy mankind, without seeking to do so.
Modern war between the worlds two largest economies has been termed
"unrestricted war" and it is fast, economically devastating and foolish.
Fortunately Thomas Barnett and others such as General Peter Pace, former
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs in the last Bush administration, recognize
that the US needs a new approach with China. But neither they nor
President Obama have announced that they have worked out what the US's
21st century China policies should be. They are obvious to President Hu
Jintao and other Chinese policymakers, including China's military, but the
Chinese have not been able to get Americans to understand. The new
approach is presented in the America China Partnership Book Series, which
the Chinese state created a "New School of US-China Relations" in 2009. It
has been summarized in a shared blueprint for American and Chinese
policymakers in A White Paper for the Presidents of America and China. And
the American people have elected a President like Barack Obama who
recognizes the change is urgently required. Both were essential to get the
need for the obvious new policies understood in America.During the past
six American presidents' administrations, three generations of China's
policymakers' have unilaterally implemented the Principles of Peaceful
Coexistence. American policymakers have not realized how profoundly that
benefits America. That failure is astonishing after the Korean War and
Vietnam Wars in which American policymakers' tested China's convention al
military prowess. Nonetheless China has been unilaterally implementing the
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which American policymakers enshrined
in the UN Charter after the globally catastrophic lessons of World Wars I
and II. The last time the nations of the world faced economic conditions
like those we face today, our forefathers endured a ten-year global
depression and five year global war. It ended with the invention and use
of weapons and science so powerful that a replay of past mistakes will
likely make the earth uninhabitable by our species.
That is why today, Chinese policymakers are using extraordinary means of
signaling President Obama personally that American policymakers are making
serious mistakes because of their conventional mindset. One example is the
continuing arms sales to Taiwan because American policymakers, including
Secretary of Defense Gates and other senior decision makers in President
Obama's administration just do not "get it.&q uot; They have not yet
understood that a historic change in US China policy is needed and
profoundly beneficial to US vital and other interests. In response to the
Bush administration's last US arms sale to Taiwan, China suspended
military-to-military exchanges and refused to allow an American aircraft
carrier to enter Hong Kong. American policymakers simply resented and did
not understand or did not accept the point the Chinese were making. They
disregarded China's government's and the Chinese people's sentiments.In
light of the North Korean and Iran crises where, unlike the cross-strait
relations of China and Taiwan, things are getting significantly more
dangerous rather than improving, Chinese policymakers are concerned that
similar types of errors in judgment by the US or its allies in responding
to crises in North Korea and Iran or elsewhere today or tomorrow will
plunge the world into ruin. They are concerned that US policymakers' zero
sum game mindset, problem solving habits and strategies could cause
serious a chain of events leading to disaster in the Middle East and Asia.
They are concerned that American policymakers are not yet really willing
to effectively collaborate with Chinese policymakers in creating
reciprocally beneficial and implementable economic and military solutions
to the global natural resource supply problems of the US and China and
other dangers. They are concerned that American policymakers could present
the world and China very suddenly and soon with limited and then only
appalling options.President Obama hopefully will ask himself, "Why would
Chinese policymakers take such an extraordinary action of declining to
meet with Secretary of Defense Gates," who is seeking to paper over issues
like the Taiwan arms sales and seek Chinese support for conventional
American policymaking solutions that will not defuse the North Korean and
Iran crises?
Chinese policymakers are sending a unique public signal to President Obama
regarding the serious level of their concern by refusing to accept
meetings not merely with US military leaders as before, but with Secretary
of Defense Gates, as a result of the Obama administration's Taiwan arms
sale. This creates a crisis that is itself very dangerous as it promotes
US hostility. But the unique signal sets up the need for a
president-to-president discussion of and creation of a profoundly better
and different relationship between the US and China that is
essential.American policymakers wonder what has changed, since they are
merely continuing conventional US policies of selling arms to Taiwan
irrespective of China's national security needs? Everything has changed.
American policymakers do not understand sufficiently that the US's
relationship with China has abruptly and prematurely forever entered a new
21st century era when the US Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke and
Treasury Secretary Paulson told the world that the US financial system and
economy would collapse without immediate government bail out of insolvent
American banks and insurance companies. Now America is itself, like many
nations, insolvent. What has changed is what Paul Kennedy feared would
happen in The Rise and Fall of Great Nations published in 1987. Hopefully,
President Obama will agree with Thomas Barnett's
recommendations.Presidents Obama and Hu Jintao will meet at the G8 summit
meeting on June 25 to 27 and discuss face-to-face the rapidly developing
crises in North Korea, Iran, the global economy, the lack of capital
market confidence in far too many nations' solvency. President Obama
urgently needs to find and announce new China policies soon in the "new
era of partnership" he indicated in 2009 that he was launching. A new era
requires new policies. These new US policies to be successful must be to
reciprocate China's opening up to American investment and non-intervention
in China's internal affairs and the commitment to peac eful coexistence
with China. Nothing else can quickly, adequately and permanently improve
America's economic and national security. Only a breakthrough now in
discussions between the two presidents can restore the capital markets
confidence that the volatile interaction of global military crises and
financial and economic crises can be managed. Foreseeable events now can
suddenly undermine confidence in all currencies if the simultaneous
ominous economic and geopolitical crises can be successfully managed.
Without such new confidence the world will become economically, militarily
and politically unmanageable by any combination of states actions.
A White Paper for the Presidents of America and China that was delivered
to the US Ambassador to China on November 1, 2009 is being posted now on
the Internet. It presented ten new key questions for President Obama in
formulating his China policies. The White Paper's first question is does
President Obama believe that for Amer ica to win China must lose as many
US policymakers do? He addressed this saying "There is room for us both"
at the press conference following his November 17-18, 2009 meetings with
President Hu Jintao.The second question is whether he believes that
protecting America's economic and national security require that America
prepare for and conduct war with China? Many US policymakers and US trade,
foreign and military strategies towards China are based on the assumption
that the US must do so. Are US policymakers going to raise taxes or borrow
the money from China to prepare for and conduct such a war?The third
question is does President Obama believe that many existing American
policies towards China undermine America's economic and national security?
The White Paper cites as an example, that US policy is to prevent Chinese
oil companies from buying American oil companies, prevent China from
interfering with America's sources of oil and acquiring oil from nations
Amer ica disapproves of such as Iran. This approach seeks to be win-win
only for America and is not realistic. America and China, the two largest
economies, consume more oil than they produce. Many US policymakers today
believe that this makes war between the two nations inevitable.It means
exactly the opposite. The two nations that consume 42 percent of the
world's oil must be both economic and military allies, aligning their
economic and national security in a new era of peaceful coexistence, or
neither will have the oil they require. It benefits no nation for oil to
vary in price from 47 to 147 US dollars a barrel. Collaborating America
and China could stabilize the price of oil at a price of 65 to 70 US
dollars a barrel benefiting all nations and militarily and economically
ensure the peace that is essential for steady oil production and
transportation globally. The US and China entering a new era of really
collaboration, because they both recognized they will never go to war ,
would change the Iran and other issues profoundly.The eighth question is
whether President Obama believes that major American companies, such as
General Motors, can remain profitable anywhere if it they are not
profitable in China? America's new China policies must be reciprocally
beneficial for America and China's trade, economic growth to be
collaborative.In summary, Chinese policymakers refusing the US Defense
Secretary's request to visit China signals President Obama personally that
conventional American policymaking will not be effective in the Iran and
North Korea crises. It signals President Obama personally that Chinese
policymakers need the US to accept the legitimacy and success and
reciprocate the peaceful coexistence policies of China's indigenous
government, and to reciprocate and open up to Chinese companies investing,
and thus creating US and Chinese economic and employment growth. That
breakthrough is what is essential to make the world governable.John Mill
igan-Whyte is called the "new Edgar Snow" and the "21st century Kissinger"
and is the only non-Chinese to be elected the winner of the Social
Responsibility Award from the China Business Leaders Summit. John
Milligan-Whyte and Dai Min are the executive producers and co-hosts of the
Collaboration of Civilizations television series adapted by the eight
books they wrote in the America-China Partnership Book Series published in
English and Mandarin in 2009-2010 that created the "New School of
America-China Relations." They founded the America-China Partnership
Foundation and Forum in 2008 and the Center for America-China Partnership
in 2005, which was recognized in 2009 as "the first American think tank to
combine and integrate American and Chinese p erspectives providing a
complete answer for America and China's success in the 21st century."
(Description of Source: Beijing People's Daily Online in English --
Internet-only English v ersion of Renmin Ribao, the daily newspaper of the
CPC Central Committee. URL: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn)
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.
141) Back to Top
KCNA Carries DPRK Army's 12 Jun 'Proclamation' Against ROK Loudspeakers
Pyongyang Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) in Korean carried the
following as the second of two items in its 0300 GMT newscast on 12 June;
KCNA headline: "KPA General Staff Issues Crucial Declaration" - KCNA
Monday June 14, 2010 04:50:55 GMT
KPA General Staff Issues Crucial Declaration
Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army
on Saturday issued the following crucial declaration: The commander of
forces of the Korean People's Army in the central sector of the front had
already solemnly clarified internally and externally a firm stand of the
KPA that it would blow up with sighting shots loudspeakers and all other
means for a psychological warfare in case the group of traitors resumes
the psychological warfare against the DPRK in the areas along the
front.Defying this warning, the group of traitors hell-bent on the
confrontation with fellow countrymen is working with blood-shot eyes to
make preparations for resuming the all-out psychological warfare against
the DPRK at any cost.After Kim Thae Yong, puppet minister of Defence, had
declared the measure to resume the psychological warfare against the DPRK
in the wake of traitor Lee Myung Bak (Yi Myo'ng-pak, Ri Myong-bak)'s issue
of "a statement to the people" on May 24, the puppet army has already set
up loudspeak ers for the psychological warfare at 11 places in areas along
the Military Demarcation Line and is stepping up its preparations to
install them at more than 30 places at the second phase and at 94 places
under a long-term plan.And it is also attempting to set up even electronic
displays at 11 places for the psychological warfare.Its attempt is a
flagrant violation of the historic June 15 joint declaration in which both
the north and the south made pledges before the entire nation and the
north-south military agreement worked out on its basis. This is, at the
same time, a hideous provocative act of infringing upon the dignity and
supreme interests of the DPRK.From a military point of view that a
psychological warfare is one of the basic operational forms for carrying
out a war the installing of such means for the above-said warfare is a
direct declaration of a war against the DPRK.Therefore, the revolutionary
armed forces of the DPRK will launch an all-out military strike to blow up
the group's means for the psychological warfare against the DPRK in all
areas along the front as already solemnly warned by the commander of
forces of the Korean People's Army in the central sector of the front.The
decisive military strike of the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK is
not a tit-for-tat retaliation on the "principle of proportion" much touted
by the group of traitors.It should bear in mind that the military
retaliation of the DPRK is a merciless strike foreseeing even the turn of
Seoul, the stronghold of the group of traitors, into a sea of
flame.(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.
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ROK Editorial Urges President Lee To Complete Military Reshuffle 'As Soon
As Possible'
Editorial: "Is The Military Ready to Deal With N.Korea?" - Chosun Ilbo
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 04:45:52 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 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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DPRK's KCNA: Czech Group Issues Statement Supporting 'Struggle for
National Reunification'
KCNA headline: "Korean People's Struggle For National Reunification
Supported" - KCNA
Monday June 14, 2010 03:51:27 GMT
(Description of Source: Pyongyang KCNA in English -- Official DPRK news
agency. 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.
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NK Threatens to Make Seoul `Sea of Flames` - Dong-A Ilbo Online
Monday June 14, 2010 01:22:04 GMT
(DONG-A ILBO) - North Korea has threatened to turn Seoul into a "sea of
flames" for the first time in 16 years and destroy South Korea's
propaganda loudspeakers along the Demilitarized Zone.
The South's military completed installing propaganda loudspeakers last
week at 11 places along the inter-Korean border to resume psychological
warfare against the North as part of retaliation for Pyongyang's sinking
of the South Korean naval ship Cheonan.
The General Staff of the (North) Korean People's Army said a "stern
military strike" on the loudspeakers will not be a one-to-one response
under the " principle of proportions" championed by Seoul's "traitorous
group." The North Korean military said the South should bear in mind that
military retaliation is a "merciless strike foreseeing even the turning of
Seoul, the stronghold of the group of traitors, into a sea of flames."
Calling the South's installation of psychological warfare equipment a "
direct declaration of war" against the North, the General Staff threatened
an all-out military strike to eliminate the means of psychological warfare
means on all fronts.
The North first made the "sea of flames" threat at inter-Korean
working-level talks in March 1994, prompting Seoul to specify Pyongyang as
its " main enemy" in a national defense whitepaper.
In the wake of the latest threat, the South Korean military strengthened
its alert posture along the inter-Korean border. An official at the Joint
Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said the North's military has shown no unusual
signs, but that South Korea and the U.S. are fully operating their
intelligence networks to monitor any movement.
(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 secon d-oldest major ROK daily Dong-A Ilbo, which is
conservative in editorial orientation -- generally pro-US, anti-North
Korea; URL: http://english.donga.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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Seoul Set to Present Evidence At UN - JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:50 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Seoul diplomats are waiting to see whether China and
Russia will attend today's UN Security Council briefing at which South
Korea will present its evidence that North Korea attacked and sank the
Cheonan warship on March 26 - the first step to garnering international
support to repr imand Pyongyang.
South Korean officials and foreign experts who took part in the monthlong
investigation into the cause of the disaster will present their evidence
to the 15 member countries of the Security Council at United Nations
headquarters in New York today.The South has struggled to earn
international support to officially reprimand Pyongyang, but its efforts
have been met with lukewarm responses from Beijing and Moscow - permanent
members of the UN Security Council and allies of North Korea.According to
a senior Seoul diplomat yesterday, Claude Heller, the president of the
Security Council and Mexican ambassador to the UN, said that China has
agreed to at least the schedule of the briefing, which will begin at 3
p.m. New York time.Some 10 South Korean military officials and experts,
along with experts from the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and
Sweden, will present the evidence they have collected to the council
member countries and answer their que stions. Park In-kook, South Korea's
ambassador to the United Nations, will also attend the briefing."The UN
Security Council's discussion (on the issue) begins with the investigative
team's briefing," said a senior South Korean government official who asked
for anonymity.Discussions at the UN Security Council are comprised of
formal meetings and informal consultations. Today's briefing is considered
an "interactive dialogue" that will help set the tone of the upcoming
meetings and consultations. "We think that there will likely be one formal
meeting this week, which will be an important turning point to set the
tone (of the discussions) down the road," said the official.Seoul's
immediate goal is getting the UN Security Council to address the attack in
as strong terms as possible, whether by an official resolution or
less-binding presidential statement.Washington has backed Seoul's efforts
for a "unified voice" against Pyongyang, while Russia and Beijing have
shown less enthusiasm.Russia, which sent its own blast and submarine
experts to Seoul earlier this month to review the results of the South
Korean investigation, is expected to make its own conclusion in July,
according to a senior Kremlin official quoted by Russian news agency RIA
Novosti.China, which has deep economic and political ties with both
Koreas, is in a trickier position, juggling growing pressure from Seoul to
join criticism of Pyongyang and risking political tensions with the
neighboring North. According to senior Seoul officials, Beijing is worried
that allowing the UN council to reprimand Pyongyang would backfire,
causing turbulence in Northeast Asia.(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 e dition 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.
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MPs Reject Commission List To Oversee South Referendum - AFP (World
Service)
Monday June 14, 2010 16:05:41 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news
service of the independent French news 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 C
ommerce.
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TKP Column Views US Policy of Returning to Asia
Article by Ts'ui Ning: "The United States 'Has To Change' Its Policy
Toward Taiwan" - Ta Kung Pao Online
Monday June 14, 2010 08:34:11 GMT
Judging from his several important meetings in Taiwan, this time the
American mainly brought two pieces of important information: (1) US-Taiwan
relations guaranteed by the "Taiwan Relations Act" will not change; (2)
the United States will give careful consideration to Taiwan's request to
purchase F16 fighter planes. During his meeting with Ma Ying-jeou (Ma
Yingjiu), Burghardt stressed that "US arms sales to Taiwan are very
important to safeguarding stability in the Taiwan Strait" and that 'the
Taiwan Relations Ac' is the corner stone for t he United States to play
the role of safeguarding security and stability in the Taiwan Strait." In
short, while "crossing a river in the same boat with the mainland," the
United States will not abandon Taiwan; its policy toward Taiwan will not
change because of the improvement of cross-Strait relations; Taiwan is
still a small boat tied to a US aircraft carrier.
Selecting such a time to send an inopportune message is not a stereotyped
demonstration of the United States but an opportune declaration and
exposition of the policy that the United States is returning to Asia.
After the improvement of cross-Strait relations, Taiwan's contacts with
the mainland have been close. The signing of an agreement on the framework
for comprehensive economic cooperation will normalize cross-Strait
contacts. For the United States, Taiwan's economic growth is not a bad
thing, but the Americans worry that after Taiwan has become strong
economically, its degree of dependency on the Unites States and degree of
utilization by the United State will decline. During an earlier period, Ma
Ying-jeou said that Taiwan "will not ask the US side to fight for it." The
remark set off controversies in Taiwan. I believe that the remark has
similarly made the ambitious United States full of misgivings and fear.
The Americans do not want the strategy of cross-Strait peaceful
development to have an impact on US interests, especially on its strategy
of returning to Asia.
The US government has established the policy of returning to Asia. How to
return? The focus is naturally on East Asia. In Japan and the ROK, we can
already feel the heavy and hurried footsteps of the Americans. Taiwan is
an important link of the United States in Asia. The Americans are not
willing to lose such a foothold and stepping stone without reason. At
present, Taiwan is dependent on the United States in many areas and needs
the United States' help. For the superpower that hopes to dominate the
whole world, its interests in Taiwan are an indispensable part of its
strategic interests. It has to consolidate and strengthen this interest
chain if it wants to return to Asia.
The "Taiwan Relations Act" is a product of the United States formulated
under the situation of confrontation between the two sides of the Strait.
Similarly, arms sales to Taiwan are full of blood smell. For this reason,
stressing the "Taiwan Relations Act" and advocating arms sales to Taiwan
are conducive to cross-Strait peaceful development. Naturally, this is
where the US tactic and interests lie and is of no benefit to the big
trend of cross-Strait peaceful development. Judging from the situation of
cross-Strait peaceful development, cross-Strait economic development is
conducive to promoting the ca use of peace, can gradually eliminate
cross-Strait hostilities, finally eliminate confrontation, and realize
unification. Obviously, this does not conf orm to the needs of the United
States. The divided two sides of the Strait and a turbulent and unstable
Asia offer the best point of penetration for the United States to return
to Asia and are also an indispensable condition for the United States to
have a foothold and open up new fields in Asia. Of course, the United
States does not hope that the disappearance or change of these
environments will affect or obstruct its pace and process of returning to
Asia.
On cross-Strait relations, the US government should, in accordance with
the new situation that has changed, decide a new policy suitable to the
changed environment. It should not sing the same old tune and again make a
show of force. If the Americans really want to return to Asia, they should
make peace in Asia and the safeguarding of interests in Asia as the
prerequisite. If they think of "the good old days" with the purpose of
dominating the whole world and even if they return to Asia at the cost of
da maging peace, naturally the US return to Asia will not be welcomed.
(Description of Source: Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao Online in Chinese -- Website
of PRC-owned daily newspaper with a very small circulation; ranked low in
"credibility" in Hong Kong opinion surveys due to strong pro-Beijing bias;
has good access to PRC sources; URL:
http://www.takungpao.com)Attachments:tkp0606a.pdf
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Taiwan Democracy Rooted In Decades Of Practice: President
By Lee Shu-hua and Deborah Kuo - Central News Agency
Monday June 14, 2010 06:24:52 GMT
Taipe i, June 14 (CNA) -- President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday that
democracy has taken root in Taiwan because it has been practiced without
break over the past six decades.
Ma told a group of visitors from the United States that he has heard it
said democratization is not suitable for oriental people, particularly
Chinese, but what he has seen in Taiwan over the past several decades has
destroyed that prejudiced view."Taiwan's democracy may be young, even
immature, but we have made the first step forward, which may be a positive
answer to those who may be concerned, " Ma told the U.S. group that was
led by Nicholas Dirks, vice president and dean of the faculty of arts and
sciences at Columbia University.The president said he is glad to see more
and more top-notch U.S.universities paying closer attention to Taiwan's
development.Taiwan is indeed worthy of study by academics at home and
abroad, given the huge and drastic changes in the society over the last
six decade s -- changes that had been seldom seen in the preceding 400
years, he said.Over the last 60 years, he said, people in Taiwan have
developed a unique and diverse Chinese culture, which can be attributed to
the fact that they were allowed to fully use their wisdom and talent in a
free, open and democratic environment."Taiwan's achievement serves as a
significant example for people across the Taiwan Strait as well all ethnic
Chinese around the world," Ma said.In the months ahead, the president
said, cross-strait relations, which have been focus of attention over the
past two years, will continue to improve. In addition, many cultural
activities will be held in the lead up to Jan 1. 2011 when the Republic of
China on Taiwan will celebrate its 100th founding anniversary, he
said.Dirks and his group are in Taiwan for an academic symposium, titled
"Taiwan in the 21st Century: Politics, Economy and Society, " sponsored by
Columbia University's Weatherhead East As ian Institute.(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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Talk Of The Day -- New Model For Cross-strait Negotiations
By Sofia Wu - Central News Agency
Monday June 14, 2010 03:14:06 GMT
A new model patterned after the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) will be introduced in negotiations across the Ta iwan
Strait, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan confirmed in an
interview Sunday.
In the just-concluded third round of talks on the cross-strait economic
cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), the two sides agreed to form a
cross-strait economic cooperation commission to take charge of follow-up
consultations and coordination on bilateral trade, investment and economic
issues, according to Lai.Meanwhile, major progress was made in Sunday's
working-level ECFA talks in Beijing, with basic consensus reached on the
text of the agreement and its five appendices.On the contentious "early
harvest" program that forms the backbone of the agreement, China agreed to
offer tariff waivers or easier market access terms for 500 Taiwanese
products and services, whereas Taiwan promised to allow similar privileges
for 200-plus Chinese goods and services.The following are excerpts from
local media coverage of the issue: United Daily News: According to Lai,
the new commission to be assembled after the ECFA signing will be a
cross-strait version of the TIFA-style engagement between Taiwan and the
United States that was formed in the absence of official ties.The
commission will comprise representatives from both sides, and its main
tasks will be consultation, supervision and evaluation of ECFA-related
affairs, Lai said."The commission will be responsible for negotiating
ECFA-related issues, overseeing and evaluating ECFA enforcement, resolving
disputes about the definition of ECFA clauses and dealing with relevant
relief measures," Lai said.If necessary, the commission will be able to
appoint special task forces to address specific issues related to the
agreement, Lai said.It will meet once every six months but will have the
option of holding provisional meetings at any time with the consent of
both sides, she said.The establishment of the new commission will allow
for refinement of the content of the ECFA and help to reali ze its goals
progressively, Lai added. (June 14, 2010).Economic Daily News: In Sunday's
ECFA talks, Taiwan failed to get items such as automobiles, key
petrochemical materials, or machine tools on the early harvest list of
goods that would qualify for tariff exemptions or reductions under the
ECFA.This is why the two sides did not unveil the detailed "early harvest"
list at the end of the meeting.While the number of Taiwan products on the
early harvest list was increased from 300 to 500, the Chinese side also
added another 100-plus items to its list of 100 through hard-nosed
negotiations.The China products that will qualify for concessionary
tariffs upon entry to Taiwan are mostly textiles, petrochemicals and
machinery items.In the area of service trade, China agreed to offer better
terms to Taiwanese banks setting up branches or establishing footholds in
the Chinese market.Negotiators from both sides agreed Sunday that a fourth
round of formal ECFA talks may take place simultaneously with the
preparatory talks for the fifth Chiang-Chen meeting at which the ECFA will
be formally signed.They also reached a tacit agreement that the ECFA
should be concluded by the end of June or in early July so that it can
take effect at the beginning of next year.The Chiang-Chen meeting refers
to engagements between top cross-strait negotiators -- Straits Exchange
Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung and his Chinese counterpart, Chen
Yunlin, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan
Straits. (June 14, 2010).Liberty Times: After the completion of the
working-level ECFA negotiations, opponents of the agreement said Sunday
they will launch a decade-long campaign against the pact as they are
worried that it would "lock Taiwan into China's embrace, " making Taiwan
more and more dependent on the Chinese market.In the first step of their
long-term campaign, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, the
Taiwan Solidarity Union an d other pro-independence groups said they will
step up preparations for a massive street protest on June 26. (June 14,
2010).(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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Turkey Not Fully Comply With Eliminating Human Trafficking, But Trying
"U.S. REPORT SAYS TURKEY DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH STANDARDS FOR
ELAMINATION OF HUMAN TRAFICKING" -- AA headline - Anatolia
Monday June 14, 2010 19:34:40 GMT
(Description of Source: Ankara Anatolia in English -- Semi-official news
agency; independent in content)
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Somali commerce minister wants trials of suspected pirates held inside
country - Radio Gaalkacyo
Friday May 14, 2010 17:37:25 GMT
inside country
Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 14 MayThe commerce
minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Abdirashid
Muhammad Iro, has called on the international community to allow Somali
pirates to be tried inside the country.Speaking at a news conference in
Mogadishu, the minister strongly condemned the move to have Somali pirates
tried outside the country and proposed the international community to stop
the deal. The minister mentioned that even though unrest exists in Somalia
there are peaceful regions that pirates can be tried such as
Puntland.Meanwhile, the commerce minister has praised Puntland regional
administration for its role in combating piracy in the region and its
campaign to seize illegal weapons.The statements by the Somali minister
come at a time when many Somali pirates are being tried in abroad,
especially in the US, Kenya, Yemen and Seychelles.(Description of Source:
Gaalkacyo Radio Gaalkacyo in Somali )
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US official says Turkey conference to discuss restoring peace in Somalia -
Radio Shabeelle
Friday May 14, 2010 09:24:14 GMT
Somalia
Text of report by Somalia's private commercial Radio Shabeelle on 14
May(Presenter) The US government has said the Somali conference to open
soon in Turkey is not aimed at raising funds for the Transitional Federal
Government of Somalia (TFG). Our reporter Muhammad Mahmud Timacade has the
details.(Reporter Muhammad) Bob Carton (as heard), the highest US official
for Somali affairs, gave an interview to the Radio Shabeelle while in
Nairobi, Kenya. He denied that the soon to open conference in Instabul,
the capital of Turkey, is aimed at contributing funds for the TFG, saying
the conference will discuss restoring peace in Somalia. He said that the
conference is aimed to support Somalia and will be attended by the
international community, and a delegation from Somalia. The US official
also said the key point to be discussed in the conference is restoration
of peace in Somalia, which has been ravaged by prolonged conflict. He said
that the meeting will also discuss the rebuilding of Somali economy.(Over
voice of Bob's statement into Somali) The conference to be held in
Istanbul is not for financial contribution for specific group or the TFG.
The meeting is about restoring a long lasting peace in Somalia. The
international community is ready to support Somalis in achieving the
efforts of finding peace in the country. The key issue is to create an
atmosphere of peace in Somalia and the Horn of Africa in general.(Reporter
Muhammad ) The US official also condemned recent explosions targeting
mosques in Somalia, saying that the acts are increasing the problems in
Somalia. He added that the explosion could infla me the conflict in the
country, which has been devastated by prolonged conflict, and the Horn of
Africa.(Over voice of Bob's statement into Somali) I condemn the
explosion. It caused a lot of suffering to the Somali civilians and caused
a national disaster. Certainly, I condemn the explosion which occurred in
the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The explosion is hampering the
reconciliation efforts aimed at bringing Somalis together and create
peace. The explosion caused more suffering to the Somalis, who were
already in problems. The victims of the explosion were innocent people. We
hope that efforts to restore peace and reconciliation in Somalia becomes
successful. I hope that solution is reached for problems in Somalia during
the Istanbul talks, whose objective is to uplift hopes for the development
of Somalia.(Reporter Muhammad) A conference to be attended by members for
the international community is expected to be held in Istanbul from 21 to
23 of May. The meeting will be at tended by a delegation from the Somali
government. Other reports say regional administrations in Somalia will
also attend the conference.(Description of Source: Mogadishu Radio
Shabeelle in Somali --Privately owned, commercial FM station with sister
station in Marka, about 50 miles southwest of Mogadishu)
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USA reportedly refuses to sign new ICC statute - Daily Monitor online
Monday June 14, 2010 09:16:20 GMT
Text of report by Solomon Muyita, Ismail Musala Ladu Angelo Izama entitled
"US refuses to sign as delegates endorse crime of aggressi on" by leading
privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 14
June;newspaper subheadingThe use of violence by one state against another
is now a crime triable by the International Criminal Court after
delegates, following a consensus agreement, included it in the Rome
Statute on Friday (11 June) evening.An agreement, immediately described as
an anti-climax by human rights groups because it was soft on big powers,
was arrived at half past midnight after close to a fortnight of diplomatic
battles. This means that use of force in breach of the UN Charter such as
an invasion, a bombardment, a blockade or a country allowing another state
to use its territory to attack a third nation is now a crime.The decision
opens the door for individual prosecutions for a fourth crime by the Court
established in 2002. The other crimes are genocide, war crimes and crimes
against humanity.Successful meeting"We are happy with the outcome given
the divergent views, und er the circumstance that was the best we could
get, and Kampala will be known for this historic moment," said Ambassador
Mirjam Blaak one of the key Ugandan organizers of the meet yesterday
morning.However, groups like Human Rights Watch said the Security Council
members had complicated the entire process by seeking to retain "exclusive
control" over the crime of aggression."ICC as a judicial body must be
independent from the political interference of the Security Council that
is a political organ that takes decision for political reasons," said Mr
Richard Dicker- the director for International Justice at HRW.But politics
did prevail at the end. It was agreed, for example, that while the court
now has jurisdiction over a crime of aggression it had to wait for six
months before taking its action and can only do so if the United Nations
Security Council failed to refer such an act to The Hague.The Security
Council can also "veto" any prosecut ion on grounds that it was
prejudicial to international security and keep objecting with annual
resolutions.Delegates also conceded that the crime will not apply to
non-state parties, which like America, have refused to sign on to the ICC.
State parties can also submit a "non-acceptance" declaration to the court
to avoid prosecution save for where it is the Security Council that has
referred a case."(This deal) unjustifiably solidifies blanket and
automatic impunity of non-state parties," said Mr Ichiro Komatsu, the head
of the Japanese delegation to Kampala.The Kampala deal also retained a
get-out clause, an optional protocol which allows states not to subject
their nationals to the court's jurisdiction. Thus agreements signed by say
Washington and Kampala not to give up American citizens to the court will
remain legal and in force.Great step forwardDr Benjamin B Ferencz, a
professor of international law and first prosecutor of the crime of
aggression in the Nazi Nuremberg trials, told Sunday Monitor that this is
a great step forward in the evolution of international humanitarian
law.During the conference Ferencz had argued that there was no
contradiction between the Security Council and ICC since one made
political decisions about international peace and the other tried crimes
that resulted from a breach of such a peace.Ugandan Attorney-General, Dr
Kidhu Makubuya told Sunday Monitor - the country had crossed a historical
milestone."This is particularly significant because Uganda was the first
state to make a referral and submitting itself to the jurisdiction of the
ICC," said Dr Makubuya.(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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Vietnam Head Triet on Political, Economic Relations, 'Vietnam-Towns'
Interview with Nguyen Minh Triet, president of Vietnam, conducted by Irina
Reznik on 10 Jun 2010; place not given: "'Russia Will Ensure the Whole
World's Security' -- Nguyen Minh Triet, President of Vietnam" - Vedomosti
Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 03:11:18 GMT
(Reznik) In one of your interviews, you answered the question of whether
you love Russia by saying: "I did not have the chance and good fortune to
study in the USSR as my peers did and I do not speak Russian, but then I
love Russia very much because I used a Kalashnikov automatic rifle." Why?
(Triet) During the war with the Americans, I w as in the South and
personally took part in the resistance and fought in a guerrilla
detachment. I was 18 years old when I left for the underground. First I
participated in the legal battle in Saigon, the former capital of the old
regime. After that became impossible, we went into the jungles to the
resistance forces. When I was fighting, we always looked toward Hanoi, the
beloved heart of Vietnam -- and toward the Soviet Union, where there is
the esteemed Lenin whom we love (he wipes away tears); from there we got
unselfish and very effective aid and support. America was very strong
compared with Vietnam. The Vietnamese people had only patriotism and
hatred of injustice. But it was impossible to defeat the Americans with
just these two feelings. Thanks to the enormous, unselfish, and effective
aid of the USSR, we were able to wage a successful struggle. And we
believe that a great deal of the credit in our great struggle and victory
goes to the aid of the Soviet Un ion and the Russian people. In this
struggle we got support and aid from the entire world. But our friends for
the most part gave us moral support, while the USSR helped us not only
morally but materially as well.
That is why I love Russia.
(Reznik) But the USSR has not existed for a long time now. How do you feel
about the present government of Premier Vladimir Putin and about President
Dmitriy Medvedev, and which of them is closer to you in their way of
thinking?
(Triet) Russia is a great power, and the decisive role in the victory over
Fascism that brought security to the entire world belonged to it. The
significance of the great victory of the Soviet people over Fascism does
not change over time. And Russia always helped Vietnam a great deal. Mr.
Medvedev and Mr. Putin, the leaders of today's Russia, are great friends
of Vietnam. And for that we are grateful both to them and to all the
Russian people. Vietnam will always remain a true ally of Russia.
(Reznik) So then both Putin and Medvedev are equally close to you in
spirit?
(Triet) Yes, both.
(Reznik) To return to your past. You were a soldier -- at what point did
you decide to take up politics? In the socialist countries in general, a
soldier often becomes president. Why?
(Triet) Because a soldier's position is patriotism and hatred of
aggression.
(Reznik) Dmitriy Medvedev intends to travel to the 1,000-year anniversary
celebration of Hanoi. What will you talk about with him?
(Triet) We are inviting Dmitriy Medvedev to visit Vietnam and attend the
1,000-year anniversary celebration of Hanoi and the meeting between the
Asia Pacific Region (APR) countries and Russia. This year Vietnam is the
chairman of the APR countries. So Vietnam is inviting Russia to take part
on behalf of the APR countries. Russia is an important strategic partner
for Vietnam. We also want it to become just as important a partner fo r
the APR countries as well. So we will hold a high-level reception during
Mr. Medvedev's visit -- the same as we held for Mr. Putin when he visited
us in 2006.
(Reznik) And what are the possible topics of the talks?
(Triet) There are a great many. We are strategic partners in politics. We
consider Russia a true and reliable partner. We were true friends even
during the most difficult moments.
(Reznik) As I understand it, your favorite politician is Lenin. And who
else from among Soviet or Russian figures is close to you?
(Triet) Outside politics it is Tchaikovsky. There are many great authors
in Russian and Soviet literature and art, but he is an example. Vietnam
appreciates Russian literature very much because it is great literature.
It nourishes and educates the soul not only of the Russian but also the
Vietnamese. I am certain that Russia, which occupies one-sixth of the
Earth, with its rich culture will take a worthy place in the world of
politics and ensure the security of the entire world.
(Reznik) How is military-technical cooperation with Russia developing? Has
Vietnam agreed on a price for buying the two Gepard-139 warships from Ak
Bars Kholding?
(Triet) Vietnam is a peace-loving country and is making its contribution
to the development of peace throughout the entire world. So this
cooperation ensures the security not only of Vietnam but of the entire
world. We very much want to improve cooperation with Russia in this area.
(Reznik) And what is needed for that?
(Triet) I think that above all trust is needed. In the past we have not
had any conflicts of interest -- I am talking about the unselfish aid of
the Soviet Union. Only cooperation based on trust can be successful. And
Vietnam relates to Russia with great trust. And we are not asking for aid
from Russia but are ready for cooperation on a mutually advantageous
basis. Taking into account the strategic character of relations, we would
like for us to offer each other certain discounts and privileges on this,
and not only this issue.
(Reznik) How is Vietnam cooperating with Russia within the framework of
preparing for the Asia Pacific summit meeting?
(Triet) There are a great many programs. We have a great deal in common
with Russia in the international arena. In the economic area, we are
developing our relations on the basis of respect and mutual interests.
Many people who studied in the Soviet Union are working in Vietnam. That
is evidence of the trust and understanding between our countries. Once
again I want to express my gratitude to the Russian people. Yesterday,
today, and tomorrow, all the Vietnamese people will remember this aid. The
president of Russia is a great friend of the Vietnamese people. He is
making a very great contribution to the cause of strengthening the
friendship between Vietnam and Russia.
(Reznik) You intend to orga nize a Vietnamese village in Kalmykia --
Nguyen-Taun (Nguyen-Town). Could you tell about this project?
(Triet) A great many Vietnamese citizens live and work in Russia. Some
live and work legally and make a concrete contribution to the development
of Russia's economy and relations between Russia and Vietnam. Others are
having difficulties since they cannot legalize their stay and work in
Russia. But one thing unites both these groups -- love of Russia and the
desire to work. We were looking for a way to legalize the second group.
The essential fact about Vietnam-Town is that they will receive land in
Kalmykia to lease for 99 years and will be able to move there, build
housing, work, and pay taxes to Kalmykia's budget. This idea occurred
simultaneously to both me and (President of Kalmykia) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
At the meeting with him, I was about to propose such an idea when he
personally expressed the desire for Vietnamese people to come to Kalmykia.
The pop ulation density in Vietnam is 270 people per square kilometer,
while in Kalmykia it is 0.5 people. If this project is realized, I will
definitely erect a monument to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
(Reznik) And in what other regions of Russia are such Vietnam-towns
possible? For example, in Moscow there are a great many illegal res idents
of Vietnam who work in the markets.
(Triet) I think that Kalmykia is only the first step. I hope that
Vietnamese from Moscow will move here too. All the favorable conditions
are here. I hope that Vietnamese citizens will show responsibility and a
feeling of solidarity.
(Reznik) Many major Russian companies are doing business in Vietnam. Are
you satisfied with how they are doing business? In what spheres might they
count on the support of the country's leadership?
(Triet) I welcome Russian companies that want to do business in Vietnam.
We are willing to share the difficulties with them. I want you to tell
them th at if there are any difficulties, we are willing to meet and
discuss, listen to, and when possible resolve their problems. And I would
also like to say that the difficulties may be temporary, do not give up. A
Vietnamese saying goes: the closer you are to victory, the more
difficulties there are. As president of Vietnam, I am willing to listen to
their difficulties myself. Because investors are Vietnam's friends and we
cannot abandon them at the halfway point.
(Reznik) Right now amendments to Vietnam's legislation are being prepared
so that foreign investors will be able to own more than 49% of the stock.
Is Vietnam's government willing to sell Russian private investors
controlling stakes in companies being privatized? For example, with the
privatization of the largest Vietnamese cell phone operator GTel?
(Triet) The policy of the Vietnamese government is to retain more than 50%
of the stock for itself. We ourselves must regulate the process. I think
that in this situation Vietnam is no exception, and other countries behave
in a similar way. The only question is efficiency.
(Reznik) Are you satisfied with the cooperation with Vympelkom? Some
people think that the company may leave the telecommunications market.
(Triet) I do not have concrete information on individual projects. But
this is the principle: we support all Russian projects and are willing to
help companies get out of difficult situations. Because relations with
Russia are a priority task for us.
(Reznik) Kamaz opened an assembly plant in Vietnam. AvtoVAZ was also
talking about some projects. Is it implementing anything?
(Triet) It is hard for me to comment on particular projects.
(Reznik) And how are projects to build the four atomic power plants going?
It was contemplated that Russians would build two of them, and the
Japanese -- two.
(Triet) Russia has the priority, but so far we have not given anyone a n
answer. That confirms that we have friendly relations with Russia.
(Reznik) Is it true that Gruppa Ye4 may become the consultant for the
construction of the AES's (atomic power plants)?
(Triet) A consultant is essential during the construction of such a
project. We need three things. In the first place, we need an
intergovernmental agreement on construction of this project. Such an
agreement will permit the authorized organs of both parties to begin
active work. Second is an agreement on training personnel. Our specialists
have not yet reached the level to manage such projects, so we want Russia
to help us. Third is an agreement on financing. The budget contemplated
for the project is $12 billion. Russia can loan us some part and we
ourselves must provide some part. These three issues are very urgent. We
raised these topics at the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Sergey) Lavrov.
(Reznik) The Russian companies Alltech and Rucom ar e creating a fund to
implement telecommunications investment projects on Vietnam's territory.
Can you talk about this fund?
(Triet) There is no concrete information, but we support investments in
projects involving telecommunications and high technologies.
(Reznik) And what projects in Russia interest Vietnamese companies? Oil
and gas? Power engineering?
(Triet) We are now oriented to our ow n development, and at this point we
have limited possibilities for investments abroad; there are just a few.
We have many investment projects in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar --
neighboring countries that are similar to us. Russia is at a higher level
of development. But two days ago I was present at the start of
construction on a Vietnamese commercial shopping project in Moscow. I can
say that this is a fairly large project and its cost is more than $100
million.
(Reznik) Do Vietnamese companies really have no interest in oil and gas
deposits in Russ ia? I heard that Vietnam received a share in small
deposits in the YaNAO (Yamalo-Nenetsk Autonomous Okrug) as a condition for
extending the contract with Zarubezhneft and Vietsovpetro. What kind of
deposits are they?
(Triet) Yes, that is true. Within the framework of the joint venture with
Zarubezhneft, Petrovietnam works in Nenetsk Okrug, and Vietsovpetro, the
company you know, works in Vietnam. We believe that this is a very
successful project in the area of oil and gas. It is successful not only
on the economic level but on the political as well. We are expanding the
Vietnamese state company's presence in the development of the deposits in
Russia, as well as jointly participating in oil and gas projects in third
countries.
(Reznik) It is surprising how you are managing to combine a socialist
order with a market economy. Vietnam is in 20th place in terms of growth
in GDP, while Russia, for example, is in 200th.
(Triet) The comparison with Rus sia is not quite appropriate. Rapid
development is natural because Vietnam was completely destroyed by the
war. Russia is altogether different -- you are stable and you have already
reached a certain high level of development, so your economy grows more
slowly. Vietnam's economy is undeveloped, so such growth can be explained.
Your economy cannot have the growth that Vietnam does.
We ourselves did not even expect such rapid growth in Vietnam. But over
time we realized that a market economy is a common human practice rather
than just someone's invention. So we are going in the direction of a
market economy with a socialist orientation.
(Reznik) It is truly an art. Couldn't you cite an example of how this is
possible? On the one hand, the state retains the controlling stake in all
business projects, but on the other -- you are somehow attracting foreign
investors. By doing what? Lowering taxes and administrative barriers?
(Triet) Above all we s trictly comply not only with Vietnam's laws but
international laws as well. Especially the laws of the WTO. Vietnam is an
official member of this organization. But at the same time, as a state we
stimulate those directions that bring benefit to the country and restrict
those that in our opinion do not bring such benefit. We comply with the
requirements of the WTO, but in Vietnamese conditions. We are for Russia
becoming a member of the WTO, but we would like Russia to preserve its
specific features.
A market economy operates by the law of the market. Our government has
mastered this well. We cannot adopt only administrative edicts and laws.
Ideology is all well and good, but business is business. The state upholds
only the law and respects the interests of everyone who is working.
(Reznik) In 2025 the population in Vietnam will be as large as the Russian
population is today. What do you think, what level should your country
reach by that time?
(Triet) We believe that we can learn a lot from Russia. In a few decades,
Vietnam's population will indeed catch up to Russia's population. But we
will not manage to catch up in terms of the economy, I am afraid. Because,
I think, Russia will not stop and wait until Vietnam catches up to it. The
Russian people are a great people. And you have enormous resources and
potential.
(Reznik) Do many Russians live in Vietnam, and where do they work?
(Triet) An ample number. Most of them have become my fri ends. They are
investing in Vietnam. There are people who create families with Vietnamese
and stay for good.
(Reznik) All the same Russia is not among Vietnam's major partners, but
America is. Why?
(Triet) China, Japan, and America are our major partners. The European
Community, and after that Russia. America has invested $20 billion in
Vietnam's economy, and Russia -- $2 billion. We have been working with
America based on the principle of closing the past and aiming toward the
future. The past is closed and we are developing economic relations, but
at this point American companies are not investing so very much. The
Americans are very cautious; they invest their money gradually.
There is an explanation for Russia's not being on the list of main
partners. Fundamental changes occurred in Russia in the 1990s, and time is
needed to reach stable development. It did not manage to get into the
Vietnamese market when the Americans and Chinese were going there.
But then Russian tourists in Vietnam occupy a special place -- they pay an
average of two or three times more than Europeans. And we are setting the
task of developing tourism as one of the priority directions of the
economy.
(Reznik) Why were there no changes in Vietnam in the 1990s such as those
in Russia?
(Triet) Vietnam was simply lucky that we did not have such upheavals. The
USSR was the flagship of the world proleta riat and the country was under
strong pressure from the outside, while no attention was paid to us at
that time and we had time to maneuver and to rebuild our economic system.
(Reznik) What country is close to your ideal in terms of its system?
(Triet) Every people has a right to choose its path of development for
itself. China, Vietnam, and Laos, in my view, are following the path of a
market economy with a socialist orientation. Cuba has serious difficulties
because of the blockade and isolation, but social care there is very good,
especially in education and medicine.
(Reznik) What effect did the world financial crisis have on Vietnam's
economy?
(Triet) It had a serious effect, but we managed to make timely decisions
to preserve the rate of development. Exports were limited because of the
crisis, and we encouraged other spheres, above all the agrarian one. At
the same time, we conducted a policy of social support of the population,
and these measures helped weaken the influence of the world crisis.
(Reznik) What is the average income per capita in Vietnam?
(Triet) It is $1,200, but every year we plan 6% or 7% growth in the
economy -- and income should rise in the same way.
(Description of Source: Moscow Vedomosti Online in Russian -- Website of
respected daily business paper owned by the Finnish Independent Media
Company; published jointly with The Wall Street Journal and Financial
Times; URL: http://www.vedomosti.ru/)
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155) Back to Top
Analysts Urge Zimbabweans To Find Ways To Lift Self-Imposed Sanctions on
State
Article by Kholwani Nyathi: "US Impo sed Sanctions: Facts and Fiction" -
The Standard Online
Monday June 14, 2010 14:47:36 GMT
(Description of Source: Harare The Standard Online in English -- Website
of privately owned weekly critical of ZANU-PF and aimed at the
middle-to-upper segment; URL: http://www.thestandard.co.zw)
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156) Back to Top
Third Round Of Talks On Child Adoption Deal Begins - ITAR-TASS
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:05:21 GMT
intervention)
NEW YORK, June 15 (Itar-Tass) - The third round of Russian-American talks
on a new international adoption agreement opened at the level of experts
at the U.S. State Department on Monday.U.S. State Department spokesperson
Phillip Crawley said that the main aim of the talks was to work out a deal
that would provide for more reliable protective mechanisms for children
and families in the process of adoption.A court hearing into the case of
Russian boy Vanya Skorobogatov that was held in the York County
(Pennsylvania) on Monday proved how urgent the problem really is.
Seven-year-old Vanya died tragically in the United States in the summer of
2009. His adoptive parents, Michael and Nanette Cravers, were charged with
criminal homicide under aggravating circumstances and are now standing
trial. However, none of the two pleaded guilty at Monday's hearing.Asked
by the judge whether the defendants considered themselves to be guilty,
the Cravers' lawyer answered that they didn't. Both Michael and Nanette
kept silent.At the same time, t he York County prosecutor confirmed that
he would continues demanding a 'death penalty' for the Cravers, given the
boy's age and the misery he had to tolerate while living with his adoptive
parents.The next court hearing on Vanya Skorobogatov's case is scheduled
for September 22.Sergei Logachev, a counsellor of the Russian General
Consulate in New York, told Itar-Tass on Monday that the court was
expected to announce the final verdict on September 22.(Description of
Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main government information agency)
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157) Back to Top
Russia Calls For Drafting OSCE Concept Against Drug Trafficking -
ITAR-TASS
Monday June 14, 2010 19:42:45 GMT
intervention)
VIENNA, June 14 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia urged the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to draft a concept against illegal drug
trafficking.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who spoke
at the Annual OSCE Conference in Vienna on Monday, said it should be a
concept that would "determine the goals and principles of cooperation
between the states and forms of the OSCE contribution to global
efforts.""Russia, like many other countries, faces the threats of
terrorism, illegal drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime in
the harshest way.We consistently call for stepping up the potential of the
OSCE in the fight against these phenomena.We are satisfied with the strong
consensus on these matters in the OSCE," the diplomat said.He welcomed the
position of the United States and the European Unio n that calls for
"engaging the OSCE in the right against the threat of illegal
drugs".(Description of Source: Moscow ITAR-TASS in English -- Main
government information 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.
158) Back to Top
Senior US Official to Visit Seoul This Week - Chosun Ilbo Online
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:37:54 GMT
(CHOSUN ILBO) - Kurt Campbell, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is expected to arrive in Seoul on
Wednesday.
During his two-day trip Campbell is scheduled to meet with Vice Foreign
Minister Chun Yung-woo and top nucl ear envoy Wi Sung-lac to discuss the
sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan, which is under review at the UN
Security Council.Meanwhile, China's Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai
visited Seoul on Saturday for talks with Korean officials over the
November G20 summit which will be held in Seoul and China's stance on the
shipwreck of the Cheonan.(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)
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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.
159) Back to Top< /a>
US Troops in ROK Invited To Participate in Cultural Tours
Updated version: modifying headline, adding metadeta, adding cross ref;
Yonhap headline: "U.S. Troops in S. Korea Invited to Participate in
Cultural Tours" - Yonhap
Tuesday June 15, 2010 01:25:48 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news
agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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Commerce.
160) Back to Top
People's Daily Online: 'US Must Restrain Provocative Military Actions'
Unattributed report: &quo t;US Must Restrain Provocative Military
Actions"; headline as provided by source - Renmin Ribao
Monday June 14, 2010 07:13:35 GMT
China does not object to the U.S. navy's presence in the western Pacific
and even shows understanding that some countries in this region still need
the U.S. military to provide a sense of security. And no country has the
capability to replace the United States in this capacity. But, this does
not mean the United States can ignore China's self-esteem and drive their
aircraft carrier straight to the front of China's doorstep to flex their
muscles.Only when the United States learns to respect the western Pacific
countries and adapt to the changes of their politics, economies and, in
particular, public opinion, can its authority in this region be
recognized. The United States should make people feel that the U.S.
military presence in this region is peaceful and necessary, not vice
versa.Furthermore, the United States needs to take into account these
countries' moods if it wants to become a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.
Otherwise, the United States will have difficulties in staying in the
region for a long time and its interests here will be difficult to
effectively protect.China never considers the United States an enemy, but
the United States should show necessary respect to China. The provocative
military drill will only lead to the accumulation of resentment against
the United States in the hearts of Chinese people and the United States
will inevitably be regarded as a threat.BOTh sides should cherish the
bilateral ties and pay heed to the feelings of the two peoples. Don't let
risky moves destroy the mutual trust of the two peoples. If the future
U.S. strategy is to learn respect and equality, as Barack Obama has said,
then the military actions in the western Pacific region must be restrained
and provocation must not be a llowed to happen again.
(Description of Source: Beijing People's Daily Online in English --
Internet-only English version of Renmin Ribao, the daily newspaper of the
CPC Central Committee. URL: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
161) Back to Top
Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan 'Tops' 5 Million Units
Yonhap headline: "Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan Tops 5 Mln" -
Yonhap
Monday June 14, 2010 03:26:14 GMT
said Monday it has sold more than 5 million units of its mid-size Sonata
sedan worldwide, a feat achieved 25 years after the first Sonata was
rolled out in 1985.
Some 2.7 million units of various Sonata models, from the very first
Sonata to the latest sixth-generation Sonata, locally known as the Sonata
YF, were sold here while the rest were sold overseas, including 1.3
million units in the United States."The Sonata is the very history of
South Korea's mid-size sedans that enjoyed the great affection of
customers for the past 25 years, even called the best sedan of South
Korea," a Hyundai executive said.The Sonata is only the third South Korean
vehicle to reach accumulated global sales of 5 million units, following
the Accent and the Avante, both also by Hyundai Motor, the company
said.Continuing the long history of the vehicle, Hyundai Motor will begin
selling its new Sonata 2011 this week.The new Sonata has an improved gas
mileage with a motor-driven power steering system, according to Hyundai
Motor.The local price of the Sonata 2011 with a 2.0-liter engine was set
at 21.7 million won (US$17,670) with that of the premium model with a
2.4-liter engine carrying a price tag of 30 million won.Hyundai Motor is
also set to introduce the next generation hybrid Sonata in the second half
of the year, according to the Hyundai executive.(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.
162) Back to Top
ROK Trade Surplus With US Narrows in Jan-May Period
Updated version: rewording headline, adjusting tags; Unattributed report:
"Korea's Trade Surplus With U.S. Narrows in Jan.-may" - JoongAng Daily
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 02:35:44 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)
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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.
163) Back to Top
Prosecution System to Reform For Enhanced Transparency - Chosun Ilbo
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 02:15:33 GMT
(CHOSUN ILBO) - State prosecutors plan to adopt a U.S.-style grand jury
system that will hand over prosecutors' exclusive indictment rights to a
panel of citizens.
Prosecutor General Kim Joon-gyu also said Friday that independent special
prosecutors will now be in charge of cases involving prosecutors, and
designated citizens will serve as jurors making legally binding
decisions.The moves are part of the prosecution's self-reform efforts in
light of public criticism that prosecutors who were involved in a bribery
scandal that came to light in April were eventually let off the hook with
light punishments.(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)
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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.
164) Back to Top
Korea's Trade Surplus With U.S. Narrows in Jan.-may - JoongAng Daily
Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:43 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - Korea's trade surplus with the United States so far this
year reached less than a quarter of that registered a year earlier due to
a sharp import increase from the U.S., data showed yesterday.
Korea's exports to the U.S. stood at $3.89 billion in April with imports
coming to $3.2 billion, bringing the trade balance to a surplus of $690
million in one month, the U.S. Department of Commerce data, released by
Korea's foreign ministry, showed.For the January-April period this year,
Korea's accumulated trade surplus with the country came to $1.2 billion
after shipping out $13.82 billion and bringing in $12.62 billion worth of
goods, according to the data.The surplus recorded for the four months
marks a 76 percent decline from $5 billion during the same four months in
2009.The drastic fall came as Korea's inbound shipment grew sharply amid
an economic recovery while its exports remained little changed.Local
exports to the U.S. grew just $1.08 billion on-year to $13.82 billion in
the first four months of this year. Inbound shipment jumped $4.89 billion
to $12.62 billion, according to the data.In terms of key trading sectors,
Korea's trade surplus reached $1.43 billion in information technology
goods during the January-April period, with the surplus in the automobile
and auto parts trade with the U.S. reaching $3.01 billion, the data
showed.(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)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
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165) Back to Top
Chinese FTA a Bittersweet Prospect
"Viewpoint" column by Song E-young, a professor of economics at Sogang
University and Translation by the JoongAng Daily staff: "Chinese FTA a
Bittersweet Prospect" - JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:43:48 G MT
(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)
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source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
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166) Back to Top
KT Hits a Wi-fi Milestone - JoongAng Daily Online
Monday June 14, 2010 00:37:48 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - With the rising popular ity of smartphones, Korean
mobile service operators have been rushing to add wireless Internet hot
spots across the country.
The main reason is simple: having an ample amount of Wi-Fi zones - which
allow users to access the Internet on the devices - can help companies
lure more customers to their phones and services. A major selling point
for smartphones, after all, is their ability to connect to the Web.KT,
Korea's No. 2 mobile service operator, is leading the way in wireless hot
spots, announcing yesterday that it now has roughly 21,000 Wi-Fi zones -
which it claims is the most in the industry. AT&amp;T, the leading Wi-Fi
service provider in the United States, currently has 20,000
hotspots."We've ushered in a new era where Wi-Fi connection is available
to nearly everyone, everywhere," said Lee Dae-san, KT's wireless network
division head.KT plans to add about 6,000 more zones in spots at Incheon
International Airport, expressway rest stops, CGV movie t heaters, GS
Caltex gas stations and GS retail convenience stores, among other
areas.With SK Telecom building some 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, telecom firms
here will offer a total of 37,000 wireless Internet zones by the end of
the year.(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.
167) Back to Top
Accumulated Sales of Hyundai Sonata Sedan Tops 5 Mln - Yonhap
Sunday June 13, 2010 23:24:12 GMT
Hyundai Motor-Sonata sales
Accumulated sales of Hyundai Sonata sedan tops 5 mlnSEOUL, June 14
(Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top automaker, said Monday it
has sold more than 5 million units of its mid-size Sonata sedan worldwide,
a feat achieved 25 years after the first Sonata was rolled out in
1985.Some 2.7 million units of various Sonata models, from the very first
Sonata to the latest sixth-generation Sonata, locally known as the Sonata
YF, were sold here while the rest were sold overseas, including 1.3
million units in the United States."The Sonata is the very history of
South Korea's mid-size sedans that enjoyed the great affection of
customers for the past 25 years, even called the best sedan of South
Korea," a Hyundai executive said.The Sonata is only the third South Korean
vehicle to reac h accumulated global sales of 5 million units, following
the Accent and the Avante, both also by Hyundai Motor, the company
said.Hyundai Motor is set to introduce the next generation hybrid Sonata
in the second half of the year, according to the Hyundai
executive.(Description of Source: Seoul Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial
news agency of the ROK; URL: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)
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holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
168) Back to Top
Israeli Gov't OKs Flotilla Inquiry Panel; Netanyahu Notes Goals, Briefs EU
Leaders - Israel -- OSC Summary
Monday June 14, 2010 10:14:12 GMT
Roni Sofer reports in Tel Aviv Ynetnews in English, centrist news site
operated by Yedi'ot Media Group, at 0936 GMT: "The government has
unanimously voted in favor of establishing a commission of inquiry to
probe the IDF raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31. Minister
Yisrael Katz said during the meeting on the matter that the committee
constitutes 'compromise and coercion' and compared it to the World Cup.
'We are playing defense. The committee will not improve our standing in
the world,' he said." Probe Panel Members Experienced, 'Very Elderly'
Itamar Eichner's report on page 4 of independent, centrist,
largest-circulation Tel Aviv Yedi'ot Aharonot in Hebrew adds: "It took two
weeks, but in the end the prime minister succeeded in putting together a
committee to investigate the flotilla events. Its members are experienced
experts, very elderly, and not very well known to the general public. The
committee will be chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Yaakov Turkel,
75. Alongside him will sit Professor Shabtai Rosen, 93 -- an expert in
international law, Israel Prize laureate in legal science and Hague Prize
laureate in international law, and Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Horev, former
president of the Technion.""Sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau noted
last night that the initiative was coordinated with the US
administration." Netanyahu Briefs European Leaders on Turkel Commission
Roni Sofer's 0735 GMT report in Ynetnews notes: "Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu opened a Cabinet meeting Monday called in order to discuss the
committee elected to investigate the IDF raid on a Gaza-bound aid
flotilla.""He also told the ministers present at the meeting that he had
called several European leaders and briefed them on the decision to
establish the Turkel committee, in order to clarify that the international
community supports Israel's decision. The leaders included German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Ministe r David Cameron, Spanish
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Quartet envoy Tony
Blair.""A number of ministers discussed the committee before the meeting
was convened. Minister Yossi Peled of the Likud said there was much to
investigate and that the committee would provide an adequate answer to
this need. Minister Daniel Hershkowitz of Habayit Hayehudi said the Turkel
committee had been given the power to provide the international community
with a response to its claims, but 'that which interests us needs to be
investigated only in internal forums'. Minister Moshe Kahlon said that
Israel's allies, the US and Canada, supported the move. 'The decision will
create a balance between the international demand for a committee and the
Israeli government's obligation to protect the IDF,' he said." MK:
Commission Aims 'To Clear Israel of Guilt' Also reporting in Ynetnews,
Sharon Rofe-Ofir adds at 0728 GMT: "Knesset Member Hanin Zoabi (Balad),
who took pa rt in the flotilla aimed at breaking the Gaza siege, said the
commission of inquiry into the deadly Navy raid was 'aimed, even before
its establishment, to clear Israel of guilt in the criminal piracy act
against the freedom sail. 'The committee is replacing the failed PR robe
with a so-called legal robe, which will also fail in bringing out the
truth,' she added."
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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.