Marketwire
9 July 2009
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a leading provider of mission-critical wireless communications, today announced that it has received an additional $6.8 million of funding from the U.S. Army to provide additional Secret Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) Access Point (SNAP) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Satellite Systems. A majority of these SNAP systems are destined for four different National Training Center (NTC) locations, where they will be used to train Army personnel prior to actual field deployments. Most of the remaining SNAP systems will be used to support operations for AFRICOM's Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the Horn of Africa, while a few are being delivered to the Northeast Regional Research Center (NRRC). This combined award is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (CECOM LCMC) order that was announced in August 2008, with a potential value of $232 million, and brings TCS SNAP funding to date to $55.9 million.
This is the eleventh increment of SNAP funding for TCS' highly reliable SwiftLink® deployable communications products. The U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) Commercial Satellite Terminal Program (CSTP) is funding these procurements through the Army's $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) contract vehicle. The SNAP program includes options for approximately 1,500 terminals and supporting equipment to be deployed in various sizes and configurations over the next few years, along with up to 30 field support personnel.
"TCS is delighted to deliver its proven SwiftLink systems in support of CJTF's operations in the Horn of Africa. This is a dual first for TCS -- it is the first time we will be fielding the X-band versions of our SNAP terminals and the first time we will be deploying them in Africa," said Michael Bristol, senior vice president of government solutions for TCS.
The TCS SwiftLink VSAT systems used to fulfill SNAP program requirements provide multimedia communications capabilities which convey encrypted voice, video and imagery data. TCS SwiftLink products are highly transportable and ruggedized, with a graphical user interface that facilitates easy set-up and operation. The modularity and "plug and play" interfaces between all RF and Baseband configurations inherent in the SwiftLink product line.
11 July, 2009
AFRICOM Gives Private Military and Intel. Company Cubic Applications Training Contract.
Defense Systems
9 July 2009
By William Welsh
Cubic Applications Inc. will furnish support for joint training and exercises conducted by the U.S. Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) under a contract worth roughly $30 million.
Under the contract, Cubic’s Information Operations Division will supply technical experts to assist the command, and also develop and implement training exercises for the command’s J7 Joint Training and Exercise Division, company officials said this month. The company began providing the services in June, the officials said.
The company’s Information Operations Division already provides AFRICOM with media analysis and related services. On the new contract, the Information Operations Division will pair with the company’s Defense Modernization Division to supply the new services.
The contract expands San Diego-based Cubic’s work in the realm of mission support services to operational, combatant and component commanders, company officials said.
U.S. AFRICOM, based in Stuttgart, Germany, serves as the Defense Department’s communications and outreach component for security and related matters to African nations, the African Union and regional economic communities. The command was established in 2007 as part of an effort to consolidate duties previously distributed among three different U.S. military headquarters.
9 July 2009
By William Welsh
Cubic Applications Inc. will furnish support for joint training and exercises conducted by the U.S. Africa Command (U.S. AFRICOM) under a contract worth roughly $30 million.
Under the contract, Cubic’s Information Operations Division will supply technical experts to assist the command, and also develop and implement training exercises for the command’s J7 Joint Training and Exercise Division, company officials said this month. The company began providing the services in June, the officials said.
The company’s Information Operations Division already provides AFRICOM with media analysis and related services. On the new contract, the Information Operations Division will pair with the company’s Defense Modernization Division to supply the new services.
The contract expands San Diego-based Cubic’s work in the realm of mission support services to operational, combatant and component commanders, company officials said.
U.S. AFRICOM, based in Stuttgart, Germany, serves as the Defense Department’s communications and outreach component for security and related matters to African nations, the African Union and regional economic communities. The command was established in 2007 as part of an effort to consolidate duties previously distributed among three different U.S. military headquarters.
Witness Says Ntaganda Killed Child Soldier.
IWPR
By Rachel Irwin in The Hague
(AR No. 221, 10-July-09)
A child protection specialist this week told the International Criminal Court that ICC fugitive Bosco Ntaganda executed a young recruit who tried to escape.
Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUC, was testifying at the trial of Thomas Lubanga who is charged with recruiting children in the DRC province of Ituri. Ntaganda faces similar charges but remains at large in the DRC where he has been integrated into the national army.
Peduto said she interviewed a child who saw the “summary execution” by Ntaganda. Other children, she added, gave similar accounts.
The witness oversaw MONUC’s child protection office in the Ituri capital Bunia and worked with various NGOs to assist child soldiers who had been demobilised.
Peduto said she went to Lubanga’s home in the town of Bunia on May 30, 2003 to discuss the issue of forced enlistment and tactics employed by his militia, the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC).
“Contrary to the reaction of other armed groups I had previously met with, there was no indication [on Lubanga's part] of any willingness to cooperate,” Peduto said. “There was no sign of open-mindedness or any willingness to actually discuss the matter.”
Peduto arrived in Bunia in May 2003, just after the Ugandan army had left and the UPC took control.
Peduto claimed that, as of 2004, 220 former soldiers under the age of 15 had been processed by MONUC’s Bunia office, 167 of which had at some point been associated with the UPC.
“To be perfectly clear, this proportion doesn’t mean there were more children in the UPC than in other groups,” she added. “We just had more access to [child soldiers in] the UPC because we were in Bunia.”
Peduto said that MONUC employees would try to determine a child’s age based on information obtained from the child, interviews with social workers, and to a lesser extent the appearance of the child.
There was, however, no way to precisely verify the age of a young recruit.
“Identity cards and documents are not very common in the Congo,” Peduto said. “I never saw a child with an identity card in Ituri.”
“Did the child’s behaviour or demeanour influence your assessment of their age?” asked prosecutor Julieta Solano McCausland.
“Well, when you evaluate a child it’s not just based on what they say but how they act,” Peduto responded. “I have seen cases of little children who began crying in my office. Most 18-year-olds wouldn’t do that.”
She recalled an incident where two very little boys were brought into her office, and the moment she started asking them questions, they burst into tears.
“They were so very afraid and frightened,” she said. “I remember holding the hand of the younger child to cross the street with him. He was so small … they [had been] with the UPC.”
Peduto said that she interviewed many child soldiers, and all but a few of the girls had been raped by commanders or other soldiers in the UPC.
It was not uncommon for the girls to become pregnant, she said, and many either had abortions or miscarried due to the poor living conditions in the training camps. Those who kept their babies were often rejected by the UPC, she explained, since they were no longer considered useful.
Peduto said that the youngest rape victim she interviewed was about 12-years-old.
“Some of the young girls portrayed this as a marriage,” she explained. “They would talk about their first legitimate relationship. That’s the way they perceived it.”
The girls only began to realise what was happening after they were given to multiple commanders, Peduto said.
“It dawned on them that it wasn’t a legitimate relationship with the first officer,” she said. “The [psychological and physical] state of the young girls was quite terrible, quite catastrophic.”
Peduto acknowledged that all of the child soldiers suffered severe and lasting trauma. Even those children who originally joined the UPC to avenge the deaths of family members were not proud of their actions, she said.
“They did not describe their experience as a victory,” she said. “Maybe they had gone to seek revenge, but they certainly did not find peace.”
By Rachel Irwin in The Hague
(AR No. 221, 10-July-09)
A child protection specialist this week told the International Criminal Court that ICC fugitive Bosco Ntaganda executed a young recruit who tried to escape.
Christine Peduto, who worked for the United Nations Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUC, was testifying at the trial of Thomas Lubanga who is charged with recruiting children in the DRC province of Ituri. Ntaganda faces similar charges but remains at large in the DRC where he has been integrated into the national army.
Peduto said she interviewed a child who saw the “summary execution” by Ntaganda. Other children, she added, gave similar accounts.
The witness oversaw MONUC’s child protection office in the Ituri capital Bunia and worked with various NGOs to assist child soldiers who had been demobilised.
Peduto said she went to Lubanga’s home in the town of Bunia on May 30, 2003 to discuss the issue of forced enlistment and tactics employed by his militia, the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC).
“Contrary to the reaction of other armed groups I had previously met with, there was no indication [on Lubanga's part] of any willingness to cooperate,” Peduto said. “There was no sign of open-mindedness or any willingness to actually discuss the matter.”
Peduto arrived in Bunia in May 2003, just after the Ugandan army had left and the UPC took control.
Peduto claimed that, as of 2004, 220 former soldiers under the age of 15 had been processed by MONUC’s Bunia office, 167 of which had at some point been associated with the UPC.
“To be perfectly clear, this proportion doesn’t mean there were more children in the UPC than in other groups,” she added. “We just had more access to [child soldiers in] the UPC because we were in Bunia.”
Peduto said that MONUC employees would try to determine a child’s age based on information obtained from the child, interviews with social workers, and to a lesser extent the appearance of the child.
There was, however, no way to precisely verify the age of a young recruit.
“Identity cards and documents are not very common in the Congo,” Peduto said. “I never saw a child with an identity card in Ituri.”
“Did the child’s behaviour or demeanour influence your assessment of their age?” asked prosecutor Julieta Solano McCausland.
“Well, when you evaluate a child it’s not just based on what they say but how they act,” Peduto responded. “I have seen cases of little children who began crying in my office. Most 18-year-olds wouldn’t do that.”
She recalled an incident where two very little boys were brought into her office, and the moment she started asking them questions, they burst into tears.
“They were so very afraid and frightened,” she said. “I remember holding the hand of the younger child to cross the street with him. He was so small … they [had been] with the UPC.”
Peduto said that she interviewed many child soldiers, and all but a few of the girls had been raped by commanders or other soldiers in the UPC.
It was not uncommon for the girls to become pregnant, she said, and many either had abortions or miscarried due to the poor living conditions in the training camps. Those who kept their babies were often rejected by the UPC, she explained, since they were no longer considered useful.
Peduto said that the youngest rape victim she interviewed was about 12-years-old.
“Some of the young girls portrayed this as a marriage,” she explained. “They would talk about their first legitimate relationship. That’s the way they perceived it.”
The girls only began to realise what was happening after they were given to multiple commanders, Peduto said.
“It dawned on them that it wasn’t a legitimate relationship with the first officer,” she said. “The [psychological and physical] state of the young girls was quite terrible, quite catastrophic.”
Peduto acknowledged that all of the child soldiers suffered severe and lasting trauma. Even those children who originally joined the UPC to avenge the deaths of family members were not proud of their actions, she said.
“They did not describe their experience as a victory,” she said. “Maybe they had gone to seek revenge, but they certainly did not find peace.”
Extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect jeopardizes right to fair trial.
Amnesty International
Press Release
10 July 2009
Amnesty International calls on the government of Sweden to immediately reverse its decision to extradite Sylvere Ahorugeze to Rwanda where there is a real risk he will not receive a fair trial.
Instead Swedish authorities should investigate the allegations against him and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute him before Sweden’s courts.
“While the allegations against Mr Ahorugeze are serious and should be subject to full criminal investigation, there is overwhelming evidence that his right to a fair trial would be violated should he be returned to Rwanda,” said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director.
“The horrific crimes committed in Rwanda during the genocide were so serious that they amount to crimes against the whole of humanity. Sweden, and other national authorities around the world, have the responsibility to prosecute these crimes before their national courts.”
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and national authorities in France, Finland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have all decided not to transfer cases to Rwanda on the basis that a fair trial could not be guaranteed. The issues identified in these rulings include the lack of independence of the Rwandan judiciary, obstructions of defence lawyers and lack of effective witness protection system.
“Extradition of accused persons should only take place where it can be guaranteed that the rights will be respected,” said Tawanda Hondora.
Press Release
10 July 2009
Amnesty International calls on the government of Sweden to immediately reverse its decision to extradite Sylvere Ahorugeze to Rwanda where there is a real risk he will not receive a fair trial.
Instead Swedish authorities should investigate the allegations against him and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute him before Sweden’s courts.
“While the allegations against Mr Ahorugeze are serious and should be subject to full criminal investigation, there is overwhelming evidence that his right to a fair trial would be violated should he be returned to Rwanda,” said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director.
“The horrific crimes committed in Rwanda during the genocide were so serious that they amount to crimes against the whole of humanity. Sweden, and other national authorities around the world, have the responsibility to prosecute these crimes before their national courts.”
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and national authorities in France, Finland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have all decided not to transfer cases to Rwanda on the basis that a fair trial could not be guaranteed. The issues identified in these rulings include the lack of independence of the Rwandan judiciary, obstructions of defence lawyers and lack of effective witness protection system.
“Extradition of accused persons should only take place where it can be guaranteed that the rights will be respected,” said Tawanda Hondora.
10 July, 2009
Serbia thanks Abbas on Kosovo.
AFP
7 July 2009
Serbia praised visiting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday for what it said was his backing in its diplomatic fight for Kosovo even as Jordan recognised the breakaway region’s independence.
Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic “thanked president Abbas for the support he extends Serbia in preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” his office said in a statement after the two leaders met in Belgrade.
The statement said there were similarities between the Serbian and Palestinians’ “stances and diplomatic activities based on respecting UN Security Council resolutions and international law.”
For his part, Abbas acknowledged Serbia’s position in its legal battle against Kosovo’s independence before the world court.
The Kosovo issue “is before the International Court (of Justice) and I believe that that is the right way to resolve every problem. That’s our stance,” Abbas was quoted as saying in an interview with Beta news agency.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008 after Serbia’s ally Russia threatened to veto proposed changes to a UN resolution describing the territory as a UN-administered province of the former Yugoslav republic.
The Arab world frequently calls on Israel to abide by Security Council resolutions regarding territories populated by Palestinians.
Abbas arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday as part of Serbia’s efforts to bolster support from the Arab world against Kosovo’s statehood.
But Jordan, one of the United States’ strongest allies in the Middle East, dealt a blow to Serbian diplomacy by becoming the 61st country to recognise Kosovo’s statehood.
The cabinet announced “the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s recognition of the Republic of Kosovo” in a brief statement issued on Wednesday.
Jordan is the fourth Sunni Muslim country to extend recognition to Kosovo following Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The independence of Kosovo, whose dominant ethnic Albanian people are mainly followers of Sunni Islam, is recognised by the United States and 22 of the 27 European Union countries.
7 July 2009
Serbia praised visiting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday for what it said was his backing in its diplomatic fight for Kosovo even as Jordan recognised the breakaway region’s independence.
Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic “thanked president Abbas for the support he extends Serbia in preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” his office said in a statement after the two leaders met in Belgrade.
The statement said there were similarities between the Serbian and Palestinians’ “stances and diplomatic activities based on respecting UN Security Council resolutions and international law.”
For his part, Abbas acknowledged Serbia’s position in its legal battle against Kosovo’s independence before the world court.
The Kosovo issue “is before the International Court (of Justice) and I believe that that is the right way to resolve every problem. That’s our stance,” Abbas was quoted as saying in an interview with Beta news agency.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008 after Serbia’s ally Russia threatened to veto proposed changes to a UN resolution describing the territory as a UN-administered province of the former Yugoslav republic.
The Arab world frequently calls on Israel to abide by Security Council resolutions regarding territories populated by Palestinians.
Abbas arrived in Belgrade on Tuesday as part of Serbia’s efforts to bolster support from the Arab world against Kosovo’s statehood.
But Jordan, one of the United States’ strongest allies in the Middle East, dealt a blow to Serbian diplomacy by becoming the 61st country to recognise Kosovo’s statehood.
The cabinet announced “the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s recognition of the Republic of Kosovo” in a brief statement issued on Wednesday.
Jordan is the fourth Sunni Muslim country to extend recognition to Kosovo following Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The independence of Kosovo, whose dominant ethnic Albanian people are mainly followers of Sunni Islam, is recognised by the United States and 22 of the 27 European Union countries.
Nigeria's defence intelligence agency graduates 30 officers from AFRICOM program.
Afrique en Ligne
28 June 2009
Nigeria's Defence Intelligence School (DIS) in Karu, near the capital city of Abuja, this weekend graduated 30 military officers from seven African countries - Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Algeria, Chad and Tunisia.
DIS is the training arm of Nigeria's Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The 30 officers underwent the 12-week training course, tagged Military Intelligence Basic Officer’s Course for Africa-3 (MIBOCA-3 2009).
The programme was designed by the United States African Command (AFRICOM) and conducted by instructors from the United States European Regional Intelligence Training Facility (E-RJITF).
It was the third of such training by AFRICOM, aimed at preparing African nations to meet the challenge of the “rapidly changing security complexities of the country and the continent at large.” The first two training sessions were held in Bamako, Mali.
A breakdown of the 30 participants show that Nigeria had 15 participants, Burkina Faso 2, Senegal 3, Mali 3, Algeria 2, Chad 4 and Tunisia 1.
Director of Intelligence and Knowledge Development of AFRICOM, Mr Terry Ford, who represented the AFRICOM Commander, said the programme had set a precedence in partnerships between the region and AFRICOM that gives the sponsors viable opportunity to learn from the group.
DIS Commandant Sidi Usman said the training had prepared the officers on the best way of handling the complexity of today’s security environment in a rapidly changing world, adding that “there is a need to constantly acquire new s kill, knowledge and technique so as to be in tune with current realities.”
28 June 2009
Nigeria's Defence Intelligence School (DIS) in Karu, near the capital city of Abuja, this weekend graduated 30 military officers from seven African countries - Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Algeria, Chad and Tunisia.
DIS is the training arm of Nigeria's Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The 30 officers underwent the 12-week training course, tagged Military Intelligence Basic Officer’s Course for Africa-3 (MIBOCA-3 2009).
The programme was designed by the United States African Command (AFRICOM) and conducted by instructors from the United States European Regional Intelligence Training Facility (E-RJITF).
It was the third of such training by AFRICOM, aimed at preparing African nations to meet the challenge of the “rapidly changing security complexities of the country and the continent at large.” The first two training sessions were held in Bamako, Mali.
A breakdown of the 30 participants show that Nigeria had 15 participants, Burkina Faso 2, Senegal 3, Mali 3, Algeria 2, Chad 4 and Tunisia 1.
Director of Intelligence and Knowledge Development of AFRICOM, Mr Terry Ford, who represented the AFRICOM Commander, said the programme had set a precedence in partnerships between the region and AFRICOM that gives the sponsors viable opportunity to learn from the group.
DIS Commandant Sidi Usman said the training had prepared the officers on the best way of handling the complexity of today’s security environment in a rapidly changing world, adding that “there is a need to constantly acquire new s kill, knowledge and technique so as to be in tune with current realities.”
Turkey to Sign Detailed Agreement with Contractor of Nabucco Project.
BBC Monitoring via Comtex
7/10/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=78127
Turkey's energy minister said another agreement, which could be seen as a detailed deal to support Nabucco project, would be signed in the next six months. "This agreement will be signed between Turkey and the contractor firm of the project," Taner Yildiz said.
The Nabucco is a planned gas pipeline project to carry Caspian, Middle East and Egypt gas to Europe via Turkey.
On Monday, an agreement will be signed by five members of the six-country Nabucco consortium through which the pipeline is planned to run. The countries are: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria. The sixth country, Germany, does not have a transit role. Iran will also be a gas supplier to the project which is expected to reduce EU's natural gas dependence on Russia.
At a meeting with Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR's chairman Rovnag Abdullayev, Taner Yildiz said Turkey will fulfil its obligations against the EU after Monday's meeting.
"From now on, EU will place cooperation and solidarity with Turkey to the forefront regarding energy," Yildiz said.
The pipeline's length is approximately 3,300 kilometers. Around 2,000 kilometers of the pipeline will be laid in Turkish territory.
Yildiz said Turkey would play its part as a prime partner in the project adding that Turkey would also be the country in which most of the investment would be made.
According to market studies, the pipeline has been designed to transport a maximum amount of 31 billion cubic meters per year. Estimated investment costs, including financing costs for a complete new pipeline system, amount to approximately 7.9 billion Euro.
7/10/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=78127
Turkey's energy minister said another agreement, which could be seen as a detailed deal to support Nabucco project, would be signed in the next six months. "This agreement will be signed between Turkey and the contractor firm of the project," Taner Yildiz said.
The Nabucco is a planned gas pipeline project to carry Caspian, Middle East and Egypt gas to Europe via Turkey.
On Monday, an agreement will be signed by five members of the six-country Nabucco consortium through which the pipeline is planned to run. The countries are: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria. The sixth country, Germany, does not have a transit role. Iran will also be a gas supplier to the project which is expected to reduce EU's natural gas dependence on Russia.
At a meeting with Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR's chairman Rovnag Abdullayev, Taner Yildiz said Turkey will fulfil its obligations against the EU after Monday's meeting.
"From now on, EU will place cooperation and solidarity with Turkey to the forefront regarding energy," Yildiz said.
The pipeline's length is approximately 3,300 kilometers. Around 2,000 kilometers of the pipeline will be laid in Turkish territory.
Yildiz said Turkey would play its part as a prime partner in the project adding that Turkey would also be the country in which most of the investment would be made.
According to market studies, the pipeline has been designed to transport a maximum amount of 31 billion cubic meters per year. Estimated investment costs, including financing costs for a complete new pipeline system, amount to approximately 7.9 billion Euro.
Medvedev given first coin of future supranational currency at G8.
RIA Novosti
10 July 2009
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday he had been given an example coin of a possible global currency at the G8 summit in Italy, adding that all aspects of reserve currencies were under discussion.
"We are discussing both the use of other national currencies, including the ruble, as a reserve currency, as well as supranational currencies," the Russian leader said at a news conference following the G8 summit.
Medvedev showed reporters an example of a coin of a supranational currency, which he called a "united future world currency."
"This is a symbol of our unity and our desire to settle such issues jointly," Medvedev said, adding that the coin had been made in Belgium.
He also expressed the hope that a day would come when something of the kind would be used for payment.
10 July 2009
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday he had been given an example coin of a possible global currency at the G8 summit in Italy, adding that all aspects of reserve currencies were under discussion.
"We are discussing both the use of other national currencies, including the ruble, as a reserve currency, as well as supranational currencies," the Russian leader said at a news conference following the G8 summit.
Medvedev showed reporters an example of a coin of a supranational currency, which he called a "united future world currency."
"This is a symbol of our unity and our desire to settle such issues jointly," Medvedev said, adding that the coin had been made in Belgium.
He also expressed the hope that a day would come when something of the kind would be used for payment.
Kouchner in Beirut for talks with top Lebanese politicians.
Daily Star
By Elias Sakr
Daily Star staff
Friday, July 10, 2009
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner arrived in Lebanon for a series of talks with leading politicians, with the ongoing Cabinet formation tussle topping the agenda. Following his arrival at Beirut International Airport on Thursday afternoon, Kouchner stressed that France's aim was to facilitate the formation of a new government after last month's parliamentary elections, but said the process was a strictly Lebanese domestic matter.
The French minister added that he would hold talks with all Lebanese political groups, including Hizbullah.
"Hizbullah took part in the elections just like other Lebanese groups," Kouchner commented at the airport, in response to a question.
Prior to Kouchner's visit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday that Syrian President Bashar Assad "kept the commitments" that he had promised France concerning Lebanon.
Kouchner is expected to hold talks with Assad in Damascus after he concludes his two-day trip in Lebanon.
Kouchner's first "official" contact here, however, was with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, at a performance by Charles Aznavour at the Beiteddine Festival on Thursday night. Kouchner is scheduled to meet on Friday with the country's top three politicians, President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
But one of the primary stumbling-blocks to the cabinet formation - allowing the parliamentary minority to hold "veto power" with at least one-third of the seats - remained a red line for leading figures in the March 14 coalition.
On Thursday, leading Christian members of March 14 repeated that they would not grant the opposition the "blocking one-third" share of seats in a national unity Cabinet.
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has demanded that the next cabinet employ proportional representation, to reflect the minority's share of parliamentary seats.
But Phalange Party head Amin Gemayel said on Thursday that demands by Aoun for proportional representation in the next government conflicted with democracy, and would do away with the role of Parliament.
Following talks with a British delegation headed by Ambassador Francis Guy, Gemayel added that reconciliations among Christian groups should be fostered through dialogue.
Gemayel's ally, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, stressed that conferring veto power on the March 8 coalition would hinder the government's ability to function.
Geagea, who met the British delegation later on Thursday, criticized the Aoun's request for proportional representation, saying it would in effect create a second legislature.
"The government should not be a mini-Parliament; otherwise we won't be capable of reaching any resolutions," Geagea said.
The LF leader added that the government should be capable to act freely and work out the people's everyday life issues away from obstructing veto power.
Geagea said he hoped that Hariri would wrap up the formation of the Cabinet promptly, given the favorable current domestic, regional and international situation.
On Thursday, An-Nahar newspaper quoted Geagea as saying that Hariri would not abandon his mission to form a government, responding to Aoun's hint that Hariri should step down from his position if he failed to reach an agreement on the Cabinet formation.
Meanwhile, the FPM's Gebran Bassil, the caretaker telecommunications minister, discussed the latest developments in the Cabinet formation saga with the leader of Hizbullah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, late Wednesday.
According to a statement by Hizbullah's press office, Bassil met with Nasrallah at an undisclosed location.
In other news on Thursday, both Sleiman and Berri expressed gratitude for Italy's sizeable contribution in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), while decrying Israeli violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Following talks with a delegation of the Italian Parliament's foreign relations commission headed by Chairman Stefano Stefani, the two leaders praised Italy for its continued support and assistance to Lebanon and the country's southern region.
Commenting on the UN's annual report concerning the implementation of Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, Sleiman voiced criticism of the document, since it failed to highlight Israel's repeated violations of the resolution.
Sleiman underscored that the Israel was failing to implement Resolution 1701, given its ongoing occupation of the Shebaa Farms, the Kfar Shuba Hills and the northern part of the village of Ghajar.
Sleiman also tackled Israel's violation of Lebanon's sovereignty in the form of espionage networks, several of which have been broken up in recent months.
On Wednesday, the UN secretary general's special coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, said that if allegations against Israeli spy networks operating in Lebanon were proven in court, they would represent a serious violation of the country's sovereignty and would undermine UN Security Council's resolutions.
Addressing the Italian delegation, Berri also held Israel accountable for obstructing the peace process in the Middle East and accused it of disregarding all international resolutions. Berri stressed that the "root of the Middle East crisis was the Palestinian issue."
In a ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the death of Israeli soldiers during the July 2006 war, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated that his country would hold the Lebanese government responsible for any attack against Israel in the future.
By Elias Sakr
Daily Star staff
Friday, July 10, 2009
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner arrived in Lebanon for a series of talks with leading politicians, with the ongoing Cabinet formation tussle topping the agenda. Following his arrival at Beirut International Airport on Thursday afternoon, Kouchner stressed that France's aim was to facilitate the formation of a new government after last month's parliamentary elections, but said the process was a strictly Lebanese domestic matter.
The French minister added that he would hold talks with all Lebanese political groups, including Hizbullah.
"Hizbullah took part in the elections just like other Lebanese groups," Kouchner commented at the airport, in response to a question.
Prior to Kouchner's visit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday that Syrian President Bashar Assad "kept the commitments" that he had promised France concerning Lebanon.
Kouchner is expected to hold talks with Assad in Damascus after he concludes his two-day trip in Lebanon.
Kouchner's first "official" contact here, however, was with Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, at a performance by Charles Aznavour at the Beiteddine Festival on Thursday night. Kouchner is scheduled to meet on Friday with the country's top three politicians, President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.
But one of the primary stumbling-blocks to the cabinet formation - allowing the parliamentary minority to hold "veto power" with at least one-third of the seats - remained a red line for leading figures in the March 14 coalition.
On Thursday, leading Christian members of March 14 repeated that they would not grant the opposition the "blocking one-third" share of seats in a national unity Cabinet.
Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has demanded that the next cabinet employ proportional representation, to reflect the minority's share of parliamentary seats.
But Phalange Party head Amin Gemayel said on Thursday that demands by Aoun for proportional representation in the next government conflicted with democracy, and would do away with the role of Parliament.
Following talks with a British delegation headed by Ambassador Francis Guy, Gemayel added that reconciliations among Christian groups should be fostered through dialogue.
Gemayel's ally, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, stressed that conferring veto power on the March 8 coalition would hinder the government's ability to function.
Geagea, who met the British delegation later on Thursday, criticized the Aoun's request for proportional representation, saying it would in effect create a second legislature.
"The government should not be a mini-Parliament; otherwise we won't be capable of reaching any resolutions," Geagea said.
The LF leader added that the government should be capable to act freely and work out the people's everyday life issues away from obstructing veto power.
Geagea said he hoped that Hariri would wrap up the formation of the Cabinet promptly, given the favorable current domestic, regional and international situation.
On Thursday, An-Nahar newspaper quoted Geagea as saying that Hariri would not abandon his mission to form a government, responding to Aoun's hint that Hariri should step down from his position if he failed to reach an agreement on the Cabinet formation.
Meanwhile, the FPM's Gebran Bassil, the caretaker telecommunications minister, discussed the latest developments in the Cabinet formation saga with the leader of Hizbullah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, late Wednesday.
According to a statement by Hizbullah's press office, Bassil met with Nasrallah at an undisclosed location.
In other news on Thursday, both Sleiman and Berri expressed gratitude for Italy's sizeable contribution in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), while decrying Israeli violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Following talks with a delegation of the Italian Parliament's foreign relations commission headed by Chairman Stefano Stefani, the two leaders praised Italy for its continued support and assistance to Lebanon and the country's southern region.
Commenting on the UN's annual report concerning the implementation of Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, Sleiman voiced criticism of the document, since it failed to highlight Israel's repeated violations of the resolution.
Sleiman underscored that the Israel was failing to implement Resolution 1701, given its ongoing occupation of the Shebaa Farms, the Kfar Shuba Hills and the northern part of the village of Ghajar.
Sleiman also tackled Israel's violation of Lebanon's sovereignty in the form of espionage networks, several of which have been broken up in recent months.
On Wednesday, the UN secretary general's special coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, said that if allegations against Israeli spy networks operating in Lebanon were proven in court, they would represent a serious violation of the country's sovereignty and would undermine UN Security Council's resolutions.
Addressing the Italian delegation, Berri also held Israel accountable for obstructing the peace process in the Middle East and accused it of disregarding all international resolutions. Berri stressed that the "root of the Middle East crisis was the Palestinian issue."
In a ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the death of Israeli soldiers during the July 2006 war, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated that his country would hold the Lebanese government responsible for any attack against Israel in the future.
Netanyahu adviser raises "MAD" nuclear scenario.
Reuters
9 July 2009
Israel must have "tremendously powerful" weapons to deter a nuclear attack or destroy an enemy that dares to launch an atomic strike, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted on Thursday as saying.
National security adviser Uzi Arad, in comments to Haaretz newspaper, appeared to allude to what is widely believed to be Israel's own nuclear arsenal and a standing policy of "mutually assured destruction" (MAD). He warned other countries they could bring about their own devastation if they launched an attack.
Israel has never confirmed it has atomic arms.
In excerpts on Haaretz's English-language website of an interview to be published on Friday, Arad said he feared that if Iran became a nuclear power, five or six other states in the Middle East would follow suit. He called such a prospect a "nightmare" for Israel.
"The defensive might we have must be improved and become tremendously powerful, and create a situation in which no one will dare to realize the ability to harm us," Arad said.
"And if they do dare, we will exact a full price, so that they too will not survive."
Israel has three German-made submarines that are widely assumed to carry nuclear missiles.
One of the submarines sailed from the Mediterranean, via the Suez Canal, to Israel's Red Sea port of Eilat last week, in what officials called a signal to Iran of the long reach of its arsenal.
Israel and its Western allies fear that Iran is enriching uranium with the aim of producing nuclear weapons. Iran says it is pursuing only a nuclear power generation program.
In a 2006 Reuters interview, then-vice premier Shimon Peres, currently Israel's president, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, should bear in mind his country also could be destroyed.
"They want to wipe out Israel ... Now when it comes to destruction, Iran too can be destroyed (but) I don't suggest to say an eye for an eye," Peres said.
(Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
9 July 2009
Israel must have "tremendously powerful" weapons to deter a nuclear attack or destroy an enemy that dares to launch an atomic strike, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted on Thursday as saying.
National security adviser Uzi Arad, in comments to Haaretz newspaper, appeared to allude to what is widely believed to be Israel's own nuclear arsenal and a standing policy of "mutually assured destruction" (MAD). He warned other countries they could bring about their own devastation if they launched an attack.
Israel has never confirmed it has atomic arms.
In excerpts on Haaretz's English-language website of an interview to be published on Friday, Arad said he feared that if Iran became a nuclear power, five or six other states in the Middle East would follow suit. He called such a prospect a "nightmare" for Israel.
"The defensive might we have must be improved and become tremendously powerful, and create a situation in which no one will dare to realize the ability to harm us," Arad said.
"And if they do dare, we will exact a full price, so that they too will not survive."
Israel has three German-made submarines that are widely assumed to carry nuclear missiles.
One of the submarines sailed from the Mediterranean, via the Suez Canal, to Israel's Red Sea port of Eilat last week, in what officials called a signal to Iran of the long reach of its arsenal.
Israel and its Western allies fear that Iran is enriching uranium with the aim of producing nuclear weapons. Iran says it is pursuing only a nuclear power generation program.
In a 2006 Reuters interview, then-vice premier Shimon Peres, currently Israel's president, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, should bear in mind his country also could be destroyed.
"They want to wipe out Israel ... Now when it comes to destruction, Iran too can be destroyed (but) I don't suggest to say an eye for an eye," Peres said.
(Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
Range Enhances O&G Portfolio with Interest in 2 Key Georgian Blocks.
Rigzone
9 July 2009
Australian based oil and gas explorer Range Resources has significantly enhanced its oil and gas portfolio, with confirmation it has entered into a Heads of Agreement with unlisted UK company Strait Oil and Gas Limited ('Strait') to acquire a 50% interest in two oil and gas blocks in the Republic of Georgia, Eastern Europe.
The two blocks subject to this agreement, Blocks VIa and Vlb cover a contiguous area of 7,000 sq km (approx 10% of the surface area of the Country) and were subject to significant exploration in the Soviet era.
Led by seasoned international energy executives Mark Patterson and Greg Smith, Range's management team is well placed (in conjunction with Strait's established team) to find and produce commercial volumes of oil and natural gas on the Georgian Blocks.
Blocks VIa and Vlb Background
A significant number of wells were drilled during the Soviet era (mainly in the 1980s and early 1990s) in and adjacent to the Blocks. Strait has undertaken a large scale review of all available data over the last two years with the assistance of recognised international oil and gas consultants RPS Energy. Key findings of the technical review include:
Very few of the approximately 200 wells were drilled with the specific objective of finding oil and gas reservoirs. Certain wells were drilled to relatively shallow depths, to further define structural features identified from surface geological mapping, and to assist in planning the location and design of water reservoirs. Deeper wells were drilled for the purpose of detailed identification of the stratigraphy of the area. Many of these wells found oil and gas shows, in which case they were shut in and abandoned without testing. Much of the work carried out by the technical staff of Strait has been to collate information from these diverse databases and to integrate the data into their own regional interpretation. Data reviewed includes seismic, gravity and magnetic, well, structural mapping and field analogues and reservoir data.
An initial analysis of 24 areas identified 11 structures suitable for oil in place estimates and key targets for future drilling. Of these structures two are deeper than 2,500 meters and the rest are shallow features between 600 and 2,500 meters. Range intends to release an announcement detailing the oil in place potential of the identified leads and prospects following completion of its final stage due diligence review.
In compliance with the terms of the applicable PSA (see below), Range proposes to complete 350km of 2D and 3D seismic before May 2010 (in accordance with the PSA) and then commence a minimum two well drilling program.
In addition to the oil potential of the Blocks there are numerous prospective gas fields, which include highly prospective natural gas and coal bed methane targets. Of the 161 wells drilled for gas, 22 displayed potentially commercial flow rates. Early production could be attained by supplying the local city of Kutaisi (second biggest in Georgia) with a dedicated natural gas supply.
9 July 2009
Australian based oil and gas explorer Range Resources has significantly enhanced its oil and gas portfolio, with confirmation it has entered into a Heads of Agreement with unlisted UK company Strait Oil and Gas Limited ('Strait') to acquire a 50% interest in two oil and gas blocks in the Republic of Georgia, Eastern Europe.
The two blocks subject to this agreement, Blocks VIa and Vlb cover a contiguous area of 7,000 sq km (approx 10% of the surface area of the Country) and were subject to significant exploration in the Soviet era.
Led by seasoned international energy executives Mark Patterson and Greg Smith, Range's management team is well placed (in conjunction with Strait's established team) to find and produce commercial volumes of oil and natural gas on the Georgian Blocks.
Blocks VIa and Vlb Background
A significant number of wells were drilled during the Soviet era (mainly in the 1980s and early 1990s) in and adjacent to the Blocks. Strait has undertaken a large scale review of all available data over the last two years with the assistance of recognised international oil and gas consultants RPS Energy. Key findings of the technical review include:
Very few of the approximately 200 wells were drilled with the specific objective of finding oil and gas reservoirs. Certain wells were drilled to relatively shallow depths, to further define structural features identified from surface geological mapping, and to assist in planning the location and design of water reservoirs. Deeper wells were drilled for the purpose of detailed identification of the stratigraphy of the area. Many of these wells found oil and gas shows, in which case they were shut in and abandoned without testing. Much of the work carried out by the technical staff of Strait has been to collate information from these diverse databases and to integrate the data into their own regional interpretation. Data reviewed includes seismic, gravity and magnetic, well, structural mapping and field analogues and reservoir data.
An initial analysis of 24 areas identified 11 structures suitable for oil in place estimates and key targets for future drilling. Of these structures two are deeper than 2,500 meters and the rest are shallow features between 600 and 2,500 meters. Range intends to release an announcement detailing the oil in place potential of the identified leads and prospects following completion of its final stage due diligence review.
In compliance with the terms of the applicable PSA (see below), Range proposes to complete 350km of 2D and 3D seismic before May 2010 (in accordance with the PSA) and then commence a minimum two well drilling program.
In addition to the oil potential of the Blocks there are numerous prospective gas fields, which include highly prospective natural gas and coal bed methane targets. Of the 161 wells drilled for gas, 22 displayed potentially commercial flow rates. Early production could be attained by supplying the local city of Kutaisi (second biggest in Georgia) with a dedicated natural gas supply.
09 July, 2009
Obama's Ghana Trip Linked To New U.S. Oil Strategy on African Continent, says Gold Star Resources CEO.
VANCOUVER, July 9 /CNW/ -- "U.S. President Barack Obama's trip to Ghana on July 10th-11th is a subtle White House oil strategy to secure another source of energy on the continent of Africa," says Patrick Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Star Resources Corp. (TSX-V; GXX; OTC Bulletin Board: GXXFF; www.goldstarresources.com). Gold Star Resources is a Vancouver-based company seeking high-impact 'onshore' oil and gas opportunities in Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana in West Africa. The company recently announced its acquisition of International Resources Strategies Liberia Energy Inc. (IRSLE). Gold Star also announced that it signed a Letter-of-Intent with Bengal Bight Ghana to acquire 100% of the hydrocarbon rights to the Tampoum mining concession, approximately 1,000 square km, in Cote d'Ivoire.
According to Morris, "The U.S. Department of Energy has already confirmed that the United States will be importing over 770 million barrels of African oil annually by the year 2020. The U.S. National Intelligence Council is projecting that 25 percent of U.S. oil imports will come from West Africa by 2015 compared to 15% today. My own professional experience tells me that the political stability of Ghana's government, a credible democratic political party system, and a positive investment environment all favor closer ties to Ghanaians by the Obama White House."
Morris also pointed out that he's confident that President Obama "will work with the Ghana Government and people to help them realize their own potential through job creation in the energy resource sector. I believe that Africa has seen but a glimpse of its potential in oil and gas discoveries in West Africa. The new U.S. President has obviously taken notice of this fact."
"Obama's Ghana trip is a smart game plan to strengthen U.S. ties with its West African allies and create new alliances that would ultimately secure U.S. energy interests on the African continent," concluded Morris.
Contacts
Patrick Morris
President and CEO of Gold Star Resources Corp.
+1-604-641-4450
pm@goldstarresources.com# Web Site: http://www.goldstarresources.com
According to Morris, "The U.S. Department of Energy has already confirmed that the United States will be importing over 770 million barrels of African oil annually by the year 2020. The U.S. National Intelligence Council is projecting that 25 percent of U.S. oil imports will come from West Africa by 2015 compared to 15% today. My own professional experience tells me that the political stability of Ghana's government, a credible democratic political party system, and a positive investment environment all favor closer ties to Ghanaians by the Obama White House."
Morris also pointed out that he's confident that President Obama "will work with the Ghana Government and people to help them realize their own potential through job creation in the energy resource sector. I believe that Africa has seen but a glimpse of its potential in oil and gas discoveries in West Africa. The new U.S. President has obviously taken notice of this fact."
"Obama's Ghana trip is a smart game plan to strengthen U.S. ties with its West African allies and create new alliances that would ultimately secure U.S. energy interests on the African continent," concluded Morris.
Contacts
Patrick Morris
President and CEO of Gold Star Resources Corp.
+1-604-641-4450
pm@goldstarresources.com# Web Site: http://www.goldstarresources.com
Burundi minister acting 'like a militant.'
IOL News
9 July 2009
Burundi's opposition leaders have accused a government minister of trying to create a one-party state, saying they have been banned from holding rallies.
Three opposition groups joined forces Tuesday to criticise the Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana who they claimed was acting "like a militant".
Nduwimana is a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, a former Hutu rebel group which fought the Tutsi-dominated army during years of civil war in Burundi.
The minister organised a huge rally with thousands of supporters Saturday for the ruling party, while his opponents were not allowed to hold any meetings, the groups said.
They alleged he was trying to gain the political upper hand ahead of elections in 2010, and such actions threatened to change Burundi into a "de facto one-party state".
"The interior minister, Edouard Nduwimana... refuses to rise above party politics and prefers to behave like a militant from his FDD party," declared Pancrace Cimpaye, spokesman for the main opposition party Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU).
"This refusal to allow other parties political freedoms has only one aim, which is to transform Burundi again into a de facto one-party state," Cimpaye said, reading a statement from the three opposition parties.
"It is motivated by the fear of losing elections which must be held in several months."
Cimpaye added other parties faced enormous difficulties to hold "even a simple meeting" of their officials.
He also claimed "acts of intolerance" were being perpetrated against the ruling party's opponents, such as the arrest of opposition leaders.
General elections are due to take place in 2010 in Burundi, a central African state struggling to emerge from 13 years of civil war that pitted the Tutsi-dominated army against Hutu rebel movements.
The country's President Pierre Nkurunziza, a former Hutu guerrilla commander, came to power in 2005 in the country's first post-war polls.
9 July 2009
Burundi's opposition leaders have accused a government minister of trying to create a one-party state, saying they have been banned from holding rallies.
Three opposition groups joined forces Tuesday to criticise the Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana who they claimed was acting "like a militant".
Nduwimana is a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, a former Hutu rebel group which fought the Tutsi-dominated army during years of civil war in Burundi.
The minister organised a huge rally with thousands of supporters Saturday for the ruling party, while his opponents were not allowed to hold any meetings, the groups said.
They alleged he was trying to gain the political upper hand ahead of elections in 2010, and such actions threatened to change Burundi into a "de facto one-party state".
"The interior minister, Edouard Nduwimana... refuses to rise above party politics and prefers to behave like a militant from his FDD party," declared Pancrace Cimpaye, spokesman for the main opposition party Front for Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU).
"This refusal to allow other parties political freedoms has only one aim, which is to transform Burundi again into a de facto one-party state," Cimpaye said, reading a statement from the three opposition parties.
"It is motivated by the fear of losing elections which must be held in several months."
Cimpaye added other parties faced enormous difficulties to hold "even a simple meeting" of their officials.
He also claimed "acts of intolerance" were being perpetrated against the ruling party's opponents, such as the arrest of opposition leaders.
General elections are due to take place in 2010 in Burundi, a central African state struggling to emerge from 13 years of civil war that pitted the Tutsi-dominated army against Hutu rebel movements.
The country's President Pierre Nkurunziza, a former Hutu guerrilla commander, came to power in 2005 in the country's first post-war polls.
Libya invested $500 mln with Allen Stanford-filing.
By Anna Driver
July 7, 2009
Reuters
The Libyan government had invested $500 million of its cash reserves with accused swindler Allen Stanford's firm as of late 2008, a court filing showed on Tuesday.
And Stanford and Andrea Stoelker, his girlfriend, flew to Tripoli on Jan. 25, 2009 because Libya was considering increasing the amount it had invested with him, according to a court document.
Stanford met with several officials, including Mohamed Layas, chief executive officer of the Libyan Investment Authority, the filing said.
A representative from the Libyan embassy in Washington was not immediately available to comment. It was not clear whether the investment was recouped before the U.S. government shuttered Stanford's network of financial firms.
U.S. prosecutors cited the 2009 trip to Libya at a day-long detention hearing before a federal judge in Houston on June 29 as evidence that Stanford was a flight risk, but Stanford's attorney said it was a regular business trip.
The Texas financier, who faces criminal and civil charges related to a $7 billion fraud, was ordered by U.S. District Judge David Hittner to remain in custody until his trial last week.
Dick DeGuerin, Stanford's lawyer, is fighting that order and asked the judge to reconsider it in the court filing on Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors had argued that Stanford would not stick around for his trial, citing, among other factors, the billionaire's residence outside the United States, frequent trips on his private jet, a missing but expired passport and a global network of wealthy contacts.
PASSPORT FOUND
The passport turned up, however, after the detention hearing. It had been seized along with Stanford's other possessions by a court-appointed receiver, prosecutors said in a court filing last week.
"The government's lack of candor regarding the expired passport is egregious," DeGuerin said in the court filing. "The government repeatedly claimed no knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr. Stanford's expired Antiguan diplomatic passport, despite the fact that the passport had been in the possession of the receiver for months."
That alone is grounds for reversal of the detention order, the filing said.
DeGuerin has said that he plans to appeal Hittner's decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
The government has accused Stanford and others of running a "massive" Ponzi scheme with client funds from certificates of deposit issued by the firm's offshore bank in Antigua.
To cover their tracks, prosecutors have said Stanford falsified accounting documents and bribed the regulator with oversight of Stanford International Bank in Antigua, according to the 21-count indictment.
Stanford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
(Reporting by Anna Driver; editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Steve Orlofsky)
July 7, 2009
Reuters
The Libyan government had invested $500 million of its cash reserves with accused swindler Allen Stanford's firm as of late 2008, a court filing showed on Tuesday.
And Stanford and Andrea Stoelker, his girlfriend, flew to Tripoli on Jan. 25, 2009 because Libya was considering increasing the amount it had invested with him, according to a court document.
Stanford met with several officials, including Mohamed Layas, chief executive officer of the Libyan Investment Authority, the filing said.
A representative from the Libyan embassy in Washington was not immediately available to comment. It was not clear whether the investment was recouped before the U.S. government shuttered Stanford's network of financial firms.
U.S. prosecutors cited the 2009 trip to Libya at a day-long detention hearing before a federal judge in Houston on June 29 as evidence that Stanford was a flight risk, but Stanford's attorney said it was a regular business trip.
The Texas financier, who faces criminal and civil charges related to a $7 billion fraud, was ordered by U.S. District Judge David Hittner to remain in custody until his trial last week.
Dick DeGuerin, Stanford's lawyer, is fighting that order and asked the judge to reconsider it in the court filing on Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors had argued that Stanford would not stick around for his trial, citing, among other factors, the billionaire's residence outside the United States, frequent trips on his private jet, a missing but expired passport and a global network of wealthy contacts.
PASSPORT FOUND
The passport turned up, however, after the detention hearing. It had been seized along with Stanford's other possessions by a court-appointed receiver, prosecutors said in a court filing last week.
"The government's lack of candor regarding the expired passport is egregious," DeGuerin said in the court filing. "The government repeatedly claimed no knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr. Stanford's expired Antiguan diplomatic passport, despite the fact that the passport had been in the possession of the receiver for months."
That alone is grounds for reversal of the detention order, the filing said.
DeGuerin has said that he plans to appeal Hittner's decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
The government has accused Stanford and others of running a "massive" Ponzi scheme with client funds from certificates of deposit issued by the firm's offshore bank in Antigua.
To cover their tracks, prosecutors have said Stanford falsified accounting documents and bribed the regulator with oversight of Stanford International Bank in Antigua, according to the 21-count indictment.
Stanford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
(Reporting by Anna Driver; editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Steve Orlofsky)
Where rich countries are buying farmland.
Christian Science Monitor
9 July 2009
By Mark Rice-Oxley
The sheer scale of some of the deals is enough to make even the most ardent colonialist gulp.
According to data compiled by the US-based International Food Policy Research Institute, Saudi Arabia has concluded a string of agreements in recent months, most recently approaching Tanzania in April to lease a 500,000-hectare (1.2 million acres) tract of farmland for rice and wheat production.
In the same month, South African farmers were offered 10 million hectares of farmland in the Republic of Congo.
Indian government-backed farming companies have pursued land in a half-dozen African countries. Chinese corporations have sought a succession of arrangements to make use of land in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Meanwhile, South Korea snapped up 690,000 hectares in Sudan. In fact, Sudan is a particular target country, with Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar all pursuing deals there. A mooted Qatari deal in Kenya has prompted criticism from land rights activists there.
But it was Madagascar that provided the first clear warning that these deals may not be mutually beneficial. A bid by South Korea's Daewoo conglomerate to grow corn on 1.3 million hectares backfired spectacularly earlier this year, arousing such hostility that it contributed in part to a coup. The new president, Andry Rajoelina, promptly scrapped the deal.
9 July 2009
By Mark Rice-Oxley
The sheer scale of some of the deals is enough to make even the most ardent colonialist gulp.
According to data compiled by the US-based International Food Policy Research Institute, Saudi Arabia has concluded a string of agreements in recent months, most recently approaching Tanzania in April to lease a 500,000-hectare (1.2 million acres) tract of farmland for rice and wheat production.
In the same month, South African farmers were offered 10 million hectares of farmland in the Republic of Congo.
Indian government-backed farming companies have pursued land in a half-dozen African countries. Chinese corporations have sought a succession of arrangements to make use of land in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Meanwhile, South Korea snapped up 690,000 hectares in Sudan. In fact, Sudan is a particular target country, with Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar all pursuing deals there. A mooted Qatari deal in Kenya has prompted criticism from land rights activists there.
But it was Madagascar that provided the first clear warning that these deals may not be mutually beneficial. A bid by South Korea's Daewoo conglomerate to grow corn on 1.3 million hectares backfired spectacularly earlier this year, arousing such hostility that it contributed in part to a coup. The new president, Andry Rajoelina, promptly scrapped the deal.
EU supports trans-Sahara gas pipeline.
PANA
9 July 2009
Official sources said here Wednesday that the Europe an Union (EU) would be a great supporter of the trans-Sahara gas pipeline (TSGP), which is to run from Nigeria, through Niger and Algeria to Europe though two 'submarine' pipelines, such as Medgaz in Spain and Galsi in Italy.
In a statement made available to PANA, the EU commission promised pledged its su pport for the gas project for which an inter-governmental agreement was signed last week in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital city, by Niger, Algeria and Nigeria.
The gas pipeline, which will be opened in 2015, will have a capacity for about 20 to 30 billion cubic metres of gas per annum, and will cover 4,188 kilometres in distance, including 1,037 metres in Nigeria, 841 in Niger and 2,310 in Algeria.
Costing about US$ 10 billion, the trans-Sahara gas pipeline will also include a fibre optics telecommunication network.
The multinational power companies such as the French Total, the Royal Anglo-Dutch Shell, the Italian ENI, and the Russian giant Gazprom have already expressed their interest in the project.
The statement said Nigeria had the most important gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, which placed the country seventh in world ranking.
9 July 2009
Official sources said here Wednesday that the Europe an Union (EU) would be a great supporter of the trans-Sahara gas pipeline (TSGP), which is to run from Nigeria, through Niger and Algeria to Europe though two 'submarine' pipelines, such as Medgaz in Spain and Galsi in Italy.
In a statement made available to PANA, the EU commission promised pledged its su pport for the gas project for which an inter-governmental agreement was signed last week in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital city, by Niger, Algeria and Nigeria.
The gas pipeline, which will be opened in 2015, will have a capacity for about 20 to 30 billion cubic metres of gas per annum, and will cover 4,188 kilometres in distance, including 1,037 metres in Nigeria, 841 in Niger and 2,310 in Algeria.
Costing about US$ 10 billion, the trans-Sahara gas pipeline will also include a fibre optics telecommunication network.
The multinational power companies such as the French Total, the Royal Anglo-Dutch Shell, the Italian ENI, and the Russian giant Gazprom have already expressed their interest in the project.
The statement said Nigeria had the most important gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, which placed the country seventh in world ranking.
Local factors are behind South Sudan tribal violence - UN.
Sudan Tribune
9 July 2009
UNMIS Coordinator for Southern Sudan today downplayed allegations that the National Congress Party is fueling tribal conflicts but also insisted that the food shortages there are caused by weather factors.
The Southern Sudan violence is the result of local conflicts and lack of rooted state institutions as well as infrastructures said Gressly. He also said that weather can explain the current food caps in four states.
David Gressly made these statements during a press conference held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the UN mission in Khartoum. The UN official was replying to reporters who focused their questions on who is behind southern Sudan violence and its impact of the peace process as well as the possible links between it and the food shortages there.
The UN official who serves in southern Sudan since 2004, told reporters that the continuing violence in the semi-autonomous region is a "direct consequence" of civil war, the high level of armament among civilians, frictions between communities over resources like land, water, pasture.
He also stressed that Cattle rustling, that he described as "traditional activity" in southern Sudan, do cause similar kinds of violence.
Gressly further stressed that these different causes of violence are there due to the "lack of institutions of police, of courts, prisons, etc. and of the rule of law." "This is why I think we would take time before these changes. It is also due to a lack of infrastructure" he further added. Asked about allegations by SPLM officials that the National Congress Party was behind the increased tribal fighting, Gressly reiterated that the situation is "best understood as local conflicts. We have seen no direct evidence of these allegations."
He further said that such allegations can be raised directly through the Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee (CJMC) and "such allegations would be investigated – that is the appropriate channel for such allegations to be put on the table for investigation," he added.
The UN official mentioned the death of more than 1,000 in tribal fighting since the start of 2009. He further said that the fighting has become widespread and include the 10 states of southern Sudan.
However he pointed out "There are clear grounds for concern about the security situation in and around the city of Malakal, eastern Jonglei State and the Sobat River corridor where some of the worst clashes have taken place this year. We have also seen more fighting in Lakes State between the Agar Dinka and Beli tribes than had been the case in previous years."
Gressly regretted that women and children are more and more targeted. "In that sense it is new and a larger scope. It is not the first time we have seen violence targeted against women and children but this is a little bit different scale."
Speaking about the food caps in the South, the UN coordinator said the insecurity can be one of the factors that caused the food shortage in some southern Sudan states. Nonetheless he mentioned the unusual lack rains and said "the larger factor may simply be the weather this year."
A joint committee of the federal and southern Sudan governments, besides UN officials is conducting an assessment in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Upper Nile to determine how severe the crisis might be.
Gressly said Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, Upper Nile and Jonglei are areas that historically have been most affected by food shortages.
He also said the assessment is focusing on "the states that typically are vulnerable and the information that is coming in seems to indicate that we need to get out there and take a look at what is going on to fully understand the magnitude."
9 July 2009
UNMIS Coordinator for Southern Sudan today downplayed allegations that the National Congress Party is fueling tribal conflicts but also insisted that the food shortages there are caused by weather factors.
The Southern Sudan violence is the result of local conflicts and lack of rooted state institutions as well as infrastructures said Gressly. He also said that weather can explain the current food caps in four states.
David Gressly made these statements during a press conference held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the UN mission in Khartoum. The UN official was replying to reporters who focused their questions on who is behind southern Sudan violence and its impact of the peace process as well as the possible links between it and the food shortages there.
The UN official who serves in southern Sudan since 2004, told reporters that the continuing violence in the semi-autonomous region is a "direct consequence" of civil war, the high level of armament among civilians, frictions between communities over resources like land, water, pasture.
He also stressed that Cattle rustling, that he described as "traditional activity" in southern Sudan, do cause similar kinds of violence.
Gressly further stressed that these different causes of violence are there due to the "lack of institutions of police, of courts, prisons, etc. and of the rule of law." "This is why I think we would take time before these changes. It is also due to a lack of infrastructure" he further added. Asked about allegations by SPLM officials that the National Congress Party was behind the increased tribal fighting, Gressly reiterated that the situation is "best understood as local conflicts. We have seen no direct evidence of these allegations."
He further said that such allegations can be raised directly through the Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee (CJMC) and "such allegations would be investigated – that is the appropriate channel for such allegations to be put on the table for investigation," he added.
The UN official mentioned the death of more than 1,000 in tribal fighting since the start of 2009. He further said that the fighting has become widespread and include the 10 states of southern Sudan.
However he pointed out "There are clear grounds for concern about the security situation in and around the city of Malakal, eastern Jonglei State and the Sobat River corridor where some of the worst clashes have taken place this year. We have also seen more fighting in Lakes State between the Agar Dinka and Beli tribes than had been the case in previous years."
Gressly regretted that women and children are more and more targeted. "In that sense it is new and a larger scope. It is not the first time we have seen violence targeted against women and children but this is a little bit different scale."
Speaking about the food caps in the South, the UN coordinator said the insecurity can be one of the factors that caused the food shortage in some southern Sudan states. Nonetheless he mentioned the unusual lack rains and said "the larger factor may simply be the weather this year."
A joint committee of the federal and southern Sudan governments, besides UN officials is conducting an assessment in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Upper Nile to determine how severe the crisis might be.
Gressly said Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, Upper Nile and Jonglei are areas that historically have been most affected by food shortages.
He also said the assessment is focusing on "the states that typically are vulnerable and the information that is coming in seems to indicate that we need to get out there and take a look at what is going on to fully understand the magnitude."
France/ UK: Joint declaration on defence and security.
The UK and France have released a declaration on defence and security
following the UK-French Summit in Evian on 6 July 2009.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, we are committed to act
together to resolve crises and preserve peace and security worldwide. We
are confronted by the same challenges and our strategic interests are
very close and interrelated. A common response is key to overcoming
these challenges to our security and to the security of our partners and
Allies.
We direct our Ministries and Agencies to work together in the following
areas:
Operations:
Since our last Summit, crises have increased in number and diversity.
Together, France and the UK have an essential role to help tackle these
crises through political, military and civilian means, through the UN,
NATO and the EU.
Afghanistan: We are both engaged, alongside our Allies, in Afghanistan.
We are both working to support Pakistan in countering the threat of
terrorism extremism. Instability in the region is a primary challenge
for world security and a priority for our two countries.
* To prevent Al Qaida from re-establishing a safe haven in Afghanistan,
we are supporting good governance in the country and the development and
training of Afghan National Security Forces. In this endeavour, we will
stay as long as necessary. Our immediate priority is to help enable a
successful Presidential election later this year. We are also working to
improve the international and European assistance coordination
mechanisms in Afghanistan.
* We are also providing support to Pakistan in its campaign against
terrorism and extremism and intend to hold a meeting of the Friends of
Democratic Pakistan in September, to demonstrate international support
for Pakistan.
Piracy: France and the UK have shown leadership in combating the scourge
of piracy and we welcome the role of the Contact Group on Piracy off the
Coast of Somalia in co-ordinating international action. We are proud of
the achievements of the EU counter-piracy operation Atalanta, launched
last December and led by the UK with strong French naval participation.
The UK has offered to continue to lead Atalanta until the end of 2010
and plans to commit a further frigate to this operation next year.
France will continue to provide naval assets.
* The EU's first naval operation has ensured the safe delivery of World
Food Programme aid to Somalia and reduced significantly the number of
successful attacks on ships in the critical international trade artery
of the Gulf of Aden.
* Atalanta has co-ordinated its operations closely and effectively with
NATO and Combined Maritime Forces operations, as well as with the ships
of many other countries. We welcome the close co-operation which has
been achieved with the shipping and fishing industries, which is
essential to minimising the risks of pirate attack.
* We are determined to support the development of the capacities of
regional countries to combat piracy, including within Somalia. We pay
tribute to the leadership being shown by Kenya in bringing pirates to
justice, and welcome future arrangements with the Seychelles. We call on
our EU and other international partners to provide increased resources
for further action, including military assets.
* Promoting stabilisation of Somalia itself is important to counter the
piracy threat, prevent terrorism and improve the lives of the Somali
people. We endorse the need for security sector reform and look forward
to agreed proposals from the TFG and UN that will enable effective
international support, building on the initial steps on training
security forces taken by France in Djibouti.
Kosovo: After ten years of presence, NATO Allies have succeeded in
establishing a secure environment, allowing a phased reduction of our
troops. The EU will continue to contribute to the stability of Kosovo
through her assistance and through the civilian mission EULEX.
Middle East Peace Process: Together with the US, France and the UK are
committed to helping Israel and Palestinians reach a comprehensive
settlement. We will work together, and with partners, on plans for an
international peace-keeping operation in case it is required. We will
also work on how Europe might support implementation in other areas.
DRC: We will continue to work together to promote stability in DRC by
assisting on Security Sector Reform (SSR), including through the ongoing
EU operation EUSEC, supporting the DRC Government's efforts to provide
security and to tackle illegal militias, notably the FDLR.
In order to improve our cooperation for operations, and to provide
mutual support overseas, we have agreed procedures to make use of
facilities at each other's overseas bases if required.
The British-French cooperation initiative on European carrier group
interoperability, launched in London in March 2008, is well on track,
with 9 participating Nations. A first joint exercise is to take place
this year.
On helicopters, we have also agreed to develop options for the joint
training and sharing of best practice for the benefit of the
effectivness of these forces including potentially preparation for
operations.
European security, defence and NATO:
European security: Recent crisis and tensions in the Euro-Atlantic
region have shown that it is now crucial to improve security
arrangements on our continent. We reaffirm our desire for a strong
European security framework, based on existing institutions including EU
and NATO and the OSCE,. Our goal is a strong trans-Atlantic relationship
and improved relations with Russia, allowing greater confidence and
cooperation. We call for respect and full implementation of the OSCE
principles and international commitments already made. We reaffirm our
support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and urge Russia to
comply with its committments and all concerned to participate
constructively in the Geneva talks. We see security as a broad agenda,
stretching across all three dimensions of the OSCE, security and arms
control, human and economic. We stress that while our nations must
ensure security and stability on our own continent, a number of current
security challenges such as terrorism and proliferation stem from
further afield. It is the common responsibility of all nations in the
euro-atlantic area to protect the security of our continent from these
threats. The Ministerial meeting in Corfu on June 27-28th provided a
fresh impetus for that endeavour.
ESDP: We both want a strong Europe, capable of delivering security
worldwide. UK support to the French EU Presidency has been paramount to
its success. We are determined to implement the ambitious defence and
security programme agreed at the December 2008 European Council,
including improving military and civilian capabilities and delivering
Europe's level of ambition through the contribution of States. We
support the Swedish EU presidency and upcoming presidencies in this
respect. We call on Europeans to take a greater share of responsibility
in providing for our security.
In a difficult budgetary context we need, more than ever, to cooperate
more closely to make better use of our assets and to develop military
capabilities which reinforce both the EU and the Atlantic Alliance.
In this regard:
* We will support innovative ways to improve European capabilities,
including methods to pool and share military and civilian capabilities.
* We will support further development of EU crisis management
capabilities in a renewed spirit, including the new civil/military
organisation for planning of ESDP operations and missions.
* We recognise the importance of flexible and rapidly deployable forces,
including EU Battlegroups and the NATO Response Force.
* We will work together to improve the EU's capability to deploy
civilians overseas and call on our European partners to develop their
national capacities to provide high quality civilian experts for
international missions.
The development of European capabilities contributes to strengthening
both ESDP and the Atlantic Alliance.
NATO: The UK warmly welcomes France's full participation in NATO
military structure, which provides an opportunity for reforming NATO and
strengthening our Alliance.
We praise Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer for his dedicated work in service of
Euro-Atlantic security. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the next NATO Secretary
General, can count on our full support to make NATO a stronger, leaner
and more effective organisation.
The preparation of a revised Strategic Concept provides an opportunity
to renovate NATO to make it efficient and fit for 21st century challenges.
France and the UK will work together to:
* Foster delivery of effective capabilities to meet force generation
requirements.
* Streamline NATO HQ and military command structure.
* Build on HQ reform work to develop better mechanisms for scrutiny and
accountability.
* Improve and develop NATO / EU relations, openness and cooperation.
Industrial cooperation:
France and the UK are the two largest European investors in defence. We
will continue to broaden and deepen our defence industrial co-operation,
including through the European Defence Agency (EDA) and EU Capability
Development Plan in the following areas:
* Complex weapons, through the Scalp/Storm Shadow enhancement programme.
* Development of a new Future Anti Surface Missile/Anti-Navire Léger.
* Preparation together of the next generation of military communications
satellites, including signature of a Statement of Intent.
* Acceleration of armament procurement and improvement of equipment to
answer urgent operational requirements for our Armed Forces, including
signature of a Statement of Intent.
* Foster regular exchanges on lessons learned and exchanges of personel
between the two procurement organisations.
* In the mid to long-term, assess the scope for collaboration on
Unmanned Air Vehicles (ISTAR and UCAS Combat system), by undertaking a
detailed joint study to map out the key elements of any collaborative
programmes and establishing concrete discussions between our industries
It is our common and strategic interest to sustain and develop
industrial and technological skills in Europe. Research and technology
(R&T) is critical and the UK and France play a leading role in Europe in
investing in this area. To this end:
* We support the objective to increase R&T investment in 2010.
* We are determined to support innovation and expertise through
appropriate EDA initiatives.
* We will facilitate cross-investment and identify appropriate rules for
the control of exports and exchange of classified data.
We reiterate our full support to the Anglo-French High Level Working
Group on defence acquisition. This group is the right vehicle to propose
joint projects, innovative solutions and foster dialogue to develop
defence capabilities. It is also looking at how jointly we can
facilitate bilateral cross-channel and wider business for companies
operating both in the UK and France through more flexible and
coordinated operation of national export licensing systems.
France and the United Kingdom are also committed to finding a positive
outcome for the renegotiation of the A400M programme. The A400M will
meet the capability needs of its client countries' armed forces and
offer outstanding performance. The principle behind this renegotiation
is that the company bear the consequences of the programme delays and
contribute to compensating for the resulting capability deficit. The two
governments are open, on the basis of these principles, to amendments
allowing the pursuit of the programme under reasonable conditions.
Non-proliferation, deterrence and disarmament:
* Together, we agree on the vital importance of enhancing the global
security of nuclear materials and preventing the proliferation of
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery.
Further developing proliferation resistant nuclear fuel cycle
technologies is essential and we agree to push forward work in this
area. We shall also work closely in preparing for the 2010 NPT Review
conference, which provides a further opportunity to agree important
advances on the three pillars: Non proliferation, peacefull uses and
disarmament.
* We are united in our determination not to allow Iran to gain access to
nuclear weapon capabilities. This would constitute a threat to
international peace and security. We stand by those in the region who
would feel threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. It is our hope that Iran
will choose cooperation rather than isolation and engage with the
international community to restore full confidence. We welcome the US
engagement in this respect. Should Iran continue to refuse to abide by
its international obligations, we will support further measures to
isolate the regime and disrupt their efforts to develop nuclear and
missile related capabilities. [Iran issues: to be adjusted either here
or in press conference]
* In addition, we firmly condemn the nuclear test announced by North
Korea and its launches involving missile related technologies, and call
upon it to comply with the Security Council resolutions demanding the
complete, irreversible and verifiable dismantling of its nuclear programs.
Strengthen our bilateral dialogue on nuclear deterrence, a core element
of our national and Allied defence strategies. We reaffirm that our
independent nuclear deterrents:
Are strictly for defensive purposes, to deter any threats posed to our
vital interests;
* It is difficult to envisage a situation in which the vital interest of
either of our two nations could be threatened without the vital interest
of the other also being threatened;
* We will continue to maintain only a minimum nuclear capability,
consistent with the strategic and security context and our commitments
under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty; our nuclear forces contribute
to European security as a whole.
* As expressed in the Declaration on Alliance Security, adopted in
Strasbourg on April 4th, deterrence, based on an appropriate mix of
nuclear and conventional capabilities, will remain a core element of
NATO's strategy.
Promote arms control and disarmament: Our two countries are setting an
example and share similar ambitions in terms of arms control and
disarmament, notably in the nuclear sphere.
We are all committed to seeking a safer world. We call on all states
concerned to take the bold measures we have already taken, consistent
with Article 6 of the NPT.
We will promote the European Action Plan on Disarmament adopted by the
EU Council in December 2008, in particular at the 2010 NPT Review
conference.
* We welcome and support the commitment by the US and Russia to
conclude, by the end of the year, a Treaty on the reduction of their
strategic nuclear arsenals, which represent 95% of the global stockpiles.
* We support the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty by the US as proposed by President Obama and call on other
nuclear-armed nations to sign and ratify it swiftly.
* We welcome and will actively participate in the international
negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament on a Treaty banning the
production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons, with a view to
achieving such a ban swiftly. In the meantime, we urge all states
concerned to implement a moratorium on the production of fissile
material for nuclear weapons. France and the UK have already declared
such a moratorium.
Work together to cope with the threats emerging in the fields of
cybersecurity, space security, energy infrastructures and transport
security and missiles.
Work together to establish an Arms trade treaty putting in place common
standards for international commerce of conventional weapons.
Counter-terrorism:
We are determined to continue to safeguard our national interests
against the threat from terrorism, working both domestically and
overseas to improve security further and ensure our citizens can go
about their lives freely and with confidence.
We commit to:
* Continuing to maintain high level operational co-ordination.
* High level, strategic working groups to focus on broader
counter-terrorism strategies and methods.
* Continuing work together in Afghanistan and Pakistan on terrorist
networks connecting to Europe other regions and on our concern at the
growing threat from Al Qaida in the Maghreb, Sahel and other African
countries concerned.
* Strenghthen our joint work on reducing the threat from nuclear terrorism.
following the UK-French Summit in Evian on 6 July 2009.
As permanent members of the UN Security Council, we are committed to act
together to resolve crises and preserve peace and security worldwide. We
are confronted by the same challenges and our strategic interests are
very close and interrelated. A common response is key to overcoming
these challenges to our security and to the security of our partners and
Allies.
We direct our Ministries and Agencies to work together in the following
areas:
Operations:
Since our last Summit, crises have increased in number and diversity.
Together, France and the UK have an essential role to help tackle these
crises through political, military and civilian means, through the UN,
NATO and the EU.
Afghanistan: We are both engaged, alongside our Allies, in Afghanistan.
We are both working to support Pakistan in countering the threat of
terrorism extremism. Instability in the region is a primary challenge
for world security and a priority for our two countries.
* To prevent Al Qaida from re-establishing a safe haven in Afghanistan,
we are supporting good governance in the country and the development and
training of Afghan National Security Forces. In this endeavour, we will
stay as long as necessary. Our immediate priority is to help enable a
successful Presidential election later this year. We are also working to
improve the international and European assistance coordination
mechanisms in Afghanistan.
* We are also providing support to Pakistan in its campaign against
terrorism and extremism and intend to hold a meeting of the Friends of
Democratic Pakistan in September, to demonstrate international support
for Pakistan.
Piracy: France and the UK have shown leadership in combating the scourge
of piracy and we welcome the role of the Contact Group on Piracy off the
Coast of Somalia in co-ordinating international action. We are proud of
the achievements of the EU counter-piracy operation Atalanta, launched
last December and led by the UK with strong French naval participation.
The UK has offered to continue to lead Atalanta until the end of 2010
and plans to commit a further frigate to this operation next year.
France will continue to provide naval assets.
* The EU's first naval operation has ensured the safe delivery of World
Food Programme aid to Somalia and reduced significantly the number of
successful attacks on ships in the critical international trade artery
of the Gulf of Aden.
* Atalanta has co-ordinated its operations closely and effectively with
NATO and Combined Maritime Forces operations, as well as with the ships
of many other countries. We welcome the close co-operation which has
been achieved with the shipping and fishing industries, which is
essential to minimising the risks of pirate attack.
* We are determined to support the development of the capacities of
regional countries to combat piracy, including within Somalia. We pay
tribute to the leadership being shown by Kenya in bringing pirates to
justice, and welcome future arrangements with the Seychelles. We call on
our EU and other international partners to provide increased resources
for further action, including military assets.
* Promoting stabilisation of Somalia itself is important to counter the
piracy threat, prevent terrorism and improve the lives of the Somali
people. We endorse the need for security sector reform and look forward
to agreed proposals from the TFG and UN that will enable effective
international support, building on the initial steps on training
security forces taken by France in Djibouti.
Kosovo: After ten years of presence, NATO Allies have succeeded in
establishing a secure environment, allowing a phased reduction of our
troops. The EU will continue to contribute to the stability of Kosovo
through her assistance and through the civilian mission EULEX.
Middle East Peace Process: Together with the US, France and the UK are
committed to helping Israel and Palestinians reach a comprehensive
settlement. We will work together, and with partners, on plans for an
international peace-keeping operation in case it is required. We will
also work on how Europe might support implementation in other areas.
DRC: We will continue to work together to promote stability in DRC by
assisting on Security Sector Reform (SSR), including through the ongoing
EU operation EUSEC, supporting the DRC Government's efforts to provide
security and to tackle illegal militias, notably the FDLR.
In order to improve our cooperation for operations, and to provide
mutual support overseas, we have agreed procedures to make use of
facilities at each other's overseas bases if required.
The British-French cooperation initiative on European carrier group
interoperability, launched in London in March 2008, is well on track,
with 9 participating Nations. A first joint exercise is to take place
this year.
On helicopters, we have also agreed to develop options for the joint
training and sharing of best practice for the benefit of the
effectivness of these forces including potentially preparation for
operations.
European security, defence and NATO:
European security: Recent crisis and tensions in the Euro-Atlantic
region have shown that it is now crucial to improve security
arrangements on our continent. We reaffirm our desire for a strong
European security framework, based on existing institutions including EU
and NATO and the OSCE,. Our goal is a strong trans-Atlantic relationship
and improved relations with Russia, allowing greater confidence and
cooperation. We call for respect and full implementation of the OSCE
principles and international commitments already made. We reaffirm our
support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and urge Russia to
comply with its committments and all concerned to participate
constructively in the Geneva talks. We see security as a broad agenda,
stretching across all three dimensions of the OSCE, security and arms
control, human and economic. We stress that while our nations must
ensure security and stability on our own continent, a number of current
security challenges such as terrorism and proliferation stem from
further afield. It is the common responsibility of all nations in the
euro-atlantic area to protect the security of our continent from these
threats. The Ministerial meeting in Corfu on June 27-28th provided a
fresh impetus for that endeavour.
ESDP: We both want a strong Europe, capable of delivering security
worldwide. UK support to the French EU Presidency has been paramount to
its success. We are determined to implement the ambitious defence and
security programme agreed at the December 2008 European Council,
including improving military and civilian capabilities and delivering
Europe's level of ambition through the contribution of States. We
support the Swedish EU presidency and upcoming presidencies in this
respect. We call on Europeans to take a greater share of responsibility
in providing for our security.
In a difficult budgetary context we need, more than ever, to cooperate
more closely to make better use of our assets and to develop military
capabilities which reinforce both the EU and the Atlantic Alliance.
In this regard:
* We will support innovative ways to improve European capabilities,
including methods to pool and share military and civilian capabilities.
* We will support further development of EU crisis management
capabilities in a renewed spirit, including the new civil/military
organisation for planning of ESDP operations and missions.
* We recognise the importance of flexible and rapidly deployable forces,
including EU Battlegroups and the NATO Response Force.
* We will work together to improve the EU's capability to deploy
civilians overseas and call on our European partners to develop their
national capacities to provide high quality civilian experts for
international missions.
The development of European capabilities contributes to strengthening
both ESDP and the Atlantic Alliance.
NATO: The UK warmly welcomes France's full participation in NATO
military structure, which provides an opportunity for reforming NATO and
strengthening our Alliance.
We praise Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer for his dedicated work in service of
Euro-Atlantic security. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the next NATO Secretary
General, can count on our full support to make NATO a stronger, leaner
and more effective organisation.
The preparation of a revised Strategic Concept provides an opportunity
to renovate NATO to make it efficient and fit for 21st century challenges.
France and the UK will work together to:
* Foster delivery of effective capabilities to meet force generation
requirements.
* Streamline NATO HQ and military command structure.
* Build on HQ reform work to develop better mechanisms for scrutiny and
accountability.
* Improve and develop NATO / EU relations, openness and cooperation.
Industrial cooperation:
France and the UK are the two largest European investors in defence. We
will continue to broaden and deepen our defence industrial co-operation,
including through the European Defence Agency (EDA) and EU Capability
Development Plan in the following areas:
* Complex weapons, through the Scalp/Storm Shadow enhancement programme.
* Development of a new Future Anti Surface Missile/Anti-Navire Léger.
* Preparation together of the next generation of military communications
satellites, including signature of a Statement of Intent.
* Acceleration of armament procurement and improvement of equipment to
answer urgent operational requirements for our Armed Forces, including
signature of a Statement of Intent.
* Foster regular exchanges on lessons learned and exchanges of personel
between the two procurement organisations.
* In the mid to long-term, assess the scope for collaboration on
Unmanned Air Vehicles (ISTAR and UCAS Combat system), by undertaking a
detailed joint study to map out the key elements of any collaborative
programmes and establishing concrete discussions between our industries
It is our common and strategic interest to sustain and develop
industrial and technological skills in Europe. Research and technology
(R&T) is critical and the UK and France play a leading role in Europe in
investing in this area. To this end:
* We support the objective to increase R&T investment in 2010.
* We are determined to support innovation and expertise through
appropriate EDA initiatives.
* We will facilitate cross-investment and identify appropriate rules for
the control of exports and exchange of classified data.
We reiterate our full support to the Anglo-French High Level Working
Group on defence acquisition. This group is the right vehicle to propose
joint projects, innovative solutions and foster dialogue to develop
defence capabilities. It is also looking at how jointly we can
facilitate bilateral cross-channel and wider business for companies
operating both in the UK and France through more flexible and
coordinated operation of national export licensing systems.
France and the United Kingdom are also committed to finding a positive
outcome for the renegotiation of the A400M programme. The A400M will
meet the capability needs of its client countries' armed forces and
offer outstanding performance. The principle behind this renegotiation
is that the company bear the consequences of the programme delays and
contribute to compensating for the resulting capability deficit. The two
governments are open, on the basis of these principles, to amendments
allowing the pursuit of the programme under reasonable conditions.
Non-proliferation, deterrence and disarmament:
* Together, we agree on the vital importance of enhancing the global
security of nuclear materials and preventing the proliferation of
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery.
Further developing proliferation resistant nuclear fuel cycle
technologies is essential and we agree to push forward work in this
area. We shall also work closely in preparing for the 2010 NPT Review
conference, which provides a further opportunity to agree important
advances on the three pillars: Non proliferation, peacefull uses and
disarmament.
* We are united in our determination not to allow Iran to gain access to
nuclear weapon capabilities. This would constitute a threat to
international peace and security. We stand by those in the region who
would feel threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. It is our hope that Iran
will choose cooperation rather than isolation and engage with the
international community to restore full confidence. We welcome the US
engagement in this respect. Should Iran continue to refuse to abide by
its international obligations, we will support further measures to
isolate the regime and disrupt their efforts to develop nuclear and
missile related capabilities. [Iran issues: to be adjusted either here
or in press conference]
* In addition, we firmly condemn the nuclear test announced by North
Korea and its launches involving missile related technologies, and call
upon it to comply with the Security Council resolutions demanding the
complete, irreversible and verifiable dismantling of its nuclear programs.
Strengthen our bilateral dialogue on nuclear deterrence, a core element
of our national and Allied defence strategies. We reaffirm that our
independent nuclear deterrents:
Are strictly for defensive purposes, to deter any threats posed to our
vital interests;
* It is difficult to envisage a situation in which the vital interest of
either of our two nations could be threatened without the vital interest
of the other also being threatened;
* We will continue to maintain only a minimum nuclear capability,
consistent with the strategic and security context and our commitments
under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty; our nuclear forces contribute
to European security as a whole.
* As expressed in the Declaration on Alliance Security, adopted in
Strasbourg on April 4th, deterrence, based on an appropriate mix of
nuclear and conventional capabilities, will remain a core element of
NATO's strategy.
Promote arms control and disarmament: Our two countries are setting an
example and share similar ambitions in terms of arms control and
disarmament, notably in the nuclear sphere.
We are all committed to seeking a safer world. We call on all states
concerned to take the bold measures we have already taken, consistent
with Article 6 of the NPT.
We will promote the European Action Plan on Disarmament adopted by the
EU Council in December 2008, in particular at the 2010 NPT Review
conference.
* We welcome and support the commitment by the US and Russia to
conclude, by the end of the year, a Treaty on the reduction of their
strategic nuclear arsenals, which represent 95% of the global stockpiles.
* We support the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty by the US as proposed by President Obama and call on other
nuclear-armed nations to sign and ratify it swiftly.
* We welcome and will actively participate in the international
negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament on a Treaty banning the
production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons, with a view to
achieving such a ban swiftly. In the meantime, we urge all states
concerned to implement a moratorium on the production of fissile
material for nuclear weapons. France and the UK have already declared
such a moratorium.
Work together to cope with the threats emerging in the fields of
cybersecurity, space security, energy infrastructures and transport
security and missiles.
Work together to establish an Arms trade treaty putting in place common
standards for international commerce of conventional weapons.
Counter-terrorism:
We are determined to continue to safeguard our national interests
against the threat from terrorism, working both domestically and
overseas to improve security further and ensure our citizens can go
about their lives freely and with confidence.
We commit to:
* Continuing to maintain high level operational co-ordination.
* High level, strategic working groups to focus on broader
counter-terrorism strategies and methods.
* Continuing work together in Afghanistan and Pakistan on terrorist
networks connecting to Europe other regions and on our concern at the
growing threat from Al Qaida in the Maghreb, Sahel and other African
countries concerned.
* Strenghthen our joint work on reducing the threat from nuclear terrorism.
US pays Uganda to arm Somali fighters.
Daily Monitor
9 July 2009
By Tabu Butagira
Ugandan troops in Mogadishu have been secretly selling guns and ammunition to Somalia’s struggling Transitional Federal Government on behalf of the United States government, Daily Monitor can reveal.
Explaining American assistance to the TFG during a recent press briefing to US journalists in Washington, D.C., a top US State Department official said Uganda has been supplying arms to Somali troops and picking dollars from Washington.
“We have gone to the Ugandans when the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) has run short of weapons and ammunition and told the Ugandans to provide what TFG needs,” the official, who was not named in the partly classified June 26 briefing, said.
“When the Ugandans provide those weapons, they give us a bill and an accounting for what they have turned over [to Somali government] and we then give them the money to replace the stores and the arms.”
The official said the UPDF has mostly supplied small arms and ammunition and had increased its supplies in May when Somali Islamic extremists increased their attacks on the TFG and government forces.
The UPDF, which is in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping force to the country, is said to have been paid up to $10 million (Shs21b) for arming and training the TFG fighting force. This is the first time the arms-for-cash deal is being made public and the revelations could mean that the UPDF was violating the neutral terms of its peacekeeping mandate by arming one of the combatants.
Authorities in Kampala were quick to denounce the revelations as “a lie”. Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, the commander of the UPDF Land Forces, who has been overseeing the deployment of Ugandan troops to help stabilise Mogadishu, told Daily Monitor that “it is Washington that is giving the arms to Somalia. “The only thing we have done is to be the link to pass those weapons to TFG because the Americans cannot be on the ground to do this themselves.”
President Museveni told journalists at a press conference earlier this month that it was fine for the US to arm Somalis to fend off a rebel onslaught on the capital. “These people fighting in Somalia are wasting their time,” President Museveni said at the time. “What a democrat should do in Somalia is allow peace and demand elections.” Details of the arms-for-cash deal emerged as the beleaguered Somali President Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Sheriff met Mr Museveni in Kampala.
According to a State House statement, the two leaders discussed bilateral issues concerning the two countries and reviewed the situation in Somalia and other regional matters. The US State Department official said that the UPDF had supplied small arms and limited munitions but “not artillery pieces, armoured vehicles or tanks” to the TFG soldiers. “These are weapons that would be used in an urban environment, fighting a counter-guerrilla insurgency,” the official said, “We have provided funds for the purchase of weapons; and have asked the two units that are there [in Mogadishu], particularly the Ugandans, to provide weapons to the TFG, and we have backfilled the Ugandans for what they have provided to the TFG government.”
Shadow Defence Minister Mr Angiro Gutmoi (FDC; Erute North) said he was not aware of the arms-for-cash deal but said such a transaction is “not authorised by the Ugandan Parliament”. The Defence and Army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said the UPDF is only involved in training the Somali forces and securing vital state installations. “I am not aware of what the Americans are talking about and I don’t believe in telling lies.”
Uganda and Burundi have more than 4,000 troops deployed in Somalia under Amisom. The heavily undermanned and underfunded peacekeeping force is meant to secure the Presidential Palace, air and sea ports and the city’s main roads but has come under increasing attacks from Islamic extremists.
The government has defended its deployment in Somalia saying instability in that country, which has not had a functioning government in almost two decades, undermines security in the whole region.
In March, an Ilyushin-76 plane, suspected to be ferrying arms for Amisom troops in Mogadishu, crashed shortly after takeoff from Entebbe airport, killing all 11 people on board; three of them top Burundian army officers.
The manifest of the cargo aircraft, chartered by Dynacorp, an American company, shows the carrier was ferrying at least 16 tonnes of military supplies. The army said then that the plane was carrying mainly tents and water purifiers although the plane’s owner claimed it had been shot down. The claims have not been verified. Transport Minister John Nasasira said last evening that an investigative team led by Col. (rtd) Chris Mudoola is yet to complete its work after failing to locate the plane’s flight data recorder.
9 July 2009
By Tabu Butagira
Ugandan troops in Mogadishu have been secretly selling guns and ammunition to Somalia’s struggling Transitional Federal Government on behalf of the United States government, Daily Monitor can reveal.
Explaining American assistance to the TFG during a recent press briefing to US journalists in Washington, D.C., a top US State Department official said Uganda has been supplying arms to Somali troops and picking dollars from Washington.
“We have gone to the Ugandans when the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) has run short of weapons and ammunition and told the Ugandans to provide what TFG needs,” the official, who was not named in the partly classified June 26 briefing, said.
“When the Ugandans provide those weapons, they give us a bill and an accounting for what they have turned over [to Somali government] and we then give them the money to replace the stores and the arms.”
The official said the UPDF has mostly supplied small arms and ammunition and had increased its supplies in May when Somali Islamic extremists increased their attacks on the TFG and government forces.
The UPDF, which is in Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping force to the country, is said to have been paid up to $10 million (Shs21b) for arming and training the TFG fighting force. This is the first time the arms-for-cash deal is being made public and the revelations could mean that the UPDF was violating the neutral terms of its peacekeeping mandate by arming one of the combatants.
Authorities in Kampala were quick to denounce the revelations as “a lie”. Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, the commander of the UPDF Land Forces, who has been overseeing the deployment of Ugandan troops to help stabilise Mogadishu, told Daily Monitor that “it is Washington that is giving the arms to Somalia. “The only thing we have done is to be the link to pass those weapons to TFG because the Americans cannot be on the ground to do this themselves.”
President Museveni told journalists at a press conference earlier this month that it was fine for the US to arm Somalis to fend off a rebel onslaught on the capital. “These people fighting in Somalia are wasting their time,” President Museveni said at the time. “What a democrat should do in Somalia is allow peace and demand elections.” Details of the arms-for-cash deal emerged as the beleaguered Somali President Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Sheriff met Mr Museveni in Kampala.
According to a State House statement, the two leaders discussed bilateral issues concerning the two countries and reviewed the situation in Somalia and other regional matters. The US State Department official said that the UPDF had supplied small arms and limited munitions but “not artillery pieces, armoured vehicles or tanks” to the TFG soldiers. “These are weapons that would be used in an urban environment, fighting a counter-guerrilla insurgency,” the official said, “We have provided funds for the purchase of weapons; and have asked the two units that are there [in Mogadishu], particularly the Ugandans, to provide weapons to the TFG, and we have backfilled the Ugandans for what they have provided to the TFG government.”
Shadow Defence Minister Mr Angiro Gutmoi (FDC; Erute North) said he was not aware of the arms-for-cash deal but said such a transaction is “not authorised by the Ugandan Parliament”. The Defence and Army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, said the UPDF is only involved in training the Somali forces and securing vital state installations. “I am not aware of what the Americans are talking about and I don’t believe in telling lies.”
Uganda and Burundi have more than 4,000 troops deployed in Somalia under Amisom. The heavily undermanned and underfunded peacekeeping force is meant to secure the Presidential Palace, air and sea ports and the city’s main roads but has come under increasing attacks from Islamic extremists.
The government has defended its deployment in Somalia saying instability in that country, which has not had a functioning government in almost two decades, undermines security in the whole region.
In March, an Ilyushin-76 plane, suspected to be ferrying arms for Amisom troops in Mogadishu, crashed shortly after takeoff from Entebbe airport, killing all 11 people on board; three of them top Burundian army officers.
The manifest of the cargo aircraft, chartered by Dynacorp, an American company, shows the carrier was ferrying at least 16 tonnes of military supplies. The army said then that the plane was carrying mainly tents and water purifiers although the plane’s owner claimed it had been shot down. The claims have not been verified. Transport Minister John Nasasira said last evening that an investigative team led by Col. (rtd) Chris Mudoola is yet to complete its work after failing to locate the plane’s flight data recorder.
Carville helps rival of Afghanistan's Karzai.
AP
8 July 2009
A Democratic Party strategist who helped Bill Clinton get into the White House is now assisting a former Afghan finance minister in his campaign to unseat President Hamid Karzai in upcoming elections.
James Carville said he joined the team of Ashraf Ghani, also a former World Bank official, so Afghans had a viable choice in the Aug. 20 poll.
"This is probably the most important election held in the world in a long time," Carville told The Associated Press in a telephone interview late Tuesday. "This is probably the most interesting project I have ever worked in my life."
President Barack Obama has positioned Afghanistan as the main front in the war against Islamic extremists and the political component of the conflict is moving to center stage.
The Obama administration has repeatedly said it does not support any of the 41 presidential candidates, and Carville said he is working as a private citizen.
Nevertheless, the involvement of a strategist with such close ties with the Democratic Party — and in particular Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan — is likely to raise questions about Washington's stance.
Karzai is the frontrunner in the presidential race, even though many Afghans and international officials have slammed his performance. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of Karzai's government although they have toned down their rhetoric as the election has approached.
Carville called Karzai "increasingly unpopular," despite opinion polls showing him with a commanding lead.
"There is very little confidence in Afghanistan at Karzai as a leader," Carville said. "Our job is to let the people of Afghanistan know that there is an alternative."
Ghani, who had to renounce his American citizenship to compete in the election, served as Karzai's finance minister. He has a Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University and joined the World Bank in 1991 as an anthropologist. He left the government after the elections of 2004 and became chancellor of Kabul University.
"When you have an opportunity to work with a man like this you just don't turn it down," Carville said. "To be around a man of this ability, trying to help him, in a country like Afghanistan, with such a history and such opportunities, it is amazing."
A poll conducted in May by the International Republican Institute, a non-governmental organization that receives funding from USAID, found that Ashraf would likely come in third with only 4 percent support.
The same poll found that 31 percent of 3,200 Afghans surveyed said they would vote for Karzai — a steep decline from the 55 percent who voted for him in 2004.
Only 7 percent of respondents said they would vote for Karzai's closet competitor, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
The poll, based on face-to-face interviews, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Despite the poll data and the fact that he has joined the campaign just over a month before the election, Carville still thinks Ghani has a chance.
"There is an expression that the best time to plant an oak tree is 25 years ago, the second best time to plant an oak tree is right now. We are moving fast. We are working seriously here. We are excited and let's see what happens" he said.
8 July 2009
A Democratic Party strategist who helped Bill Clinton get into the White House is now assisting a former Afghan finance minister in his campaign to unseat President Hamid Karzai in upcoming elections.
James Carville said he joined the team of Ashraf Ghani, also a former World Bank official, so Afghans had a viable choice in the Aug. 20 poll.
"This is probably the most important election held in the world in a long time," Carville told The Associated Press in a telephone interview late Tuesday. "This is probably the most interesting project I have ever worked in my life."
President Barack Obama has positioned Afghanistan as the main front in the war against Islamic extremists and the political component of the conflict is moving to center stage.
The Obama administration has repeatedly said it does not support any of the 41 presidential candidates, and Carville said he is working as a private citizen.
Nevertheless, the involvement of a strategist with such close ties with the Democratic Party — and in particular Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan — is likely to raise questions about Washington's stance.
Karzai is the frontrunner in the presidential race, even though many Afghans and international officials have slammed his performance. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of Karzai's government although they have toned down their rhetoric as the election has approached.
Carville called Karzai "increasingly unpopular," despite opinion polls showing him with a commanding lead.
"There is very little confidence in Afghanistan at Karzai as a leader," Carville said. "Our job is to let the people of Afghanistan know that there is an alternative."
Ghani, who had to renounce his American citizenship to compete in the election, served as Karzai's finance minister. He has a Ph.D. in anthropology from Columbia University and joined the World Bank in 1991 as an anthropologist. He left the government after the elections of 2004 and became chancellor of Kabul University.
"When you have an opportunity to work with a man like this you just don't turn it down," Carville said. "To be around a man of this ability, trying to help him, in a country like Afghanistan, with such a history and such opportunities, it is amazing."
A poll conducted in May by the International Republican Institute, a non-governmental organization that receives funding from USAID, found that Ashraf would likely come in third with only 4 percent support.
The same poll found that 31 percent of 3,200 Afghans surveyed said they would vote for Karzai — a steep decline from the 55 percent who voted for him in 2004.
Only 7 percent of respondents said they would vote for Karzai's closet competitor, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
The poll, based on face-to-face interviews, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Despite the poll data and the fact that he has joined the campaign just over a month before the election, Carville still thinks Ghani has a chance.
"There is an expression that the best time to plant an oak tree is 25 years ago, the second best time to plant an oak tree is right now. We are moving fast. We are working seriously here. We are excited and let's see what happens" he said.
Exports to U.S. Hit $222 Million Annually.
The Chronicle
8 July 2009
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh
Ghana is said to be the 4th largest export destination for the United States (US).
Trade figures between the US and Ghana showed that Ghana exports $222 million worth of products to the US each year, while it imports $609 million worth of products from the US each year, making the US Ghana's 4th largest source of imports.
Speaking at a reception to commemorate the 233rd Independence Anniversary of the United States of America, the US Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Donald Teitelbaum, further disclosed that the US was the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investments to Ghana.
According to the Ambassador, "We share the values of democracy. We visit each other. We study together. These are actions that speak louder than words, and they speak of a long and deep friendship."
Mr. Teitelbaum intimated that 18,507 Ghanaians visited America last year, whilst 59,041 Americans visited Ghana. Currently, 2,219 Ghanaians are studying in America, and 378 US citizens are also studying in Ghana, and many more students visit Ghana on study trips each year.
He called on politicians of the various divides in Ghana to collaborate with the ruling government to enable it move the country forward.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, who represented the Government of Ghana, observed that the peaceful democratic change of government in the country had attracted international attention recognition, as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
She intimated: "We are mindful of the fact that our destiny lies in hands. However, in an era of the ever-increasing global interdependence, no country is capable of succeeding on its own.
It is, therefore gratifying to acknowledge the decision by the Obama administration to embrace key objects of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to halve extreme global poverty and hunger, by doubling US foreign assistance."
Indeed, over the years, the United States has, through various ways, supported, and promoted democratic governance and economic growth through trade and private development, as well as human capacity building, rural-urban development and healthcare support programmes in Ghana.
Furthermore, the US development assistance, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), was making a sterling performance in Ghana, through training to augment food security, providing credit to farmers to multiply their business, rehabilitating existing roads, and constructing new ones to help farmers have access to markets, and building of schools to educate children in the country.
According to the Trade Minister, Ghana was making strenuous efforts, not only to grow its economy, but also to integrate it into the global market place.
To ensure the success of our people-centred development agenda, there was the need to shift from a rural-based economy to a modern industry-based one, she emphasised.
As the country intensifies its efforts to achieve the MDGs by 2015, the government has adopted practical measures, namely, the Capitation Grant, Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to increase access to education and healthcare service delivery in Ghana.
Ms. Tetteh used the occasion to appeal to the US to collaborate with the relevant agencies in Ghana, to put in place potent measures to curtail the rising incidence of trans-border crime, especially the upsurge in drug trafficking and its concomitant impact in the world.
8 July 2009
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh
Ghana is said to be the 4th largest export destination for the United States (US).
Trade figures between the US and Ghana showed that Ghana exports $222 million worth of products to the US each year, while it imports $609 million worth of products from the US each year, making the US Ghana's 4th largest source of imports.
Speaking at a reception to commemorate the 233rd Independence Anniversary of the United States of America, the US Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Donald Teitelbaum, further disclosed that the US was the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investments to Ghana.
According to the Ambassador, "We share the values of democracy. We visit each other. We study together. These are actions that speak louder than words, and they speak of a long and deep friendship."
Mr. Teitelbaum intimated that 18,507 Ghanaians visited America last year, whilst 59,041 Americans visited Ghana. Currently, 2,219 Ghanaians are studying in America, and 378 US citizens are also studying in Ghana, and many more students visit Ghana on study trips each year.
He called on politicians of the various divides in Ghana to collaborate with the ruling government to enable it move the country forward.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, who represented the Government of Ghana, observed that the peaceful democratic change of government in the country had attracted international attention recognition, as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
She intimated: "We are mindful of the fact that our destiny lies in hands. However, in an era of the ever-increasing global interdependence, no country is capable of succeeding on its own.
It is, therefore gratifying to acknowledge the decision by the Obama administration to embrace key objects of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seek to halve extreme global poverty and hunger, by doubling US foreign assistance."
Indeed, over the years, the United States has, through various ways, supported, and promoted democratic governance and economic growth through trade and private development, as well as human capacity building, rural-urban development and healthcare support programmes in Ghana.
Furthermore, the US development assistance, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), was making a sterling performance in Ghana, through training to augment food security, providing credit to farmers to multiply their business, rehabilitating existing roads, and constructing new ones to help farmers have access to markets, and building of schools to educate children in the country.
According to the Trade Minister, Ghana was making strenuous efforts, not only to grow its economy, but also to integrate it into the global market place.
To ensure the success of our people-centred development agenda, there was the need to shift from a rural-based economy to a modern industry-based one, she emphasised.
As the country intensifies its efforts to achieve the MDGs by 2015, the government has adopted practical measures, namely, the Capitation Grant, Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to increase access to education and healthcare service delivery in Ghana.
Ms. Tetteh used the occasion to appeal to the US to collaborate with the relevant agencies in Ghana, to put in place potent measures to curtail the rising incidence of trans-border crime, especially the upsurge in drug trafficking and its concomitant impact in the world.
There's More Than Democracy in Obama's Visit.
The Chronicle
8 July 2009
By Kevin J Kelley
New York — The White House is touting Ghana's democratic development as the main incentive for the two-day visit by President Barack Obama that commences on Friday.
But controversial or delicate matters - such as the US Africa Command (Africom), narcotics trafficking and Ghana's oil deposits - will almost certainly be on the agenda for the US leader's talks with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills.
Gerald LeMelle, head of an advocacy group in Washington, is among critics of President Obama's emerging Africa policy who suspect that military and resource considerations factor into the choice of Ghana as the African-American president's first destination in black Africa.
"There are rumblings that the real reason the administration chose Ghana is two-fold: Ghana's discovery of oil in 2008 and perhaps more importantly, the geographically, economically, and politically strategic advantage of establishing Africom's headquarters there," Mr Lemelle, the director of the Africa Action NGO, said earlier this week.
Expressed alarm
US officials have expressed alarm over West Africa's growing role in the global narcotics trade. And Africom is being used to combat drug trafficking in Ghana and other countries in the region.
"It is absolutely shocking what has happened - the increase in drugs," Mary Carlin Yates, Africom's civilian deputy, said in Ghana during a visit in March.
Ms Yates, a former US ambassador to Ghana, held talks with the country's defence chief as part of Africom's outreach to selected governments in Africa.
Africom is building a "screening facility" in Ghana, Mr William Weschsler, a Pentagon official focused on combating the drug trade, told the US Senate last month.
Africom is providing drug-detection equipment for Ghana's international airport as part of a security and surveillance initiative that also involves the US Defence Intelligence Agency and American naval forces off the West African coast.
One offshore field
US officials deny that they seek to base troops in Africa. During a visit to Ghana in 2008, then-President George W Bush called such suggestions "baloney."
Ghana is meanwhile expected to begin exporting oil next year. That development could heighten US reliance on oil from West Africa, which currently accounts for 16 per cent of US oil imports. Ghana's deposits may prove substantial.
The International Monetary Fund has estimated that government revenues from oil and gas could total $20 billion over the next 20 years from one offshore field that contains a projected 1.8 billions of crude oil.
Ghana also ranks as Africa's number-two gold producer, behind South Africa.
In addition to the attention being paid to Ghana by Africom, the Obama administration is bolstering US military relations with the country by seeking funding increases for military training and weapons-purchase programmes.
President Obama has asked the US Congress to provide $850,000 in military training funds for Ghana in the coming year, compared to $650,000 allocated this year. Financing for Ghana's weapons purchases from the US is similarly slated to increase - from $300,000 to $450,000.
The US has also been providing substantial sums of non-military aid to Ghana in recent years.
Ghana was approved in 2006 for what was then the largest development grant awarded through Washington's Millennium Challenge programme. The $547, five-year allocation comes in addition to nearly $60 million in health spending that the Obama administration has proposed for Ghana in the coming year.
8 July 2009
By Kevin J Kelley
New York — The White House is touting Ghana's democratic development as the main incentive for the two-day visit by President Barack Obama that commences on Friday.
But controversial or delicate matters - such as the US Africa Command (Africom), narcotics trafficking and Ghana's oil deposits - will almost certainly be on the agenda for the US leader's talks with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills.
Gerald LeMelle, head of an advocacy group in Washington, is among critics of President Obama's emerging Africa policy who suspect that military and resource considerations factor into the choice of Ghana as the African-American president's first destination in black Africa.
"There are rumblings that the real reason the administration chose Ghana is two-fold: Ghana's discovery of oil in 2008 and perhaps more importantly, the geographically, economically, and politically strategic advantage of establishing Africom's headquarters there," Mr Lemelle, the director of the Africa Action NGO, said earlier this week.
Expressed alarm
US officials have expressed alarm over West Africa's growing role in the global narcotics trade. And Africom is being used to combat drug trafficking in Ghana and other countries in the region.
"It is absolutely shocking what has happened - the increase in drugs," Mary Carlin Yates, Africom's civilian deputy, said in Ghana during a visit in March.
Ms Yates, a former US ambassador to Ghana, held talks with the country's defence chief as part of Africom's outreach to selected governments in Africa.
Africom is building a "screening facility" in Ghana, Mr William Weschsler, a Pentagon official focused on combating the drug trade, told the US Senate last month.
Africom is providing drug-detection equipment for Ghana's international airport as part of a security and surveillance initiative that also involves the US Defence Intelligence Agency and American naval forces off the West African coast.
One offshore field
US officials deny that they seek to base troops in Africa. During a visit to Ghana in 2008, then-President George W Bush called such suggestions "baloney."
Ghana is meanwhile expected to begin exporting oil next year. That development could heighten US reliance on oil from West Africa, which currently accounts for 16 per cent of US oil imports. Ghana's deposits may prove substantial.
The International Monetary Fund has estimated that government revenues from oil and gas could total $20 billion over the next 20 years from one offshore field that contains a projected 1.8 billions of crude oil.
Ghana also ranks as Africa's number-two gold producer, behind South Africa.
In addition to the attention being paid to Ghana by Africom, the Obama administration is bolstering US military relations with the country by seeking funding increases for military training and weapons-purchase programmes.
President Obama has asked the US Congress to provide $850,000 in military training funds for Ghana in the coming year, compared to $650,000 allocated this year. Financing for Ghana's weapons purchases from the US is similarly slated to increase - from $300,000 to $450,000.
The US has also been providing substantial sums of non-military aid to Ghana in recent years.
Ghana was approved in 2006 for what was then the largest development grant awarded through Washington's Millennium Challenge programme. The $547, five-year allocation comes in addition to nearly $60 million in health spending that the Obama administration has proposed for Ghana in the coming year.
08 July, 2009
De Gucht to replace Michel.
The European Voice
8 July 2009
By Toby Vogel
Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht to take over European Commission's aid and development portfolio from Louis Michel.
The Belgian government has confirmed that Karel De Gucht, the foreign minister, is to succeed Louis Michel as the country's European commissioner. Michel confirmed on Tuesday (7 July) that he would be leaving the Commission next Monday to take up a seat in the European Parliament the following day.
It is expected that De Gucht will take over from Michel the dossier of development and humanitarian aid, but the date on which he will start has not yet been fixed.
He will be the third replacement commissioner to arrive in recent weeks. Dalia Grybauskeitė left to become Lithuania's president and was replaced by Algirdas Šemeta, who was until then the country's finance minister. Danuta Hübner, Poland's European commissioner, like Michel, stood in the European Parliament elections. She is being replaced as commissioner by Paweł Samecki, a member of the board of the National Bank of Poland.
Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium's prime minister, had made it clear on 3 July that Belgium – which supports a strong European Commission – would not leave its seat at the Commission table empty for long. De Gucht said in an interview with the Flemish newspaper De Standaard that he had hesitated over whether to take the job, even after a conversation with Commission President José Manuel Barroso on 2 July. The foreign minister, who was yesterday accompanying the Belgian monarch, King Albert, on a state visit to Romania, said that leaving the post of foreign minister was “the most difficult decision” of his entire career.
But the prospects for the Flemish Liberals, De Gucht's party, are limited. They are only junior partners in the federal government. Having suffered setbacks in last month's regional elections, they will be left out of the regional government in Flanders and Brussels. De Gucht's long-time ally, Guy Verhofstadt, has already made the switch to European politics, becoming an MEP and leader of the liberal group in the Parliament.
De Gucht was an MEP in 1980-94 and a member of the Flemish regional parliament in 1995-2003. He became foreign minister in 2004, when he was once again following Michel, who had just left to join the Commission.
As foreign minister he took a much harder line than Michel with some African leaders, notably Joseph Kabila, leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former Belgian colony. He took a much tougher tone on respecting human rights and fighting corruption.
He was also considered a hard-liner in his party on immigration and the rights of asylum-seekers.
While De Gucht is expected to hold the development portfolio for the remainder of Barroso's mandate, he will be given a new portfolio when the new Commission is formed at the end of the year.
Under a previous agreement, it is expected that a Flemish Christian Democrat (CD&V) will succeed De Gucht as Belgian foreign minister, quite likely Yves Leterme, a former Belgian prime minister.
8 July 2009
By Toby Vogel
Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht to take over European Commission's aid and development portfolio from Louis Michel.
The Belgian government has confirmed that Karel De Gucht, the foreign minister, is to succeed Louis Michel as the country's European commissioner. Michel confirmed on Tuesday (7 July) that he would be leaving the Commission next Monday to take up a seat in the European Parliament the following day.
It is expected that De Gucht will take over from Michel the dossier of development and humanitarian aid, but the date on which he will start has not yet been fixed.
He will be the third replacement commissioner to arrive in recent weeks. Dalia Grybauskeitė left to become Lithuania's president and was replaced by Algirdas Šemeta, who was until then the country's finance minister. Danuta Hübner, Poland's European commissioner, like Michel, stood in the European Parliament elections. She is being replaced as commissioner by Paweł Samecki, a member of the board of the National Bank of Poland.
Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium's prime minister, had made it clear on 3 July that Belgium – which supports a strong European Commission – would not leave its seat at the Commission table empty for long. De Gucht said in an interview with the Flemish newspaper De Standaard that he had hesitated over whether to take the job, even after a conversation with Commission President José Manuel Barroso on 2 July. The foreign minister, who was yesterday accompanying the Belgian monarch, King Albert, on a state visit to Romania, said that leaving the post of foreign minister was “the most difficult decision” of his entire career.
But the prospects for the Flemish Liberals, De Gucht's party, are limited. They are only junior partners in the federal government. Having suffered setbacks in last month's regional elections, they will be left out of the regional government in Flanders and Brussels. De Gucht's long-time ally, Guy Verhofstadt, has already made the switch to European politics, becoming an MEP and leader of the liberal group in the Parliament.
De Gucht was an MEP in 1980-94 and a member of the Flemish regional parliament in 1995-2003. He became foreign minister in 2004, when he was once again following Michel, who had just left to join the Commission.
As foreign minister he took a much harder line than Michel with some African leaders, notably Joseph Kabila, leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a former Belgian colony. He took a much tougher tone on respecting human rights and fighting corruption.
He was also considered a hard-liner in his party on immigration and the rights of asylum-seekers.
While De Gucht is expected to hold the development portfolio for the remainder of Barroso's mandate, he will be given a new portfolio when the new Commission is formed at the end of the year.
Under a previous agreement, it is expected that a Flemish Christian Democrat (CD&V) will succeed De Gucht as Belgian foreign minister, quite likely Yves Leterme, a former Belgian prime minister.
Tullow Finds More Oil in Uganda as U.K. Output Drops (Update1).
Bloomberg
8 July 2009
By Eduard Gismatullin
Tullow Oil Plc, the U.K. explorer with projects in Africa, Europe and South Asia, reported further oil discoveries in Uganda as production fell in the U.K.
The company found oil at the Wahrindi-1 well, extending the Victoria Nile Delta reserves, London-based Tullow said today in a statement. Drilling is continuing at the Ngassa-2 well where “oil shows have been encountered,” it said.
The explorer needs to drill a further 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) at Ngassa-2, Chief Financial Officer Ian Springett said by phone. “We had to sidetrack the well and that’s led to a revised date for reaching target depth later in August,” he said.
Tullow is focusing on field development in Uganda and Ghana to counter a decline in production in Britain, where setbacks in North Sea operations have curbed output. It’s investing about $3.1 billion with partners to start crude extraction at the Ghanaian Jubilee deposit in the second half of 2010.
The Ngassa-2 well has shales, or rock, which is “quite tricky to drill through, but the more we drill them the more we learn about them,” Tullow Exploration Director Angus McCoss said today on a conference call with investors. “With respect to the sidetrack, there is not significant deviation at all, it’s just basically running alongside the first hole.”
Declining Production
The company’s first-half oil and gas output fell 16 percent from a year earlier to an average of 59,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day. Tullow expects to pump 58,000 barrels a day this year, at the lower end of a range it announced in May.
“With Jubilee still on track for first production in the second half of 2010 and no sign of exploration prospectivity diminishing, the market is again likely to take any production shortcomings in its stride,” Gerry Hennigan, an analyst with Goodbody Stockbrokers in Dublin, said today in a report.
Tullow has forecast a drop in first-half revenue to about 290 million pounds ($466 million) from 378 million pounds a year earlier, following lower oil and gas prices and sales volumes.
Tullow fell as much as 49.5 pence, or 5.6 percent, to 841 pence in London trading, the lowest intraday price since May 5. The stock was at 877 pence as of 10:24 a.m. local time.
“It promises to be an exciting second half of the year,” Chief Executive Officer Aidan Heavey said in the statement, citing “high-impact” wells in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and the result of the “significant” Ngassa-2 well in Uganda.
In South America, the explorer has received proposals for a partnership in French Guiana, while seismic studies have revealed “large leads offshore Guyana,” Tullow said. In Africa, “a further two licenses are being acquired elsewhere in the Liberian Basin,” it said.
8 July 2009
By Eduard Gismatullin
Tullow Oil Plc, the U.K. explorer with projects in Africa, Europe and South Asia, reported further oil discoveries in Uganda as production fell in the U.K.
The company found oil at the Wahrindi-1 well, extending the Victoria Nile Delta reserves, London-based Tullow said today in a statement. Drilling is continuing at the Ngassa-2 well where “oil shows have been encountered,” it said.
The explorer needs to drill a further 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) at Ngassa-2, Chief Financial Officer Ian Springett said by phone. “We had to sidetrack the well and that’s led to a revised date for reaching target depth later in August,” he said.
Tullow is focusing on field development in Uganda and Ghana to counter a decline in production in Britain, where setbacks in North Sea operations have curbed output. It’s investing about $3.1 billion with partners to start crude extraction at the Ghanaian Jubilee deposit in the second half of 2010.
The Ngassa-2 well has shales, or rock, which is “quite tricky to drill through, but the more we drill them the more we learn about them,” Tullow Exploration Director Angus McCoss said today on a conference call with investors. “With respect to the sidetrack, there is not significant deviation at all, it’s just basically running alongside the first hole.”
Declining Production
The company’s first-half oil and gas output fell 16 percent from a year earlier to an average of 59,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day. Tullow expects to pump 58,000 barrels a day this year, at the lower end of a range it announced in May.
“With Jubilee still on track for first production in the second half of 2010 and no sign of exploration prospectivity diminishing, the market is again likely to take any production shortcomings in its stride,” Gerry Hennigan, an analyst with Goodbody Stockbrokers in Dublin, said today in a report.
Tullow has forecast a drop in first-half revenue to about 290 million pounds ($466 million) from 378 million pounds a year earlier, following lower oil and gas prices and sales volumes.
Tullow fell as much as 49.5 pence, or 5.6 percent, to 841 pence in London trading, the lowest intraday price since May 5. The stock was at 877 pence as of 10:24 a.m. local time.
“It promises to be an exciting second half of the year,” Chief Executive Officer Aidan Heavey said in the statement, citing “high-impact” wells in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and the result of the “significant” Ngassa-2 well in Uganda.
In South America, the explorer has received proposals for a partnership in French Guiana, while seismic studies have revealed “large leads offshore Guyana,” Tullow said. In Africa, “a further two licenses are being acquired elsewhere in the Liberian Basin,” it said.
Security Council extends term of office of judges for International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in effort to expedite court’s completion of work.
African Press Organization
8 July 2009
Urging the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to take all possible measures to complete its work expeditiously, the Security Council today extended the term of office of six permanent judges until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they were or will be assigned if sooner.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1878 (2009), tabled by Austria, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also extended until the same date the term of office of 11 ad litem judges.
Stressing that it did so without setting a precedent, the Council also decided, among other things, that two judges (Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal from Sri Lanka and Judge Emile Francis Short from Ghana) might work part-time and engage in another judicial occupation of independent status in their home countries during the remainder of their terms of office.
Expressing its expectation that the extension of the term of office of judges would contribute towards the implementation of the Tribunal’s completion strategy, the Council further decided to review the extension of the term of office of the permanent judges who were members of the Appeals Chamber by 31 December 2009.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established in 1994 by resolution 955 for the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994. It may also deal with the prosecution of Rwandan citizens responsible for genocide and other such violations of international law committed in the territory of neighbouring States during the same period.
The Council was briefed on 4 June by Judge Dennis Byron, the Tribunal’s President and Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow, as well as Thomas Mayr-Harting of Austria, Chairman of the Council’s informal working group on the International Tribunals. (For details, see Press Release SC/9670.)
The names of judges whose term of office was extended today can be found in the full text of the resolution.
The meeting started at 10:15 a.m. and adjourned at 10:19 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1878 (2009) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Taking note of the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 19 June 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (”the International Tribunal”) dated 29 May 2009 and the letter from the President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia dated 27 May 2009 (S/2009/333), and the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 26 June 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Tribunal dated 15 June 2009 (S/2009/334), and the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 2 July 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Tribunal dated 1 July 2009 (S/2009/336),
“Recalling its resolutions 955 (1994) of 8 November 1994, 1165 (1998) of 30 April 1998, 1329 (2000) of 30 November 2000, 1411 (2002) of 17 May 2002, 1431 (2002) of 14 August 2002, 1717 (2006) of 13 October 2006, 1824 (2008) of 18 July 2008 and 1855 (2008) of 19 December 2008,
“Recalling in particular its resolutions 1503 (2003) of 28 August 2003 and 1534 (2004) of 26 March 2004, in which the Security Council calls on the International Tribunal to take all possible measures to complete investigations by the end of 2004, to complete all trial activities at first instance by the end of 2008, and to complete all work in 2010,
“Taking note of the assessment by the International Tribunal in its Completion Strategy Report (S/2009/247) that the Tribunal will not be in a position to complete all its work in 2010,
“Having considered the proposals submitted by the President of the International Tribunal,
“Expressing its determination to support the efforts made by the International Tribunal towards the completion of its work at the earliest date,
“Recalling that in its resolution 1824 (2008) the Security Council extended the term of office of permanent judges Mehmet Güney (Turkey) and Andrésia Vaz (Senegal), who are members of the Appeals Chamber, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases before the Appeals Chamber if sooner,
“Expressing its expectation that the extension of the term of office of judges will enhance the effectiveness of judicial proceedings and contribute towards the implementation of the Completion Strategy of the International Tribunal,
“Noting that permanent judge Sergei Aleckseevich Egorov ( Russian Federation) intends to resign from the International Tribunal,
“Convinced of the need to enlarge the membership of the Appeals Chamber in view of the anticipated increase in the workload of the Appeals Chamber upon completion of the trial proceedings,
“Stressing the need to ensure that none of the Appeals Chamber judges is assigned to any case to which he or she was assigned at the pre-trial or trial stage,
“Noting the concerns expressed by the President of the International Tribunal about the terms and conditions of service of ad litem judges in light of their duration of service and share of the workload of the International Tribunal,
“Urging the International Tribunal to take all possible measures to complete its work expeditiously,
“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
“1. Decides to review the extension of the term of office of the permanent judges at the International Tribunal, who are members of the Appeals Chamber, by 31 December 2009, in light of the progress of the International Tribunal in the implementation of the Completion Strategy;
“2. Decides to extend the term of office of the following permanent judges at the International Tribunal, who are members of the Trial Chambers, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned if sooner:
– Charles Michael Dennis Byron ( Saint Kitts and Nevis)
– Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva (Sri Lanka)
– Khalida Rachid Khan ( Pakistan)
– Arlette Ramaroson ( Madagascar)
– William H. Sekule (United Republic of Tanzania)
“3. Decides that the term of office of the permanent judge appointed to replace Sergei Aleckseevich Egorov (Russian Federation) shall extend until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which he or she will be assigned if sooner;
“4. Decides to extend the term of office of the following ad litem judges, currently serving at the International Tribunal, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned if sooner:
– Aydin Sefa Akay ( Turkey)
– Florence Rita Arrey ( Cameroon)
– Solomy Balungi Bossa ( Uganda)
– Taghrid Hikmet ( Jordan)
– Vagn Joensen ( Denmark)
– Gberdao Gustave Kam ( Burkina Faso)
– Joseph Edward Chiondo Masanche (United Republic of Tanzania)
– Lee Gacugia Muthoga ( Kenya)
– Seon Ki Park ( Republic of Korea)
– Mparany Mamy Richard Rajohnson ( Madagascar)
– Emile Francis Short ( Ghana)
“5. Decides to allow ad litem Judge Joensen to serve in the International Tribunal beyond the cumulative period of service provided for under article 12 ter, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Tribunal;
“6. Decides, in light of the exceptional circumstances, that notwithstanding article 12 bis, paragraph 3, of the Statute of the International Tribunal, Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva and Judge Emile Francis Short may work part-time and engage in another judicial occupation or occupation of equivalent independent status in their home countries during the remainder of their terms of office until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned; takes note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete the cases by mid-2010; and underscores that this exceptional authorization shall not be considered as establishing a precedent. The President of the International Tribunal shall have the responsibility to ensure that this arrangement is compatible with the independence and impartiality of the judges, does not give rise to conflicts of interest and does not delay the delivery of the judgement;
“7. Decides that notwithstanding article 11, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the International Tribunal, and on an exceptional basis, Judge Egorov, once replaced as a member of the International Tribunal, complete the cases which he began before his resignation; and takes note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete the cases by the end of 2009;
“8. Decides to amend article 13, paragraph 3 of the Statute of the International Tribunal as set out in the annex to this resolution;
“9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Annex
Article 13: Officers and members of the Chambers
3. After consultation with the permanent judges of the International Tribunal for Rwanda, the President shall assign two of the permanent judges elected or appointed in accordance with article 12 bis of the present Statute to be members of the Appeals Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and eight to the Trial Chambers of the International Tribunal for Rwanda. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 11, paragraph 1, and article 11, paragraph 3, the President may assign to the Appeals Chamber up to four additional permanent judges serving in the Trial Chambers, on the completion of the cases to which each judge is assigned. The term of office of each judge redeployed to the Appeals Chamber shall be the same as the term of office of the judges serving in the Appeals Chamber.
8 July 2009
Urging the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to take all possible measures to complete its work expeditiously, the Security Council today extended the term of office of six permanent judges until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they were or will be assigned if sooner.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1878 (2009), tabled by Austria, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also extended until the same date the term of office of 11 ad litem judges.
Stressing that it did so without setting a precedent, the Council also decided, among other things, that two judges (Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal from Sri Lanka and Judge Emile Francis Short from Ghana) might work part-time and engage in another judicial occupation of independent status in their home countries during the remainder of their terms of office.
Expressing its expectation that the extension of the term of office of judges would contribute towards the implementation of the Tribunal’s completion strategy, the Council further decided to review the extension of the term of office of the permanent judges who were members of the Appeals Chamber by 31 December 2009.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established in 1994 by resolution 955 for the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994. It may also deal with the prosecution of Rwandan citizens responsible for genocide and other such violations of international law committed in the territory of neighbouring States during the same period.
The Council was briefed on 4 June by Judge Dennis Byron, the Tribunal’s President and Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow, as well as Thomas Mayr-Harting of Austria, Chairman of the Council’s informal working group on the International Tribunals. (For details, see Press Release SC/9670.)
The names of judges whose term of office was extended today can be found in the full text of the resolution.
The meeting started at 10:15 a.m. and adjourned at 10:19 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1878 (2009) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Taking note of the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 19 June 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (”the International Tribunal”) dated 29 May 2009 and the letter from the President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia dated 27 May 2009 (S/2009/333), and the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 26 June 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Tribunal dated 15 June 2009 (S/2009/334), and the letter to the President of the Council from the Secretary-General dated 2 July 2009, attaching the letter from the President of the International Tribunal dated 1 July 2009 (S/2009/336),
“Recalling its resolutions 955 (1994) of 8 November 1994, 1165 (1998) of 30 April 1998, 1329 (2000) of 30 November 2000, 1411 (2002) of 17 May 2002, 1431 (2002) of 14 August 2002, 1717 (2006) of 13 October 2006, 1824 (2008) of 18 July 2008 and 1855 (2008) of 19 December 2008,
“Recalling in particular its resolutions 1503 (2003) of 28 August 2003 and 1534 (2004) of 26 March 2004, in which the Security Council calls on the International Tribunal to take all possible measures to complete investigations by the end of 2004, to complete all trial activities at first instance by the end of 2008, and to complete all work in 2010,
“Taking note of the assessment by the International Tribunal in its Completion Strategy Report (S/2009/247) that the Tribunal will not be in a position to complete all its work in 2010,
“Having considered the proposals submitted by the President of the International Tribunal,
“Expressing its determination to support the efforts made by the International Tribunal towards the completion of its work at the earliest date,
“Recalling that in its resolution 1824 (2008) the Security Council extended the term of office of permanent judges Mehmet Güney (Turkey) and Andrésia Vaz (Senegal), who are members of the Appeals Chamber, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases before the Appeals Chamber if sooner,
“Expressing its expectation that the extension of the term of office of judges will enhance the effectiveness of judicial proceedings and contribute towards the implementation of the Completion Strategy of the International Tribunal,
“Noting that permanent judge Sergei Aleckseevich Egorov ( Russian Federation) intends to resign from the International Tribunal,
“Convinced of the need to enlarge the membership of the Appeals Chamber in view of the anticipated increase in the workload of the Appeals Chamber upon completion of the trial proceedings,
“Stressing the need to ensure that none of the Appeals Chamber judges is assigned to any case to which he or she was assigned at the pre-trial or trial stage,
“Noting the concerns expressed by the President of the International Tribunal about the terms and conditions of service of ad litem judges in light of their duration of service and share of the workload of the International Tribunal,
“Urging the International Tribunal to take all possible measures to complete its work expeditiously,
“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
“1. Decides to review the extension of the term of office of the permanent judges at the International Tribunal, who are members of the Appeals Chamber, by 31 December 2009, in light of the progress of the International Tribunal in the implementation of the Completion Strategy;
“2. Decides to extend the term of office of the following permanent judges at the International Tribunal, who are members of the Trial Chambers, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned if sooner:
– Charles Michael Dennis Byron ( Saint Kitts and Nevis)
– Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva (Sri Lanka)
– Khalida Rachid Khan ( Pakistan)
– Arlette Ramaroson ( Madagascar)
– William H. Sekule (United Republic of Tanzania)
“3. Decides that the term of office of the permanent judge appointed to replace Sergei Aleckseevich Egorov (Russian Federation) shall extend until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which he or she will be assigned if sooner;
“4. Decides to extend the term of office of the following ad litem judges, currently serving at the International Tribunal, until 31 December 2010, or until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned if sooner:
– Aydin Sefa Akay ( Turkey)
– Florence Rita Arrey ( Cameroon)
– Solomy Balungi Bossa ( Uganda)
– Taghrid Hikmet ( Jordan)
– Vagn Joensen ( Denmark)
– Gberdao Gustave Kam ( Burkina Faso)
– Joseph Edward Chiondo Masanche (United Republic of Tanzania)
– Lee Gacugia Muthoga ( Kenya)
– Seon Ki Park ( Republic of Korea)
– Mparany Mamy Richard Rajohnson ( Madagascar)
– Emile Francis Short ( Ghana)
“5. Decides to allow ad litem Judge Joensen to serve in the International Tribunal beyond the cumulative period of service provided for under article 12 ter, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Tribunal;
“6. Decides, in light of the exceptional circumstances, that notwithstanding article 12 bis, paragraph 3, of the Statute of the International Tribunal, Judge Joseph Asoka Nihal de Silva and Judge Emile Francis Short may work part-time and engage in another judicial occupation or occupation of equivalent independent status in their home countries during the remainder of their terms of office until the completion of the cases to which they are assigned; takes note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete the cases by mid-2010; and underscores that this exceptional authorization shall not be considered as establishing a precedent. The President of the International Tribunal shall have the responsibility to ensure that this arrangement is compatible with the independence and impartiality of the judges, does not give rise to conflicts of interest and does not delay the delivery of the judgement;
“7. Decides that notwithstanding article 11, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the International Tribunal, and on an exceptional basis, Judge Egorov, once replaced as a member of the International Tribunal, complete the cases which he began before his resignation; and takes note of the intention of the International Tribunal to complete the cases by the end of 2009;
“8. Decides to amend article 13, paragraph 3 of the Statute of the International Tribunal as set out in the annex to this resolution;
“9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Annex
Article 13: Officers and members of the Chambers
3. After consultation with the permanent judges of the International Tribunal for Rwanda, the President shall assign two of the permanent judges elected or appointed in accordance with article 12 bis of the present Statute to be members of the Appeals Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and eight to the Trial Chambers of the International Tribunal for Rwanda. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 11, paragraph 1, and article 11, paragraph 3, the President may assign to the Appeals Chamber up to four additional permanent judges serving in the Trial Chambers, on the completion of the cases to which each judge is assigned. The term of office of each judge redeployed to the Appeals Chamber shall be the same as the term of office of the judges serving in the Appeals Chamber.
Liberia: TRC Members Threatened.
The Analyst
8 July 2009
A US-based Liberia Human Rights Campaign (LHRC) has revealed that since the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), made public their report, members of the Commission are receiving fearful threats on their livesA. As a result, most of the TRC Members left their homes and are in hiding.
LHRC further said: "We are told the threats are so real that TRC Commissioners are even refusing to accept phone calls fearing that their calls could be traced. It is based on this that the Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is calling on the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf- led Unity Party Government of Liberia, to take all necessary measures to provide full protection to each member of the commission who wants it.
"The international community and people of Liberia will hold the Liberian government personally responsible if any harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members. Any cell phone company that will use its equipments in any criminal manner that will lead to harm to any TRC members, or any Liberian, will face the full weight of the law at the appropriate time."
LHRC is also calling on the United Nations Mission in Liberia, or UNMIL, "to ensure the safety of these brave Liberians. The people of Liberia confidence in the UN presence in Liberia could be severely shaken, if not diminish, if harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members while its troops are in Liberia. For too long the Liberian nation has been held hostage, its development undermined, as a result of years and years of violence and corruption.
"The UN troops in Liberia must move quickly to reassure the people of Liberia that everything will be done to prevent any more escalation of violence in their country. Any attempt to do harm to these TRC members, has the potentials to cause disruption in the country. Or could set the stage for a violent confrontation that could reverse Liberia's stable path".
LHRC further revealed that the threats on the TRC Members are "mainly from former warlord Prince Y. Johnson, Saah Gborlie", noting, "they (those who are making these threats against the TRC members), should be aware that the threats in themselves are criminal acts punishable by law. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gborlie will also be held personally responsible if anything was to happen to any of the TRC members.
"Such an act will not be forgiven, and will be unkindly looked upon by the Liberian people. These public threats coming from Johnson, Gborlie and others, are grounds for their immediate arrest by the Liberian National Police, assisted by the UN peacekeeping force. These threat makers should recognize that we the people of Liberia will not be intimidated any more, neither coward in submission."
In the main time, Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is inviting all patriotic Liberia to a world wide teleconference on July 10, 2009 with the goal of crafting a response to the unfolding events in Liberia, namely, the TRC report and the Liberian people call for a war crimes tribunal in Liberia. "We hope you will join us. The teleconference will be broadcast by the Voice of America," the group concluded.
8 July 2009
A US-based Liberia Human Rights Campaign (LHRC) has revealed that since the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), made public their report, members of the Commission are receiving fearful threats on their livesA. As a result, most of the TRC Members left their homes and are in hiding.
LHRC further said: "We are told the threats are so real that TRC Commissioners are even refusing to accept phone calls fearing that their calls could be traced. It is based on this that the Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is calling on the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf- led Unity Party Government of Liberia, to take all necessary measures to provide full protection to each member of the commission who wants it.
"The international community and people of Liberia will hold the Liberian government personally responsible if any harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members. Any cell phone company that will use its equipments in any criminal manner that will lead to harm to any TRC members, or any Liberian, will face the full weight of the law at the appropriate time."
LHRC is also calling on the United Nations Mission in Liberia, or UNMIL, "to ensure the safety of these brave Liberians. The people of Liberia confidence in the UN presence in Liberia could be severely shaken, if not diminish, if harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members while its troops are in Liberia. For too long the Liberian nation has been held hostage, its development undermined, as a result of years and years of violence and corruption.
"The UN troops in Liberia must move quickly to reassure the people of Liberia that everything will be done to prevent any more escalation of violence in their country. Any attempt to do harm to these TRC members, has the potentials to cause disruption in the country. Or could set the stage for a violent confrontation that could reverse Liberia's stable path".
LHRC further revealed that the threats on the TRC Members are "mainly from former warlord Prince Y. Johnson, Saah Gborlie", noting, "they (those who are making these threats against the TRC members), should be aware that the threats in themselves are criminal acts punishable by law. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gborlie will also be held personally responsible if anything was to happen to any of the TRC members.
"Such an act will not be forgiven, and will be unkindly looked upon by the Liberian people. These public threats coming from Johnson, Gborlie and others, are grounds for their immediate arrest by the Liberian National Police, assisted by the UN peacekeeping force. These threat makers should recognize that we the people of Liberia will not be intimidated any more, neither coward in submission."
In the main time, Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is inviting all patriotic Liberia to a world wide teleconference on July 10, 2009 with the goal of crafting a response to the unfolding events in Liberia, namely, the TRC report and the Liberian people call for a war crimes tribunal in Liberia. "We hope you will join us. The teleconference will be broadcast by the Voice of America," the group concluded.
A major boost for Gold mining in Ghana.
Afrol News
7 July 2009
Ghana is expected to establish a $15 million gold refinery project in the last quarter of 2009, C. C. Global Investments has announced in the statement.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Mustapha Muradi said the refinery is expected to create more jobs for Ghanaians, while at the same time it is expected to be a major boost in the country’s booming gold industry.
He said despite the plan to hire more than 100 people, it will no longer be a hassle for mining companies to export the gold to foreign countries for refinery. “It can be refined in the presence of the owner and shipped as pure gold of about 99.99 per cent,” he stated.
Dr Muradi said the 97 per cent of the gold refined in Ghana would be exported to the European, Middle East, American and possibly the Asian markets, stating that, the remaining three percent would be left for the state.
He said a team of 21 engineers and technicians would be in Ghana for a month to train local personnel expected to work in the refinery, further stating that all the work would be done by locals although few foreign personnel would oversee the project.
According to Dr Muradi, Ghana was chosen to have a refinery due to the country’s political and economic stability. “There are other areas that have bigger gold in Africa, but they are not safe states. Liberia, Guinea and South Africa for instance have gold in abundance,” he said.
He said the company might extend its operations to jewelry manufacturing in the next few years, and would partner with local educational institutions in the country.
The project once completed is expected to refine over 300 kilogrammes of gold daily.
7 July 2009
Ghana is expected to establish a $15 million gold refinery project in the last quarter of 2009, C. C. Global Investments has announced in the statement.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr Mustapha Muradi said the refinery is expected to create more jobs for Ghanaians, while at the same time it is expected to be a major boost in the country’s booming gold industry.
He said despite the plan to hire more than 100 people, it will no longer be a hassle for mining companies to export the gold to foreign countries for refinery. “It can be refined in the presence of the owner and shipped as pure gold of about 99.99 per cent,” he stated.
Dr Muradi said the 97 per cent of the gold refined in Ghana would be exported to the European, Middle East, American and possibly the Asian markets, stating that, the remaining three percent would be left for the state.
He said a team of 21 engineers and technicians would be in Ghana for a month to train local personnel expected to work in the refinery, further stating that all the work would be done by locals although few foreign personnel would oversee the project.
According to Dr Muradi, Ghana was chosen to have a refinery due to the country’s political and economic stability. “There are other areas that have bigger gold in Africa, but they are not safe states. Liberia, Guinea and South Africa for instance have gold in abundance,” he said.
He said the company might extend its operations to jewelry manufacturing in the next few years, and would partner with local educational institutions in the country.
The project once completed is expected to refine over 300 kilogrammes of gold daily.
07 July, 2009
Shell, Iraq Gas Deal Progressing, Cabinet To OK Study.
by Hassan Hafidh
Dow Jones Newswires 7/7/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=77965
The multibillion dollar deal between Royal Dutch Shell PLC and the Iraqi government to jointly develop domestic gas infrastructure in Iraq's south is progressing and the oil ministry is submitting a feasibility study to the cabinet before concluding a final deal, Iraq's deputy oil minister said Monday.
"We are planning to submit a comprehensive feasibility study on the project to the cabinet by the end of this month," Ahmad al-Shammaa told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview. Both sides had held several meetings outlining details of the contract such as what to do with produced dry and liquefied gas, he said.
"The company is thinking of exporting extra gas after meeting domestic needs though setting up offshore installations."
Shell and Iraq's South Gas Co. last September reached in Baghdad a preliminary agreement to produce gas from key Iraqi oil fields in the southern Basra province. They agreed that they should sign the final deal in a year.
According to the agreement Iraq's South Gas Co. will control 51% while Shell will hold the remaining 49% of the venture.
The joint venture will exploit flared associated gas for domestic use and export the rest as liquefied natural gas via the Arabian Gulf using Iraq's southern ports or through pipelines. The agreement with Shell has drawn a lot of criticism from various Iraqi politicians and oil industry figures, who argue that Shell didn't compete with other international companies to get the deal.
The oil ministry, however, says Shell was chosen among other international companies invited to compete for the deal. Around 800 million cubic feet of natural gas is burned off each day from Basra oil fields because there is no infrastructure to utilize it. The government wants to use the gas for domestic electricity production and export the remainder.
Iraq, which has proven natural gas reserves of 3.15 trillion cubic meters, has a daily natural gas production of 1.64 billion cubic feet, 70% of which was flared. Two gas fields listed in Baghdad's first bid round concluded June 30 weren't awarded to international companies.
Dow Jones Newswires 7/7/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=77965
The multibillion dollar deal between Royal Dutch Shell PLC and the Iraqi government to jointly develop domestic gas infrastructure in Iraq's south is progressing and the oil ministry is submitting a feasibility study to the cabinet before concluding a final deal, Iraq's deputy oil minister said Monday.
"We are planning to submit a comprehensive feasibility study on the project to the cabinet by the end of this month," Ahmad al-Shammaa told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview. Both sides had held several meetings outlining details of the contract such as what to do with produced dry and liquefied gas, he said.
"The company is thinking of exporting extra gas after meeting domestic needs though setting up offshore installations."
Shell and Iraq's South Gas Co. last September reached in Baghdad a preliminary agreement to produce gas from key Iraqi oil fields in the southern Basra province. They agreed that they should sign the final deal in a year.
According to the agreement Iraq's South Gas Co. will control 51% while Shell will hold the remaining 49% of the venture.
The joint venture will exploit flared associated gas for domestic use and export the rest as liquefied natural gas via the Arabian Gulf using Iraq's southern ports or through pipelines. The agreement with Shell has drawn a lot of criticism from various Iraqi politicians and oil industry figures, who argue that Shell didn't compete with other international companies to get the deal.
The oil ministry, however, says Shell was chosen among other international companies invited to compete for the deal. Around 800 million cubic feet of natural gas is burned off each day from Basra oil fields because there is no infrastructure to utilize it. The government wants to use the gas for domestic electricity production and export the remainder.
Iraq, which has proven natural gas reserves of 3.15 trillion cubic meters, has a daily natural gas production of 1.64 billion cubic feet, 70% of which was flared. Two gas fields listed in Baghdad's first bid round concluded June 30 weren't awarded to international companies.
Nigerian Minister Backs Sudan's Admission into APPA.
BBC Monitoring via Comtex
7/7/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=77984
The formal admission of Sudan into the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) yesterday received the endorsement of the minister of petroleum resources, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, as part of the body.
At the event which took place at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers in Abuja, the Minister of Energy and Mining of the Federal Republic of Sudan, Mr Ahzubair Ahmed Al-hassan signed on behalf of his country while Lukman signed on behalf of Nigeria.
"APPA was formed on January 27, 1987 in Lagos at the instance of Nigeria to promote cooperation among member countries in the diverse fields of hydrocarbons such as exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, marketing and human resources," said Lukman.
He said APPA had created the much-needed platform for exchange of experiences and ideas amongst member countries.
According to him, the platform had been exemplified in the shared initiatives, especially in terms of policies and strategic management in all the sector of the oil industry which has enabled member countries to maximize their profits in the exploitation of their non-renewable resources in the face of dwindling crude oil prices and the concomitant global economic crisis.
The Nigerian minister stated that Sudan was admitted into APPA during the 26th Ordinary Session led in Brazzavile, Republic of Congo on March 28, 2009, adding "in furtherance of that admission that you today sign the statue of the Association thereby formalizing your membership."
Lukman stated that with the bilateral relations between the two countries, Sudan's admission into the association was welcome.
In his words, "I consider the membership of our long-time desire to foster stronger economic, social and political relationship between us."
Likman added that Nigeria was prepared to share its tremendous experience in exploration and management of hydrocarbon resources with the Sudanesse.
"It is my fervent hope therefore, that both countries will play very crucial roles in the advancement of the objectives of African Petroleum Producers Association for the improvement of the economic well-being of our peoples," Likman said. "I want to assure you of Nigeria's irrevocable commitment to this."
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Mohanmmed Barkindo, noted that Sudan is the 15th member of APPA, from the original four.
In his response, Ahmed Alhassan thanked the Nigeian government for the role it has played in keeping peace in Sudan and reassured of his country's commitment to the objective of APPA.
7/7/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=77984
The formal admission of Sudan into the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPA) yesterday received the endorsement of the minister of petroleum resources, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, as part of the body.
At the event which took place at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers in Abuja, the Minister of Energy and Mining of the Federal Republic of Sudan, Mr Ahzubair Ahmed Al-hassan signed on behalf of his country while Lukman signed on behalf of Nigeria.
"APPA was formed on January 27, 1987 in Lagos at the instance of Nigeria to promote cooperation among member countries in the diverse fields of hydrocarbons such as exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, marketing and human resources," said Lukman.
He said APPA had created the much-needed platform for exchange of experiences and ideas amongst member countries.
According to him, the platform had been exemplified in the shared initiatives, especially in terms of policies and strategic management in all the sector of the oil industry which has enabled member countries to maximize their profits in the exploitation of their non-renewable resources in the face of dwindling crude oil prices and the concomitant global economic crisis.
The Nigerian minister stated that Sudan was admitted into APPA during the 26th Ordinary Session led in Brazzavile, Republic of Congo on March 28, 2009, adding "in furtherance of that admission that you today sign the statue of the Association thereby formalizing your membership."
Lukman stated that with the bilateral relations between the two countries, Sudan's admission into the association was welcome.
In his words, "I consider the membership of our long-time desire to foster stronger economic, social and political relationship between us."
Likman added that Nigeria was prepared to share its tremendous experience in exploration and management of hydrocarbon resources with the Sudanesse.
"It is my fervent hope therefore, that both countries will play very crucial roles in the advancement of the objectives of African Petroleum Producers Association for the improvement of the economic well-being of our peoples," Likman said. "I want to assure you of Nigeria's irrevocable commitment to this."
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Mohanmmed Barkindo, noted that Sudan is the 15th member of APPA, from the original four.
In his response, Ahmed Alhassan thanked the Nigeian government for the role it has played in keeping peace in Sudan and reassured of his country's commitment to the objective of APPA.
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