Dear Greens,
It's indeed been a terrible day. A man started shouting and threw chairs at our convention in Kigali, and we have established that he is an ex-RDF soldier and a former employee of the Rwandan Military Intelligence (DMI). Three people joined him and one of them had something like a gun-pistol. This was fully observed by the US Envoy, Netherlands Envoy, and many others.
This was well-planned sabotage done by military operatives. Another guy was also from the Local Defense Forces. The police were not helpful at all. It looked like they were compromising us.
The police released all the guys who caused trouble, but then arrested our party members instead, one of them an innocent mother. Thankfully, they have been released but were all forced to make statements to the police, who asked why they had decided to be members of our democratic party.
Several people are injured and one lady is in intensive care with back injuries. I am still finding out just how many are severely injured.
Keep us in your prayers--
Frank Habineza
Here's BBC Radio audio from the convention:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/2009/10/091030_rwanda_opposition.shtml?bw=nb&mp=rm&news=1&ms3=0&ms_javascript=true&bbcws=2
Call now and demand for the safety, freedom, and civil/political rights of Rwandan Greens and all oppressed Rwandans:
Rwandan Embassy telephone number in Washington D.C.: +1 (202) 232-2882.
Main switchboard of the U.S. State Department +1 202-647-4000.
31 October, 2009
30 October, 2009
Colombia and US sign bases deal.
BBC News
30 October 2009
The United States and Colombia have signed a deal giving the US military access to seven Colombian bases.
Both the US and Colombia have previously stressed their aim is to use the bases to combat drug trafficking and rebels.
The prospect of the deal had caused alarm among some of Colombia's neighbours, who object to an increased US military presence.
Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela have all recently expressed concern.
In a statement, Colombia's foreign ministry said the agreement was "based on the principles of total respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and not intervening in the internal affairs of other states", reported Reuters news agency.
'Security'
On Tuesday Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva insisted the agreement did not constitute a major new development but simply a continuation of US-Colombian co-operation.
He said it was supported by the majority of Colombians who, he said, wanted more security.
"The agreement has no geopolitical or strategic connotation, other than being more effective in the fight against drug trafficking," he said.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's claims that the accord could destabilise the region have been dismissed by the US and Colombia.
They claim there will be a cap on how many American military personnel and contractors will be allowed in the country.
30 October 2009
The United States and Colombia have signed a deal giving the US military access to seven Colombian bases.
Both the US and Colombia have previously stressed their aim is to use the bases to combat drug trafficking and rebels.
The prospect of the deal had caused alarm among some of Colombia's neighbours, who object to an increased US military presence.
Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela have all recently expressed concern.
In a statement, Colombia's foreign ministry said the agreement was "based on the principles of total respect for sovereign equality, territorial integrity and not intervening in the internal affairs of other states", reported Reuters news agency.
'Security'
On Tuesday Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva insisted the agreement did not constitute a major new development but simply a continuation of US-Colombian co-operation.
He said it was supported by the majority of Colombians who, he said, wanted more security.
"The agreement has no geopolitical or strategic connotation, other than being more effective in the fight against drug trafficking," he said.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's claims that the accord could destabilise the region have been dismissed by the US and Colombia.
They claim there will be a cap on how many American military personnel and contractors will be allowed in the country.
29 October, 2009
First Quantum Found Guilty of Fraud, Fined Six Million by DRC Government.
Bloomberg
29 October 2009
By Michael Kavanagh
Kingamyambo Musonoi Tailings, a unit of First Quantum Minerals Ltd., has been found guilty of fraud by a court in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fined $6 million, Mines Minister Victor Kasongo said by mobile phone today.
Sharon Loung, a spokeswoman for First Quantum, said the company couldn’t immediately comment when contacted at her office in Toronto.
29 October 2009
By Michael Kavanagh
Kingamyambo Musonoi Tailings, a unit of First Quantum Minerals Ltd., has been found guilty of fraud by a court in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fined $6 million, Mines Minister Victor Kasongo said by mobile phone today.
Sharon Loung, a spokeswoman for First Quantum, said the company couldn’t immediately comment when contacted at her office in Toronto.
Russia blasts U.S. pressure for Thais to extradite Bout.
RIA Novosti
29 October 2009
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it was unacceptable for the United States to apply pressure to secure the extradition of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout from Thailand.
Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said that some Thai and foreign media outlets recently published reports that the United States was pressuring the Thai executive and judicial bodies in an attempt to extradite Bout, currently in prison in Thailand.
"We [Russia] consider such acts, which are of an illegal nature, unacceptable and incompatible with a fair trial for Bout," Nesterenko said.
Former Russian army officer Bout, 42, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 during a sting operation led by U.S. agents.
The Bangkok Criminal Court refused in August to extradite Bout to the United States, where he is accused of conspiring with others to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), among other illegal arms deals, and "threatening the lives of U.S. citizens."
The United States accuses Bout of conspiring to sell FARC more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of guns, high-tech helicopters and airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and missiles. He has been indicted on four terrorism-related charges in New York and could face life in jail.
FARC is considered a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States and the European Union.
However, Thai courts established that FARC was not a terrorist organization but a political one, since it has a controlled territory and a population that lives in that territory.
Bout has been linked to some of the world's most notorious conflicts, as well as allegedly supplying arms to former Liberian president Charles Taylor and Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. He has repeatedly denied the accusations.
29 October 2009
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it was unacceptable for the United States to apply pressure to secure the extradition of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout from Thailand.
Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said that some Thai and foreign media outlets recently published reports that the United States was pressuring the Thai executive and judicial bodies in an attempt to extradite Bout, currently in prison in Thailand.
"We [Russia] consider such acts, which are of an illegal nature, unacceptable and incompatible with a fair trial for Bout," Nesterenko said.
Former Russian army officer Bout, 42, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 during a sting operation led by U.S. agents.
The Bangkok Criminal Court refused in August to extradite Bout to the United States, where he is accused of conspiring with others to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), among other illegal arms deals, and "threatening the lives of U.S. citizens."
The United States accuses Bout of conspiring to sell FARC more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of guns, high-tech helicopters and airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and missiles. He has been indicted on four terrorism-related charges in New York and could face life in jail.
FARC is considered a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States and the European Union.
However, Thai courts established that FARC was not a terrorist organization but a political one, since it has a controlled territory and a population that lives in that territory.
Bout has been linked to some of the world's most notorious conflicts, as well as allegedly supplying arms to former Liberian president Charles Taylor and Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. He has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Iraq to Sign Rumaila Field Deal with BP, CNPC Nov 3.
by Hassan Hafidh
Dow Jones Newswires
10/29/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=81923
AMMAN (Dow Jones), Oct. 29, 2009
The Iraqi Oil Ministry will sign a deal worth billions of dollars with BP and CNPC Tuesday to develop Rumaila, Iraq's largest producing oil field, a ministry spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires Thursday.
Assem Jihad said the ministry would also sign an initial agreement with Italy's Eni SpA Sunday to develop the Zubair oil field in southern Iraq. The agreement will then be sent to the Council of Ministers for final approval, he said.
Eni and its partners Occidental Petroleum and South Korea’s Kogas made an earlier offer for a service fee of $4.40 a barrel to $2 a barrel, as set by the Iraqi oil ministry.
Eni aims to boost Zubair production from 195,000 barrels a day to a plateau of 1.125 million barrels a day in the next seven years.
The BP/CNPC contract, worth more than $15 billion, was unanimously approved by the Iraqi Council of Ministers earlier this month, a milestone in Iraq's efforts to rehabilitate its struggling oil sector.
Under the 20-year service contract, BP will hold a 38% stake in the venture, while CNPC will possess 37%. Iraq will hold the remaining 25%.
Rumaila, with estimated proven reserves of 17 - 20 billion barrels, is currently producing some 1.05 million barrels a day -- almost half of Iraq's total production.
BP and CNPC plan to increase production to 2.85 million barrels a day.
The BP-led group won the project to develop the southern Rumaila field in Iraq's first post-war bidding round, which took place at the end of June.
The award of the 20-year service contracts for the two southern oilfields could add more than 2.7 million barrels to Iraq's current production of 2.5 million barrels a day.
Dow Jones Newswires
10/29/2009
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=81923
AMMAN (Dow Jones), Oct. 29, 2009
The Iraqi Oil Ministry will sign a deal worth billions of dollars with BP and CNPC Tuesday to develop Rumaila, Iraq's largest producing oil field, a ministry spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires Thursday.
Assem Jihad said the ministry would also sign an initial agreement with Italy's Eni SpA Sunday to develop the Zubair oil field in southern Iraq. The agreement will then be sent to the Council of Ministers for final approval, he said.
Eni and its partners Occidental Petroleum and South Korea’s Kogas made an earlier offer for a service fee of $4.40 a barrel to $2 a barrel, as set by the Iraqi oil ministry.
Eni aims to boost Zubair production from 195,000 barrels a day to a plateau of 1.125 million barrels a day in the next seven years.
The BP/CNPC contract, worth more than $15 billion, was unanimously approved by the Iraqi Council of Ministers earlier this month, a milestone in Iraq's efforts to rehabilitate its struggling oil sector.
Under the 20-year service contract, BP will hold a 38% stake in the venture, while CNPC will possess 37%. Iraq will hold the remaining 25%.
Rumaila, with estimated proven reserves of 17 - 20 billion barrels, is currently producing some 1.05 million barrels a day -- almost half of Iraq's total production.
BP and CNPC plan to increase production to 2.85 million barrels a day.
The BP-led group won the project to develop the southern Rumaila field in Iraq's first post-war bidding round, which took place at the end of June.
The award of the 20-year service contracts for the two southern oilfields could add more than 2.7 million barrels to Iraq's current production of 2.5 million barrels a day.
France halts African leaders case.
BBC News
29 October 2009
A French appeals court has halted a lawsuit against three African leaders accused of embezzlement.
Anti-corruption group Transparency International had accused the leaders of using African public funds to buy luxury homes and cars in France.
But the court ruled the activists could not act against foreign heads of state.
Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Republic of Congo, Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and the late Omar Bongo of Gabon denied any wrongdoing.
The court's ruling was welcomed by lawyers for Mr Nguema, who were quoted by Reuters news agency as saying it showed that "attempts to use the French justice system for obscure purposes are doomed to fail".
A lawyer for President Ali Bongo of Gabon - Mr Bongo's son, who was elected following his father's death earlier this year - said he was "satisfied" by the ruling.
"We are not hostile to the idea of transparency," he told the Associated Press news agency.
Those in France and Africa who organise and take advantage of the looting of African public money will be celebrating with champagne
Lawyer William Bourdon
Transparency International
The case followed a 2007 French police investigation which found the leaders and their relatives owned homes in upmarket areas of Paris and on the Riviera, along with luxury cars, including Bugattis, Ferraris and Maseratis.
Transparency International, along with rights group Sherpa, had argued that it was not possible that the men and their entourages had bought the assets through their legitimate salaries.
Last May, a French magistrate had ruled that the case, which became known as the "ill-gotten gains" case, was admissible in a French court.
But representatives of the leaders had contested that ruling, saying that as civil society activists, Transparency International had no right to act as plaintiffs against heads of state.
'Questionable'
Transparency International said it would appeal against Thursday's ruling.
Police found the leaders owned luxury properties on the French Riviera
"Those in France and Africa who organise and take advantage of the looting of African public money will be celebrating with champagne," said William Bourdon, a lawyer for Transparency International.
The organisation said it regretted what it called the court's "legally questionable" decision to throw out its case.
In a statement, it said the move was "all the more regrettable because it prevents the opening of a case even though there is no doubt that the holdings identified by the police could not have been made solely with the salaries and fees of the targeted heads of state".
The ruling showed that French law "still needs to evolve" to allow groups such as itself to take legal action, it said.
"Without that, we will continue to deprive victims of corruption of an indispensible means to guarantee their rights."
Maud Perdriel-Vaissiere of Sherpa told AP the news was "a big blow" but was "just one step in a legal battle that will be long".
Gabon and Republic of Congo are former French colonies, while Equatorial Guinea is a growing oil exporter.
Omar Bongo - who was Africa's longest-serving leader - died in June, but members of his family were also named in Transparency International's case.
29 October 2009
A French appeals court has halted a lawsuit against three African leaders accused of embezzlement.
Anti-corruption group Transparency International had accused the leaders of using African public funds to buy luxury homes and cars in France.
But the court ruled the activists could not act against foreign heads of state.
Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Republic of Congo, Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and the late Omar Bongo of Gabon denied any wrongdoing.
The court's ruling was welcomed by lawyers for Mr Nguema, who were quoted by Reuters news agency as saying it showed that "attempts to use the French justice system for obscure purposes are doomed to fail".
A lawyer for President Ali Bongo of Gabon - Mr Bongo's son, who was elected following his father's death earlier this year - said he was "satisfied" by the ruling.
"We are not hostile to the idea of transparency," he told the Associated Press news agency.
Those in France and Africa who organise and take advantage of the looting of African public money will be celebrating with champagne
Lawyer William Bourdon
Transparency International
The case followed a 2007 French police investigation which found the leaders and their relatives owned homes in upmarket areas of Paris and on the Riviera, along with luxury cars, including Bugattis, Ferraris and Maseratis.
Transparency International, along with rights group Sherpa, had argued that it was not possible that the men and their entourages had bought the assets through their legitimate salaries.
Last May, a French magistrate had ruled that the case, which became known as the "ill-gotten gains" case, was admissible in a French court.
But representatives of the leaders had contested that ruling, saying that as civil society activists, Transparency International had no right to act as plaintiffs against heads of state.
'Questionable'
Transparency International said it would appeal against Thursday's ruling.
Police found the leaders owned luxury properties on the French Riviera
"Those in France and Africa who organise and take advantage of the looting of African public money will be celebrating with champagne," said William Bourdon, a lawyer for Transparency International.
The organisation said it regretted what it called the court's "legally questionable" decision to throw out its case.
In a statement, it said the move was "all the more regrettable because it prevents the opening of a case even though there is no doubt that the holdings identified by the police could not have been made solely with the salaries and fees of the targeted heads of state".
The ruling showed that French law "still needs to evolve" to allow groups such as itself to take legal action, it said.
"Without that, we will continue to deprive victims of corruption of an indispensible means to guarantee their rights."
Maud Perdriel-Vaissiere of Sherpa told AP the news was "a big blow" but was "just one step in a legal battle that will be long".
Gabon and Republic of Congo are former French colonies, while Equatorial Guinea is a growing oil exporter.
Omar Bongo - who was Africa's longest-serving leader - died in June, but members of his family were also named in Transparency International's case.
New Rwandan Party Petitions Pres. Kagame over Harassment.
256 News
29 October 2009
The leader of the Democratic Green party of Rwanda (DGPR), Mr. Frank
Habineza, is described by many as the “iron man” of Rwanda. Mr. Habineza launched a new political party on 14th August, 2009 in Kigali, in the presence of many Rwandans, national and international media, and representatives from different diplomatic missions in Rwanda.
The DGPR's main goal is to change the political and socieo-economic history of Rwanda. DGPR is an organization that deeply values and strongly cherishes the noble values of democracy and the principles of the international Green parties.
However, the fate of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda seems to be hanging in balance as it seems there are forces lining up against it who have make it difficult for the DGPR to reach achieve its objectives.
The sad day for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) was on
02/10/09, when Kigali authorities refused to allow the party delegates to hold their official congress, which was attended by more than 900 people.
According to this reporter, Green Party delegates travelled hundreds of kilometers, some for the first time to the capital Kigali. Others braved the trouble of having to move with babies. Others abandoned their jobs to be in Kigali for the event that did not happen.
The newly formed party was on Friday told it could not hold a scheduled delegates’ conference.
These delegates came all the way to give their nomination signatures to the new party. It is these signatures which party officials hoped would form part of the registration dossier with the Ministry of Local Government.
Looking at the crowd, many were youths. Also notable among the delegates were aome older men and women. There were about a dozen mothers. Once all were informed the conference was not taking place anymore, they all stood around outside looking like people who lost their jobs.
The genesis of the chaos that these people were witnessing first hand started at 8:30am when an official from Nyarugenge district arrived at the event with a letter from the Nyarugenge district mayor Rutayisire, Origène.
The mayor wrote in response to another letter from the Green party sent on September 29 which informed him of the intention to hold their meeting on Friday. Green party officials let him know that they already had the place booked.
“I hereby first inform you that you wrote a letter requesting permission to hold this meeting on this date, October 02”, wrote mayor Rutayisire, in a four-sentence official letter.
However Green party officials also informed him in their letter that since the Nyarugenge notary was not available; they would secure another notary – which they indeed did.
The mayor’s response meant that the even with a new notary, the Green party would not be allowed to hold the meeting. It would only be allowed after recieving a new permission. This will now be the fourth time the conference has been forced to postpone. Each time the party had to incur expenses to transport all their delegates.
“From what I have witnessed today, I do not think there is democracy in Rwanda,” retorted some delegates. “To me, this means that the government is not yet ready for multiparty democracy. If they say other parties do exist, then what is this?” one journalist named Kalisa said.
For interim party president Mr. Frank Habineza: “Someone is sabotaging us”.
“Imagine all the expenses we have incurred. I really cannot explain who is behind all this,” he furiously shouted as he spoke to reporters. “This really is a sad day for democracy in this country.”
29 October 2009
The leader of the Democratic Green party of Rwanda (DGPR), Mr. Frank
Habineza, is described by many as the “iron man” of Rwanda. Mr. Habineza launched a new political party on 14th August, 2009 in Kigali, in the presence of many Rwandans, national and international media, and representatives from different diplomatic missions in Rwanda.
The DGPR's main goal is to change the political and socieo-economic history of Rwanda. DGPR is an organization that deeply values and strongly cherishes the noble values of democracy and the principles of the international Green parties.
However, the fate of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda seems to be hanging in balance as it seems there are forces lining up against it who have make it difficult for the DGPR to reach achieve its objectives.
The sad day for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) was on
02/10/09, when Kigali authorities refused to allow the party delegates to hold their official congress, which was attended by more than 900 people.
According to this reporter, Green Party delegates travelled hundreds of kilometers, some for the first time to the capital Kigali. Others braved the trouble of having to move with babies. Others abandoned their jobs to be in Kigali for the event that did not happen.
The newly formed party was on Friday told it could not hold a scheduled delegates’ conference.
These delegates came all the way to give their nomination signatures to the new party. It is these signatures which party officials hoped would form part of the registration dossier with the Ministry of Local Government.
Looking at the crowd, many were youths. Also notable among the delegates were aome older men and women. There were about a dozen mothers. Once all were informed the conference was not taking place anymore, they all stood around outside looking like people who lost their jobs.
The genesis of the chaos that these people were witnessing first hand started at 8:30am when an official from Nyarugenge district arrived at the event with a letter from the Nyarugenge district mayor Rutayisire, Origène.
The mayor wrote in response to another letter from the Green party sent on September 29 which informed him of the intention to hold their meeting on Friday. Green party officials let him know that they already had the place booked.
“I hereby first inform you that you wrote a letter requesting permission to hold this meeting on this date, October 02”, wrote mayor Rutayisire, in a four-sentence official letter.
However Green party officials also informed him in their letter that since the Nyarugenge notary was not available; they would secure another notary – which they indeed did.
The mayor’s response meant that the even with a new notary, the Green party would not be allowed to hold the meeting. It would only be allowed after recieving a new permission. This will now be the fourth time the conference has been forced to postpone. Each time the party had to incur expenses to transport all their delegates.
“From what I have witnessed today, I do not think there is democracy in Rwanda,” retorted some delegates. “To me, this means that the government is not yet ready for multiparty democracy. If they say other parties do exist, then what is this?” one journalist named Kalisa said.
For interim party president Mr. Frank Habineza: “Someone is sabotaging us”.
“Imagine all the expenses we have incurred. I really cannot explain who is behind all this,” he furiously shouted as he spoke to reporters. “This really is a sad day for democracy in this country.”
Ugandan President Assures US govt on Oil.
Office of the President-Ugandan Media Center
29 October 2009
President Yoweri Museveni has said revenue from Uganda’s oil resources will be used to create durable capacity for the country including investments in energy, particularly hydro electric power, developing the railways network, scientific education and research and some aspects of the roads infrastructure.
The president was yesterday meeting the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson who was accompanied by the Commander of the US African Command General Ward and Ambassador Vicki Huddleston the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at State House in Entebbe.
“There is no possibility of this oil money being a curse for Uganda as it will not be used for consumption or salaries. We shall use it to create durable capacity like investing in energy production to make it cheaper for investors to conduct their business. We shall invest in other areas also but more in infrastructure and human resource,” he said.
The President who held a bilateral meeting with the US delegation in which they discussed matters of mutual interest, later witnessed a signing ceremony in which the two leaders dedicated US $ 246 million (Shs 461 billion) in US development assistance for Uganda.
Ambassador Carsons signed on behalf of the US government while Uganda’s Minister of State for Microfinance Ruth Nankabirwa signed on behalf of the government of Uganda.
“In May 2002 the government of the republic of Uganda and the government of the United States of America launched the United States Agency for International Development’s Integrated strategic plan to support Uganda’s development objectives. In 2009, the US government provided US$246 million in grant assistance to Uganda as part of this continued U.S partnership with Uganda,” Carsons said.
The support provided by the US through this agreement will improve the health and standard of living of millions of Ugandans and will advance Uganda’s development goals as enshrined in the poverty eradication Action plan, the Peace Recovery and Development plan for northern Uganda and the National development plan.
It will also be used to support the health and education sectors including addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, fight tuberculosis, eradicating malaria, elevate maternal and child health, improve family planning and reproductive health services and promote basic education.
Among other things, the grant will also support the expansion of sustainable economic activities for farmers, encourage trade and investment, promote private sector competitiveness and assist in conserving the environment.
It will also contribute to the post-conflict economic recovery for the 1.8 million internally displaced persons returning to their homes in northern Uganda and for effective and participatory governance through consensus building and support to civil society and to contribute to conflict mitigation and reconciliation activities.
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa hailed the US government for the support and pledged to continue working together for the development of the country and the continent.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign affairs Hon. Sam Kutesa, that of Defence Hon. Crispus Kiyonga and the army commander General Aronda Nyakairima.
29 October 2009
President Yoweri Museveni has said revenue from Uganda’s oil resources will be used to create durable capacity for the country including investments in energy, particularly hydro electric power, developing the railways network, scientific education and research and some aspects of the roads infrastructure.
The president was yesterday meeting the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson who was accompanied by the Commander of the US African Command General Ward and Ambassador Vicki Huddleston the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at State House in Entebbe.
“There is no possibility of this oil money being a curse for Uganda as it will not be used for consumption or salaries. We shall use it to create durable capacity like investing in energy production to make it cheaper for investors to conduct their business. We shall invest in other areas also but more in infrastructure and human resource,” he said.
The President who held a bilateral meeting with the US delegation in which they discussed matters of mutual interest, later witnessed a signing ceremony in which the two leaders dedicated US $ 246 million (Shs 461 billion) in US development assistance for Uganda.
Ambassador Carsons signed on behalf of the US government while Uganda’s Minister of State for Microfinance Ruth Nankabirwa signed on behalf of the government of Uganda.
“In May 2002 the government of the republic of Uganda and the government of the United States of America launched the United States Agency for International Development’s Integrated strategic plan to support Uganda’s development objectives. In 2009, the US government provided US$246 million in grant assistance to Uganda as part of this continued U.S partnership with Uganda,” Carsons said.
The support provided by the US through this agreement will improve the health and standard of living of millions of Ugandans and will advance Uganda’s development goals as enshrined in the poverty eradication Action plan, the Peace Recovery and Development plan for northern Uganda and the National development plan.
It will also be used to support the health and education sectors including addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, fight tuberculosis, eradicating malaria, elevate maternal and child health, improve family planning and reproductive health services and promote basic education.
Among other things, the grant will also support the expansion of sustainable economic activities for farmers, encourage trade and investment, promote private sector competitiveness and assist in conserving the environment.
It will also contribute to the post-conflict economic recovery for the 1.8 million internally displaced persons returning to their homes in northern Uganda and for effective and participatory governance through consensus building and support to civil society and to contribute to conflict mitigation and reconciliation activities.
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa hailed the US government for the support and pledged to continue working together for the development of the country and the continent.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign affairs Hon. Sam Kutesa, that of Defence Hon. Crispus Kiyonga and the army commander General Aronda Nyakairima.
Ivorian foes re-arming ahead of polls.
Afrol News
28 October 2009
A UN report has accused the former Ivorian enemies of violating the arms embargo imposed on the country, ahead of the envisaged elections next month.
According to a new United Nations report the rebel-held north by the Force Nouvelles and the government-controlled south are stocking up on weapons, ahead of the much delayed national polls scheduled for 29 November.
“Despite the arms embargo, northern and southern Ivorian parties are rearming or re-equipping with related materiel,” the Group of Experts monitoring sanctions on the country said in its latest report to the Security Council.
It raised concerns over the systematic transfer of weapons and ammunition from neighbouring Burkina Faso to the Forces Nouvelles-controlled north. Burkina Faso was accused of supporting rebel forces during the 2002 civil war.
The report said the rebels in the north control and exploit natural resources, providing both motive and means to sustain territorial control in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
“The government also faces potentially violent political opposition in the south of the country, which has prompted it to begin re-equipping some of its security forces with riot-control equipment and could prompt efforts to import arms and related materiel in the near future,” the report said.
The country is currently preparing for the holding of the long-awaited and much-delayed presidential elections, one of many reunification tasks set out in the 2007 blueprint for political reconciliation, the Ouagadougou Agreement.
Over 6.5 million Ivorians have been identified and registered ahead of the polls, originally scheduled for as far back as 2005.
The West African country which has been divided since 2002 between the government-held south and a northern area dominated by the rebel Forces Nouvelles.
28 October 2009
A UN report has accused the former Ivorian enemies of violating the arms embargo imposed on the country, ahead of the envisaged elections next month.
According to a new United Nations report the rebel-held north by the Force Nouvelles and the government-controlled south are stocking up on weapons, ahead of the much delayed national polls scheduled for 29 November.
“Despite the arms embargo, northern and southern Ivorian parties are rearming or re-equipping with related materiel,” the Group of Experts monitoring sanctions on the country said in its latest report to the Security Council.
It raised concerns over the systematic transfer of weapons and ammunition from neighbouring Burkina Faso to the Forces Nouvelles-controlled north. Burkina Faso was accused of supporting rebel forces during the 2002 civil war.
The report said the rebels in the north control and exploit natural resources, providing both motive and means to sustain territorial control in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
“The government also faces potentially violent political opposition in the south of the country, which has prompted it to begin re-equipping some of its security forces with riot-control equipment and could prompt efforts to import arms and related materiel in the near future,” the report said.
The country is currently preparing for the holding of the long-awaited and much-delayed presidential elections, one of many reunification tasks set out in the 2007 blueprint for political reconciliation, the Ouagadougou Agreement.
Over 6.5 million Ivorians have been identified and registered ahead of the polls, originally scheduled for as far back as 2005.
The West African country which has been divided since 2002 between the government-held south and a northern area dominated by the rebel Forces Nouvelles.
28 October, 2009
Afghan leader's opium-trafficking brother on CIA payroll: report.
AFP
28 October 2009
Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of the embattled Afghan president and a suspected drug trafficker, has been on the CIA payroll for most of the past eight years, The New York Times reported.
The US spy agency pays Karzai for a variety of services, the newspaper said, such as fielding recruits for an Afghan paramilitary force operating at the CIA's direction in and around his home city of Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold.
He also helps the CIA contact and sometimes meet Taliban followers.
Karzai, who is said to have ties to Afghanistan's lucrative illegal opium trade, has a "wide-ranging" relationship with the CIA, the Times said, citing US officials.
On top of helping the agency operate the paramilitary group that targets suspected violent militants -- the Kandahar Strike Force, Karzai is also paid for allowing the CIA and US Special Operations forces to rent a large compound outside Kandahar that once served as the home of Taliban founder Mullah Omar.
"He's our landlord," a senior US official told the newspaper.
The CIA declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Karzai denied receiving CIA payments or playing any role in the booming opium trade that helps fund the Taliban-led insurgency.
"I don't know anyone under the name of the CIA," he told the newspaper. "I have never received any money from any organization. I help, definitely. I help other Americans wherever I can. This is my duty as an Afghan."
The report came amid increasingly tense ties between President Barack Obama's administration and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, long a darling of the West but whose legitimacy has been shaken by a fraud-marred first round of elections in August.
A run-off has been set for November 7.
Some US officials argued that relying on Ahmed Wali Karzai undermines Washington's efforts to help develop an effective and reliable Kabul government that can stand on its own.
"If we are going to conduct a population-centric strategy in Afghanistan, and we are perceived as backing thugs, then we are just undermining ourselves," Major General Michael Flynn, the top US military intelligence official in Afghanistan, told the daily.
While some US officials said Karzai was likely linked to drug trafficking, others said the intelligence was inconclusive.
28 October 2009
Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of the embattled Afghan president and a suspected drug trafficker, has been on the CIA payroll for most of the past eight years, The New York Times reported.
The US spy agency pays Karzai for a variety of services, the newspaper said, such as fielding recruits for an Afghan paramilitary force operating at the CIA's direction in and around his home city of Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold.
He also helps the CIA contact and sometimes meet Taliban followers.
Karzai, who is said to have ties to Afghanistan's lucrative illegal opium trade, has a "wide-ranging" relationship with the CIA, the Times said, citing US officials.
On top of helping the agency operate the paramilitary group that targets suspected violent militants -- the Kandahar Strike Force, Karzai is also paid for allowing the CIA and US Special Operations forces to rent a large compound outside Kandahar that once served as the home of Taliban founder Mullah Omar.
"He's our landlord," a senior US official told the newspaper.
The CIA declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Karzai denied receiving CIA payments or playing any role in the booming opium trade that helps fund the Taliban-led insurgency.
"I don't know anyone under the name of the CIA," he told the newspaper. "I have never received any money from any organization. I help, definitely. I help other Americans wherever I can. This is my duty as an Afghan."
The report came amid increasingly tense ties between President Barack Obama's administration and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, long a darling of the West but whose legitimacy has been shaken by a fraud-marred first round of elections in August.
A run-off has been set for November 7.
Some US officials argued that relying on Ahmed Wali Karzai undermines Washington's efforts to help develop an effective and reliable Kabul government that can stand on its own.
"If we are going to conduct a population-centric strategy in Afghanistan, and we are perceived as backing thugs, then we are just undermining ourselves," Major General Michael Flynn, the top US military intelligence official in Afghanistan, told the daily.
While some US officials said Karzai was likely linked to drug trafficking, others said the intelligence was inconclusive.
Nigerian Federal Government Still Targets U.S. $30 Billion China Oil Deals
Daily Champion
28 October 2009
By Sopuruchi Onwuka
Nigeria has set its sights on making multibillion-dollar oil deals with China amid renewed peace moves with MEND militants.
Hundreds of militants have laid down their weapons in exchange for a pardon and a job.
The national Assembly is tinkering with the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) conceived to alter outdated fiscal arrangements that govern industry operations by crafting new money-making changes that would position the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to assume control of the industry.
Meanwhile, officials of the corporation are said to negotiate multibillion-dollar oil deals with China eve as government is brokering peace with gunmen whose attacks have cost the oil industry billions of dollars in terms of damage repairs, ransom payments and security measures.
Minister for State of Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, said the changes aimed at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation would address allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
"Some of the excesses we've seen in the industry are as a result of the lack of regulation," Ajumogobia said. "We are going to make sure that the petroleum directorate, for example, where the minister will reside, is going to be manned by professionals who understand the industry and have the experience."
Nigeria welcomes China's recent interest in investing in Nigeria's oil industry, Ajumogobia added.
The state-run China Daily reported in September that the China National Offshore Oil Corporation was negotiating with Nigeria over a $30 billion oil deal.
The talks are part of China's oil-buying binge this year. Its government-controlled oil companies have closed or floated a slew of deals all over the world, including billion-dollar deals with Russian oil company Rosneft and Brazil's Petrobras.
In offering few details about negotiations with China, Mr. Ajumogobia said the terms of the deal with China were still under negotiation, adding that the prospects of an agreement were bright.
"There is no deal yet," he said. "We all know the appetite of the Chinese for energy -- a huge population and so on -- and they're looking for oil and Nigeria has a lot of it."
Meanwhile government has expressed hopes that the unsolicited amnesty offered Niger Delta militants would brighten the prospects of foreign direct investments in the Nigerian petroleum industry.
The militants had held down the country for years, attacking pipelines and cutting production by over 1 million barrels of oil a day. But many of those attacks might end, thanks to the amnesty deal under which the major factors in Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) surrendered to government troops.
MEND has demanded a fairer distribution of oil wealth in the Niger Delta and wants oil revenue reinvested in the region, instead of enriching those whom the militants consider corrupt politicians.
Last week, the group said it was calling off the truce, but there have not been renewed attacks.
Government hopes to leverage the fragile peace to reap big dollars from its oil industry, Ajumogobia said.
28 October 2009
By Sopuruchi Onwuka
Nigeria has set its sights on making multibillion-dollar oil deals with China amid renewed peace moves with MEND militants.
Hundreds of militants have laid down their weapons in exchange for a pardon and a job.
The national Assembly is tinkering with the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) conceived to alter outdated fiscal arrangements that govern industry operations by crafting new money-making changes that would position the Nigerian national Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to assume control of the industry.
Meanwhile, officials of the corporation are said to negotiate multibillion-dollar oil deals with China eve as government is brokering peace with gunmen whose attacks have cost the oil industry billions of dollars in terms of damage repairs, ransom payments and security measures.
Minister for State of Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, said the changes aimed at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation would address allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
"Some of the excesses we've seen in the industry are as a result of the lack of regulation," Ajumogobia said. "We are going to make sure that the petroleum directorate, for example, where the minister will reside, is going to be manned by professionals who understand the industry and have the experience."
Nigeria welcomes China's recent interest in investing in Nigeria's oil industry, Ajumogobia added.
The state-run China Daily reported in September that the China National Offshore Oil Corporation was negotiating with Nigeria over a $30 billion oil deal.
The talks are part of China's oil-buying binge this year. Its government-controlled oil companies have closed or floated a slew of deals all over the world, including billion-dollar deals with Russian oil company Rosneft and Brazil's Petrobras.
In offering few details about negotiations with China, Mr. Ajumogobia said the terms of the deal with China were still under negotiation, adding that the prospects of an agreement were bright.
"There is no deal yet," he said. "We all know the appetite of the Chinese for energy -- a huge population and so on -- and they're looking for oil and Nigeria has a lot of it."
Meanwhile government has expressed hopes that the unsolicited amnesty offered Niger Delta militants would brighten the prospects of foreign direct investments in the Nigerian petroleum industry.
The militants had held down the country for years, attacking pipelines and cutting production by over 1 million barrels of oil a day. But many of those attacks might end, thanks to the amnesty deal under which the major factors in Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) surrendered to government troops.
MEND has demanded a fairer distribution of oil wealth in the Niger Delta and wants oil revenue reinvested in the region, instead of enriching those whom the militants consider corrupt politicians.
Last week, the group said it was calling off the truce, but there have not been renewed attacks.
Government hopes to leverage the fragile peace to reap big dollars from its oil industry, Ajumogobia said.
English Version of Spanish Indictment of 40 Rwandan Officals Available for Download.
An English language translation of the Spanish arrest warrant issued by Judge Fernando Andreu of the National Audience for 40 members of the RPF/RDF for terrorism, genocide, and crimes against humanity is now available. Simply Copy and Paste the URL below to your internet browser's address bar to access.
http://webpages.charter.net/jabdmb/Espana-Audiencia_nacional-English_version.pdf
http://webpages.charter.net/jabdmb/Espana-Audiencia_nacional-English_version.pdf
26 October, 2009
ExxonMobil Mulls Entry in Tullow's Ugandan Project.
by Benoit Faucon, Nicholas Bariyo and Elizabeth Adams
Dow Jones Newswires
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=81804
October 26, 2009
Exxon Mobil Corp. is studying a possible entry in Tullow Oil PLC's Ugandan project, people familiar with the matter said Monday, as oil majors seek to expand into new African territories.
The U.S. oil giant is joining France's Total SA, Eni SpA of Italy and China state-owned CNOOC Ltd. as a potential partner pre-selected to enter the data-room of the Ugandan oil project.
Tullow confirmed Friday it had opened the data room to potential buyers of a stake in its Ugandan oil blocks after agreeing with the government on a shortlist of possible partners.
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said it "routinely evaluates potential development opportunities around the world" but declined to comment further. Tullow and the Ugandan government declined to comment on any potential partner.
Apart from oil and gas development, the project entails a refinery and a pipeline to the Indian Ocean, with costs totaling $5 billion to $6 billion, according to a person familiar with the project.
Western oil companies have been present for years in Angola and Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producers, but are now vying with Chinese state companies to expand in emerging oil nations such as Ghana and Uganda.
Earlier this month, ExxonMobil bypassed CNOOC by entering a binding deal to buy Kosmos Energy's stake in the Jubilee field offshore Ghana. The acquisition is estimated at $4 billion.
However, other foreign oil companies including Total, BP PLC, CNOOC and Sinopec, have held talks to join Ghana National Petroleum Corp. in a competing bid for the stake.
Dow Jones Newswires
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=81804
October 26, 2009
Exxon Mobil Corp. is studying a possible entry in Tullow Oil PLC's Ugandan project, people familiar with the matter said Monday, as oil majors seek to expand into new African territories.
The U.S. oil giant is joining France's Total SA, Eni SpA of Italy and China state-owned CNOOC Ltd. as a potential partner pre-selected to enter the data-room of the Ugandan oil project.
Tullow confirmed Friday it had opened the data room to potential buyers of a stake in its Ugandan oil blocks after agreeing with the government on a shortlist of possible partners.
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said it "routinely evaluates potential development opportunities around the world" but declined to comment further. Tullow and the Ugandan government declined to comment on any potential partner.
Apart from oil and gas development, the project entails a refinery and a pipeline to the Indian Ocean, with costs totaling $5 billion to $6 billion, according to a person familiar with the project.
Western oil companies have been present for years in Angola and Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producers, but are now vying with Chinese state companies to expand in emerging oil nations such as Ghana and Uganda.
Earlier this month, ExxonMobil bypassed CNOOC by entering a binding deal to buy Kosmos Energy's stake in the Jubilee field offshore Ghana. The acquisition is estimated at $4 billion.
However, other foreign oil companies including Total, BP PLC, CNOOC and Sinopec, have held talks to join Ghana National Petroleum Corp. in a competing bid for the stake.
25 October, 2009
LHC moved against Blackwater, drones.
Dawn
24 October 2009
The Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) has filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the alleged illegal activities of private US security company ‘Blackwater’ in Pakistan.
KBP President Sardar Zafar Husain Khan through Counsel Mirza Abdul Khaliq submitted that Blackwater with a new name ‘XE’ was conducting ‘illegal operations in Pakistan’.
Moreover, country’s nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan also expressed serious threats to his life from Blackwater, the counsel said, adding that the federal government should explain its position on the matter. The petition will be taken up on Oct 26.
Also, The Wukala Mahaz Barai Tahafaz Dastoor has filed an appeal with the LHC challenging an order of the LHC single bench wherein a petition against military operation and alleged American aggression was dismissed.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa dismissed the petition on Oct 9 last observing that petitioner’s prayers were either outside the scope of jurisdiction of the court or they pertained to matters of public policy which the court had consistently refrained from entering into.
Now the petitioner through counsel Dr Abdul Basit filed the appeal seeking the setting aside of the order of the single bench and issue of directions to the federal government to stop military operation in Federally Administered Areas and American drone attacks.
The petitioner’s counsel said notice may be issued against American forces which under the cover of Nato were conducting armed aggression against Pakistan almost every day.
The counsel said a Pakistan army spokesman claimed to have the capability to shoot down US spy planes but the government had permitted the US forces to operate the planes for killing Pakistani citizens with impunity.
He said the Pakistani armed forces should be directed to defend the country with all means at their disposal, including its nuclear arsenal.
He also sought directions for the government to declare ‘America an enemy state and stop aiding the state by protecting its supply lines through surface transit over the territory of Pakistan’.
24 October 2009
The Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) has filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the alleged illegal activities of private US security company ‘Blackwater’ in Pakistan.
KBP President Sardar Zafar Husain Khan through Counsel Mirza Abdul Khaliq submitted that Blackwater with a new name ‘XE’ was conducting ‘illegal operations in Pakistan’.
Moreover, country’s nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan also expressed serious threats to his life from Blackwater, the counsel said, adding that the federal government should explain its position on the matter. The petition will be taken up on Oct 26.
Also, The Wukala Mahaz Barai Tahafaz Dastoor has filed an appeal with the LHC challenging an order of the LHC single bench wherein a petition against military operation and alleged American aggression was dismissed.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa dismissed the petition on Oct 9 last observing that petitioner’s prayers were either outside the scope of jurisdiction of the court or they pertained to matters of public policy which the court had consistently refrained from entering into.
Now the petitioner through counsel Dr Abdul Basit filed the appeal seeking the setting aside of the order of the single bench and issue of directions to the federal government to stop military operation in Federally Administered Areas and American drone attacks.
The petitioner’s counsel said notice may be issued against American forces which under the cover of Nato were conducting armed aggression against Pakistan almost every day.
The counsel said a Pakistan army spokesman claimed to have the capability to shoot down US spy planes but the government had permitted the US forces to operate the planes for killing Pakistani citizens with impunity.
He said the Pakistani armed forces should be directed to defend the country with all means at their disposal, including its nuclear arsenal.
He also sought directions for the government to declare ‘America an enemy state and stop aiding the state by protecting its supply lines through surface transit over the territory of Pakistan’.
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