|
|
UN concerned about recent developments in Mongolia
more The
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) expressed concerns today about developments in Mongolia,
where a four-day state of emergency was imposed on 1 July 2008
following post-electoral violence. There have been reports of
at least five deaths, numerous injuries and around 700 protestors
detained. OHCHR called upon the authorities to exercise the utmost
restraint...
Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah interview with Al-Siyassah
more Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz interview
with Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassah, published July 1, 2008. Question:
At the outset, let me ask you how the Jeddah conference had worked,
which finally gathered representatives of the producers and consumers
of oil. During the Conference, you had delivered a transparent
speech that identified clearly shortcomings that led to the continuing
rise in oil prices?
US President Bush on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons
more Forty
years ago today, the United States joined 61 other nations in
signing the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT). Today, almost all nations are party to the Treaty. The
NPT represents a key legal barrier to nuclear weapons proliferation
and makes a critical contribution to international security.
I reaffirm the strong support of the United States for the Treaty
and our commitment to work diligently to strengthen...
EU: Achievements of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council
more By
signing the Lisbon Treaty in December 2007, the EU Member States
committed to ratifying it at the earliest possible date. This
aim was achieved by 19 Member States, while ratification procedures
are under way in the remaining countries. Slovenia ratified the
Treaty as the second Member State on 29 January 2008. This success
was slightly overshadowed by the negative result of the referendum
in Ireland. Nevertheless, the European Union remains committed
to its goals...
Kosovo: European Policy Summit Address by PM Hashim Thaçi
more It
is indeed an honour to speak before this respected forum. For
more than two decades now, the political and economic fate of
the Balkans has been closely tied to the efforts of the European
Union to stabilize the region and put it on the road to peace,
reforms and economic development. Billions of Euros in reconstruction
aid and thousands of soldiers, police officers and experts are
a testimony to the EU's commitment to the region...
Statement by Chair of Six-Party Talks (North Korea)
more China's
top negotiator on Korean Peninsular nuclear issue Wu Dawei read
a Statement by Chair of Six-Party Talks here on Thursday. Following
is the full text: The six-party talks has made positive progress
in the second-phase actions for the implementation of the Joint
Statement thanks to the concerted efforts by all the parties.
In the spirit of the October 3, 2007 Six-Party agreement, on
June 26, 2008, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
Russia: Interview of President Medvedev with Reuters
more Interviewer:
Mr President, thank you for giving us your time. We would like
to know about the upcoming Russia-European Union summit. What
are your priorities for the summit? President Dmitry Medvedev:
I think it will be a success. I hope we can set progress in motion
on the most complicated problem that has come up of late – drafting
a new basic agreement between Russia and the European Union.
We will, of course, examine all the different issues...
UN Press Conference: African Union Special Envoy for Darfur
more "If
we now mobilize all efforts to get the security situation under
control, avoid an escalation, then we may be able to create an
environment in which talks can take place on substantive issues," United
Nations Special Envoy for Darfur Jan Eliasson told correspondents
today at a Headquarters press conference. Briefing together with
his counterpart from the African Union, Salim Ahmed Salim, Mr.
Eliasson said he had told the Security Council...
President al-Assad says Syria's stance regarding peace is firm
more President
Bashar al-Assad said Thursday that Syria did not change its stance
regarding the peace process based on regaining its rights and
implementing the UN Security Council resolutions Nos. 242 and
338. During a meeting with representatives of Indian mass media,
His Excellency added: " Syria will know whether Israel is
serious in its intentions in the coming period," On the
relations with the United States of America, His Excellency said
that " Syria...
Iran refutes US media for linking Iran to Iraq terrorist attacks
more Iran
on Thursday refuted the US media for desperate attempts to link
Iran to the terrorist attacks in Iraq. "The US has given
refuge to terrorist Mujahideen Khalq Organization (MKO) on one
hand and its media are misleading the public opinion by linking
Iran to the terrorist bombings in Iraq, on the other," Foreign
Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said. He said that the
desperate attempts made by the US media aimed at justifying prolongation
of occupation and sow discord...
White House: US President Bush discusses Energy
more The
President: Good morning. I want to thank Secretary Kempthorne
and Secretary Bodman for joining me. For many Americans, there
is no more pressing concern than the price of gasoline. Truckers
and farmers and small business owners have been hit especially
hard. Every American who drives to work, purchases food, or ships
a product has felt the effect. And families across our country
are looking to Washington for a response...
UAE: President Al Nahyan meets Hamas leader Meshaal
more President
HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has stressed the importance
of Palestinian national unity in restoring the legitimate rights
of the Palestinian people and achieving their goal of establishing
an independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital. Sheikh Khalifa
made this call while receiving the Head of the Hamas politburo
Khaled Meshaal at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. HH
General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan...
Britain will send more Troops to Afghanistan, PM Brown says
more The
United Kingdom will increase the number of troops it contributes
to the coalition effort in Afghanistan, British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown announced today. Brown made the announcement during
a joint news conference with President Bush in London. The two
leaders also discussed a range of issues, including Iraq and
Iran. "We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years
ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront
the Taliban in Afghanistan...
Iran Nuclear: Joint letter of the E3+3 Foreign Minister
more Joint
letter signed by the E3+3 Foreign Ministers (UK, US, China, France,
Germany and Russia) and handed over to the Iranian Foreign Minister
Manuchehr Mottaki by Secretary-General of the Council of the
European Union Javier Solana on Saturday 14 June. The letter
is followed by possible areas of wider cooperation with Iran
as identified by the E3+3 countries. Iran is one of the oldest
civilisations in the world. Its people are justifiably proud
of their history, culture and heritage...
Ireland rejects the European Treaty of Lisbon,
our special report
more Today,
we have learned about the outcome of the Irish referendum on
the Lisbon Treaty. The Slovenian Presidency of the EU deeply
regrets this outcome. Nevertheless, we respect the democratic
will of the Irish voters. Next week, the Heads of State and Government
of the EU Member States will meet in Brussels at the European
Council meeting. I will invite the Irish Prime Minister to explain
the reasons for the rejection...
UK: 42 days "a matter of necessity" (Counter-terrorist
law)
more Armed
policeman outside the Houses of ParliamentThe Government has
won the Parliamentary vote on the extension of pre-charge detention
to 42 days by 315 votes to 306. In PMQs earlier today the PM
said the extension was "a matter of necessity" in light
of the increasing sophistication of terrorist threats. The Government
was acting on the advice of key experts, including the head of
the Association of Chief Police Officers, in order to ensure...
Joint Press Availability of George Bush and Angela Merkel
more Chancellor
Merkel: (As translated.) Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
I see that there are quite a number of you who have made the
trouble to come here today. I would like to welcome you very
warmly. Let me say that I'm delighted to be able to have this
press conference together with the American President after our
talks here today. Yesterday we had very intensive talks over
dinner. We had intensive talks this morning. We're going to continue...
US Department of State: France – Envoys to Syria
more Question:
What is our reaction to President Sarkozy's decision to send
two envoys to Damascus? Answer: France and the United States
share the same wish for peace and stability in the region. France
is a valued ally that plays a key role in the UN, in the EU,
in the Mideast generally, at NATO, and globally. We both want
to see a Lebanon that is peaceful, prosperous and free of foreign
interference. We look forward to continuing discussions with
France...
White House: US President Bush departs for Europe
more US
President George Bush: Good morning. I'm just about to leave
for Europe. I'm looking forward to my trip. I'm looking forward
to meeting with our friends and allies. We've got strong relations
in Europe, and this trip will help solidify those relations.
And we got a lot to talk about. First, I'm looking forward to
talking about the freedom agenda with the European nations. Got
a lot of work to do in Afghanistan. The countries I'm going to
have committed troops to Afghanistan...
North Korea: dialogue with int'l community 'positive'
more South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Friday (June 6) assessed North
Korea's engagement with the international community to denuclearize
itself as a "positive" move. "I see North Korea's
cooperation with the international community to denuclearize
as positive, and see the need to have sincere talks on ongoing
exchanges and cooperation in the future," Lee said in a
speech at a ceremony commemorating the country's 53rd Memorial
Day...
NATO: Russia takes part in NATO submarine rescue exercise
more A
Russian rescue vessel, the RFS Titov, carrying a Deep Submergence
Rescue Vehicle (DRSV), participated in a NATO submarine search-and-rescue
exercise in the North Sea from 26 May to 6 June. Exercise Bold
Monarch 2008, which took place off the coast of Kristiansand,
Norway, was the largest-ever exercise of its kind. Sixteen countries – Canada,
France, Greece, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine...
Iran: Supreme Leader Khamenei says Iran does not seek Nuke
more Supreme
Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said
here Tuesday that Iran is by no means after nuclear weapons. "As
it has repeatedly been announced, Iranian nation is not after
nuclear arms. Americans too know the issue pretty well but since
they can not explicitly deny absolute rights of the nation, they
start levelling charges to convince the world public opinion," said
the paramount leader. He said Iranian nation and officials oppose
nuclear arms...
US-Turkey Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation
more U.S.
and Turkey brought into force the U.S.-Turkey Agreement for Cooperation
Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy through an exchange
of diplomatic notes. The Agreement provides a comprehensive framework
for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and
Turkey under agreed nonproliferation conditions and controls.
It establishes a firm foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation
in the important field of peaceful nuclear...
IAEA: Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors (Iran)
more The
Annual Report for 2007 summarizes the scope and the results of
the Agency´s programme of work in 2007, the year in which
we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Agency´s creation.
It reflects the Agency´s wide-ranging activities to assist
Member States in the application of nuclear technologies for
economic and social development, while ensuring that they are
used in a safe, secure and peaceful manner. The Report highlights
our efforts to help...
DOD: Mullen cites value of Military Contacts with China
more In
the wake of the first operational use of a new hotline linking
U.S. and Chinese military leaders, the chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff said today he hopes military-to-military ties
between the countries continue to increase and evolve. In an
interview with a Chinese television crew here, where he's attending
the Shangri-La Dialogue -- a conference focusing on the security
challenges in Asia -- Mullen called the hotline he suggested
last year that became operational this year...
French President Sarkozy phones Syrian President al-Assad
more President
Nicolas Sarkozy of France has appreciated President Bashar al-Assad's
tireless efforts to make the Doha agreement a success and to
ensure election of the consensual President by the Lebanese.
That came during a phone call he made with President al-Assad
on Thursday. The French President expressed his desire to give
greater impetus to the relations between France and Syria, particularly
in the political and economic spheres as well as increasing...
Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iran released a joint statement
more On
Tuesday May 27, the first tripartite work meeting between the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran,
and the Republic of Tajikistan in the level of the deputy foreign
ministers was held in the Ministry Foreign Affairs. First, the
Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Mohammad Kabir
Farahi greeted the guests who "speak the same language as
we speak, who follow the same religion as we do, and their countries'
borders ours."...
Iranian, Lebanese presidents talk on phone
more President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday evening felicitated President Michel
Suleiman on taking office. In a telephone conversation with the
new Lebanese president, the Iranian president said that the enemies
of the Lebanese people are not interested in a stable and united
Lebanon. Today, the world is witnessing a constructive move toward
stability of Lebanon through the vigilance of Lebanese leaders...
China, Russia rule out military actions on Iran
more China
and Russia on Friday called on all parties to refrain from military
and extreme actions against Iran. "China and Russia propose
the Iranian nuclear issue be resolved through dialogue and equal
consultation," said a joint statement signed by Chinese
President Hu Jintao and visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
on Friday. The seven-page statement, which came out of the two
leaders' two-hour talks in the Great Hall of the People...
Syria: Peace, Strategic option of Syria, Information Minister
says
more Minister
of Information Mohsen Bilal underlined that just and comprehensive
peace was and still is the strategic option of Syria, the peace
that restores the occupied Arab lands to the line of June 4th,
1967 including the occupied Syrian Golan. "Those are the
requirements of peace to which Syria was committed since Madrid
conference of 1991… the peace which brings back the occupied
Arab lands including the Golan, and the establishment of the
Palestinian...
Iran: Soltanieh submits Iran's package of proposals to ElBaradei
more Iran's
envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar
Soltanieh on Wednesday offered Iran's package of proposals to
the IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei. "In the meeting latest
status of the Iran-IAEA cooperation was nvestigated," said
Soltanieh in an interview with IRNA in Vienna after a 45-minute
meeting with ElBaradei. Soltanieh said that he and ElBaradei
had in the meeting exchanged information on the package...
Jordan: PM met Pakistani, Egyptian, and Iraqi counterparts
more Prime
Minister Nader Dahabi stressed on Monday that finding a solution
to the Middle East conflict and creating an independent and viable
Palestinian state is the key to realising peace and prosperity
in the Middle East. In a panel discussion, entitled "Fresh
Strat |
