Israelis, Palestinians Reaffirm Peace Commitment
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In Egypt, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says despite efforts, an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal will not be reached by the year's end
Key participants of the Middle East Quartet, which is working to find an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have been meeting in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el Sheikh. As Edward Yeranian reports for VOA from Cairo, they have given an account of progress in behind-the-scenes peace talks and discussions.From left, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 09 Nov 2008U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says he is using the influence of his office to work for peace and that all the mechanisms are in place, including the Quartet, which is the European Union, the United Nations, Russia, and the United States.The Secretary General said he is discussing several obstacles facing the peace process at the weekend conference in Sharm el Sheikh. "The quartet has also made clear it supports more positive strategy for Gaza," Mr. Ban said. "I have been discussing this matter with Israeli government leaders, Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni, on many occasions, and today I am also going to discuss this matter about the closure of crossings and road blocks and also settlement issues and demolition of houses. All these activities are not desirable for the ongoing peace process ... creation of atmosphere conducive to the ongoing peace process will be extremely important." The Quartet's Special Envoy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, underlined that everyone is hoping the new U.S. administration, under Barack Obama, will focus on the peace process from its first day in office, beginning January 20th, 2009. "The single most important thing is that the new administration in the United States grips this issue from day one and it can do so, knowing that there is a foundation on which we can build," Blair said. "For the first time, we have comprehensive political negotiations, through the Annapolis political process. For the first time, we have a proper plan to build security capability for the Palestinians, which is necessary to create a Palestinian state." US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov attend a press conference after the Quartet meetings in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 09 Nov 2008U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said a peace agreement will nbot be reached by the end of the year, but said the peace talks, which got underway at the Annapolis Maryland conference in November of last year, will continue and ultimately bear fruit. "I do think that what we heard today from the parties, which is the most important element of this is that they believe in the Annapolis process, they believe in the integrated nature of this process that builds peace from the bottom up and from the top down," Rice said. "They believe that their negotiations are producing an atmosphere of trust as well as the foundation on which to build." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also expressed hope a new peace conference, to be held next spring in Moscow, will continue the work begun at Annapolis. "The conference which everybody agreed to have in Moscow some time next spring must certainly be a step forward, and this is why we are taking time to make sure that we prepare for it properly ... talking to the members of the Quartet, to the parties themselves, to the League of Arab States, to all those who participated in Annapolis, because our common desire is to make sure Annapolis process succeeds," Lavrov said.Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, says the peace talks are in the interests of Israel and the Palestinians. "So negotiating is not a favor that Israel or the Palestinians is doing to international community, one to the other, but this is according to the interests of each people," Livni said.Meanwhile, al Jazzera TV reports Syrian President Bashar al Assad is accusing Israel about "not being serious about peace," despite indirect talks between Israel and Syria, last held in September under Turkish mediation.The Arab press is critical of the Palestinians for their internal conflict, with the daily Asharqalawsat running a cartoon showing negotiators from the Fatah and Hamas factions heading into a narrow alley which culminates in a dead end.
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Bomb Attacks Kill 7 in Iraq
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In the deadliest attack Sunday, a bomb exploded in a market in the eastern town of Khalis in Diyala province, killing four people
Officials in Iraq say two bomb attacks in the country have killed at least seven people and wounded about 20 others.In the deadliest attack Sunday, a bomb exploded in a market in the eastern town of Khalis in Diyala province, killing four people. Officials say the bomb targeted the town's mayor, whose condition was unclear.Diyala province still sees frequent insurgent attacks despite significant drops in violence elsewhere in Iraq.In the other incident, a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a hospital near the western town of Fallujah in Anbar province, killing three people. Anbar is a former stronghold of al-Qaida insurgents. U.S. forces handed over security control of the province to Iraqi forces two months ago.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Obama Administration to Move Quickly on Economy
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John Podesta, the director of Mr. Obama's transition team, says the president-elect's first concern is pushing through an economic stimulus plan
A top advisor to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama says the incoming administration will work very quickly to deal with the economic and national security issues facing the country.John Podesta speaks at the National Press Club in Washington (File)John Podesta, the director of Mr. Obama's transition team, told Fox News Sunday that the president-elect's first concern is pushing through an economic stimulus plan. But he said it is up to President George Bush to help move any such proposal.Mr. Bush and President-elect Obama are expected to meet Monday to discuss the transfer of power.In the Democratic Party's weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Obama said his administration will immediately begin efforts to restore the economy when he is sworn into office January 20. He promised to move swiftly on a plan that helps working-class families.The president-elect says he believes Mr. Bush and members of Congress recognize the severity of the economic situation and want to get things done, and that he will go to the White House with a "spirit of bipartisanship." Mr. Obama warned that difficult choices will have to be made. But he said America will succeed if everyone sets partisanship aside and works together as one nation.
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China Approves $586 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan
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Plan includes investing in infrastructure, social welfare, transportation networks and housing
China has announced a $586 billion stimulus package to boost domestic demand and protect the world's fourth largest economy from the global financial crisis.State-run media said Sunday the plan includes investing in infrastructure, social welfare, transportation networks and housing. It also prioritizes rebuilding areas hit by natural disasters.The report said China's cabinet approved the stimulus package at a meeting attended by Premier Wen Jiabao this week.The cabinet also reformed the way the value-added tax is calculated to cut companies' taxes by about $17.5 billion annually.The statement did not say how the government will pay for the extra spending through 2010.China's export-driven economy is starting to feel the effects of the global financial crisis. Economic growth slowed to nine percent in the third quarter this year, the lowest in about five years. The government has already cut key interest rates three times since September to encourage economic growth.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Syria's Assad Criticizes Proposed US-Iraqi Security Pact
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President Bashar Assad says the Pact will turn Iraq into a US base for attacking neighboring states
Syrian President Bashar Assad addresses the opening session of the transit Arab Parliamentarian Union in Damascus, Syria, 09 Nov 2008Syrian President Bashar Assad has criticized a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security pact, saying it will turn Iraq into a U.S. base for attacking neighboring states.Mr. Assad reiterated Syria's accusation Sunday that U.S. forces in Iraq carried out a helicopter raid on a Syrian village near the Iraqi border last month.He described the raid as "American aggression" and said it proves that the U.S. troop presence in Iraq is a "continuous threat" to the security of Iraq's neighbors. The Syrian leader was speaking to Arab lawmakers in Damascus.Washington has not confirmed carrying out the raid, but U.S. officials say the operation targeted a senior al-Qaida militant.U.S. and Iraqi officials are trying to finalize a security pact that would allow U.S. forces to operate in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at the end of December.Mr. Assad also accused Israel of not being genuine in peace talks with its neighbors. He said Israel does not view peace as a main objective and cares only about what he called its "narrow security interests."There was no immediate response from Israel to Mr. Assad's comments.Israel and Syria began indirect peace talks earlier this year aimed at resolving the fate of the Golan Heights. Israel captured the strategic plateau from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed the territory.Syria demands that Israel must fully withdraw from the Golan in exchange for peace. Israel wants Syria to loosen its alliance with Iran and stop sheltering Palestinian militant groups.Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Abducted Canadian Journalist Freed in Afghanistan
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Canadian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Mellissa Fung was abducted last month while reporting in a refugee camp just outside the Afghan capital
A Canadian journalist who was kidnapped in Afghanistan has been freed after four weeks in captivity. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Kabul that western media organizations did not report on Mellissa Fung's abduction until negotiators had secured her release.Freed Canadian journalist Mellissa Fung, left, talks with Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan Ron Hoffman at the National Directorate of Security in Kabul, Saturday, 08 Nov. 2008Canadian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Mellissa Fung was abducted last month while reporting in a refugee camp just outside the Afghan capital. Her captors took her to Wardak province, west of Kabul, where she was held for four weeks in what she described as a cramped cave. In a video issued by Afghanistan's intelligence agency following her release late Saturday, Fung appeared calm and coherent while she answered questions from officials about her time in captivity.Question: Had they chained you? Answer: Yes.Question: Hands and legs?Answer: Hands and legs, but the first three weeks they had someone with me the whole time -- watching me, so they didn't chain me. But the last week they left me and they chained me. Western news organizations in Kabul had refrained from reporting Fung's abduction while her employer and Afghan officials negotiated with her captors. Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security spokesman Sayed Ansari told a news conference Sunday that three men have been arrested in connection with her kidnapping. He said national security directorate employees in recent weeks were able to locate the hideout of the kidnappers. He said by using different tactics and local tribal leaders they pressured the gang to release the reporter. Officials said no ransom was paid for her release and it is believed her kidnapping was the work of a criminal gang -- not Taliban insurgents. Fung is the second abducted journalist released in recent days. On Friday, a Dutch reporter who was kidnapped about a week ago outside Kabul was freed.Afghanistan has experienced a surge in kidnappings in recent months that mainly target wealthy Afghans. Officials blame for-profit criminal gangs for taking advantage of the breakdown in security caused by the Taliban insurgency. Last week, the Afghan Supreme Court said there were more than 100 people awaiting execution for kidnapping, murder and other serious crimes. The Court said some of those awaiting execution are Taliban militants, but most are criminals.
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Nuclear-powered Submarine Accident Kills at least 20
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Russian Navy officials say the submarine was in the waters of the Sea of Japan conducting sea trials when the accident occurred
The Russian navy says the nuclear-powered Russian naval submarine, involved in a deadly accident, has pulled into port at Bolshoi Kamen, a military shipyard not far from the eastern city of Vladivostok. Russian Navy officials say at least 20 shipbuilders and servicemen were killed Saturday when the fire-extinguishing system aboard the vessel was activated in error. The officials say the submarine was in the waters of the Sea of Japan conducting sea trials when the accident occurred. Emma Stickgold reports from Moscow for VOA that the accident occurred amid Russia's attempt to show the world its military prowess, as its relations with the West have soured. In addition to the dead, more than 20 were injured in the Saturday accident, which was the worst incident involving a Russian submarine since 118 were killed in the 2000 Kursk fiasco, after an explosion sank the vessel. Russian naval spokesman Captain Igor Dyagalo said the nuclear powered submarine was able to return to its base, on Russia's Pacific coast, using its own power. The nuclear reactor that powers the submarine appears to have been unscathed in the accident, and Dyagalo described radiation levels in the area as "normal," in the hours after the incident. Technicians and specialists comprised the majority of the 208 people aboard the vessel. The injured suffered from varying degrees of poisoning, with local news agencies reporting that the fire-extinguishing systems aboard many submarines use chemicals and foam. The submarine reached the Bolshoi Kamen shores Sunday, with a rescue vessel joining it for the journey back. Dyagalo did not say what led to the inadvertent activation of the fire-extinguishing system, but local news agencies were reporting that human error was likely to be the cause. Russia's navy has recently taken to showing its might, with a naval squadron set to take part in joint exercises not far from U.S. shores in Venezuela. Navy officials said that President Dmitry Medvedev was briefed on the accident, and called for a "full and meticulous" investigation, as well as aid to the families of the victims.
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Region Meets to Save Zimbabwe Power Sharing Agreement
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Key to resolution is agreement on which cabinet posts will be held by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, and which by Prime-Minister Designate Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change
Southern African leaders are meeting in Johannesburg Sunday in an effort to rescue Zimbabwe's two month old power sharing agreement which is close to a collapse. Peta Thornycroft reports for VOA that the key to a resolution is agreement on which cabinet posts will be held by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, and which by Prime-Minister Designate Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change. Mr. Tsvangirai is expected to tell the leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) that the division of cabinet portfolios, as envisioned by Mr. Mugabe in a power-sharing government, carries responsibilities but little power for his Movement for Democratic Change. President Robert Mugabe looks on during the opening plenary of the Southern African Development Community Extraordinary Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 09 Nov 2008Mr. Mugabe is likely to tell SADC leaders that Mr. Tsvangirai is training insurgents in Botswana using British instructors. Both the Botswana government and Mr. Tsvangirai have dismissed the allegations as nonsense. Even so, Mr. Mugabe contends that he therefore must control key cabinet portfolios, including home affairs which controls the police and immigration and maintains the list of voters which has often been at the center of election challenges. Home affairs, under ZANU-PF, has refused Mr. Tsvangirai a passport for nearly six months. Mr. Mugabe also wants to retain control of all security and justice ministries. Mr. Tsvangirai is expected to devote much of his presentation to the ever deepening humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and the fact that the Zimbabwe dollar has, to all intents and purposes, lost any meaningful value. Most of the population cannot access foreign currency and as of Friday, inflation was at a world breaking figure trading at up to Z$2.3 billion to US$1. Riot police were deployed at Harare banks Saturday as crowds gathered to withdraw salaries. Mr. Tsvangirai will also tell the summit that school children have lost a full year of education and that humanitarian agencies are struggling to get out and feed millions of people because of state imposed obstacles. And, he will report that most of the main hospitals are not accepting patients for treatment. Scores of people have died of cholera in recent weeks. In addition to an equitable allocation of ministries, the MDC says it also wants fair distribution of the 10 governor positions, all already claimed by Mr. Mugabe, and a fair share of diplomatic postings and top civil service jobs, all currently staffed by members of ZANU-PF. The MDC has a narrow majority in parliament and Mr. Tsvangirai proved, in the March 29 presidential election, that he is significantly more popular than Mr. Mugabe, who at nearly 85 has been in power since independence in 1980. The smaller MDC faction headed by Arthur Mutambara, who is the third signatory to the September 15 agreement to establish a power sharing government, is backing Mr. Tsvangirai for sole control of home affairs. At last month's failed talks Mr. Mutambara, in an attempt to unlock an impasse, tabled a proposal that the portfolio be rotated between ZANU-PF and MDC, but insisted that Mr. Tsvangirai lead the ministry for the first six months. A political source close to the negotiations, who did not want to be identified, said he believed SADC would strive for consensus at Sunday's meeting. South Africa, which chairs SADC, has said this week that time is running out in the face of Zimbabwe's deteriorating humanitarian situation. South Africa has earmarked US$30 million to help jump start food production, if an inclusive government is formed. Agriculturalists in Zimbabwe say it is already too late to purchase farming inputs for summer crops. Botswana, the strongest regional critic of ZANU-PF, has called for fresh, internationally supervised presidential elections if the summit does not find a deal. Regional leaders will also turn their minds to the war in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eight years ago two SADC member states, a then much richer Zimbabwe and Angola were among five African countries which had armies participating in the conflict.
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Nigeria's President to Sue Newspaper for Report on His Health
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Nigerian presidency statement says Leadership newspaper's report was part of a plot to embarrass President Umaru Yar 'Adua
Nigeria President Umaru Yar Adua has asked his lawyers to sue an Abuja-based newspaper after it reported the president was seriously ill and has not been seen in public in the past two days. Gilbert da Costa has more for VOA in this report from Abuja.A Nigerian presidency statement said there was no truth in the report in the Leadership newspaper and it was part of a plot to embarrass the president and destabilize his administration. It said the president had persistently faced, what the statement described as, malicious rumors and outright falsehoods about his state of health.Nigerian President Umaru YarAdua (file photo)President Umaru Yar 'Adua is known to have a chronic kidney problem. His health has been a source of constant speculation in the Nigerian media and opposition politicians have voiced concern about whether he is fit enough to govern.Abuja-based lawyer and political analyst Maxi Okwu says there is a need for clarity on the state of the president's health, and that suing a newspaper is not the way to do it."The threat by the president to sue a paper for making a statement on a matter of public interest is an empty threat," said Okwu. "Let him not hide behind the fact that he has immunity from personal prosecution or litigation against his person to intimidate a public institution like a newspaper that should inform the public. The matter of his health is a matter for public interest, and it is because he shrouded it in mystery that the matter is escalating."Recently, a privately-owned television station was shut for days for reporting that President Yar'Adua may step down due to ill-health.In the middle of last year's electoral campaign, Mr. Yar'Adua had to be evacuated to Germany for a few days with a health scare. He has since returned to Germany on several occasions for medical check-ups.President Yar'Adua's victory in April 2007 polls has been challenged at the Supreme Court by his two main rivals.Eighteen months into his presidency, Mr. Yar'Adua is struggling to make good on promises to establish law and order and use the country's oil wealth to make it one of the world's top economies.
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Supporters of Executed Bali Bombers Clash with Police in Indonesia
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Bodies of the three Amrozi Nurhasyim, Ali Ghufron and Imam Samudra were flown Sunday to their hometowns for burial
Hundreds of Islamic militants clashed briefly with police as the bodies of the three men executed early Sunday morning for the 2002 terrorist bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali were buried in their hometowns in Central and West Java. VOA'S Nancy-Amelia Collins hasmore from Jakarta.
Supporters of Bali bombers Amrozi Nurhasyim and Ali Ghufron scuffle with riot police during their funeral in Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia, Sunday, 09 Nov. 2008Thousands gathered for the burials Sunday of Amrozi Nurhasyim and his brother Ali Ghufron in Central Java and Imam Samudra's funeral in West Java.Several hundred Islamic militants chanting ""Allahu Akbar" or God is great clashed briefly with police at the central Java funeral as the authorities tried to prevent the militants from getting to close to the bodies.Foreign journalists covering the funerals were verbally abused and called "infidels" by the militants, who numbered in the hundreds, but many people attending the funerals appeared to be curious bystanders, witnesses reported.The three men were executed by firing squad early Sunday for planning and carrying out Indonesia's worst terrorist attacks six years ago on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people, many of them foreign tourists, including 88 Australians.Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the lives of the families of the victims had been shattered. "They're in our thoughts and our prayers the 200 Australian and Indonesian families who were shattered by the Bali bombings six years ago. Their lives remain shattered. They've been changed fundamentally by that murder," Rudd said. "So it's their lives that we think about today." The three men, all members of the al Qaeda-linked regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah never expressed any remorse for the terrorist attacks accept to say they regretted Muslims were also killed in the bombings.The alleged spiritual leader of JI, Abu Bakar Bahsir, also attended the funeral of brother's Amrozi and Ali Guhfron.The Bali bombers, as they are known in Indonesia, repeatedly said they wanted to die as "martyrs" and vowed their supporters would launch revenge attacks after their deaths.The Indonesian authorities remain on high alert following the executions and have placed extra security around foreign embassies, malls, and Western institutions.Indonesia, a secular democratic state, has the world's largest population of Muslims. Few support the bomber's ideology and most agree with the execution, with many complaining it should have been carried out sooner.Ken Conboy, a terrorism expert and author, who has written about Jemaah Islamiyah, believes there is the possibilityof revenge attacks, but thinks the threat remains small. "There is a possibility of attacks - there's not that many of the radicals out there that probably would turn violent but it doesn't take that many of them to stage an attack," Conboy said. "So I've been urging clients to remain vigilant at church services today, expect some demonstrations, probably in Jakarta early in the week and maybe after Friday prayers, But usually attention spans over here last about a week or two, so if they can sort of go through the next couple of weeks and nothing happens I think they'll be able to breathe a lot easier." Indonesia has arrested and jailed hundreds of Islamic militants over the last few years effectively decimating the JI terrorist group, but loose pockets of radicals remain.
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