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Bush Predicts Tough Fight Against Taliban Following Surprise Visit to
Afghanistan
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US President George W. Bush expressed optimism about the security situation in
Afghanistan
President George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with Afghan President Hamid Karzai
at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, 15 Dec 2008President Bush has completed a
brief surprise visit to Afghanistan where he predicted a tough battle against
the Taliban. Mr. Bush said stabilizing the country will "take time" and must
also involve Pakistan.President Bush arrived on what is expected to be his
final trip to the Afghan war zone, emphasizing the foreign policy themes that
have defined much of his presidency.
Bush rebuffs criticism about lack of progress in AfghanistanMr. Bush said
bringing democracy to Afghanistan, improving civil society and building medical
clinics and schools are the keys to defeating the kind of extremism represented
by the Taliban. He said the interest is "to build a flourishing democracy as an
alternative to a hateful ideology."During a news conference with President
Hamid Karzai, an Afghan reporter said after seven years of war, security is
worsening and the United States has failed in its promise to liberate the
Afghan people. Mr. Bush said he disagreed."The Taliban was brutalizing the
people of Afghanistan. And they're not in power," the president noted. " And I
just cited the progress that is undeniable. Now, is there more work to be done?
You bet. I never said Taliban was eliminated, I said they were removed from
power."
Country's future involves peace talks with TalibanThis year has been
particularly deadly for international forces and Afghan civilians, as Taliban
fighters expanded territory and destabilized areas, nearly surrounding the
capital city. There is now broad support among Afghan political leaders -
including Mr. Karzai - for holding peace talks with Taliban factions that agree
to recognize the country's constitution. U.S. and NATO commanders have
recommended reaching out to so-called "reconcilable" insurgents. Major Taliban
commanders, including Mullah Omar, have rejected the offers.
Bush: peace must involve PakistanMr. Bush said the United States remains
committed to defeating the Taliban and he expects President-elect Barack Obama
to deploy more U.S. forces next year to support the effort. But the president
also acknowledged that bringing peace to Afghanistan must also involve
Pakistan. "There needs to be a comprehensive strategy in helping the Pakistan
government deal with those who bring great harm on their citizens and bring
harm on the citizens of Afghanistan," he said. "So we need to have a
collaborative strategy -work together on in constructive way. We are making
progress along those lines."Political leaders in both Afghanistan and Pakistan
say some U.S. military offensives are undermining public support for the war.
In Pakistan, officials have denounced suspected American drone missile attacks
against militant targets. In Afghanistan, airstrikes against Taliban fighters
have in some cases killed scores of civilians, including women and children.
Karzai support for international troops still strongBut Hamid Karzai said
Afghan public support for the international troops remains strong. And, in one
of the more lighthearted moments of their news conference, Mr. Karzai said his
impoverished country is appreciative of billions of dollars in foreign
aid."Afghanistan will not allow the international community to leave it before
we are fully on our feet," Karzai said. "Before we are strong enough to defend
our country, before we are powerful enough to have a good economy and before we
have taken from President Bush and the next administration, billions and
billions of more dollars. No way that we can let you go.""You better hurry up
in my case," president Bush joked. The Afghan president's government has been
dogged by allegations of rampant corruption from U.S. officials and opposition
politicians. Mr. Karzai said Afghans do not want to be a burden on the
international community forever and are grateful for the blood and money other
nations have been willing to sacrifice for Afghanistan.
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Iraq Detains Journalist Who Threw Shoes at US President
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Al Baghdadiya TV calls for the release of its reporter in line with what it
calls 'freedom of expression' the US has promised all Iraqis
In this image from APTN video, man throws shoe at US President George W.
Bush, left, during news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, 14
Dec 2008 The Iraqi government has detained the reporter who threw his shoes at
U.S. President George Bush.Iraqi officials in Baghdad Monday, condemned the act
of journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi and demanded an apology from his employer, al
Baghdadiya television.Al Baghdadiya in turn has called for the reporter's
release. The network said that freeing al-Zaidi would be in line with what it
called the "freedom of expression" the U.S. has promised all Iraqis. Saddam
Hussein's former chief lawyer told al Jazeera network that he would defend
al-Zaidi in court.Protesters in Baghdad's Sadr City district and the Shi'ite
holy city of Najaf took to the streets today and demanded al-Zaidi's release.
The reporter's colleagues said al-Zaidi resented Mr. Bush and blamed him for
the bloodshed in Iraq.Al-Zaidi threw one shoe, then the other, at President
Bush during a Baghdad news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
on Sunday. Mr. Bush ducked and the shoes sailed over his head. Security
officials took the reporter out of the room, as other Iraqi journalists
apologized.President Bush shrugged off the incident and said he never felt
threatened.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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European Markets Up Slightly, Financial Concerns Remain
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Markets jittery but tempered by concerns over possible consequences of alleged
billion dollar fraudulent investment on Wall Street
Trader floor, LondonFollowing the trend in Asia, European markets rose modestly
on Monday amid hopes of a renewed U.S. auto sector lifeline from the White
House and another possible U.S. interest rate cut this week. But the mood is
tempered by concerns about possible effects from an alleged billion dollar
fraudulent investment scheme on Wall Street. It is jittery and volatile once
again on the European markets with traders trying to find a definitive
direction.On the plus side, hopes of the Bush administration throwing the big
three U.S. automakers a short-term loan is helping the markets, as is the
anticipation of another U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut on Tuesday.Also
helpful, an announcement by China of a multibillion dollar plan to boost
consumer confidence there.A woman walks near the entrance of a Banco Santander
office in Madrid, Spain, 15 Dec 2008But on the downside, investors are looking
for overseas damage in the wake of a Wall Street investment scandal involving
a former Nasdaq stock exchange chief . Bernard Madoff is accused of defrauding
investors of some $50 billion.In Britain, Banco Santander could stand to lose
$3 billion while the Royal Bank of Scotland could see $600 million evaporate if
those scandal fears are realized.The head of trading at CMC Markets here in
London, Gary Thomson said given currently tighter market conditions, clients
were likely asking more questions about their investments with
Madoff."Everybody now, particularly when we have come out of a boom period we
have and we are coming into what is quite a tough period, everybody gets a
little bit more cautious and takes a closer look at what is going on. And that
is one of the reasons of course that this scheme has been found," he said.On
the currency markets, the possible U.S. interest rate cut is weakening the
dollar, while the British pound is taking a battering. It is now at its lowest
level ever against the euro. With the rate hovering around the parity level,
some are wondering whether now might be a good time for Britain to join the
euro. But the government's Europe minister Caroline Flint did not think that
would be such a good idea right now."I think it would be wrong to suggest that
somehow the financial crisis in itself means that we should move to the euro. I
do not think there really is evidence for that. We living as I said in
exceptional, unique times where it would be wrong to make a judgment based on
the environment we are living and working through at the moment," he said.On
the oil markets light, sweet crude for January delivery is up just over two
dollars a barrel to above the $48 mark due to expectations that OPEC might
announce a production cut later this week.Also later this week, a raft of new
U.S. economic indicators will be released that will be watched closely by the
traders overseas.
------------------------------------------------------
Somali Parliament Backs Prime Minister
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Lawmakers voted 143 to 20 to keep Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein in office
who was dismissed by President Abdullahi Yusuf on Sunday
Somali PM Nur Hassan Hussein Somalia's parliament has given Prime Minister Nur
Hassan Hussein a strong vote of confidence, a day after the president said he
was firing him.In a special session Monday, lawmakers voted 143 to 20 with
seven abstentions to keep Mr. Hussein in office. There was no immediate
reaction from President Abdullahi Yusuf, who told VOA Somali service on Sunday
that he would abide by parliament's decision.Earlier Sunday, the president
accused Mr. Hussein and his ministers of corruption, inefficiency, and
treason.The power struggle raises new questions about the future of the Somali
government as it struggles with a rising Islamist insurgency. In a statement,
African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping says the dispute could undermine
efforts to stabilize Somalia and establish peace.The government recently
reached a peace deal with a moderate Islamist group, the Alliance for the
Re-Liberation of Somalia. But hardline Islamists rejected the deal and have
continued taking over towns in the country's center and south.On Sunday, a
spokesman for the leading insurgent group al-Shabab told reporters his group
wants to impose Islamic law in Somalia, and will never accept a power-sharing
deal.Fighting over the last two years, involving Ethiopian-backed government
forces and a variety of Islamist groups, has killed thousands of Somalis and
displaced at least a million others. Ethiopia has said it will pull its troops
within a few weeks.Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Uganda Says Rebels Damaged in Sunday Attack
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Ugandan army reports Lord's Resistance Army suffered 'considerable damage'
during attacks by forces from Uganda, Congo, and southern Sudan
Uganda's military says the rebel Lord's Resistance Army suffered "considerable
damage" in the assault on its bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Sunday.That assessment from spokesman Chris Magezi Monday came as forces from
Uganda, Congo, and southern Sudan continued their offensive against the
LRA.Ugandan army officials say ground troops were inserted after Ugandan
warplanes bombed LRA bases in Congo's Garamba Forests on Sunday. Joseph Kony,
leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), answers journalists' questions in
Ri-Kwamba, southern Sudan (2006 file photo)A joint statement from the three
governments involved said the attack destroyed the main base of rebel leader
Joseph Kony. There has been no confirmation of that from independent sources,
nor any word on the fate of Kony and his top aides.David Matsanga, the rebels'
lead negotiator in peace talks with the Ugandan government, told VOA that the
attack was "very regrettable" and that the world must condemn it.The LRA has
waged a 20-year guerrilla war against the Ugandan government. A 2006
cease-fire ended the fighting in Uganda but the group has become a regional
threat, attacking villages and kidnapping people in the DRC, southern Sudan,
and the Central African Republic.Kony and two of his aides are wanted by the
International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against
humanity.The LRA and the Ugandan government have negotiated a peace deal but
Kony has failed to show up multiple times to sign the accord.Some information
for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
ANC Dissidents Create New Political Party in South Africa
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Group plans to contest national elections set for early 2009
Defectors from South Africa's ruling African National Congress are holding a
conference that is to formally announce Tuesday the creation of a new political
party. They plan to contest national elections due early next year. Some 4,000
former members of the African National Congress sang and danced in the central
city of Bloemfontein as they laid the foundation for a new political party
called the Congress of the People, or COPE.Mosiua Lekota addresses press
conference in Bloemfontein, 15 Dec 2008 One of the organizers of the
conference, former Defense Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, said organizers must
strengthen democracy and work against forces that seek to remain forever in
power."No party owns voters," Lekota said. "Therefore, we can neither prevent
other parties from persuading our members or supporters to vote for them, nor
be prevented from canvassing our ideas among voters of any other political
party."He accused some ANC members of intimidating COPE supporters and trying
to prevent them from holding rallies.
ANC has dominated South African politics for 14 yearsThe ANC, Africa's oldest
liberation movement, led the struggle against apartheid and has dominated South
African politics since the advent of democracy 14 years ago.
What led to formation of COPE?Most COPE organizers are former ANC members who
became unhappy after the party leadership obliged then-President Thabo Mbeki to
resign with six months remaining in his term.The resignation brought to a head
a growing rift with supporters of former vice president, Jacob Zuma, who was
elected ANC president one year ago at a confrontational party congress.As head
of the ANC, Zuma is the frontrunner to become South Africa's next president in
elections early next year. But he faces corruption charges which his supporters
say are politically motivated.Zuma was elected with the support of trade
unions, the Communist Party and the left wing of the ANC which believe that the
Mbeki government did not do enough to help the poor.
Many concerned about country's lack of progressPublic opinion polls show that
many South Africans are also concerned about the lack of progress in the fight
against corruption, crime and the AIDS epidemic.COPE officials say more than
400,000 people have already joined their party and they will mount a major
challenge to the ANC in the upcoming elections.But ANC leaders have also been
hard at work. The General-Secretary of the Confederation of South African Trade
Unions, Zwelinzima Vavi, told a rally in Johannesburg, Sunday, that the new
party would be eliminated by next year."We will bury them because they are
trying to derail our freedom, our national democratic revolution. They are
selling us out," Vavi said. Zuma also addressed thousands of supporters in
Eastern Cape, considered a COPE stronghold, and said he was confident of an ANC
victory next year.
------------------------------------------------------
Athens Police, Protesters Clash for 10th Day
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Riots continue, Greek leaders call for addressing social inequities
Riot police run past burning trash bin during student protests in Athens, 15
Dec 2008Riot police in Athens have used tear gas outside the city's main police
station as protests over the police killing of a teenager entered a 10th
day.The police briefly fired small amounts of tear gas after protesters threw
fire bombs at the officers. Separately, small groups of youths threw eggs at
police guarding the city's court. Students were expected to stage a march on
parliament later Monday.Witnesses said the intensity of the protests has tailed
off sharply in recent days, with Sunday largely calm across the capital.
Protesters took to the streets immediately after the December 6 death of the
teenager, who was struck by police gunfire. The demonstrations quickly became
violent and spread to other Greek cities.Both Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis
and opposition leader George Papandreou have repeatedly called for calm.In an
interview with VOA Sunday, Papandreou said Greek youths feel a deepening sense
of social inequality and injustice that is driving them to riot. He said the
government should take steps to eliminate high-level corruption and address
social problems creating a widening rift between rich and poor.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
------------------------------------------------------
Obama Convenes National Security Team; Later to Announce 2 Cabinet Picks
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Mr. Obama is expected to name Nobel physics laureate Steven Chu as energy
secretary and Lisa Jackson, the chief of staff for the governor of New Jersey,
to head the US Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is holding a national security meeting Monday
in Chicago with his picks for the top diplomatic and security posts in his
administration. President-elect Barack Obama, left, with Secretary of
State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., center, and National
Security Adviser-designate Ret. Marine Gen. James Jones in Chicago, 01 Dec
2008The meeting today includes Secretary of State designee Hillary Clinton;
current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is to stay in that post; Attorney
General designee Eric Holder; and Mr. Obama's pick for secretary of homeland
security, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.Also attending the talks are the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen; United Nations
Ambassador designee Susan Rice; National Intelligence chief Mike McConnell; and
National Security Advisor designee Jim Jones.Separately, Mr. Obama is to hold a
news conference later in the day (2200 UTC) to announce his energy and
environmental teams and discuss the nation's future in those sectors.Mr. Obama
is expected to name Nobel physics laureate Steven Chu as energy secretary. Chu
shared the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics for developing methods to cool and trap
atoms with laser light. He is the director of the U.S. Energy Department's
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.Lisa Jackson, the chief of
staff for the governor of the northeastern state of New Jersey, is expected to
be named to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She was previously
New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner.Mr. Obama is also expected
to name former EPA chief Carol Browner to a newly-created post to coordinate
policy on energy, the environment and climate change.Separately, presidential
electors - in their mostly ceremonial role - are gathering in their respective
state capitals today to formally elect Mr. Obama as president.Some information
for this report was provided by AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Thai Opposition Leader Elected Prime Minister
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Abhisit Vejjajiva faces strong opposition from supporters of former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Thailand's parliament has elected a new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva,
ending a coalition government closely associated with a controversial former
prime minister. Protesters battled outside the parliament building after the
vote, a sign that the country's deep political divisions remain. Thai
opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva sits as he attends voting for the Prime
Minister at Parliament House in Bangkok, 12 Sep 2008As head of a coalition
government, the 44-year-old Mr. Abhisit will be Thailand's 27th prime minister.
His election ends a year of government by parties aligned with former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Many Thais hope Monday's vote will end months of
political tensions. Those tensions were worsened when thousands of
anti-government demonstrators laid siege to the prime minister's office
building and then blockaded Bangkok's airports earlier this month.Sompob
Manarangsan, an economics professor at Chulalongkorn University, says the vote
will help restore confidence in Thailand's democracy."At least we have gone
through some of the political deadlock compared with a couple of weeks ago. But
now at least we have passed through the very critical period of time," said
Sompob. "At least we can restore or maintain our democracy. That is very
important." The anti-government accused the former cabinet of acting as a proxy
for Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup two years ago. He lives in exile,
having fled corruption charges. Mr. Thaksin's brother-in-law, Somchai
Wongsawat, resigned as prime minister earlier this month and his People Power
Party was abolished after a court found it guilty of electoral fraud.His
critics accuse Mr. Thaskin of being authoritarian and corrupt. But he enjoys
widespread support among the rural poor and urban working-class. Right after
Monday's vote, hundreds of his supporters unsuccessfully tried to block the
exits of the parliament. Many of them call Mr. Abhisit's election a "silent
coup", engineered by the military.Kudeb Saikrajang is a spokesman for the Phuea
Thai Party, formed by members of the abolished People Power Party. He says the
new government could face hostility. "I believe the people in the villages who
support the Puea Thai or the former PPP would be very unhappy about the
situation today and I don't think the performance of the Democrat-led
government can satisfy all the grass roots people because they understand that
they have been robbed of power," he said. Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj
Samutharark says the government's priority will be bridging social divisions.
"Clearly it is to reach out to the people from all parts of the country which
have been stricken with divisiveness as a result of the political crisis over
the past few years and do everything to reunite the country," he said. "This
is a first step towards regaining confidence in the economy and trying to move
the country forward again." Mr. Abhisit also has said his government will focus
on the economy, which has been weakened by the political infighting at home and
the financial crisis overseas. The new prime minister will announce his cabinet
in a few days, after Thailand's king approves his election.
------------------------------------------------------
Australia Outlines Climate Change Blueprint
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Government plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least five percent by
2020
Australia has promised to introduce the most comprehensive carbon trading
program outside Europe in 2010. The government in Canberra plans to cut
greenhouse gas emissions by at least five percent by 2020, but it could make
bigger reductions if other countries agree to tougher targets. Water
utilities manager performs weekly checks at Pejar Dam, which is at less than 10
percent capacity, 180 kilometers from SydneyThe Australian government warns
that without tough environmental measures the country could lose key industries
and jobs.
Officials say decisive action needed Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says
the economy is under threat and decisive action is needed. Central to the
government's climate change plan is a carbon emissions trading program that
will be introduced within two years. It would involve one thousand of the
nation's biggest companies and would cover about three-quarters of Australia's
greenhouse gas emissions. Many scientists believe that greenhouse gases, such
as carbon dioxide and methane, contribute to global warming. Many of them are
released by burning fuels such as coal and oil.
Business leaders ask government to delay plan Companies will be required to buy
permits for each ton of carbon they emit, although big polluting exporters will
receive up to 90 percent of their carbon licenses free.Many business leaders
want the government to delay the plan because of the current global financial
crisis, which is slowing the Australian economy.Peter Anderson from the
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it is irresponsible to bring
in a carbon trading plan now. "It does beg the basic question and that is
whether or not these costs can be borne by business in the first place at a
time when Australia is going through an international economic firestorm and we
need to come through that economic firestorm with a strong economy," Anderson
noted. "And placing domestic stress on the economy is just going to make that
more difficult."
Environmentalists say more needs to be doneEnvironmentalists, on the other
hand, say Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has not properly addressed the threat of
climate change. Activists had sought a minimum emissions cut of 25 percent.
Instead, the Rudd government aims to cuts carbon emissions by at least five
percent of 2000 levels by 2020. That amount could rise to 15 percent, if future
global agreements set such a target. Ray Nias of the environmental group WWF
says Australia will pay the price for low targets."This is a deeply, deeply
disappointing target," Nias said. "It commits Australia to long-term climate
change. It will make Australia's ability to negotiate global agreements very,
very difficult. It is much lower than even we had imaged the worst case
being."Australia has one of the highest per-capita greenhouse emissions rates
in the world because of its reliance on coal for electricity.Some scientists
warn that the vast, arid Australian continent, which has been suffering a
series of droughts in recent years, could be one of the region's hardest hit by
global warming.Australian farmers will be exempt from the carbon trading system
for at least five years.
------------------------------------------------------
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