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Obama Pushes for Stimulus Plan During News Conference
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Speaking at the White House in his first press conference as president, Mr.
Obama called on US Congress to quickly pass a large government spending and tax
cut bill that he has proposed
President Obama's News Conference
Watch (WM)
Download MP3
President Barack Obama during his White House press conference, 09 Feb
2009 U.S. President Barack Obama is pushing hard for his economic stimulus plan
and hinting of possible future contacts with Iran. He discussed both issues
Monday uring his first presidential news conference.
The president went before reporters and the nation in an all out effort to win
support for the stimulus package now before Congress. "As long as I hold this
office, I will do whatever it takes to put this economy back on track and put
this country back to work," he said.
He said that with a private sector weakened by recession, the government must
step in to help. "If you delay acting on an economy of this severity, then you
potentially create a negative spiral that becomes much more difficult for us to
get out of," the president said.
Although most of the questions dealt with the economy, Mr. Obama also talked
about foreign policy. The president indicated that diplomatic contacts with
Iran could be in the offing. "My expectation is in the coming months we will be
looking for openings that could be created where we could start sitting across
the table, face to face, with diplomatic overtures that will allow us to move
our policy in a new direction."
He cautioned there have been decades of mistrust, and that things will not
change overnight. Mr. Obama stressed that Iran continues to back militant
groups, seek nuclear weapons and foster instability in the Middle East. "There
are going to be a set of objectives that we have in these conversations. But I
think there is the possibility at least of a relationship of mutual respect."
Mr. Obama went on to speak about Afghanistan, stressing concern with a lack of
progress on the political front that, he said, lags behind Iraq. He stressed
that a review of Washington's policy toward Kabul is underway. "We are going to
need more effective coordination of our military with our diplomatic efforts,
with development efforts, with more effective coordination with our allies."
President Obama went on to stress the need to prevent terrorists in South Asia
from plotting another attack on the United States. He said al-Qaida cannot be
allowed to operate and that there can be no safe havens for terrorists in
Afghanistan or the mountainous border area of neighboring Pakistan. "We have
got to work in a regional fashion to root out those safe havens. It is not
acceptable for Pakistan or for us to have folks that with impunity will kill
innocent men, women and children."
The president noted that his South Asia envoy, Richard Holbrooke, is now in
the region. He said Holbrooke is carrying a message to Islamabad that Pakistan
is also threatened by terrorists on its soil.
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World Bank Official Calls for Coordinated Global Stimulus
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Chief economist Justin Yifu Lin repeats his call for coordinated global
stimulus to get global economy out of deep recession
World Bank's chief economist, Justin Yifu Lin, 28 Jan 2009The World Bank's
chief economist, Justin Yifu Lin, on Monday repeated his call for coordinated
global stimulus to get the global economy out of deep recession. Lin told an
audience at Washington's Peterson Institute for International Economics that
two major issues much be addressed to prevent the global downturn from becoming
even more serious."One, is whether we can overcome the threat of [trade]
protectionism, or not," said Lin. "And second, is whether we have the wisdom to
come up with some kind of decisive, large enough, coordinated fiscal
stimulus."Lin expressed concern that the commitments to avoid protectionism
made by the leaders of 20 high income and developing countries last November
might be eroding. A follow-up summit to the November Group of 20 meeting is
scheduled for April in London.Lin is the first World Bank chief economist to
come from a developing country. Prior to assuming his position in June, he
headed a research agency at China's Beijing University. He earned an advanced
degree in economics from the University of Chicago. The World Bank official
wants 0.7 percent of the value of each country's economic stimulus package to
be committed as assistance to the world's poorest countries. Lin said these
countries need infrastructure projects that can promote economic growth."It's
because high income countries don't have so many opportunities of those kinds
of [infrastructure] investments," he said. "You make those investments in
high-income countries, and the case of Japan [in the 1990s] is going to be
repeated."Lin said Japan found that its program in the 1990s for combating a
weak economy and deflation through government spending was stymied by consumers
who cut back even further on spending. Lin did not say whether he thought the
same might occur in the United States, which is finalizing a program of some
$800 billion in tax cuts and emergency government spending.
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Ahmadinejad Ready for 'Mutual Respect' Talks With US
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Iranian president says he hopes US President Barack Obama's foreign policy
changes will be 'fundamental and not just tactical'
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad is saying that Iran is ready to begin a
dialogue with the United States, provided that the United States is offering
"fundamental" and not just "tactical" change. His remarks come in a speech to
mark the 30th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution. Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks during a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of
the 1979 Islamic revolution, Tehran 10 Feb. 2009Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmedinejad addressed a flag-waving crowd of enthusiasts in Tehran's Azadi
Square, on a dreary winter day, to mark the 30th anniversary of Iran's Islamic
Revolution.Tens of thousands of Iranians demonstrated throughout Tehran, as
well, carrying Iranian flags, balloons and banners, and chanting the time-worn
slogans of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."Despite the usual rhetoric,
including complaints about former U.S. President George Bush, Mr. Ahmedinejad
told the crowd that Iran was willing to open a dialogue with the United States
if there was what he called an "atmosphere of mutual respect." He says that the
new U.S. administration has announced that it wants to make a change and start
a dialogue. To us, he insists, it is quite clear that a real change should be
fundamental and not tactical, it is obvious that the Iranian nation welcomes
real changes. The Iranian nation, he concludes, is ready for talks, but in a
fair atmosphere and mutual respect.U.S. President Barack Obama reiterated a
call for direct dialogue with Iran during a press conference Monday, arguing
that he intended to create a climate and conditions where both the United
States and Iran will be "sitting across the table, face to face" in the near
future."My national security team is currently reviewing our existing Iran
policy, looking at areas where we can have constructive dialogue, where we can
directly engage with them and my expectation is in the coming months we will be
looking for openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the
table face-to-face," Mr. Obama said. Relations between Iran and the
international community have been tumultuous in recent years, because of
Tehran's resumption of the enrichment of uranium, and its insistence on moving
forward with its nuclear program.Iran claims that its nuclear program is
intended for civilian purposes, but the United States and other nations suspect
that its ambition is to make atomic weapons.President Ahmedinejad also claimed
during his speech, Tuesday, that "Iran [has become] a real and true
superpower," noting various scientific achievements, including the recent
launch of a domestically built satellite.That launch sent shivers through
Western scientific circles, last week, because the rocket used to send the
satellite into space has dual scientific and military purposes, and could be
used to launch long-range ballistic missiles.
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Polls Open in Tight Israeli Election
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Analysts expect smaller right wing parties to make significant gains in race
for country's 120 parliament seats
Security is on the minds of voters in Israel as they cast ballots in national
elections, Tuesday. The poll pits hardline former Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his Likud party against Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of the
ruling centrist Kadima party. Public opinion polls had shown Mr. Netanyahu
head of the rest, going into the elections, but that lead has narrowed and
analysts are predicting a tight race.Israeli child casts his father's ballot at
polling station during general election in Tel Aviv, 10 Feb 2009Voters turned
out in small numbers in the early hours of polling, braving a rain storm that
went through much of Israel Tuesday.Pollsters had predicted a low turnout. But
Raymond Jayson, a voter in Jewish West Jerusalem says the stakes are too high
for him to stay home. Like for many Israelis, he says security is the
number-one issue."I think that we have a major problem with Iran," he said.
"I'm not sure that whoever is the Israeli prime minister is going to be able to
deal with it on our own. I must be quite clear. I voted for Netanyahu. I
think he is the strongest, in realistic terms, as to what needs to be done.
If we have go it alone, it won't be the first time the Jewish people have had
to go it alone."For months, polls have suggested the right-wing Likud party's
Benjamin Netanyahu emerging as a clear winner in these elections. Mr.
Netanyahu's promises to be tough on Iran and the Palestinians and his calls for
toppling the militant Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip have resonated
among many.However, Mr. Netanyahu's lead narrowed considerably, in the days
leading up to the election, with polls suggesting the race may be too close to
call.Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who has portrayed herself as one who can
negotiate but who is also willing to use force when necessary, has sustained a
following among those who still want to give negotiations a chance.But even
those who support negotiation, as opposed to force, hope for a tough new
leadership. A woman who identifies herself as a leftist and cast her ballot in
West Jerusalem on Tuesday, says she hopes the new leadership will be willing to
negotiate with Israel's enemies - to a degree."Without compromise there's no
negotiation. Both sides would have to," she said. "But not only Israel. The
other side would also have to change their state of mind. They cannot continue
to think that Israel has to be demolished. They cannot. We want a future here
for them and for us."Analysts expect smaller right wing parties to make
significant gains in the race for the country's 120 parliament seats. Among
those is the Israel Our Home party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, an
ultra-nationalist who has called for the exclusion of Arab communities from
Israel. Pre-election polls show his party moving to third place, behind Likud
and Kadima.Voters are casting ballots for parties, not candidates.The leader of
the party that gets the most votes will have to form a coalition government, a
process that could take weeks.
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French President Sarkozy Pledges Support to Iraq in Baghdad
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During unannounced visit to Baghdad, Mr. Sarkozy says France will provide
economic, political support to Iraq, in effort to rebuild ties frayed by US-led
invasion
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says his country will provide economic
and political support to Iraq, in an effort to rebuild ties frayed by
the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Iraqi
President Jalal Talabani before their talks in Baghdad, 09 Feb 2009Mr. Sarkozy
made an unannounced
visit to Baghdad Tuesday - his first trip to the Middle Eastern
nation. The French leader met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki.He told Mr. Talabani the world is in need of a
"united" and "strong" Iraq. Mr.
Sarkozy's trip is the first visit to Iraq by a French head of state
since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. France's strong opposition to the
war strained French-American relations. Mr. Sarkozy, who came to power
in 2007, has sought to improve ties.The French News Agency, AFP, says Mr.
Sarkozy also plans to visit Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman during his trip abroad.His
arrival comes one day after Iraqi lawmakers failed yet again to elect a
parliamentary speaker, postponing debate on the country's budget.Officials
say lawmakers plan to meet again next week to try to fill the post,
which has been vacant nearly two months because of political rivalries.
Without a speaker, parliament cannot debate or approve a new budget and oil
laws considered key to rebuilding the country. Five candidates are vying to
replace Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who resigned in December.The controversial Sunni
politician stepped down after insulting lawmakers during a heated debate about
foreign troops in Iraq.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Darfur Rebel Faction, Khartoum Government Make Bid to Revive Peace Talks
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Southern Sudan standoff, impending ICC indictment said to spark talks in Qatar
Talks on achieving a ceasefire in
Sudan’s contentious Darfur region get underway today in Doha, Qatar between
representatives of Sudan’s government and the main Darfur rebel group, the
Justice and Equality Movement(JEM).The
two sides have clashed in recent weeks over the south Darfur town of
Muhajiriya, which was captured by government troops last week following a rebel
pullout.
The
talks occur as judges of the International Criminal Court consider whether or
not to issue an arrest warrant against Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir
for war crimes.The associate director
of policy for the advocacy group Africa Action, Michael Stulman, says that
today’s talks should be seen as an
opening for civil society groups and other marginalized groups in Sudan,
including parties hoping to strengthen a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
for southern Sudan, to press Khartoum for extensive negotiations for a
nationwide peace agreement.
“Darfur
does not exist in and of itself.If the
CPA were to fall apart, then the repercussions for Darfur and the rest of the
region would be widespread.So it’s an
important point to remember that all the participants in the nation and in the
region, whether they be political actors or civil society, need to come
together and have all their voices be heard so that everyone’s concerns can be
taken into consideration,” he said.
Only
Djibril Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement will represent the rebel
side in today’s talks, which will be facilitated by joint UN-African Union
chief Darfur mediator, Djibril Bassolé.
Michael Stulman says the Khartoum government is not yet ready to open up
the discussions on a broader scale.
“I
think there has always been a hesitancy between the government of Sudan to
really fully engage all factions of this conflict in Darfur.So I think it will
take pressure from civil
society for those talks to be fully comprehensive and inclusive,” he noted.
Stulman
says the prospect of Sudan’s president facing charges by the ICC may “That
certainly put pressure on the government of Sudan.We aren’t sure when the ICC
indictments will
come down.It is likely that the
indictments will come down sooner than elections will be scheduled, so in that
time frame, it’s important that civil society have their voices be heard so
that there can be some collective movement to protect people who are facing
some of the human rights abuses that are coming down from the government,” he
said.
The advocacy policy adviser points out
that since November, there have been at least three arrests of human rights
activists in Sudan, with allegations of torture.In addition, the mandate for the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement for southern Sudan is expected to face renewal in
two years’ time. Stulman says those
factors make it paramount for groups in the country to press the government for
comprehensive talks. He calls today’s
talks in Qatar a “positive way forward for there to be an open discussion on
these
issues so that some of the challenges in Sudan are confronted by civil society,
by government, and by the international community.”
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Somalia's New President Continues Push for Insurgent Support
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Some faction leaders pledge support for Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, but other
factions remain opposed to government
Somalia's government continued its efforts to gain the support of
Islamist insurgent groups. At a ceremony in Somalia's capital on
Monday, leaders of one faction pledged their support for the country's
new president, but other factions remain opposed to the government. African
Union peacekeeper (l) stands guard for Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh
Ahmed (r) in Mogadishu, 09 Feb 2009 Since
taking over as Somalia's president at the end of January, Sheikh Sharif
Sheikh Ahmed, a former leader of Somalia's Islamist insurgency who
signed an agreement with the government last summer, has attempted to
bring on board the other Islamist factions who have been fighting the
government for the past two years.On Monday, at a ceremony in
Mogadishu, the leaders of one faction, the Islamic Courts Union,
announced their support for Sheikh Sharif. One of the group's leaders,
Abdulkadir Ali Omar, called for forgiveness between different factions.Omar
said that today there is a new era, a new coalition, and new work to
do. He said he and others welcome President Sheikh Sharif and his
colleagues and he said there is a golden opportunity. Omar said many
opportunities have been wasted but he said now there is a chance to
take advantage of the chance God has given to Somalia.Omar's
Islamic Courts Union has retained the name of the Islamist group that
briefly took control of Mogadishu in 2006, before being ousted by
Ethiopian troops supporting an internationally-backed transitional
government. Over the course of the ensuing insurgency, the Islamists
have broken into a number of factions. The Shabaab, a hardline group
that controls much of southern Somalia, and which is labeled a
terrorist organization by the United States, has vowed to resist Sheikh
Sharif's government, with one leader saying the new president has
abandoned the Islamist cause and sided with the United States. Several
other Islamist factions have formed a coalition, called the Islamic
Party, which has vowed to oppose Sheikh Sharif's government. But Sheik
Sharif, whose Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia has now joined
the government, has continued its calls for cooperation.At
Monday's ceremony, Sheikh Sharif called for forgiveness between the
different sides. He called on the former enemies in the transitional
government and the insurgent groups to work together in the interest of
peace and stability.He also voiced his commitment to
establishing some form of Sharia law in the country. There have been
some signs that Sheikh Sharif's efforts may be bearing fruit. There
have been reports in the Somali media that top Shabaab officials,
including spokesman Sheikh Muktar Robow, have held meetings with the
president in recent days. And on Tuesday, Somali media reported that
Islamic Party leaders had agreed to begin negotiations with the
government under the mediation of traditional leaders from the Hawiye
clan in Mogadishu.There have also been reports of internal
divisions within the Shabaab. Since Ethiopian forces withdrew from the
country last month, insurgents have lost their main rallying point. The
Shabaab has struggled to exert its strength in Mogadishu, encountering
resistance from clan-based militias.But for now, instability
persists. On Sunday, insurgents fired mortar rounds at the presidential
palace in Mogadishu, and attacked African Union peacekeepers, who have
been increasingly targeted since the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces. On
Monday in Nairobi, the AU's special representative for Somalia said
Uganda and Burundi would soon be sending additional troops to the
peacekeeping mission, which would bring the total to around 5,000,
still short of the 8,000 that have been approved.Journalists,
who have long faced one of the most dangerous professional environments
in the world, have also been a growing target. On Saturday, the
director of a local radio station in central Somalia was hospitalized
after being stabbed. Last week, the director of one of the country's
most popular radio stations, Horn Afrik, was shot and killed in
Mogadishu. On Tuesday, the National Union of Somali
Journalists said that Islamist insurgents, who control much of southern
Somalia, have been harassing journalists and restricting coverage of
Sheikh Sharif's transitional government.
------------------------------------------------------
ASEAN Members to Discuss Economy, Human Rights
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Meeting of countries in Southeast Asia will be held at end of month in
Thailand's Hua Hin beach resort
Thailand is set to host the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations. The focus, as always, is on economic integration, but human rights
and the fate of Burmese boat people are also to be discussed. Thailand has
literally given a drum roll for this year's ASEAN summit.The meeting of
countries in Southeast Asia will be held at the end of the month in Thailand's
Hua Hin beach resort.Member countries are expected to discuss how to strengthen
their economies in the face of the global economic slowdown.Thai Prime Minister
Abhisit VejjajivaThailand's Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, says they also
want to build a stronger sense of community in Southeast Asia."The summit will
be a good opportunity for ASEAN to show to the rest of the world that ASEAN is
still very much relevant," said Vejjajiva. "The 10 member countries of ASEAN
are integral parts of a wider integrated East Asia community, which has been
and will continue to be the engine of the world's economic growth."Southeast
Asia, like most of the world, has to some degree suffered from tightening
credit-mainly from lower demand for its exports.Mr. Vejjajiva says the ASEAN
summit will also discuss human rights issues.He says an ASEAN human rights
body, that he says will be credible and realistic, will be established by the
end of the year.Southeast Asian governments are routinely criticized for human
rights violations. Burma's military-run government is most often in the
spotlight.But, even Thailand, one of the more democratic of the nations, has
had to defend its military from accusations of abusing Burmese boat
refugees.Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit PiromyaThailand's foreign minister,
Kasit Piromya, says ASEAN nations will discuss how to deal with the Burmese
boat people-the Rohingya. But despite concerns that they face persecution in
Burma, he says they are not refugees. "Definitely there will be some sort of
a side meeting and to discuss the possibility of furthering the cooperation on
the Rohingya question," he said. "At this point in time, I think all of us,
the affected country deem the issue as the question of economic migrants, pure
and simple."Human rights groups say the Rohingya are perhaps the most
persecuted ethnic minority in Burma.In recent months hundreds of Rohingya have
washed up in Thailand, India, and Indonesia, many with stories of abuse at the
hands of the Burmese and Thai militaries.Thailand has denied the accusations.
Both Thailand and Indonesia have indicated they will deport all Rohingya who
enter their countries illegally.
------------------------------------------------------
Octuplets' Grandmother Criticizes Daughter
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Angela Suleman, says she is angry at the doctor who helped her unemployed
daughter, Nadya Suleman, 33, conceive octuplets
The mother of a California woman who used fertility treatment to give birth to
octuplets has called her daughter's actions "unconscionable." Ed Suleman
carries one of his unidentified grandsons from a school bus in Whittier,
California, 06 Feb 2009The woman's mother, Angela Suleman, told an online news
site, radaronline.com, she does not know how her unemployed daughter, who
already has six children, will cope with eight more babies.Nadya Suleman,33,
remains hospitalized with her octuplets after giving birth last month. She told
the U.S. television network NBC last week that she asked a fertility doctor to
implant six embryos into her womb, indicating that two may have divided.The
children's grandmother, Angela Suleman, says she is "really angry" at the
doctor who helped Nadya conceive the octuplets.California's Medical Board is
investigating why the doctor provided the treatment to an unemployed single
mother of six who lives with her parents. Angela Suleman says she has struggled
to pay her bills as she cares for Nadya's six older children. A reporter who
went to the three-bedroom home described it as cramped and filthy.Nadya Suleman
has said she longed for a huge family and believes she can afford the children
after completing her schooling.Some information for this report was provided by
AP.
------------------------------------------------------
Baseball Star Rodriguez Admits to Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs
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New York Yankees 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez admits using drugs between 2001 -
2003, when he was a member of Texas Rangers
Alex Rodriguez (2008 file photo)Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez of
the New York Yankees has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs between
2001 and 2003, when he was a member of the Texas Rangers. The three-time
American League Most Valuable Player made the admission on Monday in an
exclusive interview with the cable sports television network, ESPN.Alex
Rodriguez admitted that he took the substances because of the pressure of being
baseball's highest-paid player after getting a 10-year, $252-million contract
when he was signed by the Rangers in December of 2000. "I felt like I had all
of the weight of the world on top of me and I needed to perform - and perform
at a high level every day," said Alex Rodriguez. "I was young, I was stupid, I
was naive and I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth it - being one of
the greatest players of all time."The 33-year-old third baseman, who was traded
to the Yankees in 2004, had previously denied using performance enhancers. But
on Monday, he admitted it and apologized to his fans."I did take a banned
substance," he said. "For that I am very sorry and deeply regretful. And
although it was a culture back then, I just feel sorry for that time, sorry to
my fans, I am sorry for my fans in Texas. It was not until then that I ever
thought about a substance of any kind." The admission came two days after
Sports Illustrated magazine reported that Rodriguez was one of 104 players who
returned a positive result during baseball's survey drug testing in 2003. The
testing was supposed to remain anonymous and was not subject to discipline.
Rodriguez confirmed that he was guilty of taking the performance-enhancers, but
he denies even knowing what drugs he took."I am guilty for a lot of things,"
said Rodriguez. "I am guilty for being negligent, naive, not asking all the
right questions. To be quite honest, I do not know exactly what substance I
was guilty of using."Rodriguez is 12th on baseball's career home run list with
553. That is 209 behind leader Barry Bonds who is accused of steroid use and
failed to get a contract to play last season.
------------------------------------------------------
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