Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Friday 28 September 2012


10 New Messages

Digest #4503
2

Messages

Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:18 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_09_27/Syrian-crisis-polarization-of-opinion/

Voice of Russia
September 27, 2012

Syrian crisis: polarization of opinion
Ilya Kharlamov

====

Western leaders making similar statements in New York is only natural given their permanent drive to rein in Damascus and Tehran and revise the current system of international relations in circumvention of the UN.

"We know that Qatar sponsors a spate of negative changes that are taking place in Northern Africa, and that Qatar lends support to Syrian rebels. I think that the time is ripe for considering slapping sanctions on this gas dwarf."

====

Participants of the 67th General Assembly in New York have remained at odds over the situation in Syria. On Thursday, Qatar urged interference in the political standoff between Syrian authorities and rebels, something that was supported by France and Tunisia. Moscow, Tehran and Cairo, for their part, continue to call for a diplomatic solution to the Syrian conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the discussion in absentia, warning against taking decisions on Syria that bypass the UN.

All those urging the ouster of the Assad regime by outside forces specifically pointed out the UN’s current inability to act. British Prime Minister David Cameron, in turn, said that the blood of children killed during the civil war in Syria was a “terrible stain on the reputation of the United Nations.” He was echoed by French President Francois Hollande who described the UN’s inaction as “shocking.”

Western leaders making similar statements in New York is only natural given their permanent drive to rein in Damascus and Tehran and revise the current system of international relations in circumvention of the UN. Adding fuel to the fire was a statement by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, who called for mulling a military intervention in Syria, where he said a no-fly zone should be created.

This is a very dangerous tendency, believes Igor Korotchenko, a Moscow-based political analyst.

"Qatar acts as an instigator of sorts," Korotchenko says, referring to Qatar possessing hefty sums and local tribal leaders’ ambitions. "We know that Qatar sponsors a spate of negative changes that are taking place in Northern Africa, and that Qatar lends support to Syrian rebels. I think that the time is ripe for considering slapping sanctions on this gas dwarf," Korotchenko says.

Western elites and their Middle Eastern partners are irked with the position taken by Moscow and Beijing, which have repeatedly blocked the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Syria.

In an interview with the Voice of Russia broadcast on Thursday, Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Russia in Global Affairs magazine, lambasted Western countries’ push for meddling in the Syrian conflict. He attributed this push to the West’s dissatisfaction with its own actions, Lukyanov said.

"The situation in Syria came to a standstill," Lukyanov says, separately referring to the killing of a US Ambassador to Libya that recently hit international headlines. "Some in the United States have already slammed Washington’s desire to interfere in the Syrian conflict that I think reflects the West’s inability to act," Lukayanov says, singling out the West’s frustration about Bashar Assad still being in power in Syria.

For his part, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi called the resolution of the Syrian problem one of his key priorities. He added that this would help Syria contain a threat of a foreign military intervention that he stressed is being opposed by Cairo. Morsi was echoed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who said on Thursday that the Syrian crisis should only be resolved through a national consensus in a wide-scale inter-Syrian dialogue under the UN’s aegis. Lavrov was speaking during his meeting with UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:18 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_09_27/David-Cameron-poses-himself-as-Ivan-Karamazov/

Voice of Russia
September 17, 2012

David Cameron poses as Ivan Karamazov
Boris Volkhonsky

1862: Dostoevsky on the new world order
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/1862-dostoevsky-on-the-new-world-order/

====

He did not particularly mention those who are "of no conscience", but British diplomats have made it clear that the British Premier had in mind Russia and China – the two countries that have blocked a number of West-sponsored resolutions on Syria.

[T]he tip of his criticism should be aimed at those who instigate violence in Syria in order to achieve their geopolitical aims. And to find those, the British premier should not look at Russia or China, but rather turn his eyes westwards (or, while being in New York, look around).

[W]hile speaking of the sufferings of young Syrian children, why didn't Mr. Cameron mention the sufferings of young Yugoslav children in the late 1990s who died under NATO bombings? Why didn't he refer to hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans who were killed as a result of Western aggression, in which Britain took an active part, second only to its elder brother? Why didn't he made any reference to Western marines who went on a rampage in Libya leading to mass atrocities against Gaddafi loyalists?

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On Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron launched a strong attack at the United Nations and its inability to stop atrocities in Syria by saying that the blood of young Syrian children is a "terrible stain" on UN's reputation.

"If the United Nations charter is to have any value in the 21st century we must now join together to support a rapid political transition," the Guardian quotes Mr. Cameron as saying. "And at the same time no one of conscience can turn a deaf ear to the voices of suffering."

He did not particularly mention those who are "of no conscience", but British diplomats have made it clear that the British Premier had in mind Russia and China – the two countries that have blocked a number of West-sponsored resolutions on Syria.

Now, it would be permissible to ask Mr. Cameron a couple of questions.

First of all, is it really the fate of "young children" that bothers the British Premier, or is it the strategic dominance of Britain's elder brother in the crucial Middle Eastern region – the dominance, for which Bashar al-Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are posing the two last remaining obstacles. Otherwise, why be so insistent on a "rapid political transition", even putting it before the "voice of suffering".

Second, the course of events in Syria definitely shows that there is a civil war going on, a war in which the government is only trying to quell a mutiny. The mutiny itself was raised by local radicals with the direct participation of mercenaries from a number of adjacent countries and armed by the West via its satellites in the Middle East.

A war is always fraught with atrocities, and despite whatever Mr. Cameron might have been saying from the UN rostrum, the insurgents are no "meek lambs" or "innocent children".

As has been demonstrated by numerous reports from Syria, the biggest bulk of atrocities were committed by insurgents armed with Mr. Cameron's friends' assistance. So, he may be right in criticizing the UN for being unable to stop the atrocities, but the tip of his criticism should be aimed at those who instigate violence in Syria in order to achieve their geopolitical aims. And to find those, the British premier should not look at Russia or China, but rather turn his eyes westwards (or, while being in New York, look around).

Third, while speaking of the sufferings of young Syrian children, why didn't Mr. Cameron mention the sufferings of young Yugoslav children in the late 1990s who died under NATO bombings? Why didn't he refer to hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans who were killed as a result of Western aggression, in which Britain took an active part, second only to its elder brother? Why didn't he made any reference to Western marines who went on a rampage in Libya leading to mass atrocities against Gaddafi loyalists? Such questions may go on indefinitely.

Indeed, those events do not seem to have taught Mr. Cameron and his like anything. The invasion of Iraq has led to total chaos in the country. The invasion of Afghanistan has not only alienated 99.99 percent of Afghans against the West but has also led to a loss of a long-time Western ally in the region, Pakistan. The "Arab Spring" which caused such enthusiasm in the West just a little bit more than a year ago now has backlashed in a way that no one would like to have experienced.

And still, while lamenting over "the sufferings of Syrian children" (which, for the most part have been a direct result of Western interference), the West, under an outdated pretext of "freedom of expression," remains stubborn in its intentions to let the instigators of violence to roam at large and add further fuel to the bonfire flaring up in all the Muslim world.

Or, maybe by referring to the "suffering of young children" Mr. Cameron suddenly remembered Ivan Karamazov who rejected global harmony based on a single tear of a child. But in really the allusion is a very disclosing one – while speaking about the "child's tear" Ivan Karamazov in fact instigated Smerdyakov to murder the Karamazovs' father. Isn't it something the British premier is trying to do now?

Boris Volkhonsky, senior research fellow, Russian Institute for Strategic Studies
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:18 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/russia-brics-nam-condemn-west-for-syrian-terrorism-chaos/

Stop NATO
September 27, 2012

Russia, BRICS, NAM Condemn West For Syrian Terrorism, Chaos

****************

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_09_27/Lavrov-on-Syria-Inactivity-incites-terror/

Voice of Russia
September 27, 2012

Lavrov on Syria: “Inactivity incites terror”
Olga Denisova

====

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: "To a great extent the ongoing violence in Syria should be blamed on the countries that incite anti-Assad forces to deny a ceasefire and seek a change of regime. Actually, this approach hardly differs from the principles of terrorism applied by the armed opposition groups."

The Russian delegation pointed out that no resolution was required for starting a dialogue on the basis of the principles of the Geneva Communique. Russia’s partners in BRICS share this opinion. Among five BRICS member-states, Russia and China are permanent members of the UNSC. The BRICS member-states adopted a joint resolution at the UN General Assembly session.

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Refusal to apply the Geneva agreements on Syria reached on June 30, 2012 puts at risk the implementation of the key principles outlined by the UN Security Council in the fight against terror. The participants in a high-level UNSC meeting on the Middle East on Wednesday voiced different approaches to the situation in Syria.

The Syrian crisis has remained the thorniest Middle Eastern issue for more than a year. Meanwhile, all major UNSC member states had expressed their views on the situation before the UN General Assembly session opened in New York on Tuesday. US leader Barack Obama again stressed that peace will come to Syria only after President Bashar Assad resigns. French President Francois Hollande urged the UN to take active steps in Syria and protect the areas controlled by the opposition. Not only Syrians have found themselves directly or indirectly involved in the conflict. Only a consolidated approach can result help in finding the right solution, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said:

"To a great extent the ongoing violence in Syria should be blamed on the countries that incite anti-Assad forces to deny a ceasefire and seek a change of regime. Actually, this approach hardly differs from the principles of terrorism applied by the armed opposition groups."

The French president accused the UNSC of inactivity which often looks somehow ‘selective’. The attacks which rocked Syria in the past two months were not in any way condemned by the UNSC. Speaking to journalists, Sergei Lavrov spoke about the decision of some countries to revise the Geneva agreements:

"It is important that all participants in the Geneva session adhere to what they had signed up to. Some of Russia’s Western partners condemn the attacks but then say that although ‘terrorism is evil there is no other way to people in Syria to topple the bloody regime’. This is a very dangerous position which looks as if they were justifying terrorism."

The final communiqué of the Action Group for Syria has been approved by the permanent members of the Security Council, the League of the Arab States, Turkey, the EU and the UN Secretary General. However, for some countries this document is just a piece of paper.

It was not originally planned to adopt any resolution on Syria at the latest session of the Security Council. The Russian delegation pointed out that no resolution was required for starting a dialogue on the basis of the principles of the Geneva Communique. Russia’s partners in BRICS share this opinion. Among five BRICS member-states, Russia and China are permanent members of the UNSC. The BRICS member-states adopted a joint resolution at the UN General Assembly session.

“The joint declaration of the Foreign Ministers of the BRICS countries objectively estimates the ways of solving the Syrian crisis and supports the Geneva Communique as a basis for these actions. This is a good basis for reaching a consensus in the UN Security Council, the current absence of which is so saddening for some of our colleagues.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also stressed that there was no military solution to the Syrian crisis and the unsettled conflict was a threat to the security of the entire region.

The UNSC member-states pointed out that changes currently taking place in the Middle East were only the beginning of the road. New conflicts will be looming large if political reforms are not carried through, which is impossible without modernizing the economy and the social sphere.

The Syrian problem is not the only one in the region. No substantial achievements are evident in solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict either.

“Russia is insistently calling for stepping up the efforts of the ‘quartet’ of Middle Eastern intermediaries in close cooperation with the League of Arab States to speedily resume the Palestinian-Israeli talks. We believe that the ‘quartet’s inability to organize a ministers’ meeting at the current UN General Assembly session is a serious mistake.”

It was said in the corridors of the UN General Assembly that the meeting of the intermediaries in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement did not take place because the US was against it.

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http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/530665.html

Itar-Tass
September 27, 2012

Russian foreign minister raises Syrian problems at his meetings at UN General Assembly

====

“Participants in the meeting noted that Russia’s and NAM’s positions on a wide range of issues are next to identical, that both Russia and the NAM want a more fair world order. They also noted their commitment to the principle of the supremacy of law and non-acceptance of jackboot policies..."

====

MOSCOW: Problems of the Syrian settlement and threats to peace and stability were in the focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s meetings on the sidelines of the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Thus, Lavrov met with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, “to discuss key problems of the international agenda, including the situation in North Africa,” the spokesman said.

The Russian foreign minister also met with top-ranking officials from the Non-Aligned Movement “troika” (Iran, Egypt, and Venezuela). They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa with a special focus on the Syrian settlement. “Issues of inter-civilization dialogue were raised in the context of efforts to find ways to overcome international instability,” the spokesman said.

Lavrov praised “the role the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is playing in world politics, the high authority of this representative alliance of states in conditions of the formation of a new, polycentric system of international relations,” the ministry spokesman noted. “Participants in the meeting noted that Russia’s and NAM’s positions on a wide range of issues are next to identical, that both Russia and the NAM want a more fair world order. They also noted their commitment to the principle of the supremacy of law and non-acceptance of jackboot policies. They expressed confidence that further steps are needed to encourage mutually beneficial cooperation, including within the United Nations system.”

During his meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic, Lavrov discussed key aspects of the Balkan situation, including the Kosovo settlement.

The Russian foreign minister also met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Madagascar Pierrot Rajaonarivelo. “The ministers exchanged views on the development of the situation in the Malagasy settlement,” the spokesman said.
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http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=10&id=363629

Interfax
September 27, 2012

Lavrov warns against military intervention in Syria

NEW YORK: Moscow speaks against any external military interference and provoking of the Syrian opposition from outside.

"There is no doubt that the military approach, moreover the external military inference pose a serious threat to regional security and entails unpredictable consequences. Sustainable settlement is possible only through talks and the search for compromises that takes into account the interests of all confessions and ethnic groups," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Larvov said at an open session of the UN Security Council in News York.

"There is a basis for this: the development of the UN Security Council Resolutions 2042 and 2043 and Kofi Annan's plan dated June 30. The Geneva communique of the 'action group' was approved. It nails down the consensus of all UN Security Council permanent members, the LAS, Turkey, EU and the UN Secretary General. We are certain that the Geneva communique is still up to date and in demand," Lavrov said.

He also spoke in favor of effort of the UN/LAS envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi.
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http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_09_27/Putin-slams-the-West-over-Syria/

Russian Information Agency Novosti
September 27, 2012

Putin slams the West over Syria

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has slammed the West over actions in the war-gripped Syria as “some Western countries have already triggered chaos in a number of countries but can’t stop doing it, pursuing the same policy in Syria”.

Putin met with residents of the Ryazan region Thursday, where he was asked about his stance on the Middle East and Syria.

The president said that he backs positive changes in all countries but is against imposing them violently as these changes should evolve internally.

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http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c154/531145.html

Itar-Tass
September 27, 2012

Putin criticises Western policy in Syria

NOVO-OGAREVO: President Vladimir Putin critised the West over its policy with regard to Syria.

“The main point is that our partners cannot stop. They have already created an atmosphere of chaos in many territories and are now continuing the same policy in other countries, including Syria,” Putin said on Thursday, September 27.

At a meeting with Ryazan region residents, one of them asked the head of state about his position with regard to developments in the Middle East and Syria.

“Our position is to facilitate changes for the better in all countries without imposing what we consider right, especially by force, but rather to inspire development from within,” he said, adding that this is Russia’s position on the situation in Arab countries and Syria.

“We cautioned about the need to act carefully, without imposing anything by force in order to avoid chaos. And what do we see now? The situation looks very much like chaos,” Putin said.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:46 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/09/27/263835/israel-refusal-to-join-npt-inexcusable-analyst/

Press TV
September 27, 2012

Israel refusal to join NPT, inexcusable: Analyst

Interview with Rick Rozoff, Center for Research on Globalization

Video at URL above

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has warned Israel over its saber-rattling against Iran and the obstructionism of Tel Aviv which is preventing the realization of a nuclear-free Middle East.

The Middle East "no longer tolerates" any country's refusal to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), "especially if this is coupled with irresponsible policies or arbitrary threats," Morsi said in his address at the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

The Egyptian leader was referring to Israel’s policy of ambiguity about its military nuclear activities, which has helped it procure the Mideast’s only nuclear arsenal.

Press TV has interviewed Rick Rozoff, with the Center for Research on Globalization, from Chicago about the issue. What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.

Press TV: I wanted to ask you, firstly, how you assess the relationship between Egypt and Israel especially since the fall of Mubarak and especially with this recent speech of President Morsi?

Rozoff: Yes, the speech today before the General Assembly in the United Nations by newly-elected President Morsi appears to signal a significant shift in the Egyptian position not only vis-à-vis Israel, but I would say in terms of intervening actively against threats by the United States, Israel and its allies - verbal at this point, perhaps more in the future - against Iran and other neighboring countries.

Considering the significance of Egypt in the Arab world, having the largest population, that this is a very meaningful transition, apparently, and one that I hope President Morsi and his government continue with.

Press TV: How does that equal then with Morsi’s government essentially saying that they will keep the “peace treaty” with Israel alive?

Rozoff: Well, that’s not the only impediment to Egypt realizing really its legacy - one that went back to Nasser of course - as being an independent, non-aligned country and that hopefully Egypt will reassert itself in that capacity, but it means, first of all, seriously reexamining the Camp David Accords and everything that has followed.

But it also means the military client state relationship it has with the United States. The fact that it remains a major member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partnership program, called the Mediterranean Dialogue, to continue along the path of genuine non-alignment and de-militarization of the region and ultimately all over the world, Egypt would have to sever its close military ties with the United States and would have to withdraw from the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue program.

Press TV: How significant is Morsi’s call for Israel to join the NPT and on that topic of nuclear non-proliferation also about the fact that every nation has the right to peaceful nuclear energy?

Rozoff: That’s a very good combination of requests, or of demands. First of all, it is inexcusable that Israel has remained a non-signatory nation to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for half a century practically.

And it’s this sort of rogue activity of Israel and its major sponsor of course the United States; ‘law of the jungle’ is an expression that Egypt’s Morsi used and that’s not an inaccurate one. That is, the largest beast who feels it can operate with impunity summarily violates international law and Israel is certainly doing so in relation to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

That’s a legitimate demand. It should be taken up seriously by the [UN] General Assembly and it should be introduced into the Security Council.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 5:51 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=852696

Philippine Star
September 24, 2012

Phl-US military exercise set in October
Dennis Carcamo

MANILA, Philippines: Around 2,600 American soldiers from US Pacific Command will join the yearly joint military exercise with the Philippine armed forces next month, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

On the other hand, the DFA said over 1,200 Filipino soldiers from all services will participate in the Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 (PHIBLEX 13) from Oct. 8 to 18.

PHIBLEX 13 is a regularly scheduled exercise hosted annually by the Philippines.

...
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 5:51 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/thisweek/articles/2012/09/27/436540-faslane-involved-in-largest-military-exercise-in-europe/

Helensburgh Advertiser
September 27, 2012

Faslane involved in largest military exercise in Europe

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The scenario for the exercise involves multiple sovereign nations, disputed territory, smuggling, piracy and terrorist activity. As it plays out the scenario will develop from a period of military and political tension to simulated war fighting and state on state hostilities - all providing realistic training for the participants.

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Faslane will help host the largest tactically focused military exercise in Europe from October 1-12 when Exercise Joint Warrior begins.

The tri-service, multi-national exercise, which is held twice a year, will see participation from 27 separate naval units, 40 aircraft and a variety of UK and allied land forces.

Taking part in the exercise will be ships from the UK, US, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, Norway, Denmark and Estonia, many operating from the Clyde.

Royal Navy ships involved include Type 23 Frigates, HMS Kent and HMS St Albans, and mine hunters Her Majesty's Ships Penzance, Cattistock, Hurworth and Bangor.

Planned primarily by Royal Navy and RAF personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, or JTEPS, the headquarters for the exercise will be at HM Naval Base Clyde.

Around 150 tri-service personnel, many of them Reservists, will descend on the Naval Base for Joint Warrior, setting up a Joint Warfare Operations Centre (JWOC) to coordinate and manage the massive exercise.

Land troops will conduct military training at ranges across Scotland, using Defence Training Estate range areas, commercial ranges, Highland Agency and private land areas. This will enable training for 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 3 UK Division, as well as troops from the US, Sweden and Holland.

Meanwhile, RAF Leuchars will see eight Maritime Patrol aircraft from Canada and France operate from the base, while a detachment of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen Jets, UK Hawks, Tornado GR4s and Typhoon will deploy from RAF Lossiemouth.

There will also be limited night and weekend flying from these bases during the exercise.

Exercise Joint Warrior allows the Armed Forces to practice the wide variety of skills needed by today's military....

The scenario for the exercise involves multiple sovereign nations, disputed territory, smuggling, piracy and terrorist activity. As it plays out the scenario will develop from a period of military and political tension to simulated war fighting and state on state hostilities - all providing realistic training for the participants.

GPS denial operations will also be conducted in a limited area in North West Scotland during Joint Warrior. The relevant authorities, including aviation and maritime communities have been consulted and a risk assessment done to minimise the impact and put robust procedures in place for any unforeseen eventuality.

...
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:05 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.mod.gov.ge/en/news/1543

Ministry of Defence of Georgia
September 25, 2012

Assistant Secretary General for Operations Ambassador Stephen Evans commanding the Georgian military

Assistant Secretary General for Operations Ambassador Stephen Evans is paying an official visit to Georgia. Today, the NATO official together with the Defence Minister have arrived at the National Training Centre at Krtsanisi.

Dimitri Shashkini and Stephen Evans made speeches for the military servicemen of the 42 Battalion of the IV Brigade. Defence Minister pointed out that Georgian servicemen gain important combat experience and improve operational capabilities through participation in the ISAF mission. What`s more, involvement in the NATO-led peacekeeping mission is very important for Georgia`s integration into the Alliance.

In his address Stephen Evans commanded the Georgian military for their contribution to the ISAF operation, noting that he feels pride when meeting the military contingent going to be deployed to Afghanistan in March of next year. The Georgian soldiers by their engagement in the mission help the country on its way to NATO integration and provide worldwide security and stability.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:05 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.mod.gov.ge/en/news/1548

Ministry of Defence of Georgia
September 27, 2012

Junior Commander Leadership Course ended by the demonstrative training

The Junior Commander Leadership Course has finished today. Officers and sergeants of various units of the GAF [Georgian Armed Forces] underwent the training course under the guidance of the Czech and British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT). The purpose of training is to retrain junior officers and improve their leadership capabilities.

The course went on in four phases. At the first stage Georgian officers were given lessons in theory and the next three phases were devoted to field operations. In the scope of the course Georgian officers fulfilled different tasks such as patrolling, land navigation and other tactical operations.
During the closing ceremony, the course attendees demonstrated the skills adopted throughout Junior Commander Leadership Course. The graduates were granted with certificates.

BMATT (British and Czech Military Advisory and Training Team) is based within the Military Academy of the Czech Armed Forces in Vishkovo city. BMATT is the Czech Republic and Great Britain`s united organization composed of 17 British and 5 Czech military servicemen. The goal of the BMATT is to conduct military courses and to help partner countries by providing trainings and consultations aimed at the development of professional armed forces and their combat capabilities. BMATT has been operating since 2000 and provides significant contribution to the UK States Safety Program.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:05 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-09/27/content_15785954.htm

China Daily
September 27, 2012

Friendly advice to Japan,US
By Zhou Fangyin

====

The US should not forget the aggressive past of Japan, especially the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which partly was the result of Washington's tolerance of Japanese expansionism.

China's influence is increasing in the Asia-Pacific region and even the rest of the world, while the US' is declining. This is a relatively long-term but inevitable trend, which the US finds very uncomfortable to accept. The change in the balance of power will gradually erode the supremacy of the US and other countries' confidence in America's might. This realization seems to be giving American politicians and policymakers sleepless nights.

====

China issued a white paper on the Diaoyu Islands on Tuesday so that the international community would better understand Beijing's stance on the Diaoyu Islands dispute. This is especially important because of the United Nations General Assembly session underway in New York.

The "nationalization" of the Diaoyu Islands by Japan is not only an infringement of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a severe challenge to the post-World War II international order. The Cairo Declaration of 1943 and Potsdam Proclamation of 1945 required Japan to return Taiwan and its affiliated Diaoyu Islands to China, which is part of the international order.

The international community, especially the United States, made great efforts to build the post-World War II international order. So Washington has to be aware of the serious consequences Tokyo's provocations could cause. The US should not forget the aggressive past of Japan, especially the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which partly was the result of Washington's tolerance of Japanese expansionism.

Unfortunately, the contradictory statements of US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during his visit to Japan and China last week proves the fact that Washington is using the China-Japan dispute to strengthen its military presence in the Asian-Pacific region. On one hand, Panetta said the US would not take sides in the Diaoyu Islands dispute, on the other hand, he declared that US-Japan security treaty covers the Diaoyu Islands.

The US wants to play the role of a "mediator". However, a mediator should be impartial, which Washington is not. Nor does it want to help resolve any dispute. Moreover, the US-Japan alliance disqualifies Washington from being even a "communicator" in the Diaoyu Islands dispute.

Nobody expected Panetta's visit to Asia to break the impasse, because the US wants to use Japan and the Sino-Japanese dispute to contain China's rise so that it can maintain its supremacy in Asia-Pacific. But at the same time, Washington doesn't want the situation to go out of control, because that could draw it into direct confrontation with China.

Against this backdrop and as part of its "pivot to Asia" strategy, the US has taken a series of steps in the Asia-Pacific region, including the deployment of the Osprey aircraft in Okinawa, Japan.

Japan is trying to get a free ride on America's "pivot to Asia" strategy now that the balance of power between China and the US is changing and Washington needs Tokyo to guard against Beijing. So to "deal" with China, Japan will not shy away from making full use of the US.

Considering Japan's motive and purpose, US policymakers need to tread with caution and rethink their commitment to Japan, if they have any, so that America is not drawn into an unnecessary conflict. This is why Panetta warned the Japanese government not to take radical actions.

Electoral factors, too, have prompted Japan to intensify its disputes over islands with Russia, the Republic of Korea and China. But Japan should not be swayed by its electoral politics, for a seasoned politician has to see beyond domestic public opinion. It is easy to arouse national sentiments but much more difficult to cool them down. In case nationalism gains the upper hand in Japan, other policy options will get a not so glorious burial, which would not be a welcome situation, because it could lead to conflicts with other countries in the region.

China's influence is increasing in the Asia-Pacific region and even the rest of the world, while the US' is declining. This is a relatively long-term but inevitable trend, which the US finds very uncomfortable to accept. The change in the balance of power will gradually erode the supremacy of the US and other countries' confidence in America's might. This realization seems to be giving American politicians and policymakers sleepless nights.

Given China's increasing diplomatic influence in East Asia, the US will make every effort to maintain its influence in the region. That's why it is using the territorial sea disputes between China and some of its neighbors to display its diplomatic "smart power".

The US is taking some short-term measures to create an unfavorable situation for China to thwart its peaceful rise. What Washington has done after announcing its "pivot to Asia" strategy is in line with this logic.

The Diaoyu Islands dispute has intensified to such an extent that it could lead to more frequent frictions and even a military conflict, which is something China does not want.

For China, an overly tough, inelastic policy or an overly mild policy both will lead to problems. In the long run, Beijing's foreign policy should be a well-balanced combination of both mild and tough policies. China should judge a situation on the basis of reality and the reactions of other countries.

Had Japan been rational, it would have realized that it is unwise to infringe on the interests of a rising neighboring power, even with the backing of the US, for once a conflict breaks out, Washington will be more than happy to stand by and see Tokyo pay a heavy price.

Over the past several decades, China has been pursuing a foreign policy of "win-win" cooperation.

But the results of such a policy depend on whether the other side is equally willing to do so. If the other side pursues an agenda of winner-takes-all or is opportunistic, China's unilateral goodwill will not yield any results. Instead, it will make it easier for the other side to take more provocative actions and encourage other countries to do the same.

The author is associate research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy, China Academy of Social Sciences.
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Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:14 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=179695

Azeri Press Agency
September 27, 2012

A meeting held between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and US Assistant Secretary

Baku: Minister of Foreign of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with Phillip Gordon, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

APA reports, quoting the press service of the MFA [Ministry of Foreign Affairs], that they discussed different aspects of the Azerbaijan-United States bilateral relationship and exchanged views about how to take these ties even further ahead in the future.

Phillip Gordon thanked Azerbaijan for its support to NATO’s Afghanistan mission and expressed hope this support would continue in future.

During the meeting, they also exchanged views about talks aimed at resolving the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as currents issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council.