Government Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by international columnist Marcelo Cantelm... U.S. Zone Euro Brexit...
On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.
BRA/BRAZIL/AMERICAS
Released on 2012-10-18 17:00 GMT
| Email-ID | 830524 |
|---|---|
| Date | 2010-07-06 12:30:02 |
| From | dialogbot@smtp.stratfor.com |
| To | translations@stratfor.com |
BRA/BRAZIL/AMERICAS
Table of Contents for Brazil
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Syrian President Urges Israel To Elect Truly Pro-Peace Government
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by international columnist
Marcelo Cantelmi in Buenos Aires on 3 July: Israel will have to elect a
government that would be a real partner for peace. First paragraph is
Clarins introduction.
2) Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations
"Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations" -- The Daily Star
Headline
3) For Lotte, Global Talent Is All About The 'VRICs'
4) ROK's IT Exports Set New Record in H1
Updated version: rewording headline, adding source graphic, and adjusting
tags; Report by Lee Eun-joo: "IT Exports Set New Record"; For assistance
with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
5) FYI -- Iranian TV Broadcasts Ahmadinezhad Interview With Chinese
Phoenix TV
6) Brazilian President Da Silver Expected in Zambia 7 Jul for Two-Day
State Visit
7) Brazil's Lula Begins African Tour
Report by Leonencio Nossa: "Soccer, Trade, And Dictatorships On
Presidential Agenda In Africa". For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
8) New Poll Shows Dilma Rousseff Maintaining Lead Over Jose Serra
Report by Daniel Bramatti: "Vox Populi: Dilma Has 40% And Serra 35%". For
assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
9) Syria's Al-Asad Says Country Can Contribute to Mideast Peace Process
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by special correspondent
Gustavo Chacra at the presidential palace in Damascus, date not given:
"'Brazil Can Help Us Nego tiate Peace With The Israelis,' Says al-Asad"
10) Two Kenyan youths commit suicide after Brazil's World Cup loss
11) Brazilian President Lula Arrives Malabo
12) Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran
"Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran" -- NOW
Lebanon Headline
13) Ghanaian leader returns home from 38th sub regional summit in Cape
Verde
14) Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour
"Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour" -- The
Daily Star Headline
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Back to Top
Syrian President Urges Israel To Elect Truly Pro-Peace Government
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by international columnist
Marcelo Cantelmi in Buenos Aires on 3 July: Israel will have to elect a
government that would be a real partner for peace. First paragraph is
Clarins introduction. - Clarin.com
Monday July 5, 2010 21:22:16 GMT
(Cantelmi) Your country's international image has improved but the world
has gotten worse. With which counterpart can one currently negotiate a way
out of the calamity of the Middle East Crisis?
(Al-Asad) When we speak of a party that is not Israel then we are speaking
of a sponsor or a mediator. In this sense, the most important country is
the United States, regardless of whether it has a good or a bad
administration. The United States can wield all its full weight to support
a peace process when agreements are signed and guarantees are given that
they will be fulfilled.
(Cantelmi) Does the United States currently have that power?
(Al-Asad) So far we have not seen anything practical along these l ines
from the United States. There are different tendencies within the US
Administration. We sometimes hear different opinions on the same issue
from US officials. One of the key points is Congress. We are not seeing
this Congress support Barack Obama on any of the issues he has proposed.
(Cantelmi) Are you suggesting that there is more weakness rather than
indifference in Obama to undertake what he promised in his famous speech
in Cairo to reach a fair agreement in the region with a true Palestinian
state?
(Al-Asad) If you cannot produce results then you are weak. Strength lies
with being able to get results, not with showing military strength or
through the economy. For example, the relationship with Syria included the
return of the US ambassador, but that has not progressed either. Nor has
the situation in Iraq changed and Afghanistan is worse than before. Our
experience with the United States is that they are not capable of
administering a peace process fro m beginning to end.
(Cantelmi) And who can?
(Al-Bashar) This is where other countries will play a role and where
Turkey was successful in 2008. So was Brazil. The agreement it signed with
Iran shows its political skill and that it can contribute. In Europe
perhaps France could play a role if it wanted to.
(Cantelmi) Aside from being unfair, is it not a mistake to underestimate a
fascist massacre like the Holocaust that the Nazi dictatorship
perpetrated, as Iran or some other Arab countries do? Doesn't that
attitude benefit the enemies of Arab countries?
(Al-Bashar) We do not underestimate that massacre and the Arabs on the
street do not either. But for several decades the general feeling among
Arabs on the street has been that what is happening with the Palestinians
is precisely a holocaust and that Israel is implementing a fascist policy.
They can repudiate that feeling, but it is a reality.
(Cantelmi) Do you agree that there is a risk of a nuclear arms race in the
Arab world?
(Al-Bashar) If there is one it will be uncontrollable. The danger is that
things will reach their limit and if Israel continues to be a nuclear
country in the military sense that race will begin one day.
(Cantelmi) Does the Iranian nuclear project also feed that race?
(Al-Bashar) No, it has no relationship to a nuclear military race and even
if we speak in practical terms, how could such destructive weapons be used
against Israel? There are Palestinians there and perhaps more Palestinians
would be killed than Israelis. It does not make sense. In addition, our
position in Syria is to turn the Middle East into an area free of nuclear
weapons. This is also Argentina's position, which wants to see the entire
world free of such weapons. We want to begin with our region.
(Cantelmi) Syria affirms that it is not proposing the disappearance of the
state of Israel and in Israel there are critics of the isolation your c
ountry has been subjected to. Are these indications of a mature future
relationship between the two countries?
(Al-Bashar) The central problem is the territorial occupation (the Golan
Heights, East Jerusalem, parts of the West Bank). We must ask ourselves if
these pro-dialogue sectors can return territories. First, they are not in
government and therefore have no authority. In addition, the majority of
the Israeli population has elected the current extremist government. The
pro-dialogue sectors represent a minority without influence and talks with
them would not produce any results.
(Cantelmi) Once again, doesn't Iran's aggressive strategy -- I am not
referring to the nuclear controversy but rather its apocalyptic messages
-- do a great favor to the Israeli hawks whose power you question?
(Al-Bashar) Look, in Israel there are priests (previous word as published)
who have said that Arabs are snakes who should e exterminated. There are
officials who have c alled for nuclear bombs to be dropped on Iran. Why do
we examine Iran's comments and not Israel's, too?
(Cantelmi) The United States has not satisfied you. What is happening with
Europe? You forged visible ties with Nicolas Sarkozy, who invited you to
the independence celebrations. What do you expect from that relationship?
(Al-Bashar) The French president is the only person I have seen
enthusiastically in favor of the peace process. We have stimulated that
enthusiasm, but Israel has said that it does not want mediation from any
country.
(Cantelmi) Fears of war are constantly revived in your region: To what
extent can one be optimistic on the future, from your position, for
example?
(Al-Bashar) I am optimistic but also objective. There are two reasons: the
first is that we have no other choice but peace and the second is that,
despite all of the difficult situations we have gone through, the general
opinion of people in the country is to support t he peace process. This
makes me feel free and responsible for moving in that direction.
(Cantelmi) Optimism always requires some concrete goal...
(Al-Bashar) Well, I am not optimistic that the current Israeli Government
might become a partner in peace, nor is the Israeli population's election
of an extremist government a source of optimism for me. I have the hope
that somebody in the west, in Europe...will manage to raise awareness so
that the Israeli people can understand that their interests and protection
can only be fulfilled with peace, which is why they must elect a
government that is a real partner for peace, one that truly works for
peace.
(Description of Source: Buenos Aires Clarin.com in Spanish -- Online
version of highest-circulation, tabloid-format daily owned by the Clarin
media group; generally critical of government; URL: http://www.clarin.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Perm ission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
2) Back to Top
Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations
"Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations" -- The Daily Star
Headline - The Daily Star Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:32:47 GMT
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Turkey-s 'no' last month (a vote cast together withBrazil) to the new
sanctions against Iran approved in the United NationsSecurity Council
dramatically reveals the full extent of the country-sestrangement from the
West.Are we, as many commentators have argued, witnessing the consequences
of theso-called 'neo-Ottoman' foreign policy of Turkey-s Justiceand
Development Party (AKP) government, which is suppo sedly aimed at
switchingcamps and returning to the country-s oriental Islamic roots?I
believe that these fears are exaggerated, even misplaced. And should
thingswork out that way, this would be due more to a self-fulfilling
prophecy on theWest-s part than to Turkey-s policies.In fact, Turkey-s
foreign policy, which seeks to resolve existingconflicts with and within
neighboring states, and active Turkish involvementthere, is anything but
in conflict with Western interests. Quite the contrary.But the West (and
Europe in particular) will finally have to take Turkeyseriously as a
partner - and stop viewing it as a Western client state.Turkey is and
should be a member of the G-20, because, with its young, rapidlygrowing
population it will become a very strong state economically in the
21stcentury. Even today, the image of Turkey as the 'sick man ofEurope' is
no longer accurate.When, after the UN decision, the US Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates harshlycriticized Europeans for ha ving contributed
to this estrangement by theirbehavior toward Turkey, his undiplomatic
frankness caused quite a stir in Parisand Berlin. But Gates had hit the
nail on the head.Ever since the change in government from Jacques Chirac
to Nicolas Sarkozy inFrance and from Gerhard Schroeder to Angela Merkel in
Germany, Turkey has beenstrung along and put off by the European Union.
Indeed, in the case of Cyprus,the EU wasn-t even above breaking previous
commitments vis-a-visTurkey and unilaterally changing jointly-agreed
rules. And, while the Europeanshave formally kept to their decision to
begin accession negotiations withTurkey, they have done little to advance
the cause.Only now, when the disaster in Turkish-European relations is
becoming apparent,is the EU suddenly willing to open a new chapter in the
negotiations (which,incidentally, clearly proves that the deadlock was
politically motivated).It can-t be said often enough: Turkey is situated
in a highly sensitivegeopolitical location, particularly where Europe-s
security is concerned.The eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the western
Balkans, the Caspian regionand the southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and
the Middle East are all areaswhere the West will achieve nothing or very
little without Turkey-ssupport. And this is true in terms not only of
security policy, but also ofenergy policy if you-re looking for
alternatives to Europe-sgrowing reliance on Russian energy supplies.The
West, Europe in particular, really can-t afford to alienate
Turkey,considering their interests, but objectively it is exactly this
kind ofestrangement that follows from European policy towards Turkey in
the last fewyears. Europe-s security in the 21st century will be
determined to asignificant degree in its neighborhood in the southeast -
exactly whereTurkey is crucial for Europe-s security interests now and,
increasingly,in the future. But, rather than binding Turkey as closely as
possible to Europeand the West, European policy is driving Turkey into the
arms of Russia andIran.This kind of policy is ironic, absurd, and
shortsighted all at once. Forcenturies, Russia, Iran, and Turkey have been
rivals, never allies.Europe-s political blindness, however, seems to
override this fact.Of course, Turkey, too, is greatly dependent on
integration with the West.Should it lose this, it would drastically weaken
its own positionvis-a-vis its potential regional partners (and rivals),
despite itsideal geopolitical location. Turkey-s 'no' to new
sanctionsagainst Iran in all likelihood will prove to be a significant
error, unlessPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan can deliver a real
turnaround inIran-s nuclear policy. This, however, is highly
unlikely.Moreover, with the confrontation between Israel and Turkey
strengtheningradical forces in the Middle East, what is European diplomacy
(both in Brusselsand in European capitals) waiting for? The West, as well
as Israel and Turkeythemselves, most certainly canno t afford a permanent
rupture between the twostates, unless the desired outcome is for the
region to continue on its path tolasting destabilization. It is more than
time for Europe to act.Worse still, while Europe-s listlessness is visible
first and foremost inthe case of Turkey and the Mideast, this lamentable
state of affairs is notlimited to that region. The same applies to the
southern Caucasus and CentralAsia, where Europe, with the approval of the
smaller supplier countries there,should firmly pursue its energy interests
and assert itself vis-a-visRussia, as well as to Ukraine, where Europe
should also become seriouslyinvolved. Many new developments have been set
in motion in that entire regionby the global economic crisis, and a new
player, China (a long-term planner),has entered the geopolitical
stage.Europe risks running out of time, even in its own neighborhood,
because activeEuropean foreign policy and a strong commitment on the part
of the EU aresorely missed in a ll these countries. Or, as Mikhail
Gorbachev, that greatRussian statesman of the last decades of the 20th
century, put it: 'Lifehas a way of punishing those who come too
late.'Joschka Fischer, Germany-s foreign minister and vice chancellor from
1998to 2005, was a leader in the German Green Party for almost 20 years.
THE DAILYSTAR publishes this commentary in collaboration with
ProjectSyndicate-Institute for Human Sciences (c)
(www.project-syndicate.org).(Description of Source: Beirut The Daily Star
Online in English -- Website of the independent daily, The Daily Star;
URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
3) Back to Top
For Lotte, Global Talent Is All About The 'VRICs' - JoongAng Daily Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:32:52 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - International hires will be key to Lotte Group as it
aims to become one of Asia's top 10 conglomerates, according to the
company's vice chairman.
"In order for Lotte's lively operations abroad to finally succeed, the key
point is to foster talent," said Shin Dong-bin at an executive officers'
meeting on June 24, according to sources inside the company.Shin urged the
heads of Lotte affiliates to take pains to retain and foster "globally
competitive talents" in its push to reach 200 trillion won ($163.6
billion) in total revenue by 2018."I ask that the chief executive officers
of each company devote heart and soul into discovering talent, not only in
Korea but overseas," he said.The number of employees at Lotte Group's
overseas operations has grown rapidly of late, ever since the group
formally announced its goal in March 2009 and spurred its operations on
foreign shores such as China, Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia - the "VRICs,"
as Lotte calls them, substituting Brazil with Vietnam.Lotte Group now has
30,000 employees working abroad, including Korean and overseas hires. The
company plans to bolster its overseas recruitment in the so-called VRICS.
The company currently has 60 Chinese and 30 Vietnamese employees.Lotte
Group has several programs in place to educate Korean employees being sent
abroad and to retain and train able overseas employees. Such programs
include the local country's language study, intensive overviews of local
politics, economy and culture, and a VRICs market research program."They
are to reduce trial-and-error in achieving effective localization of the
pioneering unit," said Park Sang-seop of Lotte Group's marketing
department.The six-month language programs began in 2008, and the other
courses followed suit, Park said, adding that he hopes the programs
expand.(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English --
Website of English-language daily which provides English-language
summaries and full-texts of items published by the major center-right
daily JoongAng Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert
to the Seoul edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
4) Back to Top
ROK's IT Exports Set New Record in H1
Updated version: rewording headline, adding source graphic, and adjusting
tags; Report by Lee Eun-joo: "IT Exports Set New Record"; For assistance
with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - JoongAng Daily Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:00:49 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website
of English-language daily which provides English-language summaries and
full-texts of items published by the major center-right daily JoongAng
Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert to the Seoul
edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
5) Back to Top
FYI -- Iranian TV Broadcas ts Ahmadinezhad Interview With Chinese Phoenix
TV - Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1
Monday July 5, 2010 16:52:20 GMT
1537 GMT on 5 July started to broadcast an interview with Iranian
President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad by a reporter from the Chinese Phoenix TV
channel on 28 June.
The interview was already in progress when the broadcast began, and did
not mention the date or the venue of the interview (presumably held during
Ahmadinezhad's recent visit to China in June). Ahmadinezhad's comments
were translated into English by an interpreter and the questions by the
Chinese reporter were also translated into Farsi consecutively.The topics
of the discussion were Iran's nuclear issue, the US and EU sanctions and
the recent resolution passed against Iran.Playing down the recent UNSC
resolution against Iran, Ahmadinezhad said: "I think that the UNSC has
reached its end. It is the end for America too. You know that Mr Obama
personally wrote to the Brazilian president and the Turkish premier. He
urged them to mediate over (Iran's) fuel swap. They talked to us. We told
them that the Americans were not sincere. They (Turkey and Brazil) are our
friends. They asked us to accept (the deal). To show our respect for
Brazil and Turkey, we accepted it. And you saw that the Americans did not
stand by their own promise. The condition for the swap was to abandon
hostility and resolutions. But the negative votes by Brazil and Turkey
indicate the definite failure of the UNSC."Asked if Ahmadinezhad is
concerned about a possible US military aggression against Iran, he said:
"Of course this is what the Americans wish for. They do not have any other
logic but the logic of force. They only speak with the language of
military force in the world. But they know it themselves that a military
attack on Iran leads to their own destruction. I am not saying that we
will attack against America. We absorb all their capabilities and will
repel the aggression. They know it themselves. Therefore, no leader in
America dares decide to attack Iran."The interview ended at 1609 GMT.
OSC/LD will file text of the interview by 1700 GMT on 6 July.(Description
of Source: Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1 in
Persian -- state-run national television, officially controlled by the
office of the supreme leader)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
6) Back to Top
Brazilian President Da Silver Expected in Zambia 7 Jul for Two-Day State
Visit - ZNBC Radio 2
Monday July 5, 2010 16:45:25 GMT
(Description of Source: Lusaka ZNBC Radio 2 in English -- Government-owned
radio)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
7) Back to Top
Brazil's Lula Begins African Tour
Report by Leonencio Nossa: "Soccer, Trade, And Dictatorships On
Presidential Agenda In Africa". For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - O Estado de Sao
Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:48:17 GMT
On Sunday, Lula will be received for the eighth time by an African
dictator. This time, he will have dinner with Teodoro O biang Mbasogo, who
has governed Equatorial Guinea with an iron fist for 31 years.
Lula's presence in Equatorial Guinea has caused administration advisers to
lose sleep. The fear is over a reprise of scenes from previous visits to
African dictatorships like Gabon and Cameroon, where Lula paraded in an
open car with dictator Omar Bongo and took part in a banquet with Paul
Biya in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo, 68 years of age, appears on lists of the most
bloodthirsty and corrupt African dictators drawn up by human rights
organizations in the United States and Europe. He faces accusations of
fraud, torture, and murder.
In power since 1979, when he overthrew his uncle Francisco Macias in a
coup d'etat, he is second only to Muammar al-Qadhafi - who has ruled Libya
since 1969 - in longevity of power in Africa.
With a fortune estimated at 600 million euros, Mbasogo has five wives and
a network of allies with money in Equatorial Guin ea's oil reserves -
discovered beginning in 1995. Nearly 60% of the country's 600,000 people
live below the poverty line.
There are no newspapers in the country. In 2003, state radio announced
that Mbasogo had "direct contact with the Almighty" and could "kill
without answering to anyone and without going to Hell".
No guarantees
According to Planalto (Palace), Brazilian exports to the continent
surpassed $2.3 million in 2002 to stand at $8.6 million in 2009; Brazil
also secured important votes from Africa in the race to guarantee that the
2016 Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
Some Itamaraty (Palace) diplomats underscore that Lula's foreign policy
and his trips do not guarantee support by African countries in
international forums. Proof of that is the opposing vote by Gabon at the
UN against the Brazilian position on the matter of Iran's nuclear program.
Illustration from O Estado showing President Lula's scheduled itinerary
and growing Brazilian exports to Africa (O Estado, 2 Jul)
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
8) Back to Top
New Poll Shows Dilma Rousseff Maintaining Lead Over Jose Serra
Report by Daniel Bramatti: "Vox Populi: Dilma Has 40% And Serra 35%". For
assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - O Estado de Sao Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:48:34 GMT
The numbers for Serra and Dilma are identical to those of an Ibope
(Brazilian Public Opinion and Statistics Institute) survey released last
week by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI). In May, Vox Populi
had detected a statistical tie between the main contenders - 38% for the
former Civilian Household minister and 35% for the former Sao Paulo State
governor.
According to Vox Populi, Dilma has - in just over a month - picked up
seven percentage points in the northeastern region, her chief electoral
stronghold where she leads 52% to 27%. She is also ahead in the north (39%
to 33%).
Serra sees his best results in the south, where he leads 44% to 33%. In
the southeast, the Toucan has 37% versus 34% -- which constitutes a
statistical dead heat. The same occurs in the central west, where Serra
and Dilma appear with 42% and 41% respectively.
Dividing the population by income, the PT candidate fares better among
those who earn up to one mi nimum wage payment; in that segment, she wins
45% to 32%. Among voters who earn more than five times the minimum wage,
the Toucan leads 40% to 33%.
Direct Showdown
In a hypothetical second round between Dilma and Serra, the PT hopeful
would win by 44% to 40% if the election were held today, according to Vox
Populi. Just over a month ago, the head-to-head showdown produced results
of 40% and 38% respectively.
The PT candidate also has a firm lead in the spontaneous poll, where
interviewees state their electoral preferences before seeing a list of
candidates. In that survey, Dilma has 26% and holds a 6 percentage-point
lead over her main adversary.
Television Effect
BOTh the Ibope survey covering 18 to 21 June and the Vox Populi poll
covering 24 to 26 June were taken during a period of high media exposure
for Serra. The Toucan had a prominent role in party programming by the PPS
(Popular Socialist Party), the PSDB, and the PTB (Brazilian Labo r Party),
which aired during primetime on 10, 17, and 24 June respectively.
PSDB leaders were hoping that with the broadcasts of allied parties
concentrated during this one month, Serra would climb in the polls like
Dilma did in May.
Lesser known that Serra, the PT candidate picked up momentum after
appearing on PT programming last month alongside her main electoral
backer, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Illustration from O Estado de
Sao Paulo shows major candidates' progress in Vox Populi polls taken in
April, May, and June 2010 (O Estado, 30 Jun)
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce .
9) Back to Top
Syria's Al-Asad Says Country Can Contribute to Mideast Peace Process
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by special correspondent
Gustavo Chacra at the presidential palace in Damascus, date not given:
"'Brazil Can Help Us Negotiate Peace With The Israelis,' Says al-Asad" - O
Estado de Sao Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:47:47 GMT
(O Estado de Sao Paulo): How do you see Brazil's involvement in the Middle
East?
(Bashar al-Asad): In the past we looked at Brazil as a friendly country,
but we thought of it only as part of South America. In the last eight
years, we have started seeing Brazil as an emerging force on the
international scene. In my view, the joint effort by Brazil and Turkey on
the Iranian nuclear issue raised the Brazil ian profile to a new level.
That is why we hope Brazil will be able to act to stabilize the Middle
East. The case of the agreement with Iran was an important achievement.
Since our priority in Syria is the peace process, I will discuss this with
President Lula when I am in Brazil.
(O Estado): Could Lula and (Turkish Prime Minister Recep) Erdogan serve as
mediators between Syria and Israel? Turkey already played that role
previously.
(al-Asad): The Brazilian foreign minister (Celso Amorim) said that Brazil
is interested in the peace process and we welcome the country's help. In
those negotiations, we rely on credibility and Brazil has it with regard
to the region. There is an obstacle which is, of course, the geographic
distance of Brazil. It may not be the best place to hold negotiations.
They could be in Turkey, but the effort could include other countries.
Brazil would be important in convincing the Israelis to accept
negotiations with Turkish mediation. Ob viously, that was before the
attack against the (Gaza) flotilla. I don't know whether the Turks would
be interested now because of their problem with Israel.
(O Estado): Is there a risk of war between Israel and Syria? Would an
Israeli attack on Iran lead the entire region into conflict?
(al-Asad): As long as there is no peace, there is always a risk. The
likelihood of war can be even higher when there is a government (Israel)
working against peace - especially when said government only threatens
others. For that reason, we believe the risk is very high. We have no
indication because no one knows when there will or will not be war. As a
government, we cannot say that the chance is 60% or 10% because even it is
1%, that 1% means war and could grow to 100%. So, we have to work as if a
war were to occur because we do not have a partner for peace. That is the
problem. This government of Israel is extremist. They are not partners for
peace. One must be concerned by their actions, like the ones carried out
against the Turks when they (Israel) attacked the Gaza flotilla. That
demonstrates the Israeli government is moving toward war, not peace.
(O Estado): Is the accusation that Syria provided Scud missiles to
Hizballah true?
(al-Asad): That was to draw attention away from their (Israel's) problems,
especially in Gaza. They talk and have talked about missiles for years,
but each time they change the name of the weapon and always add someth ing
new - as if it were something new on the market.
(O Estado): Rather than criticize Israel for its settlements on the West
Bank or the blockade against Gaza, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad
prefers to question the Holocaust. Do you agree with that?
(al-Asad): I think that politics has to be divided into two parts -
political rhetoric and action. Actions are, of course, more important. It
is like when you say I have a good image but a poor reality. It is more
imp ortant, then, to have a good reality before having a good image. As a
result, if I were to evaluate Ahmadinezhad, I would assess that his
policies do not work against peace. We went in the direction of peace, and
always had a good relationship with Iran and the Iranians always backed
Syria. Actually, Iran supports peace. Secondly, there is a general feeling
in the region since the occupation of Palestine that the Arabs -
especially the Palestinians - are paying the price for the Holocaust. The
West has a complex about what happened in the Second World War and it ends
up ignoring what Israel does in the region.
(O Estado): But by questioning the Holocaust, doesn't Ahmadinezhad hurt
the Palestinians?
(al-Asad): I said in a speech in Qatar in 2008 that what is happening in
Gaza is a holocaust.
(O Estado): Has Obama improved US ties with Syria? On the one hand, after
all, he sends emissaries like (Democratic Senator) John Kerry and names an
ambassador to Damascus. On the other hand, he keeps congressional
sanctions.
(al-Asad): We can feel a new position by this administration. They no
longer try to dictate things in the Middle East. That is important, but
for the moment there is nothing beyond dialogue. We had some trivial
measures like the naming of an ambassador and the end of the veto on
Syrian membership in the WTO. We are at the beginning of a relationship, I
don't know how far we will get with this administration, because it is not
only President Obama. There are other institutions, like Congress, which
approved the sanctions law against Syria. We do not know what the
President can do about that law.
We can say that what is taking place is little. It will be long time
before we talk about a normal relationship between the United States and
Syria, especially with a Congress that does not help the President. As you
said, (Democratic Senator) John Kerry has come to Damascus and we talked
about peace and bi lateral ties. But we are moving very slowly.
(O Estado): Were relations with Lebanon normalized after the visits to
Damascus by Lebanese President Michel Sulayman and Prime Minister Sa'ad
al-Hariri?
(al-Asad): We are improving. Through those visits, we took great strides.
We are returning to normal. The only obstacle is the internal situation in
Lebanon. As long as we have divisions among the Lebanese, that will be
reflected in the relationship with Syria. In the end, if one side supports
relations with Syria, the other will oppose that. We believe that the more
united Lebanese are, the better the relationship with Syria will be.
(O Estado): Is there still a risk of more problems in Iraq?
(al-Asad): This is a critical moment on account of the elections. If there
is a government with a more open mentality, that will be much better
because Iraqis will sit down to debate all the issues -- even the
Constitution and new institutions. But it is stil l not stable because of
the changes we are talking about have not occurred yet. We have just had
the elections and Iraqis were not able to form a government. They need to
form a government and it needs to be a good one. If it (the government)
fails, the Iraqis will pay the price.
(O Estado): Does Syria receive aid to handle the 1.2 million Iraqi
refugees in the country?
(al-Asad): No one helps. It (the United States) created this problem and
it does not want to help us and does not allow the Iraqi government to
help us. So then the costs are borne by Syria. This is not just a
humanitarian problem but a political one. Imagine if they returned to
their country without education and impoverished? They would go straight
to extremism. We must therefore take them in and make them feel as if they
are in a normal country. We do not treat them like refugees but like
guests. In the case of the Palestinians, there are half a million
(refugees) and they have all their ri ghts in Syria except the right to
(Syrian) citizenship and to vote.
(O Estado): Your administration brought economic advances. On the other
hand, your critics say that political openness was interrupted. Do you
intend to resume that openness? Why is it so difficult?
(al-Asad): We did not start something and then stop it. From the
beginning, when we began that reform, there were different assessments
regarding speed. Some will say that it was very fast, others that it was
slow. In fact, we did not interrupt it, but rather opened a methodical
base. We do not do things because we are excited like fanatics or
romantics. We know what we are doing. We began the economic reforms in
2000 but only felt the openness in 2007 and 2008. It took seven or eight
years because legislative reforms and dialogue was required. There cannot
be reform without dialogue. And how did we begin the dialogue? First we
opened up the media. Then the Internet. When I took office (in 2000) t
here were 30,000 (Internet) users in Syria. Today, there are 3 million and
we are the Arab country with the most growth in that segment. We have a
private press; there are different newspapers, magazines, and television
channels. So, we are moving. If you ask me is it fast, I would say that it
is not fast but it is difficult to gauge speed. I would say that we are
going as fast as possible with the smallest number of side-effects.
(A related item in the same edition of O Estado adds the following: "(O
Estado): President Asad, was Syria close to an agreement with Israel in
2008?
"(al-Asad): In 2008 we were very, very, very close. All that remained were
some details. (Then Israeli Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert was in Turkey and
(Recep) Erdogan was talking to me on the telephone. With Olmert in the
other room, Erdogan, myself, and his ministers spent hours discussing the
matter. Olmert told Erdogan that he was returning to Israel to present his
plan to his ministers and that he would give us an answer in coming days.
But right away he attacked Gaza and that was a surprise for both Syria and
Turkey.
"(O Estado): So Israel agreed to withdraw from part of the Golan Heights?
"(al-Asad): It agreed to withdraw from the entire Golan, not just part.
"(O Estado): Did Israel ask Syria to sever ties with HAMAS, Hizballah, and
Iran in the Turkish-mediated negotiations?
"(al-Asad): No, they did not. But they talked about that with other
countries. We did not want to discuss this or that organization. The
problem is the occupation. As long as there is no withdrawal from occupied
lands there is no way to debate other issues. So, if the Israelis are
serious, they would work for a peace that includes withdrawal from the
territories. When they do that, they will have no more problems in the
region. Why have organizations been fighting against the Israelis if
Israel is not occupying their l ands?
"(O Estado): Is that mentioned internationally?
"(al-Asad): Not even in Syria do we talk so much about the Golan. We talk
about Palestine more than about the Golan because the problem began with
the occupation of Palestine. The occupation of the Golan and the
territories in Lebanon came afterward. We think it is important to resolve
the Palestinian problem in order to solve the Golan and Lebanon issues.
Moreover in Palestine, an entire country is occupied - the totality of its
territory.
"(O Estado): How do you view the new Israeli government? Is it more
complicated to negotiate with him (Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu) than
with Olmert or Yitzhak Rabin (Israeli Prime Minister assassinated in
1995)?
"(al-Asad): One cannot evaluate a government without evaluating Israeli
society. That shift toward the Right and toward extremism began some
decades ago. Rabin paid with his life for having gone in the direction of
peac e. Extremism, therefore, is present in that society. It was the
Israeli population that assassinated Rabin, not the government. After
Rabin, we had many governments and none of them worked for peace. They
just talk about peace. For us in Syria, there is no major difference
between those governments.")
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
10) Back to Top
Two Kenyan youths commit suicide after Brazil's World Cup loss - Nation
Television
Monday July 5, 201 0 16:42:26 GMT
Two Kenyan youths have committed suicide in the coastal city of Mombasa
following the 2 July loss of the Brazilian national football team to the
Netherlands in the ongoing World Cup tournament in South Africa.Kenyan
privately-owned TV station NTV reported on 3 July that the two were
supporters of Brazil.One died by jumping into the Indian Ocean, while the
second youth hanged himself in the town's Mwandoni estate.The deaths
occurred on the same day when two other football fans died in the capital
Nairobi following a pub brawl related to the Ghana-Uruguay match, Kenyan
privately-owned radio station Capital FM website reported on 3 July. The
first victim of the fighting was stabbed in the stomach and died on the
spot while his attacker was lynched by a mob at a bar in the outskirts of
Nairobi.On 22 June, Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard
website reported that a secondary school boy was beaten to d eath outside
a bar in the Kenyan capital after differing with his colleagues during a
World Cup match.The 18-year-old student was killed following a dispute
over the World Cup match between Brazil and Ivory Coast.(Description of
Source: Nairobi Nation Television in Swahili )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
11) Back to Top
Brazilian President Lula Arrives Malabo - AFP (World Service)
Monday July 5, 2010 16:44:09 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news
service of the independent French news agency Agence France Presse)
Material in the World News Con nection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
12) Back to Top
Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran
"Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran" -- NOW
Lebanon Headline - NOW Lebanon
Monday July 5, 2010 05:11:38 GMT
Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra on Sunday said it is not a
coincidence that the UN Security Council recently issued a new round
ofsanctions against Iran and that residents in South Lebanon are now
"harassing"UNIFIL, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.Zahra said
French troops in particular are being targeted because France wasone of
the countrie s who voted on June 9 for a fourth round of sanctionsagainst
Tehran over its controversial nuclear program. Turkey and Brazil
votedagainst the sanctions. Lebanon abstained from voting."No state in the
world can make a resolution against Iran and not be made topay inside
Lebanon," the MP said.On Saturday, civilians mobbed and disarmed a UNIFIL
patrol just north of thevillage of Kabrikha.A French peacekeeper was
reportedly injured in protests in the South last week,sparked by UNIFIL
maneuvers launched Monday.Zahra also said that leaks from the ongoing
investigation of Alfa telecomemployee Charbel Kazzi for espionage had
"made a mountain out of a molehill,"adding that the leaks aimed to
discredit the Special Tribunal for Lebanon byundermining the phone records
it was using for its investigation.-NOW LebanonRelated
Articles:Anti-UNIFIL protests in Lebanon linked to UN sanctions on
IranSakr says anonymous security leaks show "militia mentality"Fatfat says
security incidents, including anti-UNIFIL protests, aim to abolishHariri
TribunalUNIFIL details aggressive civilian attack on patrol in
South(Description of Source: Beirut NOW Lebanon in English -- A
privately-funded pro-14 March coalition, anti-Syria news website; URL:
www.nowlebanon.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
13) Back to Top
Ghanaian leader returns home from 38th sub regional summit in Cape Verde -
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1
Monday July 5, 2010 10:10:03 GMT
Verde
Excerpt from report by state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)
Radio 1 on 5 July(Pres enter) President Mills says the 38th ordinary
session of the authority of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African
States) heads of state and government focused purposely on development and
how to solve the energy problem in Africa. Briefing the media on his
arrival from the meeting, he said members of the ECOWAS commission also
held a meeting with the Brazilian president, Lula de Silva.(Mills) This
meeting, like a few others before, it focused exclusively on development.
How as a subregion we can cooperate with one another to speed up
development in the region. We looked at particular areas how we can help
develop the private sector which after all we all say should be the engine
of growth and then how we are going to solve our energy problem. There was
a suggestion that we concentrate on solar energy. The idea of even hydro
also came up. So there were quite a number of suggestions which were made.
And of course, we had the privilege of interacting with President Lula Da
Silva of Brazil who, as you all know, has really transformed Brazil during
his tenure and he came to share ideas with us.A number of African
countries have had bilateral relations with him so he was there just to
discuss the way forward which to us was very important. So this was a very
useful meeting and I think that we will begin to reap the
benefits.(Presenter) At a special ECOWAS-Brazil summit, President Mills
presented a paper on the development of private sector enterprises in West
Africa. President Mills noted that after many years, the private sector
should lead in the development process.(Mills) After many years of trial,
we have all come to accept that the private sector should really play
leading role in our development and yet I would confess that many
governments have only been paying lip service to this.If you look at the
private sector they have a number of problems and all I did was to outline
and identify these problems which I thought was the first step tow ards
solution and I also stressed that there is the need for us to show our
good faith and then show that we are really serious about letting the
private sector flourish.There is a limit to what the government can do.
The public sector can do. The public sector or the public service should
be servicing the private sector. And to talk about employment generation;
you talk about poverty reduction and all that the private sector is really
in the best position to do so. We can only complement their efforts.Make
sure that we provide an enabling environment and then as some body has
said, we give them the oil for their engine. (Passage omitted)(Description
of Source: Accra Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1 in English --
state-owned, government-controlled radio)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Com
merce.
14) Back to Top
Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour
"Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour" -- The
Daily Star Headline - The Daily Star Online
Monday July 5, 2010 05:16:01 GMT
Monday, July 05, 2010
BEIRUT: Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Spain Sunday as he began
aworking visit in the country after a week-long tour of South and
CentralAmerica, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.During his
visit, Assad is scheduled to hold talks with Spanish Prime MinisterJose
Luis Zapatero and King Juan Carlos on ways of enhancing bilateralrelations
and on other diplomatic issues in the Middle East and other parts ofthe
world, the agency reported.During a meeting between Assad and Zapatero in
Damascus las t October, the twoleaders signed a number of bilateral
agreements which they will discuss in moredetails during this visit,
according to SANA.The deal related to the enhancement of ties in domains
ranging from investmentsto education institutions.Last week, Assad toured
Latin American countries and met with leaders fromArgentina, Brazil, Cuba
and Venezuela.Syria has recently seen a thaw in diplomatic relations with
the West aftersuffering from years of isolation over the country-s role in
Lebanon andIraq. - The Daily Star(Description of Source: Beirut The Daily
Star Online in English -- Website of the independent daily, The Daily
Star; URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
Table of Contents for Brazil
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Syrian President Urges Israel To Elect Truly Pro-Peace Government
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by international columnist
Marcelo Cantelmi in Buenos Aires on 3 July: Israel will have to elect a
government that would be a real partner for peace. First paragraph is
Clarins introduction.
2) Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations
"Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations" -- The Daily Star
Headline
3) For Lotte, Global Talent Is All About The 'VRICs'
4) ROK's IT Exports Set New Record in H1
Updated version: rewording headline, adding source graphic, and adjusting
tags; Report by Lee Eun-joo: "IT Exports Set New Record"; For assistance
with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
5) FYI -- Iranian TV Broadcasts Ahmadinezhad Interview With Chinese
Phoenix TV
6) Brazilian President Da Silver Expected in Zambia 7 Jul for Two-Day
State Visit
7) Brazil's Lula Begins African Tour
Report by Leonencio Nossa: "Soccer, Trade, And Dictatorships On
Presidential Agenda In Africa". For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
8) New Poll Shows Dilma Rousseff Maintaining Lead Over Jose Serra
Report by Daniel Bramatti: "Vox Populi: Dilma Has 40% And Serra 35%". For
assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov.
9) Syria's Al-Asad Says Country Can Contribute to Mideast Peace Process
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by special correspondent
Gustavo Chacra at the presidential palace in Damascus, date not given:
"'Brazil Can Help Us Nego tiate Peace With The Israelis,' Says al-Asad"
10) Two Kenyan youths commit suicide after Brazil's World Cup loss
11) Brazilian President Lula Arrives Malabo
12) Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran
"Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran" -- NOW
Lebanon Headline
13) Ghanaian leader returns home from 38th sub regional summit in Cape
Verde
14) Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour
"Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour" -- The
Daily Star Headline
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Back to Top
Syrian President Urges Israel To Elect Truly Pro-Peace Government
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by international columnist
Marcelo Cantelmi in Buenos Aires on 3 July: Israel will have to elect a
government that would be a real partner for peace. First paragraph is
Clarins introduction. - Clarin.com
Monday July 5, 2010 21:22:16 GMT
(Cantelmi) Your country's international image has improved but the world
has gotten worse. With which counterpart can one currently negotiate a way
out of the calamity of the Middle East Crisis?
(Al-Asad) When we speak of a party that is not Israel then we are speaking
of a sponsor or a mediator. In this sense, the most important country is
the United States, regardless of whether it has a good or a bad
administration. The United States can wield all its full weight to support
a peace process when agreements are signed and guarantees are given that
they will be fulfilled.
(Cantelmi) Does the United States currently have that power?
(Al-Asad) So far we have not seen anything practical along these l ines
from the United States. There are different tendencies within the US
Administration. We sometimes hear different opinions on the same issue
from US officials. One of the key points is Congress. We are not seeing
this Congress support Barack Obama on any of the issues he has proposed.
(Cantelmi) Are you suggesting that there is more weakness rather than
indifference in Obama to undertake what he promised in his famous speech
in Cairo to reach a fair agreement in the region with a true Palestinian
state?
(Al-Asad) If you cannot produce results then you are weak. Strength lies
with being able to get results, not with showing military strength or
through the economy. For example, the relationship with Syria included the
return of the US ambassador, but that has not progressed either. Nor has
the situation in Iraq changed and Afghanistan is worse than before. Our
experience with the United States is that they are not capable of
administering a peace process fro m beginning to end.
(Cantelmi) And who can?
(Al-Bashar) This is where other countries will play a role and where
Turkey was successful in 2008. So was Brazil. The agreement it signed with
Iran shows its political skill and that it can contribute. In Europe
perhaps France could play a role if it wanted to.
(Cantelmi) Aside from being unfair, is it not a mistake to underestimate a
fascist massacre like the Holocaust that the Nazi dictatorship
perpetrated, as Iran or some other Arab countries do? Doesn't that
attitude benefit the enemies of Arab countries?
(Al-Bashar) We do not underestimate that massacre and the Arabs on the
street do not either. But for several decades the general feeling among
Arabs on the street has been that what is happening with the Palestinians
is precisely a holocaust and that Israel is implementing a fascist policy.
They can repudiate that feeling, but it is a reality.
(Cantelmi) Do you agree that there is a risk of a nuclear arms race in the
Arab world?
(Al-Bashar) If there is one it will be uncontrollable. The danger is that
things will reach their limit and if Israel continues to be a nuclear
country in the military sense that race will begin one day.
(Cantelmi) Does the Iranian nuclear project also feed that race?
(Al-Bashar) No, it has no relationship to a nuclear military race and even
if we speak in practical terms, how could such destructive weapons be used
against Israel? There are Palestinians there and perhaps more Palestinians
would be killed than Israelis. It does not make sense. In addition, our
position in Syria is to turn the Middle East into an area free of nuclear
weapons. This is also Argentina's position, which wants to see the entire
world free of such weapons. We want to begin with our region.
(Cantelmi) Syria affirms that it is not proposing the disappearance of the
state of Israel and in Israel there are critics of the isolation your c
ountry has been subjected to. Are these indications of a mature future
relationship between the two countries?
(Al-Bashar) The central problem is the territorial occupation (the Golan
Heights, East Jerusalem, parts of the West Bank). We must ask ourselves if
these pro-dialogue sectors can return territories. First, they are not in
government and therefore have no authority. In addition, the majority of
the Israeli population has elected the current extremist government. The
pro-dialogue sectors represent a minority without influence and talks with
them would not produce any results.
(Cantelmi) Once again, doesn't Iran's aggressive strategy -- I am not
referring to the nuclear controversy but rather its apocalyptic messages
-- do a great favor to the Israeli hawks whose power you question?
(Al-Bashar) Look, in Israel there are priests (previous word as published)
who have said that Arabs are snakes who should e exterminated. There are
officials who have c alled for nuclear bombs to be dropped on Iran. Why do
we examine Iran's comments and not Israel's, too?
(Cantelmi) The United States has not satisfied you. What is happening with
Europe? You forged visible ties with Nicolas Sarkozy, who invited you to
the independence celebrations. What do you expect from that relationship?
(Al-Bashar) The French president is the only person I have seen
enthusiastically in favor of the peace process. We have stimulated that
enthusiasm, but Israel has said that it does not want mediation from any
country.
(Cantelmi) Fears of war are constantly revived in your region: To what
extent can one be optimistic on the future, from your position, for
example?
(Al-Bashar) I am optimistic but also objective. There are two reasons: the
first is that we have no other choice but peace and the second is that,
despite all of the difficult situations we have gone through, the general
opinion of people in the country is to support t he peace process. This
makes me feel free and responsible for moving in that direction.
(Cantelmi) Optimism always requires some concrete goal...
(Al-Bashar) Well, I am not optimistic that the current Israeli Government
might become a partner in peace, nor is the Israeli population's election
of an extremist government a source of optimism for me. I have the hope
that somebody in the west, in Europe...will manage to raise awareness so
that the Israeli people can understand that their interests and protection
can only be fulfilled with peace, which is why they must elect a
government that is a real partner for peace, one that truly works for
peace.
(Description of Source: Buenos Aires Clarin.com in Spanish -- Online
version of highest-circulation, tabloid-format daily owned by the Clarin
media group; generally critical of government; URL: http://www.clarin.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Perm ission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
2) Back to Top
Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations
"Europe Risks Running Out of Time With Turkey Relations" -- The Daily Star
Headline - The Daily Star Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:32:47 GMT
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Turkey-s 'no' last month (a vote cast together withBrazil) to the new
sanctions against Iran approved in the United NationsSecurity Council
dramatically reveals the full extent of the country-sestrangement from the
West.Are we, as many commentators have argued, witnessing the consequences
of theso-called 'neo-Ottoman' foreign policy of Turkey-s Justiceand
Development Party (AKP) government, which is suppo sedly aimed at
switchingcamps and returning to the country-s oriental Islamic roots?I
believe that these fears are exaggerated, even misplaced. And should
thingswork out that way, this would be due more to a self-fulfilling
prophecy on theWest-s part than to Turkey-s policies.In fact, Turkey-s
foreign policy, which seeks to resolve existingconflicts with and within
neighboring states, and active Turkish involvementthere, is anything but
in conflict with Western interests. Quite the contrary.But the West (and
Europe in particular) will finally have to take Turkeyseriously as a
partner - and stop viewing it as a Western client state.Turkey is and
should be a member of the G-20, because, with its young, rapidlygrowing
population it will become a very strong state economically in the
21stcentury. Even today, the image of Turkey as the 'sick man ofEurope' is
no longer accurate.When, after the UN decision, the US Secretary of
Defense Robert Gates harshlycriticized Europeans for ha ving contributed
to this estrangement by theirbehavior toward Turkey, his undiplomatic
frankness caused quite a stir in Parisand Berlin. But Gates had hit the
nail on the head.Ever since the change in government from Jacques Chirac
to Nicolas Sarkozy inFrance and from Gerhard Schroeder to Angela Merkel in
Germany, Turkey has beenstrung along and put off by the European Union.
Indeed, in the case of Cyprus,the EU wasn-t even above breaking previous
commitments vis-a-visTurkey and unilaterally changing jointly-agreed
rules. And, while the Europeanshave formally kept to their decision to
begin accession negotiations withTurkey, they have done little to advance
the cause.Only now, when the disaster in Turkish-European relations is
becoming apparent,is the EU suddenly willing to open a new chapter in the
negotiations (which,incidentally, clearly proves that the deadlock was
politically motivated).It can-t be said often enough: Turkey is situated
in a highly sensitivegeopolitical location, particularly where Europe-s
security is concerned.The eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the western
Balkans, the Caspian regionand the southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and
the Middle East are all areaswhere the West will achieve nothing or very
little without Turkey-ssupport. And this is true in terms not only of
security policy, but also ofenergy policy if you-re looking for
alternatives to Europe-sgrowing reliance on Russian energy supplies.The
West, Europe in particular, really can-t afford to alienate
Turkey,considering their interests, but objectively it is exactly this
kind ofestrangement that follows from European policy towards Turkey in
the last fewyears. Europe-s security in the 21st century will be
determined to asignificant degree in its neighborhood in the southeast -
exactly whereTurkey is crucial for Europe-s security interests now and,
increasingly,in the future. But, rather than binding Turkey as closely as
possible to Europeand the West, European policy is driving Turkey into the
arms of Russia andIran.This kind of policy is ironic, absurd, and
shortsighted all at once. Forcenturies, Russia, Iran, and Turkey have been
rivals, never allies.Europe-s political blindness, however, seems to
override this fact.Of course, Turkey, too, is greatly dependent on
integration with the West.Should it lose this, it would drastically weaken
its own positionvis-a-vis its potential regional partners (and rivals),
despite itsideal geopolitical location. Turkey-s 'no' to new
sanctionsagainst Iran in all likelihood will prove to be a significant
error, unlessPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan can deliver a real
turnaround inIran-s nuclear policy. This, however, is highly
unlikely.Moreover, with the confrontation between Israel and Turkey
strengtheningradical forces in the Middle East, what is European diplomacy
(both in Brusselsand in European capitals) waiting for? The West, as well
as Israel and Turkeythemselves, most certainly canno t afford a permanent
rupture between the twostates, unless the desired outcome is for the
region to continue on its path tolasting destabilization. It is more than
time for Europe to act.Worse still, while Europe-s listlessness is visible
first and foremost inthe case of Turkey and the Mideast, this lamentable
state of affairs is notlimited to that region. The same applies to the
southern Caucasus and CentralAsia, where Europe, with the approval of the
smaller supplier countries there,should firmly pursue its energy interests
and assert itself vis-a-visRussia, as well as to Ukraine, where Europe
should also become seriouslyinvolved. Many new developments have been set
in motion in that entire regionby the global economic crisis, and a new
player, China (a long-term planner),has entered the geopolitical
stage.Europe risks running out of time, even in its own neighborhood,
because activeEuropean foreign policy and a strong commitment on the part
of the EU aresorely missed in a ll these countries. Or, as Mikhail
Gorbachev, that greatRussian statesman of the last decades of the 20th
century, put it: 'Lifehas a way of punishing those who come too
late.'Joschka Fischer, Germany-s foreign minister and vice chancellor from
1998to 2005, was a leader in the German Green Party for almost 20 years.
THE DAILYSTAR publishes this commentary in collaboration with
ProjectSyndicate-Institute for Human Sciences (c)
(www.project-syndicate.org).(Description of Source: Beirut The Daily Star
Online in English -- Website of the independent daily, The Daily Star;
URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
3) Back to Top
For Lotte, Global Talent Is All About The 'VRICs' - JoongAng Daily Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:32:52 GMT
(JOONGANG ILBO) - International hires will be key to Lotte Group as it
aims to become one of Asia's top 10 conglomerates, according to the
company's vice chairman.
"In order for Lotte's lively operations abroad to finally succeed, the key
point is to foster talent," said Shin Dong-bin at an executive officers'
meeting on June 24, according to sources inside the company.Shin urged the
heads of Lotte affiliates to take pains to retain and foster "globally
competitive talents" in its push to reach 200 trillion won ($163.6
billion) in total revenue by 2018."I ask that the chief executive officers
of each company devote heart and soul into discovering talent, not only in
Korea but overseas," he said.The number of employees at Lotte Group's
overseas operations has grown rapidly of late, ever since the group
formally announced its goal in March 2009 and spurred its operations on
foreign shores such as China, Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia - the "VRICs,"
as Lotte calls them, substituting Brazil with Vietnam.Lotte Group now has
30,000 employees working abroad, including Korean and overseas hires. The
company plans to bolster its overseas recruitment in the so-called VRICS.
The company currently has 60 Chinese and 30 Vietnamese employees.Lotte
Group has several programs in place to educate Korean employees being sent
abroad and to retain and train able overseas employees. Such programs
include the local country's language study, intensive overviews of local
politics, economy and culture, and a VRICs market research program."They
are to reduce trial-and-error in achieving effective localization of the
pioneering unit," said Park Sang-seop of Lotte Group's marketing
department.The six-month language programs began in 2008, and the other
courses followed suit, Park said, adding that he hopes the programs
expand.(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English --
Website of English-language daily which provides English-language
summaries and full-texts of items published by the major center-right
daily JoongAng Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert
to the Seoul edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
4) Back to Top
ROK's IT Exports Set New Record in H1
Updated version: rewording headline, adding source graphic, and adjusting
tags; Report by Lee Eun-joo: "IT Exports Set New Record"; For assistance
with multimedia elements, contact the OSC Customer Center at (800)
205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - JoongAng Daily Online
Tuesday July 6, 2010 01:00:49 GMT
(Description of Source: Seoul JoongAng Daily Online in English -- Website
of English-language daily which provides English-language summaries and
full-texts of items published by the major center-right daily JoongAng
Ilbo, as well as unique reportage; distributed as an insert to the Seoul
edition of the International Herald Tribune; URL:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
5) Back to Top
FYI -- Iranian TV Broadcas ts Ahmadinezhad Interview With Chinese Phoenix
TV - Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1
Monday July 5, 2010 16:52:20 GMT
1537 GMT on 5 July started to broadcast an interview with Iranian
President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad by a reporter from the Chinese Phoenix TV
channel on 28 June.
The interview was already in progress when the broadcast began, and did
not mention the date or the venue of the interview (presumably held during
Ahmadinezhad's recent visit to China in June). Ahmadinezhad's comments
were translated into English by an interpreter and the questions by the
Chinese reporter were also translated into Farsi consecutively.The topics
of the discussion were Iran's nuclear issue, the US and EU sanctions and
the recent resolution passed against Iran.Playing down the recent UNSC
resolution against Iran, Ahmadinezhad said: "I think that the UNSC has
reached its end. It is the end for America too. You know that Mr Obama
personally wrote to the Brazilian president and the Turkish premier. He
urged them to mediate over (Iran's) fuel swap. They talked to us. We told
them that the Americans were not sincere. They (Turkey and Brazil) are our
friends. They asked us to accept (the deal). To show our respect for
Brazil and Turkey, we accepted it. And you saw that the Americans did not
stand by their own promise. The condition for the swap was to abandon
hostility and resolutions. But the negative votes by Brazil and Turkey
indicate the definite failure of the UNSC."Asked if Ahmadinezhad is
concerned about a possible US military aggression against Iran, he said:
"Of course this is what the Americans wish for. They do not have any other
logic but the logic of force. They only speak with the language of
military force in the world. But they know it themselves that a military
attack on Iran leads to their own destruction. I am not saying that we
will attack against America. We absorb all their capabilities and will
repel the aggression. They know it themselves. Therefore, no leader in
America dares decide to attack Iran."The interview ended at 1609 GMT.
OSC/LD will file text of the interview by 1700 GMT on 6 July.(Description
of Source: Tehran Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1 in
Persian -- state-run national television, officially controlled by the
office of the supreme leader)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
6) Back to Top
Brazilian President Da Silver Expected in Zambia 7 Jul for Two-Day State
Visit - ZNBC Radio 2
Monday July 5, 2010 16:45:25 GMT
(Description of Source: Lusaka ZNBC Radio 2 in English -- Government-owned
radio)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
7) Back to Top
Brazil's Lula Begins African Tour
Report by Leonencio Nossa: "Soccer, Trade, And Dictatorships On
Presidential Agenda In Africa". For assistance with multimedia elements,
contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - O Estado de Sao
Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:48:17 GMT
On Sunday, Lula will be received for the eighth time by an African
dictator. This time, he will have dinner with Teodoro O biang Mbasogo, who
has governed Equatorial Guinea with an iron fist for 31 years.
Lula's presence in Equatorial Guinea has caused administration advisers to
lose sleep. The fear is over a reprise of scenes from previous visits to
African dictatorships like Gabon and Cameroon, where Lula paraded in an
open car with dictator Omar Bongo and took part in a banquet with Paul
Biya in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo, 68 years of age, appears on lists of the most
bloodthirsty and corrupt African dictators drawn up by human rights
organizations in the United States and Europe. He faces accusations of
fraud, torture, and murder.
In power since 1979, when he overthrew his uncle Francisco Macias in a
coup d'etat, he is second only to Muammar al-Qadhafi - who has ruled Libya
since 1969 - in longevity of power in Africa.
With a fortune estimated at 600 million euros, Mbasogo has five wives and
a network of allies with money in Equatorial Guin ea's oil reserves -
discovered beginning in 1995. Nearly 60% of the country's 600,000 people
live below the poverty line.
There are no newspapers in the country. In 2003, state radio announced
that Mbasogo had "direct contact with the Almighty" and could "kill
without answering to anyone and without going to Hell".
No guarantees
According to Planalto (Palace), Brazilian exports to the continent
surpassed $2.3 million in 2002 to stand at $8.6 million in 2009; Brazil
also secured important votes from Africa in the race to guarantee that the
2016 Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
Some Itamaraty (Palace) diplomats underscore that Lula's foreign policy
and his trips do not guarantee support by African countries in
international forums. Proof of that is the opposing vote by Gabon at the
UN against the Brazilian position on the matter of Iran's nuclear program.
Illustration from O Estado showing President Lula's scheduled itinerary
and growing Brazilian exports to Africa (O Estado, 2 Jul)
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
8) Back to Top
New Poll Shows Dilma Rousseff Maintaining Lead Over Jose Serra
Report by Daniel Bramatti: "Vox Populi: Dilma Has 40% And Serra 35%". For
assistance with multimedia elements, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or
oscinfo@rccb.osis.gov. - O Estado de Sao Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:48:34 GMT
The numbers for Serra and Dilma are identical to those of an Ibope
(Brazilian Public Opinion and Statistics Institute) survey released last
week by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI). In May, Vox Populi
had detected a statistical tie between the main contenders - 38% for the
former Civilian Household minister and 35% for the former Sao Paulo State
governor.
According to Vox Populi, Dilma has - in just over a month - picked up
seven percentage points in the northeastern region, her chief electoral
stronghold where she leads 52% to 27%. She is also ahead in the north (39%
to 33%).
Serra sees his best results in the south, where he leads 44% to 33%. In
the southeast, the Toucan has 37% versus 34% -- which constitutes a
statistical dead heat. The same occurs in the central west, where Serra
and Dilma appear with 42% and 41% respectively.
Dividing the population by income, the PT candidate fares better among
those who earn up to one mi nimum wage payment; in that segment, she wins
45% to 32%. Among voters who earn more than five times the minimum wage,
the Toucan leads 40% to 33%.
Direct Showdown
In a hypothetical second round between Dilma and Serra, the PT hopeful
would win by 44% to 40% if the election were held today, according to Vox
Populi. Just over a month ago, the head-to-head showdown produced results
of 40% and 38% respectively.
The PT candidate also has a firm lead in the spontaneous poll, where
interviewees state their electoral preferences before seeing a list of
candidates. In that survey, Dilma has 26% and holds a 6 percentage-point
lead over her main adversary.
Television Effect
BOTh the Ibope survey covering 18 to 21 June and the Vox Populi poll
covering 24 to 26 June were taken during a period of high media exposure
for Serra. The Toucan had a prominent role in party programming by the PPS
(Popular Socialist Party), the PSDB, and the PTB (Brazilian Labo r Party),
which aired during primetime on 10, 17, and 24 June respectively.
PSDB leaders were hoping that with the broadcasts of allied parties
concentrated during this one month, Serra would climb in the polls like
Dilma did in May.
Lesser known that Serra, the PT candidate picked up momentum after
appearing on PT programming last month alongside her main electoral
backer, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Illustration from O Estado de
Sao Paulo shows major candidates' progress in Vox Populi polls taken in
April, May, and June 2010 (O Estado, 30 Jun)
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce .
9) Back to Top
Syria's Al-Asad Says Country Can Contribute to Mideast Peace Process
Interview with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad by special correspondent
Gustavo Chacra at the presidential palace in Damascus, date not given:
"'Brazil Can Help Us Negotiate Peace With The Israelis,' Says al-Asad" - O
Estado de Sao Paulo digital
Monday July 5, 2010 16:47:47 GMT
(O Estado de Sao Paulo): How do you see Brazil's involvement in the Middle
East?
(Bashar al-Asad): In the past we looked at Brazil as a friendly country,
but we thought of it only as part of South America. In the last eight
years, we have started seeing Brazil as an emerging force on the
international scene. In my view, the joint effort by Brazil and Turkey on
the Iranian nuclear issue raised the Brazil ian profile to a new level.
That is why we hope Brazil will be able to act to stabilize the Middle
East. The case of the agreement with Iran was an important achievement.
Since our priority in Syria is the peace process, I will discuss this with
President Lula when I am in Brazil.
(O Estado): Could Lula and (Turkish Prime Minister Recep) Erdogan serve as
mediators between Syria and Israel? Turkey already played that role
previously.
(al-Asad): The Brazilian foreign minister (Celso Amorim) said that Brazil
is interested in the peace process and we welcome the country's help. In
those negotiations, we rely on credibility and Brazil has it with regard
to the region. There is an obstacle which is, of course, the geographic
distance of Brazil. It may not be the best place to hold negotiations.
They could be in Turkey, but the effort could include other countries.
Brazil would be important in convincing the Israelis to accept
negotiations with Turkish mediation. Ob viously, that was before the
attack against the (Gaza) flotilla. I don't know whether the Turks would
be interested now because of their problem with Israel.
(O Estado): Is there a risk of war between Israel and Syria? Would an
Israeli attack on Iran lead the entire region into conflict?
(al-Asad): As long as there is no peace, there is always a risk. The
likelihood of war can be even higher when there is a government (Israel)
working against peace - especially when said government only threatens
others. For that reason, we believe the risk is very high. We have no
indication because no one knows when there will or will not be war. As a
government, we cannot say that the chance is 60% or 10% because even it is
1%, that 1% means war and could grow to 100%. So, we have to work as if a
war were to occur because we do not have a partner for peace. That is the
problem. This government of Israel is extremist. They are not partners for
peace. One must be concerned by their actions, like the ones carried out
against the Turks when they (Israel) attacked the Gaza flotilla. That
demonstrates the Israeli government is moving toward war, not peace.
(O Estado): Is the accusation that Syria provided Scud missiles to
Hizballah true?
(al-Asad): That was to draw attention away from their (Israel's) problems,
especially in Gaza. They talk and have talked about missiles for years,
but each time they change the name of the weapon and always add someth ing
new - as if it were something new on the market.
(O Estado): Rather than criticize Israel for its settlements on the West
Bank or the blockade against Gaza, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad
prefers to question the Holocaust. Do you agree with that?
(al-Asad): I think that politics has to be divided into two parts -
political rhetoric and action. Actions are, of course, more important. It
is like when you say I have a good image but a poor reality. It is more
imp ortant, then, to have a good reality before having a good image. As a
result, if I were to evaluate Ahmadinezhad, I would assess that his
policies do not work against peace. We went in the direction of peace, and
always had a good relationship with Iran and the Iranians always backed
Syria. Actually, Iran supports peace. Secondly, there is a general feeling
in the region since the occupation of Palestine that the Arabs -
especially the Palestinians - are paying the price for the Holocaust. The
West has a complex about what happened in the Second World War and it ends
up ignoring what Israel does in the region.
(O Estado): But by questioning the Holocaust, doesn't Ahmadinezhad hurt
the Palestinians?
(al-Asad): I said in a speech in Qatar in 2008 that what is happening in
Gaza is a holocaust.
(O Estado): Has Obama improved US ties with Syria? On the one hand, after
all, he sends emissaries like (Democratic Senator) John Kerry and names an
ambassador to Damascus. On the other hand, he keeps congressional
sanctions.
(al-Asad): We can feel a new position by this administration. They no
longer try to dictate things in the Middle East. That is important, but
for the moment there is nothing beyond dialogue. We had some trivial
measures like the naming of an ambassador and the end of the veto on
Syrian membership in the WTO. We are at the beginning of a relationship, I
don't know how far we will get with this administration, because it is not
only President Obama. There are other institutions, like Congress, which
approved the sanctions law against Syria. We do not know what the
President can do about that law.
We can say that what is taking place is little. It will be long time
before we talk about a normal relationship between the United States and
Syria, especially with a Congress that does not help the President. As you
said, (Democratic Senator) John Kerry has come to Damascus and we talked
about peace and bi lateral ties. But we are moving very slowly.
(O Estado): Were relations with Lebanon normalized after the visits to
Damascus by Lebanese President Michel Sulayman and Prime Minister Sa'ad
al-Hariri?
(al-Asad): We are improving. Through those visits, we took great strides.
We are returning to normal. The only obstacle is the internal situation in
Lebanon. As long as we have divisions among the Lebanese, that will be
reflected in the relationship with Syria. In the end, if one side supports
relations with Syria, the other will oppose that. We believe that the more
united Lebanese are, the better the relationship with Syria will be.
(O Estado): Is there still a risk of more problems in Iraq?
(al-Asad): This is a critical moment on account of the elections. If there
is a government with a more open mentality, that will be much better
because Iraqis will sit down to debate all the issues -- even the
Constitution and new institutions. But it is stil l not stable because of
the changes we are talking about have not occurred yet. We have just had
the elections and Iraqis were not able to form a government. They need to
form a government and it needs to be a good one. If it (the government)
fails, the Iraqis will pay the price.
(O Estado): Does Syria receive aid to handle the 1.2 million Iraqi
refugees in the country?
(al-Asad): No one helps. It (the United States) created this problem and
it does not want to help us and does not allow the Iraqi government to
help us. So then the costs are borne by Syria. This is not just a
humanitarian problem but a political one. Imagine if they returned to
their country without education and impoverished? They would go straight
to extremism. We must therefore take them in and make them feel as if they
are in a normal country. We do not treat them like refugees but like
guests. In the case of the Palestinians, there are half a million
(refugees) and they have all their ri ghts in Syria except the right to
(Syrian) citizenship and to vote.
(O Estado): Your administration brought economic advances. On the other
hand, your critics say that political openness was interrupted. Do you
intend to resume that openness? Why is it so difficult?
(al-Asad): We did not start something and then stop it. From the
beginning, when we began that reform, there were different assessments
regarding speed. Some will say that it was very fast, others that it was
slow. In fact, we did not interrupt it, but rather opened a methodical
base. We do not do things because we are excited like fanatics or
romantics. We know what we are doing. We began the economic reforms in
2000 but only felt the openness in 2007 and 2008. It took seven or eight
years because legislative reforms and dialogue was required. There cannot
be reform without dialogue. And how did we begin the dialogue? First we
opened up the media. Then the Internet. When I took office (in 2000) t
here were 30,000 (Internet) users in Syria. Today, there are 3 million and
we are the Arab country with the most growth in that segment. We have a
private press; there are different newspapers, magazines, and television
channels. So, we are moving. If you ask me is it fast, I would say that it
is not fast but it is difficult to gauge speed. I would say that we are
going as fast as possible with the smallest number of side-effects.
(A related item in the same edition of O Estado adds the following: "(O
Estado): President Asad, was Syria close to an agreement with Israel in
2008?
"(al-Asad): In 2008 we were very, very, very close. All that remained were
some details. (Then Israeli Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert was in Turkey and
(Recep) Erdogan was talking to me on the telephone. With Olmert in the
other room, Erdogan, myself, and his ministers spent hours discussing the
matter. Olmert told Erdogan that he was returning to Israel to present his
plan to his ministers and that he would give us an answer in coming days.
But right away he attacked Gaza and that was a surprise for both Syria and
Turkey.
"(O Estado): So Israel agreed to withdraw from part of the Golan Heights?
"(al-Asad): It agreed to withdraw from the entire Golan, not just part.
"(O Estado): Did Israel ask Syria to sever ties with HAMAS, Hizballah, and
Iran in the Turkish-mediated negotiations?
"(al-Asad): No, they did not. But they talked about that with other
countries. We did not want to discuss this or that organization. The
problem is the occupation. As long as there is no withdrawal from occupied
lands there is no way to debate other issues. So, if the Israelis are
serious, they would work for a peace that includes withdrawal from the
territories. When they do that, they will have no more problems in the
region. Why have organizations been fighting against the Israelis if
Israel is not occupying their l ands?
"(O Estado): Is that mentioned internationally?
"(al-Asad): Not even in Syria do we talk so much about the Golan. We talk
about Palestine more than about the Golan because the problem began with
the occupation of Palestine. The occupation of the Golan and the
territories in Lebanon came afterward. We think it is important to resolve
the Palestinian problem in order to solve the Golan and Lebanon issues.
Moreover in Palestine, an entire country is occupied - the totality of its
territory.
"(O Estado): How do you view the new Israeli government? Is it more
complicated to negotiate with him (Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu) than
with Olmert or Yitzhak Rabin (Israeli Prime Minister assassinated in
1995)?
"(al-Asad): One cannot evaluate a government without evaluating Israeli
society. That shift toward the Right and toward extremism began some
decades ago. Rabin paid with his life for having gone in the direction of
peac e. Extremism, therefore, is present in that society. It was the
Israeli population that assassinated Rabin, not the government. After
Rabin, we had many governments and none of them worked for peace. They
just talk about peace. For us in Syria, there is no major difference
between those governments.")
(Description of Source: Sao Paulo O Estado de S. Paulo digital in
Portuguese -- Website of conservative, influential daily, critical of the
government; URL: http://www.estadao.com.br)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
10) Back to Top
Two Kenyan youths commit suicide after Brazil's World Cup loss - Nation
Television
Monday July 5, 201 0 16:42:26 GMT
Two Kenyan youths have committed suicide in the coastal city of Mombasa
following the 2 July loss of the Brazilian national football team to the
Netherlands in the ongoing World Cup tournament in South Africa.Kenyan
privately-owned TV station NTV reported on 3 July that the two were
supporters of Brazil.One died by jumping into the Indian Ocean, while the
second youth hanged himself in the town's Mwandoni estate.The deaths
occurred on the same day when two other football fans died in the capital
Nairobi following a pub brawl related to the Ghana-Uruguay match, Kenyan
privately-owned radio station Capital FM website reported on 3 July. The
first victim of the fighting was stabbed in the stomach and died on the
spot while his attacker was lynched by a mob at a bar in the outskirts of
Nairobi.On 22 June, Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard
website reported that a secondary school boy was beaten to d eath outside
a bar in the Kenyan capital after differing with his colleagues during a
World Cup match.The 18-year-old student was killed following a dispute
over the World Cup match between Brazil and Ivory Coast.(Description of
Source: Nairobi Nation Television in Swahili )
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
11) Back to Top
Brazilian President Lula Arrives Malabo - AFP (World Service)
Monday July 5, 2010 16:44:09 GMT
(Description of Source: Paris AFP (World Service) in English -- world news
service of the independent French news agency Agence France Presse)
Material in the World News Con nection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
12) Back to Top
Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran
"Zahra Says Anti-Unifil Protests Related To Un Sanctions on Iran" -- NOW
Lebanon Headline - NOW Lebanon
Monday July 5, 2010 05:11:38 GMT
Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra on Sunday said it is not a
coincidence that the UN Security Council recently issued a new round
ofsanctions against Iran and that residents in South Lebanon are now
"harassing"UNIFIL, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.Zahra said
French troops in particular are being targeted because France wasone of
the countrie s who voted on June 9 for a fourth round of sanctionsagainst
Tehran over its controversial nuclear program. Turkey and Brazil
votedagainst the sanctions. Lebanon abstained from voting."No state in the
world can make a resolution against Iran and not be made topay inside
Lebanon," the MP said.On Saturday, civilians mobbed and disarmed a UNIFIL
patrol just north of thevillage of Kabrikha.A French peacekeeper was
reportedly injured in protests in the South last week,sparked by UNIFIL
maneuvers launched Monday.Zahra also said that leaks from the ongoing
investigation of Alfa telecomemployee Charbel Kazzi for espionage had
"made a mountain out of a molehill,"adding that the leaks aimed to
discredit the Special Tribunal for Lebanon byundermining the phone records
it was using for its investigation.-NOW LebanonRelated
Articles:Anti-UNIFIL protests in Lebanon linked to UN sanctions on
IranSakr says anonymous security leaks show "militia mentality"Fatfat says
security incidents, including anti-UNIFIL protests, aim to abolishHariri
TribunalUNIFIL details aggressive civilian attack on patrol in
South(Description of Source: Beirut NOW Lebanon in English -- A
privately-funded pro-14 March coalition, anti-Syria news website; URL:
www.nowlebanon.com)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
13) Back to Top
Ghanaian leader returns home from 38th sub regional summit in Cape Verde -
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1
Monday July 5, 2010 10:10:03 GMT
Verde
Excerpt from report by state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)
Radio 1 on 5 July(Pres enter) President Mills says the 38th ordinary
session of the authority of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African
States) heads of state and government focused purposely on development and
how to solve the energy problem in Africa. Briefing the media on his
arrival from the meeting, he said members of the ECOWAS commission also
held a meeting with the Brazilian president, Lula de Silva.(Mills) This
meeting, like a few others before, it focused exclusively on development.
How as a subregion we can cooperate with one another to speed up
development in the region. We looked at particular areas how we can help
develop the private sector which after all we all say should be the engine
of growth and then how we are going to solve our energy problem. There was
a suggestion that we concentrate on solar energy. The idea of even hydro
also came up. So there were quite a number of suggestions which were made.
And of course, we had the privilege of interacting with President Lula Da
Silva of Brazil who, as you all know, has really transformed Brazil during
his tenure and he came to share ideas with us.A number of African
countries have had bilateral relations with him so he was there just to
discuss the way forward which to us was very important. So this was a very
useful meeting and I think that we will begin to reap the
benefits.(Presenter) At a special ECOWAS-Brazil summit, President Mills
presented a paper on the development of private sector enterprises in West
Africa. President Mills noted that after many years, the private sector
should lead in the development process.(Mills) After many years of trial,
we have all come to accept that the private sector should really play
leading role in our development and yet I would confess that many
governments have only been paying lip service to this.If you look at the
private sector they have a number of problems and all I did was to outline
and identify these problems which I thought was the first step tow ards
solution and I also stressed that there is the need for us to show our
good faith and then show that we are really serious about letting the
private sector flourish.There is a limit to what the government can do.
The public sector can do. The public sector or the public service should
be servicing the private sector. And to talk about employment generation;
you talk about poverty reduction and all that the private sector is really
in the best position to do so. We can only complement their efforts.Make
sure that we provide an enabling environment and then as some body has
said, we give them the oil for their engine. (Passage omitted)(Description
of Source: Accra Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio 1 in English --
state-owned, government-controlled radio)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Com
merce.
14) Back to Top
Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour
"Assad Arrives in Spain Following South, Central America Tour" -- The
Daily Star Headline - The Daily Star Online
Monday July 5, 2010 05:16:01 GMT
Monday, July 05, 2010
BEIRUT: Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Spain Sunday as he began
aworking visit in the country after a week-long tour of South and
CentralAmerica, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.During his
visit, Assad is scheduled to hold talks with Spanish Prime MinisterJose
Luis Zapatero and King Juan Carlos on ways of enhancing bilateralrelations
and on other diplomatic issues in the Middle East and other parts ofthe
world, the agency reported.During a meeting between Assad and Zapatero in
Damascus las t October, the twoleaders signed a number of bilateral
agreements which they will discuss in moredetails during this visit,
according to SANA.The deal related to the enhancement of ties in domains
ranging from investmentsto education institutions.Last week, Assad toured
Latin American countries and met with leaders fromArgentina, Brazil, Cuba
and Venezuela.Syria has recently seen a thaw in diplomatic relations with
the West aftersuffering from years of isolation over the country-s role in
Lebanon andIraq. - The Daily Star(Description of Source: Beirut The Daily
Star Online in English -- Website of the independent daily, The Daily
Star; URL: http://dailystar.com.lb)
Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by the
source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the copyright
holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of
Commerce.
Comentários
Postar um comentário