CIA officials consider Israeli intelligence units to be their foremost counter-intelligence threat in the Middle East, the Associated Press reports. CIA officers in Israel have reported having their homes broken into and the tampering of sensitive communication equipment. The Associated Press remarks, 'Despite strong ties between the countries, officials see Israel as a frustrating ally at best and, at times, an adversary looking to steal secrets.'
In a recent statement, the EU-Israel Association condemned Israel for a vast range of human rights violations in the state and “occupied Palestine territory”. Addressing various issues, the statement noted Israel’s obligation to protect the rights of the Arab-Palestinian minority, emphasising that this issue was a core problem that had to be addressed in it’s own right. The statement also confirmed the EU’s continuing support for human rights defenders as a “ long established element” of its human rights external relations policy, whilst condemning Israel’s practice of administrative...
A proposed treaty to regulate the arms trade failed to be agreed upon at the United Nations on Friday, with no decision having been made. Over 170 countries have been in New York to negotiate the terms of the treaty, which could have been vetoed by any one country. With no consensus having been reached, further talks may occur at the UN General Assembly by the end of the year. Commenting on the failure to reach an agreement, British foreign secretary, William Hague said , "This is not the result we wanted. But we have made huge progress. The chair's draft treaty has our full support as well...
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday, that Russia was “not even thinking about” providing asylum for Assad, in a sign that the country may be distancing itself from the besiged Syrian regime. When asked about media reports that Russia was ready to offer Assad asylum, Lavrov replied , “We have said more than once publicly that we are not even thinking about this.” Lavrov echoed statements by Putin and other Russian officials that Moscow has no special relationship with the Syrian government, and even went on to suggest that it may make more sense for a Western nation to take him in...
The UN human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has asked for a prompt independent investigation due to claims of abuses by security forces in Burma’s Rakhine state, noting that that the crisis reflected the long-standing systemic discrimination against the Muslim Rohingya community, who are not recognized by the Government and remain stateless. Speaking on the issue Ms Pillay said , “Reports indicate that the initial swift response of the authorities to the communal violence may have turned into a crackdown targeting Muslims, in particular members of the Rohingya community.” Addressing the Burmese...
Rwanda has demanded respect from Western nations, accusing them of treating the country like a child, in response to further cuts in funding to the African country. Addressing a Kenyan business club, Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said , "This child-to-parent relationship has to end ... there has to be a minimum respect” "As long as countries wave cheque books over our heads, we can never be equal." Her comments come as the Netherlands announced they were suspending aid worth approximately 5 million Euros a year, in light of allegations that rebel group M23 was receiving direct aid from...
A spokesperson for the late Slobodan Milosevic, the former Serbian and Yugoslavian President charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, has been appointed the new Prime Minister of Serbia. Ivica Dacic was sworn in earlier, in a parliament dominated by Serbian nationalists and socialists; including Milosevic’s party the Socialist Party of Serbia headed by Dacic. Addressing parliament in Belgrade, Dacic stated that Serbia would refuse to recognise Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, but would respect European Union brokered agreements with the country. The issue of Kosovo has...
The British Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that he will raise concerns over Syria with Russian President Vladmir Putin, when he visits London next week to watch the Olympic Games. Putin will be visiting Britain for the first time in 9 years, and will be watching the judo event on Thursday with the British leader. Speaking to the Global Investment Conference in London on Thursday Cameron said that he would be focusing on trade between the two nations, commenting, "We will be at the judo so it may be a bit off-putting. But nonetheless I know my major priority is to get those trade...
The prosecutor for the international criminal court (ICC) has raised concerns with the Kenya over the intimidation of witnesses in the two trials involving 4 Kenyans at the Hague . Speaking to a news conference in Nairobi on Thursday, Head of Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division Phakiso Mochochoko told the Hague that intimidation of the witnesses was very possible. “The threats continue and maybe there will be even more threats as we get to trails. Those threats must stop. The government of Kenya and the ICC will work together to make sure those people threatening witnesses...
Britain has decided to freeze £16 million worth of aid to Rwanda, following allegations that the country was fuelling the conflict in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Britain’s decision echoes steps taken by the US and Netherlands to condemn the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, after a UN report accused Rwanda of arming rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Addressing the issue, The Department for international Development (Dfid) said that Britain’s aid recipients must adhere to strict ‘partnership principles’, which include human rights and other international obligations...