European Union diplomats are said to have agreed to suspend sanctions on Burma for one year. An unidentified official told AFP that the suspension would give the EU time to monitor political reform. The agreement would still have to be formally approved by EU foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday. The only sanctions to remain would be the embargo on arms. The EU move comes on the heels of announcements by the US and Australia, easing their own sanctions on Burma in order to encourage democratic reforms in the country.
Amid escalating clashes, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has declared war on South Sudan, vowing to retake the region which won its independence last year through an internationally-facilitated referendum. During a rally Wednesday, in a message to South Sudan, President Bashir said: “ Either we end up in Juba and take everything, or you end up in Khartoum and take everything ,” referring to the two countries’ capitals. (See the BBC’s report here , and Xinhua's here ) He also described the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), which has ruled South Sudan since it seceded from Sudan in July...
The U.N Security Council is considering sanctions as a means to quell the fighting between South Sudan and Sudan and to prevent the escalation into a full-scale war. The Security Council has demanded that South Sudan pull its troop out of Sudan and called on Khartoum to end to aerial bombardments. U.S Ambassador to the U.N Susan Rice said "Council members discussed ways to leverage the influence of the council to press the parties to take these steps and included in that a discussion potentially of sanctions." Recent escalation of tensions between the two nations was initiated by Sudan’s...
Photographs of US military officers posing with the corpses of dead Afghan fighters have emerged once again. The photographs, published in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, depict US paratroopers of the 82nd Airbourne Division grinning next to the mangled corpses of Afghan fighters. The US army has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, reports the Los Angeles Times. In a statement, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan C. Crocker, condemned the actions of those involved. Crocker said, "Such actions are morally repugnant, dishonor the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of...
A Libyan military commander is taking legal action against former British foreign secretary Jack Straw, over his rendition to Gaddafi’s Libya. Formerly exiled rebel leader Abdel Hakim Belhadj says that he was kidnapped by CIA agents in Thailand, before being taken to Libya via the UK territory of Diego Garcia. The BBC revealed earlier this month that the UK allowed the rendition of Mr Belhadj and his wife. The Sunday Times has now reported that Jack Straw directly authorised the transfer. Mr Belhadj’s lawyers have now served court papers on Mr Straw to force him to reveal any involvement he...
Australia has become the latest country to ease sanctions against Burma in recognition of efforts at democratic reforms. Foreign Minister Bob Carr has announced the easing of travel and financial restrictions against around 260 Burmese nationals, including President Thein Sein. ''We're easing sanctions after talking to Aung San Suu Kyi and others in the opposition, after talking to the government itself, (and) after talking to other nations," Mr Carr told reporters in London, ahead of a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague. A joint press release by Mr Carr and the Minister for...
Iran is willing to resolve nuclear issues during the next round of talks with world powers if sanctions against it are lifted, said the country's foreign minister on Monday. Iran held nuclear negotiations in Istanbul on Saturday with the USA, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany. Israel’s Prime Minister however felt the talks had gave Iran more time to mature its nuclear program. "My initial impression is that Iran has been given a freebie. It's got five weeks to continue enrichment without any limitation, any inhibition," said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Obama...
The US has followed Australia and the UK in easing pressure against Burma in order to encourage democratic reforms by the government. The US treasury department announced that non-governmental organisations will now be able to carry out some humanitarian, religious and other non-profit activities. Sanctions on sporting activities and "non-commercial development projects directly benefiting the Burmese people" will also be eased. Australia relaxes Burma sanctions (16 Apr 2012) Cameron calls for suspension of Burma sanctions (13 Apr 2012)
Arab League ministers urged the Assad regime to cooperate fully with the UN's ceasefire monitors. In a statement issued at a meeting between the Arab League and Kofi Annan (UN- Arab League special envoy to Syria), the Arab League said, "We request the Syrian government to help observers do their job and allow transport and the ability to reach all areas in Syria, and not to impose conditions on them that prevent them from doing their job."
The UN Security Council voted unanimously in favour of sending a team of upto 30 unarmed military observers to Syria, in order to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire. A further deployment of UN ceasefire monitors was expected Sunday. In a resolution, the Security Council urged the Syrian government to ensure the safety of UN staff. However, the move comes as the Syrian government has pledged a crack down on a wave of 'terrorist attacks', stating that it could not be responsible for the safety any UN monitors unless it is involved in "all steps on the ground". The Assad regime's...