The Diplomatic Times Review

October 28, 2005

Another Diplomatic Offensive Against Iran

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told Israel Radio, according to the BBC, ""We have decided to open a broad diplomatic offensive" against Iran.

"I have called on my counterparts through the world not to turn a blind eye and to stop once and for all the Iranian games," he said.

According to the BBC,

Mr Shalom spoke as thousands of Iranian demonstrators took to the streets for an annual day of protest against Zionism and the state of Israel.
Mr Ahmadinejad, during a brief appearance at the rally, backed his comments, saying that opposition to the existence of Israel had been official state policy since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
"My words were the Iranian nation's words," he told the official Irna news agency.

His initial comment, at a conference in Tehran, prompted Israel's call for the UN to expel Iran and sparked widespread condemnation.

While Israel will undoubtedly launch a diplomatic offensive against Iran, it will be just another in a series of offensive against the Islamic Republic during the past 26 years. Various offensives have taken place since 1979, when the Iranians ended U.S. domination of their country. One of prong of the offensive is to force Iran to end its nuclear program. However, there is no such offensive against Israel, one of the major nuclear powers. There seems to be a concerted effort to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of non-white people, while allowing certain predominantly white or Christian nations to posses them.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)

September 29, 2005

'Karen Hughes’ Mission: Accomplished ... or Not'

Ambassador Karen P. Hughes, the Bush Administration's Undersecretary of State for Public diplomacy and Public Affairs, visited Saudi Arabia September 27, 2005. Ebtihal Mubarak and Summer Islam of Arab News provides an analysis of her futile campaign to win the hearts andminds of Muslims, especially women, for the Bush Administration.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:46 AM | Comments (0)

Turkish Women Confront Hughes Over Iraq War

Washington Post reporter Glenn Kessler, writing from Instanbul, Turkey, said, "A group of Turkish female activists confronted Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes yesterday [September 28, 2005] with heated complaints about the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, turning a session designed to highlight the empowerment of women into a raw display of anger at U.S. policy in the region."

He quoted Hidayet Sefkatli Tuksal, an activist with the Capital City Women's Forum, as saying: "This war is really, really bringing your positive efforts to the level of zero,"

"She said it was difficult to talk about cooperation between women in the United States and Turkey as long as Iraq was under occupation," Mr. Kessler wrote. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:36 AM | Comments (0)

September 23, 2005

Questions About Saudi Foreign Minister's Comments on Iraq

During the State Department's "Daily Press Briefing" on September 23, 2005, Journalists quizzed spokesman Sean McCormack about Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud's contention that:

Iraq is a very dangerous situation and a very threatening situation.The impression is gradually going toward disintegration. There seems to be no dynamic now that is pulling the country together. All the dynamics there are pushing the (Iraqi) people away from each other.

Here, from a State Department transcript, is Mr. McCormack's exchange with journalists on the subject:

MR. MCCORMACK: Libby?

QUESTION: The Saudi Foreign Minister has expressed some concerns about Iraq, both in the papers and I think at the UN. Did he express that in the meeting with the Secretary yesterday and, you know, was that a big sort of topic of their meeting?

MR. MCCORMACK: You know, I have seen the reports of the Saudi Foreign Minister's comments and I think all I would say is that we see a situation in Iraq in which the Iraqi people at every opportunity have chosen to pull together in the political process. There are those that are outside the political process -- terrorists and insurgents. But the vast, vast majority of Iraqis at every point along the continuum, if you go back to discussions in the run-up to approval of the Transitional Administrative Law, all the way through the transfer of sovereignty through the elections on January 30th and through the drafting of the constitution, you've seen the Iraqi people in the political process pull together and come together.

We fully support a unified Iraq. An Iraq that is free, an Iraq that is stable and peaceful and that is what we are working with the Iraqi Government to try to achieve.
There are, you know, again, there are those that are outside the political process and some that will never try to enter the political process and you have to deal with those individuals through force of arms. And we are working with the Iraqi people to train up their security forces to address those individuals. But what we have seen over time is more and more, including in the Sunni community, decide that their future lay in resolving any disagreements they may have through a peaceful political process.

QUESTION: What was the Secretary's reaction though to hearing that come from the Saudi Foreign Minister?

MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah, I'm not going to get into their meeting and whatever diplomatic exchanges they had.

MR. MCCORMACK: I think our reaction is to just outline how we see the situation.

QUESTION: The Foreign Minister shares the goal of unity. He told the Associated Press in a long interview yesterday that he's worried about the harm, as he put it, that might come, the country splitting apart into three parts. He's questioning the effectiveness of what you're doing. He's not questioning the goals. So I guess the question still is, did he question that in talking to the Secretary?

MR. MCCORMACK: Again, Barry, I've seen these remarks. I've seen the interview that he gave to your news organization. And I would only say that what I have done is describe how we see the situation. And what we just -- I'll give you a concrete example -- in just since the January elections, we have seen more than a million Sunnis register.
So what you're -- what is that telling you? That is telling you that even though they, prior to the January 30 elections, as a community decided that they were not going to participate in the political process in those elections. But we have seen since then is a decision by more and more Iraqis that they want to participate in the political process. And what that tells me is that they, the Iraqi people, again, in the face of real challenges -- and I am not trying to undersell the difficulties that the Iraqi people face at this moment in time -- but in the face of that, what they are doing is they are pulling together in the political process. And they are coming to arrangements as to how they organize themselves politically. The relationship of the provinces to the center and a variety of other questions and I think what they deserve is our support. And I would -- one thing that we have encouraged Iraq's neighbors to do is to offer them the political and diplomatic support that the Iraqi people are asking for.

QUESTION: Is that a message to Riyadh to send an ambassador to Iraq?

MR. MCCORMACK: We have encouraged, I think, all of Iraq's neighbors to support Iraq politically and diplomatically in whatever way that they can.
Yes.

QUESTION: So did you find the Saudi Ambassador's comments unhelpful in terms of pushing -- sorry, Foreign Minister --

MR. MCCORMACK: Foreign Minister.

QUESTION: -- in pushing the process forward?

MR. MCCORMACK: I think I've addressed the issue the way that I want to.

QUESTION: Thanks.

MR. MCCORMACK: James.

QUESTION: The question was posed twice not about what our aims are in Iraq, but the question, very simply a yes-or-no question, was whether the comments reported of the Saudi official were the same or matched those that he conveyed privately to Secretary Rice.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)

September 20, 2005

'Africa And the Neocolonial Development Mirage'

Mwalimu George Ngwane notes in an article in The Post Newsline. Com of Cameroon that, "The United Nations Summit of September 14-16, [2005] in New York, has ended without the agenda of Africa's development occupying central debate." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:08 AM | Comments (0)

Africa, China 'to Enhance Cooperation in Consular Affairs'

"China and African countries need to enhance cooperation in consular affairs, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Shen Guofang here Monday," September 19, 2005, reports Xinhua, the official Chinese News Agency.

The agency said, "Shen said in a China-Africa seminar on consular affairs that China and Africa, in recent years, have enjoyed growing cooperation, frequent personnel exchanges, and rapid development in consular relations."

"China has established nine consular agencies in six African countries, namely, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon and Madagascar," Xinhua reported, adding: "African countries set up more than 30 consular and honorary consular agencies on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, Shen noted."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:54 AM | Comments (0)

September 15, 2005

Yemen Recalls 38 Diplomats

Khaled Al-Mahdi of Arab News reported September 15, 2005 that, "Yemen has recalled 38 diplomats working in its foreign missions as part of a move aimed to reform the country's diplomatic representation and boost its image abroad." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)

September 14, 2005

Bush Addresses UN High-Level Plenary Meeting

On September 14, 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush addressed the UN High-Level Plenary Meeting. Here's a White House transcript of that address.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)

Bush's Address to the United Nations Security Council

Here is a White House transcript of U.S. President George W. Bush's September 14, 2005, "address to the United Nations Security Council.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)

September 07, 2005

Speculating over Whether Syria's al-Assad Will Visit New York

Syria Comment.Com has interesting speculation on whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with attend the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:21 AM | Comments (0)

Pakistan, Israel Ties Go Back Decades

Agence France Press (AFP) and other news outlets reported today that, "Pakistan and Israel engaged in secret diplomacy for decades before embarking on historic talks in Turkey last week, reports quoted Pakistan's foreign minister as saying."

AFP said, "Khurshid Kasuri was reportedly speaking after meeting his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom in Istanbul on Thursday [September 1, 2005], the first official high-level contact since the two countries were formed almost six decades ago."

Why would anyone be surprised by this? Muslim and Arab governments have long had some contacts with Israel while condemning Israel for its colonial treatment of the Palestinians. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:13 AM | Comments (0)

September 01, 2005

Musharraf' to Address Council of World Jewry

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf' "plans to address leaders of the Jewish community in the United States at an interfaith meeting organized by the Council for World Jewry, during his visit to New York later this month to attend the U.N. General Assembly," according to Reuters.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)

Israeli, Pakistani Foreign Ministers Hold Talks

Reuters, like many news outlets, reported September 1, 2005 that, "Israel held its first public talks with Pakistan on Thursday [ September 1, 2005 ]and Jordan's king was expected to visit the Jewish state soon in signs of a thaw with the Muslim world after its evacuation of Jewish settlers from Gaza."

The wire service said, "Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and his Pakistani counterpart Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri met in Istanbul for the first high-level contacts between their two countries despite their lack of diplomatic ties." Here's more.

Also see Ynetnews' "Israel, Pakistan to establish ties

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:30 AM | Comments (0)

August 20, 2005

Dhanapala Turns Down Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Portfolio

According to ColomboPage, the Sri Lanka Internet newspaper, career diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala, head of the Peace Secretariat, has reportedly declined an offer made by President Chandrika Kumaratunga for the vacant Foreign Minister portfolio."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:25 PM | Comments (1)

August 18, 2005

Bolton Lauds Release of Moroccan Prisoners of War

On August 18, 2005, John R. Bolton, the controversial U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, issued a statement on the release of 404 Moroccan Prisoners of war held by the POLISARIO Front in Algeria, for the past 20 years.

During his contentions confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April 2005, Mr. Bolton mentioned his work with Special Envoy James Baker in the effort to bring the Algerian and Moroccan Governments to an agreement on the Western Sahara conflict.

For an excellent account of his testimony on this subject, see John Bolton And The Western Sahara

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)

August 15, 2005

Indonesia Free Aceh Movement Sign Peace Pact

The Jakarta Post noted in its August 15, 2005 edition that, "The Indonesian government and Aceh rebels on Monday [August 15, 2005] signed a peace treaty to end nearly 30 years of fighting in the oil-and gas-rich province [of Aceh] that has killed 15,000 people." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:25 AM | Comments (0)

Finnish Observers First Into Aceh to Monitor Peace Accord

Helsingin Samomat of Finland reported August 15, 2005 that

A group of Finns are the first of a group of international observers of the peace treaty between the Indonesian government and the separatist movement in the province of Aceh. The 12 Finnish observers arrived in the province on Friday [August 13, 2005] . The treaty was signed in Finland on Monday [August 15, 2005]. The European Union and five Asian countries are sending a total of 220 civilian observers to Aceh.

The publication said, "A number of the Finns have moved on to more remote areas to set up offices and to take care of other practical preparations."

For more, see "Finnish observers to be first into Aceh to monitor peace."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:08 AM | Comments (0)

August 10, 2005

U.S. Drops Demand That Taya Be Restored to Power

The Bush Administration has "dropped its demand that the ousted Mauritanian president be restored" and said on Tuesday [August 9, 2005] it was now dealing with the coup's leaders to persuade them to find a constitutional transition of power," according to Reuters.

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters August 9, 2005: "The guys running the country right now are the guys we're dealing with because they're the ones making the decisions and we are trying to get them to make the right decision." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:45 AM | Comments (0)

August 08, 2005

Iran Rejects Threats and Resumes Nuclear Activities

The Tehran Times reported August 9, 2005 that, "Iran officially resumed nuclear activities at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility on Monday, [August 8, 2005]." Mohammad Saeedi , Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Deputy Director, made the announcement at the Isfahan plant shortly after activities commenced.

The Times also reported that, "On Monday, Iran also officially rejected the European Union nuclear proposals, calling them unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry announced."

The EU and the United States are trying to force Iran to abandon its nuclear activities under the threat of sanctions. No such pressure has been put on Israel, which reportedly has several nuclear weapons.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)

August 02, 2005

Can U.S. Prevent Sudanese Peace Pact From Unraveling?

Robin Wright at The Washington Post reported August 2, 2005 that, "The Bush administration yesterday dispatched two senior State Department officials for talks with rival factions in Khartoum and southern Sudan to prevent Sudan's fragile peace from unraveling after Vice President John Garang's death in a helicopter crash."

Can the U.S. work miracles in this situation? We shall see. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:11 AM | Comments (0)

August 01, 2005

Can John Bolton Be Diplomatic?

Howard LaFranchi, staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor, says now that U.S. President George W. Bush has made John R. Bolton U.S. Ambassador to the United nation, "The question now is whether Bolton, who has caused even U.S. allies like the British to express private concerns in the past about his diplomatic skills, will be impaired in his ability to press the US case for UN reform."

Some observers predict that he will be a disaster, while others say he is the kind of man the U.S. needs at the U.N. Time will tell. See "Bolton's next hurdle: spurring UN reform" for more of the Monitor'sanalysis

Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)

July 31, 2005

Obasanjo Lobbys Caricom For Support in Security Council Bid

During his July 30, 2005 speech to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told hist hosts, "We also hope that you [Trinidad] will prevail on other members of the Caricom to see the advantage of having a country like Nigeria on the Security Council."

Mr. Obasanjo will make a similar appeal in Jamaica on August 1, 2005. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:10 PM | Comments (0)

U.S. Diplomat Postpones Trip to Uzbekistan

The July 31, 2005 edition of The New York Times has an article that says Nicholas Burns, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, is postponing a trip to Uzbekistan in the wake of that Central Asian nation giving the United States six months to leave Karshi-Khanabad air base.

The base, according to Reuters "has served as a hub for missions to Afghanistan and the hunt for Osama bin Laden since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States."

Mr. Burns is the third ranking diplomat in the U.S. State Department..

Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)

Uzbekistan Gives U.S. Six Months to Leave Karshi-Khanabad

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty notes in a July 31, 2005 article on its website that,

U.S. officials have confirmed that they have been asked to withdraw all U.S. military forces from the Karshi-Khanabad air base in southern Uzbekistan, which has served as a hub for U.S.-led coalition missions in Afghanistan since shortly after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck said the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent received a diplomatic note on 29 July about the presence of U.S. military forces in Uzbekistan. The note calls for the termination of the bilateral agreement between Washington and Tashkent that had allowed U.S. forces to be based at the so-called K-2 airfield since late 2001. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty added: "Some military experts have said the development increases the strategic importance of the Bagram Air Field north of Kabul. U.S. military engineers have been building up the infrastructure at Bagram for more than three years," the website said. "They say the clearing of unexploded ordnance and the expansion of runway space at Bagram during the past 18 months could allow that facility to be used more extensively when the last U.S. soldiers leave K-2." Here's more analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

July 29, 2005

Bush Says U.S.-India Pact Won't Harm Pakistan

Hindustan Times.com notes in its July 29, 2005 edition that,

US President George Bush on Thursday [July 28, 2005] assured his Pakistan counterpart Pervez Musharraf that the US-India defence pact was not directed against Islamabad and that Washington will not allow the balance of power in South Asia to be disturbed.

The publication said, "The assurance came in a 30-minute telephonic talk between the two leaders" on July 28, 2005. "They exchanged views on various matters, including peace and security in the region and strengthening and sustaining cooperation in the war against terror," Hindustan Times said.

Pakistan would be unwise to accept such assurances at face value. India is more valuable to the U.S. than Pakistan will ever be.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 28, 2005

Karen Hughes' 'Daunting Task'

The Voice of America has told its foreign listeners July 27, 2005 that Karen Hughes, President George W. Bush's choice for Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, faces a daunting task. Here's why.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ronald Neumann: Afghanistan's New Viceroy

During his July 27, 2005 swearing-in ceremony at the State Department, Ronald E. Neumann, who replaced Zalmay Khalizad as the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, said "

The struggle in which we are contending is not a clash between civilizations; rather, it is a clash within Islam that seeks to remove our influence so that it can impose by force a narrow view that would restrict human freedom and progress throughout the Islamic world.

"It is a view of Islam that has been repeatedly rejected by Muslim scholars, and much rests on our success in Afghanistan. And I am honored to help lead a team of courageous and dedicated civilian and military personnel towards securing Afghanistan's long-term security, democracy and prosperity.Mr. Khalizad, the previous viceroy of Afghanistan, made similar remarks about security in Afghanistan.

Mr. Neumann's enforcer in Afghanistan is Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan.

By the way, I wonder whether those "Muslim scholars" Mr. Neumann makes reference to are among "the CIA paid mullahs and fake Islamic religious leaders" that Ronald Kessler mentions in his book, "The CIA at War: Inside the Secret Campaign Against Terror."

He revealed that after Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S., the CIA created Islamic religious leaders to preach what the agency wanted them to preach in an effort to counter strong, anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world. That sentiment is the result of U.S. Middle East policies, especially its Palestinian and Iraqi policies.

Meanwhile, Karen Hughes, President George W. Bush's choice for undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, will try to counter that sentiment. Like Margaret D. Tutwiler and others before her, she will fail.

According to the April 30, 2004 issue of The New York Times, "Ms. Tutwiler's predecessor in the job was Charlotte Beers, a former New York advertising executive, who resigned" in March 2003. "At the White House, another official responsible for the administration's international message, Tucker Eskew, quit after about a year.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 26, 2005

Hu Jintao's 'Season of Diplomacy'

A China Daily article published by People's Daily Online argues that Chinese President Hu Jintao's season of diplomacy demonstrates fresh international affairs strategies." Here's more on the subject.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Greece Sets Targets For Economic Diplomacy

The Athens News Agency reported July 27, 2005 that, Greek "Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis on Wednesday [July 27, 2005] outlined the government's targets for economic diplomacy and stressed the climate of cooperation between the government and Greek business, during the presentation of a new Internet portal providing businesses with information on new markets." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Greece To Enhance Economic Diplomacy

Kathimirini, "Greece's International English language newspaper," said "After becoming the only Balkan country so far to join the European Union, Greece is now shifting its weight to economic diplomacy in an effort to further develop its role in the region and feed its companies with high growth rates."

The publication said, "Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis" said July 20, 2005 that "Greece will more actively involve its embassies in the region and around the world in the promotion of Greek products and exports." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Committee Approves Karen Hughes For U.S. Public Diplomacy Post

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 26, 2005 "unanimously approved the nomination of Karen Hughes, a former political adviser to President George W. Bush, as the U.S. State Department's top public relations official," according to the Associated Press (AP).

The AP said, "The Senate is expected to complete the confirmation process this week before leaving for its August recess." The wire service said Ms. Hughes' "main assignment as Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs is to reverse anti-American sentiment around the world."

That can only be done by a change to a more cooperative and less coercive U.S. foreign policy, especially in Muslim nations. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 24, 2005

'John Bolton, R.I.P'

"John R. Bolton will never be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations" predicts Robert George in a July 23, 2005 post at Ragged Thots headlined "John Bolton, R.I.P. Thanks to The Washington Note's Steve Clemons for highlighting the post by the former "speech-writer/wordsmith to House Speaker Newt Gingrich."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 23, 2005

Was John Bolton A Judith Miller Source on Iraqi WMDs?

On July 22, 2005, Steve Clemons, proprietor of The Washington Note (TWN), which has relentlessly covered the confirmation hearings on John R. Bolton, President George W. Bush's controversial nominee to be the U.S.' next ambassador to the United Nations, reported in a "scoop" that, "TWN has just learned from a highly placed source -- and in the right place to know -- that John Bolton was a regular source for Judith Miller's New York Times WMD and national security reports."

"The source did not have any knowledge on whether Bolton was one of Miller's sources on the Valerie Plame story she was preparing, but argues that he was a regular source otherwise.
It's all "thickening," Mr. Clemons wrote.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Anne Patterson Is Still Acting U.S. Envoy To The U.N.

The Arkansas News Bureau (ANB) reported July 22, 2005 that, "Anne Woods Patterson, a Fort Smith, Arkansas native serving as the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday [July 21, 2005] she is prepared to remain on the job at least until a replacement is confirmed by the Senate."

Ms. Patterson "has been in that job in New York since January while the Senate has been deadlocked over the controversial nomination of John Bolton," ANB said.

According to ANB, "Patterson said she would stay at the United Nations as long as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wants her. But she said she did not know whether she would be staying once a new ambassador wins confirmation."

"It's often the case that people bring in their own team," Ms. Patterson said, ANB reported. "But we'll just see what happens over the next few weeks." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 17, 2005

China Uses Diplomacy, Aid To Secure Access To Oil

Los Angeles Times correspondent, Mark Magnier, writing from Beijing, says "China is dispatching legions of diplomats, surveyors and engineers across the globe to help quench the Middle Kingdom's insatiable thirst for energy." He also wrote:

During the last two years, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have taken oil executives on trips to oil-rich countries from Algeria to Uzbekistan to seal major deals. The government in Beijing has welcomed top officials from all 11 members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. A major point of a trip Hu made to Moscow this month was to secure access to Russia's vast reserves.Chinese crews are building roads in Africa in exchange for the right to extract oil from remote regions. Viewers in Saudi Arabia, a nation that U.S. oil firms once had to themselves, now watch Chinese programs on satellite TV as China drills into Saudi sands. China is also taking advantage of tensions between the Bush administration and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to wrest oil from one of the largest U.S. suppliers.

"To secure deals worth tens of billions of dollars," Mr. Magnier said in his July 17, 2005 dispatch, "Beijing is cozying up to regimes in nations, including Iran and Sudan, that Washington labels pariahs. And it is flexing its military muscle to lay claim to contested fields in East Asia.China's aggressive search is putting it in growing competition with the United States, the world's largest oil consumer. Some observers even warn of a possible showdown between the two economic giants."

If it's a military showdown, it will likely involve nuclear weapons. Some Chinese military officials are willing to use them, while others diplomatically disavow the use of such weapons.

See "China Stakes Claim for Global Oil Access" for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)

Jaafari, Khatami Hold Talks On Iraq, Iran Relations

"Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari met and held talks with President Mohammad Khatami here on Sunday [July 17, 2005]," according to a July 18, 2005 report at Tehran Times.com.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:26 PM | Comments (0)

Does Egypt Need To Reasses Its Iraq Policy?

Egyptian journalist Dina Ezzat asks in the July 14-20 edition of the weekly"Al-Ahram (The Pyramid): "Does Egypt need to re-address its policy on Iraq?" See "Tense Ties For Now," to read the results of her investigation.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2005

Egypt Asks Iraq to Explain Statement About Ihab al-Sherif

"Egypt has asked for an explanation" after Iraqi officials reportedly said Ihab al-Sherif, the assassinated Egyptian envoy to Baghdad "had been in touch with militants," the BBC reported July 9, 2005

"The suggestions that Ihab al-Sherif had contacted rebels before his abduction and killing "astonished" Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit," the BBC said, noting that, "An Iraqi spokesperson had reportedly said the fact that Sherif left home without guards suggested such contacts."

For more, see "Iraq envoy 'remarks' anger Egypt."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)

Rice Makes 4th Trip To Beijing Since January

"U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice arrived here [in Beijing] Saturday evening [July 9, 2005] for her second China visit in four months since she took office in January [2005]," according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)

Iran Condemns Killing of Egyptian Diplomat

"Iran on Friday [July 8, 2005] condemned the killing of Egypt's envoy to Iraq by Al-Qaeda militants and offered condolences to the Egyptian government and people," according to IranMania.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying:."The kidnap and murder of the Egyptian diplomat is a blatant example of terrorism." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)

July 08, 2005

Pakistan To Seek Closer Ties With African Nations

Pakistan Link reported July 8, 2005 that Pakistan's foreign minister, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, said "Pakistan is planning to undertake more initiatives to promote closer collaboration with Africa in diverse fields including exchange of high-level visits, expanding technical assistance and opening more diplomatic missions."

Mr. Kasuri made the announcement at an African Day function in Islamabad "organized by the African Union. It was "attended by a large number of diplomats from African, European and other countries including USA, Britain, Canada, China, India, Turkey," according to Pakistan Link. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)

July 06, 2005

Secretary of State Rice To Visit Asia July 8-13, 2005

"U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to China, Thailand and the Republic of Korea and Japan from July 8th to July 13th," Sean McCormack, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, announced during the State Department press briefing on July 5, 2005.

"During her stops in each country," he said, "Secretary Rice will meet with senior government officials for discussions of political, economic issues of bilateral concern as well as global and regional matters of mutual interest such as the North Korean nuclear issue, cooperation on fighting terrorism and transnational crimes, and tsunami recovery and reconstruction efforts."

Click here to read questions and answers surrounding the visit.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Will Africans Take A Beggar's Plan To G8 Summit?

Officials of the 53-nation African Union meeting in Sirte, Libya "unanimously adopted a common position to take to the [31st] G8 meeting," according to David White of the FT.com of London. Writing from London, he said the leaders "called for a sweeping programme of debt write-off throughout the continent, going well beyond the plans agreed by the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations ahead of their summit this week."

The G8 Summit will be held July 6-8, 2005 in Gleneagle Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland.

According to Reuters, the AU leaders said in a resolution:

We request the developed countries and development partners to expedite the process of total debt cancellation for Africa by the year 2007.

We call on the international community to establish a fair and equitable trading system and to facilitate Africa's access to fair markets through ... the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers ... and trade distorting subsidies and domestic support, especially in agriculture.

"Seven African government leaders - from South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and Ethiopia - are due to attend the G8 meeting, along with the head of the AU commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré," according to F T.com .

See "African Union debt demand set to test G8 plans" for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

AU Wants Two Permanent Seats On UN Security Council

Richard Mantu of BuaNews, the South African government news service, reported July 5, 2005, that "African leaders have endorsed the Ezulwini Consensus, which proposes two permanent and five non-permanent seats for Africa in the reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC)."

The plan is quite ambitious but is unlikely to gather much support outside Africa.

See "AU leaders endorse two African seats on the United Nations Security Council" for more on the AU position.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Kenya Campaigns For Seat On Security Council

Kenyan Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere let it be known at a ministerial meeting of the African Union in Sirte, Libya, that Kenya was a candidate for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council if and when it is reformed, reports The Standard of Kenya.

"Our position is that we are a candidate," he told the paper, according to a July 5, 2005 report. "We believe we have the right credentials and we are confident that when the time comes we can get it."

Africa is demanding two seats on a reformed council while some Asian nations want a rotating membership to prevent a new member from being more powerful than non-permanent members.

See "Kenya intensifies bid for UN top seat" for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 05, 2005

'Diplomats Under The Magnifying Glass'

"Diplomats rarely make it into the media spotlight, unless they represent countries of key interest - or until they are involved in a public scandal," according to The Slovak Spectator.

"For example," the publication said in a July 4, 2005 editorial, "the media virtually ignored the former Greek ambassador to Slovakia until he was temporarily withdrawn after being arrested in Greece for carrying illegal weapon. Understandably, Greece does not relish this kind of attention."

See "Diplomats under the magnifying glass" for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Attacks On Envoys And Iraq's Foreign Relations

Christian Science Monitor staff writer Dan Murphy reports in the July 6, 2005 edition that, "Attacks on senior Arab and Pakistani diplomats in Baghdad over the past week not only underscore the fact that the city remains one of the most dangerous in the world but are likely to complicate Iraq's efforts to enhance foreign relations, especially within the Muslim world."

See "Steady violence threatens Iraq's diplomatic relations" for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Moussa: Attacks On Arab Diplomats In Iraq Harms Relations

"Threatening the security of Arab diplomats ..." in Iraq " serves the interest of those attempting to severe Iraqi-Arab ties or to isolate the country from the Arab world," MENA, the official Egyptian news agency quoted Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa as saying on July 5, 2005.

Mr. Moussa was referring to the July 3, 2005 abduction in Baghdad of Egyptian Charge dAffaires Ihab al-Sherif and the July 5, 2005 shooting of Bahrain's envoy Hassan al-Ansari in an unsuccessful abduction attempt.. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Pakistan's Ambassador To Iraq Shifted To Amman

Pakistan's ambassador to Iraq, Younis Khan, "will be shifted to the Jordanian capital Amman," according to Agence France Press, citing Pakistani foreign ministry.

He was the target of a July 5, 2005 assassination attempt. It was the third attack in four days on a foreign diplomat in Baghdad. More attacks are expected as Iraqi insurgents try to prevent ambassadors from Muslim countries from taking up residence in U.S. occupied Iraq. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 18, 2005

Pakistan: Khalilzad's Statement on Mullah Omar 'Irresponsible'

The Gulf Daily News, which bills itself as the "Voice of Bahrain," said "the outgoing US ambassador to Afghanistan," Zalmay Khalilzad, "has said there is a good chance Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar is hiding in Pakistan and accused Islamabad of failing to act against fugitive Taliban leaders."

Pakistan described the comments by Mr. Khalilzad, who has been confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, as "irresponsible."

The publication said, Mr. Khalilzad "had asked an interviewer why a Pakistani television channel could conduct an interview with a senior Taliban commander, Mullah Akhtar Usmani, broadcast on Wednesday [June 15, 2005], at a time when Pakistani officials claimed they did not know the whereabouts of Taliban leaders."

"If a TV station can get in touch with them, how can the intelligence service of a country which has nuclear bombs and a lot of security and military forces not find them?" Mr. Khalilzad is quoted as saying in an interview with Afghanistan's Aina television. Here's more. Also see "Mullah Omar in Pakistan: Khalilzad."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 08, 2005

Khalilzad Says He Won't Be 'A Prisoner' In Iraq's Green Zone

"Zalmay Khalilzad, President Bush's choice to be the next ambassador to Iraq, vowed yesterday [June 7, 2005] not become "a prisoner in the green zone" and said Iraq's Arab neighbors must do more to help Baghdad," according to The Washington Times. Why? They didn't destroy Iraq. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 01, 2005

Iraq's 'Foreign Minister' to Meet With Rice June 1

"Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari meets U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Wednesday [June 1, 2005] in Washington for talks on the situation in war-torn Iraq," according to the Voice of America.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 28, 2005

Russia, China Scheduled to Sign Border Pact June 2, 2005

"The Russian and Chinese foreign ministers will exchange instruments of ratification of the bilateral additional border agreement on June 2, [2005] said a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry," according to Ria Novosti.

"According to him," the Russian news and information agency said, "it will happen in Vladivostok, Russia's Pacific port, where the Russian and Chinese ministers will meet separately on the sidelines of the Russian, Chinese and Indian foreign ministers' meeting." The agreement "was signed in Beijing on October 14, 2004 during Vladimir Putin's visit to China," noted Ria Novosti and noted that "the State Duma (Russia's lower house) ratified the additional agreement" May 20, 2005 "followed by the approval of the Federation Council (upper house)."Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

China Ratifies Border Treaty With Russia

MosNews.Com reported May 28, 2005 that China has announced the ratification of a treaty pertaining to its eastern border with Russia. The treaty "was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China in October 2004," according to MosNews.Com. Here's more. Here's the People's Daily report on the treaty.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 25, 2005

Will China and Japan Ever Settle Their Differences?

Matthew Clark of The Christian Science Monitor says, "When it comes to the ongoing row between China and Japan, it seems that even fence-mending trips are doomed to end with very public, high-level displays of disagreement." Read why.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 23, 2005

Giving Away Afghanistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai to President George W. Bush during a May 23, 2005 press conference in the East Room of the White House:

We have been talking with your officials in Afghanistan and have conveyed to you through your embassy and government the desire of the Afghan people to have a strategic partnership with America, because after the completion of the parliamentary elections, the Bonn process will come to an end. From that point onward, we would like the world to recognize that with the completion of the Bonn process and the arrival of the Afghan parliament, Afghanistan will not suddenly stand on its own feet. Politically, we will have done the process -- politically, we will have completed the process, but in terms of the institutional strength, Afghanistan will continue to need a lot of support.

And I'm glad that you signed with me today a memorandum of understanding on the long-term partnership between Afghanistan and the United States of America, which will make sure that Afghanistan continues to receive reconstruction assistance, which will make sure that Afghanistan continues to receive training from the U.S. for its military and the police, and which will enable Afghanistan to stand on its own feet eventually and be a good, active member of the region, contributing to peace and stability in the region, and be a bridge between various parts of that part of the world for trade and values.I suspect the Afghan people are like the American people. Most don't know what the hell their leader is doing in their name. I predict that in a few years, Afghans will attack U.S. military facilities in Afghanistan the way they attacked the Soviets during the Soviet Union's invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Abbas Expected to Ask Bush for Economic and Political Support

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters on May 21, 2005 that the Palestinians will ask President George W. Bush "about the American position on starting implementation of the road map [for peace] after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza," reports Agence France Presse (AFP).

According to AFP, he made the statement in Ramallah after he returned "from a summit with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh." Mr. Abbas said the Palestinians will ask Mr. Bush to ensure the roadmap "is implemented."

In addition, Mr. Abbas said the Palestinians "will also ask Bush for political support for our position on the Palestinian problem, and for economic support as soon as possible." He is scheduled to meet with Mr. Bush at the White House on May 26, 2005. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi Suddenly Cancels Meeting With Koizumi

"Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi canceled a meeting scheduled for Monday [May 23, 2005] with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi due to a "sudden duty" in China, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said, according to a <1>Kyodo News article published in Japan Today.

"The other side sought to have the meeting so we thought it would be a good opportunity," Mr. Koizumi is quoted as saying. "I have no idea why it was canceled. I would meet with them anytime."

The report said, "the cancellation was made a day after Chinese President Hu Jintao complained during a meeting with top Japanese lawmakers in Beijing about Mr. Koizumi's visits to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo," according to Kyodo News.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 22, 2005

Is Bush Cabinet Divided Over How to Treat Mahmoud Abbas?

Haaretz correspondents Aluf Benn and Arnon Regular reported May 22, 2005 that, "the U.S. administration is divided on what sort of gesture to make to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who is to meet with President George W. Bush on Thursday [May 26, 2005] at the White House, according to reports from Washington." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Organization of Islamic Conference to Meet in Islamabad

The Indo-Asia News Service reported May 22, 2005 that, "Pakistan is to host an international meet" in Islamabad "next week on revitalizing the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to make it an effective interlocutor with the UN, the US and the rest of the world."

"The two-day second and final meeting of the Commission of Eminent Persons (CEP) will begin here [in Islamabad ] on May 28 to finalize recommendations for restructuring and revitalizing the 57-member OIC," the report said. "Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will inaugurate the meeting, which Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar will chair. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu will also participate in the meeting," the news service said. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 21, 2005

International Conference on Iraq Set for June 22 in Brussells

"An international conference sponsored by the United States and the European Union on rebuilding Iraq will take place in Brussels {Belgium] on June 22, 2005 EU officials said Friday [May 20, 2005]," according to The Associated Press. The wire service said, "the one-day conference is expected to draw foreign ministers from the 25-nation EU, the United States, Iraq and its neighbors." The AP's source was "a senior EU diplomat." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 20, 2005

Turkey Opposes Expanding U.N. Security Council

"Turkey announced on Tuesday [May 17, 2005] that it is opposed to a proposal to enlarge the United Nations Security Council," according to an article in The Journal of Turkish Weekly.

The article, which was first published in The New Anatolian, noted that, "Germany, Japan, India, and Brazil, all of whom are seeking permanent membership on the council, late on Monday [May 16, 2005] began circulating a draft resolution that would expand the number of council seats from 15 to 25."

The report said, "according to Turkish diplomatic sources in New York, Turkey is acting together with a group led by Italy and Pakistan which is against increasing the number of permanent seats on the UN Security Council." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 18, 2005

Pakistan's Special Envoy, Nasim Zehra, to Visit Latin America

"Nasim Zehra, Pakistan's Special Envoy on Security Council reform, is due to set out for Latin America on May 23 on an 11-day trip that will take her to three countries," reports Khalid Hasan of the Daily Times of Pakistan. "Ms Zehra, currently engaged in research at Harvard, was to have gone earlier this month but had to put off her mission because of indisposition," the report said. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 17, 2005

Iran's Kharrazi Dismisses Link Between His Baghdad Visit and Rice's

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported May 18, 2005 that, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi dismissed on May 17, 2005 "any suggestions of a link between his trip to Baghdad and U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice's visit to Iraq."

"My trip to Iraq has been in planning for a long time and before the visit by Rice," Iraqi state Television quoted Mr. Kharrazi as saying, according to IRNA.

IRNA said Mr. Kharrazi "also brushed aside allegations that Iran is trying to use the Iraqi situation to settle difference with the U.S."

"We do not want to use Iraq as a springboard to iron-out our differences with U.S." Mr. Kharrazi is quoted as saying. "Iran is keen to assist Iraq not because of U.S. whims, but due to the long standing and historical relations with the Iraqi nation, Kharrazi underlined," according to IRNA. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

China: G-4 Resolution Detrimental to Securiy Council Reform

"China on Tuesday [May 17, 2005] said the draft resolution circulated by Germany, Japan, Brazil and India on the U.N. Security Council expansion will be "detrimental" to the process of UN reform," according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.

"To take such a move hastily will only intensify contradictions," Xinhua quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan as saying. China said "great divergence remains among U.N. member countries." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Four Nations Make Pitch for U.N. Security Council Seats

"Japan, Brazil, Germany and India circulated a draft resolution Monday [May 16, 2005 that would expand the U.N. Security Council from 15 to 25 members and give the four countries permanent seats along with two African nations," reports Japan Times. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 07, 2005

South Africa, Nigeria Join Forces on Security Council Seat for Africa

"South Africa and Nigeria will "work together" to secure the two permanent seats for Africa in the reformed United Nations Security Council," according to a report at allAfrica.Com.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Kharrazi: Iran Waiting for the EU's Reply to its Proposal

IranMania notes in a May 7, 2005 report that Islamic Republic of Iran "Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said in a May 6, 2005 interview with the U.S.-based PBS TV" that, "Iran has proposed new ideas regarding its peaceful nuclear programs in talks with the EU3 (Germany, France and Britain) and is still waiting for (the) Europeans' reply." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

'Foreign Relations' Top Concern Among Influential Americans

"New data from NOP World's Roper Public Affairs" indicates that, "foreign relations ranks as the number one concern among "Influential Americans" -- the 10% of the population who drive what the other 90% think, do and buy," according to PRNewswire report on the findings. The report says:

More than half (52%) of Influential Americans say they are "personally concerned" about United States foreign relations, hitting an all time high, up from 45% in 2004, 40% in 2003 and 28% in 2002. In fact, Influential Americans are nearly twice as likely to be concerned about foreign affairs as the general population.

Brad Fay, Managing Director of NOP World's Roper Public Affairs, is quoted as saying,"Influential Americans are exactly the people who Senators and Congressmen hear from first, which could be one reason Senators are taking a closer look at the pending nomination of a US ambassador to the United Nations. In three decades of research, this is the highest level of concern about the state of our foreign relations we've seen among these vocal Influential Americans." Here's more on this important subject.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

U.S. Encouraging Rapprochement Between Turkey and Armenia

Laura Kennedy, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, said on May 4, 2005 that, the Bush Administration supported Turkey and Armenia's attempts at "rapprochement and reconciliation." The neighbors don't have diplomatic ties. Here's more on the subject

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in Winning Friends for the U.S.

"Christopher Merrill, director of the University of Iowa International Writing Program, will speak on "The Role of Cultural Diplomacy is Winning Back Friends for the U.S." at the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) luncheon at noon Wednesday, May 11, 2005, according to I-Newswire.Com. Here's the press release.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

India, Pakistan and Film diplomacy

The Economic Times of India reports that, "after cricket diplomacy, it's now film diplomacy that appears to be at the forefront" of Indian-Pakistani ties. "With the first Indian film Bullet, Ek Dhamaka running in theaters there, two other Indian distributors are negotiating with the Pakistan government to get approval for releases," the publication said. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:24 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

China Refuses U.S. Request to Cut-off Oil to North Korea

On April 26, 2005 Assistant Secretary of State Christopher R. Hill asked Chinese officials ... to cut off North Korea's supply of oil as a way of pressuring the government to return to disarmament talks," reports The Washington Post in its May 7, 2005 edition. "But the Chinese rebuffed the idea, saying it would damage their pipeline, according to U.S. officials briefed on the talks," the paper said. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 06, 2005

Vietnam's Prime Minister Scheduled to Visit Bush June 21, 2005

Phan Van Khai, the prime minister of Vietnam, will meet with U.S. President George W. Bush on June 21, 2005, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick confirmed on May 6, 2005 in Hanoi. See Japan Today for more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

U.S. Supports Japan's Security Council Bid

"U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns reaffirmed U.S. backing of Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, saying Japan is the only nation that Washington supports," according to a Kyodo News report published in Japan Today. "Burns also underlined the U.S. wish to see progress on the council's reform by September." The U.S. has asked China not to block Japan's bid. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Moscow to Bush: Keep Out of Our Back Yard

Jeremy Page, the Times Online of London's Moscow correspondent, reported on May 7, 2005 that, "Russia has lodged an official protest" over U.S. President George W. Bush's "decision to combine his trip to Moscow on Monday [May 9. 2005] with visits to Latvia and Georgia."

"Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, wrote a letter of complaint to Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, shortly after the new itinerary was announced, according to U.S. officials," The Times told its readers, adding: "The Russians are angry at what they see as the expansion of American influence in countries on their border. However, Dr. Rice, a former Russia specialist, is reported to have written back that Mr. Bush would visit whichever countries he pleased." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 03, 2005

Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick to Visit Six Asian Nations May 2-11

"U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick will review post-tsunami reconstruction efforts as well as bilateral economic and security issues in his upcoming trip to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore" May 2-11, 2005, according to the Washington File, a State Department publication. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 01, 2005

Syria to Restore Diplomatic Ties With Iraq

"Foreign ministers of countries bordering Iraq gathered in Turkey's commercial center, Istanbul, Saturday, [April 30, 2005],where they expressed support for the new government in Baghdad, and called on all Iraqi groups to participate in the country's fledgling democracy," according to Politinfo.Com. "Syria's foreign minister announced that his country was restoring relations with Iraq," the publication note. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 28, 2005

Annan Wants Security Council's Big Five to Keep Sole Veto power

"United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday [April 28, 2005] that new members should not expect to get veto powers if the Security Council was expanded," reports Iftikhar Gilani in the Daily Times of Pakistan. That means the five permanent members will continue to dictate to other nations. It also mean that no African or Latin American nation will be able to veto any measures the five permanents bring before the Security Council unlike the U.S., Asia and Europe. Europe should have only one member, as far as I'm concerned. It has three, if Russia is included.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 26, 2005

What Mendicant Diplomacy?

Joseph Britt, who is ably posting for Gregory Djerejian at The Belgravia Dispatch while Mr. Dejerjian takes a break from blogging, had this to says about President George W. Bush asking the Saudis for help in lowering oil prices:

Just in case this hasn't occurred to anyone else I thought I'd point out that the idea of a President of the United States having to approach foreign governments hat in hand asking for favors is thoroughly offensive, barring some grave emergency. First it was the Chinese two weeks ago over their weak-yuan policy, and today it is the Saudis over oil production levels and the idea that they might invest in refineries here in the United States.

Counting on other governments to bail ours out of problems it is unwilling to address seriously itself is an abdication, not a policy. As the poet might have said if he'd been even a tad bit wonkish, "oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to never propose anything that might be seriously unpopular and damage our approval ratings." All right, so I wasn't an English major, but you get the idea. My response to Mr. Britt's post was:

In recent years, the Saudis have frequently bailed the U.S. out when oil prices reached a level that is politically dangerous. In fact, the U.S. is not as self-sufficient as many of us think. We've always depended on the resources and actions of others. The same goes for other nations. The difference is that the wheeling and dealing goes on behind the scenes. If negotiations don't work, then threats come into play. I think I'd rather pump more oil to lower oil prices rather than face the threat of a U.S. inspired political movement or sanctions. By publicly asking the Saudis to help lower oil prices, knowing they are going to cooperate by pumping more oil, allows everyone involved to save face.

Mr. Britt's post resulted in a variety of responses. Read them here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 21, 2005

Abbas Expected to Visit Washington in mid-May 2005

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit Washington in mid-May 2005 for talks with President George W. Bush, U.S. officials and diplomatic sources said on April 21, 2005, according to Reuters.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

How Kommersant Reported Rice's Current Visit to Russia

Kommersant correspondents Mikhail Zygar and Leonid Gankin, in an April 21, 2005 report on Condoleeza Rice's first visit to Russia as U.S. Secretary of State, said:

Yesterday in Moscow, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with President of Russian Federation (RF) Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rice made several unprecedented statements. She, in fact, admitted that the U.S. will start to inspect Russian nuclear facilities. The Secretary of State demanded Putin resignation in 2008. She also hinted that Byelorussia is to expect Orange Revolution and Russia a bright future. Her Russian counterparts pretended stubbornly that they didn't hear anything.

The writers also said, "The first visit of Condoleezza Rice in Moscow as Secretary of State started in a nervous atmosphere (as Kommersant wrote yesterday). For several hours she could not get into the hotel because of some anonymous phone calls. Then she finally moved into her room despite the threats and after that she decided to have dinner with Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 16, 2005

Is More U.S. Spending on Public Diplomacy a Waste of Money?

Liz Sidoti of The Associated Press: "President Bush has made spreading democracy and halting terrorism in other countries a priority, and at first glance his budgets have leaned more on defense than diplomacy to achieve that objective. But a close look at spending trends since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, shows a growing reliance by the Bush administration and Congress on more than military might to accomplish that. Critics question whether the diplomatic spending is sufficient."

The question is not whether the spending is sufficient but whether it will do any good without a change in the Bush Administration's sometimes arrogant attitude in world affairs, especially in the Islamic word." I think more spending in this area is a waste of money but a good way to reward well-connected public relations firms. Here's Sidoti's analysis. Here's a link to the United States Information Agency Alumni Association website.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

India and Pakistan's Common Background

KeralaNext.com of India reports that, "With the feel good factor reshaping the Indo-Pak ties and the cricket diplomacy driving the bilateral relations, the two countries are trying to bank on their common background. It's a pleasant co-incidence that the Prime Minister of India was born in Pakistan and the President of Pakistan was born in India," KeralaNext.com reported. So why aren't there better relations between the two nations? Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 01:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 11, 2005

Is CARICOM Gaining Significant Political Power in the OAS?

Prior to the April 11, 2005 vote to elect- a new Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Norman 'Gus' Thomas, Caribbean Net News' senior correspondent, reported that, "a great deal of interest is being paid to Monday's Organization of American States (OAS) election of a new Secretary General for the hemispheric body. The heightened interest is stemming from the fact that some fourteen countries in the mostly English-speaking Caribbean are said to be holding the key to the election of the next Secretary General of the OAS made up of some 34 nations," he said, adding: " The Washington-based OAS Headquarters is where governments meet to try and resolve regional problems." The voting was deadlocked 17-17 after five ballots on April 11, 2005. The next round of voting will take place on May 2, 2005. Here's more of Mr. Thomas' analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

OAS Will Try Again May 2 to Elect a Secretary-General

The Organization of American States will try again on May 2, 2005 to elect a new secretary-general after failing five times on April 11, 2005 to break a 17-17 tie between Jose Insulza, 61, Chile's Interior Minister, and former Mexican foreign minister Luis Ernesto Derbez, 58. The man the Bush Administration wanted, Francisco Flores, 45, a former president of El Salvador, quit the campaign before today's vote because he did not have much support among the 35-member body. The position became available because former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodriguez resigned after Costa Rican authorities accused him of corruption. He held the secretary-general post for four months. Here's more on the vote.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 03, 2005

American Diplomacy

Online Journal guest writer Ben Tanosborn has an interesting post headlined "America's new circus diplomacy: preamble." I think it's worth reading.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Times of India: 'Rice Attempts to Derail India's Oil Diplomacy'

Arijit Barman of The Times of India reported April 2, 2005 that, "On Wednesday, March 16, two interesting events unfolded almost simultaneously in New Delhi. US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice on her whistle-stop tour to India made the concerns of the Bush administration very vocal: That the US is uncomfortable at the prospect of a $4 billion gas pipeline bridging the economies of Iran and India. Instead, she suggested she would be happy to provide superior technologies and even nuclear power, one of the most expensive energy alternatives, to India." Click here to read about the other event.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

India, Pakistan Engage in Back-channel Diplomacy

"With [Pakistani] President General Pervez Musharraf's planned visit to New Delhi less than two weeks away, back-channel diplomacy is gaining momentum as an important meeting between aides of the top leadership of India and Pakistan is on the cards next week," Dawn, a prominent Pakistani newspaper, reported April 2, 2005. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 26, 2005

Shortage of Arabic Speakers Hampers U.S.' Public Diplomacy Effort

"America's acute shortage of Arabic speakers is in danger of crippling the nations efforts to counter terrorist threats, communicate with prisoners, and build bridges to the Muslim world," writes William Fisher in Arab News. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 25, 2005

Security Council Extends U.N.'s Afghanistan Mandate

On March 24, 2005, the U.N. Security Council, "stressing the central and impartial role that the United Nations continues to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission there for an additional 12 months," according to a Security Council press release.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Annan: All Parties Must Work to Safeguard Lebanon

During his March 23, 2005 address to Summit of the League of Arab States meeting in Algiers, United nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said this about Lebanon:

In Lebanon, the vicious assassination of former Prime Minister [Rafik] Hariri was a severe blow. He was a Lebanese patriot, a formidable statesman and a vital presence in the international community. Within the next few days, I expect to release the report of the fact-finding I established in the wake of the killing and I believe a comprehensive investigation may well also be necessary. All parties must now work together to safeguard Lebanon's stability and national unity. I am encouraged by the commitment given by President [Bashar] Assad to me and my Special Envoy [Terje Roed-Larsen] that he will fully and completely implement Security Council resolution 1559. I expect the full withdrawal of all Syrian troops, including the intelligence apparatus and military assets, to take place before the Lebanese parliamentary elections. Those elections must be free and fair, and must take place as scheduled. The United Nations is willing to help if needed.

He said his "Special Envoy will be back in the region in the first week of April to continue his dialogue, and I stand ready to help the parties to implement the resolution in any way I can." Here's the entire address.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

I'll Miss Richard Boucher

Richard Boucher, "the former ambassador to Cyprus and chief U.S. diplomat in Hong Kong," who was "spokesman or deputy spokesman under six secretaries of state," according to Reuters," has been replaced by Sean McCormack, 40, who "served as spokesman for then-national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and as deputy White House press secretary for foreign policy before Ms. Rice became secretary of state. He has also served in U.S. embassies in Algeria and Turkey," Reuters noted. I will miss receiving daily transcripts of daily State Department briefings with Mr. Boucher handling questions with the deftness of a professional athlete. .

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 24, 2005

U.S., France Reportedly Mapping Post-Syrian Plans

Los Angeles Times writers Tyler Marshall and Sonni Efron report that, "In crafting a policy on Lebanon, the Bush administration has adopted a more measured approach, departing from the rigid style that characterized its diplomacy during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq." It is based on "the new cooperation" between President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac "and the almost daily contact that U.S. and French officials have maintained during the crisis contrasted with the bitter rift that emerged between the two countries over Iraq two years ago," they contend. Here's more of their analysis.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Diplomacy and Japan's Territorial Dispute With its Neighbors

"Japan is now in serious territorial disputes with all of its neighbors -- Taiwan, China, South Korea and Russia," argues Gregory Clark, vice president of Akita International University and a former Moscow-based Australian diplomat, in the March 24, 2005 issue of The Japan Times. "True, this could prove there is something wrong with all of Japan's neighbors," he noted, adding: "But it could also prove that there is something wrong in the way Japan handles territorial problems with its neighbors. There is no clearer example of this than the dispute with Russia. Read more of Mr. Clark's analysis in "Northern Territories dispute highlights flawed diplomacy."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 22, 2005

Rice Lectures China on Anti-Secession Law

An Agence France Press (AFP) report in todays issue of The China Post of Taiwan says "U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday [March 21, 2005] urged China to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait, saying an anti-secession law was not welcome and unhelpful for any eventual reunification."

"The anti-secession law was not a welcome development because anything that is unilateral that increases tensions, which clearly the anti-secession law did increase tensions, is not good," Ms. Rice told journalists after talks with Chinese leaders, according to AFP. Ms. Rice, according to the wire service, added: "I did talk to my Chinese counterparts about hopefully taking measures in the wake of this anti-secession law, taking measures that would demonstrate a willingness to reduce tensions in the cross-strait environment."

"We are not pleased when either side does anything unilaterally to either try to change the status quo or that increases tensions." lecturing China on unilateralism sounds hypocritical coming from an administration known for its unilateralist policy on international affairs. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Some Nations Seeking Permanent U.N Security Council Seats

Brazil, Germany, India and Japan want the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a resolution by this summer that will grant them permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council, according to Edith M. Lederer, an Associated Press writer. "But Pakistan, Italy and other mid-size countries are still pushing a rival plan to expand the U.N.'s most powerful body," she noted. Read the story here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 20, 2005

George Kennan's Profound Imapct on Diplomacy

National Public Radio senior analyst and Christian Science Monitor contributing columnist Daniel Schorr takes a look at the "profound effect" that former diplomat George Kennan "had on averting a hot and possibly nuclear war instead of a half-century of cold war, that ended as he predicted it would." Mr. Kennan died March 17, 2005.Here's more on Mr. Kennan.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The EU Dispute Over Opening Negotiations With Croatia

The European Parliament's "Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday [March 17, 2005] contested the [European] Council's decision not to open accession negotiations with Croatia yet," according to European Union @the United Nations. The website said, "In a letter MEPs are proposing that a committee be set up to monitor whether or not Croatia is cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague but that in the meantime negotiations should start. Should this committee find that Croatia is indeed not fully cooperating, then negotiations should be halted."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Washington Diplomat Profiles Representative Hoekstra

The Washington Diplomat has an insightful article on Representative Peter Hoekstra, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, who "is examining the complex challenges that confront America's intelligence community in obvious ways." See "Key Lawmaker Says U.S. Needs Strategic Plan for Intelligence."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 19, 2005

Syria, U.S. Relations: 'Honeymoon and Heartbreak'

Dr Sami Moubayed, a Syrian political analyst, notes in Asia Times Online that, "In December 1990, US secretary of state James Baker described Syria as "a major Arab country who happens to share the same goals as we do". In December 2004, U.S. President George W Bush said, "Syria is a very weak country, and therefore it cannot be trusted." The huge difference in US policy toward Syria over these 15 years shows, if anything, how difficult it is today to mend a very fractured and perhaps irreparable relationship," Dr. Moubayed wrote. Here's more of his analysis."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 16, 2005

Is U.S. Policy Towards Hezbollah Changing?

Gregory Djerejian at The Belgravia Dispatch says "US Policy Towards Hezbollah...looks to be changing ever so slightly given the dynamics underway in Lebanon. Namely, in order to keep a large, united anti-Syrian Lebanese front--Bush (despite McClellan's, and the State Department's, protestations to the contrary) seems to be giving Hezbollah something of an opening (a small one, to be sure)," he wrote on March 16, 2005. Here's more of his analysis.

NOTE: This post is also at The Foreign News Observer.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 10, 2005

Canada's Receives Uninvited Foreign Officials

Embassy reported March 9, 2005 that "two high-level Chilean Ministers, including the country's candidate for the top post of the Organization of American States, slipped into Ottawa this week and met with Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew. Jose Miguel Insulza, the Chilean Minister of the Interior, took a day away from a heavy lobbying campaign in the Caribbean and elsewhere to meet with political officials in Ottawa on March 7," Embassy said. "Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker joined Mr. Insulza." The publication said "Foreign Affairs Canada says it didn't extend the invitation, nevertheless the federal government welcomed the visit." Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Chosunilbo: 'National Security Calls for Quiet, Very Quiet Diplomacy'

South Korea's Chosunilbo said in an editorial that "President Roh Moo-hyun on Monday [March 7, 2005] made it clear that he has no truck with a "flexible engagement" plan by which the U.S. Forces in Korea can be deployed when a conflict takes place elsewhere in Northeast Asia. "The clear thing is that our citizens will not become embroiled in Northeast Asian conflicts without our consent. This is a firm principle we cannot abandon under any circumstances," the paper quoted Mr. Roh as saying. "In case a conflict flares up between China and Taiwan, for example, Korea cannot be drawn into an armed confrontation along with part of the USFK," Chosunilbo said. Here's the editorial.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 09, 2005

Kogan: 'How Diplomacy Can Defuse the North Korean Crisis'

Eugene B. Kogan, in a March 9, 2005 special to The Japan Times headlined "How diplomacy can defuse the North Korean crisis," wrote: "The sure way to miss success is to miss the opportunity," a wise man once observed." He noted that, "Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura asked U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to visit Japan "at the earliest possible opportunity" during a bilateral security meeting in Washington on Feb. 19. When that visit takes place,"Mr. Kogan suggested, "Machimura must urge Rice to take the above maxim to heart if the United States, Japan and their regional allies are to be successful in bringing North Korea back to the six-party negotiating table." Here's the entire article.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 08, 2005

Italy Wants Investigation into Killing of Agent in Iraq

Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini todays "dismissed speculation that U.S. forces might have deliberately fired on the Italians, but he told parliament that the U.S. military's account of the shooting did not tally with Italy's, Reuters reported March 8, 2005.
"It was certainly an accident, an accident caused by a series of circumstances and coincidences," Mr. Fini was quoted as saying. ""But this doesn't mean, in fact it makes it necessary, to demand that events are clarified ... to identify those responsible, and if people are to blame then to request and obtain that the guilty parties are punished," he added. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 06, 2005

AU Foreign Ministers Meet in Addis Ababa

African Union's executive council of foreign ministers is meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 7 and 8, 2005, according to the Independent Online of South Africa.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 04, 2005

Rice, Dlamini-Zuma hold talks in Washington

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South African Foreign Minister Noksazana Dlamini-Zuma held talks in Washington on March 4, 2004. Among subjects they discussed were the elections in Zimbabwe later this month. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Syria Seems Totally Isolated

Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor of The Times Online of London, and Nick Blanford, the paper's Beirut correspondent, reported March 4, 2005 that "the Syrian regime is now considered so isolated and weak that in some Washington circles it is likened to lowhanging fruit, ripe for picking." Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 02, 2005

Did Syria steals Blair's Thunder at Summit On Palestine?

Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor for The Times (of London) Online, reported March 2, 2005 that "Lebanon dominated a conference yesterday [March 1, 2005] aimed at boosting support for the Palestinians, as America, France, Russia and other participants spoke out against continued Syrian involvement in the affairs of its smaller neighbour."

"Tony Blair succeeded in galvanising the support of 30 countries and international organisations at his one-day conference devoted to the Palestinian Authority yesterday, but key players were distracted by dramatic events in Lebanon," Mr. Beeston told Times readers.

NOTE: This item is also posted at The Foreign News Observer.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 28, 2005

Rice to Take Part in London Conference on Palestine

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will take part in the London conference on Palestine, which gets underway March 1, 2005. The conference is hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. See The London Conference on Palestine Starts March 1. The Israelis have agreed not to attend. Here's why.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Should Bush Use Trade to Get Iran to Do His Bidding?

Gregory Djerejian of The Belgravia Dispatch, in commenting on New York Times Correspondent Steven Weisman's report, based on interviews with European and American officials, that "The Bush administration is considering a proposal by Britain, France and Germany to offer Iran trade benefits, commercial aircraft and aircraft spare parts in return for dismantling what is suspected of being a nuclear weapons program," thinks "this one will be a really tough call for Bush's foreign policy team." He opined:

The fear, of course, is Iran getting WTO accession and various Airbuses and the like (ie, all the very sizable carrots)--but nevertheless surreptitiously continuing her nuclear weapons program. A win win for the Iranians. Still, significant monitoring mechanisms will be a part of all these arrangements. So, and as B.D. has repeatedly predicted, it appears Bush really is striving to pursue a diplomatic route in concert with the Europeans on Iran.

While I see no problem with Iran having nuclear weapons, while the West and Israel have them, I can understand the Europeans' position. If negotiations can stave off a war, then negotiate.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 26, 2005

Canada's Paul Martin Has a Lot to Learn About U.S.

The London Free Press reported in its February 26, 2005 edition that "Prime Minister Paul Martin is insisting the United States seek permission before firing any missiles over Canada. The insistence came yesterday [February 25, 2005]in response to warnings that Canada has abdicated part of its sovereignty by refusing to take part in the U.S. missile-defence project." See U.S. Doesn't Need Canada's Permission to Defend North America. Mr. Martin has a lot to learn about his powerful neighbor. Here's more of the Free Press article.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

China, Japan Agree on Need for Ministerial Dialogue

China Daily reported February 25, 2005 that "Senior Japanese and Chinese diplomats reaffirmed the need Saturday [February 26, 2005] to soon hold minister-level dialogue, and agreed to work to set a date for a visit to China by Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Eliasson to Preside Over 60th Session of U.N. General Assembly

The Washington Diplomat has an article in the February issue on Swedish diplomat Jan Eliasson, who is "set to be formally elected president of the [United Nations] General Assembly in June [2005]. If all goes as scheduled," according to The Diplomat, Sweden's ambassador to the United States "will assume the post in September [2005] just as a highly anticipated global summit is convened under U.N. auspices in New York." Mr. Eliasson "will serve as the president of the General Assembly for its 60th session that extends from September 2005 to September 2006," the publication said..

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 24, 2005

U.S. Doesn't Need Canada's Permission to Defend North America

While Canada is a sovereign nation, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin is the equivalent of a governor when it comes to relations with the U.S. That's why when he said he will not sign on to the U.S.' missile defense program U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci could boldy state:

We will deploy. We will defend North America. We simply cannot understand why Canada would, in effect, give up its sovereignty - its seat at the table - to decide what to do about a missile that might be coming toward Canada.

The National Post of Canada said "the warning was no slip of the tongue. Mr. Cellucci repeated several times that Canada's decision had handed over some of its sovereignty to the U.S.," the paper said, adding that "Cellucci said he understands the political issues that made it difficult for Martin's minority government to endorse an unpopular American plan. Polls have suggested most Canadians oppose the project and Martin might even have faced a revolt within his own Liberal caucus."

According to the National Post, "the blunt warning came minutes after Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Thursday [February 24, 2005] that he will not sign on to the controversial U.S. missile defence program."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 23, 2005

'Bush Says Diplomacy Just Starting on Iran'

In analyzing President George W. Bush's February 23, 2005 comments on Iran, Daniel Quintiliani, a blogger out of Milford, Pennsylvania who writes at Life, Liberty and Property, said "if we can defy treaties, why can't they?" meaning the Iranians. He added:

Whether or not Iran is building nuclear weapons is not the issue. Iran has not attacked the United States, therefore we should not be considering fighting them in a war. As for spreading democracy throughout the Middle East, why is that necessary for anything, and why would our President put our troops to that dangerous task? We don't even know if Iran is making nuclear weapons.

"We should stay out of the Middle East and concentrate on problems here at home," he opined. That's not going to happen Daniel. The U.S. is an empire and empires don't stay home. They extend themselves until they are exhausted economically and militarily. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Americablog.Com: 'Bush Agrees To Disagree...With Himself '

"What great diplomacy Bush Inc. is demonstrating in Europe," says Michael at Americablog.com. "First Condi went over there and said, The US is willing to stand with Europe and Europe MUST be ready to stand with the U.S. (Talk about an olive branch.) Then Bush came to Europe and magnanimously said he's willing to forgive it for being right about those Weapons of Mass Destruction. Gee thanks."

"Now today, Bush cautions Europe not to jump to conclusions about our intentions towards Iran," Americablog added. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Duality, Stereotyping and Diplomacy

The Great American Enigma contends that "Duality from the Bush administration is on the rise. At one moment they are saying to us, "Iran is a haven for terrorism", and the next they say, "We want diplomacy to work," according to a February 19, 2005 post. "How is it possible to go forth with diplomacy when you've already stereotyped a nation and named it an Axis of Evil?" Enigma asked, adding: This is all public relations going on now and the war with Iran is soon to ensue." Enigma has a point about the public relations angle. Here is more of "White Collared Conservatives Pointing Their Plastic Fingers."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 20, 2005

Time Says U.S. Negotiating With Sunni Resistance in Iraq

"U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers are conducting secret talks with Iraq's Sunni insurgents on ways to end fighting there, Time magazine has reported, citing Pentagon and other sources," according to Reuters. This should not surprise anyone. Governments always secretly negotiate with those they vow never to hold talks with, if the opposition cannot be easily defeated.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Washington Diplomat Reviews 'Diplomacy'

Alan B. Nichols, a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat, has a great review of the board game Diplomacy in the February issue of The Diplomat. He writes:

Created in 1959 by Allan B. Calhamer of Chicago, who designed the game while attending Harvard Law School, Diplomacy is the rage of a very small but dedicated group of game enthusiasts. Not designed for the impatient, a typical face-to-face game can take anywhere from six to 12 hours, depending on the rules adopted by each set of players. There are also mail and Internet versions that can last up to a year or even longer.

The game is quite popular in selected regions of the United States and in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa. In addition to the many informal games, hobbyists often form informal societies that promote information exchanges among members and sponsor tournaments. The Potomac Tea & Knife Society, a 50-member group based in the Washington area, sponsors an annual local tournament and will be the host of this year’s World Diplomacy championship, to be held in Washington, D.C., in July.

"What fascinates these enthusiasts?" Mr. Nichols asks. He said "the Web site of the manufacturers (a Hasbro subsidiary) touts its attractions this way: "Trust and treachery are the entertaining ingredients in this Game of International Intrigue…. Cunning, deceit and betrayal [are] just a few of the charming qualities you will need to succeed at Diplomacy." I found Mr. Nichols' article fascinating and highly recommend it. Read it here. I have The Diplomat in my favorites folder and read it often. It provides interesting interviews and insights into the Washington Diplomatic corp.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 19, 2005

Syria Comment: 'Syria Must Have a Place in the "New Middle East'

Joshua Landis at Syria Comment, in a February 19, 2005 post on Washington Post Foreign Service correspondent Scott Wilson's article headlined " Syria Likely to Defy Calls For Pullout From Lebanon:Reaction to Bombing Underlines Strategic Interest in Neighbor," offered this observation:

Scott Wilson has again written a very smart article on Syria's position in the region. Some see the Hariri assassination as a reason to completely isolate Syria. The call of the Syrian opposition in Washington, led by Farid Ghadry, for "regime change," is finding new adherents. This is a dangerous game, however, which will lead to America over-reaching in the region.

He noted that "European Ambassadors in Damascus still believe that Damascus needs to be given a stake in the "New Middle East" that Washington and others are trying to build. It was be (sic) cut into peace deals with Israel and the Syrian track needs to be restarted. Even if Syria is temporarily isolated, they note, its interests will not go away. It is better to accommodate Syria and draw it into regional plans, rather than put it to the wall." An astute observation that Washington should take into account. Here's more.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Franjieh Opposes International Probe of the Assassination of Hariri

Suleiman Franjieh, Lebanon's minister of the interior, "has rejected all calls for an international investigation," into the February 14, 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, "saying only that Swiss experts would be asked to assist a Lebanese team," according to Kim Ghattas, BBC News' Beirut correspondent.

The correspondent noted in a February 19, 2005 dispatch that "The U.N. Secretary General, Kofi Annan, is sending a team of experts to Lebanon to investigate the killing...," adding: "The Lebanese authorities appear set for a serious stand-off with the international community."

Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Syria Says it Won't Recall U.S. Ambassador Despite Tensions With U.S.

La Prensa, citing reports published February 18, 2005 in the Cairo, Egypt-based Arabic language Al Hayat newspaper, said "Syrian Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Walid Moalem asserted his country´s ambassador to the U.S would not be recalled for consultations" despite the Department of State's recall of Margaret Scobey, U.S. Ambassador to Syria, for "imminent consultations in Washington" following the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

"We will not recall our ambassador to the U.S. because I believe its diplomat will brief North American authorities on the principles Syria defends," noted Mr. Moalem, four days following" Ms. Scobey's recall, according to La Prensa. Read more here.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 18, 2005

Japan´s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense To Visit U.S.

Prensa Latina reported February 18, 2005 that Japan and the United States "are expected to strengthen their military alliance during a visit to Washington" on February 19, 2005 "by Nobutaka Machimura, Japan's minister of Foreign Affairs, and Defense Minister Yoshinori Ono. Mr. Machimura "will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and later both will attend a gathering of the bilateral Security Consulting Committee," La Prensa reported, adding: "This so-called "two-party" meeting" will be also attended by Mr. Ono and Donald Rumsfeld, his U.S counterpart.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 17, 2005

Bush Calls for Diplomatic Solutions to Conflicts

Peter Baker reports in the February 18, 2005 issue of The Washington Post that "President Bush pressed Syria, Iran and North Korea yesterday [February 17, 2005] to live up to international commitments and reverse policies destabilizing their regions, but emphasized that he will seek diplomatic rather than military solutions to the escalating conflicts." The report added:

Bush carefully avoided provocative language and stressed his desire to work with European and Asian allies to isolate or persuade the three maverick countries to alter course, distinguishing the current standoffs from the confrontation that led to the U.S. invasion of Iraq two years ago.

It's my contention that, short of inviting the U.S. to occupy their territory, no gestures these nations make to appease the West will placate the neoconservatives driving U.S. foreign policy.

Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack