US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld visits Brazil

[[w:Brazil|Brazil]] —
Tuesday (March 22) the United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld   arrived   in Brazil for a visit with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice-President and Defense Minister José Alencar,  and other top officials.

In a meeting with President Lula DaSilva and his Vice-President and Minister of Defense, José Alencar, Mr Rumsfeld discussed Brazil leading the UN military forces in Haiti, terrorism and narcotrafficking.

Rumsfeld told to AFP journalists:
"The United States has put forward four topics, which we have agreed to take up: application of a law to down [drug traffickers' aircraft]; [UN] operations in Haiti; drug trafficking; and the fight against terrorism, including Brazil's position on security in South America."

Rumsfeld and Alencar held a Joint Press Conference in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil.
Rumsfled stated that the friendship between Brazil and United States is long-standing and highly-valued. He added that the US and Brazil were allies in the Second World War and partners in helping to shape key post-war institutions including the United Nations.

Journalists asked both José Alencar, and Mr Rumsfeld if they were concerned about Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, particularly after his recent purchase of 100,000 AK-47 assault rifles.

Rumsfeld said:

The Brazilian Vice-President said that Brazil prefers not to interfere in the affairs of others:

President Lula is scheduled to meet President Hugo Chávez, the President of Colombia Alvaro Uribe Velez and Spain's prime minister, José Luiz Zapatero next Tuesday in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela.

The Workers' Party Secretary for International Foreign Relations didn't agree with the US Defense Secretary regarding Venezuela.  He said that his  "declaration,  does not contribute to a process of stabilization of the  United States' relations with Latin America. It is  a kind of  mentality that, unhappyly, still is present in the American state, which  considers Latin America as an extension of its territory." [1]

Rumsfeld praised Brazil's leadership in United Nations operations in Haiti where they have maintained order in the country after the overthrow of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide in February 2004.

A reporter asked Mr Rumsfeld whether Brazil is ready to have a seat on the UN Security Council. He answered by saying the Department of Defense doesn't have a voice or a role in that and the matter should be answered by the US President and the Secretary of State.

Journalists asked the Brazilian Vice-President José Alencar three if Brazil will declare the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as a terrorist organization and if the government is worried about the FARC infiltration in Brazilian territory. Alencar was evasive and he refused to answer the questions directly.

Alencar said  Brazil repudiates narcotrafficking and that "if the organization adopts crime as an instrument for raising resources, obviously it is something that must be combated."

Later he became impatient and said that he had already said everything he had to say. [2], [3]

Mr Rumsfeld visited SIVAM, the Amazon Surveillance System. SIVAM, which was built by U.S. Defense contractor Raytheon Corporation, is an arrangement of interconnected sensors and radars  to supervise  both  environmental conditions and criminal activity in the Amazon,

According to the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB),  about 60 activists protested in the Amazon against the visit of Rumsfeld when he was touring SIVAM.

Renato Rabelo, the President of the PCdoB released a note repudiating the visit of the US Secretary. "The Communist Party of Brazil repudiates the presence in domestic territory of the secretary of the Defense of the United States, Donald Rumsfeld. The undesired visitor  is one of the main expoents of the tyrant and imperialist  government of the United States", says a excerpt.[4]


Secretário da Defesa dos EUA Donald Rumsfeld visita o Brasil

Na terça-feira (22 de março) o Secretário  da Defesa dos Estados Unidos da América Donald Rumsfeld chegou ao Brasil para conversar com o  Presidente brasileiro Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, o Vice-presidente e Ministro de Defesa José Alencar, e outros funcionários superiores.

Em uma reunião com o Presidente Lula da Silva e o seu Vice-presidente e Ministro da Defesa, José Alencar, o sr. Rumsfeld discutiu o papel do Brasil na liderança das forças  militares das Nações Unidas no Haiti, terrorismo e tráfico de drogas.

Rumsfeld contou a jornalistas da  AFP: "Os Estados Unidos têm como prioridade quatro tópicos, cuja discussão concordamos  em levar adiante: a aplicação de uma lei de abate [de aviões de traficantes de drogas], as operações [das Nações Unidas] no Haiti, o tráfico de drogas e a luta contra o terrorismo, incluindo a posição do Brasil na segurança da América do Sul."

Rumsfeld e Alencar participaram de uma conferência com a imprensa em Brasília,  capital do Brasil.

Rumsfled afirmou que a amizade entre o Brasil e os Estados Unidos  existe há muito tempo e é bastante importante. Acrescentou que os EUA e o Brasil foram aliados durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial e parceiros na ajuda para a construção de  instituições chave no  pós-guerra,  entre elas  as Nações Unidas.

Jornalistas perguntaram a  José Alencar e  Rumsfeld se eles estão  preocupados com o Presidente Venezuelano Hugo Chávez,  principalmente  depois do anúncio que ele compraria cerca  de 100 mil  rifles de assaulto  AK-47.

Rumsfeld disse:

Alencar respondeu:

O presidente Lula está programado para encontrar o Presidente Hugo Chávez, o Presidente da Colômbia Alvaro Uribe Velez e o primeiro ministro de Espanha, José Luiz Zapatero na proxima terça-feira em Ciudad Guayana,  na Venezuela. O encontro servirá para selar a paz e o fortalecimento das relações diplomáticas entre a Colômbia e a Venezuela, que sofreram um abalo, após a prisão do embaixador das FARC Rodrigo Granda.

O secretário de Relações Internacionais do Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT), Paulo Ferreira, não gostou das críticas de Rumsfeld ao presidente venezuelano:

Rumsfeld louvou a liderança brasileira  nas operações das Nações Unidas no Haiti que servem para manter a ordem no país depois da queda do ex-Presidente Jean Bertrand Aristide, em fevereiro de 2004.

Um repórter perguntou a  Rumsfeld se o Brasil está pronto para ter um assento no Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas. Ele respondeu dizendo que o Departamento da Defesa não tem uma voz ativa, nem é responsável por esta matéria que deve ser respondida pelo Presidente dos Estados Unidos e a  Secretária de Estado.

Os jornalistas perguntaram ao vice-presidente Brasileiro José Alencar três  vezes se o Brasil declarará as Forças Armadas Revolucionárias da Colômbia (FARC) como uma organização terrorista e se o governo brasileiro está preocupado com a possível  infiltração das FARC no território brasileiro. Alencar foi evasivo e  recusou responder às perguntas diretamente. Ele apenas disse:"Somos a favor da paz. Claro que nós, à distância, não podemos fazer juízo dessa coisa. Mas, adotar o crime como meio de levantar recursos obviamente é uma ação nefasta que deve ser combatida."

Alencar chegou demonstrar impaciência  com a insistência da pergunta sobre as FARC e a certo momento disse:"Só falta agora eu pegar uma arma na mão. Porque já falei o que tinha que falar,  sem mais esclarecimentos." [2]

O Secretário de Defesa dos Estados Unidos Donald Rumsfeld visitou ainda o SIVAM, o Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia. O SIVAM, que foi construído  com a ajuda da empresa  americana Raytheon Corporation, é um conjunto  de sensores  e radares interligados  para monitorar as condições climáticas e as atividades criminais na região amazônica.

Segundo o Partido Comunista do Brasil (PCdoB), aproximadamente 60 ativistas protestaram no Amazonas contra a visita de Rumsfeld quando ele visitava o SIVAM.

Renato Rabelo, o Presidente do PCdoB liberou uma nota que repudia a visita do Secretário dos Estados Unidos:"O Partido Comunista do Brasil repudia a presença em território nacional do secretário da Defesa dos Estados Unidos, Donald Rumsfeld. O indesejado visitante é um dos principais expoentes do governo tirânico e imperialista dos Estados Unidos", diz um trecho da nota.


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Latin America

The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began a five day trip to Latin America Tuesday. She is expected to visit the following countries: Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and El-Salvador.

She arrived at Brasilia Air Base today at 04:00 local time, and proceeded to a hotel in Brasilia.


Condoleezza Rice inicia gira por Latinoamérica

La secretaria de Estados Unidos de América, Condoleezza Rice, inicia hoy un viaje por América Latina, con destino a los siguientes países: Brasil, Colombia, Chile y El Salvador.

El objetivo del viaje, según el Departamento de Estado, es discutir maneras de mejorar la cooperación con los EEUU en las siguientes áreas: tráfico de drogas y crimen, reducción de la pobreza, educación y medio ambiente. (Depto. de Estado)

Al preguntársele a Condoleezza Rice si los EE. UU. están preocupados con la mayor presencia de China en el continente sudamericano, la secretaria de Estado respondió que "Brasil es una potencia regional y una creciente presencia global, lo que es una buena cosa, pues la emergencia de democracias pluriétnicas como Brasil, India, Sudáfrica son un desarrollo positivo para el mundo y no hay nada a temer en relación con ello."

En relación a China ella dijo que "no hay razón para que China no esté involucrada económicamente con América Latina, pues los EE. UU. no tienen la visión de que uno gana todo, mientras el otro queda con nada". Para la secretaria "mientras más relaciones económicas haya con países de diferentes partes del mundo, mejor". Sem embargo que la secretaria americana hizo fue que "lo que es necesario es trabajemos juntos a través de la Organización Mundial del Comercio para que todo sea hecho en un contexto de nivel mundial, de forma que las reglas del juego estén claras para todo el mundo."

La secretaria de Estado dijo que cree que Estados Unidos de América irán siempre tener interés en mantener angostos lazos con los países de América del Sur, con miras a la localización geográfica, historia y los lazos culturales.(Embajada de EUA en Brasil)

Respecto de la situación de Venezuela y la concentración de poder político en el ejecutivo de aquel país, la secretaria de Estado de los EE. UU. respondió: "Bien, ya tuvimos muchas conversaciones sobre la región, sobre la estabilidad regional, sobre desafíos a la democracia en la región y deseo que tengamos esas discusiones. Esto no es una cuestión de si Estados Unidos desean tener buenas relaciones con Venezuela. Tenemos una larga historia con Venezuela. Tenemos lazos económicos con Venezuela. Queremos tener buenas relaciones con Venezuela. Tuvimos preocupaciones en relación al comportamiento del régimen venezolano en función de su propio desarrollo doméstico y adherencia a la Carta Democrática de la OEA, y en función de las relaciones con sus vecinos. Pero pienso que esto no es ninguna sorpresa la nadie, y es una cuestión que discutiremos, y tenemos muchas cuestiones para hablar. Y nuestro compromiso a la democracia, nuestro compromiso a la no interferencia en los asuntos de vecinos, nuestro compromiso al intentar esparcir la prosperidad es un compromiso que realmente es compartido con los estados de la región y es sobre eso que realmente voy a hablar." (Embajada de EUA en Brasil)

26 de abril - Secretaria de Estado de los EE. UU. Condoleezza Rice visita Brasil

27 de abril - Secretaria de Estado de los EE. UU. Condoleezza Rice visita Colombia

28 de abril - Secretaria de Estado de los EE. UU. Condoleezza Rice visita Chile

29 de abril - Secretaria de Estado de los EE. UU. Condoleezza Rice visita El Salvador


Secretária de Estado dos EUA Condoleezza Rice visita a América Latina

A secretária dos Estados Unidos da América, Condoleezza Rice, iniciou em 26 de abril de 2005  uma viagem   pela América Latina, com destino aos seguintes países:Brasil, Colômbia, Chile e El Salvador.

O objetivo da viagem segundo o Departamento de Estado americano  é discutir maneiras de melhorar a cooperação com os EUA nas seguintes áreas: tráfico de drogas e crime, redução da pobreza, educação e meio-ambiente [1].

Foi perguntado à secretária de Estado Condoleezza Rice se os EUA estão preocupados com a maior presença da China no continente sulamericano. Ela respondeu que "não há razão para que a China não esteja envolvida economicamente com a América Latina, pois os EUA não têm a visão de que um ganha tudo, enquanto o outro fica com nada". Para a secretária, "quanto mais relações econômicas houver, com países de diferentes partes do mundo, melhor".  Contudo, a secretária disse  que "o que é necessário é trabalharmos juntos através da Organização Mundial do Comércio para que tudo seja feito num contexto de nível mundial, de forma que as regras do jogo estejam claras para todo mundo."   [2]

A secretária de Estado disse que acha que os EUA irão sempre ter interesse em manter estreitos laços com os países da América do Sul, tendo em vista a localização geográfica, História e os laços culturais. [3]

Foi feita  uma pergunta sobre a situação da Venezuela e a concentração de poder político no executivo daquele país. A secretária de Estado dos EUA respondeu:

26 de abril - Secretária de Estado dos EUA Condoleezza Rice visita o Brasil

27 de abril - Secretária de Estado dos EUA Condoleezza Rice visita a Colômbia

28 de abril - Secretária de Estado dos EUA Condoleezza Rice visita o Chile

29 de abril - Secretária de Estado dos EUA Condoleezza Rice visita El Salvador


US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticizes Turkey over human rights concerns

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday that the recent actions by Turkey to arrest and detain journalists in the country, as well as planned Internet restrictions, are "an area of concern" for her.

Clinton is on a two-day visit to Turkey and made some of her comments during a news conference on the Turkish CNN channel during an event where she answered questions from Turkish citizens. Answering a question regarding the issue, she said that "I do not think it’s necessary or in Turkey's interests to be cracking down on journalists and bloggers and the Internet [...] it seems to me inconsistent with all the other advances that Turkey has made."

In a press conference jointly held with Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, Clinton suggested that Turkey could serve as an example for Arab countries currently undergoing governmental changes. She said that "people in the Middle East and North Africa are seeking to draw lessons from Turkey's experience" and that "democratic development also depends on responsible leadership."

According to Turkish media groups, upwards of 60 journalists are being held based on dubious evidence, though government officials say that only 26 are imprisoned, all on charges separate from their activities in the media. In some recent arrests, authorities have cited anti-terror laws as justification. Separately, the government plans next month to place filters on Internet traffic in the country, which could allow for monitoring of individual users. Such human rights concerns have long served as a stumbling block for Turkey's attempts to join the European Union.


Critica Hillary Clinton a Turquía por motivos de derechos humanos

19 de julio de 2011Estambul, Turquía — La Secretaria de Estado estadounidense, Hillary Clinton, mencionó el sábado pasado que las recientes acciones tomadas por Turquía al arrestar y detener periodistas, así como las restricciones del país hacia Internet, son motivos de preocupación para ella.

La canciller realizó una gira de trabajo de dos días en ese país, donde se reunió con el primer ministro de Turquía, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, y durante una conferencia de prensa abordó temas como la libertad de prensa, donde exhortó a los ciudadanos a prestarle atención al asunto. “Si hay un aspecto que me preocupa en las acciones recientes en Turquía [...], es el de la libertad de expresión y libertad de prensa”, expresó.

A pesar de ello, añadió que Turquía podría servir como modelo para otros países árabes, que se encuentran en medio de revueltas en pos de la transición hacia la democracia.

En un informe en abril, la Organización para la Seguridad y la Cooperación en Europa (OSCE), contabilizó más de 60 periodistas encarcelados en Turquía, 26 de ellos a causa de actividades no relacionadas con el periodismo, además de varios centenares más que están en riesgo de ser condenados en juicios.


Хилари Клинтон критикује и хвали Турску

17. јул 2011.Турска -  (VOA) - Америчка државна секретарка Хилари Клинтон каже да је забринута због слободе медија у Турској, после медијских извештаја у којима се наводи да је око 60 новинара у тој земљи притворено.

Клинтон је у Истанбулу поручила да је обрачун са новинарима непотребан и да није у интересу Турске, додајући да тај потез није у складу са напретком који је та земља остварила на другим пољима.

Шефица америчке дипломатије похвалила је политички напредак и економски раст Турске, наглашавајући да би њене демократске традиције могле да буду модел за друге земље у региону.

Влада у Анкари почела је преговоре о приступању Европској унији још 2005, али се тај процес значајно успорио. Утицајне чланице асоцијације европских држава Француска и Немачка противе се чланству претежно муслиманске земље, а ЕУ је замрзла разговоре у вези са осам кључних питања, у покушају да притисне Турску да отвори своје луке према Кипру.


US Senate approves rules regulating detainee treatment

The United States Senate approved a proposal that imposes restrictions on the detention, interrogation, and treatment of prisoners held by the US military. The rules prohibit the use of "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" against anyone in US government custody, regardless of where they are held. The rules also require all US troops to use only interrogation techniques authorized in a new Army field manual, but does not cover techniques used by the Central Intelligence Agency. The rules follow alleged revelations of detainee abuse committed by US military and intelligence personnel in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

The proposal, sponsored by Senator John McCain, was passed by a 90 to 9 vote, with 46 of the 55 Republicans, including the majority leader Bill Frist joining all 43 Democrats and one independent in favor. The proposal is part of a $440 billion military spending bill.

McCain argued that American soldiers need clarity and "are not served by ambiguity". "We demanded intelligence without ever clearly telling our troops what was permitted and what was forbidden. And then, when things went wrong, we blamed them and we punished them. We have to do better than that," McCain, himself subjected to torture during five years in a Vietcong prison camp, said. McCain was urged to draft clear standards of conduct by Capt. Fishback, of the 82nd Airborne Division who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In an open letter to Sen. McCain, [1], Fishback stated that "the actions and statements of my leadership led me to believe that United States policy did not require application of the Geneva Conventions in Afghanistan or Iraq" and that his efforts to get clarifications from the military leadership on what constitutes lawful and humane treatment of detainees were unsuccessful.

More than two dozen retired senior military officers, including Colin L. Powell and John M. Shalikashvili, two former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have endorsed the amendment. The measures have also been welcomed by human rights organisations.

Bush administration officials say the legislation would limit the president's authority and flexibility in war. White House spokesman, Scott McClellan called the amendment  "unnecessary and duplicative" and added: "If it's presented, then there would be a recommendation of a veto, I believe". If President Bush chooses to veto the bill, it would be first veto since he took office in 2001.

The measure is also expected to face opposition in the House of Representatives, which is also controlled by Republicans.

The Senate's proposal has been welcomed by the human rights group Amnesty International, which describes it as "an important step toward protecting the rights of all human beings by providing clear guidance on humane treatment". In a statement, Amnesty urged the White House to accept the McCain amendment, and repeated its call for an independent investigation into the abuses at Abu Ghraib.


US-Senat beschließt Verbot der Misshandlung von Gefangenen

Washington D.C. (USA), 06.10.2005 – Der US-Senat hat ein ausdrückliches Verbot der Misshandlung von Gefangenen durch US-Soldaten beschlossen. Die Regelung, die in einem Gesetz zum Verteidigungshaushalt steht, wurde mit 90 gegen neun Stimmen angenommen. Sie stellt eine Reaktion auf den Folterskandal von Abu Ghraib dar.

Zu den Verfechtern des Verbots zählen der republikanische Senator John McCain und der frühere Außenminister Colin Powell. McCain sagte: „Das Image der Vereinigten Staaten ist durch die Bilder von Gefangenen-Misshandlungen sehr stark beschädigt worden. Wir müssen der Welt eine Botschaft senden, dass wir eine Wiederholung solcher Vorfälle nie wieder zulassen werden.“

Im Weißen Haus und im Pentagon, dem amerikanischen Verteidigungsministerium, gibt es jedoch Widerstand gegen die Regelung. Änderungen an der Regelung sind daher nicht ausgeschlossen.


US Senate blocks Alaska refuge drilling

By a narrow vote late in the evening on December 21st, 2005 the US Senate blocked opening the nation's oil reserve in National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska .  This vote delivers a victory to environmentalists and denies the Bush administration their top energy priority.  Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) attached the drilling plan to a measure to fund ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the Senate late last night agreed to pass the defense bill, without the drilling provision.

Two key Republicans, Lincoln D Chafee (R-R.I.) and Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), joined Democrats in opposing the drilling. Senator Lieberman (D-Conn) said yesterday that Stevens was to blame for holding up money for the military. By including the drilling measure in the defense spending bill, it was hoped to twist the senators' arms into voting for both provisions together in the scramble to finish the important business before the Senate's Christmas break.


US-Senat blockiert Alaska-Pläne von George W. Bush

Juneau / Washington D.C. (USA), 26.12.2005 – Im März berichtete Wikinews über die Pläne George W. Bushs, im Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, dem nördlichsten Naturschutzgebiet der USA, künftig Bohrungen nach Erdöl und Erdgas durchzuführen. Jetzt hat ihm der US-Senat einen Strich durch die Rechnung gemacht und die Vorlage im Senat blockiert.

Das Projekt wird seit etwa 20 Jahren geplant und diskutiert. US-Präsident Bush wollte durch die Erdölgewinnung die Energieversorgung in den USA sicherstellen. Trotz der Blockade durch den Senat möchte die US-Regierung die Pläne weiter verfolgen und den Vorschlag dem Kongress vorlegen. Bereits 1995 war im Kongress mit republikanischer Mehrheit ein Gesetz verabschiedet worden, das Ölbohrungen im Nationalpark erlaubte. Der damalige Präsident Bill Clinton machte aber von seinem Einspruchsrecht Gebrauch, wodurch er Bohrungen im Alaska-Nationalpark vorerst verhinderte. Bei der Abstimmung am Mittwoch stimmten 42 demokratische Abgeordnete gegen die Gesetzesvorlage, die Ölbohrungen im Nationalpark erlauben würde. Weil sich zwei republikanische Senatoren dem Abstimmungsverhalten der Demokraten angeschlossen hatten, scheiterte die Gesetzesvorlage. Die republikanischen Abgeordneten Lincoln D. Chafee aus Rhode Island und Mike DeWine aus Ohio vertraten die Meinung, dass sich das nationale Energieproblem nicht mit Ölbohrungen in Alaska lösen lasse.

Erdölspezialisten vermuten in den Gewässern vor Alaska zwischen fünf Milliarden und zehn Milliarden Barrel Öl. Naturschützer freuen sich über diese Niederlage des Präsidenten. Lydia Weiss, eine Lobbyistin für die Umweltschutzorganisation „Defenders of Wildlife“, erklärte die Abstimmung im Senat zum größten Erfolg für den Umweltschutz in diesem Jahr. Umweltschützer hatten versucht, mit Telefonanrufen das Abstimmungsverhalten der Senatoren zu beeinflussen. Die amerikanische Mineralölindustrie missbilligte das Abstimmungsverhalten der Senatoren, das aus ihrer Sicht schädlich für die Verbraucher sei. Im nächsten Jahr wird eine erneute Abstimmung über Ölbohrungen im Arctic National Wildlife Refuge erwartet.


États-Unis : Le Sénat bloque les projets de forage pétrolier en Alaska

A l'issue d'un vote serré dans la soirée du 21 décembre 2005, Le Sénat américain a bloqué l'ouverture de la réserve de pétrole située dans le National Wildlife Refuge en Alaska.
Ce vote constitue une victoire pour les environnementalistes et s'oppose à l'administration de Bush qui voulait donner la priorité à l'énergie. Le sénateur Ted Stevens a justifié le projet de forage comme un moyen de financer les opérations militaires futures en Iraq et en Afghanistan. Cependant, le Sénat a approuvé le budget de la défense, sans le forage.

Deux Républicains, Lincoln D Chafee et Mike DeWine ont rejoint le point de vue des Démocrates en s'opposant au forage. Le sénateur Joseph Lieberman a dit que Stevens était responsable du blocage de l'argent destiné aux militaires. En incluant le forage dans le budget de la Défense, ils espéraient forcer les sénateurs à voter pour les deux dispositions d'un coup, dans l'urgence qui précède les vacances de Noël.


US Senate confirms Clinton as Secretary of State

The United States Senate has, in a 94–2 vote yesterday, approved Hillary Clinton as the next United States Secretary of State. She is now the 67th person to hold that position and succeeds Condoleezza Rice.

During the Senate debate, the issue of the foundation of Hillary's husband, former President Bill Clinton, was again raised, as it was during the hearing held by the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Some politicians have expressed concern that foreign donations to the foundation may create conflicts of interest for Hillary, as the Secretary of State is the country's top diplomat. The foundation employs Bill Clinton as its head.

"I intend to vote for her confirmation. But I also think it's important to flesh out the concerns raised," Senator John Cornyn said. "If we are going to restore trust between the American people and their government, we need to be sure the reality matches the rhetoric."

The William J. Clinton Foundation has received over US$500 million in donations and was forced to make public a list of past and current donors. This was formalized in a memorandum of understanding with the Obama transition team. According to this document, the foundation agrees to submit future foreign donations to a State Department ethics review.

"I trust Hillary Clinton's good judgement," Senator Arlen Specter said. "I think she will work through these issues."

"The message that the American people are sending us now is they want us to work together and get to work," Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain said.

"This is not the moment to delay American engagement in ongoing crises," Senator John Kerry, another former presidential candidate, said. "While we might wish for a stronger review and disclosure process, the simple truth is that we need a secretary of state in place to implement the president’s agenda."

After the vote, Hillary Clinton was sworn into office at 5:29 pm local time (2229 UTC). Shortly thereafter, she resigned her seat as Senator. New York Governor David Paterson will appoint her replacement.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee made further progress on the new administration's diplomatic nominees yesterday: it recommended Susan Rice as the Ambassador to the United Nations.


El Senado de los Estados Unidos confirma a Hillary Clinton como Secretaria de Estado

22 de enero de 2009Washington D. C., Estados Unidos —

Ayer, el Senado de los Estados Unidos, en una votación de 94-2, aprobó a Hillary Clinton como la nueva Secretaria de Estado. Es la persona número 67 en obtener el cargo y sucede a Condoleezza Rice.

En el debate del Senado, se volvió a plantear el tema de la fundación del esposo de Hillary, el ex Presidente Bill Clinton, como ocurrió durante una audiencia celebrada por la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores de dicha Cámara. Algunos políticos han expresado su preocupación por que las donaciones a la fundación puedan crear conflictos de intereses para Hillary, siendo ya Secretaria de Estado, el mayor cargo diplomático de ese país, mientras que la fundación es liderada por Bill Clinton.


US Senate confirms Robert Gates as new Secretary of Defense

The United States Senate voted overwhelmingly today to confirm Robert Gates as the new Secretary of Defense, replacing outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.  The vote came a day after the Armed Services Committee voted unanimously to recommend Gates's confirmation.

Senators from both parties praised Gates for bluntly stating that the United States was not winning the war in Iraq, and that new strategies were needed.  "Dr. Gates spoke with candor — a candor that has been sorely missing from the Department of Defense under this administration," said Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA). "He recognized the high price that our troops are paying for the current policy."  Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said that Senators saw "the possibilities of a new chapter ... but it is up to the commander in chief to structure a change in policy."

Gates was approved by a vote of 95-2, with dissenting votes coming from Republican Senators Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim Bunning of Kentucky.

President Bush named Gates, now aged 63, who had served as Director of the CIA under his father, President George H.W. Bush, the day after Democrats won control of both houses of the incoming 110th Congress in an election marked by frustration over the continuing war in Iraq.

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Senado americano aprova nomeação de Robert Gates para cargo de Secretário da Defesa

O Senado Federal dos Estados Unidos da América  aprovou ontem (6) a nomeação de Robert Gates para o cargo de Secretário da Defesa, em substituição a Donald Rumsfield. A votação aconteceu  um dia depois de um comitê das forças armadas  unanimemente recomendar a indicação de Gates.

Os senadores de ambos os partidos elogiaram Gates e declararam que os EUA não estavam a vencer a guerra no Iraque, e novas estratégias são necessárias. "Dr. Gates falou com sinceridade -- uma sinceridade que penosamente tem estado em falta no Departmento de Defesa desta administração," disse o Senador Edward Kennedy (D-MA). "Ele reconheceu o preço alto que nossas tropas estão pagando pela política atual." O Senador Arlen Specter, republicano de Pennsylvania, disse que os senators viram "as possibilidades de um novo capítulo ... mas que ela depende do comandante chefe para estruturar uma mudança na política."

Gates foi aprovado por de 95 votos a favor e 2 contra, dos senadores Rick Santorum (Republicano de Pennsylvania) e Jim Bunning, de Kentucky.

O Presidente Bush nomeou  Gates, que serviu como Director da CIA durante o governo  de seu pai, o Presidente George H.W. Bush, um dia depois de os democratas assumirem o controle de ambas as casas na abertura do 110° Congresso numa eleição marcada pela frustração da guerra contínua no Iraque.


US Senate says no to pullout of US troops from Iraq

After a rare all-night session, the United States Senate voted today at 11 a.m. EST on the motion to invoke cloture of the Levin/Reed Amendment (S.Amdt. 2087) which would begin a pullout of United States troops from Iraq, but only 52 votes were cast in favor of the amendment and 47 were cast against it, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome the Republican filibuster of the measure.

Cots were brought in for the Senators to catch snatches of sleep during the long night, while some slept at their Washington, D.C. apartments for short periods of time. Pizza was brought in for senators to eat. Seven Democrats left the Senate floor to join a candlelight vigil held outside across the street from Congress.

Had the bill passed, troops would have left Iraq 120 days after the vote, and would have been out of the country by April of 2008.

Four Republican critics of the war — both of Maine's senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, together with Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon — voted for the proposal. Collins' was a surprise vote; although a critic, she has not been favorable toward the deadline approach. Joe Lieberman, the Independent Democrat senator from Connecticut, who caucuses with Democrats, voted with Republicans against the motion, as he has done with all Iraq war legislation this year.

Last night during the all-night senate debate, Democratic Majority Leader from Nevada, Harry Reid, asked that the Senate vote on the bill this morning. He later voted no on the motion in order to take advantage of Senate rules to reintroduce the measure.

After the motion failed, Reid proposed that the Senate look at a series of Iraq proposals, including the failed plan, and make them subject to a simple majority vote. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Minority Leader from Kentucky objected, and Reid withdrew the legislation from the floor. The Senate then moved on to discussing student loans and grants.

Throughout the night, the Senators took turns speaking in front of a large sign printed "Let Us Vote", speaking in favor of the amendment and against the Republicans for not allowing a simple majority vote. Republicans took turns decrying it, noting that Democrats did the same when they were the minority, and criticizing Democratic leaders.

The following is a breakdown of how the Senators voted on the motion of cloture for the Levin/Reed Amendment (S.Amdt. 2087) grouped by state:


El senat dels Estats Units rebutja retirar les tropes a l'Iraq

La proposta del Senat dels Estats Units per a retirar la totalitat de les tropes existents a l'Iraq en un termini d'un any va ser rebutjada després d'un votació que requeria 60 vots a favor, aconseguint només 48. Aquest va ser un fort revés del líder de la desocupació de l'Iraq, Harry Reid, qui després de la votació va assegurar que va a estudiar el següent pas a seguir després d'aquest rebuig.

No obstant això, el Senat va aprovar el finançament dels entrenaments de les tropes i els equips que es traslladen al Golf Pèrsic, a més de donar suport el projecte que impedeix la suspensió del finançament de les tropes que ja es troben desplegades a l'àrea.


El Senado de Estados Unidos rechaza retirar las tropas de Iraq

Esta es la lista de cómo votó cada senador:


Le Sénat américain refuse le retrait des troupes d'Irak

Après une session de nuit peu habituelle, le Sénat des États-Unis a voté ce jour à 11 heures EST sur la motion demandant la cloture[1] de l'amendement Levin/Reed (S.Amdt. 2087) qui aurait conduit au retrait des troupes américaines d'Irak, mais seulement 52 votes ont approuvé l'amendement alors que 47 le désapprouvaient, ratant de peu le total de 60 votes nécéssaires pour passer outre le filibuster[2] républicain sur la mesure.
Des lits de camps ont été apporté pour les Sénateurs voulant récupérer quelques instants de sommeil durant cette longue nuit, d'autres allant dormir dans leurs appartements pour de courtes périodes. Des pizzas ont même été apportées aux sénateurs pour manger. Sept Démocrates ont quitté l'enceinte du Sénat pour rejoindre une veillée aux chandelles qui se tenait dans une rue proche du Congrès.
Si la loi était passée, les troupes américaines auraient quitté l'Irak dans les 120 jours suivant le vote, et auraient été évacuées du pays courant avril 2008.
Quatre Sénateurs républicains tous critiques de la guerre, comprenant les deux Sénateurs du Maine, Susan Collins et Olympia Snowe, ont voté avec Chuck Hagel du Nebraska et Gordon Smith de l'Orégon en faveur de la loi. Le vote de Collins a été un vote surprise, car, bien que critique, elle n'était pas favorable à la manière dont le délai était mis en place. Joe Lieberman, sénateur démocrate indépendant du Connecticut, qui participe aux {{guil|caucus}] des Démocrates, a voté contre la motion avec les Républicains, comme il l'a fait pour tout ce qui touchait à la guerre d'Irak cette année.
Durant cette séance sénatoriale nocture, le dirigeant de la majorité démocrate, Harry Reid (Nevada), a demandé que le Sénat vote cette loi ce matin. Il a plus tard voté non la motion afin d'utiliser les règles sénatoriales afin de réintroduire la mesure plus tard.
Après l'échec de la motion, Reid a proposé que le Sénat examine une série de propostions sur l'Irak et les a rendu sujettes à un vote à majorité simple en y incluant la motion rejetée. Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), dirigeant de l'ooposition républicaine, a objecté et Reid a suspendu la proposition de l'ordre du jour, le Sénat se penchant alors sur les bourses et pr^ets étudiants.
Au cours de la nuit, les Sénateurs allait aborder le temps de parole des Démocrates lorsqu'un grand signal derrière eux à annoncé « votons », ne laissant pas la majorité s'exprimer sur la motion alors que les Républicains avaient eu le temps de la critiquer, ce qui ne s'était jamais vu lorsque les Démocrates étaient dans l'opposition.


Senado dos EUA rechaça retirada de tropas do Iraque

A proposta enviada ao Senado dos Estados Unidos da América que pedia a retirada total das tropas existentes no Iraque em um prazo de um ano foi rechaçada pela maioria. Para sua aprovação a proposta dependia de 60 votos a favor, mas conseguiu só 48.

O resultado foi um grande reverso para o líder da a favor da desocupação do Iraque, Harry Reid, que depois que saiu o resultado assegurou que vai estudar uma forma para reverter a decisão tomada pela maioria.

O Senado aprovou o financiamento dos treinamentos das tropas e das equipes que se deslocarão ao Golfo Pérsico. O Senado também resolveu apoiar o projeto que impede a suspensão do financiamento das tropas que já se encontram na região.


US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence finds no link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has found no link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. The 148-page report that was 3-years in the making states that Saddam Hussein was distrustful of al-Qaeda and regarded Islamic extremism as a threat to his regime.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney maintained since before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, that the Iraqi government had direct, operational links with al-Qaeda and was thus at least partially responsible for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon.

More recently, during an August 21 presidential press conference, President Bush responded to questions by Ken Herman of Cox Newspapers concerning the sagging Bush poll numbers with:

43% of Americans believe that Saddam Hussein was personally involved on the attacks of September 11th, 2001 according to Opinion Research Corporation for CNN.


Selon un rapport officiel Saddam Hussein n'a aucun lien avec Al-Qaida

Alors qu'il a été établi que les conseillers du président Bush savaient, avant de lancer la guerre contre l'Irak, que ce pays ne disposait pas d'armes de destruction massive, le second prétexte de cette guerre vient de tomber.

En effet, dans un rapport de cinq cents pages publié hier par le Senate Intelligence Committee du Sénat américain, il est désormais établi que non seulement Saddam Hussein n'encourageait pas les terroristes en question, mais, surtout, qu'il s'en défiait.

Pourtant, face à la presse le 21 août 2006, Bush évoquait encore les liens très forts entre Al-Zarqawi, le chef d’Al-Qaida en Irak, et le dictateur irakien. Il a déclaré : "Imaginez un monde avec un Saddam Hussein qui a les moyens de fabriquer des armes de destruction massive, qui paye des suicidaires pour tuer des innocents, qui aurait - qui a des relations avec Al-Zarqawi."

Il a ajouté "personne n'a jamais suggéré dans cette administration que Saddam Hussein a ordonné l'attaque" (World Trade Center).


US Senate to vote on troop pullout from Iraq today

United States Senate Democratic Majority Leader from Nevada Harry Reid has asked that the senate vote on the Levin/Reed Amendment at 11:00 a.m. (eastern time), which would begin a pullout of some U.S. troops from Iraq in 120 days, if the amendment is passed.

Currently, the U.S. senate is pulling an all-night debate on the Iraq war to decide whether troops should be pulled out of the country.

Despite the all-night session, some senators say that the debate is nothing more than a publicity stunt.

"Our enemies aren't threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts," said Mitch McConnell, a Republican Senator from Kentucky.

"We have no alternative except to keep them in session to explain their obstruction," added Reid.

Democrats are calling for a "simple majority vote" of at least 51 in order for the amendment to go forward, while Republicans want at least 60 votes.


El Senado de Estados Unidos votará si se retiran las tropas de Iraq

18 de julio de 2007Washington DC, Estados Unidos — Harry Reid, el Líder Democrático Mayoritario de Nevada del Senado de los Estados Unidos de América ha pedido el voto del Senado en la Enmienda Levin/Reed a las 11:00 (hora este), que comenzaría la retirada de algunas tropas americanas de Iraq en 120 días si la enmienda es aprobada.

Actualmente, el Senado Americano está llevando a cabo un debate trasnochado sobre la guerra de Iraq y para decidir si las tropas deben retirarse del país.

A pesar del debate trasnochado, algunos senadores dicen que el debate no es nada más que un truco publicitario.

"Nuestros enemigos no están amenazados, y nuestras tropas merecen algo mejor que trucos publicitarios", dijo Mitch McConnell, un senador republicano de Kentucky

"No tenemos otra alternativa pero mantenerlos en sesión para explicar su obstrucción", añadió Reid.

Los demócratas están pidiendo una "simple mayoría de votos" de al menos 51 para que la enmienda sea promulgado, mientras que los republicanos quieren al menos 60 votos.


US Speaker Pelosi announces Trump impeachment investigation

2020 United States presidential election

Yesterday afternoon, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced that she would be launching an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of United States President Donald Trump. Pelosi had previously opposed impeachment proceedings.

Pelosi called Trump's conduct a "breach of his Constitutional responsibilities," according to NBC. "[T]he House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry," she announced. Specifically, she was directing six of the House's committees to "proceed with their investigations under [the] umbrella" of impeachment.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee do not all agree on how impeachment inquiries work. Republican committee member Doug Collins of Georgia said on Twitter, "Until the full House votes to authorize an inquiry, nobody is conducting a formal inquiry." Democratic committee chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York has repeatedly maintained an impeachment inquiry is what the committee is already doing.

The New York Times reported that, in a phone call in late July, Trump might have encouraged newly elected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, who served as Vice President from 2008 until 2016. Joe Biden is a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election. Trump characterized the call with Zelensky as "perfectly fine and routine."

Trump, responding to Pelosi's announcement via Twitter, attacked the impeachment investigation as "Witch Hunt garbage."

Impeachment is the process by which a federal official, including the president, can be removed from office by Congress. The United States Constitution specifies that officials are removed from office after being impeached for, and convicted of, "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." A simple majority of the House of Representatives is needed to impeach an official, who can then be removed from office after a trial in the Senate, if two-thirds of the senators vote for removal.

In the history of the United States, only two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Johnson was impeached over perceived violations of the Tenure of Office Act of 1867, which the Supreme Court later ruled to be unconstitutional. The vote to remove him from office failed by one vote. In 1998, Clinton was impeached for lying to investigators and obstructing justice during the Lewinsky affair; the vote to remove him also failed. A third president, Richard Nixon, would have faced impeachment over the Watergate scandal but resigned before any impeachment vote.


Enketo pri la eksigo de Trump

Merkredo, la 25-a de septembro 2019

Hieraŭ posttagmeze, la 24-an de septembro, la prezidantino de la malsupera ĉambro de la usona parlamento, Nancy Pelosi, anoncis ke ŝi estas lanĉonta elpostenigan enketon pri la konduto de la usona prezidanto Donald Trump. Antaŭe, Pelosi estis kontraŭinta tian enketon pri elpostenigo.

Pelosi taksis la konduton de Trump "rompo de liaj konstituciaj fakoj", laŭ NBC. "La malsupera ĉambro antaŭeniras al oficialan enketon pri elpostenigo", ŝi anoncis. Precize, ŝi estas ordononta al ses ĉambraj komitatoj "antaŭenigi la esploradon" pri elpostenigo.

Ne ĉiuj anoj de la juĝa komitato de la malsupera ĉambro akordiĝas inter si pri la maniero konduki elpostenigenketon. Unu partiano de la Respublika Partio, Doug Collins, diris per Tvitero: "Ĝis la malsupera ĉambro voĉdonante permesos enketon, neniu kondukos formalan enketon". La prezidanto de la komitato, la novjorkano Jarrold Nadler, partiano de la Demokrata Partio, plurfoje asertis ke enketo pri elpostenigo estas tio, kion la komitato jam agas.

La ĵurnalo New York Times raportis ke, per telefona alvoko fine de julio, Trump eble instigis la novelektitan prezidanton de Ukrainio, Volodimir Zelenskij, esplori pri Hunter Biden, la filo de Joe Biden, vicprezidento de Usono de 2008 ĝis 2016. Joe Biden estas eminenta kandidato al la Demokrata nomumado por la 2020-a prezidenta balotado. Trump taksis la telefonan alvokon "tute bona kaj rutina".

Trump, respondinte per Tvitero al la anonco de Pelosi, atakis la elpostenigenketon nominte ĝin "ruba ĉasado de sorĉistinoj".

La elpostenigo estas la procezo en kiu la usona parlemento povas maldungi federalan oficiulon, inkluzive de la prezidanto. La usona konstitucio diras ke oficiuloj foriĝas el sia oficio post elpostenigenketo kaj kondamno pri "perfido, subaĉeto, aŭ aliaj grandaj krimoj kaj ofendoj". Necesas simpla plimulto en la malsupera ĉambro por komenci la elpostenigon de oficiulo, kaj de tiam li povas eksiĝi laŭ juĝo de la usona Senato voĉdonante du trionojn.

En la tuta historio de Usono, nur du prezidantoj estis elpostenigataj de la malsupera ĉambro: Andrew Johnson kaj Bill Clinton. Johnson estis elpostenigata pro ŝajnaj malobservoj de la 1867-a leĝo Tenure Office Act, kiun la Supera Kortumo taksis kontraŭkonstitucia. La voĉdono por eksigi lin malsukcesis je unu voĉo. En 1998, Clinton estis elpostenigata pro mensogoj al enketistoj kaj obstrukco de justico dum la afero Lewinsky. La voĉodono ankaŭ malsukcesis pri li. Tria prezidanto, Richard Nixon, estus elpostenigita pri la Skandalo Watergate, sed li rezignis antaŭ iu ajn elposteniga voĉdono.


Демократы запустили импичмент Дональда Трампа

Вечером в среду, 24 сентября 2019 года, cпикер Палаты представителей Конгресса США демократ Нэнси Пелоси заявила о запуске процедуры импичмента президента Дональда Трампа:

По словам госпожи Пелоси, Трамп «предал должность президента, национальную безопасность и целостность наших выборов».

Она заявила, что действующий президент нарушил положения Конституции США во время телефонного разговора с украинским президентом Владимиром Зеленским:

До этого спикер нижней палаты Конгресса США много месяцев отказывалась дать ход расследованию для объявления импичмента Трампу из-за предыдущего обвинения в препятствовании правосудию, связанному со следствием по российскому вмешательству в предыдущие выборы.

Дональд Трамп уже отреагировал на решение демократов в своём твиттере, назвав его «грязной охотой на ведьм»:

Сегодня на полях Генассамблеи ООН должна состояться первая в истории встреча президентов США и Украины Дональда Трампа и Владимира Зеленского.

Лидер республиканцев в Палате представителей Кевин Маккарти уже заявил, что он не поддерживает инициативу демократов о начале расследования по поводу возможности импичмента.

В первой половине дня во вторник Нэнси Пелоси заявила, что директор Национальной разведки США Джозеф Магуайр нарушил закон, отказавшись передать депутатам анонимную жалобу осведомителя на действия президента Дональда Трампа. По её мнению, он действовал по указанию Белого дома:

Дональда Трампа подозревают в том, что во время телефонного разговора с президентом Украины Владимиром Зеленским президент США оказывал давление на своего украинского коллегу, принуждая его «сделать что-то незаконное».

По данным газеты The Wall Street Journal, Трамп требовал от Зеленского оказать содействие своему личному адвокату Рудольфу Джулиани в расследовании действий своего главного конкурента на президентских выборах 2020 года Джо Байдена и его сына Хантера, связанного с украинской газовой компанией; а также по делу экс-главы предвыборной кампании Трампа Пола Манафорта, который получил $12,7 млн за работу на беглого президента Украины Виктора Януковича и сейчас находится в тюрьме.

Анонимный сотрудник американской разведки, который узнал об этом разговоре, написал срочный рапорт, в котором доложил, что в ходе разговора глава Белого дома дал некое обещание.
Однако Национальная разведка отказалась ознакомить Конгресс США с подробностями этого дела.

Информацию о давлении уже опровергли в Украине, а также сам Дональд Трамп.

25 сентября 2019 года


US State department official resigns after Wikileaks comments

A spokesperson for the US state department, Philip Crowley, resigned today after making comments describing the treatment of Bradley Manning, who is accused of leaking information to Wikileaks, as "stupid."

Crowley made the comments last week at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After being asked a question about concerns Manning was being tortured while in prison, Crowley replied that he thought that how the Defense Department was treating Manning was "ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid." He also said that he still believed Manning belonged in prison.

Crowley's remarks sparked widespread controversy, and on Friday President Barack Obama was asked about them at a press conference. In reply, Obama said that Defense Department officials had "assure[d] me" that Manning was being treated appropriately.

In a statement, Crowley said that "[g]iven the impact of my remarks, for which I take full responsibility, I have submitted my resignation." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Mike Hammer, a current White House aide, will replace Crowley.  She also said that it was "with regret" that she accepted his resignation, and wished him "the very best."


Portaveu del Departament d'Estat dels EUA dimiteix després dels seus comentaris sobre Wikileaks

Un portaveu del Departament d'Estat dels EUA, Philip Crowley, va dimitir avui després de fer uns comentaris que descriuen el tractament de Bradley Manning, el qual és acusat de filtrar informació a Wikileaks, per part del Departament de Defensa dels Estats Units, com d'"estúpid".

Crowley va fer els comentaris la setmana passada a l'Institut Tecnològic de Massachusetts. Després de ser preguntat sobre que pensava al voltant que Manning havia estat sent torturat mentre hi era en presó. Crowley va dir que pensava que la manera en que el Departament de Defensa estava tractant a Manning era “ridícula, contraproduent i estúpida”. També va dir que creia que Manning havia de continuar en la presó.

Els comentaris de Crowley van provocar una àmplia controvèrsia, i el divendres el president Barack Obama va ser preguntat sobre això a una conferència de premsa. En resposta, Obama va dir que funcionaris del Departament de Defensa “l'havien assegura't” que Manning estava sent tractat adequadament.

En una declaració posterior, Crowley va dir que “donat l'impacte dels meus comentaris, pels quals assumisc tota la responsabilitat, he presentat la meva dimissió.”


US strikes suspected Iraqi insurgents

U.S. warplanes bombed suspected Iraqi insurgents in the Iraqi city of Diwaniya on Saturday. The reports from the United States military stated that the insurgents were armed with rocket propelled grenades and were a danger to their forces in the southern city of Diwaniya, 110 miles (177 kilometres) south of Baghdad.

The United States military said that residents in the predominantly Shi'ite city tipped them off to the arrival of insurgents carrying rocket propelled grenades in the area. "The troops made positive identification of the militiamen and called for the air strike," a military statement said.

A U.S. military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Bleichwehl, said:

In a statement the Iraqi police informed The Associated Press that one civilian was killed and five seriously injured when a U.S. tank fired upon a house in Diwaniya. The air strike was a part of a military program on insurgents located in the city of Diwaniya, which is widely known to be the home of Shi'ite insurgents. It is spearheaded by the new Iraqi army and is supported by soldiers and paratroopers within the coalition.

U.S. troops and Iraqi soldiers stormed the city before dawn on Friday the 6th of April, killing three insurgents and capturing 27 people, the U.S. military said. Code named Operation Black Eagle, the operation is targeting insurgents loyal to anti-American Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Among the discoveries and captures the assault force in Diwaniya came upon a site where powerful explosives were being assembled.

A spokesman for al-Sadr stated that on Saturday militia fighters in Diwaniya had destroyed three American vehicles and captured a robot used to detonate roadside bombs.


Raid américano-irakien contre des insurgés chiites à Diwaniya

Des avions de guerre américains ont bombardé, samedi 7 avril 2007, des positions tenues par des insurgés irakiens dans la ville de Diwaniya, à environ 180 km au sud de Bagdad. Selon les militaires américains, ces insurgés représentaient un danger pour les troupes de la coalition occupant l'Irak.

Les militaires américains ont indiqué que des habitants de cette ville majoritairement chi'ite les avaient avertis de l'arrivée dans le secteur d'insurgés porteurs de lance-roquettes et que la décision de lancer le raid aérien avait été prise après authentification des renseignements fournis.

Un porte-parole militaire américain, le lieutenant-colonel Scott Bleichwehl, a précisé qu’« une personne a été tuée quand un avion de guerre a tiré sur des bandits armés détenant des lance-roquettes » et qu'il n'y aurait eu « aucun dommage collatéral ».

La police irakienne a indiqué, dans un communiqué publié par l’Associated Press, qu'un civil a été tué et cinq sérieusement blessés lorsqu'un char américain a ouvert le feu sur une maison à Diwaniya. Le raid aérien faisait partie d'un programme militaire contre des insurgés basés dans la ville de Diwaniya, réputée être un « bastion » des insurgés chi'ites. L'attaque était conduite par la nouvelle armée irakienne, avec le soutien de soldats et de parachutistes de la coalition.

Selon l'armée américaine, des troupes américaines et des soldats irakiens ont pris d'assaut la ville avant l'aube, vendredi 6 avril, tuant trois insurgés et capturant 27 personnes. Cette opération, baptisée du nom de code « Opération Aigle noir » (Operation Black Eagle), visait des insurgés fidèles de l'hodjatoleslam Moqtada al-Sadr.

À la suite de ces opérations, les troupes gouvernementales irakiennes auraient découvert, après l'assaut, un site où il aurait été procédé à l'assemblage d'engins explosifs de forte puissance.

Un porte-parole de Moqtada al-Sadr a indiqué pour sa part que, samedi, des miliciens auraient détruit, à Diwaniya,  trois véhicules américains et se seraient emparés d'un robot de déminage des routes.


US Supreme Court rules Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

In a ruling released yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 5–4 that portions of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are unconstitutional and married same-sex partners should not be prevented from receiving federal benefits including tax and social security benefits, and recognition for the purpose of immigration.

In the majority decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote: "The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the state, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity." Kennedy said DOMA "writes inequality into the entire United States Code".

The case was brought by 84-year-old Edith Windsor, who was married to Thea Speyer. The State of New York recognised their marriage, but following Speyer's death, Windsor had to pay more than US$300,000 in inheritance tax.

In addition to a decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, the Supreme Court also ruled on a case brought by supporters of Proposition 8 in California, a ballot measure which made same-sex marriage illegal in 2008. The resulting same-sex marriage ban was challenged in the court and a lower court held that the measure was incompatible with the US Constitution. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by supporters of Proposition 8, arguing they do not have standing to defend in court a law the State of California is unwilling to defend. Therefore the lower court decision holds. California Governor Jerry Brown said: "I have directed the California Department of Public Health to advise the state's counties they must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the Ninth Circuit confirms the stay is lifted".

President Barack Obama welcomed the decisions: "When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free." Obama instructed Eric Holder, the US attorney general, to ensure the ruling is implemented in federal law.

Anthony Romero from the American Civil Liberties Union said the fight for same-sex marriage rights would now return to the states.  Chad Griffin from the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights organization, pledged: "Within five years, we will bring marriage equality to all 50 states."

A number of opponents of same-sex marriage have voiced their opinions on the Supreme Court decision. Michele Bachmann, a Republican congresswoman from Minnesota, stated: "Marriage was created by the hand of God. No man, not even a Supreme Court, can undo what a holy God has instituted. For thousands of years of recorded human history, no society has defended the legal standard of marriage as anything other than between man and woman. Only since 2000 have we seen a redefinition of this foundational unit of society in various nations."

Bachmann went on: "Today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to join the trend, despite the clear will of the people’s representatives through DOMA. What the court has done will undermine the best interest of children and the best interests of the United States."

Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp said the "courts have allowed the desires of adults to trump the needs of our children".


Απόφαση του Ανώτατου Δικαστηρίου δικαιώνει τα ομοφυλόφιλα ζευγάρια

Ιστορική νίκη για τα δικαιώματα των ομοφυλοφίλων σημειώθηκε την Τέταρτη στις ΗΠΑ. Με 5 ψήφους υπέρ έναντι 4 το Ανώτατο Δικαστήριο της χώρας αποφάσισε ότι η ομοσπονδιακή κυβέρνηση δεν μπορεί να περιορίζει τον ορισμό του γάμου ως την ένωση ενός άντρα και μίας γυναίκας.

Οι νομικές προεκτάσεις της απόφασης είναι πολύ σημαντικές. Δίνουν το δικαίωμα σε άτομα του ιδίου φύλου να διεκδικήσουν οφέλη που είναι στην διάθεση στα ετερόφυλα παντρεμένα ζευγάρια, όπως φοροαπαλλαγές, υγειονομική κάλυψη και συνταξιοδοτικά οφέλη.

Η απόφαση κατέρριψε πρόνοια νομού γνωστή ως DOMA (Federal Defense of Marriage Act) η οποία δεν απαιτεί από τις πολιτείες να αναγνωρίζουν γάμους ομοφυλοφίλων, που μπορεί να έγιναν σε άλλες πολιτείες όπου θεωρούνται νόμιμοι. Ο γάμος ατόμων του ιδίου φύλου δεν είναι συνταγματικά κατοχυρωμένος στις ΗΠΑ. Οι πολιτείες μπορούν να αποφασίζουν για την νομιμότητα του γάμου ατόμων του ιδίου φύλου.  Μέχρι στιγμής ο γάμος ομοφυλοφίλων αναγνωρίζεται μόνο σε 13 πολιτείες.

Σε άλλη εξέλιξη, το Ανώτατο Δικαστήριο αποφάσισε ότι δεν μπορεί να ασκηθεί προσφυγή για την απαγόρευση γάμων του ιδίου φύλου που ψηφίστηκε στην Καλιφορνία, ανοίγοντας έτσι τον δρόμο για την επαναφορά του γάμου ομοφυλόφιλων στην πολιτεία.

Ο Πρόεδρος Ομπάμα δήλωσε ότι «όλοι είμαστε πιο ελεύθεροι όταν όλοι οι Αμερικανοί αντιμετωπίζονται ως ισότιμοι, ανεξάρτητα από το ποιον αγαπούν».

Να σημειωθεί ότι πριν από 10 μόνο χρόνια το Ανώτατο Δικαστήριο κατήργησε νόμο που όριζε ως παράνομες τις σχέσεις ατόμων του ιδίου φύλου.

27 Ιουνίου 2013


États-Unis : la Cour suprême se prononce en faveur du mariage homosexuel

Ce jeudi, la Cour suprême des États-Unis a invalidé une loi fédérale qui définissait le mariage comme étant l'union entre un homme et une femme. Les couples mariés homosexuels jouissent donc des mêmes droits que les couples mariés hétérosexuels. Le mariage homosexuel n'est pas ainsi légalisé à l'échelle du pays, mais il l'est de nouveau en Californie grâce à cette décision. Le mariage homosexuel est maintenant légal dans 13 États.


ஒருபால் திருமண மறுப்புச் சட்டத்துக்கு எதிராக அமெரிக்க உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பு

ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்க உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் நடுவண் அரசின் திருமணப் பாதுகாப்புச் சட்டத்தின் (Defense of Marriage Act) மூன்றாம் பகுதி அரசமைப்புச் சட்டத்தின் ஐந்தாவது திருத்ததிற்கு எதிரானது எனத் தீர்ப்பளித்துள்ளது. ஒருபாலின துணைவர்களுக்கு ஓய்வூதியம், சொத்துரிமை உட்பட்ட ஆயிரத்துக்கும் மேற்பட்ட நடுவண் அரசின் சேவைகளை மறுத்த திருமணப் பாதுகாப்புச் சட்டத்தின் மூன்றாம் பகுதி இத் தீர்ப்பை அடுத்து செல்லுபடியாகாது.

இச் சட்டத்துக்கு எதிரான வழக்கை எடித் வின்சர் கொண்டு வந்தார். எடித் வின்சர் தனது நாற்பது ஆண்டு கால ஒருபால் துணைவரை 2009 இல் இழந்தார். இவர்களது திருமணம் நியூயோர்க் மாநிலத்தில் சட்டபூர்வமாக ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட்டது. ஆனால் திருமணப் பாதுகாப்புச் சட்டத்தினால் நடுவண் அரசினால் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்படவில்லை. இதனால் துணையை இழந்தவர்களுக்கு கிடைக்கும் பல உரிமைகள் இவருக்கு மறுக்கப்பட்டது. இதனை எதிர்த்து இவர் வழக்குத் தொடர்ந்தார்.

உச்ச நீதிமன்றம் வரை வந்த இந்த வழக்கில் இவருக்குச் சார்பாக அச்சட்டத்தை எதிர்த்து ஐந்து நீதிபதிகளும் இவருக்கு எதிராக நான்கு பேரும் தீர்ப்பு வழங்கினார்கள். சார்பாக தீர்ப்பு வழங்கியவர்கள் இச் சட்டம் ஒருபால் துணைவர்களுக்கு எதிராக நியாயமின்றிப் பாகுபாடு காட்டுகின்றது என்றும், இரண்டாம் தர குடிமக்களாக நடத்துகிறது என்றும் கூறினர். இத் தீர்வின் சிறுபான்மைக் கருத்தை வெளியிட்ட நீதிபதி மக்களால் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட அரசு உருவாக்கிய இச் சட்டத்தை செல்லுபடியற்றதாக ஆக்க உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்துக்கு அதிகாரம் இல்லை என்று கூறினார்.

இச் சட்டம் 1996 ஆம் ஆண்டு இரண்டு கட்சிகளின் ஆதரவுடன் சட்ட ஏற்புப் பெற்றது. ஆனால் 2012 இல் ஒபாமாவின் அரசு இச் சட்டதுக்கு ஆதரவளிக்கவில்லை. உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தின் தீர்ப்பை ஒருபாலின ஆதரவாளர்கள் வரவேற்றுள்ளார்கள். குடியரசுக் கட்சியர், பழமைவாதக் கொள்கையினர், சமய அடிப்படைவாதிகள் எதிர்த்துள்ளார்கள்.

வியாழன், சூன் 27, 2013


US suspects North Korea and Burma participating in 'covert military' activities

In diplomatic cables released by the whistle blowing website Wikileaks on Friday, it is revealed that the United States embassy in Rangoon suspects the North Korean and Burmese military are participating in "covert military or military-industrial" activities. In the cables dating back as early as January 2004, the embassy reports the military activities could include the construction of a nuclear reactor in or near Minbu, along with "SAM missiles" and an underground facility with as many as 300 North Korean military personnel assisting the Burmese military in the construction. Burma is primarily controlled by its military.

In the January 2004 cable, a businessman reportedly told the U.S. embassy in Rangoon that "massive" barges were bringing in large pieces of equipment to  Minbu from the Irawaddy River. He suggested that "the quantities involved as well as the diameter of the rebar suggested a project larger than 'factories.'" In the same cable, the U.S. acknowledges that rumors of a nuclear reactor being constructed in the area date back to 2002, with suspected Russian involvement. "Rumors of ongoing construction of a nuclear reactor are surprisingly consistent and observations of activity such as that described [sic] appear to be increasing," said Martinez, the reported cable author. According to a news report in March, The Irrawaddy claims Burma was close to completing at least three nuclear reactors. The country's leadership claims the nuclear research that is taking place is to be used for peaceful purposes.

In August of the same year, the U.S embassy receives more information that North Korea military is assisting in the construction of "SAM missiles (surface to air missiles) of unknown origin" and an "underground, concrete reinforced" facility in Minbu. The construction allegedly includes buildings which would house at least "20 Burmese army battalions that will be posted near the site." The correspondent again says that the report "tracks with other information Embassy Rangoon and others have reported in various channels."

"This account is perhaps best considered alongside other information of various origins indicating the Burmese and North Koreans are up to something. Something of a covert military or military-industrial nature. Exactly what, and on what scale, remains to be determined," said McMullen, the reported cable author. He also admits that the number of North Koreans thought to be assisting the Burmese military "is much higher than our best estimates of North Koreans in Burma." According to the Agence France-Presse in 2002, citing an unnamed U.S State Department official, the U.S. warned Burma not to pursue a nuclear program saying  that it expects Burma "to live up to its obligations [under the non-proliferation treaty] and to not pursue production of weapons grade fissile material." However a 2008 cable says that Burma may already be in possession of weapons grade uranium. The cable reports that a civilian tried to sell 2,000 kilograms of uranium-238 which "could be dug up" from the ground at a site in Kayah State. Uranium-238 could be used in the construction of nuclear weapons.

"A Burmese civilian met with members of USDAO [United States Defense Attaché Office] Rangoon and offered to sell Uranium-238. The individual had initially contacted the USDAO eight days prior with the offer. The individual provided a small bottle half-filled with metallic powder and a photocopied certificate of testing from a Chinese university dated 1992 as verification of the radioactive nature of the powder," said the cable. "The individual claimed to be able to provide up to 2000 kg of uranium-bearing rock from a location in Kayah State, and further stated if the U.S. was not interested in purchasing the uranium, he and his associates would try to sell it to other countries, beginning with Thailand," it added. The cable adds that the Burmese government was unaware that such a transaction was taking place and that they "would likely seize any additional samples or stocks of the material if aware of their existence." However, a cable in January of 2007 says that the Burmese military may have received a shipment of uranium at the end of that month. The "sensitive shipment" was said to have come from Singapore via shipping freighter.

"[An unnamed witness] claimed that metals are usually exported in blocks, whereas the bags in this shipment were filled with loose earth and mud. The source of the mixed ore, Maw Chi, is also a source for uranium, they claimed. Security was tighter than usual, surveillance was heavier, and officials paid closer attention to the movement of the shipment and activity at the port," said the cable. The cable author, 'Villarosa,' later states that the embassy in Rangoon was given allegedly detailed information on the shipping methods, weight and cost. No further cables have yet to be released on the matter.


Οι ΗΠΑ υποπτεύονται τη συμμετοχή της Βορείου Κορέας και της Μιανμάρ σε μυστικές στρατιωτικές δραστηριότητες

Τα διπλωματικά έγγραφα, τα οποία δημοσιεύσε η ιστοσελίδα WikiLeaks, αποκαλύπτουν ότι η πρεσβεία των ΗΠΑ στο Γιανγκόν υποπτεύονται  τη συμμετοχή των στρατών της Βορείου Κορεάς και της Μιανμάρ "σε μυστικές στρατιωτικές" επιχειρήσεις. Στα έγγραφα, τα οποία χρονολογούνται από  στο 2004, η πρεσβεία αναφέρει ότι οι δραστηριότητες μπορεί να συμπεριλαμβάνουν τη δημιουργεία πυρηνικού αντιδραστήρα κοντά ή μέσα στο Μινμπού, μαζί με "πυραύλους SAM" και μια υπόγεια εγκατάσταση με προσωπικό 300 Βορειοκορεάτων στρατιωτικών τεχνικών, ώστε να αναπτυχθεί η στρατιωτική υποδομή της Μιανμάρ. Η Μιανμάρ ελέγχεται κυρίως από τον στρατό της.

Τα έγγραφα, τα οποία χρονολογούνται από τον Ιανουάριο του 2004, αναφέρουν ότι ένας επιχειρηματίας είπε στη πρεσβεία των ΗΠΑ στο Γιανγκόν ότι "πολλά φορτηγά μετέφεραν στρατιωτικό εξοπλισμό στο Μινμπού δια μέσου του ποταμού Ιραβάντυ". Θεωρεί ότι "οι αναφερόμενες  ποσότητες αντιστοιχούν στο μέγεθος  ενός εργοστασίου". Στα ίδια έγγραφα, οι ΗΠΑ αναφέρονται σε  φήμες για τη δημιουγία ενός πυρηνικού αντιδραστήρα το 2002, υποψιαζόμενες  τη συμμετοχή της Ρωσίας. "Οι φήμες για τη δημιουργία ενός πυρηνικού αντιδραστήρα είναι αρκετά βασίμες  και η φερόμενη δραστηριότητα δείχνει να αυξάνεται", δήλωσε ο Μαρτίνεζ, αναφερόμενη πηγή των εγγράφων. Σύμφωνα με δελτίο τύπου του Μαρτίου, το The Irrawaddy θεωρεί ότι η Μιανμάρ ήταν κοντά στην ολοκλήρωση τουλάχιστον 3 πυρηνικών αντιδραστήρων. Οι ηγέτες της χώρας λένε "ότι οι πυρηνικοί αντιδραστήρες θα χρησιμοποιηθούν για ειρηνικό σκοπό".

Τον Αύγουστο του ίδιου έτους, η πρεσβεία των ΗΠΑ έλαβε πληροφορίες ότι ο στρατός της Βορείου Κορέας συμμετέχει στη δημιουργία "πυραύλων SAM" καθώς και "υπόγειας εγκατάστασης" στο Μινμπού. Ισχυρίζεται ότι η κατασκευή περιλαμβάνει κτίρια όπου θα μπορέσουν "να στεγάσουν 20 τάγματα του στρατού της Μιανμάρ, τα οποία θα βρίσκονται στην πόλη." Ο δημοσιογράφος λέει πάλι ότι η αναφορά "δημοσιεύθηκε μαζί με άλλα έγγραφα της πρεσβείας στο Γιανγκόν σε άλλα κανάλια."

"Αυτή η πληροφορία είναι ίσως καλύτερα εξετασμένη σε σχέση με άλλες πληροφορίες άλλων προελεύσεων. Κάτι σαν μυστική στρατιωτική ή στρατιωτικό-βιομηχανική δραστηριότητα.", δήλωσε ο ΜακΜούλλεν, η αναφερόμενη πηγή των εγγράφων. Επίσης δήλωσε ότι ο αριθμός των Βορειοκορεάτων βοηθών του στρατού της Μιανμάρ "είναι μεγαλύτερος από τις καλύτερες εκτιμήσεις μας για τον αριθμό των Βορειοκορεάτων στη χώρα". Σύμφωνα με το Agence France-Presse το 2002, με πηγή έναν ανώνυμο αξιωματούχο του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών των ΗΠΑ, οι ΗΠΑ προειδοποιούσαν τη Μιανμάρ να μη συνεχίσει το πυρηνικό της πρόγραμμα και περιμένουν από τη Μιανμάρ "να ανταποκριθεί στις υποχρεώσεις της [σύμφωνα με διακρατική τους συμφωνία] και να σταματήσει τη παραγωγή πυρηνικών όπλων." Ωστόσο, ένα έγγραφο του 2008, ανέφερε  ότι η Μιανμάρ ίσως να έχει στη κατοχή της ουράνιο. Σύμφωνα με αυτό το έγγραφο, ένας πολίτης της Μιανμάρ προσπάθησε πουλήσει 2.000 κιλά ουρανίου-238, τα οποία "μπορεί να είναι κρυμμένα στο έδαφος" στην Πολιτεία Κάγια. Το ουράνιο-238 μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί στη κατασκευή πυρηνικών όπλων.

"Ένας πολιτικός της Μιανμάρ συναντήθηκε με μέλη της USDAO [United States Defense Attaché Office] Ραγκούν και προσφέρθηκε να πουλήσει ουράνιο-238. Το άτομο αρχικά επικοινώνησε με τα μέλη της USDAO οκτώ (8) μέρες πριν τη προσφορά. Το άτομο αυτό παρείχε ένα μικρό μπουκάλι μισο-γεμάτο με μεταλλική σκόνη και ένα αντίγραφο πιστοποιητικού ενός κινέζικου πανεπιστημίου, το οποίο χρονολογείται το 1992, και επιβεβαιώνει τον έλεγχο της ραδιοενεργικής φύσης της σκόνης," αναφέρει το έγγραφο. "Το άτομο φέρεται να είναι σε θέση να παρέχει 2.000 κιλά ουρανίου σε ένα μέρος της πολιτείας Κάγια, και δήλωσε πως αν οι ΗΠΑ δεν ενδιαφερθούν να αγοράσουν το ουράνιο, αυτός και οι συνεργάτες του θα το πουλήσουν σε άλλες χώρες, αρχίζοντας από τη Ταϊλάνδη," πρόσθεσε. Το έγγραφο αναφέρει ότι "η κυβέρνηση της Μιανμάρ ήξερε για τη διαδικασία αυτή". Ωστόσο, ένα έγγραφο του Ιανουαρίου του 2007 λέει ότι ο στρατός της Μιανμάρ "ίσως έλαβε ουράνιο στο τέλος αυτού του μήνα". Η "ευαίσθητη μεταφορά" θεωρείται ότι έγινε  με πλοίο από τη Σινγκαπούρη.

"[Ο ανώνυμος μάρτυρας] ισχυρίστηκε ότι τα μέταλλα εξάγονταν συνήθως σε τεμάχια, ενώ οι σακούλες σε αυτό το πλοίο ήταν γεμάτες με χαλαρό έδαφος και λάσπη. Η πηγή των μικτών μεταλλευμάτων, Maw Chi (Μαβ Χι), εiναι επίσης πηγή ουρανίου. Η ασφάλεια ήταν αυστηρότερη από το συνηθισμένο καθώς και η επιτήρηση, και οι αξιωματούχοι  έδιναν μεγαλύτερη προσοχή στην μεταφορά του φορτίου και τις δραστηριότητες στη περιοχή," λέει το έγγραφο. Η κύρια πηγή των εγγράφων, Villarosa, αργότερα ανέφερε ότι η πρεσβεία στο Γιανγκόν (ή Ρανγκούν) έδωσε πληροφορίες για το μέγεθος και το κόστος των επιχειρήσεων. Ως τώρα, δεν έχουν δημοσιευθεί άλλα έγγραφα για αυτό το θέμα.

12 Δεκεμβρίου 2010


US to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia

George W. Bush, the President of the United States, has announced that his country will "begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia, headed by the United States military."

Speaking at 11:10 EDT (15:10 UTC) today, Bush also said that "the United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected."

According to Bush, the planned aid mission will be "vigorous and ongoing."

Bush went on to describe the methods used in the delivery of the aid. "A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies."

In the final parts of the speech, Bush focused on the responsibilities that he claims Russia has committed to. "We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit," he said, continuing on the focus on the provisions of aid.

The crisis in Georgia started when, on August 7, following days of fire exchange with South Ossetian separatist units, Georgia launched an offensive against Tskhinvali, the capital of the region. The next day Russian forces entered Georgia and began to bomb targets in the country.


USA skickar humanitär hjälp till Georgien

Publiceringar 13 augusti • augusti 2008 • kvartal 3 • vecka 33


US to host North Korean diplomat for nuclear talks

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today that a North Korean diplomat, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, is to travel to the US to discuss the possibility of resuming international discussion of North Korea's nuclear program.

Clinton said that the visit will take place "later this week," while South Korean news agency Yonhap said that it will occur on Thursday. The announcement comes after diplomats from both North and South Korea held unexpected talks on Friday at a regional security conference in Indonesia.

According to Clinton, the planned talks will include officials from various branches of the US government, and will discuss the "next steps necessary to resume denuclearisation negotiations through the six-party talks," which include the two Koreas, the US, China, Japan and Russia. In addition to the nuclear talks, Yonhap said that US food aid to North Korea will also be discussed.

In a statement, Clinton said that she wants any talks to make meaningful progress. "We do not intend to reward the North just for returning to the table [...] We will not give them anything new for actions they have already agreed to take. And we have no appetite for pursuing protracted negotiations that will only lead us right back to where we have already been."

North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun said on Sunday that the two Koreas are at "the crossroads of detente and the vicious cycle of escalating tension" and that they must "make the best use of [the] opportunity of dialogue and make a bold decision to settle the fundamental issue."


آمریکا برای مذاکرت هسته‌ای میزبان کره شمالی گشت

وزیر امورخارجه ایالات متحده آمریکا، هیلاری کلینتون اعلام کرد یکشنبه، یک دیپلمات کره شمالی، گیوان کی کیم، که معاون وزیر امورخارجه کره شمالی است، برای بحث در مورد احتمال از سرگیری بحث بین‌المللی برنامه هسته‌ای کره شمالی به امریکا سفر می‌کند.

کلینتون گفت که این دیدار در اواخر این هفته برگزار خواهد شد؛ در حالی که کره جنوبی در آژانس خبری یونهپ گفت که این اتفاق روز پنجشنبه رخ خواهد داد. روز جمعه نیز در اقدام حیرت‌انگیز دو دیپلمات کره‌ای از دو کره در نشستی در کشور اندونزی گردآمده‌بودند.

به گفته کلینتون، در مذاکرات برنامه‌ریزی شده مقامات از حزب‌های مختلف دولت ایالات متحده، و در گامهای بعدی مذاکرات شش جانبه، که شامل دو کره، ایالات متحده، چین، ژاپن و روسیه خواهد بود، مذکراتی برای خلع سلاح هسته‌ای کره‌شمالی برگزار خواهد شد. علاوه بر مذاکرات هستهای، یونهپ گفت که کمکهای غذایی ایالات متحده به کره شمالی نیز مورد بحث قرار خواهد گرفت.


US to reduce troops in Iraq by 5,000 in December

According to the United States military in Iraq, at least 5,000 U.S. soldiers are going to be withdrawn from the country.

The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army are stationed in Iraq's Diyala Province. When they finish their withdrawal in December, they will not be replaced by another division.

The military indicated the withdrawal is possible due to improved security in the country. If security improves further, as many as 20,000 troops could be on their way back to the U.S. by July 2008.

"The redeployment without replacement reflects overall improved security within Iraq. If conditions continue to permit, a total of five brigade combat teams will be redeployed over the next eight months," said U.S. military in Iraq spokesman, Rear Admiral Gregory Smith.

Smith also mentioned that four more army brigades and two marine battalions would leave Iraq before July 2008, restoring pre-surge levels of 130,000 troops. There are nearly 163,000 U.S. troops serving currently in Iraq.


EEUU reducirá tropas en Iraq en 5.000 para diciembre

De acuerdo al Ejército de Estados Unidos en Iraq, al menos 5.000 soldados americanos volverán a América para diciembre.

La Tercera Brigada, Primera División de Caballería, del Ejército estadounidense se encuentra estacionado en la Provincia de Diyala. Cuando termine su retirada en diciembre, no serán reemplazados por otra división.

Los militares indicaron que la retirada es posible ya que la seguridad ha mejorado en el país. Si la seguridad mejora aún más, hasta 20.000 tropas podrían volver a EE. UU. para julio de 2008.

"La redespliegue sin reemplazo refleja la seguridad mejorada en Iraq. Si las condiciones lo permiten, un total de cinco brigadas [...] serán redesplegadas en los siguientes ocho meses", dijo un portavoz del Ejército estadounidense, el Contraalmirante Gregory Smith.

Smith además dijo que cuatro brigadas más y dos batallones de marines dejarían Iraq antes de julio de 2008, restaurando los niveles iniciales de 130.000 tropas. Actualmente, hay al menos 163,000 tropas en Iraq.


Mniej wojsk USA w Iraku

W grudniu z Iraku zostanie wycofana jednostka z prowincji Didżala, nie będzie ona zastąpiona nową brygadą - poinformowało dowództwo sił USA. Oznacza to, że w Iraku stacjonować będzie ok. 157 tys. żołnierzy, o 5 tys. mniej niż dotychczas

Nie oznacza to jednak, że prowincja ta zostanie wykreślona z map amerykańskich żołnierzy, nadal dochodzi tam do ataków na miejscową ludność. Jednak od 27. listopada nie będzie już jednostki, która do tej pory tam stacjonowała - odpowiedzialność za ten teren przejmie zespół bojowy Stryker, który wchodzi w skład 2 Dywizji Piechoty.

Od czasów ogłoszenia planu redukcji na lipiec 2008 roku o 20 tysięcy liczbę stacjonujących w Iraku żołnierzy nie miało miejsca zdarzenie, aby jednostka wycofująca się nie była zastąpiona przez inna, o takiej samej randze.

Jeśli okoliczności będą nadal na to pozwalały, łącznie 5 brygadowych zespołów bojowych zostanie wycofanych w ciągu następnych 8 miesięcy - powiedział na konferencji prasowej rzecznik wojskowy, kontradmirał Gregory Smith.


US use of white phosphorus in Iraq may constitute a war crime

Yesterday the United States admitted using incendiary weapons containing white phosphorus during a major offensive in Fallujah. There is question, however, as to what end the use of these weapon is legal under conventions of war.

The way white phosphorus munitions are used determines if it falls in the category of chemical weapons, says Professor Paul Rodgers from the University of Bradford department of peace studies. "It is not counted under the chemical weapons convention in its normal use but, although it is a matter of legal niceties, it probably does fall into the category of chemical weapons if it is used for this kind of purpose directly against people." Professor Paul Rodgers is the writer of the book "A War on Terror: Afghanistan and After".

As reported on November 15 in the UK's Independent, according to three artillery men writing in the March-April edition of Field Artillery, the magazine of the US Field Artillery based in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which is readily available on the internet, white phosphorus was used "as a potent psychological weapon against insurgents in trench lines and spider holes...We fired 'shake and bake' [a combination of white phosphorus and explosives] missions at the insurgents using WP to flush them out and high exposive shells (HE) to take them out."

A spokesman for the US military, Lt. Col. Barry Venable, said yesterday when US admitted the use of white phosphorus as an incendiary weapon, that "White phosphorus is a conventional munition. It is not a chemical weapon. They are not outlawed or illegal." He added that "it was used as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants."

Robert Tuttle, the American ambassador to London, wrote "U.S. forces do not use napalm or white phosphorus as weapons," in a letter to the Independent newspaper. When confronted with the US militaries' admission, an embassy spokesperson said "all questions on WP" should be referred to the Pentagon.

Sir Menzies Campbell, Member of the British Parliament (Liberal Democrat), says: "The use of this weapon may technically have been legal, but its effects are such that it will hand a propaganda victory to the insurgency. The denial of use followed by the admission will simply convince the doubters that there was something to hide."

The Independent article concludes with a quote from Kathy Kelly of the group Voices in the Wilderness.  She said:  'If the US wants to promote security for this generation and the next, it should build relationships with these countries. If the US uses conventional or non-conventional weapons, in civilian neighourhoods, that melt people's bodies down to the bone, it will leave these people seething. We should think on this rather than arguing about whether we can squeak such weapons past the Geneva Conventions and international accords.'

Battlefield concentrations of white phosphorus gas are generally considered harmless: there are no documented cases of white phosophorus gases resulting in fatalities. However, its use as an incendiary is under question. The United States reportedly ordered civilians to evacuate areas wherein white phosphorus was going to be used.

But claims that U.S. use of white phosphorus--or 'Whiskey Pete' or 'Willy Pete', as it is called by the military--contravenes the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, are based on its prohibition of any "toxic chemical" weapons which cause "death, harm or temporary incapacitation to humans or animals through their chemical action on life processes."  The fact that direct exposure to white phosphorus produces precisely such effects on humans has been substantiated by numerous sources, both medical and military.  However, since the effect of white phosphorus is largely incendiary, and incendiaries are specifically not precluded, there is some ambiguity regarding the classification of white phosphorus weapons.

The Iraqi government will investigate the American use of white phosphorus munitions during the battle of Fallujah. The inquiry will try to determine whether US forces committed war crimes according to international weapons treaties.


США применяли белый фосфор в Ираке

Соединённые Штаты признали, что применяли снаряды с белым фосфором против террористов в городе Эль-Фаллуджа в ноябре 2004 года. Вопрос стоит так — где граница легального применения такого оружия?

Является ли белый фосфор химическим оружием зависит от способа его применения, считает Пол Роджерс (англ. Paul Rodgers), профессор Брэдфордского университета:

Профессор Пол Роджерс — автор книги «Война с террором: Афганистан и после» («A War on Terror: Afghanistan and After»).

Правительство Ирака намерено провести расследование о применении США белого фосфора в Эль-Фалуджи. Расследование призвано установить нарушали ли США международные законы применения оружия.

Представитель Пентагона подполковник Барри Винэбл (англ. Barry Venable) заявил, что США применяли белый фосфор как зажигательное оружие:

Концентрация дыма от горящего белого фосфора на поле боя считается безопасным. Не существует документальных подтверждений о фатальном воздействии дыма от белого фосфора. Однако, использование белого фосфора как зажигательного оружия стоит под вопросом. США требовали, чтобы гражданские лица покинули места возможного применения белого фосфора.

Сэр Мензис Кэмпбелл (англ. Menzies Campbell), член Британского парламента, сказал:

Использование белого фосфора запрещено конвенцией ООН в 1980 году. США не подписали эту конвенцию.

17 ноября 2005 года


US voters go to the polls

2008 United States presidential election

Republican John McCain has conceded the election to Democrat Barack Obama.  After two years of campaigning, today United States citizens went to the polls to vote for the Presidency and for numerous Senate, House, state and local races across the country. The District of Columbia and at least 32 states had early voting before election day. By October 31, over 23 million people had voted by mail or at early voting locations.  Of the approximately 6 million people of known party affiliation who voted early, 58% were Democrats and 42% were Republicans.

Record numbers of voters were expected to the polls on election day.  There were reports of technical problems and long lines across the country. Heavy turnouts were reported in Indiana, Ohio, and Wyoming, among other states.

By 11:45 A.M. EST Obama is projected to have won 349 electoral votes to McCain's 163 votes. The popular vote at this time was 62,992,553 (52%) for Obama, 55,796,823 (46%) for McCain.

Note: The results in are only for states that are reporting at least 99% of precincts.


Yli 130 miljoonan odotetaan äänestävän USA:ssa

Yhdysvalloissa äänestetään tänään presidentinvaaleissa. Epäsuositun presidentti George W. Bushin (rep.) seuraajaksi pyrkivät senaattorit John McCain (rep.) ja Barack Obama (dem.), joka olisi ensimmäinen tummaihoinen Yhdysvaltain presidentti.

Ehdokkaat kampanjoivat vielä viime hetkillä. McCain kutsui Obamaa veroja korottavaksi liberaaliksi, Obama taas McCainia talouspoliittisesti taitamattomaksi jatkokaudeksi presidentti Bushin politiikalle.

Barack Obama johtaa John McCainia viimeisissä mielipidemittauksissa. Hän näyttäisi niiden valossa myös olevan voittoisa ainakin kahdeksassa sellaisessa osavaltiossa, missä kilpailijapuolueen Bush voitti viime vaaleissa.

Ensimmäiset median julkistamat tulosarviot ovat ovensuukyselyistä, joissa vaalihuoneistoista ulos tulevilta kysytään, ketä he äänestivät. Myöhemmin saadaan alustavia tuloksia eri osavaltioista ennen kuin kaikki äänet on laskettu. Ääntenlaskennassa voi mennä kauan – etenkin, kun ennätyksellinen äänestysinto kuormittaa vaalijärjestelmää.

Yhdysvalloissa äänestetään tänään myös kongressin vaaleissa, ja osassa osavaltioita valitaan kuvernööri. Mielipidetiedustelut ennustavat demokraateille voittoa kongressin molempiin kamareihin, edustajainhuoneeseen ja senaattiin.


Dia de eleições nos Estados Unidos:Obama x McCain

Agência Brasil

4 de novembro de  2008

Hoje (4), 50 estados e Porto Rico votam para eleger o novo presidente dos Estados Unidos da América, além de 435 cadeiras do Congresso, 35 no Senado e 11 novos governadores. Mais de 130 milhões de americanos são esperados nas urnas. Entretanto, como o voto para presidente é indireto, o resultado só será divulgado no dia 6 de janeiro, quando efetivamente os Estados Unidos elegem seu novo presidente, após a votação no colégio eleitoral.

As eleições nos Estados Unidos obedecem a regras muito próprias, com características diferentes em cada estado, o que torna muito complexo e surpreendente o processo eleitoral. Essas regras foram definidas pela Constituição do país, datada de 1787 e que dá ampla liberdade aos estados de definir como irá transcorrer o processo eleitoral.

Desta forma, o desenho eleitoral americano passa a ser definido pelo conjunto de diferentes regras de cada estado. Na prática, a eleição para presidente dos Estados Unidos pode ser definida como 50 eleições, realizadas de forma simultânea em cada estado. De acordo com a adida para Assuntos de Diplomacia Pública da Embaixada dos Estados Unidos no Brasil, Tara Rougle, essas regras foram criadas com o objetivo de fazer com que o presidente do país seja eleito com votos espalhados por todos os estados e não acumulados em determinadas regiões.

Trata-se de um processo indireto para escolher quem vai ocupar a Casa Branca, sede do governo federal. “O nosso presidente é eleito por meio de um colégio eleitoral formado por pessoas eleitas para eleger. Mais que ter a maioria dos votos, o sistema foi criado com o objetivo de fazer com que o candidato tenha seus votos distribuídos por todo o país”, explicou a adida.

O processo de eleição começa com as escolhas dos candidatos que vão concorrer. Essa disputa ocorre dentro dos dois principais partidos: o Democrata e Republicano e tem a característica de ser quase tão acirrada quanto a dos escolhidos pelas legendas.

Antes disso, os políticos que pretendem ter seus nomes defendidos pelos partidos já passaram por um estágio inicial, com a formação de um “comitê exploratório” que tem a função de arrecadar dinheiro para a campanha e avaliar a viabilidade, ou seja, as chances do futuro candidato. Esse comitê se forma até dois anos antes da eleição. Os possíveis candidatos à Presidência primeiro precisam enfrentar uma batalha para serem apresentados formalmente pelo partido.

Depois dessa fase inicial, começam as eleições primárias na qual os candidatos lutam dentro dos dois partidos. A temporada das primárias começa em janeiro e vai até junho. Neste ano, a disputa no Partido Democrata se deu entre Barack Obama e Hillary Clinton. Obama venceu Hilary e se tornou o candidato à Casa Branca. Já no lado Republicano, o vencedor foi John McCain que desbancou Mike Huckabee e Ron Paul.

Nas eleições primárias, os eleitores de cada um dos 50 estados americanos elegem delegados partidários. Na campanha, esses delegados prometem apoiar um determinado candidato. A escolha dos delegados também se diferencia de estado para estado. Alguns realizam votação com cédulas, ou seja, a “primária”. Outros utilizam o “sistema de reuniões políticas”, conhecidas como “caucus”.

As primárias também ocorrem de três formas: fechadas, na qual os eleitores só podem participar da escolha do partido em que forem registrados; abertas, na qual o eleitor pode votar na primária de qualquer partido, mas só pode participar de uma, e ainda a primária, na qual os eleitores podem votar nos candidatos dos dois partidos.

Diferentemente do Brasil, o processo eleitoral nos Estados Unidos não tem datas muito definidas, a não ser para o dia da votação final que ocorre sempre na primeira terça-feira de novembro. “Não há feriado no dia da finalíssima. É um dia normal de trabalho. Os locais de votação ficam abertos o dia inteiro e as pessoas que desejam votar podem sair do seu trabalho, votar e retornar”, detalhou Tara Rougle.

A escolha dos delegados, por exemplo, teve início mais cedo neste ano devido à disputa entre os estados para ver quem seria o primeiro a realizar as votações e a receber uma atenção maior dos candidatos. O estado de Iowa geralmente é o primeiro a escolher seus delegados por meio de “caucus”. New Hampshire tem a tradição de realizar sua primária logo em seguida. A disputa entre os dois estados fez com que neste ano eles realizassem a escolha no início de janeiro.

Nos meses de agosto e setembro, os dois principais partidos realizam suas convenções e escolhem seus candidatos oficiais. Só depois das convenções nacionais é que os candidatos entram em disputa.

Hoje, os americanos vão às urnas para escolher o presidente. O voto não é obrigatório, como ocorre no Brasil e, para votar, é necessário ser cidadão americano com mais de 18 anos. A eleição não é direta. Ao votar em Obama ou em McCain, os americanos elegerão, na verdade, os delegados que são ligados aos partidos e que votarão no Colégio Eleitoral. Quem vencer em cada estado, levará todos os seus delegados ao Colégio Eleitoral. . “Os ‘eleitos’ costumam respeitar a vontade popular”, explicou Tara Rougle.

O número de delegados por estado depende do número de habitantes de cada um e corresponde à representação desse estado no Congresso americano. O Colégio Eleitoral é formado por 538 delegados e para vencer, o candidato precisa obter a metade dos votos desses delegados mais um, ou seja, 270 votos. O mínimo de delegados é de três por estado, independentemente da população. A Califórnia, por exemplo, com 36 milhões de habitantes, tem 55 delegados do total de 538 do país. Vencer na Califórnia representa 10% dos votos dos delegados.

Em cada estado existe uma maneira de escolher os delegados e também os tipos de votação diferentes. Alguns utilizam voto eletrônico e outros permanecem com o voto em cédula

O sistema eleitoral dos Estados Unidos permite, por exemplo, situações pitorescas na qual o candidato com mais votos populares acabe perdendo a eleição. “O colégio eleitoral é quem elege. Nosso sistema eleitoral permite casos em que o candidato que recebeu mais votos populares não vença a eleição. Isso ocorreu quatro vezes em nossa história, a última em 2000 quando George W. Bush venceu sem ter a maior parte dos votos”, destacou Rougle. Bush venceu Al Gore que teve cerca de 500 mil votos a mais que ele. O fenômeno também ocorreu com John Quincy Adams (em 1825), com Rutherford Hayes (em 1877) e com Benjamin Harrison (em 1889).

Para Rougle, na reta final, a grande disputa ocorrerá nos estados nos quais a diferença entre os dois candidatos é pequena. Isso porque existem estados que têm certa tradição em votar em determinados partidos. Os da parte norte do país, por exemplo, apresentaram ao longo da história uma postura de votar no Partido Democrata. Já os estados mais ao sul têm eleitorado mais conservador e tendem a votar no Partido Republicano. “As surpresas poderão ocorrer em estados como o Colorado, Ohio, Flórida, Missouri e Virgínia”, destacou Tara Rougle.

Segundo as pesquisas Reuters/Zogby, divulgadas hoje, Barack Obama está à frente de John McCain em cinco dos oito Estados-chave na disputa eleitoral dos Estados Unidos.


US warns its citizens to leave Ukraine as Russia could invade 'anytime'

Yesterday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russia, deploying more troops near its border with Ukraine, could invade the country at any moment.

In a press conference, Blinken advised all American citizens to evacuate from Ukraine within 48 hours to avoid the risk of a potential invasion. Australia and New Zealand have also recently warned their citizens to leave the Eastern European country. US President Joe Biden said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday the situation in Ukraine "could go crazy quickly".

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has warned American citizens in Ukraine won't receive military evacuation if they choose to remain. He also cautioned a Russian "invasion could begin at any time".

Russia has denied it plans to invade Ukraine and called the Western response "a sign of diplomatic impoliteness and disrespect". Recent satellite images published by US-based Maxar Technologies show significant build-up of Russian troops along Ukraine's borders with western Russia, Russian-occupied Crimea, and Russian ally Belarus.

The United States Department of State declared it would terminate all visa and consular services to Ukraine from tomorrow, but maintain a 'small' consular presence in Lviv for emergency purposes.


Steeds meer landen roepen op om weg te gaan uit Oekraïne

Steeds meer landen roepen op om niet meer naar Oekraïne te reizen. Mensen die daar toch zijn, wordt geadviseerd er zo snel mogelijk weg te gaan. De reden is een dreigende Russische invasie.
Vanmorgen raadde België al aan om weg te gaan als aanwezigheid in Oekraïne niet absoluut noodzakelijk is. Nu raadt ook Nederland aan om Oekraïne zo snel mogelijk te verlaten en geeft het een rood reisadvies aan Oekraïne.
Eerder deden het Verenigd Koninkrijk, de Verenigde Staten en Duitsland eenzelfde oproep. Het Verenigd Koninkrijk maakte er ook bij bekend niet te zullen gaan evacueren, mocht de situatie escaleren.

Het leeuwendeel van het Nederlandse ambassadepersoneel zal Oekraïne verlaten. In Lviv, gelegen in het westen van Oekraïne, biedt de ambassade noodhulp. Hier vallen bijvoorbeeld noodvisa onder.

De Verenigde Staten beweren over inlichtingen te beschikken dat de Russische president Poetin aanstaande woensdag Oekraïne wil binnenvallen. De Oekraïense regering riep op om kalm te blijven en geen paniek te zaaien. De laatste tijd zijn er al vele Russische troepen naar de grens met Oekraïne gestuurd. De Verenigde Staten maakten bekend ook troepen naar het gebied te sturen.

Vanmiddag zal de Russische president bellen met zijn Amerikaanse collega Joe Biden, en ook met de Franse president Emmanuel Macron. Poetin ontkent tot dusver dat hij daadwerkelijk een invasie zou willen beginnen.