SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 RAJAB 15, 1434 AH No: 15819 Israel: Kerry 9 45

48 Pages·2013·4.26 MB·English

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SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 RAJAB 15,1434 AH No: 15819
7 9 45
Hard choices Syria opposition Palmer takes
for Palestine, seeks to unify control with a
Israel: Kerry as talks loom 62 at Colonial
Obama seeks end to
US ‘war on terror’
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Cautious welcome to drones speech Min 29º
WASHINGTON: Twelve years after the “war on terror” began,
President Barack Obama wants to pull the United States back from
some of the most controversial aspects of its global fight against
Islamist militants. In a major policy speech on Thursday, Obama nar-
rowed the scope of the targeted-killing drone campaign against Al-
Qaeda and its allies and took steps toward closing the Guantanamo
Bay military prison in Cuba.
He acknowledged the past use of “torture” in US interrogations;
expressed remorse over civilian casualties from drone strikes; and said
that the Guantanamo detention facility “has become a symbol
around the world for an America that flouts the rule of law.”
Though aimed first at a domestic audience, Obama’s speech at
Washington’s National Defense University was also the latest mile-
stone in his campaign to reshape the global image of the United
States - particularly in the Islamic world.But he faces obstacles from
opponents in Congress who will try to block the closure of
Guantanamo prison and reject his call to repeal the Authorization for
Use of Military Force passed right after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. The
law is the legal basis for much of the “war on terror.”
President Obama’s speech on the use of drones and the fate of
Guantanamo prisoners was largely welcomed yesterday in two key
countries affected by the policies- Pakistan and Yemen.
But Pakistani officials criticized the president for not ending drone
strikes in the country altogether, as they have long demanded.
Obama cast drone strikes against Islamic militants as crucial to US
counterterrorism efforts but acknowledged in his landmark speech
Thursday that they are not a “cure-all.” The president also said he is
deeply troubled by civilians unintentionally killed in the strikes and
LONDON: Police and rescue service vehicles yesterday at Stansted Airport, Essex, England, after Pakistan International
announced more restrictive rules governing the attacks - measures
Airlines flight PK709 bound for Manchester from Lahore, was diverted to Stansted following an incident on board. — AP
that his advisers said would effectively limit drone use in the future.
UK-bound Pakistan plane diverted
Obama implored Congress to close the Guantanamo Bay detention
center in Cuba, and tried to jumpstart the process by announcing a
fresh push to transfer approved detainees to their home countries
and lifting a ban on transfers to Yemen. The end of Yemeni restric- Two men arrested, Britain still in shock
tions is key, given that 30 of the 56 prisoners eligible for transfer are
Yemeni. — Agencies (See Page14)
LONDON: Britain scrambled fighter jets dent involving a civilian aircraft but
WHO to help
yesterday to intercept a commercial air- gave no further details.
Saudi probe new liner carrying more than 300 people Passenger Nauman Rizvi told
from Pakistan, diverting it to an isolated Pakistan’s GEO TV that two men who
virus before Hajj runway at an airport on the outskirts of had tried to move toward the cockpit
London and arresting two British pas- during the flight were handcuffed and
sengers on suspicion of endangering arrested once the plane landed. Rizvi
GENEVA: The World Health Organization
the aircraft. A British security official said that after the men were taken
(WHO) said yesterday that it would help Saudi
said the situation involving the Pakistan away, the flight crew told passengers
Arabia dig deeper into deadly outbreaks of a
International Airlines flight did not there had been a terrorist threat and
new SARS-like virus to draw up advice ahead of
appear terror-related, though police that the pilot had raised an alarm.
the annual haj pilgrimage, which attracts mil-
were still investigating, but the incident Essex Police said they were notified
lions of Muslims. The UN agency, which is not
further rattled the UK just days after a at 1:20 pm local time (12:20 GMT, 8:20
currently recommending any restrictions on
soldier was killed on a London street in a.m. EDT) that a threat had been made
travel to the kingdom or screening of passen-
a suspected terror attack. to an aircraft. The force said that after
gers at airports or entry points, will sent a sec-
The security official requested the Boeing 777 landed at 2:15 p.m.,
ond team of experts in the coming weeks,
anonymity because he was not author- armed officers entered it and arrested
WHO director-general Margaret Chan said.
In an image made from video, actress Amanda Bynes (cen- The virus, which can cause coughing, fever ized to discuss the investigation. Flight two British nationals, aged 30 and 41.
ter and inset) wearing sweats and a blonde wig, shields her and pneumonia, emerged in Saudi Arabia last P709 was traveling from Lahore, The suspects were taken to a police sta-
face as she is escorted after a Manhattan criminal court year and has been found in 33 people there, Pakistan, to Manchester Airport when it tion where they face questioning, the
appearance yesterday in New York. Bynes was arrested killing 17. They are among 44 cases and 22 was diverted by the fighter jets to police said in a statement. The plane
Thursday evening and charged with reckless endanger- deaths worldwide, according to the WHO, Stansted Airport. The UK Ministry of will be examined by forensic specialists
ment after police say she heaved a marijuana bong out of which has called it the Middle East Respiratory Defense confirmed that Typhoon jets but no suspicious items have been
her Manhattan apartment building. —AP Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). — Reuters were launched to investigate an inci- recovered so far, police added. — AP
L O C A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Kuwaiti researcher
Laila Bastaki
wins WHO prize
GENEVA: Kuwaiti researcher Dr Laila Bastaki won the
World Health Organization (WHO) prize, granted by the
United Arab Emirates Health Foundation 2013, which
constitutes a significant source of pride to Kuwait,
stressed Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr Mohammad Al-
Haifi here yesterday.
In a statement to KUNA, the
minister praised Dr Bastaki’s
efforts and her leading role in
scientific researching in genetic
diseases that have a great
impact on several aspects, espe-
cially the social sphere.
Bastaki’s achievement reflects
the State of Kuwait’s interest in
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad seen greeting a youth before the start of pearl diving trip.
scientific researching that is fos-
(Right) A youth taking part in the competition.
tered by the constitution as it is
Kuwaiti youths prepare for
significant in all natural and
human sciences, said Dr. Al-Haifi.
“Dr. Bastaki’s choice stems from her belief in con-
annual pearl diving trip
tributing to the genetic research and disorders as well as
expanding the provision of such services in Kuwait,” said
Mahmoud Fekri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health
Policies at the Health Ministry, in a speech during the
award ceremony Thursday evening. He pointed out the KUWAIT: Chairman of the Kuwaiti Marine Sports Club Lt. the marine life and the linkage of the current generation
multi-achievements of Dr. Bastaki, which include reestab- General Fahad Al-Fahad said that His Highness the Amir with this heritage. The club has organized the 7th trip in
lishing newborn screening program to detect genetic Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad has sponsored the revival of the 1995 with the participation of all Gulf States and the 21st
disorders, establishing registration units for metabolic, 25th annual pearls diving trip which is organized by trip which was organized to visit Bahrain pearl fishing
genetic and neurological muscle disorders in Kuwait, in Marine Heritage Committee during the period 15th - 22nd areas and was documented by UNESCO in 2009.
addition to the discovery of three new genes. August, with the participation of pearl diving ships which Al-Fahad said that all previous trips were made in such
He explained, before the Director-General of WHO, was given as a gift from the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al- a way to focus and achieve the national goals and this
Margaret Chan, that Bastaki’s choices were not only limit- Ahmad. year’s trip shall be a special one with the participation of a
ed to that achievement, but her cooperation with genet- Al-Fahad expressed honour to the club and apprecia- number of young divers, especially that heritage commit-
ic research centers in the US and Europe has a major role tion for the kindness and care of His Highness the Amir. tee has started its preparations early through a training
in the development of these programs in Kuwait.—KUNA Pointing that this sponsor is an honor to the club and its camp to qualify them for this trip.
divers and the pearl diving trip has become an attraction
which represent the national activities in reviving marine
heritage at the local and GCC level. June 6 official day off
This event was given special care from His Highness the
Late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad and now being cared by
KUWAIT: The Civil services Commission (CSC) recently
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad in addition to the
issued a directive pertaining considering Thursday, June 6
special care given by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-
a day off in various governmental establishments and
Ahmad to emphasize the importance of reviving this her-
organizations on the occasion of celebrating the Isra’ and
itage in addition that it concentrates on the fore fathers in
Me’raj anniversary.
Kuwaiti diplomatic mission
in Cairo honors students
CAIRO: Under the auspices of
Minister of Education and Minister
of Higher Education Dr Nayef Al-
Hajraf and Kuwaiti Ambassador to
Cairo Rashid Al-Hamad, Kuwait’s
Cultural office held here a celebra-
tion to honor outstanding Kuwaiti
students and graduates.
Ambassador Al-Hamad, Kuwait
Ministry of Higher Education’s
Undersecretary Rashed Al-
Nuwaihed, and Cultural Attache at
the Kuwaiti Embassy in Cairo Dr
Fareeh Al-Enizi attended the event.
In their statements to KUNA on
the sideline of the event, each offi-
cial expressed joy towards the
accomplishments of the Kuwaiti
students, wishing them well in their
future endeavors.
The officials also lauded rela-
tions between Egypt and Kuwait
specifically within the educational
domain. There are around 12,000
Kuwaiti students pursuing educa- A group photo of outstanding Kuwaiti students and graduates of Egyptian Universities
tion in Egypt on all levels. — KUNA honored at Kuwaitís cultural office in Cairo. —KUNA
LO C A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Separating citizens,
expats clinic timing
Organization or discrimination!
KUWAIT: The health minister’s decision to limit providing morning Citizen Mariam, said that the experiment would succeed in reducing
medical services to citizens only at various outpatients clinics and allo- crowds by half on both shifts. She also believed that afternoon clinics
cating the evening period for expats starting June 1, has had its impact were best for expatriates because they all have to go to work in the
on the public opinion as people were divided between supporters and morning. “As for us citizens, and even though we have morning jobs,
objectors. Commenting on the decision, the manager of Kuwait Society but we can take leaves to go to hospitals and rest in the afternoon”, she
for Human Rights, lawyer, Mohammed Al-Humaidi told the BBC that it said.
was against all human rights, the Kuwaiti constitution and the entire Bo Nasser described the decision as a ‘right one’ and hoped it could
international anti discrimination treaties. be extended to include all public hospitals in Kuwait. “It will help organ-
Some people condemned the decision noting that it was a clear ize things until special hospitals were built for various
manifestation of discrimination between citizens and expatriates. communities........the afternoon period used to be allocated for citizens in
On the other hand, others believed it would be a step forward the past.......nothing is changed except the timing”, he underlined.
towards improving the health services provided in public hospitals On the other hand, citizen Musaed Al-Thafeiri condemned the deci-
Coast guards
through reducing pressure on medical and technical staffs which had sion noting that it would be a clear embodiment of racial discrimination.
been undergoing due to overcrowding, especially at Jahra Hospital. “People are all equal before Allah....the decision will serve neither citi-
rescue four at sea
Some citizens argued that the best solution would be by building zens nor expatriates”, he stressed urging MOH officials to remember
another hospital in Jahra or by imposing health insurance on citizens, as that diseases cannot tell the deference between citizens and expatriates.
By Hanan Al-Saadoun well. Interviewing some patients at the Jahra Hospital, Fahad Al-Muttairi More moderately, and though he applauds the decision, citizen
said that the separation would help reduce waiting times before Faisal Ibrahim stressed that need to exempt human and urgent cases
KUWAIT: Coast guards patrols at the Northern Area and patients could be seen by doctors or undergo certain tests or even oper- from the timing separation. Conservatively speaking, expatriate Sayyed
based on a report from one citizen that he saw a boat carrying ations. “However, this solution is only temporary. What we really need is Rezq stressed that he was for providing good health care regardless of
four persons was sinking at Khor Al-Sabiya Area. Coast guards to build an alternative hospital in Jahra or impose health insurance on the timing or nationality.
patrol immediately proceeded to the site and rescued the four citizens”, he stressed. However, expatriate Shah Islam was more decisive and stressed that
persons from the sea and gave them necessary first aid and Um Abdullah, a citizen, hailed the decision noting that it would help the decision has to be reconsidered. “We all live in the same place.
took them to Al-Sabiya coast guards center. The coast guards organize work in the hospital and that she was sure doctors would do Categorizing patients is forbidden in any religion..We all work in and
called upon all those who go into the sea to abide by safety their best on both shifts. “I’m sure Jahra hospital management will pro- serve Kuwait, we spend our lives here....is this what we get for it? This
regulations for their own safety. vide the best services around the clock”, she said. discrimination is Haram?”, he cried out.
L O C A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Zain offers 50% on SMS& 20% on International calls to Jordan
KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecom- International calls to Jordan as they cel- the embassy and Jordan expatriates’ Zain added that the offer is extend-
munications company in Kuwait, has ebrate the National Day today. residing in Kuwait. The company ed to all SMS & International calls sent
announced that it will offer a 50% per- Zain, expressed its congratulations stressed that Zain is a global company to Jordan only today, 25th of May for
cent discount on all SMS messages to on this occasion to the people of which is always keen to participate in both post-paid and pre-paid cus-
Jordan and 20% discount on Jordan, represented in its leadership, the celebrations of nations. tomers.
Women held for ATMs,
Criminal court
acquits citizen
jewellery thefts
KUWAIT: The criminal
court recently acquitted
a citizen and sentenced Man assaults woman in her apartment
another to four years
with labor, a KD 1,000 By Hanan Al-Saadoun needs products. They confessed to their ment and broke the toilet door and
fine and withdrawing his thefts at different places. They were began beating her with a piece of wood
driver’s license for a year. KUWAIT:Security sources revealed that handed over to concerned authorities and fled the scene. Police have taken
Case details show that by accident four Kuwaiti women wanted along with the other two women to the man details in order to call him and
a police patrol had for more than 14 theft cases were arrest- complete the investigations. listen to his side of the story.
stopped the second sus- ed.
pect’s vehicle and found Sources said that a Kuwaiti woman Wife beats husband Maid steals KD 220
him driving while drunk. reported to Riqqa police that her ATM KUWAIT: Security sources revealed A Kuwaiti man reported to the police
On searching him, police card was stolen and KD 300 has disap- that a Kuwaiti man reported to Al-Zahra against his Ethiopian maid and accused
officers found some peared from her account. After the case police station against his wife, who is a her of stealing. He told Abdullah Al-
Mohammed Kamal
hashish. On asking for the was filed another report was received Kuwaiti teacher in one of the govern- Salem police station that he discovered
ID of the first suspect (who was sitting in the passenger’s from a shop in a commercial complex at ment schools. He claimed that he was the disappearance of KD 220 and at the
seat), he refused showing any and resisted arrest till he Al-Eqaila area stating that the two beaten by her. A case was registered same time, the maid disappeared. Police
was tied up and searched to find some Tramadol pills on women who stole the bank card were in and police asked his wife to report to have taken details of the maid in order
him. his shop. Riqqa head police station the police station to hear her side of the to circulate her name and prevent her
Colonel Hmoud Misbah Al-Azemi and story. departure.
On his part, the first defendant’s attorney,
other officers proceeded to the shop at
Mohammed Kamal refuted the accusations and ques-
the instruction of the area commander Man assaults woman Fire department visit injured fireman
tioned all evidence that mainly relied on witness’s tes-
Colonel Ali Mohammad Al-Mirri. A Kuwaiti woman aged 23 year General Director of Fire Department
timony, which eventually led to the aforementioned
As soon they arrived at the shop the reported to Abu Halifa police station along with his Deputy Brig Khalid Al-
verdict.
thieves ran away to the parking lot and against a Kuwaiti man who assaulted Mikrad paid a visit to Al-Adan hospital to
threw some bags on the ground. The her. She told police that she lives with inquire on Sergeant Khalid Hajaj Al-
Traffic dept ready to officers chased them and were arrested her sister in an apartment in Abu Halifa Dawsary who was injured while on duty
and taken to police station. The police and that she was having relations with at Shuaiba Industrial Center. Al-Ansari
check cars on roads searched their bags and recovered jew- the man who is 30 year old. He called said that the efforts of my colleague
ellery and women accessories of high her and asked her out, but she refused, from the fire department are always
value and some medicine and special which made him break into the apart- appreciated.
KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Lt
General Abdulfattah Al-Ali announced about forming sev-
en technical committees to check cars on the roads.
The sources added that Al-Ali ordered all committees’
members to be professional and to withdraw and confis-
cate invalid vehicles even if they were of recent models.
“This measure will help ease traffic flows along various
streets as bad vehicle condition is behind much of the
delay on the roads”, stressed the sources urging all vehi-
cles owners to take very good care of their vehicles’ condi-
tions including the paint.
Al-Ali warned citizens and expats not to drive vehicles
without getting official driving licenses issued by traffic
department. Pointing that the campaigns carried lately
resulted in the arrest of a large number of people who UNITED NATIONS: Suad Al-Otaibi spouse of Kuwaiti ambassador to UN at Kuwait Heritage Expo 1. — KUNA
were caught driving without licenses. 17 under-age were
Kuwait heritage portrayed in NY
sent to traffic court including a policeman for driving with-
out license.
In the meantime, Lt. General Abdulfattah Al-Ali released
UNITED NATIONS: The spouse of the top Kuwaiti diplomat here
a surgeon doctor after has was detained for 24 hours in joined hands with other eminent Kuwaiti women in holding “the Oil minister
traffic detention room. Security source revealed that a Kuwaiti soire” late on Thursday, promoting the national culture
check point during the campaigns held on the different and heritage. faces grilling
roads arrested an Egyptian doctor for driving without Mrs Suad Al-Otaibi, wife of the Kuwaiti Permanent Delegate
license, Al-Ali was informed about that and ordered to at the UN, Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi, organized the KUWAIT: The Cabinet postponed a meeting that was sched-
detain him for 24 hours. Thereafter he was called to the night-time gathering at headquarters of the Kuwaiti diplomatic uled Thursday till sometime next week to discuss the govern-
Assistant Undersecretary office and when asked for rea- mission, drawing a large number of dignitaries and prominent ment’s final decision about the two grilling motions filed on
sons to drive without license. He replied that work condi- guests, including spouses of ambassadors of brotherly and the coming parliamentary session’s agenda.
tions has prevented him from having the license, after friendly nations as well as the wife of the UN Secretary General. In this regard, a parliamentary source said that the govern-
checking the doctor’s papers and found that he had a valid The activity that coincided with the 50th anniversary of ment intends to face the grilling motion filed against the oil
Kuwait’s joining of the UN, included a documentary about histo- minister, Hani Hussein and to demand referring another filed
driving license from his country and that he was qualified
ry of Kuwait, its achievements in various sectors, role of the against the interior minister to either the legislative or consti-
to get a Kuwaiti driving license. After reviewing all neces-
Kuwaiti woman in development of Kuwait, in addition to photo- tutional parliamentary committees.
sary documents Al-Ali signed the necessary papers for the
graphs showing tourist landmarks in the Gulf country. Meanwhile, MP, Adel Al-Kharafi said that the Independent
doctor which allowed him to get a Kuwaiti driving license. Kuwaiti costume designer Muntaha Al-Ajeel displayed old Bloc would support MP, Nasser Al-Marri in his grilling motion
Further, the sources justified Al-Ali’s decision to condi- and modern Kuwaiti costumes and dresses and Nora Al-Ajmi against the oil minister concerning the Dow issue.
tion a minimum wage of KD 400 for those applying for dri- He added that the bloc had held a meeting during which
contributed with photos of the national costumes. At a corner, a
ver’s licenses by those applicants’ need to be capable to Al-Marri briefed the members on the documents he had to
tent was pitched with displayed items symbolizing the Kuwaiti’s
purchase good or modern vehicles. — Al Qabas old life-style. — KUNA back up his motion. — Al Qabas
LO C A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Policeman gets death
State of Kuwait Prize for 2013
for killing colleague awarded to Chinese laureate
GENEVA: The 2013’s State of Kuwait Prize for Chairman of the Executive Board. Other Panel
Immigration detective arrested
Research in Health Promotion was awarded to Dr members present were Dr Saleh Ali Al-Marri mem-
Guiqi Wang, from China, for his work on early ber of the Executive Board for Qatar, and Haider
detection of oesophagel cancer. The State of Abulhasan, representing the Founder of the Prize.
KUWAIT: The criminal court recently sen- getting out of the pantry room after finish-
Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation is a founda- The Panel members studied the curricula vitae and
tenced a police officer to death for shoot- ing his diner. The shooter then escaped till
tion established within the framework of the World the background of the five candidates, together
ing a police man working with him at he was arrested later on. Moreover, upon
Health Organization (WHO). Its purpose is to award with the Administrator’s technical comments on the
Qadisiya police station last September, said the First Deputy PM and Interior Minister,
a prize (the State of Kuwait Prize for Research in candidatures. Bearing in mind the Statutes and
security sources. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud, the victim was Health Promotion) to a person or persons, an insti- guidelines governing the award of the Prize, the
The sources added that the officer was considered a martyr who fell in the line of tution or institutions or a non-governmental Panel unanimously decided to propose to the
accused of premeditated murder as he had duty. organization or organizations, that have made an Executive Board that the State of Kuwait Prize for
prepared his gun and shot the victim to the Meanwhile, an immigration detectives outstanding contribution to research in health pro- Research in Health Promotion for 2013 be awarded
head, which means he shot to kill. arrested a Kuwaiti man who told Asians motion. to Dr Guiqi Wang (China).
On his part, the victim’s family lawyer that he works in immigration detectives Following the announcement of Wang’s win- Dr Wang is being honoured for his significant
stressed that he had taken the case volun- and can release those detained for depor- ning the prize, Kuwaiti Health Minister Dr contribution to early detection and treatment of
tarily and free of charge because the tation in exchange of financial payment. Mohammad Al-Haifi told KUNA, yesterday, that the oesophageal cancer, one of the most common
deceased had a lot of patriotic attitudes. He Security sources said that director of prize reflects the gulf country’s keenness on encour- forms of cancer in China, particularly in high-risk
also stressed that the killer was, unlike what immigrations detective Brig. Ghazi Al-Mai aging all kinds of scientific and health research and rural areas. Dr Wang and his colleagues have pro-
his lawyers claimed, completely sane. received information about this man and initiatives. It also projects the Kuwaiti leadership vided training courses for local and voluntary health
On the other hand, the defendant’s that an Asian expat reported to police that a commitment to support efforts that lead to fighting professionals. At least 2100 health professionals
and preventing chronic communicable diseases. On from 28 provinces have been trained in endoscopy,
lawyer demanded acquitting his client on person offered him to release his relative
his part, the Chinese laureate expressed, through a pathology, epidemiology, and treatment for early
grounds that his mental powers were dis- who is detained for deportation in
statement to KUNA, his appreciation to Kuwait and oesophageal cancer.
turbed when he shot the victim. exchange of KD 150. The Asian who is Sri
WHO for granting him this outstanding reward. He This increased screening capacity has optimized
Notably, the murder took place when Lankan was told to go ahead and give the
also pledged to donate prize money to the sick and the primary health care system for cancer preven-
the shooter returned to the police station man the money. As they met at one cafÈ at
underprivileged people. The prize’s academic tion and control in rural areas, including for the dis-
after the victim, upon the station comman- Abu Hlaifa, he was caught red handed and
worth will be given to cancer researchers in China advantaged population. Dr Wang recommends an
der’s orders, filed a ‘desertion’ note against was having the numbered notes. During
to motivate them for finding new mean of diagno- integrated strategy to cover cancer control and
him for not showing up to work. investigations he told police that he made
sis and treatment of this chronic disease. chronic disease screening, and the involvement of
Eyewitnesses said that the officer found the use of the situation and offered his services The State of Kuwait Health Promotion communities in planning, management, and evalu-
victim having dinner with a colleague and to expats. Adding after he receives the Foundation Selection Panel met on January 23, ation of health promotion in the control of chronic
that he went to the weapons room, picked money he disappears the moves between 2013. It was chaired by Dr Joy St John (Barbados), disease. —KUNA
up a gun and shot the victim just as he was cafes to look for new victims. — Al-Watan
L O C A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
GCC faces threats, makes
great accomplishments
KUWAIT: Thirty-two years ago, leaders of the regional countries ty to withstand challenges and determine a single destiny. Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, on August 2,
held a summit conference in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, where they Credit for establishment of the GCC, particularly, goes to the 1990, the GCC condemned the offensive in strong terms and
approved constituent law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). late Amir of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and the demanded the occupiers withdraw from Kuwait immediately and
On that day, May 25, 1981, birth of the GCC was officially pro- late UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nuhayyan. without conditions.
claimed, an event that coincided with overshadowing regional Preparatory meetings were held ahead of the summit that Moreover, the GCC states put all their resources at Kuwait’s
crises and problems, namely a war between Iran and Iraq. The grouped top leaders of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, disposal, in defense of legitimacy of its leadership at various lev-
eventful declaration meant that these six countries joined hands Qatar and Oman. The bloc proved effective in fending off external els. Moreover, they hosted Kuwaitis who sought safe haven and
to set up a bloc to pool their resources and strengthen their abili- challenges and aggression. Only hours after forces of the ousted took part in military operations that evicted the occupiers in 1991.
On August 3, 1990, GCC foreign ministers held an emergency
meeting in Cairo, calling for an urgent meeting of the Arab
National Guard holds religious lecture League on the 10th of the same month to discuss the Iraqi
aggression. On December 22, 1990, the 11th session of the GCC
was held in Doha, Qatar, where the member states re-affirmed
their firm support for Kuwait in its quest to reclaim sovereignty.
At the diplomatic level, the GCC defended the Kuwaiti cause at
international quarters, namely the Security Council of the United
Nations. Due to the GCC efforts, the UNSC issued Resolution 660,
stipulating immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the occu-
pation forces and Resolution 678 that affirmed usage of all means
to restore peace and security to the Gulf region.
Observers acquainted with march of the GCC noted that the
member states made large steps on the path for integration, par-
ticularly at the economic level. Banks were allowed to open
branches in the GCC countries to facilitate inter-Gulf trade, pro-
ceeds of which grew from USD 32 billion to USD 100 billion
between 2005 and 2012.
In 2011, the GCC posted USD 1.2 billion in commercial income,
KUWAIT: Public Relations Dept at National Guard organized a religious lecture about prayers for its members in
ranking fifth after China, the US, Germany and Japan. The GCC
order to improve the spiritual side for them. The lecture was given by preacher Ahmad Thaiq Dghaiman who talked
Custom Treaty, that came into effect on January 1, 2003, was a
about importance of prayers and its spiritual effects in individual life. He supported his argument with a number of
qualitative leap in the right direction, for it contributed to free
verses from Holy Quran and Sunna. Thereafter door was open to queries and questions from audience about a num-
flow of commodities among the council member countries.
ber of things that concerns them.
Custom fees were unified, at five percent for imported goods
from outside the GCC, and transit was cancelled among the GCC
member states.
In 2007, GCC leaders adopted establishment of the common
Gulf market that secured free movement of labor and capitals
among the countries. GCC citizens were also granted economic
and business privileges in each of the member states.
The former GCC secretary general, Abdul-Rahman Al-Attiah,
affirmed that the bloc was formed genuinely to furnish GCC citi-
zens with equal and identical treatment in all the GCC states.
In 2000, the top leaders affirmed a plan to issue the single GCC
currency. In their 30th summit, held in Kuwait in 2009, they inau-
gurated the joint power grid. During the same meeting, they
approved completion of the GCC railway network.
One of the most tangible and major steps for sake of unifica-
tion was allowing the GCC citizens to cross borders of any mem-
ber state without passport. Turning to the regional level, the GCC
acted as a bloc in the face of Iran’s occupation of the three UAE
islands, Greater and Lesser Tonbs and Abu Moussa, affirming Abu
Dhabi’s sovereignty on these islands.
Moreover, the GCC has urged Iran to respect international
charters, abstain from meddling in internal affairs of the countries
of the region, seek to resolve problems with peaceful means,
abstain from using force, cooperate with the International Atomic
Energy Agency on the nuclear issues and for proliferation of
deadly arms in the Middle East. Also in this regard, the council
urged Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and
allow international inspection of its nuclear facilities.
In 2011, when the Kingdom of Bahrain witnessed a major crisis
that threatened its security and stability, the GCC affirmed its role
and keenness on maintaining security and sovereignty of the
council member countries and foiling any conspiracy intended to
sow seeds of discords among natives and countries of the GCC.
Regarding the Palestinian question, the GCC has maintained
support for establishing just and comprehensive peace in the
Middle East on basis of full Israeli pullout from occupied Arab ter-
ritories to the June 4, 1967, border line.
As to Yemen, the GCC had taken a major initiative to resolve
the internal crisis and cooperate with the international communi-
ty to secure aid to stricken natives of the Gulf country.
The GCC maintained the principle of maintaining sovereignty
and territorial sanctity of Iraq and backed conciliation efforts to
resolve differences among the Iraqis. On Syria, the bloc called on
the international community to take firm and decisive action to
realize aspirations of the natives. Furthermore, the council has
been following up on developments and issues in other Arab
countries, namely Sudan and Somalia. — KUNA
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
9 12 11
Syria opposition seeks Taleban attack UN Massive quake felt in
to unify as talks loom compound in Kabul Moscow, no casualties
STOCKHOLM: Firemen extinguish a blaze at a nursery school in the Stockholm suburb of Kista after youths rioted in several different suburbs around Stockholm, Sweden for a fourth
consecutive night yesterday. — AFP
Kerry: Hard choices for Palestine, Israel
Iran slammed for barring election candidates
TEL AVIV:US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Israeli and ment building in the Palestinian territories, one of the principal
Palestinian leaders yesterday to take “hard decisions” to revive the issues over which the 2010 talks stalled. “The US position on settle-
Middle East peace process, which has stalled for almost three years. ments is clear and has not changed... we believe they should stop,”
Kerry has been pressing Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct he said. “Some things are beyond control... but certainly the
peace talks that broke down in September 2010, notably over the (Israeli) government has the ability to make a difference here in
issue of Jewish settlement building. the next months. It is my hope that they will.”
“We’re getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to Israel has come under mounting international criticism for
be made,” he told a news conference in Tel Aviv at the end of his ramping up construction in the settlements. Settlements in the
fourth visit to the region since he took office in February. He said West Bank, including annexed Arab east Jerusalem, are illegal
there was “one way” to make peace a reality, “and that is through under international law. Palestinians demand a freeze on settle-
direct negotiations. “Ultimately it is the Israeli and Palestinian people ment construction before they will return to the negotiating table.
who both decide the outcome... and who will get the greatest bene- But Kerry stressed the priority was for talks “without precondi-
fits” from a resumption of talks, he said. tions.”
Meeting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah in the Kerry slammed Iran yesterday for its barring of would-be candi-
West Bank and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in dates for a presidential election next month. “I cannot think of any-
Jerusalem on Thursday, Kerry admitted there was skepticism and one in the world... who would not be amazed by a process in
cynicism about his bid to broker new talks. “I know this region well which an unelected Guardian Council, which is unaccountable to
enough to know there is skepticism, in some quarters there is cyni- John Kerry the Iranian people, has disqualified... hundreds of potential candi-
cism, and there are reasons for it. There have been bitter years of dis- frustration that there has been little sign of a shift in the long-held dates according to vague criteria,” he said at a news conference in
appointment,” he said. positions of the two sides. Complicating efforts is the new Israeli Tel Aviv. “The council narrowed a list of almost 700 candidates
But he insisted: “It is our hope that by being methodical, careful, government, which has moved more towards the right and down to... officials of their choice, based solely on who represents
patient, but detailed and tenacious, that we can lay on a path ahead includes some ministers who oppose a two-state solution. Kerry the regime’s interests, rather than who might represent some dif-
that can conceivably surprise people and certainly exhaust the pos- also warned on Friday that there was a time limit on the possibility ferent point of view among the Iranian people,” Kerry said. “The
sibilities for peace.” And in a powerful message to Palestinians, who of peace, after Thursday comments from British Foreign Secretary lack of transparency makes it highly unlikely that that slate of can-
are used to just seeing American motorcades sweep by into Abbas’s William Hague also on a visit to the region-that the prospects of a didates is either going to represent the broad will of the Iranian
high-walled headquarters compound, Kerry went for a stroll along a two-state solution “cannot be kept alive forever.” “It is clear that in people or represent a change,” the top US diplomat added. Kerry
Ramallah street. the long run the status quo is not sustainable,” Kerry said. The sec- spoke at the end of a visit to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders in
Despite public pronouncements of support, there is growing retary of state also touched on the sensitive issue of Jewish settle- Jerusalem and Ramallah respectively. — Agencies
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Iran denies its forces
fighting for Assad
US imposes further sanctions on Tehran
DUBAI: Iran denied yesterday it had
forces in Syria supporting President
Bashar Al-Assad’s army, one day after
foreign backers of his rebel foes
demanded Tehran withdraw its fight-
ers from Syrian territory. “The true
TUNIS: The 5 Fishes, a 32-meter yacht that belonged to enemies of Syria make up these accu-
Belhassen Trabelsi, the brother-in-law of former sations to provoke the people of this
Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, is anchored country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman
in Goulette harbor, outside Tunis, yesterday. The boat Abbas Araqchi said, quoted by Iranian
was shown to media after being returned to Tunisia by state television.
the government of Spain, where it was seized in At a meeting in Jordan on
February. It is valued at $5 million. —AP Thursday, the Friends of Syria group-
ing of Western and Arab governments
called for the immediate withdrawal
US, Turkey, Qatar
from Syria of Iranian fighters and
Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. They
seek UN rights were reported to be fighting along-
side the Syrian army and militias loyal
debate on Syria to Assad in the town of Qusair, near
the Lebanese border.
“In response to a question about
GENEVA: The United States, Turkey and Qatar called
accusations that Iranian and
yesterday for an urgent debate on Syria at the UN’s
Hezbollah forces were present in TEHRAN: Iranian presidential candidate and lead nuclear negotiator Saeed
top human rights body next week, citing the escalat-
Syria, Abbas Araqchi said Iranian
Jalili waves to supporters during a campaign rally in Tehran yesterday. —AFP
ing conflict and the regime’s assault on the central
forces have never been and are not
town of Qusayr. “We ... request the Human Rights present in Syria,” the state television curbs against 20 individuals and enti- sile program in defiance of multiple
Council to hold an urgent debate on the deteriorating report said. Iran, a Shiite Muslim ties for their involvement in Iran’s UN Security Council Resolutions, the
situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, nation, is Assad’s closest ally and has nuclear activities. The US Department US will target and disrupt those
and the recent killings in Al Qusayr,” the ambassadors provided money, weapons, intelli- of the Treasury said in a statement, involved in Iran’s illicit activities.” “We
of the three countries wrote in their request to council gence and training for his forces released late on Thursday, “that it is will continue to work with our interna-
president Remigiusz Henczel. against a mainly Sunni Muslim upris- taking action today against 20 individ- tional partners to intensify this pres-
The UN human rights council is due to open its ing in which more than 80,000 people uals and entities for their involvement sure and tighten sanctions on Iran’s
next three-week session on Monday, and the three have been killed in two years. in Iran’s nuclear and missile prolifera- energy sector as it provides much
countries called for the urgent debate to be held dur- Russia and the United States are tion networks and Iran’s continued needed financial support for the
ing the first week, lamenting “the escalating grave trying to arrange an international attempts to circumvent sanctions.” Iranian regime’s proliferation activity,”
human rights violations” in Syria. Council spokesman peace conference to end the war. It added that “these networks are he remarked.
Rolando Gomez told AFP that president Henczel and Moscow has said Iran should attend responsible for moving supplies and According to the Treasury, 14 of
other administrators would now examine a possible but Western reservations about a role providing essential services to Iran’s the entities and individuals being des-
date for the debate, adding that Tuesday or for Tehran already threaten to derail clandestine nuclear and weapons pro- ignated today are part of Iran’s inter-
Wednesday looked likely. the conference. Iran has called for grams.” “These actions are designed national procurement and prolifera-
This would not be the first time the UN’s top rights elections and reforms in Syria but to increase pressure on the Iranian tion operations. Today’s designations
body meets to discuss the spiralling violence in Syria. does not accept Assad’s removal, say- regime by tightening sanctions include companies supporting IRGC
The council has previously held one urgent debate on ing a solution to the crisis cannot be against Iran’s energy sector and attempts to clandestinely ship illicit
Syria and four special sessions outside its usual four imposed from outside. Tehran has exposing key proliferation related net- cargo around the world, including to
annual meetings and is already set to hear during the also accused Western and Arab works that span the globe from Syria. They also target the Deputy
coming session a report from UN investigators into nations of arming opposition groups. Europe to Asia,” it stressed. Defense Minister and Dean of Malek
the human rights situation in the war-torn country. Analysts say that losing its Syrian In this regard, Treasury Under Ashtar University, who is responsible
That report will be presented on June 3. The ally would weaken Iran’s ability to Secretary for Terrorism and Financial for significant contributions to Iran’s
request for an urgent debate on the situation in Syria threaten its foe Israel through Intelligence David Cohen affirmed in a missile program, as well as companies
comes after the Friends of Syria group of governments Hezbollah. statement “as long as Iran continues and individuals supporting Iran’s
that back the rebels met in Amman this week as part The United States has imposed to pursue a nuclear and ballistic mis- nuclear program. — Agencies
of the diplomatic efforts to convene a peace confer-
ence in Geneva next month. — AFP
Three Qaeda men, two soldiers dead in Yemen
SANAA: A security official says Al-Qaeda gunmen industry sources said. “Subversive elements” in Serwah in
attacked a military position in a southern province, central Maarib province had blown up the pipeline,
touching off fighting that left three militants and two sol- which leads to the Red Sea, at dawn yesterday, the
diers dead. The official said the Friday attack in the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
mountainous Al-Thalib region in the militant stronghold The Arabian Peninsula state, which relies on crude
of Al-Bayda province was repulsed, and nearby army exports to replenish its reserves and finance up to 70
positions responded with heavy artillery shelling. The percent of budget spending, has suffered frequent
official, speaking on condition of anonymity according to bombings of its main oil pipeline since an uprising broke
regulations, said the attack was part of an al-Qaida bid to out in 2011.
take positions near Radda, the province capital, which Sabotage of oil pipelines and transmission towers in
the militants briefly occupied last year but were driven Maarib had increased dramatically in recent days, the
out by government forces. ministry said. The pipeline had been pumping around
Al-Qaeda overran much of the south in 2011, taking 125,000 barrels per day (bpd), an industry source told
advantage of the turmoil caused by a popular uprising. Reuters. Yemen’s stability is a priority for the United
The army supported by US military experts pushed them States and its Gulf Arab allies because of its strategic
CAIRO: Egyptian Salafists demonstrate in front of the
back, but clashes continue. position next to oil exporter Saudi Arabia and shipping
Tunisian Embassy in Cairo against the Tunisian govern-
Attackers blew up Yemen’s main oil export pipeline lanes, and because is home to one of Al-Qaeda’s most
ment clamp down on the islamist group Ansar Al-
yesterday, halting the flow of crude, the government and active wings. — Reuters
Sharia yesterday. —AFP
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Syria opposition seeks
to unify as talks loom
Russia says regime agrees to talks
ISTANBUL: Syria’s fractious opposition
scrambled to agree a new leadership
yesterday in a bid to present a coherent
front at peace talks which the United
States and Russia are convening to seek
an end to more than two years of civil
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman delivering a war. A major assault by President Bashar
statement during a tour at the Defense ministry in Yarze, Al-Assad’s forces on a rebel held town
east of Beirut, yesterday. Sleiman cautioned Shiite Muslim over the past week is shaping into a piv-
group Hezbollah over its militants’ intervention on the otal battle. It has drawn in fighters from
side of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in the conflict in neigh- Assad’s Lebanese allies Hezbollah, justi-
boring Syria. — AFP fying worry that a war that has killed
80,000 people would cross borders at
Lebanon president
the heart of the Middle East.
cautions Hezbollah Washington and Moscow have been
compelled to revive diplomacy by
over Syria role developments in recent months, which
include new reports of atrocities, accu- QUSAIR: An image grab taken from a video uploaded on Youtube yesterday
sations chemical weapons were used shows smoke billowing from buildings in the city of Qusayr, in Syria’s central
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman cautioned Shiite and the rise of Al-Qaeda-linked fighters Homs province, following an alleged missile strike by Hezbollah. —AFP
Muslim group Hezbollah yesterday over its militants’ interven- among rebels.
tion on the side of the regime in the conflict in neighboring US Secretary of State John Kerry and has to show a minimum of will that it is tration of its backers, the coalition has
Syria. “The resistance is more noble and more important than ready to stop the bloodshed,” said struggled to agree on a leader since the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
anything, and should not get bogged down in the sands of Haitham Al-Maleh, an elder statesman of resignation in March of respected cleric
will meet privately in Paris on Monday to
dissension, whether in Syria or Lebanon,” he said in a state- the coalition. Moaz Alkhatib, who had floated two ini-
ment, referring to Hezbollah’s traditional focus on fighting discuss their efforts to bring Syria’s war- There was more heavy fighting yes- tiatives for Assad to leave power peace-
ring parties together, US and Russian terday in Qusair, a town controlling fully. Alkhatib’s latest proposal - a 16-
Israel.
officials said. Russia said the Syrian gov- access to the coast which Assad’s forces point plan which foresees Assad hand-
“The resistance has fought and liberated (Israeli-occupied
ernment had agreed in principle to and Hezbollah allies have tried to take in ing power to his deputy or prime minis-
southern Lebanon) because it acts for a national cause and
attend the planned peace conference, a battle that could prove an important ter then going abroad with 500 mem-
not a confessional one,” Sleiman added. The statement came
which could take part in Geneva in the test of Assad’s ability to withstand the bers of his entourage - won little sup-
as the militant group battled Syrian rebel fighters in the cen-
coming weeks, and had “expressed revolt. Assad wants to secure the coastal port in Istanbul, highlighting the obsta-
tral town of Qusayr near the border, where Syrian troops
readiness” to find a political solution. region which is the homeland of his cles to wider negotiations.
launched an assault tomorrow.
Under intense international pressure Alawite minority sect, an offshoot of “He has the right to submit papers to
The fighting has left dozens of Hezbollah fighters dead,
to resolve internal divisions so it can Shiite Islam. He is backed by Shiite Iran the meeting like any other member but
according the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and
play a meaningful role in the talks, and Hezbollah against mainly Sunni his paper is heading directly to the dust-
sources close to the group. Lebanon is officially neutral in the
Syria’s Western-backed opposition rebels supported by Saudi Arabia and bin of history. It is a repeat of his previ-
conflict, but the fighting has exacerbated tensions among its
National Coalition met in Istanbul to Qatar. The Syrian Observatory for ous initiative which went nowhere,” a
myriad of religious and ethnic communities.
elect new leaders and broaden its mem- Human Rights, a pro-opposition senior coalition official said. Washington
Hezbollah and its allies have backed the regime of
bership. Senior opposition figures said London-based monitoring group, said threatened on Wednesday to increase
President Bashar Al-Assad in its efforts to crush the uprising
the coalition was likely to attend the Syrian army and Hezbollah forces at support for the rebels if Assad refused to
that began in March 2011. But Lebanon’s opposition parties
conference, but doubted it would pro- Qusair were trying to cut off rebels in discuss a political end to the violence, a
largely support the Sunni-led rebellion against the Syrian
duce any immediate deal for Assad to the nearby village of Hamidiya. State sentiment echoed yesterday by British
regime. Hezbollah has acknowledged that its fighters are
leave power - their central demand. media said the army had destroyed “ter- Foreign Secretary William Hague, who
inside Syria, and several Lebanese Sunni clerics have urged
“We are faced with a situation where rorist dens” in Hamidiya and also killed has been pressing the European Union
members of their community to join the conflict on the side of
everyone thinks there will be a marriage eight “terrorists” in another village, to amend a weapons embargo to allow
the rebels.
when the bride is refusing. The regime Daba, close to Qusair. Much to the frus- arming the rebels. — Reuters
Sleiman, elected in 2008, is seen as a neutral figure who
sides with neither camp. His comments yesterday were his
first on Hezbollah’s role in Syria. They come on the eve of Peace efforts leave Syrian
Liberation Day, which marks the Israeli army’s withdrawal
from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 22 years of occupation.
refugees in Jordan cold
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is expected to deliver an
anniversary speech yesterday.
The Shiite group’s intervention in the conflict has drawn
international criticism, particularly from the United States, ZAATARI CAMP: International efforts to organize a Syria journalists ask about the possibility of a conference to dis-
which blacklists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. On peace conference are at fever pitch, but in Jordan’s Zaatari cuss a political solution to the conflict which has left more
Tuesday, President Barack Obama called Sleiman to discuss camp, Syrian refugees are more concerned with the misery than 94,000 dead since March 2011. “Why another confer-
Hezbollah’s intervention. —AFP of their daily lives than diplomatic manoeuvring. “To be hon- ence? To agree deals that ignore the blood that is shed by
est, we’re fed up with these conferences, there have been the children? We have no hope for anything,” says Adel, a
many... without results. We want a radical solution,” said former car dealer who lost everything when he left Daraa.
Saleh, a former laborer from Syria’s southern Daraa province. For the last year he has tried to earn money by manning a
The efforts by Washington and Moscow to organize a miserable kiosk in the camp, selling coffee, tamarind juice
peace conference next month mean little to the 120,000 res- and soft drinks to his fellow refugees. “They’re holding this
idents of the dusty camp, where daytime temperatures hov- conference because they’ve reached the point where nei-
er around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). “We ther side (the regime or rebels) can win,” adds Adel, who was
either want to go back or to know what is going to happen detained by the regime after the uprising against President
to us, we’ve been waiting for so long,” Saleh says. Zaatari is Bashar Al-Assad began.
located in the middle of the desert, not far from the Syrian For most of the camp’s residents, peace remains nothing
border, and residents complain of shortages of water and more than a dream, and the overriding sentiment is one of
electricity and describe the food as “something even ani- abandonment by the international community.
mals wouldn’t eat.” “If they had wanted to do something, they would have
To collect their rations, men queue up under the blazing done it from the beginning,” says another resident, Aziz.
sun in front of a distribution centre, where chickens are Mohammed, a Syrian who was living in the United Arab
roasting in the open air, surrounded by clouds of flies and Emirates, says he came to Zaatari to open a shop to help his
dust. The camp has become a city of sorts, with its main road countrymen. “People are in the process of building their
ISTANBUL: Turkish protestors hold placards which read transformed into a marketplace, complete with makeshift lives here, they’re settling in,” he says. “Day by day, they’re
“Killer Esad and his collaborators will pay the given lives” cafes, shops of all kinds and even hairdressers. Fatigue is losing hope,” he adds. “People here are waiting, but it seems
and chant slogans during a demonstration held in front of written across the faces of the4 residents, particularly when that things will drag on.” —AFP
the Fatih mosque in Istanbul yesterday. —AFP
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013
Africa backs Kenya call
for Hague court to
drop Kenyatta case
ADDIS ABABA: African nations have backed a request
by Kenya for charges of crimes against humanity by its
president to be referred back to the east African coun-
try, African Union documents show. President Uhuru
Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, are both facing
trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC), accused
of masterminding ethnic bloodshed in post-election
violence five years ago that killed more than 1,200
people. Both deny the charges.
One minister, who asked to remain anonymous,
told Reuters that the African Union specifically avoid-
ed calling on the war crimes tribunal to drop its prose-
cution, but he acknowledged that the request for a
local process amounted to the same thing. The docu-
ment seen by Reuters yesterday said: “(The Assembly)
supports and endorses the eastern Africa region’s Part of the uranium mine of Arlit, in northern Niger. Suicide bombers in
request for a referral of the ICC investigations and Niger detonated two car bombs simultaneously, one inside a military
prosecutions.” The proposal, drafted after foreign min- camp in the city of Agadez and another in the remote town of Arlit.
isters had debated the issue late on Thursday, now (Inset) Former Al-Qaeda chief Mokhtar Belmokhtar — AP
has to be voted on by heads of state, which diplomats
say is typically a rubber-stamping exercise. French troops raid Niger
Kenya told the assembly that the ICC trials risked
destabilizing east Africa’s biggest economy when it
was undertaking reforms to avoid a repeat of the vio- to end hostage seizure
lence after the election in December 2007.
The African Union said that a referral of the cases
would “allow for a national mechanism to investigate
Jihadists threaten new attacks
and prosecute the cases under a reformed judiciary ...
to prevent the resumption of conflict and violence in
Kenya.” —Reuters
NIAMEY: French special forces and “terrorists” and three hostages had extremist had been killed in fighting
local troops raided an army base yes- been killed, as well as a civilian caught with Chadian troops in northeastern
terday in northern Niger, ending a in the cross-fire. Niger’s government Mali. But Belmokhtar’s group said he
hostage seizure by Islamist fighters did not confirm those numbers, while had personally overseen the Niger
who had staged twin suicide bomb- the French official said the toll was pre- attacks. “It was Belmokhtar himself
ings that killed at least 20 people. liminary. Nigerien authorities would who supervised the operational plans,”
The dawn raid came after not say how many hostages had been spokesman El-Hassen Ould Khalil was
Signatories in Blood, a jihadist group taken. quoted as saying by a Mauritanian
that claimed Thursday’s blasts, threat- French Defence Minister Jean-Yves news agency. The group also warned
ened to continue attacking Niger until Le Drian confirmed France had taken of “further operations” in Niger and
the country withdraws its forces from part in the raid. “The situation has sta- threatened France and other countries
neighboring Mali, where they are part bilized as we speak, especially in involved in what it called the “Crusader
of a French-led military campaign Agadez, where our special forces inter- campaign” in Mali.
against Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists. vened to back the Niger forces,” he said It said the attacks were its “first
A French defense ministry official on France’s BFMTV. Signatories in response” and threatened to “bring the
said two “terrorists” had been killed in Blood, founded by veteran Algerian fight to the interior of his country
the raid on a building at the Agadez jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar, first unless (Niger President Mahamadou
army base, where Islamist fighters had grabbed worldwide attention in Issoufou) withdraws his mercenary
Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni (left) welcomes
holed up after the bombings and were January when it seized an Algerian gas army” from Mali. Thursday’s attacks at
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right,
holding a group of trainee soldiers plant in a brazen attack that left 38 the Agadez army base and a uranium
to the State House in Entebbe, Uganda yesterday. —AP
hostage. hostages dead. mine majority-owned by French
Ban challenges African
An elected official in Agadez, the Belmokhtar had been reported nuclear group Areva killed 18 soldiers,
leaders over Congo main city in Niger’s mostly desert dead in April by Chad’s President Idriss two civilians and four attackers in all,
north, gave a higher toll, saying three Deby Itno, who said the one-eyed officials said. —AFP
KAMPALA: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
yesterday urged African leaders to implement a peace plan WikiLeaks releases transcript
that the UN hopes will stabilize eastern Congo, a region
long plagued by violence and which now is back on edge.
of critical US film
Ban told a news conference in Uganda that he expects
regional leaders to try to find solutions as eastern Congo
once again descends into another phase of hostilities
WASHINGTON: WikiLeaks has WikiLeaks, faces possible life impris-
sparked partly by the UN’s deployment of a brigade of
released an annotated version of a onment in a military trial to resume
peacekeepers with a mandate to attack rebel groups. Ban
leaked transcript of a documentary June 3.
said the deployment would become fully operational “in a
in a bid to counter a film that takes Assange, the Australian hacker
matter of weeks,” although only about 100 members of a
a critical look at the anti-secrecy who founded the site, has been
planned brigade of 3,000 have arrived there so far.
group and which opened yesterday. holed up in Ecuador’s London
Along with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, Ban met
WikiLeaks said it had not partici- embassy for nearly a year, seeking
this week with some influential leaders in East and Central
pated in the making of “We Steal to avoid extradition to Sweden,
Africa in hopes of keeping alive a treaty signed in February
Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks,” a where he is wanted for questioning
by the UN and 11 African countries. That treaty, also known
film by Alex Gibney that focuses on in a sexual assault case. WikiLeaks
as the UN’s peace and security cooperation framework for the website’s controversial founder said late Thursday that the film These file two photos show Wikileaks
Congo, has been overshadowed by renewed hostilities Julian Assange and its chief inform- “portrays Manning’s alleged acts as founder Julian Assange (left) looking on at
between the Congolese army and the M23, the most ant Bradley Manning. Manning, a a failure of character rather than a the media and his supporters from the bal-
prominent rebel group currently operating in eastern US Army intelligence analyst who triumph of conscience” and said cony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London,
Congo. Peace talks under the banner of a regional bloc admitted to leaking hundreds of the film’s portrayal of his relation- and US Army Pfc. Bradley Manning being
chaired by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have hit a thousands of secret military logs ship with Assange was “grossly irre- escorted following a motions hearing in the
dead end amid fears of a return to war. —AP and confidential embassy cables to sponsible.” —AFP case US vs Manning. —AFP