Halt to US-South Korean Joint Military Exercises Demanded

Missile launch in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on April 5, 2009. The People's Republic of China urged calm while the US administration sought to promote alarm and condemnation. The DPRK conducted an underground nuclear test on May 25., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Halt to US-S. Korean Joint Military Exercises
Demanded

Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- The European Regional Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification and the Society for Cooperation among Koreans in Germany issued a joint statement on February 24 under the title of "Stop at once the joint military exercises leading the situation on Korean Peninsula to the brink of war".

The statement said that positive measures were taken for defending security and peace of the nation and the reunion of separated families and relatives was under way thanks to the recent peace-loving efforts of the DPRK.

It noted:
But the south Korean authorities kicked off Key Resolve to be followed by Foal Eagle joint military maneuvers, chilling the good atmosphere between the north and the south.

The above-said military maneuvers are drills for a nuclear war against the DPRK.

It condemned the U.S. for staging large-scale war exercises on the Korean peninsula each year according to the nuclear war scenario while decreasing the scale of the military exercises in other regions of the world after the end of the Cold War.

It said that all Koreans would never allow the confrontation and war hysteria of warmongers but turn out in actions to check and foil it resolutely.

The statement demanded the U.S. and the south Korean authorities immediately halt Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.


Stop to Joint Military Drills against DPRK Urged

Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- Koreans in Japan waged a protest action outside the U.S. embassy in Tokyo on Feb. 24 in demand of the halt to the joint military exercises against the north, according to Minjok Sibo, a newspaper of overseas Koreans published in Japan.

They included Son Hyong Gun, chairman of the Federation of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification (Hanthongryon), Mun Se Hyon, chairman of the south Korean Youth League in Japan, Kim Ji Yong, chairperson of the South Korean Democratic Women's Society in Japan, and Jo Yong Hwa, chairperson of the South Korean Students Federation in Japan.

The chairman of Hanthongryon read out a written protest.

The written protest denounced the U.S. for kicking off Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises that day, defying the public opinions at home and abroad aspiring after peace against war.

It noted:
The U.S. is describing them as "defensive drills", but it is as clear as noonday that the drills are aimed to invade the north.

The military exercises kicked off by the U.S. when the reunion of separated families and relatives was under way are little short of throwing a wet blanket over the atmosphere of peace on the Korean peninsula.

The military drills are most likely to go over to an all-out war, a nuclear war due to an accidental conflict by leading the tensions on the peninsula to an extreme phase.

The U.S., seeking hegemony in Asia, is trying hard to build the U.S.-Japan-south Korea triangular military alliance. Taking advantage of this development, Japan is watching for a chance of military advance to the peninsula.

The situation is getting deteriorated owing to the U.S. hard-line policy, the written protest said, urging the U.S. to immediately stop the war drills against the north, withdraw its forces from south Korea and discontinue the moves for building the triangular military alliance.


Halt to Joint Military Drills Demanded in S. Korea

Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and
Reunification of south Korea held the 144th meeting for peace and disarmament outside the Defense Ministry on Tuesday in demand of a halt to the large-scale war drills, according to the south Korean internet paper Jaju Minbo.

Speakers denounced the U.S. and south Korean authorities for kicking off the north-targeted joint military drills.

They branded them as acts of chilling the atmosphere of inter-Korean dialogue and reconciliation.

The war drills are ones for nuclear attack, not "annual defensive ones" as they are pursuant to the "tailored deterrence strategy", they said.

They demanded an immediate halt to the joint military drills increasing the danger of a nuclear war on the Korean peninsula.

They stressed the need to ensure peace through dialogue, not by confrontation and war.


Joint Military Drills Termed as Challenge to to Improving Korean Relations

Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- Five joint organizations of south Korea including the Missionary Solidarity Council of Christian Society held a press conference on Feb. 24 demanding an immediate halt to Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military drills, according to the south Korean CBS.

The organizations said the above-said drills started at a time when the reunion of separated families and relatives from the north and the south was under way were a serious challenge to the peace on the Korean peninsula and the process to improve the inter-Korean relations.


Large-Scale Anti-"Government" Actions Held in S. Korea

Pyongyang, February 27 (KCNA) -- Large-scale anti-"government" actions took place across south Korea including Seoul, Taejon, Ulsan, Pusan, North and South Kyongsang, North and South Chungchong, North and South Jolla and Jeju provinces on February 25 with the attendance of at least 200,000 people of all social strata, according to the south Korean internet newspaper Thongil News.

More than 40,000 people attended the rally held at the plaza of the Seoul City Office.

The participants said that the one-year office of the present regime witnessed the days which led to breach of commitments, destitution of people's livelihood and obliteration of democracy, adding that people from all walks of life, including workers, peasants, the poor, merchants, students and women, are turning out in the actions, unable to remain a passive onlooker to this.

The chairperson of the Public Healthcare Trade Union, speaking at the rally, condemned the present regime for pushing ahead with its policy of privatizing healthcare institutions by deceiving the people.

The acting chairperson of the Railway Trade Union expressed the will to meet the demands of workers through actions, saying the regime is resorting to the privatization of the railways.

The executive chairperson of the Measure Committee to Denounce the Intelligence Service's Fabrication of Plotted Rebellion and Suppression under the Pretext of Security criticized the authorities of declaring those involved in the election rigging not guilty and those related to the case of the plotted rebellion guilty with no evidence.

The permanent co-representative of the Solidarity for Abolishing the Discrimination of the Disabled Persons vented his rage on the regime's deceptive policy for welfare.

Then a resolution was read out.

The resolution said that they will continue their actions against the illegal election rigging of the power organs and the moves to stamp out democracy.

It noted that they will become more vocal urging the resignation of the chief executive in case the authorities fail to accept the demand of the people.

At the end of the rally, the participants staged a demonstration.

They gathered at the plaza of the city office again and held a candlelight rally.

DPRK Tests Missiles Amid Occupied Korea-US Exercises

The rocket launch of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during December 2012. The action sent shockwaves through the imperialist world., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

N Korea tests missiles amid S Korea-US exercises

BBC World Service

North Korea has fired four short-range missiles into the sea, South Korean defence ministry officials say, in a move widely seen as a response to South Korea's military exercises with the US.

A ministry spokesman said that the missiles were fired off the east coast of North Korea.

North Korea often conducts short-range missile tests, correspondents say.

It has carried them out before to display its anger over the annual joint military drills.

Last year, the exercises led to an unusually sharp and protracted surge in tensions. The North threatened pre-emptive nuclear strikes, as nuclear-capable US stealth bombers flew practice runs over the peninsula.

North's 'displeasure'

South Korean officials said that the four
missiles were fired on Thursday evening.

The South had tightened its vigilance and readiness in case of further missile launches or provocation from the North, they added.

Experts say that the test-firing of the four missiles - with an estimated range of about 200km (125 miles) - is unlikely to trigger a significant rise in military tensions.

US Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said that such unannounced weapons tests happened "somewhat regularly".

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki urged North Korea "to exercise restraint and take steps to improve its relations with its neighbours".

In Japan, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said that the country's alert levels would not change.

"At this point in time, we are not thinking that this has affected our country's security or that an emergency has happened," he said.

Analysts say the missile tests are mainly about the North expressing its displeasure over the US-South Korea military drills - which Pyongyang has condemned as provocative - and a recent UN rights report which described rights abuses in the North Korea as possible crimes against humanity.

The test also comes days after Seoul said a patrol boat from the North violated a disputed maritime border multiple times.

However relations between Seoul and Pyongyang are in fact enjoying something of a thaw, correspondents say.

Last week hundreds of North and South Korean relatives were allowed to see each other for the first time in decades at a reunion for families separated by the Korean War.

The reunions took place after North Korea in January called for better relations between the two sides, and overlapped with the US-South Korea drills, which began on Monday.

More than 12,500 US troops will take part in the exercises, which include Key Resolve, a computer-based simulation, and Foal Eagle, which involves air, ground and naval drills.

Pyongyang is opposed to the drills and has previously called them "exercises of war".

Nearly 60% of Americans Disappointed With Obama Administration

Anti-US protest took place outside the American embassy in Pretoria. Obama is in the country for a state visit., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

IncreaseNormalDecrease
Poll: 59% of Americans disappointed with Obama

Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:44PM GMT
presstv.ir

A new poll has shown that 59 percent of the American people are somehow disappointed or very disappointed in Barack Obama’s presidency.

The survey by CBS News and the New York Times also shows that 51 percent of Americans disapprove of Obama’s performance, up four points from last month.

Most of the disappointed are Republicans (91 percent) and independents (66 percent) as about 24 percent of Democrats have expressed at least some disappointment.

Forty percent of Americans say they are satisfied with Obama's presidency.

The poll also shows that Republicans have the upper hand ahead of the mid-term elections in November.

Obama’s image is believed to have been tarnished by the troubled launch of his key healthcare law and the US economy’s sluggish recovery.

The president has had to apologize to people who lost their healthcare plans because of his healthcare law.

“I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me,” Obama said in November 2013.

Republicans criticized the Obama administration after a disappointing report showed the US economy added only 113,000 jobs in January as they blamed the sluggish job growth on Obamacare, arguing Obama’s signature health care law and other White House policies are dragging back the economy.

Republicans Derailed Veteran Benefits Bill Over Iran Sanctions

The Iranian Speaker of Parliament with the new President of the Islamic Republic. The Middle Eastern state will be the continued focus of U.S. imperialism., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Republicans derailed veteran benefits bill over Iran sanctions

Fri Feb 28, 2014 1:35AM
presstv.ir

Republican lawmakers in the US Senate derailed a $21 billion bill to expand benefits for veterans and their families on Thursday over new sanctions against Iran.

The Senate Republicans, who wanted to attach an amendment to the bill that would impose new sanctions against Iran, used a procedural move to block the legislation and Democrats in the upper chamber of US Congress failed to secure 60 votes needed to keep the bill moving forward on a procedural budget vote.

The legislation could have provided $21 billion for medical, education, and job-training benefits for American veterans and their families.

“I thought that maybe, just on this issue, this Senate could come together and do the right thing for our veterans,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders.

“I am going to keep going on this. We are not going to give up on our veterans,” added the independent senator from Vermont.

Earlier this week, Republican Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas also blocked a vote on military sexual assault legislation, saying an amendment on sanctions against Iran had to be added to the bills. The legislation called for the removal of sexual assault cases in the US military from the chain of command in order to encourage victims to report the crimes.

The Senate GOP’s push for new sanctions against Iran comes as US President Barack Obama has repeatedly said that he would veto any new anti-Iran sanctions passed by Congress.

Secretary of State John Kerry also said on Wednesday that the US must pursue negotiations with Iran instead of taking any action that could lead to war.

“That is an obligation we have as leaders to exhaust all the remedies available to you before you ask people to give up their lives and that is what we are doing,” Kerry told a group of reporters.

Kerry’s remarks echoed those made by the White House's National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan who said in January that the US lawmakers who are pushing for new sanctions against Iran want a war with the country and “should be up front with the American public and say so.”

A new study published by The Iran Project also shows that new sanctions against Iran sought by hawkish senators on Capitol Hill would undermine the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear energy program and “would increase the probability of war.”

Syrian President Affirms Importance of Regional Cooperation

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with Alaeddin Boroujerdi of the National Security Committee at the Shura Council in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two Middle Eastern states maintain fraternal relations., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

President al-Assad affirms importance of regional cooperation to confront extremism and terrorism

Feb 27, 2014

Damascus, (SANA) _President Bashar al-Assad Wednesday received Chairman for Foreign Policy and National Security Committee at the Iranian Shura Council, Alaeddin Boroujerdi and an accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, President al-Assad said that cooperation among countries of the region is key to confront extremism and terrorism, affirming the importance of coordination among parliaments of these courtiers and the friendly countries in this regards, as well as practicing more pressure to stop all forms of support offered by some states to the terrorist groups and extremist powers.

The president expressed Syrian people's appreciation for Iran stances in support of Syria on all levels in the interests of the two friendly countries, affirming that the victory achieved by the Iranian people in the nuclear file will be positively reflected on all people adhered to their sovereignty and independence of their decision.

For his part, Boroujerdi reiterated Iran's firm stance in support of Syria's struggle which stands in the first trench of resistance saying that the successes gained by the Syrian people in the face of the most arrogant colonial powers and their tools in the region will form a juncture not only in Syria's history but in the future of the peoples in the whole region.

Later, Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi discussed with Boroujerdi bilateral economic and trade relations and means of developing them as well as activating the credit line between both countries.

In the same context, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem met Boroujerdi and briefed him on the events of the first and second rounds of Geneva 2 conference

M. Ismael/ Mazen

Rebels Launch Rocket Attacks in Syrian Cities of Homs, Damascus

A rocket attack by rebels in Syria on Feb. 27, 2014 took place in Homs killing at least six people., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Terrorist attacks claim lives of 6 citizens in Homs, Damascus

Feb 27, 2014

Homs, Damascus countryside (SANA) –Five citizens were martyred and 13 others were injured in a rocket shell launched by terrorists on a crowded area in Ikrema neighborhood in Homs city.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that the terrorist attack caused the martyrdom of 5 citizens and the injury of 13 others, in addition to setting a number of cars ablaze and material damage to the private properties.

Moreover, two citizens were injured in a mortar shell launched by terrorists on a house in al-Khudari street in wadi al-Thahab in Homs.

Terrorist attack claims child's life, injures 20 others in al-Qasa'a area in Damascus

A child was killed, 20 citizens were injured by an explosive device planted by terrorists near the French Hospital in al-Qasa'a area in Damascus.

A source at the Police Command told SANA that terrorists detonated an explosive device which was planted near the main entrance of the French Hospital, killing a-15 year old child and injuring 20 citizens, causing large material damage to the hospital and a number of shops and parked cars.

Those attacks come in the frame work of a systematic targetion of the Syrian health sector by the armed terrorist groups.

Terrorists set fire to car of Chairman of National Reconciliation in Qudsaia

A source at the Police Command told SANA that terrorists set fire to the car of Chairman of the National Reconciliation Adel Misto.

Terrorists assassinated on Wednesday member of the National Reconciliation in Harasta Suleiman Sal'aous and Chairman of the National Reconciliation in Moua'damiet al-Qalmoun.

Seven citizens injured by terrorist mortar attack on Police Hospital in Harasta, al-Qtaifeh city in Damascus countryside

Four citizens were injured as a mortar shell launched by terrorists hit the entrance of the Police Hospital in Harasta and the areas suurounding al-Baironi Hospital in Damascus countryside.

A source at the Police Command told SANA reporter that a mortar shell fell on the entrance of the Police Hospital in Harasta causing the injury of four citizens in addition to material damage.

It added that two citizens were also injured by a mortar shell fired landed on the area surrounding al-Baironi Hospital.

The source pointed out that two shells fired by terrorists fell on the outskirts of al-Qtaifeh city, causing material damage to a building with no casualties among the citizens.

It pointed out that a terrorist sniper targeted a private car on Harasta highway, injuring a citizen and causing material damage to the car.

On Saturday, three citizens were injured as terrorists targeted the hospital with three mortar shells in a series of terrorist attacks on the hospital which is offering medical services to members of the internal security forces and their families.

Syrian Army Continues to Fight Western-backed Rebels

Syrian troops patrol the city of al-Mathan heavily damaged by fighting by loyalists and western-backed rebels. Syria is under threat of regime-change by the imperialist states., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Army's sweeping blows continue to hit terrorism everywhwere in Syria

Feb 27, 2014

Provinces, (SANA) – the Syrian Arab Army eliminated on Thursday scores of terrorists and destroyed their dens and gatherings in several areas in Syria.

Army units destroy terrorists' dens and gatherings in Damascus Countryside

A military source told SANA that the army units destroyed terrorists' dens and 8 cars along with the weapons and ammunition inside them in al-Skafteh area in Damascus Countryside.

The source added that another army unit destroyed a terrorists' car near Abu Alaiyeh farm near al-Suhel town, killing scores of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in Rema farms.

The source added that other army units killed and injured scores of terrorists in the area between Joba'den and al-Sarkha towns.

An army unit clashed with terrorists in Darayaa, killing and injuring scores of them.In the same context, the army units kill many terrorists and destroyed a bulldozer in al-Moleha town.

Meanwhile, an army unit clashed with terrorists in Joubar neighborhood, killing 3 of them and injuring others.

Dozens of terrorists killed Hama

An army unit on Thursday destroyed terrorists' dens in al-Oqeirbat area in Hama countryside, killing many terrorists.

The bodies of the terrorists Suleiman Ahamad, Azzam Saleh, Saad Mousa and Dirar Yousef were identified among the dead.

Army units eliminate terrorists in Qunetira

A military source told SANA that the army units killed scores of terrorists in al-Hour and al-Hujeh lands in the southern countryside of Quneitra.

The source added that another army units repelled terrorists' attempt to sneak from al-Hujeh town, killing and injuring scores of them.

Army units destroy terrorist dens in Aleppo

Units of the Syrian Arab Army destroyed dens of armed terrorist groups in several towns and neighborhoods in Aleppo and eliminated scores of terrorists.

A military source told SANA reporter that units of the army eliminated scores of terrorists in al-Ansari, Bustan al-Qaser, Bani Zaid and al-Kallaseh and destroyed their criminal tools.

The source added that units of the army eliminated terrorists in Khan al-Assal, Fafin, Hreitan, Urum, Kwieris, Arbid, Jdeideh and the surrounding of Aleppo central prison.

Army units eliminate terrorists, destroy their dens in Homs

Units of the Syrian Arab Army destroyed terrorist dens in several towns and villages in Homs and killed many terrorists.

A source in the province told SANA reporter that a unit of the army eliminated armed terrorist groups which tried to infiltrate into Jub al-Jarah and al-Masoudieh towns in Homs and destroyed their weapons and ammunition.

Meanwhile, two citizens were injured in terrorist mortar shells in al-Hawash town in Talkalakh neighborhood in addition to aterial damage to the private properties.

Terrorist groups eliminated in Daraa

A military source told SANA that army units killed scores of terrorists and destroyed big amounts of weapons, ammunition and vehicles in al-Jisri village in al-Lajat area in Daraa countryside, whereas another army unit eliminated an armed terrorist group in the surrounding area of al-Maasara and al-Jamarec in Daraa city.

The source added that army units confronted armed terrorist groups that attempted to infiltrate into Jordan street towards a military checkpoint, killing all members of the group.

Army units destroyed a number of cars with all terrorists inside in Rasoum Barghasha and al-Motelleh in Daraa countryside.

Terrorists killed in Idleb countryside

A military source told SANA that an army unit killed all members of an armed terrorist groups near Qastoun town in Idelb countryside.

The source added that among the dead terrorists were Mudar Ali, Hassan al-Issa and Mohammad Hussein al-Sharef.

Another army units inflicted heavy losses upon terrorists in Kfarlata and Maar Belt towns in the countryside.

Syria Says Two Attempted Attacks on Chemical Weapons Convoys

Patients being treated for chemical weapons exposure initiated by the western-backed rebels fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Israel has recently carried out renewed airstrike outside of Damascus., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Syria says two attempted attacks on chemical weapons convoys: U.N.

6:09pm EST
By Michelle Nichols and Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - There were two attempted attacks on Syrian convoys transporting chemical weapons late last month, Syrian authorities told the international mission overseeing the removal and destruction of its toxic arsenal, according to a U.N. report on Thursday.

The monthly report to the U.N. Security Council of the joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said the attempted attacks were on January 27. It gave no details on the location of the convoys.

"In addition, Syrian authorities indicated that ongoing military activities rendered two sites inaccessible during most of the reporting period," the five-page report said.

This delayed "in-country destruction of the final quantities of isopropanol, preventing some activities to consolidate chemical material into a reduced number of locations, and preventing the physical verification of chemical material prior to movement on 27 January 2014."

Isopropanol is one of two key ingredients for sarin.

President Bashar al-Assad agreed to destroy his chemical weapons following global outrage over a sarin gas attack in August, which was the world's deadliest chemical attack in 25 years. It sparked a U.S. threat of military strikes that was averted after Assad pledged to give up his chemical arms.

But the Syrian government, locked in a three-year-old war with rebels seeking to overthrow Assad, failed to meet the February 5 OPCW deadline to move all of its declared chemical substances and precursors - some 1,300 tonnes - out of the country.

Syria has now proposed a new timetable to remove its chemical weapons by late April, diplomats said on Wednesday.

'MEASURABLE PROGRESS'

The report said: "The elimination of the chemical weapons program of the Syrian Arab Republic stands at a critical juncture."

"While progress has been attained under challenging circumstances, it is clear the Syrian Arab Republic must further intensify and accelerate its efforts towards the full elimination of its chemical weapons program," it said.

Under the OPCW schedule, all Syria's declared chemical weapons must be destroyed by June 30. Most of the chemicals are supposed to be transported to the port of Latakia, where they will be shipped out of the country.

The United States has sent the MV Cape Ray, a ship outfitted with special equipment to neutralize the worst of Syria's chemicals at sea, and says it will need 90 days to complete the destruction.

"Measurable progress has been made over the last months in the destruction of critical equipment and special features at a number of chemical weapons production facilities, as well as unfilled chemical munitions," the report said. "As a result, the production, mixing and filling capabilities of the Syrian Arab Republic have been rendered inoperable."

The deal for Syria to give up its chemical weapons, brokered by the United States and Russia, was enshrined in a U.N. Security Council resolution in September.

The resolution does not authorize automatic punitive action in the form of military strikes or sanctions if Syria does not comply. At Russia's insistence, the resolution makes clear a second council decision would be needed for that.

Russia has made clear, however, it would not support the use of force against Assad's government, a close ally.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Gunna Dickson)

47 Killed in Violent Attacks Across Iraq

Wreckage from Baghdad explosions that took place on April 19, 2012. Despite the withdrawal of US combat troops the violence continues inside the country., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

47 killed in violent attacks across Iraq

English.news.cn
2014-02-27 23:24:06

BAGHDAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 47 people were killed and 72 others wounded on Thursday in separate attacks across Iraq, including three deadly bombings here, police said.

In the Shiite area of Sadr City in east Baghdad, a booby- trapped motorcycle exploded at a popular market, killing at least 32 people and injuring 56 others.

At the Muthafar Square of the same city, an improvised explosive device struck a minibus, killing five civilians and wounding two others.

In a separate incident, a roadside bomb struck a bus in the neighborhood of Shaab in northeast Baghdad, killing a passenger and wounding three others.

In Tarmiya area, some 30 km north of Baghdad, two Iraqi soldiers were killed and three others wounded when a car bomb targeted an army patrol. Another similar attack injured three soldiers earlier in the day.

In Salahudin province, gunmen attacked a checkpoint manned by members of a government-backed Sahwa paramilitary group in the city of Shirqat, some 110 km north of the provincial capital Tikrit. Two group members were killed.

Salahudin is a Sunni-dominated province. Its capital Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, is the hometown of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, police found a body of an ex-officer of Saddam's army. He was kidnapped earlier near his house in the city of Maqdadiyah, some 100 km northeast of Baghdad. The body was riddled with bullets and dumped near a river outside the city.

Also in the province, unidentified gunmen shot dead a civilian in Maqdadiyah and fled the scene.

In Anbar province, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in the provincial capital of Ramadi, some 110 km west of Baghdad, killing two soldiers and injuring five others, local police said.

In the south of the militant-seized city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, snipers shot dead a civilian who was driving his car.

Also in the day, 11 gunmen were killed in their clashes with Iraqi forces near Ramadi. They were believed to be linked to al- Qaida organizations.

Another similar clash about seven km west of Ramadi resulted in the killing of four gunmen.

Anbar province has been the scene of fierce clashes that flared up after Iraqi police dismantled an anti-government protest site outside Ramadi in late December last year.

Iraq is witnessing its worst violence in recent years. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said a total of 8,868 Iraqis, including 7,818 civilians and civilian police personnel, were killed in 2013, the highest annual death toll in recent years.

Invest On Our Terms, Zimbabwe President Mugabe Tells West

Republic of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace standing and sitting along with artist who developed the project., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Invest on our terms, President tells West

Sunday, 23 February 2014 00:00
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail

Zimbabweans will be poor for centuries if they repeat the mistake of letting foreigners own the country’s natural resources, President Mugabe has said.

Speaking at a birthday party organised for him by staff in his office at State House yesterday, an energetic President Mugabe said Zimbabwe should always negotiate investment deals on its own terms.

The President, who attended the function soon after touching down at the Harare International Airport from Singapore where he had a successful operation to remove a cataract in his left eye, noted that political independence without economic freedom is hollow.

Cde Mugabe turned 90 on Friday.

“Never, never, never again shall we make the mistake of allowing our resources, natural resources, to be owned by foreigners,” he said.

“You will remain poor for centuries. Huge American companies come, even if you have oil, because they have the machinery, capital (and) they will say the oil is theirs.

“They say we will give you 12 percent because these machines cost a lot of money. To hell with those machines! They are not more valuable than the oil that lies underground.

“The diamonds you take away are not created in a day, but your machines can be repaired when they break down. Let us not be hoodwinked by huge caterpillars. Unonzwa vamwe vachiti vakachera ndezvavo. Zvavo zvipi?

“It’s just an elaborate way of digging. Don’t be deceived, makuhwa, zvekunzi hee you are not going to have investment. Amanga.”
Cde Mugabe said it was unacceptable to have foreigners claiming ownership of resources that belong to a country that is said to be independent.

“We just don’t want political freedom, we want economic freedom as well. Kwete kuti maFrench vanozosara vachiti Gabon, yes, you have political freedom but oil iri underground belongs to us.

“The oil belongs to France, which is underground? What do you have then as a country? Now that’s a struggle that must be waged.”

President Mugabe called on Africans not look down upon themselves when they engage a Western world that believes might is always right.

“Sometimes right is might. As long as your cause is right, never accept failure,” he said.
President Mugabe credited his illustrious career as an educationist, liberator and leader of the country to his ability to “adapt without reneging”.

He, however, pointed out that he is just a leader of a team and a nation that is willing to listen and work with him. The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces added that turning 90 years old would not be worth celebrating without valuable experience to show for it.

“You can never be a hero unless you have worked with others. Yes, writers do it alone, but in politics you need others. A good leader listens to his people. He himself is led by the people’s interests.

“. . . 90 is just a number. To me it’s 90 years of experience, both negative and positive.”
The President, who shared warm moments, including affectionate kisses on the cheek, with First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe throughout the programme, hailed the country’s security service chiefs for staying loyal.

“Maservice chiefs amuri kuwona avo vari kunzi security reform, security reform …uno reformer ivava nekuti zvaita sei?
“You can’t reform excellence? I have stuck to them because I know their past, I know their commitment, I know their loyalty not only to me, but to the country.

“Ndiva Tsvangirai vanenge vachiti reform. VaTsvangirai dai matisiira nyaya iyi. Kwenyu kwamunoziva kumarokwe. We don’t compete with you there.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Vice-President Mujuru described Cde Mugabe as a living legend and revolutionary icon.
“We are forever grateful for the guidance and mentorship you have provided, especially to me, your first daughter … Bona you are not the first daughter,” she said amid laughter from the guests, including Miss Bona Mugabe.

Meanwhile, staff in the Office of the President and Cabinet yesterday handed over a gigantic 1,2 tonne chair and a compilation of pictures to Cde Mugabe as birthday presents.

The chair, which is carved in stone and coated in gold, diamonds and several animal skins, is called Simbahwe. It took three artistes - Wilfred Tembo, Simbarashe Farisai Mutokonyi and Bruce Johnson - nearly two years to put it together.

The Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, disclosed that the three did not request payment for their efforts.

“They said this is their way of honouring you, Your Excellency,” he told the President.
Yesterday’s occasion was attended by members of the First Family, Cabinet ministers and staff from the President’s Office.

The festivities continue at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera today with the hosting of the 21st February Movement celebrations.
Lead story addition

Yesterday, the event organisers were putting the final touches on the venue. The Minister of State for Mashonaland East, Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, said all was set for the major occasion.

“We are very happy to host this event and the required resources have been mobilised. We have the support of the local community, farmers and corporate organisations.

“The gates will open by 6am with entertainment being the first item on the programme. There will also be a musical gala in the evening, lasting up until the next morning.”

South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party also congratulated President Mugabe on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.
In a statement, EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi said the President has always been committed to ensuring the freedom of the oppressed.

“President RG Mugabe’s birth has been a symbol of Africa’s resistance against colonial pressure. He has remained committed to his people and the sovereignty of their economy. He has withstood, against all odds, those who have sought to drink the blood of the African people and their birthright.

“Since his youth, President Mugabe has represented the resilience of a fighter for true political and economic freedom for the people of Africa. He has remained consistent as a leader and a statesman and refused to bow to the temptation of capital’s seduction and continues in that spirit 90 years later.

“We celebrate the birthday of President RG Mugabe as a stalwart of all things prosperous for Africa. On this auspicious occasion, EFF wishes to thank the people of Zimbabwe for standing beside their President who represents economic freedom for the people of Africa.

“We call for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe and demand that the world take note that Africa will never return to oppression and economic freedom is an imminent reality.”

South Sudan Recalls Top Envoys Amid Conflict

Tank from the Ugandan People's Defense Forces (UPDF) in neighboring South Sudan. Uganda has played a critical role in the conflict., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

February 26, 2014

South Sudan Recalls Top Envoys Amid Conflict

by Peter Clottey

South Sudan’s foreign minister has denied media reports that top envoys to Washington and other countries were recalled after they failed to convince the host countries that there was an attempt to overthrow President Salva Kiir’s administration.

The government in Juba has so far recalled its top diplomats to Washington, Moscow, Addis Ababa and Brussels. Barnaba Marial Benjamin says the recalls are part of a normal diplomatic shuffle.

“This call is the normal routine in foreign affairs. We had recalled them previously for a briefing. Now it is a form of general transfer within the ministry of foreign affairs,” said Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudan’s foreign minister. “Some of them will go to new places, others will come to the headquarters, and it is a transfer within the ministry, and that by the way is the first transfer to occur in the ministry of foreign affairs.”

Benjamin also said rebels had not demanded that the African Union (AU) replace mediators from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), at the peace negotiations in Ethiopia saying IGAD would have communicated any such development.

He says IGAD has a successful track record of mediating peace talks in the region.

“IGAD has got all the capabilities to see that these peace talks go forward,” said Benjamin. “I’m sure IGAD is still committed to the talks and we have not received any message of that kind from either IGAD or the African Union for any move of the talks, not at all. IGAD is still continuing the negotiations and is in charge of the process, because the facilitators that are involved are highly qualified.”

Peace negotiations in Ethiopia appeared to have stalled following a resumption of clashes between the national army and rebels allied to South Sudan’s former vice president Riek Machar.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement signed between the parties in Ethiopia at the IGAD mediated peace talks.

But, Benjamin says the rebels are to blame for the resumption in violence.

“Our government concern is expressed in the fact that the rebels have been violating the cessation of hostilities. Since the 18th of this month, they attacked Malakal and they have been attacking many other areas and that is a clear violation of the cessation of hostilities,” said Benjamin.

“The government has restrained itself and has been on the self-defense, while the government has the capacity to pursue them, and pursue them were they are,” said Benjamin. “But because the government is committed to the peace talks because we believe this is a senseless war that’s why the talks have been continuing.”

Nhial Deng Nhial, the chief negotiator for the government at the peace talks in Ethiopia who had returned to Juba for consultations before the next round of negotiations, has now returned to Addis Ababa. Benjamin says the government in Juba is not to blame for the stalled peace talks.

“Our chief negotiator went back today after being given the go ahead for the second part of negotiations to go ahead. So any stalling of talks is not from our side. It’s on the side of the rebels who are left and right violating the cessation of hostilities agreement, and I think the IGAD countries will handle that with them,” said Benjamin.

http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-recalls-top-envoys-amidst-conflict/1859970.html

South Sudan Violence: Patients Shot Dead in Hospital Beds

Former SPLM officials who were held in detention hold press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia amid peace talks. The ruling party is deeply split., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

South Sudan Violence: Patients shot dead in hospital beds

Associated Press Juba/South Sudan February 27, 2014 10:12 am

SUMMARY

The extreme violence and lack of respect for health care workers shown by South Sudan's warring sides has made Doctors Without Borders' work almost impossible.

Patients in South Sudan have been shot to death in their hospital beds and medical facilities have been looted and burned to the ground, forcing the aid group Doctors Without Borders to examine its operations.

The extreme violence and lack of respect for health care workers shown by South Sudan’s warring sides has made Doctors Without Borders’ work almost impossible, the international group said in a statement Wednesday.

Members of the aid group discovered at least 14 dead bodies in a hospital in the contested city of Malakal over the weekend, said the statement. Several of the dead bodies had been shot while lying in their beds, the group said. Rebels have been fighting government forces for control of the city, the capital of an oil-producing state.

In addition, Doctors Without Borders’ facilities in the towns of Leer and Bentiu have been looted and completely destroyed, said the group’s leader in South Sudan Raphael Gorgeu. He said Doctors Without Borders does not want to leave South Sudan but must look at the safety of its workers.

The men carrying out the fighting have shown “absolutely no respect for health care workers,” he said. He asked how the group could “stay to the very last moment with the guarantee that our staff and patients will not be targeted?”

Gorgeu said the group does not want to pull out of South Sudan, where 800,000 people are displaced and 3.2 million in immediate need of food due to fighting that broke out in mid-December. Thousands have died in the violence.

At the end of January thousands of residents fled as fighting broke out in Leer, the home town of rebel leader and former Vice President Riek Machar. Doctors Without Borders has worked in Leer for 25 years, evacuated staff while 240 others fled into the bush. They returned this week to find their hospital — a facility that served 300,000 people — destroyed.

“We don’t want to leave South Sudan, definitely not, but we have to look at things very carefully now,” he said. “It is not the investment we put in but the trust and the respect we put in that is actually put into question.”

The situation in South Sudan is to be discussed at a hearing by a U.S. House of Representatives committee later Wednesday.

Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey said the hearing would examine the need for a more unified and proactive U.S. policy in the region.

John Prendergast, co-founder of the U.S. advocacy group the Enough Project, said a “nightmare” scenario is unfolding in the Sudan-South Sudan region.

“Given the escalating crisis being faced by the two countries and the threat posed by a regionalization of the wars, a much more robust and proactive approach is needed,” he said.

CAR Militia Leader Arrested in Congo-Brazzaville

Central African Republic crowd protesting French intervention. Paris has occupied the country with 1,600 troops backed by the United States., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

February 26, 2014

CAR Militia Leader Arrested in Congo Brazzaville

by Nick Long

The African Union has confirmed the arrest in the Republic of Congo of a leader of the Central African Republic's anti-Balaka armed movement.

The African Union mission to the C.A.R. has confirmed that Patrice Edouard Ngaissona, the self-proclaimed coordinator of the anti-Balaka armed movement, has been arrested with two other men by authorities across the border in Congo Brazzaville.

Ngaissona, who is also president of the country's football federation, appears to have fled the Central African Republic about February 15, when French and African Union peacekeepers captured several of his collaborators during an operation in Bangui to disarm anti-Balaka, whose name means “machete proof,” or “invincible”.

His name and those of several of the movement’s other commanders are on a list of wanted persons issued by C.A.R. prosecutors.

In a statement, the AU mission congratulated the Congolese authorities on the arrest, and said Ngaissona has often told media that he is the political coordinator of the anti-Balaka, who continue to terrorize the civilian population, particularly Muslims, and are a threat to peace.

The International Crisis Group’s C.A.R. analyst, Thierry Vircoulon, commented on the arrest. "It is part of the pressure put on the leadership of one faction of the anti-Balaka - called the CPLC - and Patrick Ngiassona since mid-January was the official representative of this faction in Bangui, and this faction was aligned to the former president [Francois] Bozize and his entourage," he said.

The question is whether the arrest of Ngaissona and other leaders will scare the anti-Balaka into better behavior.

"It will depend basically on how cohesive is the CPLC and the anti-Balaka movement. Some people think there is not much cohesion in this movement and there are a lot of commanders who basically do whatever they want on the ground," said Vircoulon. "So we will see what is the result of these arrests, but definitely it was necessary to put pressure on the leaders of this faction."

The anti-Balaka commanders arrested 10 days ago are still in jail, unlike some of their comrades who were arrested last month and were sprung from jail within a few days.

Vircoulon said the presence of AU peacekeepers at the prison probably has prevented a repeat of that episode.

The anti-Balaka still have a lot of popular support as the only Central African force that put up a fight against the Seleka, the largely Muslim rebel group that seized power in C.A.R. last year and committed many atrocities. The anti-Balaka have many sympathizers among non-Muslims who are the majority of the population.

They are not militarily very powerful, said Vircoulon, but he suggesed their military threat is not the main problem. "They just have some basic weaponry, but I think the problem right now is the international security forces are not adapted to this kind of threat. They are posing more of a police problem than a military problem at this stage."

Bangui and the rest of the country currently have very few police. Vircoulon said more policing capability should be a high priority for the peacekeeping forces in the country.
http://www.voanews.com/content/car-militia-leader-arrested-in-congo-brazzaville/1859826.html

Amid Chaos, Central African Republic's President Touts Canada As Partner In Peace

Central African Republic Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza has been sworn in as leader of the troubled nation. French troops and their allies are occupying the mineral-rich state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Amid chaos, Central African Republic's president touts Canada as partner in peace

GEOFFREY YORK
BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC —
The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Feb. 26 2014, 9:19 PM EST

Flanked by an army officer and four African peacekeeping troops, Catherine Samba-Panza emerges regally from a backroom into a plush chamber filled with overstuffed red-velvet gilt chairs and sofas.

The new president of the Central African Republic, only the third female president in Africa today, has one of the world’s most impossible jobs: trying to rebuild a shattered country where the state has collapsed and political chaos has spiralled into daily sectarian killing.

But she has a plan. As she met the media in her grandiose office Wednesday, she outlined a blueprint for security and reconciliation in the ravaged nation, using a growing force of foreign peacekeepers, while capitalizing on the advantages of being a woman – and touting Canada as a potential partner.

She exuded confidence and calm, until the end of the briefing, when she sharply reprimands a French television crew for daring to ignore her recent speech at a military ceremony. Instead of her speech, she complains, the TV channel showed a gruesome lynching by soldiers at the same ceremony.

Even as she spoke to journalists in the presidential office, the killings were continuing. Several more civilians were killed by armed men in Bangui, where dwindling Muslim neighbourhoods are under siege, and militias roam freely.

“I think the presence of a woman at the head of the state in today’s context is fundamental,” said Mrs. Samba-Panza, a former mayor and human rights activist who was chosen as interim president just five weeks ago after a rebel-backed leader was ousted.

“In our community, even if we have difficulties, we do have some basic values, and among them is a respect for women,” she added. “I think we’ve arrived at a moment when I can teach reconciliation and respect. People express their anger at the political struggles, and they want another kind of leadership, and this leadership could be represented by a woman.”

One of her heroes is another pioneer: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected female head of state in Africa, who has ruled Liberia since 2006 after the end of a devastating civil war.

“She’s a woman who came to power in almost the same situation as me,” Mrs. Samba-Panza said. “She became the head of the country at a moment of great difficulty in a post-conflict period with many security problems.”

So far, African and European nations are the only ones to provide peacekeepers for Central African Republic, and most of the African troops are badly under-trained and under-equipped. Countries such as Canada could provide much more – not just in humanitarian aid, where Canada has already donated millions to the country – but also in human rights and military aid for the peacekeepers, she said.

“I think Canada has a lot of experience in the sphere of minorities and their integration into society,” said Mrs. Samba-Panza, who recalls how she benefited from support from a Canadian community group herself. “I think Canada and its organizations and people can bring a lot to building peace here.”

Mrs. Samba-Panza, 58, was born in Chad to a Cameroonian father and Central African mother. This has made her a target for nationalist fervour in her homeland, where many are resentful of the foreign troops. One newspaper in Bangui blasted her in a front-page headline. “Samba-Panza: the president who thinks in Chadian, speaks in Cameroonian and acts in Central African.”

In a deeply divided country, where the army and police have fallen apart, she will find it difficult to develop a power base. She is required to resign next year when elections are scheduled.

But as long as she holds office, she pledges to try to heal the divisions. “People have to learn to live together after the fracture,” she said.

France Votes to Extend Central African Republic Occupation

French soldier on guard in the Central African Republic. Thousands of foreign forces are occupying the state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

France votes to extend Central African Republic military mission

Published time: February 25, 2014 14:02
Rt.com

France’s parliament has approved extending what was meant to be a short-term military deployment to stem “the tide of genocide” in the Central African Republic.

The mandate for the French military expedition to the CAR was set to expire in April. The issue divided the lawmakers, with 60 percent of French society questioning the need to intervene in the country. Despite societal and parliamentary divisions, however, the measure was expected to pass in both houses.

Speaking on French television before the vote, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius argued that military intervention had staved off ethnic cleansing in the country.

"If Operation Sangaris had not been launched, there would have been genocide in the Central African Republic," Fabius said on France 2 television, Reuters reported. "The French were right to intervene."

Opposition lawmakers, however, had been questioning prolonging the mission, saying the intervention over the last few months has proved counterproductive.

"Nothing has been resolved, the country is still on fire," France 24 cited former Labor Minister Eric Woerth, a lawmaker from the center-right UMP party of ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy, as saying.

"We have avoided a bloodbath, a massacre," Woerth said, but added that there was "no state, no judiciary, no police [and] no schools."

France first agreed to send 1,600 troops in December to help restore order in the warring African state. Followed by a quick and decisive victory in last year's war against Islamists in Mali, France's military estimated that six months would be long enough to halt sectarian conflict in the Central African Republic, which began in March when Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the majority Christian country.

In January, Seleka leader Michel Djotodia was himself ousted from power after failing to halt atrocities from his former fighters, as Christian militias have increasingly carried out retaliatory attacks against the country’ Muslims.

Earlier this month, France deployed 400 more troops to bolster its troop presence, who are operating alongside a 6,000-strong African Union peacekeeping mission.

Ironically, the operation itself was named after a local butterfly with a brief life span, reflecting what was expected to be a short lived mission. CAR's interim president, Catherine Samba Panza, has called for international troops to remain in the country until elections due to be held by March 2015.

French Defense Ministry officials privately conceded a mere show of French military force would be enough to restore order in the nation of 4.5 million. But as the nation descends into civil war, the UN human rights chief has warned of “ethnic-religious cleansing.”

Speaking ahead of the parliamentary vote, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Adrian Edwards told reporters that more than 15,000 people in 18 locations "are at present surrounded and under threat by armed groups," AFP reported.

He said that minority Muslim civilians, who are fleeing to the country’s northwest, face a “very high risk of attack and urgently need better security" and more international troops on the ground.

"It will take longer than expected because the level of hatred and violence is worse than we had imagined," French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said last week, France 24 reported. "No-one can accept partition. It must be stopped."

Chad Troops Kill Civilians In Central African Republic

A French military convoy rolls through the Central African Republic. Violence has continued after the forced resignation of Michel Djotodia., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Chad troops kill civilians in Central African Republic: residents

Mon, Feb 24 2014
By Serge Leger Kokpakpa

BANGUI (Reuters) - Chadian peacekeepers shot dead three civilians in a Christian neighborhood of the capital of Central African Republic on Monday, local residents said.

In another incident overnight, two Chadian peacekeepers were shot and killed and another wounded, said Elio Yao, a spokesman for the African Union peacekeeping force, MISCA.

Bangui's Christian population accuses the Muslim Chadians of backing Muslim Seleka rebels - some of whom came from Chad - since they seized power in the mostly Christian Central African Republic and embarked on months of looting and killing.

Christian militia have carried out brutal reprisals against the Muslim minority. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, Human Rights Watch says, in violence that 2,000 French and 6,000 African Union peacekeepers have been unable to stop.

Al Qaeda's North African wing threatened at the weekend to punish France for allowing Muslims to be killed.

Tensions flared anew in the past few days in the Christian neighborhood of Combattants in Bangui, where Chadian peacekeepers have clashed with residents and local militia.

"I condemn the Chadian forces. They said they came here to restore peace but it's them who are killing us," said Macnel Ndotowe, a resident of Combattants.

A spokesman for the Red Cross said its volunteers had recovered bodies from the Combattants neighborhood but could not confirm how they were killed.

Yao said MISCA was investigating the killing of the two Chadian peacekeepers and it was not clear whether this was connected to the wider conflict.

Local Christians accused Chadian troops of preying upon them. The United Nations and Human Rights Watch have also cited evidence of this.

Humanitarian aid workers say, however, that the security situation has improved in Bangui in recent weeks, after most of the city's Muslim population fled northward in the face of attacks by the Christian militia.

"One must understand that getting Central African Republic back on track will take time," General Francisco Soriano, the commander of French forces, told Europe 1 radio. "But we must not ignore the progress made ... The massacres and killing that we saw on our arrival have radically dropped."

AL QAEDA BLAMES FRANCE

One French soldier was killed and two others injured on a reconnaissance mission near the town of Bouar, according to a government statement issued on Sunday. It was the third French soldier killed since the deployment began in early December.

When France deployed troops in December, under a U.N. mandate to support African peacekeepers, it forecast a short mission but many observers now say it risks getting bogged down in a long struggle to rebuild the broken state.

In a statement released at the weekend, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) pledged to punish France for its intervention in Central African Republic, blaming it for continuing militia assaults on the Muslim population.

"Know that your crimes will not go unpunished and the war between us will continue," the statement read, saying France had left Muslims defenseless by disarming Seleka.

AQIM, whose fighters were driven from an enclave in northern Mali by a French-led offensive last year, encouraged Muslims in Central African Republic to start a jihad and called on Muslims throughout Africa to strike French interests.

Islamists staged a suicide attack on uranium mines operated by French state-owned firm Areva in Niger in May.

Experts have suggested that the religious conflict in Central African Republic could fuel Islamic militancy in a volatile region at the heart of Africa. There have been no reports to date of Islamist fighters operating on the ground in Central African Republic.

Amid rising concern among Muslims abroad, Afghanistan's insurgent Taliban accused major countries and aid organizations of standing by in the face of a "genocide" against Muslims in the Central, in a statement issued at the weekend.

"The genocide and forced migration of the Muslims ... poses a danger to the peaceful life and co-existence of Muslims and Christians throughout Africa," the Taliban said in a rare statement dealing with matters outside Afghanistan.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris and Daniel Flynn in Dakar; Writing by Daniel Flynn and Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Armed Groups Surround Thousands In Central African Republic

Central African Republic soldiers surround a policeman who sought to intervention to prevent the murder of a man accused of being a Seleka rebel. The incident occurred on Feb. 5, 2014., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Armed groups surround thousands in Central African Republic - U.N

Tue, Feb 25 2014
By Serge Leger Kokpakpa

BANGUI (Reuters) - Over 15,000 people in Central African Republic, mostly Muslim civilians in makeshift camps, are surrounded and being threatened by armed militia groups, a spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Adrian Edwards told a news briefing in Geneva that the refugees, dotted around 18 locations in the northwest and southwest of the landlocked country, face a high risk of attack and urgently need better security.

France's parliament voted in favour on Tuesday of extending its military mission in Central African Republic, Operation Sangaris, four months after its launch.

The former French colony has been torn by inter-communal violence that has killed thousands since Seleka, a coalition of mostly Muslim northern rebels, seized power in March and unleashed a wave of looting and killings.

Christian militia known as "anti-balaka", which means "anti-machete" in the local sango language, have exacted brutal reprisals against the Muslim minority whom they accuse of supporting the rebels. Ten of thousands of Muslims have fled to neighbouring countries, while others sought shelter in camps.

"Although violence has hit all communities in CAR, most of the people who are trapped are Muslims under threat from 'anti-balaka' militiamen," Edwards said. "Areas we are particularly worried about include the PK12 neighbourhood in Bangui and the towns of Boda, Boar and Bossangoa."

Tit-for-tat killings have continued despite the presence of 2,000 French and 6,000 African Union peacekeepers (MISCA). Aid workers say security has improved somewhat in the capital Bangui in recent weeks, though sporadic attacks continue.

Burundian peacekeepers shot dead two anti-balaka fighters who were looting a shop in Bangui on Tuesday, witnesses said.

In Carnot, a town of about 45,000 some 500 km (310 miles) northwest of the capital, Muslims sought protection at a local church after hiding in the bush for several days.
Priest Justine Nary said that over 1,000 people, many of them women and children, had sought refuge in Carnot's church.

Nary said the mood was tense after anti-balaka militia threatened to torch the building if Muslims did not leave, despite the presence of AU and French troops.

"We received 223 more people this morning and the truck has gone out again to fetch more people from the bush where they are hiding," he said.

FRENCH VOTE

The crisis has driven around 1 million people - about a quarter of the country's population - from their homes. Many of them have fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo.

The World Food Programme warned on Tuesday that the exodus could spark a regional crisis as countries struggled to accommodate the refugees.

Despite some lawmakers concerns about how the mission has been handled, French members of parliament voted on Tuesday massively in favour of extending the mission in the country, with only a hand-full abstaining or voting against.

In France, a foreign military operation requires parliamentary backing when it lasts more than four months.

"Everyone is aware that our job is not finished," Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told lawmakers. "Our efforts have started to bear fruit. The threat of a widespread flare-up was avoided."

Some opposition lawmakers have accused French President Francois Hollande of miscalculating the situation in Central African Republic, demanding to know how long French troops will stay and the cost of the mission.

"The president has been careless," the head of the opposition UMP party in the lower house, Christian Jacob, said during a debate in parliament. "This carelessness has led, as we feared, to an impasse, a trap which we don't see how to get out of."

(Additional reporting by John Irish and Emile Picy in Paris, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Bate Felix in Dakar; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

What the Hell is Barack Obama's Presidency For?

Obama's plan to cut Social Security benefits for senior citizens is more than draconian. It will further impoverish millions more elderly people who rely on these already too small checks for over 50 percent of their household budgets., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Published on Monday, February 24, 2014 by The Guardian

What the Hell is Barack Obama's Presidency For?

His ascent to power had meaning, but now his interventions are too rare and too piecemeal to constitute a narrative

by Gary Younge

A few days after John F Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon Johnson sat in his kitchen with his key advisers working his first speech to Congress. It was the evening of Kennedy's funeral – Johnson was now president. The nation was still in grief and Johnson, writes Robert Caro in The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power, was not yet able to move into the White House because Kennedy's effects were still there.

He had been a hapless vice-president; now he had to both personify and project the transition from bereavement to business as usual. In the midst of the cold war, with Vietnam brewing, the Kennedy administration had been trying to get civil rights legislation and tax cuts through Congress. There was plenty of business to attend to. Johnson's advisers were keen that he introduced himself to the nation as a president who could get things done.

"If there was a plot, he's lost it. If there was a point, few can remember it. If he had a big idea, he shrank it. If there's a moral compass powerful enough to guide such contradictions to more consistent waters, it is in urgent need of being reset."

For that reason, writes Caro, they implored him not to push for civil rights in this first speech, since it had no chance of passing.

"The presidency has only a certain amount of coinage to expend, and you oughtn't to expend it on this," said "one of the wise, practical people around the table". Johnson, who sat in silence at the table as his aides debated, interjected: "Well, what the hell's the presidency for."

"First," he told Congress a few days later, "no memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honour President Kennedy's memory than the earliest possible passage of the civil rights bill for which he fought so long." Over the next five years he would go on to sign the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, launch the war on poverty and introduce Medicaid (medical assistance for low-income families) and Medicare (for seniors). That's what his presidency was for.

Barack Obama has now been in power for longer than Johnson was, and the question remains: "What the hell's his presidency for?" His second term has been characterised by a profound sense of drift in principle and policy.

While posing as the ally of the immigrant he is deporting people at a faster clip than any of his predecessors; while claiming to be a supporter of labour he's championing trade deals that will undercut American jobs and wages. In December, even as he pursued one whistleblower, Edward Snowden and kept another, Chelsea Manning, incarcerated, he told the crowd at Nelson Mandela's funeral: "There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba's struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people."

If there was a plot, he's lost it. If there was a point, few can remember it. If he had a big idea, he shrank it. If there's a moral compass powerful enough to guide such contradictions to more consistent waters, it is in urgent need of being reset.

Given the barriers to democratic engagement and progressive change in America – gerrymandering, big money and Senate vetoes – we should always be wary of expecting too much from a system designed to deliver precious little to the poor. We should also challenge the illusion that any individual can single-handedly produce progressive change in the absence of a mass movement that can both drive and sustain it.

Nonetheless, it was Obama who set himself the task of becoming a transformational political figure in the mould of Ronald Reagan or JFK. "I think we are in one of those fundamentally different times right now where people think that things, the way they are going, just aren't working," he said. It was he who donned the mantles of "hope" and "change".

It was obvious what his election was for. First, preventing the alternative: presidential candidates in the grip of a deeply dysfunctional and reactionary party. His arrival marked a respite from eight years of international isolation, military excess and economic collapse. He stood against fear, exclusion and greed – and won. Second, it helped cohere and mobilise a new progressive coalition that is transforming the electoral landscape. Finally, it proved that despite the country's recent history Americans could elect a black man to its highest office.

So his ascent to power had meaning. It's his presence in power that lacks purpose. The gap between rich and poor and black and white has grown while he's been in the White House, the prospects for immigration reform remain remote, bankers made away with the loot, and Guantánamo's still open. It's true there's a limit to what a president can do about much of this and that Republican intransigence has not helped. But that makes the original question more salient not less: if he can't reunite a divided political culture, which was one of his key pledges, and his powers are that limited, then what is the point of his presidency?

This should not deny his achievements. He scaled down one major war, is winding down another, and helped save the US car industry. If he's on the hook for growing inequality, then he can take credit for the deficit shrinking and unemployment falling.

But together, this amounts to an extended period of triage before sending the patient back out into the world without any plan for long-term recovery. The underlying impulses, policies, priorities and structures that made the wars and economic collapse possible are still in place.

Finally, there's healthcare reform. The brouhaha over its botched rollout will scarcely be remembered a few years hence. But with roughly 31 million people set to remain uninsured and little changing for many, its undeniable benefits are not likely to be remembered as transformational. All in all, there's precious little that Obama has done that any of his primary opponents would not have done.

Occasionally, he either gives a lead – like after the shootings at Newtown when he advocated for gun control – or follows one, as in his support for gay marriage or preventing the deportation of young undocumented immigrants, which helps to set a tone or establish a moral marker. But these interventions are too rare, and their remedies too piecemeal, to constitute a narrative.

"If you're going to be president, then I guess you obviously want to be in the history books," said Susan Aylward, a frustrated Obama supporter in Akron, Ohio, shortly before the last election. "So what does he want to be in the history books for? I don't quite know the answer to that yet." Sadly, it seems, neither does he.

Gary Younge is a Guardian columnist and feature writer based in the US

'Human Rights' Attacks on DPRK Will Not Bring Peace

A military parade by the armed forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The socialist state has declared that it is not bound by the armstice signed after the war against US imperialism in 1953., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

‘Human rights’ attacks on DPRK will not bring peace

Published time: February 26, 2014 13:12
Rt.com

The latest act of hostility and aggression against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea came in the form of the Human Rights Report issued by the United Nations.

The recent report makes very extreme accusations against the country, and its words are being repeated in Western media as undisputed fact.

The research the report is based on was hardly scientific. In Tokyo, Seoul, Washington, DC, and London, the United Nations held public hearings. A variety of anti-regime forces attended these meetings and spoke. In addition, there were 240 confidential interviews.

In plain words, hate rallies were staged in the capital cities of the four greatest enemies of the DPRK. At these events, exiles from the DPRK stood up and spoke against the country they fled. Their harsh accusations were then recorded as if they were completely credible and accurate. This would be the equivalent of researching human rights in Cuba, by only gathering information on the streets of Miami.

From 1948 to today

There are many people who have fled the DPRK for some reason or other. Many Japanese collaborators fled after the DPRK was founded in 1948. While South Korea’s government included many Japanese collaborators, the DPRK held them accountable. Many who had collaborated with the enslaving, raping, and brutal colonization their own countryfolk were forced to flee, or else be tried and executed. In addition, many landlords, shop keepers and other middle class elements left the DPRK after their property was nationalized in the process of constructing the socialist economy.

‘North Korea: A Country Study’, published by the US Library of Congress, documents how the economic transformation greatly benefited the overwhelming majority of the population.

Between 1948 and 1990, the life expectancy of the average person in the DPRK increased by nearly 30 years. In 1955, the DPRK had only 285 hospitals in the entire country. By 1986, it had 2,401. The country study from the US Library of Congress also tells of how illiteracy was wiped out, and universal compulsory education became available to all children.

It makes sense that for the Japanese collaborators, wealthy landowners, and privileged sectors, the transformation of northern Korea from an impoverished colonized feudal society to a socialist one is remembered as cruel and tragic. But for the majority of residents for northern Korea, the transformation that began in 1948 and still continues to this day has rendered decent results in terms of basic societal health.

Until the 1980s, the DPRK was economically prosperous in comparison to other Asian countries, and the living standard continued to rise. The food shortages and other extreme economic hardships began in the 1990s, when the collapse of the Soviet Union forced the DPRK to completely rework its economic system. The inability to purchase petroleum, droughts and flooding, all caused horrific a period of extreme hardship is called the ‘arduous march’. Despite so much suffering, amid sanctions and hostility from the US, the Korean Workers Party kept the country together.

The fact that Kim Jung-un, the grandson Kim Il-sung, now leads the DPRK is symbolic. It sends a message to both the Korean people and the DPRK's international enemies that there will be no surrender; despite the death of Kim Il-sung in 1994, and the death of Kim Jong-il in 2011, nothing will change. There will be no Glasnost or Color Revolution.

Northern Korea will continue to maintain a socialist economic model, as well as to fight reunification with its southern countryfolk.

Testimony from the ‘enemy camp’

The venues for the public hearings on which the UN report was based could not have been more insensitively chosen.

One hearing was held in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a country that enslaved, massacred, and tortured the Korean people for decades prior to the Second World War. When the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945, one seventh of those who were incinerated were not Japanese, but Korean slaves who had been taken to Japan in chains.

Another hearing was held in Seoul, the capital of the South Korea, a country where it is a crime to utter a pro-DPRK statement under the National Security Laws. In South Korea, often mistakenly called a ‘democracy’, Park Jeong-geun is now in prison for nothing more than posting “Long Live General Kim Jong-il” on Twitter. Lee Seok-ki, the leader of one of South Korea’s opposition parties has just been sentenced to 12 years in prison. If someone in Seoul had made pro-DPRK statements to the UN officials at the public hearings, they would most likely have been sent to prison for it.

The other two hearings were held in the capitals of the United States and Britain, two countries that teamed up during the Korean War to commit horrific war crimes against the DPRK. The Korean Truth Commission documented how Koreans were mercilessly burned alive, tortured, and slaughtered.

During what US President Truman called a ‘police action’, every building above one story was destroyed, and a total of over 3 million Koreans died.

The hearings could have not have been held in a more biased and hostile venues, and it is no surprise that based on such testimony, the report portrayed the DPRK as it did. If the hearings had been held in Africa, the Middle East, or other parts of the world the results may have been different.

A society at war

In assembling the report, no UN official visited the DPRK to observe conditions and gather direct information. The report is only based on the hearsay and recollections of people many miles away. Some of the criticism of the DPRK, even if it is true, is unreasonable.

There has never been a peace treaty between the United States and the DPRK, and there are still 28,500 US troops just across the border in South Korea. Like any society which is locked down and under military siege, the DPRK cannot be beacon of ‘freedom of the press’ and ‘freedom of speech’. Nuclear warheads are pointed at it, and foreign sanctions have caused food shortages. The DPRK is a society at war, under constant threat of foreign attack, and sees itself as such. It has been in a ‘state of emergency’ for over half a century, and all it has achieved in terms of universal housing, abolishing illiteracy, and raising living standards has been done in this extremely hostile situation.

The stated reason the UN officials never bothered to check if the accusations made in Tokyo, DC, London, and Seoul were true, is because the DPRK would not offer ‘unlimited access’.

Is the DPRK expected to allow foreign officials to observe all its military secrets and internal workings? Let’s not forget that when 3 million Koreans perished at the hands of the US and its allies, it was done with the approval of the United Nations.

‘Unlimited Access’ is hardly necessary to determine the nature of human rights in the DPRK. People travel to the DPRK all the time, and often what they report seeing is very contrary to what Western media has led them to expect.

The United Nations & human rights
One of the countries on the United Nations Human Rights Council which issued the lengthy condemnation of the DPRK is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia makes no apology for violating human rights. The Saudi regime beheads, tortures, and flogs, and no Saudi has the ‘free speech’ to criticize such things.

Yet the US government has nothing but love for Saudi Arabia. Millions of dollars are given to the kingdom each year. US presidents have hugged the absolute monarchs of Saudi Arabia for decades, yet continue to scream about ‘human rights’ and ‘democracy’ when threatening the DPRK.

The People’s Republic of China has rightly condemned the recent Human Rights Report on the DPRK. They have spoken out against "politicizing human rights."

Korea, a country with a beautiful history, that brought us the printing press long before Guttenberg, has been divided for years, and this new report will do nothing bring peace. The very division of Korea itself is based on human rights violations from the United States.

After the Second World War, the Korean people never got something many of them badly wanted: countrywide free and fair elections where all parties, including the most well respect anti-Japanese resistance fighters, the Communists, could participate. The US-backed military regime in South Korea did not allow for this.

After Japanese colonialism finally ended, the Koreans residing in the South never got a chance to vote for what kind of future they wanted. Koreans who marched in the streets of South Korea demanding the right to vote for whoever they wanted were shot down. The leaders of South Korea’s trade unions and progressive organizations were rounded up and killed in big numbers.

The United States has facilitated the division of Korea. It has backed and funded brutal dictators like Park Cheung-he and Sygman Rhee to keep the country divided. The people in South Korea haven risen up numerous times, demanding that the US troops leave and their democratic rights be respected. In response to their democratic demands, they have been clubbed, tortured and shot.

If there is any hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula, the United States, with all its troops, weapons, and military bases, must leave. Any serious talk of Human Rights on Korean Peninsula cannot happen until the process of peaceful, democratic re-unification has begun.

Caleb Maupin for RT

Caleb Maupin is a journalist and political analyst who resides in New York City, and organizes with the International Action Center and Workers World Party. He was part of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. http://www.calebmaupin.info .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.