Arab Spring may endanger Mideast peace: Tony Blair | Reuters: " Arab pro-democracy uprisings spell more regional instability that could complicate peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians but also make it necessary to get the process back on track, envoy Tony Blair said on Sunday.
Blair will sit down separately with Israeli and Palestinian officials this week in Jerusalem to try to revive a peace process that broke down more than a year ago because of a dispute over Jewish settlement expansion.
"It is a great thing that people are wanting democracy, but in the short term there is reduced stability in the region so that can pose problems for Israel and the peace process," said Blair.
"Because of the instability and uncertainty in the region, it's right that we grip the peace process and put it back on track again."
"We need strong, clear commitments that both parties will produce comprehensive proposals on borders and security within 90 days," he said." (click link above to read full article)
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Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
UN General Assembly scheduled to elect five countries to serve in the UN Security Council beginning 2012
The council, which makes decisions on issues of peace and security worldwide, has five veto-wielding permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and 10 members elected for two years, five of which exit the council each year.
The five elected members that will remain until December, 2012, are Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa. - Sapa-dpa"
'via Blog this'UN to elect five new Security Council members - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za: "The newly elected members will replace five countries that will leave the 15-nation council after completing two-year terms at the end of December. The outgoing countries are Bosnia, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria, which represent the world's five regions.
The five elected members that will remain until December, 2012, are Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa. - Sapa-dpa"
'via Blog this'UN to elect five new Security Council members - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za: "The newly elected members will replace five countries that will leave the 15-nation council after completing two-year terms at the end of December. The outgoing countries are Bosnia, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria, which represent the world's five regions.
Guatemala is the only candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean, seeking to replace Brazil.
Mauritania, Morocco and Togo are competing for the two seats for Africa on the council, now occupied by Gabon and Nigeria.
Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan are competing for the Asian seat now occupied by Lebanon.
Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovenia of Eastern Europe are competing for the seat now occupied by Bosnia.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou has said that he will not engage in peace talks with China unless voters give their approval in a referendum
Mr Ma made the comments after being criticised for proposing earlier this week that the two former enemies try to reach a peace deal in 10 years.Taiwan and China stopped fighting in the 1960s, but never signed a formal peace treaty. Ties have improved to their best level in decades since Mr Ma was elected. But so far, the two sides have discussed mostly trade and economic co-operation, not politics.
Permanent peace
On Monday, Mr Ma surprised many by suggesting a peace deal should be signed within 10 years. It was the first time a timetable had been given. Mr Ma's remarks raised fears in Taiwan that he may be trying to lead the island toward eventual unification with China. Beijing still considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces, and has not renounced the use of force to bring it back under Chinese rule. But analysts close to the president say he wants to use the current good relations to build a permanent peace between the two sides."
BBC News - Taiwan's Ma: No China peace talks without referendum: "
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Permanent peace
On Monday, Mr Ma surprised many by suggesting a peace deal should be signed within 10 years. It was the first time a timetable had been given. Mr Ma's remarks raised fears in Taiwan that he may be trying to lead the island toward eventual unification with China. Beijing still considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces, and has not renounced the use of force to bring it back under Chinese rule. But analysts close to the president say he wants to use the current good relations to build a permanent peace between the two sides."
BBC News - Taiwan's Ma: No China peace talks without referendum: "
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"Former Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has been killed, Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril says
His death was announced after transitional forces claimed control of Sirte, Col Gaddafi's birthplace, following weeks of fierce fighting. There are unconfirmed reports that Col Gaddafi's son Saif is in a convoy fleeing Sirte and is under attack; his brother Mutassim is reportedly dead"
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will discuss possible peace talks and the handover of security to Afghan forces
"Clinton will meet Karzai and Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul on Thursday, U.S. officials said, and hold a round-table meeting with non-government leaders and civil society activists.
She is expected to discuss U.S. strategic relations with Afghanistan and ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as preview plans for conferences on the future of Afghanistan due to be held in Istanbul in November and Bonn in December.
Ties between Kabul and Islamabad have been particularly strained since the assassination of Rabbani, who was killed by a suicide bomber posing as a Taliban reconciliation envoy.
Many Afghans, including senior officials, have accused the Pakistan government of having links to the killing, and accused their neighbor of fomenting instability to further its own political interests. Pakistan denies this."
Clinton arrives in Kabul, show of commitment | Reuters:
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She is expected to discuss U.S. strategic relations with Afghanistan and ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as preview plans for conferences on the future of Afghanistan due to be held in Istanbul in November and Bonn in December.
Ties between Kabul and Islamabad have been particularly strained since the assassination of Rabbani, who was killed by a suicide bomber posing as a Taliban reconciliation envoy.
Many Afghans, including senior officials, have accused the Pakistan government of having links to the killing, and accused their neighbor of fomenting instability to further its own political interests. Pakistan denies this."
Clinton arrives in Kabul, show of commitment | Reuters:
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"One" China Peace Accord faces opposing views in Taiwan
"President Ma proposed on Tuesday that Taiwan could negotiate a peace accord with China within 10 years on the preconditions of strong domestic support, the needs of the country and legislative supervision.
A DPP Central Standing Committee resolution yesterday said the proposal exposed Taiwanese to four serious risks — the sacrifice of Taiwan’s sovereignty, a change in the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait, the jeopardizing of Taiwan’s democratic values and damage to the nation’s strategic depth in bilateral negotiations — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai said.
The initiative could make the cross-strait situation a “domestic” issue by agreeing to the “one China” principle, she said, as well as going to the negotiating table without a public mandate and a national consensus. She cited the 1951 peace deal between Tibet and China as an example of Beijing’s lack of credibility as a signatory. “China is not a democratic country to this day. We cannot afford to overlook the potential risks and instability [when signing a peace accord with China],” she said."
A DPP Central Standing Committee resolution yesterday said the proposal exposed Taiwanese to four serious risks — the sacrifice of Taiwan’s sovereignty, a change in the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait, the jeopardizing of Taiwan’s democratic values and damage to the nation’s strategic depth in bilateral negotiations — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai said.
The initiative could make the cross-strait situation a “domestic” issue by agreeing to the “one China” principle, she said, as well as going to the negotiating table without a public mandate and a national consensus. She cited the 1951 peace deal between Tibet and China as an example of Beijing’s lack of credibility as a signatory. “China is not a democratic country to this day. We cannot afford to overlook the potential risks and instability [when signing a peace accord with China],” she said."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Committee considering the Palestinian request for full UN membership
The Security Council president, Nigeria’s Ambassador Joy Ogwu, “will give an update on the progress done so far,” said another diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The discussions within the 15-member Security Council could last until the end of the October or beyond before the Palestinian request goes to a vote, diplomats say.
It takes nine votes in favor and no vetoes to approve a recommendation to the General Assembly for the admission of a new state.
The United States has said it would veto a vote in favor of admitting Palestine to the United Nations, arguing that a real two-state solution can only come from a deal reached with Israel through direct talks.
Washington has deployed intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the Palestinians from getting nine favorable votes, so as to avoid having to cast a veto that would be damaging to US interests in the Muslim world.
If the Security Council bid fails, the Palestinians are expected to go to the UN General Assembly to seek observer state membership of the UN. They would almost certainly get a majority in favor."
Security Council meets on Palestinian membership: "
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The discussions within the 15-member Security Council could last until the end of the October or beyond before the Palestinian request goes to a vote, diplomats say.
It takes nine votes in favor and no vetoes to approve a recommendation to the General Assembly for the admission of a new state.
The United States has said it would veto a vote in favor of admitting Palestine to the United Nations, arguing that a real two-state solution can only come from a deal reached with Israel through direct talks.
Washington has deployed intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the Palestinians from getting nine favorable votes, so as to avoid having to cast a veto that would be damaging to US interests in the Muslim world.
If the Security Council bid fails, the Palestinians are expected to go to the UN General Assembly to seek observer state membership of the UN. They would almost certainly get a majority in favor."
Security Council meets on Palestinian membership: "
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