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12.22.2009
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Experts have told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee the Obama administration places a high priority on building partnerships with Central Asian countries, and not only because of the strategic role they play in logistics for the U.S. war in Afghanistan, but also for a variety of other reasons.
Subcommittee chairman, Democratic Senator Robert Casey, said Central Asian countries are vital to the U.S. and NATO military operations in Afghanistan. But he stressed their proximity to Afghanistan is not the only reason Central Asian countries are important to Washington.
"From the threats to loose nuclear materials, to the rise of violent Islamic extremism, from the challenges posed by poverty, weak democratic institutions, as well as challenges posed by energy, U.S engagement in the region requires a strategic and long-term approach," said Senator Casey.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs George Krol said the main U.S. policy goals in Central Asia are to expand cooperation with the countries' governments and their people, to defeat extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to increase development of the region's substantial energy resources, to promote good governance and respect for human rights and to foster market economies.
Ambassador Krol said in some countries, there is also real concern about preventing a failed state.
"For instance food security is a growing problem in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and we are looking to continue and enhance our food security assistance," he said.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, David Sedney, said Central Asian states play an even more crucial role for the Pentagon now that President Barack Obama has decided to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to secure the peace in Afghanistan.
"Central Asians understand that they will be the first benefactors of this strategy," he said. "And we see them as eager to help the United States, our allies and our partners win the war in Afghanistan."
Sedney said one of the biggest challenges the Pentagon faces in implementing the president's strategy is that there are no rail lines into Afghanistan, and the lack of roads, rail lines and infrastructure within the country.
Democratic Senator Edward Kaufman said he is concerned about a lack of basic freedoms, especially freedom of the press, in much of Central Asia.
"The good news is these governments repress terrorists, the bad news is they repress everybody," he said.
The members of the panel and the invited experts agreed that Central Asia will continue to be of pivotal importance to U.S. security interests long after U.S. military operations in Afghanistan are over.
Experts have told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee the Obama administration places a high priority on building partnerships with Central Asian countries, and not only because of the strategic role they play in logistics for the U.S. war in Afghanistan, but also for a variety of other reasons.
Subcommittee chairman, Democratic Senator Robert Casey, said Central Asian countries are vital to the U.S. and NATO military operations in Afghanistan. But he stressed their proximity to Afghanistan is not the only reason Central Asian countries are important to Washington.
"From the threats to loose nuclear materials, to the rise of violent Islamic extremism, from the challenges posed by poverty, weak democratic institutions, as well as challenges posed by energy, U.S engagement in the region requires a strategic and long-term approach," said Senator Casey.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs George Krol said the main U.S. policy goals in Central Asia are to expand cooperation with the countries' governments and their people, to defeat extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to increase development of the region's substantial energy resources, to promote good governance and respect for human rights and to foster market economies.
Ambassador Krol said in some countries, there is also real concern about preventing a failed state.
"For instance food security is a growing problem in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and we are looking to continue and enhance our food security assistance," he said.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, David Sedney, said Central Asian states play an even more crucial role for the Pentagon now that President Barack Obama has decided to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to secure the peace in Afghanistan.
"Central Asians understand that they will be the first benefactors of this strategy," he said. "And we see them as eager to help the United States, our allies and our partners win the war in Afghanistan."
Sedney said one of the biggest challenges the Pentagon faces in implementing the president's strategy is that there are no rail lines into Afghanistan, and the lack of roads, rail lines and infrastructure within the country.
Democratic Senator Edward Kaufman said he is concerned about a lack of basic freedoms, especially freedom of the press, in much of Central Asia.
"The good news is these governments repress terrorists, the bad news is they repress everybody," he said.
The members of the panel and the invited experts agreed that Central Asia will continue to be of pivotal importance to U.S. security interests long after U.S. military operations in Afghanistan are over.
11.24.2009
President Barack Obama is hosting his first state visit at the White House. The guest of honor is Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
A cool rain forced the official arrival ceremony indoors. But the welcome for the Indian leader was warm.
"Mr. Prime Minister, yours is the first official state visit of my presidency. And it is fitting that you and India be so recognized," President Obama said.
At the scaled-down event in the White House East Room, President Obama talked about the importance of ties between India and the United States.
He told Prime Minister Singh the visit reflects the bonds of respect and friendship that link their two countries.
"But above all, your visit at this pivotal moment in history speaks to the opportunity before us to build the relationship between our nations born in the last century into one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," Mr. Obama said.
The president talked about the potential for partnership in dealing with global challenges ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to climate change. He also mentioned cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism and boosting the world economy.
One week after a trip to East Asia that included several days in China, Mr. Obama went out of his way to stress that he also sees India as an important player in international affairs.
"This is the India that America welcomes today - a leader in Asia and around the world," Mr. Obama said.
Prime Minister Singh said the United States and India are separated by distance but bound by common values.
"Over the years, we have built upon these values and created a partnership that is based upon both principle and pragmatism," Mr. Singh said. "Our relations have been transformed, and today they encompass cooperation in all areas of human activity."
The Indian leader announced Monday that the United States and India would sign a memorandum of understanding during his visit designed to improve cooperation on energy security, clean energy and climate change.
Other issues sure to be addressed during his talks with President Obama include American policy toward Pakistan, and the status of the civilian nuclear agreement the United States and India signed last year.
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A cool rain forced the official arrival ceremony indoors. But the welcome for the Indian leader was warm.
"Mr. Prime Minister, yours is the first official state visit of my presidency. And it is fitting that you and India be so recognized," President Obama said.
At the scaled-down event in the White House East Room, President Obama talked about the importance of ties between India and the United States.
He told Prime Minister Singh the visit reflects the bonds of respect and friendship that link their two countries.
"But above all, your visit at this pivotal moment in history speaks to the opportunity before us to build the relationship between our nations born in the last century into one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," Mr. Obama said.
The president talked about the potential for partnership in dealing with global challenges ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to climate change. He also mentioned cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism and boosting the world economy.
One week after a trip to East Asia that included several days in China, Mr. Obama went out of his way to stress that he also sees India as an important player in international affairs.
"This is the India that America welcomes today - a leader in Asia and around the world," Mr. Obama said.
Prime Minister Singh said the United States and India are separated by distance but bound by common values.
"Over the years, we have built upon these values and created a partnership that is based upon both principle and pragmatism," Mr. Singh said. "Our relations have been transformed, and today they encompass cooperation in all areas of human activity."
The Indian leader announced Monday that the United States and India would sign a memorandum of understanding during his visit designed to improve cooperation on energy security, clean energy and climate change.
Other issues sure to be addressed during his talks with President Obama include American policy toward Pakistan, and the status of the civilian nuclear agreement the United States and India signed last year.
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Officials say the death toll from an attack on an election caravan has risen to 46, after police found 22 more bodies in a mass grave.
The government of the Philippines has declared a state of emergency in parts of the south after a massacre of at least 46 people, including 12 journalists. Press freedom groups have condemned the attack as the worst in history and express skepticism that those responsible will be brought to justice.
As more bodies were uncovered from the location of a massacre on the southern island of Mindanao Tuesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency.
That allows the police and military to impose a curfew and conduct random searches as they hunt for those who carried out the attack.
Speaking on national television, Mrs. Arroyo said she is sending military leaders and the head of the national police to oversee the operation.
"No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law," said Mrs. Arroyo.
The victims were seized Monday by gunmen as they drove in a convoy to register Ismael Mangudadatu as a candidate for governor of Maguindanao province. About 20 bodies were discovered later in the day, and the rest found on Tuesday.
The Philippine military suspects the politically powerful Ampatuan family is behind the attack and has deployed troops to search for the provincial governor, Andal Ampatuan and a militia loyal to him.
At least 12 journalists who were accompanying the group are among the dead.
Philippine elections often are violent, but Monday's attack was particularly shocking for its scope.
Rowena Paraan is director of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. She says election season has always been dangerous for Philippine journalists, but these killings are the worst in the country's history.
"It actually attacks two very fundamental foundations of democracy. One is election and the other is press freedom," she said. "If you have problems with these two, and you're supposed to be in a democratic society, then I think there is a very big problem. And, it brings serious questions on whether there is indeed democracy in the Philippines or not."
Paraan says she is not very confident the government will prosecute those responsible for the killings, despite the Philippine president's declaration.
She says past investigations of political killings have produced few results.
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The government of the Philippines has declared a state of emergency in parts of the south after a massacre of at least 46 people, including 12 journalists. Press freedom groups have condemned the attack as the worst in history and express skepticism that those responsible will be brought to justice.
As more bodies were uncovered from the location of a massacre on the southern island of Mindanao Tuesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency.
That allows the police and military to impose a curfew and conduct random searches as they hunt for those who carried out the attack.
Speaking on national television, Mrs. Arroyo said she is sending military leaders and the head of the national police to oversee the operation.
"No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law," said Mrs. Arroyo.
The victims were seized Monday by gunmen as they drove in a convoy to register Ismael Mangudadatu as a candidate for governor of Maguindanao province. About 20 bodies were discovered later in the day, and the rest found on Tuesday.
The Philippine military suspects the politically powerful Ampatuan family is behind the attack and has deployed troops to search for the provincial governor, Andal Ampatuan and a militia loyal to him.
At least 12 journalists who were accompanying the group are among the dead.
Philippine elections often are violent, but Monday's attack was particularly shocking for its scope.
Rowena Paraan is director of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. She says election season has always been dangerous for Philippine journalists, but these killings are the worst in the country's history.
"It actually attacks two very fundamental foundations of democracy. One is election and the other is press freedom," she said. "If you have problems with these two, and you're supposed to be in a democratic society, then I think there is a very big problem. And, it brings serious questions on whether there is indeed democracy in the Philippines or not."
Paraan says she is not very confident the government will prosecute those responsible for the killings, despite the Philippine president's declaration.
She says past investigations of political killings have produced few results.
11.18.2009
The United Nations is appealing for $144 million to help victims of three back-to-back storms in the Philippines.
This updated appeal nearly doubles the $74 million originally requested in October.
According to a statement by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, just $26 million has been raised so far, limiting the ability of aid agencies to effectively help those in need.
Tropical storm Ketsana swept across the Philippines on September 26 and was followed by Typhoon Parma a week later. On October 31, a third storm, Typhoon Mirinae, dumped even more rain onto the island nation.
The storms caused floods and mudslides that killed more than 900 people, and affected nearly nine million others.
The U.N. says 1.7 million people are still displaced or living in areas that remain flooded, putting them at risk for disease outbreaks. It also says the storms severely disrupted the critical planting season, leading to further long-term implications of food security.
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This updated appeal nearly doubles the $74 million originally requested in October.
According to a statement by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, just $26 million has been raised so far, limiting the ability of aid agencies to effectively help those in need.
Tropical storm Ketsana swept across the Philippines on September 26 and was followed by Typhoon Parma a week later. On October 31, a third storm, Typhoon Mirinae, dumped even more rain onto the island nation.
The storms caused floods and mudslides that killed more than 900 people, and affected nearly nine million others.
The U.N. says 1.7 million people are still displaced or living in areas that remain flooded, putting them at risk for disease outbreaks. It also says the storms severely disrupted the critical planting season, leading to further long-term implications of food security.
11.17.2009
A Sino-American summit in Beijing has produced no breakthroughs, but vows of cooperation from the leaders of the two countries.
President Barack Obama spent several hours Tuesday in closed-door talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.
The two met after a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, where a Chinese military honor guard stood in formation as rows of dignitaries looked on.
The ceremony was formal and brief, leaving as much time as possible for a set of meetings with a full agenda.
No breakthroughs
There were no breakthroughs. Instead, there was a continuation of a process.
President Hu says they talked about everything from the global economy, to non-proliferation, to climate change.
He says they made progress and stressed the need for concrete action to meet what he calls common challenges.
President Obama said, with all that is happening in the world today, cooperation between the United States and China has never been more important. He said, "That is why the United States welcomes China's efforts in playing a greater role on the world stage - a role in which a growing economy is joined by growing responsibilities."
Mr. Obama says China's partnership is critical in ending the current global economic recession. He mentioned the ongoing dispute over the value of China's currency and spoke once again of the need to seek more balanced economic growth around the world.
In his prepared statement, President Hu never mentioned the currency controversy. But he did talk about areas of agreement. He says the United States and China are expanding cooperation in a number of fields, most notably in the promotion of clean energy.
Climate issues
President Obama says there can be no solution to the global challenge of climate change without the active involvement of Washington and Beijing. He also spoke about the need to work together to deal with Iran and North Korea and their nuclear ambitions. China has played a key role in negotiations with the North Koreans and there were indications, leading into the talks in Beijing, that President Obama would seek China's help in increasingpressure on Tehran. He said, "Iran has an opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intentions, but if it fails to take this opportunity, there will be consequences."
Human rights
However, while extolling the benefits of ties with Beijing, Mr. Obama made clear that when there are differences, he will speak up with China's leaders. He talked about human rights in general, and Tibet in particular.
The president said, "While we recognize that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China, the United States supports the early resumption of dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve any concerns and differences that the two sides may have."
After conferring with China's leaders today, Mr. Obama visited the heart of the nation's imperial past. Like many first-time visitors to Beijing, he toured the Forbidden City - the vast compound where Chinese emperors lived and ruled for centuries.
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President Barack Obama spent several hours Tuesday in closed-door talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.
The two met after a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, where a Chinese military honor guard stood in formation as rows of dignitaries looked on.
The ceremony was formal and brief, leaving as much time as possible for a set of meetings with a full agenda.
No breakthroughs
There were no breakthroughs. Instead, there was a continuation of a process.
President Hu says they talked about everything from the global economy, to non-proliferation, to climate change.
He says they made progress and stressed the need for concrete action to meet what he calls common challenges.
President Obama said, with all that is happening in the world today, cooperation between the United States and China has never been more important. He said, "That is why the United States welcomes China's efforts in playing a greater role on the world stage - a role in which a growing economy is joined by growing responsibilities."
Mr. Obama says China's partnership is critical in ending the current global economic recession. He mentioned the ongoing dispute over the value of China's currency and spoke once again of the need to seek more balanced economic growth around the world.
In his prepared statement, President Hu never mentioned the currency controversy. But he did talk about areas of agreement. He says the United States and China are expanding cooperation in a number of fields, most notably in the promotion of clean energy.
Climate issues
President Obama says there can be no solution to the global challenge of climate change without the active involvement of Washington and Beijing. He also spoke about the need to work together to deal with Iran and North Korea and their nuclear ambitions. China has played a key role in negotiations with the North Koreans and there were indications, leading into the talks in Beijing, that President Obama would seek China's help in increasingpressure on Tehran. He said, "Iran has an opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intentions, but if it fails to take this opportunity, there will be consequences."
Human rights
However, while extolling the benefits of ties with Beijing, Mr. Obama made clear that when there are differences, he will speak up with China's leaders. He talked about human rights in general, and Tibet in particular.
The president said, "While we recognize that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China, the United States supports the early resumption of dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve any concerns and differences that the two sides may have."
After conferring with China's leaders today, Mr. Obama visited the heart of the nation's imperial past. Like many first-time visitors to Beijing, he toured the Forbidden City - the vast compound where Chinese emperors lived and ruled for centuries.
11.16.2009
Pacific Rim leaders have ended their annual APEC gathering with a vow to seek a sustained economic recovery and reject protectionism.
The leaders of 21 Pacific Rim economies gathered around the conference table in Singapore.
But the big news came outside their formal sessions - in closed door meetings and one-on-one talks.
President Barack Obama focused on the sidelines, engaging in almost non-stop personal diplomacy.
Obama Discusses Climate Change
He began early Sunday, with an unexpected meeting on climate change called by the leaders of Mexico and Australia.
Over breakfast, the prime minister of Denmark urged the group to back a different approach to save the upcoming international climate conference in Copenhagen.
With negotiations on a new global climate agreement in trouble, there was consensus behind an alternative: adopt a political framework in Copenhagen and fill in the details later.
Obama Discusses Nuclear Issues
President Barack Obama meets with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Singapore, Sunday, 15 Nov. 2009
There was also an effort to push forward talks on arms control, with President Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev meeting to talk about a successor to the soon-to-expire 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
Mr. Obama said he still believes they can get an agreement by the end of the year. The president said, "I am confident if we work hard, and with a sense of urgency about it that we should be able to get that done and I very much feel as if both sides are trying to work through some difficult technical issues but are doing so in good faith."
They also talked about Iran's nuclear program. President Obama urged Iran once again agree to a deal to ship its uranium out of the country for processing. "We are now running out of time with respect to that approach. And so I discussed with President Medvedev the fact that we have to continue to maintain urgency," said Mr. Obama.
President Medvedev said he still hopes to convince Iran to accept the nuclear deal. The Russian leader said, "We are prepared to work further and I hope that our joint work will yield positive results."
Obama Discusses Burma
A short time later, Mr. Obama became the first American president to meet with all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asia nations - including Burma.
He called for political reform in Burma and the release of democracy advocate Aug San Suu Kyi, saying, "I reaffirmed the policy I put forward yesterday in Tokyo with regard to Burma."
Mr. Obama's last meeting before leaving Singapore was with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
President Obama spent a good bit of his childhood in Indonesia, and has referred to himself as America's first Pacific president.
In 2011, he will host the annual meeting of Pacific Rim leaders. And the president announced in Singapore that he plans to host the gathering in his native state, Hawaii.
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The leaders of 21 Pacific Rim economies gathered around the conference table in Singapore.
But the big news came outside their formal sessions - in closed door meetings and one-on-one talks.
President Barack Obama focused on the sidelines, engaging in almost non-stop personal diplomacy.
Obama Discusses Climate Change
He began early Sunday, with an unexpected meeting on climate change called by the leaders of Mexico and Australia.
Over breakfast, the prime minister of Denmark urged the group to back a different approach to save the upcoming international climate conference in Copenhagen.
With negotiations on a new global climate agreement in trouble, there was consensus behind an alternative: adopt a political framework in Copenhagen and fill in the details later.
Obama Discusses Nuclear Issues
President Barack Obama meets with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Singapore, Sunday, 15 Nov. 2009
There was also an effort to push forward talks on arms control, with President Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev meeting to talk about a successor to the soon-to-expire 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
Mr. Obama said he still believes they can get an agreement by the end of the year. The president said, "I am confident if we work hard, and with a sense of urgency about it that we should be able to get that done and I very much feel as if both sides are trying to work through some difficult technical issues but are doing so in good faith."
They also talked about Iran's nuclear program. President Obama urged Iran once again agree to a deal to ship its uranium out of the country for processing. "We are now running out of time with respect to that approach. And so I discussed with President Medvedev the fact that we have to continue to maintain urgency," said Mr. Obama.
President Medvedev said he still hopes to convince Iran to accept the nuclear deal. The Russian leader said, "We are prepared to work further and I hope that our joint work will yield positive results."
Obama Discusses Burma
A short time later, Mr. Obama became the first American president to meet with all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asia nations - including Burma.
He called for political reform in Burma and the release of democracy advocate Aug San Suu Kyi, saying, "I reaffirmed the policy I put forward yesterday in Tokyo with regard to Burma."
Mr. Obama's last meeting before leaving Singapore was with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
President Obama spent a good bit of his childhood in Indonesia, and has referred to himself as America's first Pacific president.
In 2011, he will host the annual meeting of Pacific Rim leaders. And the president announced in Singapore that he plans to host the gathering in his native state, Hawaii.
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