What's going on in the World Today 100625

USA

NSTR

EUROPE

Poland, U.S.: Second Round Of Patriots Expected

June 24, 2010

The first contingent of American troops and patriot missiles stationed in northern Poland returned to base in Germany, with the second round scheduled to be in Poland in late June or early July, according to a Defense Ministry spokesman, TheNews.pl reported June 24. Further training of Polish troops stationed at the base in northern Poland will resume in the coming days when the second battery of missiles arrives.

IRAN

Iran: Naval Guards Transfer HQ To Bandar Abbas

June 24, 2010

Iran’s naval guards will transfer the headquarters from Tehran to Bandar Abbas within a month, according to the navy commander, IRNA reported June 24. The Persian Gulf is the center and most sensitive point of the world, the commander stated, adding that America cannot survive without the Persian Gulf and Iran can exert as much pressure as it wants at any time. If America and its allies act in accordance with their “illegitimate and illegal” resolution, Iran would be in the Persian Gulf and at the Strait of Hormuz to react with “a very special and very appropriate move,” he stated.

IRAQ

NSTR

ISRAEL

Israel: Warplanes Launch Raids On Gaza

June 25, 2010

Israeli warplanes flew three raids against the Gaza Strip overnight wounding one person, according to witnesses and Palestinian medical officials, Dawn News reported June 25. The planes attacked the town of Rafah, with raids on the former airport and the town of Beit Hanun. An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the raids to AFP, stating that planes attacked an armory in the north of the Gaza Strip and two tunnels in the south used for gun running from Egypt. The raids are a reaction to Gaza’s shelling of the western sector of the Negev desert in southern Israel, the spokesman added.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Taliban Vow To Fight Despite NATO Commander Switch

June 24, 2010

The Taliban will continue its insurgency in Afghanistan regardless of a switch in NATO command after the White House sacked Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a spokesman said, The News International reported June 24. The Taliban does not care whether it is McChrystal or Petraeus, Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi stated by telephone. The Taliban position is clear, he said, to fight the invading forces until they leave. Shame on Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the “puppet president” who shamelessly asked U.S. President Barack Obama to keep McChrystal in the job, Ahmadi added.

RUSSIA

Russia: New Technologies Would Open Access

June 24, 2010

Russia is trying to become an open country for investment, trade, joint projects, and economics, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said during a speech at Stanford University, the last stop on his U.S. visit, AP reported June 24. Russia has money, he said, but it does not have Silicon Valley. Medvedev listed 10 points he believes will pave the way for Russia’s success, including reforming health care and education systems, and creating a more reliable court system and stronger financial system. Medvedev held a private meeting that included former Secretaries of State George Shultz and Condoleezza Rice, and Cisco CEO John Chambers.

Belarus: Russia Must Pay Debt Or Face Transit Shutdown

June 25, 2010

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said Russia had 24 hours to pay off its gas transit debt or Minsk would restrict oil and gas transit through its territory, RIA Novosti reported June 25. Belarus said Russia’s Gazprom owed it $260 million for the transit of gas via its territory. Gazprom insists it paid $228 million in accordance with the current contract. Lukashenko warned that Gazprom’s failure to pay in full for the services provided will result in the suspension of services for Russia’s oil and gas transportation.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Venezuela: Seeks To Nationalize Helmerich & Payne Rigs

June 23, 2010

Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), is seeking to nationalize 11 oil drilling rigs in Anzoategui state that are owned by Helmerich & Payne Inc., which the oil company accuses of trying to slow oil production in the country, Bloomberg reported June 23, citing Oil Minister and PDVSA President Rafael Ramirez. He said Helmerich & Payne has refused to discuss payment rates for services and hidden rigs for a year. Ramirez added that Venezuela will not allow the company to sabotage PDVSA operations.

U.S.: Venezuela Must Compensate Oil Rig Owners - State

June 24, 2010

A U.S. State Department spokesman said Venezuela must compensate Helmerich & Payne, the owner of 11 oil rigs that the Venezuelan government has threatened to nationalize, El Nacional reported June 24. The spokesman said nationalization of the assets could have a negative effect on the national investment climate.

Guatemala: New National Police Director Named

June 24, 2010

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom named Jaime Otzin to be director of the National Civil Police, El Periodico reported June 24. Otzin was formerly deputy chief of operations for the police. Additionally, Guatemalan Interior Minister Carlos Menocal announced the removal of nine police commissioners.

Venezuela: Drug Suspect Wanted By U.S. Captured

June 24, 2010

Venezuela has captured Luis Frank Tello Candelo, a suspected Colombian drug smuggler who is wanted on cocaine charges in the United States and who has allegedly collaborated with Mexico’s Zetas drug gang, AP reported June 24, citing Venezuelan Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami. No details were provided regarding Tello Candelo’s purported ties to the Zetas.

Venezuela: U.S. Oil Assets To Be Nationalized

June 24, 2010

Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA is seeking the nationalization of 11 oil drilling rigs owned by U.S. company Helmerich & Payne, which is accused of trying to slow oil production, Bloomberg reported June 24. PDVSA will seek National Assembly approval to seize the 11 rigs in Anzoategui state, Rafael Ramirez, oil minister and president of PDVSA, said. The rig owner refused to discuss payment rates for services and preferred to hide the rigs for a year, Ramirez said, adding that Venezuela will not allow the company to “sabotage operations.”

Mexico: Firefight, Roadblocks Reported In Nuevo Leon

June 24, 2010

Unidentified gunmen blocked several roads using stolen vehicles in the municipalities of Apodaca, San Nicolas de los Garza and Escobedo in Mexico’s Nuevo Leon state, La Cronica de Hoy reported June 24. The roadblocks began after a firefight in the municipality of Apodaca.

Argentina: Deal Reached With China On Soybean Oil Ministry

June 25, 2010

Argentina has reached a deal with China over Beijings freeze of soybean oil imports from Argentina, an agriculture ministry spokesman told Reuters on June 25.


Colombia: FARC To Radicalize Political Struggle

June 24, 2010

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) warned it would radicalize its political struggle following Juan Manuel Santos’ presidential election victory, according to a communique released through ANNCOL news agency on June 24. The communique said the Colombian government used fraudulent methods to ensure the election of Santos.

MISC

Pakistan: 5 U.S. Citizens Convicted Of Terrorism Charges

June 24, 2010

Five U.S. citizens were convicted June 24 by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan, Xinhua reported. They were convicted of a 10-year jail term and a five-year term, to run concurrently, for links to terrorist groups. They were also fined 70,000 rupees (about $820). The five had been arrested in Sargodha city, Punjab, Pakistan, in December 2009.

South Korea, U.S.: Wartime Command Transfer Reconsidered

June 24, 2010

North Korea’s nuclear test last year prompted Seoul and Washington to rethink their agreement on South Korea retaking the wartime operational command over its troops from the United States in 2012, according to Seoul’s Foreign Minister Yu Myung Hwan, Yonhap reported June 24. The perception of changes in the situation began with North Korea’s second nuclear test after U.S. President Barack Obama took office, Yu stated. Reflecting the situation around the Korean Peninsula is important in carrying out the command transfer plan, he said.

Kyrgyzstan: Ex-Leader's Nephew Admits Involvement In Riots - Police

June 25, 2010

Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s nephew, Sanjar Bakiyev, has admitted his involvement in organizing the seizure of state buildings and instigating interethnic clashes in the town of Dzhalal-Abad, the first deputy Kyrgyz interior minister, Melis Turgunbayev, said on June 25, 24.kg reported. Turgunbayev said the nephew was detained during an operation in the Shatyrak area in Suzak region’s Kyzyl-Tuu village on June 25. Another four members of his group were also detained in the operation, according to an unnamed officer of the Kyrgyz State National Security Service.

Pakistan: Civil War Feared In 13 Areas

June 25, 2010

Pakistani agencies sent a warning report to the president and the prime minister that there is a danger of eruption of civil war in 13 areas of Pakistan because of economic deterioration, The News International reported June 25. Referring to increasing suicides due to poverty, the report said the situation is turning extremely critical due to poverty in the interior areas of Sindh and Punjab where “practical steps are needed on a war footing.”

South Korea, U.S.: Troops Brace For North Korean Provocations

June 24, 2010

South Korean and U.S. troops will decisively respond to any future provocations by North Korea, according to U.S. Army Gen. Walter Sharp, even with outright war, Yonhap reported June 24. Realistic training and exercises enable troops to decisively engage across the entire range of military conflicts from cyberterrorism to North Korean provocations and aggressions, Sharp said at a ceremony held at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. Constant vigilance is exercised on land, sea and in the air, he stated at an inauguration ceremony for Gen. Jung Seung Jo, the new vice commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.


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