January 23, 2006

World Media Watch

by Gloria R. Lalumia

BuzzFlash Note: WMW provides BuzzFlash readers foreign views and perspectives that are not usually available from the media here in the U.S. The presentation of these articles from these international publications is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR JANUARY 23, 2006

1//The Nation, Pakistan--US ASSURES PAK NOT TO STRIKE IRAN (As Iran faces threat of being referred to the UN Security Council because of its controversial nuclear programme, the United States has conveyed to Pakistan that it would not use force to resolve the contentious issue. … An official said the Bush Administration had assured Islamabad, its close allied state in war on terror, that the conflict over Iranian nuclear programme would be resolved through peaceful means. He said the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, who met Friday with President Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri also extended this assurance to the Pakistani leadership.)

2//Azzaman, Iraq--CHINA READY TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN OIL, OTHER FIELDS (China is keen to train Iraqi personnel working in the oil sector and other fields, a foreign ministry statement said. The statement, faxed to the newspaper, said the Chinese were willing to provide training in the spheres of telecommunications, power generation and diplomacy as well as oil. The pledge to provide the training came following a meeting between Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zaibari and the Chinese envoy in Baghdad.)

3//Zaman Online, Turkey--OIL TRANSPORT STOPPED AS IRAQ DID NOT PAY ITS DEBT (Thirty-four Turkish companies, which export oil products to Iraq, stopped filling up the tankers in Mersin and Iskenderun harbors taking a common decision after their debts from Iraq increased $1 billion. … The authorities said the tankers, which had been filled previously, will be sent to Iraq; however, no new tankers will be filled until a new decision is taken. … “We do not want Iraq to experience oil shortage,” said [Turkish Minister of State] Kursat Tuzmen, and the $1 billion amount of risk has reached a quite high level. Under these circumstances nothing can be said to the companies about their decision.)

4//Arab News, Saudi Arabia--ABDULLAH’S VISITS TO BOOST STRATEGIC TIES WITH ASIAN GIANTS (Saudi businessmen pin great hopes on the four-nation Asian tour of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, which will take him to Asian giants China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan. They believe the visits would strengthen economic and trade ties with the four countries. Abdullah leaves Riyadh today for Beijing on the first leg of the landmark tour. This is the Saudi ruler’s first state visit outside the region since he ascended the throne in August 2005 and the first by a Saudi king to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990. He will be accompanied by a group of prominent Saudi businessmen. … During his three-day visit to China, King Abdullah will hold talks with President Hu Jintao on major regional and international political issues, most importantly Iraq and Palestine, as well as ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. Saudi Arabia is China’s main oil supplier; Beijing imports 14 percent of its total oil requirements from the Kingdom. “The Chinese government places great importance on this visit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. The visit comes at a time when Saudi-Chinese trade relations have hit their peak with two-way trade reaching $14.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2005.)

5//ISN (International Relations and Security Network), Switzerland--TRANSATLANTIC TURBULENCE OVER STRIKE FIGHTER DEAL (When the US offered its closest ally a slice of its multi-billion dollar Joint Strike Fighter program four years ago, the opportunity seemed too good to decline. For a contribution of just US$2 billion, Britain could become the top international partner in a project to create a new generation of fighter jets, and receive a raft of profitable defense contracts into the bargain. Since then, however, the relationship between the two transatlantic allies has run into turbulence over the US$240 billion program, with the US threatening drastic cuts and Britain accusing its partner of reneging on the original deal. … Sir Digby Jones, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry and the Conservative Party have both joined the frantic lobbying; with Jones making an unscheduled visit to Washington DC to meet with officials from the White House and Pentagon last week. Speaking to press on Saturday, the industry chief said: "It's as simple as this: the president of the US has got in his gift to show by action rather than by fine words that he acknowledges the support the UK government has given the US on many occasions." "To ditch the UK as a partner on this is no way to treat a friend.")

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1//The Nation, Pakistan Monday, January 23, 2006
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jan-2006/23/index4.php

US ASSURES PAK NOT TO STRIKE IRAN
From Shaiq Hussain

ISLAMABAD - As Iran faces threat of being referred to the UN Security Council because of its controversial nuclear programme, the United States has conveyed to Pakistan that it would not use force to resolve the contentious issue.

Pakistan has been playing important role vis-à-vis efforts to resolve the US-Iran nuclear standoff by mediating silently between Washington and Tehran. It has been constantly urging the two sides to show restraint and instead of using force resolve their row amicably.

Officials here said that both the US and Iran had opted for firm positions as for their nuclear standoff but at the same time they were engaged in indirect reconciliatory talks through other states, including Pakistan.

Pakistani leadership maintains that Iran has the right under NPT to develop a peaceful nuclear programme under IAEA safeguards, but it also needs to fulfill its responsibilities in this regard.

An official said the Bush Administration had assured Islamabad, its close allied state in war on terror, that the conflict over Iranian nuclear programme would be resolved through peaceful means.

He said the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, who met Friday with President Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri also extended this assurance to the Pakistani leadership.

Pakistan would now convey the same assurance to Iranian leadership along with US demand to bring flexibility in what it dubbed rigid stance of Tehran on nuclear issue, he added.

(MORE)

2//Azzaman, Iraq January 21, 2006
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname...

CHINA READY TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN OIL, OTHER FIELDS
By Haqi Ismael

China is keen to train Iraqi personnel working in the oil sector and other fields, a foreign ministry statement said.

The statement, faxed to the newspaper, said the Chinese were willing to provide training in the spheres of telecommunications, power generation and diplomacy as well as oil.

The pledge to provide the training came following a meeting between Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zaibari and the Chinese envoy in Baghdad.

“The (Chinese) ambassador has expressed his government’s willingness to develop relations with Iraq … and provide the country with assistance in the training of Iraqi cadres,” the statement said.

It said initially China would provide training for 80 Iraqi oil personnel “and donate X-ray machines” to help the country control its borders and combat violence.

“China is keen to do whatever it takes to press ahead with the Iraqi reconstruction,” the statement quoted the envoy as saying. (End of Item)

3//Zaman Online, Turkey 01.23.2006 Monday - ISTANBUL 02:43
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=economy&alt=&trh=20060123&hn=28933

OIL TRANSPORT STOPPED AS IRAQ DID NOT PAY ITS DEBT
By Economy News Desk
Published: Sunday, January 22, 2006

Thirty-four Turkish companies, which export oil products to Iraq, stopped filling up the tankers in Mersin and Iskenderun harbors taking a common decision after their debts from Iraq increased $1 billion.

The authorities said the tankers, which had been filled previously, will be sent to Iraq; however, no new tankers will be filled until a new decision is taken. Turkish Minister of State Kursat Tuzmen said they have held studies for about two months in order not to reach the events up to this point, indicating he talked with Iraq Oil Minister and made all necessary efforts for this reason. Tuzmen said the companies declared they are determined to stop exportation to Iraq and said: “The companies continued their export until the end of the Sacrifice Festival (Eid al-Adha) in order not to leave them without oil after my personal request. However, the companies have finished filling processes in the filling stations beginning from today as there are no developments about the payments and their debts have exceeded $1 billion.”

(SNIP)

“We do not want Iraq to experience oil shortage,” said Kursat Tuzmen, and the $1 billion amount of risk has reached a quite high level. Under these circumstances nothing can be said to the companies about their decision. “It seems impossible for our companies to continue their export under these circumstances.” Tuzmen said the negotiations with the Iraqi sides continues and they expect Iraq to obey the international agreements between the two countries. “We hope the information that reached us about the payments will be implemented as soon as possible; if this happens, no problem will remain,” emphasizing he only solution at this level is paying the debt.

4//Arab News, Saudi Arabia Sunday, 22, January, 2006 (22, Dhul Hijjah, 1426)
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article...

ABDULLAH’S VISITS TO BOOST STRATEGIC TIES WITH ASIAN GIANTS
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 22 January 2006 — Saudi businessmen pin great hopes on the four-nation Asian tour of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, which will take him to Asian giants China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan. They believe the visits would strengthen economic and trade ties with the four countries.

Abdullah leaves Riyadh today for Beijing on the first leg of the landmark tour. This is the Saudi ruler’s first state visit outside the region since he ascended the throne in August 2005 and the first by a Saudi king to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990. He will be accompanied by a group of prominent Saudi businessmen.

Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and president of the Saudi-Chinese Business Council, said the royal visit would help strengthen strategic relations with the four countries. “The visit will open new horizons to establish joint investment projects and increase non-oil Saudi exports to these countries,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has already offered investment projects worth $624 billion to foreign investors in the vital sectors of petrochemicals, gas, electric power generation, telecommunications, desalination and railways. It has also softened regulations to woo foreign investors.

During his three-day visit to China, King Abdullah will hold talks with President Hu Jintao on major regional and international political issues, most importantly Iraq and Palestine, as well as ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation. Saudi Arabia is China’s main oil supplier; Beijing imports 14 percent of its total oil requirements from the Kingdom.

“The Chinese government places great importance on this visit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. The visit comes at a time when Saudi-Chinese trade relations have hit their peak with two-way trade reaching $14.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2005. A group of Saudi companies intends to set up an SR6.6 billion petrochemical complex in Jubail with a Chinese partner. The plant will produce two million tons of basic petrochemicals annually.

King Abdullah will arrive in New Delhi on Jan. 24, on the second leg of his tour, and will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26. The royal visit, first by a Saudi king in 50 years, reflects the growing relations between the two Asian giants. Riyadh meets 32 percent of India’s total oil imports.

(MORE)

5//ISN (International Relations and Security Network), Switzerland 18/01/06
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=14421

TRANSATLANTIC TURBULENCE OVER STRIKE FIGHTER DEAL
Debate over a billion-dollar agreement between the US and the UK over fighter aircraft threatens to strain relations between the two countries.

By Hannah Strange in London for ISN Security Watch

When the US offered its closest ally a slice of its multi-billion dollar Joint Strike Fighter program four years ago, the opportunity seemed too good to decline. For a contribution of just US$2 billion, Britain could become the top international partner in a project to create a new generation of fighter jets, and receive a raft of profitable defense contracts into the bargain.

Since then, however, the relationship between the two transatlantic allies has run into turbulence over the US$240 billion program, with the US threatening drastic cuts and Britain accusing its partner of reneging on the original deal.

US officials are planning to scrap a second engine for the fighter, which under the original contract was to be built by Rolls-Royce of Britain in co-operation with General Electric of the US. The cut is part of a wider economy drive caused by the financial strain of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and elsewhere.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has written personally to US President George W. Bush to try to reverse the decision, which defense experts say will not only hit the industry hard but could have severe military implications.

Sir Digby Jones, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry and the Conservative Party have both joined the frantic lobbying; with Jones making an unscheduled visit to Washington DC to meet with officials from the White House and Pentagon last week.

Speaking to press on Saturday, the industry chief said: "It's as simple as this: the president of the US has got in his gift to show by action rather than by fine words that he acknowledges the support the UK government has given the US on many occasions."

"To ditch the UK as a partner on this is no way to treat a friend."

Conservative Shadow Defense Secretary Liam Cox has also taken the unusual step of intervening personally in the dispute. He met with Pentagon officials in London Tuesday and raised various aspects of the JSF program, including the second engine contract, his spokesperson told ISN Security Watch.

(SNIP)

Lord Timothy Garden, now an adviser to the Ministry of Defense and a defense spokesperson for the British Liberal Democrat Party, said that if the jump jet version of the aircraft was scrapped, Britain would have to change the design of the aircraft carriers it has been building; they would have to be bigger and more expensive.

The aircraft carriers were a “flagship project” for Britain so “everybody’s playing for quite high stakes,” he said.

However “the most serious issue at the moment” was that of technology transfers, Garden continued.

It is this area in which much of the disagreement between Britain and the US has taken place.
British officials are deeply unhappy about the failure of the US to guarantee access to all military technologies on the aircraft - particularly software codes - before Britain must decide whether to buy up to 150.

Garden said that if the US did not grant Britain the access to those technologies, it would mean that having put over US$2 billion into the project, British defense would lose the ability to upgrade the aircraft over time.

Both this issue and the possible loss of the second engine and jump jet version had serious military implications, he told ISN Security Watch.

British representatives should make it clear to the US that London had put over US$2 billion into the project on the understanding that both the engine and the jump jet would be built, Garden said. Britain was also the largest international shareholder in the project and was “America’s best ally.”

If the United States was not going to provide Britain with the technology transfers or the model it needed, then “we’re going to have to look elsewhere.”