Libya's rebel leadership outlines goals at Paris conference

Thursday, 01 September 2011

Global Arab Network - Libya's rebel leadership is expected to outline its humanitarian, reconstruction and political needs when representatives from about 60 countries gather in Paris on Thursday to discuss the country's transition to democracy, diplomats said.

A road map for a constitution and democratic elections are expected to come out of the conference, according to the diplomats, even as rebels battle forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.

Chief on the agenda will be discussions about Libya's immediate humanitarian needs, the diplomats said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about sensitive diplomatic discussions.

There is an expectation that the National Transitional Council will outline its own plans to stabilize security and address the growing humanitarian crisis, a senior U.S. State Department official told reporters Wednesday in Washington.

The council's ability to deliver water, food, power and gas to the Libyan people "will really be a key test in these first few days in terms of their ability to show what credibility they have," the official said.

At the same time, senior U.N. officials tell CNN that initial discussions with the rebel leadership suggest the United Nations will play a large coordinating role in post-Gadhafi Libya.

The gathering of the International Contact Group on Libya -- a coalition of governments and international organizations -- is the latest in a series of meetings since the war began in February.

Representatives of NATO, the African Union and the Arab League also are expected to attend the session.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Paris Thursday for the high-level meeting, which the official said is intended to pay tribute to the Libyans for casting off -- with the help of NATO warplanes -- the rule of Gadhafi and help the North African nation prepare for the transition.

"We want to hear from them what their needs are in the area of humanitarian assistance and in the area of financial support," the senior State Department official said.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011090111678/Libya-Politics/libyas-rebel-leadership-to-outline-goals-at-paris-conference.html.

Tunisia opens way to vote on October 23

Thursday, 01 September 2011

Global Arab Network - Tunisian political parties have begun to present their candidates for the October 23 election of a constituent assembly, the Independent Higher Body for Elections announced.

"At the end of this operation, which finishes on September 7, we'll have a clearer idea of the Tunisian political landscape," Larbi Choukha, a member of the ISIE told AFP, in a country where 105 political parties are officially registered.

Lists of candidates of political parties, as well as independent candidates, must be handed in to regional commissions of the ISIE across the north African country, where autocratic president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted on January 14 after a popular uprising.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011090111735/Tunisia-Politics/tunisia-opens-way-to-vote-on-october-23.html.

South Sudan seeks alternative to North Sudan oil pipeline

Thursday, 01 September 2011

Global Arab Network - South Sudan is exploring alternatives to transporting its oil through North Sudan, as the two countries face a stalemate over dividing up oil revenues, a government official said Thursday.

South Sudan took 75 percent of the 500,000 barrels a day of oil production when it became independent on July 9, but only the north has a pipeline and a port to export the oil.

Last month, North Sudan halted an oil shipment from landlocked South Sudan in a dispute over customs fees.

"We are having conversations. We are looking to the alternatives," Pagan Amum, secretary general of the ruling southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), told Reuters at a mining industry conference.

"Meanwhile, we believe if Khartoum accepts a deal, it would be in the interests of both Khartoum and the South," Amum said, adding that he expects international mediators to encourage Khartoum to be "reasonable" in negotiations.

Experts have said southern plans to connect to a pipeline in east African neighbour Kenya are years away, but Amum indicated that an alternative through East Africa would be more economical than paying the $32 per barrel fee that Khartoum has demanded for future use of its oil facilities.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011090111710/Energy/south-sudan-seeks-alternative-to-north-sudan-oil-pipeline.html.

Paris Conference: 60 leaders supporting free Libya

George Haddad
Friday, 02 September 2011

Global Arab Network - World leaders lined up behind Libya’s new de facto administration and a U.N.-led effort to stabilize the country after decades under Moammar Gadhafi’s rule.

But the struggle for Libya’s future is not over and NATO’s military operation will continue as long as needed to protect civilians, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.

Leaders and envoys from 60 nations and world bodies such as the United Nations and NATO met in Paris for talks with Libya’s rebel-led National Transitional Council to map out Libya’s future after Gadhafi’s ouster.

“We cannot afford a failed pariah state on Europe’s borders,” Cameron said. “We will all lose if the Arab Spring gives way to a cynical winter of repression.”

There were also warnings about Libya’s continued instability, its tribal tensions and ravaged infrastructure.

Libyans at Thursday’s meeting “stressed the point that there is no cease-fire, that there is still a military threat from Gadhafi. They also expressed concern about the (possible) use of chemical weapons,” Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said.

A second delegation also confirmed that Libyan envoys had raised at the meeting their fears that Gadhafi loyalists may have access to chemical weapons. However, Western government arms experts believe that loyalists forces no longer have the hardware to deploy the weapons, after repeated NATO-led airstrikes on military targets.

The group also agreed to try to release billions in frozen assets linked to Gadhafi in banks around the world, Sarkozy said. The United Nations has already unblocked $6 billion from banks in the U.S., Britain and France.

“We are committed to returning to the Libyans the monies of yesterday for the building of tomorrow,” he said.

The leaders insisted on the need for Libyans themselves to lead the way forward and to avoid the lessons learned in Iraq, where the fall of Saddam Hussein was followed by years of sectarian violence.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011090211844/Economics/paris-conference-60-leaders-supporting-free-libya.html.

EU adopts oil embargo on Syria

Talal Abdullah
Friday, 02 September 2011

Global Arab Network - The European Union formally adopts a ban on Syrian oil imports today, but the embargo will take effect on November 15 for existing contracts after Italy insisted on a delay, according to diplomats.

The EU will also expand its list of people targeted by an assets freeze and travel ban, adding four businessmen accused of bankrolling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, the diplomats told AFP Thursday.

And three companies, including a bank, will see their assets in the EU frozen as punishment for the regime's deadly repression of protesters, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

The announcement of the oil embargo will coincide with a key meeting of EU foreign ministers in Poland. The measure will deprive Assad's regime of a vital source of cash, as the EU buys 95 percent of Syria's crude oil.

"These measures must be validated by European governments on Friday," one diplomat said, after the EU reached a preliminary agreement on Monday.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011090211810/Energy/eu-adopts-oil-embargo-on-syria.html.

Spaceport in New Mexico Nearing Completion

By Yi Yang
September 2, 2011

Civilians wanting a trip into space may get that opportunity in the near future as New Mexico’s Spaceport America nears completion.

Launched in 2006 by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the spaceport was constructed to bring revenue for the state through economic development, tourism, and educational opportunities. The port was designed to function like an airport, and is dedicated to commercial use.

Although originally anticipated completion was for the fall of 2010, 90 percent of the spaceport construction was completed as of August of this year.

The spaceport is three stories tall, with the highest point at 60 feet, and will have a two-mile-long runway that can be used to accommodate almost any aircraft in the world.

Passengers who pay the $200,000 fee will experience a several-hour space flight, after undergoing several days of training.

After the economic downturn that followed the 2008 stock market crash, many—including New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez—were concerned that the project would no longer bring the expected $750 million revenue and 3,500 jobs predicted in 2005. The spaceport also needs a significant amount of money to operate, and the funding had come from the state.

“This is a major state investment, and we owe it to taxpayers to ensure that they are seeing the most equitable return on that investment,” a New Mexico state spokesperson wrote in an e-mailed statement. He added that Martinez does recognize that the project has the potential to bring many long-lasting high technology jobs to the desolate area.

Despite the slow economy, the spaceport was still able to attract some businesses. Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, UP Aerospace, Inc., Microgravity Enterprises, Inc., Armadillo Aerospace, and Celestis have already used the spaceport for launches. Officials are confident that the spaceport will be a success.

“We’re still seeing an increasing emphasize on commercial providers in space so we’re seeing very favorable markets for us despite the economy,” said Bill Gutman, technical director of Spaceport America.

He added that the flow of customers is not likely to be affected as well.

“Our customers are not affected by the economic downturn as much as many people are,” said Gutman. “The fare is $200,000, and if you can already afford that, that already puts you in the elite part of the world economy, and those people tend not to be as affected.”

The $209 million project stemmed from an agreement between the state of New Mexico and Virgin Galactic, a branch under the Virgin Companies owned by Sir Richard Branson.

In a 20-year lease agreement, it was settled that Virgin Galactic would set up its headquarters in New Mexico and serve as an airline for the spaceport by paying lease fees, and providing aircraft.

Test flights are in progress, but Virgin Galactic has not announced a specific date as to when they will begin to carry passengers into space.

Source: The Epoch Times.
Link: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united-states/spaceport-in-new-mexico-nearing-completion-61082.html.

New Japanese PM names his Cabinet

TOKYO, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- New Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda named his new Cabinet Friday, with Koichiro Gemba becoming foreign minister and Jun Azumi finance minister.

Both Gemba, a free-trade advocate, and Azumi are in their 40s.

Noda, a fiscal conservative succeeding Naoto Kan who resigned, had already appointed his close ally Osamu Fujimura, 61, as the powerful chief Cabinet secretary who becomes the government's top spokesman.

Noda's immediate challenges include a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant triggered by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

He also must steer the recovery of the country's economy, the world's third largest, which was hit hard by the disaster, and maintain unity within his ruling Democratic Party of Japan.

Noda, 54, the sixth prime minister in five years, had been finance minister in the Kan Cabinet.

Among Fujimura's tasks as the chief Cabinet secretary will be to raise Noda's profile and promote his policies, Kyodo News reported.

In announcing Noda's Cabinet, Fujimura said, "I would like to build a foundation for cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties," The Wall Street Journal reported.

Azumi is reported to have useful connections among opposition parties, which could be useful for Noda because the upper house of Parliament is controlled by the opposition. Azumi is from Miyagi Prefecture, which was hit by the March 11 devastation.

Goshi Hosono, 40, retained his post as state minister in charge of dealing with the Fukushima nuclear crisis. He would be called upon to revamp the country's nuclear regulatory system, Kyodo said.

Tatsuo Hirano will continue as minister in charge of reconstruction. He is respected for his knowledge of agriculture and the economy.

Yoshio Hachiro, 63, was named the new industry minister. He favors nurturing businesses for building a stronger economy.

Late last month, Moody's rating agency lowered Japan's debt rating a notch to Aa3 from Aa2, saying the downgrade was "prompted by large budget deficits and the buildup in Japanese government debt since the 2009 global recession." The agency said the outlook, however, looks stable.

Japan's total debt is about 200 percent of its GDP.

"The March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, have delayed recovery from the 2009 global recession and aggravated deflationary conditions," Moody's said.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/09/02/New-Japanese-PM-names-his-Cabinet/UPI-71841314958002/.

Finland orders helicopter protection

HALLI, Finland, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- NH90 helicopters flown by the Finnish military are to receive ballistic protection from Patria Aviation.

The Finnish company reported it signed a defense contract to design and manufacture the protective equipment, which can be installed when operations so require.

"The ballistic protection project is a prime example of how Patria's expertise and design knowledge gained during the assembly of NH90 helicopters can be used to improve the NH90 fleet's performance, while ensuring that the fleet can be used in all security situations," said Lassi Matikainen, president of Patria Aviation.

Finnish company FY-Composites Oy will supply the ballistic protection plates. Material technology developed by the company will be used in the protection plates' structures.

The project will be implemented during 2012–2014.

The monetary value of the contract was not disclosed.

Patria is a defense, security and aerospace group with international operations. It is owned by the government of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., EADS N.V.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/09/02/Finland-orders-helicopter-protection/UPI-39331314970948/.

Jordanians demand new constitution

Fri Sep 2, 2011

Hundreds of anti-government protesters have poured into the streets across Jordan to demand reforms and a new constitution, Press TV has learned.

Witnesses say protest rallies were held in several cities, including the southern city of Tafileh, following the Friday Prayers.

Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators called for the replacement of country's constitution with the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an.

Protesters have also demanded an end to corruption in the country.

They have named this Friday as "Friday of Resolve."

Meanwhile, Jordanian activists have called for a protest rally in front of the Bahraini Embassy in the capital Amman to condemn Manama's brutal crackdown on peaceful anti-government protesters.

Jordan has been faced with anti-government rallies demanding reforms and an end to corruption since January.

In June, in a bid to appease protesters, King Abdullah II announced a number of concessions, including the formation of future governments that were based on an elected parliamentary majority rather than one appointed by the monarch.

He later said it may take two to three years to put an elected government in place.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail/197084.html.

What the Arab Spring Means for Science in the Arab World

9/01/2011
John Farrell, Contributor

“Significant change is unlikely soon,” writes Jordanian molecular biologist Rana Dajani in today’s Nature. “Six months on from the first events of the Arab Spring, there have been no concrete improvements for scientists here in Jordan, and I get the same impression from colleagues in Egypt and Tunisia.”

But that does not mean scientists in the Middle East are discouraged, she says. Indeed, she and many of her colleagues see reason to hope for the long term, though it will require rebuilding many institutions–in education and government–from the ground up.

And this will take at least a generation:

One positive thing that I do see and feel is the general attitude of the people, who are more optimistic that things will change for the better. And officials are more reluctant now to exploit and abuse their positions, as they are more likely to be held accountable for their actions. Although the outside world may see headlines about fancy projects such as the building of new institutions, the change to science required in Arab countries is not about bricks-and-mortar improvement but about building intellectual capacity.

Dajani is an assistant professor at the Hashemite University in Zarqa, Jordan. One of the things she loves most about her job is encouraging her students to think about science and what it means for themselves as well as for the broader Islamic culture.

“The day I got my students writing essays to express themselves was the day one student told me that he felt human,” she says, “that he was Someone with a capital S. These are the people who will build our communities and nations, who will make a difference, who will take us into the twenty-first century with confidence and progress.”

Apart from her job as a teacher and researcher, Dajani devotes a great deal of her time to the We Love Reading program, which she founded just a few years ago, which I wrote about in the Spring, and which is already expanding into countries all over the Middle East.

“I strongly believe that an essential first step towards freeing minds from the habits of the past is to plant the love of reading in our young children,” she says.

“In this way, they revisit other people’s experiences across time and space, learn that there are other ways of living, and develop respect for other perspectives. When children read, their horizons expand and they build the confidence to face challenges, create solutions and think without hindrance.”

Source: Forbes.
Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnfarrell/2011/09/01/what-the-arab-spring-means-for-science-in-the-arab-world/.

Egypt envoy: No plan to demolish Gaza tunnels

Friday 02/09/2011

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Egypt has denied plans to demolish tunnels on the border with Gaza.

Yasser Othman, ambassador to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, said Friday that no decision had been taken about the tunnels.

The plan is to restore security in the Sinai and the border area -- not to tighten the siege on Gaza, he says.

He said the security campaign in the tunnel area will only target areas which threaten Palestinian and Egyptian security.

He also said that restoring security in the northern Sinai would help Egypt improve facilities at the Rafah crossing.

Source: Ma'an News Agency.
Link: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=417261.

Jordan- Regional turmoil hurts medical tourism

Mokhtar Thabet
Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Global Arab Network - The medical tourism sector is still witnessing a drop in revenues due to the loss of patients, particularly from two major traditional markets: Yemen and Libya.

According to Awni Bashir, president of the Private Hospitals Association (PHA), the number of patients seeking care in the Kingdom's medical centres and accompanying visitors is expected to drop by 25 per cent by the end of this year.

As Jordan, which used to be a major regional medical tourism destination, has been severely affected by regional instability, PHA will start looking for other markets, beyond the region, Bashir said.

The association is working on a plan to promote the industry in other countries, like, for example, Kazakhstan, Bashir told The Jordan Times over the phone yesterday.

The tourism sector in general has been seriously affected this year as a result of the regional unrest.

Tourism earnings in the first six months of the year amounted to JD949 million, down from JD1.089 billion in the first half of 2010, according to official statistics.

The number of tourists who visited the country in the January-June period of this year dropped by 14.2 per cent, from 3.639 million in the same period last year to 3.124 million.

"We still have no cases from Libya and only a few from Yemen, which we used to consider as our major markets," said Bashir, pointing out that the number of patients coming from Iraq and Kurdistan is not encouraging either.

In the latter case, Bashir attributed the low demand on the Kingdom's private hospitals to difficulties patients face trying to obtain visas.

Annually, the medical tourism sector generates $1 billion on average. Over 240,000 patients from across the world receive treatment at the Kingdom's hospitals.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Abdul Latif Wreikat said the ministry established a medical tourism unit to facilitate issues related to the sector.

According to a statement that was e-mailed to The Jordan Times, the minister said an office will be inaugurated soon at the Queen Alia International Airport to assist those coming to seek medical treatment in the country's hospitals.

At the same time, the official said that the ministry seeks to activate health attachژs at the Kingdom's embassies so that they can help facilitate procedures for patients seeking treatment in Jordan.

Source: Global Arab Network.
Link: http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/2011082911560/Science-Health/jordan-regional-turmoil-hurts-medical-tourism.html.