Missile Destroys Civil Car, Kills Two People In Eastern Sudan: Police

April 06, 2011

KHARTOUM, April 6 (Bernama) -- An unknown missile, which was fired from the Red Sea on Tuesday evening, destroyed a civil car and killed two people onboard in Port-Sudan city in eastern Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported Sudanese police as saying in a statement.

The statement, a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua late Tuesday, said that "a civil vehicle was destroyed on the main road leading to Port-Sudan city with unknown missile fired from inside the Red Sea. Two roasted bodies were found inside the car."

The police said a specialized team had been sent to investigate the incident.

Earlier, eyewitnesses said an unidentified military plane bombarded a civil vehicle in Port-Sudan city in eastern Sudan and killed two civilians.

According to a report by the Sudanese Media Center (SMC), the incident took place at 9:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), and the airplane was a "foreign" one.

"The air defenses responded to the plane with intensive fire forcing it to escape from the Sudanese airspace. The air defense could not identify the plane, but affirmed that it was a foreign plane," added the report.

The SMC quoted Mustafa Minder, a member of parliament from Port-Sudan, as saying that "the aircraft kept pursuing the vehicle until it bombarded it."

He further explained that eyewitnesses were following the plane until it bombarded the vehicle.

-- BERNAMA

Source: Bernama.
Link: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=576715.

Sudan: South's Draft Constitution Finalized - Minister

5 April 2011

Juba — The technical committee that was tasked with reviewing South Sudan's interim constitution of 2005, ahead of the region's independence in July, has successfully completed the process, with the draft report expected in a week or so, its chairperson said.

Addressing the media in the regional capital, Juba on Tuesday, John Luk Jok said the next phase of the process, expected to commence after the July independence declaration, will be transitional in nature.

"We expect the committee's draft report either by end of this week or next week. The next phase of the process to take place after the country's independence will be all inclusive. We shall embark on nationwide consultations with the entire population," said Jok, also South Sudan's minister for legal and constitutional development.

South Sudan is due to become independent after the population overwhelming chose separation in the region's self-determination referendum held in January. The vote was a key part of the Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended over two decades of a bloody civil war between north and south.

The technical committee, which comprised of members from the south's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), representatives from other political parties, civil society groups and the religious fraternity was initiated to transform the current interim law, through amendment, into an independent state constitution, address gaps within the legal framework and provide a road map that will guide the new nation.

Among the key issues within the draft, Jok said, is a section that addresses the South Sudan's foreign policies and legal frameworks that will handle matters related to its dealing with both neighboring nation and the outside world.

"We shall embark on a broad-based constitutional review process after the July independence declaration. This process will involve the active participation of all stakeholders including other political parties," the minister said, adding that, "there is no cause for alarm. What we are doing is in the interest of all the people of South Sudan."

His remarks come almost a month after the review process suffered a serious setback, following a boycott from nine members of the 11 political parties on the technical committee. Those who withdrew accused the SPLM member violating the procedures that had been established for the review. The SPLM has 41 members on the committee.

However, the chairperson of the committee rubbished these claims as "baseless and lacking ground". He accused the members who boycotted the committee interfering in the constitutional review process.

"Rules of procedures were not changed at all during the process of reviewing the interim constitution. As members, we were all required to vote and come to consensus. What members of these political parties were alleging was not true," said Jok, who was accompanied by Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the information and broadcasting minister.

The draft constitution, Sudan Tribune has learnt, will later be made public for various inputs, taken to the legislative assembly for debate, before it is finally forwarded to the president for endorsement.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201104060786.html.

Sudan: South Cabinet Approves 'Sovereignty Symbols' for Emerging Nation

22 March 2011

Juba — South Sudan's cabinet has approved the proposed sovereignty symbols including the name of the would-be independent state, including its flag, national anthem and its new currency, after long deliberations.

In an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday chaired by the Vice President, Riek Machar Teny, the cabinet confirmed that the Republic of South Sudan, abbreviated as RoSS, would be the name of the country when it becomes independent in July. The name was initially approved last month during a meeting with participation of leaders from various political parties which included members of the executive.

The current flag of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), which was borrowed from the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) since 2005, was also approved by the cabinet to remain the flag for the independent country.

South Sudan received autonomy from Khartoum in a 2005 peace deal, which also granted the region to right to self determination in a referendum in which the south voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north.

The cabinet also approved the proposed national anthem in its current form, without amendments after it received approval last week by the Southern Sudan 2011 Taskforce, a group set up to prepare the region for independence.

Minister of information and official spokesman of the government, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the cabinet would now refer the issues to the parliament for further deliberations and final endorsement.

The cabinet also approved the name of the new country's currency, which is to be called the South Sudan Pound. Discussions on its design were deferred for next meeting when a sample design can be made available to the cabinet for reference by the minister of Finance and Economic Planning, David Deng Athorbei.

Citizens who spoke to Sudan Tribune expressed their reactions on the proposed features in the design of the new currency. While it was suggested by members of the committee working on the design of the currency that the face of the first chairman of the SPLM, the late John Garang de Mabior, should appear on the face of the note of the currency, others from the public say it should instead be the current President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is also the would-be first President of the Republic of South Sudan in July 2011 that should have his face featuring on the currency.

Some others argued that the first politicians and leaders in South Sudan who initiated the struggle for freedom since 1947 should instead be the ones deserving the honor of appearing on the currency.

However, the majority of citizens in the public who expressed their views said they rejected faces of individual leaders, whether past and present and preferred only historical or cultural symbols to be printed on both sides of the notes of the proposed currency.

"Why go for faces of individual leaders in the nation's currency?" asked a student of the University of Juba, who wanted to remain anonymous.

"Historical symbols, cultural heritages and sources of our livelihood plus our beautiful rivers, mountains and forests are the common symbols that unite us as the people of South Sudan and should be the only ones featuring in the currency," argued Thomas Laku, who works as an official in the government.

"Faces of individual leaders are not stable choices also because they would every time be subjected to replacements with new faces, depending on who comes to power and wants his or her face inserted in the currency," he further argued.

The future of the Sudanese Pound, and what will happen in the transition before the new currency come into circulation, is one of the issues that still need to be resolved in negotiations between Juba and Khartoum ahead of the South's independence in July.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201103230882.html.

Yemen mourns, buries democracy martyrs

SANA'A, March 20 (Saba) - Hundreds of thousands walked in the funeral procession of the protesters who were killed on Friday outside Sana'a University in regrettable events.

The bodies of the 52 protesters were covered by the national flag and buried near the incident site at noon after the people prayed upon them.

Yemen mourned today the democracy martyrs, wishing their souls rest in peace.

The national flag was flown at half-mast at the public institutions in various governorates.

The National Defense Council at his meeting on Friday formed a panel to investigate the killings and bring those involved to justice.

Source: Saba Net.
Link: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news238097.htm.

PM Erdoğan criticizes Gaddafi, calls for swift end to operation

21 March 2011, Monday

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticized Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for ignoring Turkey's advice that he hand over leadership and said Western attacks on Gaddafi forces should end as soon as possible so that stability could be restored in Libya.

Erdoğan, addressing a gathering in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, appeared to agree on the necessity of foreign military intervention -- which he once fiercely opposed -- lamenting that a revolt against Gaddafi has not resulted in a peaceful transition, similar to what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. “I wish the situation could have been resolved without getting to this point,” Erdoğan told the Jeddah Economic Forum on Sunday.

“We have given advice [to both Gaddafi and the rebels]. We wanted Libya to decide on its fate without bloodshed. We wish Libya had transitioned its reform process like Tunisia and Egypt did. Unfortunately, this has not happened and the situation has come to a highly undesirable point.”

The prime minister appeared to put the blame on Gaddafi for this, saying the Libyan leader ignored Turkey’s advice to listen to the demands of his people and withdraw from leadership. “We told him that he should respect the people’s will and that this [conflict] should end. Unfortunately, he brought the situation to this point,” Erdoğan said, referring to his conversation, apparently with Gaddafi, which he said took place on March 1. “Unfortunately, we could not succeed. Now, I hope the latest developments will bring a swift end to this era of brothers killing each other and the will of the Libyan people will rule Libya.”

Erdoğan earlier rejected the idea of foreign intervention in Libya and called a possible NATO role as “nonsense,” insisting that the Libyan people should decide their own future. As a way to end the crisis through change within Libya, he advised Gaddafi to appoint a political figure who has broad public support.

Asked whether Gaddafi should step down from leadership, Erdoğan said: “We have passed that point. Gaddafi is contradicting himself. He said he was not officially the leader of Libya. What is expected of a person who is not officially in charge is to hand over [the administration of] Libya to a person who has an official leadership position.”

“Of course, now we want the military intervention to end and stability to be restored as soon as possible in Libya,” the prime minister said.

“We are not pessimistic. We should never lose hope. We can stop the unending bloodshed and tears in this region. Believe me, we can do this,” he added.

Opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu also endorsed strikes on Libya, saying the operation is legitimate due to a UN Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force against Gaddafi forces. “Libya should become a democracy as soon as possible,” said the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, adding that he agreed with the government’s position on Libya.
Joining the operation

European and US forces unleashed warplanes and cruise missiles against Gaddafi’s troops on Saturday following a UN resolution on Thursday authorizing the use of force on Gaddafi’s forces and a no-fly zone over Libyan airspace to protect civilians. The operation is the biggest Western military intervention in the Arab world since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Turkey, which earlier opposed foreign military intervention and insisted that transformation in Libya should be result of an internal process like in Egypt and Tunisia, called for an immediate ceasefire after the UN resolution, which is binding on all countries. But now that the Western operation has begun, it says it may consider participating in the Libya operation if circumstances require it.

In a statement released late on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry said Turkey will make the necessary and appropriate national contribution to implementing the no-fly zone over Libya and measures to protect civilians. “Within that framework the necessary preparations and studies are being made by civil and military authorities in co-ordination,” the statement added, giving no further detail.

Foreign Ministry officials declined to comment on what contributions Turkey would be willing to make. But there are speculations in the Turkish media that Turkey could provide one or two frigates to support an international naval force deployed off the Libyan coast, or it could open its airspace for aerial strikes on Libya. Officials told Today’s Zaman that it was too early to discuss what actions could be taken, emphasizing that Ankara would make its decisions based on the situation, which at the moment is still very fluid.

In an attempt to prevent foreign military action, Gaddafi declared a ceasefire after the UN resolution and invited observers from Turkey, China, Germany and Malta to monitor the ceasefire. Germany, which abstained from a vote on the UN Security Council resolution, dismissed the invitation on Saturday, saying that only the UN should carry out the task, while Turkey declined to respond publicly.

How Turkey decides to act is important especially given prospects that NATO might agree to get involved. Ankara is not against implementing a no-fly zone -- its opposition is limited to a ground operation which is not mandated by the UN resolution anyway -- and says it will not block any NATO decision to use the alliance’s assets to implement the no-fly zone decision. But it is reluctant at the moment to join any NATO operation to this end.

NATO’s top decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, was to meet later on Sunday to discuss whether the alliance will join strikes on Libya. NATO’s military planners were reportedly due to present final action plans to the North Atlantic Council at the meeting. The council should then decide whether the alliance will join the coalition operation or just provide logistical, intelligence and other support to the nations taking part in the intervention.

Turkish officials declined to comment on whether and how Turkey would join a possible NATO intervention, saying the extent of the NATO action is not yet clear. Several NATO members have indicated they would not participate in aerial attacks, pointing out that the alliance is already heavily engaged in the war in Afghanistan.

Strikes by French, US and British forces began hours after a meeting in Paris of the US, European Union and Arab League countries on Saturday. Turkey was not invited to the meeting, hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, but US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Secretary William Hague phoned Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to discuss the meeting’s results.

Meanwhile, Davutoğlu met late on Friday with Nasser al-Mani, a member of the interim administration formed in Benghazi after the popular uprising against Gaddafi. Al-Mani, who left after his talks, said he had meetings with Turkish officials at the invitation of the Turkish government and informed them about the current situation in Libya and the ordeal faced by the Libyan people in the eastern and western regions of the country. “We saw Turkey’s will to help the Libyan people. Talks are still underway. I hope we can find a practical solution at the end of these talks and we can see positive steps for a solution to the tragedy in Libya,” he said.

Source: Today's Zaman.
Link: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-238760-pm-erdogan-criticizes-gaddafi-calls-for-swift-end-to-operation.html.

Activists in Turkey, Cyprus protest Turkish plans to build nuclear plant

By Erol Israfil, The Associated Press – Mar 19, 2011

ISTANBUL — Activists in Turkey and Cyprus on Saturday protested against Turkish government plans to build the country's first nuclear reactor.

Turkey has reached a deal with Russia's Rosatom agency for the construction of a nuclear plant in Akkuyu, in the Mediterranean coastal province of Mersin. It is also holding talks with Japanese companies for a second plant on the Black Sea coast.

Environmental groups warn that since Turkey is prone to earthquakes, building nuclear plants would be too dangerous, especially since a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami caused a nuclear havoc in Japan.

In Istanbul, hundreds of demonstrators marched along a pedestrian street holding up banners that read: "Don't let Akkuyu become Fukushima," in reference to the troubled Japanese reactor. In Mersin, some 1,000 people demonstrated, holding up a symbolic coffin marked: "Radiation kills," the Dogan news agency reported.

About 50 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots wearing masks and white overalls warned the plant could also threaten the Cyprus, an island some 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has downplayed threats and said the government would not abandon plans to build three nuclear power stations over the next few years to reduce Turkey's energy dependence. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz has said Turkey was seeking the latest technology and would request additional safety guarantees.

"We cannot believe how Prime Minister Erdogan can just ignore what happened in Japan," Greenpeace activist Hilal Atici said in Istanbul. "There have been so many nuclear disasters like Chornobyl and now Fukushima. Such need to be avoided at all cost."

Cyprus government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said the government would raise its concerns over Akkuyu at an European Union summit next week.

On Friday, Turkey's neighbor Greece asked Turkey to halt plans for the construction of the Akkuyu plant.

Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Afghan teen skaters yearning for peace

WARNING: Article contains propaganda!

* * * * *

By Farid Behbud, Abdul Haleem

KABUL, March 19 (Xinhua) -- In a bubble-like sport compound hundreds of the war-weary Afghan children are leaping on skateboards to say no for war and yearn for the durable peace in their conflict-ridden country.

"I love skating because I think by skating and other sports, one day we would re-define our nation and demonstrate that Afghanistan is not a land of war, rather a land for peace," a joyful 14-year-old skater Noorzai whispered when his opinion was sought towards sport.

"One day it will become a reality that Afghanistan is land for peace," pointing his finger to a signboard hanged on the wall and inscribed with local word "Skateistan" which means "land of skate".

The signboard also shows a skateboarder crashing a gun by his skateboard before leaping on track, said Noorzai who like many Afghans goes only by one name.

A total of 350 kids including dozens of street children frequently come to Skateistan, set up by an Australian national Oliver Percovich in 2008, to learn how to ride a skateboard in the only skateboarding school in the country, a coach in Skateistan, Shams Razi told Xinhua on Saturday.

The goal of Skateistan, according to Razi, is to "build trust and understanding" among children from all ethnics and elimination of gender discrimination as well in the ethnically divided and conservative nation.

Some girls cannot attend the skateboarding school in the conservative and traditionalist Afghanistan as teenage girls often wear Burka or veil and avoid working or playing jointly with men outside their homes.

The hardliner Taliban regime during its six-year reign collapsed in late 2001 had confined women to their houses and outlawed education for girls.

Many Afghans particularly in rural areas still believed that sport and exercising is the right of boys and not for girls.

Besides teaching Skateboarding to the boys and girls ages ranging from five to 19, the Skateistan also provide children with classes in English and Dari language -- one of the two official Afghan languages -- Dari and Pashtu, painting, photography, poetry, journalism and even filmmaking, according to Razi.

"Our aim is to educate and build trust among young Afghans of different tribes, ethnics from all walks of life, from rich families to poor street children," Razi stated.

Economic problems, continued war and displacement of people have forced many children to work on the streets in order to support their families.

Although there is no official statistics, Mohammad Yusuf the director of Aschiana -- a non-government organization provides shelter to street children believes there are between 60,000 to 70, 000 street children only in the capital city Kabul.

According to Razi, fund has been raised to build an 800-square- meter Skateistan ground and officials with the Afghan National Olympic Committee have donated a piece of land to build the ground.

The bubble-like sport compound is located in Afghanistan's only Sport complex -- the Ghazi Stadium in Kabul that had seen chopping hands, flogging and executing people on charge of involvement in criminal activities during Taliban reign in 1996-2001.

"Several Afghan and international agencies including Germany, Norway, Sweden and Canada embassies in Kabul have been supporting Skatesitan," said Razi.

According to Razi a leading Afghan telecommunication company -- Roshan has provided free Internet service to Skateistan giving an opportunity for children, teachers and coaches to communicate via internet with children around the globe.

The Internet has been a useful mean to master support from children and aid agencies in developed countries and so far dozens of essential equipment including skateboards have been contributed to Skateistan in Kabul.

He said currently a total of 13 coaches and teachers including five volunteer trainers from Australia, Canada, the United States. and Germany have been teaching the children in Skateistan.

Source: Xinhua.
Link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-03/19/c_13787807.htm.