Ukraine: Naftogaz Reform To Follow European Model
March 4, 2010 2005 GMT
Ukraine's new government will reform state-owned energy company Naftogaz to separate gas distribution pipelines from its main gas transit system, according to Yuriy Boiko, a former energy minister and member of newly elected President Viktor Yanukovich's Party of Regions, Kiev Post reported March 4. Boiko made the statement at the Concorde Capital investment conference in Kiev, and said the reform will be conducted on the model recommended by European experts, and that Ukraine will have the information needed to complete the reforms by next year. He also said that the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will be involved, and Ukraine will study the experience of Russia and Germany on exchanging gas assets.
Bahrain: Shiite Opposition Calls For Parliament To Choose Cabinet
March 4, 2010 1911 GMT
Bahrain’s largest Shiite parliamentary bloc is calling for the Cabinet to be chosen by parliament, rather than the king, creating friction with Sunni politicians, Khaleej Times reported March 4, citing Reuters Arabic. The al Wefaq bloc has 17 of 40 seats. The country's national charter, passed in 2002, makes it clear that Bahrain is to move to a constitutional monarchy, a senior al Wefaq source said, although there is no intention to challenge the royal family.
Brief: Greek Bond Sale Completed
March 4, 2010 1907 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Greece's 5 billion euro ($6.8 billion) 10-year bond sale was successfully completed on March 4. Total investor demand for the bonds exceeded 16 billion euros, according to Petros Christodoulou, head of the Greek debt agency, Bloomberg reported. Greece offered a yield of 6.35 percent on the rates, which was higher than the yield of 6.09 percent on bonds of similar maturity. The return of investor interest will be a welcome reprieve for Athens, which is dealing with a restive populace planning strikes for the next two weeks and with a need to raise another 18 billion euros ($24.6 billion) before the end of May in order to repay maturing debt. The successful bond auction also comes as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou departs for Berlin on March 5, where he will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Papandreou is still seeking support from the eurozone, but a successful bond auction will only support Germany's argument that Athens can secure international funding simply by committing to its austerity measures, without the help of the eurozone.
Pakistan: Arrest May Be Tied To Taliban Feud - McChrystal
March 4, 2010 1845 GMT
It is possible the arrest in Pakistan of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was a result of a feud within the Taliban and purges, said U.S. and NATO in Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Reuters reported on March 4.
Greece: Union Looking At Rescheduling Strike
March 4, 2010 1832 GMT
Greece's primary union for public workers, ADEDY, said it is looking at rescheduling a 24-hour, March 16 strike, to the week of March 8, Bloomberg reported March 4. The General Confederation of Workers of Greece’s executive met on March 4 to discuss strikes and protests.
Israel: Some Say FM Is On Way Out Of Post
March 4, 2010 1827 GMT
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman may be on his way out of his position, said an unnamed government minister, and many are not bothering to call for him to resign, Ynet News reported March 4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the evening of March 3 that Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party would have to decide about a replacement of Lieberman, said a prime minister associate.
Cote d'Ivorie: Opposition Names 11 To Unity Government
March 4, 2010 1654 GMT
Cote d'Ivoire's opposition named 11 members to the country's unity government March 4, AP reported. The 28-member Cabinet is made up of 16 ministers from President Laurent Gbagbo's FPI party and former New Forces rebels; 11 ministers representing opposition parties; and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro.
Brief: Greek Bond Sales Begin
March 4, 2010 1646 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
The sale of Greek 10-year bonds valued at a total of 5 billion euros ($6.8 billion) began March 4, with Barclays Capital, HSBC, National Bank of Greece, Nomura and Piraeus Bank handling the sale, according to the Greek debt agency. The 10-year bonds are offered at a yield of 6.39 percent, which is 0.29 percent higher than the current bond yield. The agency also announced on March 4 that Greece would issue 8 billion euros ($10.9 billion) in 5-year notes at a yield of 6.1 percent, a sale led by Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and the National Bank of Greece. It should be noted that the yield offered on the 5-year notes is lower than the 6.2 percent yield offered in the January sale of 8 billion euros ($10.9 billion) worth of 5-year notes. The sales come after Greece announced another round of austerity measures March 3 worth 4.8 billion euros ($6.5 billion), a move that was largely seen as aimed at improving the investor outlook on Greece. It also comes on the heels of a meeting between the prime minister and finance minister of Greece with the CEO of Deutsche Bank on Feb. 26, largely seen as a move to pave the way for Deutsche Bank participation in Greek bond auctions. The precise bond sale date had not been made known, although the auction has been awaited for two weeks, and the rather sudden announcement today seems to indicate that Athens is looking to complete a prearranged sale to banks with which it has had negotiations. STRATFOR will continue to monitor the progress of the auction, but if Athens is selling the bonds to banks that have already signed off on the offered yield, then we suspect that the sale will go through. The 13 billion euros ($17.7 billion) worth of bonds will cover more than half of the 23 billion euros ($31.4 billion) worth of debt Greece must sell by the end of May due to maturing debt.
Colombia: 2 Arrested In Alleged Assassination Plot On Supreme Court Justices
March 4, 2010 1641 GMT
Colombian Attorney General Guillermo Mendoza Diago met March 4 with members of the Colombian supreme court to discuss a possible attempt on the lives of three court justices, El Espectador reported. The alleged plot was discovered by intelligence agents from the attorney general's office and two suspected hitmen were captured in Bogota, Caracol Radio reported.
Greece: ECB Chief Says IMF Help Not Appropriate
March 4, 2010 1631 GMT
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said March 4 he did not think it would be appropriate for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to step in to help Greece through its financial crisis, DPA reported. Trichet said, "I do not trust that it would be appropriate to have the introduction of the IMF as a supplier of help through standby or through any kind of such help."
Taiwan: Naval Vessel Collides With Chinese Freighter
March 4, 2010 1627 GMT
A Taiwanese naval vessel collided with a Chinese freighter off the coast of the island of Kinmen on March 4, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported. The Chung Pang, a supply ship in the Taiwanese Navy's 151st Fleet, was traveling from Taiwan to Kinmen in thick fog when it was involved in a glancing collision with China's Shunlong No. 6, which was traveling from Zhejiang province to Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Taiwan's coast guard is investigating the cause of the collision.
Somalia: U.S. Considers Helping Train Somali Military
March 4, 2010 1615 GMT
Maj. Gen. Richard J. Sherlock, head of plans for the U.S. Africa Command, said the United States may join a European Union program to train Somali armed forces, the Washington Post reported March 4. Sherlock and Ambassador Anthony Holmes of Africa Command's civil-military affairs office met with EU officials March 4 to discuss ways to contribute to training Somali forces. The EU plan, which will begin in May, will involve about 200 military instructors training up to 2,000 Somali troops in Uganda.
Brief: Syria Will Not Enter Into Conflict On Iran's Behalf - Assad
March 4, 2010 1607 GMT
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Damascus was a failure, a STRATFOR source said March 4. Syrian President Bashar al Assad told Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah that he will not enter into a regional war on Iran's behalf. Assad said Hezbollah is concerned that war will damage its position in Lebanon, and that he knows Nasrallah asked French senate leader Gerard Larcher, who was in Beirut recently, to use his good offices with Israel to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not go to war against Hezbollah. STRATFOR's source received information indicating that Nasrallah asked Larcher to tell the Israelis that Hezbollah will not disturb their peace in the north and will not fire the first shot in any new conflict.
Brief: Hezbollah Stations Troops On Mountaintops
March 4, 2010 1605 GMT
Hezbollah has stationed troops from its elite units on mountain peaks in northern Lebanon and central Lebanon's Sannine Mountain, which overlooks Beirut, a STRATFOR source said March 4. Hezbollah expects the Israelis to put airborne troops on these mountains, which overlook the central and northern Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah's long-range missiles are installed. If the Israelis took those mountains, they would be able to see Hezbollah's missiles launching and give the Israeli Air Force (IAF) the coordinates needed to destroy the launching locations. The Israelis have already conducted military exercises involving dropping airborne units on Hermon Mountain, and in a conflict with Hezbollah Israel would almost certainly drop special troops to hold the peaks. Lebanese intelligence believes Israel has already sent reconnaissance teams to these mountain peaks and knows Hezbollah troops will be bunkered in the area in the event of IAF strikes. Hezbollah was able to put troops on the mountain peaks with cooperation from Suleiman Franjiyye, northern Lebanon's main Maronite leader, and Michel Aoun, who controls the area leading to the Sannine peak in the central mountain range.
Brief: Russia Encouraged Lebanon To Accept Helicopters
March 4, 2010 1604 GMT
Russia suggested to Lebanon to request 10 MI-24 attack helicopters from Moscow rather than 10 MiG-29 fighter jets, a STRATFOR source said March 4. According to the source, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent visit to Moscow urged Russian President Dmitri Medvedev to forgo or delay the delivery of the MiGs. Medvedev told his Lebanese counterpart that Israel is planning a military confrontation with Hezbollah, and that Beirut could use the helicopters to reassert the state's authority after the conflict. One of the intended uses for the MI-24s would be to surveil the Lebanese-Syrian border to prevent arms smugglers from getting weapons into Lebanon. The only real role the MiGs could have played in the Lebanese military would be to (ineffectively) challenge the Israeli Air Force, something that Beirut has no interest in. The helicopters, however, would be useful for patrolling within Lebanon. Thus, although the Israelis have no problem with Russia giving Lebanon the attack helicopters, Syria and Hezbollah (Syria's proxy in Lebanon) have serious concerns.
Brief: Polls Open In Togo's Presidential Election
March 4, 2010 1551 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Polls opened for Togo's presidential election March 4 and it is almost certain that incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe of the ruling Togolese People's Rally (RPT) party will be elected. Gnassingbe was installed as Togo's president in 2005 following the death of his father, Eyadema Gnassingbe, who had ruled the West African country since 1967. Despite protests and calls from opposition politicians in Togo for a free and fair election, the RPT rules the country with a tight grip. The RPT-led government maintains a tight control over the security forces in the country, and will promptly enforce its victory, cracking down on any protests should they occur after the election.
Brief: Kenyan Discussion On Pipeline To Lamu
March 4, 2010 1534 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Officials from Toyota Tsusho Corporation met with Kenyan government officials March 3 to discuss a proposed pipeline that would export crude oil from the Southern Sudanese city of Juba to the Kenyan port city of Lamu on the Indian Ocean. The 870 mile pipeline, if constructed (no date has yet been set, and final plans and financing are not in place), would provide a second outlet for crude exports from Sudan, as the country's current pipeline network connects to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The Juba-Lamu pipeline would bypass the control of the Sudanese government seated in Khartoum, and would severely undermine Khartoum's control over Sudan's crucial natural resource. Khartoum is likely to demand participation in the pipeline negotiations in order to safeguard its oil interests, or make threats implying a security confrontation if their demands are ignored. In any case, no move will be made on the pipeline until Southern Sudan holds its referendum on independence in 2011.
Kazakhstan, Israel: Presidents Discuss Bilateral Relations
March 4, 2010 1525 GMT
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Israeli President Shimon Peres held a telephone conversation on March 4 regarding the status and prospects of developing bilateral relations, Kazinform reported citing President Nazarbayev's press office. The two leaders recognized the significance of agreements, including the creation of a joint high tech fund, that were reached during Peres' prior visit to Kazakhstan.
Greece: Demonstrations Planned
March 4, 2010 1516 GMT
Greece's communist trade union, PAME, is planning a demonstration in Athens for later in the day on March 4, and the country's primary private and public sector labor unions have called for a three-hour strike and demonstration on March 5 at 1000 GMT, DPA reported March 4. The announcements follow the occupation of the Finance Ministry by more than 300 PAME demonstrators. The protests are in reaction to the government's new austerity measures to battle its financial crisis.
Nigeria: Rebel Group Says It Attacked Oil Facility
March 4, 2010 1504 GMT
The militant Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), warning foreign oil companies to leave Nigeria's Niger Delta, said that in the early hours of March 3, it blew up Italian Agipand's Tura manifold, Reuters reported March 4. An attack could not be immediately confirmed.

Brief: China May Create Third Asset Management Company
March 4, 2010 1451 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
China's State Council may approve the creation of a third asset management company under the supervision of the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), according to Chinese press on March 4. Called China Guoxin Asset Management Corp, the new company would assist the SASAC in restructuring and reforming state-owned enterprises -- its start-up capital is 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion). China Guoxin would join two other companies charged with the same duty, State Development and Investment Corp and China Chengtong Group, set up in 2005. This announcement follows a State Council plan to reduce the number of enterprises controlled by the central government from 128 in February down to 100 by the end of the year, and potentially down to 80 later, mostly through consolidation. Reducing the number of state enterprises is part of China's overall economic restructuring, as these firms are largely inefficient and costly for the government to maintain, but they are politically connected and have long provided employment, so winding them down is a sensitive issue.
Afghanistan: Offensive Wraps Up
March 4, 2010 1425 GMT
Under Operation Moshtarak in southern Helmand province, joint forces captured Marja, Afghanistan, and cleared parts of Nad Ali districts of rebels, Pajhwok news agency reported on March 4, citing a senior Afghan Interior Ministry official. The offensive wrapped up on March 4, said the spokesman, and compensation for residents has begun. About 120 Taliban members were killed, with about 55 detained, including a shadow district chief, he said. Roadside bombs remain a threat, he said.
Brief: Handover Of Taliban Mullahs Will Not Happen, Pakistan Says
March 4, 2010 1411 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Pakistan has decided that it will not hand over a key deputy of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and other senior leaders of the movement to Kabul, The News International reported March 4. Quoting "highly informed sources," the key Pakistani English language daily said the decision to not extradite mullahs Abdul Ghani Baradar, Abdul Kabir, Abdul Salam, Mir Mohammed and Younis Akhundzada was "final." The report added that Islamabad had provided American intelligence officials access to Baradar, but the questioning was done in the presence of Pakistani officials. This seems like a deliberate leak from within the Pakistani security establishment to telegraph its intentions without having to formally issue a statement. The move was expected, given a court ruling the week of Feb. 22 barring the handover. Earlier, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that while Islamabad would not hand over the Taliban leaders to Washington, it would turn them over to Kabul. Malik, however, has on many occasions issued unreliable statements. This latest development reinforces STRATFOR's view since the initial report of Baradar's arrest: This is not a simple case of apprehending a key insurgent leader. Rather, a much more complex game is under way -- the Pakistanis are positioning themselves for an eventual settlement on Afghanistan.
Brief: Yanukovich Tries To Form A Coalition
March 4, 2010 1406 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
The Ukrainian parliament passed a draft law March 4 that eases the rules for establishing a coalition in parliament. This move comes after Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko's ruling coalition was dissolved by parliament in a vote of no confidence. Ukraine's new pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, is now trying to garner the support to form his own coalition so he can name a new prime minister and rule the country with a stronger mandate, and these new rules are a result of Yanukovich's efforts to make it easier for independent deputies to participate in coalitions. Yanukovich needs to have the support of 226 out of 450 members of parliament to form a coalition. His Party of Regions has 171 seats, and it appears that the smaller parties -- the Communists (27 seats), the Lytvyn bloc (20 seats), and 7 independent deputies -- would leave him just short of that goal (assuming he would get their support). While it is not certain that Yanukovich will need to form some sort of understanding or partnership with former president Viktor Yushchenko's party of Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense (71 seats) in order for Yanukovich to form a majority coalition, that remains a possibility. Ukrainian politics are inherently unstable and nothing in the political realm is a certainty, other than the country re-entering Russia's fold.
Brief: Future Settled On The Nigerian Presidency?
March 4, 2010 1357 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Nigeria's Federal Executive Council (FEC) -- the government's Cabinet -- met March 3 and appears to have settled the issue of control for the presidency. The FEC did not introduce any discussion or motion to declare President Umaru Yaradua , who still has not been seen publicly since his return from Saudi Arabia Feb. 24, incapacitated, which would have led to Yaradua's removal from office. At the same time, there was no move to revert acting President Goodluck Jonathan back to Vice President. It is now likely that Yaradua will remain president regardless of his actual state of health, and that Jonathan will serve the remainder of the current four-year term as acting president. Jostling will occur ahead of national elections, which may be held as early as January 2011, but it is probable that another northerner, and not Jonathan, will replace Yaradua as president then, following the declaration from the national chairman of the ruling People's Democratic Party that the country's northern bloc must retain control of the presidency.
Brief: Attack At Malacca Strait Possible - Singapore Army
March 4, 2010 1345 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
The Singapore Shipping Association said in an advisory that the Singapore navy "received indication" that a militant group plans to attack oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, Bloomberg reported March 4. The Malacca Strait is one of the most heavily transited waterways in the world, providing passage to approximately 94,000 ships per year and 15 million barrels of oil per day. The strait is of significant strategic importance to the Asian Pacific economies of China and Japan, which rely on the flow of oil from Africa and the Middle East through Malacca. Terror warnings focused on Malaysia and Indonesia have popped up now and again, most likely stemming from the threat posed by jihadist groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and more violent offshoots such as Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad, however the groups have suffered significant setbacks over the past six months, including the killing of their leader, Noordin Mohammad Top. The origins of today's warning are unclear, but may suggest the reorganization of these jihadist groups or the emergence of new ones. STRATFOR will continue to monitor this situation.
Brief: Kremlin Aide Named To Election Commission
March 4, 2010 1338 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Kremlin aide Mikhail Berulava will become the deputy head of Russia's Central Election Commission, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported March 4. The appointment was made by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, and Berulava's new position will be to organize local electoral commissions before the parliamentary elections in 2011 and presidential election in 2012. Berulava's appointment is another key decision-making position that will be filled by a loyalist to the Kremlin clan run by Deputy Chief of Staff Vladislav Surkov, of which Medvedev is a member. The move could change how Surkov's clan fills key regional roles in its attempt to neutralize its rival clan, led by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin. But Berulava may have some ideas in mind on how political parties are allowed to conduct their campaigns in the upcoming elections, with tensions on the rise between Russia's ruling United Russia party and the Communist Party.
Afghanistan: Lashkar-i-Taiba Not Involved In Attack - Spokesman
March 4, 2010 1332 GMT
Rebel group Lashkar-i-Taiba said on March 4 that it was not involved in an attack in Kabul the week of Feb. 22 and that it is not active in Afghanistan, AFP reported, citing a spokesman of the group.
Afghanistan: Former Taliban PM Arrested
March 4, 2010 1324 GMT
Motasim Agha, who was prime minister during Afghanistan's Taliban regime, was arrested on March 4 with three others from Ahsanabad area, Samaa reported. Agha, ranked seventh of 30 most wanted criminals regarding the 9/11 attacks, is the son-in-law of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.
Afghanistan: Army Works To Avoid Infiltration - Defense Ministry
March 4, 2010 1310 GMT
The Afghan Defense Ministry has been able to avoid infiltration of its army by the Taliban through procedures and filters, but there have been some failures, Reuters reported, citing a ministry spokesman. He declined to give details, citing security reasons.
Turkey: Regional Forum Planned For October
March 4, 2010 1240 GMT
Turkey has begun work to set up a regional summit similar to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Today's Zaman reported March 4. The International Cooperation Forum will convene in Istanbul on Oct. 27, led by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, and representatives from the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asian republics. The forum will look at culture, the economy and the media and will have a similar format to Davos.
Iraq: 12 Die In Advance Polling Attacks
March 4, 2010 1213 GMT
Twelve people are dead after a roadside bomb and two suicide bombs targeted early voting in Baghdad, Reuters reported March 4. Five civilians died and 22 were injured in a roadside bombing amid early voting by Iraqi security forces, prison inmates and the ill, Reuters reported. The blast took place in Hurriya neighborhood, Baghdad, near a polling station to be used in the March 7 national election, said an unnamed Interior Ministry source. Meanwhile, two suicide attacks at polling stations in Baghdad injured seven soldiers and 25 civilians. One attack was at a polling station in Mansour district, where three soldiers died; the second was in central Baghdad, where four soldiers were killed as they lined up to vote, said the Interior Ministry.
Poland: PM To Visit Azerbaijan
March 4, 2010 1137 GMT
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will visit Azerbaijan on March 10 to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation, specifically the Azerbaijani-Polish cooperation under the EU Eastern Partnership Program, reported Trend News, citing Polish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Krzysztof Krajewski.
Portugal: Civil Servants Strike
March 4, 2010 1130 GMT
Portuguese civil servants went on strike on March 4, and could potentially close schools, courts and hospitals, AFP reported. Portuguese unions have warned of more strikes if the government extends a freeze on civil servant wages after 2010, something the government has been considering. It was not known how many were expected to strike, but union officials said the strikes would begin Wednesday night with trash collectors in four major cities.
Finland: Dockworkers Go On Strike
March 4, 2010 1112 GMT
Finnish dockworkers went on strike after mediation failed, with the action expected to affect 80 percent of exports, DPA reported March 4. Shortages of imported fruit and other fresh produce are anticipated if the strike drags on. National Conciliator Esa Lonka was unable to present a compromise proposal between the Transport Workers' Union (AKT) and the Finnish Port Operators Association. Lonka did not reschedule a meeting with the parties. The Finnish Forestry Federation estimated the strike cost at 30 million euros per day.
Brief: Greek Unions Take Over Finance Ministry
March 4, 2010 1105 GMT
Applying STRATFOR analysis to breaking news
Communist party-linked labor union PAME occupied the Greek Finance Ministry building in central Athens on March 4. PAME members unfurled a banner on top of the Finance Ministry building that read, "Rise up -- everyone in the streets against the anti-popular measures." Meanwhile, airline workers from Olympic Air occupied the General Accounting Office and set up barricades in front of the building causing traffic jams in downtown Athens. Invasion of government ministry offices is a step up in tactics used by Greek protesters. With a major strike planned for March 16, it should be expected that social unrest continues and potentially escalates in traditionally restive Greece. This could negatively impact investor perception of Athens' ability to implement planned austerity measures, causing the price to rise for the credit that Greece needs.
Belgium: More PKK Members Arrested
March 4, 2010 1104 GMT
Belgium police conducted a large scale operation against PKK militants in five different cities, NTV/MSNBC reported March 4. As part of an anti-terrorism operation, police arrested 15 senior PKK members, including head of PKK/Kongre-Gel Zubeyir Aydar, and raided offices of pro-PKK Roj TV Channel.
Yemen: Police Kill Protester
March 4, 2010 1030 GMT
A protester was killed and two injured after police opened fire on a pro-separatist demonstration in the southern province of Lahj, Earth Times reported March 4. Police were trying to disperse protesters who gathered outside the local government building in Radfan district. Protesters tried to raise a flag of the former south Yemen.
France: Unemployment Soars In Q4
March 4, 2010 0951 GMT
The French government's statistics office INSEE said the unemployment rate jumped to 9.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, the highest rate in 10 years, DPA reported March 4. That represents more than 2.7 million people who are out of work, INSEE said, adding that if France's overseas territories are included, the unemployment rate reached 10 percent at the end of last year.
Afghanistan: Romanian President Visits
March 4, 2010 0945 GMT
The Romanian Defense Ministry said Romanian President Traian Basescu arrived in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit to meet Romanian soldiers fighting there, The News International reported March 4. The Romanian defense minister accompanied the president.

Afghanistan: Forces Seize 38 Tons Of Drugs
March 4, 2010 0938 GMT
The Afghan deputy interior minister for counternarcotics said a cache of narcotics weighing 38.5 tons was seized in the poppy-rich southern province of Helmand, Afghanistan's Pajhwok news agency reported March 4. The contraband was recovered during separate NATO and Afghan National Police (ANP) operations in several districts and in Lashkargah. Six suspected drug traffickers were arrested. The Afghan official hinted at a new operation to be launched along the Iranian border, the hub of drug smuggling into the neighboring country. He said Afghan counternarcotics police and Iranian border police would conduct the offensive jointly.
China: Diplomatic Solution Sought On Iran
March 4, 2010 0924 GMT
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Beijing believes diplomatic efforts have not been exhausted and will continue to work with other parties to push for a settlement to the Iran nuclear issue, AP reported March 4. Qin said China would continue to work toward the resumption of talks on the issue and make constructive efforts for a "proper resolution" of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations.
Pakistan: Taliban Leaders Will Not Be Handed Over
March 4, 2010 0913 GMT
A senior Pakistani official stated that the government decided in principle not to deliver arrested Taliban leaders to the Afghan government, adding that this decision is final, The News International reported March 4. Official sources said Pakistan provided U.S. operatives with access to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, but the interrogation sessions were held in the presence of Pakistani officials.
Yemen: Police Arrest Suspected Al Qaeda Cell
March 4, 2010 0900 GMT
Yemen's Defense Ministry's newspaper stated that police captured an alleged 11-member al Qaeda cell in a raid on a house in Sanaa, Earth Times reported March 4. The weekly, named September 26, said the raid was carried out in the Sawad Hanash neighborhood. The father of one member of the group was killed in a shootout with police during the arrest of his son. A policeman was injured in the firefight. The paper quoted a security source stating that the raid was carried out after extensive surveillance and reconnaissance of cell member movements.
Japan, U.S.: SOFA Agreement Will Be Modified
March 4, 2010 0850 GMT
Japan told the United States that the current agreement to relocate a U.S. military base to a less-crowded part of the southern island of Okinawa will not be upheld, Xinhua reported March 4. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano told U.S. Ambassador John Roos that sticking to the current plan had "become too difficult politically." Japan is now considering the option of moving the troops to White Beach in Uruma and Tsuken Island in the north of the Okinawa prefecture. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama confirmed that Hirano met with Roos, but said no alternative to the current plan was proposed to the United States.
Pakistan: Mullah Omar Kin Held In Karachi
March 4, 2010 0841 GMT
The son-in-law of Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Afghan Taliban leader, reportedly was captured by security agencies in Karachi, ARY News reported March 4. Motasim Agha Jan was captured when intelligence agencies were tipped off and conducted a raid on a house in the Ehsan Abad area of Karachi. Two accomplices were also arrested. All suspects were moved to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Singapore: Group Planning Oil-Tanker Attacks
March 4, 2010 0812 GMT
The Singapore Shipping Association said in an advisory that the Singapore navy “received indication” that a militant group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, Bloomberg reported March 4. The advisory stated that the militants’ intent is probably to achieve widespread publicity and showcase that it remains a viable group, but did not name any groups. The advisory added that the information does not preclude possible attacks on other large vessels with dangerous cargo. The Singapore navy started “operational coordination" with its regional partners.
Afghanistan: Five Pakistani Workers Shot Dead
March 4, 2010 0801 GMT
Five Pakistani construction workers were shot dead in an ambush in southern Afghanistan, AFP reported March 4. Another Pakistani who was wounded in the ambush is in a Kandahar hospital. The workers were ambushed on their way to work, according to Shah Baran, the governor of Kandahar's Panjwayi district. He said the workers were on their way to a road construction project in Panjwayi district when they were ambushed and killed by gunmen. The Pakistanis were believed to have been working for a Japanese road construction firm, the name of which could not be immediately confirmed.
Pakistan: Militants Attack Security Checkpoint
March 4, 2010 0745 GMT
A Pakistani military official said about 200 militants with rockets and automatic weapons attacked a military check post in Pakistan, killing one soldier and wounding four, Reuters reported March 4. Up to 30 militants were killed in clashes that followed in the Mohmand tribal region in the northwest. The official said the remaining militants were being pursued.
India: Maoists Give Ultimatum
March 4, 2010 0735 GMT
The Maoists have threatened to start a full-scale offensive against the Indian government if their leader Venkateshwar Reddy, alias Telugu Deepak, is not released by March 6, the Hindustan Times reported March 4.
U.S.: New Iran Sanctions Draft Circulated
March 4, 2010 0611 GMT
U.N. Security Council diplomats said the United States is circulating a draft resolution of new, tougher sanctions against Iran that concentrate on the banking, shipping and insurance sectors, and is waiting for China and Russia to signal that they are willing to start negotiating the measures, The New York Times reported March 4. The proposed sanctions call for an outright ban on certain transactions, with a focus on the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps. The oil industry is not included. Japan's U.N. Ambassador Yukio Takasu will highlight the vulnerability of companies to Iran sanctions during a Security Council briefing.
U.S.: Afghan Command Structure Changes Considered
March 4, 2010 0023 GMT
The United States and its allies are considering putting a two-star Marine general in charge of all military operations in Helmand province, Reuters reported March 3. A U.S. defense official said a new command in Helmand might be better at setting priorities on the battlefield, adding that any changes would be designed to better manage the thousands of additional American, NATO and Afghan troops that have been deployed to the region in recent weeks.
Pakistan: New Turn In Bhutto Assassination Probe
March 4, 2010 0012 GMT
Pakistani interior ministry officials said they are searching for four military personnel who disappeared just before the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Dawn News reported Mar. 3. The missing soldiers are retired army personnel who are among the eight army soldiers related to the main accused. The interior ministry officials added that investigators are having a difficult time determining the exact status of these soldiers, while the four other soldiers are still serving the army.