Sudan: President To Visit Chad
July 20, 2010 1232 GMT
Sudanese President Omar al Bashir will depart for a three-day visit to Chad on July 21 to attend the summit of the Sahel-Saharan states, presidential sources said July 20, Reuters reported. The trip is Bashir's first to a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Bashir in 2009.
Turkey: FM, Hamas Chief Meet
July 20, 2010 1143 GMT
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal met July 19 in Damascus, Haaretz reported July 20. Davutoglu and Meshaal discussed means to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the Middle East peace process, and Hamas' reconciliation efforts with Fatah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Anatolia news agency reported.
Pakistan: Some Officials Know Bin Laden's Location - Clinton
July 20, 2010 1117 GMT
Some elements of the Pakistani government, particularly its intelligence establishment, know where Osama bin Laden is hiding in the country, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said July 20, the Times of India reported. Clinton urged Pakistani leaders to combat all non-governmental armed forces within the country. Help from Islamabad has led the United States to many senior al Qaeda members, Clinton added.
Taiwan: U.S. Torpedoes, Armored Vehicles To Be Purchased
July 20, 2010 1058 GMT
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou asked the Defense Ministry to write a procurement list for U.S. MK-54 torpedoes, dozens of M1A2 tanks and amphibious landing vehicles, according to The Liberty Times, AFP reported July 20. The procurement list has not been finalized, the ministry said.
South Korea, U.S.: Military Drills Set For July 25-28
July 20, 2010 1050 GMT
A July 25-28, U.S.-South Korean military drill will include 20 ships, 200 aircraft and 8,000 personnel in the Sea of Japan, AFP reported July 20, citing the U.S. military. The exercise will show the two countries' solidarity against a threat by the North, according to the U.S.-led U.N. Command. The announcement follows talks between U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae Young. The USS George Washington aircraft carrier will participate, as will submarines. The F-22 Raptor will be used for the first time in the region for a training mission.
Afghanistan: Japan Dedicates $1.1 Billion
July 20, 2010 1040 GMT
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on July 20 announced that Tokyo will dedicate $1.1 billion to Afghanistan in 2010, Kyodo reported. Speaking at the international conference in Kabul, he said the aid is for improving security, integrating former Taliban members into the mainstream and development projects.
EU: FMs Set To Issue Sanctions On Iran
July 20, 2010 1010 GMT
The European Union's foreign ministers are due to impose an Iranian sanctions package on July 26 in Brussels, while expressing willingness to hold talks about Tehran's nuclear program, DPA reported July 20. The package will focus on trade, financial services, energy, transport, visas and freezes on assets. Iranian banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines will be targeted, according to DPA. The June 2008 proposals should be the basis for talks, according to a draft of an EU statement, which recognizes Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Iran: Majlis Approves 20 Percent Uranium Enrichment
July 20, 2010 0938 GMT
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization was approved by the Majlis to enrich uranium up to 20 percent for research nuclear reactors, IRNA reported July 20. The reactors will use the uranium to aid the fields of medicine, industry and agriculture, according to IRNA. The government was also instructed to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty's safeguards agreement.
Iran: Talks With U.S. Not Possible - Foreign Ministry
July 20, 2010 0929 GMT
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on July 20 that talks with U.S. officials are not possible because of new sanctions imposed on Tehran, anti-Iranian resolutions and current behavior against Iranian nationals, IRNA reported, citing a ministry spokesman. The spokesman was responding to a question about the possibility of sideline talks at the international conference in Kabul.
Latvia: 2-Day Military Exercises Commence
July 20, 2010 0921 GMT
Two-day military exercises that will include NATO fighter jets will commence on July 20 at the Adazi training camp in Riga district, Latvia, RIA Novosti reported, citing a NATO Air Force officer. Servicemen committed to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan will participate.
Pakistan: Party Leader Shot To Death
July 20, 2010 0914 GMT
Liaquat Mengal, a senior leader of the Balochistan National Party, was shot to death in Kalat district, Pakistan, on July 20, Dawn News reported. Three unknown people on a motorbike attacked Mengal as he traveled to Kalat city, according to police. An investigation to find the shooters is under way.
Afghanistan: Russia Writes Off $12 Billion In Debt
July 20, 2010 0908 GMT
Russia has written off $12 billion in Afghan debt and is committed to aiding in training and equipment for the Afghan army and police, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on July 20, The Voice of Russia reported. Speaking at the international conference in Kabul, he said Moscow expects a tougher crackdown on Afghanistan's drug business and that the U.S.-led international force must fulfill its U.N. mandate.
Israel: Egypt's Mubarak Rejects Border Proposal
July 20, 2010 0839 GMT
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak reportedly rejected an Israeli-proposed border settlement with the Palestinians during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haaretz reported July 20, citing a senior, unnamed Israeli source. Mubarak reportedly said the proposal was not in line with the call by the Palestinians and the Arab League to fashion a state along the 1967 borders. Mubarak told Netanyahu to redraft the proposal, according to Haaretz.
Iran: Bill Allows Retaliation For Inspections
July 20, 2010 0824 GMT
The Iranian parliament has adopted a bill allowing retaliation against nations that inspect Iranian ships and aircraft, AP reported July 20. The bill is a response to new U.N. sanctions. The parliamentary session was broadcast live on state radio.
Turkey: 6 Soldiers Die In Attack
July 20, 2010 0819 GMT
Six Turkish soldiers have died following an attack near the Iraqi border by Kurdistan Workers' Party rebels, AFP reported July 20, citing unnamed military sources. Several others were wounded during the clashes. The overnight attack took place near the border town of Cukurca, the sources said. The militants were pursued on July 20 after reinforcements and air cover were brought in.
Afghanistan: President Wants Support For Peace Plan
July 20, 2010 0805 GMT
Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for his country's international partners to support a peace plan focused on convincing militants to lay down arms, accepting Kabul's constitution and renouncing links to al Qaeda, DPA reported July 20. He spoke at the international conference in Kabul. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington would support the proposed peace initiative.
Afghanistan: Gradual Transition For Nation - NATO Chief
July 20, 2010 0726 GMT
International forces in Afghanistan will transition to a supportive role once the Afghans take over responsibility for security, and the focus will be on a gradual transition, rather than a strict timeline, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said July 20, The News International reported. He spoke at a major international conference in Kabul. The goal is for an "irreversible" move toward security led by the Afghans, he said.
U.S.: China Protests Possible Investigation
July 20, 2010 0702 GMT
The possible investigation of Anshan Iron and Steel Group's investment plan in the United States is protectionism, a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman said July 20, Xinhua reported. Anshan has plans to establish a rebar venture with a U.S. partner in Mississippi. The spokesman said U.S. lawmakers should not label legitimate business as a threat to national security.
Afghanistan: No Indefinite Delay In Transition - Clinton
July 20, 2010 0654 GMT
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on July 20 at a major international conference in Kabul that a transition to Afghan leadership was too critical to be put off indefinitely, AFP reported. The July 2011 date for the beginning of a withdrawal increases the sense of urgency, she said, adding that it will not mark the end of international troops' involvement in the country or the abandonment of a long-term mission toward stability and peace.
China: Oil, Natural Gas Production Planned
July 20, 2010 0646 GMT
China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) will develop Xinjiang's Uyghur autonomous region into the country's most significant base in oil and natural gas production and processing in the next 10 years, Xinhua reported July 20, citing China Daily. Refining and chemicals manufacturing, oil storage, and engineering and technology services are planned, according to CNPC, and the region will become a strategic route from Central Asia and Russia. Some 50 million tons of oil are expected to be reached in 2015, up to 60 million in 2020, and will be sustained for 20 years. Oil refining capacity of 26 million tons each year is due to be reached in 2015, then 30 million tons per year by 2020. The company will accelerate construction of oil reserves and commercial stockpiles, with storage capacity reaching 15 million cubic meters in 2015.