Federal Register: Obama, entourage, received more than 300,000 dollars in gifts from Saudi king. | |||||
| Middle East Online | |||||
WASHINGTON, - In his first year as US president, Barack Obama, his family and administration members were showered with more than 300,000 dollars in gifts from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. The Federal Register reported Tuesday that King Abdullah gave some 34,500 dollars worth of presents to Obama, some 146,200 dollars worth to First Lady Michelle Obama and 7,275 dollars worth to their children Malia and Sasha. The monarch offered a total of 108,245 dollars worth of gifts to White House staff, presents valued at 23,400 dollars to a senior US diplomatic interpreter and gifts estimated at 12,000 dollars to the US charge d'affaires in Riyadh. Among the gifts Obama received from Abdullah were a "large desert scene on a green veined marble base featuring figurines of gold palm trees and camels" and a large brass and glass clock by Jaeger-LeCoultre, according to the register. The Saudi king gave the First Lady a ruby and diamond jewelry set worth 132,000 dollars as well as a pearl necklace with a value of 14,200 dollars, according to the register. Their children also received jewelry worth thousands of dollars in addition to books and DVDs. Another generous foreign dignitary was Ernestina Naadu Mills, Ghana's first lady, who gave Michelle Obama a Backes and Strauss "Black Star of Ghana" watch, "crafted in 18 karat gold with diamonds and leather," the register said. It was valued at 48,000 dollars. Chinese President Hu Jintao gave Obama "a framed and matted fine silk embroidery depicting a portrait study of the First Family" that was valued at 20,000 dollars, according to the register. Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of then prime minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan, gave Michelle Obama a pearl necklace valued at 9,700 dollars. Obama got a bronze statue of a girl releasing a flock of doves valued at 8,000 dollars from Israeli President Shimon Peres. All the presents go to the National Archives as US law bars any US government official from receiving a present from a foreign government. Obama and others accepted the gifts because "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US government," according to the register. |
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Saudi gifts showered Obama, his family, administration
Palestinians hoist flag in Washington for first time
Highly symbolic US gesture towards Palestinian but no change of status for their representation in Washington. | |||||
| Middle East Online | |||||
WASHINGTON - The Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington on Thursday hoisted its national flag for the first time, a highly symbolic gesture that drew an angry response from a senior US lawmaker. The US State Department, enmeshed in an uphill struggle to revive stalled Middle East peace talks, said that the ceremony was approved several months ago and did not change the status of the Palestinian representation in Washington. Maen Rashid Areikat, the envoy to the headquarters of the General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United States (PLO), raised the flag at a ceremony watched by journalists and others, the mission said. The statement said delegates from the State Department and Arab League Ambassador Hussein Hasouneh attended the ceremony. "This flag symbolizes the struggle of the Palestinian people for independence," Areikat was quoted by his mission as saying. The flag "also is a clear message that the Palestinian people and the PLO are central players in the equation of the Middle East, without whom there will be no peace, security and stability in the region," he said. But House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican, blasted the move as "part of the Palestinian leadership's scheme to manipulate international acceptance and diplomatic recognition" of their future state. The lawmaker charged that US President Barack Obama's administration was rewarding the Palestinians, whom she accused of refusing to negotiate with Israel while seeking "shortcuts to statehood." "Governments worldwide will interpret such actions as tacit US recognition of a Palestinian state. These actions send precisely the wrong message to foreign governments," said Ros-Lehtinen. But US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said: "The granting permission to raise the flag does not change their fundamental status." The move came after direct US-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians ground to a halt late last year over Israel's refusal to renew a partial freeze on Jewish settlements on Palestinian land. It also came as Arab nations prepare to formally put a resolution to the UN Security Council on Tuesday demanding a condemnation of Israel's settlement building in Palestinian territories. But no vote was expected for several days as Palestinian and other Arab negotiators try to persuade the US administration not to veto the resolution, diplomats said. "Our view hasn't changed... We do not think that New York or the UN Security Council is the right forum for this issue, and we'll continue to make that case," Crowley said. "I'm not going to speculate on what happens from this point forward," he said when asked about a possible US veto. A senior State Department official told reporters on the condition of anonymity that the Palestinians have "been told we think this is a bad idea... We're encouraging them not to move this forward." |
Arab leaders meet on economy, poverty
First meeting of Arab heads of state since uprising in Tunisia that inspired Arab populations. | |||||
| Middle East Online | |||||
By Samer al-Atrush - SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt | |||||
Arab leaders gather in Egypt on Wednesday to discuss trade and development as the region feels the aftershocks of a popular uprising in Tunisia that emboldened dissidents in the Arab world. It is the first meeting of Arab heads of state since Tunisian leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was forced out of the country on Friday after weeks of protests sparked by the self immolation of an unemployed man. The death has sparked a rash of copycat attempted suicides in Algeria and Egypt, where two men set themselves on fire on Monday as foreign ministers met in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheik to prepare for the summit. One of the Egyptians succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. Addressing the meeting, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Sabah reminded his counterparts of the challenges the region faces. "Countries disintegrate, people conduct uprisings ... and the Arab citizen asks: 'Can the current Arab regime meet these challenges dynamically?'" He questioned: "Can the regime address the humanitarian suffering of the Arab citizen?" The government of Egypt, where roughly half of the population lives on two dollars a day and dissidents complain of similar grievances to Tunisia's protesters, has denied any similarity with Tunisia. Foreign ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said the Tunisian uprising was peculiar to that country and Egypt allowed its citizens more freedoms. The summit will also take place as early results indicate most southern Sudanese voted for independence in a referendum this month that is expected to partition Africa's largest country. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday to attend the summit. The meeting is expected to implement the resolutions of its predecessor, which was held in Kuwait in 2009, and which included setting up a $2 billion fund to finance small and medium sized businesses. In a region where rulers often assume power through coups or inheritance, the Tunisian uprising was unusual in that a highly autocratic ruler was forced out by mass protests. Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane, who briefed his counterparts in Sharm el-Sheikh on developments in his country, told reporters at a press conference that the protests were fuelled by political and economic grievances. Delegates from one of the countries complained that they expected the summit's pledges to lead to nowhere, as previous promises had. But the economic aspect of the Tunisian revolt, which is mirrored in other countries in the region, may add to the urgency of taking measures to alleviate poverty in the region. |
Qatari-Turkish mediation bids to solve Lebanon crisis
Turkey's FM, Qatari PM meet Lebanese rivals in bid to avoid breakout of violence over STL spat. | |||||||||||||||||
| Middle East Online | |||||||||||||||||
BEIRUT - The Turkish and Qatari foreign ministers have met with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah as part of efforts to mediate the latest political crisis in Lebanon, the Shiite group announced Wednesday. Ahmet Davutoglu and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jaber al-Thani met with Nasrallah at a secret location and made no comments afterwards. A statement issued by Hezbollah said the talks late Tuesday focused on finding a solution to the deepening political crisis in Lebanon that many fear could spiral into sectarian violence. "The meeting addressed the current political crisis in Lebanon, notably the issue of the international tribunal and the new government," the statement said.
It was referring to the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) probing the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri and the collapse last week of the unity government of Saad Hariri, the slain leader's son. The STL, which issued indictments in the case on Monday, has been at the centre of a long-running dispute between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and the Western-backed Hariri. Nasrallah has said he believes members of his party will be implicated in Hariri's murder and has warned against such a scenario, accusing the STL of being part of a US-Israeli plot. Davutoglu and Sheikh Hamad, who is also Qatar's premier, met on Tuesday with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, parliament speaker Nabih Berri and Hariri. The two men also held talks in Damascus on Monday with Syria's leadership. |
Tunisia demo calls for government to resign
Tunisian demonstrators call for abolition of RCD, demand new parliament, new constituion. | |||||
| Middle East Online | |||||
By Kaouther Larbi - TUNIS | |||||
Hundreds of Tunisians rallied against their new government on Wednesday, as the leadership tried to defuse public anger over the continued power of the former ruling party and four ministers pulled out. "Ben Ali has gone to Saudi Arabia! The government should go there too," more than 1,000 protesters chanted in central Tunis, referring to former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who fled on Friday after 23 years of iron-fisted rule. "We want a new parliament, a new constitution, a new republic! People rise up against the Ben Ali loyalists!" they chanted at the peaceful demonstration. Some of them waved placards reading: "Down with the RCD!" An opposition leader who has joined the government as regional development minister said the first cabinet meeting would be held on Thursday but a government spokesman said the exact date was still up in the air. An opposition source said the priorities at the cabinet meeting would be to draw up a national amnesty law for victims of the former regime, as well as concrete moves to break up the RCD's stranglehold on organs of state. The authorities meanwhile eased the timing of a curfew that has been in place for days, saying the security situation had improved, but a state of emergency that bans any public assemblies remained in place. Traffic was visibly heavier in Tunis and some shops and offices re-opened. Interim president Foued Mebazaa and Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi on Tuesday quit the RCD, which has dominated Tunisian politics for decades. But Ghannouchi and seven other ministers from the previous government under Ben Ali held on to their posts including the interior and defence ministries. "Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water," Tunisia's Le Quotidien daily commented in an editorial that emphasised the new national unity government was temporary and would prepare for democratic elections. "The resentment is legitimate but it should not transform itself into a blind hatred that blocks the victorious march of the Tunisian people towards liberty," said the independent daily. "The creation of a national unity government is the only path towards this final victory. The participation of the RCD in this government should not be a source of discord or a stumbling block," it said. Thousands protested across Tunisia on Tuesday, with police firing tear gas in the centre of Tunis to disperse demonstrations as four ministers pulled out of the government in protest against the RCD just a day after it was announced. In an apparent bid for political survival, the once all-powerful RCD also officially expelled Ben Ali, who was forced to resign following a wave of protests in which dozens of people were killed. The tumultuous events in Tunisia -- dubbed the "Jasmine Revolution" -- have inspired dissident across the Arab world and sparked protests in various countries including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Egypt. Ben Ali was the first Arab leader in recent history to quit after protests. The United States meanwhile welcomed reforms announced by the new government, including media freedoms and the liberation of all political prisoners, but said political change must broaden and deepen. "Clearly the government has to take steps to meet the aspirations of the Tunisian people.... The interim government is moving in that direction," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters on Tuesday. "We want to see an open process, significant dialogue between the government and significant groups that want to play a role in Tunisia's future," he added. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Tunisia to hold "credible" elections to form a government backed by the whole nation, his spokesman said. On Tuesday, two new ministers and a junior minister from Tunisia's main trade union -- a key player in the protests -- announced their withdrawal after the union refused to recognise the government. The appointed health minister, FDLT leader Mustapha Ben Jaafar, who had yet to be sworn in, also said he would hold off on joining the government. Three opposition leaders including Ben Jaafar were appointed on Monday. Tunisia's new leadership is due to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in the next six months, although no precise dates have been set. Under the constitution, elections should be held in less than two months. The banned Islamist Ennahdha (Awakening) movement said it would seek to acquire legal status as a political party to take part in the elections. One of Ben Ali's fiercest critics, Moncef Marzouki -- who has said he intends to run in the presidential election -- also returned to Tunisia on Tuesday after years of exile in Paris, with emotional scenes at Tunis airport. |
Wednesday's papers: A new form of protest in Egypt, secrets of Ben Ali's escape and Tunisia's interim govt
Egyptian papers on Wednesday dedicate their front-page headlines to new cases of people setting themselves on fire as a means of protesting conditions in the country. In the independent Al-Dostour, the top headline reads: "Three suicide attempts in less than 24 hours.. One dies." Sub-headlines read: "Mohamed set himself on fire because he was prevented from seeing his daughter.. Sayyed due to financial crisis.. And Ahmed in Alexandria due to unemployment." In the liberal opposition Al-Wafd newspaper the chief headline reads: "The burnt ones shake the government's throne." Sub-headlines read: "Four new Egyptians burn themselves," and "Death of the first burnt ones."
In the independent Al-Shorouk, more negative coverage can be found under the headline: "Suicide protest fever infects Egyptians," with sub-headlines reading: "Lawyer loses his daughter and so sets his body ablaze outside parliament.. Qaddafi [not the Libyan leader] attempts suicide in protest against his referral to investigations in Ismailiya... Hashim fails to find employment in Alexandria and attempts to end his life... Parliamentary security forces abort fourth attempt."
Al-Shorouk features a small map of North Africa with captions indicating that Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi's act of self-immolation on 17 December led to other such acts in Tunisia, and then to Algeria, Mauritania, and Egypt. Five self-immolations were attempted in Egypt (in Cairo, Alexandria, and Ismailiya; while a sixth person attempted to hang himself due to his unemployment) whereas at least four attempts were recorded in Algeria, and one case in Mauritania.
State-owned Al-Ahram mentions news of these self-immolations in a tiny headline on its front-page which reads: "Citizen burnt to death in Alexandria, two others rescued outside parliament." Only one paragraph on this news is mentioned on Al-Ahram's front-page, and the remainder of the article is buried on its 20th page--the "accidents page." Al-Ahram's largest headline pertains to an Arab summit on economic development to be held today in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm al-Sheikh. The chief headline reads: "Egypt convenes Sharm al-Sheikh summit to focus on development." Sub-headers read: "Mubarak opens economic summit in presence of 11 Arab leaders," and "Arab states strive to limit capital flight from the region."
In its coverage of events in Tunisia, Al-Ahram runs another front-page headline reading: "Withdrawal of four ministers from new Tunisian government." Regarding the escape of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali from Tunisia, its headline reads: "Ben Ali and family flee via secret tunnel." In the independent Nahdet Masr newspaper: "Security bluff leads Tunisian president to flee without even taking his clothes along with him." In another Tunisia-related headline "Politicians: Tunisian scenario will not recur in same manner."
An Al-Shorouk headline reads "Tunisian street moves to bring down Ben Ali's ministers." Sub-headlines read: "Protests in capital's center call for dismissal of Ben Ali's [RCD] Party.. Tunisian General Workers' Union [UGTT] threatens to pull out from government;" and "New Arab measures and precautions to prevent Tunisian 'virus' from spreading... Sudan arrests Hassan al-Turabi, Jordan refrains from imposing new taxes."
In Al-Wafd a quote from the Inter Press Service news agency is featured: "Arab regimes fear bread uprisings/intifadas," and "People are setting themselves ablaze because they cannot bear to witness their families dying slow deaths due to hunger and poverty" is another key headline in that paper.
Egypt's papers:
Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt
Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size
Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run
Rose al-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party's Policies Secretariat
Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned
Al-Shorouk: Daily, privately owned
Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party
Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party
Youm7: Weekly, privately owned
Sawt al-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
Egypt pound stabilizes, traders cite central bank
The Egyptian pound stabilized on Tuesday as the central bank apparently acted to support it, after the currency fell to near a six-year low on Monday in response to the political turmoil in Tunisia, traders said.
In the spot market, the pound strengthened marginally to close at 5.8220 against the dollar from Monday's finish of 5.8240. At the end of last week, the Egyptian currency was trading around 5.8000.
Currency traders said that with Egyptian share prices declining, it was almost certain that the central bank was selling dollars to support the currency after Monday's decline.
Dealers say the central rarely intervenes directly, but often buys and sells the currency indirectly by way of one or two local banks.
"On a day like today where the stock market went down 3.14 percent you would have totally seen an outflow, and the currency appreciated, so it's clear the central bank intervened selling dollars," said one dealer.
Tuesday's decline in Egypt's benchmark stock index .EGX30 was the biggest in eight months and followed a 2.4 percent slide on Monday, as investors worried that Tunisia's political instability might eventually spread to Egypt or other countries in North Africa.
Economists said the central bank was likely to use its unofficial reserves to ensure that any weakening of the pound was gradual, so that Egyptian depositors did not take fright and shift large amounts of their cash into dollars.
Barclays Capital estimated foreign holdings of Egyptian assets were close to US$25 billion, with roughly half held in Treasury bills and bonds. The high foreign exposure poses a significant potential risk to the currency, Barclays said.
In a research note recommending that investors reduce their Egyptian pound exposure, Barclays said it expected the currency to weaken over coming months, reaching 6.00 in a year's time.
Barclays cited increased political risk, the poor performance of currency trades into the pound last year, the central bank's focus on stimulating economic growth and competiveness, which could cause it to oppose any strength of the currency, and Egypt's deteriorating fiscal outlook.
However, it added that it was reluctant to go short on the Egyptian pound because of high interest rates in Egypt and the central bank's determination to limit the currency's volatility.
Trade in the non-deliverable forwards market, where the Egyptian pound is traded for delivery on a future date, has slowed since Tunisia's president was ousted because of a feeling of increased risk, and deals taking place indicate the currency will weaken in coming months, traders said.
On Monday, the first working day since President Zine al-Abidine fled Tunis, trade in the offshore NDF market dried up entirely. Trades on Tuesday were worth about $30-40 million, compared to daily levels of around $50 million before the Tunisian crisis erupted, said a dealer based outside Egypt.
"There were some offers today," he said. "There were some clients trying to take advantage of the high implied yields on the NDFs, betting that there won't be a problem. But in general the market is much better bid," indicating pressure for the Egyptian pound to depreciate.
A one-month NDF, for delivery of Egyptian pounds in one month's time, traded at 5.90 to the dollar on Tuesday, the trader said.
-
Solve the visual clues and find the FIFTY films featured in our blockbuster quiz By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 7:53 AM on 27t...
-
MRAMANI (COMOROS) (AFP) - Former coup leader Azali Assoumani was elected president of Comoros on Thursday, according to o...
-
By ANDREW E. KRAMER Published: October 15, 2011 MOSCOW — President Dmitri A. Medvedev struck a defens...
