position:foreign minister

Saudis overtaking Qatar in sponsoring Syrian rebels- http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/saudis-overtaking-qatar-in-sponsoring-syrian-rebels

Par Hassan Hassan, qui présente comme d’habitude les Saoud comme des paragons de vertu.

Les surprises de l’élection présidentielle en Iran

Iran Surprises Again !

LobeLog.com

http://www.lobelog.com/iran-surprises-again

Okay, it is time to admit that the only thing predictable about Iranian politics these days is its unpredictability!

There are people who know Iran well and as early as a few months ago thought that the next president of the country was already decided by the powers that be. There are also others who will say that they predicted all this. I am not one of these.

I am stunned. As of late yesterday (Friday), I did not think that former president and current Expediency Council chair Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani would run for the presidency. All the talk about his entry – and the previous talk and hope about former president Mohammad Khatami’s entry – was mostly tactical, I thought. The loud calls – and pleas – for either Khatami or Hashemi Rafsanjani to run were to show the depth of their support among various sectors of Iranian society, from a good number of the urban middle classes to the business community. I thought it was sort of a flexing of social power muscle. But, given the hysterical reaction both former presidents elicit from the hardliners, I thought they would ultimately be reluctant to run, in the end preferring to throw their support to another candidate who would try to carefully pull the country to the middle.

Kerry à la gloire de la Russie et de “Serguei”
http://www.dedefensa.org/article-kerry_la_gloire_de_la_russie_et_de_serguei__10_05_2013.html

Article et présentation du 10 mai 2013 – contribution de John Kerry, secrétaire d’État, avec le soutien de dedefensa.org

Has the Obama administration Given into Russia on Syria?
http://www.juancole.com/2013/05/administration-russia-syria.html

There seems little doubt that the Obama administration took a big step back from the brink in Moscow this week, and that rumors of an American push to arm the rebels are, in the light of this diplomacy, overblown.

Après les interférences de l’ambassadeur américain, celles de l’Iran.
Après l’Algérie (voir poste de Zara « pas de médiation de l’Algérie »), ce serait l’Iran dont, aux dires de Salehi, les Bahreiniens chercheraient l’aide pour résoudre leur situation intérieure complétement bloquée

Bahrain denies Iran mediation request claim | GulfNews.com
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-denies-iran-mediation-request-claim-1.1180679

Bahrain has denied a claim that it had asked Iran to mediate in the political deadlock that has hit the country for two years.
“Bahrain has not and will not ask for a mediation in a domestic issue from anyone, least of all from Iran,” Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the foreign minister, said on his Twitter account.
The foreign ministry in a statement strongly rejected the claims made by Iran’s foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi about an alleged request by Bahrain to Iran to mediate, saying that they were false, lacked credibility and were a blatant interference in the kingdom’s internal affairs

Diplomatic source : Iranian FM meets Assad | Maan News Agency
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=593247

DAMASCUS (AFP) — Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, whose country is one of Syria’s closest allies, held talks with President Bashar Assad on a previously unannounced visit to Damascus on Tuesday, an Iranian diplomatic source said.

“Salehi arrived in Damascus from Amman and was received by President Bashar Assad,” the source said.

In the Jordanian capital, Iran’s top diplomat called for dialogue between the Syrian regime and “peaceful” opposition groups, warning that the impact of the conflict would affect the entire region.

Salehi’s visit comes after Israel reportedly carried out two separate attacks against Syrian sites last week.

Iran condemned those strikes and has said it is ready to train the Syrian army, which is in its third year of a conflict against rebels seeking to overthrow Assad.

Geneva Document Key To End Syria Stalemate
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/04/geneva-agreement-syria-solution.html

Most players on either side of the battlements fear such an outcome for their own reasons. But too close or literal a reading of the Geneva understandings is unnecessary if a diplomatic outcome is favored. Assad, in his January 2013 speech and former opposition president Moaz al-Khatib, as well as Tehran, have noted interest in a political dialogue. Geneva, as Kerry himself implied in his Brussels remarks, offers the only hope of a diplomatic path that leaves the country intact. Bitter and esoteric disputes about its details in this context are all but irrelevant, and even counterproductive. Argument over the precise meaning of the text not only misses this important point but also risks discrediting the creation of an effective, joint US-Russian plan and distracting attention into fruitless debates about the real intentions of Geneva’s authors. As Kerry himself acknowledged, “you have Assad and you have the opposition, and until they come to some kind of an assessment of what they’re willing to do here, this remains a very, very difficult diplomatic initiative to achieve.”

It is enough to say that a diplomatic solution entails Washington “walking back” its pre-emptive demand for Assad’s departure and Moscow’s support for the regime’s pre-eminence. Geneva is the first way station along this road, a hesitant step in a long journey that has only just begun.

Hammonda. » Blog Archiv » Arab awakening: Qatar’s controversial alliance with Arab Islamists
http://hammonda.net/?p=1548

Hammonda.
Mideast Politics, Language, Media. Popculture!
Arab awakening: Qatar’s controversial alliance with Arab Islamists

Andrew Hammond sur Qatar : excellente mise en perspective.

IRIB Poll: Rafsanjani in the Lead |
and Khatami in seconde position in #Iran

http://www.uskowioniran.com/2013/04/irib-poll-rafsanjani-in-lead.html

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), state radio and TV organization, said today its latest and most extensive national public opinion poll shows former president Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani is most popular among all actual and presumptive candidates for president in the upcoming June election.  Another former president, Ayatollah Khatami, finishes a close second in the poll, and Tehran’s mayor, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, finishes a distant third, followed by former foreign minister Ali Akbar Valayati. (IRIB, 22 April)

Secretary of State John Kerry pushes Turkey-Israel rapprochement - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/21/secretary-state-john-kerry-pushes-turkey-israel-ra

Mr. Kerry said he understood the anger and frustration of those Turks who lost friends and family in the raid. Mr. Kerry, a former Massachusetts senator, said last week’s Boston Marathon bombings made him acutely aware of the emotions involved.

Le silence pesant d’Aung San Suu Kyi face au génocide en Birmanie, et des tentatives d’explication par Muhamed Sacirbey (Former Bosnian foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ambassador-muhamed-sacirbey/aung-san-suu-kyi-silence-_b_3032958.html

#Birmanie #Myanmar #Burma

Israeli visit another sign of thaw with Turkey | Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/18/us-turkey-israel-idUSBRE93H0UH20130418

The prospect of a rapprochement has also piqued the interest of energy investors, who see potential for a radical change in the geopolitics of the eastern Mediterranean, allowing newly-discovered Israeli gas to be pumped to energy-hungry Turkey and on to other markets, undermining Russia’s supply dominance.

“Everything depends on our ties with Israel,” said a senior Turkish official, asking not to be named. “We can consider such a proposal if ties are restored. But until then, all such deals have to wait.”

As-Safir Newspaper - محمد بلوط : خلافات خليجية تحبط مخططاً قطرياً لخطف أمانة « الجامعة »
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionID=2440

خلافات خليجية تحبط مخططاً قطرياً لخطف أمانة «الجامعة»

Long article sur les déboires - pour une fois - du Qatar qui n’a pas vu ses voeux se réaliser par rapport à l’éviction de Lakhdar al-Ibrahim de sa mission onusienne, et par rapport au Secrétariat de la Ligue arabe qui semble devoir lui échapper, à la suite des dissensions dans le front uni des pays du Golfe, par rapport à la question syrienne.

UAE mission opened at NATO HQUAE
►http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_mission_opened_at_NATO_HQ/54548.htm

Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan opened the headquarters of the UAE mission at the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Friday. Nohammed Ali Al Naqbi, head of the UAE Mission at the NATO, was also present.

The UAE is the first Arab and Gulf country to have a mission at the NATO headquarters.

Les sunnites pro-régime continuent leur campagne contre l’ambassade américaine, persuadés que les Américains sont derrière les aspirations démocratiques de l’opposition chiite.

On April 9, the daily Akhbar Al-Khalij reported: "The foreign minister has answered questions by MP Abdallah al-Dusari about the truth of an invitation extended by the US Embassy to Bahrainis to participate in its newly announced programme on political change, which is part of the Democratic Leaders Programme; about whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of this, and whether it was informed by the embassy; about whether this act complies with diplomatic rules and norms; about the ministry’s action to prevent any suspicious attempts; and about whether any ambassador was ever previously warned or prevented from doing any activities other than his diplomatic duty.

Qu’ils se rassurent dans le cas du Demcoratic Leaders Programme, le gouverneent semble avoir transmis les dossiers d’inscription aux ministères les plus acquis à la cause du régime actuel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent out the US Embassy’s memorandum to the Civil Service Bureau, which, in turn, referred it to the parties concerned. The Civil Service Bureau stated that the invitation was extended to the Ministry of State for Human Rights Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, and Bahrain Institute for Political Development.

Pro-government Akhbar al khaleej

Turkey and Egypt nix NATO meet with Israel

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-and-egypt-nix-nato-meet-with-israel.aspx?PageID=238&NID=44

An initiative to bring Israel and six Arab countries’ ministers together under NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue group for the first time since 2008 has been nixed by Turkey and Egypt, who said “it was not the right time” for such a meeting.

“The general-secretary was planning to invite the foreign ministers of the Mediterranean Dialogue countries on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers meeting scheduled for April 23 but Turkey objected to the idea,” a Western diplomatic source told the Hürriyet Daily News on the condition of anonymity.

Entretien du Rai’ koweitien avec le président du Parlement bahreinien qui exprime sa vision plutot sceptique de l’utilite du dialogue : si ca ne fait pas de bien, ca ne fait pas de mal non plus.

“When asked about the obstacles that are preventing the Gulf unity, which has become a must according to the Bahraini foreign minister, Az-Zahrani said: “We all call for rapprochement between the Gulf states and all the Arab states.” And concerning the Kuwaiti situation in light of the ongoing political unrest and on whether he sees that there is need for dialogue, Az-Zahrani said “it is a positive and good thing to sit around one table and to discuss things. The dialogue won’t hurt even if it doesn’t work…” - Al-Rai al-Aam, Kuwait

Canadian FM visit to Bahrain. Building support for the monarchy?

“The Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird had encouraged Manama two days ago on carrying out the step of blacklisting Hezbollah. The Canadian foreign minister spoke at a press conference held in Manama yesterday. The conference was held by Sheikh Khaled al-Khalifa, the Bahraini foreign minister, on the occasion of Baird’s visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Baird met with King Hamad Ben Issa al-Khalifa, the Bahraini King, in addition to the Crown Prince, Salman Ben Hamad al-Khalifa. In turn, the Bahraini prime minister indicated that Canada plays an important part in the security of the Gulf since it is part of the Gulf security marine team…

“The Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird, told Asharq al-Awsat that Canada is seriously considering the threats of the Iranian nuclear program that it views as an element of threat to international security and peace. He said that his country imposed the strictest possible sanctions on Tehran in addition to severing the diplomatic relations and expelling the Iranian diplomats. Baird insisted that Canada believes that the Iranian nuclear program is not only a threat to the security and environment in the Gulf countries but also to the international security and peace. He added that Canada agrees with Bahrain and the Gulf States on that Tehran’s nuclear program is a constant threatening factor for the security of the region. He added that his country is worriedly waiting for Tehran’s project since it also represents a threat for the security of Israel.

Asharq al Awsat

Bennett to Norwegian FM: Yair Lapid is ’not too crazy’ about the two-state solution - Diplomacy & Defense - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/bennett-to-norwegian-fm-yair-lapid-is-not-too-crazy-about-the-two-state-sol

Bennett said Israel should look to improve Palestinian economy, remove checkpoints on West Bank roads, reintegrate the Palestinians into Israeli workforce and, ’if conditions allow, even to remove the separation wall.’
By Barak Ravid and Jonathan Lis

In a meeting Wednesday with the Norwegian foreign minister, Habayit Hayehudi chairman Naftali Bennett said his political ally, Finance Minister Yair Lapid, was, like himself, “not too crazy about the two-state solution” and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The industry, trade and labor minister told Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, that he supported the removal of the West Bank separation barrier.

Before meeting with Bennett, Eide met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who affirmed his commitment to his own “Bar-Ilan speech” of 2009 and the two-state principle, and said he wanted to renew the negotiations with the Palestinians soon.

However, when he met with Bennett, Eide heard messages that were 180 degrees apart from the official Israeli stance on the peace process, as reiterated by Netanyahu. According to a senior Israeli official knowledgeable about the discussion between Bennett and Eide, Bennett spoke out harshly against the idea of a Palestinian state being established between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Pas de médiation algérienne enter le Bahreïn et l’Iran

Bahrain’s foreign minister has denied reports that he had requested Algeria to mediate between his country and Iran.
“A brother does not mediate between his brother and a foreigner,” Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa was quoted as saying when he was asked about the tension between Bahrain and Iran and the chances of Manama requesting Algiers to mediate with Tehran.

A memorandum of understanding on political consultancy that will broaden coordination was signed by the two countries during the visit.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-denies-iran-mediation-request-1.1165750

Qataris stake their claim to a place at the top table of global dealmaking | World news | The Observer
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/24/qataris-take-seat-top-table-dealmaking?CMP=twt_gu

... many see much of the real power residing with Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani (known as “HBJ”), a cousin of the emir whose position is thought to stem from his support for the 1995 coup.

HBJ is prime minister and foreign minister, chief executive of the QIA, and chairman of its subsidiary Qatar Holding – said to be the emir’s personal investment vehicle in a country where personal and state wealth are blurred.

One analyst says: “The current emir is a large man who does not look in perfect health. It is not clear what HBJ’s position will be once Tamim is in charge.”

Netanyahu phones Erdogan to apologize for deaths of Turkish citizens on Gaza flotilla - Diplomacy & Defense - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-phones-erdogan-to-apologize-for-deaths-of-turkish-citizens-on-gaz

The two leaders spoke for first time since 2009; U.S. President Barack Obama releases statement shortly before boarding Air Force One to depart from Israel, welcoming the phone conversation and stressing the ’great importance’ of restoring Israel-Turkey ties.

MI6 and CIA heard Iraq had no active WMD capability ahead of invasion | World news | guardian.co.uk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/18/panorama-iraq-fresh-wmd-claims

BBC’s Panorama reveals fresh evidence that agencies dismissed intelligence from Iraqi foreign minister and spy chief

Promoting Peace, But Fueling War in Syria | Focal Points, the Blog of FPIF
http://www.fpif.org/blog/promoting_peace_but_fueling_war_in_syria

...as John Glaser of Antiwar.com observes:  “You really have to swim through a lot of cognitive dissonance to understand how the secretary of state of the world’s only empire and the foreign minister of the Middle East’s worst dictatorship can stand united on bringing democracy to Syria.” And truly, Faisal’s statement that Saudi Arabia cannot “bring [itself] to remain quiet in front of this carnage” and “morally” has “a duty to protect” these citizens seems overly saccharine for the world’s largest source of funds for Islamist militant groups.

Netanyahu reaches agreement to form government

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/netanyahu-reaches-agreement-to-form-government/2013/03/14/18beaee8-8c99-11e2-9838-d62f083ba93f_story.html