AMERICANS ARE AFRAID FOR FUTURE OF N.A.T.O.

Robert Gates pointing to Europe

(DW/WPP) - Europe should think now for NATO future, says a outgoing US Defense Secretary Robert Gates gaving a blunt assessment of America's military alliance with Europe, saying NATO faces a "dim, if not dismal" future. NATO allies also must step up their financial and political commitments to the alliance if they want to save its future, the US defense secretary said.

RUSSIA AND CHINA SHIELD SYRIA FROM U.N. SANCTIONS

By Thalif Deen

Ban Ki-moon departing Syria
(UN photo 2007)

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 10, 2011 (IPS) - A resolution inspired by Western nations critical of civilian killings in politically-beleaguered Syria is facing threats from two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China. If and when the resolution is adopted by the 15-member Council, perhaps next week, it will be diluted to avoid the customary call for economic or military sanctions against a country accused of "ruthlessly crushing" civilian protests. 

NUKES DECLINE BUT DISARMAMENT STILL A DISTANT HORIZON

By Thalif Deen

Hiroshima 1945

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 7, 2011 (IPS) - The world's eight nuclear states - the United States, Britain, Russia, France, China, India, Pakistan and Israel - collectively possess more than 20,500 nuclear weapons - a decline of over 2,000 since 2009. But more than 5,000 of these devastating weapons are deployed and ready for use, including nearly 2,000 that are kept in "a state of high operational alert". The updated figures were released Tuesday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its Yearbook 2011. Currently, the two biggest nuclear arsenals are in Russia (11,000 nuclear weapons) and the United States (8,500), followed by France (300), China (240), Britain (225), Pakistan (90-110), India (80-110) and Israel (80).

BAN KI-MOON SEEK SECOND TERM FROM 2012

By Thalif Deen

Ban Ki-moon
(Photo Luiz Rampelotto)

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 6, 2011 (IPS) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who completes his five- year term by the end of this year, offered himself "for consideration" for a second five-year term as chief administrative officer of the world body. Hours before he made the announcement Monday, Ban addressed the 53- member Asian Group, which unanimously gave its endorsement supporting the secretary-general's request.  At least 28 Asian countries, including Japan, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Qatar, openly expressed support for his candidature. The Asian Group, one of the largest regional groups at the United Nations, represents more than 60 percent of the world's population. 

ŠANSA ZA BRAMMERTZA

Erol Avdović

(Avaz - link)

Glavni tužilac Haškog tribunala Serž Bramerc (Serge Brammertz) u Vijeću sigurnosti UN-a pohvalit će vlasti u Beogradu zbog slanja Ratka Mladića u Hag, ali bez one početne euforije u hvalospjevima Borisu Tadiću. A to je dvostruko podsjećanje. Dokaz - ovaj sud UN-a vodi računa o žrtvama Mladićevih pokolja. I poručeno je da politika ne bi smjela pomirisati tamo gdje je tako čista pravda u pitanju.