Political News – Newsletter for December 4, 2010

Blair’s bodyguards questioned over bringing a rocket launcher to protect him in Gaza’

LONDON – Two members of the elite Scotland Yard unit which follows Tony Blair around the world are being investigated over claims that they bought a device for launching rockets or grenades to protect the former Prime Minister.

According to the Daily Mail, the Independent Police Complaints Commission are probing to find out details as to … Original article on : Blair’s bodyguards questioned over bringing a rocket launcher to protect him in Gaza’.

Nawaz Sharif “author of Islamic radicalism” in Afghanistan: Spanta

KABUL – Former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta is reported to have described former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as “the author of Islamic radicalism”.

A diplomatic cable released by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks quoted Spanta, as saying: “We know Sharif is bad news. He is the author of Islamic radicalism in our region.”

“Boucher agreed …. Read the original article  : here.

Let parliament function, Mukherjee appeals, but rules out JPC

KOLKATA – Union Finance Minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee Saturday appealed to the opposition to let parliament function smoothly, but ruled out a parliamentary probe into the allocation of 2G spectrum in 2008.

Even at the last moment I am appealing to them (opposition) to come back to the floor of the house. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Let parliament function, Mukherjee appeals, but rules out JPC.

Sarkozy backs India in Security Council, end to n-isolation (Second Lead)

BANGALORE – French President Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday asserted that India should get a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and called for an end to New Delhi’s nuclear isolation.

It is unthinkable that 1.1 billion people are not represented in the UNSC. India deserves a permanent seat in the Security Council, Sarkozy said, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sarkozy backs India in Security Council, end to n-isolation (Second Lead).

Pakistani premier arrives in Afghanistan

KABUL – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani arrived in Afghanistan on a two-day visit Saturday, a presidential spokesman said.

Gilani is scheduled to meet senior Afghan government officials, including President Hamid Karzai, according to Simak Herawi, the deputy presidential spokesman.
The two leaders would hold talks on boosting trade between the two countries and … Original article on : Pakistani premier arrives in Afghanistan.

Sarkozy backs India’s Security Council bid

BANGALORE – French President Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday backed India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and its fight against terrorism.

“India deserves a permanent seat in the Security Council,” Sarkozy said addressing over 500 scientists, captains of industry and students at the Indian Space Research Organisation here soon after landing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sarkozy backs India’s Security Council bid.

Zardari said Mehsud not behind Benazir’s killing: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari had dismissed a suggestion by then US Ambassador Anne Patterson that Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was responsible for Benazir Bhutto’s death, saying he was “just a pawn” in the process, according to a WikiLeaks expose.

Zardari said he was not very much interested in who the sniper was …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

ISI chief conspired against Zardari: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik had told then US ambassador Anne Patterson that it was not chief of army staff Gen. Ashfaq Kayani but ISI chief Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha who was hatching conspiracies against President Asif Ali Zardari, according to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.

The US embassy cables revealed that Malik …. Original article  : ISI chief conspired against Zardari: WikiLeaks.

Politicians, celebrities at Gadkari son’s wedding bash

NAGPUR – Several senior political leaders and celebrities descended on Nagpur for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari’s son Nikhil’s grand wedding reception.

Nikhil, 26, married Rutuja, 22, daughter of Purushottam and Shubhangi Pathak, Thursday.
However, President Pratibha Patil, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul Gandhi, opposition leader Sushma Swaraj, both the Ambani …. Read the original article  : Politicians, celebrities at Gadkari son’s wedding bash.

US told India that Zardari government was weakening: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD – US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s government was weakening, according to an expose by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks.

In a meeting with Rao Jan 18, 2010 in New Delhi, Holbrooke spoke about the evolving political landscape in Pakistan with …. Source  : US told India that Zardari government was weakening: WikiLeaks.

This is my last government job: Hillary Clinton

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton, who has been insisting amid unending speculation that she would not run for president again, is now saying that being secretary of state will be her last job in government.

“I think I’ll serve as secretary of state as my last public position,” Clinton said Friday at an event in Manama, … Read more >>>.

Denied tent in US, Gaddafi delayed n-fuel disposal

NEW YORK – Libya’s mercurial leader Col. Muammar al-Gaddafi delayed the removal of a small stockpile of nuclear fuel from the country after he was not permitted to set up a tent in Manhattan or to visit ground zero during a UN session, according to a WikiLeaks expose.

On Nov 25, 2009, a Russian cargo … Read more »».

Sarokozy, Bruni to visit Agra

AGRA – French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni will arrive at Agra’s Kheria airport around 4 p.m. Saturday and proceed straight to hotel Amar Vilas, just 600 metres from the monument of love, Taj Mahal.

This is the same hotel where former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf had stayed for the jinxed Indo-Pak …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

`Tequila Party’ fights for Hispanic community in US

Tucson (US), Dec 4 (IANS/EFE) The new “Tequila Party” in the US has ambitions to become a national political movement promoting a platform of initiatives that benefit the Hispanic community, according to one of its prime movers.

Fernando Romero, activist and president of the nonpartisan Nevada-based group Hispanics in Politics, told EFE by phone that …. Original article  : `Tequila Party’ fights for Hispanic community in US.

Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in India

BANGALORE – French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived here Saturday morning on a four-day official visit to India for expanding cooperation in defence, nuclear power, sustainable development and culture.

Accompanied by a large official-cum-business delegation and his celebrity wife Carla Bruni, 55-year-old Sarkozy landed at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) airport in the city at 10.05 … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in India.

French President Sarkozy to arrive in Bangalore

BANGALORE – French President Nicolas Sarkozy will arrive in this tech hub Saturday on a four-day official visit to India for expanding cooperation in defence, nuclear power, sustainable development and culture.

Accompanied by a large official-cum business delegation and his celebrity wife Carla Bruni, the 55-year-old Sarkozy will land at the defence behemoth’s Hindustan … Original source on Gaea Times at : French President Sarkozy to arrive in Bangalore.

Press Briefing by General Lute and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Rhodes on the President’s Visit to Afghanistan

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Location: 

Aboard Air Force One, …. Original source  : Press Briefing by General Lute and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Rhodes on the President’s Visit to Afghanistan.

Statements of Support for the U.S-Korea Trade Agreement

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Below please see statements of support for the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement from various elected officials, the business community, and advocacy groups.
Elected Officials
Representative Steny Hoyer
“I’m …. Read the original article  : Statements of Support for the U.S-Korea Trade Agreement.

Statement by the President Announcing the US-Korea Trade Agreement

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

I am very pleased that the United States and South Korea have reached agreement on a landmark trade deal that is expected to increase …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Kelvin Droegemeier, Member, National Science Board, National …. Original source  : President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts.