Ukraine:whether getting close to the EU or not?

By Vanilla Tang,

Ukrainians opposite to their President Viktor's decision which do not negotiate with the EU,but continue to improve the relations with Russia.However,the people think that it is better to get close to the European Union.So why the president still pay more attention to the relations with Russia?

Dating back to the history of Russia and Ukraine,they have similar history and their economics are related.The president also plans to change his policy in the future to corperate with the EU.But,he was worried that now it is not a proper opportunity to get rid of Russia suddenly.In addition,in recent five years,Ukraine's economic recession makes it depend more on import from Russia.For Ukraine's future,obviously,the EU has a dominant role and can help Ukraine become more promising.If the conditions can be accepted,Ukraine will consider to get an agreement in terms of EU criteria.Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko · began an indefinite hunger strike to force the Ukrainian government to sign a historic trade agreement with the EU.Her release from the jail is a key condition for Europe and Ukraine signing the trade agreements.But this condition was denied by the EU.She persuaded people to give up the Prerequisites

Russia still can give favor to Ukraine with respect to gas and energy.It seems that Ukraine lost the chance to get closer to the EU,but in the future,it will have another opportunity.

In my point of view,Russia and Ukraine has the same background,so it is not easy for Ukraine to get rid of some limitation from Russia.But,Ukraine still has opportunity to get the benefit from the EU if both of them are satisfied with the agreement.But it's a bad thing to Russia.Russia does not want Ukraine to join the EU, so that the basic EU and Russia formed a semi-Lo encircling, on Russia who will feel certainly unhappy.Economically, Ukraine grounds on their own advantages so long to join the EU energy issues.It will have negative influence on Russian energy exports.

Afghanistan and the US are playing tennis

by Corentin

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan President has refused to sign a security deal with the US. They will probably leave the country next year.

The reason why Karzai disagreed with the deal are the Americans raids on Afghan homes. Furthermore, they ask to give back them detainees from Guantanamo.

This problem raises an issue, what must the US or NATO do? Do they have to stay or or to leave? The threat from Taliban is always here. The decision will be probably taken in 2014, after the Afghan election.

But Karzai asked the US some compensations. He wants Americans stop to kill Afghan, he wants the US send back Afghan detainees and finally he wants the US don't support any candidate in the election.
And now how he said, the ball is in the American court.



http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/26/karzai-lays-out-conditionsforhissignatureonussecuritypact.html

Somali pirates convicted of attacking Spanish warship by Ryosuke

These days, piracy around the sea near Somalia happen a lot of time, and it is said that it is related to the circumstance in this country. Somalia has no actual government because it collapsed in 1991 when the civil war started; thus, the situation of this country is chaos. One of cases of piracy is about this article, which is that somali pirates were captured because they attacked a Spanish ship and fired toward the ship. The purpose of piracy is basically money because it is difficult for Somali to earn and lead satisfactory life. As for piracy, UN issued a report that says pirate attacks were at the lowest level because security became stricter. However, it is reported that the amount of money that Somali earned from piracy is approximately 40 million dollars. This issue is obviously an international problem, and it needs to solved with other countries' cooperation.

http:www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24751027

Israelis hard-nosed about Iran nuclear talks

By Lynn

Israelis hard-nosed about Iran nuclear talks

Israel's prime minister Bejamin Netanyahu has said a lot to suppress Iran's nuclear program in Geneva even though Israel may not be part of the talks.

Netanyahu warned the world powers negociating with Tehran not to surrender to the Iran's offense.
He said he wanted to end to all uranium enrichment in Iran and removal of all uranium stockpiles from the country. It demands demolition of the Iran's most sophiscated technology and stopping of plutonium enrichment.

If there is an agreement between Iran and the US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany, it will most likely not meet those demands.

Iran already has agreed to halt advances in its nuclear program and submot to regular inspections, in return for some sanctions relief.

Israeli leader may frustrate the White House by utterly rejecting the deal, but he has some support in Congress and lots more at home. Over 2/3 of Israelis support their prime minister's criticism.


Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/21/21560885-israelis-hard-nosed-about-iran-nuclear-talks?lite

Russia in the Middle East

By Vanilla Tang

Recently,Russia paid more attention to the events in the Middle East.The activities of the U.S in Iraq and Libya cause these Russia's critical partners not easily to cooperate with Russia in fields of energy and arms sales.It may promote the US-Russian relations in some conflicts in problem of Syria and the Iran nuclear,even though for U.S there is no possible to stop Russia's intervention of the Middle East.Learnt from the recent news,Russia has offered Egypt some modern helicopters and help build air defense systems.These millitary aids are worth 2 million dollars.The transaction between Russia and Egypt refers to set up Russian navel bases in the Mediterranean. Russia also devotes itself to getting closer to Israel and selling weapons to Iraq.

We may think that Russia is preparing to return to the Middle East political affairs in the Middle East to reject the power of U.S. But in fact, Russia's approach is nothing more than a continuation of its past policy which is to avoid directly conflicting with the United States while their own forces have a chance to penetrate into the Middle East. In the past 10 years, Russia has identified several Middle Eastern countries with the complex foreign policy, such as Iran, Syria, Libya. And it also tried to provide a guarantee to Western countries: Russia has the ability to resolve the Middle East crisis, as long as Western countries to make more concessions to Russia, especially in economic. Meanwhile, Russia also pretend to put much pressure on the United States, in the front of  some Middle East countries like Iran and Syria.


http://www.thenation.com/blog/177239/russia-middle-east

Courtroom Cages Remain Common

by Lucy

Dmitrichenko, the star dancer charged with arranging an acid attack, is innocent until proven guilty. When Mr. Dmitrichenko was in court,he was locked in an iron cage and was guarded by security officers and sometimes, by a nasty-looking dog.

 In Cairo,a similar event happened this month. The Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, was corralled with other defendants in a metal cage. It was his first public appearance in four months. Mr. Morsi was defiant, refusing to wear the prison-issued white track suit. He demanded a microphone to speak from the pen and denounced the trial as illegitimate.

The way defendants are portrayed in court can influence judges, juries and global public options. Clever defendants like Mr. Morsi can also influence perception by turning the cage to their advantage.And he may use it to heighten the sense of an overly aggressive, politically motivated prosecution.

 A law professor at the London School of Economics says “As soon as you put somebody in a cage, you begin to make the process part of the punishment.” The European Court of Human Rights has issued several rulings criticizing the use of locked docks as degrading or inhumane. But the rulings did not bar docks entirely as a rights violation. Although there has been little research on the potential influence of locked docks on the verdicts reached by judges or juries, experts argue that defendants are clearly put at a disadvantage.

Reference:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/world/europe/courtroom-cages-remain-common-despite-criticism.html?ref=world&_r=0

International Comission Against Death Penalty by Ryosuke

There is an organization whose name is ICDP (International Comission Against Death Penalty), which objective is to abolish the number of death penalty all over the world. Death penalty is being discussed whether it should be abolished or not in the world. This organization claims that death penalty should be abolished because of following reasons. At first, there is a possibility that innocent people are killed. Even though judicial system develop, judges are people, which means that since people make a dicision, some failures will occur unintentionally. Second, this organization claims that existing death penalty violates human rights and human dignity. They say that death penalty degrades our existence as human. Also, it is being discussed whether death penalty is effective to reduce crimes by many professionals of legislation. Those professionals state that even though there is death penalty, a number of cruel cases still happen; thus, according to them, it seems that death penalty is not effective. Their work is besically having a conference and make a report. In my opinion, death penalty is not effective because in my country, death penalty is only applied to very cruel cases as a murder of more than 2 or 3 people. I think that people who commit very cruel crimes don't care about laws because they tend to have resentment against something; thus, we can abolish death penalty if it is not strictly applied to many cases, but I think we should broaden the extent of application to many cruel cases.

Source: http://www.icomdp.org/arguments-against-the-death-penalty/

Japan backtracks on emissions levels

By Effie


   On 15 November in Warsaw, the Japanese government announced to the media to slash its greenhouse gas reduction target after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. It will cut 3.8% of greenhouse gases over 2005 levels by 2020.

   Before, Japan was committed to reduce emissions by 25% from 1990 levels. However, the new target represents a 3% rise over 1990s emissions levels.

    The European Union "expressed disappointment", while Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said it was "deeply disappointing". China regarded the announcement as a “backward movement”.

    Japan's decision, announced in the wake of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines, led to wide criticism. Its dramatic backward movement makes those developing countries that are struggling with climate changes being derided.

  “I want to assure you my country is still ambitious on climate change.” The Japanese diplomat still tried to stress its ambition for future.

   As a third largest economic entity, Japan should take concerted action with State for Energy and Climate Change, reducing greenhouse gas. Lowering energy consumption and reducing pollutant discharge is a common goal. The pollution is caused by Japan itself, which cannot be used as an excuse being indolent.

Resource:
1.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24952155
2.http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-11-16/news/44138189_1_emission-reduction-reduction-target-fukushima

Typhoon Haiyan: Philippines president says death toll could be far lower than worst estimates

By Lynn

Typhoon Haiyan: Philippines president says death toll could be far lower than worst estimates

Typhoon Haiyan blew across the Pacific archipelago. The wind was more powerful than Hurricane Katrina. Nearly 2600 people have been injured from the storm and the death toll will probably be 2,000 to 2,500. It is far lower than the earlier estimate of 10,000. The president of Philippines said the earlier figures might have been influenced by "emotional drama".

Much of the aid is being sent to Manila which is the disaster zone. Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy said the rest of the world needs to get mobilized. The U.S. has sent the aircraft carrier which carries 5,000 sailors and 80 aircraft, and 3 U.S. Navy warships. U.S. will also provide $20 million to help in relief efforts. The U.N. released $25 million for aid relief from the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund.

The mayor of lloilo City said the storm "flattened" about 80% of the northern province. Buildings, churches, hospitals, and roads have all been destroyed. It makes hard to deliver food, medicine and other basic needs.


Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/12/21417940-typhoon-haiyan-philippines-president-says-death-toll-could-be-far-lower-than-worst-estimates?lite

China to Ease Longtime Policy of 1-Child Limit

 by Elaine

The Chinese government will ease its one-child family restrictions and abolish “re-education through labor” camps.

  The changes were announced in a party decision that also laid out broad and potentially far-reaching proposals to restructure the economy by encouraging greater private participation in finance, vowing market competition in several important parts of the economy, and promising farmers better property protection and compensation for confiscated land.

“We must certainly have the courage and conviction to renew ourselves,” he said in a statement accompanying the decision. Both were issued by the official news agency, Xinhua.

  For decades, most urban couples have been restricted to having one child. That has been changing fitfully, with rules on the books that couples can have two children if both parents are single children. But that policy will now be further relaxed nationwide. Many rural couples already have two children, and some have more.

  If the new policy carried through, the relaxation would be the first significant nationwide easing of family size restrictions that have been in place since the 1970s.

The one-child restrictions were introduced to deal with official fears that China’s population would devour too many resources and suffocate growth. But they have created public ire and international criticism over forced abortions, and have created a population of 1.34 billion, according to a 2010 census, that is aging relatively rapidly, even before China establishes a firm foothold in prosperity. Experts have for years urged some relaxation of the controls.

The party leaders also confirmed an announcement made earlier this year, and then abruptly retracted, that they intend to abolish re-education through labor, which since the 1950s has empowered police authorities to imprison people without any real judicial review. Experts and officials have debated whether to adjust or abolish the system of camps since the 1980s. Now abolition is closer.

Re-education through labor was introduced under Mao Zedong to lock away those considered political opponents, and it expanded into a system of incarceration holding more than 100,000 people, many of them working in prison factories and on farms. Sentences are determined by the police, and defendants have scant chance to appeal imprisonment that can last up to four years.

Resources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/asia/china-to-loosen-its-one-child-policy.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&hp

One week after Haiyan, it begins to be (a bit) better

by Corentin

     One week after typhoon Haiyan, aid is starting to arrive in the Philippines. However it will take a long time to repair this week of wait. People who survived, had almost no food and water during one week, they also will need time to recover a good health.
     Today in the city of Tacloban, victims of the disaster were waiting for help. A boy said, he was here because he has nothing to eat, but nothing happened. They hopped Navy give them what they need. But at noon, it was clear, nothing will come today. There, people are very desperate.
    Confirmed dead increased to 3621, but this figure will raise in next days.
Americans helped the first province which was destroyed, in Tacloban and Guiuan. They brought supplies to local population from an aircraft carrier. They are helping also to search missing people.
     According to Mar Roxas, the interior secretary of the Philippines, in a situation like that, not matter how fast help come, it's always too slow.
     Furthermore, destroyed roads and lack of gasoline caused a slowing down in the supply of provisions.

No matter where disaster takes place, it's always like that. Poor people loose everything, and very kind western countries (especially the US because they are always everywhere before the disaster happens) come to help them. Why do they act always after disasters and (almost) never before disasters? Maybe because of the cost, which will be higher.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/11/15/245365690/wait-continues-in-the-philippines-we-have-nothing-to-eat

Talks 'getting close' to deal with Iran on nuclear program

By Vanilla Tang

The U.S Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry recently said,it will be getting close to reach an agreement on Iran nuclear program.The different opinions of each country may not prohibit this agreement.

Countries so called P5+1 ,including five permanent members of the U.N.Security Council and Germany, negotiated with Iran last week in Geneva Conference.This conference lasted three days.Unfortunately, there was no progress on the agreement of Iran on nuclear program.Each country's diplomatists will arrange another meeting on November20.

It is almost 35 years that the United States and Iran have no dialogue with each other.They need some events to resolve their differences.

Iran said that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, but world powers suspect that Iran is seeking a way to develop more nuclear weapons.Obama announced that if the agreement is made a deal that Iran stops to march towards  nuclear weapons, the economic penalties will not be happened. "If it turns out six months from now that they're not serious" about the agreement, "we can dial those sanctions right back up," Obama said, noting that the economic penalties have hurt Iran's economy.

Meanwhile, Iran and the IAEA on the country's nuclear program  reached an agreement. This agreement is benefit for the United Nations inspectors in Iran paving the way to have better access to  two key nuclear facilities.

Some experts believe that progress between Iran and the IAEA is the country's negotiations with major powers critical parallel lines.

In my perspective,most people are opposed to the existence of nuclear weapons.The fulfillment of this agreement may be good.However,some countries always suspect that some other countries have nuclear plan to threaten the safety of world.Something maybe true,while something maybe overstated.If we expect others to trust us,we also must learn to trust others first.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/15/world/meast/iran-nuclear-deal/index.html#disqus_thread

How Internet freedom continues to slide Summary

by Bahareh

How Internet freedom continues to slide Summary

            Recent revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, regarding the U.S.’s secret surveillance activities, made news around the globe, but countries all over the world have been increasing their monitoring and censoring of internet activity. A new Freedom House study, which tracked internet censorship in 60 countries, showed internet freedom has been on a steady decline for the past 3 years.

            The most restrictive countries have been Iran, China, and Cuba. Iran and China have consistently used more advanced technology to monitor and block internet content, which has led to more and more arrests of users posting dissenting opinions online. Cuba requires permits for users to access the global internet, and these passes are only given to a very few select citizens; usually only employees of the government or employees of select professions.

            Even democratic countries have been constantly increasing internet monitoring and censorship over the past year. India has been blocking more and more websites, the U.S. has increased its monitoring of internet content and data, and Brazil has increased its restrictions on online speech, mostly related to the country’s political system.

            Overall most countries have been increasing their internet monitoring and restrictions over the past year. 35 of the 60 countries studied by Freedom House have either passed laws allowing more government monitoring authority or upgraded their government internet surveillance technology. This is particularly concerning to authoritarian countries such as Russia and Sudan; these countries use the government surveillance to track down human rights activists and dissidents.

            Along with more surveillance, numerous governments are passing more laws to control who can say what online; until recently many countries did not have any internet specific laws. Gambia and the United Arab Emirates have both recently passed laws allowing the government to jail any individuals that express anti government views online.

            Although many of the new laws and restrictions are meant to target political activists, an increasing number of ordinary users are running into legal troubles simply for posting opinions and jokes online. Numerous users, merely posting complaints on Facebook have been arrested, and in once case a woman in Mumbai was arrested for simply liking a post.

            With more and more countries looking to pass laws regulating the internet use, the next few years will be critical for the future of the internet. Supporters of internet freedom must act quickly to ensure the new laws are in guidance with our basic human rights of privacy, freedom of expression, and assembly. At the current rate the next generation of internet users may be facing a much more restrictive and censored network.

Source: http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/08/how-internet-freedom-continues-to-slide/ 

Terrorist Attacks 9/11 by Ryosuke

In 2011, on September 11, terrorists attacked two buildings in New York, which was the World Trade Center by using hijacked airplanes. The casualty of this incident is approximately 3,000. The World Trade Center played an important role in the global world, so the effect of this terrorism influenced nor only in the U.S. but also other countries in the world. US government identified some countries as sponsers of terrorism, which are Saudi Arabia, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Iran. At that time, George Bush warned that countries that were involving and helping this terrorism would be seen as hostile regime. Also, UN acted against this terrorism, having been influenced by the U.S. that had terrorism in the country. Finally, UN led the solution, which is UN Security Council Resolution 1373. The resolution required 3 imposes on menber countries, which were (a) prevent and control the financing of terrorism; (b) criminalize collection of terrorist funds in state territory; (c) freeze assets of people who terrorize or plan to terrorize. To deal with problems of terrorisms, it is required that they make laws to prevent terrorisms, such as a law that stops suspicious money which is likely to be related to a terrorism.

Rejected Seat on U.N. Panel Is Considered by Saudi Arabia

By Vanilla Tang,

Due to the outrage to the United States,Saudi Arabia refused the nonpermanent United Nations Security Council seat. This seat was offered to keep two-year terms starting in January. The Saudis was one of five new candidates and had been elected a day earlier.Other four countries include Chad,Chile, Lithuania and Nigeria. It is a first country who refused the 10 nonpermanent Council seats. As we known,five permanent seats are held by Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.the These seats including the nonpermanent seats and permanent seats are all the most powerful and critical parts in the United Nations. 

 

The Saudi Arabia feel really unhappy over American policy in the Middle East especially in the Syrian conflict and the move toward rapprochement with Iran and their decision only can be ordered by King Abdullah. 

 

King Abdullah also was upset to American criticism of the Egyptian military takeover in July that overturn first Islamist freely elected president Mohamed Morsiand and American did not do their best to make the Israeli-Palestinian peace process better. 

 

Secretary of U.S John Kerry visited Saudi Arabia on Monday, seeking to improve the relationship between the Obama's government and Saudi Aradia about the problem of Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is one of few countries who dare to act against the United States.But I am confused that if this protest behavior will help solve some problems in the Middle East and prevent U.S government to intervene these affairs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/world/middleeast/rejected-seat-on-un-panel-is-considered-by-jordan.html?ref=todayspaper

India launched first mission to Mars

By Lynn

India launched first mission to Mars

 

 

On Tuesday, India launched its first spacecraft, Mangalyaan, which means "Mars craft" in Hindi, cound for Mars.

Many of people watched the rocket launching  from the east-coast island of Sriharikota on live TV.
India will become the 4th nation to visit Mars after the Soviet Union, the United States, and Europe if the mission is successful.

The Mangalyaan will travel 485 million miles over 300 days to reach an orbit around Mars next September. It will gather images and data that will help understand weather system and in Mars and whether there is water in Mars or not. It will also search for methane, a key chemical in life process.

Some have questioned the $1 billion space program in India where 1.2 billion people are still dealing with widespread hunger and poverty. However, the goverment defended the space mission by noting its importance in providing high-tech jobs for scientist and egineers and practical applications in solving probelms on Earth.
Raghu Kalra of the Amateur Astronomers Association Delhi said these missions are important because theu will give Indians happiness and bragging rights. He also said that even a poor person will feel a sense of pride for his country and will want to make it a better place for the fact that his country is sending a mission to Mars.

I agree with Kalra's idea. The missions cost a lot and it seems that there is no direct benefit for commom people. However, it would bring possitive atmosphere to the people in the country. The technology can also solve everyday problems like weather forecasting in the near future.



Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/05/india-mars-mission/3440267/

Obama's No-Show in Asia a Boost for China summary

By Bahareh

Obama's No-Show in Asia a Boost for China summary

Barack Obama’s decision to cancel his planned trip to Asia, due to the partial government shutdown, is another setback in the administrations pledge to strengthen the foreign policy in the Pacific region of the world. By canceling the trip it allows China, and their new leader Xi Jinping, to further strengthen their influence in this part of the world.  Obama will miss two Asian Summits; this is the third time since 2010 Obama has canceled trips due to domestic political crises. Secretary of State Jon Kerry will attend in his place.

                The White house felt it was important to cancel the trip to allow the President to stay in Washington and assist in ending the Government shutdown. Obama’s foreign policy still seems to shift heavily towards the Middle East portion of Asia and not the Pacific.  The current administration had made a vow to assert itself more in the Pacific region, by expanding diplomatic relations and strengthening economic ties, but the constant economic budget strains have hampered their plans.

                This situation is very helpful for China, who is rapidly improving their military and regional influence. Their leader, Xi Jinping, has been visiting multiple counties in the Pacific region, in order to improve China’s aggressive and territorial reputation, which has strained their ties with the Southeast Asia region. With the President not making an appearance it allows Xi to be a larger presence, and shows that the American government is currently not very functional.

                The White House press secretary Jay Carney did acknowledge the canceled trip and government shut down is setting back the ability to create jobs, and advance and interests in the largest emerging region in the world, but also the President will continue to push the foreign policy towards the Pacific region.

                This week Xi Jinping was welcomed by Indonesia lawmaker, where he called for greater cooperation between the two countries, and also signed economic deal worth billions of dollars. Xi also met with the leaders of Malaysia, and agreed to boost military cooperation and training to fight crime and terrorism in the region.

Source:  http://www.passfail.com/news/google/obamas-no-show-in-asia-a-boost-for-china-abc-news/obamas-no-show-in-asia-a-boost-for-china-abc-news-11518781.htm 

India's Mars probe aims to steal technological star status from China

by Lucy

On this Tuesday at 2.46pm local time, India will launch a rocket heading for Mars. This  mission  aims not just to gather information about the existence of creature on Mars nor simply to showcase Indian technology, but to steal an interplanetary march on its regional rival, China.

"In the last century the space race meant the US against the Soviets. In the 21st century it means India against China," said Pallava Bagla, one of India's best known science commentators. "There is a lot of national pride involved in this."

It is India's first attempt to reach the Mars. However, the huge expenditure is controversial. People doubt that the country where more than 40% of children are malnourished and half the population have no toilets, can afford the mission.

Indian government claims that for a government beset by charges of corruption and mismanagement, the Mars mission is one way to repair its battered image.

As is known to all, India is famous for its information technology. And  I think improving the country’s economy by developing science and technology is not a bad idea. Indian government may want  to increase its international status by Mars mission.  But I could not understand  why India showed  its purpose of  stealing  technological star status from China so openly. Now, I am curious about Chinese government’s response and other countries’  opinions about it.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/04/india-mars-probe-launch-space

Problems between two North Korean nuclear program opponents

by Corentin

Although Asian countries should work together against the nuclear program in North Korea, international relations are not the best between South Korea and Japan, two of the most powerful Asian countries.

According to the South Korea president, Park Geun-hye, a summit with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, would be useless. The reason of this opinion is the Japanese refusal to admit and apologize for what they did. During the first half of the 20^th century, Japan colonized South Korea and treated very bad. Women worked as “comfort women”.

It’s why Park said it could be better to do not have a summit with Japan. If Japan keeps the same opinion about the history of the two countries, without excuses or resolutions, debates between them will stay difficult.

Recently, the US tried to help them to speak together, but without real progress.

The next hope to see better relations between them is the six-party talks, where they are both participants.

Last week, Park said she is open to a summit with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/04/national/southkorean-president-says-japan-summit-would-be-pointless/#.Unc1cfkz2So

Destorying chemical weapons did not mean the end of Syria conflict

 

By Effie

                 Destorying chemical weapons did not mean the end of Syria conflict

According to the Joint Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the government of the Syrian Arab Republic has destroyed all the chemical weapons production and mixing/filling equipment on October 31, meeting the deadline set by the OPCW.

  The Joint OPCW-UN Mission has inspected 21 of the 23 sites in Syria, Due to safety and security concerns, there are two sites remained not to visited. But Syria declared that those sites are abandoned and they moved those chemical weapons to other declared sites, which were inspected.
Syria is believed to possess more than 1,000 tonnes of chemical agents and and 290 tonnes of chemical weapons. Now, the Joint OPCW-UN Mission is satisfied with what Syria has done. November 15 will be the next landmark of the mission, by which time the Executive Council must approve a detailed plan of destruction submitted by Syria to eliminate its stockpile of chemical weapons.

During two-and-a-half years, more than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria conflict. For different interests, a flow of various foreign forces into Syria, which made the situation more complicated.Threatened by US military action, the Syrian government agreed to join the OPCW and give up all its chemical weapons in September. Though Syria completed the mission, the war is not over. The UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria has told the BBC he is not sure the country's peace talks will take place as planned in three weeks' time. The destruction only gives Syria the chance to regain its reputation. It means that Syria conflict will last, and peace will take a lone time to be restored in this country.


Resource:
1.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24754460
2.http://www.opcw.org/news/article/syria-completes-destruction-activities-to-render-inoperable-chemical-weapons-production-facilities-a/