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200 former U.S. diplomats endorse Obama
"We are supporting Senator Barack Obama because of his judgment, experience, and ability to inspire people to come together around a common purpose," the letter said. "Senator Obama's talents offer an historic opportunity; for the sake of America's security and standing in the world, we must seize it." "We are supporting Senator Barack Obama because of his judgment, experience, and ability to inspire people to come together aroun... more
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WWII diplomat proposed England and Nazis split world
LONDON, England (AP) -- An amateur diplomat alarmed British officials during World War II by proposing that Germany and Britain divide the world between them, according to records released Sunday.
James Lonsdale-Bryans, a fascist sympathizer, traveled to Italy early in the war to meet the German ambassador, Ulrich von Hassell.
"It would appear that Bryans may be taking part in unofficial discussions," said a Secret Service memo released by the National Archives.
"Bryans' idea is that the world ought to be divided into two parts. That Germany should be given a free hand in Europe and that the British Empire should run the rest of the world.
"I am not sure that this is a very desirable point of view to publish at the present time."
The records show that Bryans had been in touch with Britain's Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax, and the Secret Service was unsure how much backing Lonsdale-Bryans may have had from the Foreign Office.
"Bryans is a talkative and indiscreet fellow who is in possession of a story which he delights in telling and which if told publicly would be likely to cause embarrassment to the Foreign Office," one memo said.
Lonsdale-Bryans also tried to discuss his plans with American officials including Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, prompting British officials to tell the Americans that Lonsdale-Bryans was "unreliable though not disloyal."
Despite whatever embarrassment Lonsdale-Bryans may have caused, British officials did not move against him.
"Although there seems to be a good deal to be said for locking him up to prevent him airing his views to all and sundry, I understand that if this is done it will inevitably involve his bringing up the question of his contacts with the Foreign Office and the facilities afforded him to go to Italy," said a letter from an official in the Foreign Office.
Other previously secret records released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that British spies considered using carrier pigeons to spread misinformation among the Germans before the D-Day landings in 1944.
The Secret Service devised a plan to drop pigeons behind enemy lines in France carrying false information about the location of the landings.
The files show that the Allies dropped thousands of homing pigeons into occupied France by parachute during the war, carrying questionnaires to be filled with information that could help the Allied cause. Only 10 percent of the birds returned, leading officials to conclude many had fallen into German hands.
"It occurs to me that this is a possible means of putting deception over to the enemy by the careful framing of the questionnaires, as presumably the Germans must, if they capture some of these birds, take notice of the type of question which is being asked," wrote an official identified as Lt. Col. Robertson in a letter to intelligence staff.
Christopher Andrew, the official historian of the Security Service, said the D-Day pigeon plan was considered but never carried out. LONDON, England (AP) -- An amateur diplomat alarmed British officials during World War II by proposing that Germany and Britain divide... more -
Diplomats Barred From Obama’s Berlin Speech, But Not McCain’s In Ottawa
The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Embassy in Berlin “instructed Foreign Service personnel stationed there not to attend Sen. Barack Obama’s [D-IL] public rally” in Tiergarten Park because the event is “‘partisan political activity‘ prohibited under its regulations for those serving overseas.”
The diplomats’ union objected to the ruling, calling it an “unnecessarily narrow interpretation” of the Foreign Affairs Manual. “The fact that you are working for the U.S. government overseas should not preclude political activity that you could engage in in the United States,” one retired senior Foreign Service officer said. But a State official explained the ruling:
But “we always maintain that no U.S. government Foreign Service person overseas should be seen to be advocating one side or the other,” State Department Undersecretary for Management Patrick Kennedy said, adding that “it has nothing to do with who” the candidate is.
“When a German sees you there, they’re not going to think, ‘Oh, he or she is on their off time.’ It’s ‘Oh, they are a Democrat, a Republican, an independent,’ God knows what,” Kennedy said in an interview.
But the ruling — which Kennedy admitted is unprecedented — appears to indicate a double standard from the State Department. Last June, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) delivered a speech to the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa. The event was reportedly organized in part by U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins, whom President Bush appointed in 2005. But more than that, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa confirmed to ThinkProgress that Wilkins also attended the event.
Not only did McCain make clear references to and critiques of Obama’s policy positions in the speech, but he also referred to his own presidential campaign six times.
Although both the McCain and Obama campaigns denied their respective speeches in Ottawa and Berlin were political, the State Department only prohibited diplomats from attending Obama’s event. The fact that Wilkins attended McCain’s speech without worries that he would “be seen to be advocating one side or the other,” undermines Kennedy’s justification for barring Foreign Service personnel from attending Obama’s speech. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Embassy in Berlin “instructed Foreign Service personnel stationed there not to attend Sen. ... more -
2nd Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Part 1 with The Cultural Diplomat
The Cultural Diplomat caught up with Gena Rowlands, Tex Pardue and the Los Angeles Consul General of Greece at the closing night gala of the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. This great film festival, already in its' second year has proven to be a major cultural force in Los Angeles. To find out more please visit lagreekfilmfestival.org and greektourism.com The Cultural Diplomat caught up with Gena Rowlands, Tex Pardue and the Los Angeles Consul General of Greece at the closing night gala ... more
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Design Around The World and The Cultural Diplomat
The Cultural Diplomat speaks with Antoine Roset of Ligne Roset and Frances Anderton of Dwell about the role of designers in today's rapidly changing world. This exclusive event was held at Ligne Roset Design in Los Angeles. To find out more, please visit, ligne-roset-usa.com and dwell.com The Cultural Diplomat speaks with Antoine Roset of Ligne Roset and Frances Anderton of Dwell about the role of designers in today... more
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UAE may be first Arab nation to restore full ties with Iraq
The United Arab Emirates is expected to soon name an ambassador to Iraq and could open an embassy in the war-ravaged nation, Iraqi officials said Thursday.
The move would make UAE the first Arab nation to re-establish full diplomatic relations with Iraq since an Egyptian ambassador was killed there in 2005. Shiite-dominated Iraq has been working to strengthen ties with the Sunni-led Arab world.
The visit by United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan took place as the U.S. and other nations urge Arab countries to deploy ambassadors to Iraq, reopen embassies and forge closer relationships with the post-Saddam Hussein government.
Though the UAE will name an ambassador in coming days, according to Iraqi officials, it may take several months to send the envoy to Baghdad because of security and logistical concerns. The United Arab Emirates is expected to soon name an ambassador to Iraq and could open an embassy in the war-ravaged nation, Iraqi off... more -
Zimbabwe halts opposition rallies
Zimbabwe's authorities have stopped opposition presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai from campaigning for the 27 June election.
The order banning "several future rallies" came after police briefly detained Mr Tsvangirai ahead of a rally in the second-largest city of Bulawayo.
The length or extent of the ban, which cites security fears, is not yet clear.
It comes soon after the government banned food aid distribution, saying agencies were helping the opposition. Zimbabwe's authorities have stopped opposition presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai from campaigning for the 27 June election... more -
Zimbabwe suspends aid operations
Zimbabwe's government has indefinitely suspended all field work by aid groups and non-governmental organisations.
Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche accused several of "breaching the terms and conditions of their registration", in a written notice sent to the groups.
Earlier, police detained a group of US and UK diplomats for several hours as they investigated political violence there, US ambassador James McGee said.
The US and UK demanded an explanation for the "unjust and outrageous" move.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And Mugabe does this to his people as he stands before the summit and blames the West for all of his economic woe's. Zimbabwe's government has indefinitely suspended all field work by aid groups and non-governmental organisations. ... more -
U.S. and British Diplomats held by Zimbabwe police
"Zimbabwean police detained U.S. and British diplomats on Thursday, slashing the tires of their cars after they visited victims of political violence ahead of a presidential election run-off, the U.S. embassy said.
The U.S. ambassador blamed the attack on President Robert Mugabe's government.
Former colonial power Britain and the United States accuse Mugabe of a campaign of violence and intimidation against supporters of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the run-up to the vote.
The attack took place in Bindura, 80 km (50 miles) north of Harare, a U.S. embassy spokesman said.
"Police put up a roadblock, stopped the vehicles, slashed the tires, reached in and grabbed telephones from my personnel, and the war veterans (Mugabe's supporters) threatened to burn the vehicles with my people inside unless they got out and accompanied police to a station nearby," U.S. Ambassador James McGee said in an interview on CNN.
"We do believe this is coming directly from the top," he said.
Tsvangirai beat Mugabe in a March 29 presidential election but failed to win enough votes to avoid a second round.
The opposition says 65 people have been killed since the first round of voting by supporters of Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party who want to extend his 28-year rule. Mugabe blames the opposition for the violence.
Tsvangirai was detained for nine hours on Wednesday but continued his campaign on Thursday.
South Africa said it planned to begin sending election observers to Zimbabwe this week as part of a larger mission sent by the Southern African Development Community, adding that it was essential that the election be fair and transparent.
Simba Makoni, the ruling party defector who came third in the first round called on Thursday for the run-off to be scrapped to prevent further bloodshed.
Makoni won over 8 percent and those who voted for him could be crucial in deciding the contest.
In an indicator of Zimbabwe's rapid economic decline, its dollar currency plunged to a new low of between 995 million and 1.45 billion to the greenback on Thursday from an average 700 million at the beginning of the week." "Zimbabwean police detained U.S. and British diplomats on Thursday, slashing the tires of their cars after they visited victims o... more -
Zimbabwe attackers hold British and US diplomats
"British and American diplomats were attacked today as they tried to investigate political violence in Zimbabwe. US embassy spokesman Paul Engelstad added that five Americans, four Britons and two Zimbabweans were still being held five hours after they and others in their group were stopped at a roadblock in a rural area north of the capital, Harare.
The US ambassador is pressing Zimbabwean officials to release them.
The attackers beat up a US embassy staff member and slashed the tyres of some cars in the convoy. The group had travelled to a 'safe house' outside Harare to meet opposition party activists who claimed they had been tortured, when police arrived and Zanu-PF officials arrived.
The British party reportedly made a break for their vehicle and rammed a Zanu-PF car to escape the compound.
A group of Americans who also escaped, drove over metal spikes laid across the track, bursting the tyres, and drove 30 miles on the wheel rims until they reached safety. Another group of Americans remained held at gunpoint." "British and American diplomats were attacked today as they tried to investigate political violence in Zimbabwe. US embassy spok... more -
Israeli Settlers Attack US Diplomatic Convoy
"The American bodyguards of a Bush administration envoy who was dispatched to the region to monitor the implementation of the road map engaged in a violent confrontation with right-wing Israelis who sought to disturb a visit to Hebron on Friday, Israel Radio reported.
One of the rightists is reported to have driven his jeep into the convoy accompanying General William Fraser. Subsequently, one of the vehicles in the convoy heavily collided with the jeep, according to Israel Radio.
A fracas ensued between the guards and the rightists before the Americans decided to cut the visit short, Israel Radio reported." "The American bodyguards of a Bush administration envoy who was dispatched to the region to monitor the implementation of the roa... more -
Rice: I’m ‘offended’ by diplomats who don’t want to serve in Iraq
Today, the AP reports that U.S. foreign service officers may face compulsory duty in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers:
[T]he State Department is warning diplomats they may be forced to serve in Iraq next year and will soon identify prime candidates for upcoming vacancies in Baghdad and outlying provinces.
A cable sent to all foreign service officers says the department is facing a looming crisis to fill about 300 jobs that will come open in 2009 in Iraq and that it may not get enough qualified volunteers. If it doesn’t, the department will begin selecting diplomats for compulsory duty.
Similarly, last fall, the State Department came under intense criticism for its plan to make approximately 48 diplomats to take forced assignments to Iraq. It eventually dropped the plan when the spots were filled with volunteers.
The State Department’s “looming crisis” stands in stark contrast to statements made by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, during which she took umbrage at the suggestion that foreign service officers don’t want to serve in Iraq. She said that comments by diplomats who protested the forced assignments last fall were “offen[sive]” and “cast a very bad light on the foreign service.” Watch it: Today, the AP reports that U.S. foreign service officers may face compulsory duty in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers: ... more -
FAQ commentary on a Nepalese Women Leader
Newly appointed Hon. Minister Ms. Sujata Koirala is a strong and active women personality of Nepal Congress Party of Nepal, who holds special expertise in national and international political arena. She has been working as a capacity of chief: International Division of Nepali Congress Party. She is executive member of central committee of Nepali Congress Party and member of Interim Parliament too.
More in given link: Newly appointed Hon. Minister Ms. Sujata Koirala is a strong and active women personality of Nepal Congress Party of Nepal, who holds ... more -
Hannah Montanah VS Juelz Santana
a devoute christian father didn't get his daughter what he expected... is this the next major mashup... lol
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