Democratic.net: [RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, October 30, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, October 30, 2009

October 30, 2009

View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- Iran rejects key element of UN nuclear deal
- Pakistani forces find 9/11-linked passport
- China opens its Nasdaq-style exchange
- Honduras to resolve presidential crisis

Top of the Agenda: Iran Rejects a Central Element of Nuclear Agreement

Iran has rejected (WashPost) a key element of the United Nations-backed deal aimed at reducing its stockpile of enriched uranium, proposing an informal oral counteroffer that likely would not be acceptable to other countries backing the deal.

Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh presented a case for Iran to ship its uranium out in batches and swap it for new material continuously, rather than shipping it in one batch by the end of the year, as proposed by Obama administration. That would not satisfy major powers, since it would not significantly reduce Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agnecy (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei told the Iranian ambassador to get more clarification from the Iranian government. Diplomats are hoping for a formal written reply from Iran as early as Friday. Iran has also refused to commit to another meeting to discuss its nuclear program.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly told reporters (U.S. Department of State) that ElBaradei's proposal is "a good proposal" and that "there is complete unity among the four parties," on Iran's nuclear program. Soltanieh said earlier (Iranian Labour News) that the "Economic and technical concerns regarding the supply of fuel for the research reactor in Tehran should be discussed."

Analysis

The Financial Times reports that U.S. comments indicate that it is more willing to show patience than Britain and France as a test of the Obama administration's engagement policy.

Reuters reports that by Iran saying it remains committed to the deal's framework for cooperation, it keeps the door open for more talks and puts off the threat of sanctions until at least next year.

In Foreign Policy, Hillary Mann Leverett says the United States needs to recognize that Iran is capable of negotiating in an "active and constructive way" over its nuclear program.

Background

A CFR Backgrounder outlines Iran's nuclear program.

MIDEAST: Israeli Prime Minister in talks with Obama administration

The Obama administration's Middle East envoy George Mitchell held talks (Haaretz) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Friday in an ongoing effort to revive peace talks with the Palestinians. Netanyahu opened talks with cautious backing of the UN-drafted nuclear deal with Iran.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Pakistani Forces Find 9/11-Linked Passport

Pakistani forces found documents (NYT) in South Waziristan this week linked to a member of the al-Qaeda cell that is thought to have planned the September 11 terrorist attacks. The passport belongs to Said Bahaji, a German citizen associated with Mohammed Atta, who lead the 9/11 hijackers. Separately, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Pakistani journalists (NYT) Thursday that some Pakistani officials bore responsibility for al-Qaeda's presence along Pakistan's border.

Afghanistan: Afghanistan's election commission rejected advice (WashPost) from United Nations officials and announced it would open more than 6,300 polling center for the upcoming runoff vote, far more than the UN advised could be protected and monitored.

On Monday, November 2 CFR and Politico.com will co-host a live chat with CFR Senior Fellow Max Boot on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. The live chat is open to all and will take place from 12:00pm until 1:00pm ET. To participate, visit http://www.politico.com/arena/ shortly before noon to register and submit your question.

PACIFIC RIM: China’s Nasdaq-Style Exchange Opens

China's Nasdaq-style board, ChiNext, commenced trading (Sydney Morning Herald) Friday with twenty-eight small and medium-sized listed firms.

Regulators hope the new market will help to fuel young companies with high-growth potential, giving them access to financing.

North Korea: North Korea's communications ministry was responsible (Reuters) for a series of cyber attacks in July against websites in South Korea and the United States, South Korea's spy chief said Friday. The attacks slowed or halted traffic to dozens of major U.S. and South Korean government and business sites.

AFRICA: African Union Endorses Court on Darfur Crimes

The African Union's Peace and Security Council summit endorsed an expansion (All Africa) of the special Courts system to accommodate crimes committed during the Darfur conflict.

Somalia: The British couple held hostage by Somali pirates has been moved (Telegraph) from land back to sea to a ship anchored off the eastern Somali coast. Somali pirates captured the couple Friday last week during a voyage between Seychelles and Tanzania.

AMERICAS: Honduras to Resolve Presidential Crisis

Interim leader Roberto Micheletti said he would agree (BBC) to a power-sharing government with ousted President Manuel Zelaya and sign a pact that would recognize the results of November's presidential poll. Earlier Thursday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of States Thomas Shannon had told the rivals that they had to reach an accord to ensure international support for the November 29 election.

United States: Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a ten-year $894 billion healthcare reform bill (WashPost) Thursday after six months of negotiating. The bill is similar to the Senate version in including a government insurance plant though the Senate version would allow states to opt out of participating.

EUROPE: EU Grants Czech Republic Lisbon Concession

European leaders granted the Czech Republic its request (Guardian) for an opt-out from the European Union charter of fundamental rights in an effort to move the country towards ratifying the Lisbon treaty. The Czech Republic is the only EU state yet to ratify the treaty, which has delayed the naming of an EU president.

Greece: A bomb exploded (Deutsche Welle) Friday in Athens outside the home of a Greek European Parliament member, causing no injuries. Smaller explosions occurred outside the Spanish consulate in Thessaloniki and a car dealership in Athens.

Violent attacks have increased in Greece since the massive riots in December 2008 sparked by the shooting of a teen.

France: Former French President Jacques Chirac has been ordered to stand trial (Reuters) on charges of embezzlement during his time as mayor of Paris.

Chirac is accused of awarding city contracts for non-existent jobs as political favors.

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