Semaine 14 / 2010

             Evidence shows Iran is attempting to develop nuclear weapons, U.S. President Barack Obama told CBS on Friday, adding that he felt his administration should continue the pressure on Tehran to cooperate with the international community over its contentious nuclear program. In an interview to "The Early Show" Friday, Obama said "all the evidence indicates" that Tehran is trying to get the "capacity to develop nuclear weapons." With such a capability, Obama... [Lire la suite]

           Next year, "the birth of a Palestinian state will be celebrated as a day of joy by the entire community of nations," says Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in a special interview to Haaretz. Relaying Passover greetings to the Jewish community, Fayyad hopes Israelis will also participate in the celebrations for the birth of a new state. "The time for this baby to be born will come," he says, "and we estimate it will come around 2011. That is our... [Lire la suite]

            Israeli planes and helicopters mounted at least seven missile attacks on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Friday, destroying what a military spokesman described as Palestinian munitions sites. Four air strikes blew up two caravans near the town of Khan Younis, witnesses and Hamas officials said. There were no casualties. A fifth missile hit a cheese factory in Gaza City, setting it on fire, witnesses and Hamas officials said. Hospital officials said two children were slightly wounded by... [Lire la suite]

           China continues to seek a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday. He clarified China has agreed to hold serious discussion on a fresh round of sanctions. In effect, Gang was reacting to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's confirmation of a leak by two US officials claiming China was coming around on sanctions. The Chinese spokesman announced Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend a summit on nuclear security in the United... [Lire la suite]

Prof. Anthony H. Cordesman is considered a leading strategic expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C. A few days ago he and another scholar, Abdullah Toukan, published a new study entitled "Options in Dealing with Iran's Nuclear Program." This is a study over 200 pages in length, which discusses Iran's nuclear program, the way the Iranian nuclear threat is perceived by the United States, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and possible reactions of each of these... [Lire la suite]

            A vote against wearing face-covering veils in puclic was unanimously established on Wednesday. This legislation represents a major legislative step, which could make Belguim the first European country to impose such a religious prohibition. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the issue late April. The Interior Affairs Committee representing all major parties was unanimous Wednesday in backing the bill. The six parliamentarians from the MR french-speaking liberal... [Lire la suite]

         A U.S. State Department official has denied an earlier report saying the United States will consider abstaining if the the United Nations votes on East Jerusalem. The BBC reported on Sunday that the United States would "seriously consider abstaining" should the United Nations Security Council pass a resolution condemning Israel's housing construction in East Jerusalem. That message was passed during a meeting between a senior U.S. official and Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jasim Al... [Lire la suite]

          Top diplomats from the world's leading economies are ramping up pressure on Iran to prove its nuclear ambitions are peaceful or face tough new sanctions. Opening a conference of foreign ministers from the Group of Eight main industrialized nations on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Iran must halt its nuclear enrichment activities and comply with international demands to come clean about its atomic program. On behalf of the ministers, Harper urged the world to adopt a... [Lire la suite]

           The United States would "seriously consider abstaining" should the United Nations Security Council pass a resolution condemning Israel's housing construction in East Jerusalem, the BBC reported on Sunday. That message was passed during a meeting between a senior U.S. official and Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jasim Al Thani, a diplomatic source told the BBC. The U.S. official reportedly told Hamad in response that the current U.S. position was that it would "seriously... [Lire la suite]

            Israel views its relations with the United States as the "pillar and cornerstone" of the nation's security, Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared on Sunday. Barak told reporters at a defense briefing that Israel was determined to preserve its close alliance with the United States. "Only we have the exclusive responsibility when it comes to the fate and security of Israel, and only we can determine the matters pertaining to the fate of Israel and the Jewish people, but... [Lire la suite]