Gordon Brown’s chances of knighthood ruined?

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 16 (ANI): Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown may miss a chance to earn knighthood after his recent statement following his exit from the top post.

The ex-leader said he “loved the job” of prime minister, “not for its prestige, its titles and its ceremony.”

However, the speech has put officials, who were planning to make Brown a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, at Buckingham Palace in a fix, as the felicitation apparently would be an “insult” to the former Labour leader with such an honour.

“Brown may well come round to the idea. Other Labour prime ministers, such as Harold Wilson, couldn””t wait for an honour,” the Telegraph quoted Hugo Vickers, the author of Royal Orders, as saying.

Even though there is a vacancy in the Order of the Garter, Vickers feels Brown will be offered the Thistle.

He added: “If you are Scottish, it is in some ways more prestigious. Unfortunately, there are no vacancies for the Thistle at the moment, but the Queen doesn””t like to rush these things.”

Meanwhile, Brown has said he will continue as the MP for Kirkcaldy. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

British PM Brown falls on sword

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British prime minister Gordon Brown has announced his decision to step down as Labour leader to make way for negotiations between his party and the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition government.

After four days of discussions, it had seemed that the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were close to a marriage that would see them share power in a coalition.

But after a three-hour meeting of Liberal Democrat MPs, there was news that the Conservative courtship had not gone well.

They had disagreed on the terms of a union with regards to education policy, tax reform and crucially, a revamp of the voting system.

Not long after that became known Mr Brown made a statement announcing his decision to step down as Labour leader.

“The reason that we have a hung parliament is that no single party and no single leader was able to win the full support of the country,” he said.

“As leader of my party, I must accept that that is a judgement on me. I therefore intend to ask the Labour parties to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.

“I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference.

“I will play no part in that contest. I will back no individual candidate.”

Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg had promised to woo first the party with the most seats and the most votes. The Conservatives won on both those measures but ended up 19 seats short of a majority.

He wants proportional representation. It is the way Australians have elected members to the Senate since 1949.

Labour is instead offering immediate legislation to introduce the Australian Lower House system of preferential voting and in a final attempt to get Nick Clegg to say “I do”, Conservative Leader David Cameron has offered him a referendum on voting reform.

Moving forward

Throughout the election campaign Mr Clegg had made it clear that he would not be open to a coalition with Labor while Gordon Brown was leader.

So while Mr Brown’s speech on the steps of Downing Street signalled an end to his political career, it paved the way for Labour to continue in government in a relationship with the Liberal Democrats.

“Mr Clegg has just informed me that while he intends to continue his dialogue that he has begun with the Conservatives, he now wishes also to take forward formal discussions with the Labour Party,” Mr Brown said.

So after months of failed coup attempts from within senior Labour ranks, in the end, it was the Liberal Democrats leader who managed to shoehorn Gordon Brown out of Number 10.

“Given the urgency of the need to have a resolution to this whole situation, we think it is the right thing, the responsible thing to now open talks on exactly the same basis as we have been having with the Conservative Party with the Labour Party,” Mr Clegg said.

There is one thing all three parties agree on – that the UK needs a stable government – urgently.

If the Conservatives and Lib Dems do strike a deal, it would likely pave the way for Mr Cameron to become prime minister, taking over from Mr Brown who is still in office.

Meanwhile, foreign secretary David Miliband has been listed by bookmakers as the favourite to replace Mr Brown as Labour’s leader.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brown eases Labour pains, will resign

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday he would step aside this year, sacrificing himself to try to give his Labour Party a chance of forming a government with the smaller Liberal Democrats.

The Conservatives have been talking to the Liberal Democrats to try to form a government, but Brown said in a dramatic statement delivered in front of his official residence at 10 Downing Street the Lib Dems also wanted to talk to Labour.

The Conservatives, led by David Cameron, won most seats in parliament but fell short of a majority after an inconclusive election last week. Labour came second and the smaller Liberal Democrats, led by Nick Clegg, a distant third.

“Mr Clegg has just informed me that while he intends to continue his dialogue that he has begun with the Conservatives, he now wishes also to take forward formal discussions with the Labour Party,” Brown said, adding that he would facilitate those talks.

“I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed to ensure the path to economic growth is assured and the process of political reform we have agreed moves forward quickly,” he said.

“As leader of my party, I must accept that that is a judgment on me. I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election,” he said. Brown did not give a precise timeframe for his departure, but said he hoped it would be done by the time of the Labour Party conference, which is scheduled for late September.

Britain’s sterling currency fell and government bond futures hit a session low after Brown’s comments. Markets had been hoping for a quick deal between the Conservatives and Lib Dems and will not relish the prospect of further delays as parallel talks take place between the Lib Dems and Labour.

Earlier, Liberal Democrat legislators said they were seeking clarification from the party’s negotiators about details of a possible deal with the Conservatives.

“Although we are very, very conscious of the need to make these decisions quickly… we also want to make sure that we get these matters right,” said Lib Dem legislator David Laws.

Conservative and Lib Dem negotiators said earlier they made progress at talks to reach a power-sharing deal, although others called for caution on how quickly a deal could be clinched.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Education Secretary Ed Balls will likely be leading contenders to succeed Brown.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Over 50 percent Brits want Cameron to be next PM

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): About 53 percent of Brits want Tory leader David Cameron to be the country’s next Prime Minister.

According to The Sun”s latest poll, only 33 per cent want a Tory-Lib Dem coalition, with 20 per cent saying the Tories should go it alone.

The poll also found that fewer than two in five want to see a rainbow coalition involving Labour, Lib Dems, Scot Nats and other smaller parties.

Most popular voting system is proportional representation (47 per cent) but 38 per cent want to keep the present system.

The poll comes as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party in order to pave the way for talks with the Liberal Democrats to facilitate formation of the next government.

The announcement may derail an imminent deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, as the latter had reportedly made leadership change a condition for them to work with the Labour Party.

Brown, in a surprise move, offered to oversee talks between the two parties before stepping down by the time of the Labour conference in September, when a new leader would be chosen by party members.

In a statement, Brown said if it was in “national interest” for Labour and Liberal Democrats to form a coalition government that would enjoy a majority in a hung Parliament, he had “no desire to stay on longer than needed”.

“””We have a parliamentary system, not a presidential system, in this country. As I said on Friday, with no party able to command a parliamentary majority arising from the General Election, my constitutional duty as Prime Minister is to ensure government continues while parties explore options for forming a new administration with majority support in the House of Commons.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brit PM Brown resigns in a dramatic move

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in a dramatic move, has announced that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party in order to pave the way for talks with the Liberal Democrats to facilitate formation of the next government.

The announcement made by Brown is likely to derail an imminent deal between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, as the latter had reportedly made leadership change a condition for them to work with the Labour Party.

Brown seized on David Cameron’s failure to secure a pact with Nick Clegg by opening formal talks to agree to a so-called coalition of losers, The Telegraph reports.

Brown in a surprise move offered to oversee talks between the two parties before stepping down by the time of the Labour conference in September, when a new leader would be chosen by party members.

In a statement, Brown said if it was in “national interest” for Labour and Liberal Democrats to form a coalition government that would enjoy a majority in a hung Parliament, he had “no desire to stay on longer than needed”.

“”We have a parliamentary system, not a presidential system, in this country. As I said on Friday, with no party able to command a parliamentary majority arising from the General Election, my constitutional duty as Prime Minister is to ensure government continues while parties explore options for forming a new administration with majority support in the House of Commons.”

“As we know, the Liberal Democrats felt they should first talk to the Conservative Party. Clegg has just informed me that, while he intends to continue his dialogue that he has begun with the Conservatives, he now wishes also to take forward formal discussions with the Labour Party,” The Telegraph quoted Brown, as saying.

If the Labour Party accepts Brown’s proposal that would mean he would remain at Downing Street for another five months.

The leadership campaign, which is likely to be contested by David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, his brother Ed, the Climate Change Secretary, and Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, and others, will only begin after any talks are concluded.

The paper reports that on Monday night senior Conservatives accused the Lib Dem leader of “treachery” after it emerged that Clegg had changed the basis of a deal with Cameron just minutes before Brown made his statement. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brown subjects Clegg to telephone ‘rant’

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 8 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reportedly got angry and launched a “diatribe” and a “rant” at Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg during a telephone call over suggestion that he should step down from his post.

The BBC reported the confrontation based on remarks by a “very senior Liberal Democrat source who is involved in the negotiations with the Conservatives”.

The source told the BBC’s Jon Sopel that during the leaders’ conversation last night, the tone went “downhill” at the mention of resignation.

Labour Party leader Brown’s approach was threatening towards Clegg.

Clegg was said to have came off the phone assured that it would be impossible to work with Brown because of his attitude towards working with other people, The Telegraph reports.

The Prime Minister’s office has denied the report of Brown’s aggression, describing the chat as constructive.

In contrast, the Lib Dem source said discussions between Clegg and David Cameron, the Conservative leader, had been warm

In an official statement the Lib Dems denied there had been a row, insisting: “Any suggestion that it was in any way angry or hostile would be wrong. It was perfectly amicable and both men just set out what they said in their public statements.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brown wants to secure stable government in Britain

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (DPA) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday it was his duty to play his part in securing strong and stable government in Britain after the general election.

‘The outcome of this country’s vote is not yet known,’ he said, ‘but my duty to the country, coming out of this election, is to play my part in Britain having a strong, stable and principled government, able to lead Britain into sustained economic recovery’.

Brown, whose ruling Labour Party lost around 100 parliamentary seats, according to exit polls, was speaking after his re-election in his Scottish constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.

Brown’s remarks were seen as underlining his intention to attempt to cling to power even though the opposition Conservatives have emerged from the election as the biggest party, according to exit polls.

Downing Street sources said earlier that Brown would try to form a coalition government if there was to be a hung Parliament with no clear majorities as a result of the election.

He would argue that the sitting government has the first right to form an administration, even if it is not the biggest party.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brown’s insensitive “bigot” remark could be Labour Party’s final undoing

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 29 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has probably cost his Labour Party crucial votes by his insensitive “bigot” remark to questions asked by a 65-year-old female pensioner.

Rochsdale resident Gillian Duffy asked questions about the Labour Party’s policies on debt, education and immigration which led Brown to call her a “bigoted” woman.

According to Lance Price, a former Downing Street adviser under Tony Blair “The party has lost not just hers, but potentially thousands of others who will listen to what she said and find that they agree. Does Brown think they are all bigots too?”

Initially unaware of the furore caused by his offhand remark, Brown is now desperate to make amends and is in damage control mode.

Parked outside the grandmother’s residence, the Prime Minister addressed media persons, issuing the most heartfelt apology he could muster, calling himself a “penitent sinner”. He even called up Duffy over the telephone and said he was absolutely “mortified” by his outburst, insisting he had been “misunderstood” reports The Telegraph.

Duffy was, understandably, not in such a forgiving mood, saying she was “gobsmacked” at his statement and wishing she could “rip-up” her postal vote that is in favour of Labour.

For Brown, this could be the last nail in his coffin. His frantic apologies look like a case of ‘too little, too late’. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK’s Brown pledges reform, clashes on economy

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday he would overhaul the scandal-hit parliament and take more steps to secure an economic recovery if his Labour Party defied the polls and won the May 6 election.

His plan for sweeping political reforms might appeal to the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats, whose support Labour may need to form a government if it fails to secure an outright majority in what looks like the closest race in 20 years.

Labour has trailed the opposition Conservatives in the opinion polls since January 2008, but the gap has narrowed and the latest surveys point to a result in which no single party would have an overall parliamentary majority.

The prime minister said voters would be given a say on constitutional reforms in a referendum before October 2011, including changing how members of parliament (MPs) are elected and the possibility of an elected upper chamber.

The proposals are in part a response to public disgust with politicians after many MPs abused their expense allowances by claiming money for items such as a duck house or dog food.

“I would … take no joy in victory if it comes without a mandate to get rid of the old discredited system of politics,” Brown said in a speech a day after setting the election date.

He called for parliaments to be elected for a fixed term, instead of the current system where the prime minister can call an election at any time up to a five-year maximum.

The measures will be seen as an attempt to woo the Liberal Democrats, who have long argued for political reform, including a switch to proportional representation.

But the Liberal Democrats, Britain’s third biggest party, dismissed the proposals.

“How on earth are we supposed to believe anything that Gordon Brown says about political reform when they’ve done nothing for 13 years?” said Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Conservative leader David Cameron used a bruising parliamentary session to accuse Brown of wrecking the economic recovery with plans to raise payroll taxes.

With the parliamentary chamber in uproar, Brown hit back by accusing the Conservatives of putting growth and jobs at risk with their plans for public spending cuts to reduce the gaping budget deficit.

Arguments about the best way to nurture the hesitant economic recovery are set to dominate the election campaign, in which the Conservatives are trying to end 13 years of Labour rule.

“This prime minister would wreck the recovery by putting a tax on every job, on everyone earning over 20,000 (pounds, $30,470 a year), a tax on aspiration, a tax on every business in the country — this government would wreck the recovery,” Cameron said.

Several business groups and 38 large employers have backed the Conservatives’ opposition to a planned rise in National Insurance, a payroll tax. Brown said the Conservatives had “deceived” them.

Brown said that to withdraw six billion pounds from the economy, as he says the centre-right Conservatives plan to do, would put jobs, businesses and growth at risk. “We cannot cut our way to recovery but we could cut our way to double-dip recession,” he said.

Brown said in a Channel 4 News interview that his party would make an election pledge to hold the basic income tax rate at 20 percent. (Additional reporting by Adrian Croft, Estelle Shirbon, Peter Griffiths and Caroline Copley; editing by Tim Pearce)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK’s Brown, Cameron trade blows over economy, defence

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and opposition leader David Cameron clashed in parliament on Wednesday over the economy and defence in a taste of the arguments set to dominate the campaign for the May 6 election.

A day after Brown set the election date, Conservative leader Cameron accused Brown of wrecking the economic recovery with plans to raise payroll taxes and of failing to give British troops in Afghanistan enough helicopters.

Amid noisy shouts from MPs, Brown in turn said the Conservatives would put growth and jobs at risk with their plans for public spending cuts to pay down the gaping budget deficit.

The economy and nurturing the fledging recovery are set to dominate the election, in which the Conservatives are bidding to end 13 years of rule by Brown’s Labour Party.

“This prime minister would wreck the recovery by putting a tax on every job, on everyone earning over 20,000 (pounds or $30,470 a year), a tax on aspiration, a tax on every business in the country — this government would wreck the recovery,” Cameron said, referring to Brown’s plans to raise payroll taxes.

Brown retorted that to withdraw six billion pounds from the economy, as he says the centre-right Conservatives plan to do, would put jobs, businesses and growth at risk.

“We cannot cut our way to recovery but we could cut our way to double-dip recession,” he said.

CHANCE OF HUNG PARLIAMENT

While the Conservatives lead in the polls, many surveys suggest they will fall short of a parliamentary majority, resulting in a “hung parliament” that financial markets fear will lack the will to slash a budget deficit forecast at 163 billion pounds, 11 percent of Gross Domestic Product, this year.

Brown’s last parliamentary question-and-answer session before the election gave the main party leaders the chance to rehearse lines they will use in three pre-election televised debates — a first for British politics.

Nick Clegg, leader of the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats, who could play a “kingmaker” role in forming the next government if there is a hung parliament, attacked Labour.

“We all remember back in 1997 the hope and the promise of this new government. Look at them now, you’ve failed. It’s over. It’s time to go,” he said to loud cheers from opposition MPs.

The Conservatives want to go faster and deeper than Labour in cutting spending to rein in the budget deficit.

The Conservatives switched focus last week by saying they would exempt most Britons from the planned payroll tax rise, funding the measure through efficiency savings worth an initial 6 billion pounds.

Bosses of some of Britain’s biggest companies backed the Conservatives over the payroll tax but Brown told GMTV on Wednesday the executives had been “deceived”.

Cameron repeatedly accused Brown of failing to give Britain’s 9,500 troops in Afghanistan enough helicopters when they were sent to combat Taliban insurgents in the southern province of Helmand.

Brown denied the charge, saying: “We have done our best to equip our troops and we will continue to do so.”

(Additional reporting by Matt Falloon, Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Matthew Jones)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK says Oman intends to buy Eurofighters

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) – Oman has indicated that it intends to buy an unspecified number of Eurofighter warplanes, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesman said on Friday.

In a statement, the spokesman said the possible deal followed three years of talks between Brown and the leaders of Oman. The spokesman gave no details of the size or timing of any sale.

British company BAE Systems (BAES.L) makes the Eurofighter Typhoon alongside Italian group Finmeccanica (SIFI.MI) and European aerospace group EADS (EAD.PA). The engines are supplied by a group led by Rolls-Royce (RR.L) and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines (MTXGn.DE). (Editing by Mike Nesbit)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK says Oman intends to buy Eurofighters

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) – Oman has indicated that it intends to buy an unspecified number of Eurofighter warplanes, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesman said on Friday.

In a statement, the spokesman said the possible deal followed three years of talks between Brown and the leaders of Oman. The spokesman gave no details of the size or timing of any sale.

British company BAE Systems (BAES.L) makes the Eurofighter Typhoon alongside Italian group Finmeccanica (SIFI.MI) and European aerospace group EADS (EAD.PA). The engines are supplied by a group led by Rolls-Royce (RR.L) and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines (MTXGn.DE). (Editing by Mike Nesbit)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘Old pal’ Blair tries to boost Brown’s election victory chances

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 31 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is struggling in Exit Polls ahead of the elections, has called up his old “pal” to boost his fading chances at the hustings.

The move is being seen as a bizarre and desperate gamble aimed at winning the next election for Labour.

Former premier Tony Blair who made a comeback speech in his former constituency of Sedgefield, praised Brown and launched an attack on the confused Conservative Party.

“Think of all the phrases you associate with their leadership and the phrase ‘you know where you are with them’ is about the last description you would think of,” the Daily Star quoted Blair, as saying.

Blair’s return to the political fray was however met with derision. Tory party chairman Eric Pickles said: “This may have been the usual slick performance but it told us nothing about what Labour has to offer. He and Gordon Brown have presided over 13 years of debt, waste and taxes on working people.”

Tory leader David Cameron said he was “not at all” worried about Blair’s contribution to the campaign. He joked: “It is nice to see him making a speech that no-one is paying for.”

Cameron was apparently making a reference to the fortune Blair has made from lecture tours in the US. He is said to charge a six-figure sum for a single speech.

Stop the War Coalition officer Andrew Burgin said Labour made an “enormous mistake” by bringing Blair into their election campaign. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gurkha row: Brown, UK Defence Minister apologise to Lumley

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar.30 (ANI): British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised “unreservedly” to actress Joanna Lumley after the country’s Veterans Minister claimed she had spearheaded a campaign for Gurkhas” rights, but had stayed silent as veterans suffered.

Brown moved to defuse a row over an accusation by Kevan Jones, the Defence and Veterans Minister, that Miss Lumley had maintained a “deathly silence” over problems faced by some Gurkhas setting in Britain following her campaign that won them the right to do so.

Yesterday, at an impassioned Westminster press conference, Lumley said his claims were “smears which must have put doubts in the hearts of” supporters of the campaign.

She said that she and fellow campaigners had only remained silent at the behest of Gordon Brown who asked them to help iron out “bumps in the road” away from the public eye.

“I want to say to the people of this country, what you did was to back a just cause and we have not stopped working solidly for the Gurkhas in the quiet, as we promised the Prime Minister we would,” she said.

“It has been suggested that I somehow was parachuted in, took the headlines and ran. I feel that is a smear. The idea that we have somehow lured Gurkhas over her with promises of paradise is absolutely and completely untrue.

“The people who made those accusations must know them to be untrue.”

Lumley helped force the Government into abandoning rules that prevented Gurkhas who retired before 1997 settling freely in Britain. All those with more than four years service now have the right to apply for settlement in Britain along with their families.

But giving evidence to the home affairs committee earlier this month, Mr Jones said that since the change, some veterans had been misled about what they could expect on arrival.

Some had been encouraged to make donations to veterans” organisations in Nepal, which then refer them to solicitors in Britain, he said. Others mistakenly believed that they would be entitled to free housing.

Mr Jones said that, having raised the issue and forced the change, Miss Lumley had a responsibility to help explain the new rules to the Gurkhas. She had not done so, he said, adding: “Her deathly silence, frankly, irritates me.”

He also accused “rogue solicitors” of cashing in on the former fighters” plight and launched an inquiry into the activities of lawyers Howe and Co, who provide legal help to Gurkhas and campaigned alongside Miss Lumley.

Yesterday, the inquiry fully exonerated the firm of wrongdoing. Its senior partner Martin Howe said Mr Jones” comments had been “extremely defamatory” and accused him of deliberately lying to the committee.

Mr Jones apologised “unreservedly for any offence caused” to Miss Lumley but not to Howe and Co. He stressed his only concern had been to stop middlemen “ripping off vulnerable ex-Gurkhas” trying to move to Britain.

Lumley said she also received an “unreserved apology” by phone from the Prime Minister shortly after the press conference.

“He wanted to say that he thought the world of what we were doing and that he welcomes all Gurkhas to this country,” she told reporters.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed the call, saying:

“The Prime Minister has spoken to Joanna Lumley and reiterated his commitment to the policy that was brought in last year,” The Telegraph quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

G20 must deliver on agreed reforms – leaders

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The world economic recovery remains fragile and G20 governments need to recommit and deliver on reforms they have already agreed to, G20 steering group leaders said in a letter on Tuesday.

The letter to fellow Group of 20 members was signed by U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

“Our first objective is the return to sustained growth and job creation. To fulfil this objective, we need to design cooperative strategies and work together to ensure that our fiscal, monetary, foreign exchange, trade and structural policies are collectively consistent with strong, sustainable and balanced growth,” the leaders said.

The steering group consists of future and past hosts of G20 summits which bring together the major industrialised countries and emerging powers such as China, India, Brazil and Indonesia.

Canada is hosting the next meeting in Toronto on June 26-27 while South Korea plays host in November.

The leaders steered clear of policy initiatives ahead of the Toronto meeting, urging instead member governments to meet obligations to which they have already agreed.

“The nascent recovery in the world economy remains fragile. Current strains illustrate the continuing risks to global economic and financial stability,” they said.

The Group must ensure international financial systems are strengthened to meet the needs of the global economy and do more than just advocate for trade and against protectionism.

The letter noted that more work was required to restore soundness of some global banks’ balance sheets, but did not name any bank.

The leaders made no direct reference to the tricky issue of foreign exchange flexibility, with China continuing to resist U.S. pressure to raise the value of the yuan .

The leaders also called for action to increase access to diverse, reliable, affordable and clean sources of energy.

(Reporting by Jonathan Thatcher; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jailed preacher, controversial Islamic leader’s books still publicly available in UK

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 29(ANI): A new report has revealed that books written by the jailed preacher, Abdullah al-Faisal, and the controversial Islamic leader, Bilal Philips, are still available in public libraries in East London, three years after they were first exposed.

In 2007, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had said that his would consult with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) after extremist literature was found on lending lists across the country, particularly in East London.

However, it has been revealed that many of the books are still on the shelves.

The council said that it was committed to tackling extremism, but added: “As far as we are aware these materials have not yet been banned or judged to be illegal in the UK. If this were the case they would not have been on our shelves.”

The council further said that it has issued guidance designed to help authorities take a view on controversial material, and would hope they would follow it.

Three years ago, a report by the Centre for Social Cohesion, a non-partisan think-tank that studies issues related to community cohesion in the UK, had highlighted that books and cassettes featuring extremists were available in libraries.

“It is amazing that some libraries continue to stock books by pro-jihadist clerics convicted for incitement, including al-Faisal, at the expense of more moderate authors,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Douglas Murray, the think-tank’s director, as saying.

“Almost three years ago our report highlighted how public libraries may be unwittingly encouraging Islamist extremism. After that, the Government took steps to rectify the problem,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK politicians’ ”social media reputation’ assessed through Facebook, Twitter

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, March 29 (ANI): A rating for British party leaders’ online popularity has been made available with the use of social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook.

MPs and candidates were said to be turning to the popular social forums as part of their campaign to test the political waters.

And one company, Yomego, has assessed their “social media reputation scores” (SMRs), based on the “noise” and “sentiment” surrounding the politicians, The BBC reported.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was said to have a popularity score of 68.20, out of 100, while that of Lead of the Opposition David Cameron”s was 58.98, compared to leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg”s 68.49, which was the highest.

Steve Richards, managing director of Yomego, said: “The trend has been that Nick Clegg has been steadily rising, without doing anything particularly spectacular.

“David Cameron”s personal score has gone down recently. He took a big knock around the whole airbrushed poster campaign. There were a lot of spoofs, particularly from influential bloggers, and that really seemed to hurt him.

“Finally, Gordon Brown”s score has risen recently, but largely due to noise, not because of any growth in positive sentiment.”

Richards went on to explain the influence of social media outlets citing the example of US President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

Richards said: “A huge part of his campaign was directed towards social media and influencing younger voters who might well take a steer from their peers rather than traditional media outlets.

“And it”s very immediate. Just last week Labour took a hit over the lobbying stuff and David Cameron saw his sentiment ratings improve because of his wife”s pregnancy.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK memos claim drug-taking among Afghan police – paper

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Drug abuse and high attrition rates among the Afghan police mean it will take many years to create a strong force, according to internal British government memos reported by the warned, The Independent on Sunday said.

The Afghan National Police (ANP) is being trained by Western forces and strengthening it is a main aim in the war against Taliban insurgents.

But a series of British Foreign Ministry papers said attrition rates among officers in Helmand Province, including losses caused by death, desertion and dismissal, were as high as 60 percent while half the latest group of recruits had tested positive for narcotics, the Independent said.

It also said non-existent “ghost recruits” could make for up to a quarter of the force’s purported strength.

Bribery, corruption and lack of engagement with the local community were also mentioned, the newspaper said.

Some memos suggested stricter vetting of recruits and increased pay in higher-threat areas to combat the problem.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “The challenges to police reform are significant and long term, but progress is being made.

“We are aware of widespread criticisms of the ANP, some of which are deeply concerning. The UK is fully committed to police reform to ensure a professional and accountable police force.”

Britain has about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, the second-largest contingent behind the United States. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown supports the training of Afghan forces in order to start handing over responsibility for security.

The memos seem to confirm long-standing claims of ineffectiveness and corruption within the Afghan police force, which is often accused of taking bribes at checkpoints, colluding with the Taliban and keeping phantom employees on its payroll.

But poor equipment contributed to about 1,500 Afghan police being killed in fighting between 2007 and 2009, three times as many deaths as suffered by soldiers from the Afghan army.

There are 80,000 policemen in Afghanistan but the local Interior Ministry wants to double its size to 160,000 in line with Washington’s demands for larger Afghan security forces, which would help facilitate an exit strategy for Western forces.

(Writing by Avril Ormsby; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Joanna Lumley wages war against PM Brown following ‘personal attack’ by minister

March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar. 27 (ANI): Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley has declared war on British Prime Minister Gordon Brown following a “personal attack” by his Defence Minister Kevan Jones earlier this month.

The 63-year-old British actress expressed her outrage at Jones accusing her of “deathly silence” over the allegations that war veterans hoping to settle in UK are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds for legal advice in Nepal.

“Recent personal attacks, on me and on the lawyers responsible for the legal victory, made in the press and by a Minister under the protection of parliamentary privilege, have left us campaigners with no option but to respond through the press to set the record straight,” The Daily Express quoted Lumley, as saying.

Earlier, Jones has said that he was “irritated” over the fact that Lumley, who led a victorious campaign in forcing a Government U-turn on Gurkha citizenship rights, had not spoken out following allegations that veterans’ organisations in Nepal were extracting money from Gurkhas and then referring them to UK solicitors.

But Lumley said: “At the time of victory for veteran Gurkhas and their families last year, I and the ­Gurkha Justice Campaign team agreed, at the direct request of the Prime Minister, to work with the Government on the Gurkha settlement policy and any issues arising out of its implementation.”

“Assurances were made that the campaigners would not speak out in public but would help Government by working in the background. We have honourably kept our promise. I am now extremely concerned by reported problems that a number of Gurkhas are experiencing, not least because of pledges made by the MoD last year to set up support facilities for veterans, at our campaign’s request, to deal with such problems here or in Nepal,” she added.

Reacting to Lumley’s comments, Jones said: “I don’t think she has been involved. I more than welcome the chance to speak with her.”

Gurkha veterans are planning to march in Westminster next week.

The sight of Joanna Lumley in full cry could not come at a worse time for Brown whose government lost a humiliating Commons vote on Gurkha residency rights last year. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

China joins talks on Iran sanctions, still no deal

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

China took part in a conference call with five other world powers on Wednesday to discuss a U.S. proposal for a fourth round of U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, but no deal emerged.

Beijing, which had refused for months to engage in serious discussions on sanctions, joined the call among senior foreign ministry officials from the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany, several U.N. diplomats said.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the call but declined to provide details. “It was part of ongoing consultations on our two-track policy, for which all sides expressed support,” he said.

That approach refers to a combination of dialogue and incentives from the six powers — the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia — if Tehran complies with Security Council demands that it halt its nuclear enrichment program and the threat of sanctions if it does not.

Western nations say Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at developing nuclear weapons capability. The Iranian government denies the accusation, saying its ambitions are limited to generating electricity.

As expected, the six nations did not agree on a draft sanctions resolution on Wednesday, though envoys said the main topic of conversation was a U.S.-drafted sanctions proposal.

Hours after the call took place, the White House said President Barack Obama spoke about Iran and other issues on Wednesday with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

British U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told reporters that senior foreign ministry officials from the six powers would hold another call on Iran next week. He added that Beijing appeared to be ready for serious discussions on new sanctions against Iran.

“My understanding is that they have agreed to engage substantively,” Lyall Grant told reporters in New York.

He added China’s former deputy U.N. ambassador, Liu Zhenmin, who recently returned to Beijing, was on the call and was the new lead Chinese negotiator on the Iran issue. Western envoys said Liu was a sensible choice, since he helped negotiate some of the earlier Iran sanctions resolutions.

ENIGMATIC CHINA

But the difficulties with China, whose stance on Iran has puzzled the four Western powers, may not be over.

The United States, Britain, France and Germany had hoped the Chinese would agree to a face-to-face meeting soon to hammer out the details of a U.N. sanctions resolution to submit to the 15-nation Security Council for a vote.

“China was only ready to commit to another conference call,” a diplomat said, adding that it was positive that Beijing was finally willing to discuss the possibility of sanctions, something it had refused to do since a Jan. 16 meeting of officials from the six powers in New York.

China’s new ambassador to the United Nations, Li Baodong, was asked by reporters about the call. Avoiding specifics, he said China was “firmly committed to the nuclear non-proliferation regime” and “an advocate of diplomacy.”

A U.S.-drafted U.N. sanctions proposal includes a possible ban on new Iranian banks abroad and foreign banks in Iran, as well as an arms embargo with international inspections similar to one in place against North Korea, Western diplomats said.

It would also urge vigilance against Iran’s central bank, ban insurance and reinsurance of shipments to and from Iran and would blacklist some Iranian shipping companies and individuals and firms linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Russia has indicated it has problems with the arms embargo and other elements in the U.S. draft, but could support less stringent measures, the envoys said. It is not clear how China reacted to the draft, which it received several weeks ago.

Security Council diplomats have said it was unlikely the council could adopt an Iran sanctions resolution before June.

They added that Russia and China, which reluctantly backed three previous sanctions resolutions, would do their best to dilute any proposed punitive steps while negotiating a text.

A senior Russian diplomat said that Russia and China have pressed Iran to accept a United Nations offer to replace fuel for an atomic reactor that would require Tehran to ship most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France for further enrichment and processing into fuel assemblies.

Western diplomats told Reuters that Russia and China quietly admonished Iran’s government earlier this month, saying they wanted it to accept the U.N.-brokered offer and change its nuclear policy. They added that neither received a satisfactory reply.

Convincing China to vote for any new sanctions resolution in the Security Council, and not to abstain, will not be easy, diplomats say. There is also the possibility that it would just barely get the required nine “yes” votes needed for adoption.

(Additional reporting by Andrew Quinn and Patricia Zengerle in Washington, Selcuk Gokoluk in Ankara, Conor Sweeney in Moscow; Editing by Paul Simao)
Louis Charbonneau

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts