All Countries Must Sign On To Copenhagen Accord, Says Special Envoy On Climate Change

Special Envoy on Climate Change Todd Stern says that countries who have yet to associate themselves with the Copenhagen accord must do so as soon as possible. Stern also says that proper documentation targeting respective emission reduction should have been done by January 31.

The accord gave individual countries the responsibility to calculate emission reductions and also capped the increase in global average climate temperature at 2 degrees centigrade. (0:31)
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Somalia's Piracy Problem

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

Correspondent Michael Ruhl reports on the security and humanitarian crisis presently plaguing Somalia. Ruhl interviews Somalia's Ambassador-At-Large to the U.S., Abdi Awaleh Jama, and also speaks with Joel Carny from Refugees International.

Read the full article here

Version 1: (00:30)
Version 2: (02:00)
Version 3: (03:25)
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Tala Dowlatshahi interview with Jon Bruton

Tala Dowlatshahi interviews Jon Bruton, the head of the delegation for the European Union and former Prime Minister of Ireland, on January 19, 2009 (08:44).
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Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Talk Radio News Service Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner interviews Ann Veneman, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They speak about the biggest fundraising period for the fund, Trick or Treat for UNICEF, the goals of the fund, and the work in education, healthcare and feeding that the program does in Sudan and other underdeveloped places in the world. (4:39)
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Condoleezza Rice and Friends of Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly

Friends of Pakistanand United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice discuss the Bhutto Doctrine.  "People of Pakistan can rest assured that democracy does work and it is working", the organization stated that the doctrine will delegate authority and allow for "regional ownership to the problems that Pakistan is having."

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Secretary Rice added that the doctrine will help the region "more towards a more stable and prosperous Pakistan."

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<a href=http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20080926RiceandFriendsofPakistanatGA.mp3>Listen to Audio File</a>
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Director of the UN Environment Programm on Green Initiatives

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, discusses strategies for reducing pollution and environmental waste in relation to the Millennium Development Goals.


"When we talk about the green economy," Steiner said, "it's not necessarily a mathametic definition we're kooking at." He when on to say that in the UN's analysis, UNEP looks at "where are, in our economy, sectors emerging, jobs being created, investments being mobilized ... and essentially restructuring our economy?"


Listen to Audio File (5:18)
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Iranian President Ahmadinejad's Comments to the Press at General Assembly

In contrast to US president George Bush's failure to conduct a press encounter at this week's United Nations General Assembly, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took questions from the media during an hour-long press conference yesterday at UN headquarters in New York.

During the conversation, which was at times confrontational, Ahmadinejad retained a sense of relaxed composure. Though he skirted issues such as detention of dissidents, media transparency, and nuclear threats to Israel, Ahmadinejad was willing to engage on multiple, controversial topics.

Ahmadinejad spoke of his country's willingness to allow IAEA inspectors in to Iran, and denied the possibility that Iran would preemptively attack Israel, stating that "[the world] is entering a post-nuclear" era. The president also discussed his willingness to cooperate with the Iraqi government, cautioned the West about it's excursion in Afghanistan, and warned of the hazards of continued violence in the Middle East.

Listen to Audio File (5:06), via translation

Listen to Entire Press Conference (59:10), via translation


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Israeli President Comments on "Sensational and Empty Speechs" at the UN General Assembly

Israeli president Shimon Peres discusses the distraction of Iran, as well as Israel's goals in relation to the General Assembly: peace, poverty, and handling the dangers of environment. "Our enemies are not the Iranians but [the Iranian] system of government is the enemy of everyone," Peres said. Israel would not capitulate to "sensational and empty speeches."


Listen to Audio File - (3:22)
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Bush at the UN: Results Needed

President George Bush at the UN General Assembly today stated that success in the developing world will come from the UN member states fulfilling promises made, and that "people in the developing world have the capacity to improve their own lives."


On the importance of eliminating terrorism, the president said "the extremists find their most fertile recruiting grounds in societies trapped in chaos and despair ... places where people see no prospect of a better life."


"Success of these efforts must be measured by more than intentions, they must be measured by results"

Listen to Audio File (2:17) - Bush at the UN: Results Needed
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Bush at the UN: Nations Must Continually Confront Terror

George Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the importance of confronting terrorism: "We must work closely to keep terrorist attacks from happening in the first place," the president said, "we must actively challenge the conditions of tyranny and despair that allow terror and extremists to thrive"


Listen to Audio File (0:41) - Bush at the UN: Nations Must Continually Confront Terror

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Bush on the UN's Role in Fighting Terrorism at the General Assembly

United States president George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly this morning. Bush discussed the importance of "advancing the vision of freedom," assisting developing nations, and sharing common goals.


Bush discussed the importance of pursuing those who spread terror. "We must not relent until our people are safe," the president stated.


Listen to Audio File (3:04) - Bush on the UN's Role in Fighting Terrorism at the General Assembly
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Statement From New General Assembly President, Miguel d’Escoto

Miguel d’Escoto of Nicaragua, President of the 63rd session, opens the General Assembly with statements on African development needs.

Improving conditions in Africa "does not require new commitments," but rather that [UN member states] remember commitments already made, the President said, "it is time to move from promises to concrete action."

GA President d'Escoto Opening Remarks (2:44) - translation


GA President d'Escoto on UN Promise to Africa (1:22) - translation
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Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Addresses the General Assembly

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon highlights the accomplishments of the General Assembly, and urges to remember their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.


Listen to Audio File (8:16) - Full statement, some English and some English translation.
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Outgoing General Assembly President Addresses UN Reform, Climate Change, and the Importance of Dialog

Out-going president of the General Assembly, Mr. Srgjan Kerim - former Permanent Representative of the Republic of Macedonia - summarized his year in office. Mr. Kerkim specifically addressed the importance of inter-Assembly dialog (1:21), Security Council reform (0:25), and climate change (1:44).
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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Launches Symposium Supporting Victims of Terrorism

Today Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, held a press conference to mark the opening of the Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism. He called the Symposium "a historic moment", as it is the first time the UN has called together member states, civil society and victims of terror to discuss "practical and concrete solutions" for victims and their families. He remarked that it is "long overdue" that the UN is focusing on the needs of victims.

Also speaking were four representatives of victims of terrorism: former president of CNN International Mr. Chris Cramer, Mr. Ashraf Al-Khaled, NGO Liaison Officer Ms. Laura Dolci-Kanaan, and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

Mr. Cramer was held hostage for just over a day at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980; he emphasised the need for "sensitivity" in the media toward the suffering of terror victims, and the need for "guidelines" on what behaviour is appropriate in pursuing a story.

Mr. Al-Khaled, who lost twenty seven friends to terrorism when his wedding ceremony was bombed in November 2005, described terrorism as a "disease", but one that could be defeated if the world provided a "united front".

Ms. Dolci-Kanaan's husband was among the UN staff members who were killed in the 2003 terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad. She spoke of the need for terror victims to have "solidarity with fellow human beings." She went on to remark that victims of terror have had their rights to life, freedom, health, truth and justice violated, ans asked for the international community to give these rights back to those who have suffered.

Ms. Betancourt, a noted Colombian politician, was held hostage in the Colombian jungle for six years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) terrorist group. She stated that "we need to show the world that we are better than terrorism."
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Bomb Iran or Regime Change: Former UN Ambassador John Bolton

Bomb Iran or Regime Change: Former UN Ambassador John Bolton - Listen to Audio File (4:55)




By Jack Rice for Talk Radio News

Click To Play

While Day One at the Republican National Convention seemed a little unstable, Day two seems to be back on course. During the afternoon, I saw a familiar face with the walrus mustache and knew that it was Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton.


And while the focus seems to be on Sarah Palin’s daughter’s baby, I knew that Bolton would not be talking about that. Instead, I knew that the one topic that he is most passionate about is Iran. So, I asked a very opened ended question: Can you talk about recent development, pro or con, involving Iran?


And Amb. Bolton was off. Essentially, Bolton described the failures of the UN Security Council and concluding that there were truly only two foreign policy options available to the U.S. at this point. The first option is regime change within the country. The second option was a series of strategic strikes. To make sure I heard what I thought I had, I repeated what he said – just to confirm. And, yes, that is what he meant.


Bolton then stated that the Israelis may carry out the strikes. I asked about whether if this were the policy it would be better to do them ourselves as it would be perceived as an attack by proxy anyway. And, again, he agreed, believing that the U.S. should carry out the attacks.


I then turned to the question of John McCain and whether John McCain would follow such advice. Bolton appeared confident that McCain seemed more willing to take the threat seriously and may act accordingly. Barack Obama, according to Bolton was unwilling to take the situation as seriously as it needed to be taken.
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Russia Georgia Conflict - Background and Context

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* The history of Georgia is full of conflict, and for thousands of years its inhabitants have constantly struggled to maintain their territorial independence. Before the might of Russia was first felt in the 18th century, Georgia had been a part of many great empires (such as those of Rome, Byzantium, Ottoman Turkey, and Safavid Persia), though it has also gone through periods of hard-fought-for independence.


* In 1801 the Russian Tsar took advantage of internal conflict in Georgia and in September Alexander I confirmed the incorporation of Russia's southern neighbour into the Empire.


* By the end of the century a national liberation movement had developed in opposition to Russian rule. The Marxist Social Democratic Movement was gaining much support and the Menshevik wing of the party (more moderate than its revolutionary brother, Bolshevism) came to dominate politics in Georgia, as in the rest of Russia.


* Notably, Joseph Stalin, a native of Georgia, came to lead the revolutionary Bolshevik party in his home country.


* Georgian nationalism was widespread, and when the Revolution of 1917 plunged Russia into disarray, this territory declared its independence as the Democratic Republic of Georgia. This freedom was short-lived, however, and early in 1921 the Bolsheviks' Red Army annexed Georgia to Russia once more.


* Georgia was ruled by the Soviet Union until 1991. Soviet Rule was bloody, and around 50,000 people were killed between 1921 and 1924, while Stalin purged another 150,000. Georgia's relations with the Soviet Union were never very good: they suffered under Krushchev's policy of de-Stalinisation, which was strongly critical of the always-nationalistic Georgian people (since Stalin himself was Georgian).


* Communist Georgia endured further problems in the late 1980s: the First Secretary, Patiashvili, was ill-equipped to deal with the challenges brought by Perestroika, and violence increased between the Soviet authorities, Georgian nationalists and other nationalist minority groups (notably those from Abkhazia and South Ossetia). A landmark event was the violent break-up of a peaceful demonstration at the government building in Tbilisi, the capital, on April 9th, 1989- twenty Georgians were killed, and hundreds more were wounded or poisoned. The event contributed to the radicalisation of Georgian politics and encouraged many to conclude that an end to Soviet rule was desirable.


* Independence finally came on April 9th 1991, after the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia held a referendum on March 31st- this was approved by 98.9% of the vote. In the following years Georgia experienced high levels of political unrest and violence; for example the first president, Gamsakhurdia, was ousted in a violent coup d'etat only a few months after taking office. Further problems ensued in 1992 as ethnic and separatist clashes occurred in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as the regions attempted to break with Georgia; hundreds of thousands of refugees fled to Russian-controlled territories in the north. Gamsakhurdia later returned and led a rebellion against the government, though this was successfully crushed.


* Relations with Russia deteriorated from the mid-1990s onwards due, in part, to the pro-Western stance of Georgia's leaders which Russia has been strongly opposed to. The United States sent considerable amounts of aid to Georgia, for example setting up the Georgia Train and Equip Programme to assist the nation's military, and Georgia signed a strategic partnership with NATO, expressing desire to join both NATO and the EU. A powerful coalition of pro-Western reformists led by Mikheil Saakashvili, among others, united in November 2003 to oppose Shevardnadze's corrupt government in the parliamentary elections- massive demonstrations were organised in Tbilisi when it became apparent that the elections were rigged. After two weeks of tension Shevardnadze resigned, and Saakashvili won the presidential election of January 2004 with a huge majority of 96% of votes cast. Saakashvili has been in power in Georgia ever since, and has faced many problems- peace in the unrecognised autonomous republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has always been fragile and until now has relied on assistance from Russia and the United Nations.


* Until Russia's invasion of Georgia this August, relations between the two nations have been difficult given Russia's continuous support of the separatist governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the presence of two Russian garrisons in these regions. The Georgia-Russia Espionage Controversy of 2006 also did much to harm relations between the two states, when in September four Russian officers were arrested in Georgia on charges of espionage. A diplomatic war ensued which world organisations, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, attempted to diffuse.


* The rising tensions between Russia and Georgia in 2008 have been expressed chiefly through continuous denunciations and accusations by both sides, while violence has increased in separatist, pro-Russian Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The immediate build-up to the August 2008 military conflict began when Russia dropped the economic sanctions imposed on Abkhazia by the Commonwealth of Independent States in March of the same year- Karl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister, stated that this action looked like a 'de facto annexation', and his opinion was certainly shared in Georgia. The crisis deepened when a Georgian unmanned, unarmed, aerial vehicle was shot down over Abkhazia on April 20th- Georgia accused Russia of being responsible, on the basis of video footage of a Russian MiG-29 shooting down the drone. Early in May Russia and Abkhazia responded by claiming that three more Georgian reconnaissance drones had been shot down, and they declared that Georgia was planning a military offensive on the region, though these allegations were dismissed by Georgian officials as provocative and propagandistic.


* On May 31st Russia sent apparently-unarmed railway troops into Abkhazia, allegedly to repair a railway line- this was condemned as an act of aggression and an infringement of Georgia's sovereignty by NATO's Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and the troops were pulled out on July 30th. In July violence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia continued to escalate, and in Moscow there was outcry over Condoleezza Rice's endorsement of Georgia's proposed membership of NATO. On July 15th, Abkhazia and South Ossetia were said to be planning to join the Union of Russia and Belarus but that they would need to be recognized as independent before they could join the Union as members. Georgia said on July 16 that if Russia did not accept a plan for resolving the conflict Georgia would be forced to "unilaterally bring an influence to bear on the deployment of armed forces in Abkhazia."


* Tensions reached breaking point and on August 1st South Ossetian and Georgian forces clashed- seven days later Russia sent troops across the border, transforming a separatist conflict into a full-scale war between Russia and Georgia.



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Russian Ambassador: We'll Pull Troops From Georgia When Our "Conditions" Are Met

Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Vitaly Churkin, claimed that Russia will cease military activity when Georgia is ready to "accept our modest conditions." (5:23)
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Georgian Ambassador Claims President Targeted By Russians

Mr. Irakli Alasania, Georgian Ambassador to the United Nations, claimed that Russia targeted Georgian president in air-strikes. Mr. Alasania also strongly urged the Security Council to stop the violence immediately, lest the UN suffer the fate of the League of Nations (2:27)
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US Ambassador Khalilzad: "We cannot be indifferent to the brutality of these attacks"

United States ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, expressed a desire to retain positive relations with Russia, but stressed that the violence must stop. Mr. Khalilzad also stated that a draft resolution will circulate in the Security Council, and it's passage depends entirely on Russia (5:00)
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