Copyright 2008 The New York Sun Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:38:40 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Benny Avni :: Stories from The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/authors/Benny+Avni istoll@nysun.com (Ira Stoll) webmaster@nysun.com en-us BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/russia-accuses-un-agency-of-funding-georgian/86826/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Russia's confrontation with the West is escalating, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accusing the U.N. Development Program of collaborating with the financier George Soros to fund Mikheil Saakashvili's rise to the Georgian presidency. Russia has long accused Mr. Soros of financing the 2003 Rose Revolution, and Mr. Saakashvili in particular. Yesterday, Mr. Lavrov called for an examination of the ties between Mr. Soros and the UNDP. "At the time, George Soros was sponsoring... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/obamas-man-on-the-middle-east/86736/ Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Senator Obama's leading voice on Middle East policy, Dennis Ross, is one of America's most talented, creative, and clear-eyed diplomats, tirelessly seeking paradigm-shifting ideas, breakthroughs, and new openings to achieve his goals. And as he told a small group of pro-Israeli Obama donors, activists, and reporters at the United Nations, the goal is peace. Mr. Ross, who climbed the ladder at Foggy Bottom from the days of President Reagan until the end of the Clinton administration and is most... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/financial-crisis-casts-pall-on-un-poverty-goals/86680/ Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Members of the Black Eyed Peas performed, Bill Gates donated money, and Mayor Bloomberg hosted a party for world leaders, all in the name of eradicating half of the world's poverty by the middle of the next decade. But as leaders from the wealthy countries kept a wary eye on the financial markets, some said it was unrealistic — unfair even — to ask them to funnel money to the poor during a financial crisis. Having dedicated this year's U.N. General Assembly session to fighting... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/at-assembly-fretting-over-russias-rejection/86570/ Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — European diplomats are expressing concern that Russia's refusal to impose a new round of sanctions on Iran could spell an end to diplomacy and lead to a military attack to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. A Russian veto at the U.N. Security Council would scuttle any resolution on sanctions, which America is seeking over Iran's refusal to dismantle its nuclear program. Relations between Washington and Moscow have turned icy since Russia's war with Georgia this... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/bush-at-un-we-must-stand-united/86507/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — President Ahmadinejad is suggesting the Jews are to blame for the financial crisis. Delivering a speech redolent of classical European anti-Semitism, the Iranian leader accused Zionists of controlling the banks and was embraced yesterday by listeners at the General Assembly. He exchanged a long hug with the Assembly president and was feted afterward with mostly friendly questions from handpicked reporters. Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech — in which he accused "Zionists" of domineering... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/sarkozy-takes-tough-stance-against-ahmadinejad/86417/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:07:38 EST UNITED NATIONS — President Sarkozy of France would refuse to shake the hand of the Iranian president, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map, the French leader told reporters today at the United Nations. At a press conference shortly after delivering a speech at the opening debate of the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. Sarkozy added that President al-Assad of Syria could be used to exert a positive influence on Iran. Although Mr. Sarkozy's sentiment toward President Ahmadinejad was shared... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/palin-lands-as-belle-of-un-amid-global-finance/86404/ Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — The world leaders who are in New York today for the annual U.N. General Assembly debate may be more concerned about the global financial crisis than political issues or terrorism, several diplomats here say. And as presidents and prime ministers mingle at the assembly's autumn session, one figure is being eyed with curiosity: the newest Cinderella on the international scene, Governor Palin, who was scheduled to attend a reception hosted by President Bush last night at the... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/ahmadinejad-prepares-to-steal-the-scene/86300/ Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Billed as a dialogue between American church leaders and President Ahmadinejad of Iran, the Religions for Peace event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Thursday is shaping up as the focal point of this week's gathering of world leaders in New York City. Mr. Ahmadinejad, who has learned in recent years how to steal the show during a visit to the city, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday and hold a press conference at Turtle Bay later this week. But gems like his... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/new-york/first-clinton-now-palin-out-of-nyc-rally/86155/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Governor Palin's invitation to an anti-Iran rally in front of the United Nations next week has been rescinded. The organizers of the event, seeking to overcome the perception that the rally was becoming a political tool for the American candidates for president, announced yesterday afternoon that no "political personalities" would take part. The rally, planned for Monday, gained prominence in the campaign after representatives from several Jewish organizations secured the... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/ahmadinejad-hones-hate-message-in-general/86242/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — As New York gears up for the U.N. General Assembly session next week, Iran's president is honing his anti-America and anti-Israel message in what may be a ploy for attention at the annual event. Iran has emerged as a central player in a group of countries that have turned their defiance of America into a major policy plank, and diplomats will be watching closely next week as leaders of this group, including Sudan, Venezuela, and Cuba, deliver speeches at the General Assembly... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/slim-victory-for-livni-in-israeli-primary-vote/86115/ Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Despite a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's margin of victory in last night's primary vote may prove too thin to ensure her immediate ascension to Israeli prime minister. A count of the ballots from polling stations across Israel showed that projections made shortly after the polls closed gave much too wide a margin for Ms. Livni over her nearest rival for the leadership of the ruling Kadima Party, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz. "The good guys... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/ruling-israeli-party-votes-on-replacement/85994/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Members of Israel's ruling party, Kadima, go to the polls today to choose a new leader, with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni the front-runner and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz her nearest rival. The winner is expected to move quickly to try to form a coalition government, as having a sitting prime minister will improve the centrist party's chances of winning a general election. Recent polls have heavily favored the right-of-center Likud Party, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, in such an... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/iran-rachets-up-its-defiance-of-us-and-un/85938/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Days before Iran's president arrives here for the annual U.N. General Assembly session, his country is ratcheting up its defiance of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA is taking Iran to task over its refusal to cooperate with nuclear inspectors and its violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, but far from being ostracized at the General Assembly, President Ahmadinejad is expected to be fκted by some of the key countries attending the session... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/remembering-monroe-doctrine-as-tensions-rise/85790/ Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST As a new leader takes the helm at the U.N. General Assembly, the much-discussed but ill-defined "Bush doctrine" has me thinking about one of the bedrocks of American foreign policy, the Monroe Doctrine. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, a former foreign minister of Nicaragua, will assume the General Assembly's presidency this week. A trained Catholic priest who was born in Los Angeles but spent his life among the Sandinistas and other secular Latin American revolutionaries, Mr. d'Escoto is expected to... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/burmese-dissident-arrested-after-year-in-hiding/85707/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Burma's ruling junta yesterday arrested a prominent activist, while at the United Nations the Security Council gathered to discuss the U.N. envoy to Burma's recent failure to meet with the country's leading dissident, Aung San Suu Kyi. Nilar Thein, leader of a dissident group known as the 88 Generation Students, was detained by Burmese security forces after spending a year in hiding following the arrest of her husband, Kyaw Min Yu. "The arrest — and the huge increase in arrests... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/us-widens-iran-sanctions-as-drone-is-reported/85655/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — The U.S. Treasury Department is widening sanctions against Iran, amid reports that the country is violating U.N. Security Council resolutions barring arms sales to Sudan. The announcement yesterday of new sanctions against Iran's largest state-owned shipping line came with a warning from American officials: Iran, they said, is adapting to American sanctions, making further international financial cooperation vital. Following reports that an Iranian-made unmanned aircraft was... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/new-york/city-halts-public-school-visits-to-un-over-safety/85538/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — The city of New York is suspending all public school visits to the United Nations due to safety concerns in the landmark First Avenue building, according to a letter to top U.N. officials from the city's liaison to the world body, Marjorie Tiven. Expressing "profound disappointment" over the United Nations' failure to make good on pledges to secure the building, Ms. Tiven, who is Mayor Bloomberg's sister, writes that the city has "no choice" but to suspend all school trips. The... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/furor-erupts-at-united-nations-at-seminar/85461/ Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — A one-day seminar organized by the United Nations to highlight the plight of victims of terrorism is coming under heavy criticism from Arab diplomats and reporters who say the process of selecting the participants is flawed. The inclusion of the father of an Israeli girl who was killed in a 2001 suicide bombing in Jerusalem among the 18 victims of terrorism in today's seminar set off a volley of questions yesterday from U.N. reporters, who accused a top aide to... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/un-roots-for-obama-but-should-give-mccains-ideas/85363/ Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST Foreign diplomats and most U.N. officials are rooting for Senator Obama to win the White House in November, though they have wisely avoided thinly disguised interference in the American presidential election. At the height of the last presidential campaign, Secretary-General Annan called the Iraq war "illegal" and, in a memo leaked to the press days before the election, his top aides warned against attacking Fallujah. While Secretary-General Ban's top officials have refrained thus far from such... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/planned-conference-on-racism-raises-concerns/85251/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Amid growing threats by some of the most influential countries in the United Nations to boycott a planned conference on racism next year, diplomats are saying harsh anti-Israel tones would likely turn the parlay into a low point that would harm the image of participants and the world organization. As diplomats meet in Geneva on Friday to hash out the agenda of the session, officials here are concerned it might reflect poorly on the United Nations as a whole. They have issued... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/israel-warns-france-on-talks-with-syria/85197/ Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST As President Sarkozy becomes the first Western leader to visit Damascus in the last few years, Israeli officials are expressing trepidation, warning against warming up to President al-Assad's regime before it takes real steps to prove it has changed its ways. The French president's arrival in Damascus yesterday as part of a four-country two-day summit is seen in the region as a signal that Syria's isolation is about to end. The Bush administration has long opposed attempts to open a diplomatic... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/un-america-offer-dueling-civilian-casualty-figures/85080/ Wed, 3 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — A vast discrepancy between a United Nations accusation that American-led forces killed 90 civilians in one recent Afghanistan battle and an American investigation that concluded no more than 7 civilians were killed is calling into question the methodology of the two competing investigations. U.S. Army investigators said in a report released yesterday that between 30 and 35 militants were killed in the battle last month, including a top Taliban commander, Mullah Sadiq. The... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/europe-lost-in-search-for-unity-on-russia/84956/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST With Baltic and British leaders urging punitive measures against Russia, and France and Germany calling for dialogue with Moscow, a summit meant to display unity among Europeans is exposing the divisions that haunt the continent as it faces new dangers in the aftermath of the war in Georgia. European leaders papered over their policy differences yesterday by vowing a "vigilant" watch over the Georgia situation, forgoing the imposition of sanctions against Moscow and vowing that talks regarding... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/un-ambassador-cuts-vacation-short-amid-memo-flap/84873/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — The American ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, is cutting his vacation short and is due to return home on Monday night, after a leaked State Department memorandum raised questions about his methods of work, which many U.N. diplomats fondly call his "independent streak" but which have angered some of his colleagues in the Bush administration. As State Department officials questioned whether Mr. Khalilzad's communications with a top Pakistani politician, Asif... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/un-report-criticizes-lebanon-border-security/84779/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Lebanon's border with Syria is highly "penetrable," a U.N. team of border control professionals is concluding, bolstering Israeli claims that Hezbollah is rearming. Members of the U.N. Security Council yesterday received copies of the team's report, even as they deliberated an extension for the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, deployed in the aftermath of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, a Shiite organization backed by Iran and Syria. The head of the peacekeeping force... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/russia-america-step-up-their-hostile-rhetoric/84729/ Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — President Medvedev of Russia is threatening a military response to the deployment of an American missile defense system in Poland, which was once within the Kremlin's zone of control. Mr. Medvedev, who yesterday recognized the independence claims of two separatist Georgian provinces, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that, though Russia is not seeking a resumption of the Cold War, it is "not afraid" of such an outcome. President Bush condemned Mr. Medvedev's decision to... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/israeli-release-of-arab-prisoners-sparks-criticism/84586/ Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Although Secretary of State Rice applauded Israel's release yesterday of 198 Palestinian Arab prisoners, some leading Israeli politicians are criticizing the move. Seeing images of the freed Arab terrorists while an Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, remains in the hands of Hamas is "difficult" to watch, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said. Mr. Mofaz, who is running to replace Prime Minister Olmert as head of the ruling centrist Kadima Party, aimed his criticism mostly at Foreign... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/use-iran-to-force-putins-hand/84501/ Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Now is the time to put the Russo-Farsi alliance to the test. No, America should not give Russia Georgia or Ukraine, or any other foothold it seeks in its "near abroad," in return for Moscow's cooperation in stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions. Such a bargain would be "too cynical for me," the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin — no stranger to cynicism — told me. And Secretary of State Rice has argued that Russia is already cooperating with America on Iran. The Kremlin has... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/syrias-assad-pays-a-call-to-the-kremlin/84353/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — With Russia issuing new threats against America over its planned missile shield, one of the Bush administration's least favorite Middle Eastern leaders, President al-Assad of Syria, is on a two-day visit to the Russian resort city of Sochi, where he is expressing support for the Kremlin's war on Georgia and making deals to buy fighter jets. Russia's confrontation with the West is escalating, with Moscow vowing to respond — and not only through diplomacy — to America's agreement... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/diplomats-taking-a-new-tack-on-georgia/84261/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Abruptly discarding a week-old push to engage Russia and convince its leaders to end their war on Georgia, European and American diplomats are saying they will "cut to the chase" with a U.N. Security Council resolution that stresses the need for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgian territory. The move, which diplomats say is sure to result in a Russian veto, came as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization announced plans to strengthen its ties with Georgia... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/terror-war-re-evaluated-as-musharraf-steps-down/84160/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST America and Pakistan's neighbors are being forced to re-evaluate their strategy in the war on Al Qaeda and the Taliban after the resignation yesterday of President Musharraf, whose nine-year reign included a decision after September 11, 2001, to cooperate closely with America in the fight against international terrorism. Officials in Washington yesterday were careful to balance statements of praise for Mr. Musharraf with expressions of confidence that his successors would do just as well. But... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/georgia-conflict-demands-a-new-warsaw-pact/84087/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST The next American president should start thinking right now about creating a new military alliance based in New Europe, whose members — some of them members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, others perhaps not — would rush to each other's defense if attacked. The creation of international alliances to compete with the all-inclusive and all too permanent United Nations in the field of international cooperation could improve the world body tremendously. Military alliances such as NATO... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/poles-ink-new-defense-pact-with-us-as-russia-digs/83968/ Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — As Russia hardens its positions in the Georgia war, other nations that were once part of the Communist bloc increasingly are indicating a readiness, along with America, to stand up to future Kremlin muscle-flexing. But it is unclear whether such signals are strong enough to register in Moscow. America and Poland yesterday rushed the signing of a long-debated plan to build a missile shield station on Polish land. According to Warsaw, the agreement showed a commitment between the... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/russo-georgian-war-may-spread/83864/ Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Russia's war with Georgia is widening, drawing in Ukraine, the Baltic states, Poland, and even America. President Bush yesterday, flanked by his defense secretary, Robert Gates, announced he would send American aircraft and naval vessels to the region on what he described as a humanitarian mission aimed at aiding Georgia. Ukraine restricted movement of Russian navy ships based at a Black Sea port, Bloomberg News reported. And Poland, a NATO ally of America, advanced in its... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/bush-insists-georgia-must-remain-undivided/83801/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:19:20 EST UNITED NATIONS — Flanked by his top diplomatic aide, but also accompanied by his secretary of defense, President Bush sent a clear message to Russia, asserting America's support for a tentative agreement to end the war in Georgia, but saying he would "insist" that the country remain undivided. In a brief but stern address at the White House, Mr. Bush, who was accompanied by Secretary of State Rice and Defense Secretary Gates, said he was "concerned" by reports that despite the agreement reached... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/kremlin-agrees-to-halt-seizing-advantage-in-war/83779/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Six days after invading Georgia, and one day after President Bush scolded the Kremlin in harsh language for its "unacceptable" behavior, Russia declared that its military objectives in the pro-Western neighboring country had been achieved, and ordered its troops to halt their operations. The announcement in Moscow by President Medvedev came just before his meeting with President Sarkozy, who visited the Russian and Georgian capitals yesterday in an attempt to end a war that, as... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/japan-suit-accuses-top-un-official-of-libel/83743/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — A top U.N. executive in charge of informing the public about the world body's good works is facing a lawsuit in Japan and questions about financial matters in his department's Tokyo office. Kiyotaka Akasaka, the U.N. undersecretary-general for public information, is accused of libel in a suit filed yesterday in a Tokyo district court. The suit, brought by a former director of the Department of Public Information's Japan office, Charmine Koda, stems from internal fighting within... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/unacceptable/83701/ Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Calling Russia's latest actions in Georgia a "dramatic and brutal escalation," President Bush warned such actions could "threaten" Moscow's relations with America and Europe. Beyond urging a cease-fire, however, Mr. Bush made no hint of how America intends to counter Russia's attempt to depose a "duly elected government" in Tbilisi. President Saakashvili made a desperate plea for international assistance, saying his country was cut in half by Russian troops. His country has... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/un-official-is-pulled-from-beirut-after-qaeda/83548/ Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Quick: Whose side is the United Nations on in the war on terror? This might be a trick question. As everyone knows, Turtle Bay takes no sides. But some terrorists evidently believe the world body is their enemy, and Secretary-General Ban is sufficiently, and justly, concerned. Mr. Ban recently withdrew Johan Verbeke from Beirut, although the Belgian diplomat has barely visited the country since his April appointment as special representative to Lebanon. Mr. Verbeke had to leave "for personal... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/paralysis-of-war-grips-the-un/83606/ Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — As President Saakashvili of Georgia appeals to America and the "world community" to intervene to stop the war in his country, the Security Council is mired in a Cold War-like paralysis that will likely lead in the next few days to a Russian veto on a proposed cease-fire resolution, diplomats say. In yesterday's emergency session, the American U.N. ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, accused Moscow of attempting to orchestrate a "regime change" in Tbilisi and said Russia's "campaign... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/iran-gets-warning-on-israel/83494/ Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Secretary of State Rice is signaling she won't stand in the way of an Israeli military action to stop Iran's nuclear program, ratcheting up the American pressure on Tehran. Following the Iranian government's latest refusal to give what Washington considered a "satisfactory" answer to the most generous offer yet that leading world powers have made to Tehran, the Bush administration vowed to impose a new round of Security Council sanctions. Council members say, however, that... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/petraeus-visit-highlights-growing-strategic/83386/ Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — With Israel increasingly concerned about Hezbollah's military buildup on its northern border and about the growing political influence of the Iranian-backed organization in the Lebanese capital, General David Petraeus made an unannounced visit to Lebanon yesterday to discuss American support for the country's national army. The presence in Beirut of General Petraeus, confirmed recently as head of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the Middle East, is an indication... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/questions-grow-over-syrian-generals-killing/83185/ Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Speculation in the Middle East is intensifying about the apparent assassination of a powerful figure within the Syrian president's inner circle, and Syria observers say the incident could prove a "source of embarrassment" to the once all-powerful Assad regime. Syrian officials made no comment yesterday about the death of Brigadier General Mohammad Suleiman, whose title as a Baath Party leader betrayed none of his considerable power. The 49-year-old Suleiman, who grew up with President al-Assad... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/peace-force-in-darfur-is-no-solution/83105/ Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST Television cameras will capture the world's top athletes at their best next week, while commentators will look for hints of a Chinese government crackdown on demonstrators. But for some military planners in Beijing, the Olympics will be a sideshow. Instead they will reassess China's decision to participate in U.N. peacekeeping missions around the world, and specifically in Sudan, where they fear a major backlash to a planned genocide trial for President al-Bashir. Other countries are also... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/livni-plans-to-maintain-peace-talks/83051/ Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — One of the leading candidates to become Israel's next premier, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, says she intends to maintain the current drive to reach political agreements with Palestinian Arabs and act on other "national interests" even before leadership changes in Jerusalem. Ms. Livni's rivals, especially among her former colleagues at the Likud Party, raise the concern that the current government may saddle its successor with irreversible concessions on the eve of a possible... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/hezbollah-has-tripled-its-missile-arsenal-barak/82836/ Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — Israel's defense minister, Ehud Barak, will tell Secretary General Ban today that the violations of a U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the Lebanon War, which strengthen Iran's allies in Lebanon, present "real and serious danger" for Israel, according to an aide. The increasing firepower of Hezbollah and other issues involving a growing anxiety in Israel over Iran's regional influence — including how to deal with Tehran's nuclear menace — were at the top of Mr... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/official-un-lost-10m-in-burma/82774/ Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations lost at least $10 million as it carried out humanitarian relief efforts in Burma because it complied with a plan allowing the country's ruling junta to control foreign currency, according to the top U.N. humanitarian coordinator. John Holmes's disclosure yesterday raises questions about how funds donated by well-meaning governments and private entities are spent by the United Nations in countries such as Burma, where a dictatorial regime controls every aspect... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/new-york/city-un-navigate-fire-safety-issues/82705/ Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Part of the trip that had made the United Nations building one of New York City's most visited tourist attractions will be taken off the itinerary at the end of this week. So if you always wanted to see where international bureaucrats confer — or if you are a diplomacy fan eager to take a final lap around the building, just as Yankees loyalists do at the Stadium this year — do it by Thursday. Then again, if you are concerned about your safety but still want to see The House That Dag Built... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/russia-denies-cuba-bombers-report/82597/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST Note: Correction appended. UNITED NATIONS — With Fidel Castro openly relishing the prospect of a second missile crisis and a renewed confrontation with America, Russia is denying a report that it will deploy nuclear bombers on the communist island. At the United Nations, home to some of the most memorable scenes of the Cold War, Russian diplomats yesterday referred reporters to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry refuting the report in the Russian daily Izvestia. "We see this sort of... BENNY AVNI http://www.nysun.com/foreign/obama-meets-netanyahu-as-russia-arms-iran/82537/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST As Senator Obama utters some of his toughest comments on Iran to date while visiting Israel, saying all options must be on the table in addition to "tough diplomacy," Tehran is preparing to fend off air attacks against its facilities by acquiring antiair missiles from Russia. Mr. Obama, who met Jerusalem's top officials and Palestinian Arab leaders yesterday, said a nuclear Iran poses a threat to Israel, the region, and American interests. According to several participants in meetings in...