Updates on Libyan war: April 15

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Video And Text: Blood Bonanza For British Private Security Contractors In Post-Regime Change Libya

No UN Mandate For Libyan Ground Operations, Regime Change: Russian Foreign Minister

NATO Strikes Libyan Town With Missiles For Second Day

NATO Chief Expects More Warplanes As Libyan War Nears Second Month

NATO’s Cargo Delivery May Be Excuse For Ground Invasion Of Libya

Russian Foreign Minister: UN Resolution Doesn’t Authorize Ground Operations In Libya

NATO’s Air War Against Libya: 2,337 Sorties, 950 Air Strikes Since March 31

NATO To Continue Libyan War “As Long As Necessary”

Libyan War: NATO And EU To Hold Unprecedented Joint Meeting

Another Western Ultimatum To Gaddafi

French Defense Minister: “Three Great Countries” Can Decide Libya’s Fate

Video And Text: Obama Praises Qatari Emir For Support Of NATO’s War Against Libya, Promotion Of “Democracy In The Middle East”

Qatar Ready To Step Up Arming Of Libyan Insurgents: Emir

Bahrain: 2,000 Foreign Troops Deployed As 31 Killed, 600 Arrested

Belarus Slams U.S. News Media Over Libya Mercenaries Lie

Prime Minister: Libyan Crisis Affects Ukraine’s Economy, BRICS Must Ensure World Stability

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Video And Text: Blood Bonanza For British Private Security Contractors In Post-Regime Change Libya
http://rt.com/news/libya-british-security-private-contractors/

RT
April 15, 2011

Libya: blood bonanza for contractors

Video

Libya might soon turn into a goldmine for private security firms. Reports say that the UK is already hiring mercenaries to protect the interests of the big corporations there, once Colonel Gaddafi goes.

But the fresh history of the previous NATO-led interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan give a pretty clear picture of how exactly the big men with guns could turn this civil war-torn country into a proper Wild West.

To the world, homeless and displaced people, disrupted water and electricity supplies, and decimated infrastructure might be tragic scenes of the destruction of lives, while to Britain’s large private security sector they are nothing but a gold mine.

In 2009, the UK’s Ministry of Defense spent US$82 million on hiring private security firms, and now insiders say they are hiring again – for Libya.

“Let’s say after the fall of Colonel Gaddafi, you’d have this power vacuum in the country, and that’s exactly when the private military and security companies will come in,” John Hilary, Executive Director of War on Want points out. “Whereas for the rest of us and for most people these wars, these conflicts are just a cause for concern and grief, [whereas] for these companies this is a bonanza time.”

Private security really boomed in Iraq, and by 2004 the global industry was estimated at US$100 billion.

Formerly in the elite SAS, Bob Paxman did ten years as a contractor in Africa and Iraq, and talks about the huge sums of money involved.

“You also got your hire of arms and ammunition, your training, your vehicles, your compounds so when it’s charged back to the client then all of a sudden it becomes a big money making machine,” the former SAS soldier says.

Private security is an industry populated by ex-soldiers, where regulation is entirely voluntary. That has led to numerous human rights violations like the one registered on video leaked in 2005, which apparently shows a team of UK security contractors taking unprovoked pot-shots at cars on a road in Baghdad.

While working undercover, Paxman says he has even had other contractors open fire on him. And that sort of behavior, particularly by younger contractors with a gung-ho attitude, can have unwelcome results.
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Security companies are typically hired by defense ministries and multinational corporations to protect people and property from insurgents. Because of the dangerous nature of the work, it can easily get out of hand.

“In a world that’s trying to create a free society, where human rights are protected and the rule of law is important, you can’t have people beyond the law,” believes the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament Mike Hancock. “And private security is I think an element where, particularly in volatile states, it does go beyond the law.”

Libya increasingly looks like it will be a volatile state for a good while to come and a new conflict zone means a new cash cow for private security companies.

The reality of modern warfare is that private contractors are now doing the work sovereign military forces used to do, without many of the rules and regulations that govern army engagement. That could mean a new round of human rights violations in an unstable country.

And while it would be Libya that would bear the brunt of that cost, for security contractors, it only brings in more business.

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No UN Mandate For Libyan Ground Operations, Regime Change: Russian Foreign Minister
http://rt.com/politics/nato-russia-berlin-lavrov-rogozin/

RT
April 15, 2011

No UN mandate for Libyan ground operations, regime change – Lavrov

Video

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 does not provide a mandate for ground operations in Libya, nor should NATO be aiming for a regime change.

­NATO ministers, who are holding a two-day meeting in Berlin, have their plate full over the Libyan crisis, which has created a deep fissure in the western military bloc over military strategy.
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Addressing a news conference on Friday, Lavrov expressed concern that NATO was exceeding its UN mandate.

“Today we see actions that in a number of cases go beyond the framework drawn by the UN Security Council,” he said. “There is talk already that Resolution 1973 can even be used for a ground operation. However, the resolution does not imply such actions. The Security Council has not authorized such actions.”

Russia, together with Brazil, China, India, and Germany, abstained from voting on the UN Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force in Libya and the implementation of a no-fly zone over the country.

NATO forces, made up primarily from France, Britain and the US are now tasked with protecting civilians in Libya, although Russia says regime change may be on the cards.

Lavrov stressed that the Security Council itself – not Russia – is fully responsible for political control over the implementation of the resolution.

“The UN Security Council itself plays the role of a watchdog of the implementation of resolutions that it passes,” the Russian foreign minister said. “The UN Security Council should, and will, exercise political leadership over all actions that are planned in its resolutions and political control over these actions, not spilling beyond the framework of the objectives stated in these resolutions.”

Lavrov added that NATO should restrain itself from attempting “regime change” against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Yet that seems to be exactly what the NATO coalition seems to be pursuing. What started out as a mission to “protect civilians and enforce a no-fly zone,” has transformed into an effort to depose of a leader without having a clear understanding as to the nature of the rebel opposition.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and US President Barack Obama signed their own self-styled resolution published simultaneously in three daily newspapers, The Times of London, Le Figaro of France, and the United States’ Washington Post saying Gaddafi must “go and go for good.”
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Meanwhile, Lavrov called intelligence reports that al-Qaeda may be attempting to take advantage of the uprising “disturbing.”

The Russian foreign minister said in order for the situation in Libya to normalize, it is essential to use diplomatic measures.

“We believe that it is extremely important to put the situation onto a political track and switch to political-diplomatic methods in settling the problem as urgently as possible,” Lavrov said.

“It is more useful in determining what that future would be, not by making external ultimatums, but by encouraging all those who want a new Libya to sit at the negotiating table and seek an agreement, instead of chasing each other with heavy and other various armaments in a bid to inflict losses on the enemy, and when a tremendous number of civilians are in danger and getting killed in the course of this process,” he said.
…

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NATO Strikes Libyan Town With Missiles For Second Day
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/15/libya-airstrike-idUSLDE73E1HB20110415

Reuters
April 15, 2011

NATO missiles strike Al-Aziziyah – Libyan TV

RABAT: NATO warplanes launched air strikes on the Libyan town of Al-Aziziyah for the second straight day on Friday, state-run Libyan television reported.

“Al-Aziziyah city was subjected a little while ago to crusader colonial aggression and bombarded for a second consecutive day,” the Al Jamahiriya channel said.

(Reporting by Souhail Karam; Writing by Richard Lough; editing by Tim Pearce)

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NATO Chief Expects More Warplanes As Libyan War Nears Second Month
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/NATO-Expects-More-Allies-Planes-in-Libyan-Mission—-119914784.html

Voice of America News
April 15, 2011

NATO Expects More Allies’ Planes in Libyan Mission

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Ramussen said on Friday, after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin, that the help will arrive “in the very near future.”

Britain and France have been asking allies for more strike aircraft to increase attacks on ground targets in Libya.

Libyan state media reported on Friday NATO hits east of the capital, Tripoli, in government-controlled enclaves.

Western leaders in the NATO coalition vowed on Friday to continue its military campaign in Libya until Mr. Gadhafi leaves power.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. President Barack Obama said leaving Mr. Gadhafi in power would be an “unconscionable betrayal” of the Libyan people.
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Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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NATO’s Cargo Delivery May Be Excuse For Ground Invasion Of Libya
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=16155534&PageNum=1

Itar-Tass
April 15, 2011

NATO’s cargo delivery to Libya may be excuse for land operation

MOSCOW: Should a humanitarian catastrophe happen in Libya, NATO will have to deliver guarded cargo there, and the mission may become an excuse for a land invasion, Russia’s permanent representative at NATO Dmitry Rogozin told the Izvestia daily on Friday.

If the situation develops this way, “it may cause a split of NATO,” which “is already stirred seriously,” he said. “Major European states are against the alliance’s absolute involvement in a strange civil war.”

“I do not think this idea will be supported fully,” Rogozin said. “Should there be anyone involved in playing fast and loose, it would be not the NATO as it is, but its separate members.”

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Russian Foreign Minister: UN Resolution Doesn’t Authorize Ground Operations In Libya
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=2&id=237032

Interfax
April 15, 2011

Ground operation in Libya would contradict U.N. Security Council resolution – Lavrov

BERLIN: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that the U.N. Security Council resolution #1973 does not imply a mandate for a ground operation in Libya.

“Today we see actions that in a number of cases go beyond the framework drawn by the U.N. Security Council. There is talk already that resolution #1973 can be used for a ground operation as well.

“However, the resolution does not imply such actions. The Security Council has not authorized such actions,” he said on Friday after a session of the Russia-NATO Council in Berlin.

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NATO’s Air War Against Libya: 2,337 Sorties, 950 Air Strikes Since March 31
http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_04/20110415_110415-oup-update.pdf

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
April 15, 2011

NATO and Libya
JFC Naples, SHAPE, NATO HQ

Mission

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Air Operations

Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 08.00GMT) a total of 2,337 sorties and 950 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 14 April: 146

Strike sorties conducted 14 April: 60

Strike sorties are intended to identify and engage appropriate targets, but do not necessarily deploy munitions each time.

Key Targets and Engagements

14 April: In the vicinity of Sirte: Eight bunkers, four ammunition storage sites, two Amoured personnel carriers. In the vicinity of Tunisian border: One SA-3 Radar, one SA-3 missile launcher. In vicinity of Misrata: three bunkers destroyed, one helicopter destroyed. In the vicinity of Tripoli, two ammunition storage sites destroyed, one radar destroyed and one tank destroyed.
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Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 17 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

18 Vessels were hailed on 14 April to determine destination and cargo. 0 boardings were conducted.

A total of 334 vessels have been hailed and 9 boardings have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.
….

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NATO To Continue Libyan War “As Long As Necessary”
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14987091,00.html

Deutsche Welle
April 14, 2011

NATO ministers vow to continue Libya mission ‘as long as necessary’

NATO foreign ministers meeting in Berlin have reaffirmed their commitment to the mission in Libya. They also attempted to bridge internal differences over the way the military campaign is being led.

NATO foreign ministers agreed at the meeting in the German capital on Thursday that the alliance would provide all necessary resources for its operations in Libya.

“The high operational tempo against legitimate targets will be maintained and we will exert this pressure as long as necessary,” NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters.

However, he said more high-precision attack aircraft were necessary to hit heavy weapons hidden in urban areas.

“I’m confident that nations will step up to the plate,” Rasmussen said….

These sentiments were shared by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on the sidelines of the meeting. They agreed that Moammar Gadhafi must be removed from power.

“It’s an objective we’re united about,” Merkel said.

Clinton said the alliance had the full backing of the United States, which, after initially leading the airstrikes together with Britain and France, has visibly reduced its overt military role. “New voices from inside and outside Libya have joined the calls for Gadhafi’s departure,” she said. “For our part, the US is committed to our shared mission. We will strongly support the coalition until our work is completed.”

A stronger stance against Gadhafi

The latest gathering comes a day after a meeting of the so-called contact group on Libya in Doha where foreign ministers in a final statement “affirmed that Gadhafi’s regime has lost all legitimacy and he should leave and allow the Libyan people to decide their future.”

The group also decided to set up a “temporary financial mechanism” to aid the rebels fighting Gadhafi.

“Participants agreed that a Temporary Financial Mechanism could provide a method for the INC [interim national council] and international community to manage revenue to assist with short term financial requirements and structural needs in Libya,” the statement said.

The language of the statement indicated a stronger stance than that seen at the group’s meeting two weeks ago, reflecting increased pressure by Britain and France, who are delivering most of the airstrikes on Gadhafi’s armor. They’ve said they want other NATO members to contribute more to the alliance’s efforts in Libya to end the deadlock in the country’s civil war.

The Americans are providing intelligence, logistical support and air-to-air refuelling, but have ceased to fly bombing raids since they handed over control of the mission to NATO.

Author: Sabina Casagrande, Rob Mudge (dpa, AP, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Rob Mudge

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Libyan War: NATO And EU To Hold Unprecedented Joint Meeting
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1633175.php/NATO-and-EU-to-hold-unprecedented-joint-Libya-meeting

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
April 15, 2011

NATO and EU to hold unprecedented joint Libya meeting

Berlin: NATO and the European Union have agreed to their first joint meeting, to discuss the crisis in Libya, diplomatic sources on Friday told German Press Agency dpa.

Turkey, a member of NATO, has previously blocked formal meetings with the EU, of which Cyprus is a member. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for the two organizations to cooperate more closely.

Turkey agreed to the meeting, which is to discuss ways of increasing political pressure on Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, under the condition that the talks were informal and reached no official decisions.

The decision was made during a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Berlin, attended also by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

On Thursday NATO agreed to three conditions which Gaddafi’s forces must meet in order for the bloc to end its military campaign on Libya.

Top EU and NATO representatives have met frequently in the past. A total of 21 countries are members of both NATO, which includes 28 countries, and the EU which counts 27.

Cyprus, whose northern part has been occupied by Turkey since 1974, has repeatedly blocked Turkey’s attempts to join the European Defence Agency, which is headed by Ashton.

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Another Western Ultimatum To Gaddafi
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/04/15/48985383.html

Voice of Russia
April 15, 2011

Another Western ultimatum for Gaddafi

-”The leaders of the three countries are trying to show that there is unity inside the coalition, in the face of recently growing speculation, including in the West, about its collapse in the absence of clear goals and tasks, or any interim results. Gaddafi is still at the helm. The rebels are still weak and unable to take power into their hands. The majority of the population continues to support Gaddafi. This letter is basically an attempt to put a brave face on a sorry business.”

The West intends to stick to its military operation in Libya until Muammar Gaddafi steps down. A letter to this effect, signed by US, UK and French leaders, was published on Friday by UK’s The Times newspaper, US’ Washington Post and France’s Le Figaro.

Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron say that Muammar Gaddafi is trying to annihilate his own people and thus must go. NATO and the coalition forces are acting in the name of the UN, under an unprecedented mandate.

The day before, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev explained his stance on the actions of the Western coalition in Libya at the BRICS summit in the Chinese city of Sanya.

“The spirit and the letter of UN SC resolutions should be complied with, rather than randomly interpreted by individual states. We agreed to a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent the escalation of conflict. Instead, we essentially find ourselves with a military operation, albeit in the air and not on the ground. But the UN resolution says nothing about this. It is there to be complied with, not to attempt to widen its mandate.”

The BRICS summit called for an end to all violence in Libya. The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa say there’s a need for immediate talks, not more air strikes.

At the same time, the publication of the letter from the British, American and French leaders is symptomatic, says Sergei Demidenko of the Institute for Strategic Assessment and Analysis.

“The leaders of the three countries are trying to show that there is unity inside the coalition, in the face of recently growing speculation, including in the West, about its collapse in the absence of clear goals and tasks, or any interim results. Gaddafi is still at the helm. The rebels are still weak and unable to take power into their hands. The majority of the population continues to support Gaddafi. This letter is basically an attempt to put a brave face on a sorry business.”

After the BRICS summit urged choosing political and diplomatic dialogue over the use of force, NATO foreign ministers, who were meeting in Berlin, issued their own statement. The document, signed by Jordan, Qatar, Morocco, Sweden, Ukraine and the UAE, which are also involved in the military operation in Libya, stresses that Gaddafi’s regime has “lost all legitimacy”, albeit doesn’t directly say that the goal of the operation is to depose the Colonel.

US Air Force planes have not been involved in military action in Libya for 10 days now, sticking to reconnaissance flights, aerial refueling and blocking Gaddafi troops’ radars. At the same time, London and Paris are urging the US to resume its active participation in the Libyan operation, ascribing the advance of Gaddafi troops’ offensive against the rebel forces to the reduced vigour of air strikes.

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French Defense Minister: “Three Great Countries” Can Decide Libya’s Fate
http://en.rian.ru/world/20110415/163543291.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti
April 15, 2011

UN resolution lacks provision on ‘Gaddafi’s future’ – French minister

-”I believe that when three great countries say the same thing it is important for the UN, and maybe some day the Security Council will make this decision,” Longuet said, adding that the process of adopting a resolution requiring Gaddafi’s departure could be stalled by such countries as Russia, China and Brazil.

The intentions of U.S., French and British leaders to carry on military operations in Libya until Muammar Gaddafi steps down are not covered by the UN Security Council resolution authorizing the operation, the French defense minister said on Friday.

U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a joint article published on Friday in the International Herald Tribune, The Times and Le Figaro that the NATO operation should continue until Gaddafi steps down.

“This is definitely beyond the scope of Resolution 1973, since it says nothing about the future of Gaddafi,” Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said in an interview with LCI news channel.

He said, however, that the UN Security Council could pass a resolution that did demand Gaddafi step down.

“I believe that when three great countries say the same thing it is important for the UN, and maybe some day the Security Council will make this decision,” Longuet said, adding that the process of adopting a resolution requiring Gaddafi’s departure could be stalled by such countries as Russia, China and Brazil.

On Thursday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the leaders of the BRICS nations – Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa – believe the situation in Libya should be resolved through diplomatic means.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya on March 17, paving the way for the military operation against embattled Libyan leader Gaddafi that began two days later. The command of the operation was shifted from a U.S.-led international coalition to NATO in late March.

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Video And Text: Obama Praises Qatari Emir For Support Of NATO’s War Against Libya, Promotion Of “Democracy In The Middle East”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/04/14/president-obama-meets-amir-hamad-bin-khalifa-al-thani

The White House
April 14, 2011

President Obama Meets with Amir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani

President Obama and Amir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar speak to the press after meeting in the Oval Office.

Video

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http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=144974

Trend News Agency
April 14, 2011

Obama thanks Qatari amir for support on Libya

Baku: U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday thanked Qatari Amir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for the Gulf state’s support on Libya while the two met at the White House, APA reports quoting Xinhua News Agency.

Obama told reporters after the bilateral meeting that they went through “a very useful conversation” and he thanked the amir for “the leadership” he has shown when it comes to “democracy in the Middle East,” and in particular in Libya.

“Qatar has not only supported diplomatically but has also supported militarily and we are very appreciative of the outstanding work that the Qataris have done side by side with other international coalition members,” said Obama.

He also mentioned two countries’ cooperation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, global food security and the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

The Qatari amir thanked Obama for “the position the U.S. has taken in support of the democratization process that taken place in Tunisia and in Egypt and what is attempting to take place in Libya.”

But he said that the most important issue for the region is Israel-Palestinian peace.

“We do understand your position Mr. President in supporting the existence of two states peacefully living side by side and we support your position,” the amir said.

The direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians started in September last year under brokering by the Obama administration. But the talks was soon stuck in a limbo after Israel failed to extend moratorium on West Bank settlement.

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are the only two Arab states that have committed to participating in the NATO-led airstrikes on Libya.

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Qatar Ready To Step Up Arming Of Libyan Insurgents: Emir
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-04/15/c_13829569.htm

Xinhua News Agency
April 15, 2011

Qatar ready to arm Libyan opposition: amir

WASHINGTON: Amir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said on Thursday that his country stands ready to provide arms to the Libyan opposition on request.

“If they will ask for weapons, we’re going to provide them,” the amir, who is on a visit to the United States, told CNN in an interview.

He confirmed that the opposition had raised a request, but “it will take some time” as the weapons offered need “a lot of training.”

When pressed to confirm reports that Qatar has provided French-made anti-tank weapons to the opposition, he replied that “it might be arrived to them during the last two days. It’s possible.”

Qatar, whose warplanes are joining NATO-led airstrikes on Libya along with the United Arab Emirates, joined France in recognizing the opposition’s Interim Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of Libya, a move followed by Italy.

“It will be wise if America would recognize the opposition,” the amir said.

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Bahrain: 2,000 Foreign Troops Deployed As 31 Killed, 600 Arrested
http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Aki/English/Security/Bahrain-Thirty-one-protesters-killed-600-arrested-since-February-group-says_311903716211.html

ADN Kronos International
April 14, 2011

Bahrain: ‘Thirty-one protesters killed, 600 arrested’, since February, group says

Manam: Thirty-one protesters have been killed in Bahrain since 14 February when government forces began cracking down on anti-government demonstrations, independent rights watchdog Bahrain Center for Human Rights said in a report.

The group said 600 people have been detained, including 30 women.

Bahrain’s government in March imposed martial law and, controversially, brought in 2,000 troops from other Sunni-ruled states in the region including Saudi Arabia, to quell the protest movement.

Members of Bahrain’s Shia majority population have been engaged in protests against what they see as discriminatory policies by the tiny country’s monarchy backed by the Sunni minority.

Bahrain’s king Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah imposed a three-month state of emergency giving his country’s military chief sweeping powers to put down a pro-democracy uprising that has threatened the ruling monarchy.

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Belarus Slams U.S. News Media Over Libya Mercenaries Lie
http://en.rian.ru/world/20110415/163542578.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti
April 15, 2011

Minsk slams AP over reports of Belarusian mercenaries in Libya

-”The fact can be deemed proof that The Associated Press is a hired propaganda outlet and tool.”
-UN officials claimed in late February that Belarus had delivered three attack helicopters to the Ivory Coast in violation of a UN arms embargo. The UN later retracted the claim and apologized to Minsk for the embarrassing incident.

Minsk: The Belarusian Foreign Ministry accused The Associated Press news agency on Friday of intentionally misquoting a UN official in a report on the presence of Belarusian mercenaries in Libya.

The Associated Press reported earlier in April that hundreds of foreign mercenaries, including from Belarus, were likely fighting on the side of both Muammar Gaddafi’s forces and rebels in Libya. The agency quoted the head of UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries Jose Luis Gomez del Prado.

Belarus immediately denied the allegations and demanded an official investigation by UN officials.

“It has been established that the UN official [Jose del Prado] told the American journalist that he had no information and therefore could not confirm the presence of any Belarusian mercenaries in Libya,” said Andrei Savinykh, a spokesman for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

“The fact can be deemed proof that The Associated Press is a hired propaganda outlet and tool,” Savynykh said.

The Belarusian diplomat criticized Western journalists for their propensity to “effortlessly step over the conventional democratic standards when it is convenient to them and in line with the interests of their sponsors.”

In similar circumstances, UN officials claimed in late February that Belarus had delivered three attack helicopters to the Ivory Coast in violation of a UN arms embargo. The UN later retracted the claim and apologized to Minsk for the embarrassing incident.

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http://news.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=624422

Belarusian Telegraph Agency
April 15, 2011

Foreign Ministry: Another attempt by western media to pervert the facts exposed

-“As we can see, western journalists effortlessly step over the conventional democratic standards when it is convenient to them and in line with the interests of their sponsors.”

MINSK: Another attempt by a western media organization to falsify the real situation has been exposed, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Andrei Savinykh said in his commentary in view of the Associated Press’ reference to the statement of head of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries Jose del Prado.

“We have received a comprehensive answer from the head of the UN Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries Jose del Prado on what exactly he told the Associated Press reporter. It has been established that the UN official told the American journalist that he had no information and therefore could not confirm the presence of any Belarusian mercenaries in Libya. The statement was clear-cut and unambiguous. Similar confirmations came in from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,” Andrei Savinykh’s commentary says.

The fact can be viewed as a proof that the Associated Press is a hired propaganda outlet and tool. It seems this appraisal may be referred to other western media that circulated publications on the subject.

“As we can see, western journalists effortlessly step over the conventional democratic standards when it is convenient to them and in line with the interests of their sponsors,” Andrei Savinykh stressed.

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Prime Minister: Libyan Crisis Affects Ukraine’s Economy, BRICS Must Ensure World Stability
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=16156538&PageNum=0

Itar-Tass
April 15, 2011

Libya’s crisis affects dramatically Ukraine’s economy – Azarov

SANYA: Libya’s crisis has affected dramatically Ukraine’s economy, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov told reporters on Friday.

Prior to the events in Libya, a barrel of oil in international markets cost 80 dollars, while now the price is 122 dollars already, he said. That is why in Ukraine a liter of high-octane petrol, which used to cost eight hrivnas (about one dollar), now costs 9.8 hrivnas. This growth of prices on oil and gas first of all suspends economic development, both international and ours, he said.

“Libya’s problem, which is being discussed here, affects Ukraine directly,” Azarov said. “We need international stability and the BRICS countries are the states which are responsible for stability in the world.”

Reporters asked Azarov if Ukraine might join BRICS.

“The question of Ukraine’s alignment or non-alignment with anything depends on us: on how quickly we overcome the crisis and become mighty,” he replied.

“We, Ukraine, have all the opportunities to become a mighty state, which will develop quickly,” he added referring to China’s experience as that country had been developing dynamically for 30 years already, and which GDP growth had been above ten percent over past years.

“Only five years ago this would have been strange to us, because for five years we made no headway, while China developed dynamically,” he said. “We must solve our problems, gain quickly intensive development, growth of incomes, and, should it be necessary, we may consider alignment.”

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