Historic US boost for Sri Lanka’s shipping hub status in South Asia

•  US International Development Finance Corporation extends 20 year financing worth $ 553 m to India’s Adani, SL’s JKH and SLPA owned Colombo West International Terminal costing $ 750 m 

•  DFC CEO Scott Nathan says funding will expand SL’s shipping capacity, creating greater prosperity without adding to sovereign debt whilst strengthening the position of its allies across the region 

•  Ambassador Julie Chung says support symbolic of US’ long-standing commitment to SL as its regain economic footing to further shared vision for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific 

•  Govt. big wigs Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayake and Indian envoy witness loan agreement signing ceremony

• Deal signifies US, Sri Lanka and India fostering enduring legacy of cooperation in the development of sustainable infrastructure, like smart and green ports

•  Colombo is the largest and busiest transhipment port in Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka one of the world’s key transit hubs with half of all container ships transiting through its waters 

•  Adani Ports CEO Karan Adani says DFC support is reaffirmation by the international community of Group’s vision, capabilities and governance Says deal will facilitate private sector-led growth and attract crucial foreign exchange to Sri Lanka to aid in its economic recovery 

• JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra says DFC investment an endorsement of potential of the CWIT project and a boost for investor confidence on SL

•  Analysts term 20 year tenor of financing for entirety of debt component of project is attractive amidst SL’s default-Sovereign status and low credit rating

FT Thursday, 9 November 2023

The United States yesterday signified its biggest boost for Sri Lanka’s hub status for shipping in the Indian ocean with its International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) committing a 20 year financing worth $ 553 million to upcoming Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) by a joint venture involving Indian giant Adani, Sri Lanka’s top blue chip John Keells Holdings and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Given the historic significance and importance of the support from a regional and Sri Lanka’s perspective, US Ambassador Julie Chung, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayake witnessed the agreement signing yesterday in Colombo between the parties.

Analysts told the Daily FT that given the 20 year tenor, the financing for the entirety of the debt component of CWIT is favourable. It also comes at a time when Sri Lanka remains a default-Sovereign and low grade credit rating. The CWIT costs $ 750 million and the balance is funded by equity.

DFC said its commitment of over half a billion US Dollars to support the development of a deep-water shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, will provide critical infrastructure for the South Asian region.

The new terminal reflects DFC’s commitment to financing high-quality infrastructure that supports its partner’s development needs, invests in local communities, and is respectful of local financial conditions. The investment further demonstrates the US enduring commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic growth and its regional economic integration, including with India.

When commissioned, CWIT will be the largest and deepest container terminal in Sri Lanka. With a quay length of 1,400 m and an alongside-depth of 20 m, CWIT will be equipped to handle ultra large container vessels with capacities of 24,000 TEUs. The new terminal’s annual cargo handling capacity is likely to exceed 3.2 million TEUs. Last year the Colombo Port handled nearly 8 million TEUs.

DFC, the US government’s development finance institution, partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world. It invests across sectors, including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and small business and financial services. 

DFC CEO Scott Nathan said, “DFC works to drive private-sector investments that advance development and economic growth while strengthening the strategic positions of our partners. That’s what we’re delivering with this infrastructure investment in the Port of Colombo.”

“Sri Lanka is one of the world’s key transit hubs, with half of all container ships transiting through its waters. DFC’s commitment of $ 553 million in private-sector loans for the West Container Terminal will expand its shipping capacity, creating greater prosperity for Sri Lanka, without adding to sovereign debt, while at the same time strengthening the position of our allies across the region,” Nathan added.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said, “The $ 553 million investment by DFC for the long-term development of the Port of Colombo’s West Container Terminal will facilitate private-sector-led growth in Sri Lanka and attract crucial foreign exchange inflows during its economic recovery. This financing is symbolic of the US long-standing commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka regaining its economic footing will further our shared vision for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

The US sentiments were in apparent response to China whose state-owned entities manage and majority own the biggest and most modern terminal (CICT) in the Colombo Port and the Hambantota International Port in deep-south of Sri Lanka.

Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, is India’s largest port operator whilst JKH already operates Sri Lanka’s first ever private sector owned and managed terminal South Asia Gateway Terminal Ltd.

This is the first time that the US Government, through one of its agencies, is funding an Adani project, which is a ringing endorsement of the group, Adani said adding, “It shows their confidence in the group’s ability to invest and to create a world class container facility in Colombo Port.”

DFC said its commitment of over half a billion US Dollars to support the development of a deep-water shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, will provide critical infrastructure for the South Asian region. 

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone CEO Karan Adani said, “We welcome the association of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the US government’s development finance institution, in funding the Adani project, and we see this as a reaffirmation by the international community of our vision, our capabilities and our governance.”

 ”As one of the world’s largest port developers and operators, APSEZ brings to this project not only our proven world-class expertise but also our deep experience in infrastructure creation. When completed, Colombo West International Terminal project will transform the socio-economic landscape, not just in Colombo but across the Island, through thousands of direct and indirect new employment opportunities and by massively boosting Sri Lanka’s trade and commerce ecosystem.”

JKH Chairperson Krishan Balendra said, “DFC’s investment is an endorsement of the potential of the West Terminal project and a boost for investor confidence as Sri Lanka’s economy recovers”.

The Port of Colombo is the largest and busiest transhipment port in the Indian Ocean. It has been operating at more than 90% utilisation since 2021, signalling its need for additional capacity. The new terminal will cater to growing economies in the Bay of Bengal, taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s prime position on major shipping routes and its proximity to these expanding markets.

The Adani group said it is expanding its global footprint through strategic investments in emerging markets. Adani Ports has positioned itself as the market leader in the transport logistics and energy utility portfolio businesses, focusing on large scale infrastructure development in India with operations and management practices benchmarked to global standards. Through its continued commitment to creating stellar and sustainable assets, the group is playing a vital role in building a better future for India and the world.

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Ministry accelerates signing MOU with Adani Group for wind power plant in Mannar

 

Ministry accelerates signing MOU with Adani Group for wind power plant in Mannar: Charitha Herath

(Daily Mirror) By CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 8 November 2023 

COLOMBO - According to reports, the Power and Energy Ministry is expediting the signing of documents for a Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with India's Adani Group to establish a new wind power plant in the Mannar basin with a capacity of 250 MW, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Prof. Charitha Herath said.

Addressing the media, he said the Ministry is ready to complete the signing of all agreements before November 25.

According to the 2009 Electricity Act, a bit of a process should be followed for local generation of electricity by any private company. But this process was not followed for projects conducted between two governments (government to government - G to G).

MP Herath said the current government is trying to sign all agreements while putting India's Adani Group into the act to pretend that the project is run between Sri Lanka and India.

He said the groups, including the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) chairman and General Managers, are in a hurry to complete all agreements before passing the new Electricity Act. These people are trying to give this project an unsolicited proposal.

After completing the project, the responsible groups are trying to sell one unit of wind power-generated electricity for Rs. 46, and these people are trying to sign this agreement for 30 years.

Meanwhile, fixing three new transformers at the Nadukuda Grid Substation was attached to the said project.

MP Herath said the current government is trying to sign all agreements while putting India's Adani Group into the act to pretend that the project is run between Sri Lanka and India.

The agreement signing process has been boosted these days, other than those mentioned in the agreements.

It has been estimated to sell one unit of electricity, which is currently being generating from Pooneryn Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Park, at Rs.46. A total of 234 MW of electricity is generated from the Pooneryn wind-solar power plant.

The agreements on all other electricity generation projects were signed for twenty years, but the projects under India's Adani Group were signed for thirty years.

The officials at the Power and Energy Ministry and the CEB were requested to make a note that they were forced to make this agreement with any of the higher officials, such as ministers, because there would be a definitive investigation over this issue by the next incoming government, Prof. Herath claimed.

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Fifth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

 

Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar will welcome U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III for the Fifth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi on 10 November 2023.

The 2+2 will enable a high-level review of progress being made in cross-cutting aspects of defence and security cooperation, technology value chain collaborations and people-to-people ties.

The Ministers will take the opportutnity to progress the futuristic roadmap for the India-US partnership as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Joseph Biden, in their discussions in June and September this year.

Both sides will also take stock of contemporary regional issues and exchange views about shared priorities for augmenting cooperation in multilateral platforms, and through frameworks such as Quad.

Raksha Mantri and EAM are also scheduled to have bilateral meetings with their respective U.S. counterparts, which will mark a continuity of Ministerial Dialogue and reaffirm the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic partnership.

Watch Video

5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue On November 10

India and the US will carry out a comprehensive review of their fast-expanding strategic ties at the next edition of the '2+2' foreign and defence ministerial dialogue on Friday.

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Israeli Minister Calls Nuclear Attack on Gaza “An Option”

Israeli Minister Calls Nuclear Attack on Gaza “An Option”

On Sunday, Netanyahu suspended Israel’s Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu after he claimed there are no noncombatants in the Gaza Strip and said that dropping a nuclear weapon on the Gaza Strip is “an option.” This comes just days after an Israeli lawmaker from Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party took to social media to incite genocide. Writing on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Galit Distel Atbaryan wrote, “Erase Gaza from the face of the earth. Let the Gazan monsters rush to the southern border and flee into Egypt, or die.

Inside Story

Does Israel pose a nuclear threat to the world?

Israeli cabinet minister’s statement that an atomic bomb is an option for Gaza raises global alarm.

Israel’s nuclear programme is widely seen as one of the Middle East’s worst kept secrets.

It is believed to have originated in the 1950s. Today, Israel possesses about 90 nuclear bombs, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Israel has never officially acknowledged the existence of its nuclear weapons, but they’re believed to be aimed at rivals in the region such as Iran.

The country is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

So the statement by a cabinet minister that Israel could opt to drop an atomic bomb on Gaza is raising alarm. More so since hardliners such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.

So as Israel continues its bloodbath in Gaza, should the world be worried about its nuclear arms programme?

Presenter: James Bays
Guests:
Rabia Akhtar – director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore
Ahmed Abofoul – international lawyer and legal researcher and advocacy officer for Al Haq, a human rights organisation
Patrick Bury – defence and security expert at the University of Bath

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US joins Adani Group to build terminal at Colombo Port

 

daijiworld.com Wed, Nov 08 2023

Colombo, Nov 8 (IANS): The US had joined the Adani Group with a half a billion dollar loan to build a new deep water shipping container terminal at the in strategic Colombo Port in the race against China’s acquisition of part of ports in the Sri Lankan capital and the southern town of Hambantota.

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) on Wednesday announced it’s $553 million finance on the Colombo West International Terminal Private Limited (CWITP), Sri Lanka biggest Foreign direct investment of $750 million to develop the port.

The US has joined in the joint venture between Sri Lanka and India with Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones Limited (APSEZ) which owns 51 shares of the project.

"DFC works to drive private-sector investments that advance development and economic growth while strengthening the strategic positions of our partners. That's what we're delivering with this infrastructure investment in the Port of Colombo," DFC CEO Scott Nathan said while announcing the partnership in Colombo.

"Sri Lanka is one of the world's key transit hubs, with half of all container ships transiting through its waters. DFC's commitment of $553 million in private-sector loans for the West Container Terminal will expand its shipping capacity, creating greater prosperity for Sri Lanka -- without adding to sovereign debt -- while at the same time strengthening the position of our allies across the region," Nathan added.

In addition to APSEZ, CWITP is comprised of Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings which owns 34 per cent shares of the build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis project that is to run for a period of 35 years.

The state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) will have 15 per cent of the total shares.

“We welcome the associate of the DFC in funding the Adani's project. We see this as reaffirmation by the international community of our vision of our capability and our governance. This is the largest single FDI into Sri Lanka through a single project," Karan Adani, APSEZ’s Whole Time Director and CEO, said at the event in Colombo.

“The relationship between Sri Lanka, the US and India is multifaceted and holds great promise. It symbolises the intersection of economic interests, regional stability and global security. Today is a historic day for all of us and today is a day that celebrates the deep historical and cultural and socio-economic bonds between two Asian neighbours Sri Lanka and India.

The US has joined in the joint venture between Sri Lanka and India with Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones Limited (APSEZ) which owns 51 shares of the project. 

"Today is also a day we see the US- India relationship grow in strength and breath. I see this project as a first step through which three countries can foster cooperation and the development of sustainable infrastructure like smart and green ports which will improve the efficiency of port operation and also align with global efforts to combat climate change,” he added.

On her part, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said: "The $553 million investment by DFC for the long-term development of the Port of Colombo's West Container Terminal will facilitate private- sector-led growth in Sri Lanka and attract crucial foreign exchange inflows during its economic recovery.

"This financing is symbolic of the US' long-standing commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka regaining its economic footing will further our shared vision for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific."

The Port of Colombo is the largest and busiest trans-shipment port in the Indian Ocean and it has been operating at more than 90 per cent utilisation since 2021, signaling its need for additional capacity.

The new terminal will cater to growing economies in the Bay of Bengal, taking advantage of Sri Lanka's prime position on major shipping routes and its proximity to these expanding markets, the US Embassy said in a statement.

Once completed, the CWIT will be the biggest and deepest container terminal in Sri Lanka and will be equipped to handle ultra large container vessels with capacities of 24,000 TEUs.

The annual cargo handling capacity of this new terminal is likely to exceed 3.2 million

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Online Safety Bill can be passed with a Simple Majority; Supreme Court informs Parliament

Online Safety Bill can be passed with a Simple Majority; Supreme Court informs Parliament

by Staff Writer 7-11-2023 News First

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has determined that the Online Safety Bill or its provisions are NOT inconsistent with the constitution of Sri Lanka, and can be passed by a simple majority following committee stage amendments on certain clauses.

The Supreme Court determination was announced by the Deputy Speaker in Parliament on Tuesday (7).

He said that the Supreme Court determined that a series of clauses in the bill must be passed by a special majority, however, if those clauses are amended in the committee stage, the bill can be passed by a simple majority.

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G7’s top diplomats discuss long-term plan for Gaza

 

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, pose for a group photo session during the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo, Japan, 8 November 2023. [EPA-EFE/Eugene Hoshiko / POOL]

G7 இன் உயர்மட்ட இராஜதந்திரிகள் காஸாவுக்கான நீண்டகாலத் திட்டத்தைப் பற்றி விவாதிக்கின்றனர்

செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை (நவம்பர் 7) அன்று  G7 வெளியுறவு அமைச்சர்கள் காசா மோதல்கள் ஓய்ந்ததற்குப் பின்னரான நிலைமை  என்ன? மற்றும் மத்திய கிழக்கில் அமைதி முயற்சிகளுக்கு புத்துயிர் அளிப்பது எவ்வாறு என்று விவாதித்ததாக தலைமை நாடு -ஹோஸ்ட்- ஜப்பான் தனது அறிக்கையில் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

புதன்கிழமையன்று இஸ்ரேல்-ஹமாஸ் போர் பற்றிய கூட்டறிக்கையை அமைச்சர்கள் வெளியிட உள்ளனர். மற்றும் முற்றுகையிடப்பட்ட காசா பகுதிக்குள் மனிதாபிமான உதவிகளை அனுமதிக்கும் பொருட்டு போரில் தற்காலிக இடைநிறுத்தங்களுக்கு அழைப்பு விடுப்பார்கள் என்று எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது.

பாலஸ்தீனிய போராளிக் குழுவான ஹமாஸின் போரளிகள் அக்டோபர் 7 அன்று தெற்கு இஸ்ரேல் மீதான தாக்குதலுடன் மோதலைத் தூண்டியதில் இருந்து, நெருக்கடி குறித்த பணக்கார நாடுகளின் குழுவின் இரண்டாவது கூட்டு அறிக்கை இதுவாகும்.

டோக்கியோவில் இரண்டு நாள் கூட்டத்தின் முடிவில் வெளியிடப்படும் இந்த அறிக்கை, மத்திய கிழக்கில் சுழல் மோதல் இருந்தபோதிலும் ரஷ்யாவுடனான அதன் போரில் உக்ரேனுக்கான G7 ஆதரவு குறையாமல் உள்ளது என்பதை மீண்டும் வலியுறுத்தும்.

G7 பிளவுகள் ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபையிலும் தெளிவாகத் தெரிகிறது, அக்டோபர் 26 அன்று மோதலில் மனிதாபிமான போர் நிறுத்தத்திற்கு அழைப்பு விடுக்கும் தீர்மானத்திற்கு ஆதரவாக பிரான்ஸ் வாக்களித்தது, அமெரிக்கா அதை எதிர்த்தது, குழுவின் மற்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் வாக்களிக்கவில்லை.

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G7 foreign ministers on Tuesday (7 November) discussed what happens after the Gaza conflict recedes and how to revitalise peace efforts in the Middle East, the host Japan said in its statement.

The ministers are set to issue a joint statement on the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday and are expected to call for temporary pauses in fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.

It would mark only the second joint statement from the group of wealthy nations on the crisis since gunmen from the Palestinian militant group Hamas sparked the conflict with a 7 October attack on southern Israel.

The communique, to be issued near the end of a two-day meeting in Tokyo, is also likely to reiterate that G7 support for Ukraine in its war with Russia remains undimmed despite the spiralling conflict in the Middle East.

“We hope to be able to present a united G7 position on the situation in the Middle East in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement, which we understand is currently being coordinated,” said Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

The issue of humanitarian pauses in the conflict was raised at a working dinner attended by ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union on Tuesday, host Japan said in a statement.

Wednesday’s communique is expected to include a call for such pauses, temporary breaks in fighting to allow aid into the besieged enclave, several Japanese media outlets reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would consider “tactical little pauses” but, alongside its close ally the United States and other Western countries, has rejected calls for a ceasefire it says would allow Hamas to regroup.

The G7 has appeared to struggle to agree on a firm, united approach to Israel’s war in Gaza, raising questions over its relevance as a force to tackle major crises.

The only other G7 statement came after a meeting of its finance ministers on 12 October and amounted to a few, brief sentences. Other group members have issued joint statements.

G7 divisions have also been evident at the United Nations, with France voting in favour of a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in the conflict on 26 October, the US opposing it and the group’s other members abstaining.

Long-term plan

The ministers on Tuesday also discussed what happens after the Gaza conflict recedes and how to revitalise peace efforts in the Middle East, Japan said in its statement.

It gave no details of options being discussed if the Hamas militant group is ousted from Gaza as the result of the Israeli bombardment of the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has been vague about its long-term plans for Gaza. In some of the first direct comments on the subject, Netanyahu said this week that Israel would seek to have security responsibility for Gaza “for an indefinite period”.

But Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the Wall Street Journal that Israel wanted the territory to be under an international coalition, including the US, European Union and Muslim-majority countries, or administered by Gaza political leaders.

Diplomats in Washington, the United Nations, the Middle East and beyond have also started weighing the options.

Discussions include the deployment of a multinational force to post-conflict Gaza, an interim Palestinian-led administration that would exclude Hamas politicians, a stopgap security and governance role for neighbouring Arab states and temporary UN supervision of the territory, Reuters reported this month.

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U.S. diplomats slam Israel policy in leaked memo

State Department Memo Blasting U.S. Response to Israel Leaked: Report

AJ McDougall Yahoo Tue, 7 November 2023 

A State Department memo challenging the U.S.’ unflinching support for Israel amid its war with Hamas and bombardment of the Gaza Strip urges the Biden administration to back calls for a ceasefire, according to a copy obtained by Politico. The so-called “dissent memo,” as the outlet characterized it, was marked “sensitive but unclassified.” It was unclear how many staffers had signed it, or whether it had been submitted to an official channel within the department that allows them to voice their opposition to policy. The missive demands that the U.S. be willing to “publicly criticize Israel’s violations of international norms,” adding that relegating any such criticism to private diplomacy “contributes to regional public perceptions that the United States is a biased and dishonest actor, which at best does not advance, and at worst harms, U.S. interests worldwide.” Airing publicly that Israel’s support for tactics like “settler violence” and excessive use of force go “against American values” will also stop Israel from acting with impunity, the memo asserts. In line with procedure, the State Department declined to comment directly on the memo to Politico.

 

இஸ்ரேல் குறித்த அமெரிக்க நிலையைச் சாடும் வெளிவிவகார அமைச்சின் உள்சுற்று அறிக்கை:

AJ McDougall Yahoo News செவ்வாய், 7 நவம்பர் 2023 

Politico ஊடகத்துக்கு கிடைக்கப்பெற்ற  நகல் வெளியுறவுத்துறை (memo- மெமோ) உள் சுற்றறிக்கை, ஹமாஸுடனான அதன் போர் மற்றும் காசா பகுதி மீது குண்டுவீச்சுக்கு மத்தியில் இஸ்ரேலுக்கான அமெரிக்காவின் அசைக்க முடியாத ஆதரவை சவால் செய்து ,போர்நிறுத்தத்திற்கான அழைப்புகளை ஆதரிக்குமாறு பிடென் நிர்வாகத்தை வலியுறுத்துகிறது.

மாற்றுக் கருத்தான இவ் உள் சுற்றறிக்கை தடுக்கப்பட்டது அல்லவென்றாலும் பாதக விளைவுகளை ஏற்படுத்த வல்லது என `வகைப்படுத்தப்பட்டது ஆகும்.

இதில் எத்தனை ஊழியர்கள் கையெழுத்திட்டுள்ளனர் அல்லது, அமைச்சுக்குள் `கொள்கைக்கு எதிராக குரல் கொடுக்க அனுமதிக்கும்` துறையின் அதிகாரபூர்வ சேனலுக்கு சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்டதா என்பது தெளிவாகத் தெரியவில்லை. 

இஸ்ரேலின் "சர்வதேச விதிமுறை மீறல்களை`` பகிரங்கமாக விமர்சிக்க அமெரிக்கா தயாராக இருக்க வேண்டும் என இந் நீண்ட அறிக்கை கோருகிறது. 

மேலும் இதுபோன்ற எல்லா விமர்சனங்களையும் தனியார் - (இராஜதந்திரத்திற்குத் தள்ளுவது)- பொறுப்புக்கு (private diplomacy) ஒதுக்கி விடுவது,  "அமெரிக்கா ஒரு சார்புடைய மற்றும் நேர்மையற்ற பங்காளர் என்ற பிராந்தியத்தின் பொதுக் கருத்துக்கு பங்களிப்பது மட்டுமல்லாமல், உலகளவில் அமெரிக்க நலன்களை  முன் தள்ளுவதாக அல்லாமல் பின் தள்ளி மோசமான தீங்குகளையும் இழைக்கின்றது.

"குடியேறிகளின் வன்முறை", சம நிலையற்ற பலப் பிரயோகம்  போன்ற இஸ்ரேலின் தந்திரோபாயங்களுக்கு பகிரங்கமாக ஆதரவளிப்பது,  அமெரிக்க விழுமியங்களுக்கு எதிராகச் செல்வதோடு, இஸ்ரேலின் செயற்பாடுகளுக்கு தண்டனை விலக்கும் அளிக்கின்றது என அறிக்கை வலியுறுத்துகின்றது.

ஊடக நடைமுறைக்கு இணங்க, இவ் அறிக்கை குறித்து நேரடியாக Politico விற்கு கருத்து தெரிவிக்க அமெரிக்க வெளியுறவுத்துறை மறுத்துவிட்டது.

மொழி மாற்றம்-சுபாகிள் (07-11-2023)

EXCLUSIVE

U.S. diplomats slam Israel policy in leaked memo

The document offers a window into internal fury at the State Department over President Joe Biden’s Middle East policies.

POLITICO By NAHAL TOOSI 11/06/2023 

State Department staffers offered a blistering critique of the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war in a dissent memo obtained by POLITICO, arguing that, among other things, the U.S. should be willing to publicly criticize the Israelis.

The message suggests a growing loss of confidence among U.S. diplomats in President Joe Biden’s approach to the Middle East crisis. It reflects the sentiments of many U.S. diplomats, especially at mid-level and lower ranks, according to conversations with several department staffers as well as other reports. If such internal disagreements intensify, it could make it harder for the Biden administration to craft policy toward the region.

The memo has two key requests: that the U.S. support a ceasefire, and that it balance its private and public messaging toward Israel, including airing criticisms of Israeli military tactics and treatment of Palestinians that the U.S. generally prefers to keep private.

The gap between America’s private and public messaging “contributes to regional public perceptions that the United States is a biased and dishonest actor, which at best does not advance, and at worst harms, U.S. interests worldwide,” the document states.

“We must publicly criticize Israel’s violations of international norms such as failure to limit offensive operations to legitimate military targets,” the message also states. “When Israel supports settler violence and illegal land seizures or employs excessive use of force against Palestinians, we must communicate publicly that this goes against our American values so that Israel does not act with impunity.”

The memo is marked “sensitive but unclassified.” It’s not clear how many people signed it or if and when it was submitted to the department’s Dissent Channel, where employees can voice policy disagreements. It’s also not clear if the document was revised in any way beyond the version obtained by POLITICO.

Still, the arguments in it offer a window into the thinking of many people at the State Department, which has long been vexed by the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The department declined to comment directly on the memo, as is standard on such communications. It referred POLITICO to past statements by spokesperson Matthew Miller, who has said Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes such arguments and weighs them carefully.

“One of the strengths of this department is that we do have people with different opinions,” Miller said about such messages during a press briefing last month. “We encourage them to make their opinions known.”

Multiple dissent memos about this war are being circulated in the State Department in efforts to gather signatures. These communications may or may not be classified, but their contents are rarely leaked. The department’s Dissent Channel is a long-established vehicle that allows staffers to freely express their discontent on a policy matter without fear of reprisal.

The memo obtained by POLITICO was authored by two midlevel staffers who have worked in the Middle East, said a department employee who has seen the document and was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic.

The memo concedes that Israel has a “legitimate right and obligation” to seek justice against the Palestinian militants of Hamas, who killed some 1,400 Israelis in a shocking Oct. 7 attack. But it argues that “the extent of human lives lost thus far is unacceptable” — referring to the thousands of Palestinians, most of them civilians and many children, killed by Israel in the days since.

The U.S. “tolerance” for such a high civilian death toll “engenders doubt in the rules-based international order that we have long championed,” the document states. It argues that the United States must hold both Israel and Hamas responsible for their actions.

The memo’s demands are unlikely to get far with Biden or his top aides, at least not anytime soon.

The president, Blinken and others have ruled out demanding a ceasefire, backing Israel’s desire to dismantle Hamas, which is based in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas embeds its arsenal and fighters throughout the civilian population, making it hard for Israel to delineate targets. Israeli officials say they try to minimize civilian deaths but that a certain number are inevitable given how Hamas positions its people and assets.

The Biden team has increasingly shifted its public messaging to emphasize the importance of safeguarding civilians and following international law. But it has largely avoided direct public criticism of Israeli actions.

Blinken has been holding listening sessions with groups of staffers unhappy with the trajectory of U.S. policy in the last few weeks.

In a message to staff last month, Blinken stressed the importance of allowing and listening to disagreements within the department.

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றணில் அரசாங்கத்துக்கு மக்கள் ஆதரவு 9% மாகச் சரிந்தது.

 றணில் அரசாங்கத்துக்கு மக்கள் ஆதரவு 9% மாகச் சரிந்தது.

செய்தி ஆய்வு: சுபா (ENB10N) 06-11-2023

Verité Research மற்றும் Vanguard Survey Ltd நிறுவனம் இணைந்து நடத்திய வாக்கெடுப்பில் இம் முடிவு வெளிவந்துள்ளது.

இவ் வாக்கெடுப்பின் முடிவின் படி; இவ்வாண்டு (2023) ஜூன் மாதம் 21% ஆதரவாக இருந்த மன நிலை, ஒக்ரோபரில் 6%மாகச் சரிந்துள்ளது.அதே வேளை நாட்டின் பொருளாதார நிலை குறித்த அவநம்பிக்கை 44% இலிருந்து 62 %மாக உயர்ந்துள்ளது.

இந்த மாதிரி (Sample), வாக்கெடுப்பு முழு நாட்டுமக்களதும் மனநிலையை விஞ்ஞான ரீதியாகப் பிரதிபலிக்குமானால் அது பல கேள்விகளை எழுப்புவதாக உள்ளது.

1) 9% ஆட்சி ஜனநாயக ஆட்சியா?  அல்லது, ஒரு சிறு கும்பலின் பாசிச சர்வ  அதிகார ஆட்சியா?

2) இக் கும்பலோடு செய்யும் அரசியல் வர்த்தக பாதுகாப்பு ஒப்பந்தங்கள்  நாட்டு மக்கள் நலனைப் பிரதிபலிக்க முடியுமா? 

3) இக் கும்பலைக் கொண்டு IMF திணிக்கும் பொருளாதாரத் திட்டங்கள் சட்ட பூர்வமானவையா?

4) இந்தக் கும்பலை திருப்பி அழைக்க இயலாத நாடாளமன்ற ஜனநாயகத்தால் மக்களுக்கு நன்மை உண்டா?

5) இந்நிலையில் இருந்து மீள்வதற்கு மீண்டும் `தேர்தல் பாதை` தீர்வாகுமா?

Approval of Govt. falls sharply in October

FT-Monday, 6 November 2023

The survey showed that satisfaction with the state of the nation also dropped by half to 6%, from 12% in June 2023. The economic confidence score also fell from negative (-) 44 in June to negative (-) 62.

The Mood of the Nation poll is conducted three times a year and is based on an island wide, nationally representative sample of responses. 

The survey sample and methodology are designed to limit the maximum error margin to under 3% at a 95% confidence level.

Government approval: To the question, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way the current Government is working?” 9% said they approve (with an error margin of ± 1.93%). Further, 7% said that they do not have an opinion. The present approval rating is close to the 10% that it was in January and October 2022, and February 2023.

Sri Lanka satisfaction: To the question, “In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in Sri Lanka?” only 6% said they were satisfied (with an error margin of ± 1.66%). This rating was as low as 4% in February 2023.

The economic confidence score worsened to negative (-) 62 in October from negative (-) 44 in June. However, this was better than 2022 levels, when the economic confidence score ranged between negative (-) 96 and negative (-) 78.

Multiple choice questions on the condition and trajectory of the economy are used to generate the economic confidence score. The score can range from negative (-) 100 to positive (+) 100.

Verite said a score above zero means more people see the economic conditions positively rather than negatively. If everyone thinks that the economy is in poor condition (instead of good or excellent), and everyone also thinks it is getting worse (rather than better), then the score will be a (-) 100.

The Mood of the Nation survey is designed to assess the approval, satisfaction, and confidence of the nation in relation to the Government, the country, and the economy. The poll is based on an island wide nationally representative sample of responses from 1,029 Sri Lankan adults, conducted from 21 to 29 October 2023.

The poll is conducted as a part of the syndicated survey instrument of Verité Research with the polling partner Vanguard Survey Ltd. This instrument also provides other organisations the opportunity to survey the sentiments of Sri Lanka.

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இரண்டு கருத்துரைகள்: ஈரானிய அரசுத் தலைவர் மற்றும் ஹிஸ்புல்லா அமைப்புத் தலைவர் (ஆங்கிலம்)

2 Speeches Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi And Hezbollah chief Nasrallah

(1) 

 As the war on Gaza continues to escalate, the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi talks to Al Jazeera about his country’s position on the continuing ground offensive.

Iranian President: The Palestinian cause is ‘a necessity’

As the war on Gaza continues to escalate, the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi talks to Al Jazeera about his country’s position on the continuing ground offensive.

The ongoing war in Gaza has caught the attention of the world, and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim, recently spoke to Al Jazeera about his interpretation of the situation. He expressed his deep concern for the suffering of the Palestinian people and criticized the support that the United States and some European countries provide to the Zionist regime.

President Ibrahim argued that the Palestinian cause is a reflection of the injustice imposed by the Zionist regime on the Palestinian people. He stated that for over 75 years, the Zionist regime has killed, imprisoned, and confiscated Palestinian land, causing immense suffering to the Palestinians. Despite this, the Palestinians remain resilient and ready to sacrifice their lives for their cause.

The Iranian President emphasized that the Palestinian people’s struggle is a just one, and Iran stands in support of their resistance. He highlighted that while Iran supports the Palestinian resistance financially and politically, the decisions and actions of the resistance are made independently. He firmly stated that Iran does not dictate orders to the resistance but provides support based on their needs and aspirations.

President Ibrahim also discussed Iran’s diplomatic efforts to unite Arab and Muslim countries in calling for a ceasefire, delivery of relief aid, and the opening of border crossings. He acknowledged that the Palestinian issue is of utmost importance to the Islamic world and emphasized the need for cooperation among Muslim nations to address this critical matter. He criticized the United States and certain European countries for obstructing the ceasefire and humanitarian efforts.

When questioned about Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas and reshaping the Middle East, President Ibrahim dismissed the notion that Israel or the United States could put an end to the resistance. He highlighted the resilience and determination of the Palestinian people and stated that no amount of injustice or killing could extinguish their resistance. He underscored Iran’s unwavering support for the resistance and expressed confidence in Iran’s strength, both militarily and morally.

In conclusion, the Iranian President reiterated the necessity of supporting the Palestinian cause and urged all countries to stand against the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime. He emphasized that the resistance’s struggle for justice and independence is a legitimate one, and Iran will continue to support their efforts. President Ibrahim also criticized the actions of the United States, pointing out their hypocrisy in claiming to support human rights while providing weapons to the Zionist regime.

(2) 

 Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah speech on Israel-Hamas war: Key takeaways

Nasrallah addressed his followers without disclosing specific details on the next moves Hezbollah could take in the Israel-Gaza war.

By Al Jazeera Staff 3 Nov 2023

Here are the key highlights from his address:

The October attack was an exclusively Palestinian operation:

Nasrallah began the speech by praising “the fallen martyrs” of Hezbollah and the other groups fighting Israel, as well as the civilians killed.

He then also thanked the “strong and brave Iraqi and Yemeni hands who are now involved in this holy war,” in an apparent reference to armed groups in the two countries — including the Houthis in Yemen — who are allies of Hezbollah and have launched attacks against Israel or the United States in recent days.

He described the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, in which more than 1,400 people were killed, as “a big event to shake this oppressive … occupying, usurping Zionist regime and its supporters in Washington and London”.

He said the “operation was 100 percent Palestinian in terms of both decision and execution.”

“That element of secrecy was the linchpin to this emphatic success of the operation, it came as a surprise, shocking surprise, unlike what’s assumed by many.”

Independent of Iran:

“This operation has no bearing on any decision or move to be taken by any other faction within the resistance axis,” Nasrallah said, referring to the Iran-led coalition of anti-Israel forces in the region.

“At any point of time when there is a battle, they start to speak about the Iranian nuclear programme, the US-Iran negotiations,” Nasrallah said.

In reality, he claimed, “the secrecy surrounding the entire operation” on October 7 proved that the attack was solely about the Palestinian cause, and unrelated “to any international or regional issue”.

“Since the Iranian revolution … [Iran has] always been openly adopting and supporting resistance factions in Lebanon, Palestine and in the region. However, they do not exercise any form of authority or control over these factions or in their leadership. And what happened … proves this fact.”

US responsible for the war in Gaza:

Nasrallah also blamed the US for the continuing violence in Gaza.

“Gaza and the Gazans have been reeling under the brunt of barbaric, ferocious, brutal, ruthless, merciless aerial bombardments,” he said.

He accused the US of remaining “silent” in the face of “the images of thousands of babies and children torn apart in Gaza as a result of the Israeli missiles”.

Nasrallah said the US response exposed the West’s “hypocrisy” on issues like democracy and the rule of law.

“We’re living in a jungle. We all must establish this fact. The United States is totally responsible for the war raging in Gaza, against unarmed defenceless people,” he said.

Hezbollah already in the battle since October 8th:

Nasrallah said that Hezbollah entered “the war” the day after the Hamas attack happened.

“Some claim that we are about to engage in the war. I am telling you, we have been engaged in this battle since October 8,” Nasrallah said.

“The Islamic resistance in Lebanon started operation the very next day.”

“What’s taking place on our front is very important and significant,” said Nasrallah, claiming that the conflict on the border with Israel was the hottest it had been since 1948.

“Yet I assure you this will not be the end. This will not be sufficient.”

“We are calling on the Arab and Muslim states to cut off oil and gas and food supplies from Israel,” Nasrallah said, echoing a demand made by Iran earlier this week.

He said that he hoped that “at a point of time, the whole humanity will listen to the sound of reason”.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

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