US Stock Indexes Soar After Reports on Treasury Secretary Pick

US Stock Indexes Soar After Reports on Treasury Secretary Pick
By Barry Wood Washington 21 November 2008

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U.S. share prices, which had been down most of the day, turned around in the final hour of trading Friday and soared nearly 500 points. VOA's Barry Wood reports the stock market averages were still down on the week.

New York Federal Reserve Bank President Timothy Geithner (file photo)

The market made an extraordinary reversal Friday afternoon after a news report said that President-elect Barack Obama would choose New York Federal Reserve Bank President Timothy Geithner to be his Treasury secretary. Geithner has been a favorite of Wall Street as he has been directly involved with the financial crisis since its beginning 17 months ago. The appointment has not yet been officially announced.

The Dow Jones Industrials gained 494 points, or six percent, to 8,046. The Standard and Poors 500 was up 47 points or six percent to 800. For the week the Dow average was down over five percent while the S&P was down over eight percent.

Citigroup, formerly the largest US commercial bank, again lost ground, closing below $4 a share as investors worried about the company's future. Earlier this week Citigroup said it would eliminate over 50,000 jobs. Its stock price lost 61 percent on the week to a 15-year low and has lost 87 percent of its value this year. Citigroup was heavily exposed to securitized debt obligations and involved in sub-prime mortgage loans.

John Williams a credit card analyst at Macquarie Capital in New York says there is likely to be more distress for banks as consumers fall behind on their credit card payments. He says that three key data sets suggest trouble ahead. "Delinquencies show you what people are doing right now. It's a good indicator of what is going to happen in the future. Charge offs tell you what people are doing right now in terms of whether they are paying their bills. And then monthly payments obviously are how much people are paying towards their bills. We're seeing deterioration across the board in those metrics, particularly in payment rates," he said.

Williams told Bloomberg Television that credit card payment rates are currently near a five-year low in the United States.

The dollar closed mixed in New York while gold gained $43 to $791 an ounce.

Ivory Coast President Agrees With US Reconciliation Push

By Phillip Wellman Abidjan 12 November 2007

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An official spokesman for Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has said the president believes political leaders from across the spectrum must work together in order to guarantee lasting peace in the country. The comment follows a recent visit by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who says much of his time in Ivory Coast was spent encouraging authorities to work transparently and collectively to implement a March peace accord. Phillip Wellman reports for VOA from Abidjan.

Presidential spokesman Gervais Coulibaly says Mr. Gbagbo agrees with ambassador Negroponte that the best way to implement Ivory Coast's peace accord is by collaborating with the opposition on important issues.

Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, right, greets U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte in Abidjan, 11 Nov 2007

Negroponte's two-day visit to Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan, which concluded Sunday evening, follows growing international concern about the prolonged process of reconciliation in the country.

Negroponte met government and opposition leaders, U.N. officials and representatives from civil society during his visit to evaluate progress towards unity. Negroponte is the most senior U.S. official to visit Ivory Coast since the beginning of civil war in 2002, which divided the country into a government-controlled south and a rebel-held north.

The peace accord signed between President Gbagbo and rebel leader Guillaume Soro in March, resulted in a coalition government in which Soro became prime minister. The aim of the agreement is to guarantee free and fair presidential elections.

The accord is widely believed to be Ivory Coast's best chance at reconciliation, but concerns over the pace of implementation have led some international observers, including U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, to express serious concern.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Mr. Negroponte said the United States would like to see full implementation of the peace accord happen as soon as possible. He says that some progress has been made since March, but more should continue.

"Implementation will require courage and a willingness to move beyond the disagreements that have kept Cote d'Ivoire divided," he said. "In my meetings today, I urged Ivorian leaders from across the spectrum to take the steps they know are necessary to implement the agreement and to work together to improve Cote d'Ivoire's prospects for the future."

Negroponte says following through with the agreement will be a complex task, but says it must be done to improve Ivory Coast's social and economic prospects.

"The road ahead will be a difficult one - but it is not an impossible one," he noted. "There will be difficult choices that only Ivorians can make and I encouraged your leaders today to address these issues in as open a manner as possible so all points of view are heard."

Identification of undocumented Ivorians, reintegration of rebels into the national army and disarmament are issues that Ivory Coast has yet to fully deal with. Mr. Gbagbo says he is trying to solve the country's problems thoroughly and together with the opposition, but critics say the president is stalling reconciliation procedures to remain in power. Mr. Gbagbo denies the accusations.

A coalition of opposition political parties in Ivory Coast says it is currently trying without any success to work with Mr. Gbagbo to make sure presidential elections are held before April 2008.

Negroponte says he believes there is a strong desire on the part of all parties to move towards unity.

Ivory Coast was Negroponte's first stop on a West African tour that will also take him to Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Experts Say New Drugs, Rapid Diagnosis Needed for Drug Resistant TB

By Scott Bobb Johannesburg 12 November 2007

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Experts on lung disease meeting in South Africa are warning the world could face a tuberculosis crisis if drug resistant strains of TB are not contained and if TB testing does not become a regular part of HIV treatment. VOA's Scott Bobb reports from our bureau in Johannesburg.

Three thousand experts from 100 countries ended a five-day conference in Cape Town warning that urgent measures are needed to address the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis and its growing presence among victims of HIV/AIDS.

Petrus Van Nell, 68, a victim of Mesothelioma an Asbestos related form of cancer, looks at his hands, as he lies in his bed in Northern Cape town of Prieska, South Africa (File Photo)

One-and-one-half million people died of tuberculosis last year. Nine million new cases were reported. Nearly one-half million were resistant to the main anti-TB drugs. A fraction of these, 400 in South Africa, were resistant to almost all drugs known to science and nearly always fatal.

One of the conference organizers, Nils Billo of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, said at the same time no new TB drug has been developed in more than 40 years.

"It is urgent to find new drugs. It is urgent to find new vaccines. It is a scandal that governments are not putting more money into this," said Billo. "And one of the reasons this is happening is that many companies are not really interested to invest in poor countries. Tuberculosis is a disease of the poor unfortunately and companies hesitate to invest in drug development [there]."

He said wealthy nations should provide more funding while developing nations should focus on prevention measures such as education and early diagnosis.

HIV sufferers are particularly susceptible to tuberculosis. One-third of the world's 40 million people with HIV also have tuberculosis. In South Africa 60 percent are infected with both diseases. Their death rate is five times that of people infected with tuberculosis alone.

Billo says as a result treatment programs should be administered together and victims of one infection should be routinely tested for the other.

"It is important that people who come for a TB diagnosis, if they get tested positive for tuberculosis they should immediately or at the same time get tested for HIV. I think that is a very important point that has not yet been implemented programmatically in most of the countries," added Billo.

The experts say tobacco, another major cause of lung disease, is also placing strain on health care systems.

Billo says the five million annual tobacco-related deaths are expected to double in the next 23 years and developing nations will be hardest hit.

"So it is critical that countries ratify the framework convention on tobacco control and that they implement the major tobacco control measures," said Billo.

These measures include higher taxes on tobacco products, enforcement of smoke-free zones and bans on tobacco advertisements.

Israel Says It Will Release More Than 400 Palestinian Prisoners

By Jim Teeple Jerusalem 12 November 2007

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Israel's prime minister says more than 400 Palestinian prisoners could be released this month before an upcoming Middle East peace conference. VOA's Jim Teeple has details from our Jerusalem bureau.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert, right, and FM Tzipi Livni attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, 11 Nov 2007

Speaking before the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says plans to release about 400 Palestinian prisoners are intended as a confidence-building measure before a planned Mideast Peace conference, to be held in Annapolis, Maryland at the end of the month.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev says the goal is to boost Palestinian moderates like President Mahmoud Abbas.

"We are of course interested in showing the Palestinian leadership that moderation pays and this sort of confidence-building measure can help to energize a process of reconciliation that we really want," he said.

At the same time, Regev says Israel is unlikely to ease roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank that hinder the movement of Palestinians.

"Everyone I think understands, including the Palestinian leadership that if Israel moves in an irresponsible way - if we move too quickly and a security vacuum is created - then extremists - groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad will come into the vacuum they will launch a whole series of extremist and terrorist operations and that will kill the peace process," Regev said.

Palestinians have harshly criticized the restrictions on their movement. The head of the Palestinian negotiating team, former prime minister Ahmed Qureia, had to cancel a meeting Sunday with Israel's Foreign Minister because he could not pass through a West Bank checkpoint.

Saeb Erekat, another senior Palestinian negotiator told the Voice of Palestine radio that Palestinians will welcome their prisoners home, but negotiators had hoped that Israel would release up to 2,000 prisoners.

Erekat says unilateral actions like the prisoner release should be made in cooperation with the Palestinians as part of an overall agreement with the Palestinians to reduce tensions.

Erekat also rejected a demand made by Prime Minister Olmert on Monday that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Meanwhile about a half-a-dozen Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday when gunfire broke out at a rally called by the Fatah political organization to celebrate the third anniversary of the death former Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat. Fatah accused Hamas gunmen of firing on the rally, while Hamas accused Fatah of starting the shooting. It was the most serious outbreak of violence in the Gaza Strip since Hamas took over the territory in June.

Environmentalists Meeting in Spain to Draft Key Report on Global Warming

By Lisa Bryant Paris 12 November 2007

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The international climate change panel that won this year's Nobel peace prize is holding a meeting in the Spanish city of Valencia this week to draft a key report on global warming. Environmentalists hope the document will increase pressure on countries like the United States and China to agree to binding cuts on greenhouse gas emissions. Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.

Opening ceremony of Panel on Climate Change in Valencia, 12 Nov 2007

Experts from roughly 140 countries are in Valencia this week to synthesize previous global warming studies they produced earlier this year into a report that will be published Friday. They are part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, an international body of experts that won this year's Nobel peace prize for its work on global warming.

The gathering comes ahead of key climate change talks due in December, in Bali, Indonesia. Governments are expected to consider drafting a successor to the 1990 Kyoto Protocol on cutting earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol expires in 2012.

But even as environmentalists praise the IPCC, some like World Wildlife Fund energy expert Stephan Singer believe the panel is already out of date.

"We have seen post-IPCC science coming out the last couple of months which tells us the cautious and conservative consensus body of the IPCC is already past history, unfortunately," Singer said. "We have seen record melting in the Arctic, 10 times as strong as observed this year as the average of 10 to 15 years. We have seen to the surprise of many that the ocean probably is much more saturated with carbon dioxide than we thought before."

Singer notes the IPCC's findings still carry immense political weight. He hopes governments will bear them in mind when they head to Bali next month.

"What World Wildlife Fund hopes will end up in the process following Bali is for long-term emissions reductions of industrialized countries of something like 30 percent, by 2020," he said. "And of course, taking into account over time the large and growing emissions by emerging economies."

Environmentalists particularly hope richer nations like the United States, which did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, will take the lead in mandatory emissions cuts -- and set an example for growing and polluting economies like China and India to follow.

UN Rights Envoy in Burma Visits Detention Center For Political Prisoners, Monasteries

By Ron Corben Bangkok 12 November 2007

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The United Nations' human rights envoy, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, began a five-day trip to Burma with visits to a Buddhist monastery and a prison in Rangoon. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, analysts say it will be difficult for the envoy to find out how many were killed or detained during a recent crackdown by the Burmese authorities.

Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, center, listens to an official while visiting Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon, 12 Nov 2007

United Nations human rights envoy, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, spent at least two hours at the Insein Prison near Rangoon Monday. The prison is well known as a detention center for holding political prisoners whom rights groups say face widespread abuses by authorities.

Pinheiro had earlier visited Buddhist monasteries that had led protests in August and September calling for economic and political reforms.

The military says at least 10 people were killed in the crackdown that followed. But human rights groups and diplomats say the figure was much higher.

Garry Rodan is Asia Research Center director at Australia's Murdoch University. He says hopes that Pinheiro will clarify the facts of what happened may be frustrated.

"This is going to be a very difficult one to be able to simply document and collect information where most sources of information are tightly controlled and where people are very scared. But obviously there will be a lot of hopes placed on something coming out that at least approximates some understanding of the depth and nature of what took place," he said.

Amnesty International last week expressed concerns over the "grave and ongoing human rights violations" committed since the crackdown. These included arbitrary detentions, the holding of hostages, beatings and torture in custody and enforced disappearances.

Pinheiro's trip is his first time in Burma since November 2003. He had abandoned a trip earlier that year after he discovered listening devices in a room where he was meeting with political detainees.

Last week, the U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari pointed to progress during his own visit to the country. Detained opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, met members of her party, the National League for Democracy, for the first time in three years. She then said she was ready to cooperate with the military in a dialogue for reform.

Despite the intense international pressure for a dialogue for change, some analysts doubt the military's intentions.

Rodan believes the military must negotiate in order to survive.

"This regime is so unpopular and repressive that it struggles for legitimacy even though it has power," he said. I"t alienates its own population so comprehensively that people take enormous risks even in the knowledge that many of the those people would have had that they will in some cases - at best - be beaten - at worst tortured and executed. And yet the protests continued."

The military government has said it is preparing to move to general elections under a program of constitutional and electoral reform. But no timetable has been set when the elections will take place.

Health Care, Economy Rival Iraq as US Election Issues

By Jim Malone Washington 18 September 2007

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The war in Iraq figures to be a major issue in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. But, as VOA national correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington, health care and economic issues are also high on the list of voter priorities.

For months now, public opinion polls have indicated that concerns about health care and the economy rank right behind the war in Iraq.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, speaks at the Service Employees International Union Political Action Conference in Washington, 17 Sept 2007

Democratic presidential contender and senator, Hillary Clinton, is the latest to offer a comprehensive health care reform plan.

"We can talk all we want about freedom and opportunity, about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," she said. "But what does all that mean to a mother or father who cannot take a sick child to the doctor, or someone who cannot take the job of his dreams because it does not offer health care."

Other Democratic contenders, including Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards, have already presented their health care proposals.

The Republican presidential candidates are generally critical of what they see as too much government involvement in the health care plans proposed by Democrats.

But Republican presidential contender and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee acknowledges that concerns about the cost and quality of health care will be a major campaign issue in 2008.

"We really have an incredible problem because our system is upside down. It focuses on [medical] intervention at the catastrophic level of disease rather than really focusing on prevention [of illness]," Huckabee said.

Sarah Dutton conducts public surveys for CBS News. She says presidential candidates from both parties understand the public's worries about health care in the 2008 campaign.

"Sixty-six percent say they are very or somewhat dissatisfied with the quality of health care available here, and 81 percent are very or somewhat dissatisfied with the cost of health care," she said.

Presidential elections are often determined by the state of the U.S. economy, and 2008 is shaping up as no different. Two key components of that debate involve jobs and taxes.

Sen. Barack Obama, delivers a policy speech on Iraq in Clinton, Iowa, 12 Sept 2007

As part of his economic plan, Democratic Senator and presidential contender Barack Obama is promising to cut taxes for middle class Americans if he is elected next year.

"Under my plan, 150 million Americans and their families will get a tax cut," he said. "And because this credit would be greater than their income tax bill, my proposal would effectively eliminate all income taxes for 10 million working Americans."

Concern about high taxes is an issue that usually helps Republican candidates.

Rudy Giuliani (file photo)

In the Republican candidates' debates, presidential contender Rudy Giuliani often cites his record of cutting taxes when he was mayor of New York City.

"But the knee-jerk, liberal, Democratic reaction to raise taxes to get money very often is a very big mistake," Giuliani said.

Beyond concerns about Iraq and the economy, social issues could also play a key role in next year's election.

"The liberals are going to work hard for the Democrats, and the conservatives are going to work hard for the Republicans because they agree with their positions on abortion, gay rights, the death penalty, immigration and gun control, the things that drive emotions in American politics today," said Larry Sabato, who directs the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

In addition to those issues, concerns about terrorism and national security also remain high on the list of voter priorities going into the 2008 campaign.

Suspect in British Murder Case Runs for Russian Parliament

By Peter Fedynsky Moscow 18 September 2007

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Russia's ultra-nationalist Liberal Democratic Party has confirmed Andrei Lugovoi, a man wanted for murder in Britain, to be one its candidates for upcoming elections to the Russian Parliament. Lugovoi is a prime suspect in last year's London murder of former KGB officer and Kremlin critic, Alexander Litvinenko. VOA correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports from Moscow.

Andrei Lugovoi was chosen Monday at a Liberal Democratic Party congress to be second on the organization's list of candidates in upcoming elections to the State Duma, or lower house of Parliament. The vote was 148 in his favor, and only two against. To become a lawmaker, Lugovoi's party would need to gain at least seven percent of the vote on Election Day, December 2.

Andrei Lugovoi, 18 Sept. 2007

At a Moscow news conference, the candidate said he is not concerned about the British demand for his extradition as prime suspect in the poison death of former KGB officer and Kremlin critic, Alexander Litvinenko.

"There are no criminal charges against me in Russia," says Lugovoi. "On the contrary, he adds, the Russian Federal Security Service in June opened a very active investigation into subversive British intelligence activities against governments worldwide."

Appearing with Lugovoi at the news conference was party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who launched into a lengthy anti-British tirade when he was asked a question by VOA.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, 18 Sept. 2007

"Get out of here," shouted Zhirinovsky. "You Brits are spilling blood the world over! The whole world will hate you! Your country creates more provocations than any other. Terror? You create terror!"

Zhirinovsky, among other things, also accused Britain of such offenses as not honoring his diplomatic passport, of murdering Litvinenko, harboring criminals, provoking the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and the Chechen War, and intentionally dragging out World War II in order to allow the Nazis to kill millions of Soviet soldiers.

Zhirinovsky finished after nearly five minutes by accusing the entire British government and the Queen of England of criminality and threatening to throw this reporter out of Moscow.

Ties between Britain and Russia have deteriorated over London's insistence that Lugovoi be extradited to stand trial for murder. He is suspected of using radioactive polonium to poison Alexander Litvinenko in London last December. Russia says its constitution prohibits extradition of Russian citizens.

Andrei Lugovoi says that constitutional guarantee is sufficient and that he is not seeking office to get parliamentary immunity from extradition to Britain. But Zhirinovsky said lawmakers are not immune from justice, given proper legal procedures.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, right, party leader and Andrei Logovoi, left, attend a news conference in Moscow, 18 Sept. 2007

Zhirinovsky says if criminal elements run for office to gain parliamentary immunity, then the first presentation of charges by any prosecutor will result in an immediate vote to send those elements to court. He says no parliamentary mandate will save criminals.

Andrei Lugovoi said remarks on Monday regarding his interest in the Russian presidency were misinterpreted. He explained that any Russian citizen would like to be president, including himself, but that does not mean he has the qualifications for such high office. But Lugovoi said that Liberal Democratic Party leader Zhirinovsky is qualified.

Hundreds of Buddhist Monks Protest Burmese Military

By Luis Ramirez Bangkok 18 September 2007

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A group of about 1000 monks march against the Burmese military government in Rangoon, Burma, 18 Sep 2007

Hundreds of Buddhist monks have taken to the streets of Burma's main city, Rangoon - the latest in a wave of demonstrations against the military government during the past month. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from our Southeast Asia bureau in Bangkok.

The monks defied orders by Burma's military rulers to refrain from demonstrating. Witnesses say hundreds of them, cloaked in cinnamon-colored robes, marched quietly through the streets of Rangoon as security forces - including plainclothes police - looked on.

Analysts say the monks' defiance of the authorities is a dangerous sign for the ruling generals in a devoutly Buddhist country where monks are society's most respected figures. Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese political analyst exiled in Thailand says the monks are perhaps the biggest political challenge facing the junta.

"The military should be really, really worried because something like this can trigger wider political protest," he said.

Burmese Buddhist monks protest against the military government in Rangoon, Burma, 18 Sep 2007

Demonstrations have been going on since last month when the government imposed steep hikes in the cost of fuel. The hikes triggered anger among the poor in a country where the per-capita income is less than $200 a year.

Activists say the monks are demanding an apology from the government after members of security forces and their supporters beat demonstrators - who included several monks - at a protest over the price increases in the central Burmese town of Pakokku two weeks ago.

Reports from Burma say the monks have threatened to cut off contact with members of the military junta and refuse to receive alms from them. Aung Naing Oo says such gestures from the country's religious leaders would be deeply embarrassing and possibly destabilizing for the military.

"If the monks stop administering religious rites to the military and the military's families, there will be tremendous effects," he said. "The wives will complain, the ordinary soldiers will complain, so the military has to pay really close attention to what the monks are doing right now."

Observers say Burma's military rulers will have to weigh carefully whether to use force to stop the monks from demonstrating, a decision that could backfire and trigger even more protests.

In the past, monks have had key roles in opposition efforts. In 1988, they helped rally support for pro-democracy demonstrations that swept the country. Those protests ended with a government crackdown that killed about 3,000 people.

French Statement on Possible Iran War Raises Diplomatic Concern

By Peter Fedynsky Moscow 18 September 2007

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A statement by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner about the possible use of force against Iran has raised concern in Russia and China. During a meeting Tuesday with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, Kouchner clarified his controversial remark. VOA correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports from the Russian capital.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (r) welcomes his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner prior to their talks in Moscow, 18 Sep 2007

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's statement on Sunday about possible war with Iran was the focus of attention during his visit to Moscow Tuesday. Speaking after meeting with Kouchner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he is worried by reports of serious consideration being given to military action against Iran.

Lavrov says that Russia is convinced that no modern problem has a military solution, and that applies to the Iranian nuclear program as well.

News reports initially quoted Kouchner as saying the world should prepare for the possibility of war against Iran, if negotiations fail. The top French diplomat said in Moscow on Tuesday that he was misquoted in response to a reporter's question about what would be the worst outcome with Iran.

Kouchner says he shares the belief that everything must be done to avoid war. He says the second sentence of his response on Sunday, which media may not have quoted, was that we have to, in his words, "negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate, without let-up."

In Washington, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the U.S. administration believes there is a diplomatic solution to the Iran problem. Perino said the United States is working with the French and the European Union to pressure Iran to comply with its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

China, a permanent member of the Security Council, has expressed opposition to what that country's foreign ministry called "the unbridled threat of using force in international affairs."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday dismissed the French statement, saying it was a comment for the media that should not be taken seriously.

The United States and other western countries say Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program disguised as a civilian energy project. Tehran's refusal to stop uranium enrichment has prompted Washington and its allies to seek Security Council approval for a third set of sanctions against Iran. Highly enriched uranium can be used to build an atomic bomb.

US Secretary of State Heads to Middle East

By Robert Berger Jerusalem 18 September 2007

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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (file photo)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is embarking Tuesday on a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, she will try to narrow differences on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Secretary Rice will hold separate talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. They are working on a document on Palestinian statehood that is to be presented at an international peace conference in the United States this fall, probably in November.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says the goal is the creation of a Palestinian state.

"And we want to engage with this Palestinian government, and the idea is that we all understand where the peace process is going because we all can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Regev said.

But the gaps remain wide. Israel wants a vague declaration of principles, while President Abbas wants to tackle the core issues of the conflict-including Jerusalem, refugees, and final borders.

"I hope that we can conclude something, to conclude [a] framework for the final status issues," Mr. Abbas said.

Israel believes it is premature to close a deal on those issues, just three months after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas routed the forces of the rival Fatah faction, headed by Mr. Abbas, leaving him as the head of a weakened Palestinian government in the West Bank.

Therefore, Israel fears that Mr. Abbas cannot deliver on a final peace agreement. The Palestinians say if the document does not go beyond vague declarations, the international peace conference will be a failure.

Maoists Quit Nepal's Interim Government

By Steve Herman New Delhi 18 September 2007

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Nepal's Maoists have made good on their threat to quit the interim government. VOA's Steve Herman reports from our South Asia bureau in New Delhi that the move is likely to cause political chaos and jeopardize elections planned this year.

Nepal's Maoists have walked out of the coalition government and vowed to resume street protests to demand the monarchy be abolished and the country declared a republic.

The Maoists fought a decade-long civil war against the monarchy before making peace, entering the government this year, and agreeing to elections to decide the fate of the unpopular king, Gyanendra.

While the former rebels say they will not return to the jungle and wage war, others in Nepal are concerned their campaign against the monarchy will not be peaceful.

Human-rights activist Satya Narayan Shah is among those worried about a return to violence.

"I think the Maoists, after pulling out from the government, will create some disturbances," said Shah. "There may be some sort of violence, because their workers believe in martial power."

Shah says the Maoists should keep their word to let a constituent assembly decide the fate of the King, who has already been stripped of most of his power and royal assets.

Nationwide elections are scheduled for November 22 to select that assembly. Nepal is currently governed by an eight-party, interim coalition, which had included the Maoists.

Nepal's Communist party Maoist supporters rally through the streets in Katmandu, 18 Sep 2007

Maoist supporters streamed into central Kathmandu chanting anti-monarchy slogans, bringing large parts of the Nepalese capital to a standstill.

Before pulling out of the government, Maoist leader Prachanda met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the heads of the other parties in the coalition government. Officials say the talks were unable to reach a compromise.

The Maoists waged a 10-year rebellion beginning in 1996. The conflict killed an estimated 13,000 people and crippled the economy of Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Musharraf to Step Down as Military Leader After Election

By Daniel Schearf Islamabad 18 September 2007

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A lawyer for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has said Mr. Musharraf plans to give up his post as chief of the military if he wins forthcoming presidential elections. The statement was made to Pakistan's Supreme Court as it was holding hearings on petitions challenging the right of Mr. Musharraf to run for president. Daniel Schearf reports from Islamabad.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf (file photo)

Government attorney Sharifuddin Pirzada told Pakistan's Supreme Court Tuesday that, "If elected for a second term as president, General Pervez Musharraf shall relinquish charge of the office of chief of army staff soon after elections and before taking the oath of president for the second term."

The lawyer, a close aide to Mr. Musharraf, spoke as opposition party petitions are being heard in the Supreme Court calling for Mr. Musharraf to be disqualified as a candidate in the next presidential election.

Ahsan Iqbal is spokesman for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, an opposition political party. He says Mr. Musharraf has placed himself above the rule of law and should not be allowed to run for president.

"Pakistan is at a very defining moment," Iqbal noted. "Pakistan and people of Pakistan feel that this hybrid of dictatorship and democracy has hurt Pakistan enough and now it is time for Pakistan to move forward with pure and undiluted democracy, rule of law and supremacy of constitution."

Mr. Musharraf, who took over Pakistan in a 1999 military coup, is under pressure to return Pakistan to democratic rule. His current term as president ends on November 15.

Some opposition party members are threatening to resign from their positions in the parliament if he is allowed to run for president.

Mr. Musharraf appears to be trying to allay concerns that he could stay as both chief of the army and president of the country. However, this weekend he approved a change in election rules that would allow him to retain both positions, placing doubts on his intentions.

Mr. Musharraf attempted to remove the chief justice earlier this year but was forced to back down after massive street protests.

Nawaz Sharif arrives in Pakistan, 10 Sep 2007

Last week he removed a political competitor by deporting former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, in violation of a Supreme Court ruling.

If Mr. Musharraf gives up his military post it could pave the way for a power-sharing arrangement with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Musharraf have been trying to broker a deal for months that would eliminate long-standing corruption charges against her and allow her to run for a third term as prime minister in return for her supporting his continuing as president. One of her key demands was that Mr. Musharraf must step down as Army leader.

Beijing Condemns Taiwan's UN Membership Rally

By Claudia Blume Hong Kong 17 September 2007

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China has condemned Monday a large rally organized by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian. The event was held Saturday to show support for a proposed referendum on the island's membership in the United Nations. Claudia Blume reports from VOA's Asia News Center in Hong Kong.

China's Taiwan Affairs office issued a statement saying the rally Saturday in Kaohsiung jeopardizes peace and stability between the mainland and Taiwan. It says Beijing will be closely watching developments across the Taiwan Strait and is prepared to deal with what it calls 'serious situations'.

But Danny Paau, a political science professor at Hong Kong's Shue Yan University, says Beijing's response was relatively restrained.

"As for the mainland, what they are really trying to say is that - we will be calm and on the other hand, we are prepared," said Paau. "That is the message."

Taiwanese demonstrators display a placard in support of the island's latest bid for United Nations membership, in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, 15 Sep 2007

On Saturday, more than 100,000 people took to the streets of the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung to support President Chen's plan to hold a referendum on Taiwan's bid to re-join the United Nations. His intention is to apply under the name "Taiwan".

Previously, Taiwan's U.N. seat was held under its official name, the Republic of China. That seat was transferred to the communist government in Beijing in 1971.

China and Taiwan split after civil war ended in 1949. Beijing still considers Taiwan a renegade province, and has threatened to use force against the island if it formally declares independence.

Emile Sheng, a political analyst in Taiwan, says the push for U.N. membership is part of a campaign by the ruling Democratic People's Party to emphasize Taiwan's separateness from China ahead of next year's presidential elections.

"The ruling party, the DPP, wants Taiwan to be independent and also to declare it publicly so that the world knows that Taiwan is an independent country and has nothing to do with China," said Sheng. "So, I think entering the United Nations is really just a tool. It is really a way of mobilizing their own voters and making this a campaign issue."

Only a handful of small nations recognize Taiwan as a separate country from China. The United States supports Beijing's so-called "one China" policy, but is committed to helping protect Taiwan in the event of an attack on the democratically-ruled island.

On Monday, Beijing also protested proposed U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan. Last week, the Pentagon announced tentative plans to sell a dozen anti-submarine aircraft and more than 140 anti-aircraft missiles to Taiwan, for about $2.2 billion. Beijing urged Washington to cancel the deal and end its ties with the island's military, calling it a rude interference in China's internal affairs.

US Treasury Secretary Upbeat Following Recent Market Turmoil

By Lisa Bryant Paris 17 September 2007

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson sounded an upbeat note on the world economy Monday, despite the recent turmoil roiling the markets. Paulson's remarks came during a trip to Paris. Lisa Bryant has more from the French capital.

Henry Paulson talks to reporters after meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 17 Sep 2007

Following a morning meeting with his French counterpart Christine Laguarde, the U.S. Treasury Secretary cautioned against against any quick decisions for more market regulation. He said the world's economic underpinnings remained financially sound - despite turmoil in capital markets that began in the United States.

"Although this will be with us for a while - it's going to take a while to work through this turbulence in the capital markets - we're doing so against a backdrop of a strong global economy," he said. "And unlike certain periods of turbulence we've gone through in the past that have been precipitated by the real economy - issues that have been precipitated by bad lending practices - we'll work through this in some markets quicker than in others (and) we're already seeing a modest reduction in the strain in certain markets."

Secretary Henry Paulson's remarks come as Europeans worry the current market turmoil may have a longer-term impact on their banks and on the region's economic prospects. French and German leaders want to increase market transparency as a result.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary also spoke positively about the candidacy of former French finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn as the new head of the International Monetary Fund.

"I very much appreciated his views. He's a very strong candidate and I look forward in the weeks ahead that this election process be finalized," he said. "So again, I'm very positive on Dominique Strauss-Kahn."

Paulson was to discuss Strauss-Kahn's bid during a meeting later Monday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The I.M.F. head is traditionally a European, although European Union officials say they might consider a non-European candidate in the future.

Pakistan Court Hears Challenge to Musharraf Re-Election Bid

By Daniel Schearf Islamabad 17 September 2007

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Pakistan's Supreme Court has begun hearing challenges to President Pervez Musharraf bid for re-election. Opposition groups say Mr. Musharraf - who assumed power in a 1999 bloodless military coup - cannot legally be president while continuing as head of the Army. Daniel Schearf reports from VOA's Islamabad Bureau.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf

Pakistan's Supreme Court opened proceedings to hear petitions by political groups opposed to Mr. Musharraf seeking re-election next month.

At issue is whether Mr. Musharraf can run for president and keep his position as chief of the military. The president's supporters have indicated he will quit as Army chief if elected to another five-year term.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed is the leader of the MMA, a coalition of religious and political parties, petitioning the court.

Ahmed says they will see what the Supreme Court does with those who wrangle with the Constitution for their own political ends.

The embattled president has clashed twice with the Supreme Court this year, causing him to lose a great deal of public support.

He tried and failed to fire the chief justice. Last week, he defied a Supreme Court ruling by forcibly blocking the return of exiled opposition party leader, and former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif.

Mr. Sharif's party has filed petitions in the Supreme Court against Mr. Musharraf for contempt of court.

Opposition parties are threatening mass demonstrations if Mr. Musharraf is allowed to run again. His current terms ends November 15.

His election nomination papers are due by October 15.

Another exiled former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, is accusing the Musharraf camp of pushing the country to the brink of a major crisis. She and other opposition leaders want the president to restore democracy.

Ms. Bhutto is currently discussing a possible power-sharing deal with Mr. Musharraf in order to boost his political position. ut no agreement to bring her back from exile has been reached.

Stability, Prosperity in Thailand Still Uncertain One Year After Military Coup

By Luis Ramirez Bangkok 17 September 2007

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One year has passed since the Thai military overthrew the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on grounds it was corrupt. The interim government is making good on promises to return the country to democracy by the end of the year. But as VOA Correspondent Luis Ramirez reports, the process of recovering stability and economic prosperity are just beginning.

Thai soldiers stand guard on the main road in Bangkok, 22 September 2006

A year ago, many Thais welcomed the sight of tanks in the streets, when the Royal Army entered Bangkok on September 19, 2006, and ousted twice-elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his government. People hoped the military coup would end a bitter year of political crises and protests over whether the Thaksin government was corrupt and abused its power.

But another year on - political uncertainty persists and economic stagnation has set in. Some Thais are questioning what the coup accomplished. And many wonder why the military-installed government waited until last month to present formal corruption charges against Mr. Thaksin.

"If they can prove that the former leader was corrupt, the coup would be reasonable," said Morawat, a businessman along central Bangkok's Silom Road. "Now, we cannot say whether there was reason enough for a coup."

Thaksin Shinawatra (File)

The billionaire telecom tycoon's time in office was increasingly marked with controversy. He was known for populist economic policies that the rural poor loved. He was known for sweeping initiatives to wipe out crime, drug running and graft. Human rights groups noted these policies stressed tough action over respect for civil rights. The most problematic issue to arise during Mr. Thaksin's tenure was resurgent Muslim violence in the south. Again he was accused - even by his own military - of heavy-handed tactics in trying to quell the violence.

The galvanizing event turned out to be a multi-billion dollar tax-free sale of a Thaksin company. While the courts ruled in Mr. Thaksin's favor, public opinion began to turn and allegations of cronyism and political manipulation surfaced along with street demonstrations.

Leading critics of the Thaksin government - mostly the urban educated elite - then accused his party of trying to weaken independent government bodies and the democratic balance of power among the political branches that were enshrined in the 1997 constitution.

While this was Thailand's 18th coup since absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932 - it was the first in more than 15 years - a period in which Thailand had evolved politically and economically. But this coup appears to have ushered in a year of economic turmoil - that included stock market plunges, currency losses and questionable protectionist policies.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak - a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok - says the coup has undermined Thailand's economic growth.

"The coup got rid of a corrupt and abusive leader, but the coup was mismanaged because the coup makers rejected everything that the previous leader did," he said. "So it has not solve much in the past year, apart from kicking out Thaksin. And now it poses more risk as the military becomes more institutionalized and involved in Thai politics."

Life is not better for Orathai, who sells flowers at her stand on a Bangkok street from six in the morning until nine at night. She hopes to save enough to buy a house for herself and her mother. She says she does not know much about politics, but she does know that life has gotten harder for her.

"I can say that last year, life was better. This year has been worse," she said. "Things are more expensive, and I am selling less."

Economists concur that the past 12 months have been a lost year for Thailand. Foreign investment slowed. Analysts warn the country may be losing its competitive edge to the cheaper labor markets of China and Vietnam. At the same time, they say Thailand is falling short of its goals to compete with the high-value, technology based economies of Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Over the past year, many Thais have gone bankrupt, unable to repay loans that were made on easy credit terms under the Thaksin government - one of the policies that made him popular among the middle and lower classes.

Thailand's voters do not yet know who will run in December's elections or what policies will be on offer. Coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin is due to retire from the Army in the coming days and his role in Thailand's political future is still not clear.

One year after the coup, Mr. Thaksin is in exile but looms large. Thais remain deeply divided between those who called for Mr. Thaksin's overthrow and those who still support him.

Kenyan President Launches Re-Election Bid

By Nick Wadhams Nairobi 17 September 2007

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Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has launched his bid for a second five-year term, with the creation of a new political alliance and the support of several of the country's most powerful political leaders. Nick Wadhams has the story from VOA's Nairobi bureau.

Mwai Kibaki celebrates at Kenyatta International Conference center during inter-parties cooperation, 16 Sep 2007

In a nationally televised speech, President Kibaki announced he will run under the new Party of National Unity. He used the address to list what he sees as the achievements from his first five-year term, which he said included free primary school education and better health care and roads.

Mr. Kibaki's new alliance will include several of the country's most prominent political groups. He will also look to capitalize on the backing he has recently received from former President Daniel Arap Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta, who said last week he would drop his own bid for president and support Kibaki.

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi says Mr. Kibaki is looking strong, heading into the December vote and that Kenyatta - the son of Kenya's first post-colonial leader, Jomo Kenyatta - has worked out an alliance in anticipation of the next presidential election, in 2012.

"Uhuru is doing this for the purposes of inheriting both the Moi and the Kibaki constituencies in 2012. That is his intention," Ngunyi said. "He is not doing it because he necessarily likes the two gentlemen or because he is cajoled into supporting them. You see, right now, Kibaki does not have a 'king in waiting.' And, because there is no king in waiting, Uhuru Kenyatta has basically spied that opportunity and he is positioning himself for that particular purpose."

Questions remain about Mr. Kibaki's chances. His government recently came under criticism for its failure to stamp out corruption, despite Mr. Kibaki's repeated promises to do so. And, when he ran in 2002, he promised not to seek a second term.

Mr. Kibaki is 75 years old and looking increasingly fragile. Ngunyi says that makes Kenyatta's move to back the president look even smarter.

"This is part of a generational succession - that Uhuru has spied an opportunity to effect the long-awaited generational succession. And, it might look controversial, unpopular right now, but, in the long run, I think it's one of those things that might make sense, especially for the generation in its 40's," he said.

Mr. Kibaki also faces strong challenges from two popular Kenyan politicians, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. However, those two had a falling out and their decisions to run may split the opposition vote.

World Bank Launches Plan to Spark Investment in Africa

By Lisa Bryant Paris 17 September 2007

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This week, the World Bank is launching an unusual initiative to get Africans living in Europe to invest back home - through a competition, complete with cash prizes, for the best development projects targeting sub-Saharan Africa. Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.

Known as the Development Marketplace for African Diaspora in Europe or D-MADE, the World Bank competition is being sponsored by the French, Belgian and Dutch governments. The idea is to get the African diaspora in Europe to invest their money, knowledge and imagination in their home countries by coming up with innovative development proposals.

World Bank communications officer Anne Davis says the initiative is part of larger efforts to get Africans living abroad more involved in their continent's development.

"There are an estimated three million voluntary African migrants in the US and Europe," she said. "One point seven million are in Europe. And African countries themselves have realized that's an untapped resource. "

The Bank will be advertising its new competition through meetings and through the African media. The 15 or so best submissions will be awarded cash prizes, ranging from about $14,000 to $55,000.

"We're looking for any project that can show entrepreneurship, because that's the first theme of this development marketplace targeting the African diaspora, and they need to be able to demonstrate the impact on the social welfare of African communities to create profitable businesses, create jobs or invest in local infrastructure," said Davis. "It's very broad."

Eventually, Davis says, the Bank wants to expand the competition to include Africans and other immigrants living in the U.S. and elsewhere.

But for now, Africans in Europe can learn more about the competition on the Internet, at www.dmade.org.

'Sopranos,' America Ferrera, Al Gore Win Big at Emmy Awards

By Mike O'Sullivan Los Angeles 17 September 2007

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The mob series The Sopranos won top drama honors at television's Emmy Awards, Sunday night , and the new series 30 Rock was named best comedy. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles that former U.S. Vice President Al Gore also earned an Emmy, for helping create an interactive channel.

The Sopranos

The Sopranos, a much-honored saga of a New Jersey family of mobsters, earned three awards, including best drama series. "The Sopranos" first went on the air in 1999 and ended its highly successful run this year.

A new satirical show called 30 Rock was named best comedy series.

Actress America Ferrera, 23, was honored for her leading role in the comedy Ugly Betty. Ferrera is the daughter of Honduran immigrants and she charmed American viewers in her first big television role.

America Ferrara holds her Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series, 16 Sep 2007

Accepting the award Ferrera said "It is truly an amazing, wonderful thing that happens when your dreams come true, and I just wish that for everybody, that they get to do what inspires them, inspires them to make a change in the world."

A Hollywood veteran, 60-year-old Sally Field, won the Emmy for best actress in a drama for the series Brothers & Sisters.

Former Vice President Al Gore received the award for creative achievement in interactive television for his cable channel, Current TV channel. The cable outlet features viewer-created videos. Gore explained its purpose.

"We are trying to open up the television medium so that viewers can help to make television, and join the conversation of democracy," he said.

Earlier this year, Gore won an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary film on global warming.

Robert Duvall holds his Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie, and outstanding miniseries for Broken Trail, 16 Sep 2007

Veteran film star Robert Duvall won his first Emmy, for his television miniseries Broken Trail, a tale of two cowboys who rescue Chinese girls from sexual slavery. Duvall says he loves to work in Westerns.

"I never knew an actor in my lifetime or anybody's lifetime who didn't want to do a Western. We all want to do Westerns, and believe me, it belongs to us in this country, uniquely to us," Duvall said.

He says, from Calgary in Western Canada, where this film was shot, to the US state of Texas, Westerns are part of the culture.

Helen Mirren was named best actress in a miniseries or movie, for her role as British detective Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect: The Final Act, a British-American co-production. She complimented American viewers as generous.

"You are a lot of other things as well, some good, some bad. But you know, if I was to categorize your natures, it's generosity above all, and you took our piece of work to your hearts and you made it what it became, which was a piece of iconic television," Mirren said.

Crooner Tony Bennett was honored for his musical performance in the special Tony Bennett: An American Classic.

The miniseries Roots was also remembered on its 30th anniversary. The reunited cast recalled the landmark series, a saga of African slaves in America.