BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from January 2009, page 4

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from January 2009

(CORR)Czech minister urges EU to closer cooperate with Central Asia.
January 31, 2009... (Correcting "UN" to "EU" in last sentence)Excerpt from report by state-owned Kazakh news agency Kazinform Vienna, 31 January: A regular weekly meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe...

Turkish government cuts natural gas prices by 17 per cent.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Istanbul, 31 January: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday [31 January] that they would cut natural gas prices by 17 per cent for domestic users....

Afghan daily says delay of elections is important.
January 31, 2009... Text of editorial entitled: "What is more important, date of elections or free, transparent, fair elections?" by state-owned Afghan newspaper Hewad on 31 January The Independent Election Commission announced the election date the other...

Syrian president discusses regional situation with US Congress delegation.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by state-run Syrian news agency SANA website ["President Al-Asad Meets a US Congressional Delegation." SANA Headline] Damascus, 31 January: President Bashar al-Asad received this morning a US Congressional...

US drone attacks counterproductive - Pakistan defence minister.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Attock [North-West Frontier Province], 31 January [Saturday]: Federal Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has said that drone attacks are counterproductive and...

Sudan: Rebel group claims "free reign all over Darfur".
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 31 January (Washington) 30 January, 2009: The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) dismissed government claims of defeating their fighters during...

Hillary Clinton phones Spain's Moratinos to discuss Middle East peace.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Spanish newspaper ABC website, on 30 January [Editorial: "Hillary Clinton Phones Moratinos To Strengthen the Relationship with Spain as Much as Possible"] Hillary Clinton has phoned Moratinos to strengthen the...

Spanish daily praises Obama's economic stimulus plan.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Spanish newspaper ABC website, on 30 January [Editorial: "Obama's First Plan"] As he promised in his inauguration speech, Barack Obama, the new US President, has taken seriously the need to get an economic recovery...

Daily urges world community to consider all aspects of Afghanistan issue.
January 31, 2009... Text of editorial entitled: "A place cannot be ruled by force" by state-owned Afghan newspaper Hewad on 29 January The nature of solution to Afghanistan' issue has again become a topical issue both inside the country and at the...

Extremists aim to become alternative political force - Kyrgyz security boss.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Kyrgyz Television 1 on 30 January Religious extremist groups are striving to become an alternative to the existing political force in the future, the chairman of the SNSC [Kyrgyz State National Security...

Colombian weekly says FARC weakened, shifting strategy toward negotiation.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Colombian weekly Cambio website on 29 January [Article by former peace adviser Carlos Eduardo Jaramillo: "The FARC Is Changing Strategy"] Kidnappings, intended as the FARC's main political strategy to accomplish...

Iran: Roundup of West Azarbayjan Province Friday prayer sermons 31 Jan 09.
January 31, 2009... Friday prayer imams in the Iranian province of West Azarbayjan focused on the forthcoming anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in their prayer sermons on 30 January, provincial TV reported on 30 and 31 January. The representative...

Russia: Duma Passes Bill on Rules for Proposing Regional Governor Candidates
January 31, 2009... The Russian State Duma passed in the first reading a law sponsored by the president entitling parties that win regional elections to propose to the head of state candidates for regional governors, state-controlled Channel One TV reported on 30...

South Sudan forms committee to deal with ICC decision against Al-Bashir.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 31 January (Juba) 30 January, 2009: President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), General Salva Kiir Mayardit, has announced his...

Russian TV Reports on Pro-Government Rally in Moscow
January 31, 2009... In its report on a day of nationwide rallies on 31 January Gazprom-owned Russian NTV chose to focus on those in support of the anti-crisis action by the government. It was its top story in its afternoon news at 1600 Moscow time. "Today,...

Iraqi election official explains extension of voting hours.
January 31, 2009... Doha Al-Jazeera Television in Arabic at 1403 gmt on 31 January conducts a live telephone interview with Qasim Hasan Juburi, member of the Independent High Electoral Commission [IHEC] for an update on the Iraqi provincial elections that are...

Explosive found near gas major pipeline in Russia's Dagestan.
January 31, 2009... An explosive found near a major gas pipeline in the south Russian republic of Dagestan has been rendered harmless, the Regnum news agency quoted the Russian Federal Security Service as saying. The home-made explosive had been planted near...

New Russian patriarch says church ready for "constructive relations" with state.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti Moscow, 30 January: The Russian Orthodox Church is prepared to cooperate with the state for the good of people, for the purpose of strengthening morality, Kirill, the newly...

Uzbek leader awards order to South Korean publisher.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Uzbek parliament newspaper, Xalq Sozi newspaper on 29 January A decree by President of Uzbekistan Islom Karimov "On awarding the 'Dostlik [Friendship]' order to the publisher and chairman of The Korea Post magazine, Lee...

PPChinese politburo member urges ensuring social equity, stability.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) ["Senior Official Urges To Safeguard Social Equity, Stability"] BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) - A senior official with Chinese Communist Party...

Iraqi Governorate Council election voting ends - Al-Jazeera TV.
January 31, 2009... Doha Al-Jazeera Television in Arabic at 1508 gmt on 31 January carries the following "breaking news" as a screen caption: "The voting in the Iraqi provincial elections ends." Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1508 gmt 31 Jan 09...

Al-Jazeera TV carries special coverage of Iraqi provincial elections 31 Jan 08.
January 31, 2009... Al-Jazeera Satellite TV has been observed from 0700-1300 gmt on 31 January to dedicate part of its programming to special coverage of today's provincial council elections in Iraq. The bulk of the channel's reporting on the elections consisted...

Afghan paper upbeat about NATO, US overtures to Iran.
January 31, 2009... Text of editorial entitled "The importance of neighbours' cooperation with Afghanistan" by state-owned Afghan newspaper Anis on 29 January The US defence secretary has described the security problems in Afghanistan as the most serious...

President, businessmen mull Georgia's economic prospects.
January 31, 2009... President Mikheil Saakashvili has met Georgian businessmen working abroad to discuss possibilities for his country to attract foreign investments and to avert negative consequences of the world financial crisis. In an address to the...

African, Arab countries agree to fight Somali pirates.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 29 January [Unattributed report: "Regional Countries Agree To Fight Somali Pirates"] Nine African and Arab countries affected by the Somali pirates...

Iran official hails Turkish premier's stance on Gaza.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 31 January: Supreme Leader's senior adviser on international affairs, Akbar Velayati said on Saturday [31 January] that Turkish Prime Minister...

Ballot boxes close in all Iraqi governorates - TV.
January 31, 2009... Al-Iraqiyah Television at 1503 gmt on 31 January carries the following "breaking" news as a screen caption: "Ballot boxes closed in all governorates of Iraq." Source: Al-Iraqiyah TV, Baghdad, in Arabic 1503 gmt 31 Jan 09 BBC...

Power rationing not to be toughened in Tajikistan - energy official.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Tajik news agency Asia-Plus website Dushanbe, 31 January: Today the open joint-stock holding company Barq-i Tojik [Tajik Electricity] is using all available resources so that to provide the population...

Breakaway Abkhazia denies reports of attack on EU monitors.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Sukhumi, 31 January: The Abkhaz side has nothing to do with the shooting at foreign observers and journalists that took place in the village of Shamgona in [west] Georgian...

More on human infection of bird flu reported in China's Hunan.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "2nd Ld: Human Infection of Bird Flu Reported in Central China"] BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) - A 21-year-old female farmer was confirmed...

Russia: Over 1,000 killed, 170 missing in Ingushetia in seven years - activist.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS Nazran, 31 January: Over the past seven years, more than 1,000 people have been killed and 170 people have been kidnapped or have gone missing in [the Russian republic of] Ingushetia,...

Senior Russian MP says new EU states set "scandalous" tone at PACE sessions.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS Strasbourg, 30 January: New European Union member states, that is, the Eastern European countries and former Soviet republics, increasingly set the tone for discussions in the...

Supervisory body urges Iran government to take Israel to international courts.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 31 January: Guardian Council Spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhoda'i said a new legislation in Iran has obliged the government to follow up the case of...

US could live with Iranian uranium enrichment program - expert.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Berlin, 31 January: The US could ultimately agree to an uranium enrichment programme on Iranian territory, said the executive director of the...

Montenegrin ruling party open for broad electoral coalition, premier says.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Montenegrin TV on 31 January [Presenter] The Montenegrin prime minister and leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists [DPS], Milo Djukanovic, said today that his party is open for forming a broad programme...

German police chief warns of Islamist attacks before Bundestag election.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by independent German news agency ddp Munich (ddp) - Following terror threats on the Internet, the president of the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation (BKA), Joerg Ziercke, warns of attacks prior to the Bundestag...

Opposition in Siberia commemorate murdered lawyer, journalist, hold rally.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Tomsk, 31 January: On Saturday [31 January], the Tomsk branch of the United Civil Front [UCF] combined two events: a rally to commemorate human rights activist [lawyer]...

Iran minister dismisses claims on Iran, US talks.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian conservative news agency Mehr Tehran, 31 January: Iranian Intelligence Minister Gholamhoseyn Mohseni-Ezhe'i has dismissed the claims that Iran and the United States have held negotiations. The...

Official says USA to support new Somali president.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Somali pro-Puntland government Puntlandpost website on 31 January Addressing the swearing in ceremony of the new Somali president, Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmad, which took place in Djibouti today, the US special envoy to...

Iranian students welcome Turkish premier's "anti-Zionist" move - Tehran TV.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Iranian state-run provincial TV from Tehran on 31 January University students and school pupils in Tehran held a gathering outside the Turkish embassy today expressing their appreciation of the anti-Zionist action taken...

Iran: Roundup of Ardabil Friday prayer sermons 30 Jan 09.
January 31, 2009... Friday prayer leaders in Iran's Ardabil Province focused mainly on the victory of the Islamic Revolution and its role and essence in their Friday sermons on 30 January, provincial Sabalan TV has reported. The supreme leader's...

Daily says world community's wrong strategy is main cause of Afghan crises.
January 31, 2009... Text of editorial entitled "Is it tension between Karzai and Obama or between Afghan nation and the international community?" by pro-government Afghan newspaper Weesa on 28 January The tension in relations between senior officials,...

Tajik leader to miss Moscow summits due to "energy crisis" - agency.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS Dushanbe, 31 January: Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will not attend an extraordinary meeting of the council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and an...

Iran Speaker to attend Munich security conference.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 31 January: Adviser to Majlis Speaker Hassan Zamani said on Saturday [31 January] that the Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani will attend the 45th...

Palestinian president postpones Europe tour, heads for Cairo.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, non-governmental Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website ["Abbas Heads to Cairo for Urgent Talks, Postponing Europe Visit" - Ma'an headline] Bethlehem: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has...

US Coast Guard rescues over 200 migrants off Haiti.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website on 31 January Miami: The United States Coast Guard said Friday it has rescued over 200 Haitian migrants on an overcrowded vessel off the Haitian coast. Officials said...

Iraqi foreign minister on election, Obama pledges, ties with Turkey, Iran.
January 31, 2009... ["Special Encounter" feature: Interview with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, conducted by Yusuf al-Sharif in Baghdad - live or recorded.] Al-Jazeera Satellite Television at 1430 gmt on 30 January 2009 carries in its "Special...

Sudanese president discusses Darfur, ICC charges with Senegalese counterpart.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Sudanese radio on 31 January The president of the republic, Field Marshal Umar al-Bashir met today on the sidelines of the NEPAD [New Partnership for Africa's Development ]summit with the Senegalese leader...

More from Russian TV on Pro-Government Rally in Moscow
January 31, 2009... There was more media support for a pro-government rally in Moscow in a report on state-controlled Russian Channel One TV in its evening news at 1800 Moscow time, following an earlier broadcast by another network, Gazprom-owned NTV. (The report...

Palestinian official says Israel violating accord by linking Shalit with crossings.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, non-governmental Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website ["Erekat [Urayqat]: Linking Shalit With Borders Violates 2005 Gaza Crossings Agreement" - Ma'an headline] Jericho: Israel's attempt to...

Antigua police arrest man in Australian sailor's murder case.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website on 31 January St John's, Antigua: Antiguan police have arrested and charged a 21 year-old man for the January 22 murder of Australian sailor Drew Gollan. A statement...

Latvian expert mulls prospects for Obama administration, foreign policy plans.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avize on 31 January [Commentary by Janis Penikis: "What To Expect From New US President?"] As the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, has taken office, the two...

British pay television channel GTV quits Kenyan market.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Sammy Kitula entitled "GTV signal intention to close down" published by Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation on 31 January After showcasing the English Premier League close to two years, GTV, a British pay television company,...

Slovakia to view possible US request to accept Guantanamo inmates - official.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by Slovak privately-owned independent newspaper Sme website, on 30 January [Report by Stefan Hudec: "Slovakia Is Not Rushing To Take In Prisoners"] Europe is not enthusiastic about Washington's request for...

Ukrainian interior minister urges president to cooperate with cabinet.
January 31, 2009... Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko has called on President Viktor Yushchenko to step up his cooperation with the country's top leaders. Lutsenko was taking part in the talk show "Freedom on Inter" on Ukraine's most popular TV...

Iraqi PM addresses country, notes election "success".
January 31, 2009... Al-Iraqiyah Television at 1547 gmt on 31 January carries a recorded speech by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki after the end of voting in the provincial council elections. Al-Maliki begins his speech by thanking Iraqi voters. He also...

Indian army "fully geared up" - army chief.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Press Trust of India news agency Srinagar, 31 January: In the backdrop of mounting tension between India and Pakistan over Mumbai terror attack, the Indian Army Saturday [31 January] said it was fully geared up to do...

Slovak PM views anti-crisis measures, wants to "put pressure" on banks, gas firm.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by Slovak privately-owned independent newspaper Sme website, on 29 January [Report by Lubos Jancik: "Fico Wants To Put Pressure on Banks and SPP"] The finance minister [Jan Pociatek] announced yesterday that the...

Slovak cabinet plans to regulate gas storage prices.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Slovak privately-owned independent newspaper Sme website, on 29 January [Report by Katarina Ragacova: "State Is Going To Regulate Prices of Natural Gas Reserves as Well"] The government has employed heavy calibres...

Some 1,000 Czechs march in Prague against planned US base.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Czech national public-service news agency CTK Prague, 31 January: Some one thousand people today protested against the planned stationing of a US radar base on Czech soil and marched to the US Embassy where...

Palestinian Hamas figure welcomes Quartet envoy Blair's remarks.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, non-governmental Palestinian Ma'an News Agency website ["Hamas Hails Blair Comments as Shift in Stance Towards Gaza Government" - Ma'an headline] Gaza: The Hamas-run government in Gaza said...

Belarusian defence officials, diplomats exchange views on ensuring security.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Belarusian privately-owned news agency Belapan Minsk, 31 January: An annual meeting of defence attaches accredited at foreign diplomatic missions in Belarus with the officials of the Belarusian Defence Ministry was held...

Jordan's king meets US envoy Mitchell, urges "effective" peace talks.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by official Jordanian news agency Petra-JNA website ["King meets US Mideast Envoy George Mitchell" - Petra headline] Amman, 31 January: His Majesty King Abdallah II on Saturday [31 January] called for...

Ethnic Armenian NGO puts demands to Georgian government.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by private Armenian news agency Arminfo Yerevan, 31 January: Armenians in Javakhk [Georgia's southern Samtskhe-Javakheti Region] are continuing their fight, a statement forwarded to Arminfo by the leader of the United...

Armenians in Iranian province to mark Islamic Revolution anniversary.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website Tabriz, 31 January: The archbishop of Armenians of Azarbayjan has said that Armenians will make every effort to hold Fajr celebrations [to mark the...

Communist, Zhirinovskiy's rallies in Moscow - summary.
January 31, 2009... Details of rallies by the CPRF [Communist Party] and the LDPR [of Vladimir Zhirinovskiy] on 31 January were supplied by the corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax. There were social demands at the Communist rally, which took place...

Jordanian foreign minister, US envoy discuss Gaza cease-fire.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by official Jordanian news agency Petra-JNA website ["Foreign minister meets US Middle East envoy" - Petra headline] Amman, 31 January: Foreign Minister Salah al-Din al-Bashir discussed with the US peace...

Iran sets ban, fine on trade with Israel.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 31 January Tehran, 31 January: Iran has moved to issue an executive order to clamp sweeping sanctions on all investment activities and trade with Israeli entities. ...

Libyan official says AU summit to discuss ICC charges against Sudanese leader.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Sudanese radio on 31 January Libyan Secretary of African Union affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Ali Abd-al-Salam al-Turayki, has said that the...

Iraqi official says election security plan successful.
January 31, 2009... Al-Sharqiyah Television at 1553 gmt on 31 January interrupts its programmes to carry live and in progress a news conference by Major General Aydin Khalid, chairman of the Higher Security Committee Overseeing Elections, and other unidentified...

Georgian government seeking ways out of financial crisis.
January 31, 2009... Excerpt from report by private Georgian Imedi TV on 31 January [Presenter] By what means should the financial crisis be tackled? Georgian businessmen working abroad have arrived in Tbilisi to give recommendations to the government in this...

Thai protesters gather names on petition to lift lese majeste law.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 31 January The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Saturday started gathering names on a petition for lifting lese majeste law. At the UDD...

Ukrainian premier has no plans to review 2009 budget for six months - TV.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by commercial, news-based 5 Kanal TV on 31 January The prime minister [Yuliya Tymoshenko] has already reacted to the president's [Viktor Yushchenko's] televised address to the nation that he delivered yesterday [30...

DRCongo MP says Rwandan rebels, armed coalition killing civilians.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by DRCongo community station Radio Maendeleo from Bukavu on 31 January [Presenter] National MPs are continuing to demand an extaordinary session during the course of which they would be briefed on the FARDC [Armed Forces...

Text of 10-year gas transit deal struck between Ukraine and Russia.
January 31, 2009... A Ukrainian news and analysis website has published the full text of the Ukrainian-Russian gas transit deal for the next decade signed in Moscow on 19 January. It includes the formulae on the basis of which the cost of transiting Russian gas...

Around 30,000 Thai protesters march to Government House, voice demands.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 31 January Around 30,000 supporters of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) left Sanam Luang around 10pm and began marching to the Government House....

Thai PM told not to worry about protests - deputy PM.
January 31, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 31 January Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he reported political situation to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who is attending the World Economic Forum in...

Iraqi Kurds lose 76,000 votes in governorate elections - official.
January 31, 2009... The head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region presidency office, Fu'ad Husayn, has told the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)-owned Khabat daily newspaper website that Kurds have lost 76,000 votes in the governorate council elections, the website...

Slovak analyst questions premier's criticism of utility's conduct in gas crisis.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Slovak privately-owned independent newspaper Sme website, on 29 January [Commentary by Ivan Stulajter: "Outrage"] In order to prevent anyone from having a favourable opinion on Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel...

Belarus opposition party says constructive cooperation with authorities possible.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by Belarusian newspaper Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta website on 30 January Viktar Karnyayenka, the deputy chairman of the [Belarusian opposition] For Freedom movement [led by former presidential candidate Alyaksandr...

Congress in Russia's Ingushetia tackles violence, corruption, economic problems.
January 31, 2009... Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has outlined the main tasks and problems facing the republic at the Congress of the People of Ingushetia which took place on 31 January in Nazran. He also spoke about the two main causes of the republic's...

Ukrainian customs starts clearing trader's gas sold by Gazprom - TV.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by commercial, news-based 5 Kanal TV on 31 January The team of [Prime Minister] Yuliya Tymoshenko has already started customs clearing the gas which [Ukrainian] businessman Dmytro Firtash bought from Russia's Gazprom and...

At least 25 reported dead in fire at Russian republic retirement home.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Syktyvkar, 31 January: According to preliminary reports, 25 people have been killed in a fire at a district old people's home in the village of Kortkeros in the Republic of...

Malawi: Energy regulator reduces fuel prices.
January 31, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio on 31 January Government through the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, MERA, has cut down fuel prices following recommendations from the Energy Pricing...