Articles of Syria

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Putin, Obama Still at Odds over Syria

Vladimir-Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin showed in a telephone conversation that he still has disagreements with his US counterpart Barack Obama over the situation in Syria, said presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov today. During the conversation, which lasted nearly 50 minutes, the two heads of State managed to reach a better understanding of one another’s stance in relation to the Syrian crisis, but they still remain at odds about the practical ways to reach a solution, said Ushakov.

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Kofi Annan again at UN, but for Syria

kofiannan

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will arrive on Wednesday at the United Nations, the organization he led for ten years, but this time as a UN and Arab League (AL) special envoy on the crisis in Syria. According to an official announcement, Annan will talk here on the conflict with the current UN Secretary General and his successor since 2006, Ban Ki-moon, as well as the members of the Security Council.

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Syria, Iran to Implement FTA at Crucial Time

Damascus-the-capital-of-S-007

Iran and Syria will consolidate their strategic relations and ties at a crucial time for both countries, after the implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA) a month from now. The FTA, seen in both capitals as an important step to complement their economies, establishes that Syrian products on the Iranian market, for example, will enjoy a gradual reduction of customs tariffs over the next five years. Those rates will decrease 20 percent each year over the next five years up to zero, while Damascus will bring about preferential facilities to investors and goods from Iran.

Reflections by Fidel »

Chávez, Evo and Obama (Part Two – Final)

Chávez, Evo and Obama  (Part Two - Final)

If our Nobel laureate is deluding himself, something that is still to be proven, perhaps that explains the incredible contradictions in his thinking and the confusion sown among his listeners. There is not one shred of ethics, and not even of politics, in his attempt to justify his announced decision to veto any resolution to recognize Palestine as an independent State and member of the United Nations. Even politicians, who in no way share socialist philosophy and lead parties that were closely allied with Augusto Pinochet, are proclaiming Palestine’s right to be a member of the UN.

Reflections by Fidel »

Chavez, Evo and Obama (Part One)

Chavez, Evo and Obama (Part One)

I take a break from the tasks that are occupying all of my time these days to dedicate a few words to the unique opportunity presented by the political science of the sixtieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. The yearly event demands singular effort from those taking on the greatest of political responsibilities in many countries. For them, it constitutes a tough test; for the fans of that art, and there are many since it vitally affects everybody, it is difficult to remove oneself from the temptation of observing the interminable but educational show.