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Arrest warrant issued for President Yanukovych
Arrest warrant issued for President Yanukovych (AP) / 24 February 2014 Calls are mounting in Ukraine to put Yanukovych on trial, after a tumultuous presidency in which he amassed powers, enriched his allies and cracked down on protesters. Anti-Viktor Yanukovych protesters outside parliament in Kiev.-AFP Ukraine’s acting government issued a warrant on Monday for the arrest of President Viktor Yanukovych, last seen in the pro-Russian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, accusing him of mass crimes against protesters who stood up for months against his rule. Calls are mounting in Ukraine to put Yanukovych on trial, after a tumultuous presidency in which he amassed powers, enriched his allies and cracked down on protesters. Anger boiled over last week after snipers attacked protesters in the bloodiest violence in Ukraine’s post-Soviet history. The turmoil has turned this strategically located country of 46 million inside out over the past few days, raising fears that it could split apart. The parliament speaker is suddenly nominally in charge of a country whose economy is on the brink of default and whose loyalties are torn between Europe and longtime ruler Russia. Ukraine’s acting interior minister, Arsen Avakhov, said on his official Facebook page Monday that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Yanukovych and several other officials for the “mass killing of civilians.” At least 82 people, primarily protesters, were killed in clashes in Kiev last week. Avakhov says Yanukovych arrived in Crimea on Sunday and relinquished his official security detail then drove off to an unknown location. After signing an agreement with the opposition to end a conflict that turned deadly, Yanukovych fled the capital for eastern Ukraine. Avakhov said he tried to fly out of Donetsk but was stopped, then went to Crimea. Tensions have been mounting in Crimea, where pro-Russian protesters raised a Russian flag on a city hall in one town and scuffled with police. Russia maintains a big naval base in the Crimean port of Sevastopol that has tangled relations between the countries for two decades. Yanukovych set off a wave of protests by shelving an agreement with the EU in November and turning toward Russia, and the movement quickly expanded its grievances to corruption, human rights abuses and calls for Yanukovych’s resignation. “We must find Yanukovych and put him on trial,” said protester Leonid Shovtak, a 50-year-old farmer from the western Ivano-Frankivsk region who came to Kiev’s Independence Square to take part in the three-month protest movement. “All the criminals with him should be in prison.” The speaker of parliament assumed the president’s powers Sunday, even though a presidential aide told the AP on Sunday that Yanukovych plans to stay in power. The speaker, Oleksandr Turchinov, said top priorities include saving the economy and “returning to the path of European integration,” according to news agencies. The latter phrase is certain to displease Moscow, which wants Ukraine to be part of a customs union that would rival the EU and bolster Russia’s influence. Russia granted Ukraine a $15 billion bailout after Yanukovych backed away from the EU deal. U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said the U.S. is ready to help Ukraine get aid from the International Monetary Fund. The European Union, meanwhile, is reviving efforts to strike a deal with Ukraine that could involve billions of euros in economic perks. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is visiting Kiev on Monday and Tuesday. The protest movement has been in large part a fight for the country’s economic future — for better jobs and prosperity. Ukraine has struggled with corruption, bad government and short-sighted reliance on cheap gas from Russia. Political unrest has pushed up the deficit and sent exchange rates bouncing, and may have pushed the economy back into a recession. Per capita economic output is only around $7,300, even adjusted for the lower cost of living there, compared to $22,200 in Poland and around $51,700 in the United States. Ukraine ranks 137 th worldwide, behind El Salvador, Namibia, and Guyana. Ukraine has a large potential consumer market, with 46 million people, an educated workforce, and a rich potential export market next door in the EU. It has a significant industrial base and good natural resources, in particular rich farmland. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Happiness, welfare of citizens our priorities: Mohammed
Happiness, welfare of citizens our priorities: Mohammed Staff Report / 24 February 2014 Vice-President says UAE to be one of the best countries by 2021 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has praised the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to review the applied programmes in the various government departments to ensure the happiness and welfare of citizens. Shaikh Mohammed, Lt-Gen. Shaikh Saif, Shaikh Mansour and senior officials being briefed about the work mechanism of e-portal on the sidelines of the Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. — Wam Shaikh Mohammed’s comments came during the Cabinet’s meeting at the Presidential Palace here on Sunday as they discussed the second report of the UAE Government review. “While evaluating the federal government review, we are aspired to learn from our experiences and prepare ourselves to serve this country,” Shaikh Mohammed said. “Since the very beginning, Shaikh Khalifa has been following up our work continually. Our priorities are the happiness and welfare of the citizens as they are the way and final objective of our development plans; moreover, innovation in the development of government work is limitless,” Shaikh Mohammed said in the introduction of the report. Shaikh Mohammed added: “We learned from our previous experiences that government’s strategies and plans require a clear vision. Initiating from this concept, we directed our teams to build on the vision that the United Arab Emirates will be one of the best countries in the world by 2021.” Addressing the Cabinet, Shaikh Mohammed said: “We would like review our work every now and then because we expect our government to be number one in everything; we want to increase our competitiveness in every sector.” Shaikh Mohammed explained that the world is changing and developing, and the development plans taking place in the UAE require continuous revision to keep up with ambitions and expectations. Shaikh Mohammed said: “The past four years were not just full with achievements, but challenges as well. Again, the United Arab Emirates had proven that the hard work and dedication will benefit the country and the nation.” During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the second UAE Government review 2010-2013. The report follows the first edition that covered the period 2006-2009. Composed of eight chapters, the report reviews the federal government activities in social development, economic development, foreign policies, government development, security and justice, infrastructure, environment and citizen and development. The Cabinet has also approved the re-appointment of Board of Emirates Investment Authority for three years. The board is chaired by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; and Vice-Chairman Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy; Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial affairs; and a number of experts are its members. It also restructured the Human Resources Development Committee in Banking and Financial Sector under chairmanship of Humaid Mohammed Obeid Al Qattami, Minister of Education. The act comes in compliance with the leadership’s Emiratisation agenda aiming to build and develop national capabilities in various sectors including banking and finance. The Cabinet has also approved several rules and regulations and amended number of laws. Moreover, the Cabinet has agreed to host the World Congress on Communication for Development 2014. It endorsed a number of recommendations from the Federal National Council (FNC) on policy of the National Media Council on boosting the media laws in the UAE. They included training of national cadres and emiratisation of media posts nationwide. The Cabinet approved the request of the FNC to discuss the policy of the Ministry of Health in a drive to upgrade the health system. In the field of international agreements, the Cabinet has approved number of cooperation, commercial, economic and judicial agreements with Japan, Benin, Morocco, Armenia and Hungary in addition to an investment protection agreement with India. The Cabinet has also approved number of air transport agreements with Afghanistan, El Salvador and Burkina Faso. The meeting was attended by Lt. General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed. On the sidelines of the Cabinet session, Shaikh Mohammed and ministers registered in the e-portal project. They were briefed about the work mechanism of e-portal, which speeds up travel procedures for citizens, expatriates and visitors with entry visas, while departing or entering into the country. Earlier the Ministry of Interior conducted the media campaign to educate public about the benefits of e-portals. (With inputs from Wam) news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Media must help create a harmonious world: Sultan
Media must help create a harmonious world: Sultan Afkar Abdullah / 24 February 2014 Sharjah Ruler talks about role of journalists at the International Government Communication Forum His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has urged the media to restore the spirit of humanity in people, and inculcate in them moral and cultural values. Addressing the inaugural session of the Sharjah International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2014 on Sunday, Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Media organisations must remain vigilant and approachable, uphold work and moral values, and help create a world that safeguards public harmony.” He was speaking in the presence of esteemed leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev, the forum’s guest of honour and former president of the Soviet Union; Felipe Calderón, former president of Mexico; and Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. The opening speeches also featured an address by Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre (SMC). He said: “Two years ago, the forum was launched at a time when governments across the world witnessed sweeping political and social changes, which led to a greater interest in enhancing government communications.” “Recent studies reveal that listening, responsiveness and prompt ethically correct reaction are the first criteria for people in choosing a government. This clearly indicates that things have changed; we too must change. It is essential now for us to understand the specificities of the people and their challenge — not just deliver job, healthcare, and education opportunities. He added: “Today, we are missing an important person, Dr Abdullah Omran Taryam, who established the first printing press in the UAE and was the first voice that called for change. In my last meeting, he said that he was glad that Sharjah was moving in the right direction.” Dr Shaikh Sultan also toured the conference facilities and inspected the equipment and services provided at the venue. He also stopped by the memorial wall dedicated to the late Dr Abdullah Omran Taryam and left a message that said: “To the spirit of a good friend and companion since childhood and until the end of days, me and all your loved ones pray for your forgiveness and ask God’s blessing upon your children, who are as dear as you were to us.” The opening ceremony featured a short documentary on various people from different countries expressing the level of satisfaction with their governments, as well as their perceptions on how governments can be more connected and responsive to citizens’ needs and voices. In addition to a number of heads of government departments, members of Sharjah Executive Council and members of the Sharjah Advisory Council, the opening ceremony drew the presence of dignitaries and heads and directors of government departments and organisations, media and communications professionals from various Arab and foreign countries, and representatives of regional and international corporate and government communication departments. Themed “Different Roles … Mutual Interest”, IGCF 2014 will continue to discuss the positive impact of government communication on the relationship between governments and their audiences including citizens, government officials, private sector, public utility commissions and different media stakeholders. The first regional government communication event was organised by SMC in 2012. The forum discussed relevant communication challenges that were triggered by the socio-political occurrences in the Arab world. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
