Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet. They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency. The new version would allow the president to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" relating to "non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license. "I think the redraft, while improved, remains troubling due to its vagueness," said Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, which counts representatives of Verizon, Verisign, Nortel, and Carnegie Mellon University on its board. "It is unclear what authority Sen. Rockefeller thinks is necessary over the private sector. Unless this is clarified, we cannot properly analyze, let alone support the bill." Probably the most controversial language begins in Section 201, which permits the president to "direct the national response to the cyber threat" if necessary for "the national defense and security." The White House is supposed to engage in "periodic mapping" of private networks deemed to be critical, and those companies "shall share" requested information with the federal government. ("Cyber" is defined as anything having to do with the Internet, telecommunications, computers, or computer networks.) Translation: If your company is deemed "critical," a new set of regulations kick in involving who you can hire, what information you must disclose, and when the government would exercise control over your computers or network.
Secretary-General Andres Fogh Rasmussen urged Turkey, the only predominantly Muslim NATO member, to increase its military commitment in Afghanistan. Rasmussen arrived in Turkey on Thursday, and in the evening took part in an iftar, the traditional fast-breaking dinner observed by Muslims all over the world during Ramadan. "Please see my presence here tonight as a clear manifestation of my respect for Islam," Rasmussen said. The dinner host was Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who just a few months ago tried to block Rasmussen's nomination because of his role in the Prophet Mohammed cartoon row from 2006. Citing press freedom, Rasmussen, then Denmark's prime minister, defended a Danish newspaper's decision to print caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad, including one where he was depicted wearing a bomb instead of a turban. The republication of the cartoons in other newspapers sparked worldwide unrest that killed some 50 people. Rasmussen has also spoken out against EU membership for Turkey. Ankara dropped its opposition to Rasmussen only after intense mediation by U.S. President Barack Obama. Rasmussen has been on an appeasement course with Turkey ever since, and his main goals as NATO's top official include a pledge to intensify "dialog and cooperation" with the Muslim world. Rasmussen also touched on the conflict over Cyprus between Turkey and Greece; before his arrival in Turkey, he had indicated that the diplomatic tensions between the two NATO members were affecting alliance efforts in Afghanistan and Africa.
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has said that all available options will be on the table for discussion between the President and the National Council, with regard to Turkey’s assessment by the European Union in December. The National Council, the top advisory body to President Demetris Christofias on the handling of the Cyprus question, comprises representatives of parliamentary parties and will meet for two days on September 14-15. Cyprus, as well as Greece support Turkey’s European prospect and European course as through this process “Turkey can find incentives and we can find levers to exert pressure and influence Ankara to changer its stance.” However, this support is not a “blank cheque” and that whatever Turkey does, it will find Cyprus before it and will have more problems than those Ankara creates for itself. “Our objective is not to create problems for Turkey but to work for a settlement, which is served through the implementation by Turkey of its obligations. Turkey has to adjust its behaviour, recognise the Republic of Cyprus and normalise its relations with an EU member-state.” Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.
Self-Determination movement leader Albin Kurti, whose activists demolished 28 EULEX vehicles on Tuesday, has announced new actions against the EU mission. In a statement given to Priština daily Express, he criticized the EU mission in Kosovo because of the announced signing of an agreement with the Serbian Interior Ministry, and called EULEX a “mutation of UNMIK.” “The announced protocol represents further proof that EULEX is a mutation of UNMIK, and Kosovo will not receive anything from this protocol. The winner will be only Serbia. It will receive police information regarding Kosovo, and strengthen its ties with Kosovo, it will confirm the six-point plan and Resolution 1244. And in the end, it would meet the conditions for visa liberalization,” Kurti said. He said that Self-Determination was against EULEX even before the mission arrived to Kosovo. He added that the government in Priština should sever “communication and cooperation with EULEX until it backs down from this protocol” with Serbia.
The Russian Federal Security Service's coast guards will work with Abkhazia's border service to protect ships passing through Abkhazia's territorial waters from Georgian forces, the FSB border service said Friday. Lt. Gen. Yevgeny Inchin, deputy head of the border service, told RIA Novosti that measures to ensure protection from Georgia must also be carried out as part of preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games to be held in the Russian resort of Sochi, near Abkhazia. Asked whether Russia's coast guards will stop Georgia from detaining ships going to and from Abkhazia, Inchin said his service has special boats to fulfill this task. "Believe me, they will do this effectively and productively, as the 'Sochi factor' with the upcoming Olympic Games is now a decisive one," he said. Georgia's state minister on reintegration, Temur Yakobashvili, told RIA Novosti on Friday that Tbilisi will consider Russian coast guard operations in Abkhaz waters as piracy. Russia recognized Abkhazia as an independent state last August after a five-day war with Georgia over breakaway South Ossetia, which Moscow also recognized as independent. Russia has maintained peacekeepers in the republics since the bloody post-Soviet conflicts in the early 1990s, when the republics broke away from Georgia. It deployed more troops there after the war.
Archaeologists say they have found a lavish burial site while excavating the ancient Macedonian capital in northern Greece. The find in the ruins of Aigai was made a few meters from last year's remarkable discovery of what experts say could be the bones of Alexander the Great's murdered teenage son. Archaeologist Chrysoula Saatsoglou-Paliadeli says the human remains excavated this week were inside one of two large silver vessels found in the ruins, some 190 miles (300 kilometers) north of Athens. She said Friday it is too early to speculate on the identity of the bones. Alexander was one of the most successful military commanders of all times. By the time of his death in 323 B.C, he had conquered much of the known world, reaching as far as India.
Today, many Orthodox Christians celebrate the Dormition of the Holy Virgin. The feast of the Dormition is the last great feast in the Church calendar year. It is preceded by a two week fast. The glorious lot of the Ever Blessed Virgin in the role of God's salvation of the world made all her life wonderful and exemplary.