In a concerted effort to coordinate international naval patrols, shipping self-protection measures and discourage the payment of millions of dollars in ransom to pirates, Britain, Cyprus, Japan, Singapore and the United States came together to sign the “New York Declaration,” an international plan to protect ships and thwart piracy off the coast of Somalia. According to U.S. officials, the New York Declaration is “a 21st-century solution to the 17th-century problem” of piracy on the high seas. “We realize that the fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa region cannot be solved entirely at sea. Other measures that must be taken include having affected states adopt legal measures to prosecute suspected pirates,” U.S. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo said September 9 at the signing ceremony. Britain, Cyprus, Japan and Singapore joined in signing the declaration.
Foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis met on Wednesday with US ambassador in Athens Daniel Speckhard. Speckhard told reporters afterwards that the meeting was in preparation of Bakoyannis' upcoming talks with her US counterpart, secretary of state Hillary Clinton, both of whom will be in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Bakoyannis' meeting with the US envoy, held at the latter's request, also focused on the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) summit at foreign ministers' level, which will be held towards the end of the year, marking the end of the Greek chairmanship of the OSCE. The two sides also discussed economic issues, ahead of the convening in autumn of the Greece-US bilateral economic cooperation committee aimed at enhancing bilateral economic relations. On the afternoon of her arrival, Bakoyannis will meet with UN special mediator on the FYROM name issue, Matthew Nimetz. After addressing the General Assembly plenary on Monday, Bakoyannis will have separate talks with her US and Russian counterparts, secretary of state Hillary Clinton and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, respectively, and with UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen was quoted on Wednesday as calling for an "open-minded and unprecedented dialogue" with Russia to reduce security tensions in Europe and confront common threats. asmussen, who took over as NATO chief last month, said in an interview with the Financial Times he would ask senior officials to visit Moscow to hear the Kremlin's views on how NATO should develop strategically in the long term. "We should engage Russia and listen to Russian positions," said the former Danish prime minister, who has made boosting ties with Russia a top priority since taking office. Rasmussen acknowledged differences remained between NATO and Russia on issues including the aftermath of last year's conflict in Georgia and the alliance's possible enlargement to Georgia and Ukraine, both former Soviet republics. But Rasmussen said he wanted to begin an "open and frank conversation (with the Kremlin) that creates a new atmosphere."
Unknown assailants hurled fire bombs at two EU mission cars on Wednesday, days after the mission signed a protocol on security and law enforcement cooperation with neighbouring Serbia. The attack in the Gnjilane area, in eastern Kosovo, left one car of the European Union police and justice mission (EULEX) burned and another damaged. Earlier this week, the EULEX, tasked with helping Kosovo authorities improve the rule of law, signed an agreement with Serbian police on sharing information for combating cross-border crime and trafficking. On Monday, hundreds protested in Pristina against the agreement and last month more than 20 EULEX vehicles were damaged in Kosovo's capital. Police said 20 people were sentenced to one month in jail.
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Libermann assessed in Belgrade that only new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina could lead to a long-term and stable solution for the future status of Kosmet. Mladen Bijelic has more. Jeremic told a press conference he is grateful to Israel for its principled position, as, despite pressure, it has not recognized the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo. He reiterated Serbia’s committment to talks aimed at a peaceful solution and insistence of Serbia on international law principles. All the permanent member-states of the UN Security Council will voice their opinions on the legality issue before the ICJ, he said, expressing hope that will be practised in future as well. The two ministers expressed concern over events in the Middle East and Jeremic assessed the situation in that region as important for world peace in this century. Libermann said Israel did not represent a threat to peace and to the neighbouring states, but accused Iran of continuing manufacturing nuclear weapons. The two ministers greeted the signing of an agreement on the lifting of the visa regime between Serbia and Israel today, assessing that as an important step in the development of bilateral relations. Thus obstacles for Serbian business people and tourists going to Israel have been removed, Libermann said.
Over 100 Turkish Cypriots visited Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaca on Tuesday evening for prayers on the occasion of the feast of Kadir Gecesi, a Moslem feast on the 26th day of Ramadan. The pilgrims traveled to the mosque on four buses, accompanied by Cyprus Police vehicles, and took with them food and water to break the fast after sundown. The Turkish Cypriots, speaking Greek, said Kadir Gecesi was a holy day, on which, according to tradition, an angel presented the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. The pilgrimage was organised by the religious affairs office of the puppet regime in the areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation. Three people were denied entrance into the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point due to the fact that their parents are Turkish settlers.
Ninety tombs were desecrated by vandals in the beginning of September, at Baloukli cemetery, bringing to mind the tragic pogrom of the Greek community in September 1955. The vandalisms were ascertained in the morning of September 2nd by the guards of the nearby historical Monastery of the Life-giving Spring of Baloukli. The unknown individuals, who committed the sacrilege act, entered by the stone fence of the cemetery that faces the road. The vandals broke in pieces the tombstones that were bearing the cross, the names and dates of birth and death of those who died. The authorities are looking into the case. This incident, which has not yet been widely known, has created great concern among the Greek minority in Istanbul. It should be noted that on many other occasions in the past, the government has tracked down desecrations of smaller scale but this is the first time that so many burial plots have been vandalized. The destroyed tombstones will be restored when the work for building the outside fence is completed so that a new "invasion" of vandals will be prevented.