Panama wished to switch diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China after President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) took office in 2008, but decided against it partly because of signals from Beijing about its reluctance to undermine cross-strait relations, a diplomatic cable recently released by WikiLeaks shows.
The confidential diplomatic cable on Panama’s decision to maintain its relations with Taiwan was sent to the US Department of State, the US Department of Defense, the US National Security Council and the CIA from the US embassy in Panama City on Feb. 23 last year.
The cable showed that another factor that helped Taiwan maintain diplomatic relations with Panama was donations offered by Ma in January last year to the administration of Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who had publicly talked about allying with China during his election campaign in 2009.
Then-US ambassador to Panama Barbara Stephenson said in the cable that the Panamanian government had renewed its commitment to Taiwan despite public statements by Martinelli in 2009 that the country would opt for formal diplomatic ties with the -People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Martinelli, who was inaugurated as president on July 1, 2009, has attempted to follow through with his plan to recognize the PRC, but was told to stop by Beijing, Stephenson said.
“Martinelli may have had in mind the type of cooperation that Costa Rica has been enjoying with the PRC since establishing formal ties in 2007,” the cable said.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias on Feb. 1 informed a Colombian diplomat that Martinelli had told him that Panama wanted to follow Costa Rica’s lead, but that the Chinese had asked him to “remain calm” and that for the time being the PRC was not interested in furthering its diplomatic ties, the cable said.
Arias announced in June 2007 that his country would cut ties with Taiwan to recognize China.
The cable said Panamanian Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela told Stephenson on Feb. 18 last year he had been told by his Chinese counterpart during a visit to Asia the previous month that because of diplomatic overtures under way between Beijing and Taipei, it was not the right time for Panama to recognize the PRC.
Chinese diplomats relayed to political officers in Costa Rica that the PRC was concerned that diplomatic recognition from other Latin American countries might damage their recently improved relations with Taiwan, the cable showed.
Stephenson also attributed the continuity of relations between the Taiwan and Panama to donations offered by Taiwan to the Martinelli administration.
On Jan. 6 last year, Varela agreed to a “five-year cooperation” plan that included the donation of US$25 million for construction of a hospital on the outskirts of Panama City in Chilibre-Las Cumbres, and a US$22 million executive business jet.
The cable said Varela’s confirmation that ties with Taiwan would continue came shortly after Taiwan gave the Panamanian government an Embraer Legacy 600 executive business jet as a gift in December 2009.
The Taiwanese government has used financial incentives to sweeten its relationship with Panama. Political science professor Miguel Antonio Bernal estimated aid to be at US$125 million a year during the previous administration of Panamanian president Martin Torrijos, the cable said.
2011年5月10日 星期二
Cablevision Announces the Ultimate Triple Play with Faster Internet Speeds, Advanced Wireless Router and Optimum Link
Cablevision Systems (News - Alert) Corp., a media and entertainment company, revealed the launch of the Ultimate Triple Play, an enhanced version of marketing offer, the Optimum (News - Alert) Triple Play.
The Ultimate Triple Play delivers faster Internet speeds, the additional convenience of an Advanced Wireless Router and Optimum Link, for customers to display PC images and sounds on their televisions. The new marketing offer brings the benefits of iO TV, Optimum Online and Optimum Voice with advanced technology.
The Ultimate Triple Play (News - Alert) offers more than 275 channels of iO TV digital cable, which has free HD, access to video on demand with free titles, local programming from News 12 and MSG Varsity and more.
"We introduced the Optimum Triple Play in 2004, and it has been an enormously successful offer for Cablevision and one that has been emulated across the industry to establish three-product relationships with customers," commented Jonathan Hargis, Cablevision's executive vice president of marketing.
"The Ultimate Triple Play takes our compelling value proposition, across all three services, and ties it together with faster Internet speeds, Optimum Link and an advanced wireless router that is a perfect complement to our new Optimum App for iPad. We believe this will be an extremely popular offer with new customers looking for the advantages of our core services combined with our latest technological innovations," Hargis added.
The offer also consists of Optimum Online Boost Plus high-speed Internet service, providing downstream speeds of up to 50 megabits-per-second (Mbps) and up to 8 Mbps upstream, and free access to Optimum WiFi's (News - Alert) wireless Internet access points across Cablevision's service area.It also has an Advanced Wireless Router (802.11n), for the highest standard of in-home WiFi speed and security, and a perfect complement to the recently launched Optimum App for iPad.
The Optimum Link that allows customers to use Cablevision's network to display PC content on home televisions with a click of the mouse, and without any additional equipment. Optimum Voice has18 popular calling features at no additional charge, including 411 directory assistance and unlimited calling across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
The Ultimate Triple Play delivers faster Internet speeds, the additional convenience of an Advanced Wireless Router and Optimum Link, for customers to display PC images and sounds on their televisions. The new marketing offer brings the benefits of iO TV, Optimum Online and Optimum Voice with advanced technology.
The Ultimate Triple Play (News - Alert) offers more than 275 channels of iO TV digital cable, which has free HD, access to video on demand with free titles, local programming from News 12 and MSG Varsity and more.
"We introduced the Optimum Triple Play in 2004, and it has been an enormously successful offer for Cablevision and one that has been emulated across the industry to establish three-product relationships with customers," commented Jonathan Hargis, Cablevision's executive vice president of marketing.
"The Ultimate Triple Play takes our compelling value proposition, across all three services, and ties it together with faster Internet speeds, Optimum Link and an advanced wireless router that is a perfect complement to our new Optimum App for iPad. We believe this will be an extremely popular offer with new customers looking for the advantages of our core services combined with our latest technological innovations," Hargis added.
The offer also consists of Optimum Online Boost Plus high-speed Internet service, providing downstream speeds of up to 50 megabits-per-second (Mbps) and up to 8 Mbps upstream, and free access to Optimum WiFi's (News - Alert) wireless Internet access points across Cablevision's service area.It also has an Advanced Wireless Router (802.11n), for the highest standard of in-home WiFi speed and security, and a perfect complement to the recently launched Optimum App for iPad.
The Optimum Link that allows customers to use Cablevision's network to display PC content on home televisions with a click of the mouse, and without any additional equipment. Optimum Voice has18 popular calling features at no additional charge, including 411 directory assistance and unlimited calling across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
2011年5月8日 星期日
Zuma motorcade victim suing police
Chumani Maxwele, 26, of Woodstock, Cape Town, wants R800, 000 for damage to his reputation for statements made by police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi, R200, 000 for defamation after police questioned the woman supervising his sociology research at UCT, R200, 000 for the "unlawful" search of his home, R200, 000 for wrongful arrest and insult to his dignity, and R50, 000 for assault after police bound his hands with cable-ties hands and put a bag over his head.
The civil claim was filed at the Western Cape High Court, the Sunday Independent reported. No date has been set for trial yet.
In February last year, Maxwele allegedly swore at and showed Zuma's bluelight convey the middle finger while he was jogging in Walmer Estate. He was bundled into a police car, detained at the Rondebosch and Mowbray police stations and then sent to the Wynberg Magistrate's Court. He was released without appearing before a magistrate.
In papers responding to Maxwele's claim, the police ministry admits a "rifle bag" was placed over his head in the car, to stop him seeing the route to the president's Genadendal residence, and that his hands were cable-tied.
The ministry also admits arresting and releasing Maxwele without charge, but, according to the court papers, claims the arrest was lawful.
Maxwele also argues a statement released by Mnisi on February 18 last year is defamatory. It mentions that Maxwele apologised for his actions and had two criminal records, one for common assault, the other for riotous behaviour, both committed between 2007 and 2009.
The civil claim was filed at the Western Cape High Court, the Sunday Independent reported. No date has been set for trial yet.
In February last year, Maxwele allegedly swore at and showed Zuma's bluelight convey the middle finger while he was jogging in Walmer Estate. He was bundled into a police car, detained at the Rondebosch and Mowbray police stations and then sent to the Wynberg Magistrate's Court. He was released without appearing before a magistrate.
In papers responding to Maxwele's claim, the police ministry admits a "rifle bag" was placed over his head in the car, to stop him seeing the route to the president's Genadendal residence, and that his hands were cable-tied.
The ministry also admits arresting and releasing Maxwele without charge, but, according to the court papers, claims the arrest was lawful.
Maxwele also argues a statement released by Mnisi on February 18 last year is defamatory. It mentions that Maxwele apologised for his actions and had two criminal records, one for common assault, the other for riotous behaviour, both committed between 2007 and 2009.
Yes, we do still have Lib Dems in the north
Sorry, I meant to post this much more punctually. Age takes its toll, especially after an all-nighter at the Sheffield election count.
Still, there is something to be said for the snail's pace. In the words of John Ruskin (who got a lot of things wrong, but not this): "A fool always wants to shorten space and time. A wise man wants to lengthen both."
Foolishness is too strong a word, but there is a fair bit of unwisdom in current apocalyptic accounts of Liberal Democracy in northern England after Thursday's results. Here we go again; the metropolis is sewing-up another outfit for us out here to wear: the graveyard of the Lib Dems. Clegg's tomb.
Calm down, dears. What we have seen has been dire for the Lib Dems; but also a familiar working of the first-past-the-post's system's worst flaw, the exaggeration of how people actually voted. It is an interesting side-issue to note how little this 'winner-takes-all' disadvantage featured in the AV referendum campaign; but then the distortion is not just in the system but in the way that its black-and-white, or red-and-blue, unsubtlety appeals to us in the media to exaggerate further.
Wipe-out! Disaster! Catastrophe! Earthquake! Yet look at this: there are 32 Liberal Democrat councillors in Sheffield today (out of 84), the same number in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (out of 78), 22 in Hull (out of 59), 21 in Burnley (out of 45) and so on, and on across the north. These are tallies which would have seemed impossibly glorious at the real nadir of Liberalism. Why! South Lakeland even has 32 (out of 51 and therefore comfortably in charge); given its other claims to be part of paradise, this is the place for any seriously discomfited Lib Dem to spend a bit of me-time.
I'm not making a Lib Dem point. In the past, this treatment has been meted out to Labour and the Tories too. Both are still here, often in strength; and when democracy's wheel turns again, the Lib Dems will be here too.
The Northerner has done its own bit for the new political set-up, meanwhile. Helen's Mum, born a Wainwright and hence with the right stuff, although not related so far as I know, is newly a councillor in Warrington. Poor Chris Thomond, on the other hand, is pondering what might have happened if a long day of Guardian photography had got him home from Swaledale and Whitby to Bury in time to vote (first time he's missed since becoming eligible in 1983).
Straws had to be drawn in his ward after the Tories and Labour level-pegged on 1822 votes each. Labour's Joanne Columbine picked first, went as is only proper for the one on the left, and won. Labour took control of the borough as a result, by 26 to 20 Tories and five Lib Dems. So these were quite some straw (though actually in these modern times, they used a handy pair of cable-ties instead).
Still, there is something to be said for the snail's pace. In the words of John Ruskin (who got a lot of things wrong, but not this): "A fool always wants to shorten space and time. A wise man wants to lengthen both."
Foolishness is too strong a word, but there is a fair bit of unwisdom in current apocalyptic accounts of Liberal Democracy in northern England after Thursday's results. Here we go again; the metropolis is sewing-up another outfit for us out here to wear: the graveyard of the Lib Dems. Clegg's tomb.
Calm down, dears. What we have seen has been dire for the Lib Dems; but also a familiar working of the first-past-the-post's system's worst flaw, the exaggeration of how people actually voted. It is an interesting side-issue to note how little this 'winner-takes-all' disadvantage featured in the AV referendum campaign; but then the distortion is not just in the system but in the way that its black-and-white, or red-and-blue, unsubtlety appeals to us in the media to exaggerate further.
Wipe-out! Disaster! Catastrophe! Earthquake! Yet look at this: there are 32 Liberal Democrat councillors in Sheffield today (out of 84), the same number in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (out of 78), 22 in Hull (out of 59), 21 in Burnley (out of 45) and so on, and on across the north. These are tallies which would have seemed impossibly glorious at the real nadir of Liberalism. Why! South Lakeland even has 32 (out of 51 and therefore comfortably in charge); given its other claims to be part of paradise, this is the place for any seriously discomfited Lib Dem to spend a bit of me-time.
I'm not making a Lib Dem point. In the past, this treatment has been meted out to Labour and the Tories too. Both are still here, often in strength; and when democracy's wheel turns again, the Lib Dems will be here too.
The Northerner has done its own bit for the new political set-up, meanwhile. Helen's Mum, born a Wainwright and hence with the right stuff, although not related so far as I know, is newly a councillor in Warrington. Poor Chris Thomond, on the other hand, is pondering what might have happened if a long day of Guardian photography had got him home from Swaledale and Whitby to Bury in time to vote (first time he's missed since becoming eligible in 1983).
Straws had to be drawn in his ward after the Tories and Labour level-pegged on 1822 votes each. Labour's Joanne Columbine picked first, went as is only proper for the one on the left, and won. Labour took control of the borough as a result, by 26 to 20 Tories and five Lib Dems. So these were quite some straw (though actually in these modern times, they used a handy pair of cable-ties instead).
2011年5月5日 星期四
WikiLeaks: Miqati was 'Ashamed' of Providing al-Akhbar Newspaper with 150 Thousand Dollars
Najib Miqati said that he was ashamed of providing al-Akhbar newspaper with a 150,000 dollar budget, said a November 12, 2006, WikiLeaks cable published exclusively in al-Jumhuriya newspaper on Thursday.
During a meeting between with then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman, the former prime minister was asked about his ties to al-Akhbar.
"I'm ashamed of having had provided the newspaper with a 150 thousand dollars as a preliminary budget," Miqati replied.
The cable said that he "refuses to get involved anymore" with al-Akhbar because of its "blatant propaganda campaigns," adding that he isn't one of the newspaper owners
During a meeting between with then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman, the former prime minister was asked about his ties to al-Akhbar.
"I'm ashamed of having had provided the newspaper with a 150 thousand dollars as a preliminary budget," Miqati replied.
The cable said that he "refuses to get involved anymore" with al-Akhbar because of its "blatant propaganda campaigns," adding that he isn't one of the newspaper owners
WikiLeaks: Aoun Said I Am Not in Love with Hizbullah, Hariri Tried to Destroy Me
A leaked U.S. Embassy cable published exclusively in Al-Jumhuriyah newspaper on Thursday revealed that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun was keen on preserving his good alliance with Hizbullah, while he feared any close ties with Syria and Iran.
The WikiLeaks cable dated November 3, 2006 reported on a meeting between Aoun, an Iranian parliamentary delegation, and MPs Abbas Hashem and Ibrahim Kanaan in Rabieh during which FPM leader said he cannot form any political axis with Iran.
He insisted that there was no commitment between the Free Patriotic Movement and Syria where "none of FPM members have the authority to visit Damascus."
Moreover, he said that Hizbullah is earning its independence from Syrian authority day after day where it will never become "a toy in the hands of Syria".
"I am not in love with Hizbullah but if we isolate it, its reaction will be hostile and the country can no longer support any clashes," Aoun reportedly said.
Commenting on then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffery Feltman's statement that Hizbullah was exploiting Aoun, the latter said that March 14 forces have done worse.
"Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri tried to destroy me in Lebanon, Arab countries and the United States," MP said.
"Hariri tried to form a lobby group to block my visit to Saudi Arabia and worked on distorting my reputation in Washington", the MP stressed.
The leaked cable also revealed that Aoun hated the March 14 camp because it would never help him reach the presidency, unlike Hizbullah, Syria, and Iran that would assist him in pursuing his goal.
The WikiLeaks cable dated November 3, 2006 reported on a meeting between Aoun, an Iranian parliamentary delegation, and MPs Abbas Hashem and Ibrahim Kanaan in Rabieh during which FPM leader said he cannot form any political axis with Iran.
He insisted that there was no commitment between the Free Patriotic Movement and Syria where "none of FPM members have the authority to visit Damascus."
Moreover, he said that Hizbullah is earning its independence from Syrian authority day after day where it will never become "a toy in the hands of Syria".
"I am not in love with Hizbullah but if we isolate it, its reaction will be hostile and the country can no longer support any clashes," Aoun reportedly said.
Commenting on then U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffery Feltman's statement that Hizbullah was exploiting Aoun, the latter said that March 14 forces have done worse.
"Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri tried to destroy me in Lebanon, Arab countries and the United States," MP said.
"Hariri tried to form a lobby group to block my visit to Saudi Arabia and worked on distorting my reputation in Washington", the MP stressed.
The leaked cable also revealed that Aoun hated the March 14 camp because it would never help him reach the presidency, unlike Hizbullah, Syria, and Iran that would assist him in pursuing his goal.
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