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Mehdi's Morning Memo: Made In Moscow?

Source: mass emailing

 

 

 

The Huffington Post UK Made In Moscow? The five things you need to know on Sunday 20 July 2014... MADE IN MOSCOW? The shooting down of flight MH17 dominates the front pages of the Sunday papers. The Mail Sunday, for example, refers to Vladimir Putin as a "terrorist" in its splash headline. The Sunday Times splashes on 'Russia in the dock', and also carries a front-page column from the prime minister, in which David Cameron says: "We must establish the full facts of what happened. But the growing weight of evidence points to a clear conclusion: that flight MH17 was blown out of the sky by a surface-to-air missile fired from a rebel-held area." The PM adds: "Some international crises are insoluble. Not this one. If President Vladimir Putin stops the support to the fighters in eastern Ukraine and allows the Ukrainian authorities to restore order, this crisis can be brought to an end. Of course there must be proper protections for Russian-speaking minorities. These issues can be addressed. But the overriding need is for Russia to cease its support for violent separatists. If President Putin does not change his approach to Ukraine, then Europe and the West must fundamentally change our approach to Russia." The new foreign secretary Philip Hammond - how's this for a baptism of fire? - appeared on the Andrew Marr show this morning to reiterate the prime minister's message, telling viewers that "the unavoidable conclusion that this was a missile fired from rebel-held territory; almost certainly a missile supplied by the Russians". Hammond said the "the eyes of the world are on Vladimir Putin" who he accused of "obfuscation and obstruction" on this issue so far. What action could the UK and its allies take against Putin's Russia, asked Marr? A "further tightening up of the sanctions we're applying" was the response from the foreign secretary, who claimed that "now the entire international community is ranged against Russia". Is it really? Only time will tell. 2) KEN GOES ROGUE If you thought Ken Clarke was blunt and no-nonsense when he was in government, did you think he'd be any less blunt or no-nonsense on the backbenches? No? Me either. From the Observer: "Former chancellor Kenneth Clarke has cast serious doubt on the underlying strength of the British economy, saying there is a 'long, long way' to go before it is competitive enough to deliver sustainable growth and compete with emerging powers such as China and Brazil. In an interview with the Observer to mark the end of an illustrious career that has spanned more than 40 years in government, Clarke says Britain has to break out of the 'ludicrous cycle' of house price booms followed by crashes, and must focus on creating a productive manufacturing base in tandem with vibrant financial and other service industries... Clarke stresses that the economy is 'fragile', vulnerable to shocks, and still lacks the strong productive base necessary to compete long-term in global markets." Clarke calls himself a "great fan" of George Osborne but Osborne won't be pleased to see these comments from his former cabinet colleague - and former Tory chancellor! - on the front page of the Obs. Cameron won't be happy either - Clarke says the Tories have a "mountain to climb" in order to win a Commons majority next year. 3) HEIR TO GOVE Teachers, don't celebrate too quickly. From the Sunday Times: "The new education secretary today warns teachers that she will continue to push ahead with Michael Gove’s radical school reforms despite his cabinet demotion to chief whip. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Nicky Morgan dismissed claims that she has been sent by David Cameron to call a halt to reforms, pledging instead to open new free schools and expand grammar schools where parents want them. While Morgan said she would be “nice to teachers” — a move designed to distance her from Gove’s confrontational style — she insisted there would be no backsliding on Gove’s reforms simply to placate the unions. 'There will certainly be no soft-pedalling on reforms,' she said. 'I think Michael has been a fantastic education secretary and the reforms he has put in place, particularly freeing schools from Whitehall interference, have been phenomenally successful.'" So successful that he got sacked on Tuesday... BECAUSE YOU'VE READ THIS FAR... Watch this video of a cat poop on a mole's head. Yes, you know you want to. 4) PROPORTIONATE OR NOT? Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets yesterday across the globe - from New York to Berlin to Seoul to Johannesburg to Athens to Paris to London. From the Independent on Sunday: Thousands of protesters took to the streets of central London yesterday to demand an end to Israeli military action in Gaza. The peaceful demonstration marched from Downing Street to the Israeli embassy in Kensington, where a police blockade prevented them from gaining access. More than 340 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. The death toll on the Palestinian side is now 70 times higher than it is on the Israeli side - on the Andrew Marr show this morning, foreign secretary Philip Hammond was repeatedly asked whether the Israeli action in Gaza was "proportionate" but repeatedly dodged the question. He did however make the rather important point that "we can't deal with Gaza by having a flare-up every two years" and the "underlying causes" had to be tackled. Well, how about proposing an end to the siege of Gaza by Israel (and, to a lesser extent, by Egypt too)? How about ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories? 5) BLAIR'S BACK. AGAIN. I do tire of writing the phrase 'Blair's back' as he never seems to leave us. From the Sunday Times: "Tony Blair will issue a coded warning to Ed Miliband tomorrow that the Labour leader cannot win the next election unless he fights from the centre ground. In a speech to mark the 20th anniversary of Blair becoming Labour leader, the former prime minister will pledge to do what he can to help Miliband to get to No 10. He will tell the Blairite think tank Progress that elections are won from the centre and that the party must woo business as well as workers... Friends of Blair say he will offer to help Miliband in the run-up to next year’s election, although his precise role remains unresolved... 'People think Ed is a leftwinger. Whatever they think of Tony, they don’t think he’s that,' said one MP." That's true, a lot of them think he's a war criminal. On a side note, will Blair's speech in London on Monday undermine Ed Miliband's appearance in Washington DC, where he's trying to get a meeting with Barack Obama in the White House? MEHDI'S MINUTE You can watch my semi-serious, 60-second round-up of the week's big political stories, including David Cameron's 'high five' with Jean Claude Juncker and Michael Gove getting locked in a loo, here. PUBLIC OPINION WATCH From the Sunday Times/YouGov poll: Labour 37 Conservatives 32 Ukip 13 Lib Dems 9 That would give Labour a majority of 58. From the Independent on Sunday/Sunday Mirror/ComRes poll: Labour 34 Conservatives 31 Ukip 17 Lib Dems 9 That would give Labour a majority of 24. From the Observer/Opinium poll: Labour 34 Conservatives 30 Ukip 17 Lib Dems 9 That would give Labour a majority of 36. 900 WORDS OR MORE Matthew D'Ancona, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, says: "The reshuffle was a victory for sturdy Tory pragmatism." Jonathan Eyal, writing in the Observer, says: "Putin's hard line on MH17 will only push Russia into an ever-tighter corner." Donald Macintyre, writing in the Independent on Sunday, says: "The suffering [of the Israel-Palestine conflict] continues for lack of a peace broker." Got something you want to share? Please send any stories/tips/quotes/pix/plugs/gossip to Mehdi Hasan (mehdi.hasan@huffingtonpost.com), Ned Simons (ned.simons@huffingtonpost.com) or Asa Bennett (asa.bennett@huffingtonpost.com). You can also follow us on Twitter: @mehdirhasan, @nedsimons, @asabenn and @huffpostukpol@huffpostukpol Read the whole story Follow HuffPost UK Politics on Facebook and Twitter 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz: Rede des Bundesministers des Auswärtigen Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier anlässlich der 50. Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz

Source: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/Presse/Reden/2014/140201-BM_M%C3%BCSiKo.html

Rede des Bundesministers des Auswärtigen Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier anlässlich der 50. Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz

01.02.2014
Anrede,
regelmäßiger Gast war ich auch in den letzten vier Jahren hier auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz. Trotzdem freue ich mich, heute wieder als Außenminister meines Landes zu Ihnen sprechen zu können. Dir, lieber Wolfgang, herzlichen Dank für die Einladung und der MSC – „at fifty“ – meine herzlichen Glückwünsche zum Geburtstag.

Als Ewald von Kleist dieses Forum noch unter anderem Namen gegründet hat, war nicht zu erwarten, dass es die außen- und sicherheitspolitische Diskussion weit über die Grenzen unseres eigenen Landes hinaus prägen würde. Das war auch deshalb nicht zu erwarten, weil Deutschland in den Gründerjahren dieser Institution hart am Rande der westlichen Welt, an der Schnittstelle der Blockkonfrontation, lag und ohne eigene außen- und sicherheitspolitische Hausmacht war. Es ist der Umsicht und dem Engagement von Horst Teltschik und – seit sechs Jahren – Wolfgang Ischinger zu verdanken, dass die jährliche Konferenz ständig modernisiert und erweitert wurde und mit ihren Themen hart am Wind der Aktualität segelt. Die MSC ist eben mehr als ein Familientreffen der außen- und sicherheitspolitischen Community der Welt – das ist sie auch – aber sie ist weit mehr als das, und das erklärt ihre nicht nachlassende Attraktivität: Sie ist das Forum, das jährlich den weltweit verfügbaren Sachverstand in München zusammenbringt, um Krisen und Konflikte, Auswege daraus, neue Bedrohungen und vor allem unterschiedliche Perzeptionen zu diskutieren und auszutauschen.
Wie wichtig insbesondere Letzteres ist, hat uns in diesem Jahr, in dem wir an den Ausbruch des Ersten Weltkrieges erinnern, Christopher Clark in seinem Buch „Die Schlafwandler“ mitgeteilt. Seine Botschaft ist eine Mahnung. Er hat minutiös dokumentiert, wie in wenigen Wochen des Jahres 1914 aufgrund von Sprachlosigkeit, Entfremdung, persönlichem Geltungsdrang und nationaler Eiferei erst Europa und dann die Welt in der Urkatastrophe des 20. Jahrhunderts versank. Binnen weniger Wochen war die Lage nicht mehr beherrschbar, alle Verbindungen gekappt und der Tod fraß sich von Haus zu Haus. Dass zu verhindern; zu verhindern, dass friedliches Miteinander noch einmal umschlägt in grenzenlosen Hass; dass auch bei unterschiedlichen Standpunkten der Gesprächsfaden nicht abreißt, auch dazu hat die MSC ihren Beitrag in 50 Jahren geleistet und wird, wenn ich’s richtig sehe, ihren Beitrag weiter leisten müssen.

Als ich vor vier Wochen ins Auswärtige Amt zurückkehrte, war mein erster Gedanke: es ist dasselbe Büro, es ist derselbe Schreibtisch, den du vor vier Jahren verlassen hast. Aber ist es noch dieselbe Welt? Wenn man ein paar Jahre – mehr von außen - auf die Welt geschaut hat, fällt es einem vielleicht schärfer ins Auge, was sich verändert hat: die gewaltsamen Konflikte sind näher an Europa herangerückt, auch auf dem europäischen Kontinent sind sie mit Blick auf die Ukraine zurückgekehrt.
In Ostasien sind wir weit davon entfernt, die Gründe und die historischen Tiefenschichten für die verschärfte Tonlage zwischen China, Japan und den Nachbarn wirklich zu verstehen.
Und aus Genf zurückkommend frage ich mich, ob wir wirklich nur über einen blutigen Konflikt in Syrien reden oder schon über die drohende Erosion jeder staatlicher Ordnung im ganzen Mittleren Osten, ähnlich wie im Krisenbogen von der Sahelzone bis zum Golf von Guinea.
Grund genug, um über die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Außenpolitik zu sprechen, und natürlich auch der deutschen Rolle darin. Weil ich dazu in den letzten Tagen bereits öffentlich einiges gesagt habe und gleich auf dem Podium noch einiges nachtragen kann, in der gebotenen Kürze nur sieben Thesen:

1. Deutschland muss bereit sein, sich außen- und sicherheitspolitisch früher, entschiedener und substanzieller einzubringen.
2. Die Übernahme außenpolitischer Verantwortung muss immer konkret sein. Sie darf sich nicht in Empörungsrhetorik oder der bloßen Benotung von Bemühungen und Aktivitäten anderer erschöpfen. Ein konkretes Beispiel ist die veränderte Position der Bundesregierung beim Angebot, Reststoffe syrischer Chemiewaffen in deutschen Anlagen zu vernichten, die zu den modernsten der Welt gehören.
3. Deutschland will und wird Impulsgeber sein für eine gemeinsame europäische Außen-, Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik. Nur wenn wir unser Gewicht gemeinsam in die Waagschale werfen, im Süden wie im Osten, wird Europas Außenpolitik mehr sein als die Summe vieler kleiner Teile. In diesem Geist prüfen wir aktuell, wie wir die Stabilisierung fragiler Staaten in Afrika, namentlich in Mali, auch militärisch konkret unterstützen können.
4. Der Einsatz von Militär ist ein äußerstes Mittel. Bei seinem Einsatz bleibt Zurückhaltung geboten. Allerdings darf eine Kultur der Zurückhaltung für Deutschland nicht zu einer Kultur des Heraushaltens werden. Deutschland ist zu groß, um Weltpolitik nur von der Außenlinie zu kommentieren. Entscheidend ist aber vor allem anderen, dass wir gemeinsam mit anderen intensiver und kreativer darüber nachdenken, wie wir den Instrumentenkasten der Diplomatie ausstatten und für kluge Initiativen nutzbar machen.
5. Hier in München sollten wir unser gemeinsames Gewicht nutzen, um einer friedlichen Lösung der Krise in der Ukraine näher zu kommen. Es darf keine gewaltsame Lösung geben. Wenn am Pulverfass die Lunte glimmt, ist es hochgefährlich, auf Zeit zu spielen. Präsident Janukowitsch muss die der Opposition gemachten Zusagen in vollem Umfang erfüllen. Dann gibt es in den nächsten Tagen eine realistische Chance für einen Ausweg aus der politischen Konfrontation.
6. Bei allen Differenzen müssen wir gemeinsam mit Russland nach Ansatzpunkten suchen, um unser Verhältnis konstruktiver und kooperativer zu gestalten. Nur mit Russland gelingt ein Übereinkommen mit dem Iran. Nur mit Russland gelingt die Vernichtung der syrischen Chemiewaffen. Wir machten einen Fehler, würden wir die Zukunft Europas ohne oder gar gegen Moskau denken. Aber ich sage ebenso entschieden und deutlich: es ist auch Moskaus Aufgabe, gemeinsame Interessen zu definieren.
7. Europa und die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika haben in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten aufs Engste zusammengestanden. Für uns bleibt das nordatlantische Bündnis unverzichtbare Rückversicherung in einer unruhigen Welt. Keine Frage: Europa und Amerika sind füreinander die engsten wirtschaftlichen und politischen Partner. Aber auch unsere Partnerschaft lebt nicht von Kontinuität allein.

TTIP ist eine große Chance von strategischer Dimension. Gleichzeitig aber müssen wir unsere Partnerschaft in der digitalisierten Welt neu überprüfen und klären. Der Vertrauensverlust vieler Deutscher in die Partnerschaft mit den USA kann uns nicht gleichgültig lassen. Er wird nicht von selbst heilen. Wir sehen in der Rede Präsident Obamas den Ausdruck ehrlicher Sorge um Amerikas Sicherheit, aber auch Sorge um den Zusammenhalt des Westens im digitalen Zeitalter. Hier müssen wir gemeinsam ansetzen. Wir brauchen ein geeignetes transatlantisches Forum, in dem wir Maßstäbe entwickeln, wie wir in der Ära von „Big Data“ elementare Bürgerrechte sichern, welche Regeln für Regierungen, aber auch für Unternehmen in Zukunft gelten sollen. Wir würden uns damit einer der ganz großen Zukunftsfragen annehmen, die das Verhältnis der jüngeren Generation zu Amerika prägen wird. Unseren Kreis hier muss ich von der Bedeutung der transatlantischen Freundschaft nicht überzeugen – aber eine jüngere Generation muss für sie erst neu gewonnen werden. Das ist auch unsere Aufgabe – und unsere Verantwortung.

Meine Damen und Herren,
Syrien, Ukraine, Iran, Irak, Libyen, Mali, die Zentralafrikanische Republik, Südsudan, Afghanistan, Spannungen in Ostasien - das ist die unvollständige Liste der „Hotspots“ im kommenden Jahr. Der Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik wird die Arbeit nicht ausgehen.

Vielen Dank.

German to English Translation via Google Translate: Speech by Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank -Walter Steinmeier at the 50th Munich Security Conference

Source: 
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/Presse/Reden/2014/140201-BM_M%C3%BCSiKo.html


Speech by Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank -Walter Steinmeier at the 50th Munich Security Conference01.02.2014Ladies and Gentlemen,I was also a regular guest in the last four years here at the Munich Security Conference. Nevertheless, I am pleased to be able to speak as foreign minister of my country to you again today. You, dear Wolfgang , thank you for the invitation and the MSC - " at fifty" - my congratulations for your birthday.As Ewald von Kleist this forum yet established name among other things , it was not expected that it would influence far beyond the borders of our own country , the foreign and security policy debate . That was not to be expected , because Germany in the early years of this institution close to the edge of the Western world , at the intersection of East-West confrontation , lay, without their own foreign and security political power base . It is the care and commitment of Horst Teltschik and - for six years - thanks to Wolfgang Ischinger that the annual conference has been constantly modernized and extended and is sailing close to the wind with their topics of relevance. The MSC is more than just a family gathering of foreign and security policy community in the world - as it is - but it is far more than that, and that explains their relentless appeal : it is the forum in which globally available expertise in a year Munich brings together to discuss crises and conflicts , ways out of it , new threats and especially different perceptions and exchange .How important is especially the latter, has informed us this year , in which we remember the outbreak of the First World War , Christopher Clark in his book " The Sleepwalkers " . His message is a reminder. He has meticulously documented how in a few weeks of 1914 due to speechlessness , alienation, desire for personal recognition and national Eiferei first Europe and then the world in the seminal catastrophe of the 20th Century sank . Within a few weeks the situation was no longer manageable, cut all connections and death ate from house to house . To prevent that , to prevent peaceful coexistence again turns into boundless hatred , that even with different points of the conversation thread does not tear , also has the MSC made ​​their contribution in 50 years and , if I see it correctly, to contribute further need .When I returned to the Foreign Office four weeks ago, my first thought was : it's the same office, it is the same desk that you left four years ago. But it's still the same world ? If you have a few years - more from the outside - has looked at the world, it falls a perhaps sharper eye , what has changed : the violent conflicts are moved closer to Europe , and on the European continent, they are overlooking the Ukraine returned .In East Asia, we are far away to really understand the reasons and the historical depth layers for the heightened pitch between China , Japan and the neighbors.And coming back from Geneva , I wonder whether we are really only talking about a bloody conflict in Syria or even about the impending erosion each state order throughout the Middle East , similar to the arc of crisis from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea.Reason enough to talk about the possibilities and limits of foreign policy , and of course the German role in it. Because I already publicly in recent days some have to say and the same can grudge on the podium still some in the brevity only seven theses :1.Germany must be willing to foreign and security policy earlier resolutely and bring substantial .2.The acquisition of foreign policy responsibility must be always concrete . You must not exhaust itself in Empörungsrhetorik or the mere marks of efforts and activities of others. A concrete example is the different position of the Federal Government in the offer, to destroy residual materials Syrian chemical weapons in German plants , which belong to the most advanced in the world.3.Deutschland wants and will provide a catalyst for a common European foreign, security and defense policy . Only when we throw our weight together in the pan , to the south and the east , Europe's foreign policy will be more than the sum of many small parts. In this spirit, we are now considering how we can support military specifically the stabilization of fragile states in Africa , especially in Mali, also .4.The use of military force is a last resort . In his use of restraint remains warranted . However, should a culture of restraint for Germany not to a culture of holding out . Germany is too large to comment on world politics only from the outside line. But the decisive factor is above all others , that we think together with other intensive and creative about how we equip the toolbox of diplomacy and make it usable for smart initiatives.5.Hier in Munich, we should use our collective weight to get a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine closer . There must be no violent solution . When the powder keg glows the fuse , it is highly dangerous to play for time . President Yanukovych has to fulfill the commitments of the opposition made ​​in full. Then there in the next few days is a realistic chance for a way out of political confrontation.6.When all the differences , we need to look for entry points together with Russia to make our relationship more constructive and cooperative . Only with Russia manages an agreement with Iran. Only with Russia succeeds in destroying the Syrian chemical weapons . We made a mistake, we would think the future of Europe without or even against Moscow. But I say as emphatically and clearly : it is Moscow's effort to define common interests.7.Europa and the United States of America have stood together in the past decades closely . For us, the North Atlantic Alliance remains indispensable reinsurance in a troubled world. No question about it : Europe and America are each other's closest economic and political partner. But our partnership does not live by continuity alone.TTIP is a great opportunity of strategic dimension. At the same time we need to check and clarify our partnership in the new digital world . The loss of confidence of many German in partnership with the U.S. can not leave us indifferent . He will not heal by itself. We see in President Obama's speech the expression of honest concern for America's security, but also concern for the cohesion of the West in the digital age . Here we have to address together. We need a suitable transatlantic forum in which we develop criteria for how we safeguard basic civil rights in the era of " Big Data " , which are rules for governments, but also for companies in the future apply . We would expect ourselves to one of the great questions of the future that will define the ratio of the younger generation to America. Our circle I have here of the importance of the transatlantic friendship does not convince - but a younger generation must first be won over for them. That's our job - and our responsibility.Ladies and Gentlemen,Syria , Ukraine , Iran, Iraq , Libya, Mali , Central African Republic, South Sudan , Afghanistan, tensions in East Asia - that is the partial list of "hot spots " in the coming year . The foreign and security policy will not run out of work.Thank you .

DW (English):Quadriga: Global Security: Cooperation or Confrontation? | Quadriga

Advice for Canadians Attending Sochi 2014 Winter Games - 24 January 2014

 

To view this document on the department website, please click on the following link:
http://www.international.gc.ca/media/state-etat/news-communiques/2014/01/24b.aspx

Advice for Canadians Attending Sochi 2014 Winter Games

January 24, 2014 - The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular), the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), and the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today issued the following statement for Canadians, as they make plans to attend the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Russia. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games will be held in Sochi from February 7 to 23, 2014, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 7 to 16. Some events will also be held in the resort town of Krasnaya Polyana.
"The host country is solely responsible for the safety of all athletes, teams and visitors," said Minister of State Yelich. "The Canadian government and its agencies are working with the appropriate Russian government agencies as well as like-minded allies to provide the safest and most secure environment possible for Canadians for the duration of these exciting events."
"The Government of Canada is proud to support Canada's delegation to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, and we encourage all Canadians—athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators—who are planning to attend the Games to take every precaution to ensure their safety and security," said Minister of State Gosal.
"Canadians should be aware that, although the host country will have special security arrangements in place at Olympic venues, this does not eliminate the risk of terrorist attacks," said Minister Blaney. "Large-scale international events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games present attractive targets for terrorists, including lone actors, and airports, border crossings and other sensitive areas remain particularly vulnerable. The decision to travel despite these concerns rests with the traveller, and such decisions should be considered carefully."
The top terrorist threat in Russia—and the most likely threat to the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games—is from individuals linked to, or inspired by, the North Caucasus-based terrorist umbrella group, Imarat Kavkaz. In July 2013, Imarat Kavkaz leader Doku Umarov called on militants to derail the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games using any necessary means, and lifted his previous moratorium on actions of militants in Russia outside the North Caucasus. On January 19, 2014, the Ansar al-Sunna terrorist group took responsibility for the December 2013 attacks in Volgograd, Russia, which caused many deaths and injuries, and threatened further attacks if the Olympic Games were to take place. Imarat Kavkaz is listed as a terrorist entity under Canadian law. While Imarat Kavkaz is the only known terrorist group that has expressed its intention to target the Games, other groups and individuals could attempt terrorist attacks.
"Although consular services will be available on the ground, individual travellers need to take responsibility for their own safety and are strongly urged to register with the Registration Service for Canadians Abroad," said Minister of State Yelich. "Canadians travelling to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance and be aware of their personal surroundings at all times and in all places. They should avoid demonstrations, exercise caution in public places, monitor local developments and follow the advice of local authorities."
Canadians travelling to the Sochi Games should visit Travel.gc.ca for regularly updated travel advice and advisories regarding Russia and, more specifically, information regarding potential threats to safety and security during the Sochi Games.
Whether attending the Games as an athlete or to support Team Canada, Canadians should observe the 3 Rs of international travel:

• Read up on relevant topics such as travel health insurance as well as safety, security and local laws in the destination country by consulting our Country Travel Advice and Advisories. A page dedicated to the Sochi Games has been created.
• Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so that government officials can contact and assist you in an emergency.
• Reach us 24/7 at our Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa if you experience problems abroad (by email at sos@international.gc.ca or call +1 613-996-8885).

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @DFATDCanada and @TravelGoC
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TravelG0C

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London School of Economics: The New Powers of Latin America, Asia and Africa

RTÉ The Week in Politics - Broadcast Sun 19 Jan 2014 (available for another 20 days)

The Week in Politics

Broadcast Sun 19 Jan 2014

Next Broadcast RTÉ One, Sun 26 Jan 2014:

http://www.rte.ie/player/us/show/10244036/

Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper: PM announces visit to the Middle East

Source:
 http://www.pm.gc.ca/news/2014/01/17/pm-announces-visit-middle-east#sthash.krUpgjYf.41tz8xsw.dpuf

PM announces visit to the Middle East

Ottawa, Ontario

17 January 2014

Introduction
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will be visiting Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan from January 18 to 25, 2014. During his first official visit to the Middle East, the Prime Minister will meet with political and business leaders as well as various community and business stakeholders, with a view to promoting commercial relations, advancing peace and security, and reinforcing the principles of democracy and good governance in the region.

While in Israel from January 19-22, Prime Minister Harper will meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel, to discuss ways to increase trade and further strengthen the significant bilateral relations that already exists between the two countries, including in the areas of science and technology. The leaders will also discuss the Middle East Peace Process and regional security, including the persistent threat posed by the regime in Iran and the instability in Syria.

The Prime Minister will also travel to the West Bank on January 20 to meet with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority. Canada supports the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to build the institutions and infrastructure necessary for a viable Palestinian state established through a negotiated agreement with the Jewish State of Israel.

Finally, Prime Minister Harper will travel to Jordan from January 22-25, where he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Abdullah Ensour, Prime Minister of the HashemiteKingdom of Jordan. Jordan is a strong and reliable partner for Canada in the Middle East. The Prime Minister’s visit to Jordan will provide an opportunity to deepen the overall bilateral relationship and recognize Jordanians for the generosity and compassion they have shown in welcoming refugees from Syria into their country. Our Government appreciates Jordan’s leadership in the pursuit of peace and security in the Middle East and their efforts to bring about an end to the conflict.

Quick Facts

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to the Middle East is the first by a sitting Canadian Prime Minister in more than a decade.
• The visit was first announced on December 1, 2013, during the 2013 Negev Dinner in Toronto.
• The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a substantial delegation in keeping with the importance of this trip, including: John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism; Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie; James Moore, Minister of Industry; Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade; and Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources.

Quotes
“Canada has strong people-to-people ties and growing commercial relations with the Middle East and strongly supports a just and lasting peace in the region, which would greatly benefit Israelis and Palestinians alike. I look forward to exploring ways of increasing economic cooperation with our partners while promoting the fundamental Canadian values of democracy, freedom, good governance and respect for the rule of law that are the foundations for peace.” - Prime Minister Stephen Harper

- See more at: http://www.pm.gc.ca/news/2014/01/17/pm-announces-visit-middle-east#sthash.krUpgjYf.41tz8xsw.dpuf

Events@LSE (London School of Economics)- Announcing New Events for Spring Programme

Source: mass emailing

New events and event information from LSE's Public Lecture and Events Programme      |

events

Full details of all LSE events can be found online: lse.ac.uk/events

We are pleased to announce two new events for the Spring programme.

	More info about the event		NEW EVENT LSE European Institute and the European Parliament Information Office 'European Parliament Elections 2014: Issues and Stakes' series The Rise of Euroscepticism: causes and prospects Date: Thursday 30 January 2014 Time: 6.30-8pm Speakers: Dr Matthew Goodwin, Peter Kellner  Matthew Goodwin (pictured) is associate professor at the University of Nottingham. Peter Kellner has been president of YouGov since 2007 and is the former political editor of New Statesman.
	More info about the event		NEW EVENT Department of International Development public lecture Peacebuilding: what is it and why is it important? Date: Tuesday 4 March 2014 Time: 6.30-8pm Speaker: Judy Cheng-Hopkins Peacebuilding has become a buzzword over the past decade. Yet, there are many diverging ideas of what peacebuilding is and what it entails. The United Nations is not exempt from such uncertainty. Assistant secretary-general for peacebuilding support, Judy Cheng-Hopkins, will seek to outline the concept of peacebuilding, its practical significance and translation into operational activity.
	More info about the event		PROGRAMME FLIP-BOOK NOW ONLINE LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival 2014 Reflections Dates: Monday 24 February - Saturday 1 March 2014 You can now browse a flip-book pdf of the LSE's 6th Literary Festival programme - talks, readings, panel discussions and film screenings, as well as creative writing workshops and children's events, all free to attend and open to all.
	UPDATED TICKET RELEASE DATES Please note that the ticket release dates of some of this term's upcoming events have been amended.  See Ticketed Events for revised dates.

	Entry requirements for the above events, including ticket information, where applicable, can be found by clicking the event title or information button.

Ticketed events Click here for details of LSE public lectures and debates that require a ticket. LSE Arts The next exhibition in the Atrium Gallery is Rainbow Jews which runs from 3-28 February 2014. Podcasts and videos Podcasts and videos of many recent LSE public lectures are now online. To listen to podcasts or watch videos please visit the LSE Public Lectures and Events Podcasts Channel Please note that a podcast or video is not available for every event. LSE Music The next lunchtime concert will be with Bartosz Woroch (violin) taking place on Thursday 23 January at 1.05pm. Coming to an event If you are planning to attend these events and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, please refer to Coming to an event at LSE

UPCOMING EVENTS LSE IDEAS public lecture  The Origins of Mass Killing: the bloodlands hypothesis Date: Tuesday 21 January 2014 Time: 6.30-8pm Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building Speaker: Professor Timothy Snyder At no other time in European history were so many human beings deliberately killed as a matter of policy as in Eastern Europe between 1933 and 1945. In the lands between Berlin and Moscow, the Soviets killed more than four million by starvation and bullets, the Germans more than twice that number by starvation, bullets, and gas. Most deliberate Soviet killing, and almost all deliberate Nazi killing, took place in this zone. If we can understand the totality of the catastrophe, we will better understand the two regimes, and we may be better prepared to understand its component parts, the most significant of which was the Holocaust of European Jews. Professor Timothy Snyder is the Philippe Roman Chair in History and International Affairs, 2013/2014. Suggested hashtag for this event for Twitter users: #LSEbloodlands   Forum for European Philosophy 'Ethics Matters' panel discussion  The Ethics of 'Nudge' Date: Monday 27 January 2014 Time: 6.30-8pm Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building Speakers: Professor George Loewenstein, Samuel Nguyen, Professor Drazen Prelec Better decisions versus autonomous choices: should policy makers try to influence people's behaviour using techniques from the behavioural sciences when it comes to retirement savings, organ donation and lunch choice? George Loewenstein is Herbert A. Simon Professor of Economics and Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. Samuel Nguyen is senior economist for the Behavioural Insights Team in the Cabinet Office. Drazen Prelec is professor of management science and economics at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Suggested hashtag for this event for Twitter users: #LSEnudge   Systemic Risk Centre public debate The Next Crisis Date: Tuesday 28 January 2014 Time: 6.30-8pm Venue: Old Theatre, Old Building Speakers: Professor Julia Black, Dr Jon Danielsson, Professor Charles Goodhart The official response to the current economic crisis may create longterm stability or, in actual fact, lay the seeds for the next. The panel of experts will debate what is the more likely outcome. Julia Black is director of LSE's Law and Financial Markets Project. Jon Danielsson (@JonDanielsson) is co-director of the Systemic Risk Centre (@LSE_SRC). Charles Goodhart is emeritus professor of banking and finance with the Financial Markets Group at LSE. Suggested hashtag for this event for Twitter users: #LSESRC The above events are free and open to all, with no ticket required.  Entry is on a first come, first served basis so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

	Many LSE events are certified for CPD purposes by the     Continuing Professional Development Certification Service  . Refer to individual event web listings.