ASEAN related summits canceled due to security reason

PATTAYA, Thailand, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) related summits scheduled on April10-12 have been canceled because of security reason, the Thai government announced here Saturday.

The summits have been postponed to a later date, said Panitan Waltanyakorn, the acting government spokesman. He did not give a specific new date.

Before the announcement of cancellation of summits, the "red-shirted" protesters had broken into the summits venue and the media center, which made the summits impossible.

In the meantime, the Thai government has declared state of emergency in Chonburi province. After the announcement of emergency decree, the protesters began to retreat from the media center and the meeting venue.

The Thai government has gradually taken ASEAN leaders out of the venue with helicopters. Before the cancellation of the summits, leaders of all ASEAN countries had been in the meeting venue.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the Thai government will try its best to guarantee the safe departure of all leaders.

BANGKOK, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday declared a state of emergency over Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces, citing danger of escalating violence by anti-government protesters in the capital.

Besides Bangkok, the emergency decree also covers some districts in five provinces around Bangkok, including Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.

Abhisit explained on TV that the emergency decree was not imposed earlier in Bangkok because the government wanted to keep the normal order in the capital, but situation became tense and the government had to impose the decree to restore normality.

He cited the acts of anti-government demonstrators, or known as "red-shirted" people, to obstruct the ASEAN and Related Summits as example of the tension incited by the protesters.

The summits, which involved 10 ASEAN countries and its six dialogue partner nations -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and, was scheduled April 10-12 for Saturday and Sunday in the central beach resort city Pattaya

The Thai government was forced to call off the meeting scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and send foreign leaders to depart Pattaya without formal talks Saturday afternoon after over 1,000 red-shirted protesters besieged and broke into the meeting venue, demanding the Abhisit government to resign.

The situation in Pattaya cooled down after protesters, led by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), declared victory over the cancellation of the summits and retreated back to Bangkok, where they set up their main rally venue at the Government House.

However, the atmosphere in Bangkok became tense after a UDD leader who led the protesters to block summits in Pattaya was arrested, which angered UDD supporters.

The declaration of state of emergency came several hours after the Thai PM on TV apologized to people over its failure to keep the protests under control at the Pattaya summits, and vowed to take tough measures to restore law and order in the country, including seeking arrest of protest leaders.

Abhisit tasked Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security matters Suthep Thaugsuban to be responsible for enforcing of the state of emergency measures.

By far no army top brass, who had played the key role in the Sept. 19 bloodless coup in 2006 overthrowing the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who the red-shirt people support, had came out to respond to the crisis.

On early Sunday afternoon after the declaration of emergency decree, there was a riot outside the Interior Ministry in Bangkok when at least several hundred red-shirted protesters tried to attack a motorcade leaving the compound as they suspected that Abhisit and Suthep was inside the cars. But the two was reportedly unharmed. The riot caused at least several injuries, including police and protesters, Thai state TV NBT reported.

Hoteliers say Thailand lost Bt200bn in tourism earnings

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) - Saturday’s abrupt cancellation of this weekend’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and last year’s airport closures will cut Thai tourism earnings by at least Bt200 billion, Kongkit Hiranyakij, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand said Saturday. Mr. Kongkit said the losses from the anti-government protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) storming into the Pattaya hotel conference venue where the summit was being held is no less than losses from the closure of airports by UDD’s rival Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in November and December. Shortly after UDD protesters swept into the hotel, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced the cancellation of the summit and the imposition of a state of emergency in Pattaya and the nearby provincial seat of Chon Buri. The announcement was telecast live. Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the ASEAN meeting has been postponed indefinitely. Foreign tourists will not have confidence to travel to Thailand now after several government leaders attending the summit were unable to leave their hotels, Mr. Kongkit lamented. Thai Hotels Association President Prakit Chinamornpong said it is now useless to hold overseas roadshows because no tourists will want to visit Thailand due to the lack of security. Echoing a similar view was Apichart Sangaree, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents. He said what the protesters did on Saturday had damaged the country a lot while security measures were absolutely useless and no one would want to organise major conferences in Thailand in future. “The low season is expected to hit Thailand throughout this year,” complained Mr. Apichart. Meanwhile, Thanawat Palavichai, director of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecasting Center said that the Thai economy will likely shrink 4-5 per cent this year after the protesters stormed the summit venue.

Red Shirt anti-government protesters block Criminal Court

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - Taxi drivers supporting the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Sunday blocked entrances to Thailand's Criminal Court as well as Ratchadipisek Road in front the office in an attempt to seek the release of a UDD leading member. The protesters went to the court after learning that police would escort Arisman Pongreungrong, a former member of parliament who was arrested early Sunday at his house on the outskirts of Bangkok, to ask court permission for his detention. Mr. Arisman led UDD protesters storming the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit venue Saturday as the region's government leaders were to meet with their six dialogue partners. The summit, held in the resort of Pattaya, was cancelled shortly after. Court officials closed the entrance gates to prevent protesters from entering the building, but my mid-afternoon police had not brought Mr. Arisman to the court. Another group of protesters, led by Jatuporn Prompan, a UDD leader, gathered at the Border Police Headquarters where Mr. Arisman is being held and demanded his release. In another development, two of Mr. Arisman's lawyers told a press conference that police should clearly state the charges against him clearly, and said that they would seek his temporary release. The lawyers also showed photographs of ‘Blue Shirt’ pro-government people carrying firearms and about to shoot at UDD protesters during a clash in Pattaya on Saturday, they said. They claimed that most of the group were actually policemen. The UDD said they would file charges against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Newin Chidchob, a former executive of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, as they had allegedly ordered the armed men to attack UDD protesters.

Making sense of Thailand’s turmoil

(Photo: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images)

Thu, 04/09/2009
By Roberto Herrera-Lim
Foreign Policy

Bangkok's streets are again filled with protesters this week in what will likely prove a boisterous but futile attempt to force the government's resignation. But behind all the noise, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been directing these demonstrations from outside the country, may well have a more subtle, longer-term agenda.

Thaksin and his supporters have been attacking the country's "aristocracy"--and top adviser to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Prem Tinsulanonda, in particular. This suggests that Thaksin's maneuvers are related less to any effort to immediately oust the current government but instead to undermining the power structures centered around the monarchy, particularly the King's privy council, and the succession process that Thailand will face once ailing King Bhumibol passes from the scene.

The protests are generating more noise than usual thanks to warnings from Thaksin that "the time for talks has passed" and the sense that protesters (known as "red shirts") are pushing for a confrontation. The former prime minister, ousted in a 2006 coup, is still able to create tension in the capital by rallying his supporters from Thailand's northeast and among Bangkok's poor. But without support from the military, the monarchy, and Bangkok's middle class, these protests are highly unlikely to divide the country's political elite and threaten the current regime. Even Thaksin's allies know that even if they could force new elections, the elite-controlled institutions could undermine their administration. Thaksin is believed to be in either Dubai or Cambodia, and evidence suggests that the military is trying to block his satellite telephone calls to followers inside Thailand.

The real motive behind Thaksin's use of these protests is probably to weaken Prem, which would then allow him to position himself to eventually take advantage of a government weakened by the economic crisis, to negotiate his return to the country, and to settle his many outstanding legal and financial problems. The big unknown is whether Thaksin's moves reveal that he has inside information on how and when the succession process (and resulting power struggle) will begin to unfold, and whether his rhetoric is an attempt to position himself in the conflict for power that could follow.

To up the ante, Thaksin has warned that he expects to see a "revolution by the people" that is more intense than the civilian unrest that rocked the country in 1973 and 1992. He has also explicitly accused Prem and retired General Surayud Chulanont of having organized the 2006 coup that ousted him from office.

These are bold (and unprecedented) criticisms, because Prem has been considered for the past decade a direct representative of King Bhumibol and therefore beyond this kind of accusation. Protesters have organized demonstrations near Prem's home. By proving that he still commands considerable public support and boldly attacking Prem (and members of the military complicit in the 2006 coup), Thaksin may well be trying to establish himself as a political force to be reckoned with following the King's death-particularly if the succession process fails to produce a strong monarch.

In short, Thailand is in the midst of a power struggle that could reach deeply into its institutions and power structures. It started with a fight between the elites and Thaksin in 2006, and has begun to spill over into the public sphere. The stakes have been magnified by the uncertainty around the royal succession in a country in which the monarchy remains the most powerful political institution. Thailand's history shows that this type of conflict will take time to resolve, with results ranging from the absurd to the tragic.

TURMOIL IN PATTAYA: SUMMIT CANCELLED, STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN RESORT CITY

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra scuffle with riot policemen near the venue of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya April 10, 2009.

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Pattaya

The summit of Asean leaders with dialogue partners has been cancelled and state of emergency declared in Pattaya after a clash of red-shirted and blue-shirted people outside the meeting venue and a subsequent invasion of the hotel.

The government has announced a decision has been made to postpone the summit to a later date, in effect cancelling it.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chon Buri, partly to facilitate the departure of Asean VIP guests. He told a press conference Asean leaders and their dialogue partners understand the need to postpone the summit and support government action regarding Saturday's incidents.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will be in
charge of enforcing the state of emergency measures in Chon Buri and Pattaya. Saturday's turmoil will send Pattaya reeling economically. The resort city had hoped to reap the benefits of the Songkran festival but now has to cope with mounting tour and hotel cancellations.

The state of emergency law imposes tough restrictions on public gathering and dissemination of information. Authorities are given added power to search residents and venues and restrict travels.

Hundreds of protesters broke through a glass and poured into a Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel building where reporters stayed. The section is about 100 metres apart from a hotel section where summit leaders are supposed to meet.

This made the meeting impossible after the government earlier only announced a minor postponement of schedules.

The cancellation has also been announced by acting government spokesman Panithan Watanayagorn, who had earlier said it was only a delay, not cancellation.

Few protesters suffered minor injuries in a clash in Pattaya Saturday morning when the Asean summit with dialogue partners was about to begin.

"The government is investigating the incident," Panithan told an urgent press conference.

At 8:40 am, the red-shirted protesters armed with giant firecrackers, Molotov cocktails, sling shots and batons, battled with local people who formed a line to protect the venue of Asean +6 and Asean + 3 summits.

Government officials denied the blue shirted men, who confronted the red-shirted protesters and clashed with them, were state-sponsored.

Spokesman Panithan rejected the connection with the blue shirted men saying they are simply ordinary people who wanted to see the summit proceed smoothly. They showed up to prevent the red shirted protesters from disrupting the summit, he said.

The government was investigating the presence of the blue shirted men and they could be arrested if committed anything illegal, he said.

"We were also concerned about the safety of the leaders and the people including the protesters. We are working hard to control the situation," Panithan said.

The Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tharit Charungvat, said all delegates are not the targets of the protesters. "The protesters want to humiliate the government," he said.

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and red-shirted leaders have indicated that they would consider cancellation of the summit a victory for the red-shirted campaign. They claim the Abhisit Vejjajiva government was not legitimate because it was set up following "unfair" court rulings against the former pro-Thaksin ruling party and a military-dictated defection of some formerly pro-Thaksin MPs.

The red shirted protesters under the umbrella of the Democratic Alliance Against Democracy (DAAD) demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and some members of the Privy Council to step down. They claimed the blue shirt men hurt them.

Reporters saw the outnumbered blue-shirted local people was scattered and ran for cover when the red-shirted people attacked them.

Several explosion sounds of firecrackers were heard and the red-shirted people were seen as firing slingshots with bolts at the blue-shirted people who tried formed a line in front of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel.

The red-shirted people formed a line and kept advancing until the two sides stood confronting less than one metre apart and the clash broke out.

The red-shirted protesters were seen carrying Molotov cocktails but none had been thrown at the other side yet.

Terrified local residents closed their houses and many were seen weeping with fear.

On Friday, the red-shirted leaders in Bangkok recruited the protesters to be deployed to Pattaya to fight against the blue-shirted ones.

About 10,000 red-shirted protesters arrived at Pattaya in over 500 taxis, 20 buses and some six-wheel trucks, motorcycles and private cars.

They reached the Phet Trakul Road where a group of red-shirted people was demonstrating at about 11:50 pm.

At 7 am, about 100 red-shirted protesters and 30 taxis blocked the exit of Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel to try to prevent the Chinese prime minister, Japanese prime minister and South Korean president to leave for a summit with Asean leaders.

This followed a turmoil in Bangkok on Thursday when red-shirted protesters blocked the Victory Monument and caused traffic turmoil all across the city.

Following the Pattaya incident, the red shirt movement also issued a statement condemning what was claimed to be "government's ambush against unarmed citizens."

The statement, reportedly written by Jakrapop Penkair, a former Cabinet member in a previous pro-Thaksin administration, said the UAAD came to Pattaya "in good nature" but "reactions of the government and their leaders couldn't have been more harsh and undemocratic."

The statement said there were at least 2 cases of shootings aimed to harm red-shirt supporters. It also said as the red-shirt supporters were leaving the compound of the Royal Cliff Beach Pataya hotel, where they submitted a letter appealing to the guest countries for boycott, they were "viciously ambushed by people hiding on the sides. At least 10 people were injured when large pieces of stone hit them in the heads and bodies. These ambushers were not a natural but a well-arranged setup."

The statement claimed Suthep Tueksuban, Deputy Prime Minister, and Newin Chidchob, a Thai Rak Thai defect and a major influence of the current coalition, were responsible for organising the blue-shirted activities.

"We insist that our purpose of protesting is entirely peaceful. The meetings with Thailand's side, if gone on, would be misleading, since the Thai government doesn't represent the people of the country democratically," it said.

Several people were killed and injured when anti-Thaksin protesters clashed with security forces while a pro-Thaksin government, led by Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, was in power last year.

Summit collapses, state of emergency declared

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra scuffle with riot policemen near the venue of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya April 10, 2009. Anti-government protesters converged on the Thai beach town of Pattaya on Friday with plans to disrupt an Asian summit as part of efforts to try to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down.

Bangkok Post

Published: 11th April, 2009

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chon Buri on Saturday afternoon after red-shirt protesters broke into the Royal Cliff Beach hotel, the venue of the 14th Asean Summit in Pattaya.

He also confirmed the indefinite postponement of the Asean summit and related meetings.
Mr Abhisit said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had been instructed to implement the enforcement of the Emergency Decree.

The announcement came after protesters led by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core-member Arisman Pongruengrong swarmed through the venue, the Royal Cliff Hotel, including entering the Royal Wing where the leaders and their delegations were housed.

The prime minister said he had subsequently consulted the other Asean leaders.
Mr Abhisit said the Asean leaders “understood the situation” and agreed with his decision.
He said the leaders of Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand - Asean's dialogue partners - all expressed appreciation of Thailand's efforts to host the summit. They also supported his decision to postpone the top-level meeting indefinitely.

Earlier report: Asean summits postponed

The prime minister said government's main priority now was to ensure the safety of the government leaders and their delegations and ensure their smooth departure.
He had made the decision to call off the meetings for the benefit of the country as a whole, Mr Abhisit said.

The red-shirt followers of the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra UDD forced their way into the Royal Cliff Hotel a few minutes before 1pm.

They claimed angrily that some of their members had been injured during a clash in the morning with about 300 men dressed in blue.

They claimed the blue-clad people were sponsored by the government.

About 2,000 red-shirt protesters clashed with local residents wearing blue about 9am as the UDD mob tried to block the long narrow road leading to the South Pattaya hotel.

Both groups were armed with wooden poles and firecrackers. Although leaders of both sides seemingly tried to avoid a clash – a skirmish broke out resulting in a number of injuries.

The red-shirts were supported by a fleet of about 200 taxis that arrived in Pattaya from Bangkok to join the protest.

The clash between the red and blue shirts prevented the leaders of Japan, China and South Korea from making their way to the summit venue, as they were housed at the Dusit Resort and Amari hotels in North Pattaya.
The morning clash prompted the government to announce a postponement of the Asean-China, Asean-South Korea and Asean-Japan summits, which were scheduled to be held from 9am to about 11am.

At the time the government said these three summit meetings would still be held, but would be rescheduled.

But red-shirt core member Arisman led the protesters to the conference venue and demanded that he and other representatives be allowed inside to hold a press conference.

They were allowed to enter. During the press conference, Mr Arisman claimed that the blue-shirt protesters who went against the red-shirts were in fact military personnel.

He showed the media hundreds of blue shirts along with spent cartridges and Molotov cocktails and small pingpong grenades, which he said were used against the UDD protesters.

He demanded the summit be postponed. He claimed Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep should be held responsible, claiming that government-sponsored blue-shirt demonstrators had attacked the people.

Prior to the break in at the hotel, Mr Arisman was seen on television speaking by phone to a senior official. He said later the person he was speaking to was army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda. Mr Arisman refused to negotiate, saying that Mr Abhisit was responsible for the clash between red and blue shirts in the morning.

The UDD supporters then broke the glass doors of the hotel, swarmed past soldiers guarding the entrance and entered the press centre. They spread across the conference venue, cheering loudly and chanting for the resignation of the prime minister.

Mr Arisman held another quick press conference at which he said that one red shirt protester who had been shot had later died at Banglamung Hospital. He also said that two taxi drivers were shot and accused Mr Abhisit, Mr Suthep and Newin Chidchob of masterminding the blue-shirt attacks.

Mr Arisman also said he was prepared to take responsibility for the damage to the hotel, but added the hotel was also partially responsible for agreeing to host the summit.

He issued an ultimatum, that police had an hour to find the people who shot the red-shirt protesters.

About 1.45pm, after protesters had marched freely throughout the hotel, including the Royal Wing housing the visiting delegations, the red-shirts started returning to the press centre area.

They left the hotel after the prime minister announced the indefinite postponement of the Summit and the declaration of the state of emergency.

ASEAN summit disruption by Red Shirt Demonstrators: A huge embarrassment for Thailand and Abhisit

Armed security officers draw their weapons after supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra tried to enter one of the venues of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya April 11, 2009. A summit of Asian leaders in Pattaya, Thailand, has effectively been cancelled after anti-government protesters broke into part of the conference venue, a Thai government spokesman said on Saturday. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang
Anti-government demonstrators celebrate after storming past Thai soldiers as they force their way into the 14th ASEAN Summit convention center Saturday, April 11, 2009, in Pattaya, Thailand. A Thai government officials say a summit of Asian leaders has been canceled for security reasons. The announcement Saturday came after more than 1,000 anti-government protesters smashed through glass doors to storm into the convention hall where some of the meetings were scheduled to take place. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai anti-government demonstrators wave their flags after breaking their way into the meeting venue of the 14th ASEAN summit venue on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in Pattaya, Thailand. A Thai government officials say a summit of Asian leaders has been canceled for security reasons. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
A Thai military helicopter leaves a rooftop carrying unidentified leaders Saturday, April 11, 2009, in Pattaya, Thailand, following the storming of the 14th ASEAN Convention Center by anti-government protesters. A Thai government officials say a summit of Asian leaders has been canceled for security reasons. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Obama says AIG to be stopped from paying bonuses to executives

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that his administration will stop insurance giant American International Group (AIG) from paying 165 million dollars of bonuses to its executives.

"It's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less 165 million dollars in extra pay," Obama said at the outset of an appearance to announce a plan to boost small businesses loans.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner arrive in the East Room of the White House in Washington March 16, 2009 to make announcements on helping small business during the economic crisis. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat," the president said, adding that the insurer is in financial straits because of "recklessness and greed."

The president's remarks came as the financially strapped AIG, which Obama said has received "substantial sums" of federal aid from the federal government, was reported to be paying 165 million dollars of bonuses to its executives.

The 165 million dollars were payable to executives by Sunday and was part of a larger total payout reportedly valued at 450 million dollars.

The American International Group (AIG) building in New York's financial district, March 16, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Obama said he has asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to "pursue every legal avenue to block these bonuses and make the American taxpayers whole."

"This isn't just a matter of dollars and cents," the president said. "It's about our fundamental values."

AIG lost 61.7 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2008, marking the largest corporate loss in history. The company has so far received more than 170 billion dollars in a federal rescue.

Amsterdam police chief defends terrorist alert

BRUSSELS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Amsterdam's police chief said the authorities had taken a justifiable decision last week to arrest seven suspects and cordon off a busy shopping area in the Dutch capital after receiving a warning of a possible terrorist attack in the area, Dutch paper De Volkskrant reported Monday.

The woman who called the police about midnight Wednesday knew details about the culprits in the 2004 Madrid bombings that had not been made public, the paper quoted Bernard Welten, the Amsterdam police commissioner, as saying.

This was why the authorities in Amsterdam decided to take the warning very seriously, he said.

The police have been criticized for the handling of the terrorist alarm. Police arrested seven people in Amsterdam last Thursday only to release all of them a day later. No explosives were found in house searches.

The six men and a woman, all of whom Dutch nationals of Moroccan descent, were no longer considered suspects, the authorities said on Friday.

In an interview with De Volkskrant, Welten dismissed the criticism as "predictable human short-sightedness."

He said during the 10-minute call on Wednesday night, the woman gave very reliable answers to the questions of the police regarding the culprits of the Madrid bombings exactly five years ago.

She gave names, addresses and descriptions of three men who she said were planning to travel to Amsterdam in a minibus and place explosives in three large shops close in the Arena Boulevard in the southeast of the city. One was allegedly related to one of the Madrid bombers.

Amsterdam police mounted a massive security operation on Thursday, closing all shops along the Arena Boulevard, evacuating the area, and carrying out house searches at four locations in Amsterdam. The venues reopened on Friday.

Welten said despite the release of the seven, the case is not yet closed. The woman who tipped off the police and the three men she described have not been found.

Welten also defended the decision to reveal the ethnic identity of the people arrested, saying it was needed to prevent rumors.

"Everyone knows the attacks in Madrid were carried out by Moroccans ... so it was a relevant fact. If we had not mentioned it, a flood of uncontrollable rumors would have started," Welten is quoted as saying.

Backgrounder: France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle

PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, could be out of service for weeks, even months after faults were again detected in its propulsion system, the French navy said Friday.

The ship only took to the sea again last December after 18 months of repair and maintenance.

The carrier, the flagship of the French navy, is named after French statesman General Charles de Gaulle and is the country's only serving aircraft carrier.

The ship, started under construction in November 1987, was completed in May 1994 at a cost of 18.5 billion francs (about 3.5 billion U.S. dollars) at that time.

The ship was first tested in January 1999 and officially entered service in 2001, replacing the retired aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch, which were built in the late 1950s.

With a 12,000-square-meter landing deck and a 4,600-square-meter hangar deck, the Charles de Gaulle can operate a fleet of up to 40 aircraft.

Thanks to its two nuclear pressure water reactors, the ship can have a maximum speed of 27 knots.

The Charles de Gaulle is the most sophisticated, highest performance warship ever built in Europe.

Fitted with the SATRAP computerized, integrated stabilization system, the ship's weapons are managed by a Senit combat management system, which has the capacity to track up to 2,000 targets.

It is also equipped with a SAAM missile system, eight Nexter 20F2 20 mm guns, four Sagem Defense Securite Sagaie 10-barrel trainable decoy launchers and the Thales ARBR 21 radar warner.

The aircraft carrier participated in four major military operations from 2001 to 2007, including the air support mission for NATO and U.S. troops against the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in 2001.

Since its sea trials in 1999, the Charles de Gaulle previously encountered problems, the most serious of which was in November 2000, when the port propeller broke, forcing the ship out of commission for four months.

French Defense Minister Herve Morin said last month during a visit to the Charles de Gaulle that a second aircraft carrier would be "reasonable" if needed, but would not be started until 2012.

European Commission appeals for calm in Madagascar

BRUSSELS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) on Saturday said it was troubled by the political instability in Madagascar and called for calm in the strife-stricken country.

"The European Commission is seriously concerned about the situation of instability and uncertainty currently prevailing in Madagascar. The European Commission calls on all parties in Madagascar to ensure calm and invites them to participate immediately in a broader dialogue," the commission said in a statement.

Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina on Saturday proclaimed himself president and appointed a prime minister. President Marc Ravalomanana who was given four hours to resign denied that the opposition has seized power in his country.

The EC, the executive body of the European Union, asked all parties in Madagascar to take part in a dialogue proposed by the Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar to find a peaceful and lawful solution to the political crisis in the country.

"The crisis threatens the stability of the country, affects the Malagasy people and might undermine the efforts of the international community in the fight against poverty in Madagascar," the commission said.

British PM calls for tackling protectionism head on

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) addresses members of the media during a joint news conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at 10 Downing Street in London March 16, 2009. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday the whole world should be committed to overcoming the economic downturn and tackling protectionism head on.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Grown reiterated his call for countries to work together in response to a global recession.

"The speed at which we recover depends on the international cooperation we achieve," Grown said.

"We are seeing a large fall in world trade. The 1930s brought protectionism in response to recession and in 2009 we must tackle protectionism head on. Any packages must help the poorest, who are in the end the most hard hit by the global recession," he said.

As for the Group of 20 London summit scheduled for April 2, he said it will "be comprehensive and focus on restructuring global financial system.

"No doubt that global approaches to regulation of banks are out-dated," he added.

Brown said earlier this month that the upcoming G20 summit must be used to tackle the "root causes" of the global recession and reshape financial regulation around the world.

Switzerland to summon German ambassador over banking secrecy criticism

GENEVA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland will summon the German ambassador to Bern to protest "unacceptable" remarks made by Germany's financial minister over Swiss banking secrecy laws, local media reported on Monday.

Alex Berg, the German ambassador, would be summoned "as soon as possible," Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey was quoted by the official Swissinfo news website as saying.

German Finance Minister Peer Steinbruck on Saturday expressed doubt of Swiss promises to fully apply transparency standards prescribed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Swissinfo said.

He singled out conditions set out for sharing customer data, which he said would "maintain banking secrecy in principle."

"In my opinion, these statements are unacceptable, as much for being contemptuous and aggressive, both in substance and in form," Calmy-Rey said during question time in parliament on Monday.

"I would have expected another reaction from Germany towards a partner like Switzerland, especially from a country that benefits from its relationship with Switzerland. Just think about migration, borders or even the trade balance," she added.

The German ambassador was last summoned in October when Steinbruck called for Switzerland to be blacklisted as an uncooperative tax haven by the OECD.

The Swiss government announced on Friday that it would cooperate on cases of international tax evasion, amid pressure by major powers to crack down on so-called tax havens.

It decided to conform with standards set by the OECD in an effort to avoid being put on a blacklist and facing possible sanctions.

The present distinction between fiscal fraud and fiscal evasion is to become obsolete, allowing the exchange of information with other countries in individual cases and based on legal requests.

Britain and France have reportedly welcomed the announcements of Switzerland, as well as Austria and Luxembourg, to ease banking secrecy.

Israel appears closer to ground maneuver

SDEROT, Israel, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday continued gearing up for a possible ground operation in the Gaza Strip, declaring the border area as a "closed military zone."

Out of what the army said was security concerns, journalists were no longer allowed to approach the border on the Israeli side, where the IDF has reinforced its presence with infantry troops and armored units, apparently in preparations for a widely speculated ground incursion following the ongoing deadly airstrikes at the Hamas-ruled area.

"Our offensive now is solely airborne, and we are doing assessment all the time. We will carry out a ground operation if our assessment shows it is necessary," IDF spokesperson Captain Elie Isaacson told Xinhua at this southern Israeli town, while refusing to reveal how many troops have been deployed along the border.

An Israeli soldier stands on the hood of a military vehicle near the border with the Gaza Strip Dec. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Admitting that all the previous Gaza operations failed to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets at Israel, Isaacson stressed that Israel this time would not put down the hatchet until quiet is restored to the borderland.

Gaza militants on Monday fired at least 41 rockets at southern Israel, killing one and injuring over a dozen, although Israeli officials said that the Gaza-ruling Hamas movement has suffered a serious blow from Israel's massive air raids.

The air strikes has so far killed over 310 people and injured over 1,000 more, generating international condemnation and calls for an immediate end to the bloodshed.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak stressed that the current campaign is "an all-out war against Hamas and its kind," using a term he reportedly employed in the past to describe a long-term struggle against Israel's Islamist enemies.

Revealing that the defense establishment spent months preparing for the Gaza operation, the former IDF chief of the general staff said that it "will be widened, deepened as we see fit."

China's president visits quake-hit Sichuan to check rebuilding

CHENGDU, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao visited quake-hit Sichuan Province over the weekend, showing concern for survivors and inspecting reconstruction work as winter set in.

It was Hu's second visit after the May 12 earthquake. Hu's last visit was on May 16, when quake relief work was in a critical phase.

The 8.0-magnitude quake, centered in Wenchuan County, left more than 69,000 people dead, 374,000 injured, 18,000 missing and millions homeless.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visits students and teachers at Guixi Middle School in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 27, 2008. President Hu Jintao visited quake-hit Sichuan Province on Dec. 27-29, showing concern for survivors and inspecting reconstruction work. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

From Saturday to Monday, Hu visited reconstruction sites, factories, villages, resettlement centers, schools and clinics in battered Mianyang, Deyang, Chengdu and Aba, giving residents and those helping with rebuilding work new year's greetings.

In villages and resettlement centers, Hu went into homes and even the kitchens and bedrooms of local people to see if they were warm enough and well-fed.

"The most important thing is to make sure all people are housed, have clothes and quilts to resist the cold, have enough food for the winter and coming spring, and medical service and epidemic prevention are in place," he said.

At Caijiagang Village, Wenchuan, Hu asked villager Ma Xizhi to be aware of safety problems in using electricity and fire and told local officials to respect farmers' will in building new homes with government subsidies.

At Guixi Middle School in Beichuan County, the president encouraged the students to study hard to repay society's concern.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Front) shakes hands with a woman as he visits residents of the Xingfu Community in Dujiangyan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 28, 2008. President Hu Jintao visited quake-hit Sichuan Province on Dec. 27-29, showing concern for survivors and inspecting reconstruction work. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

He told workers who were rebuilding the school to ensure the quality of the buildings and make them safe and solid.

Hu also inspected the progress of industrial and agricultural reconstruction in the quake areas.

At Dongfang Steam Turbine Works, a large state-owned enterprise, he asked about losses and the recovery of production, urging the employees to speed up the reconstruction and develop the facility into a world-class electric equipment manufacturer.

Many Dongfang employees were killed in the quake. Hu told the officials to pay visits to victims' families during the upcoming festivals and help them solve problems.

The central government has introduced policies to support agricultural recovery, Hu said at a herb production base in Huaxi Village, Dujiangyan. He encouraged growers to make good use of these policies and technology to recover losses from the quake.

The president also expressed respect to workers at reconstruction sites. In Hanwang Township, he praised workers for their hard work and encouraged them to live up to the expectations of the quake region and get their jobs done with high quality and efficiency.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R Front) shakes hands with a woman as he visits workers and inspects production at Dongfang Steam Turbine Works in Hanwang Township of Mianzhu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 28, 2008. President Hu Jintao visited quake-hit Sichuan Province on Dec. 27-29, showing concern for survivors and inspecting reconstruction work. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

With the accelerating reconstruction work, demand for construction materials has grown. Hu visited a supply station in Dujiangyan, urging abundant supply and stable prices to serve local needs.

En route to Yingxiu Township, Hu encountered dozens of military vehicles transporting reconstruction material to the quake zone, part of the Chengdu Military District's 1,000-vehicle logistics task force.

Hu praised the soldiers for their contribution to the quake relief and reconstruction, asking them to overcome difficulties and finish the job.

While in Sichuan, Hu also met with provincial officials, encouraging them to fully implement the central government's reconstruction policies.

He told them to put people first, respect nature and seek a balance in speed and quality in rebuilding.

The great quake relief spirits formed in China's fight against the tremendous disaster are very precious, he said, urging the promotion of such spirits among officials at a time of difficulty as an inspiration.

Palestinian death toll continues increase in Gaza airstrikes

GAZA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians death toll has risen to 345 killed and over 1,600 wounded in the on-going Israeli warplanes intensified airstrikes on Monday evening.

Israeli warplanes intensified its airstrikes on more targets, mainly mosques, cars and militants' houses belong to Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, security sources said.

Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency in the Palestinian health ministry said that since Saturday morning about 345 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,600 wounded in the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Israel, on Saturday, launched an unprecedented intensive military operation on the Gaza Strip, focusing on hitting targets from the air and saying the operation would target Hamas movement and all its political and military arms.

Over 305 Israeli airstrikes were carried out on security buildings, mosques, metal workshops, underground tunnels near Gaza-Egypt borders and houses allover the Gaza Strip since Saturday morning.

In the last two airstrikes carried out by Israeli warplanes on northern Gaza Strip on Monday evening, 7 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded, witnesses and security sources in Jabalia area, witnesses said.

They said that Israeli warplanes targeted a car and a house belongs to a militant member of Hamas movement's armed wing al-Qassam Brigades, adding that in the two airstrikes seven people were killed.

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Hassanein said that earlier on Monday, a Palestinian employee works as a guard to one of the schools, run by the United Nations in southern Gaza Strip was killed when Israeli fighting planes hit a nearby house.

He added that 40 percent of those were killed since Saturday are children, adding that "the Israeli warplanes didn't exclude any house or mosque or car and has harshly shelled every target regardless of civilians' lives."

Yahoo to build new data center in Nebraska

The headquarters of Yahoo Inc. is pictured in Sunnyvale, California, May 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Internet giant Yahoo Inc. announced on Friday an at least 100 million U.S. dollar project to open a new data center in the state of Nebraska.

It will take four years to finish the project which is expected to create at least 100 jobs with a minimum average salary of 68,700 dollars annually, according to Yahoo.

Yahoo announced 10 percent or 15,000 layoffs earlier this week in a bid to grapple with the economic downturn.

Earlier this year, Yahoo applied for the biggest slate of state tax breaks available in Nebraska to help set up some operations in the state, which included a customer service center in Omaha.

Asian, Euro leaders start summit in Beijing with financial crisis topping agenda

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Asian, Euro leaders start summit in Beijing with financial crisis topping agenda

The seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Oct. 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

President Hu delivers speech as ASEM7 opens

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The seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit started at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Friday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)