BERLIN, July 4, 2006 (AFP) – World Cup organising committee head and former world champion both as player and coach Franz Beckenbauer said Tuesday Jurgen Klinsmann should remain as German coach despite their 2-0 defeat by Italy in the World Cup semi-final in the dying minutes of extra-time.
Destructive ambitions of Iran in Iraq
Stop Fundamentalism, July 2 – In a special report Assafir daily in Iraq said that Iran’s provocative role in Iraq is ironic. It adds fuel to the flames of violance through various forms of interference and on various scales to maintain the status quo in Iraq.
Iran angered, postpones nuclear talks; EU frustrated
Stop Fundamentalism, July 5 – In apparent anger at the Iranian exiled opposition leader Maryam Rajavi’s visit to the European Parliament, Iran once again did not show for crucial nuclear talks with the European Union on Wednesday.
Javier Solana, head of European Union’s foreign policy, who delivered EU’s incentive package to Tehran last month to encourage this country to suspend its nuclear development program, said on Wednesday that the meeting was postponed to Thursday.
"I was surprised to hear that Ali Larijani has decided at the last minute to postpone his trip to Brussels as previously agreed with him to take place today," Solana said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Pressure mounts as Iran run’s out of time
Nima Sharif
As the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg begins, Iran’s theocratic regime begins to feel the pressure to come up with a response to the package of incentives it was offered by the P5+1 countries on July 6.
At the start of the meeting of the G8 foreign ministers last week, French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy announced a two-week deadline and emphasized that Iran must respond before the G8 heads of states meeting.
But most importantly, after the meeting by the group of eight countries’ foreign ministers, the group issued a statement calling on the Iranian regime to provide a “clear and upfront response.†In this statement the eight countries use a strong tone and pressed that they were concerned about the absence of an official response from Iran.
The ministers also expressed that they want Iran to provide a clear answer at the meeting planed between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the regime’s chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on July 5.
North Korea test fires Missiles
SEOUL, July 5 – North Korea test-fires six missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 which crashed shortly after launch, triggering international condemnation led by Washington and the rogue state’s alarmed Asian neighbours
US diplomacy in high gear after ‘provocative’ North Korea launches
Olivier Knox
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2006 (AFP) – The United States has strongly condemned North Korea’s "provocative" launch of several missiles that posed no immediate threat to US territory but warranted a diplomatic counter-offensive.
World powers await Iranian response to offer to end nuclear impasse
BRUSSELS, July 5, 2006 (AFP) – The EU’s top diplomat and Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator hold potentially pivotal talks here Wednesday on whether Tehran might be prepared to curb its nuclear ambitions.
The talks between EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and negotiator Ali Larijani are expected to explore whether Iran is ready to accept a package of economic and political incentives in exchange for suspending uranium enrichment.
Iran nuclear envoy in Spain talks before key Brussels meeting
Ali Larinani
TEHRAN, July 5, 2006 (AFP) – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani was to hold meetings in Spain Wednesday ahead of crux talks in Brussels with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, state television reported.
Larijani was due to brief Spanish officials about Iran’s position before discussing with Solana a package of incentives drawn up the main world powers in return for halting sensitive nculear fuel work, the television said.
Gaza violence mounts amid deadlock over Israeli soldier
Sakher Abu El Oun
GAZA CITY, July 5, 2006 (AFP) – Israel struck Gaza from the air and mulled further action Wednesday after militants holding a soldier in the strife-torn Palestinian territory launched an unprecedented rocket attack on the Jewish state and promised more bloodshed.
North Korea threatens nuclear strike
SEOUL, (AP) — North Korea stepped up its anti-U.S. rhetoric yesterday, accusing Washington of mounting military pressure on the regime and vowing to respond to any pre-emptive U.S. attack with an "annihilating" nuclear strike.
