Russia has now completely cut oil supplies to Germany, Poland, and Ukraine after shutting down the Druzhba pipeline. Russia blames Belarus, who was illegally siphoning off the oil. Although this has no enormous effect on Europe’s imported oil supplies, it could have long term effects that invariably increase a rise in prices.
Belarus blames Russia for failure to pay the costly transit cost for moving oil through the country. For payment, Belarus took the liberty of taking portions of the transported oil. Russia does not abide by these payments stating them against the law. “Last week Belarus said it would charge Russia $45 (£23) per tonne of oil that passed through its country.” (BBC)
Germany is concerned that with the closure of the pipeline. The Druzhba pipeline running from Russian through Belarus and Eastern Europe may have a drastic effect on Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Image courtesy of CBC
The death of North Korea’s foreign minister, Paek Nam-sun, will not put an obstacle on in Korea’s path. This foreign minister, had little power, due to the highly authoritarian regime of Kim Jong-il. Although Kim expressed his condolences for Paek, he will not set back the foreign policy of this country.
Kim Jong-il has held most power over his country in many aspects, limiting the power of his advisers and ministers. Since 1998, Paek Nam-sun has been a major supporter of the controversial nuclear program under global attack today. Fortunately, for the safety of society, the true ideology of communism, and the rest of the world, this dangerously influenced man has passed away at 78.
Ban Ki-Moon, a 62-year-old native of South Korea, has been en stated the successor of Kofi Annan of Ghana this week. He started off by promising attention to Sudan, which has been experiencing a crisis in the Darfur region. Escalating violence and human rights abuse is a major issue on the agenda which the former Kofi Annan began to solve. We will see how this new Secretary-General proves he is the man for the job by the way he handles the ethnic violence in Darfur.
Ban has also stated he will meet with the African Union and help keep an eye on the current situation with Ethiopia and Somalia. Talks to support the 7,000 AU troops in Darfur with UN peace-keeping troops have been engaged.
On North Korea, Ban has stated it is a top priority. He’s been making some sort of diplomacy with South Korea’s foreign minister to limit his nuclear ambitions. The only challenges that stand in the way are international support. The UN cannot be run by one man or one country alone. It must be a common goal sought by all in order to be swiftly tackled successfully.
Photo courtesy of Reuters
Posted by Archaix
As the year 2006 draws to close, the world is still far from quiet. While Iraq executes a terrible dictator and Ethiopia helps government forces clear out Mogadishu in Somalia, the continent of Europe faces its own issues.
The main problem, of course, is Russia. Now, our readers may distrust Russia already, am I right? Unless you’re an indefaticable hardline Communist, or have somehow slept through the majority of the 20th century, Russia was responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths during the Second World War and, much more internally, during the Cold War. Many thought this process had been reversed with the decline and fall of Communism from 1989 to 1991, but if anything, Putin is returning to the Old Ways.
Many of our European readers may recall the death of one Alexander Litveneko, who’s death (caused by radiation poisoning) was linked to Putin’s infamous intolerance of critisism. The trail for the killer/s led detectives from the UK to Germany and Russia.
Now it appears that Russia is ‘bullying’ the small vassal states surrounding her, by threatening to cut off the enormous amount of gas reserves if they do not accept a substantial rise in price. Currently, BBC News reports, Belarus is facing a 135% price rise, while Georgia now pays just over double. Last year, the Ukraine was starved of gas during the depths of winter for a short period following a smiliar dispute.
And all this leaves me feeling that Russia never really changed at all.
