Georgia thanks Ukraine for non-recognition of breakaway republics
Georgia is grateful to the Ukrainian leadership for making statements about Georgia’s territorial integrity, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze stated at a briefing on June 10, summing up talks with his Ukrainian counterpart. “I would like to thank the President of Ukraine and Ministers of Foreign Affairs Kostiantyn Hryshchenko for the statements that were recently made in regard to the territorial integrity of Georgia,” said Vashadze, adding that this step taken by the Ukrainian side is further proof of the stabilizing role Ukraine is playing in this region, also the fact that Ukraine “is standing guard over international law.” President Yanukovych declared at a press conference recently that he has never recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, for this would be “a breach of international law and conventions.”
Canadian government grilled over fake lake
Canada’s Conservative government found itself under an avalanche of verbal attacks after making a statement to the effect that an artificial lake worth $1.8 million will adorn the interior of the media center of the G20 and G8 summits. The artificial lake will reportedly include canoes, trees, lounge chairs, and a fake dock. The Opposition was outraged by this squander and ridiculed the government’s reasoning that this lake will leave the foreign media people breathless with admiration. Canada has tens of thousands of natural lakes. The fake one is to occupy three square kilometers and resemble real lakes up north where the summits will take place. The G-8 summit is scheduled for June 33-26 in Huntsville, and G-20 in Toronto. And one should consider that the journalist pool can accommodate only 150 persons. In other words, over 3,000 accredited journalists won’t get inside the press center. Jack Layton, leader of the Opposition’s New Democrats, said that “we’ve got a government here that has to create an artificial lake when Canada has more lakes than just about any other country in the world. It’s the taxpayer that’s going to end up on the bottom of the fake lake.” In contrast, Transport Minister John Baird was enthusiastic: “We’re proud of our government’s efforts to showcase this great country so it can be a magnet for jobs, investment and opportunity.”
Right centrists win in Holland
The right centrist People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) has won the parliamentary campaign in the Netherlands, collecting 31 out of 150 seats in the Dutch Parliament. At least 76 votes are needed to single-handedly form a government, so the Liberals will have to negotiate a coalition. The Labor Party is behind VVD by only one seat. The Party for Freedom (PVV) has placed third with 24 seats, its best election results in history. PVV leader Geert Wilders is known for his sharp-worded anti-Islamic statements and the proposal to levy a tax on Muslim shawls. Last year Wilders was barred entry to Great Britain. Observers believe PVV isn’t likely to become a real partner of the leading Dutch political forces, among other things because Wilders is to stand trial this year on charges of incitement of interethnic animosity. The Christian Democratic Party that formed the previous government headed by Jan Peter Balkenende suffered a shattering defeat, placing fourth with only 21 seats.
Obama says Gaza blockade is “unsustainable”
“The situation in Gaza is unsustainable,” President Obama said as he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office on June 9, adding that Israel must cooperate with both sides to solve the problem. Obama supported the international community’s call for a “full investigation” of the botched Israeli naval raid killing eight Turkish nationals and one US citizen. He said he had made it perfectly clear to Israel that making everyone aware of what happened in the Mediterranean on May 31, so as to prevent this from happening ever again, would serve its national interest. Obama hopes that the recommendations of the UN Security Council will be observed. The US President also promised a 400 million dollars aid package to Gaza and the West Bank. The White House stated that this money will help provide jobs, build schools, and solve health care problems. At the end of the meeting Obama said he hoped Washington would succeed in persuading Israel and Palestine to resume direct talks in the next several months. He urged the leader of the Palestinian Autonomy to refrain from taking steps that could aggravate the situation.
