Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Monday confirmed issuance of visa to ailing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for a limited time to undergo medical treatment but refused to divulge time-period for which the visa is issued. “We have issued a visa for Ali Abdullah Saleh,” said Victoria Nuland, the State Department spokesperson, adding, “It is strictly for medical treatment, and our expectation is that he will leave the United States when his medical treatment is complete.” Asked to comment on the time period for which this visa is issued, Nuland said, “He’s got a visa for the period that he anticipated the medical treatment would last. If the treatment goes on longer and he needs to apply for an extension, he would do that with Homeland Security.” Yemeni political players are expecting to utilize President Saleh’s [...] Continue Reading…
U.S. readies for Yemen President Saleh, refuses to divulge details
January 24th, 2012 
admin High hopes for Karen peace talks
January 10th, 2012 admin Yangon, Myanmar (IRIN) – Karen leaders are cautiously optimistic about the possibility of peace after more than 60 years of fighting Burmese security forces as they prepare for meetings with the government on 10 January. A Karen “peace committee” — formed in November — has arranged a two-day meeting in the state’s Pa Ang District for what is hoped will lead to a permanent end to the armed conflict that began in 1949 and has left the civilian population devastated by decades of instability. “The talks are the very first step in negotiations for a ceasefire,” Karen National Union (KNU) vice-president Saw David Thakabaw told IRIN. “We have to begin with a ceasefire and then proceed to negotiations, with political dialogue taking place later.” The Karen, a largely Christian community in eastern and southern Myanmar, have effectively been at war with Myanmar’s central government since [...] Continue Reading…
Yemen leader Saleh seeks medical treatment in U.S.
December 27th, 2011 admin Windsor Genova – AHN News News Writer
Sanaa, Yemen (AHN) – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is seeking entry to the U.S. for medical treatment but Washington is reviewing his travel request, according to a senior U.S. official. Saleh, who has relinquished his post to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi in a transition ahead of elections in February, relayed his request to the U.S. embassy in Sanaa. The anonymous U.S. official said the request may be granted on condition that the visit will be for medical treatment only. Saleh’s U.S. travel request comes as 13 people were killed by Yemeni security forces during a protest march on Saturday. The protesters were demanding the prosecution of Saleh for handing power to Hadi. In June, Saleh has undergone treatment in Saudi Arabia for wounds he suffered during an explosion at his presidential palace.
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Sen. McCain lambasts both as President Obama, Premier al-Maliki meet
December 13th, 2011 admin Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Republican Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain on Monday criticized the policies of visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Barack Obama for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. In a statement issued on the eve of the joint press conference by al-Maliki and Obama, McCain said, “The meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Maliki today cannot obscure the fact that both men have failed in their responsibilities with regard to our shared security interests.” Citing the domestic political factors as driving forces behind the withdrawal of American forces, Sen. McCain said, “The sacrifices of both our peoples in a long and costly war, the continued needs of Iraq’s Security Forces, and the enduring U.S. interest in a stable and democratic Iraq all demanded a continued presence of U.S. troops beyond this year.” [...] Continue Reading…
American Central Command launches investigation into Af-Pak incident
November 29th, 2011 admin Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The U.S. Central Command launched another investigation into an apparent attack by NATO helicopters on a border checkpoint that Pakistani officials are claiming killed dozens of soldiers. Announcing the investigation into the incident near the Salala Checkpoint, Khas Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in the vicinity of the Pakistan border on Nov. 25, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. James N. Mattis, appointed Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark from Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., as the Investigating Officer. Directing the investigating officer to provide an initial report by December 23, 2011, General Mattis noted the investigation would be “CENTCOM-led with the support, cooperation and involvement of a NATO element on the investigation team.” The investigating team would also include “input and participation from the International Security Assistance Force,” in addition to the [...] Continue Reading…
U.S. favors Indian State of Gujarat but denies visa to the Chief Minister
November 15th, 2011 admin Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States is reaching out to Indian member states especially Gujarat but Washington still has no visa policy for its chief minister according to one of the top U.S. diplomats. Addressing journalists at a special briefing at the State Department, Robert Blake, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said, “We recently have begun an effort to try to enhance state-to-state ties between our two countries – Special Representative Rita Jo Lewis recently made a trip to India with that in mind – because we believe there are quite significant opportunities for individual American states to do more with their Indian counterparts.” Citing “great importance to working more closely with the states,” Secretary Blake said, “There’s quite a lot of dynamism at the state level in India, so we want to just try [...] Continue Reading…
Obama readies for G20 Summit, to push for responsibility fee for top financial players
November 1st, 2011 admin Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to engaging in official agenda of G20 Summit in Cannes, France on Thursday according to the White House officials. Addressing journalists Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security advisor for strategic communications announced that President Obama would have two bilateral meetings, “first with President Sarkozy of France, and then with Chancellor Merkel of Germany.” Citing them as “important meetings for him (President Obama) to have consultations with these leaders before the G20 commences,” Rhodes said the president would also meet the same day, “L20, the international labor leaders who will be in Cannes as a part of the G20 program.” Although the Obama Administration officials did not announce any bilateral meeting with Chinese leadership, the focus beyond the [...] Continue Reading…
U.S.-based Indian-Americans demonstrate to support Telangana state stir
October 18th, 2011 admin Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Dozens of U.S.-based Indians from the Telangana region of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh gathered in Washington, DC, on Saturday, staging a solidarity demonstration with the “Sakala Janula Samme” – a civil disobedience movement that has swept all of Telangana over the last 32 days. Speaking at the demonstration, Ravi Mayreddy, a spokesperson for the mobilization, said, “We demand that Indian government to respect and abide by its own declaration of Dec. 9th, 2009, and form the new Telangana state.” Like the 40 million people of Telangana who have undertaken the all-peoples’ civil disobedience, the Telangana NRIs demanded in a strong voice that the Indian government immediately initiate the process of creating the Telangana state. Organizers cited “the right of the citizenry to form a separate State is granted under Articles 2 [...] Continue Reading…
Somali government didn’t endorse or support Peter King’s (R-NY) hearings
October 4th, 2011 admin Abdi Hajji Hussein – AHN News Correspondent
Mogadishu, Somalia (AHN) – The transitional federal government said it had never supported the series of hearings that United States Representative Peter T. King, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security Peter King convened in March. According to the a statement of Somali prime minister on Sunday, Mr. King has recently published in his website that Somali Government supports Peter King’s hearings, “The Prime Minister of Somalia, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was surprised to learn that U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY) publicized that the Somali Government assured him of their full support and cooperation in his hearings” the statement said. Somali Government has condemned Peter King’s controversial and extreme views and under no circumstances would support or cooperate with him in this issue. Mr. Ali said that “Somali Government will never support Peter King’s series of investigations focusing [...] Continue Reading…
State Department answers for congressman’s criticism of Mexico policy
September 20th, 2011 admin Tom Ramstack – AHN News Legal Correspondent
Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The U.S. State Department is trying to smooth over relations with Mexico after a congressman implied the Mexican government is losing control over its own country. Drug cartels are “undermining the Mexican state,” according to Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs western hemisphere subcommittee. Mack’s statement during a subcommittee hearing last week prompted a backlash of criticism in Mexico. Mexican political commentators also are upset by Mack’s statement that the Merida Initiative has shown few signs of success despite more than $1.5 billion in U.S. contributions. The Merida Initiative is a 2008 treaty between the United States and Mexico designed to fight drug cartels. It has included transfers of military equipment to Mexico and training for the Mexican Army and police. Mack’s committee is trying to find a [...] Continue Reading…
