FOREIGN SERVICE UPDATES

-- #Libya Diplomatic row arrest & detention of Sudan’s Consul-General in Libya / unauthorised visits to military prison #Libya Relations with #Sudan have been strained since Libya Dawn forced the Thinni givt to quit Tripoli #Libya Sudan publicly supports Thinni govt (Tobruk) BUT may quietly support Libya Dawn (Tripoli) accused of: arms + supplies provision Ban on Sudanese visiting #Libya lifted 6 wks ago {ban b/c fear visiting 'terrorists'} 2wks ago:  attaché at Sudanese embassy in Tripoli briefly kidnapped. Reason unknown. http://www.libyaherald.com/2015/04/09/diplomatic-row-over-detention-of-sudanese-consul/ -- #Libya rival forces warn Thinni govt against independent oil sales / will seize oil ports + facilities by force any attempt by Thinni to sell oil bypassing central bank + National Oil Corporation (NOC) will trigger military action. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/04/08/uk-libya-security-idUKKBN0MZ0EX20150408 -- #Libya Mar 15 al-Thinni accused #Turkey of sending weapons to Islamist rivals / terrorist militias in #Tripoli http://nationalinterest.org/feature/turkeys-secret-proxy-war-libya-12430 #Libya Mar 2015 proxy war > Egypt & UAE reportedly backing  al-Thinni (Tobruk, West recog.) >#Qatar + #Turkey back opposition NOTE Thinni govt = Tobruk (the West-backed interim govt - lost control) http://nationalinterest.org/feature/turkeys-secret-proxy-war-libya-12430 VIDEO Putin: Who gave NATO right to kill Gaddafi? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw5Ij_RFJ1Q ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ VIDEO Gaddafi: From Popular Hero to Isolated Dictator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4JbOlakWZo -- Qatar Bangladesh ambassador to Qatar / recalled http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/apr/11/ambassador-qatar-pays-conflicts-among-ruling-party-leaders -- Qatar Capital: Doha Pop: 2.169 million 2013 GDP per capita: 93,714.06 USD 2013 accepted 90,000 #Bangladesh workers in 2014 [dhakatribune] Qatar 2013 - foreign workers total:  1,449,234 Labour market info:  http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/32431/GLMM_ExpNote_08-2014.pdf?sequence=1 #Qatar - oil / gas+ low pop. = high GDP. One of world's biggest LNG exporters in past decade Diversification *INFRASTRUCTURE*  Qatar Qatar's non-hydrocarbon sector fuels 2015 economy http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-31809-qatars-non-hydrocarbon-sector-fuels-2015-economy/ COMMENT Still have trouble remembering the two governments, so there's more than my standard look ups.  But I'm not keeping a close watch on Libya and just take an interest as random articles come up, so it's easy to forget where things fit. Massive number of foreign workers in Qatar.  Massive GDP.  Small population.  Economy has broadened its base, which is a bonus now that oil prices have plunged ... but it's not like Qatar would go broke.  From prior checks, their economy is in substantial surplus.  Loads of expenditure on infrastructure, which means foreign companies are probably making big money there. I like looking at Putin and I find Gaddafi fascinating, so I've thrown in a couple of the videos I've viewed.  Had no idea Gaddafi's family were Bedouin.  Knew that there was some kind of IRA link and I was surprised by that because Ireland's such a long way from his desert oasis.  Don't know a whole lot about that.  Arms supply, I think it was.  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ PS  .... that video didn't show enough of Putin.  And, as usual, we can't hear him properly!  I don't care if I can't understand; I want to hear him speaking without the volume turned down and commentary laid over the top.  Can't be that hard to do a few basic written translations at the bottom of the screen.

FOREIGN SERVICE UPDATES

Sweden refused to renew a 10-year-old weapons deal w SaudiArabia Saudi ambassador recalled / diplomatic rift SaudiArabia = 3rd largest non-Western buyer of Sweden arms @ 338 million kronor ($39 million) 2014 Right-wing Svenska Dagbladet says:  Swedish industry “must be allowed to trade ... even with dictatorships.” http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Mar-12/290479-saudi-arabia-recalls-envoy-to-sweden-after-military-ties-cut.ashx DAILY STAR - EXTRACT [...] Swedish Foreign Ministry spokesman Gabriel Wernstedt said the Saudis were recalling their ambassador because of “Sweden’s criticism regarding human rights and democracy” in the ultraconservative kingdom. The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the Saudi Foreign Ministry recalled its diplomat because it considered remarks by Sweden’s foreign minister about the kingdom as “blatant interference it its internal affairs. Saudi Arabia is the third largest non-Western buyer of Swedish arms. In 2014, Riyadh bought equipment worth 338 million kronor ($39 million). [... ] But an opening speech she was due to give in which she stressed human rights, with a particular emphasis on rights for women, was canceled. The speech was later published by the Swedish Foreign Ministry. Wallstroem has rarely commented on Saudi Arabia but in January she condemned the kingdom’s treatment of blogger Raef Badawi, who had been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam. [...] Wallstroem told news agency TT Wednesday her government had made the “correct” decision by ending the agreement. “I feel that when I speak about democracy and human rights, I do with the support of the Swedish people.”  [Oh, please.  What about the human rights of ethnic-Russian citizens of eastern Ukraine & supporting their murder by supporting the Proshenko Ukraine puppet govt.?] [...] The Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said Tuesday only cooperation in medicine and gender studies would remain on offer. “What we have is an open invitation to partake in medical and gender training, but the Saudi side has not shown any interest.” [...] Commenting on the severed military ties, liberal writer Fredrik Segerfeldt wrote that Sweden’s objective was “to become a moral power” on the world stage. But taking a stance against Saudi Arabia today risked Sweden’s credibility as a business partner, according to some center-right opposition politicians and the Swedish business community. “Foreign policy is not only about other countries,” right-wing daily Svenska Dagbladet wrote in an editorial, noting that Swedish industry “must be allowed to trade ... even with dictatorships.” -- COMMENT RE SWEDEN ARMS DEAL CANCELLATION: "Swedish people must be so proud of their leaders. Exciting to see principles come before money for once." Ummm, I'm not actually convinced of this.  Swedish politics as a whole is not geared to serve 'principles before money'.  Some sectors of Sweden's politics may well genuinely believe in this, and there may have been a push that forced the cancellation; but overall, politics, trade and military (which serves trade & other interests) are not geared to function on bleeding heart principles. BANGLADESH EXAMPLE Dhaka Bangladesh Sweden Embassy + Business Sweden co-host Swe bus. delegation - power, telecommunications, roads, bridges + transport  Ambass: Johan Frisell - nonchalant re political climate for biz Sweden  11 large Sweden corporations delegates attend http://bdnews24.com/business/2015/03/11/swedish-business-delegation-in-dhaka-to-explore-investment-prospects Bangladesh / Sweden  Trade is dominated by the textile & ready-made garments. abt. USD$338-m (I think) {30bn Tk} Hey, Sweden ... Govt crackdown: civil & media Atheist bloggers arrested, activist in prison & more http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/bangladesh If Sweden is to operate on human rights & principles basis, doing business in Bangladesh (& probably most of the rest of the world) might prove a problem.  Most Sweden business is in garments & textiles. I smell SWEAT SHOPS.   http://bdnews24.com/business/2015/03/11/swedish-business-delegation-in-dhaka-to-explore-investment-prospects Sweatshops in Bangladesh 3.5m workers produce goods for export global market, primarily:  USA & EU 85%  However, Bangladesh women producers have little improvement in lives: http://www.waronwant.org/overseas-work/sweatshops-and-plantations/sweatshops-in-bangladesh GOLDMINE  Not only SWEATSHOPS vs HUMAN RIGHTS but also WOMEN exploited vs FEMINIST GOVT SWEDEN ... -- USA - where's the transparency?  Report:  Only .00006 Percent of State Dept. E-mails Archived 2011 http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/email-fraction-archived-official/2015/03/11/id/629628/  Hillary Clinton --  Kenya US embassy Trivia: 19 federal USG agencies operating out of US Embassy Kenya as at 2012 -- Morocco has recalled its ambassador from Nigeria Morocco denies its King spoke on phone to Goodluck Nigeria insists phone conversations took place Morocco claims using King re election campaign Morocco denies Nigeria's further assertions http://www.360nobs.com/2015/03/morocco-closes-its-embassy-over-fallout-with-federal-government/ -- Pakistan US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale reassignment to Pak. Not yet official nomination {extensive Middle East experience} http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Mar-12/290475-us-ambassador-hale-may-be-posted-to-pakistan.ashx -- Charles S Cohen Chairman of Cohen Media Group to be honoured France for promo French cinema in US http://www.prurgent.com/2015-03-11/pressrelease378605.htm  Film Media France Cultural Services of French Embassy = platform > French +  US artists, intellectuals, educators, students, tech etc -- Georgia Iran diplomatic spat Georgia Justice Min. Tsulukian China, Iran, Iraq + Egypt entry 'undesirable' http://www.eurasianet.org/node/72481 Georgia said to be pandering to anti-immigration voters Georgia says abiding by: association agreement signed w EU in 2014. -- D-Day Mission Bulgaria GREAT Mega Mission 2015 4-day initiative of UK largest visit of its kind to Bulgaria + Romania UKTI 2020 double trade aim [publics.bg] Bulgaria UK 50 top UK coys, 200 Bulgarian delegates Eyeing: >nuclear >oil + gas >mass transport >water & enviro http://www.publics.bg/en/news/12152/GREAT_Mega_Mission_2015_in_Bulgaria.html -- UK shadow foreign secretary says pursuing reopening of the UK embassy in Iran British grovelling ... mistakes made http://tehrantimes.com/politics/122509-shadow-foreign-secretary-says-he-pushes-for-reopening-uk-embassy-in-iran- -- UK Opened New Consulate in India, the Seventh [Prensa Latina] Ahmedabad Bangalore Chandigarh – new – {Large Punjabi Community in UK} Chennai Delhi - High Commission (embassy) Goa – tourist info office Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Pune – Commercial Office -- LOL... Timely UK suck job ingratiation {for trade}: Statue of Mahatma Gandhi for Parliament Square in London on Sat David Cameron attending Hammond attended opening new consulate. Slaughter of independence supporters by British Amritsar Punjab 1919 not mentioned. Amritsar Punjab 1919 Slaughter by British =  over 400 dead, incl. many women & children http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3610931&Itemid=1 -- #Turkey Syrian citizen, #Canada spy actively helped 3 teenage UK girls pass into Syria to join ISIS admitted on payroll of Canada intelligence #Canada - a #NATO ally knee-deep in #ISIS http://www.dailysabah.com/columns/ilnur-cevik/2015/03/14/canada-has-much-to-explain-about-isis-links #Canada Embassy Jordan run by Bruno Saccomani hand-picked former bodyguard to Stephen Harper linked to an interl terrorism & spy scandal #Canada   -   Ooh La La SPY SCANDAL - ISIS #Syria intel operative Mohammed Mehmet Rashid     — dubbed Doctor Mehmet Rashid     x3 London schoolgirls http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/03/13/safety-minister-silent-amid-claims-that-the-spy-accused-of-helping-girls-join-isis-was-working-for-canada/