upn-10-world news-窮國的貪污腐敗行為危及除貧鬥爭
窮國的貪污腐敗行為危及除貧鬥爭 記者： 佩斯
倫敦
2008年9月24日
監督世界各地腐敗程度的組織‘透明國際’說，在貧窮國家的非法行為正危及剷除貧窮的鬥爭。‘透明國際’在最近發表的報告中說，外援務必要更有針對性，並且應該在更謹慎仔細的監督下提供，以確保援助用在當用之處。
設在柏林的‘透明國際’對180個國家的相關指標進行審視，以衡量在該國開展商業或者進行援助的狀態。
瑞典、丹麥和紐西蘭名列前茅，它們是腐敗最少又是最為透明的國家。索馬利亞和伊拉克位於最差的國家中間。
凱爾索在柏林接受美國之音採訪時說，在索馬利亞持續不斷的衝突及軍閥統治徹底破壞了一切管理或者發展能力。
他說：“任何想在那裏有所作為的人、任何給予索馬利亞的援助，都必需經過嚴密的監督，因為那些援助並非直接給予教育、衛生或者民眾所需的清潔水源，相反的是，每個人都會企圖從中漁利、中飽私囊。”
凱爾索說，人們普遍認為伊拉克也仍然非常腐敗，是個難以開展商業活動的地方，一個始終存在的問題是那些金錢都到哪去了。
他說：“那些石油都到什麼地方去了？得付多少賄賂？所有指派合同的程式都不明不白、曖昧不清，其中包括建造新學校、鋪設油管或者建設發電設施。”
“透明國際”的報告說，這些情況不但直接影響商務和援助機構，而且也對接受國有直接的負面影響。腐敗國家對外國投資商缺乏吸引力，這就會影響經濟的成長與發展。並往往會給予最貧困的人們最為沉重的打擊。凱爾索說，外國援助應當更為審慎地針對目標。
他說：“也必需對來自發達國家的外援進行評估，看這些外援實際上有多少是給予最為貧困的民眾的，誰在挪用資金，某一國家的特權階層是否在盜竊並且挪用大量的資金。”
凱爾索說，援助國必需對援助款項進行謹慎的監督，而外國企業和投資商不應當無視腐敗現象而同意支付賄賂。
在今年的這份報告中，美國在180個國家中排名第十八位。
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uptoday at 無名小站 於 04:41 PM 發表 | 回應(0) | 引用(0) | 刪除 | 修改 | 轉寄給朋友
September 25, 2008
upn-09-economic news-財經簡訊(2008年9月24日)
財經簡訊(2008年9月24日) 記者： 雨田
華盛頓
2008年9月24日
9月24日星期三，美國股市漲跌互見。巴菲特決定投資50億美元購買高盛集團的優先股，投資者對此感到振奮，股市早盤一度上揚。不過，市場對尚待國會批准的鉅資金融救援計劃的有效性感到擔憂。道指和標普指數晚盤時小幅下挫。
星期三收盤時：
道瓊斯工業平均指數下降29，降幅為0.27%，以10,825.17收盤；
標準普爾500種股票指數下滑2.35，約為0.20%，以1185.87作收；
以高科技公司為主的納斯達克綜合指數上升2.35，升幅為0.11%，收在2155.68。
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9月24日星期三，由於投資人預期美國國會對布希政府提出以七千億美元救援金融機構的計劃審查過細將拖延有關法案的通過，美元走軟。美元兌歐元匯率下滑到將近一個月來的最低水準。美聯儲主席伯南剋星期三在國會參眾兩院聯合經濟委員會舉行的聽證會上說，美國金融市場的穩定正在受到嚴重威脅。
到美國之音財經縱橫截稿時間為止，在紐約貨幣市場上，一美元兌換106.135日元，0.6839歐元，1.0371加元，0.5413英鎊，1.1993澳元，1.0917瑞士法郎。美元兌人民幣匯率是一比6.828。歐元兌人民幣匯率是一比9.9832。
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國際貨幣基金組織(IMF)稱，從現在直到2009年，全球大約50個發展中國家依然受到食品和燃油價格上漲的損害。該組織估計，在低收入國家中，燃油凈進口國正面臨燃油支出增加600億美元，相當於其GDP的3.2%。43個糧食凈進口國的糧食支出增加72億美元，相當於GDP的0.8%。
IMF指出，今年第2季度低收入國家的平均通脹率上升了將近3個百分點，預計到今年年底通脹率將超過13%。
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美聯儲與更多國家央行達成貨幣互換協議，旨在向全球金融市場提供更多的美元流動性。美聯儲與澳大利亞、瑞典、丹麥和挪威的中央銀行達成共300億美元的貨幣互換協議。
上星期美聯儲與歐洲央行、以及日本、英國、瑞士和加拿大的央行達成1800億美元的貨幣互換協議，用於緩解金融市場流動性短缺的問題。美聯儲表示，各央行將繼續合作，並將根據需要採取進一步行動。
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全美房地產經紀人協會(NAR)報告說，8月份美國的二手房銷售較去年同期下降了10.7%，較7月份下降了2.2%，經季節調整後按年率計算為491萬套。低於分析師預測的494萬套。7月份的二手房銷售向上修正為502萬套。
8月份二手房銷售價格中間值下降了9.5%，從一年前的22萬4400美元下降到20萬3100美元。其中，獨棟房銷售中間價下跌了9.7%，創下自1968年開始發佈該項數據以來的最大跌幅。
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據美國抵押貸款銀行協會(MBA)公佈的數據，上個星期美國的購房抵押貸款申請和再融資貸款申請指數跟前個星期相比下降了10.6%，為591.4。其中購房抵押貸款申請指數下降10%為342.2。再融資貸款申請指數滑落11.2%至2043.4。
房貸需求下降主要因為貸款成本上升。上周的30年期固定貸款平均利率從前一週的5.82%上升到6.08%。15年期固定貸款平均利率由5.54%升至5.84%。
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美國聯邦調查局(FBI)對處於當前金融震蕩核心的四家美國金融機構展開調查。聯邦調查局正在對房貸融資機構房利美和房地美、保險公司美國國際集團以及投資銀行雷曼兄弟這四家公司可能存在的欺詐行為進行調查。這是FBI廣泛的金融欺詐調查的一部分。FBI表示，目前正在對26家公司展開調查，另外，全美國目前還有1400多起抵押貸款欺詐案正在調查之中。
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美國加州大學洛杉磯分校安德森預測中心發佈報告稱，受房地產市場滑坡等因素影響，從現在到2009年加利福尼亞州的失業率將持續高於7%。這項報告指出，到今年年底之前，加州的失業率將繼續上升達到7.4%，2009年的各個季度失業率將持續在這一高位附近徘徊。報告還稱，加州的房價將在明年某個時候觸底，但在那之後的幾個月該州經濟將依然低迷。
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據知情人士透露，美國高盛集團(Goldman Sachs)計劃公開發售50億美元普通股，較其最初計劃的售股規模高出一倍。另外，高盛宣佈將以私募的方式向投資大師巴菲特的伯克夏-海瑟威公司(Berkshire Hathaway)出售50億美元的永久性優先股。此外，伯克夏-海瑟威還獲得權證，可在5年內的任何時間裏以每股115美元的行權價購買高盛50億美元的普通股，這一價格較高盛週二的股票收盤價低了8%。
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歐洲央行管理委員會委員、馬爾他央行行長博內羅(Michael Bonello)表示，歐元區經濟可能將在第4季度復蘇。博內羅說，我仍然認為到第4季度之前歐元區經濟至少將走過谷底。他還表示，貨幣政策無法修正金融系統，通脹風險依然處於上行，中央銀行的首要任務是確保物價穩定。分析人士指出，博內羅的這番評論表明，他認為沒有必要下調基準利率。
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英國銀行家協會(BBA)星期三公佈稱，一個月期美元倫敦銀行間同業拆借利率(Libor)跳升了22個基點，達到3.43%，成為今年1月以來的最高水準。一個月期歐元Libor上揚7個基點為4.91%，一個月期英鎊Libor也攀升7個基點至5.91%。
另外，用於衡量貨幣市場資金充足狀況的倫敦銀行間同業拆借利率與隔夜指數掉期(Libor/OIS)利率之差擴大了30個基點，達到165個基點，是至少自2001年12月以來的最高水準。Libor/OIS息差擴大被視為銀行間拆借的意願下降，表明流動性狀況繼續惡化。
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9月份德國的商業信心下降到3年多以來的最低點。德國IFO經濟研究所報告說，9月份的商業景氣指數從8月份的94.8下降到92.9，低於分析師預測的94.3，是連續第4個月下滑，並且是2005年5月以來的最低值。
報告顯示，9月份的現況指數從8月的103.2下降到99.8，預期指數從87降至86.5。經濟學家指出，全球金融市場動蕩加劇令經濟增長前景黯淡，德國的零售和批發業信心以及消費者信心也都出現下降。
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9月份法國的商業信心降至5年來的最低水準。據法國國家統計局發佈的數據，反映約4000家製造商的信心指數從7月份的97下降到9月份的92，低於經濟學家預測的97，且是自2003年8月以來的最低水準。次級指數顯示，9月份的經濟前景指數從負33滑落到負42，訂單指數由負19跌至負24。一些專家說，全球經濟放緩使企業銷售前景惡化，希望商業信心能在年底之前反彈。
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9月份義大利的商業信心跌落至7年多以來的最低點。義大利ISAE經濟研究所稱，該國的商業信心指數從8月份的83.5下降到9月份的82.7，低於分析人士預測的83.2，並且成為2001年10月以來的最低記錄。其中，消費產品部門的信心指數從87.8下滑到87.2，投資產品部門信心從84.1降至81.3，中間產品部門信心由80.2跌落到70.4。經濟學家表示，當前的指數水準可能意味著意大利經濟增長停滯甚至已出現負增長。
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第3季度日本製造業的信心接近4年來的最低水準。日本內閣府和財務省公佈的報告顯示，今年第3季度日本製造商的信心指數為負10。第1季度的指數為負15.1。該指數小于零表明大多數製造商感到悲觀。經濟學家說，全球經濟放緩使得日本的出口走軟，國內物價上漲抑制消費者支出，目前該國經濟實際上已處於衰退之中，而且在明年之前都可能不會復蘇。
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據彭博新聞社對32名經濟學家進行的調查結果中間值顯示，8月份日本的不含新鮮食品價格在內的核心消費價格指數可能較去年同期上升了2.4%，這將是消費通脹率連續第2個月超過2%。一些經濟學家指出，由於石油價格下降，當前這個季度日本的核心消費價格正在觸頂，接下來幾個月物價將開始緩和，不過核心通脹率一段時間內將可能持續高於2%。
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香港最大的獨立本地銀行--東亞銀行受財務問題傳聞影響遭到民眾擠兌。此前有短信傳言稱，由於受到美國金融風暴的影響，東亞銀行的財務狀況不穩定。擔心存款安全的市民開始到東亞銀行在港的各家分行排隊取款。
東亞銀行、香港金融管理局以及香港財政司隨即出面澄清，稱此傳言毫無根據。擠兌事件導致東亞銀行股價星期三大幅下挫了11%。
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中國毒奶粉事件的影響日漸擴大，目前已有至少12個國家宣佈禁止進口中國奶製品。自2個星期前中國毒奶粉事件曝光以來，孟加拉國、汶萊、日本、馬來西亞、菲律賓、新加坡、印尼、肯亞、蒲隆地和哥倫比亞等12個國家宣佈至少部分禁止從中國進口奶製品或可能含有牛奶的食品。
另外，歐盟、加拿大和澳大利亞等國敦促海關加強對從中國進口的相關食品的安全檢查。目前中國的毒奶粉事件已導致54000多名孩童患病，4名嬰兒死亡。
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uptoday at 無名小站 於 04:39 PM 發表 | 回應(0) | 引用(0) | 刪除 | 修改 | 轉寄給朋友
September 25, 2008
upn-08-world news-u.s.a. news-布希相信國會能批准救助金融計劃
布希相信國會能批准救助金融計劃 記者： 斯特恩斯
白宮
2008年9月24日
美國總統布希表示，他相信國會將就一個強有力的救助美國處於困境之中的金融部門的計劃達成一致。然而在美國國會，針對布希總統提出的7千億美元的救助計劃，存在著強烈的反對意見。
布希總統在紐約聯合國大會開幕的空隙，會見了其他西半球的國家領導人，討論自由貿易的問題。
但是美國自己的金融動蕩主導了這些會談。布希說，他知道，這些領導人希望了解有關他向國會遞交的救助計劃的問題。
他說：“他們可以看到，我們的立法程式充滿了互讓和妥協，有很多的辯論。但是我相信，當所有的辯論結束的時候，最終會有一個強有力的計劃，而且我們也需要有這樣的一個計劃。”
布希總統希望國會允許政府從有問題的金融公司那裏收購高達7千億美元的貶值資產。這些不良投資導致銀行不願意繼續提供貸款，而信貸的缺乏可能導致美國經濟停滯不前。
*民主黨領袖：不可接受*
布希總統的高級經濟顧問于星期二和星期三兩天到美國國會參眾兩院負責銀行、金融和經濟的委員會作證，敦促他們儘快批准這個救助方案。但是國會的民主黨領袖把這個計劃目前的樣子稱作是“不可接受”的。有些資深的共和黨議員也說，必需對這個方案進行仔細的審查以確保它不會浪費納稅人的錢。
布希總統取消了星期三齣席在佛羅裏達舉行的一個政治競選籌款會的計劃，而是在紐約參加了聯合國大會之後便返回白宮。
*會見自由貿易協議國領導人*
布希和墨西哥總統準備講話
布希總統在紐約會見了11個與美國簽署了自由貿易協議的國家的領導人。其中有些自貿協議還有待美國國會的批准。
他說：“這些協議是互惠的。而且最重要的是，它們對小企業主、工人以及農場主會有所幫助。”
布希總統與加拿大、智利、哥倫比亞、哥斯大黎加、多明尼加、薩爾瓦多、瓜地馬拉、宏都拉斯、墨西哥、巴拿馬和秘魯的領導人就一個新的計劃達成一致，繼續推廣自由貿易的經濟利益。
他說：“這個倡議將提供一個平臺，使各國領導人能夠共同努力確保貿易的好處得到普遍的分享。它將深化區域市場之間的聯繫。它將擴展我們在發展問題上的合作。”
布希總統說，在北美自由貿易協議生效以來的將近15年時間裏，美國、加拿大和墨西哥之間的貿易總共增長了兩倍多。
布希總統再次呼籲國會批准美國同哥倫比亞、巴拿馬和南韓的自由貿易協議。
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uptoday at 無名小站 於 04:38 PM 發表 | 回應(0) | 引用(0) | 刪除 | 修改 | 轉寄給朋友
September 25, 2008
upn-07-world news-u.s.a news-布希警告說經濟面臨危險
布希警告說經濟面臨危險 記者： 美國之音
華盛頓
2008年9月25日
布希在白宮講話談金融危機
布希總統說，美國整體經濟處於危險之中，國會如果沒有立即行動，美國可能經歷長期和痛苦的衰退。
在星期三晚間向全國發表的電視講話中，布希呼籲支援他的政府的7千億美元金融市場拯救計劃。
布希承認這項計劃讓國會議員很難決定如何投票，但是他說，現在不通過法案將讓美國人以後付出更多代價。布希發出了嚴峻的警告，他說股市會下跌更多，房產價值將直線下落，房屋被收回的數量將急劇增加，更多企業要關門，幾百萬美國人會失去工作。
布希總統說，他已經邀請國會領導人和總統候選人麥凱恩和奧巴馬星期四到白宮舉行會議，討論這一拯救計劃。
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September 25, 2008
upn-06-world news-u.s.a. news-Text of President Bush's Speech on Financial Crisis
Text of President Bush's Speech on Financial Crisis
By VOA News
25 September 2008
Text of President Bush's speech to the nation on the US financial crisis
24 Sep 2008
President Bush delievers TV speech on financial crisis, 24 Sep 2008
BUSH: Good evening. This is an extraordinary period for America's economy.
Over the past few weeks, many Americans have felt anxiety about their finances and their future. I understand their worry and their frustration.
We've seen triple-digit swings in the stock market. Major financial institutions have teetered on the edge of collapse, and some have failed. As uncertainty has grown, many banks have restricted lending, credit markets have frozen, and families and businesses have found it harder to borrow money.
We're in the midst of a serious financial crisis, and the federal government is responding with decisive action.
We boosted confidence in money market mutual funds and acted to prevent major investors from intentionally driving down stocks for their own personal gain.
Most importantly, my administration is working with Congress to address the root cause behind much of the instability in our markets.
Financial assets related to home mortgages have lost value during the house decline, and the banks holding these assets have restricted credit. As a result, our entire economy is in danger.
So I propose that the federal government reduce the risk posed by these troubled assets and supply urgently needed money so banks and other financial institutions can avoid collapse and resume lending.
This rescue effort is not aimed at preserving any individual company or industry. It is aimed at preserving America's overall economy.
It will help American consumers and businesses get credit to meet their daily needs and create jobs. And it will help send a signal to markets around the world that America's financial system is back on track.
I know many Americans have questions tonight: How did we reach this point in our economy? How will the solution I propose work? And what does this mean for your financial future?
These are good questions, and they deserve clear answers.
First, how did our economy reach this point? Well, most economists agree that the problems we're witnessing today developed over a long period of time. For more than a decade, a massive amount of money flowed into the United States from investors abroad because our country is an attractive and secure place to do business.
This large influx of money to U.S. banks and financial institutions, along with low interest rates, made it easier for Americans to get credit. These developments allowed more families to borrow money for cars, and homes, and college tuition, some for the first time. They allowed more entrepreneurs to get loans to start new businesses and create jobs.
Unfortunately, there were also some serious negative consequences, particularly in the housing market. Easy credit, combined with the faulty assumption that home values would continue to rise, led to excesses and bad decisions.
Many mortgage lenders approved loans for borrowers without carefully examining their ability to pay. Many borrowers took out loans larger than they could afford, assuming that they could sell or refinance their homes at a higher price later on.
Optimism about housing values also led to a boom in home construction. Eventually, the number of new houses exceeded the number of people willing to buy them. And with supply exceeding demand, housing prices fell, and this created a problem.
Borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages, who had been planning to sell or refinance their homes at a higher price, were stuck with homes worth less than expected, along with mortgage payments they could not afford.
As a result, many mortgage-holders began to default. These widespread defaults had effects far beyond the housing market.
See, in today's mortgage industry, home loans are often packaged together and converted into financial products called mortgage-backed securities. These securities were sold to investors around the world.
Many investors assumed these securities were trustworthy and asked few questions about their actual value. Two of the leading purchasers of mortgage-backed securities were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Because these companies were chartered by Congress, many believed they were guaranteed by the federal government. This allowed them to borrow enormous sums of money, fuel the market for questionable investments, and put our financial system at risk.
The decline in the housing market set off a domino effect across our economy. When home values declined, borrowers defaulted on their mortgages, and investors holding mortgage-backed securities began to incur serious losses.
Before long, these securities became so unreliable that they were not being bought or sold. Investment banks, such as Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers, found themselves saddled with large amounts of assets they could not sell. They ran out of money needed to meet their immediate obligations, and they faced imminent collapse.
Other banks found themselves in severe financial trouble. These banks began holding on to their money, and lending dried up, and the gears of the American financial system began grinding to a halt.
With the situation becoming more precarious by the day, I faced a choice, to step in with dramatic government action or to stand back and allow the irresponsible actions of some to undermine the financial security of all.
I'm a strong believer in free enterprise, so my natural instinct is to oppose government intervention. I believe companies that make bad decisions should be allowed to go out of business.
Under normal circumstances, I would have followed this course. But these are not normal circumstances. The market is not functioning properly. There has been a widespread loss of confidence, and major sectors of America's financial system are at risk of shutting down.
The government's top economic experts warn that, without immediate action by Congress, America could slip into a financial panic and a distressing scenario would unfold.
More banks could fail, including some in your community. The stock market would drop even more, which would reduce the value of your retirement account. The value of your home could plummet. Foreclosures would rise dramatically.
And if you own a business or a farm, you would find it harder and more expensive to get credit. More businesses would close their doors, and millions of Americans could lose their jobs.
Even if you have good credit history, it would be more difficult for you to get the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college. And, ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession.
Fellow citizens, we must not let this happen. I appreciate the work of leaders from both parties in both houses of Congress to address this problem and to make improvements to the proposal my administration sent to them.
There is a spirit of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans and between Congress and this administration. In that spirit, I've invited Senators McCain and Obama to join congressional leaders of both parties at the White House tomorrow to help speed our discussions toward a bipartisan bill.
I know that an economic rescue package will present a tough vote for many members of Congress. It is difficult to pass a bill that commits so much of the taxpayers' hard-earned money.
I also understand the frustration of responsible Americans who pay their mortgages on time, file their tax returns every April 15th, and are reluctant to pay the cost of excesses on Wall Street.
But given the situation we are facing, not passing a bill now would cost these Americans much more later.
Many Americans are asking, how would a rescue plan work? After much discussion, there's now widespread agreement on the principles such a plan would include.
It would remove the risk posed by the troubled assets, including mortgage-backed securities, now clogging the financial system. This would free banks to resume the flow of credit to American families and businesses.
Any rescue plan should also be designed to ensure that taxpayers are protected. It should welcome the participation of financial institutions, large and small. It should make certain that failed executives do not receive a windfall from your tax dollars.
It should establish a bipartisan board to oversee the plan's implementation, and it should be enacted as soon as possible.
In close consultation with Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and SEC Chairman Chris Cox, I announced a plan on Friday.
First, the plan is big enough to solve a serious problem. Under our proposal, the federal government would put up to $700 billion taxpayer dollars on the line to purchase troubled assets that are clogging the financial system.
In the short term, this will free up banks to resume the flow of credit to American families and businesses, and this will help our economy grow.
Second, as markets have lost confidence in mortgage-backed securities, their prices have dropped sharply, yet the value of many of these assets will likely be higher than their current price, because the vast majority of Americans will ultimately pay off their mortgages.
The government is the one institution with the patience and resources to buy these assets at their current low prices and hold them until markets return to normal.
And when that happens, money will flow back to the Treasury as these assets are sold, and we expect that much, if not all, of the tax dollars we invest will be paid back.
The final question is, what does this mean for your economic future? Well, the primary steps -- purpose of the steps I've outlined tonight is to safeguard the financial security of American workers, and families, and small businesses. The federal government also continues to enforce laws and regulations protecting your money.
The Treasury Department recently offered government insurance for money market mutual funds. And through the FDIC, every savings account, checking account, and certificate of deposit is insured by the federal government for up to $100,000.
The FDIC has been in existence for 75 years, and no one has ever lost a penny on an insured deposit, and this will not change.
Once this crisis is resolved, there will be time to update our financial regulatory structures. Our 21st-century global economy remains regulated largely by outdated 20th-century laws.
Recently, we've seen how one company can grow so large that its failure jeopardizes the entire financial system.
Earlier this year, Secretary Paulson proposed a blueprint that would modernize our financial regulations. For example, the Federal Reserve would be authorized to take a closer look at the operations of companies across the financial spectrum and ensure that their practices do not threaten overall financial stability.
There are other good ideas, and members of Congress should consider them. As they do, they must ensure that efforts to regulate Wall Street do not end up hampering our economy's ability to grow.
In the long run, Americans have good reason to be confident in our economic strength. Despite corrections in the marketplace and instances of abuse, democratic capitalism is the best system ever devised.
It has unleashed the talents and the productivity and entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens. It has made this country the best place in the world to invest and do business. And it gives our economy the flexibility and resilience to absorb shocks, adjust, and bounce back.
Our economy is facing a moment of great challenge, but we've overcome tough challenges before, and we will overcome this one.
I know that Americans sometimes get discouraged by the tone in Washington and the seemingly endless partisan struggles, yet history has shown that, in times of real trial, elected officials rise to the occasion.
And together we will show the world once again what kind of country America is: a nation that tackles problems head on, where leaders come together to meet great tests, and where people of every background can work hard, develop their talents, and realize their dreams.
Thank you for listening. May God bless you.
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September 25, 2008
upn-05-world news-middle east -Israel's President Offers Olive Branch to Arab Leaders at
Israel's President Offers Olive Branch to Arab Leaders at UN
By Margaret Besheer
United Nations
24 September 2008
Besheer report - Download (MP3)
Besheer report - Listen (MP3)
Israel's President has invited Arab leaders to come to Jerusalem to discuss the peace process. Shimon Peres said he would gladly accept an Arab invitation to go to a place where meaningful dialogue could occur. He made the offer during his address to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday. From United Nation's headquarters in New York, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more on the second day of the annual meeting.
Israeli President Shimon Peres addresses 63rd session of United Nations General Assembly, 24 Sept. 2008
President Peres told the General Assembly that Israel is ready to negotiate full peace with the Palestinians to achieve two states living side-by-side in peace and security.
"We tried to conclude those negotiations this year. It will take apparently a longer period of time. I believe it can be accomplished within the next year," he said.
He said his country is ready to explore a comprehensive compromise that could lead to peace with Syria as well, saying that Israel has suggested face-to-face meetings with President Bashar al-Assad, but has not yet received an answer.
Mr. Peres also reached out to Lebanon, suggesting immediate peace with that neighbor is possible.
And he urged Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah to follow up on the peace initiative he introduced during the Arab League Summit in Beirut in 2002, that offered normalization of relations between Arab States and Israel in exchange for a full withdrawal from Arab territories and a Palestinian state.
But on the subject of Iran, President Peres said Tehran is at the "center of violence and fanaticism" and is a danger to the world because of its hateful attitude toward Israel, its state support of terrorism and its efforts to develop nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
"The Iranian people are not our enemies. Their fanatic leadership is their problem and the world's worry," Mr. Peres said. "Their leader is a danger to his own people, to the region, to the world. He is a disgrace to the ancient Iranian people and tradition. He is a disgrace to the values of Islam and all religions. He is a disgrace to this house - the United Nations - its basic principles and values. His appearance here is already a shame."
Mr. Peres was referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who addressed the Assembly on Tuesday. During his speech, Mr. Ahmadinejad lashed out at the Jewish state, blaming what he called a "Zionist network" for controlling American and European foreign policy and dominating world financial markets in a deceitful and secretive manner.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai addresses the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday, 24 Sept. 2008 at the United Nations
Also addressing the General Assembly on Wednesday was Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai. He said terrorism still plagues his country and has spread to neighbors Pakistan and India.
"To the extent that terrorism in our region continues to be a global threat, evolving in nature and tactics, the struggle against it must continue unabated," Mr. Karzai said.
While China's Premier Wen Jiabao thanked the international community for its support during his country's devastating earthquake in May and as it hosted the Summer Olympic Games. He said China is now on a path of sustained development that would be achieved through reform and openness.
The General Assembly also heard Wednesday from a number of presidents, including those from Mexico, Ukraine, Chile, Sri Lanka and Senegal. The annual meeting continues on Thursday, when the presidents of Iraq, Zimbabwe and Pakistan are among those scheduled to speak.
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September 25, 2008
upn-04-world news-europe news-Ukrainian Leader Cautiously Condemns Russian Aggression
Ukrainian Leader Cautiously Condemns Russian Aggression
By VOA News
24 September 2008
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko addresses the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, 24 Sep 2008
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has denounced Russia's recent military incursion into Georgia, and Moscow's ongoing armed occupation of Georgian territory.
Mr. Yushchenko told the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday that Ukraine does not recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia - the pro-Russian breakaway territories in Georgia that Moscow has recognized as independent states.
The Ukrainian leader said his country sympathizes with all those hurt by last month's conflict in Georgia - Ossetians, Russians and Georgians alike. He called on the General Assembly to work towards peaceful settlement of the conflict, and he said Ukraine will support all such efforts.
He also voiced concern about the rise of what he called Cold War rhetoric. But he said tensions in the Caucasus can not be solved either by isolating Russia or by the continued use of military force.
Mr. Yushchenko also noted that his country is marking the 75th anniversary of the Great Famine, known as Holodomor. He called on all former Soviet-bloc countries to commemorate their national tragedies and never to forget the crimes committed under the totalitarian regimes of Stalin and other leaders.
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September 25, 2008
upn-03-world news-asia news-India's Tata Motors Removes Equipment From 'Cheapest Car&
India's Tata Motors Removes Equipment From 'Cheapest Car' Plant
By VOA News
24 September 2008
India's Tata Motors has begun removing equipment from its "cheapest car" factory in eastern India, after no resolution in a land dispute.
A Tata spokesman would not comment Wednesday, but there are reports that the equipment is being moved from the Singur plant in West Bengal state to Tata's existing facility in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
A first look at the world's cheapest car, Tata's Nano, 10 Jan 2008
The Tata plant was set to manufacture what is being called the world's cheapest car - the "Nano."
Work has been shut down for several weeks after deadly protests by the West Bengal's opposition party, which says that local villagers were unfairly compensated for their land, that was used to build the factory.
Efforts to resolve the standoff have failed, with protesters recently rejecting a government offer to return 30 hectares of land.
Tata officials have said they are considering moving the plant out of West Bengal.
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September 25, 2008
upn-02-world news-americas news-Brazilian President Calls for Reform of International Institu
Brazilian President Calls for Reform of International Institutions
By VOA News
23 September 2008
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the general debate of the 63rd session of the General Assembly, 23 Sep 2008
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called for the reform of multilateral institutions to enable them to prevent a future financial crisis.
In a speech Tuesday before the U.N. General Assembly, Mr. da Silva said financial, food, energy, environmental and migratory crises reveal the multilateral system must be overhauled to meet 21st Century challenges.
The Brazilian leader said today's international economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization lack the authority and tools needed to stop what he called the "anarchy of speculation."
He said only decisive actions by governments, especially in countries at the center of the crises, will be able to control the disorder that has spread through the world's financial sector.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner also addressed the General Assembly Tuesday.
Mr. da Silva also linked the rise of global food prices to increased oil prices. He said Brazil's use of sugar cane ethanol and biodiesel fuels reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, create jobs, regenerate degraded land, and are compatible with increased food production.
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September 25, 2008
upn-01-world news-africa news-South Africa President Mbeki Expected to Officially Step Down T
South Africa President Mbeki Expected to Officially Step Down Thursday
By Peter Clottey
Washington, D.C.
25 September 2008
Clottey Interview With Professor Adams Habib - Download (MP3)
Clottey Interview With Professor Adams Habib - Listen (MP3)
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki is expected to officially step down today (Thursday) after the ruling African National Congress Party (ANC) appointed an interim leader. Mbeki resigned this week after he was accused of politically influencing graft charges against ANC leader Jacob Zuma. Mbeki denied the charges and has gone to the Constitutional Court to clear his name.
The ANC claims the demand for Mbeki's resignation was necessary for party unity. However, some observes say Mbeki's departure was the climax of a long and bitter battle with Zuma, who toppled him last December as leader of the ANC.
Meanwhile, South Africa's parliament is expected to appoint ANC deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe as interim president until a general election is held next year. Professor Adams Habib is a South African political analyst. He tells reporter Peter Clottey from Johannesburg that the country will have an interim president today.
"Yes, I think that definitely it is going to happen either by 11 O'clock to two O'clock today. You will see Kgalema Motlanthe be elected president of the country and Thabo Mbeki officially stepping down. The resignation of Thabo Mbeki is dated to take effect today, so clearly the ANC will move quickly to ensure that Kgalema Motlanthe is appointed. What is that likely? Well, I'm almost certain immediately after that, Kgalema Motlanthe will appoint his cabinet and get the process going and then hopefully that would create a level of certainty in the South African context," Habib noted.
He said President Mbeki's resignation signals a dawn of new leadership in South Africa.
"I do think that today Thursday represent the end of one era and the beginning of another. And that is something that probably is going to happen within hours," he said.
Habib said recent developments lend credence to the deep-rooted divisions within the ruling ANC party.
"I must say a couple of things, and it seems to me personally that the ANC is a very divided organization and the ANC leadership has a habit of denying divisions within the organization. But if you listen to Gwede Mantashe, the general secretary of the ANC the entire rationale of recalling Mbeki was to heal the organization. Why would you want to heal the organization if it wasn't divided in the first place? Habib asked.
Habib said the massive resignation of Mbeki's cabinet after he tendered his resignation has different political undertones.
"The resignations themselves are interesting because they could represent two issues. One is that they could have resigned; some of them did resign on principle saying that they didn't want to participate in another government under another president. But then others said that they were resigning, but were open to re-appointment by the new president. They felt that it's important as cabinet members to resign because they were appointed by the last president and that they would be appointed for re-appointment by the new president and that included Trevor Manuel (finance Minister) Aziz Pahad, and a whole range of others… I suspect that a fair degree of them would be carried over the next cabinet although some new faces are likely to emerge," Habib pointed out.
He said the ruling party's move of recalling President Mbeki would not particularly begin healing the deep rift among ANC partisans.
"I'm almost certain that it won't succeed in doing so. I think the divides are quite deep at the moment. Mbeki's speech itself was a magnificent exit speech; I think it was one of the best of his entire 15 years in office other than I am an African speech; I think it is his best effort. It was humane it was humble it was magnanimous. It was critical of the judge's remarks, but it was respectful of the judiciary and it encouraged South Africans to be committed to the political system and to the ANC and it said all the right things. And clearly he decided to go out in a dignified way, but I also I think it is important to bare in mind that it does represent a serious divide within the ANC. And clearly he is appealing to the constitutional court on Tuesday afternoon has antagonized an elevated the political temperatures in the Zuma camp," he said.
Meanwhile, more than one-third of South Africa's cabinet stepped down on Tuesday out of loyalty to Mbeki. Some political analysts say the reported deep rift is the worse crisis to hit the ruling ANC party since the end of apartheid.
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