2008年11月8日 星期六

upn-11/08-dinner news & china & hong kong lottery predict number

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December 9, 2008
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December 4, 2008
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December 1, 2008
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November 30, 2008
upn-Visitors bilingual Universal Post reported today news歡迎參觀環球郵報中英文雙語報今天Blog新聞

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November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-12-economic news-財經簡訊(2008年11月7日)
財經簡訊(2008年11月7日) 記者: 莉雅
華盛頓
2008年11月8日




11月7號星期五,美國股市在連續兩天急劇下跌之後出現反彈。儘管投資人意識到美國經濟所面臨的問題,但是他們還是回到股市撿便宜,因此推動了股市的攀升。

收盤時:道瓊斯工業平均指數上漲248點,漲幅為2.9%,以8,943點作收。標準普爾500種股票指數上升了26.11,漲幅接近2.9 %,以930.99點收盤。以高科技公司為主的納斯達克綜合指數漲38.7,上漲2.4%,收在1,647.4點。

$$$$$$

星期五,美元兌歐元匯率下降。日元對歐元、美元、澳元和紐西蘭元貶值。

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98.14日元,
0.7846歐元,1.1884加元,0.6385英鎊,1.4839澳元,1.178瑞士法郎。美元兌人民幣匯率是一比6.8305。歐元兌人民幣匯率是一比8.7075。

$$$$$$

石油價格在連續兩天下跌之後星期五微幅回升,達到60.84美元一桶的水準。美元星期五的下跌推動了油價的上漲,但是這種反彈受到美國經濟的不景氣以及全球經濟滑坡的抑制。目前的油價比今年7月中旬達到的最高價格下跌了將近60%。

不過,國際能源署警告說,由於石油生產商未能增加石油供應來滿足發展中國家日益增加的需求,目前這種低油價的時期可能不會持續很長的時間。該機構預計到2015年,石油的平均價格會達到100美元一桶,到2030年可能會上升到200美元一桶的水準。

$$$$$$

美國勞工部星期五報告說,10月份,24萬非農業工人失去了工作,導致美國的失業率攀升到6.5%,處於14年來的高水準。今年到目前為止,總共失去的工作達到118萬,僅在過去3個月就失去了65萬1千個。數據顯示,各個行業都出現了就業機會的流失。經濟學家普遍預期,隨著經濟的進一步滑坡,美國的失業率在明年會超過8%。

$$$$$$

美國批發商的庫存9月份出現了將近兩年來的首次下跌。美國商務部星期五表示,9月份的庫存量在8月份增加了0.6%之後出乎意料的下跌了0.1%。銷售額在前一個月減少1.6%的基礎上繼續下跌1.5%。

按照目前的銷售速度,零售商手上的商品可以維持1.12個月,是一年來最多的。這說明公司不能以足夠快的速度減少庫存,使之與需求的減弱保持一致。這將意味著工廠在今後幾個月的訂單會減少。

$$$$$$

美國待售房屋數量9月份出現的下跌幅度超過了預期。全美房地產商協會星期五發佈的數字顯示,經季節調整後的二手房待售指數下跌了4.6%,從8月份的93.5下降到89.2。不過這一指數已經連續兩個月高出一年前的水準。待售房屋是指房主已經收到購屋意向書但是還沒有完成買賣交易。它是預示將來房屋銷售的一個先導指標。

美房地產商協會預計,美國二手房的銷售在今年預計下跌到5百萬套後在明年會增加到530萬套。該機構還預測,美國的房屋價格在連續兩年出現下跌之後明年會略有回升。

$$$$$$

據消息人士說,美國三大汽車公司之一的克萊斯勒如果不能與通用汽車公司達成合併協議或是從政府那裏得到資金的話,將面臨被分解的命運。在沒有新的資金來源或是進行痛苦的重組的話,公司高管擔心,公司現有的資金可能不能支付2009年上半年以後的運轉。

克萊斯勒表示,到今年6月底, 公司擁有117億美元的現金,但是由於汽車銷售的大幅度下滑以及日益增加的現金鼓勵項目,這筆資金正在以很快的速度減少。

$$$$$$

美國三大汽車公司正在尋求獲得500億美元的聯邦貸款來幫助它們渡過25年來最糟糕的汽車市場。這三大公司的負責人以及汽車聯合工會在華盛頓與國會領導人舉行了會晤。通用汽車公司一直試圖勸說國會領導人把汽車工業也包括在財政部7千億美元的援助計劃裏。

今年9月,國會批准了250億美元的貸款項目,幫助製造更省油的汽車。參議院多數黨領袖裏德在會見了汽車公司的主管之後表示,汽車製造商應該從布希政府那裏得到額外的幫助。

$$$$$$

當選總統奧巴馬星期五與他的經濟顧問舉行會議,就如何對付美國大蕭條以來最嚴重的金融危機聽取他們的意見。美國新的失業數據凸顯了奧巴馬在穩定經濟方面所面臨任務的艱巨性。

星期二贏得總統大選的奧巴馬成立了一個由17個人組成的過渡經濟顧問委員會。在大選後的兩天時間裏,美國股市下跌了將近10%。

$$$$$$

歐盟領導人星期五為下個星期在華盛頓舉行的全球金融高峰會議準備了一個金融改革的清單。法國敦促把3月底作為達成全球性協議的最後期限。法國總統薩科齊表示,這次峰會不能成為一個只談不做的會議。20個來自發達國家以及包括中國、印度和巴西在內的新興經濟體的領導人11月15號將在華盛頓舉行首腦會議。

$$$$$$

歐洲中央銀行表示,隨著歐洲經濟前景的惡化,銀行提高了貸款成本,使歐洲公司更難獲得貸款。歐央行在星期五公佈的季度銀行借貸調查報告中表示,銀行在第三季度大幅度收緊了向公司提供貸款的信貸標準。該報告預期第四季度的情況大致上與第三季度沒有變化。

$$$$$$

全球經濟的減緩帶來的需求減弱使得德國工廠產量在9月份出現急劇下降。德國官方數字顯示,9月份的工業產量比上個月下跌了3.6%。這引起了歐洲最大的經濟體可能已經陷入衰退的擔憂。

$$$$$$$

由於全球經濟減緩對出口造成影響,法國的貿易赤字9月份擴大到創記錄的水準。法國貿易部星期五表示,貿易逆差從8月份修正後的53.7億歐元進一步擴大到62.5億歐元,超過了預期。法國統計部門預測,歐元區的第二大經濟體在第三季度進入了1993年以來的首次衰退。

$$$$$$

中國政府向四大國有銀行之一的中國農業銀行注入了190億美元的資金,從而正式使這家銀行走上上市的軌道。農業銀行在一份聲明中表示,來自中國主權財富基金下屬的中央匯金投資公司的這筆資金將擴充銀行的資本金,改善資產負債表和贏利能力。

在注資之後,中央匯金公司和財政部將各佔該銀行的50%。農行的重組標誌著北京把國有銀行改造成商業化機構這一漫長過程的完成。到目前為止,這一改革耗費了5千億美元。

$$$$$$

美國官員表示,聯邦執法人員在俄亥俄州一家藥物公司沒收了受到污染的抗凝血劑肝素(heparin)。今年早些時候,由於來自中國的原始材料發現受到污染,該公司召回了這個用於接受心臟手術和腎臟透析患者的藥。

在使用了受到污染的藥之後,數以百計的病人出現嚴重的過敏反應,政府收到了將近250人死亡的報告。美國食品及藥物管理局在被告知公司在通知病人有關藥品受到污染的努力令人不滿意之後沒收了這些藥物。

$$$$$$

金融危機以及對颶風造成的損失進行的理賠導致德國再保險巨頭慕尼黑再保險公司第三季度的利潤比一年前下跌了99%,達到1千2百萬歐元。這家世界上最大的再保險公司放棄了2008年的贏利預測,原因是市場過於動蕩。該公司本來希望今年的利潤達到20億歐元。

$$$$$$

日本松下公司和三洋電器公司星期五宣佈,松下將進行收購三洋的談判。在太陽能以及電器和汽車電池等增長迅速的業務方面居於全球領先地位的三洋公司表示,為擴大生產進行的巨大投資提供融資變得越來越困難。

這一交易將加強松下在可充電電池以及太陽能方面的競爭力,它還將使松下成為世界上第二大擁有大型電器部門的企業,僅次於美國的通用電器公司,超過日立成為日本最大的電器製造商。這筆交易也會使三洋最大的股東之一高盛集團排除在日本的一個關鍵投資,從而改善它的資產負債表。

關鍵詞:美國股市,匯市,美國經濟,歐洲經濟,亞洲經濟






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uptoday at WRETCH at 03:36 PM post | Comment(0) | Trackback(0) | Delete | Edit
November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-11-economic news-國際市場原油價格下跌
國際市場原油價格下跌 記者: 默瑟
雪梨
2008年11月8日




亞洲市場原油價格在過去18個月裏首次降到每桶60美元以下。經過兩天的大幅度下跌後,亞洲油價後來又反彈到61美元。

分析人士說,全球經濟現狀以及美國經濟增長前景引發的憂慮導致油價下降。

自從國際油價在今年7月中旬達到高峰後,迄今為止已經下降了60%。

油價下滑和美國經濟越積越多的經濟問題如影隨形。這些問題包括正在攀升的失業率和不景氣的零售銷售。有跡象顯示,其他發達國家也面臨嚴重衰退威脅。這將進一步抑制原油需求。

*高油價助長金融危機*

需求的降低迫使交易商拋售原油期貨合同。澳大利亞高峰石油天然氣研究協會是一個代表科學家的行業組織。該協會的布魯斯.羅賓遜說,高油價可能助長了目前的金融危機。

他說:“高油價可能在很大程度上誘發了目前的衰退,而不是經濟衰退引發高油價。但不管怎麼樣,油價已經降下來,歐佩克正在減產。壞消息是,這讓我們錯誤地希望油價處在下行週期,而實際上,長期來看,油價幾乎毫無疑問地是在往上走。”

*央行降息影響市場*

今年10月,歐佩克同意每天削減150萬桶原油產量。12月,歐佩克成員國將再次開會。

全球主要央行的舉措也影響了市場。

本星期,歐央行和英格蘭銀行的降息決定進一步顯示出歐洲經濟的惡化。降息決定宣佈後,歐元兌美元急劇貶值。這隨即引發了原油拋售。國際市場的原油用美元標價。

在澳大利亞,汽油價格也出現下降。不過,由於澳元兌美元走軟,所以澳大利亞汽油降價幅度有限。

在亞洲,星期五上午,油價一度跌破每桶60美元,隨後穩定在略高於61美元的價位。







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uptoday at WRETCH at 03:34 PM post | Comment(0) | Trackback(0) | Delete | Edit
November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-10-economic news-美國經濟出現更多衰退跡象
美國經濟出現更多衰退跡象 記者: 羅賓遜
華盛頓
2008年11月8日




美國全國的平均失業率攀升到14年來的最高水準,這是第十個月美國的失業人數連續增加,顯示美國經濟已經處於衰退之中,同時也顯示即將在明年1月入主白宮當選總統的奧巴馬所面臨的經濟困難異常嚴重。

*失業率攀升*

僅僅在10月份,美國就又有24萬人失去了工作,使全國的失業率大幅攀升到了6.5%。

這是1994年以來美國最高的失業率,跟9月份相比增加了差不多半個百分點。面對這種情況,人們對美國經濟是否陷入危機的懷疑可以說是一掃而光了。

這些數字也告訴人們,美國目前的失業人口高達1010萬,比去年同期多出280萬人。一年前美國的失業率是4.8%。

在失業率大幅上升的消息傳來的同時,其他的經濟數據也令人感到沮喪。

*奧巴馬會見經濟團隊*

當選總統奧巴馬星期五會見了他的經濟團隊,討論了下屆政府在經濟方面所面臨的挑戰。

奧巴馬說:“數以千萬計的家庭正在苦苦掙扎,想方設法支付賬單,想方設法保住自己的房子。這些情況緊迫地提醒我們:我們正面臨著一生當中最為嚴峻的經濟挑戰。我們必需迅速行動起來解決這個問題。”

曾經在克林頓政府中擔任財政部長勞倫斯.薩默斯也可能出任奧巴馬手下的財政部長。薩默斯在接受哥倫比亞廣播公司電視採訪的時候表示,要想扭轉美國的經濟形式,對於下屆政府來說將是任重而道遠。

他說:“我們面對的經濟形式非常嚴峻,難以在短期內有所好轉。”

當選總統奧巴馬必須和國會佔多數的民主黨以及少數黨共和黨一道工作,緩和美國人面對的經濟負擔。

*汽車企業主管拜見佩洛西*

星期四美國主要汽車企業的總裁以及美國汽車工人工會的領導人在國會山和眾議院議長南希.佩洛西舉行了會晤。

佩洛西說:“我們討論了怎麼樣協力確保這個重要產業的活力。”

*布希:需要時間*

星期五,布希總統再次提到他的政府為穩定金融和信貸市場而採取的他所說的強有力措施。他說,很多措施需要一段時間後才能見效。

白宮副發言人托尼.弗拉托說:“布希總統明白美國民眾對經濟面臨的挑戰深表關切。但是,我們在過去戰勝過這些挑戰,總統相信我們現在採取的措施可以幫助我們再次度過難關。”







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uptoday at WRETCH at 03:32 PM post | Comment(0) | Trackback(0) | Delete | Edit
November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-09-economic news-亞洲多數股市週五止跌回升
亞洲多數股市週五止跌回升
2008年11月7日




亞洲股市今天(星期五)收盤大多走高。不過,東京股市的日經指數下跌316點,跌幅超過3.5%,以8583點作收。香港恒生指數上漲453點,升幅超3.25%,以1萬4243點收盤。

在亞洲其他股市,曼谷、雅加達、新加坡、上海、孟買和台北上揚,但是吉隆坡、馬尼拉、雪梨和惠靈頓下滑。

在貨幣交易中,一美元兌換97.36日圓,比星期四下落了0.39日圓。黃金價格為42.30美元。






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November 8, 2008
upn-11/-8-world news-08-wfrica news-非洲領導人吁剛果建援助走廊
非洲領導人吁剛果建援助走廊
2008年11月8日




非洲大湖區各國領導人呼籲在剛果民主共和國東部立即實現停火,並且建立援助通道。星期五,剛果總統卡比拉在內羅畢召開的一次區域首腦會議上會晤了盧安達總統卡加梅。聯合國秘書長潘基文敦促兩位領導人繼續對話。

卡比拉和卡加梅一直就最近發生的交戰而相互指責。交戰星期五在戈馬以北一個無家可歸者收容所附近再次爆發。

剛果政府指責盧安達支援圖西族人。盧安達說剛果政府軍沒有採取任何行動解除胡圖族人的武裝。胡圖族1994年在盧安達製造了大屠殺,目前在剛果東部活動。剛果反政府武裝上個月發動新的攻勢,導致成千上萬的平民逃離家園和無家可歸者收容所。






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November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-07-china news-深圳數千人襲擊警察
深圳數千人襲擊警察
2008年11月8日




中國國家媒體說,在深圳有數千人襲擊警察,抗議一名摩托車司機的死亡事件。新華社報導說,星期五下午,在一個堵截非法摩托車司機的檢查站,一個警察用對講機砸一個騎摩托車衝過檢查站的人,導致這個人撞到一根電線桿上,後來傷重不治,死在深圳寶安區。

新華社說,憤怒的市民放火焚燒了一輛警車,一直抗議到星期六淩晨。深圳是沿海工業城市,與香港毗鄰。中國經常發生市民抗議,他們對官員濫用權力和一些企業犧牲工人福利而追求利潤感到非常憤怒。






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November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-06-u.s.a.news-US Voters Weigh in on Gay Marriage, Abortion
US Voters Weigh in on Gay Marriage, Abortion
By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
08 November 2008

O'Sullivan report - Download (MP3)
O'Sullivan report - Listen (MP3)



In addition to choosing a president and selecting members of Congress, voters around the United States made decisions on a wide range of topics this week, including the controversial issue of same-sex marriage. Votes to ban gay marriage were held In California, Arizona and Florida. In Washington State, voters approved a measure on doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Mike O'Sullivan has more on the ballot proposals that were part of this year's historic election.


Voters signing in at polls, 4 Nov 2008
There were 153 measures on the ballot in 36 U.S. states. Business and law professor John Matsusaka says the most high-profile dealt with same-sex marriage. "There were three measures on the ballot in three different states: Arizona, California and Florida. And all three of those states approved bans on gay marriage."

Matsusaka heads the non-partisan Initiative and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California. He says the California measure, called Proposition 8, will have the most impact. A state court decision in May had opened the door to gay and lesbian weddings, and 18,000 same-sex couples have gotten married in California in the past five months. Following the approval of the California ballot measure, the fate of those marriages in now uncertain. At least three lawsuits have been filed to overturn Proposition 8, with the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco joining Santa Clara County in Northern California in one of the suits.

Just two U.S. states now permit same-sex marriage, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Two other states, New Jersey and New Hampshire, allow civil unions with the same legal rights as marriage.

In other controversial ballot initiatives, efforts to ban abortion failed in South Dakota and Colorado. Voters in California turned down a measure that would have required parents to be notified before a girl under 18 has an abortion.

Despite tough economic times, John Matsusaka says voters in several states approved borrowing to support universities and improve infrastructure. "One of the other interesting things that happened in this election is that voters were very willing to approve borrowing. Fifteen out of sixteen bond measures nationwide passed."

One successful measure will allow California to borrow nearly $10 billion for a high-speed rail line to link Los Angeles and San Francisco. The project, which will cost at least $40 billion, is still in the planning stage.

In many elections, there are efforts by voters to hold down taxes, but Kareem Crayton, who teaches law and politics at the University of Southern California, says such citizen-sponsored measures were not widespread this year. "Financial measures, efforts to either raise or lower taxes, have not been as prominent."

There were 17 measures on statewide ballots dealing with taxes. Minnesotans approved an increase in the sales tax, but voters in Colorado and Nevada turned them down.

Voters in Washington State approved doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill, joining the neighboring state of Oregon, which approved a similar measure in 1997.

Massachusetts decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, while Michigan approved the medical use of marijuana by some seriously ill patients.

Animal rights activists had two important victories, as voters banned commercial dog racing in Massachusetts and required a minimum living space for farm animals in California.

Nearly all U.S. states sometimes place issues on the ballot for voters to decide the matters directly. Twenty-four states also have a process that allows citizen-sponsored measures, called initiatives. They qualify for the ballot if their supporters can get enough voters to sign petitions.


Hazel Johnson
In this election, voter turnout was heavy. The presidential contest drew some voters to the polls. Others came out in support of their candidates for Congress, the state assembly or school board. Los Angeles voter Hazel Johnson says that in every election, she is equally interested in the ballot measures. "There is always something on the ballot that really needs my input," she said.

Matsusaka says there was no clear pattern behind Tuesday's ballot decisions that point in either a liberal or conservative direction.

"Even though the country seemed to be shifting in the progressive or Democratic direction in the federal elections, if you look at actual votes on ballot propositions, there was really no ideological pattern. You saw some wins for progressive groups, some wins for conservative groups."

He says the voters made their decisions on a case-by-case basis.







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November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-05-middle east news-US Military: Senior Al-Qaida Leader Killed in Iraq
US Military: Senior Al-Qaida Leader Killed in Iraq
By VOA News
07 November 2008




The U.S. military said a senior al-Qaida in Iraq leader has been killed in a weapons cache-clearing operation north of Baghdad.

A statement Friday said Abu Ghazwan was killed Thursday in the Tarmiyah area.


US soldiers (L) secure area as Iraqi soldiers inspect car damaged by roadside bomb in Sadr City, Baghdad, 06 Nov 2008
It said the operation was carried out by coalition-supported Iraqi security forces and Sons of Iraq, [also known as Awakening Councils], the Sunni paramilitary groups composed mainly of former insurgents who now work with U.S. forces to fight al-Qaida in Iraq.

The U.S. military said Ghazwan led many terrorist cells in the Tarmiyah and Taji areas, and that he advised and financed other terrorist cells in northern Iraq.

It also said he was responsible for building roadside bombs in the Baghdad area, and for terrorist groups that recruit children and women to conduct suicide attacks against international and coalition forces in Iraq.

Earlier, the U.S. military said coalition forces captured 24 suspected members and associates of al-Qaida in Iraq in operations Friday.

A statement said the operations occurred in and around Baghdad, Tikrit and Mosul. Coalition and Iraqi forces also conducted three synchronized operations in Kirkuk.





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November 8, 2008
upn-11/08-world news-04-europe news-Crimea - Potential Russian-Ukrainian Flashpoint
Crimea - Potential Russian-Ukrainian Flashpoint
By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
07 November 2008




During the August conflict in the Caucasus, Ukraine denounced the deployment of ships from Russia's Black Sea Fleet to positions off the Georgian coast as a potential threat to Ukrainian national security. Those ships sailed out of Sevastopol, which has been the fleet's home port for 225 years. But, it became part of Ukraine in 1954. As VOA correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports, Kyiv's insistence on the fleet's departure from Sevastopol and its support for Georgia are straining relations with Moscow, as well as raising fears that Ukraine could become the Kremlin's next target.


Russian Navy ships in Sevastopol, a city on the Crimean Peninsula, 07 Nov 2008
Russia pays Ukraine about $100 million a year to lease these port facilities in Sevastopol, a city on the Crimean Peninsula, that was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954. Moscow has signed an agreement with Kyiv to withdraw the fleet in 2017, but wants an extension -- something Ukrainian leaders have rejected. Yet, Russia is not preparing the expensive infrastructure needed to house the fleet in its own Black Sea ports.


Sergei Kulyk
Sergei Kulyk of the independent NOMOS think tank in Sevastopol says it makes little difference militarily where the fleet is located.

Kulyk says the Black Sea Fleet carries with it a political component that is used for pressure and influence, which makes it important for Russia to keep its fleet in Crimea and the territory of Ukraine.

Russians say they built Sevastopol and defended it against invaders. But Sergei Kulyk says many Ukrainian military units, as well as soldiers and sailors of other nationalities, fought for Sevastopol on behalf of the Russian Empire and the USSR.


Gennadi Basov
Russians today form a majority of Crimea's population. Gennadi Basov represents the Russian Bloc in the Sevastopol City Council. He notes the fleet's economic significance.

Basov says there are more than 20,000 family members of Russian navy personnel, citizens of Ukraine, who work in the fleet's infrastructure. The councilman notes that the Black Sea Fleet provides considerable funds for Sevastopol's economic and social development.

Basov condemns the support Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv gave to Georgia, and accuses them of turning Crimea into a potential conflict zone.


Valeriy Chaly

Valeriy Chaly, an analyst with the independent Razumkov Center think tank in Kyiv says hostilities over Crimea are unlikely, but says Russia has other means to influence Ukraine.

Valeriy Chaly says, there can be conflicts and increased tensions involving information - information attacks. The analyst adds that Russia can also use the capacities of the Black Sea Fleet, which not only has ships, but also intelligence and information capabilities. In addition, he says there is the physical presence of Russian citizens with dual citizenship on the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

During the Georgian conflict, Russia used the issue of dual citizenship as a pretext for entering sovereign Georgian territory. Councilman Basov denies Moscow is issuing Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens, amid widespread reports that it is. Some estimates put the number of such passports issued as high as 2,000 per year.


Viktor Konstantinov

Surveys by the independent Razumkov Center think tank in Kyiv indicate more than 70 percent of Ukrainians do not feel threatened by Russia. But Viktor Konstantinov an international relations professor at Kyiv State University, says it does not take many people to spark unrest.

Konstantinov says not many people are required to take up arms. All that is needed, he notes, is a few dozen extremists on both sides, who can start a conflict over stark differences in society.

Ukraine's differences with Russia include language, as well as Kyiv's approach to the EU and possible NATO membership. Analysts say Moscow could be tempted to exploit these issues, festering most openly in Crimea, as long as Ukrainians themselves remain divided over them.










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November 8, 2008
upn-11/07-world news-03-asia news-US Pacific Commander Sees No Major Changes Under Obama
US Pacific Commander Sees No Major Changes Under Obama
By Al Pessin
Pentagon
07 November 2008

Pessin report - Download (MP3)
Pessin report - Listen (MP3)



The commander of U.S. forces in Asia and the Pacific says he does not anticipate any major change in U.S. military policy toward the region when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.


Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
The Pacific Commander, Admiral Timothy Keating, says he has not yet met Mr. Obama, but his staff is preparing material for the president-elect and other senior officials to ensure they know his thoughts on regional strategy.

"We are developing a series of presentations to give the new secretary of defense, the new secretary of state, new president, vice president, national security adviser, that will emphasize the importance of the Asia-Pacific region," he said. "I am confident that President-elect Obama and those of his cabinet are well aware of the importance of our region."

Speaking to reporters in New York this week, Admiral Keating said he does not plan to recommend any sweeping strategy changes, and does not expect the new administration to call for any.

"Our presentation to him will not recommend major change," he said. "It will recommend continued emphasis on partnership and the assurance of military response when necessary. I don't anticipate a major change."

In the U.S. military, there is clearly much focus on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Admiral Keating says in the long term he believes U.S. strategic interests are shifting to the east.

"If you look at it from an economic perspective, from energy demands, from environmental concerns, from education, medicine, military capabilities, it is, in our opinion, an unmistakable fact that emphasis will continue to shift to the Asia-Pacific region," he said. "We will do our best to apprise the new president and his cabinet of the importance of the Asia-Pacific region, and I'm sure we'll have a receptive audience."

Admiral Keating, who has led the largest U.S. military regional command for nearly two years, notes that President-elect Obama spent parts of his youth in Indonesia and in Hawaii, and he believes the future commander-in-chief is "well versed" on issues related to the Asia-Pacific region.






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