Tag Archives: US
16 October 2013
On 11 October 2013, the UN Security Council authorised the establishment of a Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations (UN) to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. The Council endorsed the proposal formulated by Ban Ki-moon in a letter to the Council of 7 October (S/2013/591), pursuant to a request by the Security Council in Resolution 2118 (2013).
While all attention now focusses on the completion of the Joint Mission’s goal (the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons), it is not too early to plan for contingencies. The destruction of the chemical weapons will entail significant risks for the environment and human health. (more…)
9 October 2013
Lawyers for Haitian victims of a cholera outbreak announced they were filling a suit against the United Nations (UN) in a Federal District Court in New York. The suit calls on the UN to compensate victims of the epidemic.
It is believed that the outbreak began after MINUSTAH peacekeepers from Nepal brought the bacteria, and spread quickly due to negligence in the sanitation of the UN base.
Last summer, researchers from the Yale University published a report arguing that the UN caused the outbreak and should pay compensation to the victims.
Lawyers for the victims have not communicated on the arguments they would present against the immunity of the UN.
Source: The New York Times | Rights Advocates Suing U.N. Over the Spread of Cholera in Haiti
Source: BBC | UN sued over Haiti cholera epidemic
4 October 2013
The United States and Japan have concluded an agreement to broaden their security alliance. The agreement expands Japan’s role in the region, while affirming the US’ determination to remain a dominant presence in the region. It provides a basis for positioning surveillance drones, as well as navy reconnaissance planes, which will be used to patrol waters in the region, including those around disputed islands. Japan will expand assistance to Southeast Asian countries to help them resist Chinese territorial claims. The agreement also calls for trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea and Japan to face common threats, like North Korea’s nuclear programme.
Source: The New York TImes | U.S. and Japan Agree to Broaden Military Alliance
23 September 2013
The Dutch television news programme Brandpunt Reporter revealed a long-standing disagreement between the Netherlands and the United States about the liability of the US in case of a possible accident involving US nuclear weapons that are present on a military base in Volkel, the Netherlands.
The US reportedly has refused to enter into an agreement with the Netherlands concerning the financial consequences of a possible nuclear accident connected to the storage or air transport of US weapons. According to an expert interviewed by the programme, an accident occurring during an air transport is a realistic scenario, since these weapons are being transported regularly.
Brandpunt Reporter also revealed that the US and the Netherlands have set up a working group entitled ‘Netherlands United States Standing Operations Group’ in order to prepare the NL for a possible accident with a US nuclear weapon.
Source: TV-visie | 'Brandpunt Reporter' over ruzie Nederland en VS rond atoombommen | 11 september 2013 (in Dutch)
13 September 2013
The Washington Post reported that in the last few weeks, the CIA has started delivering (light) weapons to rebels in Syria, mainly in order to support fighters that are under the command of General Idriss, the commander of the Supreme Military Council. Separate deliveries (e.g. vehicles) have been made by the State Department. Aid in the form of nonlethal gear (e.g. medical kits and communications equipment) has also been delivered to the Syrian rebels.
Source: The Washington Post | U.S. weapons reaching Syrian rebels