|
FEATURES Interview With H.E Ambassador Lin Lin On Anti-Secession Law
Deep belief The US deputy defense secretary said he wanted his legacy to be "real success in reducing poverty especially in Africa, the continent which most desperately needs it". " Poverty reduction is a unifying goal and one that I believe in Deeply" "I am very prepared to listen and prepared to be an international civil servant," he said. Mr. Wolfowitz, 61, who will take over at the World Bank from 1 June, denied that he would use his position to push broader US foreign policy objectives such as spreading democracy and free markets. "The fact is that when it comes to poverty reduction, it is not a question of American foreign policy, or British foreign policy or South African foreign policy. It [poverty reduction] is a unifying goal and it is one that I believe in deeply." "Each organization has to focus on its primary mission and its core competencies and the World Bank's are in the areas of poverty reduction." Reassurance Despite early opposition to his nomination, the directors of the Bank, representing 184 countries, unanimously approved Mr. Wolfowitz as the organization’s 10th president. Since being nominated, Mr. Wolfowitz has moved to reassure his detractors that the World Bank would continue its humanitarian efforts. Immediately after his nomination was approved, Mr. Wolfowitz said he would focus on key subjects such as international trade, subsidies and private sector investment. He also said that he had a "new appreciation" for the urgent need for debt relief and integrating regional economies. Concern about Mr. Wolfowitz's agenda had prompted Luxembourg, the current holder of the European Union presidency, to organize a meeting in Brussels 24 hours ahead of the Bank board's vote. The US traditionally nominates the head of the World Bank, while Europe controls the top job at the International Monetary Fund. But the proposal of Mr. Wolfowitz by the White House was seen in some quarters as an attempt to bend a multilateral body to US demands. Mr. Wolfowitz has promised to seek a "truly multinational" management team - but would not give Europe an unequivocal promise on the deputy's post. Mugabe defies ban for Pope burial
The trip was denounced by one of his leading critics - the Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube. Mr Mugabe's party is accused of rigging last week's poll. Mr Mugabe and about 100 of his associates were banned from the EU and the US after being accused of using fraud and violence to ensure victory in the 2002 presidential election. He has nevertheless attended several international summits in both EU countries and the US. Sympathy "That man will use any opportunity to fly to Europe to promote him. The man is shameless," Archbishop Ncube told the Associated Press news agency.
AP also reports that Mr. Mugabe used a service for the Pope in Harare's cathedral to denounce his western critics on Monday. Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party won a two-thirds majority in parliament after last week's elections - enough to enable it to change the constitution. He denied accusations that the polls were rigged as "nonsense". But, the main opposition party released figures it said proved the elections were tainted by "massive fraud". The Movement for Democratic Change said that in 11 constituencies, ballot box stuffing accounted for Zanu-PF victories. It notes that these candidates were mostly ministers or senior party officials. For example, in Mutare South, it was initially announced that 14,054 votes had been cast, the MDC says. But the final results showed 28,575 ballots, with 16,412 for Zanu-PF and 12,163 to the MDC. The MDC says it has been unable to get the breakdown of results countrywide, but this has been denied by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The results were endorsed by Southern African observers but a local group of monitors and western countries said the poll was seriously flawed. Mr Mugabe says he is the victim of a Western plot, led by the UK in opposition to his seizure of white-owned land The Pope and Africa
appointment in 1978, Pope John Paul was a voice for traditional morality in the world. He had conservative views on abortion, sex before marriage and contraception. He was also outspoken in his criticism of the war in Iraq. What legacy do you think he will leave to the world? Following the pope's death, speculation has heightened that he could be succeeded by an African - the first in more than 1,500 years. ANTI -SECESSION
Anb. Lin Lin - The legislation of the Anti-Secession Law by China’s NPC has a clear purpose, namely, to oppose and check Taiwan’s secession from China by secessionists in the name of “Taiwan independence”, promote peaceful national reunification, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, preserve China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. This legislation has identified the nature of the Taiwan question, put in a codified form the Chinese Government’s basic guidelines on solving the Taiwan question as well as its major policies and important propositions over the years, and defined the principles and guidelines on the settlement of the Taiwan question. The provisions in this law have given full expression to our consistent position and proposition of utmost efforts and maximum sincerity for the prospect of peaceful reunification, and at the same time they have demonstrated the common will of the entire Chinese people to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. A.E - What’s the main content of this Law? Anb. Lin Lin - For years, the Chinese Government has made unremitting efforts to realize the peaceful reunification of the motherland. This law has clearly provided that “the state shall do its utmost with maximum sincerity to achieve a peaceful reunification”. It has also defined efforts to encourage and promote personnel exchanges as well as economic and cultural interactions between the two sides, facilitate the “three direct links” and protect the legitimate rights and interests of our Taiwan compatriots. It has also defined consultations and negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, embodying the position that any issue can be put on the table for discussion as long as the one China principle is adhered to, and so on and so forth. This would facilitate these provisions by government departments, relevant institutions and organizations in the interests of the overall development of cross-Straits relations and the prospect of peaceful reunification of the two sides. A.E - What’s the reason for the inclusion of “taking non-peaceful means to protect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” into this Law? Anb. Lin Lin - The draft Anti-Secession Law provides for taking non-peaceful means to stop the “Taiwan independence” forces from making Taiwan secede from China, so as to protect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. No sovereign state can tolerate secession and every sovereign state has the right to take necessary means to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Here I wish to stress a number of points: First, peaceful reunification is our basic policy. Non-peaceful means is the last resort taken only when all peaceful efforts to stop “Taiwan independence” has been proven futile. Second, our policy of taking non-peaceful means to stop “Taiwan independence” forces from making Taiwan secede from China has been consistent, clear-cut and public. There has no change in our policy, nor has the threshold for non-peaceful means been lowered. Third, employing non-peaceful means and other necessary measures shall be decided on and executed in strict accordance with law. Fourth, the non-peaceful means and other necessary measures are solely targeted at the secessionists in the name of “Taiwan independence”, and by no means against our Taiwan compatriots. Under any circumstance, the state shall exert its utmost to protect the lives, property and other legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan civilians and foreign nationals in Taiwan, and to minimize losses. At the same time, the state shall protect the rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots in other parts of China in accordance with law. A.E - What’s the definition of the three scenarios justifying the non-peaceful means? Anb. Lin Lin - The three scenarios under which the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures as provided for in Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law are clear and well thought out. It is impossible and unnecessary for the law to list every specific situation, which can be very complicated and volatile. A.E - What’s the impact of the Anti-Secession Law on cross-Straits relations?
Anb. Lin Lin - The Anti-Secession Law is a domestic law of China, and a defensive measure aimed at maintaining our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and has never been a state. Though the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are not yet reunified, the fact that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China has never changed. Such is the status quo of the cross-Straits relations. The Chen Shui-bian authorities have tried to change that status quo through “de jure Taiwan independence”, which is what we can never tolerate. By enacting this law, we aim to maintain the status quo that both Taiwan and the mainland belong to one and the same China. We have noticed that the overwhelming majority of countries in the world understand and support this legislation. We have also noticed the responses from the different quarters in Taiwan. We are not a bit surprised by the malicious attacks from the Chen Shui-bian authorities and the other secessionist forces in Taiwan, because the law has a clear-cut objective, that is to oppose and check Taiwan’s secession from China by the “Taiwan independence” forces. If the Taiwan authorities do not go for “Taiwan independence” as they have promised, they have got no reason to fear, worry, or oppose the legislation. In any case, the enactment of the Anti-Secession Law is a defensive measure aimed at safeguarding China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prospect of a peaceful reunification. It is the “Taiwan independence” activities perpetrated by the Taiwan authorities that are the real source of tension in the Taiwan Straits. Anti-Secession Law (Adopted at the Third Session of the Tenth National People's Congress on March 14, 2005) Article 1- This Law is formulated, in accordance with the Constitution, for the purpose of opposing and checking Taiwan’s secession from China by secessionists in the name of "Taiwan independence", promoting peaceful national reunification, maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, preserving China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. Article 2 - There is only one China in the world. Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division. Safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, the Taiwan compatriots included. Taiwan is part of China. The state shall never allow the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces to make Taiwan secede from China under any name or by any means. Article 3 - The Taiwan question is one that is left over from China's civil war of the late 1940s. Solving the Taiwan question and achieving national reunification is China's internal affair, which subjects to no interference by any outside forces. Article 4 - Accomplishing the great task of reunifying the motherland is the sacred duty of all Chinese people, the Taiwan compatriots included. Article 5 - Upholding the principle of one China is the basis of peaceful reunification of the country. To reunify the country through peaceful means best serves the fundamental interests of the compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The state shall do its utmost with maximum sincerity to achieve a peaceful reunification. After the country is reunified peacefully, Taiwan may practice systems different from those on the mainland and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Article 6 - The state shall take the following measures to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and promote cross-Straits relations: (1) To encourage and facilitate personnel exchanges across the Straits for greater mutual understanding and mutual trust; (2) To encourage and facilitate economic exchanges and cooperation, realize direct links of trade, mail and air and shipping services, and bring about closer economic ties between the two sides of the Straits to their mutual benefit; (3) To encourage and facilitate cross-Straits exchanges in education, science, technology, culture, health and sports, and work together to carry forward the proud Chinese cultural traditions; (4) To encourage and facilitate cross-Straits cooperation in combating crimes; and (5) To encourage and facilitate other activities those are conducive to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and stronger cross-Straits relations. The state protects the rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots in accordance with law. Article 7 - The state stands for the achievement of peaceful reunification through consultations and negotiations on an equal footing between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. These consultations and negotiations may be conducted in steps and phases and with flexible and varied modalities. The two sides of the Taiwan Straits may consult and negotiate on the following matters: (1) Officially ending the state of hostility between the two sides; (2) Mapping out the development of cross-Straits relations; Straits relations; (3) Steps and arrangements for peaceful national reunification; (4) The political status of the Taiwan authorities; (5) The Taiwan region's room of international operation that is compatible with its status; and (6) Other matters concerning the achievement of peaceful national reunification. Article 8 - In the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The State Council and the Central Military Commission shall decide on and execute the non-peaceful means and other necessary measures as provided for in the preceding paragraph and shall promptly report to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Article 9 - In the event of employing and executing non-peaceful means and other necessary measures as provided for in this Law, the state shall exert its utmost to protect the lives, property and other legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan civilians and foreign nationals in Taiwan, and to minimize losses. At the same time, the state shall protect the rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots in other parts of China in accordance with law. Article 10 - This Law shall come into force on the day of its promulgation The overwhelming majority of countries in the world understands and supports the enactment of China’s Anti-Secession Law. Many countries congratulated the Law, expressing their strong support for the one-China policy and the effort made by the Chinese Government and its people to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. About 40 African countries such as Egypt, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia have voiced their support in different ways for the Law. The Chairperson of the Commission of Africa Union, Mr.Oumar Konare said the Anti-Secession Law adopted by China’s National People’s Congress is of vital importance, and China's stance to oppose secession and achieve national reunification is very correct. AU adheres to its one-China policy and regards Taiwan as part of China. In Ethiopia, the Speaker of the House of the People's Representatives, Mr. Dawit Yohannes reiterated that the Ethiopian parliament fully supports China's adoption of the Anti-Secession Law, which is intended to prevent Taiwan's secession from China. The Speaker of the House of Federation, Dr. Mulatu Teshome said that the law is not about war, but a law aimed at curbing war and maintaining peace. It is not only conducive to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, but also to the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large Luxury Collection Sheraton Addis Earn Luxury Collection Award of The Year The Sheraton Addis, a member of Starwood Hotels and Resorts renowned Luxury Collection Hotel has been the winner of Guest Satisfaction Award (GSI) 2004 for Luxury Collection Hotels. This award follows three consecutive ‘Ultimate Service Awards’ for 2001, 2002, 2003 and the Luxury Collection Standards Award for 2003. This award is the result of the outstanding performance by the Sheraton Addis Team for 2004. “With the highest full year Overall guest Satisfaction score globally, the Sheraton Addis as proven that perfection is possible in the eyes of the guests, the hotel has clearly become a role-model for the Luxury Collection brand on a global scale” Said Roeland Vos, President Europe, Africa and Middle East. Starwood Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, four Points by Sheraton, W brands, StarWood Vacation Owner-ship, Inc., one of the Premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. Sleep Sweeter at Sheraton Hotels Over 40,000 New beds to be introduced in Sheraton Hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East as Part of Sheraton’s Global Roll out program of 200,000 beds CITY, Country, Date – Sleep has become serious business and competition is heating up with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts announcement of the roll out of more than 40,000 new beds in over 100 Sheraton Hotels across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Last year over 100,000 new beds were installed in 200 US and Canadian Sheraton properties when Sheraton unveiled plans to put over 200,000 new beds into their portfolio globally. Some may say that Starwood is obsessed with helping people get ‘a good night’s sleep’. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), Sheraton’s parent company, pioneered the current bed movement with the Westin Heavenly Bed which celebrated its 5th Birthday in 2004. Starwood have actually been researching what makes a good nights sleep for the last seven years and have used these findings to create the perfect beds in their hotel rooms. Now this knowledge has been poured into Starwood’s most well known global brand, Sheraton. The new luxurious Sheraton beds have the specially developed ‘Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed by Simmons Beauty rest’ mattress, with barrel shaped high tensile springs individually housed in strong non-woven, synthetic material pockets. These ate separately “Ultra sonically” sealed and joined together by a unique production process. This allows each spring to move indepen-dently of it neighbour and ensures the maximum comfort and support for ‘Sweet sleepers’ residing in the beds. The bed linen includes crisp white 100% combed cotton 200 thread count percale duvet cover and sheets, sumptuous white goose feather and down pillows, and a coloured throw to tone with the room décor. “Starwood takes the view that ‘a good nights sleep’ is at the core of any hotel offering and of huge importance to guests” says Roeland vos, President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East Division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts “We are really delighted to now be introducing the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds in our hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In fact there has never been a better time to spend the night with Sheraton and to try the Sweet Sleeper Bed for yourself”. Sheraton has had considerable positive feedback form customers since the introduction of the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed in the United States last year. Guest satisfaction scores have raised considerably and Sheraton has been flooded with hundreds of requests from guests who want to purchase the bed – a true testament to the quality of the product. Amongst the first hotels to install the new beds in Europe are the Sheraton hotels in the UK, Poland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Germany and parts of Italy and Spain. The roll out of beds in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is expected to be complete in the next 18 months. The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed is the latest in a series of enhancements designed to position the Sheraton brand at the top of the upscale hotel segment |
