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G-8 Will Not Call for New Sanctions Against Iran
July 08, 2009 2:33 PM
L'AQUILA, ITALY -- The G-8 leaders will issue a joint statement this evening expressing serious concerns about the post-election violence in Iran, as well as its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, but will not push for new economic sanctions or tougher enforcement of those that exist, an Obama administration source told ABC News this afternoon.
The statement will "reflect growing impatience" among world leaders, the source said, but it will not call for direct ramifications or contest the election results.
The source asked for anonymity since the G-8 world leaders had not yet officially signed off on the final document.
On Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadeinjad claims his re-election "was the most clean and free election in the world...This election has doubled the dignity of the Iranian nation." The Iranian president assailed the West's "childish acts of interference in Iran's internal affairs" and said the result would be "the Iranian nation and government will enter the global stage several times more powerful."
Other statements from the "Group of Eight" powers -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- expected this evening following the working dinner will condemn the nuclear weapons program pursued by North Korea, and pledge for more cooperation to provide basic services such as health and water in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and address the humanitarian crisis in Burma.
This afternoon in Italy G-8 leaders issued statements addressing economic growth, climate change, and pushing countries that previously pledged aid to developing nations but have yet to deliver by publicizing those commitments.
The climate change provision sets a non-binding global goal for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, using 1990 levels or later years as a base, with a goal for developed countries of 80%. The document pledges cooperation to limit the rise in global temperatures to no more than 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
But achieving this is far more difficult than writing it on a piece of paper as a pledge, particularly with developing nations balking at the goal and complaining that the industrialized world hasn't followed through with aid and technology to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Tomorrow President Obama will chair the 17-member Major Economies Forum meeting, which will include major polluters China and India, as well as Australia, Brazil, the European Union, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa, where debates are expected to be more contentious.
In December, the United Nations will hold a summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the hopes of achieving a global climate pact.
In other developments here, the G-8 nations also pledged today to take steps to encourage economic growth and financial stability while eschewing protectionist measures, including aid to developing countries.
Some of that pledged aid has been called into question by the fact that according to Official Development Assistance (ODA) figures for 2008, G8 nations have only delivered one third of the $21.5 billion in assistance they promised to Africa by 2010, with the humanitarian group saying Italy has given only 3 percent of the $3.5 billion it pledged in 2005 and France has given only 7 percent of its pledged $5.2 billion.
In an apparent effort to shame countries not following through on their previous pledges, the G-8 for the first time will publish the data of money pledged and money delivered to enhance accountability.
- jpt
July 8, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (31)
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Sorry Baxter, but the 'rendition' policy was in effect long before Bush.
In fact, the U.S. was 'outsourcing' real torture of AQ suspects to Egypt, Morocco, etc. before Bush came into office...that is a FACT.
Go watch Micheal Scheuer testify on CSPAN to this in front of Rep Delahunt's committee.
Posted by: J House | Jul 9, 2009 2:56:40 PM
See everyone, now that everyone LOVES our president, we're getting so many important things done like paper declarations and hugs. AWESOME!!!
The emperor has no clothes.....
Posted by: Aaron | Jul 9, 2009 12:57:45 PM
Saudis are a dictatorship (oops I mean monarchy), have Sharia law, and discriminate against their women Posted by: danita | Jul 9, 2009 3:16:34 AM
_____________________________
I thought we weren't supposed to make generalizations against the Muslim culture? You said they were not evil people when I mentioned it. Now we're throwing them under the bus so we can experience another Bush tirade?
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | Jul 9, 2009 10:53:26 AM
Phil . ..
I'm pretty sure it was oil, oil, oil that the Bush family was getting from the Saudis.
Posted by: danita | Jul 9, 2009 3:16:34 AM
-----------------------------------
Democrats have taken millions and millions of dollars from the Saudi's to line their pockets:
The Clinton’s Saudi fundraisers; Lefty meltdown watch: Blackwater a donor
posted at 12:30 pm on December 18, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
For ten years, Bill Clinton resisted calls to make public the donors to his charitable foundation. Under pressure from Barack Obama for Hillary’s appointment to State, Bill finally agreed to the release of the data — and his reluctance is now understandable. Clinton took tens of millions from foreign interests.
Former President Bill Clinton’s foundation has raised at least $41 million from Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments that his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton may end up negotiating with as the next secretary of state.
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All kinds of money coming from all the EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEvil oil people right into the democrats pockets:
------------------------------------------
The Clintons’ foreign funders
Oh, and all those evil businesses that Hillary railed against throughout her campaign? Not so eeevil when they’re handing money to hubby:
The foundation’s donor list is heavy with overseas business interests.
Saudi businessman Nasser Al-Rashid gave $1 million to $5 million. Friends of Saudi Arabia and the Dubai Foundation each gave $1 million to $5 million, as did the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office. The Confederation of Indian Industry and the Swedish Postcode Lottery gave $500,000 to $1 million each. China Overseas Real Estate Development and the U.S. Islamic World Conference gave $250,000 to $500,000 apiece.
-------------------------------------
Just more ignorant, unsubstantiated drivel coming from liberals who have no answers,only lies and selective outrage.
Looks like danita here needs to go back to the "Bush did 9/11" or "Bush is a war criminal"whining that showed so much credibility when policies by the Bush administration like:
Rendition,
Enhanced Interrogation,
Indefinite Detention,
Military Tribunals,
NSA wiretapping,
Bombing villages and killing civilians,
Using State secrets,
were all war crimes under Bush.
But now that Obama is using the same policies,these practices are consisdered
"smart power".
How's that impeachment coming genius.
Posted by: Baxter Greene | Jul 9, 2009 9:59:13 AM
g-8 are anti-semitic. iran is a threat to israel, the entire middle east and the rest of the world. g-8 must act now and attack iran once and for all.
Posted by: diego | Jul 9, 2009 4:54:27 AM
This all makes the 30's and Neville Chamberlain look like small potatoes and a side show
At least Camberlain had a purpose and some integrity and honor . On top of that the appeasement was only done a few times . Here its again and again in a most corrupt manner.
On top of that our enemies are most clear in their message and actions.
How downright evil on our part and that of our leaders.
Posted by: Go Figure | Jul 9, 2009 4:12:30 AM
Phil . ..
I'm pretty sure it was oil, oil, oil that the Bush family was getting from the Saudis. Saudis are a dictatorship (oops I mean monarchy), have Sharia law, and discriminate against their women - but Bush kissed and held their hands man to man. Just like any good man would - and in business with them at the same time!
Posted by: danita | Jul 9, 2009 3:16:34 AM
Who Knows what Bush was getting from the Saudis, but they weren't threatening genocide of another nation while building a nuke, or shooting innocent protesters in the streets. (Duh)
Posted by: Philip V. | Jul 9, 2009 12:22:36 AM
"Remember Obama bowing to the Saudi's earlier this year?"
Well maybe, but Bush was kissing and holding hands with the Saudis . .. that was really cute.
But of course, the Bush family and the Saudis are big partners together in the Carlysle Group so I guess it's only natural they'd smooch and hold hands.
Posted by: danita | Jul 8, 2009 11:17:50 PM
I for one am getting sick and tired of Obama telling other countries what to do while our own country is going down the tubes.
Posted by: Free America | Jul 8, 2009 11:14:01 PM
Remember Obama bowing to the Saudi's earlier this year?
Posted by: And Atlas Shrugs Yet Again | Jul 8, 2009 10:30:20 PM
"So, Obama hows that diplomacy thing with Iran working out, to bad you didn't get vasaline or a kiss with those results."
Posted by: Philip V. | Jul 8, 2009 9:48:26 PM
Hey Phil, remember President Bush kissing and holding hands with those Saudis? I think he was really getting some . . . cute.
Posted by: danita | Jul 8, 2009 9:56:04 PM
So, Obama hows that diplomacy thing with Iran working out, to bad you didn't get vasaline or a kiss with those results.
Posted by: Philip V. | Jul 8, 2009 9:48:26 PM
So they are wimps, was Jake in the room with them and know why they chose this path? This is something the people of Iraq have to do for themselves! Guessed many of you missed the fact that even Arab countries are starting to shun Iran!
Posted by: Try the truth | Jul 8, 2009 8:52:12 PM
Obama is so weak in foreign politics. Really sad!
Posted by: jim | Jul 8, 2009 8:28:46 PM
"So Obama, etc, by their decree will limit no more than a 2 degree Celsius change? Guess what, Obama? That happens everyday as soon as the sun goes down!"
Posted by: ed | Jul 8, 2009 7:26:08 PM
Oh Ed! So brilliant! You come up here and sit at the front of the class Ed.
Posted by: danita | Jul 8, 2009 7:44:01 PM
Big surprise from all the wimps in attendance. It is beyond me why we all can't agree on not allowing anymore nations to have nuclear weapons. It's bad enough we've let Pakistan and North Korea develop them and we still have our heads in the sand.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 8, 2009 7:35:28 PM
at least King Canute was being faceious when he tried to hold back the sea (contrary to modern rumor he was showing his men that he was only a King, not a God, and he could not hold back the tide.)
Too bad Obama, and other leaders, can't learn that simple lesson. But then again, ol' Canute, never proclaimed himself "The One" and that a "light will shine down upon you" and tell you to vote for him.
So Obama, etc, by their decree will limit no more than a 2 degree Celsius change? Guess what, Obama? That happens everyday as soon as the sun goes down!
Posted by: ed | Jul 8, 2009 7:26:08 PM
"Now you are going to hear the Republicans start carping about all the inalienable freedoms for muslims that they spent the last 8 years denying."
Reh? Seriously, reh? Please expound on this commentary.
Posted by: Danilo | Jul 8, 2009 7:23:20 PM
Ohhhh great....
Now you are going to hear the Republicans start carping about all the inalienable freedoms for muslims that they spent the last 8 years denying.
Posted by: blip | Jul 8, 2009 7:12:48 PM
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