Kyrgyz bars head of ethnic clashes probe
26 May
A Finnish politician who led an international commission to investigate deadly ethnic clashes in Kyrgyzstan last summer was barred from the country Thursday because officials believe his report was biased. The ex-Soviet nation's parliament overwhelmingly backed a resolution to ban Kimmo Kiljunen. The parliament said in a statement that the report written by Kiljunen's team is an incitement to racial hatred and endangers the national security of Kyrgyzstan. Kiljunen's report is "biased, one-sided, does not contribute to peace, stability and serve to prevent further conflict," the statement said. Out of the 96 deputies present in parliament, all but one voted in favor of the resolution declaring Kiljunen persona non grata. Around 470 people, mainly minority ethnic Uzbeks, were killed in June 2010 in southern Kyrgyzstan. Kiljunen's report includes sharp criticism of the security forces' handling of the unrest and also said some military officers handed out weapons to Kyrgyz mobs who attacked Uzbeks. Kiljunen criticized the ban. "I can only say that the truth seems to add to the agony," Kiljunen told The Associated Press in Helsinki. "We've produced an honest account of the events and analyzed them objectively. Some circles of power seem not willing to face the facts." Kiljunen stressed that Kyrgyzstan's government — unlike the parliament — agrees with the report's recommendations and conclusions though it has also criticized some of the report's interpretations. He added that the United Nations, European Union and U.S. have received the report positively.
The international inquiry was set up at the request of the Kyrgyz government as a measure intended to demonstrate transparency and willingness to address some of the problems at the root of the violence. The past year has seen a notable rise in nationalism in Kyrgyzstan, however, and the KIC report is seen by many officials as a slur against ethnic Kyrgyz that fails to significantly address perceived ethnic Uzbek culpability in the violence. As well as criticizing inaction, the KIC also suggested that attacks by Kyrgyz mobs on Uzbek neighborhoods "if proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law, would amount to crimes against humanity" — an assertion that has caused notable discomfort in the country. (AP)
U.S. offers reward for Chechen bin Laden
26 May
Washington said it was offering a $5 million reward for information leading to the location of Doku Umarov [1], described as Chechnya's Osama bin Laden [2]. The U.S. State Department said Thursday it wanted information on Umarov, the leader of the Caucasus Emirate movement. Umarov claimed responsibility for the 2010 bombing of a Moscow subway station that killed 40 people. Russia's predominantly Muslim North Caucasus republics Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia have seen an upsurge of violence recently. Russia has been fighting the insurgency for many years following two bloody conflicts in Chechnya in the 1990s. The State Department accused Umarov's group of launching terrorist attacks in the region and issuing statements encouraging violence against its stated enemies, which includes the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and Israel. He was listed as a specially designated terrorist by the State Department in 2010. Leaders of the Chechen republic suggested Umarov was among those killed in an April raid. However, a man who said he was Umarov later said in a phone call to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that he was alive and well. "There was an operation in which several mujahedin died," the man said. "My death was announced, too. They won't receive any respite from me. I'm preparing my answer to them. They should expect news from me soon." (UPI)
Turkmenistan 'setting up space agency'
31 May
The isolated ex-Soviet state of Turkmenistan has set up its own space agency with a presidential decree, local media said on Tuesday. The agency aims "to ensure the implementation of scientific achievements in the national economy and to supervise future space exploration," said a decree signed by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
The decree published in the state-run newspaper Neitralny Turkmenistan, or Neutral Turkmenistan, did not specify who would head the new agency in the gas- and oil-rich Central Asian state. Turkmenistan, a largely desert state with a population of five million, has reportedly been in talks with potential partners to launch its first telecommunications satellite to boost its television and Internet network. Under the eccentric late president Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan sent a container into space in 2004 from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome. Inside was a national flag and the Ruhnama, a book written by the leader. (AFP)
Turkmenistan adopts new law on presidential election
1 June
Turkmen media have announced the adoption of a new law on presidential elections. According to the new law, a presidential candidate must have the backing of a political party or collect 50,000 signatures to register and compete.
Reports did not mention that there is only one registered political party in the country -- the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, formerly the Communist Party of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Turkmenistan -- which is led by current President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. The publication of the new law on June 1 could be an indicator that Turkmenistan will go ahead with scheduled presidential elections in 2012. The previous president Saparmurat Niyazov was elected only once in 1992 and ruled until his death in December 2006. The announcement of the new law comes on the eve of a visit by Audronius Azubalis, Lithuania's foreign minister and currently the OSCE chairman-in-office. (RFE/RL)
Sokhumi Says Recognized by Vanuatu
1 June
The small island state of Vanuatu in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean has recognized independence of Abkhazia, the latter’s foreign ministry said. The foreign ministry of breakaway region released a joint statement [3], dated with May 27, “on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of Vanuatu”. “The establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries is governed by the realities of the modern geopolitical world where mutually beneficial cooperation will be built through development of economic cultural and other relations between the peoples of Vanuatu and Abkhazia,” the statement reads. Vanuatu with total land area of 12,190 square km has the population of less than 250,000. Its economy is mainly based on small-scale agriculture; fishing; offshore financial services and tourism. Before the most recent announcement Abkhazia, along with Georgia’s second breakaway region of South Ossetia, was recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and by the smallest island nation of Nauru. The statement was first made about the recognition by Vanuatu by the breakaway region’s foreign minister Maxim Gvinjia in an interview with the Russia's English-language TV Russia Today on May 31, which was immediately picked up by the Russian news wires. The news was also reported by The New York Times on its website [4] on May 31 and next day in its print version saying that “the government of Vanuatu, which is in an economic slump, said in a statement that recognition was intended to ‘foster the development of friendly relations’ and explore joint economic projects.” The Georgian Foreign Ministry has not yet reacted to the reported recognition of Abkhazia by Vanuatu. Davit Bakradze, the Georgian parliamentary speaker, said on June 1, that “whether the report is confirmed or not, it will not change anything.” He said that all the leading world nations were committed to Georgia’s territorial integrity. (Civil Georgia)
Azerbaijani FM meets representatives of world media
2 June
Baku, June 2 As a part of his visit to the United States, Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov met with representatives of Tompson Reuters, CNN, Associated Press, Inner City Press and Summit Energy. The minister provided information about main priorities of Azerbaijan`s foreign policy. Mammadyarov also touched on economic achievements of the country. The chief diplomat said his country is "active" participant of regional projects and initiated various international projects.
He also updated journalists on the negotiation process over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Mammadyarov said the United Nations Security Council`s four resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from occupied territories still remain unfulfilled by Armenia. On the Azerbaijan-US relations, the minister said the countries enjoy “effective” cooperation. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan was nominated for non-permanent membership of UN Security Council for 2012-2013, informing about advantages of Azerbaijan`s nomination. (AzerTAc)
Azerbaijan files note of protest to Egypt
1 June
It was identified that “Vodafone Egypt” mobile communication company of Egypt was cooperating with “Karabakh Telecom” company which is illegally functioning in Azerbaijan`s occupied territories in the roaming sphere.
According to the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a note of protest was filed by the Azerbaijani embassy in Cairo to Egypt`s Foreign Ministry and meetings were held with officials of the Ministry. Noting that the cooperation between “Vodafone Egypt” and “Karabakh Telecom” contradicts the principles of international law and leading documents of the International Telecommunication Union, stopping it was asked.
In response to the embassy`s appeal, the Egypt`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed on May 29 that cooperation between “Vodafone Egypt” and “Karabakh Telecom” was stopped. (AzerTAc)
China-Kazakhstan cooperation center to open in July
2 June
The China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center will become operational on July 1, providing a transnational market place for citizens from China, Kazakhstan and third countries to negotiate business and trade. Chinese citizens with the second generation identity cards can enter the cooperation center for trading after obtaining passes, said Liang Xinyuan, the executive deputy director with the Administration Committee of the Horgos Special Economic Development Zone. "Citizens of China, Kazakhstan and third countries can have a single stay within the center for 30 days," Liang added. The China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center is a transnational cooperation zone initiated by leaders of China and Kazakhstan, and a demonstration area of regional cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The center covers 3.43 square km in China and 1.85 sq km in Kazakhstan. A total of 880 million yuan had been spent in the construction of the cooperation center since the project began in 2007. The center is designed for business negotiations, commodity displays and sales, storage, transportation, financial services and holding international trade fairs. (Xinhua)
Azeri defense ministry says Armenia making war inevitable
4 June
Azerbaijan's defense ministry was quoted Saturday as saying Azeri troops would eventually be sent to seize back the Armenian-backed breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia's Interfax news agency said the ministry accused Armenia of repeatedly obstructing talks to resolve the dispute, which in the past two years has seen the worst skirmishes since a 1994 ceasefire. The comments came only weeks before the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan were scheduled to meet in the Volga river city of Kazan as part of efforts to settle a major source of instability in an oil and gas transit zone. "Eventually, Azerbaijani soldiers will meet the expectations of the people, the government, and the supreme commander-in- chief and will liberate the occupied land from the enemy," Azeri defense ministry spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu told a news conference, according to Interfax. In a separate report, the agency cited an Armenian defense ministry press officer who accused the Azeris of "preparing ground for new provocations" by disseminating misinformation. The two southern Caucasus countries fought a six-year war over the territory which broke away from Muslim Azerbaijan with the help of Christian Armenia during the collapse of the Soviet Union. The mountainous territory, and considerable lands around it, were wrested entirely from Baku's control. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who has ramped up his country's military power with recent arms deals, has said Azerbaijan is willing to go to war with Armenia to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh. (Reuters)
Detained Kazakh Oil Workers Go on Trial
6 June
Hundreds of striking Kazakh oil workers have gathered in the western city of Aqtau to support 30 colleagues on trial for taking part in an "unsanctioned mass gathering," RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. Mukhtar Umbetov, head of the local trade union alliance, told RFE/RL that 37 of the hundreds of striking oil workers from the Qarazhanbasmunai Oil Company were arrested in Aqtau on June 5 when police forcibly dispersed demonstrators. Seven of the detainees were released later that day. The trial of the remaining 30 began on June 6. Two of the protesters slashed their stomachs during the June 5 standoff with police and have since been hospitalized. The Prosecutor-General's Office announced that the police action in Aqtau was legal. The march was called to express worker dissatisfaction with the results of their meeting with regional governor Qyrymbek Kosherbaev on June 3.
They also demanded the rehiring of all workers fired for participating in the strike and the immediate release of jailed union activist Natalya Sokolova, who had provided them with legal assistance. Sokolova was found guilty on May 24 of "organizing an unsanctioned mass gathering" in front of police headquarters in Aqtau on May 21 and sentenced to eight days in jail. Her sentence was to have ended on June 1, but local authorities have not released her and say she has since been charged with "igniting social hatred."
U.S. Backs Caspian Gas Pipeline
6 June
The Obama administration told Congress that it strongly supported a Southern Corridor pipeline to bring natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe, which would reduce the role of Russian supplies. "From the standpoint of U.S. policy goals, the best outcome is one that brings the most gas, soonest and most reliably, to those parts of Europe that need it most," Richard Morningstar, U.S. energy envoy for the Eurasian region, told a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee late last week. Three pipeline consortiums are competing to bring natural gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to Europe, and the investment decisions to make that possible should be made by the end of this year, Morningstar said. However, the United States does not want the pipeline to move gas from Iran, Morningstar reiterated. Morningstar said the United States faces a difficult decision if it chooses to sanction the Shah Deniz gas project because a subsidiary of Iran's national oil company owns 10 percent of the operation. He said Iran would probably benefit if the project were hit with sanctions, because Iran needed gas. "It's a serious policy issue," he said. (Reuters)
Azeri-Jordanian defense links grow
6 June
Azerbaijan's Defense Industry Ministry and Jordan's NP Aerospace Jordan company have formed a joint venture for body armor components. The arrangement provides for a joint venture to manufacture of body armor and reinforced helmets, Trend news agency reported Monday. NP Aerospace Jordan Executive Director Nabil Issa signed the agreement on behalf of Jordan with his Azeri counterpart, Radioqurasdirma factory Director Ramiz Mammadov.
The contract stipulates that production of the equipment will be shared between the countries, with certain components of the body armor manufactured in Jordan and the remainder in Azerbaijan. NP Aerospace Jordan is to supply Azerbaijan's Radioqurasdirma facility with an initial order of 15,000 units of composite materials for the production of helmets and ceramic plates and an additional 12,000 units for the production of the body armor.
The agreement provides for Azeri specialists to be trained in Jordan to manufacture body armors and helmets, with production to begin next year. (UPI)
The Kyrgyz Premier to visit Tashkent late June, 2011
6 June
The Premier Almazbek Atambayev [5] will visit Tashkent late June, 2011 as Aksakal news agency reports, 24.kg [6] reported. Reportedly, the Kyrgyz Premier will visit Uzbekistan to discuss the issue on gas tanks located on the border near Nothern Sokh and Chongara-Galcha. The gas tanks were created during the Soviet era and now countries are arguing who must use them as they located on the border. To date Uzbekistan is using them. Recall that the Kyrgyz Parliament adopted the resolution in May 2011. According to the resolution the gas tanks must be transferred to Kyrgyzstan. (24.kg)
Kazakhstan deports Uighur to China, rights groups cry foul
7 June
Kazakhstan has extradited an ethnic Uighur schoolteacher who had been granted UN refugee status to face charges of terrorism in China, a diplomat said today, drawing condemnation from rights groups who said the case was politically motivated. Activists have criticised Kazakhstan’s decision to deport Ershidin Israil, saying he could suffer harsh treatment and even torture in China. Kazakhstan said China had agreed that the death penalty would not be applied. “Israil has been extradited to the People’s Republic of China,” Ilyas Omarov, press secretary for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, said. He said the handover had been made at the request of Interpol and had happened on May 30. “The Chinese side gave written guarantees that Israil would not be executed,” the diplomat said. The Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighur people are native to China’s far western region of Xinjiang, which is strategically located on the borders of Central Asia. Many of Xinjiang’s 8 million Uighurs resent the growing presence and economic grip of the majority Han Chinese. Israil, who holds a Chinese passport, was arrested in Kazakhstan’s financial capital Almaty on June 24 last year on terrorism charges, following a request from Interpol, Omarov said.
On June 8, 2010, Israil had officially applied for refugee status in Kazakhstan. At the time, he held a refugee mandate issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Taking into account Israil’s confessions on his role in a terrorist act in China’s Xinjiang and ... his possible complicity in preparing a terrorist act in July 1997, the (migration) commission turned down (on September 9, 2010) his request to obtain refugee status in Kazakhstan,” Omarov said. “Granting Israil shelter in Kazakhstan, as well as in any third country, would pose a threat to the security of Kazakhstan and other countries.” The exiled World Uyghur Congress said Israil had fled Xinjiang in 2009 after providing information to Radio Free Asia about the death of another Uighur man. That year, Uighurs rioted against Han Chinese residents in Xinjiang’s regional capital Urumqi, killing at least 197 people, mostly Han. “Israil’s deportation appears to be based on accusations by the Chinese authorities of his involvement in ‘terrorism,’” Human Rights in China said in a statement. “Such accusations, however, were levied against Israil after he allegedly released details of the September 18, 2009 beating death of ethnic Uyghur Shohret Tursun, who had been detained by Chinese authorities following the Urumqi riots,” it added. China’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Omarov said that after studying Israil’s case, the UNHCR annulled on May 3 its refugee mandate issued to Israil. (Reuters)
Astana hosts Seventh World Islamic Economic Forum
7 June
Astana [7] opened the seventh World Islamic Economic Forum [8] (WIEF) on Tuesday. The WIEF theme is "Globalising Growth: Connect, Compete, Collaborate" in a bid to mobilize the Muslim and non-Muslim nations towards greater economic independence through open channels of communication and strategic cross-border partnerships. The Seventh WIEF will be preceded by the Businesswomen and Young Leaders Forums, which will officially open together with the WIEF Exhibition by Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov. The Seventh WIEF will feature Forum highlights including the leadership Panel to discuss entrepreneurship as a vehicle of growth, a signature ‘Countries in Focus’ Session showcasing business, trade and investment opportunities in developing OIC countries and Parallel Sessions covering Islamic banking, infrastructure development, SMEs ecosystem and alternative energy. The event is first held in Central Asia. More than 150 prominent Kazakh and foreign speakers will attend the forum, while the total number of participants is roughly 2,000 people. President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh, Vice President of Indonesia Boediono, Prime Ministers Najib Razak of Malaysia, Akil Akilov of Tajikistan, Vice Premiers Roz Nouri Shawis of Iraq, Omurbek Babanov of Kyrgyzstan, IDB President Ahmed Mohammed Ali, ex-Premiers of Lebanon, Pakistan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Ministers of Finance of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Economic Affairs Ministers of UAE, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will attend the Forum this year.
The WIFE, the main annual economic summit of OIC member states and the so-called "Islamic Davos", was first held on Oct.1-3, 2005, in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) under the motto "Forging New Alliances for Development and Progress". The WIEF working body is the Secretariat, which meets twice a year. The Secretariat headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). (Trend)
Turkey Duns Turkmenistan for $1Bln
7 June
Turkish President Abdullah Gul [9]met with his counterpart in Turkmenistan last week for urgent talks thought to be related to $1 billion in outstanding bills owed to Turkish construction companies that have revamped the capital city.
Turkish companies have played a leading role in transforming this old sleepy post-Soviet backwater into a city of soaring marble-clad government offices and apartment blocks. But a report last month by risk analyst D&B said 25 Turkish firms are preparing to take legal action against Turkmenistan over the hitherto unexplained nonpayment.
Turkish media reported that Gul’s visit is aimed at recovering the debt and heading off complaints to the International Center for Settlement of Investments Disputes, or ICSID. Several Turkish businessmen said they believed it to be the central issue of Gul’s visit, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of imperiling their investments in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation. Gul himself was coy on the nature of the visit, but warned what was at stake before setting out. “With my visit, we will be reviewing all aspects of our cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, investments and education,” Gul said. “Turkmenistan is the country where Turkish businessmen have undertaken the largest number of projects in Central Asia,” he said, adding that Turkish companies have developed projects worth $21 billion since Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991. Turkey’s daily newspaper Hurriyet reported in April that the Turkmen government was refusing to pay Turkish companies $1 billion owed for building work. It also said Gul, who is known to take a close interest in Turkish investors abroad, had scheduled a trip to discuss the issue with Turkmen officials. Foreign companies based in Turkmenistan, run as an opaque and authoritarian fiefdom since independence, are normally highly reluctant to publicize problems with the government. Turkish builder Ickale Insaat broke ranks late last year, however, when it filed a complaint against the country with the ICSID. “More are to follow,” said Ozan Ickale, of the Ankara-based builder. “The Turkish companies are slowly all seeking their rights through arbitration.” He said a number of Turkish contractors have been jailed in Turkmenistan or are barred from leaving the country “for simply seeking their rights.” Ickale itself is owed over $50 million, he said. “Not only have we stopped our activities, but we were lucky to have come out of there,” he said. Ickale said the Turkish government has promised to help them. He said he did not know if the president was expected to discuss their grievances in Turkmenistan. Ickale said three other companies had cases pending at the ICSID. (The Moscow Times)
Turkey to produce armaments for Azerbaijan
7 June
Turkey's Roketsan company will produce jet projectiles for Azerbaijan's armed forces. Roketsan Director General Huseyn Baysak told the Informatsionnoe agenstvo Azeri-press about the contract, the news agency reported Tuesday. Baysak said his firm will start producing the munitions this year, with delivery scheduled for early 2012. Baysak said of his dealings with Azeri military: "At the same time, we continue meetings on joint production with the (Azeri) Ministry of Defense Industry. The first principled protocol of understanding was signed within the framework of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. Activities are being continued to sign the relevant contract and I think that we will sign this contract within this year." Baysak said that, together with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense industries, Roketsan will also produce rocket launchers similar to Sakarya multiple-rocket launchers. He said: "Our discussions are being continued. I think it will be possible soon." Baysak stated that added that Roketsan will produce engines for missiles currently in Azerbaijan's arsenal in a joint venture with Azerbaijan. (UPI)
UK to send security adviser to Georgian Defense Ministry
7 June
The UK will send its security adviser to the Georgian Defense Ministry. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Georgian Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia [10] and British International Security Strategy Minister Gerald Howarth [11], the Georgian Defense Ministry told Trend. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Defense Minister Nodar Kharshiladze [12] and the Chief of Joint Staff Devi Chankotadze. The meeting discussed deepening of relations in various spheres, including the training of military personnel, the Defense Ministry said. Howarth said Georgia remains the UK’s important friend. In Afghanistan, the Georgian and British soldiers are fighting side by side. He thanked the Georgian military for the sacrifice that they make to preserve security and stability in the world. "I am glad to visit Georgia. I want to stress that the UK supports Georgia in its integration into Euro-Atlantic structure. The UK will continue to support Georgia in the reforms to join NATO," Howarth said. (Trend)
U.S. Senate Report: Afghanistan could face economic crisis after 2014
8 June
A new U.S. congressional report warns that Afghanistan could face a deep financial crisis after foreign troops leave as scheduled in 2014, unless more success starts being achieved now with foreign aid dollars. The report was completed after two years of study by members of President Barack Obama's Democratic Party who serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The report says U.S.-backed stabilization programs in Afghanistan have had limited success, despite about $18.8 billion being spent over 10 years -- more than for any other country, including Iraq. The report says that misspent foreign aid can result in corruption, distort markets, and hamper the ability of Afghanistan's government to control resources. The report says that 97 percent of the gross domestic product in Afghanistan is linked to spending by the international military and donor community. The report says "Afghanistan could suffer a severe economic depression when foreign troops leave in 2014 unless the proper planning begins now." (RFE/RL)
Obama regrets Afghan civilian losses
8 June
U.S. President Barack Obama [13] voiced regret for civilian deaths in Afghanistan to Afghan President Hamid Karzai [14] Wednesday, the White House said. The two leaders spoke for about 90 minutes by video teleconference and "agreed that every loss of civilian life is a tragedy and undermines our mission that focuses on protecting the population," Obama press secretary Jay Carney [15] said. "The president expressed his sorrow over tragic civilian casualties, most recently in Helmand province," Carney said. "Both leaders noted that the Taliban are responsible for the great majority of civilian losses, and agreed that every loss of civilian life is a tragedy and undermines our mission that focuses on protecting the population." Carney said Obama and Karzai "agreed to maintain their close consultations going forward." Karzai has been increasingly critical of NATO raids that kill non-combatants. The White House said both presidents agreed the Taliban are to blame for most of the carnage. Obama and Karzai also discussed "the impact of the death of Osama bin Laden on the fight against terrorism and on regional dynamics, their shared commitment to Afghan-led reconciliation … and transition to Afghan leadership for security," the White House said. Carney said Obama and Karzai also talked about "the process of transition to an Afghan lead" in military operations but did not discuss specific numbers of U.S. troop withdrawals that could begin next month. "As you know, and it remains the case, the president has not made a decision yet about the pace and scope [of troop withdrawals]," Carney said. "He's obviously going to be having discussions with his team in the coming days and weeks about that matter and will make his decision soon, as he said the other day." (UPI)