DIPLOMATIC TIMES OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE 01
UNITED NATIONS HONORS GREAT MAN OF PEACE NELSON MANDELA WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS? TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAGING WAR ON U.N. Credit: U.N. Archives / Nelson Mandela Adresses the United Nations World Body in New York June 22, 1990.
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CONTENTS The U.N. Issue Page 4 United Nations Honors Nelson Mandela | Page 7 NATO and U.N. Cooperation Continues Page 8 President Trump Highly Critical of U.N. | Page 12 The 1945 U.N. Charter Signed In San Francisco
EDITOR’S NOTE: The United Nations Is Facing One of The Most Fervent Ideological Attacks In Its History, waged by The World’s Mightiest Power: The United States, under the current Aministration of President Donald Trump. The flags of the U.N flying proudly in a calm Autumn wind offer hope for world peace. But the flags could be flying in Stormy times ahead if the Trump administration has its way. Just this summer, the US pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council. The bold, controversial move left the U.S. without a voice in one of the most visible international human rights bodies in the world. Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, explained at the time that the US could no longer be part of a UN body that was a “protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias.” Tough words indeed. Earlier this year, Trump proclaimed that the 71-year-old institution “is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.” Since taking office in January 2017, the Trump administration has threatened or attempted to weaken multilateralism and international human rights bodies including the International Criminal Court. The Trump Administration backed by senior GOP senators have repeatedly called for the US to stop funding the UN amid what they perceive are anti-Israel resolutions. The US spends around $3 billion a year on the New York-based institution. The US is by far the biggest contributor to the UN budget, funding 22 per cent of the organization’s annual costs. The US also funds nearly 30 percent of the UN;s peacekeeping budget. After speaking at his first UN General Assembly gathering in September 2017, The New Repbulic magazine referred to Trump as “the new Qaddafi” of the UNGA. There will be some very challenging times ahead for the UN body, and it must strive to prove to the world that it is still relevant amid the Trump Administration’s attacks.
PHOTO BY Gary Raynaldo / United Nations Heaquarters in New York City USA DIPLOMATIC TIMES Vol. 1, Issue No.1 © 2018 CANAAN LIGHT PRODUCTIONS, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication in part is prohibited without written express of the publisher.
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U.N. General Assembly Convenes Nelson Mandela Peace Summit More
than a dozen African leaders joined their peers from across the world for a major event at the ongoing 73rd United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Nelson Mandela Peace Summit was the second big Mandela event at the UNGA after a life-size statue of the leader was unveiled by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The statute is in the lobby of the U.N.
Meanwhile, in UNGA resolution 72/243, adopted on 22 December 2017, UN Member States decided to hold a high-level plenary meeting on global peace in honor of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. The summit included the delivery of statements by African leaders on the impact that the former anti-apartheid leader had on the world. Southern Africa dominated with over six presidents from the region in addition to Mandela’s widow, the honorable Graca Machel. Credit: UN.com / GraçaMachel, member of The Elders and widow of Nelson Mandela, makes remarks during the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit.
Unveiling Ceremony of Nelson Mandela Statue from South Africa
Credit: UN.com / Secretary-General António Guterres (centre) attends to a ceremony held to unveil the Nelson Mandela Statue (Mandela hands up ) gifted to the United Nations by the Republic of South Africa.
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statute of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela was unveiled at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York on Monday. The statute forms part of the UN declaring 2019 to 2028 as the “Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace”. UN secretary general António Guterres described Mandela as a man who “embodied the highest values of the United Nations – peace, forgiveness, compassion and human dignity”.
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U.N. Pays Hommage To Nelson Mandela 73rd Session of U.N. General Assembly 2018
The United Nations Postal Administration issued a stamp July 18, 2018 honoring Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid leader and first democratically elected president. Mandela was born 100 years ago, on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa. Mandela was born 100 years ago, on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa. July 18 is Mandela’s birthday. The date was also designated Nelson Mandela International Day.
Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly Unveiling of Nelson Mandela Statue: Photo by: UN.com.
“This morning, it is an honor and a privilege to be with you for the official unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela. I thank President Ramaphosa and the Government and people of South Africa for this symbolic honor for a man whose life and sacrifice set an example of honor for the whole world.”
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Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Of Struggle For Human Rights Lives On At United Nations By Gary Raynaldo
A life-like statute of anti-apartheid South Africa hero Nelson Mandela was unveiled at the United Nations Sep. 24, 2018. The statue was exhibeted during 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa was on hand to personally bare Mandela’s statute before the world. “President Mandela firmly believed that the United Nations was the most valuable and effective instrument for the advancement of peace, development and equality that humanity conceived. We trust that this statue will remain a constant affirmation of South Africa’s commitment to a better world for all,” SA President Ramaphosa said. Photo by Gary Raynaldo / Nelson Mandela is immortalized in the lobby of UN Headquarters in New York .
Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly stated: “This morning, it is an honor and a privilege to be with you for the official unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela. I thank President Ramaphosa and the Government and people of South Africa for this symbolic honor for a man whose life and sacrifice set an example of honor for the whole world. The legacy of Mandela, borne out of the struggle against Apartheid, grew to encompass not only the rights of the people of South Africa but the sheer necessity and universality of human rights for all. The statue that we unveil today is not done in mourning for his passing, as so many monuments are, but is done in celebration and in deep respect and gratitude.”
Photo by Gary Raynanldo / Mandela’s warm smile and out-stretched hands welcome employees and visitors to the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York.
Photo by Gary Raynaldo / Anti-Apartheid hero Mandela stands proudly in the visitors’ section of the United Nations.
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“His is a legacy of perseverance, of dedication, and of unwavering commitment to the dignity of people. This statue will stand as testament to Mandela and, by extension, to the values that he so fiercely defended and fought for: for racial equality, for non-discrimination, and for the incredible value and dignity of human life,” Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés stated.
ICC President at the opening of UN General Assembly holds high-level meetings with States The President of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji held an official visit to the United Nations in New York from 23 to 25 September 2018 to attend the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit which took place on 24 September 2018, as well as the opening of the High-Level general debate of the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2018. At the Summit world leaders unanimously adopted a declaration committing to redouble efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive world, as they paid tribute to the late South African President. In his statement, which was circulated during the Credit: ICC.com / ICC President with U.N. Assistant Secretary General Madame Summit, President Eb-
mitting to redouble efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive world, as they paid tribute to the late South African President. In his statement, which was circulated during the Summit, President Eboe-Osuji stated that justice is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of lasting peace, and expressed his gratitude to the States in all regions that are standing strong in support of the Court. I doing so, added the President, States give actionable affirmation to the global commitment of peace. [‘never again’ to the kinds of atrocious crimes that the Court was created to punish.
NATO and United Nations Continue To Balance Hard Power With Soft Dipolmacy
NATO Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg joined world leaders in New York on Tuesday (25 September 2018) to attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On Tuesday, the Secretary General met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Secretary General said after the meeting, “NATO and Russia Credit: NATO.Int. / Nato Secretary Stoltenberg with U.N. Sec. Generaal have serious disagreements exercise Vostok as well as NATO´s upcoming exercise Trident Juncture. I on a number of issues, also raised NATO´s concerns about Russia´s ongoing aggressive actions which make our dialogue in Ukraine, , and expressed NATO´s strong solidarity with the United even more important. To- Kingdom following the attack in Salisbury. Minister Lavrov and I agreed day, we discussed military to continue our contacts.” Later on Tuesday, Mr. Stoltenberg met with UN posture and exercises, Secretary-General AntónioGuterres. The two leaders welcomed the ongoincluding Russia´s recent ing cooperation between NATO and the UN.
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They also exchanged views on the Western Balkans and the security situation in Afghanistan. NATO and the United Nations reinforce one another, as organisations committed to tackling security challenges and upholding the international rules-based order. Over the past decade, the two organisations have stepped up cooperation, working closely to support Afghanistan and Iraq.
President Trump Critical of United Nations US eliminates more than $200 Million in funding for UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees The United Nations
Relief and Works Agency provides schooling, health services and food assistance to for some 5.5 million refugees in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. The Trump administration last month eliminated more than $200 million in funding for UNRWA. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said: “The Administration has carefully reviewed the issue and determined that the United States will not make additional contributions to UNRWA. When we made a U.S. contribution of $60 million in January, we made it clear that the United States was no longer willing to shoulder the very disproportionate share of the burden of UNRWA’s costs that we had assumed for many years. Several countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Sweden, Qatar, and the UAE have shown leadership in addressing this problem, but the overall international response has not been sufficient.”
President Trump Stands Defiant Before UN General Assembly Rejecting Globalism
“The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation,” U.S. Department of State. Trump takes verbal sledgehammer to United Nations foundation, reports USA Today Sep. 26, 2018 after the U.S president’s speach before the U.N. General Assembly. solutions. Trump wasted no time in laying out his go-it-alone, America First doctrine of foreign policy.
Credit: news.un.org / Trump addresses the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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BUSINESS CORNER Namibia Seeking Investors For Business Opportunities In The Southwest African Nation
Photo Credit: by Gary Rayanldo / Namibia President H.E. Hage Geingob, Ph.D speaks at New York US investment forum Sep. 27, 2018
By Gary Raynaldo
stable democracies in Africa. He noted that Namibia has been politically stable since gaining independence from South Africa 28 years ago. “The first president of Namibia is still alive,” Minister Tweya said, referring to Samuel ShafiiNAMIBIA is a little known country located in southwest Africa offering big investment opportunities. U.S. President Donald shuna Daniel Nujom, who served as Namibia’s president after the county gained its independence from South Africa in Trump erroneously referred to the southern African nation of 1990. Nujom served as president for three terms until 2005. Namibia as “Nambia” last year in a speech to African leaders. The “He is still alive in Namibia, not in exile, and is very popular Namibia government held an investment forum in New York City last week pitching numerous business opportunities for internation- with the people,” Minister Tweya said, emphasizing the country’s political stability. “Namibia’s second president, al investors seeking a foothold and growth in the African conti(Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba-from 2005-2015), is also still nent. The “Invest in Namibia” forum was organized by AZ Media Agency and held Sept. 17 at 75 Rockefeller Plaza at Convene located alive, not exiled, and very popular,” Minister Tweya added. in the iconic Rockefeller Center section of mid-town Manhattan. The investment forum got underway with Namibia’s head of state, President Hage Geingob, Ph.D., as lead spokesperson for the senior government officials, heads of state-owned companies, and executives from more than 40 of Namibia’s top private enterprises who accompanied him. President Geingob emphasized that the southwest African nation was particularly seeking investors who don’t simply want to take all of their profits out of the country, but to invest some of it in Namibia by creating jobs to help the country’s effort to eradicate poverty.
Namibia offers investors a climate of “political and economic stability”
Acccording to Hon. Tjekero Tweya, Minister of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, Namibia is one of the most
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Source Wikpedia: The Republic of Nambia is “a gateway” into southern Africa and the world market. Namibia is “landlinked” not “land-locked”.
Republic of Namibia rolls out Red Carpet for Investors By Offering Economic Incentives Such as Exemptions from Corporate Income Tax
Photo Credit / By Gary Raynaldo / Hon. Tjekero Tweya, (right) Minister of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development explains the reasons to invest in Namibia at New York forum Sept. 27, 2018.
Namibia Minister of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development Hon. Tjekero Tweya provided a rundown on investment opportunities in Namibia. They include:
PEUGEOT TO OPEN A NEW ASSEMBLY PLANT IN NAMIBIA
Mining and Energy Oil and Gas, Solar Power, Mineral Exploration, diamonds, uranium, zinc, etc.) Agriculture (organic beef) Tourism (Hotels, Convention Centers, Safari) Manufacturing and Processing Credit: Groupe PSA: In March 2018, Groupe PSA and the Namibian government signed an investment joint venture. Infrastructure (Shopping Malls, Supermarkets, Affordable HousIn March 2018, Groupe PSA and the Namibian government signed ing). an investment agreement facilitating the joint-venture agreement between Groupe PSA and Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) to assemble PEUGEOT vehicles in Walvis Bay. Executive Vice President for Middle East and Africa Region at Groupe PSA, Jean-Christophe QUEMARD said: “This investment in Namibia is part of Groupe PSA’s longterm strategy to increase its sales in Africa and the Middle East, which is consistent with our target to sell one million vehicles in 2025. This new capacity will serve regional markets with products in line with our Peugeot customer expectation”.
Hilton, Rio Tinto, Glencore, Peugeot, Shell, BP, Total France, among foreign investors “operating successfully” in Namibia.
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BRITISH DESIGNER OZWALD BOATENG TO DESIGN NEW UNIFORMS FOR BRITISH AIRWAYS
Credit: BA Media / London Designer Ozwald Boeteng will design and tailor new uniforms for all worldwide British Airways employees.
By Gary Raynaldo
at Paris Fashion Week. Boateng OBE, said:
Savile Row tailoring expert, Ozwald Boateng OBE, is to be
“I am really excited about creating this new uniform for British Airways. It is important for me to create something that makes all of British Airways’ 32,000 uniform-wearing employees across the world excited, at the same time as enabling me to really demonstrate my skills as a designer. British Airways is investing £4.5 billion over the next five years and the uniform I design will form part of that, so I’m looking forward to taking a uniform and refining it into a collection.” The Savile Row tailor launched his first womenswear collection this year. The British men’s wear designer has taken the fashion world by storm ever since coming on the scene in 1986 with his cutting edge designs.
the next in an auspicious line-up of British designers to develop uniforms British Airways, the airline announced. Boateng, who is known for bringing a modern contemporary twist to the classic British institution of tailoring, will be designing a collection for the airline’s 32,000 employees who wear a uniform as part of their role. The new uniform will form an important part of the airline’s celebrations for its Centenary next year. Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “Our uniforms have been an iconic symbol of our brand throughout our 100-year history and our partnership with Ozwald will take us forward to the next chapter in our journey. At a time when we’re investing for customers, new uniforms are a visual representation of investment in our people and we want them to feel proud when they wear the new uniform,” Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive. The British fashion designer of Ghanaian descent is known for his trademark twist on classic British tailoring and bespoke style. Ozwald started his career in fashion in 1986 and became the first tailor to host a catwalk show
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Ozwald will be working closely with the airline’s employees throughout the development process, from shadowing them to understand their roles and how the uniforms need to perform, to design, testing and final delivery. British Airways has worked with a number of famous names throughout its history to design its uniforms. These include Paul Costelloe, Roland Klein, Baccart Weatherall, Hardy Amies and Julien MacDonald, the designer of the airline’s current uniform.
1945: The San Francisco ConferenceSigning Of The Historic U.N. Charter
Credit: http://www.sfmuseum.org / The United States Sign the United Nations Charter in San Francisco 1945. US Secretary of State Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., Chairman, US Delegation, signing the UN Charter at a ceremony held at the Veterans’ War Memorial Building on 26 June. President Harry S. Truman stands by at left .
The United Nations Conference on
International Organization (UNCIO), commonly known as the San Francisco Conference, was a convention of delegates from 50 Allied nations that took place from 25 April 1945 to 26 June 1945 in San Francisco, California. At this convention, the delegates reviewed and rewrote the Dumbarton Oaks agreements of the previous year. The convention resulted in the creation of the United Nations Charter, which was opened for signature on 26 June, the last day of the conference. The conference was held at various locations, primarily the War Memorial Opera House, with the Charter being signed on 26 June at the Herbst Theatre in Civic Center. The conference was chaired by U.S. diplomat Alger Hiss. Charter of the United Nations. Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations which was signed at San Francisco on 26 June 1945. (Credit: sfmuseum.org.)
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Photo by Gary Raynaldo / The historic 50 UN Plaza in San Francisco is currently used as a Federal office building.
‘Supersonic’ watch contains Aluminium from the G-BOAB Concorde, known as Alpha Bravo, that was donated by British Airways
Credit: BA / The limited-edition ‘luxury Bremont Supersonic’ watch contains part of a Concorde.
“Concorde was such a magnificent piece of engineering and will always be an important part of our heritage. We are hugely excited to have partnered with Bremont, another British brand with a history of exceptional design, as we celebrate Concorde’s 50th year and look ahead to our centenary in 2019,” Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO.
Credit: BA / Bremont’s ‘Supersonic’ luxury watch features an eight-day power reserve and has a sunburst white dial that represents Concorde’s specially developed highly reflective paint.
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The metal has been incorporated into the case back that features a description of the aircraft’s main attributes: number and registration, years of active service, number of supersonic flights as well as her top speed. The watch will be limited to 300 steel, 100 white gold and 100 rose gold pieces, with prices starting from £9,495. “Concorde was more than just metal. She inspired pride and emotion – that is truly a rare thing. We are delighted to dedicate the Bremont Supersonic chronometer to this remarkable type and will incorporate aluminium from Concorde Alpha Bravo into the watch. The Bremont Supersonic is our unique tribute to the world’s only successful supersonic airliner, Giles English, Bremont’s Co-founder, said. Nick English, Bremont’s Co-founder, added: “Concorde made the dream of supersonic travel a reality. She was a landmark in aircraft design and her incredible achievements make her a classic example of British engineering at its finest.”
British Airways Partners With Bremont Watchmakers for New Time Piece Made from Metal of Supersonic Concorde
Credit: BA media / British Airways pilot in front of BA’s Alpha Bravo Supersonic Concorde at Heathrow Airport London, UK. By Gary Raynaldo
The Supersonic Concorde epitomized beauty and power. Some described the plane as a giant swan
flying and many referred to it as the greatest and most glamorous civilian aircraft ever built. The plane’s technology was decades ahead of its time when it made its first supersonic flight Oct. 1, 1969. Then on Oct. 24, 2003, the Concorde flew its last flight and all 20 planes in its fleet were retired. British Airways has announced it is partner with luxury British watchmakers Bremont on the launch of a new limited-edition timepiece that features metal from one of the most famous and iconic planes in history. Ahead of the airline’s centenary celebrations next year, the special edition watch was unveiled at an event in London Wednesday evening, exactly 15 years after Concorde’s official farewell was held at Heathrow on October 24, 2003. The ‘Supersonic’ contains aluminium from the G-BOAB Concorde, known as Alpha Bravo, that was donated by British Airways to Bremont to incorporate into these exclusive timepieces.
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