News & Reports 2010-07-11

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In This Edition

Thousands of people in Srebrenica, in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, mark 15th anniversary of Europe's worst war crime since the Naziera.

South Korea says the country will discuss North Korea's willingness to return to the six-party talks on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Greek Foreign Ministry 2 says a ship chartered by a Libyan charity has been bound for Egypt, and not for Gaza as originally planned.

And on eve of the World Cup final, Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque says he is very conscious of the threat the Netherlands poses to his team's chance for glory.

Hot Issue Reports

Bodies of massacre 3 victims arrive at memorial centre in Srebrenica

Thousands of people in Srebrenica, in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, are marking 15th anniversary of Europe's worst war crime since the Nazi 1 era.

Trucks bearing 775 coffins 4 arrived at a memorial center in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica on Friday, ahead of a memorial service for the victims of the 1995 massacre.

The remains 5, found in mass graves and identified through DNA 6 tests, will be buried on Sunday—the 15th anniversary of the massacre.

Bosnian Muslim Amar Nisic was among the hundreds who took part in a memorial march from Cerska to Srebrenica on Friday.

"We just want to relive what our fellow men went through 15 years ago. That's the least that we can do."

The remains were all recently exhumed 7 from mass graves around Srebrenica, which was besieged 8 by Serbian forces throughout the war.

It had been declared a safe zone by the United Nations, and a number Bosnians had flocked there for protection.

But in July 1995, Serbian troops led by General Ratko Mladic overran the enclave.

The outnumbered UN troops never fired a shot. They watched as Serbian troops rounded up the population of Srebrenica and took the men away for execution.

More than 8-thousand Bosnian　Muslim men and boys were killed over several days.

The massacre has been described by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the darkest page in UN history.

South Korea Responds to North's Willingness to Return to Six-party Talks

North Korean state television carried a statement on Saturday from the country's foreign ministry that expressed willingness to return to international nuclear disarmament talks.

The move came following the United Nations Security Council adopted a presidential statement on the sinking of South Korean corvette Cheonan in March which killed 46 sailors onboard.

North Korea responded to the statement, saying it will constantly make an effort to reach a peace agreement and the denuclearization of the peninsula based on equal footing in the six-party talks.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun says the country will discuss North Korea's willingness to return to the six-party talks on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

"We would like to closely consult with countries related to the six-party talks while we watch the North's concrete actions after the adoption 9 of the Presidential Statement of the Security Council. Moreover, it's very important for the North to show its will towards denuclearization."

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned 10 the deadly attack on the South Korean warship 11 on March 26, and stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

Senior Iranian Cleric Warns Against Tougher Sanctions

A senior Iranian cleric has warned against the enforcement of any part of new UN sanctions against Iran.

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami was speaking to thousands of worshippers during his Friday prayer sermon in Tehran.

"This resolution of the Security Council is clear oppression against the Iranian nation. If you want to implement 12 the different aspects of this resolution, no matter whether by air or by sea or through the economy, the Islamic system will strongly confront it."

On June 9, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing 13 a fourth round of sanctions on Iran since 2006.

The international organization imposed the new sanctions, demanding that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities and peacefully resolve concerns about its nuclear program.

Lawyer Says Chapman Chapman Gave "No Secrets" to Russia

The attorney for one of the women who pleaded guilty to spying for Russia in the United States says she confessed to get out of jail.

Speaking to ABC television, Robert Baum maintained that his client, Anna Chapman, gave the Russians "no secrets whatsoever 14."

"I can tell you that what she did was minimal 15 under the statute 16 with which she was charged. I'm not saying she's not guilty, but I'm saying her conduct was far different from that of anyone else who was charged. The only time that she was ever asked to do anything, she refused to do it. She met with an undercover FBI agent who asked her to pass a forged passport to another person. She refused."

Chapman, 28, was accused of using a special laptop to transmit messages to another computer of an unnamed Russian official.

She is one of 10 Russian agents that the United States deported 17 on Friday.

In return, Moscow deported four men believed to be American spies.

Libyan aid ship departs for Egypt rather than Gaza

Greek Foreign Ministry says a ship chartered by a Libyan charity setting sail from Greece has been bound for Egypt, and not for Gaza as originally planned.

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras says the destination has been confirmed in talks with the Libyan ambassador and the ship's agent.

The cargo 18 ship Amalthea left from Lavrio, southeast of Athens on Saturday, carrying two-thousand tons of food and medical supplies intended for Gaza.

The organisers remain hopeful the Israeli authorities will let them sail to Gaza, rather than to the Egyptian port of al-Arish.

Youssef Sawani is Executive Director of the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation.

"We hope that the Israeli authorities would not ban the ship from entering the port of Gaza, because we think that's where the ship should be destined 19 to. That's the proper place for it to unload its goods. I think the Israelis need to understand that we are not provoking any kind of action, we are not in military action; we are a peaceful organisation 20, humanitarian 21 organisation."

The aid ship's journey comes more than a month after Israel raided Gaza-bound ships, killing 22 eight Turks and a Turkish-American.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza through land crossings. Last week, the Israeli government increased the flow of goods into the Palestinian territory.

Google says China license 23 renewed

Google says China has renewed the license it needs to continue operating a website in the country, securing the search giant's foothold in the world's biggest Internet market.

Google's top lawyer, David Drummond, said in an e-mailed statement that the company is very pleased that the Chinese government has renewed the license.

Sarah McDowall, an Asia-Pacific Research Analyst 24 with IHS Global Insight, said the renewal 25 of license is important for Google to secure a share of the huge Chinese internet market.

"Baidu, the Chinese search engine, has the largest market share in the country and Google comes second, so in that sense it doesn't have a huge commercial presence in the company, but in the long term, the Chinese market is a huge growth market and with more developed economies such as the United States internet markets being sort of saturated 26, the potential for Google to grow in China is huge."

The search engine operated by Chinese competitor Baidu has about 60 percent of the market to Google's 30 percent.

China already has nearly 400 million internet users, making it the world's biggest Internet market.

Google opened its China site in 2006 with a license running until 2012. But the license must be renewed annually 27.

The company closed its China search engine in March following argument with Chinese authorities over regulatory issues.

Afghans Protest Civilian 28 Death at the Hands of Foreign Troops

Hundreds of Afghans have taken to the streets of Mazar-i-Sharif to protest mounting civilian deaths.

The protest comes three days after U.S. troops killed two civilians 29 and arrested three others during a predawn raid on the northern city's outskirts 30.

Dr. Mohammad Afzal Hadid, head of the provincial 31 council of Mazar-i-Sharif, complained about the civilian deaths at the hands of foreign troops.

"Foreign forces attacked two innocent residents of Balkh (province) and have martyred them brutally 32, and a child that was two-and-a-half or three-years-old has been wounded by a flare 33. Foreign troops have also taken three of our dear countrymen who were working with a construction company."

Civilian casualties and friendly-fire deaths among Afghan security forces have frequently occurred since the ousting 34 of the Taliban in 2001.

General David Petraeus, the recently appointed commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan, has said civilian deaths must be kept at a minimum.

But Petraeus is considering a sensitive change to the rules of engagement designed to avoid civilian casualties following complaints that they tie up coalition 35 troops combating the insurgents 36.

Light News

Family of Captured Israeli Soldier Presses Netanyahu to Take Action

The parents of an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants 37 in Gaza have begun camping outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence to press for their son's release.

The move follows a 12-day march that drew thousands of supporters calling for their son's release.

Noam and Aviva Schalit have met Netanyahu at his residence after the prime minister returned from his visit to Washington.

Noam said Netanyahu told him the government was considering his son's case.

"Well, I cannot tell you about any results right now, just the Prime Minister informed us that he raised this issue of my son Gilad within his discussions with the American administration with the President (Barack Obama) and the Secretary of State (Hillary Rodham) Clinton."

Twenty-three-year-old Gilad Schalit was taken by Hamas-linked militants in June 2006 across the Gaza-Israel border.

His captors have barred access to him and released only a brief videotape last year.

More than 15-thousand Israelis marched into Jerusalem on Thursday, calling for the government to conclude a deal for the release of the soldier.

The turnout marked the climax 38 of a 12-day cross-country campaign led by Schalit's family.

The public campaign has increased pressure on Netanyahu to strike a deal.

Netanyahu has said he is willing to trade one-thousand Palestinian prisoners for Schalit, but he would not accept Hamas' demand to include senior militants.

Spain prepares for World Cup final against the Netherlands

Ahead of the World Cup final, Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque has said he is very conscious of the threat the Netherlands poses to his team's chance for glory.

While Spain has already made history by advancing to the World Cup final, Del Bosque is eager to take the most prestigious 39 prize in world football back to his home country.

But the European champions will have to overcome an equally determined 40 Dutch side, and the Spanish coach is more than wary 41 about complacency.

"They play similar to us. They have players with a lot of technical skill from the midfield onwards—Van Bommel, Robben, Kuyt, Van Persie. They are players with a lot of quality that are very quick and direct on goal. It's a dangerous team. They've left in their wake Brazil and other strong teams."

The Dutch were beaten finalists in both 1974 and 1978. Spain has never won a World Cup title.

Fans will find out the result on Sunday when the final match is played in Johannesburg. But one thing is assured, a new name will adorn 42 the World Cup trophy 43.

Brazil's President Looks forward to His Country Hosting the World Cup

Brazil has unveiled its promotional strategy to attract foreign tourists and football fans to the 2014 World Cup.

With Brazil gearing up to host the next soccer World Cup in four years, its leaders are keen to learn from South Africa's experience.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva appeared at an event in the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Friday and said given the high interest in football in South America, the 2014 World Cup could attract a record number of fans.

[BJH/soundbites/0710 Lula] in Portuguese 44

"Can you see the possibility that we have to organize a World Cup with the highest participation 45 ever? It's totally possible and true. We want to make of the World Cup a postcard so that people can definitely see Brazil as a great economy."

Lula also said Brazil's transportation infrastructure 46 needed to be improved before the World Cup took place, but he gave his assurance that everything would be ready by the beginning of the tournament.

After winning the right to host the World Cup last year, Rio de Janeiro was also awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Apple Opens Second Store in China

Hundreds of Apple fans gathered in Shanghai over the weekend as the company opened its second flagship store in China.

The retail 47 outlet 48 features a 40-foot cylindrical 49 glass wall topped with an Apple logo. The store is located near the famous Oriental Pearl Tower in the heart of Shanghai's financial district.

Customers can take time in the store to try out and experience the iPods, iPhones and Macbooks on display.

Many people in the crowd lined up overnight just to be among the first shoppers to enter the store.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ma Peng says he is very excited to get a close look at an Apple store.

"This is my first time in an Apple store. I have not been to the one in Beijing. Now that I have come this time, I feel the place is quite big, and it bears the unique characteristics of Apple. The place is very bright, and they have done well in setting up the facilities."

The company opened its first China store in Beijing in 2008. Apple products are also sold in China through resellers. The Shanghai store is Apple's second direct sales outlet.

Apple's brand and unique products have been key drivers of its success, winning it many fans in China.

Express Delivery Industry Needs Heightened Supervision 50

The rapid development of online shopping in China has provided a new growth point for the express delivery industry. But inadequate 51 legal regulations and poor management in the sector 52 have led to increasing disputes between express delivery firms, consumers and sellers.

Xyee has more.

Reporter: The express delivery industry has grown into an important channel for commodities to flow through, but the number of complaints concerning it is rising.

Miss Zhang, who sells merchandise on the online retail site Taobao, lost goods worth 4,000 yuan, or 600 U.S. dollars, during the delivery process. But because she hadn't insured her goods to keep her costs low, she only received compensation equal to three times the postage rate.

"I lost such a great amount of goods but only got 150 yuan in compensation. It's unacceptable."

Zhang's complaint is only one example of the many criticisms of the industry that are being heard more frequently these days.

Mr. Zhang, a manager at an express delivery firm, says the poor quality of deliverers and management are the main reasons for the loss of items.

"At many firms, the security check is done by hand. Some employees secretly unpack 53 the items and steal the goods that are not insured, so that they will only have to pay three to five times the amount of postage. They only pay hundreds of yuan, but it will cause a loss of thousands to the buyer."

Dawa, President of the China Express Delivery Association, attributes the problems to law enforcement.

"The Postal 54 Law came out last year, so there has been a delay in the enforcement. Meanwhile, some small firms are trying to escape supervision."

The new Postal Law sets a threshold requirement for firms that operate delivery services within one province or municipality to have registered capital of at least 500,000 yuan. It also requires the firm to hire a minimum of 15 employees with more than one-third of them receiving training.

Dawa believes higher requirements should be put in place.

"I think the threshold is still relatively 55 low. But anyhow the law has been enacted 56 to protect the rights and interests of consumers."

Dawa says given that most express delivery firms are privately 57 funded, the China Express Delivery Association is drafting a self-discipline code for the industry.

For CRI, I'm Xyee.

China Daily: Develop the West, But Not at the Expense of the Environment

An editorial in "China Daily" calls the government's decision to continue the pace of developing the county's western regions "significant."

The editorial elaborates that the growth strategy will not only help lift poor people—especially ethnic 58 minorities who reside in the region—out of poverty, but also aid in the balanced growth of the national economy.

In the past decade since the strategy's implementation 59, the region's gross domestic product has increased at a rate of 11.9 percent annually, which is higher than the national average.

Without prosperity in the West, the editorial says China's overall progress will suffer a blow, and the pace of growth in the eastern regions will lose steam. As a result, the central government's goal of achieving higher standards of living for the nation's entire populace will hang in the balance.

The editorial also points out that the nation has already paid a heavy price in terms of environmental damage while developing its eastern region and that such mistakes must not be repeated with the ongoing 60 development of the West.

It noted 61 that government statistics indicate that tree-planting efforts have increased the western region's forest coverage 62 by more than 30 million hectares. This is proof that economic growth initiatives have not blindly sidestepped ecological 63 conservation endeavors.

The ecology of the western regions, where the country's three major rivers originate, is very fragile. Therefore, the editorial calls for local governments to exercise restraint in prioritizing economic growth rates at the cost of the environment.

Youth Times: Rich Heirs Need Real Education

The average cost of educating and preparing the children of affluent 64 families for the job market is reportedly 660,000 yuan (US$100,000) a year in some developed regions of China, most of which is spent on building social connections.

An opinion piece in the Hangzhou-based "Youth Times" says such preparation often ignores fostering a sense of social responsibility among young affluent people.

It says compared with their low-income peers, wealthy children and young adults have grown up in an environment secluded 65 from the real hardships of life.

The editorial indicates that China's affluent class, whose parents have attained 66 their wealth mostly though business startups, enjoys preferential advantages in the job market because of nepotism 67 and corruption 68. Furthermore, they usually see themselves as different from common people.

The editorial says if this snobbish 69 and privileged model and mentality 70 are continued to be passed down to the heirs of rich and powerful families, Chinese society will drift further away from justice and fairness and into a state of serious hatred 71 and friction 72 between social classes.