Clinging to power in Sri Lanka?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa seeks an unprecedented third term in office as his popularity dwindles. Inside StoryLast updated: 20 Nov 2014  Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called early elections as he tries to extend his decade-long rule. Rajapaksa came to power after narrowly winning the 2005 presidential election, and increased his majority in 2010 after being credited with ending the decades-long separatist war against the Tamil Tigers. But Sri Lanka's youngest ever member of parliament has seen his popularity fade. In September, his United People's Freedom Alliance suffered its worst performance in local elections since he took office. Opponents accuse him of changing the constitution so he can hang on to power, and creating a family dynasty. Sri Lanka has enjoyed South Asia’s fastest economic growth since the defeat of Tamil separatists, while Rajapaksa has cut fuel and electricity prices, and raised state wages and pensions. So can Rajapaksa's successes propel him to an unprecedented third term in office? Or is calling snap elections an act of desperation for a man whose time is running out? Presenter: Jane Dutton Guests: Harsha de Silva - member of parliament and economic spokesman for the opposition United National Party. Suren Surendiran - spokesman and director of Strategic Initiative for the Global Tamil Forum. Rajiva Wijesinha - member of parliament and adviser to President Rajapaksa on reconciliation.

Ranil Does A Gandhi

By Shyamon Jayasinghe -November 21, 2014 

Shyamon Jayasinghe

Strange things sometimes happen with canny drama. It was only two days ago- last Wednesday evening (20^th November)-that I played the DVD of theGandhi movie to educate my young grandson.

Just as India was about to get independence after the long Gandhi-led struggle Ali Jinnah, one of the leaders of the national struggle, expressed his decision to go for a separate Pakistan explaining that “Muslims cannot have the British removed in order to be ruled by Hindus.”  Throughout the campaign for Indian independence the Muslim-Hindu mutual tension had been running like a hot high voltage wire in the sky. Jinnah’s statement broke Gandhi’s heart. Gandhi went up to Jinnah and assured the latter that he could be the first Prime Minister of India. This incident was cinematically represented as sheer statesmanship in the larger interests of India. In the eyes of viewers the stature of Gandhi soared high and high.

Ranil Wickremesinghe

The dramatic happenings today in Sri Lanka seemed to me to resonate somewhat with the above scenario. The United National Party Working Committee, the single biggest party in the country, met to decide on a ‘common candidate.’ The party is just out of its remarkable performance at Uva and is consolidating itself in the country, having united dissident factions. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had valiantly held the party together through unbelievably turbulent years ofRajapaksa dominance and manipulation, was developing considerable self-confidence as a leader. Yet, Ranil is someone with a sharp sense of strategy. He thinks far ahead. What does he do? He goes up to Maitripala Sirisena, the SLFP General Secretary, and offers him the position of common candidate thereby putting his own self- interests aside.  He knows the country’s interests come first and that the abolition of the vicious Presidential Executive system is a sine qua non if Sri Lanka is to move forward. It is not possible to  engage in any sane politics without bringing down the system. A faulty political system can ruin its players-whoever they may be and whatever background they may come from. Wider social situations born of political arrangments often make evil of good men and women. The Executive Presidential system must go and the parliamentary election system must go. We have seen how under the current incumbent the twin systems have been dangerously toxic to the body politic and how it seriously degraded the dignity of citizens. The cry for its eradication was been raised across the island.

Wickremesinghe’s move would ensure the defeat of the regime whereas had he gone it alone with his party that task would have been compromised badly paving the way for a “third term of madness”. Only a man with a vison, and a sense of honesty would do a thing like this. Maitripala, while addressing via Sirasa TV rightfully praised the UNP Leader. Maitripala has been an honest guy among a pack of rogues.

I stand vindicated in having thought that Ranil Wickremesinghe has been the most underrated political leader in Sri Lanka. In times of national crisis leaders must follow this example. The flag of hope now waves for Sri Lanka.

Earnestly awaited common candidate is Maithri preferred and chosen by all to extricate country from despotic family reign

(Lanka-e-News -20.Nov.2014, 11.55PM) Lanka e news first with the news and best with the views ,as always is privileged to break the splendidly pleasant shocking news for the first time officially to the country that it is none other than the SLFP gen. secretary, Maithripala Sirisena had been chosen as the common Presidential candidate of the opposition, in fulfillment of the hopes , aspirations and desires of the entire population of Sri Lanka which was earnestly awaiting the opportunity to throw out lock, stock and barrel ,the lawless moribund Rajapakse family oppressive rule which is keeping the entire abysmally suffering nation trampled ruthlessly . What is even more salutary is, this selection has for the first time received the concurrence of all races of the country including Sinhalese ,Tamils , Muslims , Burghers and Malays as well as all political parties in general which include the UNP, , SLFP, TNA, Muslim Congress, JHU, Democratic Lanka sama samaja party (a majority), Communist party (a majority) and Democratic Front. The blessings of leaders of all religions are also with him.

Interestingly , after several rounds of discussions, the consent was officially given tonight by all political parties, trade unions, civil organizations and religious dignitaries to select Maithripala Sirisena . This was conveyed to Ven Maduluwewa Sobitha Thera the leader of the campaign for a just society who made a huge contribution towards the selection of a right common candidate.

Following discussion among UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe , Karu Jayasuriya and other UNP leaders , it was decided that Maithripala Sirisena shall be appointed as the common opposition candidate with a view to abolish the executive Presidency. This decision was conveyed to Ven. Sobitha Thera this evening. After tomorrow’s(21) working committee meeting of the UNP , this is to be officially announced.

Not only the JVP, JHU, and Gen. Fonseka but even TNA and Muslim Congress have expressed their consent to appoint Maithripala as the common candidate.

It has been the consensus among the present SLFP secretary Maithripala Sirisena ,Vice Presidents , national organizers and a great majority of the SLFP party leaders led by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunge that all must get together with the opposition and extricate the country from the brutal lawless Medamulana village bestial family of land crocodiles shedding crocodile tears on behalf of the people but fattening themselves on the abysmal despair and destitution of the very people after holding the country to ransom despotically abusing official powers . The bottom line is rule of force should be deposed and rule of law enforced ,without which murder and mayhem now raging in the country cannot be stamped out.

Tomorrow(21) , they will be leaving the Rajapakse regime and entering Parliament as SLFP rescue organization independent members .Though Lanka e news wishes not to give out the exact number ,at least a minimum of fifty and a maximum of 100 or more of people’s representatives are hostile to the Rajapakse family rule.

Believe it or not , the two government Ministers who yesterday (19) proposed and seconded Medamulana Percy Mahinda Rajapakse the country’s greatest destroyer , to be the Presidential candidate may not also stand by him .It will be a surprise if the UPFA secretary appears on behalf of the bestial Rajapakses .

No matter what , the SLFP rescue leaders may break away from the Rajapakses on two separate occasions with a view to save the country, while some others , if necessary will remain with the Rajapakses to serve as informants against them .This situation represents the final lap of the victorious journey of true patriots and the intelligentsia of the country who were forging ahead risking their lives during the last two years.

It is an incontrovertible fact that when the country has a national income of Rs. 700 billion , Rs. 300 billion is being robbed (provable with statistics) by a single family , hence should not that family be eliminated?

Shouldn’t the individual who is mollycoddling the terrorist who brought in illegal arms for 30 years and devastated the country , be chased away ?

Shouldn’t the one who killed his own advisor be thrown out?

Should not a profuse liar from whose mouth a lie drops every time he opens the cavernous mouth be eradicated ? This liar during the last two to three days alone had made false promises to four persons on separate occasions that the Prime Minister post will be given to each of them . Some of those who swallowed the sugar coated pill had even thrown parties in celebration .

Now the mask of deceit , with which the Rajapakses masqueraded as so called patriots and true Buddhists has been torn asunder . In the circumstances , the true colors of MaRa, ShiRa, BaRa, GoRa , NaRa , Yora , RoRa and ShaRa stand exposed as obvious JaRas (scoundrels) and outrageous Horas (thieves). The whole country has united at last against this JaRa –Hora governance . If possible let them now try to prove they can still win . People are ready to throw this challenge at them.

It is best for every ruler to remember and revere the unassailable truth – one can fool all the people some time

some people all the time , but not all the people all the time.

I hope to serve the country more in future – Maithripala

I hope to serve the country more in future – Maithripala

November 21st, 2014

General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena today said that after serving as the Minister of Health for a period of 5 years, he now looks forward to serving the country with greater commitment in the future.

The Minister made these comments while addressing a ceremony at the Jana Kala Kendraya in Battaramulla this morning.

Speculation has been rife that Sirisena, one of the most senior members of the SLFP, is likely to leave the ruling party and contest as the Common Opposition Candidate at the next Presidential Election to be held in January 2015.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (20) signed the proclamation declaring his intention to hold a Presidential Election seeking another term.

The Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said he has received the proclamation of the President.

The Central Committee of SLFP on Wednesday (19) unanimously decided to nominate the party leader, President Rajapaksa, as its candidate for the forthcoming Presidential election

A source close to the government said that nominations could be called in December first week and the poll was likely to take place either on 3 or 7 January.

18 is a serious blunder – Maithri

FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2014

The present government has done a serious blunder by adopting the 18th amendment said Mr. Maithripala Sirisena addressing a press conference being held in New Town Hall in Colombo at the moment (4.00 p.m.)

“The economy and administration of the country has been taken over by a single family. The supremacy of the law has been broken down. The country is being moved towards a dictatorship.

I made a great attempt to bring in a national drug policy for the benefit of the people. I request the people in this country to give me power to abolish executive presidency within 100 days.

The economy of the farmer community which I represent should be strengthened.

I contest the presidential election as the candidate of the common opposition front. I request heads of the three forces and the IGP to take measures to hold a free and fair election.

Our journalists know that the media and the journalists have no opportunity in this country at present. Free media has been buried. I promise that our government that comes to power with the votes of the people in this country would give full freedom to the media. I hope to end fraud and corruption and create a just society.

The 17th amendment would be enforced and the 18th abolished.

The service rendered by the leaders of fraternal political parties, Ms. Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunga, Ven. Sobitha Thero and others is appreciative and dignified.

Former Commander of the Army Sarath Fonseka cannot be forgotten at this moment.

We would take step by step forward to win all elections in the future. I dedicate myself to fulfill aspirations of the masses. At this moment my wife and children come to my mind. At the forthcoming election I would be victorious with the vote of our people.”

List of group that leaves govt. along with Maithri!

 Friday, 21 November 2014 

‘Lanka News Web’ is revealing the group that is leaving the government along with Maithripala Sirisena, who will contest as the common opposition candidate.

Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Salinda Dissanayake, Siripala Gamlath, Duminda Dissanayake, S.B. Nawinna, Nilwala Wijesinghe, Neranjan Wickremasinghe, Sumedha Jayasena, Jagath Rohana Pushpakumara, Navin Dissanayake, T.B. Ratnayake, Vidura Wickremanayake and former prime minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Gunaratne Weerakoon, Sarath Kumara Gunaratne, Rajitha Senaratne, Reginald Cooray, Sunny Rohana, Risath Bathurdeen, Faizal Cassim (Ampara), M.H.M. Haris, Hassan Ali, M.M.M. Aslam, Rauff Hakeem, Rajiv Wijesinghe, C.B. Ratnayake, M.K.D.S. Gunawardhana, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Achala Jagoda will leave the government as the first group to join the opposition.

Maithripala Common Candidate – Ranil Prime Minister

November 21, 2014 

SLFP stalwart and UPFA Government Minister Maithripala Sirisena announced a short while ago that he will be the much anticipated common candidate at the upcoming Presdiential polls who would be backed by the common opposition.

Speaking at a media breifing a short while ago, Sirisena thanked the UNP and the other opposition parties for backing his candidacy and vowed to win the upcoming Presdiential polls while stating it is a vital move in order to save the country from being steered towards a dictatorship.

He said following his victory he is planning to appoint Opposition LeaderRanil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.

He pledged to abolish the executive presidential system within 100 days of his election and to restore complete media freedom in the country.

Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senarathne too is currently speaking at the media briefing held to announce Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate and he added that more Ministers and MPs of the government are to join the common opposition movement.

Waves Of Political Storm In Sri Lanka Today

| by A Special Correspondent

( November 21, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is often said that affairs in politics could change within a few days or few hours. This is exactly true to the Sri Lankan politics today. Now many MPs are crossing over to UNP. The waves of politics dramatically changed in Sri Lanka today. Now many MPs of Ruling party turn their back to MR and want to join UNP. It is now too late for MR to stop them crossing to UNP. Most of MPs are frustrated the way they were treated by MR and co family for the last 9 years. Most of them did get the respect they deserve during these nine years. To be honest, it is not the fault of MR Rather his siblings have greatly damaged his name and his reputation.one could argue that they have destroyed the SLFP party and its good political principles and doctrines. Today, SLFP is a man show business or family business. 

More importantly Goata spoiled the good name of SLFP party and senior members of SLFP who devoted more than five to six decades of their life did not get the respect they deserve during the last ten years of MR’s ruling. They are really agitated and they are really irritated with behaviours of MR family in politics. I still remember how all previous presidents of Sri Lanka highly respected their senior ministers. No previous president interfered in the personal matters and official duties of senior MPs. Senior MPs had full freedom to work under previous presidents. What happened under MR is MPs are made to be gagged and fully controlled by the siblings of MR. To be honest they are not allowed to make their own decisions and they are politically bullied and they are made to obey and listen to MR family members.

For the last 10 years they tolerated and they maintained the patience. They have been waiting for this day to make up their minds. That is why today we see one by one MPs of ruling coalition are departing. Now it is high time for the MPs from minority communities to make up their minds soon. I’m sure most of Tamil and Muslims politicians will change their colour sooner rather than later. 

It is great news that UNP and their partners have done their homework well. 

Now there is gossip that Maithripala is going to be a common candidate and yet UNP is ready to support his candidature. If he crossed over to UNP or becomes a common candidate it would a big blow for MR and co.

We could expect a lot of cross overs in coming days. In Sri Lankan politics people do not do politics for their political ideology or philosophy except JVP. Only JVP members are strictly adhering to their political doctrines and principles. All other party members are changing their parties when political tides change. Today political tide is changing in Sri Lanka. 

I think that MR should blame himself for this political mess up. He underestimated the danger that encircles his political destiny. He earned a lot of enemies. Even JR or Peremadasa did dare to have such a large numbers of political enemies. MR has got so many political enemies within his party as well as outside of his party.

All these people have been waiting for a good time to politically revenge him. I think that is what takes place today. Even in this last minutes MR is trying to buy people with his money and power. It is reported that FS has been given right to vote so that he could make division between opposition and I do not think that this crafty trick will work now. FS has been severely punished by MR for the last ten years how could he forget that now. I do not think that he would change his mind now. 

It is now right time for all small parties to make up their minds and support a common candidate who could save the country from the grip of MR family control. What went wrong in MR’s political hegemony? He had over confidence in his family dependence and earned the wrath of many in his party. More people did not like his nepotism and today, people are suffering and struggling to make end meets. All these so called development projects do not feed the people right now. People do not like the twist and manipulation of constitution 

For these reasons, MR will be heavily defeated this time. His down fall comes from his own family. He depended on his family too much for his politics and I think it back fired him this time. Time will tell us what is going to be his fate.

Presidential poll announced: Both sides predict crossovers

by Zacki Jabbar-November 20, 2014

Yesterday’s proclamation announcing a presidential election saw both the Joint Opposition Front(JOF) and government stating that they had engineered crossovers which would take effect in the coming days.

Even as President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed the proclamation at Temple Trees at 1.30 p.m, the SLFP’s Chief Organiser for Mirigama Wasantha Senanayake defected to the UNP, while JOF sources said they were hopeful that 15 government MPs including some Ministers led by Maithripala Srisena would back their common Presidential candidate depending on the person nominated by the UNP Working Committee (WC) scheduled to meet today.

However, Media Minister Keheliya Ramabukwelle addressing the Weekly Cabinet Press Briefing at the Information Department earlier in the day stressed that Srisena would not join the Opposition and had been present at Wednesday’s SLFP Central Committee meeting which had unanimously endorsed Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose name was proposed by Nimal Siripala de Silva and seconded by A. H. M Fowzie and C. B. Ratnayake.

Minister Rambukwella claimed that there were many from Opposition ranks who would be crossover to the government shortly.

Meanwhile, UNP sources insisted that there were still several candidates in the fray and no definite decision had been taken as yet. "The bottom line is that the JOF, whose membership is growing by the day, comprises of like-minded parties, civil society groups and individuals who want the Executive Presidency abolished. Bearing this in mind it will not be difficult to arrive at a consensus on the Common Candidate. The JOF’s election manifesto has also been endorsed by a vast majority of the Buddhist clergy who, too, are of the view that the country urgently needed a system of government where the Prime Minister and his Cabinet are responsible to Parliament since the executive president had become a law unto himself in the post war era."

Minister Rambukwalle empahasised that the Opposition’s demand for abolishing the executive presidency could be met only through the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed for that purpose. "Those who are demanding that the Westminster System of government be reintroduced were boycotting the PSC proceedings.We, cannot make changes on our own without the participation of the Opposition. It is pointless when they make their demands at public meetings."

Even though some JHU members had resigned from their positions in government, the party still remained a constituent of their ruling alliance,he noted.

The Minister said that the SLFP CC had also appointed a National Election Committee headed by President Rajapaksa with Maithripala Sirisena as the Convener. The Committee members include Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, W. D. J. Seneviratne, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Basil Rajapaksa, Dullas Alahapperuma, A. H. M. Fowzie and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Deputy Elections Commissioner M. M. Mohammed, confirming that the Gazette notification announcing a Presidential Election had been received, said that nominations would be called within 16 to 21 days.

The reminiscence of a struggle, what is to be done by the left movement

 Friday, 21 November 2014 

FSP UK committee commemorates November heroes
Front line Socialist Party in the UK committee commemorated the November Heroes' day on Saturday, the 15th November 2014, under the theme of "Step of the left movement through a reminiscence of a struggle" This commemoration day was held at Savoy  Court community Centre in London North harrow and key note speech was made by comrade Kumar Gunarathnam, CC member of Front Line Socialist party.

The following pictures show that this meeting was well attended by Sinhalese ,Tamils and Muslims.

by Sunil Senevirathna

China blocks websites as Internet meeting begins

Just days before China hosts the World Internet Conference, the Chinese government blocked access to several popular websites as they target content delivery networks that serve much of the Internet.

Access blocked as China hosts many of the world’s top technology companies at the World Internet Conference.

By: The Associated Press, Published on Wed Nov 19 2014

BEIJING—Chinese censors have newly blocked access to several popular websites as they target content delivery networks that serve much of the Internet, according to a U.S. Internet service company.

The action comes as China hosts the World Internet Conference, which brings together many of the world’s top technology companies.

EdgeCast, an affiliate of Verizon, says censors have taken down several networks that provide local servers to help speed website performance. EdgeCast provides such a network, and its clients include software company Mozilla, publishing company The Atlantic and content management system Drupal.

The online activist group Greatfire.org said Wednesday that it was the target of the Chinese action, which blocked many other sites that use EdgeCast. The group enables Chinese Internet users to access websites otherwise blocked by Chinese censors. EdgeCast did not confirm Greatfire.org’s statement.

A Greatfire.org co-founder, who goes by the pseudonym Charlie Smith, said they had chosen to use several content delivery networks knowing that any move to take down their site would affect others.

“We knew that ahead of time,” he said. “It was our feeling that the authorities would not take that kind of action.”

JOHANNES EISELE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Visitors use their smartphones to record a speech by Jack Ma, founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, as he speaks at the opening ceremony of the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, in eastern China's Zhejiang province on Wednesday. A U.S. Internet service company says Chinese censors have blocked access to several popular websites as they target content delivery networks that serve much of the Internet.

China employs thousands of censors who block hundreds of websites and erase social media messages dealing with sensitive political topics. At the same time, it claims some of the world’s most popular online sites, including e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma told the Internet conference Wednesday that China’s online strength is bound to transform the web. Outside the conference hall, several protesters were detained after holding up a banner demanding that China allow access to sites such as Google, Facebook and Twitter.

“I believe China’s Internet is not only profoundly influencing aspects of China’s economic development but is also participating in the development of the Internet across the world,” Ma told the conference.

Egyptian president suggests he may pardon al-Jazeera journalists

‘Let us say that this matter is being discussed to solve the issue,’ Abdel Fatah al-Sisi says in an interview

Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste during their trial in Cairo.Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA

Thursday 20 November 2014

The Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, suggested on Thursday he was considering pardoning journalists of the Qatar-based al-Jazeera television station jailed in his country for nearly a year.

Human rights groups condemned the trial of the journalists as a sham, western governments have decried the verdict, and the UN questioned Egypt’s judicial independence. The affair has contributed to tensions between Egypt and Qatar.

The three journalists – Australian Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed – were sentenced in June to between seven and 10 years in jail on charges including spreading lies to help a “terrorist organisation”, an allusion to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, in a ruling that sparked a global outcry.

“Let us say that this matter is being discussed to solve the issue,” Sisi said in an interview with France 24 when asked if he could pardon the journalists.

Asked if a decision might be made soon, he said: “If we find this appropriate for the national security of Egypt, we will do it.”

Greste’s father Juris cautiously welcomed the prospect of a pardon, but said family members were trying not to get their hopes up.

“We’re always pleased and we’re always hopeful this kind of turn of events would take place, however we have had rumours either explicit or implied of this kind before,” he told Australia’s ABC on Friday.

“We have built up hope but in fact it hasn’t led anywhere.”

Relations between Egypt and Qatar have been strained since mid-2013 when the then-army chief Sisi ousted the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and cracked down hard on his Muslim Brotherhood, arresting thousands of supporters.

But those tensions have showed signs of easing. Qatar expelled prominent brotherhood leaders in September and Egypt on Wednesday welcomed an agreement to end an eight-month dispute among Gulf Arab states over Qatar’s support for the Islamist group.

Sisi has previously refused to intervene in the al-Jazeera case, suggesting that doing so would undermine judicial independence. But he said in July he wished the journalists had been deported and not tried, a view he reaffirmed on Thursday.

Another option would be for Sisi to invoke a decree he issued last weekallowing him to repatriate foreign prisoners and raising the prospect that Greste and possibly Fahmy could be deported to face trial or complete their sentences at home. As an Egyptian, Baher Mohamed would not be expected to benefit.

Al-Jazeera has called the accusations against its three journalists absurd. In response to Sisi’s comments, a spokesman for the network said in an emailed statement: “The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to release our journalists. World opinion expects this to happen speedily, and for all three to be freed.”

Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop, is cautious about the prospects of Egypt granting an early pardon to Greste. “If there is a move for [Greste] to be released earlier we certainly welcome it,” she told the Nine Network on Friday.

She said Australia had been making representations at the highest level. Australian authorities were previously told the appeal process needed to run its course before any possible presidential intervention.

Palestinians brave Israeli barbarity with bare hands for rights and dignity of Muslims

Where are the 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide?

By Latheef Farook-November 19, 2014

Barely two months after destroying Gaza and committing genocide on its oppressed and brutalized Palestinians, had Israelis who turned peaceful Middle East into a killing field, have now turned their designs on Masjid Al Aqsa. 

Palestinians Brave Israeli Barbarity With Bare Hands for Rights and Dignity of Muslims by Thavam

Western leaders step away from nuclear talks with Iran as deadline nears

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (L) prepare to shake hands, as EU envoy Catherine Ashton watches, before a meeting in Vienna November 20, 2014.

BY JONATHAN ALLEN AND JOHN IRISH-VIENNA Fri Nov 21, 2014

(Reuters) - With three days to go to the deadline for a deal to defuse stand-off with Iran over its nuclear ambitions, Western power foreign ministers stepped away for consultations on Friday while Tehran's chief envoy canceled plans to leave the negotiations.
Western Leaders Step Away From Nuclear Talks With Iran as Deadline Nears by Thavam

Ukraine one year on: prepare for a cold diplomatic winter 

Jonathan Rugman on Foreign Affairs-Friday 21 Nov 2014

This week marks the first anniversary of the protests which eventually unseated Ukraine’s president, the first of a series of related and tumultuous events, including Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the shooting down of a civilian airliner killing all 298 aboard and a civil war which has left over 4,300 people dead and over 9,000 injured.

More grim statistics: an average of 13 people a day are still dying, in spite of the ceasefire agreement signed on 5 September.

Only 2 per cent of Ukraine is controlled by rebels, though the economy of the fifth biggest country on the European continent is set to shrink by 10 per cent this year; and perhaps only the onset of winter will reduce the temperature of this simmering conflict.

21 November 2014: Ukraine’s President Poroshenko takes part in a commemoration ceremony in Kiev

We have learnt much in this last grim year. Above all, that Russia has embarked on a very different path to the one that was hoped for after the Soviet Union collapsed. Given that Vladimir Putin is fairly young and fit and very much in charge, it is a change of course which could last potentially decades into the future.

This parting of the ways over Ukraine has not, as far as we know, worsened diplomatic relations over other major foreign policy issues, such as Syria’s civil war and Iran’s nuclear programme – but it certainly hasn’t helped and it is still early days.

Calling this a new cold war is overstating the extent of the breakdown, but it is deeply depressing nonetheless. In Ukraine the government has no hope of defeating the Russian-backed militia. Kiev could run out of money in 2016 and is in danger of presiding over a failed state. Sanctions against Russia, however warranted, may well encourage Moscow to hunker down and defy the west with yet more demonstrations of Russian strength.

So the friends and relatives of Ukrainian protesters who died in the name of freedom might well ask what has been achieved. Russia is engaged in a barely disguised war in its traditional near abroad. And in diplomatic terms, we are set for the coldest winter in over two decades.

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