What was going on last week (February 20th to February 26th)? I mean we got the UK down, but what of America?
CPAC Overview
Saturday, February 26, 2011
conservativebloggersiteofsomesuch.com
Cody Riley Stuns CPAC
Alabama Senior Senator Cody Riley gave a mesmerizing speech last night on the "Return of a New Era" - equating the upcoming years of the Walken administration with the best of the Lassiter, Reagan, and (Dwight) Eisenhower years. He spoke of the need to remain vigilant, the upcoming shift in values from a society looking for a handout to a society making its own way again.
Per agreement, no straw poll was held this year, but unofficially people are looking towards those like Senator Riley in 2018, should Vice President Clark not run or be deemed too moderate. Clark did not attend CPAC this or last year, and President Walken, a regular attendee for the last 20 years, could not attend but sent in a video message, reaffirming his belief in the complete ban of abortions.
Independent Republican Judi Rand was praised by Riley and Walken, as well as other speakers such as Wes Burke and Edward Pratt, for helping the Republicans nearly reach a filibuster-proof majority. The current caucus count is 58 to 42, with Democratic Senator Sam Whiteside of Maryland on leave from the Senate.
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Japanese State Visit:
NewsOnJapan.com
Prime Minister meets with American President
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Prime Minister Arata Kanzaki (神埼 新) visited Washington, DC this week on a planned state visit to discuss North Korea, the Asian Free Trade Zone proposal, and various other defense concerns. Originally planned for a week-long visit spanning other cities, such as San Francisco and Chicago, it was cut to three days by strong opposition from LDP Leader Ayeka Juchiro (四郎 阿重霞), who accused Kanzaki of unnecessary extravagance on the visit.
Kanzaki did travel with Walken to Seoul for the opening of the Asian Free Trade Zone talks. His daughter, Urumi (神崎 麗美), stayed behind in America.
Then-DPJ Leader Kanzaki with then-American writer (now Congressman) Jasper Irving in 2005. Irving is known for close ties to Japan, where he interned for two years.
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Seoul Trade Talks:
cnn.com
UN Ambassador talks about the South Korea talks, Israel
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
We recently sat down with United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Will Villegas, to discuss the recent attempt at talks for the Asian Free Trade Zone. Here are some edited highlights from the interview:
Anderson Cooper (AC): Thank you for joining us via satellite, Ambassador. A bit hot over their in Israel, isn't it?
Will Villegas (WV): Ha, it sure is Anderson.
AC: Now, what is the status of the Asian Free Trade Zone agreement? They seemed to have ended abruptly last week.
WV: That was more of a 'meet-and-greet' situation. It's on hiatus right now, as we have news regarding Israel that required the President's full attention. Be assured, we still have officials in Seoul, and they will resume promptly.
AC: And what of Israel, we have lots of speculation as to the trip, but can you give us any hard facts?
WV: I'd have to refer you to the Secretary of State on that one until tomorrow. His office is currently handling all inquiries regarding Gaza.
AC: The Asian Free Trade Zone agreement, which was proposed by China, has been decried by Taiwan and North Korea. President Santos was a keen supporter, but President Walken has only been warily supportive of the measure, even being opposed to it at certain times in last year's primary. What is the US government's current stake in the negotiations and it's relation to the Taiwanese and North Korean opposition?
WV: That is something I'm not really at liberty to say, and will be worked out during the bulk of the Seoul talks. North Korea, as we all know, was a primary member of the talks, which would have been one of the first major talks between the two Koreas, until about three months ago. That was when they murdered a former American citizen in cold blood and are currently receiving international sanctions for that incident. There are North Korean representatives at the conference, but they will not be part of any formal agreement, due to that and their opposition to China. China's invitation did not extend to Taiwan although the Bartlet administration did increase American aid to Taiwan in the past and we have no intention of ending it due to this conference.
AC: UN Secretary-General Usuf Habib will be answering questions tomorrow at the press conference alongside President Walken. In the past, Habib was in the hot seat for making comments calling Walken's approach to the Middle East 'questionable' or even 'dangerous.' Have they made up?
WV: Ha ha, I guess we'll see tomorrow. I doubt any punches will be flown. Secretary-General Habib, while the world's top diplomat, can be a bit candid sometimes, surprising given his position. The administration has admittedly been a bit hostile towards Habib, as was President Santos at the end of last year, but he has done great work in Qumar, in the CAF, and in Cyprus. The man knows the Middle East, having served as an Ambassador here, and can be a bit passionate on the issues. The 2010 campaign rhetoric is over though, and I think he is more than capable of keeping that passion in check.
