OPCW Director-General Provides Vision for Addressing Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Challenges at Asser Institute Training

By Guido Lanfranchi. On September 26^th, State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security,  Andrea Thompson briefed the press on the US efforts on nonproliferation at the 73^rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.   With the escalating rows between the US and Iran on the Nuclear Agreement, the ongoing negotiations for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and the recent chemical attacks in Salisbury, nonproliferation was definitely set to be one of the key themes of the 73^rd session of the UN General Assembly. Indeed, so it has been, as many speeches, side-events, and high-level bilateral meetings have been focusing on the theme of nonproliferation. The US administration has decided to double down on the topic. In a telephonic briefing with the press, State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson stated that “the top priority for the US at this year’s General Assembly is nonproliferation,” noting that while such theme is an everyday focus for the US State Department, UNGA provided a great forum to discuss such issue with a wide range of partners from all across the world. A hot topic in this week’s UNGA has undoubtedly been Iran. After withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , the US administration is now in the process of re-imposing a sanctions on Iran  and all actors who directly deal with its government. This has created strains between the US and its European allies, with the latter who have been active in trying to shield European businesses from US sanctions. Questioned about the US policy on Iran and the upcoming rounds of sanctions, Ms. Thompson stressed the need focus “on the full range of Iran’s malign activities,” including Iran’s ballistic missiles program, support of terrorism, and human rights record. Concerning the EU’s efforts to salvage the JCPOA, Ms. Thompson referred to US Secretary of Sate’s recent declarations, in which Mr. Michael Pompeo firmly condemned the European efforts. Nevertheless, the US and the EU see eye to eye on a series of issues related to Iran – Ms. Thompson noted – and will continue to work together on the issue. Under Secretary Thompson also touched upon the ongoing negotiations with North Korea, which are aimed at achieving the “final and fully verified denulcearization” of the country. In doing so, she stressed that full compliance with all UN Security Council Resolutions is of paramount importance. As the international community’s pressure played a role in pushing Kim Jong-un to negotiate – Ms. Thompson said – the current sanctions should be kept in place until the denuclearization of North Korea. Finally, Under Secretary Thompson also touched upon the topic of biological weapons. She stressed that the international community as a whole has a zero-tolerance policy on the use of not only biological, but also chemical weapons, and that “the US is also a leader in that field.” As such, the US administration is working and will work with a broad range of international partners against the proliferation of such weapons. While challenges are ahead on all fronts, and especially on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the international community continues to focus its attention on the topic. Hopefully, the 73^rd session of UNGA will be a profitable forum for finding suitable solutions. For additional information:

U.S. administration reimposes a first round of sanctions on Iran

Global Coalition against ISIS prepares offensive in the Euphrates River Valley, Syria

    https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2018/08/09/us-to-impose-a-new-set-of-sanctions-on-russia-over-the-skripal-case/Here we can put the link to the old articl

US to impose a new set of sanctions on Russia over the Skripal case

Mr. Mark Verheul, Director of the  Institute for International Protocol and Strategic Networking. By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Latin America table convened on 20th September 2018. The guest speaker was Mr. Mark Verheul trainer and consultant at the Institute for International Protocol and Strategic Networking of which he is the founder and proprietor. The institute is EDU accredited. What is more, Mr. Verheul is the former Head of Protocol of the City of The Hague, he also worked for The Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan and The Royal Household of the Netherlands.  

In 2016 Verheul co-authored “An Experts Guide to International Protocol” Published by Amsterdam University Press. The guide will be published in other languages such as Spanish and Chinese. The lecture was well attended; among the attendees were Ambassadors, business persons, representatives of International organisations and others. His theme was: International Protocol and Strategic Networking / Best Practice in Diplomatic- and Corporate Relations

Verheul’ expose captured the attention of the audience from start to end. He gave an animated in-depth explanation of what protocol is and what it is not and its relationship with etiquettes. Verheul touched on the Richard Lewis Triangle and talked about seating arrangements, what to mention in an invitation and so on. The president of the Latin America Table Ms. Sonia Meyer thanked Mark Verheul and offered him a token of gratitude. All in all, a very instructive evening.                                                      

  Six events in four cities of the Netherlands, including a ‘Gandhi March’ from the iconic Peace Palace of The Hague will mark launch of two year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.   Six events in four cities of the Netherlands, including a ‘Gandhi March’ from the iconic Peace Palace of The Hague will mark launch of two year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Netherlands is set to witness six events in four cities as part of activities to mark the launch of the two year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. These events include a ‘Gandhi March’ from the iconic Peace Palace of The Hague to Grote Kerk on September 30, 2018 (Sunday) with participation of people of all nationalities and around twenty Ambassadors of different countries.

Well-known spiritual guru from India ‘Sri M’; Ms. Kavita Parbhudayal, Deputy Mayor of The Hague, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, Venu Rajamony and Ambassadors of the US, Indonesia and Afghanistan will address the marchers. The Gandhi March will conclude with multinational cultural performances highlighting the message of non-violence, a special exhibition mounted on a Khadi Scroll (curated by Pramod Kapoor of Roli Books, India) and a movie on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. On October 2, the International Day of Non-Violence, five events will be held in the four cities of The Hague, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Zoetermeer. Gandhi statues in the cities will be garlanded and the public invited to place flowers at the feet of the statue as a mark of respect amidst speeches, singing of favorite songs of Mahatma Gandhi and cultural programs. Special commemorative stamps issued by the Indian Postal Department will be released in front of the Peace Palace and a meeting held within the Peace Palace complex to discuss the relevance and importance of Mahatma Gandhi to the challenges of the modern world. A ‘Gandhi Walk’ will also be held in the capital city the same evening.

  The Embassy of India along with community organizations will conduct during the period of October 1-5, 2018 an outreach program called “Follow the Mahatma” under which over 100 volunteers will fan out to around 20 schools of the Netherlands to spread the message of non-violence and to educate students about the life of Mahatma Gandhi and how India won freedom through a non-violence movement. A social media campaign with the hashtag _#followthemahatma_ will be conducted during the period inviting people across the Netherlands to post messages reiterating their commitment to the principle of non-violence. The Netherlands has a special connection to India and Mahatma Gandhi. There are around thirty streets in the country named after Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps the largest after India anywhere in the world.