Leidschendam, 1 April 2015 – Yesterday, the Head of Defence Office of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Mr François Roux, concluded a working visit to New York. During his time there, he held talks with the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr Miguel de Serpa Soares, as well as with several diplomatic representatives who are members of the Tribunal’s.
On the picture His Highness Sabah IV Amir of Kuwait.By Baron Henri Estramant.
31 March 2015, Kuwait City: The Third International Pledging Humanitarian Conference for Syria (Kuwait III) was held in the State of Kuwait under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and His Highness The Amir of Kuwait. The United Nations had appealed for $8.4 billion for Syria this year to help deal with the ballooning humanitarian crisis.
Some 200,000 people have died and nearly half the Syrian population has been displaced by the turmoil that began with anti-government protests in 2011 and spiralled into full-scale civil war. The number of people needing humanitarian aid has increased by 2.9 million in merely ten months.
The Amir of Kuwait meets Fujairah’s Ruler, Amir Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.
Although the response to the first annual conference in Kuwait in 2013 exceeded the $1.5 billion requested, last year’s conference only secured pledges of $2.4 billion towards a $6.5 billion appeal.
Amir Sabah IV of Kuwait who last year was honoured by Ban Ki-Moon as a “humanitarian leader” announced a USD 500 million pledge. The conference was attended by nearly 80 governments and dozens of aid agencies, with the United States promising $507 million, Kuwait $500 million, the United Arab Emirates $100 million and Saudi Arabia $60 million.
EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, was also present to pledge the EU monetary and moral support.
Kuwait III conference was held just after the 26th Arab Summit in Sharm el Sheikh where the possibility of setting up a “voluntary”, pan-Arab military force of ca. 40,000 élite troops backed by jets, warships and light armour was discussed, and in principle agreed upon by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Arabia.
The summit also provided the outlet for bilateral meetings amongst regional leaders including a rendezvous between Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Sabah IV and Fujairah’s ruler, Amir Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council of Rulers and Head of the Emirati delegation to the summit on behalf of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Amir of Abu Dhabi.
His Majesty The Sultan of Oman has returned to his sultanate after an absence of eight months of medical treatment in southern Germany.
Sultan Qaboos (b. 18 November 1940) returned to Oman on Monday, 23 March 2015; his health is an important issue in Oman as he is childless and has not named an heir to the throne publicly.
The last time Sultan Qaboos had been seen in public was back in November 2014, when he appeared apologetic on national television for having had missed the country’s National Day due to his stay in Germany. Oman’s National Day and the Sultan’s Birthday fall on the same day, 18 November. Last year The Sultan had invited HRH Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales as a VIP for the military parade, and a welcome at Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat. Nevertheless due to the monarch’s absence Prince Harry was instead warmly received by the sovereign’s cousins including the Minister of Heritage, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as well as His Highness Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. Oman is the world’s only “official” sultanate. Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur Al Said rules over Oman since 23 July 1970 which is now fêted as “Renaissance Day” annually.
The Sultanate first opened an embassy in the Benelux area based in The Hague because of the trade and historical links between The Netherlands and Oman. Currently the mission is co-accredited (non-resident) to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg under the leadership of Ambassador SayyidMohammed bin Harub bin Abdullah Al Said. In Brussels, an Omani diplomatic mission is accredited to Belgium and the EU, and is being headed by HE Ambassador Najeem bin Sulaiman Al Abri.
Van with 125 kg of heroin from Iran to Belgium stopped in Kyrgyzstan, 3 foreigners arrested.The National Security Committee of Kyrgyzstan stopped on March 28 the activity of transnational criminal groups consisting of foreign nationals.A van carrying 125 kg of heroin was detained in Sokuluk district.3 foreign nationals were detained. The international criminal group has been for a long time smuggling and trafficking the narcotic drugs on the route Turkey-Iran-Turkmenistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan-Russia-Belgium. Heroin was hidden at the bottom of the wagon under the furniture. Heroin was packaged in briquettes of 0.5 kg each, the authorities said. The further investigation into illicit trafficking in drugs is underway. The Committee launched a criminal case. The detained foreign nationals are now in the temporary detention center in Bishkek.
The “Succession to the Crown Act 2013” came into effect in the United Kingdom, and the other Commonwealth realms at midnight GMT 26 March 2015, after being ratified by Australia, Barbados, Canada, the Grenadines, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent. Nine realms concluded that no legislation was necessary to accept the changes, these are: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St Lucia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.Pragmatically the new succession act entails that males no longer take precedence over females, meaning that an elder daughter cannot be overtaken by a younger son. The UK, and the other fifteen realms now apply absolute primogeniture as rule for succession to the Crown. The move leaves Monaco and Spain as the only European monarchies were semi-Salic law is applied, only Liechtenstein excludes heiresses altogether. Marriage to Roman Catholics is now allowed while retaining rights to the throne (the monarch must be Anglican, however, as Head of the Church of England).Another further change signifies that only individuals who are within the first six places of the line of succession require permission from the Monarch to marry.The act was agreed upon by the Commonwealth realms at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia back in October 2011. The changes are backdated to begin on the day of initial agreement which was 28 October 2011. In practical terms several members of the extended Royal Family who married Roman Catholics (e.g. HRH Prince Michael of Kent) are reinstated to the line of succession, others changed places as the precedence of males over females is hitherto obsolete. The issue was settled before the upcoming Commonwealth Summit to be hosted in November 2015 in Malta by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.For more information: Commonwealth Summit: https://chogm2015.mt/President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca: https://www.gov.mt/en/Government/Government%20of%20Malta/Presidents%20of%20Malta/Pages/Marie-Louise-Coleiro-Preca.aspx
By Baron Henri Estramant. A reception was held at Brussels Gothic City Hall on 16 March 2015 to commemorate the adoption of the Andorran constitution after a referendum which took place on 14 March 1993. The very first carta magna for the principality came into force on 28 April 1993 after its publication in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra. Article 1 of the Andorran Constitution lays out the form of state, namely a constitutional monarchy in the form of a “co-principality” with the Bishop of Urgell (based in Catalonia) and the French President formally, and jointly sharing the headship of state. This is a unique arrangement worldwide having its origins in Andorran medieval history. For a photo-album of this event, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157649336597154/The incumbent co-princes are The Most Reverend Archbishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília, Episcopal Co-Prince and François Hollande as the “French” Co-Prince. For both co-princes live outsides the boundaries of the principality they have appointed “personal representatives”; M Thierry Lataste is the one for the French Co-Prince whereas Priest Josep Maria Mauri represents the Episcopal Co-Prince. Article 2 of the Andorran constitution states that Andorra’s official language is Catalan; making it the only country in the world wherein Catalan enjoys that status solely. The actual National Day of Andorra is fêted annually with folklore on 8 September, the feast of the Lady of Meritxell, virgin protector of the principality. The reception in Brussels was preceded by a concert of the National Classical Orchestra of Andorra. Andorra’s mission in Brussels is headed by HE Ambassador Eva Descarrega García. She is accredited to the Benelux countries, the EU, the Federal Republic of Germany and Slovenia. For more information:Andorran Constitution: http://www.consellgeneral.ad/en/the-general-council/constitution-of-the-principality-of-andorraEpiscopal Co-Prince of Andorra: http://www.bisbaturgell.org/French Co-Prince: http://www.coprince-fr.ad/ca/
The 25th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Lithuania was celebrated in Brussels on 16 March 2015. By Embassy of Lithuania in Brussels and Baron Henri Estramant.Belgian government and business officials, diplomats, representatives from NATO and the EU institutions as well as friends of Lithuania were present at the event, including EU Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. On this special occasion Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linas Linkevičius congratulated the audience and noted that “while enjoying our freedom, we could not forget people in Europe who are fighting for territorial integrity, sovereignty and for their rights to choose the European perspective”. On 17 March 2015, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linas Linkevičius met Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders. The Ministers discussed economic and political relations between Belgium and Lithuania, EU and NATO agenda issues. Minister Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania is “interested in fostering bilateral relations and underlined the successful cooperation in EU, NATO and Benelux-Baltic States format”. During the meeting ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine, EU sanctions on Russia and their effectiveness. The Minister drew attention to the importance for Russia to implement fully the Minsk agreements.In the context of changed regional security situation L. Linkevičius marked that Lithuania highly appreciates Belgium’s input into the security of Baltic region. Belgium was the first NATO country which took part in Baltic air policing mission in 2004, after that performed the missions in 2006 and 2013. Belgium regularly participates in NATO military exercises in Baltic region.The reception was hosted in the noble atmosphere of the Château de Saint Anne in the outskirts of Brussels, and was hosted by Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Raimundas Karoblis, the Lithuanian Ambassador to Belgium, Gediminas Varvuolis as well as the Permanent Representative to NATO, Vytautas Leškevičius. Another event to celebrate the restoration of independence was held on 4 March 2015 in the premises of the European Parliament.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia. March 30 2015.The best team won the ICC World Cup. Once again, that team was Australia.
New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-10, Faulkner 3-36
Australia 186-3 (33.1 overs): Clarke 74, Smith 56*
Australia win by seven wickets
Michael Clarke hit 74 in his last one- day international to lead Australia to their fifth Cricket World Cup title with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand. A crowd of over 93,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw Australia bowl out the Black Caps for 183 and then gallop to victory in the 34th over.
Michael Clarke hit 74 in his last one- day international to lead Australia to their fifth Cricket World Cup title with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand. A crowd of 93,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw Australia bowl out the Black Caps for 183 and then gallop to victory in the 34th over. Clarke, dedicated the win to his close friend and former teammate Phillip Hughes, who died last year after being hit on the head by a bouncer in a first-class match in Sydney. The ICC Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organized by the sport’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament held every four years.
The tournament is one of the world’s most viewed sporting events and is considered the “flagship event of the international cricket calendar” by the ICC
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
After an introduction by the Second Secretary Mr. Istiaque Uddin Ahmed, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, welcomed the many guests who came to join in the celebration of Bangladesh’s 44th Independence and National Day. The festivities took place at the residence of the Ambassador in Wassenaar on March 26 2015.
It was indeed a great honor for Bangladesh to attain its Independence under the leadership of someone of the caliber and dedication of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
His Excellency addressed to his guests as follows:
”Good evening! Excellencies, distinguished guests, members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands!
We assembled here to celebrate the 44th independence and national day of Bangladesh. We got freedom on this date through a bloody war and it is a day worth celebration. So, please allow me to thank you for being with us on this day of celebration.
On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this independence, the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and millions of martyrs who made supreme sacrifice to provide us an independent country called Bangladesh.
It was Bangabandhu who taught us to keep the spirit of independence alive through serving our people well. We shall never allow that torch of his values to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.
Our next thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom, some were from countries near and far, who, without praise or reward, have served Bangladesh even unto death. Our deepest homage to all those friends and peers who stood on our side even, at times, against the will of their governments.
As a citizen of Bangladesh, we are proud of our golden past. We have all along been the part of world’s one of the oldest and richest civilizations. As proud as we are about our past, we know it well that we have to work hard to harder to make our present and future better than our past.”
He continues ” Dear Members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands
I think you are sick and tired with me already. As I kept reminding you, myself included, about our opportunity to witness, what I call, Dutch triumph of making a country from under the water. Every day you witness a beauty that few people in the world can even imagine.
So, Excellencies, allow me to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of the Netherlands for their wholehearted support and assistance.
I will be remiss, if I fail to acknowledge all members of Bangladesh Embassy family for their hard work to make this day as good a celebration as we witness it here today.
Before I conclude, allow me to offer you this assurance. When you go back home tonight, you will look much healthier today, compared to other days, as we arranged some delicious food, befitting our culture, for you. We even tried to serve you with the rain in our desperate attempt to make it less spicy for you. I, therefore, invite you to the refreshments served. I thank you”
For a photo-album on this event, please click here:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651190724608/
The incumbent co-princes are The Most Reverend Archbishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília, Episcopal Co-Prince and François Hollande as the “French” Co-Prince. For both co-princes live outsides the boundaries of the principality they have appointed “personal representatives”; M Thierry Lataste is the one for the French Co-Prince whereas Priest Josep Maria Mauri represents the Episcopal Co-Prince.
Article 2 of the Andorran constitution states that Andorra’s official language is Catalan; making it the only country in the world wherein Catalan enjoys that status solely.
The actual National Day of Andorra is fêted annually with folklore on 8 September, the feast of the Lady of Meritxell, virgin protector of the principality. The reception in Brussels was preceded by a concert of the National Classical Orchestra of Andorra.
Andorra’s mission in Brussels is headed by HE Ambassador Eva Descarrega García. She is accredited to the Benelux countries, the EU, the Federal Republic of Germany and Slovenia.
For more information:
Andorran Constitution: http://www.consellgeneral.ad/en/the-general-council/constitution-of-the-principality-of-andorra
Episcopal Co-Prince of Andorra: http://www.bisbaturgell.org/
French Co-Prince: http://www.coprince-fr.ad/ca/
The incumbent co-princes are The Most Reverend Archbishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília, Episcopal Co-Prince and François Hollande as the “French” Co-Prince. For both co-princes live outsides the boundaries of the principality they have appointed “personal representatives”; M Thierry Lataste is the one for the French Co-Prince whereas Priest Josep Maria Mauri represents the Episcopal Co-Prince.
Article 2 of the Andorran constitution states that Andorra’s official language is Catalan; making it the only country in the world wherein Catalan enjoys that status solely.
The actual National Day of Andorra is fêted annually with folklore on 8 September, the feast of the Lady of Meritxell, virgin protector of the principality. The reception in Brussels was preceded by a concert of the National Classical Orchestra of Andorra.
Andorra’s mission in Brussels is headed by HE Ambassador Eva Descarrega García. She is accredited to the Benelux countries, the EU, the Federal Republic of Germany and Slovenia.
For more information:
Andorran Constitution: http://www.consellgeneral.ad/en/the-general-council/constitution-of-the-principality-of-andorra
Episcopal Co-Prince of Andorra: http://www.bisbaturgell.org/
French Co-Prince: http://www.coprince-fr.ad/ca/
His Excellency addressed to his guests as follows:
”Good evening! Excellencies, distinguished guests, members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands!
We assembled here to celebrate the 44th independence and national day of Bangladesh. We got freedom on this date through a bloody war and it is a day worth celebration. So, please allow me to thank you for being with us on this day of celebration.
On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this independence, the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and millions of martyrs who made supreme sacrifice to provide us an independent country called Bangladesh.
It was Bangabandhu who taught us to keep the spirit of independence alive through serving our people well. We shall never allow that torch of his values to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.
Our next thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom, some were from countries near and far, who, without praise or reward, have served Bangladesh even unto death. Our deepest homage to all those friends and peers who stood on our side even, at times, against the will of their governments.
As a citizen of Bangladesh, we are proud of our golden past. We have all along been the part of world’s one of the oldest and richest civilizations. As proud as we are about our past, we know it well that we have to work hard to harder to make our present and future better than our past.”
He continues ” Dear Members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands
I think you are sick and tired with me already. As I kept reminding you, myself included, about our opportunity to witness, what I call, Dutch triumph of making a country from under the water. Every day you witness a beauty that few people in the world can even imagine.
So, Excellencies, allow me to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of the Netherlands for their wholehearted support and assistance.
I will be remiss, if I fail to acknowledge all members of Bangladesh Embassy family for their hard work to make this day as good a celebration as we witness it here today.
Before I conclude, allow me to offer you this assurance. When you go back home tonight, you will look much healthier today, compared to other days, as we arranged some delicious food, befitting our culture, for you. We even tried to serve you with the rain in our desperate attempt to make it less spicy for you. I, therefore, invite you to the refreshments served. I thank you”
For a photo-album on this event, please click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651190724608/
His Excellency addressed to his guests as follows:
”Good evening! Excellencies, distinguished guests, members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands!
We assembled here to celebrate the 44th independence and national day of Bangladesh. We got freedom on this date through a bloody war and it is a day worth celebration. So, please allow me to thank you for being with us on this day of celebration.
On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this independence, the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and millions of martyrs who made supreme sacrifice to provide us an independent country called Bangladesh.
It was Bangabandhu who taught us to keep the spirit of independence alive through serving our people well. We shall never allow that torch of his values to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.
Our next thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom, some were from countries near and far, who, without praise or reward, have served Bangladesh even unto death. Our deepest homage to all those friends and peers who stood on our side even, at times, against the will of their governments.
As a citizen of Bangladesh, we are proud of our golden past. We have all along been the part of world’s one of the oldest and richest civilizations. As proud as we are about our past, we know it well that we have to work hard to harder to make our present and future better than our past.”
He continues ” Dear Members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands
I think you are sick and tired with me already. As I kept reminding you, myself included, about our opportunity to witness, what I call, Dutch triumph of making a country from under the water. Every day you witness a beauty that few people in the world can even imagine.
So, Excellencies, allow me to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of the Netherlands for their wholehearted support and assistance.
I will be remiss, if I fail to acknowledge all members of Bangladesh Embassy family for their hard work to make this day as good a celebration as we witness it here today.
Before I conclude, allow me to offer you this assurance. When you go back home tonight, you will look much healthier today, compared to other days, as we arranged some delicious food, befitting our culture, for you. We even tried to serve you with the rain in our desperate attempt to make it less spicy for you. I, therefore, invite you to the refreshments served. I thank you”
For a photo-album on this event, please click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651190724608/
