Laurent Gbagbo case
Laurent Gbagbo case: ICC Presidency re-constitutes Trial Chamber I
On 17 September 2014, the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) re-constituted Trial Chamber I, which will be in charge of the Côte d’Ivoire case The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo. Trial Chamber I is now composed of Judge Cuno Tarfusser (Italy), Judge Olga Herrera-Carbuccia (Dominican Republic) and Judge Geoffrey Henderson (Trinidad and Tobago).
On 12 June 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed, by majority, four charges of crimes against humanity (murder, rape, other inhumane acts or – in the alternative – attempted murder, and persecution) against Laurent Gbagbo and committed him for trial before a Trial Chamber. On 11 September 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Defence’s request for authorization to appeal the confirmation of charges decision in the case.
Bel Air Jazz Club starts
Bel Air Jazz Club starts: Unique performance by Astrid Seriese and Rob Agerbeek trio.
On Sunday afternoon 28 September, jazz singer Astrid Seriese will be giving a performance with pianist Rob Agerbeek and his trio. Together with drummer Ben Schröder and bassist Niels Tausk they create an exciting musical relationship in which standards will be alternated with newer pieces and their own work. The two hour long radio concert will be presented by jazz lover Ronald Blom and radio presenter Paul Waayers under the title: For the first time: Astrid meets Rob
This will be the first in a new series of monthly concerts (on the last Sunday of the month between 17:00 and 19:00) in the Bel Air Jazz Club in Worldhotel Bel Air The Hague. The initiative stems from the thirty-year history when spontaneous jazz sessions and concerts took place at this location during the North Sea Jazz Festival, as it was known when organised in the Hague. Come and enjoy jazz from the region in an informal and intimate ambience. Afterwards there is of course the opportunity to dine in Restaurant Purple – where you can order a special three-course jazz menu– or have a drink in the Embassy bar”.
The recording will be broadcast via the site: www.belairjazzclub.com
Admission to this first session is free.
This will be the first in a new series of monthly concerts (on the last Sunday of the month between 17:00 and 19:00) in the Bel Air Jazz Club in Worldhotel Bel Air The Hague. The initiative stems from the thirty-year history when spontaneous jazz sessions and concerts took place at this location during the North Sea Jazz Festival, as it was known when organised in the Hague. Come and enjoy jazz from the region in an informal and intimate ambience. Afterwards there is of course the opportunity to dine in Restaurant Purple – where you can order a special three-course jazz menu– or have a drink in the Embassy bar”.
The recording will be broadcast via the site: www.belairjazzclub.com
Admission to this first session is free. ICC Trial Chamber IV issues a new arrest warrant
ICC Trial Chamber IV issues arrest warrant against Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain
On 11 September 2014, Trial Chamber IV of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued, by majority, an arrest warrant against Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain. Three charges of war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur (Sudan) were confirmed against him on 7 March 2011. The Chamber vacated the trial date previously scheduled to open on 18 November 2014 and directed the ICC Registry to transmit the new requests for arrest and surrender to any State, including the Sudan, on whose territory Mr. Banda may be found.
Trial Chamber IV had requested the Government of Sudan’s cooperation to facilitate the accused’s presence at trial. This cooperation, according to the information provided by the Registry, is not forthcoming. By way of consequence, the Chamber considered that there are no guarantees that, in the current circumstances, he will be in an objective position to appear voluntarily, regardless of whether he wishes to be present at trial or not. The Chamber concluded that an arrest warrant is now necessary to ensure the accused’s presence. The Chamber stressed that should Mr. Banda nonetheless appear voluntarily before the Court, the Chamber will take the voluntary appearance into consideration and revisit accordingly the conditions of his stay in The Netherlands during the trial.
The Chamber will determine in due course the appropriate course of action in order to ensure Sudan’s compliance with the request of the Court. The situation in Darfur was referred to the ICC by United Nations Security Council resolution 1593 on 31 March 2005, under article 13(b) of the Rome Statute.
Background: Abdallah Banda was summoned, on 27 August 2009, to appear before the Court. He appeared on 17 June 2010. He faces three charges of war crimes (violence to life in the form of murder, whether committed or attempted; intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission; and pillaging). These crimes were allegedly committed in an attack carried out on 29 September 2007, against African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, at the Haskanita Military Group Site, in the Umm Kadada locality of North Darfur, Sudan.
Pakistani Mangoes
The 11th Exhibition of Pakistani Mangoes was organised by the Trade Office of the Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan during summer at Hotel Hilton The Hague, The Netherlands.
Various varieties of Pakistani Mangoes like Sindhri, Chaunsa , Beghan Phali, Sunhera were exhibited during the Exhibition. The arrangements were also made for Mango tasting through Mango cubes, Mango shake, Mango Ice cream , Mango Lasi … There were six stalls in the exhibition . The Multinational Fruit Company Special Fruits also established the stall.
The Ambassadors of Various countries from Japan, Senegal. Turkey, India, Spain, UAE and the Commercial Attaches of various countries, Representative from Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Dutch Development organisations like CBI, PUM and Big multinational companies in Fruit sector Like Special Fruits , AZ importers and other Trade visitors, importers also participated in the Exhibition and held B2B meetings.
For the media coverage the representative from APP and Diplomatic Magazine were invited to cover the event. The exhibition overall proved very successful in promoting the Pakistani Mangoes. It is pertinent to mention that the Netherlands is the second largest importer and exporter of Mangoes and is the Trade Gate way to Europe and mango promotional activities have proved very productive in increasing the volume of Pakistani Mango exports in the Netherlands in particular and Europe in general.
African Diplomats Meet&Greet Sept.11th
Launch of the East Africa Tourist Visa.
By Ellen Michiels.
After a brief summer break Diplomat Magazine has restarted its Meet & Greet evenings, an initiative that is ever growing in popularity since August, 2013, as was evident at last night’s event that last until 11:00pm. Luckily the weather was dry and the temperature was mild enough to use both the indoor reception area and the outdoor patio of the beautiful Carlton Ambassador Hotel to accommodate the many guests that came to celebrate the launch of the East Africa Tourist Visa.
The single East African visa is the result of a strategic collaboration between the governments of the Republics of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, as was explained in their welcome remarks by the esteemed Ambassadors of those countries.
PHOTO ALBUM CLICK HERE: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157647109592729/
H.E. Ms. Mirjam Blaak, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda, explained how the idea of an East African Community already was established in 1967, collapsed in 1977, and was officially revived 23 years later in July of 2000. The initial member countries were Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, while Burundi and Rwanda joined in 2009. The goal of the East African Community, which comprises 150 million people, is to create a common market, a common currency and eventually a full political federation, much like the European Union. 
“Karibuni” said H.E. Ms. Rose Makena Muchiri, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, which means welcome in Swahili, a language spoken in all five member countries. She praised the beauty of the East African region: the beaches of Mombasa, the Masai Mara and wild beast migration in Kenya, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, the safari parks in Uganda, the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the night life in Kampala, she added with a wink. The new East Africa Tourist Visa now allows visitors to move freely between all those amazing attractions. It is expected that Tanzania and Burundi will join soon in this initiative to promote tourism in all five countries under the motto “Trade instead of Aid”.
H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, explained that previously visitors to East Africa had to solicit visas for each country separately and pay $40 Euros to each individual consulate. The new visa can now be obtained with just one request. It is valid in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and costs only $80 Euros.
After extending a warm invitation to visit the region, all three Ambassadors joined their guests in a champagne toast as the flag of the East African Community was lifted to unveil a giant copy of the new visa. African delicacies, such as tasty meatballs from Rwanda, delicious fritters from Kenya, Chapati flatbread and a delicately spiced meat preparation were passed around while images of the region’s tourist attractions were projected on a large screen and displayed in a variety of magazines and folders. In addition every guest received a box of fragrant Kenyan or Ugandan tea bags to enjoy at home.
The lively conversations went almost until mid-night, new contacts were made, business cards exchanged. It was a very pleasant and memorable evening for which we say “asantesana” to our three honorable hosts!
A record of 273 diplomats and special guests attended this novel version of Diplomats Meet&Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
“Karibuni” said H.E. Ms. Rose Makena Muchiri, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, which means welcome in Swahili, a language spoken in all five member countries. She praised the beauty of the East African region: the beaches of Mombasa, the Masai Mara and wild beast migration in Kenya, Lake Kivu in Rwanda, the safari parks in Uganda, the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the night life in Kampala, she added with a wink. The new East Africa Tourist Visa now allows visitors to move freely between all those amazing attractions. It is expected that Tanzania and Burundi will join soon in this initiative to promote tourism in all five countries under the motto “Trade instead of Aid”.
H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, explained that previously visitors to East Africa had to solicit visas for each country separately and pay $40 Euros to each individual consulate. The new visa can now be obtained with just one request. It is valid in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and costs only $80 Euros.
After extending a warm invitation to visit the region, all three Ambassadors joined their guests in a champagne toast as the flag of the East African Community was lifted to unveil a giant copy of the new visa. African delicacies, such as tasty meatballs from Rwanda, delicious fritters from Kenya, Chapati flatbread and a delicately spiced meat preparation were passed around while images of the region’s tourist attractions were projected on a large screen and displayed in a variety of magazines and folders. In addition every guest received a box of fragrant Kenyan or Ugandan tea bags to enjoy at home.
The lively conversations went almost until mid-night, new contacts were made, business cards exchanged. It was a very pleasant and memorable evening for which we say “asantesana” to our three honorable hosts!
A record of 273 diplomats and special guests attended this novel version of Diplomats Meet&Greet at Carlton Ambassador Hotel.
President Thein Sein official visit to The Netherlands
By Baron Henri Estramant
His Excellency President Thein Sein of the Union of Myanmar is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands after a visit to Switzerland.
President Thein Sein is accompanied by his personal representative Ambassador Paw Lwin Sein (based in Brussels) and a delegation meant to boost Dutch-Myanma trade relations, particularly in water management and horticulture.
Minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Schultz van Haegen, shows the delegation about the Maeslantkering, a storm surge located at the Hook of Holland. Minister Ploumen of Foreign Trade and Development Aid offers a lunch on behalf of His Majesty’s Government at the Catshuis with focus on trade and development aid.
On 9 September 2014, the President of Myanmar was received in an audience by Prime Minister Rutte at the Ministry of General Affairs. President Sein was also granted an audience with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander at Noordeinde Palace. Her Majesty Queen Máxima was not present at the audience in Noordeinde but likewise welcomed President Sein and his delegation separately at Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar in her capacity as special representative of the UN Secretary-General for inclusive finance for development (UNSGSA).
Myanmar used to be known as Burma up to 1989 when the military government changed the country’s name. The name change has not been officially recognised by a plethora of countries. Myanmar has an Honorary General-Consulate in Breda.
OPCW- Chlorine Gas Used as Weapon in Syria
OPCW Fact Finding Mission: “Compelling Confirmation” That Chlorine Gas Used as Weapon in Syria
The fact-finding mission (FFM) appointed by the OPCW Director-General to examine alleged uses of chlorine gas as a weapon in Syria has found information constituting “compelling confirmation” that a toxic chemical was used “systematically and repeatedly” as a weapon in villages in northern Syria earlier this year.
In its second report that includes key findings, the Mission states that “the descriptions, physical properties, behaviour of the gas, and signs and symptoms resulting from exposure, as well as the response of patients to the treatment, leads the FFM to conclude with a high degree of confidence that chlorine, either pure or in mixture, is the toxic chemical in question.”
The report says chlorine was used in attacks on the villages of Talmanes, Al Tamanah and Kafr Zeta, all located in northern Syria. In May this year, the FFM had attempted to visit Kafr Zeta to gather on-site evidence in the aftermath of an alleged use there but was prevented from doing so when the convoy was attacked. The FFM then decided to carry out witness interviews in a safe location outside of Syria.
The FFM’s report presents the key findings from dozens of interviews with victims, physicians, first responders and eyewitnesses to the attacks, together with a considerable amount of documentation such as video, medical records and other evidence collected since the publication of the FFM’s first report in mid-June.
Following the establishment of the FFM in late April 2014, there was a marked reduction in reported chlorine attacks in the months of May, June and July. But there was a spate of new allegations in August. The Director-General has asked the FFM to continue its work.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global campaign to permanently eliminate these weapons. Since its entry into force in 1997 the Convention has become the fastest growing arms treaty in history with 190 States Parties, and more than 82% of all declared chemical arsenals have already been destroyed under OPCW verification. For these unprecedented achievements, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2013.
Uzbekistan National Day
Diplomat Magazine was pleased to cover this warmth reception yesterday September 9th on the occasion of the 23nd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, offered by H.E. Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir Norov. 
Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Her Excellency Ms. Adia Sakiqi is the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Adia Sakiqi (b.1977) was born in Tirana, Albania. She read Philosophy and Political Science at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and holds a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (2003) and in Public Administration – EU Policy (2004).
Adia Sakiqi started off her career as simultaneous court interpreter for ICTY (2002-2004), UN in The Hague, to later combine her communication career also with high level simultaneous interpretation assignments for European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Europe (2008-2012). Adia Sakiqi continued her career in communication and diplomacy at the Albanian Mission to EU in Brussels (2004-2008).
Later, she worked for civil society organization in the field of migration, in Flanders and Brussels and is a political and social activist (2008-2010). Adia Sakiqi was the G-Consultancy representative in Brussels (2010-2014) working as communication consultant on Western Balkans, EU Affairs, International Relations as well as political speech writer and public speaking consultant.
In September 2014, Ms. Adia Sakiqi joined the Albanian Foreign Service and is actually holding the position of the Ambassador of Albania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the OPCW in The Hague.
Accession of Monaco’s Sovereign Prince
Mid-July 2014, H.E. Ambassador Gilles Tonelli representing His Serene Highness The Sovereign Prince of Monaco organised a reception at the verily princely Residence of Monaco to celebrate the enthronement of H.S.H. Prince Albert II back on 12 July 2005.
The Embassy of the Principality of Monaco is based in Brussels yet accredited to all three Benelux countries. Furthermore the mini-state has three honorary general consulates located in The Hague, Amsterdam as well as Rotterdam.
The reception was extremely well-attended by heads of missions to the Benelux countries, to the EU, NATO and the international organisations in The Hague and Brussels.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco paid an official visit to The Netherlands in May 2014 to open an exhibition about her late mother, Princess Grace at Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. Thereafter he was welcomed by Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Prime Minister Rutter and the Chairpersons of the States-General. Sovereign Prince Albert II is Head of the House Grimaldi which has reigned with but a few interruptions over Monaco since 1297.