Russia Warns US Against Sending Missile Defense System to South Korea

Moscow — Russia on Tuesday warned the United States against sending a ballistic missile defense system to South Korea, saying it could threaten regional security.

Washington says it wants to deploy the system, known as THAAD, to South Korea as a deterrent to military provocation by North Korea.

"Such a development cannot but cause concern about the destructive influence of the United States' global missile defense on international security," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"In a region where the situation is already extremely complicated in terms of security, this could serve as another push toward an arms race in northeast Asia and further complicate any resolution of the nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula," the statement said.

China has also already warned that deployment of the system would undermine peace and stability in the region.

Faced with growing isolation from the West over the Ukraine crisis, Russia has moved to bolster ties with former Cold War-ally North Korea.

Moscow and Pyongyang have named 2015 a "year of friendship" between the two countries and the Kremlin says reclusive leader Kim Jong-Un is set to make his first official trip abroad to visit Russia's World War Two victory commemoration in May.

South Korea and the United States will launch a massive landing drill March 28 as the climax of an ongoing joint military exercise which North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

Singaporeans Mourn Death of Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew

SINGAPORE (AP) -- Singapore mourned longtime leader Lee Kuan Yew with raw emotion and a blanket of relentlessly positive coverage on its tightly scripted state television on Monday, mythologizing a man who was as respected as he was feared.

The government announced that Lee, 91, "passed away peacefully" several hours before dawn at Singapore General Hospital. The increasingly frail elder statesman was hospitalized in early February with severe pneumonia.

State TV broke away from its regular programming with a rolling hagiographic tribute to Lee's life and achievements. In a live broadcast, one of its reporters called the death the "awful and dreaded" news. Effusive tributes flowed in from world leaders, including President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A self-proclaimed authoritarian who saw the world in stark realist terms, Lee commanded respect from Singaporeans, who this year will celebrate the country's 50th anniversary of independence. He led multiracial Singapore with an iron grip for more than three decades until 1990, and is credited with transforming the resource-poor island into a wealthy finance and trade entrepot with low crime and little corruption.

Singapore's government has declared seven days of national mourning, and flags will fly at half-staff on state buildings. A national holiday has not been declared, and daily life in this pragmatically commercial city of vaulting glass towers and broad, immaculate streets continues to bustle.

Japan and Indonesia to Forge Closer Economic, Defence ties

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday to forge tighter economic and defence ties, as Tokyo works to court friends in the face of a rising China.

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday (Mar 23) to forge tighter economic and defence ties, as Tokyo works to court friends in the face of a rising China.

The two nations agreed to tighter cooperation on coastal security, regular talks between their respective defence and foreign ministers, and greater Japanese investment in Indonesia.

"We wish to contribute to the peace and prosperity of this region and the international community by strengthening our strategic partnership with Indonesia, which, like Japan, is a maritime nation and democracy," Abe told Widodo as they began their talks.

Sri Lanka’s Sirisena forms national government with opposition

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena formed a national government incorporating the main opposition party on Sunday, in a bid to push through reforms and preserve political stability.

The move came amid talk of a possible split in the opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), caused by Sirisena’s predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa gaining in popularity among opposition supporters.

After his election win in January, Sirisena formed a coalition with the United National party (UNP), but this lacked a parliamentary majority, obstructing his pledge for constitutional and electoral reforms in his first 100 days in office.

Sirisena gave posts to 26 members of the SLFP, his own former party, in his coalition government, government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told Reuters. They were given state and junior minister portfolios, boosting to 77 the number of members in the government.

“This is a national government and this is a (SLFP) party decision. We want to do all the reforms and then go to the elections,” Senaratne said.

Dayan Jayatilake, a political scientist, author and former Sri Lankan diplomat who strongly supports Rajapaksa, said the move would slow down the decision-making process.

“It will satisfy no one because UNP will feel it is being crowded out by the integration of the SLFP members into the cabinet,” he said.

Sirisena has promised to eliminate corruption and to re-enact independent commissions abolished by Rajapaksa for the judiciary, elections, police, and public service.

However, delays in Sirisena’s 100-day schedule has irked his voters while Rajapaksa, who has been out of active politics, has seen his popularity rise along with his visits to Buddhist temples and alleging that his successor’s government was out to take revenge against him.

India and Pakistan Revive Diplomatic Efforts

India’s top diplomat visits Pakistan on Tuesday for the first meeting with his counterpart since New Delhi called off talks last year aimed at easing the rivals’ many disputes.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have resulted in both armies firing across their disputed border in the region of Kashmir several times in the past year. At least a dozen people were killed and thousands forced to flee their homes in the latest fighting in January.

Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is officially slated to discuss issues related to the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation in meetings with his Pakistani counterpart, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. Still, the Pakistani side expressed hope for resuming negotiations known as the Composite Dialogue, so-called because they aim to address multiple overlapping issues including Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, border and water issues.

“I wouldn’t like to speculate, but naturally the two secretaries will also discuss bilateral relations,” said Pakistani Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam.

“We hope that this process can lead to the resumption of the Composite Dialogue.”

A senior Indian diplomat was more cautious late last week, saying that he was “hesitant to predict” whether Tuesday’s meeting would lay the groundwork for restarting negotiations.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August abruptly cancelled the last round of talks in Islamabad out of anger that Pakistan’s envoy in New Delhi had hosted Kashmiri separatists in preparation.

Pakistan and India have fought two wars over Kashmir since the brutal fighting following the two countries’ partition in 1947 following the end of British colonial rule.

The Himalayan region is divided between the two countries by a disputed frontier, part of one of the world’s most heavily militarised borders.

India says Pakistan supports separatist militants that cross from the Pakistan side to attack Indian forces. Pakistan says India’s military is abusing the human rights of Muslim Kashmiris.

On Sunday in Kashmir, Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party formed a coalition state government with the regional People’s Democratic Party, which promotes self-rule for Indian-controlled Kashmir and peace talks with militant separatists. The new coalition offered a sign that cooperation is possible.

Another sign Modi might be warming to the idea of improving relations: the Indian leader telephoned Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last month to wish his country luck in the World Cup cricket tournament.

India won its match with Pakistan in the tournament a day later.

North Korea Welcomes back Travelers as Ebola Fears Fade

North Korea has re-opened its borders to tourists and lifted a 21-day quarantine measure that has been in place since October 2014 over fears of the deadly Ebola virus.

The already isolated country had closed almost all its borders, halting all non-essential visas and requiring those few foreigners allowed in to undergo three weeks of quarantine.

The rules applied to diplomats, NGO workers and even senior North Korean officials returning from overseas trips.

Tour agencies specialising in trips to the so-called Hermit Kingdom said they were informed on Tuesday that the travel ban had been lifted and they could resume bookings for March.

US-based Uri Tours announced it had received a communication from the North's state carrier, Air Koryo, that North Korea's borders were "now open" for travel.

"According to Air Koryo, everything is back to normal!" the tour agency said in a statement.

China-based Young Pioneer Tours said the North was "once again open to tourism" and the agency would start taking bookings immediately.

In a despatch from Pyongyang, China's official Xinhua news agency said the quarantine measures had been lifted as of Tuesday, with the exception of visitors from West Africa.

"Travellers from other parts of the world are no longer subject to the quarantine. They only need to receive a medical examination in the Pyongyang Friendship Hospital," Xinhua said, citing a notification sent to all diplomats by the North's State Emergency Anti-Epidemic Committee.

Tourism is a crucial source of hard currency for the cash-strapped North, but it seemed willing to take a financial hit to avert any chance of an Ebola outbreak that its weak health infrastructure would be totally incapable of dealing with.

Just last week it announced a ban on foreigners taking part in its annual international Pyongyang marathon in April.

North Korea has a history of shutting itself off in the face of external health threats.

In 2003, it suspended foreign tours for three months due to fears over the spread of SARS.

THAI CONSTITUTION DRAFTERS SAY SENATE TO BE UNELECTED

BANGKOK (AP) -- A committee appointed by Thailand's military rulers is laying the groundwork for a new method of choosing the country's leaders and lawmakers - and it involves giving voters less power to choose.

Thailand's new 200-member Senate will be not elected directly by voters and the prime minister will no longer have to be an elected lawmaker, according to the committee that is drafting a new constitution.

Although the proposals have to be approved by the military-appointed National Reform Council, the Cabinet and the junta leaders, critics called them a setback for their hopes for a return to democracy, saying it limits the people's power represented in Parliament.

Drafting of the new constitution is being carried out by a 36-person committee picked by the junta after it overthrew a civilian government and abolished the last charter in a coup last May.

The committee on Thursday agreed that under the new constitution the prime minister, who must receive more than half of the votes from the entire House of Representatives, does not have to be an elected lawmaker, in case of a crisis.

New Zealand non-combat troops to aid Iraqi army

New Zealand will send troops to Iraq on a non-combat mission to boost the local military’s ability to fight the Islamic State (IS) group, Prime Minister John Key said on Tuesday.

Key said about 140 troops would begin a “behind the wire” mission in May after a request from the Iraqi government for international help in increasing its military capability to battle the jihadists.

“We cannot, and should not, fight Iraq’s battles for them – and actually Iraq doesn’t want us to,” he told parliament.

“Our military can, however, play a part in building the capability and capacity of the Iraqi forces so they can fight ISIL themselves.”

Key flagged the mission late last year and it has been the subject of intense debate in New Zealand, with most major opposition parties against the deployment.

A TVNZ opinion poll released this week found 48 percent of participants supported a military training mission, with 42 percent against and the rest undecided.

Key said New Zealand was part of a 62-nation coalition against IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS, which has captured swathes of territory across Iraq and Syria.

He described the group – infamous for beheading, stoning and burning alive its victims – as “barbaric”, saying New Zealand would “stand up for what’s right”.

“Sending our forces to Iraq is not an easy decision but it is the right decision,” he said.

He added that New Zealand troops would most likely work alongside their Australian counterparts at a military base in Taji, north of Baghdad.

Key said the initial deployment was for nine months and the mission would not extend beyond two years.

‘Price of the club’

The leader of the main opposition Labor Party, Andrew Little, said New Zealand should concentrate on supplying humanitarian aid to Iraq, rather than taking on a military training role.

“We won’t fix the (Iraqi) army, it is disorganised, it is broken, it is treacherous and it is corrupt,” he told parliament.

New Zealand, part of the so-called “five eyes” intelligence network involving the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, has faced pressure from allies to involve its military in the anti-IS effort.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond urged the country to make its military expertise available when he visited Auckland this month.

“Frankly we’ve got used to New Zealand being there alongside us, alongside the US, the UK, Australia, as part of the family,” Hammond said.

Key said in January that New Zealand was expected to assist the military effort, adding “there has to be some contribution, it’s the price of the club”.

New Zealand did not participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein in 2003, although it sent two 60-odd strong contingents of engineers to Basra in 2003-04 after a UN request for help in reconstruction efforts.

The country also sent a reconstruction team and small special forces contingent to join the NATO-led operation in Afghanistan in 2003, resulting in 10 New Zealand deaths during the decade-long deployment.

PHILIPPINE TROOPS ATTACK 300 ABU SAYYAF MILITANTS, 7 KILLED

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Philippine troops, backed by artillery fire and assault helicopters, battled about 300 Abu Sayyaf rebels in fighting Wednesday that left two soldiers and five militants dead in the country's restive south, officials said.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said 16 other soldiers were wounded in the daylong fighting in a jungle near Patikul town in Sulu province where the large number of Abu Sayyaf gunmen had gathered.

At least 16 militants were wounded, Cabunoc said, citing army reports.

The Abu Sayyaf gunmen, led by commander Hatib Sawadjaan, have been blamed for several ransom kidnappings, including of two German tourists who were freed in October after six months of jungle captivity, reportedly in exchange for 250 million pesos ($5.6 million).

Japan Heightens Security Against Terrorism

The Japanese government has tightened security against terrorism after the militant group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) made a statement that could be interpreted as meaning all Japanese people will be targets of terrorism.

The government will make the utmost effort to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens living abroad and to prevent terrorism from occurring domestically, according to sources. It is also considering expanding its humanitarian support to the Middle East, not yielding to the terrorists’ threats.

Asked about the government’s future measures at a press conference on Sunday morning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga indicated the government’s intention to place top priority on ensuring the safety of Japanese overseas, after the militant group posted a new video believed to show the death of hostage Kenji Goto.

In late January, the government had already called for security authorities in relevant countries to enhance the security of Japanese schools, after it instructed Japanese diplomatic missions abroad to ensure the safety of Japanese people living overseas.

According to Suga, the government on Saturday also instructed relevant parties to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese journalists who are at the border between Syria and Turkey reporting on the crisis, envisioning the possibility they could be targeted by the terrorist group.

The government also intends to raise the terrorism alert level domestically. During the press conference, Suga said the government plans to enhance its information gathering and analytic abilities to prevent terrorism in Japan.

As specific measures, Suga said, “We will prevent the entry of terrorists at the border and tighten security at important facilities such as airports and railways.”

Regarding the terrorist group’s assertion that Goto’s murder was triggered by the fact that Japan is supporting the US-led international coalition of willing nations carrying out military operations against ISIL, Suga stressed again, “Japan will never give in to terrorism.”

As more than 10 million evacuees and refugees have fled from Syria and Iraq to surrounding countries to escape ISIL’s barbarism, Suga said the government “will expand humanitarian support by providing food, medical services and other necessities to the Middle East.”

However, Suga also said the Self-Defense Forces will not provide logistic support for military operations of the international coalition of willing nations, including the United States and Jordan.

Hong Kong Protesters Revive Calls for 'Genuine Democracy'

Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched through Hong Kong’s streets today in the first major rally since the mass protests last year.

Chanting “No fake universal suffrage, I want genuine universal suffrage”, the demonstrators held yellow umbrellas, a symbol of the earlier protests when activists wielded them as a defence against police using pepper spray.

The event appeared orderly and peaceful throughout the day. The annual march is usually held on 1 January but was delayed for a month this year to coincide with the government’s second round of consultations on electoral reform.

The demonstrators oppose the Chinese government’s decision that candidates in the 2017 election for Hong Kong’s chief executive will be vetted by a largely Beijing-controlled nominating committee.

The final election plan must be approved by a two-thirds majority in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council before being submitted to authorities in Beijing. But pro-democracy legislators, who hold 40 per cent of the seats, have said they would veto the screening proposal.

“This is pseudo universal suffrage. We do not have the rights to elect who we want,” said protester Julia Choi.

Organisers said 13,000 people participated, while police said they counted 8,000 at the march’s peak. Numbers were far below the figures seen at the peak of last year’s protests, and less than the usual annual New Year march.

“The [turnout] is indeed fewer than what we expected, but this only shows that Hongkongers are no longer satisfied with conventional ways of protest,” Daisy Chan Sin-ying told the South China Morning Post.

Police had raised no objection to the march, although the formal approval notice stressed that organisers should ensure that none of the marchers tried to occupy streets, as happened last year.

MH370 Has Been Declared an Accident--What are the Consequences?

Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation has said: “We officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident.”

Does that mean they know what happened?

No. The greatest mystery in aviation history remains unsolved. The aircraft with 227 passengers and 10 crew on board disappeared in the early hours of 8 March last year, on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The jet was initially presumed to have been lost in the South China Sea. But ground-breaking analysis of automated “pings” from the aircraft led investigators to conclude it crashed in the Indian Ocean west of Australia after running out of fuel.

So why conclude it’s an accident?

To allow grieving relatives of the victims to begin the process of claiming compensation for their losses. Defining the disappearance as an “accident" means that the Montreal Convention, which governs pay-outs when planes are lost, comes into play. Article 17 says: “The carrier is liable for damage sustained in case of death or bodily injury of a passenger upon condition only that the accident which caused the death or injury took place on board the aircraft.” Under a separate aviation treaty, the Chicago Convention, the term “accident” includes cases where the aircraft is missing. The government in Kuala Lumpur said: “Malaysia Airlines is ready to proceed immediately with the compensation process

Is the search continuing?

Yes. The director-general of Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation says: “We have never wavered in our commitment to continue our efforts to find MH370 and bring closure for everyone, most of all for the families of the passengers and crew. This declaration is by no means the end.” Australian safety authorities are conducting a systematic search of the seabed in the area of the Indian Ocean thought most likely to contain the plane. It covers an area where the water is 6,000m deep.

How long could it take?

The project began in the autumn and is expected to take up to a year.

If they find the plane, what will it tell us?

That depends on many factors. But suppose the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are recovered intact, and that they were not disabled deliberately. They may provide clues to what happened, including in particular any commands given to the controls in the latter stages of the flight - and anything audible from the flight deck.

What if it reveals that the crash was a deliberate act - will the “accident” verdict stand?

From a strictly legal point of view in the application of the Montreal Convention, yes - though if evidence were to implicate a member of the Malaysia Airlines crew in the disappearance, the relatives of the victims could pursue other legal options