This is ‘Global Village Today’, which brings you important news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news is there today?
Reporter) The U.S. government announced that Israel has decided to stop fighting for four hours every day to allow residents in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate. The United States and India emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in responding to international issues such as climate change. Lastly, I would like to share the news that Kenya, which had planned to send police to Haiti to police, said it would not do so until training and funds were provided.
Host) Global Today, first, news related to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Many countries, including the United States, have continued to ask Israel to stop humanitarian fighting. Israel finally complied with these demands?
Reporter) Yes. A fierce battle is taking place in the northern part of the Gaza Strip between the Israeli military and Hamas, a Palestinian armed faction designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The U.S. government announced on the 9th that the Israeli government agreed to suspend fighting for four hours a day to allow local residents to evacuate.
Host) Has the Israeli government also confirmed this announcement?
Reporter) Yes. The Israeli military said there would be a tactical and regional halt in fighting to provide humanitarian relief. However, it was confirmed that this was not a ceasefire.
Host) What did the U.S. government say about this agreement?
Reporter) Yes. First, President Joe Biden said on social networking service (SNS) X, “This measure is a step in the right direction.” He said he had been speaking to Israeli leaders over the past several weeks about the importance of a humanitarian halt to the fighting.
Host) Are you saying that you continued to persuade the Israeli government?
Reporter) That’s right. Meanwhile, John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council (NSC), said on the 9th, “Israel will notify us three hours in advance of a temporary suspension of combat and is currently opening a second evacuation route.”
Host) They agreed to pause the fighting, but the Israeli side is repeatedly drawing a line against the possibility of a ceasefire, right?
Reporter) Yes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in an interview with the American Fox News broadcast on the 9th, “There will be no ceasefire without the release of Israeli hostages, and that will not happen.” Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht also drew the line at expanding the meaning of this measure. He told reporters that the pause in fighting was not a “change,” and reiterated that “this is a pause in fighting for humanitarian relief that is limited in time and place.”
Host) The U.S. government also continues to show a negative attitude toward a comprehensive ceasefire, right?
Reporter) That’s right. President Biden also told reporters on the 9th that there is no possibility of an official ceasefire at this point. At the same time, he said that it took longer than expected for Israel to agree to a temporary suspension of fighting, and that he had originally asked Israel to suspend fighting for more than three days.
Host) Meanwhile, there are reports that the head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) went to Qatar?
Reporter) Yes. Media reported that CIA Director William Burns recently visited Qatar and met with the head of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss hostage release negotiations. The Israeli Mossad is the equivalent of the American CIA.
Host) Isn’t Qatar playing an important role in this conflict?
Reporter) That’s right. He is mediating negotiations between the international community and Hamas, and several high-ranking Hamas political leaders are active in Qatar.
Host) It is known that the U.S. government is making every effort to free hostages, especially American hostages, right?
Reporter) Yes. Coordinator Kirby confirmed on the 9th that the country continues to actively discuss with partner countries about the release of American hostages, specifically mentioning Qatar’s help. President Biden also said he remains optimistic about the release of hostages, including Americans, and emphasized, “We will not stop until they are released.” It is reported that about 10 American citizens are currently being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Host) Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad, another armed faction in Palestine, released a video of the hostages on the 9th?
Reporter) Yes. Islamic Jihad released a video showing a woman in her 70s and a 13-year-old hostage. This video shows that in addition to Hamas, Islamic Jihad is also holding hostages. Israel estimates the number of hostages to be about 240. Hamas previously released four hostages citing humanitarian reasons.
Host) People are currently suffering greatly in the Gaza Strip due to lack of necessities such as food and drinking water. Meanwhile, an international conference for relief in the Gaza Strip was held in Paris, France on the 9th?
Reporter) That’s right. On this day, representatives from about 80 governments and organizations gathered in Paris to discuss coordination of relief efforts in the Gaza Strip and evacuation plans for the injured. At this meeting, a commitment was made to provide $1.1 billion for relief in the Gaza Strip.
From left, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmany Jaishankar, and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Host) This is the next news from Global Village Today. High-level talks were held between the US and India on the 10th?
Reporter) That’s right. U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with the Indian Foreign Minister and Defense Minister in India on the 10th. It was a ‘2+2 dialogue’ between the two countries that started in 2018. Ministers from both countries emphasized the need for cooperation between the two countries in a variety of areas, including Indo-Pacific security, China and the Palestinian conflict, and climate change.
Host) What was said at the meeting today?
Reporter) Yes. First, Secretary Blinken said, “The United States and India continue to deepen their partnership in all areas from emerging technologies to defense to people-to-people ties, as well as their shared diplomacy to work to develop a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” He emphasized. “This dialogue will help build forward-looking partnerships on shared global challenges,” Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmany Jaishankar said.
Host) What did the defense ministers of the two countries say?
Reporter) Yes. First, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized in his remarks that “defense remains one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership.” “Despite the various geopolitical challenges that are emerging, we need to remain committed to important, long-term issues,” he said.
Host) How did Minister Austin respond to Minister Singh’s remarks?
Reporter) Yes. “In the face of urgent global challenges, it is more important than ever for the world’s two largest democracies to exchange views and find common goals,” said Secretary Austin. “We are sharing technology,” he emphasized.
Host) The recent strengthening of cooperation between the two countries in the defense field is particularly attracting attention, right?
Reporter) That’s right. The United States hopes that closer defense ties between the two countries will help India distance itself from Russia, its main arms supplier. Meanwhile, the two countries are strengthening cooperation, especially in the field of defense technology. During this conversation, Secretary Austin and Secretary Singh reportedly discussed future defense industry cooperation plans to quickly promote technological cooperation and joint production in intelligence, surveillance, logistics, and other fields.
Host) The two countries are pursuing cooperation in the field of defense, but contrary to the United States’ expectations, isn’t India maintaining a close relationship with Russia?
Reporter) That’s right. India is not directly blaming Russia for the Ukraine war like China does. They are taking different actions from the West, which is imposing sanctions on Russia, such as importing large quantities of Russian crude oil.
Host) Nevertheless, the US Biden administration has recently made efforts to strengthen relations with India, right?
Reporter) That’s right. The Biden administration is prioritizing ties with India, viewing it as a like-minded partner facing the rise of China. The U.S. government wants India to become a leading security provider in the Indo-Pacific, where China has recently expanded its influence. Currently, India is participating in the Quad, a security consultative body created to respond to the rise of China. In addition to India, the Quad also includes the United States, Australia, and Japan.
Host) What was discussed about the Palestine conflict in this conversation?
Reporter) Yes. Regarding this issue, Secretary Blinken said that both countries stand together with Israel against terrorists. Minister Jaishankar said he was very concerned about the situation in the Middle East. Previously, the Indian government condemned Hamas’ attacks targeting Israel and repeatedly called for direct negotiations to establish an independent Palestinian state.
Host) India has recently been in conflict with Canada, an ally of the United States. Was this issue also mentioned in this conversation?
Reporter) That’s right. Secretary Blinken emphasized, “Both India and Canada are America’s closest friends and partners,” and added, “Of course, the United States wants to see the two countries resolve all differences and disputes.” This year, a Canadian Sikh was murdered in Vancouver, western Canada. Relations between the two countries soured significantly when the Canadian government announced that India was involved in the incident.
Officers are conducting a gang suppression operation in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. (file photo)
Host) Let’s look at one more news from the global village today. Kenya has shelved its plan to send police to Haiti?
Reporter) That’s right. The Kenyan government has decided not to send police to Haiti until the international community provides sufficient funding and training. Kenyan Interior Minister Kitur Kindiki appeared before the Parliamentary Administration and Domestic Security Committee on the 9th and emphasized, “Our troops will not depart unless all resources are mobilized and put to use.”
Host) Was it decided by the UN that Kenya would send police to Haiti?
Reporter) That’s right. On the 2nd of last month, the UN Security Council voted and passed a resolution to send Kenya-led multinational police to Haiti. The resolution was written and submitted by the United States and Ecuador. At the time, 13 of the 15 Security Council members agreed. China and Russia abstained.
Host) Was there a specific timetable initially for when the police would be dispatched to Haiti?
Reporter) That’s not it. The Haitian government wanted to send police until at least January of next year. The Kenyan government also announced last month that it would be able to send police within the next two to three months. However, no specific schedule was provided.
Host) What is the scale of dispatch?
Reporter) Yes. The Kenyan government has said it will send at least 1,000 people. The specific number has not been determined. In addition, Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua also promised to dispatch police. Kenya planned to lead these multinational police forces for one year and review them after nine months.
Host) But now you are saying that you cannot enter Haiti immediately due to funding and training issues?
Reporter) That’s right. It was decided that necessary resources, such as funds and training, would be covered by voluntary donations from UN member states. Minister Kindiki said member countries are now securing resources. However, it is currently unclear when funds will be delivered and when training will be completed and deployment will be possible. For reference, the United States has promised to provide up to $200 million.
Host) Are there any other domestic problems with Kenya sending police to Haiti?
Reporter) Approval from the Kenyan parliament is required to dispatch police to Haiti. Kenya’s National Security Committee submitted a request for approval to parliament on the 25th of last month. It is still in the Congressional Administration and Domestic Security Committee. There are also quite a few voices opposing the dispatch of police in Kenya. A politician filed a lawsuit in a local court claiming that the Kenyan government’s deployment of police was unconstitutional. Originally, the court decision was scheduled to be issued on the 8th. It is currently postponed to the 16th, so attention is being paid to what decision will be made.
Host) Is there a reason why the international community wants to send police to Haiti?
Reporter) That’s right. Currently, security is extremely unstable in Haiti as criminal gangs are rampant. Haiti is experiencing extreme political chaos, especially after the assassination of then-President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. In addition, government agencies such as the police, which are supposed to maintain public order, are not functioning properly and are experiencing great confusion.
Host) And the casualties also increased significantly?
Reporter) Yes. According to the United Nations, more than 1,230 people lost their lives in the three months from July 1 to September 30 alone. About 700 people were kidnapped. It is said that this number has more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
Host) We will listen to this part of the global village today.
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2023-11-10 14:20:18
