Two a penny

Get other General Politics hereThe international administrations of Eastern Slavonia Bosnia Kosovo and East Timor represent some of the boldest experiments in the management and settlement of intra-state conflict ever attempted by the United Nations and other third parties. In each case these bodies have assumed responsibility for the governance of territories to a degree unprecedented in recent history. This paper analyzes and assesses the effectiveness of international administrations of war-torn territories and discusses the key issues – strategic political and economic – that arise in the context of these experiences. It reflects on the policy implications of these experiences and recommends reforms or new approaches to international administration. Comments (0)

.The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief said he had given Iran and three world powers a draft text of a deal for approval by their capitals by Friday to help allay concerns over Tehran’s nuclear program.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Mohamed ElBaradei spoke at the conclusion on Wednesday of two-and-a-half days of tense, high-stakes talks plagued by delays, involving Iran, France, Russia and the United States at IAEA headquarters.
Diplomats said Mr ElBaradei’s draft contained the powers’ call for Iran to send some 75 per cent of its enriched uranium reserve abroad before the end of this year for conversion into fuel for a Tehran reactor producing medical isotopes.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.
This would reduce the high risk cited by the West of Iran, under suspicion over nuclear secrecy and restrictions on IAEA inspections, using a growing low-enriched uranium stockpile for further enrichment into material suitable for atom bombs. . Its delegation chief said the Vienna talks were constructive but did not say whether the Islamic Republic’s leadership would endorse the draft accord. The deadline for the parties to give, I hope, an affirmation action is Friday,” said Mr ElBaradei.
“Everybody is aware [this] transaction is a very important confidence-building measure that can defuse a crisis going on for a number of years, and open space for [further] negotiations” on other outstanding disputes, Mr ElBaradei said.
“I cross my fingers that by Friday we have an okay by all the parties concerned,” he said, underlining uncertainty whether Iran would come on board after it cast doubt on details of the deal it tentatively agreed to in Geneva talks on October 1.
Diplomats said a face-saving compromise had been drafted by Mr ElBaradei.
Mr ElBaradei said France was part of the deal drawn up after exhaustive consultations with the parties, despite Iranian statements saying Paris must be excluded and accusing it of reneging on past contracts to deliver nuclear materials.
Western diplomats say Tehran must ultimately curb the program to dispel fears of a growing LEU stockpile being further enriched, covertly, to produce nuclear weapons. Under this, Iran would sign a contract with Russia which would then sub-contract further work to France.
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In an interview with major Brazilian newspaper O Globo on Sunday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy put the sale of French fighter jets into the context of developing relations between the two nations. On his way to attend Brazil independence celebrations, the French president told the newspaper that the relationship between Brazil and France is not one of supplier and client, but one of partners. In December, he announced his support for Brazil bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, an elite club of which France is already a member. . At that time, the two leaders also shared strategies on combating illegal gold mining and trafficking in their border region. The previous February, Sarkozy was in Brazil to inaugurate the construction of a bridge to French Guiana. On Thursday, the Senate in Brasilia sealed a 6.

This time, however, Brazil is sending its strongest signal yet of being ready to accept France overtures.

Brazil’s military later approved the acquisition of 36 French-manufactured Rafale fighter jets.1-billion-euro deal in which France will help Brazil build 50 helicopters and a nuclear-propelled submarine. The French aviation firm Dassault said it would let Brazil access decades of technological secrets behind the Rafale. To sweeten its bid and fend off the challenge from competitors, France offered to share highly sensitive military information with Brazil.

However, analysts say that Brazil may not be so interested in developing ties with Paris in particular, but rather more generally with Europe and beyond. Until last month, US bidder Boeing had refused to add a technology package to its proposal. The United States is traditionally Brazil strongest ally. [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel was tremendously well-received in Brazil at the beginning of this year, Christian Girault, a Latin American geopolitics specialist at France National Centre for Scientific Research, told FRANCE 24.

Brazil wants the latest technology, and wants more than anything to be able to build [the fighters] themselves, says them Brazil correspondent Marc Burleigh. But now [Brazil] is looking to diversify its partners&hellip because the economic crisis has dented the prestige of the United States.

France was also eager to sell its jewel fighter jet for financial reasons. Brazil sees itself as a rival to the US politically, economically, and now militarily. Hundreds of Rafales are already in service in the French military. The country had invested close toly 40 billion euros in the plane development, but as yet has not exported a single unit. The French president was accompanied by representatives of a number of other leading French companies, including GDF Suez and Alstom.

Dassault executives were not the only ones hoping to reap the benefits of Sarkozy’s trip. Alstom, which also manufactures high-speed trains, is in the race for a contract to help build a high-speed rail link between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Alstom, which also manufactures high-speed trains, is in the race for a contract to help build a high-speed rail link between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Talk of economic and military cooperation is set against a backdrop of celebrations for the anniversary of Brazil’s independence. As this year’s guest of honour, Sarkozy attended the independence day parade in Brasilia on Monday. The French president is, in fact, returning an honour Lula was present at France Bastille Day festivities back in July.

Brazil – France – independence – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – military – Nicolas Sarkozy