




Statement by H.E. Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (29.09.2018)

















Dublin, 21st September 2018, The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) acknowledges, with great concern, UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s statement on the current state of play of negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. To ensure that Irish exporters continue to be able to trade with the UK as frictionless as possible after 29th March 2019, we call on all negotiating parties to prevent a no-deal scenario.
On Mrs May’s statement, Simon McKeever, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Exporters Association commented: “The Irish exporting industry heavily relies on our long-standing strong and open trading relationship with the United Kingdom. The UK remains one of our largest trading partners, source of investment and provides a vital land bridge for Irish exports to the European continent.
We have always known that these negotiations would be tough, complicated and ongoing until the final straight. With a final deal required within the next 4 – 6 weeks, negotiations have reached an impasse – significantly increasing the chances of the EU and UK missing their negotiating deadlines. In addition, the ongoing political rhetoric and uncertainty in the UK, is further increasing fears whether a deal can be reached, and, even if a deal were to be reached if it could pass in the House of Commons.
As the voice of the Irish exporting industry, we call on all negotiating parties to reach an ambitious, comprehensive and legally enforceable Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future relationship in the remaining weeks to provide businesses with certainty. For that, the transition period agreed to earlier this year is vital.
In light of the increasing risk of a disorderly exit, we welcome the Irish Government and EU’s no-deal preparations. In particular, we welcome the announcement for hiring up to 1000 additional personnel to facilitate the expected increase in customs requirements.”


“Anything which fails to respect the referendum or which effectively divides our country in two would be a bad deal and I have always said no deal is better than a bad deal” – Theresa May (21.09.2018).
What today’s statement or speech from Prime Minister Theresa May has revealed is that the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in coalition cannot be able to configure an agreement, which all parts of the Tories, even all in the coalition combined are agreeing on putting forward. As the European Research Group (ERG) of MPs are blocking several ideas, while the DUP has their ideas and the PM has others. That is why the speech of her is revealing this. This has been shown over time, as the United Kingdom has simplified the implicated criteria without working within the framework of the revoking Article 50 from the European Union. All of that is a graceful disaster.
However, what the speech is showing, is lack of skill, lack of conduct and even lack of negotiating tactics within own realm, before meeting the counter-party of the EU. Which will be much harder to please, considering they have Union Protocol to consider and not loose face for the current Member State and keep the Single Market intact. Therefore, UK could have played this smarter, if they thought it through, they we’re invaluable asset and a needed force within EU, but now they are a fringe state in a limbo.
The proof is when the PM stated this:
“First, there are over 3 million EU citizens living in the UK who will be understandably worried about what the outcome of yesterday’s summit means for their future. I want to be clear with you that even in the event of no deal your rights will be protected. You are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues. We want you to stay. Second, I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that in the event of no deal we will do everything in our power to prevent a return to a hard border” (Theresa May, 21.09.2018).
It’s like the Piccadilly Line straight to heaven when it comes to this woman. You just get your Oyster Card and rumble into the pearly gates. Because, the way she puts things forward, is blatantly arrogant and without real concern. Since, if she really feared the hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. She would actually have ensured that in the negotiations, as the preliminary agreement with the EU said. Which was the basis for all further negotiating. However, she really tries to play high stakes and hopes for reward, but right now she is just loosing.
What is worse is that she would not lose alone at this point, because she is playing with a house of cards. The PM is supposed to bridge the gap, but instead she asks the workers to make it further between the shores of Calais and Folkestone. If it was PM orders, she would have bombed the tunnel and ordered the HM Government to make ferries available. Because the deal of trade and movement between the EU and UK cannot cease to function in this manner. That is initially what it sounds like. That is what Europe is hearing and achieving out of this. If the Industry and the British exporters hear her, they should be worried about the warehouses and the stocks, as the piles should be shipped out before a no-deal. To ensure funds for the rainy-days of no-deal bad-trading agreements and longer time Customs Arrangement with WTO standards between EU and the UK. It is like she doesn’t care for the working places of the people who needs this. That is really magical indifference.
So, it is like the PM are playing a game she cannot win, as she either loses support within the Tories, DUP or with the EU Standards. Peace.



The peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia has raised hopes that improving human rights will be front and centre on Eritrea’s path forward, according to a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Tuesday.
DAKAR, Senegal, September 19, 2018 -On 9 July, leaders of both countries signed a Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship, raising expectations that the end of the “no war, no peace” stalemate between them, would positively impact Eritrea’s internal human rights situation.
The thaw in relations between the neighbouring countries, who fought a bloody, unresolved war in the late 1990s, began earnestly in June, when Ethiopia’s newly-elected leader, Abiy Ahmed, made peace overtures to his counterpart.
Eritrean authorities must urgently embrace and implement bold measures to strengthen protection of and respect for human rights, justice and accountability – UN Rapporteur
Yet, repression reportedly continues within Eritrea.
“During the past 17 years, the Government of Eritrea has maintained tight control over the country, stifling any form of public debate and participation,” said Sheila B. Keetharuth, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
Eleven government officials who had criticised the President in an open letter, along with 10 independent journalists, were arrested in 2001 – silencing public political discourse an
“I have received reports that the former Minister of Finance,” Ms. Keetharuth continued, “who recently wrote two books on the current state of affairs in the country, including the rule of law, has been arrested in Asmara during the morning of 17 September.”
If confirmed, the arrest, on the eve of the 2001 clampdown anniversary, would question the will for genuine reform, “especially regarding respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,” the expert asserted.
According to Ms. Keetharuth, while comprehensive domestic reforms would be required for a free, fair, democratic society with all human rights entitlements, the Government can take immediate action towards that end in three concrete, urgent areas.
Firstly, the families of prisoners who have disappeared in Eritrean jails should be informed about the fate of their loved ones. Secondly, implementing the 1997 Constitution would provide a natural basis for a national legal framework and a society governed by the rule of law. And thirdly, the Government could inform new military conscripts that they would not have to serve beyond the 18 months stipulated by Eritrean law.
“The achievement of peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia must be duly celebrated,” stated Ms. Keetharuth. “However, Eritrean authorities must urgently embrace and implement bold measures to strengthen protection of and respect for human rights, justice and accountability,” she concluded.
Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The unpaid positions are honorary, and independent from any government or organization.


I have hard time taking Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire or Khayre seriously, when concerning foreign mediation in Somali affairs. As that has been the ordeal for so long, not that I don’t want the Federal Government of Somalia to be sovereign and work on its own. However, with the recent International Stakeholders Conferences in Europe like in London and in Brussels in 2018. There is clearly this, plus the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Saudi Arabian interference in Somali Affairs. While also United States and United Nations are also directly involved, either with arms/drones or with governance. This being UNSOM or AMISOM who are clearly active and vital for security in Somalia.
The PM states for no need for foreign mediation after several states are saying no to work directly with FGS and Kheire/Farmaajo after they are tired of no grip of what they see as their grievances towards Mogadishu and Villa Somalia.
Therefore, this is statement the PM had:
“Mr Khayre, however, asserted that the days of Somali leaders seeking foreign mediation on internal issues were over. He reiterated that all differences should be sorted out through compromises. “We welcome that all grievances are cleared through dialogue and compromises, considering the interest of the Somali people,” said Mr Khayre” (…) ““We cannot accept people saying that Mogadishu’s security was unreliable,” Mr Khayre stressed. “This is the Somali capital. A city in which we have all invested and stands as a symbol of our sovereignty,” he added” (ABDULKADIR KHALIF – ‘Somali PM rejects foreign mediation in internal affairs’ 17.09.2018).
I feel the PM is not the right man for this message, as the FGS truly need the AMISOM and UNSOM to operate, as well as the foreign funding of the government. Even if the Somali people are the best with Mobile Money and remittance to their own. It is still at the levels of foreign donations that is running the government. As well, as Farmaajo was recently hanging out in Beijing for participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Because the International involvement is always welcomed with projects and with donations, that is why even the state of Puntland had to write a statement when the Germans pulled out from a road project now in September. Therefore, Kheire, knows this perfectly well, but still acts like its a nation without any interference.
Kheire wants to be the big-man and wants the FGS to be vital and important, but right now it needs to show progress and value. As the states saying its stopped, is because they are tired of the shows and none actions. Therefore, an internal mediation isn’t believable as he cannot send the Somali National Army to silence these ones this time. This time Kheire might need it, as the states might not settle with just meeting the President and the Prime Minister. They need to show more flex and that they are seriously addressing their concerns, not only for safety, but the other measures that are in question. As the FGS seems more like a floating balloon, than steady government institutions.
Kheire should feel this too, as he has been traveling between all stakeholders and partners, except for when he is settling the score and undermining the Lower House of late. Therefore, this sort of speech and talk is more swagger, than the reality on the ground. If he was that sovereign, he wouldn’t need the Brussels and the London Stakeholders Conferences within the calendar year. Alas, that is is the case. Therefore, he should follow the asked outside mediation and secure wishes of the states, which has stopped to directly co-operate with Villa Somalia.
The PM has to act up and be humble, show humility and even some grace, but who knows if he has it in him. Peace.