Ukraine recalls ambassador from Moscow

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Ukraine recalls ambassador from Moscow

"The Fact Is, These Are Russian Forces," Says Ukraine"s Ambassador To U.S.

i i

hide captionTroops under Russian command scream orders to turn back before firing warning shots at the Belbek airbase in Crimea. The troops were reacting to a large group of unarmed Ukrainian troops who approached them.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Troops under Russian command scream orders to turn back before firing warning shots at the Belbek airbase in Crimea. The troops were reacting to a large group of unarmed Ukrainian troops who approached them.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Despite what Russia’s President Vladimir Putin might say, the country’s approach to Ukraine is a “gross violation of international law,” says Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olexander Motsyk.

“The whole world witnessed the act of aggression of Russia against Ukraine,” Motsyk tells NPR’s Melissa Block, in an All Things Considered interview about recent developments in his country.

As we reported earlier, Putin claimed today that the armed forces that have taken over parts of Crimea are not Russian. They’re “local self-defense forces,” he said.

That’s simply not true, Motsyk says, repeating himself for emphasis.

“The fact is, these are Russian forces,” he says. “And they participate in toppling local government in Crimea.”

The ambassador says he welcomed hearing Putin say that Russia is pulling its troops back from Ukraine’s border — but he couldn’t verify that a withdrawal is underway.

“We’re happy that there is such a statement” from Putin, Motsyk says. “But we need not only words, but deeds.”

A tense situation passed without violence earlier today, when armed men who had taken control of the Belbek airbase in Crimea fired warning shots as more than 100 Ukrainian troops approached them. The Ukrainians were unarmed, carrying a flag and singing. The situation ended without reported injuries.

Ukraine isn’t sure where exactly the troops came from, Motsyk says. But he cites a colleague’s report Monday that there are 16,000 Russian troops in the Ukraine now.

“Russia simply violated international law and occupied Crimea,” Motsyk says. “The choice of Ukraine was to integrate into European Union — and maybe not everybody is happy with that idea.”

Melissa asks the ambassador about the current status of Ukraine’s military, particularly its navy.

“There are Ukrainian vessels that have now been effectively turned into Russian vessels, have been forced to change their allegiance,” she says. “What about those vessels – what happens to them?”

“As far as I know, all vessels are loyal to Ukraine,” Motsyk says. “Yes, Russia has been trying to establish control over Ukrainian military facilities. But all the Ukrainian troops are loyal to Kiev.”

A career diplomat, Motsyk has been Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2010, a span that includes serving the ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.

Motsyk has negotiated with Russia on border and citizenship issues in the past. He says that Ukraine will work with the U.S., Europe and Russia to ensure the country maintains control of Crimea.

“We live in 21^st century. So, everybody has to behave like in 21^st century, not in 19^th century,” he says. “That’s the main thing. And if you violate international law, you have to have responsibility for that.”

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"The Fact Is, These Are Russian Forces," Says Ukraine"s Ambassador To U.S.

Senate approves Max Baucus as China ambassador

By ALAN FRAM (AP)
February 7, 2014, 2:32 pm TWN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate easily confirmed longtime Sen. Max Baucus on Thursday to become ambassador to China, handing the job to a lawmaker well-versed in U.S. trade policy but with little expertise about military and other issues that have raised tensions with Beijing.

Senators gave final approval to the nomination of the moderate Baucus, D-Mont., by 96-0. Trim and youthful looking for his 72 years, Baucus accepted colleagues’ congratulations before and during the roll call and voted “present” for his own nomination.

Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Baucus has worked with Republicans during his 35 years in the Senate on issues ranging from taxes to health care reform — an independent streak that has vexed Democratic colleagues.

Baucus supported GOP President George W. Bush’s sweeping 2001 tax cuts and his 2003 creation of Medicare prescription drug benefits, despite opposition by most Democrats.

He also helped write President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care overhaul. Congress approved that measure solely with Democratic votes after Baucus spent months trying to craft a bipartisan version with Republicans.

“I’m proud to stand up for it, because it is helping millions of Americans,” Baucus said in farewell remarks on the Senate floor after Thursday’s vote, defending a law that Republicans are making a top issue this election year.

Most recently, he’d been working with Republicans to craft bills revamping the income tax system and streamlining congressional votes on trade treaties Obama is seeking with Asia and Europe.

“His passion is well-known to all of us, his decades of experience here in Congress. He’s an excellent choice that President Obama made to represent America’s interests in China,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a long-time Finance panel colleague, lauded the Montanan for “his willingness to put partisan differences aside for the greater good of all.”

In 2001, Baucus championed China’s inclusion in the World Trade Organization, which has helped Beijing conduct business with other countries. He has sponsored legislation — not enacted — punishing China for undervaluing its currency and has criticized Beijing for blocking U.S. imports of beef, a big business in his rural state.

Baucus had already announced he would not seek re-election this fall when Obama tapped him last December for the ambassadorship.

His early departure from the Senate — spokesman Sean Neary said Baucus planned to formally resign late Thursday — could turn what looked like a likely GOP Senate seat pickup into a more competitive race.

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Senate approves Max Baucus as China ambassador

US ambassador admits tapping Angela Merkel’s phone was “stupid”

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US ambassador admits tapping Angela Merkel’s phone was “stupid”

W.H. to pick Baucus as ambassador to China

Baucus has already announced that he will not seek reelection next year. | John Shinkle/POLITICO

Sen. Max Baucus, the veteran Montana Democrat who has served in the Senate since 1978, is expected to be nominated by the White House to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to China, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

Baucus planned to begin informing his colleagues and his staff about his upcoming nomination on Wednesday evening.

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Driving the Day: Senate nominations

Baucus: ACA rollout ‘unacceptable’

It remains unclear when the appointment would take effect, but Baucus would have to win confirmation from his Senate colleagues. If he leaves before his term ends, Baucus would relinquish his gavel on the powerful Senate Finance Committee at a time when he is still aggressively pushing for a dramatic rewrite of the Tax Code.

(PHOTOS: Max Baucus’s career)

The Montana Democrat, who has been a central figure in battles over trade, taxes and health care for a generation, has already announced he will not run for reelection in 2014. And, depending on how long the confirmation process takes, he will be opening up a Senate seat in a tough state for Democrats, but one where the Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock appoints the senator in the case of a vacancy.

(PHOTOS: Senators up for election in 2014)

Baucus’s expected nomination had been rumored in congressional circles for the last month. It only became clear in recent days that the White House would make the appointment, according to sources.

A White House spokesman didn’t respond to an e-mail requesting comment, and a Baucus spokesman declined to comment.

POLITICO – Congress

W.H. to pick Baucus as ambassador to China

Officials: Baucus to be named ambassador to China

FILE–In this Oct. 10, 2013 file photo, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., arrives to hold a hearing with Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic officials say President Barack Obama intends to nominate Montana Sen. Max Baucus as ambassador to China. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FIle)

FILE–In this Oct. 10, 2013 file photo, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., arrives to hold a hearing with Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democratic officials say President Barack Obama intends to nominate Montana Sen. Max Baucus as ambassador to China. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FIle)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama intends to nominate Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., as ambassador to China, Democratic officials said Wednesday, turning to a lawmaker well-versed in trade issues to fill one of the nation’s most sensitive diplomatic posts.

If confirmed by the Senate, Baucus would replace Ambassador Gary Locke, who announced last month he was stepping down.

An announcement of Baucus’ appointment is expected as early as Thursday.

The Montanan’s departure from the Senate would have an instant impact on one of Congress’ most powerful committees and on the 2014 election for control of Congress. Under state law, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has the authority to name a Senate successor to serve until the election, and speculation immediately turned to a fellow Democrat, Lt. Gov. John Walsh, already a candidate for a full term.

Baucus, 72, sidestepped questions about the ambassadorship when asked in the Capitol. “It’s not for me to comment on. … This happens every once in a while. Names get floated around.”

There was no immediate comment from the White House on the disclosure, which was made by officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the nomination publicly before a formal announcement.

Kathy Weber, a spokeswoman in Baucus’ office, declined to confirm the move but said, “Max has given his life to public service and when asked to serve he takes that request very seriously.”

Obama is in search of a new top diplomat in Beijing as he executes a so-called Asia pivot in U.S. foreign policy to more directly counter China after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The relationship between the two nations has grown more troubled in recent weeks, with Chinese authorities unilaterally declaring an air defense zone over disputed islands in the East China Sea. The United States subsequently flew a pair of B-52 bombers through the space last month without incident, and Vice President Joe Biden sought to calm matters on his recent trip through Asia.

Baucus was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and since early 2007 has been chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, health care and more.

On some key issues, he has pursued a more moderate approach than some fellow Democrats would prefer, a reminder that he hails from a rural, Western state with a history of electing Republicans as well as Democrats to top political office.

Shortly after becoming chairman, he led the opposition to then-President George W. Bush’s proposal to privatize Social Security.

Two years later, with Obama in the White House, he struggled for months to assemble bipartisan backing for health care legislation in 2009 to the growing impatience of fellow Democrats. He managed to gain one Republican vote for legislation that cleared committee, but the final bill was thoroughly partisan.

As committee chairman, Baucus has pressed both Democratic and Republican administrations to take a harder line against what he says are unfair Chinese trade practices. The country has the largest trade surplus of any nation with the U.S. and American manufacturers claim it is manipulating its currency to maintain that imbalance.

Inside the Senate, Baucus’ appointment would create a vacancy atop the panel that Senate Democrats would fill. Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia is immediately behind Baucus in seniority and ordinarily would ascend to the chairmanship but has announced he intends to retire at the end of next year. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon is next in line in seniority.

In comments to reporters, Rockefeller indicated he would not seek to claim the spot, saying it would be good if Wyden succeeded Baucus. “I want that committee to be a little more aggressive and he will be,” he said.

If confirmed before the end of next year, Baucus would resign his seat and create a vacancy that Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, would fill. Walsh, the lieutenant governor, has announced he will run for the seat and will likely be a top candidate.

First-term Republican Rep. Steve Daines has announced his candidacy for the seat.

With Democrats struggling to retain their majority in the 2014 elections, Baucus’ announced retirement had turned the state into a challenging one for the party. Obama lost the state in 2012 to Republican Mitt Romney by 13 points.

___

Associated Press writers Matt Volz in Helena, Mont., and Martin Crutsinger, Ken Thomas and Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Politics Headlines

Officials: Baucus to be named ambassador to China

Egypt expels Turkish ambassador, Turkey retaliates

Supporters of Egypt’s deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood wave Turkish and Egyptian flags during a rally in protest against the recent violence in Egypt, outside of the Eminonu New mosque in Istanbul August 17, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer

Reuters: Top News

Egypt expels Turkish ambassador, Turkey retaliates

German embassy bodyguard shot dead in ambassador kidnap attempt – reports

   

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German embassy bodyguard shot dead in ambassador kidnap attempt – reports

German embassy bodyguard shot dead in ambassador kidnap attempt – reports

Published time: October 06, 2013 14:27

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German embassy bodyguard shot dead in ambassador kidnap attempt – reports

Why did the CIA let a crazed al-Qaeda mob kill America’s ambassador?

Tony Rennell
dailymail.co.uk
September 15, 2013

Fumbling in the dark, the American ambassador hurriedly pulled on bullet-proof body armour over his blue trousers and T-shirt. A shrill warning siren was sounding and the crash of gunshots could be heard, getting closer by the second.

‘Follow me, sir,’ urged a diplomatic bodyguard, gripping his M4 assault rifle, shouldering an additional pump-action shotgun and looking anxiously around him as they set out along blacked-out corridors. ‘We are under attack.’

It was 9.40pm in the United States diplomatic mission in Benghazi, the second city of strife-torn Libya, a country trying to re-build itself in the aftermath of civil war and the ousting and killing of its mad dictator, Colonel Gaddafi.

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This article was posted: Sunday, September 15, 2013 at 9:11 am

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Why did the CIA let a crazed al-Qaeda mob kill America’s ambassador?