Political Affairs Podcast #104 – Swine flu, popular science, and Junkyard Empire
On this episode, the government is now saying that the swine flu may not be as bad as expected, plus, we interview scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson about his new radio show, Star Talk Radio, and we talk with up and coming hip hop band Junkyard Empire about politics and music.
SHARM EL SHEIKH — The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit wrapped up yesterday (July 16) in the Egyptian town of Sharm El Sheikh, where a final document was released affirming the need to heighten the role and the activity of the movement in contributing to world peace and security.
In the document, leaders from 118 member countries also stressed their determination to boost multilateralism while maintaining the central role of the United Nations, protecting the interests of developing countries, and working out forms of material and spiritual solidarity with movement members who are under threat of invasion.
A wide range of issues were discussed at the two-day summit,the 15th such gathering since the group was founded in the 1950s. In terms of social and economic issues, the members pledged to pursue many methods of regional and global cooperation, such as boosting coordination in regional and international forums and expanding social exchanges and cultural dialogues.
The members also reinforced a commitment to protect and promote human rights, but added that no kind of human rights violations warrant interference in a nation’s internal affairs. They also noted that there was not only one form of democracy for nations to follow.
The summit also passed a special declaration calling for an end to the US’s embargo on Cuba and a declaration on the Palestine issue. A declaration was also passed setting July 18th as the date for Nelson Mandela International Day, which will commemorate Mandela’s efforts in fighting racial discrimination.
Participation of the Vietnamese delegation led by President Nguyen Minh Triet showed the country’s high-level commitment to the common causes of the movement.
The document released at the end of the summit thanked the chairs of the 2009 Disarmament Summit (including Viet Nam) for boosting the passage of a working program on the multilateral disarmament forum.
Iran was selected as the host of the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in 2012. The summit also approved the admission of Argentina and the World Peace Council as observers. The admission brings the total number of Non-Aligned Movement’s observers to 25, including 16 nations and nine international organizations.
Cuban, Egyptian meet
President Triet yesterday met with Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz and Egyptian President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak on the sidelines of the 15th Non-Aligned Summit in Egypt.
In a meeting with the Cuban President, Triet commended the Cuban Government and President Raul Castro Ruz as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement for great contributions to unity consolidation and heightening the movement’s status in international politics.
The two Presidents exchanged opinions on the socio-economic situation of each country, discussed preparations for the countries’ upcoming Party congresses and other international and regional issues of interests.
They affirmed that the special Viet Nam – Cuba relationship was an invaluable asset of both nations and encouraged the revolution in each country. Therefore, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic relation was of significance.
The leaders said that both sides should have practical activities to raise the awareness of citizens, especially the younger generation, about the special ties, then look after the development of relations.
Triet suggested that the two countries should increase the exchange of delegations at various levels and improve the trade relations.
Both Viet Nam and Cuba should work more closely and support each other in regional and international forums, especially in combating forces that take advantage of democracy and human rights issues to undermine the revolution in each country, he said.
The two Presidents invited each other to visit their respective countries.
In a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Triet congratulated Egypt on its successful hosting of the summit and expressed his belief that as the NAM president for the next three years, Egypt would put forward initiatives to further strengthen the solidarity and power of the movement.
President Mubarak praised the presence of President Triet in the NAM summit, affirming that Egypt attached much importance to and highly appreciated Viet Nam’s role and contributions in the Non-Aligned Movement.
He also wished to expand friendly and cooperative relationship between Viet Nam and Egypt.
