Poland talks missile defence with US

Poland has told the US it is willing to take part in a missile defence scheme that replaces one scrapped last month.

American Vice President Joe Biden is in Warsaw as part of efforts to reassure European countries about its u-turn on a missile shield opposed by Moscow.

Biden said: “We now appreciate that Poland’s government agrees with us, that there is now a better way with new technology and new information to defend against emerging ballistic missile threats. Our new phased, adaptive approach to missile defence is designed to meet a growing threat, not only to the US but first and foremost to Europe.”

Biden has also been quoted as saying the US has no agreement with Russia at central Europe’s expense, and it will not sign any such agreement.

Polish Prime Minsiter Donald Tusk said: “We are determined to do all in our capacity for the values we share. This is why we have taken up a common effort so that our convictions can materialise.”

The US has opted for a system of interceptors that can target short and medium range missiles, and it has made it clear that Poland and the Czech Republic could still be involved in that.

Second leg of Turkish/Armenian soccer diplomacy

euronews channel-Side-by-side the presidents of Turkey and Armenia have watched a World Cup football match in a show of unity.

But it had little effect on the home side’s fans – Armenia’s national anthem got the whistle treatment.

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This is the second time the two have met – last year Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish leader to visit Yerevan for the initial leg of the world cup clash. That kicked off the so-called “soccer diplomacy”.

The long time enemies have recently agreed to reopen their borders and restore relations. The deal signed in Zurich last week could help stabilise the south Caucasus.

1.36 sot “ we need to live with each other and I think we, cooperation, mutual understanding., economic cooperation, questions from the past, mutual, some approach position which is good.”

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The deepest dispute is over history and has yet to be resolved – Armenia alleges that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians in 1915, the Turks deny the charge.

But last night for once it was sport not politics – Turkey won 2:0.

EU countries send envoys back to Honduras

European Union countries have decided to send back their envoys to Honduras to help resolve the crisis following the ousting of the country’s president, the Swedish EU presidency said Saturday.

But it added that the move in no way implied recognition of the country’s de facto government.

The ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy and Spain were withdrawn in protest after President Manuel Zelaya was expelled from the country by soldiers three months ago amid a dispute over his plans to change the constitution, and Roberto Micheletti took control.

Zelaya made a suprise return to Honduras on Monday and has since been holed up in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa with some 60 other people as soldiers surround the building and his supporters demonstrate on the streets.

Sweden said the return of the ambassadors was an important step in helping to restore constitutional order and a diplomatic process in Honduras.

But the situation appeared deadlocked after the de facto rulers said they were not ready to meet with a delegation of central American diplomats hoping to help mediate the crisis.

“Honduran politics are not a threat to international peace and security, and, as a consequence, there should be a Honduran solution” to the stalemate, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Deal looks close on Brazil buying French jets

The French President has been the special guest at Brazil’s Independence Day celebrations, but he may have some celebrating of his own to do.

Nicolas Sarkozy seems to have received some good news from his Brazilian counterpart.

Local officials have announced that Brazil will enter negotiations with France for the purchase of 36 French-made fighter jets. The Rafale aircraft, made by Dassault Aviation, has never before been exported outside of France.

In a media release, both countries say talks over the Rafale will include a French plan to buy a dozen military aircraft from Brazil.

If these talks are as advanced as they sound, and a deal is close, it will be disappointing news for the American company Boeing and Saab in Sweden. They had been hoping to sell their new fighter jets to Brazil.

France has already won a contract to help Brazil build more than 50 helicopters and nuclear-propelled submarines.

Berlusconi visits Libya

Italy has renewed its ties with its former colonial vassal Libya, just days before celebrations for the anniversary of the coup which brought Colonel Gaddafi to power. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrived in Tripoli as one of the few Western leaders to attend Tuesday’s events. Others turned down invitations because of Scotland’s controversial release of the Lockerbie bomber. But Berlusconi brought some good news: Italy is to fund a new motorway in Libya, and the Italian premier had the honour of laying the first stone.

Preparations are well-underway for the coup anniversary. It was on September 1st 1969 that a group of middle-ranking army officers led by then-Captain Muammar Gaddafi sent King Indris into exile and declared the Libyan Arab Republic. A lavish performance will entertain the crowds, and a 120-metre stage will fill with water to re-create the Mediterranean Sea.