News-25 Jan 13: OTHER IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL NEWS

·         France adopts gay marriage plan despite opposition

France's Socialist government in November, 2012 adopted a draft Bill to authorise gay marriage and adoption despite opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and others. "This is an important step towards the equality of rights," said Minister of Family Affairs Dominique Bertinnoti. President Francois Hollande, who had made the issue a key part of his electoral platform, said it was an advance 'for all of society'.

·         US joins Indian Ocean group as dialogue partner

The US was on November 2, 2012 inducted as a dialogue partner in the 20-nation Indian Ocean Rim. Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) grouping, following hectic back-door diplomacy led by India.

The decision to induct the US as the sixth dialogue partner was taken at the ministerial meeting of the grouping. The other five dialogue partners are, China, Japan, the UK, France and Egypt.

The induction came following a request from the US, which had applied for the status of a dialogue partner a few months back. A document containing the US request was then sent out to all member states about two months back.

·         Japan PM dissolves Parliament, polls on Dec. 16

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda dissolved the lower house of Parliament in November 2012, paving the way for elections in which his ruling party will likely give way to a weak coalition government divided over how to solve the nation's myriad problems. Elections are set for December 16. If Noda's centre-left party loses, the economically sputtering country will get its seventh Prime Minister in six-and-a-half years. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party, which led Japan for most of the post-World War II era, is in the best position to take over.

·         Japan, North Korea agree to continue dialogue

Senior Japanese and North Korean diplomats ended rare talks November 16, with reports saying they were eyeing a further meeting. Japanese negotiator Shinsuke Sugiyama said the two sides agreed to continue their dialogue for 'further consideration' about the issue of the North's past abduction of Japanese nationals, according to Jiji Press. During the meeting they agreed that the next round of talks would be held as soon as possible.

 

·         Death toll in Syrian civil war reaches 40,000

The opposition group in Syria has said that the death toll in the country has hit nearly 40,000 as the civil war in the nation continues. Homs and Damascus are the deadliest places in Syria, according to an opposition group that keeps a running total of those whose lives came to a bloody end in 20-month armed conflict.

 

·         South Korea deploys cruise missiles

South Korea has begun fitting naval destroyers with a new, indigenously-developed cruise missile capable of making precision strikes anywhere in North Korea, a news report said in the last week of  November. Yonhap news, agency quoted a senior military official as saying the South had armed two destroyers with 32 of its Hyunmu 3C Tomahawk-style cruise missiles. The missiles have a range of 400 km

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·         China to search vessels entering disputed sea

Police in the southern Chinese island province of Hainan will board and search ships that enter into what China consider its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea.

The South China Sea is Asia's biggest potential military trouble spot with several Asian countries claiming sovereignty over it. From January 1, Hainan police will have the authority to board and seize control of foreign ships which 'illegally enter Chinese waters and order them to change course or stop sailing, the China Daily reported.

"Activities such as entering the island province's waters without permission, damaging coastal defence facilities and engaging in publicity that threatens national security are illegal," the newspaper said.