N-Korea: China hits back at Trump tweet accusing it of selling oil to North Korea - by Jane Onyanga-Omara

China denied Friday that it was supplying oil to North Korea in violation of United Nations sanctions aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program, hours after online criticism from President Trump.

"Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!" Trump tweeted Thursday.

Read more: China hits back at Trump tweet accusing it of selling oil to North Korea

Russia's Food Ban: What's 'Strategically Important' About French Cheese? - by Brian Whitmore

One face of Vladimir Putin's brave new Russia is a man called Nikolai.

We don't know his last name, but we know he lives in Vladivostok. And we know that after having a few drinks on the evening of August 16, he called the cops to rat on his neighbors for cooking illegally imported goose meat.

“I served in the army and I understand the situation like this: We have our superiors and they give orders that we must carry out, meaning there is the law and we must obey it,” Nikolai said, according to Russian media reports.

If it becomes law, the new classification will mean those caught importing banned fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry can face up to seven years in prison. French cheese is apparently now just as dangerous to the security of the state as polonium, uranium, assault weapons, and dirty bombs.

And speaking of cheese, the Interior Ministry this week released footage of a bust of what it called a “major cheese-smuggling ring.” Some 470 tons of forbidden cheese was found and six members of the alleged cheese mafia were arrested.

Read more: Russia's Food Ban: What's 'Strategically Important' About French Cheese? - The Atlantic

Cuba-US negotiations:- US efforts to ease embargo 'insufficient', Cuban trade minister says

With Obama heading toward a potentially historic meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro this week, Trade and Foreign Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca criticized the US leader's limited steps to ease the crippling trade and financial embargo the United States has maintained on Cuba since 1962.

After the old Cold War foes announced a historic rapprochement on December 17, Obama loosened several components of the embargo, allowing more travel from the United States to Cuba, raising the limit on cash remittances to the island and easing restrictions on certain kinds of trade, among other measures.

"The measures Obama ordered are incomplete and insufficient, and do not change the essence of this unilateral measure taken by the US government against Cuba," Malmierca told state newspaper Granma.

He said the measures were a "step in the right direction" but did not go far enough toward ending the embargo.

Obama "has vast prerogatives – far beyond the measures approved last January – that he could use to make substantive steps toward normalizing bilateral relations," he said.

Read more Americas - US efforts to ease embargo 'insufficient', Cuban trade minister says - France 24

Sanctions - Fishing Insustry: : Alaska Fish Factor: $60 million Alaskan Seafood Exports to be Halted by Russian Ban

Seafood is by far Alaska’s top export and as it heads overseas, global politics play a big role in making sales sink or swim. That dynamic took center stage last week when Russia banned imports of foods for one year from the US, Canada, Europe, Norway and Australia in retaliation for sanctions imposed due to its aggressive actions in Ukraine.

It is a direct hit to Alaska, which last year exported nearly 20 million pounds of seafood to Russia, valued at more than $60 million. The primary product it hurts is pink and chum salmon roe; Russia is also a growing market for Alaska pollock surimi.

“After Japan, Russia is our largest market for salmon roe,” explained Alexa Tonkovich, International Program Director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). “Japan takes about $125 million worth of salmon roe and Russian takes about $46 million (over seven million pounds). The next closest market is China at $20 million. And if you don’t have diversified markets for a product, you’re in a less powerful negotiating position and that impacts pricing.”

Also in play - the ban on Norwegian salmon means thousands of tons fish destined for Russia is displaced and has to find a home somewhere.

“And that is either the EU, the US, or possibly China or Brazil,” Tonkovich said, “and that impacts pricing for salmon overall.”

Russia is Norway’s third biggest salmon buyer - exports of farmed Atlantics in 2013 approached 300,000 tons, valued at $1.1 billion.

Russia’s ban also takes a bite out of Alaska pollock surimi exports, valued at over $8 million in 2013. But that market is much more diversified than Alaska’s salmon roe.

“There are good markets in Japan and Europe, and we see potential in Brazil for surimi products. So that may be a bit easier to absorb. The salmon roe is a pretty significant volume so I see a greater impact for salmon than for pollock.” Tonkovich said.

Frozen pink salmon also will be affected, said John Sackton. “In 2013, virtually no frozen pinks were sold to Russia, but in 2014 that jumped from less than $250,000 to $3.3 million,” Sackton said.

Seafood is by far Alaska’s top export and as it heads overseas, global politics play a big role in making sales sink or swim. That dynamic took center stage last week when Russia banned imports of foods for one year from the US, Canada, Europe, Norway and Australia in retaliation for sanctions imposed due to its aggressive actions in Ukraine.
It is a direct hit to Alaska, which last year exported nearly 20 million pounds of seafood to Russia, valued at more than $60 million. The primary product it hurts is pink and chum salmon roe; Russia is also a growing market for Alaska pollock surimi.
“After Japan, Russia is our largest market for salmon roe,” explained Alexa Tonkovich, International Program Director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). “Japan takes about $125 million worth of salmon roe and Russian takes about $46 million (over seven million pounds). The next closest market is China at $20 million. And if you don’t have diversified markets for a product, you’re in a less powerful negotiating position and that impacts pricing.”
Also in play - the ban on Norwegian salmon means thousands of tons fish destined for Russia is displaced and has to find a home somewhere.
“And that is either the EU, the US, or possibly China or Brazil,” Tonkovich said, “and that impacts pricing for salmon overall.”
Russia is Norway’s third biggest salmon buyer - exports of farmed Atlantics in 2013 approached 300,000 tons, valued at $1.1 billion.
Russia’s ban also takes a bite out of Alaska pollock surimi exports, valued at over $8 million in 2013. But that market is much more diversified than Alaska’s salmon roe.
“There are good markets in Japan and Europe, and we see potential in Brazil for surimi products. So that may be a bit easier to absorb. The salmon roe is a pretty significant volume so I see a greater impact for salmon than for pollock.” Tonkovich said.
Frozen pink salmon also will be affected, said John Sackton. “In 2013, virtually no frozen pinks were sold to Russia, but in 2014 that jumped from less than $250,000 to $3.3 million,” Sackton said.
Even before the ban, the troubled political climate had ASMI’s international team planning new and expanding market opportunities for Alaska seafood. At this point, Tonkovich said uncertainty rules the day.
“There is a bit of stress in the seafood industry right now,” she said. “Things are in limbo and it is hard to know how it will play out over time.”
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23874/alaska-fish-factor-60-million-alaskan-seafood-exports-to-be-halted-by-russian-ban#sthash.nNV2L9JQ.dpuf

Seafood is by far Alaska’s top export and as it heads overseas, global politics play a big role in making sales sink or swim. That dynamic took center stage last week when Russia banned imports of foods for one year from the US, Canada, Europe, Norway and Australia in retaliation for sanctions imposed due to its aggressive actions in Ukraine.
It is a direct hit to Alaska, which last year exported nearly 20 million pounds of seafood to Russia, valued at more than $60 million. The primary product it hurts is pink and chum salmon roe; Russia is also a growing market for Alaska pollock surimi.
“After Japan, Russia is our largest market for salmon roe,” explained Alexa Tonkovich, International Program Director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). “Japan takes about $125 million worth of salmon roe and Russian takes about $46 million (over seven million pounds). The next closest market is China at $20 million. And if you don’t have diversified markets for a product, you’re in a less powerful negotiating position and that impacts pricing.”
Also in play - the ban on Norwegian salmon means thousands of tons fish destined for Russia is displaced and has to find a home somewhere.
“And that is either the EU, the US, or possibly China or Brazil,” Tonkovich said, “and that impacts pricing for salmon overall.”
Russia is Norway’s third biggest salmon buyer - exports of farmed Atlantics in 2013 approached 300,000 tons, valued at $1.1 billion.
Russia’s ban also takes a bite out of Alaska pollock surimi exports, valued at over $8 million in 2013. But that market is much more diversified than Alaska’s salmon roe.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23874/alaska-fish-factor-60-million-alaskan-seafood-exports-to-be-halted-by-russian-ban#sthash.nNV2L9JQ.dpuf

Read more: Alaska Fish Factor: $60 million Alaskan Seafood Exports to be Halted by Russian Ban - The Fish Site

Cuba: In Miami, Cuban dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez calls for lifting of US Blockade - by Christine Armario

Yoani Sanchez - Cuban Dissident Blogger

"Me siento como en Cuba pero libre,” said Ms. Sánchez, summing up her first day in Miami last week. “I feel like I’m in Cuba but free.”

With that, Ms. Sánchez officially cemented her bond with the old guard, the city’s Cuban exiles.

"They came from all over to hear her speak. Old Cuban ladies with wrinkled faces and pristine makeup. Young students with iPhones and digital cameras. Men and women who fled Cuba decades ago and just last year, on makeshift rafts and planes.

When Cuban dissident and blogger Yoani Sanchez entered the room to speak Monday, dressed simply in white, they all stood up in applause and the politics that divide Cubans, even here in Miami, temporarily disappeared. 

"In the Cuba that so many of us dream of, there is no need to clarify what type of Cuban you are," she said. "We'll be just Cubans. Cubans, period."

The crowd of several hundred stood on their feet, chanted "Freedom!" and applauded.
Sanchez, a Cuban mother and wife who turned to blogging just five years ago, has gained a following and accolades worldwide for her candid descriptions of modern life in Cuba on her blog Generation

In 2008, she was named one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine. She is currently on an international tour that has taken her to three continents after being allowed to leave Cuba for the first time in nearly a decade.

She went to Brazil, where boisterous protesters backing the Cuban government called her a "mercenary" financed by the CIA and even tugged at her hair. She incited controversy when, in an ironic tone, she suggested the U.S. should let five Cuban men convicted in 2001 of attempting to infiltrate military installations in South Florida free because of all the money Cuba could save and spend on more important matters than campaigning for their release.

She has met with young Cuban-Americans born in the U.S. with dreams of a homeland they have known only in photographs and stories. And she has shaken hands with some of the most powerful politicians in Washington and the EU, while calling on the U.S. to end its longstanding embargo against the communist island.

But the most anticipated stop of her 80-day tour has been Miami, the heart of the Cuban exile community."

Note EU-Digest: to Americans and Europeans alike Yoani Sanchez is a modern day hero in defense of Democracy and Freedom of Speech, which is becoming more and more threatened by political and corporate manipulation.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/01/3317890/in-miami-cuban-dissident-blogger.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: MIAMI: In Miami, Cuban dissident blogger calls for unity - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com

It's Time For The U.S. To End Its Senseless Embargo Of Cuba - by Daniel Hanson, Dayne Batten & Harrison Ealey

Havana, Cuba

For the first time in more than fifty years, Cuban citizens can travel abroad without permission from their government.  The move, part of a broader reform package being phased in by Raul Castro, underscores the irrationality of America’s continuation of a five-decade old embargo.

While the embargo has been through several legal iterations in the intervening years, the general tenor of the U.S. position toward Cuba is a hardline not-in-my-backyard approach to communism a la the Monroe Doctrine.  The official position is outdated, hypocritical, and counterproductive.

The Cuban embargo was inaugurated by a Kennedy administration executive order in 1960 as a response to the confiscation of American property in Cuba under the newly installed Castro regime.

The current incarnation of the embargo – codified primarily in the Helms-Burton Act – aims at producing free markets and representative democracy in Cuba through economic sanctions, travel restrictions, and international legal penalties.

Since Fidel Castro abdicated power to his brother Raul in 2008, the government has undertaken more than 300 economic reforms designed to encourage enterprise, and restrictions have been lifted on property use, travel, farming, municipal governance, electronics access, and more.  Cuba is still a place of oppression and gross human rights abuse, but recent events would indicate the 11 million person nation is moving in the right direction.

Despite this progress, the U.S. spends massive amounts of money trying to keep illicit Cuban goods out of the United States.  At least 10 different agencies are responsible for enforcing different provisions of the embargo, and according to the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. government devotes hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of man hours to administering the embargo each year.

At the Miami International Airport, visitors arriving from a Cuban airport are seven times more likely to be stopped and subjected to further customs inspections than are visitors from other countries.  More than 70 percent of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control inspections each year are centered on rooting out smuggled Cuban goods even though the agency administers more than 20 other trade bans.  Government resources could be better spent on the enforcement of other sanctions, such as illicit drug trade from Columbia, rather than the search for contraband cigars and rum.

Note EU-Digest: Lifting the embargo and establishing normal trade relations would be an economic bonanza for both Cuba and the US . Its high  time to end this embargo which has far outlived its cold-war purpose..

Read more: It's Time For The U.S. To End Its Senseless Embargo Of Cuba - Forbes

Opportunity for Obama: Ending U.S. embargo on Cuba would be a major economic boost for both countries - by RM

Now that Obama has been reelected for 4 more years it would probably be beneficial for the President to put the Cuba embargo on his 'to do list', if he hasn't done so already.

There can be no doubt that both the United States and Cuba would benefit from a negotiated lifting of the archaic embargo, in place since 1962.  The cold war has now been over for many years and the old guard  "anti -Castro freedom fighters"  living in Florida have nearly all been replaced by young energetic Cuban-American businessmen. In all honesty, the Obama Administration can rest assured that political repercussions coming from the US Cuban community following the lifting of the embargo  might be vocal, but would certainly not be supported by the majority of the Cubans living in the US.

Apart from the human tragedy the embargo has caused it has also done billions of dollars of damage to the Cuba's economy by  turning a market of 11 million people off limits to U.S. companies.

The economic and political effect of lifting the embargo on Cuba today would probably be similar to when Easter Germany rejoined  Western Germany

Opening a new market of 11 million people so close to the U.S. (90 miles) would quickly benefit both U.S. businesses and the Cuban people.

 © EU-Digest

EU to Syria: No more caviar, fancy cars

 The European Union sent a message on Friday to the Syrian regime, which stands accused of killing thousands of its own citizens: No more caviar, fancy shoes or primo cigars for you until the violence stops.

The European Council says a ban will begin on Sunday on exporting to Syria some luxury items or "dual use" goods that could be used for internal repression.

Its statement listed some prime examples: caviar, shoes and clothing costing more than $750; gems and pearls; and cars costing more than $31 400. Also banned are gas masks and certain chemicals and toxins.

The EU already bans arms exports to Syria and oil imports from Syria. No one in the EU can invest in the Syrian petroleum industry, participate in the construction of new power plants, or supply equipment for Syria's gas industry. The assets of 43 companies and 128 people believed to be associated with the repression, or benefiting from the regime, have been frozen.

Read more: EU to Syria: No more caviar, fancy cars | News24

Iran: 44 countries to attend Iran oil show despite sanctions

Despite the European Union sanctions on Iran’s oil sector, 315 companies from 44 countries have thus far put in a request to take part in the 17th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show), which will be held in Tehran from April 17-20.

“Despite the international sanctions on Iran, the number of the countries participating in this year’s exhibition has increased about 10 percent compared to the last year,” Es’haq Rouyvar, the director of the 17th Iran oil show, noted on Thursday.

Rouyvar stated that the participants include 940 Iranian and 315 foreign companies.

For more: 44 countries to attend Iran oil show despite sanctions - Tehran Ti

EU Deputies Urge Elimination of Common Position vs. Cuba - "but its a two way street"

 European deputies of the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left demanded the elimination of the so-called Common Position of the European Union (EU) against Cuba, in force since 1996.

The European Parliament's rejection of this unilateral and interfering policy was expressed during a meeting held in Strasbourg with Mirtha Hormilla, Cuban ambassador to Belgium and head of the mission at the EU.

Legislators also demanded the lifting of the five-decades-old U.S.-imposed blockade on Cuba, and asked Washington to release five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly held in U.S. prisons.

Note EU-Digest: obviously Cuba should understand that if they want the EU to lift restrictions that negotiations are always a "two way street". This means Cuba should in return respect human rights laws, abolish press censorship, and release all political prisoners.

For more: EU Deputies Urge Elimination of Common Position vs. Cuba

Cuba: Fort Lauderdale company denied license by US to run ferry to Cuba, plans to appeal - by Doreen Hemlock

Just two weeks after a Fort Lauderdale company publicly complained of government delays on its application for ferry service to Cuba, a U.S. Treasury agency has denied the request.

Officials at Havana Ferry Partners say they will appeal. Its executives see no reason why U.S. authorities allow planes to carry U.S. passengers to Cuba but not ferries. Current U.S. regulations allow both "aircraft and vessels" to serve Cuba as an exception to the U.S. embargo against the communist-led island.

The denial came from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which oversees the 50-year-old U.S. embargo against Cuba. Its Feb. 27 letter said ferry service to Cuba is "beyond the scope of current policy."

"We're not going away," said Leonard Moecklin Sr., Havana Ferry's managing partner.

Note EU-Digest: the 50 year old US embargo against Cuba is not only outdated but it has even hampered political change and Democracy in Cuba. Far more so than if an open free trade policy had been instituted between Cuba and the United States. Its high time to do away with this archaic embargo and let the free market system do its work.

For more: Fort Lauderdale company denied license to run ferry to Cuba, plans to appeal - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Iran slams EU oil embargo, warns could hit U.S.

The Islamic Republic, which denies trying to build a nuclear bomb, scoffed at efforts to choke its oil exports, as Asia lines up to buy what Europe scorns.

Some Iranians also renewed threats to stop Arab oil from leaving the Gulf and warned they might strike U.S. targets worldwide if Washington used force to break any Iranian blockade of a strategically vital shipping route.

Yet in three decades of confrontation between Tehran and the West, bellicose rhetoric and the undependable armory of sanctions have become so familiar that the benchmark Brent crude oil price edged only 0.8 percent higher, and some of that was due to unrelated currency factors.

In a letter to the New York Times Mr. Rens Lee writes: " the problem is the prevailing international consensus whereby Israel can possess a nuclear arsenal, while Iran is not allowed to, is indeed a double standard and an obstacle to Middle East peace efforts. Economic sanctions or military action won’t derail Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which date from the time of the shah and reflect the country’s bad geopolitical neighborhood".


For more: Iran slams EU oil embargo, warns could hit U.S. | Reuters

EU set to turn screws on Iran - by David Blair

European Union is preparing to launch an unprecedented attack on Iran's economy at a moment when experts believe the confrontation over the country's nuclear ambitions is entering a dangerous new phase.

An embargo on Iran's oil is due to be agreed by EU foreign ministers tomorrow, potentially depriving Tehran of a quarter of its total exports. Designed to increase pressure on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program, it is also a measure of the scale of concern.

The European Union is preparing to launch an unprecedented attack on Iran's economy at a moment when experts believe the confrontation over the country's nuclear ambitions is entering a dangerous new phase.

An embargo on Iran's oil is due to be agreed by EU foreign ministers tomorrow, potentially depriving Tehran of a quarter of its total exports. Designed to increase pressure on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program, it is also a measure of the scale of concern. Officials note that a series of events - ranging from the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran to the regime's threats to disrupt oil supplies in the Gulf - prove that Iranian decision-making is becoming more belligerent and unpredictable.

For more: EU set to turn screws on Iran

US, EU Warmongers Wage Economic War on Iran - by Mike-Shedlock

One might think the US and EU would have enough economic problems already to risk oil soaring to stratospheric heights by an embargo of Iranian oil. Unfortunately, common sense never gets in the way of bureaucrats and fools or their foolish missions.

The best news out of this mess is that oil is fungible, and perhaps embargo disruptions are already priced in. Regardless, as long as Iranian oil gets through, anywhere, prices will not get out of hand.

With that in mind, it would not surprise me one bit to see China send ships to the Gulf, stating flat out that China will defend its right to not have the US interfere with China's oil needs.

For more: US, EU Warmongers Wage Economic War on Iran :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website

UN assembly calls on the US (for the 20th time) to lift trade embargo against Cuba

As in past years, the vote in the annual ritual was overwhelming, with 186 nations -- including most of Washington's closest allies -- supporting the resolution on the embargo, a result virtually unchanged from last year.

Only Israel, heavily dependent on US backing in the Middle East, supported the United States in opposing the non-binding resolution, while the tiny Pacific states of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau abstained.

In January, President Barack Obama further loosened curbs on US travel and remittances to Cuba. He said last month he was ready to change Cuba policy but was still waiting for signals from Havana such as the release of political prisoners and guarantees of basic human rights. But Obama has not lifted the 49-year-old trade embargo and analysts see no chance of him doing so as he faces a re-election campaign next year. Many staunchly anti-communist Cuban exiles live in the electoral key state of Florida.

For more: UN assembly calls on the US (for the 20th time) to lift trade embargo against Cuba — MercoPress

Turkish navy to help enforce Libya embargo

Turkey has offered four frigates, a submarine and a support ship to help NATO enforce a UN arms embargo on Libya, the military alliance has said.

Brigadier Pierre St Amand, a NATO military officer, said the alliance had so far received offers of 16 ships from a number of countries to implement the mission.

He said the ships included: a command-and-control ship from Italy; 10 frigates, including four from Turkey and one each from Britain, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and the US; submarines from Spain, Italy and Turkey; and auxiliary ships from Italy and Turkey.

For more: Turkish navy to help enforce Libya embargo - Europe - Al Jazeera English