Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for January, 2022
Newsline: Israel’s Foreign Ministry denies report that Ukraine embassy shut amid labor dispute
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Israel’s embassy in Kyiv is open, after a report that workers unhappy about a cut in hazard pay had shut the mission “until further notice.” An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicates that the embassy may in fact be shut in the future, though. According to the source, diplomats had pushed for a 4 percent hazard pay bonus, which was supposed to end at the start of 2022, to be gradually removed over January, though he says workers will still need to pay back money they got beyond what they should have. The Foreign Ministry initially attempted to remove hazard pay for embassy staff in January 2021, but had given the workers a one-year reprieve, the source says. (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/foreign-ministry-denies-report-that-kyiv-embassy-shut-amid-labor-dispute/) The labor dispute comes as tensions in Ukraine have rocketed in recent weeks over a standoff between Russia and NATO. While other countries have evacuated non-essential personnel from embassies, Israel, which has sought to maintain close ties with both Moscow and the West, has not done so.
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Newsline: Bangladeshi diplomat recalled from India on charges of “sex chat scandal”
In one of the rare incidents in the world of diplomacy, a Bangladeshi diplomat posted in Kolkata has been recalled on charges of an alleged “sex chat scandal”. “A video was sent to our official Facebook account through messenger. We came to know from that video that the diplomat was involved in an obscene chat with a woman,” according to Toufique Hasan, Bangladesh deputy high commissioner in Kolkata. After a preliminary inquiry, the diplomat — Muhammad Saniul Kader, the first secretary posted in Bangladesh Deputy High Commission — was sent to Dhaka. “The official was sent back to Dhaka within 24 hours after the matter came to light,” Hasan said.(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/bangladeshi-diplomat-recalled-from-india-on-charges-of-sex-chat-scandal/articleshow/89235924.cms) The diplomat left India and entered Bangladesh through the Benapole border on January 19. On January 16 the woman accessed the Facebook page of the high commission and shared the WhatsApp chats and videos of the diplomat, sources said. The matter was immediately communicated to the Bangladesh foreign ministry. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry informed the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka. The PMO took the matter seriously as the issue was very sensitive and asked the ministry to withdraw him immediately, according to one of the above-mentioned sources. Kader was posted at the Bangladesh deputy high commission in Kolkata about a year back. He is an officer of the Bangladesh Civil Service. While over the years diplomats in various parts of the world have been recalled on charges of “sex scandals”, this may have been the first such incident of a diplomat being recalled on “sex chat scandal”.
Newsline: Russian ambassador to UK warns Western pressures push Russia and China closer together
The West’s unfriendly steps against Russia and China are pushing them toward closer bilateral cooperation in various spheres, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin said in an interview published in The Sunday Times on Sunday. “I will say that we now have best relationship with China. The best period, probably, in our relations, which was never before,” (https://tass.com/politics/1395085) According to Kelin, @the more pushes we will experience – China is experiencing the same pushes from the NATO allies, especially from the United States. I am sure they are pushing us to be closer.”
Newsline: Ukraine ambassador to US says Russia is attacking democracy
The Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. on Sunday warned that Russia’s hostility toward Ukraine is not limited to any particular conflict between the two countries, but is part of a larger mission against democracy itself. “If Ukraine will be further attacked by Russia, of course they will not stop after Ukraine,” Markarova said. “That’s why it’s in the interest of Europe and all the democratic world to help us to defend ourselves but also to show that the international rule of law still works.” (https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/russia-ukraine-tension-at-border) Ambassador Oksana Markarova appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” to discuss Russia’s massing of an estimated 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine and the rising fears that Moscow is planning an invasion.
Newsline: Zimbabwean embassy warns South African based citizens of threats
The South African-based Zimbabwean ministry has released a message that serves as a warning to Zimbabweans who live in South Africa to be vigilant. This comes after the Consulate said it had received disturbing reports that recently took place and affected Zimbabwean nationals in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. According to a statement released by the Zimbabwean embassy on their social media account (Twitter), there have been unspecific threats made to Zimbabwean nationals and that they should leave the country on a certain date. “The Embassy and the Consulates urge all Zimbabwe nationals in the Republic of South Africa to be vigilant and law-abiding. Holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption permits who choose to remain in the country after 31 December 2022 should start the process of migrating to other visas early. In order to assist us to effectively represent you, the Embassy and the Consulates request you to share information with us,” read the Zimbabwean Embassy statement. (https://sundayworld.co.za/news/zimbabwean-embassy-warns-south-african-based-citizens-of-threats/) The statement further revealed that the Embassy is currently in talks with relevant South African government departments on the matters that concern the safety of Zimbabweans who live in South Africa.
Newsline: Canada withdraws non-essential personnel from embassy in Ukraine
Canada will temporarily withdraw non-essential Canadian employees and remaining dependents from its embassy in Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, amid an international standoff over Russian troops massed on the country’s borders. As we continue to closely monitor the situation, our highest priority remains the safety and security of Canadians. Our officials stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens, as required,” the ministry said in a statement. The embassy in Kyiv remains open, it said. (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/canada-withdraws-non-essential-personnel-embassy-ukraine-statement-2022-01-30/) Canada said last week it will reinforce the team at the Canadian Embassy with experts in security, conflict management, democratic reform and consular services.
Newsline: US ambassador to UN says Russia has chance for ‘diplomatic way out’ of Ukraine crisis
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned on Sunday that Russia’s menacing military buildup on the Ukraine border signals the Kremlin’s “intentions to use them.” Thomas-Greenfield’s comment on Sunday in an interview with ABC’s “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos came on the eve of an open U.N. Security Council meeting she requested to discuss Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine and what to do about it. “You don’t amass 100,000 troops if you don’t have intentions to use them,” Thomas-Greenfield said. She said Monday’s U.N. Security Council meeting “is one more opportunity to find a diplomatic way out for the Russians.” She added that Ukraine officials have asked for the meeting, which is expected to be televised, in a letter to the Security Council. (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russia-chance-diplomatic-ukraine-crisis-us-ambassador/story?id=82553278) “We’ve made clear that we’re prepared to address our concerns, Ukrainian concerns and Russian concerns at the diplomatic table, but it cannot be done on the battlefield,” Thomas-Greenfield said. Thomas-Greenfield released a statement on Thursday condemning what she described as “destabilizing acts” by Russia aimed at Ukraine.
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