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January 19, 2007

Paula Dobriansky Replaces Mitchell Reiss as US NI Envoy

News About Ireland & The Irish

IT 01/20/07 US Envoy To NI To Step Down
WP 01/20/07 Wikipedia: Paula Dobriansky
SD 08/08/05 Bio: Paula J. Dobriansky
SD 02/28/05 Dobriansky On 2004 Report On Human Rights
IT 01/19/07 O'Loan Uncovers RUC Collusion With Killers
SF 01/19/07 Sinn Féin Will Continue To Challenge IMC
BB 01/19/07 Call For All-Ireland Soccer Team
RT 01/19/07 Blair Aide Arrested In Cash-For-Honours Probe

*************************

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0120/breaking11.htm

US Envoy To NI To Step Down

The US envoy to Northern Ireland is to step down at the end
of the month, it was revealed last night.

Mitchell Reiss is to stand aside after three years as
special envoy to the province.

He is being replaced by senior State Department official
Paula Dobriansky, a prominent neo-conservative intellectual
who is is the serving Undersecretary of State for Domestic
and Global Affairs at the State Department.

Dr Reiss led the American role in the political peace
process and supported efforts to achieve IRA arms
decommissioning as well as championing the establishment of
a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.

He left the State Department two years ago for academia but
continued in his Northern Ireland role.

Ms Dobriansky was nominated for the Administration in March
2001 and is responsible for a broad range of foreign policy
issues including democracy, human rights and environmental
issues.

Prior to her government role Ms Dobriansky was Senior Vice
President on the influential Council on Foreign Relations.

She has lectured and published articles on foreign affairs
topics ranging from US human rights policy to democracy
promotion strategies. Her government appointments include
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and
Humanitarian Affairs, Deputy Head of the US delegation to
the 1990 Copenhagen conference on Security and Cooperation
in Europe.

She has also been Director of European and Soviet Affairs
at the National Security Council at the White House.

*************************

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Dobriansky

Wikipedia: Paula Dobriansky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paula J. DobrianskyDr. Paula J. Dobriansky (born September
14, 1955) is a neo-conservative politician, pundit, and
author, and graduate of the Edmund A. Walsh School of
Foreign Service at Georgetown University and of Harvard
University. She currently is the Under Secretary of State
for Democracy & Global Affairs, a position in which she was
appointed 1 May 2001 by US President George W. Bush. She is
a member of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC)
and was one of the signers of the January 26, 1998, PNAC
Letter sent to US President Bill Clinton, in which a group
of right wing Republicans advocated a US military attack on
Iraq. She is also member of and the Trilateral Commission.
She was born in Alexandria, Virginia. On February 1, 2007
Dobiansky will become the U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland,
taking over for Mitchell Reiss who held that position for
three years. [1]

Dobriansky has served as Senior Vice President and Director
of the Washington Office of the Council on Foreign
Relations, including operations relating to all groups and
meetings. She has been designated the Special Coordinator
for Tibet.

According to her official Department of State biography,
she was "unanimously confirmed" by the Senate. Dobriansky's
responsibilities include "a broad range of foreign policy
issues, including democracy, human rights, labor, counter-
narcotics and law enforcement, refugee and humanitarian
relief matters and environmental/scientific issues. (1)

Dobriansky has acted as a spokeperson for the United States
on the issue of climate change and global warming,
representing the United States at the 2006 United Nations
climate change conference in Kenya. She has been a stalwart
defender of the Bush Administration's refusal to ratify the
Kyoto Protocol, and has assisted the administration in
blocking international agreements that would cap carbon
dioxide emmissions. [2] Dobriansky has advocated voluntary
reductions in carbon dioxide emmissions, based on
partnerships between developing and wealthy nations and has
been opposed to caps that would require reductions based on
specific timetables.

Dobriansky served as Senior International Affairs and Trade
Advisor at the law firm of Hunton & Williams and as Co-
Chair of the International TV Council at the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting.

Paula J. Dobriansky at FPC briefingDobriansky has held
other government positions including the Associate Director
for Policy and Programs at the United States Information
Agency (1990-1993), Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (1987-1990); Deputy
Head of the U.S. Delegation to the 1990 Copenhagen
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe CSCE;
Advisor to the U.S. Delegation to the 1985 UN Decade for
Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya; and Director of
European and Soviet Affairs at the United States National
Security Council (1983-1984). She also was a coordinator of
Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign.

Dobriansky has served on the Western NIS Enterprise Fund,
National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, American
Council of Young Political Leaders, the American Bar
Association Central, East European Law Initiative, and the
U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

She previously hosted Freedom's Challenge, and co-hosted
Worldwise, and has appeared on ABC, CBS, CNN Headline News,
CNN, Fox Morning News, John McLaughlin's One-on-One, The
McLaughlin Group, C-SPAN, MSNBC, PBS, National Public
Radio, and has testified before the Senate Foreign
Relations and House International Relations Committees. She
is also on the advisory board of the Independent Women’s
Forum.
----

Affiliations

Council on Foreign Relations: Vice President and Director
of the Washington Office; Council’s first George F. Kennan
Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies)

Bob Dole’s 1996 Presidential Campaign: Foreign Policy
Coordinator

National Endowment for Democracy: Vice-Chairman

Freedom House: Board Member

American Council of Young Political Leaders: Board Member

American Bar Association Central and Eastern European Law
Initiative: Board Member

U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy: Board Member

Project for the New American Century (PNAC): Signed several
PNAC letters

Independent Women’s Forum: Advisory Board member

Hudson Institute: Adjunct Fellow
----

Government Service

U.S. Information Agency: Associate Director for Policy and
Programs, 1990-1993

Department of State: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human
Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, 1987-1990

1990 Copenhagen Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Europe (CSCE): Deputy Head of the U.S. Delegation

1985 UN Decade for Women Conference: Adviser to the U.S.
Delegation

National Security Council: Director of European and Soviet
Affairs, 1980-1987
----

Private Sector

WorldWise: Co-Host, 1997

Law Firm of Hunton & Williams: Senior International Affairs
and Trade Adviser, 1994-1997

Freedom’s Challenge: Host, 1994-1996

Western New Independent States (NIS) Enterprise Fund: Board
Member

Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Co-Chair of the
International TV Council

Education

Harvard University: M.A. and Ph.D. in Soviet Political-
Military Affairs

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service: B.S.F.S.
Summa Cum Laude in International Politics

*************************

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/2969.htm

Bio: Paula J. Dobriansky

Under Secretary, Democracy and Global Affairs

Term of Appointment: 05/01/2001 to present

Paula J. Dobriansky was nominated by President Bush on
March 12, 2001, unanimously confirmed by the Senate on
April 26, and on May 1, sworn in as Under Secretary of
State for Global Affairs. On July 29, 2005, she became
Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs.
In this capacity, she is responsible for a broad range of
foreign policy issues, including democracy, human rights,
labor, refugee and humanitarian relief matters, and
environmental/science issues. She has also been designated
as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

Prior to her appointment, Dr. Dobriansky served as Senior
Vice President and Director of the Washington Office of the
Council on Foreign Relations. She was responsible for
managing the Council's office and operations in D.C. and
for leading Council meetings, study groups, and seminars
that served over 1,000 area members. She was also the
Council's first George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian
and Eurasian Studies.

Previously, Dr. Dobriansky served as Senior International
Affairs and Trade Advisor at the law firm of Hunton &
Williams, and also as Co-Chair of the International TV
Council at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Her
government appointments include Associate Director for
Policy and Programs at the United States Information
Agency, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human
Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Deputy Head of the U.S.
Delegation to the 1990 Copenhagen Conference on Security
and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), Advisor to the U.S.
Delegation to the 1985 U.N. Decade for Women Conference in
Nairobi, Kenya, and Director of European and Soviet Affairs
at the National Security Council, the White House.

Dr. Dobriansky received a B.S.F.S. summa cum laude in
International Politics from Georgetown University School of
Foreign Service and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Soviet
political/military affairs from Harvard University. She is
a Fulbright-Hays scholar, Ford and Rotary Foundation
Fellow, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a recipient of
various honors, including Georgetown University's Annual
Alumni Achievement Award, the State Department's Superior
Honor Award, Dialogue on Diversity’s International Award
2001, National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Democracy
Service Medal, Poland's Highest Medal of Merit, Grand Cross
of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke
Gediminas, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Westminster College, Roger
Williams University and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from
Flagler College.

Dr. Dobriansky has served on various boards, including the
Western NIS Enterprise Fund, National Endowment for
Democracy (Vice Chairman), Freedom House, American Council
of Young Political Leaders, and the American Bar
Association Central/East European Law Initiative, and the
U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. She has a
working knowledge of French, Russian Italian and Dutch.

Dr. Dobriansky has lectured and published articles, book
chapters and op-ed pieces on foreign affairs-related
topics, ranging from U.S. human rights policy to East
European foreign and defense policies, public diplomacy,
democracy promotion strategies, Russia and Ukraine. For
three years, she hosted Freedom's Challenge and co-hosted
Worldwise, the international affairs programs on National
Empowerment Television. Additionally, she has appeared on
ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN Headline News, CNN & Company, Fox
Morning News, John McLaughlin's One-on-One, The McLaughlin
Group, C-SPAN, MSNBC, PBS, National Public Radio, and has
testified often before the Senate Foreign Relations and
House International Relations Committees.

Released on August 8, 2005

*************************

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/spbr/42805.htm

On-The-Record Briefing On The Release Of The 2004 Annual
Report On Human Rights

Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary for Global Affairs;
Michael Kozak, Acting Assistant Secretary for Democracy
Human Rights and Labor

Washington, DC
February 28, 2005
(9:00 a.m. EST)

UNDER SECRETARY DOBRIANSKY: Good morning. I'm Paula
Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.
And on behalf of Secretary Rice, who could not be here
today, it is my pleasure to present the State Department's
Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. These
reports are a key part of this Administration's activities
to promote human rights and democracy around the world,
part of President Bush's forward strategy of freedom.

I would like to thank Ambassador Mike Kozak, the Acting
Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor, his staff and other colleagues in the
State Department who played a role in the compilation of
these important reports.

Our approach on human rights is set clearly and
unambiguously by President Bush. In his Inaugural Address,
he stated, "The survival of liberty in our land
increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other
lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the
expansion of freedom in all the world." In his State of the
Union Address, he elaborated that, "Our aim is to build and
preserve a community of free and independent nations with
governments that answer to their citizens and reflect their
own cultures, and because democracies respect their own
people and their neighbors, the advance of freedom will
lead to peace."

In other words, the United States will work globally to
promote democracy, as democracy is the best guarantor of
human rights. Promoting human rights is not just an element
of our foreign policy; it is the bedrock of our policy and
our foremost concern. These reports put dictators and
corrupt officials on notice that they are being watched by
the civilized world and that there are consequences for
their actions. With these in hand, we look forward to the
day when all nations are part of the growing community of
democracies, and tyranny and slavery exist only as a sad
chapter in human history.

We find ourselves in an era of monumental advancement for
human rights and democracy. As the President noted in
Bratislava just last week, there was a Rose Revolution in
Georgia, an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, and most recently
a Purple Revolution in Iraq. In Lebanon, we see growing
momentum for a Cedar Revolution that is unifying the
citizens of that nation to the cause of true democracy and
freedom from foreign influence. Hopeful signs span the
globe and that there should be no doubt that the years
ahead will be great ones for the cause of freedom.

As these reports show, though, there is still much to do.
Freedom and the ability to choose one's government still
elude many people and many portions of the globe. In much
of the broader Middle East people are increasingly
conscious of the freedom deficit in the region and eager to
taste the freedom and liberties that are being enjoyed
elsewhere. If freedom and democracy work in Muslim nations
like Indonesia, Turkey, Afghanistan and Iraq, why should
they not be the norm in Iran, Libya, Syria and Saudi
Arabia? Cuba's government remains a blight on the stunning
advancement of freedom worldwide. China's human rights
conduct remains one of the top concerns of the U.S.
Government. Throughout China, and notably in Tibet,
affronts to the dignity of human life abound. In North
Korea and Burma, citizens languish under repressive
regimes, which do not govern for their people but rather
against them.

We are concerned with circumstances in many other parts of
the globe, and we detail them concisely in these reports.
But our message today is one of hope and promise. This
report is the embodiment of President Bush's commitment
that the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with
those who live in tyranny and hopelessness and struggle for
a better life. Our message to these true patriots of their
nations is that you are not ignored and you are not
forgotten; furthermore, we will not excuse those who are
responsible for your oppression.

The months ahead will see intensive efforts by this
Administration to advance the President's bold agenda to
support the growth of democratic movements and institutions
in every nation and culture. In this journey, our
principles, our commitment to the freedom and the rights of
individuals, are our compass. These reports are our map.

At this point I'd like to turn the briefing over to Acting
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights
and Labor Mike Kozak, who led the effort resulting in the
production of this very fine tool, our report. Thank you so
much.

*************************

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0120/breaking10.htm

O'Loan Uncovers RUC Collusion With Killers

Sat, Jan 20, 2007

Northern Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan has found that
several RUC Special Branch officers colluded with North
Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force members who were involved in
more than a dozen murders, senior sources have told The
Irish Times.

Her report, which will be published on Monday, finds that a
significant number of Special Branch officers were
complicit in protecting UVF agents or informers even though
they knew they were directly involved in murders of
Protestants and Catholics, the sources said.

The report is based on an investigation known as Operation
Ballast and will be handed to the North's Director of
Public Prosecutions who must then decide if former officers
will face serious criminal charges.

"There is intelligence within the policing system linking
UVF members from its Mount Vernon unit in north Belfast to
many killings, and that RUC Special Branch officers
protected them from being made accountable to the law," a
senior source has said.

The report was triggered by the 1997 UVF murder of Raymond
McCord jnr, allegedly on the orders of UVF Mount Vernon
leader Mark Haddock, who is currently serving 10 years for
the grievous bodily harm of Trevor Gowdy, a doorman at a
social club in Monkstown, near Belfast in 2002.

Haddock, whom some of his UVF colleagues attempted to kill
last May, also acted as an informer for Special Branch, it
is claimed.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who was briefed by Raymond McCord
snr and others about Haddock and the claims of almost
endemic RUC collusion, has taken a special interest in the
case, and raised his concerns with British prime minister
Tony Blair.

© 2007 ireland.com

*************************

http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/17489

Sinn Féin Will Continue To Challenge IMC

Published: 19 January, 2007

Commenting after the British High Court found in favour of
the IMC in a case taken by Sinn Féin alleging bias, Newry
and Armagh MP Conor Murphy said that his party's absolute
opposition to the malign role played by the IMC as the
securocrats mouthpiece would continue.

Mr Murphy said:

"While it may come as no great surprise that the British
High Court in London has found in favour of the IMC, our
legal team in the pursuit of this case have uncovered much
documentary and other evidence which the IMC and British
government were seeking to remain secret. It points to an
organisation which was established to appease unionism and
elements within the British system opposed to change.

"Sinn Féin are determined to maintain our absolute
opposition to the malign role played by the IMC as the
securocrats mouthpiece. When this group was first
established we stated that we would explore all legal and
political avenues to remove its destructive influence over
the peace process. We remain committed to that agenda.

"No High Court ruling can alter the fact that the IMC are
unelected, are unrepresentative and operate entirely
outside the Good Friday Agreement." ENDS

*************************

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6280591.stm

Call For All-Ireland Soccer Team

Soccer's governing bodies in Northern Ireland and the Irish
Republic should be merged, Irish Foreign Minister Dermot
Ahern has said.

Mr Ahern said an all-island league would generate more
income for clubs and provide more talented players for a
re-constituted national team.

He told the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland that
times had changed since the governing body split in the
1920s.

"Together they can achieve so much more than by remaining
apart," he said.

Rugby is the most high-profile sport to be organised on a
north-south basis, and up to 30 sporting bodies operate in
this way.

Would David Healy thrive in an all-Ireland team?

"I believe the time is now right for both football
organisations to sit down together for serious discussions
on the basis that together they can achieve so much more
than remaining apart," he said.

"When they balance the pros and cons of having one all-
island football organisation, the ledger will, I believe,
come down heavily on a harmonious coming together of two
noble Irish football traditions and organisations."

We've had good times and bad times, but we're quite happy
with our lot

Gary McAllister

Northern Ireland Supporters Club

Mr Ahern said circumstances were totally different to the
1920s.

"In 1921, the south had emerged from the war of
independence, while a majority in the north viewed with
increasing fear developments in the new state.

"Eighty-six years later, we enjoy a dramatically changed
Ireland."

Mr Ahern said the fact that both organisations were working
with Uefa to jointly host the 2011 Under-21 European
Championships "underlines what can be achieved together".

"Belfast is now just two hours by train and road from
Dublin. The relationship, the respect, and the solidarity
is growing stronger all the time," he said.

George Best said he was in favour of such an idea

But Gary McAllister from the Northern Ireland Supporters
Club said merging was not an option.

"Northern Ireland have been quite successful in recent
times and it is very interesting that voices from the Irish
Republic are now calling for an all-Ireland team on this
sort of level when it's the first time that Northern
Ireland are above them in the Fifa world rankings," he
said.

"We've had good times and bad times, but we're quite happy
with our lot."

'Positive co-operation"

In a statement, the Dublin-based Football Association of
Ireland said they already had "a very high degree of
positive co-operation" with the Irish Football Association
in Belfast, which "was growing year by year".

"At Uefa level the two associations collaborate for the
good of Irish football and we continually assess, with our
colleagues in the IFA, every relevant issue that impacts on
football on both sides of the border.

"The FAI intends continuing to strengthen the co-operation
and development links that are already established with the
IFA."

Teams from north and south have come together in recent
years to play in the Setanta Cup.

The last time an Ireland XI played was at Lansdowne Road in
1973. Billed as Shamrock Rovers XI, they lost 4-3 to the
then-world champions Brazil.

Northern Ireland stars like Pat Jennings, Martin O'Neill,
Bryan Hamilton and Derek Dougan lined up alongside the
likes of Johnny Giles and Terry Conroy.

Months before his death, George Best called for an all-
Ireland team.

"I've always thought that at any given time, the Republic
and Northern Ireland have had some great, world-class
players," he said.

"I just believe in trying something. If it doesn't work, at
least you've tried."

*************************

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0119/turnerr.html?rss

Blair Aide Arrested In Cash-For-Honours Probe

19 January 2007 20:03

A senior political adviser to British Prime Minister Tony
Blair was arrested today on suspicion of perverting the
course of justice.

Mr Blair's Director of Government Relations, Ruth Turner,
was arrested in London this morning by police investigating
cash-for-honours allegations. She was released without
charge.

She is the fourth person to be arrested in connection with
claims that people gave political donations in exchange for
peerages.

Scotland Yard said the new development would delay the
delivery of a file on the inquiry to the Crown Prosecution
Service, which many in Westminster had been expecting this
month.

Ms Turner has rejected any allegations of wrongdoing.

Mr Blair said he had 'complete confidence' in Ms Turner,
whom he said is 'a person of the highest integrity'.

----
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