Copenhagen summit causes failure of capitalist systems: President

Shiraz, Fars Prov, Dec 24, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday evening that the Copenhagen climate change summit resulted in the failure of the world capitalist systems.
He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the TV network of this southern province.

The summit, an important event in the area of climate, proved the world nations that the big economic powers only think about their own interests and do not make any efforts to reduce environmental pollutions, the President noted.

The world capitalist power is on the verge of collapse, he said, reiterating that the Islamic Republic plays a key role in formation of the new world order.

Today, the presence of Iran in the Latin America has weakened the US position, he noted.

Referring to the Middle East as a sensitive and important region in the world, he said Iran has the upper hand in the entire region.

President Ahmadinejad further underlined the need for administration of justice throughout the globe.

Meanwhile, the President wound up his two-day provincial visit and returned to Tehran last night.

Source : IRNA

President, four legislators attend IPU meeting in Copenhagen

Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono along with two members of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the House of Representatives (DPR) each attended an Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Copenhagen on Wednesday (Dec 16).

The IPU meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting, the DPR said in a press statement issued on Friday.

Two DPR or House members attending the IPU meeting were Muhammad Najib and KMRT Roy Suryo Notodiprojo, while the two members of the (DPD were the DPD Committee II Chairman, Susilo Bambang, and DPD Chairman of the Inter-Agency Relations (PHAL) Hamdhani.

The IPU meeting also discussed important issues being dealt with at the UN Conference on Climate Change.

According to Hamdhani, the DPD considered that cooperation between world parliamentarians and the UN organs such as the UNFCCC need to be enhanced in order to increase the IPU`s role in contribution to and support for the UN.

"The purpose of the meeting was to substantiate cooperation between the IPU and the UN," he said.

The IPU is an international organization which was established in 1889 and the first multilateral forum in the world. The IPU with its headquarters in Geneva is composed of 143 national parliaments and seven regional parliamentary associations.
Source : Antara News

Pollster: SBY remains most popular candidate for president

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) remains the most popular candidate for the presidential election on July 8, according to the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI).

LSI senior researcher Burhanudin Muhtadi said at a discussion on "SBY`s Running Mate: Technocrat or Politician" here on Wednesday that SBY was still ranked first by the public no matter who would be his running mate in the election.

"According to the latest results of the survey carried out at random on April 19-26 involving 2,000 respondents aged 17 years and above, SBY collected most of the votes," he said.

According to the survey results from 33 provinces in the country SBY collected 65 percent of the votes if he paired up with Sri Mulyani (finance minister), 66.4 percent with Jusuf Kalla ( vice president), 66.7 percent with Aburizal Bakrie (cabinet minister) and 66.1 percent with noted politician Akbar Tanjung.

Megawati from the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI) only garnered 21 to 23 percent of votes if she paired up with former military figure Prabowo from the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) while Wiranto, also a former military figure from the People`s Conscience Party (Hanura) could only collect 4.0 to 5.0 percent with Hidayat Nur Wahid, an Islamic figure.

Based on results of survey in March 2009 the SBY-Hatta Rajasa (cabinet minister) ticket meanwhile collected 61.2 percent while Megawati-Sultan Hamengkubuwono (public figure) only 23.1 percent.

"The survey results showed SBY remained at the top no matter who he would be paired up with," he said.

He said SBY`s top popularity was one of the factors that made the prefer him, adding no others is more popular than SBY.

President holds prayers service for success of elections

Cikeas, Bogor (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Madame Ani Yudhoyono held a special prayer service at the presidential residence in Cikeas, Bogor, here on Wednesday for the success of the legislative elections on Thursday.

"We were determined to make the elections run smoothly and with quality. There are three things we want to achieve namely good implementation, fair and democratic, and smooth and orderly elections," he said in his speech before the prayer service at around 7.30 pm.

The head of state called on attendants to pray for the smooth implementation of the elections.

"Eight months have been used for indoor campaigning and another three weeks for outdoor campaigns. So let us pray so that all other processes could also be smooth and successful," he said.

On the occasion he also called for efforts against directing reports on potentials of frauds including other negative things that would make the situation inconducive ahead of the event.

He also called for maintaining the conducive domestic security situation and avoiding anarchic actions. He advised that all complaints be channeled through the existing and proper mechanisms.

More than 300 people from various circles attended the religious service including the general chairman of the Democrats Party, Hadi Utomo and the party`s executive Anas Urbaningrum.

A total of 38 political parties and six local parties in Aceh would participate in the elections to select members of the House of Representatives (DPR), provincial and district legislative assemblies and the Regional Representatives Council.

President opens Muhammadiyah meeting in Lampung

Bandar Lampung (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the second day of his two-day working visit in Lampung province opened a meeting of the country`s second largest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah, here on Thursday.

In his address, the president who was accompanied by his wife Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, praised Muhammadiyah`s efforts to help improve the democratic system in Indonesia.

"Let`s us build the principles of morality and ethics in our nation`s life, including the ethics of our democratic and political life," the president said.

He said that there were a lot of temptations in the implementation of democracy in Indonesia, and one which raised serious concern was (certain party`s) effort to justify all means in order to achieve (their) political goals.

"There are a lot of good means that can be used to achieve a goal, including a political objective. Let`s prevent the use of bad means. Black campaigns and money politics are not our choice," the head of state said.

On the occasion, Muhammadiyah General Chairman Din Syamsuddin expressed hope that there would be a proportional and strategic partnership between Muhammadiyah and the government.

He said that Muhammadiyah would always support a government which ran the administration well and correctly.

"Muhammadiyah will not be reluctant to carry out its `amar ma`ruf nahi mungkar` (ordering good deeds and preventing wrong one) mission, to criticize and to correct a mistake done by untrustworthy government," he said.

The Muhammadiyah chairman also called on the organization`s members to take active part in the country`s political activities, including in the legislative, presidential and vice presidential elections.

"I appeal to Muhammadiyah members to exercise their electoral rights well in the coming elections, as a manifestation of their rights and responsibility as citizens who are in need of life improvement," he said.

On the occasion, Muhammadiyah was organizing a second `Tanwir` (regional leadership) meeting to prepare an internal rule for the organization`s executive board leadership election for the 2010-2015 term.

Obama, Congress honor Lincoln's 200th birthday

Barbara Ferguson, Arab News

WASHINGTON: From Capitol Hill to Springfield, Illinois, President Obama and Congress are paying tribute to Abraham Lincoln on the bicentennial of his birth.

"It is an honor to be here: a place where Lincoln served, was inaugurated, and where the nation he saved bid him a last farewell," Obama said in speech at the Capitol yesterday.

"As we mark the bicentennial of our 16th president's birth, ...I feel a special gratitude to this singular figure who in so many ways made my own story possible - and who in so many ways made America's story possible."

In the last couple of years, several best-selling books have focused on the life and political skills of the nation's 16th president.

And, it is a well known fact that the nation's newest president has taken a particular interest in not just reading about the Illinois politician, but also modeling himself politically after him.

White House officials say Obama's speechwriter even had several conversations with political historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who wrote the 2005 book "Team of Rivals," which focused on Lincoln's Cabinet -- before crafting his speeches about Lincoln.

Throughout the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama -- a Democrat who hails from the Land of Lincoln - Illinois; reminded audiences from coast to coast about the similarities between himself and the beloved political leader.

In Washington, a congressional tribute took place yesterday at the Capitol rotunda, and a wreath honoring Lincoln was placed at the Capitol.

Obama also paid tribute to his hero earlier this week, at a celebration for the reopening of the theater where Abraham Lincoln was slain. The reopening of Ford's Theatre after an 18-month refurbishment, was timed to coincide with a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth

Also yesterday, the US Mint unveiled the first of four new pennies depicting Abraham Lincoln. The coins, produced to honor the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth (and the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln cent), are the first redesigned pennies to enter circulation in a half-century.

The heads still feature Lincoln's profile and the words "In God We Trust;" the flip side will highlight a stage of his life. The first release features a picture of the one-room log cabin where Lincoln was born. The other three coins will be issued in roughly three-month intervals throughout the year and will depict Lincoln's formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency.

The Library of Congress also marked Lincoln's bicentennial yesterday by opening a special exhibit featuring Lincoln's handwritten speeches and artifacts, including the Bible used last month by Obama during his swearing-in.

"This exhibit, in a little more than 200 items, presents Lincoln, the man and the politician," John Sellers, curator of the exhibit, told reporters. Lincoln successfully fought a proposal for legalized slavery as development spread to the Western United States, and he eventually brought an end to slavery throughout the country.

There are also grim reminders of Lincoln's assassination. An original "wanted" poster with large black letters reads: "$100,000 Reward. The murderer is still at large."

The poster includes a photograph of John Wilkes Booth, who was on the run after being accused of firing the fatal shots at Ford's Theatre in Washington, where Lincoln was attending a play.

The autopsy report is also included in the exhibition, along with the actual blood stains of Lincoln's blood. Other, more lighthearted artifacts are also on display, including an 1860 letter from a girl urging presidential candidate Lincoln to grow a beard to help his prospects with voters.

President Yudhoyono calls on businessmen to remain steadfast

Batam (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on business companies operating in the free trade zones in Batam, Bintan and Karimun to remain steadfast in the current global economic crisis.

He made the appeal during a dialogue with Indonesian and Singaporean businessmen at Turi Beach Resort here on Monday evening.

"While the storm is not yet over, it is certain that exports will drop whereas Batam, Bintan and Karimun are relying on exports. So I ask for your understanding that the world market is indeed weakening and shrinking. Well this year we have to struggle to survive, so that in time later we could rise again," he said.

To ease the burden of businessmen, the President said, the government has since September 2008 cooperated with the central bank and some businessmen to issue special policies such as government regulations in lieu of laws, incentives, stimulus and others.

"They are all aimed at calming the market and reducing the burden of businessmen to maintain the real sector," he said.

To maintain the people`s buying power, the business community needs to give their contribution by reducing prices if possible, he said.

"If there is an opportunity to maintain prices or even lowering them, demands will be maintain, and there will also be buyers," he said.

The head of state said the essence of economic recession is declining demands and therefore the only way to solve the problem would be safeguarding demands.

President Yudhoyono also called on the people not to cut their spendings. "Those who can afford to buy things need to keep buying so that products from the real sector are maintained. Let us act like business is as usual in a positive sense," he said.

The President said the general elections Indonesia would hold in the near future would be one of the forms of economic movement.

"Indonesia will conduct general elections. A lot of colourful flags have been raised and in the not too distant future campaigning will be done and in April voting for legislative candidates will take place which will be followed later by presidential elections. They are business. I appeal to parties to raise as many flags as possible, make as many campaign T-shirt as possible and hold as many music performances as possible so that singers get a fortune and economy is moving," he said.

He said the government was ready to lose or to see the foreign exchange reserve to drop so long as people did not lose.

Regarding the country`s economic condition President Yudhoyono said quoting "The Economist" that it was so far so good.

"I think it was issued last week. There was a small article about Indonesia there titled "So far so good". Articles written by the Economist or the Times must have no political motives," he said.

It was said Indonesia`s economy grew 6.3 percent in 2007 and 6.1 percent in 2008. He said it showed that the real economy in 2008 still moved and so if Indonesia could withstand in 2008 it would certainly be able to do it too in 2009.

"Last year we could withstand so I hope the economic growth target that we have already revised could be achieved and I ask for your cooperation for it," he said.

The government has corrected the country`s economic growth to 4.5 and 5.5 percent.

President says no need for investors to worry about security

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono guaranteed security during the general elections this year, and assured investors not to worry about their security.

"Indonesia will be able to maintain security, so that it is not necessary for investors to be afraid of anything. No need for them to remain in a wait-and-see position or procrastinate their investment," the head of state said at the Jakarta Stock Exchange building here on Monday.

Yudhoyono made the remarks in a dialogue with market shareholders after officially opening the first trading session at the bourse in 2009.

According to the president, investors during a general elections normally maintained a wait-and-see stance before deciding on an investment.

"We had a direct election in 2004 and since then over 200 provincial and district leaders` election had been implemented. Meanwhile, we have also conducted direct democracy in many foreign countries," he said, adding that therefore, the government along with the general elections commission (KPU), the general election supervisory agency, the constitutional court, regional KPUs, and the police should carry out their tasks well.

In the current situation, the president believed that Indonesia would be able to manage and control the country`s politics and security during the general elections.

"There will be some clashes, friction and difficult campaigns. These incidents often happened in advanced countries and in the developing countries," he said.

The president said that general election should not be seen as a tense period or a burden to the community, but placed in an appropriate position.

On the occasion, the president also asked domestic investors to concentrate more on efforts to improve market capitalization in share trading at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI), predicted to be able to support the BEI.

Watch Obama's election victory speech by John Whitesides

Barack Obama rode a wave of voter discontent to a historic White House victory, promising change as the first black US president but constrained by a deep economic crisis and two lingering wars.

Obama led Democrats to a sweeping victory that expanded their majorities in both houses of Congress as voters emphatically rejected President George W. Bush's eight years of leadership.

The son of a black father from Kenya and white mother from Kansas, Obama was born at a time when black Americans were still battling segregationist policies in the South.

His election triumph over Republican rival John McCain on Tuesday is a milestone that could help the United States bury its long and often brutal history of racism.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama, 47, told more than 200,000 ecstatic supporters gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to celebrate.

Raucous street celebrations erupted across the country, but Obama will have little or no time off to enjoy the victory. He was expected to start work on Wednesday on planning a course for his formal takeover on Jan. 20 and putting together a team to tackle the huge challenges at home and abroad.

Obama won at least 349 Electoral College votes, far more than the 270 he needed. With results in from more than three-quarters of US precincts, he led McCain by 52 percent to 47 percent in the popular vote.

A first-term Illinois senator who will now be the 44th U.S. president, Obama said he would work to ease the country's sharp political divisions and listen to those who voted against him.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there," he said.

McCain's hopes for a surprise win evaporated with losses in a string of key battleground states led by the big prizes of Ohio and Florida, the states that sent Democrats to defeat in the last two elections.

McCain, a 72-year-old Arizona senator and former Vietnam War prisoner, called Obama to congratulate him and praised his inspirational and precedent-shattering campaign.

"I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him but offering our next president our goodwill," McCain said.

Blacks and whites celebrated together in front of the White House to mark Obama's win and Bush's imminent departure. Cars jammed downtown Washington streets, with drivers honking their horns and leaning out their windows to cheer.

Thousands more joined street celebrations in New York's Times Square and in cities and towns across the United States.

"This is the most significant political event of my generation," said Brett Schneider, 23, who was in the crowd for Obama's victory speech in Chicago.

"This is a great night. This is an unbelievable night," said US Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who was brutally beaten by police in Selma, Alabama, during a civil rights march in the 1960s.

Lewis was at a celebration in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the home church of Martin Luther King, who led the civil rights movement and was murdered in 1968.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, joined the celebrations in Chicago on Tuesday night, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Obama will face intense pressure to deliver on his campaign promises. He has vowed to restore US leadership in the world by working closely with foreign allies, to withdraw US troops from Iraq in the first 16 months of his term and to bolster US troop levels in Afghanistan.

But his immediate task will be tackling the U.S. financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression. Obama has proposed another stimulus package that could cost about $175 billion and include funding for infrastructure and another round of rebate checks.

Most world leaders welcomed Obama's victory.

Allied governments said they hoped for closer cooperation with Washington, while critics of the United States, ranging from officials in Russia and Iran to Islamist groups in the Middle East, called for clear changes in policy.

Obama took command of the election race in the last month as the financial crisis deepened and as his steady performance in three debates with McCain appeared to ease lingering doubts among voters.

His judgment on handling the economic crisis appeared to help tip the race in his favor. Exit polls showed six of every 10 voters listed the economy as the top issue.
In addition to Ohio and Florida, Obama won Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado - all states won by Bush in 2004. McCain's loss in Pennsylvania eliminated his best hope of capturing a Democratic-leaning state.
On the campaign trail, Obama had accused McCain of representing a third term for Bush's policies and being out of touch on the economy.

McCain attacked Obama as a tax-raising liberal and portrayed him as too inexperienced to run the country, but the Republican candidate struggled to distance himself from Bush. Exit polls showed three out of every four voters thought the United States was on the wrong track.

In the fight for Congress, Democrats gained at least five Senate seats and about 25 more House of Representatives seats, giving them a commanding majority in both chambers. (Reuters)