Dos perlas

Primera perla: increíbles declaraciones del presidente europeo: “Rusia debe ser tratada con decencia (…) No podemos permitir que nuestras relaciones con Rusia sean dictadas por los EEUU”. Diez, incluso cinco años atrás uno hubiera dicho: acá hay un error de tipeo. Pero estos son los tiempos que nos han tocao vivir, chicos. El presidente de la Unión Europea, el hiperpusilánime de Jean-Claude Juncker (foto de arriba), les dice a sus representados, palabras más, palabras menos: “Che, no podemos ser tan arrastrados; tengamos un mínimo de pensamiento propio”. Tremendo lo tuyo, Jean-Claude! Leemos en Russia Today:

Título: Turning point? EU Commission head says relations with Russian ‘must be improved,’ US ‘can’t dictate’

Epígrafe: Europe must treat Russia with more decency, improve the relationship, and not let EU policies be dictated by Washington, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a surprise speech in Germany.

Texto: It is now critical for the EU to work on its relations with Russia, Juncker said in the southern German town of Passau: “We must make efforts towards a practical relationship with Russia. It is not sexy but that must be the case, we can’t go on like this.”

Moreover, the US needs to keep its influence out of EU relations with other countries, Juncker added.

“Russia must be treated decently … We can’t let our relationship with Russia be dictated by Washington.”

EU-Russia relations have deteriorated since the EU imposed sanctions on Russia for its alleged role in the Ukrainian conflict. The Russian government has unswervingly denied these allegations.

In the meantime, some progress has recently been reported in eastern Ukraine, as the armed forces of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LNR) have begun withdrawing weapons under 100 mm caliber from the conflict zone. Ukraine’s Joint Staff has also announced the start of a withdrawal of artillery from the region.

The withdrawal of weapons is part of the Minsk agreements, which was agreed upon by the leaders of the Normandy Four, namely France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia, in February. The deal required a ceasefire, a weapons withdrawal, constitutional reforms, legislative recognition of a special status for the unrecognized republics, and release and exchange of prisoners on an all-for-all basis.

However, lasting truce was only reached in late August. Kiev and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics maintain the armistice has been holding since September 1, although both sides still occasionally accuse each other of violations.

Moscow continues to stress the importance of direct dialogue between Kiev and representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’ at the end of September that all countries need to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“At no time in the past, now or in the future has or will Russia take any part in actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government,” Putin said, adding that Moscow “would like other countries to respect the sovereignty of other states, including Ukraine. Respecting the sovereignty means preventing coups, unconstitutional actions and illegitimate overthrowing of the legitimate government.”

EU sanctions against Russia could be renewed at the end of this year, however, even though some European countries have been hit hard by the fall in trade triggered, in part, by Moscow’s counter-sanctions on food imports.

EU sanctions include restrictions on lending to major Russian state-owned banks, as well as defense and oil companies. In addition, Brussels has imposed restrictions on supplying weapons and military equipment to Russia, as well as military technology, dual-use technologies, high-tech equipment, and technologies for oil production. A number of Russian and Ukrainian officials have also been blacklisted by the West.

Segunda perla, esta vez de Rusia Today en español:

Título: Toyota responde a la pregunta de EE.UU. sobre por qué cientos de sus vehículos están en manos del EI

Texto: El Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos ha preguntado a Toyota por qué tantos vehículos suyos están en manos de los terroristas en Libia, Siria e Irak. La marca japonesa ha emitido un comunicado de respuesta.

La aparición de numerosos videos y fotografías publicadas por el Estado Islámico con combatientes a bordo de vehículos todoterreno y camionetas de la marca Toyota, generó sospechas en EE.UU., que preguntó a la marca japonesa Toyota al respecto. La compañía ha emitido un comunicado este jueves, afirmando que no se explica cómo sus productos han llegado a manos de los milicianos y que estan dispuestos a cooperar con la investigación de EE.UU. sobre la cuestión, informa Auto News.

"Es imposible para cualquier fabricante de automóviles controlar completamente cómo los vehículos pueden ser objeto de apropiación ilegal, robo o revendidos por terceros", afirma el comunicado de Toyota. Al mismo tiempo, la marca afirma que apoyarán la investigación llevada a cabo por el Departamento del Tesoro estadounidense para estudiar los canales de abastecimiento internacionales y los flujos de capitales y mercancías en Oriente Medio.

Por su parte, Ed Lewis, portavoz de la marca nipona, asegura que "Toyota mantiene una política estricta de no vender vehículos a potenciales compradores que puedan usarlos o modificarlos para actividades paramilitares o terroristas", precisando que han añadido "procedimientos para evitar que los productos sean empleados para un uso militar no autorizado".

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Y acá va la respuesta de un lector de RT, en la sección “Comentarios” a esta misma nota:

“…la respuesta a la pregunta es obvia: ISIS usa Toyota porque es superior en calidad y prestaciones a las chatarras gringas similares de Ford y GM”

Una pena que sea un lector de RT y no el mismo CEO de Toyota el que tenga que salir a decir estas obviedades, pero bué. Cosas de la política, chicos!