The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan is being investigated in connection with the Petraeus (sex scandal). The Arab League stops short of recognizing a new Syrian opposition group. I’m David Deforest reporting from Washington.
The U.S. Defense Department is investigating General John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, for alleged inappropriate communications with a woman involved in the scandal that led to the resignation of Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus. A senior defense official says the Pentagon is reviewing 20,000 to 30,000 pages of (emails) be sent between General Allen and Jill Kelley sometime between 2010 and 2012. The official would not specify the nature of the documents, but said there is a distinct possibility the matter is connected to the Petraeus investigation. The spokesman for U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta says Allen will remain on the job for the time being.
“While this matter is under investigation and before the facts are determined, General Allen will remain commander of ISAF. His leadership has been (instrumental) in achieving the significant progress that ISAF, working alongside our Afghan partners, has made in bringing greater security to the Afghan people.”
The U.S. defense secretary says the Pentagon and the White House are discussing the scope of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan after the 2014 withdrawal of (combat) troops. Panetta told reporters at the head of the NATO coalition in Afghanistan, General John Allen, has presented plans to support counter-terrorism and training for Afghan forces.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Perth, Australia, where she is participating or will participate in talks aimed at expanding military and political cooperation between the United States and Australia. Clinton met with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard today ahead of an (annual) summit. She told reporters of the importance of the Asia-Pacific region.
“It is no surprise that foreign investment is (soaring), including more than $100 billion from the United States, because increasingly, these waters are at the heart of the global economy and a key focus of America’s expanding engagement in the region.”
Secretary Clinton will be joined by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for the formal talks that begin on Wednesday.
China’s leaders have renewed pledges to boost the economy over the next 10 years during meetings this week in Beijing. William Ide reports.
China’s aspirations for its economy over the next decade have come up repeatedly at the National Party Congress, in discussions on the (sidelines) of the meeting and in state media’s coverage of the event. It also figured prominently in the opening speech of outgoing President Hu Jintao. In his address, Mr. Hu mentioned the economy (104) times in a wide range of context. And while the risks China’s economy is facing were not mentioned as much, they were not ignored. This year China’s economy is slowing to its slowest growth rate in more than a decade. William Ide, VOA News, Beijing.
U.S. lawmakers resume their work today facing the major task of finding an agreement on how to deal with $600 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts that are set to automatically take effect January 1. Congress and President Barack Obama have seven weeks to either delay the actions or to find a (compromise) to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff. Mr. Obama is set to host Democratic and Republican leaders for a meeting at the White House on Friday.
French officials have expressed support for the new united Syrian opposition, but say it is too early to formally recognize the group. The Arab League gave similar support Monday, stopping short of giving the opposition group full recognition as the representative of the Syrian people. Syrian warplanes, meanwhile, bombed a rebel-held town along the border with Turkey today.
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was greeted by a crowd of supporters as she arrived in New Delhi, her first trip to India in four decades. The death toll in northern Burma is rising from Sunday’s (earthquake). The Red Cross Regional Communication’s Director says about 26 people have been killed, 12 people are missing, and (231) injured.
Taking a brief look at the markets, on Wall Street, U.S. stock indexes are mixed. Asia-Pacific markets closed down today.
I’m David Deforest, more news on the Internet at voanews.com.