Tucker Carlson interviews Vladimir Putin in Moscow

AMERICAN journalist Tucker Carlson is reportedly airing his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin today (Thu 8 Feb). Let's hope Mr Carlson clarifies that his references to 'English speaking countries' are confined to the US. People in other English speaking countries are better informed than the average American. His video intro, and the interview, can be viewed at Tucker Carlson Network https://tuckercarlson.com/why-were-in-moscow/

Why I'm interviewing Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/hqvXUZqvHX

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) February 6, 2024

A Feb 6 post at X by Tucker Carlson @TuckerCarlson, copied here above, simply says “Why I'm interviewing Vladimir Putin”. The post contains a video of Mr Carlson explaining why he is interviewing President Putin. It is date stamped 6:44 PM · Feb 6, 2024 and so far (15:29 GMT) has 99.2M Views.

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From The Independent - Thu, 8 February 2024, 3:17 pm GMT

How to watch Tucker Carlson’s interview with Putin

The interview will be broadcast on Mr Carlson’s website at 6pm ET (11pm GMT) and also on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/watch-tucker-carlson-interview-putin-144458540.html

Photo: Carlson in 2023. Courtesy Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_Carlson

______________

UPDATE Fri 9 Feb 2024:

Report from BBC News

By Sarah Rainsford

Eastern Europe correspondent

Dated Friday, 9 February 2024 - excerpts:

Tucker Carlson: Putin takes charge as TV host gives free rein to Kremlin

[…] Instead of pushing the Russian leader - indicted as a suspected war criminal - on his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and challenging his false assertions, Carlson swerved off-piste to talk God and the Russian soul. The American had touted his sit-down with Putin as a triumph for free speech, asserting that he was heading where no Western news outlets dared to tread. That's untrue. The Kremlin is simply highly selective about who Putin speaks to. It will almost always choose someone who knows neither the country nor the language and so struggles ever to challenge him. Carlson's claim also ignored the fact that Russia's president has spent the past two decades in power systematically stamping out free speech at home. Most recently, he made it a crime to tell the truth about Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Multiple critics - Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin and many more - are in prison right now for doing just that.…

Full story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68248740

END

Russian envoy to Sudan holds talks with JEM in N’Djamena, Chad re Darfur peace process

Appointed in December 2008 by the President Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian envoy Mikhail Margelov speaks fluent Arabic. His appointment signals the desire of the Russian government to play a greater role in Sudan which has good economic and military ties with Moscow.

From Sudan Radio Service, 22 October 2009:
Russian Envoy Holds Talks With JEM in Chad

(London) - The Russian envoy to Sudan, Mikhail Margelov, held talks on Thursday with the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement in N’Djamena. They discussed the Darfur peace process and democratic transition in Sudan.

The meeting follows an international workshop in Moscow where Sudan’s special envoys renewed their support for the Doha peace process.

During the meeting, Margelov stressed the need to resume negotiations with the Sudanese government in order to reach a negotiated settlement to the six-year conflict.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service from London on Thursday, the chairman of JEM’s legislative assembly, El-Tahir El Fakie, explains the points discussed in the meeting.

[El Fakie]: “JEM was clear in this meeting, the leader of JEM spoke in this meeting and he explained some of the important points in the meeting. He welcomed mister Margelov and he appreciated the concern of Russian government to discuss the Darfur issue. The second point was that he provided the envoy with background information about the tragedy in Darfur and the root causes of the conflict in Darfur and in Sudan generally, particularly the problem of marginalization. After that, he said that JEM wanted a peaceful solution to the Darfur conflict.”

El Tahir was speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Thursday from London.

- - -

From Sudan Tribune, Thursday 22 October 2009:
Russian envoy, JEM leader discuss Darfur peace process

October 21, 2009 (PARIS) — The Russian envoy to Sudan held talks today with the leader of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in the Chadian capital where the two parties discussed Darfur peace process and democratic transition in Sudan.

In his first ever meeting with a rebel group, Mikhail Margelov, held talks on Wednesday with JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim in Ndjamena. The meeting took place two weeks after an international workshop in Moscow where Sudan’s special envoys renewed their support to the Doha peace process.

Sudanese government and JEM signed a goodwill agreement in Doha last February but the talks stalled as the rebel group asks the government to implement two clauses in the deal related to the release of POWs and the improvement of humanitarian situation.

During the meeting, Margelov stressed on the need to resume negotiations with the Sudanese government in the Qatari capital in order to reach a negotiated settlement to the six-year conflict.

However, Ibrahim who renewed his commitment to the peace process said they want a "serious peace process where the stakeholders commit themselves to enforce what they agree” said Ahmed Hussein Adam, the spokesperson of the rebel movement.

The rebel leader further pointed out that a successful peace process implies to avoid chaos and to engage the main actors as well as to not involve fictive players in the process, Ahmed said.

JEM rebels further stressed they are in constant contact with the Joint Mediator Djibril Bassole and the Qatari officials in order to reach "a real strategy to achieve peace" in Darfur, he further added.

Appointed in December 2008 by the President Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian special envoy who speaks fluency Arabic language visited Darfur where more than 300 thousands are killed to assess the humanitarian situation. His appointment signals the desire of the Russian government to play a greater role in Sudan which has good economic and military ties with Moscow.

Ahmed said they informed Margelov they welcome Russia’s role in Sudan and they are not opposed to its interests in Sudan. However the rebels said that Moscow’s role could be greater if it deal equally with all the stakeholders.

The rebels also urged the Russian government to exert pressures on the Sudanese government in order to reach a just peace.

Darfur peace talks in Doha by end of this month?

Qatar's Minister of State attends a conference on Sudan
Source: Government of Qatar 
Date: 06 Oct 2009 (via ReliefWeb)

Moscow/(QNA)/06 October 2009/ Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E. Ahmed Bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud took part in the practical- scientific conference concerned with sudan's problems which began here earlier Tuesday and runs for two days.

Addressing the opening session, H.E. Al Mahmoud tackled the peaceful anticipations of darfur settlement within the qatar-led initiative and the UN/AU joint mediator. he also highly evaluated russia's support to the initiative led by qatar and the UN/AU joint mediator.

H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud said in his adddress, I would like to thank the Government of the Russian Federation and, in particular, our friend Mikhail Margelov, the Special Envoy of the Russian Federation President to Sudan for his kind invitation to attend the aforesaid conference to talk about expectations of the peaceful settlement of the Darfur issue within the context of the initiative led by the State of Qatar and the joint mediator of the African Union and the United Nations.

He further said ,''As you know, the issue of Darfur has remained a concern haunting the local, regional and international conscience in view of the casualties and loss in properties such unfortunate conflict has produced.

The qatari state minister for foreign affairs went on to say that the State of Qatar''s efforts in the context of the Arab-African Ministerial Committee and from the very beginning were heading to seeking a comprehensive and urgent solution to the conflict in cooperation and full coordination with all sectors of the international community to spare the peoples and the region further scourge of that conflict.

H.E. Al Mahmoud added that such a ministerial committee held a meeting recently in New York on September 24, 2009, and issued a statement expressing its support for the efforts exerted on part of the UN/AU joint mediator and the Government of the State of Qatar to start peace talks in Doha, by the end of October 2009 which main objective is to reach a final and comprehensive agreement on Darfur.

H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, went on to say, we have acted in this context, in full coordination with Djibril Bassole, the joint mediator of the African Union (au) and the United Nations (un) and knocked are still knocking on all doors to reach the sublime goal represented in achieving a comprehensive peace settlement to the conflict to ensure the rights and heal wounds and open the door wide for development and prosperity in Darfur in particular and in Sudan in general.

He further said, We appreciate and value the support of Russia to the initiative led by the State of Qatar and the joint mediator of the African Union and the United Nations. He also made clear that the efforts Qatar made in coordination with the joint mediator has given fruits which reflected in:

1 - the signing of a memorandum of understanding (mou) between the government and one of the armed movements in February this year, as per of which focus was made on the importance of the peaceful course and making it an approach to solve the issue.

2 - Most of, if not all, the armed movements showcase a clear desire to engage in the political process and renounce violence as a means to settle disputes after the peace process was limited to a few number of these movements.

3 - It is true that the split of the movements and their large number in Darfurian arena poses a real challenge to us and for the peace process, but there are encouraging signs which emerged in Tripoli and Addis Ababa, indicating that these movements have felt the need to consolidate and unify the negotiating positions and visions in order to facilitate and accelerate negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution.

4 - several sectors of the civil society have showed due concrn in order to participate in the peace process and has indicated their willingness to play a greater role both either inside the Darfurian community or with the movements.

5 - The support of the international community for the peace process remained so strong and shoulder its responsibilities in this concern.

6 - As a result of what we have mentioned, some signs appeared indicating to a decline in violence cycle and the rate of military operations in Darfur according to testimonies of some of the international officials who have worked in Darfur, the matter which contribute to easing and calming the thoughts of people and create a culture of peace and the acceptance of dialogue as a sole approach for solution.

H.e. Abdullah Al Mahmoud also said that our expectations for a peaceful settlement in Darfur stemmed from key foundations based on equation of the four principles namely unity, negotiations, peace and development, are summarized in:

The importance of reconciliation between the rebel movements and the consolidation of these movements on a common political agenda and work to make these parties more flexible since honesty and seriousness in peace makes it imperative on everyone to offer concessions.

_ Seeking to expand the participation and representation in the peace process to include, in addition to the rebel movements, other stakeholder groups in Darfur, namely the various civil society groups so that they feel they are part of the process and that any peace agreement to be reached would yield benefit to them and they will contribute actively in its implementation.

_ Coordination with the regional partners, as per principles of transparency and openness and that this partnership should be constructive.

_ The importance that the international community should allocate sufficient resources and set up clear goals that build the desired effect to reach the desired peace.

_ The necessity of maintaining relations stable between Sudan and Chad and this is an important element in the current diplomatic efforts and this is what the State of Qatar currently undertakes in coordination with the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

He the minister of state for foreign affairs further said .''It is true that the peace process in Darfur faces many challenges, the most important of which are divisions between movements and how to persuade them to Standardize their negotiating positions, as well as the absence of an effective agreement for a cease-fire to provide protection for civilians. in view of what has been achieved, promise of peace has become evident and that atmosphere was now more appropriate than ever before to reach a just and comprehensive peace in Darfur, h.e. al mahmoud said.

He said that we in Qatar are very much relying on the support of the international community and especially the most influential countries as well as the neighbouring countries and international organizations plus parties concerned with the conflict which are represented in the Sudanese government and rebel movements to each in turn to play their respective roles for supporting mediation and enable them to overcome some difficulties and challenges that slow the march of the peace process and that in turn will evenetually provide the appropriate environment for fair and overall elections in the country next year.

Concluding h.e. Al Mahmoud said, we would like to assure you that our part of the State of Qatar is committed to moving its efforts forward to contribute to the development of a clear vision for peace in Darfur, in full coordination with Bassol and help of the international partners and cooperation of the Government, the movements and the civil society.

Special Envoys for Sudan of China, EU, France, Russia, UK, US (the E6) met in Moscow 6 October 2009

The E6 received an update on efforts by the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to engage with rebel factions and Darfuri civil society, as part of a broader effort to restart peace talks in Doha by the end of October. They strongly supported this objective. They called on the Government of Sudan to do everything possible to facilitate such efforts, and for all Darfuri leaders to engage urgently in the peace talks, including those based elsewhere in the region and in Europe. Any further delay would be unacceptable.

Source: US Department of State
Moscow E6 Statement
Washington, DC
October 6, 2009

The Special Envoys for Sudan of China, the European Union, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the E6) met in Moscow on 6 October 2009, under the chairmanship of Mikhail Margelov, Special Envoy for Sudan of the President of the Russian Federation.

The E6 reviewed developments in Sudan since their first meeting in Doha in May. They welcomed signs of progress, including over Abyei and towards full deployment of UNAMID, but noted the fundamental challenges remaining. They underlined the need for further efforts and stronger political commitment by all parties in Sudan to build lasting peace, stability and prosperity, and confirmed their readiness to support these efforts, and called on all regional and international partners to do the same.

The E6 particularly underlined the urgency of progress to further efforts for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. They welcomed the work undertaken with the parties in this regard by US Special Envoy Scott Gration, the Assessment and Evaluation Commission and the United Nations, and between the parties themselves. They urged the parties to reach agreement as soon as possible on arrangements for free and fair national elections in 2010 and the 2011 referendum, as well as on a work-plan to address issues of shared interest that will arise after 2011.

The E6 expressed their strong concern over current security and humanitarian challenges in South Sudan, and their readiness to support efforts by the authorities there to tackle these.

The E6 received an update on efforts by the UN/AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassole to engage with rebel factions and Darfuri civil society, as part of a broader effort to restart peace talks in Doha by the end of October. They strongly supported this objective. They called on the Government of Sudan to do everything possible to facilitate such efforts, and for all Darfuri leaders to engage urgently in the peace talks, including those based elsewhere in the region and in Europe. Any further delay would be unacceptable. They strongly supported the renewed efforts by all sides to ensure peaceful, cooperative relations across the region, particularly between Sudan and Chad, and to improve levels of humanitarian access and reduce insecurity. In this regard they welcomed the expansion of the High-level Committee on Darfur to allow participation by interested countries, the Arab League and the African Union.

The E6 looked forward to forthcoming report on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in Darfur by the AU High-Level Panel led by former President Mbeki. They expressed their common hope that its recommendations, and follow-up action by all concerned in Sudan, could contribute positively to resolution of the complex challenges facing Darfur, Sudan as a whole and the region.

The E6 underlined the essential role of the United Nations and African Union, as well as other regional organizations and neighboring states, in supporting the parties to work through the urgent remaining challenges to peace. They called for particular attention in forthcoming international appointments to ensuring full coherence and coordination in UN/AU efforts, and for stronger and more concerted leadership at all levels.

The E6 resolved to meet again as necessary to exchange views on the situation in Sudan, and how they could work together and with others to support the parties to build peace.

- - -

From Nam News Network
SUDANESE PRESIDENTIAL ENVOYS HOLDS MEETINGS IN DOHA AHEAD OF DOHA TALKS

MOSCOW, Oct 7 (NNN-SUNA) -- Sudanese Presidential Adviser Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin has held a number of meetings here with delegations participating in the Scientific Symposium on Sudan.

In a statement to SUNA Tuesday, Sudan's Ambassador to Russia, Suraj-Eddin Hamid, said Dr. Salahuddin met the joint envoy of the United Nations and the African Union (AU) on Dafur, Djibril Bassole, and the Chinese envoy and reviewed the preparations for the coming session of negotiation in Doha.

Ambassador Hamid said that the group of envoys was engaged in formulation of a statement including the major views reflected in the symposium, adding that the symposium would review on Wednesday issues of Sudan through three working groups on the economic and social situation, the political situation and the situation in Darfur.

He added that Dr. Salahuddin would continue his meetings on the sidelines of the symposium and was due to meet with the American and the Dutch envoys.

A number of Russian and international mass media and press have interviewed members of Sudan's delegation to the symposium which is headed by Dr. Salahuddin.

Addressing the symporsium Tuesday, Dr. Salahuddin, affirmed the Sudanese government's seriousness to implement the remaining items in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which ended the war between northern and southern Sudan and led to the southern Sudan-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SOLM) to participate in the national government.

He also urged the international community to live up to its commitments for supporting the implementation of the CPA.

Turning to Dafur, Dr. Salahuddin referred to the government's efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the Darfur issue and the current situation concerning negotiations for solving the Darfur issue, while expressing appreciation for the role of the Arab ministerial committee in this regard.

He called on the international community to boost the efforts for achieving stability and peace in Darfur by urging the armed movements in Dafur to participate in the Doha negotiations.

Dr. Salahuddin affirmed the government's keenness to work for holding elections within the fixed time.

Meanwhile, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed the commitment of his country to support the peace, stability and unity of Sudan. The symposium was also addressed by Dr. Mutrif Siddiq, Osman Khalid Mudawi, Ghazi Suleiman, Dr. Lam Akol, the special envoy of the Russian President for Sudan, the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed bin Abdalla Al-Mahmoud, the representatives of China, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Finland, the UN envoy for Sudan, Asharf Qazi, Djibril Bassole and the representative of the Russian Contemporary Development Institute which is sponsoring the symposium. -- NNN SUNA

Russia has temporarily overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer

Report by KBC Market Research Desk, KBC Bank, Tue, Oct 6 2009:
Weaker dollar pushes gold higher above 1000$/oz

On Monday Brent was little changed at below 70$, pausing from the previous session's losses, as concerns about a halting U.S. economic recovery and sluggish energy demand continued to weight on crude prices. However, better than expected U.S. ISM in services sector and speculations that Gulf Arab states were in secret talks with Russia, China, Japan and France to replace greenback with a basket of currencies in oil trading strengthened WTI.

Today, oil prices stayed flat, as investors waited for more definitive signs of demand recovery and weighed the impact of a report that Gulf Arab states were in secret talks to replace the U.S. dollar with a basket of currencies in oil trading.

Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev said that his country was not interested in oil prices going too high saying that a fair oil price should be at around 80- 90$/b.

Supply from the 11 OPEC members bound by output targets rose to 26.40 mln.b/d from 26.2 mln.b/d in August, according to the survey of oil firms, OPEC officials and analysts.

Russia’s oil production reached 10.01mln.b/d in September, a record, and breaching the 10mln.b/d mark for the first time. OPEC output cuts mean Russia has temporarily overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer.

Deutsche Bank increased its 2010 oil price forecast by 10$ to 65$/b on Monday, still below consensus even as it priced in improved economic prospects and a weaker U.S. dollar, while it maintained a more bullish view for 2011.

South Sudan's semi-autonomous government has approved plans to build a 2 bln.$ oil refinery, the southern energy minister said on Sunday, a step toward boosting its oil infrastructure ahead of a referendum on secession. Sudan, emerging from decades of north-south civil war, produces more than 500kb/d of crude from fields mostly in the landlocked south. But the refineries and pipelines are in the north, giving Khartoum control of the precious commodity

A world economic upturn risks support speculation that could dent the recovery, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said. She expected tougher control and regulation of the commodities market was needed and oil trading was a particular concern.

U.S. gasoline demand peaked in 2007 and will decline into the future as efficiency and the development of biofuels and high-tech cars like hybrids speed up, Exxon Mobil Corp's top executive said.

Iraq is expected to put off passing its long-delayed oil and gas legislation until after national polls in January, the head of the Iraqi parliament's oil and gas committee said.

The amount of crude oil held at sea on tankers is likely to fall as consumption grows in the fourth quarter, the chief executive of the world's biggest independent oil tanker group Frontline said.