Newswire: South-South Cooperation, China in focus

[China - Africa] -- China's New Silk Road shines in Africa
The word "China" has echoed in the meeting halls of the ongoing three-day World Economic Forum on Africa, reflecting the close attention to the Asian country which is widely regarded as Africa's crucial partner in the strive against global economic crisis and future development.

The issues related to China have become hot topics in the platform which attracted over 800 participants from 50 countries and five African leaders in a bid to seek practical solutions to foster better business practices and greater investment across the continent, under the theme of "Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa".


[China - Africa] -- ICBC chief says China to increase investment in Africa
Chief of China's major bank ICBC, Jiang Jianqing, said on Thursday that he believes China will continue increasing investment in Africa which is mutually beneficial.

"With the development of economic globalization, China will have more and closer business links with the rest of the world, which will finally lead to increasing oversea investment from China. Therefore, I believe more investment with mutual benefits will come to Africa," said Jiang in a joint interview with Jacko Maree, group chief executive of the Standard Bank Group.


[China - Afghanistan] -- China, Afghanistan vow to advance bilateral partnership
The foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan met in Beijing Thursday and agreed to boost cooperation.

"China and Afghanistan are traditional friendly neighbors" who share mutual respect and support, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.


[China - Kazakhstan] -- Chinese parliamentary delegation visits Kazakhstan
A Chinese parliamentary delegation visited Kazakhstan from June 9 to June 12 at the invitation of the Kazakh parliament.


[China - North Korea] -- Senior CPC leader calls on closer media co-op with ROK
Senior Chinese leader Li Changchun on Friday called on media organizations from China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to offer more news reports that conducive to cementing bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.

Hailing fruitful media cooperation between the two countries, Li hopes press organizations take the opportunity of the dialogue to set up a regular exchange mechanism, and provide more news reports and information that help boost Sino-ROK strategic and cooperative partnership.


[China - Pacific Island Countries] -- Pacific parliamentary delegations to visit China
The five delegations will be led respectively by Isaac Figir, Speaker of the National Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia; Tu'ilakepa, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Tonga; Manu Korovulavula, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Fiji; Billy Talagi, Chairman of the Bills Committee of the Parliament of Niue and Lino Bulekuli Dit Sacsac, Clerk of the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Kiva Launches Online Microfinance in the United States

[Microfinance] -- United States

The website That Pioneered Online Microloans to Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries Now Brings Same Opportunity to U.S. Entrepreneurs in Partnership With Maria Shriver, First Lady of California

Kiva.org -- the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website -- has launched a pilot expansion in the United States, allowing individuals anywhere to make small loans to U.S. entrepreneurs through the Kiva.org website.

Kiva.org brings its global, online micro-lending platform to the United States at a financial tipping-point for many small businesses. Small businesses represent more than 87 percent of all businesses in the United States, and, on average, these microenterprises are responsible for 900,000 new jobs created per year.(1) Despite these statistics, more than 10 million business owners faced difficulty obtaining business capital -- even before the credit crisis and economic slowdown.

Beginning today on Kiva.org, through partnerships with local microfinance institutions ACCION USA and Opportunity Fund, individuals will be able to browse and lend to small businesses across the United States. Through Kiva's website (www.kiva.org), a loan of $25 can be made to support an entrepreneur, and the specific progress of the loan can be tracked, from initial funding to repayment. Upon receiving repayment, lenders can withdraw their funds or relend to another entrepreneur, thereby continuing the lending cycle.

"Most people think of microfinance as something that helps people in the developing world alone, but the impact of microfinance can be felt in any community that supports creative, industrious entrepreneurs," said Premal Shah, President of Kiva.org. "Kiva's micro-loan model is extremely relevant to low-to-moderate income, U.S. based entrepreneurs, especially given the current economic conditions which makes access to credit a very real problem. The Internet could become a significant source of community driven, low-cost capital for the everyday small business owner in the U.S., and Kiva.org is excited to expand its platform to the U.S. at a time when the need for such capital is greatest."

[Source] -- Marketwire

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Las Flores Group -- Kiva.org
Ayachucho, Peru

Loan request -- $188 loan / per entrepreneur

Donate here @ Kiva.org

The members of Las Flores Community Bank are from the Paltamarca community, in the Pachamarca Distrint, of the Churcampa Province. The Paltamarca community is located at 2800 M.S.N.M. For the most part, the population is engaged in farming activities. They produce corn and raise livestock.

Paulina is married and has seven children. Paulina has a store in her house where she sells general groceries. Paulina needs a loan for 400 PEN to buy groceries and plastic products. Paulina’s dream is for her children to become professionals.

Rufina is married and has five children. Rufina buys small animals and sells them in the different fairs. She also sells food and drinks. Rufina plans to use the loan to buy more products to expand her business. Rufina’s dreams are to expand her business and devote her time to fattening her animals.

Rosa is married and has seven children. Rosa buys and sells small animals and cheese. Rosa needs a loan for 200 PEN to buy a pig. Rosa’s dreams are to educate her children and to devote her time to fattening her animals.

Group Name:	Las Flores Group
Group Members:	Olga Donitila Julia Julia Paulina Ignacia Rosa Rufina Donatilda Martha
Location:	Ayacucho, Peru
Primary Activity:	Retail
Loan Amount:	$1,875.00
Loan Use:	Buy rice, sugar, drinks, small animals and grain
Repayment Term:	9 months - View details below
Lenders Repaid:	Monthly
Date Listed:	Jun 8, 2009
Date Disbursed:	May 30, 2009

Peru -- Police clash with the indigenous community

AlJazeera English

Dozens of people have been killed in clashes between indigenous people and police in Peru.

The Indians have been protesting against laws which will open up communal jungle lands and water resources to oil drilling, logging and mining.

Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Bagua Grande in Peru.

Newswire: South-South Cooperation

[Russia - Brazil] -- Russia, Brazil to Buy $20 Billion IMF Bonds, Diversify Reserves

Russia and Brazil, seeking to reduce their dependence on the dollar, announced plans to buy $20 billion of bonds from the International Monetary Fund and diversify foreign-currency reserves.


[Brazil - Russia - IMF] -- Brazil (and possibly Russia)to Buy $10 Billion of IMF Bonds, Mantega Says

Brazil will buy $10 billion of bonds issued by the International Monetary Fund to help the Washington-based lender provide financing to countries hurt by the financial crisis, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said.

“This is an investment that Brazil is doing with part of its reserves and making available financing so that the IMF may help emerging countries, especially developing countries which today face a shortage of capital because of the global financial crisis,” Mantega said.

Russia’s central bank said today it may cut investments in U.S. Treasuries, currently valued at as much as $140 billion, a week after China said it may reduce reliance on the dollar and U.S. bonds. Treasuries fell after Alexei Ulyukayev, first deputy chairman of Bank Rossii, said some reserves may be moved into IMF debt.


[China - Afghanistan] -- Afghanistan to boost economic, security ties with China: Afghan FM

"Since the beginning of the new era in Afghanistan in late 2001,China has been among our most committed and generous friends," Spanta, who is here for an official visit, told a seminar on Afghanistan's role in the region.

China has been instrumental in regional consensus and international solidarity with Afghanistan, he said, noting China is also the largest investor in the war-hit country.


[China - Cameroon] -- China vows to enhance friendly military co-op with Cameroon

The Chinese armed forces are willing to advance friendly cooperation with Cameroon, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said here Wednesday.

The Chinese armed forces attach importance to its relations with Cameroon, said Liang, adding China is ready to work together with Cameroon to raise bilateral military ties of friendly cooperation to a higher level.

Russia to host summit of BRIC countries

[South-South Cooperation]

Russia will host the first summit of leaders from the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China - the largest four emerging economies of the developing world.

The meeting represents a important milestone for the BRIC countries which have been at the forefront of global growth and foreign direct investment in emerging market in recent years.

As developed nations work to repair the crumbling global financial system, the BRIC countries will be financing their deficits, this is especially the case for the United States. Naturally, the BRIC countries are demanding a bigger role in the process of rebuilding the global financial system.

''This trip will expand mutual trust, work toward solutions on how to tackle the financial crisis, and solidify economic ties among the BRIC nations,'' Li said, using the common term that is an acronym of the first letters of the four countries' names.

"Goooooooo Team!" -- BRIC Leaders

Other highlights in the realm of South-South Cooperation which will come to pass in Russia next week during this little get together of the BRIC countries include:

- The 60th Anniversary of China-Russia Cooperation

- China and Russia will sign a variety of economic, trade and cultural cooperation deals during the visit

- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a China and Russia led organization of Central Asian States. The group includes the nations of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Western observers, as reported by AP in this article, assert the group has served as a vehicle for Moscow and Beijing to limit Western influence in energy-rich Central Asia.

Personally, I don't think Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan or any of those other countries mentioned above in Central Asia where at the top of the U.S. "to-do" list to woo until the war in Afghanistan. The comment no less holds true considering that times have changed.

- Leaders from Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan and India have been invited and will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as "observers"

That pretty much sums it up. Check back next week for more updates on this topic as the meet and greets begin in Russia. ChinaSouthAmerica will be keeping up to date and bring you all the drama as it unfolds.

A Salute to U.S. Troops, Stephen Colbert Style

Stephen Colbert has taken his show global this week, hosting the "Report" from Baghdad, Iraq.

You should definitely check out the entire episode, which includes U.S. President Barack Obama ordering a 4 star general to shave Colbert's head.

Click here to watch full episodes of the Colbert Report

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Obama Orders Stephen's Haircut - Ray Odierno
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Stephen Colbert in Iraq

Massacre in the Peruvian Amazon

My own personal analysis and more in depth coverage to come tomorrow. Had a very hectic day that kept me away from posting on this, very relevant and important story to get out to the world.

For now, if you have yet to read... please check out some of the following sites.

1. Peruanista -- Gives a summary of all major news sites, from AP, to Reuters to Al Jazeera

2. IncaKolaNews

3. United Nations

The Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) expresses her shock and deep distress at reports received of atrocities committed starting 5 June against indigenous peoples in the Amazon region, resulting in the loss of lives, disappearances and grave injuries. The Chair sends her deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The Chair calls upon the Peruvian Government to:

* Immediately cease all violence against indigenous communities and organizations,
* Ensure immediate and urgent medical attention to the wounded and assist the families of the victims,
* Abide by its national and international obligations regarding the protection of all human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples and human rights defenders, especially their right to life and security.


Victoria Tauli-Corpuz

President
United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues


4. Reuters

By Marco Aquino - Reuters

TARAPOTO, Peru June 6 (Reuters) - Hundreds of indigenous protesters were holding 38 police hostage early on Saturday in Peru's Amazon jungle after fights between tribes and police killed up to 33 people in the worst violence of President Alan Garcia's government.

Demonstrators also were threatening to set fire to an oil pumping station of state-owned Petroperu unless the government told police to halt efforts to clear weeks of blockades of roads and rivers that have hurt food and fuel supplies.

Tribes, worried they will lose control over natural resources, have protested since April to force Congress to repeal new laws that encourage foreign mining and energy companies to invest billions of dollars in the mostly pristine rainforest.

Violence broke out on Friday as police tried to disperse a roadblock on a stretch of highway called "Devil's Curve" in the Bagua region of Amazonas province, about 870 miles (1,400 km) north of Lima, the capital.

Indigenous leaders said at least 22 protesters were killed. The government reported the deaths of three protesters and 11 police officers, some from spear wounds. At least 100 people were injured and more conflict appeared possible.

Click here to read the full article from Reuters