Obama seeking closer security cooperation
BRISBANE, Australia – With an eye on China, President Barack Obama and the prime ministers of Japan and Australia are poised to commit their countries to closer cooperation on security in the Asia Pacific region.
But their scheduled meeting today, the first since 2007 among leaders of the three allies, risked antagonizing Beijing after a week when Obama reached a surprising level of consensus with Chinese President Xi Jinping on climate change and trade, and Japan and China took steps to improve their relationship.
China has viewed Obama’s efforts to deepen alliances with other countries in the region, particularly on security issues, as an attempt to counter Beijing’s rise.
White House officials insisted that the three-way talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 economic summit were not meant to send a message to China.
But in advance of Obama’s meeting with Japan’s Shinzo Abe and Australia’s Tony Abbott, the president pressed China to “adhere to the same rules as other nations – whether in trade or on the seas.”
Dutch police arrest dozens of protesters
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Police arrested 90 protesters Saturday as a traditional Dutch celebration of the arrival of Saint Nicholas was disturbed by demonstrators who say his faithful sidekick, “Black Pete,” is a racist caricature, and by supporters of the popular children’s figure.
In some of the worst scenes of unrest in the increasingly acrimonious debate about Black Pete, opponents scuffled with police on the historic marketplace of the central city of Gouda as thousands of children welcomed Saint Nicholas nearby.
Prosecution office spokesman Wouter Bos said 60 anti-Black Pete activists were arrested for demonstrating away from a location set aside for protesters and were each fined $275. Another 30, both supporters and opponents of Black Pete, were arrested for disturbing public order, Bos told The Associated Press.
Video from Gouda showed scuffles breaking out in its historic downtown while children’s songs played in the background. Protesters were detained by police as children watched.
“Deeply, deeply sad,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told broadcaster NOS. “Everybody can debate one another, we can endlessly discuss the color of Black Pete, but we should not disturb a children’s party in this way.”
Associated Press
