Israeli official criticizes Kerry’s peace efforts
JERUSALEM – An Israeli newspaper quoted the defense minister Tuesday as deriding U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s Mideast peace efforts as naive and foolhardy, triggering an angry response from Washington and rekindling simmering tensions with Israel’s closest and most important ally.
The quotes appeared ahead of another visit by Kerry, who is expected in the region in the coming weeks to deliver his ideas on a framework for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Kerry has already submitted to Israel a series of proposals for ensuring Israel’s security as part of a future peace deal.
In the comments published by the Yediot Ahronot daily, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon called Kerry “obsessive” and “messianic” and dismissed Kerry’s security plan as worthless.
“The only thing that might save us is if John Kerry wins the Nobel Prize and leaves us be,” Yaalon was quoted as saying.
Asked about the report, Yaalon issued a statement saying that relations with the U.S. are “intimate and meaningful” for Israel.
Thai prime minister refusing to step down
BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister insisted Tuesday she wouldn’t quit as protesters seeking her ouster blocked key roads in the heart of Bangkok for a second day, leaving the country’s political crisis firmly deadlocked.
The demonstrators had pledged to “shut down” the city of 12 million people, but life in most of the vast metropolis was unaffected, with school classes restarting, commuters heading to work and most businesses open.
The Southeast Asian nation’s latest bout of unrest began late last year and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has tried to ease it by dissolving Parliament and calling for new elections Feb. 2.
There are growing doubts that the vote will take place, however, and both protesters and the main opposition Democrat Party are calling for a boycott. Yingluck’s opponents are demanding she step aside.
Iranian president calls deal ‘surrender’ to West
VIENNA – As diplomats worked on the next step of implementing a landmark Iran nuclear deal, the country’s president described it Tuesday as a “surrender” of Western powers to Tehran’s demands.
But the U.S. dismissed the comment as playing to a home audience and urged Iran to abide by the deal.
The Nov. 24 agreement commits Tehran to curb its nuclear programs in exchange for initial sanctions relief over six months as the two sides work toward a permanent agreement. The accord designates the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency to supervise Iranian compliance with terms of the deal.
The 35-nation IAEA board is expected to approve that role at a meeting set for Jan. 24, according to two diplomats.
Associated Press
