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US$3mil push to rebuild US ties
US$3mil push to rebuild US ties

The Star

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • The Star

US$3mil push to rebuild US ties

A Washing­ton lobbying firm has signed an agreement worth US$3mil (RM12.7mil) a year with Myanmar's Infor­mation Ministry to help the long-time military-­ruled country rebuild relations with the United States. According to documents submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara), the DCI Group signed the agreement with the ministry on July 31, the day Myanmar's military nominally transferred power to a civilian-­led interim government ahead of a planned election. Myanmar's leadership under military chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a 2021 coup and that year an Israeli-Canadian lobbyist they hired to represent them in Washington and other capitals said he had stopped his work because US sanctions on the gene­rals prevented him from being paid. The US Treasury Department, the DCI Group, the US State Department and Myanmar's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment when asked if US sanctions would affect the agreement between the Myanmar minis­try and the DCI Group. The formation of an interim government signals no change to the status quo in Myanmar, with Hlaing holding on to all major levers of power as acting president while retaining his position as chief of the armed forces. He has appeared eager to engage with US President Donald Trump's administration after years of isolation. When Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's US-bound exports this month as part of his global trade offensive, he did so in a signed letter addressed personally to Hlaing. The general responded by lavi­shing praise on Trump for his 'strong leadership' while asking for lower rates and the lifting of sanctions. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed. According to the Fara filing, the DCI Group 'shall provide public affairs services to (the) client with respect to rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natu­ral resources, and humanitarian relief'. Engaging the country's junta would be a sharp departure for the United States, given US sanctions on the military leaders and the violence committed against the Rohingya minority that Washington calls genocide and crimes against humanity. — Reuters

Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations
Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations

The Star

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • The Star

Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations

WASHINGTON: A Washington lobbying firm has signed an agreement worth US$3 million a year with Myanmar's Ministry of Information to help the long-time military-ruled country rebuild relations with the United States. According to documents submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the DCI Group signed the agreement with the ministry on July 31, the day Myanmar's military nominally transferred power to a civilian-led interim government ahead of a planned election. Myanmar's leadership under military chief Min Aung Hlaing (pic) seized power in a 2021 coup and that year an Israeli-Canadian lobbyist they hired to represent them in Washington and other capitals said he had stopped his work because US sanctions on the generals prevented him from being paid. The US Treasury Department, the DCI Group, the US State Department and Myanmar's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment when asked if US sanctions would affect the agreement between the Myanmar ministry and the DCI Group. The formation of an interim government signals no change to the status quo in Myanmar, with Min Aung Hlaing holding on to all major levers of power as acting president while retaining his position as chief of the armed forces. He has appeared eager to engage with US President Donald Trump's administration after years of isolation. When Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's US-bound exports this month as part of his global trade offensive, he did so in a signed letter addressed personally to Min Aung Hlaing. The general responded by lavishing praise on Trump for his "strong leadership" while asking for lower rates and the lifting of sanctions. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed. According to the FARA filing, the DCI Group "shall provide public affairs services to (the) client with respect to rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief." The filing was signed on Aug 1 by DCI managing partner Justin Peterson, who served in the previous Trump administration, and another managing partner, Brian McCabe. Reuters reported last year that the FBI has been investigating the DCI Group over its alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation that targeted hundreds of its client Exxon Mobil's biggest critics. The DCI Group has said the allegations that it commissioned the hacking operation were false and that it directs all of its employees and consultants to comply with the law. In 2008, two top aides to then Republican presidential nominee John McCain resigned after work they did with the DCI Group for a previous military junta in Myanmar came to light. Jim Murphy, a former DCI president and managing partner, served as Trump's national political director during his 2016 campaign. Myanmar's state media reported on Thursday that Myint Swe, who became Myanmar's president during the 2021 coup that saw the arrest of incumbent Win Myint and Nobel laureate and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, had died in hospital earlier in the day. Myint Swe, a 74-year-old former general, was placed on medical leave in July last year, with his duties passed to Min Aung Hlaing. Engaging the junta would be a sharp departure for the United States, given US sanctions on the military leaders and the violence committed against the Rohingya minority that Washington calls genocide and crimes against humanity. Last month, the Trump administration lifted sanctions designations on several junta allies, but US officials said this did not indicate any broader shift in US policy toward Myanmar and was unrelated to the general's letter. Last week Reuters reported that the administration had heard competing proposals on ways to divert Myanmar's vast supplies of rare earth minerals away from strategic rival China, although nothing had been decided upon amid major logistical and geopolitical obstacles. Securing supplies of so-called heavy rare earths, used in high-tech weaponry, is a major focus of the administration in its competition with China, which is responsible for nearly 90% of global processing capacity. - Reuters

Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations, World News
Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations, World News

AsiaOne

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • AsiaOne

Myanmar signs deal with Washington lobbyists to rebuild US relations, World News

WASHINGTON — A Washington lobbying firm has signed an agreement worth US$3 million (S$3.85 million) a year with Myanmar's Ministry of Information to help the long-time military-ruled country rebuild relations with the United States. According to documents submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the DCI Group signed the agreement with the ministry on July 31, the day Myanmar's military nominally transferred power to a civilian-led interim government ahead of a planned election. Myanmar's leadership under military chief Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a 2021 coup and that year an Israeli-Canadian lobbyist they hired to represent them in Washington and other capitals said he had stopped his work because US sanctions on the generals prevented him from being paid. The US Treasury Department, the DCI Group, the US State Department and Myanmar's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment when asked if US sanctions would affect the agreement between the Myanmar ministry and the DCI Group. The formation of an interim government signals no change to the status quo in Myanmar, with Min Aung Hlaing holding on to all major levers of power as acting president while retaining his position as chief of the armed forces. He has appeared eager to engage with US President Donald Trump's administration after years of isolation. When Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's US-bound exports this month as part of his global trade offencive, he did so in a signed letter addressed personally to Min Aung Hlaing. The general responded by lavishing praise on Trump for his "strong leadership" while asking for lower rates and the lifting of sanctions. He said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed. 'Trade, natural resources' According to the FARA filing, the DCI Group "shall provide public affairs services to (the) client with respect to rebuilding relations between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the United States, with a focus on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief." The filing was signed on Aug 1 by DCI managing partner Justin Peterson, who served in the previous Trump administration, and another managing partner, Brian McCabe. Reuters reported last year that the FBI has been investigating the DCI Group over its alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation that targeted hundreds of its client Exxon Mobil's biggest critics. The DCI Group has said the allegations that it commissioned the hacking operation were false and that it directs all of its employees and consultants to comply with the law. In 2008, two top aides to then Republican presidential nominee John McCain resigned after work they did with the DCI Group for a previous military junta in Myanmar came to light. Jim Murphy, a former DCI president and managing partner, served as Trump's national political director during his 2016 campaign. Myanmar's state media reported on Thursday that Myint Swe, who became Myanmar's president during the 2021 coup that saw the arrest of incumbent Win Myint and Nobel laureate and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, had died in hospital earlier in the day. Myint Swe, a 74-year-old former general, was placed on medical leave in July last year, with his duties passed to Min Aung Hlaing. Engaging the junta would be a sharp departure for the United States, given US sanctions on the military leaders and the violence committed against the Rohingya minority that Washington calls genocide and crimes against humanity. Last month, the Trump administration lifted sanctions designations on several junta allies, but US officials said this did not indicate any broader shift in US policy toward Myanmar and was unrelated to the general's letter. Last week Reuters reported that the administration had heard competing proposals on ways to divert Myanmar's vast supplies of rare earth minerals away from strategic rival China, although nothing had been decided upon amid major logistical and geopolitical obstacles. Securing supplies of so-called heavy rare earths, used in high-tech weaponry, is a major focus of the administration in its competition with China, which is responsible for nearly 90 per cent of global processing capacity [[nid:720827]]

Georgian Dream claims US Congressperson Wilson on opposition payroll
Georgian Dream claims US Congressperson Wilson on opposition payroll

OC Media

time24-07-2025

  • Politics
  • OC Media

Georgian Dream claims US Congressperson Wilson on opposition payroll

Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member US Congressperson Joe Wilson, a vocal critic of the Georgian government, has been accused by the ruling Georgian Dream party of receiving funding from the country's opposition. The accusation stemmed from the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party's cooperation with a US lobbying firm Nelson Mullins that had previously donated to Wilson's campaign. According to a document uploaded to the website of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the contract between the US firm and the UNM was signed in July and concerned future cooperation between the two parties. The UNM was to pay the firm $360,000 for a range of services, including advocacy before the US government, providing advice and assistance to support the UNM's diplomatic activities in the US, as well as assisting the UNM's efforts to ensure free and fair elections in Georgia. The document made no mention of Wilson, but Georgian Dream and pro-government media pointed to the fact that among those the firm had previously donated to was Wilson — Nelson Mullens. Ultimately, Georgian Dream politicians concluded that if Wilson had ties to the firm, he would also benefit from the money UNM paid to the firm. 'Today we found out the price of Joe Wilson's 'love' and 'friendship' for Georgia — it's $360,000', Georgian Dream MP and chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration, Levan Makhashvili, said on Tuesday. Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili also commented on the matter, remarking that 'it had become clear 'how much the love of the Georgian people' is worth'. Other members of the ruling party also accused Wilson of taking money in exchange for his stance on Georgia, including the chair of the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, Archil Gourduladze, and MP Nino Tsilosani. 'The document published on FARA reveals that Joe Wilson's anti-Georgian statements come at quite a high price', a journalist from the pro-government TV channel Imedi said during a live broadcast, once again linking the payment made by the UNM to the firm with Wilson. According to its website, Nelson Mullins was established in 1897, employing more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. Public sources, including FARA and OpenSecrets, have shown that in recent years, Nelson Mullins has donated to both Democratic and Republican politicians — among them former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley. Wilson was listed among this wide range of political figures, with the firm sending him multiple donations prior to signing a contract with the UNM in early July. Wilson is one of the most outspoken critics of Georgian Dream in the US Congress. He was the original sponsor of the MEGOBARI Act, which called for sanctions against members of Georgian Dream and their associates. The act passed the US House of Representatives in May.

Other governments 'weaponising' Trump language to attack NGOs: rights groups
Other governments 'weaponising' Trump language to attack NGOs: rights groups

Yahoo

time02-04-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Other governments 'weaponising' Trump language to attack NGOs: rights groups

Language used by President Donald Trump and his government to slash US-funded foreign aid is being adopted by other governments to attack NGOs and independent media, rights groups warn. Civil society groups in parts of Eastern Europe and beyond -- long targeted by discredit-and-defund campaigns because of the light they shone on corruption and lack of transparency -- are now also dealing with Trumpian rhetoric, they said. Trump administration statements "are being weaponised in real-time by autocrats and dictators across Eastern and Southeastern Europe to justify and deepen their crackdown on independent media, NGOs, and human rights defenders," Dave Elseroad, of the Human Rights House Foundation, told AFP. From Hungary to Serbia, to Georgia and Bosnia, non-governmental organisations and independent media outlets working to bolster democratic norms are hearing officials borrow White House phrases to justify officials' stances against them. The range of expressions available is broad and growing. It includes Trump's claim that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was "run by radical lunatics", and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk's calling the agency a "criminal organisation" that needed to be put "through the woodchipper". Such terms are "seriously encouraging language used in Budapest or in Belgrade or in Bratislava or Banja Luka," said Miklos Ligeti, head of legal affairs at Transparency International's Hungary chapter. - Verbal ammunition - In some countries, the verbal ammunition comes on top of a sudden funding gap wrought by the dismantling of USAID, which is hitting the NGO sector hard. USAID had been providing funding to a vast array of independent organisations in countries like Hungary where such groups have been "financially suffocated domestically," Ligeti told AFP. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has hailed the crackdown on USAID by his ally Trump as a "cleansing wind". He says he plans to outlaw NGOs that receive US funds. Orban -- also Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally in the European Union -- has vowed to "eliminate the entire shadow army" he says is made up of his political enemies, judges, the media and NGOs. The UN rights office in Geneva slammed "escalating attempts worldwide to weaken and harm domestic and international human rights systems, including defunding and delegitimising civil society". It said that "it is all the more worrying to see these trends also emerging in established democracies". In some countries there is a direct line between utterances in Washington and action to undermine civil society. In Georgia, for example, the ruling Georgian Dream party last month called for the country to adopt its own version of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) -- which observers warn could be turned against NGOs receiving foreign funding. And in Serbia, which has been rocked by months of protests over government corruption, authorities referred to statements made by Trump and other top US officials to justify raiding a number of NGOs. The Serbian government saw the Trump administration's labelling of USAID as a "criminal organisation" as "a fantastic opportunity to basically punish civil society", said Rasa Nedeljkov, programme director at the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA). CRTA's offices were raided in February by heavily armed police. The operation took 28 hours because prosecutors had CRTA staff manually copy documents related to USAID-funded projects to hand to them, rather than accepting digital versions. Serbian authorities have explicitly referred to statements by Trump and other US officials to justify raids on a number of NGOs. Uros Jovanovic, public policy programme manager at another raided NGO in Serbia, Grandjanske, said that "this is just an excuse to crack down on civil society," adding: "They are trying to intimidate people to stay silent." - 'Intimidation' - Pavol Szalai, head of the EU-Balkans desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said leaders in a string of countries were using "the suspension of USAID by Trump to attack media which had received USAID funds". He said such groups were being doubly punished: they "lost their funding from one day to the next" while also increasingly being "targeted by intimidation". In Republika Srpska, Bosnia's ethnic Serb statelet, "this is the worst situation ever for civil society organisations (since) the after-war period," said Bojana Mijic, project manager at an independent online daily. "Independent voices are being lost," with many organisations closing from evaporated USAID funding and swelling attacks, she said. The RSF's Szalai said: "We fear that this public-interest journalism in some countries will not survive the blow." He warned that, "as these media retreat.. they will be replaced by propaganda". nl/rjm/rmb/jfx

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