António Guterres faces controversial opposition

 

 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has been doing his level best to push forward dramatic change on two critical fronts, but he has been facing highly controversial opposition.

After personally appealing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israeli-Gaza war, Guterres agreed to a request to have the matter put to a vote in the UN Security Council. Thirteen members of the council last week voted in favour of the draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. The United Kingdom abstained. The United States used its veto. The US was the only member to block the draft.

Guterres said he would continue to do everything possible to bring about an immediate ceasefire.

Yesterday in the UN General Assembly an emergency motion calling for an immediate ceasefire was passed by an overwhelming majority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dismissive of the UN as a whole, but President Joe Biden warned Israel it was losing support in the US, Europe and elsewhere for its war in Gaza.  

Two days before the original vote, Guterres warned the 15-member council that a continuation of the war could have global consequences. 

The United States’ deputy UN ambassador said that while the US hoped for a durable two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine could live in peace and security, but described the draft resolution as a rushed text “divorced from reality.”

The US has isolated itself by refusing to condemn the devastating actions of Israel, an ally it is strongly supporting with weapons and funding.

The United Kingdom’s UN ambassador said her country had abstained in the UN Security Council vote because the draft resolution contained no mention of Hamas’ involvement in the war.

António Guterres, 74, who was Portugal’s prime minister from 1995 to 2002, has served as the UN secretary-general since 2017 and is in his second term. As he was elected by the UN General Assembly in 2005 to become the high commissioner for refugees, a position he held for a decade until December 2015, he has a special insight into what he repeatedly calls the “humanitarian catastrophe” now being faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

He warns that with the war in Gaza “we are at a breaking point. The situation is simply becoming untenable.”

He has emphasised that “the people of Gaza are looking into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal.”

That is not going to happen until Israel stops killing thousands of Palestinians with its relentless bombing campaign, and through starvation and spreading diseases because of its blockade on sufficient essential supplies getting into Gaza.

 

 

Guterres and most political leaders and scientists around the world were deeply concerned that the draft agreement near the end of the United Nations COP28 Climate Summit did not include any mention of phasing out fossil fuels.

On day one of the two-week conference in Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Guterres pleaded with leaders from the more than 160 countries taking part to reach an agreement to take immediate action to stop temperatures rising above the critical 1.5C limit. Instead of unanimity, there was a fundamental division of opinion between the fossil fuel producing countries and most of the others, including Portugal.

 

This was partially put to rest by a last minute deal in the early hours of this morning in which there was an overall agreement to make "a transition" from fossil fuels, but with no specific timeline.

Global warming is caused by the billion of tonnes of man-made CO2 greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere, most of it from the use of coal, oil and natural gas. The countries causing the highest levels of CO2 emissions – China, the United States, India – have not been keeping their promises to hugely reduce use of fossil fuels that are causing the emissions. Worse, the countries producing the most fossil fuels, especially Saudi Arabia, do not really want to phase out fossil fuel production and export.

The president of COP28, who is the chief executive of the UAE’s huge oil industry, said there is “no science” behind claims that a phase-out of fossil fuels would restrict global heating to 1.5C. 

António Guterres, along with most climate scientists in the world, as well as most participants in the summit, were shocked by this opinion, but it had the full backing of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

As Guterres has made abundantly clear, today’s deal is far from perfect, but it could be an historic turning point in the future of human existence.

 

 

 

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PORTUGUESE OFFICIALSL AT THE CRITICAL COP28 CLIMATE SUMMIT

 

 

Portugal has a very significant presence in the United Nations Global Climate summit (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates, which started last Thursday and runs until December 12.

 

It opened last week with an impassioned speech by António Guterres. The UN secretary-general told delegates from the more than 160 nations: “Humanity’s fate is hanging in the balance. This is a sickness only you global leaders can cure.” He pleaded for an end to dependence on fossil fuels and the long over-due promise of justice in the shape of funds to pay for the most devastating impacts of climate change in the world’s less developed and most vulnerable communities and countries. 

 

The world is heating up at an unprecedented pace, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). It says that temperatures this year have risen to 1.4 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, just short of the critical 1.5C.

 

“We are living through climate collapse in real time,” the UN chief told COP28 delegates.

“This year has seen communities around the world pounded by fires, floods, and searing temperature – and the impact is devastating,”

He continued: “Record global heating should send shivers down the spines of world leaders. And it should trigger them to act.”

The record temperatures shattered this year have caused a trail of “devastation and despair,” says the WMO. It expects next year to be even hotter.

 

WMO data up to the end of October showed 2023 was about 1.4C (2.5F) above pre-industrial levels, driven largely by the continued rise in carbon emissions that the major polluting countries claim they are trying to reduce.

 

The WMO has pointed out that, “These are more than just statistics. Extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods on a daily basis – underlining the imperative need to ensure that everyone is protected by early warning services. We cannot return to the climate of the 20th century, but we must act now to limit the risks of an increasingly inhospitable climate in this and coming centuries.” 

In his remarks to the COP28 summit, Mr. Guterres mentioned his recent trips to both Antarctica and Nepal where he witnessed at first-hand the extent of melting polar and glacier ice.

“These two spots are far in distance, but united in crisis,” said Mr. Guterres. It is just one symptom of the sickness bringing our climate to its knees, he said.

The former Portuguese prime minister also said that global heating is busting budgets, ballooning food prices, upending energy markets, and feeding a cost-of-living crisis.

“We are miles from the goals of the Paris Agreement – and minutes to midnight for the 1.5-degree limit.”

Mr. Guterres emphasized that the success of the Dubai conference will depend on the outcome of the so-named ‘Global Stocktake’ – where countries will for the first time assess progress on curbing global warming – which can get the world on track to achieve the temperature, finance, and adaptation goals.

He underscored that the stocktake must prescribe a credible cure for our ailing planet in three key areas.

The UN press office has explained: First, a drastic cut in emissions since current policies are leading us to an earth-scorching three-degree temperature rise.

Second, acceleration towards a just, equitable transition to renewables, since a burning planet cannot be saved with a firehose of fossil fuels. “The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate. Phase out – with a clear timeframe aligned with 1.5 degrees.”

Third, fulfillment of the long overdue promise of climate justice in an unequal and divided world – a surge in finance, including for adaptation and loss and damage.

Mr Guterres has urged developed countries to double adaptation finance to $40 billion a year by 2025 and provide details on how they plan to deliver on the $100 billion promise for financial support for developing countries.

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping have been absent from this so-called “Action” COP summit, but Prime Minister António Costa has attended and welcomed delegates for the first time to Portugal’s own pavilion to hold side events. On previous COP gathering Portugal has shared the European Union’s overall space.

Portugal has an excellent record in dealing internally with climate change, particularly in the phasing out of fossil fuels and relying on renewables. It seems hypocritical that the current summit is being hosted by one of the world’s most fossil fuel producing countries, but there we are.  And worse, the main greenhouse gas polluting countries – China, the United States, India and Russia – have long indulged in rhetoric about global warming, but hopelessly failed to deliver on promises of immediate action to adequately curtail the dire situation. 

FAR-RIGHT 2024 ELECTION HOPES

 

Leaders of European far-right parties gathered in Lisbon at the end of the week to show solidarity with Portugal’s Chega Party that hopes to win the snap election in March next year.

Chega’s leader, Andre Ventura, welcomed his counterparts, including France’s Marine Le Pen. The gathering celebrated the surprise gains by Geert Wilder’s far-right party in the Dutch general election a few days earlier.

Chega, third in Portugal’s dissolved parliament, is hopeful of taking over from the long-standing Socialist Party, currently disgraced by a corruption investigation.

Chega, meaning “enough”, is a national conservative party, formed by Ventura in 2019, that has been gaining much support ever since.

Similar parties are the strongest, or gaining strength, in Switzerland Italy, Greece, Hungry, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Serbia and Spain.

The move to the far-right has included a convergence with centre-right groups.  This has involved national coalitions as well as shifts within the European Union - and it looks set to continue.

It is expected to change major policies in Brussels after the EU election in less than a year from now.  For example, it could press for an eastward expansion of the EU in the continent, and maybe a change in trading arrangements with China.

 A predominantly far-right European Council would have a different attitude to the United States should Donald Trump be re-elected president.

The most concerning problem for far-rightists in Europe is mass immigration from Africa.

 Results in next year’s election in Portugal - and even before that elections in other EU countries - are sure to play a key role in the way Europe progresses in the next few years with illegal immigration.

What Portugal and all other countries in Europe want to stop is an unmanageable number of illegal of immigrants being smuggled in by human traffickers.

Turkey, Greece and Italy have been inundated. The problem continues to move westward, confronting coast guard and other services in Spain and Portugal.

In Britain, politicians from the Labour left to the conservative right are alarmed not only by the number of illegal immigrants crossing the English channel from mainland Europe, but the tens if not  hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants annually seeking to study, or get employment as care workers or nurses, in many cases at 20% discount wages.   

In contrast, the number of Portuguese citizens going to live in Britain fell by 41% in the 12 months to September this year, according to official statistics published by the British government.

Portugal wants its useful citizens back from the UK and everywhere else, including the United States.  A support programme is in place until at least the end of this year to financially help emigrants and their families returning from abroad who want to find jobs for themselves or set up companies.

The arrangement includes citizens who left Portugal between the end of 2015 and started working in this country before the end of this year. It is not yet clear, but it seems very possible this deadline will be extended.

SNAP ELECTION NEXT MARCH

 

 

A snap general election is to be held in Portugal on 10th March next year. The dissolution of the government following the resignation of Prime Minister António Costa is expected in mid-January. Meanwhile Mr. Costa will remain in a caretaker position.

 

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has called for the election because of  Mr. Costas’s sudden resignation amid a corruption scandal. The speaker of parliament said on Friday that parliament would “continue to scrutinise” the Socialist government until it is dissolved. 

 

 

Mr. Costa, prime minister since November 2015, resigned because of a major investigation into his administration’s handling of concessions for lithium mining and a hydrogen project. The Portuguese Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating Mr. Costa and several members of his cabinet for alleged crimes of active and passive corruption, prevarication, and influence pedalling.

 

Mr. Costa announced his resignation on Tuesday this week in a televised statement just hours after prosecutors detained his chief of staff over the corruption allegations.

 

“The duties of the prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity,” he told to a televised press conference. “In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the President of the Republic.”

 

When the prime minister met with the president to inform him of his decision he said his conscience was clear, but that he would not stand for another term as prime minister or leader of Portugal’s Socialist Party.

 

He said that he totally trusts the justice system and has promised to collaborate with it over the scandal. “I want to say eye to eye to the Portuguese that my conscience is clear of any illicit or censured act,” he said.

 

In accepting Mr. Costa’s resignation, President de Sousa summoned the various political parties for consultations. Observers had expected the president to call not only for the dissolution of government, but to propose a date for a new general election, which he has now done rather than accept any proposal for replacement Socialist leader. . 

 

This crisis comes at a particularly awkward time as parliament is due to vote on Portugal’s 2024 budget later this month.

 

In addition to Mr. Costa’s chief of staff, Vitor Escaria, four other people, including a business consultant, have been detained, according to the prosecutor’s office. They are due to appear shortly before a judge.

 

About 140 detectives reportedly searched many residential and government premises, including that of Mr. Costa and the infrastructure and environment minister, João Galamba, as well as municipal offices in Sines.

 

With the “green transition” in mind, the European Union wants to reduce its imports on lithium and other raw materials from China, Africa and South America. Europe’s increasing demand for electric cars is highlighting Portugal’s valuable lithium reserves in the north of the country and a huge green hydrogen project in the historic coastal town of Sines in the district of Setubal south of Lisbon. The projects have been highly controversial and provoked environmental protests.

 

 

This developing story will be updated.

PRIME MINISTER COSTA RESIGNS

 

 

Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is considering calling a general election following the sudden resignation of Prime Minister António Costa amid a corruption scandal.

 

Costa, Portugal’s prime minister since November 2015, has resigned as Portugal’s prime minister due to an investigation into his administration’s handling of concessions for lithium mining and a hydrogen project.

 

The Portuguese Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Mr. Costa and several members of his cabinet for alleged crimes of active and passive corruption, prevarication, and influence pedalling.

 

Mr. Costa announced his sudden resignation on Tuesday in a televised statement just hours after prosecutors detained his chief of staff over the corruption allegations.

 

“The duties of the prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity,” he told to a televised press conference. “In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the President of the Republic.”

The prime minister met with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to inform him of his decision and said that his conscience was clear, but that he would not stand for another term as prime minister and leader of Portugal’s Socialist Party.

 

He said that he totally trusts the justice system and has promised to collaborate with it over the scandal. “I want to say eye to eye to the Portuguese that my conscience is clear of any illicit or censured act,” he said.

 

In accepting Mr. Costa’s resignation, President de Sousa said he would hold consultations with the various political parties. It is up to him to decide if parliament with its current Socialists majority must be dissolved to make way for a new general election. An alternative for the president would be to choose a new prime minister from the Socialist Party.

 

This crisis comes at a particularly awkward time as parliament is due to vote on Portugal’s 2024 budget later this month.

 

In addition to Mr. Costa’s chief of staff, Vitor Escaria, four other people, including a business consultant, have been detained, according to the prosecutor’s office. They are due to appear shortly before a judge.

 

About 140 detectives reportedly searched many residential and government premises, including that of the infrastructure and environment minister João Galamba, as well as municipal offices in Sines.

 

With the green transition in mind, the European Union wants to reduce its imports on lithium and other raw materials from China, Africa and South America. Europe’s increasing demand for electric cars is highlighting Portugal’s valuable lithium reserves in the north of the country and a huge green hydrogen project in the historic coastal town of Sines in the district of Setubal south of Lisbon.  The projects have been highly controversial and evoked environmental protests.  .

This developing story will be updated.

 

Latest from Portugal’s Guterres on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants continues to escalate, Antonio Guterres is condemning both sides for the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In appealing for peace, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Portuguese prime minister has said both sides have violated international law. He described the initial attack by Hamas on October 7 that killed 1,400 people as “appalling.” He went on to say in an address to the UN Security Council that the Hamas attack did not justify the “collective punishment” of Gaza civilians with increasing bombardments by Israeli forces.

Israel has called for Guterres’s resignation because of comments he has made about Israel’s involvement in the Gaza crisis, but Portugal’s foreign minister, Joao Gomes Cravinho, and many other leaders firmly stand by the secretary-general’s neutral position.

Guterres is deeply concerned that only a trickle of humanitarian aid in the form of food, water and medical supplies is being allowed in to the more than two million citizens crammed into the Gaza Strip, most of them, including children and women, now homeless or hospitalised.

Many Gaza hospitals have had to close and United Nations aid workers in Gaza are finding it impossible to function because Israel continues to block all entry of fuel lest in gets in the hands of Hamas. Israel says Hamas has fuel and it should release it to those in need.

While the main front-page stories in most Portuguese national newspapers lately have been on the worsening conflict in the Middle East, the Portuguese foreign minister has stressed that the European Union must keep an eye on the war in Ukraine lest President Vladimir Putin becomes “a winner of the crisis in Gaza.”

This comes as United States President Joe Biden’s administration is whole-heartedly supporting Israel’s attempt to annihilate Hamas, which the U.S. and European nations have branded a “terrorist” organisation. Washington has vehemently criticised Russia for indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine, but critics say it has expressed little about similar suffering in Gaza. As a headline in the New York Times put it: “Developing World Sees Double Standard in West’s Actions in Gaza and Ukraine.”

The U.S. has reportedly advised Israel to delay a Gaza invasion, yet Israeli soldiers have already carried out limited ground incursions and there is no doubt that they are fully prepared and determined to carry out a full-scale invasion.

Israel is continuing to bomb and kill civilians in the south as well as the north of Gaza after telling the northern population to move south for safety. Nowhere is now safe and many citizens are returning to their homes in the north despite the relentless bombing there.

Nearly half of the population of Gaza are under the age of 18. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 women are pregnant. The psychological as well as physical impact is truly dreadful.

Many countries on both side of the conflict are warning that without restraint the violence could quickly spiral and spread across the entire region.

Pro-Hamas Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have been increasingly exchanging rocket fire with Israel on Lebanon’s southern border. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will meet further attacks from Hezbollah with “unimaginable devastation” that will “cripple” Lebanon.

Iran has warned that more Israeli hostility will make wider Palestinian military assaults inevitable. Netanyahu seems to be well aware of this and has said the war could go on for months, not just weeks.

Russia entered the fray by proposing that the United Nations Security Council adopt a motion for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The text did not include any mention of the Hamas. The proposal was vetoed by Western members of the council. Vladimir Putin met with China’s Xi Jinping, but neither condemned Hamas.

A few of the 222 hostages believed to have been taken from Israel to Gaza by Hamas during their October 7 attack have been released. One elderly Israeli woman said that while she was abducted on a motorbike, beaten and “I’ve been “been through hell,” she added that she had been treated well and given medical attention during her two weeks in captivity.

Guterres, who has appealed for the release of all the hostages, has noted that while the abhorrent October 7 raid into Israel was unexpected, it was but another example of the division that has long existed between Israelis and Palestinians.

“The most recent violence does not come in a vacuum, but grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 50-year long occupation and no political end in sight,” he said.