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| Iran is suspicious of US public diplomacy (IranVNC.com)Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:26:06 -0800 by IranVNCIran is suspicious of US public diplomacyWilliam Skane, the executive director of US National Academies, has called Irans interrogation of a member of a US scientific delegation in December 2008, a very serious breach of understandings reached between Tehran and Washington on scientific and academic exchanges.Glenn Schweitzer, the Academies director of Eurasian programs, was detained on 4 December by two men who identified themselves as security officials, according to a statement by the Academies.He was interrogated for nine hours over two days in his Tehran hotel, before being allowed to leave Iran with the rest of the delegation on 7 December.In a statement issued on 26 December, Skane also said that the Academies could not continue sending scientists to Iran until receiving clear assurances from Iran that it would guarantee their safety.In the meantime, Skane said that due to the scientific importance of the exchanges, the Academies were prepared to arrange scientific exchanges with Iranian scientists outside Iran.The Academies have been carrying out non-governmental exchanges with Iran for eight years.However, Iran is suspicious of the US intentions in pursuing these exchanges.On January 5th, Hasan Qashqavi, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: Naturally, the spirit of exchange between people of Iran and America has always been welcomed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. But ultimately as you well know, these exchanges are being heavily controlled by the US Department of State. There is a section in the US Department of State called the public diplomacy section, which controls heavily all academic, scientific, cultural, artistic exchanges. (Beginning clip 13) use for their own diplomatic ends. The main problem is that, of course, the Islamic Republic would not like these exchanges between people to become tools for US Department of States abuse. And so we watch this matter with a lot of sensitivity. (Start of clip 14) However if this were not the case, of course there is no problem in the spirit of exchange between people. This is always a good thing. But it is an official section in the [US] State Department. With that excuse they say, apart from official diplomacy, we also have public diplomacy. And a part of this public diplomacy is the intense control over writers, university professors, and [for this] there is a special section in the US Department of State.The U.S. called Irans treatment of Schweitzer yet another example of the Iranian governments refusal to abide by international norms and called on Tehran to support bilateral exchange programs.We once again urge the government of Iran to stand by its public statements and fully support scientific and academic exchanges that foster greater mutual understanding between the Iranian and American people, State Department spokesperson, Nicole Thompson, was quoted by AP as telling reporters on December 30th.We do not believe that the Iranian people should be further isolated by the irresponsible actions of the government, she added. Related: iran is suspicious of us public diplomacy (iranvnc.com) | |
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| Campaign for Better Schools SPEAK OUT on Mayoral ControlWed, 07 Jan 2009 14:54:21 -0800 by C4BSNYCNew York, NY On Saturday, December 6th, at 1:00 PM at Hunter College, the Campaign for Better Schools -- a coalition of parent groups, youth groups, education advocacy groups and community-based organizations -- will held a public speak out about mayoral control of the schools. The legislation that enacted mayoral control in 2002 is set to expire on June 30th, 2009 and the legislature will start debating in January to re-authorize mayoral control, to change it, or simply to terminate it. The Campaign for Better Schools believes that mayoral control:? has not delivered the student achievement results that were promised, or that have been broadly advertised and celebrated; ? has failed to provide adequate and appropriate learning opportunities for all students; and? has locked students, parents, and teachers out of the decisions that affect the quality of schooling our citys public school students receive. Related: mayoral control speak out campaign for better schools education nyc new york city | |
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| Jamie Lynn Spearss Decoy Not A DecoyWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:22:58 -0800 by CampRockOnlineTVA Jamie Lynn Spearss decoy is not happy with LAX airport security High School Musical is an Essential Girl Power Movie Actress Kate French loves to Gossip Hayden Panettiere is Golden The new season of ABC Familys Greek will start March 30th and performer Jesse McCartney joins the series as an incoming freshman. Eragons Garrett Hedlund has landed the lead in Disneys Tron 2. The movie follows a man who finds himself pulled into the world of a computer and retracing the steps of a character from the original movie named Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges. Related: jamie lynn spearss decoy not | |
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| Dissidia - Scene 30 (English Subs)Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:10:27 -0800 by sinnesspiel30th chronological scene of the PSP Final Fantasy fighting game Dissidia. If you are interested in the gameplay, import it! PSPs are region free and there are gameplay guides rampart in various languages. Subs may be hard to read; it may be a pain, but for crisper video, you can download them here: http://www.mediafire .com/?sharekey=e61e8 d534dd7c7cf91b20cc0d 07ba4d2ad221a7bdfecb 0b2 Also consider adding &fmt=18 to the end of the URL for better quality. Please don't support the dubbed versions when they're released. Related: dissidia-31 | |
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| Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist UK trailerWed, 07 Jan 2009 10:12:47 -0800 by SonyPicsUKNick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a comedy about two people thrust together for one hilarious, sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and, live, loud music. Nick (Michael Cera) frequents New York's indie rock scene nursing a broken heart and a vague ability to play the bass. Norah (Kat Dennings) is questioning pretty much all of her assumptions about the world. Though they have nothing in common, except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives.Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is being released January 30th through Sony Pictures. Related: cera comedy dennings fluffy infinite kat live michael music nick norah playlist romantic teen | |
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