#U.S.Republican

[cooladddy]

Joly calls NATO ‘united’ as Trump says he’d encourage Russian attacks on members

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says NATO’s military alliance is more “united than ever before” but stopped short of joining other allies in their criticism of U.S. Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, after he threatened to abandon members who miss their spending targets.

Canada has for years fallen short of hitting the agreed upon target to spend two per cent of GDP on defence, as have other members. “NATO has kept us safe as a country and has kept all those part of the alliance safe,” Joly told reporters Monday. “We’ve done a lot, but we need to do more.” Her remarks come two days after the former U.S. president said he would “encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO allies who don’t pay their bills. “Well sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia — will you protect us?” Trump quoted an unnamed leader as saying. “I said: ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’ He said: ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay,” Trump said. Joly would not answer when asked whether Trump’s comments put allied troops at risk, but insists NATO has grown stronger with the inclusion of Finland and upcoming addition of Sweden. “The minister of defence, , is heading to NATO in Brussels later this week. And, we will continue to have a strong voice at the table,” said Joly. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was more blunt, blasting Trump for comments he called “irresponsible and dangerous,” as fears deepen that Trump’s possible return to the White House could allow Russia to expand its aggression beyond Ukraine. “No one can play, or ‘deal,’ with Europe’s security,” added Scholz. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden called Trump’s NATO comments “appalling.” One of NATO’s foundational principles is Article 5, which commits to collective defence and the vow that an attack against one member is an attack against all, and will result in allied action. But Trump has often lamented other members are not pulling their weight. A leaked Pentagon assessment obtained by the Washington Post last April said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told NATO officials Canada would never meet the alliance’s target. While Trudeau and Trump had a frosty relationship the last time he was in office, Joly insists Canada will be prepared if Trump is re-elected. “You’ll always hear me saying the same thing, which is essentially the American people will decide. Meanwhile, we’ll be ready for their choice. We’ve been able to manage two types of administration in the White House.” Sebastian Skamski, a spokesperson for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office, said Canada has failed to be a strong NATO partner under the Liberal government. “Justin Trudeau has left us to depend on Joe Biden or Donald Trump to secure Canada for us,” Skamski said in a statement to Global News. “We will restore Canada as a reliable partner to our NATO allies.” Joly’s cautious tone comes as Canadian diplomats speak with advisers and congressional allies of Trump, as they prepare for the possibility of a second Trump presidency. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Trump’s recent remarks endanger members of the Western military alliance. “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” Stoltenberg said in a statement Sunday. He added that “regardless of who wins the presidential election the U.S. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.” Read the full article

[thisdaynews]

BREAKING:Allegation of $300m Abacha loot against Magu baseless – EFCC

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/breakingallegation-of-300m-abacha-loot-against-magu-baseless-efcc/

BREAKING:Allegation of $300m Abacha loot against Magu baseless – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has referred as baseless allegation against its acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, by a U.S. senator, Charles Grassley, over 300 million dollars ‘Abacha loot’.

The 86-year-old U.S.Republican Senator had on April 1, addressed a letter to the Chief Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the U.S.Department of Justice, Deborah Connor.

He accused Magu of wrongly and maliciously detaining individuals, who spoke against the government.

Spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, in a statement on Friday, however, decried the allegation, affirming that the Commission spearheaded transparent management of looted funds.

Orilade said that the EFCC was at the forefront of the transparent management of recovered funds and would not be dragged into any controversy over an allegation that has no fact or any iota of proof.

“The allegation clearly has no bearing with the operations of the EFCC nor address the painstaking efforts of Magu in tackling the menace of corruption, without fear or favour

““The EFCC is involved in the processes of repatriation of the looted $300million by the former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

“The Commission is aware of the tripartite agreement involving Nigeria with the United States and Island of Jersey.

“As an anti-graft agency, the Commission has credible records of managing recovered funds and assets.

“It is rather unfortunate that the ranking US Senator, in a desperate bid to frustrate the repatriation of the funds, embraced the well-worn antics of some unscrupulous elements in the country.

“Those who had never succeeded in blackmailing the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“”Even the harshest detractors of Magu know and always acknowledge his firm and bold handling of the anti-corruption fight, which continues to earn him accolades within and outside Nigeria, ” he said.

Orilade pointed out that the U.S.Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently gave an Award of Excellence to Magu for his unique role in a joint field operation codenamed, ‘Operation Rewired’.

He stated that the operation yielded great results, internationally; in tackling the menace of cyber-crime.

“Besides, only recently, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), and a member of the opposition, poured encomiums on Magu on the visible achievements of the EFCC under his watch.

“Orilade quoted Adoke as saying: “President Muhammadu Buhari is highly celebrated for fighting corruption and the poster boy of this celebrated achievement is clearly Magu.”

Orilade said that Grassley evidently lacked any sound basis for linking the EFCC and Magu with any oppressive or separatist agenda against government opposition.

He noted that records of convictions of the Commission were in public domain as well as cases before the courts, which can be subjected to un-biased analysis and scrutiny.

“We wish to reiterate that the EFCC under Magu is too focused on the anti-graft agenda of the government to be distracted by such empty claims of the lawmaker.

“Grassley and his sponsors are clearly on quicksand on this issue.

“The Commission remains focused on its mandate against economic and financial crimes and will not be deterred by spurious allegations from individuals with hidden agenda,” Orilade said.