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world news Diahuebs 19 Mei 2022

NATO talks with Finland, Sweden falter but will continue

By LORNE COOK about that, but it is up to Tur- treaty that pledges that any
Associated Press key to comment,” he said. attack on one member would
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO officials also refused be considered an attack of
NATO envoys failed to to provide details. They un- them all — once the mem-
reach a consensus on derlined remarks earlier bership ratification process is
Wednesday about whether Wednesday by Secretary- concluded, probably in a few
to start membership talks General Jens Stoltenberg, months.
with Finland and Sweden, that “we are determined to British Prime Minister Bo-
diplomats said, as Turkey work through all issues and ris Johnson welcomed their
renewed its objections to reach a rapid conclusion.” applications in a tweet and
the two Nordic countries Meetings and diplomatic said that “Putin’s appalling
joining. outreach aimed at resolving ambitions have transformed
the problem will continue. the geopolitical contours of
The envoys met at NATO But Turkey is the only ally to our continent.” Germany,
headquarters in Brussels after have clearly voiced its opposi- The day had started off on an historic moment which we Italy, the Baltic states and the
Finland and Sweden’s am- tion. President Recep Tayyip upbeat note. Stoltenberg had must seize.” Czech Republic all spoke fa-
bassadors submitted written Erdogan insists that Finland said that the military alliance “This is a good day at a criti- vorably about the candidates.
applications to join the mili- and Sweden must show more stands ready to seize a histor- cal moment for our security,” If Erdogan’s objections are
tary organization, in a move respect for Turkish sensitivi- ic moment and move quick- a beaming Stoltenberg said, overcome, and accession
that marks one of the biggest ties about terrorism. He is re- ly on allowing Finland and as he stood alongside the two talks go as well as expected,
geopolitical ramifications of fusing to budge over what he Sweden to join its ranks, after envoys, with NATO, Finn- the two could become mem-
Russia’s war on Ukraine — says is their alleged support the two countries submitted ish and Swedish flags at their bers soon. The process usu-
and which could rewrite Eu- for Kurdish militants. their membership requests. backs. ally takes eight to 12 months,
rope’s security map. Erdogan accuses the two The official applications set Russian President Vladimir but NATO wants to move
The diplomats, who did not countries of turning a blind a security clock ticking. Rus- Putin has demanded that the quickly given the threat from
want to be named because eye to activities of the banned sia, whose war on Ukraine alliance stop expanding to- Russia hanging over the Nor-
of the sensitive nature of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or spurred them to join the ward Russia’s borders, and dic countries’ heads.
proceedings, declined to say PKK, even though the group military organization, has several NATO allies, led by Public opinion in Finland
precisely who or what was is on the European Union’s warned that it wouldn’t wel- the United States and Brit- and Sweden has shifted mas-
holding up the procedure. anti-terror blacklist. come such a move, and could ain, have signaled that they sively in favor of membership
They pointed to the messages “You will not hand over ter- respond. stand ready to provide secu- since Russia invaded Ukraine
from many of the 30 NATO rorists to us, but you will “I warmly welcome the re- rity support to Finland and on Feb. 24.
allies welcoming Finland and ask us to allow you to join quests by Finland and Swe- Sweden should the Kremlin
Sweden’s request. NATO. NATO is a security den to join NATO. You are try to provoke or destabilize Finland and Sweden cooper-
Lithuanian Ambassador De- entity. It is a security agency. our closest partners,” Stol- them during the time it takes ate closely with NATO. They
ividas Matulionis told Swed- Therefore, we cannot say tenberg said. “All allies agree to become full members. have functioning democ-
ish and Finnish media that ‘yes’ to depriving this security on the importance of NATO The countries will only ben- racies, well-funded armed
the envoys had exchanged organization of security,” he enlargement. We all agree efit from NATO’s Article 5 forces and contribute to the
views about their national said Wednesday, in an address that we must stand together, security guarantee — the part alliance’s military operations
security. “The discussion was to ruling party lawmakers. and we all agree that this is an of the alliance’s founding and air policing.

Mozambique declares polio outbreak linked to Pakistan

Associated Press the case reported in Malawi
JOHANNESBURG (AP) earlier this year.
— Health authorities in WHO declared Africa free of
Mozambique declared a the wild polio virus in August
polio outbreak Wednes- 2020 even though numerous
day after confirming that countries across the conti-
a child in the country’s nent have reported outbreaks
northeastern Tete prov- linked to the vaccine in re-
ince had been paralyzed cent years. There is no dif-
by the disease. ference between the disease
caused by the wild virus or
The case in Mozambique is the mutated virus from the
the second imported case of vaccine.
polio in southern Africa this “The detection of another
year, following a case discov- case of wild poliovirus in
ered in Malawi in mid-Feb- Africa is greatly concerning,
ruary. It’s the first case of wild even if it’s unsurprising given
polio in Mozambique since the recent outbreak in Ma-
1992, although cases linked lawi. However, it shows how
to a mutated virus from the dangerous this virus is and
oral vaccine were detected how quickly it can spread,”
in 2019. The latest case in said Matshidiso Moeti, the
Mozambique was found in a World Health Organization’s
child who experienced signs Africa director.
of paralysis in late March, ac- In response to the case in
cording to a statement issued neighboring Malawi, Mo- Disease surveillance is being lion children aged five years and it can only be prevented
by the World Health Organi- zambique recently carried strengthened in five coun- and below. by immunization. WHO and
zation. out two mass vaccination tries: Malawi, Mozambique, Polio is highly infectious, its partners began an effort
Sequencing indicates that the campaigns in which 4.2 mil- Tanzania, Zambia and Zim- spread mostly via water to eradicate polio globally in
case in Mozambique is linked lion children were vaccinat- babwe. Vaccination cam- and largely affects children 1988 and have missed nu-
to a strain of polio spreading ed against the disease, said paigns in the coming weeks younger than five years. merous deadlines to wipe out
in Pakistan in 2019, similar to WHO. are planned to reach 23 mil- There is no cure for polio, the disease.