Julian Assange speaks out on need to support whistle blowers
http://rt.com/news/assange-wikileaks-public-statement-ecuador-embassy-london-057/ US war on whistleblowers must end – Assange (VIDEO) 19 August, 2012 Assange makes first public statement since entering Ecuador’s London embassy Julian Assange made his first public appearance in two months, ever 
since he took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Addressing the hundreds of people gathered outside the embassy, Assange thanked them for their support, claiming it was their resolve and presence that stopped British police storming the building.
“On Wednesday night, after a threat was sent to this embassy and police desceneded on this building, you came out in the middle of the night to watch over it, and you brought the worlds eyes with you. Inside this embassy after dark I could hear teams of police swarming up into the building through the internal fire escape,” Assange said.
“But I knew thered be witnesses. And that was because of you.”
The WikiLieaks founder thanked President Correa “for the courage he has shown” in granting him asylum, and to all the nations and individuals who have shown him support.
Assange also addressed the US government and President Obama, calling for the “witch hunt against WikiLeaks” to end.
“The United States must pledge before the world will not pursue journalists for shining light on the secret crimes of the powerful. The US administration’s war against whistleblowers must end.” He also spoke of Bradley Manning, the Army Private who has been charged with 22 criminal counts over his alleged role in providing Julian Assange’s WikiLeaks site with sensitive documents that were then distributed. Manning has been imprisoned for more than 800 days and has yet to stand trial before a military tribunal.
“On Wednesday Bradley spent his 815th day of detention w/o trial. The legal maximum is 120 days,” Assange told the crowds gathered outside the embassy.
“If Bradley Manning did as he is accused, he is a hero and invaluable to all of us. Bradley Manning must be released”.
Assange went on to mention Nabeel Rajab, a Bahraini human rights activist, who was “sentenced to 3 years in jail for a tweet”. …. “There is unity in the oppression,” Assange said. “There must be absolute unity and determination in the response” ….
New South Wales government stifling wind power development
Answer to NSW’s power problems is blowing in the wind, says report SMH, August 20, 2012 Anna Patty State Political Reporter A REPORT on future power needs in NSW has identified wind energy – which has been publicly derided by the Premier, Barry O’Farrell – as a solution and investment opportunity for NSW.
The Australian Energy Market Operator – an independent company that closely monitors and operates the national electricity network – has released a report that says investment interest is focused on supplying renewable energy such as wind and gas during periods of peak demand on the hottest and coldest days of the year.
The report says investors are less interested in base load generation, which provides energy all year round…..
NSW government’s draft guidelines for new wind farm developments are designed to chronically handicap the expansion of the wind industry in this state,” Mr Foley said.
”The government has also placed prohibitive costs in the way of wind farm developments.”
Mr Foley said the wind industry in NSW had the potential to generate 3000 megawatts of wind energy to help future needs. ”According to the Australian Energy Market Commission, new wind energy projects in
Victoria facilitated by the renewable energy target will actually deliver lower wholesale electricity price increases than what will be seen in NSW,” he said.
”Rather than attacking wind farms, the O’Farrell government should require its own planning review to come up with a sensible and workable planning regime for the development of the wind industry in NSW.” http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/answer-to-nsws-power-problems-is-blowing-in-the-wind-says-report-20120819-24gjh.html#ixzz247RK3VnT
Asia Pacific – Australia – renewable energy about to boom
Renewable sector set to boom BY: SARAH-JANE TASKER The Australian August 19, 2012 PLENTY of deals are expected in Australia’s renewable energy sector in the second half of the year, as merger and acquisition activity in the Asia-Pacific region far outpaces the rest of the world.
A PwC report on deals in the power and renewable energy sectors, to be released today, shows globally the value of deals halved to $US50.8 billion in the first half compared with the same period last year, but Asia-Pacific deals more than tripled to $US23.6bn.
PwC energy, utilities and mining leader Jock O’Callaghan said there was growing interest in Australia’s renewable energy industry, driven by China and Japan, before the 2020 deadline for a 20 per cent renewable energy target…
… The largest renewable deal involved Japan’s Eurus Energy, a subsidiary of Tepco, agreeing to acquire the Hallett 5 wind farm for $US129 million, its first wind power investment in Australia. Mr O’Callaghan said a number of wind farms in Australia were likely to be put on the sales block this year……… http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/renewable-sector-set-to-boom/story-e6frg8zx-1226453640791
Revealed: Assange ‘rape’ accuser linked to notorious CIA operative
RS By David Edwards , December 6, 2010 One of the women accusing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of sex crimes appears to have worked with a group that has connections to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
James D. Catlin, a lawyer who recently represented Assange, said the sex assault investigation into the WikiLeaks founder is based on claims he didn’t use condoms during sex with two Swedish women.
Swedish prosecutors told AOL News last week that Assange was not wanted for rape as has been reported, but for something called “sex by surprise” or “unexpected sex.” One accuser, Anna Ardin, may have “ties to the US-financed anti-Castro and anti-communist groups,” according to Israel Shamir and Paul Bennett, writing for CounterPunch.
While in Cuba, Ardin worked with the Las damas de blanco (the Ladies in White), a feminist anti-Castro group.
Professor Michael Seltzer pointed out that the group is led by Carlos Alberto Montaner who is reportedly connected to the CIA………
In August, Assange told Al-Jazeera that the accusations were “clearly a smear campaign.”
“We have been warned that, for example, the Pentagon is planning on using dirty tricks to destroy our work,” Assange told the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet.
The WikiLeaks founder said he was told to be careful of “sex traps.” Had Assange fallen for one of those traps? “Maybe. Maybe not,” he said.
Catlin observed that both Ardin and Sofia Wilén, the second accuser, sent SMS messages and tweets boasting of their conquests following the alleged “rapes.”….
“The exact content of Wilén’s mobile phone texts is not yet known but their bragging and exculpatory character has been confirmed by Swedish prosecutors. Niether Wilén’s nor Ardin’s texts complain of rape,” Catlin said.
Ardin has also published a seven step guide on how to get revenge on cheating boyfriends. … http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/06/assange-rape-accuser-cia-ties/#.UDEM4yk0cbk.twitter
Exclusive meeting told of Australians’ approval of uranium mining, coal seam gas
Meanwhile, about 40 protestors turned up to voice their concerns outside the exclusive hotel.
CSG will be accepted, just like uranium: Hartcher ABC News 18 Aug 12, By Elyse Denman The Minister for Energy and Resources, Chris Hartcher, has told an energy forum in Armidale that coal seam gas will be accepted as an energy source, just like uranium.
The Minster says he’s convinced that public concern surrounding the coal seam gas industry will subside over time, just like the debate over uranium.
“There is no longer a community concern about uranium exploration or uranium mining,” he said. Continue reading
USA out to get Assange, with the tacit support of Australian government
US in pursuit of Assange, cables reveal,The Age, August 18, 2012, Philip Dorling AUSTRALIAN diplomats have no doubt the United States is still gunning for Julian Assange, according to Foreign Affairs Department documents obtained by The Saturday Age. The Australian embassy in Washington has been tracking a US espionage investigation targeting the WikiLeaks publisher for more than 18 months.
The declassified diplomatic cables, released under freedom of information laws, show Australia’s diplomatic service takes seriously the likelihood that Assange will eventually be extradited to the US on charges arising from WikiLeaks obtaining leaked US military and diplomatic documents.
This view is at odds with Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s repeated dismissal of such a prospect.
Australia’s ambassador to the US, former Labor leader Kim Beazley, has made high-level representations to the American government, asking for warning of any moves to prosecute Assange. However, briefings for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Senator Carr suggest the Australian Government has no in-principle objection to Assange’s extradition.
On Thursday, Ecuador granted Assange political asylum at its London embassy on the grounds that if extradited to Sweden to be questioned about sexual assault allegations. He will be at risk of further extradition to the US to face espionage
or conspiracy charges. Continue reading
Assange’s case may go to International Court of Justice
Assange looks to international court THE AGE August 18, 2012, Karen Kissane, Europe WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange will appeal to the International Court of Justice if Britain prevents him from going to Ecuador, according to a senior Spanish human rights lawyer. Baltasar Garzon, who is working on Assange’s defence, told Spanish newspaper El Pais that Britain was legally required to allow Assange to leave once he had diplomatic asylum.
“What the United Kingdom must do is apply the diplomatic obligations of the refugee convention and let him leave, giving him safe conduct,” he said. “Otherwise, he will go to the International Court of Justice.” Continue reading
Australia tops the world in household solar panels
Australians lead in fitting solar panels on homes, SMH, August 18, 2012 Ben Cubby AUSTRALIANS put more household solar panel systems on their roofs than anyone else in the world last year, new data from the Clean Energy Regulator and the International Energy Agency show. The statistic astonished many in the solar industry, given Australia’s small population compared with renewable energy market leaders such as European Union countries, China, Japan and the United States.
About 392,500 new household solar systems were switched on last year. Australia still generates far less solar electricity than those countries, but the nation’s preference for small, individual panels mounted on detached, owner-occupied suburban homes means a greater number of systems were actually installed. Continue reading
Wikileaks revealed how Australia joined USA in scheming against Mahomet El Baradei
US, Australia schemed against IAEA chief: cable BUSINESS RECORDER The United States and Australia schemed unsuccessfully in 2005 to block Mohamed ElBaradei’s election to a third term as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a newly leaked US diplomatic cable shows.
Both countries were unhappy with ElBaradei’s “unhelpful” response to Iran’s nuclear program, but the bid to prevent his re-election to the nuclear regulatory agency’s leadership ultimately failed for lack of international support. Continue reading
UK police raiding Ecuador Embassy to capture Julian Assange?
Ecuador to announce Assange asylum, Britain threat to raid embassy http://www.news.com.au/technology/ecuador-to-announce-assange-asylum-britain-threat-to-raid-embassy/story-e6frfro0-1226451411725#ixzz23kTVyVq3 Charles Miranda, wires From: News Limited Network August 16, 2012 Reports suggest British police have been seen
entering the Ecuadorian embassy.
The Press Association had earlier reported officers arriving outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, close to the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London.
EARLIER BRITAIN is threatening to raid the Ecuadorian embassy to arrest Wikileaks’ founder Julian Assange.
Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, told a news conference that the South American nation had received a written and verbal threat on Wednesday from Britain that “it could assault our embassy” if Assange was not handed over.\
Patino also said that Ecuador “has made a decision” on Mr Assange’s asylum bid and will announce it on Thursday at 7am local time (10pm AEST).
“Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication,” he told a press conference in Quito. He said such a threat was “improper of a democratic, civilised and rule abiding country”.
“If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond,” he said.
“We are not a British colony.” He said the threat was delivered to Ecuador’s foreign ministry and
ambassador in London.
The letter said: “You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the Embassy.
“We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange’s presence in your premises, this is an open option for us.”
Red light for yellowcake in NSW: New campaign targets Premier’s uranium ambitions.
The NSW Uranium Free Charter and list of endorsing organisations is online at: http://nccnsw.org.au/uranium.
A community Charter opposing plans for development of a uranium mining industry in NSW will be launched at a public event in Sydney tonight, Thursday August 16.
The NSW Uranium Free Charter (attached and online at http://nccnsw.org.au/uranium) is an initiative of environment, trade union, public health and other groups concerned about the potential human and environmental impacts of uranium exploration and mining currently being promoted by the state government.
“The O’Farrell government has never taken its uranium plans to the people. This issue was not raised before the last state election and the government has no mandate to mine”, said Pepe Clarke from the Nature Conservation Council NSW. “In the shadow of Fukushima we should not be opening the back door to this dirty and dangerous trade”.
The Charter details concerns over the impact of uranium mining and the wider nuclear industry and calls for a shared energy future that is renewable – not radioactive. The document will be launched at the AMWU’s Tom Mann Theatre at 6pm tonight as part of a broadly endorsed public meeting. Continue reading
Environment and health groups call for end to Angela Pamela uranium uncertainty
Less than 2 weeks out from the election residents of Central Australia are left with the threat that either party could proceed with approval for a uranium mine at Angela Pamela, putting at risk the health of residents, our underground water supplies and the local environment.
The Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) and the Public Health Association of Australia NT Branch (PHAA-NT) are calling on all parties and candidates to grant certainty to the Alice Springs community by committing to the enacting the Special Reserved Land status for Angela Pamela, thus protecting the site from any future mining activity.
In December 2011 the ALEC and PHAA-NT independently wrote to Minister Kon Vatskalis on behalf of Alice Springs residents concerned with the proposed development of a uranium mine within the Water Control District of Alice Springs. The letter requested the Minister to follow through on pre-election commitments to protect the deposit from mining.
Both groups specifically called upon the Minister to use powers granted under the Mineral Titles Act (2010) to act in the interest of the community and essential environmental services by granting the site a Special Reserved Land Order under Section 112 of the Act. The move would require the Minister to request a surrender of the current exploration license, giving certainty to the people of Alice Springs that any future government would be required to undertake a 30 day community consultation period before the Special Reserved status could be lifted.
ALEC Coordinator, Jimmy Cocking stated ‘The current uncertainty around the possibility of a uranium mine at Angela Pamela hinders our progress as a ‘world class’ solar city, a water smart town and reduces the desire for locally grown produce.’
On the eve of entering caretaker government status Minister Vatskalis responded by dodging the question of why in two years the government has taken no action to formally protect the Angela Pamela deposit, and instead reiterated NT Labor’s non-binding policy position to oppose a uranium mine at the site.
PHAA NT Branch Secretary Clive Rosewarne stated “This election we are looking for candidates to make a genuine and binding commitment to ensure the Angela Pamela deposit stays in the ground, and that means making the Minister genuinely respond to community pressure by invoking the Special Reserved Land provision of the Act”.
For further information/comment: Jimmy Cocking, Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) 0423 511 931 Clive Rosewarne, Public Health Association Australia (NT Branch) 0487 282 303
In the shadow of Fukushima, Government blindly pushes repeat of nuclear agreement
15 August 2012. Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, recently returned from Fukushima, today urged the Australian Government to consider the reality before locking Australia into a nuclear treaty for another five years.
“The Fifth Agreement to Extend the 1987 Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology should not simply be rolled over for a further five year period,” Senator Ludlam said in a Dissenting Report on the deal.
“The Committee’s report perfunctorily dismisses the concerns and arguments provided in submissions and contrasts poorly with its past considered and detailed engagement on nuclear issues. It notes there ‘may have been an opportunity missed to upgrade the agreement rather than simply rolling it over’ but then goes on to recommend that the agreement be simply rolled over. It’s a negligent outcome.
“While the nuclear industry’s optimism may have a therapeutic function, it is not grounded in reality. This is an industry deeply shaken by the global financial crisis, the ongoing Fukushima disaster with its cover-ups and duplicity, and fierce competition from renewable technologies which continue to outpace nuclear.
Senator Ludlam said nuclear power was in terminal condition, as documented in the recently released World Nuclear Industry Status Report available at www.worldnuclearreport.org.
Australia’s uranium industry gearing up for a propaganda pitch
Both in Australia, and internationally, the nuclear industry is gearing up for a last ditch battle to “educate” the world’s 
public – C.M.
one of the issues that really dogged the industry across Australia for a number of years; there wasn’t great community engagement in terms of education about the industry but that’s now changing.”
Uranium miners push ahead despite turbulence ABC News, By Kathryn Diss Aug 15, 2012…....Development hurdles
Uranium prices haven’t regained much lost ground which the industry says is hindering the development of new projects in WA and overseas.
Prices are sitting at about $50 a pound, almost half what they were before the disaster.
Mr Keane says the current price isn’t high enough to incentivise companies to bring the next wave of projects online.
“Since Fukushima, there has been a continual deferral of mega projects, such as Cameco’s Kintyre project and BHP’s Yeelirrie mine in WA,” he said.
“Effectively big companies, which have assets in other commodities, are standing back and seeing what plays out from Fukushima.”…. Mr Khaliqi says the figures clearly show the disaster only damaged the industry’s image in the short-term….. one of the issues that really dogged the industry across Australia for a number of years; there wasn’t great community engagement in terms of education about the industry but that’s now changing.”
Paladin Energy’s Matthew Keane also believes change is occurring.
Victor Harbor, South Australia, – the nation’s champion solar city
South Australia’s Victor Harbor A Solar Stronghold http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3341 15 AUGUST, 2012 | by Energy Matters
Home owners in Victor Harbor, a seaside resort township situated 80 kilometres from Adelaide, South Australia, have been installing solar panels at a cracking pace. A Clean Energy Council (CEC) report late last year put Victor Harbor installations at 38% of all houses in the area – and the love affair with solar continues.
According to Victor Harbor Renewable Energy Programs, six meters per day were being installed in June 2012; resulting in a least 40% of the town’s houses now featuring solar power systems.
Given the recent 18% rise in electricity prices in South Australia, savings on power bills for Victor Harbor consumers are now estimated at over $1 million per annum – a very impressive outcome given the population of the area. “This changes our local economy for the better. The money stays here and the opportunity of harvesting what the CSIRO Smart Grid report terms ‘distributed energy,’ becomes an economic opportunity not just for Victor Harbor, but all regional communities,” states the VHREP web site.
The City of Victor Harbor set up a solar buyer’s group in 2009 that resulted in approximately 3,000 ratepayers across four councils installing solar panels. Asolar buyers group uses the power of bulk purchasing to reduce the cost of installing systems.
Across the Fleurieu Peninsula, the associated carbon emissions reduction of these systems is estimated at 3,000 tonnes per annum.
According to solar solutions provider Energy Matters, a good quality 5kW solar power system installed in Adelaide can realise electricity bill savings of over $1,800 a year – and similar savings can be achieved throughout the state.
Under South Australia’s feed in tariff program, new participants now receive 25.8c per kilowatt hour minimum for surplus electricity generated by their systems that is exported to the mains power grid.
As we reported earlier this week, South Australia has the highest penetration of rooftop solar panels among Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) regions, with around 20% of SA homes having installed systems by the end of February 2012.
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