ABN Amro sells Asian private banking unit

DutchNews, December 6, 2016    

ABN Amro has agreed to sell its private banking activities in Asia and the Middle East to LTG Bank, a leading international private banking and asset management group based in Liechtenstein, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed. 

The sale fits in with ABN Amro’s latest strategy, revealed in mid-November, to concentrate on further development of its private banking operations in northwest Europe. 

Jeroen Rijpkema, CEO of ABN Amro Private Banking International, said: ‘We are happy to have found a strong and solid partner in LTG which will ensure the continuity of our service to clients and the future of our staff.’ 

ABN Amro’s Asian unit has about €18.5bn in assets under management for clients in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai and is the 18th largest private bank in Asia.  The Asian operation also accounts for roughly 10% of all assets under management by ABN Amro worldwide. 

The transaction, expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017, is subject to approval of relevant banking authorities. 

ABN Amro expects a ‘considerable book profit’ on the deal. US press bureau Bloomberg earlier put this at about $300m.

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Corruption-hit IAAF adopts Coe's reforms

Yahoo – AFP, Luke Phillips, Dec 3, 2016

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) chief Sebastian Coe
 speaks to the media during a IAAF council meeting in Monaco, on December 1,
2016 (AFP Photo/Valery Hache)

Monaco (AFP) - The IAAF on Saturday unanimously adopted a reform package drawn up by president Sebastian Coe in a bid to end "grotesque" corruption that has rocked track and field's governing body.

In a Special Congress in Monaco, 182 member federations voted for the reforms, with 10 against and five invalid votes. Some 197 of the IAAF's 213 member federations were present for the vote, the result of which was a major boost for Coe.

"Let me thank you for the confidence that you have shown the Council today in the reform proposals that you have agreed to. This is a very important moment in the history of our sport," said Coe.

Coe's reforms, with a nod to disgraced predecessor Lamine Diack's abuse of the presidency, include stripping himself of some powers, with the president and IAAF Council not allowed to serve more than 12 years and with more checks put in place.

"Too much power rested in the hands of too few people," Coe said.

The reforms also push for gender balance, handing athletes a greater voice and crucially establishing an independent integrity unit that would manage all anti-doping matters and be responsible for greater intelligence gathering.

"We're putting in place a framework that should have been there years ago," Coe said, telling members that they should all feel "violated" given the amount of money that had been siphoned off instead of having been "used for the development of athletics."

"It's bad enough that any of this happened, but it cannot happen for a second time, not on our watch, not anyone else's watch.

"Let's not beat around the bush, our sport, our family, is under threat. Sitting out the fight is not an option."

Since Coe took office in August 2015, the IAAF has been mired in the fall-out from the presidency of Diack, at the centre of a corruption scandal in which several former senior IAAF officials were found to have bribed Russian athletes in return for keeping quiet over positive doping tests.

Coe admitted that the reforms had not been to everyone's taste, all the while praising the "civilised discourse" and the "clarity and honesty of dialogue".

"The fundamental principles, I believe, have broad support," said the Briton, a two-time Olympic 1500m gold medallist.

"On gender balance, a number of areas told me they needed more time - you've got it.

"I want checks and balances in place... I don't want to be in an office choosing carpets and signing off expenses.

"I would not ask for change if I didn't think we needed it."

Bold stance

Coe's bold stance on gender equality envisages the 26-member Council transitioning to half-men, half-women by 2023. At the 2019 Council election, he wants a minimum of nine of each gender elected including two vice-presidents of each gender.

Indicative of the ground shift that will entail was that just three of the representatives of the 42 member federations who addressed the Congress before the vote were women, notably women's world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe representing Britain and also including representatives from the Cook Islands and the Turks and Caicos.

"We have to put these changes in," said Radcliffe. "There is only one choice, there isn't time to delay and talk about this, we need to act now to save our sport."

Notably voting against the reforms was Saudi Arabia while Qatar, the host of the 2019 World Athletics Championships and 2022 Football World Cup, voted for.

Abstainers included Lamine Diack's Senegal, vice-president Sergey Bubka's Ukraine and track powerhouses Jamaica, despite Usain Bolt picking up a record sixth IAAF Athlete of the Year award on Friday and throwing his weight behind Coe.

"I know that Seb Coe is trying to make track and field more transparent to everyone so they can see what shape it is in and to make sure there is not one person fully in control," said Bolt.

"That's a bold move from him as IAAF president.

"That's also helped the sport to make people more confident and to trust the sport more."

Pope creates 17 cardinals, 'Princes of the Church'

Yahoo – AFP, Ella Ide, November 19, 2016

Pope Francis leads a consistory for the creation of 17 new cardinals from
 across the globe on November 19, 2016 at St Peter's basilica in Vatican (AFP
Photo/Tiziana Fabi)

Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis created 17 new cardinals from across the globe on Saturday, elevating them in a time-honoured ceremony to an elite body that advises and elects popes.

Three of them are from the US, while others come from corners of the world where the Catholic Church needs a boost.

Dressed in red robes, the "princes of the Church" knelt before the pontiff to pledge their allegiance in a solemn ceremony.

Thirteen of them are under 80 and therefore eligible to take part in the next secret conclave to elect or become the head of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. They are known as cardinal electors.

History's first Latin American pope is famed for wanting to reach out to far-flung dioceses often overlooked by Rome and he has largely shunned European candidates, favouring low-key, pastoral figures or men he knows.

The cardinal electors come from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Central African Republic, Italy, Mauritius, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Spain, the United States and Venezuela.

Francis warned them against falling victim to a "growing animosity" between people, including within the Church, in a possible reference to divisions within the hierarchy over the pope's bid for a more open, forgiving Church.

He also urged them to fight growing xenophobia in the world and protect those such as refugees, who are often classed as enemies.

Pope Francis (centre) is famed for wanting to reach out to far-flung dioceses 

often overlooked by Rome and he has shunned European candidates almost

entirely (AFP Photo/Tiziana Fabi)

'Our greatest wealth'

"How many situations of uncertainty and suffering are sown by this growing animosity between peoples, between us! Yes, between us, within our communities, our priests, our meetings," he said.

"We come from distant lands; we have different traditions, skin colour, languages and social backgrounds; we think differently and we celebrate our faith in a variety of rites. None of this makes us enemies; instead, it is one of our greatest riches," he said.

The pope gave each man a three-cornered red hat, telling them that the colour symbolises "your readiness to act with courage, even to the shedding of your blood" for the Catholic Church.

They were also handed a gold ring of their high office.

Newly created Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago said he and the others were ready to act on the pope's words.

"It's getting out of hand in society today, where people almost have this contagious inflammation of animosity towards each other because they're different, they speak different languages, they look different. Are we going to be swept up in this violence?

"We're going to reach out to those we disagree with, we're going to love our enemies," he told AFPTV.

Cardinal Sergio da Rocha from Brazil echoed his words, saying: "We cardinals have to contribute... to make sure there is respect and dialogue everywhere, both in the Church and in the world."

After the ceremony, the new cardinals visited retired pope Benedict XVI at his home inside the Vatican.

Archbishop of Chicago Blase Joseph Cupich, kneels before Pope Francis to 

pledge allegiance and become cardinal, on November 19, 2016 during a 

consistory at Peter's basilica (AFP Photo/Tiziana Fabi)

Honorary 'red hats'

The unexpected pick of three Americans reverses a trend that saw Francis pass over US candidates in his first two consistories.

The youngest of the new cardinals is 49-year old Dieudonne Nzapalainga, the archbishop of Bangui, who organised the pope's 2015 visit to Central African Republic, where Francis opened the first "Holy Door" outside of Rome.

Some come from areas where Catholics are a distinct minority: Patrick D'Rozario is from Bangladesh where Christians represent just 0.03 percent of the total population, and only fifty percent of those are Catholics.

The sole Italian cardinal-elect is Mario Zenari, who is currently the papal envoy to Syria.

Among the four "red hats" over 80, who are given the title for service to the Church, is Albanian priest Ernest Simoni, who reduced Francis to tears in 2014 when he recounted the two decades he spent imprisoned for his faith during Albania's brutal communist rule.

Another of the over 80s, Sebastian Khoarai from Lesotho, was not present because of ill health.

Francis has now named 44 cardinal electors, just over a third of the total of 120 allowed by Church law.

Newly elevated cardinal, Archbishop of Bangui, Dieudonne Nzapalainga, speaks

 with relatives during a courtesy visit following a consistory on November 19, 2016 

at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican (AFP Photo/Vincenzo Pinto)

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EU member states back visa-free travel for Ukrainians

EU member states have approved visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens for travels of up to 90 days. The proposal will have to go to the European Parliament for approval.

Deutsche Welle, 17 November 2016

The 28 EU member states agreed in principle on visa-free travel for EU and Ukrainian citizens for stays of not more than 90 days in any 180-day period. The new visa arrangement with Ukraine will, however, only kick in once the European Union improves its so-called suspension mechanism, designed to lift any visa waivers in case of an emergency, like the 2015 refugee crisis.

Visa liberalization had long been sought by Kyiv, especially since Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula and its ongoing support of rebels in eastern Ukraine.

An incentive to fight corruption

The prospect of visa-free travel was introduced as part of an EU-Ukraine partnership accord signed in 2014. In return for closer overall cooperation with Ukraine, the EU stipulated that the country had to commit to a number of civil society reforms, largely aimed at combating corruption.

"Credible reform is the right path and should be encouraged," Peter Javorcik, Slovak ambassador to the EU said in a statement. Slovakia currently holds the bloc's six-month rotating presidency.

"I am also delighted that our decision is able to send a positive message in the run up to the EU-Ukraine Summit on 24 November," Javorcik added.

Good news! By giving green light 2day @EUCouncil demonstrates commitment 2 #visa-free travel 4 #Ukraine citizens - https://t.co/bZFt00Ncnc. pic.twitter.com/fTQw1fMrVS

— Peter Javorcik (@PeterJavorcik) November 17, 2016

The announcement on the lifting of visas came, however, as somewhat of a consolation prize after the Netherlands held a non-binding public referendum earlier in 2016 on the EU Association Agreement with Ukraine, which more than 60 percent of voters said they were against. Still, the decision on visa liberalization is likely to get noticed in other countries as well; Turkey, Kosovo and Georgia have also been waiting to have EU visa requirements lifted.

ss/sms (AFP, Reuters, dpa)

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Obama in Europe urges 'course correction' on globalisation

Yahoo – AFP,  Jerome Cartillier with John Hadoulis in Athens, November 16, 2016

Berlin (AFP) - US President Barack Obama arrived in Berlin Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a European tour aimed at reassuring key allies about transatlantic ties under his successor Donald Trump.

On the final leg of a European farewell tour, Obama touched down in the German capital from Athens where he delivered a sweeping speech warning of the dangers to modern democracy.

The US leader acknowledged that globalisation had fuelled a "sense of injustice" and needed a "course correction" to address growing inequality.

"The global path of globalisation demands a course correction," Obama, 55, said in Athens.

"When we see people, global elites, wealthy corporations seemingly living by a different set of rules, avoiding taxes, manipulating loopholes... this feeds a profound sense of injustice," he added.

However, his remarks also contained a ringing defence of democracy, open markets and social inclusiveness.

"I firmly believe that the best hope for human progress remains open markets, combined with democracy and human rights," the outgoing president said.

Trump welcomed Britain's shock vote in June to leave the European Union (EU) and has been a critic of global free trade agreements.

But Obama argued that "when people have opportunity and they feel confidence in the future, they are less likely to turn on each other and less likely to appeal to some of the darker forces that exist in all our societies, those that can tear us apart".

European governments, especially eastern countries close to Russia's orbit, have been shaken after Trump appeared to call into question Washington's near 70-year security guarantee by saying he would only help NATO allies if they paid their way.

In comments Tuesday, Obama cautioned the world must guard against "a rise in a crude sort of nationalism or ethnic identity or tribalism that is built around an 'us' and a 'them'".

US President Barack Obama assured NATO allies, "In good times, and in 

bad, Europe can count on the United States" (AFP Photo/Janek Skarzynski)

'My closest partner'

Obama has been at pains to stress that Europe -- and NATO -- would remain the cornerstone of US foreign policy.

"Today more than ever, the world needs a Europe that is strong and prosperous and democratic," he said.

The US-led NATO grouping is "absolutely vital" to US interests and a strong, unified Europe was good for America and the world, the president said in comments aimed at calming old partners' fears.

"We know what happens when Europeans start dividing themselves up... the 20th century was a bloodbath," he said pointedly on Tuesday.

Obama has described Merkel as "probably... my closest international partner these last eight years."

During his time in Berlin, he will also meet the leaders of Britain, France, Spain and Italy, as Europe desperately seeks clues to future US policy in a Trump world.

While Obama was generally been welcomed in Greece, his visit was also met with street protests.

Around 2,500 people brandishing banners denouncing US "imperialism" and calling Obama a "persona non grata" were pushed back on Tuesday as they tried to breach barriers and reach the city centre, with police firing tear gas and stun grenades.

But elsewhere Athenians young and old waited patiently in line to catch a glimpse of the leader on his last foreign trip as president.

"It's fantastic to be here," said 17-year-old pupil Anais Karayanis. "He has plenty of things to teach us, advice to give. I would have come to see Trump as well, but only out of pure curiosity because I don't support him."

Betty Kazakopoulos, a PR consultant in her 60s, said Obama was "a man I admire. Perhaps the last of the great American leaders."

Greece's 'extraordinary compassion'

During his visit to the cradle of democracy, Obama has also touched on issues that have shaken Greek society -- a dramatic influx of migrants fleeing war and poverty and a crippling financial crisis.

He lauded Greek islanders' "extraordinary compassion" for the hundreds of thousands of people who have landed on their shores since the start of Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II.

And he pledged support for its economy, as Greek leaders seek a fresh US pledge to help alleviate the country's enormous public debt, a measure actively sought by the International Monetary Fund but opposed by leading European lender Germany.

"In my message to the rest of Europe, I will continue to emphasise our view that austerity alone cannot deliver prosperity," Obama told Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

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"The Timing of the Great Shift" – Mar 21, 2009 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

“… Human Nature is Changing

There's a new concept afoot, a change in Human nature. We've spoken about this before. How many of you studied European history? And in school, did your mind fill up with all of the dates you had to memorize? Who conquered whom and when? Over and over and over, every single country had their turn conquering another country. Borders moved constantly. As far back as you want to go, that's what Humans did. They separated, gathered, and conquered. But as little as 50 years ago, it all stopped.

We've said this before. Fifty years ago, a seed, an idea, was planted at the end of World War II. "Let's put these European countries together," they said. "Let's even drop the borders and eventually give them one currency." Do this and they'll never war again, they predicted, for countries with common economic sources don't go to war! And that's exactly what's happened. Did it work? It's fairly fresh, but their money is threatening to take over the strength of your money, did you notice? It's worth more than yours. They still struggle to make it work and balance it. But then again, you do the same in the United States, always fine tuning the unity.

South America is considering the same thing right now. The seeds are being planted in Brazil. Within a generation, they would love to see the borders dropped and one currency. Can they do it? Perhaps. Perhaps it will take longer. Why do it? Because they see the European Union with the strongest currency on Earth. We've said this before. Here is a prediction: Perhaps not in your time, but there'll come a day when there are only five currencies in the world, because continents will start understanding that unification creates peace and prosperity. Separation creates chaos. What a concept. …”

"Listening to the Voice of Spirit" (2) - Feb 20, 2016 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) - (DNA Efficiency is on average at 35 percent now) - (Text version)

“… With free choice, the percentage of DNA efficiently started to go down as humanity grew. As soon as the DNA started to lose percentage, the gender balance was dysfunctional. If you want to have a test of any society, anywhere on the planet, and you want to know the DNA percentage number [consciousness quota] as a society, there's an easy test: How do they perceive and treat their women? The higher the DNA functionality, the more the feminine divine is honored. This is the test! Different cultures create different DNA consciousness, even at the same time on the planet. So you can have a culture on Earth at 25 percent and one at 37 - and if you did, they would indeed clash. …”

“… You're at 35. There's an equality here, you're starting to see the dark and light, and it's changing everything. You take a look at history and you've come a long way, but it took a long time to get here. Dear ones, we've seen this process before and the snowball is rolling. There isn't anything in the way that's going to stop it. In the path of this snowball of higher consciousness are all kinds of things that will be run over and perish. Part of this is what you call "the establishment". Watch for some very big established things to fall over! The snowball will simply knock them down. …”

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems  (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it),  Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse),  Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)

“…The Illuminati

One more. "Kryon, what about the Illuminati?" OK, I'll tell you, for these things are already known by many.

Everything you thought about the Illuminati of the past is correct. This was not conspiracy, but fact. However, in the light of what I just said above, it could not sustain itself in an energy where everyone talks to everyone, and has since gone dormant.

The Illuminati was based in Greece, and it started by controlling the most potent economic attribute that could manipulate the strings of commerce on the earth - shipping. Once they had control of shipping, what followed was financial markets. This, then, worked its way to insurance, world stock markets and banking. This was prevalent for decades, right up to the mid '80s.

I have a question for the elders in the room. Look back in your lifetime, dear ones. What was the stock market like when you were younger? If you remember, you will say it had incremental changes up and down, except for occasional major shifts - which, by the way, were also controlled. It was steady, up or down. It didn't vacillate wildly, with hundreds of point-shifts from month to month. It never did. That's what a controlled market looks like. Now take a look at your current stock market. Does it look controlled? It is not! It is free-wheeling and it can go wherever it is driven by normal financial activity.

This should tell you something, dear ones. The Illuminati is no longer in control. It lost in banking, in tobacco, and it's about to lose in big pharma and insurance because awareness lets people know what is controlled and what is not. Awareness of truth will trump any other energy, and integrity will win some major battles.

So, did the Illuminate die? No. They simply lost their method of control.

The Future of the Illuminati

Now, I want to tell you something that you didn't expect and something I've reported only one other time. What about all of the money that the Illuminati has? There are trillions and trillions of euro in banks, under their control, waiting. What are they going to do with it and where are they going to use it? It's still here. They're waiting.

This group is waiting for something to happen that they know is going to happen, for they see it coming as much as I do. However, I would like to tell you something that they don't expect. With awareness comes generational shift. Those in charge of this money will not always be elders. The indigos eventually will have it.

They are waiting for something to happen in Africa - the building of a new civilization, a continent that has nothing to unlearn. Once Africa is cured, once it's ready, a new civilization can be created from the ground up. Africans will be ready to learn everything about building a foundation for the most advanced civilization ever and will do it with the most modern and inventive systems available. Eventually, this new continent will even beat the economics of China.

This is the prediction and always has been, and the Illuminati's money will fund it. Did I say the Illuminati will fund it? [Kryon laugh]The Illuminati's money will fund it, but there is a difference from the past, dear ones. The ones who inherit the positions in the Illuminati will be a different consciousness. Listen, they are not suddenly going to be the ones who have the good of everyone in their hearts - hardly. They want to make money, but what they will see instead is a way to make a great deal of money through this investment. In the process, it will automatically help hundreds of thousands, and they will be at the beginning, the foundation, that builds the new Africa. The new African states of unification eventually will create a continent stronger than any of the others, and it will have one currency. The resources alone will dwarf anything in the world.

"Wow, Kryon, how long is that going to take?"

The Humans in the room control that and those listening later and reading. When you leave this room, what are you going to do? Go home, report this, rub your hands together, and wait for it to happen? It won't. For the Humans in the room and the old souls hearing and reading have got work to do, and I've told you this before. You've got work to do.

There's an alliance that you're going to have to create with one another and with another group - the young people of Earth. The youth of this earth are changing the way things work. Can you see it? You're not supposed to sit around and watch them either, because they need you, old soul.

It's time for you to align with the indigos and the concepts of the youth of the planet. Do not think for a moment that their age shows their wisdom. These two attributes are not commensurate with one another; they're not linear. These young people may be older souls than you are! Don't think that because they've got technology that you don't understand that you can't be one with them. Their technology is social networking, the very thing we are talking about, where everyone can talk to everyone. The new consciousness on the planet starts in two areas - the children and the old souls.

Conclusion

This is the message of the day. The recalibration of awareness is going to change systems, education, government and finance. Those who don't choose to be spiritual at all will still move with a new awareness, for they will be aware of something that they are not aware of now - a softer way of living.

We close with a trite statement that we've given before, but that many have stated in jest: "If women ran the world, they would never send their sons to be killed on a battlefield."

Many laugh. How trite, how simple minded. Indeed, there have been women leaders who have put wars together; they had to. They sent their sons, so that's not really a correct statement. However, it's more right than you may think, dear ones.

So now I will make the statement I have made over and over in these recalibrated channellings: "When recalibrated Humans run the world, there will come a day when they will never send their sons into the battlefield." You see, awareness will change all of that. They will eventually see the wisdom of unification, new ways to settle issues, and the intuitive attribute of putting things together instead of tearing them apart.

There will be a time when government armies will not need to be large, and weapons will not be as powerful. Slowly, government won't need them. Slowly, slower than you want, these things will happen as the old soul carries his light and looks at the masters of the planet and emulates them.

You've all heard it: There will come a time when the masters will come back to Earth, and there are many who are waiting for this. However, it has already happened! They couldn't come back until the alignment was right and now it is right. This is what you are feeling in 2012 and beyond. It's starting to happen, and they're back. But they're not back as corporeal Human Beings. They're back as the energy of recalibrating of the awareness of God.

I wouldn't say these things unless they were true. Watch for these things, dear ones. Remember where you heard them first and when some of them start to occur in your news. And when you see the earth working in this fashion, dear one, maybe you'll realize that what I have given today is real.

Be circumspect. There is no perfect timing. Humans will create all this at their own pace. Do not be in fear of the things that might follow, for I say it yet again that the old energy will show itself soon in survival mode and it won't be pretty.

In this beginning of new energy, stand tall and turn on your light. Darkness will shirk before you. That is the truth of the day.

I am Kryon, in love with humanity.

And so it is.

Kryon

Could the US be tried for war crimes in Afghanistan?

The ICC is looking into possible war crimes committed by the US in Afghanistan. There are doubts about whether any CIA agents will ever be prosecuted for torture - but there are other options.

Deutsche Welle, 15 November 2016

 The alleged kidnapping, torture and rape of detainees in Afghanistan by US armed forces are coming under more scrutiny at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's annual Preliminary Examination Activities report for 2015 found that "members of the US armed forces and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) resorted to techniques amounting to the commission of the war crimes of torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape."

The prosecutors have found evidence that 61 detainees were subjected to "torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity" in Afghanistan between May 2003 and December 2014 (mostly at the outset of the war in 2003 and 2004). Meanwhile, the CIA is being investigated for the same crimes - as well as rape - against 27 detainees in Afghanistan and secret prisons in Poland, Romania and Lithuania.

Fatou Bensouda presented the report 

this week

Systematic cruelty

The ICC also underlined that the alleged crimes seemed to have been part of an officially sanctioned system "approved at senior levels of the US government." "The alleged crimes were not the abuses of a few isolated individuals," it read. "Rather, they appear to have been committed as part of approved interrogation techniques in an attempt to extract 'actionable intelligence' from detainees."

This systematic nature of the crimes increased their "gravity," the report added, and caused considerable suffering: "Some victims reportedly exhibited psychological and behavioral issues, including hallucinations, paranoia, insomnia, and attempts at self-harm and self-mutilation."

Andreas Schüller, program director for international crimes at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), welcomed the report, but emphasized that this was just part of a wider examination, and that the ICC itself was part of an international judicial process that also involves military and civilian courts in the US and elsewhere: there are criminal investigations and pending court cases ongoing in Spain, Germany, Poland, Romania and Lithuania into alleged crimes committed by the CIA - either because they were perpetrated on their territories or with the collusion of their security forces.

The ECCHR itself filed a lawsuit on behalf of the German-Lebanese man Khalid el Masri, who was a victim of the CIA's extraordinary rendition program and says he spent several months being tortured in Afghanistan.

"You also have cases currently open on Guantanamo against US officials by the French judiciary, where former Guantanamo commander Geoffrey Miller has been summoned earlier this year to appear as an accused witness," said Schüller. (Miller, a retired US army general, ignored the summons.)

Overcoming the obstacles

The fact that the US, like many African countries, is not a party to the ICC is not an obstacle to the investigation. For one thing, Afghanistan ratified the Rome Statute that underpins the court in 2003, and therefore any crimes carried out on its territory (whether by military personnel or not) are within ICC jurisdiction.

German citizen Khalid el Masri was
abused in Afghanistan by CIA agents

Moreover, as the ICC itself pointed out in a statement on Tuesday, its prosecutor's office is obliged to investigate all alleged crimes brought to its attention, regardless of potential legal problems. In the case of Afghanistan, prosecutors said on Tuesday that they will decide "imminently" whether to seek authorization to open a full-scale investigation.

But whether that will ever lead to any prosecutions of CIA agents is very doubtful. "It's not realistic, because the US has not signed the statute, and even if it had, the US government has said repeatedly that it will not extradite any of its citizens to the ICC," said Wolfgang Heinz, senior policy adviser at the German Institute for Human Rights.

Nevertheless, should the ICC decide to pursue its investigations and if it identifies US suspects living in other countries, it could seek their extradition. "That's been done before - the US embassy will apply pressure of course, but then you're not absolutely safe," Heinz said.

Not only that, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) can also file charges against European governments suspected of colluding in the CIA's human rights abuses. This has happened before: in 2014, the Polish government was convicted of collusion in the CIA's extraordinary rendition program and ordered to pay compensation to two men.

The US' alleged crimes are not the only ones being examined in Afghanistan - those perpetrated by the Taliban, other anti-government groups, and Afghan government forces are also mentioned in the report, as are war crimes by various parties in eight other conflict zones around the world - in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

Cyprus peace deal 'within reach': UN

Yahoo – AFP, Ben Simon, November 7, 2016

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (C) poses with Turkish Cypriot
 leader Mustafa Akinci (L) and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades
on November 7, 2016 (AFP Photo/Fabrice Coffrini)

MONT PELERIN (Switzerland) (AFP) - A deal to unify Cyprus is within reach, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Monday as he opened talks aimed at resolving one of the world's longest running political crises.

The Mediterranean resort island has been split since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

The United Nations has launched several failed peace drives over the last four decades, but the latest bid between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akinci has been billed as the last best hope for an enduring truce.

During five days of negotiations at a luxury Swiss resort overlooking the Alps, the two leaders were set to directly discuss the thorny issue of territorial adjustments for the first time.

Ban applauded "significant progress" during the peace process that began 18 months ago, but cautioned that "sensitive and difficult issues still remain".

"The two leaders have reached a critical juncture in their talks. I encourage them to make the most of the moment and the momentum," he told reporters immediately before talks began.

"The prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach."

The last major peace push collapsed in 2004 when a proposal worked out by then UN chief Kofi Annan was accepted by most Turkish Cypriots but resoundingly dismissed by Greek Cypriots in twin referendums.

Land swaps, autonomous states

The rival leaders are trying to agree on the internal boundary dividing two prospective states. The future Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot regions would be largely autonomous, but would exist under a unified Cyprus, with one head of state.

But any deal will require tough compromises on territory swaps, which could see a number of Turkish Cypriots displaced from their homes.

Anastasiades last week urged both sides to "seize the opportunity," calling for "progress on territory which allows us to lead to a final settlement".

Akinci, whose Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Ankara, also said that the push to solve the crisis cannot continue indefinitely.

"This is not something that we can keep discussing after 50 years for another 50 years. Everyone, including the UN, is aware of this," he said in a speech last week.

Ban has made clear he wants to see a final and enduring deal reached before he leaves office at the end of the year.

Symbolic town

The orange-growing town of Morphou in the northwest of Cyprus represents the complexities surrounding territorial disputes.

Named Guzelyurt in Turkish, it is home to around 18,000 Turkish Cypriots, some of whom have lived there for more than four decades.

Relatives of people missing since the 1974 Turkish 

invasion of Cyprus protest against a UN peace plan in 

Nicosia 22 April, 2004 (AFP Photo/Philip Mark)

But before Turkey's 1974 invasion, Morphou's population was almost entirely Greek Cypriot.

Greek Cypriots with ancestral ties to Morphou have said reclaiming control of the north coast town was crucial to any deal.

But some Turkish Cypriots in the town, many of whom are themselves refugees from other parts of the island, have declared relinquishing its control a non-starter.

The peace blueprint drawn up by UN mediators in 2003 called for Morphou to be handed over to Greek Cypriot administration.

Although Turkish Cypriot voters approved that plan, attitudes have hardened since.

Sinasi Ozdes, spokesman for a residents' campaign group, the Guzelyurt Civil Society Platform, told AFP he accepted there would have to be territorial concessions but would vote against any agreement that surrendered control of the town.

"We're going to give something -- but not Morphou," he said.

Anastasiades warned last month that there could be no deal without a full return of the area.

An agreement on disputed territory will almost certainly have to include a subsequent arrangement on refugee return and compensation for lost property, which cost billions of euros.

And any deal would again have to be approved by voters of both sides.

The island -- home to several British military bases -- is an EU member but its division remains a major hurdle in Turkey's accession bid.