Obama conditions dispatch of more troops to Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- US President Barack Obama told
the military on Thursday he would not send them to Afghanistan without
"proper support", including public opinion.

"That is a promise that I make to you," the Associated Press quoted
Obama as telling over 1,000 troops and their families in a hangar at the
Elmendorf Air Force base in Alaska where his aircraft stopped for
refueling on a trip to Asia.
"I want you guys to understand that I will never hesitate to use force
to protect the American people and our vital interests. But I also make
you this promise: I will not risk your lives unless it is necessary to
America's vital interests," he told the troops.
"And if it is necessary, the United States of America will: give you
the strategy and the clear mission you deserve. We'll give you the
equipment and support you need to get the job done. And that includes
public support back home," the president said.
AP said its poll revealed this week 48 percent of Americans disapprove
of Obama's handling of Afghanistan, up from 41 percent in October. More
than half of all Americans _ 54 percent _ now oppose sending more troops
to Afghanistan, an increase from 50 percent last month.


.Obama extends Iran sanctions for one year.


WASHINGTON, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- US President Barack Obama on
Thursday extended US economic sanctions against Iran for one year.
Obama notified Congress about the extension saying "our relations with
Iran have not yet returned to normal."
The sanctions were first introduced by former President Jimmy Carter
30 years ago because of "extreme threat" of the situation in Iran for US
national security, foreign policy and economy.
The United States remains locked in a dispute with Tehran over its
nuclear program.


.IFC, Pariba Vostok to promote energy efficiency in Russia.

WASHINGTON, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- The International Finance
Corporation (IFC) said it signed with BNP Paribas Vostok Bank a
memorandum of understanding to develop a sustainable energy finance
product focused on financing equipment trade deals in Europe, including
Russia, and Central Asia.
"The new product will expand access to longer-term finance for
companies to upgrade production technology and energy infrastructure and
install local power generation capacity, as well as to substantially
reduce industries' carbon emissions," said IFC, a member of the World Bank
Group.
IFC and BNP Paribas Vostok Bank will jointly promote sustainable
energy projects to financial institutions, project developers, and
end-user companies. The initiative is led by the IFC's Russia Sustainable
Energy Finance Project.
Climate change also is an integral part of IFC's regional strategy in
Europe and Central Asia, and a top priority in Russia.
"This is the beginning of our cooperation with IFC in Russia. I
believe it will help strengthen the trade finance business line at BNP
Paribas' retail banking in Russia, as well as enhance our understanding of
energy efficiency finance with tools developed by IFC," said Philippe
Delpal, President of BNP Paribas Vostok Bank and CEO of Cetelem in Russia.


.US Sirius radio sticks to Russian Proton in satellite launch.

WASHINGTON, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- US satellite radio company
Sirius XM Radio again chose the Russian Proton booster for the launch of
its satellite, the International Launch Services Company (ILS) said adding
the blast-off is scheduled for 2010.
This will be the 5th ILS Proton launch for the SIRIUS XM Radio fleet;
ILS launched the entire SIRIUS satellite constellation with the most
recent being the SIRIUS FM-5 satellite last June, the company said.
The Proton vehicle is Russia's premier heavy-lift launcher built by
Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center, the majority owner of
ILS. Proton has launched over 345 times to date since its maiden flight in
1965.
"ILS/Proton has launched all of the SIRIUS satellites; that is a
strong vote of confidence in the demonstrated abilities of ILS/Proton. We
are honored to once again provide critical schedule assurance for the XM-5
mission with an ILS/Proton launch," said ILS President, Frank McKenna.
The 6,000 kg XM-5 satellite will ensure XM subscribers across North
America continued reception of high-quality, digital-music, entertainment
and data services.

.Russia to train Cuban rescuers, equip Venezuelan.

HAVANA, November 13 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia will train Cuban rescuers
and will create a special center for that on the island next year,
according to a cooperation memo and plan signed on Thursday by Russian
Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu and Cuba's Civil Defense chief-of-staff
General Ramon Pardo Guerra.
Shoigu told reporters the main item of the plan is to create the
center, which will train rescuers and react to various emergencies.
"We believe it shall train various professions: rescuers,
firefighters, divers, and civil defense experts. The center, which will be
equipped with the latest equipment and will have Russian experts as
lecturers, is to be open in 2010," the minister said.
The plan also envisages information exchange and training of Cuban
specialists in Russia. "I am absolutely convinced we shall implement the
plan next year," Shoigu said, adding the memo also envisages cooperation
in navigation systems, weather monitoring and seismic stations.
Ramon Pardo Guerra said the documents are of major significance for
Cuba, as they "provide access to the latest technologies and enhance the
experience of Cuban experts. In the final end the events will improve the
civil defense system of our country."
Shoigu, who visited Nicaragua before Cuba, will on Friday arrive in
Venezuela to discuss cooperation in protection from natural calamities and
elimination of their aftermath.
It is planned to discuss provision of Russian equipment to Venezuelan
rescuers and to draft a two-year cooperation program on information
exchange and Russian assistance in training Venezuela's experts.
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