US-Saudi Talks Focus on Syria

US Secretary of State John Kerry continues his journey to the Middle East and Asia this weekend.The trip began June 21 and extends through July 2.On Tuesday 25 June,Mr.Kerry held talks with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister,Prince Saud al-Faisal,in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.
In remarks following their meeting,His Royal Highness described the talks with John Kerry as having been a fruitful,constructive discussion,transparent and open-minded.At the top of their agenda was the crisis in Syria.
Perhaps the most ominous development is the involvement of foreign forces,Prince Saud noted,foremost of which is the motions of Hezbollah with support from Iran's national guard in the mass murder of Syrians,with unlimited military support from Russia.This critical turn of events cannot be overlooked.
Over and above the regime's genocide against its own people,this adds an even deadlier element in the form of an all-out foreign invasion that breaks every international law,protocol and principle.This violates the Syrian land and turns it into a battleground for global and regional conflicts and puts it under the mercy of sectarian struggles.
Syria can only be considered an occupied land.This requires a firm stand and speedy action from the international community.
I would like to commend the US decision to send military aid to the Free Syrian Army,and express my relief for what I heard today from the US Secretary of State concerning both changing the balance of forces on the ground and maintaining the legitimacy of the Syrian National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people,Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud said.
Mr.Kerry is currently meeting in Amman,Jordan and Jerusalem with Jordanian,Israeli and Palestinian officials on advancing the Middle East peace process.From there,he will travel to Brunei for ASEAN meetings.

John Kerry Departs for Middle East,Asia

Secretary of State John Kerry is departing for an eleven day trip to the Middle East and Asia later today,June 21.He will visit Doha,New Delhi,Jeddah,Kuwait City,Amman,Jerusalem and Bandar Seri Begawan,according to Spokesperson Jen Psaki.
In Doha,Qatar,Kerry will meet with senior Qatari officials to discuss bilateral and regional matters.He will also meet with the London 11 foreign ministers to discuss the Syrian conflict,including support for the opposition and the search for a political settlement.
While in New Delhi,the Secretary will chair the interagency delegation to the fourth annual US-India Strategic Dialogue.It will cover the full spectrum of bilateral and regional concerns,from economic engagement to security and defence,as well as climate change and space cooperation.
In Jeddah and Kuwait City,Mr.Kerry will discuss a number of bilateral and regional issues with Saudi and Kuwaiti officials.
In Amman and Jerusalem,he will meet with Jordanian,Israeli and Palestinian officials on advancing the Middle East peace process.
Finally,the Secretary will participate in ASEAN regional meetings and the 3rd East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan,Brunei,as well as hold bilateral talks with the Sultan of Brunei and other Brunei officials.

Asia This Day:Sharp Unloads Plants;Vietnam Worried About China

Japanese electronics titan Sharp is proceeding with restructuring plans.The company had said it was facing a material possibility of liquidation,with a record four year loss.Three of its TV factories were finally sold to Apple outsourcer FoxConn,the Sankei newspaper quoted sources as saying.
The assembly plants in China,Malaysia and Mexico went for approximately 667 million dollars.Sharp had sought approval for the sale from its banks on September 26.The company is also shedding 10,000 jobs as part of its survival strategy.
Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said that economic force should not be applied to settle China's teritorial disputes with its Southeast Asian neighbours.There has been talk within ASEAN that,in accordance with international law,the normal process of commerce and economic relations would be better than using trade sanctions.
Vietnam plans to meet with other Southeast Asian nations to discuss how to resolve territorial disputes with China,which has threatened to intercept their ships in the South China Sea.
Asian markets were up in Monday morning trading,hitting a seven-month high on good manufacturing and service sector reports out of China,which suggest that the five-year plan growth rate of 7% will be exceeded.New factory orders continued to pick up.
India's manufacturing hit a five-month high,according to its Purchasing Managers Index.Oil prices were also up to a nearly two-year high on the Chinese data.China consumes 11% of the world's oil supply.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index rose 0.44%.

Asia This Day:Obama in Southeast Asia;Woodside Petroleum

President Barack Obama has arrived in Southeast Asia.He visited Myanmar today,Monday,the first sitting US president to do so.Later,he will attend the ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh,Cambodia.The President is expected to seek trade opportunities in the region;the ASEAN leaders will be discussing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea,as well as human rights,at the summit.
The President went to Myanmar,formerly known as Burma,to encourage the country's transition to democracy from military dictatorship.He will also be the first sitting US president to visit Cambodia.
Australia's Woodside Petroleum is also working in Myanmar.CEO Peter J. Coleman said we see Mynamar as holding a lot of promise for the future.We expect to be drilling maybe sometime around 2014.
Woodside Petroleum is Australia's largest dedicated oil and gas firm.It is a world leader in liquified natural gas production.Mr.Coleman,who has a BEng and an MBA,had served 27 years with Exxon Mobil before assuming his current leadership role.
The IEA says world energy demand will increase by one third by 2035.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index rose 1.15% in early Monday trading,and Asian currencies were up on optimism the US will avoid going over the fiscal cliff.
Woodside Petroleum Ltd(ASX:WPL)