12/09/2013 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me Zeinab Badawi. Confirmation from

Syria's resident Bashar al-Assad says he will hand them over but

Syria's resident Bashar al-Assad if the Americans remove their threat

of using force. This will not happen unilaterally. It is a two sided

process. Waste firstly on America stopping its threats to Syria.

President's comments come as John Kerry meets his Russian counterpart

agreement on Syria. Is Washington having to follow Moscow's lead in

animals. Now Africa's vultures themselves are under threat because

they are dying from poachers that -- poisons the poachers used to kill

elephants and rhinos. It is easy to see why vultures get such bad pub

But the threat to their existence is a real worry and the problem is

We have a and liftoff. And it is armed with rock music and a message

from President Nixon, so what has happened to the Voyager spacecraft

in outer space nearly 40 years after Hello, and welcome. Syria's resident

Bashar al-Assad says he will put his country's chemical weapons under

international control but only if the enough to know -- United States

stop threatening military action and if other countries supporting the

rebels in Syria also abide by the agreement. His comments come as

rebels in Syria also abide by the US Secretary of State John Kerry and

counterpart Sergei Lavrov week in welcomed the ideas put forward by

Syria but he said the process was not a game and that Syria's actions

had to be real, competitive and timely. We are serious, Mr prime

Minister, we are serious as you Russia, based on that, has bought

pressure on the Assad regime. Only Russia, based on that, has bought

the Assad regime to acknowledge Russia, based on that, has bought

Russian, and he said the Syrians wanted to make comprises. Transition

macro I am not prepared with the wanted to make comprises. Transition

extended statements with the Syrian problem because our fridges are

clear, and they are stated in the president's article in the New York

Times and I am convinced you have have decided not to lay out the

position here. I am sure that the American position showed they would

like to find mutual consensus and hope we will achieve all of these

excesses. Earlier today, in an officially for the first time, that

Syria has chemical weapons. He said the key to this process is that

Russia is involved, and he does the key to this process is that

TRANSLATION: I want to say this clearly. This will not will not

happen unilaterally. It is based on America stopping its threats to

Syria and also the extent to which fulfilled. When we see that the

Syria and also the extent to which wants stability in our region and

stops threatening us and preparing supplying terrorists with weapons,

we will be able to finalise all supplying terrorists with weapons,

necessary processes and they will be acceptable from a Syrian point of

view. It is not one-sided. Russia has the most important role. We

view. It is not one-sided. Russia no links and no trust with the US.

Russia is the only country that no links and no trust with the US.

fulfil this role now. Our diplomatic correspondent is in Geneva and joins

us now. Those two gentlemen have minutes, we gave a taste of what

they had to say, you have been listening, anything else you wish to

imports to us about what the two men remarkable. First they were speaking

ahead of a really tough negotiation remarkable. First they were speaking

that we expect to go on for a couple of days. There was an attempt at

warmth from both of them, John Kerry kneeling, Sergei Lavrov said there

was no need for a threat of military force. On the other side, John Kerry

declaration of the chemical weapons made clear that he thought that

declaration of the chemical weapons case, that -- tonight John Kerry was

declaration of the chemical weapons men between the two days about the

politics and the practicalities men between the two days about the

following up on what has for them being a relatively positive start.

The admission by President Assad that he is finally cleared to accept

the conditions of the chemical disarmament. There is a real gap in

inclined to say this shows good intention, let's allow this process

to unfold. The Americans are saying credibility and we have too called

him to account and keep the threat of military force held over him

him to account and keep the threat case he should fail to keep these

promises. We have also had the year-end and that the UN and Arab

League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi talking to John Kerry, what was discussed?

This was really important. I cannot shed much light on the content of

these private talks but what is important is the symbolism and where

it might lead. Lakhdar Brahimi is central to the political process

which is designed, however distant that prospect may seem, designed to

bring a resolution to the civil that prospect may seem, designed to

transitional government which could command the respect of the large

majority of Syria's people. That is a big mission. The fact that Lakhdar

Brahimi has been involved means a big mission. The fact that Lakhdar

both sides say they are committed to reviving a much wider process of

bringing peace to Syria, not just dealing with the issue, however

important, it's chemical weapons. Thank you very much for that. Let's

discuss this some more. In Moscow tonight we have Dimitry Babich,

political analyst for Voice of Russia radio, and with me here in

Dormandy, . First of all, this is important for Russia, it is also

important for Russia that they tried to steal a march on the Americans,

isn't it? Maybe, but I think the main purpose of Russia in this

that Lakhdar Brahimi became first situation is to avert the bombing of

that Lakhdar Brahimi became first Saint Petersburg where he tried

that Lakhdar Brahimi became first influence the G20. And now he is

participating in this peace process in Geneva. The main thing for Russia

is that the military strike seems to have been averted for the moment.

humiliating for the Americans that have been averted for the moment.

United States tried to come up with various parties together. We have

have political negotiations, that is the solution, and it has been unable

to come to pass. The Americans say the only way to force the Syrians to

the table is through force. The Russians say, no no, the Syrians are

quite serious about this and are not willing to take the next step. This

is one more indication, and we will learn a lot over the knot couple of

days as to whether the Syrians are serious this time. And are the

Russians serious. The Russians have staked their credibility on Bashar

al-Assad, he has got to do what staked their credibility on Bashar

said he is going to do, and not staked their credibility on Bashar

all of these conditions, it is only if people stop supporting rebels or

America backs down on its threat of force, if you does not deliver it

will that bad for -- look bad for Russia. The process has to be two

sided, come from both sides. The idea behind Geneva was that the

Russians will bring Bashar al-Assad to the negotiating table and the

Americans would bring the Syrian opposition to the table. Bashar

al-Assad al-Sadr, bad as he is, agreed to come to this negotiation

several months ago. The problem agreed to come to this negotiation

with the Syrian coalition which refused to negotiate. They have

with the Syrian coalition which refused the offer, the Russian

offer, turned down a proposal by Russia to hand over chemical weapons

in Syria. I think part of the lane for future failure, if it happens, I

hope it will not, -- the blame, for future failure, if it happens, I

be on the Syrian radical opposition. But the international community

be on the Syrian radical opposition. it was Bashar al-Assad's weapons

that were used, and the states Convention therefore there is a

greater burden for it to do as the Petersburg, we saw a lot of states,

not only Russia and China but also Brazil, Italy, Germany, and the

other countries, were sceptical about the proposal of air strikes

against the Syrian government. They version about the Syrian government

otherwise for any kind of military using these weapons until the UN

otherwise for any kind of military strike. In a way, that Russian's

otherwise for any kind of military diplomatic initiative has got the

Americans off the hook, given Obama time? Everyone wants the long-term

solution which is peace in the region, that is the region that

solution which is peace in the are all working towards. How do

solution which is peace in the get there? What we are dealing with

independent in some respects from chemical weapons so we are now

independent in some respects from this broader effort to bring peace

to the region. Everyone has to do is solution. The question is, how do we

deal with this? What has become abundantly clear, Assad was not

willing to come to the table until forced might be used. Nobody wants

to use force, we would much prefer to use other instruments. But if it

is necessary, it is what it should be used to prevent the slaughter.

And you think that might push into the negotiating table? The Americans

do not want to use force is, it the negotiating table? The Americans

not their first choice. But if that To other news, and North Korea has

been threatening to restart its Yongbyon nuclear facility for months

at images have emerged that these threats might be in the process

at images have emerged that these being carried out. According to

at images have emerged that these US Institute, steam has been seen

rising from a reactor used to make plutonium and the Russia authorities

say we could now be looking at a This picture shows the Yongbyon

complex in April last year. You This picture shows the Yongbyon

see construction taking place where American researchers say the latest

image shows steam rising above this turbine building at the Yongbyon

site. It might signal operations have started again. The reactor

looks like it either is or will within a matter of days be fully

happens, it will start producing plutonium. What North Korea will

probably do is wait for a long period of time and pull the fuel out

Yongbyon has been suspended twice under international agreements.

Yongbyon has been suspended twice spent fuel rods it produces can

Yongbyon has been suspended twice used to make plutonium for use in

nuclear bombs. Five years ago, North Korea blew up the cooling tower

nuclear bombs. Five years ago, North as a side of its commitment to

vowed to restart it. Officials in peace. But as tensions with the

vowed to restart it. Officials in South Korea today refused to comment

on the new photographs. TRANSLATION: Sometimes it is not helpful to let

on the new photographs. TRANSLATION: you know the information we have.

Therefore we cannot confirm the you know the information we have.

Therefore we cannot confirm the report. However, let me clearly

Therefore we cannot confirm the the related movement of North Korea.

Therefore we cannot confirm the signal a test or worse a man-made

Therefore we cannot confirm the accident. Many on both sides of

Therefore we cannot confirm the Pacific will be worrying that it

Therefore we cannot confirm the signals another step towards a North

Korean nuclear arsenal. In Some signals another step towards a North

Iran's Park macro new envoy to the UN nuclear agency says he will

co-opt rate with it to resolve UN nuclear agency says he will

-- remaining issues. -- Iran's Park Muslim rebels have attacked another

town in the Philippines. There has been fighting in the port city of

Zamboanga for the past four macro days and it has now spread to the

island of Basilan. The rebels are from the Moro National Liberation

Front, which has been left out of announced plans to privatise the

postal service. The sale of Royal mail is expected to raise up to

postal service. The sale of Royal shares will be given to staff. The

University of Nottingham opposes the move and will ballot its members on

Officials at Kensington Palace see the Duke of Cambridge is considering

various options for public service after leaving the military this

year. They described this as a It is a moment he has always known

it was inevitable, when he has to operational office and step into a

full-time role in support of his grandmother and the Royal family. It

means that Flight Lieutenant William Wales has flown his last mission as

an RAF search and rescue pilot, Wales has flown his last mission as

role for which he started to train nearly five years ago. During his

time with the RAF he has taken part in more than 150 rescue operations

and saved a good many lives. It in more than 150 rescue operations

job he loves, as he made clear earlier this year. To be able to see

a son or a daughter's face when earlier this year. To be able to see

bring back somebody to them, it earlier this year. To be able to see

quite powerful, and we have a good time doing it, flying is exciting,

so it is a great job. Duty of a different kind is calling now.

William's life has undergone one fundamental change with the birth of

his and his wife's son George. One fundamental change with the birth of

his and his wife's son George. One supporting nature conservation in

foreign tours, pointing the way Africa. William will also do more in

foreign tours, pointing the way towards the day, many years hence

public engagements William fulfils towards the day, many years hence

public engagements William fulfils over the next 12 months. He is

public engagements William fulfils future public service and there

public engagements William fulfils wants to spend more time on projects

public engagements William fulfils like conservation work in Africa and

public engagements William fulfils right now he and the Duchess of

in London where the work of five charities is being highlighted,

including a South African group helping to preserve vultures. The

giant birds are under threat from poachers. It is not that the birds

are being hunted, they are dying from eating dead elephants and

From the mountains they approach. Step by step and they cautiously

home in on their meal of the day. Their job is to clean the flesh

home in on their meal of the day. the bones that nature leaves lying

of these Cape vultures in the world and it is human activity threatening

their numbers. When you see the and it is human activity threatening

carcasses of dead animals, it is easy to see why vultures get such

bad publicity. But the threat to their existence is a real worry

bad publicity. But the threat to the problem is getting worse. Over

600 rhinos have been poached in South Africa this year. Poachers

lace the carcasses with poison, killing the vultures so they do

lace the carcasses with poison, VulPro vulture sanctuary they are

trying to help. This poisoned bird will be let back into the wild as

soon as it recovers but staff here fear they are fighting a losing

battle. All you need is one poisoned rhino or elephant and you can kill

600 vultures. During breeding season is potentially their chicks as well.

You are looking at 1200 birds. It is not just vultures suffering. People

don't realise the ecological role the environment we will feel the

impact. There will be a number of human health issues. They come from

first time that a human made object Asia, where rabies has decreased

first time that a human made object has left the solar system. Hello

from the children of planet Earth. It carries recordings of children

saying hello, there is classical and rock music and a welcome message

from President Nixon. Who knows rock music and a welcome message

any alien species will stumble across it and what they would make

of all that. To talk about this across it and what they would make

our science correspondent. Explain what we mean I this being the first

man-made object to leave the solar system. -- mean by this being. This

is, but Katie. The solar system system. -- mean by this being. This

defined by anywhere that is affected by the sun. -- this is complicated.

It gets to a point where particles from the Sun start to meet particles

being held out from other galaxies. When the two me there is a boundary

and it crossed that on the 25th When the two me there is a boundary

interstellar space? I can't even see spacecraft is 19 billion kilometres

unimaginable distance. It set off in 1977 so it has been on an epic

journey. It was originally put up in space to study planets in our solar

system and it could have passed space to study planets in our solar

by and kept on going and going and going until it has crossed this

boundary. We think this is a cold, dark place, interstellar space,

boundary. We think this is a cold, of gas and asked from exploded stars

gas and dust. It is a long time of gas and asked from exploded stars

space. Yes, it has inspired a lot of people. It passed Jupiter and saw

the incredible big red spot on Jupiter and found that this was

actually an enormous raging storm across the planet, which is kind of

incredible. It went past Saturn across the planet, which is kind of

gave the first images of its rings. These images inspired a generation

can we see, what can we find? For information back? It has just made

interstellar space and it only has a few more years before its power

goes. It is powered by plutonium and that is running out. After that

goes. It is powered by plutonium and that message? I can't remember.That

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei that message? I can't remember.That