Briefly

RUSSIA

Putin urges extension of key nuclear accord

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday made a strong call to save the last existing nuclear arms control pact between his country and the United States, proposing to extend it at least for one year. Putin's statement came amid conflicting signals from Russian and US diplomats about the fate of the New START treaty that is set to expire in February unless the two countries agree on its extension. Speaking at a meeting of the National Security Council, Putin said "it would be extremely sad if the treaty ceases to exist without being replaced by another fundamental document of the kind".

JAPAN

Tokyo won't exclude China from networks

Japan has told the United States that Tokyo will not, at the moment, join Washington's plan to exclude Chinese firms from telecommunications networks, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Friday, citing several sources. Japan will take its own steps to respond in case there are worries over security issues, while Tokyo will cooperate with the US, the paper said. The US State Department published in August an update of a plan called the "Clean Network" calling for telecom companies, cloud service providers, and mobile apps of Chinese origin to be kept out of the US.

FRANCE

Finance minister backs tariffs on US goods

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday he was in favor of Europe imposing tariffs on US goods after the World Trade Organization granted the European Union the right to retaliate against US subsidies for plane maker Boeing. "The EU has the possibility to impose sanctions on the United States in relation to the spat between Boeing and Airbus, ... it must decide to do so," Le Maire said on BFM TV. US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to "strike back" against the EU if it put tariffs on US goods after it won the right to do so earlier this week in retaliation against subsidies for Boeing.

THAILAND

Prayuth vows to stay amid protests

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday he was not quitting after anti-government protesters defied a ban on demonstrations and he warned them not to persist. The ban on gatherings of more than five people was imposed early on Thursday after nearly three months of protests that have called for a reduction in the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy as well as the removal of Prayuth. Protesters defied the ban and staged one of the biggest rallies in Bangkok on Thursday evening. "I'm not quitting," Prayuth said. "The government must use the emergency decree. We have to proceed because the situation became violent.... It is being used for 30 days, or less if the situation eases."

MEXICO

Ex-defense chief arrested at LA airport

Former Mexican defense minister Salvador Cienfuegos had been arrested in the United States on undisclosed charges, Mexico's foreign minister confirmed on Thursday. Cienfuegos, who was defense chief from 2012-18, was reportedly on a trip with his family when he was detained at Los Angeles airport. "The consul in Los Angeles will inform me of the charges in the next few hours. We will offer the consular assistance to which he is entitled," Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on social media. The Wall Street Journal, quoting an unnamed senior Mexican government official, said Cienfuegos was arrested at the request of the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Cienfuegos, 72, headed the Mexican Defense Ministry under former president Enrique Pena Nieto.

Agencies - Xinhua