Putin leads Russia chant with Crimeans
MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin led thousands to chant "Russia!" on a visit Monday to Crimea marking the fifth anniversary of the Black Sea penisula's annexation from Ukraine, as NATO and the European Union once again strongly condemned the land grab by Russia.
Speaking at an outdoor concert in Crimea's regional capital of Simferopol, the Russian leader hailed Crimea's residents, likening them to the Red Army soldiers of World War II.
"Russia has taken you into its fold with delight and joy," he told the crowd. "We will fulfill all of our goals ... because we are together now."
Putin began his trip by attending the launch of new power plants in Crimea, part of Moscow's efforts to upgrade the region's infrastructure. Ukraine has cut off energy supplies to the peninsula and blocked shipments of Crimea-bound cargo through its territory after Moscow annexed the region in 2014.
Referring to the annexation, NATO allies said in a statement Monday that "we strongly condemn this act, which we do not and will not recognize." They denounced alleged rights abuses including "arbitrary detentions, arrest, and torture" against members of the Crimean Tartar community and criticized Russia's military buildup in Crimea.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said "we stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
NATO and the EU also called for the release of Ukrainian seamen who were seized by Russia in November's standoff in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry protested Putin's visit to Crimea as a "crude violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
U.S. staying the course in S. China Sea
MANILA, Philippines -- The U.S. Navy won't alter its so-called freedom-of-navigation sail-bys in the disputed South China Sea and has pressed ahead with such operations despite a dangerous maneuver by a Chinese navy ship against an American destroyer, a senior U.S. Navy commander said Monday.
Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, told reporters in Manila that Washington protested that "unprofessional behavior" by the Chinese ship, which maneuvered close to the USS Decatur as the latter sailed closely by a Chinese-occupied island in the Spratlys in September.
"No, it's not going to change where we do our freedom-of-navigation operations," Sawyer said when asked if the Sept. 30 incident off Gaven Reef would change such U.S. Navy operations.
The USS Decatur had sailed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven Reef when a Chinese destroyer approached within 45 yards of the bow of the U.S. Navy ship, which changed course to prevent a collision. The Decatur was also warned to leave the area, U.S. Pacific Fleet officials said at the time.
China said the Luoyang, a Chinese missile destroyer, was deployed to identify the U.S. warship near Chinese territory and drive it away. Beijing protested the Decatur's action as provocative.
Attackers killed 23 soldiers, Mali says
BAMAKO, Mali -- Mali's army said Monday that heavily armed men attacked a camp in central Mali, killing at least 23 soldiers.
The army said the attack on Sunday, which was the most deadly against the army this year, took place in the village of Dioura.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it bears the mark of al-Qaida-related jihadi groups that have been regularly attacking the army and international forces in central Mali.
Mali's army has blamed the attack on Ba Ag Moussa, a former colonel of the Malian army who deserted in 2012 to join the Tuareg rebellion before joining al-Qaida. The announcement by the army comes as debates are being held about integrating former rebels into the army as part of a peace agreement. Many senior Malian officers are not in favor of integration.
Cubans criticize U.S. visa restrictions
HAVANA -- Cubans have had widespread access to social media for just a few months, and they embraced it on Monday to bombard U.S. diplomats in Havana with complaints about new visa restrictions.
More than 400 Cubans sent comments to the Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, largely to complain about the elimination of five-year tourist visas announced Friday.
Cubans now will need a new visa for each trip. That's devastating for Cuba's private entrepreneurs, who often make trips to the U.S. for supplies, and for those trying to visit relatives in the U.S.
Many also complained about delays in the family reunion program caused by a sharp reduction in consular personnel in Havana after a series of mysterious illnesses suffered by diplomats there.
A Facebook user identified as Williams Hernandez pleaded: "Ease our hearts from this sadness we experience living far from our loved ones."
Most visa requests are rejected, and Cubans must make a costly trip to a third country, such as Mexico or Panama, even to apply.
Cuba opened Internet access to smartphones late last year and many Cubans have rapidly taken to social media.
-- Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports
A Section on 03/19/2019