we've seen members of the african union urge the i.c.c. to dismiss charges against omar bashir the president of. but the fact that the african nations that a tension has emerged and doesn't necessarily impugn the quality of the justice that the i.c.c. is dispensing what i think it does it redoubles the necessity for the i.c.c. to emerge as a court which deals with. human rights abuses and war crimes in theaters all over the world not simply those in africa but with the french there you see it moving in that direction. and if you're not against it it's going in that direction that all any evidence. well i think the evidence would be i mean right now we have ad hoc tribunals that were established to deal for example with. war crimes crimes against humanity genocide in the balkans if such an institution had not been created on the ad hoc basis by the u.n. security council and had that kind of event unfolded more recently rather than back in the one nine hundred ninety s. i think we would have very much seen that type of dispute being handed ov

the head of the african union chairman made the comments as the opening of the body summit in ethiopia. >> a stinging criticism of african leaders came from no less a figure that african union boss of the outgoing chairman, president of the need. he told delegates the deployment of peacekeepers had taken far too long. >> how could it be that when faced with a danger that threatens its very foundations, africa, although it had the means to defend itself, continue to wait? >> as leaders made their ways between meetings, it emerged the first troops from niger and chad arrived in mali and will be stationed in a recently recaptured town, a clear sign of progress, as the president of cenacle. >> we have to mobilize all people for security. >> where are you going to get the money from to pay for all this? >> this is the big issue. across the world, we are not so rich in africa, but we can't have talks and bring some money for one or two months, but we cannot go further. >> others warned conflict in africa are it truly. progress in molly could lead to problems elsewhere. terraced rejected from

those are the highest density of membership most likely members of unions are african-americans so when you look at where the union membership is growing, asian americans, african-americans, latinos, the union movement is getting those new workers, the people joining the labor force. and when you look at how unevenness of the recession has affected different states, you see that the union movement is very successful in states right to work states. union membership was up in texas and oklahoma and georgia and north carolina, tennessee. so, it's not -- these numbers are national and patterns of job growth and patterns of job construction taking place and peeling behind the numbers you see the success of the labor movement where people did not expect. >> it's an interesting article and will continue to follow the numbers and see what this means and impact of upcoming elections. thank you very much, bill. >> thank you for having me. >> absolutely. >>> coming up, gut check and joined by congressman tammy duckworth. when what you just bought, just broke. or when you have a little trouble a lo

they build african union headquarters. they built -- i was in -- they built the national defense college for tanzania. so they do a lot of good work. they have chosen about the kind of interesting infrastructure. the united states has taken a bit of a different path, and our path has been we're going to invest in human capital. we're going to invest in the people of africa, not so much in the stuff of africa. i happen to think that's a pretty wise choice. and i will tell you once, a moment ago, a little bit of frustration, i was in a city and someone pointed out to me one of the people from the host nation said, see that football stadium? you know, the chinese build that force. how come the united states doesn't build stuff for us like that? and my probably impolitic response to that was, the fact that there are people whose health allows them to feel that stadium is thanks to the people of the united states of america. that was probably -- ambassador probably yell at me if i say that, but it points out a little bit differ

i think others in the african union see that as well. last point, we very clearly see this from the u.s. government side that this must be an in perception and african led endeavor that is done at the request of the mali government. i think that is well underway now. >> right there. >> hello, general. my name is emmanuelle. this is currently a topic i have done over in class. i'm sure you have heard the rumors and concerned about able saying how we got involved in libya and all of the intervention that we did. butle said we had regionasons, some are wondering why we are doing the same in syria. from what i have gathered, it is about fears about accidentally had.ng veggie hothe ji i'm sorry. arming the jihad. i cannot really remember the question. i'm sorry. >> that's ok. i think i have enough to go on. thank you. i think we will have a chance to talk a little bit later. graduate myself, thank you for serving. this is pretty important. this is a fair topic to talk about. we have to put it into context and remember how things in libya began

is a particular importance for the west to to keep the african union from developing into a genuine independent force for regional integration and they're trying to subordinate it militarily under a western chain of command to turn it into a proxy force for continued subordination of the african continent and mali is playing a role in this so so something so is there all the while that all the while whether it comes to the west's a war on terror whether it goes into iraq for the whole nine eleven fiasco or goes into afghanistan without seeing what you're suggesting possibly a smokescreen for another form of occupation in africa under the guise perhaps of terrorism and terrorists that when it comes to the retaliation attacks in the form of hostages being taken we have reports now that at least twenty five foreign hostages have been freed including two japanese we're still working to confirm this from an algerian security source but you know that the fighting there will mean an inflow of weapons into west africa what spillover do you think that could have in the future here well again

arrangements in north africa but then north africa needs to coordinate with the states, with the african union with the united states, with the european union, and there are lots of sensitivities here, undoubtedly the united states will want to play a larger role, eventually. but that involves perhaps the africa command which is now located in student guard and out of-- stuudgard out of sensitive for the aftera afteran-- african concern and they have reason-- for example in algeria, because algeria has this long history of relation, somewhat antagonistic relation with the west but particularly with france, it will be very difficult to coordinate but already we're starting to see that some measures have been taken and undoubtedly that cooperation will really nearly have to be established if, indeed, that part of the world does not become highly destabilized and remain destabilized for a long period of time. >> mary jane deeb, thank you both. >> brown: online, you can view more of our reports on algeria and mali. those are on our "world" page. >> suarez: after months of planning for president ob

arrangements in north africa but then north africa needs to coordinate with the states, with the african unionwith the united states, with the european union, and there are lots of sensitivityies here undoubtedly the united states will want to play a larger role eventually. but that involves perhaps the africa command which is now located in student guard and out of-- stuudgard out of sensitive for the afteran afteran-- african concern and they have reason-- for example in algeria because algeria has this long history of relation somewhat antagonistic relation with the west but particularly with france, it will be very difficult to coordinate but already we're starting to see that some measures have been taken and undoubtedly that cooperation will really nearly have to be established if indeed, that part of the world does not become highly destabilized and remain destabilized for a long period of time. >> mary jane deeb, thank you both. >> brown: online, you can view more of our reports on algeria and mali. those are on our "world" page. >> suarez: after months of planning for president obama'

. >> african union leaders are on strike to raise $1 billion to send troops to mali and to boost thexisting defense force. warm welcome in timbuktu. thousands of egyptians have defied curfews to continue the anti-government protest. five days of protests are endangering national security. four people have been arrested in connection with sunday's night club fire in brazil. they are remembering the victims. >> family members buried this 18-year-old. he was in the nightclub that caught fire killing more than 230 people. he went back in to try to rescue trapped friends. >> he went in and out at least twice. the last time he won in, he never came out. >> the local gymnasium was turned into a morgue. she was going to turn 21 by the end of the week. monday was spent going through the interior of the night club looking for answers. the club was overcapacity. a flare was set off that apparently triggered the fire. there were no fire alarms or working fire extinguishers. the security guard might have closed the doors, trapping hundreds of people inside. it is believed the guards might have be

they have taken military action despite the fact that the community of west africa along with the african union has been pushing forward with a broader political plan of their own. you have to recognize that there can be no military solution to this crisis unless we recognize the root causes. making sure the people in the northern part of the country are absorbed and become integrated into the malian democratic crisis. the concern is that the military intervention can breed further discontent and bring more extremists to bear. >> i heard the same arguments from the white house today. there has to be a more holistic approach to mali. there is less of a threat of islamic extremism from mali then perhaps the french are saying. you have 200-300 fighters in the north controlling vast desert areas. we have to understand that mali is the home of historic islamic institutions of learning. timbuktu, and universities, oxford, cambridge, harvard are there in mali. it has a long tradition of extremism and supporting learning advances through religion and through political process these. we have to create a

the two-day summit of the african union opened in the capital on sunday. the block consists of 54 nations and territories. at the start of the conference, au commission chairperson zuma spoke about the ongoing conflict between the french military and islamist extremists in mali. >> without the security, no country of religion can expect prosperity. >> reporter: developers say the chaos in mali led to the seizure of agents in algeria in which 47 soldiers died or were unaccounted for. they said the media needs to speed up work to get a commission. he is attending the meeting as an observer. he expressed japan's intentions to strengthen correspondence. they are working on measures to help african countries maintain security and present conflicts in the region. the move follows the recent algerian hostage crisis. the government plans to unveil the package of eight measures at the tokyo international conference on african development or tcad to be held in yokohama in june. they going to assist tightening of border controls. they may also provide security expert

they want the president to put that forward to the african union. those are the priorities. the government wants a unity government which would mean the president would still retain his powers and once the rebels to leave the towns they have taken over. the cease-fire should be happening very soon. what regional powers here want is a pen ultimate solution. but japan has approved a new stimulus package it where the $224 billion. app would be direct spending from the government. the prime minister says he hopes the money would boost the economy and create 600,000 jobs. american express will be cutting more than a 5000 jobs this year, mainly from the travel business. they have been hit hard by customers moving away from traditional travel agents to buy trips online. they employ more than a 63,000 people. one of the most prominent pirates in somalia today is stepping down. he is urging others to do the same. plus -- the shrinking water supply in nigeria. >> towards turkey over the last several days, the snow across turkey and men in the locations has been quite substantial. we w

they don't -- they know that the african union can't stay in these towns forever.rmy has already proven it can't fight these terrorists effectively. >> and obviously, a big black eye for the united states in the terms that they trained so many of these malian commanders, as the "new york times" is writing about today. eric schmidt, who is in the region right now, said they were training a lot of those guys. the united states should have been well aware that people would defect, and defect they did. i spoke to leon panetta last week about mali. i want to play you what he said about going after al qaeda. >> we have to go after al qaeda wherever the hell they're at and make sure they find no place to hide. let's not forget, the main goal of al qaeda is to attack the united states. and we're not going to allow that to happen again. and if we're not going to allow it to happen, we have to go after them. in yemen, in somalia, and yes, in mali if necessary. >> what form of going after them in mali entail? and will this be, as omar is trying to say, a war as dangerous as t

. >>> in ethiopia, african union leaders have met to discuss the situation in mali. they're vowing to do more to help with the fight against islamist militants. representatives of the union's 54 members gathered in the ethiopian capital, pledging $50 million to support troops from france and from across africa fighting islamist militants. they are linked to al qaeda and control a large part of the country. >> made a commitment to pool our efforts together to assist this country. >> representatives from japan, the u.s. and europe will discuss the situation with african leaders later in the day. the japanese are expected to contribute $100 million in aid for refugees. >>> a senior united nations official says the needs of millions of syrians are growing as their country's civil war rages on. john ging says the u.n. will ask governments at upcoming donor conference to raise $1.5 billion in aid. >>> in addition to the 519 million for the four million people we decided as in need in syria, we also have a plan to respond to the refugees which now number over 650,000 in the

. >>> in ethiopia, african union leaders have met to discuss the situation in mali. they're vowing to do more to help with the fight against islamist militants. representatives of the union's 54 members gathered in the ethiopian capital, pledging kz 50 million to support troops from france and from across africa fighting islamisttants. they are linked to al qaeda and control a large part of the country. >> made a commitment to pool our efforts together to assist this country. >> representatives from japan, the u.s. and europe will discuss the situation with african leaders later in the day. the japanese are expected to contribute $100 million in aid for refugees. >>> a senior united nations official says the needs of millions of syrians are growing as their country's civil war rages on. john ging says the u.n. will ask governments at upcoming donor conference to raise $1.5 billion in aid. >> the 400 million people in need within syria, we also have a plan to respond to the refugees which now number over 650,000 in the neighboring countries. and that plan is costing $

the group has been weakened by french, malian, an african union attacks. rebels have abandoned rocket attacks. the residents say they used them as human shields. u.s. president barack obama says he will put general john allen ford for the top nato job. tuesday he was cleared of misconduct over a series of emails he sent to a woman in florida. the accusations were made during the sex scandal that forced his former boss, general david petraeus, to resign as cia director. the u.s. defense secretary is poised to lift the ban on women serving in combat. it will open hundreds of thousands of frontline positions to females. officially, this is a major change, but on the ground, women are already involved in combat. >> since the founding of the country, it has been a core u.s. belief only straight men should fight in combat. under the obama administration, the prohibition on being openly gay was lifted. now, with little fanfare, the last restriction -- keeping women on the sidelines will be thrown out thursday. within a year, women who serve in the military -- the

the head of the african union has called on germany to increase its contribution to the french-led military mission in mali. >> so far, germany's involvement has been limited to providing air transport for african forces heading into mali. merkel has also not promise to provide equipment for those troops. >> a warm welcome for the president of the military honors were cancelled due to the biting cold. then it was ripe for talks with the chancellor. both were concerned about the situation in mali. >> germany is engaged in the logistics of moving troops, but it is also about equipment and training mali's military. the president has expressed the urgency of this in terms of speed, and we have reassured him we will act swiftly on this. mali is also receiving military aid from other west african countries. currently, the number some 3300 soldiers. >> the chancellor has promised to assess the framework for germany to expand its current engagement, and she has assured me that germany will take part in the donor conference at the end of january. >> both the german chancellor and bidding president s

. >> germany has already provided two military transport planes to help transport african union troops with a third ready if needed, but further help will require approval from parliament. the green party do not see it as a simple yes vote. >> the crucial thing about this military involvement is that it must lead to a political process because the military cannot solve the problem. >> parliament must also approve a planned eu training mission for the malian army. >> the way to ease the burden on france is to put african forces in a position to fulfil their responsibilities in northern mali. >> there's no plan for german combat troops to join the intervention. >> earlier, we asked our brussels correspondent about the message coming out of the foreign ministers' meeting. >> the political message is one of total support for france and what it is doing in mali, but a deep reluctance to engage militarily. a lot of offers of support for the french in terms of equipment and finance in fact from germany, from britain, ireland, sweden, and spain in particular, but as i say, no expectation whats

troops that are beholden to so-called advisors remember that whatever forces are mounted by the african union or by eco wasser by any of these other regional organizations these are merely fronts they are or they are entirely bankrolled and part of the us and western imperial system they cannot exist without the bin if a sense of africa without the leadership of washington london paris and so forth so to say that you're going to hand it over to the troops is to say that you're going to hand it from your left and into your right and. the u.s. secretary of state has acknowledged they are revolution which the u.s. backed both vocally and militarily led to a rise in extremism on wednesday heather clinton testifies to congress about blotches that the attack on the american consulate and the libyan state helping. should take responsibility for security failures that led to that time and time but that said she had to know seems requests for more security beforehand u.s. senator john kerry is now widely expected to win an easy confirmation from the senate to replace hillary clinton who is leaving hav

intelligence they are actually going to be probably committing transport to bring in african union troops from other countries but this could be a double edged sword because given the uncertainty and and the volatility within mali itself many of the foreign troops come in and could actually states their own coups and take over the country so this is a very very dicey situation and and it also represents it also represents a potential long term afghanistan like effect for france itself and and inadvertently it could suck the united states back into yet another war as i mentioned out it exactly all these rebels it's very easy to say but it's more complicated than that. oh yeah yeah it's a group of. who were. who were part of the tribesmen and they were trained in and they've linked up with other tribesmen and other groups and there's a number of groups that comprised. in the islamic and michael just to make and the tories basically these groups are actually homegrown in mali or has there been an element of and importation of islam is coming from all the countries both both you have internal

the original organization known as the economic community of west african states as well as the african union so different to intervention actually followed many attempts by the original organization and they are incapacity actually to handle discussion on the ground here in mali because we were having. bigger numbers of these. really displaced people and bigger numbers of refugio and we had. part of the country being occupied some of the go in to and with no resistance. and with no administration at all and we know him aquatic institution such as. president in place and it could do this jury system so you had all these events happening and i think the french decided then to intervene because had they not been the day they did the extremist islamic jihad the forces and groups who would have been in bamako by now i wouldn't probably be talking to you the way i'm doing now so why it took so long i guess we can find the nation in the diplomatic were but i guess. my sources and from intelligence had been that the french or i mean the third is. the african nations to take the leadership on this ve

. >> stinging criticism of african leaders came from no less a figure than the african union's own outgoing chairman. he told delegates the deployment of peacekeepers had taken far too long. >> how could it be when faced with the danger that threatens its foundations, africa, although it had the means to defend itself, continues to wait? >> as leaders made their way between meetings, it the merged they have arrived and will be stationed in the recently recaptured town, a clear sign of protest the president of senegal told me. >> we have to organize people. >> where are you going to get the money to pay for all this thurman -- to pay for all this? , but wee not so rich commo can have talks. we cannot go further. >> others warn that conflicts in africa are interlinked. protests in molly could lead to problems elsewhere. -- in mali lead to problems elsewhere. >> the issue of extremism, it is a network. we have groups that indicates there was a link between al- shabaab and nigeria. very far away from the indian ocean to the pacific ocean. i am sure there is a link. >> the funding of the deploym

the african union fought well in somalia. do you see this as advancement of multilateralism and combating extremism in the middle east, in africa? and what more can we ask from allies in that area? >> congratulations, grace. excellent question because that is what we're coping with now. i'm proud of the work we did with african nations to stand up financially support and train the force that has driven al shabab out of the dominant position that it had. that meant the trainers and working with troops fro troops m jabuti and kenya and other countries that are willing to put in assets. it took money and it took time but we just recognized the new is a malley government which could never have been possible without american support, because the-up was behind it. we got other nations to invest. what we look at for west africa is to support the eco was supported troop combination from a number of countries to really take the lead against the terrorist in northern mali. i appreciate what congressman kissinger said. nobody can match

africans -- it's opportunism on the part of france to go into mali when there was a plan by the african unionnd united nations security council. the united states nations security council resolution did not mandate france to go in. with the history of france in africa, africans on the whole are opposed to french intervention. >> let me pause that for a second because robin just mentioned the world dithered. and again six months ago, eight months ago you were testifying before congress saying the situation in mali is very bad, it's very unstable and i want you to set up the parameters of what we're discussing because i think it's confusing to a lot of folks right after we take this break. omnipotent of opportunity. you know how to mix business... with business. and you...rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. and go. you can even take a full-size or above. and still pay the mid-size price. i could get used to this. [ male announcer ] yes, you could business pro. yes, you could. go national. go like a pro. yes, you could. all stations come over to missio

the african union has fought with in somalia. do you see this as an advancement of multilateralism in combatting islamic extremism in the middle east, in africa? and what more can we ask from allies in that area? >> well, congratulations, grace. that's an excellent question because i think that's exactly what we're coping with right now. i'm very proud of the work we did with african nations to stand up, financially support, and train the force that has driven al shabab out of the dominant position that it had. that meant putting american trainers working with troops from uganda, eventually kenya, advising some other countries that were willing to put in assets, it took money. it took time. but we just recognized the new somali government which could never have been possible without american support and multilateralism. because the u.n. was strongly behind it. we got other nations to invest. what we're looking at now in west africa is to help support an african au blessed supported troop combination from a number of countries to

the african union has fought well in somalia. do you see this as an advancement of multilateralism in combating islamic extremism in the mideast, in africa, and what more can we ask for allies in that area? >> congratulations grace. that's an excellent question. i think that's exactly what we're coping with right now. i'm very proud of the work we did on -- with african nations to stand up, financially support and train the force that has driven them out of the dominant position it had. that meant putting american trainers, working with troops from uganda, burundi, eventually kenya, advising other countries that were willing to put in assets. it took money, took time, what if we recognize the new somaly government which could never have been possible out -- without the support, the u.n. was strongly behind it, we got other nations to invest. what we're looking at in west africa is to try to help support an african a.u. supported troop combination from a number of countries to really take the lead against the terrorists in norther

. >> every single player i've talked, from managers that work with forces to the african union to thein the administration, they all believe that the united states will have to do more. france will not be able to solve this on their own. this will be a big test. >>> no inauguration is complete without a speech, of course. so what will the president address in his? we're going to ask two of his former campaign press secretaries. [ dad ] find it? ya. alright, another one just like that. right in the old bucket. good toss! see that's much better! that was good. you had your shoulder pointed, you kept your eyes on your target. let's do it again -- watch me. just like that one... [ male announcer ] the durability of the volkswagen passat. pass down something he will be grateful for. good arm. that's the power of german engineering. ♪ back to you. [ dad ] well, it's 141 million miles from the sun, so pretty far. why is it red? because its surface is made of iron oxide. why do they call it mars? well, it was named after the roman god of war. you're so smart, dad. ♪ did i ever tell you about

i think others in the african union see that as well. we very clearly see this from the u.s. vernment side that this must be in fact and in perception an african-led endeavour that is done at the request of the malian government. i think that is well under way now. host: that is the commander of the u.s. africa command. here are headlines in the papers this morning about the poll in the wall street journal -- about expanding the role of the u.s. in africa -- we also see the new york times -- and the washington post says the u.s. is seeking a new drone bass to bolster spine in africa. what is the significance? guest: the dedication of resources. we recognize the threat. the defense department and agencies, i give them credit for recognizing the threat and now moving to secure the intelligence. we cannot operate in a blind or operator flexibly. we need intelligence that can be supplied in real time and ultimately perhaps other options are on the table. it is a good of. niger has been one of the few countries in the region that have taken this threat seriously from the beginning