UNSC condemns use of force against civilians in Libya.

UNITED NATIONS, February 23 (Itar-Tass) - The UN Security Council on
Tuesday condemned the use of force against peaceful Libyan civilians.
A statement to this effect was made on behalf of the Council members
by Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, President of the UNSC in February and UN
Ambassador of Brazil. She told journalists on Tuesday night that the
Council members had condemned repressive acts against peaceful
demostrators and expresed deep regret over the death of hundreds of
civilians in Libya. It is essential "to put an immediate end to violence"
and take steps "to address the legitimate demands of the population,
including through national dialogue", the statement emphasizes.
The members of the Security Council urge the Libyan government to
fulfil its obligations to protect the peaceful population, the UNSC
President said. Besides, the Libyan leadership must act with restraint,
respect human rights and international humanitarian law, the statement
stresses.

.NZ quake death toll rises to 75, over 300 still missing.

SYDNEY, February 23 (Itar-Tass) - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
announced on Wednesday that a state of emergency had been introduced in
the area of Christchurch in view of the devastating earthquake. As of now,
the city authorities report 75 dead, and over 300 people still missing,
may be trapped under the rubble.
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 points occurred on Tuesday, 10 km
southeast of Christchurch. The quake focus was at a depth of five
kilometres. Earth jolts were also felt on the outskirts of Wellington and
Queenstown.
Downtown Christchurch was gravely damaged as a result of the
earthquake.Tens of houses and historical monuments, were fully ravaged. .

.Day of mourning declared in NZ in view of earthquake.

SYDNEY, February 23 (Itar-Tass) - Death toll as a result of the
devastating earthquake that rocked the New Zealand city of Christchurch on
Tuesday has risen to 75 and more than 300 people are reckoned missing,
Prime Minister John Key said Wednesday.
A state of emergency has been declared in the region, Mr Key said. The
country's armed forces have been called in to help evacuate people who
remained without roofs over their heads. Aid centers have opened. A half
of the city is still lacking electricity and communication. Centers for
the distribution of drinking water and food are functioning on the basis
of schools. All hospitals are full of those injured.
In view of the tragedy, a day of mourning has been declared in New
Zealand. At least eleven earth jolts have been recorded in the area of
Christchurch over the past 24 hours.

.Finnish-Kazakh panel to discuss innovations, energy.

HELSINKI, February 23 (Itar-Tass) - Innovations and energy efficiency
will be the main subjects of discussion at the 6th session of the
bilateral intergovernmental commission. The panel meets here on Wednesday
under the co-chairmanship of Paavo Vaerynen, Finnish Minister of
ForeignTrade and Development, and Aset Isekeshev, Kazakhstani Vice-Premier.
An official at the Finnish Foreign Ministry press center has told
Itar-Tass, "The development of bilateral trade-and-economic relations,
innovations and energy efficiency will be the main subjects of discussion
at the session of the intergovernmental commission and talks between the
two ministers. The Kazakh Vice-Premier will also meet with executives of
Finnish companies that operate on the market of Kazakhstan or are planning
to get to it".
Finnish Foreign Ministry analysts point out, "Trade-and-economic
relations between Finland and Kazakhstan grow closer following the
downturn in the previous years: Finnish companies' interest in the Kazakh
market is mounting. In 2010, a widely representative Finnish delegation
visited Kazakhstan with a view to studying its export resources".
Relations between the two countries became particualrly intensive in
October 2009 wen Finland inaugurated its Embassy in Astana.
"To Finland, Kazakhstan is the major trading partner in Central Asia.
The country ranks second in the CIS by import (from Finland) and third by
export," the Foreign Ministry official emphasize. Over the past decade,
bilateral trade has considerably gained in scope. An increasing
number of Finnish companies get interested in starting business in
Kazakhstan. About 30 firms already operate on the Kazakh market.
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