Knowing the degree to which Russian diplomats are normally maniacally fastidious and pedantic with words, one can only conclude that they have deliberately sabotaged this agreement and that it's sole use what to deflate the bellicose mood of the NATO summit. But as a basis for a real ceasefire it is useless, nevermind a real negotiation for a final status agreement or peace treaty.
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| President Goodluck Jonathan (l) with Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno State during a meeting between the President and the State Executive Council in Maiduguri on Friday |
Ashley Cole is prepared to begin contract talks with up to five interested foreign clubs in January if an agreement is not reached to end his contract deadlock with Chelsea.
Cole, 31, is hoping that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich can be convinced to change his policy of only offering one-year deals to players over 30, with the England defender having already rejected the prospect of a short-term extension, ESPN reports.
There are no new talks planned imminently, but the two parties will meet again before Christmas in a bid to end the stand-off.
There is no fall-out or rift between Cole and club chiefs over the negotiations, with the former Arsenal star remaining “calm and collected” over discussions and viewing the option of talking to other clubs as a last resort.
Cole would like to end his career at Stamford Bridge and could be convinced to settle for a two-year-deal if it was offered.
If an agreement cannot be reached, Cole may reject the opportunity to sign a pre-contract agreement in January and wait until the summer before finalising his future in a bid to convince Chelsea that he is deserving of his demands.
Didier Drogba adopted a similar approach last season before quitting for Shanghai Shenhua
A similar situation faces Frank Lampard, 34, but while the midfielder might be tempted to stay on a year-to-year deal rather than take up a lucrative offer in the MLS, Cole is not willing to consider such an option.
Greek finance minister Yannis Stournaras says the three parties in the country’s governing coalition have reached a “basic agreement” on the austerity package for 2013-14, British Broadcasting Corporation reported.
The measures are likely to be presented to Greece’s international lenders on Monday before going before parliament.
The cuts are necessary if Greece is to continue receiving bailout funds.
Earlier, Greece announced plans to sell most of its 34 per cent stake in the gaming monopoly Opap.
Stournaras said there were “very few details left to work out” on the austerity package.
The deal comes the day after 50,000 anti-austerity protesters took to the streets of Athens.
The spending cuts are reported to be worth at least ¤11.5bn ($14.8bn; £9.1bn) and are a condition for Greece to receive the next ¤31bn instalment of its international loans.
