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January 30, 2006
The Age: 'Blogger Gains Following With Iraq Reports'
The January 30, 2006 edition of The Age of Australia published an Associated Press dispatch on Iraq war blogger Michael Yon, whom the AP describes as a "41-year-old former Army Green Beret, self-published author and world traveller [who] didn't know exactly what he was going to do when he got to the war zone last year, nor did he have any particular plans to report what he saw to the world at-large."
The AP says Yon "went to Iraq because he wanted to see for himself what was going on." See "Blogger gains following with Iraq reports" for more on Yon. His blog is called "Michael Yon: Online Magazine."
Note: This item is also posted at The Blogging Journalist.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2006
Can Bush Instill Confidence With His State of the Union Address?
"A weakened George W. Bush faces the nation in his 5th State of the Union address beset by war fatigue, persistent discontent on the economy and other domestic issues, ethics concerns and rising interest in Democratic alternatives in this midterm election year," contends ABC News. See "Poll: Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead of State of Union."
According to The New York Times, Mr. Bush's speech has gone through 20 drafts. The paper quoted "William McGurn, the director of White House speechwriting," as saying: "It's never done until it's done." Why not just wing it?
Note: This item is also posted at The Opinion Gazette.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:03 PM | Comments (0)
ABC's Woodruff and Crew Knew the Risks of Reporting From Iraq
Bob Woodruff, co-anchor of ABC's "World News Tonight," and his crew knew the risks of reporting from Iraq. Yet, they probably were surprised to get hit by "a roadside bomb attack in Taji, north of Baghdad." Thankfully, Woodruff and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, a Canadian living in Paris, escaped with their lives despite injuries to the head and, in Woodruff's case, the shoulders. Hopefully there will be no brain damage.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:32 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
Blogging the Aftermath of the Canadian Election
If, like me, you are interested in what goes in Canada, our neighbors to the north, here are a few Canadian blogs with coverage of the last nights Canadian election results:(1) Progressive Blogger (2)The Blogging Tories (3) Liblogs (4) The Blogging Alliance (5) The Blogging Dippers
Note: The list was borrowed from CTV.ca. I hope they don't mind. Go on over there for a more complete list.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:33 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2006
Under CARICOM Single Market, Pensions Not Transferrable
Susan Gordon, staff reporter for the Jamaica Gleaner, reported January 23, 3006 that, "the expected signing of the CARICOM Single Market (CSM) on January 30, [2006] should permit Jamaicans and other CARICOM nationals to transfer their labour to other CSM-ready states, but not their pension funds."
For more, please see "Pensions not in scheme with CARICOM Single Market (CSM)."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:29 AM | Comments (0)
Paper: Migrants Are Criminal If They Cross U.S. Border Illegally
The Pittsburg Tribune-Review opines in a January 23, 2006 editorial that, "Officials in Mexico and Central America are incensed that the United States would have the temerity to propose tougher border enforcement that includes sending illegals back whence they came.
"Diplomats are demanding -- demanding, mind you -- that Uncle Sam approve guest-worker programs pronto and legalize undocumented migrants," the paper said indignantly.
"Migrants, regardless of their migratory status, should not be treated like criminals," according to a joint statement.
"But they are criminals when they illegally cross borders and flout U.S. immigration laws," the paper asserted. See "Border wars: Laughable demands" to read the entire editorial.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:16 AM | Comments (0)
Democracy is Giving Latin America Leftist Governments
Baltimore Sun staff writer Michael Hill, writing in the January 22, 2006 edition, told readers that, "According to President Bush, democracy is the key to ending the problems in Iraq, but the ballot box is causing his administration some problems closer to home."
"That would be in Latin America," he wrote, "where voters have shown a penchant for electing candidates turning to the left on anti-United States platforms."
I wonder will President Bush send troops south of the U.S. border to stop the trend.
For more of Hill's analysis, please see "Drifting left:Across Latin America, leaders are distancing themselves from the U.S."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)
The New Statesman Profiles Bolivian President Evo Morales
The New Statesman online's Hugh O'Shaughnessy offers an interesting profile of Bolivian President Evo Morales, who was sworn in January 22, 2006. In its introduction, The New Statesman asked: "How long will Bolivia's cocalero president last?
"On the answer hangs the future of US strategies worldwide," the publication contends. To read O'Shaughnessy analysis see "NS Profile - Evo Morales."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:55 AM | Comments (0)
Evo Morales, Bolivia's First 'Indian' President, Sworn In
"Evo Morales, who rose from rural poverty to become a crusader for disenfranchised Indians and a fierce critic of U.S. policy, was sworn in Sunday [January 22, 2006] as the first indigenous president of this impoverished Andean nation," Los Angeles Times.com reported January 23, 2006.
For more, please see "Bolivia's 1st Indian President Sworn In.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 02:40 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2006
Secretary of State Rice's Remarks to the Press Enroute to Liberia
While enroute to Monrovia, Liberia, on January 16, 2006 for the swearing in of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Africa's first female president, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to the press about Liberia, Pakistan and other issues. Her remarks were released by the State Department. Keep in mind that U.S. government issued transcripts are sometimes altered prior to release to the public.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:42 PM | Comments (0)
The Bush Administration's Position on Charles Taylor
On January 16, 2006, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was interviewed by Wellington Geevon Smith of Liberian Star Radio, according to a transcript released by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs. Ms. Rice was asked about former Liberian President Charles Taylor:
QUESTION One major issue Liberians have and which has some regional interpretation is the issue of former President Charles Taylor. There are conflicting signals coming from the United States and the European Union on one hand and the regional leaders on the other hand regarding Taylor's trial. What is the definite position of Bush Administration on this issue?:
SECRETARY RICE: Well, the United States believes with most of the world that Charles Taylor needs to be brought to justice for the acts that he took against the Liberian people, and he will be brought to justice. We are working with the Nigerians. We will work with the new government to make certain that he does face justice.
But I want to close by saying that this is not a day about Charles Taylor. He is finished in terms of the pillaging and destruction of this country. This is a day for the future of Liberians. This is the day to elect -- to inaugurate the first African woman to be elected President on the whole continent. This is a day for great celebration and I'm just proud to be a part of it, as is Mrs. Bush and President Bush, who sends his best wishes also to the Liberian people.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
A Charles Taylor Ally is Liberia's Speaker of the House
Emmanuel Abalo of The Liberian Times reported January 16, 2006 that, "Liberia’s rebirth of democracy with the inauguration of long time opposition political activist Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf can be viewed as marred by the “election” a top ally of former President Charles Taylor of as Speaker of the bi-cameral Parliament."
See "Liberia: Piercing The Veil Of Secrecy Of The Election Of Speaker."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:10 PM | Comments (0)
Africa Gets a Female President Before the U.S.
As Hans Nichols in Monrovia, Liberia, notes in the January 17, 2006 edition of The Guardian, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sworn in yesterday (January 16, 2006) as Liberia's new president, making history as Africa's first elected female head of state and pledging a "fundamental break" with the west African nation's violent past."
Question: Why have Africa and some Muslim nations, which many westerns hold up as anti-woman, elected female heads of state and the enlightened United States of America hasn't? Could it be that many Americans don't think a woman is capable of running the most powerful nation on earth? Just asking.
By the way, the Muslim nations that have elected female presidents or prime ministers are Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
Why Not Much Blogging Lately
Like most bloggers, I have a day job. During the day, I spend eight and nine hours doing discovery and other work that goes along with litigation. Although I occasionally have down time, there is no opportunity to blog since to do so would require the use of company computers. Our electronic policy forbids using company resources for personal gain.
And since I only have 30 minutes for lunch, there isn't much opportunity to get to an Internet Cafe or a Starbucks to blog, and then get back to the office on time.
By the time I get home around 6:45 Central Standard Time in the U.S.--I live not far from the University of Chicago-- I'm often too tired to blog on serious matters such as international affairs, That's why you haven't seen much out of me lately. However, I won't let that be an excuse. I will make an effort to post more frequently.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:44 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
Many Indonesian Muslims Have Died on Haj
"At least 120 Indonesians have died, mostly of illness, during the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the state Antara news agency said Tuesday [January 10, 2006], according to Agence France Presse. See "120 Indonesian pilgrims have died on haj."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:32 AM | Comments (0)
Korean Clone Panel's Report on Hwang Woo-suk
Aljazeera.Net has published what it calls the "full text" of the "Korean clone panel's report," that "found that scientist Hwang Woo-suk faked his claims of pioneering stem cell research."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:27 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2006
Israeli Politics Will Be Reshaped
Zaman International says, "Even in the best scenario" about Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s health, Israeli politics will be reshaped. If Sharon, who withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in last August, wins the [March 28, 2006] elections with the recently founded Kadima Party, he would continue his policy of withdrawal from certain parts of the West Bank. Kadima, however, is ”totally united around Sharon” and the party’s election hopes will fall in the absence of Sharon," Zaman said. "[Ehud] Olmert is reportedly not up to the task of following their policies as he lacks Sharon’s charisma."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:33 AM | Comments (0)
The Sharon Political Era is Over
World leaders on Thursday January 15, 2005] expressed hopes [Israeli Prime Minister] Ariel Sharon would recover from his massive stroke but made clear that the Israeli prime minister's dominance of Middle East politics was now over," according to Reuters Alert.
With Mr. Sharon off the political scene, perhaps a new, more tolerant generation of political leaders will eventually emerge in Israel. However, don't bet on it for the short-term.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 06:29 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2006
Did Jack Abramoff Help Fund Jewish Settlements on Palestinian Land?
Professor Juan Cole at Informed Comment states in a January 4, 2005 post on the guilty plea of former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff: The guilty plea of fabulously wealthy and highly corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff raised the question of whether he would roll over on congressmen involved in illegal fundraising and other crimes with him. Some twenty Republicans on Capitol Hill are said to be in danger. Abramoff's dense network of illicit finances and phony charities might end some political careers in the United States.
But the investigation into his activities by the FBI also shed light on the ways in which rightwing American Jews have often been involved in funding what are essentially terrorist activities by armed land thieves in Palestinian territory. Indeed, it was this terror funding of Israeli far right militiamen that tripped Abramoff up, since the FBI discovered that he had misled Indian tribes into giving money to the Jabotinskyites, and then began wondering if he had defrauded the tribes in other ways. (You betcha!) Mr. Cole said, "The Indian leaders were furious when they discovered they had been used to oppress another dispossessed indigenous people, the Palestinians, calling it "Outer Limits bizarre" and saying that they would never have willingly given money to such a cause."
For the entire post, please see "Abramoff and al-Arian: Lobbyist's "Charity" a Front for Terrorism."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:22 AM | Comments (0)
Ariel Sharon's Finanacial Entanglements
The Jerusalem Post reported January 3, 2006 that, "Politicians from across the political spectrum [in Israel] were quick to respond to the report regarding mounting evidence against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Kern affair." See "MKs urge ruling on case before elections.
In a January 4, 2006, update, The Post said, "The reports stating that Israel Police has acquired new evidence against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Cyril Kern affair stirred up the whole political system, with most parties insisting the investigation be completed before the March 28 elections."
"Police announced on Tuesday [January 3, 2005] that they have collected evidence indicating that Sharon allegedly received $3 million from Austrian businessmen Martin and James Schlaff," The Post added, noting that, "The money, police suspect, may have been given as a bribe to Sharon to promote the Schlaff brother's business interests in Israel."
"Part of the money, police said, was used by Sharon to repay illegal campaign contributions he received in the 1999 Likud primaries. The rest of the money, sources said, was pocketed by the Sharon family." See "Schlaff probe may not end before vote."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:07 AM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
CIA: 'Every Chapter of 'State of War' Has Inaccuracies'
CNN says CIA Director of Public Affairs Jennifer Millerwise Dyke issued the following statement January 3, 2006 about "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration, a controversial book by New York Times Reporter James Risen: Readers deserve to know that every chapter of 'State of War' contains serious inaccuracies. The author's reliance on anonymous sources begs the reader to trust that these are knowledgeable people. As this book demonstrates, anonymous sources are often unreliable.
Dyke said, "It is most alarming that the author discloses information that he believes to be ongoing intelligence operations, including actions as critical as stopping dangerous nations from acquiring nuclear weapons. Setting aside whether what he wrote is accurate or inaccurate, it demonstrates an unfathomable and sad disregard for U.S. national security and those who take life-threatening risks to ensure it."
I would have been disappointed if she hadn't said what she did about the book. It's her job to lie and protect the agency at all cost. See "Officials: Error tipped Iran to CIA agents."
Note: This item is cross posted at The Opinion Gazette.>
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:52 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2006
Washington Post: 'U.S. Has End in Sight on Iraq Rebuilding'
According to Ellen Knickmeyer of The Washington Post Foreign Service, "The Bush administration does not intend to seek any new funds for Iraq reconstruction in the budget request going before Congress in February, officials say.
In a January 2, 2006 dispatch from Baghdad, Knickmeyer wrote, "The decision signals the winding down of an $18.4 billion U.S. rebuilding effort in which roughly half of the money was eaten away by the insurgency, a buildup of Iraq's criminal justice system and the investigation and trial of Saddam Hussein."
It's about time the Bush Administration stop throwing money away in Iraq killing Iraqis and filling the pockets of our multinational corporations. That money could be used to rebuild New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Of course, Britain and the U.S. still need to pay reparations for destroying Iraq and killing so many of its citizens. I'm willing to pay extra taxes for that.
See "U.S. Has End in Sight on Iraq Rebuilding" for more of Knickmeyer's report.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)
Buying Khutbas in Iraq is Nothing New
Professor Juan Cole at Informed Comment offered the following observations about the U.S. occupation forces in Iraq reportedly paying Sunni imams to say good things about the U.S. in their Khutbas (sermons): The NYT says that the Lincoln Group, with a big Pentagon propaganda contract in Iraq, paid a few Sunni clerics to give pro-American sermons. This tactic is not a new thing, and the British used to do this sort of thing in their empire (which had a lot of Muslim subjects) all the time. The problem is that Muslims do have pretty good bullshit detectors, and they decry "American Islam." All the Lincoln project did was to make it harder for genuine Sunni reformers to get a hearing; if they don't adopt a hard line, they will be assumed to be on the take.
Occupiers never learn. Oh, well. It's about oil, not Democracy. And you do whatever you have to do to get it. See the movie Syriana, if you haven't already.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:25 PM | Comments (0)
Do 'Divisions, Rivalries Threaten New Cold War in East Asia'?
Kang Sang Jung, "a professor of political science and the history of political thought at the University of Tokyo," opines in a January 3, 2006 article in The Japan Times Online:What we have feared is threatening to become a reality. The open rivalry and discord between Japan and China is becoming the most destabilizing factor to the peace and prosperity of East Asia. The United States is so concerned by the mounting tensions between the two leading nations in the region that it has called on them to settle their differences.
Kang Sang Jung argues that, "Divisions not unity. It has become clear, however, that the U.S. fear that an East Asian Community concept, centered on ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, China and South Korea), may lead East Asia to coagulate into a regional Pan-Asianism bloc has turned out to be groundless. Far from embracing Pan-Asianism, East Asia is deeply divided." For more, please read "Divisions, Rivalries Threaten New Cold War in East Asia
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
Mr. Putin's G-8 Presidency
The Independent's Online's Andrew Osborn writes in a January 3, 2006 news analysis that,New Year's Day was supposed to be a momentous occasion for Russia; assuming the presidency of the G8 for the first time in its difficult history and showing the world that it was finally getting its act together after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"But instead of glowing stories about the country's coming of age," Osborn wrote, "it's startling economic success and its fabulous natural resources, Moscow found itself accused of bullying and economic blackmail."
And so it goes. It should be an interesting affair when Russian President Vladimir Putin presides over his first G-8 Summit, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 15-17, 2006.
See "Bullying tactics mar Putin's G8 presidency" for Osborn's analysis:
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)
Some UK Asylum Seekers May Spend Time in Detention
Alan Travis, home affairs editor for The Guardian, reported January 3, 2006 that "A large-scale overhaul of the asylum system [in the United Kingdom] has begun which will lead to at least a third of all asylum seekers being placed in detention centres for the "fast-track" processing of their claims for refugee status."
For more, please see "Asylum seekers face tough controls under new fast-track system."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)
Is the UK the EU's 'Biggest Warmonger'?
Back on December 29, 2005, The Periscope put up a post headlined "Statistics prove UK is EU's biggest warmonger." Although the inclination may be not read it, depending on one's politics, I think its worth reading.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:36 PM | Comments (0)
Davos Annual Meeting Set for January 25-29, 2006
The Davos Annual Meeting, formally the World Economic Forum, is less than a month away. It will be held January 25-29, 2006 in Davos, Switzerland. According to the World Economic Forum Weblog, "the emergence of China and India is a key theme" this year.
See "China and India are redefining the global economic order."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)
Austria's Assumes EU Presidency Overshadowed by Gas Concerns
The media attention given to the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute has overshadowed the fact that Austria took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2006. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel will preside over the council for the next six months.
Richard North at EU Referendum wrote January 2, 2006 that, if the gas controversy "is the main story, and one that you would expect to get a fair bit of coverage, the take-over by Austria of the EU presidency might also be considered newsworthy. But, it appears, all Google can manage is a mere 59 stories, headed by the IHT (International Herald Tribune) which reports: "from Austria: new thoughts on the EU". From the number of stories though, it would appear that no one is very interested in what Austria thinks. Poor old Österreich."
It appears that way. It's not like he has the stature of British Prime Minister Tony Blair or French President Jacque Chirac.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:07 PM | Comments (0)
How Russian Gas Gets to Europe
According to Reuters, "Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom supplies a total of 21 countries in Europe -- not including the former Soviet Union -- with 150 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year. This is equal to one quarter of Europe's gas needs." For more, please see " Russia's gas export routes."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:46 PM | Comments (0)
'Western Europe Not Yet Threatnened by Gas Shortage'
"Gas supplies in Western Europe are not yet at threat due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, major gas suppliers Gaz de France and the German E.O.N. said on Monday," January 1, 2005," according to Expatica. See "Belgium 'safe' in escalating Russia-Ukraine gas dispute."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 07:41 PM | Comments (0)
Der Spiegel: 'Gas Dispute Has Europe Trembling'
Der Spiegel, like publications all over Europe, is analyzing what impact, if any, that Russia's gas dispute with Ukraine will have on Western Europe. For example, David Crossland, writing in Berlin, reported January 2, 2006:Russia has stoked fears of an energy crisis in Europe by cutting off gas supplies to its western-leaning neighbor Ukraine. The move has already hit gas deliveries to a number of European countries and left westerners wondering what Moscow it up to. Is it a case of power politics, cold economics or both?
Crossland said, "Europe is shivering at the prospect of gas shortages this winter after Russia switched off supplies to Ukraine in a price dispute widely seen as an attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to punish Moscow's former satellite state for becoming more pro-western since the "Orange Revolution" of 2004."
For more, please see "Gas Dispute Has Europe Trembling.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:48 PM | Comments (0)
Mannteufel: 'Gas Dispute Undermines Russian Foreign Policy'
Ingo Mannteufel of Deutsche Welle wrote January 1, 2006 that, Russian President Vladimir Putin's "blatant use of Russian energy supplies for foreign policy aims ... cancels out Putin's strategy to employ the energy supplies to increase Russia's international influence. For, in the gas dispute, Russia doesn't come across as a responsible energy supplier and a reliable partner, but as an unpredictable actor who can't be counted on."
See "Gas Dispute Undermines Russian Foreign Policy" for the entire analysis.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)
Will EU Take Russia's Word on Gas Deliveries?
Deutsche-Welle reported January 1, 2005 that, "Because of a dispute between Russian gas supplier Gazprom and Ukraine, gas deliveries to some eastern European Union countries fell over the new year's weekend."
"Russian gas deliveries to Hungary, Poland and Austria via Ukraine fell sharply Sunday [January 1, 2006] even though the Russians assured EU officials that their countries would not be affected by the ongoing dispute with Ukraine over gas supplies."
I wouldn't bet on it. If there is an alternative source of gas, it should be explored. See "Gas Delivery Dispute Hits EU."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2006
'The New Year Marks a New Day For the Caribbean'
Columnist Robert Buddan of the Jamaica Gleaner stated in his January 1, 2006 column that, "The new year marks a new day for the Caribbean. Caribbean people enter a new era of freedom today, in the form of the Caribbean Single Market," he said. See "Freedom, single market and Caribbean civilisation."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)
Ricky Singh on 'Caricom's Journey to the Future'
Prominent Caribbean Journalist Ricky Singh notes in a Jamaica Observer news analysis that, "Regionally, the big news for 2006 is the legally binding launch this New Year's Day of the single market component of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), with the promise of the latter and more vital dimension becoming a reality in two years' time." See "Caricom's journey to the future."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
A Look at The Treasure Beach, Jamaica Book Festival
The Jamaican village of Treasure Beach is aptly named," contends Kevin Le Gendre of The Independent of London in a January 1, 2006 article.
"For the most part," he added, " it is the shoreline, rugged yet effortlessly enchanting, that defines the character of this tiny locality in the South Western parish of St Elizabeth. It seems an unlikely location for a book festival. And yet, over three days every spring, Treasure Beach, with its population of approximately 1,000, becomes home to Calabash, a not-for-profit literary celebration where attendance peaks at 3,000."
For more, please see "Calling all poets of the Caribbean." This sounds like something I would enjoy.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
2005 Didn't Make Poverty History in Africa, Other Parts of the World
The Guardian Unlimited's Madeleine Bunting raises provocative questions about global poverty in a January 2, 2006 article. She wrote: A year ago, we were told we had 12 months to make poverty history. So, in the bleary cold light of the new year, how does our achievement stack up? Did a year of unprecedented focus on Africa - rock concerts, 250,000 demonstrating in Edinburgh and an extraordinary degree of political engagement at the highest levels - succeed?"
See "Last year, the politics of global inequality finally came of age" for answers.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)
Can Tourism Stimulate African Economies?
According to The Associated Press, "Three years after the end of civil war, Angola is trying to lure foreign tourists to this country where decades of fighting littered the countryside with land mines, left much of it in ruins and decimated the wildlife once abundant in national parks." So are other African nations. For more, please see "Africa puts hope in tourism."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)
The Standard: Buzzwords in Kenya Are Dialogue, Reconciliation
"Dialogue, reconciliation and tolerance were the buzzwords as Kenyans ushered in the New Year," according to The Standard Online of Nairobi, Kenya. Now that is good news.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
That Millions in East Africa Face Hunger is Nothing New
"East African leaders said on Sunday [January 1, 2006] that millions of people in the region faced hunger because poor rains had affected vital crops and pasture, giving their New Year messages a somber tone," according to Reuters. International aid agencies predicted such dire consequences during all of 2005.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)
Landis: Abdul Halim Khaddam Resigned Baath Posts in June 2005
Joshua Landis at Syria Comment.com reports in an article dated January 2, 2005 that, Ex-Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, who resigned at the Baath Party Conference in June of this year (2005) and moved to Paris, has officially announced his opposition to President Bashar al-Asad.
Landis noted that, "Al-Arabiyah on the 30th [of December, 2005] aired an interview with the former Syrian Vice-President in which he explained how President Asad had threatened [former Lebanese President Rafik] Hariri shortly before his murder and that Syrian security could only have carried it out with the President's knowledge."
See Khaddam Damns Bashar al-Asad" for Landis' indepth analysis.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)
Syria's Ruling Baath Party Expels Abdel Halim Khaddam
"Syria's ruling Baath party says it has expelled former vice-president Abdel Halim Khaddam, who has implicated the regime in the murder of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq al-Hariri," Aljazeera.Net reported January 1, 2006. Similar reports have appeared in numerous publications around the world.Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
Abdel-Halim Khaddam's Damning Remarks About Syria's President
Arab News, which bills itself as "The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily, opined in a January 2, 2005 editorial that:Rarely in the annals of modern Arab history has an official of such high rank as Abdel-Halim Khaddam made such damning remarks about his head of state. The former Syrian vice president is no longer in power and is living abroad, which might allow him the leeway to express his opinion and speak his mind. But after serving for 30 years under former President Hafez Assad, transferring allegiance to his son Bashar when he took office in 2000 after his fathers death, Khaddam was one of the longest-serving veterans in Damascus Baathist regime, and therefore was considered as true blue and loyal as they come. Which makes his sudden and extraordinary claim -- that President Bashar [al-Assad] threatened former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri only months before Hariri's death -- all the more shocking and mysterious.
I wonder how long before Syria's dirty work boys start gunning for Mr. Kaddam.
To read the entire editorial, please see "Questionable Catharsis."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:22 PM | Comments (0)
General Abizaid: Iraqis Will Take 'Lead in Counterinsurgency in 2006'
On January 1, 2006, The Mercury News of San Jose, California, USA, published a transcript of an interview that Knight Ridder Newspapers correspondent Joseph L. Galloway conducted December 31, 2005, at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, with General John Abizaid, "commanding general of U.S. Central Command." Read it here. To do so may require a subscription.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)
Has Civil War Arrived in Iraq?
"In a speech delivered as Iraqis prepared to go to the polls, President Bush said he didn't believe a civil war would break out in the country," John Daniszewski, a Los Angles Times correspondent in Baghdad wrote in an article published in the paper's January 1, 2006 edition. "But," he said, "some observers believe it has already begun-- a quiet and deadly struggle whose battle lines were thrown into sharp relief by the highly polarized vote results." Please see "Iraqi Civil War? Some Experts Say It's Arrived" for his analysis.Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
Juan Cole Looks at the Political Jockeying in Iraq
Professor Juan Cole, publisher of the Informed Comment weblog, today published an analysis of the political jockeying in Iraq under the headline "Sadrists Reject Allawi Coalition. Al-Hakim Seeks position of Party Overseer." I found it quite informative.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)
Paper: Hassan's Foray Into Iraq Was 'Not Quite a Magic Carpet Ride'
The St Petersburg (Florida, USA) Times said January 1, 2006 that, "sixteen-year-old Farris Hassan of Fort Lauderdale is flying home from Iraq, the end of a remarkable three-week journey in which he slipped into one of the world's most dangerous places."
The paper said Hassan's unauthorized foray into Iraq was "Not quite a magic carpet ride." He's lucky he wasn't taken for a ride.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:05 PM | Comments (0)
Bush Again Defends Spying on Americans
On January 1, 2006, U.S. President George W. Bush "strongly defended his domestic spying program... calling it legal as well as vital to thwarting terrorist attacks, and contended the leak making it public had caused 'great harm to the nation,'" the Associated Press (AP) and other news outlets reported today.
Mr. Bush was quoted as saying:"This is a limited program designed to prevent attacks on the United States of America and, I repeat, limited. I think most Americans understand the need to find out what the enemy's thinking." He made the statements "after visiting wounded troops at Brooke Army Medical Center," according to the AP.I
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)
Is James Comey The NY Times' Source on Bush's Domestic Spying?
Eric Lichtblau and James Risen, The New York Times reporters who told Americans on December 15, 2005 that "Bush Secretly Lifted Some Limits on Spying in U.S. After 9/11, Officials Say," reported January 1, 2006 that, former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, who was acting attorney general when former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft was in the hospital for surgery in March 2004, objected in 2004 to aspects of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program and refused to sign on to its continued use amid concerns about its legality and oversight, according to officials with knowledge of the tense internal debate.
This makes me wonder whether Mr. Comey leaked the story to The Times. If he did, he committed an honorable act although some would say he committed a crime. Although U.S. presidents have long spied on Americans, it is the press' duty to expose it, whenever it occurs.
See "Justice Dept. official resisted spy program."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)
Controversy Swell Around Bush's Spying on U.S. Citizens
During a January 1, 2006 appearance on FOX News Sunday" with Chris Wallace, United States Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said there should be an investigation into who told The New York Times about U.S. President George W. Bush's domestic spying program, but that one should not prejudge the intent of the leaker. He said:I think that there should be an investigation. Whenever classified information comes forward, it should be looked at. You know, whenever classified information is leaked, there ought to be an investigation, because it could endanger our security.
Having said that, let's not prejudge. Was this somebody who had an ill purpose, trying to hurt the United States, or might it have been someone in the department who felt that this was wrong, legally wrong, that the law was being violated, went to the higher-ups, they did nothing now it's clear that Mr. Comey and others, serious people who are hardly left-wing ideologues, had doubts about the program and then, in exasperation, went to the media?Here is a transcript from Fox News Sunday, which also had U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:35 PM | Comments (0)
The Blogging Journalist
If you are interested in blog news, The Blogging Journalist has been updated. The Opinion Gazette will be updated later this evening.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)
A Few Front Pages From Around the World
Here are few front pages of prominent newspapers around the world, for January 1 and 2, 2006 :The Times (Britain), The New York Times (USA), The Washington Post (USA),The Australian (Australia), People's Daily (China), Arab News (Saudi Arabia) and The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Others are:The Globe and Mail (Canada) Deutsche Welle (Germany), Der Spiegel (Germany), Jerusalem Post (Israel) Le Monde (France) MosNews.com (Russia), Buenos Aires Herald (Argentina) and East African Standard (Kenya)
Posted by Munir Umrani at 04:08 PM | Comments (0)
New Year Greetings
Happy New Year to Diplomatic Times Review readers who follow the Christian Calendar. My gift to you, beginning today, is a return to the comprehensive, daily roundup of world news and opinion. I will also provide more news and opinion at The Opinion Gazette and The Blogging Journalist.
Munir Umrani
Editor and Founder
Posted by Munir Umrani at 12:13 AM | Comments (0)
