Malaysian Man Fights Baby's Secret Conversion to Islam
ASIAONE NEWS: KUALA LUMPUR - An ethnic Chinese Malaysian has gone to court to fight the secret conversion of his 15-month-old daughter by his estranged Muslim convert wife, his lawyer said Thursday.

Carpenter Hoo Ying Soon, 28, is also challenging the temporary custody granted to his wife by a sharia court in this Muslim-majority nation.

Lawyer Tang Jay Son told AFP Hoo only learned of his wife and child's secret conversion two days ago through a sharia court notice, which said the woman had become a Muslim on January 28 and his infant daughter on February 3.

"They also served him an interim court order... that grants the wife a temporary custody over the child and the reason for that is because the child is already a Muslim," Tang said.

"But we have to bear in mind that the child was converted to Islam without Hoo's knowledge and consent as a father."

The couple - originally both Buddhists who married in 2007 and live in central Negri Sembilan state- separated in September last year, the lawyer said.

He said the parents took turns to look after their daughter, who has now been given the Muslim name Nurul Syuhada Chew Abdullah. >>> AFP | Thursday, March 5, 2009

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Interview – Parvez Sharma: Jihad for Love

Watch videos: Jihad for Love: Gay Muslims fighting for their rights >>>

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EZB senkt Leitzins auf historisches Tief: Leitzins auf 1,5 Prozent gesenkt
NZZ Online: Die europäische Zentralbank (EZB) hat ihren Leitzins um 50 Basispunkte auf den historischen Tiefststand von 1,5% gesenkt. Nach einer Pause im Februar geht damit die Serie der Zinssenkungen im Kampf gegen die Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise im Euroraum weiter.

Jean-Claude Trichet, Präsident der EZB. Foto dank der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung
Die europäische Zentralbank (EZB) hat ihren Leitzins um 50 Basispunkte auf den historischen Tiefststand von 1,5% gesenkt. Der Schritt war von den Märkten erwartet worden. Nach einer Pause im Februar geht damit die Serie der Zinssenkungen im Kampf gegen die Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise im Euroraum weiter. Im Kampf gegen die Wirtschaftskrise hat die EZB damit die Zinsen um insgesamt 275 Basispunkte auf 1,5% gesenkt. >>> mtz | Donnerstag, 5. März 2009

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The Bank of England's Printing Presses Are Ready to Roll
THE TELEGRAPH: The big question is whether the extra cash will actually be spent, says Edmund Conway.

As far as markets are concerned, this is World War Three. Share prices have fallen so far and fast in the United States that they are back where they were when Bill Clinton was finishing his first term and John Major was still clinging on to power. Despite a small pick-up yesterday, the sense of misery and resignation remains so pervasive that US markets are now priced for either world war or full-scale depression.

Stocks are better value than they have been for all 1,680 months since 1870 save for brief periods in 1920 (post-WWI adaptation), 1932 (Great Depression), 1942 (WWII) and 1982 (stagflation hangover), according to calculations on the US markets from Lombard Street Research.

Observing this recession is rather like watching slow-motion footage of a car crash. And at the front bumper of the vehicle are share prices and money growth. Shares started really sliding last autumn, just before the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers coincided with a sudden and unprecedented collapse in world trade. But the impact of the collision is still travelling through the frame of the car, shattering individuals' fortunes with inexorable inevitability as it passes on. Investors have abandoned the markets because of their fright about the slide in profits and the rise in redundancies that lie ahead in the coming months.

Yet for all the sound and fury, the full scale of the impact has yet to be felt. It will only be at the end of this year, when unemployment is closer to three million than two million, that we will truly know how it feels to be in the thick of a recession. Sir Fred Goodwin may consider himself a victim of unreasonable public recrimination now, but I dread to think how the revelation of his pension would have gone down six or eight months hence with 10 per cent out of work for the first time since the 1980s. >>> By Edmund Conway | Thursday, March 5, 2009

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Dr Paul: German Hyperinflation

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Glenn Beck: Hyperinflation

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Können Staaten pleite gehn?

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Interview mit Marc Faber und Max Otte über Ursachen und Folgen der Finanzkrise

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Dutch Princess Máxima Holds Banks Responsible
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, a former banker, says that banks are responsible for the financial crisis. Photo courtesy of Google Images
NRC HANDELSBLAD INTERNATIONAL: Banks have to go back to the basics of their business of saving and lending, says Dutch princess Máxima. The former banker spoke at a symposium on social banking on Tuesday.

Princess Máxima had nothing good to say about her former colleagues, bankers who have plunged the world into a deep financial crisis. At a meeting organised by Triodos Bank in the Dutch town of Zeist, Máxima said on Tuesday that bankers had lost sight of the core values of their profession. With "overzealous marketing" practices they sold inappropriate loans to vulnerable consumers who did not know what they were getting into. The financial crisis was due in part to these kinds of practices. "Only now we are starting to have some insight in the real extent of the consequences of the last months," the princess said.

Before Máxima met crown prince Willem Alexander ten years ago, she worked as a commercial banker in New York for banks such as Deutsche Bank and HSBC. Máxima gave her talk on Tuesday to mark the founding of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, an alliance of twelve financial institutions focused on social banking and microfinance, including Triodos Bank.

Microfinance

Over the past three years Máxima has served on a UN advisory group for microfinance: the issuing of loans to poor people or starting entrepreneurs in developing countries. The essence of banking, says Máxima, consists of trust, building long-term relationships and offering financial products that have added value. "Neglecting these values seems to be at the heart of the causes of the crisis."

She appealed to governments to set up a "'light touch' but adequate system of market regulation" and to offer consumers financial education, so that they can better understand the financial products they are offered. "It is the role of banks and microfinance institutions to have consumer protection and transparency written into the DNA of their organisation," Máxima said. >>> By Roel Janssen | Thursday, March 5, 2009

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Spanish PM Drops F-bomb in Press Conference on Tourism
Photo of the Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero inadvertently used the F-word while expounding on a tourism agreement with Moscow in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday.

The slip-up, which is being circulated in clips on the Internet, occurred at a joint press conference.

"There is a big increase in the number of Spanish tourists heading to Russia, the number is at 500,000, we have therefore decided to sign an agreement to stimulate, to favour, to f---," he said, pausing briefly before ending the sentence with "to support this tourism".

In Spanish the expression "para follar," meaning "to f---," is pronounced very similarly to the expression "para apoyar," or "to support".

It's the second gaffe for Spanish tourism this week, after tourism officials were caught out promoting a Costa Brava resort using a photo taken on a beach halfway around the world … in Perth. >>> AFP/AP | Thursday, March 5, 2009

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«Es geht allein darum, Stimmung gegen Muslime zu machen»
Foto von einem Minarett in der Schweiz dank dem Tages Anzeiger
TAGES ANZEIGER: Der Nationalrat stellt sich klar gegen die Volksinitiative «gegen den Bau von Minaretten». Das Begehren sei zwar gültig, verstosse aber gegen die Menschenrechte und gefährde den religiösen Frieden. Der Nationalrat will das Volk über die Initiative entscheiden lassen.

Die Volksinitiative «Gegen den Bau von Minaretten» war im Frühling 2007 von SVP- und EDU-Politikern auf Grund verschiedener Baugesuche für Minarette lanciert worden. Nach Einreichen der Unterschriften im vergangenen Sommer hatte der Bundesrat umgehend seine ablehnende Haltung kundgetan und schliesslich ungewöhnlich schnell eine entsprechende Botschaft ausgearbeitet. Bundesrätin Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf wies darauf hin, dass mit der Initiative zentrale Werte der Bundesverfassung in Frage gestellt würden. «Bei einer Annahme könnte die Schweiz ihre völkerrechtlichen Verpflichtungen nicht einhalten», sagte die Justizministerin, die ausserdem den religiösen Frieden gefährdet sieht. >>> vin/ap/sda | Mittwoch, 4. März 2009

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Jeddah Legalizing Informal Economy
Kabsa is a famous dish from Saudi Arabia. Often made from lamb, it is also quite frequently made from chicken. In Jeddah, women will be able to make homemade foods and sell them outside the home. Photo of this chicken kabsa (كبسه والدجاج المحشي) courtesy of Google Images
ARAB NEWS: JEDDAH: Saudi women who make and sell homemade products are now able to legitimize their work. The Jeddah municipality will issue a special license for any woman who wants to operate a business from her home, according to a municipal official.

“Women who sell homemade cooking and handicrafts or intend to do any other business from their homes can obtain the license to make her work legal and flourishing,” said Mahmoud Kinsarah, head of the municipality’s Licensing and Commercial Monitoring Department. He was speaking at a press conference held yesterday to announce the launch of the 20th Environmental Health Forum, which will be held in Abruq Al-Righama next Saturday. >>> Hasa Hatrash | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

ARAB NEWS: We’ll Work to Protect Arab Women and Children: Adela

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will mobilize its efforts to protect the rights of women and children in the Kingdom as well as in the Arab world, said Princess Adela bint Abdullah, vice president of the National Family Safety Program (NFSP).

“This is an important issue to address as most countries in the Arab world are affected,” said Princess Adela yesterday. >>> Mohammed Rasooldeen | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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Argentine Campaign Urges Catholics to Quit Church
REUTERS: BUENOS AIRES - In an effort to reduce the church's political influence, Argentine atheists and feminists are spearheading a drive to get people who were baptized Roman Catholic but disagree with the church's politics to formally renounce their faith.

The "Not in my Name" Internet campaign, also called Collective Apostasy, encourages people who are Catholic in name only to write to the bishops where they were baptized to officially register that they have left the church.

Latin America is home to about half of the world's Roman Catholics but many people who were baptized Catholic do not practice the religion.

"The church counts all those who've been baptized as Catholic and lobbies for legislation based on that number, so we're trying to convey the importance of people expressing that they no longer belong to the church," said campaigner Ariel Bellino, a member of an atheist group and a former Catholic.

Some 200 people signed onto the campaign on Monday, when it was first launched, and another 500 people signed up on Tuesday at www.apostasiacolectiva.org, Bellino said.

He said a similar drive was waged in Spain, where leftist movements have a historical anti-clerical streak, and in Chile.
Apostasy in the Roman Catholic Church is defined as the total and obstinate repudiation of the faith.

More than three-quarters of Argentina's 40 million residents define themselves as Catholic, according to a survey done by state researchers last year. But of that group, only about 20 percent say they regularly attend mass.

The country's relatively liberal social mores clash with Catholic doctrine on birth control, abstinence before marriage and homosexuality. The capital, Buenos Aires, was the first Latin American city to allow gay civil unions, back in 2003. >>> By Claudia Gaillard (Additional reporting by Hilary Burke; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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Belgian Politician Sponsors Islamophobia
PRESS TV: Far-right Belgian politician Filip Dewinter has written an anti-Islam book, describing the region [sic?] as modern Europe's main problem.

Head of the Flemish Vlaams Belang party Dewinter - who is known for his support of Islamophobia and alleged sympathy for Israel in the opposition - argues in the book that the influence of Islam in Europe should be stemmed and describes Islamophobia as "an obligation."

He says this could materialize by barring immigrants from Muslim nations from entering Europe and imposing strict controls on the residing Muslims.

The book titled Insha'Allah? The Islamization of Europe is to go on sale Monday, EuropeNews reported.

"The moderate Muslims are many but they are not relevant. The radical Muslims who have the mosques in their power are," the author was reported as saying earlier. >>> HN/MMN | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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West Sees Free Speech at Risk in UN Racism Meet
THE STAR ONLINE: GENEVA - European countries signalled on Wednesday that they feared the universal right of free speech would be at risk if a United Nations conference on racism next month issues a call for a ban on "defamation of religion".

They also warned in speeches to the U.N.'s Human Rights Council that they could not accept any pillorying of Israel as "racist" nor any promotion of anti-Semitism at the Geneva gathering from April 20-24.

"The freedom of expression must be the cornerstone of our fight against racism," Sweden's delegate Frank Belfrage said. Britain's Human Rights Minister Mark Malloch Brown said limiting free speech would undermine tolerance.

Similar views have been expressed in the Council this week by Australia, France, Switzerland, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic speaking for the 27-nation European Union, among others.

The issues of freedom of speech and anti-Semitism have been set by Western countries, including the United States, as among their "red lines" for participation in the gathering, dubbed Durban II.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who will preside over the conference, has sought to reassure doubters, arguing fears of anti-Semitic outbursts are unfounded.

But diplomats say memories of street marches targeting Jews in general at the first U.N. racism conference in Durban in 2001 remain strong and fears of a repeat have grown after protests in Europe over Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza. >>> Copyright © 2008 Reuters | By Robert Evans | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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Les actes antisémites 
en forte hausse en France
LE FIGARO: Nicolas Sarkozy a réaffirmé lundi, lors du dîner annuel du Crif, sa détermination à «assurer la sécurité de tous» face à la recrudescence des actes antisémites. Cette hausse, observée en janvier, serait notamment liée à l'importation du conflit dans la bande de Gaza.

«L'antisémitisme est de retour». Lundi soir, lors du dîner annuel du Crif (Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France), son président Richard Prasquier a ainsi commenté les chiffres donnés quelques heures plus tôt par le ministère de l'Intérieur. Si 459 actes antisémites ont été recensés en 2008, un chiffre stable par rapport à 2007, 352 actes antisémites ont été observés rien que pour le mois de janvier 2009. Une hausse vertigineuse que le ministère lie à «l'importation du conflit» dans la bande de Gaza «sur le territoire national».

Indépendamment des événements au Proche-Orient, la crise économique est, elle aussi, «un prétexte fertile pour l'antisémitisme», a estimé Richard Prasquier. Un antisémitisme qui, selon lui, se développe beaucoup sur le Web. Pour tenter d'endiguer le phénomène, Richard Praquier a ainsi demandé «de créer un observatoire du racisme sur Internet, de renforcer les moyens de l'Office central de lutte contre la criminalité liée aux technologies de l'information et de poursuivre systématiquement les hébergeurs de contenus antisémites». «Parfois, l'actualité provoque des tensions» >>> Flore Galaud (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | Lundi 02 Mars 2009

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Gefährliches Chaos am rechten Rand
TAGES ANZEIGER: Deutschland streitet weiter über ein Verbot der NPD. Die Rechtsextremen werden derweil immer militanter.

Eigentlich sind sich alle einig: Die Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands (NPD) ist eine gefährliche rechtsextremistische Organisation, in der gewaltbereite Neonazis eine Heimat finden. Seit Montag befasst sich der Petitionsausschuss des Bundestags mit einer Eingabe von 175 000 Bürgern, die ein Verbot der Partei fordern – aber noch ohne Ergebnis. Dennoch erklärte der Vorsitzende des Bundestagsinnenausschusses, Sebastian Edathy (SPD), am Montag resigniert, er rechne nicht damit, dass die Grosse Koalition einen Anlauf für ein Verbot nehme. Es fehle den Parteien an der nötigen Einigkeit.

Der Grund dafür: Das Verfassungsgericht hatte 2003 gefordert, dass die Geheimdienste vor dem Prozess ihre Verbindungsleute in der Parteiführung abschalten müssten. Die Innenminister von CDU und CSU befürchten, dass der Staatsschutz dadurch blind würde, und lehnen den Schritt ab. Dagegen erklärte der Berliner Innensenator Ehrhart Körting (SPD), dass die SPD in den von ihr regierten Ländern die V-Leute bereits aus dem innersten Führungszirkel abgezogen habe. >>> Von Sascha Buchbinder, Berlin | Montag, 2. März 2009

NZZ Online: Gross-Razzia gegen rechtsextreme Szene in Deutschland

Die Polizei hat eine bundesweite Gross-Razzia gegen die rechtsextreme Szene in Deutschland gestartet. Mehr als 200 Wohnungen und Geschäftsräume mutmasslicher Angehöriger der rechten Szene in allen Bundesländern wurden durchsucht. >>> sda/afp/dpa | Mittwoch, 4. März 2009

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Haider's Party Scores 'Posthumous Triumph' for Its Founder
THE JERUSALEM POST: The Alliance for Austria's Future, an extremist anti-immigrant party founded by Jörg Haider, won 45.6 percent of the vote on Sunday in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia.

The Austrian media termed the outcome a "posthumous triumph" for Haider, who died over four months ago in a high-speed car crash in Carinthia that occurred when he was driving intoxicated.

Haider founded the Alliance party in 2005 and had served as governor of the southern Alpine state for 10 years and was active in the state's politics since 1979.

Haider's widow, Claudia Haider, presented a photo of her husband to the Alliance's re-elected candidate for governor, Gerhard Dörfler, at the party celebration on Sunday. She attributed the Alliance victory as recognition for her late husband's political achievements. >>> By Benjamin Weithal, JPost Correspondent, Berlin | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

L’EXPRESS: La liaison gay de Jörg Haider

Jörg Haider, "était l'homme de ma vie", a révélé Stefan Petzner qui n'aura pas tenu bien longtemps à la tête du parti populiste BZÖ...

Le successeur de Jörg Haider n'aura pas tenu bien longtemps à la tête du parti populiste BZÖ... Ayant révélé dans une interview les liens intimes qui l'unissait avec l'homme fort de l'extrême-droite autrichienne, Stefan Petzner a été démis de ses fonctions. Agé de 27 ans et inconnu du grand public, il avait quelque peu étonné en fondant en larmes lors d'une conférence de presse donnée quelques heures après l'annonce de la mort de Haider.

A présent, on comprend mieux pourquoi: "Nous avions une relation qui allait au-delà de l'amitié", a-t-il expliqué sur la principale radio nationale, Ö3, le 19 octobre, "Jörg et moi, on était soudés par quelque chose de très spécial. C'était l'homme de ma vie." L'épouse de Haider était, semble-t-il, au courant de la relation. >>> Par Marc Epstein | Friday, October 24, 2008

TAGES ANZEIGER: Haiders Lebensmensch ist der stille Wahlsieger

In Kärnten erreichte das von Jörg Haider gegründete Bündnis Zukunft Österreich (BZÖ) einen grandiosen Wahlsieg. Hinter dem Erfolg steckt Lebensmensch Stefan Petzner.

Stefan Petzner ist der stille Sieger dieser Wahl, schreibt die Tageszeitung «Österreich». Denn der BZÖ-Politiker, der seinen Wegbegleiter Jörg Haider nach dessen Tod als Lebensmensch bezeichnete, war für den Wahlkampf verantwortlich. Und er hat ihn hervorragend geleitet, wie er übrigens auch selber findet: «Das war für mich der schwierigste Wahlkampf aller Zeiten – aber ich habe noch jeden gewonnen, den ich geführt habe.»

«Wir passen auf dein Kärnten auf»

Seine beste Idee: Am Ende des Wahlkampfes setzte Petzner und sein Team auf ein schlichtes Plakat mit einem an Jörg Haider adressiert Slogan: «Wir passen auf dein Kärnten auf.» Das erwies sich als Geniestreich, wie «Österreich» schreibt.

Mit diesem furiosen Erfolg dürfte Petzner bei seinen Parteifreunden wieder rehabilitiert sein. Nach dem Tod Jörg Haiders wurde er wegen seinen emotionalen Medienauftritten kritisiert. >>> bru | Montag, 2. Marz 2009

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Minister 'Appalled' by Stats Body
BBC: Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has accused the Office for National Statistics of "playing politics" with population figures.

He said he was "appalled" at the release of figures showing one in nine British residents was born abroad.

In a letter Mr Woolas describes the decision to release the data as "at best naive or, at worst, sinister".

The Tories have accused the government of "bullying" the ONS and trying to "suppress" embarrassing information.

And Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the Home Office should get their "tanks off the statisticians' lawn".

The ONS declined to comment on Mr Woolas's intervention.

Downing Street denied the government was trying to intimidate the statistics body, saying the prime minister fully supported its independence.

But the prime minister's official spokesman said the ONS had to be aware of "the sensitivities" surrounding the immigration debate and the government was "questioning" the timing of the release of data which "can have a political bearing". >>> | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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We Should Embrace Our Heritage and Identity
CUMBERLAND TIMES NEWS*: To the Editor

When Geert Wilders, the Dutch parliamentarian, arrived at Heathrow Airport to present to the British Parliament a screening of his film, Fitna, the frightened Home Secretary ordered him deported. 



Lord Ahmed, a Muslim member of the House of Lords, had threatened descent of 10,000 Muslims on Britain’s Parliament if Wilders were admitted. Wilders’ short film is a compilation of video footage from various recent Muslim terrorist atrocities and its documentation has earned him death threats as well as the Home Secretary’s unwelcome.



Wilders appeared on Fox News’s The O’Reilly Factor recently, and during the interview he made a simple but profound statement. “I think we should embrace our identity and be proud of our Judeo-Christian heritage,” Wilders said. He is correct. 



Unless we do embrace our identity and take pride in our Judeo-Christian heritage, then America, like Britain, will cower in the face of evil tyranny. This, I think, is the most pressing issue facing America today — even more than the economy, important though the economy may be. Unless we define who we are and have the courage to proclaim it, we will lack the wherewithal to face future exigencies. 



America’s richness derives in part from its multicultured and multi-faith composition. But despite our varied backgrounds and faiths, most of us share an overriding belief that by some power greater than ourselves, we have been granted certain inalienable rights. >>> Louise Friend, Friendsville | Sunday, March 1, 2009

*Serving Western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia

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Dutch Woman Sentenced to Jail for Threatening Right-Wing Politician
CRI ENGLISH.COM (China): A Dutch woman was sentenced to one year in jail and voluntary psychiatric care on Tuesday for sending more than 100 threatening emails to an anti-immigration and anti-Islam Dutch politician, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported.

Selima I., 35, was arrested in January 2007 in an office where she used a public computer to send death threats to Geert Wilders, a member of the lower house of parliament.

The woman, a librarian from the southern Dutch city of Tilburg, was sentenced to one year in prison and compulsory psychiatric care by a court in September 2007.

But an appeal court ruled on Tuesday that the treatment might be more successful if she was treated as an outpatient and changed the compulsory psychiatric care to a voluntary one. >>> Ma Ting, Web Editor, Xinhua | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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Generalísimo Francisco Franco Is Still Dead – And His Statues Are Next: Socialist Government Banishes Fascist Icons Though Nostalgia for the Dictator Lives On
Photo of General Franco courtesy of Google Images
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: MADRID -- Every Nov. 20, for the past dozen years, Sinforiano Bezanilla has visited a pigeon-covered statue of Gen. Francisco Franco to pay homage to Europe's longest-serving fascist dictator.

This year, the sculpture won't be there. Acting on a law passed by Spain's Socialist government, authorities uprooted the statue of the Generalísimo in December from the city square of Santander in northern Spain and banished it to the local museum.

"The left is attempting to rewrite our country's history. They base it on a series of half-lies, half-truths and outright lies," says Mr. Bezanilla. The 44-year-old municipal worker was just 11 when Franco died. But he has read volumes on the former dictator's ideas and is nostalgic for his regime.

More than three decades after Franco died and 72 years after he seized power, Spain is on a controversial mission to expunge the many emblems of its painful past that are still on public display.

The Socialist government says the assorted icons of the Franco regime still on view -- fascist-style eagles, yokes and arrows -- have no place in modern Spain. A year ago, it passed a law to eliminate them.

But the drive -- part of a broader law aimed at redressing Franco-era injustices -- has raised hackles among conservatives who say Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is reopening wounds they say were healed after the dictator's death. >>> By Thomas Catan | Monday, March 2, 2009

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Die saudischen Schiiten – Staatsbürger oder Ungläubige? : Unvollendete Integration droht in Konfrontation umzuschlagen
NZZ Online: Seit der Gründung des wahhabitisch geprägten Staates wird die schiitische Minderheit Saudiarabiens diskriminiert. Nach einer Periode der Annäherung an den saudischen Staat sind viele Schiiten ernüchtert und fordern grundlegende politische und religiöse Veränderungen.

tm. Katif, im Februar

An einem wolkenverhangenen Freitagnachmittag spielen in einem Vorort von Katif zwei lokale Fussballteams um den Sieg in der Regionalliga. Der Fussballplatz ist uneben, mehr Acker als Spielfeld, und wird von keinem Flutlicht beleuchtet. Spieler und Zuschauer sind Schiiten, denn Katif ist eine schiitische Stadt im sonst wahhabitisch geprägten Saudiarabien. Die meisten wahhabitischen Religionsgelehrten sehen die Schiiten als Ungläubige und erlassen bis heute Fatwas, die es erlauben, Schiiten wegen ihres Glaubens umzubringen. Da die Religionsgelehrten seit der Staatsgründung mit der Königsfamilie der Al Saud in politischer Symbiose leben, wurden die Schiiten religiös, politisch und wirtschaftlich unterdrückt. Einige der Zuschauer beklagen sich, dass diese Diskriminierung bis hin zu den Fussballplätzen reiche: «In Riad gibt es keine solchen Fussballplätze, dort ist alles hochmodern eingerichtet und wird von der Regierung bezahlt. Aber wir Schiiten müssen für unsere Sportplätze selber aufkommen, daher spielen wir auf diesem Acker.»

Die Opposition des Königs

Hinter einem der Tore stehen für die Ehrengäste Stühle und Bänke bereit, die Armlehnen einiger Sessel sind vergoldet. Auf einmal fahren zwei Geländewagen mit getönten Scheiben auf das Feld, und der Moderator verkündet durchs Mikrofon die Ankunft von Scheich Hassan as-Saffar. Dieser steigt aus dem Auto, begleitet von mehreren Leibwächtern, umarmt viele der Ehrengäste und setzt sich dann auf einen der goldenen Sessel. Saffar ist einer der berühmtesten religiösen und politischen Führer der saudischen Schiiten und vertrat in den letzten 15 Jahren oft die Interessen dieser Gemeinschaft gegenüber dem saudischen Staat.

In den siebziger Jahren hatte Saffar eine revolutionäre Organisation gegründet, die nach 1979 von Iran unterstützt wurde. Zur Rekrutierung benutzte diese Organisation unter anderem Fussballklubs, denn diese waren und sind noch heute eine der wenigen legalen Foren, in denen sich Männer versammeln können. Nachdem die Schiiten Saudiarabiens, inspiriert von der iranischen Revolution, erfolglos selber den Aufstand geprobt hatten, gingen Hunderte von Aktivisten ins Exil. Erst 1993 handelten sie ein Abkommen mit der saudischen Regierung aus. Der damalige König Fahd versprach eine Generalamnestie, die Freilassung Hunderter von politischen Gefangenen und eine langsame Aufhebung der religiösen Diskriminierung. Eineinhalb Jahrzehnte nach diesem Abkommen sind viele saudische Schiiten desillusioniert. Obwohl die ersten beiden Forderungen erfüllt wurden, fühlen sie sich weiterhin diskriminiert. >>> tm | Mittwoch, 4. Marz 2009

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Milton Friedman

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Krieg im Gazastreifen: Teheran fordert Kriegsverbrechertribunal für Israel
WELT ONLINE: Iran wirft Israel Kriegsverbrechen im Gazastreifen vor. Deshalb solle ein Tribunal eingerichtet werden, um die Militäraktion Israels zu untersuchen. Das forderte der oberste iranische Führer Ajatollah Ali Chamenei auf einer internationalen "Palästina-Konferenz". Auch Obamas Verhalten sorgt in Teheran für Unmut.

Foto vom Ajatollah Ali Chamenei dank der Welt
Der oberste iranische Führer, Ajatollah Ali Chamenei, hat die Einrichtung eines "internationalen Kriegsverbrechertribunals“ gefordert, vor dem die israelische Führung wegen der Militäroffensive im Gazastreifen angeklagt werden solle.

Zum Auftakt einer internationalen “Palästina-Konferenz“ sagte Chamenei in Teheran, „die Immunität des kriminellen Regimes in Israel“ müsse gebrochen werden. Auch Präsident Mahmud Ahmadinedschad sprach sich für ein solches Tribunal aus. „Wir brauchen eine vereinte Front gegen das zionistische Regime“, sagte er. >>> AP/dpa/lk | Mittwoch, 4. März 2009

AFP: Iran Calls for World Muslim 'Resistance' against Israel

TEHRAN — Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a rallying call to world Muslims on Wednesday to join the Palestinian "resistance" against Israel as he kicked off a summit in aid of war-torn Gaza.

His latest statement comes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Palestinian leaders during her first visit to the region since taking office.

Clinton was to meet Western-backed president Mahmud Abbas and prime minister Salam Fayyad in the occupied West Bank's political capital of Ramallah a day after huddling with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem.

"The only way to save Palestine is resistance," Khamenei said in his keynote address as he kicked off a two-day international summit organised by Tehran in aid of Gaza and the Palestinians.

"Support and help to Palestinians is a mandatory duty of all Muslims. I now tell all Muslim brothers and sisters to join forces and break the immunity of the Zionist criminals," Khamenei said.

He also called for putting Israeli leaders on trial for the recent assault on Gaza in which 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were slain.

"The political and military leaders of the occupying regime that played the role in the disaster of Gaza must be put on trial. This is the first step that should be taken," Khamenei said.

Iran does not recognise Israel and Khamenei has repeatedly refused a two-state solution to solve the Israel-Palestinian issue, a strategy reiterated by Clinton this week. >>> Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

HAARETZ: Iran Leader: Obama Taking Wrong Path over 'Cancerous' Israel

Iran's top authority said on Wednesday U.S. President Barack Obama was pursuing the same "wrong path" as George W. Bush in supporting Israel, which it called a "cancerous tumor."

The comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on policy in the Islamic Republic, are likely to disappoint the new U.S. administration which wants to engage Iran but has called on Tehran to "unclench its fist."

"Even the new president of America, who has come to power with slogans about changing Bush's policies, is defending state terrorism by talking about unconditional commitment to Israel's security," Khamenei said.

Khamenei, speaking at a conference on the Palestinian issue in Tehran, said Obama was following the same "wrong path" of his predecessor in the White House. >>> Reuters | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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Le «retour» de Bush
 divise le Canada
LE FIGARO: L'ancien président américain prononcera le 17 mars à Calgary sa première conférence à l'étranger. Des Canadiens s'opposent à sa venue.

Photo de George W. Bush grâce au Figaro
«Une conversation avec Geor­ge W. Bush» : tel est le thème du premier discours d'une série de dix allocutions que l'ancien chef de la Maison-Blanche donnera au Ca­nada, en Europe et en Asie à compter du 17 mars. Le palais des congrès de Calgary, la métropole de l'Alberta, attend 1 500 convives pour un déjeuner-conférence pendant lequel l'ancien président évoquera «ses huit importantes années passées à la Maison-Blanche et donnera son opinion sur les défis de la planète au XXIe siècle».

150 000 dollars de cachet

«L'Alberta est une province très conservatrice et Bush y est considéré comme quelqu'un de très proche de l'industrie pétrolière. Il a choisi un lieu sûr pour tester son image», explique au quotidien Calgary Herald l'analyste politique David Taras, tout en précisant que l'ex-dirigeant des États-Unis est perçu au Canada comme un «président raté».

Si les organisateurs de l'événement refusent de dévoiler le cachet de Bush, celui-ci est évalué par plusieurs sources à 150 000 dollars. Dans son livre Dead Certain («Sans l'ombre d'un doute»), le journaliste Robert Draper rapporte ces propos de l'ex-chef de l'État américain : «Je ne sais pas combien gagne mon père, mais c'est plus de 50 000 ou 75 000 dollars par discours. Clinton gagne aussi beaucoup d'argent.»

La visite de George Bush devrait être perturbée par de nombreux manifestants. Depuis l'invasion de l'Irak en 2003, la population canadienne a montré de l'hostilité envers le prédécesseur de Barack Obama. >>> Ludovic Hirtzmann, Montréal | Mardi 03 Mars 2009

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Soon It Will Be Prime Minister Wilders!
THE TELEGRAPH: Britain's controversial ban on the anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders has pushed his Freedom Party into the lead for the first time, according to Dutch opinion polls.

Geert Wilders. The next premier of the Netherlands? Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
Mr Wilders has benefited from the publicity provided by Dutch and international headlines that followed a decision last month to ban him from showing his anti-Muslim film, Fitna, in the House of Lords.

His attempt to enter Britain, his detention and subsequent deportation, following an order by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, have made the Dutch MP into a free speech martyr and celebrity in the Netherlands.

New opinion polling now puts Mr Wilders ahead of the Christian Democrats, who lead a coalition government.

"How happy I am about this. These are of course just polls, but it is an enormous sign of confidence from the Dutch voter," said Mr Wilders.

"As far as I am concerned, elections can be held tomorrow, then I will be the next premier". Geert Wilders Leads Dutch Polls >>> By Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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Nicolas Sarkozy menacé de mort
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: FRANCE | Le président Nicolas Sarkozy ainsi que plusieurs élus et ministres UMP, dont Rachida Dati et Michèle Alliot-Marie, ont reçu au cours des dernières semaines un courrier anonyme les menaçant de mort

Photos grâce au Figaro
Le président Nicolas Sarkozy ainsi que plusieurs élus et ministres UMP, dont Rachida Dati et Michèle Alliot-Marie, ont reçu au cours des dernières semaines un courrier anonyme les menaçant de mort, accompagné d’une balle de calibre 38 (9mm). La section antiterroriste du parquet de Paris, a-t-on appris mardi de sources judiciaires, a été saisie de l’enquête.

Le courrier, une lettre-type, consiste en deux pages dactylographiées de propos décousus, explique-t-on de sources judiciaires. Il s’adresse aux ministres, députés et sénateurs "pourvoyeurs de lois liberticides, de lois fachistes", les accuse de distiller la haine. On ignore pour le moment d’où ont été expédiées ces lettres.

Au total, dix noms de personnalités politiques sont cités dans ce courrier, dont six l’ont reçu: le senateur-maire UMP de Béziers (Hérault) Raymond Couderc, le 9 février, le président Nicolas Sarkozy, le sénateur-maire de La Canourgue (Lozère) Jacques Blanc, la ministre de l’Intérieur Michèle Alliot-Marie, la ministre de la Justice Rachida Dati la semaine dernière et le maire de Bordeaux Alain Juppé lundi. >>> AP | Mardi 03 Mars 2009

TAGES ANZEIGER: Dati erhielt mysteriösen Drohbrief mit Kugeln

Unbekannte verschicken in Frankreich eine ganze Serie von Morddrohungen an konservative Politiker. Von den Tätern fehlt noch jede Spur.

Foto von Rachida Dati dank dem Tages Anzeiger
Die jüngsten Empfänger von anonymen Drohbriefen, die mit Neun-Millimeter-Kugeln gefüllt waren: Justizministerin Rachida Dati und Innenministerin Michèle Alliot-Marie. Bisher habe man noch keine Hinweise auf die Absender, hiess es aus Justizkreisen. >>> vin/ap | Dienstag, 3. März 2009

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Brown Goes a-Brown-nosing!
THE TELEGRAPH: US president Barack Obama has reaffirmed his belief in the special relationship between Britain and America following talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the White House.

Photo of Obama and Brown together in the White House courtesy of The Telegraph
Sitting alongside Mr Brown in the Oval Office, Mr Obama said Britain's friendship to the US in Iraq and Afghanistan would not be forgotten.

He added: "Great Britain is one of our closest and strongest allies and there is a link and bond there that will not break."

The president was speaking after around an hour of talks which were dominated by the economy, with both men agreeing that improvements were needed to the regulation of the global banking system.

Mr Obama said: "The relationship is not only special and strong but will only get stronger as time goes on."

Mr Brown became the first European leader to hold talks with Mr Obama since his inauguration in January. Barack Obama Reaffirms Belief in 'Special Relationship' with Britain >>> | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

MAIL Online: Downing St Left Embarrassed after President Obama Scales Down First Meeting with Brown

Downing Street was left scrambling to avoid a diplomatic embarrassment today after the White House ruled out a formal press conference to mark Gordon Brown's first formal meeting with Barack Obama.

Officials denied the Prime Minister was being snubbed after it emerged that the new president would not make himself available for the traditional joint appearance before the White House media.

Mr Brown's aides are trying to make the best of what is a distinctly low key visit compared to the family hospitality lavished on Tony Blair by George Bush when they met for the first time. >>> By Benedict Brogan | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

DAILY EXPRESS: Not So Big After All? Brown Snubbed by Obama

GORDON Brown was left red-faced today after he was snubbed by new American president Barack Obama – at their first formal meeting.

The prime minister arrived in the US today expecting a full press conference in front of the world’s media to mark the event. 



But he touched down on America soil to be told by the White House that it would be a much more scaled down affair - in the Oval Office. 



The embarrassment for Downing Street comes after Obama sent a bust of Sir Winston Churchill back to Britain - despite it enjoying pride of place in the Oval Office for nearly 10 years. 



Today White House authorities defended the schedule change for the two leaders, claiming the new arrangement was 'more intimate'. >>> By Julia White | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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Synagogue Hails Dutch Lawmaker as a Hero
BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES: In his home continent, Dutch politician Geert Wilders is something of a pariah, banned from the United Kingdom and facing prosecution in the Netherlands for his harsh views of Islam.

His calls to end immigration from Muslim countries and ban the Koran—he compared it to Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” and said it incites to violence—have earned him broad condemnation in Europe and forced him under the protection of a security detail, a rarity for Dutch leaders.

But in some quarters of the American Jewish community, Wilders is more akin to a hero. At the very least, he was greeted as such by about 250 people last week at a Conservative synagogue in this Boston-area town.

The boisterous crowd at the Ahavath Torah Congregation gave Wilders, who heads the Dutch Party for Freedom and serves in the parliament, a standing ovation and shouted “Bravo” at the conclusion of his speech. >>> Penny Schwartz, Stoughton, Mass., JTA Wire Service | Monday, March 2, 2009

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The Obama Economy
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: As the Dow keeps dropping, the President is running out of people to blame.

As 2009 opened, three weeks before Barack Obama took office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 9034 on January 2, its highest level since the autumn panic. Yesterday the Dow fell another 4.24% to 6763, for an overall decline of 25% in two months and to its lowest level since 1997. The dismaying message here is that President Obama's policies have become part of the economy's problem.

Americans have welcomed the Obama era in the same spirit of hope the President campaigned on. But after five weeks in office, it's become clear that Mr. Obama's policies are slowing, if not stopping, what would otherwise be the normal process of economic recovery. From punishing business to squandering scarce national public resources, Team Obama is creating more uncertainty and less confidence -- and thus a longer period of recession or subpar growth.

The Democrats who now run Washington don't want to hear this, because they benefit from blaming all bad economic news on President Bush. And Mr. Obama has inherited an unusual recession deepened by credit problems, both of which will take time to climb out of. But it's also true that the economy has fallen far enough, and long enough, that much of the excess that led to recession is being worked off. Already 15 months old, the current recession will soon match the average length -- and average job loss -- of the last three postwar downturns. What goes down will come up -- unless destructive policies interfere with the sources of potential recovery.

And those sources have been forming for some time. The price of oil and other commodities have fallen by two-thirds since their 2008 summer peak, which has the effect of a major tax cut. The world is awash in liquidity, thanks to monetary ease by the Federal Reserve and other central banks. Monetary policy operates with a lag, but last year's easing will eventually stir economic activity.

Housing prices have fallen 27% from their Case-Shiller peak, or some two-thirds of the way back to their historical trend. While still high, credit spreads are far from their peaks during the panic, and corporate borrowers are again able to tap the credit markets. As equities were signaling with their late 2008 rally and January top, growth should under normal circumstances begin to appear in the second half of this year.

So what has happened in the last two months? The economy has received no great new outside shock. Exchange rates and other prices have been stable, and there are no security crises of note. The reality of a sharp recession has been known and built into stock prices since last year's fourth quarter.

What is new is the unveiling of Mr. Obama's agenda and his approach to governance. Every new President has a finite stock of capital -- financial and political -- to deploy, and amid recession Mr. Obama has more than most. But one negative revelation has been the way he has chosen to spend his scarce resources on income transfers rather than growth promotion. Most of his "stimulus" spending was devoted to social programs, rather than public works, and nearly all of the tax cuts were devoted to income maintenance rather than to improving incentives to work or invest. >>> | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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Jihad TV in Europe
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: It's time to shut down Hezbollah and Hamas broadcasts to the Continent.

Their propaganda notwithstanding, Hamas and, two years ago, Hezbollah suffered devastating military defeats that may diminish their ability to attack Israel with rocket fire. But these Iranian-backed terrorist organizations are deploying another dangerous weapon in their war against Western democracies -- terrorist television stations.

Thanks to Arab satellite companies, Hezbollah's al-Manar and Hamas's al-Aqsa TV stations can still beam their incitement and hatred into European living rooms, radicalizing Muslim immigrants throughout the Continent.

Al-Manar, however, is not a mere propaganda tool. Founded in 1991 by Hezbollah guerillas, it is an operational weapon in the hands of a deadly terrorist organization. Following a 2006 letter to then-President George W. Bush signed by a majority of the U.S. Senate, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Treasury Department designated al-Manar as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. This designation placed, for the first time, a media outlet on the same terrorism list as al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah itself.

The designation highlighted the role of al-Manar as more than just a station with objectionable content. The Hezbollah outlet was actively involved in recruiting and fund raising for Hezbollah, and providing preoperational surveillance for terror attacks. Undersecretary of Treasury Stuart Levey has observed that al-Manar is an "entity maintained by a terrorist group" and is therefore "as culpable as the terrorist group itself." >>> By Mark Dubowitz and Roberta Bonazzi | Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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Islam erobert Österreich!

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Saudi Man Beheaded for Killing Father
IOL.CO.ZA: Riyadh - A Saudi man was beheaded in the Muslim holy city of Medina after being sentenced to death for killing his father, the interior ministry said.



Ahmad al-Khyeeri was put to death on Monday for shooting his father in a dispute, the ministry said in a statement on the official SPA news agency.



The announcement did not say when the murder occurred.



The beheading brought to 13 the number of executions announced by the Saudi authorities since the beginning of the year.


A total of 102 people were executed last year and a record 153 in 2007.



Under Saudi Arabia's strict sharia system of Islamic justice, the death penalty can be applied to crimes of rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking. [Source: IOL.co.za] AFP | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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As If We Needed the Archbishop of Canterbury to Tell Us This!
THE TELEGRAPH: The recession could lead to an increase in support for right-wing political groups, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has warned.

Dr Williams said that public anger, caused by rising unemployment and falling house prices, may lead to xenophobia and prejudice.

He claimed the recent election of a British National Party councillor in Kent was a warning sign that must not be ignored.

His comments come amid growing concern about the social unrest that could be triggered by the worsening economy.

Last week it emerged that riot police fear Britain is heading for a "summer of rage" as middle-class victims of the recession join activists to hold mass protests outside bank headquarters.

Thousands of workers at oil refineries and power stations across the country staged walkouts recently after Italian and Portuguese staff were given jobs at Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire ahead of local workers.

A leaked Home Office memo written last year also predicted that crime and racial tensions will rise during the recession, while funding cuts could make it more difficult for police to cope.

The letter written by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, warned that financial hardship could increase hostility towards immigrants and drive voters into the arms of the far-right BNP – which could in turn see victims of racism turn to terrorism. >>> By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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Frank Gaffney: Coalition to Stop Shariah

YOU TUBE: Al-Jazeera Reporter Asks about Shariah-Finance


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Shariah Finance

Ophir Falk – Opinion: No Nonsense Government
YNET NEWS: Netanyahu fully understands he must tackle key issues of our time

Photo of Bibi Netanyahu courtesy of YNet News
Winston Churchill was probably the greatest leader of the 20th century. Yet, while leading his people during the dark days of the Battle of Britain and on various other fronts, he earned little recognition from his constituency, losing their vote after the war. Years after the dust of World War II had settled, the British people acknowledged his feats and re-elected him for office.

It is no coincidence that a black-and-white portrait of the legendary British PM decorates the desk of Israel's prime minister-designate. Benjamin Netanyahu's first term as PM from 1996 to 1999 will not be remembered as Israel's finest hour, but he is determined to make his upcoming term just that.

Raised in an ultra-Zionist home, Netanyahu is a leader with vision and historic perspective. He fully understands that he has the responsibility and opportunity to tackle the key issues of our time, most and foremost ensuring Israel’s security and prosperity.

On February 10th 2009, the people of Israel spoke at the ballots. Some were at first reluctant to understand the statement made but today matters are clearer to all. Benjamin Netanyahu was given a clear mandate to form a government and steer Israel in the right direction.

There is a wide public consensus concerning the challenges that Israel must address immediately. Topping the list are a) confronting the Iranian threat; b) dismantling the Hamas threat; and c) preventing a deep economic depression.

The establishment of a Palestinian state is not on that list. >>> Ophir Falk | Monday, March 2, 2009

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Hillary Clinton en mission impossible au Proche-Orient
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: ANALYSE | Hier en Egypte pour financer la reconstruction de Gaza sans favoriser le Hamas. Aujourd’hui à Jérusalem pour faire plier Netanyahou. Demain à Ramallah pour tenter de sauver le président palestinien. La cheffe de la diplomatie américaine ne fait pas sa première visite sous les meilleurs auspices.

La bonne nouvelle, c’est que la communauté internationale a promis hier à Charm el-Cheikh, en Egypte, une aide de 4,5 milliards de dollars pour la reconstruction de Gaza et la relance de l’économie palestinienne, six semaines après la guerre. De quoi réjouir le président Mahmoud Abbas, qui en réclamait 2,8 milliards.

La mauvaise nouvelle, c’est qu’il va falloir distribuer ces fonds sans passer par le Hamas, qui contrôle l’étroite bande de terre depuis son coup de force du 15 juin 2007. Et parvenir à surmonter le blocus israélien (même des cargaisons de macaronis et de lentilles ont buté contre la frontière!). Le tout doit être réalisé alors qu’Israël est à la recherche d’une coalition et que l’Autorité palestinienne ne préside plus grand-chose.

Qui réussira ce prodige? Les yeux se tournent forcément vers Hillary Clinton, nouvelle secrétaire d’Etat américaine, qui tente un pari en trois volets. >>> Andrés Allemand | Mardi 03 Mars 2009

leJDD.fr: Gaza: Des dollars pour quoi faire?

Près de 4,5 milliards de dollars ont été promis aux Palestiniens lors de la conférence sur la reconstruction de Gaza, qui s'est tenue lundi à Charm el Cheikh, en Egypte. Une somme colossale, qui vient s'ajouter aux 7 milliards déjà débloqués en décembre 2007 à Paris. D'où vient cet argent? A qui profite-t-il vraiment? Focus sur les mécanismes de l'aide internationale.

Comment sont chiffrés les besoins?

En amont de la conférence, le chiffrage a été réalisé par le Conseil économique palestinien pour le développement et la reconstruction (Pedcar). L'estimation proposée par les Palestiniens se montait à 2,8 milliards de dollars. Pour sa part, le Fonds monétaire international (FMI) a lui estimé à 2,25 milliards de dollars -dont 600 millions de dollars jugés nécessaires pour reconstruire et réhabiliter Gaza- les besoins d'aide internationale pour l'Autorité Palestinienne en 2009.

Qui sont les donateurs et combien donnent-ils?

Des Etats et les grandes organisations internationales sont les principaux contributeurs de l'aide: pays arabes et du Moyen-Orient, G8, les 27 Etats membres de l'UE, les grands pays émergents, mais aussi la Commission européenne, les institutions financières internationales et régionales (FMI, Banque mondiale, BEI, fonds arabes, etc.) ainsi que les Nations Unies. A Charm el Cheikh, les Etats-Unis ont promis 900 millions de dollars, la Commission européenne 554 milliards et les monarchies du Golfe 1,65 milliard sur trois ans. La Banque mondiale et les Nations Unies (par l'intermédiaire de leurs programmes d'aide comme le Pnud ou l'Unrwa), ont eux aussi déboursé plusieurs milliards de dollars.

A qui est versé l'argent?

Les fonds sont versés exclusivement à l'Autorité palestinienne dirigée par Mahmoud Abbas, seul exécutif politique palestinien reconnu par la communauté internationale. C'est donc le gouvernement de Salam Fayyad qui gère l'argent reçu et décide de sa répartition. >>> Par Christophe ISRAËL, leJDD.fr | Mardi, 03 Mars 2009

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Berlusconi lädt Ghadhafi zum G-8-Gipfel ein: Libyens Revolutionsführer als Vorsitzender der Afrikanischen Union
NZZ Online: Der italienische Regierungschef Silvio Berlusconi hat den libyschen Revolutionsführer Ghadhafi zum nächsten G-8-Gipfel im Juli auf der Insel La Maddalena vor Sardinien eingeladen. Ghadhafi wird als Vorsitzender der Afrikanischen Union (AU) zu dem Gipfel kommen.

Foto von Berlusconi und Ghadafi dank der Neuen Zürcher Zeitung
«Wir sind schon dabei, einen geeigneten Platz für dein Zelt zu suchen», sagte Berlusconi laut einem Bericht des Mailänder «Corriere della Sera» dem libyschen Staatschef.

Berlusconi hatte am Montagabend im libyschen Sirte mit dem Revolutionsführer die Ratifizierungsurkunden eines Freundschafts- und Kooperationsvertrages beider Länder ausgetauscht. Berlusconi entschuldigte sich bei dem Treffen auch für die italienische Kolonialvergangenheit in Libyen. >>> sda/dpa | Dienstag, 3. März 2009

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Iran : l'offre secrète d'Obama à la Russie
LE FIGARO: Le président américain proposerait à son homologue russe de renoncer à l'implantation d'un bouclier antimissile en Europe centrale si le Kremlin coopère pour empêcher l'Iran de se doter de l'arme nucléaire.

Barack Obama propose de renoncer à déployer un bouclier antimissile en Europe centrale si la Russie aide Washington à empêcher l'Iran de se doter de l'arme nucléaire, rapporte le New York Times dans son édition de mardi. Selon le journal américain, Obama aurait fait cette proposition dans une lettre remise en mains propres au président russe Dmitri Medvedev à Moscou il y a trois semaines par de hauts responsables de l'administration américaine, ajoute le quotidien. Le New York Times cite des sources gouvernementales ayant souhaité conserver l'anonymat, la lettre n'ayant pas été rendue publique. Mais ces derniers ont également précisé qu'il ne s'agissait pas d'une offre impliquant un engagement réciproque de Moscou mais plutôt d'une manière d'inciter la Russie à rejoindre les Etats-Unis dans un front commun contre l'Iran. Le journal américain rappelle que les liens militaires, commerciaux et diplomatiques avec Téhéran, donnent à Moscou une certaine influence sur ce pays.

Un haut responsable américain a confirmé la remise d'une lettre à l'agence Reuters: «La lettre avait trait à plusieurs sujets, dont la défense antimissile et la manière dont elle s'articule avec la menace iranienne». Moscou n'a pas encore répondu à l'offre d'Obama mais le quotidien russe Kommersant a déjà qualifié cette offre de «sensationnelle».

Barack Obama a promis une nouvelle approche diplomatique fondée sur la volonté de dialoguer directement et respectueusement avec la République islamique. Seule condition : que cette dernière «desserre le poing». Selon un responsable russe cité par le New York Times, la défense antimissile américaine devrait être évoquée dès vendredi à Genève lors d'une rencontre entre la secrétaire d'État américaine Hillary Clinton et le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, Sergueï Lavrov. Quand à Barack Obama et Dmitri Medvedev, ils devraient évoquer le sujet lors de leur première rencontre officielle, le 2 avril prochain à Londres, à l'occasion du sommet du G20. >>> Jérôme Bouin (lefigaro.fr) | Mardi 03 Mars 2009

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Simon Scott Plummer: How the Ayatollah Overthrew the Shah
THE TELEGRAPH: Simon Scott Plummer examines Khomeini’s mesmeric hold over Iran and the Islamic world

The Islamic Revolution in Iran was the most significant event of the last half of the 20th century. Some would even rank its importance in modern history as second only to the fall of the Bastille. Along with the American and Soviet withdrawals from Vietnam and Afghanistan in 1975 and 1989, it marked the emergence of Islam as a global political force after centuries of impotence, and a corresponding decline in superpower hegemony. To read Con Coughlin’s book is largely to understand how a septuagenarian cleric who had spent 15 years in exile was able to overthrow an authoritarian monarch with a terrifying security apparatus and armed forces bristling with Western weapons.

By the second half of the Seventies the Pahlavi shah, Reza Mohammed, had alienated most of Iranian society, from the clergy to the merchants. But popular discontent went back much further than his reign. The granting by the previous Qajar dynasty of concessions to British American Tobacco in 1891; the Russian invasion of 1907; Britain’s majority stake in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; the British and Soviet occupation from 1941 onwards; the CIA-backed overthrow of the prime minister Mossadeq in 1953; the last shah’s dependence on Washington: all these were waymarks on a road of national humiliation.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini offered a radical alternative to the puffed-up Pahlavis. His title denoted a considerable Islamic scholar. His lifestyle was simple and his opposition to the shah coherent and courageous. Yet these qualities do not fully explain the mesmeric hold he had over Iran and the wider Islamic world.

There must have been something in his appearance and way of speaking to generate the wave of joy when he returned home in 1979, and of grief when he died 10 years later. In dealing with notorious figures, it is easy to underplay their personal charisma. >>> Simon Scott Plummer | Thursday, February 26, 2009

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Wilders Now a Celebrity in US and Prime Minister in Poll
NIS NEWS BULLETIN: THE HAGUE - Controversial MP Geert Wilders has reacted with pleasure to a poll according to which his Party for Freedom (PVV) would be the Netherlands' biggest party. "As far as I am concerned elections can be held tomorrow; then I will be the next premier."

The PVV would according to prominent pollster Maurice de Hond win 27 seats in the 150-member Lower House if elections were held now. This is one more than the Christian democrats (CDA). This is the first time the PVV has emerged as the biggest party in a poll.

The PVV has risen in recent weeks thanks to apparent setbacks. First, the Amsterdam appeal court ruled that Wilders must be prosecuted for incitement to hatred and insulting of Muslims as a group. And subsequently, the UK refused him entry to the country.

In the US on the other hand, Wilders was greeted by neo-conservatives - as by a growing portion of the Dutch population - as a martyr for freedom of speech. The contrasts with Europe are great. A conservative philosopher said of his impact in the American media: "He is more than a hero. He is a celebrity".

Wilders says his criticism of Islam is dealt with much less frenetically in America. "In the Netherlands, the elite consider that you may not speak as I do, but here (in the US) freedom is in the genes. (...) I notice that in this country, at least arguments are exchanged. The Netherlands and Europe could adopt this as an example."

According to Wilders, the Pentagon shares his fears of a 'Eurabia'. "I have spoken with Pentagon staff, and they fear for the stability of Europe if the influence of Islam grows further." >>> | Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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