Hanoch Daum: The Right to Our Opinion
YNET NEWS: Latest crisis an opportunity to tell America we’re allowed to disagree

Let’s all take a deep breath. All of us. Now that the latest meeting between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ended, we would do well to accept the not-so-bitter truth: At this time there are disagreements between the United States and Israel.

Two new governments on both sides do not see eye to eye on diplomatic realities and have different attitudes to Jerusalem. We could have caved in, or tried to blur the gaps, yet this would be a missed opportunity. It is better to reconcile ourselves to this diplomatic reality and recognize it. This is the situation, dear citizens: Israel thinks differently than America.

Instead of getting scared of this fragile situation, we need to speak out boldly: On the other side, there are quite a few people who fail to understand the limits of power.

It doesn’t matter what they tell you about what’s really happening between the White House and Israel, one thing is clear: The notion someone planted in Obama’s head, whereby Netanyahu will make statements that contradict his beliefs and his voters’ worldview, and that would shatter his coalition and split the Likud – this notion is foolish and unreasonable.

Indeed, this notion casts doubt on President Obama’s ability to conduct himself vis-à-vis Israel the way one should conduct himself vis-à-vis an ally. >>> Hanoch Daum | Sunday, March 28, 2010

Islam in Balkan / Islam in the Balkans / L'Islam dans les Balkans

Moyen-Orient : Nétanyahou accuse les Palestiniens de «durcir» le ton
CYBERPRESSE.ca: Le premier ministre israélien Benyamin Nétanyahou a accusé dimanche les Palestiniens de «durcir leurs positions» tout en se disant prêt à poursuivre les contacts avec les États-Unis pour favoriser une reprise du dialogue.

«Nous continuons de constater que les Palestiniens durcissent leurs positions. Ils ne montrent pas le moindre signe de modération», a déploré M. Nétanyahou au début de la séance hebdomadaire de son cabinet.

Lors de l'ouverture du sommet arabe samedi en Libye, le président palestinien Mahmoud Abbas a de nouveau exclu des négociations indirectes, dite de «proximité», avec Israël sans un arrêt de la colonisation israélienne. >>> AFP, Jerusalem | Dimanche 28 Mars 2010

Mideast: Arab League Urges Dialogue with Iran
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Summit leader addresses Ah[a]madinejad’s nuclear ambitions, cautions Israel against building more settlements

The head of the Arab League urged the 22-nation bloc to engage Iran directly over concerns about its growing influence in the region and its disputed nuclear program.

Amr Moussa also warned in his opening statement at a two-day Arab League summit in Sirte, Libya, that Israeli construction on land claimed by Palestinians could scuttle the Mideast peace process for good.

Mr. Moussa outlined his plan for closer ties with Iran, saying it would involve a forum for regional co-operation and conflict resolution that would include Iran and Turkey — both non-Arab nations.

But the proposal could undermine U.S. and Israeli efforts to isolate Tehran amid concerns that its nuclear program aims to develop atomic weapons. It also comes as the U.S. and other Western powers push for a fresh round of sanctions over Iran's nuclear defiance. Tehran insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

“I realize that some are worried about Iran, but that is precisely why we need the dialogue,” Mr. Moussa said.

The push to engage Tehran seems to be at least partly fuelled by Arab frustration over Washington's failure to get Israel to back down on plans for more Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians want for a future state.

It also suggests that Arab nations are increasingly less likely to align with the U.S. strategy on Iran if they feel they are getting nothing in return in Mideast peace efforts.

Arab countries have grown increasingly skeptical that U.S. President Barack Obama will be able to forge a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians to end a conflict that has fuelled anti-American sentiment in the region. >>> Khaled Al-Deeb | Saturday, March 27, 2010

Visa-Streit beendet: Gaddafi darf wieder in die EU einreisen
WELT am SONNTAG: Zwischen Libyen und der EU gibt es keine Visabeschränkungen mehr. Damit darf auch Machthaber Muammar al-Gaddafi wieder in den Schengen-Raum einreisen. Die Beschränkungen waren von beiden Seiten nach lang anhaltenden Streitigkeiten verhängt worden, in deren Mittelpunkt Libyen und die Schweiz standen.

Muammar al-Gaddafi wurde von einer Liste mit Personen gestrichen, denen die Einreise in den Schengen-Raum untersagt ist. Bild: Welt am Sonntag
Der Visa-Streit zwischen Libyen und der Europäischen Union ist beigelegt. Beide Seiten bekannt, dass die wechselseitigen Visa-Restriktionen aufgehoben seien. Für die EU kündigte die spanische Ratspräsidentschaft die Aufhebung des Einreiseverbots in den Schengen-Raum für einige ranghohe Libyer, darunter Machthaber Muammar al-Gaddafi, an.

Alle Namen von Libyern seien von der Schwarzen Liste gestrichen worden, teilte das spanische Außenministerium mit. „Wir bedauern den Ärger und die Unannehmlichkeiten, die libyschen Bürgern dadurch entstanden sind, außerordentlich. Wir hoffen, dass sich so etwas künftig nicht wiederholt“, hieß es in der Mitteilung.

Libyen hob im Gegenzug die Einreiseverbote für Bürger aus dem Schengen-Raum auf, wie das Außenministerium am Rande eines Treffens der Arabischen Liga im libyschen Syrte bekannt gab.

Ausgelöst hatte die Krise ein Streit zwischen der Schweiz und Libyen. Bern hatte Mitte der Woche jedoch dem Druck der EU nachgegeben, die in dem diplomatischen Streit vermittelte. >>> AFP/Reuters/cn | Sonntag, 28. März 2010

Welt TV Video anschauen Gaddafis Heiliger Krieg gegen die Schweiz >>>
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La crise des visas est finie, Max Göldi attend toujours : AFFAIRE KADHAFI | La Libye et l’Union européenne lèvent les restrictions à l’octroi de visas des deux parties, mettant fin à la crise provoquée par l’interdiction suisse à des personnalités libyennes d’entrée dans l’espace Schengen. >>> AFP | Samedi 27 Mars 2010

Gazastreifen: Israelischer Minister will Hamas "liquidieren"
WELT am SONNTAG: Eines Tages, da ist sich der israelische Finanzminister Juval Steinitz sicher, wird sein Land die Hamas-Regierung im Gazastreifen gewaltsam beseitigen müssen. Das Regime stelle unter anderem mit ihrem Raketenarsenal eine Bedrohung Israels dar und müsse daher „liquidiert" werden.

Juval Steinitz. Bild: Welt am Sonntag
Der israelische Finanzminister Juval Steinitz hat sich dafür ausgesprochen die Regierung der Hamas im Gazastreifen zu „liquidieren“. „Früher oder später werden wir das militaristische pro-iranische Regime der Hamas, das den Gazastreifen kontrolliert, liquidieren müssen“, sagte der Vertraute von Regierungschef Benjamin Netanjahu im Rundfunk.

Er lege keinen Zeitplan fest, aber es könne nicht geduldet werden, dass die Hamas im Gazastreifen militärisch stärker werde und sich ein Raketenarsenal zulege, das Israel bedrohe, fügte der Minister hinzu. Steinitz gehört Netanjahus rechtgerichteter Likud-Partei an. >>> AFP/cn | Sonntag, 28. März 2010

Vor ihrer Türkei-Reise: Merkel fordert Migranten zum Deutsch lernen auf
WELT am SONNTAG: Kurz vor ihrer Reise in die Türkei hat Kanzlerin Merkel deutliche Worte zum Thema Integration gefunden. Voraussetzung für Integration sei das Erlernen der deutschen Sprache und die Einhaltung deutscher Gesetze, sagte sie. Die Forderung nach türkischen Gymnasien in Deutschland wies neben Merkel auch SPD-Chef Gabriel zurück. Er hat aber einen anderen Vorschlag.

Die Forderung des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan nach türkischen Gymnasien in Deutschland sorgt weiter für Diskussionsstoff. Nach Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) wies auch SPD-Chef Sigmar Gabriel den Vorstoß zurück, schlug aber zugleich mehr Türkisch-Unterricht an deutschen Schulen vor.

Merkel indes verwies darauf, dass die Voraussetzung für Integration das Erlernen der deutschen Sprache sei.

Gabriel sagte dem Deutschlandfunk am Samstag, er könne sich „im Ernst nicht vorstellen, dass wir türkische Gymnasien möglichst noch mit Regierungsauftrag aus der Türkei bei uns aufbauen“. „Aber ich habe überhaupt nichts dagegen, dass Türkisch als zweite oder dritte Fremdsprache mehr in Deutschland unterrichtet wird, als das zurzeit der Fall ist“, sagte der SPD-Chef.

Weil Deutschland immer engere Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zur Türkei habe, würden die Sprachkenntnisse wichtiger. „Da haben die jungen Leute, die türkische Eltern haben, richtig was zu bieten“, sagte Gabriel. >>> EPD/AFP/ab | Sonntag, 28. März 2010

Nevada : Les Tea Party contre la réforme de santé
20MINUTES.ch: Sarah Palin a appelé samedi des milliers de conservateurs réunis près de Las Vegas à sanctionner les démocrates.



L'ancienne gouverneure de l'Alaska s'est adressée à une foule de 7.000 personnes réunies par la mouvement d'opposition Tea Party à Searchlight, ancienne petite ville minière du désert du Nevada, où Harry Reid, l'un des artisans de la réforme de santé voulue par Barack Obama, a grandi et possède encore une maison.

Harry Reid «dilapide notre futur», a affirmé Mme Palin. «Quelqu'un doit lui dire, ce n'est pas un simple coup de dés». «Nous n'allons pas rester assis et nous taire», a-t-elle ajouté, assurant vouloir inciter les gens à la mobilisation et non à la violence.

L'ancienne candidate à la vice-présidence américaine a annoncé aux manifestants la fin de la politique du sénateur Reid, du président Obama et de la porte-parole de la Chambre des représentants Nancy Pelosi. «Vous êtes virés», a lancé Sarah Palin. Les organisateurs du mouvement d'opposition Tea Party ont affirmé pouvoir rassembler jusqu'à 10.000 personnes. >>> ap | Samedi 27 Mars 2010

États-Unis : Maman Bush hospitalisée pour des examen
20MINUTES.ch: Barbara Bush, épouse de l'ancien président des Etats-Unis George Bush, a été admise samedi dans un hôpital de Houston pour une série d'examens.

Les tests que l'épouse de George Bush senior doit subir sont consécutifs à des problèmes de santé, a annoncé la chaîne de télévision CBS, sans préciser la nature de ces troubles. >>> afp | Dimanche 28 Mars 2010

Christian Hoteliers in Row with Muslim Guest Forced to Sell Up
MAIL ONLINE: The two Christian hoteliers cleared last year of insulting a Muslim guest are being forced to sell up because their business has collapsed.

Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang are putting their nine-bedroom hotel up for auction in May because they can no longer pay the mortgage.

Despite donations sent to them by Christian supporters from around the world, they still have debts of well over £400,000.

They are also considering a civil action against the police who brought the prosecution.

Mrs Vogelenzang, 54, said last night it was 'devastating' that they could be left with nothing as the result of a case that should never have come to court.

'Where do we go from here?' she said. 'How do we start all over again?'

The couple saw their Liverpool business brought to its knees after an investigation into what was deemed a religiously aggravated hate crime against Ericka Tazi. The 60-year-old white British convert complained that the couple had called the prophet Mohammed a 'warlord' and told her that Muslim women were oppressed.

The case against them was thrown out after a judge at Liverpool magistrates' court said it flew in the face of their right to freedom of religious expression.

After the victory, the couple hoped they would be able to revive the Bounty House Hotel near Aintree racecourse, which they had built up over ten years.

Four months later, however, they have failed to attract enough customers and are losing about £8,000 a month. We're selling our hotel, say Christian couple in row with Muslim guest >>> Jonathan Petre | Saturday, March 27, 2010

There Goes the Neighbourhood: Change Sweeps Black America's Cultural Home
THE OBSERVER: For much of the last century Harlem was the heart of the black community, but now some locals fear that whites and Hispanics are invading their turf

There was a time when the sight of Sandra Schulze's blond hair in the middle of Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park would have been a shock. But last week, as the 38-year-old graphic designer played with her two-year-old son, it was more a sign of the times.

Harlem has long been one of the most famed names in black American culture. The neighbourhood produced jazz greats, political giants and sports heroes. It kept a firm black foothold in the heart of Manhattan. But that is changing, and fast. Schulze, who moved to Harlem from Connecticut a week ago with her advertising executive husband, is the new face of what was once a place synonymous with either black pride or black ghetto-isation. Not that Schulze, who is German, sees it that way. She just sees a wonderful place to raise her son, with cheap rents, enormous apartments and friendly locals. "So far, it's been wonderful. It is a little like Paris, a little like Berlin. I love it," she gushed.

Schulze is part of a tide of newcomers to Harlem that is changing the historic neighbourhood. In Greater Harlem, black Americans no longer make up a majority. They comprise about four in 10 people, being pushed out by white gentrifiers and the explosive growth of the Latino population of Spanish Harlem. In fact, the black population of Greater Harlem is at its lowest in absolute terms since the 1920s. Those figures are from 2008, but a new census will take a snapshot of America on 1 April 2010 and its results will be announced later this year. For Harlem, one thing is almost certain: the neighbourhood will continue to have become less black and more white and brown. That is mimicking trends at a national level. >>> Paul Harris in New York | Sunday, March 28, 2010

New Surrogacy Law Eases the Way for Gay Men to Become Legal Parents
THE OBSERVER: Changes to legislation will recognise growing trend for same-sex couples to become parents, say campaigners

Gay male couples will be able to use a fast-track route to become the legal parents of surrogate children from next week. On 6 April, changes to the law will permit two men to be named as parents on a child's birth certificate for the first time in British history.

The transition will take effect following the implementation of the final piece of the 2008 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. This last section is aimed at helping same-sex and unmarried couples who seek to have surrogate children and will allow them to secure legal parenthood in a new, simplified manner. At present, only married, heterosexual couples can use this route.

"These changes bring the law up to date with the realities of modern 21st-century life and recognise that increasing numbers of same-sex and unmarried couples are having children together," said Natalie Gamble, of the fertility law firm Gamble and Ghevaert. >>> Robin McKie, science editor | Sunday, March 28, 2010

MPs Say Time To Reconsider 'The Special Relationship'
THE TELEGRAPH: British politicians should be "less deferential" towards the United States and more willing to say no, an influential group of MPs urges in a report.

The Foreign Affairs Committee says it is time to reconsider the term "the special relationship", which it complains is overused by politicians and the media, serving "simultaneously to devalue its meaning and to raise unrealistic expectations about the benefits the relationship can deliver to the UK."

Instead, the MPs conclude, Britain should acknowledge that it has "a" special relationship with the US - as do other American allies, partners and regional neighbours.

Britain should adopt "a hard-headed political approach to the relationship and a realistic sense of the UK's limits", and not always assume that America's priorities coincide with Britain's, say the MPs.

"British and European politicians have been guilty of over-optimism about the extent of influence they have over the US," said Mike Gapes, chairman of the committee.

"Certainly the UK must continue to position itself closely alongside the US but there is a need to be less deferential and more willing to say no where our interests diverge."

He added: "The extent of political influence which the UK has exercised on US decision-making as a consequence of its military commitments is likely to diminish. Over the longer-term the UK is unlikely to be able to influence the US to the extent it has in the past."

The 14-member, cross-party committee says that the perception after the Iraq War that the UK was a "poodle" to America's wishes was highly damaging, and reported dissatisfaction among American generals over the capabilities of British forces gives "cause for concern". >>> Harriet Alexander, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Sunday, March 28, 2010

Holy Father, I Can Stay No Longer In This Church of Disgust
THE SUNDAY TIMES: My daughter was baptised into the Roman Catholic faith when she was two months old. She is now six, and should really be gearing up for her first communion. The fact that she isn’t is down to one factor: the parish priest at the local church was suspended, pending investigations into allegations of child abuse.

He was eventually cleared of all charges, which was nice for him but didn’t really work for me because I don’t want any of my children left alone with adult men in any context where the words “child abuse” are hovering in the air. In recent years that context has, sadly, broadened to include the entire church.

To be blunt about it, my daughter was baptised because we feared she might die — she had complicated open-heart surgery a few weeks after she was born, and for some reason I found the sacrament intensely comforting. Beautiful, too.

Her father, a cradle Catholic, lost patience with his childhood faith long ago. I’m only nominally Catholic — my (late) father was pathologically anti-clerical, which makes me wonder what happened in his childhood to make him hate priests quite so much, and my mother, although educated by nuns, is nominally a Muslim.

But I was born into an otherwise Catholic family, and baptising your child into the faith is what you did when I was born. My mother then remarried another lapsed(ish) Catholic; my sisters went to a convent school. None of us was exactly what you would call religious, to put it mildly.

Nevertheless, there were aspects of Catholicism that I loved, and not only because they made me good at reading religious paintings (this is why RE lessons are so important — never mind God; feel the culture). They were mostly all the things people make fun of and call superstitious: the ceremony, the ritual, the saints, the relics, the Latin, the grace.

I went to Lourdes and Knock and Medjugorje — once each — and dragged along friends who observed the whole thing with amazed, incredulous hilarity (“You can’t seriously believe ... ?”) but I always found myself moved. I went to a particular church in the Rue du Bac whenever I was in Paris, because of St Catherine Labouré, who had always answered my calls for intercession, especially ones concerning my daughter. I’ve probably lost you right there — but never mind, because at this point they’ve lost me, too.

It is simply not possible, having read the papers or watched the news over the past couple of weeks, to stick with the programme. Like many of my generation, I could hardly be described as a good, or even decent, Catholic, but I’d managed to hang on in there, in the vaguest way imaginable.

Vague because it’s hard to pay lip-service to a faith that you feel hates you; a faith that would rather let you die in childbirth than have an abortion, won’t let you take the contraception necessary to prevent said abortion, hates gay people despite having many homosexual priests; a faith that talks ignorant nonsense about HIV and Aids, that would rather watch people die in Africa than let them use a condom; a faith that is unbelievably slow to say sorry about the fact that some of its members are habitual rapists of children.

I mean, you know, at some point you just give up. Not one of these things is defensible taken individually. Collectively, they are beyond comprehension.

A faith based on central authority and infallibility must understand that failure immediately to condemn the rape of children — in Ireland, in America, in Austria, in Germany, in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Brazil, so far — is essentially to allow it. >>> India Knight | Sunday, March 28, 2010

THE SUNDAY TIMES: Victims of sex abuse to sue Vatican: NEW revelations about Pope Benedict XVI’s alleged role in covering up accusations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have exposed the Vatican to the risk of lawsuits brought by victims around the world. >>> Tony Allen-Mills in New York and John Follain in Rome | Sunday, March 28, 2010

Saudis Fund Balkan Muslims Spreading Hate of the West
Muslims stage a protest against the publication of cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. Photograph: The Sunday Times
THE SUNDAY TIMES: SAUDI ARABIA is pouring hundreds of millions of pounds into Islamist groups in the Balkans, some of which spread hatred of the West and recruit fighters for jihad in Afghanistan.

According to officials in Macedonia, Islamic fundamentalism threatens to destabilise the Balkans. Strict Wahhabi and Salafi factions funded by Saudi organisations are clashing with traditionally moderate local Muslim communities.

Fundamentalists have financed the construction of scores of mosques and community centres as well as handing some followers up to £225 a month. They are expected not only to grow beards but also to persuade their wives to wear the niqab, or face veil, a custom virtually unknown in the liberal Islamic tradition of the Balkans.

Government sources in traditionally secular Macedonia (official title the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), said they were monitoring up to 50 Al-Qaeda volunteers recruited to fight in Afghanistan.

Classified documents seen by The Sunday Times reveal that Macedonian officials are also investigating a number of Islamic charities, some in Saudi Arabia, which are active throughout the Balkans and are suspected of spreading extremism and laundering money for terrorist organisations.

One of the groups under scrutiny is the International Islamic Relief Organisation from Saudi Arabia, which is on a United Nations blacklist of organisations backing terrorism. It did not respond to inquiries, but has previously denied involvement in terrorist activities, calling such claims “totally unfounded”.

According to its website, it works in 32 countries to provide relief to the victims of natural disasters and to carry out humanitarian, health and educational projects.

“Hundreds of millions have been poured into Macedonia alone in the past decade and most of it comes from Saudi Arabia,” said a government source. “The Saudis’ main export seems to be ideology, not oil.”

Sulejman Rexhepi, leader of the Islamic community in Macedonia, said a number of mosques had been forcibly taken over by radical groups. Four in central Skopje are no longer under the control of the official Islamic authorities. New imams claim they have been “spontaneously” installed by the “people”.

“Their so-called Wahhabi teachings are completely alien to our traditions and to the essence of Islam, which is a tolerant and inclusive religion,” said Rexhepi. >>> Bojan Pancevski in Skopje | Sunday, March 28, 2010

Senior Bishops Call for End to Persecution of Christians in Britain
THE TELEGRAPH: Christians in Britain are being persecuted and "treated with disrespect", senior bishops have said.

Six prominent bishops and Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, describe the "discrimination" against churchgoers as "unacceptable in a civilised society".

In a thinly-veiled attack on Labour, they claim that traditional beliefs on issues such as marriage are no longer being upheld and call on the major parties to address the issue in the run-up to the general election.

In a letter to The Sunday Telegraph, the bishops express their deep disquiet at the double standards of public sector employers, claiming that Christians are punished while followers of other faiths are treated far more sensitively.

Their intervention follows a series of cases in which Christians have been dismissed after seeking to express their faith. They highlight the plight of Shirley Chaplin, a nurse who was banned from working on hospital wards for wearing a cross around her neck. This week she will begin a legal battle against the decision.

Christians are also increasingly concerned that the Government is ignoring their views on issues such as sex education and homosexuality when introducing new legislation.

A group of 640 head teachers, school governors and faith leaders have signed a separate letter to this newspaper warning that compulsory sex education in primary schools will erode moral standards and encourage sexual experimentation.

They call for the dropping of legislation that will see children as young as seven taught about sex and relationships.

In their letter, the bishops urge the Government to stop the persecution of Christians. >>> Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs correspondent | Saturday, March 27, 2010

Céline Dion: Because You Loved Me

Arabische Liga will Israel noch mehr isolieren: Zuwendung zu Partnern wie Türkei und Iran
NZZ ONLINE: Die arabischen Staaten sind von der internationalen Gemeinschaft enttäuscht und setzen bei der Lösung von regionalen Konflikten deshalb künftig auf die Zusammenarbeit mit Nachbarn wie der Türkei und Iran. Israel wollen sie dagegen noch stärker isolieren als bisher.

Der Generalsekretär der Arabischen Liga, Amr Mussa, forderte die Mitgliedsstaaten auf, eine Alternative zu den jetzigen Nahost- Friedensgesprächen zu entwickeln. «Wir müssen die Möglichkeit in Betracht ziehen, dass der Friedensprozess komplett scheitern könnte», sagte Mussa am Samstag in seiner Eröffnungsrede zu dem zweitägigen Gipfeltreffen in der libyschen Stadt Sirte.

«Wir müssen Alternativpläne erstellen, denn die Situation hat einen Wendepunkt erreicht,» sagte Mussa. Bisher habe die Liga den Einsatz von Vermittlern und einen Friedensprozess mit offenem Ausgang akzeptiert. «Aber dadurch ging Zeit verloren», sagte der Generalsekretär. «Wir haben nichts erreicht, und das hat es Israel erlaubt, 20 Jahre lang seine Politik zu verfolgen.»

Die arabischen Staaten müssten jetzt schnell agieren, da Israel versuche, durch den Bau jüdischer Siedlungen im arabischen Ostteil von Jerusalem und andere Massnahmen Fakten zu schaffen, die später nur noch schwer aus dem Weg zu räumen seien. >>> sda/Reuters/dpa | Samstag, 27. März 2010

Christopher Hitchens on Islam

Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullivan on C-Span (Washington Journal 2002)
Part 1:



Part 2:

Palin* Lashes Out at the Media


*Is America really going to consider this folksy lass for president?

Yes, We Can – Without the Government

Pal Sarkozy, la mémoire du clan
Dans leur appartement de Levallois-Perret sur l’île de la Jatte, Pal Sarkozy, avec sa quatrième épouse, Inès. De nombreux tableaux témoignent de la passion du père du président pour la peinture. Photo : Paris Match
PARIS MATCH: Le père du président de la République publie ses souvenirs, l’itinéraire extraordinaire d’un jeune immigré arrivé en France à 20 ans. Sans papiers.

Il reconnaît sans façon que son nom lui a largement ouvert, surtout à l’étranger, les portes des galeries de peinture où il expose régulièrement. Pal Sarkozy, bientôt 82 ans, est un aventurier au franc-parler. Ses Mémoires, écrits en collaboration avec Frédérique Drouin (éd. Plon), portent un titre ­éloquent, « Tant de vie ». Issu de la noblesse terrienne hongroise, Pal Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa a fui le communisme à 20 ans pour s’installer à Paris où il exercera plusieurs petits métiers avant de s’imposer comme publicitaire. Soixante années après son arrivée clandestine dans la capitale, il a vu son fils Nicolas être élu à la charge ­suprême. Marié quatre fois, père de cinq enfants de deux unions différentes, fier de sa vie et du destin de sa famille, Pal Sarkozy avoue qu’il partage avec son fils de président un même besoin et désir de plaire. >>> Interview Caroline Pigozzi, Paris Match | Samedi 27 Mars 2010

PARIS MATCH: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy ne souhaite pas un 2e mandat >>> | Mercredi 24 Mars 2010

Pédophilie: Le pape pas “affaibli”
PARIS MATCH: Benoît XVI n'est pas "affaibli" par les attaques médiatiques sur sa gestion des scandales de pédophilie dans l'Église catholique, a déclaré le porte-parole du Vatican Federico Lombardi sur Radio Vatican. >>> | Samedi 27 Mars 2010

Raciste, moi ? Juste islamophobe et anti burqa. Pat Condell & l'islam

Sarah Palin
Andrew Sullivan on …



Matt Damon on …

Andrew Sullivan* on Same Sex Marriage


*Andrew Sullivan is a prominent author and journalist. Check him out on The Daily Dish >>>

Sean Hannity: This Is Socialism


Sean Hannity: We Can Take Our Country Back

Voile sur la République
Episode 1:



Episode 2:



Episode 3:

Libyen: Arabischer Gipfel eröffnet
20MINUTEN.ch: Selbstkritisch hat in Libyen der 22. Gipfel der Arabischen Liga begonnen: Der Emir von Katar geisselte die eigene Ohnmacht.

Scheich Hamad bin Chalilfa al-Thani, sagte in seiner Eröffnungsrede: «Die Meinungsverschiedenheiten zwischen den arabischen Staaten haben in den vergangenen Jahren eine erfolgreiche gemeinsame Politik verhindert.»

Dies müsse sich ändern. «Wir wollen niemanden persönlich beschuldigen und diesen Misserfolg auch nicht alleine auf die schwierigen Umstände schieben», sagte der Emir. Es könne doch nicht angehen, dass die Araber nicht einmal in der Lage seien, die Blockade des palästinensischen Gazastreifens zu beenden. >>> sda | Samstag, 27. März 2010

Yunis Al Astal - L'islam va conquérir Rome

Vatican Goes Into Battle for Benedict as Sexual Abuse Crisis Deepens
THE INDEPENDENT: Spokesman says Pope knew nothing about reassigning paedophile priest

battle to defend Pope Benedict from the latest child abuse scandal after reports linked him directly to a decision to allow a paedophile priest to take up a pastoral role in his former diocese.

Officials launched their second strident defence of the Pope in two days over separate episodes in Germany and the US as the tide of allegations moved closer to the pontiff himself. Senior Italian politicians also stepped in to defend the Pope over claims that he had failed to act strongly enough against child abuse by the clergy before he took on leadership of the church.

In the latest controversy, The New York Times reported that Benedict, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was kept closely informed of the case of Father Peter Hullerman, who was suspended from his duties in the northern German town of Essen in 1979 after several parents accused him of child sex attacks. >>> Michael Day in Milan | Saturday, March 27, 2010

Burqa : l'interdiction générale écartée par le Conseil d'État
Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Le rapport qui sera rendu dans quelques jours au premier ministre devrait faire preuve d'une grande prudence.

Le premier ministre, François Fillon, avait chargé le Conseil d'État d'étudier les bases juridiques pour interdire le plus largement possible le port du voile intégral. Les Sages ont finalement accouché vendredi d'un rapport… prudent. Il ne sera rendu au premier ministre que dans quelques jours et reste pour l'instant gardé comme un secret.

Les conseillers ont, d'après nos informations, écarté la possibilité d'une interdiction générale. Celle-ci n'aurait pu se fonder que sur l'atteinte à la dignité humaine. Comme pour le lancer de nains, que les Sages avaient interdit en 1995, jugeant qu'il heurtait la « dignité » quand bien même ces derniers en faisaient profession. Et se voyaient ainsi privés d'un revenu.

Depuis, le Conseil a semble-t-il, revu sa position. >>> Par Cécilia Gabizon | Vendredi 26 Mars 2010

A Very Modern Military Partnership
THE INDEPENDENT: Only 10 years ago, the Army was expelling soldiers for homosexuality. Now gay weddings get the regimental blessing. Terri Judd reports

The civil partnership ceremony at which L/Cpl James Wharton, of the Household Cavalry, married Thom McCaffrey, a regimental first. Photo: The Independent
One groom wore ceremonial uniform with his Iraq medal, the other morning dress with an orchid. Surrounded by silverware and paintings commemorating great battles, Lance Corporal James Wharton, 23, and his new husband enjoyed their first dance to Tina Turner in the warrant officers' mess of the most prestigious regiment in the land.

The Household Cavalry, famed for escorting the Queen during state occasions and the fact that it counts both her grandsons among its officers, celebrated its first gay wedding in style. L/Cpl Wharton was joined in a civil partnership with his boyfriend, the Virgin air steward Thom McCaffrey, 21, surrounded by members of L/Cpl Wharton's regiment, the Blues and Royals.

"The entire regiment has been really supportive," he said. "When I went to ask the Squadron Leader, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, for permission to get married, he just said 'This is fantastic, congratulations'."

"The lads joked it was the gay event of the year. Everyone was excited. It was the talk of the barracks. This generation of soldiers is completely liberal," added the junior non-commissioned officer, whose only regret was that some of his friends would not be back from Afghanistan in time to enjoy the nuptials.

Just over 10 years ago, before a ban on homosexuality was lifted, gay soldiers faced interrogation and expulsion from the Army if discovered. But, in a very visible sign of the changing times, L/Cpl Wharton was given permission to host his wedding reception at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Knightsbridge barracks.

"Colour, creed, age and who you sleep with all become irrelevant when you're both being shot at. All that matters to me is that he is an effective, well-trained and fit operational soldier," said his troop leader, Captain Michael Fry. "I hope people will focus less on L/Cpl Wharton's sexuality, and more on the fact that he is a good soldier." >>> Terri Judd | Saturday, March 27, 2010

Binyamin Netanyahu: 'Jerusalem Is Not a Settlement. It's Our Capital'
THE GUARDIAN: Israeli prime minister gives a defiant speech in Washington to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and calls Iran an 'unprecedented threat to humanity'

Watch Guardian video here | Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Barack Obama Seeks to Mend US Ties with Muslim World
THE GUARDIAN: Americans are not your enemy, president tells Arabic cable TV network al-Arabiya

Watch Guardian video here | Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Nile Gardiner: Barack Obama’s Humiliation of Israel Is a Disgrace
THE TELEGRAPH: I wrote recently about Barack Obama’s sneering contempt for both Israel and Great Britain. Further confirmation of this was provided today with new details emerging regarding the President’s appalling reception for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House earlier this week. As Adrian Blomfield reports for The Telegraph:

Benjamin Netanyahu was left to stew in a White House meeting room for over an hour after President Barack Obama abruptly walked out of tense talks to have supper with his family, it emerged on Thursday. The snub marked a fresh low in US-Israeli relations and appeared designed to show Mr Netanyahu how low his stock had fallen in Washington after he refused to back down in a row over Jewish construction in east Jerusalem.

… (Mr. Obama) immediately presented Mr Netanyahu with a list of 13 demands designed both to [the] end the feud with his administration and to build Palestinian confidence ahead of the resumption of peace talks. Key among those demands was a previously-made call to halt all new settlement construction in east Jerusalem.

When the Israeli prime minister stalled, Mr Obama rose from his seat declaring: “I’m going to the residential wing to have dinner with Michelle and the girls.” As he left, Mr Netanyahu was told to consider the error of his ways. “I’m still around,” Mr Obama is quoted by Israel’s Yediot Ahronot newspaper as having said. “Let me know if there is anything new.”

This is no way to treat America’s closest ally in the Middle East, and a true friend of the United States. I very much doubt that even third world tyrants would be received in such a rude fashion by the president. In fact, they would probably be warmly welcomed by the Obama White House as part of its “engagement” strategy, while the leaders of Britain and Israel are frequently met with arrogant disdain. >>> Nile Gardiner | Thursday, March 25, 2010

Obama is no good for America; and he’s no good for Europe either. The sooner this man is shown the White House door, the better it will be for all concerned.

Frequent visitors to this blog will surely remember that I stated way before his election as president that this man would be no good for America. My words are coming true. Back then, though, the MSM would have nothing to do with negative talk about “our Saviour”.

The halo has already slipped; it hasn’t taken long. Newspapers are now full of criticism of the man once thought of as the man who could walk on water, the man they thought had been born in a manger.

This is a man born to a Muslim father; so he will certainly have had his father whisper in his ear at birth the following incantation (the Shahada – الشهادة ): Ashadu ân la ilah ila Allah wa ashadu ân Muhammadan rasool Ullah (I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is his Messenger – أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله ). I have read no reports which prove that Barack Hussein Obama has renounced the faith of his birth; I have read no reports of his apostasy.

What has this got to do with anything?, you might well ask. The answer is a whole lot. Doesn’t Obama’s roots in Islam provide us with the answer as to why he has treated Netanyahu with such disdain and outright rudeness? Isn’t Obama a closet Muslim; and if he isn’t, why doesn’t he prove that he is not? Why is his birth certificate under lock and key in Hawaii? For the way he is behaving, even with the best will in the world, one cannot help but have nagging doubts. – © Mark

International Right-Wingers Gather for EU-Wide Minaret Ban
Minaret in Switzerland. Wangen bei Olten. Photograph: Spiegel Online International
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Delegates from right-wing populist parties from across Europe are descending on Germany this weekend for a conference looking into the possibility of an EU-wide minaret ban. The hosts, an anti-Muslim German group, hope to use the gathering as a springboard to success in local elections.

What could be more European than a castle? The Continent is dotted with them, often menacingly perched on forested hilltops overlooking rivers or ancient trading routes -- important bastions necessary for the defense of what developed into Europe's long and rich cultural tradition.

These days, of course, European castles tend to be little more than bucolic tourist attractions. But it is perhaps no accident that a small palace in western Germany's former industrial heart has been chosen to host a convention ostensibly aimed at defending European culture. The castle in question is the centuries-old Horst Palace, a Renaissance structure in the Ruhr Valley city of Gelsenkirchen. The gathering is called, pointedly, the Anti-Minaret Conference.

This Saturday, politicians representing right-wing conservative parties from across Europe will descend on the Horst Palace to discuss the dangers of Islam. Delegates from the Belgian nationalists Vlaams Belang will be there as will politicians from Geert Wilders's Dutch Party for Freedom, Pia Kjaersgaard's Danish People's Party and the Front National of Jean-Marie Le Pen. Others from Sweden, Austria and Eastern Europe are also on the invite list.

'Symbols of Radical Islam'

The hosts are a relatively new group of German right-wing conservatives called Pro-NRW (an abbreviation of the German state North Rhine-Westphalia) and the goal of the conference is clear: to follow in Switzerland's footsteps and ban minarets across Europe. And they want to use a provision of the European Union's new Lisbon Treaty to do it.

"I don't think that minarets are part of our heritage," conference attendee Filip Dewinter, floor leader for Vlaams Belang in the Flemish parliament, told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "They are symbols of radical Islam. The question is whether Islam is a religion like Protestantism and Catholicism and for me it is not. It is a political system, it is a way of life and it is one that is not compatible with ours." >>> Charles Hawley in Berlin | Friday, March 26, 2010

Europe: Muslim Immigration and the Rise of 'Eurabia'

Muslim Immigration!

Islam in Denmark

Dutch Far-right Party Out in Cold Over Headscarf Ban
EXPATICA: Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) has scuppered its chances of governing in the city of Almere through its insistence on a head scarf ban, a crown-appointed official said Friday.

No other party in Almere would accept a blanket ban on Islamic head scarves in municipal buildings, making it impossible to form a ruling coalition, said Boele Staal, a politician appointed by Queen Beatrix to investigate options for coalition government in the city where the PVV won March 3 municipal elections.

"The PVV wants a head scarf ban regardless of any (legal) test," said Boele's letter to the city council of Almere, nearly a third of whose 190,000 residents are of immigrant origin.

"With this position, the PVV has denied itself any possibility to be part of the municipal executive." >>> | Friday, March 26, 2010

England: No-Go Areas for Kuffar (Infidels)

Carl Dix, Revolutionary Communist Party of America: Revolution Is the Solution*

*This has all been tried before, Mr Dix. And we have seen what the outcome of it was. A communist revolution is NOT the solution. Even the Soviet Union had to abandon that idea. So what have you got new to add, Mr Dix? – Mark

“Saakashvili Is a Drug Abuser” – Georgian Opposition

Kadhafi veut se réconcilier avec ses islamistes
Seif al-Islam, fils aîné du deuxième mariage de Mouammar Kadhafi, chef du camp réformateur et héritier putatif de son père. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Le fils du guide libyen a annoncé la libération de trois chefs djihadistes et de deux cents militants.

Le régime libyen est décidé à pardonner à ses islamistes. Tripoli a annoncé mardi soir la libération de 214 militants de la cause djihadiste dont certains étaient incarcérés depuis plus de dix ans.

«C'est un moment historique», a affirmé Seif al-Islam, le fils de Mouammar Kadhafi, à l'origine de cet élargissement de masse des membres du Groupe islamique des combattants libyens (Gicl). Ce mouvement, un temps rallié à al-Qaida, fut très actif dans les années 1990. À ses côtés, en guise de symbole, s'affichaient Abdelhakim Belhaj, l'émir du Gicl, Khaled Chrif, son chef militaire, et Sami Saadi, l'idéologue, tous fraîchement libérés.

Cette ouverture est le point d'orgue de la politique de «réconciliation nationale» voulue par Seif al-Islam. «L'idée vient de l'Algérie qui a démontré qu'une telle mesure est possible sans apporter de changement au régime», souligne Luis Martinez, directeur de recherche au Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (Ceri). >>> Par Tanguy Berthemet | Jeudi 25 Mars 2010

Threat of Violence in Iraq After Nouri al-Maliki Loses Election
THE TELEGRAPH: Iraq is heading for a dangerous and uncertain future after its prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, lost its general election by the narrowest of margins but refused to step down without a fight.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his main rival Ayad Allawi. Photograph: The Telegraph
After three weeks of counting, marred by delays and accusations of fraud, the nationalist Iraqiya bloc led by Ayad Allawi won 91 seats, to 89 for Mr Maliki's State of Law.

Mr Maliki, who earlier accused election officials of fixing the result and demanded a recount, said the result was "not final" and that he did not accept it.

More worryingly, his supporters have openly threatened there would be a return to sectarian violence if Mr Allawi were declared the winner. >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Friday, March 26, 2010

Russia Bans Hitler's Mein Kampf Over Fears It Fuels Rise of Far-Right
THE TELEGRAPH: Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf has been banned in Russia in an attempt to combat the growing allure of far-Right politics.

Russian prosecutors on Friday banned the 1925 semi-autobiographical book, saying its outline of racial supremacy encouraged extremist and violent behaviour.

Despite including tracts that are both anti-Jewish and anti-Russian, it has become increasingly popular among Russia's far-Right groups.

Russian extremists have attacked migrant workers from poor nations in Central Asia and the Caucasus who come to Russia and often have menial jobs and squalid living conditions. African and Asian students and Russians who do not look Slavic have also been targeted.

At least 60 people were killed and 306 injured in hate attacks in Russia last year, according to Sova, a Moscow-based non-governmental organisation that tracks racist violence. >>> | Friday, March 26, 2010

Moscow: Gay Rights NGO Not Allowed

CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Winner of £1m Templeton Prize Attacks ‘Fundamentalism’ of Dawkins
TIMES ONLINE: The “scientific fundamentalism” promoted by the atheist Richard Dawkins was criticised yesterday by the winner of a prize he had attacked.

Professor Francisco Ayala, who won the £1 million Templeton Prize for scientific thought, said that attacking religion and ridiculing believers provided ammunition for religious leaders who insisted that followers had to choose between God and Darwin. “Richard Dawkins has been a friend for more than 20 years, but it is unfortunate that he goes beyond the boundaries of science in making statements that antagonise believers,” he said.

Professor Ayala, of the University of California, Irvine, who is an authority on evolution and genetics, won the prize for his contribution to the question “Does scientific knowledge contradict religious belief?”. The prize, the largest of its kind, was founded by the late entrepreneur Sir John Templeton to honour scientists who contribute to progress in religion.

The professor, who was born in Spain and is a naturalised American, says science and religion cannot be in contradiction because they address different questions. It is only when either subject oversteps its boundary, as he believes is the case with Professor Dawkins, that a contradiction arises, he said. “The scientific fundamentalism proposed by Dawkins implies a materialistic view of the world. But once science has had its say, there remains much about reality that is of interest. Common sense tells us that science can’t tell us everything.” >>> Hannah Devli | Friday, March 26, 2010

Activists: Bibi, Stand Strong
ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS (ARUTZ SHEVA): As Netanyahu returned to Jerusalem, activists stood on the light-rail bridge at the entrance to the city and waved signs supporting the prime minister in the face of American pressure. Banners proclaimed “Obama, No You Can't,” and “We will Safeguard Jerusalem.”

Activists, members of the Zionist student movement Im Tirtzu, explained, "We came here tonight to welcome Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and to support him and the cabinet in face of the pressure from America, and the chutzpa of US President Obama, who is basically asking Israel to sacrifice its greatest national interests.” >>> Maayana Miskin | Friday, March 26, 2010

Carter Wants Obama to Remove Hamas from Terror List
ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS (ARUTZ SHEVA): The Obama Administration should remove Hamas from the terrorist list, former President Jimmy Carter told media following his visit to Gaza today. He said he plans on pushing for the change when he meets with U.S. officials on Thursday to discuss his latest trip to the Middle East.

Carter’s comments came during a joint press conference with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following their meeting today in Gaza. The former president said he tried to convince Hamas leaders to denounce violence, accept the existing interim agreements and recognize the right of the Jewish state to exist.

"Hamas leaders want peace and they want to have reconciliation not only with their Fatah brothers but also eventually with Israelis to live side by side, with two nations, both sovereign nations recognized by each other and living in peace," Carter said.

Haniyeh told Carter that he supported any plan that aims at preserving Arab rights and leads to the establishment of a sovereign Arab state on all the territories that were occupied by Israel in 1967 "with Jerusalem as its capital." He urged Carter to pressure Israel to lift the security blockade which was imposed on Gaza’s border crossings to prevent weapons smuggling. >>> Zalman Nelson | Friday, March 26, 2010

HT: IBA

Euro Bounces Back on Greece Bailout Plan
TIMES ONLINE: The euro bounced back from a ten-month low today, after eurozone leaders agreed on a joint bailout package for Greece with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The European single currency was up against the dollar by 0.45 per cent to $1.3335 after earlier lows of below $1.3280. The euro has fallen by almost 7 per cent so far this quarter on concerns about the Greek debt crisis.

Yesterday, in a deal driven by Germany and France, EU leaders agreed on sweeping new powers to co-ordinate all EU economies as part of the landmark €30 billion (£27 million) bailout package for Greece.

However, analysts warned that the euro was still at risk of further declines as the Greece plan had not alleviated long-term worries about Portugal and Spain. On Wednesday, Fitch Ratings lowered Portugal's sovereign credit rating to AA-minus from AA.

The Greece bailout plan plan will put Herman Van Rompuy, of Belgium, the new permanent European Council President, in charge of “the economic governance of Europe”.

It will be seen as a direct challenge to Gordon Brown, who will want to make sure that Britain does not surrender any control over its own economy to Brussels. The next government in London may also face a tough fight in Europe because Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, suggested yesterday that a new treaty would be needed to give the EU extra economic powers — despite the pledge from EU leaders last year that the Lisbon treaty would be good for a decade. >>> David Charter, Rory Watson, Francesca Steele | Friday, March 26, 2010

Union Européenne : «La zone euro ne laissera jamais tomber la Grèce»
LE TEMPS: Un accord a finalement été trouvé tard dans la nuit à Bruxelles. Les pays de la zone euro entérinent la constitution d’un filet de sécurité pour empêcher que la crise grecque ne dégénère. Ils sont prêts à accorder des prêts bilatéraux aux côtés du FMI dans une proportion qui pourrait être de deux tiers, un tiers. L’euro est repassé au-dessus de 1,33 dollar ce matin

L’accord sur un mécanisme d’aide financière à la Grèce sur lequel étaient tombés d’accord jeudi après-midi le président Nicolas Sarkozy et la chancelière Angela Merkel a finalement été entériné jeudi, tard dans la soirée, par les chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de la zone euro. «La zone euro prend son destin en main et s’est mise d’accord pour gérer les crises [en son sein]» s’est réjoui peu après le président français. Même Jean-Claude Trichet, le responsable de la BCE opposé à tout soutien, s’est dit «très heureux» d’un plan «préservant la responsabilité des pays de la zone». «Ce mécanisme ne se substitue pas à la discipline financière, c’est un filet de sécurité», a précisé plus tard dans la nuit José Manuel Barroso, président de la Commission européenne. Filet de sécurité >>> Pierre-Alexandre Sallier Bruxelles | Vendredi 26 Mars 2010

Vatican Denies Pope Was Involved in Sex Abuse Cover Up
THE TELEGRAPH: The Vatican has denied claims that Pope Benedict XVI failed to defrock a US priest who was accused of molesting up to 200 deaf boys over several years.

A Vatican newspaper editorial said the claims were an "ignoble" attack on the Pope and that there was no "cover-up", the BBC reports.

Archbishops had complained about Fr Lawrence Murphy in the 1990s to a Vatican office led by the future pope, but apparently received no response.

But the Pope's spokesman defended him, saying the Vatican department which the future pontiff was in charge of had not been informed of these latest allegations until 1996 - 20 years after the priest's victims first informed the police. >>> | Friday, March 26, 2010

Related:

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys >>> Laurie Goodstein | Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pédophilie: le pape au cœur du scandale
LE TEMPS: Joseph Ratzinger, lorsqu’il était cardinal, n’a pris aucune sanction contre un prêtre américain ayant avoué quelque 200 abus sexuels sur des enfants sourds

Le scandale des abus sexuels éclabousse toujours davantage le sommet de l’Eglise. Le New York Times a révélé, preuves à l’appui, que Joseph Ratzinger, alors qu’il était en charge de la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi (CDF), n’a pas relevé de ses fonctions un prêtre américain qui avait commis des abus sexuels sur au moins 200 enfants malentendants. Et cela bien qu’un évêque ait personnellement adressé au futur pape un courrier en 1996 présentant la gravité des faits. Courrier auquel Joseph Ratzinger n’aurait jamais répondu. En revanche, il a été sensible à une lettre du prêtre abuseur, qui l’implorait de le laisser en paix.

Le New York Times a eu accès à des documents confidentiels grâce à deux avocats, Jeff Anderson et Mike Finnegan, représentant cinq hommes qui ont intenté quatre actions en justice contre l’archidiocèse de Milwaukee, où se sont déroulés les abus. Ces documents comprennent la correspondance entre différents évêques et le Vatican, les déclarations sous serment des victimes, les notes écrites d’un expert des troubles sexuels ayant examiné le prêtre abuseur, ainsi que les notes d’une rencontre finale au Vatican concernant ce cas. >>> Patricia Briel | Vendredi 26 Mars 2010

START-Folgeabkommen: Obama und Medwedjew wollen Atomwaffen reduzieren
Nach langem Verhandlungsstillstand haben sich der amerikanische Präsident Obama und Russlands Staatschef Medwedjew auf ein neues Abkommen geeinigt. Foto: FAZ
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Nach monatelangen Verhandlungen haben sich Russland und die Vereinigten Staaten auf einen neuen Abrüstungsvertrag geeinigt. Das teilte das Weiße Haus am Freitag in Washington mit. Der Vertrag ist das Nachfolgeabkommen des START-Vertrags, der als Grundpfeiler der Rüstungskontrolle gilt. Danach soll die Zahl der nuklearen Sprengköpfe um ein Viertel und die der Raketenabschussrampen um die Hälfte reduziert werden.

Die Einigung wurde in einem Telefongespräch zwischen Kremlchef Dmitri Medwedew und dem amerikanischen Präsidenten Barack Obama am Freitag erzielt. Zuvor hatte der tschechische Außenminister bekanntgegeben, dass das Abkommen am 8. April in Prag unterzeichnet werden soll, wo Obama in einer Rede fast auf den Tag genau ein Jahr zuvor seine Vision von einer atomwaffenfreien Welt dargelegt hatte. Knackpunkt war bis zuletzt, in welcher Form das geplante amerikanische Raketenabwehrsystem in Europa in dem Vertrag erwähnt wird. Russland lehnt das Projekt ab. >>> | Freitag, 26. März 2010

Angela Merkel, ‘Die Eiserne Dame’ Deutschlands, lehnt die Vollmitgliedschaft der Türkei in der Europäischen Union grundsätzlich ab. Stattdessen stimmt sie einer privilegierten Partnerschaft zu. Frau Merkel lehnt auch türkische Gymnasien für Deutschland ab. Die Kinder türkischer Familien sollten in deutschen Gymnasien studieren, so Merkel. – Mark
Replik auf Erdogan: Merkel gegen türkische Gymnasien in Deutschland
WELT ONLINE: Kanzlerin Merkel lehnt die Forderung Tayyip Erdogans ab, türkische Gymnasien in Deutschland einzurichten. Vor ihrer Reise nach Ankara Anfang kommender Woche wies die Kanzlerin auch das Streben des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten nach einer Vollmitgliedschaft seines Landes in der Europäischen Union zurück.

Auf die Forderungen des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan hat Angela Merkel (CDU) sehr reserviert reagiert. Die Kanzlerin lehnt es ab, türkische Gymnasien in Deutschland einzurichten.

„Das führt aus meiner Sicht nicht weiter, denn grundsätzlich sollten türkischstämmige Kinder und Jugendliche bei uns in deutsche Schulen gehen“, sagte sie der „Passauer Neuen Presse“. „Von der Vorstellung, dass alle türkischen Schüler hier auf ein türkisches Gymnasium gehen sollen, halte ich nichts.“

Vor ihrer Türkei-Reise Anfang kommender Woche reagierte die Kanzlerin zudem zurückhaltend auf erneute Forderungen Erdogans nach einer Vollmitgliedschaft seines Landes in der Europäischen Union. „Meine Vorstellung ist unverändert eine privilegierte Partnerschaft mit der Türkei“, sagte Merkel. >>> Von Miriam Hollstein | Freitag, 26. März 2010

«In den nächsten Stunden oder Tagen» : Spaniens Regierungschef zur Krise Schweiz – Libyen
NZZ ONLINE: Die Krise zwischen der Schweiz und Libyen könnte in den «nächsten Stunden oder Tagen» gelöst werden. Diese Hoffnung äusserte, einen Tag vor dem Araber-Gipfel in Tripolis, der spanische Regierungschef Zapatero.

«Wir hoffen, dass wir in den nächsten Stunden oder Tagen einen Schlussstrich unter diesen Konflikt ziehen können», sagte der spanische Ministerpräsident José Luis Zapatero an einer Pressekonferenz in Brüssel. Spanien arbeite hart an einer Lösung. Sein Aussenminister Miguel Angel Moratinos werde am Samstag nach Libyen reisen. >>> sda | Freitag, 26. März 2010

Politbarometer: Außenminister Westerwelle bricht Negativrekord
WELT ONLINE: Er ist deutscher Vizekanzler und so unbeliebt wie kein anderer Top-Politiker: Guido Westerwelle hat dramatisch an Zuspruch verloren. Nie zuvor schnitten ein FDP-Vorsitzender oder ein Außenminister im Politbarometer so schlecht ab. Im Stimmungshoch befindet sich Kanzlerin Angela Merkel.

Guido Westerwelle, Außenminister und Vize-Kanzler Deutschlands. Foto: Welt Online
Vor dem Hintergrund der jüngsten Diskussionen um seine Person hat Außenminister und FDP-Chef Guido Westerwelle im aktuellen ZDF-Politbarometer dramatisch an Zuspruch verloren. Mit einem Negativrekord von minus 1,3 Punkten (zuvor minus 0,9) auf einer Skala von minus fünf bis plus fünf rutschte der Vize-Kanzler auf Platz zehn der Liste der wichtigsten Politiker ab.

Nie zuvor schnitten demnach ein Außenminister oder ein FDP-Vorsitzender im Politbarometer schlechter ab. Westerwelle war zuletzt wegen der Zusammenstellung seiner Reisedelegationen und seinen Äußerungen über den deutschen Sozialstaat in die Kritik geraten. >>> | Freitag, 26. März 2010

Video anschauen: Guido Westerwelle verliert an popularität

Turban und Hakenkreuz: Der Großmufti und die Nazis / The Turban and the Swastika: The Grand Mufti and the Nazis / La croix gammé et le turban: La tentation nazie du Grand mufti

The Turban and the Swastika whole film from Vlad Tepes on Vimeo.

HT: Infidel Bloggers Alliance

Binyamin Netanyahu: We will Continue to Build in Jerusalem
Photograph: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Binyamin Netanyahu insisted today that he will not halt building projects in east Jerusalem, despite calls by the US for him to do so.

The defiant statement came after the Israeli Prime Minister returned from a bruising visit to the White House, where he was given a public dressing down for his controversial settlement policy.

"The Prime Minister's position is that there is no change in Israel's policy on Jerusalem that has been pursued by all governments of Israel for the last 42 years," his office said in a statement.

Those include implementing a strict freeze on construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Israeli troops withdrawing to areas they occupied before the beginning of the Palestinian Intifada ten years ago, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Mr Netanyahu's spokesman, Nir Hefez, said that the US had not agreed to allow Israeli to continue building in east Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and is now home to 200,000 Israelis. He had earlier hinted that such a deal was possible, but later retracted the statement.

Analysts in Israel agree that Mr Netanyahu faces a choice of which crisis he wants to contend with: he can bow to the US demands and risk a split with hardline nationalists and ultra-Orthodox parties in his coalition, or stick to his guns and face down an increasingly hostile US administration at a time when Israel needs US backing to tackle a potentially nuclear Iran. >>> James Hider in Jerusalem | Friday, March 26, 2010

Naval Battle Between UAE and Saudi Arabia Raises Fears for Gulf Security
THE TELEGRAPH: A naval clash in the Gulf has reignited fears over the security of the world's most important shipping lanes and disputed oilfields.

The United Arab Emirates navy is thought to have opened fire on a small patrol vessel from Saudi Arabia after a dispute over water boundaries.

According to one report, two Saudi sailors were injured in the alleged bombardment.

The Saudi vessel was forced to surrender, and its sailors were delivered into custody in Abu Dhabi for several days, before being released and handed over to the Saudi embassy earlier this week.

The incident has shocked diplomats who hope the countries, both key American allies, will help implement the West's strategy to constrain Iran's nuclear and military ambitions.

The clash happened in disputed waters between the coasts of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and the peninsula on which the gas-rich state of Qatar sits.

The seabed is rich with oil deposits, while the Dolphin pipeline project to carry natural gas direct from Qatar to Abu Dhabi has provoked irritation in the Saudi authorities. Nevertheless, direct conflict between the two countries' armed forces is highly unusual.

The Gulf is one of the most heavily armed regions in the world. The Saudi government has been building up its army and air force for years in response to what it sees as a regional threat from Iran.

The UAE was slower to join the arms race, despite a long-running row with Iran over three Gulf islands previously under Abu Dhabi control which were seized by the late Shah in 1971 on the night the Emirates celebrated their independence.

But now the UAE, despite its small size, is the fourth largest purchaser of weaponry on the international market in the world. >>> Richard Spencer in Dubai | Friday, March 26, 2010

EU Draws Up Plans for Single 'Economic Government' to Prevent Crisis
THE TELEGRAPH: Germany and France have tabled controversial plans to create an "economic government of the European Union" to police financial policy across the continent.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the summit of European Union leaders in Brussels. Photo: The Telegraph
They have put Herman Van Rompuy, the EU President, in charge of a special task force to examine "all options possible" to prevent another crisis like the one caused by the Greek meltdown.

His mission will be to draw up a master-plan for the best way to oversee and enforce economic targets set in Brussels as a key part of a bail-out package for Greece.

The options he will consider include the creation of an "economic government" by the by the end of the year.

"We commit to promote a strong co-ordination of economic policies in Europe," said a draft text expected to be agreed by EU leaders last night.

"We consider that the European Council should become the economic government of the EU and we propose to increase its role in economic surveillance and the definition of the EU's growth strategy."

Gordon Brown was last night examining the wording of the statement to see whether it was restricted to eurozone members or has possible implications for British economic sovereignty.

Officials are concerned that the language calling for an "economic government" could be another attempt at a power-grab in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty. >>> Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Thursday, March 25, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: EU backtracks on 'economic government plan': The European Union has backtracked on plans to create an "economic government of the European Union" following protests from Britain. >>> | Friday, March 26, 2010