Thursday, May 14, 2009
WELT ONLINE: Dieser Mann ist weder altersmilde noch müde: Michail Gorbatschow, 78, hat die deutsche Presse als "die bösartigste überhaupt" bezeichnet. Sie kritisiere Russland ständig zu Unrecht. Harte Worte fand der Friedensnobelpreisträger auch für EU und Nato. Zugleich kündigte er an, sich wieder politisch betätigen zu wollen.
Der letzte sowjetische Präsident Michail Gorbatschow hat die deutschen Medien für ihren Umgang mit Russland massiv kritisiert. „Die deutsche Presse ist die bösartigste überhaupt“, sagte Gorbatschow im Deutschlandradio Kultur. Sein Land wolle niemanden bekämpfen, es habe alles, was es brauche. Mit Blick auf den Georgien-Konflikt sagte er: „Wenn ich das höre: Russland soll ein Aggressor sein, ein Imperialist. Das ist alles Quatsch.“
Es würden natürlich Fehler gemacht. In Russland befinden sich nach seinen Worten, „eine Menge Brandstifter, die die Atmosphäre vergiften“. Dennoch müsse 20 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall alles getan werden, um Russland zu verstehen.
Die Nato-Osterweiterung nannte Gorbatschow einen „großen Fehler“. Über die Nato und ihre „einseitigen Handlungen“ sollten viele Probleme gelöst werden, sagte Gorbatschow. „Das hat nicht funktioniert.“
Kritische Worte fand der 78-Jährige auch für die EU. Es sei „erstaunlich und auch enttäuschend“ gewesen, dass Europa während des wirtschaftlichen Niedergangs in Russland unter Boris Jelzin nur zusah und sich „offensichtlich freute“. >>> AP/dpa/cn | Donnerstag, 14. Mai 2009
LEPARISIEN.fr: L'opposante birmane et prix Nobel de la paix Aung San Suu Kyi a été une nouvelle fois mise en prison par la junte birmane qui lui reproche d'avoir accueilli chez elle un citoyen américain en violation des règles de son assignation à résidence.
Aung San Suu Kyi a été placée en détention en compagnie de deux employées de maison ce jeudi à la suite de la visite d'un Américain John Yettaw qui avait traversé un lac à la nage pour se rendre chez elle.
Le vétéran de la guerre du Vietnam âgé de 53 ans était resté deux jours.
Le Prix Nobel de la Paix, Aung San Suu Kyi sera jugée le 18 mai, a indiqué un avocat. Les mesures de sécurité avaient été considérablement renforcées à l'aube autour de la résidence de la principale opposante à la junte militaire birmane et qui a été privée de liberté pendant la majeure partie des 19 dernières années. >>> | Jeudi 14 Mai 2009
LEPOINT.fr: Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a appelé jeudi la France et l'Allemagne à ne pas changer les critères d'adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union européenne. "Quand un match a déjà commencé, on ne peut pas changer les règles du jeu en plein match. C'est ridicule", a déclaré le Premier ministre turc à la presse lors de sa visite à Varsovie.
Il a qualifié de "très regrettables" les derniers propos du président français Nicolas Sarkozy et de la chancelière allemande Angela Merkel confirmant leur opposition à l'entrée de la Turquie dans l'UE, à quelques semaines des élections européennes. "Tout ce qui a été dit lors des entretiens bilatéraux devrait être appliqué. Tout ce qui s'appliquait aux 27 pays qui sont membres de l'UE devrait s'appliquer également à la Turquie", a ajouté M. Erdogan. >>> AFP | Jeudi 14 Mai 2009
THE TELEGRAPH: Zhao Ziyang, the former Communist Party leader, has spoken from beyond the grave to break two decades of official silence on the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 with a wide-ranging attack on the Chinese political system.
In extracts from a secretly recorded memoir, the purged general-secretary denounced the decision to send in the tanks and rebuked his party for failing to embrace the democracy which he claimed was an essential companion to economic reform.
Published four years after his death Zhao, a reformist who pleaded with China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping to take a softer line with the protesting students, described the killings as a "tragedy".
Recalling the moment he finally knew his efforts to prevent bloodshed were in vain, Zhao wrote: "On the night of June 3, while sitting in the courtyard with my family, I heard intense gunfire. A tragedy to shock the world had not been averted, and was happening after all."
He goes on to call for the introduction of democracy in China to rectify the country's social problems.
"It is the Western parliamentary democratic system that has demonstrated the most vitality," says Zhao. "If we don't move toward this goal, it will be impossible to resolve the abnormal conditions in China's market economy." >>> By Peter Foster in Beijing | Thursday, May 14, 2009
THE COPENHAGEN POST: Despite pressure from the Danish People’s Party the government will not invite Dutch MP Geert Wilders to free speech conference
Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders, founder of the Dutch right wing political party Party for Freedom, will not be receiving an invitation to the anti-extremist and free speech conference this autumn.
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said this week that Wilders ‘associates an entire religion with hatred’ and is not welcome at the conference. >>> RC News | Thursday, May 14, 2009
ASSYRIAN INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCY (AINA): Hawaii's state senate has approved "Islam Day" for September 24, 2009. The measure, already been approved by the state's house, passed the senate 22-3 on May 6, with two Republicans and one Democrat in opposition.
According to news reports, "Islam Day" seeks to recognize the religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions that Islam and the Islamic world have made.
Fox News on May 7 quoted senator Will Espero, a Democrat and supporter of the "Islam Day" measure.
"We are a state of tolerance. We understand that people have different beliefs. We may not all agree on every single item and issue out there, but to say and highlight the negativity of the Islamic people is an insult to the majority" of believers "who are good law-abiding citizens of the world." >>> | Wednesday, May 13, 2009
HUMAN EVENTS: Several months ago, it was announced President Barack Obama, within the first 100 days of his term, would visit a Muslim country to deliver a major foreign policy speech breaking new ground in U.S. relations with the Muslim world. That schedule slipped a bit as it was just announced the speech will now be delivered next month in Egypt.
Whether such a bold move will set a course during his presidency for success or failure in dealing with the Muslim world turns on three factors: where the speech is given, to whom, and precisely what he says. While Obama controls the first and last factor, by deciding to deliver his speech in Egypt, he has already made a wrong decision concerning the first.
Let us consider the impact of all three factors. >>> By James Zumwalt | Thursday, May 14, 2009
HAARETZ: Pope Benedict XVI greeted tens of thousands of adoring followers in Jesus' childhood hometown with a message of reconciliation Thursday, urging Christian and Muslims to reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice.
"I urge people of goodwill in both communities to repair the damage that has been done, and in fidelity to our common belief in one God, the Father of the human family, to work to build bridges and find the way to a peaceful coexistence," he said.
"Let everyone reject the destructive power of hatred and prejudice, which kills men's souls before it kills their bodies."
Nazareth, one of the largest towns where Israeli Arab citizens live, Mount Precipice, where the Bible says a mob tried to hurl Jesus off a cliff, was chosen as the site for the papal mass. >>> By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and News Agencies | Thursday, May 14, 2009
THAIINDIAN NEWS: Mogadishu, (Xinhua) Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has signed a bill that will allow the implementation of Sharia or Islamic law in the country.
Since Somalia has now implemented the Sharia, there is no reason for the continuation of hostilities in the country, Ahmed said Wednesday after signing the bill into law.
The introduction of Sharia in the country has been a key demand of the Islamist groups. >>> | Thursday, May 14, 2009
HAARETZ: Police charged a man who allegedly posted a video on YouTube with inciting racism under a so-far untested Australian state law, officials said Thursday. A newspaper report said the video targeted Jews.
The 38-year-old man from the west coast city of Perth could become the first person convicted under Western Australia state's racial vilification laws enacted four years ago.
The laws were introduced in response to a series of violent attacks by white supremacists around Perth. The only person previously charged under the law was a 16-year-old Aboriginal girl, but a magistrate said the case involved petty name-calling and dismissed it.
State police spokeswoman Susan Usher said the suspect will appear in court next Tuesday charged with conduct likely to incite animosity or racist harassment. He cannot be identified under Australian law until his first court appearance.
If convicted, he faces a possible maximum penalty of 14 years in prison plus a fine of $18,000. >>> Associated Press | Thursday, May 14, 2009
HAARETZ: Anti-Semitism Is Rearing Its Head in Tel Aviv
Anti-Semitism is raising its head. Not in Warsaw, Munich or Paris, and there's no need for the Anti-Defamation League to wave the evidence around. It's right here, in our own home, in verdant Ramat Aviv, the most enlightened suburb of Tel Aviv, our most enlightened city. The entry of a handful of ultra-Orthodox Jews to this lovely, modest and tranquil neighborhood has provoked an unlovely wave of racism, tearing the thin veil of openness and liberality from this seemingly left-wing community. If anyone were to behave this way toward Israeli Arabs, the residents might raise a hue and cry, but when it comes to Haredim the gloves are off because attacking the "blacks" is the fashion. >>> By Gideon Levy | Thursday, May 14, 2009
THE DAILY BEAST: A Saudi Arabian judge declared this weekend that husbands can slap their wives if they spend too much money. Asra Nomani tells us why she is "thrilled" by his outrageous remarks (and his getting busted for them) and why they are a helpful wakeup call for the Muslim world.
The blogs are lighting up with ridicule after a Saudi judge declared this past weekend that husbands can slap their wives on the face if they blow their husband’s money. One headline declared: “Saudi judge says it’s OK to bitch slap your wife.” Said a blogger: “Just more of those Muslim family values in action, folks!” Another headline laid out the news: “Saudi Sharia Judge: Slap the Bitch...” >>> By Asra Q. Nomani | Thursday, May 14, 2009
HAARETZ: U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding that Israel not surprise the U.S. with an Israeli military operation against Iran. The message was conveyed by a senior American official who met in Israel with Netanyahu, ministers and other senior officials. Earlier, Netanyahu's envoy visited Washington and met with National Security Adviser James Jones and with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and discussed the dialogue Obama has initiated with Tehran.
The message from the American envoy to the prime minister reveals U.S. concern that Israel could lose patience and act against Iran. It is important to the Americans that they not be caught off guard and find themselves facing facts on the ground at the last minute.
Obama did not wait for his White House meeting with Netanyahu, scheduled for next Monday, to deliver his message, but rather sent it ahead of time with his envoy. >>> By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent | Thursday, May 14, 2009
TIMESONLINE: Russia raised the prospect of war in the Arctic yesterday as nations struggle for control of the world’s dwindling energy reserves.
The country’s new national security strategy identified the intensifying battle for ownership of vast untapped oil and gas fields around its borders as a source of potential military conflict within a decade.
“The presence and potential escalation of armed conflicts near Russia’s national borders, pending border agreements between Russia and several neighbouring nations, are the major threats to Russia’s interests and border security,” stated the document, which analysed security threats up to 2020.
“In a competition for resources it cannot be ruled out that military force could be used to resolve emerging problems that would destroy the balance of forces near the borders of Russia and her allies.”
The Kremlin has insisted that it is not “militarising the Arctic” but its warnings of armed conflict suggest that it is willing to defend its interests by force if necessary as global warming makes exploitation of the region’s energy riches more feasible.
The United States, Norway, Canada and Denmark are challenging Russia’s claim to a section of the Arctic shelf, the size of Western Europe, which is believed to contain billions of tonnes of oil and gas. >>> Tony Halpin in Moscow | Thursday, May 14, 2009
TIMESONLINE:
The very cold war >>>
NZZ Online: Neue Sicherheitsdoktrin Russlands: Die USA und die Nato als potenzielle Bedrohungen
Nach einem zähen Entstehungsprozess hat der russische Präsident Medwedew eine neue Sicherheitsdoktrin in Kraft gesetzt. Die nationale Sicherheit wird darin sehr weit gefasst. Besonders die USA und die Nato erscheinen als potenzielle Bedrohung.
Russland hat in diesen Tagen sicherheitspolitisch mit den neunziger Jahren abgeschlossen. Präsident Medwedew setzte am Dienstagabend mit seiner Unterschrift die Strategie über nationale Sicherheit bis 2020 in Kraft, nachdem deren Fertigstellung mehrmals ins Stocken geraten war.
Das Dokument, das auf der Internetseite des russischen Sicherheitsrates eingesehen werden kann, beginnt mit dem Satz, Russland habe die Folgen der systembedingten politischen und sozioökonomischen Krise des ausgehenden 20. Jahrhunderts überwunden. Die Wendung steht für das neue Selbstbewusstsein und die Abkehr von der in der heutigen politischen Elite mit Niedergang und aussenpolitischer Demütigung gleichgesetzten Ära Präsident Jelzins. Aus jener Zeit stammte die nun abgelöste bisherige Sicherheitskonzeption.
Das Grundlagenpapier, um das anscheinend hart gerungen worden war, versteht nationale Sicherheit in einem sehr umfassenden Sinn und leitet diese wesentlich von ökonomischen und sozialen Verhältnissen im Land ab. Die Ausrichtung auf das Jahr 2020 entspricht der vor einem Jahr vorgestellten «Strategie 2020», die einen Schwerpunkt auf wirtschaftliche, gesellschaftliche und infrastrukturelle Entwicklungen legt. >>> mac. Moskau | Mittwoch, 13. Mai 2009
TIMESONLINE: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s democracy leader, is to stand trial on Monday at Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison in connection with a visit from a mysterious American last week, her party said last night.
A motorcade which included her car and several police vehicles left her lakeside home early this morning and drove to the prison.
“Her lawyer said the authorities will charge the lady and her two maids at the court in Insein prison,” said Nyan Win, spokesman for Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party.
It was not clear what charges she faced but exile groups said she was likely to be charged under a cover-all public security law which is often used against political dissidents and could face a prison term of up to seven years.
Ms Suu Kyi., 63, has already spent more than 13 of the last 19 years — including the past six — in detention without trial for her non-violent promotion of democracy, despite international pressure for her release.
A trial could be used to justify another extension of her detention, which officially ends on May 27. The military junta has repeatedly found reasons to extend her periods of house arrest. >>> Anne Barrowclough | Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wait for the demonstrations, the killings, the bombings of embassies, the hissy fits, and you’ll wait a long time. – ©Mark
THE TELEGRAPH: A church in East Sussex has unveiled a Marcus Cornish bronze statue dubbed "Jesus in jeans" depicting Christ as a man of the 21st century.
Father David Buckley unveiled the £35,000 seven-foot high bronze statue at the Our Lady Immaculate and St Philip Neri Catholic church in Uckfield.
Cornish's sculpture was funded by money left by Winifred Gregory, 87, a member of the congregation who passed away last year.
Christ is wearing jeans and a shirt billowing in the wind while his hair and beard are neatly and fashionably trimmed.
Father Buckley said: "You are always looking for new ways to enrich people in the experience of Christianity and it is good people can be open-minded to appreciate it.
"On the continent you often encounter modern representations of Jesus but it is not so common over here. We wanted a figure of Christ not in suffering but dynamic and welcoming.
"We felt this design summed up the spirit and activity of Christ perfectly and I think it speaks for itself. >>> | Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
FORBES: Conspicuously, neither Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz nor the rulers of any Arab or Muslim state are holding special national telethons to help raise funds for some 400,000 new Pakistani refugees. Many fled their homes after the Taliban took over the Swat valley, and others were forced to leave amid the fierce fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani military. The Saudis say they are friends of the West and of all Muslim nations, but their real alliance is with Iran, Hamas and the Taliban--as you can tell just by following the money.
Indeed, to get hundreds of millions, and even billions, of dollars in emergency funds from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Gulf States, the Pakistani refugees should have declared themselves Palestinian.
Since January 2009, or in just over four months, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States have given between $1.646 billion and $1.950 billion to the Palestinians, according to figures published on the Web site of Saudi Arabia's embassy in the U.S.
Most of the money, as well as medical aid, food and building materials, went to Hamas-controlled Gaza. These donations were in addition to $1 billion donated on Jan. 19 by King Abdullah "to help rebuild the Gaza Strip."
On May 6, a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates sought Saudi help to fight off the Taliban in Pakistan, the Saudis announced a $25 million donation, not to Pakistan, but to rebuild the Palestinian Nahr Al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon.
Meanwhile on May 7, at the Arab League's meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo, Egypt, aid to Pakistan was not on the agenda. Instead, as reported by the Saudi Gazette, the League issued a warning about the imminent danger posed to Jerusalem by the Jews. >>> Rachel Ehrenfeld | Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THE GUARDIAN: If it came to it, like the suffragettes before me, I would fight – even die – for my freedom
I am so lucky! I am a woman and I have not suffered the oppression and unfair discrimination that most women have endured throughout history, and many still do today, because I was brought up in Britain in the 20th century. I was educated at least as well as my brother, I went to one of the best universities in the world, I married the man I loved and got divorced when he and I wanted to, I brought up my children without religious indoctrination. I have been able to go where I want, pay my own way, and walk freely in the streets wearing whatever I like. I've had financial independence and an exciting and worthwhile career.
I have had all these things because other women long ago fought and even died for women's rights. Most of the suffragettes did not die, although many were repeatedly injured. Most did not have to harm, let alone kill anyone, but they certainly needed courage and many suffered abuse, discrimination, ostracism and rejection from family and friends. And some did die.
Would I be prepared to do the same? When I ask myself whether there is anything I would die for I wonder about this.
In Britain today religious oppression of women is creeping back. Children, who have no choice, are sent to faith schools where they are taught to believe ridiculous untruths, convinced that they will be sent into eternal agony after death if they disobey certain rules, and those rules can include the oppression of women by men. >>> Sue Blackmore | Wednesday, May 13, 2009
L’EXPRESS.fr: Benoît XVI a célébré la messe à côté de l'Eglise de la Nativité. Les attentes étaient grandes parmi les chrétiens palestiniens.
Elles trouvent cela tout naturel. Lorsque Maria et Regina expliquent qu'elles se sont levées à 4h du matin, et qu'elles ont fait deux heures de marche depuis Jérusalem pour assister à la messe de Bethléem, ces deux soeurs missionnaires racontent leur petit exploit en souriant, avec simplicité. Avaient-elles, au moins, emporté de quoi boire ou manger dans leur baluchon? "Une bouteille, c'est tout, dit Maria. La providence pourvoiera à nos besoins." A ses côtés, trois religieuses venues d'Argentine récitent le rosaire. >>> Par Claire Chartier | Mercredi 13 Mai 2009
L’EXPRESS.fr: A Bethléem, le pape prêche pour un Etat palestinien
Pour sa première visite en territoire palestinien, Benoît XVI a appelé de ses voeux la création d'un Etat indépendant et une pacification des relations avec Israël.
Le pape a appelé à la création d'un Etat palestinien lors de sa visite à Bethléem, en Cisjordanie, ville présumée de la naissance du Christ.
Au cinquième jour de son voyage en Terre Sainte, après la Jordanie et Israël, Benoît XVI a franchi ce mercredi matin le mur de sécurité construit par les Israéliens pour se rendre en territoire palestinien, où il a été accueilli par le leader de l'Autorité palestinienne, Mahmoud Abbas.
"Je sais combien vous avez souffert et combien vous continuez à souffrir en raison des bouleversements qu'a connus cette terre depuis des décennies", a déclaré le pape. "Mon coeur se tourne vers toutes ces familles qui ont tant perdu", a-t-il ajouté, en soulignant qu'il se rendrait dans un camp de réfugiés.
Le souverain pontife a eu des mots particuliers à l'adresse des habitants de Gaza, victimes de l'offensive israélienne de janvier dernier, mais il ne se rendra pas dans ce territoire au cours de son périple.
S'adressant à Mahmoud Abbas, il a été très clair: "M. le Président, le Saint-Siège soutient le droit de votre peuple à une patrie palestinienne souveraine sur la terre de vos ancêtres, sûre et en paix avec ses voisins, à l'intérieur de frontières internationalement reconnues".
Il a rappelé les paroles prononcées par son prédécesseur, Jean Paul II, lors de la visite de ce dernier en Terre sainte en 2000: "Il ne peut y avoir de paix sans justice, et de justice sans pardon". >>> Par LEXPRESS.fr avec Reuters | Mercredi 13 Mai 2009
LE FIGARO: Benoît XVI appelle à la destruction du mur israélien
>>> Constance Jamet | Mercredi 13 Mai 2009
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