Widerstand gegen Berlusconi wächst
Tausende demonstrieren in Mailand und Florenz gegen den Ministerpräsidenten
NZZ ONLINE: Rund 10'000 Personen haben sich in Mailand an einer Protestkundgebung gegen den italienischen Premierminister Silvio Berlusconi beteiligt. Aus ganz Italien strömten Demonstranten zur Kundgebung, die von der Oppositionsbewegung «Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit» organisiert wurde.

An der Kundgebung gegen Berlusconi in einer grossen Mailänder Sport-Arena nahmen unter anderen der ehemalige Staatspräsident Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, Oppositionspolitiker, Intellektuelle, Künstler und Schriftsteller, wie die Star-Autoren Umberto Eco und Roberto Saviano, teil. «Berlusconi, trete zurück!», lautete die Losung der Demonstranten. >>> sda/apa | Samstag, 05. Februar 2011

George W. Bush Cancels Visit to Swiss Charity Gala over Fears He Could Be Arrested on Torture Charges
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Former U.S. President George W. Bush has cancelled a visit to Switzerland over fears he could have been arrested on torture charges.

Mr Bush was due to be the keynote speaker at a Jewish charity gala in Geneva on February 12.

But pressure has been building on the Swiss government to arrest him and open a criminal investigation if he enters the country.

Criminal complaints against Mr Bush alleging torture have been lodged in Geneva, court officials said.

Human rights groups said they had intended to submit a 2,500-page case against him in the Swiss city tomorrow for alleged mistreatment of suspected militants at Guantanamo Bay.

Left-wing groups have also called for a protest on the day of his visit, leading organisers at Keren Hayesod's annual dinner to cancel Mr Bush's participation on security grounds.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch and International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) said the cancellation was linked to growing moves told him accountable for the use of torture, including waterboarding.

He had admitted in his memoirs and TV interviews to ordering the use of the interrogation technique which simulates drowning.

Reed Brody, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch, said: 'He's avoiding the handcuffs.' >>> | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Multiculturalism: Sadiq Khan Smears David Cameron
MAIL ON SUNDAY: A major row over Islamic extremism erupted last night after Labour accused David Cameron of being a far-Right ‘propagandist’.

Sadiq Khan made the incendiary remark in response to an outspoken speech by the Prime Minister attacking ‘state multiculturalism’, calling for a stronger British identity and signalling a crackdown on Muslim groups.

Mr Khan, the Shadow Justice Secretary, infuriated Downing Street by claiming that Mr Cameron was ‘writing propaganda for the English Defence League’. The EDL is an anti-Islamist street protest movement that numbers BNP supporters among its members.

Labour MPs then weighed in by accusing Mr Cameron of inflammatory timing for making his speech on the day when the EDL was marching in Luton.

But Tory Chairman Baroness Warsi described Mr Khan’s remarks as an attempt to ‘smear’ the Prime Minister as a Right-wing extremist.

‘This is outrageous and irresponsible,’ she said.

‘David Cameron has made it clear he wants to unite Britain around our common values, and he has done so in measured language.

'It is right that we make it clear: extremism and Islam are not the same thing. Mr Khan ran Ed Miliband’s leadership campaign. He must apologise and Mr Miliband needs to disown his colleague’s baseless accusation.’ Fury as Labour ‘smears’ David Cameron after he attacks multiculturalism >>> Glen Owen | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Une "sortie digne" pour Moubarak
leJDD.fr: L’administration Obama et les chefs de l’armée égyptienne offrent une retraite dorée au vieux président.

C'est en faveur d’une "sortie honorable" d’Hosni Moubarak que l’administration Obama œuvre depuis plusieurs jours, multipliant les contacts avec les responsables égyptiens, politiques et militaires. Le président égyptien "doit prêter attention à ce que réclament les gens et prendre une décision ordonnée, constructive et sérieuse", déclarait, vendredi, Barack Obama, avant de confirmer que des "discussions" étaient engagées sur la transition politique… mais en se gardant bien de demander clairement le départ du raïs de 82 ans. >>> Alexandra Geneste, correspondance à New York, Le Journal du Dimanche | Dimanche 06 Février 2011

Tunesische Polizei erschiesst Demonstranten
Schwerster Zusammenstoss seit der Flucht Ben Alis ins Exil
NZZ ONLINE: Im Nordwesten Tunesiens hat die Polizei auf eine aufgebrachte Menge geschossen. Dabei wurden nach Angaben des Innenministeriums zwei Menschen getötet und 17 weitere verletzt. Nach Angaben von Augenzeugen und Gewerkschaftsvertretern starben zwei weitere Menschen auf dem Weg ins Spital.

Der amtlichen tunesischen Nachrichtenagentur zufolge hatten rund 1000 Menschen die Polizeiwache in der Stadt Kef angegriffen, nachdem sich der Polizeichef einer Person gegenüber ungebührlich verhalten habe. Augenzeugen sagten dem staatlichen Fernsehen, der Polizeichef habe eine Frau geschlagen. >>> sda/dapd/afp/Reuters | Sonntag, 06. Februar 2011

Saudi Top Cleric Blasts Arab, Egypt Protests-Paper
REUTERS AFRICA: RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's top Islamic scholar condemned anti-government protests in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere as a plot by enemies of Islam to spread instability, Saudi newspapers said on Saturday. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians marched peacefully in Cairo on Friday to demand an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, but no end to the confrontation was in sight as the unrest entered its 12th day.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia has said it is worried that the unrest might lead to instability in Egypt, its main Arab ally. King Abdullah called Mubarak to express his support, Saudi state media said on Jan. 29. >>> Reporting by Ulf Laessing, editing by Tim Pearce | Saturday, February 05, 2011

Diese Leute sehen in allen Ecken Gespenster! – Mark

Mass Saudi Exodus from Egypt
ASHARQ ALAWSAT: Jeddah – A Saudi Arabian Airlines official informed Asharq Al-Awsat that a total of 21,000 Saudi citizens had left Egypt, returning to Saudi Arabia on a total of 75 airplanes since the start of the unrest in Egypt. The official also revealed that the last batch of Saudi Arabian returnees had departed from Egypt on a fleet of 8 airplanes on Wednesday. A Saudi citizen who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity claimed that 5 Saudi Arabian families had paid for these tickets. >>> Badr Al-Qahtani | Thursday, February 03, 2011

Die Protestwelle erreicht Saudi-Arabien
Web-Aktivisten fordern Reformen
NZZ am SONNTAG: Auch in Saudi-Arabien hat sich der Unmut über die Regierung in Protesten entladen: Etwa 40 Frauen haben vor dem Innenministerium die Freilassung von Gefangenen gefordert und Web-Aktivisten fordern politische Reformen. In dem Land ist öffentlicher Widerspruch verboten.

Nach den Demonstrationen in Tunesien und Ägypten regt sich auch in Saudi-Arabien Widerstand - wo Proteste gegen die Regierung äusserst selten sind. In der Hauptstadt Riad forderten am Samstag etwa 40 Frauen vor dem Innenministerium die Freilassung von Gefangenen.

Die Häftlinge würden ohne Gerichtsverfahren festgehalten, sagten Aktivisten. Den Frauen standen zahlreiche Polizisten gegenüber, die aber nicht eingriffen.

Amnesty International und andere Menschenrechtsgruppen werfen Saudi-Arabien seit langem vor, tausende Reform-Aktivisten unter dem Deckmantel einer Kampagne gegen die Extremisten der Kaida festzuhalten. Riad bestreitet dies. In Saudi-Arabien ist öffentlicher Widerspruch verboten. >>> sda/Reuters | Sonntag, 06. Februar 2011

Political Changes in Cairo
On a day of political maneuverings, protesters trying to overthrow the Egyptian government found themselves ringed by a much heavier troop presence than usual.

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff’s Speech in Luton

HT: Baron Bodissey of Gates of Vienna >>>

20 MINUTES ONLINE: Des milliers d’extrêmistes de droite défilent: Plusieurs milliers de partisans d'extrême droite ont manifesté à l'appel de l'organisation de la Ligue de défense anglaise (EDL) samedi à Luton. >>> ats/afp | Samedi 05 Février 2011

Rabbi Nachum Shifren at Speaker's Corner, London

I Am an Englishman
The English people fought long and hard for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today. They were not simply handed over to us on a plate and we should never ever take them for granted because there are those who would see them taken from us. Our people paid a heavy price, more often than not paid in blood, for the principle that our voices would be heard and that our leaders would represent us and not themselves

Shocking Footage Emerges of Taliban Stoning Couple to Death
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A disturbing video of a man and woman being executed by the Taliban has been released by Afghan security forces.

Read article and watch video here | Thursday, January 27, 2011

Egypt Protests: Hosni Mubarak's Power Fades as US Backs His Deputy
THE GUARDIAN: Omar Suleiman's call for orderly reform wins backing of Hillary Clinton on day senior members of ruling NDP resign

America yesterday swung its support behind Egypt's vice-president, Omar Suleiman, and the political transition he is leading, calling for a process of orderly reform. The policy, made clear by Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference, was the latest sign of steps by the US and senior members of the Egyptian military to nudge President Hosni Mubarak aside and contain the potential for street violence.

The move came as senior members of the leadership of the ruling National Democratic party resigned from the party in response to the protests. They included Mubarak's powerful son, Gamal, long expected to succeed his father. A relative liberal, Hossam Badrawi, was appointed the party's new secretary general.

The mass, announced yesterday afternoon, resignation is likely to be seen as a further sign of Mubarak's weakness and will only strengthen the demands of protesters determined to topple him. It appeared to be part of a strategy agreed with the US to manage the transition, with or without Mubarak, as power shifts to Egypt's vice-president, who is backed by the Americans to head the political transition. >>> Julian Borger in Munich and Chris McGreal in Cairo | Sunday, February 06, 2011

David Cameron Stands by His Attack on Islamism
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is standing by his decision to attack multiculturalism and hit back at Labour claims that he was helping the far Right.

An angry row broke out after Sadiq Khan, Labour's shadow justice secretary, accused the Prime Minister of "writing propaganda" for the nationalist English Defence League by calling on Britons to be more robust in rejecting Islamist extremism.

Ministers demanded that Mr Khan apologise for "smearing" the Prime Minister by linking him with the EDL, whose members demonstrated on the streets of Luton on Saturday, chanting "Muslim bombers off our streets" and holding banners aloft, some of which read "No more mosques".

Baroness Warsi, the Conservative party Chairman, said: "For Sadiq Khan to smear the Prime Minister as a Right-wing extremist is outrageous and irresponsible.

"Mr Khan is Labour's shadow justice secretary and ran Ed Miliband's leadership campaign. He must apologise, and Mr Miliband needs urgently to disown his colleague's baseless accusation."

The Prime Minister was also criticised by Muslim groups for pronouncing that multiculturalism had failed in Britain because it had led to segregation.

In a major speech tackling the threat posed by Islamic extremists, the Prime Minister warned that "hands-off tolerance" of unacceptable practices by minority communities had only served to encourage extremism.

He called for a "muscular" defence of British values.

Speaking to a conference in Munich, Mr Cameron said that the threat of terrorism must be confronted not only though intelligence and surveillance, but by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.

"Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism," the Prime Minister said.

While a "passively tolerant" society allows its citizens to do what they like, so long as they do not break the law, a genuinely liberal country "believes in certain values and actively promotes them", Mr Cameron said.

"Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights, regardless of race, sex or sexuality. It says to its citizens: This is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe these things.

"Each of us in our own countries must be unambiguous and hard-nosed about this defence of our liberty." Read on and comment >>> Melissa Kite, Deputy Political Editor | Saturday, February 05, 2011

My comment on Mr. Cameron's speech:

Cameron's speech is indeed encouraging. At last, a public figure has shown some courage when speaking about extremist 'religious' ideologies. But he needs to find some more courage. He needs to recognise, and articulate, that almost all terrorism these days is linked to Islam. Further, he has convinced me that he doesn't truly understand the nature of Islam. He continues to articulate the canard that "Islamist extremism" has nothing to do with Islam. WRONG, Mr. Cameron! WRONG! Islamism is a term made up by the infidel for the infidel. To a practising Muslim, it is a meaningless term. A true Muslim would only recognise one belief system: Islam. And we shall have to learn to face the fact that Islamism is merely the practice of Islam in its fundamental form. Islamists are people who want to practise Islam as the prophet Muhammad envisioned. To say anything different is to distort the truth.

But I must applaud Mr. Cameron for taking a bold step forward, for taking a bold step to help open up the debate. This debate is sorely needed. But I’m sorry to say that Mr. Cameron has some homework to do if he truly wants to come to terms with, and get a grip on, the real danger facing the UK and the West today. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

THE GUARDIAN: David Cameron sparks fury from critics who say attack on multiculturalism has boosted English Defence League: • Prime minister is accused of handing PR coup to the far right
• Jack Straw calls David Cameron's comments 'ill-judged' >>> Toby Helm, Matthew Taylor and Rowenna Davis | Saturday, February 05, 2011

"Activists, some wearing balaclavas and others waving English flags, chanted "Muslim bombers off our streets" and "Allah, Allah, who the fuck is Allah". EDL supporters from Newcastle, Scotland, London, West Yorkshire and Sheffield joined Luton-based supporters. There were also flags representing German, Dutch and Swedish Defence Leagues." [Source: The Guardian]

Verwirrung um Hosni Mubaraks Parteimandat
Erst kam die Meldung, Mubarak habe den Vorsitz seiner Nationaldemokratischen Partei (NDP) abgegeben, später kam das Dementi. In Kairo ist die Lage unübersichtlich. Einschätzungen von André Marty, SF-Sonderkorrespondent in Kairo

Cameron Warning To Extremists
David Cameron has told a security conference in Munich that multi-culturalism in the UK has failed and the time has come to get tough with extremists. Sky's Peter Sharp reports


Cameron Extremism Speech Applauded
Sky's Europe Correspondent Alex Rossi says David Cameron's speech in Munich signalling a crackdown on extremism reflects a growing concern among EU leaders that multi-culturalism is failing

Is This the End?
MAIL ONLINE: 'Al-Qaeda-linked terror groups may be behind pipeline blast / Gas company boss says explosion and fire were due to leak, not terrorism / Reports of 'Organised attack' on vice president Omar Suleiman / Mubarak's son Gamal also resigns from National Democratic Party

President Hosni Mubarak has resigned as the head of Egypt ruling party, according to State television.

It comes as the country was on the verge of descending into chaos as newly appointed vice president Omar Suleiman reportedly survived an assassination attempt and saboteurs allegedly attacked an oil pipeline.

The balance of power hung precariously as demonstrations against president Mubarak entered their 12th day - and the army was beginning to reassert control on the streets.

The resignation comes just days after Mubarak said he would not resign immediately – because he feared there would be ‘chaos’.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs refused to confirm the alarming reports of an 'organised attack' on Omar Suleiman. Two of his bodyguards were said to have been killed in the incident several days ago.

The pipeline attack has been linked to Islamist militants and, along with the apparent assassination attempt, represents a frightening new element in the popular uprising that has seen one of the U.S.'s greatest Middle Eastern allies descend into chaos.

The head of Egypt's natural gas company, Magdy Toufik, said today that the explosion and fire at a gas terminal in the northern Sinai Peninsula was caused by a gas leak.

There were no reported casualties from the fire, but officials had to shut off the flow of gas to neighbouring Jordan and Israel to contain the blaze. Mubarak quits as party leader after 12 days of bloodshed and riots in Egypt >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, February 05, 2011

SKY NEWS: 'Top Figures In Egypt's Ruling Party Resign' >>> Stuart Ramsay, in Cairo, and Gary Mitchell | Saturday, February 05, 2011

David Cameron Tells Muslim Britain: Stop Tolerating Extremists
THE GUARDIAN: PM says those who don't hold 'British' values will be shunned by government

David Cameron will today signal a sea-change in the government fight against home-grown terrorism, saying the state must confront, and not consort with, the non-violent Muslim groups that are ambiguous about British values such as equality between sexes, democracy and integration.

To belong in Britain is to believe in these values, he will say. Claiming the previous government had been the victim of fear and muddled thinking by backing a state-sponsored form of multiculturalism, the prime minister will state that his government "will no longer fund or share platforms with organisations that, while non-violent, are certainly in some cases part of the problem".

In a major speech to a security conference in Munich, he will demand: "We need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism."

He will say that "some organisations that seek to present themselves as a gateway to the Muslim community are showered with public money while doing little to combat extremism. This is like turning to a rightwing fascist party to fight a violent white supremacist movement."

Cameron's aides, aware the speech may prove highly controversial, refused to identify the organisations in his sights, but it is clear one target is the Muslim Council of Britain.

Last night some Muslim groups criticised the prime minister for making the speech on the same day that the English Defence League is holding its biggest ever demonstration, in Luton. >>> Patrick Wintour | Saturday, February 05, 2011

Clashes at English Defence League March in Luton
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Far right activists have clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators at a rally by the English Defence League.


Thousands of supporters from the English Defence League gathered in Luton on Saturday for the rally.

Campaigners from Unite Against Fascism are also planning to conduct a demonstration in the town and more than 1500 police are on duty to police the event.

Confrontations flared as early as 10am, however, as supporters of the English Defence League arrived at the train station in Luton and were confronted by dozens of protesters from Unite Against Fascism who attempted to block their exit.

Both sides hurled insults as tensions rose and the English Defence League supporters had to be escorted through a back exit by police.

Up to 7,000 EDL supporters are expected to gather in Luton St George's Square on Saturday.

The rally is expected to be the biggest in the EDL's 20-month history. The group was originally formed in Luton in 2009 and has staged more than 30 protests since. >>> Rebecca Lefort | Saturday, February 05, 2011