Mauritanian refugees begin returning home from Senegal

Mauritanian refugees stuck in Senegal for nearly two decades after fleeing ethnic clashes in their home country have begun returning to Mauritania under a U.N.-sponsored program. But many do not want to return.

There were goodbye ceremonies and welcoming ceremonies attended by officials on both sides of the Senegal River as more than 100 former refugees were ferried on motorized pirogues.

A spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency, Alphonse Munyaneza, explained international funding will help pay for resettlement.

"Each refugee returning back to Mauritania will receive a piece of land equivalent to 140 square meters for establishing a house. UNHCR and the government of Mauritania will provide construction material so that they can build a house," explained Munyaneza. "We will provide three months of food ration. We will provide a tent also."

Mauritanian refugee children broke out in song and laughter when officials arrived at their camps close to the border to get the process going.

There are more than 20,000 Mauritanian refugees in Senegal. Officials say the return program will extend over 18 months.

One of those happy to go is Haddy Sy. She says she left Mauritania after she was beaten up. This took place during a wave of ethnic violence that began in Arab Moor-dominated Mauritania in 1989 and escalated into border clashes, forcing tens of thousands of black, mostly ethnic Fula, Mauritanians into exile.

In the late 1990s, more than 30,000 refugees returned by their own means and some U.N. assistance.

Sy says she is leaving behind many good things in Senegal, including a peaceful setting, but that she is still happy to return to her home country.

Since taking office last year, the government of the elected, post-coup President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi has been making efforts to bring home the refugees, including several thousand more in Mali.

But many in Senegal do not want to return home, like Yaraah Sow, who lives in the Dagana refugee camp about 400 kilometers northwest of Dakar.

He says he is still very bitter about what happened nearly 20 years ago. He said his father, who was a civil servant, was attacked by a mob and died of internal bleeding at the gates of a hospital after doctors refused to treat him.

Sow accuses the military of seizing all his family's property. He says that two of his younger brothers died on the trip to Senegal. He says his children are now going to school and that they are better off in Senegal.

One of the refugee leaders, Mohamed Ali Sow, who left when he was 10, says he is studying at a university in Senegal to become a lawyer to defend the rights of chased out Mauritanians.

He says the return program has been rushed, because he says people who had their property seized, houses burned, and jobs taken away, should have guarantees these will be restored. He says until then, he does not think it is wise to go back.


Refugiados da Mauritânia no Senegal começam a retornar para seus lares

Refugiados da Mauritânia presos no Senegal durante quase duas décadas depois de fugirem de confrontos étnicos no seu país começaram a regressar a Mauritânia ao abrigo de um programa patrocinador das Nações Unidas. Mas muitos não querem voltar.

Havia cerimônias de adeus e cerimônias acolhedoras atendidos por funcionários de ambos os lados do Senegal como mais de 100 antigos refugiados foram fortemente motorizados por pirogues.

Um porta-voz da agência das Nações Unidas para refugiados, Alphonse Munyaneza, explicou que o financiamento internacional irá ajudar a pagar a reinstalação.

"Cada refugiado retornando de volta à Mauritânia vai receber um pedaço de terra equivalente a 140 metros quadrados para o estabelecimento de uma casa. A ACNUR e o governo da Mauritânia irá fornecer material de construção para que possam construir uma casa", Munyaneza explicou. "Nós forneceremos a três meses de ração alimentar. Vamos fornecer uma tenda também".


Mauritanians vote for new constitution

Mauritanians voted in favour of a new Constitution by an overwhelming majority in a referendum held on June 26, according to results announced by Interior Ministry officials today. The new Constitution sets limits on the number of presidential terms a leader can serve, in contrast to several sub-Saharan countries, where several leaders have amended their Constitutions to retain power.

The Interior Minister, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine said that over 96 percent votes cast were in favour of the new Constitution. The turnout was over 76 percent of the close to One million registered voters, who constitute about a third of the country's population.

The referendum is being held as part of a transition from the country's present military government to a civilian one. The present government was formed in August 2005 in a bloodless military coup led by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, which ended then President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya's 21 years of strong-arm rule. The reforms voted upon must now be approved by the country's constitutional council. The new Constitution is to replace the 1991 one.

The referendum will now lead to municipal and legislative elections to be held in November, followed by elections to the parliamentary upper house and the President's post in 2007.

The new Constitution provides for a presidential form of government, with the President commanding significant powers, including the appointment of the prime minister. The Parliament though, can vote for no confidence in the government or censure it. The Constitution disallows members of the present junta from running for the President's post and requires future leaders to swear on the Qur'an that they will not amend the Constitution to stay in power.

International observers from the African Union and the Arab League said that the referendum appeared to have gone smoothly, but have yet to make their final reports.

President Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, who also voted in the referendum said, "This is a great day and a rebirth for Mauritania ... I am sure that all Mauritanians feel the same way and that for this reason the Constitution will receive massive support." and reiterated that "whatever the result I shall respect my promise" to return power to civilians in 2007.

The Constitution has the backing of most civic and political groups, though two small parties called for a boycott of the referendum, saying the proposed Constitution ignores slavery, which is officially banned but still persists according to activists; and issues of "cohabitation between the different national communities" (such as Blacks and Arabs).


Mauritanie : le oui pour une nouvelle constitution l'emporte

Les électeurs mauritaniens étaient appelés aux urnes, dimanche 25 juin 2006, pour approuver par référendum le projet de constitution élaboré par le gouvernement intérimaire installé, en août 2005, par le colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall et le Conseil militaire pour la justice et la démocratie (CMJD). Selon les résultats annoncés par les services du ministre de l'Intérieur, le peuple mauritanien a massivement approuvé le projet qui lui était soumis.

La nouvelle constitution pose les limites du nombre de mandats présidentiels auxquels un candidats peut prétendre et réduit leur durée. Les membres de l'actuel gouvernement ne pourront se présenter aux élections.

Le ministre de l'Intérieur, Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine, a indiqué que 96,97 % des Mauritaniens ont approuvé cette nouvelle constitution.

Ce référendum fait partie des étapes qui vont conduire le pays d'un gouvernement militaire vers un gouvernement civil. Le gouvernement actuel s'était formé en août 2005 à la suite d'un coup d'État du colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, qui a renversé le président Maaouiya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya après 21 ans à la tête du pays. Les réformes votées doivent être maintenant acceptées par le conseil constitutionnel. La constitution remplacera celle de 1991.

À la suite de ce vote, des élections municipales et législatives devraient se tenir en novembre, viendront ensuite celles du Sénat et enfin l'élection présidentielle en 2007.


Mayor of Oslo resigns after tax fraud scandal

The mayor of the Norwegian capital Oslo, Per Ditlev-Simonsen, resigned today after massive critique following revelations that he used to have a Swiss bank account for which he did not pay taxes. Ditlev-Simonsen was elected mayor in 1995. Before that, he was the defence minister of Norway from 1989 to 1990.

Allegations that Ditlev-Simonsen had an unknown Swiss bank account were first made in the financial newspaper Dagens Næringsliv on August 17. He admitted to not having paid taxes on the money in the account, which he said was closed before he became mayor. The account reportedly contained NOK 1 500 000, approx. EUR 182 000.

Ditlev-Simonsen belongs to the Conservative Party (Høyre), and said that concerns about the party's recognition was the main factor in his decision to resign. He also said the requests from liberal parties weighed heavily in on his decision, saying he wanted to be a uniting mayor.

There will be a regional election in Norway on September 10. The Ditlev-Simonsen case has reportedly hurt the Conservative Party's reputation, though the polls still give the party better odds than in the last election.


Renuncia el alcalde de Oslo luego de un escándalo de fraude impositivo

22 de agosto de 2007Oslo, Noruega —

El alcalde de la capital noruega de Oslo, Per Ditlev-Simonsen, ha renunciado debido a una crítica masiva luego de que se revelara que tenía una cuenta en un banco suizo por la que no pagaba impuestos.

Ditlev-Simonsen fue elegido en 1995 y, antes de esto, fue Ministro de Defensa de Noruega de 1989 a 1990.

Las alegaciones que Ditlev-Simonsen tenía una cuenta bancaria suiza desconocida fueron hechas primeramente por el diario financiero Dagens Næringsliv el 17 de agosto. Admitió que no pagó impuestos por el dinero en la cuenta, que dijo que fue cerrada antes de ser elegido alcalde. La cuenta tenía NOK 1.500.000, aproximadamente € 182.000.

Ditlev-Simonsen pertenece al Partido Conservador (Høyre), y dijo que preocupaciones por el reconocimiento del partido fueron el factor principal para su renuncia. También dijo que los pedidos de los partidos liberales influenciaron su decisión, diciendo que quería ser un alcalde que uniera.

Habrá una elección regional en Noruega el 10 de septiembre. El caso de Ditlev-Simonsen ha afectado la reputación del Partido Conservador, aunque las encuestas dan mayores probabilidades de que gane que en la última elección.


McCain and Obama face off in U.S. presidential candidate debate

The two major party presidential candidates in the US, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, faced each other yesterday in the first TV debate. Despite that McCain had asked to postpone the debate, both were present at the University of Mississippi.  The debate, which was moderated by PBS' Jim Lehrer, was planned to be focused on foreign policy, however due to concerns about the US financial crisis, the debate began focused on economy.

McCain repeatedly referred to his experience, drawing on stories from the past. Often, he joked of his age and at one point seemed to mock his opponent. Obama spoke of mistakes and repeatedly laid out  detailed plans.

The debate was widely seen as a draw. A CBS poll conducted after the debate on independent voters found that 38% felt it was a draw, 40% felt Obama had won, and 22% thought that McCain had won. Voters and analysts agreed that Obama had won on the economy, but that McCain had done better on foreign policy issues, which were the focus of the debate. However, Obama had a more substantial lead on the economy than McCain did on foreign policy.

The McCain campaign faced some ridicule prior to the debate, after airing an internet ad declaring McCain had won the debate hours before it had started.

The candidates were asked where they stood on the country's financial plans.

Obama put forward four proposals for helping the economy. First, to "make sure that we've got oversight over this whole [bailout] process". Second, to "make sure that taxpayers, when they are putting their money at risk, have the possibility of getting that money back and gains". Third, to "make sure that none of that money is going to pad CEO bank accounts or to promote golden parachutes". And lastly, "make sure that we're helping homeowners, because the root problem here has to do with the foreclosures that are taking place all across the country".

He then went on to say, "we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain, a theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down".
Lehrer then turned to McCain, giving him two minutes as well.

McCain, on the other hand, stressed the urgency of the crisis and the partisanship present in Washington before going on. "This package has transparency in it. It has to have accountability and oversight. It has to have options for loans to failing businesses, rather than the government taking over those loans. We have to -- it has to have a package with a number of other essential elements to it," he told viewers, pausing to briefly mention energy and jobs before Lehrer stopped him.

Lehrer asked the two to come back to his question and urging them to speak to each other, first turning to Senator Obama.

"We haven't seen the language yet," Obama began, speaking to Lehrer and not McCain. "And I do think that there's constructive work being done out there", he said, before noting he was optimistic a plan would come together. "The question, I think, that we have to ask ourselves is, how did we get into this situation in the first place?"

He continued, stressing his foresight on the issues two years ago, before Lehrer turned to McCain, asking if he planned to vote for the bailout plan.

McCain stammered that he hoped so. Lehrer asked again, and McCain replied, "Sure. But -- but let me -- let me point out, I also warned about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and warned about corporate greed and excess, and CEO pay, and all that. A lot of us saw this train wreck coming."

McCain then continued, giving a story about former US President Dwight Eisenhower, who "on the night before the Normandy invasion, went into his room, and he wrote out two letter". Eisenhower, he said, had taken accountability for his actions.

"As president of the United States, people are going to be held accountable in my administration. And I promise you that that will happen."

Obama then agreed with McCain, adding that more accountability was needed but not just when there's a panic. "There are folks out there who've been struggling before this crisis took place," Obama continued, "and that's why it's so important, as we solve this short-term problem, that we look at some of the underlying issues that have led to wages and incomes for ordinary Americans to go down, the -- a health care system that is broken, energy policies that are not working, because, you know, 10 days ago, John said that the fundamentals of the economy are sound".

Obama was asked to say it to McCain. Obama replied, "I do not think that they are". Lehrer asked him to say it more directly to McCain, and Obama laughed, repeating himself to McCain.

McCain joked about his age, saying, "Are you afraid I couldn't hear him?"

Obama said that he and McCain disagreed fundamentally and that he wanted accountability "not just when there's a crisis for folks who have power and influence and can hire lobbyists, but for the nurse, the teacher, the police officer, who, frankly, at the end of each month, they've got a little financial crisis going on. They're having to take out extra debt just to make their mortgage payments". Tax policies, he said, were a good example.

McCain disagreed. "No, I -- look, we've got to fix the system. We've got fundamental problems in the system. And Main Street is paying a penalty for the excesses and greed in Washington, D.C., and on Wall Street. So there's no doubt that we have a long way to go. And, obviously, stricter interpretation and consolidation of the various regulatory agencies that weren't doing their job, that has brought on this crisis".

Lehrer went on to the next question, asking if there were fundamental differences between the approaches of the two.

McCain began by saying he wanted to lower "completely out of control" spending. He promised as president to "veto every single spending bill" He then attacked Senator Obama's use of earmarks, citing it as a fundamental difference.

Senator Obama agreed that earmarks were being abused, but not that it was a large problem. "Earmarks account for $18 billion in last year's budget. Senator McCain is proposing -- and this is a fundamental difference between us -- $300 billion in tax cuts to some of the wealthiest corporations and individuals in the country, $300 billion. Now, $18 billion is important; $300 billion is really important." He then attacked McCain's tax plans, saying, "you would have CEOs of Fortune 500 companies getting an average of $700,000 in reduced taxes, while leaving 100 million Americans out".

He then stressed his focus on the middle class, saying, "We've got to grow the economy from the bottom up. What I've called for is a tax cut for 95 percent of working families, 95 percent".

McCain was called on.

"Now, Senator Obama didn't mention that, along with his tax cuts, he is also proposing some $800 billion in new spending on new programs," McCain said, attacking his opponent. He also said that Obama had only suspended pork barrel spending after he started running for president.

"What I do is I close corporate loopholes," Obama objected, "stop providing tax cuts to corporations that are shipping jobs overseas so that we're giving tax breaks to companies that are investing here in the United States. I make sure that we have a health care system that allows for everyone to have basic coverage".

He then turned to McCain, asking him to look at his tax policies, which he said were ignoring the middle class and a continuation of Bush policies.

Lehrer asked McCain to respond directly to Obama's attack on his tax policies.

"Well -- well, let me give you an example of what Senator Obama finds objectionable, the business tax," McCain began. He then explained the reasoning behind his business tax cuts, saying that companies would want to start in countries where they would pay less taxes. "I want to cut that business tax. I want to cut it so that businesses will remain in -- in the United States of America and create jobs".

Obama explained that his tax cuts would affect 95% of taxpayers, then replied, "Now, John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he's absolutely right. Here's the problem: There are so many loopholes that have been written into the tax code, oftentimes with support of Senator McCain, that we actually see our businesses pay effectively one of the lowest tax rates in the world".

McCain, he said, opposed closing loopholes but just wanted to add more tax breaks on top of that.

He went on, attacking McCain's health credit idea, saying that McCain wanted to tax health credits. "Your employer now has to pay taxes on the health care that you're getting from your employer. And if you end up losing your health care from your employer, you've got to go out on the open market and try to buy it".

McCain responded with an example of Obama voting for tax breaks of oil companies.

Obama cut in, "John, you want to give oil companies another $4 billion", he pointed out.

McCain shot back, attacking Obama's earmark spending and tax policies. "Who's the person who has believed that the best thing for America is -- is to have a tax system that is fundamentally fair?", he said, referring to himself. "And I've fought to simplify it, and I have proposals to simplify it".

He then accused Obama of voting "to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42,000 a year". Obama repeated several times that McCain's accusations were untrue.

McCain then accused him of giving tax cuts to oil companies, which Obama once again said was untrue. "The fact of the matter is, is that I was opposed to those tax breaks, tried to strip them out,"he said. "We've got an emergency bill on the Senate floor right now that contains some good stuff, some stuff you want, including drilling off-shore, but you're opposed to it because it would strip away those tax breaks that have gone to oil companies."

Lehrer then broke in, stopping the argument. He switched to a new question, asking what priorities and goals for the country the candidates would give up as a result of the financial crisis.

He allowed Obama to answer the question first, who said many things would have to be delayed but not forgotten. He then began to list what he felt the country had to have to continue to compete.

"We have to have energy independence," he said, "so I've put forward a plan to make sure that, in 10 years' time, we have freed ourselves from dependence on Middle Eastern oil by increasing production at home, but most importantly by starting to invest in alternative energy, solar, wind, biodiesel".

He continued, saying that the health care system had to be fixed because it was bankrupting families.

"We've got to make sure that we're competing in education," he continued. "We've got to make sure that our children are keeping pace in math and in science." He also mentioned making sure college was still affordable.

He also stressed making sure the country was still stable structurally, "to make sure that we can compete in this global economy".

Lehrer then turned to McCain, asking him to present his ideas.

"Look, we, no matter what, we've got to cut spending", McCain began and reminded the audience that he "saved the taxpayers $6.8 billion by fighting a contract that was negotiated between Boeing and DOD that was completely wrong".

Lehrer broke in, asking if it was correct that neither of them had any major changes to implement after the financial crisis.

Obama replied that many things would have to be delayed and put aside, and that investments had to be made. He then agreed with McCain that cuts had to be made. "We right now give $15 billion every year as subsidies to private insurers under the Medicare system. Doesn't work any better through the private insurers. They just skim off $15 billion. That was a give away and part of the reason is because lobbyists are able to shape how Medicare work".

McCain then made a suggestion. "How about a spending freeze on everything but defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs". Lehrer repeated "spending freeze?" and McCain went on, "I think we ought to seriously consider with the exceptions the caring of veterans, national defense and several other vital issues".

Obama disagreed with McCain's idea, saying it was "using a hatchet". Some vital programs, he said, were seriously underfunded. "I went to increase early childhood education and the notion that we should freeze that when there may be, for example, this Medicare subsidy doesn't make sense".

The two candidates began to argue more directly.

"We have to have," McCain argued, "wind, tide, solar, natural gas, flex fuel cars and all that but we also have to have offshore drilling and we also have to have nuclear power".

He accused Obama of opposing storing nuclear fuel.

Lehrer interrupted the two with another question, asking how the financial crisis would affect how they ran the country.

Obama replied first. "There's no doubt it will affect our budgets. There is no doubt about it". He went on to stress that it was a critical time and the country's long term priorities had to be sorted out.

McCain replied by criticizing Obama's health care plans. "I want the families to make decisions between themselves and their doctors. Not the federal government," he said, then called for lower spending.

He went on to speak about the national debt and stressing the importance of low taxes.

Obama went on the offensive, attacking McCain's record of voting. "John, it's been your president who you said you agreed with 90 percent of the time who presided over this increase in spending", he said, accusing him of voting for an "orgy of spending".

McCain countered that he had opposed Bush "on spending, on climate change, on torture of prisoner, on - on Guantanamo Bay. On a -- on the way that the Iraq War was conducted". He called himself a maverick, and referred to his running mate as a maverick as well.

Lehrer asked the two what the lessons of Iraq were.

McCain answered first, stressing that the war in Iraq was going well. "I think the lessons of Iraq are very clear," he answered, "that you cannot have a failed strategy that will then cause you to nearly lose a conflict".

He went on to praise the efforts in Iraq, saying the strategy was successful and the US was winning. "And we will come home with victory and with honor. And that withdrawal is the result of every counterinsurgency that succeeds", and continued that Iraq would make a stable ally.

Lehrer asked Obama how he saw the lessons of Iraq, who began by questioning the fundamentals of the war and whether the US should have gone in the first place.

"We took our eye off [bin Laden]. And not to mention that we are still spending $10 billion a month, when they have a $79 billion surplus, at a time when we are in great distress here at home, and we just talked about the fact that our budget is way overstretched and we are borrowing money from overseas to try to finance just some of the basic functions of our government".

The lesson, he said, was to "never hesitate to use military force", but to use it wisely.

McCain was asked if he agreed on the lesson, though he did not comment on a lesson learned. Obama, he said, had been wrong about the surge.

The two opponents then began arguing, as Lehrman tried to mediate them.

McCain felt it was remarkable that "Senator Obama is the chairperson of a committee that oversights NATO that's in Afghanistan. To this day, he has never had a hearing".

"The issues of Afghanistan," Obama responded, "the issues of Iraq, critical issues like that, don't go through my subcommittee because they're done as a committee as a whole".

He then began to attack McCain's optimism. "You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong. You said that there was no history of violence between Shiite and Sunni. And you were wrong".

McCain responded to the criticism by telling a story of when he spoke to troops who were re-enlisting. "And you know what they said to us? They said, let us win. They said, let us win. We don't want our kids coming back here. And this strategy, and this general, they are winning. Senator Obama refuses to acknowledge that we are winning in Iraq".

McCain repeatedly accused Obama of opposing funding to troops.

Obama responded by speaking to Lehrer, to explain why he had voted against funding troops. "Senator McCain opposed funding for troops in legislation that had a timetable, because he didn't believe in a timetable. I opposed funding a mission that had no timetable, and was open- ended, giving a blank check to George Bush. We had a difference on the timetable".

"Admiral Mullen suggests that Senator Obama's plan is dangerous for America," McCain cut in once Obama had finished.

Obama said it was not the case, that the wording was "a precipitous withdrawal would be dangerous".

McCain then argued that Iraq, and not Afghanistan, was the central battle ground against terrorism. He also attacked Obama's surprise that the surge had worked.

Lehrer switched to a new question. "Do you think more troops -- more U.S. troops should be sent to Afghanistan, how many, and when?"

Obama mentioned he had been saying more troops in Afghanistan were needed for over a year. He argued that no Al-Qaeda were present in Iraq before the invasion, and the people there had nothing to do with 9/11.

He then went on to list a three part plan beginning with pressuring the Afghani government to work for it's people and control it's poppy trade. He also pressed the need to stop giving money to Pakistan.

McCain responded by saying Iraq had to be stabilized and that he would not make the mistake of leaving Iraq the way it is.

"If you're going to aim a gun at somebody," he said, "you'd better be prepared to pull the trigger".

Obama responded by arguing that if the Pakistani government would not take care of terrorists in it's borders, action had to be taken. He then commented on past US policies with Pakistan, saying that the US support of Musharraf had alienated the Pakistani people.

"And as a consequence, we lost legitimacy in Pakistan. We spent $10 billion. And in the meantime, they weren't going after al Qaeda, and they are more powerful now than at any time since we began the war in Afghanistan. That's going to change when I'm president of the United States", he finished.

McCain quickly replied that Pakistan was a failed state at the time. He then went on to talk about his voting record. "I have a record of being involved in these national security issues, which involve the highest responsibility and the toughest decisions that any president can make, and that is to send our young men and women into harm's way".

Obama argued that Afghanistan could not be muddled through, and that problems were being caused by not focusing on Al-Qaeda. As he finished, Lehrer attempted to announce a new question, but McCain quickly attacked Obama, saying his plans would have a "calamitous effect" on national security and the region.

Lehrer directed his next question towards McCain, asking about his thoughts on Iran and it's threat to the US.

McCain's reading of the threat in Iran was "if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to the State of Israel and to other countries in the region". He stressed the need to avoid another Holocaust, and the need for a league of democracies

to battle Iran. "I am convinced that together, we can, with the French, with the British, with the Germans and other countries, democracies around the world, we can affect Iranian behavior".

Obama went next, focusing on the Iraq war's effect on Iran. Iraq, he said, was Iran's "mortal enemy" and had kept Iran from becoming a threat. "That was cleared away. And what we've seen over the last several years is Iran's influence grow. They have funded Hezbollah, they have funded Hamas, they have gone from zero centrifuges to 4,000 centrifuges to develop a nuclear weapon".

He then went on to say that refusing to use diplomacy with hostile nations has only made matters worse and isolated the US.

Lehrer turned to McCain, asking him how he felt about diplomacy as a solution.

McCain hurried through his response, attacking Obama on his willingness to meet with hostile leaders without preconditions. People like Ahmadinejad, he said, would have their ideas legitimized if a President met with them.

Obama responded by pointing out that Ahmadinejad was only a minor leader. Meeting leaders without preconditions, he said, "doesn't mean that you invite them over for tea one day". He then turned to attacking McCain, who he said "would not meet potentially with the prime minister of Spain, because he -- you know, he wasn't sure whether they were aligned with us. I mean, Spain? Spain is a NATO ally".

McCain retorted that he was not yet President so it would be out of place. The two then began to argue over the comments of Dr. Kissinger's stance on meeting foreign leaders.

McCain argued that meeting with and legitimizing ideas was dangerous and naive, and said it was a fundamental difference of opinion.

Obama accused McCain of misrepresentation, stressing that he would not speak without low level talks and preparations.

McCain responded by mocking Obama. "So let me get this right. We sit down with Ahmadinejad, and he says, 'We're going to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth,' and we say, 'No, you're not'? Oh, please".

The two started arguing among each other, as Lehrer attempted to interject, finally succeeding with a new question. He turned to Obama, asking how he saw the relationship with Russia and it's potential.

Obama began spelling out his opinion, stating that he felt the US approach to Russia had to be evaluated. He then continued that the US has to press for a unified alliance and for Russia to remove itself from other nations, adding that the US had to "explain to the Russians that you cannot be a 21st-century superpower, or power, and act like a 20th-century dictatorship".

He went on, stressing the importance of diplomacy and affirming relationships, and inviting Russian-influenced countries into NATO. "Now, we also can't return to a Cold War posture with respect to Russia. It's important that we recognize there are going to be some areas of common interest. One is nuclear proliferation".

McCain responded by attacking Obama's reaction to the Russian-Georgian conflict, criticizing his initial comment that both sides should show restraint, calling it naive. "He doesn't understand that Russia committed serious aggression against Georgia. And Russia has now become a nation fueled by petro-dollars that is basically a KGB apparatchik-run government".

Lehrer asked Obama if there were any major differences between the two's opinion on Russia, who answered that he and McCain had similar opinions on Russia. He then stressed foresight in dealing with Russia, as well as reducing dependence on foreign oil through alternative energy.

"Over 26 years, Senator McCain voted 23 times against alternative energy, like solar, and wind, and biodiesel," he mentioned.

The two began to argue over alternative energy. As Lehrer began announcing the next question, McCain interjected. "No one from Arizona is against solar. And Senator Obama says he's for nuclear, but he's against reprocessing and he's against storing So," he continued, as Obama objected, "it's hard to get there from here. And off-shore drilling is also something that is very important and it is a bridge".

McCain continued, as Obama interrupted to correct him, saying that he had voted for storing nuclear waste safely.

The two began interrupting each other, each trying to get a word in, before Lehrer stopped them and moved on.

"What do you think the likelihood is that there would be another 9/11-type attack on the continental United States?" asked Lehrer.

McCain said that America was far safer since 9/11, which he claimed a hand in. He went on to stress better intelligence and technology in keeping America safe, but that he felt the US was far safer.

Lehrer then turned to Obama.

Obama disagreed slightly, saying America was safer in some ways, but "we still have a long way to go". He also felt that the US was not focusing enough on Al-Qaeda and fighting in Iraq was not making the US safer.

McCain accused Senator Obama of not understanding that "if we fail in Iraq, it encourages al Qaeda. They would establish a base in Iraq".

Lehrer asked if Obama agreed.

Obama argued that the sole focus was currently Iraq, but that "in the meantime, bin Laden is still out there. He is not captured. He is not killed". He noted that $10 billion was spent in Iraq every month, instead of going to healthcare. He argued that veterans were not getting the benefits they deserved, and that the next president's strategies had to be broader.

McCain responded by attacking Obama saying he didn't think Obama had the knowledge or experience to be President.

Obama then said that the job of the next President would be to repair America's image and economy.

McCain concluded by citing his POW experience. "Jim, when I came home from prison, I saw our veterans being very badly treated, and it made me sad. And I embarked on an effort to resolve the POW-MIA issue, which we did in a bipartisan fashion, and then I worked on normalization of relations between our two countries so that our veterans could come all the way home".

"And that ends this debate tonight," finished Jim Lehrer.


První debata McCaina a Obamy: Mluvilo se o ekonomice, Iráku a Íránu

Dnes v noci se v USA uskutečnila první z předvolebních moderovaných debat mezi prezidentskými kandidáty Barackem Obamou a Johnem McCainem. Kvůli finanční krizi, která USA zasáhla velkou silou (zhroutilo se několik velkých bank a situace na burze je neklidná), se mluvilo hlavně o ekonomice (polovina času z celkových devadesáti minut) a plánech na stabilizaci amerického hospodářství.

Barack Obama zde nastínil, že pokud má země vydat 700 miliard dolarů na ozdravení ekonomiky, musí být jistá kontrola nad celým sektorem. Za viníka krize označil George Bushe a McCaina nazval pokračovatelem celého svízelného vývoje.

V diskuzi na téma Iráku a Íránu - na každou zemi dostali oba kandidáti dvě minuty - naopak John McCain vyzdvihl americké úspěchy v Iráku a současnou strategii; mluvil o své návštěvě Bagdádu a vůli tamních vojáků bojovat až do úspěšného vítězství. Jeho demokratický oponent naopak připoměl, že vinou války v Iráku se nedostává vojenských posil pro Afghánistán a byla posílena i role Íránu. Právě na možném riziku íránského jaderného programu se oba kandidáti shodli.

Čtete zprávu, která vznikla jako původní zpráva redaktora Aktron (diskuse, příspěvky), který ručí za její pravdivost. Pokud se vaše informace o události liší, Wikizprávy uvítají, pokud je s uvedením zdrojů doplníte či uvedete na diskusní stránce.


Erstes TV-Duell zwischen Obama und McCain ohne klaren Sieger

Oxford (Vereinigte Staaten), 27.09.2008 – In der Nacht zum gestrigen Samstag fand im Ort Oxford im Bundesstaat Mississippi das erste Fernsehduell zwischen den beiden Präsidentschaftskandidaten Barack Obama von den Demokraten und John McCain von den Republikanern statt. Unmittelbar nach dem Ende der Diskussion, die auf dem Campus der University of Mississippi stattfand, gaben beide Seiten den Sieg ihres jeweiligen Kandidaten bekannt.

So teilte Jill Hazelbaker, Pressesprecherin von McCains Kampagne, mit, dieser habe „das Gespräch durchweg kontrolliert“ und „eine klare Agenda für die Zukunft Amerikas“ präsentiert. Zudem verwies McCains Kampagne darauf, dass Obama diesem sehr oft zugestimmt habe. David Plouffe aus Obamas Lager sprach dagegen von „einem klaren Sieg Barack Obamas“, denn dieser habe überzeugend die Notwendigkeit eines Wandels in Sachen Außenpolitik und Wirtschaft dargelegt, wogegen McCain nichts als „mehr von der gescheiterten Politik von George Bush“ zu bieten gehabt habe.

Die von Plouffe angesprochene Außenpolitik sollte ursprünglich das einzige Thema dieses ersten von drei TV-Duellen zwischen Obama und McCain werden, doch angesichts der kritischen Lage der internationalen Finanzmärkte und somit auch der US-amerikanischen Wirtschaft hatte man sich entschieden, die Debatte zweizuteilen: Die ersten 45 Minuten konnten die Kandidaten ihre Konzepte bezüglich der aktuellen Finanzkrise vorstellen, während der zweite Teil dann der Außenpolitik gewidmet war.

Angesichts der aktuellen Wirtschaftskrise warf Obama seinem Kontrahenten insbesondere vor, diese sei eine Konsequenz der gescheiterten Wirtschaftspolitik George Bushs der letzten acht Jahre, die von John McCain unterstützt worden sei. Zudem griff Obama eine Aussage John McCains auf, der gesagt habe, er vermisse Verantwortung der Akteure der aktuellen Finanzmarktkrise. Dies sei richtig, so Obama, dürfe jedoch nicht nur in Krisenzeiten gelten. So habe in den letzte Jahren eine Politik vorgeherrscht, die die Wall Street über die „Main Street“, also über die wirtschaftlichen Belange der meisten Bürger des Landes, gestellt habe. Beide Kandidaten zeigten sich zudem optimistisch bezüglich des derzeit diskutierten Plans der Regierung zur „Rettung“ der Finanzmärkte, und beide hoben hervor, dass sie bereits vor Monaten vor wirtschaftlichen Problemen gewarnt hätten.

Was die Außenpolitik angeht, versuchten beide Kandidaten, ihren bisher vertretenden Standpunkt gegenüber dem jeweils anderen zu bekräftigen, das heißt, McCain warf Obama seine Unerfahrenheit vor, und dass er gegen die Aufstockung der US-Truppen im Irak votiert habe, die letztendlich die Wende gebracht habe. Obama dagegen warf McCain vor, die Lage im Irak völlig falsch eingeschätzt zu haben, als er – anders als Obama – für einen US-Einmarsch stimmte. Damit versuchte Obama wohl gleichzeitig McCains stärkstes Argument zu entkräften: Seine Erfahrung und Urteilskraft, insbesondere in militärischen Dingen.

Nach Meinung vieler Beobachter hat das Duell keinen klaren Sieger hervorgebracht. Dennoch sei Obama in der besseren Position, da er die Umfragen derzeit anführt, das heißt (anders als John McCain) nicht auf einen „game changer“ angewiesen ist, also auf einen Auftritt, der ihn einige Prozentpunkte nach vorne katapultieren kann.

In einer (jedoch nicht repräsentativen) Umfrage von CNN und Opinion Research unter Zuschauern der Debatte gingen 51 Prozent der Befragten davon aus, dass Obama insgesamt besser dagestanden hätte. Zwar sahen die Zuschauer John McCain in der Nationalen Sicherheit knapp mit vier Prozentpunkten vorne, dennoch könnte auch dies eine Enttäuschung für John McCain sein, da seine Kampagne zu einem großen Teil auf diesem Themenkomplex basiert. Zudem war Obama dann auch mit mehr als 20 Prozentpunkten vor McCain, als es um die Frage ging, wer wirtschaftlich kompetenter erschien.


Obama y McCain se enfrentan en el primer debate

27 de septiembre de 2008Mississippi, Estados Unidos —

Los dos candidatos a Presidente de los Estados Unidos se vieron las caras en el primer debate televisivo, que se llevó a cabo desde las 9.00 PM (ET) en la Universidad de Mississippi, en Oxford. A pesar de la negativa inicial del republicano John McCain, finalmente decidió participar del acto junto con el demócrata Barack Obama. Los temas principales fueron la crisis financiera y la guerra en Iraq, con más similitudes que diferencias.

El senador por Illinois acusó al presidente George W. Bush y a su rival de ser el responsable de la situación económica actual del país. Acerca de política fiscal, Obama señaló que se debe redistribuir la riqueza y aumentar impuestos a los ricos.

El demócrata también le dio importancia a la "independencia energética" de los Estados Unidos, es decir, no depender del petróleo extranjero a favor de energías alternativas. Según él, el país gasta "el 25% del petróleo mundial" y el país sólo tiene el 3% del recurso.

Obama defendió su decisión de hablar con el presidente Iraní, Mahmud Ahmadineyad, sin condiciones previas. "Yo, como Presidente de los Estados Unidos, puedo hablar con quien sea necesario para garantizar la seguridad nacional". afirmó.

"Es esencial que el próximo presidente haga respetar el cese al fuego —señaló el candidato sobre la ofensiva rusa en Georgia—. Sin embargo, tampoco debemos volver a la guerra fría."

Obama advirtió que el país debe recuperar la imagen en el mundo, que se perdió desde la invasión a Iraq. Además, denunció: "En los últimos 8 años, este gobierno, junto con el senador McCain, se concentró sólo en Iraq. Mientras tanto, Bin Laden sigue libre y Al Qaeda está más fuerte".

McCain responsabilizó a "la codicia corporativa" por la crisis. Luego, expresó que "el ciudadano común está pagando por lo que ha hecho Wall Street" y que hay que "cambiar las reglas" del sistema.

Asimismo, resaltó que se deberán recortar los gastos en defensa mientras se trataba el tema de la política fiscal. También le dio importancia a los veteranos, anunciando que hay que crear un fondo especial para ayudarlos.

Para el senador por Arizona, las tropas en Iraq están ganando, por lo que retirada propuesta por Obama "sería una gran pérdida de recursos y de sangre".

El republicano se mostró en total desacuerdo con el diálogo con Ahmadineyad sin precondiciones. Declaró que no desea "darle propaganda" al mandatario Iraní por querer "destruir el Estado de Israel". "Yo hablaré con cualquier persona, pero deben cumplirse ciertas condiciones", manifestó.

El veterano de guerra también calificó de "inaceptable" las acciones militares rusas en Georgia. "No es sólo un tema entre Rusia y Georgia, además hay un tema energético. Los rusos deben entender que los Estados Unidos vamos a apoyar la inclusión de Georgia y Ucrania a la OTAN", dijo.


McCainilla ja Obamalla ensimmäinen väittely

Oxford, Mississippi. John McCain (rep.) ja Barack Obama (dem.) kohtasivat ensimmäisessä vaaliväittelyssään Mississippin yliopistolla perjantai-iltana. Puolentoista tunnin väittelyssä havaittiin ehdokkaiden talous- ja ulkopolitiikkanäkemysten eroavan täysin.

Väittelyn aiheena oli ulko- ja turvallisuuspolitiikka, mutta aluksi puhuttiin ajankohtaisista talousasioista. Kumpikaan ehdokkaista ei suostunut suoralta kädeltä mainitsemaan, mitä muutoksia heidän hallitusohjelmaansa on tehtävä vakavan talouskriisin johdosta.

–Meidän on myös tunnistettava, että tämä on lopullinen tuomio George Bushin kahdeksan vuotta ajamille ja senaattori McCainin tukemille epäonnistuneille talouslinjauksille – teorialle, jonka mukaan voimme silputa säännöksiä ja kuluttajansuojaa ja antaa useimmille enemmän ja enemmän ja vauraus jotenkin koituu vähävaraisten hyväksi, Obama kritisoi. Hän pyrki rinnastamaan McCainin presidentti Bushiin. McCain puolestaan sanoi Obaman talousmielipiteitä senaatissa vasemmistolaisiksi, äärimmäisen liberalistisiksi.

Ulkopolitiikkaan siirryttäessä McCain korosti Obaman kokemattomuutta. Tehokeinona hän sanoi monissa yhteyksissä, että Obama ”ei ymmärrä”. ”Pelkäänpä, ettei senaattori Obama ymmärrä”, ”Senaattori Obama ei näytä ymmärtävän” ja ”Senaattori Obama ei edelleenkään ymmärrä” olivat eräitä McCainin käyttämiä fraaseja.

Obama puhui ulkomaista ja niiden johtajista yksityiskohtaisesti ikään kuin vakuuttaakseen yleisölle ulkopoliittista tietämystään. –Yrität teeskennellä, että sota alkoi 2007 – – mutta sota alkoi 2003. [Silloin] sinä sanoit, että siitä tulisi nopea ja helppo, Obama sanoi alleviivatessaan McCainin virhearviota.

–Senaattori Obama ei suostu myöntämään, että olemme voittamassa Irakissa, McCain sanoi ja varoitti, että yhdysvaltalaisjoukot olisivat vaarassa hävitä, jos noudatettaisiin Obaman ehdottamaa vetäytymisaikataulua.

Molemmat ehdokkaat käyttivät kaatuneiden sotilaiden tarinoita oman näkemyksensä ajamiseen. McCain kertoi kaatuneen sotilaan äidistä, joka pyysi tätä jatkamaan ponnisteluja Irakissa, jotta hänen poikansa kuolema ei olisi ollut turha. Obama puolestaan kertoi kaatuneen äidistä, joka toivoi Obamaa lopettamaan sodan Irakissa, etteivät muut äidit joutuisi kokemaan hänen suruaan.


McCain captures Florida, Giuliani drops out

2008 United States presidential election

United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has won the State of Florida's Republican Party primary election, edging out former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by five percent (36 versus 31%). With this win, Sen. McCain is now clearly the frontrunner going into next week's Super-Tuesday primaries.

One time GOP front-runner Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who placed a lagging third in Florida, the state he based his campaign on, dropped out of the race Wednesday, largely because he had no previous primary wins and dwindling support.

The mayor endorsed McCain, a long time friend. McCain was quoted saying: "I want to thank my dear friend, my dear friend Rudy Giuliani, who invested his heart and soul in this primary and who conducted himself with all the qualities of the exceptional American leader he truly is".

Democratic Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, also from New York, won the Democratic primary in Florida; however, due to Democratic Party policy, the state has been stripped of its delegates.


McCain gewinnt Vorwahlen in Florida

Tallahassee (Vereinigte Staaten), 31.01.2008 – John McCain hat die republikanischen Vorwahlen für das Amt des US-Präsidenten in Florida gewonnen. McCain sagte daraufhin der Nachrichtenagentur AP, der Sieg sei ein „sehr wichtiger Schub“ für seine Kandidatur. Dadurch konnte sich McCain die Zustimmung von 57 Delegierten für den Parteitag der Republikaner, wo über den endgültigen republikanischen Präsidentschaftskandidaten für die diesjährigen Wahlen entschieden wird, sichern. Dies ist die höchste Zahl an Delegierten, die bisher bei einer Vorwahl auf einmal gewonnen werden konnte.

Doch nicht nur deshalb wird der Sieg McCains als sehr gutes Zeichen für seine Chancen bei den Präsidentschaftswahlen eingeschätzt. So waren bei den Wahlen in Florida nur Parteimitglieder zur Wahl zugelassen – anders als in anderen Bundesstaaten. Den Wahlsieg McCains werten Beobachter als Zeichen dafür, dass McCain nicht nur von vielen so genannten „Independents“, also nicht parteigebundenen Wählern unterstützt wird, sondern auch Rückhalt in der eigenen Partei hat.

Hinter McCain, auf den 36 Prozent der Stimmen entfielen, kam der ehemalige Gouverneur von Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, auf 31 Prozent. Romney hatte bisher mehr Delegiertenstimmen als McCain gewinnen können, ist aber nun auch in dieser Wertung auf den zweiten Platz zurückgefallen. Dennoch wird nun immer mehr erwartet, dass der republikaner-interne Wahlkampf auf ein Kopf-an-Kopf-Duell von McCain und Romney hinausläuft.

Dies wird dadurch bestätigt, dass das Bewerberfeld weiter schrumpft: Fred Thompson hatte das Ende seiner Kandidatur bereits vor einigen Tagen angekündigt. Es wird ebenfalls das Ende der Bewerbung des ehemaligen Bürgermeisters von New York City, Rudolph Giuliani, erwartet. Weiterhin im Rennen ist Mike Huckabee, der 13 Prozent der Stimmen erzielte.

Weniger Kandidaten gibt es inzwischen auch bei den Demokraten: So zog John Edwards, ehemaliger Senator von North Carolina und republikanischer Kandidat für das Amt des Vizepräsidenten 2004, seine Kandidatur zurück. Als Grund dafür gilt unter anderem, dass er in seinem Geburtsstaat South Carolina weniger als 20 Prozent der Stimmen erhielt. Bisher hat Edwards noch keinem der anderen Kandidaten seine Unterstützung eingeräumt.

Die demokratischen Vorwahlen konnte Hillary Clinton gewinnen. Florida entsendet dieses Jahr jedoch keine demokratischen Delegierten. Grund dafür ist die Weigerung der Parteiführer aus Florida, die Wahlen frühstens am 5. Februar abzuhalten. Dies hatte die nationale Parteispitze verlangt. Frühe Vorwahlen vor dem „Super Tuesday“, der an eben jenem 5. Februar ist, werden zunehmend beliebter, da die jeweiligen Bundesstaaten ein erhöhtes Medieninteresse erwarten können.


John Mc Cain remporte la primaire républicaine de Floride, John Edwards et Rudolph Giuliani jettent l'éponge

Les primaires de l'État de Floride pour la désignation des candidats à l'élection présidentielle des partis démocrate et républicain se sont tenues hier, malgré le désaccord des deux partis avec leurs comités locaux respectifs. Ce désaccord a conduit le Parti démocrate a ne pas attribuer de délégués nationaux au vainqueur du scrutin, le Parti républicain n'attribuant lui que la moitié des 114 délégués initialement prévus.
Pour le Parti républicain, le sénateur John McCain a devancé son rival le plus sérieux Mitt Romney en obtenant 36 % des voix et la totalité des 57 délégués attribués lors de ce scrutin :  « Notre victoire n'a peut-être pas atteint des proportions écrasantes, mais elle n'en est pas moins agréable » a commenté le vainqueur. Ce résultat le propulse en tête des candidats républicains en nombre de délégués, et, dans le même temps, a mis dans une position très délicate Rudolph Giuliani qui avait tout misé sur cette primaire pour lancer réellement sa candidature, qu'il devrait bientôt retirer. John McCain, par cette victoire, devient également le favori du « super mardi » qui se tiendra le 5 février prochain, durant lequel plus d'une vingtaine d'états désigneront leur candidat.

Du côté démocrate, Hillary Clinton a remporté les primaires, sans pour autant se voir attribuer de délégués, en devançant largement Barack Obama (50 % des suffrages exprimés contre 33 %). Cependant, n'ayant rassemblé que 14 % des suffrages sur son nom en Floride, et n'ayant jamais remporté de primaire ou de caucus, John Edwards a annoncé le retrait de sa candidature sans toutefois préciser si il apportait son soutien à ses deux concurrents, qui restent tous les deux seuls en lice après le retrait le 24 janvier dernier de Dennis Kucinich.

1. Pas de délégué attribué, la date choisie n'ayant pas été validée par le Parti démocrate.
2. S'est retiré de la course à l'investiture le 24 janvier dernier.

3. La date ayant été désavouée par le Parti républicain, seule la moitié des délégués a été attribuée.
4. S'est retiré de la course à l'investiture le 22 janvier dernier.


Edwards en Giuliani trekken zich terug

Opmerkelijk nieuws intussen uit het kamp van John Edwards: hij trekt zich terug uit de stemmenslag. Bij de afgelopen voorverkiezingen geraakte hij nooit uit de schaduw van Clinton en Obama en daar heeft hij dus nu zijn conclusies uit getrokken. De kans is echter groot dat hij nog zal worden 'opgevist' als kandidaat-vicepresident, net als in 2004. Bovendien kan hij zijn kiezers een stemadvies geven. Waarschijnlijk zal hij dan een voorkeur uitspreken voor Obama.

Ook Rudy Giuliani houdt het voor gezien. In Florida (29 januari) voerde hij voor het eerst echt campagne maar behaalde slechts een derde plaats, reden waarom hij de pijp aan Maarten geeft. Giuliani gold een jaar geleden nog als een sterke kandidaat.


Giuliani gir seg etter McCain-seier i Florida

Målform: Bokmål - Dato: 31. januar 2008 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

USA: Den amerikanske senatoren John McCain fra Arizona vant republikanernes primærvalg i Florida, fem prosentpoeng foran den tidligere Massachusetts-guvernøren Mitt Romney. Med seieren får McCain favorittstempelet inn mot «Super-tirsdagen» i neste uke.

Den tidligere republikanske favoritten Rudy Giuliani, kjent fra tiden som borgermester i New York, fikk en skuffende tredjeplass i Florida. Giuliani hadde satset alt på å vinne Florida, og trakk seg fra valgkampen etter nederlaget.

Giuliani gikk deretter ut med sin støtte til sin gamle venn McCain. McCain uttalte da at «jeg vil takke min kjære venn, min kjære venn Rudy Giuliani, som ga hjerte og sjelen i valgkampen og har vist alle de kvalitetene til slik en eksepsjonell amerikansk leder han er».

Den demokratiske senatoren Hillary Clinton vant demokratenes primærvalg i Florida. Hun får imidlertid ingen delegater til partiets landsmøte, på grunn av Floridas tidlige primærvalg.


McCain vence as prévias na Flórida, e Giuliani desiste da Corrida presidencial

O senador Americano John McCain venceu as prévias do Partido Republicano, vencendo o ex-governador de Massachusetts Mitt Romney por cinco por cento (36 versus 31% ). Com esta vitória, O Sen. McCain está agora claramente na dianteira dos candidatos do Partido Republicano, em curso da próxima semana, nas prévias de Super-ter.

O ex-prefeito de Nova York Rudy Giuliani, que ficou em terceiro lugar na Flórida, o Estado em que ele baseava em sua campanha, retirou-se da corrida na quarta-feira, em grande parte porque ele não tinha vitórias primárias, e lhe faltava apoio.

O prefeito aprovou a candidatura de McCain, um amigo seu de longa data. McCain foi disse: "Quero agradecer ao meu querido amigo, o meu querido amigo Rudy Giuliani, que investiu o seu coração e alma nesta prévia e que dirigiu-se com todas as qualidades excepcionais do líder americano ele é verdadeiramente".

A senadora democrata e ex-primeira dama Hillary Clinton, também de Nova York, venceu as prévias democratas na Flórida, no entanto, devido a política do Partido Democrata, o Estado tem sido despojado dos seus delegados.

*AP. Giuliani dropping out of GOP race [inativa] — MSNBC, 30 de janeiro de 2008. Página visitada em 31 de janeiro de 2008. Arquivada em 31 de janeiro de 2008

*Michael Grunwald. Giuliani Completes His Collapse [inativa] — TIME, 29 de janeiro de 2008. Página visitada em 31 de janeiro de 2008. Arquivada em 1 de fevereiro de 2008


McCain clinches Republican nomination as Huckabee concedes

With wins in the state primaries of Vermont, Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island, Senator John McCain has gathered enough delegates to clinch the Republican Party's nomination for President of the United States.

President George W. Bush has invited McCain to the White House on Wednesday to show his support for the candidate.

Meanwhile, McCain's rival Mike Huckabee officially dropped out of the race after giving a concession speech at his campaign headquarters. "We kept the faith, that for me has been the most important goal of all," said Huckabee, referring to his conservative Christian principles that gained him much support among evangelicals. "I'd rather lose the election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place."


John McCain décroche l'investiture républicaine

Publié le 5 mars 2008   Le républicain John McCain, 71 ans, a décroché cette nuit l'investiture du parti républicain pour le second tour de l'élection présidentielle américaine de 2008 en remportant les primaires organisées dans les États du Texas, de l'Ohio, de Rhode Island et du Vermont.

« Mes amis, j'ai le très grand plaisir d'annoncer que ce soir nous avons gagné assez de délégués pour pouvoir proclamer avec confiance, humilité et un grand sens des responsabilités que je serai le candidat républicain pour la présidence des États-Unis ». C'est avec ces mots qu'il a annoncé, quelques heures après la fermeture des bureaux de vote, sa victoire finale pour le premier tour des élections, après avoir pratiquement dû abandonner l'été dernier faute d'argent et de conseillers.

Dans son discours, il a exposé les points principaux de sa campagne contre le futur candidat du parti démocrate : la conclusion « rapide » de la guerre en Irak, « sans exacerber un conflit confessionnel qui pourrait rapidement dégénérer en génocide » est sa principale priorité. Il s'est également engagé sur la relance de l'économie américaine et sur la création d'emplois en réduisant les impôts et en limitant l'ingérence gouvernementale.

Dernier rival de John McCain, Mike Huckabee, ancien gouverneur de l'Arkansas a annoncé reconnaître la victoire de son adversaire et se retirer de la course. Il l'a « assuré [s]on engagement, à lui et au parti, de faire tout [s]on possible pour l'unité d[u] parti, et encore plus important, pour l'unité d[u] pays ». Le soutien de Mike Huckabee s'accompagne de celui de la section la plus conservatrice du parti républicain, jusqu'alors opposée à John McCain.

Un entretien entre John McCain et George W. Bush, le président républicain sortant est prévu mercredi.

Le tableau ci-dessous présente, par État, le nombre de délégués obtenus par les quatre candidats. Le score du candidat ayant remporté la majorité pour chaque État est affiché sur fond bleu.

Le total des délégués pour le parti républicain étant de 2 380, la majorité absolue, nécessaire pour l'investiture, est donc de 1 191 délégués.


האקבי פרש ומקיין הבטיח מועמדותו עבור המפלגה הרפובליקאית

לאחר שניצח בפריימריז במדינות ורמונט, אוהיו, טקסס ורוד איילנד סנטור ג'ון מקיין אסף מספיק צירים כדי להבטיח סופית את בחירתו כמועמדה של המפלגה הרפובליקאית לבחירות לנשיאות ארצות הברית בנובמבר. הנשיא המכהן ג'ורג' ווקר בוש הזמין את מקיין לבית הלבן כדי להפגין את תמיכתו במועמד של מפלגתו.

במקביל, יריבו המשמעותי האחרון של מקיין במפלגה - מייק האקבי, פרש באופן רשמי מהמירוץ לאחר נאום פרישה במטה הבחירות שלו. "שמרנו את האמונה, אשר עבורי הייתה המטרה החשובה מכל," אמר האקבי, בהתייחסו למצעו הנוצרי אשר היה הבסיס העיקרי לתמיכה לה זה בקרב הנוצרים האוונגליסטים. "אני מעדיף להפסיד בבחירות מאשר לוותר על העקרונות אשר הובילו אותי לעולם הפוליטיקה מלכתחילה," סיכם.


Джон Маккейн і Гілларі Клінтон перемогли у праймеріз супервівторка

У вівторок, 4 березня 2008 р. у США відбувся вирішальний тур проміжних виборів кандидатів на посаду президента США, т. зв. праймеріз. Преса і оглядачі охрестили вибори у ключових штатах країни — Огайо, Техасі, Род-Айленді та штаті Вермонт "другим супервівторком". Ці вибори виявилися вирішальними не тільки для республіканців, але й для демократів.

Як і очікувалося, Джон Маккейн впевнено переміг у цих чотирьох штатах і здобув необхідну кількість голосів депутатів з'їзду республіканської партії, який має відбутися у вересні цього року. Головний суперник Маккейна, колишній губернатор штату Арканзас Майк Хакабі визнав свою поразку і вибув із передвиборчої боротьби. Президент США Джордж Буш до цього часу тримався осторонь передвиборних перегонів і підтримував нейтралітет, але після впевненої перемоги Маккейна оголосив про свій намір підтримати сенатора республіканця. Разом з президентом про підтримку Маккейна повідомили інші члени родини президента — його батько та брат. На середу запланована зустріч Макейна з президентом Бушем у Білому домі, де буде офіційно висловлена підтримка єдиному кандидату на посаду президента США від Республіканської партії.

Другий супервівторок виявився дуже плідним і для Гілларі Клінтон, кандидата на президентське крісло від Демократичної партії. На відміну від республіканців, де номінант вже фактично обраний, кандидати від демократів знаходяться у жорстокій конкуренції. На посаду президента претендують дві своєрідні історичні особи — перша жінка та перший чорношкірий кандидат Барак Обама. До цього часу Обама мав дуже успішну кампанію і перемагав у 12 штатах поспіль. Однак учора, під час виборів супервівторка він зазнав першої невдачі — отримав перемогу тільки у штаті Вермонт і програв вибори у ключових штатах Техасі та Огайо. Перемога у цьому штаті виявилась найприємнішою для Гілларі Клінтон, оскільки згідно відомої у США прикмети жоден кандидат на посаду президента не виграв вибори без перемоги у Огайо. Незважаючи на це, до остаточного вирішення передвиборчої боротьби демократів ще далеко — для остаточної перемоги кандидатові потрібно здобути підтримку принаймні 2025 делегатів на з'їзді Демократичної партії. Обама ще залишається лідером перегонів, але розрив між ним і Клінтон продовжує скорочуватися.

5 березня 2008


McCain delays campaign, Obama says continue the debates

United States presidential candidate John McCain announced today that he is suspending his campaign and sought to postpone a scheduled debate with his opponent, Barack Obama, to focus on the country's financial crisis and says that Obama should also suspend his campaign.

McCain said he would be asking president George W. Bush to call a meeting for members of Congress in order to support Bush's controversial $700 billion bailout plan, but also said that there is no consensus for the proposal and it will not pass in its current form.

He called the crisis "historic," stressing the need for legislation and warning of "devastating consequences".

"I am calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.  It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the administration's proposal and I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands. We are running out of time," said McCain during a press conference.

Early this morning, Obama had called McCain and asked for the two to put aside partisanship and focus on the economic troubles. The two agreed to issue a joint statement supporting an economic fix, just minutes before McCain made his announcement. Bush is scheduled to speak to the people of the U.S. in a televised speech at 9:01 PM EDT tonight.

Obama responded to McCain's speech minutes later, confirming that he would still attend the debate. He expressed a desire for fairness to taxpayers and an objection to rewarding those responsible for the financial crisis. Both candidates have stated that they intend to put politics aside to work on the financial crisis.  Obama said, a president "is going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time."

The proposal comes in the wake of Congressional hearings where US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have urged support of the measures proposed by the administration. Despite such appeals, both McCain and Obama have expressed skepticism over the proposed bailout, and the U.S. Congress has shown a noted concern that the measure may not benefit ordinary home owners as well as those on Wall Street.


McCain retrasa su campaña y cancela debate por crisis económica

24 de septiembre de 2008Nueva York, Estados Unidos —

El candidato presidencial John McCain anunció hoy que suspendería su campaña y pidió posponer un debate acordado con su oponente demócrata, Barack Obama. McCain explicó que esto se debe a la crisis financiera que azota el país, y recomendó a Obama que también suspendiera su campaña.

McCain agregó que hablaría con el Presidente George W. Bush para pedir una reunión del Congreso para apoyar el controversial plan de $700.000 millones para salvar la economía, pero dijo que no hay consenso sobre la propuesta y que no pasaría en su estado actual.

También tildó la crisis como "histórica", e hizo hincapié en que se necesita legislación, y advirtió sobre "consecuencias devastadoras".

"He llamado al presidente para convenir sobre una reunión con los líderes de ambas partes del Congreso, incluyendo el Senador Obama y yo. Es tiempo para que ambos partidos se reúnan y resuelvan este problema. Es claro que ningún consenso se ha generado para apoyar la propuesta de la administración y no creo que el plan en la mesa pase en su estado actual. Nos estamos quedando sin tiempo", declaró McCain durante una conferencia de prensa.

Esta mañana, Obama había llamado a McCain y pedido que tanto él como Obama pusieran de lado el partidismo, y así se concentraran en los problemas económicos. Ambos han convenido en dar una declaración conjunta apoyando el reajuste económico. Se espera que Bush hable por televisión a las 9:00 PM (EDT) de esta noche.

Obama respondió al discurso de McCain unos minutos después, confirmando que aún iría al debate. Asimismo, expresó deseos de equidad para los contribuyentes y objetó ayudar más de lo debido a quienes causaron en un principio la crisis.

La propuesta tiene lugar luego de que el Congreso expresara dudas sobre el plan. El Presidente de la Reserva Federal, Ben Bernanke, y el Secretario del Tesoro, Henry Paulson, urgieran a aprobar el proyecto y actuar rápido.

A pesar de esto, tanto McCain como Obama han expresado escepticismo sobre el plan de salvamiento, y el Congreso expresó preocupación de que la medida no beneficie a los propietarios de hogares tanto como a Wall Street.


McCain, Obama win "Potomac Primary" states

Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois and 2008 US presidential candidate has swept all three of today's Democratic contests in the "Potomac primaries" consisting of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. and the bordering states of Virginia and Maryland.

Obama led in the Virginia polls 67 percent, while in the District of Columbia, he lead 76 percent over opponent, New York senator Hillary Clinton's 24 percent. This sweep gives him a slight lead over Clinton in the delegate count. Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign lost an aide today, as campaign aide Mike Henry resigned making light of a small staffing crisis within the campaign as Clinton just replaced her campaign manager Patty Solis Doyle with Maggie Williams. Doyle remains with the campaign as a senior advisor.

Meanwhile, John McCain, the senator from Arizona and 2008 US presidential candidate has swept all three of today's Republican contests in the Potomac primaries. McCain obtained a slim margin of victory over opponent, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in Virginia and had a lead over Huckabee by nine points in the District.


Obama konnte alle drei gestrigen Vorwahlen gewinnen

Richmond / Annapolis / Washington D.C. (Vereinigte Staaten), 13.02.2008 – Der US-amerikanische Senator und Bewerber um das Präsidentenamt Barack Obama konnte die drei Vorwahlen der Demokratischen Partei in Virginia, Maryland und Washington D.C. gewinnen.

Damit übernahm er im parteiinternen Rennen gegen die lange klar favorisierte Hillary Clinton nun die Führung: Obama kann seit den letzten Wahlen 1.210 Parteitagsdelegierte auf sich vereinen, bei Clinton sind es „nur“ 1.188. Obamas Sieg fiel dabei recht deutlich aus: In den Bundesstaaten Maryland und Virginia konnte er etwa zwei Drittel der Stimmen erringen, in der Hauptstadt Washington sogar drei Viertel.

Für Clinton ist dies ein großer Rückschlag: Sie, die zuletzt ihre Wahlkampfleiterin entlassen hatte, hatte bereits am Wochenende die Bundesstaaten Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska und Washington (das Bundesland, nicht die gleichnamige Hauptstadt, in der erst gestern gewählt wurde) an Obama verloren.

Clinton macht sich jedoch noch ernsthafte Hoffnungen auf die Bundesstaaten Texas und Ohio, in denen sie ihre Chancen als gut einschätzt, und in denen es viele Delegierte zu gewinnen gibt. Zudem will sie sich laut einem Bericht des Boston Globe um die sogenannten "Superdelegierten" bemühen, also jene Delegierte, die in ihrer Entscheidung auf dem Parteitag frei und nicht an Vorwahlergebnisse gebunden sind.

Auch auf Seiten der Republikanischen Partei standen Vorwahlen an, und auch hier gab es wiederum einen eindeutigen Sieger: John McCain, Senator für den Bundesstaat Arizona, gewann hier alle drei Vorwahlen. Er konnte damit seinen sehr konservativen Rivalen Mike Huckabee, der von vielen als der letzte andere im Rennen verbliebene Anwärter auf die republikanische Kandidatur gesehen wurde, hinter sich lassen. Es war jedoch kein so triumphaler Sieg, wie es ihn bei Obama gab, denn zum Beispiel in Virginia konnte Huckabee viele konservativ eingestellte Wähler für sich gewinnen. So will Huckabee seine Kandidatur auch noch nicht aufgeben, so sagte er, er sehe in seiner Partei immer noch den Wunsch nach einem soliden Konservativen. Beobachter sehe McCain inzwischen trotzdem in der klaren Favoritenrolle.

Die nächsten Vorwahlen sollen nächste Woche in Hawaii stattfinden, wo Obama Teile seines Lebens verbrachte.


Barack Obama et John McCain remportent les « primaires du Potomac »

Publié le 13 février 2008   Dans la course à l' élection présidentielle américaine de 2008, les primaires organisées dans les trois États de Virginie, Washington D.C. et Maryland ont toutes été remportées par Barack Obama chez les démocrates et par John McCain chez les républicains.

Le sénateur de l'Illinois Barack Obama a poursuivi sur sa lancée du week-end dernier, en remportant assez largement les trois États avec plus de 60 % des voix contre autour de 35 % des voix pour sa rivale, la sénatrice de New York Hillary Clinton, selon la chaîne de télévision CNN.

À la suite de ces derniers résultats, il a déclaré dans un meeting tenu dans le Wisconsin : « Ce soir, nous sommes en route, mais nous savons combien le chemin est encore long ». En effet, pour la première fois depuis le début de la campagne, il dépasse Hillary Clinton avec 1 186 délégués acquis, contre 1 181 pour son adversaire. Cependant, les deux opposants sont encore loin d'obtenir les 2 025 délégués nécessaires pour être nommé comme candidat officiel du parti.

Les observateurs ont également remarqué un élargissement des votes pour Barack Obama qui obtient, outre les suffrages des jeunes et des noirs (près de 90 %), ceux des femmes qui allaient jusqu'alors, de préférence à Hillary Clinton.

Pour John McCain, qui dispose d'une avance déjà décisive sur son principal rival Mike Huckabee, la victoire est moins nette puisque, selon CNN, il n'obtiendrait que 49 % des suffrages contre 43 % pour son adversaire. Ce sont principalement les évangélistes, représentant environ 40 % de la population en Virginie, qui ont préféré apporter leurs voix à Mike Huckabee.

Contrairement aux candidats démocrates qui poursuivent leur campagne interne, John McCain semble déjà être passé à la seconde phase de l'élection. En effet, il s'en est pris lors de son discours aux deux démocrates qui, selon lui, « dresseront un tableau du monde dans lequel les erreurs des États-Unis représentent une menace plus importante contre notre sécurité que les intentions malveillantes d'un ennemi qui nous déteste, nous et nos idéaux ».


Barack Obama e John McCain vincono le "primarie del Potomac"

Il senatore dell'Illinois e candidato per il Partito Democratico e il veterano, candidato per il Partito Repubblicano, John McCain, hanno vinto le primarie del Potomac, che si sono tenute nella giornata di ieri nel District of Columbia, Virginia e Maryland.

Obama ha vinto le primarie del Virginia con il 67% dei voti, mentre più marcata è stata la vittoria nella regione di Washington, dove si è imposto con il  76% delle preferenze, contro il 24% dell'avversaria, Hillary Clinton. Con questa triplice vittoria, il senatore afro-americano supera l'ex first-lady nel computo totale dei delegati, staccandola comunque di pochi rappresentanti per la convention democratica che, prima delle elezioni del 4 novembre, sancirà il candidato tra i due più votati nel lungo cammino delle primarie.

Al contempo, in campo repubblicano, si è avuta una netta affermazione di John McCain, che, a discapito degli ultimi successi di Mike Huckabee, conferma la leadership nel conteggio dei delegati, staccando ampiamente il pastore battista e ipotecando una ormai quasi sicura nomination.


Obama en McCain winnen in drie staten rondom hoofdstad Washington

In de strijd om de kandidatuur namens de Democratische Partij voor de Amerikaanse presidentsverkiezingen heeft Barack Obama op 12 februari de voorverkiezingen in drie staten rondom de hoofdstad Washington D.C. gewonnen.

Hij versloeg rivale Hillary Clinton in de staten Maryland en Virginia en in het hoofdstedelijk gebied District of Columbia, allemaal staten met een aanzienlijke zwarte bevolking. Daarmee boekt hij nu reeds acht overwinningen op rij en staat hij voor het eerst sinds lang weer op kop wat het aantal kiesmannen betreft. Bovendien lijkt Obama nu ook aan te slaan bij vrouwen en oudere kiezers, die tot nog toe vooral voor Clinton stemden.

Bij de Republikeinen wist senator John McCain de overwinning te behalen in de drie kiesgebieden, en bracht daarmee opponent Mike Huckabee een gevoelige slag toe. McCain is nu vrijwel zeker van de nominatie; Huckabee kondigde echter aan zeker tot september, wanneer het Republikeinse partijcongres de definitieve stemming zal houden, door te gaan. Intussen vecht diezelfde Huckabee de overwinning van McCain in de staat Washington aan, omdat McCain daar tot winnaar werd uitgeroepen voor alle stemmen geteld waren.

Bij elke primary of caucus krijgen de kandidaten naargelang hun resultaat een aantal afgevaardigden toegewezen (tussen haakjes vermeld). Verscheidene kandidaten hebben reeds afgehaakt; deze staan alleen vermeld als ze nog afgevaardigden achter zich hebben. De totalen bevatten zowel pledged (gewone) delegates als de zogenoemde superdelegates (Dem.) of unpledged delegates (Rep.) die niet aan voorverkiezingen gebonden zijn.

Democraten (totaal 4049 afgevaardigden, waarvan 796 superdelegates)

Uit de race: John Edwards (26)

Republikeinen (totaal 2380 afgevaardigden, waarvan 463 unpledged)

Uit de race: Mitt Romney (286)


Obama e McCain vencem Primárias de Potomac

Barack Obama, senador de Illinois e candidato presidencial estadunidense  venceu as três disputas do Partido Democrata nas chamadas Primárias de Potomac, que aconteceram na capital  Washington, D.C. nos estados da Virgínia e Maryland.

Obama venceu na Virgínia com  67% dos votos, enquanto que no Distrito de Columbia, ele ficou com 76%. A senadora de Nova Iorque Hillary Clinton ficou com 24%. Clinton ainda perdeu um auxiliar, Mike Henry, que renunciou em meio a uma pequena crise dentro da campanha da senadora depois que ela substituiu seu gerente de campanha Patty Solis Doyle por Maggie Williams. Doyle ainda permanece, mas como conselheiro sênior.

John McCain, o senador do Arizona e candidato  presidencial estadunidense venceu as três disputas do Partido Republicano nas Primárias de Potomac. Em Virgínia, McCain venceu por uma pequena margem acima de seu oponente, o ex-Governador do Arkansas, Mike Huckabee,  e ganhou por uma diferença de nove pontos acima de Huckabee na capital.


McCain, Obama win Wisconsin primary

John McCain and Barack Obama have won the Wisconsin Primary, MSNBC and CNN have reported.  John McCain won among the Republicans and remains the presumptive GOP nominee, while Obama and Clinton are in a close race on the Democratic side for the national nomination.

"I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change," McCain said. He added a comment that The New York Times saw as directed toward Obama: "The peals of change that ignore the lessons of history and lack confidence in the intelligence and ideals of free people."


Nouvelles victoires pour Barack Obama et John McCain dans les primaires américaines

Publié le 20 février 2008  Barack Obama et John McCain ont tous deux remporté de nouveaux succès dans les primaires pour l'élection présidentielle américaine de 2008.

John McCain a remporté les primaires républicaines organisées dans l'État de Washington et dans celui du Wisconsin, renforçant encore son avance face à Mike Huckabee avec 939 délégués sur les 1 191 nécessaire pour obtenir l'investiture lors du congrès national de cet été. Il a également obtenu depuis peu le soutien officiel du président sortant, George W. Bush, ainsi que celui de son ancien adversaire Mitt Romney, qui s'est retiré la semaine dernière.

John McCain, dans ses discours électoraux, s'attaque de plus en plus clairement à Barack Obama. Reprenant à son compte le slogan du sénateur de l'Arizona, il a ainsi affirmé « je me battrai chaque seconde de chaque jour dans cette campagne pour m'assurer que les Américains ne soient pas trompés par un appel éloquent, mais vide, au changement ». Il a également stigmatisé la différence d'age entre ses 71 ans et les 46 ans de Barack Obama, ajoutant « Je ne suis pas le candidat le plus jeune, mais je suis le candidat le plus expérimenté ».

Chez les démocrates, Barack Obama a remporté la primaire organisée dans le Wisconsin ainsi que les caucus d'Hawaï, recueillant, après dépouillement de 80 % des bulletins, 58 % des suffrages contre 41 % pour son adversaire Hillary Clinton. Il creuse ainsi encore son avance avec 1 319 délégués contre 1 245 pour sa rivale, bien que les deux candidats soient encore loin des 2 025 délégués représentant la majorité à atteindre.

Hillary Clinton doit maintenant impérativement remporter les deux primaires du Texas et de l'Ohio qui auront lieu le 4 mars prochain. Si elle admet que chacun des deux candidats pourra « écrir[e] l'Histoire », elle ajoute que « seul un d'entre nous est prêt à être, dès le premier jour, commandant en chef, prêt à gérer notre économie, et prêt à battre les républicains. Seul un d'entre nous a passé 35 ans à agir, à être un combattant et un champion pour ceux qui ont besoin d'une voix ».


Primarie USA 2008: Obama vince nelle Hawaii e nel Wisconsin

Ancora vittorie per Barack Obama. La CNN ha stimato che alle Hawaii il leader afroamericano abbia ottenuto addirittura il 76% dei voti contro il 24% di Hillary Clinton. La vittoria si aggiunge anche a quella del Wisconsin (58% contro 41%) ed è la decima che Obama riporta nelle primarie del Partito Democratico statunitense. Ora per la Clinton restano essenzialmente il Texas e l'Ohio, dove sono disponibili 334 delegati. Ma solo in Wisconsin Obama ha ottenuto 94 delegati.

A Houston Obama ha anche fatto un discorso in cui ha duramente risposto a Clinton e al candidato repubblicano John McCain, che lo hanno criticato per i suoi discorsi «solo belle parole». Obama ha fatto il suo discorso in diretta TV sui principali canali televisivi e di fronte a 20 000 persone. In 45 minuti ha espresso il suo pensiero anche rispetto alle suddette critiche: «Il cambiamento non si ottiene con i discorsi, non si ottiene solo con le buone idee, perché le buone idee muoiono quando arrivano a Washington».

Obama ha vinto anche una singolare 'competizione' delle dirette: mentre la Clinton parlava in Ohio davanti ai suoi sostenitori, è stata 'sfumata' per dare la parola al suo rivale che annunciava la vittoria in Wisconsin. Bob Woodeward ha definito il discorso della Clinton 'vuoto' e privo di sostanza, se comparato a quello di Obama. Ma ha anche detto che il miglior oratore della notte di annunci è stato McCain, che nel fronte dei repubblicani è il favorito. Per il 4 marzo sono attese le primarie in Ohio e Texas, forse l'ultima spiaggia per la Clinton che già adesso ha 130 delegati meno di Obama.


McCain e Obama vencem primárias em Wisconsin

John McCain e Barack Obama ganham as primárias em Wisconsin, conforme tem relatado a agência MSNBC. John McCain ganhou entre os republicanos, enquanto Obama e Hillary estão em uma corrida obter a indicação democráta.

"Vou lutar em todos os momento, e em todos os dias nesta campanha para certificar-se de que os americanos não sejam enganados por uma eloquente mas vazia chamada para a mudança", disse McCain.

A votação democrata ainda não é oficial, portanto Hillary Clinton e Obama ainda podem fazer comentários.

*MSNBC. Obama, McCain win Wisconsin primary — MSNBC, 20 de fevereiro de 2008

*Michael Grynbaum and M. Cooper. Obama and McCain Are Winners in Wisconsin — The New York Times, 20 de fevereiro de 2008


MDC pulls out of Zimbabwe elections

Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Zimbabwe's main opposition party, has said that he will pull out of the race to become the president of Zimbabwe. He said that he is doing this because "the outcome [of the elections] is determined by... Mugabe himself," and is therefore not fair.

"We in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process," said Tsvangirai in a press conference made today. "The courageous people of this country and the people of the MDC have done everything humanly and democratically possible to deliver a new Zimbabwe and a new government."

Tsvangirai also said that governments worldwide should intervene to help improve the situation in the country.


Tsvangirai desiste de participar do 2º turno presidencial no Zimbábue

Agência VOA

23 de junho de  2008

O líder da oposição do Zimbábue, Morgan Tsvangirai, decidiu não participar do segundo turno das eleições presidenciais, afirmando não querer legitimar a guerra desencadeada por Robert Mugabe contra o povo zimbabueano.

Morgan Tsvangirai afirmou que decidiu afastar-se das eleições presidenciais, marcadas para a próxima sexta-feira, devido ao aumento da violência e da intimidação contra os seus militantes: ”Nós, no MDC, decidimos que não vamos participar mais nesta farsa violenta de um processo eleitoral.”

Tsvangirai afirmou ainda que o presidente Robert Mugabe e o Partido Zanu-PF fizeram tudo o que puderam para desacreditar estas eleições. O candidato do MDC afirmou que muitas pessoas já morreram ou foram desalojadas. Acrescentou que a escolha para o povo zimbabueano era a de votar pela Zanu-PF ou a de morrer.

Tsvangirai venceu o primeiro turno das eleições, em 29 de março, mas, segundo a Comissão Eleitoral Zimbabueana, não conseguiu alcançar a maioria implicando, assim, no segundo turno das eleições presidenciais. O MDC venceu igualmente as eleições legislativas e autárquicas. A campanha no segundo turno foi marcada pela violência e intimidação, sobretudo no interior do país. Organizações de defesa dos direitos humanos afirmaram que morreram pelo menos 85 pessoas e que dezenas de milhares de outras ficaram desalojadas, na sua maior parte militantes e simpatizantes da oposição.

O líder da oposição decidiu não participar do segundo turno depois que seguidores de Robert Mugabe bloquearam o acesso ao local onde deveria decorrer o principal comício a campanha do MDC. Militantes armados envergando camisetas da Zanu-PF agrediram várias pessoas que tentavam aproximar-se do local do comício, perto de Harare. Observadores da Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral, SADC, permaneceram nos seu hotéis e jornalistas, que tentavam chegar ao local do comício, foram alguns alvejados. Alguns eleitores de Tsvangirai declararam-se, entretanto, aliviados com o fato dele ter desistido. Outros afirmam que a campanha de violência de Mugabe vai prosseguir enquanto o MDC não desaparecer de vez. Entretanto, o governo de Harare já fez saber que o segundo turno vai realizar-se, salientando que a eleição provará o apoio dos zimbabueanos a Mugabe, que se encontra no poder desde a independência do Reino Unido, em 1980.

A missão de observadores brasileiros que partiria ontem (22) para acompanhar o segundo turno das eleições no Zimbábue suspendeu a viagem depois que o candidato da oposição, Morgan Tsvangirai, anunciou que desistiu de concorrer. Segundo a assessoria de imprensa do Ministério das Relações Exteriores, a missão foi suspensa até que se defina o quadro eleitoral no país.


Media reports: Israeli warplanes training in Iraq

In contrast with what unnamed source(s) in the Iraqi Defense Ministry told a local news network on Friday, The Jerusalem Post reports that Major-General Mohammad al-Askari, spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry was denying earlier reports that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been training personnel and allegedly performing military exercises in Iraq.

On July 11, unnamed Iraqi sources told local news outlets in the country that the IAF was performing military exercises in the country and was using American military bases for places to land. The alleged exercise, claimed the sources, was an exercise aimed at preparing an attack on Iran.

The sources further stated that Israeli planes fly in from Jordan during the dead of night and land near the Iraqi city of Hadita reportedly at a U.S. landing strip. They added that Israeli planes were also detected at other bases in Iraq and that those strips were being prepared as places to launch an attack on Iran.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry denied that any such exercise was taking place stating, "as the Ministry of Defense, we haven't observed any IAF warplanes practicing in Iraqi airspace." The Israeli Defense Force also denied the allegations saying they were "baseless."

The U.S. also denied the reports. "I find that report inconceivable and clearly someone is either misinformed or intentionally trying to create mischief," stated Bryan Whitman, a spokesman for The Pentagon.


לקראת התקיפה: חיל האוויר מתאמן בעיראק

עפ"י דיווחים באמצעי התקשורת הישראליים, ובהם הג'רוזלם פוסט, חיל האוויר הישראלי מקיים אימונים ותמרונים צבאיים בעיראק מזה זמן לא ידוע.

ב-11 ביולי, בכיר בצבא העיראקי שסרב להזדהות סיפר לאמצעי התקשורת במדינה כי חיל האוויר מקיים תרגילים צבאיים בעיראק ועושה לצורך זה שימוש בבסיסי צבא ארצות הברית הפרוסים ברחבי המדינה. התרגילים הללו, לדברי הבכיר, אינם אלא הכנות לקראת התקיפה הגדולה באיראן.

הבכיר חשף כי מטוסי חיל האוויר הישראלי יטוסו דרך ירדן בשעות הקטנות של הלילה וינחתו בסמוך לעיר חדיתה שבעיראק, באזורי-נחיתה של צבא ארצות הברית. עוד הוסיף הבכיר ואמר כי מטוסי חיל האוויר אף נצפו במחנות צבא אחרים בעיראק ושאזורי נחיתה אלה הוכשרו על-מנת ליצור את התנאים לקראת התקיפה הגדולה באיראן.

שר ההגנה העיראקי הכחיש את קיומם של הדברים, באומרו כי "בתור שר ההגנה, לא הבחנו בכל מטוסים של חיל האוויר הישראלי המתאמנים במרחב האווירי של עיראק." גם חיל האוויר הישראלי דחה את הטענות, ונמסר ממנו כי הן "משוללות כל יסוד."

גם ארצות הברית הצטרפה לבולמוס ההכחשות: "אני רואה דיווח זה כבלתי מתקבל על הדעת וברור שמאן דהוא טעה או ניסה במכוון לעורר מבולקה," קבע בריאן ויטמן, דובר מטעם הפנטגון.


Medvedev becomes Russian president-elect

Dmitry Medvedev, age 42, has won the presidential election in Russia and is expected to take office on May 7, 2008, replacing Vladimir Putin who has served two 4-year presidential terms since 2000.

The elections were held on Sunday, March 2, and participation among registered voters was 69.65%. On Monday morning, Russian Central Election Commission announced that almost all of the votes were counted with Medvedev receiving 70.21% of votes that were cast. In second place was Communist Party leader Gennady Zuyganov with 17.77%, followed by Liberal Democrat Vladimir Zhirinovsky with 9.37%, and Democratic Party candidate Andrey Bogdanov who got 1.29% percent of the votes.

Medvedev is Putin's announced "successor". Medvedev has repeatedly promised to continue the political course of the current Russian government. Medvedev officially ran as an independent but was endorsed by United Russia, Fair Russia and other political parties.

Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, human rights activist Vladimir Bukovsky, reformer Boris Nemtsov and former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov were all prohibited from taking part in the election for various technicalities. The Russian media have focused heavily on Medvedev while giving little attention to the opposition candidates.

The head of the Western observer organisation Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called the elections "neither free nor fair", but also admitted that "to reduce the whole election to a spin by the forces working in the Kremlin, would be too simple." He added that "The president-elect will have a solid mandate given him by the majority of Russians." Kasparov called the elections "a farce" and demonstrated in St. Petersburg with over 1000 activists.

Only 300 foreign observers monitored the election that involved about 96,000 polling stations across Russia's 11 time zones. The key European monitoring group, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, refused to come, saying restrictions imposed by the Russians would have made a meaningful assessment impossible.

Vladimir Putin, who has been working with Medvedev since he was a KGB agent, is expected to become Prime Minister. Medvedev is currently Putin's chief of staff and also holds the position of chair of Gazprom, Russia's state-owned giant natural gas company. Medvedev is expected to give up that post, since it cannot be combined with the presidency. Medvedev is considered as a pro-democratic, less nationalistic politician compared to Putin.


Medwedew Sieger der russischen Präsidentschaftswahlen 2008

Moskau (Russland), 06.03.2008 – Dmitri Medwedew wurde Sieger der russischen Präsidentschaftswahlen vom vergangenen Sonntag, den 2. März 2008. Nachdem die Wahllokale geschlossen hatten, kündigte der 42-jährige Nachfolger von Wladimir Putin in einer ersten Stellungnahme an, in seiner Amtszeit die Lebensqualität der Menschen weiter verbessern und den Kurs seines Vorgängers fortsetzen zu wollen.

Die Wahlen wurden international stark kritisiert. Während die Organisation für Sicherheit und Zusammenarbeit in Europa (OSZE) aufgrund der Weigerung Russlands, bereits am 15. Februar 2008 Wahlbeobachter ins Land einreisen zu lassen, am Ende keine Beobachter schickte, erklärte der bisherige Präsident Putin, die Wahlen vom Sonntag seien im vollen Einklang mit der russischen Verfassung verlaufen. Das zeige, dass die Russen in einem demokratischen Staat lebten.

Nach Auszählung aller Stimmen stellte sich am Dienstag, den 4. März, für die vier zugelassenen Kandidaten folgendes vorläufige Endergebnis heraus:

Etwa 109 Millionen Menschen waren in Russland wahlberechtigt. Die Wahlbeteiligung lag mit 74.749.756 Stimmen bei 69,8 Prozent. Das sind 5,4 Prozentpunkte mehr als bei den vorangegangenen Wahlen vor vier Jahren, bei denen der scheidende Präsident Putin einen Stimmenanteil von 71,3 Prozent erreichte.

Die Opposition hat angekündigt, das Ergebnis anzufechten.


Dmitri Medvedev élu président de la Russie

L'élection de dimanche dernier a vu l'accession sans surprise au pouvoir de Dmitri Medvedev, le dauphin désigné par Vladimir Poutine. Sur près de 99,5 % des bulletins dépouillés, il serait crédité de 70,23 % des voix, pour un taux de participation de 69,65 %. Sauf surprise de dernière minute, le président sortant deviendra Premier ministre.

Le nouveau président élu a notamment déclaré « Nous avons confiance l'un en l'autre, c'est probablement le plus important ». Il a ajouté : « Nous allons mener une politique internationale indépendante, celle-là même que nous avons menée ces huit dernières années, avec l'objectif principal de protéger nos intérêts nationaux sur tous les fronts par tous les moyens possibles, tout en restant bien sûr dans le domaine légal (…) Nous avons toutes les chances de préserver la politique de Poutine. Nous allons aller de l'avant et ensemble nous gagnerons ! »

L'opposition a dénoncé ce scrutin comme une « mascarade ». Selon les propos relevés par l'agence Itar-Tass, Guennadi Ziouganov, candidat communiste, a annoncé : « Nous sommes en possession de preuves de falsification des élections et nous irons en justice ». De son côté, l'ancien Premier ministre Mikhaïl Kassianov, a dénoncé « une opération du KGB destinée à transférer le pouvoir d'une personne à une autre ».

Le vice-président du parti Iabloko, Sergueï Ivanenko a fustigé « un simulacre d'élection: il ne s'agit que de la nomination d'un successeur. Mais l'histoire de la Russie fournit des exemples où des personnes ainsi nommées se sont comportées différemment de ce qu'on pouvait attendre: je pense à Mikhaïl Gorbatchev, ou encore à Catherine II. Certes, ce ne sera qu'un simulacre d'élection, et le successeur sera nommé, mais il ne faut pas s'arracher les cheveux et crier que tout est perdu ».

Par ailleurs, le parti communiste russe a déposé près de 160 plaintes auprès de la commission électorale centrale de Russie sur les 324 reçues par cette dernière.

Bernard Kouchner, ministre des affaires étrangères, a déclaré sur France Inter que « le scrutin s'est déroulé à la russe avec une victoire qui était annoncée et les deux hommes sur la Place rouge, c'était un spectacle assez édifiant de la nouvelle Russie (…) Même si je sais qu'il n'y avait pas de vraie compétition dans cette élection, je crois qu'il est incontestable que la Russie vote très majoritairement et avec des chiffres très étonnants, pas encore staliniens mais 70% c'est pas mal. Je ne peux que constater cela ».

Aux États-Unis, les deux candidats à l'investiture démocrate pour les élections présidentielles américaines, Barak Obama et Hillary Clinton, ont manifesté certaines réserves face à ce scrutin. Selon l'agence RIA Novosti, cette dernière aurait estimé que « l'élection présidentielle russe, lors de laquelle l'installation au pouvoir de Dmitri Medvedev en tant que successeur personnellement désigné par Vladimir Poutine n'a jamais fait l'ombre d'un doute, est une grande date du recul de la démocratie dans ce pays » tout en se déclarant prête à travailler avec le successeur de Poutine.


Russia: si vota per le elezioni presidenziali

Oltre 109 milioni di persone sono chiamate quest'oggi alle urne, in Russia, per eleggere il nuovo presidente della nazione, che succederà a Vladimir Putin, eletto nel 2000, che ha ricoperto l'incarico per 2 volte consecutive, e che, esauriti i termini per la ricandidatura, non ha potuto presentarsi all'elettorato.

I sondaggi danno per favorito Dmitrij Medvedev, 42 anni, attuale vice primo-ministro ed ex presidente della Gazprom, la maggiore compagnia di vendita del gas naturale; Medvedev, che si è recato a votare di buon ora in un seggio della capitale Mosca, non dovrebbe risentire minimamente della concorrenza dei suoi tre avversari, il comunista Gennady Zyuganov, il nazionalista Vladimir Zhirinovsky ed Andrey Bodganov, che, in totale, raccoglierebbero massimo il 26% dei voti, lasciando così al vice premier una fetta dell'elettorato tra il 61 e l'80%.

Qualora Medvedev venisse eletto con una percentuale superiore al 71% supererebbe il record di preferenze ottenute da Putin nelle elezioni del 2004, nelle quali venne riconfermato alla carica con appunto una percentuale del 71,31%.

Molto complicato sarà avere dati omogenei sull'affluenza e sui voti espressi: il territorio della Federazione Russa, oltre 17 milioni di chilometri quadrati (circa 56 volte maggiore di quello dell'Italia), copre nove fusi orari differenti: alle 12 chiuderanno i seggi aperti ieri sera alle 21.00 ora italiana nell'Estremo Oriente, mentre gli ultimi a poter votare saranno gli abitanti di Kaliningrad, dove i seggi serreranno gli ingressi alle 19.00 italiane, le 21 di Mosca.


Candidato governista vence eleição presidencial na Rússia

Dmitri Medvedev, candidato apoiado por Vladimir Putin, venceu com larga vantagem a eleição presidencial russa deste domingo, de acordo com dados oficiais divulgados pela Comissão Eleitoral Central nesta segunda-feira.

Medvedev, primeiro vice-primeiro-ministro, de 42 anos, recebeu 70,23% dos votos, após a apuração de 99,45% das urnas. O novo presidente russo tomará posse de seu cargo em 7 de maio, anunciou na noite deste domingo o chefe da administração presidencial, Serguei Sobianin, também diretor da campanha de Medvedev.

"Temos todas as possibilidades de preservar a política de Putin. Iremos adiante e juntos venceremos", declarou Medvedev.

A única missão de observadores ocidentais presente na Rússia, vinculada à Assembléia Parlamentar do Conselho da Europa (APCE), considerou que a eleição presidencial russa não foi justa nem livre, anunciou seu diretor, Andreas Gross.

"Não foi justo. Nós pensamos que não houve liberdade nesta eleição", afirmou Gross em uma entrevista coletiva. "Os resultados da eleição presidencial refletem a vontade de um eleitorado cujo potencial democrático foi, infelizmente, desperdiçado".