Al Gore endorses Obama for US President

2008 United States presidential election

Environmental activist and former Vice-President Al Gore today announced his support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the United States presidential election.

In an email sent to Obama supporters, Al Gore voices his support for the presumptive nominee. "From now through Election Day," he writes, "I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States." He believes that Obama is the candidate who will "bring change to America" in issues such as the Iraq War, the American economy, and climate change.

"Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement," Gore writes. "He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action."

Gore also stated his intention to attend a rally with Obama in Detroit, Michigan later that night. Obama was in Flint earlier today, where he addressed a crowd of workers at a General Motors plant. Obama said Gore was "a visionary, not just for the party, but for the country."

At the rally in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, Gore called Obama "the next President of the United States of America" and said he  could lead the nation past "eight years in which our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected". He addressed the issue of climate change, which he said many Republicans had "refused to discuss at all".

"The outcome of this election will affect the future of our entire planet," Gore said, adding that "the future is ours, not to predict, but to create." He compared the criticisms of Obama's young age and foreign policy experience to those faced by John F. Kennedy in the 1960 Presidential election.

Obama spoke next, thanking Al Gore and calling him "a global leader in the fight for a clean energy future". He discussed many issues, including healthcare, education, the national debt, and the war in Iraq. He criticized the way the Bush administration has handled these issues, and repeated the oft-heard criticism that McCain is running for Bush's "third term".

"We can't afford 8 more years of George W. Bush policies," Obama said. He said that if there was one thing that could unite the Democrats, it is that "when we go into the polling places in November, the name 'George W. Bush' will not be on the ballot." Obama commended McCain for his service to the country, but said that he "seems to have lost his way" from his reputation as a political maverick. "The Straight Talk Express lost a couple of wheels," he said.

Many of the problems in America "go back for decades," Obama said. "The American people feel that American dream slipping away. So we cannot wait... and that is why I am running for President of the United States of America." Between cynicism and faith, Obama says, "I choose hope. I choose faith."

Obama thanked his supporters for helping his campaign, saying that "change in America doesn't happen from the top down; it comes from the bottom up." He also thanked former candidate Hillary Clinton, although many booed at the mention of her name. "She's a fighter," Obama said. "And we need fighters in the Democratic Party because we've got a lot to fight for." Obama and Gore were introduced by Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, who supported Clinton in the primaries but now says she is supporting Obama.

Al Gore served as Vice-President under President Bill Clinton in the '90s, and after losing the 2000 Presidential election to George W. Bush, he focused his efforts on environmental activism. He has won an Academy Award for his documentary An Inconvenient Truth, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in teaching the public about climate change.


Ex-vice-presidente Al Gore anuncia apoio a Obama

Al Gore, Prêmio Nobel da Paz e vice-presidente dos Estados Unidos no governo Bill Clinton, anunciou seu apoio a Barack Obama em Detroit, Michigan. Ele pediu que os eleitores estado-unidenses rejeitem o legado de "incompetência, negligência e fracasso" do governo George W. Bush. É o último nome de peso entre os democratas a anunciar apoio a Obama.

Gore, que foi candidato à Presidência em 2000, perdeu para George W. Bush, apesar de ter vencido no voto popular. Desde então, fez do combate ao aquecimento global o tema principal de sua atuação pública. Obama disse que Gore "é um visionário, não só para o partido, mas para todo o país".


戈爾支持奧巴馬

前美國副總統戈爾（Al Gore）周一表示，支持民主黨總統候選人奧巴馬（Barack Obama），期望他能把總統喬治布殊過去八年的政策失誤徹底扭轉。

戈爾指，現有政策不能再延續多4年。他在底特律舉行的一個造勢大會上，為奧巴馬站台時說：「美國要領導世界，渡過眼前的危機和機遇，我們需要一個新的領導。」

他又認為，雖然奧巴馬年輕、欠經驗，但相信他的判斷力，並非共和黨準總統候選人麥凱恩（ John McCain ）能夠相比。

除戈爾外，在早前奧巴馬也獲得民主黨內另外一名重量級人物約翰-肯尼迪的支援。


Al Jazeera airs new Osama Bin Laden tape

The Qatar-based Arabic news channel, Al Jazeera, announced receipt of the audio tape purportedly from Osama Bin Laden.  Portions were broadcast in which Bin Laden offers a "a long-term truce" to allow rebuilding of Afghanistan and
Iraq while also making threats of "new attacks" against the United States.

Following are several excerpts from the tape.

In a White House press conference today, Press Secretary Scott McClellan showed no fear: "We are taking the fight to the enemy and we will find them where ever they are. Terrorists view democracy as a threat. We will not let up or stop until the job is done. We will win this war on terrorism. We do not negotiate with terrorists, we put them out of business. We're working to advance freedom and democracy. We will pursue those who seek to do harm."

The CIA ran voice analyzer tests on the tape against previous tapes and confirmed that the tape is authentic and that of Bin Laden's voice.

This tape, says Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit, "proves two things...he's not dead. And despite all the things we say about him being isolated and alone, he can clearly dominate the international media when he wants to."

Judith Yaphe, a former CIA Middle East analyst now at the National Defense University in Washington says, "He's saying that whatever measures we've taken, they have not affected him. He's got to reassure people that he's alive and well."

No conditions of the truce offering were present in the portion of the tape broadcast.

Al Jazeera also says that the tape was made during the Muslim holy month of December, in 2005.

U.S. officials also say the terror alert level will not be raised as of yet.

The Associated Press is also reporting that there is no unusual amounts of "chatter", which is what U.S. officials term as terrorist talk.


Une nouvelle déclaration attribuée à Oussama Ben Laden

La chaîne de télévision du Qatar Al-Jazira a diffusé un enregistrement audio attribué à Oussama Ben Laden.

Dans cette déclaration, Ben Laden déclare que des "opérations" sont en préparation sur le sol des États-Unis, et que seule la durée de ces préparatifs fait qu'il n'y a pas eu d'action sur le sol étatsunien depuis le 11 septembre 2001.

Il évoque aussi la possibilité d'une "trêve de longue durée" si l'armée étatsunienne se retire d'Irak et d'Afghanistan.

Les services étatsuniens ont refusé tout commentaire, affirmant être en train de vérifier l'authenticité de l'enregistrement.

Al-Jazira a diffusé trois extraits de quelques minutes de cet enregistrement, dont la qualité sonore est mauvaise.

C'est le premier enregistrement attribué à Oussama Ben Laden depuis décembre 2004.


Trasmesso messaggio audio di Bin Laden

La televisione araba al-Jazeera ha trasmesso un messaggio audio registrato di Osama Bin Laden, leader di Al-Qaeda. Nel messaggio ha offerto una tregua a lungo termine per poter ricostruire l'Iraq e l'Afghanistan e ha avvertito che stanno organizzando nuovi attacchi contro gli Stati Uniti d'America.

Ecco alcuni passi del messaggio:

Le analisi sulla voce effettuate dalla CIA, a confronto con le precedenti registrazioni, hanno confermato che è un nastro autentico e che è la voce di Bin Laden.

Michael Scheuer, capo della divisione della CIA su Bin Laden, afferma che il messaggio «dimostra 2 cose: che non è morto e che, nonostante tutto ciò che diciamo a proposito del suo isolamento, domina chiaramente i media internazionali a suo piacimento.»

Judith Yaphe, analista della CIA per il Medio Oriente ora all'Università per la Difesa Nazionale a Washington, è dell'idea che Bin Laden «sta dicendo che qualsiasi misura noi abbiamo preso non gli ha creato problemi. Sta assicurando la gente che è vivo e vegeto.»

Nessuna condizione è stata posta alla tregua nella porzione del messaggio divulgata.

Al-Jazeera ha aggiunto che il video fu registrato durante il mese santo Musulmano, nel dicembre 2005.


Al-Qaeda releases new videotape

A 41 minute long video, released by al-Qaeda, has appeared on the internet featuring an al-Qaeda operative wanted by the FBI.

The man speaking on the tape is known as Azzam or Adam Yahiye Gadahn, 28, a native of the United States and from California. He calls himself "Azzam the American."

Al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahri introduced him on the video. Zawahiri gives "an Invitation to [join] Islam" before making the introduction.

"To Americans and the rest of Christendom, we say either repent misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself and suffer the consequences in this world and the next. We invite all Americans and unbelievers to Islam. Muslims don't need democracy to rid themselves of their homegrown despots and tyrants," said Gadahn.

"Ignorance of Islam causes the people of the West to rapturously applaud when Israel perpetrates wholesale slaughter of Muslims in Lebanon and Palestine and leads them to give their consent to the atrocities that governments commit in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Muslim world," added Gadahn.

The CIA has confirmed that one of the voices on the tape is Zawahiri, but has not confirmed if the other voice is Gadahn.

Zawahiri and Gadahn were not speaking together.


Al Qaeda roept Amerikanen op om zich aan te sluiten bij de Islam

Een van de leiders van Al Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, heeft een nieuwe videoboodschap vrijgegeven, samen met een man die zich bekend maakte als een Amerikaans lid van de terroristische groep.

De Amerikaan roept andere Amerikanen op om zich bij de islam aan te sluiten. De video, die in totaal 41 minuten lang is, werd geplaatst op een website van islamitische militanten. De video, "Invitation to Islam" genoemd, liet al-Zawahiri en een man zien die zich identificeerde als Adam Yahiye Gadahn, die in eerdere video's van Al Qaeda ook te zien was.

"Aan de Amerikaanse mensen en de mensen uit het Westen in het algemeen... God stuurde zijn profeet Muhammad met begeleiding en de godsdienst van waarheid," zei al-Zawahri in de video.

Gadahn en al-Zawahri waren niet samen te zien in de video. "We nodigen alle Amerikanen en niet gelovers van de islam uit," zei Gadahn, te zien met tulband en een dikke zwarte baard. Op de achtergrond is een computerterminal te zien.

Gadahn, een 28-jarige Amerikaan uit Californië die zich bekeerde tot de islam, wordt gezocht door de FBI vanwege terroristische dreigingen gericht tegen de Verenigde Staten.

Al Qaeda was mede verantwoordelijk voor de aanslagen van 11 september 2001.


Al-Qaeda says another bin Laden tape to be released

According to al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden will release yet another video which is said to contain a will and testament from one of the September 11, 2001 hijackers, Abu Musab Waleed al-Shehri.

The second tape was reportedly recorded from the same spot as the video that was released last week.

"Coming soon, God willing, from the testaments of the martyrs of the New York and Washington attacks: The testament of the martyr Abu Musab Waleed al-Shehri, presented by Sheik Osama bin Laden, God preserve him," said a banner that was posted by As-Sahab on an extremist website which is frequented by al-Qaeda and other extremists.

According to the United States based terrorist monitoring group, IntelCenter, the video will be released within the next 24 hours, but it is not known if bin Laden will actually appear in the video, or if an audio recording of his voice will just be present. Some reports suggest that the video will feature new images of bin Laden.

Bin Laden appeared for the first time in a video since 2004 when he released a video on September 7, 2007.


Al Qaeda dice que se publicará otro video de bin Laden

De acuerdo a Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden lanzará otro video que se supone contenga un testamento de uno de los secuestradores de 9/11, Abu Musab Waleed al-Shehri.

"Dentro de pronto, si Dios quiere, de los testamentos de los mártires de los ataques de Nueva York y Washington: El testamento del mártir Abu Musab Waleed al-Shehri, presentado por Sheik Osama bin Laden, Dios lo bendiga", decía un titular posteado por As-Sahab en un sitio extremista que es frecuentado por Al Qaeda y otros grupos extremistas.

De acuerdo al grupo de monitoreo de terrorismo de Estados Unidos, IntelCenter, el video será publicado en las próximas horas, pero no se está seguro si bin Laden aparecerá o no en el video, o si una grabación de su voz estará presente. Algunos reportes sugieren que el video incluirá nuevas imágenes de bin Laden.

Bin Laden ya ha aparecido por primera vez en un video reciente del 7 de septiembre pasado, siendo la primera vez que aparecía desde 2004.


Al-Qaeda terror ad warns of 'big surprise'

An advertisement for al-Qaeda, posted on the internet by the As-Sahab propaganda campaign for al-Qaeda, has warned of a "big surprise" by the terrorist group.

The ad reportedly shows digitally altered images of Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf, and the United States President, George W. Bush, in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., which happens to be on fire in the background and a U.S. presidential motorcade is also in the background. Images of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahri are also flashed across the advertisement.

The message then says "wait for the big surprise," but does not add anymore information. It ends with a simple "Soon -- God willing."


Nueva propaganda de al-Qaeda advierte una 'gran sorpresa'

Una propaganda de Al Qaeda, posteada en internet por As-Sahab, ha advertido una "gran sorpresa" por parte del grupo terrorista.

La propaganda muestra imágenes alteradas digitalmente del Presidente de Pakistán, Pervez Musharraf y del Presidente de Estados Unidos, George W. Bush; las imágenes de Bush son en la Casa Blanca (Washington D.C.), la cual está prendida fuego. Imágenes de Osama bin Laden y de Ayman al Zawahri también aparecen en la propaganda.

El mensaje luego dice "esperen por la gran sorpresa", pero no da ninguna otra información. Termina con un simple "Pronto - si Dios quiere".


Al-Qaeda threaten to kill British Prince Harry in Iraq

According to a report from the British newspaper The Sun, Al-Qaeda members have issued a prominent threat on the Internet that Britain's Prince Harry will be killed or kidnapped when he is sent out to Iraq for his first tour of duty in the British Army in May this year.

An Islamic website has messages which have been posted on the site since the 22 year old Prince's deployment to the gulf state was revealed at the start of February. The messages included: "Prince Harry will be sent to Iraq to be killed by Muslims." and "May Allah give him what he deserves — like his fellow crusaders." Another person commented: "He must be wishing for his death."

Furthermore, The Sun reports that Harry and his troop of 12 soldiers will be trained this week to face hostage situations. He also has a group of SAS (Special Air Service) soldiers who will protect him.

The Prince has requested his regiment, the Blues and Royals, to treat him like any other soldier, whether royalty or not. Commenting on the threat, an official of the Blues and Royals said: "Officially Harry is being treated just like any other soldier but in reality everyone knows how desperate the insurgents out there will be to get their hands on him."


Al-Qaida menace le prince Harry de mort en Irak

Selon un article publié dans le journal britannique à scandales The Sun, des membres d'Al-Qaida ont publié sur Internet une menace sérieuse promettant que le prince Henry de Galles (plus connu sous le nom de Harry) serait soit tué soit kidnappé lorsqu'il serait envoyé en Irak en mai de cette année pour sa première mission dans les forces armées britanniques.

Un site internet islamiste extrémiste montre des messages postés depuis que le déploiement du prince, âgé de 22 ans, a été rendu public, début février. Ces messages disent « le prince Harry sera envoyé en Irak pour y être tué par les Musulmans » ,« Puisse Allah lui donner ce qu'il mérite - comme ses compagnons croisés », ou encore « Il doit être attendu pour sa mort ».

De plus, The Sun indique qu'Harry et son unité de 12 soldats seront entrainés cette semaine pour faire face à des situations de prise d'otages. Il aura aussi un groupe de SAS[1] dévolu à sa protection.

Le prince a demandé à son régiment, les Blues and Royals, de le traiter comme n'importe quel soldat, royauté ou pas. Commentant la menace, un représentant du régiment a indiqué : « Officiellement, Harry est traité comme n'importe quel soldat mais en réalité, chacun sait combien les rebelles sont désespérés pour essayer de le capturer. »


Al-Qaida minaccia di rapire il principe Harry

Secondo il quotidiano inglese Sun, il movimento fondamentalista islamico Al-Qaida avrebbe intenzione di rapire o uccidere il principe Harry del Galles, secondogenito di Carlo e Diana.

Le minacce sono comparse su alcuni siti internet riconducibili al movimento paramilitare guidato da Osama bin Laden. «Il principino Harry sarà inviato in Iraq, dove troverà la morte per mano dei musulmani» e «Possa Allah dargli ciò che mertita, alla pari dei suoi confratelli crociati»: queste alcune delle frasi comparse in questi giorni.

Il 22enne nipote della regina Elisabetta II si recherà, infatti, tra due mesi nel sud dell'Iraq quale ufficiale del reggimento Blues and Royals.

L'esperto britannico di siti internet di stampo terroristico, Neil Doyle, ha dichiarato: «Harry sarebbe il colpo grosso per qualsiasi gruppo dei ribelli», aggiungendo che «una sua possibile uccisione o cattura varrebbe oro per quanto pesa ai fini della propaganda terroristica».


Al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calls for 'strikes against Jewish and American interests'

Al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri has released a new audiotape calling for Muslims to attack Israeli and American targets in revenge for Israel's recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The tape was posted on the internet and on it, Zawahiri urges strikes against Jewish and Americans interests, along with all those who participate in aggression against Muslims.

"Muslims, today is your day. Strike the interests of the Jews, the Americans, and all those who participated in the attack on Muslims. Monitor the targets, collect money, prepare the equipment, plan with precision, and then—while relying on God—assault, seeking martyrdom and paradise," said Zawahiri.

He also added that any attacks on these interests should not be confined to Palestine, Israel or the Middle East.

"Today there is no room for he who says that we should only fight the Jews in Palestine. Let us strike their interests everywhere, just like they gathered against us from everywhere," added Zawahiri.

U.S. intelligence is currently reviewing the tape, but so far the authenticity cannot be independently confirmed.

In a separate recording released last week, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden called on Palestinians to reject negotiations and use "iron and fire" against Israel. A voice described as bin Laden's also urged Muslims to support the insurgency in Iraq as a way to liberate Palestine.


Apel terrorystyczny jednego z przywódców Al-Kaidy

Islamskie media na początku tego tygodnia opublikowały apel terrorystyczny jednego z najwyższych przywódców Al-Kaidy Ajmana az-Zawahiriego, w którym wzywa on do ataków na wszelkiego rodzaju amerykańskie i izraelskie instytucje i placówki biznesowe.

Głos w nagraniu – nieoficjalnie rozpoznany jako głos al-Zawahiriego – ponagla do odwetu za działania wojsk izraelskich w Strefie Gazy. Wezwanie jest skierowane do wszystkich muzułmanów. Jego twórca apeluje do wyznawców Islamu o pełne wsparcie dla Palestyńczyków. Zaznacza on, że muzułmanie powinni wspierać ich nie tylko poprzez demonstracje, ale przede wszystkim poprzez działania zbrojne.

Nagranie opublikowano na jednej z islamistycznych stron internetowych, jest ono sygnowane graficznie znakiem fundacji Al-Sahab, medialnego zaplecza Al-Kaidy.

"Uderzcie w interesy Żydów, Amerykanów i wszystkich tych, którzy uczestniczą w atakach na muzułmanów. Wyszukajcie cele, zbierzcie pieniądze, przygotujcie sprzęt i trafny plan i wtedy atakujcie" – można usłyszeć w nagraniu.

Jednocześnie nie padają żadne dokładnie określone cele, wskazane zostają jednak lokalizacje w Egipcie, Arabii Saudyjskiej i Jordanii. Kraje te terrorysta oskarża o stworzenie „szatańskiego sojuszu”, który wraz z USA i Izraelem blokuje Strefę Gazy kontrolowaną przez Hamas.

Nagranie autorstwa al-Zawahiriego jest kolejnym wezwaniem do walki z Zachodem autorstwa wysokiego rangą lidera Al-kaidy, opublikowanym w ostatnim czasie. W ubiegłym tygodniu apel w podobnym tonie wystosował sam Osama bin Ladin. Przywódca międzynarodowych terrorystów nawoływał wówczas do podjęcia ostrej walki w Iraku i ataków na kraje europejskie w odwecie za wydrukowanie karykatur z podobizną Mahometa.


Al-Qaida demands hostage exchange; threatens to kill if demands not met

The African branch of al-Qaida has demanded the release of four of its members held in Mali in exchange for the French hostage Pierre Camatte, 61 years, kidnapped in November. If their demands are not met they have threatened to kill him.

"Let France and Mali be forewarned that we give 20 days to fulfill our just demand or the two governments shall be fully responsible for the life of the French hostage," stated the group, which started out as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat before joining al-Qaida in 2004, on a website on Sunday.

Gunmen seized Camatte from his hotel in Ménaka on November 25. Four days later in neighbouring Mauritania the group kidnapped three Spanish aid workers. No one has seen them since.

According to CNN, the group executed British hostage Edwin Dyer in June, after failing to obtain the release of the person believed to be Osama bin Laden's European deputy, Abu Qatada. The group also claims to have killed an American teacher in Mauritania in June for spreading the Christian message.


Mali : Al-Qaïda demande un échange de prisonniers et menace d'exécuter un otage

La branche africaine d'Al-Qaïda a demandé la remise en liberté de quatre de ses membres, détenus au Mali, en échange de la libération de l'otage français Pierre Camatte, âgé de 61 ans, enlevé en novembre dernier, ajoutant qu'il serait exécuté si cette demande n'est pas satisfaite.

« Les gouvernements français et malien sont avertis : nous leurs donnons vingt jours pour accéder à notre juste demande. Ils sont entièrement responsables de la vie de l'otage français », a déclaré le groupe dimanche, sur un site Internet.

L'organisation terroriste avait enlevé Camatte à son hôtel de Ménaka, le 25 novembre. Quatre jours plus tard, en Mauritanie, pays limitrophe du Mali, le groupe a kidnappé trois Espagnols, qui n'ont pas donné signe de vie depuis.

Selon CNN, Al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique[1]  a exécuté l'otage britannique Edwin Dyer en juin 2009, après avoir échoué à obtenir la libération d'Abou Qatada, surnommé l'« ambassadeur » d'Oussama ben Laden en Europe. Par ailleurs, toujours durant le mois de juin, le groupe a également revendiqué l'assassinat, en Mauritanie, d'un professeur américain pour prosélytisme chrétien.


Al-Shabaab and AU peacekeepers clash in Somalia

In ongoing clashes that started Tuesday in Somalia, Islamist rebels Al-Shabaab battled troops from the African Union's peacekeeping force, African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).

According to rights groups and other sources, 81 people have been killed. Among them are 48 civilians, said the Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation. Another 90 civilians have been injured, the group added.

On Sunday, Al-Shabaab attacked Burundi troops with suicide bombers at an AMISOM base in Mogadishu. 11 troops were killed and 15 wounded.

Xuddur, the capital of Bakool, is reported to have fallen under Al-Shabaab control.

"Al-Shabaab fighters are now patrolling the town and the other group fled," local elder Hussein Abdi Isak told Reuters in a phone interview.

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement to "condemn in the strongest terms the attacks on the African Union mission in Somalia." The statement was passed unanimously and urges all Somalis "to reject violence and extremism."

"This is a kind of setback, no doubt about it, but this is not the time to despair," the President of the United Nations Security Council, Japan's Ambassador Yukio Takasu, told reporters. "On the contrary, I think all of us have much stronger determination to continue to provide and accelerate the logistical support to AMISOM."

The African Union says its peacekeeping force in Somalia — which is supposed to number 8,000, but currently has about 3,500 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi — is in dire need of reinforcement.

However, Nigeria, which was supposed to send 850 officers and soldiers within weeks, says it now has second thoughts.

"At the time the commitment was made to go to Somalia, what was on ground was peacekeeping," Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said. "But the situation in Somalia has deteriorated considerably. We are not in a hurry to start getting the body bags to this country."

"If we are going to risk the lives of our young men and women, if we are going to put our young men and women in harm's way, it has to be a carefully analyzed mission response. It should not be without adequate planning and it should not be without adequate logistical, material support," he added.


Mogadiszu: ciężkie walki między rebeliantami, a siłami rządowymi

W stolicy Somalii Mogadiszu od 24 lutego trwają ciężkie walki pomiędzy islamistycznymi rebeliantami, a siłami rządowymi i żołnierzami

misji pokojowej Unii Afrykańskiej (AMISOM).

Agresorami są rebelianci z ugrupowania Al-Shabaab, którzy atakują żołnierzy AMISOM
i rządowych służb bezpieczeństwa. W mieście cały czas słychać strzały i wybuchy pocisków moździerzowych.
W walkach zginęło już ponad 100 cywili.

25 lutego „somalijscy talibowie” zajęli po krótkiej walce miasteczko Hudur przy granicy z Etiopią

Walki rozpoczęły się po niedzielnym (22 II) zamachu w Mogadiszu kiedy to zginęło m.in. 11 żołnierzy z Burundi. Wtedy to wykonawcy ataku al-Shabaab,
groziło kolejnymi atakami.

Sytuacja zdestabilizowała się w Somalii po wyjściu etiopskich żołnierzy (16 I) i objęciu urzędu prezydenta przez przywódcę
Unii Trybunałów Islamskich Sharifa Sheikha Ahmeda (31 I).


Alaskan governor Sarah Palin chosen by McCain as Vice Presidential running mate

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been selected by United States Presidential candidate John McCain as his vice-presidential running-mate. The official announcement was made Friday at noon Eastern time (UTC-5) at a rally in Dayton.

News agencies began reporting Palin as the selection about an hour earlier, citing sources within the McCain campaign.

In introducing Palin, McCain said, "I have found the right partner to stand up to those who value their privileges over their responsibilities." Palin has an "outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies," he added.

"I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States," said Palin, accepting the position. "To have been chosen brings a great challenge. I know that it will demand the best I have to give, and I promise nothing less."

Palin has been the governor of Alaska since 2006, and previously served as councilwoman and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. Prior to this announcement, other potential picks included former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, and Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman.

Sarah Palin will be the Republican Party's first female candidate for vice-president. In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale's running mate on the Democratic Party ticket.

The first scheduled vice-presidential debate is October 2 in St Louis, Missouri, where Palin will debate Barack Obama's running mate Joe Biden.

Palin's aides said they thought she remained in Alaska, however she secretly flew overnight to Ohio where McCain made the formal announcement.


États-Unis : John McCain choisit Sarah Palin comme colistière

Le sénateur de l'Arizona, candidat présumé du parti républicain aux présidentielles de novembre, a désigné comme colistière une personnalité susceptible de recueillir l’assentiment de l’aile conservatrice de son parti. Lors d’un meeting électoral aujourd’hui, à Dayton, dans l’Ohio, John McCain a annoncé le choix de Sarah Palin, gouverneur de l’Alaska, une inconnue sur la scène politique nationale.

Élue en 2006, Sarah Palin est, à 44 ans, la première femme et la plus jeune personne à diriger l'État de l’Alaska. Très articulée sur les questions d’éthique politique, elle jouit d’une côte de popularité de 80% dans son État ; ce qui a valu d’être préférée par McCain à d’autres candidats plus connus. « J’ai découvert quelqu’un ayant la réputation de confronter les intérêts particuliers et les bureaucraties ancrées, quelqu’un qui a lutté contre la corruption et les politiques défaillantes du passé, qui a empêché le gouvernement de gaspiller l’argent du contribuable », a-t-il dit.

Mère de cinq enfants, dont le dernier, né en avril, souffre du syndrome de Down, Palin est contre l'avortement ; un sujet qui tient à cœur aux conservateurs et électeurs évangélistes, dont le soutien sera essentiel au succès de McCain en novembre. Pour les analystes, McCain vise, en sélectionnant Sarah Palin, à capitaliser sur la déception des partisans de l’ancienne première dame Hillary Clinton, qui a échoué dans la course à l’investiture du parti démocrate contre Barack Obama. Le sénateur tenterait également de rassurer les Américains concernant son âge. Il aurait 72 ans au moment de sa prise de fonction en janvier s’il est élu en novembre.

C’est la deuxième fois qu’une femme est choisie, aux États-Unis, comme candidate à la vice-présidence depuis que le démocrate Walter Mondale, avait retenu Geraldine Ferraro comme colistière lors de sa campagne électorale infructueuse de 1984.

Côté démocrate, le sénateur de l’Illinois Barack Obama entame aujourd’hui les deux derniers mois de sa campagne électorale, après avoir officiellement accepté hier la nomination du parti comme candidat à la présidence ; le premier Noir à être le porte-étendard d’une des deux principales formations politiques du pays.

Barack Obama et son colistier, le sénateur du Delaware Joe Biden, effectueront une tournée en autobus dans plusieurs États-clé. Leur objectif : rencontrer des électeurs et prononcer des discours lors de meetings électoraux.


USA 2008, McCain ha scelto la governatrice dell'Alaska Sarah Palin per la vicepresidenza

È Sarah Palin la candidata per la vice-presidenza di John McCain, che, a sorpresa, ha scartato il governatore del Minnesota Tim Pawlenty a favore di un altro governatore.

McCain ha dato l'annuncio a Dayton, durante un comizio davanti a 15 000 persone festanti, rimaste sorprese dal nome di Sarah Palin. Il candidato repubblicano per la presidenza ha spiegato che la sua scelta è ricaduta su Sarah Palin perché è «esattamente colei di cui questo Paese ha bisogno per aiutarmi a sconfiggere la vecchia politica di Washington». Inoltre ha aggiunto che «possiede la fermezza, il buon senso e la devozione al bene comune che è ciò che serve oggi a Washington».

Sarah Palin, seconda donna candidata come vice-presidente degli USA dopo la democratica Geraldine Ferraro, ha accettato con gioia questo impegno: «L'essere stata scelta mi porta in una grande sfida. So che dovrò dare il meglio di me. E prometto niente di meno».

Quarantaquattro anni, la Palin è dal 2006 governatrice dello stato dell'Alaska, uno dei due stati, assieme alle Hawaii (dalle quali proviene Barack Obama), extra-territoriali rispetto al nucleo dei 48 stati dell'Unione. Nata nell'Idaho, si trasferì da piccola con tutta la famiglia nel freddo stato nel nord del continente americano.

Nel 1984, a soli 20 anni, partecipò al concorso di Miss Alaska, in virtù della sua vittoria al concorso di Miss Wasilla, la città nella quale viveva, e frequentava il college. Sarah Palin è stata anche capitano della squadra femminile di basket dell'istituto. Pochi anni dopo, ottenne la laurea in giornalismo presso l'Università dell'Idaho.

La carriera politica inizia nel 1992, con l'elezione al consiglio comunale di Wasilla, incarico che ricoprirà sino al 1996. Nel 2002 tenta di divenire vice governatore, ma fallisce. Nel biennio 2004-2005 viene eletta Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (responsabile etica della Commissione per la conservazione delle risorse energetiche dell'Alaska).

Nel 2006 batte con il 48.33% dei voti l'avversario democratico Tony Knowles (già governatore dal 1994 al 2002), e diviene la prima governatrice donna dello stato dell'Alaska.

Tra le sue posizioni politiche, il diritto di possedere armi per la difesa personale (fa parte della NRA, l'associazione dei possessori di armi) e la difesa della pena di morte, ma la contrarietà all'aborto. La Palin, come donna, potrebbe attirare molte elettrici democratiche che speravano nella nomination di Hillary Clinton e che, rimaste deluse dalla vittoria di Barack Obama nella fase delle primarie conclusasi a giugno, potrebbero far confluire i loro voti sul 72enne McCain.


Governadora do Alasca, Sarah Palin, é escolhida por McCain na vice-presidencial como companheira de chapa

Dayton, Ohio, Estados Unidos • 30 de agosto de 2008

A governadora do Alasca, Sarah Palin, foi seleccionada pelo candidato presidencial dos Estados Unidos, John McCain, como a vice-presidencial como companheira de chapa. O anúncio oficial foi feito ontem, ao meio-dia Oriental (UTC-5) em um comício em Dayton.

Notícias das agências começaram a relatar Palin como a indicada cerca de uma hora mais cedo, citando fontes dentro da campanha de McCain.

Na apresentação de Palin, McCain disse, "Eu tenho encontrado a parceira certa para enfrentar aqueles que os seus privilégios ao longo do valor das suas responsabilidades." Palin tem uma "excelente reputação para a defesa de interesses especiais e entrincheirados burocracias", acrescentou.

"Vou ser homenageado para servir ao lado do próximo presidente dos Estados Unidos", disse Palin, ao aceitar a posição. "Para ter sido escolhido traz um grande desafio. Eu sei que ele irá exigir o melhor que tenho para dar e eu prometo nada menos."

Palin, é governadora do Alasca desde 2006, e serviu como anteriormente conselheira e prefeito de Wasilla, Alasca. Anteriormente a esse anúncio, outros potenciais escolhas incluíam antigo governador de Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, governador de Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, ex-governador de Pensilvânia, Tom Ridge e o senador de Connecticut, Joe Lieberman.

Sarah Palin será a primeira mulher como candidata à vice-presidente pelo Partido Republicano. Em 1984, Geraldine Ferraro foi companheira de vice chapa do Walter Mondale no Partido Democrata.

A primeira agenda de debate vice-presidencial é no dia 2 de outubro, em St. Louis, Missouri, onde Palin irá ao debate do vice de companheiro de chapa de Barack Obama, Joe Biden.

Auxiliares de Palin disseram que pensava que ela estava no Alasca, no entanto, ela vôou secretamente durante a noite para Ohio onde McCain fez o anúncio formal.


美国共和党总统参选人麦凯恩选择佩林为竞选伙伴

美国当地时间2008年8月29日上午，共和党总统参选人麦凯恩在俄亥俄州代顿市宣布，阿拉斯加州的女州长莎拉·佩林(Sarah Palin)成为其竞选搭档。

佩林今年44岁，2006年首度当选阿拉斯加州州长，是阿拉斯加州首位女性州长，也是目前为止最年轻的州长。她也是共和党推出的首位女性副总统候选人。

美國白宮發言人說，麥凱恩選佩林為副手一事，事前並沒有徵詢布殊的意見，美國總統布殊在消息公布前約1小時才獲知會。


Alassane Ouattara 'wins' Ivory Coast presidential election

Alassane Ouattara won the Ivory Coast's presidential run-off election on Thursday according to the country's electoral commission. However the Constitutional Council has contested the announcement. Ouattara was the challenger in the run-off against President Laurent Gbagbo. Supporters of Gbagbo have claimed that the vote should be blocked because of fraud in the north of the country.

The head of the electoral commission, Youssouf Bakayoko, released the results of the vote while under armed guard. He announced that Ouattara had won 54% of the vote, while Gbagbo took 46%. Bakayoko was speaking from a hotel rather than the headquarters of the commission.

The vote was plagued with delays as violence took its toll on the country. Legally, Gbagbo's term ended five years ago, but supporters of the President have refused to accept his defeat. Up to eight people were killed at an opposition party headquarters by about 20 armed supporters of the president. The attack took place only hours after a 1900 UTC curfew had been put in place.

Paul Yao N'Dre, the head of the Constitutional Council, also released a statement saying, "because of disagreements on the results of some regions, the independent electoral commission wasn't able to give the provisional results. The Constitutional Council — responsible for sorting out disputes in presidential elections — finds itself in charge, to find a solution to the disagreements, and proclaim the definitive presidential election results."

In last months first round of voting President Gbagbo was leading by 38% and Ouattara followed closely with 32%.


Alassane Ouattara es electo presidente de Costa de Marfil

2 de diciembre de 2010Abidjan, Costa de Marfil —

Pocos días luego de comenzado el escrutinio, la Comisión Electoral Independiente de Costa de Marfil (CEI) ha anunciado finalmente los primeros resultados, proclamando vencedor al líder de la oposición, Alassane Ouattara. Luego de que se hiciera conocida la noticia, tuvo lugar un concierto de bocinazos en las calles de Abidjan, donde se habían reunidos los partidarios de Ouattara.

En tanto, los partidarios del presidente saliente han negado la derrota, en tanto que el bando de Laurent Gbagbo cuenta con que el Consejo Constitucional anule las elecciones, anulando los votos "fraudulentos" en el norte del país, donde Ouattara obtuvo una amplia mayoría en las elecciones de primera vuelta celebradas el pasado 31 de octubre.

Luego de que tuviera lugar el ballotage el 28 de noviembre, el país se había dividido en dos: los oficialistas de Gbagbo contra la oposición liderada por Ouattara, cada uno acusando al otro de cometer fraude electoral. La noche del martes, la rivalidad tomó un curso sangriento, luego de que una oficina del partido de Ouattara fuera atacada, suceso en el cual perdieron la vida al menos ocho personas. Al mismo tiempo, la sede local del Frente Popular Marfileño (FPI, por sus siglas en francés), partido que lidera Gbagbo, fue objeto de un ataque en la madrugada del jueves, que se saldó con dos heridos, según indicaron oficiales.

Ayer, mientras que el portavoz de la Comisión Electoral Independiente se disponía a comunicar los primeros resultados parciales, uno de los dos representantes del presidente de la comisión le arrancó la hoja de resultados de sus manos, los rompió y declaró que "estos resultados son falsos, no fueron consolidados".

Los quince miembros del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU pidieron este jueves consultas sobre la situación, y luego avisaron a los partidos marfileños que pronto tomarían "medidas apropiabas" contra cualquiera que obstaculizara el proceso electoral, comentó la embajadora de los Estados Unidos del consejo. "Los miembros del Consejo de Seguridad reafirmaron que se encontraban cercanos a tomar las medidas apropiabas contra aquellos que bloqueen el proceso electoral y, particularmente, el trabajo de la CEI", declaró ante la prensa Susan Rice, quien ejerce también este mes como presidente del consejo.

Los resultados provisorios que le otorgan la victoria a Alassane Ouattara fueron dados por el presidente de la comisión electoral, Youssouf Bakayoko, quien dijo que el líder de la oposición había vencido por el 54% de los votos. No obstante, el presidente del Consejo Constitucional, Paul Yao N'dré, anunció la invalidación los resultados a través de la televisión pública.


Côte d'Ivoire : enfin des résultats, Alassane Ouattara annoncé vainqueur

Quelques jours après le scrutin, la Commission électorale indépendante a enfin annoncé les premier résultats qui donnent Alassane Ouattara vainqueur alors qu'un véritable concert de klaxons a retenti dans les rues d'Abidjan où s'étaient réunis des partisans du camp de l'adversaire du candidats sortant.

Les partisans du président sortant refusent la victoire de leur adversaire, le camp Gbagbo compte sur le Conseil constitutionnel pour faire annuler des votes « frauduleux » dans le nord ex-rebelle, où Ouattara avait très largement dominé au premier tour le 31 octobre.

Depuis le second tour de l’élection présidentielle du 28 novembre, le pays est divisé en deux, entre les partisans de Laurent Gbagbo et ceux d’Alassane Ouattara, chaque camp accusant l’autre de fraudes massives. Dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi, cette rivalité avait pris un tour sanglant, avec l’attaque à Abidjan d’un bureau du candidat Ouattara, au cours de laquelle au moins huit personnes ont perdu la vie. Par ailleurs, le siège local du Front populaire ivoirien, le parti de Laurent Gbagbo, a été l'objet d'une attaque très tôt jeudi faisant deux blessés, a indiqué l'un de ses responsables.

Hier, alors que le porte-parole de la Commission électorale indépendante s'apprêtait à communiquer les premiers résultat partiels, l'un des deux représentants du président candidat au sein de la commission lui aurait arraché les feuilles de résultats des mains avant de les déchirer et de déclarer « Ces résultats sont faux, ils n'ont pas été consolidés ».

Les quinze pays du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU ont entamé jeudi des consultations urgentes sur la situation, et ont ensuite prévenu les parties ivoiriennes qu'ils étaient prêts à prendre des « mesures appropriées » contre quiconque qui ferait obstacle au processus électoral, a rapporté jeudi l'ambassadrice des États-Unis à l'ONU. « Les membres du Conseil de sécurité ont réaffirmé qu'ils étaient prêts à prendre les mesures appropriées contre ceux qui bloquent le processus électoral et, particulièrement, le travail de la CEI (la Commission électorale indépendante) », a déclaré à la presse Susan Rice, qui assure ce mois-ci la présidence tournante du Conseil de sécurité.

Les résultats provisoires donnant Alassane Ouattara vainqueur de la présidentielle du 28 novembre ont donc été invalidées par le président du Conseil constitutionnel, Paul Yao N'dré, sur la télévision publique.


Algiers protest takes place despite ban

A planned pro-democracy protest took place Saturday in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, despite a standing government ban on protests in the capital.  Massive police presence reduced the event from its planned scope, and dispersed it after a few hours, but did not prevent it.

The demonstration, planned for some time, was to be a march through Algiers, from May First Square, about five kilometers (three miles) to Martyrs Square.  Instead, protesters demonstrated in May First Square for a few hours.

Algeria has been officially in a state of emergency for nineteen years.  Early this month, following recent pro-democracy events in Tunisia and Egypt, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the state of emergency will be lifted "soon".  At the same time he also said marches would be allowed everywhere in the country except in Algiers.  Leading up to this protest, riot police closed all entrances both to Algiers and to May First Square.

The number of demonstrators who gathered in May First Square despite the police cordons was estimated by officials at 1500, and by demonstration organizers at around 10,000.  The number of riot police in the city — with body armor, armored vehicles, and water cannons — was anticipated by officials as high as 30,000, and estimated by organizers as high as 26,000.

The protest was organized by the National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD), an umbrella group of Algerian organizations formed in late January.  Protesters demanded democratic freedoms, an end to government corruption, and relief from economic hardships.  Some protesters called for removal of President Bouteflika, although that was not a stated goal of the organizers.

Several hundred protesters were arrested, at least briefly.  Algerian activist Elias Felali, who blogged from within the demonstration, claimed the police wanted to provoke violence, but the protesters were pointedly non-violent.


Διαδήλωση στην Αλγερία παρά την απαγόρευση

Μια σχεδιασμένη δημοκρατική διαμαρτυρία πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Αλγέρι, την πρωτεύουσα της Αλγερίας, παρά την υπάρχουσα κυβερνητική απαγόρευση για τις διαδηλώσεις στην πρωτεύουσα. Η μαζική αστυνομική παρουσία απέτρεψε την εξέλιξη της εκδήλωσης από τον προγραμματισμένο σκοπό της, η οποία διαλύθηκε μετά από μερικές ώρες, αλλά παρ' όλα αυτά δεν ματαιώθηκε.

Η διαδήλωση, σχεδιασμένη εδώ και μέρες, είχε προγραμματιστεί  να γίνει ως μια πεζοπορία μέσα από την πόλη του Αλγερίου, από την Πλατεία της Πρωτομαγιάς, για περίπου πέντε χιλιόμετρα μέχρι την Πλατεία Μαρτύρων. Τελικά, οι διαδηλωτές παρέμειναν στην Πλατεία Πρωτομαγιάς για μερικές ώρες.

H Αλγερία έχει επίσημα κηρυχθεί εδώ και δεκαεννέα χρόνια σε κατάσταση εκτάκτου ανάγκης. Νωρίτερα αυτόν τον μήνα, παίρνοντας το μήνυμα από  τα πρόσφατα δημοκρατικά γεγονότα στην Τυνησία  και στην Αίγυπτο, ο πρόεδρος της Τυνησίας Αμπντελαζίζ Μπουτεφλίκα είπε ότι η κατάσταση εκτάκτου ανάγκης θα αρθεί "σύντομα".  Ταυτόχρονα είχε δηλώσει ότι οι διαδηλώσεις θα επιτραπούν σε όλη τη χώρα εκτός από το Αλγέρι. Αντιδρώντας άμεσα στην εκδήλωση διαμαρτυρίας, ειδικές δυνάμεις της αστυνομίας έκλεισαν όλες τις διόδους  τόσο  προς το Αλγέρι όσο και για την Πλατεία Πρωτομαγιάς.

Ο αριθμός των διαδηλωτών που συγκεντρώθηκε στην Πλατεία Πρωτομαγιάς παρά τα εμπόδια της αστυνομίας υπολογίζεται από τις αρχές σε  1500, και από τους οργανωτές της διαδήλωσης  περίπου σε  10.000.  Ο αριθμός των ειδικών δυνάμεων της αστυνομίας στην πόλη — με ειδικές στολές, θωρακισμένα οχήματα, και εκτοξευτές νερού  — εκτιμώνταν από τις αρχές στο ύψος των  30.000, ενώ από τους διοργανωτές στις 26.000.

Η διαδήλωση οργανώθηκε από την Εθνική Συντονιστική Επιτροπή για την Αλλαγή και την Δημοκρατία  (CNCD), μια οργάνωση ομπρέλα των οργανώσεων της Αλγερίας που δημιουργήθηκαν  στο τέλος του Ιανουαρίου.  Οι διαδηλωτές απαίτησαν δημοκρατικές αλλαγές, να τεθεί τέλος στην κυβερνητική διαφθορά, και ζήτησαν  ανακούφιση από τις οικονομικές δυσχέρειες.  Μερικοί διαδηλωτές ζήτησαν την απομάκρυνση του Προέδρου Μπουτεφλίκα, αν και αυτός δεν ήταν διακηρυγμένος στόχος των οργανωτών.

Εκατοντάδες διαδηλωτών συνελήφθησαν, τουλάχιστον προσωρινά. Ο Αλγερινός ακτιβιστής Ελίας Φελάλι, που έγραψε στο μπλογκ μέσα  από την διαδήλωση, ισχυρίστηκε ότι η αστυνομία ήθελε να προκαλέσει βία, ενώ η διαδηλωτές ήταν καταφανώς μη-βίαιοι.

14 Φεβρουαρίου 2011


Ali Bongo sworn in as president of Gabon

Ali Bongo Ondimba was sworn in as the president of the African country of Gabon on Friday, after winning the August 30 presidential elections. He took the oath of office in the capital Libreville, at the Presidential Palace.

"I swear to use all my efforts for the good of the people of Gabon, to ensure their well-being and protect them, to respect and defend the Constitution and guarantee freedom, to consciously carry out my duties and ensure justice for all," he said at the inauguration, raising his right hand.

In a speech, Bongo said that he wanted to put an end to injustice and corruption. "I wish for a Gabon free from corruption and injustice, I wish for a Gabon where the elites move freely and more of them come up, I wish for a Gabon where merit is appreciated, and where the right punishment is given to those who break the law," he said in front of a crowd of invited guests.

Bongo was sworn in four days after the country's constitutional court confirmed his victory in the presidential elections, which had been challenged by nine of the opposition candidates, alleging fraud.

Bongo had won 42% of the vote, official results said. Most independent electoral observers said they thought that the elections were fair.

Bongo, aged 50, is the son of Omar Bongo, who was the leader of Gabon for four decades before he died this June.


Ali Bongo asumió como presidente de Gabón

18 de octubre de 2009Libreville, Gabón —

Este viernes Ali Bongo Ondimba asumió como presidente del país africano, tras ganar las elecciones presidenciales del 30 de agosto. Él tomó el juramento de su cargo en el Palacio Presidencial de Libreville.

"Juro a emplear todos mis esfuerzos por el bien del pueblo de Gabón, para asegurar su bienestar y protección, de respetar y defender la Constitución y garantizar la libertad, consciente de cumplir con mis obligaciones y garantizar la justicia para todos" , dijo levantando su mano derecha.

En un discurso, Bongo dijo que quería poner fin a la injusticia y la corrupción. "Deseo un Gabón libre de corrupción y de injusticia, ... deseo un Gabón donde se aprecie el mérito, y donde el castigo de la ley se aplique a quienes la rompan ", dijo ante una multitud de invitados.

Bongo asumió cuatro días después de que una corte constitucional del país confirmara su victoria en las elecciones presidenciales, la cuales habían sido cuestionadas por nueve de los candidatos de la oposición, alegando fraude.

Bongo había ganado con el 42% de los votos, según resultados oficiales. La mayoría de los observadores electorales independientes dijeron que pensaban que las elecciones fueron justas.

Bongo, de 50 años, es el hijo de Omar Bongo, quien fuera el gobernante de Gabón desde 1967 hasta junio de este año, cuando falleció.


Ali Bongo assume a presidência do Gabão

Libreville, Gabão • 18 de outubro de 2009

Nesta sexta-feira Ali Bongo Ondimba assumiu a presidência do país africano, depois de vencer as eleições presidenciais de 30 de agosto. Ele fez o juramento de seu cargo no Palácio Presidencial de Libreville.

Num discurso, Bongo disse que queria pôr fim à injustiça e a corrupção. "Desejo um Gabão livre de corrupção e de injustiça, ... desejo um Gabão onde se aprecie o mérito, e onde o castigo da lei se aplique a quem a viole", disse ante uma multidão de convidados.

Bongo assumiu quatro dias depois de que uma corte constitucional do país confirmau sua vitória nas eleições presidenciais, as quais haviam sido quationadas por nove dos candidatos da oposição, alegando fraude.

Bongo venceu com 42% dos votos, segundo resultados oficiais. A maioria dos observadores eleitorais independentes disseram que pensavam que as eleições foram justas.

Bongo, de 50 anos, é filho de Omar Bongo, que foi o governante de Gabão desde 1967 até junho deste ano, quando faleceu.


Aljazeera airs new audiotape by Osama bin Laden

Aljazeera has aired a new audiotape it says contains the voice of al-Qaeda's leader, Osama bin Laden. The tape is 11 minutes and 26 seconds long, believed to have been made after March 14, 2006.

According to Aljazeera, in the tape, Bin Laden talks about the "situation in Iraq, Palestine and Sudan" and says that the isolation of the Hamas-led Palestine is a "war by crusaders and Zionists against Islam."

"I say that this war is the joint responsibility of the people and the governments. While the war continues, the people renew their allegiance to their rulers and politicians and continue to send their sons to our countries to fight us. The war goes on and the people are renewing their allegiance to its rulers and masters. They send their sons to armies to fight us and they continue their financial and moral support while our countries are burned and our houses are bombed and our people are killed," said bin Laden.

"The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusaders war on Islam. I have sworn to only live free. Even if I find bitter the taste of death, I don't want to die humiliated or deceived. The war is a responsibility shared between the people and the governments. They do not want a truce unless it is from our side only. They insist on continuing their crusader campaign against our nation and to loot our wealth," he added.

Bin Laden also talked about Sudan saying, "I call on mujahedeen and their supporters, especially in Sudan and the Arab peninsula, to prepare for long war again the crusader plunderers in Western Sudan. Our goal is not defending the Khartoum government but to defend Islam, its land and its people. The politicians of the West do not want dialogue except for the sake of dialogue to drag us on, for them to gain more time. They want an armistice that is observed only by us."

The United States has since said that they believe the tape is authentic.

"We just heard from the intelligence community that they believe it's authentic," said Scott McClellan, spokesman for the White House.

"We are continuing to take the fight to the enemy abroad and making it difficult for them to plan and plot against Americans. The al Qaeda leadership is on the run and under a lot of pressure. We continue to take all terrorist threats seriously and that is why we are acting on all fronts doing everything within our power to prevail in the war on terrorism," added McClellan.

Aljazeera last aired an audiotape in January by bin Laden, where he promised new terrorist attacks in the U.S. but also offered the U.S. a "long-term truce."


Hamas distanziert sich von Bin Laden-Botschaft

Doha (Katar), 24.04.2006 – In einer Tonbandbotschaft des weltweit gesuchten Terroristen Osama bin Laden, die von dem arabischen Sender Aljazeera mit Sitz in Katar am Sonntag ausgestrahlt wurde, hatte der Al-Qaida-Führer die Entscheidung des Westens, die Hilfsgelder für die Autonomiebehörde der Palästinenser nach der Übernahme der Regierungsgeschäfte durch die Hamas zu streichen, als Beleg dafür zitiert, dass der Westen einen „Kreuzzug gegen den Islam“ führe. Diese Äußerung ist von der palästinensischen Organisation Hamas zurückgewiesen worden. Hamas-Sprecher Sami Abu Zuhri sagte, die Ideologie der Hamas sei eine vollständige andere als die Osama Bin Ladens.

Als weiteres Beispiel für den gegen den Islam gerichteten Kreuzzug des Westens nannte Bin Laden die in der sudanesischen Provinz Darfur entstandene Krise. Die Mudschahedin im Osten Afrikas und benachbarter arabischer Länder rief er dazu auf, sich auf einen langen Krieg gegen die „westlichen Kreuzzugsräuber“ im Westen Sudans einzustellen. Ahmed Hussein, Führer einer sudanesischen Rebellenarmee sagte: „Wir weisen diese Erklärungen kategorisch zurück.“ Bin Ladens Worte zeigten, dass er von den Realitäten in Darfur keine Kenntnis habe. Während Bin Laden seine amerikanisch-zionistischen Verschwörungstheorie verbreite, entstünden die wirklichen Probleme durch die Regierung in Khartoum, die eine moslemische Regierung ist, die andere Muslime tötet.

Auf die in Dänemark veröffentlichten Mohammed-Karikaturen ging Bin Laden ebenfalls ein. Er rief in seiner Ansprache zur Tötung der Zeichner auf. Ketzer und Atheisten, die gegen Gott und seinen Propheten vorgingen, könnten nur mit dem Tod gestoppt werden, sagte Bin Laden laut Reuters.

CNN zufolge sagte der Sprecher des Weißen Hauses, Scott McClellan, die neue Botschaft Bin Ladens sei als echt einzustufen. Der demokratische Herausforderer bei den Präsidentschaftswahlen der USA, John Kerry, nahm die neueste Bin-Laden-Botschaft zum Anlass, den in letzter Zeit wiederholt laut gewordenen Rücktrittsforderungen gegenüber dem amerikanischen Verteidigungsminister Donald Rumsfeld, eine erneute Rücktrittsforderung hinzufügen. Bei der Stürmung der Talibanfestung Tora Bora im Afghanistankrieg (Dezember 2001) habe eine zu geringe Anzahl von US-Soldaten dazu geführt, dass der meist gesuchte Terrorist der Welt entkommen konnte.

Die letzte Botschaft Bin Ladens liegt mehr als drei Monate zurück.


Bin Laden: nuovo messaggio audio

La televisione araba Al Jazeera ha trasmesso un audiomessaggio di Osama Bin Laden, nel corso del quale lo sceicco ha affermato che l'occidente sta attuando "una vera e propria crociata sionista contro i musulmani", come avrebbe dimostrato con la decisione di "tagliare i fondi al governo palestinese di Hamas".

Netto l'appello rivolto «ai mujahidin e ai loro sostenitori perché preparino una lunga guerra» contro le forze delle Nazioni Unite, paragonate a "saccheggiatori crociati del Sudan occidentale". Bin Laden è anche intervenuto sull'episodio delle vignette satiriche pubblicate a febbraio in Danimarca, giudicate "blasfeme" in molti Paesi islamici, invitando i musulmani a boicottare economicamente l'occidente.


半岛电视台播出最新拉登录音带

半岛电视台播出了最新本拉登的录音带，美国证实说，他们相信这盘录音带确来自拉登本人。这是自2006年出现的第二个本拉登的录音，也是一月以来的第一个。

在录音中，拉登称西方从经济上孤立新选出的哈马斯领导下的巴勒斯坦是与伊斯兰世界宣战，同时，他也指伊拉克局势以及苏丹的达尔福尔地区麻烦不断进一步证明「犹太复国主义『正进行』讨伐之战」，他呼吁民兵前往达尔福尔，加入那里的战斗。

本拉登在录像带里说西方国家的国民与西方国家政府一样对「犹太复国主义对伊斯兰发动的讨伐之战」负有责任。

美国白宫发言人表示，本拉登以录音而不是录像形式发言，显示基地组织领导人在美军压力下已经疲于奔命。民主党人士则指出，这盘录音带再度证实布什政府的反恐战争彻底失败。

在录音被证实属拉登后不久，苏丹政府和巴勒斯坦哈马斯政权纷纷表态称拉登讲话不代表他们的立场。苏丹政府表示对任何形式针对西方世界的「圣战」不感兴趣；巴勒斯坦哈马斯政权也称希望与西方建立友好关系。不过哈马斯政权同时要求美国「消除对伊斯兰世界的偏见」。


Alleged Bush-Blair Al-Jazeera bombing transcript leaked

An unverified document discovered by the UK tabloid The Daily Mirror claiming to have been leaked from Downing Street has been reported to contain a statement from US President George W. Bush about wishing to bomb the headquarters of Arabic TV station Al Jazeera in Doha, Qatar. According to The Daily Mirror, the President was dissuaded from bombing Al Jazeera's headquarters in Qatar by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The newspaper said its story was based on information from an unnamed source with access to the "top secret" memo of the President and Prime Minister's conversation.

The Daily Mirror reports that one of its sources said Bush "made clear he wanted to bomb Al-Jazeera in Qatar. Blair replied that would cause a big problem. There's no doubt what Bush wanted to do — and no doubt Blair didn't want him to do it."  The Mirror is a United Kingdom-based tabloid, which has been under scrutiny in the past for publishing faked photographs depicting British soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees.

The document is said to be a transcript of a conversation between Bush and Tony Blair at the White House on the 16th of April 2004, when the second US offensive force enacted on the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

Bush administration officials have criticized the Qatar-based network for their coverage of the War in Iraq and of other Middle East affairs.  Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz had earlier accused the station of "inciting violence against [US] troops".  Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called the network "a mouthpiece for Al-Qaeda and a vehicle of anti-American propaganda". In a news conference a day before the document's supposed date, Rumsfeld was quoted as saying the following about the network's coverage of the War in Iraq: "I can definitively say that what Al-Jazeera is doing is vicious, inaccurate and inexcusable."

While a UK Government official was quoted in the report as saying Mr. Bush's remarks were intended as "humorous, not serious", another source with apparent access to the memo told the newspaper that "Bush was deadly serious, as was Blair. That much is absolutely clear from the language used by both men." The Washington Post quoted a senior diplomat saying that Bush's remark as recounted by The Daily Mirror "sounds like one of the president's one-liners that is meant as a joke", adding that "it was foolish for someone to write it down, and now it will be a story for days."

The authenticity of the documents and its alleged contents have not been verified independently.
The source of the leak, David Keogh, 49, a UK civil servant, is charged under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, of passing the memo to MP Tony Clarke's former assistant Leo O'Connor. Section 3 concerns "a person who is or has been a Crown servant or government contractor" and who made a "damaging disclosure" of "any information, document or other article" that relates to "international relations" or was "obtained from a State other than the United Kingdom or an international organisation". A document is deemed "damaging" if "(a) it endangers the interests of the United Kingdom abroad, seriously obstructs the promotion or protection by the United Kingdom of those interests or endangers the safety of British citizens abroad; or (b) it is of information or of a document or article which is such that its unauthorised disclosure would be likely to have any of those effects."

Both Keogh and O'Connor are scheduled to appear in court later next week. Clarke has returned the memo to Downing Street and said O'Connor had behaved "perfectly correctly".

The British attorney general Lord Goldsmith threatened newspapers with proscecution under the Official Secrets Act if they revealed any further details of the document. The British government has before obtained court injunctions against newspapers, but never prosecuted editors for publishing contents of leaked documents. According to The Guardian this "is believed to be the first time the Blair government has threatened newspapers in this way". Knowing the legal ramifications, Tory MP, and editor for the conservative magazine The Spectator, Boris Johnson has offered to publish the full text of the leaked document and risk a jail sentence, if someone can provide him with a copy in the next couple of days. Arguing for the publication he said: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant. If we suppress the truth, we forget what we are fighting for."

Former British defense minister Peter Kilfoyle called for the full text of the memo to be published. "I believe that Downing Street ought to publish this memo in the interests of transparency, given that much of the detail appears to be in the public domain". He added "If it was the case that President Bush wanted to bomb Al-Jazeera in what is after all a friendly country, it speaks volumes and it raises questions about subsequent attacks that took place on the press that wasn't embedded with coalition forces." Al-Jazeera's Kabul office was hit indirectly by two US bombs in 2001 and Al-Jazeera's reporter Tareq Ayyoub was killed when two US missiles hit the Al-Jazeera office in Baghdad in 2003. The US has denied targeting the Al-Jazeera offices deliberately.

Al Jazeera has reacted cautiously to the report, releasing a statement in which it said it was investigating it and urged the US and UK governments to make the documents in question publicly available.

A spokesperson for the White House dismissed the allegations, saying, "We are not going to dignify something so outlandish with a response." Downing Street declined to make a statement, telling BBC News that official procedure prevents it from commenting on "leaked documents".


2005/11/22: Daily Mirror: "Bush ville bomba al-Jazira"

22 november 2005 Den brittiska tabloiden The Daily Mirror publicerade ett dokument enligt vilket USA:s president George W. Bush ska ha sagt sig vilja bomba den arabiska TV-stationen al-Jaziras högkvarter i Doha i Qatar. Enligt tidningen ska den brittiske premiärministern Tony Blair ha lyckats av råda presidenten. Enligt Daily Mirror ska nyheten basera sig på ett obekräftat dokument som man kommit över genom vad man uppger vara en läcka på Downing Street med "tillgång till det topp-hemliga memorandum" som sammanfattade dialogen mellan ledarna.

Daily Mirror uppger vidare en av deras källor sagt att Bush gjorde fullständigt klart att han verkligen ville bomba al-Jazira och att Blair svarade att det skulle orsaka "ett stort problem". Daily Mirror har tidigare låtit publicera falska fotografier av brittiska soldater som förnedrat irakiska fångar. Enligt tidningen ska dokumentet vara en avskrift av en konversation mellan Bush och Blair i Vita huset den 16 april 2004 samtidigt som en amerikansk styrka anföll staden Fallujah.

Bush-administrationen har tidigare uttalat sig kritiskt mot den Qatar-baserade nyhetsstationens bevakning av kriget i Irak och andra mellanösternrelaterade affärer. Paul Wolfowitz har tidigare anklagat nyhetsbyrån för att ha egga till våldsdåd mot amerikanska trupper och Donald Rumsfeld har kallat al-Jazira för "ett språkrör för al-Qaida och ett organ för antiamerikansk propaganda".

Officiella, brittiska talesmän avfärdade det hela som ett "humoristiskt" uttalade från presidenten och enligt en erfaren diplomat som Washington Post citerar skulle Bushs uttalande betraktas som den typen av skämt som presidenten brukar komma med. Han ansåg det beklagligt att någon nedtecknat det hela och att denna affär skulle få uppmärksamhet under de kommande dagarna.

Läckan på Downing Street är den 49-årige tjänstmannen David Keogh ska ha överlämnat det aktuella dokumentet till parlamentsledamoten Tony Clarke förre medarbetare Leo O'Connor och riskerar nu att dömmas enligt sektion 3 i lagen om statshemligheter (Official Secrets Act). En rättsprocess mot både Keogh och O'Connor kommer att äga rum nästa vecka samtidigt som Clarke återlämnat dokumentet till Downing Street med kommentaren "O'Connor har agerat fullständigt korrekt". Justitieministern Lord Goldsmith hotade med att dra alla tidningar som publicerade ytterligare detaljer i dokumentet inför domstol och The Guardian konstaterade att det är första gången som Blairs regering har hotat pressen på det viset.

Storbritanniens förre försvarsminister Peter Kilfoyle begärde istället att regeringen av principiella skäl borde offentliggöra hela dokumentet eftersom mycket av dess innehåll ändå redan läckt ut. Han sa också att om Bush verkligen haft för avsikt att bomba al-Jaziras kontor i en vänligt sinad nation väckte det intressanta frågor kring tidigare tillfällen då USA, enligt egen uppgift av misstag, direkt eller indirekt träffat nyhetsbyråns kontor och dödat dess personal i Afghanistan och Irak.

al-Jazira begärde att dokumentet skulle offentliggöras, något som avfärdades av talesmän från såväl brittisk som amerikansk sida


America's atomic bombing commemoration held in Hiroshima

The 60th anniversary of the first use of an atomic bomb against people has been remembered in a ceremony yesterday in Hiroshima, Japan.

The atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy", was dropped on Hiroshima at precisely 08:15 on August 6, 1945 by the specially converted United States Army Air Force B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay.

The recommendation to drop the atomic bomb without warning was made by an eight-man committee headed by George Harrison who was Secretary of War Henry Stimson's special assistant for matters relating to the development of the atomic bomb. Both Harrison and Stimson were members of Skull and Bones

Three days later, another atomic bomb "Fat Man", was dropped on nearby Nagasaki.

The Japanese Government surrendered unconditionally on 15 August, and signed the formal surrender on the USS Missouri on 2 September in Tokyo Bay.

The dropping of the bomb has been condemned by critics and anti-nuclear campaigners, who say other methods could have been used to end the war. Advocates, however, say that an invasion of Japan — to be known as Operation Downfall — would have cost millions of Allied and Japanese lives, citing the ferocity of fighting experienced during the Battle of Okinawa, and that the bombings avoided this.

Approximately 140,000 people died within days from the initial blast and during the following year from radiation. The total death toll was almost half of Hiroshima's population.

"As the years go by so many of my friends and relatives die. This must not be forgotten." Sunao Tsuboi, a survivor of the bombing, said. Now he is 80, and he recounted some of the details of what he witnessed that day:

"We were all barefoot. One woman's skin was hanging from her chest, another woman's eye was hanging from its socket and resting on her chin, and one young girl's guts had spilled out."

Tsuboi saw people jumping into a river which was already full of bodies. He said, "I was thinking that if I die here, I would feel so sad and alone. Everyone had given up; no help was coming.We were beyond pain." Tsuboi has since lost skin on his forehead and nose as well as part of his ears. He still goes to hospital every two weeks for treatment.


60. Jahrestag des Atombombenabwurfes über Hiroshima

Hiroshima (Japan), 06.08.2005 – Am 60. Jahrestag des Atombombenabwurfs von Hiroshima gedachten Zehntausende von Menschen der vielen Toten. Um genau 08:15 Uhr Ortszeit (01:15 Uhr MESZ) hallten Glockenschläge, die von einem Kind ausgelöst wurden, über den großen Platz vor dem Mahnmal im Friedenspark von Hiroshima, genau zu dieser Uhrzeit schlug die Bombe ein, die von einem US-amerikanischen Flugzeug abgeworfen wurde. 140.000 Menschen sind bis heute an den direkten Folgen der Atomexplosion ums Leben gekommen.

Der japanische Ministerpräsident Junichiro Koizumi legte einen Kranz vor dem Monument nieder, das ganz in der Nähe des so genannten Atombomben-Dom steht. Dabei handelt es sich um das Gebäudeskelett eines Kuppelbaus, das die Druckwelle der Explosion und das anschließende Großfeuer überstanden hatte. Der Bürgermeister Hiroshimas rief die Atommächte der Welt zur Aufgabe ihrer Waffen auf.


Se conmemoran 60 años del lanzamiento de la bomba atómica sobre Hiroshima

Hoy, día 6 de agosto, se cumplen 60 años desde que Estados Unidos lanzó la primera bomba nuclear sobre la ciudad japonesa de Hiroshima.

En 1945, con una prueba nuclear en Nuevo México, finalizó el desarrollo del que sería desde entonces el arma más destructiva jamás conocida por la humanidad: la bomba atómica. Este arma, que funciona aprovechando la energía que se genera en la fisión del átomo, fue utilizada por los EE. UU. con el objetivo de que Japón se rindiera y poder evitar así una invasión terrestre, con el consiguiente ahorro de medios, tiempo y personas.

El 6 de agosto de 1945 tres aviones estadounidenses surcaron los cielos de Hiroshima. No levantaron ningún temor al tratarse de tan solo tres aviones. Pero uno de ellos, el Enola Gay, iba cargado con la primera bomba atómica utilizada en la historia, que arrasaría completamente la ciudad de Hiroshima causando decenas de miles de muertos.

La ciudad quedó completamente destruida. Miles de personas fueron calcinadas instantáneamente por las altas temperaturas que alcanzaron los 4000 grados centígrados. La onda expansiva afectó un radio de varios kilómetros. Los efectos de la radiación aumentaron la cifra de muertos en los días posteriores, superando los 120.000, y todavía hoy se observan estos efectos.

Tres días después la escena se repitió en la ciudad de Nagasaki. Se trataba de una bomba de plutonio que causó 150.000 muertos. Los efectos en esta ciudad fueron menores al encontrarse rodeada de montañas que contuvieron la explosión. Esta segunda bomba significó la rendición de Japón ante EE. UU. y el fin de la II Guerra Mundial.

Como cada 6 de agosto, en Hiroshima se realizan diversos actos de conmemoración por los muertos de estas bombas. En esta ocasión, y con motivo del 60mo. aniversario, las autoridades japonesas han pedido a la ONU que promueva el desarme nuclear mundial para el 2020. En la actualidad existen en el mundo armas nucleares suficientes como para extinguir toda forma de vida en el planeta.


広島の平和記念式典に5万5,000人

原子爆弾の投下から60年にあたる8月6日、広島市中区の平和記念公園で開かれた「原爆死没者慰霊式並びに平和祈念式」が、約5万5,000人が参列して開かれた。

式典は午前8時に始まり、投下の時刻にあたる8時15分には遺族代表が平和の鐘を鳴らし、黙祷が行われた。

式典には、小泉純一郎首相、イランの駐日大使を含む33ヶ国の政府代表、都道府県の被爆者代表43人、米国、韓国、ブラジル在住被爆者（胎内被爆者を含む）とその遺族10人などが出席した。


American diplomats unwilling to go to Iraq may be forced, says State Department

Almost 50 positions at the American embassy in Iraq remain unfilled with no volunteers, and the State Department has recently told diplomats that if they go unfilled then they will begin forced assignments.  "We must go forward with the identification of officers to serve should it prove necessary to direct assignments," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday.  "Should others step forward, as some already have, we will fill these new jobs as we have before —with volunteers. However, regardless of how the jobs may be filled, they must be filled."

Since the 48 vacant Iraq posts were announced last Friday, only 15 diplomats have volunteered to work there.  Diplomatic assignments are almost always filled by volunteers.

At a State Department "town hall" meeting, Jack Crotty, a 36-year State Department veteran, pointed out the main issue:  It's a "potential death sentence".

"It's one thing if someone believes in what's going on over there and volunteers," said Crotty, "but it's another thing to send someone over there on a forced assignment."

But U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker's response to such fears was unequivocal:  "It's for us to go and serve, not to debate the policy, not to agree with it."

Mark Bellamy, a former deputy assistant secretary of state who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, also questioned the entire diplomatic mission.  "How do you do diplomacy and development work in an environment as violent as this?" asked Bellamy.  The Green Zone can be a demoralizing place for a diplomat to work.  Aside from the physical risk, the violence that surrounds daily life in Baghdad creates an isolated atmosphere and a sense of futility. The idea of traveling outside the fortified zone is outlandish and only under heavy guard (the Blackwater guards accused by the Iraqi government of attacking Iraqi civilians were guarding diplomats).

The only association the diplomats have with civilian Iraqis is with those who work at the embassy.  Even those Iraq nationals fear for their lives as they are targeted as "collaborators."


Diplomáticos estadounidense que se nieguen a ir a Iraq podrán ser forzados a hacerlo, declara Rice

Alrededor de cincuenta puestos en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en Bagdad siguen vacantes pero no hay voluntarios; el Departamento de Estado ha declarado que si siguen vacantes, comenzarían a forzar las asignaciones. "Debemos seguir adelante con la identificación de oficiales para servir si es necesario dirigir asignaciones", declaró la Secretaria de Estado Condoleezza Rice este viernes.

"Si otros dan un paso al frente, como algunos han hecho, encontraremos cómo ocupar estos nuevos trabajos como hemos hecho antes – con voluntarios. No obstante, no importa cómo se ocupen, estos trabajos deben ser ocupados."

Desde que la vacante de 48 diplomáticos en la embajada fue anunciada, tan sólo 15 diplomáticos se han ofrecido para trabajar allí; las asignaciones diplomáticas son prácticamente siempre ocupadas por voluntarios.

Sin embargo, en la reunión del Departamento de Estado, Jack Crotty – un veterano del Departamento de Estado con 36 años – subrayó el principal problema: es "una potencial sentencia de muerte". "Una cosa es si alguien cree en lo que pasa allí y se ofrece", decía Crotty, "pero es otra cosa enviar a alguien en una asignación forzada", prosiguió.

No obstante, el Embajador de Estados Unidos para Iraq, Ryan Crocker, respondió que tales miedos eran equívocos: "debemos ir y servir, no debatir la política, no estar de acuerdo con ella".

Mark Bellamy, un antiguo secretario de estado asistente, quien se encuentra en el Centro de Estudios Estratégicos e Internacionales, también cuestionó la misión diplomática. "Cómo se hace la diplomacia y el trabajo de desarrollo en un ambiente tan violento como éste", demandó Bellamy. former deputy assistant secretary of state who is now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, also questioned the entire diplomatic mission.

La Zona Verde puede ser un lugar desmoralizador para que un diplomático viva. Además del riesgo físico, la violencia que rodea la vida cotidiana en Bagdad crea una atmósfera aislada. La idea de viajar más allá de la zona fortificada es estrafalario y sólo bajo gran guardia.

La única asociación que los diplomáticos tienen con iraquíes promedio es con aquellos que trabajan en la embajada. También estos iraquíes temen por sus vidas, ya que son catalogados de "contribuidores".


American hostage Tom Fox found dead in Iraq

Tom Fox, an American who was among four Christian activists kidnapped in Iraq in November last year, has been found dead, according to the U.S. State Department.

FBI spokesman Noel Clay reports that a body found Friday morning was Fox, 54, of Clear Brook, Virginia.

According to Iraqi officials, Fox's body had been found with gunshot wounds and his hands tied. Officials also say that he was beaten before his death.

According to Clay, further tests will be done in the United States; the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is still investigating.  Clay also said that "the State Department continues to call for the unconditional release of all other hostages".

Al-Jazeera aired video footage on Tuesday of the other three hostages, Canadians James Loney, 41, Harmeet Sooden, 32, and Norman Kember, 74, from Great Britain. The three had not been heard from since last year. The recent video release of them was filmed on February 28.


Amerikansk gisslan i Irak hittad död

Amerikanen Tom Fox kidnappades i november tillsammans med en brittisk och två kanadensiska kristna hjälparbetare av en militant grupp som kallar sig "Sanningens svärd".

Flera videofilmer av gisslan har släppts, den senaste nu i veckan visade de övriga i gisslan men Tom Fox saknades.

Tom Fox kom från Virginia i östra USA. Han blev 54 år och hade arbetat för olika människorättsorganisationer i Irak under två års tid.

Den organisation han arbetade för beklagade i ett uttalande hans bortgång och uppmanade alla att inte demonisera andra oavsett vad de gjort.

Denna artikel är en kort telegramartikel. Vet du mer om ämnet den beskriver kan du hjälpa till med att utvidga den.

21 juli 2010: Nyheter kort: 29 januari 2005
24 mars 2008: 4000 amerikanska soldater döda i Irak
3 mars 2008: Bilbomber dödar 19 i Bagdad
1 februari 2008: Bombdåd i Bagdad bröt nedåtgående våldstrend
24 januari 2008: Ny irakisk flagga utan Saddam Hussein

29 juni 2008: Fångade räddningsverkare i Somalia frisläppta
27 mars 2006: Gisslan i Nigeria släppt
23 mars 2006: Fredsaktivister i Irak fritagna
11 mars 2006: Talibaner kidnappade albaner
11 mars 2006: Amerikansk gisslan i Irak hittad död

• Irak
 • Kidnappningar

• Irak
• Kidnappning

Händelser 10 mars • mars • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 9

Publiceringar 11 mars • mars • 2006 • kvartal 1 • vecka 10


Amnesty International calls for Guantanamo shutdown

In their annual report on human rights Amnesty International Secretary General, Irene Khan, said "Guantanamo has become the gulag of our time." In this 308-page report, they also called for the United States to shut down the Guantanamo prison.

The report continues the critical analysis of the actions of the U.S. government, but criticism is sharper. The introduction to the report states "The 'war on terror' appeared more effective in eroding international human rights principles than in countering international 'terrorism'."

In calling for changes from the U.S. government, especially regarding Guantanamo Bay, Amnesty International's voice is joined with calls from both the International Red Cross (IRC) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The IRC has said it reported to the U.S. government detainee's reports of desecration of the Qur'an.

The ACLU's Freedom of Information Act requests turned up U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports which echo the IRC's concerns. The documents are purported to show a consistency with reports from detainees of abuse to their religious symbols, as well as reports of beatings and other interrogation methods.

Amnesty International's Secretary General, in her introduction to the report, points to the United State's foreign and military policy as providing a justification for other governments to ignore human rights.

"The USA, as the unrivalled political, military and economic hyper-power, sets the tone for governmental behaviour worldwide. When the most powerful country in the world thumbs its nose at the rule of law and human rights, it grants a licence to others to commit abuse with impunity," said Irene Khan.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan responded saying the report's allegations were "ridiculous and unsupported by the facts. The United States is leading the way when it comes to protecting human rights and promoting human dignity. We have liberated 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have worked to advance freedom and democracy in the world so that people are governed under a rule of law and that there are... protections in place for minority rights, that women's rights are advanced so that women can fully participate in societies where now they cannot", as well as supporting the fight against AIDS in Africa.

About the allegations of abuse at Guantanamo, which McClellan has previously called isolated incidents, he said, "We hold people accountable when there is abuse. We take steps to prevent it from happening again, and we do so in a very public way for the world to see that we lead by example, and that we do have values that we hold very dearly and believe in."


Amnistía Internacional pide el cierre de la base de Guantánamo en su más reciente informe

26 de mayo de 2005Londres, Reino Unido — En su informe anual, de 308 páginas, publicado este miércoles, Amnistía Internacional denuncia la grave situación de los derechos humanos en el mundo. La secretaria general de la organización, Irene Khan, dijo que "Guantánamo se ha convertido en el gulag de nuestro tiempo, consolidando la práctica de la detención arbitraria e indefinida en violación del derecho internacional" y pidió a Estados Unidos el cierre definitivo de la prisión, ubicada en Cuba.

Las críticas son aún más fuertes. En su introducción, el informe dice que "la 'guerra contra el terror' parece más efectiva desgastando los principios de los derechos humanos internacionales que combatiendo el 'terrorismo' internacional". Agrega que "Estados Unidos, en su calidad de hiperpotencia política, militar y económica sin rival en el mundo, marca la pauta del comportamiento de los gobiernos a nivel mundial [...] Cuando el país más poderoso del mundo se burla del Estado de derecho y de los derechos humanos, está dando permiso para que otros países cometan abusos con impunidad y audacia".

Kahn mencionó las fotografías de los abusos a prisioneros iraquíes en la cárcel de Abu Ghraib, abusos que nunca se investigaron del todo. Además, criticó la actitud de Estados Unidos respecto de su propia prohibición de la tortura: "El Gobierno estadounidense se ha empleado a fondo para restringir la aplicación de los Convenios de Ginebra y 'redefinir' la tortura".

"Los gobiernos están tratando de tercerizar la tortura. No se niega la justicia, se desvía", agregó Khan, haciendo referencia a la supuesta entrega de prisioneros a países donde la tortura no está prohibida. "Argumentar que la tortura está justificada, es hacernos volver a la Edad Media".

El vocero de la Casa Blanca, Scott McClellan, respondió diciendo que los alegatos del informe son "ridículos y poco sustentados por los hechos. Los Estados Unidos lideran la protección de los derechos humanos y la promoción de la dignidad humana. Hemos liberado a 50 millones de personas en Iraq y Afganistán. Hemos trabajado por el avance de la libertad y la democracia en el mundo para que la gente sea gobernada por las reglas de la ley y que hay protecciones a los derechos de las minorías, que los derechos de las mujeres han avanzado tanto que ellas puedan participar totalmente en sociedades donde ahora no pueden", así como el apoyo a la lucha contra el SIDA en África.

Respecto de los alegatos de abusos en Guantánamo, que McClellan había calificado anteriormente de incidentes aislados, el vocero dijo que "retenemos a los responsables cuando hay abuso. Tomamos medidas para evitar que suceda de nuevo y lo hacemos de una manera tan notoria para que el mundo vea lo que predicamos con el ejemplo, y que tenemos valores que conservamos y en los que creemos mucho".

En el informe se dice que "las instituciones democráticas y el Estado de derecho estuvieron en peligro en una gran parte de Latinoamérica. La inestabilidad política, fomentada por la corrupción, el crimen organizado, las desigualdades económicas y el malestar social, acarreó varios intentos de hacer caer gobiernos. La mayoría de ellos se realizaron por medios constitucionales, pero algunos, como en Haití, no respetaron el proceso democrático".

Respecto de la 'guerra contra el terror', afirma que se halla muy entremezclada con la 'guerra contra las drogas' y que "tras las elecciones de noviembre en Estados Unidos, el gobierno del presidente Bush animó a los gobiernos de la región a incrementar el protagonismo del ejército en las operaciones de orden público y de seguridad interior. Al difuminarse la distinción entre la misión del ejército y la de la policía, gobiernos como los de Brasil, Guatemala, Honduras, México y Paraguay utilizaron fuerzas militares para combatir la delincuencia y la agitación social".

También critica la presencia norteamericana en Colombia, donde EUA "duplicó el máximo de efectivos estadounidenses desplegados en operaciones de contrainsurgencia y antinarcóticos. A su vez, el gobierno colombiano insistió en redefinir el conflicto interno que asolaba el país desde hacía 40 años como parte de la 'guerra contra el terror' internacional".

Pero también menciona los continuos esfuerzos para "combatir la impunidad por las graves violaciones de derechos humanos perpetradas en las últimas décadas", como las detenciones de algunos militares del Cono Sur implicados en la llamada Operación Cóndor y el proceso que se le sigue al ex dictador chileno Augusto Pinochet.

Sin embargo, destaca que en algunos países se mantienen los fueros de militares y policías. A su vez, critica las presiones de Estados Unidos "a los gobiernos de la región para que firmaran acuerdos de inmunidad ilegítimos que impedían la entrega de ciudadanos estadounidenses a la Corte Penal Internacional. Estados Unidos recortó la ayuda militar a 10 de los 12 países que se negaron a suscribir acuerdos de esta naturaleza. En noviembre, el Congreso estadounidense amenazó con cortar la ayuda al desarrollo a los países que se negaran a firmar".

Otro asunto es la violencia contra las mujeres y niñas, haciendo énfasis en la vulnerabilidad que sufren en situaciones de conflicto: "En Colombia, todas las partes implicadas en el conflicto sometieron a las mujeres y las niñas a actos de violencia sexual, incluidas la violación y la amputación de los genitales. Se las perseguía para sembrar el terror, vengarse de los adversarios y acumular 'trofeos de guerra'".

Finalmente, el informe destaca los esfuerzos de los defensores y activistas de los derechos humanos en la región pese a las "intimidaciones, restricciones para viajar, acusaciones infundadas de tener vínculos "terroristas" o ejercer otras actividades violentas, detenciones arbitrarias, cargos penales falsos e incluso la muerte".

Y recalca que Brasil es el único país que "respondió a la petición efectuada por el representante especial de la ONU sobre la situación de los defensores de los derechos humanos y por Amnistía Internacional para que los gobiernos elaboraran, publicaran y llevaran a cabo planes operativos con el fin de aplicar la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Defensores de los Derechos Humanos".


Anistia Internacional pede para que Base de Guantânamo seja fechada

Em  seu relatório anual, de  308 páginas, publicado esta quarta-feira, a Anistia Internacional denuncia a grave situação dos direitos humanos no mundo. A secretária geral da organização, Irene Khan, também disse que a base de "Guantânamo se converteu no gulag de  nosso tempo, consolidando a prática da detenção arbitrária e indefinida em  violação do direito internacional" e pediu aos  Estados Unidos o fechamento definitivo da prisão, localizada em  Cuba.

Em  sua introdução, o relatório diz que "a 'guerra contra o terror' parece mais efetiva desgastando os princípios dos direitos humanos internacionais que combatendo o 'terrorismo' internacional". Agrega que os "Estados Unidos, em  sua qualidade de  superpotência política, militar e econômica sem rival no mundo, marca a pauta do comportamento dos governos a  nível mundial (...) Quando o país mais poderoso do mundo se burla do Estado de  direito e dos direitos humanos, está dando permissão para que outros países cometam abusos com impunidade e audácia".

Kahn mencionou as fotografias dos abusos a  prisioneiros iraquianos no cárcere de  Abu Ghraib. Ademais, criticou a atitude dos  Estados Unidos a respeito de  sua própria proibição da tortura: "O Governo estadounidense se empregou a  fundo para restringir a aplicação dos Convênios de  Genebra e 'redefinir' a tortura". "Os governos estão tratando de  tercerizar a tortura. Não se nega a justiça, desvia-se", agregou, fazendo referência à suposta entrega de  prisioneiros a  países onde a tortura não está proibida. "Argumentar que a tortura está justificada, é fazer-nos voltar à Idade Média", concluiu Khan.

O porta-voz da Casa Branca Scott McClellan respondeu dizendo que os relatos do relatório são "ridículos e pouco sustentados pelos fatos. Os Estados Unidos lideram a proteção dos direitos humanos e a promoção da dignidade humana. Liberamos a  50 milhões de  pessoas no  Iraque e  Afeganistão. Trabalhamos pelo avanço da liberdade e a democracia no mundo para que a gente seja governada pelas regras da lei e que há proteções aos direitos das minorias, que os direitos das mulheres avançaram tanto que elas possam participar totalmente em  sociedades onde agora não podem", bem como o apoio à luta contra o aids em  África.

A respeito dos alegados de abusos em Guantánamo, que McClellan tinha qualificado anteriormente de incidentes isolados, o porta-voz disse que os responsáveis são presos quando há abuso. Tomamos medidas para evitar que suceda de novo e o fazemos de uma maneira tão notória para que o mundo veja   o que pregamos com o exemplo, e que temos valores que conservamos e nos quais cremos muito".


Anas Sarwar wins leadership of Scottish Labour party

Today, Anas Sarwar has been elected as leader of Scottish Labour ahead of Scottish Parliament elections scheduled for May 6.  Sarwar, a Member of the Scottish Parliament from Glasgow, beat out Monica Lennon with a vote of 57.6% to Lennon's 42.4%, the BBC reported.  The leadership election was triggered by the resignation of Richard Leonard.

In his acceptance speech, Sarwar said, "I want to say directly to the people of Scotland, I know Labour has a lot of work to do to win back your trust.  Because if we're brutally honest, you haven't had the Scottish Labour Party you deserve.  With rising injustice, inequality and division, I'm sorry we haven't been good enough.  And I will work day and night to change that, so we can build the country we all need."

Sarwar has received congratulations in his win from both allies and political rivals, including Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie.


Balotrezultoj en Skotlando: Anas Sarwar fariĝos la estro de la Skota Laborista Partio

La 27-an de februaro, Anas Sarwar (ANas SARŭar) estas elektita kiel la estro de la Skota Laborista Partio anticipe de ĝenerala skotparlamenta voĉdonado fiksita je la 6-a de majo.

Sarwar, kiu estas membro de la Skota Parlamento reprezentanta Glasgovon, superis sian balotkonkuranton Monica Lennon: la du kandidatoj ricevis 57,6 kaj 42,4 elcentoj de la sumo de voĉoj, respektive, laŭ kalkulo de la Brita Dissenda Korporacio. La balotadon instigis la eksiĝo de l' antaŭa partiestro Richard Leonard.

En sia postvenka parolado, Sarwar komentis: «Mi volas diri rekte al la popolo de Skotlando ke mi scias, ke la Laborista Partio devas labori multe por reakiri vian fidon. Ĉar se paroli brutale honeste, la Skota Laborista Partio ne estas tia, kian vi meritas. Konsiderante la pliiĝantajn maljuston, neegalecon kaj dividitecon, mi bedaŭras ke ni ne estas sufiĉe bonaj. Kaj mi laboros tage kaj nokte por ŝanĝi tion, por ke ni povu konstrui tian landon, kian bezonas ni ĉiuj.»

Sarwar ricevis gratulojn pro sia estriĝo kaj de apogantoj kaj de rivaloj, inkluzive la estron de la Laborista Partio Keir Starmer, la skotlandan ĉefministron Nicola Sturgeon, la estron de la Skota Konservisma Partio Douglass Ross, kaj la estron Skota Liberaldemokratia partio Willie Rennie.


Andrej Kiska elected fourth President of the Slovak Republic

An independent candidate Andrej Kiska won Slovakia's presidential election with 59.38 percent of the vote, official results published Sunday by the Statistics Office say.

His rival, incumbent Prime Minister and the official candidate of ruling Smer-SD (Direction – Social Democracy) party Robert Fico received 40.61 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was 50.48 percent. 51-year-old self-made businessman Andrej Kiska is the first Slovak president without previous experience in politics, and the first who has never belonged to the Communist Party, since Slovakia became an independent country in 1993. Kiska is to be inaugurated as the fourth President on June 15, and be president for the next five years.

In a press conference late Saturday, Kiska thanked his voters and supporters, before vowing: "As the president I will stand up for the people, for every decent person of our country. And I promise I will try to humanize our politics, to re-establish trust and decency, because people are frustrated of disputes. As the president I will do everything to make our politics more human." ((sk))Slovak language: Ako prezident budem stáť za nimi, budem stáť za ľuďmi, za každým slušným človekom našej krajiny.  A sľubujem, sľubujem, že to, čo tak veľmi potrebujeme sa pokúsim naplniť. Pokúsim sa poľudštiť našu politiku. Pokúsim sa vrátiť naspäť dôveru, slušné slovo, pretože ľudia sú už znechutení z hádok a zo všetkého. Ako prezident spravím všetko preto, aby sa stala naša politika, na Slovensku, ľudskejšia.

Millionaire Kiska made his fortune in the financial industry. In 2006 he co-founded charitable foundation Good Angel, working with cancer victims.  Most of his money has been given to charity,  and he has sold off his businesses.

He announced his presidential candidature for this election before anyone else, about two years ago. Kiska said he chose to stand after witnessing impediments to his business and charitable work. He focused on his independence from other politicians and financial expertise.

Fico's party controls most of Slovakia's power institutions. A bitter election campaign saw Fico wage a smear campaign against Kiska, who has filed criminal allegations against Fico.  Incumbent President Ivan Gasparovic's term ends June 15, with Kiska taking the reigns at a swearing-in the same day.

Despite remaining out of recession, Slovakia suffers high unemployment  which coupled with recent corruption allegations has shaken electorate faith in Fico and mainstream politics generally. Kiska promised to tackle corruption.  His run-off election bid against Fico was widely supported by mainstream parties and defeated candidates from the previous round of elections.

Results:


Novým slovenským prezidentem se stal Andrej Kiska

Ve čtvrtých přímých prezidentských volbách na Slovensku vyhrál slovenský podnikatel Andrej Kiska s 59,4 % hlasy. Druhý kandidát a slovenský premiér, Robert Fico, získal 40,6 % hlasů. Fico už během sčítání hlasů svému soupeři pogratuloval k vítězství.

V prvním kole prezidentských voleb vyhrál Robert Fico s 28 %, následoval ho Andrej Kiska s 24 %.


Andrej Kiska estas nova prezidento de Slovakio

En la 4-a prezidenta elekto en Slovakio estis elektita slovaka enteprenisto Andrej Kiska kun 59,4 % da voĉoj. La dua kandidato kaj slovaka ĉefministro, Robert Fico, ricevis 40,6 % da voĉoj. Fico jam dum kalkulado de voĉoj gratulis al sia rivalo pro venko.


Angela Merkel elected new German chancellor

Angela Merkel has been elected the first female chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany; she succeeds Gerhard Schröder after his seven years as head of government.

Merkel received 397 of the 612 votes cast in the Bundestag. Schröder was the first to congratulate her before she accepted the election. The newly formed grand coalition of Social (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) holds a total of 448 seats in the Bundestag.

Later in the day, Merkel took the oath of office and president Horst Köhler officially appointed her along with her cabinet.

Angela Merkel was born 1954 in Hamburg. After her birth her father was offered a pastorship in East Germany (GDR) and the family moved there. She studied physics in Leipzig where she earned her PhD. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Merkel became involved in the East German democracy movement, joining the Demokratischer Aufbruch. She was spokeswoman of the first and last freely elected prime minister of the GDR, Lothar de Maizière. After the reunification Merkel served as minister of youth and family in the government of Helmut Kohl during the years 1990 – 1994 and later as minister of the environment from 1994 – 1998. In 2000 she became head of the Christian Democrats and in the following Federal election of 2002 she stood aside, letting Edmund Stoiber of the Bavarian CSU be the failed Christian Democrats candidate for the chancellorship.  When Gerhard Schröder called for an early election in May of this year, Merkel received the nomination of her party.

Outgoing Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, was born during 1944 in Blomberg. His father died in World War II, only a few months after Schröder's birth. He initially worked as a sales clerk and earned his high school diploma studying at night. He studied law in Göttingen and worked at the University there, joining the Social Democrats and became chair of the Young Socialists, the youth organisation of the party. In 1980 he was elected to the Bundestag and later became governor of Lower-Saxony. In 1998 he was the SPD's successful candidate for chancellor, forming a coalition government with The Greens. After the resignation of Oskar Lafontaine in 1999, Schröder also became chair of the SPD, a post he held until 2004. His coalition was re-elected in 2002.

After a humiliating defeat of SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia, Schröder called for an early election. During a tough campaign, Schröder managed to get the SPD nearly as many votes as the CDU, clawing back a significant advantage the party had over his entering the campaign.

Schröder announced that he will give up his seat in the Bundestag and practise as a lawyer again.