Le Dalaï lama menace de démissionner si la situation s'aggrave au Tibet

Tenzin Gyatso, le 14e Dalaï lama, a menacé de démissionner si la situation « devenait incontrôlable » au Tibet, où 13 à 100 personnes ont été tuées pendant de violentes manifestations contre la Chine.

Lors d'une conférence de presse à Dharamsala, en Inde, le Dalaï lama a indiqué qu'il était opposé à l'usage de la violence contre les lois chinoises : « La violence est un quasi-suicide. [...]
Même si 1000 Tibétains sacrifiaient leur vie, cela serait inutile ». Toutefois, il reconnaît que de nombreux Tibétains radicaux ont critiqué sa position de non-violence et il estime que sa seule option serait de « complètement démissionner » si le bain de sang continue.

Après ces déclarations, son secrétaire, Tenzin Taklha, a indiqué qu'il serait impossible pour le Dalaï lama de démissionner en tant que chef spirituel du Tibet et qu'il sera seulement en mesure de démissionner en tant que dirigeant politique. « Si les Tibétains choisissaient la voie de la violence, il devra démissionner parce qu'il est totalement engagé dans la voie de la non-violence » a déclaré Tenzin Taklha « Il démissionnerai en tant que chef politique et chef de l'État, mais pas comme Dalaï lama. Il sera toujours le Dalaï lama. ».

Le Dalaï lama a également répondu aux accusations du Premier ministre chinois, Wen Jiabao, qui a affirmer disposer de preuves établissant que les émeutes étaient « organisées, préméditées, conçues et incitées par l'entourage du Dalaï lama ». Tenzin Gyatso a invité la Chine à mener des investigations dans son quartier général à Dharamsala : « Fouillez tous nos bureaux ! [...] Ils peuvent examiner mon pouls, mon urine, mon tabouret, tout ! ». Il a suggéré que les Chinois eux-mêmes auraient pu orchestré les manifestations afin de le discréditer : « Il est possible que certains agents chinois y sont impliquées. Parfois, les régimes totalitaires sont très intelligents : il est donc important de mener une enquête. »

L'accusation de Wen Jiabao est survenue à la fin de la conférence de fin de session du Parlement chinois. Le Premier ministre a estimé que les émeutes au Tibet visaient à « miner les Jeux olympiques de Pékin ». Il a ajouté que « les revendications cohérentes formulées par la clique de Dalaï lama indiquant qu'elle ne cherche pas l'indépendance, mais un simple dialogue pacifique, ne sont que des mensonges. ». Wen Jiabao a rappelé que la Chine était prête à ouvrir des négociations avec le Dalaï lama, dès qu'il reconnaitrait le Tibet et Taiwan comme des « parties inaliénable du territoire chinois ». Le Dalaï lama a répliqué en invitant Wen Jiabao à venir lui parler : « Si les Chinois accepte la réalité du problème tibétain et de le traiter de manière réaliste, nous pourrions résoudre ce problème en quelques heures. ».

Bien que la Chine soupçonne le Dalaï lama et ses partisans de souhaiter rompre tout contrôle chinois, Tenzin Gyatso a estimé que « l'indépendance est hors de question », préconisant plutôt une plus grande autonomie au sein de la Chine : « Nous ne devons pas développer de sentiments anti-chinois. Nous devons vivre ensemble, côte à côte. » Il a annoncé son intention de rencontrer les Tibétains exilés, actuellement en marche de l'Inde vers Lhassa, pour leur expliquer que leur démarche était vaine. « Allez-vous obtenir l'indépendance ? À quoi ça sert ? » leur a-t-il demandé, en les invitant à s'arrêter à la frontière.

Pendant ce temps, la Chine a continué à arrêter les personnes impliquées dans les manifestations de Lhassa, après minuit, heure butoir avant laquelle les manifestants pouvaient se rendre (mais aucun ne s'est visiblement rendu). Quatre camions de l'armée transportant des dizaines de prisonniers menotés ont été vus. Urgen Tenzin, directeur exécutif du Centre tibétain pour les droits de l'homme et la démocratie, a estimé à 600 le nombre de Tibétains arrêtés lundi. Des policiers patrouillent dans les rues de Lhassa, avec des matraques et des fusils, en vérifiant des papiers d'identité. « Quand les combats ont commencé, on ne voyait aucun Chinois. » a raconté John Kenwood, un touriste canadien. « À présent, il n'y plus de Tibétains dans la rue. Les plus jeunes sont probablement entrés dans la clandestinité. » Les manifestations, qui ont commencé à Lhassa, se sont depuis étendues à des provinces voisines. Dans Aba, dans la province du Sichuan, 17 personnes seraient décédées.

La communauté internationale a maintes fois exhorté la Chine à la retenue face aux manifestants et d'entamer des pourparlers avec le Dalaï lama. La Secrétaire d'État des États-Unis, Condoleezza Rice, a ainsi déclaré lundi : « Nous avons vraiment exhorté le régime chinois pendant plusieurs années à trouver un moyen de parler avec le Dalaï-Lama, qui est une figure d'autorité et qui n'est pas un séparatiste, et de trouver une moyen de l'impliquer avec son poids moral pour une solution durable et acceptable de la question tibétaine. »


Kinas premiärminister: "Dalai lama bakom våldet"

Publiceringar 18 mars • mars 2008 • kvartal 1 • vecka 12


Danish Prime Minister calls an election for 2007

The Prime Minister of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has called for snap elections for Denmark's unicameral parliament, the Folketing. The parliamentary election will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. The call follows over a month of rumours in the media.

Rasmussen made the announcement in an address to the Folketing at 1:06 p.m. CEST (UTC+2), stating that the current administration was not stepping down and that the election is to be held now to avoid having speculation dominate the current political debates.

The last election was held on February 8, 2005 for a term of four years. In Denmark, however, the Prime Minister has the option to dissolve the parliament and call a snap election at any time before the four years are up.

The current government coalition consisting of Venstre (Rasmussen's Liberal party) and Conservative People's Party has not resigned and seeks re-election. It has been the governing coalition in Denmark since 2001. The Danish People's Party backs the current government but is not part of it.

Recent opinion polls indicate the minority government and its supporting party would still command a majority among Danish voters.


El Primer Ministro danés llama a elecciones para 2007

24 de octubre de 2007Copenhague, Dinamarca —

El Primer Ministro de Dinamarca, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, ha llamado a elecciones parlamentarias para el 13 de noviembre de 2007; el anuncio ocurre luego de un mes de rumores en la prensa.

Rasmussen hizo su declaración a las 9 a.m., afirmando que la administración actual no se retiraría; la elección fue llamada para evitar que las especulaciones dominen las discusiones del Folketing, el parlamento danés.

Las últimas elecciones fueron hechas el 8 de febrero de 2005, por un mandato de 4 años. En Dinamarca, sin embargo, el Primer Ministro puede disolver el parlamento en cualquier momento.

El gobierno actual, en manos del Venstre (el Partido Liberal de Rasmussen) y el Partido Popular Conservador no se ha resiganado y busca reelecciones. Esta ha sido la coalición gobernante en Dinamarca desde 2001. El Partido Popular Danés, por su parte, apoya al gobierno pero no es parte de éste.


Darfur declares Swedish Foreign Minister unwelcome

According to the governor of Darfur, Swedish Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Carin Jämtin is not welcome in the region due to Sweden's involvement in the Mohammed Cartoons controversy. Her planned visit has now been cancelled for security reasons. Jämtin's press secretary, John Zanchi, believes that the true motivation is that Darfur's governor wants as little foreign involvement as possible in the local conflict. Sweden has been actively working to send UN peacekeepers to the region.

Jämtin had earlier stated a desire to visit Darfur after receiving worrying reports of the humanitarian situation there. Her visit had been cleared by the government in Khartoum. The Foreign Minister will continue her trip to other parts of Sudan, including a visit to the Vice President.


Le ministre des Affaires étrangères suédois persona non grata au Darfour

Selon le gouverneur du Darfour, le ministre des Affaires étrangères suédois Carin Jämtin n'est pas le bienvenu dans la région du fait des caricatures de Mahomet issues de la Suède. Sa visite a été reportée pour raisons de sécurité. L'attaché de presse ministre, John Zanchi, croit que la vraie raison est que le gouverneur du Darfour ne veut pas qu'il y ait beaucoup de personnalités occidentales à se mêler du conflit qui règne dans ce pays. La Suède est fortement impliquée dans l'envoi d'ambassadeurs pacifistes de l'ONU dans la région.

Jämtin avait précédemment exprimé son désir d'aller au Darfour compte tenu de la situation humanitaire là-bas. Sa visite a été refusée par le gouvernement de Khartoum. Le ministre fera néanmoins son voyage dans d'autres parties du Soudan en incluant une visite au Vice-Président.


David Blunkett is not the father of Kimberly Quinn's son

DNA tests have proven that David Blunkett is not the father of Kimberley Quinn's baby son, Lorcan. The spokesman of the former minister said that test,  categorically denies that David Blunkett is the father of Ms. Quinn's second son Lorcan. The test was carried out a few weeks ago with consent of both parties.

However Stephen Quinn, the real father, attacked Blunkett by saying "We are angry that Mr Blunkett has yet again chosen to talk to the press about... our family."

Mr. Blunkett was the former home secretary in the United Kingdom, until he resigned after it emerged that he had had an affair with Mrs. Quinn.


David Blunkett não é o pai do filho de Kimberly Quinn

Os testes de ADN provaram que  David Blunkett não é o pai de Lorcan, o bebê de Kimberley Quinn. O porta-voz do ex-ministro britânico disse que o teste, categoricamente,  nega que David Blunkett seja o pai do segundo filho de Quin.
O teste foi realizado  há algumas semanas com o consentimento de ambas as partes.

Contudo, Stephen Quinn, o verdadeiro pai, atacou Blunkett dizendo: "Estamos  zangados porque o sr. Blunkett mais uma vez  decidiu falar para a imprensa sobre ... a nossa família."

Blunkett foi  secretário de assuntos domésticos  do Reino Unido, até que  renunciou depois que surgiu a notícia que ele esteve envolvido com a senhora  Quinn. O teste de ADN elimina qualquer dúvida a respeito de Stephen Quinn ser o verdadeiro pai da criança.


David Cameron advocates a new "British" approach to a multicultural UK

David Cameron, leader of the U.K. Conservative Party, has outlined his vision for the future of a multicultural Britain in an article published in the Observer on January 28, 2007.

In a sharp criticism of the efforts launched by the Labour government to promote national identity - which include among other things a Britishness test for those wanting to become UK citizens - he  advocates "a common culture defined by pluralism and tolerance and a distinctively British approach (calm, thoughtful, reasonable) to potentially incendiary issues."

Cameron agrees that there is a substantial alienation and division in the UK today and that "many thousands, maybe millions, feel shut out, under attack." However, he underlines that the way forward is not bullying people into Britishness but inspiring them to feel British.

According to him, this can only be achieved by offering equal opportunities and a quality education to everybody without denying anyone the chance to escape poverty and to fulfill their dreams.


Royaume-Uni : David Cameron défend une approche britannique de la multiculturalité du pays

David Cameron, chef du parti conservateur britannique a indiqué sa vision du futur d'une Grande-Bretagne multiculturelle dans un article publié par le journal The Observer le 28 janvier 2007.

Dans une critique acérée des efforts produits par le gouvernement du parti travailliste pour promouvoir l'identité nationale - qui inclut parmi d'autres choses un test de « britannicité » [1] pour les candidats à la citoyenneté du Royaume - il plaide pour « une culture commune définiée par le pluralisme et la tolérance et une approche distinctement britannique (calme, réfléchie, raisonnable) des sujets potentiellement incendiaires ».

Cameron est d'accord sur le fait qu'il existe une aliénation substantielle et une division au Royaume-Uni aujourd'hui et que « plusieurs milliers, voire millions, se sentent conspués, attaqués ». Cependant, il souligne que la solution n'est pas d'enchaîner ces gens à la britannicité mais faire en sorte qu'ils se sentent britanniques.

Selon lui, cela peut être accompli à la condition sine qua non d'offrir des occasions égales et une éducation de qualité à chacun sans nier à qui que se soit la chance d'échapper à la pauvreté et d'accomplir leurs rêves.


David Cameron elected new UK Conservative Leader

David Cameron has been elected the new leader of the United Kingdom  Conservative Party, beating off his rival David Davis by a factor of two to one in a postal ballot of the nationwide party membership.

The thirty-nine year old has said he is committed to an agenda of reform within his party, characterised by his 'Change to Win' leadership campaign.


David Cameron est le nouveau chef du Parti Conservateur anglais

David Cameron a été élu chef du Parti Conservateur anglais, battant son rival David Davis en recueillant 2 fois plus de voix dans ce suffrage national par correpondance.

Sa campagne centrée sur l'idée de "Changer pour gagner" (Change to Win) correspond à sa volonté de réformer son parti.
Il fut le ministre de l'éducation dans le "shadow gouvernment" et succéde à Michael Howard


Day 7 of the Hezbollah-Israel conflict

One week has passed since Israel responded to a Hezbollah attack along the Lebanon-Israel border. There is no immediate end of the conflict in sight as Israeli airborne, naval and ground units have pounded a wide array of targets in Lebanon. Hezbollah in turn has launched rocket and missile attacks on northern Israel.

The Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora condemned Israel saying their attacks have been "opening the gates of hell and madness". He reiterated the Lebanese government position, urging Hezbollah to release Israeli soldiers, and calling on Israel to cease its attacks, terming them "disproportionate". However, an Israeli general said that the offensive could go on for weeks to come.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert claimed that last week's kidnappings were a timed attempt to divert attention from Iran's nuclear programme. The Rapporteur of Iran's Majlis' National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazem Jalali dismissed the allegation, denying any such role.

The civilian population in Lebanon has taken the largest toll in the conflict; 200 Lebanese civilians have been reported to be killed in the past seven days, 30 of them today. As a result of Hezbollah fire, at least 24 Israelis have been reported killed, including 9 civilians at the Haifa train station.  In addition, 30 Lebanese soldiers have died without engaging Israeli units. Eleven of them were killed today in an Israeli air strike on a Lebanese army base east of Beirut. A Lebanese barracks was also hit yesterday, killing several soldiers.

The United Nations want an international peace contingent to be stationed in southern Lebanon to stop Hezbollah from firing missiles into Israel. The force would act as a stabilisation force against attacks from both sides in the conflict.

500,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon by the violence which could end in a humanitarian disaster, UN said.

A UN team was in Israel today, holding talks with the Israeli FM about a possible ceasefire agreement. However, the minister reiterated Israel's ultimatum that its two soldiers should be released and the Lebanese government posts troops in southern Lebanon before agreeing on a ceasefire. Lebanon say they fear posting soldiers in it's southern region could spark a civil war in the country.

Hezbollah militants have also today fired rockets on towns in northern Israel. Haifa, Acre, Kiryat Shemona and the region of Gush Halav have been hit. One Israeli was killed. Hezbollah have made comparisons between the Israeli "enemy combatants" they are holding without trial, and the inmates of Guantanamo Bay who they say have a similar status.

Today, transport trucks were again targeted by warplanes. Israel says it believed that the trucks were transporting missiles for Hezbollah. The Israeli military say 750 Hezbollah rockets, missiles and mortars have so far been fired since the start of the crisis.

Hundreds of foreigners have been evacuated from Lebanon by any available transportation. Ships, helicopters and buses have been used  by several European countries and the United States to ferry their citizens out of the country.


イスラエル軍とヒズボラの戦闘続く、死者は200人を突破

ヒズボラによるイスラエル兵拘束への反撃として始まったイスラエル軍のレバノン攻撃が続いている。18日で攻撃が始まった11日から1週間が過ぎ、朝日新聞によるとレバノンでの死者は200人、イスラエルでの死者は25人を超えた。

ロイターによるとイスラエル軍は、レバノン領内のヒズボラの拠点を短時間のうちに攻撃してすぐに撤退させる、という方法をとっている。

アルジャジーラによると、イスラエル軍はベイルートなどを空爆している。一方のヒズボラは、イスラエル北部の都市をロケット弾などで攻撃している。

しかし朝日新聞によると、レバノンではヒズボラとは関係のない多数の民間人が犠牲になっている。またイスラエル軍は、戦闘が数週間に渡って長引く可能性があるとしている。

アルジャジーラによるとイスラエルは、イスラエル兵の解放とヒズボラの武装解除を休戦の条件として挙げている。

この戦闘に対して世界各国や国際機関も動きを見せ始めている。

読売新聞によると、国際連合のアナン事務総長は、両軍の戦闘停止を目的とする大規模な国際部隊の構想を示しており、欧州連合のバローゾ委員長も支持する考え。これに対しヨーロッパ各国も支持を表明している。

毎日新聞によると特にイタリアでは、プローディ政権の閣僚が、中東の不安定の要因を作っているとしてイスラエルやアメリカを批判するなど、前ベルルスコーニ政権とは様変わりしている状況で、プローディ首相は国連の国際部隊に8000人程度を派遣するとの発言もしている。

一方、アメリカのブッシュ大統領は、今回の戦闘による中東の不安定化により、シリアが2005年4月に撤退したレバノンに再進駐する可能性があると述べた。また、シリアやイランがヒズボラを後押ししている可能性も示唆した。


Sete dias depois, continua conflito entre Hizbollah e Israel

Uma semana se passou desde que   Israel respondeu a um ataque do Hizbollah na fronteira  com o Líbano. Nenhum final imediato para o conflito está à vista. Os israelenses, quer seja pelo ar,  mar ou terra investem  pesado contra alvos estratégicos no Líbano. O Hizbollah por  sua vez ataca com mísseis e foguetes contra a região norte de Israel.

O Primeiro Ministro libanês  Fouad Siniora condena os ataques de Israel e diz que eles estão "abrindo as portas de inferno e da loucura". Ele reiterou a posição do governo libanês:  clamou para   o Hizbollah libertar os soldados israelenses, e pediu para que Israel cesse os ataques, os quais chamou de "desproporcionais".

Porém, um general israelense disse que a ofensiva pode continuar ainda durante muitas semanas. O Primeiro Ministro de Israel Ehud Olmert alegou que os seqüestradores planejavam desviar a atenção do programa nuclear do Irão.

A população civil do Líbano paga o maior preço. Segundo informou-se pelas agências de notícia, cerca de  200 civis foram mortos nos últimos sete dias no Líbano. Em conseqüência do fogo de Hizbollah, pelo menos 24 israelenses foram mortos, inclusive 9 civis que estavam na estação de trem de Haifa. Morreram 30 soldados libaneses  antes mesmo de entrar em combate contra unidades israelenses.

As Nações Unidas (ONU) quer que  uma força de paz internacional seja colocada na parte sul do Líbano para fazer o  Hizbollah parar de disparar mísseis contra  Israel. A força atuaria como uma força de estabilização contra ataques de ambos os lados do conflito.

Segundo a ONU, 500 mil  pessoas no Líbano saíram de suas casas, forçadas pela violência, que pode culminar num desastre humanitário.

Uma equipe de ONU esteve em Israel na terça-feira (18), para conversar sobre  um possível acordo de cessar-fogo. O representante do governo repetiu a exigência dada por Israel para combinar um cessar-fogo:   os dois soldados israelenses raptados devem ser libertados e o governo libanês deve colocar suas tropas no sul do Líbano. O Líbano alega que colocar seus soldados nessa região pode desencadear uma guerra civil no país.

Os militantes de Hizbollah   dispararam na terça-feira (18)  foguetes contra  cidades ao   norte de Israel. Haifa, Acre, Kiryat Shemona e a região de Gush Halav foram atingidas. Um israelense foi morto. Militantes do Hizbollah fizeram comparações entre os "inimigos israelenses" que eles mantêm presos, sem julgamento, com os prisioneiros da Baía de Guantanamo; segundo  eles, uma situação semelhante.

Na terça,  caminhões de transporte foram  mais uma vez alvejados por aviões de guerra.   Segundo Israel os caminhões transportavam mísseis para o Hizbollah. Os militares israelenses dizem que desde o começo do conflito o Hizbollah já disparou 750 foguetes, mísseis ou morteiros.

Centenas de estrangeiros foram evacuadas do Líbano, por intermédio de qualquer transporte disponível. Barcos,  helicópteros e   ônibus foram usados por vários países europeus e os EUA para transportar os seus cidadãos para fora do país.


Day of attacks continue in Israel and Lebanon

Fighting continued in Israel and Lebanon as Israel attacked targets in Lebanon using aircrafts and ships. Rockets were fired from Lebanon and landed on the Israeli side of the border, Thursday. Israel called their military action "Operation Just Reward".

The clashes follow a Hezbollah raid into Israel which they called "Truthful Promise" in which Hezbollah claimed to have captured two Israeli soldiers. Israel said the men were kidnapped.

Israeli aircraft launched missiles at Beirut international airport and damaged runways and fuel stores. Additional targets were attacked, including 18 bridges, and a Hezbollah run TV station, Al-Manar, which continued to broadcast after being targeted, but later went partially off air.

45 Lebanese civilians and two soldiers were reported killed as a result of Israeli overnight raids and 103 people were injured. In some areas Israeli planes had dropped leaflets to warn residents to stay away from Hezbollah buildings.

Over 100 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel Thursday, which the Israeli Army says are the acts of Hezbollah. Two Israeli civilians were reported killed over 100 injured.

The Lebanese road communications network was targeted: 18 bridges were damaged and early on Friday the highway linking Beirut and Damascus was hit by five Israeli missiles.  The highway is the only route out of the country after the airport was shut down. Witnesses said that the road was free from traffic when the missiles hit.

In a television interview, Wednesday July 12, Brigadier Gen. Dan Halutz had told Israel's Channel 10 that if the Israeli soldiers were not returned Israel would "turn Lebanon's clock back 20 years". He also said of Lebanon "nothing is safe."

Israeli airforce attacked Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport in the Lebanese capital twice on Thursday. The first airstrike hit the airport runways. The second strike, which took place after Haifia in Israel was hit by two rockets, destroyed fuel tanks at the airport. The attacks forced cancellation of all flights to and from the airport and the closure of the facility, police and airport officials said.

Notes

Israel claims that at least two civilians died and others injured as over 100 rockets, including the Katyusha and Thunder 1, landed in northern Israel, including Haifia on Thursday. Israel said the attacks were from Hezbollah.

Notes

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had called the first Hezbollah attack on Israel "an act of war." Israel also blamed Iran and Syria for the attacks[1].

The Palestinian group Hamas described Hezbollah's July 12 attack on Israel "heroic." "This is a heroic operation carried out against military targets and so it is a legitimate operation, especially as it took place in occupied Lebanese territory," said Hamas political bureau member Mohammad Nazzal.

The European Union called Israel's use of force in Lebanon "disproportionate" but demanded Hezbollah release the two Israeli soldiers.

The United Kingdom asked for "restraint on all sides". "We call for the urgent release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers, and an end to attacks on Israeli towns and cities. And we urge all those countries with influence over Hezbollah and Hamas to play their part," said Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. But "while Israel is entitled to do what is required to protect its security, it should do so in a way which does not escalate the situation and which is proportionate and measured, conforms to international law, and avoids civilian deaths and suffering."

While a Whitehouse spokesman said America "recognised Israel's right to defend itself", U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked Israel to be more restrained. Rice also told Syria to get Hezbollah to stop their attacks on Israel.

Lebanese ministers want a ceasefire with Israel.

The Arab League want an emergency meeting to discuss the Israeli-Lebanon crisis. Yemen asked for an official Arab summit. "We are concerned about an escalation," said an Arab League official.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that an Israeli strike on Syria would be considered "attacking the whole Islamic world and this regime will receive a very fierce response".

In related news, the United States vetoed a UN condemnation of Israel on Thursday. The draft vetoed was proposed by Qatar and demanded that Israel pulled back its forces from the Gaza Strip.

The turmoil in the Middle East has led to record high prices for oil, which is now trading at $76.70 a barrel.

The stock market in Tel Aviv closed down 4.3 percent on Thursday. The Shekel has also slipped against the dollar.

Other international events are also having it say on stock markets worldwide as investors are keeping their eyes on North Korea and Iran's nuclear ambitions in addition to the situation in the Middle East.

Thomas McIntyre at McIntyre, Freedman & Flynn put it this way: "We're having a complete breakdown in attitude toward the stock market. In a declining market, everything that's wrong in the world seems more important."


Israel rückt in den Süden Libanons vor

Beirut (Libanon), 13.07.2006 – Die israelische Armee ist gestern in den Süden des Libanon vorgerückt. An der Operation beteiligten sich Luft-, See- und Bodenstreitkräfte. Die Aktion geschah in Folge einer Entführung von zwei Soldaten durch die Organisation Hisbollah, die im Süden des Landes stark vertreten ist.

Die Entführung der beiden Soldaten wird von Israel als Kriegshandlung des Libanon interpretiert. Die libanesische Regierung wurde direkt für die Entführung verantwortlich gemacht.

Bereits am gestrigen Morgen reagierte Israel mit der Durchführung einer großangelegten Militäraktion gegen seinen nördlichen Nachbarn. Nach heftigen Artilleriegefechten an der Grenze wurden gleichzeitig Angriffe vom Boden, aus der Luft und auf dem Wasser durchgeführt. Berichten des israelischen Rundfunks zufolge wurden 30 Ziele aus der Luft angegriffen. Die Angriffe galten vermuteten Stellungen der Hisbollah sowie der Verkehrsinfrastruktur im Süden Libanons. Auf israelischer Seite wurden 6.000 Reservisten zum Militärdienst an der Grenze zum Libanon einberufen. Mit diesem Militäraufgebot soll möglicherweise eine Großoffensive auf libanesisches Territorium vorgetragen werden.


L'armée israélienne entre au Liban pour reprendre des soldats enlevés


Israele colpisce Beirut


以色列攻擊黎巴嫩 雙方爆發衝突

今日(13日)以色列軍隊對黎巴嫩全境展開了至少五十次的空襲行動，造成黎巴嫩多人傷亡，而黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊也展開反擊行動，發射火箭彈，同樣造成以色列多人傷亡，雙方爆發了十年以來最嚴重的衝突，幾乎演變為全面開戰。

事件的起因在於昨日(12日)上午黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊突然襲擊以色列北部多處目標，隨後兩方軍隊展開交戰，結果造成至少4名黎巴嫩平民和8名以色列士兵死亡，除此之外，真主黨軍隊還抓走了2名以色列士兵。對此情形，以色列總理艾胡德·奧爾默特表示:「這次襲擊不是恐怖行動，而是一個主權國家對以色列的襲擊，黎巴嫩政府應承擔全部責任。」，以色列軍方亦誓言報復，同日下午以色列的軍隊就進駐黎巴嫩的南部地區，對黎巴嫩形成軍事上的威脅。面對以色列的軍事威脅，黎巴嫩總統埃米爾·拉胡德在晚間聲稱:「以色列的威脅不會嚇倒黎巴嫩人民。」，黎巴嫩的新聞部長加齊·阿利迪也表示:「黎巴嫩政府對黎以邊境發生的事情毫不知情，也不會對此承擔任何責任。」。

黎巴嫩與以色列之間的衝突突然升級，引起國際社會的極大關注。聯合國秘書長安南在同日就發表聲明:「希望黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊能夠釋放抓走的以色列士兵，並呼籲有關各方保持最大克制，避免事態再進一步惡化。」。美國助理國務卿韋爾奇也在同日表示:「黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊抓走以色列士兵的事件導致本已緊張的地區局勢持續升級，美國要求真主黨立即釋放以色列的士兵。」。

但兩國衝突仍無可避免，以色列在今日早晨出動兩次戰機，轟炸黎巴嫩境內的貝魯特國際機場以及黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊位於貝魯特南部的據點，總共造成27名黎巴嫩人死亡、數十人受傷，黎巴嫩的南部地區交通也已經陷於癱瘓。對於以色列的報復行動，黎巴嫩真主黨軍隊也隨即展開反擊，他們向以色列的納哈裏亞(Nahariya)及以色列東北部的另一處居民區分別發射了Katyusha火箭彈，這種火箭彈射程有20公里以上，造成納哈裏亞有一名婦女被擊斃，另外還有多人受傷，此外，以色列東北部的居民區也有一人受傷。面對黎巴嫩的反擊，以色列軍方呼籲居住以色列北部地區靠近黎巴嫩的百姓最好躲到掩體內，以避免受傷。之後，以色列除了持續以空襲方式攻擊黎巴嫩外，也派遣海軍進入黎巴嫩海，進行封鎖。

對於今日以色列與黎巴嫩爆發十年來最嚴重的衝突，全球領袖呼籲雙方克制，希望阻止情勢繼續惡化下去。而許多國家也已經宣佈黎巴嫩為危險地區，警告民眾不要到黎巴嫩旅遊。


Death of candidate will delay final results for German federal election by weeks

The death of a candidate for the Bundestag could delay the final outcome of the German federal election by several weeks.

The 43-year old Kerstin Lorenz, of the far right NPD, suffered a stroke during a campaign appearance on Monday and slid into a coma. She died on Wednesday in the hospital.

The NPD must now nominate a new candidate for the constituency of Dresden I and election officials have to reprint hundreds of thousands of ballot papers. Also, the vote of anyone who already sent in their absentee ballot will be declared invalid, and these voters need new ballots as well. The leading election official for the state of Saxonia, Irene Schneider-Böttcher, said it would be impossible to achieve all that was required within the time remaining before election day, September 18th. She ordered a by-election for the 2nd of October.

If the election results are extremely close, the outstanding Dresden I by-election result could potentially change the final outcome, which would leave Germany in uncertainty. While Dresden I is only one out of 299 constituencies, it could ultimately decide who will govern the country for the next few years.

The projected majority of the opposition parties FDP and CDU, which headed the polls for months, is shrinking with current government parties Greens and SPD, along with the Party of the Left, getting closer by the day.

Some constitutional lawyers have also raised concerns if it would be legal to announce any results at all on September 18th. They argue that in the case of a close result, the voters in Dresden would realize that they will be the one to decide the election, which could shift their votes. And on the other side, if the race is already over, they might decide to stay at home.


NPD-Kandidatin gestorben: Unsicherheit um die Bundestagswahl

Berlin / Dresden (Deutschland), 09.09.2005 – Nach dem Tod der NPD-Bundestagskandidatin Kerstin Lorenz macht sich Unsicherheit über die Auswirkungen auf die bevorstehende Bundestagswahl breit. Möglicherweise darf das Ergebnis der Bundestagswahl durch den Bundeswahlleiter erst mehrere Wochen nach dem Wahltermin am 18. September 2005 bekanntgegeben werden, um eine Beeinflussung von Nachwählern in Dresden zu verhindern.

Die 43-jährige Politikerin war Direktkandidatin des Wahlkreises 160 („Dresden I“) mit rund 219.000 Wahlberechtigten. Bei einer Demonstration in Dresden gegen die Hartz IV Gesetze am Montag war sie während einer Rede zusammengebrochen und in ein Koma gefallen. Es wurde ein Hirnschlag diagnostiziert, an dessen Folgen sie am Mittwoch verstarb. Die NPD muss für den Wahlkreis nun einen neuen Direktkandidaten benennen.

Anschließend ist es notwendig, neue Stimmzettel herzustellen. Ein besonderes Problem stellen die Briefwähler dar, da diese benachrichtigt werden müssen. Bereits abgegebene Stimmen werden für ungültig erklärt. Die sächsische Landeswahlleiterin Irene Schneider-Böttcher erklärte in einer Pressekonferenz, dass diese Tätigkeiten bis zum Wahltag nicht zu schaffen seien. Aus diesem Grund müsse der betroffene Wahlkreis später wählen. Um welchen Zeitraum die Wahl sich verzögert, ist noch nicht festgelegt. Laut Gesetz muss die Nachwahl spätestens sechs Wochen nach dem ursprünglichen Wahltermin stattfinden. Laut Schneider-Böttcher soll die Nachwahl voraussichtlich Ende September, spätestens aber am ersten Oktoberwochenende stattfinden.

Durch die Nachwahl ergeben sich allerdings juristische Probleme. Wenn am Abend des 18. September 2005 Ergebnisse für alle Wahlkreise außer dem betroffenen bekanntgegeben würden, könnte sich daraus eine Beeinflussung der Wähler ergeben. Dies gilt besonders, da derzeit ähnlich knappe Ergebnisse wie bei der Bundestagswahl 2002 befürchtet werden. Damals hatten zwischen SPD und Union nur 6.027 Stimmen gelegen.

Bundeswahlleiter Hahlen erklärte, dass in jedem Fall nach der Wahl am 18. September 2005 ein vorläufiges Endergebnis bekanntgegeben würde. Es ist noch unklar, ob dieses ohne den Wahlkreis 160 errechnet wird oder aber für diesen das Ergebnis der letzten Bundestagswahl bis zum Vorliegen des Endergebnisses verwendet wird. Auf letztere Weise war 1965 bei einem ähnlichen Fall verfahren worden. Parteienrechtler kritisierten diese Entscheidung, da eine Beeinflussung des Wählers vorliegen würde. Sie erwarten Verfassungsklagen, sollte so vorgegangen werden.

Um eine Beeinflussung der Wähler zu vermeiden, müssten die Wahlergebnisse der anderen Wahlkreise mehrere Wochen geheim gehalten werden. Zu einem ähnlichen Ergebnis kam bei der hessischen Landtagswahl 1995 das Hessische Wahlprüfungsgericht, das eine Veröffentlichung des zusammengefassten Teilwahlergebnisses durch den Landeswahlleiter bemängelte, aber nichts gegen die öffentliche Auszählung und Veröffentlichung der Wahlkreisergebnisse durch die Kreiswahlleiter einzuwenden hatte.


ドイツ議会選挙 候補者死亡で確定が遅れる見込み

ドイツ連邦議会選挙の結果確定が、1人の候補者の死亡により、数週間遅れる見込みが出てきた。

極右政党、ドイツ国民民主党(NPD)のケルスティン・ローレンツ候補（当時43）は、5日、選挙運動中に脳卒中を起こした後、昏睡状態になった。ローレンツ候補は7日に病院で亡くなった。

NPDでは、ローレンツ候補の立候補していたドレスデン1区へ新たな候補者を擁立する必要に迫られている。選挙管理委員会では、それにあわせて20万枚以上の投票用紙を印刷し直すことになる。また、すでに行われた不在者投票はすべて無効とされた。不在者投票した有権者も、新たな投票用紙で、再投票することが必要となる。ザクセン州選挙管理委員会のイレーネ・シュナイダー＝ベトヒャー委員長は、投票日の9月18日までにこうした準備をすることは不可能だろうと語った。シュナイダー＝ベトヒャー委員長は、追選挙を後日行うとしたが、日程はまだ決まっていない。

ドイツ連邦議会は比例代表併用制を取っており、ドレスデン1区が遅れて選挙を行うということは、連邦議会選挙全体の結果が、選挙当日には確定しないということを意味する。これはドイツの政局の見通しを著しく不透明なものにする。299ある選挙区のうちの1つが、選挙後の数年間ドイツの政権を誰が担うのかを決めることとなった。

現在野党であるドイツ自由民主党(FDP)とドイツキリスト教民主同盟(CDU)は、数ヶ月世論調査でトップを走っており、おそらく過半数を取ると予想されているが、現在与党である連合90／緑の党とドイツ社会民主党(SPD)は、ドイツ民主社会党(PDS)とともに、最近の世論調査で差を縮めてきている。

憲法問題に詳しい何人かの法律専門家は、9月18日に何であれ選挙結果を発表することが合法的であるかどうかについて、懸念を表明している。その指摘によれば、結果が僅差だった場合、ドレスデンの有権者は自分たちの投票が選挙結果を左右することに気づくだろう。これは投票行動を変える動機になりうる。一方、選挙結果が大差であった場合、ドレスデンの有権者は棄権することを選ぶかもしれない。

英語版ウィキニュースからの翻訳です。


Death toll mounts in Nepal civil conflict

As many as 116 Nepalis have been killed in recent confrontations between Maoist guerrillas and government troops, according to recent estimates from multiple sources, including India's The Hindu.

Approximately 113 bodies of Maoist rebels were recovered following a fierce battle between guerrillas and government security forces three days ago. The clash took place 550 kilometers west of Nepal's capital Kathmandu, when rebels attacked an outpost of the Royal Nepalese Army. Three government troops were killed.

Nepal's King Gyanendra seized power on February 1 for the second time, in what he described as a necessary act to prevent the country from falling to the insurgents.  Gyanendra has promised that peace and democratic institutions would be restored within three years; however, he has currently suspended many civil liberties, arrested demonstrators, and used armed soldiers to censor the news media.

Nepal's army is under international scrutiny for potential violations of human rights, and some nations including India and the United Kingdom have suspended aid.  The United States is considering revoking its military aid unless the government's emergency regulations are ended.

The United Nations will be sending human rights observers into the country per an agreement signed Monday by Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ramesh Nath Pandey, Nepalese Foreign Minister.  "Breaking the cycle of serious and systematic abuses [by both the government and rebels] will be the first essential step toward achieving peace and reconciliation in Nepal," said Arbour.

As the San Francisco Chronicle has reported, the rebels have brought about the brutal deaths of countless villagers, causing terror throughout Nepal.  More than 11,000 deaths are believed to have been caused during 9 years of violent conflict.

An army commander interviewed by the Chronicle stated, "We are winning this war," against the rebels. Reflecting on his statement, he immediately retracted this, declaring, "Nobody is winning," he says. "We are killing Nepalese, and they are killing Nepalese."


Starcia w Nepalu - zginęło 116 osób

Około 116 Nepalczyków zginęło podczas ostatnich zamieszek między partyzantką maosityczną a oddziałami rządowymi - donosi m.in. hinduska gazeta The Hindu.

Odnaleziono przeszło 113 ciał maoistycznych rebeliantów. Są to ofiary ciężkich walk, do których doszło 3 dni temu pomiędzy partyzantami a rządowymi służbami bezpieczeństwa. Do walk doszło 550 kilometrów od nepalskiej stolicy, Katmandu, kiedy rebelianci zaatakowali pozycje armii nepalskiej. w tej konfrontacji zginęło także 3 nepalskich żołnierzy.

Król Nepalu, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, przejął w lutym władzę w kraju, by, jego zdaniem, zapobiec wybuchowi powstania. Dodatkowo zawiesił też wiele praw obywatelskich. Nepalska armia jest w tej chwili pod międzynarodową kontrolą, aby zapobiec potencjalnemu pogwałceniu praw człowieka. Wiele państw wstrzymało też wszelką pomoc dla Nepalu.

Jak donosi dziennik San Fransisco Chronicle, rebelianci dopuścili się brutalnych mordów na wiejskiej ludności Nepalu.
Ten sam dziennik przytacza też rozmowę z dowódcą nepalskiej armii, który w wywiadzie najpierw przyznał, że "siły rządowe wygrywają". Później dodał, że właściwie "nikt nie wygrywa", bo siły rządowe "strzelają do Nepalczyków i oni (partyzanci) strzelają do Nepalczyków".


Centenas de mortos em conflitos no Nepal

Pelo menos 116 nepaleses foram mortos em confrontações recentes entre guerrilheiros maoístas e tropas do governo do Nepal, segundo as estimativas de múltiplas fontes, entre elas o jornal indiano The Hindu.

Aproximadamente 113 corpos de rebeldes maoístas foram recuperados depois de uma batalha feroz entre guerrilheiros e a força  de segurança do governo há três dias. O confronto realizou-se 550 quilômetros a oeste da capital do Nepal,   Catmandu, quando os rebeldes atacaram um posto avançado do Exército Real Nepalês. Três tropas do governo foram mortas.

O rei do Nepal Gyanendra chegou ao poder em 1 de fevereiro pela segunda vez, no que ele descreveu como uma ação necessária para impedir o país de cair nas mãos dos insurgentes. Gyanendra prometeu que instituições  democráticas e de paz seriam restauradas dentro de três anos. Apesar disso, ele suspendeu muitas liberdades civis, deteve ativistas, e usou soldados armados para censurar agências de notícias.


Delay expected for Pakistani elections

Pakistan's election commission is expected to announce a new date for the January 8 election after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last week triggered nation-wide violence. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins in Islamabad has more.

Election officials say it is impossible to hold the vote January 8 because many of their offices and voting materials were destroyed in riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Analysts expect the vote to be delayed until mid-February or March.

But the two main opposition parties want the vote to be held as originally planned, saying they will take to the streets if the government postpones the elections.

Political analyst Talat Masood says delaying the elections would be ill-advised for the government of President Pervez Musharraf.

Some polling offices were burnt during an incident after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. This may make carrying out the election more difficult.

"I think that it is an extremely dangerous move that the government is doing and one blunder after another they continue to make not understanding the implications of all this. I'm really worried about Pakistan," said Masood. "The way that President Musharraf is handling the state of affairs, he is only interested in perpetuating himself."

President Musharraf is to address the nation on television at 1500 UTC Wednesday.


Pakistan: le elezioni si terranno il 18 febbraio

La commissione elettorale del Pakistan ha rimandato le consultazioni elettorali previste per martedì prossimo a lunedì 18 febbraio. La decisione è stata presa dopo l'assassinio di Benazir Bhutto, la leader dell'opposizione pakistana, uccisa il 27 dicembre scorso.

Il ministro dell'interno del Punjab, comunicando la notizia, ha rassicurato tutte le formazioni elettorali: «Assicuro a tutti i partiti che le elezioni saranno giuste, libere e e trasparenti. Li esorto ad accettare questa decisione presa nell’interesse supremo della nazione e a partecipare al voto.»

Intanto, alcune autorità del paese islamico hanno riferito di aver messo a disposizione una somma di poco superiore ai 100 000 euro (10 milioni di rupie) per chi riesca a catturare coloro che hanno ucciso la Bhutto.


Democratic Party reaches deal over Florida and Michigan

2008 United States presidential election

The Democratic Party of the United States has reached a deal to seat primary delegates from Florida and Michigan at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado this August. The Democrats will seat all of the pledged delegates from both of the states, but will give each delegate only a half a vote. Hillary Clinton, who won the majority of the delegates in both of these states, will receive an additional 87 votes at the convention while Barack Obama will net 63 more votes. Despite Senator Clinton's gains, Senator Obama still has 176 more pledged delegates supporting him.
Partisanship surrounded the decision. Advocates for Senator Clinton pushed for the inclusion of the delegates from both Florida and Michigan without condition, while Obama's supporters advocated splitting the delegates. In the end, neither side had all of their wishes fulfilled.

The Democratic leadership attempted to use the compromise to bring the party together. Party Chairman Howard Dean opened the meeting of the Rules Committee that determined the delegate allotment by asking Democrats to look beyond the primary and towards the November general election. "This is not about Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton," said Dean, "This is about our country. This is about restoring America to its greatness, to restoring our moral authority and to healing America at home."


Compromis over voorverkiezingen Democraten

In Washington in de Verenigde Staten heeft een interne partijcommissie van de Democraten op 31 mei 2008 een compromis-oplossing bereikt voor het al dan niet meetellen van de voorverkiezingen in Florida en Michigan, die oorspronkelijk ongeldig waren verklaard omdat deze staten de voorverkiezingen tegen de afspraak in hadden vervroegd, en waar Barack Obama in Michigan niet op de stemlijst stond. Besloten is dat de gedelegeerden uit de twee staten wel zullen worden toegelaten tot de Democratische conventie eind augustus in Denver, maar dat ze maar een halve stem krijgen. Bovendien werden voor Michigan 59 gedelegeerden toegewezen aan Obama, tien minder dan aan Hillary Clinton.

Voor Clinton betekent dit een voordeel, aangezien zij in beide staten de voorverkiezingen won, maar haar aanhangers, van wie een deel naar Washington was gekomen om te demonstreren voor het volledig meetellen van de stemmen, waren ontevreden over het bereikte compromis. Vertegenwoordigers van Clinton lieten weten het niet eens te zijn met de beslissing over Michigan.

Obama liet weten wel blij te zijn met het bereikte akkoord. Hij ligt nu nog steeds voor op Clinton en hoopt komende dinsdag, als de voorverkiezingen in South Dakota en Montana zijn geweest, de Democratische nominatie voor de presidentsverkiezingen te kunnen opeisen.


Demonstrator in coma - serious allegations against the French police

During the large demonstration against the impending so-called First Employment Contract law (in French: Contrat de Première Embauche - CPE) on Saturday in Paris, one of the demonstrators was perilously injured in the head. Now, allegations have been brought against the French riot police Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS). Eyewitnesses report that officers of the CRS kicked 39-year-old Cyril Ferez while he was lying on the ground. A report of a CRS-officer draws a different picture of the incident.

The incident happened during the evacuation of the Place de la Nation by the CRS at the end of the demonstration against the first employment contracts at about 8.30 p.m. Cyril Ferez works for the Orange telecommunication company in Torcy and is a member of the trade union Sud-PTT, which represents workers at post offices and telecommunication companies. According to the photographer Bruno Stevens, Cyril Ferez was running away from the police, together with some other demonstrators. "He was slower. He was hit directly on the head. He collapsed like a sack. They hit him further while he was lying on the ground," the photographer told the French newspaper Libération. While he was hit by the police, he did not react in any hostile way towards them, said another photographer, Victor Tonelli. The police are said to have hit the demonstrator with night sticks and with their feet. The trade union Sud-PTT accuses the police of not having called for medical help for the injured person, despite having been called to do so. The trade union demands an official meeting with the home secretary on Wednesday afternoon and calls the behaviour of the police as not being worthy of the government of a democratic state. According to a report of the press association Reuters, the seriously injured person was immediately hospitalised. According to members of the government, referring to the treating doctors, Cyril Ferez was admitted to the hospital Henri-Mondor de Créteil with 2.7 grammes of alcohol in his blood. According to a report of a CRS-officer, with a copy of it on hand of the press association AFP and relying on statements of Cyril Ferez (before he fell into his coma), the injuries are not a result of a fight between CRS-officers and Cyril Ferez. According to this report, Cyril Ferez was attacked by other demonstrators. The report was given to the police audit. Members of the opposition party and the trade unions demand a complete clearing up of the incident.

On Sunday morning, Cyril Ferez fell into a coma. The police audit "Inspection générale des services" wants to investigate the incident. Therefore, the police audit would like to find out which witnesses were on site and which officers of the CRS were involved in the incident. Doctors assume that Cyril Ferez, if he survives, will suffer from neurological consequences. Directly after the demonstration, the police prefecture had claimed that 18 demonstrators had been injured, but that there was no seriously injured person among them.

French trade unions and student organisations have announced a general strike for 28 March. On Saturday, about 1.5 million people participated in the countrywide demonstrations against CPE.


Demonstrant im Koma – Schwere Vorwürfe gegen die französische Polizei

Paris (Frankreich), 21.03.2006 – Bei der Großdemonstration gegen die so genannten Ersteinstellungsverträge (CPE), die eine Aufhebung des Kündigungsschutzes für Berufsanfänger bedeuten, zog sich ein Demonstrant am Samstag in Paris eine lebensgefährliche Kopfverletzung zu. Nun werden schwere Vorwürfe gegen die französische Bereitschaftspolizei Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité (CRS) erhoben. Augenzeugen berichten, dass Beamte der CRS den 39-jährigen Cyril Ferez getreten haben, als dieser auf dem Boden lag. Ein Bericht eines CRS-Beamten zeichnet ein anderes Bild von dem Vorfall.

Der Vorfall ereignete sich bei der Räumung des Place de la Nation durch die CRS nach dem Ende der Kundgebung gegen die Ersteinstellungsverträge etwa um 20:30 Uhr. Cyril Ferez arbeitet in Torcy für das Telekommunikationsunternehmen Orange und ist Mitglied der Gewerkschaft Sud-PTT, die Mitarbeiter der Post und von Telekommunikationsunternehmen vertritt. Nach Angaben des Fotografen Bruno Stevens ist Cyril Ferez mit anderen Demonstranten vor der Polizei weggelaufen. „Er war langsamer. Er hat einen Schlag direkt auf den Kopf erhalten. Er ist wie ein Sack zusammengebrochen. Sie haben weiter auf ihn eingeschlagen, als er am Boden lag“, sagte der Fotograf der französischen Zeitung Libération. In dem Moment, als Cyril Ferez von den Polizisten geschlagen wurde, hat sich Cyril Ferez nach Angaben von Victor Tonelli, einem weiteren anwesenden Fotografen, nicht feindlich benommen. Die Polizisten sollen mit Gummiknüppeln und mit den Füßen auf den Demonstranten eingeschlagen haben. Die Gewerkschaft SUD PTT wirft der Polizei vor, trotz Aufforderungen keine ärztliche Hilfe für den Verletzten angefordert zu haben. Die Gewerkschaft fordert ein offizielles Treffen mit dem Innenminister am Mittwochnachmittag und bezeichnet das Verhalten der Polizei als unwürdig für die Regierung eines demokratischen Staates. Nach einem Bericht der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters wurde der Schwerverletzte sofort ins Krankenhaus eingeliefert. Nach Angaben von Regierungsmitarbeitern, die sich auf die behandelnden Ärzte berufen, wurde Cyril Ferez mit 2,7 Gramm Alkohol im Blut ins Krankenhaus Henri-Mondor de Créteil eingeliefert. Nach einem Bericht eines CRS-Beamten, der der Nachrichtenagentur AFP als Kopie vorliegt und sich auf Aussagen von Cyril Ferez stützt, bevor dieser ins Koma gefallen ist, soll sich Cyril Ferez seine Verletzungen nicht von CRS-Beamten zugezogen haben. Laut diesem Bericht soll Cyril Ferez von anderen Demonstranten angegriffen worden sein. Der Bericht wurde der Polizeirevision übergeben. Oppositionsparteien und Gewerkschaften fordern eine vollständige Aufklärung des Vorfalls.

Am Sonntagmorgen fiel Cyril Ferez ins Koma. Die Polizeirevision „Inspection générale des services“ will den Vorfall untersuchen. Aus diesem Grund möchte die Polizeirevison herausfinden, welche Zeugen vor Ort waren und welche Beamten der CRS am Vorfall beteiligt waren. Die Ärzte gehen davon aus, dass Cyril Ferez, wenn er überlebt, unter den neurologischen Folgen leiden wird. Unmittelbar nach der Demonstration hatte die Polizeipräfektur erklärt, dass 18 Demonstranten verletzt worden seien, es aber keine Schwerverletzten gegeben habe.

Für den 28. März haben französische Gewerkschaften und Studentenorganisationen einen Generalstreik angekündigt. An den Protesten gegen CPE hatten sich am Samstag landesweit 1,5 Millionen Menschen beteiligt.


Demonstrators demand Buddhism be made Thai national religion

Thailand's draft constitution has come under fire from Buddhist monks and supporters for not having a clause declaring a national religion for the country.  The coup-appointed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, noted that the issue could cause problems with the upcoming referendum to ratify the proposed constitution.

According to the Bangkok Post 20,000 protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Bangkok, and a procession of nine elephants joined the protest with Senator Sawet Thinnakul riding one of them.

It would appear that the government has carefully worded the draft constitution to avoid favouring one religion over another.  Tensions and violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim south of the country have led to over 2,000 deaths; having a clause that recognised Buddhism as the country's official religion may further inflame tensions in the region.


Thaïlande : des manifestants demandent que le bouddhisme soit déclaré religion nationale

Le projet de constitution de la Thaïlande est actuellement sous le feu des critiques des moines bouddhistes et de leurs soutiens pour ne pas comprendre de clause spécifiant la religion nationale du pays. Le Premier Ministre issu du coup d'état, Surayud Chulanont, a indiqué que cela pourrait poser problème avec le référendum à venir devant ratifier la nouvelle constitution proposée.
Selon le Bangkok Post, 20 000 manifestants se sont rejoints devant l'immeuble du Parlement à Bangkok, et une procession de neuf éléphants à rejoint la manifestation, le sénateur Sawet Thinnakul en montant un.
Il semble que le gouvernement ait soigneusement rédigé le projet constitutionnel pour ne favoriser aucune religion au détriment d'une autre. Les tensions et la violence dans le sud malais du pays à majorité musulmane ont fait plus de 2000 morts; une clause constitutionnelle reconnaissant el bouddhisme comme religion officielle pourrait réveiller les tensiosn dans la région.


Demonstrators protest Condoleezza Rice's trip to Australia

Anti-war demonstrators in Sydney, Australia on Thursday dubbed U.S. Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice a "war criminal" and "murderer." Two protesters were evicted and five people were arrested during protests against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Dr Rice, on a three-day trip to Australia, said she understood why people found it hard to be positive about Iraq when all they saw on their television screens was violence.

Soon after Rice began her speech at the University of Sydney's Conservatorium of Music, two protesters shouted from the rear of the auditorium, "Condoleezza Rice, you are a war criminal," and "Iraqi blood is on your hands and you cannot wash that blood away." Standing with their palms towards her, the young man and woman repeated their accusation until security intervened to remove them from the hall.

About 15 minutes into Rice's address, a third protester appeared at a balcony door, interrupting her speech as she referred to freedom. "What kind of freedom are you talking about? You are a murderer," said the demonstrator before he was quietly escorted from the hall. "I'm very glad to see that democracy is well and alive here at the university," she said.

In her speech, Rice sought to justify the U.S. occupation of Iraq, describing Iraqis as now more free. One student asked about abuses committed by U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. She said the abuses had made her "sick to her stomach." However, she defended Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where human rights groups say detainees are held in inhumane conditions and in detention flouting international laws.

Before Rice began her speech, about 50 protesters were gathered at the front gates of the Conservatorium. The group were confronted by police on horseback and by police dogs. Police used the horses to charge into the group of activists and push them back, as a police helicopter hovered.

A police spokeswoman said the group was blocking pedestrian access to the building and that police had spent more than 20 minutes warning them to move. The police then moved in and pushed the crowd back 20 metres. Police say five people have been charged with "hindering police in the execution of their duties."

The "Stop the War Coalition" says Rice is a "war criminal" and is not welcome in Australia. The group's spokeswoman, Anna Samson, says the protest is one of many planned in the lead-up to the third anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq on March 20.

Paddy Gibson, from the University of Sydney's Student's Council, says the protest is in opposition to the Iraq war, and to the use of the University of Sydney's campus to host Rice, "the most powerful woman in the world," who they say is a war criminal. "They're saying, '... you've got Sydney Uni's support to stand up and peddle your murderous hate speeches,' which is what we see it," he said.

"You've got 180,000 people killed, as we said, for no other reason than strategic control of the region's oil resources. And the anti-Muslim racism that's been whipped up to justify this war is being felt by Sydney University students," said Mr Gibson.


Australische Demonstranten bezeichnen Condoleezza Rice als „Kriegsverbrecher"


Denmark elects new centre-left coalition and prime minister

The leader of Denmark's Social Democrats Helle Thorning-Schmidt is positioned to become the country's first female prime minister following the election of the "red bloc", a centre-left coalition, on Thursday. The coalition would include members of the Social Democrats, the Socialist People's Party and potentially Social Liberal Party and members of the Red-Green Alliance, and replaces the centre-right coalition government that has been in power for the last ten years.

Incumbent prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that he "will hand in the government's resignation to the Queen" as "[t]here is no longer a basis for remaining in government".

Thorning-Schmidt plans to increase taxes, invest in education and welfare, and also introduce a plan to increase working hours by twelve minutes a day to create an extra hour of productivity each week. Despite not being part of the euro zone, Denmark has a deficit which has been predicted to rise next year to 4.6% of GDP. Following the financial crisis in 2008, nine Danish banks have been taken into state control.

The new prime minister is the daughter-in-law of former leader of Britain's Labour Party Neil Kinnock. Before entering Danish politics, she was elected in 1999 to the European Parliament but did not run for a second term. She ran successfully for leadership of the Social Democrats in 2005.


Dánové ve volbách upřednostnili levo-středovou koalici

Předsedkyně Sociálních demokratů Helle Thorningová-Schmidtová se může stát první dánskou premiérkou v historii poté, co ve volbách ve čtvrtek zvítězil její „červený blok“, koalice středových a levicových stran. Vládní koalice by měla zahrnovat členy Sociálních demokratů, Socialistické lidové strany a případně Sociální liberální strany, a dále členy Červeno-zelené aliance. Nahradí u moci koalici pravicových a středových stran, která zemi vládla posledních 10 let.

Odstupující premiér Lars Lokke Rasmussen řekl, že „předá rezignaci vlády královně“ a „že už neexistuje základ, aby zůstal ve vládě“.

Thorningová-Schmidtová plánuje zvýšit daně, investovat do vzdělání a sociálního systému a také chce splnit plán přidat každý den 12 minut pracovní doby, aby se zvýšila každý týden produktivita o jeden den. I když Dánsko není v eurozóně, i Dánsko pociťuje problém se svým rozpočtovým deficitem, který může příští rok narůst až na 4,6 % HDP. Po finanční krizi v roce 2008 musela dánská vláda převzít pod státní kontrolu devět zdejších bank.

Nová premiérka je bývalou poslankyní Evropského parlamentu. Předsedkyní Sociálních demokratů se stala v roce 2005.


Denmark withdraws troops from Iraq

On Tuesday, Denmark formally withdrew its forces from Iraq. Responsibilities were turned over to British in a ceremony. Defense minister Søren Gade was there, having secretly flown into Iraq for the event. During the ceremony, there was a rocket attack, causing everyone to hit the deck.

"I was told today by the British chief [commanding officer], General Jonathan Shaw, that there are also demonstrations against the attacks, and that the locals have kidnapped some of those, who fire upon coalition forces," Søren Gade told Berlingske Tidende.

"The formal transfer takes place today (Tuesday) in Iraq," spokesperson for Army Operational Command, Kim Grynberger, told AFP. "A small ceremony will be held with a parade in Basra."

The 460 members of the army has already been reduced to 50 soldiers. Denmark's contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq will now consist of a small air force unit of four helicopters and 55 airmen that will work with the British.

On July 20, Denmark said that it had airlifted translators and other Iraqi employees with their families. In total it was about 200 people that by cooperating with MNF may be in danger of reprisals from insurgents.

"Out of concern for the interpreters and their families' security as well as the security of the Danish base in Iraq, the Defence Ministry has chosen to inform the public after the interpreters and others had left Iraq," the Danish Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"They had been working for us for about four years, and those who felt their security in Iraq was threatened have been granted visas to go to Denmark" where they can apply for asylum, the Danish ambassador to Iraq, Bo Eric Weber told Reuters.

Denmark announced in February that it would withdraw by August of this year.


Dinamarca retira sus tropas de Iraq

1 de agosto de 2007Copenhague, Dinamarca — Dinamarca retiró el martes formalmente sus tropas de Iraq. El país había anunciado en febrero que retiraría fuerzas en agosto de este año.

La responsabilidades se volcaron en una ceremonia al Reino Unido. El ministro de defensa danés, Søren Gade, estuvo allí, habiendo volado secretamente a Iraq para el evento. Durante la ceremonia, hubo un ataque que involucró un cohete, causando que todos se sacudieran.

"El [oficial comandante en] jefe británico, el General Jonathan Shaw, también me contó que hay dos manifestaciones contra los ataques, y que los locales han secuestrado a algunos de esos, quienes disparan a las fuerzas de la coalición", le dijo Søren Gade al Berlingske Tidende

"La transferencia formal tiene lugar hoy [martes] en Iraq", le dijo a la AFP el portavoz del Comando Operacional del Ejército, Kim Grynberger. "Habrá una pequeña ceremonia con un desfile en Basra".

Los 460 miembros del ejército danés ya han sido reducidos a 50 soldados. La contribución Dinamarca a la fuerza multinacional en Iraq ahora consiste de una unidad pequeña de cuatro helicópteros y 55 aviadores que trabajarán con los británicos.

El 20 de julio, Dinamarca dijo que había transportado traductores y otros empleados iraquíes con sus familias. En total, son 200 personas que por cooperar con MNF pueden estar en peligro de represalías de los insurgentes.

"Fuera de preocupación de la seguridad de los intérpretes y sus familias como también de la seguridad de la base danesa en Iraq, el Ministro de Defensa ha elegido informar al público luego de que los intérpretes y otros hayan dejado Iraq", dijo el Ministro de Defensa de Dinamarca en una declaración.

"Han trabajado para nosotros por cuatro años, y aquellos que sentían que su seguridad en Iraq estaba amenazada han sido concedidos con visas para ir a Dinamarca" donde pueden pedir asilio, le dijo a Reuters el embajador danés en Iraq, Bo Eric Weber.


Dennis Kucinich quits U.S. Presidential race

United States Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has decided to quit his bid for the presidency and Democratic nomination.

Kucinich noted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on a interview on Thursday, that the Cleveland local and former mayor of the city was "transitioning out of the Democratic Presidential primary race" to focus on a "new direction." This comes a month after his youngest brother, Perry Kucinich, who had paranoid schizophrenia, was found dead. Kucinich told the Plain-Dealer he would make a longer statement on Friday.

Instead, Kucinich is going to focus on his re-election bid to the United States House of Representatives because he is facing four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Ohio's 10th congressional district and has received criticism for spending more time on running for President than on the district which he has represented for the past 12 years.

Kucinich has said he will not endorse another Democrat in the primary. This was his second run for the presidency, his first was the 2004 presidential election.


États-Unis : le démocrate Dennis Kucinich se retire de la course présidentielle

Le représentant des États-Unis et candidat à l'élection présidentielle Dennis Kucinich a décidé de retirer sa candidature pour la présidentielle et l'investiture démocrate.

Dennis Kucinich, ancien maire de Cleveland, a indiqué au journal The Plain Dealer de la ville lors d'une interview jeudi, qu'il « quittait la course des primaires démocrates pour la présidentielle » afin de se consacrer à unE « nouvelle direction ». Ce fait se produit un mois après que son plus jeune frère, Perry Kucinich, atteint de schizophrénie paranoïaque, fut retrouvé mort. Dennis Kucinich a déclaré au Plain-Dealer qu'il ferait une plus longue annonce vendredi.

Dennis Kucinich va se consacrer à sa candidature pour sa réélection à la Chambre des représentants, quatre candidats s'opposant à lui dans les primaires démocrates pour le 10e district du congrès et des critiques lui ayant été adressées concernant le temps passé dans la course à l'investiture démocrate plutôt que dans le district qu'il a représenté ces 12 dernières années.

M. Kucinich a déclaré qu'il n'appuierait pas d'autre Démocrate dans la primaire. C'était sa seconde tentative présidentielle, après celle de 2004.


Denunciations of Scandals Threaten UN

Denunciations of corruption, bribe, collection of bribes from refugees [1] and of sexual scandal involving the peacekeepers [2], [3] threaten the Organization of the United Nations (UN).

The gravest denunciations involve the aid project to Iraq, called Oil-for-Food.  Grave denunciations of bribe exist, superfluous accounting and collaboration with the ex-dictator Saddam Hussein, against staff of the UN, companies and politicians of several countries.  Even the secretary of the UN, Kofi Annan was suspicious of participation in the plan of corruption.  And also grave doubts still hover about his son, Kojo Annan.

The gravity of the denunciations threatens not only the credibility of the UN, but its existence.

Secretary Kofi Annan said that he is going to promote reforms in the organization.  [4]

The The Oil-for-Food Program was established by the Organization of the United Nations in 1996 for permit that the Iraq sold oil for the world market in change of food, medicines and others humane worthy supplies.

The declared intention of the program was to help the Iraqi government guarantee the basic needs of the common Iraqi citizens, injured by imposed, international economic sanctions to the government in the mat of the first one Gulf War, after the Iraq invaded the Kuwait in August of 1990, however, without permission that the country reconstructed its military forces.

The Iraq refused the program in the beginning but afterwards signed a memo in May of 1996 for its implementation.  It programs him By By began in October of 1997, and the first delivers arrived in March of 1998.

It programs By By used a trustee deposit system, by which the money of the sale of the oil of the Iraq I to be paid by the buyer in a not accessible bill straightly by the Iraqi government.  Of this money, a part served for pay indenizações by mischief caused to the Kuwait, and another one breaks era for help in the payment of the expense of the forces of the coalition and others expense of the United Nation with the Iraq.  The remaining money remained in the bill.

The Iraqi government had permission of buy merchandise that were not prohibited by the program and debit the corresponding values of that bill.  The purchase of certain itens, as alimentary kinds, to be rushed, and the corresponding merchandise attended to immediately.  Most of the itens, inclusive simple things as pencil and acid fólico, to be investigated, in a trial that typically led around six months, before of him I am going to be permitted.  The itens considerados as subject to application in biological, chemical weapons, and nuclear, as well as itens whose delivers to would lead a long time, were refused, does not import to justificativa given for her requests.

Approximately 60 percent of the 26 millions of inhabitants of the Iraq depended only of the feeds of sustenance of him programs By By.  Provisions in the value moved closer to $27 billion destined for humane help were entregues to the Iraq.

More of OR$65 billions in Iraqi oil were sold in the world market.  Around US$46 billions were used for guarantee the humane needs of the Iraqis, with food, medicines and others itens of humane help.  A total of 25 percent, from December of 2000, was spent with the repairs by the War of the Gulf by means of a bottom of compensation; 2,2 percent were operational and administrative expense of the United Nations with the program; and 0.8 percent were expense with the weapons inspection program.

A short while before of the United States of the America and the British forces will invade the Iraq, the Secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, suspended the program and evacuated more of 300 staffs that controlled the distribution of the provisions.

In the day 28 of March of 2003, the Secretary Annan, the United States of the America, and the Great Britain asked to the Advice Nations of the United Nations for assure that approximately US$10 billions in merchandise for the Iraq, that already had been ordered and approved, including US$2,4 billions in food, could be introduced in the country when the conditions permitted.  Others US$2,1 millions would be left for cover other needs of emergency of the civil Iraqis.

The authorities of the UN estimate that 350 thousand refugees would be benefited, with property that would go since tents for shelter, to sustenances.  The resolution in argument cleared that the main responsibility by the humane consequences of the war would fall under the United States of the America and Great Britain, case they took the control of the country, second the Wednesday Convention of Genebra of 1949, about the responsibilities of the forces of occupation.

The program formally enclosed his activities in 21 of November of 2003, and most of the deep was put under the control of the Coalition of Provisional Authority.

Many they supported the program of intentions alegadamente humane, in the hope of that he of fact helped the Iraqis.  Some other persons criticked the program, in private after the fall of the regimen of Saddam Hussein, under the argument of that Saddam took advantage of the profits obtained by the sale of oil for maintain itself através of a plan of corruption that implicava staffs of several governments and of the UN.

France, Russia and China defended the expansion of the program.

Entre as orientações do programa,  estava uma que dizia que as receitas da venda do petróleo deveriam ser divididas de modo a proteger as regiões predominantemente curdas do Iraque.  Contudo, os curdos queixaram-se, desde a data de início do programa,  de que  eles não recebiam essas receitas adequadamente.

Houve  alegações de que o escritório no Cairo da Organização Mundial da Saúde, foi dirigido por um indivíduo que supostamente recebeu contratos de venda de petróleo, para em troca,   paralisar a construção de um novo hospital geral para a cidade curda de Sulaymaniyah, embora  os fundos para a construção desse hospital estivessem disponíveis desde 1988.

A partir de  Abril de 2004 [5], o programa começou a ser  alvo de acusações dos círculos conservadores norte-americanos, de que parte do dinheiro era ilegalmente desviada para o governo iraquiano. Foram feitas acusações de que parte do dinheiro era usada para subornar funcionários da ONU e até mesmo o secretário-geral Kofi Annan.

Segundo o relatório liberado no dia 3 de Fevereiro de 2005, pela comissão de investigação liderada por  Paul Volckers , o ex-presidente do Fed, Banco Central dos EUA, a maior parte dos alimentos fornecidos pelo programa "era inadequada para o consumo humano". Peter van Walsum, atualmente embaixador aposentado dos Países Baixos para as Nações Unidas e  presidente do comitê de sanções do Iraque 1999-2000, especulou num livro recente que o Iraque deliberadamente dividiu o conselho de segurança concedendo contratos à França, Rússia, e  China,  mas não ao Reino Unido e aos Estados Unidos da América. Ele também afirmou que ele encontrou um número de casos nos quais sentia  que a falta da cooperação iraquiana tinha o objetivo propositado de exacerbar o sofrimento da sua própria gente. Ele também disse que,  em  sua opinião,  as sanções não eram uma alternativa  eficaz.

Benon Sevan, do Chipre, comandou o programa Petróleo-por-comida, e com convicção o defendeu. Ele  disse que  o programa teve só um custo administrativo de 2,2 %,  que passou por mais de 100 revisões (internas e externas), e culpou as restrições do Conselho de Segurança por ter dificultado a situação. Ele também disse que 90 % da população de Iraque confiava no programa de entrega mensal da cesta de  alimentos.

On January 25, 2004, Al-Mada, a daily newspaper of the Iraq, published a list of 270 individuals and organizations of several countries that would have received contracts of sale of oil by intermediary of the Oil-for-Food Program of the UN.  The list based itself in more of 15,000 documents that supposedly were found in the corporation of Iraqi state-owned oil, to which had connections with the Department of the Oil of Iraq.

The Department of the Oil headed by ally Ahmed Chalabi, ex-member of the advice of government, that had been in the past widely critiqued until by his ex-apoiadores, by supply to the U.S.A. false information during the war.  The possible envolvement of Chalabi and to not possibility of corroborate the evidences put in doubt the accuracy of the list al-Mada.

In the list of beneficiários of the al-Mada were the member of the British parliament, George Galloway, and to his entity of charity, the Bottom of Mariam; the ex-minister of the French interior Charles Pasqua, and the sheikh al-Kaffaji, a man of Iraqi business, that contributed with OR$400 thousand for produce a film that discredited the researches of weapons for the ex-inspecting one of the UN Scott.  Many Russian firms and important individuals also were included in the list of the al-Mada.  To even the Russian Orthodox Church was supposedly implicada in the illegal commerce of oil.  George Galloway subsequently earned two actions of defamation against the Christian Science Monitor and the Daily Telegraph that reportaram the accusations.  Of Brazil, there were two names in the list.  The first one of them was the name of a such of Fuad Sirhan, and another name was supposedly of some organization called Movement 8 of October (Chávez).  Nobody of Portugal appears in the list.

They appear in the list the names of the chief executive (I DINE), Patrick Maugein, of the company I Punch International, that supposedly is enough connected to the French president Jacques Chirac; of the French ex-ambassador for the UN, Jean-Bernard; and the name president of the Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri.

In an interview for the Financial Teams, the sheikh al-Kaffaji, that appears in the list, admitted that received and sold contratos of Iraqi oil for the Italtech, a company of Italian oil-producing commerce, that by his time resold the oil for the company Bayoil, that stayed in Houston, in the U.S.A.  Khafaji said that the ex-inspecting one of the UN Scott Ritter swims to know about those activities.

Arthur Millholland, the president of the Oilexco Ltd, whose name also appeared in the list of Al-Mada denied any envolvement in illicit activities, but admitted the accusations of that illegal surcharges were payment to the Iraqi government by contractors.  [6]

Of any form, the list of al-Mada does not mention exactly the payment of bribes to the government of the Iraq.  She quotes paid bribes to individuals for that these supported the Iraqi regimen.  Few they deny that in the Iraq, as in many countries of third world, bribes regularly are paid the leaderships for acquire contracts.  But some they suggest that you have bribes normally would not occur in you have countries when a program in execution of the UN was involved.

Algumas companhias superfaturavam em até 10% as contas,  e parte do dinheiro era desviada para as contas bancárias privadas de Saddam Hussein ou outros funcionários do regime.  Parte do dinheiro ficava com as próprias companhias.

Segundo se alega, o esquema de corrupção funcionava assim:

Estimativas mostram que Saddam Hussein usou o programa da ONU para juntar 21 bilhões de dólares a fim de subornar políticos estrangeiros para apoiar decisões contrárias aos EUA e financiar organizações terroristas. Pelo menos 74 milhões de dólares do programa Petróleo-por-comida foram direto para o Hamas. Há suspeitas de que parte do dinheiro tenha ido para a organização Al Qaeda. [7]

Em  Fevereiro,  depois que o nome de Benon Sevan, o diretor executivo do programa de Petróleo-por-comida, apareceu nos documentos do Ministério de Petróleo do Iraque, tornou-se evidente o possível envolvimento das Nações Unidas no caso.

Supõe-se que  Sevan tenha recebido em propinas  pelo menos 11 000 000 de barris (1 700 000 m ³) de petróleo. Em dinheiro isto corresponde a cerca de 3.5 bilhões de dólares. Benon Sevan negou as acusações.

Em 2000, Dileep Nair, vice-secretário-geral e diretor do gabinete que investiga os casos de ilegalidades na ONU, desejou determinar a vulnerabilidade do programa. Benon Sevan,  chefe do programa Petróleo-por-comida,  e  a subsecretária-geral   Louise Frechette rejeitaram toda e qualquer investigação sob a alegação de que ela seria muito cara e que não valeria a pena.

Enquanto Benon Sevan esteve na chefia do Petróleo-por-comida,  ele rejeitou os esforços para rever e investigar o programa.
Ele rencomendou o seu pessoal que as reclamações sobre pagamentos ilegais deviam ser formalmente arquivadas com o país do reclamente,  e que devia ser permitido  ao Iraque  barrar qualquer denúncia.

On September 30, 2004, the report of special counselor Charles Duelfer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), was released.  The report described the impact of the Oil-for-Food Program on the regime of Saddam Hussein:

Second the report of Charles Duelfer, Saddam received an estimated of $1.7 billion, outside of the control of the UN, between 1997 and 2003.  Duelfer also said it's possible that Benon Sevan has received bribes of the plan with the oil.

After the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the victory of the Coalition over the Iraqi army, The General Accounting Office (GAO) — General Office of American Accounting — had the task of finalize all the contratos related upon programming By By, after the fall of the Iraqi regimen.  Was responsibility of him also track the fortunes of all of the ex members of the government of the Iraq [8].  During this task, the General Office found you fail in the program that permitted the existence of bribes and other forms of help for Saddam Hussein.  He calculates that the regimen of Saddam Hussein generated $10.1 billion in illegal prescriptions.  This number I included $5.7 billion of contrabando of oil and $4.4 billion in illicit surcharges about sales of oil and shipments powders-sell about fornecedores.

More latter to scale of the fraud revealed be been much more extensive than the General Office of American Accounting intially had calculated.  A study of Department of the Defense of the U.S.A., cited by the General Office, evaluated 759 contratos administered by the Oil-for-Food program and concluded that barely half had been fabricated, by a margin of 21 percent [9].

It can be well-read in the summary of the report of the General Office of American Accounting: :Tanto the secretary of the UN, através of the office of the as much as Iraqi program the Advice of Security, através of his committee of sanctions to the Iraq, were responsible by supervise programs him By By.  However, the Iraqi government negotiated straightly contratos with buyers of Iraqi oil and fornecedores of commodities, what may have been an important factor that permitted to the Iraq charge illegal surcharges and commissions.

Before of staffs of the United Nations will have promised full cooperation with the inquiry from the of the General Office of American Accounting, Joseph A.  The Christoff, director of international business and commerce of the GAO, said that auditores of the UN had refused it liberate the internal audits of him programs By By [10].

Benon Sevan, leader of programs By By, with support of Kofi Annan, wrote letters for all of the ex contractors of programs By By asking that consulted Sevan before of liberate any documents for of the General Office of American Accounting, or panels of inquiry of the Congress of the United States of the America [11].

By all his history, the program received complaints of that he was necessary be clearer and claims of companies about revelations of private information.

The UN denied all petitions deeds by the General Office of American Accounting for obtain access to confidential internal audits of him programs By By.

While tried to decide to complexity of the Oil-for-Food program, in an article for the periodic one The New York Teams, to journalist investigativa Claudia Rosett, of the Foundation in Defense of the Democracy (Foundation will go the Defense of Democracies) and of the Institute Hudson, uncovered that details of I hire of the UN, as the identities of the contractors of programs By By, the price, the quantity and quality That were received were confidential information.  The banking extracts, the payments performed and the transactions also were maintained in secret [12].

"That money [of the Oil-for-Food program] was in secret, devious for you count banking illicit, outside of the Iraq and bingo: Saddam had access to the money of outside of the country, despite of the sanctions" [13] , said Rosset in interview for the Foundation in Defense of the Democracy and for a collaborator of the Fox News.

Rosett harshly was criticked by Dennis Halliday, that of 1997 to 1998 coordinated the humane help of the UN for the Iraq [14], and Benon Sevan [15].  Both they affirmed that many of the statements of Rossett were incorrect, as to that says that programs By By financed the approval of an Olympic stadium, or to that affirms that the responsibility by several questions of the program differ from resolutions of the UN.

The House Committee on International Relations investigated the Oil-for-Food program and uncovered that between 15 million and 25 million dollars in cash of the program was used by Sabah Yassen, ex-ambassador to Iraq for Jordan, in order to pay the Palestinian families of suicidal terrorists.  From September of 2000 up to the invasion of the Iraq, the families of Palestinians dead or injured in the conflict with Israel (including the 117 responsible for suicidal attacks against Israel) received more of $35 millions.

O conselho de governo iraquiano selecionou a empresa internacional de auditoria KPMG e a firma  especializada em direito de empresas internacionais Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer  para investigar as alegações do jornal al-Mada. Ambas deveriam ter divulgado suas conclusões em Maio de 2004. Todavia, em Junho de 2004, a KPMG parou de trabalhar no projeto por falta de pagamento do conselho do governo iraquiano  [16].

Os Estados Unidos da América criticaram duramente a investigação da KPMG liderada por sócios de Ahmed Chalabi, e acusaram-no de sabotar a investigação principal iniciada por Paul Bremer. Aquela investigação foi liderada pelo chefe  do Conselho Supremo de Auditores Independentes do Iraque, Ehsan Karim, com a ajuda da Ernst & Young. Em Junho de 2004, a investigação de Karim concordou em compartilhar informações com a comissão montada por Volcker. Entretanto, em 1 de Julho de 2004, Karim  foi assassinado por uma bomba magnética colocada em seu carro [17].

Claude Hankes-Drielsma, um britânico amigo de longa-data de Ahmed Chalabi foi escolhido pelo conselho do governo iraquiano para coordenar as investigações do programa Petróleo-por-comida. Drielsma testemunhou perante o Congresso dos EUA em 21 de Abril de 2004 e disse que a investigação conduzida pela KPMG esperava provar a clara ligação entre aqueles países que estavam prontos a fornecer apoio ao regime de Saddam Hussein em troca de benefícios financeiros, às custas do povo iraquiano, e aqueles que se opuseram às aplicações das sanções contra o Iraque e deposição de Saddam. Ele também testemunho que Chalabi estava no comando das investigações para o conselho do governo iraquiano.

No final de Maio de 2004, no mesmo dia em que os escritórios de Chalabi no Congresso Nacional Iraquiano eram revistados pelas forças de coalião, Drielsma alegou que um indivíduou, ou indivíduos, entraram em seu computador e apagaram todos os arquivos relacionados com a sua investigação. Ele também disse que um arquivo de backup  havia sido apagado.[18]

Quando a jornalista Claudia Rosette perguntou-lhe se ele tinha sofrido ameaças físicas também, Drielsma retrucou com sem comentários. Drielsma também foi um crítico ferrenho da recusa por parte da ONU em tornar pública as informações internas da auditoria do programa Petróleo-por-comida para o conselho de governo iraquiano.

No dia 19 de Março de 2004,  o secretário-geral de Nações Unidas,  Kofi Annan voltou atrás e disse que realizaria uma investigação completa sobre o Programa Petróleo-por-comida.  Numa entrevista, o secretário-geral disse: "É altamente provável que tenha havido bastante irregularidades, mas necessitamos investigar [...] e ver quem foi o  responsável".  áudio

Annan porém acrescentou que a maioria das denúncias eram "ultrajantes e exageradas [19]. Segundo ele a maior parte  das críticas eram sobre questões  não relacionadas ao programa.

Apenas seis auditores internos  da ONU foram inicialmente designados para fiscalizar o programa Petróleo-por-comida.  As recomendações da ONU  dizem  que pelo menos 12 auditores devem trabalhar na fiscalização de programas que gastam mais de 1 bilhão de dólares, como por exemplo, o Petróleo-por-comida.  Mesmo assim, os auditores internos encontraram várias irregularidades, entre elas: a compra de 287 computadores por  870 mil dólares para os escritórios em Bagdá, sendo que 100 computadores estavam a mais e não teriam uso nos escritórios; gasto considerado exorbitante de 47 mil dólares com móveis para o escritório em Bagdá, pagamento anual de 500 mil dólares para o governo iraquiano para pagar por inspetores de construções, que nunca trabalharam para a ONU; compra de seis geradores de energia elétrica a diesel, mesmo sendo difícil obter  diesel  na região o que seria a um custo de 10 milhões de dólares; foram gastos uma quantia considerada exagerada de 500 mil dólares com suprimentos de inverno, como roupas,  para a população do Iraque.[20]

Parte da auditoria interna da ONU vazou e apareceu no website mineweb.com.  O relatório que vazou mostrava grandes discrepâncias  entre os relatórios da empresa suíça Cotecna e os relatórios das agências da ONU,  quanto a valores de transportes para a região norte do Iraque.

Para a auditoria  a Cotecna não fez nenhuma inspeção "de valor" sobre quase 1 bilhão de dólares de remessas de ajuda para o Programa Humanitário da Interagência no norte iraquiano.  O responsável pelo programa,  Benon Sevan,    foi   informado das descobertas da auditoria em  Dezembro de 2002  [21].

A auditoria está disponível aqui. Seu resumo diz:

Depois de ler o relatório de auditoria, o congressista americano Henry Hyde escreveu para Kofi Annan e perguntou  por que "o Congresso de Estados Unidos,   responsável por  22 por cento do orçamento do ONU  e que solicitou publicamente as cópias de 55 auditorias  internas,  precisou  depender de vazamentos de meios de comunicação para ter acesso aos documentos."

Um painel independente de inquérito das Nações Unidas foi criado em abril de 2004. Foram designados para dirigir esse painel de investigação: o ex-presidente do Fed (Banco Central dos EUA)  Paul Volcker;  Richard Goldstone  da África do Sul e ex-promotor do Tribunal Internacional Criminal da ex-Iugoslávia e do Tribunal Internacional de Ruanda;  e   Mark Pieth, da Suíca, especialista em finanças da Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Em  22 de abril de 2004, o Conselho de Segurança de Organização das Nações Unidas passou uma resolução unânime que endossou  o inquérito de Volcker sobre corrupção no programa Petróleo-por-comida para o Iraque e pediu a colaboração dos  191 estados membros. [22]

On a initial report of 219 pages, the commission of Volcker registers that Benon Sevan used his position to make and receive request of Iraqi oil during the years that he supervised the program.

Internal documents of SOMO (Iraq 's State Oil Marketing Organization) as well as interviews with Iraqi ex-employees involved in illicit selling of oil, show that Sevan had requested and had received allocations of 7.3 millions barrels of oil in the name of a company registered in Panama called African Middle East Petroleum Co.

Although the report does not make a specific allegation of criminal activity by Sevan, Volcher does not exclude the possibility that the accusations have been filed by authorities in countries with relevant jurisdiction.

O relatório chamou a conduta de Sevan "eticamente imprópria anotando que Sevan tinha recebido grandes  pagamentos à vista que totalizam 160 mil dólares por cada ano durante o qual ele tinha sido chefe  do programa. O Sevan diz que o dinheiro veio de uma tia no  Chipre morreu, mas a comissão de investigação não achou nenhuma evidência para apoiar esta afirmação.

Volcker também informou em Janeiro que uma revisão de 58 auditorias confidenciais da ONU sobre o programa  mostrou que funcionários da ONU igonoraram precocemente sinais de que as mercadorias despachadas pela companhia suíca Cotecna para o Iraque antes da invasão de 2003 foram pouco inspecionadas, se é que foram inspecionadas. A Cotecna pagou a Kojo Annan, o filho do secretário-geral da ONU,  Kofi Annan, taxas  de  consultoria, até  Novembro de 2003. Volcker disse que os futuros relatórios deveriam tratar as questões relacionadas Kojo Annan [23].

O secretário-geral da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) general Kofi Annan foi absolvido pelo relatório da comissão de Volcker,  dia 29 de Março  das acusações de que ele teria usado sua influência para conceder contratos no Iraque à companhia suíça Cotecna Inspection Services , onde trabalhava seu filho Kojo Annan.

Kofi Annan porém é questionado  por não ter investigado melhor as operações relacionadas a seu filho Kojo. E dois membros de seu pessoal, Iqbal Riza e Dileep Nair, foram criticados  no relatório da comissão Volcker. Riza alegadamente rasgou documentos relacionados aos contratos na investigação depois que o secretário-geral rencomendou que eles fossem guardados. O jornal The New York Times disse que Nair foi "fraudulento" ao indicar uma pessoa que quase não tinha experiência para um posto de grande responsabilidade do programa Petróleo-por-comida.

O filho do secretário-geral, Kojo, também foi  bastante criticado pelo relatório, que diz que ele "enganou intencionalmente o secretário-geral" sobre a sua ligação financeira com a empresa suíça. E acrescenta: "Questões significativas permanecem a respeito de Kojo e de suas ações durante o outono [boreal] de 1998, assim como da integridade de seus negócios e transações financeiras com respeito ao programa Petróleo por comida."

Kofi Annan recebeu pressões  para renunciar, todavia ele disse que não fará isso.[24]

Dia 14 de Abril, o texano David Chalmers, proprietário da empresa  Bayoil Inc, de Hounston e que participou do programa da ONU, foi preso e indiciado, acusado de ter pago milhões de dólares para o regime de Saddam Hussein e de usar dinheiro do programa Petróleo-por-comida. [25]
Também foram indiciados um  búlgaro residente dos  EUA,  chamado Ludmil Dionisiev, um britânico chamado  John Irving e um  sul-coreano identificado como Tongsun Park.

Os promotores dos EUA que investigam o caso acusaram Tongsun Park de tentar influenciar autoridades da ONU. Eles dizem que Park encontrou-se com duas autoridades de elevado posto da ONU nos anos 90 e que recebeu dois milhões de dólares por seu trabalho.

Funcionários da ONU admitiram que o ex-secretário-geral Boutros Boutros-Ghali tinha uma grande amizade com Tongsun Park e que eles se encontraram por diversas vezes durante os anos noventa, que era a época em que se acertavam os detalhes do programa Petróleo-por-comida.

Um alto funcionário da ONU, Maurice Strong, admitiu que manteve relações com o sul-coreano Tongsun Park.  Strong confirmou que Tongsun Park investiu numa empresa de energia da qual Strong  fazia parte, em 1997. Todavia, Strong  disse que o investimento foi uma relação comercial normal e que não tinha nenhuma relação com o Iraque.

Maurice Strong é um conselheiro próximo do secretário-geral da ONU  Kofi Annan. Em entrevista para a  agência de notícias VOA, Koffi Anan disse que desconhecia qualquer relacionamento financeiro entre Strong e Park.[26]