На кандидата в президенты Армении Паруйра Айрикяна совершено покушение

31 января 2013 года в центре Еревана на кандидата в президенты Армении от оппозиционной партии «Объединение „Национальное самоопределение“» Паруйра Айрикяна совершено покушение.
Врачи извлекли пулю из тела политики, его жизни ничего не угрожает.
Эксперты связывают покушение с намеченными на 18 февраля 2013 года президентскими выборами в Армении.

Неизвестные открыли огонь по Айрикяну примерно в 22:30 в центре Еревана неподалёку от его дома на улице Тпагричнери («Печатники»).
Неизвестный дважды выстрелил в него, а затем скрылся.

С ранением в область предплечья Паруйр Айрикян в районе 23:55 по местному времени доставлен в медицинский центр Св. Григора Лусаворича.
Недавно врачи завершили операцию по извлечению пули из тела Айрикяна.
Политик находится в реанимации.
Врачи оценивают его состояние как среднетяжелое.
Жизни 63-летнего Айрикана, как утверждается, эти ранения не угрожают.

На место происшествия прибыл начальник Полиции Армении Владимир Гаспарян.
В связи с произошедшим возбуждено уголовное дело по статье «Попытка убийства государственного, политического или общественного деятеля, которая совершена с целью прекращения его деятельности».
Дело о покушении на Айрикяна находится в введении Службы национальной безопасности Армении.
Как сообщает Полиция Армении, для расследования покушения на кандидата в президенты РА Паруйра Айрикян создана совместная оперативно-следственная группа, в которую вошли сотрудники Полиции и Службы национальной безопасности.
На месте, где произошло покушение, обнаружена одна гильза от патрона калибра 7,62 мм.

Назначена комплексная экспертиза. Проводятся необходимые оперативно-розыскные и следственные мероприятия для установления личности стрелявшего и его местонахождения.

Из-за покушения президентские выборы в Армении, запланированные на 18 февраля 2013 года, могут быть отложены.
Об этом заявил спикер парламента республики Овик Абрамян: «По крайней мере, возможность переноса выборов предусмотрена законодательством, если Паруйр Арикян не сможет продолжить предвыборную гонку».

Пострадавшего кандидата посетили глава правительства Армении Тигран Саргсян, спикер парламента Овик Абрамян и другие высокопоставленные чиновники, кандидаты в президенты Раффи Ованнисян и Грант Багратян.

Председатель парламента, говоря о покушении, расценил его как выпад против армянской государственности.
Он также назвал произошедшее попыткой дестабилизировать ситуацию в стране.

Министр образования республики Армен Ашотян также заявил, что покушение было совершено с целью сорвать выборы.

Паруйр Айрикян — один из восьми кандидатов в президенты на нынешних выборах. В советские времена он был диссидентом.
Впоследствии был избран депутатом парламента Армении.
В 2003 году Айрикян участвовал в президентских выборах, но успеха не добился.

По мнению российских политологов к покушению на кандидата в президенты Армении Паруйра Айрикяна не имеют отношение действующие власти республики, или какие-либо другие политические силы.
Так, в частности, заместитель генерального директора Центра по изучению постсоветского пространства Александр Караваев высказался в СМИ, что Айрикян не являлся реальным соперником действующему президенту страны Сержу Саргсяну.

Выборы президента Армении должны состояться 18 февраля, и фаворитом является действующий глава государства Серж Саргсян.
Среди других кандидатов — премьер-министр, лидер партии «Свобода» Грант Багратян, экс-глава МИД, председатель правления партии «Наследие» Раффи Ованнисян.

1 февраля 2013 года


Around 240 Chilean protesters detained after anti-government demonstration

Around 240 demonstrators in the Chilean capital of Santiago were detained Friday after anti-government protests held against the country's education system and increasingly free market policies.

The annual protests, organized by the Revolutionary Left Movement, were held on the eve of the Day of the Youth Combatant. The day commemorates the deaths of Eduardo and Rafael Vergara, brothers who were assassinated on March 29, 1985 under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

The protesters, many of whom were students, reportedly threw rocks into Santiago's main street, prompting squads of riot police to spray tear gas into the crowds. Other protesters marched towards the presidential palace, but it was cordoned off and heavily guarded. Most of the 240 who were detained are expected to be released after their identities are confirmed.

In between skirmishes with police, some protesters handed out flyers explaining their views. They say the government has manipulated the education system to favor the rich. "We think this neo-liberal education system that the government has introduced should be stopped," said Saray Acevedo of the National Popular Coordinator of Students.

President Michelle Bachelet condemned the protests. "If one wants to pay homage to the tremendous tragedy of the Vergara brothers, during a period when Chile was not democratic, the right thing to do is guarantee that democracy means being able to express yourself but without violence," she said. "Democracy in Chile is solid and there is no justification for violence," Bachelet added.

Other Chileans who didn't take part in the demonstrations agree with some of the protesters' views. "There are so many problems," said Rodrigo Núñez, 39. "It is true education is expensive and marginalizes the poor. The cost of living is high. Electricity and gas prices are up. Look at how they protest in Argentina! I voted for this government and feel conned."

2 days before Friday's protests, a bomb exploded in a Santiago bank. Police blamed the attack on "anarchists", and they believe it was connected to the annual protests.

Additional protests are planned for Saturday, when the Day of the Youth Combatant will be formally recognized.


240 מפגינים צ'יליאנים נעצרו לאחר הפגנה כנגד הממשלה

כ-240 מפגינים בסנטיאגו, בירת צ'ילה נעצרו אמש (שישי) לאחר הפגנה נגד הממשלה. ההפגנה התמקדה במערכת החינוך הממשלתית ובמדיניות השוק החופשי התופסת תאוצה במדינה הדרום אמריקנית.

ההפגנה, המתרחשת אחת לשנה, אירעה בערב "יום הלוחמים הצעירים" - חג לאומי בצ'ילה המציין את ההתנקשות בחייהם של האחים אדוארו ורפאל ורגארה בהוראת ממשלו הדיקטטורי של אוגוסטו פינושה ב-1985. על פי הדיווחים, המפגינים, רובם סטודנטים, יידו אבנים אל עבר השדרה הראשית של סנטיאגו. בתגובה שיגרו כוחות המשטרה יחידות לפיזור הפגנות אשר ירו גז מדמיע אל תוך הקהל. מפגינים אחרים החלו בצעדה אל עבר הארמון הנשיאותי, אך זה היה שמור היטב על ידי כוחות הביטחון המקומיים.

המפגינים חילקו לעוברים ולשבים עלוני מידע ובהם הסברים על ההפגנה. לטענתם, הממשלה מנצלת ומעוותת למטרותיה את מערכת החינוך כדי להעצים את כוחם של עשירי המדינה. הנשיאה המכהנת מישל בצ'לט גינתה את ההפגנות: "אם מאן דהוא מבקש לכבד את זכר מותם הטראגי של האחים ורגארה בעת תקופתה הלא דמוקרטית של צ'ילה - הדבר הנכון לעשותו הוא להבטיח שמשמעות הדמוקרטיה היא להיות בר-יכולת להתבטא, אך ללא אלימות," אמרה.

בשוך ההפגנות נעצרו כ-240 מפגינים. רובם צפויים להשתחרר לאחר שכוחות המשטרה יאמתו את זהותם. כוחות הביטחון הצ'יליאנים העלו באחרונה השערות כי הפיצוץ אשר אירע לפני כיומיים באחד הבנקים בבירה היה מעשה ידי קבוצת אנרכיסטים וכי יש לו קשר להפגנות אשר פרצו אמש, ואשר צפויות להמשך במרוצת הימים הקרובים.


As many as 100 civilians die in Afghan raid

Afghan officials warned that a United States raid had killed 100 people, "mostly civilians", in the Afghani province of Farah.  Among the dead was a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and his family.

"Twenty-five to 30 of them are Taliban, including from Chechnya and Pakistan, and the rest are civilians including children, women and elderly people," said police official Abdul Rauf Ahmadi.

The governor of the province, Rohul Amin, said that he thought that as many as 100 civilians were killed in the raid.

A spokeswoman for the ICRC said the organization sent help to the region after being contacted by village elders.  "When [our team] went to the first two villages where these incidents took place they saw dozens of bodies. They saw graves and they saw people being buried."  ICRC officials also claim that they saw women and children among the dead.

The U.S government has said it is conducting a joint inquiry into the incident.  State department spokesman Robert Wood, said in a statement: "Coalition forces and the Afghan government have received reports of civilian casualties in conjunction with a militant attack on Afghan National Security Forces in Farah Province on May 5."

Deputy provincial governor Mohammad Younus Rasouli said that villagers brought the bodies of 20 dead children to his office in the capital city of Farah as proof that the raid killed civilians.

Approximately 2,000 civilians were killed in fighting against the Taliban in 2008, the United Nations says.


Más de 100 personas mueren por bombardeo estadounidense en Afganistán

6 de mayo de 2009Herāt, Afganistán — De acuerdo con las autoridades afganas, más de un centenar de civiles murieron en un ataque aéreo estadounidense en el distrito Bala Buluk (ubicado en la provincia de Farāh). La información fue confirmada por delegados de la Cruz Roja Internacional que recorrieron la zona afectada.

El bombardeo se produjo horas antes de la reunión sostenida en Washington entre el presidente de Estados Unidos Barack Obama, el de Afganistán Hamid Karzai y el de Pakistán Asif Ali Zardari.

Durante la reunión Obama anunció "El camino será difícil. Habrá más violencia y más reveses", al tiempo que ordenó el desplazamiento de 21.000 soldados más a Afganistán. Por su parte, Hillary Clinton, secretaria de Estado de Estados Unidos, afirmó que su país lamentaba "profundamente" la muerte de civiles.

Los ataques estadounidenses pretenden apoyar los esfuerzos del ejército pakistaní para contener el avance de grupos islámicos en la región. Sin embargo, un portavoz de la policía informó a los medios de comunicación reconociendo a las víctimas: "Entre 25 y 30 eran talibanes, entre los cuales algunos eran de Chechenia y de Pakistán, y el resto eran civiles, incluidos niños, mujeres y ancianos".


Mais de 100 pessoas morrem por bombardeio estadunidense no Afeganistão

Herāt, Afeganistão • 7 de maio de 2009

De acordo com as autoridades afegãs, mais de uma centena de civis foram mortos em um ataque aéreo estadounidense no distrito Bala Buluk (localizada na província de Farāh). A informação foi confirmada pelos delegados da Cruz Vermelha Internacional que visitou a área afetada.

O bombardeio ocorreu horas antes da reunião em Washington entre presidentes dos Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, do Afeganistão, Hamid Karzai e do Paquistão, Asif Ali Zardari.

Durante o encontro, Obama anunciou que "o caminho será difícil. Haverá mais violência e mais reveses", ao mesmo tempo que ordenou o deslocamento de mais 21.000 soldados para o Afeganistão. Por outro lado, Hillary Clinton, Secretária de Estado, disse que seu país lamentava "profundamente" a morte de civis.

Os ataques estadunidenses pretendem apoiar os esforços do exército paquistanês para conter o avanço dos grupos islâmicos na região. No entanto, um porta-voz da polícia informou aos meios de comunicação reconhecendo as vítimas: "Entre 25 e 30 eram talibãs, alguns dos quais eram provenientes da Chechênia e do Paquistão e os restantes eram civis, incluindo crianças, mulheres e idosos.


Asif Ali Zardari elected as President of Pakistan

Asif Ali Zardari, widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has won the Pakistani Presidential Election. The election was called after resignation of Pervez Musharraf.

He also serves as a co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Zardari, secured 479 votes from the total number of 702 votes of the electoral college consisting of two houses of the parliament and four provincial assemblies.
Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, who was fielded by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Group, received 153 votes while Senator Mushahid Hussain, a candidate from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam Group, got 43 votes.

Meanwhile Siddiqui and Mushahid Hussain have accepted the results and congratulated Zardari for his victory.


Asif Ali Zardari è il nuovo presidente del Pakistan

Il parlamento del Pakistan ha eletto in data odierna il nuovo presidente della nazione, Asif Ali Zardari, che va a succedere a Pervez Musharraf, dimessosi nell'agosto scorso per evitare la procedura di impeachment.

Il nuovo presidente, 53enne, ha ricevuto 281 voti su un totale di 426 (quasi il 66%). A partecipare all'elezione, oltre ai componenti del parlamento bicamerale pakistano, anche quattro consigli provinciali.

Zardari è il marito dell'ex premier Benazir Bhutto, uccisa in un attentato il 27 dicembre 2007, ed è vicepresidente del Partito del Popolo Pakistano, di cui è presidente il figlio Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.


Asif Ali Zardari sworn in as President of Pakistan

Asif Ali Zardari has been sworn in as the President of Pakistan. The 53-year-old Zardari took oath from Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar in Islamabad on Tuesday.

He took the oath as the twelfth President of Pakistan. On Sept. 6, Zardari, secured 479 votes from the total number of 702 votes of the electoral college consisting of two houses of the parliament and four provincial assemblies.

Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, who was fielded by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Group, received 153 votes while Senator Mushahid Hussain, a candidate from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam Group, got 43 votes.

Zardari is the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated Dec. 27, 2007. The election was called after former President Pervez Musharraf resigned last month.


Asif Ali Zardari tatt i ed som Pakistans president

Målform: Bokmål - Dato: 10. september 2008 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

Pakistan:  Avdøde Benazir Bhuttos enkemann Asif Ali Zardari ble i går tatt i ed som Pakistans tolvte president.

53 år gamle Zardari ble tatt i ed av høyesterettsdommer Abdul Hameed Dogar i Islamabad i går. Zardari fikk 479 av de 702 valgmannsstemmene fra landets valgkretser den 6. september.

Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui fikk 155 av stemmene, mens senator Mushahid Hussain fikk 43 stemmer. Valget kom etter at Pervez Musharraf trakk seg som president i august.


At least 150 militants and 50 Pakistani troops killed in clashes

The Pakistani army says that at least 150 to 200 Taliban militants, along with 50 Pakistani troops have been killed in recent battles between al-Qaeda, Taliban fighters and Pakistani troops along the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan in an area known as North Waziristan. At least 20 other troops were injured and at least 15 are reported to be missing. 12 civilians are also reported to have been killed.

"We have told them to surrender and give up their weapons," said Major General of the Pakistani army,  Waheed Arshad. Militants say that they are going to attempt to overthrow the government and take the newly elected Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf out of power.

The battles began on Saturday October 6 in the town of Mir Ali and have lasted three days so far. Army officials say that they will "continue punitive action until complete peace is restored." The battles were triggered after several Pakistani officials were targeted and peace talks with officials in Islamabad failed to go forward.

In September, Osama bin Laden issued a new audio tape in which he told militants to resist Pakistani troops and rebel against the army. He also asked militants to seek revenge for the assault on the Red Mosque when almost 100 were killed by militants and troops.


Pakistan: Schwere Gefechte an der Grenze zu Afghanistan

Mir Ali (Pakistan), 09.10.2007 – Seit Sonntag, dem 7. Oktober, finden in Waziristan, einer Bergregion an der Grenze zu Afghanistan, schwere Kämpfe zwischen der Armee und islamistischen Kämpfern statt. In der Folge fliehen Medienberichten zufolge zehntausende Zivilisten aus der Region. Es handelt sich um die schwersten Gefechte seit 2003. Damals hatte Präsident Pervez Musharraf mehrere tausend Soldaten in das Stammesgebiet entsandt.

Nach Armeeangaben hat die Luftwaffe heute mehrere Angriffe in der Gegend um Mir Ali, der zweitgrößten Stadt in der Provinz Nord-Waziristan, geflogen. Dabei sollen mindestens 50 Menschen getötet und etwa gleich viele verletzt worden sein. Laut pakistanischer Armee kamen in den letzten drei Tagen mindestens 250 Menschen ums Leben: 200 Rebellen und ungefähr 50 Soldaten. Die Rebellen sollen Verbindungen zu al-Qaida und den Taliban haben.

Zu Angaben über zivile Opfer wollten die Militärs keine Angaben machen. Noor Hassan, ein Bewohner einer Ortschaft nahe Mir Ali, sagte laut „The Guardian“, dass der Basar in seinem Dorf getroffen wurde. Dabei sollen mehrere Zivilisten gestorben sein. Die Nachrichtenagentur „AFP“ berichtet davon, dass in Mir Ali mehr als 50 Häuser zerstört worden sind. Die Agentur beruft sich dabei auf Augenzeugenberichte und Aussagen des Stammesältesten Malik Iqbal Khan. Demnach hätten Anwohner über Lautsprecher der Moscheen an die Armee appelliert, ihre Häuser nicht zu beschießen. Über der von der Armee abgeriegelten Stadt hätten Hubschrauber gekreist. Bereits vor dem Angriff sind hunderte Einwohner der Stadt in Nachbarorte geflohen. Gegenüber „Reuters“ sagte ein Anwohner, dass 90 Prozent der Bürger von Mir Ali die 50.000-Einwohner-Stadt verlassen hätten. In jedem Haus blieben nur eine oder zwei Personen zurück, um den Besitz zu schützen.

Laut „AFP“ sind die Kämpfe am Sonntag aufgeflammt, nachdem Rebellen mehrere Armee-Konvois beschossen hatten, woraufhin die Armee Kampfjets einsetzte – eine relativ seltene Maßnahme, wie in einem Artikel der Nachrichtenagentur „Reuters“ bemerkt wird. Häufiger sind Angriffe mit Kampfhubschraubern. Zuvor waren Abkommen zwischen den Stammesältesten und den Aufständischen gescheitert. Die Stammesältesten hatten sich dazu verpflichtet, mäßigend auf die bewaffneten Gruppen einzuwirken. Im Gegenzug hatte die pakistanische Regierung zugesagt, ihre Truppen aus der Region abzuziehen. Die Regierung griff zu dieser Maßnahme, weil in den letzten drei Jahren mehr als 1.000 Soldaten in Waziristan ums Leben gekommen sind. Generäle der US-Armee hatten die Strategie kritisiert. Aus ihrer Sicht sei dadurch ein sicheres Rückzugsgebiet für islamistische Kämpfer entstanden. Kamal Matinuddin, ein ehemaliger General der pakistanischen Armee, sprach gegenüber dem arabischen Fernsehsender „Al Jazeera“ von einer bürgerkriegsähnlichen Situation in den Stammesgebieten.

Armeesprecher Waheed Arshad kommentierte die Gefechte mit folgenden Worten: „Die Armee kämpft gegen gut ausgebildete Aufständische.“ Der General glaubt, die Aufständischen hätten Verbindungen zu Afghanistan, woher sie Geld und Waffen bekämen. In einem Artikel des „Guardian“ wird gemutmaßt, dass die jüngsten Angriffe mit einem zunehmenden Druck der US-Regierung auf den in einer umstrittenen Wahl am letzten Wochenende im Amt bestätigten Pervez Musharraf zusammenhingen. Die US-Regierung glaubt, Nord-Waziristan werde von al-Qaida und den Taliban als Basis für ihre Angriffe in Afghanistan genutzt.


Enfrentamientos armados en la frontera de Pakistán dejan por lo menos 150 muertos y cientos de heridos

Las fuerzas armadas de Pakistán indicaron que entre 150 y 200 militantes talibanes y unos 50 soldados pakistaníes habrían muerto en los enfrentamientos que se presentaron durante las últimas horas entre tropas de Pakistán y Al Qaeda en la región fronteriza entre Pakistán y Afganistán, conocida como Waziristán del Norte. Al menos otros 20 militares resultaron heridos y unos 15 se encuentran desaparecidos. También fueron reportados 12 civiles muertos.

"Hemos hablado con ellos para que se rindan y depongan las armas", afirmó Waheed Arshad, Mayor General de las tropas pakistaníes. Los militantes dijeron que están dispuestos a luchar hasta que el gobierno del presidente Pervez Musharraf, recientemente reelegido, sea depuesto.

Los enfrentamientos comenzaron el sábado 6 de octubre en la población de Mir Ali y finalizaron tres días más tarde. Los oficiales dijeron que "continuarán contrarrestando todas las operaciones en la zona hasta que se reestablezca completamente la paz". Las batallas comenzaron después de que varios oficiales pakistaníes fueron atacados y fallaron las conversaciones de paz en Islamabad.

En septiembre, Osama bin Laden realizó una nueva grabación en la cual pide a los militantes talibanes resistir a las tropas de Pakistán y rebelarse contra el ejército. También solicitó a los militantes vengar el asalto a la Mezquita Roja en donde fueron asesinados por lo menos 100 insurgentes.


150 rebelles et 50 soldats pakistanais meurent dans des combats au Waziristan

L'armée pakistanaise a annoncé que 150 à 200 combattants talibans et 50 soldats pakistanais avaient péri au cours de récents combats opposant Al-Qaida, des rebelles talibans et des soldats pakistanais dans le Waziristan-nord, une région du Pakistan voisine de l'Afghanistan. Une vingtaine de soldats ont en outre été blessés et quinze autre au moins sont portés disparus. Douze civils auraient également perdu la vie.

« Nous leur avons dit de se rendre et de déposer les armes, a expliqué le major-général pakistanails Waheed Arshad. » Les rebelles ont répondu qu'ils allaient au contraire essayer de renverser le gouvernement et de chasser du pouvoir le président pakistanais récemment élu, Pervez Musharraf. Les combats qui ont débuté le 6 octobre dans la ville de Mir Ali duraient déjà depuis trois jours. Les responsables militaires ont annoncé qu'ils « continueraient leur opération punitive jusqu'au retour complet de la paix. » Les combats ont éclaté lorsque plusieurs officiels pakistanais ont été pris pour cible et que les négociations de paix à Islamabad se sont embourbées.

En septembre dernier, Oussama Ben Laden a diffusé une nouvelle cassette audio dans laquelle il appelle les militants à résister aux troupes pakistanaises et à se rebeller contre l'armée. Il y demande aussi aux militants de venger l'assaut contre la mosquée Rouge d'Islamabad au cours duquel une centaine de personnes avaient été tuées par les rebelles et les soldats.


At least 175 killed, 200 injured in northwestern Iraq

In northwestern Iraq today, multiple suicide bombers used trucks loaded with explosives to kill at least 175 people, and injure another 200, the Iraq military said. It all happened in the mainly Kurdish Yazidi town of Qahtaniya, an estimated 60 miles west of Mosul. Qahtaniya is Iraq's third largest city. If the death toll is accurate, the attack was one of the deadliest in Iraq in the past six months.

U.S. military helicopters are reportedly helping to evacuate the wounded. The injured are being moved to Dahuk, about 60 miles north of Qahtaniya. U.S. military sources said American troops are on the ground to offer their assistance. Also, television stations in the area are asking for blood donations.

The Bush administration called the attackers "vicious and heartless murderers," saying "We condemn these barbaric attacks on innocent civilians...Extremists continue to show to what lengths they will go to stop Iraq from becoming a stable and secure country. We will continue to work with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces to stabilize the country."


Al menos 250 muertos en una serie de ataques suicidas en Iraq

Al menos 250 personas han muerto por una serie de cuatro ataques suicidas el martes en el norte de Iraq, según reportaron oficiales, y que involucraban a cuatro camiones cisterna.

"Era como una explosión nuclear. La segunda era aún más fuerte", declaró el capitán del ejército, Jalal Mohammed, a la AFP. "Todo ha quedado destruido. Las casas, los edificios, los comercios. Era horrible [...] Una tragedia. Muertos por doquier"

Otras 375 personas resultaron heridas luego de que los cuatro camiones bomba fueran detonados alrededor de las 8 p.m. (hora local) en las residencias de Kahtaniya, al-Jazeera y Tal Uzair, cerca de la frontera con Siria.

El ataque tuvo lugar en la provincia de Nínive, 60 millas al oeste de Mosul, y tenía aparentemente en el blanco a una minoría kurda, la secta yezidi.

La explosión además causó fuego en varios edificios cercanos. Este ataque es uno de los peores ocurrido en 2007 por la insurgencia en Iraq.

Esta secta tiene una religión preislámica, aunque venera mayoritariamente a un arcángel Malak Taus, a pesar de respetar a profetas bíblicos y coránicos, entre ellos Abraham.

Algunos cristianos e islamitas consideran que este arcángel es en realidad Lucífer o Satanás, por lo que se ha expandido la creencia que los yezidíes profesan al diablo.

La tensión entre los islamitas y los miembros yezidi aumentó, sin embargo, luego de que Doaa Jalil Aswad, una adolescente de 17 años, fuese apedreada por su propia comunidad luego de haberse casado con un islamita en abril, 2007.

Además, cerca de 21 miembros yezidíes fueron asesinados en una emboscada llevada a cabo por fundamentalistas suníes en la ciudad de Mosul.

"[Esto es una] guerra de exterminio lanzada por los terroristas y los takfiris [extremistas]", declaró el presidente iraquí, Jalal Talabani.

La Casa Blanca condenó el accionar y declaró que eran "ataques bárbaros contra civiles inocentes".

"Los extremistas muestran continuamente hasta que medida llegarán para impedir que Iraq se convierta en una nación estable y segura", anunció la Casa Blanca en una declaración. "Continuaremos colaborando con el gobierno iraquí y las fuerzas de seguridad iraquíes para estabilizar el país y derrotar a estos viciosos y descorazonados asesinos".

Oficiales también reportaron que el ejército de Estados Unidos estaba en el área ayudando a las docenas de heridos. El ejército además señaló a Al Qaeda como culpable de los ataques. "Al Qaeda es el principal sospechoso", declaró el mismo.

El ejército temía que Al Qaeda lanzara un gran ataque contra la población iraquí.

También se reportó que 5 miembros del staff estadounidense fallecieron luego de que su helicóptero cayera, aunque no se sabe la causa de por qué cayó.

Además, el gobierno ya había anunciado la muerte de cuatro de sus soldados en dos incidentes en la provincia de Nineveh y Bagdad.

Este ataque ha sido calificado como uno de los peores en Iraq durante más de cinco años.

El peor ataque en singular este año ocurrió el 7 de julio, cuando cerca de 150 personas murieron y otras 200 resultaron heridas tras detonar un auto bomba en Amerli.

Más temprano el martes, un auto bomba había matado a 10 y había destruido un puente en Bagdad.

Entre tanto, otro ataque pero a Kirkuk dejó dos muertos y 13 heridos este miércoles, siguiendo así con la serie de ataques que ha cobrado miles de vidas en Iraq.

Además, dos ministros que habían renunciado al gobierno de Maliki tras acusarlo de fallar en sus expectativas fueron y atendieron al gobierno sorpresivamente.

Los dos ministros forman parte del grupo que renunció al gobierno de Maliki acusándolo de ignorar su pedidos y de llevar a Iraq a una "miseria nunca antes vista en la historia".

Sin embargo, en respuesta a esta crisis política, el Primer Ministro Nuri Al Maliki ha llamado a una cumbre de crisis invitando a todas las facciones políticas del país a fin de resolver el punto muerto de la política del país.

Todavía no se ha dado fecha para la reunión, y el gobierno aún se encuentra organizando la cumbre para resolver las inminentes diferencias.


At least 50 killed in clashes in Guinea

Witnesses and medical officials say at least 50 people have been killed in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests.

Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons, used tear gas, and detained several opposition leaders.

"We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," the city's university medical centre's doctor said.

On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2.

"All demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2," said Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, in a televised address on Sunday.

However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis", and others chanted "We want true democracy." Some of the demonstrators set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city.

"[...] Conakry can be rightly described as a police state [...] All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses," said Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist, to the Al Jazeera news agency.

Captain Camara took power in a coup last December, following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte.

When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates, and Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections, which are scheduled for January 2010.

The African Union said it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. It said it was concerned about what it called a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order.

Opponents have also accused Mr Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech.

Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair.


Mueren al menos 157 personas en violenta represión en Guinea

29 de septiembre de 2009Conarky, Guinea —

La violenta represión de una manifestación se ha cobrado al menos 157 muertos y 1.253 heridos, según ha declarado a la agencia de noticias AFP, Thierno Maadjou Sow, presidente de la Organización Guineana de Derechos Humanos. Los manifestantes protestaban por la posible candidatura de Moussa Dadis Camara a las elecciones presidenciales. Camara es jefe de la junta militar que gobierna ese país desde el 23 de diciembre de 2008, llegando al poder mediante un golpe de Estado luego de la muerte del presidente Lansana Conté, que gobernó Guinea por 24 años.

Unos 50.000 manifestantes se habían concentrado frente al estadio "28 de septiembre" para protestar; cuando ingresaron en el mismo, según denuncias de activistas de derechos humanos guineanos, les comenzaron a disparar. Por el pánico, los manifestantes habrían salido por una única puerta donde habrían sido emboscados por fuerzas de seguridad. Se registraron denuncias sobre violaciones a mujeres y que habrían arrestado a opositores, entre ellos los líderes Cellou Diallo y Sydia Toure, este último ex-primer ministro.

Francia condenó la represión y suspendió la ayuda militar a Guinea, además afirmó que va a realizar una revisión de la ayuda bilateral. La represión también ha sido condenada por Estados Unidos, el Reino Unido, la Unión Africana y el secretario general de las Naciones Unidos, Ban Ki-moon, quien ha quedado horrorizado por las muertes. También han reclamada la inmediata liberación de los prisioneros.


Guinée : au moins 157 morts dans des manifestations à Conakry

L'Organisation guinéenne de défense des droits de l'Homme parle d’au moins 50 morts et de plus de 1 200 blessés à lors de la brutale intervention, lundi, des forces de sécurité contre une manifestation interdite à Conakry. Selon cette ONG, le bilan pourrait s'alourdir à mesure que les équipes de secours découvrent d'autres victimes.

Citant des témoins, l'ONG, Human Rights Watch, fait état de victimes atteintes de plusieurs balles, d'autres blessées au poignard ou à la baïonnette, ainsi que des femmes battues et violées. Près de 50 000 personnes s’étaient regroupées au Stade du 28-septembre pour protester contre une éventuelle candidature du capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara, chef de la junte au pouvoir, à la prochaine élection présidentielle, prévue en janvier 2010.

Le rassemblement, interdit par la junte, a vite tourné au désastre, avec coups, blessures, morts, et arrestations à la clef. De nombreux blessés n’ont pas pu se rendre à l’hôpital en raison de l’important dispositif de sécurité déployé.

Quant au chef de la junte, il a dit n'être pas au courant que les forces de sécurité avaient ouvert le feu. Dans une déclaration à la radio sénégalaise RFM, le capitaine Moussa Dadis Camara a dit avoir été dégoûté quand il a appris la nouvelle.

Le bilan définitif de la répression pourrait être difficile à établir, car les forces de l'ordre ont ramassé les corps pour les emporter vers une destination inconnue.

La répression de lundi a été condamnée dans le monde entier. L'Union européenne a appelé, mardi, à ce que les responsables soient traduits en justice. Le secrétaire général de l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon, l'Union africaine et le gouvernement français ont tous condamné le recours à la force en Guinée.


Guiné: Governo reprime manifestação dos opositores no estádio de futebol, deixando 157 mortos e 1.253 feridos


At least 63 killed by Iraqi suicide bombs

Car and suicide bombs killed at least 63 people within a single hour near markets in an area called "New Baghdad" and in Sadr City, Iraq.

The two car bombs were detonated near marketplaces and bus stops in al-Jadida at 3:00 PM local time. Another was detonated near a security checkpoint. At least 134 people were wounded in the attack.

A news release from the United States Army forces in Iraq said that troops helped 327 families displaced by the bombings to safe locations. During a search of a building, troops found three pistols, two AK-47s, eight women, and at least 23 children.

Major General Joseph F. Fil said that he believes that the insurgents are "...watching us carefully," to determine their next move.


Au moins 63 morts dans des attentats-suicides en Irak

Des bombes suicides et des voitures piégées ont tué au moins 63 personnes en une heure près des marchés de la zone appelée « New Baghdad » et dans Sadr City.

Les deux voitures piégées ont été faites exploser près de marchés et d'arrêts de bus dans al-Jadida à 15 heures heure local. Une autre a explosé près d'un point de contrôle. au moins 134 personnes ont été blessées dans cette attaque.

Une communication de l'armée américaine en Irak indique que les soldats ont aidé 327 familles déplacées à cause des bombes dans des endroit sûrs. Lors d'une fouille dans un immeuble, les forces armées ont découvert trois pistolets, deux AK-47, huit femmes et au moins 23 enfants.

Le major-général Joseph F. Fil a indiqué qu'il croit que les rebelles « les surveillent attentivement » pour déterminer leurs prochains mouvements.


At least eight die in Afghan capital suicide bombing

At least eight people have died in the Afghan capital Kabul after a suicide bombing hit the Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic and governmental residential district, according to officials.

The car bomb exploded this morning outside the Heetal Hotel shortly before the start of a three-day conference on corruption in the capital, killing at least eight. President Hamid Karzai said that the dead included two bodyguards of former vice-president Ahmad Zia Massoud. The former vice-president's house was damaged, and police suspect that he may have been the intended target of the attack.

Kabul has suffered many attacks in recent months. Last month, a rocket strike near a hotel in the capital injured four people, and another car bomb attack outside a NATO base injured six.


Afghanistan : un attentat à Kaboul fait 5 morts et 10 blessés

Une puissante explosion s'est produite ce matin en plein centre de Kaboul, en Afghanistan.

Selon une source policière, l'attentat s'est produit dans la partie nord-est de la ville, où sont situées la plupart de missions diplomatiques des États occidentaux. D'après les premières informations, on compte cinq morts et plus de dix blessés, dont des policiers et des enfants.

L'interlocuteur de RIA Novosti a précisé que l'attentat avait été perpétré en face d'un restaurant. Un bus a pris feu et plusieurs voitures ont été endommagées.

L'attentat a été perpétré au moment où s'ouvrait une conférence internationale sur la lutte contre la corruption, organisée par le ministère afghan des Affaires étrangères, dont le bâtiment se trouve à proximité du lieu de l'explosion.

La conférence, réunissant des experts locaux et étrangers ainsi que des représentants du gouvernement afghan et du corps diplomatique étranger, devrait être inaugurée par un discours du président afghan Hamid Karzaï.


At least thirty-three more dead in Ethiopia election clashes

At least thirty-three more people have died in a second day of protests in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.  Reuters put the figure at twenty-three.

According to incoming reports police forces opened fire on stone-throwing youths who were engaged in protest.

The protests were called in reaction to the results of the parliamentary elections held in May which many opposition figures maintain were rigged.  When the election results were first declared in June riots erupted in which 36 people died.

The latest series of protests come as the parliamentary session is scheduled to begin.  The opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy called the protest and refused to take their seats until new and transparently organised elections are held, and mass arrests of opposition activists cease. The party said that six of its top officials, including chairman Hailu Shawel and vice-chairman Berhanu Nega, had been detained.

30 taxi drivers who took part in demonstrations against the parliamentary elections were arrested and had their licenses revoked.

Authorities have jailed at least two journalists and increased censorship of media coverage of anti-government protests, reports the Committee to Protect Journalists. On 2 November, police arrested two editors and a reporter from the independent Amharic-language weekly Hadar. Many other journalists have gone into hiding and much of the independent press has stopped publishing on orders from the police.

The Associated Press reports that an anonymous source in Black Lion Hospital told their reporter that most of the dead had been shot in the chest.  One eye-witness at the hospital claims that the police fired randomly into the crowd.

The dead were all shot by riot police and opposition spokesman Gizachew Shiferaw said police used excessive force. The previous day, however, two of the dead were police shot by protesters.  The Government accuses the opposition of attempting to topple the government, and dismissed an assessment by European Union monitors that the elections failed to meet international standards.


Erneute Proteste in Addis Abeba kosten acht Menschen das Leben

Addis Abeba (Äthiopien), 02.11.2005 – In der äthiopischen Hauptstadt ist es am Dienstagmorgen wieder zu blutigen Ausschreitungen von Anhängern der Opposition gekommen. Acht Menschen haben dabei ihr Leben verloren, nachdem die Polizei das Feuer auf Steine werfende Demonstranten eröffnet hatte. Etliche Menschen mussten im örtlichen Krankenhaus behandelt werden, darunter auch 28 wegen Schussverletzungen.

Auslöser der Demonstration war die Verhaftung und der Entzug der Lizenz von 30 Taxifahrern, die sich am Montag an ersten Protesten beteiligt hatten. Mehrere Anführer der größten Oppositionspartei „Koalition für Einheit und Entwicklung“ (CUD), die der Regierung Manipulationen der Wahl im Mai dieses Jahres vorgeworfen hatten, verhaftete die Polizei noch am selben Tag. Premierminister Meles Zenawi verteidigte die Festnahmen und beschuldigte sie des Verrates und anderer nicht genauer bezeichneter Vergehen. Laut Aussagen des Informationsministers werden Angehörige mehrerer Zeitungen beschuldigt, durch regierungsfeindliche Berichte Unruhe gestiftet zu haben, und müssen das gleiche Schicksal fürchten.

Schon im Juni ist es nach Protesten zu mindestens 35 Toten gekommen. Laut der Menschenrechtsorganisation Human Rights Watch wurden dabei Gefangene 150 Kilometer südlich von Addis Abeba wochenlang in einer Art Straflager gehalten. Das gewalttätige Einschreiten der Polizei ist kein ungewöhnliches Vorgehen in dem nordafrikanischen Land. Im April 2001 schossen Polizisten auf eine Studentendemonstration, töteten über 30 und verletzten 400 Menschen.


Aung San Suu Kyi claims a seat in the Parliamentary elections in Myanmar

Nobel Peace Prize winner and activist Aung San Suu Kyi claims to have won an estimated 99% of votes in the Kawhmu constituency in Myanmar's parliamentary elections yesterday.

The leader of National League for Democracy, she spent most of the past 22 years under Junta rule as a political prisoner. The victory claim was displayed by her party on a digital signboard in Yangon. Although Suu Kyi expressed concern at the election's fairness, the 66 year old eventually contested Kawhmu, a rural constituency located two hours from Yangon.

Unofficially the NLD claimed victory in thirteen constituencies across the country but official tallies are yet to be released. Myanmar has been under military rule for the past 49 years. NLD claimed it was on its way to win 44 of 45 seats in the by-elections. Widespread incidents of irregularities were reported during polling against which NLD spokesman Nyan Win said he would write to the Union Election Commission.

Known as The Lady, Suu Kyi is the daughter of independence fighter Aung San. Her supporters waited in crowds for hours just to get a glimpse of her as she campaigned for her first ever elections.


Η Αούνγκ Σαν Σου Κι κέρδισε έδρα στις εκλογές της Βιρμανίας

Η τιμημένη με Νόμπελ Ειρήνης, πρόμαχος της δημοκρατίας Αούνγκ Σαν Σου Κι, η οποία τα τελευταία 20 χρόνια βρίσκεται σε κατ' οίκο περιορισμό στην Βιρμανία, κέρδισε έδρα στην κάτω Βουλή της χώρας.

Το κόμμα της, Εθνική Ένωση για την Δημοκρατία, ανακοίνωσε τη νίκη της λίγο μετά την δύση του ηλίου που έκλεισαν οι κάλπες στις αναπληρωματικές εκλογές που έγιναν την Κυριακή. Κατά την σχετική ανακοίνωση, «η Αούνγκ Σαν Σου Κι κέρδισε την έδρα περιοχής καλλιέργειας ρυζιού νότια της Ρανγκούν». Αυτόπτες μάρτυρες αναφέρουν ότι «εκατοντάδες υποστηρικτές της άρχισαν αυθόρμητα πανηγυρισμούς».

Αν η νίκη της επιβεβαιωθεί θα αποτελέσει μεγάλο ορόσημο για τη Βιρμανία, η οποία επί σχεδόν 50 χρόνια βρίσκεται κάτω από στρατιωτικό καθεστώς, μέχρι πέρσι που ανέλαβε την εξουσία πολιτική κυβέρνηση.

Η Υπουργός Εξωτερικών των ΗΠΑ, Χίλαρι Κλίντον, εξέφρασε συγκρατημένη αισιοδοξία. Είπε ότι «αν και τα αποτελέσματα των εκλογών στην Βιρμανία, τις οποίες παρακολούθησε με μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον, δεν έχουν ακόμα ανακοινωθεί, εν τούτοις οι ΗΠΑ συγχαίρουν τους πολίτες της χώρας που συμμετείχαν στην εκλογική διαδικασία, πολλοί για πρώτη φορά. Οι ΗΠΑ είναι προσηλωμένες στην στήριξη των προσπαθειών μεταρρύθμισης».

2 Απριλίου 2012


Birmanie : l'opposition revendique la victoire aux législatives

L'opposition birmane, menée par Aung San Suu Kyi — prix Nobel de la paix 1991 — et la Ligue nationale pour la démocratie (LND), a revendiqué aujourd'hui la victoire dans la totalité des 44 circonscriptions lors des élections législatives en Birmanie.


Aung San Suu Kyi leaves house arrest to meet with government official

Myanmar opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi has left her house arrest to meet with government officials.

Witnesses have observed a caravan of vehicles leaving the home of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Reports say that she is meeting with a liaison minister, U Aung Kyi, who was recently appointed by Senior General Than Shwe, the leader of Myanmar's military junta.

The appointment of a liaison minister came after Special Envoy of the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in Myanmar on an urgent mission to press for mediation and reconciliation.

Yesterday, protests around the world yesterday marked the 12 years that Aung San Suu Kyi has spent in detention or house arrest. She was first arrested in 1989.


Aung San Suu Kyi interrumpe arresto domiciliario para reunirse con oficial del gobierno

25 de octubre de 2007Rangún, Birmania —

La líder de la oposición en Birmania, Aung San Suu Kyi, ha interrumpido su arresto domiciliario para reunirse con un oficial del gobierno. Testigos reportaron que una caravana de vehículos se alejaba del hogar de la ganadora del Premio Nobel de la Paz de 1992.

Algunos reportes indican que se reunirá con ministro, U Aung Kyi, quien ha sido recientemente apuntado por el General Than Shwe, el líder de la Junta Militar que gobierna el país.

El apuntamiento del ministro ocurre luego de que un Enviado Especial de la ONU, Ibrahim Gambari, arrivara a Birmania en una misión urgente para llegar a la mediación y reconsiliación.

Ayer, las protestas en todo el globo marcaron los 12 años que Aung San Suu Kyi ha sido prisionera en su propio hogar.


Aung San Suu Kyi a pu quitter sa résidence d'assignation pour rencontrer les autorités birmanes

Publié le 25 octobre 2007   La dirigeante de l'opposition du Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, a quitté la maison dans laquelle elle est assignée à résidence pour rencontrer un représentant du Gouvernement.

Des témoins ont observé un convoi de véhicules quittant la résidence de la lauréate du Prix Nobel de la paix 1992. Des rapports ont indiqué qu'elle rencontrerait un ministre de liaison, U Aung Kyi, qui a récemment été nommé par le général en chef Than Shwe, dirigeant de la junte militaire du Myanmar.
Ce rendez-vous se produit après que l'Envoyé spécial de l'Organisation des Nations unies, Ibrahim Gambari, se fut rendu au Myanmar pour une mission d'urgence de médiation et de réconciliation.
Hier, des manifestions ont marqué dans le monde entier les douze années d'assignation à résidence ou d'emprisonnement de Aung San Suu Kyi. Elle a été arrêtée pour la première fois en 1989.


Aung San Suu Kyi release orders 'signed'

Reports say that Burmese military generals have signed the release papers of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi; her release has not been officially confirmed. Rumours spread that Suu Kyi would be freed yesterday, but she is now expected to be freed today when her arrest period expires.

Security has been increased, though it is unclear whether it is in anticipation of Suu Kyi's release. Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Myanmar specialist, says that the release will only take place if the national ruler Senior General Than Shwe believes it's in his advantage. "I don't anticipate they will release her without conditions," Zawacki added.

Suu Kyi's lawyer had earlier said that she would only accept an unconditional release. He added that there was no law to continue the arrest after Saturday. She has been held under house arrest numerous times in the last 20 years. In 1991, a year after her National League for Democracy won the Burmese general election, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. But her win in those elections were nullified by the military junta.


Myanmar: Oppositionspolitikerin Aung San Suu Kyi ist frei

Rangun (Myanmar), 14.11.2010 – Die burmesische Oppositionspolitikerin Aung San Suu Kyi, die von der in Myanmar herrschenden Militärjunta seit 15 Jahren gefangen gehalten wird, wurde am gestrigen Samstag auf freien Fuß gesetzt. Tausende Anhänger begrüßten sie jubelnd, als sie sich am Tor ihres Hauses zeigte. 1991 hatte Suu Kyi für ihren Kampf um Demokratie und Menschenrechte in ihrem Land den Friedensnobelpreis erhalten. Das norwegische Nobelkomitee hat die Politikerin nun nach Norwegen eingeladen, um den Preis entgegenzunehmen. Wegen ihres Hausarrestes hatte die Preisträgerin ihren Preis nicht persönlich entgegennehmen können.

Weltweit wurde die Freilassung der beliebten Politikerin mit Genugtuung aufgenommen. In einer ersten Ansprache an ihre Anhänger sagte Suu Kyi: „Wenn wir unsere Kraft richtig einsetzen, kann sie niemand brechen.“ Ihren Anhängern machte sie Mut ihren Kampf um Demokratie fortzuführen: „Mut bedeutet, dass wir uns beharrlich für das einsetzen, woran wir glauben… Mut bedeutet nicht, seine physische Kraft einzusetzen und laut zu werden.“ Gegen die Junta hege sie keine Rachegefühle. Während ihrer Gefangenschaft sei sie immer gut behandelt worden.


Aung San Suu Kyi vapautettiin kotiarestista

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (s. 19. kesäkuuta 1945) on vapautunut kotiarestista yli viisitoista vuotta kestäneen vankeuden jälkeen. Hänen kotinsa ympärille oli kerääntynyt useita tuhansia hänen kannattajiaan seuraamaan hänen vapautumistaan.

Burman sotilasjuntta oli pitänyt oppositioaktiivi Suu Kyitä kotiarestissa yhteensä yli 13 vuotta, ensin 1989–1995 ja uudelleen 2000–2002. Viimeisin arestijakso alkoi toukokuussa 2003. Kansainvälinen yhteisö, Amnesty International ja monet tahot olivat kampanjoineet laajasti hänen vapauttamisekseen. Hänelle myönnettiin Nobelin rauhanpalkinto vuonna 1991.

Suu Kyillä on kaksi poikaa, jotka asuvat Isossa-Britanniassa. Hänen miehensä on kuollut.

Aung San Suu Kyi toivoo rauhanomaista uudistusta. Tuhannet burmalaiset kerääntyivät sunnuntaina 14.11.2010 kuuntelemaan hänen puhettaan yhdistymisestä. [1]

Norjan Nobel-komitea kutsui Aung San Suu Kyin Osloon pitämään rauhanpalkintonsa vuonna 1991 liittyvän puheen, jota hän ei voinut pitää 19 vuotta sitten. Hänet palkittiin väkivallattomasta taistelusta demokratian ja ihmisoikeuksien puolesta. Palkinnon nouti hänen poikansa.[2][3]


பர்மாவின் ஆங் சான் சூச்சி விடுதலை

கடந்த ஏழு ஆண்டுகளாக பர்மாவின் இராணுவ ஆட்சியாளர்களால் வீட்டுக்காவலில் வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த மக்களாட்சிக்காகக் குரல் கொடுத்த ஆங் சான் சூச்சி நேற்று நவம்பர் 13, சனிக்கிழமை விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்டார்.

ரங்கூனில் உள்ள அவரது வீட்டின் முன்னால் திரண்டிருந்த பல்லாயிரக்கணக்கான ஆதரவாளர்களின் முன்னால் அவர் உரையாற்றும் போது ”ஒற்றுமையின் மூலமே எமது குறிக்கோளை எட்ட முடியும்” எனக் கூறினார்.

அமைதிக்கான நோபல் பரிசு பெற்ற சூச்சி அம்மையார் கடந்த 21 ஆண்டுகளில் 15 ஆண்டுகள் சிறையிலும், வீட்டுக்காவலிலும் கழித்தார். இவரது விடுதலைக்கு முன்நிபந்தனைகள் ஏதாவது வைக்கப்பட்டதா என்பது தெரியவில்லை.

20 ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்னர் சென்ற வாரம் இடம்பெற்ற பொதுத்தேர்தல்களை அடுத்து இவர் விடுதலை செய்யப்பட்டது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. இத்தேர்தல் ஒரு பெரும் மோசடி என உலக நாடுகள் வர்ணித்திருந்தனர்.

1990 இல் இடம்பெற்ற தேர்தல்களில் சூச்சியின் மக்களாட்சிக்கான தேசிய முன்னணி பெரும் வெற்றி பெற்றிருந்தது. ஆனாலும் இராணுவ ஆட்சியாளர்களால் அக்கட்சி ஆட்சியமைக்கத் தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டது. அதன் பின்னர் சூச்சி அம்மையார் தடுப்புக் காவலிலும் வீட்டுக்காவலிலும் வைக்கப்பட்டார்.

பல வெளிநாட்டுத் தலைவர்கள் இவரது விடுதலையை வரவேற்றிருக்கிறார்கள். "சூச்சியின் விடுதலை எப்போதோ நடந்திருக்க வேண்டியது" என அமெரிக்க அரசுத்தலைவர் பராக் ஒபாமா கூறினார்.

ஞாயிறு, நவம்பர் 14, 2010


Australia accused of bullying East Timor over oil field treaty

The Australian Federal Government has been accused of bullying and short-changing the tiny nation of East Timor (Timor-Leste). Australia and East Timor have signed a treaty to share revenue from the Greater Sunrise energy field located in the Timor Sea. The treaty means each country gets half the revenue from the area - but any further negotiations on maritime boundaries will be postponed for up to 50 years.

The treaty, signed in Sydney on January 12th was attended by Australian Prime Minister John Howard and his East Timorese counterpart Mari Alkatiri. The treaty is the culmination of long-running negotiations and bitter disputes between the two countries on how to split the $40 billion resource.

East Timorese Prime Minister Dr Mari Alkatiri said the landmark agreement would provide a major boost to the nation's revenues - while protecting its territorial sovereignty. "I am confident this is for the benefit of the people," he said. Dr Alkatiri anticipated production may be up to 10 years away.

However, an Australian lobby group has vehemently attacked the failure to address, what they say, the bigger and more important issue of permanent maritime boundaries. Timor Sea Justice Campaign (TSJC) spokesman Tom Clarke says the Australia government did not respect conventional maritime boundaries. He says the postponed decision on maritime boundaries means East Timor will not be able to gain control of their territory.

"The Australian Government has basically bullied the poorest country in Asia into postponing its claim to sovereignty," said Mr Clarke. "So a permanent maritime boundary will not be established under this deal - they're basically leaving that issue for future generations to negotiate."

Other non-government organisations (NGO's) have protested about Australia's exploitation in the disputed area. A communiqué signed by 12 East Timor NGO's stated that the maritime frontier with Australia should have been established first, before the exploration of resources began.

Australian energy giant Woodside Petroleum, operator of the Greater Sunrise project, has given no indication as to when the development might go ahead.

Company spokesman Roger Martin said there were still a few steps to go before the Greater Sunrise joint venture partners would be making any decisions on how to proceed.

Prime Minister John Howard believes the deal is a fair and just outcome and will strengthen relations between the two countries. "It means that the very close relationship between our two countries can not only continue but become even closer," he said.

But Tom Clarke (TSJC) has described the deal as a "stop gap, band-aid solution" - because nothing had been settled on the issue of maritime boundaries. "It simply postpones the real issues of sovereignty for half a century," he said. Mr Clarke said East Timor clearly had more claim over the energy field than Australia.

"The Australian Government has continually and blatantly refused to abide by International Law. Instead, it has bullied the poorest country in Asia into a series of dodgy resource sharing deals, to take billions of dollars that simply do not belong to us," he said.

The campaigners claim the deal marks another sad chapter of Australian foreign policy betrayal, saying the Howard Government is determined to increase Australia's reputation as a bully in the region. "This really should have been a very simple matter of just drawing a line half way between two coastlines, but once again the greed and self-interest of our, the Australian Government, has brought shame to all Australians who believe in a fair go," Mr Clarke said.


Gränsavtal Östtimor-Australien klart

Östtimor –
Australien och Östtimor har undertecknat ett avtal som innebär att man delar på inkomster på flera miljarder dollar från gas- och oljefyndigheter i havet mellan länderna, uppger BBC News.

Den östtimoriske utrikeministern Jose Ramos Horta sa att avtalet innebar goda nyheter för båda länderna. För det fattiga Östtimor innebär avtalet inkomster på bortåt 10 miljarder dollar.

Östtimor blev självständigt 2002 och har sedan dess varit beroende av utländskt bistånd. Avtalet innebär slutet på en dispyt som stundtals varit mycket bitter och som fått Australien att framstå som en arrogant supermakt. Med avtalet har gränsdragningen mellan länderna skjutits på framtiden i 50 år, vilket innebär att oljan och gasen under havet kan börja utvinnas.


Australia grants temporary asylum to 12 Commonwealth Games athletes

Twelve athletes from Sierra Leone, who disappeared from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last week, have been granted bridging visas by Australia's Department of Immigration. The group have been released into the Sydney community. Three of the Sierra Leoneans say they face forced female circumcision if they go back.

Department of Immigration spokesperson Sandi Logan said the bridging visas were only a stop-gap measure. "The bridging visa simply enables them to be here lawfully if in the period of time between now and then the type of visa they apply for requires further investigation on a country basis or a country profile, if in fact that's the type of visa and the type of investigation that's required," he said.

A group of six Sierra Leoneans contacted the Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary - who had previously given shelter and assistance to six other missing athletes. Members of the first group of athletes told media that they feared for their safety if they were forced to return to Sierra Leone.

Originally 14 of the nation's 22-strong Games delegation were reported missing. Two other Sierra Leone athletes remain at large after visas allowing them to compete in the Games were cancelled by the Department of Immigration.

In total, eleven athletes are still missing after the Games finished on Sunday, including seven from Cameroon, a Bangladeshi runner, and a Tanzanian boxer.

The ABC report that two missing Cameroon athletes have contacted Immigration officials in Perth. Refugee advocate group, The Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) says the men are receiving legal advice. The Department of Immigration says they are in the country legally as their visas do not expire until April 26.

Twenty-one athletes disappeared from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Britain.


Commonwealth Games: Untergetauchte Sportler erhalten befristete Aufenthaltsgenehmigungen

Sydney (Australien), 28.03.2006 – Einige Sportler aus verschiedenen afrikanischen Ländern, die am Wochenende während der Commonwealth Games in Australien untergetaucht waren, sind von der Polizei entdeckt worden, andere haben sich bei den Einwanderungsbehörden gemeldet. Einige Sportler erhielten nun befristete Aufenthaltsgenehmigungen.

Dreizehn Sportler, die an den bis Sonntag andauernden Commonwealth Games in Melbourne teilgenommen haben, werden noch vermisst. Die Nachrichtenagentur Reuters spricht von insgesamt 19 vermissten Athleten. Unter den 13 Sportlern befinden sich neun Menschen aus Kamerun, ein Läufer aus Bangladesch und der Boxer Iddi Kimweri aus Tansania, dessen Mannschaft am Dienstag ohne ihn nach Tansania zurückreiste. Ein BBC Korrespondent in Daressalam sprach mit der Frau des untergetauchten Boxers, die sich von der Nachricht schockiert und überrascht zeigte. Auch zwei Sportler aus Sierra Leone werden noch vermisst. Insgesamt waren 14 der insgesamt 21 Sportler der Mannschaft aus Sierra Leone während der Commonwealth Games untergetaucht. Sechs Sportler meldeten sich am Montag bei einer Einwanderungsbehörde in Sydney. Nach Angaben der Flüchtlingsorganisation „Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary“ sind die Sportler aus Sierra Leone der Meinung, dass das Leben bei einer Rückkehr in ihre Heimat sehr schwer für sie werde. Der 19-jährige Sportler Hassan Fullah sagte im australischen Fernsehen, er fürchte sich davor, bei einer Rückkehr nach Sierra Leone getötet zu werden. Sein Bruder sei in Sierra Leone umgebracht worden. Laut Medienberichten wurde Hassan Fullah vor seiner Abreise zu den Commonwealth Games schwer misshandelt. Der 100-Meter-Sprinter Lamin Tucker ist in seiner Heimat als Studentenaktivist bekannt, der zweimal wegen Kritik an der Regierung inhaftiert wurde. Nach Aussagen von Lamin Tucker, dessen Vater im zehnjährigen Bürgerkrieg ums Leben kam, musste dieser vor der Abreise nach Australien dem sierra-leonischen Minister für Jugend und Sport, Dennis Bright, versichern, in Australien keine Kritik an der Regierung von Sierra Leone zu üben. Die Weitspringerin Marion Banguru sagte dem Fernsehsender ABC, Frauen müssten sich in Sierra Leona verstecken, um der Verstümmelung weiblicher Genitalien zu entgehen. Diese Begründung wird von insgesamt drei Sportlerinnen aus Sierra Leone geteilt. Sechs Athleten aus Sierra Leone erhielten vorläufige Aufenthaltsgenehmigungen, bei sechs anderen Sportlern, die von der Polizei in einem wohlhabenden, am Meer gelegenen Stadteil von Sydney festgenommen wurden, werden die Anträge auf Anerkennung als Flüchling noch geprüft. Vorerst dürfen sich die Athleten aber weiter in Australien aufhalten. Die bis zum 13. April befristeten Aufenhaltsgenehmigungen erlauben es den Sportlern, einen Antrag auf Anerkennung als Flüchtling zu stellen und bis zur abschließenden Prüfung des Antrages in Australien zu bleiben.

Für die Teilnehmer der Commonwealth Games wurden spezielle Visa ausgestellt, die noch einen Monat nach Ende der Spiele gültig bleiben. Die australischen Behörden haben aber die Visa der noch vermissten Sporler widerrufen und sie zu illegalen Einwanderern erklärt. Die Sportler aus Sierra Leone leben nun vorübergehend bei Australiern, die ebenfalls aus Sierra Leone stammen.

Bei den letzten Commonwealth Games, die vor vier Jahren in Manchester stattfanden, wurden nach dem Ende der Spiele 21 Athleten vermisst. Die ersten Commonwealth Games fanden 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Kanada, statt. Zwischen 1930 und 1950 hießen die Spiele „British Empire Games“. Seit 1930 finden die Spiele mit Teilnehmern aus den Ländern des Commonwealth, einem Statenbund bestehend aus dem Vereinigten Königreich und dessen ehemaligen Kolonien, alle vier Jahre statt.


Australia now recognises West Jerusalem as Israeli capital, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces

On Saturday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the national government's decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israeli capital, while reaffirming the nation's goal for two-state solution for Israel-Palestine conflict regarding authority of Jerusalem.

"The Australian government has decided that Australia now recognises West Jerusalem, as the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel", Morrison said in a speech.  Currently, the Australian embassy in Israel is situated in Tel Aviv.

Israel claims the entire city of Jerusalem to be its capital; while Palestine claims part, East Jerusalem, as its own territory and the capital of the proposed future state. Israel came to control East Jerusalem as part of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.  Jerusalem is considered a holy city by three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Spokesperson of the Israeli Embassy in Australia Eman Amasha issued a statement on Sunday saying "Israel views the decision of Australian Government to open its Trade and Defence Office in Jerusalem as a step in the right direction."

Despite recognising West Jerusalem as Israeli capital, Morrison said the Australian Embassy would not be relocated to West Jerusalem until the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was resolved by a two-state solution. "We look forward to moving our embassy to West Jerusalem, when practical, in support of and after a final status determination [...] We've decided to start the work there now, to identify a suitable site for an Australian embassy in West Jerusalem", Morrison added.  Morrison also said, "A two-state solution remains the only viable way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute". Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, said, "The policies of this Australian administration have done nothing to advance the two-state solution".

Senator Penny Wong of the opposition Labor Party in Australia said "Recognising West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, while continuing to locate Australia's embassy in Tel Aviv, is nothing more than a face-saving exercise that shows Mr Morrison continues to put self-interest ahead of the national interest.  This is a decision which is all risk and no gain. It is a reckless move by a desperate and divided government that satisfies no one."  Another opposition leader Bill Shorten said he was worried the Prime Minister "put his political interest ahead of our national interest".

Malaysia and Indonesia, two Muslim-majority neighbouring nations of Australia, responded to the decision.

The Foreign Ministry of Malaysia released a statement which read: "Malaysia strongly opposes the decision by the government of Australia to recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel".  It went on to say: "Malaysia firmly believes that this announcement, made before the settlement of a two-state solution, is premature and a humiliation to the Palestinians and their struggle for the right to self-determination."

Malaysia, which has been Australia's free trade partner for almost six years now, emphasised on a two-state solution and concluded by saying "Malaysia will continue to work closely with all partners to find a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict."

Speaking about Australian government's announcement, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said, "Jerusalem has always been under Palestine, so why are they [Australia] taking the initiative to divide Jerusalem [as it is] not belonging to them, but to divide the Arabs and the Jews? They have no rights".

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry's statement said: "Indonesia calls on Australia and all member states of the UN [United Nations] to promptly recognise the State of Palestine and to co-operate towards the attainment of sustainable peace, and agreement between the state of Palestine and Israel based on the principle of two-state solution."

Saeed Abu Ali, the Arab League's Assistant Secretary General for Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories, called Morrison's decision "blatantly biased toward the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation."  Previously, in September, Saeed Abu Ali praised Paraguay's decision to move its embassy back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv as on the "right track".

Last year, the United States, and Guatemala declared recognition of Jerusalem in its entirety as Israel's capital.  Paraguay followed the decision of the US and Guatemala, moving its embassy to Jerusalem, but, then-new President Mario Abdo Benítez reversed the decision.  Paraguayan Foreign Minister Luis Luis Castiglioni said, "Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East".  Following Benítez's decision, Israel announced closing its embassy in Paraguay and recalling its ambassador from Paraguay.


Australia reconoce Jerusalén como capital de Israel

Australia ha reconocido Jerusalén Oeste como la capital del Estado de Israel, aunque el traslado de la embajada desde Tel Aviv no se realizará hasta que no se concluya un acuerdo de paz, según ha asegurado el primer ministro, Scott Morrison.

Canberra se alineó con otros gobiernos del mundo en seguir el liderazgo del presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y reconocer a Jerusalén como la capital de Israel. En diciembre de 2017, el gobierno norteamericano reconoció Jerusalén como capital del Estado Judío y en mayo situó en esta ciudad su misión diplomática. Mientras tanto, Australia establecerá por el momento oficinas encargadas de defensa y comercio en la Ciudad Santa.

"Australia reconoce a partir de ahora a Jerusalén Oeste, donde se ubican la Knesset (Parlamento) y numerosas instituciones gubernamentales, como capital de Israel", ha afirmado el primer ministro. El pasado octubre Morrison ya aseguró que estaba dispuesto a trasladar la Embajada de Australia situada en Tel Aviv. El representante palestino en Australia, Izzat Abdulhadi, insta a los países árabes y musulmanes a "retirar a sus embajadores" y a "tomar medidas de boicot económico".


Australia sends more troops to Afghanistan

The Australian government has confirmed it will send an extra 200 troops to Afghanistan as part of a security and reconstruction team. Prime Minister John Howard says troops will leave from late July and will spend about two years in Afghanistan separate from the Special Forces and commandos already serving there. In a press conference in Canberra today, Mr Howard said the deployment was "further evidence of the government's ongoing commitment to assist the people of Afghanistan in consolidating their embrace of democracy and resisting any attempt on the part of the Taliban to come back."

The Australian Greens oppose the deployment of new troops. In a press release, Senator Bob Brown voiced his opinion on the matter, and said the following about Australia's deployment: "The announcement that Australia will be sending 200 more troops to Afghanistan comes hard on the heels of the Bush administration announcing the withdrawal of 3000 troops from the same theatre," he said. "Without the US withdrawal there would be no Australian deployment. This is John Howard once again using the ADF to meet the Bush administration's political shortcomings. Our troops should be kept at home."

"The ADF contribution will be a mixed security and reconstruction taskforce of approximately 200 personnel and will be deployed over a period of two years," Howard told reporters. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) troops will be deployed from late July and work alongside Dutch soldiers as part of a NATO force. The extra 200 troops will bring the number of ADF personnel to more than 500.

Australia sent 1,550 troops to Afghanistan in 2001, including special forces, to join the U.S.-led strikes against the Taliban regime. Australia's only fatality in Afghanistan came in February 2002 when a soldier was killed after his vehicle hit a land mine. Violence has intensified in Afghanistan in recent months, particularly in the south and east, with a wave of raids, roadside and suicide bombings killing dozens of people.


Australien skickar ytterligare 200 till Afghanistan

Australien –
Australiens premiärminister John Howard meddelade att man planerar att skicka en styrka på ytterligare 200 man till södra Afghanistan, uppger BBC.

Gruppen beskrivs som en blandning av ingenjörstrupper och säkerhetsstyrkor och kommer från och med i juli och två år framöver arbeta med återuppbyggnad som en del av en styrka som leds av Nederländerna.

I januari beslutade Australien att förstärka sin truppnärvaro i Afghanistan med 110 man. Med den nya styrkan, som även omfattar två transporthelikoptrar, kommer Australien ha stationerat omkring 500 man i Afghanistan.


Australia to continue burning Indonesian boats

Indonesian Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi has asked the Australian government to stop burning Indonesian boats found fishing illegally in Australian waters. His Australian counterpart, Senator Ian Macdonald, has said that the practice will continue. "The law is that we are required to offer the boats back on payment of a bond somewhere between $4,000 and $10,000, and if the owners don't pay that in 28 days then the boat's forfeited to the Australian Government," he said. "We have no use for them and we destroy them and we'll continue to do that."

The boat owners, who often come from poor backgrounds, generally can't afford to pay and are then deported. While waiting for a decision one fisherman has died [1] . Under a 1974 agreement with Australia, traditional Indonesian fishermen are permitted to take fish within a 12 nautical mile radius of Ashmore Reef, Cartier Island, Scott Reef, Seringapatam Reef and Browse Island. Often the fishermen caught are traditional fishermen who navigate by the sun, stars and with the wind, so with no visible borders, they often mistakenly fish in illegal waters.

Some fishermen are professionally profiteering on catching sharks for their valuable fins while throwing away the rest of the sharks body. There is even confusion as to who could be defined as a "traditional fisherman" and who is just profiteering illegally. Fisherman who persist and get caught more than once can end up in detention.


Australia seguirá quemando barcos que pesquen ilegalmente en sus aguas

El ministro de pesca de Indonesia, Freddy Numberi, solicitó al Gobierno de Australia que no continúe con la práctica de quemar los barcos de pesca indonesios atrapados pescando ilegalmente en aguas australianas. En respuesta a esta solicitud, el senador Ian Macdonald dijo que esa medida continuará. Explicó el senador que "La ley dice que debemos restituir los barcos luego de pagada la multa de entre $4.000 y $10.000. Cuando los dueños no pagan antes de 28 días, el barco queda decomisado por el Gobierno de Australia. Como no tenemos uso para los barcos decomisados, los destruimos y así continuaremos haciendo".

Frecuentemente los dueños de barcos provienen de estratos pobres y no tienen la capacidad económica para cancelar las multas. Según un acuerdo de 1974 con Australia, los pescadores tradicionales de Indonesia pueden pescar dentro del radio de 12 millas náuticas del arrecife de Ashmore, la isla Cartier, el arrecife Scott, el arrecife Seringapatam y la isla Browse. Con frecuencia los capturados son pescadores tradicionales que navegan sin instrumentos y se desubican fácilmente cuando no tienen costas a la vista, por lo que en ocasiones pescan en aguas no cubiertas por el acuerdo.

Al mismo tiempo, quienes más aprovechan este acuerdo, debido a la ambigüedad del término pescador tradicional, son los pescadores profesionales que cazan tiburones, extraen las partes de mayor valor y desechan el resto. Cuando un pescador es atrapado más de una vez, puede ir a prisión antes de ser deportado.


Australia to withdraw troops from Iraq this year

Australia will press on with plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq in June this year, although promises were made by the nation's foreign minister that relations with the United States will not be affected by the move.

Foreign minister Stephen Smith said that the withdrawal will be conducted in an orderly fashion to minimise inconvenience to other nations in Iraq. Speaking in New York as part of his first US visit since the election he said "We want to do that in a way which sees minimal disruption, which causes the least inconvenience to our allies there, both the United States and the United Kingdom."

Australia currently has 550 troops in the country.

On Monday Smith will meet with Condoleezza Rice and others to discuss Afghanistan, where Australia also has troops stationed. It is currently the intention for this to remain the case.

Smith said of the effect on relations with the US - which have been strong since World War II - "It's not something which I believe will disturb what to date has been a very good working relationship between the new government and the (U.S.) administration. It's a very strong alliance - an alliance which transcends changes in governments. Administrations come and go, governments come and go, but the alliance is a long-term, enduring fundamental relationship between our two nations."

The confirmation is important as Australia saw a new government elected in November. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (Labour) defeated Conservative head and former PM John Howard. Howard is a supporter of US President George W. Bush and his government.


L'Australie prévoit de retirer ses troupes d'Irak en 2008

L'Australie met au point un programme de retrait de ses troupes d'Irak pour le mois de juin de cette année. Le ministre australien des Affaires étrangères a cependant promis que les relations avec les États-Unis ne seront pas affectées par ce retrait.

Stephen Smith, le ministre australien des affaires étrangères, a indiqué que ce retrait serait effectué de façon ordonné afin de minimiser la gêne occasionnée pour les troupes des autres pays de la coalition militaire en Irak. S'exprimant depuis New York, où il effectue sa première visite aux États-Unis depuis son entrée en fonction, il a déclaré : « Nous voulons [nous retirer d'Irak] de manière à créer le moins de perturbation possible, et a causer le moins de désagréments à nos alliés là-bas, les États-Unis et le Royaume-Uni. ».

L'Australie compte actuellement 550 soldats en Irak.

Lundi, Stephen Smith rencontrera son homologue Condoleezza Rice pour discuter de l'Afghanistan, où des troupes australiennes sont stationnées. Il est pour l'instant prévu de les maintenir sur place.

Stephen Smith a déclaré à propos des relations entre l'Australie et les États-Unis (très intenses depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale) : « Je crois que [ce retrait] n'est pas de nature à perturber les excellentes relations de travail entretenues à ce jour entre le nouveau gouvernement [australien] et l'administration américaine. Il s'agit d'une alliance forte, une alliance qui transcende les changements de gouvernements. Les administrations passent aux États-Unis, les gouvernements passent en Australie, mais notre alliance est une relation durable et fondamentale entre nos deux nations »

Cette confirmation est importante, après l'arrivée d'un nouveau gouvernement en Australie en novembre dernier. Le nouveau Premier ministre travailliste Kevin Rudd l'avait emporté face au Premier ministre conservateur sortant John Howard, qui était un fervent soutien du président américain George W. Bush et de son gouvernement.


A Austrália se prepara para retirar as suas tropas do Iraque neste ano

A Austrália vai pressionar os planos para retirar suas tropas do Iraque, em junho deste ano, embora as promessas foram feitas pelo ministro dos negócios estrangeiros da nação que as relações com o Estados Unidos não serão afetadas pela retirada.

O Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros Stephen Smith disse que a retirada será conduzida de forma regular a minimizar os inconvenientes para outras nações no Iraque. Falando em Nova York, como parte da sua primeira visita desde a eleição nos E.U. disse: "Queremos fazer isso de uma forma que vê interrupção mínima, que cause o mínimo transtorno aos nossos aliados lá, tanto os Estados Unidos como o Reino Unido ".


Australia Votes 2007: Early results suggest Labor win

Early results in the Australian federal election held today show that the opposition Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd looks set to take government. Such a result would end 11 years under the leadership of the Liberal/National coalition led by John Howard.

Early results indicate a 5.25 percent swing to Labor, with 12 percent of the vote counted. If the pattern is continued through the night, Labor could end up with a ten seat majority in the Australian House of Representatives allowing Mr Rudd to form government.

Mr Howard may also face an uphill battle to hold onto his Sydney seat of Bennelong, with Labor recruit Maxine McKew 47.3 percent of the primary vote to Mr Howard's 42.7 percent.

At 9:04 PM (AEDT), Labor leads the election with 68 seats, the coalition 43 with 37 still undecided.

Mr Howard also continues to fight for his seat of Bennelong, with the Labor candidate leading Mr Howard 45.95 to 45.19 on the primary vote.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Labor will win the election. Labor's deputy leader Julia Gillard has said Labor had all but won.

"On the numbers we're seeing tonight, Labor is going to form a government," she said.

Officially, Labor has won 71 seats, the coalition 50 with 27 undecided. 63.84 percent of the vote has been counted. Labor has received a 5.89 percent swing against the incumbent coalition.

The BBC reports that Howard has conceded the election.


Australie : victoire des travaillistes aux législatives

Publié le 24 novembre 2007  Le parti travailliste australien, emmené par Kevin Rudd, a nettement remporté les élections législatives du samedi 24 novembre, mettant ainsi fin à onze années de gouvernement conservateur. Selon des résultats officiels partiels, le parti travailliste a obtenu plus de 53 % des voix, et disposerait donc, selon la chaîne de télévision ABC, de 86 des 150 sièges de la chambre basse du Parlement, tandis que les conservateurs devront se contenter de 62 sièges soit 24 de moins qu'en 2004.

Âgé de 50 ans, Kevin Rudd devrait succéder dans les prochains jours à John Howard, le Premier ministre sortant, qui a reconnu la « victoire incontestable » des travaillistes. Ce dernier a visiblement fait les frais de son soutien indéfectible aux États-Unis et de sa volonté de maintenir les 1 500 soldats australiens présents en Irak, alors que dans le même temps, Kevin Rudd s'est engagé à rapatrier ces troupes. Le leader travailliste a également assuré qu'il participerait en décembre à la conférence de l'Organisation des Nations unies à Bali pour négocier la seconde phase du protocole de Kyōto, que l'Australie est le seul pays industrialisé, avec les États-Unis, a ne pas avoir signé.

John Howard pourrait également perdre son siège de député dans sa circonscription de Bennelong, près de Sydney, ce qui sera une première depuis 78 ans pour un Premier ministre sortant.


Australia Votes 2007: Rudd to become 26th Prime Minister

Kevin Rudd is set to become Australia's 26th Prime Minister after his Labor party defeated John Howard's Liberal/National coalition on Saturday. Mr Howard was the Australian PM for 11 years.

Mr Rudd easily secured the 16 seats Labor needed to win in the House of Representatives, recording a nationwide swing of 6.3 percent.

The victory makes Labor's deputy leader Julia Gillard Australia's first female Deputy Prime Minister.

Giving a concession speech in Sydney, Mr Howard said he took full responsibility for his government's demise. "I accept full responsibility for the Liberal party campaign, and I therefore accept full responsibility for the Coalition's defeat in this election campaign," he said.

Mr Howard told party supporters that he wished for Peter Costello, the Howard government's treasurer to succeed him as leader of the Liberal party.

"The only other thing that I want to say is that the Liberal party of course will need to find a new leader, and I wish that person well, whoever that is, and I've indicated very clearly in my earlier remarks who I believe that person should be. I believe the future of our party does lie very much with Peter Costello and with others who will come in behind him."

Mr Howard congratulated Mr Rudd on his election win and reflected upon his government's past 11 and a half years. "This is a great democracy and I want to wish Mr Rudd well," Howard said.

"We bequeath to him a nation that is stronger and prouder and more prosperous than it was 11-1/2 years ago."

Mr Howard also conceded that it was "very likely" he would lose his own seat of Bennelong to Labor candidate Maxine McKew. Should Ms McKew win the seat, it will be the first time Bennelong has been held by Labor since its creation in 1949. It would also be only the second time in Australian political history that a Prime Minister has lost his own seat in parliament, the last Prime Minister to suffer such a fate was Stanley Bruce in 1929.

Shortly after Mr Howard's concession, Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd delivered a victory speech in Brisbane. Mr Rudd promised to represent all Australians and thanked his predecessor John Howard for his contribution to Australia.

"Today Australia has looked to the future,  will be a prime minister for all Australians," said Rudd.

"I want to acknowledge now for the entire Australian nation and publicly recognise Mr Howard's extensive contribution to public service in Australia."

The incoming Prime Minister also thanked Australia's allies and said he looked forward to working with them.

I look forward as the next Prime Minister of Australia to working with them in dealing with the great challenges, which our world faces.

"I extend our greetings tonight to our great friend and ally the United States, to our great friends and partners across Asia and the Pacific".


Kevin Rudd será el próximo Primer Ministro de Australia

25 de noviembre de 2007Sídney, Australia —

Tras una gran victoria, Kevin Rudd será el 26º Primer Ministro en Australia luego de que su Partido Laborista venciera a la coalición Liberal/Nacionalista de John Howard. Howard fue Primer Ministro australiano por 11 años.

Rudd se aseguró fácilmente las 16 bancas que su partido necesitaba para ganar en la Cámara de Representantes, marcando un cambio de partido de 6,3% de los australianos.

La victoria hace de Julia Gillard, la vicelíder del Partido Laborista, la primera
Viceprimera Ministra mujer en la historia australiana.

En su discurso de concesión en Sídney, Howard dijo que asumía la responsabilidad total por el fallecimiento de su gobierno. "Acepto toda responsabilidad por la campaña del Partido Liberal, y por ende acepto toda responsabilidad por la derrota de la Coalición en esta campaña electoral", dijo.

Howard dijo a los seguidores del partido que deseaba que Peter Costello, el tesorero del gobierno de Howard, lo sucediera a él como líder del Partido Liberal.

"La única otra cosa que quiero decir es que el Partido Liberal por supuesto tendrá que buscar un nuevo líder, y le deseo bien a esa persona, quienquiera que sea, y he indicado muy claramente en mis comentarios previos quién debe ser esa persona. Creo que el futuro de nuestro partido yace con Peter Costello y con otros que irán detrás de él."

Howard además felicitó a Rudd por su victoria e hizo referencia a sus 11 años como Primer Ministro. "Esta es una gran democracia y le deseo bien a Rudd", aseguraba. "Le legamos una nación que es más poderosa y orgullosa y más próspera que lo que era hace 11 años y medio."

El político también reconoció que era "muy probable" que perdería su banca en Bennelong a la candidata laborista Maxine McKew. Si McKew gana el puesto, será la primera vez que Bennelong sea administrada por el Partido Laborista desde su creación en 1949. También sería la segunda vez en la historia australiana que un Primer Ministro pierda su propia banca en el parlamento, siendo Stanley Bruce quien sufrió aquel destino por última vez, en 1929.

Poco después de la concesión de Howard, el Primer Ministro electo Kevin Rudd dio su discurso de victoria en Brisbane. Rudd prometió representar a todos los australianos y agradeció a su predecesor por su contribución a Australia.

"Hoy Australia ha mirado hacia el futuro. Hoy el pueblo australiano ha decidido que como nación seguiremos adelante", dijo Rudd. "Quiero reconocer ahora a la nación australiana y reconocer públicamente la contribución extensiva de Howard al servicio público en Australia."

El nuevo Primer Ministro además agradeció a los aliados de Australia mientras decía que tenía ganas trabajar con ellos.

"A nuestros amigos y aliados alrededor del mundo... Tengo ganas como Primer Ministro de Australia trabajar con ellos para ocuparnos de los grandes desafíos que enfrenta nuestro mundo. Extiendo nuestras bienvenidas esta noche a nuestro gran amigo y aliado los Estados Unidos, a nuestros amigos y colegas en Asia y el Pacífico."


Australia's million-dollar-a-month Nauru detention centre for two refugees

The cost of maintaining the Australian Government's refugee detention centre on the tiny island republic of Nauru is now estimated at AUD1 million per month. The centre is currently home to just two Iraqi asylum seekers who were found to be refugees, but refused protection by Australian Immigration after receiving an adverse security assessment from the Australian security agency, ASIO.

Immigration officials say the Nauru camps are being maintained in a state of readiness, complete with dozens of staff, in case they are needed for future asylum-seekers. The "million dollar a month" figure is more than six times the official estimate given after the last big group of asylum seekers left the island late last year.

The group of 25 asylum seekers were accepted by Australia after nearly five years detained on the island. The decision to release the group followed a September visit to Nauru by former immigration minister John Hodges with mental-health experts, who said that "the precarious mental health of many of the detainees required urgent attention." The delegates said some men were being constantly monitored for suicide risk or self-harm.

The last two asylum seekers on Nauru say they are hitting rock bottom - after their friends were granted refugee and humanitarian visas. Both men say they are beyond the point of despair, insisting that they cannot understand why they received adverse security assessments.

"Sometimes I feel that we are a piece of rubbish that everyone is trying to get rid of," Mohammed Sagar told Melbourne's Age newspaper. "We feel we are caught in the middle of a situation. It is too much to bear," said Mr Sagar, who insists neither he nor Mohammad Faisal are security risks.

"We strongly reject the finding and we believe it is unfair and unjustified. I have not said or done anything to cause harm in any way to an individual, let alone a whole country."

Mr Sagar said there was no longer an interpreter at the facility and this accentuated the men's problems. The pair are also concerned that they will lose other support, including access to a psychiatrist, when responsibility for the centre shifts from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to Australian and Nauru authorities in March.

"I feel I am very alone on this very tiny piece of land in the middle of the sea," Mohammed Sagar, 29, said in November. Mohammad Faisal, 25, said: "My only option now is just to keep going with medication and sit alone inside my room and cry."

Faisal and Sagar say they had been been accused of not being co-operative in interviews with an ASIO officer in January, a charge they emphatically denied. "I am wondering why those officers didn't mention earlier that I haven't been co-operative," wrote Sagar. "Why they waited four months to tell me this. I feel it is a psychological war. And they waited all this time just to put me under mental pressure."

They had reportedly made "anti-Western" and "anti-Australian" comments during an interview with ASIO officers.

"I've never expected that I would some day get such an accusation thrown on me, because it's terrible," said Mr Sagar. "I have never been in a police station, for a small fight even. How come to be a security threat for a whole country? It's terrible. I can't imagine it, even. I'm living in limbo. To think there is a possibility, even 1 per cent, to get a rejection, makes me feel very, very bad," he said.

Mr Faisal says he has a problem with his eyes which he believes could be treated in Australia. "I am enduring all this just to get freedom and be treated as a human being. If I didn't have a problem, I would go back (to Iraq) and would not endure this terrible situation here. I don't want human rights to be given to me. I want animal rights."

This week a DIMIA spokesman said "preliminary estimates" of the cost of maintaining the Nauru facilities in a contingency state were "around $1 million a month". The spokesman said the cost of maintaining the centre was not affected by the presence of the two men.

Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett said the cost was absurd. He said it was crucial that the two men on Nauru not be forgotten: "They can't just be left in limbo."

Critics say there are no grounds for maintaining the facility, bearing in mind the Christmas Island immigration facility with a capacity for over 200 people — and is currently building a AUD300 million 800-bed centre there.

The Howard government has negotiated with Nauru and Papua New Guinea for the detention camps to remain in operation, and has indicated that it will re-activate the two camps if people smuggling resumes. Prime Minister John Howard hails the use of offshore detention as an "outstanding success"

Senator Bartlett said the pair should be allowed to appeal against the findings to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, like those who received adverse security clearances on Australian soil. "It's obviously not tenable to keep two people stuck on an island in the middle of the Pacific on their own," he said. Labor immigration spokesman Tony Burke said: "Nauru should be shut down. It's a waste of money, and it's appalling to leave these two languishing."

An Immigration Department spokesman said officials were working closely with the Nauruan Government "to find a resolution to the situation".

Mr Sagar said he had suffered from depression and frustration over the past four years, but it was much harder now. "We had friends we could talk to to pass the time," he said. "Now I feel as if time has stopped." He expressed gratitude to Australians who had written letters of support.

Among those expressing concern is Mohammad al-Zirjawi, who was freed in August said, "they will go crazy in the camp alone."  Mr Zirjawi suffers from depression, but says he is trying to make a fresh start.

Refugee advocate Marion Le says the ordeal has been a shockingly long period of detention for those on Nauru. She said, "it's been in my opinion an unmitigated disaster."

The Immigration Department said in November that the Government was working to resolve the cases of the two final Nauru asylum seekers.


Flyktningesenter med to flyktninger til en million dollar i måneden

Målform: Bokmål - Dato: 29. januar 2006 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

Australia: / Nauru: Kostnadene ved å vedlikeholde det australske flyktningesenteret på den lille øyrepublikken Nauru beløper seg nå til én million  australske dollar per måned. Flyktningesenteret er nå kun hjem til to irakiske flyktninger som ikke har fått asyl av Australia.

Australske immigrasjonsmyndigheter sier at senteret holdes i beredskap med dusiner av ansatte, i tilfelle det er nødvendig for framtidige asylsøkere. «En million dollar i måneden» er mer enn seks ganger mer enn det offisielle tallet for da den siste store gruppa asylsøkere forlot senteret i fjor.

Gruppa på 25 asylsøkere fikk komme til Australia etter å ha vært på Nauru i nesten fem år. Avgjørelsen om å slippe inn gruppa ble tatt etter et besøk fra Australias tidligere immigrasjonsminister John Hodges i september 2005 sammen med psykologer som sa at «den mentale helsa til flere av asylsøkerne trenger akutt oppmerksomhet». Delegatene sa at noen menn konstant ble overvåket på grunn av selvmordsfare og selvpåførte skader.

De to siste asylsøkerne på Nauru sier de har truffet bunnen etter at deres venner forlot dem. Begge sier at de er håpløse, og at de ikke kan forstå hvorfor de ikke fikk slippe inn i Australia.

«Noen ganger føler jeg at vi er søppel som alle prøver å bli kvitt,» fortalte Mohammed Sagar Melbourne-avisa The Age. «Vi føler det som om vi er fanget i midten av en situasjon. Det er for mye å takle,» sa Sagar, som forsikrer om at verken han eller Mohammad Faisil er sikkerhetsrisikoer.

Sagar sier at det ikke lenger er en tolk på senteret, og at dette forverret mennenes problemer. De to er også bekymret for at de kan miste annen støtte, som tilgang til psykiater, når ansvaret for senteret overføres fra IOM (International Organisation for Migration) til autralske og nauriske myndigheter i mars.

Nauru var en gang et rikt land på grunn av rike fosfatleier, men ble fattig da fosfatleiene ble tomme. I dag er flyktningesenteret landets eneste store inntektskilde.


Australian Capital Territory legalises same-sex marriage

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) yesterday legalised same-sex marriage, the first time a jurisdiction in Australia has done so.

The ACT Legislative Assembly passed the legalising bill 8–7, with seven Australian Labor Party members being joined by the ACT Greens' Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Shane Rattenbury. It was opposed by six Liberal Party of Australia members. Two of the Assembly's seventeen members, one Liberal and one Labor, were absent.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell made a series of last-minute amendments to ensure that the bill would survive a possible court challenge. The legislation allows same-sex couples from all over Australia to marry in the ACT.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the government would strive toward treating everyone equally and fairly under the law depite the threat of legal challenge.  Gay Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr spoke with feeling about the impact the legislation would have on same-sex couples.

Local Federal Member of Parliament Andrew Leigh, a strong supporter of rights for same-sex couples, applauded the bill, but Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott has indicated his government will challenge the bill in the High Court of Australia. Abbot's sister Christine Forster, a Liberal Party Sydney City Councillor, who is gay, called for Liberals at the federal level to be allowed a conscience vote.

The ACT previously passed a bill providing for civil unions in 2006, which was disallowed by the Governor General of Australia on the advice of then-Prime Minister John Howard. The bill was passed again after Howard lost office in 2007, but marriage-like provisions were removed from the act under threat of being disallowed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Rudd now supports same-sex marriage.

This avenue for disallowing ACT legislation was closed in 2011, when Greens Senator Bob Brown initiated a reform bill taking away the Governor General's ability to disallow territory bills. At present, Tony Abbott does not command a majority in the Senate, so a High Court challenge is an easier option than legislation. The Constitution of Australia, Section 51(xxi), gives the Commonwealth government — federal government — power to make laws with respect to marriage. The Howard government amended the Commonwealth Marriage Act in 2004 to exclude gay marriages.


Australie : le Territoire de la capitale australienne autorise le mariage pour les couples de même sexe

Le Territoire de la capitale australienne a légalisé, mardi 22 octobre 2013, le mariage gay. Il s'agit là d'une première en Australie.

Publié le 27 octobre 2013
L'Assemblée législative du Territoire de la capitale australienne a adopté le projet de loi autorisant les couples de même sexe à se marier, le projet avait pourtant été rejeté au niveau fédéral en septembre 2012 avec 98 voix contre et 42 pour. Le projet a été adopté à 8 voix contre 7, deux des 17 membres de l'assemblée étaient absents lors du vote.

Le procureur général de l'assemblée, Simon Corbell a fait une série d'amendements de dernière minute pour s'assurer que le projet de loi pourrait survivre à une contestation judiciaire. La loi permet aux couples de même sexe de toute l'Australie de se marier dans le Territoire de la capitale australienne.

La ministre en chef du Territoire de la capitale australienne, Katy Gallagher a déclaré que le gouvernement allait s'efforcer à traiter tout le monde  équitablement selon la loi et ce malgré la menace de contestation judiciaire.

Le député fédéral local, Andrew Leigh, ardent défenseur des droits des couples de même sexe, a applaudi le projet de loi, mais le Premier ministre de l'Australie, Tony Abbott, a indiqué que son gouvernement allait contester la loi devant la Haute Cour d'Australie.

L'Assemblée législative du Territoire de la capitale australienne avait déjà tenté de faire passer une loi autorisant le mariage aux couples de même sexe en 2006 mais elle avait été bloquée par le gouverneur général de l'Australie sur les conseils du Premier ministre alors en fonction John Howard. Le projet de loi a été adopté à nouveau après que Howard a perdu ses fonctions en 2007, mais les dispositions sur le mariage ont été retirés de l'acte sous la menace d'être rejetée par le Premier ministre Kevin Rudd. Rudd est désormais favorable au mariage homosexuel.