Sixteen Christian converts arrested in Iran; facing death penalty

Iranian officials have arrested 16 Iranians in Malakshahr, on the outskirts of the central Iranian city of Esfahān. The group, consisting of six women, eight men and two adolescents, are charged with conversion from Islam to Christianity. If found guilty of the allegation, they could face the death penalty.

Evangelical churches in Isfahan have received orders not to allow any Muslims to attend their ceremonies or to facilitate in any conversions. However, a small private home which has been converted to an evangelical church was taking part in the conversion and baptism of three new members of the church; the group was taken into custody. The owners of the home were an elderly couple who, according to local reports, were beaten up before they were taken to an unmarked jailing facility.

Back in April, 10 Christians were arrested in the city of Shiraz as well.

According to Islamic tradition, the act of abandoning the Muslim faith, denominated as the crime of "Ertedad", is in violation of the words of the Prophet and should be punished with death. A bill is currently before the Iranian parliament that, if approved, would mean the death penalty for the group.


Sedici islamici convertiti al cristianesimo in Iran rischiano la condanna a morte

Fonti ufficiali iraniane hanno riferito dell'arresto di 16 persone a Malakshahr, nella provincia di Esfahan. Il gruppo, composto da sei donne, otto uomini e due adolescenti, è accusato di conversione dall'Islam al Cristianesimo; qualora i sedici fossero realmente ritenuti colpevoli di apostasia, verrebbero condannati a morte.

Le chiese evangeliche di Isfahan hanno ricevuto un ordine che gli impone di non accettare o aiutare nella conversione alcun musulmano. Ciononostante, in una piccola abitazione trasformata in una chiesa evangelica, tre persone hanno ricevuto il sacramento del Battesimo, venendo poi arrestate.

I proprietari della casa-chiesa sono una coppia di anziani che, secondo le fonti locali, sarebbero stati picchiati per poi essere trasferiti in una prigione.

Lo scorso aprile, altri 10 cristiani erano stati arrestati a Shiraz.

In accordo alle tradizioni islamiche, l'atto di abbandono della fede musulmana, denominato come crimine di Apostasia, è in diretto contrasto con le parole del Profeta, e per questo deve essere punito con la morte. Un disegno di legge è attualmente all'esame del parlamento iraniano, e, qualora venisse approvato, legalizzerebbe la condanna a morte del gruppo.


Slovenia votes in favour of Croatian border deal

Slovenians yesterday voted in a referendum in favour of a border deal with Croatia. The Border Arbitration Agreement allows for international arbitrators to resolve a 20-year border dispute that dates back to the break-up of Yugoslavia.

Parliaments in both countries approved the deal, which will be binding on both countries. In March, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor's centre-left government yielded to demands for a referendum on whether to accept a border deal. "Solving the border dispute with Croatia is the basis for a lasting peace, security and friendship of both nations," Pahor said. "If it is rejected, it is questionable how long I or my successor will need to reach another agreement which, I believe, could not be better." he added.

The national Electoral Commission said that after 99.9 per cent of votes were counted, 51.5 per cent voted for the deal and 48.5 were against it. It is impossible for the remaining 2,000 votes, cast by Slovenians living abroad, to change the outcome.

Slovenia is situated between Italy and Croatia, where the dispute involves land on the Istrian peninsula in the northern Adriatic and the small Bay of Piran in the Adriatic Sea. A panel of five international experts will define the new land and maritime borders and could force Croatia to cede some of the sea it views as its own. In the past, Croatia has called for the border to be drawn down the middle of the bay. However, Slovenia, which has a much shorter coastline, feared that this would deny its ships direct passage to international waters.

Slovenia is the only former Yugoslav state to have joined the European Union (EU), while Croatia hopes to conclude EU accession talks this year and join the twenty-seven member union in 2012. A rejection could have delayed Croatian membership. Slovenia has blocked Croatia's membership talks over the border issue in the past. Croatian President Ivo Josipović welcomed the outcome as "a victory for Slovenia, Croatia and Europe."

Brussels and Washington welcomed the deal. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission said, "This is an important step forward. We now look forward to a final settlement of the dispute. Resolving this bilateral issue is an important signal for the region and the relations between Slovenia and Croatia."


Referendum w Słowenii w sprawie sporu granicznego z Chorwacją

W Słowenii trwa właśnie referendum w sprawie sporu granicznego z Chorwacją. Wyborcy w zdecydują w nim, czy godzą się na arbitraż międzynarodowy, mający rozstrzygnąć ten konflikt. Spór o granicę utrudnia wstąpienie Chorwacji do Unii Europejskiej.

Przedmiotem sporu jest liczący 19 km kw. Zalew Pirański - akwen wokół słoweńskiego portu Piran, dolnego odcinka rzeki Dragonja na półwyspie Istria, a także niewielkich rejonów przygranicznych wokół rzeki Mura we wschodniej Słowenii. Słowenia postanowiła walczyć w sprawie granicy, gdyż ma dostęp do morza jedynie na długości 40 km, a Chorwacja - prawie 1800 km. Słoweńcy chcą zatrzymać również korytarz, którym ich statki mogłyby przepływać na wody międzynarodowe.

Porozumienie, które w listopadzie ubiegłego roku zawarła p premier Chorwacji Jandranka Kosor z premierem Słowenii Borutem Pahorem, przewiduje, że spór graniczny ma być rozwiązany przez arbitraż międzynarodowy. Porozumienie zatwierdziły parlamenty obu państw, a Słowenia postanowiła dodatkowo poddać tę kwestię pod referendum.

W ankiecie, którą przeprowadził dziennik "Dnevnik", 37,6 proc. badanych opowiedziało się za poparciem porozumienia, a 37 proc. – za odrzuceniem. Z kolei w badaniu gazety "Delo" poparcie deklarowało 50,7 proc. respondentów, a sprzeciw - 36,1 proc. Aż 16-20 proc. Słoweńców jest niezdecydowanych.

Lokale wyborcze otwarte będą od godz. 7 do godz. 19. Do głosowania uprawnionych jest 1,7 mln osób, a pierwsze wyniki mają być znane już ok. godz. 20.30.


Slovenians reject referendum to recognize same-sex marriage

On Sunday, Slovenians voted on a referendum to legalize same-sex marriage. The referendum failed to pass, with opposing majority.

Slovenia, whose population largely practice Roman Catholicism, neither recognizes marriage between nor allows full child adoption by two persons of the same sex. Even as a member of the European Union, its position has not changed.

The issue has been still debated in the country. In 2012, a majority of participating voters opposed a referendum to legalize same-sex marriage.

The government earlier this year passed a law to legally recognize same-sex marriage. However, the law had not been enforced; a civil group translated as For Children or Children Are at Stake demanded a referendum to the top court. The group's petition for a referendum collected at least 40,000 signatures.

In preliminary results from this year's elections, around 36.18% out of more than 1.7 million registered voters voted on the referendum. 63.5% voted to oppose the referendum, while 36.5% voted in favor.

Meanwhile, Slovenia allows civil union registration by same-sex couples since 2006. Also it allows them to adopt children of either partner's previous marriage(s). Thirteen European Countries, such as France and Spain, and five non-European countries legally recognize same-sex marriages.


La Slovénie dit « non » au mariage homosexuel

Les électeurs slovènes, appelés aux urnes dimanche 20 décembre lors d'un référendum d’initiative populaire, se sont prononcés contre l'instauration du mariage homosexuel en Slovénie. 63,42 % des votants ont dit non à l'entrée en vigueur du mariage pour tous.

La loi autorisant le mariage homosexuel avait été adoptée par les députés slovènes le 3 mars dernier. Seulement les opposants au texte avait demandé un référendum pour consulter la population. La taux participation est très faible, seulement 35,65 % des électeurs se sont déplacés aux urnes pour voter n'empêchant toutefois pas le quorum de votants d'être atteint par les vainqueurs.

La commission électorale slovène a annoncé que 99,46 % des résultats avaient été dépouillés avant 22h00 (21h00 GMT) et les partisans du oui, à 36,58 %, étaient largement distancés. En 2012, un référendum avait déjà eu lieu en Slovénie concernant le mariage pour tous. Les Slovènes avaient rejeté à 55 % l'adoption du mariage gay et la participation avait là encore été très faible.

La loi pour le mariage pour tous avait été adoptée à une large majorité au Parlement par la gauche et le parti centriste du premier ministre Miro Cerar. Cette loi donnait aux couples gays et lesbiens les mêmes droits qu’aux hétérosexuels, notamment celui de l’adoption, le point le plus contesté par les opposants au mariage gay.

Le pape François avait encouragé les Slovènes à voter « non » pour « soutenir la famille, structure de référence de la vie en société ». L’Église catholique, dont le poids demeure très fort en Slovénie, s'est également montré contre.

Rappelons que vingt-et-un États disposent d'une législation rendant accessible le mariage aux couples de même sexe dans le monde.


Small British island gets first democratic election

Voters in the small Channel Island of Sark, a Crown dependency of the British Crown, have voted in their first democratic election, bringing an end to almost 4½ centuries of feudal rule.

Voting in the election opened at 10:00 local time (UTC) today, and closed at 18:00. The result is expected to be announced at 22:00.

57 candidates were competing for the votes of the 474 residents eligible to participate in the election, to win 28 seats.

Roger Olsen, the first person to vote in the election, commented on the transition to democracy. "Sark has an opportunity to express itself, to determine its own destiny," he commented. "We like to make our own decisions. Now we're set up to do exactly that," he continued.

He also stated the he believed the island needed "fresh eyes, new blood and a new perspective".

Suzie Thorpe, the next voter, commented on the issues which concerned her during this election. "We need a good sustainable economy. But we don't want the island to change too much. We don't want any helipads, thank you."

Sark was the last feudal state remaining in the Western world, and the transition was forced by European human rights legislation that requires democratic governments.


Votazioni a Sark: cade l'ultimo feudo europeo

Oggi si può definitivamente affermare che l'epoca feudale in Europa sia definitivamente conclusa.

A Sark, una delle Isole del Canale, si terranno le prime elezioni democratiche della sua storia.

È stata la regina Elisabetta I nel 1565 a concedere il feudo della piccola isola britannica posizionata nel canale della Manica al Signore di Sark, che fino ad oggi ne ha avuto l'unica proprietà e i diritti esclusivi di tenere piccioni o cagne sterilizzate.

A scegliere tra i 57 candidati sono attesi ai seggi 474 elettori su 600 "sudditi" residenti.


薩克島舉行首次民主選舉

12月10日，英國皇家屬地薩克島舉行了其首次民主選舉，意味著薩克島延續了四個半世紀的封建制度正式結束。也標誌著歐洲最後的封建領土順利邁向政治現代化。

選舉於當地時間（UTC）早上10:00開始，傍晚6:00結束。選舉結果在晚上10:00公佈。薩克島的選民共有474人，57個候選人競逐最高議會（Chief Pleas）的28個議席。

Roger Olsen是第一位投票的選民，他表達了自己對薩克島過渡到民主制度的看法：「薩克島終於有機會表達它的意見，決定自己的命運了……我們要為我們自己做出抉擇，而我們現在正是這樣做。」 他認為薩克島現在很需要「新的眼光，嶄新的血液和遠大的前景」。

Suzie Thorpe是第二位投票者表達了她對轉向民主制的部分擔憂：「我們的確需要良好的，可以自給自足的經濟環境，但是我們不要島上改變太多。我們不想要建造直升飛機升降場，謝謝。」

薩克島是西方世界最後一塊封建領土。薩克島領土就是島上的君主。現任的領主是約翰·邁克爾·比蒙特是第12任的領主。自伊莉莎白一世時代至今，薩克島就一直維持傳統的封建制度，其議員大多不為民選，而是因為他們擁有土地。時至今日，薩克島上的任何交易，都要給領主抽稅。不過一直以來也因為小國寡民，因而自給自足地生活著，靠著宜人的自然景觀拉動觀光業和金融業，只有600多名公民的薩克島居民生活也富足。島上注重環境保護，禁止使用汽車，自行車是大多數人都代步工具。不過30多年前開始，不斷有迫使薩克島進行民主改革的呼聲和壓力：歐洲議會要求其進行民主改革；億萬富豪巴克利兄弟投資薩克島後拒絕項領主繳納不合理稅項，於是開始反抗封建制度，得到越來越多居民的支持。

最終約翰·邁克爾·比蒙特決定進行改革，並且報請女王伊莉莎白二世同意。新當選的議員的任期由兩年到四年不等。


Smoke bomb thrown in Ukrainian parliament during naval base debate

Chaos broke out in the Ukrainian parliament as several smoke bombs were thrown during a debate about the extended lease on a Russian naval base in Ukraine. Members of parliament (MPs) were seen fighting on the chamber floor while opposition MPs threw eggs at the speaker of the house, Volodymyr Lytvyn.

It is not clear who threw the smoke bombs, although opposition MPs were thought to be responsible, but the debate continued despite the lingering smoke and chaos. The speaker had to be protected by two aides holding umbrellas and politicians held handkerchiefs to their mouths.

Along with the brawling MPs, thousands of people waited outside the parliament building protesting the extended lease.

The clashes began as members of parliament were debating extending the lease on the Sevastopol naval base. The Russians currently have a lease on the base until 2017. The Russians have offered Ukraine cheaper supplies of Russian natural gas in exchange for a further 25 years on the lease.

After the chaos had calmed down, MPs voted on the agreement and the deal extending the lease was backed 236 to 214. The deal was then put forward in the Russian lower house of parliament, where all 410 Russian MPs voted in favour of the deal.


Верховна Рада ратифікувала угоду про пролонгацію базування ЧФ РФ у Криму

27 квітня на ранковому засіданні ВР попри шалений спротив опозиції у хмарі диму та реву сирен 236-ма голосами депутати ухвалили угоду між Януковичем та Мєдвєдєвим про продовження базування флоту Росії на території України.

Два з трьох комітетів Верховної Ради порадили не ратифікувати домовленість, яка очевидно і грубо порушує Конституцію України, несе загрозу національній безпеці суверенітету та незалежності України. Думка профільних комітетів проігнорувалася зацікавленими людьми, і закон «Про ратифікацію Угоди між Україною та Російською Федерацією з питань перебування Чорноморського флоту Російської Федерації на території України» (№0165) було прийнято.


Socialists win second term as Spain's ruling party

In the 2008 Spanish general election held on Sunday, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has emerged as the winner for the second election in a row, edging out the more conservative People's Party in a vote characterized by fears of a faltering economy and militant separatists.

With 93 percent of ballots counted, the Socialists, led by incumbent Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, had 43.8 percent of the vote, while the People's Party, headed by former Interior Minister Mariano Rajoy, had 40.2 percent.

The Socialists are projected to win at least 168 of the 350 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, falling short of an absolute majority, which means they may have to rely on the backing of smaller parties to pass important legislation. The People's Party is projected to win at least 154 seats.

"I have called the candidate of the Socialist Party and I have wished him luck for the good of Spain," Rajoy said in his concession speech.

"Thanks to all the citizens who have participated," Zapatero said after his challenger conceded. "And thanks from my heart to the citizens who have, with their votes, given a clear victory to the Socialist Party."

"We have worked hard, and it's been worth the trouble," he added. "I will govern by improving the things we did well and correcting our mistakes," he added.

The economy was a large focus of the election, with the unemployment rate rising and inflation at a 12 year high. To ease concerns about the economy, Zapatero said action would be taken to help construction workers that had been laid off, and he promised a 400 euro ($615) tax cut for all workers. "I will govern for all, but thinking above all of those who don't have it all," Zapatero said.

On March 7, one day prior to the end of the official campaigning period, former Socialist politician Isaias Carrasco was shot to death in Spain's Basque region. Zapatero blamed the murder on the ETA, a Basque separatist organization. "We know that ETA is defeated by democracy and repudiated by the Spanish people together and by Basque Society," said Zapatero. "Its members have no other future than jail."

At Carrasco's funeral Saturday, his daughter called for a massive voter turnout as a way of condemning the ETA. The turnout was estimated to be around 75 percent, close to the record 75.66 percent in the 2004 elections. The newspaper El País commented, "Some are already beginning to put out the idea that a bigger Socialist win than predicted by the opinion polls will be due to the killing of Isaias Carrasco."

The killing drew comparisons to the 2004 Madrid train bombings, which killed 191 people three days before the general election in which Zapatero came to power. The conservative government initially placed the blame on the ETA, despite evidence that the attack was done by Islamic extremists angered by Spain's involvement in the Iraq War. One of Zapatero's first acts as Prime Minister was withdrawing troops from Iraq.

During the campaign, Rajoy often criticized his Socialist rival for not doing enough to prevent terrorism and negotiate with the ETA. Zapatero's failed peace talks with the ETA, which ended with the separatists setting off a car bomb at a Madrid airport, became a highly debated issue in the election.

In his 4 years as president, Zapatero's government has enacted social reforms that include legalizing gay marriage, allowing for  quicker divorces, and promoting gender equality. These policies conflicted with the views of the Roman Catholic Church, and in December, Catholics staged a mass protest against the government in Madrid.


El PSOE torna a guanyar les eleccions espanyoles

El PSOE ha tornat a guanyar les eleccions i Zapatero estarà quatre anys més a la Moncloa. Els socialistes van obtenir 169 escons dels 350 possibles, per davant del PP que en va aconseguir 154. Els partits dels Països Catalans amb representació van ser: CiU (11 escons) i ERC (3).

Els resultats d'aquestes eleccions remarquen més el bipartidisme espanyol ja que el PSOE i el PP junts sumen un 92% de tots els escons. La jornada electorla va estar marcada per l'assassinat d'Isaías Carrasco el divendres 7.

Mariano Rajoy va recordar que el PP havia estat el partit que més havia augmentat en nombre i percentatge de vots i nombre de diputats. IU va ser la gran derrotada de la nit i va perdre 3 dels cinc escons que tenia el 2004. ERC també va patir una forta davallada, perdent 5 esconcs respecte els anteriors comicis i situant-se amb només 3; a més a més va passar a ser la quarta força a Catalunya, per darrera del PP.

Els partits que han aconseguit representació al Congrés són els següents:

La composició del senat va quedar així:


José Luis Rodríguez Zapateros Partei hat die spanischen Parlamentswahlen gewonnen

Madrid (Spanien), 10.03.2008 – Aus den spanischen Parlamentswahlen am vergangenen Sonntag ist die Spanische Sozialistische Arbeiterpartei (Partido Socialista Obrero Español, PSOE) unter dem amtierenden Ministerpräsidenten José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero als Sieger hervorgegangen.

Seine als sozialdemokratisch eingestufte Partei konnte 169 von insgesamt 350 Sitzen im spanischen Parlament erringen. Damit verfehlte sie jedoch die absolute Mehrheit, was bedeutet, dass Zapatero entweder eine feste Koalition mit einer anderen Partei eingehen oder sich je nach dem durchzusetzenden politischen Vorhaben wechselnde Partner suchen muss. In der letzten Legislaturperiode hatte er letzteren Weg gewählt. Der Experte Charles Powell von der Universität CEU San Pablo sagte der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters dazu, dass es aufgrund des mit sieben Sitzen relativ geringen Abstandes der Partei zur absoluten Mehrheit gut möglich sei, sich die Mehrheiten im Parlament erneut von Fall zu Fall zu suchen.

Dieselbe Nachrichtenagentur berichtet auch unter Berufung auf die der politischen Mitte zugeordnete Zeitung „La Vanguardia“, Zapatero habe bereits Gespräche mit der Partei Convergència i Unió (frei übersetzt Übereinstimmung und Einheit), einer katalonischen liberalen Partei, angesetzt. Beobachter erwarten, dass diese einen größeren Anteil an den Steuereinnahmen für die eigene Region beanspruchen wird.

Ein großes Thema bei Zapateros künftiger Regierungsarbeit dürfte laut Analysten die spanische Wirtschaft sein, die bereits im Wahlkampf verstärkt thematisiert wurde. So befindet sich das Land aus wirtschaftlicher Sicht derzeit in einer problematischen Situation: Die Inflation ist auf einem 10-Jahres-Hoch, auch die Arbeitslosigkeit erreicht Rekordwerte und der spanische Immobilienmarkt ist durch eine instabile Lage gekennzeichnet.

Zapatero hatte vor der Wahl angekündigt, insbesondere in steuerlicher Hinsicht tätig zu werden. So soll eine Einkommenssteuerrückzahlung von 400 Euro stattfinden und auch die Vermögens- sowie die Mehrwertsteuer sollen stark angepasst werden. Gilles Moec, Analyst der Bank of America, ging gegenüber Reuters davon aus, dass Zapatero seinen Ankündigungen schnell Taten folgen lassen werde, bereits in den nächsten zwei Wochen könnte ein steuerliches „Notfallpaket“ angekündigt werden.

Der Vorsitzende der konservativen Volkspartei (Partido Popular, PP) und Gegenkandidat Zapateros, Mariano Rajoy, hat seine Niederlage bereits eingestanden. Im Nachhinein schließen Analysten aus seiner Niederlage, dass Rajoys harte Oppositionspolitik, die oft auf Konfrontation ausgelegt war, nicht aufgegangen ist. Dennoch hat Rajoy bereits angekündigt sein Amt behalten zu wollen.

Bei den Wahlen wurde mit rund 75 Prozent eine ähnlich hohe Wahlbeteiligung wie bei den Wahlen 2004 erreicht. Damals betrug die Wahlbeteiligung 77 Prozent. Zapatero kommentierte seinen Sieg mit den Worten: „Das spanische Volk hat sich klar geäußert und es hat sich entschieden in einen neuen Abschnitt einzutreten.“


El PSOE celebra una nueva victoria electoral

10 de marzo de 2008Madrid, España — El gobernante Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) obtuvo 169 de los 350 escaños del Congreso de diputados en las elecciones generales efectuadas durante la jornada del domingo. Por su parte, el opositor Partido Popular (PP) encabezado por Mariano Rajoy obtuvo 154 escaños, aumentando en número de escaños, porcentaje y número de votos respecto a la elección anterior, lo cual consolida una amplia tendencia bipartidista en España.

El presidente José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero celebró el triunfo al tiempo que recordó a las víctimas de las acciones de ETA. Durante su discurso afirmó: "Isaías debería estar hoy viviendo este momento" recordando al ex concejal socialista Isaías Carrasco, asesinado el viernes anterior y a todas las víctimas del terrorismo. También agregó "gobernaré para todos, pero pensando antes que nadie en los que no tienen de todo" y prometió que este será el "comienzo de una nueva etapa que excluya la confrontación".

Por su parte, Mariano Rajoy reconoció la derrota de su partido, aunque afirmó "somos el partido político de España que más hemos subido en escaños, votos y porcentaje de voto". Los grandes perjudicados de la jornada son la Izquierda Unida y los partidos nacionalistas quienes alcanzaron 24 escaños, reduciendo su participación en 9 escaños respecto a las elecciones generales de 2004.


Résultats des élections législatives espagnoles de 2008

L'Espagne élisait ce dimanche la IXe législature des Cortes Generales, les deux chambres du parlement national. Les bureaux de vote, qui ferment à 20h00 heure locale, ont vu une participation évaluée officiellement à 40,49 % à 14 heures, soit  « un chiffre pratiquement similaire à celui des élections de 2004 » selon Fernando Moraleda, secrétaire d'État à la Communication. Un peu plus tard, à 18 heures 30, la participation était de 61,09 %, contre 63,02 % quatre ans plus tôt à la même heure.

Selon les sondages à la sortie des bureaux de vote diffusés par les trois principales chaînes de télévision du pays, le Parti socialiste ouvrier espagnol de José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero sort victorieux en remportant entre 163 et 176 sièges face au Parti Populaire de Mariano Rajoy, qui obtient entre 145 à 152 sièges selon ces sondages.

Après dépouillement complet, les socialistes obtiennent 169 sièges et les conservateurs 153, contre 148 en 2004. Les deux grands partis occupent 322 sièges entre eux, renforçant ainsi la bipolarisation du pays. Si les conservateurs obtiennent la plus forte progression à la fois en voix et en sièges, ils restent toutefois derrière les socialistes qui obtiennent une majorité relative mais pas la majorité absolue fixée à 176 sièges.

Le congrès des députés, chambre basse du parlement, est composé de 350 députés, élus au scrutin proportionnel par province, avec un minimum de 3% pour être représenté.

208 sénateurs sont élus lors de ce scrutin, également sous la forme proportionnelle. La plupart des circonscriptions élisent quatre sénateurs. Seules, les Îles Baléares et les deux circonscriptions des Îles Canaries en élisent respectivement cinq et six, alors que les villes autonomes de Ceuta et Melilla n'en élisent que deux.

A noter que les 51 sénateurs restant seront désignés par les Communautés autonomes après renouvellement de leurs Parlements.


Spagna: il PSOE vince, ma non raggiunge la maggioranza assoluta

In Spagna, il Partito Socialista Operaio Spagnolo, del premier José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, ha rivinto le elezioni legislative. In parlamento, i seggi per il PSOE sono però 169, insufficienti per ottenere la maggioranza assoluta (176 deputati). Non si escludono, pertanto, alleanze con altri partiti.

Esce sconfitto invece il Partido Popular, che ottiene il 40,12% dei voti e 153 deputati. La formazione guidata da Mariano Rajoy, con il voto di ieri, alza il numero dei suoi parlamentari rispetto alle elezioni del 2004, nelle quali ne ottenne 148. Pochi seggi invece gli altri partiti minori: Convergenza e Unione ha ottenuto 11 seggi, Izquierda Unida 2, Partito Nazionalista Basco 6, Sinistra Repubblicana di Catalogna 3, Blocco Nazionalista Galiziano 2, Coalizione delle Canarie 2, Unione per il progresso e la democrazia e i baschi di Nafarroa Bai 1 a testa.

Dalle precedenti elezioni, entrambi i partiti maggiori hanno ottenuto una superiore percentuale di voto e più seggi. Quattro anni fa il partito di Zapatero ottenne 164 deputati e il 42,6% dei consensi, mentre il Partito Popolare 148 seggi e il 37,64%.

Già gli exit poll davano in vantaggio il Partito Socialista. Prima delle 22, il premier ha detto: «Abbiamo la certezza di aver vinto le elezioni». L'affluenza alle urne cala lievemente nei confronti della precedente tornata elettorale, quando si registrò il 75,7% dei voti su tutti gli aventi diritto, rispetto al dato odierno del 75,3%

Il presidente Zapatero ha commentato soddisfatto: «Grazie ai cittadini che, con il loro voto, hanno dato una chiara vittoria al Psoe». «Governerò per tutti ma soprattutto per coloro che non hanno tutto e per far diventare realtà le aspirazioni delle donne. Governerò con mano ferma - continua il primo ministro - ma tesa verso gli altri e per mantenere il nostro impegno con l'Europa, la pace e lo sviluppo». Rajoy, anch'egli appagato: «Siamo il partito che è aumentato di più in seggi e voti».

I piccoli partiti registrano quasi tutti un calo dei seggi, tranne Convergenza e Unione che da 10 passa a 11. Nel passato, governo Sinistra Repubblicana di Catalogna e Izqierda Unida sostennero in varie occasioni il governo socialista.


Zapatero saúda "clara vitória" e promete governar com "mão dura e mão estendida"

O líder do Partido Socialista Operário Espanhol (PSOE) e primeiro-ministro espanhol, José Luís Rodriguez Zapatero, comemorou neste domingo a "clara vitória" de seu partido nas eleições gerais espanholas, prometendo governar a "nova etapa" sem confronto, com "mão firme e mão estendida".

"Os espanhóis falaram com clareza e decidiram abrir uma nova etapa, uma nova etapa sem desentendimento, que exclua o confronto, que procure o acordo nos assuntos de Estado", afirmou, na sede do PSOE, sob fortes aplausos. "Governarei para aprofundar as coisas que fizemos bem e corrigindo os erros. Governarei este novo tempo com o diálogo social e político e não pouparei esforços para conseguir sempre o apoio social e político mais amplo possível", afirmou.

Fortemente aplaudido pelos milhares de simpatizantes do PSOE que compareceram à sede do partido, Zapatero só conseguiu começar a falar depois de dirigentes terem pedido aos militantes para deixar a festa para depois. Zapatero disse aos presentes já ter recebido as felicitações do líder do PP, Mariano Rajoy, a quem agradeceu e expressou "respeito".

O líder do PSOE prometeu colaborar com todas as administrações e "governar para todos, mas pensando antes nos que não têm nada. Governarei para tornar realidade as aspirações das mulheres, para que se cumpram as esperanças dos jovens, para que os mais velhos encontrem o apoio e a assistência", afirmou.

Zapatero prometeu ainda manter o compromisso da Espanha "com a Europa, com a paz, e com a cooperação ao desenvolvimento", garantindo que sua gestão será feita "com mão firme e mão estendida".

"Vou defender com energia os valores constitucionais e da convivência. Hoje, mais do que nunca, acredito na Espanha unida e diversa, que vive em liberdade e convive com tolerância", declarou.

Depois de recordar líderes socialistas mortos pelo grupo separatista basco ETA, Zapatero agradeceu a "todos os cidadãos que participaram [das eleições] e aos que deram uma vitória clara ao partido socialista".


Іспанські соціалісти переобрані на другий термін

9 березня за підрахунками голосів правляча Соціалістична партія Іспанії очолювана Хосе Луїсом Сапатеро отримала перемогу на загальних парламентських виборах в країні і матиме можливість знову сформувати уряд. Отримавши 44% голосів соціалісти однак не набрали абсолютної більшості у парламенті — вони матимуть 169 місць при необхідних 176 для більшості. Лідер опозиційної Консервативної народної партії Марьяно Рахо визнав поразку і привітав своїх опонентів з перемогою. Його партія набрала 40% голосів і навіть декілька додаткових місць у парламенті.

Явка виборців на цих виборах була досить високою для країни — на виборчі дільниці прийшло більш ніж 60% виборців. Певним чином на хід передвиборчої боротьби та участь виборців вплинуло жорстоке вбивство 7 березня бойовиками баскської сепаратистської організаці ЕТА соціаліста Аррасате Ісаса Карраско. На думку оглядачів, на вибір електорату більше вплинули економічні та інші досягнення уряду — економіка країни останнім часом розвивається швидше ніж у інших країнах, за час правління соціалістів були спрощені правила розлучень, запроваджені одностатеві шлюби. Незважаючи на це, опозиція звертала увагу на ріст інфляції, та безконтрольну та шкідливу на їх думку, іміграцію в країну.

10 березня 2008


Somali al-Shabaab group seizes three towns

According to witness reports, three towns in the Galgudud region of Somalia have been taken over by the counter-government group al-Shabaab, taking them from a rival group, the pro-government Ahlu Sunna.

The three taken towns were El Der, Galad, and Masagaway; they were taken over without any resistance from Ahlu Sunna. All three are on the road to the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Senior al-Shabaab official Sheik Yusuf Kabokudukade commented that "[w]e have overrun the militants who tried to stop the efforts to spread Islam in Somalia. With the power of Allah we have taken control of three districts in Galgadud region. We will not stop until we take control of the whole region from the enemy of Allah."

Al-Shabaab group controls large portions of southern central Somalia, and part of of Mogadishu.


சோமாலியப் போராளிகள் மூன்று நகரங்களைக் கைப்பற்றினர்

சோமாலியாவில் கால்குடுட் என்ற பிராந்தியத்தில் உள்ள மூன்று நகரஙகளை ஆலு சுனா என்னும் அரசு சார்புப் போராளிக் குழுவிடம் இருந்து அல்-சபாப் என்ற குழு கைப்பற்றியுள்ளதாக அங்கிருந்து வரும் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

எல் டேர், கலாட், மசகவே என்ற இந்த மூன்று நகரங்களையும் எவ்வித எதிர்ப்பும் இன்றி அல்-சபாப் கைப்பற்றியுள்ளனர். இம்மூன்று நகரங்களும் தலைநகர் மொகதிசுவுக்கான பிரதான பாதையில் அமைந்துள்ளன.

"சோமாலியாவிலிசுலாமைப் பரப்பும் எமது நடவடிக்கைகளுக்கு இந்த ஆலு சுனா போராளிகள் தடையாக இருந்தார்கள். அவர்களிடம் இருந்து அல்லாவின் அருளால் இந்த மூன்று நகரங்களையும் மீட்டிருக்கிறோம். அல்லாவின் எதிரிகளிடம் இருந்து முழுப் பிராந்தியத்தையும் கப்பற்றும் வரை நாம் ஓய மாட்டோம்," என அல்-சபாப் போராளிக்குழுவின் மூத்த தலைவர் ஒருவர் தெரிவித்தார்.

சோமாலியாவின் தெற்குப் பகுதி மற்றும் தலைநகர் மொகதிசு ஆகியவற்றின் பெரும்பாலான பகுதிகளை அல்-சபாப் போராளிக்குழு தமது கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வைத்திருக்கிறது.

ஞாயிறு, ஏப்ரல் 25, 2010


Somali Islamists halt peace talks with government

The Union of Islamic Courts has broken off peace talks with Somalia's interim government as the country slides closer towards major military conflict.

The Islamists blamed the influx of soldiers from neighbouring Ethiopia for the end of talks. In a press statement this morning, the UIC leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said "We do not negotiate with a government which is being helped by the enemy of Somalia."

The two sides were due to continue what have become increasingly hostile talks this weekend in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The weakened interim government led by President Abdullahi Yusuf is currently based in the town of Baidoa, north of the capital Mogadishu, which the Islamic militias captured earlier in July; the UIC now control most of southern Somalia.

The breakdown of talks comes as eyewitnesses report seeing more Ethiopian troops crossing the border. It's believed around 5,000 are now stationed in the country, attempting to protect President Yusuf's fragile government. The BBC is reporting 200 Ethiopian troops have captured an airfield outside Waajid early this morning, but the Ethiopian government has yet to confirm this — so far they have denied all military intervention and it is not clear if there was any fighting in the town.

Ethiopia's involvement has angered the Islamist militia who vowed a "holy war" against the mainly Christian state if soldiers were sent in. Ethiopia meanwhile has threatened to "crush" the Islamists should they attempt to take Baidoa.

The brewing crisis in the horn of Africa could get more complex, as Ethiopia’s other hostile neighbour Eritrea has been implicated in supplying the militia with arms. "The Eritrean support is the backbone of the Islamists' military structure," one unnamed local analyst told Reuters. John Prendergast from the International Crisis Group has grimly warned that "The risk of full-scale war increases by the day."


Islamitas da Somália param conversações de paz com o governo

A União dos Tribunais Islâmicos interrompeu as conversações de paz com o governo provisório da Somália. O país está cada vez mais perto de um grande conflito militar.

Os islamitas atribuíram a culpa pelo fim das negociações à entrada de soldados da  Etiópia. Em uma declaração para a imprensa nesta manhã, o Xeique e líder da União dos Tribunais Islâmicos, Sharif Ahmed, disse:  "não negociamos com um governo que está sendo ajudado pelo inimigo da Somália."

Os dois lados estiveram relutantes em continuar as conversações que passaram a ficar  mais hostis neste final de semana.  As negociações acontecem no Sudão, na capital sudanesa, Cartum.

O enfraquecido governo provisório conduzido pelo Presidente Abdullahi Yusuf está atualmente sediado na cidade somali de Baidoa, ao norte da capital Mogadíscio, que foi capturada pelas milícias islâmicas há algumas semanas. A União dos Tribunais Islâmicos  controla a maior parte sul da Somália.

O esgotamento das conversações ocorre no mesmo instante em que um relatório de testemunhas que estão na região alega  que  mais tropas etíopes cruzaram a fronteira.
A estimativa é que aproximadamente 5 mil  soldados etíopes estão estacionados agora no país, tentando proteger o frágil governo do Presidente Yusuf. A BBC está informando que 200 tropas etíopes capturaram um campo de pouso nas redondezas de Waajid no início da manhã. O governo etiópe ainda tem de confirmar a informação. A Etiópia por enquanto  nega haver uma intervenção militar na Somália. Ainda não se tem certeza  se houve lutas na cidade.

O envolvimento de Etiópia irritou a milícia islâmica que jurou "uma guerra santa" contra o estado de maioria cristã caso ele continue a enviar soldados. A Etiópia, por sua vez,  ameaçou "esmagar" as tentativas dos islamitas em tomar Baidoa.

A crescente crise no Chifre da África pode ficar ainda mais complexa, com  a Eritréia, vizinha hostil da Etiópia, ameaçando  fornecer armas para a milícia islâmica.

"O apoio da Eritréia é a espinha dorsal da estrutura militar dos islamitas," disse um analista político local que não foi identificado para a agência Reuters.

John Prendergast, do International Crisis Group  advertiu que "o risco de uma guerra de grandes proporções  aumenta a cada dia."


Somali tensions rise as Ethiopia sends in troops

Tensions are escalating rapidly on the horn of Africa as the United Islamic Courts (UIC) closed in on Baidoa, the home of  Somalia’s beleaguered interim government on Wednesday. Yet as the Islamic militia were reportedly massing troops after capturing the country’s capital,  Mogadishu on 11 July, soldiers from Somalia’s neighbour  Ethiopia crossed the country’s borders, sparking vitriolic attacks on both sides.

The Islamic militants vowed to start a "holy war" against its neighbour, while the Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu said "We will use all means at our disposal to crush the Islamist group if they attempt to attack Baidoa, the seat of the transitional federal government."

This threat came after Islamist troops, fresh from taking Mogadishu last week, were seen less than 60km from Baidoa. They later pulled their troops back, claiming they were collecting defected troops and not planning an attack.

A convoy of around 2,000 soldiers were seen crossing the Ethiopian frontier overnight, joining another 2,000 troops already based in the border town of Luk. Others have reported seeing men in Ethiopian uniform inside Baidoa itself.

Despite eyewitness accounts to the contrary, Ethiopia so far denies sending troops into Somalia. Bereket Simon, a government spokesperson, told the  BBC World Service that "so far" no government troops were inside the country.  However a direct conflict seems more and more likely, as Mr. Simon confirmed that "Ethiopia is in a position to defend itself to ensure the stability of the Horn of Africa".

The Ethiopian government has openly backed the provisional government which has held a weak power over the country since 1991. The mainly Christian country fears the possibility of the United Islamic Courts ruling Somalia, in light of the strict laws the Islamist Courts impose.

The latest events have thrown the already troubled peace negotiations into turmoil. Representatives from both the Islamist Courts and the government are in delicate talks in the Sudanese capital  Khartoum.  Ali Mohamed Gedi, the Somali prime minister urged Islamist troops to stop their advances on the interim capital, pleading for more time for negotiations. Government diplomats boycotted talks last week, but more meetings are set for the 22nd July.

Yet direct conflict seems more and more likely, according to analysts. Despite some loyal troops the provisional government is too weak to take on the Islamist militias, but with Ethiopia now making firm moves to support the besieged government it seems war may come before peace in battle-torn Somalia.


Aumenta a tensão na Somália com Etiópia ameaçando entrar no conflito

A tensão aumenta rapidamente no Chifre da África depois que os Tribunais Islâmicos Unidos (UIC) na última quarta-feira (19) cercaram Baidoa,  local do governo provisório da Somália.  Ainda que tenha sido divulgado que a milícia islâmica  reuniu suas tropas depois da captura da capital do país, Mogadishu, no dia 11 de julho,  soldados da vizinha Etiópia cruzaram a fronteira e ataques violentos dos dois lado da fronteira.

Os militantes islâmicos juraram  começar “uma guerra santa” contra a    vizinha Etiópia. O Ministro de Informações etiópe Berhan Hailu disse: "usaremos todos os meios à nossa disposição para esmagar o grupo islâmico se eles tentarem atacar Baidoa, sede do governo federal de transição".

A  ameaça veio depois que as tropas islâmicas, tão logo tomaram  Mogadíscio  na semana passada, terem sido vistas a menos de 60 km de Baidoa. Eles depois recolheram as suas tropas, alegando que reuniam tropas desertoras e não estavam a planejar  um ataque.

Uma escolta de aproximadamente 2 mil  soldados foi vista cruzando a fronteira etíope durante a noite, juntando-se a outros 2 mil  que já esperavam na fronteiriça Luk. Algumas pessoas informaram ter  visto de homens em uniforme etíope dentro do  próprio território de Baidoa.

Segundo agências de notícias conhecidas, entre elas: BBC e VOA, testemunhas locais disseram ter visto soldados etíopes em território somali. A Etiópia nega por enquanto o envio de tropas para a Somália. O porta-voz do governo, Bereket Simon,  disse à BBC  que "por enquanto" nenhuma tropa do governo estava dentro do país. Contudo, um conflito direto parece cada vez mais provável, visto que o sr. Simon também disse que "a Etiópia está em posição defender-se a fim de assegurar a estabilidade do Chifre de África".

O governo etíope apoia abertamente o governo provisório, que desde 1991 mantém um frágil controle sob o país, ainda que sua legitimidade tenha sido reconhecida pelas Nações Unidas. A parte maioria cristã do país teme ante a possibilidade de os Tribunais Islâmicos Unidos governarem a Somália,  por causa das suas rígidas.

Os últimos eventos lançaram as já complicadas negociações de paz num tumulto. Representantes tanto dos Tribunais Islâmicos quanto do governo estão em delicadas conversações na capital sudanesa  Cartum. Ali Mohamed Gedi, o primeiro-ministro da Somália incitou as tropas islâmicas a parar os seus avanços em direção à  capital interina, suplicando por mais tempo para as negociações. Diplomatas do governo boicotaram conversações na semana passada, porém mais reuniões estão programadas para o próximo dia 22 de julho.

Apesar de haver algumas tropas leais ao governo provisório, ele tem poucas chances de sobrepujar sozinho as milícias islâmicas. Porém a situação muda com o apoio da Etiópia. O confronto armado  parece cada vez mais provável, dizem os analistas.

Na terça-feira passada (11), depois de dois dias da luta, os Tribunais Islâmicos Unidos assumiram praticamente o controle  da capital   Mogadíscio,  depois que  cerca de 500 soldados leais ao último líder militar da cidade, Abdi Qeybdid,  se  entregraram.

Uma relativa calma então retornou a Mogadíscio, e  a população começou a voltar à rotina diária.

Os EUA dizem que os Tribunais Islâmicos Unidos têm  conexões com a Al Qaeda. A afirmação  é enfaticamente  negada por pelo menos um dos líderes do Tribunal, o  Xeique Hassan Dahir Aweys.


South African former apartheid party dissolves

The former party of apartheid in South Africa, the New National Party (NNP), has finally been dissolved by a vote of the party's federal council on April 9, 2005.  The vote was 88 in favor, 2 against, and 3 abstentions.

This follows a decision under the guidance of party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk last year to join forces with the ruling African National Congress party (ANC). "The forerunner to the NNP, the National Party, brought development to a section of South Africa but also brought suffering through a system grounded on injustice," said van Schalkwyk.

The NNP was the successor to the National Party, taking the new name in 1997 to distance itself from its apartheid past.  The National Party was the governing party of South Africa from 1948 to 1994, and promoted policies of apartheid and the promotion of Afrikaner (white South African) culture.

Former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk, who oversaw the end of apartheid during his tenure from 1989 to 1994 as its last white president, called for the creation of a new party to take the NNP's place.  "I think there is a need to establish something to take the place of the National Party, but hopefully without the historical baggage which the National Party carried and which also played a role in its demise," said de Klerk.

Proportion of the NNP share of the national vote have been steadily dropping since 1994, when it received 20.4% as the National Party in the nation's first free multi-racial elections, to 2004, when it received 1.7%.

Other prominent South African parties include the ANC (African National Congress), ruling party with 69.7% of the 2004 vote; and the Democratic Alliance (DA), a liberal party which is the official opposition party to the ANC, and received 12.4% of the 2004 vote.  Until being dissolved the NNP was the fifth largest party in the country.

Concerns have been expressed about the long-term unchecked dominance of the ANC and the possibility for corruption, with Business Monitor International expressing the view that, "While official graft is low by both global and African standards, the blurred
line between the government and the dominant ANC party gives plenty of scope
for abuses."

Transparency International ranks South Africa at 44th on its list of corrupt countries in its 2004 Corrupt Perceptions Index, ahead of most African nations but behind Botswana (31st) and Tunisia (39th).  For comparison, the United States ranks at 17th on the same list.


Partido de apartheid da África do Sul resolve dissolver-se

O ex-partido de apartheid na África do Sul, o Novo Partido Nacional (NNP), foi finalmente dissolvido por um voto do conselho federal do partido no dia 9 de abril de 2005. A votação foi de 88 votos a favor, 2 contra, e 3 abstenções.

A decisão segue uma orientação do ano passado  do líder de partido Marthinus van Schalkwyk   para juntar forças com o partido do governo, o Partido do Congresso Nacional africano  (ANC). "O precursor do NNP, o Partido Nacional, trouxe o desenvolvimento para uma região  da África do Sul,  mas também trouxe o sofrimento através de um sistema construído sobre a injustiça," disse  van Schalkwyk.

O NNP foi o sucessor do Partido Nacional, e recebeu o novo nome em 1997 para distanciar-se do antigo  apartheid. O Partido Nacional foi o partido do  governo da África do Sul de 1948 a 1994, e promoveu políticas de apartheid e a promoção da cultura  africânder.


South African President Thabo Mbeki agrees to resign

South African President Thabo Mbeki has agreed to a call from the ruling African National Congress to resign.

The ANC announced earlier today that it wanted Mbeki, 66, to resign after two days of talks. He was just months from completing his full term of office, but is caught up in allegations that he influenced a corruption case being brought against rival and ANC leader Jaco Zuma.

Zuma was cleared of all charges on September 12, with the court ruling that Mbeki's regime had interfered. Mbeki and others deny this.

Half of the cabinet is reported to be threatening to walk out if Mbeki does leave. He has called a special government meeting tomorrow to decide how to continue with his removal.

It is unknown who will be named interim ruler by parliament, but it may be Zuma. He may also stand for election to President.


Presidente de Sudáfrica renuncia a petición de su partido político

20 de septiembre de 2008Johannesburgo, Sudáfrica —

El presidente de Sudáfrica, Thabo Mbeki, renunciará a su cargo según lo informado por su portavoz, luego de que su partido político, el Congreso Nacional Africano (ANC por sus siglas en inglés), se lo pidiera.

Sin embargo, no se precisó la fecha en que será efectiva la renuncia del mandatario, luego de que el mismo partido la solicitara para mantener la estabilidad dentro del partido y solventar las diferencias internas del país.

"El presidente lo aceptó y renunciará", declaró Mukoni Ratshitanga, el portavoz del presidente, a la cadena de radio 702 Talk Radio, situada en Johannesburgo.

Según un comunicado presidencial, Mbeki renunciará "después de cumplidos todos los requerimientos constitucionales". En caso que no se haga efectiva la renuncia, el Congreso de Sudáfrica lo puede destituir ya que la nación posee en su constitución como facultad del congreso para nombrar al presidente.

Mbeki es acusado de dirigir un boicot judicial contra Jacob Zuma, líder del ANC y su rival político, y que ha sucedido a Mbeki en este cargo. Según las alegaciones, Mbeki habría presionado a la justicia para que condenara a Zuma por corrupción.

Tras entregar el poder, el siguiente presidente será nombrado por el Congreso, que es dominado en su mayoría por el partido Congreso Nacional Africano.


Sudafrica: Mbeki prossimo alle dimissioni

Il presidente del Sudafrica, Thabo Mbeki, è stato costretto dal suo partito a presentare le dimissioni.

Questa decisione dell'African National Congress (ANC), di cui anche Nelson Mandela è stato uno dei massimi esponenti, è scaturita in seguito a una congiura nei confronti dell'attuale leader dell'ANC, a cui Mbeki, sembrerebbe, abbia partecipato.

In questo modo la scadenza del mandato di Mbeki viene anticipata di un anno e quindi il Sudafrica tornerà presto alle urne per eleggere il nuovo presidente.


South American leaders end border dispute

An exchange of handshakes at a Latin American summit Friday marked the end of the bitter dispute that had taken place between the nations of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela over the past week. The presidents of each country agreed to end the conflict, and said political ties would be reinstated.

"With the commitment of never attacking a brother country again and by asking forgiveness, we can consider this very serious incident resolved," said Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa, as the other Latin American leaders applauded.

The Rio Group summit, which included 20 Latin American nations, was originally planned to discuss other issues such as energy, but it soon erupted into a series of verbal attacks between Correa and Colombian president Álvaro Uribe. The dispute was over Colombia's air strike against FARC rebels, which Ecuador accused of entering their territory. As a result, Ecuador and their ally Venezuela had sent troops to their borders and severed ties with Colombia.

At the summit, Uribe charged Correa's government of having links with the FARC rebels, a charge that Correa quickly denied. "I cannot accept Uribe's lies," he said. "These hands are not tainted with blood." He admitted there had been communication with the FARC, but only regarding the release of hostages held by the rebels, including French-Colombian politician Íngrid Betancourt.

Uribe insisted that Ecuador has not done enough to fight the rebels, which was the reason the operation had to remain a secret, he said. "We have not gotten cooperation from President Correa in the fight against terrorism." Correa then advocated the creation of an international peacekeeping force to control the border, saying that Ecuador has become a victim of the fighting in Colombia.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, who was initially a central figure in the conflict, urged the leaders to stay calm. "We still have time to stop a whirlpool which we could regret," he said. "Let's reflect, let's be cool-headed." He also denied claims that he had supplied FARC with $300 million and offered to give them rifles. "I could have sent a lot of rifles to the FARC," Chávez said. "I will never do it because I want peace."

Finally, it was Dominican president Leonel Fernandez plea for peace that ended the feud. He requested that the presidents shake hands with each other, which they did, in a televised gesture viewed live across Latin America. Nicaragua's president, Daniel Ortega, also agreed to reinstate diplomatic ties with Colombia after shaking hands with their president.

The leaders at the summit later approved a declaration in which Uribe apologized for the military operation and vowed never again to violate another nation's sovereignty. It also mentioned a commitment to fight against threats posed by "irregular or criminal groups."


Fin de la crisis diplomática entre Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela y Nicaragua

Esta tarde en medio de fuertes discusiones en la Cumbre de Río y tras la mediación de Leonel Fernández, presidente de República Dominicana, se dio por terminada de manera pacífica, la crisis diplomática entre Ecuador, Colombia y Venezuela, a la que se había sumado en las últimas horas Nicaragua.

El conflicto se había generado a raíz de la incursión del ejército colombiano en territorio ecuatoriano, en medio de una operación que culminó en la muerte del líder guerrillero Raúl Reyes.

En medio de la plenaria el mandatario colombiano expuso una carta en la que presuntamente se evidenciaban nexos de las FARC con la campaña presidencial de Rafael Correa. El mandatario ecuatoriano se retiró por pocos minutos de la cumbre, y al regresar tildó de "falaces mentiras" las palabras de su homólogo colombiano.

A pesar de haber mantenido durante gran parte de la sesión, un lenguaje tenso y descalificativo, los mandatarios de Colombia y Ecuador se comprometieron a trabajar por la paz y evitar que se produzcan incidentes como la violación a la soberanía territorial de Ecuador el pasado sábado por parte de las fuerzas militares colombianas. El compromiso de paz fue sellado con un apretón de manos entre los mandatarios andinos, con abrazos y con promesas de seguir trabajando por la unidad de la región.

En medio de la Cumbre también hubo un espacio para que el presidente de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, revelara las pruebas de supervivencia de militares y secuestrados, que tenía en su poder. También se desmintió la noticia de la liberación de Ingrid Betancourt, que había sido difundida en horas de la tarde. Asimismo se eligió como nuevo secretario pro-tempore al presidente de México, Felipe Calderón.


Réconciliation générale en Amérique latine

Publié le 8 mars 2008   Un échange de poignées de mains lors du sommet du groupe de Rio qui se tenait vendredi en République Dominicaine marque officiellement la fin de la brouille diplomatique de ces dernières semaines entre la Colombie d'un côté et l'Équateur et le Venezuela de l'autre. Les trois présidents se sont accordés sur la fin du conflit et sur la reprise rapide de relations diplomatiques.

Sous les applaudissements des autres chefs d'État, le président équatorien Rafael Correa a ainsi déclaré : « Avec l'assurance de ne plus jamais attaquer un pays voisin et des demandes d'excuses officielles, nous pourrions considérer ce grave incident qui nous a fait tant de mal comme dépassé ».

La réunion du groupe de Rio, qui réunit vingt pays d'Amérique latine était originellement prévue pour discuter de problèmes liés à la distribution de l'énergie, mais a débuté par une série d'attaques verbales entre Rafael Correa et le président colombien Álvaro Uribe à la suite de l'intervention militaire de la Colombie en territoire équatorien contre les rebelles des FARC et le déploiement de troupes en réponse par l'Équateur et son allié le Venezuela le long de la frontière avec la Colombie.

Pendant le sommet, Álvaro Uribe avait accusé le gouvernement de Rafael Correa d'entretenir des relations avec les FARC, affirmation immédiatement rejetée par ces mots : « Je ne peux accepter les mensonges d'Uribe, mes mains ne sont pas tâchées de sang ». Selon la présidence équatorienne, les seules relations avec les rebelles colombiens ont concerné les négociations visant à la libération des otages retenus. Ce dénigrement avait été rejeté par Álvaro Uribe qui a invoqué le « manque de coopération de l'Équateur dans la lutte contre le terrorisme » pour avoir gardé le secret sur l'opération militaire.

Paradoxalement, c'est Hugo Chávez, président vénézuélien et figure centrale du conflit qui traitait il y a encore quelques jours le président Uribe de « criminel de guerre », qui a appelé au calme les deux protagonistes : «  Il est encore temps de stopper un tourbillon que nous pourrions tous regretter. Restons calmes et réfléchissons ». Dans le même temps, il a également dénié avoir fourni de l'argent ou des armes aux FARC précisant « J'aurais pu envoyer beaucoup d'armes aux FARC. Je ne le ferais jamais, car je veux la paix ».

Finalement, Leonel Fernandez, le président dominicain, a tenté de faire descendre la pression en demandant au président Uribe de se lever pour aller serrer la main de ses opposants, geste retransmis en direct à la télévision à travers l'ensemble de l'Amérique latine. Peu après, Daniel Ortega, président du Nicaragua acceptait également de reprendre ses relations diplomatiques avec la Colombie, après que toutes les parties impliquées eurent approuvé une déclaration selon laquelle le gouvernement colombien présentait ses excuses dans un mea-culpa officiel pour l'opération militaire et promettait de ne plus violer la souveraineté d'une autre nation. Le même document contient une déclaration commune de combat des vingt pays contre les groupes « irréguliers ou criminels » qui menacent leur stabilité nationale.


Correa e Uribe põem fim à crise diplomática entre Colômbia e Equador

Agência Brasil

8 de março de  2008

Após um dia inteiro de discursos acalorados e até momentos de tensão entre alguns dos chefes de Estado e governo presentes à 20ª Cúpula do Grupo do Rio, em Santo Domingo, na República Dominicana, os presidentes da Colômbia, Álvaro Uribe, e do Equador, Rafael Correa, apertaram as mãos e deram por encerrada a crise desencadeada pelo ataque militar colombiano em solo equatoriano no dia 1º.

Em meio aos debates, Uribe apresentou novo pedido de desculpas e se comprometeu a não realizar novas operações militares em solo vizinho “sob nenhuma circunstância” – condições impostas por Correa para uma solução pacífica para a crise diplomática entre os dois países. Diante disso, o líder equatoriano declarou que o incidente "estava encerrado".

Os compromissos assumidos por Uribe foram registrados em declaração conjunta firmada pelos 13 países membros do Grupo do Rio. O documento condena a ação militar colombiana em território do Equador, sem consentimento do governo equatoriano. Com termos semelhantes à resolução aprovada ontem (6) pelo Conselho Permanente da Organização dos Estados Americanos (OEA), o documento reafirma os princípios da inviolabilidade territorial, do respeito à soberania e da não-ingerência em assuntos internos de outros países.

"Rechaçamos essa violação à integridade territorial do Equador e, por conseguinte, reafirmamos o princípio de que o território de um Estado é inviolável e não pode ser objeto de ocupação militar nem de outras medidas de força tomadas por outro Estado, direta ou indiretamente, qualquer que seja o motivo”, diz a declaração conjunta.

Os integrantes do Grupo do Rio reiteram seu compromisso com a convivência pacífica na região e “exortam” Equador e Colômbia a manter abertos canais “respeitosos” de comunicação e buscar caminhos para solucionar a crise diplomática. Após o ataque colombiano, o Equador rompeu relações diplomáticas com o país vizinho.

Os mandatários também mencionam a decisão de Correa de aceitar documentos oferecidos por Álvaro Uribe supostamente obtidos pelo governo colombiano após o ataque ao acampamento das Forças Armadas Revolucionárias da Colômbia (Farc) em solo equatoriano. Uribe tem declarado que tais documentos comprovam vínculo do Equador com a guerrilha.

Rafael Correa acusa o presidente colombiano de mentiroso. Em visita ao Brasil no começo da semana, Correa impôs como uma das condições para um futuro acordo o reconhecimento, por Uribe, de que teria montado uma farsa para comprometer o governo equatoriano.


Лідерам Колумбії, Венесуели та Еквадору вдалося врегулювати латиноамериканську дипломатичну кризу

7 березня 2008 р. на саміті лідерів Групи Ріо у Домініканській Республіці лідерам Колумбії, Еквадору та Венесуели вдалося улагодити протиріччя між їхніми країнами і навіть потиснути один одному руки. Латиноамериканська криза, яка тривала протягом останнього тижня і мало не втягнула три країни у збройний конфлікт була проголошена вирішеною.

Протиріччя між трьома латиноамериканськими країнами виникли у результаті операції збройних сил Колумбії на території сусіднього Евадору, у результаті якої було вбито одного з лідерів повстанської організації ФАРК. Еквадор і сусідня Венесуела у відповідь на очевидне порушення теріторіального суверенітету країни розірвали дипломатичні відносини з Колумбією і почали дислокацію збройних сил на кордонах з нею. Дипломатичні відносини також пізніше розірвала і Нікарагуа, а лідери багатьох інших країн регіону висловили підтримку лідерові Еквадору Рафаелю Корреа. Сесія Організації Американських Держав у своєму рішенні також засудила дії Колумбії, яка опинилася у скрутному політичному становищі і в такій ситуації могла розраховувати на підтримку майже виключно Сполучених Штатів.

Колумбія веде війну проти повстанської, марксистської організації ФАРК вже протягом останніх 40 років. Лише за президенства Альваро Урібе були вжиті дійові заходи по знищенню керівництва організації та обмеження її діяльності в країні. Поряд з ліквідацією одного з лідерів організації 1 березня, що спричинило цю кризу, міністр оборони Колумбії проінформував саміт про вбивство іншого провідного повстанця днем раніше, що ще більше ослабило організацію та укріпило позицію уряду.

Саміт лідерів Групи Ріо у Домініканській Республіці мав зосередитися на обговоренні питань співпраці у галузі енергетики — натомість головним питанням стала гостра дипломатична криза між декількома членами організації і Колумбією. Початок дискусій був дещо емоційним — президенти країн обмінялися взаємними звинуваченнями: президента Колумбії Урібе звинуватили в агресії, а він у свою чергу звинуватив президентів Еквадору та Венесуели у співпраці з повстанською організацією ФАРК. Зустріч на вищому рівні транслювалася наживо у багатьох латиноамериканських країнах і ключовим моментом зустрічі стало потискання рук між президентами трьох країн, котрим вдалося домовитися про урегулювання конфлікту і проголосити його вирішеним. За загальної підтримки лідерів інших країн було проголошено, що дипломатичні відносини між Колумбією, Венесуелою, Еквадором та Нікарагуа будуть відновлені у повному обсязі.

У заключному рішенні зустрічі підтверджувалося, що президент Колумбії Урібе офіційно вибачився за військову операцію в сусідній країні і пообіцяв надалі утримуватися від дій, які могли б розцінюватия як замах на територіальний суверенітет сусідніх країн. В той самий час лідери інших країн підтвердили рішучість протидіяти діяльності незаконних збройних формувань на своїх територіях.

8 березня 2008


South Carolina governor resigns GOP post, explains disappearance

2012 United States presidential election

At a press conference in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, Republican Governor Mark Sanford admitted that a week-long disappearance by him was to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a woman he had been having an affair with resides.

His wife, Jenny Sanford, was not aware of her husband's location during this time, as they have been undergoing a trial separation for the past two weeks following his private disclosure of the matter previously. The Governor's staff was also not sure of where Governor Sanford was, telling the press earlier that he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

After it was discovered that he had flown back to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport from Buenos Aires, Governor Sanford admitted on Wednesday morning that he left for South America after the conclusion of a tenuous legislative session, initially saying only that he had been driving along the coastline.

The affair was only made known to the public at a nationally-televised press conference on Wednesday afternoon, where the Governor also resigned from his post as the chairperson of the U.S. Republican Governors Association. He did not answer questions about if he would serve out the remainder of his last term in office, which concludes in 2011.

In a press release issued by his office, Governor Sanford apologized to his family, staff, and constituents — the people of South Carolina. He also explicitly declared that his staff at no time had "intentionally relay[ed] false information ... [w]hat they've said over the past two days they believed to be true."

Jenny Sandford, in a statement issued Wednesday, said that she would be willing to be reunited with her husband, if he continued to work towards a reconciliation.

Governor Sanford had been named previously as a potential candidate for the 2012 U.S. Presidential election.


El gobernador de Carolina del Sur admite infidelidad

El gobernador del estado de Carolina del Sur, Mark Sanford, quien es casado, retornó de una ausencia no explicada con una admisión de que estaba con una novia argentina en Buenos Aires.

Sanford, quien había sido considerado un posible candidato para la presidencia de Estados Unidos en 2012, convocó este viernes a una conferencia de prensa para revelar dónde había estado. En esta, anunció que había pasado cinco días en Argentina y admitió haber sido sido infiel a su esposa, y se disculpó con su ella y sus hijos, quienes votaron por él, y con miembros del Partido Republicano.

Dijo además que había engañado a su equipo sobre su ubicación, diciéndoles que había estado haciendo senderismo.

El gobernador enunció que renunciaría como presidente de la Asociación de Gobernadores Republicanos, pero no respondió preguntas sobre si renunciaría como gobernador de Carolina del Sur.


South Korea and US hold joint exercises; North does not retaliate

South Korea held joint military exercises with the United States on Monday on Yeonpyeong Island, which was shelled by North Korea last month. North Korea had warned of an "unpredictable self-defensive blow" if the exercises went ahead, but the country did not retaliate, saying it was "not worth" attacking, despite "reckless provocations" from the South.

The United Nations Security Council held an eight hour emergency meeting as tensions escalated on the Korean peninsula before the exercises began. The controversial issue divided opinion within the council; China and Russia both asked South Korea to call off the exercise over fears it could start a war on the peninsula, but the US supported its ally, saying the drills were "fully consistent with South Korea's legal right to self defence".

Officials in Pyongyang had threatened a "catastrophe" if the exercises, taking place on an island close to the border with the North, went ahead. They did not attack the South, however; state media quoted a North Korean military official as saying: "The world should properly know who is the true champion of peace and who is the real provocateur of a war." South Korea had said they would retaliate "immediately and sternly" to any attack from the North.

South Korean officials reported the drills, involving K9 Thunder guns and F-15K fighter aircraft, lasted less than two hours. During the drill, civilians on Yeonpyeong Island moved into air-raid shelters, which, the BBC reported, was part of the planned procedure for the exercise.

Yeonpyeong Island, which, although controlled by the South, is visible from the North, and came under attack from the North last month. Nearly 200 rounds of artillery were fired at the island in the attack; four people were killed and another 14 were injured in the attack. At the time of the attack, the South had been holding annual military exercises with the US. Troops on the island returned fire, firing nearly 80 rounds of artillery, but no damage was reported on the North Korean side.


Nordkorea reagiert zurückhaltend auf Militärübung Südkoreas

Seoul (Südkorea) / Pjöngjang (Nordkorea), 21.12.2010 – Trotz eines von nordkoreanischer Seite angekündigten „Selbstverteidigungsschlages“ für den Fall einer südkoreanischen Militärübung in den Gewässern des Gelben Meeres in der Nähe der nordkoreanisch-südkoreanischen Grenze, reagierte die nordkoreanische Führung heute nicht auf eine anderthalbstündige Artillerieübung der südkoreanischen Streitkräfte auf der Insel Yeonpyeong.

Am 24. November 2010 hatten nordkoreanische Artillerieeinheiten Ziele auf der Insel Yeonpyeong beschossen. Dabei waren vier Menschen ums Leben gekommen.


Η Νότια Κορέα και οι ΗΠΑ πραγματοποιούν κοινές ασκήσεις - η Βόρεια Κορέα δεν ανταποδίδει

Η Νότια Κορέα πραγματοποιεί κοινές ασκήσεις με τις ΗΠΑ, τη Δευτέρα, 20 Νοεμβρίου 2010, στο Ιονπιόνγκ, το οποίο δέχθηκε επίθεση από τη Βόρεια Κορέα τον προηγούμενο μήνα. Η Βόρεια Κορέα απείλησε ότι "θα επιτεθεί απροειδοποίητα" αν οι ασκήσεις διεξαχθούν, αλλά η χώρα δεν ανταπέδωσε, λέγοντας ότι δεν αξίζει  "να επιτεθούν", παρά τις "αλόγιστες προκλήσεις" από τον Νότο.

Το Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας των  Ηνωμένων Εθνών συγκάλεσε μια οχτάωρη (8) έκτακτη συνάντηση καθώς οι εντάσεις κλιμακώθηκαν πριν την έναρξη των ασκήσεων στη κορεάτικη χερσόνησο. Ωστόσο, κατά τη διάρκεια του συμβουλίου υπήρξαν διαφωνίες - η Κίνα και η Ρωσία ζήτησαν από τη Νότια Κορέα να ακυρώσει τις ασκήσεις, φοβούμενες ότι θα ξεσπάσει  πόλεμος στη χερσόνησο, αλλά οι ΗΠΑ υποστήριξαν την σύμμαχό τους, λέγοντας ότι οι ασκήσεις "συνάδουν πλήρως με το δικαίωμα της Νότιας Κορέας για αυτοάμυνα".

Οι αρχές της  Πιονγιάνγκ απείλησαν με "καταστροφή" αν οι ασκήσεις, οι οποίες πρόκειται να γίνουν σε νησί κοντά στα σύνορα με τον Βορρά, τελικά θα πραγματοποιηθούν. Δεν επιτέθηκαν στο Νότο, ωστόσο - τα ΜΜΕ αναφέρουν ότι ένας αξιωματικός της Βόρειας Κορέας δήλωσε: "Ο κόσμος πρέπει να ξέρει ποιός είναι ο αληθινός υπερασπιστής της ειρήνης και ποιός είναι ο αληθινός προβοκάτορας του πολέμου." Η Νότια Κορέα δήλωσε ότι θα ανταποδώσει "άμεσα και αποφασιστικά" σε οποιαδήποτε επίθεση από τον Βορρά.

Οι αρχές της Νότιας Κορέας ανακοίνωσαν τη διεξαγωγή των ασκήσεων, με τη συμμετοχή των μαχητικών αεροπλάνων K9 Thunder και F-15K που κράτησαν λιγότερο από δύο ώρες. Κατά τη διάρκεια των ασκήσεων, οι κάτοικοι του Ιονπιόνγκ μεταφέρθηκαν με αεροπλάνα, τα οποία σύμφωνα με το BBC, ήταν σχεδιασμένο μέρος των ασκήσεων.

Το Ιονπιόνγκ, το οποίο, ελέγχεται από τη Νότια Κορέα, είναι ορατό από τη Βόρεια Κορέα, η οποία, τον προηγούμενο μήνα, δέχτηκε επίθεση από τον βορρά. Κατά τη διάρκεια της επίθεσης, οι Βορειοκορεάτες εκτόξευσαν περίπου 200 οβίδες - τέσσερις (4) άνθρωποι σκοτώθηκαν και άλλοι δεκατέσσερις (14) τραυματίστηκαν. Κατά τη διάρκεια της επίθεσης, η Νότια Κορέα πραγματοποιούσε στρατιωτικές ασκήσεις με τις ΗΠΑ. Οι Νοτιοκορεάτες, ως απάντηση, εκτόξευσαν 80 οβίδες, αλλά δεν αναφέρθηκε καμία ζημιά από την πλευρά της Βόρειας Κορέας.

21 Δεκεμβρίου 2010


Dél-Korea és az Egyesült Államok közös hadgyakorlatot tartott

A hétfői gyakorlat helyszínéül a demarkációs vonalhoz közel fekvő Jonpjong-szigetet választották. Ez az a terület, amit Észak-Korea a múlt hónap végén tüzérségi tűzzel támadott meg. Az északiak „önvédelmi csapást” harangoztak be arra az esetre, ha a hadgyakorlatot megtartanák; végül azonban nem léptek, mondván, hogy a déliek „felelőtlen provokálása” ellenére „sem éri meg” közbeavatkozni.

A felfűtött koreai kedélyeket látva az ENSZ Biztonsági Tanácsa nyolcórás értekezletet tartott a hadgyakorlat előtt. A helyzet megosztotta a tagokat: Kína és Oroszország az akció lefújását kérte Dél-Koreától, hogy ne újulhasson ki a háború a félszigeten; az Egyesült Államok azonban kiállt szövetségese mellett és „az önvédelemhez való joggal teljes mértékben összeférőnek” minősítette a hadműveletet.

Phenjan „katasztrófával” fenyegetett arra az esetre, ha a hadgyakorlatot végül megtartanák, míg Szöul egy esetleges északi támadás esetére „azonnali és könyörtelen” megtorlást helyezett kilátásba. Dél-koreai jelentések szerint a hadművelet – amelynek során K9 Thunder típusú önjáró tarackokat és F15-ös vadászgépeket is bevetettek – kevesebb mint két óra alatt lezajlott. A BBC értesülései szerint – szintén a gyakorlat részeként – a sziget civil lakossága erre az időre óvóhelyekre vonult. Észak-Korea ugyan nem avatkozott be, de az állami médián keresztül – a hadsereg egy tisztjét idézve – így kommentálta a fejleményeket: „a világ immár pontosan tudhatja, hogy ki a béke igazi bajnoka, és ki az, aki valójában háborút akar”.

Mindennek közvetlen előzménye, hogy az északiak november végén ágyútűz alá vették a tőlük szabad szemmel is látható, de déli fennhatóság alá tartozó Jonpjong-szigetet. A közel 200 lövedék 4 emberéletet oltott ki és 14 további sérültet követelt. Válaszképpen a déliek is leadtak közel 80 lövést, de az északi oldalon keletkezett károkról nem érkezett hír. Az akkori incidens időben egybeesett az évente megtartott közös amerikai-koreai hadgyakorlattal.


South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to meet with Kim Jong-il

South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun left Seoul yesterday to meet with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il to discuss the future of the divided peninsula.  Although the 1950–1953 Korean War between the two sides has never formally ended, the meeting may prepare the ground for a permanent truce.  The meeting is only the second summit between the two sides.  The first summit took place in 2000, and led to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his Sunshine Policy of reconciliation with the North.

"How to make peace take root on the Korean Peninsula will be the top-priority agenda item for the summit,"  Roh said in a speech on Monday.  He added that "It will not be an uneventful course, but once discussions on a peace regime get under way in earnest, we can take up building military confidence and a peace treaty, and furthermore the issue of arms reduction."  Roh said that the top item on his agenda was establishing greater peace along the border between the two countries.

South Korea has only limited ability to seek a peace treaty because it was not a signatory to the ceasefire that ended the Korean War, which was signed by U.S.-led forces.  "I do not believe that the peace regime could be actually resolved through the two parties alone," South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung said at a news conference in Seoul.  United States President George W. Bush has said that he would be willing to discuss a peace treaty if North Korea were to give up its atomic arms.

One issue that is not part of the summit's agenda is North Korea's nuclear program, which is the subject of ongoing talks between multiple nations.  South Korean officials also do not intend to discuss North Korea's widely-criticized human rights record.


Presidentes de las dos Coreas en reunión histórica

El Presidente de Corea del Sur, Roh Moo-hyun, cruzó la fuertemente armada frontera con Corea del Norte, donde fue recibido por el mandatario de esta otra nación, Kim Jong-il. Esta visita tendrá una duración de tres días y tendrá el propósito de alcanzar ciertos acuerdos que beneficien a ambas naciones.

La bienvenida fue realizada en el Palacio de la Cultura, punto acordado para el encuentro entre los dos mandatarios. El Presidente Roh llegó en compañía del Jefe de Estado y el presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la RPDC.

El encuentro de Roh Moo Hyun en Pyongyang con Kim es de carácter simbólico y tratará sobre el programa de armas nucleares de Corea del Norte y su muy criticado historial de derechos humanos. La visita tendrá una duración de tres días y tendrá además el propósito de alcanzar ciertos acuerdos que beneficien a ambas naciones.

La cumbre llega en un momento de optimismo tras las exitosas negociaciones para el desmantelamiento nuclear de Corea del Norte a las que llegaron el pasado domingo en Pekín. El presidente surcoreano, cuyo mandato finaliza en febrero próximo, anunció que el punto principal de la agenda de su encuentro con Kim será la discusión de una paz permanente entre las dos coreas.

Al concluir la conferencia de prensa, "El sur y el norte están caminando ahora conjuntamente por un nuevo camino hacia la reconciliación y la cooperación", dijo Roh Moon-hyun.


Il presidente sudcoreano Roh Moo Hyun incontra Kim Jong Il, leader del Nord

Il presidente della Corea del Sud Roh Moo Hyun ha lasciato ieri Seoul per incontrare il leader della Corea del Nord Kim Jong Il e per discutere del futuro della penisola coreana, da decenni divisa in due. Sebbene la Guerra di Corea combattuta fra il 1950 e il 1953 tra le due parti non è mai formalmente terminata, l'incontro potrebbe preparare il terreno per una tregua permanente. L'incontro è soltanto un secondo summit fra le due parti.

Il primo aveva avuto luogo nel 2000, e guidato dal precedente presidente sudcoreano Kim Dae-jung, che aveva vinto il Premio Nobel per la pace per la sua politica di sole splendente per la riconciliazione con il Nord.

«Come fare in modo che la pace metta radici sulla penisola coreana sarà la maggiore priorità nell'agenda del summit», ha detto Roh in un discorso di lunedì, che ha aggiunto: «Non sarà un processo privo di eventi, ma una volta che le discussioni su un regime di pace saranno poste sul giusto binario, noi potremo cominciare una tregua militare e stilare un trattato di pace, e anche un accordo sulla riduzione degli armamenti». Roh ha detto che la questione principale della sua agenda era stabilite una pace più forte tra i confini dei due Paesi.

La Corea del Sud ha possibilità limitate per raggiungere un trattato di pace, poiché non ha firmato il «cessate il fuoco» che pose fine alla guerra di Corea, che fu firmato solo dalle truppe degli Stati Uniti d'America. «Io non credo che la pace possa essere raggiunta con gli sforzi di una sola parte», ha detto il ministro per l'unificazione sudcoreano Lee Jae-joung durante una conferenza stampa a Seul. Il presidente degli Stati Uniti George W. Bush ha detto che è disposto a discutere un trattato di pace solo se la Corea del Nord accetterà di dismettere le sue armi atomiche.

Una questione che non è parte dell'agenda del summit è il programma nucleare nordcoreano, che è soggetto a incontri tra una pluralità di nazioni. Personale della Corea del Sud non intende discutere della questione dei diritti umani in Corea del Nord, che pure sono stati ampiamente criticati.


South Korean troops mistakenly attack passenger jet

Troops in South Korea attacked a passenger jet Saturday after mistaking it for a North Korean aircraft. The Asiana Airlines plane was out of range and escaped undamaged; the 119 on board were unharmed.

Soldiers fired 99 rounds, including two blanks, from their K2 rifles at the Airbus A321 as it approached Incheon International Airport on a flight from China. That airport serves Seoul and is 25 miles (40.2 kilometres) from the border between the two Korean states.

The plane's route is disputed. One aviation controller said that the plane was "flying normally" and "did not deviate from its normal route," a claim with which Asiana agrees. However, Yonhap reports that the South Korean marines who attacked the aircraft say it was off-course. A Marine Corps official said the shooting lasted ten minutes as the plane flew over Jumun island. The marines fired from nearby Gyodong.

Relations between the two Korean countries have been tense since the end of open hostilities in the 1953 Korean War. The South Korean military has recently used photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's family for target practice, with the north threatening retaliation. South Korean media claimed yesterday that the south has US-built missiles capable of reaching the northern capital, Pyongyang, and blamed the north for twin bombings that killed 50 people last year.

One current dispute involves nine refugees arriving in the south by boat on June 11. Yesterday, the south said that all wish to defect and, per its policy, refused to hand them back. The north's Red Cross warned on Thursday that failure to do so could lead to further deterioration in Korean relations.

South Korean troops have been told by Defence Minister Kim Kwan-Jin to fire at attacking North Koreans without waiting for or seeking instructions. "Don't ask your commanders whether to fire back or not. Take actions first and then report afterwards," he said on the front line in March. The South Korean military was criticised in November for a slow response to the north's shelling of Yeonpyeong island, which killed four.

The two marines who attacked the plane yesterday had recently been told that the North was increasing military action due to heightened tensions. As a result of the incident, increased training on aircraft identification will be performed. Asiana said they were unaware of the attack until contacted by the military and asked if the jet had been hit.


نیروهای کره جنوبی به سوی هواپیمای مسافربری شلیک کردند

کره جنوبی اعلام کرده‌است که نیروهای مسلح این کشور به اشتباه به یک هواپیمای مسافربری که از چین بلند شده و قصد فرود در فرودگاه سئول را داشته شلیک کرده‌اند. مقامات ارتش کره جنوبی می‌گویند که نیروهای نظامی به اشتباه تصور کرده‌اند که این یک هواپیمای نظامی کره شمالی است و ۹۹ بار به سوی آن شلیک کرده‌اند. به گفته مقام‌های کره‌ای به این هواپیما که بیش از ۱۰۰ مسافر داشته هیچگونه آسیبی نرسیده‌است.

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Южнокорейские военные ошибочно обстреляли свой пассажирский авиалайнер

Южнокорейские морские пехотинцы обстреляли гражданский авиалайнер, приняв его за вражеский северокорейский военный самолет. Как сообщили источники агентства «Ренхап», инцидент произошел на пограничном острове в Жёлтом море в 80 километрах от города Инчхон.

Впоследствии оказалось, что это был не военный самолет, а лайнер южнокорейской авиакомпании Asiana Airlines, направлявшийся из Китая и заходивший на посадку в Инчхоне. На борту находились 119 человек.

Морские пехотинцы Республики Корея, которые несли службу на острове Гиодон, приняли пассажирский самолет за северокорейский летательный аппарат, нарушающий южнокорейское воздушное пространство. Они открыли огонь по лайнеру из стрелкового оружия — винтовок K2. Однако воздушное судно летело на большой высоте (500—600 метров), поэтому поразить его военным не удалось. В результате инцидента никто не пострадал. Об этом сообщает южнокорейское агентство Yonhap со ссылкой на анонимный источник в Министерстве обороны Республики Корея.

По словам источника агентства, пограничники объяснили, что никогда подобного лайнера не видели. После проверки оказалось, что самолет Asiana Airlines снижался по стандартной глиссаде. Данные авиадиспетчеров свидетельствуют, что с курса борт не сбивался, сообщает BFM.ru.

Теперь командование морской пехоты Южной Кореи обещает провести со всеми военнослужащими инструктаж по определению военных и гражданских авиалайнеров. А диспетчерам аэропорта Инчхона дано указание предупреждать пилотов самолетов об опасности изменения курса.

Отношения между двумя Кореями остаются крайне напряженными. Стороны так и не заключили друг с другом мирный договор по итогам войны 1950—1953 гг. Иногда между ними возникают локальные вооруженные конфликты. Последним из них стал обстрел в ноябре 2010 г. артиллерией южнокорейского острова Йонпхендо. Тогда были убиты не менее четырех человек.

18 июня 2011 года


South Ossetia holds parliamentary elections

South Ossetia, one of two breakaway regions of Georgia (the other being the Georgian province of Abkhazia), held parliamentary elections on Sunday.

There are 34 parliamentary seats at stake. Four parties are competing: the ruling Unity Party, the Communist Party of South Ossetia, People's Party of South Ossetia, and Fatherland Socialist Party.

The central election commission has estimated that about 45,000 to 50,000 people are eligible to vote in the polls, although some analysts have suggested this is an exaggeration.

Polling stations closed at 20:00 local time (1600 UTC). Initial results from the vote counting indicated a strong showing for the Unity party, a supporter of Eduard Kokoity, the current leader of the breakaway area.

These are the first elections to be held since South Ossetia's war with Georgia in August 2008. Only Nicaragua and Russia have officially recognised it as an independent state.


Osetia del Sur celebra elecciones parlamentarias

Osetia del Sur, una de las dos regiones separatistas de Georgia (la otra es la provincia georgiana de Abjasia), celebró elecciones parlamentarias el domingo.

En estas votaciones se encuentran en disputa 34 escaños parlamentarios y en ellas participan cuatro partidos políticos: el Partido Unidad, el Partido Comunista, el Partido Popular y el Partido Socialista.

La Comisión Central Electoral ha estimado que entre 45.000 y 50.000 personas tienen derecho al voto, aunque algunos analistas han sugerido esto es una exageración.

Los colegios electorales cerraron urnas a las 20:00 hora local (16:00 UTC). Los resultados preliminares de la votación indican un fuerte apoyo al Partido Unidad, al cual pertenece Eduard Kokoity, el actual líder de la región separatista.

Estas son las primeras elecciones que se celebran desde la guerra de Osetia del Sur con Georgia en agosto de 2008. Actualmente sólo Nicaragua y Rusia lo han reconocido oficialmente como un Estado independiente.


South Ossetia says it will join North Ossetia-Alania as a federal subject of Russia

As the parliament of Georgia voted to approve closing the nation's embassy in Moscow and severing diplomatic ties with Russia, officials in the breakaway territory of South Ossetia are stating that their ultimate goal is not independence, but to be absorbed into Russia.

Znaur Gassiyev, the speaker in the parliament of South Ossetia, said today in Tskhinvali, the capital, that the region will be annexed by Russia "in several years" or earlier. He further went on that this was the position of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity, who met earlier this week to discuss the future of South Ossetia. Ultimately, South Ossetia would be joined with the Russian federal subject of North Ossetia-Alania.

"We will live in one united Russian state," Tarzan Kokoiti, one of Gassiyev's deputies, said. However, a Russian government spokesperson said there was "no official information" on the talks.

The Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Gigi Tsereteli, warned the areas, which are "autonomous republics" within Georgia, that absorption into Russia would ultimately destroy them as territorial entities.

"The regimes of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should think about the fact that if they become part of Russia, they will be assimilated and in this way they will disappear," Tsereteli said.

On August 26, Russia voted to diplomatically recognize South Ossetia, as well as other another semi-autonomous region of Georgia, Abkhazia. So far, no other member of the United Nations has recognized these republics.

"We found ourselves in an awkward situation when a country militarily invading and occupying our country, then recognizing part of its territories, is trying to create a sense of normalcy," Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili said while in Sweden.

"Breaking off diplomatic relations with Tbilisi is not Moscow's choice, and the responsibility lies with Tbilisi," Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said.

Russia's efforts to get other nations to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states hit a snag when the People's Republic of China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation balked at recognition.

Hugo Chávez, the president of Venezuela, said that he supports the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but did not say if Venezuela formally recognises the republics.

"Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests," Chavez said.

Russia and South Ossetia continue to work on an agreement to install permanent Russian military bases in the breakaway territory.  The agreement is scheduled to be signed on September 2.

Russian military forces continue to occupy nominal Georgian territory in defiance of the European Union-brokered ceasefire agreement.


Ossétia do Sul diz que vai aderir à Ossétia do Norte e se submeter com a Rússia federal

Tbilissi, Geórgia • 30 de agosto de 2008

Tal como o Parlamento da Geórgia votou para aprovar o encerramento das nações da embaixada em Moscou e cortando os laços diplomáticos com a Rússia (depois que o Parlamento russo aprovou a lei em que a Rússia reconhece a independência da Ossétia do Sul e Abcázia), funcionários no território separatista da Ossétia do Sul estão afirmando que o seu objetivo final não é independência, mas para ser absorvida pela Rússia.

Znaur Gassiyev, o presidente do parlamento da Ossétia do Sul, disse hoje em Tskhinvali, a capital, que a região será anexado pela Rússia "em vários anos" ou mais cedo. Ele passou por mais que era a essa posição do presidente russo Dmitry Medvedev e do líder da Ossétia do Sul, Eduard Kokoity, que reuniu no início desta semana para discutir o futuro da Ossétia do Sul. Em última instância, na Ossétia do Sul, seria a Rússia federal encontra submetida com a Ossétia do Norte. "Nós vivemos em uma união com o estado russo," Tarzan Kokoiti, disse um dos deputados de Gassiyev. No entanto, porta-voz governo russo disse "não [há a] informação oficial" sobre as conversações.

O vice-presidente do Parlamento georgiano, Gigi Tsereteli, alertou âs áreas, que são "repúblicas autônomas" na Geórgia, em que a absorção Rússia acabaria por destruí-los como entidades territoriais. "Os regimes da Abcásia e da Ossétia do Sul devem refletir sobre o fato de se tornar parte da Rússia, eles serão equiparados e desta forma eles irão desaparecer", disse Tsereteli.

Em 26 de agosto, a Rússia votou o reconhecimento diplomaticamente a Ossétia do Sul, bem como a outra  região semi-autônoma da Geórgia, da Abcásia, o que provocou reações negativas dos países e potências da Europa e os países do mundo, entre eles, os Estados Unidos. Até agora, nenhum outro membro da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) reconheceu essas repúblicas.

"Encontramos-nos em uma situação embaraçosa, quando um país invade militarmente o nosso país e ocupa em seguida, reconhecendo parte do território, está tentando criar um sentimento de normalidade", disse a ministra das Relações Exteriores georgiano, Ekaterina Tkeshelashvili, na Suécia.

"Cortar as relações diplomáticas com Tbilisi não é a escolha de Moscou, é da responsabilidade de Tbilisi", disse Andrei Nesterenko, disse o porta-voz para as Relações Exteriores russo.

Os esforços da Rússia para obter as outras nações reconheçam a Ossétia do Sul e da Abcásia como Estados independentes atingiu um problema quando a República Popular da China e de outros membros da Organização para Cooperação de Xangai relutam em reconhecer.

O presidente da Venezuela, Hugo Chávez (uns dos aliados da Rússia e maior comprador de armas russas na América do Sul), disse na sexta-feira (29), que apoia o reconhecimento da Abcásia e da Ossétia do Sul, mas não disse se a Venezuela reconhece formalmente as repúblicas.

"A Rússia tem reconhecido a autonomia da Abcásia e da Ossétia do Sul. Apoiamos a Rússia. Rússia está certo e está defendendo os seus interesses", disse Chavez.

Rússia e Ossétia do Sul continuam trabalhando sobre um acordo permanente para instalação de bases militares russas no território separatista. O acordo está previsto ser assinado em 2 de setembro.

Forças militares russas continuam a ocupar nominal em território georgiano desafiando a União Européia, que intermediou acordo cessar-fogo, com ajuda da França.


Spain arrests entire leadership of the Basque Separatist Party: 22 detained

Spanish police have arrested the entire leadership of the Basque separatist party, Batasuna, detaining 22 people in the town of Segura.

Police seized the town and raided a building where 22 members of Batasuna's leadership were meeting, following orders issued by judge Baltasar Garzon. Among the arrested are senior members of Batasuna as Joseba Permach, Juan Joxe Petrikorena, Juan Kruz Aldasoro and Rufi Etxeberria. Some of them met this week with members of the Irish Sinn Fein and South African peace experts in order to explore new ways to solve the Basque conflict. The independentist movement has consider this operation a "declaration of war" and said that the Spanish government wants to "end with any expectations of dialogue". The other Basque political parties has declared this action a "political and juridical barbarity".

The operation is the latest in four months of operations against Basque independentist, including the arrest of Batasuna's leader Arnaldo Otegi some months ago and two independentist leaders this week accused of joining a demonstration reclaiming the rights of the Basque prisoners. Lately the Spanish media were rumoring about a major operation against the Basque independenstist, a personal initiative of the Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero.

Batasuna was outlawed by Spain's Supreme Court in March 2003 alleging that it was the political wing of ETA.


Detienen a 22 líderes de Batasuna

La Policía de España ha arrestado a 22 líderes de la asociación vasca ilegalizada Batasuna, deteniendo a los respectivos líderes en el barrio de Segura.

La policía tomó el pueblo y asaltó un edificio, donde los 22 miembros de Batasuna se habían reunido, siguiendo órdenes del Juez Baltasar Garzón. Entre los arrestados se encuentran miembros veteranos de Batasuna como Joseba Permach, Juan Joxe Petrikorena, Juan Kruz Aldasoro y Rufi Etxeberria.

Algunos de ellos se reunieron esta semana con miembros del Sinn Féin irlandés y expertos de paz sudafricanos para explorar nuevos métodos para resolver el conflicto vasco. El movimiento separatista ha considerado esta operación una "declaración de guerra" y dijo que el gobierno español quiere "terminar con toda expectativa de diálogo". Otros partidos políticos vascos han declarado esta acción como una "barbaridad política y jurídica".

La operación es la más reciente en los últimos cuatro meses contra ETA, incluyendo el arresto del líder de Batasuna, Arnaldo Otegi, hace algunos meses, y el arresto de dos miembros nacionalistas vascos esta semana acusados de convocar una manifestación en apoyo a los presos de ETA. Los medios españoles hablan de una operación a gran escala contra ETA.

Batasuna fue ilegalizada por la Suprema Corte de España en marzo de 2003 sosteniendo que era un ala política de ETA.


Spain says Yes to EU constitution

Spain today became the first European Union member to ratify the new EU Constitution by a referendum. With a vote of 77%, the Yes camp, lead by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, was the winner. Speaking about the result he said, "Today has been a great day for all Europeans".
The No campaigners, who achieved 17% of the vote, were eager to point out the low turnout of 42%.

With the referendum, one in three Spaniards gave a yes vote. This is in stark contrast to the 90% of the Spanish Parliament that voted yes for the Constitution.

Despite the apparent enthusiasm by Spaniards for the new constitution, a recent government poll indicated only one in ten actually knew anything about its contents.

The official campaign was mainly dedicated to ask for the yes vote, without explaining the contents of the text. Very popular faces of singers and footballers were used for this campaign.

Although a Yes vote is a welcome start for the constitution - which must be ratified by all 25 member states by November 2006 - Spain was seen by many political commentators as an easy win. It is expected that of the twenty-five countries, Britain is the most likely to vote No.


Los españoles aprueban la Constitución Europea en referendum del domingo

21 de febrero de 2005Madrid, España — Los españoles han sido los primeros en votar el referendo consultivo acerca de la ratificación de la Constitución de la Unión Europea. A la pregunta ¿Aprueba usted el Tratado por el que se establece una Constitución para Europa?, el 76,73% de los votantes contestó Sí, mientras que el 17,24% contestó No -con un 6% de votos en blanco-. No obstante, la abstención llega al 57,68%. España se convierte así en el primer país en opinar acerca de la Carta Magna comunitaria, que deberá estar ratificada antes de noviembre de 2006 por los 25 países miembros. Además de España, otros nueve países tiene previsto realizar consultas populares.

No obstante, la abstención hace dudar de la claridad de los resultados a favor del Sí. El Partido Popular, de oposición y a favor del Sí, criticó la precipitación del gobierno socialista, que no permitió una preparación adecuada a los españoles, mientras que Izquierda Unida, aliada del gobierno pero a favor del No, afirmó que la mayoría de los españoles "no se sienten concernidos por este tratado impuesto por los gobiernos a los ciudadanos". Afirmaciones que contrastan con lo dicho por María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, vicepresidenta primera del gobierno, para quien el referéndum es un “alto y claro sí a Europa”. Sin embargo, a pesar del bombardeo permanente de los medios, carca del 90% de los españoles no están muy seguros del contenido de la Constitución, según una encuesta gubernamental.

España ha sido miembro de la Unión Europea desde 1986, lo que le ha traído grandes beneficios y subsidios, convirtiéndola en una de las mayores economías en Europa y el mundo.

El tratado deberá ser ratificado en última instancia por el Parlamento español.


Spain to vote on EU constitution

Madrid - Spain today will be the first of the European Union nations over the next few years to vote on the treaty establishing a EU constitution. The referendum being held, one of 9 confirmed by member countries, is expected to draw 40 to 50% of Spain's 35 million voters.

Polling stations have been opening since 0800 UTC, with a small stream of people casting their ballot. The question on the ballot paper is:

"¿Aprueba usted el Tratado por el que se establece una Constitución para Europa?" ("Do you approve the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe?")

It is expected that a yes vote will come from the referendum, though the referendum is non-binding, with parliament having the final say.

However, despite constant media bombardment, as many as 90% of Spaniards are unsure of the content of the constitution, according to a government poll.

Spain has been a member of the European Union since 1986 and has received large amounts of development grants and subsidies. Since joining, it has grown into one of biggest economies in Europe and the world.

According to the Spanish Interior Ministry, all of the ballots being casted 77% have said "sí" (yes) to the treaty establishing a EU constitution. However turnout has been low with only 42% of the voters voting in this referendum.

The results of the referendum, 77% say sí (yes), 17% say no, and 6% of the ballots are estropeado (spoilted).