NATO: 130 militants killed in Afghanistan

NATO has said that Afghan and international forces have killed more than 130 insurgents, including eight Taliban leaders, in an offensive in northern Kunduz province recently.

In a statement on Monday, NATO said that international forces carried out the operation in Chahar Dara district last week "to stop insurgent activity and weapons trafficking."

The alliance says more than 750 Afghan and NATO forces took part in the mission, and that it disrupted a shadow government set up by insurgents in the province. NATO says no civilians or military personnel were killed during the nearly week long offensive.

A spokesman for the Taliban, however, called the death toll "propaganda", and asserted that only five Taliban members were killed.


Afganistan: antytalibska operacja w prowincji Kunduz

W afgańskiej prowincji Kunduz 750 afgańskich i międzynarodowych żołnierzy ISAF przeprowadziło wielka ofensywę przeciwko znajdującym się tam talibom.

Walki w których zginęło 133 talibów, w tym 8 regionalnych dowódców, trwały w dniach 1-6 listopada. W walkach zaangażowanych było 700 Afgańczyków i 50 żołnierzy ISAF. Operacja miała na celu ograniczenie rebelii talibskiej w prowincji, za którą odpowiedzialny jest kontyngent niemiecki.

Jest to największa operacja, jakie kiedykolwiek widziałem w Kunduz - komentował wydarzenia gubernator prowincji Mohammad Omar. Gubernator uznał operację za udaną, pochwalił też lotnictwo sił ISAF, które bombardując pozycje rebeliantów unikało ofiar cywilnych.

Mieszkańcy Kunduz są bardzo wdzięczni, że siły międzynarodowe i afgańskie potrafią współpracować dla dobra Afganistanu - dodał Omar, który podkreślił, iż talibowie nie są w stanie kontrolować terenów w prowincji Kunduz.

Najcięższe walki miały miejsce w dystrykcie Chahar Dara, skąd wyparto bojowników. Siły sprzymierzone przeszukiwały wioski dystryktu skąd wypierano kolejne oddziały talibów.

Członek bojówek talibskich Zabihullah Mujahid, powiedział, iż liczba zabitych rebeliantów podawanych przez NATO to propaganda, gdyż miało zginąć 5 bojowników.

Nie odnotowano strat po stronie afgańskiej, ani sił międzynarodowych. Der Spiegel podał, iż zginął jeden wojskowy USA, jednak tych informacji nie potwierdza dowództwo ISAF, ani serwis icasualties.org - niezależna organizacja podająca ofiary wojny w Afganistanie.

Ostatnia ofensywa w prowincji Kunduz składa się na kampanię, którą siły międzynarodowe prowadzą w prowincji od kwietnia br. Od tego czasu zginęło tam 300 talibów, a także 4 żołnierzy niemieckich, jeden amerykański i 8 afgańskich.


Nauru to hold parliamentary elections

The tiny island nation of Nauru is to hold parliamentary elections next week, on August 25. The current government, which has been stable since 2004 after much political turbulence early in the early 2000s, wants to make changes in the way the parliamentary republic is governed, but wants to be elected for a new period before it goes ahead.

As of August 17, 83 candidates have expressed their intention to run in the election, according to Radio Australia. The voting system is a preferential system directly electing representatives. There is only one formal political party in Nauru, Naoero Amo ("Nauru First").

The elections were supposed to be held in October, but have been moved ahead two months. The last parliamentary elections were held on October 23, 2004.

Presidential elections in Nauru were supposed to be held in June, but have been postponed until the end of 2007 due to discussion on whether to use indirect voting (which is currently used) or direct voting.


La pequeña isla nación de Nauru celebrará elecciones parlamentarias la semana próxima, el 25 de agosto. El gobierno actual, que ha sido estable desde 2004 luego de mucha turbulencia política en el 2000, quienes hacer cambios en como se gobierno la república parlamentaria, pero quiere ser elegido para un nuevo periodo antes de continuar.

Desde el 17 de agosto, 83 candidatos han expresado su intención de ser elegidos en las elecciones, de acuerdo a Radio Australia. El sistema de voto es un sistema preferencial eligiendo representantes. Sólo hay un partido político formal en Nauru, el Naoero Amo (Nauru Primero).

Las elecciones deberían haber sido hecha en octubre, pero han sido adelantadas por dos meses. Las últimas elecciones parlamentarias se hicieron el 23 de octubre, 2004.

La elección presidencial en Nauru debió haberse hecho en junio, pero fueron pospuestas hasta el fin de 2007 debido a que ha habido una discusión si se debe votar indirectamente (usado actualmente) o directamente.


La petite nation insulaire de Nauru va tenir des élections parlementaires la semaine prochaine, le 25 août. Le gouvernement actuel, stable depuis 2004 après de grosses turbulences politiques au début des années 2000, veut provoquer des changements dans la manière dont cette république parlementaire est gouvernée, mais souhaite être élu pour une nouvelle période pour poursuivre son action.
À ce jour, 83 personnes ont exprimé leur intention de disputer cette élection, selon Radio Australia. Le système de vote est un système préférentiel qui désigne directement les représentants. Il n'existe pour le moment qu'un seul parti politique constitué à Nauru, le Naoero Amo (Nauru d'abord).
Les élections devaient initialement se tenir en octobre, mais ont été avancées de deux mois. Les dernières élections parlementaires se sont tenues le 23 octobre 2004.
L'élection présidentielle à Nauru était sensée se tenir en juin, mais a été repoussée à la fin de 2007 en raison de la discussion sur l'utilisation d'un scrutin de type indirect (comme actuellement) ou direct.


Nepal civil war ended by peace deal

Nepal's 10-year civil war has come to a peaceful conclusion with the signing of a historic accord between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda, leader of the Maoist rebel faction that had been fighting for political change. The deal was signed in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The deal would allow the Maoists into the Nepalese government, and place both Maoist and government weapons under UN scrutiny. The Maoists had been observing a ceasefire since its declaration more than six months previously.

Prachanda said that the peace agreement would end the 238-year old feudal system. He added that his party would work with new responsibility and make new strong Nepal.

Meanwhile, Koirala said that the deal ended the politics of terron and violence and started the politics of co-operation. He thanked Prachanda to find out a peaceful solution in the country.

The government and the Maoist rebels were accused of human rights abuses in fighting that killed more than 13,000 people.

Nepalese king Gyanendra Singh has welcomed Tuesday's peace deal between the government and the Maoist rebels.


Népal : signature de l'accord de paix entre le Premier ministre et le chef de la guérilla maoïste

Le Premier ministre népalais, Girija Prasad Koirala, représentant son gouvernement de coalition comprenant sept formations politiques, et le chef de la guérilla maoïste, « Prachanda » (nom de guerre de Pushpa Kamal Dahal, dirigeant du Parti communiste du Népal (maoïste) ou PCN(M) et de sa branche armée, l'Armée népalaise du peuple), se sont rencontrés à Katmandou, dans la soirée du mardi 21 novembre 2006, pour parapher l'accord de paix global devant mettre fin à une guerre civile durant depuis dix ans et ayant causé la mort de plus de 12 500 personnes.

L'officialisation de cet accord avait été précédée, dans la journée, par une visite remarquée de Prachanda et de son adjoint Babu Ram Bhattarai à la résidence du Premier ministre, au cours de laquelle certains détails mineurs de l'accord final semblent avoir été mis au point.

Afin d'accentuer le caractère historique de l'événement, le Premier ministre a pris soin de s'entourer, lors de la conclusion de l'accord, des dirigeants des sept formations politiques participant à sa coalition gouvernementale, la cérémonie se déroulant en outre en présence d'une nombreuse assistance de personnalités politiques, de diplomates étrangers et de représentants de la société civile.

Prachanda a notamment estimé, après l'apposition des paraphes sur l'accord de paix, que « cet instant marque la fin d'un système féodal vieux de 238 ans » et que son parti allait « travailler avec une responsabilité et une force nouvelles pour créer un nouveau Népal ».

Le Premier ministre, quant à lui, a tenu à remercier Prachanda pour « avoir trouvé une solution pacifique », ajoutant que « le Népal est entré dans une nouvelle ère qui a ouvert la porte à la paix ». Le vieux dirigeant est toutefois resté lucide en soulignant la nécessité de rencontres régulières entre les deux parties pour assurer la bonne application de l'accord.

Le premier volet politique de l'accord prévoit, l'élargissement de l'actuel Parlement népalais, le 26 novembre, grâce à la nomination à la Chambre des représentants de 73 députés issus des rangs de la guérilla maoïste, aux côtés des élus actuels.

Le second volet politique devrait consister en la formation, d'ici au 1er décembre, d'un gouvernement comprenant des ministres issus des rang du PCN.

Le dernier volet politique concerne l'élection, dans le courant de l'année 2007, d'une Assemblée constituante à laquelle est laissée le soin de décider de la forme future des institutions. Les ex-rebelles, dont la revendication d'abolition de la monarchie est connue, ont toutefois fait savoir qu'ils entendaient respecter les décisions de la future assemblée constituante sur le sujet, par exemple si la monarchie était maintenue, mais avec un rôle strictement représentatif et protocolaire.

Les questions militaires, liées au désarmement de la guérilla et à son intégration progressive dans les rangs de l'armée régulière népalaise, sont toutefois celles qui laissent craindre aux observateurs d'éventuelles difficultés. Les 35 000 combattants de l'Armée népalaise du peuple sont en effet en cours de rassemblement dans divers camps à travers le Népal, et il est prévu un désarmement partiel de ces combattants, mais aussi des 90 000 hommes de troupe composant l'armée régulière. Prachanda a pour sa part estimé que l'intégration des ex-guérilleros ne pourrait probablement se faire qu'après l'élection de la future Assemblée constituante.


Nepal Maoists begin strike to overthrow government

The Maoist opposition political group in Nepal has begun a nationwide strike in an effort to force the ruling government to step down.

The strike has entered its second day, after Nepal's Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, refused the demands of the Maoists to resign last night. After his refusal, a strike was immediately called. There are thousands of protesters in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and most businesses across the country have closed for the strike. Emergency vehicles are the only traffic allowed to move in the streets.

Protesters say they are peaceful, although police claim to have confiscated weapons and explosives. Although so far no violence has broken out, and the mood in the streets is described as festive, the government has deployed additional police in the capital, and security forces are on high alert.

The Maoists say that the ruling government is not supported by Nepal's citizens, as it has been unable to draft a constitution for the country or made any effort to continue the peace process in the country. The Maoists, which have a majority in Nepal's parliament, are advocating to lead a national government.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal commented: "We have been accused of playing a conspiratorial role in the creation of the constitution by the main opposition party, when they should be helping and participating in a creative way."

The leader of the Maoist party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal's former prime minister, said he hoped "[w]e'll be able to come to an understanding because our movement is completely peaceful and in the democratic norms and with the huge participation of the masses of peoples ... Our minimum demand is having a national unity government and a peace and constitution."


Általános sztrájkot hirdetett az ellenzéki maoista párt Nepálban

A munkabeszüntetés immár harmadik napja tart, miután Madhav Kumar Nepal, az ország jelenlegi miniszterelnöke nem mondott le a maoisták követelésére. A legtöbb üzlet országszerte zárva tart; Katamanduban ezrek vonultak az utcára.

A maoisták szerint a tüntetés békés; ugyanakkor a rendőrség több esetben is fegyvereket és robbanóanyagokat kobzott el. Összecsapásokra eddig nem került sor, az utcai hangulatot többen ünnepiként írták le. A kormányzat rendőri erősítést vezényelt a fővárosba, a biztonsági erők készültségben állnak. A tüntetők akadályozzák a közúti közlekedést: akadozik a tömegközlekedés és az útzárak miatt számos turista rekedt a szállásán, egyedül a megkülönböztető jelzéssel haladókat engedik tovább. Mindazonáltal a katmandui repülőtér továbbra is üzemel.

A maoisták szervezete, a (Maoista)[1] Kommunista Párt a legnagyobb ellenzéki erő az országban. A királyság intézményét két éve váltotta fel a köztársasági berendezkedés. A kiírt választásokon meglepetésre a maoisták kapták a legtöbb szavazatot (30%) és kormánykoalíciót alakítottak a harmadik helyen végzett (Marxista-Leninsta)[2] Kommunista Párttal (21%). Egy évre rá azonban kiléptek a szövetségből - és ezzel a kormányból -, mivel az akkori miniszterelnök meneszteni kívánta a vezérkari főnököt, ám ezt az államfő nem hagyta jóvá. Ezt követően a második helyen végzett Nepáli Kogresszus (23%) és a marxisták vezette koalíció vette át a hatalmat: a miniszterelnök Madhav Kumar Nepal lett. A maoisták azóta követelik a távozását, hogy ők alakíthassanak kormányt.

A parlament legfontosabb feladatának az új alkotmány kidolgozását és a béke biztosítását[3] tartják. Az alkotmányozás azonban lassan halad. A maoisták nemzeti egységkormány alakításában látják a megoldást a problémákra, míg a kormány a parlamenti széksorokban vár együttműködést az ellenzéktől a munka gyorsítására.


Nepal's King Gyanendra cracks down on protests; 3 dead

Nepal's King Gyanendra deployed lethal force against protestors in Kathmandu on Thursday as a general strike and pro-democracy protest spread through Nepal threatening the future of the monarchy.

Government forces fired on protesters in the Kathmandu neighborhood of Kalanki, killing three people and injuring more than 100, according to officials at two city hospitals.  Two of those killed appeared to have been shot in the head by live bullets.

Kathmandu was under a curfew from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on April 20.  Non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations and the Red Cross were denied permission to move through the city during the curfew, and journalists were also denied curfew passes.  The United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights called the move a "clear violation" of their agreement with the Nepali government.

The curfew was reportedly extended until 3 a.m. local time Friday.  Protestors intend to continue protests on Friday.

Gyanendra assumed direct rule in February 2005, citing the failure of political parties to control a Maoist insurgency that has killed 13,000 people.  He has pledged free elections by April 2007, but an alliance of political parties has demanded he relinquish power to an all-party government immediately.

The protests have touched all areas of Nepalese society.  As an example, a peaceful protest meeting called by the Nepal Bar Association was fired upon by Nepalese police on April 13, 2006. About 1500 people took part in the protest which took place at Babarmahal in Kathmandu. 50 were reportedly injured in the firing. Nepal Bar Association President Shambu Thampa was one of the casualties. It is not clear at this time whether the police used rubber, or live bullets. After the protest, tear gas shells were used to disperse the crowd. The authorities reportedly detained 72 people.

Later that day, around 100 people were arrested at a rally in a stadium at Maitighar. Most of those detained were associated with the Association of International NGOs (AIN).


Massenproteste in Nepal gegen die Herrschaft des Königs gehen weiter

Kathmandu (Nepal), 21.04.2006 – Die seit 15 Tagen anhaltenden Massenproteste auf den Straßen Kathmandus gingen auch gestern weiter. Die Zeitung „Die Welt“ berichtet unter Berufung auf Krankenhausangaben von drei getöteten Demonstranten in der nepalesischen Hauptstadt, die trotz einer verhängten Ausgangssperre Schauplatz von Massendemonstrationen eines in Nepal bisher unbekannten Ausmaßes ist. Die Krankenhausärzte berichten von etwa 40 verletzten Personen, die sich in kritischem Zustand befänden.

Die Behörden hatten eine 18-stündige Ausgangssperre verhängt, um zu verhindern, dass Demonstranten ihren angekündigten Marsch auf die verbotene Zone der Hauptstadt in die Tat umsetzten. Die Missachtung der Anordnung wurde mit der Drohung verbunden, jeden zu erschießen, der sich nicht an das Verbot halte.

Zu den Zusammenstößen mit der Polizei kam es, als sich etwa 30.000 Menschen auf dem Weg von den Vororten der Hauptstadt in Richtung auf das Zentrum bewegten. In dem Vorort Kalanki versuchten Polizisten, die Straße zu blockieren, um die Demonstranten am weiteren Vormarsch zu hindern. Dabei wurden auch Tränengas und Gummigeschosse eingesetzt. Augenzeugen berichteten auch von der Verwendung von scharfer Munition.

Diplomaten, Journalisten und Vertretern von Menschenrechtsorganisationen war es nicht erlaubt, sich frei zu bewegen. So konnten die Vorgänge von ausländischen Bürgern nur in geringerem Umfange als in den vergangenen Tagen beobachtet werden.

Die Demonstranten einer Allparteienkoalition gegen die autokratische Machtausübung des Königs Gyanendra, der vor 14 Monaten die absolute politische Macht an sich gezogen und die gewählte Regierung kurzerhand abgesetzt hatte, fordern den Rücktritt des Königs und die Übergabe der politischen Macht an eine Übergangsregierung.

Inzwischen wächst auch der internationale Druck auf den Himalayastaat. Ein Abgesandter Indiens traf in der nepalesischen Hauptstadt ein, um die Besorgnis des eng verbündeten Nachbarlandes über die Situation in Nepal zum Ausdruck zu bringen. Vertreter der Menschenrechtsorganisation „Human Rights Watch“ prangerten die Brutalität der Polizei bei ihrem Vorgehen gegen die Demonstranten an, die dabei auch nicht vor Gewaltanwendung gegenüber Kindern zurückschrecke.

Neun Menschen sollen von Polizeikräften getötet und über 2.000 Menschen im Zuge der Demonstrationen bisher verletzt worden sein. Von etwa 1.000 Verhaftungen ist die Rede.


Plusieurs arrestations d'opposants au Népal

Arrestations d'au moins 107 personnes au Népal, militants des Droits de l'Homme ou hommes politiques qui s'opposent au roi Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, qui le 1er février 2005 s'est arrogé les pleins pouvoirs. Ces personnes ont été arrêtées sans aucune charge et pour une durée indéterminée.

Les relais des téléphones portables de la vallée de Katmandou ont été coupés sur ordres du gouvernement (comme durant le coup d'État du roi en février), pour éviter une manifestation organisée par l'alliance des sept principaux partis politiques de l'opposition et également d'éventuels troubles. Les autorités pensaient que des attaques des maoïstes pouvaient avoir lieu durant la manifestation (alors que les maoïstes avaient déclaré qu'ils n'interviendraient pas).

L'Union européenne (UE), dans un communiqué de presse a déclaré être « préoccupée par les récents développements au Népal, en particulier par les arrestations de responsables de partis démocratiques, de membres de la société civile et de militants des Droits de l'Homme ».

Pour sa part, l'Inde a déclaré par la voix du ministère des Affaires étrangères que les « actes du gouvernement népalais sont regrettables et sont un sujet d'inquiétude pour tous ceux qui souhaitent voir les forces constitutionnelles travailler ensemble au Népal pour obtenir paix et stabilité ».


ネパール・首都カトマンズで大規模デモ

ネパールでギャネンドラ国王に対する抗議運動が活発化している。現地時間4月20日（UTC+5:45）には、首都カトマンズで7つの政党など約10万人が参加するデモが行われ、デモ隊と治安部隊の衝突により3人が死亡、100人前後が負傷した。6日からの死者数の合計は15人に達した。

朝日新聞や読売新聞によると、今回のデモは7政党が国民に呼びかけて計画していたもの。同国政府は20日午前2時から午後8時までの18時間の外出禁止令を発令したものの、デモは街の幹線道路沿いで行われた抗議行動から始まり、10万人を超える規模に拡大した。街の中心部へとせまるデモ隊に対し、治安部隊が催涙弾を使用、ゴム弾や実弾で発砲するなどして多数のデモ参加者が負傷した。衝突現場へ来る救急車なども少なく、負傷者が救出されていないところもあるという。

産経新聞によれば、インドが国王に特使を派遣して会談を行ったものの、国王は和解を拒否している。また、ネパール共産党毛沢東主義派がデモに加わっている可能性もあるとしている。

NepalnewsやReutersによると、国王への抗議行動の発端は、総選挙が遅れたことで2005年2月に国王が非常事態宣言を発表して内閣を解散させ、直接統治を始めたことだった。国王は2007年までに総選挙を実施するとしているものの、7政党はこれを信用できないとしており、政党政治による民主主義復活を掲げて今月6日からデモを開始した。同様のデモはネパール国内の十数の大都市でも行われたという。


Nepal's King names new cabinet

Kathmandu, Nepal —King Gyanendra of Nepal has today announced a new 10-member cabinet, after yesterday sacking the coalition government. The King, who some Nepalis view as a reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, made the announcement on the state run television and radio service. "A new Cabinet will be formed under my leadership," he said. "This will restore peace and effective democracy in this country within the next three years."

Gyanendra named Rames Nath Pandey as foreign minister, Dan Bahadur Shahi as Home Minister, as well as Radha Krishna Mainali, a member of the communist party, as minister for sports and education. The king has decided to head the new administration himself, after accusing the old administration of failing to ensure the small nation's security. Nepal is in the midst of a Maoist insurgency that has claimed more than 11,000 lives since 1996.

All telephone lines and mobile telephone networks have been cut with the outside world. Flights into and out of the capital of Kathmandu, have also been stopped. However one flight did leave for New Delhi overnight. Local radio stations are also reported to have been shut down, and Nepali websites are inaccessible from outside Nepal.

The United Nations, Britain, the United States and India criticized the king's action, and Australia has advised its citizens not to travel to Nepal.

Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the UN has said that the king's actions are "a serious setback for the country ... steps should be taken immediately to restore democratic freedoms and institutions" The US administration added that the sacking was a "step back from democracy" and India joined into the chorus by saying that the developments were a "cause of grave concern". The UK, the USA and India have all provided Nepal with arms and given the army training under the banner of security aid. The Nepalese army has tripled in size in less than 10 years. The US alone is estimated to have supplied 20,000 M-16 rifles as well as night-vision and communications equipment, and counter-insurgency training.

The Indian Express newspaper is reporting that the Indian government tried to dissuade King Gyanendra from a "power grab" a few weeks ago.

A statement from New Delhi said ""These developments constitute a serious setback to the cause of democracy in Nepal and cannot but be a cause of grave concern to India," an Indian foreign ministry statement said. The latest developments in Nepal bring the monarchy and the mainstream political parties in direct confrontation with each other. This can only benefit the forces that not only wish to undermine democracy but the institution of monarchy as well." India shares an open border with Nepal.

The leader of the Maoist rebels, Prachanda, likened the kings actions to "medieval feudal autocracy", and said that the King was trying "to push the Nepalese society of the 21st century back to the 15th.". In a statement to a Maoist website he said "We heartily call upon the entire pro-people forces of the world to raise their voices against this autocratic step and in the favor of the Nepalese people's democratic movement,"

Prachanda, denounced King Gyanendra as a "national betrayer" and told Nepalis to "shut down Nepal" in a three day general strike from Wednesday to Friday, however witnesses in Kathmandu said life was going on as normal, and there are no obvious signs of additional security. Meenakshi, a street sweeper outside the gates of the King's palace said "I just don't know anything. I am just here like any other day," The King has imposed a state of emergency which forbids mass gatherings.


Matübernahme des Königs in Nepal stößt auf Kritik


Nepals kung utser ny regering

Katmandu, Nepal – Nepals kung Gyanendra offentliggjorde idag den nya tiomannaregering som han beslutat ska ersätta den demokratiskt valda koalition som han avsatte igår. Kungen, som en del nepaleser betraktar som en inkarnation av den hinduiske guden Vishnu, kungjorde sitt beslut på de statliga radio- och TV-kanalerna: "En ny regering kommer att upprättas under min ledning. Detta kommer att återställa fred och verklig demokrati i det här landet inom tre år", sade han. Gyanendra utnämnde Rames Nath Pandey till utrikesminister, Dan Bahadur Shahi till inkrikesminister och Radha Krishna Mainali, medlem i landets kommunistparti, till sport- och utbildningsminister.

I Nepal pågår sedan en tid ett maoistiskt uppror som sedan 1996 har krävt mer 11.000 dödsoffer. Kungen kommer att leda den nya ministären själv eftersom han ansett att den avgående regeringen misslyckats med att upprätthålla det lillaa landets säkerhet.

Alla telefonlinjer och mobiltelefon nät med omvärlden har brutits. Allt flyg till och från huvudstaden Katmandu har avbrutits även om en flygning nyligen genomfördes till New Delhi. Lokala radiostationer har stängts och nepalesiska internetsidor är bara tillgängliga innefrån nepal.

FN, Storbritannien, USA och Indien har kritiserat kungens agerande och Australien avråder sina medborgare från att resa till Nepal.

FN:s generalsekreterare Kofi Annan sa att kungens handlande vär "ett allvarligt bakslag för landet ... åtgärder måste omedelbart vidtas för att återupprätta den fria demokratin och dess institutioner". Representanter från USA menade att avsättandet av den folkvalda regeringen var "ett steg tillbaka för demokratin" och Indien fyllde i genom att konstatera att utvecklingen "orsakar allvarlig oro". Storbritannien, USA och Indien har försett Nepal med vapen och militär utbildning just med Nepals säkerhet som argument och landets armé har tredubblats på mindre än tio år. Bara USA uppges ha levererat 20.000 M16-gevär men också utrustning för nattseende, kommunikationsutrustning samt militär rådgivning och träning.

Den indiska tidningen Indian Express skriver att den indiska regeringen avrådit kung Gyanendra från just ett maktövrtagande för bara några veckor sedan. I ett uttalande från en representant för utrikesdepartementet i New Delhi heter det att "den senaste utvecklingen utgör ett allvaligt bakslag för demokratin i Nepal och orsakar allvarlig oro i Indien. Utvecklingen i Nepal gör att monarkin och de största politiska partierna hamnar på kollisionskurs med varandra. Detta kan bara gynna de krafter som inte bara vill underminera demokratin utan även monarkin." Indien delar en öppen grän med nepal.

Ledaren för de maoistiska rebellerna Prachanda jämförde kungens agerande med "medeltida, feodalt envälde" och sa att kungen försökte "driva det nepalesiska samhället från 2000-talet tillbaka till 1400-talet". I ett utalande på en maoistisk hemsida sa Prachanda: "Vi ber med hela vårt hjärta alla folkliga krafter i världen att höja sina röster mot denna autokratiska utveckling och ge sitt stöd till det nepalesiska folkets demokratiska rörelse".

Prachanda fördömde kung Gyanendra som "nationalförrädare" och uppmanade nepaleserna att "stänga av Nepal" i en tre dagar lång generalstrejk från onsdag till fredag. Vittnesmål från Katmandu rapporterar dock att livet gick vidare som vanligt i huvudstaden och att inga tecken på särskilda säkerhetsåtgärder kunnat iakttas. Meenakshi, en gatusopare utanför portarna till kungens palats sa: "Jag vet ingenting. Jag är bara här som vilken dag som helst." Kungen har dock utlyst undantagstillstånd och förbjudit massmöten.


Nepalese monarchy to become republic

The principal political parties of Nepal have decided to abolish the constitutional monarchy, headed by King Gyanendra, and turn the country into a republic. The insurgent Maoists would be allowed to return to the government.

The Maoists, a military group who want a socialist republic, left the government in September demanding the end of the monarchy. They had only joined since the peace agreement at the end of the 1996-2006 Nepalese Civil War. An agreement has now been reached after they signed a 23-point pact with the 6 main Nepalese political parties.

The treaty establishes that a constitutional assembly should form in April to rewrite the constitution, formally end the monarchy and put together the details of the new republican system. The Maoist rebels declared a cease fire and signed a peace treaty, agreeing to place its troops and weapons under United Nations supervision.


Nepal abole su monarquía

Después de 10 años de guerra civil entre guerrilleros comunistas y tropas gubernamentales, los pricipales partidos políticos de Nepal han acordado en aboler la monarquía del país, dirijida por el Rey Gyanendra de Nepal, permitir la vuelta de los insurgentes maoístas del Partido Comunista de Nepal al gobierno y crear una República.

Este acuerdo fue logrado después que los maoístas, una organización militar que desea crear un Estado socialista con un gobierno republicano, que dejaron el gobierno en septiembre demandando la anulación de la monarquía, firmaran un pacto de 23 puntos con los seis partidos políticos principales de Nepal.

Este tratado establece que ha de celebrarse una asamblea constitucional en abril para reescribir la constitución, formalmente destituir la monarquía y redactar los detalles del nuevo sistema republicano.

La nueva alianza de siete partidos dijo:

Además, se decidió que la asamblea estará compuesta por 601 miembros: 240 miembros directamente elegidos por el pueblo, 365 miembros escogidos mediante un sistema de representación proporcional, en el que cada partido obtendrá asientos en proporción con el número de votos que obtenga y el resto serán elegidos por el gabinete.

Los rebeldes maoístas también declararon un alto al fuego, firmaron un acuerdo de paz y acordaron en confinar a sus combatantes y armas en campos monitoreados por la ONU.

Según la BBC, los analistas dijeron que la decisión de aboler la monarquía no era ninguna sorpresa. Desde el asesinato del Rey Birendra de Nepal y gran parte de su familia el 2001 y la asensión de Gyanendra de Nepal al poder, la monarquía se había vuelto menos popular, causando que grupos como los maoístas se volvieran violentos.

La gota que desbordó el vaso fue en el 2005, cuando Gyanendra de Nepal abolió el régimen democrático de Nepal y asumió la totalidad de los poderes. En el 2006, los opositores al monarca emprendieron una serie de movilizaciones exigiendo su renuncia al trono, además de diversas huelgas que han paralizado la economía del país.

Ese mismo año anunció en un discurso televisado que devolvía "el poder al pueblo" y convocó a los partidos políticos a nombrar un nuevo primer ministro.

Muchos de sus privilegios fueron retirados y se vio obligado al pago de impuestos, y privado de títulos, como el de descendiente de la divinidad hindúa.


Le Népal abolit la monarchie

Après 10 années de guerre civile entre les guerilleros communistes et les troupes gouvernementales, les principaux partis politiques du Népal sont tombés d'accord pour abolir la monarchie dans le pays, dirigé par le roi Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, permettant le retour des rebelles maoïstes du parti communiste du Népal au gouvernement et la création d'une république.
Cet accord a été conclu après que les maoïstes, qui constituent une organisation militaire réclamant un état socialiste avec un gouvernement républicain, avaient quitté le gouvernement en septembre en demandant l'abolition de la monarchie, ont conclu un pacte en 23 points avec les six partis politiques principaux du Népal.
Ce traité stipule qu'une assemblée constitutionnelle devra être constituée en avril pour réécrire la constitution, abolir de manière officielle la monarchie et rédiger les détails du nouveau système politique.

La nouvelle alliance des sept partis a indiqué : « le Népal sera une république démocratique fédérale (...) et la décision sera appliquée après la première réunion de l'assemblée constitutionnelle. Mais si le roi pose problèmes durant l'élection de cette assemblée, une majorité de 2/3 du Parlement temporaire pourra abolir la monarchie avant le scrutin ».
De plus, il a été décidé que l'assemblée serait constituée de 601 membres : 240 membres directement élus par le peuple, 365 membres désignés par un système de représentation proportionnelle, dans laquelle chaque parti obtiendra des sièges en proportion avec le nombre de votes obtenus et le reste sera désigné par le Gouvernement.
Les rebelles maoïstes déclareront un cessez-le-feu, consolidant un accord de paix et donneront leur accord pour confiner ses combattants et armes dans des camps surveillés par l'ONU.

Selon la BBC, les analystes indiquent que la décision d'abolir la monarchie n'est pas une surprise. Depuis l'assassinat du roi Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev et d'une grande partie de la famille royale en 2001 et l'accession de Gyanendra au pouvoir, la monarchie est devenue moins populaire, causant la retour à la violence de certains groupes comme les maoïstes.
La goutte qui a fait déborder le vase fut lorsqu'en 2005 Gyanendra abolit le régime démocratique du Népal pour assumer les pleins pouvoirs. En 2006, les opposants à la monarchie ont amorcé une série de manifestations exigeant son renoncement au trône, en plus d'autres coups d'éclats ayant paralysé la vie économique du pays.
La même année, il annonça dans un discours télévisé qu'il retournait le « pouvoir au peuple » et convia les partis politiques à nommer un nouveau Premier ministre.
Beaucoup de ses privilèges lui furent retirés, il se vit obligé de payer des impôts, et fut privé de titres, comme celui de descendant des divinités hindoues.


Nepal’s King Gyanendra dismisses the government, claims power for himself

Kathmandu, Nepal —The King of Nepal, Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, has dissolved the coalition government, accusing it of factional fighting and failing in its duty to protect democracy. Several key political figures in the old coalition have been put under house arrest, including the leader of the Nepal Communist Party.

The king has said that he removed the government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba because "it has failed to make necessary arrangements to hold elections by April and protect democracy, the sovereignty of the people and life and property".  The king had repeatedly called on Deuba to set a date for elections despite threats by Maoist rebels to block any vote.

"I have exercised my rights given to the crown under the present constitution and I have, therefore, dissolved the government for the larger interests," the king said.

This announcement occurs with the backdrop of a continuing civil war which has claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people since 1996.


Nepals König Gyanendra setzt Regierung ab

Kathmandu (Nepal), 01.02.2005 – Der nepalesische König Gyanendra hat am Morgen die Regierung des Landes entlassen und kündigte an, für die kommenden drei Jahre selbst die Führung des Landes zu übernehmen.

In einer Ansprache im staatlichen Radiosender Radio Nepal sagte der König: „Ich habe beschlossen die Regierung zu entlassen, weil sie dabei versagt hat, die notwendigen Vorbereitungen für die Wahlen im April zu treffen, die Demokratie zu fördern und die Souveränitat der Menschen, des Lebens und des Eigentums zu wahren.“

Nach Angaben der BBC wurde unbestätigten Berichten zufolge der Premierminister Sher Bahadur Deuba und andere Politiker durch Soldaten unter Hausarrest gestellt. Der König reagiert damit auf die wachsende innere Instabilität des Landes, die sich in den vergangenen Monaten durch Anschläge von Anhängern der Maoisten aufgebaut hat. Gyanendra wirft der Regierung vor, sie habe es nicht geschafft, den Konfrontationskurs der Maoisten abzubauen und eine friedliche Perspektive zu schaffen.

Der abgesetzte Premierminister Deuba teilte in einem kurzen Interview Journalisten mit, dass die Regierung sich der Entscheidung des Königs entgegenstellen wolle.

Nach Aussage des U.N.-Koordinators in Nepal Matthew Kahane, sei die Lage in Kathmandu weitgehend ruhig. Vereinzelt patrouillieren bewaffnete Fahrzeuge die Straßen, der Verkehr fließe jedoch normal weiter.

Gyanendra setzt nun zum vierten Mal in den vergangenen drei Jahren eine Regierung ab. Begonnen hatten diese Unruhen mit dem Attentat auf den damaligen König Birendra im Jahr 2001. Damals tötete ein Angehöriger der königlichen Familie König Birendra und acht weitere Familienmitglieder. Der Attentäter kam bei dem Attentat ebenfalls ums Leben. Als Thronfolger wurde Birendras Bruder Gyanendra zum neuen König Nepals ausgerufen.


Netanyahu calls for European Jews to move to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has today called for European Jews to emigrate to Israel following the attack on a synagogue in Copenhagen yesterday. The Israeli government is to discuss a plan to allocate $46 million (€40 million) of funds to aid immigration by Jews in France, Belgium and Ukraine.

Meeting with the Israeli Cabinet, Netanyahu said: "Jews have been murdered again on European soil only because they were Jews and this wave of terrorist attacks – including murderous anti-Semitic attacks – is expected to continue[...] Jews deserve protection in every country but we say to Jews: Israel is your home. We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe. I would like to tell all European Jews and all Jews wherever they are: 'Israel is the home of every Jew.' [...] Israel is waiting for you with open arms."

The Israeli economy minister Naftali Bennett backed up Netanyahu's statement: "Israel is always waiting for them. This will never change. Jews can and should have the right to live anywhere, but if there are Jews who are concerned about their future, we are certainly waiting for them."

Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman stated the Danish attacks "prove what we have said over the years – that Israel and the Jews are affected by this terrorism before anyone else because they are on the frontline in the war terror is waging against the West and the entire free world." He also said the international community needed "to ask for more than declarations and demonstrations against this terrorism, but also shake off the rules of political correctness and fight a real all-out war against Islamic terror and its roots."

Denmark's chief rabbi Jair Melchior said Netanyahu's comments "disappointed" him, and argued: "Terror is not a reason to move to Israel. [...] People from Denmark move to Israel because they love Israel, because of Zionism. If the way we deal with terror is to run somewhere else, we should all run to a deserted island."

Netanyahu offered a similar statement following the attacks in Paris last month against the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket.


Netanyahu convoca judeus a retornarem a Israel para fugir da ameaça terrorista

Agência Brasil

Dinamarca • 15 de fevereiro de 2015

O primeiro-ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, voltou a dizer hoje (15) que o país está de braços abertos para os judeus que quiserem fugir da ameaça de ataques terroristas. Ele já tinha feito o convite depois que um supermercado judaico foi palco de ataque terrorista em Paris, no dia 9 de janeiro, resultando na morte de quatro reféns.

O primeiro-ministro informou que o governo israelense preparou um plano que prevê investimentos de US$ 46 milhões (cerca de R$ 129 milhões) na absorção de ondas de imigração em massa de vários países europeus, entre eles a França, a Bélgica e a Ucrânia. “É claro que os judeus merecem proteção em todos os países, mas quero dizer para os judeus, para nossos irmãos e irmãs: Israel é sua casa. Eu gostaria de dizer a todos os judeus, onde quer que eles estejam: Israel é a casa de cada judeu”.

Netanyahu expressou solidariedade à Dinamarca, onde duas pessoas morreram por causa de ataques considerados terroristas pelas autoridades locais. “Envio nossas condolências ao povo da Dinamarca e à comunidade judaica na Dinamarca. Mais uma vez, judeus foram mortos em solo europeu pelo fato de serem judeus, e essa onda de ataques deve continuar”, disse o primeiro-ministro, em Jerusalém.

Nas primeiras horas da madrugada de hoje, disparos feitos nas proximidades da principal sinagoga de Copenhague, em Krystalgade, resultaram na morte do segurança Dan Uzan, de 37 anos. Dois policiais ficaram feridos, mas não correm risco de morte. Horas antes, por volta das 15h30 (12h30 no Brasil) de sábado, um homem armado invadiu um café na região de Osterbro, no noroeste da capital dinamarquesa, e disparou contra os participantes de um evento sobre liberdade de expressão. O diretor de cinema Finn Norgaard, de 55 anos, morreu na hora. Três policiais ficaram feridos. O suposto autor dos ataques foi morto por volta das 5h de hoje, após disparar contra a polícia no distrito de Norrebro.


Netanyahu face apel la evreii din Europa să emigreze în Israel

15 ianuarie 2015 Tel Aviv, Israel — Prim-ministrul israelian Benjamin Netanyahu a cerut astăzi evreilor europeni să emigreze în Israel în urma atacului de ieri  asupra unei sinagogi din Copenhaga. Guvernul israelian vrea să discute un plan de alocare a  46 milioane dolari (40 de milioane €-Euro) ca fonduri pentru a ajuta imigrației de evrei din Franța, Belgia și Ucraina.

La o întrunire a cabinetului israelian, Netanyahu a declarat: "au fost uciși evrei din nou pe teritoriul european numai pentru că erau evrei și acest val de atacuri teroriste - inclusiv atacuri antisemite criminale - este de așteptat să continue [...], evreii merită protecție în fiecare țară, dar noi spunem evreilor: Israel este casa ta! Noi ne pregătim și facem apel pentru absorbția unei imigrații în masă din Europa,  și aș dori să spun la toți evreii din Europa și evreilor de oriunde ar fi:.. "Israelul este casa fiecărui evreu . [...] Israel vă așteaptă cu brațele deschise. "


Нетањаху: Јевреји Европе, добродошли сте у Израелу

15. фебруар 2015.Јерусалим/ Израел (Beta-AP) - Израелски премијер Бењамин Нетањаху позвао је у недељу европске Јевреје на „масовну имиграцију“ у матицу Израел након напада у недељу у Копенхагену у којима је убијен један дански Јеврејин.

Израелски премијер је додао да ће његова влада на седници у недељу одлучивати о суми од 46 милиона долара којом би се финансијски потпомогао план усељавања Јевреја из Француске, Белгије и Украјине.

„За овај талас насиља очекујемо да ће се наставити“, рекао је Нетањаху на почетку седнице Владе. „Јевреји заслужују безбедност у свакој земљи, али ми поручујемо нашој браћи и сестрама Израел је ваш дом“, нагласио је Нетањаху.

У Копенхагену је у ноћи између суботе и недеље убијен један 37-годишњи Јеврејин док је као дежурни стајао испред локала у коме се одвијала светковина Бар-мицвах.

Јаир Мелкиор (Jair Melćior), главни рабин Данске, изјавио је, међутим, да је „разочаран“ Нетањахуов позивом на усељавање.

„Терор није разлог за исељавање у Израел“, рекао је Мелкиор.


Netanyahu quits over Israel's pullout plan

Israeli Finance Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has resigned from the cabinet Sunday to protest against the upcoming Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank according to a ministry spokesman.

Netanyahu submitted a resignation letter to Ariel Sharon that he said counts as his vote against the pullout plan. He also told reporters, "I understand the ambition to leave Gaza. I can't be part of a move that I believe is wrong, a move that will endanger security and divide the people."

Sharon pushed for the pullout within his highly split Likud Party, which in a recent 17 to 5 vote, approved the evacuation plan. The Israeli Army will assist in evacuation efforts of the first group of settlers in Netzarim, Kfar Darom, and Morag.

Sharon named the Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as the new finance minister.

The forced evacuations, or "disengagement", of settlers is due to start after August 15. There are nearly 8,500 Jewish residents who live within fortified fences in Gaza. The settlements are surrounded by an Arab Palestinian population of approximately 1.5 million.

In a Sunday news conference, Netanyahu said the current evacuation plan has similarities to the 1993 Oslo Accords. In that accord, Netanyahu had drawn criticism in his role as Prime Minister for what some say was a failure to adequately insure Israeli security. The Palestinians gained more autonomy over some parts of the occupied territories in the accords.

Netanyahu said of the Gaza withdrawal, the Palestinian leadership is again being rewarded without concession.

The resignation is seen as a step by Netanyahu towards challenging Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party once the pullout is over. Netanyahu may have an opportunity to win back the party by placing himself in the national camp.

Netanyahu was one of the most vocal in claiming Saddam was preparing "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and he repeatedly urged America to invade Iraq on that basis.


Dymisja Benjamina Natenjahu

Izraelski minister finansów Benjamin Netanjahu podał się w niedzielę do dymisji na znak protestu przeciwko planowi wycofania się Izraela ze Strefy Gazy. O swej decyzji poinformował premiera Ariela Szarona w skierowanym do niego liście. "Jednostronne wycofanie się bez niczego w zamian nie jest właściwą drogą" - oświadczył w nim Netanjahu.

Krytykując plan Szarona dotyczący likwidacji osiedli żydowskich w Strefie Gazy, autor listu pisze, iż "nie chce brać udziału w tym nieodpowiedzialnym posunięciu, które dzieli naród i przynosi uszczerbek bezpieczeństwu Izraela".

Uważa on również, że w przyszłości wycofanie się z Gazy narazi na niebezpieczeństwo żydowską integralność Jerozolimy jako stolicy Izraela.

Były premier i główny rywal Szarona w partii Likud, jako minister finansów prowadził skuteczna politykę antyrecesyjną, wywierając na rząd nieustanną presję, aby obniżał podatki i likwidował zdobycze socjalne.


Netanyahu's Likud party wins election in Israel

The right-wing Likud Party won a relative majority in yesterday's elections in Israel. With 30 seats in the Knesset, Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to be able to form the next government as a coalition of right-wing parties after beating out the centre-left alliance, Zionist Union. Netanyahu described the victory as being "against all odds".

Netanyahu stated he intended to form a government as soon as possible: "Reality is not waiting for us[...] The citizens of Israel expect us to quickly put together a leadership that will work for them regarding security, economy and society as we committed to do – and we will do so."

The turnout in the election was 71.8%, the highest since 1999. While Netanyahu campaigned primarily on the issue of national security (including a promise that if elected, he would not allow the Palestinians to get statehood), many voters have been focussed on domestic matters, such as housing and the growing cost of living, which has remained a live issue since protests in 2011.


Israël : Netanyahu remporte les élections

Le parti de droite, le Likoud, a reçu une majorité dans les élections d'hier en Israël. Avec 30 sièges à la Knesset, Benjamin Netanyahu croit qu'il pourra former une coalition de partis de droite après avoir battu l'alliance de centre-gauche, l'Union sioniste. Netanyahu a décrit la victoire comme étant « contre toute attente ». Il a l'intention de former un gouvernement dès que possible.

Le taux de participation à l'élection était de 71,8 %, le plus élevé depuis 1999 (où elle a atteint 78,7 %). Bien que Netanyahu fait campagne principalement sur la question de la sécurité nationale (y compris la promesse que s'il était élu, il prendrait l'engagement ferme de s'opposer à la création d'un État palestinien), de nombreux électeurs se sont concentrés sur les questions domestiques : le logement et le coût croissant de la vie, qui sont restés des enjeux important depuis les manifestations en 2011.


New 'failed states index' report published

In an annual report by the US-based Fund for Peace published in Foreign Policy magazine, Somalia is this year's most "failed state" on a list of 177 countries, determined by factors such as its human rights record, security, and economy.

Among the factors contributing to the report's ranking of Somalia include heavy ongoing violence, no stable government for nearly two decades, and the world's third-largest refugee community.

In second place was Chad, followed by Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seven of the top ten slots are African countries, and the continent also contains about thirty of the sixty most "failed" countries; Asian states also comprise 30% of the top sixty, and the Middle East has about 10%.

American think tank Fund for Peace collaborates annually with Foreign Policy magazine to produce the report. The index was first published in 2005, and countries are judged by twelve metrics, including refugee movement, economic development, history of violence, de-legitimization of the state, and others.

On the other end of the list, the least weak of the 177 countries evaluated  was Norway, followed by Finland and Sweden. The US came in at number 158.


Россия заняла 80 место в рейтинге «провальных стран»

Американский «Фонд мира» опубликовал очередной выпуск своего ежегодного рейтинга «провальных» («недееспособных») стран (failed states). Список состоит из 177 стран, номер в рейтинге определяется оценками ситуации с правами человека, общей безопасностью, состоянием экономики и пр. Более высокие места соответствуют более высокому уровню «провальности». Рейтинг делится на 4 группы: «критическая ситуация», «плохая стабильность / опасный уровень рисков», «умеренная стабильность» и «образцовая стабильность». Возглавляет рейтинг 2010 года африканское государство Сомали, известное почти полным отсутствием государственного регулирования.

На втором месте находится Чад, далее следуют Судан, Зимбабве и Демократическая Республика Конго. Африканские страны занимают 7 верхних позиций рейтинга, всего в первой группе «критическая ситуация» около трёх десятков африканских стран, 30% группы занимают азиатские страны и около 10% ближневосточные.

Россия в рейтинге 2010 года расположилась на 80 месте во второй группе «плохая стабильность / опасный уровень рисков» между Индией (79) и Таиландом (81). По сравнению с 2009 годом Россия опустилась в рейтинге на 9 позиций (т. е. ситуация в ней улучшилась). Следом за Таиландом в той же группе на 82 месте находится Белоруссия, на 103 месте находится Казахстан, на 109-м — Украина.

Замыкает рейтинг в благополучной группе стран находящаяся на 177 месте Норвегия, за ней вверх по рейтингу следуют Финляндия, Швеция и Швейцария.

23 июня 2010 года


New Australian Prime Minister signs Kyoto

Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as Australia's new Prime Minister with an agenda of action on climate change and the repeal of unpopular industrial laws. The new Labor government has signed ratification document to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and also plans to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by the middle of 2008.

The agreement, which will come into force in 90 days, means Australia's greenhouse gas emissions should not be higher than 8 percent above 1990 levels. Environmental groups believe the Australian economy could easily manage even more ambitious targets. John Connor, chief executive of the Climate Institute, says Australia could cut its emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

"What this concludes is that we can actually have a strong leadership position with barely a ripple on economic growth. We'd still see a tripling of the economy through to 2050 and strong employment and quality of life growth," Connor said.

Mr. Rudd's decision to sign the Kyoto climate accord isolates the United States, which will now be the only developed nation not to ratify the agreement. Australia's former conservative government refused to ratify Kyoto, saying it would damage the economy with its heavy reliance on coal exports, while countries like India and China were not bound by emissions targets.

Mr. Rudd's cabinet creates a new portfolio of Minister for Climate Change and Water, held by Penny Wong, an ethnic Chinese immigrant from Malaysia. She is one of seven women in cabinet, including deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Former rock singer Peter Garrett was sworn in as Environment Minister. Responsibility for running a strong Australian economy now falls to Treasurer Wayne Swan, one of Prime Minister Rudd's most trusted lieutenants. The recently appointed foreign minister Stephen Smith, a lawyer from Western Australia, is expected to visit the United States early next year to discuss Australia's plans to pull its troops out of Iraq.

Mr. Rudd's decision to sign the Kyoto Protocol clears the way for his government to play a stronger role when he leads a delegation of four Australian ministers to the U.N. climate talks in Bali.

They began Monday and will search for a new carbon emissions scheme to be introduced when the Kyoto treaty expires in 2012.

This article is based on Australia's New PM Signs Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change by VOA News  which has a copyright policy compatible with our CC-BY 2.5. Specifically "Copyright status of work by the U.S. government"


Australia firma el Protocolo de Kyoto

3 de diciembre de 2007Sídney, Australia —

El nuevo primer ministro australiano, Kevin Rudd, firmó documentos para ratificar el Protocolo de Kyoto, este lunes, pocas horas después de asumir el mando. De tal forma, Rudd puso fin a la oposición que Australia mantuvo por mucho tiempo contra el pacto de protección ambiental.

Rudd dijo que se trata de la primera acción oficial de su nuevo gobierno Laborista, el que obtuvo el poder el 24 de noviembre, tras 11 años de gobierno conservador. El nuevo primer ministro asistirá, la semana próxima, a las conversaciones de las Naciones Unidas sobre el clima, que se llevan a cabo en Bali.

El Protocolo de Kyoto obliga a sus signatarios a reducir las emisiones de gases de invernadero.

La medida de Australia deja a Estados Unidos como el único país desarrollado importante que se niega a firmar el pacto. Previamente, este lunes, el primer ministro australiano prestó juramento ante el gobernador general Michael Jeffrey, en la capital.

Miembros de su nuevo gabinete, incluyendo la primera vice primera ministra y un ex astro del rock, juraron también en la ceremonia celebrada en Canberra.


New bill will ban Muslims from wearing veils at polls in Canada

A new bill will propose a law to amend the Canada Elections Act to ban Muslims from wearing veils (or niqab's) while at polls.

"During the recent by-elections in Quebec, the government made it clear that we disagreed with the decision by Elections Canada to allow people to vote while concealing their face. That is why, in the Speech from the Throne, we committed to introducing legislation to confirm the visual identification of voters," said Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Peter Van Loan. "Today, with the introduction of this Bill, we have fulfilled that commitment."

"While there was no apparent case of fraud in the recent Quebec by-elections, it was widely reported that numerous individuals voted while purposefully concealing their face," said Member of Parliament Lawrence Cannon. "This caused people to question the credibility and integrity of the voting process. In a democratic system, it is crucial that confidence in our democracy be maintained. This Bill will maintain that confidence."

Muslims will need to uncover when voting at all federal elections, by-elections, and advance polls. Citizens who are vouching for a voter who doesn't have an ID will have to uncover their face as well. People who are medically required to have their faces covered are given an exception but will need to show photo ID and two pieces of other ID, or they will have to be vouched for by someone, who is not wearing a face covering, or removes their face covering. Alternatively they can make an oath saying it would be against the rules of their doctor or be harmful to their health to remove their face covering.

Elections Canada volunteers would need to, somehow, suit the voter to their religious needs, if necessary.

According to the press release it will allow "someone to be recognized, who is attempting to commit an offense at the polls (e.g. someone trying to vote twice)," and it will "restore public confidence in the electoral process."

Bill C-31 allowed voters to wear veils as long as they showed two pieces of ID, with one displaying their address. If they only brought one piece, photo ID or not, they would be required to remove their veils. If the person had a voting card, the problem would not exist. However, the new proposed bill would require Muslims to remove their veil regardless of if they have a voting card.

The Chief Electoral Officer for Elections Quebec refused to come to agreement with the Federal Government's opposition of his position of letting voters only remove their veils when they only brought one photo and no other ID, so they could compare their identity to the photo. He could have supported the Federal Government's opposition and change the requirements, but since he didn't the Canada Elections Act has been proposed to be amended.

"If anybody had actually bothered to ask the women that are actually concerned, and we are talking about a very small minority of women, they would have told them that they always take it off to identify their faces. And they do it at the bank, they do it at border crossings, they do it at the airport," said Sarah Elgazzar, a spokeswoman for the Canada Council on American-Islamic Relations in September.


Les électeurs canadiens devront probablement voter à visage découvert

Publié le 27 octobre 2007   Deux ministres canadiens ont déposé le 26 octobre à la Chambre des Communes un projet de loi modifiant la loi électorale afin que les électeurs soient désormais contraints de se présenter à visage découvert aux bureaux de vote. Le texte a été présenté par l’honorable Peter Van Loan, leader du gouvernement à la Chambre des communes et ministre de la Réforme démocratique et l’honorable Lawrence Cannon, ministre des Transports, de l’Infrastructure et des Collectivités.

Si ce texte est adopté par les députés, la loi sera modifiée en conséquence et il ne sera plus possible de voter sans que les scrutateurs ne puissent voir le visage des électeurs. En effet, la loi électorale prévoit déjà, depuis un précédent amendement sanctionné le 22 juin dernier, que les électeurs doivent être identifiables, c'est-à-dire être en mesure de prouver leur identité et leur résidence avant de placer leur bulletin dans l'urne. Cependant, une polémique a éclaté autour du scrutin du 17 septembre au Québec (qui combinait trois élections fédérales partielles), lorsque le directeur général des élections a décrété que la loi n'impliquait pas que le visage soit visible mais que ceux qui préféraient ne pas montrer leur visage devaient présenter deux documents officiels d'identité munis de photographies. En réaction à cet avis qui faisait autorité, certains Canadiens se sont présentés avec des masques ou d'autres déguisements aux bureaux de vote, mettant à mal la solennité souhaitable pour la pratique de la démocratie. Les autorités fédérales canadiennes ont donc décidé de réagir et, le directeur général des élections ayant refusé de revenir sur sa position, ont été amenées à passer par le Parlement.

La seule exception prévue dans le projet de loi concerne les citoyens qui doivent garder le visage caché pour des raisons médicales, mais ils devront alors être accompagné d'un autre électeur qui servira de répondant (garant) de l'identité de la personne.

Les avantages escomptés par le gouvernement sont de restaurer la confiance des Canadiens dans le processus électoral que les manifestants du 17 septembre avaient ridiculisés, et de déjouer les fraudes possibles si les visages sont cachés - qu'il s'agisse d'usurpation d'identité (sexe, âge) ou d'une personne votant deux fois.


New denunciations of political corruption create severe political crisis in Brazil

Brazil —
The Brazilian Deputy Roberto Jefferson told the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo that the ruling Workers' Party (PT) has paid Brazilian deputies 30 thousand Brazilian Reals (US 12 thousand) each, every month. Deputy Jefferson is the President of the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) and he is accused of directing a corrupt scheme that involves the Brazilian postal service. The PTB is an ally of the government.

Jefferson's allegations increase the severe  political crisis regarding the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  Lula has convened a special meeting to discuss the crisis in the government. Because of the recent scandal Brazilian stock markets went down and the U.S. Dollar increased its value in relation to the Brazilian Real.

The Brazilian Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are discussing the installation of a special congressional commission to investigate the allegations. The first attempt of the Brazilian government to prevent the creation of the Congress' special commission (convincing some deputies not to endorse the commission's creation) has failed.  Now the government is trying to stop the creation of the commission in the Senate and is lobbying against it in the Congress, trying to influence both senators and deputies.

The opposition party, PSDB, criticized recently the efforts of the Brazilian government to stop the special commission of investigation, using the influence of the Minister of the Economy Antonio Palocci.

The Workers’ Party published in its webpage a note denying Jefferson’s allegations and saying that it supports investigations by Brazilian authorities. The Brazilian Minister Waldir Pires has said in an interview with Agencia Brasil that the denunciations of corruption are appearing more because the government is fighting against them. He also blamed previous governments by the corruption.

In a note in the Workers’ Party website, the party accuses the former-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso government of corruption.

On April 2005, the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Cesar Maia, denounced the Workers’ Party payment to deputies.

The allegations of Jefferson marks the beginnings of a severe crisis in Brazilian government. This is the most severe crisis since the impeachment of the former President Fernando Collor de Mello in 1992.

Politicians from the opposition said that they don't want the impeachment of Lula, however they demand the investigation of all denunciations and that the guilty be punished.

Some excerpts of the interview of Roberto Jefferson:


Diputado brasileño dice que el partido de Lula pagaba R$30 mil a parlamentarios en pago de apoyo

6 de junio de 2005Brasil — El periódico brasileño Folha de São Paulo publicó este lunes una informe que afirma que el diputado Roberto Jefferson, Presidente del PTB, partido aliado del gobierno brasileño, dijo en una entrevista que el Partido de los Trabajadores (PT) pagaba mensualmente R$30 a los parlamentarios del Congreso Nacional, a cambio de que voten a favor del gobierno en las votaciones del Congreso.

Roberto Jefferson es el Presidente del PTB, partido de la base aliada del gobierno de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, del PT. Está acusado de tener participación en un supuesto esquema de corrupción en la Empresa Brasileña de Correos y Telégrafos. Una grabación de vídeo muestra al ex jefe del Departamento de Contratación y Administración de Material de los Correos, Maurício Marinho, durante una supuesta negociación de propina, mencionar el nombre de Jefferson e insinuar que él es uno de los responsables por el supuesto esquema de corrupción. Jefferson también es citado por el ex presidente del Instituto Brasil de Reaseguros, Lídio Duarte, en un otro reportaje de la revista brasileña Veja, cuyo audio de la entrevista fue grabado. Está en discusión en el Senado y en el Congreso Nacional si es posible o no crear una Comisión Parlamentaria de Interrogatorio (CPI) para investigar todas las denuncias.

De acuerdo con lo escrito en el reportaje del Folha, Jefferson dijo que el tesorero del PT, Delúbio Soares, pagaba mensualmente R$30 mil para diputados del Congreso Nacional en pago del apoyo de ellos al gobierno. Él dijo que tiene conocimiento de que hasta el mes de enero, el dinero era entregado a representantes de los partidos políticos del Partido Progresista (PP) y Partido Liberal (PL).

Según Jefferson la mesada (que él llamó "mensalão") era una táctica del partido. "Es más barato pagar el ejército mercenario que dividir el poder", añadió.

Jefferson dijo que buscó el Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva lloró al ser informado y agregó que, después del encuentro con Lula, el pago del "mensalão" acabó: "Tengo la noticia de que la fuente secó." También dijo: "Después de eso [de la conversación con Lula] paró. Estoy seguro de que paró, de ahí que esa insatisfacción ahí [en la base parlamentaria del gobierno]. Le metió el pie al freno. Lo vi muy indignado."

Sobre su futuro político, el diputado Jefferson dijo: "Serenamente yo ya tengo el camino trazado: no me preocupa más el mandato, no voy a pelear por él. Sólo no voy a salir de eso como un canalla, porque no lo soy."

Integrantes del gobierno brasileño dijeron que serán investigadas todas las denuncias de corrupción y que aquellos que sean hallados realmente culpables serán castigados. También dicen que la CPI será utilizada por la oposición para obtener ventajas políticas en las próximas elecciones.

Los líderes del PT en la Cámara de los diputados dijeron en una nota distribuida a los parlamentarios del partido: Cuando propone una CPI para investigar la corrupción en los Correos, la oposición no está interesada en purificar hechos, aún porque estos hechos ya están siendo purificados por la Policía Federal. Su objetivo es crear una palanca y anticipar el debate electoral.

El Ministro del Control y de la Transparencia, Waldir Pires, declaró a la Agencia Brasil el 3 de junio que cree que las supuestas irregularidades en los Correos comenzaron en gobiernos anteriores al del presidente Lula. Esos asuntos son viejos. El presidente de la República, cuando tuvo conocimiento de las denuncias, ordenó la dimisión del director [Maurício Marinho] de los Correos, fue instaurado el interrogatorio criminal en la Policía Federal y estamos haciendo una auditoría especial.


Jefferson diz para Folha de São Paulo que PT pagava mesada de R$ 30 mil a parlamentares em troca de apoio

O jornal brasileiro Folha de São Paulo publicou hoje uma matéria que relata que o deputado Roberto Jefferson, Presidente do PTB, partido aliado do governo brasileiro, disse em entrevista que o Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) pagava uma mesada de R$ 30 mil a parlamentares. Em troca, os deputados beneficiados votariam a favor do governo nas votações do Congresso Nacional.

Roberto Jefferson é o Presidente do PTB, partido da base aliada do governo de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, do PT. Ele é acusado de ter participação num suposto esquema de corrupção na Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telégrafos. Uma gravação de vídeo mostra  o ex-chefe do Departamento de Contratação e Administração de Material dos Correios, Maurício Marinho, durante uma suposta negociação de propina,  mencionar o nome de Jefferson e insinuar que ele é um dos responsáveis pelo suposto esquema de corrupção. Jefferson também é citado pelo ex-presidente do Instituto Brasil de Resseguros, Lídio Duarte, numa outra reportagem da revista brasileira Veja, cujo áudio da entrevista foi gravado. Está em discussão no Senado e no Congresso Nacional se é possível ou não realizar uma Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) para investigar todas as denúncias.

De acordo com aquilo que está escrito na reportagem do jornal Folha de São Paulo, Jefferson disse que o tesoureiro do PT, Delúbio Soares, pagava mensalmente R$ 30 mil para deputados do Congresso Nacional em troca do apoio deles ao governo. Ele disse que tem conhecimento de que até o mês de janeiro, o  dinheiro estava a ser entregue para representantes dos partidos políticos do Partido Progressista (PP) e Partido Liberal (PL). Jefferson disse que os líderes do PTB rejeitaram a oferta em 2003.

Segundo Jefferson a mesada (que ele chamou de "mensalão") era uma tática do partido: "É mais barato pagar o exército mercenário do que dividir o poder".

Jefferson também disse segundo a Folha:E eu passei a viver uma brutal pressão. Porque deputados do meu partido sabiam que os deputados do PL e do PP recebiam.  As informações que eu tenho são que o PMDB estava fora. Não teve "mensalão" no PMDB.

Jefferson conta que procurou o Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva que chorou ao ser informado. Jefferson disse que depois do encontro com Lula o pagamento do "mensalão" acabou: "Tenho a notícia de que a fonte secou."  Ele também disse: Depois disso [da conversa com Lula] parou. Tenho certeza de que parou, por isso está essa insatisfação aí [na base parlamentar do governo]. Ele meteu o pé no breque. Eu vi ele muito indignado.

Sobre seu futuro político o deputado Roberto Jefferson disse: Serenamente eu já tenho o caminho traçado: não me preocupa mais o mandato, não vou brigar por ele. Só não vou sair disso como um canalha, porque não sou.

O atual prefeito do Rio de janeiro, Cesar Maia, já havia denunciado o suposto esquema de pagamento aos deputados segundo reportagem do jornal Folha de São Paulo em 5 de abril de 2005. Segundo o jornal, Maia teria dito: "Não sei quem entrega essa mala de dinheiro para ser dividida entre grupos de deputados ou se ela vem do Planalto. Sei que, antes do PT, essa prática não existia".

Jefferson disse que conversou sobre o "mensalão" com outras pessoas do governo, entre elas os ministros José Dirceu da Casa Civil e  Antônio Palocci da Fazenda, antes do encontro com Lula.e que mesmo assim o pagamento continuava.

Uma dessas pessoas, segundo Jefferson, seria o Ministro do Turismo (PTB) Walfrido Mares Guia, com o qual teria se encontrado e falado sobre o "mensalão". Walfrido teria respondido: Em hipótese alguma. Eu não terei coragem de olhar nos olhos do presidente Lula. Nós não vamos aceitar.

Depois Jefferson teria procurado o Ministro da Casa Civil José Dirceu e contado sobre o "mensalão".
Jefferson relata da seguinte forma o seu encontro com José Dirceu:O Zé deu um soco na mesa: "O Delúbio está errado. Isso não pode acontecer. Eu falei para não fazer". Eu pensei: vai acabar. Mas continuou.

Jefferson disse que avisou também o deputado Iris Simões (PTB-PR). Segundo Jefferson:E eu pedi ao deputado Iris Simões (PTB-PR) que dissesse a ele: se fizer, eu vou para a tribuna e denuncio. Morreu o assunto.

Outro membro do governo que foi avisado sobre o "mensalão" foi o Ministro da Integração Nacional  Ciro Gomes. Ele teria respondido:Roberto, é muito dinheiro, eu não acredito nisso.

Jefferson procurou também o Ministro da Comunicações Miro Teixeira e o lídero do governo na câmara Aldo Rebelo (PCdoB):Aí fui ao ministro Miro Teixeira, nas Comunicações. Levei comigo os deputados João Lyra (PTB-AL) e José Múcio. Falei: "Conte ao presidente Lula que está havendo o "mensalão'". Nessa época o presidente não nos recebia. Falei isso ao Aldo Rebelo, que então era líder do governo na Câmara.

Roberto Jefferson conta que avisou o Ministro da Fazenda Antonio Palocci:Disse ao ministro Palocci: "Tem isso e é uma bomba".

Integrantes do governo brasileiro disseram que serão investigadas todas as denúncias de corrupção e que aqueles que forem realmente culpados serão punidos. Eles também dizem que a CPI está a ser usada pela oposição para obter vantagens políticas nas próximas eleições.

Os líderes do PT na Câmara dos deputados disseram  numa nota distribuída a parlamentares do partido:

Quando propõe uma CPI para investigar a corrupção nos Correios, a oposição não está interessada em apurar fatos, mesmo porque estes fatos já estão sendo apurados pela Polícia Federal. Seu objetivo é criar um palanque e antecipar o debate eleitoral.

O Ministro do Controle e da Transparência, Waldir Pires disse para a Agência Brasil em 3 de junho que acredita que as supostas irregularidades nos Correios começaram em governos anteriores ao do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ele disse: Esses assuntos todos são velhos. O presidente da República quando tomou conhecimento das denúncias determinou a demissão do diretor [Maurício Marinho] dos Correios, foi instaurado o inquérito criminal na Polícia Federal e estamos fazendo uma auditoria especial.

O Ministro Waldir Pires disse que o governo está a apurar as denúncias nos Corrreios:Nós estamos procedendo a auditoria rigorosa em todos os setores dos Correios vinculados aos contratos e em todos os departamentos que tenham interesse nisso.

Pires atribui a grande quantidade de denúncias de casos de corrupção ao fato de o governo do Presidente Lula estar empenhado em combatê-las. Ele disse:

Quando um país decide combater a corrupção, como é o caso do Brasil, a população toma conhecimento de que ela existe. Quando você tem um país fechado, controlado por uma oligarquia ou uma ditadura, nada se diz, nada se faz, tudo é absolutamente escondido da população. A nossa política é de abrir completamente e de fazer um trabalho articulado com todos os órgãos capazes de somar suas competências para trabalhar contra a corrupção.


New Government introduced to the Italian Parliament

Today around 6pm the new Italian Government was introduced to the House of Parliament.

This government turns out to have a larger number of ministers, vice-ministers and undersecretaries than the previous. There are 9 viceministers and 62 undersecretaries (to which  Undersecretary of the Council Gianni Letta should be added.)

The new government also turns out to have the greatest number of ministers, vice-ministers and undersecretaries of all the governments of the Italian Republic. The number of vice-ministers has reached 9, the number of undersecretaries is 62 (plus Letta). This has caused the unusual sight of the benches of the Government being overcrowded (there are only 25 benches).  The crowding is expected to increase, because in the emiciclo (the party of the Parliamentarians) there were few Parliamentarians today, since the House vote of confidence in the new government will be carried out only tomorrow.

Prime Minister Berlusconi has said that the next elections will take place in May of 2006 and this government will continue to serve until then.


Presentato alla Camera il nuovo governo

Oggi attorno alle 18 è stato presentato alla Camera il nuovo governo.

Questo governo risulta essere quello con il numero più grande di ministri, viceministri e sottosegretari tra tutti i governi della Repubblica precedenti. Il numero di viceministri è arrivato a 9 e quello dei sottosegretari a 62 (a cui va aggiunto  il sottosegretario alla presidenza del Consiglio Gianni Letta). Questo ha causato l'inconsueto spettacolo di vedere i banchi del Governo stracolmi (gli scranni sono solo 25). Effetto maggiormente aumentato dal fatto che invece l'emiciclo (la parte dei Parlamentari) era abbastanza sguarnito visto che la votazione alla Camera della fiducia al Governo si svolgerà soltanto domani.

Il presidente del Consiglio, in attesa della fiducia, Berlusconi ha detto che le prossime elezioni si svolgeranno nel maggio del 2006 e che questo governo durerà fino ad allora.

Il presidente Berlusconi nella parte iniziale del suo discorso ha parlato del caso dell'uccisione di Antonio Callipari, affermando che quelle trapelate sono solo indiscrezioni e che le indagini sul caso non sono ancora concluse.


New Italian government gets confidence from the House

The new Italian government, led by Silvio Berlusconi, received a vote of confidence from the Italian House of Deputies on Wednesday. The tally was 334 pros, 240 cons and 2 abstentions.

The vote allows Berlusconi up to another year in office, during which time he will have to gain support from skeptical voters if he is to win a second term.


Nuovo governo Berlusconi ottiene la fiducia dalla Camera

Il nuovo governo Berlusconi III ha ottenuto questa sera la fiducia dalla Camera dei Deputati. I voti favorevoli sono stati 334, i voti contrari 240 e 2 gli astenuti.


New Italian government gets confidence from the Senate too

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government received a vote of confidence from the Italian Senate Thursday, after it earned the confidence of the House yesterday. The Senate's tally was 170 pros, 117 cons and no abstentions.

Berlusconi declared these votes of confidence as demonstrating the strength and coherence of his coalition.

He also declared that he wanted a change in the electoral law so that a bipartisan political system would srise, and that he wants to form a majority government after the next election.


Le Parlement italien vote la confiance au 3e gouvernement Berlusconi

Le Parlement italien a voté la confiance au troisième gouvernement de Silvio Berlusconi.

Le premier vote de confiance était survenu mercredi 27 avril devant la Chambre des députés, où le nouveau gouvernement avait obtenu 334 voix contre 240.

Le second vote de confiance a eu lieu jeudi 28 avril devant le Sénat, où le cabinet Berlusconi a obtenu 170 voix contre 117.

Dans son « discours-programme » prononcé peu avant le vote à la tribune du Sénat, M. Berlusconi, désormais à peu près assuré de mener la législature jusqu'à son terme normal en 2006, a notamment mis l'accent sur des aides pour les familles les moins favorisées, censées avoir subi une dimininution de leur pouvoir d'achat depuis l'arrivée de l'euro le er janvier 2002, de nouveaux efforts pour le Mezzogiorno et les régions du Sud de l'Italie, traditionnellement moins favorisées sur le plan économique que le Nord de l'Italie, ainsi qu'un allègement de la fiscalité pour les entreprises.

M. Berlusconi s'est également déclaré, à cette occasion, partisan de la mise en place d'un nouvelle loi électorale qui aurait le mérite, à ses yeux, de permettre l'émergence d'un système politique bipartite. D'ores et déjà candidat à sa propre succession, M. Berlusconi, persuadé que si les partis membres de l'actuelle coalition (la Maison des libertés) perdont les élections s'ils se présentent en « ordre dispersé » devant les électeurs, entend favoriser, pendant les treize mois qui restent jusqu'aux prochaines élections générales, l'émergence d'un parti unique de centre-droit, à l'image du Parti populaire espagnol. Le principe d'une fusion dans un parti unique semble d'ores et déjà acquis dans les rangs de Forza Italia et de l'Alliance nationale, mais moins assuré du côté de l'Union des démocrates chrétiens (UDC) et très improbable du côté de la Ligue du Nord.


Il governo Berlusconi ottiene la fiducia anche dal Senato

Poco dopo mezzogiorno il nuovo governo Berlusconi ha ottenuto da fiducia anche dal Senato con 170 voti a favore, 117 contrari e nessun astenuto.

Berlusconi ha commento che questa è una prova della compattezza della coalizione e che da questa storia, che era iniziata male e che faceva ipotizzare dei problemi al suo interno, si è invece trasformata in un bene perché ha dimostrato quanto è salda la coalizione.

In una sua altra dichiarazione ha affermato che è ora che si cambi la legge elettorale e si arrivi al bipartitismo e ha chiaramente fatto capire che vuole per le prossime elezioni un partito unico senza problemi interni al posto della coalizione di più partiti.


Novo governo italiano ganha a confiança do Senado

Roma, Itália - Esta tarde o governo de Silvio Berlusconi recebeu um voto de confiança do Senado Italiano, depois de receber o mesmo da Câmara ontem. O registro do Senado contabilizou 170 prós, 117 contras e nenhuma abstenção.

Berlusconi declarou que estes votos de confiança demonstram a força e coerência de sua coalizão.

Ele também declarou que deseja uma mudança na lei eleitoral aonde o sistema bipartidário político deve cair, e que deseja formar um governo majoritário depois da próxima eleição.


New Kyrgz interior minister says force may be used, riot police clash with protesters in Bishkek

About 200 riot police violently broke up a peaceful, anti-Akayev protest of some 300 to 400 people and arrested 20 to 30 protesters in the capital city of Bishkek on Wednesday, just hours after President Askar Akayev appointed head of police in the city, Keneshbek Dushebayev, as new interior minister.

"Our primary task is to restore constitutional order in all regions," the new interior minister said. "The law gives us every right to take action, including by using physical force... and firearms."

Akayev has previously stated that he would not resort to force to end protests.

Akayev dismissed Interior Minister Bakirdin Subanbekov and the general prosecutor, Myktybek Abdyldayev, earlier in the day. According to a spokesman for Akayev, Abdil Seghizbayev, the dismissals were for issues relating "to the events in the south and their poor work on preventing those events."

Seghizbayev stated that Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev would visit the southern city of Osh for negotiations on Thursday, but said there would not be talks with "criminal groups that are controlling the situation there."

Elsewhere in Bishkek, approximately 10,000 people held a pro-government demonstration as riot police guarded key government buildings and main roads were sealed off. Several demonstrators said they had been coerced into taking part.

"Our classes were cancelled and we were told to be here at the meeting in support of Akayev," a Kyrgyz National University student said.

"We are protesting instead of working now," said an employee of the interior ministry at the rally.

Neighboring Tajikistan also sealed border crossing points from Kyrgyzstan into the country because of the unrest.


Politische Krise in Kirgisistan weitet sich aus

Bischkek (Kirgisistan), 23.03.2005 – Angesichts anhaltender Proteste der Opposition wegen des Verdachts auf Wahlbetrug gegen den kirgisischen Präsidenten Askar Akajew entließ dieser am Montag den Innenminister und den Generalstaatsanwalt.

Im Süden des Landes hat die Opposition zwei Städte unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht. In Osch und Jalal Abad vertrieben Aufständische die Polizei. Der nun ernannte Innenminister Keneschbek Duschebajew, ein bisheriger Polizeichef, kündigte an, härter gegen die Opposition vorzugehen, auch den Einsatz von Gewalt schließe er nicht aus. In der Hauptstadt des zentralasiatischen Staates löste die Polizei eine Demonstration der Opposition gewaltsam auf.

Der Grund für die politische Krise in Kirgisien sind die Parlamentswahlen vom Februar und Anfang März. Die Opposition wirft dem Regierungslager massive Wahlfälschungen vor und will mit anhaltenden Protesten dessen Rücktritt erreichen. Präsident Akajew, der seit 15 Jahren im Amt ist, erklärte in einer Rede vor dem neu zusammengesetzen Parlament, dass er nicht vorhabe den Ausnahmezustand auszurufen.


New photos of Abu Ghraib prison abuse

An Australian TV station has shown new photos allegedly showing more of the prisoner abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison.

"Dateline", a current affairs programme broadcast on the SBS public network, claimed the images they displayed were examples of the range of abuses carried out at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and included previously unseen material such as killing, torture and sexual humiliation. The program also alleged that prisoners at Abu Ghraib had been killed when U.S. soldiers ran out of rubber bullets as they tried to handle a jail riot, and started to use live rounds.

Executive producer Mike Carey said Dateline had obtained a file containing hundreds of pictures, some known and others that show new abuses. However, he declined to say how the pictures came into their possession.

Some pictures appear to show U.S. soldier Charles Graner who had a leading role in the earlier Abu Ghraib abuse scandal. Many of the new images are more graphic than those previously published - these new photos include prisoners performing sex acts and wounded/dead prisoners. SBS alleged the photographs of the dead bodies were of people who had died at Abu Ghraib during interrogation.

The Guardian cites an unnamed US defense official saying that the Army had reviewed the pictures posted by SBS and confirmed that they were among those that are subject to the Freedom of Information Act request made by the ACLU. The American Civil Liberties Union has been granted access to pictures in possession of the army that had not been publicly released by a U.S. federal court in September, but the U.S. government appealed the decision.

Pentagon spokesperson Bryan Whitman stressed it is U.S. policy to treat all detainees humanely. He further said that "The abuses at Abu Ghraib have been fully investigated," and that "When there have been abuses, this department has acted upon them promptly, investigated them thoroughly and where appropriate prosecuted individuals."

The pictures have been shown widely on television throughout the Middle East, including in Iraq. Saleh al-Humaidi, a Yemeni journalist, told Reuters "This is truly American ugliness that no other country in the world can compete with... the Americans ought to apologize to mankind for their government's lie to the world that it is fighting for freedom and that it came to Iraq to save it from Saddam Hussein's oppression."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld testified that not all known photographs of the abuses at Abu Ghraib had been publicly released at the Senate Armed Services Committee inquiry in May 2004. Mr Rumsfeld said, "beyond abuse of prisoners, there are other photos that depict incidents of physical violence toward prisoners, acts that can only be described as blatantly sadistic, cruel and inhuman."


Televisión australiana transmite fotografías y videos inéditos de Abu Ghraib

El programa Dateline del canal de televisión australiano SBS difundió el miércoles (15) en la noche fotografías y videos no transmitidos previamente sobre el caso de torturas en la prisión de Abu Ghraib en Iraq.

Las fotografías mostrabas prisioneros bañados en sangre que habían sido torturados a muerte. Un video muestra a un prisionero que fue torturado para diversión de los guardias, quien fue obligado a cubrir la totalidad de su cara y cuerpo desnudo con materia fecal, después fue amarrado en varias posiciones incómodas y fue finalmente esposado con las dos manos a la puerta blindada de su celda; el prisionero lloraba desesperadamente y trataba de golpear su cabeza contra la pesada puerta de metal, mientras sus guardias se mofaban de él y lo filmaban desde todos los ángulos. Otro video muestra una fila de prisioneros desnudos con sus cabezas cubiertas por bolsas mientras son forzados a masturbarse y hacer pirámides humanas.

Se revelaron fotografías que muestran prisioneros que presentan heridas de fusil en la cabeza y cuerpos, así como también otros prisioneros que murieron durante la tortura. Una de las fotografías muestra un cuarto con una mesa presuntamente utilizada para tortura, alrededor de la cual las paredes y el suelo aparecen completamente cubiertos con una espesa capa de sangre.

Una funcionaria de la ACLU (Unión Estadounidense para las Libertades Civiles) denuncia que muchas de las personas torturadas fueron personas inocentes capturadas en las calles y no en combate, y señala que estas prácticas fueron ampliamente extendidas. El programa muestra como evidencia fotografías de mujeres que fueron llevadas a la prisión por practicar la prostitución.


New report details strain on US Army

A report commissioned under a Pentagon contract to ascertain the effects of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars on recruitment of personnel into the United States Army has been completed. Written by a retired U.S. Army officer and executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, Andrew Krepinevich, it was not publicly released. Upon inquiry, a copy was provided to the Associated Press.

As part of the conclusions reached in the Krepinevich report, it notes a drop in Army recruiting for the year 2005, a first since 1999, which came after the Army recently adopted policies of offering increased enlistment incentives. The report states that the Army is unable to maintain troop deployment to Iraq for a period adequate to disable the insurgency occurring there, and is faced with declining recruitment and re-enlistment rates.

In an Krepinevich interview , he said the Army remains an effective force and has plans to expand the number of available combat brigades for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The conditions described by the report are listed as being triggered by simultaneous force restructuring, training requirements, and troop deployment requirements as well as the length of the engagement. Krepinevich also said in the interview that he believes the reason that Pentagon officials do not publicly state that the reduction in troop levels was prompted by stress on the Army; "That gives too much encouragement to the enemy."

George Joulwan, former NATO commander and retired four-star general in the US Army detailed his observations in an interview given on CNN in December of 2005; "Whether they're broken or not, I think I would say if we don't change the way we're doing business, they're in danger of being fractured and broken, and I would agree with that."

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's comments made in a news conference at the Pentagon one day after the Associated Press article was published declared that the report "is just not consistent with the facts." He continued and stated of the US Army that "The force is not broken," and that such thoughts were "almost backward."

He supported this with the following comments "The world saw the United States military go halfway around the world in a matter of weeks, throw the Al Qaida and Taliban out of Afghanistan, in a landlocked country thousands and thousands of miles away. They saw what the United States military did in Iraq. And the message from that is not that this armed force is broken, but that this armed force is enormously capable."

He acknowledged the unique requirements of the campaigns in Iraq and in Afghanistan with the statement that "There is no question if a country is in a conflict and we are in the global war on terror, it requires our forces to do something other than what they do in peacetime."

On the matter of the review of US defense strategy  planned for February 2006, he stated that it was "the next step in a long line of bold changes."

US Representative John Murtha incited controversy when he called for an early exit from Iraq in the fall of 2005, arguing in part that the US Army was "broken, worn out."


Pentagonrapport beskriver armén som utsliten

USA –
En Pentagonstudie av effekterna som krigen i Afghanistan och Irak haft på rekryteringen i USA har färdigställts. Undersökningen utfördes av en pensionerad arméofficer och budgetchef, Andrew Krepinevich, gjordes alrig offentlig. Först på AP:s begäran släptes en kopia av rapporten.

I rapporten noterar man att en nedgång i rekryteringen till armén under 2005 skett, vilket är första året sedan 1999. Nedgången kom efter att armén antagit ökade incitament för nyvärvade rekryter. Enligt rapporten gör problemen med nyrekryteringen armén oförmögen att upprätthålla den nuvarande truppnärvaron i Irak under den period som behövs för att motverka det pågående upproret där.

I en intervju sa Krepinevich att armén är effektiv och att planer finns på att öka antalet brigader som kan sättas in i Afghanistan och Irak. De förhållanden som beskrivs i rapporten menar han beror på en kombination av omstrukturering och längden på åtagandena. Orsaken till att rapporten inte offentliggjorts säger han är att det hade uppmuntrat fienden att beskriva en armé som håller på att kollapsa under kraven som ställs på den.

Den pensionerade, amerikanske generalen George Joulwan kommenterade i en CNN-intervju i december tillståndet i armén: "Oavsett om armén är knäckt eller inte, tror jag att om vi inte ändrar vårt sätt att göra affärer, så riskerar de att skadas eller knäckas. Det håller jag med om".

USA:s försvarminister Donald Rumsfeld sa vid en presskonferens dagen efter att AP publicerade sin artikel att rapporten inte stämmer överens med fakta: "Världen såg USA:s militär ta sig halvvägs runt jorden på några veckor för att slänga ut talibanerna ur Afghanistan. De såg vad USA:s militär åstakom i Irak. Det betyder inte att denna armé är knäckt, tvärtom, att denna armé har en fantastiskt kapacitet".

Han tillade också att USA befinner sig i ett krigstillstånd och att det tvingar landets militära styrkor att göra något annat än man brukar i fredstid. Revisionen av USA försvarsstrategi beskrev Rumsfeld som "nästa steg i en lång rad djärva förändringar".

I höstas skapade demokraten John Murtha viss debatt då han krävde ett amerikanskt tillbakadragande från Irak eftersom armén var "knäckt och utsliten".


New South Wales Legislative Assembly votes in favor of same-sex adoption

In a close vote the New South Wales (NSW) Legislative Assembly has supported a bill that would allow same-sex couples to adopt children. The conscience vote that gained bipartisan support from the major parties, resulted in 46 Members of Parliament (MP) voting for it and 44 voting against it.

Having been rejected previously for amendments that would allow church-based adoption agencies to refuse applications from same-sex couples, the introduction of the bill finally gained approval from the Premier Kristina Keneally of the Australian Labor Party and the Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell of the Liberal Party of Australia.

Keneally stated in response to this bill that "In forming my position on this bill, I have considered my experiences as a mother, my responsibilities as a parliamentarian, and my conscience as a Christian and member of the Catholic faith."

While O'Farrell claimed that he supported "this measure today [...] for the sake of children but also because I don't believe our society should exclude because of gender, sexuality, faith, background or some other factor, people who have a contribution they can make."

The bill was introduced by Independent MP and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, who has been an avid supporter of LGBT rights and reportedly smiled and clapped after the bill was passed in the lower house.

Before being signed into law by the Governor of New South Wales, the bill must be passed in the NSW upper house, where it will again be subject to a conscience vote.

In the state of Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, gay adoption is already legal. Earlier this year Argentina and Denmark also legislated for equal adoption rights for gay couples.


ஒரு பாலினத் தம்பதிகள் பிள்ளைகளைத் தத்தெடுக்க நியூ சவுத் வேல்ஸ் நாடாளுமன்றம் ஒப்புதல்

ஒரு பாலினத் தம்பதிகள் பிள்ளைகளைத் தத்தெடுக்க வழி செய்யும் மசோதா ஆஸ்திரேலியாவின் நியூ சவுத் வேல்ஸ் மாநில நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் நிறைவேறியுள்ளது. இம்மசோதாவிற்கு ஆதரவாக 46 பேரும் எதிர்த்து 44 பெரும் வாக்களித்தனர்.

கிறித்தவத் தேவாலயங்கள் மூலமான விண்ணப்பங்கள் நிராகரிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்று உத்தேச சட்டமூலத்தில் மாற்றம் கொண்டு வரப்படுதல் வேண்டும் என எதிர்ப்புக் கிளம்பியதால் முன்னர் ஒரு தடவை இம்மசோதா நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது. இப்போது நியூ சவுத் வேல்ஸ் முதலமைச்சர் (தொழிற்கட்சி), மற்றும் எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் (தாராளவாதக் கட்சி) ஆகியோரின் ஆதரவுடன் இம்மசோதா நிறைவேற்றப்பட்டிருக்கிறது.

இம்மசோதாவை நாடாளுமன்றத்தி, சமர்ப்பித்து உரியாற்றிய முதல்வர் கிறிஸ்டீனா கென்னலி, "தாய் என்ற அந்தஸ்தில் எனது அனுபவங்களையும், நாடாளுமன்றவாதி என்ற நிலையில் எனது பொறுப்பு, கிறித்தவர் மற்றும் கத்தோலிக்க நம்பிக்கை போன்றவற்றில் எனது மனச்சாட்சி ஆகியவற்றைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டு இம்மசோதாவை உங்கள் முன் வைக்கிறேன்,” எனக் குறிப்பிட்டார்.

எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவர் ஓ’ஃபாரெல் உரையாற்றுகையில், "பாலினம், பாற்தன்மை, நம்பிக்கை, பின்புலம் போன்றவற்றில் எமது மக்கள் ஒதுக்கப்படக்கூடாது என நான் நம்புகிறேன்," என்றார்.

இம்மசோதா சட்டமூலமாகக் கொண்டுவரப்படுவதற்கு மாநில ஆளுநரின் ஒப்புதல் பெறப்பட்டு, பின்னர் மாநில மேலவையின் ஒப்புதலுக்காக முன்வைக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.

இதே போன்ற மசோதா ஆஸ்திரேலியாவின் மேற்கு ஆஸ்திரேலியா, ஆஸ்திரேலிய தலைநகர்ப் பிராந்தியம் ஆகிய மாநிலங்களில் சட்டமாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

செப்டம்பர் 3, 2010


New UK Jewish group formed; differs with Board of Deputies over Israel

A group of almost 150 prominent British Jews has launched a new organisation, Independent Jewish Voices, and criticized the British Jewish establishment for its uncritical views on Israel. An open letter titled "A Time to Speak Out: Independent Jewish Voices" was published in Monday's edition of the Times of London and reprinted on the Guardian's online site, stated that the group has "come together in the belief that the broad spectrum of opinion among the Jewish population of this country is not reflected by those institutions which claim authority to represent the Jewish community as a whole" and that the leaders of Britain's Jewish community, the Board of Deputies, has "consistently put support for the policies of an occupying power above the human rights of an occupied people," referring to Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza strip areas, which have been occupied and illegally settled by Israel since 1967.

The letter was signed by over 140 prominent writers, actors, academics and intellectuals including author and writer Stephen Fry, academic Brian Klug, historian Eric Hobsbawm and film director Mike Leigh.

Klug, in an article published in the Guardian announcing the launch of the group, argues for its necessity by asserting that the Board of Deputies actions in defence of Israel "suggests that British Jewry, speaking with one voice, stands solidly behind the Israeli government and its military operations," despite the fact that, according to Klug, "Jews were deeply divided over Israel's campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon last year."

The launching of the new group comes on the heels of a dispute within the American Jewish community after the American Jewish Congress published an essay titled "Progressive Jewish Thought and the New Anti-Semitism" in which criticism by liberal Jews of Israel was criticized as facilitating antisemitism.