In an article published August 28 in the Finantial Times, Mark Turner comments on Kofi Annan’s grand tour of the Middle East this week. He believes that by aiming to shore up a fragile peace process in Lebanon and beyond, Kofi Annan is well aware it could yet prove the highest-stakes task of his career.
Mark Turner asks what Kofi Annan can possible do in a region that became a cemetery of peace agreements. He wonders whether there would be a hidden agenda in this visit to the Middle East, like to erase some past phantoms and save a reputation?
According to the FT, “during past weeks, the United Nations secretary-general has worked the phones with world leaders more intensively, possibly, than any other period in the office's history. The prospect of a handshake with Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, the vilified Iranian leader, promises to become an iconic moment in UN history.”
Check also another interesting blog (in french):
http://pputhod.blog.lemonde.fr/pputhod/
31 août 2006
Politics: Iran’s Ahmadinejad’s blog!
Meanwhile, Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a blog! Long live freedom of speech!
Apparently the first comment he made was about his childhood memories about the islamic revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraqi war. He asks readers to vote on line to answer the question "Do you think that the US and Israeli intention and goal by attacking Lebanon is pulling the trigger for another word war?"
But what is funny is to see that this propaganda blog has (of course !) been developped with North-American technology (computers, Microsoft, etc). But who said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never contradicts himself ?
Article read on the excellent blog: http://www.netwizz.net/blog/
Apparently the first comment he made was about his childhood memories about the islamic revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraqi war. He asks readers to vote on line to answer the question "Do you think that the US and Israeli intention and goal by attacking Lebanon is pulling the trigger for another word war?"
But what is funny is to see that this propaganda blog has (of course !) been developped with North-American technology (computers, Microsoft, etc). But who said Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never contradicts himself ?
Article read on the excellent blog: http://www.netwizz.net/blog/
Politics: Iran's UN deadline...
Iran faces a United Nations Security Council deadline today to stop enriching uranium or face economic sanctions.
However, the U.S. military believes that Iran is five to eight years away from being able to build its first nuclear weapon, a time span that explains a general lack of urgency within the Bush administration to use air strikes to disable Tehran's atomic program.
To follow... read more.
However, the U.S. military believes that Iran is five to eight years away from being able to build its first nuclear weapon, a time span that explains a general lack of urgency within the Bush administration to use air strikes to disable Tehran's atomic program.
To follow... read more.
Citizenship: Will the ‘holy’ EU constitution resurrect?
Apparently, and according to the Parliament.com website, Angela Merkel (Germany’s Prime Minister, has called for “Christian values” to be put at the heart of an EU constitution, resurrecting old claims for a name check for God in the EU’s “moribund constitution”. This has sparked protests from Europe’s MEPs.
No wonder! The issue of Christianity and God had been avoided in the previous draft of the EU constitution, in which the final preamble only mentions “inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe”. This despite certain governments having pushed hard for a direct mention for a Christian God during the original EU constitution talks in 2004. Fortunately then, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ireland remained in minority after opposition was led by the UK, France and Sweden. But today the political situation has changed in certain countries like Portugal or Italy and it is not certain that their present governments would push for that. But it has also changed in Germany...
Apparently it was after a private meeting with the Pope, that the Christian Democrat German chancellor indicated she wished to bring religion back on the agenda. She said that “I believe this treaty should be linked to Christianity and God because Christianity was decisive in the formation of Europe.” Is this a strategy to leave Turkey out of the EU?
The problem is that Merkel will use her term in the EU’s rotating presidency next year (1st semester) to re-launch the constitution. And Berlin will host a political declaration by EU leaders on March 25, 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Merkel’s intentions risk unravelling a delicate compromise text agreed by EU leaders in June 2004 and has already angered secular EU enthusiasts (like me!).
So the message is: stop playing with us and keep it as it is, we do not want Europe to become a Christian club, do not start making changes regarding this issue. Or I (and many others) will vote big NO in any referendum!
No wonder! The issue of Christianity and God had been avoided in the previous draft of the EU constitution, in which the final preamble only mentions “inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe”. This despite certain governments having pushed hard for a direct mention for a Christian God during the original EU constitution talks in 2004. Fortunately then, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ireland remained in minority after opposition was led by the UK, France and Sweden. But today the political situation has changed in certain countries like Portugal or Italy and it is not certain that their present governments would push for that. But it has also changed in Germany...
Apparently it was after a private meeting with the Pope, that the Christian Democrat German chancellor indicated she wished to bring religion back on the agenda. She said that “I believe this treaty should be linked to Christianity and God because Christianity was decisive in the formation of Europe.” Is this a strategy to leave Turkey out of the EU?
The problem is that Merkel will use her term in the EU’s rotating presidency next year (1st semester) to re-launch the constitution. And Berlin will host a political declaration by EU leaders on March 25, 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Merkel’s intentions risk unravelling a delicate compromise text agreed by EU leaders in June 2004 and has already angered secular EU enthusiasts (like me!).
So the message is: stop playing with us and keep it as it is, we do not want Europe to become a Christian club, do not start making changes regarding this issue. Or I (and many others) will vote big NO in any referendum!
Citizenship: Will the EU save on interpretation costs?
The EU’s translation and interpretation machinery is by far the biggest in the world. And the number of languages has nearly doubled in 2004 going from 11 to 20 official languages. And soon two more will be added (Bulgarian and Romanian) and others are likely to follow at some stage (Croatian, Serb, Albanian, Turkish).
English has gained a lot of importance since the new states have joined the EU and is increasingly the language of communication more now than French once was. And the large number of languages implies not only a complicated and heavy machinery but also high costs. And in most meeting rooms it is materially impossible to do simultaneous interpretation into so many languages. So European institutions have been saving on those costs and new languages along with Scandinavian languages are often not available in meetings. It would be undemocratic for MEPs, Ministers and other official representatives to be required to express themselves in foreign languages, but they should however be aware how much interpretation costs.
According to the EUObserver site, Finnish deputy Alexander Stubb, who has prepared a report to be voted next week by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, thinks it is particularly important for MEPs to know how much interpretation costs even when they do not show up for meetings, which happens often.
His forthcoming report criticises the EU institutions for wasting interpretation money due to bad planning. Interpretation represents less than one percent of the total EU’s budget and Mr Stubb comments that, "if that's what it takes for Europeans to understand each other in a sensible way, let's go ahead and pay for it." However, he points out that around 16 percent (€25.9 million in 2003) of the interpretation costs involve services that were ordered but not used or cancelled at the last minute.
It seems that the European Parliament is a front runner in this practise seeing almost 30 percent higher average costs than in other EU bodies - the average cost of an interpreter per day is around €1,500 for the Parliament, while the European Commission pays around €1,000. But in any case interpretation costs are high and imagine the costs when the EU will count 25 or more official languages…
Hopefully EU institutions will be able to find feasible solutions that can represent a good balance between the need to save tax payer’s money, be efficient, take account of cultural diversity and be democratic. Not an easy task, I agree…
English has gained a lot of importance since the new states have joined the EU and is increasingly the language of communication more now than French once was. And the large number of languages implies not only a complicated and heavy machinery but also high costs. And in most meeting rooms it is materially impossible to do simultaneous interpretation into so many languages. So European institutions have been saving on those costs and new languages along with Scandinavian languages are often not available in meetings. It would be undemocratic for MEPs, Ministers and other official representatives to be required to express themselves in foreign languages, but they should however be aware how much interpretation costs.
According to the EUObserver site, Finnish deputy Alexander Stubb, who has prepared a report to be voted next week by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, thinks it is particularly important for MEPs to know how much interpretation costs even when they do not show up for meetings, which happens often.
His forthcoming report criticises the EU institutions for wasting interpretation money due to bad planning. Interpretation represents less than one percent of the total EU’s budget and Mr Stubb comments that, "if that's what it takes for Europeans to understand each other in a sensible way, let's go ahead and pay for it." However, he points out that around 16 percent (€25.9 million in 2003) of the interpretation costs involve services that were ordered but not used or cancelled at the last minute.
It seems that the European Parliament is a front runner in this practise seeing almost 30 percent higher average costs than in other EU bodies - the average cost of an interpreter per day is around €1,500 for the Parliament, while the European Commission pays around €1,000. But in any case interpretation costs are high and imagine the costs when the EU will count 25 or more official languages…
Hopefully EU institutions will be able to find feasible solutions that can represent a good balance between the need to save tax payer’s money, be efficient, take account of cultural diversity and be democratic. Not an easy task, I agree…
CNN while Bush addresses the country...
A CNN TV presenter (Kyra Phillips of "Live from...")went to the toilets & left her micro open... allowing CNN viewers to listen to her conversation simultaneously with Bush's speech!
Read more here: http://fr.news.yahoo.com/30082006/202/micro-ouvert-pour-une-journaliste-de-cnn-aux-wc-lors.html
A CNN TV presenter (Kyra Phillips of "Live from...")went to the toilets & left her micro open... allowing CNN viewers to listen to her conversation simultaneously with Bush's speech!
Read more here: http://fr.news.yahoo.com/30082006/202/micro-ouvert-pour-une-journaliste-de-cnn-aux-wc-lors.html
30 août 2006
Cinema: The 63rd Venice Film Festival
The 63rd Mostra di Venezia (or Venice Film Festival) kicks off on August 30 with the opening ceremony hosted by Isabella Ferrari, followed by the world premiere of Brian De Palma's The Black Dahlia (see previous post). The festival runs August 30 to September 9, and is directed by Marco Müller. This year the jury will be chaired by actress Catherine Deneuve and director David Lynch will receive a Golden Lion for his career. The main sections are Venezia 63 - In Competition, Venezia 63 - Out of Competition, Horizons and Corto Cortissimo. The program also includes retrospective sections and tributes. Check out the full screenings schedule.The aim of the Festival is to encourage the awareness and the promotion of all the various aspects of international cinema as art, entertainment and industry, in a spirit of freedom and tolerance. Remember that last year Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain won the Golden Lion for best film.
29 août 2006
Citizenship: Measuring gender differences among Europe's knowledge workers
EUROSTAT, the European Union's statistical office has just published a report on the differences among Europe’s knowledge workers. The study is illustrated with maps and charts. It shows that in 2004, 50.4% of human resources in science and technology core (HRSTC) in Europe were female, while only 29% of Europe's scientists and engineers were women, 88% of which worked in services. Out of the male scientists and engineers the corresponding proportion was 67%. The unemployment rate is higher with female scientists compared to male ones, even if these differences seem to diminish in the recent years.
At regional level, Poland scores higher with three of its regions with the female HRSTC share higher than 60%, while Portugal and Slovenia also had a high share (61.3% and 60.4% respectively). At the other end of the scale Switzerland, with a share of 34.8%, had the lowest proportion of female HRSTC, followed by Luxembourg (39.6%). Five German regions also had among the lowest HRSTC shares (lower than 40%): Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Rheinland-Pfalz. Only Mecklenburg-Vorpommern scored higher than 60%.
At regional level, Poland scores higher with three of its regions with the female HRSTC share higher than 60%, while Portugal and Slovenia also had a high share (61.3% and 60.4% respectively). At the other end of the scale Switzerland, with a share of 34.8%, had the lowest proportion of female HRSTC, followed by Luxembourg (39.6%). Five German regions also had among the lowest HRSTC shares (lower than 40%): Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen and Rheinland-Pfalz. Only Mecklenburg-Vorpommern scored higher than 60%.
Politics: Was the terrorist alert in Britain exaggerated?
Was the terrorist alert in Britain exaggerated? According to an article in the NYT, British authorities (and North-American afterwards) would have overestimated the terror threats on Great Britain. But, when the Scotland Yard acted to shut down the suspected "terrorist cell" on Aug. 10, that action set off a chain of events that raised the terror threat levels in Britain and the United States. Passengers were prevented from taking liquids and certain belongings on airplanes and air traffic plunged into chaos around the world. But of course the whole was politically very positive both for the US as for Blair's governments, providing support and encouragement for their strategies in their fight against terrorism.
Those days, Paul Stephenson, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police in London, said the goal of the people suspected of plotting the attack was “mass murder on an unimaginable scale”. On the day of the arrests, some officials estimated that as many as 10 planes were to be blown up, possibly over American cities. And Michael Chertoff, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, described the suspected plot as “getting really quite close to the execution stage.”
However, according to senior British officials, the suspects were not prepared to strike immediately. They say the estimate of 10 planes was speculative and exaggerated. Officials said they were still unsure of one critical question: whether any of the suspects was technically capable of assembling and detonating liquid explosives while airborne. While officials and experts familiar with the case say the investigation points to a serious and determined group of plotters, they add that there are still serious doubts on the accuracy of some of the public statements made at the time. Instead, the reactions of Britain and the United States in the wake of the arrests of 21 people on Aug. 10 were driven less by information about a specific, imminent attack than fear about other possible terrorist attacks.
Those days, Paul Stephenson, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police in London, said the goal of the people suspected of plotting the attack was “mass murder on an unimaginable scale”. On the day of the arrests, some officials estimated that as many as 10 planes were to be blown up, possibly over American cities. And Michael Chertoff, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, described the suspected plot as “getting really quite close to the execution stage.”
However, according to senior British officials, the suspects were not prepared to strike immediately. They say the estimate of 10 planes was speculative and exaggerated. Officials said they were still unsure of one critical question: whether any of the suspects was technically capable of assembling and detonating liquid explosives while airborne. While officials and experts familiar with the case say the investigation points to a serious and determined group of plotters, they add that there are still serious doubts on the accuracy of some of the public statements made at the time. Instead, the reactions of Britain and the United States in the wake of the arrests of 21 people on Aug. 10 were driven less by information about a specific, imminent attack than fear about other possible terrorist attacks.
28 août 2006
Cinema: le nouveau Brian de Palma arrive!
Vous pouvez déjà jeter un coup d'oeil sur le site du nouveau film de Brian de Palma "The Black Dahlia", avec Hilary Swank et Scarlett Johansson. Ce film sortira le 15 septembre aux USA et le 8 novembre en France (voyons en Belgique...).
http://www.theblackdahliamovie.net/
Et voir le trailer:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/theblackdahlia/blackdahlialarge.html
Musique: Le nouveau CD de Charlotte Gainsbourg
Sur son site, on lit que "Charlotte n'est pas pressée"... et pourtant en ce moment elle est bien sous les lumières des media avec la sortie du filme "La science des rêves" de M. Gondry (voir post antérieur) et de son deuxième CD, "5:55" en même temps.
On a du attendre 20 ans après la sortie de son premier CD, "Charlotte forever" pour qu'elle "revienne au micro". La musique de "5:55" est de Air (Nicolas Godin et Jean-Benoît Dunckel) les textes de Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) et Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) et le tout produit par Nigel Godrich. Toutes les 11 chansons en anglais (un superbe accent!) sauf une en français. Très beau et frais ... se recommande.
Allez sur son site:
http://www.charlottegainsbourg.fr/main.html
On a du attendre 20 ans après la sortie de son premier CD, "Charlotte forever" pour qu'elle "revienne au micro". La musique de "5:55" est de Air (Nicolas Godin et Jean-Benoît Dunckel) les textes de Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) et Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) et le tout produit par Nigel Godrich. Toutes les 11 chansons en anglais (un superbe accent!) sauf une en français. Très beau et frais ... se recommande.
Allez sur son site:
http://www.charlottegainsbourg.fr/main.html
Citizenship: World Bank development blogs
Yes, blogs are becoming powerful communication tools, they are very popular, inexpensive and an easy to use way to reach a wider audience. And they can be also used for serious communication, for really important issues.
Acknowledging that trend, the World Bank is now using three blogs to deliver its message and attract new ideas, inputs and for discussion. The first is the Private Sector Development blog which displays news, resources and ideas about the role of private enterprise in fighting poverty. The second is the Poverty and Growth blog, a platform for sharing knowledge and improving common understanding of the challenges of reducing poverty and accelerating growth. Finally, the Innovations in Emerging Markets blog presents news and information on sustainable business innovations and trends by firms and entrepreneurs operating in emerging markets. All three blogs are of course informal and represent the opinions of the bloggers, not of the World Bank. And the blogs are quite ‘open’, with guest bloggers (this is a good idea!) commenting and posting articles. Visit the World Bank homepage – the links to the three blogs are under the column "events":
http://www.worldbank.org/
Acknowledging that trend, the World Bank is now using three blogs to deliver its message and attract new ideas, inputs and for discussion. The first is the Private Sector Development blog which displays news, resources and ideas about the role of private enterprise in fighting poverty. The second is the Poverty and Growth blog, a platform for sharing knowledge and improving common understanding of the challenges of reducing poverty and accelerating growth. Finally, the Innovations in Emerging Markets blog presents news and information on sustainable business innovations and trends by firms and entrepreneurs operating in emerging markets. All three blogs are of course informal and represent the opinions of the bloggers, not of the World Bank. And the blogs are quite ‘open’, with guest bloggers (this is a good idea!) commenting and posting articles. Visit the World Bank homepage – the links to the three blogs are under the column "events":
http://www.worldbank.org/
Music: the BEST earphones!
Forget the earphones iPod delivers when you buy their mp3 players... forget also those from Creative, Philips, Sony etc... even Sennheiser. Unless you want to walk around with those big things that cover your ears, of course. And even in that case, it's not sure you'll get a better sound...
The best in-ear compact earphones are those from Ultimate Ears or Shure or Westone... I use the UE Super.fi 5EB which have a special bass... but i've tried the Super.fi 5Pro and they are better. Both these better than the Shure ones. I've never tried the Westone, but I trust this site, they're good and efficient! Check for yourself:
http://store.earphonesolutions.com/beeaforip.html
27 août 2006
Cinema: Gay Film festival Barcelona
Of course, not to be forgotten is also the Barcelona Gay Film Festival, which will take place between October 5 and 15 2006. Check the website:
http://www.gaybarcelona.net/ficglb/index.htm
... and also the Barcelona International festival of gay erotic cinema:
http://www.heatgay.com/
Cinema: Lisboa Gay Film Festival
De 15 a 23 de Setembro de 2006 decorre o 10° Festival Gay de Cinema de Lisboa, aparentemente o maior do tipo realizado na Europa. A cerimónia de abertura decorrerá a 15 Setembro, às 21h, no cinema São Jorge e o encerramento será também no São Jorge, enquanto as sessões decorrerão no S. Jorge e no Quarteto.
Os temas deste ano serão “10 Anos de luta pela visibilidade da cultura LGBT” e “10 Anos de luta contra a homofobia”. Haverá variadas longas e curtas metragens, alguns directamente do circuito mais comercial (1) e outros mais “alternativos” (2).
O festival atribui um Prémio para a melhor longa-metragem e para o melhor documentário, entre outros. Este ano terá também lugar uma Retrospectiva Histórica de Cinema LGBT Espanhol, de 18 a 23 Setembro, também no Cinema São Jorge. Este Festival é apoiado pela Câmara Municipal de Lisboa.
Site do Festival:
http://www.lisbonfilmfest.org/
(1)
Breakfast on Pluto (Ireland, UK, 2005), de Neil Jordan
Brokeback Mountain (USA, 2005), de Ang Lee
Capote (USA, 2005), de Bennett Miller
Odete (Portugal, 2005), de João Pedro Rodrigues
Transamerica (USA, 2004), de Duncan Tucker
(2)
Ronda Nocturna (Argentina, 2005), de Edgardo Cozarinsky
Un Año sin Amor (Argentina, 2005), de Anahí Berneri
Unveiled (Germany / Austria, 2005), de Angelina Maccarone
[EN]
The Lisboa Gay Film Festival takes place in Lisbon this year between 15 and 23 September. It is said to be the biggest gay film festival in Europe. Check their website:
http://www.lisbonfilmfest.org/
Os temas deste ano serão “10 Anos de luta pela visibilidade da cultura LGBT” e “10 Anos de luta contra a homofobia”. Haverá variadas longas e curtas metragens, alguns directamente do circuito mais comercial (1) e outros mais “alternativos” (2).
O festival atribui um Prémio para a melhor longa-metragem e para o melhor documentário, entre outros. Este ano terá também lugar uma Retrospectiva Histórica de Cinema LGBT Espanhol, de 18 a 23 Setembro, também no Cinema São Jorge. Este Festival é apoiado pela Câmara Municipal de Lisboa.
Site do Festival:
http://www.lisbonfilmfest.org/
(1)
Breakfast on Pluto (Ireland, UK, 2005), de Neil Jordan
Brokeback Mountain (USA, 2005), de Ang Lee
Capote (USA, 2005), de Bennett Miller
Odete (Portugal, 2005), de João Pedro Rodrigues
Transamerica (USA, 2004), de Duncan Tucker
(2)
Ronda Nocturna (Argentina, 2005), de Edgardo Cozarinsky
Un Año sin Amor (Argentina, 2005), de Anahí Berneri
Unveiled (Germany / Austria, 2005), de Angelina Maccarone
[EN]
The Lisboa Gay Film Festival takes place in Lisbon this year between 15 and 23 September. It is said to be the biggest gay film festival in Europe. Check their website:
http://www.lisbonfilmfest.org/
Politics: Iran's political ambitions
“The strategic and political determinants of Iran’s nuclear policy are complicated and frequently misunderstood. Chubin’s study is the definitive work on the subject and should be required reading for US and European decision-makers as they struggle to prevent the Iranian bomb from becoming a reality.”
—Geoffrey Kemp, Director, Regional Strategic Programs, The Nixon Center
Recently, in an article in Barcelona's newspaper "La Vanguardia", iranian born Shahram Chubin (who is director of studies at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, author also of the recent book "Iran´s nuclear ambitions" (1) - Carnegie Endowment, August 2006) writes about the internal differences in Iran.
According to Chubin:
"the 'novel' about the Iranian nuclear program has been going on for three years already and it does not seem to be getting near any solution. Throughout this time, regional political activists of the country – such as Lebanon's Hezbollah - have threatened to worsen regional stability (and have achieved it indeed), even before Iran becomes a nuclear power. An Iran with nuclear capacity, and more surely nuclear energy, would represent a fearful challenge for western policy and for stability of the region. Iran's answer, when it arrives, is likely to be ambiguous: Iran may accept to negotiate in principle, but will certainly refuse to stop its activities. Without an end to the activities, prolonged negotiations could risk tying the hands of the West to apply sanctions, on the one hand, while allowing technical advances in Iran, on the other hand. Yet, the Iranian nuclear program is not the product of an internal consensus that Iran as a whole has wished to develop."
Chubin claims (well) that the international community has not, regrettably, yet learned how to take advantage of the existing internal political differences in Iran.
He goes on, in the same article, to say that "Those who, in Iran, look for confrontation policies and insist on following ahead with uranium enrichment and reach a nuclear potential, only seek to consolidate their power within the country and to resist the influence of the West. They do not want negotiations nor agreements. They wish for a revolutionary Iran that can be a regional power opposed to western influence."
Iran indeed alarms the world as it aggressively seeks nuclear energy technology that could be used to create weapons. The concern stems in part from Iran’s uncertain intentions and recent history. The real questions however are whether Iran will remain a revolutionary power willing to subvert its Sunni Arab neighbours, destroy Israel or would an Iran with nuclear weapons merely defend its territory from foreign aggression and live in peace with its neighbours? Are the country’s leaders and society willing to negotiate limits on nuclear capability and normalize relations with the West, or will they resist accommodation? In the book "Iran´s nuclear ambitions", Shahram Chubin (2) & (3) takes a look at the motivations, perceptions, and domestic politics inside and around Iran. He reviews the history of the Iranian nuclear program and diplomacy and argues that the problem is not nuclear technology but rather Iran’s behaviour as a' revolutionary' state with ambitions that collide with the interests of its neighbours and the West, in particular.
read the article in spanish:
http://www.almendron.com/tribuna/?p=11132
(1) http://www.brook.edu/press/books/clientpr/carnegie/iransnuclearambitions.htm
(2) http://www.twq.com/03autumn/docs/03autumn_chubin.pdf
(3) http://www.iranwatch.org/privateviews/IPC/perspex-ipc-whatmakestehrantick-050906.pdf
For a complete history and one of the best updated online sources of Iranian nuclear chronology, see: http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/1825_4968.html
—Geoffrey Kemp, Director, Regional Strategic Programs, The Nixon Center
Recently, in an article in Barcelona's newspaper "La Vanguardia", iranian born Shahram Chubin (who is director of studies at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, author also of the recent book "Iran´s nuclear ambitions" (1) - Carnegie Endowment, August 2006) writes about the internal differences in Iran.
According to Chubin:
"the 'novel' about the Iranian nuclear program has been going on for three years already and it does not seem to be getting near any solution. Throughout this time, regional political activists of the country – such as Lebanon's Hezbollah - have threatened to worsen regional stability (and have achieved it indeed), even before Iran becomes a nuclear power. An Iran with nuclear capacity, and more surely nuclear energy, would represent a fearful challenge for western policy and for stability of the region. Iran's answer, when it arrives, is likely to be ambiguous: Iran may accept to negotiate in principle, but will certainly refuse to stop its activities. Without an end to the activities, prolonged negotiations could risk tying the hands of the West to apply sanctions, on the one hand, while allowing technical advances in Iran, on the other hand. Yet, the Iranian nuclear program is not the product of an internal consensus that Iran as a whole has wished to develop."
Chubin claims (well) that the international community has not, regrettably, yet learned how to take advantage of the existing internal political differences in Iran.
He goes on, in the same article, to say that "Those who, in Iran, look for confrontation policies and insist on following ahead with uranium enrichment and reach a nuclear potential, only seek to consolidate their power within the country and to resist the influence of the West. They do not want negotiations nor agreements. They wish for a revolutionary Iran that can be a regional power opposed to western influence."
Iran indeed alarms the world as it aggressively seeks nuclear energy technology that could be used to create weapons. The concern stems in part from Iran’s uncertain intentions and recent history. The real questions however are whether Iran will remain a revolutionary power willing to subvert its Sunni Arab neighbours, destroy Israel or would an Iran with nuclear weapons merely defend its territory from foreign aggression and live in peace with its neighbours? Are the country’s leaders and society willing to negotiate limits on nuclear capability and normalize relations with the West, or will they resist accommodation? In the book "Iran´s nuclear ambitions", Shahram Chubin (2) & (3) takes a look at the motivations, perceptions, and domestic politics inside and around Iran. He reviews the history of the Iranian nuclear program and diplomacy and argues that the problem is not nuclear technology but rather Iran’s behaviour as a' revolutionary' state with ambitions that collide with the interests of its neighbours and the West, in particular.
read the article in spanish:
http://www.almendron.com/tribuna/?p=11132
(1) http://www.brook.edu/press/books/clientpr/carnegie/iransnuclearambitions.htm
(2) http://www.twq.com/03autumn/docs/03autumn_chubin.pdf
(3) http://www.iranwatch.org/privateviews/IPC/perspex-ipc-whatmakestehrantick-050906.pdf
For a complete history and one of the best updated online sources of Iranian nuclear chronology, see: http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Iran/1825_4968.html
Politics: Cuba y Mexico - ¿QUÉ VA A PASAR?
Jorge Ramos is a well-know latin-american journalist in the US. He is said to be one of the 25 most influential 'latinos' there. He has recently written an interesting article about Mexico & Cuba. Check his website:
http://www.jorgeramos.com/articulos/articulos368.htm
He writes that: "One month after the elections of July, 2, mexicans still do not know who is their elected president. And in Miami, 47 years alter Fidel Castro is in power in Cuba, Cuban exile does not know if the dictatorship is falling or whether it is just trying to renew itself for survival.
Mexican radio and television, as well as those from Miami and the official ones in Cuba are filled with experts and words' jugglers, who talk for hours and hours without saying much. Those that really know something – about the strategy of Lopez Obrador to grab power or about Fidel's health – are not talking. For days the news has been that we do not know anything. Today we know just a little bit more, that there will be a partial recount of the votes in Mexico and that Fidel has not died in the operating room after an acute intestinal crisis. But that much is not enough to know how life will be for Mexicans and Cubans in the coming year. Cuba with Fidel is not the same thing as one without. With Fidel repression will continue, there will still be political prisoners, the 'commander' is like the God of a monotheistic religion. Fidel will remain the absurd idol of those Latin-americans that want democracy in their countries but not for Cubans. With him, fear will remain in the island".
Read more…
http://www.jorgeramos.com/articulos/articulos368.htm
http://www.jorgeramos.com/articulos/articulos368.htm
He writes that: "One month after the elections of July, 2, mexicans still do not know who is their elected president. And in Miami, 47 years alter Fidel Castro is in power in Cuba, Cuban exile does not know if the dictatorship is falling or whether it is just trying to renew itself for survival.
Mexican radio and television, as well as those from Miami and the official ones in Cuba are filled with experts and words' jugglers, who talk for hours and hours without saying much. Those that really know something – about the strategy of Lopez Obrador to grab power or about Fidel's health – are not talking. For days the news has been that we do not know anything. Today we know just a little bit more, that there will be a partial recount of the votes in Mexico and that Fidel has not died in the operating room after an acute intestinal crisis. But that much is not enough to know how life will be for Mexicans and Cubans in the coming year. Cuba with Fidel is not the same thing as one without. With Fidel repression will continue, there will still be political prisoners, the 'commander' is like the God of a monotheistic religion. Fidel will remain the absurd idol of those Latin-americans that want democracy in their countries but not for Cubans. With him, fear will remain in the island".
Read more…
http://www.jorgeramos.com/articulos/articulos368.htm
24 août 2006
Politics: are Cubans crazy? is the World gone mad?
[EN]
As M. Vale de Almeida wrote in his blog (in portuguese) “it’s now official, everyone has gone crazy”. According to Cuba’s Granma newspaper online,reverend Raúl Suárez, director of the Memorial Center Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said that "We pray for the man who continues inspiring Latin America to search an alternative to capitalism, which is a death instrument". He then indicated that believers never would accept a foreign military intervention.
[PT]
Como escreveu M. Vale de Almeida no seu blog, “é oficial, está tudo maluco...”; De acordo com o jornal cubano Granma online, o reverendo Raúl Suárez, diretor do Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. orou numa cerimónia religiosa “pelo homem que continua inspirando a América Latina a buscar uma alternativa ao capitalismo, que é um instrumento de morte”. E indicou que “os crentes jamais aceitarão uma intervenção militar.” O pastor presbiteriano Sergio Arce concluiu o rito com uma bênção a Fidel. "A Conferência dos Bispos Católicos de Cuba (COCC) pediu aos fiéis que orem pela recuperação do presidente Fidel Castro, depois do anúncio que seria submetido a uma intervenção cirúrgica."
As M. Vale de Almeida wrote in his blog (in portuguese) “it’s now official, everyone has gone crazy”. According to Cuba’s Granma newspaper online,reverend Raúl Suárez, director of the Memorial Center Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said that "We pray for the man who continues inspiring Latin America to search an alternative to capitalism, which is a death instrument". He then indicated that believers never would accept a foreign military intervention.
[PT]
Como escreveu M. Vale de Almeida no seu blog, “é oficial, está tudo maluco...”; De acordo com o jornal cubano Granma online, o reverendo Raúl Suárez, diretor do Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. orou numa cerimónia religiosa “pelo homem que continua inspirando a América Latina a buscar uma alternativa ao capitalismo, que é um instrumento de morte”. E indicou que “os crentes jamais aceitarão uma intervenção militar.” O pastor presbiteriano Sergio Arce concluiu o rito com uma bênção a Fidel. "A Conferência dos Bispos Católicos de Cuba (COCC) pediu aos fiéis que orem pela recuperação do presidente Fidel Castro, depois do anúncio que seria submetido a uma intervenção cirúrgica."
Politics: The advantages of economic sanctions
A couple of days ago Washington said it was ready to act fast to make adopt by the UN a project of economic sanctions against Iran, if the country's answer to the nuclear issue was not satisfying.
The International Herald Tribune (see previous post) had also claimed economic sanctions against the Sudanese government as the only possibility to make them stop the genocide in Darfour.
While these proposals are very positive and civilised, because at least they do not prone the use of violence and military power as the solution, it makes me but wonder why the US and the UN have not (have never) proposed an economic embargo (and arms) against Israel, as the only possible way to make them sit at the table and (seriously) seek a peace deal with Palestina and their surrounding neighbours. One that foresees their total withdrawal from the West Bank and an international administration to Jerusalem, that is.
Cynical world.
The International Herald Tribune (see previous post) had also claimed economic sanctions against the Sudanese government as the only possibility to make them stop the genocide in Darfour.
While these proposals are very positive and civilised, because at least they do not prone the use of violence and military power as the solution, it makes me but wonder why the US and the UN have not (have never) proposed an economic embargo (and arms) against Israel, as the only possible way to make them sit at the table and (seriously) seek a peace deal with Palestina and their surrounding neighbours. One that foresees their total withdrawal from the West Bank and an international administration to Jerusalem, that is.
Cynical world.
Citizenship: The occupier dictates the rules (Haaretz)
When the occupier defines 'justice'
According to the rules of occupation, when a Palestinian kills an Israeli- soldier or civilian - his government is considered as co-responsible and he is condemned to life imprisonment. The nameof the Palestinian, his picture and details of his indictment will be published.When an Israeli soldier kills Palestinian civilians, nothing happens. They and those who sent them are never criminals, suspects, accused or convicts, claims newspaper Haaretz (Israel), who denounces a two-speed justice.
Read more in Haaretz:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/753674.html
Meanwhile, Amnesty International says that Israel committed war crimes in Lebanon campaign. According to the Associated Press, in a report released Wednesday, August 23, Amnesty International accuses Israel of war crimes, saying it broke international law by deliberately destroying Lebanon's civilian infrastructure during its recent war with Hezbollah guerrillas.The human rights group said initial evidence, including the pattern and scope of the Israeli attacks, high number of civilian casualties, widespread damage and statements by Israeli officials "indicate that such destruction was deliberate and part of a military strategy, rather than 'collateral damage.'"Amnesty International, whose delegates monitored the fighting in both Israel and Lebanon, said Israel violated international laws banning direct attacks on civilians and barring indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.
Read: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/753972.html
According to the rules of occupation, when a Palestinian kills an Israeli- soldier or civilian - his government is considered as co-responsible and he is condemned to life imprisonment. The nameof the Palestinian, his picture and details of his indictment will be published.When an Israeli soldier kills Palestinian civilians, nothing happens. They and those who sent them are never criminals, suspects, accused or convicts, claims newspaper Haaretz (Israel), who denounces a two-speed justice.
Read more in Haaretz:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/753674.html
Meanwhile, Amnesty International says that Israel committed war crimes in Lebanon campaign. According to the Associated Press, in a report released Wednesday, August 23, Amnesty International accuses Israel of war crimes, saying it broke international law by deliberately destroying Lebanon's civilian infrastructure during its recent war with Hezbollah guerrillas.The human rights group said initial evidence, including the pattern and scope of the Israeli attacks, high number of civilian casualties, widespread damage and statements by Israeli officials "indicate that such destruction was deliberate and part of a military strategy, rather than 'collateral damage.'"Amnesty International, whose delegates monitored the fighting in both Israel and Lebanon, said Israel violated international laws banning direct attacks on civilians and barring indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.
Read: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/753972.html
Citizenship: meanwhile in Darfour...
[source: IHT]
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/21/opinion/edgrono.php
The Darfur Peace Agreement, signed in May, is on the verge of collapse, and more than two million people continue to languish in refugee camps. And Sudan has been keen to use the international crisis while international attention is tuned elsewhere...
Meanwhile the United Nations and its member states fiddle, gently trying to persuade the government of Sudan to accept a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, but getting nowhere. That's not surprising, as, over the last 15 years, constructive engagement with Khartoum has rarely produced results. Only when it has been subject to real pressure has the regime changed its behavior. It was tough UN and U.S. sanctions in the 1990s that forced Khartoum to cut its ties with Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Until significant costs are imposed on it, Khartoum has no incentive to stop its current campaign of atrocities - let alone agree to the deployment of a UN force, disarm the janjaweed militias, and implement its other obligations under the Darfur Peace Agreement. UN member states must change the calculus of self-interest for the Sudanese regime, and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to target its sources of illicit income and unravel the Sudanese leadership's shadowy web of commercial interests.
Targeting the ruling party's assets and those of its security agencies and fraudulent charities could inflict real damage on the regime's ability to sustain its ethnic cleansing campaign
Appeals to Khartoum's conscience, and requests for its assistance in winding back its ethnic cleansing campaign, are destined to fail.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/21/opinion/edgrono.php
The Darfur Peace Agreement, signed in May, is on the verge of collapse, and more than two million people continue to languish in refugee camps. And Sudan has been keen to use the international crisis while international attention is tuned elsewhere...
Meanwhile the United Nations and its member states fiddle, gently trying to persuade the government of Sudan to accept a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, but getting nowhere. That's not surprising, as, over the last 15 years, constructive engagement with Khartoum has rarely produced results. Only when it has been subject to real pressure has the regime changed its behavior. It was tough UN and U.S. sanctions in the 1990s that forced Khartoum to cut its ties with Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Until significant costs are imposed on it, Khartoum has no incentive to stop its current campaign of atrocities - let alone agree to the deployment of a UN force, disarm the janjaweed militias, and implement its other obligations under the Darfur Peace Agreement. UN member states must change the calculus of self-interest for the Sudanese regime, and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to target its sources of illicit income and unravel the Sudanese leadership's shadowy web of commercial interests.
Targeting the ruling party's assets and those of its security agencies and fraudulent charities could inflict real damage on the regime's ability to sustain its ethnic cleansing campaign
Appeals to Khartoum's conscience, and requests for its assistance in winding back its ethnic cleansing campaign, are destined to fail.
Citizenship: 50 million EUROS ! and much more...
50 000 000 EUROS:
C'est le coût en euros du nettoyage de la marée noire qui souille le littoral libanais après un bombardement israélien sur des cuves au nord de Beyrouth. 100 tonnes de fioul ont été récupérées sur les 10 000 à 15 000 tonnes de mazout répandues. (source: Le Monde Digital)
Et le coût de la destruction (non nécessaire!) de routes, ponts, aéroports, ports, maisons et autres infrastructures civiles? Qui paie? Israel DOIT payer! Il doit y avoir des règles internationales sur ceci. Pas la communauté internationale, elle ne doit pas, une fois de plus, payer. Ou fera t'on comme avec la Palestine? l'Union européenne paie, Israel détruit! mais c'est quoi ce bordel? Basta! Européens dites non! Mon je refuse que mon argent comme contribuable soit usé pour payer ce que Israel a détruit..
EUR 50,000,000:
That's the cost in euros of the cleaning of the oil which reached the Lebanese littoral after an Israeli bombardment on tanks in the north of Beirut. 100 tons of fuel were recovered out of the 10 000 to 15 000 tons of fuel oil widespread.
What about tha cost of the destruction (unnecessary of course) of roads, bridges, airports, ports, houses and other civilian infrastructure? Who pays? Israel MUST pay! There must be some international rules about these costs. The international community should not pay yet again. Or will they do as with Palestina?... Israel destroys, Europe pays. What is this? European taxpayer say NO! I, as taxpayer, refuse that my money will go to pay what Israel has destroyed.
C'est le coût en euros du nettoyage de la marée noire qui souille le littoral libanais après un bombardement israélien sur des cuves au nord de Beyrouth. 100 tonnes de fioul ont été récupérées sur les 10 000 à 15 000 tonnes de mazout répandues. (source: Le Monde Digital)
Et le coût de la destruction (non nécessaire!) de routes, ponts, aéroports, ports, maisons et autres infrastructures civiles? Qui paie? Israel DOIT payer! Il doit y avoir des règles internationales sur ceci. Pas la communauté internationale, elle ne doit pas, une fois de plus, payer. Ou fera t'on comme avec la Palestine? l'Union européenne paie, Israel détruit! mais c'est quoi ce bordel? Basta! Européens dites non! Mon je refuse que mon argent comme contribuable soit usé pour payer ce que Israel a détruit..
EUR 50,000,000:
That's the cost in euros of the cleaning of the oil which reached the Lebanese littoral after an Israeli bombardment on tanks in the north of Beirut. 100 tons of fuel were recovered out of the 10 000 to 15 000 tons of fuel oil widespread.
What about tha cost of the destruction (unnecessary of course) of roads, bridges, airports, ports, houses and other civilian infrastructure? Who pays? Israel MUST pay! There must be some international rules about these costs. The international community should not pay yet again. Or will they do as with Palestina?... Israel destroys, Europe pays. What is this? European taxpayer say NO! I, as taxpayer, refuse that my money will go to pay what Israel has destroyed.
Politics: the Israelis' doubts
Even Israelis now question the effects of unilateralism and the failure of the military approach: Read further: Haaretz , tribune
[lu dans Le Monde digital]
"Même les israeliens se questionnent maintenant sur les résultats de son unilatéralisme et sur l'échec de l'approche militaire Israël : les "colombes" se font à nouveau entendre. Jugée nécessaire en Israël et inévitable au Liban, la guerre a paru faire consensus dans la presse du Proche-Orient pendant tout le temps qu'elle a duré. Haaretz (Tel-Aviv), qui a fermement soutenu l'intervention de Tsahal, ouvre à nouveau largement ses colonnes aux pacifistes. Comment se fait-il que le Liban et Gaza nous aient attaqués alors que nous avions libéré leur territoire, s'interroge Daniel Ben Simon dans le quotidien de centre gauche. Le journaliste répond : "Aussi bien le massacre à Gaza après le désengagement que la guerre au Liban prouvent l'échec de l'approche unilatérale" d'Israël. Puis il prévient : "Si Olmert (...) n'ouvre pas vite le dialogue avec les Libanais, les Palestiniens et les Syriens, le désespoir pourrait pousser les Israéliens vers des solutions extrêmes." Plus ironique, une autre tribune d'Haaretz, intitulée "Les pièges du machisme", compare l'intervention de Tsahal à un "spasme impulsif" et rappelle que "depuis 1973, Israël n'a pas réussi à apporter des solutions militaires à des questions géopolitiques". Le ton du &Jerusalem Post reste belliqueux, mais un analyste du quotidien conservateur reconnaît lui aussi l'impasse de l'unilatéralisme."
[lu dans Le Monde digital]
"Même les israeliens se questionnent maintenant sur les résultats de son unilatéralisme et sur l'échec de l'approche militaire Israël : les "colombes" se font à nouveau entendre. Jugée nécessaire en Israël et inévitable au Liban, la guerre a paru faire consensus dans la presse du Proche-Orient pendant tout le temps qu'elle a duré. Haaretz (Tel-Aviv), qui a fermement soutenu l'intervention de Tsahal, ouvre à nouveau largement ses colonnes aux pacifistes. Comment se fait-il que le Liban et Gaza nous aient attaqués alors que nous avions libéré leur territoire, s'interroge Daniel Ben Simon dans le quotidien de centre gauche. Le journaliste répond : "Aussi bien le massacre à Gaza après le désengagement que la guerre au Liban prouvent l'échec de l'approche unilatérale" d'Israël. Puis il prévient : "Si Olmert (...) n'ouvre pas vite le dialogue avec les Libanais, les Palestiniens et les Syriens, le désespoir pourrait pousser les Israéliens vers des solutions extrêmes." Plus ironique, une autre tribune d'Haaretz, intitulée "Les pièges du machisme", compare l'intervention de Tsahal à un "spasme impulsif" et rappelle que "depuis 1973, Israël n'a pas réussi à apporter des solutions militaires à des questions géopolitiques". Le ton du &Jerusalem Post reste belliqueux, mais un analyste du quotidien conservateur reconnaît lui aussi l'impasse de l'unilatéralisme."
Politics: Washington’s interests in Israel’s war
WATCHING LEBANON
Washington’s interests in Israel’s war
In an article written in the New Yorker by Seymour Hersh, “According to a Middle East expert with knowledge of the current thinking of both the Israeli and the U.S. governments, Israel had devised a plan for attacking Hezbollah—and shared it with Bush Administration officials—well before the July 12th kidnappings. “It’s not that the Israelis had a trap that Hezbollah walked into,” he said, “but there was a strong feeling in the White House that sooner or later the Israelis were going to do it.” (…) “The Middle East expert said that the Administration had several reasons for supporting the Israeli bombing campaign. Within the State Department, it was seen as a way to strengthen the Lebanese government so that it could assert its authority over the south of the country, much of which is controlled by Hezbollah”.
Read further: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060821fa_fact
Washington’s interests in Israel’s war
In an article written in the New Yorker by Seymour Hersh, “According to a Middle East expert with knowledge of the current thinking of both the Israeli and the U.S. governments, Israel had devised a plan for attacking Hezbollah—and shared it with Bush Administration officials—well before the July 12th kidnappings. “It’s not that the Israelis had a trap that Hezbollah walked into,” he said, “but there was a strong feeling in the White House that sooner or later the Israelis were going to do it.” (…) “The Middle East expert said that the Administration had several reasons for supporting the Israeli bombing campaign. Within the State Department, it was seen as a way to strengthen the Lebanese government so that it could assert its authority over the south of the country, much of which is controlled by Hezbollah”.
Read further: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060821fa_fact
Cidadania: A debacle israelita
[PT]
Como Ilan Pappe escreve (e bem!) em Znet, "os comentadores israelitas dizem que a guerra, que era suposta devolver a Israel o seu poder de dissuasão, corroeu ainda mais essa capacidade”. "Noutras sociedades, o sentido comum ditaria que a ‘derrota’ conduziria a re-equacionar o uso do poder militar - mas não em Israel. O perigo é que a consequência venha a ser o uso de mais força para re-conquistar o domínio perdido."
A verdade é que a guerra não resolveu nenhum problema e pode mesmo ter contribuído para piorar a situação, levando a uma escalada de violência. Os próximos dias/semanas dirão da capacidade da comunidade internacional, da ONU, da Europa e dos E.U.A. para controlar a situação. Uma coisa é certa, ao contrário do que todos os neo-cons e neo-qualquer-merda têm escrito ultimamente – e em particular em Portugal e no jornal Publico (justificando e apelando à guerra e ao uso da força como a única solução), a guerra e a força NÃO são a solução aos problemas do Médio Oriente, nem em lugar nenhum no mundo. A diplomacia é a única via possível, além de ser a única civilizada. A menos que queiram retroceder vários séculos, desrespeitar leis internacionais e todo o progresso humano (que algum houve apesar de tudo).
Mas essas pessoas, muitos “pretensos” jornalistas e opinion makers ignorantes, apenas têm tais opiniões porque não vivem nestes territórios, porque a guerra acontece bem longe deles. Não são eles quem vê o seu vizinho, pai, irmã, etc, a morer. Não têm que ir para a guerra, matar e podendo ser alvos dos tiros inimigos, não vivem o horror da destruição. Nem são certamente os seus filhos que lá estão. Não viveram a segunda guerra mundial nem outras. Talvez devam ir uma vez, com os soldados israelitas, com os guerrilheiros do Hezbollah, para conhecer o verdadeiro sabor da violência. E talvez então se abstenham de escrever asneiras.
Como Ilan Pappe escreve (e bem!) em Znet, "os comentadores israelitas dizem que a guerra, que era suposta devolver a Israel o seu poder de dissuasão, corroeu ainda mais essa capacidade”. "Noutras sociedades, o sentido comum ditaria que a ‘derrota’ conduziria a re-equacionar o uso do poder militar - mas não em Israel. O perigo é que a consequência venha a ser o uso de mais força para re-conquistar o domínio perdido."
A verdade é que a guerra não resolveu nenhum problema e pode mesmo ter contribuído para piorar a situação, levando a uma escalada de violência. Os próximos dias/semanas dirão da capacidade da comunidade internacional, da ONU, da Europa e dos E.U.A. para controlar a situação. Uma coisa é certa, ao contrário do que todos os neo-cons e neo-qualquer-merda têm escrito ultimamente – e em particular em Portugal e no jornal Publico (justificando e apelando à guerra e ao uso da força como a única solução), a guerra e a força NÃO são a solução aos problemas do Médio Oriente, nem em lugar nenhum no mundo. A diplomacia é a única via possível, além de ser a única civilizada. A menos que queiram retroceder vários séculos, desrespeitar leis internacionais e todo o progresso humano (que algum houve apesar de tudo).
Mas essas pessoas, muitos “pretensos” jornalistas e opinion makers ignorantes, apenas têm tais opiniões porque não vivem nestes territórios, porque a guerra acontece bem longe deles. Não são eles quem vê o seu vizinho, pai, irmã, etc, a morer. Não têm que ir para a guerra, matar e podendo ser alvos dos tiros inimigos, não vivem o horror da destruição. Nem são certamente os seus filhos que lá estão. Não viveram a segunda guerra mundial nem outras. Talvez devam ir uma vez, com os soldados israelitas, com os guerrilheiros do Hezbollah, para conhecer o verdadeiro sabor da violência. E talvez então se abstenham de escrever asneiras.
Politics: The Isreali debacle
[EN]
As Ilan Pappe writes (well) in Znet magazine, “Israeli commentators say the war that meant to regain Israel its lost power of deterrence has eroded that power even further. In other societies common sense would have dictated that such a defeat would lead to a rethinking over the usage of military power - but not in Israel. The danger is that the conclusion would be to use more force to regain that lost deterrence.”
The truth is that the power of war has not solved any problem and may have even left the situation worse. The coming days/ weeks will also tell what the capacity is from the international community, the UN and the US, to control the situation.
One thing is true. Contrary to what all those new neo-cons and neo-whatever-shit have been writing - namely in the newspaper Publico - (justifying and appealing to the war, to the use of force as the only solution), war and force are NOT the solution to the problems in the Middle east, nor anywhere else in the world. Diplomacy is the only possible way. Unless they want to go back many centuries, disrespecting international laws and the Human progress (there has been some after all). But such people, as many supposed “journalists” and ignorant opinion makers, only have such opinions because they do not live in these territories. They are not those who see their neighbour, father, sister being killed. They do not have to go to war and see the horror of destruction. They did not live world war II nor others. Maybe they should go once, with the Israeli soldiers, with the Hezbollah fighters, to get a real taste. And maybe they would abstain from writing bullshit.
As Ilan Pappe writes (well) in Znet magazine, “Israeli commentators say the war that meant to regain Israel its lost power of deterrence has eroded that power even further. In other societies common sense would have dictated that such a defeat would lead to a rethinking over the usage of military power - but not in Israel. The danger is that the conclusion would be to use more force to regain that lost deterrence.”
The truth is that the power of war has not solved any problem and may have even left the situation worse. The coming days/ weeks will also tell what the capacity is from the international community, the UN and the US, to control the situation.
One thing is true. Contrary to what all those new neo-cons and neo-whatever-shit have been writing - namely in the newspaper Publico - (justifying and appealing to the war, to the use of force as the only solution), war and force are NOT the solution to the problems in the Middle east, nor anywhere else in the world. Diplomacy is the only possible way. Unless they want to go back many centuries, disrespecting international laws and the Human progress (there has been some after all). But such people, as many supposed “journalists” and ignorant opinion makers, only have such opinions because they do not live in these territories. They are not those who see their neighbour, father, sister being killed. They do not have to go to war and see the horror of destruction. They did not live world war II nor others. Maybe they should go once, with the Israeli soldiers, with the Hezbollah fighters, to get a real taste. And maybe they would abstain from writing bullshit.
Citizenship: Swedes, Dutch and Danes do most for world's poor
Among the world's richest nations, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark do most to curb global poverty, a new report suggests - as read in the EU Observer.
The "Commitment to Development" index conducted by the Center for Global Development (CGD), a Washington-based think tank, lists twenty-one rich countries according to their development policies in areas such as aid, trade or investment. Among the EU member states included, Greece, Italy and France feature at the bottom of the table. Spain and Portugal do a little better, coming just before. Japan comes in last on the list due its low aid donations and high barriers to imports and migrants from poorer nations. The UK - one of the loudest supporters of the pro-development agenda in 2005 - only comes in 12th in the annual index.
But it tops the table in terms of investment in poor countries and in its global environment policies.
CGD president Nancy Birdsall said there was a "steady" improvement in commitment to poverty reduction in recent years but it still falls short of promises by top politicians. Washington was particularly criticised as although it donates the largest amount in absolute terms it is the smallest amount in relation to the size of its economy.
Part of the US' aid is also contingent on the purchase of the country's goods, notes the report.
On the other hand, the US and three other non-European countries - New Zealand, Australia and Canada - feature as the best in terms of trade, as their barriers to exports from developing countries are not as high as those from some EU member states evaluated in the Commitment to Development Index.
Read further.
The "Commitment to Development" index conducted by the Center for Global Development (CGD), a Washington-based think tank, lists twenty-one rich countries according to their development policies in areas such as aid, trade or investment. Among the EU member states included, Greece, Italy and France feature at the bottom of the table. Spain and Portugal do a little better, coming just before. Japan comes in last on the list due its low aid donations and high barriers to imports and migrants from poorer nations. The UK - one of the loudest supporters of the pro-development agenda in 2005 - only comes in 12th in the annual index.
But it tops the table in terms of investment in poor countries and in its global environment policies.
CGD president Nancy Birdsall said there was a "steady" improvement in commitment to poverty reduction in recent years but it still falls short of promises by top politicians. Washington was particularly criticised as although it donates the largest amount in absolute terms it is the smallest amount in relation to the size of its economy.
Part of the US' aid is also contingent on the purchase of the country's goods, notes the report.
On the other hand, the US and three other non-European countries - New Zealand, Australia and Canada - feature as the best in terms of trade, as their barriers to exports from developing countries are not as high as those from some EU member states evaluated in the Commitment to Development Index.
Read further.
23 août 2006
21 août 2006
The YouTube effect
Youtube, the videosharing website, shows the language discrepancies of politicians. The newspaper NYT to the title "The YouTube Election" questions whether this "democratisation" is actually helping to serve politics. What you think?
To the NYT, "August, usually the sleepiest month in politics, has suddenly become raucous, thanks in part to YouTube, the vast videosharing Web site".
Recently, Senator George Allen, a Virginia Republican candidate, was caught on tape at a campaign event twice calling a college student of Indian descent, attending the meeting, a “macaca,” which is an obscure racial insult. The Senator even went on to add "welcome to America, to Virginia, to the real world". The student, born and raised in Allen's state, working for the opposing campaign, taped the comments, and the video quickly made it to YouTube, where it rocketed to the top of the site’s most-viewed list. It then escaped from the Web to the front page of The Washington Post and to cable and network television news shows, such as the ABC news. As reported by the NYT, "despite two public apologies by Senator Allen, and his aides', quick explanations for how the strange word tumbled out, political analysts rushed to downgrade Mr. Allen’s stock as a leading contender for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination."
No comments.
To the NYT, "August, usually the sleepiest month in politics, has suddenly become raucous, thanks in part to YouTube, the vast videosharing Web site".
Recently, Senator George Allen, a Virginia Republican candidate, was caught on tape at a campaign event twice calling a college student of Indian descent, attending the meeting, a “macaca,” which is an obscure racial insult. The Senator even went on to add "welcome to America, to Virginia, to the real world". The student, born and raised in Allen's state, working for the opposing campaign, taped the comments, and the video quickly made it to YouTube, where it rocketed to the top of the site’s most-viewed list. It then escaped from the Web to the front page of The Washington Post and to cable and network television news shows, such as the ABC news. As reported by the NYT, "despite two public apologies by Senator Allen, and his aides', quick explanations for how the strange word tumbled out, political analysts rushed to downgrade Mr. Allen’s stock as a leading contender for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination."
No comments.
18 août 2006
Cinema: "The devil wears Prada"
Coming soon, to a cinema near you...
The film "The devil wears prada" is based in the novel with the same title written by Lauren Weisberger, published in 2003. It tells the story of a naive young woman who comes to New York and scores a job as the assistant to one of the city's biggest magazine editors, the ruthless and cynical Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Apparently it is inspired in the personal experience of the author, when she worked for Vogue and in Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The movie is supposed to be more interesting than the book, if one is allowed to compare both things.
Anyway, it is yet another come back for actrice Meryl Streep, after last year's "Prime". Apparently, Stanley Tucci, acting as a gay journalist, is also excellent. Must see…
It is not foreseen when it will come out in Belgium. In Paris it comes out next 27 September.
[fr]
Le film "Le diable s'habille en prada" est basé sur le livre du même nom écrit par Lauren Weisberger, publié en 2003. Il raconte l'histoire d'Andrea, fraîchement diplômée, qui débarque à New York et décroche le job de rêve. Mais en tant qu'assistante de la tyrannique rédactrice en chef d'un prestigieux magazine de mode - Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) - elle va vite découvrir ce que le mot "enfer" veut dire. Le film est censé être inspire de l'expérience de l'auteur, ayant travaillé pour le magazine Vogue et par son éditeur chefe Anna Wintour. Il semble que le film est plus intéressant que le livre, si l'on peut se permettre de les comparer.
Il marque encore le retour de Meryl Streep, après le film "Prime" de l'année derrière. Il semble que Stanley Tucci, jouant le rôle d'un journaliste gay est aussi excellent. A voir…
La date de sortie en Belgique n'est pas encore prévue, mais à Paris ce sera le 27 September prochain.
Politics: The European Counterweight
Is Europe a "Leaderless Superpower"? Why does the European Union exist? Which is its "raison d'être", and its goals? Is Europe "poised to become a vast federal superstate"? Does it seek to be a “counterweight” to U.S. global interests? Does Europe want to replace America as the world’s leading superpower? Or doesn't Europe aspire to have a dominating role (and certainly not military) in the world? Will economic interests replace military rule in the world, as it has in Europe and will the EU be a key player then? and has the will to challenge the political, financial and military muscle of the two superpowers (the US and formerly, the USSR) been a key motivator for the Europeans to unify?
These are some of the questions that the article "The European Counterweight", published in the American "real truth" website (from a religious organisation). From a north-american perspective, the article analyses some of these questions and provides an interesting insight into Europe's place and ambitions in the world arena.
As they write, "today, the EU has the economic clout necessary to make many of the rules that shape and govern world commerce". "Europe finds itself at a major crossroads: continue on its present course and remain in America’s shadow, while flexing its diplomatic and economic muscles like a passive-aggressive giant—or take the lead role on the world stage and become a dominant superpower."
Robert Kagan, (senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) quoted in the article, observed that “In an anarchic world, small powers always fear they will be victims. Great powers, on the other hand, often fear rules that may constrain them more than they fear the anarchy in which their power brings security and prosperity. (…) [Europe’s] tactics, like their goal, are the tactics of the weak. They hope to constrain American power without wielding power themselves. In what may be the ultimate feat of subtlety and indirection, they want to control the behemoth [the U.S.] by appealing to its conscience” [Policy Review, No. 113, “Power and Weakness”].
Yet, according to the article, what if the EU began to view America as unreasonable [as it is increasingly, in particular under the Bush administration], without a “conscience”? How would it react? Would Europe, perhaps feeling justified, again embrace its former, centuries-old tactics of machtpolitik (“power politics”) and flex its military muscle? Would Europe wish to become a world power to counterweight the US?
However, the article goes on, "European politicians and academics tend to view the use of military force as a relic held over from the era of colonialism and world-spanning empires. In their secular thinking, war is judged as a waste of time and money, and is immoral."
They consider that Europe is faced with numerous obstacles and challenges: "dealing with Russia and its competing interests; the growing economic threat of a China-India trade alliance; the continual Europe-wide need for oil; the rising tide of secularism, as the Vatican repeatedly calls for Europe to return to its spiritual roots; a growing and restless European Muslim population that could one day become the majority; terrorism from Islamic extremists; deciding whether to grant Turkey, an Islamic country, EU membership—the list goes on. (...) Europe’s future will be determined by how it deals with these and other issues." And they conclude that "Many believe that, because it is mired in bureaucracy and is severely limited by its system of governance by committee, Europe is incapable of choosing the latter path."
On the whole the article is quite interesting, yet some comments are tendentious, as when it is assumed that "religious convictions and practices among Europeans are fading from people’s lives, only to be replaced with increasing materialism and permissiveness", which is quite surprising for an American viewpoint…
These are some of the questions that the article "The European Counterweight", published in the American "real truth" website (from a religious organisation). From a north-american perspective, the article analyses some of these questions and provides an interesting insight into Europe's place and ambitions in the world arena.
As they write, "today, the EU has the economic clout necessary to make many of the rules that shape and govern world commerce". "Europe finds itself at a major crossroads: continue on its present course and remain in America’s shadow, while flexing its diplomatic and economic muscles like a passive-aggressive giant—or take the lead role on the world stage and become a dominant superpower."
Robert Kagan, (senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) quoted in the article, observed that “In an anarchic world, small powers always fear they will be victims. Great powers, on the other hand, often fear rules that may constrain them more than they fear the anarchy in which their power brings security and prosperity. (…) [Europe’s] tactics, like their goal, are the tactics of the weak. They hope to constrain American power without wielding power themselves. In what may be the ultimate feat of subtlety and indirection, they want to control the behemoth [the U.S.] by appealing to its conscience” [Policy Review, No. 113, “Power and Weakness”].
Yet, according to the article, what if the EU began to view America as unreasonable [as it is increasingly, in particular under the Bush administration], without a “conscience”? How would it react? Would Europe, perhaps feeling justified, again embrace its former, centuries-old tactics of machtpolitik (“power politics”) and flex its military muscle? Would Europe wish to become a world power to counterweight the US?
However, the article goes on, "European politicians and academics tend to view the use of military force as a relic held over from the era of colonialism and world-spanning empires. In their secular thinking, war is judged as a waste of time and money, and is immoral."
They consider that Europe is faced with numerous obstacles and challenges: "dealing with Russia and its competing interests; the growing economic threat of a China-India trade alliance; the continual Europe-wide need for oil; the rising tide of secularism, as the Vatican repeatedly calls for Europe to return to its spiritual roots; a growing and restless European Muslim population that could one day become the majority; terrorism from Islamic extremists; deciding whether to grant Turkey, an Islamic country, EU membership—the list goes on. (...) Europe’s future will be determined by how it deals with these and other issues." And they conclude that "Many believe that, because it is mired in bureaucracy and is severely limited by its system of governance by committee, Europe is incapable of choosing the latter path."
On the whole the article is quite interesting, yet some comments are tendentious, as when it is assumed that "religious convictions and practices among Europeans are fading from people’s lives, only to be replaced with increasing materialism and permissiveness", which is quite surprising for an American viewpoint…
17 août 2006
Cinema: nouveaux films
L'été approche de la fin (clima oblige aussi...), la nouvelle 'saison' de cinéma commence lentement et l'on voit de nouveaux films sortir dans les salles (et aussi de nouveaux CDs être lancés, heureusement parce qu'en été le marché a été très pauvre... mais ça sera le thème d'un prochain article).
Deux films en particulier m'ont pris l'attention en ce moment: "La science des rêves", le tout nouveau film de Michel Gondry (celui de "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind") qui vient finalement de sortir à Paris et "Paris je t'aime" qui sortira à Bruxelles le mercredi 23 août.
La science des rêves raconte l'histoire de Stéphane Miroux (Gaël Garcia Bernal), venu travailler à Paris dans une entreprise fabriquant des calendriers, et qui y mène une vie monotone qu'il compense par ses rêves. Il s'invente une émission de télévision sur le rêve et un jour fait la connaissance de Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), sa voisine, dont il tombe amoureux. Pour la séduire, Stéphane utilise son imagination, là où il est roi. Prometeur!
"Paris je t'aime" est au fond une déclaration d'amour au cinéma et à Paris, une oeuvre collective autour de l'amour, pas fixée dans le passé mais bien contemporaine. Le défi, pour les quelques 18 réalisateurs, montrer en 5 minutes l'histoire d'une rencontre amoureuse dans un quartier de Paris. La ville de Paris, réinventée par 18 réalisateurs de renommée internationale, parmis lesquels Gus Van Sant, Joel et Ethan Coen, Walter Salles, Isabel Coixet, Alfonso Cuaron, Olivier Assayas, Wes Craven, Tom Tykwer, Gena Rowlands, Gérard Depardieu.
Avec des acteurs de renommée aussi, comme Fanny Ardant, Juliette Binoche, Sergio Castellitto, Willem Dafoe, Ben Gazzara, Nick Nolte, Natalie Portman (THE BEST ONE!), Gena Rowlands, Ludivine Sagnier, Leonor Watling , Miranda Richardson et Barbet Schroeder, entre autres... A voir, absolument!
Deux films en particulier m'ont pris l'attention en ce moment: "La science des rêves", le tout nouveau film de Michel Gondry (celui de "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind") qui vient finalement de sortir à Paris et "Paris je t'aime" qui sortira à Bruxelles le mercredi 23 août.
La science des rêves raconte l'histoire de Stéphane Miroux (Gaël Garcia Bernal), venu travailler à Paris dans une entreprise fabriquant des calendriers, et qui y mène une vie monotone qu'il compense par ses rêves. Il s'invente une émission de télévision sur le rêve et un jour fait la connaissance de Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), sa voisine, dont il tombe amoureux. Pour la séduire, Stéphane utilise son imagination, là où il est roi. Prometeur!
"Paris je t'aime" est au fond une déclaration d'amour au cinéma et à Paris, une oeuvre collective autour de l'amour, pas fixée dans le passé mais bien contemporaine. Le défi, pour les quelques 18 réalisateurs, montrer en 5 minutes l'histoire d'une rencontre amoureuse dans un quartier de Paris. La ville de Paris, réinventée par 18 réalisateurs de renommée internationale, parmis lesquels Gus Van Sant, Joel et Ethan Coen, Walter Salles, Isabel Coixet, Alfonso Cuaron, Olivier Assayas, Wes Craven, Tom Tykwer, Gena Rowlands, Gérard Depardieu.
Avec des acteurs de renommée aussi, comme Fanny Ardant, Juliette Binoche, Sergio Castellitto, Willem Dafoe, Ben Gazzara, Nick Nolte, Natalie Portman (THE BEST ONE!), Gena Rowlands, Ludivine Sagnier, Leonor Watling , Miranda Richardson et Barbet Schroeder, entre autres... A voir, absolument!
Politics: Is a Democratic Wave Building in the US?
According to recent surveys in the US, a Democratic wave may be building that will sweep Republicans out of a House majority in November. To the question "if the congressional election were held today, would you vote for the Democratic candidate in your district or the Republican candidate?", the margin of 13.4 percent that showed Democrats ahead six months ago, has now increased to some 18 percent in some polls. And surveys have been showing a considerable Democratic advantage for more than a year and are in line with other questions testing the mood of the electorate like presidential and congressional job approval ratings and right direction/wrong track numbers.
Right now, President Bush's average job approval number in the polls cited by the Washington Post's blog is only 36 percent while his average disapproval is 58 percent! The average approval rating for Congress is even smaller - 29.6 percent and its disapproval is 62.3 percent. Approximately 26 percent of those tested in the surveys mentioned are satisfied with the direction of the country while a whopping 69 percent are dissatisfied!
To me these figures come as no surprise… They just come a bit late..
Read more…
Right now, President Bush's average job approval number in the polls cited by the Washington Post's blog is only 36 percent while his average disapproval is 58 percent! The average approval rating for Congress is even smaller - 29.6 percent and its disapproval is 62.3 percent. Approximately 26 percent of those tested in the surveys mentioned are satisfied with the direction of the country while a whopping 69 percent are dissatisfied!
To me these figures come as no surprise… They just come a bit late..
Read more…
10 août 2006
Economy: paper on globalisation
Globalisation, defined as an increasingly integrated world economy, has the potential to generate the largest structural upheaval in economies since the industrial revolution. As in the past, this process is being underpinned by both technological change and by a shift in policies in many countries towards a more open, market based, system of economic governance. These policies reflect the realities of a new world order where knowledge creation and absorption and the flexibility of the regulatory and institutional frameworks will be the key determinants of the economic fortunes of economies. This paper, which was prepared by the EU Commission's Economic and financial services, examines the historical empirical evidence regarding globalisation and quantifies the macro benefits and costs for the EU over the coming decades.
Check the paper at the European Commission's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/economic_papers/
2006/economicpapers254_en.htm
[fr]
La Commission européenne vient de rendre publique une étude (economic paper) realisé par trois économistes de sa direction générale des affaires économiques et financières, Cécile Denis, Kieran Mc Morrow et Werner Röger. Ce travail, précisent-ils, n'engage que ses auteurs et ne correspond pas nécessairement au point de vue de leur institution. Les "messages clés" de ce document d'une centaine de pages n'en reflètent pas moins les idées que la Commission européenne ne cesse de défendre. On peut les résumer ainsi : l'Europe ne doit pas avoir peur de la mondialisation, qui lui a procuré dans le passé des avantages importants et qui devrait lui en procurer encore dans l'avenir, si elle se montre capable de se réformer pour répondre à ses exigences, en suivant les orientations définies par la "stratégie de Lisbonne", fixée en 2000 et révisée en 2005.
Lisez l'étude sur:
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/economic_papers/
2006/economicpapers254_en.htm
09 août 2006
Politics: The Polish twins are dragging Poland back in time
Is Poland slowly but surely moving towards the same level of respect for fundamental rights and human rights as Turkey, as a conservative European parliamentarian recently said?
Recently, one of the twins, President Lech, has suggested the EU should reconsider its ban on the death penalty, which has alarmed other members of the European Union. It should be noted that the ban of the death penalty is a precondition to become part of the Union. They later corrected the shot, indicating that they were not aiming to make any such proposal right now. But in the meantime Europe knows better what to expect from the present polish government.
Meanwhile, one of the EU's largest new member, is attracting increasing condemnation and ridicule amid the twins' (and other members of the Law and Justice party (PiS) & the ultra-Catholic League of Polish Families, in the government) regular colourful expression of their extremist views on issues from homosexuality - which they equate with paedophilia - to anti-Semitism, racism and the slighting of most minorities.
Read more in the artcle publsished in the
Recently, one of the twins, President Lech, has suggested the EU should reconsider its ban on the death penalty, which has alarmed other members of the European Union. It should be noted that the ban of the death penalty is a precondition to become part of the Union. They later corrected the shot, indicating that they were not aiming to make any such proposal right now. But in the meantime Europe knows better what to expect from the present polish government.
Meanwhile, one of the EU's largest new member, is attracting increasing condemnation and ridicule amid the twins' (and other members of the Law and Justice party (PiS) & the ultra-Catholic League of Polish Families, in the government) regular colourful expression of their extremist views on issues from homosexuality - which they equate with paedophilia - to anti-Semitism, racism and the slighting of most minorities.
Read more in the artcle publsished in the
Politics: The worst President in North American History?
"The Worst President in History?" To this title, one of America's leading historians (by Sean Wilentz) assesses George W. Bush's presidency. According to the article his presidency appears headed for colossal historical disgrace. "Barring a cataclysmic event on the order of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, after which the public might rally around the White House once again, there seems to be little the administration can do to avoid being ranked on the lowest tier of U.S. presidents. And that may be the best-case scenario. Many historians are now wondering whether Bush, in fact, will be remembered as the very worst president in all of American history." Read more in the
Politics: Bush’s Islamic Ignorance
According to the website of the magazine Rollingstone, US president Bush didn’t know Shiite from Sunni before he made the decision to invade Iraq. According to Tim Dickinson, from the magazine, a year after his “Axis of Evil” speech before the U.S. Congress, President Bush met with three Iraqi Americans, one of whom became postwar Iraq’s first representative to the United States. The three described what they thought would be the political situation after the fall of Saddam Hussein. During their conversation with the President, Galbraith claims, it became apparent to them that Bush was unfamiliar with the distinction between Sunnis and Shiites. [Peter] Galbraith apparently reported that the three of them spent some time explaining to Bush that there are two different religious currents in Islam–to which the President allegedly responded, “I thought the Iraqis were Muslims!”.
"Just shoot me" - wrote Tim Dickinson in the website...
"Just shoot me" - wrote Tim Dickinson in the website...
04 août 2006
Music: Festival Sudoeste - Portugal
Decorre de 3 a 6 de Agosto, na Zambujeira do Mar (Alentejo, perto de Odemira), a 10ª Edição do Maior Festival Português de Verão: o Festival SUDOESTE.
Este ano passam pelo sudoeste alentejano grupos e músicos como Prodigy, Goldfrapp, Daft Punk, Madness, Zero 7, Afrika Bambaataa, Nouvelle Vague, Cibelle, Ivan Smagghe, Final Fantasy e José Gonzaléz. Por isso, se estiver por perto, não perca!
[EN]
From 3 to 6 August takes place the 10th biggest portuguese summer music festival: Festival SUDOESTE. In Zambujeira do Mar (Alentejo, close to Odemira). This year Sudoeste festival will see big names like Prodigy, Goldfrapp, Daft Punk, Madness, Zero 7, Afrika Bambaataa, Nouvelle Vague, Cibelle, Ivan Smagghe, Final Fantasy e José Gonzaléz. So, if you’re around, don’t miss it! The festival is some 200 kms from Lisbon and some 100km from central Algarve.
03 août 2006
02 août 2006
Musica e comes e bebes: flur party @ bica
Informação do mailing list da flur: domingo,6 de agosto,4 da tarde, a bica do sapato cede o espaço e fornece o serviço, a flur escolhe a música. pode-se dançar, pode-se conversar, + outras coisas. e depois: todos convidados, meninos e meninas. acaba ao cair da noite. [e pronto, nunca estou em lisboa quando devia estar]
Cinema: Rennaissance, superbe surprise!
2054, dans un Paris labyrinthique où chaque fait et geste est contrôlé et filmé, Ilona Tasuiev, jeune scientifique jalousée par tous pour sa beauté et intelligence, est kidnappée. Avalon, l'entreprise qui l'emploie, fait pression sur Karas, policier controversé, spécialisé dans les affaires d'enlèvement, pour retrouver au plus vite la disparue. Retrouver Ilona devient vital: la jeune femme est l'enjeu d'une guerre oculte qui la dépasse. Elle a la clef d'un protocole mettant en cause le futur du genre humain. Le protocole Rennaissance.
Rennaissance est un film d'animation français superbe, par Christian Volckman, d'effets spéciaux vraiment réussi. Si vous avez l'occasion, ne le ratez surtout pas! If you have the chance, don't miss this superb animated movie. Je l'ai vu dans le cadre du cicle "Ecran Total" au cinéma Arenberg - merci Sandrine!
Cidadania: país de retrogrados ou leitores conservadores?
Segundo uma pesquisa on-line do jornal DN, iniciada a 4/7/06, para a pergunta
“Concorda com as quotas de género nas listas eleitorais?” terão até agora havido 19250 votos. Desses 93% (sim, 93%) responderam “não” (17927) enquanto apenas 6% terão respondido “sim” (1323). Resta saber se houve quotas nas respostas ou se foram apenas indivíduos do sexo masculino que responderam...
Ou os leitores do DN-on line são todos muito conservadores, ou, a ser esta amostra representativa da sociedade portuguesa, Portugal é um país de retrógrados. E nesse caso, quem precisa de cotas de género? E para quê ter sequer eleições?
No further comments.
“Concorda com as quotas de género nas listas eleitorais?” terão até agora havido 19250 votos. Desses 93% (sim, 93%) responderam “não” (17927) enquanto apenas 6% terão respondido “sim” (1323). Resta saber se houve quotas nas respostas ou se foram apenas indivíduos do sexo masculino que responderam...
Ou os leitores do DN-on line são todos muito conservadores, ou, a ser esta amostra representativa da sociedade portuguesa, Portugal é um país de retrógrados. E nesse caso, quem precisa de cotas de género? E para quê ter sequer eleições?
No further comments.
Cidadania: (in)Justiça portuguesa
Mais uma vez a Justiça portuguesa parece estar na ribalta. E não pelas melhores razões. O que choca no julgamento do caso Gisberta não são as penas ligeiras (afinal trata-se de menores e a justiça optou por não os responsabilizar, mas também não responsabilizou o Estado, responsável pelos menores). Deu assim um mau exemplo. Mas o pior é realmente o silêncio do Estado e o facto de nem sequer se ter reconhecido que se tratou de um assassinato, involuntário por ventura, mas que terminou em morte, e em condições terríveis. Mas afinal era apenas uma transsexual brasileira, debilitada pela sida. Pouco valor para a vida humana.
Apenas mais um caso da justiça portuguesa. A juntar por exemplo ao caso do apito dourado, que parece ter sido esquecido ou se calhar prescreveu, como tantos outros. Qualquer comparação com o caso de corrupção no futebol italiano é pura coincidência. Naquele país tudo ficou esclarecido e foi julgado em três meses! Caso para envergonhar a justiça portuguesa. E nem sequer já falemos de tantos outros casos de corrupção que devem desaparecer como por magia nos tribunais, ou por exemplo no caso da Casa Pia, que parece nunca mais terminar. Até que um dia tudo prescreve, por ser demasiado tarde ou porque os procedimentos legais não foram cumpridos. E porque advogados muito bem pagos são eximios em encontrar as debilidades do sitema, em favor de quem pode pagar (bem). Algo parece ir mal na justiça portuguesa.
Foi hoje conhecida a sentença do “Caso Gisberta”: os 13 menores envolvidos foram condenados a penas de internamento entre onze e 13 meses em centros educativos, segundo noticiou o jornal Público online. Afinal pouca diferença em relação à situação actual dos jovens.
Vários grupos de defesa dos direitos dos homossexuais reagiram com indignação à sentença aplicada aos 13 jovens envolvidos nos maus-tratos à transexual Gisberta Salce Júnior, e que terão levado à sua morte, em Fevereiro no Porto. “O sentimento de injustiça e de impunidade gerado por este julgamento é chocante, mas é sobretudo agravado pelo completo silêncio do poder político, que não fez ainda qualquer reflexão sobre as suas responsabilidades neste caso. Para o poder político, Gisberta parece não ter existido”, refere a Associação ILGA Portugal em comunicado. O poder judicial optou neste julgamento por “não responsabilizar” os menores, a instituição que os tutelava e o Estado, que é na opinião da ILGA o “responsável último pelos menores institucionalizados”. Para João Paulo, do Portugal Gay, e segundo a Lusa, as sentenças constituem “motivo de vergonha para toda a sociedade portuguesa e sobretudo para o sistema judicial português”. “A minha primeira sensação é de que a vida humana parece não ter qualquer valor para estes senhores juízes, até porque não foi um assassinato qualquer, foi um crime precedido de três dias de torturas cruéis a uma pessoa que já estava extremamente debilitada” (pela doença e pela fome). João Paulo fez votos para que “a família da Gisberta consiga o maior apoio possível para que possa processar o Estado português por omissão de justiça”.
+
Como (bem) escreveu Amilcar Correia no jornal Público, "Gisberta terá morrido porque não sabia nadar ou porque, sabendo-o, não o quis fazer, pelo que só se pode concluir que este foi um suicídio".
"A aplicação da Lei Tutelar Educativa aos jovens com mais de 14 anos envolvidos nas agressões à transexual Gisberta implicava a aplicação da medida mais gravosa, o internamento em regime fechado, se... Se o Tribunal de Menores do Porto, que julgou o caso, entendesse tratar-se de homicídio. O que não aconteceu. Lê-se e não se acredita. Os maus tratos continuados a que Gisberta foi sujeita durante uma semana - agredida a murro e a pontapé, com paus e com pedras, até ficar inanimada - foram uma "brincadeira de mau gosto" de um grupo de jovens que actuou de forma leviana. E que não agiu daquela forma pelo simples facto de se tratar de uma transexual, quando o mesmo tribunal deu como provada que foi a curiosidade sexual pelo corpo da brasileira que motivou as agressões. Depois de espancada várias vezes (e se não abandonou o local foi porque se encontrava num estado que a impedia de o fazer), o seu corpo foi atirado para um poço com a profundidade de 15 metros, juntamente com um barrote e certamente com alguma intenção".
E termina:
"A sentença branda do tribunal, que deu como provados crimes de ofensas à integridade física qualificada na forma consumada e crimes de profanação de cadáver na forma tentada, em nada contribui para a "educação para o Direito" de que fala a Lei Tutelar Educativa e legitima todas as dúvidas sobre se não terá sido o estatuto da vítima a ditar o desfecho do caso. A negação da existência de homicídio, como se quem matasse fosse a bala e não quem prime o gatilho, é o corolário de uma acumulação de exclusões: Gisberta, nascida Gisberto Júnior, há 46 anos em S. Paulo, imigrante ilegal, seropositiva, com hepatite, prostituta, toxicodependente e sem-abrigo. E sem ninguém que defendesse a sua dignidade afogada num poço de um prédio inacabado do Porto. O desfecho deste grave e inédito caso é tudo menos pedagógico, quer para a justiça, quer para os menores."
Apenas mais um caso da justiça portuguesa. A juntar por exemplo ao caso do apito dourado, que parece ter sido esquecido ou se calhar prescreveu, como tantos outros. Qualquer comparação com o caso de corrupção no futebol italiano é pura coincidência. Naquele país tudo ficou esclarecido e foi julgado em três meses! Caso para envergonhar a justiça portuguesa. E nem sequer já falemos de tantos outros casos de corrupção que devem desaparecer como por magia nos tribunais, ou por exemplo no caso da Casa Pia, que parece nunca mais terminar. Até que um dia tudo prescreve, por ser demasiado tarde ou porque os procedimentos legais não foram cumpridos. E porque advogados muito bem pagos são eximios em encontrar as debilidades do sitema, em favor de quem pode pagar (bem). Algo parece ir mal na justiça portuguesa.
Foi hoje conhecida a sentença do “Caso Gisberta”: os 13 menores envolvidos foram condenados a penas de internamento entre onze e 13 meses em centros educativos, segundo noticiou o jornal Público online. Afinal pouca diferença em relação à situação actual dos jovens.
Vários grupos de defesa dos direitos dos homossexuais reagiram com indignação à sentença aplicada aos 13 jovens envolvidos nos maus-tratos à transexual Gisberta Salce Júnior, e que terão levado à sua morte, em Fevereiro no Porto. “O sentimento de injustiça e de impunidade gerado por este julgamento é chocante, mas é sobretudo agravado pelo completo silêncio do poder político, que não fez ainda qualquer reflexão sobre as suas responsabilidades neste caso. Para o poder político, Gisberta parece não ter existido”, refere a Associação ILGA Portugal em comunicado. O poder judicial optou neste julgamento por “não responsabilizar” os menores, a instituição que os tutelava e o Estado, que é na opinião da ILGA o “responsável último pelos menores institucionalizados”. Para João Paulo, do Portugal Gay, e segundo a Lusa, as sentenças constituem “motivo de vergonha para toda a sociedade portuguesa e sobretudo para o sistema judicial português”. “A minha primeira sensação é de que a vida humana parece não ter qualquer valor para estes senhores juízes, até porque não foi um assassinato qualquer, foi um crime precedido de três dias de torturas cruéis a uma pessoa que já estava extremamente debilitada” (pela doença e pela fome). João Paulo fez votos para que “a família da Gisberta consiga o maior apoio possível para que possa processar o Estado português por omissão de justiça”.
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Como (bem) escreveu Amilcar Correia no jornal Público, "Gisberta terá morrido porque não sabia nadar ou porque, sabendo-o, não o quis fazer, pelo que só se pode concluir que este foi um suicídio".
"A aplicação da Lei Tutelar Educativa aos jovens com mais de 14 anos envolvidos nas agressões à transexual Gisberta implicava a aplicação da medida mais gravosa, o internamento em regime fechado, se... Se o Tribunal de Menores do Porto, que julgou o caso, entendesse tratar-se de homicídio. O que não aconteceu. Lê-se e não se acredita. Os maus tratos continuados a que Gisberta foi sujeita durante uma semana - agredida a murro e a pontapé, com paus e com pedras, até ficar inanimada - foram uma "brincadeira de mau gosto" de um grupo de jovens que actuou de forma leviana. E que não agiu daquela forma pelo simples facto de se tratar de uma transexual, quando o mesmo tribunal deu como provada que foi a curiosidade sexual pelo corpo da brasileira que motivou as agressões. Depois de espancada várias vezes (e se não abandonou o local foi porque se encontrava num estado que a impedia de o fazer), o seu corpo foi atirado para um poço com a profundidade de 15 metros, juntamente com um barrote e certamente com alguma intenção".
E termina:
"A sentença branda do tribunal, que deu como provados crimes de ofensas à integridade física qualificada na forma consumada e crimes de profanação de cadáver na forma tentada, em nada contribui para a "educação para o Direito" de que fala a Lei Tutelar Educativa e legitima todas as dúvidas sobre se não terá sido o estatuto da vítima a ditar o desfecho do caso. A negação da existência de homicídio, como se quem matasse fosse a bala e não quem prime o gatilho, é o corolário de uma acumulação de exclusões: Gisberta, nascida Gisberto Júnior, há 46 anos em S. Paulo, imigrante ilegal, seropositiva, com hepatite, prostituta, toxicodependente e sem-abrigo. E sem ninguém que defendesse a sua dignidade afogada num poço de um prédio inacabado do Porto. O desfecho deste grave e inédito caso é tudo menos pedagógico, quer para a justiça, quer para os menores."
01 août 2006
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