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Week of July 30 - August 3, 2007 What's New
Week of August 6 - 10, 2007
What Was New
Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy NGOs Nations and States UN Reform International Justice
Iraq
Week of August 6 - 10, 2007
Unlikely Sunni-Shia-Secular Opposition Bloc Mooted (July 27, 2007)
The Sunni-led Iraqi Accord Front and Sadrists propose to align with the Shia-led Fadhila Party and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawis' Iraqia bloc to form a Sunni-Shia secular opposition bloc. The alliance shares concerns over the failures by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to promote national unity and to consult Sunni parties in decisions. This comes as the prime minister attempts to form a moderate coalition of Shia, Kurdish and possible Sunni parties. The formation of these alliances reflects the power struggle taking place in the government and discredits the arguments that problems in Iraq stem from long-lasting sectarian rivalries. (Institute for War and Peace Reporting)The Number (February 2007)
The Iraq mortality survey published in October 2006 in The Lancet - a leading British medical journal - estimated that 654,965 Iraqis had died "who would not be dead were it not for the war." Critics dismissed the research methodology used as flawed, and rejected this jarring statistic, along with its implications. Debate over the limitations of the study detract from the more important, underlying issue: the massive cost in Iraqi lives of the US-led war. (Johns Hopkins Magazine)Bypassing the Iraqi Parliament: Monopolizing Power in Iraq (February 2007)
"Separatist" groups, which endorse the partitioning of Iraq and resist calls for a US withdrawal timetable, make up a significant part of the country's government. Using "a number of loopholes and unconstitutional decisions," this US-backed government has repeatedly tried to sidestep the Iraqi Parliament on key issues such as the proposed hydrocarbon law. Author Raed Jarrar illustrates that tensions among Iraqis stem primarily from political and not religious or sectarian differences, as the Bush administration and even some mainstream media emphasize. (Regional Center on Conflict Prevention)Chevron, Total in Services Pact on Iraq Majnoon Field-Sources (August 8, 2007)
Oil companies, Total and Chevron have signed a services agreement to explore and develop hydrocarbons from the Majnoon oil field, Iraq's fourth largest oil field with an estimated reserve of 12 billion barrels. The agreement between Total and Chevron does not involve the Iraqi government. It further signals the plans of foreign oil companies to enter into deals in preparation for the US-backed hydrocarbon law, despite widespread opposition in Iraq to foreign corporations developing Iraq's oil fields. (Dow Jones Newswires)Rising to the Humanitarian Challenge in Iraq (July 30, 2007)
A report prepared by Oxfam and other aid agencies, describes the dire need for emergency aid for eight million Iraqis, 43 per cent of whom are living in "absolute poverty." In the face of mass displacement, a lack of basic services, and an exodus of teachers and other professionals, almost 800,000 Iraqi children no longer attend school and 92 per cent suffer from learning difficulties. There is a danger that a generation of Iraqi children will grow up uneducated unless schooling is provided immediately.A Very Private War (August 1, 2007)
"What happens here today, stays here today" describes the attitude of some 48,000 employees of private military or mercenary firms working in Iraq. While private military firms take advantage of the billions of dollars in contracts offered by the US government, crimes committed in Iraq by employees of these firms have gone unpunished. Recent reports of civilian killings and violent incidents involving contractors of a US based mercenary firm Blackwater, highlight the lack of democratic control in the privatization of war. (Guardian)The US Arsenal Lost in Iraq (August 7, 2007)
According to an official report, the Pentagon cannot account for as many as 190,000 weapons including AK-47 rifles, pistols, body armor and helmets issued to Iraqi security forces. Due to the flawed distribution and tracking system, some of this missing weaponry will likely wind up in the possession of Iraqi insurgents. Ironically, the Bush administration has repeatedly accused Iran of arming militias in Iraq. (Guardian)Top Iraq MP: No Oil Law under Occupation (August 3, 2007)
Senior Iraqi politician Ali al-Adeeb urges Parliament to postpone any decision-making on the draft US-backed oil law until coalition forces withdraw completely. Adeeb, a member of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's party, joins a growing number of government officials who reject the proposed law and endorse state ownership of Iraqi oil. (United Press International)Bechtel Meets Goals on Fewer Than Half of Its Iraq Rebuilding Projects, Study Finds (July 26, 2007)
The 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq created profitable opportunities for US corporations. The US government awarded billions of dollars to contractors working in Iraq, yet most of the country's infrastructure remains dilapidated - largely due to corporate misspending, corruption and a lack of oversight. According to an audit by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, only ten of the 24 job orders procured by US construction giant Bechtel "met their original objectives." (New York Times)Iraqis Oppose Oil Development Plans, Poll Finds (August 6, 2007)
An NGO-sponsored survey for the first time asked ordinary Iraqis their view on the highly contentious draft oil law. According to the poll, 76 percent of Iraqis feel "inadequately" informed about the contents of the proposed law. Nonetheless, 63 percent responded that they would prefer Iraqi state-owned companies - and not foreign corporations - to develop Iraq's extensive oil fields. (Oil Change International, Institute for Policy Studies, War on Want, PLATFORM and Global Policy Forum)Good News from Baghdad at Last: The Oil Law Has Stalled (August 3, 2007)
To the disappointment of the Bush administration and oil lobbyists, Iraq's Parliament adjourned for the summer without adopting the controversial US-backed hydrocarbon law. More and more Iraqis, including oil technocrats, trade unions and even government officials, recognize that the proposed legislation does not serve their national interests. In light of Washington's attempts to hastily push through the oil law, this Guardian article concludes that "the more people [understand] what the law entails, the greater the chances of its defeat."Security Council
UN Condemns E. Timor Violence (August 8, 2007)
No party earned enough parliament seats to win the June 2007 Timorese elections. So, in accordance with East Timor's constitution, President Jose Ramos-Horta named Xanana Gusmao, of the CNRT party, as the new Prime Minister. Soon after, supporters of the dominant Fretilin party rioted in Dili, Baucau and Viqueque. Senior UN official Atul Khare called for Fretilin's leaders to denounce their supporters' violence and to encourage them to accept Ramos-Horta's decision. (Agence France Presse)Lebanon: Crisis Persists Despite Beefed Up Peacekeeping (July 6, 2007)
Because the UN Security Council ignores the political issues at the heart of conflict in Lebanon, UNIFIL's dramatic increase in troops there has not lessened conflict between Israel, Hezbolah and militant groups, argues Inter Press Service. According to Professor Naseer Aruri, the root causes include the status of Palestine, but also the US and Israel's attempts to impose a new political order in the Middle East by manipulating Shia and non-Shia divisions. Thus UNIFIL's goal of Lebanese political stability requires the UN to reclaim its legitimacy by disassociating from the agenda of the US and Israel.Geopolitical Concerns Behind United Nations Intervention in Darfur (August 7, 2007)
This World Socialist Website article says that for member states, oil motivates UN intervention in Darfur. In 2005, US President Bush negotiated the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) so that the US could control the SPLM's share of Sudan's reserves. The agreement ignored the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. But over time, SPLM (and hence western) control over oil deteriorated, and so the US backed British and French efforts to place Sudan's oil under UN jurisdiction, susceptible to western governments' influence.Iraq and Darfur: The Politics of War Crimes (February 9, 2007)
The UN and western powers hypocritically responded to scientific estimations of mass killing in two war crime-laden states, argues this article. Citing flawed methodology, they ignored a Johns Hopkins study's conclusion that the invasion in Iraq had so far caused 393,000 to 943,000 Iraqi deaths. But, when the Coalition for International Justice and the World Health Organization used the very same methods to calculate civilian deaths in Darfur, the same parties cited those statistics to garner support for UN intervention there. Thus the US and its allies selectively used the statistics in accordance with their political interests. (World Socialist Website)Somalia: Will Peace Hold After National Summit? (July 31, 2007)
Delegates from the Dir, Darood, Hawiye and Digil/Mirifle clans, and the coalition of smaller Somali clans, met in Mogadishu in a move towards reconciliation and the eventual creation of a government. Among other issues, the clans discussed the separation of politics and religion, and especially the future role of Islam in Somalia. (East African)Darfur: Colonized by 'Peacekeepers' (August 2, 2007)
This spiked article argues that the "moralized multilateral" intervention of the UN prolongs conflict in Sudan and wrongly portrays it as genocide. Accordingly, the article argues, the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) will become a "de facto protagonist" in the region. International involvement in Sudan (via the AU, UN and soon the EU on the country's border) has so far led to the splintering of the Sudanese Liberation Movement and inadvertently encouraged rebels to continue war against Khartoum. This suggests that UNAMID might create rather than solve problems in Darfur.Rumblings of Trouble in Africa (August 1, 2007)
Ethiopia and Eritrea's disagreement over which of them owns the town of Badme might spark conflict that could engulf the entire horn of Africa. The US continues to support Ethiopia, even though Ethiopia disregards both the border agreement which it signed in 2000, and the UN's ceding of Badme to Eritrea in 2002. Western diplomats suggest that fear of losing favor when US President George Bush leaves office might drive Ethiopia to attack the weaker Eritrea before the US presidential elections. The small UN force of 1,700 likely could not prevent such attacks. (Chicago Tribune) P>Empire?
New US Military Bases: Side Effects or Causes of War? (February 2, 2002)
This CounterPunch article argues that setting up military bases "may in the long run be more critical to US war planners than the wars themselves." While many believe that bases are "side effects" of war, the author claims that the US uses war as an opportunity to set up bases. He argues that the bases the US established after interventions including the Gulf War, Somalia, the Balkans War, and Afghanistan maintain the US's status as a dominant military power.How to Get Real Regime Change in Iran (August 10, 2007)
Though Washington calls for democratization and an end to repression in Iran, it has a history of supporting undemocratic and repressive rulers like Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who allowed foreign control of Iranian oil. This Asia Times article argues that the US cannot and should not try to execute regime change in Iran. The author claims that the best way for democratization to take place is through a "nonviolent civil insurrection."Bush Signs Law to Widen Reach for Wiretapping (August 6, 2007)
US President George Bush signed off on legislation that increases the government's power to perform "spying operations" on its public. The law allows the government to listen in on international telephone calls and read e-mail messages between people inside the US and individuals abroad without a warrant from a special intelligence court. The law also gives Washington further authority to "force telecommunications companies to cooperate" with its eavesdropping. (New York Times)Social and Economic Policy
AU Plans African Investment Bank to Fund Development (August 3, 2007)
The African Union plans to set up an African Investment Bank and is gathering support from African nations which will be the main subsidizers of this institution. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, the AU's Commissioner for Economic Affairs said that the continent requires US$250 billion in the next ten years to double its economy and trade by 2015 and lift thousands of people out of poverty. He also stated that rich countries have not lived up to their promises in terms of economic aid. (Reuters)Latin American Governments and Foreign Investors (June 18, 2007)
The relations between governments and multinational companies are quickly changing in Latin America. Countries like Bolivia and Venezuela are leaving the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) as they believe it is not "transparent and impartial enough" due to the heavy influence of the World Bank and Washington. The World Bank has long used its supremacy to force governments to implement policies favored by transnational corporations at the expense of the poor. To change this situation, Bolivia raised its royalty rates on hydrocarbons leading to an increase in revenues while Venezuela raised the royalties on foreign investors making huge profits. (World Economy & Development In Brief)Displaced Peasants, Higher Food Prices and a Crutch for the Petrol Economy (July 2007)
This Le Monde diplomatique article highlights the five most important myths surrounding the biofuels boom rejecting the statement that "because fuel crops are renewable, they are environment-friendly, can decrease global warming and promote rural development." Biofuel corporations have gained incredible market power in recent years and "governments lack the will to regulate their activities" thus raising concerns about just how green they are and their human cost.China Threatens 'Nuclear Option' of Dollar Sales (August 8, 2007)
The Chinese government announced that if the US inflicts trade sanctions forcing a Yuan revaluation, China could "liquidate its holdings of US treasuries," causing a fall of the dollar. A dollar crash would hit the US housing market and send the economy into recession. But an official at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences stated that China is unlikely to do this as long as the Yuan's exchange rate remains stable against the dollar. (Telegraph)Rich Growing Richer Faster than Poor in Developing Asia (2007)
This Asia Development Bank (ADB) study argues that there is a growing gap between rich and poor in Asia as rich people are growing richer far faster than poor people are improving their lot. The report shows that out of the 22 countries analyzed, China and Nepal experienced the widest wealth gaps. The report argues that urban areas have grown richer than rural areas, and "highly educated households" assembled more wealth than "less educated ones."Poverty and Violence in Times of Peace (August 7, 2007)
Analysts warn that twenty years after the signing of the peace accords in Central America, which ended years of civil war, the economic and social causes of those wars still exist, and could represent potential threats to peace and stability in the region. Economist Miguel Gutierrez stated that "little has changed" with respect to poverty and social inequality, since the signing of the 1996 peace accords. This Inter Press Service article argues that "economic and social marginalization and the need for regional integration" are the most critical issues still today.Extreme Weather: A Global Problem (August 7, 2007)
According to the United Nations weather agency, extreme weather conditions such as tremendous heat in some areas and atypical snow or heavy rainfall in others have characterized 2007. Most researchers believe extreme weather events will become more common as "heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions cause global temperatures to rise." The World Meteorological Organization wants to set up an "early warning system" for severe weather conditions and improve monitoring climate change's impact in poorer countries such as India, where such extreme weather could destroy farmland, affecting agriculture and the lives of millions. (Associated Press)NGOs
Don't Cramp the NGO's Style (August 8, 2007)
This Mail & Guardian article argues that some governments use regulatory constraints on NGOs in order to achieve political ends. The author states that governments will often applaud NGOs when they provide humanitarian services but then condemn or restrict them when they advocate for improved policies and "demand accountability from the state." The Zambian government, for example, has introduced a bill that would give the government authority over the NGO sector.Afghanistan: NGOs Question New Government Directive on Armed Escorts (August 2, 2007)
This Integrated Regional Information Networks article argues that "humanitarian space" is "diminishing" in Afghanistan, as foreign aid workers face increasing danger. The Afghani Ministry of Interior now demands that armed escorts accompany NGO personnel outside of Kabul, but NGOs fear that the security measures will make them a "legitimate target" for insurgent groups who will associate them with the government.Nations and States
How Chavez Changed Life in the Tribal Territories (July 2007)
According to a 2001 census, Venezuela comprises 35 different indigenous tribes, which make up 2.1 percent of the population. Until the 1990s, they suffered exclusion and discrimination. But when President Hugo Chavez gained power in 1998, he gave political representation to indigenous groups producing a constitution that takes their needs and land ownership rights into account. This Le Monde diplomatique article argues that although change is slow, Chavez initiated many positive changes in the lives of indigenous people.UN Reform
Resolution 61/292 - Revitalization of the Role and Authority of the General Assembly and Strengthening its Performance (August 2, 2007)
This resolution adopted by the General Assembly establishes an "ad hoc working group on the revitalization of the General Assembly" at the GA's 62nd session in September 2007. With emphasis on the implementation of current resolutions on revitalization, Resolution 61/292 aims at improving the GA's "role, authority, effectiveness and efficiency," and requests UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to submit a report on the progress of this and prior resolutions at the 62nd session.International Justice
Rwanda 'Shock' As Genocide Suspects Freed (August 3, 2007)
Rwanda expresses shock over a French appeals court's decision to free two Rwandans previously indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for committing war crimes during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The French court released Laurent Bucyibaruta and Roman Catholic priest Wenceslas Munyeshyaka, claiming that the ICTR's indictments "violated the presumption of innocence." In either case, this ruling might further damage the bilateral ties between Rwanda and France. (Reuters)Conflicts in Africa - Millions Suffered, a Few Became Millionaires, One of Them: Victor Bout (Butt) (August 3, 2007)
This article describes how Victor Bout makes a copious amount of money at the expense of thousands of lives in Africa by selling and transporting weapons in exchange for cash and natural resources, especially diamonds. In addition to his regular clients who have included African warlords (Charles Taylor, Foday Sankoh), politicians (Robert Mugabe), the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, Bout has a long history with the Pentagon and US companies in Iraq. The Pentagon contracted Bout during the Afghanistan invasion, and after a failed attempt by the Clinton administration to put Bout out of business, the Bush administration gave him a business opportunity by outsourcing weapons transportation to Iraq. (journalismus nachrichten von heute)Putting the Khmer Rouge on Trial (July 26, 2007)
Nine years after Cambodia's appeal for UN assistance, the Special Tribunal for Cambodia begins its proceedings as prosecutors submit an undisclosed list of five suspects. Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's former chief lieutenant, is expected to be on the top of the list of suspects responsible for the death of 2 million people during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Nuon Chea, however, rejects all accusations and blames US bombings and Vietnamese attacks for the mass graves in Cambodia. Youk Chhang, a Cambodian expert on Khmer Rouge, believes that this tribunal is "a lesson we can learn from" and offers hope for other genocides happening around the world. (Time)Sudan in Dock over Darfur Fugitives: ICC Prosecutor (August 7, 2007)
ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asserts that Khartoum must respect ICC warrants against Sudanese minister Ahmad Harun and Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb and hand them over to the court. Moreno-Ocampo warns that if Sudan fails to respect international law, it risks becoming a "pariah country." Khartoum, ignoring the Security Council's referral to the ICC, argues that Sudan is not an ICC signatory and therefore, has no obligation to follow up on the arrest warrants, and also there is no substantial evidence against the two suspects. (Reuters)Darfur: The Evidence of War Crimes (August 2, 2007)
The NGO Waging Peace has submitted strong evidence of the Sudanese violence on Darfur civilians to the ICC. Drawings by children of victim mothers depict the Sudanese army and Arab Janjaweed militia waging attacks on civilians, as well as bombings, mass graves and people dying in puddles of blood. Rebecca Tinsley, Director of Waging Peace, urges the ICC to consider this striking evidence saying, "If this is not evidence, I don't know what is." Meanwhile, Khartoum denies any involvement in the death of 200,000 people over the last four years. (Independent)
What Was New What's New
Week of July 30 - August 3, 2007
Iraq Security Council Empire? Social and Economic Policy Nations and States International Justice
Iraq
Iraqi Oil Minister Enforces Saddam Law on Trade Unions (August 2, 2007)
Iraq's Oil Minister, Hussein Shahrastani, has recalled a 1987 decree from the Saddam Hussein era, banning all trade union activity. The Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions launched a strike in June 2007 and organized demonstrations the following month, both to protest the US-backed draft hydrocarbon law. Union leaders dismiss the minister's directive as yet another attempt to derail the thriving campaign against privatization of Iraq's oil industry and against the overall occupation. (Naftana)Military-Induced Displacement (July 2007)
Extensive US-led military operations such as aerial bombing have led to massive destruction of homes and sometimes entire communities in Iraq. Consequently, several hundred thousand Iraqis have fled their residences. Temporary displacement could develop into a long-term phenomenon as ongoing violence and a lack of compensation for losses prevent civilians from returning to their homes. (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre)A Rising Refugee Crisis (July 31, 2007)
The ongoing violence in Iraq has limited aid workers' access to the most vulnerable communities. UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes calls for more action and resources to improve the plight of Iraq's refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). In that same vein, Holmes urges that humanitarian efforts remain independent of any political, security or economic agenda. (International Herald Tribune)Baquba Denied the Healing Touch (July 25, 2007)
Iraq's healthcare system continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Like many others in Iraq, the main hospital in the city of Baquba offers free treatment but suffers from severe shortages of medicine, equipment and doctors. In the face of costly private clinic services and the precarious security situation, ordinary Iraqis struggle to get basic medical assistance. (Inter Press Service)The UN in Iraq - Handle With Care (July 27, 2007)
This article from the Century Foundation speculates that "if any outside intervener can help Iraqis regain peace and stability at this late date, it's probably the United Nations." But since most Iraqis blame the US military presence for the disaster in their country, a UN role too closely aligned with Washington's agenda will only discredit the organization. Author Jeffrey Laurenti cautions that without a complete US withdrawal from Iraq, the UN will likely fail to resolve the crisis.Why the United Nations Belongs in Iraq (July 20, 2007)
Conservative US politicians strongly condemned the UN Security Council's refusal to endorse a US-led attack on Iraq back in 2003. Yet now, US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad argues that the United Nations should take on a greater role in Iraq. He explains that the organization's "inherent legitimacy and flexibility" render it the "best vehicle" to mediate between all parties in the Iraq conflict. Critics doubt that Khalilzad is serious and they suspect that this is mainly a Bush administration public relations offensive to create a sense of progress and multilateral cooperation concerning Iraq. (New York Times)Heat Rises Between Iraq PM and Petraeus (July 28, 2007)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki strongly opposes General David Petraeus' policy of recruiting alleged former Sunni insurgents to the security forces. Meanwhile, Petraeus and other US officials deplore the Iraq premier's ties to Shiite militias, including Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. The tense relations between Maliki and the US military's top commander in Iraq indicate that "the strain of war often turns allies into uneasy partners." (Associated Press)Iraqi Jails in "Appalling" Condition (July 21, 2007)
Since the Baghdad Security Plan began in February 2007, Iraq's detention centers have seen a huge influx of prisoners - alleged criminals and innocent individuals alike. Some facilities house more than three times their capacity, forcing inmates to live in crowded, unsanitary conditions and with little access to proper healthcare. Yet US and Iraqi officials maintain that the prisons meet international standards and "comply with [national] laws." (Los Angeles Times)Security Council
After threatening further sanctions to prod Khartoum into acquiescence, UN Security Council members unanimously passed Resolution 1769, a watered-down version of earlier proposals. The resolution espouses UNAMID, a hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping mission to Darfur, comprised of 20,000 military personnel and 6,000 police. UNAMID will act under Chapter VII to implement the Darfur Peace Agreement and to protect civilians and aid workers. The UN has yet to secure the cooperation of all of Darfur's rebel groups, which will be crucial to UNAMID's success.Water or War (August 1, 2007)
This New York Sun article points to Israel's shortage of water as fundamental to Israel-Syria peace negotiations. Twenty-five percent of Israel's water supply depends on access to the Golan Heights. Since Israel's 1967 occupation of the Golan Heights, Israel has claimed the territory as its own. To move peace negotiations forward, Israel should consider desalinization of the Mediterranean Sea as an alternative water source, and return the Golan Heights to Syria under a water-sharing agreement similar to that between Israel and Jordan.UN, Others Must Defeat Darkness of Lord's Resistance Army (July 27, 2007)
In light of stalled peace negotiations between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), this Washington Post opinion piece suggests steps to promote talks and otherwise foster peace. The author calls for funds to demobilize LRA soldiers. At the same time, the article encourages UN forces in neighboring DR Congo to increase existing military pressure on the LRA, which occupies that country's Garamba Park. And LRA leader Joseph Kony himself must be prosecuted, though doing so might involve unsavory bargains such as promising him house arrest or other lesser penalties.Iran: West Torn Over Carrot and Stick Approach (July 28, 2007)
This Adnkronos International article claims that UN sanctions will fail to stop Iran's uranium enrichment unless the Security Council applies them to oil deals. For example, the Austrian oil company OMV plans to invest US$18 billion in Iran. Other EU companies, such as the French Total and Italian ENI, also retain lucrative oil deals with Iran. And although US laws do limit investments in Iran, they permit those valued at up to US$20 million.How Much Is Ecology to Blame for Darfur Crisis? (July 22, 2007)
According to a UN Environmental Program report, degradation and desertification influence conflict in Darfur. The Sudanese government's manipulation and appropriation of such scarce resources as land, water and especially oil exacerbate conflict-inciting tensions. For example, in eastern Sudan, Khartoum diverted limited water from grazing land to commercial irrigation, leading to fighting in the region. (New York Times)How Veto Powers Stymied UN Memberships (July 13, 2007)
During the Cold War, the US and USSR played out their rivalry in the UN by vetoing various membership applications. Author Thalif Deen suggests that territories such as Kosovo, a partitioned Iraq, Western Sahara, Trans-Dniester or South Ossetia could spark similar dynamics between Russia and the US today. But whereas during the Cold War, the veto exclusively served the superpowers' self-interest, contemporary vetoes might additionally influence regional stability. For this reason, negotiation will likely prevail over forced vetoes. (Inter Press Service)Confrontation Over Darfur 'Will Lead Us Nowhere' (July 27, 2007)
China's special envoy to Darfur, Liu Guijin, expresses frustration that western media, NGOs and US politicians have cast China as a dark, oil-hungry player in the conflict in Sudan, and this, despite the fact that 8.7 percent of Africa's oil goes to China versus nearly 70 percent to Europe and the US. Liu says that Beijing promotes a negotiated, political solution to conflict in Sudan, and that no peacekeeping mission can successfully function without Khartoum's blessing. China attributes Darfur's conflict to poverty and calls for aid and infrastructure development to support a negotiated solution. (China Daily)Somalia Awash in Illegal Weapons, UN Monitors Say (July 26, 2007)
The UN's Monitoring Group on Somalia revealed that Eritrea smuggles SA-18 surface-to-air missiles, suicide belts, explosives and detonators to the Somali Islamic insurgent group Shabab, in violation of an international arms embargo. The report suggested that these violations signify the spread of the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict into Somalia and also questioned what the US refers to as its "counter-terrorism" efforts in Somalia, which include air strikes and support of Ethiopia. (Associated Press)Empire?
Murdoch's Expanding Empire Seen as "Ominous" (August 2, 2007)
Analysts argue that Rupert Murdoch's purchase of Dow Jones, which owns the "highly respected" Wall Street Journal, will further eliminate diverse voices in the news. Murdoch has often promised in the past not to alter the media companies that he buys. But critics claim that Murdoch's "vast media empire" has already turned Fox News and the New York Post into right-wing "mouthpieces" that promote Murdoch's economic interests and political agenda. They worry that the Wall Street Journal will suffer the same fate. (Inter Press Service)Varieties of Imperial Decline - Honduras and Miranda (July 30, 2007)
This ZNet article argues that the US faces the same "imperial decline" that Spain experienced centuries ago. Recognizing that US political and economic partnership is not essential for prosperity, Latin American governments increasingly band together under Cuba and Venezuela's left-wing leadership. The article states that Venezuela, unlike Washington, has offered "solidarity-based, preferential oil deals and help with electricity generation" to countries in the region, including Honduras. As Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, echoing the attitudes of many of his Latin American counterparts, opts for regional collaboration, Washington continues to lose authority in Latin America.Just Counter-Terrorism (July 5, 2007)
"Only when we put terrorism in proper perspective can we start to think about appropriate solutions," argues this Foreign Policy in Focus article. With regard to its "acuity, its scope, and its likely duration," terrorism does not pose as great a threat as global warming, nuclear proliferation, disease, and conventional war. The authors claim that the Bush administration has used US citizens' fear to amplify the threat of terrorism and initiate a preventative war against it - a campaign as "meaningless" as "declaring war on serial murderers." Instead, they suggest that Washington tackle detrimental political and economic injustices.US Crusader Odd Man Out at UN (July 31, 2007)
The US representative for UN management and reform, Mark D. Wallace, clashes with UN authorities as he continues his "anti-corruption crusade." Wallace's mission to uncover corruption in the UN Development Programs in North Korea and Burma has frustrated UN officials, who say that "he has hyped his findings." While former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton encouraged Wallace's aggressive investigations, the current ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, aims to ease the tension between the US and UN and has tried to "prevent Wallace's probe from triggering a larger public battle." (Washington Post)US Escalates ME Arms Race (July 31, 2007)
As US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice continues her tour of the Middle East, Washington plans to give generous "military packages" to its allies in the region, primarily Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although Rice claims that the Bush administration has designed this aid to create political balance in the Persian Gulf, this International Security Network article argues that Washington wants to "bolster the US arms industry" and "create a de facto Sunni Arab front against Iran."Clinton, Kissinger and the Corruptions of Empire (July 26, 2007)
This Nation article argues that the secrecy and corruption surrounding Washington's diplomacy eliminate leaders' accountability and therefore help maintain the US Empire. The White House can choose its international allies and enemies and conduct trade and war "based on unspoken whims and self-serving schemes." The author criticizes the undemocratic nature of these and other practices, such as refusing to hold talks with parties that Washington considers controversial, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Nationwide Protests Rock Peru, Bush Seeks Allies in Latin America (July 19, 2007)
Peruvian citizens are protesting in large numbers after Peruvian President Alan Garcia signed on to a free trade agreement with the US. While Garcia's shift toward neo-liberal economic policy benefits the national economy, it has not improved conditions for the majority of Peru's population, which "survives on less than a dollar a day." Many analysts argue that the Bush administration is trying to secure free trade agreements with Latin American countries including Peru, Colombia, and Panama in order to counter Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's leftist influence in the region. (Toward Freedom)Social and Economic Policy
Knowledge, Innovation, and the Way Out of Poverty (July 30, 2007)
A UNCTAD report argues that even though most of the "World's Least Developed Countries" (LDCs) have opened their economies, thereby attracting foreign investments and increasing exports, these countries are not making the progress they should be in terms of economic development. The report argues that in addition to economic liberalization, LDCs need knowledge, skills and technological innovation to make their way out of poverty. Introducing new commercial products, improving the infrastructure, human capital and financial systems of the country, and upgrading the technology can advance growth and reduce the countries' poverty.Experts: As Economy Grows, Income Disparity in Latin America Widens (July 30, 2007)
Despite some solid economic growth in various Latin American countries, the region has the greatest income inequality in the world. Latin America's economy has "grown between 4 to 6 per cent annually since 2004," but "200 million people still live in poverty and 81 million of them in extreme poverty." Rodrigo Guerra, head of the Social Observatory of the Latin American Bishops' Council, said that the inequality is quickly increasing in all Latin American countries. The article calls for governments to invest in social programs, to reform the education and the judiciary in order to reduce such disparity. (Catholic News Service)International Investments: Is Policy Pendulum Swinging Back? (July 25, 2007)
A report titled "Why Investment Matters: The Political Economy of International Investments" argues that following the changes in the current global political context, governments are growing uneasy about foreign investments as their costs outweigh the benefits. In several countries, governments have "tightened existing investment rules" and have agreed on new rules to regulate foreign investments. Meanwhile, although they lack transparency and accountability and have been criticized in many developed countries, the number of private equity funds and hedge funds has increased. (Global Politician)All Fall Down (July 30, 2007)
Ten years after the devastating Asian financial crisis, economies in the region are growing, but there is also greater poverty and inequality. Seeking to protect their economies, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has come together with China, South Korea, and Japan to form the "ASEAN Plus Three" financial group. This agreement will enable member countries to "swap reserves if speculators again target their currencies." But former US Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin argues that is it almost inevitable that there will be severe financial crises in the future around the world. (Foreign Policy in Focus)ASEAN Assumes Migrant Rights Duties (August 2, 2007)
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed to set up a commission that seeks to protect and uphold the rights of migrant workers. With this commission, sending states will eliminate company negligence by guaranteeing official and valid contracts to workers, while receiving states will encourage job security, payment of salaries and the right to decent working and living conditions for migrant workers. According to a report by Amnesty International, migrant workers in Thailand have endured human rights violations from employers, including "forcible return to their countries, inhuman treatment in immigration detention centers and unsafe working and living conditions." (Inter Press Service)Tiny Tuvalu Fights for Its Literal Survival (July 27, 2007)
In danger of disappearing within 50 years due to climate change and rising sea levels, Tuvalu, one of the smallest nations in the world, seeks to turn itself into an "environmentally respectful nation" and set an example for other countries. The sea level has been increasing at twice the average global rate calculated by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Tuvalu's sustainable development projects include "new solar streetlights, composting toilets, wind projects, a biodiesel plan using coconut palm, and horticultural training to help reduce dependence on imported foods." (Inter Press Service)Climate Change Forcing Indian Farmers to Commit Suicide (July 30, 2007)
An investigation carried out by ActionAid found that climate change and the deterioration of social and economic conditions in some densely populated Indian regions have made hunger worse amongst the poor and pushed people to commit suicide. The study focuses on significant changes in the weather conditions during the last four to five years which have adversely affected farming. This OneWorld article argues that, compared to 30 years ago, rainfall has now decreased immensely, and that the government has failed to respond adequately as "it has not created safeguards to protect farmers" and guarantee food security.Nations and States
Corruption in a Developing Country Context (July 25, 2007)
Corruption is defined as "the misuse of public office or public assets for private gains." This Globalist article argues that it affects every part of society damaging significantly developing countries by diverting resources that could benefit the poor. There are numerous countries in Africa still fighting against corruption and the ensuing culture of impunity. Nigeria is one of them. Corruption is, above all, an indication of weak governance and weak institutions.International Justice
Six Questions for Steve Braun on Gunrunner Viktor Bout (July 26, 2007)
In this Harper's Magazine interview, Steve Braun (a national correspondent with the Los Angeles Times and an expert on Victor Bout) discusses Bout's rise as the premier gunrunner after the end of the Cold War. Braun also sheds light on Bout's clients across Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC, Angola, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Columbia, and even the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the US military. The Russian government has allegedly protected Bout for years, while the Pentagon has reportedly used his services to organize airlifts in Iraq.Indonesia Criticizes UN Chief Over Stance on E. Timor Commission (July 31, 2007)
Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda condemns UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's threat to boycott the proceedings of the Indonesia-East Timor Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF). Ban disagrees with the CTF's decision to recommend amnesties to Indonesians responsible for war crimes during the 24-year occupation of East Timor. Wirajuda counters that the CTF's purpose is to reconcile and not prosecute. Moreover, East Timor willingly agreed to resolve the conflict without damaging its current relations with Indonesia. In either case, the commission cannot prosecute anyone - it can only make recommendations to the two parliaments. (Earthtimes.org)International Court Weighs Charges Against Nujoma, Others (July 30, 2007)
Namibia's National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) demands that the ICC try former Namibian President Sam Nujoma and three former Namibian leaders for their involvement in the disappearance of 4,200 civilians in the 1970s. Nujoma allegedly issued a "shoot at sight" order between 1994 and 1996 resulting in the death of 35 people, and prevented foreign diplomats from intervening in 1999 during an armed attack on civilians in the Caprivi Region. NSHR believes that Nujoma's constant refusal to reveal information warrants an investigation under the "continuous violation doctrine." However, the ICC cannot address this issue because the Rome Statute only applies to crimes committed after July 1, 2002. (Namibian)Will Uganda Pay Up for Congo Occupation? (July 26, 2007)
Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prepare to reach an agreement on how Kampala should compensate the DRC for plundering its resources and killing civilians during the occupation that lasted between 1996 and 2001. After the ICJ found Uganda guilty in December 2005, DRC demanded a sum of US$10 billion. The negotiations have not been finalized and international law experts warn that any compensation is almost impossible to implement. Godfrey Wanzira, a Ugandan lawyer, believes that Uganda can easily prolong the process by appealing, and "DRC officials may well suspect that Kampala will never pay reparations." (Institute for War and Peace Reporting)UN Boycotts East Timor Truth Commission Over Amnesty Concerns (July 27, 2007)
The UN threatens to boycott the East Timor truth commission unless the panel relinquishes the idea of granting amnesties to perpetrators of the numerous killings which occurred during East Timor's independence from Indonesia in 1999. Without the UN's cooperation, the commission will face serious trouble with its proceedings. Commission Chairman Benyamin Mangkudilaga criticized the UN and said that "if they do not come, then their credibility is at stake." UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon explains that the UN strongly opposes amnesties for human rights violators and war criminals. (Associated Press)Why the ICC Must Stop Impeding Juba Process (July 27, 2007)
Peace talks between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) are at a standstill as the International Criminal Court (ICC) refuses to withdraw its arrest warrants against top LRA leaders. This Daily Monitor - Kampala article discusses the "peace versus justice" issue in Uganda and blames the ICC for delaying the process of reconciliation. The article urges the ICC to legally drop the warrants and put an end to this expensive investigation by adopting the Ugandan judicial system which includes "both accountability and civilian protection."
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