When I was a child in Lebanon I was told many funny stories having a central character Jeha. These stories are part of the folkore tradition but they are in fact universal. Jeha is simple minded, dumb, pathetic, and funny. One of these stories goes like this: Jeha broke the main water pipe connecting the village to the source and when asked why he answered: 'I did this to get people to talk about me'.
Sarkozy's politics, domestic and foreign, has been all about that. Even his marriage. The tension between France and Germany has been building since Sarko was elected. One has to browse one of the main German newspapers to realise that Germany doesn't like Sarkozy. This is a clear departure from France's traditional European alliances. Sarkozy doesn't like to be challenged and he wasn't going to be in good terms with Merkel, a woman, a daughter of a pastor and a former physics professor and researcher. Merkel is all subtelty, protestant rigorism, and old fashioned European rationalism. Sarko is emotional, not subtle and the contrary of a morally rigorous person. Sarkozy found his political model in Tony Blair and the British new labour. The man works by personal affinities away from rational judgement. And, like Jeha, Sarkozy is breaking the water pipe between Germany and France and trying to build another one with the UK. Will he succeed ? I doubt...But he will be surely talked about.
Sarkozy the anglophile. Is it genetic ?
Nicolas Sarkozy has kicked off his eagerly-anticipated visit to the UK by urging both counties to "move from being cordial to being friendly" as many of the British papers print naked pictures (nsfw) of his wife.
Related: Sarkozy strains French-German relations.
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
26.3.08
25.3.08
How German Intelligence Helped Justify the US Invasion of Iraq
There is a wealth of information in this Spiegel article, and the accompanying ones, on the single flawed human source, Curveball, that helped shape the false narrative for the Iraq War.
It is interesting to find out that even countries who were apparently opposed to the Iraq war like Germany, have contributed to this war in a certain way, and even more than one might think. Was it payback time for Germany ? Well, I wonder if it won't be payback time for Germany all the way...And I wonder, and the article doesn't tell, which country Germany was paying back ???
Related: Uncritical Merkel gets red carpet treatment in Israel.
It is interesting to find out that even countries who were apparently opposed to the Iraq war like Germany, have contributed to this war in a certain way, and even more than one might think. Was it payback time for Germany ? Well, I wonder if it won't be payback time for Germany all the way...And I wonder, and the article doesn't tell, which country Germany was paying back ???
Related: Uncritical Merkel gets red carpet treatment in Israel.
9.9.07
Terror and The War Against Terror: The Convert Phenomenon
In July, Germany's interior minister, Wolfgang Shaüble, shocked everybody by stating that his country should consider the targeted assassination of suspected terrorists (that's what I call the Israelisation of western society). He had just met in a convivial way with Michael Chertoff, the US secretary of Homeland security, and felt that he was ready for the mission Chertoff seems to have suggested to him, protecting Germany from imminent terror attacks...
Then in August, Shaüble made headlines again when he suggested that his country might spy on the computers of anyone whom it suspects being involved in terror.
Germans were voicing opposition to such measures when terrorists struck home, just as Chertoff predicted, or were going to strike but were prevented from doing so. More deadly than Madrid and London as it seems... Terrorists in this case, as in every failed attempt since 9/11, were converts ! Labeled Homegrown terrorists, not to be confounded with immigrants which are a far more dangerous breed !
There is one interesting aspect to the phenomenon of converts in terror plots; these are interface people and can be easily manipulated by both sides. They can be manipulated by radical islamists. But they can also be easily manipulated by others who want to prove that Islam is a radical religion. The convert phenomenon is an interesting one and is surely one to understand and follow closely in my opinion because it proves in the first place that true Muslims cannot be easily radicalised and that only newcomers, those who don't understand the religion, are vulnerable to radicalisation. And many people, on both sides, have interest in radicalising 'Muslims'.
Read here the profiles for the Muslim converts of the 2006 transatlantic flight bomb plot between London and the USA.
Read here about the converts of the 2006 failed Toronto plot.
Read the following interview with terror expert Edwin Bakker on the convert phenomenon.
"SPIEGEL ONLINE: In your research, you've pointed out a growing participation of converts in terrorist acts -- so-called homegrown terrorists. Two of the three suspects arrested in Germany on Tuesday are such converts. Where do they enter the equation?
Bakker: In general, whatever their belief, converts are over-achievers; they're overcompensating for the fact that they did not see the light before. So, they tend also to be more susceptible to radical ideas, whether political or religious.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Have you found that there is a trend of people converting directly to Islamism or even jihadism?
Bakker: Yes. If you're not born and raised in a Muslim family where, for instance, your uncle was a scholar or you had contacts with the imam, you only know the basics. You have no critical questions because you don't really have an understanding of Islam. Anyone with a beard and a strong voice and certain symbols can look very convincing. So, with converts and sometimes with people whose parents are not very religions, they are more easily caught by these radical ideas. There's another element, too: a lot of them get their information from the Internet. But if you look at the Islamic literature available on the Internet -- in German or Dutch or Danish -- it's radicals who do all the translation. It's unbelievable."
Then in August, Shaüble made headlines again when he suggested that his country might spy on the computers of anyone whom it suspects being involved in terror.
Germans were voicing opposition to such measures when terrorists struck home, just as Chertoff predicted, or were going to strike but were prevented from doing so. More deadly than Madrid and London as it seems... Terrorists in this case, as in every failed attempt since 9/11, were converts ! Labeled Homegrown terrorists, not to be confounded with immigrants which are a far more dangerous breed !
There is one interesting aspect to the phenomenon of converts in terror plots; these are interface people and can be easily manipulated by both sides. They can be manipulated by radical islamists. But they can also be easily manipulated by others who want to prove that Islam is a radical religion. The convert phenomenon is an interesting one and is surely one to understand and follow closely in my opinion because it proves in the first place that true Muslims cannot be easily radicalised and that only newcomers, those who don't understand the religion, are vulnerable to radicalisation. And many people, on both sides, have interest in radicalising 'Muslims'.
Read here the profiles for the Muslim converts of the 2006 transatlantic flight bomb plot between London and the USA.
Read here about the converts of the 2006 failed Toronto plot.
Read the following interview with terror expert Edwin Bakker on the convert phenomenon.
"SPIEGEL ONLINE: In your research, you've pointed out a growing participation of converts in terrorist acts -- so-called homegrown terrorists. Two of the three suspects arrested in Germany on Tuesday are such converts. Where do they enter the equation?
Bakker: In general, whatever their belief, converts are over-achievers; they're overcompensating for the fact that they did not see the light before. So, they tend also to be more susceptible to radical ideas, whether political or religious.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Have you found that there is a trend of people converting directly to Islamism or even jihadism?
Bakker: Yes. If you're not born and raised in a Muslim family where, for instance, your uncle was a scholar or you had contacts with the imam, you only know the basics. You have no critical questions because you don't really have an understanding of Islam. Anyone with a beard and a strong voice and certain symbols can look very convincing. So, with converts and sometimes with people whose parents are not very religions, they are more easily caught by these radical ideas. There's another element, too: a lot of them get their information from the Internet. But if you look at the Islamic literature available on the Internet -- in German or Dutch or Danish -- it's radicals who do all the translation. It's unbelievable."
1.8.07
Sarkozy's Stolen Victories
Nicolas Sarkozy is a man constantly on the move. He practically hops around in his suit. He shrugs his shoulders, jerks his head and raises his eyebrows. In his manner, he likens a bouncing ball, full of energy but completely unpredictable. Since his election in early May, the French president has been ricocheting through European diplomatic circles like an out-of-control comet.
...The small-statured Sarkozy has assumed the role of the great statesman. Slapping shoulders, patting backs and distributing kisses, he leaves the impression of success in his wake. His approach is allowing the French to breathe a collective sigh of relief. After many years of near-paralysis, the country is assuming the leadership of an increasingly lethargic EU.
This, at least, is the impression Sarkozy would like to make. His European partners can only look on in speechless astonishment as Sarkozy rushes ahead. The crowing of the Gallic rooster is replacing the European anthem as Europe acquires a leader who has shown himself willing to flaunt tradition. His will, it appears, is the road to success.
There is only one problem: Sarkozy's victories are stolen victories. He is steadily co-opting successes which, in some cases, others have spent years diligently preparing. His policies are intended to radiate dynamism and energy. But in reality, he jumps from one issue to the next -- with apparently no system or coherence, but with a great deal of fanfare and fireworks... More...
...The small-statured Sarkozy has assumed the role of the great statesman. Slapping shoulders, patting backs and distributing kisses, he leaves the impression of success in his wake. His approach is allowing the French to breathe a collective sigh of relief. After many years of near-paralysis, the country is assuming the leadership of an increasingly lethargic EU.
This, at least, is the impression Sarkozy would like to make. His European partners can only look on in speechless astonishment as Sarkozy rushes ahead. The crowing of the Gallic rooster is replacing the European anthem as Europe acquires a leader who has shown himself willing to flaunt tradition. His will, it appears, is the road to success.
There is only one problem: Sarkozy's victories are stolen victories. He is steadily co-opting successes which, in some cases, others have spent years diligently preparing. His policies are intended to radiate dynamism and energy. But in reality, he jumps from one issue to the next -- with apparently no system or coherence, but with a great deal of fanfare and fireworks... More...
US Pressures Germany to Cut Iran Business Ties
The United States is using rough-handed methods to force Germany to impose tougher sanctions on Iran. The government in Berlin is resisting, but German banks are already caving in.
Building an Economic Coalition of the Willing
But the US government is no longer content with United Nations economic sanctions on Tehran -- Washington wants more. And so, US President George W. Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have directed Levey to form a worldwide economic coalition of the willing to increase the pressure on Iran. Despite their best efforts, American officials are irked that German companies are still doing business worth billions with Tehran. In particular, Washington has little understanding for the export guarantees Berlin still offers firms, effectively helping the mullah regime to buy new ships and power plant technologies.
Building an Economic Coalition of the Willing
But the US government is no longer content with United Nations economic sanctions on Tehran -- Washington wants more. And so, US President George W. Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson have directed Levey to form a worldwide economic coalition of the willing to increase the pressure on Iran. Despite their best efforts, American officials are irked that German companies are still doing business worth billions with Tehran. In particular, Washington has little understanding for the export guarantees Berlin still offers firms, effectively helping the mullah regime to buy new ships and power plant technologies.
28.7.07
Dialogue not Provocation: German Writer Wants to Discuss 'Satanic Verses' with Muslims
Günter Wallraff is a German writer, undercover and investigative journalist, known for his advocacy for immigrant Muslims since the publication of his explosive and very critical book towards Germany and the German society, Lowest of the low, relating his experience of two years taking on the fictional identity of a Muslim immigrant in Germany.
This is why his proposal of discussing Rushdie's Satanic Verses, in the text, on the site of a future Mosque in Cologne, is met with politeness and 'patience' by the Turkish Muslim community in Germany. I was however surprised that most of the criticism and caution about the proposal come from people who advocate freedom of expression vehemently every time Muslims protest some negative expression or representation of their religion by non Muslims.
Henryk M. Broder, a columnist with DER SPIEGEL, criticized Wallraff's idea as "actionism" saying: "The issue isn't about whether you can read 'The Satanic Verses' in a mosque or not. After all, it would never occur to anyone to serve non-kosher food in a synagogue or pork meat in a Catholic church on Good Friday."
There is a profound logical contradiction in this caution because on one hand, freedom of expression advocates in Europe and the West want to be able to say, not only negative things about Islam, but to protect provocateurs, self declared ennemies of this religion like Hirsi Ali. On the other hand, they don't seem to encourage self criticism in Islam when it is done without provocation, with a good spirit, with the will of initiating a friendly dialogue by proxy with the west through someone who is respected by the Muslim community in Germany.
I wish the event could take place. I wish Wallraff will be able to initiate this dialogue. It is a very original idea. Nobody can initiate a dialogue with a provocation and nobody can engage in a dialogue when they feel threatened. Dialogue is only possible with good intentions, knowledge and openness about the other.
Wallraff's initiative should be taken very seriously and encouraged. It is the way of the future, if we want this future to happen and not enlist ourselves in the present war of religion that is going on in the West against Islam. Even though Wallraff's initiative is propably motivated by his close relationship with Salman Rushdie, I can only wish him success and salute his courage.
Read here my article criticising Hirsi Ali, a famous Mulsim Basher.
This is why his proposal of discussing Rushdie's Satanic Verses, in the text, on the site of a future Mosque in Cologne, is met with politeness and 'patience' by the Turkish Muslim community in Germany. I was however surprised that most of the criticism and caution about the proposal come from people who advocate freedom of expression vehemently every time Muslims protest some negative expression or representation of their religion by non Muslims.
Henryk M. Broder, a columnist with DER SPIEGEL, criticized Wallraff's idea as "actionism" saying: "The issue isn't about whether you can read 'The Satanic Verses' in a mosque or not. After all, it would never occur to anyone to serve non-kosher food in a synagogue or pork meat in a Catholic church on Good Friday."
There is a profound logical contradiction in this caution because on one hand, freedom of expression advocates in Europe and the West want to be able to say, not only negative things about Islam, but to protect provocateurs, self declared ennemies of this religion like Hirsi Ali. On the other hand, they don't seem to encourage self criticism in Islam when it is done without provocation, with a good spirit, with the will of initiating a friendly dialogue by proxy with the west through someone who is respected by the Muslim community in Germany.
I wish the event could take place. I wish Wallraff will be able to initiate this dialogue. It is a very original idea. Nobody can initiate a dialogue with a provocation and nobody can engage in a dialogue when they feel threatened. Dialogue is only possible with good intentions, knowledge and openness about the other.
Wallraff's initiative should be taken very seriously and encouraged. It is the way of the future, if we want this future to happen and not enlist ourselves in the present war of religion that is going on in the West against Islam. Even though Wallraff's initiative is propably motivated by his close relationship with Salman Rushdie, I can only wish him success and salute his courage.
Read here my article criticising Hirsi Ali, a famous Mulsim Basher.
24.7.07
Sarkozy's Arrogance ou le show politique en continu
The word 'Arrogance' was used to describe France's foreign policy going its own way against Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003. It was 'arrogance' to the extent France was seen as opposing the empire. It was 'arrogance' to the extent the use of the word spoke about how the US and people in the US perceived France, a waning international power player. But in fact, France's Chirac and its industry, having made a long way with the Iraqi president and the Baathist Iraqi regime, were only following France's interests, its standing in the Middle East, and Chirac's longtime personal friendship with Sunni Arab leaders.
But the real meaning to Arrogance, its objective meaning, is not when a small scale country goes its own way in face of an empire. The real objective meaning for Arrogance is when a country goes its own way because it simply wants to go its own way, in disregard for others. In Diplomatic terms, this is called unilateralism and Bush has been practicing it at lenght, in all occasions. Arrogance is another word to define unilateralism in Politics. Still, one can argue that unilateralism might be O.K. if the unilateralist does not need others to accomplish his goals. France's president Nicolas Sarkozy has proved to be a bad unilateralist, exactly like GW Bush, they both disregard other states and need and manipulate other states to accomplish their goals. Not only Sarkozy is a unilateralist at home where he manages to be omnipresent in the media and where the whole state apparatus around him seems to be a pale extension of his persona, but he is starting to apply his method at the level of EU foreign diplomacy.
The moment EU diplomacy started to move positively on the dossier of the Bulgarian nurses, Sarkozy sent his wife on a mission to Lybia, without consulting with the country who led the negociations for the EU on this dossier, Germany. And when the death sentence was commuted to life sentence, and very shortly after to extradition, for the Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor, Sarkozy sent his wife again to fly the nurses back home. And with him, the French Press, attributing the merit to the French president and the EU, one can be sure that Sarkozy has taken French arrogance and disregard for others in foreign policy to new highs. The French press is cheering. Under the rubrique "Facts", Le Monde titles: 'The Élysées and the EU have liberated the Bulgarian nurses'. Sarkozy stepped in the dossier very recently, and the whole affair looks like Magic, but nobody seems to notice this !
But we all know by now that what Le Monde calls 'Facts' has become Spin under the good auspices of Alain Minc, Jean Marie Colombani, and Sarkozy. Of course, JMC is gone but the culture of Spin when it comes to Sarkozy seems to be present, or is it pure stupid nationalism and chauvinism ?
I looked today for another source on the facts surrounding the liberation of the Bulgarian nurses. The english edition of Der Spiegel online has a totally different story, so different that one wonders if the French press did not just published the official version given to it by the Élysées. Reading the English edition of Der Spiegel online today, not only I was ashamed of Le Monde because it gave us a doctored and unchecked story, and you have to read the German version of the events that led to the liberation of the Bulgarian nurses, but I was ashamed of being a French citizen. From a German perspective, Sarkozy has become the bully of Europe, bested only by Poland. He is running France's Foreign Policy in Europe and on the world stage unilaterally, looking for a showdown à deux with European and world leaders as a way to boost his image outside France. And our good press seems to be following, if we judge from the Bulgarian nurses story in Le Monde. Ironically, I read the same day that Rama Yade, Sarkozy's secrétaire d'État (junior minister) for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights wants to end France's arrogance on the world stage ? My advice to her is that she should start with her boss.
However, the biggest irritation for the European negotiators has been caused not by the tricksters in Tripoli, but rather by a close ally. The hyperactive French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to blow the entire deal with his unstoppable urge to get involved in the affair.
New to international diplomacy, he first sent his wife Cecilia on a conciliatory visit to the nurses and infected children -- in her official capacity as a "mother." Then he offered to mediate matters himself and announced a trip to Libya to meet with Gadhafi. It was a perfect opportunity for the Libyans to ask for more: How about the offer from France's "première dame" to modernize another hospital in Benghazi?
Steinmeier felt as if the overzealous French were jeopardizing his efforts and so he went directly to his negotiating partner Saif al-Islam. The German told him the deal was already done and dusted and there was nothing left to do. Other support could only be discussed within the context of future EU development projects.
But diplomats in Sofia and Berlin will only be able to breathe easy once the hyper French president returns from Tripoli. His wife Cecilia -- who was accompanied by Ferrero-Waldner -- made her second trip to Tripoli in two weeks over the weekend, paying a visit to Gadhafi. And Nicolas Sarkozy himself is expected in Libya on Wednesday.
...Nerves in Berlin are so frayed at the moment that even the surprise trip Sarkozy's wife Cecilia made to Libya last week caused a commotion. Élysée Palace announced she was visiting the five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death for supposedly infecting 426 children with AIDS in her capacity as a "mother." Foreign Minister Steinmeier has been working doggedly behind the scenes to secure the release of the women, who are widely considered to be victims of a show trial. Officials in Berlin assumed that Sarkozy was trying to commandeer the whole process -- and take credit for it -- now that the nurses might be on the verge of being pardoned.
But one leading German foreign policy expert has advised officials in Berlin to remain calm in the storm of Sarkozy's provocations. Former foreign minister Joschka Fischer has pointed out that Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac took office in 1995 in far more explosive fashion -- with a nuclear bomb test in the South Pacific.
According to Bulgarian authorities, more than a dozen security services helped free the 5 Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor from Lybia. Even the Mossad is taking credit.
UPDATE: French Posturing Over Bulgarian Nurses: Why Did Cecilia Sarkozy Go to Tripoli ?
France, ummm...Sarkozy... to build Nuclear reactor in Lybia
Sarkozy's Lybia Nuclear deal: 'A European Disgrace'
From Qantara.de: A Lesson In Ruthless Special Interests Politics
Un portrait de Sarkozy dans Der Spiegel: Pas très flatteur
French's fascination with the Sarkozys
But the real meaning to Arrogance, its objective meaning, is not when a small scale country goes its own way in face of an empire. The real objective meaning for Arrogance is when a country goes its own way because it simply wants to go its own way, in disregard for others. In Diplomatic terms, this is called unilateralism and Bush has been practicing it at lenght, in all occasions. Arrogance is another word to define unilateralism in Politics. Still, one can argue that unilateralism might be O.K. if the unilateralist does not need others to accomplish his goals. France's president Nicolas Sarkozy has proved to be a bad unilateralist, exactly like GW Bush, they both disregard other states and need and manipulate other states to accomplish their goals. Not only Sarkozy is a unilateralist at home where he manages to be omnipresent in the media and where the whole state apparatus around him seems to be a pale extension of his persona, but he is starting to apply his method at the level of EU foreign diplomacy.
The moment EU diplomacy started to move positively on the dossier of the Bulgarian nurses, Sarkozy sent his wife on a mission to Lybia, without consulting with the country who led the negociations for the EU on this dossier, Germany. And when the death sentence was commuted to life sentence, and very shortly after to extradition, for the Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor, Sarkozy sent his wife again to fly the nurses back home. And with him, the French Press, attributing the merit to the French president and the EU, one can be sure that Sarkozy has taken French arrogance and disregard for others in foreign policy to new highs. The French press is cheering. Under the rubrique "Facts", Le Monde titles: 'The Élysées and the EU have liberated the Bulgarian nurses'. Sarkozy stepped in the dossier very recently, and the whole affair looks like Magic, but nobody seems to notice this !
But we all know by now that what Le Monde calls 'Facts' has become Spin under the good auspices of Alain Minc, Jean Marie Colombani, and Sarkozy. Of course, JMC is gone but the culture of Spin when it comes to Sarkozy seems to be present, or is it pure stupid nationalism and chauvinism ?
I looked today for another source on the facts surrounding the liberation of the Bulgarian nurses. The english edition of Der Spiegel online has a totally different story, so different that one wonders if the French press did not just published the official version given to it by the Élysées. Reading the English edition of Der Spiegel online today, not only I was ashamed of Le Monde because it gave us a doctored and unchecked story, and you have to read the German version of the events that led to the liberation of the Bulgarian nurses, but I was ashamed of being a French citizen. From a German perspective, Sarkozy has become the bully of Europe, bested only by Poland. He is running France's Foreign Policy in Europe and on the world stage unilaterally, looking for a showdown à deux with European and world leaders as a way to boost his image outside France. And our good press seems to be following, if we judge from the Bulgarian nurses story in Le Monde. Ironically, I read the same day that Rama Yade, Sarkozy's secrétaire d'État (junior minister) for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights wants to end France's arrogance on the world stage ? My advice to her is that she should start with her boss.
However, the biggest irritation for the European negotiators has been caused not by the tricksters in Tripoli, but rather by a close ally. The hyperactive French President Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to blow the entire deal with his unstoppable urge to get involved in the affair.
New to international diplomacy, he first sent his wife Cecilia on a conciliatory visit to the nurses and infected children -- in her official capacity as a "mother." Then he offered to mediate matters himself and announced a trip to Libya to meet with Gadhafi. It was a perfect opportunity for the Libyans to ask for more: How about the offer from France's "première dame" to modernize another hospital in Benghazi?
Steinmeier felt as if the overzealous French were jeopardizing his efforts and so he went directly to his negotiating partner Saif al-Islam. The German told him the deal was already done and dusted and there was nothing left to do. Other support could only be discussed within the context of future EU development projects.
But diplomats in Sofia and Berlin will only be able to breathe easy once the hyper French president returns from Tripoli. His wife Cecilia -- who was accompanied by Ferrero-Waldner -- made her second trip to Tripoli in two weeks over the weekend, paying a visit to Gadhafi. And Nicolas Sarkozy himself is expected in Libya on Wednesday.
...Nerves in Berlin are so frayed at the moment that even the surprise trip Sarkozy's wife Cecilia made to Libya last week caused a commotion. Élysée Palace announced she was visiting the five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death for supposedly infecting 426 children with AIDS in her capacity as a "mother." Foreign Minister Steinmeier has been working doggedly behind the scenes to secure the release of the women, who are widely considered to be victims of a show trial. Officials in Berlin assumed that Sarkozy was trying to commandeer the whole process -- and take credit for it -- now that the nurses might be on the verge of being pardoned.
But one leading German foreign policy expert has advised officials in Berlin to remain calm in the storm of Sarkozy's provocations. Former foreign minister Joschka Fischer has pointed out that Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac took office in 1995 in far more explosive fashion -- with a nuclear bomb test in the South Pacific.
According to Bulgarian authorities, more than a dozen security services helped free the 5 Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor from Lybia. Even the Mossad is taking credit.
UPDATE: French Posturing Over Bulgarian Nurses: Why Did Cecilia Sarkozy Go to Tripoli ?
France, ummm...Sarkozy... to build Nuclear reactor in Lybia
Sarkozy's Lybia Nuclear deal: 'A European Disgrace'
From Qantara.de: A Lesson In Ruthless Special Interests Politics
Un portrait de Sarkozy dans Der Spiegel: Pas très flatteur
French's fascination with the Sarkozys
4.5.07
Children of Holocaust Survivors Plan Suit against Germany
''An Israeli charity is making plans to launch a class action suit against Germany on behalf of thousands of children of Holocaust survivors who need psychological treatment. But the German government says it will only make payments to those directly affected.''
Read here how Israel and Israeli banks are keeping compensation money from holocaust survivors.
Read here my impressions while visiting Berlin and its holocaust museum during the summer of the latest Israeli agression on Lebanon.
Also, Chris Hedge's 'Coveting the holocaust'
16.1.07
Political Assassinations in Lebanon: Truth And Consequences
The UN Inquiry on the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri and other political assassinations in Lebanon is stumbling on the unwillingness of ten countries to collaborate. Collaboration with the inquiry was a number one requirement in all UN resolutions concerning the inquiry. The head commissioner, Serge Brammertz, did not publish the names of the countries who won't collaborate, but speculations are running high since the Russian ambassador, Vitaly Tchourkine, asked for the divulgation of the names.
Rafiq Hariri was killed on a Valentine day, February 14th, in Beyrouth, after 'supposedly' a car exploded near his convoy. There is no final official report about the assassination since Brammertz's predecessor, Detlev Mehlis, was discharged after his line of inquiry collapsed in a serie of false and fabricated testimonies which were the only 'proofs' he had produced accusing Syria of the assassination. Syria's army left Lebanon after a public and international outrage at the assassination designated the Syrians as prime suspects. The follow-up to this event was an election victory of the March 14th movement led by Hariri son and Walid Jumblatt as well as other pro-US political movements in Lebanon. However, the March 14th movement is, since then, unable to overcome the dwindling of its political support inside Lebanon resulting from its inability to build consensus and from the fact that most Lebanese see the movement as accomplice of the latest July Israeli agression which was overtly supported by March 14th's western political mentors, the US and the UK.
While not mentioning the names of the countries not collaborating with the inquiry, Brammertz declared being totally satisfied with the Syrian collaboration. On his blog, Alain Gresh, a 'Le Monde Diplomatique' correspondant and specialist of the Middle East, reveals the names of some of these uncooperative countries as published on January 12th by the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, a daily seen as close to the Lebanese opposition. They are:
The US who have satellite pictures of the assassination;
Israel who has pictures taken before and after the assassination by its spy planes continously flying over Lebanon;
France who detains a suspect, Mohammed Said Saddik, who made a false testimony to the first UN inquiry headed by Mehlis;
Among other countries mentioned by the Lebanese daily are Germany, Saudi Arabia, Koweit, Australia, UAE, and Brazil.
It is known to these countries that:
The site of the assassination had undergone a 'cleanup' before any evidence gathering;
The first UN inquiry was marred by the lack of professionalism and lack of neutrality on Mehlis's part;
Precious time was lost for collecting and analysing the evidence;
Other politicians and prominent figures died since Hariri was killed, they all are related to the March 14th movement, and their assassinations prompted, eache time, accusations against Syria;
These political assassinations were included by the UN in the mandate of the commission at the demand of the Lebanese state;
Given that Brammertz was making progress and briefing the UN along the way to the point some assume that the change of method in the latest assassination in Lebanon (that of Pierre Gemayyel) was propably prompted by informations on Brammertz's progress and a will to derail the inquiry, one may wonder why these countries, who are all supporting the corrupt pro-US Lebanese government of Fouad Sanyura, won't help a honest inquiry into a series of assassinations that destabilised Lebanon and brought it to the edge of a new civil war ?
Ironically, the March 14th movement and its accolytes had the word 'Truth' as a main slogan on their protest banners (Haqiqa, in Arabic).
Rafiq Hariri was killed on a Valentine day, February 14th, in Beyrouth, after 'supposedly' a car exploded near his convoy. There is no final official report about the assassination since Brammertz's predecessor, Detlev Mehlis, was discharged after his line of inquiry collapsed in a serie of false and fabricated testimonies which were the only 'proofs' he had produced accusing Syria of the assassination. Syria's army left Lebanon after a public and international outrage at the assassination designated the Syrians as prime suspects. The follow-up to this event was an election victory of the March 14th movement led by Hariri son and Walid Jumblatt as well as other pro-US political movements in Lebanon. However, the March 14th movement is, since then, unable to overcome the dwindling of its political support inside Lebanon resulting from its inability to build consensus and from the fact that most Lebanese see the movement as accomplice of the latest July Israeli agression which was overtly supported by March 14th's western political mentors, the US and the UK.
While not mentioning the names of the countries not collaborating with the inquiry, Brammertz declared being totally satisfied with the Syrian collaboration. On his blog, Alain Gresh, a 'Le Monde Diplomatique' correspondant and specialist of the Middle East, reveals the names of some of these uncooperative countries as published on January 12th by the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, a daily seen as close to the Lebanese opposition. They are:
The US who have satellite pictures of the assassination;
Israel who has pictures taken before and after the assassination by its spy planes continously flying over Lebanon;
France who detains a suspect, Mohammed Said Saddik, who made a false testimony to the first UN inquiry headed by Mehlis;
Among other countries mentioned by the Lebanese daily are Germany, Saudi Arabia, Koweit, Australia, UAE, and Brazil.
It is known to these countries that:
The site of the assassination had undergone a 'cleanup' before any evidence gathering;
The first UN inquiry was marred by the lack of professionalism and lack of neutrality on Mehlis's part;
Precious time was lost for collecting and analysing the evidence;
Other politicians and prominent figures died since Hariri was killed, they all are related to the March 14th movement, and their assassinations prompted, eache time, accusations against Syria;
These political assassinations were included by the UN in the mandate of the commission at the demand of the Lebanese state;
Given that Brammertz was making progress and briefing the UN along the way to the point some assume that the change of method in the latest assassination in Lebanon (that of Pierre Gemayyel) was propably prompted by informations on Brammertz's progress and a will to derail the inquiry, one may wonder why these countries, who are all supporting the corrupt pro-US Lebanese government of Fouad Sanyura, won't help a honest inquiry into a series of assassinations that destabilised Lebanon and brought it to the edge of a new civil war ?
Ironically, the March 14th movement and its accolytes had the word 'Truth' as a main slogan on their protest banners (Haqiqa, in Arabic).
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Since March 29th 2006