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World Media Watch
by Gloria R. Lalumia
BUZZFLASH NOTE: Once again, these are the views and perspectives of the individual papers, not of BuzzFlash or Gloria. They offer BuzzFlash readers a way of reading what other nations are saying about the crisis, whether we like it or not. We repeat: This is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.
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1//The Independent, UK--BLAIR: MY CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR OVER WAR (Tony Blair has told critics that his Christian conscience is clear about the terrible death toll which could follow a military strike against Iraq. In a unique dialogue with Independent on Sunday readers, the Prime Minister declared: "I would never go into war if I thought it was morally wrong." Mr Blair has responded in detail to the many concerns raised by our readers over the past weeks... The exercise is a sign of Mr Blair's increasing anxiety to keep talking to critics of his Iraq policy, so that even if he cannot win them over, he can at least persuade them that he is doing what he genuinely believes is right.)
2//TurkishPress.com, USA--ERDOGAN: WE EXPECT ALL STATES TO RESPECT OUR CONCERNS (Erdogan stated, ''expecting all states to respect our sensitivities is the most natural right of us. The decision the parliament took on Saturday put forth once again those sensitivities which Turkey expects to be respected by foreign friends. The duty of the government and all of us is to put into practice the requirements of this democratic choice.'' ... He said that everyone should know that the Turkish government was capable of taking necessary measures according to the developments which would appear from now on.)
3//The News International, Pakistan--MASSIVE MMA RALLY FLAYS IRAQ WAR (A mammoth rally of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) here on Sunday declared that attack on Iraq would be considered as an attack on the Muslim world and warned that the people would remove the present government if it did not oppose the US resolution in the United Nations Security Council. Emotionally-charged participants of the rally, which also included a number of women, endorsed demands of the leaders by raising their hands expressing that the nation would not accept a neutral stand of Gen Musharraf's government in the UN Security Council and it must vote against the American resolution.)
4//Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines--ANALYSIS: POST-WAR CONDITIONS WORRY ASIA (The 31st Williamsburg Conference here examined during the past two days the political and economic problems of Asia under the shadow of the looming war in Iraq... A Singaporean think tank analyst classified Asian countries' responses to the impending war in Iraq into "ambulance chasers" and those maintaining a "wait-and-see" attitude. The first includes countries that have inserted their national agenda into the US-led campaign against terrorism, using it to seek military and economic aid. The other category is composed of countries that straddle the fence-giving support to the winning side. Opinions were introduced saying that if the United States invaded Iraq with a new UN resolution, the reaction in the Islamic countries of Asia would be supportive of the UN resolution.)
5//The Moscow Times, Russia-- OPINION/COMMENT: NOVIYE IZVETSTIA DEAD-WHO'S NEXT?--( Assuming that the version about the Kremlin being behind the closure of Noviye Izvestia is indeed close to the truth, then it should come as no surprise if, in the near future, the remaining oppositional and semi-oppositional papers -- such as Novaya Gazeta, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Moskovskiye Novosti -- start to experience serious problems.)
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1//The
Independent 02 March 2003
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=383014
BLAIR: MY CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR OVER WAR
Exclusive: The Prime Minister answers questions from 'Independent on
Sunday' readers over his beliefs and motives
By Andy McSmith and Steve Richards
Tony Blair has told critics that his Christian conscience is clear about the terrible death toll which could follow a military strike against Iraq.
In a unique dialogue with Independent on Sunday readers, the Prime Minister declared: "I would never go into war if I thought it was morally wrong." Mr Blair has responded in detail to the many concerns raised by our readers over the past weeks.
His answers were composed at 30,000 feet as he flew back from talks with the Spanish Prime Minister, José Maria Aznar.
The exercise is a sign of Mr Blair's increasing anxiety to keep talking to critics of his Iraq policy, so that even if he cannot win them over, he can at least persuade them that he is doing what he genuinely believes is right.
Labour MPs who voted against the Government last week have been invited to private chats with the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw. The Muslim News is reporting that Mr Blair will hold talks this week with the Muslim Council of Britain.
(MORE)
2//TurkishPress.com 3/2/2003
http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=9316
ERDOGAN: WE EXPECT ALL STATES TO RESPECT OUR CONCERNS
Anadolu Agency: 3/2/2003
ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said while assessing the decision of the parliament about the prime ministry motion that ''the Turkish nation has historical reflexes and concerns which have to be taken into consideration by everybody.''
''It is our natural right to expect all states to respect our sensitivities,'' said Erdogan after the AK Party Central Decision Executive Board (MKYK) meeting.
(SNIP)
''Iraqi issue came to the parliament with a motion. The parliament gave a decision on Saturday. Statements of those who only comment on results are not important. We know well on which way we are walking with and with which intention. Our party opened a very new page in Turkish policy tradition by functioning democracy principle in the party and not taking a group decision on that critical issue,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated, ''expecting all states to respect our sensitivities is the most natural right of us. The decision the parliament took on Saturday put forth once again those sensitivities which Turkey expects to be respected by foreign friends. The duty of the government and all of us is to put into practice the requirements of this democratic choice.''
(SNIP)
Erdogan said, ''every condition brings its alternative. But, we should not forget that every alternative has a price.''
He said that everyone should know that the Turkish government was capable of taking necessary measures according to the developments which would appear from now on.
Erdogan added that no one should not take into consideration speculations which would spoil economic stability.
(SNIP)
Erdogan said that he wanted to say something to the Iraqi administration, noting ''Turkey takes steps which regard the well-being of the Iraqi people in all the decisions it takes. I would like to remind once again that the Iraqi leadership should understand properly the steps Turkey takes for peaceful solution of the problem and the need that it has to make more active its cooperation with the U.N. At this stage the biggest mistake which the Iraqi leadership can make is to misinterpret the decision the Turkish parliament took and to start acting slowly in making active cooperation with the U.N. The Iraqi administration has to understand correctly the decision of the Turkish parliament and be in a more intensive, transparent and active cooperation with the U.N.''
(SNIP)
''What is your alternative from now on?'' asked a journalist to Erdogan who said that ''both the AK Party Central Decision Executive Board (MKYK) and the cabinet assesses that. As a result of these assessments, financial accounts will be made and the decision will be given according to that.''
''At the end of this process, will be motion be submitted absolutely?'' asked a journalist to Erdogan who said that ''this is a process, will it be submitted or not, we will see that in the coming process.''
''Next week we have the elections in Siirt. Two days earlier than that, the U.N. weapon inspectors will announce their report. Can this be regarded as a step for international legitimacy as stressed by Mr. President and Parliament Speaker before? In this context, can it contribute to this process?'' asked a journalist to Erdogan who said that ''it can contribute or it can't contribute. We will see and monitor this process together.''
(MORE)
3//The News International Monday March 03, 2003-- Zil Haj 29, 1423
A.H.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2003-daily/03-03-2003/main/main1.htm
MASSIVE MMA RALLY FLAYS IRAQ WAR
Leaders criticise govt foreign policy; want Pakistan's vote against
US resolution in Security Council
By Tahir Hasan Khan
KARACHI: A mammoth rally of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) here on Sunday declared that attack on Iraq would be considered as an attack on the Muslim world and warned that the people would remove the present government if it did not oppose the US resolution in the United Nations Security Council.
Emotionally-charged participants of the rally, which also included a number of women, endorsed demands of the leaders by raising their hands expressing that the nation would not accept a neutral stand of Gen Musharraf's government in the UN Security Council and it must vote against the American resolution.
(SNIP)
Addressing the rally, the MMA chief Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani demanded of the National Assembly and the Senate to press the rulers not to allow the US to use Pakistan's soil against Iraq. Appreciating Turkish parliament's stand, the MMA chief also demanded that all logistic facilities provided to the USA should be withdrawn. "This biggest rally is a message to Iraqi President Saddam Hussain that he is not alone in this crisis and the people of Pakistan and the Ummah stand with him," he said adding that rallies would be taken out in all the cities of the country to condemn the US.
Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Husain Ahmad, while claiming that 3.5 million people participated in the rally, announced that people of the Punjab would also show the same sprit at the rally in Rawalpindi on March 9. He said rallies would also be held in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, where millions of people would participate.
(MORE)
The MMA leader also criticised President Musharraf's policies, saying 140 million people of Pakistan disapprove his foreign policy. "People of Pakistan demand of President Musharraf to respect sentiments of the people and oppose the US resolution against Iraq in Security Council," he added. Fazl warned that people would remove the rulers if the policy was not changed.
(MORE)
4//Philippine Daily Inquirer Monday Mar. 03, 2003
Posted: 11:44 PM (Manila Time) | Mar. 02, 2003
http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/mar/03/nat_30-1.htm
ANALYSIS: POST-WAR CONDITIONS WORRY ASIA
Amando Doronila, Inquirer News Service
Fatalistic view
BANGKOK-The 31st Williamsburg Conference here examined during the past two days the political and economic problems of Asia under the shadow of the looming war in Iraq.
Convened by the Asia Society with the participation of academics, senior officials and journalists from the region, the sessions on the Iraq conflict easily grabbed the attention of the delegates, pushing aside such flash point issues as the North Korean nuclear weapons development and the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir.
The Iraq conflict was examined in the context of how Asian nations see the war on terrorism affecting relationships that are critical to the stability of the region. There is a consensus that the war can be won quickly by the US-led coalition, but what concerns the region is what comes next.
(SNIP)
Here, away from the UN diplomatic arena, the view is fatalistic.
One presenter, from a US think tank, summed it all up: Whatever Hans Blix, chief of the UN inspection team, will report to the council after Saddam has agreed to destroy the missiles, the belief here is that Iraq's decision to destroy its missiles will not stop President George W. Bush from invading Iraq.
Blix described the decision as "a very significant piece of real disarmament," but since Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have repeatedly insisted on full disarmament, this late decision is not likely to change the war scenario. The expert painted the best-case scenario, saying that the odds are 90 percent for going to war by mid-March.
US-led troops will be in Baghdad in two to three weeks, but the expert said that with the quick conclusion of the military phases, "things will be more complicated after that." These "things" include choosing the new ruler of Iraq after the expected fall of Saddam Hussein, and the reconstruction of post-war Iraq.
Casualties not factored in
This scenario curiously did not consider the casualty aspect of the war and assumed that invading forces would quickly seize Iraq's oil fields before they were destroyed by Saddam. It also rules out street fighting in the cities where biological and chemical weapons might be unleashed.
Bush is poised to go to war with an approval rating of 55 percent, down from 92 percent immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attack. This percentage, which is still high, gives him ample public support for his war policy. His rating was pulled down by those who disapprove of how he handles the economy. Only 40 percent approve of his economic performance.
(SNIP)
The opposition Democratic Party is united against Bush's economic policy, whose centerpiece is tax cuts, but it is divided and even muted over the Iraq issue. One US expert described the handling by the US media of the war on terrorism from Sept. 11 as "pathetic." The media have only joined the flag waving. No administration, says the expert, has so "dominated and cowed" the US media as the second Bush administration does.
'Ambulance chasers'
A Singaporean think tank analyst classified Asian countries' responses to the impending war in Iraq into "ambulance chasers" and those maintaining a "wait-and-see" attitude. The first includes countries that have inserted their national agenda into the US-led campaign against terrorism, using it to seek military and economic aid.
The other category is composed of countries that straddle the fence-giving support to the winning side. Opinions were introduced saying that if the United States invaded Iraq with a new UN resolution, the reaction in the Islamic countries of Asia would be supportive of the UN resolution.
(SNIP)
A Malaysian academic observed the trend toward US unilateralism on the issue of Iraq, saying that the rift between the United States and European countries led by France and Germany represented a challenge to the hegemony of the United States. It was pointed out that European resistance to war reflected the exercise of "freedom to interrogate" global power and how it was being used by the sole superpower, the United States.
5//The Moscow Times Friday, Feb. 28, 200. Page 8
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2003/02/28/006.html
OPINION/COMMENT
NOVIYE IZVETSTIA DEAD-WHO'S NEXT?
By Vladimir Pribylovsky
(Vladimir Pribylovsky, director of the Panorama think tank, contributed
this comment to The Moscow Times. His article "Plus Putinization
of the Entire Country. A Chronicle of Glorification" ran in
Noviye Izvestia's last issue.)
Sergei Markov and Gleb Pavlovsky, the ideologues of "managed democracy," assure us that the current regime has no intention of eradicating free speech in Russia. According to their reasoning, the country's ruling elite cannot tolerate the existence of opposition television networks, but opposition newspapers are another matter. Newspapers exert no serious influence on the voters, and therefore pose no threat. In addition, they provide a harmless way for the intelligentsia to let off steam.
The facts do not support this theory, however. Markov and Pavlovsky clearly overestimate the rationality of the politicians who watch over them. Either that or those politicians possess a home-spun wisdom that their ideologues and political consultants cannot fathom.
The campaign to cut the print press down to size began with the closing of the Segodnya newspaper two years ago. Shutting down Vladimir Gusinsky's paper was a byproduct of the Kremlin's victory over Media-MOST and the confiscation of Gusinsky's television network, NTV. The newspaper was published by Sem Dnei, in which Dmitry Biryukov, formerly a loyal Gusinsky man, owned the controlling stake. But when the tide turned against Gusinsky, Biryukov sought the patronage of someone a little more powerful -- President Vladimir Putin. Sem Dnei closed Segodnya to curry favor with the Kremlin. The firing of Sergei Parkhomenko, editor of Gusinsky's Itogi magazine, was the icing on the cake.
(SNIP-descriptions of other closures)
Noviye Izvestia's Oleg Mitvol was every inch a loyal Berezovsky man. He owns 76 percent of the stock in Noviye Izvestia; the newspaper's staff owns the rest. Mitvol's controlling stake once belonged to Berezovsky, who signed it over to Mitvol before he fled the country. In his haste to clear out of Russia, Berezovsky put nothing in the transfer documents to prevent Mitvol from acting unilaterally. The risk, of course, was that Mitvol would stab him in the back. But at the beginning, Mitvol betrayed no inclination of twisting the knife.
Mitvol did not interfere in Noviye Izvestia's editorial policy. He was far more concerned with his own business interests -- chemical companies -- which he bought up one after the next, very much in the manner of his namesake, Oleg Deripaska. Deripaska gets away with expanding his business empire because he doesn't finance opposition newspapers. On the contrary, he has taken an active part in "re-educating" Yevgeny Kiselyov's team at TVS.
It should be noted that Berezovsky, not Mitvol, continued to bankroll Noviye Izvestia. Officially, it seems, the money flowed through Mitvol's companies, bringing him a tidy profit in exchange for accepting a considerable risk. It therefore came as a surprise last week when Mitvol accused the newspaper's management of misusing "his" money. He sacked Igor Golembiovsky from his post as general director, and shut the paper down "until Tuesday."
"Oleg Mitvol's charges of financial mismanagement are absurd," Valery Yakov, deputy editor of Noviye Izvestia, told Kommersant. "Mitvol himself was responsible for our finances. We believe that these events are linked to recent articles critical of Putin."
Assuming that the version about the Kremlin being behind the closure of Noviye Izvestia is indeed close to the truth, then it should come as no surprise if, in the near future, the remaining oppositional and semi-oppositional papers -- such as Novaya Gazeta, Nezavisimaya Gazeta and Moskovskiye Novosti -- start to experience serious problems.
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© 2003, Gloria R. Lalumia, insight@zianet.com
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