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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//Arab News, Saudi Arabia--OPINION: DEALING WITH FORMER BAATHIST OFFCIALS [As senior former Iraqi officials surrender or are captured one after another, the United States and its allies must decide what to do with them. The question is not academic. It could have long-range consequences not only in Iraq but also in other countries with regimes similar to that of Saddam Hussein, though none as murderous.]
2//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--AFGHANISTAN, ONCE MORE THE MELTING
POT [As spring approaches in Afghanistan, a number of factors are
likely to contribute to a significant escalation of the country's
ongoing guerrilla war. These include Iran, which fears the US presence
in its region, Pakistan's mafia groups, a local cartel of Afghan
governors-cum-warlords who foresee no political future for themselves
in elections scheduled for next year, as well as Islamic radicals
looking to regroup for an assault on the United States and it allies...Given
all these factors, it is apparent that the situation in Afghanistan
is not simply one of local unrest, but once again a potential breeding
point and a safe sanctuary for an international Islamic resistance
front against US interests where already thousands of Arabs, Chechen
and Uzbek fighters are fast regrouping for a broader role in the
region to harm the interests of the US and its allies.]
3/The News International, Pakistan--NATO ASKED TO TAKE COMMAND
OF AFGHAN SECURITY [NATO's military authorities in Brussels have
been ordered to command an effective security and peace operation
in Afghanistan as soon as possible, a NATO source told The News.
Many credible reports that the Taliban have resuscitated their "Jihadi
network" couldn't change the NATO's decision to take over
the command, coordination and planning of the operation aimed at
guaranteeing peace and security in Afghanistan.]
4//EuroNews, France--REACTIONS TO 4-STATE MINI DEFENCE INITIATIVE [Belgian Premier Guy Verhofstadt isn't letting up in his controversial drive to integrate Europe's defence capabilities. The day after a much criticised mini-summit on this, he briefed key people at the EU parliament...The summiteers insisted their initiative was not anti-NATO or anti-American. And yet, there is growing evidence that Europeans are fed up with just tagging along. Belgian liberal European Parliament member Frédérique Ries cited a recent survey saying more than 70% of the electorate wanted Europe to have a military presence and be able to intervene in conflicts.]
5//The Independent, UK--YOUR NINE TO FIVE DAYS ARE OVER, COUNCIL WORKERS TOLD [Unions believe the plans could seriously undermine their rights and national industrial action could follow. Council workers form the biggest single bargaining group, covering about 5 per cent of the nation's workforce...While yesterday's submission to the Local Government Pay Commission was drawn up under the supervision of senior councillors from all three main parties, there was little doubt that Labour members had run the proposals past ministers, who had registered their approval of the strategy...Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the largest public-service union...said the policy would drive down pay rates among low-paid women who made up the bulk of the workforce.]
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1//Arab
News Thursday, May 01, 2003 / 29 Safar 1424
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=25780
OPINION: DEALING WITH FORMER BAATHIST OFFCIALS
Amir Taheri, Arab News Staff
As senior former Iraqi officials surrender or are captured one after another, the United States and its allies must decide what to do with them.
The question is not academic. It could have long-range consequences not only in Iraq but also in other countries with regimes similar to that of Saddam Hussein, though none as murderous.
According to reports, the US has decided to offer some of the captured officials freedom from prosecution, and even material rewards, in exchange for information related to "more important matters." Such bargains are routinely used in the US in fighting crime syndicates. The smaller fry are offered lower sentences or immunity in exchange for helping send the bigger fry behind bars.
If our information is correct, the US is offering such a deal to three captured Baathists: former Vice Premier Mikhail Yuhanna (better known as Tareq Aziz), former spymaster Farouq Hejazi, and one of Saddam's half-brothers Barzan Al-Tikriti.
It would be foolish for the US to embark on such a course. People like Aziz, Hejazi and Al-Tikriti may or may not be the arch criminals that some Iraqis take them to be. In fact, they must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a proper trial. But to save them from prosecution in the context of secret deals would make a mockery of any system of justice that may be created in a new Iraq.
Another option for dealing with the Baathists is to organize trials modeled on the Nuremberg ones in post-Hitler Germany. Post-Saddam Iraq, however, is different. Hitler won power in democratic elections and, at least initially, enjoyed the support of a substantial segment of the German intellectual, cultural and business elite. Throughout the Nazi era, a majority of Germans actively, often enthusiastically, worked, killed and died for Hitler. At the end of the war, the German nation as a whole bore collective responsibility for what Hitler had done.
Iraq's experience under Saddam was quite different. The Baath Party never won free elections in Iraq. It came to power with a military coup in 1968. But even then it did not enjoy broad support within the Iraqi army. Over the years, a majority of Iraqis were terrorized into submission to the regime. But they never worked or fought for it with any conviction, let alone enthusiasm.
German society in the immediate post-Hitler era lacked the legitimacy to judge the Nazis. This is not the case with the post-Saddam Iraqi society. As the primary victim of Saddam's regime, the people of Iraq have all the legitimacy they need to try their oppressors.
Another option is for the Baathist chiefs to be tried by the newly created International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. The Bush administration, however, has not recognized the ICC. It is also concerned that diplomatic treachery by governments that still regret Saddam's demise might prevent the new court from doing a proper job of prosecuting the Saddamites.
So what is the best course?
[MORE]
2//Asia Times Online May 01, 2003
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/EE01Ag03.html
AFGHANISTAN, ONCE MORE THE MELTING POT
By Syed Saleem Shahzad
KARACHI - As spring approaches in Afghanistan, a number of factors are likely to contribute to a significant escalation of the country's ongoing guerrilla war.
These include Iran, which fears the US presence in its region, Pakistan's mafia groups, a local cartel of Afghan governors-cum-warlords who foresee no political future for themselves in elections scheduled for next year, as well as Islamic radicals looking to regroup for an assault on the United States and it allies.
The border areas alongside Pakistan are the hotbed of these activities, notably around Pakistan's South and North Waziristani belts and the Chaman area.
Increasing reports are emerging from Afghanistan of battles between anti-foreign forces and Afghan militias and US troops, with a number of casualties on both sides. The main characteristic of the guerrilla attacks has been what appears to be, for the first time, a consolidated strategy.
[SNIP]
This is exactly the same strategy that the Taliban adopted in 1994 prior to taking full control of the country. Coincidentally, before they completely took over Kandahar in 1994, Zabul, Shakin and Argon were their main playing fields, as is the case now.
A Pakistani tribal leader in Wana, which is the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency, told this correspondent in a telephone interview that in coming days bigger cities like Gazni and Kandahar can expect serious turmoil.
[SNIP]
Given all these factors, it is apparent that the situation in Afghanistan is not simply one of local unrest, but once again a potential breeding point and a safe sanctuary for an international Islamic resistance front against US interests where already thousands of Arabs, Chechen and Uzbek fighters are fast regrouping for a broader role in the region to harm the interests of the US and its allies.
3//The News International Friday May 02, 2003-- Safar 29, 1424 A.H.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/may2003-daily/02-05-2003/main/main9.htm
NATO ASKED TO TAKE COMMAND OF AFGHAN SECURITY
By Zia Iqbal Shahid
BRUSSELS: NATO's military authorities in Brussels have been ordered to command an effective security and peace operation in Afghanistan as soon as possible, a NATO source told The News.
Many credible reports that the Taliban have resuscitated their "Jihadi network" couldn't change the NATO's decision to take over the command, coordination and planning of the operation aimed at guaranteeing peace and security in Afghanistan.
The decision to provide enhanced NATO support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been taken by the North Atlantic Council at the request of Germany, the Netherlands and Canada -- leading ISAF countries.
Preparations to take over permanent command of the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan are underway in the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Additional NATO support to ISAF in Afghanistan also includes an in-theatre headquarters to command and coordinate the operation.
[MORE]
4//EuroNews 02 May 2003
http://www.euronews.net/create_html.php?page=detail_europa&lng=1&option=0,europa
REACTIONS TO 4-STATE MINI DEFENCE INITIATIVE
Belgian Premier Guy Verhofstadt isn't letting up in his controversial
drive to integrate Europe's defence capabilities. The day after a
much criticised mini-summit on this, he briefed key
people at the EU parliament.
'No, I don't think European defence will guarantee a coherent common foreign policy,' he said; 'but it is a pre-requisite.'
He, with France, Germany and Luxembourg, proposed a Security and Defence Union within the EU, open to all member states that wished to cooperate more closely militarily.
Hans-Gert Pöttering, head of the parliament's dominant conservatives, qualified his approval, saying 'this coming from just four states might actually harm the goal of strengthening Europe within NATO as a partner of the US, with equal rights.'
The summiteers insisted their initiative was not anti-NATO or anti-American. And yet, there is growing evidence that Europeans are fed up with just tagging along.
Belgian liberal European Parliament member Frédérique Ries cited a recent survey saying more than 70% of the electorate wanted Europe to have a military presence and be able to intervene in conflicts.
[MORE]
5//The Independent 01 May 2003
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=401989
YOUR NINE TO FIVE DAYS ARE OVER, COUNCIL WORKERS TOLD
Barrie Clement, Labour Editor
Council workers are being told to end their "nine to five" mentality so that libraries, schools and other services can be run at times that suit the public rather than the staff.
Ministers opened up a new front against public-service unions, representing 1.3 million town hall workers, yesterday with a radical package of reforms that also included a demand for what amounted to a no-strike deal. Leaders of more than 400 councils are seeking far more flexibility to set wages and conditions locally.
Unions believe the plans could seriously undermine their rights and national industrial action could follow. Council workers form the biggest single bargaining group, covering about 5 per cent of the nation's workforce.
At the heart of the blueprint set out by the Local Government Association is the assertion that council staff are working at times convenient to them rather than to householders and that out-of-hours services are prohibitively expensive because of premium pay rates. Management wants to open libraries, schools and advice services at times when the public are better able to use them.
While yesterday's submission to the Local Government Pay Commission was drawn up under the supervision of senior councillors from all three main parties, there was little doubt that Labour members had run the proposals past ministers, who had registered their approval of the strategy.
The public-service unions are already fighting the Government over foundation hospitals and the Fire Brigades Union is threatening to call fresh industrial action in the absence of new pay negotiations.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the largest public-service union, said that at a time when the private sector was moving away from local pay determination, the local government proposals were both "dangerous and dated".
He said the policy would drive down pay rates among low-paid women who made up the bulk of the workforce.
[MORE]
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©2003, Gloria R. Lalumia, insight@zianet.com
Radio for the Left at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical/radio.htm
