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| February 11, 2004 |
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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. * * * WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR FEBRUARY 11, 2004 1//The Jordan Times, Jordan--KUWAIT PROBES DEAL OF FUEL TO US MILITARY IN IRAQ (Kuwaiti Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al Sabah has ordered a judicial probe into allegations that officials have profited from a deal with US oil services giant Halliburton to supply fuel to the US military in Iraq, the official KUNA news agency said Monday. However, angry lawmakers, warning the issue could hurt strategic US-Kuwaiti ties, said the minister's action was not enough and threatened to conduct a parliamentary probe into the corruption allegations.) 2//The News International, Pakistan--US NOT KEEPING ARABS AWARE OF ITS PLANS FOR THE ME (The United States has kept most Arab governments in the dark about its plans for the Middle East, now taking shape under the title of the Greater Middle East Initiative, Arab diplomats and officials said on Tuesday..."The Arab leaders feel their future is on the table at a time when they themselves are not sitting around that table. They find that rather disturbing," said one Arab diplomat, who asked not to be named. "Whenever a group of countries is being talked about or having their future planned for them, without them being consulted, that's not something that people would accept whole-heartedly. In fact, quite the contrary," said another Arab official, who also asked not to be named.) 3//The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia--AL-QAEDA
SYMPATHISERS BATTLE 'INFIDELS' WITH RAP (Al-Qaeda's
newest weapon against the West is a violent English-language
rap tune urging young Muslims to wage holy war. The
song is being broadcast on the internet in an attempt
to lure music-loving youth into the terror network,
which is blamed for the September 11 attacks on US
cities and other bombings around the world. Titled
Dirty Kuffar or Dirty Infidels, the song is performed
by a London-based group which Islamists said was deeply
sympathetic to Osama bin Laden's network.) * * * 1//The
Jordan Times Wednesday, February 11, 2004 KUWAIT PROBES DEAL OF FUEL TO US MILITARY IN IRAQ KUWAIT CITY (AFP) - Kuwaiti Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al Sabah has ordered a judicial probe into allegations that officials have profited from a deal with US oil services giant Halliburton to supply fuel to the US military in Iraq, the official KUNA news agency said Monday. However, angry lawmakers, warning the issue could hurt strategic US-Kuwaiti ties, said the minister's action was not enough and threatened to conduct a parliamentary probe into the corruption allegations. "In view of reports about the deal to supply the US Army with oil and gas products through a contractor which reached the extent of defaming some ... the supply agreement between Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) and the contractor has been referred to the public prosecutor for investigation," KUNA quoted Sheikh Ahmad as saying in a statement. A draft US audit disclosed in December that the US government had been overcharged by some $61 million for oil purchased through a Halliburton subcontractor in Kuwait. Several Kuwaiti MPs and the local press have alleged that senior officials from KPC and other agencies were involved in the scam. During Monday's parliamentary session, MPs insisted the minister's action was insufficient. "Referring the Halliburton case to the prosecution is not sufficient. There must be political and administrative questioning because government sides sponsored the case. Kuwait's image has been tarnished," said opposition MP Waleed Al Jari. "Some US officials described us as having blackmailed them. It's unfortunate that some have provided political cover for this scandal for the benefit of a handful of people," he charged. But the minister insisted the reports were based on "unfounded rumours," that had damaged the reputation of several officials. (MORE)
US NOT KEEPING ARABS AWARE OF ITS PLANS FOR THE ME CAIRO: The United States has kept most Arab governments in the dark about its plans for the Middle East, now taking shape under the title of the Greater Middle East Initiative, Arab diplomats and officials said on Tuesday. The way Washington has handled the initiative so far has added to Arab feeling that the Bush administration is planning a future for the region behind their backs, they said. US officials say they want European support for the initiative in readiness to announce it in June when the Group of Eight leaders hold their annual summit, hosted this year by US President Bush at Sea Island, Georgia. Arab governments have read about the proposals from the media or through public statements by US officials, though US Secretary of State Colin Powell did discuss them on Monday with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad of Bahrain. "The Arab leaders feel their future is on the table at a time when they themselves are not sitting around that table. They find that rather disturbing," said one Arab diplomat, who asked not to be named. "Whenever a group of countries is being talked about or having their future planned for them, without them being consulted, that's not something that people would accept whole-heartedly. In fact, quite the contrary," said another Arab official, who also asked not to be named. The Middle East initiative is an extension of the Bush administration's campaign for democracy in the Middle East, seen by many in the region as an insincere distraction from the Arab priorities - an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to the US-led occupation of Iraq. (MORE)
AL-QAEDA SYMPATHISERS BATTLE 'INFIDELS' WITH RAP Al-Qaeda's newest weapon against the West is a violent English-language rap tune urging young Muslims to wage holy war. The song is being broadcast on the internet in an attempt to lure music-loving youth into the terror network, which is blamed for the September 11 attacks on US cities and other bombings around the world. Titled Dirty Kuffar or Dirty Infidels, the song is performed by a London-based group which Islamists said was deeply sympathetic to Osama bin Laden's network. A music video accompanies the catchy yet violent lyrics, belted out by the group's lead singer Sheikh Terra - rap lingo for terror - and the Soul Salah Crew, a take-off on gritty British rappers So Solid Crew. Salah means righteousness or piety in Arabic. The song calls on Muslims to wage jihad, or holy war, against "Crusaders and apostate Arab rulers", saying they will be "thrown in a fire". "Be prepared for the battle with the infidels," it says. The video, which uses footage from news agencies and television, opens with images of a US soldier killing an Iraqi man and then cheering. (MORE)
RAPID REACTION UNITS PROPOSED TO GIVE CLOUT TO EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY By Stephen Castle in Brussels Britain, France and Germany have laid out plans for a string of EU rapid reaction units equipped for combat in some of the world's most difficult terrain, accelerating the drive for European defence co-operation. The move, disclosed yesterday to senior EU diplomats, underlines the growing partnership between the three countries whose premiers meet at a summit next week. The new rapid reaction units are designed to be around 1,500-strong, the size of a battle group, and ready for action at 15 days' notice as of 2007. They should be able to stay in the field for 30 days, although that timescale could be extended to a maximum of four months. Yesterday's initiative underlines the importance attached by the EU's two biggest defence powers to boosting joint military capabilities as a means of increasing Europe's foreign policy clout. But it also illustrates the importance of the alliance between London, Paris and Berlin, one that has prompted fears among smaller EU countries that they are destined to be dominated by a new triumvirate. Next week Tony Blair, the French President Jacques Chirac and the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, will meet in Berlin. They are due to discuss a range of issues, including the EU's stalled efforts to agree a constitution and its moves to revive the moribund Lisbon process which aims to regenerate the European economy. But agreement on the defence strategy would provide evidence that the three-way partnership is producing tangible results. Although France and Germany have taken care to revive their relationship, which they still see as central, Paris and Berlin realise that inclusion of the UK is vital for foreign and defence policy initiatives. (MORE) 5//The
Philippine Daily Inquirer Posted: 4:45 AM (Manila
Time) | Feb. 11, 2004 Insisting that "Armageddon" could be averted if opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. were pulled out of the race, lawyer Victorino Fornier on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to disqualify the actor on the ground that he is not a natural-born Filipino citizen. In a 64-page petition for certiorari, Fornier asked the tribunal to set aside the Commission on Elections' dismissal of his initial petition against Poe's candidacy, issue a temporary restraining order against the poll body, and then rule on the matter. He also urged the SC to direct the Comelec to cancel Poe's certificate of candidacy. "There will be no civil war, no chaos, no Armageddon, if and when it is finally decided that 'Da King' is disqualified to run for the presidency," Fornier said. That the masses would take up arms in defense of Poe was "at most, highly debatable," the lawyer said. He explained: "A good number of those who would bestir the people into reckless adventures are themselves not of the masses." Fornier's brother Andresito, who filed the petition at around 1:30 p.m., told reporters that Poe was "wasting his time" campaigning. (MORE) | |||||
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