January 21, 2005

World Media Watch

by Gloria R. Lalumia

BuzzFlash Note: WMW provides BuzzFlash readers foreign views and perspectives that are not usually available from the media here in the U.S. The presentation of these articles from these international publications is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR JANUARY 21, 2005

1//Gulf News Online, United Arab Emirates--LOW TURNOUT FOR IRAQI VOTER REGISTRATION (UAE) (Of the more than 100,000 Iraqis living in the UAE, only 900 signed up to vote on the first day of registration. On the second and third registration days, which were Tuesday and yesterday, unofficial observers estimated that more than 2,500 Iraqis registered… A cross-section of UAE-based Iraqis spoke to Gulf News regarding the whole election process. "Definitely, I won't register and vote. I don't believe this election process is democratic because our country is occupied now. How can the people be so naive and believe the forthcoming elections are democratic. The results could be predetermined. I have so many doubts that prevent me from registering and voting," said Hussain M., a Dubai resident and salesman… Auday Al Moman, the Head of Pipe Coating Yards of the Petroleum Construction Company in Sharjah, said: "My brother-in-law and I registered on Monday. We will be voting next week. It's an outstanding and enthusiastic feeling to vote freely without being pressured. We don't have any doubts.")

2//Arab News, Saudi Arabia--STONING RITUAL PEACEFUL (The sprawling tent city of Mina went into a celebratory mode as an estimated three million pilgrims performed with ease the important yet dangerous ritual of stoning the devil. "Everything went according to plan and by the grace of Allah we have had no untoward incident at the Jamrat," said elated representatives of the tawafa organizations. The arrangements were impeccable and all care was taken to avoid massing of pilgrims on the Jamrat Bridge which has been a scene of tragedy on numerous occasions in the past… Once the pilgrims came out of the state of ihram, they congratulated each other. "But let us not forget our brothers in Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir," said Sulaiman Maddah, who came from Abha for Haj with his family. "Our celebrations should be tempered because of what is happening in our backyard. Things are very bad. We have prayed here for the betterment of the Ummah. Let us hope Allah will answer our prayers." Malaysian pilgrim Hussam Ismail Raheman was happy to perform Haj comfortably. He said Muslims are being projected as "terrorists" by the West. But those people should come here and see for themselves that how organized, well-behaved, helping and caring they are. Haj is the best example of our brotherhood and the concept of Ummah.)

3//The Moscow Times, Russia--OPINION: METHOD TO PUTIN'S MADNESS (...The state itself is becoming the collective property of the top echelons of the bureaucracy. Democracy is being rolled back because it hampers the realization of the regime's main goal: converting political power into a closed joint-stock company. But it doesn't follow that the ruling elite is prepared to give up bourgeois law or other attributes of market capitalism to which they've become accustomed. Quite the opposite, all of these mechanisms are indispensable to the functioning of any joint-stock company, including a state that has become a closed joint-stock company. Access to the market depends on an entrepreneur's ability to reach an agreement with those who control the market. Businessmen might complain about this situation, but it in no way violates the laws of capitalism. If an equally powerful corporation were in charge of the Russian economy, it would behave in much the same way. Putin's liberal empire looks very much like a malicious caricature of the Romanov empire. Restored by former party bosses and go-getters from the security services, the empire has only gotten worse.)

4//The Toronto Star, Canada--SAME-SEX BATTLE SHIFTS GROUND AS CRITICS ATTACK (The final push on same-sex marriage has begun, with the Liberal cabinet rushing to its defence in the face of a marked escalation in religious and political opposition. And it could be a close fight, Liberals concede. In two weeks, the federal government is to introduce legislation in the House of Commons allowing same-sex marriage.)

5//The Japan Times, Japan--REGISTERED 'BELIEVERS' OUTNUMBER POPULATION (The number of people registered as members of religious groups as of the end of 2002 came out to twice Japan's population, according to the Cultural Affairs Agency. It's an oft-quoted number used to describe the peculiarities of faith in this country, where professed atheists can be affiliated with multiple religious organizations, one being the temple where their ancestors' ashes lie… Some religious organizations, which enjoy tax-exempt status, virtually coerce followers into donating. "I was told if I didn't give a certain amount of money, I wouldn't be saved, and trouble would happen to my family," said a 36-year-old Buddhist at another organization… Despite their seemingly strong dependence on charity, a handful of the 225,501 religious organizations in Japan have succeeded at designing self-sustaining business models, according to Koji Tatesawa, a journalist who has followed new religious groups.)

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1//Gulf News Online, United Arab Emirates Published: 20/1/2005, 07:59
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/NationNF.asp?ArticleID=148528

LOW TURNOUT FOR IRAQI VOTER REGISTRATION (UAE)
By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter Dubai:

Of the more than 100,000 Iraqis living in the UAE, only 900 signed up to vote on the first day of registration.

On the second and third registration days, which were Tuesday and yesterday, unofficial observers estimated that more than 2,500 Iraqis registered.

The Out-of-Country Voting (OCV) Programme through which Iraqis in the UAE are voting is being conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

"During the first two days, the registration process was steady but not overwhelming," Mike Burke, Head of the IOM OCV operation in the UAE, told Gulf News.

"I believe people were waiting for the holidays to come. Generally, the atmosphere showed that people were happy and optimistic. Many of them have been waiting for free elections for years. Some people who failed to bring two types of ID weren't allowed to register. They were asked to obtain two IDs and return for the registration."

(SNIP)

A cross-section of UAE-based Iraqis spoke to Gulf News regarding the whole election process.

"Definitely, I won't register and vote. I don't believe this election process is democratic because our country is occupied now. How can the people be so naive and believe the forthcoming elections are democratic. The results could be predetermined. I have so many doubts that prevent me from registering and voting," said Hussain M., a Dubai resident and salesman.

Kaltham Ali H., a shop manager, said: "My family and I have decided not to register to vote. The former regime was dictatorial and I am confident the future government will be no better. Our dear Iraq is currently occupied and I can't understand how the people can vote. It's pretty obvious that the results are pre-arranged."

Meanwhile, Hashim Abbood, an Iraqi businessmen living in the UAE, said: "My wife and I have registered for the elections. We want to see the people electing a sovereign government. The future elected government will be democratic and it will represent Iraq worldwide."

He described the overseas registration and voting process as democratic.

"We want to show the Arab world there is always a democratic process to organise elections. There is always a governing option other than military uprising, monarchy or even passing on republican regimes to descendants," he said.

Abbood said he has been discussing the issue with his Iraqi relatives and friends and encouraging them to register and vote.

"Some community members are for the elections and others are not interested in voting. I call on my fellow Iraqis to register and vote. Let us work for Iraq because it will be our first victory against the terrorists who are trying to sabotage the elections," he said.

Auday Al Moman, the Head of Pipe Coating Yards of the Petroleum Construction Company in Sharjah, said: "My brother-in-law and I registered on Monday. We will be voting next week. It's an outstanding and enthusiastic feeling to vote freely without being pressured. We don't have any doubts."

He said the elections should take place as scheduled.

Any further delays would not be good for Iraq's stability, he said.

(MORE)

2//Arab News, Saudi Arabia Friday, 21, January, 2005 (10, Dhul Hijjah, 1425)
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section...

STONING RITUAL PEACEFUL
Siraj Wahab, Syed Faisal Ali & Hassan Adawi, Arab News

MINA, 21 January 2005 — The sprawling tent city of Mina went into a celebratory mode as an estimated three million pilgrims performed with ease the important yet dangerous ritual of stoning the devil.

"Everything went according to plan and by the grace of Allah we have had no untoward incident at the Jamrat," said elated representatives of the tawafa organizations. The arrangements were impeccable and all care was taken to avoid massing of pilgrims on the Jamrat Bridge which has been a scene of tragedy on numerous occasions in the past.

Helicopters hovered constantly overhead to monitor the huge crowds with the help of hundreds of high-tech cameras, all connected to a control room run by top security authorities.

The pilgrims began their trek from Muzdalifa back into Mina early yesterday morning. But instead of rushing to the bridge they first went to their camps and then came out in groups of 700 to complete the stoning ritual.

The faithful threw only seven small stones at the first pillar known as the "big Satan" or Jamarah Al-Aqaba. The "Stoning of Satan" continues over the next two days during which pilgrims hurl seven stones every day at each of the three modified pillars standing 155 meters apart.

The stoning ritual takes place at the site where Satan appeared to Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hajarah and son Ismail. Ibrahim and his family each threw seven stones at Satan. The gesture has been perpetuated, and Muslims must perform it to complete the Haj.

Security measures were beefed up around the pillars and full medical facilities were in place in a bid to avoid the recurrence of stampedes that have claimed hundreds of lives during the ritual in recent years.

Once the pilgrims came out of the state of ihram, they congratulated each other. "But let us not forget our brothers in Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir," said Sulaiman Maddah, who came from Abha for Haj with his family. "Our celebrations should be tempered because of what is happening in our backyard. Things are very bad. We have prayed here for the betterment of the Ummah. Let us hope Allah will answer our prayers."

Malaysian pilgrim Hussam Ismail Raheman was happy to perform Haj comfortably. He said Muslims are being projected as "terrorists" by the West.

But those people should come here and see for themselves that how organized, well-behaved, helping and caring they are. Haj is the best example of our brotherhood and the concept of Ummah.

(MORE)

3//The Moscow Times, Russia Thursday, January 20, 2005. Page 9.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/01/20/008.html

OPINION: METHOD TO PUTIN’S MADNESS
By Boris Kagarlitsky

The current regime's economic policy appears rather strange at first glance. On the one hand, the Kremlin is openly and aggressively taking property away from the oligarchs in an attempt to create large state-owned companies. This attempt would likely gladden the hearts of the left, if the Kremlin had not adopted such a backhanded strategy. Rather than pass a law on nationalization -- an obedient majority controls the State Duma, and the opposition wouldn't object -- the Kremlin holds dishonest auctions, resorts to involving mysterious private intermediaries and talks up market mechanisms.

But on the other hand, the same regime simultaneously undertakes social policy reforms so radically market-oriented that even sensible liberals are shocked: Healthcare, education and housing are slated for extensive commercialization and privatization. Even Yegor Gaidar's ultraliberal Cabinet didn't go this far.

The resultant economic policy has few fans on either left or right. Until recently many political analysts identified two rival clans within the Putin administration, the siloviki and the liberals, pulling in opposite directions. The Kremlin is far from harmonious -- rivalries and intrigues abound -- but it is not riven by ideological differences. In fact, there's method to the madness. When you recall the history of Russian capitalism, you can't help seeing that the Putin regime is moving in the same direction as past governments by following a singular logic that combines a strong state with the free market.

Property is gradually reverting to the state, but the state has no intention of assuming social obligations in the spirit of social democracy. Nor does the state intend to serve as the engine of development, as it did in the Soviet era. The economy remains under the sway of the market. Property is concentrated in the hands of the government, as the state becomes an aggressive, irresponsible capitalist that employs the mechanisms of political control and its natural monopoly on force as a form of competitive advantage. In this situation, the bureaucracy cannot be honest or effective because corruption becomes the goal of its existence. The regime cannot afford to compromise or show weakness, as this would amount to economic collapse. Governance amounts to little more than the control of financial flows -- the acquisition of state property is the reward for loyal service.

The state itself is becoming the collective property of the top echelons of the bureaucracy. Democracy is being rolled back because it hampers the realization of the regime's main goal: converting political power into a closed joint-stock company. But it doesn't follow that the ruling elite is prepared to give up bourgeois law or other attributes of market capitalism to which they've become accustomed. Quite the opposite, all of these mechanisms are indispensable to the functioning of any joint-stock company, including a state that has become a closed joint-stock company. Access to the market depends on an entrepreneur's ability to reach an agreement with those who control the market. Businessmen might complain about this situation, but it in no way violates the laws of capitalism. If an equally powerful corporation were in charge of the Russian economy, it would behave in much the same way.

Putin's liberal empire looks very much like a malicious caricature of the Romanov empire. Restored by former party bosses and go-getters from the security services, the empire has only gotten worse.

(MORE)

4//The Toronto Star, Canada Jan. 20, 2005.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...

SAME-SEX BATTLE SHIFTS GROUND AS CRITICS ATTACK
Liberal ministers counter criticism; Legislation to be tabled in 2 weeks

Susan Delacourt, Ottawa Bureau Chief

OTTAWA—The final push on same-sex marriage has begun, with the Liberal cabinet rushing to its defence in the face of a marked escalation in religious and political opposition.

And it could be a close fight, Liberals concede.

In two weeks, the federal government is to introduce legislation in the House of Commons allowing same-sex marriage.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and other ministers were back in the public fray yesterday, fending off new challenges to their plans.

Cotler said he's happy the hot political issue is back on the front burner and remains confident that this will ultimately be seen as a step forward for equality rights and Canadians' embrace of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"I think this is a great exercise in democracy and should be allowed to play itself out," Cotler said yesterday in an interview.

He was speaking after yet another broadside from a religious leader condemning Liberal plans, this time from Toronto's Catholic archbishop, Aloysius Ambrozic.

That attack comes on top of grassroots opposition. Andy Savoy (Tobique-Mactaquac), the Liberals' caucus chair and avowed opponent of same-sex marriage, said he received about 500 messages over the holidays about the legislation. "And they're all against," Savoy said.

The Liberals are introducing the legislation in a minority Parliament, where they hold just 133 of 308 seats.

The vote will be a free one for all their MPs except cabinet ministers. That means the bill's passage can't be guaranteed and consequently, the public-relations battle over the next two weeks will be crucial.

Martin can count on support mostly from the 54-member Bloc Québécois and the 19 members of the NDP.

However, all but a handful of the 99-strong Tory caucus will be voting against the legislation. The challenge for the government is to limit the number of Liberal MPs joining them.

The Liberals are going ahead with the legislation after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in December that plans to extend civil marriage to gays were constitutional.

(MORE)

5//The Japan Times, Japan Thursday, January 20, 2005
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle...

REGISTERED 'BELIEVERS' OUTNUMBER POPULATION
By Mayumi Negishi, Staff Writer

The number of people registered as members of religious groups as of the end of 2002 came out to twice Japan's population, according to the Cultural Affairs Agency.

It's an oft-quoted number used to describe the peculiarities of faith in this country, where professed atheists can be affiliated with multiple religious organizations, one being the temple where their ancestors' ashes lie.

By Western standards, most people are irreligious and don't think twice about buying protective charms at shrines, getting married in churches and holding funerals at temples.

Only 20 percent to 30 percent of adults actually believe in and practice a particular faith, according to Fujio Ido, a professor emeritus at Tsukuba University.

"It is these who for the most part are building the massive and ornate buildings" housing the established religious organizations and newer "booming" groups, Ido said.

(SNIP)

Some religious organizations, which enjoy tax-exempt status, virtually coerce followers into donating.

"I was told if I didn't give a certain amount of money, I wouldn't be saved, and trouble would happen to my family," said a 36-year-old Buddhist at another organization.
She switched affiliations last year, but still donated 720,000 yen to her former group "just in case."

Despite their seemingly strong dependence on charity, a handful of the 225,501 religious organizations in Japan have succeeded at designing self-sustaining business models, according to Koji Tatesawa, a journalist who has followed new religious groups.

"Religion is not a business," said Jacob Vissar, 74, a minister who heads the Japan Rural Mission in Oita Prefecture, a nondenominational evangelical church. He came to Japan in 1958 from South Africa.

"I taught English, and now I give weddings at other churches."