December 5, 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 DECEMBER 5, 2005

1//The Standard, Hong Kong--TSANG GETS THE MESSAGE (The larger-than-expected protest by tens of thousands of people in favor of accelerating the pace of electoral reforms represents a victory for Hong Kong's democratic camp and deals the first significant blow to Donald Tsang since he became chief executive in June. The message of Sunday's crowd, estimated by organizers at 250,000 and by some independent analysts at 100,000 or more, was clear. "We want universal suffrage," legislator Ronny Tong, of the pro-democracy Article 45 Concern Group, said, adding that it was a historic day in Hong Kong's quest for democracy. … Regardless of the varying estimates of the turnout, Sunday's rally, said the camp, is without doubt a significant demonstration for democracy. The turnout was better than expected and exceeded the 25,000 who marched this July 1. Some analysts and pro-Beijing loyalists, including casino tycoon Stanley Ho, had said no more than 50,000 would turn up. The organizers said the better-than-expected turnout means the government has to respond to mounting calls for a timetable for democracy.)

2//Islam Online, Qatar--HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CHIDES US OVER EGYPT’S POLLS (A leading international human rights watchdog has blasted the Bush administration's position over intimidation of voters and arrest of opposition activists by Egyptian authorities, saying Washington has made a mockery of its commitment to Mideast democracy. The New York-based Human Rights Watch said the administration's comments on Egyptian parliamentary elections were "utterly disconnected from the reality of what is happening in Egypt today", Reuters reported on Sunday, December 4. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday, December 1, they had not received "any indication that the Egyptian government isn't interested in having peaceful, free and fair elections". In a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, HRW said the remarks badly served "those many Egyptians who have voted or attempted to vote in the face of this pattern of violence, intimidation and fraud." "It badly undermines the administration's credibility, including your own, when it speaks of its commitment to democratic freedoms in Egypt and the region," the group said. Independent monitors have reported the use of thugs hired by the ruling National Democratic Party [NDP] to intimidate supporters of opposition candidates and voters.)

3//The Japan Times, Japan--DEFENSE AGENCY DIRECTOR GENERAL VISITS SDF TROOPS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ (Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga on Saturday visited Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducting humanitarian reconstruction aid in southern Iraq. Nukaga left Narita airport on a commercial flight Friday afternoon, at a time the government is planning to extend the Self-Defense Forces' mission in and around Iraq for another year. His visit to the troops in Samawah was aimed not only at encouraging them but also at evaluating the security situation in the area before the Cabinet goes ahead with the decision planned for this week to extend the SDF mission for another 12 months. … Japan has shown interest in taking up training and reconstruction-oriented missions in Iraq to replace its current humanitarian operations in the southern city of Samawah, the Financial Times reported Friday. … The newspaper quoted U.S. officials as saying several coalition countries -- including South Korea, Japan and Australia -- had expressed interest in participating in the training and reconstruction-oriented missions, which could include Afghan-style provincial reconstruction teams in Iraqi provinces where there is minimal insurgent activity.)

4//The Daily Star, Lebanon--THEATER REVIVAL OFFERS GLIMMER OF HOPE IN IRAQ (The rooms of the National Theater in central Baghdad are filled - unfortunately not with spectators - but with actors, playwrights and intellectuals desperate to keep alive the country's tradition of theater. Like so much of Baghdad, the building was gutted by looters in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S. invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein. But, as one of the few cultural institutions to have been renovated, it now provides a haven for artists. "Death is like a daily breakfast, we have to take advantage of such drama and benefit from it. We do not want our future to be like a scene out of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot,'" said Abbas al-Khafaji, the head of Iraq's National Children's Theater, referring to the bleak existentialist play. … Now under-funded actors are dodging car bombs and braving the risk of abduction to gather daily at the crowded theater and rehearse for a series of short pantomime-like children's plays. "We chose children's theater because they are our future and we need to give them something else besides guns, wars and politics," Khafaji said. The plays will be performed in schools around Baghdad as it is too dangerous to bring children to the theater.)

5//GulfNews.com, United Arab Emirates--DEMOCRACY TO BE TAUGHT FROM GRADE ONE (Democracy will be part of the curriculum for school children in the UAE starting next year, a senior education official told Gulf News on Sunday. "We will start teaching students the definition and basics of democracy from Grade One," Dr Obaid Al Muhairi, Director of Education and Curriculum Development Centre at the Ministry of Education, told Gulf News. … UAE academics praised the move and said political reforms are both necessary and urgent. Some told Gulf News there was a need for a universal right of voting and full legislative powers for the FNC.)

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1//The Standard, Hong Kong Monday, December 05, 2005
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat...

TSANG GETS THE MESSAGE
Cannix Yau and Wendy Leung

The larger-than-expected protest by tens of thousands of people in favor of accelerating the pace of electoral reforms represents a victory for Hong Kong's democratic camp and deals the first significant blow to Donald Tsang since he became chief executive in June.

The message of Sunday's crowd, estimated by organizers at 250,000 and by some independent analysts at 100,000 or more, was clear.

"We want universal suffrage," legislator Ronny Tong, of the pro-democracy Article 45 Concern Group, said, adding that it was a historic day in Hong Kong's quest for democracy.

Later, Tsang said he would do what he could to "perfect" the package of reforms that he plans to put to a Legislative Council vote on December 21.

It was the largest protest in Hong Kong since July 1, 2004, when the public vented its anger against former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa.

With Tung now gone and the economy in good shape, the only factor bringing crowds to the streets on a cool December day was a desire for democracy.

They became emotional when the popular Anson Chan, the one-time boss of Tsang, joined the march in a first.

"I just feel there are moments in one's life when you have to stand up and be counted. And for me, this is one of those moments," she said.

Tsang, facing the biggest challenge so far to his authority, appeared tired and nervous at a press briefing.

"I have heard their voice, I have felt their feelings and I share their pursuit; and the central government perfectly understands their aspirations," he said.

Despite the turnout, which police put at just 63,000, Tsang was unwilling to make substantial revisions to the reform proposals, which the pro-democracy camp says retard progress toward universal suffrage.

Regardless of the varying estimates of the turnout, Sunday's rally, said the camp, is without doubt a significant demonstration for democracy. The turnout was better than expected and exceeded the 25,000 who marched this July 1. Some analysts and pro-Beijing loyalists, including casino tycoon Stanley Ho, had said no more than 50,000 would turn up.

The organizers said the better-than- expected turnout means the government has to respond to mounting calls for a timetable for democracy.

Earlier, wearing black T-shirts to signify the death of democracy and holding placards and brandishing banners and flags, protesters began marching from Victoria Park at 3pm to the SAR Government Headquarters in Central where they handed over a petition.

The peaceful throng included the young, the old and the handicapped.

Led by about 15 pro-democracy lawmakers holding a large flag with the words "Oppose government proposals; Fight for democracy," and two large birdcages signifying the state of Hong Kong's democracy, the marchers shouted slogans such as "Return power to the people," "Create history," "Give me universal suffrage," "Fight for our own fate" and "We deserve democracy."

(MORE)

2//Islam Online, Qatar Sun., Dec. 4, 2005- Dhul-Qi`dah 2 - 17:00 GMT
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2005-12/04/article05.shtml

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CHIDES US OVER EGYPT’S POLLS

CAIRO, December 4, 2004 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – A leading international human rights watchdog has blasted the Bush administration's position over intimidation of voters and arrest of opposition activists by Egyptian authorities, saying Washington has made a mockery of its commitment to Mideast democracy.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch said the administration's comments on Egyptian parliamentary elections were "utterly disconnected from the reality of what is happening in Egypt today", Reuters reported on Sunday, December 4.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday, December 1, they had not received "any indication that the Egyptian government isn't interested in having peaceful, free and fair elections".

In a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, HRW said the remarks badly served "those many Egyptians who have voted or attempted to vote in the face of this pattern of violence, intimidation and fraud."

"It badly undermines the administration's credibility, including your own, when it speaks of its commitment to democratic freedoms in Egypt and the region," the group said.

Independent monitors have reported the use of thugs hired by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) to intimidate supporters of opposition candidates and voters.

IOL has revealed that Egyptian security agents directed machete- and club-wielding gangs in attacks against voters and supporters of opposition candidates in the second round of voting.

The third round turned bloody Thursday after security forces killed one citizen and wounded more than seventy others and blocked thousands of voters from casting their ballot.

More Arrests

Some 200 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested Sunday . … three days before the final round's runoffs.

Essam El-Aryan, a prominent Muslim Brotherhood figure, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) most of the Muslim Brothers detained were nabbed in the Nile Delta regions north of Cairo where runoffs are to be held on Wednesday.

(SNIP)

Having secured 76 seats in the first two phases -- five times their current seat tally -- the officially banned group is hoping to reach the symbolic 100 seat mark.

The NDP's dominance in parliament is not at risk, but the seemingly inexorable rise of the Brotherhood has thrown the issue of their legalization as a party wide open.

3//The Japan Times, Japan Dec. 4, 2005
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20051204a7.htm

DEFENSE AGENCY DIRECTOR GENERAL VISITS SDF TROOPS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

SAMAWAH, Iraq (Kyodo) Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga on Saturday visited Ground Self-Defense Force troops conducting humanitarian reconstruction aid in southern Iraq.

Nukaga left Narita airport on a commercial flight Friday afternoon, at a time the government is planning to extend the Self-Defense Forces' mission in and around Iraq for another year.

His visit to the troops in Samawah was aimed not only at encouraging them but also at evaluating the security situation in the area before the Cabinet goes ahead with the decision planned for this week to extend the SDF mission for another 12 months.

Citing security needs, the Defense Agency did not announce Nukaga's trip unit after he arrived in Samawah.

After arriving in Samawah by helicopter, Nukaga visited an elementary school that the GSDF has been helping to renovate. He also held talks with local leaders about Japan's support for reconstruction in the area and the possibility of extending the SDF mission there.

Yoshinori Ono also visited Samawah in early December 2003 while he was director general of the Defense Agency just before the government decided to extend the SDF humanitarian mission for a year.

The opposition camp has been demanding an immediate pullout of the troops due to security concerns.

Other duties eyed

LONDON (Kyodo) Japan has shown interest in taking up training and reconstruction-oriented missions in Iraq to replace its current humanitarian operations in the southern city of Samawah, the Financial Times reported Friday.

The report, citing U.S. officials attending a meeting in London of countries contributing troops or personnel to Iraq, said the U.S. government has been working to reduce the number of troops in the multinational force while shifting the focus of their responsibility to reconstruction-related missions, including training Iraqi forces.

(SNIP)

The newspaper quoted U.S. officials as saying several coalition countries -- including South Korea, Japan and Australia -- had expressed interest in participating in the training and reconstruction-oriented missions, which could include Afghan-style provincial reconstruction teams in Iraqi provinces where there is minimal insurgent activity.

4//The Daily Star, Lebanon Monday, December 05, 2005
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&cate...

THEATER REVIVAL OFFERS GLIMMER OF HOPE IN IRAQ
Children's plays aim to give happiness to youth and ridicule perpetrators of violence

By Agence France Presse (AFP)

BAGHDAD: The rooms of the National Theater in central Baghdad are filled - unfortunately not with spectators - but with actors, playwrights and intellectuals desperate to keep alive the country's tradition of theater. Like so much of Baghdad, the building was gutted by looters in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S. invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein. But, as one of the few cultural institutions to have been renovated, it now provides a haven for artists.

"Death is like a daily breakfast, we have to take advantage of such drama and benefit from it. We do not want our future to be like a scene out of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot,'" said Abbas al-Khafaji, the head of Iraq's National Children's Theater, referring to the bleak existentialist play.

Under Saddam Hussein, theater was lavishly funded, but tightly controlled.

Productions were restricted to slapstick comedies or patriotic epics glorifying the war with Iran. Now under-funded actors are dodging car bombs and braving the risk of abduction to gather daily at the crowded theater and rehearse for a series of short pantomime-like children's plays.

"We chose children's theater because they are our future and we need to give them something else besides guns, wars and politics," Khafaji said.

The plays will be performed in schools around Baghdad as it is too dangerous to bring children to the theater.

(SNIP)

In his play "Prince Rose and the Secret of the Necklace," director Hussein Ali Saleh doesn't shy away from the war altogether, but rather incorporates it into the story.

"Our aim is to give happiness to our children, but we cannot ignore what is happening in the country, so we use scenes of violence and bloodshed in a satirical way," he said.

Those who perpetrate violence in his play are not the heroes, but rather the weak characters the audience is meant to ridicule.

Not far from the theater's marble facade, in the shattered husk of the once proud Al-Rashid Theater, another kind of play is being staged - one that does not shy away from grim realities.

Political theater was increasingly discouraged by Saddam as he rose to power in the 1970s - on one occasion the whole cast of a play was taken into custody and interrogated.

But at the Rashid Theater, actors are putting on the "Wishmaker," a poignant throwback to the bold tradition of political theater Iraq had in the 1960s, when it experimented and questioned the status quo.

(MORE)

5//GulfNews.com, United Arab Emirates Published: 12/05/2005 12:00 AM (UAE)
http://www.gulf-news.com/nation/Education/10002747.html

DEMOCRACY TO BE TAUGHT FROM GRADE ONE
By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief and Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Democracy will be part of the curriculum for school children in the UAE starting next year, a senior education official told Gulf News on Sunday.

"We will start teaching students the definition and basics of democracy from Grade One," Dr Obaid Al Muhairi, Director of Education and Curriculum Development Centre at the Ministry of Education, told Gulf News.

(SNIP)

The move follows a historic statement by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan announcing elections for half of the Federal National Council members, which would be followed by more reforms.

UAE academics praised the move and said political reforms are both necessary and urgent.
Some told Gulf News there was a need for a universal right of voting and full legislative powers for the FNC.

"The council's experience falls short of our aspirations for direct elections, but the next FNC will surely look into constitutional changes leading to a fully elected parliament," said Dr Mohammad Bin Huwaidin, professor of international relations at the UAE University.