December 23, 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 23, 2005

1//Azzaman in English, Iraq--IRAQIS PROTEST GOVERNMENT DECISION TO HIKE FUEL PRICES (Iraqis are unhappy about the latest hikes in fuel prices which the government announced only a few days after the elections. Demonstrations have been reported in several provinces in the country and some protests have even occurred in southern cities seen as bastions of the outgoing Shiite-dominated government. The rise in fuel prices is expected to have far-reaching impact on economic activity in the country. Transport fees and prices of essential items have risen as a result. The hikes cover main oil products including gasoline which now costs three times as much. A liter of locally produced gasoline has shot to 150 dinars from 50. … Iraq, though sitting on the world’s second largest oil reserves, has turned into a net importer of fuel. The country’s import fuel bill is estimated at more than $100 million a month. But the hikes, announced shortly after the elections, have taken Iraqis by surprise. “Is this the reward we get for taking part in the elections,” responded Hayder Sadeq, a taxi driver. … Azzaman correspondents across the country reported angry scenes at filling stations and protests in several areas. The government is reported to have taken “precautionary measures” on how to face the protesters.)

2//Gulf Times, Qatar--HATEMONGER CLERICS LOSE ARMS LICENCES (Pakistan yesterday decided to cancel arms licences issued to religious leaders who fan sectarianism and violate the Amplifier Act. The Interior Ministry directed provincial home secretaries, the Northern Areas chief secretary and Islamabad chief commissioner to present evidence against those prayer leaders who deliver sectarian speeches and criticise government policies in their Friday sermons. Reports submitted by the intelligence agencies to the interior ministry revealed that more than 25,000 arms licences had been issued to the religious leaders during the last 10 years, sources said. Most of the 593 prayer leaders placed in the 11 EE category of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 on charges of fanning sectarianism, have these licences, the sources said.)

3//Netherlands Information Service (NIS), Netherlands-- CDA DEMANDS TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR AFGHAN MISSION (The Christian democrats (CDA) want the cabinet to drop the mission to Uruzgan, Afghanistan if less than two-thirds of the Lower House supports the deployment. Such a large majority does not appear feasible. The cabinet agreed yesterday that it "plans" to send 1,200 to 1,400 troops to Afghanistan. "The ball is now in the Lower House's court," said Premier Balkenende after the last cabinet meeting of the year. "We will work for as broad as possible support." … The NATO allies, who have for months been counting on the Netherlands' participation in the mission, have been informed about the uncertainty about the outcome of the debate in the Netherlands. US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld had already said on Wednesday that "the fact that questions have arisen in the parliament of a country" should not be seen "as an indication of lack of interest from NATO's side" in Afghanistan. As well as the Netherlands, Canada and the UK are to supply troops for the ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan. It is not yet known how many soldiers London will send.)

4//Kyodo News, Japan--JAPAN’S POPULATION SEES 1ST DECLINE IN 2005: GOV’T ESTIMATE (Japan's population started shrinking in 2005 for the first time on record, government data showed Thursday, presenting the government with pressing social economic challenges, including how to sustain its social security system and secure the labor force. … Japan joins Germany and Italy in the ranks of countries where a decline in population has already set in. … Meanwhile Hiroshi Obuchi, an expert on demographic matters and professor at Chuo University, said a population shrinkage will lead to a market shrinkage and that sustainable growth of the Japanese economy is now difficult to achieve. On the labor front, calls for an introduction of foreign workers will gain momentum, he said. … Yutaka Harada, chief economist the Daiwa Institute of Research, is optimistic saying the Japanese can maintain their present affluence if they hold demand and supply in balance because a decline in the population accompanies a decrease in consumption.)

5//The Daily Star, Lebanon--INDIA, CHINA WIN JOINT BID TO BUY STAKE IN SYRIAN OIL FIELDS (India and China, often fierce rivals in the race for global energy resources, have won a joint bid to buy Petro-Canada's 37 percent stake in Syrian oil fields for $573 million, a top Indian official said Wednesday. The acquisition marked the first time the two Asian giants have bid together for overseas reserves to feed their oil-hungry economies and opened the way for further collaboration. India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp [ONGC] and China National Petroleum Corp [CNPC], both state-owned, will have equal stakes in the Al-Furat oil fields. "This joint acquisition opens a wholly new set of opportunities for both the companies to collaborate on the oil and gas value chain," ONGC Chairman Subir Raha said in a statement. … India initiated the idea of jointly bidding for some projects. It imports nearly 70 percent of its oil needs while China relies on foreign producers for more than a third of its oil, analysts say. The Indian government is keen to avoid cut-throat competition with Chinese oil firms. … Teaming up would give Indian and Chinese more negotiating muscle as they buy up far-flung oil and gas fields, analysts say. Both countries have been scouting for oil blocks around the world to meet their surging energy demands.)

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1//Azzaman in English, Iraq December 22, 2005
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2005-12-7\135.htm

IRAQIS PROTEST GOVERNMENT DECISION TO HIKE FUEL PRICES
By Haqi Ismael

Iraqis are unhappy about the latest hikes in fuel prices which the government announced only a few days after the elections.

Demonstrations have been reported in several provinces in the country and some protests have even occurred in southern cities seen as bastions of the outgoing Shiite-dominated government.

The rise in fuel prices is expected to have far-reaching impact on economic activity in the country. Transport fees and prices of essential items have risen as a result.

The hikes cover main oil products including gasoline which now costs three times as much. A liter of locally produced gasoline has shot to 150 dinars from 50.

The government says it hopes to save up to $500 million from the latest increases, which have also covered kerosene, gas and diesel fuel.

Fuel prices are cheaper in Iraq than neighboring countries. The low prices have fueled cross-border smuggling.

Iraq, though sitting on the world’s second largest oil reserves, has turned into a net importer of fuel. The country’s import fuel bill is estimated at more than $100 million a month.

But the hikes, announced shortly after the elections, have taken Iraqis by surprise.

“Is this the reward we get for taking part in the elections,” responded Hayder Sadeq, a taxis driver.

The hikes will certainly deepen problems related to movement of commuters inside major cities and passengers.

(SNIP)

“I am really disappointed. I initially thought the decision was a joke, merely a rumor. How come that those we voted for them do this to us,” said Jassem Hannoun.

Azzaman correspondents across the country reported angry scenes at filling stations and protests in several areas.

The government is reported to have taken “precautionary measures” on how to face the protesters.

Sadeq, the taxi driver, said he was asking clients treble the fare he demanded before.

“Prior to the decision I paid 5,000 dinars to fill my tank. Now I have to pay 15,000 dinars,” he said.

The government has said it would use the money from the hike in fuel prices to finance a social security program.

2//Gulf Times, Qatar Published: Thursday, 22 December, 2005, 08:43 AM Doha Time
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=65669&version...

HATEMONGER CLERICS LOSE ARMS LICENCES

Islamabad (Internews)--Pakistan yesterday decided to cancel arms licences issued to religious leaders who fan sectarianism and violate the Amplifier Act.

The Interior Ministry directed provincial home secretaries, the Northern Areas chief secretary and Islamabad chief commissioner to present evidence against those prayer leaders who deliver sectarian speeches and criticise government policies in their Friday sermons.

Reports submitted by the intelligence agencies to the interior ministry revealed that more than 25,000 arms licences had been issued to the religious leaders during the last 10 years, sources said.

Most of the 593 prayer leaders placed in the 11 EE category of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 on charges of fanning sectarianism, have these licences, the sources said.

They said a number of operatives of defunct religious outfits had been issued licences and these had not been cancelled so far.

The federal and provincial authorities concerned have also been directed to send details of these people within a couple of weeks so that the procedure for the cancellation of their licences could be initiated, the sources added.

The Interior Ministry has also directed the provinces to review their policy regarding issuance of arms licences. It said the identity and background of applicants must be checked before such a licence is issued.
(MORE)

3//Netherlands Information Service (NIS), Netherlands Friday, 23 December 2005
http://www.nisnews.nl/public/231205_1.htm

CDA DEMANDS TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR AFGHAN MISSION

THE HAGUE, 23/12/05 - The Christian democrats (CDA) want the cabinet to drop the mission to Uruzgan, Afghanistan if less than two-thirds of the Lower House supports the deployment. Such a large majority does not appear feasible.

The cabinet agreed yesterday that it "plans" to send 1,200 to 1,400 troops to Afghanistan. "The ball is now in the Lower House's court," said Premier Balkenende after the last cabinet meeting of the year. "We will work for as broad as possible support." He

The full cabinet is backing the mission. The centre-left D66 ministers, Brinkhorst (Economic Affairs) and Pechtold (Administrative Renewal), did stress that the cabinet has expressed an intention and has not yet made a formal decision on the mission.

(SNIP)

The two-third majority support the CDA is demanding, requires that the largest opposition Labour (PvdA) party backs the mission. The chances of a 'yes' from the PvdA are not great, party leader Wouter Bos made clear earlier. He fears a mingling of the ISAF mission being carried out by the UN and NATO and the US-led Enduring Freedom mission.

Only the conservatives (VVD) appear to be wholehearted supporters of the mission. ChristenUnie, SGP and Group Wilders have "a positive basic attitude." The Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) may also still support the mission. Along with CDA, this would make 84 of the 150 seats the maximum attainable.

(SNIP)

The Lower House is expected to hold hearings and a debate on the proposed mission in January and February. The cabinet will only make its final decision after the parliamentary debate at the beginning of February. The NATO allies, who have for months been counting on the Netherlands' participation in the mission, have been informed about the uncertainty about the outcome of the debate in the Netherlands.

US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld had already said on Wednesday that "the fact that questions have arisen in the parliament of a country" should not be seen "as an indication of lack of interest from NATO's side" in Afghanistan. As well as the Netherlands, Canada and the UK are to supply troops for the ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan. It is not yet known how many soldiers London will send.

4//Kyodo News, Japan Dec. 22, 2005
http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=138701;

JAPAN’S POPULATION SEES 1ST DECLINE IN 2005: GOV’T ESTIMATE

Tokyo-- Japan's population started shrinking in 2005 for the first time on record, government data showed Thursday, presenting the government with pressing social economic challenges, including how to sustain its social security system and secure the labor force.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's annual survey shows that the balance of domestic births of Japanese minus deaths in the year is estimated to be minus 10,000, marking the first ''natural decline'' since the data were first compiled in 1899. But there are no reliable demographic data available during the 1944-1946 period because of confusion at the end of World War II, officials said.

Even on an aggregate population basis, including foreign residents, the balance is projected to be minus 4,000 in 2005, registering a fall one year earlier than projected by the ministry's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, which had predicted a decline after 2006.

Japan joins Germany and Italy in the ranks of countries where a decline in population has already set in.

The government responded to the data with an expression of resolve to reinforce its measures to deal with the falling birthrate.

(SNIP)

The population institute projected in 2002 that the balance of births and deaths will be 20,000 in 2005 and minus 23,000 in 2006. It foresees that the aggregate population as of Oct. 1 will peak in 2006 and that a long-term decline will set in thereafter with the population to drop to around 100,600,000 in 2050.

The government will need to address expected declines in the labor force and the nation's economic output as well as increases in social security costs.

With society aging and women giving birth fewer times, social security costs are likely to increase for future generations. This will increase the pressure on the government to secure budgets by raising social security charges or the consumption tax rate, currently at 5 percent.

Meanwhile Hiroshi Obuchi, an expert on demographic matters and professor at Chuo University, said a population shrinkage will lead to a market shrinkage and that sustainable growth of the Japanese economy is now difficult to achieve. On the labor front, calls for an introduction of foreign workers will gain momentum, he said.

Meanwhile, Yutaka Harada, chief economist the Daiwa Institute of Research, is optimistic saying the Japanese can maintain their present affluence if they hold demand and supply in balance because a decline in the population accompanies a decrease in consumption.

5//The Daily Star, Lebanon Thursday, December 22, 2005
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id=20930

INDIA, CHINA WIN JOINT BID TO BUY STAKE IN SYRIAN OIL FIELDS
By Agence France Presse (AFP)

NEW DELHI: India and China, often fierce rivals in the race for global energy resources, have won a joint bid to buy Petro-Canada's 37 percent stake in Syrian oil fields for $573 million, a top Indian official said Wednesday. The acquisition marked the first time the two Asian giants have bid together for overseas reserves to feed their oil-hungry economies and opened the way for further collaboration.

India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), both state-owned, will have equal stakes in the Al-Furat oil fields.

"This joint acquisition opens a wholly new set of opportunities for both the companies to collaborate on the oil and gas value chain," ONGC Chairman Subir Raha said in a statement.

"The joint acquisition by ONGC and CNPC is a pace-setter for both companies, he said.

The acquisition followed the countries' announcement in April they would team up to bid for some energy projects as they seek to keep their economies booming although they said they would still compete for others.

In all, eight firms were in the race for Petro-Canada's stake, The Press Trust of India said.
Calgary-based Petro-Canada said in a statement on its website that the deal was expected to close in early 2006, subject to Syrian government approval, and that the sale was in line with its strategy of disposing of "mature assets."

(SNIP)

Raha said ONGC, India's largest corporation by market capitalization, would seek to explore the possibilities of more such collaboration with the Chinese in the future but did not elaborate.

China has been regularly outbidding its neighbor, most recently in August when India's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp lost out on Kazakhstan's third-largest oil producer, Petrokazakhstan, also a Canadian firm.

India initiated the idea of jointly bidding for some projects. It imports nearly 70 percent of its oil needs while China relies on foreign producers for more than a third of its oil, analysts say.

The Indian government is keen to avoid cut-throat competition with Chinese oil firms.

"It's an important milestone. We have been working on this for quite some time. Instead of competing wherever possible, we should work together," Indian Petroleum Secretary S.C. Tripathi told the Press Trust of India.

(SNIP)

Teaming up would give Indian and Chinese more negotiating muscle as they buy up far-flung oil and gas fields, analysts say. Both countries have been scouting for oil blocks around the world to meet their surging energy demands.

Some analysts have been doubtful about whether a partnership between two neighbors who fought a border war in 1962 and have a history of suspicion and hostility can work.