February 1, 2006

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 FEBRUARY 1, 2006

1//The Moscow Times, Russia--PUTIN DEFENDS STRONG PRESIDENTIAL RULE (President Vladimir Putin told a packed audience of reporters in the Kremlin on Tuesday that Russia needed strong presidential rule, as political parties were still too weak to form the government, but stayed silent on his plans beyond 2008. Putin began his fifth set-piece news conference by robustly defending Russia's place in the Group of Eight, then repeated his criticisms of foreign-supported NGOs and demanded action on the endemic hazing in the armed forces. … In answer to a question about transforming Russia into a parliamentary republic -- a variation on the succession question -- Putin said that the country's political parties were still too weak to be given the right to pick the prime minister and the Cabinet. "The formation of all stable political parties is not yet complete. How then can one speak about parliamentary rule? This would be irresponsible," Putin said. "Everything is possible in the future, but in my opinion this should be an issue for future generations. I am against introducing such practices into current political realities." Kremlinologists have speculated that one way of Putin staying in power beyond the end of his second term would be to turn Russia into a parliamentary republic -- a change that would allow him to retain power as a prime minister appointed by parliament.)

2//The Independent, UK--BRITAIN AND US SPLIT OVER DEFEATING AFGHAN OPIUM TRADE (Attempts to eradicate Afghanistan's opium crop have abjectly failed and British soldiers who take part in such operations may face legal action, an international think-tank has said. Britain is sending a task force of almost 6,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight the resurgent al-Qa'ida and Taliban and also take part in tackling the country's poppy crops. These supply 90 per cent of heroin to this country and the UK is planning to spend £20m a year on eradication. But at the eve of the London Conference on Afghanistan - co-hosted by Tony Blair, the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, and Hamid Karzai, the Afghan President - differences are emerging between Britain and the US. American officials are pressing for aerial crop-spraying. But aid agencies and human rights groups point out that poppy fields are often adjacent to ones growing vegetables and wheat. British officials are against spraying. But a report by the Senlis Council, the think-tank, showed yesterday that the US administration was advertising for aerial spraying jobs in Afghanistan.)

3//The New Anatolian, Turkey--CAUTIOUS RESPONSE TO TURKMEN AUTONOMY DISCUSSION (Responding to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's remarks on the possibility of giving Turkmens autonomy, Ankara and the Iraqi Turkmen Front gave cautious responses in an exclusive interview with The New Anatolian. … Turkey representative of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Ahmet Muratli told The New Anatolian yesterday that it's the first time that he's heard of a proposal of that kind from Iraqi Kurdish leaders. "We, Turkmens, like Kurds, Shiites and Sunni Arabs, are one of the key elements of Iraqi society. We want equal rights for Turkmens. We don't want to be in a smaller area in just one region of Iraq," Muratli said. Pointing out to the lack of trust on the part of the Turkmen group towards the Iraqi Kurdish leaders because of the lack of inclusion of Turkmens so far, Muratli also argued that this proposal comes following Kurdish groups facing new challenges towards its aims for northern Iraq.)

4//The Daily Star, Lebanon--ISLAMIC TIES CITED FOR SAUDI AND MALAYSIAN CROSS INVESTMENT (The leaders of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia Tuesday urged businesses in both countries to initiate joint ventures and increase investment between the two countries. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah told a gathering of Malaysian and Saudi business leaders here that the economies of both countries were undergoing "a period of rapid growth and prosperity." "There are many investment opportunities available that I hope you will avail yourselves of, and that strengthen economic ties," said the monarch on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia. … Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also addressing the luncheon, urged businesses to take advantage of Muslim ties between countries. "Although Malaysians and Saudis live in very different societies and cultural environments, we do have a very strong bond in our Islamic faith and brotherhood of the ummah (Muslim people)," he said. … Abdullah said Malaysian businesses were looking for opportunities in Saudi Arabia, and put in a good word for national oil corporation Petronas. Petronas is "open to any proposals from Saudi Aramco," he said, referring to Saudi Arabia's national oil firm.)

5//Xinhua Online, China--FRANCE CALLS FOR ECONOMIC PATRIOTISM (French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Tuesday called on the country's companies to reorganize to protect key industries from foreign predators. "Economic patriotism is the mobilization of all the participants, of all those concerned, the shareholders but also the company bosses," Villepin told France 2 television.)

Related: MITTAL CHARM OFFENSIVE FAILS TO HALT FLAK OVER £13bn BID FOR ARCELOR

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1//The Moscow Times, Russia Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Issue 3343. Page 1.
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2006/02/01/001.html

PUTIN DEFENDS STRONG PRESIDENTIAL RULE

By Francesca Mereu and Oksana Yablokova
Staff Writers

President Vladimir Putin told a packed audience of reporters in the Kremlin on Tuesday that Russia needed strong presidential rule, as political parties were still too weak to form the government, but stayed silent on his plans beyond 2008.

Putin began his fifth set-piece news conference by robustly defending Russia's place in the Group of Eight, then repeated his criticisms of foreign-supported NGOs and demanded action on the endemic hazing in the armed forces.

Among his replies to a total of 64 questions, Putin declared that Chechnya was close to becoming a normal part of the country, lambasted Ukraine for tapping into Russian gas exports intended for Europe and chastised Georgia for blaming the Kremlin over last week's bombing of gas pipelines supplying the country.

As usual, the president appeared to have done his homework as he confidently churned out statistics to brief 560 reporters from the Russian and foreign news media on the country's economic performance and fielded questions on salaries and other state payments.

Asked by Vladimir Kondratyev, a journalist from NTV television, whether he had decided who would succeed him when his term expires in 2008, Putin refused to be drawn, saying only that voters would decide.

"We have a lot of people in Russia ... who could lead the country. The people of Russia will have the final say," Putin said. Putin has indicated on a number of occasions that he has no plans to seek a third successive term in office, and that he considers it his duty to select a successor.

He was quite clear, however, that the country "needs strong presidential rule," given "the developing economy" and the ongoing work of strengthening the state.

Putin also appeared to rule out that he would move into business when he leaves the Kremlin.

"I can hardly take over a business structure," Putin said in response to a question about whether he planned to take over as head of state energy giant Gazprom. "My nature and background do not make me feel like a businessman," he said.

In answer to a question about transforming Russia into a parliamentary republic -- a variation on the succession question -- Putin said that the country's political parties were still too weak to be given the right to pick the prime minister and the Cabinet.

"The formation of all stable political parties is not yet complete. How then can one speak about parliamentary rule? This would be irresponsible," Putin said. "Everything is possible in the future, but in my opinion this should be an issue for future generations. I am against introducing such practices into current political realities."

Kremlinologists have speculated that one way of Putin staying in power beyond the end of his second term would be to turn Russia into a parliamentary republic -- a change that would allow him to retain power as a prime minister appointed by parliament.

(MORE)

2//The Independent, UK Published: 31 January 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article342138.ece

BRITAIN AND US SPLIT OVER DEFEATING AFGHAN OPIUM TRADE
By Kim Sengupta and Anne Penketh

Attempts to eradicate Afghanistan's opium crop have abjectly failed and British soldiers who take part in such operations may face legal action, an international think-tank has said.

Britain is sending a task force of almost 6,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight the resurgent al-Qa'ida and Taliban and also take part in tackling the country's poppy crops. These supply 90 per cent of heroin to this country and the UK is planning to spend £20m a year on eradication.

But at the eve of the London Conference on Afghanistan - co-hosted by Tony Blair, the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, and Hamid Karzai, the Afghan President - differences are emerging between Britain and the US.

American officials are pressing for aerial crop-spraying. But aid agencies and human rights groups point out that poppy fields are often adjacent to ones growing vegetables and wheat. British officials are against spraying. But a report by the Senlis Council, the think-tank, showed yesterday that the US administration was advertising for aerial spraying jobs in Afghanistan.

Recent job postings by the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs include the position of "Aviation Eradication Ops and Safety Officer" and an "Aviation Maintenance Adviser" for operations in Afghanistan. According to the report, a US government document says "the end game of the CN [Counter Narcotics] aviation programme is the curtailment of the supply ... through aerial and airmobile eradication of drug crops."

The Senlis Council is setting up a fund, and commissioning lawyers to act for farmers whose poppy fields are destroyed.

The British force being sent to Afghanistan will come under a Nato mandate which stipulates that troops deployed should concentrate on peacekeeping and training the Afghan police and army. Nato officials said that does not include opium eradication.

The UN has also warned about the dangers of foreign intervention. Antonio Maria Costa, the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said the military "should not be involved in eradication. This should be run by the national authority" because crops destroyed could be "replanted in weeks."

(MORE)

3//The New Anatolian, Turkey 30-01-2006
http://www.kurdmedia.com/articles.asp?id=11240

CAUTIOUS RESPONSE TO TURKMEN AUTONOMY DISCUSSION
The New Anatolian / Ankara

Following Iraqi President Talabani's remarks on possible Turkmen autonomy, Turkish officials, Turkmen representatives talk cautiously on suggestion

Turkish officials stress they attach upmost importance to unity, territorial integrity of Iraq, while Turkmen representative Muratli points out lack of trust from Turkmens toward Kurdish politicians

Responding to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's remarks on the possibility of giving Turkmens
autonomy, Ankara and the Iraqi Turkmen Front gave cautious responses in an exclusive interview with The New Anatolian.

Turkish officials stressed that they attach the upmost importance to the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and the decision made by all Iraqis on the political structure of the county, adding that Talabani's suggestion needs to be further detailed for an in-depth response.

"What kind of a autonomy would it be and in which kind of legal framework? How would the areas where Turkmens are a majority be defined?" one Turkish diplomat asked, speaking to The New Anatolian on condition of anonymity. He added that before raising such a proposal, Iraqi Kurdish leaders are expected not to exceed current population balances, and stop attempts to change the demographic structure in cities like Kirkuk to the advantage of Kurds.

Turkey representative of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Ahmet Muratli told The New Anatolian yesterday that it's the first time that he's heard of a proposal of that kind from Iraqi Kurdish leaders. "We, Turkmens, like Kurds, Shiites and Sunni Arabs, are one of the key elements of Iraqi society. We want equal rights for Turkmens. We don't want to be in a smaller area in just one region of Iraq," Muratli said.

Pointing out to the lack of trust on the part of the Turkmen group towards the Iraqi Kurdish leaders because of the lack of inclusion of Turkmens so far, Muratli also argued that this proposal comes following Kurdish groups facing new challenges towards its aims for northern Iraq.

(MORE)

4//The Daily Star, Lebanon Wednesday, February 01, 2006
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&...

ISLAMIC TIES CITED FOR SAUDI AND MALAYSIAN CROSS INVESTMENT
By Agence France Presse (AFP)

KUALA LUMPUR: The leaders of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia Tuesday urged businesses in both countries to initiate joint ventures and increase investment between the two countries. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah told a gathering of Malaysian and Saudi business leaders here that the economies of both countries were undergoing "a period of rapid growth and prosperity."

"There are many investment opportunities available that I hope you will avail yourselves of, and that strengthen economic ties," said the monarch on the second day of his three-day visit to Malaysia.

"The governments of Saudi Arabia and ... Malaysia have done their duty with regard to implementing the legal framework to open the doors in both countries for investments. What remains is for businessmen to take the initiative," he added.

King Abdullah arrived in Malaysia Monday as part of an Asian tour to boost economic and trade links and discuss concerns of the Muslim community. Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are to sign bilateral agreements to promote scientific and cultural cooperation and avoid double taxation.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also addressing the luncheon, urged businesses to take advantage of Muslim ties between countries.

"Although Malaysians and Saudis live in very different societies and cultural environments, we do have a very strong bond in our Islamic faith and brotherhood of the ummah (Muslim people)," he said.

"We should take advantage of these strong ties to generate productive cooperation and collaboration." Malaysia's bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia amounted to about $1.8 billion last year but Abdullah said there was room for growth.

"There remains much untapped potential in trade and investment," he said. "We must take initiatives to develop these potentials together, preferably in the form of joint ventures."

Abdullah said Malaysian businesses were looking for opportunities in Saudi Arabia, and put in a good word for national oil corporation Petronas. Petronas is "open to any proposals from Saudi Aramco," he said, referring to Saudi Arabia's national oil firm.

(SNIP)

King Abdullah has already visited China and India and will pay a farewell visit to Malaysia's king Wednesday before leaving for Pakistan.

5//Xinhua Online, China 2006-02-01 06:55:58
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/01/content_4124545.htm

FRANCE CALLS FOR ECONOMIC PATRIOTISM

PARIS, Jan. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Tuesday called on the country's companies to reorganize to protect key industries from foreign predators.

"Economic patriotism is the mobilization of all the participants, of all those concerned, the shareholders but also the company bosses," Villepin told France 2 television.

(SNIP)

Villepin's comments came after the governments of France, Spain and Luxembourg lined up to resist the 18.6-billion-euro (22.7-billion-dollar) hostile takeover bid launched Friday by the world's first steel producer Mittal Steel Company for the world's second biggest steel group Arcelor.

At the request of French President Jacques Chirac "to strengthen the protection plan" for the country's strategic industries, the French government had made by the end of August a list of "strategic" industries where it could block any hostile foreign takeover bid.

The list, which became official at the end of December, covers such industries as casinos, private security firms, the development and production of antidotes, equipment for intercepting communications, computer security systems and some dual civil-military technology and cryptology activities, but not metallurgy nor agribusiness.

The European Commission last week qualified the list as "protectionist" and "discriminatory."

RELATED:

//The Independent, UK 31 January 2006 16:35
MITTAL CHARM OFFENSIVE FAILS TO HALT FLAK OVER £13bn BID FOR ARCELOR
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article342159.ece