February 17, 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 17, 2006

1//RIA Novosti, Russia--AMBASSADOR INSISTS IRAN DOES NOT PLAN TO BUILD NUCLEAR BOMB (At a roundtable in the Russian lower house of parliament Thursday, Iran's ambassador in Moscow reiterated that Tehran had no plans to build nuclear weapons. Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the State Duma's international affairs committee, said Gholamreza Ansari had answered the questions of principal concern to Russia, and reiterated that the Islamic Republic was prepared to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog. "Iran understands that the situation is very serious, and is ready to continue political dialogue, as well as an expert-level dialogue in search of solutions to the dispute," the legislator said. Ansari said an Iranian delegation was making thorough preparations for upcoming talks in Moscow, and that it would have the authority to conduct talks on Russia's proposal to set up a joint venture enrich uranium on Russian territory for nuclear power plants in the Islamic Republic. Originally, the talks were to take place February 16, but were postponed by Tehran until February 20.)

2//The Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates--UAE FEARS LEAKAGE FROM IRAN’S N-REACTOR (Interior Minister Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan voiced fears yesterday of a leakage from neighbouring Iran’s planned nuclear reactor. “The danger poised by Bushehr nuclear reactor is that it is unpredictable, while protection is practically impossible,” Shaikh Saif told AFP. “All kinds of detection (of leakage) from a distance would not help to protect against any kind of leakage from this reactor, due to the high-speed movement of the radiation” he added.)

3//Inter Press Service News Agency, Italy--SUNNI INSURGENTS SEEN AS INCREASINGLY UNIFIED (Despite reports of growing tensions and even occasional clashes between Islamists and nationalists, the predominantly Sunni insurgency in Iraq appears increasingly united and confident of victory, according to a new report released here Wednesday by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group [ICG]. The 30-page report, based primarily on an analysis of the public communications of insurgent groups, as well as interviews and past studies about the insurgency, also concludes that rebel groups have adapted quickly and effectively to changing U.S. tactics -- in both the military and political spheres. … The report, which comes amid intense -- but so far unavailing -- efforts by the U.S. Embassy to negotiate the creation of a new government in Baghdad that will place prominent Sunnis in key cabinet posts, is based mainly on what insurgents have themselves said on their Internet websites and chat rooms, videos, tapes and leaflets since the invasion and how those messages have evolved. While much of the rhetoric is propagandistic, according to the ICG, it also provides a "window into the insurgency" capable of informing the analyst about its internal debates, levels of coordination, its perceptions of both the enemy and its constituency, and changes in tactics and strategy. Such a textual analysis, according to the ICG, yields conclusions that are substantially at odds with many of Washington's current, as well as past, assumptions about the insurgency. Indeed, "[I]n Iraq, the U.S. fights an enemy it hardly knows," the report asserts.)

4//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong--MIXED MOTIVES STOKE PAKISTAN’S FLAMES (With the Pakistani media vocally discussing how protesters have been given a virtual free hand to rampage throughout the country, there are clear indications that during President George W Bush's visit to Pakistan next month anti-US sentiments will reach fever pitch. At that time, Pakistan will once again portray itself as a hotbed of extremists that can only be controlled by a powerful, uniformed president. Protests over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed have risen in intensity over the past few weeks, and turned violent on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Scandinavian and US businesses targeted. The unrest is being called the country's worst in many years. … Behind the present demonstrations is an underlying trend that has not been widely reported. Such protests have traditionally been the bread and butter of the religious-political parties to stir up their workers as well as motivate the masses. However, this week, for the first time, the common masses took to the streets on their own accord. … For the first time, people on their own accord are boycotting European products and vendors selling products manufactured by European companies. The situation is volatile, and open to exploitation from various factions, from anti-Musharraf and anti-US groups to jihadis looking to bolster their cause in Afghanistan.)

5//The Independent, UK--GORDON BROWN SPREADS HIS WINGS TO SPEED THE JOURNEY TO NUMBER 10 (Gordon Brown landed on the deck of a Navy warship to announce a 3 per cent armed forces pay rise and reaffirm his credentials as prime minister-in-waiting. The Chancellor's helicopter flight to HMS Kent, a type 23 frigate, and a meeting with sailors' families was billed as part of the nationwide tour he announced at Labour's 2005 conference. But there was little doubt that the appearance represented the latest choreographed step on the long road to No 10 for Mr Brown. … Mr Brown was blamed for Labour's humiliating defeat last Thursday in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, the seat in which he now lives with his wife, Sarah, and son, John, after boundary changes. Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting Liberal Democrat leader, said that if Mr Brown could not win in his own backyard, how would he win in Surrey. However, Mr Brown has ended the week looking unassailable. He backed Mr Blair in the BBC's Andrew Marr programme on Sunday over ID cards, helping the Prime Minister to survive a rebellion in the Commons on Monday. He also came to Mr Blair's aid on Monday with a speech to the Royal United Services Institute, strongly supporting radical measures against terrorism, including returning in future to 90-day detention without trial for terrorist suspects.)

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1//RIA Novosti, Russia 18:40 16/02/2006

AMBASSADOR INSISTS IRAN DOES NOT PLAN TO BUILD NUCLEAR BOMB

MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) - At a roundtable in the Russian lower house of parliament Thursday, Iran's ambassador in Moscow reiterated that Tehran had no plans to build nuclear weapons.

Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the State Duma's international affairs committee, said Gholamreza Ansari had answered the questions of principal concern to Russia, and reiterated that the Islamic Republic was prepared to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog.

"Iran understands that the situation is very serious, and is ready to continue political dialogue, as well as an expert-level dialogue in search of solutions to the dispute," the legislator said.

Ansari said an Iranian delegation was making thorough preparations for upcoming talks in Moscow, and that it would have the authority to conduct talks on Russia's proposal to set up a joint venture enrich uranium on Russian territory for nuclear power plants in the Islamic Republic.

Originally, the talks were to take place February 16, but were postponed by Tehran until February 20. The Russian initiative is seen as a compromise in the international dispute over Iran's plans to enrich uranium, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons.

(SNIP)

Kosachev said possible changes to the proposal would be discussed at talks and consultations, rather than brought up for public debate.

He noted that Tehran had denounced terrorism, including the most notorious terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda.

Kosachev said Iran regarded Russia as a friendly country and its partner in the current standoff, and hoped the political process would continue.

"We expect talks on February 20 to yield results," he said.

However, the Duma member said the ambassador's explanations of the Iranian president's doubting the Holocaust and suggesting moving Israel to Europe late last year had not alleviated Russia's concerns.

"Such statements are not conducive to Iran's positions in the world and its international image. We cannot approve of them," Kosachev said.

2//The Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates 16 February 2006

UAE FEARS LEAKAGE FROM IRAN’S N-REACTOR
(AFP)

DUBAI — Interior Minister Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan voiced fears yesterday of a leakage from neighbouring Iran’s planned nuclear reactor.

“The danger poised by Bushehr nuclear reactor is that it is unpredictable, while protection is practically impossible,” Shaikh Saif told AFP.
“All kinds of detection (of leakage) from a distance would not help to protect against any kind of leakage from this reactor, due to the high-speed movement of the radiation” he added.

Iran, with Russian help, is building a nuclear reactor on its Gulf coast but is facing world pressure over its nuclear work amid fears it is seeking to build weapons.

Shaikh Saif said the UAE is trying to shield itself against terror by cracking down on extremists and promoting a culture of moderation. “Over the past years, we have handed over a number of people wanted on security charges to their countries” in keeping with international agreements, he said.

“The authorities concerned also started dealing with extremist elements among expatriates more than 20 years ago by considering them persona non grata and consequently forcing them to leave the country,” he said.

Shaikh Saif said one factor which “has protected our country from acts of violence so far” is that “all residents ... (are) here in order to make a living, not in order to achieve political or suspicious partisan goals.

(SNIP)

Shaikh Saif said the UAE had kept terror away by pursuing ‘centrist’ policies, treating people “with compassion and justice” and applying the law to all without discrimination.

“The UAE has also endeavoured to “promote a culture of centrism and moderation that prevents the exploitation of religion for partisan or suspicious goals in schools, universities and mosques,” he said.

Shaikh Saif said besides bringing in legislation to combat terror and money laundering, the UAE was keeping tabs on the activities of Islamic charities and preparing to amend laws to tighten controls on firms that manufacture explosives or chemical materials.

3//Inter Press Service News Agency, Italy Feb 15k, 2006

SUNNI INSURGENTS SEEN AS INCREASINGLY UNIFIED
Jim Lobe

WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (IPS) - Despite reports of growing tensions and even occasional clashes between Islamists and nationalists, the predominantly Sunni insurgency in Iraq appears increasingly united and confident of victory, according to a new report released here Wednesday by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG).

The 30-page report, based primarily on an analysis of the public communications of insurgent groups, as well as interviews and past studies about the insurgency, also concludes that rebel groups have adapted quickly and effectively to changing U.S. tactics -- in both the military and political spheres.

"Over time, the insurgency appears to have become more coordinated, confident, sensitive to its constituents' demands and adept at learning from the enemy's successes and its own failures," according to the report, "In Their Own Words: Reading the Iraqi Insurgency."

"The U.S. must take these factors into account if it is to understand the insurgency's resilience and learn how to counter it," it added, stressing that the most effective responses include reining in and disbanding sectarian militias responsible for human rights abuses and repeatedly making clear that Washington has no designs on Iraq's oil resources or on its territory for military bases.

The report, which comes amid intense -- but so far unavailing -- efforts by the U.S. Embassy to negotiate the creation of a new government in Baghdad that will place prominent Sunnis in key cabinet posts, is based mainly on what insurgents have themselves said on their Internet websites and chat rooms, videos, tapes and leaflets since the invasion and how those messages have evolved.

While much of the rhetoric is propagandistic, according to the ICG, it also provides a "window into the insurgency" capable of informing the analyst about its internal debates, levels of coordination, its perceptions of both the enemy and its constituency, and changes in tactics and strategy.

Such a textual analysis, according to the ICG, yields conclusions that are substantially at odds with many of Washington's current, as well as past, assumptions about the insurgency. Indeed, "(I)n Iraq, the U.S. fights an enemy it hardly knows," the report asserts.

(MORE)

4//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong Feb 17, 2006

MIXED MOTIVES STOKE PAKISTAN’S FLAMES
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - With the Pakistani media vocally discussing how protesters have been given a virtual free hand to rampage throughout the country, there are clear indications that during President George W Bush's visit to Pakistan next month anti-US sentiments will reach fever pitch.

At that time, Pakistan will once again portray itself as a hotbed of extremists that can only be controlled by a powerful, uniformed president.

Protests over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed have risen in intensity over the past few weeks, and turned violent on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Scandinavian and US businesses targeted. The unrest is being called the country's worst in many years.

(SNIP)

The upsurge in violent protests surprised many, but at the same time the media have questioned the handling of the unrest by the administration of President General Pervez Musharraf, wondering why adequate arrangements were not made to deter the protests once their extent became clear.

An Urdu daily newspaper, Khabrain, which is published from Lahore, called the violence on Tuesday the worst in the history of the city. Dozens of public-sector buildings, including the provincial assembly, as well as many private properties such as banks and offices, were set on fire.

News reports, however, noted that in many instances the security forces turned a blind eye, or were slow to react.

Renowned journalist and television anchor Talat Hussain also raised the issue in relation to the capital, Islamabad, where college students staged a rally that turned violent as they rampaged near the high-security diplomatic enclave. Talat pointed out that even on ordinary days it is virtually impossible to get near the zone. Yet 6,000 students (a massive number by Islamabad standards) managed to approach the enclave, and even breach its security in some places.

These incidents take on a special importance as they come at a time of intense debate in the United States over how to treat Pakistan, a key ally in the "war on terror". US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she supports Pakistan's present quasi-democratic military setup as she sees Musharraf as a suitable person to turn the country into a moderate state.

On the other hand, others in the Bush administration are losing patience with Pakistan as it has failed to deliver any "big fish" from al-Qaeda's ranks, and parts of the country, such as the South Waziristan tribal area, are infested with the Taliban and the Afghan resistance. They believe Musharraf should be placed under more pressure, and this includes pushing for greater democracy in the country.

Influential think-tanks such as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace have suggested that Musharraf exploits the "war on terror" and extremism in his favor, and is not sincere as a US ally.

Asia Times Online contacts familiar with the situation claim that the US has already started gathering feedback, and the response indicates that Washington will this year try to persuade Pakistan to curtail the role of the army in domestic politics.

An emerging situation

Behind the present demonstrations is an underlying trend that has not been widely reported. Such protests have traditionally been the bread and butter of the religious-political parties to stir up their workers as well as motivate the masses. However, this week, for the first time, the common masses took to the streets on their own accord.

(SNIP)

For the first time, people on their own accord are boycotting European products and vendors selling products manufactured by European companies.

The situation is volatile, and open to exploitation from various factions, from anti-Musharraf and anti-US groups to jihadis looking to bolster their cause in Afghanistan.

5//The Independent, UK Published: 17 February 2006

GORDON BROWN SPREADS HIS WINGS TO SPEED THE JOURNEY TO NUMBER 10
By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor

Gordon Brown landed on the deck of a Navy warship to announce a 3 per cent armed forces pay rise and reaffirm his credentials as prime minister-in-waiting.

The Chancellor's helicopter flight to HMS Kent, a type 23 frigate, and a meeting with sailors' families was billed as part of the nationwide tour he announced at Labour's 2005 conference. But there was little doubt that the appearance represented the latest choreographed step on the long road to No 10 for Mr Brown.

As Tony Blair prepared to fly to Berlin last night for talks with Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, Mr Brown also briefed the Cabinet on the spending round to come and announced that the date for his 10th Budget - and possibly his last - would be 22 March.

Meanwhile, his close friend, Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, cleared the way for the succession without a challenge. Mr Darling, who is likely to have a senior post in a Brown Cabinet, said Mr Brown was the "natural successor" to Mr Blair and is likely to become the next leader without a contest from any cabinet colleague.

Left-wingers such as Michael Meacher, the former environment minister, are likely to force a contest to offer an alternative agenda. Mr Brown's allies say he will relish the challenge.

"I don't see any senior colleagues standing against him," Mr Darling said in the London Evening Standard. "I think the mood generally in the Labour Party is that, when Tony decides to step down, Gordon is the natural successor and he will take on the work that Tony started. I think Gordon will be the next leader."

John Reid, the Defence Secretary, has also cleared the way for Mr Brown to take the leadership without a cabinet challenger. Burying old antagonisms with the Chancellor, the Defence Secretary said he believed Mr Brown was committed to the reforming agenda introduced by Mr Blair.

"I have never been prepared to sponsor anyone other than the present leader while we have Tony Blair there," he said in the Financial Times. "But I am equally certain that whoever takes over from him - including Gordon Brown - will be as committed to reform and renewal as Tony Blair is."

Mr Brown was blamed for Labour's humiliating defeat last Thursday in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, the seat in which he now lives with his wife, Sarah, and son, John, after boundary changes. Sir Menzies Campbell, the acting Liberal Democrat leader, said that if Mr Brown could not win in his own backyard, how would he win in Surrey.

However, Mr Brown has ended the week looking unassailable. He backed Mr Blair in the BBC's Andrew Marr programme on Sunday over ID cards, helping the Prime Minister to survive a rebellion in the Commons on Monday. He also came to Mr Blair's aid on Monday with a speech to the Royal United Services Institute, strongly supporting radical measures against terrorism, including returning in future to 90-day detention without trial for terrorist suspects.

He voted with Mr Blair on Tuesday for a total ban on smoking, leaving his ally John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, to go into the opposite division lobby in a rare split between the two men. His support on terrorism helped destroy a revolt against the Terrorism Bill on Wednesday.
Ironically, the ease with which Mr Blair overcame the threats to his authority in the Commons shored up the Prime Minister's authority, and potentially delayed the day when Mr Brown might finally seize the crown.

(MORE)