June 12, 2006

World Media Watch

edited 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 JUNE 12, 2006

1//Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran--IRAN, IRAQ STRESS CLOSER TIES IN ALL AREAS (Deputy Iraqi President Abdel Adulmahdi conferred here Saturday with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on issues of mutual interest and developments in Iran-Iraq relations, the Foreign Ministry Media Department reported. The Iraqi official thanked Tehran for its support of Iraqi nation at various times, notably, "with regards to political developments in Iraq." "We believe that Iran-Iraq friendly ties are a strategic issue and beneficial for both states as well as the region as a whole." "Some people strive to inflame sectarian and religious tension with the aim of sowing discord between Tehran and Baghdad," he added. However, we, by bolstering political, economic and cultural cooperation will not let them realize their aims, the Iraqi official underlined. … Returning from his 2-day visit to Iraq last week, Mottaki told reporters in Ilam, there is a collective intention among regional countries for establishment of full security in Iraq. In this concern, Iraq's neighbouring countries meeting, plus Egypt, will be held in Tehran soon, Mottaki added. He also announced the establishment of Iran-Iraq ties supreme headquarter in near future which Iran's first vp and Iraq's PM will preside over it.)

2//The Mail & Guardian, South Africa--SOMALI RESIDENTS FEAR FRESH BATTLES (After a week-long lull in fighting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, war-weary residents cautiously ventured out on Sunday onto the city streets, amid further sabre-rattling by the Islamic courts and warlords' alliance. Even with the near-complete control of Mogadishu by the Islamic courts, which routed fighters of a United States-backed warlord alliance on Monday, residents said a fresh battle was imminent as the two sides would not tolerate each other for long and were bolstering their defences. … Last week, the Islamists seized control of most of Mogadishu, sparking fears of a Taliban-like takeover, with the forcible imposition of Sharia law and radical Muslim policies that could breed terrorists and other forms of Islamic extremism. They wrenched control of the capital from the ARPTC, which was founded in February with US support to curb the growing influence of the courts. Washington, which has never confirmed or denied its support for the warlords, said it would "reserve judgement" on the Islamists' victory after four months of fighting that claimed about 350 lives and wounded more than 2000 others. On Friday, it announced the formation of a "Somalia Contact Group" that, together with other interested countries, will "promote concerted action and coordination to support" the largely powerless transitional Somali government.)

RELATED BACKGROUND STORY: BUSH HAWKS DOWN By Jim Lobe (The takeover of Mogadishu this week by Islamic militias marks a major defeat for the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, which had secretly backed a coalition of warlords that has reportedly been routed from the Somali capital.)

3//The News International, Pakistan--N KOREA THREATENS TO PUNISH US OVER SPY FLIGHTS (North Korea’s Air Force Command on Sunday threatened to “punish” the United States for its spy flights over the communist state, recalling the fate of a US Navy plane it shot down 37 years ago. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, the air force said that a US RC-135 reconnaissance plane had made flights over its territorial waters on June 6, 8 and 10. Describing the alleged US espionage flights as “openly crying out for a pre-emptive attack” on the communist state, the command warned of a possible repeat of 1969, when it shot down another US Navy plane, killing all 31 crew.)

4//The Times, UK--AIRLINE PLAN TO PAY FOR EMISSIONS IS BLOCKED BY GERMANS (Germany’s biggest airline is blocking a British plan to make passengers pay for the environmental damage caused by their flights. Lufthansa has rejected proposals put forward by British Airways for an emissions-trading scheme, under which airlines would buy permits to cover their production of carbon dioxide. Britain strongly supports the scheme and, with the backing of France and the Scandinavian countries, hopes to introduce it within Europe by 2008. … Wolfgang Mayrhuber, the chief executive of Lufthansa, said that climate change was a global issue and that it would be better to wait for a worldwide scheme covering all airlines rather than focusing on a solution within Europe. … But BA believes that it is important to act now on aviation emissions because the industry is fast becoming the scapegoat of environmental groups across Europe. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases, and flights within Europe are due to double by 2020.)

5//The Independent, UK--BATTLELINES DRAWN ON GRAND DESIGN FOR PARIS SKYSCRAPERS (The future of one of the world's most visited and most admired cities will be shaped today by an acrimonious meeting of the Paris city council. Proposals put forward by the Socialist Mayor, Bertrand Delanoë - carving out a large, new park in north-western Paris and creating new spaces for offices - will be angrily opposed by his Green and Communist allies. The Communists believe that Paris should build upwards, allowing large forests of skyscrapers on its periphery for the first time. The Greens and others want the city to spread outwards, rubbing away the physical and psychological barriers between Paris and its vibrant but sometimes troubled suburbs.)

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1//Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran June 11, 2006

IRAN, IRAQ STRESS CLOSER TIES IN ALL AREAS

Deputy Iraqi President Abdel Adulmahdi conferred here Saturday with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on issues of mutual interest and developments in Iran-Iraq relations, the Foreign Ministry Media Department reported.

The Iraqi official thanked Tehran for its support of Iraqi nation at various times, notably, "with regards to political developments in Iraq."

"We believe that Iran-Iraq friendly ties are a strategic issue and beneficial for both states as well as the region as a whole." "Some people strive to inflame sectarian and religious tension with the aim of sowing discord between Tehran and Baghdad," he added.

However, we, by bolstering political, economic and cultural cooperation will not let them realize their aims, the Iraqi official underlined.

He also referred to the second session of joint high cooperation commission saying it will take new and bold step to expand bilateral relations.

(SNIP)

Mottaki also referred to his latest trip to Iraq saying Iran is ready to implement all the signed agreements.

"We hope that with the completion of Nouri al-Maliki's cabinet the trend will be expedited."

He said coordination with the Iraqi foreign ministry on the holding the 9th Iraq neighbors conference has been made and expressed hope that the session could play an influential role in support of the new government in Baghdad and strengthen stability in the country.

(SNIP)

Returning from his 2-day visit to Iraq last week, Mottaki told reporters in Ilam, there is a collective intention among regional countries for establishment of full security in Iraq.

In this concern, Iraq's neighbouring countries meeting, plus Egypt, will be held in Tehran soon, Mottaki added.

He also announced the establishment of Iran-Iraq ties supreme headquarter in near future which Iran's first vp and Iraq's PM will preside over it.

Mottaki said the foreign ministry is negotiating with Iraqi side to open Iran's consulates in Basra, Arbil and Sulaymaniyeh.

He said on Monday that participation of Iraq's neighbors, as well as regional countries, is necessary in order to strengthen security and stability there.

He added, "We believe any type of collective measure would be a step forward towards achieving security in Iraq."

2//The Mail & Guardian, South Africa 11 June 2006 03:37

SOMALI RESIDENTS FEAR FRESH BATTLES
Ali Musa Abdi | Mogadishu, Somalia (AFP)

After a week-long lull in fighting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, war-weary residents cautiously ventured out on Sunday onto the city streets, amid further sabre-rattling by the Islamic courts and warlords' alliance.

Even with the near-complete control of Mogadishu by the Islamic courts, which routed fighters of a United States-backed warlord alliance on Monday, residents said a fresh battle was imminent as the two sides would not tolerate each other for long and were bolstering their defences.

"Justice and injustice cannot stay in the same place," said Mohamed Amin Yasin, a supporter of the capital's Joint Islamic Courts. "That is what has prolonged the civil strife since 1991."

Still, Mogadishu residents went about their business as some called on the Islamic courts to rout the warlords from their hideout in the northern Karan district.

On Saturday, the chairperson of the capital's Islamic tribunal, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, called on the alliance members to surrender peacefully. The warlords immediately dismissed the call, saying Ahmed represented only a minority.

But hard-line elders renewed the order on Sunday, vowing to evict the warlords from their hideout.

"If the warlords refuse to surrender, that would lead to a renewed fighting. Even the most foolish person understands that," said Hassan Jumale, an elder allied to the Islamic courts.

"The courts have a plan for Somalia and will not stop until they fulfil that dream. God knows if we will be successful but that is a plan which led us to fight the warlords backed by the world's only superpower," Jumale told Agence France-Presse from southern Mogadishu.

At least three of the warlords and members of the US-funded Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counterterrorism (ARPCT) are holed up in the Karan district, where they are protected by the powerful Abgal sub clan.

(SNIP)

Last week, the Islamists seized control of most of Mogadishu, sparking fears of a Taliban-like takeover, with the forcible imposition of Sharia law and radical Muslim policies that could breed terrorists and other forms of Islamic extremism.

They wrenched control of the capital from the ARPTC, which was founded in February with US support to curb the growing influence of the courts.

Washington, which has never confirmed or denied its support for the warlords, said it would "reserve judgement" on the Islamists' victory after four months of fighting that claimed about 350 lives and wounded more than 2000 others.

On Friday, it announced the formation of a "Somalia Contact Group" that, together with other interested countries, will "promote concerted action and coordination to support" the largely powerless transitional Somali government.

(MORE)

RELATED BACKGROUND STORY:

BUSH HAWKS DOWN By Jim Lobe

The takeover of Mogadishu this week by Islamic militias marks a major defeat for the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, which had secretly backed a coalition of warlords that has reportedly been routed from the Somali capital.

3//The News International, Pakistan Monday, June 12, 2006, Jamadi-ul-Awal 15, 1427 A.H.

N KOREA THREATENS TO PUNISH US OVER SPY FLIGHTS

SEOUL: North Korea’s Air Force Command on Sunday threatened to “punish” the United States for its spy flights over the communist state, recalling the fate of a US Navy plane it shot down 37 years ago. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, the air force said that a US RC-135 reconnaissance plane had made flights over its territorial waters on June 6, 8 and 10.

Describing the alleged US espionage flights as “openly crying out for a pre-emptive attack” on the communist state, the command warned of a possible repeat of 1969, when it shot down another US Navy plane, killing all 31 crew.

“The (North Korean) Air Force seriously warns the US imperialists that it will sternly punish the aggressors if their planes continue illegally intruding into the sky ... on espionage missions,” it said. “They had better not forget the miserable end EC-121 met in the 1960s.”

North Korean fighters shot the reconnaissance plane down off the country’s east coast in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in April 1969. Another US-North Korean incident occurred when North Korea fired missiles at an SR-71 spy plane in August 1981. The “Blackbird” jet was undamaged.

North Korea has been sensitive to US spy flights, with its media citing military sources as issuing a monthly report on US aerial espionage. Sunday’s statement was rare in that it was issued in the name of the Air Force Command.

North Korea has claimed the United States is preparing to invade the communist country despite repeated US denials. The two sides are locked in a standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.

(MORE)

4//The Times, UK June 12, 2006

AIRLINE PLAN TO PAY FOR EMISSIONS IS BLOCKED BY GERMANS
By Ben Webster, Transport Correspondent

Germany’s biggest airline is blocking a British plan to make passengers pay for the environmental damage caused by their flights.

Lufthansa has rejected proposals put forward by British Airways for an emissions-trading scheme, under which airlines would buy permits to cover their production of carbon dioxide.

Britain strongly supports the scheme and, with the backing of France and the Scandinavian countries, hopes to introduce it within Europe by 2008.

The scheme would add up to £6 to the cost of an airline ticket, depending on the length of the flight and the market price of permits. The European Commission is studying the idea and is expected to produce firm proposals in September.

But Lufthansa is lobbying heavily against the scheme in Brussels and is trying to persuade politicians from Germany and other countries to vote against it. The airline has infuriated BA by issuing statements claiming that the scheme could cost airlines more than £1 billion a year and burden them with an “unacceptable cost risk”.

Wolfgang Mayrhuber, the chief executive of Lufthansa, said that climate change was a global issue and that it would be better to wait for a worldwide scheme covering all airlines rather than focusing on a solution within Europe.

He told The Times: “We want to understand the consequences before we go for emissions trading. It would be better to work on improving technology to reduce emissions as this will help everybody.”

But BA believes that it is important to act now on aviation emissions because the industry is fast becoming the scapegoat of environmental groups across Europe. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases, and flights within Europe are due to double by 2020.

(SNIP)

Jeff Gazzard, the co-ordinator of the GreenSkies Alliance, a coalition of environmental groups, said: “Lufthansa are pretty determined not to pay one euro towards the climate damage their flights cause and are going all out to wreck the Commission’s proposals.”

5//The Independent, UK Published: 12 June 2006

BATTLELINES DRAWN ON GRAND DESIGN FOR PARIS SKYSCRAPERS
By John Lichfield in Paris

The future of one of the world's most visited and most admired cities will be shaped today by an acrimonious meeting of the Paris city council.

Proposals put forward by the Socialist Mayor, Bertrand Delanoë - carving out a large, new park in north-western Paris and creating new spaces for offices - will be angrily opposed by his Green and Communist allies.

The Communists believe that Paris should build upwards, allowing large forests of skyscrapers on its periphery for the first time. The Greens and others want the city to spread outwards, rubbing away the physical and psychological barriers between Paris and its vibrant but sometimes troubled suburbs.

The decisions taken today on a new master plan for Paris - or Plan Local d'Urbanisme (PLU) - will shape development until 2020 but may, in practice, decide the social, economic and architectural fate of the French capital until late in the 21st century. M. Delanoë was badly shaken by his city's failure to grasp the 2012 Olympic games. He has put forward a plan which attempts to preserve the character of Paris while arresting the seepage of jobs and citizens to the suburbs.

Paris has lost one tenth of its jobs in the past 15 years. Its population, just over two million, is shrinking by more than 1 per cent a year. M. Delanoë wants to create new areas of affordable apartments but also attract national, and international, business headquarters back to the city.

(MORE)