June 21, 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 21, 2006

1//Azzaman in English, Iraq--IRAQ IS A FAILED CORRUPTED STATE, MINISTER SAYS (Iraq is passing through a critical stage marked by rampant corruption and chaos in almost all fields of life, minister of planning and development cooperation says. Ali Khalib Baban made the comments in an interview with the newspaper, his first since assuming his new post in May. …  Planning, he added, needs “stability and a firm, stable and strong government. Unfortunately none of these conditions are currently available in Iraq,” he said. He said one of the biggest problems in Iraq was unemployment. “Unemployment is practically a big and dangerous issue … The Iraqi economy generally is in the throes of serious problems. Production sectors and utilities are retreating and in the absence of both local and foreign investments, the creation of new jobs becomes almost impossible,” he said.)

2//The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea--SEOUL SKEPTICAL ABOUT N. KOREAN ‘BALLISTIC’ MISSILE TEST (The South Korean government believes that some in Japan and the U.S. are having a field day with the uproar over alleged preparations for a long-range ballistic missile test in North Korea, an insider said Monday. Seoul thinks even if a missile is fired, it is not necessarily a military device, and sees reports in the U.S. and Japanese press that claim a launch is imminent as unreliable. U.S. and Japanese authorities have portrayed the situation as a fundamental threat to security. If a launch were to occur, their ideas on how to respond would also likely be out of alignment with South Korea’s.)

3//Xinhua Online, China--CHINA, AFGHANISTAN TO STEP UP SECURITY CO-OP: PRESIDENTS SAY (The presidents of China and Afghanistan signed a treaty on friendly cooperation here on Monday and pledged to strengthen cooperation on security matters. The two countries will exert joint efforts to fight the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism as well as transnational crimes, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in talks with his visiting Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai before signing the treaty. … "China is also willing to offer intellectual support for Afghanistan's social and economic reconstruction process and improve cooperation on education, culture and human resource development," Hu said. China values the communication and coordination with Afghanistan in international and regional affairs, and is willing to cooperate within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Hu said. Karzai said that China, an important neighbor of Afghanistan, is playing an important role in Afghanistan's reconstruction. Afghanistan welcomes Chinese companies to take part in its economic development, and is willing to maintain long-term good-neighborly relations with China, Karzai said.)

4//The Independent, UK--CROSSING THE HIMALAYAS: CHINA REOPENS A PASSAGE TO INDIA (High in the Himalayas, a barbed wire fence snakes its way across a desolate landscape. On most days, a thick, white, freezing cloud descends across the peaks, and it is hard to see anything. But now and then a figure looms out of the mist, dressed in combat fatigues. It is like a scene from some old war film. This is where the Chinese and Indian armies have faced off against each other across a border that has been closed for 44 years. But now there is frenetic activity on both sides of the border. Bulldozers are clearing land. Prefabricated warehouses have been put up. At 14,400ft above sea level, the world's highest custom house is back in business: the border is about to reopen. This is the return of the Silk Road. The narrow road that threads its way through the hills, up to the Nathu La is barely motorable, better suited to mules than trucks. But, though it may not look it today, for 58 years this road was the main artery of trade between India and China. And now Delhi and Beijing are hoping that here the Silk Road, which once accounted for a staggering proportion of the world's productivity, can be reborn. … Even if most observers think that figure is a little ambitious, there is no mistaking the significance of what is going on up at Nathu La. At this lonely mountain border post, the two fastest growing economies in the world meet. And after decades of hostility, suddenly they are hungry to invest in each others' markets. … In India today, the talk is of "Chindia" an economic region with vast domestic markets, where China's manufacturing complements India's IT sector.)

5//The Moscow Times, Russia--PUTIN AND PRODI REAFFIRM CLOSE TIES (Emerging from their Kremlin meeting all smiles, President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi signaled Tuesday that while Putin's friend Silvio Berlusconi was no longer in power, ties between the two nations remained strong. Referring to the changing of the guard in Rome, Putin said, "Relations with Italy are a priority for us, and they don't depend on the country's internal policy." … At Tuesday's meeting, energy and bilateral trade topped the agenda. … At Tuesday's meeting, energy and bilateral trade topped the agenda. … At Tuesday's meeting, energy and bilateral trade topped the agenda. … "I am convinced that your visit not only confirms the high level of interest we have in each other's countries but also will yield more mutually beneficial joint projects," a smiling Putin told Prodi at the start of their talks. The prime minister's visit coincided with an announcement Tuesday by Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni that Europe's fourth-largest oil company would help state-controlled Gazprom expand in Italy in exchange for access to exploration resources in Russia. Also, UniCredit, Italy's biggest bank, said Tuesday that its HVB Group had agreed to buy a 26 percent stake in International Moscow Bank from Nordea Bank as the Italian bank expands eastward. Trade between the two countries reached $23.5 billion last year, making Italy Russia's third-largest trade partner, according to Itar-Tass.)

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1//Azzaman in English, Iraq June 20, 2006

IRAQ IS A FAILED CORRUPTED STATE, MINISTER SAYS
By Khayoun Ahmad Saleh

Iraq is passing through a critical stage marked by rampant corruption and chaos in almost all fields of life, minister of planning and development cooperation says.

Ali Khalib Baban made the comments in an interview with the newspaper, his first since assuming his new post in May.

“We carry out our duties … in extremely difficult conditions … we frankly say that we are passing through a phase marked by unprecedented chaos and corruption in government ranks,” Baban said.

He said it was not easy to do any planning under such circumstances. Conditions, he added, were further complicated by the upsurge in violence and mounting insecurity.

(SNIP)

Planning, he added, needs “stability and a firm, stable and strong government. Unfortunately none of these conditions are currently available in Iraq,” he said.

He said one of the biggest problems in Iraq was unemployment.

“Unemployment is practically a big and dangerous issue … The Iraqi economy generally is in the throes of serious problems. Production sectors and utilities are retreating and in the absence of both local and foreign investments, the creation of new jobs becomes almost impossible,” he said.

However, he said, unemployment, which analysts estimate at nearly 50%, cannot be solved on its own.

Other factors, like stability and peace, are essential to rejuvenate the economy, he said.

2//The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea Updated May.19,2006 21:00 KST

SEOUL SKEPTICAL ABOUT N. KOREAN ‘BALLISTIC’ MISSILE TEST

The South Korean government believes that some in Japan and the U.S. are having a field day with the uproar over alleged preparations for a long-range ballistic missile test in North Korea, an insider said Monday. Seoul thinks even if a missile is fired, it is not necessarily a military device, and sees reports in the U.S. and Japanese press that claim a launch is imminent as unreliable.

U.S. and Japanese authorities have portrayed the situation as a fundamental threat to security. If a launch were to occur, their ideas on how to respond would also likely be out of alignment with South Korea’s.

Over the weekend, the South Korean government has said it cannot conclude that liquid fuel has been injected into the rocket, as U.S. reports claim, nor whether the missile carries a warhead or a satellite. Indeed, authorities here say the fact that the missile launch pad is being put up above ground in full view of the spy satellites makes it more likely that the North aims to launch a satellite.

Seoul therefore believes that the best solution would be for North Korea and the U.S. to take a step back, and is examining what the best way through the situation would be. The U.S. and Japan, meanwhile, are publicly discussing sanctions against the North in the event of a missile test, and even a sea blockade.

(MORE)

3//Xinhua Online, China 2006-06-19 21:46:37

CHINA, AFGHANISTAN TO STEP UP SECURITY CO-OP: PRESIDENTS SAY

BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The presidents of China and Afghanistan signed a treaty on friendly cooperation here on Monday and pledged to strengthen cooperation on security matters.

The two countries will exert joint efforts to fight the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism as well as transnational crimes, Chinese President Hu Jintao said in talks with his visiting Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai before signing the treaty.

"China will substantially implement the treaty in a bid to substantiate and cement China-Afghanistan all-round cooperative partnership," Hu said.

Hu spoke highly of the progress of China-Afghanistan ties, expressing his appreciation for the Afghan government's emphasis on bilateral relations and its adherence to the one-China policy.

He noted that, with the concerted efforts from both sides, the China-Afghan relations have progressed well since the establishment of the new Afghan government.

"The two sides share frequent high-level exchanges of visits, fruitful cooperation in various fields and good coordination on international and regional issues and we are satisfied with that," Hu added.

Hu reiterated that China respects the social system and development path chosen by the Afghan people and will support the Afghan government's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain social stability and develop the economy, promising that China will actively participate in the reconstruction process.

Hu said China will expand cooperation with Afghanistan in economy and trade, transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, water resources utilization as well as education, cultural exchanges and human resources development.

"China is also willing to offer intellectual support for Afghanistan's social and economic reconstruction process and improve cooperation on education, culture and human resource development," Hu said.

China values the communication and coordination with Afghanistan in international and regional affairs, and is willing to cooperate within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Hu said.

Karzai said that China, an important neighbor of Afghanistan, is playing an important role in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

Afghanistan welcomes Chinese companies to take part in its economic development, and is willing to maintain long-term good-neighborly relations with China, Karzai said.

He also expressed his appreciation for China's firm political support and economic assistance, which have made a major contribution to the country's reconstruction.

(MORE)

4//The Independent, UK Published: 20 June 2006

CROSSING THE HIMALAYAS: CHINA REOPENS A PASSAGE TO INDIA

At 15,000ft above sea level, the Silk Road pass is the world's highest - and loneliest - customs post. Now it is back in business in a bid to revive an ancient trade route

By Justin Huggler and Clifford Coonan

High in the Himalayas, a barbed wire fence snakes its way across a desolate landscape. On most days, a thick, white, freezing cloud descends across the peaks, and it is hard to see anything. But now and then a figure looms out of the mist, dressed in combat fatigues. It is like a scene from some old war film. This is where the Chinese and Indian armies have faced off against each other across a border that has been closed for 44 years.

But now there is frenetic activity on both sides of the border. Bulldozers are clearing land. Prefabricated warehouses have been put up. At 14,400ft above sea level, the world's highest custom house is back in business: the border is about to reopen. This is the return of the Silk Road.

The narrow road that threads its way through the hills, up to the Nathu La is barely motorable, better suited to mules than trucks. But, though it may not look it today, for 58 years this road was the main artery of trade between India and China. And now Delhi and Beijing are hoping that here the Silk Road, which once accounted for a staggering proportion of the world's productivity, can be reborn.

Talks are underway between India and China in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, for the reopening the border crossing at the Nathu La pass. If all goes according to plan, it could be open as soon as 30 June. And the Sikkim state government on the Indian side is predicting that by 2010, the total trade across Nathu La could be worth as much as $1bn (£540m).

Even if most observers think that figure is a little ambitious, there is no mistaking the significance of what is going on up at Nathu La. At this lonely mountain border post, the two fastest growing economies in the world meet. And after decades of hostility, suddenly they are hungry to invest in each others' markets.

In the 1750s, China and India between them produced a remarkable 57 per cent of the world's manufacturing output. For centuries, the Silk Road was one of the most flourishing trade arteries in the world connecting China to India, the Middle East and Europe. But in 1962, after a border war between India and China, the Silk Road was closed. The border was sealed off, and trade between the two Asian giants slowed to a trickle.

Not any more. Glimpsing the huge economic potential in co-operation, China and India have shrugged their decades-old rivalry aside. Even as the US President George Bush is courting India as a strategic ally against China, Delhi is cosying up to Beijing economically. They have marked this year as Sino-Indian friendship year, a tribute to a booming trade relationship worth £10bn last year - and that was without a direct land crossing between the two countries. It represented a rise of nearly 38 per cent from the previous year, and is certainly expected to rise this year, according to data from China's Ministry of Commerce.

In India today, the talk is of "Chindia" an economic region with vast domestic markets, where China's manufacturing complements India's IT sector.

The border between China and India lies along some of the most impenetrable mountain terrain in the world, and although there are other border crossings, they are seriously remote, and more the stuff of adventure than trade.

(SNIP)

For India, the reopening of the road is first and foremost an opening into China's lucrative market. But the geography also neatly presents a way to improve the economy in eastern India, much of which has been left behind as the economic powerhouses of Bombay to the west and Bangalore to the south forge ahead.

Calcutta is at last beginning to show signs of emerging from its poverty, but the reopened border could present it with an opportunity for regeneration as a commercial port. And outside Calcutta, eastern India remains desperately underdeveloped. While gleaming new office buildings go up in Bangalore, in rural West Bengal people still starve to death. It is in the east that the India's Maoists have seized control of huge areas of land, riding on discontent and poverty.

But, as ever in India, the entire project may yet be held up by slow infrastructure. With the proposed reopening just weeks away, The Indian Express reported this week that the Indian authorities had only just brought the road to the same level as on the Chinese side, and the Border Roads Organisation had admitted that it could not widen the single-lane road to two lanes until 2010.

5//The Moscow Times, Russia Wednesday, June 21, 2006. Issue 3436. Page 1.

PUTIN AND PRODI REAFFIRM CLOSE TIES
By Francesca Mereu, Staff Writer

Emerging from their Kremlin meeting all smiles, President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi signaled Tuesday that while Putin's friend Silvio Berlusconi was no longer in power, ties between the two nations remained strong.

Referring to the changing of the guard in Rome, Putin said, "Relations with Italy are a priority for us, and they don't depend on the country's internal policy."

Putin enjoyed a close relationship with Berlusconi, who lost to Prodi in an April election and repeatedly defended Putin against charges of human rights violations in Chechnya and improperly jailing former Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

(SNIP)

Prodi and Putin last met in Moscow in May 2004, when Prodi was president of the EU Commission. Putin was one of the first world leaders to call Prodi after his electoral victory this year.

At Tuesday's meeting, energy and bilateral trade topped the agenda.

Prodi's trip to Russia capped his first European tour as Italy's prime minister. He met Putin at the Kremlin shortly after 5 p.m., having arrived in Moscow a few hours earlier.

"I am convinced that your visit not only confirms the high level of interest we have in each other's countries but also will yield more mutually beneficial joint projects," a smiling Putin told Prodi at the start of their talks.

The prime minister's visit coincided with an announcement Tuesday by Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni that Europe's fourth-largest oil company would help state-controlled Gazprom expand in Italy in exchange for access to exploration resources in Russia.

Also, UniCredit, Italy's biggest bank, said Tuesday that its HVB Group had agreed to buy a 26 percent stake in International Moscow Bank from Nordea Bank as the Italian bank expands eastward.

Trade between the two countries reached $23.5 billion last year, making Italy Russia's third-largest trade partner, according to Itar-Tass.

The Italian prime minister on Tuesday recalled that his first exposure to Russia came 20 years ago when he visited the Kremlin as the president of the Institute of Industrial Reconstruction.

Earlier in the day, Prodi said, he met with Italian business leaders in Russia. He reported that there were more than 150 ventures being pursued by Italians in the country.

The two leaders also discussed creation of a Russian-Italian bank, Prodi said, with each side contributing half of the capital.

Unlike Berlusconi -- who was known for clowning around with world leaders and showering the Russian president, in particular, with affection -- Prodi, a former economics professor from Bologna, was more reserved.

As prime minister, analysts said, Prodi is likely to spend more time on problem-solving than vacationing with Putin, as Berlusconi did in 2003, when the president, his wife and their two daughters spent three days at Berlusconi's Sardinia retreat.

Giulietto Chiesa, a prominent journalist and independent Russia specialist, said the Italian prime minister's stolid demeanor would improve Italian-Russian relations by lending a new seriousness to them.

Issues of chief concern to the Italian are expected to be Russia's human rights record, the Chechen conflict and Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky's imprisonment.

Franco Apicella, an expert in Italian-Russian relations with the defense review "Pagine di Difesa," noted: "Unlike his predecessor, Prodi is not an extrovert. He will focus on concrete questions. He wants to ensure Italy gets its gas from Russia."

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