World Media Watch for May 1, 2002

BUZZFLASH NOTE: Once again, these are the views and perspectives of the individual papers, not of BuzzFlash or Gloria. They offer BuzzFlash readers a way of reading what other nations are saying about the crisis, whether we like it or not. We repeat: This is not an endorsement of their viewpoints.

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1//The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia--POLICE BRACE FOR MAYHEM AS WORLD MARKS MAY DAY (Police will be out in force, fearing the cocktail of causes could combine to spark major clashes, especially in Europe where the traditional workers' day celebration has taken on a new dimension.)

2//Pravda, Russia--ISRAEL TO RUB OUT ARAFAT WITH PALESTINIAN HANDS (Why did Arafat again start to speak about a successor, or even successors? Does he really believe that Israel is preparing his physical annihilation? Of course he does not. If Sharon wished to annihilate the Palestinian leader, he would have done so long ago. The Israelis do not need Arafat as a martyr; they need a terrorist on whom the whole world can turn its back, or at least a part of the world, after Israel "proves" Arafat's implication in terrorist acts on Israeli territory. Arafat is most likely afraid of his fellow Intifada fighters, the so-called "young wolfs" of Hamas, Fatah, and other organizations, who hardly would compliment Arafat on his wish to hand over the killers of tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi to the Israelis.)

3//The Independent, UK--PAKISTANIS SNUB MUSHARRAF BID FOR RESPECTABILITY (If the turn-out proves to have been as low 25 per cent, however, the President's cheerleaders will have a hard time depicting the result as anything but a thumbs down by the Pakistani people to the prospect of another five years of de facto military dictatorship.)

4//The Japan Times, Japan--U.S. ASKS JAPAN TO DISPATCH AEGIS SHIP TO INDIAN OCEAN (The request could be related to U.S. plans to escalate its antiterrorism campaign, including a possible attack on Iraq, which President George W. Bush claims is part of an "axis of evil."…At the news conference, however, the three coalition leaders were negative on the destroyer and P-3C dispatch. "An immediate dispatch would be difficult under the current conditions. It is necessary to consider the missions and take into account the feelings of the Japanese people," Yamasaki said.)

5//The Hindustan Times, India--ONE-THIRD MAY VOTE LE PEN (In all the polls, voters who reply split 80-20 for Jacques Chirac. The reason for the pollsters' uncertainty is the record number of voters - over a million, or 28 per cent of the voters - who abstained in the first round.)

6//The Guardian, UK--ITV DIGITAL TO CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT (ITV Digital is set to close at midnight tonight, ending Carlton and Granada's dream of taking on Rupert Murdoch, leaving 1,500 staff out of work and up to 800,000 viewers without a pay TV service…It will be the closing chapter in a troubled three year history for the two ITV giants, who believed they could take on Sky and offer a low cost alternative to satellite TV.)

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1//The Sydney Morning Herald May 1 2002
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/30/1019441374447.html

POLICE BRACE FOR MAYHEM AS WORLD MARKS MAY DAY
AFP

Tensions over the shock success of the far-right in France, the Middle East crisis and fears of globalisation and joblessness threaten to turn violent today when May Day celebrations kick off worldwide.

Police will be out in force, fearing the cocktail of causes could combine to spark major clashes, especially in Europe where the traditional workers' day celebration has taken on a new dimension.

By far the largest demonstrations are expected to take place in France, a country still reeling from far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen's sweep to the second round of presidential elections.

Attention will be focused on Paris, where Le Pen's National Front (FN) will also be marching to celebrate mediaeval French heroine Joan of Arc.

In Paris, some 3,000 police are to be deployed to keep order and ensure that opposing demonstrators remain well apart…Police said that as many as 250,000 people could take part in the demonstrations.

In London, police are bracing for clashes with anti-capitalist protesters in Mayfair, one of the capital's wealthiest districts, calling out up to 6,000 officers to deal with loosely organised demonstrators across the city ranging from sex workers to animal rights groups, anarchists to cyclists.

(SNIP)

In Germany, police said they feared the protests over the crisis in the Middle East would give them no break from the annual round of street battles.

Police chief Gerd Neubeck told reporters that Berlin had "many citizens who are deeply affected by the conflict" in the Middle East.

(SNIP)

Some 50,000 people are expected to join a communist party-organised march in Moscow, demanding the resignation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kassianov and his government for, among other complaints, "the exploitation of the people by monopolies."

Across Asia, the economy will also top the list of concerns. The fear of globalisation among recession-weary workers could fire up protests, with security forces across the region taking no chances.

(SNIP)

Hong Kong, meanwhile, only declared May 1 a holiday after reverting to Chinese rule in 1997. With unemployment at a record seven percent, labour unions are planning a protest to call for a minimum wage and collective bargaining power.

In Vietnam, the event has long been overshadowed by the anniversary of the 1975 victory in the Vietnam War on April 30.

Communist China, for its part, has cast aside May Day rallies in favour of more capitalist pursuits like shopping and tourism.

2//Pravda 2002-04-30
http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/04/30/28122.html

ISRAEL TO RUB OUT ARAFAT WITH PALESTINIAN HANDS
Dmitry Litvinovich

In the case of unexpected developments, Yasser Arafat has announced the name of his successor to the post of the head of the Palestinian National Administration: Faruk Kaddumi, the leader of Palestinian Liberation Organization's political department.

Earlier, Arafat already did something similar. On April 17, the Palestinian leader appointed five successors to collectively lead Palestinian National Autonomy in case of his death, or arrest, or exile.

(SNIP)

Why did Arafat again start to speak about a successor, or even successors? Does he really believe that Israel is preparing his physical annihilation? Of course he does not. If Sharon wished to annihilate the Palestinian leader, he would have done so long ago. The Israelis do not need Arafat as a martyr; they need a terrorist on whom the whole world can turn its back, or at least a part of the world, after Israel "proves" Arafat's implication in terrorist acts on Israeli territory. Arafat is most likely afraid of his fellow Intifada fighters, the so-called "young wolfs" of Hamas, Fatah, and other organizations, who hardly would compliment Arafat on his wish to hand over the killers of tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi to the Israelis. Of course, the question is not about the direct handing over of the killers to Israeli justice, even though some half-measures would not add to the popularity of Arafat in Palestinian eyes.

The killers will be transported from Ramallah to Jericho, where they will be probably guarded by the British military.

(SNIP)

The day before yesterday, the Israeli government accepted President George Bush's proposition to leave Rehavam Zeevi's killers in a Palestinian prison, under guard of American or British military. This proposition was supported by 17 ministers this Sunday, while eight ministers were against it.

George Bush phoned Ariel Sharon and recommended that he not insist on the extradition of the minister's killers. Will Sharon listen to the advise of his US "friend?" Most probably, he will not, because the Israelis' main demand to Palestinians is the extradition of the minister's killers. Therefore, to back away from the demand would be regarded as a sign of Israeli weakness, which they no way can permit.

As for Arafat himself, while he was holed up in his residence, he was responsible for nothing, including the Intifada. However, now, he is being inclined to compromises that could be considered treason by the average Palestinian. Therefore, it would be better for him to remain in captivity.

3//The Independent 30 April 2002 23:58 GMT+1
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia_china/story.jsp?story=290699

PAKISTANIS SNUB MUCHARRAF BID FOR RESPECTABILITY
By Peter Popham and Catherine Redden in Islamabad

01 May 2002

Pakistan's military ruler and self-appointed President, General Pervez Musharraf, submitted to his first democratic test of popularity yesterday but after referendum polls closed his henchmen were widely divided on the success of the exercise.

Major-General Rashid Qureshi, the general's spokesman, declared there had been "an unprecedented turn-out ... well above 45 to 50 per cent, a huge turn-out, more than any election we've ever had".

But Nisar Memon, General Musharraf's Information Minister, apparently preparing the nation for a very different outcome when the figures are published today, insisted even 25 per cent would be enough. "We believe that a voters' turn-out of 25 per cent and above will represent a widespread public support for the President's economic and political reforms," he said.

The referendum asked: "Do you want to elect President General Pervez Musharraf for the next five years as President of Pakistan?" and implied that a "yes" vote would be a vote for the restoration of democracy, continued reforms and the "elimination of sectarianism and extremism". Voters could vote "no" but a boycott of the referendum by an alliance of opposition parties almost guaranteed that most people bothering to vote would back the President. If the turn-out proves to have been as low 25 per cent, however, the President's cheerleaders will have a hard time depicting the result as anything but a thumbs down by the Pakistani people to the prospect of another five years of de facto military dictatorship.

Beset by the hostility to the referendum of all the main political forces, General Musharraf did everything in his power to ensure things went his way - the goalposts as wide as could be arranged, the playing field given the tilt of the slopes of K2. Electoral registers were temporarily abolished and Pakistan's 60 million voters were told they could vote wherever they chose. The voting age was abruptly lowered to 18. The number of polling stations was doubled, and some were set up in workplaces. Buses to and from polling stations were laid on at government expense.

(SNIP)

But many Pakistanis have reacted negatively to the referendum and have little faith in General Musharraf's ability to turn things round as promised. Two young men shopping at one of Islamabad's more sophisticated markets said that they had no intention of voting. "Musharraf is not a properly elected President," Shumail Mehboob said. "When someone comes to power he does whatever he feels like doing. I belong to the generation that is really fed up with these politicians."

General Musharraf has accepted a Supreme Court ruling that a general election must be held in October, heralding the formal return of democracy. But he has decided to remain the ruler of the country for at least another five years, and endorsement in the referendum would enable him to do this.

A good referendum result would also draw the sting of his foreign critics, although most of these have gone quiet since he became the West's most prominent frontline ally in the war against terrorism.

4//The Japan Times Wednesday, May 1, 2002
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?np20020501a2.htm

U.S. ASKS JAPAN TO DISPATCH AEGIS SHIP TO INDIAN OCEAN

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) The United States asked Japan on Monday to dispatch a destroyer with the Aegis air defense system and P-3C antisubmarine surveillance aircraft as part of its support for the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, a top Japanese ruling party official said.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz made the request in talks with the secretaries general of the three ruling parties -- Taku Yamasaki of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of New Komeito and Toshihiro Nikai of the New Conservative Party, Yamasaki said at a news conference after the meeting.

Wolfowitz called on Japan to extend the May 19 deadline for its logistic support for the U.S. campaign because there are still many operations to be carried out, and hoped for the dispatch of an Aegis-equipped vessel and P-3C aircraft, both of which have high intelligence-gathering capabilities, Yamasaki said.

Wolfowitz did not refer to specific areas where the destroyer and aircraft might be used, or their missions, he said.

The request could be related to U.S. plans to escalate its antiterrorism campaign, including a possible attack on Iraq, which President George W. Bush claims is part of an "axis of evil."

(SNIP)

The ruling bloc leaders told Wolfowitz that the three parties will closely consult with one another on the proposed extension of the deadline but avoided giving an immediate answer to the request for the dispatch, Yamasaki said.

At the news conference, however, the three coalition leaders were negative on the destroyer and P-3C dispatch. "An immediate dispatch would be difficult under the current conditions. It is necessary to consider the missions and take into account the feelings of the Japanese people," Yamasaki said.

(MORE)

5//The Hindustan Times Wednesday, May 1, 2002
http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/010502/detFOR03.asp

ONE-THIRD MAY VOTE LE PEN
GNS
(Paris, April 30)

A leading opinion pollster says Jean-Marie Le Pen's share of the vote in the presidential election could reach 32 per cent, swelled by disaffected conservatives, parts of the far left, and an unknown number of abstentions and spoiled ballots.

In all the polls, voters who reply split 80-20 for Jacques Chirac. The reason for the pollsters' uncertainty is the record number of voters - over a million, or 28 per cent of the voters - who abstained in the first round.

Another pollster, BVA, said on Monday that abstentions and ballot papers spoilt or left blank could boost Le Pen by five percentage points.

He could also win votes from the extreme left, centre-right nationalists, and rightwingers who want to force Chirac to respond to Le Pen's agenda.

(MORE)

6//The Guardian Tuesday April 30, 2002
http://media.guardian.co.uk/city/story/0,7497,707755,00.html

ITV DIGITAL TO CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT
Owen Gibson

ITV Digital is set to close at midnight tonight, ending Carlton and Granada's dream of taking on Rupert Murdoch, leaving 1,500 staff out of work and up to 800,000 viewers without a pay TV service.

The administrator said it will switch off the service tonight - this afternoon it told pay TV operators including BSkyB, UKTV and MTV it could no longer afford to keep the operation going without a buyer.

It will be the closing chapter in a troubled three year history for the two ITV giants, who believed they could take on Sky and offer a low cost alternative to satellite TV.

Barring a last minute miracle, up to 25 pay services, including Sky Sports, MTV, Discovery, UK Gold and Sky Movies, will disappear at midnight.

It also casts doubt on the government's blueprint for the future of British TV - it had hoped to start switching off analogue services and replace them with digital in 2006.

Yesterday the former head of programming at Sky, David Elstein, urged the government to drop its plan, saying it would 27 years to achieve.

(SNIP)

The independent television commission is now expected to revoke the company's broadcast licence, leaving viewers with only 14 free to air channels, including the five terrestrial channels plus others such as BBC Choice, BBC4 and CBBC.

(MORE)

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© 2002, Gloria R. Lalumia
insight@zianet.com

More Stuff at: http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical

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