The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues Analyzes issues of liberal concern and gives readers a digest of what is reported in over forty newspapers throughout the world to engage them in critical thinking issues. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 0 0 0 8518

Articles from The Impudent Observer - Global Liberal Issues

Congress Prepared To Demand Democracy In Ethiopia 2007-10-10 11:11:14 Congressman Donald Payne’s bill, H.R. 2003,(Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act, 2007) was passed by the House of Representatives. The bill, which is awaiting a vote in the Senate, requires the United States government to withhold assistance to the present Ethiopian government until it begins to cease its persecution policies in the Ogaden region and restores basic rights such as freedom of the press. It specifically aims at restoration of democratic procedures such as an independent judiciary, freedom of the press and free elections. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United States, Samuel Assefa attacked Payne for interfering in the affairs of an independent African nation and said this would only lead to instability in the region. U.S. Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendyl Frazer said the Bush administration was trying to foster democracy in Ethiopia and things were “moving ahead.” Ethiopian opposition leader, Dr. Berhanu Nega, told Congressional co ...

US Nuclear Team In North Korea 2007-10-10 10:36:04 A team of US nuclear experts arrived in North Korea today led by Sung Kim, head of the State Department’s Office of Korean affairs. Their task is implementing accords reached regarding dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear weapon capabilities. According to Christopher Hill who played an important role in negotiations, “Now we are not going to get to normalized full diplomatic relations until North Korea gives up all of its nuclear ambitions and that the last 50 kilos of materials that they already got.” At the same time, Hill recognized Japan’s inability to obtain cooperation from the North Korean government about abductions of Japanese citizens who were kidnapped and brought to North Korea. Hill indicated they would have to proceed with the nuclear dismantling program despite not being able to achieve all goals of negotiation. The United States insists that nations which are hostile to its national goals must accomplish certain tasks before being considere ...

Another Day In Baghdad - More Killings By Seccurity Guards 2007-10-10 10:21:47 Security guards working for the the Dubai-based security company, United Resources Group, were escorting a civilian convoy through the streets of Baghdad when they came to an intersection. One of the guards signaled for an Oldsmobile to move over so they could speed on, but apparently, the driver of the Oldsmobile did not act fast enough. According to shopkeeper Ammar Fallah who observed the incident, ‘when she failed to do so they opened fire, killing her and the woman next to her. The women were both shot in the head.” Witnesses said the convoy then sped away “like gangsters.” This incident is not unusual, it is merely one of dozens that daily occur in the streets of Baghdad. The Iraq war is the first in American history in which our military has abrogated its responsibilities for safety and security by turning over duties formerly performed by trained soldiers to mercenaries working for private security companies. America has entrusted its future to hired gun ...

Singapore Leader On Burma- “They Are Rather Dumb Generals” 2007-10-10 08:30:44 Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s leading statesman commented on his efforts to advice Burmese military leaders by noting they were, for the most part, not the brightest people in the world. “These are rather dumb generals when it comes to the economy. How can they mismanage the economy and each this stage when the country has so many natural resources?” He expressed concern that if Myanmar’s present military leaders were suddenly swept from the scene there would be chaos because the army so permeates the entire economy of the nation. Yew said he had been trying for years to offer advice to Burma’s military junta and thought former prime minister and head of the intelligence, Khin Nyunt, was listening and willing to make changes until swept from office and placed under arrest. “I do not believe,” said Yew, “they can survive indefinitely.” There is little doubt the basic essence of Yew’s comments are correct about the inept performance ...

Go Home, Says Putin To Foreign Business Leaders 2007-10-10 08:13:53 President Putin told the foreign business community of his nation’s desire to have them leave their positions in top executive positions within Russian companies. In a televised speech to the Russian public, their president said: “In our big, leading and already global companies, mostly in the raw materials sector, you know that the thin layer of top management is mostly made up of foreign specialists. Until we achieve ‘the replacement of imports’ …in administrative activity, we will be swept away by imports.” His comments came at a time when the Russian economy increasingly is coming under control of the Russian government. Putin plays to jingoism and nationalistic feelings of the Russian people by portraying himself as a knight standing bravely holding off attacks by foreign elements. This rhetoric allows him to proceed with his real agenda which is to ensure the Russian economy is controlled– and frequently led — by the Russian govern ...

Sudan Rebel Leader Charges Government Behind Attacks On UN Forces 2007-10-10 07:59:25 A million people in Darfur are homeless and countless thousands dead, beaten or raped, but the world still is unable to compel Sudan’s Islamic government to take action for peace. Sudan rebel leader Abu Wahid al-Nur charged the recent attack on troops from the African Union in which ten were killed stemmed from actions by the Sudan government. Al-Nur believes the attack was sending a message to the United Nations not to dispatch a large force to the Sudan.”This was an attack by the Khartoum government and (allied janjaweed) militias to send a message to the international community not to send troops. But all Darfurs want the UN force to protect them.” He also claimed planes from the Sudan government recently bombed and destroyed a village. Al-Nur said he would refuse to attend meetings until the UN finally sends in sufficient troops who can ensure peace and stability are established in the Sudan. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office said: “We always kne ...

The Price Men Pay for Iraq Service 2007-10-10 07:41:39 A soldier died while at Ft. Knox in Kentucky, he died sitting in a chair where he had been left alone for hours, he died in his sleep. The parents of Sgt. Cassidy charge their son who had returned from Iraq with brain damage suffered from one of those roadside bombs, was left uncared for and in pain due to inadequate care by medical personnel at the hospital. Although army regulations require wounded soldiers to be seen at least twice daily, Sgt. Cassidy told h is parents there were occasions when he was not seen for at least two days. The initial autopsy revealed he had not been checked for at least a few hours. “He died,” said his mother, “because the Army didn’t care for him because he came back from Iraq and they killed him.” At this point, it is uncertain exactly how this soldier died, but initial evidence suggests there was inadequate care while he was in the hospital. His parents believe there was failure to ensure he was taking his medicine and tha ...

Holocaust TV Serial In Iran Captivates Nation 2007-10-09 14:53:53 A love story set against the background of the Holocaust has become one of the most popular programs being shown on Iran’s flagship national channel. The 30 episode drama, Zero Degree Turn, depicts a half Iranian, half Palestinian boy who falls in love with a French girl in prewar France. The boy, Habib Paisa, falls in love with a Jewish French girl named Sarah Stuck and they become caught up in World War II events. Habib works at the Iranian embassy in Paris and uses his position to help safe Sarah and her family. The screenwriter was doing research about Iranian diplomats in the World War II era and stumbled upon countless stories of Iranians helping save thousands of Jews from death in the Holocaust. Iran’s president, Ahmadinejad has repeatedly claimed the Holocaust never happened, but, as the Arab Times notes, “Ahmadinejad’s stance on the Holocaust has rarely been repeated by top Iranian officials, and, on occasion, even flatly contradicted.” Over 24,0 ...

The Price Of Migration Within The European Union 2007-10-09 14:27:26 There is scant doubt, migration within the European Union from less developed areas of eastern Europe have helped in providing workers for booming economies as well as significantly raising the standard of living within poverty areas of the EU. A recent article in the Rumanian, Nine O’Clock newspaper, notes migration has resulted in money being directed back home, but it also has deprived the nation of skilled workers and may well result in damaging Rumania’s industrial development. An unforseen consequence of migration is that some families benefit significantly from their expatriate family member, but as some families gain economically, it widens the economic gap between people in many small villages. The newspaper raises an important issue which, as of yet, has not been seriously studied — the impact of migration upon children since at least one of their parents is missing. Many children are left with grandparent because both parents have headed west for work. Nin ...

German Furor Over Soccer Player Refusal To Play Israel 2007-10-09 14:01:40 Ashkan Dejagah, a German-Iranian soccer player refused to go with his team on its scheduled visit to Tel Aviv for a game. His reasons for refusing are varied ranging from telling his coach they were “of a personal nature and have to do with my close family” to telling the newspaper BZ they were “political” and that “I have more Iranian than German blood in my veins.” He also claimed it would be difficult seeing his family which is in Iran if his passport had a visa stamp from Israel. Theo Zwansiger, President of the German Football Federation, stated ‘we will not tolerate a German national player cancelling his participation in an international match because of his world view. A player who wears our team stripe must identify with this country and it values. Otherwise, one has to do without him.” The German Jewish council expressed its anger at the actions of Dejagah. If Mr. Dejagah believes having an Israel stamp on his passport will im ...

Jerusalem Post Cynical About Arab Intentions 2007-10-09 10:20:28 The editors of the Jerusalem Post expressed concerns felt by many Israelis about the upcoming George Bush sponsored peace conference dealing with Middle Eastern issues. The editorial noted that Arafat in 1987 rejected terrorism and expressed similar views in signing the 1993 Oslo accords. However, after these statements, “years of vicious suicide bombings ensued as did the rise of Hamas, which openly embraces terror and rejects Israel’s right to exist within its borders.” A Jerusalem Post correspondent obtained a copy of a letter from Abu Sitta, spokesperson for Palestinian refugees, in which he called for rejecting Israel’s claims to inhabit Palestinian land based on historical and biblical rights. He also warned against abandoning “the right of return after decades of fighting.” Two issues emerge from the editorial — trust and refugees. Israel has ever right not to be completely trustful, but Palestinian leaders also have a right to be distr ...

Iranian Students Shout “Death To Dictator” 2007-10-09 08:11:24 About a hundred Iranian college students demonstrated in protest against a speech by President Ahmadinejad to mark the opening of the new college year by shouting “death to dictator.” A pushing match emerged between the anti-Ahmadinejad students and his supporters who responded with “thank you, president.” College officials attempted to prevent anti-Ahmadinejad protests by carefully checking students entering the hall in order to avoid having anyone present who would insult the president. Iranian students led the reform movement of their nation for many years, but have been relatively quiet since Ahmadinejad assumed office a few years ago. President Bush still does not grasp that every time he attacks Ahmadinejad it makes the Iranian leader more popular in his nation. Unfortunately, Bush is even hated more than the incompetent Adhmadinejad whose policies have failed to deal with economic stagnation or large scale unemployment. Bush’s anti-Iran policies on ...

Al Jazeera Poll Reveals Distrust Of Bush 2007-10-09 08:01:13 During the past week, Al-Jazeera conducted a poll among Arabs in several nations regarding how the public views the upcoming George Bush sponsored Middle Eastern peace conference to discuss the Israel-Palestinian situation. Of those surveyed, 95.8% said the conference would fail and that nothing would be done to create an independent Palestinian state or deal with the refugee problem. The only consolation for President Bush is that at least 4.2% of respondents have faith in his ability to bring peace to the Middle East. The poll merely reflects how respect for America has reached new lows in the Middle East and nothing will change them these attitudes until George Bush leaves office. ...

US Army Planned Cold War Assassinations With Radioactive Material 2007-10-09 07:52:05 The Associated Press obtained copies of newly released documents from the early stages of the Cold War in the 1940s which reveal American armed forces were considering use of radioactive materials to assassinate unnamed “important individuals” in opposing nations. The documents reveal extensive discussion of a “new concept of warfare’ using radioactive materials from atomic bombs to contaminate large swaths of enemy land or to target airfields, factories and other facilities. The AP says the released documents were heavily censored to block out references to many aspects of the assassination plan, supposedly to prevent contemporary individuals from using the information. The project investigated the possibility of dropping bombs on enemy targets that had radioactive materials in order to render large sections of an opposing land uninhabitable. The project was run under jurisdiction of the Army Chemical Corps, and it was uncertain whether or not aspects of the p ...

Putin’s Power Drive Continues Unchecked 2007-10-09 07:33:09 Vladmir Putin’s recent announcement that he was running for the Duma as head of his political party, United Russia, means the end result of its victory is allowing him to switch from being president to becoming its prime minister. To ensure that goal his party must win about 75% of the Russian vote and at least 50% in Moscow. According to Konstantin Sonin, writing in the Moscow Times, “there is no realistic way to achieve such numbers without the president interfering even more substantially in the elections than he has done already. For example, United Russia is now trying to force doctors and teachers to join the party, and that interference might reach the point where the political elite becomes concerned of the consequences.. When Russia’s elite is motivated by fear rather than political belief, it tends to behave more responsibly, which ultimately means the people’s interests are better served.” The tragedy of Russia is the intense desire of Vladmir ...