Tuesday 5 January 2010

Iran in the World Press 06 Jan 2010


U.S. begins overhaul of approach on terror
President Barack Obama planned Tuesday to announce changes to the government’s terrorist watch-list system, even as a far-reaching review of thousands of names in general terror databases led to the shifting of the names of dozens of suspects to lists requiring intensive preflight screening and even barring some from flying. The president was also to outline new security protocols for planes flying to the United States, advisers said. The changes follow the Dec. 25 bombing attempt against a Detroit-bound airliner by a young Nigerian whose father had alerted the American authorities to his son’s radical views. The son, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was included in the broadest U.S. terrorism database but not on the so-called no-fly list of the Transportation Security Administration, or T.S.A. Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said that Mr. Obama had reviewed initial reports on the incident on Monday with JohnO. Brennan, his counterterrorism adviser, and would provide a ‘‘candid update’’ later on T
International Herald Tribune | 2010-01-06 | Austria | Page: 8

In Baghdad, ravaged walls tell their story
The orange and yellow walls out front have faded. The hand-carved wooden furniture has disappeared. And the white gardenia — the one from which Zainab Salbi’s father always clipped a bloom so she could have a fresh flower behind her ear every spring morning— has died. But Ms. Salbi’s childhood home at the end of a Baghdad cul-de-sac is still standing, despite bearing witness to some singular depravities. In fact, HouseNo. 8 on StreetNo. 70 in the Mansour district, built by the middle-class Salbi family among a grove of eucalyptus trees, encapsulates in many ways the past three decades of Iraq’s turbulent history. It is where Saddam Hussein, at the height of his power, would lounge on a blue couch in the parlor, draining glasses of Chivas Regal while regaling the Salbi family with tales of murder. It is the place where theMahdi Army, a Shiite militia, set up shop after much of the family fled the war here four years ago — using the children’s bedrooms to store machine guns, the parents’ bedroom as a brothel
International Herald Tribune | 2010-01-06 | Austria | Page: 4

Taking a risk, professors challenge Iranian leaders
Risking expulsion from their jobs and possible arrest, 88 professors at Tehran University have signed a letter calling on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supremeleader of Iran, to end the use of violence against protesters, saying it was a sign of the government’s weakness. ‘‘Nighttime attacks on defenseless student dormitories and daytime assaults on students at university campuses, venues of education and learning, is not a sign of strength,’’ the letter, issued Monday, read in part. ‘‘Nor is beating up students and their mass imprisonment.’’ An oppositionWeb site, Jaras, reported that in another open letter issued Monday, five leading opposition figures from outside the country called for the resignation of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, free elections, the release of political prisoners, greater freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. The letters did nothing to deter the authorities, who continued a crackdown on the opposition with the arrests of dozens of activists and student leaders around the c
International Herald Tribune | 2010-01-06 | Austria | Page: 4

“ Cette tour est un exploit ”
b“ Cettetourestunvéritableexploit ”, raconte l’ingénieur flam a n d , J o s e p h H a u w e r e . “ Quandnousavonsremporté l’appeld’offres,nousdevions construireunetourde705mètres de haut. Lorsque nous avonssignélescontrats,20mètresavaientdéjàétéajoutés.À chaquefois,ilyavaitquelque chose. Nous venions juste de placerlepicausommet,lorsque le Cheikh a eu l’idée de mettredeslampesdessus.On n’avaitpasd’autrechoixque defaireappelàdesparachutistespourlesplacer.Afindelaverlesvitresextérieurespour la cérémonie d’ouverture, nous avons lancé un appel à desalpinisteséquipésdelaveusesàhautepression. ” Même si l’on sait que la tour dépassera les 800 m, on ne connaît pas encore sa hauteur final e. Elle sera révélée aujourd’hui, lors de l’ouverture officielle, même si le chiffre de 818 m se murmure déjà. Mais, le Burj (“ tour ” en arabe) Dubaï est surtout un projet de prestige. La tour peut d’ailleurs s’avérer t rès i nconfortable. “ Par ventsfortsetdansdescasextrêC’est aujourd’hui que le plus haut gratte-ciel du monde va ê
La Capitale | 2010-01-04 | Belgium | Page: 17

“ Cette tour est un exploit ”
b“ Cettetourestunvéritableexploit ”, raconte l’ingénieur flam a n d , J o s e p h H a u w e r e . “ Quandnousavonsremporté l’appeld’offres,nousdevions construireunetourde705mètres de haut. Lorsque nous avonssignélescontrats,20mètresavaientdéjàétéajoutés.À chaquefois,ilyavaitquelque chose. Nous venions justede placerlepicausommet,lorsque le Cheikh a eu l’idée de mettredeslampesdessus.On n’avaitpasd’autrechoixque defaireappelàdesparachutistespourlesplacer.Afindelaverlesvitresextérieurespour la cérémonie d’ouverture, nous avons lancéun appel à desalpinisteséquipésdelaveusesàhautepression. ” Même si l’on sait que la tour dépassera les 800 m, on ne connaît pas encore sa hauteur final e. Elle sera révélée aujourd’hui, lors de l’ouverture officielle, même si le chiffre de 818 m se murmure déjà. Mais, le Burj (“ tour ” en arabe) Dubaï est surtout un projet de prestige. La tour peut d’ailleurs s’avérer très inconfortable. “ Par ventsfortsetdansdescasextrêC’est aujourd’hui que le plus haut gratte-ciel du monde va être
La Meuse | 2010-01-04 | Belgium | Page: 17

Securing a solution
I T is winter in Afghanistan and as the heat and dust are replaced by ice and snow, the Taliban insurgents have pulled back to their isolated lairs to spend the coldest months of the year resupplying and regrouping. For the 1500 or so Australians serving in southern Oruzgan Province the winter heralds a welcome break from the ‘‘fighting season’’, which was one of the most hectic yet for the Australian task group. Of the 11 Australians killed in action since late 2001, six died between April 2008 and last July. Dozens more were wounded, many of them gravely, as the Diggers took the fight up to enemy bomb-makers and strategists on their home turf. The Afghanistan campaign is a tough and bloody fight and, as Australian forces bunker down for winter, staff officers in Canberra and at US and Coalition headquarters around the world are planning for an even more brutal campaign this year. With 34,000 additional American troops on the ground, Taliban strongholds farther south in Kandahar and Helmand provinces wi
The Courier Mail | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 24

The world stage
‘‘STATES are sentencing fewer defendants to death, a likely result of a system that is increasingly unreliable. Nationwide last year, the fewest death sentences were handed out – 106 – since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Ten years ago, 284 defendants were sentenced to death. Since the use of DNA evidence has become more prevalent, it is growing clearer that the death penalty is unreliable. Since 1973, 139 people have been freed from death row, primarily due to irrefutable scientific evidence of their innocence. A system that sentences 139 innocent people to death cannot be counted on to deliver justice fairly.’’ The Philadelphia Inquirer, US ‘‘WHAT’S happening in Iran looks more and more like a civil war. Since the enormous December 27 protests in Tehran and other cities, the regime has arrested more than 1000 people. It has declared that it will no longer ‘tolerate’ dissent. It has killed the relatives of opposition leaders, jailed thousands of protesters, raped and tortured dissidents, called t
The Courier Mail | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 24

Elf politieagenten gedood bij aanvaring drugskoeriers
Elf Iraanse politieagenten zijn gedood bij een confrontatie met drugskoeriers in het oosten van Iran. Dat meldde een lokale politiebron aan het Iraanse persagentschap IRNA. De schermutselingen vonden vrijdag plaats in een woestijngebied, op een van de belangrijkste smokkelroutes voor drugs vanuit buurlanden Afghanistan en Pakistan. "Zeven politieagenten zijn gedood bij het conflict tussen de veiligheidsdiensten en de drugsbende. Vier zwaargewonde agenten zijn later aan hun verwondingen bezweken", verklaarde kolonel Kazem Hashemabadi. Volgens schattingen van de Verenigde Naties komt 40 procent van de geproduceerde drugs in Afghanistan terecht in Iran.
De Morgen | 2010-01-04 | Belgium | Page: 15

BELGEN BOUWDEN HOOGSTE TOREN
Als een reusachtige naald lijkt de glimmende wolkenkrabber van glas en staal de hemel boven Dubai te doorprikken. Met zijn 818 m hoogte verpulvert de Burj Dubai alle records. Dat is twee keer het Empire State Building. Of hoger dan de vorige recordhouder, de 509 m hoge Tapei 101 in Taiwan, én de Eiffeltoren samen. De toren is het symbool bij uitstek van het ongebreidelde geldgewin in Dubai. De economie van het Arabische golfstaatje mag intussen dan wel als een zeepbel uiteengespat zijn, de trotse toren stáát er wel. Voor het Belgische Besix, dat zopas zijn 100ste verjaardag vierde, kan het geluk niet op. «Deze toren is een echt huzarenstukje», zegt de Vlaamse ingenieur Jozef De Hauwere, die al van bij de aanbesteding voor Besix bij het project betrokken was. «Toen we de aanbesteding wonnen, zouden we een toren van 705 m bouwen. Toen we het contract ondertekenden, was er al 20 m bijgekomen. Het kon niet op. Elke keer moest er iets bij. Hoger en hoger. We hadden net de spits naar boven geduwd, of de sjeik kwam
Het Laatste Nieuws | 2010-01-04 | Belgium | Page: 9

Rood l i cht voor EU-bezoek
Het bezoek van een elf koppige delegatie van het Europees Parlement aan Ira n is op het l a at s t e moment ge b l o k ke e r d door de Ira a n s e a mbas s a d e in Br u s s e l . Dat liet het hoofd van de delegatie, Barbara L ochbihler, weten. De vijfdaagse trip zou donderdag van star t gaan, maar in het weekeinde besloot de Iraanse ambassade d at het bezoek niet ko n doorgaan. De delegatie zou ook ontmoetingen hebben met leden van de herv o r mings ge z i nde o p p o s i t i e . Vo l - ge n s L o c h b i h l e r wij s t de beslissing erop dat ‘de Iraanse autoriteiten weigeren om elke serieuze discussie aan te gaan’ over de onrust in het land. Ruim een week geleden kwamen zeker acht mensen om het le ven in Iran.
De Standaard | 2010-01-05 | Belgium | Page: 15

Man ontglipt controle: luchthaven New York plat
Reizigers uit veertien landen – dertien moslimlanden plus Cuba – worden sinds gisteren aan extra controles onderworpen op Amerikaanse luchthavens. Net voor die strengere veiligheidsmaatregelen ingingen, werd de luchthaven van Newark nog urenlang lamgelegd nadat een man door de beveiliging glipte. Een onbekende man legde zondagavond al dan niet gewild de luchthaven van Newark, twintig kilometer ten westen van New York, zes uur lam. De man kwam langs een verkeerde route terminalhal C van de luchthaven binnen en ontsnapte zo aan de controles. De security sloeg alarm, de terminal ging dicht en met man en macht werd gezocht naar de mysterieuze reiziger. Alle passagiers die al in een vliegtuig zaten, moesten uitstappen en werden opnieuw gecontroleerd. Zo’n 3.000 reizigers konden pas na zes uur wachten opstijgen. De man die de chaos veroorzaakte, werd niet gevonden. Het incident vond plaats net op de dag dat de Amerikaanse autoriteiten extra veiligheidsmaatregelen aankondigden voor vluchten uit ‘risicolanden’. De ve
Het Nieuwsblad | 2010-01-05 | Belgium | Page: 17

Plots rood licht voor EU-bezoek
Het bezoek van een elfkoppige delegatie van het Europees Parlement aan Iran is op het laatste moment geblokkeerd door de Iraanse ambassade in Brussel. De vijfdaagse trip zou donderdag van start gaan, maar in het weekend besloot de Iraanse ambassade dat het bezoek niet kon doorgaan. De delegatie zou ook ontmoetingen hebben met leden van de hervormingsgezinde oppositie. Volgens hoofd van de delegatie Lochbihler wijst de beslissing erop dat ‘de Iraanse autoriteiten weigeren om elke serieuze discussie aan te gaan’ over de onrust in het land. Vorige week kwamen zeker acht mensen om het leven in Iran. (AP)
Het Nieuwsblad | 2010-01-05 | Belgium | Page: 18

Verscherpte controles op vluchten naar VS
Amerikaanse Detroit heeft de problematiek weer op de agenda geplaatst. Later deze week komen experts op Europees niveau bijeen om de veiligheidsregels op de luchthavens en de vliegtuigen te evalueren. Een precieze datum voor het overleg is nog niet bekend. “De Commissie heeft aangegeven bereid te zijn haar standpunt opnieuw te bekijken wanneer alle bekommernissen over de bescherming van de privacy en de volksgezondheid zijn behandeld en wanneer de technologie op punt staat”, zei een woordvoerster. Enkele weken geleden raakte alvast bekend dat het gebruik van scanners tegen 2013 een einde zou moeten kunnen maken aan de Europese beperkingen op het meenemen van vloeistoffen in de handbagage. Na de verijdelde aanslag op een lijntoestel van Northwest Airlines worden de controles op vluchten vanuit ‘risicolanden’ richting de Verenigde Staten aangescherpt. Sinds gisteren moeten passagiers uit risicolanden of ‘elk ander betrokken land’ extra gecontroleerd worden. Dat heeft de Amerikaanse Autoriteit voor Transportvei
De Morgen | 2010-01-05 | Belgium | Page: 3

Teheran blokkeert bezoek van EU
De leider van Al Muhajiroun zegt dat hij met zijn manifestatie niet de inwoners of families van gedode soldaten wil kwetsen en zegt dat hij de komende weken zal proberen de steun te verkrijgen van de lokale bevolking. Maar afzien van de plannen wil hij niet. Hij zegt, in zijn brief aan de families van gedode soldaten, dat hij de mars wil organiseren voor “de echte oorlogsslachtoffers die door westerse media en de bevolking worden gemeden terwijl ze gruwelijk werden en worden vermoord in de naam van democratie en vrijheid – de onschuldige islamitische mannen, vrouwen en kinderen”. Choudary spreekt ook van een genocide. “Het is vrij buitengewoon dat, met meer dan honderdduizend gedode moslims in de afgelopen acht jaar in Afghanistan, militairen die direct of indirect hebben bijgedragen tot hun dood worden onthaald als helden en worden geëerd voor iets wat uiteindelijk genocide is.” Een bezoek van een delegatie van het Europees Parlement aan Iran is op het laatste moment geblokkeerd door de Iraanse ambassade in
De Morgen | 2010-01-05 | Belgium | Page: 16

US extends fly blacklists
THE US has radically overhauled its terror watch blacklists, adding dozens more suspects to “no-fly” lists, as air travellers around the world face tough new screening rules. “There’s already been a rescrubbing of all the different lists,” White House spokesman Bill Burton said, referring to the lists which determine whether a person is allowed to board a US-bound flight in a foreign airport. “Probably thousands upon thousands upon thousands of names were scrubbed and probably dozens were moved to different lists.” New rules in the wake of a botched Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest jet went into effect at international airports from early on Monday, meaning all passengers boarding USbound flights may be subjected to random checks and baggage searches. Further boosting security measures, all travellers coming from or via 14 “terror linked” countries will have to undergo compulsory enhanced screening. Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen are among the 14 co
The Cairns Post | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 16

AFGHAN WAR HAS STOPPED MAKING SENSE
WITH al-Qa’ida dispersed, Afghanistan, though a human tragedy, doesn’t matter much to the US or its allies. Rather than allow the Afghan mission to slide into nationbuilding, the Obama administration should begin withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan. Afghanistan originally looked like the good war. Consolidating power in a reasonably democratic government in Kabul was never going to be easy, but the Bush administration tossed away the best chance of doing so by prematurely shifting military units to Iraq. The Obama administration now is attempting the geopolitical equivalent of shutting the barn doors after the horses have fled. The situation is a mess. The Karzai government is illegitimate, corrupt and incompetent. Taliban forces and attacks are increasing. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, admits that Afghanistan is ‘‘deteriorating’’. Yet Barack Obama is sending an additional 30,000 American troops. He argued that ‘‘our overarching goal remains the same: to disrupt, dismantle and
The Australian | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 12

Yemen back on the terror list
The democracies must watch wherever terrorists plot EVEN after a decade of watching alQa’ida inflict evil all over the world, it is impossible not to be alarmed by its appalling opportunism. There is no place on the planet where Osama bin Laden or any of his acolytes could raise their standard with any hope of attracting popular support. So al-Qa’ida attaches itself to other people’s causes, using them as a cloak to plan mayhem and misery. There is no doubting the importance of Islam in Afghanistan and the religious faith of members of the Taliban who defeated the Soviet Union and its client regime. But ever since, they have been in an uneasy alliance with al-Qa’ida, who brought the wrath of the US down on them after September 11, 2001. Now al-Qa’ida operatives have placed Yemen under a similar spotlight. As in Afghanistan, the terrorists are attempting to take over a domestic war, which may have a religious dimension but certainly not of the kind al-Qa’ida imposes. In Yemen, Shia people in the impoverished n
The Australian | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 13

Iran rebellion ‘viral’
FAR from succeeding, the Iranian regime’s deadly crackdown has inspired the opposition, contends Gary Sick on his blog gary’s choices. Attempts at thwarting the rebellion by arresting opposition leaders have failed because the opposition has gone viral. ‘‘Rather than a hierarchy flowing down from one or more individuals at the top, or even the classic cell structure of a clandestine organisation, the Iranian opposition most resembles a ganglion, a tangled bundle of nerve cells where each part of the system is constantly and instantly in touch with all other parts.’’ Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, the leaders of the Green Movement, ‘‘are actually relics of the past and they seem to be following their younger compatriots, rather than leading in any meaningful way. This is not the Iran of 31 years ago, the Iran of Khomeini.’’ There is no clear script for what lies ahead, but the regime is not about to collapse. ‘‘I continue to believe that this rebellion is less a sprint than a marathon, with each side
The Australian | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 6

Fredes y Herrón se suman al medio
Hernán Fredes y Mariano Herrón, quienes regresaron de sus respectivos préstamos en el Metallist de Ucrania y el Deportivo Cali colombiano, se sumaron al plantel que mañana partirá rumbo a Salta para realizar la pretemporada. Si bien no fue confirmado oficialmente, el que quedaría excluido del grupo es Lucas Pusineri, quien no está en los planes del entrenador Américo Gallego y podría emigrar del club en las próximas semanas. “Aunque estando allá me mantuve en contacto con algunos compañeros, es lindo poder encontrarme nuevamente con ellos, y volver al mismo vestuario y al mismo club donde viví tantas cosas. Tenía muchas expectativas por el regreso, y la última semana no se me pasaba más”, dijo Fredes. Gallego, por su parte, afirmó que el volante “tiene todas las condiciones” para triunfar en Independiente, y que lo ve “mejor jugando por izquierda que por derecha”, aunque puede ocupar ambos carriles. Herrón tampoco ocultó su entusiasmo ante el regreso, al afirmar: “Sé que deberé luchar por el puesto, pero ve
Clarin | 2010-01-05 | Argentina | Page: 57

Obama refuerza el control para viajeros de 14 naciones
Algunos pasajeros aéreos a Estados Unidos debieron someterse desde ayer a revisiones adicionales de seguridad, incluidos cacheos de cuerpo completo en 14 países, en momentos en que el gobierno refuerza su seguridad ante el fallido atentado terrorista del 25 de diciembre en Detroit. Los países involucrados en la nueva norma son Cuba, Irán, Sudán y Siria, a los que Washington acusa de “patrocinar el terrorismo”, junto a otros que declaró de “interés especial” y entre los cuales se encuentran algunos de sus aliados. Son éstos Yemen, Nigeria, Arabia Saudita, Afganistán, Líbano, Libia, Pakistán y Somalía. Los pasajeros provenientes de estas naciones también podrían tener que someterse a escaneos de cuerpo completo y controles con detectores de explosivos. Muchos pasajeros que no son de los 14 países señalados por Estados Unidos y que no pasen por allí también verán nuevas medidas de seguridad, dijo un alto funcionario de la oficina federal de transportes aéreos, que pidió no ser identificado. Por ejemplo, ahora
Clarin | 2010-01-05 | Argentina | Page: 27

Seguridad al máximo, ante una visita de congresales de EE.UU.
Por pedido de la Embajada de los Estados Unidos ante la Argentina al Ministerio de Seguridad, y luego a las instituciones involucradas, la Policía y la AMIA decidieron extremar aún más sus medidas de seguridad para la visita que hará mañana a la mutual judía un grupo de legisladores estadounidenses que ese mismo día mantedrá entrevistas con la presidenta Cristina Kirchner y con el jefe del gobierno porteño, Mauricio Macri. Según supo Clarín de fuentes vinculadas a la seguridad del edificio que en 1994 sufrió el brutal atentado que dejó 85 muertos y centenares de heridos, la mayor severidad en las medidas para este miércoles está estrictamente vinculada a la nueva política antiterrorista de Barack Obama, que ha visualizado nuevos enemigos para su país en Yemen. Y con ello no sólo Estados Unidos, sino países de Europa han reforzado los controles en los aeropuertos, entre otras decisiones como el cierre de sus embajadas en Sanaa, la capital yemenita. Clarín intentó saber del Gobierno si hay ya neuvos controles
Clarin | 2010-01-05 | Argentina | Page: 18

Asıa’s changıng power dynamıcs
NEW DELHI --At a time when Asia is in transition, with the specter of a power imbalance looming large, it has become imperative to invest in institutionalized cooperation to reinforce the region’s strategic stability. After all, not only is Asia becoming the pivot of global geopolitical change, but Asian challenges are also playing into international strategic challenges. Asia’s changing power dynamics are reflected in China’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, the new Japanese government’s demand for an “equal” relationship with the United States and the sharpening Sino-Indian rivalry, which has led to renewed Himalayan border tensions. All of this is highlighting America’s own challenges, which are being exacerbated by its eroding global economic preeminence and involvement in two overseas wars. Such challenges dictate greater US-China cooperation to ensure continued large capital inflows from China, as well as Chinese political support on difficult issues ranging from North Korea and Burma to Pakista
Today's Zaman | 2010-01-06 | Turkey | Page: 10

Iran renews threat to execute protesters
Iran’s interior minister warned opposition activists on Tuesday they risk execution as enemies of God if they continue anti-government demonstrations, and the Foreign Ministry said arrested foreigners face punishment. Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar made the latest threat after the Intelligence Ministry said on Monday several foreigners engaged in a “psychological war” against the Islamic Republic were arrested on Dec. 27 in the bloodiest unrest since the aftermath of a disputed June 12 presidential poll. The opposition says the vote was rigged to secure President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election. The authorities deny the accusations, which they say were part of a Western-orchestrated plot to overthrow the Islamic system. Eight people were killed in clashes between security forces and supporters of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi on the Shi’ite mourning day of Ashura. More than 40 leading reformists, including four advisers to Mousavi, have since been arrested.
Today's Zaman | 2010-01-06 | Turkey | Page: 10

Turkey, Japan agree to cooperate in Afghanistan
Katsuya Okada had talks with President Abdullah Gül. Turkey and Japan have agreed to work together to improve security and political stability in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said after talks with his Japanese counterpart, Katsuya Okada. Speaking at a joint press conference with Okada late on Monday, Davutoğlu said a widespread consensus must emerge between Afghan groups for stability to start taking root in the troubled country and announced Turkey’s backing of the Japanese government’s policy, which involves the reintegration of former members of the Taliban into society. Japan has so far contributed $2 billion to help Afghanistan’s efforts to rebuild its agriculture, education and health sectors, Okada said. Japan is now planning to contribute up to $5 billion over the next five years to help with the country’s reconstruction. According to Okada, the Japanese strategy for Afghanistan also includes efforts to reintegrate former members of the Taliban into Afghan society and improve securi
Today's Zaman | 2010-01-06 | Turkey | Page: 4

A sılent dıplomacy
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s first foreign visit of this year was to Saudi Arabia, and the first foreign leader who will come to Turkey this year will be Fatah’s chief, Mahmoud Abbas. These two separate visits are in fact closely connected. In Saudi Arabia, Davutoğlu had the opportunity to discuss Iran, Yemen and the Gaza Strip. No one must expect the Palestinian leader to come to Turkey to discuss European Union issues, so it won’t be surprising if his agenda matches up with Mr. Davutoğlu’s Saudi Arabia agenda. The Iran-Yemen-Gaza triangle, to which one must add Pakistan and Afghanistan, is a wide area of political struggles. Not only regional powers, but “outsiders” as well are pursuing rival policies there which often give the same result: scores of deaths. Breaking this vicious circle seems difficult, especially when most of the regional actors are convinced that this turmoil is the unique responsibility of the US. No one can deny the US’s share of the responsibility, and this country’s han
Today's Zaman | 2010-01-06 | Turkey | Page: 15

Israel vs. Iran
Israelis are reportedly very concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, which they believe will end with destructive nuclear capability. Considering that Iran’s leadership has on more than one occasion expressed its dislike of Israel’s existence on the face of the earth, Israelis are justified in suspecting Iran’s intentions. That is why in more hawkish quarters of Israel, pre-emptive strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities are seriously being discussed. However, not everyone shares this opinion. This group advises restraint because they purport that Israel does not have the firepower to deliver a knockout blow to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Furthermore, they draw attention to fierce Iranian retaliation. Alright, if Israel does not have independent strike capability against Iran, who will come help? The United States is not willing until all other methods of deterrence against Iran fail. What then, given the limits of the Israeli air force, which can deliver a certain amount of explosives to selected targets a
Today's Zaman | 2010-01-06 | Turkey | Page: 15

“ Cette tour est un exploit ”
b“ Cettetourestunvéritableexploit ”, raconte l’ingénieur flam a n d , J o s e p h H a u w e r e . “ Quandnousavonsremporté l’appeld’offres,nousdevions construireunetourde705mètres de haut. Lorsque nous avonssignélescontrats,20mètresavaientdéjàétéajoutés.À chaquefois,ilyavaitquelque chose. Nous venions juste de placerlepicausommet,lorsque le Cheikh a eu l’idée de mettredeslampesdessus.On n’avaitpasd’autrechoixque defaireappelàdesparachutistespourlesplacer.Afindelaverlesvitresextérieurespour la cérémonie d’ouverture, nous avons lancé un appel à desalpinisteséquipésdelaveusesàhautepression. ” Même si l’on sait que la tour dépassera les 800 m, on ne connaît pas encore sa hauteur final e . E l l e sera révé lée au jour - d’hui, lors de l’ouverture officielle, même si le chiffre de 818 m se murmure déjà. Mais, le Burj (“ tour ” en arabe) Dubaï est surtout un projet de prestige. La tour peut d’ailleurs s’avérer très incon for tab l e . “ Par ventsfortsetdansdescasextrêC’est aujourd’hui que le plus haut gratte-ciel d
La Nouvelle Gazette | 2010-01-04 | Belgium | Page: 17

Tehran professors denounce crackdown
TEHRAN—NEARLY 90 PROFESsors at Tehran University have told Iran’s supreme leader that ongoing violence against protesters shows the weakness of the country’s leadership, a proreform website reported on Monday, reflecting a growing willingness to risk careers and studies to challenge the ruling clerics. The current rumblings from universities highlight the evolution of the opposition movement. What began as raw and angry voter backlash after last June’s disputed presidential election has moved to a possibly deeper and more ingrained fight against Iran’s Islamic leaders. The letter signed by the 88 instructors was issued as university students around Iran staged acts of defiance—including hunger strikes and exam boycotts—to protest reported arrests and intimidation by hard line forces, according to witnesses and reformist websites. The government, meanwhile, stepped up its accusations that the West is fomenting Iran’s postelection turmoil, saying that foreign nationals were among those arrested in the most r
Philippines Daily Inquirer | 2010-01-06 | Philippines | Page: 21

US terror lists and screening rules overhauled
WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday radically overhauled its terror watch blacklists, adding dozens more suspects to ‘‘no-f ly’’ lists, as air travellers around the world faced tough new screening rules. ‘‘There’s already been a rescrubbing of all the different lists,’’ White House spokesman Bill Burton told journalists, referring to the lists that determine whether a person is allowed to board a US-bound flight in a foreign airport. ‘‘Probably thousands upon thousands upon thousands of names were scrubbed and probably dozens were moved to different lists,’’ he added of the reviews carried out in the wake of a botched Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest jet. New rules at international airports also went into effect from early on Monday, meaning all passengers boarding US-bound flights may now be subjected to random checks and baggage searches. Further boosting security measures, all travellers coming from or via 14 ‘‘terror-linked’’ countries will have to undergo compulsory enhanced screening. Afgha
Shepparton News | 2010-01-06 | Australia | Page: 10

New hopes for a miracle in North Korea
SOUTH Korea is one of our country’s most dynamic bilateral partners. It is now our No. 1 tourist market. In mid 2009, which was Philippines-Korea Friendship Year, our bilateral trade with South Korea stood at US$5.06 billion while foreign direct investment by South Korean companies here was the largest among all other countries at more than US$3 billion. Apart from investments and commerce, something makes South Koreans and Filipinos seem like natural teammates abroad. Perhaps it is the historical facts that both peoples were close to America during the Cold War and up to now and both were colonized by Japan. There are some 60,000 OFWs in Korea, most of whom are quite happy there. This closeness and bilateral trade and investment partnership, make it important for Filipinos to be concerned with peace and progress in the Korean Peninsula. And to share in the South Koreans’ worries about the future in respect of their brother Koreans in the north. During the New Year holidays, some good indications appear to
Manila Times | 2010-01-06 | Philippines | Page: 4

Smart Gilas eyes PBA players
PROFESSIONAL players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are welcome to join the Smart Gilas’ campaign in the Olympic-qualifying 2011 FIBA Asia Championship and this year’s Guangzhou Asian Games. Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman of Smart Gilas said he is maintaining 15player pool from the amateur ranks who are committed to play for an Olympic bid, but added he is open to accepting reinforcements from the professional ranks if that is necessary. “Our doors are open for one or two PBA players who can fit in for the Asian Games,” said Toroman, the man responsible for coaching Iran to its first Asian crown in 2007 and a stint at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The PBA was previously responsible in forming the country’s national team for international basketball competitions. The SBP is now spearheading that effort through Smart Gilas. Led by team captain Chris Tiu, Smart Gilas is set to leave for the Middle East for tune up games in Doha and Kuwait, and to compete in a tough tournament in Dubai. They
Manila Times | 2010-01-06 | Philippines | Page: 8

America’s passenger blacklisting sparks fury
THE world reacted with a mixture of confusion and hostility yesterday to new US rules saying that people who come from any of the 14 nations on a ‘blacklist’ of countries alleged to be hotbeds of terrorism must now undergo intense security screening at airports across the world. The measures, which took effect yesterday, mean citizens of the designated countries will be pulled aside for pat-downs and extra hand-baggage searches, no matter where they are travelling from. Their luggage and clothing will be checked for traces of explosive and they will be required to pass through controversial full-body screeners at airports equipped with the machines. The rules also affect all passengers on flights originating in or passing through the 14 countries. Every passenger on board those planes, no matter what their nationality, will be singled out for the extra screening. The blacklist includes the four countries America considers to be “state sponsors of terrorism” — Iran, Syria and Sudan — plus its old Cold War s
Belfast Telegraph | 2010-01-05 | UK | Page: 12

Foreign nationals arrested in Iran
SEVERAL foreign nationals were arrested during bloody anti-government protests last week that left at least eight people dead, Iran claimed yesterday. The Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi did not give their nationalities but said those detained had been “pursuing propaganda and psychological warfare”.
Belfast Telegraph | 2010-01-05 | UK | Page: 19

Les agents verront tout
Ottawa va installer des scanners corporels dans neuf aéroports, dont Dorval JOËL-DENIS BELLAVANCE ET HUGO DE GRANDPRÉ OTTAWA — Le Canada installera des scanners corporels dans neuf aéroports internationaux d’ici deux mois, a appris La Presse. Le gouvernement Harper compte ainsi répondre aux souhaits des autorités américaines, qui réclament des mesures de sécurité plus musclées dans les vols à destination des États-Unis. Le ministre des Transports, John Baird, confirmera cet après-midi même à Ottawa ces nouvelles mesures, lesquelles risquent de déplaire à plusieurs groupes de défense des droits individuels, qui jugent que les appareils violent le droit à la vie privée. Les scanners seront installés notamment aux aéroports de Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton et Halifax, selon nos sources. Le gouvernement Harper avait alloué des fonds dans son dernier budget afin de faire l’acquisition des ces appareils de pointe, qui permettent de voir à travers les vêtements. « Notre objectif est
La Presse - Cahier A | 2010-01-05 | Canada | Page: 4

Le profilage signé Obama
proclamait haut et fort que les États-Unis n’ont pas à choisir entre la sécurité et leurs idéaux. Maintenant, au nom de la sécurité, les idéaux postraciaux en prennent pour leur grade. Ainsi, si la vie vous a fait naître dans l’un des 14 pays de la liste noire américaine Depuis hier, dans les aéroports, le profilage des voyageurs qui se rendent aux États-Unis est devenu une mesure officielle. Palpation corporelle et fouille obligatoire des bagages à main des ressortissants de 14 pays ainsi que des passagers qui ont transité par ces pays. Il est pour le moins ironique de voir le profilage officialisé sous l’administration Obama. Le même Obama, Noir pas tout à fait noir, au deuxième prénom arabe « douteux » aux yeux de ses adversaires, qui rêve d’une Amérique postraciale. Le même Obama qui (Cuba, Iran, Soudan, Syrie, Afghanistan, Algérie, Arabie Saoudite, Irak, Liban, Libye, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalie, Yémen) ou si vous êtes passé par l’un de ces pays, vous appartenez off iciel lement au camp des suspects. Vo
La Presse - Cahier A | 2010-01-05 | Canada | Page: 1

« Nous n’avons pas le choix »
Conséquence directe de l’attentat manqué du 25 décembre, les États-Unis ont décidé que les ressortissants de 14 pays feraient l’objet de contrôles plus poussés dans les aéroports. Le Canada aussi haussera ses mesures de sécurité : des scanners corporels seront installés dans neuf aéroports internationaux. NEW YORK — Brian et Britt Morris ne peuvent être accusés de nourrir une peur irrationnelle envers les pays musulmans. L’an dernier, les deux retraités ont visité l’Iran, un pays qu’ils ont aimé autant, sinon plus que le Pakistan, leur destination précédente. Mais l’accueil chaleureux qu’ils ont reçu dans le monde musulman ne les empêche pas d’approuver l’inclusion de l’Iran et du Pakistan dans une liste de 14 pays visés par de nouvelles mesures de sécurité dans le transport aérien. « Nous n’avons pas le choix, ma l heureusement. Nous devons renforcer les contrôles », a déclaré Brian Morris hier à l’aéroport JFK, avant de s’envoler pour l’Inde, où ce Britannique d’origine, naturalisé américain, séjournera
La Presse - Cahier A | 2010-01-05 | Canada | Page: 2

Yémen, la guerre de demain?
« L’ Irak était l a guer r e d’hier, et l ’Afghanistan, celle d’aujourd’hui. Si nous n’agisson s pa s ma i nte - nant, le Yémen sera celle de demain », a confié l’été dernier un diplomate américain au sénateur indépendant Joe Lieberman. Quatre mois plus tard, après qu’un Nigérian eut tenté de faire sauter un avion avec des explosifs rapportés du Yémen, le gouvernement américain a brusquement braqué son attention sur la petite république de la péninsule arabique. Dimanche, les États-Unis et le Royaume-Uni ont décidé d’y fermer leurs ambassades. La France a fait de même hier. Quant au Canada, le consulat à Sanaa continue d’offrir des services aux Canadiens. Par contre, le Canada n’y ouvrira pas de bureau commercial comme prévu, « et ce, pour des raisons de sécurité », a dit le porte-parole du ministère des Affaires étrangères, Rodney Moore. Selon la BBC, qui cite des médias yéménites, la fermeture des ambassades et consulats a été décrétée après que les autorités du pays eurent « perdu la trace de six camion
La Presse - Cahier A | 2010-01-05 | Canada | Page: 17

ILS FERONT LE MONDE EN 2010
Certaines sont pratiquement inconnues. D’autres font partie du paysage médiatique depuis un bon moment. Mais en 2010, ces cinq personnalités devraient alimenter les fils de presse à un moment ou l’autre. Pour le meilleur ou pour le pire. Nous vous offrons aussi cinq raisons d’espérer et de désespérer pour l’année qui vient de débuter. 1. MICHELE BACHMANN La droite républicaine a un nouveau visage. Après Sarah Palin, voici Michele Bachmann, mère de cinq enfants, parlementaire du Minnesota, profondément croyante, opposante acharnée de la réforme de la santé. Aurait-elle des ambitions présidentielles pour 2012? « Si je sens que c’est ce que le Seigneur m’appelle à faire, je le ferai », a-t-elle déclaré. En attendant, elle fera certainement parler d’elle cette année aux élections de mimandat, en novembre. 2. LUIZ INÁCIO LULA DA SILVA Le populaire président brésilien tirera sa révérence à la fin 2010. Son règne qui s’achève l’a déjà consacré comme un homme politique audacieux, grâce à qui le Brésil devient un inco
La Presse - Cahier A | 2010-01-05 | Canada | Page: 16

Quedan vacantes 59% de cupos para alumnos de bajos recursos Un 59% de los cupos para alumnos de bajos recursos queda sin llenar
A pesar de que los cupos extras (o supernumerarios) para los alumnos con buenos resultados académicos de los estratos de más bajos ingresos se ampliaron este año, las postulaciones para acceder a estas vacantes llegaron sólo a un 41% de la oferta total. Es decir, de los 2.712 cupos que las Ues. del Consejo de Rectores pusieron a disposición de los mejores alumnos

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