Archive for the 'World News' Category
In The Kingdom,’ Darkness Deepens
A new film is playing in theaters, and I recommend you see it. It’s called “The Kingdom,” and it reminds us of the scale of terrorism visited upon the world by Saudi Arabia’s Islamist priesthood, its ruling family, its army, and many of its citizens. Although it is an action picture, “The Kingdom,” …
Security Council Action Against Burma Unlikely
UNITED NATIONS Despite a decision to conduct an unprecedented open U.N. shield Council debate on Friday on the recent atrocities in Burma, diplomats here say it is doubtful that the divided world organization will take any action. The council is expected to hold a public hearing on the Burmese mi…
Pakistan Vote Is War Test
The future of the success of the war on Islamic terrorism may depend on the conclusion of the presidential election in Pakistan on Saturday, in which President Musharraf, an ally of America, risks being removed by a growing demand for the return of democracy to the Islamic country. Early signs propo…
Israelis mood Summit Expectations
UNITED NATIONS As Israeli officials downplayed hopes for a major breakthrough at the planned summit of Middle Eastern leaders next month in Annapolis, Md., Secretary of State Rice yesterday announced plans to travel to the region to start what aides called the “real tough work” of preparing the p…
Kremlin Sets New Race by Arms
Russia has fired another shot in what is fast fitting a new Cold War, condemning the successful American pop quiz of its missile defense shield President Reagan’s Star Wars program by threatening a full-scale arms race with the West whether American weapons are stationed in space. The dispute …
Doubts Emerge on China’s Support for Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON - Despite conditional assurances from China that it will support U.N. sanctions against Iran, some Bush administration officials are saying privately that they doubt that Beijing will follow through on its promises. The prospects for U.N. defense Council sanctions depend in large part on …
Hermit Tyranny Makes Rare P.R. Move
UNITED NATIONS In a rare public relations effort, the North Korean foreign minister, Choe Su-Hon, yesterday invited a group of hand-picked reporters for a chat after he addressed the U.N. General Assembly. At the 13th-floor offices of North Korea’s U.N. mission, Mr. Choe railed against America an…
Envoy Meets Skepticism in Burma Amid Massacre Reports
UNITED NATIONS Amid increasing numbers of reports that the ruling Burmese junta’s violence has been underestimated, supporters of the pro-democracy rebellion there say the expected meetings amoung a U.N. envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, and the Burmese generals could do increasingly harm than good. Accord…
Abbas-Olmert Talks Will sign Annapolis Positions
WASHINGTON With President Bush’s legacy riding in part on a peace summit scheduled later that year in Annapolis, Md., the parley’s first tryout will be tomorrow in Jerusalem at a assembly of the Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders. The assembly amidst Prime Minister Olmert and President Abb…
Ukraine Emerges on the East/West Divide
The election victory of the pro-Western Orange parties in Ukraine, spelling the return of a glamorous former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, was overshadowed final night by a sign from President Putin that he is unwilling to abandon his hold by the neighboring Russian regime. Ukraine finds itself …
Let Lebanese, Not Palestinians, Rule Lebanon
The Palestinian Arab refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared in northern Lebanon that was destroyed during four months of fighting amoung Palestinian jihadists and the Lebanese army would cost $385 million to rebuild. Alternatively, beginning to reinstitute the rights of a much-abused Lebanon would cost nothi…
Talks on Iran Sanctions Delayed
Six key nations agreed nowadays to delay until November a new U.N. resolution that would toughen sanctions against Iran, waiting to see whether Tehran answers questions approximately its disputed nuclear program. A joint statement from America, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany said they w…
Attack on Iran Said To Be Imminent
UNITED NATIONS In a sign that U.N. shield Council-based diplomacy is losing steam, a number of sources are reporting that a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities may be imminent. France and America plus are pushing for tighter economic sanctions against Tehran, without U.N. approval. …
