Arabs fight for freedom
Tunisians, Egyptians and Libyans have shaken off their rulers and a civil war is raging in Syria. What are the chances of these countries becoming democratic, and what role can the West play?
Le Figaro - France | Tuesday, 14. February 2012
Russia and China have blocked a resolution against the Syrian regime with their veto in the UN Security Council. The politician Bruno Tertrais criticises veto rights as obsolete in the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more
Russia and China have blocked a resolution against the Syrian regime with their veto in the UN Security Council. The politician Bruno Tertrais criticises veto rights as obsolete in the conservative daily Le Figaro: "Today the international community is at the mercy of political decisions taken by two authoritarian regimes: in one the tone is set by a mafia-like oligarchy and all-powerful secret service, while the other is ruled by a corrupt political-military elite whose highest goal is to hold on to power. Must the fate of nations under threat be held hostage by institutions like the FSB, Russia's internal secret service, the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army? That's what comes of the golden rule of only acting on the basis of a resolution by the Security Council."
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De Standaard - Belgium | Tuesday, 14. February 2012
Around 500 Syrians have fled to Belgium to escape the bloody fighting in Syria so far. But their applications for asylum are not being processed owing to the unclear situation in the country, the liberal daily De Standaard reports, explaining the dilemma faced by the authorities: » more
Around 500 Syrians have fled to Belgium to escape the bloody fighting in Syria so far. But their applications for asylum are not being processed owing to the unclear situation in the country, the liberal daily De Standaard reports, explaining the dilemma faced by the authorities: "Is the uncertainty a disgrace? Is it inhumane? At first glance, yes. But the matter is more complex. Countries who we trust more when it comes to immigration, like Norway and Sweden, are doing the same. Once the applications of the Syrians are processed officially this will mean that those who can furnish enough evidence will be allowed to stay, while the rest are sent back. Judging by the unclear situation in the country, the latter group will not be a small one. But to send people back would be completely inhumane. Until we can make clear decisions, processing the applications for asylum will have cruel repercussions. … Years ago the special status of limited residency was created when a similar situation arose with the former Yugoslavia. … It seems the time has come to do the same for the Syrians."
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All available articles from » Guy Tegenbos
Der Standard - Austria | Monday, 13. February 2012
The Arab League on Sunday called on the UN to create a common peace force to put an end to the violent conflict between Syrian rebels and the regime. The left-liberal daily Der Standard finds the idea of such a joint mission completely illusory: » more
The Arab League on Sunday called on the UN to create a common peace force to put an end to the violent conflict between Syrian rebels and the regime. The left-liberal daily Der Standard finds the idea of such a joint mission completely illusory: "Syria won't agree and the UN Security Council will not be able to pass a corresponding resolution. Military intervention is out of the question for all parties: the groups fighting the regime are far too fragmented and untransparent. One could easily find oneself on the same side with Jihadists who have infiltrated the country from Iraq. Supplying weapons is problematic for the same reason. And it is also wishful thinking to believe the Arab Gulf States calling for an Arab Front against Syria have suddenly adopted the principles of democracy and a 'responsibility to protect'. All of that doesn't make the regime in Syria one whit better. But it shows that the opposite of evil is not necessarily good."
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The Times - United Kingdom | Friday, 10. February 2012
According to reports in the media, more than 50 people were killed on Thursday in the western Syrian protest stronghold of Homs. The West must decide now whether to arm the rebels, demands the liberal-conservative daily The Times: » more
According to reports in the media, more than 50 people were killed on Thursday in the western Syrian protest stronghold of Homs. The West must decide now whether to arm the rebels, demands the liberal-conservative daily The Times: "The limits of Western rhetoric are now becoming increasingly apparent. A powerful alliance is emerging, led by the Arab League but including the United States, France and the UK. If the calls to help the rebels end even with the provision of arms, a threshold will have been crossed into a conflict. The West will have taken sides. This is a momentous decision and it cannot be taken casually or reactively. It needs a considered plan and it is now past time that the American and French Presidents and the British Prime Minister met the Arab League, at a place of the latter's choosing, to hold a summit on Syria at which they lay out their plans for action."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Wednesday, 8. February 2012
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Syria on Tuesday has made it clear that the Western and Arab world have resignedly left the field to Russian diplomacy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Syria on Tuesday has made it clear that the Western and Arab world have resignedly left the field to Russian diplomacy, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "When even EU foreign minister Ashton is now vociferously demanding Assad's departure nothing can conceal the powerlessness of the West and the Arab League after the Russian-Chinese veto at the UN. Assad feels protected by an invisible armour, namely the repeated declarations that there will be no military intervention in Syria. Libya was a tough lesson and still is, even if few in the West are ready to admit this. It cannot be repeated. ... Damascus could trigger a chain reaction with unforeseeable consequences. Against this backdrop Russia is manoeuvring with all the deftness of a bear. Lavrov achieved next to nothing, and yet it would be wrong to describe his mission as insignificant. Russia is relying on a 'Yemeni solution' - a transitional phase after which Assad will be succeeded by someone agreeable to the Kremlin, who will protect its interests in the region."
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All available articles from » Franco Venturini
Göteborgs-Posten - Sweden | Tuesday, 7. February 2012
The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov travels to Damascus today to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten doubts that the ... » more
The Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov travels to Damascus today to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The liberal daily Göteborgs-Posten doubts that the talks will end the bloodshed in Syria. "Russia has a unique opportunity to exert pressure on Syria's dictator. ... But there is not much hope. Lavrov is seeking political dialogue. But Assad is literally fighting for his survival after having rejected all the options for a compromise. Everything points to the civil war continuing and the situation further deteriorating in Syria before it finally improves. ... Russia and China bear a heavy burden of responsibility for this, having consistently ignored the suffering and acted solely according to the principle that nations don't have friends, only interests."
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Welt am Sonntag - Germany | Sunday, 5. February 2012
The Middle East has still not calmed down since the launch of the freedom movement last year. But it took other democracies up to 200 years to stabilise themselves, Richard Herzinger writes consolingly in the conservative Welt am Sonntag: » more
The Middle East has still not calmed down since the launch of the freedom movement last year. But it took other democracies up to 200 years to stabilise themselves, Richard Herzinger writes consolingly in the conservative Welt am Sonntag: "Nevertheless it is worth remembering that revolutionary upheavals like those which have gripped the Middle East generally tend to result in many decades of bloody confusion, terrible mistakes and cruel wars. Yet the central problem posed by revolutions has always been how to rein in the violence they generate and curtail it through institutions. The American Revolution was to a certain extent exemplary in achieving this while the terrorism of the French Revolution initially got out of hand - not to mention the Russian Revolution. In total 200 years passed before democracy was firmly established in the Western world. Remembering to think along the long lines of history can at least help us not to despair at the current atrocities unfolding in the Middle East - and to focus on doggedly fighting the worst inhumanities instead of hankering after visions of an ideal democratic future."
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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Friday, 3. February 2012
Protesting continued in Egypt on Thursday after 74 people died in rioting that broke out during a football match in Port Said. Police shot at demonstrators in Suez, leaving two dead. The angry protesters are calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Hussein Tantawi. The liberal daily Corriere del Ticino backs their demands: » more
Protesting continued in Egypt on Thursday after 74 people died in rioting that broke out during a football match in Port Said. Police shot at demonstrators in Suez, leaving two dead. The angry protesters are calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Hussein Tantawi. The liberal daily Corriere del Ticino backs their demands: "Behind the unrest is the long hand of the old regime, whose main aim is to plunge Egypt into chaos. There can be no doubt, the riots in Port Said were planned and had nothing to do with football. In this way the military council seeks to justify its harsh rule and the need to stay in power until a civil government takes over. That is planned for June 2012, while the demonstrators are calling for an immediate handover of power. In addition the military council wants to prevent the state of emergency from being lifted at all costs. The riots are a further attempt to prevent the democratisation of Egypt."
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All available articles from » Marco Alloni
Libération - France | Wednesday, 1. February 2012
The UN Security Council failed to reach agreement on Tuesday evening over a resolution on an end to violence in Syria. To prevent a civil war the Syrian people must be freed from dictator Bashar al-Assad, the left-liberal daily Libération demands: » more
The UN Security Council failed to reach agreement on Tuesday evening over a resolution on an end to violence in Syria. To prevent a civil war the Syrian people must be freed from dictator Bashar al-Assad, the left-liberal daily Libération demands: "The Arab League, until now considered a club of tyranny, has called for the resignation of the Syrian torturer and is now working to achieve this goal. This confirms that dictators in the Middle East may no longer torture and kill their populations with impunity. Nevertheless Assad's departure is not yet a sure thing. Assad is now fuelling ethnic conflict in his fragile, fragmented country, and fanning the flames of civil war. Nothing can be worse than Bashar al-Assad remaining in power. The transition will be difficult and dangerous, but thousands of Syrians have laid down their lives in the fight for freedom, and the people have a right to democracy."
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The Times - United Kingdom | Monday, 30. January 2012
The Arab League suspended its observer mission in Syria on Saturday, after which the Syrian military cracked down harder on the opposition on Sunday. The UK and its allies must now persuade China and Russia to introduce sanctions, the liberal-conservative daily The Times demands: » more
The Arab League suspended its observer mission in Syria on Saturday, after which the Syrian military cracked down harder on the opposition on Sunday. The UK and its allies must now persuade China and Russia to introduce sanctions, the liberal-conservative daily The Times demands: "A regime that murders civilians by the thousand loses its presumption of sovereignty. The genocide committed by Saddam Hussein against the Iraqi Kurds and attempted by Slobodan Milosevic against Kosovan Albanians ought to have demonstrated that lesson. Britain and its allies on the Security Council should impress on Russia and China, who have thus far been averse to sanctions against Syria, that Mr Assad must stand down. The Arab League, having inadvertently provided cover for the repression, should be at the forefront of that diplomatic effort. The longer Mr Assad remains, the greater the risk that the eventual reckoning for his regime will be terrible."
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Público - Portugal | Thursday, 26. January 2012
The revolutions of the Arab Spring will only be truly successful once the countries in question curtail the power of the military, writes Pakistani economist Shahid Javed Burki in the daily Público: » more
The revolutions of the Arab Spring will only be truly successful once the countries in question curtail the power of the military, writes Pakistani economist Shahid Javed Burki in the daily Público: "Since Islam's founding in the seventh century, it has maintained a tradition of strong military engagement in politics and governance. Indeed, Islam's increasing military prowess helped it to spread rapidly around the world. ... Today, the revolutions rocking much of the Muslim world are bedevilled by Islam's military past. In the first phase of these popular uprisings, those who had been politically and economically excluded began to demand inclusion and participation. Now a second phase is under way, marked by a serious effort to divest the old military establishment of its power. ... Since the Arab Spring began, four long-established regimes have been removed, while others are under increasing pressure, giving ordinary Arabs hope that their demands will no longer be ignored, and that those who govern will be mindful of citizens' needs. But that - the real revolution - will happen only when true representatives of citizens, rather than the military, begin to set their countries' political course."
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Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Wednesday, 25. January 2012
In Egypt's first free parliamentary elections the Islamist parties have won right across the board, occupying roughly 70 percent of the 498 seats in parliament. Meanwhile the country's much touted revolutionary youth is barely represented. Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be considered a stable democracy, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: » more
In Egypt's first free parliamentary elections the Islamist parties have won right across the board, occupying roughly 70 percent of the 498 seats in parliament. Meanwhile the country's much touted revolutionary youth is barely represented. Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be considered a stable democracy, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: "The EU and US must keep an eye on the military and the Islamists. Encroachments must be criticised, but as long as the general direction is acceptable support should be made available. Human rights, political and religious rights are the basis of a democracy. That only two percent of the new members of parliament are women raises questions. The military should be subjected to civil controls as quickly as possible. The friendly relations with neighbouring countries, including Israel, must be protected. Egypt has already made considerable progress. Now it is important that it sticks to the course it has started out on."
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Die Presse - Austria | Monday, 23. January 2012
Egypt's first freely elected parliament, in which Islamist parties of differing degrees of radicalness have the majority, holds its first session today. While the West must come to terms with this it must also make certain demands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: » more
Egypt's first freely elected parliament, in which Islamist parties of differing degrees of radicalness have the majority, holds its first session today. While the West must come to terms with this it must also make certain demands, writes the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse: "That the elections went so smoothly is a huge success. The Egyptians can be proud of this. To condemn the victory of the Islamists would be just as counterproductive as to downplay its significance. For particularly as far as women's rights and the separation of state and religion (with ten percent of Christians basically a matter of state reason) are concerned, the Muslim Brothers will have to be watched very closely. They must be aware that they can hardly get along without the help of the West in overcoming the enormous economic and social problems. And the West must realise that it has to make this help contingent on certain conditions. It may be called blackmail - but it's certainly a clever tactic."
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The Times - United Kingdom | Friday, 13. January 2012
The first success of the Arab Spring came with the flight of Tunisian dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali one year ago, on January 14. The democratisation process that then ensued is the best protection against extremism, the liberal-conservative daily The Times maintains: » more
The first success of the Arab Spring came with the flight of Tunisian dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali one year ago, on January 14. The democratisation process that then ensued is the best protection against extremism, the liberal-conservative daily The Times maintains: "Arab democracy will not be the same as Scandinavian democracy, and the corruption and authoritarianism of decades are not easily superseded. But reform of the model of rule by military strongmen ... is long overdue. In Tunisian elections in October, an Islamist party won strong support: but in an encouraging portent it immediately started negotiations with secular parties. There is a moral rationale for letting the people choose, but also a pragmatic justification. It ensures that dissent can be expressed politically and not only through the mosque. The spread of liberty is ultimately the best inoculation against theocratic extremism. Citizens of Arab states have every reason to demand it, and Western states to welcome it."
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 6. January 2012
In the trial against Hosni Mubarak the Egyptian public prosecutors demanded the death penalty for the former president on Thursday. Mubarak was responsible for the deadly shots against demonstrators last spring, public prosecutor Mustafa Sulaiman said in his final summation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is incredulous and calls for proof: » more
In the trial against Hosni Mubarak the Egyptian public prosecutors demanded the death penalty for the former president on Thursday. Mubarak was responsible for the deadly shots against demonstrators last spring, public prosecutor Mustafa Sulaiman said in his final summation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is incredulous and calls for proof: "It's hard to believe when you consider the friendly nature of the Egyptians, but it can't be ruled out that because of the sluggish progress being made with the reforms the intention is now to make an example of Mubarak and his former minister al-Adli, who is truly hated all over the country and is also standing trial. However it would be nice to know what 'incontrovertible evidence' there is that Mubarak is to blame for the deaths of more than eight hundred demonstrators. Such evidence may exist, but then it should be made public."
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All available articles from » Wolfgang Günter Lerch
Profil - Austria | Saturday, 31. December 2011
In 2011 not only in the Arab world but also many people in Russia, China and the West rose up against the powers that be. This trend will continue in the new year, Georg Hoffmann-Ostenhoff predicts on news portal Profil Online: » more
In 2011 not only in the Arab world but also many people in Russia, China and the West rose up against the powers that be. This trend will continue in the new year, Georg Hoffmann-Ostenhoff predicts on news portal Profil Online: "It looks like the new movements of the Internet generation are combining with traditional forms of battle. The anger at the unjust circumstances and the deposed political caste is combining with very concrete defence operations against attacks on living standards and the social security system. Lenin once said that a revolutionary situation arises 'when those on top are unable and those at the bottom are unwilling' to maintain the current order. This fits in well with what is happening in the Arab world. ... But also in the developed West the ruling powers are increasingly confused and those who are ruled over are increasingly angry. Revolutions may not be on the cards here but we have certainly come to a turning point. And it's also clear that as well as the state chancelleries and governments on the one hand and the stock exchanges and banks on the other - or in other words politics and the markets - a third player has gained importance: the people on the street. And they are cleverer than ever before."
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Helsingin Sanomat - Finland | Saturday, 31. December 2011
Criticism of Arab League observers in Syria is growing in view of the Syrian security forces' continued use of violence against members of the opposition. But other measures also stand little chance of success, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: » more
Criticism of Arab League observers in Syria is growing in view of the Syrian security forces' continued use of violence against members of the opposition. But other measures also stand little chance of success, writes the liberal daily Helsingin Sanomat: "The observers should take their work seriously because they have an important task to fulfil. If the Arab League defends the international measures in Syria as it did for Libya in the spring, Russia and China will have a hard time reducing the pressure on Syria in the UN Security Council. Otherwise it seems the international community has little prospect of helping the Syrian opposition. Turkey has proposed setting up a protection zone for refugees within Syria, controlled militarily from abroad. France has spoken out in favour of humanitarian aid to help the civilians trapped in the country. It remains unclear how widespread the support is for such measures. Also uncertain is whether they will really do any good, or merely lead to renewed clashes."
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Main focus of Wednesday, 28. December 2011
The people of the Arab world rose up in protest, Japan was hit by a nuclear disaster and Europe became mired in a debt crisis: » more
The people of the Arab world rose up in protest, Japan was hit by a nuclear disaster and Europe became mired in a debt crisis: 2011 was historic in every way, writes the press.
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Wednesday, 28. December 2011
The year 2011 brought the downfall of several despotic rulers in the Arab world. What happens next remains uncertain but it is clear that a new attitude of civil disobedience has taken hold, writes journalist Ulrich Speck in the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
The year 2011 brought the downfall of several despotic rulers in the Arab world. What happens next remains uncertain but it is clear that a new attitude of civil disobedience has taken hold, writes journalist Ulrich Speck in the liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "The transition from protesting subject to responsible citizen is a long one; we have known this since the French Revolution. And those who would keep their grip on power may have made a tactical withdrawal, but they can't be written off yet. ... In view of the communication revolution and the growing comparability of living conditions it entails, people are less and less willing to let themselves be intimidated by leaders. ... The message of 2011 is: no dictator is safe from his citizens any more."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Saturday, 24. December 2011
The revolution in Egypt started on January 25, 2011 with the first demonstrations on Cairo's Tahrir Square. But the military and the likely victory of the Muslim Brotherhood are jeopardising the country's burgeoning democracy, writes the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more
The revolution in Egypt started on January 25, 2011 with the first demonstrations on Cairo's Tahrir Square. But the military and the likely victory of the Muslim Brotherhood are jeopardising the country's burgeoning democracy, writes the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The recent events on Tahrir Square have forced us to revise our opinions. What took place a year ago in Egypt was not a revolution but a military putsch. Mubarak did not leave the country [sic] under the pressure of the protests - numerous though they were - but at the express wish of the military junta. ... No one is shedding any tears over his departure, but the population is calling for a fair trial and above all that the return of the billions of dollars he stole from the people. But the military has opted for a different course. It has robbed the people of their revolution, while everything points to an election victory for the Muslim Brothers. But this election is not democratic, because votes alone do not mean democracy. That requires recognition of the basic values of democracy. However religion is not always compatible with democracy."
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Blog Del alfiler al elefante - Spain | Wednesday, 28. December 2011
Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: » more
Just as in the course of history only a few people stay in our memories the same is true with the years, writes Lluís Bassets in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante, and says 2011 was more historical than 1989 when the Eastern bloc collapsed: "And so 2011 emulates and even surpasses the year 1989 in every respect. A revolutionary wave has shook the foundations of power and the alliances throughout the Arab world. The anticipated nuclear renaissance was drowned out by the tsunami and disaster in Fukushima. The generation of conformists spoiled by years of prosperity have turned into indignant activists and occupied the streets and squares of Spain and even the US, in a wave of protests we hadn't witnessed since 1968. Europe has reacted to the financial crisis but at the expense of leaving behind the British - a rupture of historical dimensions and the greatest in the turbulent history of the relations between the United Kingdom and the European continent since the UK joined in 1973."
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The Times - United Kingdom | Tuesday, 27. December 2011
The Tunisian fruit and vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself on fire in protest and in so doing sparked the Arab Spring, is the 2011 person of the year, writes the conservative daily The Times: » more
The Tunisian fruit and vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself on fire in protest and in so doing sparked the Arab Spring, is the 2011 person of the year, writes the conservative daily The Times: "Because he did not have a licence, the authorities confiscated his produce in December last year. In frustration, he lit a fateful match. Its fire spread rapidly beyond himself to immolate a regime that had systematically misruled a country. ... Mr Bouazizi did not aim to change the world. No single person has been at the forefront of any of the many revolts which have spread across the Arab world, and no figure has yet emerged as an obvious leader for the future. The Arab League has changed for the better. Qatar has played an important helping hand. But the defining events of this year have been driven by the courage of countless people in the face of tyranny. Mohamed Bouazizi was one of them."
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Savon Sanomat - Finland | Wednesday, 21. December 2011
The Finnish cabinet has approved the export of 36 grenade launchers to Saudi Arabia, the biggest Finnish arms deal in ten years. The government should have had the oppression of the people in sight as well as the creation of jobs on the Finnish market when it made its decision to go ahead with the 150 million euro deal, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat admonishes: » more
The Finnish cabinet has approved the export of 36 grenade launchers to Saudi Arabia, the biggest Finnish arms deal in ten years. The government should have had the oppression of the people in sight as well as the creation of jobs on the Finnish market when it made its decision to go ahead with the 150 million euro deal, the liberal daily Savon Sanomat admonishes: "The problematic aspect about the deal is that Saudi Arabia is a dictatorship. Political parties aren't allowed in the country and there is not even freedom of association, let alone religious freedom. Torture and the death sentence are everyday occurrences. The Arab Spring failed to melt the icy dictatorship in Saudi Arabia. ... It would naturally be a total exaggeration to claim that Finland is endorsing the dictatorship and the violation of human rights with the arms deal. ... Yet the decision is irresponsible because in practice it means that weapons bought from the Finnish state - as the majority shareholder in the manufacturer - will be used to crush the democracy movement."
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Der Standard - Austria | Monday, 19. December 2011
During clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Cairo on the Weekend a petrol bomb hit the Institute for the Advancement of Scientific Research, destroying a large number of historical manuscripts dating back to the times of Napoleon Bonaparte. The left-liberal daily Der Standard sees this is a portent: » more
During clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Cairo on the Weekend a petrol bomb hit the Institute for the Advancement of Scientific Research, destroying a large number of historical manuscripts dating back to the times of Napoleon Bonaparte. The left-liberal daily Der Standard sees this is a portent: "The arrival of Napoleon in Egypt is generally considered to mark the 'beginning of the modern age'. 2011 was to be the year in which the country finally emerged from its post-colonial period and entered the modern political age. This seems to have become a distant prospect once more. The military junta is reacting just as the Mubarak regime always did: lying and denying. The difference is that it's no longer the police but the good old patriotic army, which is naively seen as being on the side of the revolution just because it got rid of Hosni Mubarak, that is now being deployed against the demonstrators. And in the midst of this breakdown the first elections are taking place. What was supposed to be a celebration of democracy has become its burial."
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All available articles from » Gudrun Harrer
Kristeligt Dagblad - Denmark | Thursday, 8. December 2011
Preliminary results indicate that the Party for Freedom and Justice (FJP), which has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, has won the first round of voting in Egypt's parliamentary elections. That does not bode well for the country's democratisation, writes the Christian paper Kristeligt Dagblad: » more
Preliminary results indicate that the Party for Freedom and Justice (FJP), which has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, has won the first round of voting in Egypt's parliamentary elections. That does not bode well for the country's democratisation, writes the Christian paper Kristeligt Dagblad: "The Muslim Brothers say that they want to build their government on a broad foundation of support. They don't really want to govern with the Salafists but with their own centre parties. This would be ideal for the Brotherhood because it gives them to a fig leaf for cover while internally they pursue an Islam-oriented agenda. If the Muslim Brothers unexpectedly democratise the country and create effective institutions and a pluralist society naturally one should support them. But unfortunately we must prepare ourselves for the more likely eventuality that the democratic revolution will be indefinitely postponed in Egypt."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Wednesday, 30. November 2011
Following the Western states' lead the Arab League also imposed sanctions against Syria on Sunday. This makes a peaceful solution to the conflict even less likely, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
Following the Western states' lead the Arab League also imposed sanctions against Syria on Sunday. This makes a peaceful solution to the conflict even less likely, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "If neither a putsch can be expected nor the Syrian ruler can be convinced to initiate a serious dialogue and gradual transferral of power, the most likely scenario is the country slipping further into a civil war with unforeseeable consequences and far-reaching implications. The regime has actively contributed to this by pitting different groups against each other, giving civilian gangs of thugs free rein and allowing the security forces to take control with complete impunity. A civil war that to all appearances is already a reality in certain parts of Syria but represents a threat not just for the Syrian population but for the entire region."
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All available articles from » Monika Bolliger
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 28. November 2011
The first ever free parliamentary elections begin today, Monday, in Egypt. Around 40 million citizens will choose the occupants of just under 500 parliamentary seats while the army appoints another ten MPs. This election will shape the entire region, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more
The first ever free parliamentary elections begin today, Monday, in Egypt. Around 40 million citizens will choose the occupants of just under 500 parliamentary seats while the army appoints another ten MPs. This election will shape the entire region, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "Just as the protests in Cairo swept the wave of revolution into other Arab states, this election could also become a model for those countries. Not only the outcome of the election but also whether it goes off relatively smoothly will be of vital importance. The dramatic events of the past few days, with street protests that have resulted in dozens of deaths, give rise to fears of a different scenario. ... If developments move in the wrong direction this would also be a signal for other revolutions. That could be the end of the dream of better conditions in the Arab world."
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All available articles from » Petr Pešek
Politiken - Denmark | Friday, 25. November 2011
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt has appointed the former head of government Kamal Ganzouri as prime minister, the country's public broadcaster reported on Thursday evening. He succeeds Essam Sharaf, who tendered his resignation a week ago after the wave of protests against the military council broke out. The generals must withdraw, the left-liberal daily Politiken concludes: » more
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt has appointed the former head of government Kamal Ganzouri as prime minister, the country's public broadcaster reported on Thursday evening. He succeeds Essam Sharaf, who tendered his resignation a week ago after the wave of protests against the military council broke out. The generals must withdraw, the left-liberal daily Politiken concludes: "The real question for Egypt's future will be whether the military will accept being subjugated to the civilians in a newly elected parliament. And whether it will accept a civilian - or someone not approved by the military - being elected to president next year. The military sees itself as the only guarantee for stability in this dominant Arab society. Many Egyptians no doubt would agree with this, and the majority of Egyptians are not demonstrating on Tahrir Square. But the military has had six decades to prove that it can ensure social and economic development and growing liberty. And it has failed. ... One thing is for sure: a return to life under military rule certainly won't help Egypt."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Friday, 25. November 2011
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his resignation on Wednesday, but the demonstrations in the country continue. They are directed against the deal that guarantees ... » more
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced his resignation on Wednesday, but the demonstrations in the country continue. They are directed against the deal that guarantees immunity from criminal prosecution for Saleh and clears the way for Saleh's vice president Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi in the 90 days before elections take place. The liberal-conservative Neue Zürcher Zeitung sides with the demonstrators. "The big losers of the deal signed in Saudi Arabia on the transfer of power are the activists, mostly young men, who have persisted with their demands for reforms in Sanaa since February and upheld the flag of the Arab Spring despite Saleh's snipers and torturers. The Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakel Karman is one of them. The agreement doesn't foresee the political and social revolution demanded by the activists. Instead a division of power based on the existing tribal structures was once again negotiated. This method of resolving conflict may have a long tradition but it won't bring Yemen forward."
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All available articles from » Gudrun Harrer
La Repubblica - Italy | Wednesday, 23. November 2011
The military council in Egypt announced on Tuesday that it was bringing the presidential elections six months forward, meaning that they would take place in the middle of next year. The demonstrators are not satisfied with the plan and continue to demand the dissolution of the council. In Egypt, unlike in Tunisia, the revolution will need a second phase, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more
The military council in Egypt announced on Tuesday that it was bringing the presidential elections six months forward, meaning that they would take place in the middle of next year. The demonstrators are not satisfied with the plan and continue to demand the dissolution of the council. In Egypt, unlike in Tunisia, the revolution will need a second phase, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "In Tunisia the revolution was carried through in a Marxist manner. The poor rose up across the country. ... The middle classes took sides with them. The class struggle was overcome and this paved the way for a transition for democracy. In Egypt the whole spectacle took place on Tahrir Square. ... It was a spectacular revolt that convinced both the military and the US to topple Mubarak, without however giving the young activists the chance to reap in the dividends of their success. The second phase of the revolution is beginning with the desire to return to the roots of the protest and take better control of the developments this time round."
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All available articles from » Gilles Kepel
Libération - France | Tuesday, 22. November 2011
In view of the bloody protests on Cairo's Tahrir Square, the left-liberal daily Libération calls for a democratically elected government for Egypt: » more
In view of the bloody protests on Cairo's Tahrir Square, the left-liberal daily Libération calls for a democratically elected government for Egypt: "History has still not chosen whom it will side with: On the one hand those who with their shamefully backward ideas want to delay the beginning of democracy in Egypt. Or on the other those who insist tenaciously that the army should relinquish power to civil society, share its economic might and head back to the barracks. One can only hope that a democratic mechanism, even if not perfect, will be set up as soon as possible. Only democracy, with its pluralism and display of contradicting positions, can defuse the situation. Only democracy can create new forces and thereby counter the extreme threats to the destiny of the most populous Arab country."
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All available articles from » Vincent Giret
Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Tuesday, 22. November 2011
The Egyptian protests that have gone on for three days now highlight the strong influence of the radical Islamic Muslim Brotherhood, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: » more
The Egyptian protests that have gone on for three days now highlight the strong influence of the radical Islamic Muslim Brotherhood, the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes: "That hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Cairo on the weekend may also be a sign of the growing unpopularity of the army, but it also testifies to the ability of the Muslim Brothers and the parties that have emerged from this movement to mobilise the people. In all probability the Islamists who have been watched over by the state will win the upcoming elections. Whether their unusual alliance with the Left and the secular parties will be sustained after an election victory remains to be seen. The only certainty is that Egypt's revolution will only deserve the name if Mubarak's fall ushers in a political system legitimated at the ballots."
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All available articles from » Martin Woker
Der Standard - Austria | Tuesday, 22. November 2011
The basis of trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more
The basis of trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "It is a tragedy that the first free elections will begin under the shadow of a bloodbath on Tahrir Square. On the face of it, 'the military' is on one side and the rest of the country on the other. In reality, however, not even those who want a new Egypt can reach a basic agreement on what it should look like. The trust between the different elements of Egyptian society is a thing of the past. Once more the horror and anger at the brutality that 'those in power' - first Mubarak, now the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces - use against the demonstrators has welded the country. This is a rude awakening for those wanted to go on dreaming the dream of the patriotic Egyptian army that brought the revolution of the young and dissatisfied to a close on 11 February. The signs had long been pointing in a very different direction."
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All available articles from » Gudrun Harrer
Aftonbladet - Sweden | Monday, 21. November 2011
Bloody clashes broke out in Egypt on the weekend between the police and demonstrators in country-wide protests against the country's military council. Several people died and over 1,700 were left wounded. The people won't make do with semi-democracy, the liberal tabloid Aftonbladet writes: » more
Bloody clashes broke out in Egypt on the weekend between the police and demonstrators in country-wide protests against the country's military council. Several people died and over 1,700 were left wounded. The people won't make do with semi-democracy, the liberal tabloid Aftonbladet writes: "The Arab Spring was never about changing old self-appointed leaders for new ones. The goal was to achieve a transfer of power from authoritarian regimes to the people. Egypt's path to democracy and the rule of law will be long. The military has become an obstacle on this journey, something demonstrated not least by yesterday's brutality on Tahrir Square. It must be made clear to Egypt's generals that any form of semi-democracy in which they pull the strings from the wings will not be tolerated. Violence and repression against demonstrators, democracy activists and bloggers must stop."
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The Guardian - United Kingdom | Monday, 21. November 2011
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of long-time Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, was arrested in southern Libya on Saturday. The Transitional Council wants to try him in Libya although an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity has also been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Saif al-Islam Gaddafi should be tried in The Hague, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of long-time Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, was arrested in southern Libya on Saturday. The Transitional Council wants to try him in Libya although an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity has also been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Saif al-Islam Gaddafi should be tried in The Hague, writes the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "The ICC prosecutor is in Libya this week to discuss the way forward. He will face a government that is still in flux, and under considerable local pressure to see justice is done in Libya. The bloody killing of Muammar Gaddafi, however, raises serious questions about whether that is possible. ... The ICC intervention helped transform the outcome in Libya by contributing to the delegitimisation of the Gaddafi regime. Military action followed and was decisive. But the ICC's role made the crimes an international matter, and in staying the hand of vengeance the Hague judges will have to be involved."
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All available articles from » Philippe Sands
Blog Del alfiler al elefante - Spain | Thursday, 17. November 2011
At the end of October the new Libyan government discovered an arsenal of chemical weapons of mass destruction which Muammar al-Gaddafi had secretly hoarded. This underlines once more the differences in the way the West treated the dictators in Libya and Iraq, Lluís Bassets comments in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante: » more
At the end of October the new Libyan government discovered an arsenal of chemical weapons of mass destruction which Muammar al-Gaddafi had secretly hoarded. This underlines once more the differences in the way the West treated the dictators in Libya and Iraq, Lluís Bassets comments in his blog Del Alfiler al Elefante: "It was the detail that was missing to round off the comparison between the nonsense in Iraq and the success in Libya. It was nonsense from the start: demonising Saddam Hussein without any proof of the existence of a weapons stockpile, while conversely allowing Gaddafi to join the club of the honourable without adequate guarantees or inspections. ... The former had international inspectors in every nook and cranny without satisfactory results while the latter was allowed to do business with the most important representatives of Western capitalism without being subjected to any controls whatsoever. ... Everything that was done wrong in Iraq was done right in Libya: the UN resolution, the coalition with the participation of the Arab world, aerial support from Nato, the toppling of the dictator by the Libyans themselves. And what went wrong in Libya, for instance that Gaddafi was lynched, didn't exactly go right in Iraq."
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All available articles from » Lluís Bassets
Blog Un œil sur la Syrie - France | Thursday, 17. November 2011
According to their own accounts, deserters of the Syrian army attacked a secret service base north of Damascus on Wednesday. The West should supply them with weapons, writes the former diplomat Ignace Leverrier in his blog Un oeil sur la Syrie in the daily Le Monde: » more
According to their own accounts, deserters of the Syrian army attacked a secret service base north of Damascus on Wednesday. The West should supply them with weapons, writes the former diplomat Ignace Leverrier in his blog Un oeil sur la Syrie in the daily Le Monde: "The demonstrators are begging the international community - or at least those countries that have declared their solidarity - to give the Free Syrian Army what it needs to continue its mission. There is no one else who can defend the demonstrators. It's not a question of creating a new balance of power with these weapons. ... They simply want to be able to keep demonstrating peacefully without immediately being subjected to the brutality of troops loyal to the regime. And they have every right to do so. ... The rebels that want to make use of these arms now expect those who support their justified demands to supply 'their' army with the necessary ammunition and anti-tank weapons."
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All available articles from » Ignace Leverrier
Aamulehti - Finland | Tuesday, 15. November 2011
The Arab League resolved on Saturday to suspend Syria's membership. Even if this doesn't pave the way for a Libyan-style military intervention the international community must not remain passive, the liberal daily Aamulehti contends: » more
The Arab League resolved on Saturday to suspend Syria's membership. Even if this doesn't pave the way for a Libyan-style military intervention the international community must not remain passive, the liberal daily Aamulehti contends: "In the case of Syria foreign intervention is not foreseen. Nobody really wants it and there is not enough support for it on the UN Security Council. ... But somehow the Syrian leadership must be compelled to end its policy of oppression. Those countries that want to go beyond advocating moral and ethical values in ceremonial addresses can't simply sit back and watch while a popular movement demanding freedom and democracy is brutally quashed."
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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Monday, 14. November 2011
The Arab League on Saturday announced the suspension of Syria's membership and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad's regime. This ups the pressure on the United Nations but the problem remains an Arab one, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more
The Arab League on Saturday announced the suspension of Syria's membership and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad's regime. This ups the pressure on the United Nations but the problem remains an Arab one, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "The US President Barack Obama was pleased by the decision and announced that the United States would not continue to exert pressure on Assad's murderous regime together with its 'friends and allies'. But there will be no military intervention like in Libya. It would already be a major step if the Security Council were to simply pass a condemnatory resolution. But Russia and China mustn't veto this again. For now these two permanent members of the Security Council are shrouding themselves in silence. The opposition in Syria sees the Arab League's decision to suspend Syria as strengthening its cause. But this is likely to remain the only help on which it can count from abroad. Syria is an Arab problem that requires an Arab solution."
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Wprost Online - Poland | Thursday, 10. November 2011
The quashing of the protests against the Syrian regime has claimed more than 3,500 victims according to the UN. And this despite the fact that the Arab League has negotiated a deal with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad under which the government soldiers were to withdraw. The chances of peace are not good, writes news portal Wprost Online: » more
The quashing of the protests against the Syrian regime has claimed more than 3,500 victims according to the UN. And this despite the fact that the Arab League has negotiated a deal with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad under which the government soldiers were to withdraw. The chances of peace are not good, writes news portal Wprost Online: "A rapid stabilisation of the situation in Syria and an end to the crisis are not in sight. The recent Nato intervention in Libya pretty much rules out a similar operation in Syria because the alliance no longer has the will nor the money to bombard another country. Additional economic sanctions would be a bad solution. That leaves just the international community and above all the Arab League. Perhaps Assad will accept another agreement negotiated by this organisation after all."
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All available articles from » Robert Czulda
Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy | Tuesday, 1. November 2011
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday declared the end of Nato military operations in Tripoli and stressed that there should not be a similar intervention in Syria. But Nato is actually leaving Libya at the behest of the US, which wants to concentrate on Syria and Iran, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore suspects: » more
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday declared the end of Nato military operations in Tripoli and stressed that there should not be a similar intervention in Syria. But Nato is actually leaving Libya at the behest of the US, which wants to concentrate on Syria and Iran, the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore suspects: "Libya has long since become just a minor intervention in a far bigger exchange deal. The big game is no longer in Tripoli but on the Gulf. The goal is to manoeuvre the Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad into a corner and isolate Syria's strongest ally, Iran. ... The US is leaving the fate of Libya in the hands of the Europeans and the Arabs. It has other interests to defend. It wants to install a new 'security architecture' in a region that forms the front line with Iran and contains 60 percent of the world's oil reserves. This is why it is boosting its presence in Kuwait and intensifying its military relations with the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council."
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All available articles from » Alberto Negri
Trouw - Netherlands | Friday, 28. October 2011
Nato plans to officially end its operations in Libya today, Friday. Estimates put the number of victims at up to 50,000. But the ethical and legal aspects of the operation are being ignored, columnist Rob de Wijk complains in the Christian-socialist daily Trouw: » more
Nato plans to officially end its operations in Libya today, Friday. Estimates put the number of victims at up to 50,000. But the ethical and legal aspects of the operation are being ignored, columnist Rob de Wijk complains in the Christian-socialist daily Trouw: "Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron wrote that tens of thousands of Libyans needed Nato protection against the atrocities of Gaddafi. This is no doubt true, but at the same time tens of thousands of Libyans lost their lives as a result of the involvement of the international community that wanted to protect them. How many more victims there will be will depend on the ability of the Transitional Council to control the chaos. The question running through my mind now is how many lives may be lost in the name of protecting the population. This is a vital question because Nato took sides in a civil war and considerably expanded the original UN mandate. Or was the humanitarian argument only a cover for political motives?"
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All available articles from » Rob de Wijk
Wiener Zeitung - Austria | Friday, 28. October 2011
The human rights organisation Amnesty International last week accused 17 European states, including Germany, of playing a role in the oppression of protest movements in various Arab countries by exporting weapons and wiretapping technology. The former head of the foreign desk at Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, Clemens M. Hutter, accuses exporting nations of double standards in the daily Wiener Zeitung: » more
The human rights organisation Amnesty International last week accused 17 European states, including Germany, of playing a role in the oppression of protest movements in various Arab countries by exporting weapons and wiretapping technology. The former head of the foreign desk at Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper, Clemens M. Hutter, accuses exporting nations of double standards in the daily Wiener Zeitung: "Weapons for Libya, Syria and Saudi Arabia have clearly been put to use against these countries' own populations. Of the hundreds of thousands of Syrians who untiringly demonstrate against the tyranny of the Assad clan, 3,000 have paid with their lives. Yet Syria is still being supplied with the best bugging technology on the market - made in Germany. Consequently, unlike in Tunisia or Egypt the Syrian resistance can't organise itself electronically. Officially Germany proclaims its sympathy with the Syrian struggle for freedom. It just happens to be the case that technology sales also secure jobs at home."
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All available articles from » Clemens M. Hutter
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 27. October 2011
The Libyan Transitional Council has asked Nato to continue its activities in the country until the end of the year or at least extend them by a month. The conservative Frankfurter daily Allgemeine Zeitung staunchly opposes a continuation of Nato operations: » more
The Libyan Transitional Council has asked Nato to continue its activities in the country until the end of the year or at least extend them by a month. The conservative Frankfurter daily Allgemeine Zeitung staunchly opposes a continuation of Nato operations: "The struggle for Tripoli has been settled, the old regime has been deposed and the dictator Gaddafi is dead. A continuation of the military operations is no longer covered by the United Nations. It's true that there is apprehension in Libya that the disarming and appeasing of the various rebel groups and tribes will turn out to be more difficult than hoped. There is even talk of a civil war. But it is not the task of Nato to establish the former or prevent the latter. It is now up to the new regime in Tripoli to guarantee internal stability."
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All available articles from » Wolfgang Günter Lerch
Kurier - Austria | Wednesday, 26. October 2011
Even before the announcement of Tunisia's election results the moderate Islamist Ennahda party initiated coalition talks on Tuesday. Despite the West's concerns about the likely victor there is no reason to assume Ennahda is any more undemocratic than its adversaries, the daily Kurier writes: » more
Even before the announcement of Tunisia's election results the moderate Islamist Ennahda party initiated coalition talks on Tuesday. Despite the West's concerns about the likely victor there is no reason to assume Ennahda is any more undemocratic than its adversaries, the daily Kurier writes: "There is no reason to believe that highly secularised Tunisia, where women have a firm place in public life, will now be transformed into a morose theocracy. In any event, Ennahda's leader Ghannouchi adopted a moderate tone on the weekend and acknowledged the basic democratic values. As a democrat there is nothing left to do but respect the Tunisians' decision in their country's first free elections. ... Rotten, short-sighted compromises of the kind entered into with North Africa's autocrats for the sake of convenience must not be repeated."
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All available articles from » Stefan Galoppi
The Times - United Kingdom | Wednesday, 26. October 2011
After the burial of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Tuesday international criticism was voiced of the fact that the Libyan dictator was mistreated after his arrest and his corpse put on show. The way Gaddafi was treated must not become the basis for the new Libya, the conservative daily The Times warns: » more
After the burial of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Tuesday international criticism was voiced of the fact that the Libyan dictator was mistreated after his arrest and his corpse put on show. The way Gaddafi was treated must not become the basis for the new Libya, the conservative daily The Times warns: "Ordinary Libyans need to understand, from the outset, that there will be new standards and that they are all responsible for upholding them. ... It is in the next few weeks that the pattern of politics will be laid down for years to come. If reconciliation, reconstruction and the good intentions outlined some months ago in the NTC's proposals for government are implemented, Libya could become a beacon for others fighting repression. If corruption, revenge, disorder and profiteering win the upper hand, Libya will tire of 'democracy', long for the old stability and open the way for a new strongman and probably a new era of repression."
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Main focus of Tuesday, 25. October 2011
In the election for a Constituent Assembly in Tunisia preliminary results indicate a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. According to commentators the ... » more
In the election for a Constituent Assembly in Tunisia preliminary results indicate a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. According to commentators the West need not fear political Islam because it is first and foremost a sign of the democratisation of North Africa.
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Elections, » Tunisia
El País - Spain | Tuesday, 25. October 2011
The West must accept the possible election victory of Islamic parties in the Arab reform states of Tunisia and Egypt, but it also bears a large responsibility for the people in the region, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more
The West must accept the possible election victory of Islamic parties in the Arab reform states of Tunisia and Egypt, but it also bears a large responsibility for the people in the region, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "Everything points to a victory for political Islam in the elections in Tunisia and Egypt. This time the Western powers are ready to accept this as an expression of the popular will. And so they should. Nevertheless the West bears a major responsibility: It must insist that the electoral victory does not mean that society will relapse into the Middle Ages. Political Islam must finally understand that in the age of globalisation you can't just seal yourself off from reality."
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All available articles from » Zouhir Louassini
taz - Germany | Tuesday, 25. October 2011
The preliminary election results for Tunisia's new Constituent Assembly show a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. The major bone of contention will no doubt be the state model, writes the left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung, fearing an Islamist president: » more
The preliminary election results for Tunisia's new Constituent Assembly show a clear victory for the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. The major bone of contention will no doubt be the state model, writes the left-leaning daily Die Tageszeitung, fearing an Islamist president: "The Islamists and a small, radical-left group are for a purely parliamentary system. That is the lesson they draw from the presidential system that has imprisoned Tunisia since its independence. The rest of the parties want a head of state who acts under the eyes of parliament. But these parties don't seem to have considered what could happen if Ennahda gets its hands on the presidency."
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Le Soir - Belgium | Tuesday, 25. October 2011
The increasingly likely victory of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party in Tunisia may inspire fear in the West, but that should not detract from the triumph of democracy, writes the daily Le Soir: » more
The increasingly likely victory of the moderate Islamist Ennahda party in Tunisia may inspire fear in the West, but that should not detract from the triumph of democracy, writes the daily Le Soir: "This election of the Constituent Assembly is the first step toward the establishment of democracy, the first in a world hitherto comprised only of dictatorships. ... Of course there will be dangers. The spectre of Islamism is often raised by the West, as observers say Ennahda is expected to finish first. But for their part the Islamists know that the major difficulty will be the ability of the new leaders - and they hope to be among them - to find a response to the misery suffered by large parts of the population. ... The revolt against tyranny and for dignity, justice and the right to work should be heard by the new Tunisian parliament, whatever party leads it."
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All available articles from » Baudouin Loos
Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Tuesday, 25. October 2011
The victory of the conservative Islamist Ennahda Party in Tunisia and the planned introduction of Sharia law in Libya do not pose a threat to the West, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: » more
The victory of the conservative Islamist Ennahda Party in Tunisia and the planned introduction of Sharia law in Libya do not pose a threat to the West, writes the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita: "Tunisia and Libya will certainly be different than they were under dictatorship. But that doesn't mean they're a threat to the West. It should come as no surprise for the Sharia to be anchored in the constitution of a Muslim country. Incidentally, that was also the case under Mubarak - an ally of the US. These democratic elections have given expression to the true popular will, not just some ideology imposed by dictators who want nothing better than to rule forever. Outside the big cities the states of North Africa happen to be conservative. And there conservatism is Islamic. We would do better to rejoice that so many people went out to vote in Tunisia.
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All available articles from » Jerzy Haszczyński
Sme - Slovakia | Monday, 24. October 2011
Libya officially celebrated its liberation from the rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Sunday, three days after the dictator's violent death. But celebrating the end of tyranny is easier than the job that lies ahead, namely the construction of a free society, the liberal daily Sme contends: » more
Libya officially celebrated its liberation from the rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi on Sunday, three days after the dictator's violent death. But celebrating the end of tyranny is easier than the job that lies ahead, namely the construction of a free society, the liberal daily Sme contends: "Optimists say Libya has good prospects thanks to its oil exports. In addition the society is sufficiently homogeneous and the Libyans were quick to create state organs at the very beginning of the revolution and for that reason also received foreign support. ... Pessimists however fear that where there is money there are also patrons. Moreover although Libya is united religiously it is divided ethnically between Arabs and Berbers and geographically between Bengasi and Tripoli. Sceptics see the unwillingness of some groups to lay down the arms they fought with against Gaddafi as a fertile breeding ground for future conflicts. ... And the demise of the dictator is also casting a shadow over the country's new beginning."
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All available articles from » Jan Fingerland
Aftonbladet - Sweden | Monday, 24. October 2011
Tunisians voted in the country's first-ever free elections on Sunday. The turnout for the vote to appoint the 217-seat assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution was enormous. But in the West all the euphoria about the popular revolutions in the Arab region has evaporated amidst fears that Islamists could gain control, the left-liberal tabloid Aftonbladet laments: » more
Tunisians voted in the country's first-ever free elections on Sunday. The turnout for the vote to appoint the 217-seat assembly tasked with rewriting the constitution was enormous. But in the West all the euphoria about the popular revolutions in the Arab region has evaporated amidst fears that Islamists could gain control, the left-liberal tabloid Aftonbladet laments: "Essentially we're dealing here with the same fear of democracy that the powers that be always felt. The fear about what the masses could come up with if they came to power. The same argument weaves its way through history from Plato to today's leading article like a red thread. But the spread of democracy across the globe shows that the masses in general are pretty clever. Of course democracy and Islam are compatible, just as Christianity or any other world religion is compatible with democracy. Anyone who claims the contrary should prove it. Meanwhile the killing of Gaddafi, on the other hand, is proof of what challenges still lie ahead. Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are all interconnected. ... The Western world must support the elections and respect the decisions of the people. We must simply have the courage to trust our own ideals."
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Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland | Friday, 21. October 2011
The death of the ousted Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi shows that dictators will always fail in the end, writes the editor in chief of the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Adam Michnik: » more
The death of the ousted Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi shows that dictators will always fail in the end, writes the editor in chief of the liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Adam Michnik: "One should never be happy about someone's death, even if he was a tyrant guilty of inflicting suffering on thousands of others. For that reason I feel no joy at the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi. But it does prompt me to reflect on the world we share with dictators. Gaddafi seemed unassailable. He deceived and humiliated the whole world. He terrorised the Libyans with an iron fist and at the same time reached an understanding with the West after years of conflict. ... But he miscalculated. Those under him finally recognised that it was time to say: enough! ... That was a signal to other people living under tyranny: dictators never go unpunished, dictators are not immortal."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Friday, 21. October 2011
The circumstances of the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi are still unclear but it seems he probably wasn't killed in battle. Lynch justice is the wrong basis for a young state, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
The circumstances of the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi are still unclear but it seems he probably wasn't killed in battle. Lynch justice is the wrong basis for a young state, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Gaddafi's mangled corpse is the worst start to a new liberated Libya. Not an act of war, not a commando operation like the one that killed Osama bin Laden, but a debased act marks this new beginning. An act of revenge that is accompanied by the angry cries of the enraged mob. However it wasn't the tragic execution of a tyrant that the mob witnessed but the defiling of a symbol that should be scorned and destroyed. ... Yet all the torment Gaddafi's torturers inflicted on the Libyan people still cannot justify the brutality with which a cruel and inhuman tyranny ended yesterday."
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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Friday, 21. October 2011
The death of Muammar al-Gaddafi during his capture means that the new Libya can no longer put him on trial, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad laments: » more
The death of Muammar al-Gaddafi during his capture means that the new Libya can no longer put him on trial, the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad laments: "A tribunal is not only a warning to fellow dictators and a signal from the new leaders that they want to take the path of constitutional law. A trial can also help uncover the truth, and, even if indirectly, lead to reconciliation. That Gaddafi was a despot is well known. But how he could hold onto power for four decades and who helped him do it must still be answered. Gaddafi himself can no longer do this, meaning it is no longer possible to settle accounts on a political level. That can lead to new myths and acts of revenge. After the rejoicing hard times lie ahead."
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Financial Times - United Kingdom | Friday, 21. October 2011
After the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi the Libyan transitional government must above all avoid internal power struggles, the liberal-conservative business paper Financial Times writes: » more
After the death of Muammar al-Gaddafi the Libyan transitional government must above all avoid internal power struggles, the liberal-conservative business paper Financial Times writes: "The NTC's first task is to ensure that the unity marshalled against Gaddafi does not splinter now he is gone. A descent into infighting would imperil the fragile achievements of the past six months. As soon as is practical, the victorious factions must agree on a path towards the creation of the institutions that will enshrine the freedoms for which so many Libyans have laid down their lives. If Libya requests it, the west should be ready to provide technical assistance in this process. On the military front, however, now that Gaddafi no longer threatens his own people, the west should avoid outstaying its welcome."
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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Wednesday, 5. October 2011
China and Russia used their veto in the UN Security Council on Tuesday night to block a resolution against the Syrian regime tabled by European members of the Security Council. Global power relations have shifted, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more
China and Russia used their veto in the UN Security Council on Tuesday night to block a resolution against the Syrian regime tabled by European members of the Security Council. Global power relations have shifted, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "The European measures against the regime clarify where the West stands and who it supports, namely not the regime that has had around 2,700 people killed already this year. The measures are meaningful and aid civilian resistance in Syria. But they will probably not prove decisive. Ultimately the international balance of power is not disfavourable for Assad. The voting split in the Security Council illustrates the new global balance. Despite the fact that the US and Europe back the civilian protest, the balance is shifting to the east and south. Moral outrage in the West can do nothing to alter this. Political cooperation is called for. Unfortunately no one in the West is taking the initiative."
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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Friday, 16. September 2011
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Libya on Thursday for the first time since Gaddafi's fall. The goal is to assert their influence in the country but the conservative daily Lidové noviny sees someone else, who is visiting the country today, Friday, as the big winner of the conflicts in Libya: » more
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Libya on Thursday for the first time since Gaddafi's fall. The goal is to assert their influence in the country but the conservative daily Lidové noviny sees someone else, who is visiting the country today, Friday, as the big winner of the conflicts in Libya: "For the Arabs the true victor is Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. How can this be possible given that Turkey got upset about the attack on Gaddafi and long remained silent on Syria? Well, among other things because Ankara supports Hamas and is taking a hard line against Israel. Those who believed that Europe's backing for the Arab Spring would earn it political rewards were wrong. If Europe wants to boost pro-European sentiment it must first cross Hamas off its list of terrorists and then criticise Israel. Is this what we want to do?"
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Salzburger Nachrichten - Austria | Thursday, 15. September 2011
British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met up with the Libyan National Transition Council in Tripoli on Thursday. One of the main reasons for their trip was energy policy, writes the Christian-conservative daily Salzburger Nachrichten, and warns of the threat natural resources pose to the future stability of the country: » more
British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met up with the Libyan National Transition Council in Tripoli on Thursday. One of the main reasons for their trip was energy policy, writes the Christian-conservative daily Salzburger Nachrichten, and warns of the threat natural resources pose to the future stability of the country: "Because in Libya it's not just about democracy, peace and freedom. The role of the vast oil and gas reserves, the extraction of which came to a halt during the war against Gaddafi, is at least just as crucial. Solar energy too, will play a key role in the Sahara. This affects Europe in particular, which is dependent on the supply of raw materials from the desert. The EU was the main buyer of Libyan crude oil up to now and it wants to regain that status as quickly as possible. But the vying for the oil in Libya also entails new risks. It is becoming increasingly clear that in the battle for power and a lot of money, the opposition is divided."
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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Monday, 5. September 2011
The European Union took the decision to boycott oil exports from Syria on Friday. A justified step, comments the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: » more
The European Union took the decision to boycott oil exports from Syria on Friday. A justified step, comments the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "Europe doesn't have many alternative means of putting Syria under pressure. The French government may be making contact with the Syrian opposition, but this remains a mainly symbolical gesture. And a Libya-style intervention is out of the question. There can be no talk of a broad-based rebel movement in Syria. ... An embargo can be very effective even though Syria isn't a major energy producer - petrol makes up only a quarter of its exports. But about 90 percent of it goes to the EU. ... Precisely because Syria is largely dependent on the EU regarding its oil exports and European companies play a key role in this area there is a logical basis for a common embargo policy. It's a start. But it probably won't be the end of Assad."
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Der Standard - Austria | Friday, 2. September 2011
The international community has a moral responsibility for the Libyan Transitional Council which includes not just trusting it blindly, the left-liberal daily Der Standard warns: » more
The international community has a moral responsibility for the Libyan Transitional Council which includes not just trusting it blindly, the left-liberal daily Der Standard warns: "Humanitarian preoccupations must be given top priority. But that doesn't mean the Libyan cash that was frozen and has now been unfrozen should be dumped back into the country without any controls whatsoever. Yes, it belongs to the Libyans. And yes, most states have recognised the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the people. But precisely because this legitimation came from abroad and not from inside the country, the international community cannot just leave it to its own devices. With all due respect for Libyan sovereignty: To a certain extent the international community bears a moral responsibility for this Council. Everything the Council does will reflect back on it."
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Le Monde - France | Friday, 2. September 2011
The victory over the Gaddafi regime was anything but a European success story, the left-liberal daily Le Monde writes: » more
The victory over the Gaddafi regime was anything but a European success story, the left-liberal daily Le Monde writes: "A twofold lesson can be learned from the Libya conflict: First, the operation carried out in Libya cannot be transposed. It was the product of a set of very specific circumstances. ... Secondly, the intervention was not a pan-European success. The political initiative was taken by the Elysée Palace and Downing Street, not the European Union. ... History will retain that Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime fell under the blows of the Libyan rebels in a victory they no doubt would not have achieved without the support of a heterogeneous coalition with four pillars: the US, France, the UK and Qatar, which supplied financial, political and military support. The last thing that looks like is a success for Europe."
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El País - Spain | Friday, 2. September 2011
The international community managed to avoid calling the military operations a success at the Libya conference, writes the left-liberal daily El País approvingly: » more
The international community managed to avoid calling the military operations a success at the Libya conference, writes the left-liberal daily El País approvingly: "No premature declarations about the victory of the rebels and allies - the EU, US and Nato. The international community is thus distancing itself from the bad example set by George W. Bush when he prematurely announced the mission in Iraq as completed. The dictator Gaddafi is still fighting from an as yet unknown hideout and it can't be ruled out that he'll continue causing problems."
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Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Friday, 2. September 2011
Two factors in particular pose a risk to the reconstruction of Libya, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: » more
Two factors in particular pose a risk to the reconstruction of Libya, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: "The first is the political weakness of the divided National Transitional Council. The conditions that set the stage for the scenario in Iraq after Saddam's fall are not present but instead of the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites a bitter battle between the different factions could break out over Gaddafi's legacy, pitching the East of the country against Tripoli, the military against the civilian population and secular forces against Islamist fundamentalists. And this is where the second danger lies. Islamist fundamentalism has turned out to be the inferior force in the Arab revolts in Tunisia and Egypt. But in Libya it could gain the upper hand owing to the existence of the different camps that could take advantage of the chaos to start proselytising."
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De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Thursday, 1. September 2011
The leftist opposition in the Netherlands is attacking oil multinational Shell for continuing to extract oil in Syria. A hypocritical stance, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more
The leftist opposition in the Netherlands is attacking oil multinational Shell for continuing to extract oil in Syria. A hypocritical stance, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "In the eyes of the Socialist party Assad's tanks are fuelled by diesel from Shell. That makes for good rhetoric and it may even be true. But it may also be that the Molotov cocktails being hurled by the rebels are also made with Shell Super. The attack against Shell only conceals the failure of the policy makers. Of all the oil that Syria exports 95 percent goes to the European Union. If Germany, Italy and France decided tomorrow to stop imports from this country Assad would be finished. So far more cynical than Shell are the European capitals where the politicians have refused to turn off the tap on Syrian oil for months. It's a far easier decision than declaring war on Libya."
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Adevărul - Romania | Monday, 29. August 2011
The Libyan rebels have Tripoli entirely under their control and are now searching for the fallen ruler Gaddafi. The daily Adevărul warns of the dangers of the post-revolution period in a bid to prevent a recurrence of what happened after Nicolae Ceauşescu's fall in Romania: » more
The Libyan rebels have Tripoli entirely under their control and are now searching for the fallen ruler Gaddafi. The daily Adevărul warns of the dangers of the post-revolution period in a bid to prevent a recurrence of what happened after Nicolae Ceauşescu's fall in Romania: "From the ashes of a brutal dictator will rise not the apostles of justice but all kinds of opportunists and profiteers who covet both political leadership and the riches of the state. ... Many of today's rebels will use the images of the anti-Gaddafi revolution to obtain outrageous privileges. Proof of being a rebel will be in high demand because it will bring land, commercial spaces, a lifelong pension, respect, tax relief and all kinds of preferential treatment. ... We have been through all this and know the scenario. But the Romanian model appears to be universal: happy to have escaped the monster, we are too blind to recognise the wolf in sheep's clothing."
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung - Germany | Sunday, 28. August 2011
The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is under attack for attributing the victory of the Libyan rebels to the sanctions imposed by Germany and other nations, instead of the no-fly zone imposed by Nato without German participation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung asks sarcastically which sanctions Westerwelle had in mind: » more
The German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is under attack for attributing the victory of the Libyan rebels to the sanctions imposed by Germany and other nations, instead of the no-fly zone imposed by Nato without German participation. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung asks sarcastically which sanctions Westerwelle had in mind: "Representatives of the regime weren't banned from travelling, and neither bank accounts nor payments for energy deliveries were frozen. In fact the only sanction was the UN weapons embargo. Like Paris, Rome and London, Berlin had been arming Gaddafi for years. That was now out of the question. Losing out on these profits may seem like a heroic gesture to Westerwelle. However even the weapons embargo could only be implemented because Nato warships were patrolling the Mediterranean. And Germany had removed its ships from this flotilla. ... Westerwelle is proposing that Germany could help with the country's economic recovery. 'That's something we know a lot about.' True: German oil companies were already turning a good profit under Gaddafi. ... It always makes a good impression when a member refuses to share the costs of a military mission but isn't above pocketing profits from the peace."
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Népszabadság - Hungary | Friday, 26. August 2011
While the dictatorship in Libya is on the verge of collapse, Bashar al-Assad is still taking brutal action against demonstrators in Syria. The left-liberal daily Népszabadság explains why the West can't intervene in Syria: » more
While the dictatorship in Libya is on the verge of collapse, Bashar al-Assad is still taking brutal action against demonstrators in Syria. The left-liberal daily Népszabadság explains why the West can't intervene in Syria: "Syria lies at the heart of the Arab world. ... It plays a key role in the Middle East conflict. ... The country's stability is therefore also in the interest of its neighbours. ... The military forces in Syria act differently to the armies in Tunisia, Egypt or Libya. There is no sign of them turning their backs on Assad or identifying with the regime's opposition. If the reports can be believed, Syrian society still supports Assad. ... So the West can't do anything for now but discuss whether to impose sanctions and if so which. Should it back the opposition in some symbolic way? There's one thing the West doesn't want for sure: more bloodshed and a regional war with unforeseeable consequences."
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Tages-Anzeiger - Switzerland | Friday, 26. August 2011
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday promised the leader of Libya's Transition Council Mahmud Jibril 350 million euros. The resumption of oil and gas exploitation by an Italian firm was also discussed at the meeting. This highlights the hypocrisy of the West, notes the liberal Tages-Anzeiger, but at least it is also good news for Libya: » more
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday promised the leader of Libya's Transition Council Mahmud Jibril 350 million euros. The resumption of oil and gas exploitation by an Italian firm was also discussed at the meeting. This highlights the hypocrisy of the West, notes the liberal Tages-Anzeiger, but at least it is also good news for Libya: "So is Berlusconi a big hypocrite? Without doubt - but he's not the only one. ... 'If Libya is free today it is not just because the West loves Libya so dearly but because the country has oil,' wrote the think-tank European Council on Foreign Relations. This may be true but the war wasn't waged because of the oil. The Nato operation came about because the West had gone too far with its hypocrisy regarding Gaddafi. Now it has successfully changed sides it can get back to business. The positive aspect is that the oil billions will help the future Libyan government rebuild the country. And the oil companies have an interest in the establishment of legal security for their business and a secure environment for their employees. From both these things the people of Libya will also benefit."
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Le Canard enchaîné - France | Thursday, 25. August 2011
After the takeover of Tripoli by the Libyan rebels, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday announced a conference on the country's reconstruction. Sarkozy is clearly proud of having backed the right horse in the Libyan conflict, writes the satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné, even if he missed out on the rest of the Arab Spring: » more
After the takeover of Tripoli by the Libyan rebels, French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday announced a conference on the country's reconstruction. Sarkozy is clearly proud of having backed the right horse in the Libyan conflict, writes the satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné, even if he missed out on the rest of the Arab Spring: "Hopefully the grand warlord will have enough feathers for his cap! Let it be said, there is a single victor of the war in Libya, and he's camped out at Elysée Palace. ... In fact Sarko has been on the vanguard since 2007, during the Libyan leader's visit to Paris. Five surrealist days, with a huge tent in the gardens of the Hotel de Marigny and the promise of fabulous contracts for fighter jets, helicopters, tanks and nuclear reactors amounting to 10 billion euros. ... What followed when the Arab Spring broke out was hardly any more illustrious. Sarko missed out on events in Tunisia and Egypt. Luckily not so with Libya. And he's going to make sure the world knows it!"
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Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Tuesday, 23. August 2011
Germany's abstention in the decisive UN Security Council vote on a no-fly zone over Libya will damage the country politically, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more
Germany's abstention in the decisive UN Security Council vote on a no-fly zone over Libya will damage the country politically, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "Germany of all countries, which has never stopped casting itself as an advocate of European defence, denied its solidarity to the countries that are indispensable for this goal. It did so with sham arguments, motivated principally by domestic politics. That will do lasting harm to Berlin's credibility on matters of security policy. The foreign minister's explanation that Germany didn't want to send ground troops was no more than a lame excuse from the start. Neither did the British or the French, to say nothing of the Americans. The ostentatious rejoicing over the rebels' victory is therefore all the more embarrassing."
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El País - Spain | Tuesday, 23. August 2011
A speedy victory over the Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the freedom movements in other countries of the region new strength, the left-liberal daily El País concludes: » more
A speedy victory over the Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the freedom movements in other countries of the region new strength, the left-liberal daily El País concludes: "It is to be expected that, despite the fact that Gaddafi's whereabouts remain unknown and his loyal forces are still defending the last bastions in Tripoli, with the anticipated fall of the Libyan dictatorship a similar fate will await Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. And that the revolutionary wave that is sweeping through the region will gain fresh impetus. From the point of view of Arab citizens, the outcome of the Libyan conflict would demonstrate that the rebels are capable of winning no matter how fiercely the tyrants resist."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Tuesday, 23. August 2011
The approaching fall of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the Arab Spring a fresh boost, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera comments: » more
The approaching fall of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi will give the Arab Spring a fresh boost, the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera comments: "Despite the present uncertainty one must admit that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's intuition (or wager) is finally paying off. ... The fall of the Tripoli regime is a message to the entire Arab and Muslim world, and above all the young generation, which is better informed and more secular than we think: There is no going back now. This message should be robbing Bashar al-Assad in Syria of his already troubled sleep. A message that despite the differences in historical context brings to mind the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the communist world. Back then there was no going back either, even though the long and difficult transition to democracy still hasn't been fully completed in some of these countries."
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Glasove - Bulgaria | Saturday, 20. August 2011
In their final phases the Arab revolutions face the same questions that were seminal for the development of democracy in Eastern Europe, writes Tatjana Vaxberg in the online newspaper Glasove: » more
In their final phases the Arab revolutions face the same questions that were seminal for the development of democracy in Eastern Europe, writes Tatjana Vaxberg in the online newspaper Glasove: "What to do with guilty dictators? Try them? Kill them? Place them under house arrest? Eastern Europe has done it all. Now it's the turn of Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunisia and Libya. In some of these countries the outcome is clear, others are still in the throes of armed struggle and it's too early to say how things will unfold. But anyone familiar with the [Eastern European] original will already get the impression from the copy that the Arab World is busy making the same mistakes committed by Europe - by flouting or even abusing justice. For the way justice is meted out now in the Arab World will determine these societies' approach to democracy and justice in the future. Events are now unfolding there as they once did on another continent, which didn't know what to do with its Ceaușescus, Zhivkovs, Honeckers and Jaruzelskis, but nevertheless built its idea of law and justice on just that."
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De Morgen - Belgium | Monday, 22. August 2011
Even if Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi falls this is no cause for euphoria, warns the left-liberal daily De Morgen: » more
Even if Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi falls this is no cause for euphoria, warns the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "Above all because the situation in Libya cannot be compared with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. The groups rebelling against Gaddafi do not consist of young men seeking freedom and democracy but of rival political groups who are often driven more by tribe loyalties than by any great love for democracy and human rights. ... It would be a fatal mistake to believe that democracy will automatically blossom in all its glory in Tripoli once Gaddafi has been bombed away. On the contrary, the country needs to make many more changes to achieve this."
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Kaleva - Finland | Tuesday, 23. August 2011
Libya cannot make the transition to democracy on its own, writes the liberal daily Kaleva, calling on Finland to provide help as promised: » more
Libya cannot make the transition to democracy on its own, writes the liberal daily Kaleva, calling on Finland to provide help as promised: "The changeover of power in Libya won't be easy because the country has no democratic traditions whatsoever. Libya was a kingdom based on a tribal system before Gaddafi's putsch in 1969. Even if Gaddafi tried to break up this system his own government was ultimately also dependent on the tribes. ... The council founded by the rebels is made up of different groups and marked by internal tensions and tribal conflicts. ... To prevent further bloodshed support from abroad will be necessary. Libya hardly has the strength to erect a functioning administration on the decayed ruins of the regime of terror. Finland wasn't willing to participate in the military operation but instead declared that it would take active part in a UN-led peace mission and the re-construction. For the sake of its international credibility it must keep its promise."
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Der Standard - Austria | Monday, 22. August 2011
The West must confine itself to playing the role of observer and supporter during the period of transition in Libya, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more
The West must confine itself to playing the role of observer and supporter during the period of transition in Libya, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "It will be vital for the West to withdraw its military capacities from this conflict as soon as it has been decided politically. The rebels - then ex-rebels - will have to do the tidying up on their own. However this shouldn't be done without monitoring from abroad. The subject of human rights violations will also be on the agenda for the winners. Blind trust is not appropriate here. Now the goal is to begin the post-Gaddafi era with a transition period led by a system that is as democratic as possible. Analysts see Libya as seriously disadvantaged in comparison with the two other revolutionary countries, Egypt and Tunisia: in both these states structures and institutions existed that may have only served as a pretence for political participation but at least were there and can now be filled with life. ... Perhaps beginning from scratch is also an opportunity for Libya."
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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 22. August 2011
Little is known about the victors of the Libyan revolution, the conservative daily Lidové noviny writes, fearing that they might hold as many surprises as the revolutionaries in Egypt: » more
Little is known about the victors of the Libyan revolution, the conservative daily Lidové noviny writes, fearing that they might hold as many surprises as the revolutionaries in Egypt: "We still don't know what ideas and values they cherish, or if they can be partners of democrats in the West and the Arab World. ... The Egyptian example is a warning. The revolutionary government there has just confirmed sceptics' doubts: how were terrorists from Gaza able to enter southern Israel via Egypt's Sinai Peninsula? Why were they wearing Egyptian army uniforms? Why did Egypt recall its ambassadors from Tel Aviv after the Israeli response but not protest against the bloody regime in Syria? It seems the Egyptians care more about their own victory than the peace with Israel that has lasted 30 years."
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All available articles from » Zbyněk Petráček
Le Figaro - France | Monday, 22. August 2011
The Gaddafi regime is on the verge of collapse, but Europe's tasks won't end with the cease in hostilities, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more
The Gaddafi regime is on the verge of collapse, but Europe's tasks won't end with the cease in hostilities, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "Nato will play an essential role in the areas of coordination, information gathering and military support, so as to minimize the damages caused by the war. The events in Tripoli are of prime importance for Europe. When it is confirmed, Gaddafi's fall can help redefine our relations with the changing Arab World. Then the effort that has already gone into winning over the sceptics and toppling the dictatorship must be prolonged through humanitarian and economic aid, to stabilise the country which is still menaced by civil war and Islamism."
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All available articles from » Pierre Rousselin
Le Temps - Switzerland | Friday, 19. August 2011
The West has finally condemned the crimes of the Syrian regime, the liberal-conservative daily Le Temps writes, and calls for the matter to be brought before the International Court of Justice: » more
The West has finally condemned the crimes of the Syrian regime, the liberal-conservative daily Le Temps writes, and calls for the matter to be brought before the International Court of Justice: "In the past five months of promises and a bloody campaign against those they call 'terrorists' Bashar al-Assad's henchmen have presumably committed crimes against humanity. The confirmation of this reality after months of hesitation due to short-term geopolitical interests should come as very good news to the courageous opponents of the regime. ... We must now consider bringing charges at the International Court of Justice. The members of the UN Security Council must finally shoulder responsibility. That includes its recalcitrant members - including Russia, which continues to supply Damascus with arms. And the non-permanent members, Brazil, India and South Africa, must overcome their reservations and lend the Syrians a hand."
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All available articles from » Angélique Mounier-Kuhn
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 19. August 2011
The brutality of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has only isolated him internationally, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: » more
The brutality of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has only isolated him internationally, the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: "Arab countries are turning their backs on him, above all Saudi Arabia. And Turkey doesn't want to see its own reputation suffer because of this 'partner'. Syria's only remaining ally is Iran, a country whose regime also has much blood on its hands from quashing protests. At last even President Obama has found the right words: Bashar al-Assad's time is up, 'reforms' can no longer save him politically. The protests against the Syrian dictatorship started in March, tanks and torture have proved unable to quell them. The sanctions Obama now talks of are to be unprecedented - or so we hope. The noose around Assad's regime must be pulled tight, and quick."
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La Stampa - Italy | Friday, 19. August 2011
With its calls for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the West is showing more decisiveness in the region again, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more
With its calls for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the West is showing more decisiveness in the region again, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "For the past few months the political leaders have been almost entirely overpowered by a wave of unpredictable events. ... A West that focuses solely on itself basically means a political vacuum in all those regions of the world where it was previously active, first and foremost the Middle East. ... Thanks to the West's inability to seize the initiative, the Syrian crisis has been able to explode and profit from this lack of resolve. ... Two weeks ago Saudi Arabia broke its diplomatic silence, and Turkey took the same path. With yesterday's declaration the West has now also followed suit. ... But we're still far from a solution to the conflict, because the best ally of terror is a political vacuum."
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The Irish Times - Ireland | Wednesday, 17. August 2011
The Libyan rebels report that they have pushed forward into another strategically important city not far from Tripoli, claiming that dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime is on the brink of collapse. All this optimism reeks of propaganda, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more
The Libyan rebels report that they have pushed forward into another strategically important city not far from Tripoli, claiming that dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime is on the brink of collapse. All this optimism reeks of propaganda, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "But a push into Tripoli is a challenge of an altogether different order. Its narrow streets will be easy to defend, the fight prolonged and bloody, not least because, reports suggest, Gaddafi still has considerable support in the city. The Nato air support which has been so crucial to the rebel gains will be of relatively little use. And so, despite rhetoric about pushing on to the capital, the likelihood is that the rebels will be reluctant to engage in a full onslaught, preferring to encircle and choke the city in the hope the government will collapse or an uprising in the city can be provoked. A prolonged siege will also require an extension of the Nato mandate for air support, due to be renewed in September. It is to be hoped this will be forthcoming."
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De Tijd - Belgium | Monday, 15. August 2011
Despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's increasing violence against his people there is no chance of the West launching a military intervention against his regime, writes the liberal business paper De Tijd: » more
Despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's increasing violence against his people there is no chance of the West launching a military intervention against his regime, writes the liberal business paper De Tijd: "Unlike Libya Syria is in the middle of the most explosive region in the world. And while Colonel Gaddafi was pretty isolated even within his own region the Assad clan has been very successful in the past decade in playing off powerful neighbours like Israel, Turkey, Iran and Iraq against each other. In the case of Syria underlining the condemnations with military action like in Libya is not an option. Assad's regime can still count on sufficient support from the regional superpower Iran. An abrupt change of regime would also destroy the fragile balance between the different minority groups. The prospect of a second Iraq is not tempting for anyone."
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Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Monday, 15. August 2011
Turkey's Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the fate of the Syrian regime in his hands, the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten writes: » more
Turkey's Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds the fate of the Syrian regime in his hands, the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten writes: "There can be no doubt that the days of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad are numbered. The question is if there are people in the existing regime who could conduct a more or less believable dialogue with the opposition as leaders of a transitional government. Or if Assad will cling to power until the last shot has been fired, while the rebels amass more and more arms, the army disintegrates and anarchy spreads. To prevent this horror scenario, Turkey has continued to maintain relations with Assad while at the same time allowing the opposition to hold several meetings in Turkey. But now it would seem Erdoğan's patience with Assad is at an end. The dictator of Damascus has failed to introduce the political reforms that he promised Ankara on numerous occasions."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Monday, 15. August 2011
The Syrian navy's attack on the port city of Latakia exposes the weakness of the country's ruler Bashar al-Assad, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
The Syrian navy's attack on the port city of Latakia exposes the weakness of the country's ruler Bashar al-Assad, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Bashar al-Assad has gone mad. He no longer knows what he's doing. He's making one tragic mistake after another. The Syrian president has become his own prisoner. Yesterday's events are doubly unsettling. ... The brutal repression is directed against Latakia and Assad knows only too well that the Syrian city has always been considered a stronghold of the Alawites and therefore of the Shiite sect to which the president himself belongs. It seems likely that Assad's opponents have chosen this lovely port with the intention of embarrassing the ruler and in preparation for the decisive strike against the regime."
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Politiken - Denmark | Friday, 12. August 2011
While the UN Security Council met to discuss tougher measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, his regime continued its violent campaign against the opposition. The left-liberal daily Politiken calls for more international pressure to be exerted on Syria's middle class, which remains loyal to the regime: » more
While the UN Security Council met to discuss tougher measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, his regime continued its violent campaign against the opposition. The left-liberal daily Politiken calls for more international pressure to be exerted on Syria's middle class, which remains loyal to the regime: "Already existing sanctions should be intensified and modified in order to affect most those who are loyal to the president. The last remaining moderate forces of the middle class and the business world must be encouraged to turn their backs on the regime and join the rebellion. And it must be made clear to the rest that in the end they will be held responsible for the attacks against the civilian population. It is good news that the UN Security Council has finally agreed on the lowest common denominator and condemned the violence. But it also needs to adopt a harsher tone. And in view of Russia's hardening posture it will also become difficult for China to continue blocking a more active UN stance."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Wednesday, 10. August 2011
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu spent several hours on Tuesday with Syrian government representatives trying to negotiate an end to the violence in Syria - without success. But even now, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad need not fear military intervention, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu spent several hours on Tuesday with Syrian government representatives trying to negotiate an end to the violence in Syria - without success. But even now, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad need not fear military intervention, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "It is in the nature of totalitarian regimes that making even the tiniest concessions regarding their sole claim to power over the state spells the beginning of the end. Assad and his clan are very much aware of this. And most of his regime's opponents would agree. Monday's appointment of a new defence minister is pure cosmetics. The president's brother is the true custodian of power over Syria's far-reaching security apparatus. And he has no reason to start loosening his grip. The regime need not fear a military intervention like that in Libya. Even now there is still no structured opposition ready to take over if the government was toppled."
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Trouw - Netherlands | Tuesday, 9. August 2011
Saudi-Arabia's King Abdullah has strongly criticised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the harsh treatment of his people. King Abdullah's words are cause for hope however questionable his motives, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more
Saudi-Arabia's King Abdullah has strongly criticised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the harsh treatment of his people. King Abdullah's words are cause for hope however questionable his motives, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "His comments are no doubt more prompted by the need to bring peace to the region than by any desire for democratic reform. Nevertheless his voice hold great weight in the Arab World. Assad now knows he can't continue to count on the solidarity of his autocratic colleagues. ... The blood he has spilled has caused so much disgust that he is now totally isolated. Although he can't be expected to react immediately to the advice of his neighbours, the fact that Arab rulers have stopped automatically covering each others' backs does give ground for hope."
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The Guardian - United Kingdom | Thursday, 4. August 2011
The trial against Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak is a milestone not just for Egypt but for the entire Arab World, according to the left-liberal daily The Guardian: » more
The trial against Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak is a milestone not just for Egypt but for the entire Arab World, according to the left-liberal daily The Guardian: "Mubarak's trial is not just important for Egypt. Yemen's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, injured in a rebel attack and getting medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, is being offered immunity from prosecution in a deal openly backed by a selective West. Tunisia's deposed president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, was tried and sentenced in absentia. Again justice denied. If a deal were done with Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, it would be at the expense of charges for war crimes. It is no exaggeration to say that, along with elections, the democratic future of the Arab World depends on this trial."
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Le Quotidien - Luxembourg | Wednesday, 3. August 2011
The UN Security Council condemned the violence of the Syrian regime against its rebelling population on Wednesday evening but failed to pass a resolution. It is sparing Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and abandoning the oppressed people to their fate, the left-liberal daily Le Quotidien admonishes: » more
The UN Security Council condemned the violence of the Syrian regime against its rebelling population on Wednesday evening but failed to pass a resolution. It is sparing Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and abandoning the oppressed people to their fate, the left-liberal daily Le Quotidien admonishes: "The Libyan precedent is deterring the members of the UN Security Council and dooming every initiative to failure. Bashar al-Assad is happily watching support for him grow in the Arab world. He is above all the guarantee for an extremely fragile stability in the region and a valuable mediator with hot-tempered Iran. The Syrian president is playing this card to the full by promising that the Middle East will plunge into conflict between Sunnis and Shiites should his regime fall. ... Once again, it is the people who suffer the consequences of these power games. The Syrians can give up hope of help from the international community. They will have to get used to fighting on their own."
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All available articles from » Camille Leroux
Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Thursday, 4. August 2011
The trial against Hosni Mubarak could lay the foundation for democracy in the country provided the Egyptian revolution is not instrumentalised by the wrong forces, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
The trial against Hosni Mubarak could lay the foundation for democracy in the country provided the Egyptian revolution is not instrumentalised by the wrong forces, writes the liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "It would be premature to talk of a betrayed revolution at this point. The testimonies of Egyptians delighting in their new freedom to finally express their opinions are too moving for that. The sense of euphoria, however, is wearing off and the political reality is catching up with it. Last Friday Tahrir Square in Cairo provided a picture of the social forces that intend to call the tune in Egypt after Mubarak. In addition to the comparatively small crowd of secular democracy activists there were many Islamists. ... The country still lacks a settlement that stipulates the civic freedoms. It won't be the army that initiates such a process. If Mubarak's fall is to be more than just the sacrifice of a scapegoat, Egypt now needs its revolutionaries more than ever."
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Libération - France | Thursday, 4. August 2011
The beginning of the trial against Hosni Mubarak and his sons looks more like revenge than justice, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
The beginning of the trial against Hosni Mubarak and his sons looks more like revenge than justice, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: "Mubarak's trial has begun with a sinister bit of theatre aimed at humiliating the accused. As a result justice has paved the way for its opposite: revenge. How else to understand the way Mubarak and his sons have been paraded before court locked behind bars like dogs, very much like in the times of the recent dictatorship? Is now not the time to break with such behaviour and turn a new leaf? ... The trial against Mubarak, which was unimaginable not long ago, is a key event for Egypt and the entire Arab Spring. It must be exemplary if it is to lay the foundation for democracy. Because a regime's true nature is revealed in how it treats its enemies."
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Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Thursday, 4. August 2011
The trial against Hosni Mubarak is above all a symbolic settling of accounts with the era of the former president, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita comments: » more
The trial against Hosni Mubarak is above all a symbolic settling of accounts with the era of the former president, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita comments: "The trial against Mubarak is unusual in many respects. Dictators seldom end up on trial, and even more seldom does it happen so quickly. Neither the advanced age of the accused nor the real or feigned health problems could prevent this. Nor indeed the fact that his former military colleagues in Egypt now wield all the power. They may fear that something will come out during the trial that compromises them. It is still unclear what the outcome of the trial will be and what sentence awaits Mubarak. For now we are watching a symbolic settling of scores with his era. The Egyptians, too, are watching."
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All available articles from » Jerzy Haszczyński
Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Tuesday, 2. August 2011
Despite the ongoing reports of ever new brutalities committed by the Syrian regime against demonstrators, the UN Security Council has yet to reach agreement on a joint resolution. The reasons for this include the interests of neighbouring states, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: » more
Despite the ongoing reports of ever new brutalities committed by the Syrian regime against demonstrators, the UN Security Council has yet to reach agreement on a joint resolution. The reasons for this include the interests of neighbouring states, the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino complains: "In addition to the indifference of the West there is a further element that determines Syria's almost complete inviolability. ... Even the neighbouring states don't dare attack Assad's regime because the fear of the rebellions spreading holds sway. This is particularly true for Iran, where the Damascus-Tehran axis is protected by the unsheathed sword of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. For the Islamic republic the protests in Syria are a plot by the West and toppling the regime is unthinkable. Nor is Turkey free of the fear of infection. It is undecided. On the one hand the Turkish government wants a stable Syrian neighbour. ... On the other it is battling a serious domestic politics crisis arising from the conflict between [Prime Minister] Erdoğan and his generals."
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All available articles from » Gerardo Morina
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Monday, 1. August 2011
After the Syrian army's massacre in Hama the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung warns the West not to turn its back on Syria: » more
After the Syrian army's massacre in Hama the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung warns the West not to turn its back on Syria: "America, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn the violence in Hama, but Assad need not fear much worse from the West. The most recent events in Libya are likely to have destroyed any desire the West had for greater involvement. In the rebel stronghold of Bengasi the fighters are once again at each others' throats, which rather reduces the chances of a quick victory over Gaddafi, the brute of Tripoli. We can lament this state of affairs, curse it and weep over it. But there's one thing the West should not do now: turn its back in frustration at the slow-motion explosion of the Arab summer."
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Le Monde - France | Friday, 29. July 2011
Islamists belonging to the rebel forces are presumably responsible for the death of the Libyan opposition's military leader Abdel Fattah Junes. That will weaken the National Transitional Council, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: » more
Islamists belonging to the rebel forces are presumably responsible for the death of the Libyan opposition's military leader Abdel Fattah Junes. That will weaken the National Transitional Council, writes the left-liberal daily Le Monde: "Ideological quarrels, personal jealousy and other clan conflicts. The heterogeneous, poorly-structured coalition is fragile and raises doubts as to whether the NTC can actually govern. ... The Council can only come out weakened from this affair, menacing to strengthen Tripoli's bid to impose a political solution to the rebellion. Because even though it has increasingly gained international legitimacy, the NTC still gives the impression of being a disorganised movement: with no strong political leadership and limited military capacities despite Nato's support."
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De Morgen - Belgium | Monday, 1. August 2011
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad must answer for his attacks on the population of the rebel stronghold of Hama in the International Criminal Court, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: » more
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad must answer for his attacks on the population of the rebel stronghold of Hama in the International Criminal Court, writes the left-liberal daily De Morgen: "The violence shows that the Assad regime has its back to the wall. It is clinging on to power tooth and nail, and is leading a dirty war against its own population. The absolute low point came with the murder of thirteen-year-old Hamza al-Khatib. The child was tortured for a whole month before being shot three times in the chest. ... His corpse showed traces of burn marks from electric shocks on his feet, elbows and knees , and his penis was cut off. If the International community refuses to intervene due to geopolitical or other reasons, we can only hope the demonstrators will be able to topple Bashar. And that unlike his uncle, the dictator will not end up in some chic London district but before the International Criminal Court."
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El País - Spain | Monday, 1. August 2011
The international community is barely reacting to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's brutal treatment of his own people, the left-liberal daily El País laments: » more
The international community is barely reacting to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's brutal treatment of his own people, the left-liberal daily El País laments: "The international community has no intention of intervening in the same way as it did in Libya. The fear of further destabilising the Middle East - a region where Damascus has a decisive influence - and China and Russia's blockade of any major initiatives against the regime is giving Assad free rein to keep attacking his own people. Having enjoyed the support of the army and the police so far the only thing driving the tyrant to despair is the courage of thousands of his citizens. They are challenging the security forces completely unarmed in Hama after having previously done so in Damascus, Deraa and Banias."
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Corriere della Sera - Italy | Friday, 29. July 2011
The military chief of the Libyan rebels, Abdel Fattah Junes, was killed under as yet unexplained circumstances on Thursday. This shows once more that the West will not be able to topple the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi militarily, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
The military chief of the Libyan rebels, Abdel Fattah Junes, was killed under as yet unexplained circumstances on Thursday. This shows once more that the West will not be able to topple the Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi militarily, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "Nine plus nine equals zero in the case of Libya. Nine billion from Nato to get rid of Gaddafi and nine billion from the ruler to hold his ground. ... With the result that the Libyan leader has good chances of remaining in his country. After four and a half months and the effective withdrawal of the US, which has exposed the Europeans' inadequacies, it's obvious that the political goal won't be reached simply by the use of weapons. The European governments have considered the compromise solution of leaving Gaddafi in the country but deprived of his power. Whatever one may think of this about-turn, if an even half-way honourable way out of this mess is to be found, now is the time. Nine plus nine equals zero threatens to become an equation that no one can accept."
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Delo - Slovenia | Tuesday, 19. July 2011
In view of the ongoing violence in Syria the EU foreign ministers are threatening further sanctions, but in a way which can hardly be taken seriously, writes the left-liberal daily Delo: » more
In view of the ongoing violence in Syria the EU foreign ministers are threatening further sanctions, but in a way which can hardly be taken seriously, writes the left-liberal daily Delo: "The Union is obviously not willing to burn all its bridges with Syria like it did with Libya. The reason is obvious: although neither Europe nor the US like the politics of President Bashar al-Assad any more than they liked those of his father Hafez, they are aware both of the political significance of Damascus in the Arab world and of Syria's key strategic position in the conflict-torn Middle East. This is why the very conciliatory reaction of the EU, which has once again simply called for an end to the violence and the prisoners' release, is hardly surprising."
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Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 11. July 2011
The German government is refusing to reveal details about a tank deal with Saudi Arabia. The business paper Hospodářské noviny detects a paradigm shift in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's thinking: » more
The German government is refusing to reveal details about a tank deal with Saudi Arabia. The business paper Hospodářské noviny detects a paradigm shift in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's thinking: "Her uncompromising stance on human rights won her a lot of support during her first term in office. She risked provoking the wrath of China, Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush on Guantanamo Bay. The weapons deal with the Saudis is hardly compatible with this course on human rights. But Angela Merkel remains silent on the subject - officially because the decisions of the Federal Security Council are top secret, but unofficially because this deal is simply indefensible in the eyes of the public."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Wednesday, 6. July 2011
According to human rights activists, on Monday night eleven people were shot and killed in Hama, the bastion of the rebel movement sealed off by Syrian government troops. The Syrian poet Adonis calls on President Bashar al-Assad to listen to his people in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more
According to human rights activists, on Monday night eleven people were shot and killed in Hama, the bastion of the rebel movement sealed off by Syrian government troops. The Syrian poet Adonis calls on President Bashar al-Assad to listen to his people in the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "Democracy presupposes the full separation of religion on the one hand, and politics, social questions and culture on the other. However this is exactly where the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party has failed. The only goal it pursues is to maintain power. A reactionary power, which needs no revolution to topple it as it carries within it the seed of its own destruction. ... Now more than ever Syria needs a new political alphabet. One that is based on a rejection of the unity of the state and the party. ... Only tyrants seek to preserve this unity. Mr President, you are called upon today to put a definitive end to the equation of Syria with the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. ... Events have shown that it has failed right down the line. Arrogance is senseless. Violence will only be counterproductive. Jails can confine individuals, but not an entire people."
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Trud - Bulgaria | Saturday, 2. July 2011
The Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe if Nato continues its air strikes in Libya. But Europe has ... » more
The Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe if Nato continues its air strikes in Libya. But Europe has demonstrated several times over that it is not afraid of Gaddafi, writes the daily Trud, putting the dictator in his place. "That won't get you anywhere, comrade Gaddafi! ... Europe has never been afraid of you. Certain people may have buttered you up because of your damned oil, including Brits and Americans. But all that's over now! How many years did you spend fraternising with the terrorists of the IRA? Who blew up the Berlin disco La Belle? Wasn't it one of yours who put a bomb in the Pan Am flight, killing 270 people? And what did you get out of it all, apart from delighting in your 'success'? What was it all for? Can't you understand that it's over now? Go! Disappear to wherever you want to, but stop threatening Europe."
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El País - Spain | Sunday, 3. July 2011
Official accounts put the number of those who voted in favour of a constitutional reform curtailing King Mohammed VI's powers in a referendum held on Friday in Morocco at more than 98 percent. But the country is still a long way from true democracy, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more
Official accounts put the number of those who voted in favour of a constitutional reform curtailing King Mohammed VI's powers in a referendum held on Friday in Morocco at more than 98 percent. But the country is still a long way from true democracy, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "Despite the many limitations to his power, the - incredibly - overwhelming majority with which voters backed the constitutional reform proposed by Mohammed VI show the monarch enjoys far more public trust than most of his Arab counterparts. The King acted quickly to ease the repercussions of Arab Spring tsunami, which is threatening some of the most despotic and long-established regimes on the planet. ... The new constitution is a step in the right direction but it is far from forming the basis for a genuine parliamentary monarchy. And nor was that its purpose. After all, it was drafted by people close to the King and pushed through without any public debate."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Social movements, » Unrest / Riots, » Morocco
The Irish Times - Ireland | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more
Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "While the ICC has rightly considered purely the judicial merits of the case ... a demand by Gaddafi for amnesty and free passage to, say, Saudi Arabia may form part of an eventual deal to effect transition. At that point the security council may decide pragmatically that the greater good may require the warrant to go unenforced. Until then, however, it should remain in force, part of the panoply of measures that increase the political isolation of an illegitimate regime and a megalomaniac butcher of his own people."
» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Libya
Corriere della Sera - Italy | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "The warrant is an accessory in the hunt for the dictator, who is being pursued with bombs and secret liquidation plans. ... There are rumours that an English-French ground operation involving 130 men is underway with the mission 'shoot and forget'. ... The safari in North Africa has been going on for weeks, and the quarry is injured but tough. ... Gaddafi's death could avoid future difficulties in the region. The rebels are closing in on the areas where Gaddafi still has supporters - places where the rebels are not always seen as liberators. The danger of acts of revenge and violence among the people is great. The removal of the despot would make such a traumatic transition less likely. Now that Gaddafi is a wanted man for crimes against humanity, the allies have one more justification for burying this campaign of a thousand doubts."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Human rights, » Libya
All available articles from » Guido Olimpio
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more
Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "The International Criminal Court cites Gaddafi's repression of demonstrations with every means at his disposal as the reason for the warrant. Fine, but Gaddafi and his henchmen have committed plenty of atrocities in the past. Libyan bombs destroyed the Berlin disco La Belle and blew up a US jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Gaddafi's 'judiciary' condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya to death. Were those not crimes against humanity? Yes, but they were forgiven after Gaddafi adopted a more accommodating stance to the West. At the time, international justice served politics. Today it metes out victors' justice even though no one has won yet. ... If the Western community is unwilling to help the rebels in their ground war now then Libyan justice should be left to these rebels once they gain power."
» more information (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Justice, » Global, » Libya
All available articles from » Zbyněk Petráček
Polityka Online - Poland | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: » more
The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: "The decision of the judges of the International Criminal Court has a symbolic rather than practical function because there is hardly anyone who can enforce it. ... It's highly unlikely that Gaddafi will ever be put on trial. The rebels can prosecute him in a Libyan court if they catch him. But they could also agree to the even less likely possibility of the colonel leaving the country as a swifter means of ending the civil war."
» full article (external link, Polish)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Justice, » Libya
All available articles from » Jędrzej Winiecki
Libération - France | Monday, 27. June 2011
Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: "Since the spring the demonstrators in Daraa, Homs, Al-Qamishli, Banias, and Latakia have been paying with their lives, massacred by the army, secret service and militias. But they have not ceded to the terror, and must be admired for their courage. The demonstrators bury their dead and resume their protests the next day. All this is admirable. All this is monstrous. All this is happening behind closed doors. The borders are hermetically sealed. Humanitarian organisations and the international press have been banished from the country. Silence please! There's killing going on. All of this, dear diplomats, you know better than anyone. ... It would be a tragedy and morally unacceptable if, for fear of a veto or an abstention from one or the other among you, this resolution were to end up in the wastepaper basket."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Human rights, » Politics, » Syria
All available articles from » Allen Woody, » Umberto Eco, » Amos Oz, » Salman Rushdie, » Wole Soyinka, » Bernard-Henri Levy
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Tuesday, 21. June 2011
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "If it's not easy to wrestle the internationally isolated Gaddafi to the ground, how much harder will it be with a regime that still has powerful friends in the region, for example the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is allied in a strategic alliance with Damascus against Israel and the West? Nevertheless, if it were possible to extract the regime in Damascus from the 'Shiite axis' stretching from the Lebanese Hezbollah to the Palestinians, that is if it were possible to loosen this compact front, it could open chances for new political movements and constellations. ... Assad also benefits from the fact that the demonstrations and unrest have still to reach Aleppo and Damascus, the two largest cities in the country. ... Many people sitting in Damascus have done well by the regime."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Middle East, » Syria
All available articles from » Wolfgang Günter Lerch
De Tijd - Belgium | Thursday, 23. June 2011
Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: » more
Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The mission against Gaddafi must not be abandoned too quickly. Nevertheless time is of the essence. The European Nato states are on their last legs, and warn that their funding and other resources are quickly drying up. They look imploringly to their big US brother in the hopes that he'll help them out of their predicament. But after the exhausting battles in Afghanistan and Iraq he's now tired of war. And the US has learned from its own botch-ups in Afghanistan and Iraq that if you go to war you'd better have a good plan. This advice comes too late for Libya. Nevertheless Nato must bring its work to a successful conclusion. There's no other option."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Libya
All available articles from » Erik Ziarczyk
Avvenire - Italy | Thursday, 23. June 2011
The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: » more
The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: "Despite the massive bomb attacks a dead-end has been reached in military terms. ... So now the path of diplomacy must be resumed. The creation of corridors to help the population suffering under this conflict cannot be done without the approval of Gaddafi, who is the only person responsible for the present course of the war. ... The clear rejection of Italy's proposal highlights the refusal by Paris and London to admit that the current strategy has failed to achieve the envisaged (and announced) goals. At the same time their rejection also raises suspicions that all the activism is in fact driven by domestic election campaign tactics and energy policy goals."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » United Kingdom, » Libya
All available articles from » Andrea Lavazza
Trouw - Netherlands | Thursday, 23. June 2011
In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more
In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "It has taken too long for Nato to admit that its air strikes have also claimed victims among the civilian population, and it's unclear whether the alliance can be called to account for this. That would be the case if Nato overstepped its mandate. So right now only one question is relevant: what is the actual goal of the Nato operations in Libya, and does that goal justify the means being used to achieve it? ... The basis for the operation was a UN Security Council resolution, the goal of which was to protect the Libyan people. Not to expel the Libyan leader. Not to give the rebels military support. ... Nato must continue to work towards this goal in the interest of the Libyan citizens and in its own interest of securing a hopefully stable situation in the Mediterranean region."
» more information (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » United Kingdom, » Libya
El País - Spain | Tuesday, 21. June 2011
The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: » more
The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: "The intervention of the alliance is completely pointless if instead of protecting the population as the United Nations has ordered it becomes an additional risk. The leadership of the alliance has apologised for the mistake. This was a necessary gesture but by no means enough if we reject the concept of 'collateral damage'. The bombing in Tripoli should be thoroughly investigated, and depending on the results it is crucial that those responsible are called to account. If they are not it would be tantamount to at least partially justifying actions for which the enemy has quite rightly been criticised."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » Libya
The Irish Times - Ireland | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: » more
Despite the difficulties in implementing the international arrest warrant against Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi, it is a good means of increasing the pressure, writes the liberal daily The Irish Times: "While the ICC has rightly considered purely the judicial merits of the case ... a demand by Gaddafi for amnesty and free passage to, say, Saudi Arabia may form part of an eventual deal to effect transition. At that point the security council may decide pragmatically that the greater good may require the warrant to go unenforced. Until then, however, it should remain in force, part of the panoply of measures that increase the political isolation of an illegitimate regime and a megalomaniac butcher of his own people."
» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Libya
Corriere della Sera - Italy | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: » more
The arrest warrant is a carte blanche for the secret plan to get rid of Gaddafi once and for all, writes the liberal-conservative daily Corriere della Sera: "The warrant is an accessory in the hunt for the dictator, who is being pursued with bombs and secret liquidation plans. ... There are rumours that an English-French ground operation involving 130 men is underway with the mission 'shoot and forget'. ... The safari in North Africa has been going on for weeks, and the quarry is injured but tough. ... Gaddafi's death could avoid future difficulties in the region. The rebels are closing in on the areas where Gaddafi still has supporters - places where the rebels are not always seen as liberators. The danger of acts of revenge and violence among the people is great. The removal of the despot would make such a traumatic transition less likely. Now that Gaddafi is a wanted man for crimes against humanity, the allies have one more justification for burying this campaign of a thousand doubts."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Human rights, » Libya
All available articles from » Guido Olimpio
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more
Why has the international arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi only been issued now? asks the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "The International Criminal Court cites Gaddafi's repression of demonstrations with every means at his disposal as the reason for the warrant. Fine, but Gaddafi and his henchmen have committed plenty of atrocities in the past. Libyan bombs destroyed the Berlin disco La Belle and blew up a US jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Gaddafi's 'judiciary' condemned Bulgarian nurses in Libya to death. Were those not crimes against humanity? Yes, but they were forgiven after Gaddafi adopted a more accommodating stance to the West. At the time, international justice served politics. Today it metes out victors' justice even though no one has won yet. ... If the Western community is unwilling to help the rebels in their ground war now then Libyan justice should be left to these rebels once they gain power."
» more information (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Justice, » Global, » Libya
All available articles from » Zbyněk Petráček
Polityka Online - Poland | Tuesday, 28. June 2011
The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: » more
The international warrant issued for Gaddafi's arrest is of little practical value, writes the online edition of news magazine Polityka: "The decision of the judges of the International Criminal Court has a symbolic rather than practical function because there is hardly anyone who can enforce it. ... It's highly unlikely that Gaddafi will ever be put on trial. The rebels can prosecute him in a Libyan court if they catch him. But they could also agree to the even less likely possibility of the colonel leaving the country as a swifter means of ending the civil war."
» full article (external link, Polish)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Justice, » Libya
All available articles from » Jędrzej Winiecki
Libération - France | Monday, 27. June 2011
Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
Syrian security forces on the weekend shot and killed several participants in a funeral procession for murdered protesters. The resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council must be adopted, write a group of authors and artists in an appeal published by the left-liberal daily Libération: "Since the spring the demonstrators in Daraa, Homs, Al-Qamishli, Banias, and Latakia have been paying with their lives, massacred by the army, secret service and militias. But they have not ceded to the terror, and must be admired for their courage. The demonstrators bury their dead and resume their protests the next day. All this is admirable. All this is monstrous. All this is happening behind closed doors. The borders are hermetically sealed. Humanitarian organisations and the international press have been banished from the country. Silence please! There's killing going on. All of this, dear diplomats, you know better than anyone. ... It would be a tragedy and morally unacceptable if, for fear of a veto or an abstention from one or the other among you, this resolution were to end up in the wastepaper basket."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Human rights, » Politics, » Syria
All available articles from » Allen Woody, » Umberto Eco, » Amos Oz, » Salman Rushdie, » Wole Soyinka, » Bernard-Henri Levy
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany | Tuesday, 21. June 2011
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: » more
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad promised once again in a speech on Monday that he would fight corruption and allow more democracy. Unimpressed, demonstrators continued to call for Assad's resignation. But much time will pass before President is overthrown, writes the conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "If it's not easy to wrestle the internationally isolated Gaddafi to the ground, how much harder will it be with a regime that still has powerful friends in the region, for example the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is allied in a strategic alliance with Damascus against Israel and the West? Nevertheless, if it were possible to extract the regime in Damascus from the 'Shiite axis' stretching from the Lebanese Hezbollah to the Palestinians, that is if it were possible to loosen this compact front, it could open chances for new political movements and constellations. ... Assad also benefits from the fact that the demonstrations and unrest have still to reach Aleppo and Damascus, the two largest cities in the country. ... Many people sitting in Damascus have done well by the regime."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Middle East, » Syria
All available articles from » Wolfgang Günter Lerch
De Tijd - Belgium | Thursday, 23. June 2011
Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: » more
Italian Foreign Minister Franko Frattini's demand for an end to the Nato intervention in Libya is simply not an option, writes the business paper De Tijd: "The mission against Gaddafi must not be abandoned too quickly. Nevertheless time is of the essence. The European Nato states are on their last legs, and warn that their funding and other resources are quickly drying up. They look imploringly to their big US brother in the hopes that he'll help them out of their predicament. But after the exhausting battles in Afghanistan and Iraq he's now tired of war. And the US has learned from its own botch-ups in Afghanistan and Iraq that if you go to war you'd better have a good plan. This advice comes too late for Libya. Nevertheless Nato must bring its work to a successful conclusion. There's no other option."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Libya
All available articles from » Erik Ziarczyk
Avvenire - Italy | Thursday, 23. June 2011
The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: » more
The rejection by the UK and France of Italy's call for a ceasefire is motivated by election tactics and the economic interests of the two countries, the Catholic daily Avvenire suspects: "Despite the massive bomb attacks a dead-end has been reached in military terms. ... So now the path of diplomacy must be resumed. The creation of corridors to help the population suffering under this conflict cannot be done without the approval of Gaddafi, who is the only person responsible for the present course of the war. ... The clear rejection of Italy's proposal highlights the refusal by Paris and London to admit that the current strategy has failed to achieve the envisaged (and announced) goals. At the same time their rejection also raises suspicions that all the activism is in fact driven by domestic election campaign tactics and energy policy goals."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » United Kingdom, » Libya
All available articles from » Andrea Lavazza
Trouw - Netherlands | Thursday, 23. June 2011
In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: » more
In view of the civilian victims in Libya Nato must finally define the goal of the mission, writes the Christian-social daily Trouw: "It has taken too long for Nato to admit that its air strikes have also claimed victims among the civilian population, and it's unclear whether the alliance can be called to account for this. That would be the case if Nato overstepped its mandate. So right now only one question is relevant: what is the actual goal of the Nato operations in Libya, and does that goal justify the means being used to achieve it? ... The basis for the operation was a UN Security Council resolution, the goal of which was to protect the Libyan people. Not to expel the Libyan leader. Not to give the rebels military support. ... Nato must continue to work towards this goal in the interest of the Libyan citizens and in its own interest of securing a hopefully stable situation in the Mediterranean region."
» more information (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » United Kingdom, » Libya
El País - Spain | Tuesday, 21. June 2011
The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: » more
The Nato leadership admitted on Monday that it inadvertently hit a residential building during an air strike on the Libyan capital Tripoli. The mistake should be clarified and those responsible made to bear the consequences, demands the left-liberal daily El País: "The intervention of the alliance is completely pointless if instead of protecting the population as the United Nations has ordered it becomes an additional risk. The leadership of the alliance has apologised for the mistake. This was a necessary gesture but by no means enough if we reject the concept of 'collateral damage'. The bombing in Tripoli should be thoroughly investigated, and depending on the results it is crucial that those responsible are called to account. If they are not it would be tantamount to at least partially justifying actions for which the enemy has quite rightly been criticised."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » Libya
Turun Sanomat - Finland | Friday, 10. June 2011
Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to quell revolts in Syria with undiminished violence. The international community must not look on in silence, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat urges: » more
Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to quell revolts in Syria with undiminished violence. The international community must not look on in silence, the liberal daily Turun Sanomat urges: "In particular the patience shown by France and the UK is slowly coming to an end. They've worked out a resolution in the UN condemning the Syrian measures against the rebels. But it hasn't yet been submitted to the Security Council for approval because of resistance from Russia and China. ... However the international community is unwilling to engage in military intervention in Syria due to the delicate balance in the Middle East. There will not be a new Libya. The external pressure is confined to verbal admonishments and sanctions. However this pressure must be stepped up. The international community cannot sit back and do nothing while a member of the UN kills citizens who are saying no to a dictatorship."
» full article (external link, Finnish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Human rights, » Global, » Syria
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Thursday, 9. June 2011
Although they were initially very reserved in the Libya conflict, Russia and China are becoming increasingly pragmatic, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: » more
Although they were initially very reserved in the Libya conflict, Russia and China are becoming increasingly pragmatic, writes the conservative daily Lidové noviny: "In mid-March the Russians and Chinese withheld their votes in the UN Security Council because of the lack of precision in formulating what form the military intervention should take. Now the Russian ambassador has said during a visit to the rebels that Gaddafi lost all legitimacy the first time shots were fired at Libyan citizens. ... Beijing, which had demanded respect for Libya's sovereignty, is now saying that the decision [on the country's future] lies only with the Libyan people. ... A Russian newspaper yesterday called the Libyan conflict a hidden American-Chinese struggle for influence. It would be ironic if this conflict ended in a military victory for the West with a sugar coating of Chinese capital."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Russia, » Libya, » China
All available articles from » Petr Pešek
Avvenire - Italy | Thursday, 9. June 2011
The Nato states have not complied with Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's desire for broader participation in the Libya intervention. This is because the war is chiefly driven by economic interests, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: » more
The Nato states have not complied with Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's desire for broader participation in the Libya intervention. This is because the war is chiefly driven by economic interests, writes the Catholic daily Avvenire: "No matter how brutal Libya's current ruler may be, was it really worthwhile to declare war against him? ... It must be admitted that if there was no oil in the Libyan Desert there would never have been such a massive deployment of allied forces. You almost get the feeling the decision to bomb Libya was made by the big oil companies rather than states intent on defending democracy. The governments are once again undecided, particularly as the Libyan revolts are different to those in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia. A civil war has broken out in Libya."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Libya
All available articles from » Giulio Albanese
Elsevier - Netherlands | Thursday, 9. June 2011
The Dutch government has refused to deploy its F-16 fighter jets against the Gaddafi regimes' strategic posts. The right-wing conservative news magazine Elsevier criticises the decision and calls for more commitment: » more
The Dutch government has refused to deploy its F-16 fighter jets against the Gaddafi regimes' strategic posts. The right-wing conservative news magazine Elsevier criticises the decision and calls for more commitment: "According to military theory, every dictator falls once his regime's mainstays are attacked. These may be military headquarters, oil refineries, government buildings or broadcasting towers. In this context the Nato operations must be expanded to encompass ground targets. The British, French and Americans are already doing this. The Danish, Norwegians and even the Belgians are helping them. But the six Dutch F-16s are not allowed to attack ground targets. ... It makes little sense to send aircraft that only pretend to take part in the mission. This demand is not fired by a passion for warfare but in favour of a mission aimed at preventing prolonged bloodshed."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Netherlands, » Libya
All available articles from » Eric Vrijsen
Blog Géopolitique - France | Wednesday, 8. June 2011
An estimated 120 Syrian soldiers have died under unclarified circumstances. Indications increasingly point to a mutiny that was murderously put down by troops loyal to the government. The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is relying on the same tough approach as the Libyan dictator, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: » more
An estimated 120 Syrian soldiers have died under unclarified circumstances. Indications increasingly point to a mutiny that was murderously put down by troops loyal to the government. The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is relying on the same tough approach as the Libyan dictator, writes Pierre Rousselin in his blog Géopolitique: "Bashar al-Assad belongs in the same group as Gaddafi, and he will lead his country into perdition. A regime that tortures children, shoots women and deploys tanks against unarmed crowds has lost any hope of one day regaining even a modicum of legitimacy. ... Within its boundaries it relies on escalation rather than dialogue. Internationally it plays the Palestinian card to provoke Israel and divert attention from its own transgressions. For years the Assad system has been given the benefit of the doubt. With the thousands of deaths in the past eleven weeks that's a thing of the past."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » Politics, » Syria
All available articles from » Pierre Rousselin
Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Wednesday, 8. June 2011
US President Barack Obama has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington and awarded her the Medal of Freedom. That the atmosphere at the meeting was highly congenial and the tensions over Germany's hesitant stance on Libya seemed forgotten works to the advantage of both politicians, notes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: » more
US President Barack Obama has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington and awarded her the Medal of Freedom. That the atmosphere at the meeting was highly congenial and the tensions over Germany's hesitant stance on Libya seemed forgotten works to the advantage of both politicians, notes the conservative daily Lidové Noviny: "Obama and Merkel are in similar situations at present. The US president is battling with a stagnating economy while the German Chancellor is struggling with the euro crisis, the energy turnaround and now the deadly E. coli epidemic. And both will soon have to defend their posts. The US holds presidential elections next year and Germany elects a new parliament in 2013. A joint photo shoot, accompanied by spirited words about their indispensable partnership, can only help matters here. Obama can refute the criticism that he is forgetting Europe and Merkel can boast a strong ally."
» more information (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Germany, » U.S.
All available articles from » Petr Pešek
Corriere del Ticino - Switzerland | Tuesday, 7. June 2011
The situation in Yemen remains extremely unstable after the departure of its injured president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi promised on Monday to push through the agreed truce. But the country is nonetheless on the brink of civil war, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: » more
The situation in Yemen remains extremely unstable after the departure of its injured president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi promised on Monday to push through the agreed truce. But the country is nonetheless on the brink of civil war, writes the liberal daily Corriere del Ticino: "Yemen was also to have its Arab Spring, but the attempt has failed miserably. The situation is hopeless, regardless of whether the president returns to Sanaa or is deposed. ... His son Ahmed, the chief of the powerful Republican Guard, has taken over the reins. ... But if the truce Europe is also hoping for doesn't materialise Yemen faces a humanitarian disaster that would trigger a further tide of refugees. ... The danger of a civil war like that in Somalia is real. Then there's the threat of terrorism. Let us not forget that one of the most charismatic preachers of al-Qaeda's new generation lives in Yemen."
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Tages-Anzeiger - Switzerland | Monday, 6. June 2011
Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh was injured by shrapnel on Friday and is now being treated in Saudi Arabia. He is unlikely to return to Yemen, the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger notes, adding that the power politics of Saudi Arabia and the US could still block democratic reforms in Yemen: » more
Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh was injured by shrapnel on Friday and is now being treated in Saudi Arabia. He is unlikely to return to Yemen, the liberal daily Tages-Anzeiger notes, adding that the power politics of Saudi Arabia and the US could still block democratic reforms in Yemen: "The Saudis will hardly let him return to Sanaa. Stability in Yemen is no longer possible with him as leader. ... As the main power on the Arab peninsula Saudi Arabia wants peace in Yemen. ... However the Saudis don't want a democratic system either: the reform virus would be just as dangerous for their rigid monarchy as a war on their border. So they will seek a balance and are likely to enjoy the support of the US in this endeavour. The US has little influence in Yemen but fears it as a stronghold for militant Islamists and al-Qaeda fighters. The democratic reforms the demonstrators have been demanding for months in Sanaa could fall by the wayside as a result of this backroom diplomacy."
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Público - Portugal | Saturday, 28. May 2011
The G8 states have decided at their summit in Deauville to give Tunisia and Egypt 40 billion dollars to help them on their way to democracy. The daily Público describes this aid for the pioneers of the Arab Spring as a historical move, but contends that the G8 countries must not forget the other Arab reform movements "These countries are being provided with help to ensure their transition to becoming tolerant and democratic societies. It is meant to encourage them and prevent the revolutions in the Arab world from regressing. This is why reference was made to the help Eastern Europe received after the historical fall of the Berlin Wall. However what began as a wave of freedom has split in three: » more
The G8 states have decided at their summit in Deauville to give Tunisia and Egypt 40 billion dollars to help them on their way to democracy. The daily Público describes this aid for the pioneers of the Arab Spring as a historical move, but contends that the G8 countries must not forget the other Arab reform movements "These countries are being provided with help to ensure their transition to becoming tolerant and democratic societies. It is meant to encourage them and prevent the revolutions in the Arab world from regressing. This is why reference was made to the help Eastern Europe received after the historical fall of the Berlin Wall. However what began as a wave of freedom has split in three: the democratic movement (Tunisia and Egypt), the reformist (Algiers, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) and the oppressed (Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain). But it won't be enough to offer the first wave a tempting 'snack' The West will have to agree on how to deal with the other two currents. For they threaten to turn the summer of Arab hope into an autumn or untimely winter."
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Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy | Friday, 27. May 2011
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has refused to resign, and the country is now on the brink of a civil war. More than 40 people ... » more
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has refused to resign, and the country is now on the brink of a civil war. More than 40 people were killed in skirmishes in the capital, Sanaa, on Thursday. The business paper Il Sole 24 Ore puts the failure of a diplomatic solution down to Saleh's unbending stance. "Diplomacy has failed in Yemen. Cornered as he now is, President Saleh is encouraging violence to remain in power. ... In recent weeks the Golf Cooperation Council has tried to defuse the crisis on the peninsula for fear of a domino effect. After initially appearing to approve a transition solution which foresaw the formation of a government of national unity and amnesty for Saleh and his relatives, the 68-year-old ruler did a U-turn and is now insisting on his leading role. This is a Putin-style solution which the opposition is not willing to accept."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Thursday, 26. May 2011
The G8 heads of state and government meet in the French seaside resort of Deauville today for a two-day summit to discuss the situation in the Arab world. The West will have to adjust to seeing the young democracies make backwards steps, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica concludes: » more
The G8 heads of state and government meet in the French seaside resort of Deauville today for a two-day summit to discuss the situation in the Arab world. The West will have to adjust to seeing the young democracies make backwards steps, the left-liberal daily La Repubblica concludes: "The Western countries of the G8 maintained shady relations with Arab rulers. This didn't exactly enhance the credibility of Western values aimed at promoting democracy and defending human rights. ... Now the time has come to make amends, and perhaps even a collective apology. ... The young Arab democracies will make slow progress, suffer severe setbacks and experience counter-revolutions and restorations in the coming years. ... Despite its generous aid the West will have a hard time overcoming its distrust of the consequences of the Arab Spring. For negotiating with dictators was dishonourable, but at least easier than negotiating with provisional governments."
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ABC - Spain | Thursday, 26. May 2011
In his speech before the British parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called on the world to take concerted action in global politics. The UK and the US in particular will soon be presenting a more united front, comments the conservative daily ABC: » more
In his speech before the British parliament on Wednesday, US President Barack Obama called on the world to take concerted action in global politics. The UK and the US in particular will soon be presenting a more united front, comments the conservative daily ABC: "Europe's strategic interest in the Arab Spring is immense. Once North Africa's economy begins to prosper and it is no longer at the service of the ruling families and their loyal supporters, the number of desperate refugees flooding into Europe will dwindle. But the EU is once more divided and Germany rejects the intervention in Libya. A semi-isolated Germany reduces Europe's strategy to an oxymoron. This in turn has freed Cameron of the old British dilemma: Should the UK strengthen its ties with Europe or its ties with the US? With the EU absent without permission the answer is obvious."
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NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Wednesday, 25. May 2011
The intensification of Nato attacks in Libya provides Russia and China with the opportunity to boost their profile against the alliance, warns the daily NRC Handelsblad: » more
The intensification of Nato attacks in Libya provides Russia and China with the opportunity to boost their profile against the alliance, warns the daily NRC Handelsblad: "Up to now China and Russia have been critical of how the resolution has been interpreted. They like to convey the impression of being critical of the West and cast themselves as the advocates of the rest of the world, but they don't want to assume responsibility. In the meantime the two states are drawing closer and closer together. ... Next month China's President Hu will pay a state visit to Russia, launching a new phase in their 'strategic partnership'. How far this will go isn't clear yet. In the past distrust has prevailed. ... But the expansion of the Libya mandate offers both countries the unique opportunity to expand their obstructive influence and hinder a broad, internationally backed alliance for bringing peace to Libya."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 25. May 2011
France and the UK's plans to deploy helicopter gunships in Libya prompt the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung to warn of the risks involved: » more
France and the UK's plans to deploy helicopter gunships in Libya prompt the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung to warn of the risks involved: "Such aircraft are easier to shoot down than fighter jets. And if they are shot down, the Western alliance could become even more deeply involved in the conflict than it already is. That's Nato's basic dilemma in Libya. It's clear to everyone that the rebels can't topple the regime on their own and that the uprising would be on its last legs without the Nato allies. However if Nato toppled the regime it would delegitimise the revolution, which can only be legitimate if the people themselves oust their own leader. Nato continues to attempt a balancing act with its huge arsenal: bombarding Gaddafi's fortress until it's ready to be stormed without stealing victory from the rebels. Time will tell whether this can be achieved."
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Le Figaro - France | Wednesday, 25. May 2011
France and the UK want to transfer fighter helicopters to Libya to boost the attack on the Gaddafi regime. The conflict in Libya has strengthened military ties between Paris and London, notes the conservative daily Le Figaro: » more
France and the UK want to transfer fighter helicopters to Libya to boost the attack on the Gaddafi regime. The conflict in Libya has strengthened military ties between Paris and London, notes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "The crisis in Libya has once more demonstrated Europe's incompetence, but it has also brought us a huge step forward regarding French and British cooperation on defence policy. This was sealed at the highest level by the Lancaster House Agreement signed in London last November. The growing strength of the French-British axis is a real boon to the military intervention in Libya. At the same time the alternate stance taken by Germany is becoming increasingly apparent, which is drifting away on a current of pacifism."
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The Guardian - United Kingdom | Monday, 23. May 2011
US President Barack Obama commences his tour of Europe today. Historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash writes in the left-liberal daily The Guardian that the Arab Spring must be viewed as a key trans-Atlantic project: » more
US President Barack Obama commences his tour of Europe today. Historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash writes in the left-liberal daily The Guardian that the Arab Spring must be viewed as a key trans-Atlantic project: "There is no project on which strategic partnership between Europe and the United States is more urgently needed than that of responding to the most important single political development of the early 21st century: the Arab spring. I do not say this for the sake of finding something that the two halves of the now-vanished cold war 'West' can do together; I say it because it is simply a fact. ... Only the US can persuade Israel to embrace a two-state solution; only the Europeans can provide the aid, know-how, trade and investment to enable the building of a viable Palestinian state. Only the US has sufficient clout with the Egyptian military to prevent them strangling their country's new democracy at birth. That fledgling democracy cannot, however, grow without access to European markets, education and support across the Mediterranean. ... This should be the third great project of transatlantic partnership since the second world war."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Tuesday, 17. May 2011
A Swiss delegation last week met with representatives of Egyptian authorities to discuss how the money invested by the Mubarak clan in Switzerland can be returned to Egypt. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges caution in managing the money of dictators: » more
A Swiss delegation last week met with representatives of Egyptian authorities to discuss how the money invested by the Mubarak clan in Switzerland can be returned to Egypt. The liberal-conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung urges caution in managing the money of dictators: "If the figures are to be believed, around a quarter of the movable private assets outside the country are being managed in Switzerland. Switzerland was relatively quick this year to block access to money suspected to belong to the potentates of rebelling North African states, and the amounts that have been located (in total 830 million francs [661 million euros] from Egypt, Libya and Tunisia) seem relatively modest in view of the speculation about far higher sums accumulated by the clans in question. ... Legally it seems there is no urgent call for action, although calls for tougher measures can be heard. ... At any rate the Swiss banks should certainly keep their antenna on the alert."
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taz - Germany | Tuesday, 17. May 2011
The chief prosecutor in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, on Monday filed a request for an arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. The left-leaning daily die tageszeitung finds the gesture irrelevant: » more
The chief prosecutor in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, on Monday filed a request for an arrest warrant against Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. The left-leaning daily die tageszeitung finds the gesture irrelevant: "The Libyan terrorist leader faces considerable threats, but a cell in Scheveningen is not one of them. Firstly, a request for an arrest warrant is not the same as a judicial warrant. In the case of [Sudanese President] Bashir it took around eight months for a warrant to be issued after the request was filed. The Libyan people no longer have that much time. Secondly, the Libyan authorities would be responsible for enforcement, but it's unlikely that they would then proceed to arrest Gaddafi. ... Nothing has changed for Libya. Any other solution than the victory of the freedom fighters is unthinkable. But Moreno-Ocampo says nothing about how this solution is to be achieved. Nor is he in a position to do so. The ball's not in his court."
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Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy | Sunday, 15. May 2011
The demonstrations and unrest in Syria continue undiminished. At least seven people were shot by the regime's security forces at the weekend. But unlike in Libya, fear is preventing the West from intervening here, author Moisés Naím concludes in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: » more
The demonstrations and unrest in Syria continue undiminished. At least seven people were shot by the regime's security forces at the weekend. But unlike in Libya, fear is preventing the West from intervening here, author Moisés Naím concludes in the business paper Il Sole 24 Ore: "Why are the US and Europe bombing Tripoli with missiles but Damascus only with words? ... Because Syria is stronger than Libya militarily. The Syrian military is among the best equipped in the Middle East. The country possesses chemical and biological weapons. Its paramilitary forces are among the thirteen strongest in the world. ... Then there's the exhaustion factor. Libya has quenched the little thirst the US had left for fighting wars that don't affect its own vital interests. The Syrian dissidents are paying the price for the US's long and costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the intervention in Libya. Washington's military support for distant regions will be more limited and selective from now on. Without the US, however, Europe doesn't exist when it comes to waging wars. So the Syrian dissidents are basically on their own."
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La Stampa - Italy | Wednesday, 11. May 2011
Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more
Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "Perhaps there a decisive turning point will be reached in the next few hours that would lead to the collapse of Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime. For now the people of Tripoli are rising up against him. ... For the first time a barracks in the capital has supplied weapons to the rebels. This means the power of the regime is crumbling. Now it remains to be seen whether the rebellion in the hinterland will spread to the capital. We know for sure that the Berbers who live in the mountains between Tripoli and the Tunisian border have taken sides with the rebels. ... They have a good army, perhaps the best available to the rebels. As soon as the time comes this army could quickly start marching towards Tripoli."
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Sme - Slovakia | Wednesday, 11. May 2011
The EU decided on Monday to freeze the accounts of 13 relatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and impose a ban on their entering the EU as well as a weapons embargo against Syria. These sanctions come too late, writes the liberal daily Sme: » more
The EU decided on Monday to freeze the accounts of 13 relatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and impose a ban on their entering the EU as well as a weapons embargo against Syria. These sanctions come too late, writes the liberal daily Sme: "How is it possible that these sanctions against some of the highest representatives of the Syrian regime are only being imposed now and that they don't apply to President Assad himself? How is it possible that the EU's weapons embargo was passed only on Monday even though the unrest began two months ago? Both are just gestures, but they should have come earlier, as the clear signals that European politicians are always talking about. ... The reason for this delay lies paradoxically in the so-called common European foreign policy. It has had a negative impact on the EU's capacity to act at an international level because agreements among the major member states must always be laboriously negotiated before any action is taken."
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La Stampa - Italy | Wednesday, 11. May 2011
Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: » more
Nato carried out major air strikes against the central commando of Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in Tripoli on Monday night. But the news that native tribes are switching their allegiance to the rebels gives even more hope than the Nato attacks that there will soon be an end to the conflict, writes the liberal daily La Stampa: "Perhaps there a decisive turning point will be reached in the next few hours that would lead to the collapse of Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime. For now the people of Tripoli are rising up against him. ... For the first time a barracks in the capital has supplied weapons to the rebels. This means the power of the regime is crumbling. Now it remains to be seen whether the rebellion in the hinterland will spread to the capital. We know for sure that the Berbers who live in the mountains between Tripoli and the Tunisian border have taken sides with the rebels. ... They have a good army, perhaps the best available to the rebels. As soon as the time comes this army could quickly start marching towards Tripoli."
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El País - Spain | Monday, 9. May 2011
Syria's President Bashar a-Assad tried once again to quell the ongoing anti-government protests in several cities with tanks on the weekend. The US has therefore announced "tough sanctions" against Syria. But the threats of the West are empty blustering and neither Europe nor the US have any real chance of effective intervention, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more
Syria's President Bashar a-Assad tried once again to quell the ongoing anti-government protests in several cities with tanks on the weekend. The US has therefore announced "tough sanctions" against Syria. But the threats of the West are empty blustering and neither Europe nor the US have any real chance of effective intervention, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "It's true that one would have to be very reckless to suggest a direct intervention in Syria that neither Western public opinion would condone nor the UN could support because Russia and China would be against it. What the West most fears is that the fall of the regime would cause a cataclysm in the region with Iran intervening and the mercilessness of Hizbollah in Lebanon, both allies of the Syrian regime. And less still can be expected from the Arab League, which is full of authoritarian rulers like Assad. Therefore the world looks on helplessly as a massacre unfolds."
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Blog L'Hérétique - France | Friday, 6. May 2011
One reason why the war in Libya is taking so long is because Nato wants to avoid civilian casualties. The blogger L'Hérétique agrees with this approach on the website of the weekly Marianne, saying it will help the rebels to victory: » more
One reason why the war in Libya is taking so long is because Nato wants to avoid civilian casualties. The blogger L'Hérétique agrees with this approach on the website of the weekly Marianne, saying it will help the rebels to victory: "Nato knows that civilian victims would be a fatal mistake and must be avoided at all costs. For the moment it has managed to keep its nose clean. ... Gaddafi still has supporters in Tripoli. But if the alliance and the rebels continue to ensure that no retaliatory strikes or attacks are made against the civilian population, there is good reason to believe this support will soon crumble. Time is playing against Gaddafi."
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Der Standard - Austria | Friday, 6. May 2011
Financial aid for the rebels is necessary but not sufficient, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes, calling for more resolution from the alliance: » more
Financial aid for the rebels is necessary but not sufficient, the left-liberal daily Der Standard writes, calling for more resolution from the alliance: "The only ones who can decisively influence the course of events are the Americans. With their strategy of reserve they have not only been trying to save their strength but also to show the Europeans - above all the French - that European security policy still depends on the US forces. After just a few weeks of military intervention that message is strikingly clear. ... The question is how long the operation 'Odyssey Dawn' can muddle along without Europe and ultimately also the United States suffering a painful defeat. And the question is also how long those the intervention is meant to save, the civilians in Misrata and Zintan for example, can stand up to the pressure from Gaddafi's henchmen. Could there be anything more cynical than standing by and watching a massacre take place under a no-fly zone?"
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Friday, 6. May 2011
The idea of deducting the costs for the international financial aid to the Libyan rebels from Gaddafi's bank accounts is excellent, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
The idea of deducting the costs for the international financial aid to the Libyan rebels from Gaddafi's bank accounts is excellent, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "By establishing a special fund to support the rebels, the Western and Arab countries are sending a clear signal to the insurgents that they are not alone in their fight. But in so doing the financial backers are also to a certain extent washing their hands of the matter, because they don't have to decide what happens with their euros or dollars. If the rebels buy weapons with the money, that's up to them. The best thing would be to tap Gaddafi's frozen accounts all over the world. ... That would have one clear advantage: the long-time dictator himself would then be funding the country's liberation. That would only be fair."
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Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Friday, 6. May 2011
The Syrian security forces have killed more than 500 demonstrators since the start of the protests in Syria, human rights activists estimate. The democratic world must take action against Bashar al-Assad's regime, the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter urges: » more
The Syrian security forces have killed more than 500 demonstrators since the start of the protests in Syria, human rights activists estimate. The democratic world must take action against Bashar al-Assad's regime, the liberal daily Dagens Nyheter urges: "Just because the world can't solve each and every problem doesn't mean passivity must become the norm. Just because it was right to establish a no-fly zone over Libya doesn't mean the same must hold for every other dictatorship. Foreign policy is based on assessments, not wishful thinking. Nevertheless the pressure on Syria must be maintained with conducive means. The US and the EU were too indecisive when it was time to slacken treaties and punish Assad and his murderers. Sanctions are a dull weapon, it's true. And it's all the more pitiful that not even restrictions have been resolved and the regime's henchmen can go on killing as they please. They should know that an international court is waiting for those who shoot mercilessly at their own people."
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The Guardian - United Kingdom | Thursday, 5. May 2011
Representatives of the hitherto hostile Palestinian organisations Hamas and Fatah signed a peace agreement in Cairo on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily The Guardian finds it remarkable that Egypt is now once more emerging as a major player in the Middle East peace process so soon after its revolution: » more
Representatives of the hitherto hostile Palestinian organisations Hamas and Fatah signed a peace agreement in Cairo on Wednesday. The left-liberal daily The Guardian finds it remarkable that Egypt is now once more emerging as a major player in the Middle East peace process so soon after its revolution: "The Cairo accord could well turn out to be as fragile as the one signed in Mecca four years ago. It can still be undermined in a myriad of ways. But the clock itself cannot be so easily put back. The new factor which will not be changed is Egypt's re-emergence as a major player in the Middle East. No one expected a foreign policy to emerge before a domestic one, least of all before the government itself had been formed. But if Egypt succeeds in projecting its will as Turkey has done, it has the numbers to change the balance of power. It is wholly in the interests of the US and the EU to have a government in Cairo that will keep a peace accord with Israel but not be servile to its interests."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Thursday, 5. May 2011
The ideology of the al-Qaida network could dissolve following the death of Osama bin Laden, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in the daily La Repubblica, noting that the Arab Spring is patently a counter-movement to the ideology of terror. This Bin Ladenism "emerged from a devil's bargain between oil-consuming countries and Arab dictators. We all - Europe, America, India, China - treated the Arab world as a collection of big gas stations, and all of us sent the same basic message to the petro-dictators: » more
The ideology of the al-Qaida network could dissolve following the death of Osama bin Laden, writes the US journalist Thomas L. Friedman in the daily La Repubblica, noting that the Arab Spring is patently a counter-movement to the ideology of terror. This Bin Ladenism "emerged from a devil's bargain between oil-consuming countries and Arab dictators. We all - Europe, America, India, China - treated the Arab world as a collection of big gas stations, and all of us sent the same basic message to the petro-dictators: Keep the oil flowing, the prices low and don't bother Israel too much and you can treat your people however you like, out back, where we won't look. Bin Laden and his followers were a product of all the pathologies that were allowed to grow in the dark out back - crippling deficits of freedom, women's empowerment and education across the Arab world. These deficits nurtured a profound sense of humiliation among Arabs at how far behind they had fallen, a profound hunger to control their own futures and a pervasive sense of injustice in their daily lives. That is what is most striking about the Arab uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia in particular. They were almost apolitical. They were not about any ideology. They were propelled by the most basic human longings for dignity, justice and to control one's own life."
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Le Monde - France | Wednesday, 4. May 2011
The bloody repression of the demonstrations in Syria has once more put in question the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the left liberal daily Le Monde writes, and calls for UN intervention: » more
The bloody repression of the demonstrations in Syria has once more put in question the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the left liberal daily Le Monde writes, and calls for UN intervention: "The Easter uprising in the city of Daraa and the massive attacks on the population with soldiers and tanks show that the young Alawite generals are following in the footsteps of their fathers. The official explanation is that the army intervened at the request of the population to neutralise terrorists. Damascus even had the border with Jordan closed to support the theory of foreign incitement. A foreign conspiracy, a refusal to carry out reforms or to engage in dialogue: all the elements of a bloody scenario for securing the power of the Alawitic regime are in place. The declarations and threats of sanctions by the Western community are insufficient. What is needed is a new UN resolution on an intervention, even if it is unlikely to come."
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De Telegraaf - Netherlands | Monday, 2. May 2011
In view of the crimes committed by Libya's head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi the Nato attacks on his clan are perfectly justified, writes the tabloid De Telegraaf: » more
In view of the crimes committed by Libya's head of state Muammar al-Gaddafi the Nato attacks on his clan are perfectly justified, writes the tabloid De Telegraaf: "We shouldn't forget that Gaddafi and his clan are masterminding crimes against humanity from the very buildings that are now being targeted by Nato. This week the International Court of Justice is due to inform the UN Security Council of its findings regarding the atrocities committed by the Gaddafi regime. Among those crimes are not just air strikes against its own people but also the torture and kidnapping of citizens, the execution of hospital patients and shooting at demonstrators. There is ample proof for a criminal investigation. This illustrates how justified Nato's actions are."
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Financial Times Deutschland - Germany | Monday, 2. May 2011
Nato should refrain from trying to kill Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the liberal Financial Times Deutschland: » more
Nato should refrain from trying to kill Muammar al-Gaddafi, writes the liberal Financial Times Deutschland: "Even now China and Russia feel duped because their abstention in the Security Council paved the way for a military attack which is now taking on a greater scope than what they had initially anticipated. Targeted attacks on Gaddafi's clan will only reinforce this impression and further erode their trust. It's hardly imaginable that there could ever be a similar UN Security Council resolution after this. But there is an even more pressing practical argument. Nato will only succeed in killing Gaddafi - if at all - at the cost of serious collateral damage: civilian victims whose death will not only fuel the hatred of Gaddafi's fanatic supporters but also fan worldwide doubts over the Nato mission in Libya. ... Nato would do better to focus on military targets. If Gaddafi is hit in the process, so much the better."
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Libération - France | Monday, 2. May 2011
The Libyan regime is exploiting the alleged killing of Gaddafi's son Saif for its own propaganda purposes. This only highlights the contradictions of the Nato intervention, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
The Libyan regime is exploiting the alleged killing of Gaddafi's son Saif for its own propaganda purposes. This only highlights the contradictions of the Nato intervention, writes the left-liberal daily Libération: "The death of Gaddafi's son is inauspicious and was immediately used by the regime in its PR war. That's a legitimate ploy. This counter-attack is clever to the extent that it highlights the weaknesses of the coalition that has been bombarding Libya for the past seven weeks: its inner contradictions, the unformulated, unclear goals of the war and its failure to bring swift victory. These are Gaddafi's only true weapons. ... Nevertheless one shouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture: even if the Libyan regime still exists and can chalk up points now and then, it can no longer change the situation. It may take some time, but Gaddafi's days are numbered."
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The Independent - United Kingdom | Monday, 2. May 2011
The death of one of Gaddafi's sons in a Nato air strike should never have happened, writes the liberal daily The Independent, arguing that Nato should not assume the role of warlord in Libya: » more
The death of one of Gaddafi's sons in a Nato air strike should never have happened, writes the liberal daily The Independent, arguing that Nato should not assume the role of warlord in Libya: "After six weeks of bombing, the situation in Libya looks like stalemate. Gaddafi's regime has proved resilient and his forces loyal. Advisers from France, Italy and Britain have been sent to assist the opposition and the US has dispatched unmanned drones. In this context, the bombing of the compound begins to look like an act born of desperation; a desire to force a quick resolution before partition becomes inevitable. Yet this is the Libyan opposition's fight, not Nato's. If the rebels are to achieve their objective of removing Gaddafi and uniting the country, they have to be seen to be leading the resistance. Nato does them, or indeed itself, no favours by trying to force the pace."
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The Times - United Kingdom | Friday, 29. April 2011
Israel should make the best of its opponents' current weakness and seize the chance to make peace with the Palestinians, writes the liberal conservative daily The Times: » more
Israel should make the best of its opponents' current weakness and seize the chance to make peace with the Palestinians, writes the liberal conservative daily The Times: "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has so far proved intractable because it is not primarily a border dispute. If it were, then a territorial settlement, along frontiers approximating the pre-1967 armistice line, might have been achieved decades ago. A more fundamental problem is that Israel has not had a negotiating partner that it can trust. Not all Israeli governments have been assiduous in seeking one, but the demand for security is incontrovertibly just. That much helps to explain the position of Mr Netanyahu. But his position is politically self-defeating. The Arab Spring has undermined the death-squad despotism in Syria; that in turn weakens Hamas, Syria's client. The most opportune time to secure a pacific, two-state territorial accommodation in the Middle East is when its enemies are weakest. That time is now."
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Trouw - Netherlands | Thursday, 28. April 2011
The attempt by four European states to condemn Syrian violence against demonstrators by means of a UN resolution has failed. In view of Assad's brutal oppression of his people such a resolution would accomplish little anyway, writes the daily Trouw: » more
The attempt by four European states to condemn Syrian violence against demonstrators by means of a UN resolution has failed. In view of Assad's brutal oppression of his people such a resolution would accomplish little anyway, writes the daily Trouw: "Certainly, such a signal would not be unimportant as moral support for the Syrian demonstrators. But it would not bring Assad's regime to its knees. That could only be achieved through military intervention. ... However Syria is not Libya. ... A military strike could spark a civil war in this country on Iraq's border, and would have far-reaching consequences for this region where Lebanon, Turkey and Israel are watching like hawks what happens in Syria. The strongest instrument the international community has at its disposal for countering Assad is the complete isolation of his regime, including by his Arab allies."
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To Ethnos - Greece | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
The US stands to gain from Assad's being weakened politically in his own country without military intervention, writes the left-liberal daily To Ethnos: » more
The US stands to gain from Assad's being weakened politically in his own country without military intervention, writes the left-liberal daily To Ethnos: "The air strikes of the US, France, the UK and Nato against Libya have shown that military intervention is not even enough to topple a regime as weak as Gaddafi's. ... Assad's regime, on the other hand, is very useful to the US. And a war waged by the US and Nato against Syria would very likely lead to a military explosion in many Arab countries. ... On the other hand an Assad weakened by the bloody demonstrations will be much easier for the US to deal with."
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All available articles from » Giorgos Delastik
Wprost Online - Poland | Thursday, 28. April 2011
A military strike in Syria carries too many risks, according to the news magazine Wprost: » more
A military strike in Syria carries too many risks, according to the news magazine Wprost: "The cynics would say that there is and will be no intervention because Syria is poor and has no oil. But this explanation is trite, oversimplified and inaccurate. The truth is that the situation in the Middle East is unusually difficult and the West is at a loss as to how to react. With Barack Obama's government you can't rule out an idealist motivation, but even the idealists must pursue the path of the realists and be aware of their own limits. A military intervention would lead to a definitive freeze in relations between the West and Iran which are already not the best. It would also put the security of the allies Israel, Jordan and Lebanon at risk."
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Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Thursday, 28. April 2011
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to bank on the West viewing him as an indispensable stability factor in the region, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: » more
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues to bank on the West viewing him as an indispensable stability factor in the region, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: "Assad acts as if he wanted to prove that his departure would necessarily involve a long and bloody civil war. He believes that the West fears this most of all, and that consequently it will look on helplessly from a distance while Assad continues to oppress his people. It is high time that the leaders of the Western world let the Syrian president know he can forget becoming a member of the international community of states if he continues to use violence against demonstrators. Otherwise the West will lose its credibility in that part of the Arab World that firmly believes in democracy."
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Avvenire - Italy | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
The Italian air force is now taking active part in the Libyan civil war. Military targets may be attacked in the effort to protect the civilian population, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday in Rome. The Catholic daily Avvenire takes a critical view of the operation: » more
The Italian air force is now taking active part in the Libyan civil war. Military targets may be attacked in the effort to protect the civilian population, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed on Tuesday in Rome. The Catholic daily Avvenire takes a critical view of the operation: "The unease and concern about an escalation in Libya are justified. It appears that the possibilities for a diplomatic solution are not being seriously explored. ... But will the bombing provide a solution? We don't know. We only know that it costs human lives, for people in uniforms are also lost lives. And this will have its political price because any compromise with the Libyan ruler is impossible from now on. We are facing a long war on the banks of the Mediterranean, the division of Libya, an exodus to Europe and potential energy supply shortages."
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Pravda - Slovakia | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered tanks to be deployed against demonstrators at the start of the week. The West is perplexed over how to react to the violence, writes the leftist daily Pravda: » more
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered tanks to be deployed against demonstrators at the start of the week. The West is perplexed over how to react to the violence, writes the leftist daily Pravda: "The government in Syria will hold out for as long as it has an army at its disposal that is ready to shoot at protesters. Assad will not give up so easily. And he has no reason to, in part because no one would approve a military operation of the likes we're seeing in Libya. For reasons of security policy the country is considerably more complicated than Libya. In addition there are the interests of Iran, Israel and the Arab states to be considered. ... Calls by the UN to stop the violence are necessary but not really effective. Sanctions could put pressure on the dictatorship but no doubt only the West would vote for them, not China or Russia. Even if it's frustrating that words change nothing we must not fall silent. Because the regime in Syria long ago transgressed all boundaries."
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De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Tuesday, 26. April 2011
At least 30 people have been killed in the fighting between troops loyal to the regime and rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata over the past few days. Nato and above all the US must take decisive action in Libya, the daily De Volkskrant demands: » more
At least 30 people have been killed in the fighting between troops loyal to the regime and rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata over the past few days. Nato and above all the US must take decisive action in Libya, the daily De Volkskrant demands: "The confrontation in Misrata illustrates once more that on the battlefield even the best intentions can have terrible consequences. In principle it's good that Nato wants the keep the level of violence in Libya relatively low - the military intervention is primarily humanitarian in its goals. But if the opponents don't follow this example and shamelessly exploit the leeway this will lead to more rather than fewer victims. ... This is obviously the case in Misrata. The same paradox applies to the White House's stance. It's understandable that President Obama doesn't want to get involved in a third war. ... But if the United States limits itself to a minor role Nato won't have the force or the weapons to establish order in Libya."
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Der Standard - Austria | Tuesday, 26. April 2011
Following mass protests in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, the regime had its tanks shoot at protesters for the first time on Monday. The left-liberal daily Der Standard is convinced Syria will be the next country to be gripped by civil war: » more
Following mass protests in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, the regime had its tanks shoot at protesters for the first time on Monday. The left-liberal daily Der Standard is convinced Syria will be the next country to be gripped by civil war: "It was Hosni Mubarak of all people who once told a foreign visitor back in the 1990s that if Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime were to be toppled it would mean toppling ... hundreds if not thousands of party liners as well. Many see the situation in Syria as similar and this means that these hundreds and thousands and all their clients whose existence depends on hanging on to their positions of power will fight. We can see in Libya what the result could be. And despite the escalating revolts there are still many people in Syria who are not for but against the movement. This means: if history doesn't take a completely different direction Syria could become the next country to plunge into civil war in the region."
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Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Thursday, 21. April 2011
The humanitarian situation in several Libyan cities makes it vital to start thinking about deploying ground troops there, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: » more
The humanitarian situation in several Libyan cities makes it vital to start thinking about deploying ground troops there, writes the liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten: "It is becoming increasingly obvious that the fight against Gaddafi can't be won from the air. If Gaddafi's military actions and attacks are to be effectively stopped, ground forces must be deployed. Perhaps the decision of Britain and France to send a limited number of officers as advisers is an indication that this will happen. Up to now France has been against such action. Libya is increasingly becoming a test of whether Nato can carry out a mission which is not led by the US."
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De Groene Amsterdammer - Netherlands | Thursday, 21. April 2011
The embattled city of Misrata highlights the awkwardness of Nato's position in Libya, writes the weekly paper De Groene Amsterdammer: » more
The embattled city of Misrata highlights the awkwardness of Nato's position in Libya, writes the weekly paper De Groene Amsterdammer: "Misrata brings back painful memories of a surrounded Sarajevo that for four years was a symbol of international failure and cynical war policy. ... The Bosnian authorities were reluctant to open up an escape route for the starving population because this would have meant losing a moral trump card for forcing the international community to help them. ... The suffering in Misrata could help the rebels force Nato to intervene. ... What was presented as rapid humanitarian aid threatens to degenerate into a dirty war with an uncertain outcome. For we still know only nine of the 31 rebel leaders by name, and there is still no clear Nato strategy."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 21. April 2011
Deploying ground troops in Libya would have a considerable political fallout, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
Deploying ground troops in Libya would have a considerable political fallout, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Should individual members of the Security Council extend the mandate to encompass such action they will encounter fierce opposition. ... This military operation could probably be decided on the ground, but it would be an historical mistake if European troops were to go to war on Arab soil with largely unknown partners and an unclear outcome. It's more honest, as bitter as this may be, to continue providing the help they can - humanitarian, diplomatic, with huge political pressure - but within the framework of the current consensus. The political damage in Libya and the Middle East will be great. But not as great as a Nato war fought on Arab soil or a military mission undertaken by the West without the corresponding mandate."
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La Repubblica - Italy | Thursday, 21. April 2011
Europe's indecision regarding Libya is down to a lack of consensus, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more
Europe's indecision regarding Libya is down to a lack of consensus, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "We can't be spectators of a drama in which we are directly involved by reason of our geographical proximity and the fact that it's about oil. ... The true reasons for the operation are political and economic, not humanitarian. ... Never before has it been so clear how much Europe's helplessness stems from the lack of a common policy. Only a united Europe would have made the just decision to back the uprising of the youth in the Arab world with an intervention not motivated by the desire to rule. This would have put Europe in a position to use its considerable political and economic clout to put the uprisings on the path to democracy."
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Karjalainen - Finland | Tuesday, 19. April 2011
Up to one thousand people are said to have been killed last week in the rebel-controlled Libyan city of Misrata, 80 procent of them allegedly civilians killed by Gaddafi's troops. The liberal daily Karjalainen no longer believes in a political solution to the conflict: » more
Up to one thousand people are said to have been killed last week in the rebel-controlled Libyan city of Misrata, 80 procent of them allegedly civilians killed by Gaddafi's troops. The liberal daily Karjalainen no longer believes in a political solution to the conflict: "Should the high number of civilian victims prove correct, this is more of a genocide than a civil war. It has already been clear for a long time that Gaddafi's government does not shy away from defending its position with every means at its disposal, even the bloodiest. The longer the situation lasts, the more suffering will be caused. Unfortunately it looks as if things do not stand to improve rapidly unless the West intervenes. The US, the UK and France have promised the operations will last until peace is established. The political solution hoped for by Russia is an empty utopia."
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El País - Spain | Monday, 18. April 2011
French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: » more
French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: "It is not difficult to link this measure that conflicts with the Schengen agreement on free circulation within the EU with President Nicolas Sarkozy's rapidly sinking popularity and the intense preparations for the presidential elections in 2012. ... The European Union is evidently not at its best right now, as its inane and largely rhetorical reaction to the democratic changes in the Arab world indicate. All this is causing the different states to act bilaterally and counter to the European construct, as in the case of the military intervention of France and the UK in Libya. If Schengen falls now we must start to ask why the union of 27 states exists at all."
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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 14. April 2011
The Nato foreign ministers have been discussing the extent and the goals of the mission in Libya. As the US is displaying reserve for the first time in the history of the alliance, the other Nato members are obliged to close ranks, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
The Nato foreign ministers have been discussing the extent and the goals of the mission in Libya. As the US is displaying reserve for the first time in the history of the alliance, the other Nato members are obliged to close ranks, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Suddenly it is up to the European section of the alliance to act, suddenly Nato must function without the US. If it doesn't, it will be finished. Astonishingly, despite all the political and military problems, the Libya mission hasn't provoked any major discord so far. Germany's shilly-shallying has been shrugged off as typical German reserve, France is being praised for its resolve despite all its escapades, while the US is finding out that its partners can be equal to a task if you only give them a chance. This closing of political ranks is Nato's strongest weapon. If Gaddafi is not completely blinded it should be his biggest worry at present."
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All available articles from » Nina von Hardenberg
Le Jeudi - Luxembourg | Thursday, 14. April 2011
The Nato military mission in Libya has both overt and covert goals, the weekly paper Le Jeudi writes, and calls for transparency: » more
The Nato military mission in Libya has both overt and covert goals, the weekly paper Le Jeudi writes, and calls for transparency: "The avowed goal of this mission is to protect Libya's civilian population from Gaddafi's troops. Nevertheless the real goal remains the overthrow of the Libyan leader. ... As to the question of the legitimacy of such an operation, it remains an open issue, both because numerous other countries are still under the yoke of dictators and other tyrants and because of the risk that the combat may drag on and on. ... The sole certainty is that the Arab Spring marks a clear dividing line between an old order and a new one which however has yet to be invented."
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El País - Spain | Friday, 15. April 2011
France and the UK demanded an extension of military operations in Libya at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday. The left-liberal daily El País, however, argues that non-military strategies should be promoted: » more
France and the UK demanded an extension of military operations in Libya at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday. The left-liberal daily El País, however, argues that non-military strategies should be promoted: "Continuing the intervention solely for the sake of not damaging Nato's credibility could compromise the military balance. However if the boundaries of the 1973 resolution are overstepped there is a higher risk of this war becoming illegal. Perhaps the time has come for the Security Council to review the situation in Libya and either expand the mandate to include the deployment of ground forces or to confirm the current framework for the operations. Should the latter be the case, which is more likely, the main powers would have no option but to apply more forcefully the non-military aspects foreseen in the 1973 resolution. This should have been done from the outset and can now no longer be postponed."
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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Thursday, 14. April 2011
The conservative daily Lidové noviny is unenthusiastic at the prospect of a trial for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak: » more
The conservative daily Lidové noviny is unenthusiastic at the prospect of a trial for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak: "Autocrats must either die in office like Franco in Spain, hand over power in a controlled fashion like Chile's Pinochet, or leave the country in time like the Shah of Iran or recently the Tunisian Ben Ali. Anyone who misses the chance has tough luck. Now Mubarak has become the symbol for such misfortunate rulers. Investigations are underway against the former president for violence against demonstrators and corruption. But let's be frank: Mubarak has no more violence on his conscience than any other Arab or African ruler. And can we believe that in a country where corruption has deep roots and Mubarak ruled for 30 years that corruption was limited to a single family and the tiniest ruling clique?"
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Diário de Notícias - Portugal | Thursday, 14. April 2011
The arrest of Egyptian ex-president Hosni Mubarak is also a warning to other authoritarian rulers, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: » more
The arrest of Egyptian ex-president Hosni Mubarak is also a warning to other authoritarian rulers, writes the daily Diário de Notícias: "It is a confirmation for those who had doubts that the leaders of kleptocratic regimes that have oppressed their people for decades … will not go unpunished. The worst that could happen in this phase is for the fallen tyrants to escape trial. This is a warning to all the other dictators in other countries of the Maghreb and the Middle East who are clinging desperately to their power. … It would be absurd if the peaceful movements that have ended the dictatorships in Tunisia and Egypt didn't have consequences both at a political and juridical level. Putting the Mubarak family on trial is an indispensable step."
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The Guardian - United Kingdom | Thursday, 14. April 2011
Dictators will do anything to avoid punishment. The former president of Egypt is said to have suffered a heart attack as he was about to be interrogated, and Yemen's president has requested immunity in return for leaving his country. The left-liberal daily The Guardian discusses how to deal with tyrants: » more
Dictators will do anything to avoid punishment. The former president of Egypt is said to have suffered a heart attack as he was about to be interrogated, and Yemen's president has requested immunity in return for leaving his country. The left-liberal daily The Guardian discusses how to deal with tyrants: "Allowing them to go 'with dignity' may not be what they deserve, but sometimes it may be the most practical solution and it might also smooth the way for easing out other dictators in other countries. No tyrant is going to agree to leave if it means being hanged, drawn and quartered as soon as he steps down. Besides the relief, though, there is also anger at what they have done - and not to address that would be unfair to the victims of their misrule. Tempting as it may be to seek retribution, retribution for its own sake doesn't achieve much. The way members of the old regime are treated should set the tone for the new regime."
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Lidové noviny - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 12. April 2011
The hopes of peace in Libya have been dashed for the time being after the rebels rejected as inadequate a plan drawn up by the African Union that had been accepted by Gaddafi. In the opinion of the conservative daily Lidové noviny the plan was doomed to fail from the outset: » more
The hopes of peace in Libya have been dashed for the time being after the rebels rejected as inadequate a plan drawn up by the African Union that had been accepted by Gaddafi. In the opinion of the conservative daily Lidové noviny the plan was doomed to fail from the outset: "If there is a sensible solution it has to be an African or Arab one. If the West tries to do this there will soon be talk of imperialism, colonialism or even a crusade. ... The African Union's plan could never have worked because both belong to Africa: the rebels and Gaddafi. The plan was aimed not at Gaddafi's stepping down but at an agreement with the rebels. Who would bet on such a plan working? The African Union however, has no other option. It has neither military power nor money. And if it does have money it comes from Gaddafi, the founding father of this Union."
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Salzburger Nachrichten - Austria | Monday, 11. April 2011
The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: » more
The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: "As soon as refuges start spilling across Europe's borders in large numbers the EU countries stop being nice to each other. ... The dreadful situation shows that Europe has gone astray when it comes to refugee and immigration policy. The responsibility for asylum-seekers and refugees lies solely with those who patrol Europe's borders. And if the Italians, Greeks or Spanish are unable to cope with the situation, instead of stepping in to help the other countries start cutting themselves off as Bavaria and other central Europeans are doing now. The pressure from the refugees won't lessen. Here too, Europe will have to find a united approach to the problem instead of trying to pass it on to others."
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Avvenire - Italy | Monday, 11. April 2011
The most violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the fall of the long-standing ruler Hosni Mubarak took place at Tahir Square in Cairo on the weekend. The revolutionary wave in the Arab world is not automatically establishing democratic structures, the Catholic daily Avvenire writes: » more
The most violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the fall of the long-standing ruler Hosni Mubarak took place at Tahir Square in Cairo on the weekend. The revolutionary wave in the Arab world is not automatically establishing democratic structures, the Catholic daily Avvenire writes: "As to be expected, in Egypt too there has been a return to violence at the symbolic place of the revolts. The power elites were willing to sacrifice the ruler who symbolised the regime but are putting up a lot more fierce resistance to handing over the true power because they will then fall victim to their old political opponent. After the pharaoh's fall all the elements of conflict remain intact - the military that controls the transition, the administrational elite, the liberal opposition and the Muslim radicals and a youth without prospects. A solution that would be satisfactory for all is practically impossible."
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Neue Zürcher Zeitung - Switzerland | Friday, 8. April 2011
There is no sign that the situation in Libya could soon be resolved in favour of Gaddafi's opponents, which faces Nato with a strategic dilemma, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: » more
There is no sign that the situation in Libya could soon be resolved in favour of Gaddafi's opponents, which faces Nato with a strategic dilemma, writes the liberal conservative daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "Nato can reduce the strength of Gaddafi's troops over time with its air strikes, but it can't eliminate the rebels' weaknesses. Their command structures are inefficient, they lack modern weapons, combat experience, mobility and logistics. Morale will become a major risk factor if they don't chalk up substantial successes in a hurry. But the allies don't want to supply them with weapons, at least not in a big way. Support from Western secret services may make up for certain deficits, but it's doubtful that this can be decisive for victory."
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Trouw - Netherlands | Thursday, 7. April 2011
An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: » more
An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: "That means redistributing the burden that until now has been borne mainly by Italy. But it also means searching for solutions and easing the despair that drives people to put their lives on the line. Cooperation with the countries of North Africa is indispensable. ... But it is only possible with states that guarantee their citizens a minimum of security. For countries like Libya, Eritrea or Somalia that does not hold at present. ... People from these countries must be taken in by Europe, whereupon the EU must act as a union, distributing the refugees among member states and jointly bearing the costs."
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Die Welt - Germany | Friday, 1. April 2011
The defection of Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is clear evidence of the gradual erosion of the system that bolsters the anti-Gaddafi coalition: » more
The defection of Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is clear evidence of the gradual erosion of the system that bolsters the anti-Gaddafi coalition: "As the last few days have shown, the rebels are still weaker than Gaddafi's troops in terms of firing power and the number of trained fighters. They must therefore pin their hopes on the psychological impact, and that those loyal to Gaddafi will realise that fighting for him is a lost cause not worth risking their lives or health for. ... The best scenario would of course be for Gaddafi himself to throw in the towel and go into exile. Judging however by his appearances so far and his personality, this is not very likely. ... But now that someone like Moussa Koussa has defected many others within the circle of power around Gaddafi will be asking themselves whether it's not high time for them to do the same."
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Aamulehti - Finland | Friday, 1. April 2011
The flight of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is a sign that Gaddafi is losing the support of his government, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: » more
The flight of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is a sign that Gaddafi is losing the support of his government, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: "The safest way to survive in politics is to side with the winner. The Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa's defection to the West makes him the highest-ranking Libyan leader so far to assume that the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi won't wind up winning this war. ... Air strikes alone won't resolve the Libyan power struggle. Because sending ground troops to Libya isn't feasible for many reasons the alliance could support the rebels with for example weapons instead and hope that Gaddafi's government crumbles from within. Koussa's change of sides is an encouraging sign that Gaddafi's supporters are dwindling in number. He, too, will have to realise at some point that a leader without troops has no future."
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The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom | Friday, 1. April 2011
Commenting on the departure of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa for the UK, the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph argues he should be spared from standing trial: » more
Commenting on the departure of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa for the UK, the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph argues he should be spared from standing trial: "Should he be greeted as an enlightened turncoat whose example will encourage other Gaddafi lieutenants to follow suit; or should he be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted for his alleged role in the regime's crimes? ... Mr Cameron said yesterday he hoped that Mr Koussa's desertion would encourage others of Gaddafi's entourage to abandon him - but that is hardly likely if they think they will end up in prison. So far, the Prime Minister has scrupulously set out his case for intervention in Libya on grounds of high principle. But where Mr Koussa is concerned, his desire to do what is right is about to collide with the requirements of a foreign policy in which it might be more important to do what is necessary."
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The Independent - United Kingdom | Thursday, 31. March 2011
It would be extremely risky for the international community to arm the Libyan rebels, writes the liberal daily The Independent: » more
It would be extremely risky for the international community to arm the Libyan rebels, writes the liberal daily The Independent: "Certainly the thinking of Britain, France and the US appears to have shifted, as the pro-Gaddafi forces have counter-attacked. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, now suggests that UN Security Council resolution 1973 might have trumped the arms embargo currently in force, and David Cameron is refusing to rule out supplying weapons. Such a change, however, would be risky in the extreme. ... An express decision to supply arms to the opposition, however, would have two effects: in the short term, it would end any coalition claim to be neutral; in the longer term, there is the example of Afghanistan, where US weapons supplied to the anti-Soviet mujahedin are now being used against American forces by the Taliban."
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De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Thursday, 31. March 2011
If the international alliance starts supplying the Libyan rebels with weapons it will be taking a number of risks, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: » more
If the international alliance starts supplying the Libyan rebels with weapons it will be taking a number of risks, the leftist daily De Volkskrant warns: "It is becoming clear that with their limited materials and inexperience the rebels will not be able to contend with the heavy artillery of Gaddafi's experienced troops. It will take more than the no-fly zone to prevent the rebels from losing the battle. But must they be armed to be able to win the war? This would require a large-scale support operation that includes training in how to use the weapons. And that could suck the coalition much deeper into the Libyan conflict than it already is. Moreover there is the danger that modern weapons could fall into the hands of groups that perhaps later won't be so keen on freedom and democracy. The Americans of all people know very well that not every enemy of the enemy is a friend."
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