"This is the main action inscribed in the hunt for Communist collaborators launched by the conservative twins Lech and Jaroslaw Kaczynski (respectively President and Prime Minister) since they have been in power. Europe is astonished by it", explains Cristina Galindo. "Bearing the name of lustration law, it is coming into force today and will oblige several hundreds of thousands of Polish people (between 400,000 and 700,000) to answer the question, 'Did you ever collaborate secretly and knowingly with the former communist security forces?'. This question is dividing the Polish. Those in favour of this initiative say that it will allow the system to become more transparent and that there is nothing to fear. Those who are opposed to this - many people are threatening to boycott this law - feel that on the contrary, it represents an unconstitutional norm." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, español)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política interior, » Historia, » Polonia
Todos los textos disponible de » Cristina Galindo

"The principle of Polish 'lustration' is fair, but has arrived twenty years too late", considers the editorialist Pol Mathil. "It was, of course, at the time of the peaceable transition from dictatorship to democracy in 1989/90 that the political police files should have been opened and measures imposed according to their contents. ... It is naive to think that such an operation, started after so much delay, can deliver a 'new man'. ... On the contrary, we can expect this purification of a bygone era to not only fail in re-establishing national cohesion, but exacerbate division of Poles. The paradoxical aspects of lustration do nothing to improve its credibility. Lustration bases conclusions on files established by the Communist secret police who were in the habit of falsifying its archives... . It is not possible to build; as the 'twins' wish, their moral revolution on such foundations." (15/03/2007)

» informaciones adicionales (enlace externo, francés)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política interior, » Historia, » Polonia
Todos los textos disponible de » Pol Mathil

Not only the media are divided in their attitude towards the new "lustration law", with the conservative Rzeczpospolita supporting it while the left-leaning Gazeta Wyborcza is against it. Journalist associations are also polarized on the subject. Unlike the country's largest association, the Polish Journalists' Association, Jerzy Domanski, president of the small left-wing Journalist's Association of the Republic of Poland and editor-in-chief of Polish weekly Przeglad, roundly condemns the application of the law to the media. Talking to Krzysztof Lubczynski he explains the following: "I believe that the lustration law is part of a bigger project and that the current government is violating the constitution on all fronts... As a journalist, I consider the law an act of revenge against the media, because these criticised the government for its attempt to discipline them and ply them into submission. It's an attempt to intimidate the media and journalists." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, polaco)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política interior, » Historia, » Polonia

Michael Kiefer and Eberhard Seidel note that "anti-Semitism is gaining force in Europe" and take a closer look at the phenomenon of Islamic anti-Semitism. "This anti-Semitism, which is disguised as Islamism, is a problem. It is not a religious phenomenon. Those who think it is are misjudging the dimensions of modern anti-Semitism - the fact that it's essentially a flexible code that can be easily adapted to fit in with either secular or religious ideological concoctions. The secret of its success is that in this cold, globalised world it offers a vision that, with the aid of abstruse conspiracy theories, names those responsible for all the misery: the Jews." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, alemán)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Religión, » Ideología, » Europa
Todos los textos disponible de » Michael Kiefer, » Eberhard Seidel

The Portuguese academic Luciano Amaral sees the project of creating a common European History book as an unfortunate expression of the notion of federalism. "This book reflects the tension on the continent between the maintaining of political units [nations] which have so struggled to emerge and the idea according to which they should fit into a single large European entity. But this idea, which has a growing number of followers and which is notably expressed by the European Constitution, utterly contradicts the reasons behind the success of European integration. ... European federalism takes us back to the worst reasons for the most violent European conflicts. On the other hand, the European Union that exists - decentralised, subtle and diverse - is a great political and economic success, synonymous with peace and prosperity. The federal idea is the opposite of this... . What is the point in spoiling what works well as it is?" (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, portugués)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política de la UE, » Educación / Instrucción / Formación, » Historia, » Filosofía, » Europa
Todos los textos disponible de » Luciano Amaral

The approach of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome on March 25 prompts the newspaper to review the situation in Europe. It takes a critical view of the implementation of the criteria laid down by British historian Timothy Garton Ash: freedom, peace, rule of law, prosperity, diversity and solidarity: "Corruption is eroding freedom, particularly in the new Eastern European member states. Within the EU itself there are also democratic deficits. Peace appears to be guaranteed, but Russia is reviving old memories. When the Balkan Wars began, the US had to rush to the EU's aid because it lacked the power to deal with the situation on its own. Law and justice are fundamental in an open society, yet the EU is far from perfect. There are still lawless regions in the east and southeast... Everywhere the 'fight against terror' has weakened legal security. There is plenty of wealth, but it is unevenly distributed. Diversity is Europe's political weakness but at the same time its cultural strength. Solidarity has led to EU enlargement, but Europe is also a stronghold for hypocrites. Within, free trade is thriving, but outside both people and goods are being held at arm's length." (14/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, sueco)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política de la UE, » Europa

As a poll recently revealed that 7 out of every 10 French people consider themselves "proud to be European", the editorialist Stéphane Marchand wonders "where all of the French 'NO' voters [in the referendum on the European Constitution] have gone? It is as if two Europes were coexisting in the minds of the French. In theory, they like the grandeur of the idea, but they have been taught to be wary of the risks it implies. ... In each country of the Union, and particularly in the most developed of them, it is not easy to reconcile the idea of Europe with real Europe. Here, without a doubt, is France's greatest weakness. ... The presidential election on April 22nd will see the emergence of a new generation of leaders in Paris. If, as promised, it undertakes the reform of France, it will become possible to drop the double-language and teach French people Europe as it is: a big idea still being developed." (14/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, francés)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política de la UE, » Política interior, » Francia, » Europa
Todos los textos disponible de » Stéphane Marchand

When Vladimir Putin visited Italy on March 13th, Italy signed a series of agreements with Russia. Amid much back-patting, human rights and democracy were forgotten, deplores the editorialist Sandro Viola. "Putin is reaping the highest European honours, distributing embraces, 'nudge-nudge-wink-winks' and pats on the shoulder among EU Prime Ministers and Heads of State. ... Because business is business. Energy demands are not mere trifles and we are still more dependent on Russian petrol and gas supplies. So how to speak about the comatose state of Russia's democratic life? And what about the stifling of opposition; the masquerade of a parliament that only functions to approve orders from the big boss and the scandalous situation of a magistracy brazenly manoeuvred by the executive? How to express our disapproval of the incredible measures recently undertaken in Moscow with a view to upcoming elections?" (15/03/2007)

» ir a la página de inicio (enlace externo, La Repubblica)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Relaciones internacionales, » Italia, » Rusia, » Europa
Todos los textos disponible de » Sandro Viola

Olegas Lapinas reflects on why voter turnout for Lithuania's local elections, which took place on 25 February, was so low: "Less than half of the electorate went to the ballots. It's as if political life in our country had come to a standstill. Many citizens simply say they're not interested in politics. Politics has ceased to be a topic of conversation... When the tanks were rolling about, when there were no newspapers and no television, citizens took to the streets to defend their cause. But now, 16 years later, there are no major events to mobilise the masses." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, lituano)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política interior, » Lituania

Sixty-eight years ago the first independent Slovak state was created - a clerical-fascist satellite state condoned by Hitler. "There were times - not all too long ago - when people took to the streets on this date. Masses of people gathered at city and town squares to celebrate, and at the same time booed the then president off the stage," Marian Lesko writes recalling the year 1991, when Tiso's supporters openly railed against president Vaclav Havel. Lesko finds it shocking that even today there are Slovaks who venerate the memory of Priest Josef Tiso, president of Hitler's satellite state (1939-45). "Those who try to defend Tiso simply because he was a priest are ignoring the obvious. Tiso professed his commitment to Hitler at a time when the latter was having millions of people murdered in concentration camps... It's taken us far too long to come to terms with this date, and with Tiso as well." (14/03/2007)

» ir a la página de inicio (enlace externo, Sme)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política interior, » Historia, » Eslovaquia

The editorialist Laurent Moyse is delighted by the fact that, on March12th, the Prime Minister of Luxemburg, Jean-Claude Juncker, has joined the French Academy of Moral and Political Sciences (ASMP). "The members of the academy first and foremost accepted the European politician, the man who ... worked relentlessly for European communities to be brought closer together. ... This confirms that Luxemburg manages to impose itself in Europe as soon as its leaders establish a bridge between the nations that have been closest to it, starting with the Franco-German couple. ... This art of throwing bridges between cultures is a characteristic that Luxemburg is glad to take on. The 'academic' crowning of their Prime Minister in a way reflects a community's desire to exist through a link, though not always easy, between two spheres where nothing is entirely foreign to them and where they draw part of their creative energy to forge their own identity." (15/03/2007)

» ir a la página de inicio (enlace externo, La Voix du Luxembourg)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Política de la UE, » Luxemburgo
Todos los textos disponible de » Laurent Moyse

The Viacom media group is suing the home video website YouTube, along with its new owner Google, for a billion dollars in compensation. "With YouTube any user can put a video clip online - and many are taking advantage of this," writes Heribert Prantl. "The outcome of the lawsuit against YouTube will serve as an indicator of the future of copyright law. If the lawsuit is successful, then the dual between Google and the publishing houses about the World Library Project will be open again. If Google is successful in its bid to build up a digital library comprising every existing book, the age of the conventional bookstore will come to an end. The lawsuit is being filed under US law. Under German law Article 14 of the Basic Law, according to which the protection of property extends to intellectual property, would apply." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, alemán)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Medios de comunicación impresos, » Medios de comunicación online, » Política de los medios de comunicación, » Criminalidad / Jurisdicción, » Global
Todos los textos disponible de » Heribert Prantl

A film is to be made about Czech women's rights activist and resistance fighter Milada Horakova, who was sentenced to death in a show trial in 1950 and then executed by the Communists. The film will be a joint American-Australian production, with top Hollywood actors in the leading roles. Martin Weiss calls the project a "Hollywood chance" and hopes the film will focus global attention on the crimes of communism. "It used to be that no one knew or cared about the fate of those who resisted communism. As a result, the crimes of the communist regime have not been given the place they deserve in popular culture, namely next to Apartheid and Pinochet. An international film about Milada Horakova would change this and even make it worthwhile to put up with a certain degree of melodrama." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, checo)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Película, » Movimientos sociales, » Historia, » La República Checa
Todos los textos disponible de » Martin Weiss

In Eisleben the "protected buildings comprising Martin Luther's birthplace and the neighbouring charity school dating from 1817 have been restored, and a visitors' centre as well as an exhibition wing have been added," Jürgen Tietz reports. "Jörg und Klaus Springer have done well with the museum buildings. They have captured the importance and materiality of the place while at the same time giving it architectural significance. The new buildings lend a spicy note to the heated debate about the construction of the James Simon Gallery on Berlin's Museum Island. Little Eisleben has shown big Berlin how to redevelop a World Heritage Site with high-quality contemporary architecture and without all the boring historicism." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, alemán)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Arquitectura / Ciudades, » Exposiciones / Museos, » Alemania
Todos los textos disponible de » Jürgen Tietz

A complaint has been filed in Spain against the photographer José Antonio Moreno Montoya, accused of 'religious outrage' for staging various figures of the Catholic religion and several civil servants of the Extremadura region who granted him financial aid. With a lot of irony, Ignacio Camachio harshly criticised these photos, which he qualifies as "Blasphemous, rude pornography and vulgar provocation. On top of this, the work is subsidised by the Extremadura community. Of course you can be modern and avant-gardist, but this modernist breach is being financed with tax-payers' money. ... If this illustrious Cartier-Bresson of Extremadura, this famous Hamilton of the prairies, this remarkable Man Ray of the cork-tree plantations, had used his incredible courage to depict Mohammed masturbating with Aïcha or sodomising a camel, he would not find a corner on earth to shelter from the wrath of Allah's son and not a single Alliance of civilisations would enable any escape from the bloody fatwa that would be thrust upon politicians capable of subsidising such scatological delirium." (15/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, español)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Exposiciones / Museos, » Fotografía, » Religión, » Ideología, » España
Todos los textos disponible de » Ignacio Camacho

In the British monthly, literary critic Terry Eagleton and professor of cultural theory at the University of Manchester, reviews a biography of the poet T.S Elliot written by Craig Raine and ponders a tendency toward bias in the genre. "Why do critics feel a need to defend the authors they write on, like doting parents deaf to all criticism of their obnoxious children ? Eliot's well-earned reputation is established beyond all doubt, and making him out to be as unflawed as the Archangel Gabriel does him no favours. It is true that the poet was a sourly elitist reactionary who fellow-travelled with some unsavoury political types in the 1930s, and as a Christian knew much of faith and hope but little of charity. Yet the politics of many distinguished modernist artists were just as squalid, and some - Pound and Junger, for example - were quite a lot worse. There is no need to pretend that all great writers have to be uxorious, liberal-minded, philosemitic heterosexuals. Why does Raine write as though discovering that Eliot was a paedophile would change our view of Four Quartets ?" (01/03/2007)

» ir al artículo completo (enlace externo, inglés)
Más de la revista de prensa sobre el tema » Literatura, » Gran Bretaña
Todos los textos disponible de » Terry Eagleton