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World briefs |
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Gaza ceasefire takes effect: Guns went quiet as a six-month truce between Israel and Gaza Strip militants took effect in the early hours of June 19, but there is widespread skepticism about its ability to hold. The ceasefire, with Egypt brokered after months of labour, aims to bring an end to a year of fighting that killed seven Israelis and more than 400 Palestinians – many of them civilians – since the Islamic militant group, Hamas, wrested control of the Gaza a year ago. If the ceasefire holds, Israel has promised to ease its blockade to allow larger shipments of some supplies. A week later, Israel is to further ease restrictions at cargo crossing which in recent months has been closed to all but humanitarian aid and limited fuel supplies. In a final stage, negotiators are to tackle Hamas demand to reopen a major border passage between the Gaza and Egypt and Israel’s insistence that Hamas release an Israeli soldier it has held for two years. Hamas is seeking release of 450 prisoners who are languishing in Israeli jails.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, meanwhile, has opposed new settlements by Israel which, she said, would harm peace negotiations with the Palestinians. At a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called settlements the highest hurdle to a deal with Israel, Rice said in Ramallah, West Bank, on June 15 that both sides should try to build confidence, not undermine it.
Israel said last week that it planned to build 1300 new homes in the occupied West Bank in an area it considers part of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Hamas and its Palestinian rival, Fatah, are set to begin their talks in the Gaza, the first such dialogue between the two factions since Hamas took control of the coastal strip a year ago. The meeting follows an agreement between the two factions in Dakar to address their differences.
Iran condemns Israeli rehearsal to attack its N-facilities: Iran has warned Israel of a strong response if it took forceful measures. The warning from senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami on June 20 came after the US media reported military exercises by the Jewish State for a possible practice for a strike against Iran. He said, if the US-backed Israel wanted to use a language of force, they should rest assured that they will receive a strong blow in the mouth.
A report by the NEW YORK TIMES cited US officials as saying that a major military exercise carried out by Israel earlier this month seemed to be a practice for any potential strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. In the exercise in the Mediterranean, some one hundred Israeli F-16 and F-15 aircraft flew some 1400 kilometres, approximately the distance from Israel to Natanz, an important Iranian nuclear facility, for a possible surprise air attack. They carried out manoeuvres over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, said US officials. The exercise also included helicopters that could be used to rescue downed pilots. The helicopters and refuelling tankers flew more than 1400 km, which is about the same distance between Israel and Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, said US officials.
Western oil giants back in Iraq: Four Western companies are in the final stages of negotiations this month on contracts that will return them to Iraq 36 years after losing their oil concession to nationalization as Saddam Hussein rose to power. Exxon, Mobil, Shell and BP – the original partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company – along with Chevron and a few smaller oil companies are in talks with Iraq’s Oil Ministry for no-bid contracts to service Iraq’s largest fields.
UK ratifies Lisbon Treaty: Britain has ratified the controversial Lisbon Treaty designed to streamline the functioning of the expanded European Union, but its future remained uncertain because of the crisis caused by last week’s “no” vote in Irish referendum. Technically, the treaty is dead as the rules state that the EU’s 27 members must ratify the treaty for it to become effective. Britain is the 19th member to ratify it and the process of ratification in the remaining countries is on.
Zimbabwe run-off poll: Mugabe threatens opposition leaders: As the Presidential run-off poll draws nearer, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s campaign of intimidation against the leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change [MDC] is increasing. The MDC says 66 of its supporters have been killed in the election violence by ruling ZANU-PF supporters. MDC Secretary General Biti has been arrested on charges of treason. MDC chief Morgan Tsvangirai has been repeatedly detained during his campaign. His party is threatening to boycott the poll fearing it would be rigged in favour of President Mugabe who has been holding on to power for the last 28 years, ever since the country attained independence from Britain. The country is suffering economic collapse. Mugabe has lost all the African friends including Angola. The Kenyan Prime Minister who was in Washington along with Condoleezza Rice urged Mugabe to let the opposition operate in an atmosphere of peace and freedom from violence. He called Mugabe an embarrassment for the other African countries. Only the South African President, who is trying to broker peace, is refraining from burning all bridges with Mugabe.
Mugabe lost the first round and the run-off is due on June 27. State repression may well see him through, but political observers say, a renewed mandate for him is fraught with danger if reactions from the US and Britain are any indication.
[ ] Bush rating lowest since 1938: The approval rating of President Bush, now on the last leg of his second term, has reached an all-time low in modern opinion polls since Gallup’s first in 1938 with a record number of Americans saying the country is on the wrong track. Given the growing economic discontent, the rising cost of fuel and the unpopular Iraq war, Bush’s job approval rating has sunk to a new low in the latest ABCF/Washington Post polls. Sixtyeight per cent of Americans now disapprove, the highest in any Presidential approval [surpassing Harry Truman’s 67%], the poll said.
Djibouti-Eritrea clash
The United Nations Security Council has criticized Eritrea for the recent border raids against Djibouti that killed at least six soldiers and left 62 others wounded in the disputed border region of Ras Doumeira, a strategic promontory overlooking the Red Sea, which is occupied by Eritrea but claimed by Djibouti.
In a resolution, the Security Council demanded that the two parties observe a ceasefire, show maximum restraint and withdraw forces to the status quo ante. The Council urged the two sides to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully. The resolution urged UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon to use his good offices in coordination with regional efforts to facilitate bilateral discussions. In this connection, the Security Council welcomed efforts by the African Union and the Arab nations to broker an accord.
Tension between the two Horn of Africa countries has been high since April 16 when Eritrean troops raided Ras Doumeira which both sides claim. The two neighbours fought for the control of the area in 1996 and 1999. Djibouti has accused Eritrean forces of digging trenches on both sides of the border on April 16. The Eritrean Government has denied the charge. In a Press release, Djibouti has accused the Eritrean Army of firing on the Djiboutian Army on June 10, alleging the firing continued until the next day in an attempt not only to disturb Djibouti but the whole region. Djibouti has also accused Eritrea of spurning all invitations for talks since it was in occupation of Ras Doumeira. It has demanded an immediate withdrawal of Eritrea from the Djiboutian territory.
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