Monday, October 31, 2005

Unfinished business in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has taken a momentous step toward a model of inclusive security, whereby all stakeholders -- including women --participate in governance and other aspects of peacebuilding. But it was only one small step.

Bush Selects Alito for Supreme Court

"Judge Alito has gained the respect of his colleagues and attorneys for his brilliance and decency," Bush said

Americans Honor and Mourn Rosa Parks at Capitol Rotunda

The casket of Rosa Parks stood in the Rotunda of the Capitol today.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Afghanistan Parliamentary Election Turnout Lower Than Expected

Human rights activists harshly criticized the Afghan government for not developing stricter eligibility criteria that would have prevented those who had leadership roles during Afghanistan’s 25-year cycle of violence from running for elected office.

Afghanistan's parliament, on the frontline of a troubled history

Constructed in the late 1960s to house the first-ever parliament during the reign of King Mohammad Zahir Shah, the last parliamentarians to occupy it were elected in 1969 in the last legislative vote before this year's elections.

Mrs. Bush Hosts White House Conference on Helping America's Youth

"I'm encouraged by children and community leaders I have met around the country who have the compassion and persistence to help change lives," said Mrs. Bush.

Afghan Human Rights Abuses: A Chance for Change

In mid-July, Patricia Gossman, director of the Afghanistan Justice Project, a research and advocacy group, released a 180-page report covering human rights abuses and the worst atrocities and massacres committed by participants in Afghanistan’s wars from 1978 to the present day.

Pakistan: Officials Place Tents Intended for Victims in Storage - Human Rights Watch

It is essential for the public to know that aid is being handled in a non-arbitrary, non-discriminatory manner.

Friday, October 28, 2005

Libby Faces 5 Charges, but Not for Disclosing Classified Data

New York Times-- Mr. Libby resigned just before the indictment was handed up.

Fitzgerald News Conference

It's especially important in the national security area. The laws involving disclosure of classified information in some places are very clear, in some places they're not so clear.

Cheney Adviser Indicted in CIA Leak Probe

Vice President Accepts I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby's Resignation 'With Deep Regret'

Western Leaders Condemn the Iranian President's Threat to Israel

Arab governments were silent, but a Palestinian official rejected the remarks. "We have recognized the state of Israel and we are pursuing a peace process with Israel," said Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator, The Associated Press reported.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Germany: New Government Should Bolster Global Human Rights

(Berlin, October 26, 2005) The incoming German government should become a force for human rights protection worldwide, Human Rights Watch said today.

Islamists and Mujahedeen Secure Victory in Afghan Vote

At least half of the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of Parliament, will be made up of religious figures or former fighters, including four former Taliban commanders.

White House Seeks CIA Exemption on Detainees

McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, proposed new detainee regulations in an amendment to a $440 billion Pentagon funding bill.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

US civil rights icon Parks dies

Rosa Parks, the black woman whose 1955 protest action in Alabama marked the start of the modern US civil rights movement, has died at the age of 92.

Rosa Parks, 92, Founding Symbol of Civil Rights Movement, Dies

Rosa Parks's refusal to relinquish her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Ala., helped touch off the civil rights movement.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Foreign Policy: Ranking the Rich 2005

The third annual CGD/FP Commitment to Development Index ranks the generosity of 21 rich nations on how they help or hinder the poor. The rich hand out vast sums of foreign aid, but they also put up enormous barriers to trade. They selflessly send soldiers to keep the peace, but then sell arms to Third World thugs. In the end, are the rich doing more harm than good?

Foreign Policy: The Failed States Index

About 2 billion people live in countries that are in danger of collapse. In the first annual Failed States Index, FOREIGN POLICY and the Fund for Peace rank the countries about to go over the brink.

Afghan Heroin Kingpin Extradited to U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) -- An Afghan drug lord allegedly linked to the Taliban has become the first man ever extradited from Afghanistan to face federal charges, authorities said Monday.

Bush Nominates Bernanke to Succeed Greenspan as Fed Chief

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 - President Bush nominated today Ben S. Bernanke, his top economic adviser, to replace Alan Greenspan as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

Rice Visit to Afghanistan Coincides With Violence

At a joint news conference with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, Rice said Afghanistan was "inspiring the world with its march of democracy."

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Bush renews Palestinian state vow

The US leader said he had assured Mr Abbas that "the US would use its influence to help realise a shared vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security".

US Tries to Limit Damage From Taliban Body Burning

U.S. embassies around the world were told to explain that what people saw in the tape shown on an Australian television report did not reflect the actions of most of the U.S. military or of U.S. values overall, the State Department said.

U.S. to Probe Treatment of Dead Taliban Fighters

Australian television aired video yesterday showing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan allegedly burning two dead Taliban fighters and using the charred bodies in an attempt to taunt other enemy forces in the area.

A Defiant Hussein Pleads Not Guilty on War Crimes Charges

"I can tell you are an Iraqi from your accent, and I'm sure you know me," he told the judge. "I am known as the president of the Republic of Iraq. And I ask, who are you? Who are these judges?"

Monday, October 17, 2005

Afghan Women's Rights Editor on Trial for Blasphemy

“This is of grave concern,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority. “The United States is telling the world that the US is supporting women’s rights and democracy in Afghanistan. Freedom of speech is fundamental to women’s rights and democracy.”

Rice Visit to Afghanistan Coincides With Violence

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 12 -- Hours after rockets were fired at foreign diplomatic facilities and the Afghan security headquarters here, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the Afghan capital Wednesday for talks about ongoing military operations and efforts to stabilize the country's fragile new democracy.

Commanders, and Women Too, Are Strong in Afghan Election

"The Parliament will have a more Islamist flavor than the current government," said one Western diplomat who asked not to be identified because of the political nature of his comments. Candidates who fall into a general category of centrist reformists would represent only a small minority, he said.

Afghanistan, NATO Upbeat on Alliance Move

France, Germany, Spain and some other European allies have insisted the NATO troops should not become involved in counterinsurgency operations, which are currently the domain of the U.S.-led 20,000-strong coalition force.