TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Shots were fired near the presidential palace in Honduras where protests erupted after the army ousted and exiled leftist President Manuel Zelaya on Sunday in Central America's first military coup since the Cold War. Hundreds of pro-Zelaya protesters, some masked and wielding sticks, set up barricades of chain link fences and downed billboards in the center of the capital, Tegucigalpa, and blocked roads to the presidential palace. Reuters witnesses heard shots outside the presidential palace that apparently came after a truck arrived at the protest, and an ambulance also appeared. It was not clear who fired the shots. One witness said shots were fired only in the air and there were no initial reports of injuries. In neighboring Nicaragua, leftist leaders from the region led by Zelaya's ally Venezuelan Hugo Chavez gathered in the capital Managua for late night talks on the crisis.
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Shots were fired near the presidential palace in Honduras where protests erupted after the army ousted and exiled leftist President Manuel Zelaya on Sunday in Central America's first military coup since the Cold War.
Hundreds of pro-Zelaya protesters, some masked and wielding sticks, set up barricades of chain link fences and downed billboards in the center of the capital, Tegucigalpa, and blocked roads to the presidential palace.
Reuters witnesses heard shots outside the presidential palace that apparently came after a truck arrived at the protest, and an ambulance also appeared. It was not clear who fired the shots. One witness said shots were fired only in the air and there were no initial reports of injuries.
In neighboring Nicaragua, leftist leaders from the region led by Zelaya's ally Venezuelan Hugo Chavez gathered in the capital Managua for late night talks on the crisis.
Newly appointed Honduran President Roberto Micheletti (photo) has announced a two-day nationwide curfew as supporters of the country's ousted leader erect barricades in the capital, Tegucigalpa. Gunfire was heard near the presidential palace. Former parliamentary speaker Roberto Micheletti, sworn in on Sunday as acting president by the Honduran Congress, swiftly imposed a 48-hour nationwide curfew starting on Sunday night, hours after a military coup which toppled President Manuel Zelaya pushed the Central American country into crisis. "He transformed this coup into a completely legal act with daring tact," said Laurence Cuvillier, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Mexico. "He claims to have been named president by a legal process and in accordance with the law. He is referring to the Constitution, according to which the army - which captured and expelled Zelaya - implements orders of the Supreme Court."
Former parliamentary speaker Roberto Micheletti, sworn in on Sunday as acting president by the Honduran Congress, swiftly imposed a 48-hour nationwide curfew starting on Sunday night, hours after a military coup which toppled President Manuel Zelaya pushed the Central American country into crisis. "He transformed this coup into a completely legal act with daring tact," said Laurence Cuvillier, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Mexico. "He claims to have been named president by a legal process and in accordance with the law. He is referring to the Constitution, according to which the army - which captured and expelled Zelaya - implements orders of the Supreme Court."
Result leaves government of Argentinian president Cristina Fernández facing legislative paralysisArgentina's first couple have suffered a stunning setback in an election seen as a referendum on their political dynasty, losing control of both houses of Congress.The loss will considerably weaken the government of President Cristina Fernández by diminishing her ability to push legislation through Congress and damaging the reputation of her Peronist party as it seeks direction ahead of 2011's presidential race. She has two years left in office.Fernández's husband, former President Néstor Kirchner, lost a bid for a seat in Buenos Aires province. He conceded defeat early today after trailing Francisco De Narváez 32.2% to 34.5% with 91% of the ballots counted.
Argentina's first couple have suffered a stunning setback in an election seen as a referendum on their political dynasty, losing control of both houses of Congress.
The loss will considerably weaken the government of President Cristina Fernández by diminishing her ability to push legislation through Congress and damaging the reputation of her Peronist party as it seeks direction ahead of 2011's presidential race. She has two years left in office.
Fernández's husband, former President Néstor Kirchner, lost a bid for a seat in Buenos Aires province. He conceded defeat early today after trailing Francisco De Narváez 32.2% to 34.5% with 91% of the ballots counted.
Iran's Guardian Council has confirmed the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the country's president, following a partial recount of votes from the country's disputed election of June 12. State television said that Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, the council's secretary, had presented Sadegh Mahsouli, the minister of the interior, with a letter saying it had approved the election after a recount of 10 per cent of the ballots. "The secretary of the Guardian Council in a letter to the interior minister announced the final decision of the Council ... and declares the approval of the accuracy of the results of ... the presidential election," IRIB, the Iranian broadcaster, said. Mehdi Karoubi, a defeated reformist candidate, called for an annulment of the poll, saying it was "the only way to regain people's trust".
Iran's Guardian Council has confirmed the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the country's president, following a partial recount of votes from the country's disputed election of June 12.
State television said that Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, the council's secretary, had presented Sadegh Mahsouli, the minister of the interior, with a letter saying it had approved the election after a recount of 10 per cent of the ballots.
"The secretary of the Guardian Council in a letter to the interior minister announced the final decision of the Council ... and declares the approval of the accuracy of the results of ... the presidential election," IRIB, the Iranian broadcaster, said.
Mehdi Karoubi, a defeated reformist candidate, called for an annulment of the poll, saying it was "the only way to regain people's trust".
The original source is not online so I'll take this from Wikipedia:While lecturing in early 2003 in a University of Michigan course focused on the impending conflict, Cole expressly stated that he thought the US should act to overthrow the Saddam Hussein regime, even though it might lead to unforeseen consequences.Six years after that disastrous standpoint Cole today publishes a "Guest OpEd" from one of his colleges at University of Michigan at his widely read blog. That "Guest OpEd", from which Cole in no way distances himself, states:It would be a mistake to think that people like Ahmadinejad are reasonable. It is counter productive to base policy on the untenable premise that he would be amenable to a cost-benefit analysis on the nuclear issue. Time and again he has announced that the nuclear issue is off the table. To believe or hope otherwise would be a profound and resonant error. The option that is left for the United States is either to effectively support Mousavi's camp today or risk a military confrontation with Ahmadinejad tomorrow.Huh?
The original source is not online so I'll take this from Wikipedia:
While lecturing in early 2003 in a University of Michigan course focused on the impending conflict, Cole expressly stated that he thought the US should act to overthrow the Saddam Hussein regime, even though it might lead to unforeseen consequences.
Six years after that disastrous standpoint Cole today publishes a "Guest OpEd" from one of his colleges at University of Michigan at his widely read blog. That "Guest OpEd", from which Cole in no way distances himself, states:
It would be a mistake to think that people like Ahmadinejad are reasonable. It is counter productive to base policy on the untenable premise that he would be amenable to a cost-benefit analysis on the nuclear issue. Time and again he has announced that the nuclear issue is off the table. To believe or hope otherwise would be a profound and resonant error. The option that is left for the United States is either to effectively support Mousavi's camp today or risk a military confrontation with Ahmadinejad tomorrow.
It would be a mistake to think that people like Ahmadinejad are reasonable. It is counter productive to base policy on the untenable premise that he would be amenable to a cost-benefit analysis on the nuclear issue. Time and again he has announced that the nuclear issue is off the table. To believe or hope otherwise would be a profound and resonant error.
The option that is left for the United States is either to effectively support Mousavi's camp today or risk a military confrontation with Ahmadinejad tomorrow.
Huh?
Understand that Juan Cole is a Bahá'i and has a dog in the Iranian fight as the Bahá'i are the largest religious minority in Iran. Khomeini oppressed the Bahá'i faith and Ayatollah Montazeri has been at odds with the curerent leadership over that issue among others: Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHe also issued a statement in support of the rights of the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic, saying that though Baha'is did not belong to the People of the Book like Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, nonetheless they are the citizens of this country, they have the right of citizenship and to live in this country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities. [28] Montazeri again spoke out against Ahmadinejad on June 16, 2009, during the protests against his reelection. Posted by: Migeru | Jun 29, 2009 6:12:55 AM | 3
Understand that Juan Cole is a Bahá'i and has a dog in the Iranian fight as the Bahá'i are the largest religious minority in Iran.
Khomeini oppressed the Bahá'i faith and Ayatollah Montazeri has been at odds with the curerent leadership over that issue among others:
Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
He also issued a statement in support of the rights of the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic, saying that though Baha'is did not belong to the People of the Book like Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, nonetheless they are the citizens of this country, they have the right of citizenship and to live in this country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities. [28] Montazeri again spoke out against Ahmadinejad on June 16, 2009, during the protests against his reelection.
they are the citizens of this country, they have the right of citizenship and to live in this country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities. [28]
Montazeri again spoke out against Ahmadinejad on June 16, 2009, during the protests against his reelection.
Posted by: Migeru | Jun 29, 2009 6:12:55 AM | 3
NATO and Russia resume ties after war in Georgia | World | Deutsche Welle | 28.06.2009
... after having read this:
NATO's War Plans For The High North
Since the beginning of the year the United States and NATO have repeatedly indicated in both word and deed their intention to lay claim to and extend their military presence in what they refer to as the High North: The Arctic Circle and the waters connecting with it, the Barents and the Norwegian Seas, as well as the Baltic. Washington issued National Security Presidential Directive 66 on January 12, 2009 which includes the bellicose claim that "The United States has broad and fundamental national security interests in the Arctic region [which] include such matters as missile defense and early warning; deployment of sea and air systems for strategic sealift, strategic deterrence, maritime presence, and maritime security operations." [1] Later in the same month the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] held a two-day Seminar on Security Prospects in the High North in the capital of Iceland attended by the bloc's secretary general and its top military commanders.
Washington issued National Security Presidential Directive 66 on January 12, 2009 which includes the bellicose claim that "The United States has broad and fundamental national security interests in the Arctic region [which] include such matters as missile defense and early warning; deployment of sea and air systems for strategic sealift, strategic deterrence, maritime presence, and maritime security operations." [1] Later in the same month the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] held a two-day Seminar on Security Prospects in the High North in the capital of Iceland attended by the bloc's secretary general and its top military commanders.
Long but informative article, worth reading in full.
Norway, Sweden, Finland [the latter two likely soon to integrate Nato], with major, recent Nato war exercises in Northern Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and the Barents ...
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer claims that "Russia needs NATO and NATO needs Russia". Sounds to me as though Russia needs Nato like it needs a hole in its head. .
Finland, anyway, is far more interested in China. You can't be me, I'm taken
On the day after the NATO conference in Finland's capital ended, the nation's police arrested six peace activists for painting NATO symbols in - blood - red on the walls of the Finnish Defence Command headquarters in Helsinki. The group, Muurinmurtajat, released a statement saying "it wanted to draw attention to how the practical work of bringing Finland militarily closer to NATO is being done at the Defence Command." [27] Five days later the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Finland on defense technology. "Finland is a long-standing participant in the NATO Partnership for Peace programme with a strong track record of contributing to NATO missions and exercises. "Sweden was the first partner country to sign a similar agreement with NC3A in 2007." [28] On the same day the Finnish armed forces began "their largest military exercise in decades." Maanvyory 2009 (Landslide 2009) includes "18,000 service men, including 7,000 reservists from all three branches of the service." [29]
The group, Muurinmurtajat, released a statement saying "it wanted to draw attention to how the practical work of bringing Finland militarily closer to NATO is being done at the Defence Command." [27]
Five days later the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Finland on defense technology.
"Finland is a long-standing participant in the NATO Partnership for Peace programme with a strong track record of contributing to NATO missions and exercises.
"Sweden was the first partner country to sign a similar agreement with NC3A in 2007." [28] On the same day the Finnish armed forces began "their largest military exercise in decades."
Maanvyory 2009 (Landslide 2009) includes "18,000 service men, including 7,000 reservists from all three branches of the service." [29]
Further:
"The Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise is an annual event aimed at improving interoperability and cooperation among regional allies" and this years includes naval forces from the US, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden."
That seems like a lot of activity for a simple 'observer'. .
It very much reminds me of the fact that the Swedish parliament has decided that no threat exists for the next ten years, which is the time they optimistically believe rearmament will take. The problem is of course when you start the 10-year countdown. As far as I'm concerned wer should have started it years ago, the Georgian War at the latest, or Zapad 2009 at the extremely latest.
The last time the Swedish parliament pronounced "no threat for at least 10 years" was in... 1936. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
Do not make the mistake of equalising threat with a full scale invasion. That's the kind of binary idiocy we have here in Sweden as an excuse for a defence debate. There is a wide range of actions that can be taken to pressure the states around the Baltic to adapting their domestic policies without resorting to full scale war. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
The fact that the Swedish Armed Forces are in complete disarray is another matter. Finland get 10-100 times the military strength we do for 2/3 of the budget. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
Sarkozy then advised Netanyahu to fire Lieberman and bring former foreign minister Tzipi Livni back into the coalition, according to the report. Netanyahu reportedly told Sarkozy that Lieberman came across differently in private than his public appearances would suggest. French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen also comes across as a nice person in private, Sarkozy reportedly responded, to which Netanyahu replied that Lieberman was not Le Pen and that there was no basis for comparison. Sarkozy then responded that he did not intend to compare.
French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen also comes across as a nice person in private, Sarkozy reportedly responded, to which Netanyahu replied that Lieberman was not Le Pen and that there was no basis for comparison. Sarkozy then responded that he did not intend to compare.
