Welcome to the Global Current, your window to the world. Today we have reports on fears of the swine flu at Mecca with Alyssa Alfano and a report on the island of Las Gaviotas with Rehana Nathoo.
The tariffs come about a week before President Obama heads to China. He will be in the country from November 15-18.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS:
Headlines:
Anchored by Brieann Martino & Matt Ausloss
Let’s first look at the Americas where
Anchored by Brieann Martino & Matt Ausloss
Let’s first look at the Americas where
12 are Dead and 31 Wounded in Shooting at Fort Hood
On Thursday, Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at a military processing center at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 12 and injuring 31. The 39 year old suspect is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a licensed psychiatrist. He previously worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center before his post at Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood. According to Senior Kay Bailey Hutchison, Hasan was scheduled to be deployed to Iraq and appeared to be upset about that. In a statement released by Hasan’s cousin, Nader, their family is "filled with grief for the families of today's victims. The statement went on to say “Our family loves America. We are proud of our country, and saddened by today's tragedy."
Zelaya May Soon Return to Honduran Presidency
Negotiators for Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti, the politician appointed president after Zelaya was removed, reached an agreement last Thursday to form a government of national reconciliation, and to have the nation’s congress approve Zelaya’s return to power. The government would rule until the new president voted upon in the November 29 election takes office in January. During the time of these negotiations, Zelaya has been staying at the Brazilian Embassy in the Honduran capital.
US House Rejects the Goldstone Report
The UN- sponsored report was rejected by the US House of Representatives for being “irredeemably biased.” The House also voted on Tuesday, 344 to 36, to pass a non-binding resolution requesting President Obama to continue opposition to the report. The report accused the Israeli government and the Palestinian Hamas of war crimes during the 22-day conflict that occurred between December and January. It called for the cases to be sent to the ICC if Israel and Hamas do not look into the war crimes allegations within six months. Hamas has agreed to investigate, but Israel so far has not.
US Embargo on Cuba Condemned by General Assembly-
The General Assembly overwhelming voted against the US trade embargo on Cuba last Wednesday. This nonbinding resolution has been an annual occurrence for the past 18 years. The US has lifted some of the past restrictions, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit family in Cuba, allowing them to send money to their families, and opening the path for food and telecommunications companies to trade. But President Obama extended the trade embargo for another year in September, stating that the embargo will not be removed until Cuba eases its domestic oppression.
Turning now to Europe-
Brown reiterates UK commitment to War in Afghanistan
In a speech on Friday, United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated his nation’s commitment to maintaining the fight in Afghanistan.
To this date Britain has lost 93 soldiers in Afghanistan
Threats of Potential Strike at British Airways
Between April and September of this year British Airways lost over $485 million dollars due to steep decline in passenger and cargo revenue. Plans to cut cost, including eliminating shifts, and freezing pay has caused the airline workers union known as Unite to hold a vote later this year over whether or not to strike during the Christmas holidays.
Spain Refuses to Negotiate with Somali Pirates Over Hostages
Somali pirates have threatened to kill 3 of 30 captured sailors if the Spanish government does not release two captive Somalis
In Asia
US Puts Tariffs on Chinese Pipes
The US Commerce Department has imposed anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese-made pipes. The US alleges that China has been selling its oil well pipes well below normal levels. The Commerce Department was under pressure from several US companies and a labor union to address the issue. It has alleged that China underprices these products by up to 99% of their normal value.
Pakistani Forces Capture Important Taliban Town
The Pakistani army has captured the town of Ladha from the Taliban as part of continued fighting in South Waziristan. The military has reported the deaths of 28 militants and 5 soldiers so far. Most Pakistanis are in full support of the military’s offensive, despite recent militant attacks that have left hundreds dead in recent weeks. Troops are now clearing mines in the heavily mountainous region. The military says most of the militants’ heartland is now in their control.
Cambodia Recalls Ambassador from Thailand
Cambodia has recalled its ambassador from Thailand hours after Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia. This comes after Thailand’s anger over the offer Cambodia has extended to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of a home and advisory post in Cambodia. Mr. Thaksin was tried and sentenced in absence by a Thai court on corruption charges. Cambodia’s offer of asylum to him came as Thailand prepared to host a regional summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations. Both countries are members.
Officials Resign in Indonesia Scandal
Two senior Indonesian law enforcement officials have resigned in a corruption scandal involving an alleged plot to weaken the country’s anti-corruption agency. Deputy attorney general Abdul Hakim Ritonga and Chief Detective Susno Duadji came under fire after Indonesians took to the streets demanding their resignations. The police are accused of targeting the Corruption Eradication Commission because it has been so successful in investigating and charging corrupt officials. The case has taken a hold of the nation. Indonesia is ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and the current scandal is viewed as a test of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s efforts to tackle corruption.
Let’s look at Africa where-
The ICC is looking in to Kenyan Violence
Kenya, A nation where top political leaders have long escaped persecution, could now start facing international investigations for corruption and violence that shook the country after last years elections. On Thursday, the International Criminal Court announced that any crime committed against humanity during the post-election period will be subject to investigation. Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo met with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whose intense rivalry spurred killings, leaving more than 1,000 dead.
Held Captive in Somalia
Two Somali pirates threaten to kill three Spanish crew members of the Spanish fishing vessel, Alakrana. They demand that unless Spain releases two captive Somalis, charged with armed robbery, criminal association, and illegal detention by a Spanish judge, they will kill the crew members.
In the meantime, their families have called for a meeting in Bermeo to pressure the Spanish government for action.
Tsvangirai Calls Off Cabinet-Meetings Boycott
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe announced that his party had called off its boycott of cabinet meetings with President Robert Mugabe. Spokesman James Maridadi said in an interview that leaders from the Southern African Development Community had agreed to work on resolving bitter disputes over government appointments within 30 days. South African President Jacob Zuma has attended the meeting in Mozambique and agreed to visit Zimbabwe within 15 days to follow up on negotiations. Many, including Tsvangiarai, were encouraged by Zuma’s involvement in seeking to resolve the problems in Zimbabwe.
Israel Concerned by Abbas’s Possible Exit
Israel is concerned with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to not seek re-election in planned Palestinian elections. Israel says that while the elections are an internal issue, officials have suggested that the decision could harm Middle East peace efforts. However, it is uncertain if the elections, scheduled for January 24, will proceed. Hamas has threatened to prevent the residents of Gaza from participating. Mr. Abbas says he will not seek re-election because there has been no progress in peace negotiations. He has questioned the US commitment to the process and its inability to prevent Israel from building settlements in the West Bank.
Saudi Arabia Denies Bombing Yemen
Saudi Arabia says it is only bombing Yemeni rebels in its own territory. However, this is in contrast to a report from Thursday and reports from the rebels, which say that the Saudi military is bombing villages in northern Yemen. The rebels, known as Houthis, say the Saudis killed civilians in a bombing raid in the northern city of Saada. The Saudis have been involved in minor clashes with the Houthis, but tensions escalated after a Saudi border guard was killed and rebels captured mountainous territory in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are a Shia minority in Yemen who have been fighting the Yemeni government since 2004. They are accused of seeking to establish Shia rule and of receiving support from Iran.
Arabic Channel in Iran Closes
Al-Alam, Iran’s Arabic language satellite television channel, was taken off the air by two Arabic satellite companies. The companies cited a breach of contract as the reason for the closure. Some believe Arab governments are concerned with the channel’s increasing popularity, and with it the increasing influence of Iran. There is currently a period of increased tension between Iran and the Western-backed Arab states. Predominately Shia Iran is concerned over the treatment of the Shia minority in Saudi Arabia. Al-Alam’s coverage of the fighting in Yemen has angered Saudi Arabia, which is accused of involvement.
Las Gaviotas – An example of innovation and hope or seclusion at its finest?
Rehana Nathoo
In the 1960s, Colombian development specialist Paolo Lugari took a road trip across the unpopulated eastern plains of Columbia, a region now referred to Las Gaviotas. Then written off by agronomists as unusable because of desert like tendencies, Mr. Lugari decided this was the place to experiment with civilization. He was determined to found a village unlike any other in a time of global wars and conflicts.
Mr. Lugari, who is now 64 years of age, visited Las Gaviotas this month and said, “The only deserts that exist in the world are deserts of the imagination.” While visitors rarely travel to Las Gaviotas today, they catch a glimpse of a four-decade experiment that aims to lessen human dependence on finite fossil fuels and industrial agriculture. The community houses over 200 residents, which lacks guns, a police force, cars, a mayor, churches, priests, cell phones, televisions or the internet. No one living in Las Gaviotas even has a job title.
What the region does have is a plethora of innovations aimed at improving human life and maintaining it in one of the world’s most challenging ecosystems. Inventions include solar kettles for water sterilization as well as a 19, 800 acre re-forestation project that provides natural biofuel products while also acting as a natural habitat for native plant species.
While largely ignored in papers and the public, it does create interest in energy efficient circles within richer countries. Leaders in the field often visit, such as Amory Lovins who is associated with the Rocky Mountain Institute, a leader in energy efficiency in the U.S.
So how does Las Gaviotas fair now?
Though Mr. Lugari could not foresee it, much of Columbia’s long standing war had occupied the savannas around Las Gaviotas in Eastern Columbia, and the once tranquil community was historically infiltrated with war, despair and disease. The region occupies three-fifths of the country but is home to less than 10% of the population. Drug traffickers and private armies occupied the area years ago, reaping death and destruction in order to move cocaine between Columbia and Venezuela. Nomadic Guahibo Indians and scientists alike helped design the villages’ cluster of homes, laborites, and factories, which lie 16 hours from Bogotá by car. Today, however, the region is staunchly avoided due to rampant violence - innovation and experimentation has all but disappeared.
Teresa Valencia, a teacher who moved to the region almost 30 years ago says, quote “ we try to lead a quiet life, depending on nothing but our own labour and ingenuity.” End quote. According to Teresa, residents have had to deal with the Revolutionary Armed Force of Columbia, the FARC, and gunmen loyal to paramilitary warlord Pedro Guerrero, infamously known for his reign over the region as Cuchillo, or “the knife”. Most recently, Mr. Lugari guided foreign journalists and an American engineer who hopes to create his own version of the Las Gaviotas in New Mexico. They are only shown the area, however, on the condition that they don’t spend the night due to kidnapping fears. Visitors who arrive at dawn on a Cessna plane leave promptly before dusk.
Not everyone, however, has been swept up in the marvel of Las Goviatas.
While the region stirs fascination internationally, some Columbian residents are less enthralled about Mr. Lugari’s creation. Bogata engineer, Jorge Zapp, recognized the importance of Mr. Lugari’s ideas but says, quote “…like all imperial regimes from Julius Caesar to Castro, Gaviotas centers on one person and after some years, Paolo’s shadow grew too big.” End quote. As if to add fuel to the fire, residents of Gaviotas respectfully refer to Mr. Lugari as “Doctor.” Others have compared Gaviotas to a submarine, one that isolates itself from surrounding regions and communities while seeking impermeability within its borders.
The community’s future is constantly being called into question. A mural in the village common room artfully depicts a group of curious children at play surrounded by unique inventions, but only a dozen local children actually attend the one room school in Las Gaviotas.
Las Gaviotas isn’t considered a failed experiment by all, however.
Andrea Beltran a Gaviotera at birth explains that, quote “ We have survived. Maybe at this time and place in Columbia, that is enough.”
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