No Agenda Episode 598 - "Experiential Evidence"
by Adam Curry
- Direct [link] to the mp3 file
- New: Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) nashownotes.com
- Special Executive Producer:Anonymous from South Dakota
- Executive Producers: Sir David Foley Arch Duke of Silicon Valley, Sir Paul Cowan, Truman Child, Christopher Wallace, Ryan Benson, Dan Whiffen
- Associate Executive Producers:Sir Michael Allen, Sir JD from Southern Silly-con Valley, Keith Chamberlin
- 598 Club Member: Sir David Foley Arch Duke of Silicon Valley
- Become a member of the 599 Club, support the show here
- New: Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) nashownotes.com
-
- TODAY
- SXSW - Attention, internet advertising is a ponzi scheme!
- Twitter search with OMISSIONS 'god' allah' 'OMG' 'pray' 'sad'
- If you are behind on episodes, you are not allowed to send articles via email. ONLY Twitter, so I can retweet your foolishness
-
- All Charges Dropped: Drone Artist Essam Is a Free Man - ANIMAL
- Last we heard from Essam Attia, the artist who gained notoriety for placing forged posters advertising a fictional NYPD drone campaign around New York, he had been arrested and was facing a litany of felonies for his exploits, so we threw a party to raise money for his defense. At a court appearance Monday, he learned all charges against him had been dismissed.
- ''I'm doing pretty spectacular,'' Essam told ANIMAL in a phone conversation Wednesday night. ''It was actually a surprise to my attorney and I both. We were sort of expecting it to be prolonged again, adjourned again, or the judge would be kind of a hardass and would want to send it to trial.''
- Initially, Essam faced five charges, three of which were felonies. He estimates that if convicted on all of them, a worst-case scenario would land him in jail. In November, however, all of the felony charges '-- including one apparently trumped-up count of possession of stolen property for an antique firearm that Essam says belonged to his great-grandfather '-- were either dropped or reduced to misdemeanors. ''It seemed to me like it was just made up,'' he says of the stolen gun charge.
- Though the arrest happened over a year ago, Essam's case hadn't yet seen trial when it was dismissed this week. The mysterious ''drone artist'' story attractedsignificantattention in late 2012, and according to the street artist, his attorney deliberately prolonged court proceedings to ''let the media hype cool down,'' and ''for people to forget about it'' before the state made any decisions.
- The strategy apparently worked. ''The assistant district attorney, I guess, had bigger fish to fry,'' Essam says. ''It was old enough news that it didn't matter anymore.''
- As for whether he'll use his newfound liberty to continue making art, Essam says, ''I think I'll leave that to be seen.''
- (Top photo: Aymann Ismail/ANIMALNewYork, inline photo: @Jayshells)
-
- Malaysia
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- From producer Jonas about Dept. PM's re-arrest
- Not wishing to add to the pain or throw out wild conspiracies about yesterday's 777 crash. You likely already know that two of the passengers were travelling on bogus passports. Malaysian airlines is a safe airline with minimal history for crashes or fatalities. One of the few was in 1977 when a 737 was hijacked and told to go to Singapore. Before arriving it plummeted to the ground. We will wait and see what has happened but finding the wreckage will be difficult.
- What you may know is that yesterday other major news broke in this country.
- It concerns the former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. He was Deputy PM under the PM Maharthir (pronounced as "maha-tier") Mohammed and removed from that position on charges of sodomy. The real reason for his removal was because he was not a yes man and a progressive. The case has gone through various iterations over the years and had been closed for sometime. He switched to the opposition party.
- In an upcoming election he was about to become the Chief Minister of Selangor, the most populace state in Malaysia.
- Yesterday it announced that on the eve of his long arduous rise back to power that his acquittal on sodomy charges has been over turned. This means he will be sent to he is to jail 5 years imprisonment. He will likely never recover from this as age is catching up.
- So, where is Obama, Billie Jean King, George Takei and don't eat me Hillary when a real travesty regarding LGBGT(feel free to add as many letters as you like here) rights has happened. Don't they know we have oil coming out of our ears here? Perhaps Malaysia needs a Russian naval base :)
- This link is from Australian News. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-07/an-malaysian-court-overturns-anwar27s-sodomy-acquittal/5307456
- Most Malaysians are angry with the govt. Then again, many expected this nonsense.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Searchers Report Spotting Plane Debris - WSJ.com
- Updated March 9, 2014 9:59 a.m. ET
- The fate of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is still unknown and the search continues. The WSJ's Jake Maxwell Watts tells us the focus remains in the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam.
- KUALA LUMPUR'--A Vietnamese search aircraft located fragments Sunday floating in waters off southern Vietnam that are suspected of coming from a Malaysia Airlines3786.KU 0.00%Malaysian Airline System BhdMalaysiaRM0.250.000.00%March 7, 2014 4:56 pm Volume : 18.21MP/E Ratio N/AMarket Cap RM4.18 BillionDividend Yield N/ARev. per Employee N/A03/09/14 Searchers Report Spotting Plan...03/09/14 Countries Put Disputes Aside f...03/09/14 Frustrated Relatives Demand Ac...More quote details and news >>3786.KUinYour ValueYour ChangeShort position jetliner that went missing a day earlier with 239 people on board.
- The fragments were believed to be a composite inner door and a piece of the tail, Vietnam's ministry of information and communication said in a posting on its website. They were located about 50 miles south-southwest of Tho Chu island.
- Officials released photograph of one fragment floating in the water. Malaysia Airlines said it had received no confirmation regarding the suspected debris.
- Flight MH370 went missing early Saturday on a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing and ships and planes scouring the waters had been unable to find it. Vietnam said earlier in the day that a Singaporean aircraft had found a yellow floating object south-southwest of Thu Chu and dispatched ships toward the area. Singapore has declined to comment.
- The Vietnamese statement said that the aircraft could not land near the objects to investigate them further because of darkening conditions but would continue the identification process Monday morning.
- The disappearance of the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing triggered a search and rescue operation across portions of the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea, involving the armed forces of several nations, including the United States, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
- The investigation into the fate of the plane has been complicated further by revelations that two passengers appeared to have boarded the plane with stolen passports, prompting airline executives and aviation officials to say that foul play can't be ruled out.
- Malaysia's police chief, Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar, told reporters in Terengganu on the country's South China Sea coast that while police investigators "don't dismiss the possibility" of terrorism, they weren't considering it the most likely cause for the disappearance of MH370.
- Rescuers are looking at the possibility that the plane could have attempted to turn back to Kuala Lumpur, "which could mean that the aircraft could be elsewhere," acting Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, who also serves as Malaysia's defense minister, said at a press briefing.
- Military radar readings indicate the plane may have reversed course, the country's air force chief said. Gen. Rodzali Duad said the military is still studying the radar data, and added that it is corroborated by some civilian radar data.
- The flight included passengers from more than a dozen nationalities, with just over half of them Chinese. A Malaysian aviation official said at the briefing that the aviation regulator is investigating video recordings of two passengers carrying stolen passports, from check-in to departure. Two people'--an Austrian and an Italian'--listed as being on the missing jet weren't on the flight. Their passports had been stolen in Thailand.
- A 30-year-old Austrian whose name was on the passenger list for the flight wasn't on board. His passport was stolen in Thailand in 2012, an Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
- Another passenger on the list, Luigi Maraldi, an Italian citizen, wasn't on the plane either, Italy's Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Mr. Maraldi's passport was stolen in Thailand a year and a half ago, his father said.
- An Austrian and Italian whose names were on the passenger list of flight MH370 but not on the flight both lost their passports in Thailand. The WSJ's Deborah Kan speaks to security consultant Steve Vickers about the thriving trade of selling fake identification in Thailand.
- A European security official said it wasn't uncommon for passengers to board flights using stolen passports. In addition, Beijing has emerged as a bustling transit hub in recent years, providing connecting flights to Europe and elsewhere from other parts of Asia, buoyed in part by a 72-hour visa-on-arrival program.
- A massive, multinational search and rescue operation to locate flight MH370, meanwhile, continues in the waters between Malaysia and Vietnam.
- Until the plane is located, there is little prospect of figuring out what really caused it to vanish. And the longer the search takes, the less likely it is to find any survivors.
- At a news conference in Beijing Sunday afternoon, a member of the airline's crisis-management team, said the airline has told family members of passengers to "expect the worst." Ignatius Ong said Malaysia Airlines would make travel arrangements for Chinese family members who wished to fly to Kuala Lumpur to await more news.
- Meanwhile, many relatives in Beijing were overcome with grief as they awaited news. Sounds of weeping poured out of rooms of the Metropark Lido Hotel, about 20 minutes from Beijing Capital600008.SH -2.56%Beijing Capital Co. Ltd. AChina: Shanghai¥6.86-0.18-2.56%March 7, 2014 3:04 pm Volume : 11.31MP/E Ratio 27.08Market Cap ¥15.09 BillionDividend Yield 2.19%Rev. per Employee ¥545,232More quote details and news >>600008.SHinYour ValueYour ChangeShort position International Airport where the airline had set up a help center for friends and relatives of the passengers. Some of the family members crouched in the stairwells, their cries echoing into the hallways.
- Zhang Zhiliang, from Tianjin, and his family huddled in a stairwell in the hotel, crying, "I don't understand." His cousin, 26 and also from Tianjin, was on the flight.
- PhotosA woman cries in the arrival hall of the International Airport in Beijing, China, on Saturday. Associated Press
- Late Saturday, Vietnam reported that one of its search aircraft had spotted two oil slicks some 140 kilometers, or 87 miles, from Vietnam's coast. The slicks could be a sign that the missing plane had crashed, authorities in Hanoi said.
- "I can confirm that there was an oil slick, no debris," Mr. Hishamuddin said, adding that Vietnamese authorities are on site to verify whether there is any jet fuel on the sea surface.
- On Sunday afternoon, a statement issued in the name of a previously unknown group claimed that the disappearance of the plane was a political act aimed at the Chinese and Malaysian governments and referred to last week's attack in a Chinese train station by alleged Uighur separatists. It stopped short of a claim of responsibility. Malaysian officials said that they were unaware of any claim of responsibility but would investigate all possibilities.
- A team of American aviation accident investigators, led by National Transportation Safety Board experts, is en route to Asia to provide assistance regarding the missing jetliner.
- China's navy said Sunday that it had sent two warships to help with the search. Beijing had already sent at least one coast guard vessel and two search and rescue ships toward the area, according to state media.
- "Once the aircraft location is identified," international accident rules will determine what country will formally lead the probe, the safety board said. The board's announcement is the latest sign of the intense international interest in trying to quickly determine what caused the BoeingBA -0.25%Boeing Co.U.S.: NYSE$128.54-0.32-0.25%March 7, 2014 5:03 pm Volume (Delayed 15m) : 4.20MAFTER HOURS$127.43-1.11-0.86%March 7, 2014 8:59 pm Volume (Delayed 15m): 101,687P/E Ratio 21.30Market Cap $95.56 BillionDividend Yield 2.27%Rev. per Employee $514,38803/09/14 Countries Put Disputes Aside f...03/09/14 Boeing Dreamliner Makes Emerge...03/09/14 Defense Radar Detected Possibl...More quote details and news >>BAinYour ValueYour ChangeShort position 777 to disappear from the sky in good weather.
- The team, including technical advisers from Boeing Co. and the Federal Aviation Administration, left the U.S. Saturday and would "be positioned to offer U.S. assistance," the board said. The NTSB is unlikely to head up what is bound to be a complex and extensive probe, but the board's expertise is likely to play a big role in establishing the chain of events.
- The NTSB's decision, according to air-safety officials, indicates that at least at this point, U.S. aviation regulators and safety watchdogs are treating the plane's disappearance and presumed crash as an accident rather than an act of terrorism.
- The officials stressed that could change as more details surface. For now, though, it is the NTSB investigators, rather than law-enforcement or antiterrorism officials, who are leading Washington's public response.
- '--Vu Trong Khanh, Chuin-Wei Yap, Laurie Burkitt and Celine Fernandez contributed to this article.
- Write to Jason Ng at jason.ng@wsj.com
-
- Search widened for missing plane
- 9 March 2014Last updated at 08:14 Radar signals show a Malaysia Airlines plane that has been missing for more than 24 hours may have turned back, Malaysian officials have said.
- Rescue teams looking for the plane have now widened their search area.
- Investigators are also checking CCTV footage of two passengers who are believed to have boarded the plane using stolen passports.
- Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared south of Vietnam with 239 people on board.
- Air and sea rescue teams have been searching an area of the South China Sea south of Vietnam for more than 24 hours.
- But Malaysia's civil aviation chief, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur the search area had been expanded, to include the west coast of Malaysia.
- Five passengers booked on the flight did not board, he added. Their luggage was consequently removed.
- Twenty-two aircraft and 40 ships are now involved in the search, armed forces chief Gen Zulkefli Zin said.
- Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
- Rodzali Daud, Royal Malaysian Air Force: "There is a possibility the aircraft did make a turn back"
- Air force chief Rodzali Daud said the investigation was now focusing on a recording of radar signals that showed there was a "possibility" the aircraft had turned back from its flight path.
- Vietnamese navy ships which reached two oil slicks spotted earlier in the South China Sea found no signs of wreckage.
- 'Suspect'Malaysia's Transport Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, initially said at least four names on the passenger list were "suspect" but later told the BBC there were in fact only two suspect names.
- The BBC has confirmed that a man falsely using an Italian passport and a man falsely using an Austrian passport purchased tickets at the same time, and were both booked on the same onward flight from Beijing to Europe on Saturday.
- Both had purchased their tickets from China Southern Airlines, which shared the flight with Malaysia Airlines, and they had consecutive ticket numbers.
- The real owners reportedly had their passports stolen in Thailand in recent years.
- Mr Hussein said international agencies including the FBI had joined the investigation and all angles were being examined.
- "Our own intelligence have been activated and, of course, the counterterrorism units... from all the relevant countries have been informed," he said.
- "The main thing here for me and for the families concerned is that we find the aircraft."
- The passengers on the flight were of 14 different nationalities. Two-thirds were from China, while others were from elsewhere in Asia, North America and Europe.
- When he was asked earlier whether terrorism was suspected as a reason for the plane's disappearance, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said: "We are looking at all possibilities but it is too early to make any conclusive remarks."
- The plane vanished at 17:30 GMT Friday (01:30 local time Saturday).
- It reportedly went off the radar south of Vietnam.
- Malaysian Airlines had previously said it last had contact with air traffic controllers 120 nautical miles off the east coast of the Malaysian town of Kota Bharu.
- Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
- Chinese airports have stepped up security in the wake of the incident, as John Sudworth reports
- Distraught relatives and loved ones of those on board are being given assistance at both the arrival and departure airports.
- Continue reading the main storyManifest for Flight MH370 153 Chinese including one child 38 Malaysians 7 Indonesians 6 Australians 5 Indians 4 French 3 Americans including one child 2 each from New Zealand, Ukraine and Canada One each from Russia, Taiwan, Italy, Netherlands and Austria ( although both Italy and Austria deny any of their nationals were onboard) Source: Malaysia Airlines
- Many have expressed anger at the lack of information.
- "I can't understand the airline company. They should have contacted the families first thing," a middle-aged woman told AFP news agency at Beijing airport, after finding out her brother-in-law was on the flight.
- "I don't have any news. I'm very worried," she said.
- Some relatives said they were still hoping for miracle, reports the BBC's John Sudworth in Beijing.
- But many others will have concluded that there is little hope of aircraft being found, our correspondent adds.
- The aerial search was suspended overnight but resumed on Sunday morning.
- Malaysia and Vietnam have both sent planes and naval vessels to look for the missing flight.
- The US is sending the USS Pinckney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, which could be in the central search area within three hours.
- US transport safety experts are also joining the investigation.
- Territorial disputes over the South China Sea were set aside temporarily as China dispatched two maritime rescue ships and the Philippines deployed three air force planes and three navy patrol ships.
- Continue reading the main storyBoeing 777 fact sheet Twin-engine jet launched in June 1995 One of the world's most popular long-distance planes Seats between 300 and 380 passengers Has flown around five million flights Often used for non-stop flights of 16 hours or more In September 2001 a crew member died in a re-fuelling fire on a 777 at Denver International Airport In 2013 three Chinese women died when the 777 Asiana Flight 214 crashed in San Francisco Singapore is also involved, while Vietnam sent aircraft and ships and asked fishermen in the area to report any suspected sign of the missing plane.
- Texas firm Freescale Semiconductor says 20 of its Malaysian and Chinese employees were on the flight, according to a statement on its website.
- Malaysia's national carrier is one of Asia's largest, flying nearly 37,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide.
- Correspondents say the route between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing has become more and more popular as Malaysia and China increase trade.
-
- JustOneMinute: The Malaysia Airlines Crash
- Here's a troubling detail from the news of the Malaysia Airlines crash:
- BEIJING '-- Malaysian officials investigating the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines plane Saturday said they were not ruling out terrorism '-- or any other causes '-- as reports emerged that two Europeans listed on the passenger manifest were not aboard and may have had their passports stolen.
- According to the airline, other passengers on the flight included 38 Malaysians, five Indians, seven Indonesians, six Australians, four French, two Ukranians, two Canadians and two New Zealanders. There were also a Russian, an Italian, a Dutch and an Austrian aboard, the airline said.
- However, shortly after the list was published on the airline's website, Italy's ANSA news agency reported that Luigi Maraldi, 37, who was listed on the manifest, was in fact not on the plane (link in Italian). The agency said he had phoned his family to say he was alive and well in Thailand.
- Austria's APA news agency made a similar report about an Austrian citizen listed on the passenger manifest, Christian Kozel, 30 (link in German). APA reported his passport was stolen about two years ago in Thailand.
- So apparently two passengers were travelinng with stolen passports, which is unsettling. However, what is missing is a baseline. The use of these stolen passports was discovered because the passenger list is under a microscope and receiving worldwide attention. It may well be that all sorts of underworld types travel all over Asia and the world every day on stolen passports with no one the wiser and no planes going down. Put another way, had this plane simply landed safely would anyone have noticed that a passport stolen two years ago had been used by one of the passengers?
- The stolen passports absolutely might have been used by terrorists; planes don't crash every day, so suspecting terrorism is not unreasonable. But I don't think that based on this coverage we have nearly enough information to judge how common the use of stolen passports in international travel might actually be.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 'Valsepaspoorthouders hadden Amsterdam-vlucht'
- Door: Redactie '' 09/03/14, 10:52 '' bron: AP, AFP, Reuters
- (C) afp. Een bemanningslid van een toestel van de Vietnamese luchtmacht kijkt uit naar sporen van de verdwenen Boeing van Malaysia.
- UPDATE Twee passagiers van de vermiste Boeing van Malaysia Airlines die vermoedelijk met een gestolen paspoort aan boord waren gekomen, hadden tickets om na aankomst in Peking verder te vliegen naar Schiphol met de KLM
- Dat meldden verscheidene buitenlandse media. De twee, van wie de echte identiteit niet bekend is, zouden daarna hun weg vervolgen naar andere Europese bestemmingen. De twee gebruikten mogelijk de identiteit van een Italiaan en een Oostenrijker. De Maleisische autoriteiten doen met ondersteuning van de Amerikaanse FBI onderzoek naar het tweetal en nog twee anderen die mogelijk incheckten onder een valse identiteit.
- De zoekactie naar wrakstukken van de Boeing 777 van Malaysia Airlines is vanochtend in alle vroegte hervat. De Maleisische autoriteiten kondigden een uitbreiding aan van het gebied waar wordt gezocht. Volgens een woordvoerder van de luchtmacht blijkt uit radarbeelden dat het vliegtuig mogelijk is omgekeerd voordat het verdween.
- Teruggekeerd'We hebben de radargegevens teruggekeken en beseften dat er een mogelijkheid bestaat dat het toestel op de route is teruggekeerd', zei generaal Rodzali Daud van de Maleisische luchtmacht.
- De zoekactie is uitgebreid naar het westen. Ook in de Straat van Malakka, aan de zuidwestkant van het schiereiland waarop Kuala Lumpur ligt, zal worden uitgekeken naar wrakstukken. Volgens de Maleisische luchtmacht wordt nu aan de zoektocht deelgenomen door 40 schepen en 22 vliegtuigen.
- Zo'n 150 kilometer uit de kust van Tho Chu waren gisteren oliesporen op zee gezien. Het vliegtuig met 239 mensen aan boord werd echter niet gevonden.
- Elk spoor ontbreektNog steeds ontbreekt elk spoor van vlucht MH370, die onderweg was naar Peking en zaterdagnacht een uur na vertrek uit Kuala Lumpur van de radar verdween. Onder de 239 mensen aan boord zou zich ook een 50-jarige Nederlandse vrouw bevinden.
- Gistermiddag werden op het water oliesporen aangetroffen. Volgens de Vietnamese viceminister van Transport Pham Quy Tieu hebben zich vandaag in de omgeving van de sporen nog geen nieuwe aanknopingspunten aangediend.
- Buitenlandse hulpTal van buitenlandse schepen hebben zich gemeld voor deelname aan de zoekactie. Naast Maleisi en Vietnam leveren ook China, de Filipijnen, Singapore en de Verenigde Staten een bijdrage.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Anwar Ibrahim sentenced to five years' prison after Malaysia's court of appeal overturns sodomy acquittal - Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- Updated March 09, 2014 01:14:50
- A Malaysian court has sentenced opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to five years' jail, overturning his acquittal on a sodomy charge.
- Malaysia's court of appeal ruled that Anwar had anal intercourse with his male aide in 2008.
- Anwar was sentenced to five years in jail but freed pending appeal.
- The 66-year-old veteran politician, who was cleared of sodomy in 2012, said the charge was a political ploy intended to damage his reputation.
- "There is absolutely no case for them, this is clearly seen to be political," Anwar said.
- But a statement released by the government said the judiciary was "independent" and that the verdict was reached in a "balanced and objective manner".
- "This is a case between two individuals and is a matter for the courts, not the government," a spokesman said.
- The ruling sparked uproar in the courtroom, which was filled with Anwar's opposition colleagues and family.
- About 150 of his supporters demonstrated outside the court after hearing the announcement.
- Anwar bitterly rebuked the judges after the ruling.
- "It is a travesty of justice, I would have thought you would have some courage," he told the panel.
- Anwar's lawyers say they will appeal against the ruling at the country's highest court and ask for a stay of the sentence.
- The judgement could affect his plans to contest a key state by-election this month.
- Anwar has called the latest sodomy saga a desperate attempt by a corrupt and fearful ruling regime to halt the opposition's advance.
- "This trial was all about knocking Anwar Ibrahim out of politics and the government was prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen," Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
- It is not the first time the former deputy premier has faced sodomy charges.
- In 1998 Anwar was sacked from the number two post in the ruling party by then-ruling strongman Mahathir Mohamad, and jailed on sodomy and corruption charges.
- The sodomy charge was later overturned, and Anwar was released from prison in 2004 to take over the opposition.
- Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
- The United States has voiced concern over what it says are politically motivated charges brought against Anwar, urging Malaysia to ensure fairness and transparency.
- "The decision to prosecute Mr Anwar, and his trial, have raised a number of concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the court," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
- "In this high-profile case, it is critical for Malaysia to apply the rule of law fairly, transparently and apolitically in order to promote confidence in Malaysia's democracy and judiciary."
- Anwar's case was loudly condemned as politically motivated, and when asked whether this was still the US stand, Ms Psaki replied "It is."
- She also raised the case of the conviction of opposition figure Karpal Singh, who was found guilty of sedition even though Kuala Lumpur had vowed to abolish the law.
- The outspoken, wheelchair-bound 73-year-old parliamentarian faces up to three years in prison.
- The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has also expressed serious concern over the conviction of Karpal Singh.
- Singh was found guilty of sedition late last month and is due to be sentenced on 11 March.
- In a statement OHCHR spokesman Rupert Colville says Malaysia's 1948 Sedition Act "is not in conformity with international human rights law."
- "Using this law to limit freedom of expression and opinion could stifle enjoyment of these rights in Malaysia,'' said Rupert Colville. "We urge the Government of Malaysia to review Mr Singh's conviction and to repeal the Sedition Act '' something which the Prime Minister had, in 2012, publicly undertaken to do."
- If convicted Singh faces a fine of up to 5,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately $US1,500), a possible three year prison sentence and could lose his parliamentary membership.
- Human Rights Watch had called the case against Anwar Ibrahim "politically motivated persecution" and said the government wanted to remove him from the political scene "by hook or by crook".
- "It's truly a dark day for the Malaysia judiciary, which has shown itself incapable of standing up straight when national political issues are in play in cases before them," Phil Robertson, deputy Asia head of Human Rights Watch, said after the verdict.
- Topics:courts-and-trials, government-and-politics, malaysia, asia
- First posted March 07, 2014 21:09:33
-
- aangirfan: Sodomy, Anwar, CIA
- Anwar and his friend former U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen.On 16 July 2008, Malaysian police arrested Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
- Allegations of sodomy have been levelled against Anwar by a male aide.
- "Anwar was in a vehicle approaching his home when the road was blocked by 10 police cars and a contingent of 20 balaclava-clad special forces, who took him to police headquarters." (Malaysian opposition leader Anwar arrested)
- "Road blocks were set up and water cannons and helicopters were mobilised around the police station in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, where Mr Anwar was taken after being arrested." (Malaysia braced for riots after sodomy arrest of Anwar Ibrahim)
- Acording to an article at http://pemantau.tripod.com/artikel/04Sep-lks.html, Anwar may be an agent of the CIA.
- In September 2000, Malaysian politician Lim Kit Siang called on Prime Minister Mahathir to declare the outcome of three years of police investigations as to whether Anwar is a CIA agent and to state whether the United States is the country he meant in a Merdeka Day message as the country out to 'recolonize' Malaysia
- Anwar was alleged to have received RM60 million from a Mr Nallakaruppan.
- Former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid accused Anwar of having amassed a fortune of RM3 billion while in government through over 20 "Master Accounts".
- Reference was made to the American-based organisation called Asia Pacific Policy Centre (APPC) headed by Douglas H. Paal, who was former Senior Director from Asian Affairs (1989 to 1993) of the National Security Council (NSC) of the United States.
- MPs used parliamentary immunity to claim in Parliament that Anwar was a CIA agent on the basis that the APPC was a CIA outfit and Douglas Paal a CIA agent.
- Oddly, Anwar had allegedly given money to APPC and Douglas Paal.
- "The CIA... have complete records of Anwar's visits to gay bars in Washington D.C. and New York whenever he visited the USA." (cia)
- Reportedly, Anwar is chairman of the board of the CIA-funded "Foundation for the Future". (BarkingMagpie: Biggest kennel of foreign pet poodles, and Anwar ...)
-
- @Diary of Anwar Ibrahim '' Wikileaks reveals Anwar's wealth derived from various sources | Kuala Lumpur Post
- ''Wikileaks reveals Anwar's wealth derived from various sources. Among them are the FBI, CIA, Mossad, MI5, Israeli National Bank, Citibank and others''.
- 1. Name : Mr Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : DD-2141-7922-549-FAmount : USD $ 10,000,000.00Date of opening account : 21/04/97Date of Maturity : 21/04/99
- 2. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : United Overseas BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : M-3914-7179-212-DAmount : S $ 5,500,000.00Date of opening account : 28/05/97Date of Maturity : 28/05/99
- 3. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Development Bank of SingaporeType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : B 1712-341-619-CAmount : S $ 8,000,000.00Date of opening account : 29/06/97Date of Maturity : 29/06/99
- 4. Name: Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Bank of ChinaType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)3 yearsAccount No : D 319-2218-512-JAmount : USD 3,500,000.00Date of opening account : 28/02/98Date of Maturity : 28/02/01
- 5. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : M 374-6593-88 DAmount : USD 4,000,000.00Date of opening account : 08/06/97Date of Maturity : 08/06/99
- 6. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israeli National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : BD 5211-7925-8716-51 MAAmount : USD 6,500,000.00Date of opening account : 08/06/97Date of Maturity : 08/06/99
- 7. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : American Express BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)3 yearsAccount No : E- 6654-662-719-MAmount : USD 5,000,000.00Date of opening account : 09/07/96Date of Maturity : 09/07/99
- 8. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : American Express BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)3 yearsAccount No : J-5152-6161-311-DAmount : USD 5,000,000.00Date of opening account : 24/01/97Date of Maturity : 24/01/00
- 9. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israel National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)3 yearsAccount No : FG 3469-4462-9172 (DE)Amount : USD 10,000,000.00Date of opening account : 21/09/96Date of Maturity : 21/09/99
- 10. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israel National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : H 7639-1722-5243 (MG)Amount : S $ 5,000,000.00Date of opening account : 09/06/97Date of Maturity : 09/06/99
- 11. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israel National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit1 yearsAccount No : DC 7943-7716-2713 33 NBAmount : S $ 7,500,000.00Date of opening account : 10/12/97Date of Maturity : 10/12/98
- 12. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israel National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : GH 1299-4166-339 AAmount : S $ 5,000,000.00Date of opening account : 11/06/97Date of Maturity : 11/06/99
- 13. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israel National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : D 1471-3134-22 FAmount : S $ 3,000,000.00Date of opening account : 03/04/97Date of Maturity : 03/04/99
- 14. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit2 yearsAccount No : AB 7193-4111-331 (A)Amount : S $ 6,000,000.00Date of opening account : 20/12/96Date of Maturity : 20/12/98
- 15. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency3 yearsAccount No : FA 9132-3156-212 EAmount : USD 7,000,000.00Date of opening account : 11/04/96Date of Maturity : 11/04/99
- 16. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : M 819-5512-71 DAmount : USD 6,000,000.00Date of opening account : 06/05/97Date of Maturity : 06/05/99
- 17. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : CitibankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : M 819-5512-71 DAmount : USD 5,000,000.00Date of opening account : 06/05/97Date of Maturity : 06/05/99
- 18. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israeli National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit3 yearsAccount No : GM 5210-6125-8862-49 DGAmount : S $ 6,000,000.00Date of opening account : 10/04/96Date of Maturity : 10/04/99
- 19. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israeli National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : HD 4179-2416-3829-31ADAmount : USD 5,500,000.00Date of opening account : 21/12/96Date of Maturity : 21/12/98
- 20. Name : Mr. Anwar bin IbrahimPost : Deputy Prime MinisterPassport No. : D 283767 (M)Bank : Israeli National BankType of Account : Fixed Deposit (Foreign Currency)2 yearsAccount No : SD 3912-4942-6918-72 DAAmount : S $ 8,000,000.00Date of opening account : 03/12/96Date of Maturity : 03/12/98
- The Kuala Lumpur Post is not responsible for the content and we do not accept any responsibility for any statement in the material or the article above. The Kuala Lumpur not associate with any blogs or news portal as such we are not responsible for the article publish above.
-
- BBC News - Malaysia jails Anwar Ibrahim for five years for sodomy
- 7 March 2014Last updated at 07:35 ET A Malaysian court has sentenced opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to five years in jail after overturning his acquittal on sodomy charges.
- Mr Anwar led the opposition to its strongest ever performance in the May 2013 general elections.
- While homosexual acts are illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia, very few people are ever prosecuted.
- Mr Anwar has always maintained the charges were part of a political smear campaign.
- Continue reading the main story1993 to 1998 - Deputy Prime Minister, under Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad 1999 - Jailed for abuse of power, sparking huge street protests 2000 - Found guilty of sodomy with his wife's driver 2004 - Supreme Court overturns sodomy conviction, freeing him from jail. He quickly emerges as the de facto opposition leader March 2008 - ruling coalition narrowly wins general election, but with its worst results in 50 years. The opposition makes unprecedented gains Aug 2008 - Anwar charged with sodomy for a second time, but despite this is soon voted in as an MP Feb 2009 - Second trial for sodomy starts Jan 2012 - Acquitted of sodomy by High Court May 2013: Leads opposition to best-ever performance in general elections Mar 2014: 2012 acquittal overturned by court after government appeal The court decision will affect Mr Anwar's plans to compete in a key by-election in the state of Selangor this month, reports say.
- A victory for Mr Anwar would mean he could become Selangor's chief minister - widely seen as a powerful post.
- The court said he could remain free on bail while he appeals against the verdict to the country's highest court, AP news agency reported.
- "All over again, after 15 years, they want to put me in the lockup and that is why they are rushing," Mr Anwar said after his acquittal was overturned.
- He added that Prime Minister Najib Razak's government "faces the wrath of the people".
- Meanwhile, a government spokesman said: "This is a case between two individuals and is a matter for the courts, not the government."
- 'Selective persecution'In 2008, Mr Anwar was accused of having sex with a male aide. A High Court cleared him of the charges in 2012, citing a lack of evidence.
- The government later appealed against his acquittal.
- "It's truly a dark day for the Malaysia judiciary which has shown itself incapable of standing up straight when national political issues are in play in cases before them," Phil Robertson, deputy Asia head of group Human Rights Watch, said after the verdict.
- Correspondents say Mr Anwar is seen as the key challenger to the ruling party, which has been in power since Malaysia's independence in 1957.
- The Barisan Nasional coalition won 133 of the 222 seats in parliament in the 2013 elections - although it won the elections, it was the coalition's worst ever result.
- Thousands of Malaysian opposition supporters rallied against the result, alleging that the polls were fraudulent.
- Mr Anwar was previously a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition, but fell out with top leaders and was sacked in 1998.
- He was then charged with sodomy and corruption, and given a six-year jail term for abuse of power, which sparked huge street protests.
- In 2000 he was also found guilty of sodomy with his wife's driver and jailed for a further nine years.
- In late 2004 Malaysia's Supreme Court overturned the sodomy conviction, freeing him from jail.
- He then emerged as a leader in the opposition movement, leading it to increasingly strong performances in both the 2008 and 2013 elections.
-
- Anwar Ibrahim Made His Own Bad Choices During DC Visit | Culture of Life News
- Î(C)Î(C)Due to great interest in Malaysia, I am redoing my story about Anwar Ibrahim because'...well, people reading about me over in Malaysia don't seem to get the entire story straight. 'Anwar CIA tool': Ex-Umno members in PKR told to return: this article in Malaysia leaves out my sources which happens to be a Jewish editor of the warmongering Washington Post. So here is the direct quotes from the WASHINGTON POST, a very notorious Zionist warmongering paper in the capital of the USA:
- Î(C)Î(C)Malaysia is a very important country. It lies like a great barrier to world sea lane traffic and the narrow seas between Indonesia and Malaysia teem with many international ships. It is the needle which half of world sea trade must pass. Singapore is the pirate cove of British extraction that lies at the entrance to this place.
- Î(C)Î(C)Just as Egypt's Suez Canal is the eye of the needle for trade between the world and the Mediterranean Sea countries, so is Malaysia an important imperialist control issue for both Europe and the US.
- Î(C)Î(C)Periodically, I rouse people in Malaysia by talking openly about things concerning the CIA, our imperial systems and the dangers the Malaysian people face. This causes some there to go haywire. Odd, isn't it? Well, the same thing happens here at home! Who wants to listen to me???? Especially when I talk about the Chinese 50 Year Plan, the one they keep very secret but goofed by talking about it in my presence!
- Jackson Diehl '' Flirting with zealotry in Malaysia
- Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia's political opposition, has become known over the past decade as one of the foremost advocates of liberal democracy in Muslim countries. His many friends in Washington include prominent members of the neoconservative movement '-- such as Paul Wolfowitz, the former World Bank president and U.S. ambassador to Indonesia '-- as well as such Democratic grandees as Al Gore.
- Diehl is one of the many Zionists who runs the Washington Post. The Post went from being a half-decent news source into a totally indecent news misinformation source in just 25 years. Totally Zionist and utterly warmongering, it is the 'V¶lklischer Beobachter' of the Zionist set. Poor Anwar I. is a CIA creature. That is, he is not an 'agent' but rather, a 'tool'. His list of buddies proves this: they are all undercover CIA. I grew up in this world. My dad had many international 'friends' including people like the Bin Laden clan, for example.
- Lately, Anwar has been getting attention for something else: strident rhetoric about Israel and alleged ''Zionist influence'' in Malaysia. He recently joined a demonstration outside the U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur where an Israeli flag was burned. He's made dark insinuations about the ''Jewish-controlled'' Washington public relations firm Apco Worldwide, which is working for Malaysia's quasi-authoritarian government'....
- HAHAHA'...this is why it pays to read the WP! So, here is a CIA operation that is supposed to be a secret front organization. Good to know. Time to visit:APCO Worldwide
- Client service not only drives us, it defines us. At APCO Worldwide, we address clients' interests and objectives through communication and public affairs consulting that combines a global perspective with local expertise to understand the issues, events and trends that impact businesses and organizations around the world.
- Become a fan of APCO Worldwide on Facebook
- Learn About APCO Careers on Facebook
- HAHAHA'....this thing reeks of CIA operations! This organization also 'fights malaria' but that is a front. Good things are used as fronts for bad things. This is how the CIA operates: if something is good for a people, they will lurk behind it and use it to do horrible things to people while pretending to be 'aiding' people. This is why distrust is so great (and is greatly exploited by very clever con artists!!!!!).
- '...Anwar, who was in Washington for a couple of days last week, spent a lot of time offering explanations to old friends, not to mention House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman and a Jewish leader or two. He said he regretted using terms such as ''Zionist aggression,'' which are common coin for demagogues like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. ''Why do I need to use it if it causes so much misunderstanding?'' he said.''I need to be more careful.''
- AIPAC and the neo Nazis were blowing fuses over his betrayals. He had to explain, this is more 'deep cover' for his CIA operations. But the Jews are very suspicious. What if he goes 'bin Laden' on them and they can't kill him? The problem with bin Laden is that he didn't die for them as a sacrificial lamb after 9/11. Poor Anwar. He knows (we know each other, by the way!!!!) that the Mossad assassination squads will be after him, of course, using fake foreign passports. So he flew to DC to beg for his life. He thinks it is over. The Zionists are not done with him.
- Many of the Malaysian's friends are inclined to give him a break. ''What Anwar did was wrong, but considering that he's literally fighting for his life '-- physically as well as politically '-- against a government that attacks him as being 'a puppet of the Jews,' one should cut him some slack,'' Wolfowitz told me.
- Î(C)Î(C)There are several key points to this amazing article'...one that I didn't write. This was written by a neo con Zionist who revealed the true nature of Anwar's recent visit to DC: to be chewed out by Zionist Jews and according to the Washington Post, he apologized to them and said he would not do these things (talk at an anti-Israeli demonstration in Malaysia, for example) ever again.
- Î(C)Î(C)There are several key points all Malaysians must entertain here. I will list these points but will do it in an odd way, namely, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim had three choices at each turn of the road and he made his choices. I would suggest, rather bad choices.
- Î(C)Î(C)Mr. Ibrahim is the leader of the opposition in Malaysia. He needs allies and friends. Where should he seek out these friends and allies?
- At top secret Bilderberg meetings?At meetings with US Jewish leaders?At gatherings in various Malaysian cities and towns, talking to the citizens of this country?.
- Î(C)Î(C)Ibrahim chose #1 and #2 options. He made a big mistake doing this.
- Î(C)Î(C)Next: when visiting Washington, when he was told to meet with various top leaders who are Jews in Congress and 'other Jewish leaders' what did he do?
- Hurry off to these meetings and then apologize and grovel?Ask for US Jewish politicians to stop killing Muslims?Tell them to go to hell and turn around and make a public visit to Turkey?.
- Î(C)Î(C)The answer was #1: grovel and apologize. I didn't make this choice, HE made this choice. I didn't even report on this, the neo-con far right wing Zionist editor of the Washington Post BOASTED about this! He thought it was funny. If I were Ibrahim, I would have chosen option #3 or if I was foolish and went off to visit a bunch of very angry Zionists in DC, I would have lectured them about their beastly behavior towards the Turks, the people trapped in Gaza and the West Bank and ethnic cleansing in general.
- Î(C)Î(C)I would not grovel. How stupid is that? Why did he do this, anyway? Obama has been forced to grovel to the Israelis after AIPAC and Congress turned on him and attacked him openly. He is a very wounded leader and is going down in flames here in the US, his hardcore base is melting away. If Ibrahim is the opposition in Malaysia, would his prospects be:
- Enhanced after his US visit and various apologies for talking at an anti-Zionist rally in Malaysia?In the toilet after apologizing for criticizing Israel at a Malaysian rally?On the run due to fury directed at him for running off to the US to apologize to his PERSONAL friends like notorious war criminals such as Wolfowitz?.
- Î(C)Î(C)The pressing question in Malaysia is, why is Ibrahim friends with Wolfowitz???? I am not Wolfowitz's buddy! I can't possibly be his friend in any way, shape or form. I hate the guy. I want him put on trial for war crimes such as lying about Saddam's supposed 'weapons of mass destruction', just for one glaring example.
- Î(C)Î(C)If I were to poll all the Ibrahim supporters in Malaysia about this question, 'Do you think ANYONE should be Wolfowitz's friend?' I suspect the poll would be about 99.9% in agreement with me.
- Î(C)Î(C)From Mr. Diehl's article in the Washington Post, yet again:
- ''What Anwar did was wrong, but considering that he's literally fighting for his life '-- physically as well as politically '-- against a government that attacks him as being 'a puppet of the Jews,' one should cut him some slack,'' Wolfowitz told me.
- Î(C)Î(C)The 'wrong' thing that Mr. Wolfowitz is talking about happens to be talking about Israel in a negative way while giving a speech in Malaysia! So the question for everyone here is simple: is Ibrahim a 'puppet of the Jews' or what is he? Did his visit to DC and the Diehl story confirm that he is a 'puppet of the Jews' or didn't it?
- Î(C)Î(C)The answer is obvious! It showed that he is, indeed, saying one thing in public to get a good opinion in Malaysia and then turning around and telling his sponsors in the US, he didn't mean it at all and wants to retract it! Then going home and NOT retracting it but pretending he never promised to retract it and these meetings never happened!
- Î(C)Î(C)What is going on here? Palestinian village to be encircled by barrier | Antiwar Newswire: right on the heels of Bibi's conquest visit with his minor tool, Obama, he continues to expand the Israeli take over of the West Bank. Obama can't stop him because he is a puppet, not a President. His own political party left him high and dry. Here is the video of poor puppet Obama's infamous speech, one that got a lot of Zionists totally enraged:
- Click here for video of Cairo speech: http://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/2009/June/20090604_Cairo.mp4
- Remarks by the President at Cairo University, 6-04-09 | The White House
- '...I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles '-- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings'....
- This speech said many, many things that totally outraged our Zionist rulers. They expected Obama to sweet talk to the Muslims but above all, to LIE to them. Lying is easy. All one has to do is say whatever people want to hear and the do the exact opposite. And then collect the loot. President Clinton was most excellent at this.
- '...Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together'...Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military '-- we seek no military bases there'....
- This, like nearly the entire speech, was a total lie. Even if he thought this way last summer, he chickened out when AIPAC, Congress and the Pentagon beat the sh*t out of him last spring. His feeble attempts at doing any form of diplomacy was wrathfully squashed flat.
- '...I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012'....
- August is right around the corner! And he did move his troops'...to Afghanistan where they are fighting ferociously. It is scary that the Rolling Stone magazine which was anti-war for so many years, was the tool (I believe, deliberately!) for destroying Mc Chrystal. Most of the ugly interview items were his 'staff' who probably was set up to take him down and he went down and was replaced by overt butchers who plan to fight more viciously and to hell with civilian deaths. Already, this is causing tremendous violence and has widened the war and bombs are going off all over Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.
- '...The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world'....So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own'....But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.'...The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.'...America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs'....
- This part of the speech is what caused all the Zionists to take out their knives and go hunting for Obama's scalp. They collected it this week with his meek kow tow to Bibi. Bibi also wanted Ibrahim to do the same so it was done via proxies, of course. Everything Obama said here was thrown back in his face. The Israelis basically spat on him and kicked him in the groin.
- Not even the slightest attempt was made to curb the Greater Israel Ethnic Cleansing plan. Not one thing. After murdering Turkish and US citizens on the high seas, Israel grudgingly said they would let in a few more tidbits into Gaza but not too much. And will go back to strangling Gaza after this week's visit.
- Bibi Netanyahu is the President of the United States. Of course, Mr. Ibrahim knows this which is why he has to be friendly with the various agents who run our government. This means kissing ass, big time. The more smooching, the happier the rulers are. Pointing out their war crimes is a no-no. Which is why I delight in doing this. Unlike Ibrahim, Mr. Wolfowitz will never invite me over for dinner. Besides, I would throw up on him. Much less, be his buddy boy.
- '...I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation '-- including Iran '-- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
- Î(C)Î(C)This paragraph is most infuriating. Obama allowed the UN to censor Israel for its huge secret nuclear arsenal. Then Congress and AIPAC howled at him and he retreated and told Bibi, our real ruler, that it was a mistake and he would erase it. EXACTLY the same back tracking poor Ibrahim, who longs to 'rule' Malaysia, had to make! DUH! Problemo! Big time! Far from eliminating our own nukes, we are actually going to upgrade them and use them better than before, that is, on subs scattered all over the planet.
- Î(C)Î(C)And of course, Israel can go back to pretending they have no nukes while threatening everyone including the people of Malaysia, with hidden subs armed with nukes. Yes, they have nuclear subs with nuclear bombs and these roam the high seas, protected by our Pentagon. Malaysia just bought 2 subs. With no nukes, of course. They have 6 New Generation Patrol Vessels, one anti sub helicopter and several frigates. In other words, their naval power is tiny even though, unlike Israel, they have a huge number of miles of shoreline to defend.
- Î(C)Î(C)Israel, on the other hand, controls the entire Mediterranean Sea and can even chew up NATO members at will and be forgiven, nay, strongly backed. As Turkey reels away from Israel and DC, I would suggest the smart thing for any Malaysian politician could do is to draw closer to Turkey! I bet this would be immensely popular at home as well as in Turkey. Brazil defied the US about Iran's nuclear program and so can Malaysia, if they so desire. Balkan summit condemns Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla '' Haaretz: this conference, Malaysia condemned the Israel high sea attack on the Turkish ship.
- CNSNews.com '' Seventy Days After Deadline, Sanctions Against Iran Appear No Closer
- According to the FDD, Iran's remaining gasoline suppliers include the French company Total, LUKOIL of Russia and companies in China, Malaysia and Kuwait.
- Î(C)Î(C)Seems the present government of Malaysia was selling gasoline to Iran until this month when AIPAC demanded extreme US sanctions that are aimed at punishing our allies and 'friends' if they do business with Iran at all. This is eating into the finances of Europe as well as Asia and is keeping world oil prices artificially high.
- Î(C)Î(C)The people of Malaysia have to wrestle with the same problems we have here in the US: rich and connected people are trying to take over the country and use it for their own ends. The Bilderberg group and the CIA have very significant overlaps. Wolfowitz IS pure CIA, any 'opposition leader' of any country that calls this gangster 'my friend' is now, ipso facto, part of the CIA machine. This machine runs on FRIENDSHIPS and SECRET MEETINGS and DOUBLE TALK by these friends who lie to even their own families!
- Î(C)Î(C)This network of friends grew up at the same time and was fed by the same people as the people who created and run the Bilderberg society meetings. Many major, huge things like the EU are cooked up at these secret meetings. I suggest the people of Malaysia who support Ibrahim call the Washington Post and demand answers to Mr. Diehl's editorial! Talk to HIM, not ME. I am a mere messenger.
- Î(C)Î(C)Finally, some very sad war news: Warrior Diplomats: Soldiers Take Over Where Afghanistan Government Fears To Go
- But the timeline is already starting to look crunched as new forces prepare to push into the area overseen by Bravo Company this fall and President Barack Obama has said troops need to start drawing down in 2011.
- Soldiers say that impending deadline makes it harder for them to convince villagers that they're here to stay until the government really can step in. The Taliban have successfully convinced many that a full pullout is imminent.
- And so it isn't surprising that Mullah Bas Mohammad is far from ready to stick his head out on behalf of American troops. He and the people he serves are still on the edge.
- A young boy who's been listening in on the conversation from a couple feet away looks at the U.S. soldiers and says ''Taliban'' while giving a thumbs-up sign. Then he turns his thumb down toward the ground and says ''American.''
- An Afghan soldier hands the boy a bottle of water. The boy pours it out on the ground without taking a sip.
- Î(C)Î(C)Poor Mullah Bas Mohammad!!! He is in the exact same boat as Ibrahim: the US wants him to be our tool, our servant and obey our rules and above all, cooperate with the taming of the Muslim world so that it has zero political power. But that little boy is the Truth. He would NEVER eat with Mr. Wolfowitz or drink with the dude or call him, 'My friend' or visit that guy in DC or NOTHING'....he would attack the guy on sight!
- Î(C)Î(C)The children of Palestine are exactly the same. They are defiant. We can crush mom and dad but the kids burn with desire to get revenge. Bombers Kill More Than 50 in Attacks in Uganda Capital '' NYTimes.com:the bombings are spreading, not disappearing. This is because the chaos and anger is growing, not getting less. Obama's speech in Cairo was nearly perfect. If he could have carried out all of the things he promised, we would see a happier world.
- Î(C)Î(C)Instead, he repudiated every single aspect of this speech and chose the wrong road just like Mr. Ibrahim decided to walk the wrong path, too. If you make too many wrong choices, bad things happen. DUH. This is why making the right choices is so important!
- Î(C)Î(C)I still feel that Mr. Diehl was setting up Mr. Ibrahim for a bad fall by publishing his story in the Washington Post. But there would have been no story if Mr. Ibrahim was as certain and brave as that Afghani child.
- Make checks out to 'Elaine Supkis'
- Click on the Pegasus icon on the right sidebar to donate via Paypal.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Ukraine
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- TRADE BALANCEBBC News - Ukraine crisis: Germany's Russian conundrum
- 4 March 2014Last updated at 19:08 ET By Stephen EvansBBC News, BerlinPoliticians do not tread more carefully than Angela Merkel. She does not shoot her mouth off. She does not do rhetoric. She is not a hot-head. So what should one make of her reticence in the current crisis with Ukraine?
- So far she has confined her public comments to the less than bombastic "What is happening in Crimea worries us", and stressing the importance of "preserving the territorial integrity" of Ukraine.
- She has talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin at least twice.
- Continue reading the main story''Start QuoteShe thinks like a scientist so she takes out all emotion''
- End QuoteDr Ewald BoehlkeGerman Institute for Foreign PolicyThe statement from her office after the first conversation was clear and non-confrontational: "They underlined their common interest in the stability of the country in political and economic respects."
- In the second phone call, they agreed to maintain a dialogue.
- Fundamental differencesThose who know her way of operating say that Chancellor Merkel's background as a scientist is apparent.
- Ewald Boehlke, from the German Council on Foreign Relations, told the BBC: "She thinks like a scientist so she takes out all emotion. She will be keeping in contact to work out how to de-escalate the situation step by step."
- He thinks, though, that the two have a fundamentally different approach.
- Dr Boehlke thinks President Putin's is more emotional, with a sense of the weight of history and Russia's historic role as a power, compared with her pragmatic focus on economies.
- This may help explain why, according to the New York Times, Chancellor Merkel told US President Barack Obama that Mr Putin had seemed like he was "in another world".
- Her office has not commented on the alleged remark apart from saying that the conversations were "confidential".
- The reported comment seems to have come from the American end and clearly the tone - or even if it was said at all - remains unclear.
- So Chancellor Merkel's tactic seems to be to keep this continual dialogue open.
- According to Dr Boehlke, it is important that it is a person-to-person dialogue, a president-to-chancellor dialogue.
- Others in the West may ramp up the rhetoric but Mrs Merkel will damp it down, perhaps in a good cop/bad cop combination with other Western leaders.
- Old adversariesThis sense that Germany is trying to give Russia acceptable options before the West as a whole wades in with sanctions seems to be underlined by what German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after meeting his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Geneva on Tuesday.
- Mr Steinmeier did not state bluntly that Russia should pull back but, rather, that it should do more to reassure the West about its intentions - or sanctions might follow when EU leaders meet on Thursday: "I think that if we don't see decisive steps in the next one-and-a-half days in terms of coming to an international agreement, for example on the creation of a contact group with which Russia is ready to work, then I think the discussion among leaders in the European Council will indeed lead to measures being taken."
- Continue reading the main story''Start QuoteDiplomacy does not mean weakness but is more needed than ever to prevent us from being drawn into the abyss of military escalation''
- End QuoteFrank-Walter SteinmeierGerman Foreign MinisterThey do seem to have the respectful relationship of old adversaries. In the past, they have not been warm and tactile with each other in the way, say, Mrs Merkel and US President Barack Obama were when he visited Berlin (before the revelation that his people were listening in on her phone). But that is not her way, or his.
- The two of them talk the same language - literally. President Putin speaks very good German, no doubt honed in his years as a KGB officer in Dresden. And Chancellor Merkel would at least have learnt Russian in school in the old East Germany (over which Agent Putin was keeping watch).
- For Mrs Merkel, too, the thought of war in Ukraine sharpens the mind more than it might in Washington or London. The country is only 10 hours' drive from Berlin. Germany, Ukraine and Russia inhabit the same region of the world.
- Chancellor Merkel has involved herself in the politics of the region. She has maintained links with heads of state, including President Putin, but also with dissidents in both Russia and Ukraine - remember that the jailed Russian oligarch and Putin opponent Mikhail Khodorkovsky flew straight to Berlin when he was freed from his Russian prison.
- Chancellor Merkel has repeatedly raised the case of the jailed (now freed) Ukrainian dissident Yulia Tymoshenko with the government in Kiev. When the Ukrainian politician was released, Mrs Merkel was careful to "welcome her to freedom", but not to endorse her as the country's potential new leader.
- It's true that the Russian and German leaders' visits to each other's country are not always happy. When President Putin came to Germany last year, he was confronted by bare-breasted female protesters with slogans on their chests. He seemed amused and shrugged it off.
- When Chancellor Merkel went to St Petersburg, there was a tiff when President Putin objected to a speech she was going to make at an exhibition of art taken by the Russians from German museums at the end of the war. Mr Putin said it was "hardly worth starting an argument now" and that the two sides should seek "ways to resolve it" - but the speech wasn't made.
- Economic needsBoth will have some facts in their minds, primarily that each country needs the other economically. There are about 100,000 Russian-speakers in Germany. Some 6,000 German companies operate in Russia.
- Germany does take about a quarter of Russia's exports of natural gas but, on the other hand, Germany's stocks are currently high and prices are low (so Russia needs the revenue more than it did when prices were high).
- On the other hand, Germany's trade surplus with Russia is substantial. Germany exports about 2.1bn euros (£1.7bn; $3bn) more in goods to Russia than the other way round.
- As if to emphasise the German government's emphasis on jaw-jaw to avert war-war, Mr Steinmeier said: "Diplomacy does not mean weakness but is more needed than ever to prevent us from being drawn into the abyss of military escalation."
- No country has benefited more from the fall of the Iron Curtain than Germany.
- It has gone from being a divided country on the eastern edge of the EU to a united country bordered by former Eastern Bloc states whose economies are now improving within the EU.
- The country is the central power among a clutch of former Soviet satellites (including East Germany itself) where people may be wondering what a belligerent Russia in Ukraine means for them in Warsaw or Prague or in the Baltic EU capitals of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.
- Their concerns are also felt in what used to be East Germany - where Angela Merkel grew up.
- Cyprus largest investor in Ukraine, Russian of course. THIS IS WHERE IT STARTED
- Warm weather emboldened everyone - what if it changes in April
- Is this all about Putin giving up Snowden?
- Russian sanctions NOT in UK - All the money is there!
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- RED BOOK: Another nuclear disaster in Ukraine (shades of Chernobyl)
-
- Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Station (Ukrainian: ÐаÐоÑÑзÑка ÐÐÐ) in Ukraine is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the fifth largest in the world.
- The plant is located in Central Ukraine near the city of Enerhodar, on the banks of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper river. It has 6 VVER-1000pressurized light water nuclear reactors, each generating 1000 MWe, for a total power output of 6,000 MWe.[1] The first five were successively brought online between 1985 and 1989, and the sixth was added in 1995. The plant generates about half of the country's electricity derived from nuclear power and more than a fifth of total electricity generated in Ukraine. This was the last construction in the former Soviet Union for a period of time.
- See also[edit]References[edit]External links[edit]
-
- Nuclear power in Ukraine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- In 2007, nuclear power supplied 47.5% of Ukraine's electricity production of 195 billion kWh. The total installed capacity of nuclear reactors in Ukraine is over 13 GWe.[1]
- Ukraine is one of Europe's largest energy consumers, it consumes almost double the energy of Germany, per unit of GDP.[2] A great share of energy supply in Ukraine comes from nuclear power, with the country receiving most of its nuclear fuel from Russia. Oil and natural gas provide the remainder of the country's energy; these are also imported from the former Soviet Union. Ukraine is heavily dependent on its nuclear energy. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is located in Ukraine. In 2006, the government planned to build 11 new reactors by the year 2030, in effect, almost doubling the current amount of nuclear power capacity.[3] Ukraine's power sector is the twelfth-largest in the world in terms of installed capacity, with 54 gigawatts (GW).[2]Renewable energy still plays a very modest role in electrical output; in 2005 energy production was met by the following sources: nuclear (47 percent), thermal (45 percent), hydroelectric and other (8 percent).[3]
- The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. An explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, which spread over much of Western USSR and Europe. It is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, and is one of only two classified as a level 7 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale (the other being the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster).[4] The battle to contain the contamination and avert a greater catastrophe ultimately involved over 500,000 workers and cost an estimated 18 billion rubles, crippling the Soviet economy.[5]
- Reactors[edit]All of Ukraine's RBMK reactors (the type involved in the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster) were located at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. All of the reactors there have been shut down, leaving only the much safer VVER reactors operating in the country. Three of the reactors listed were built in post-independence Ukraine, with the first one of these being constructed in 1995; the other sixteen reactors the country inherited from the Soviet Union.
- See also[edit]References[edit]External links[edit]
-
- Nuclear Power in Ukraine | Ukrainian Nuclear Energy
- Ukraine is heavily dependent on nuclear energy '' it has 15 reactors generating about half of its electricity.Ukraine receives most of its nuclear services and nuclear fuel from Russia.In 2004 Ukraine commissioned two large new reactors. The government plans to maintain nuclear share in electricity production to 2030, which will involve substantial new build.A large share of primary energy supply in Ukraine comes from the country's uranium and substantial coal resources. The remainder is oil and gas, mostly imported from Russia. In 1991, due to breakdown of the Soviet Union, the country's economy collapsed and its electricity consumption declined dramatically from 296 billion kWh in 1990 to 170 in 2000, all the decrease being from coal and gas plants. Today Ukraine is developing shale gas deposits and hoping to export this to western Europe by 2020 through the established pipeline infrastructure crossing its territory from the east.
- Total electricity production in 2009 amounted to 173 billion kWh, with 4 billion kWh net exports, and total capacity is over 52 GWe. In 2009, 41% of power came from coal and gas (approx 20% gas), 48% from nuclear (82.9 TWh) and 7% from hydro, according to the Ministry of Fuel and Energy. In 2009, 77.9 billion kWh net came from nuclear, according to IAEA. Nuclear plant comprises 26.6% of capacity, hydro 9.3%.
- A major increase in electricity demand to 307 billion kWh per year by 2020 and 420 billion kWh by 2030 is envisaged, and government policy was to continue supplying half of this from nuclear power. This would have required 29.5 GWe of nuclear capacity in 2030, up from 13.9 GWe (13.2 GWe net) now.
- In mid 2011 the Ukraine energy strategy to 2030 was updated, and in the electricity sector nuclear power's role was emphasized, with improved safety and increased domestic fuel fabrication. In mid-2012 the policy was gain updated, and 5000 to 7000 MWe of new nuclear capacity was proposed by 2030, costing some $25 billion.
- Nuclear industry developmentNuclear energy development started in 1970 with construction of the Chernobyl power plant, the first unit being commissioned in 1977.
- Though the Ukrainian nuclear industry was closely involved with Russia for many years, it remained relatively stable during the changes that occurred when the country became independent of the former Soviet Union. In fact, during that period and since, there have been continuing improvements in the operational safety and output levels of Ukraine's nuclear reactors.
- Ukraine's 15 nuclear power units at four nuclear power plants are operated by Energoatom, the country's nuclear power utility. Following the addition of two new VVER-1000 reactors in 2005, capacity increased to 13,168 which was 26.3% of the country's total installed capacity. Energoatom expects nuclear to retain its contribution of 50-52% of Ukraine's electricity in 2020.
- All are Russian VVER types, two being 440 MWe V-312 models and the rest the larger 1000 MWe units '' two early models and the rest V-320s.
- Power reactors have operated in Ukraine since 1977, and over 300 reactor years of operating experience have been accumulated. Load factors have increased steadily and reached 81.4% in 2004. A decrease of the country's load factor after 2005 is related to restrictions imposed by the national electricity grid. Early in 2010 it was at 73%. "Operational disturbances" at nuclear plants dropped from 71 in 1999 to 21 in 2009.
- At the end of 1995 Zaporozhe unit 6 was connected to the grid making Zaporozhe the largest nuclear power station in Europe, with a net capacity of 5718 MWe. (The second largest station operating is Gravelines, near Dunkerque in France, with a net capacity of 5460 MWe.)
- In August and October 2004 Khmelnitsky 2 and Rovno 4 respectively were connected to the grid, bringing their long and interrupted construction to an end and adding 1900 MWe to replace that lost by closure of Chernobyl 1&3 in 1996 and 2000 respectively. They were completed by Energoatom using a consortium of Framatome ANP and Atomstroyexport. See fuller account of K2-R4 in Appendix below.
- In 1990 construction of three reactors (units 2-4) at Khmelnitski had been halted, though the site infrastructure for all four units was largely complete. Unit 3 was (and is) 75% complete, unit 4: 28% complete. These have been maintained to some extent since. An intergovernmental agreement with Russia on completing the two units was signed in mid-2010 and a contract with Atomstroyexport was signed in February 2011. Ukraine was hoping to sign a loan agreement for them late in 2012 and resume construction soon after.
- Ukraine power reactors operating
- ReactorTypeV=PWRMWe netCommercial operationScheduled close, likely closeNorthwest: Khmelnitski 1V-320
- South: South Ukraine 1V-302
- Total (15) 13,168 MWe net (13,835 MWe gross '' Energoatom May 2010)Life extension and upgradesOriginal design lifetime of the Russian reactors was 30 years. Energoatom initially planned to extend the lifetimes of Rovno 1 & 2 and South Ukraine 1 by 15 years and final checking of the pressure vessels (for embrittlement) and the internals of all three units was in 2008-9. A 20-year extension of the operating licences for Rovno 1&2 was granted by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRI or SNRC) in December 2010. Energoatom said that more than US$ 300 million had been invested in upgrading the two units since 2004, in collaboration with IAEA. Energoatom has said that Rovno 1&2 are pilot facilities and that it plans to extend all reactor lifetimes similarly. In mid-2012 it announced that the 11 oldest 1000 MWe reactors are to have 20-year life extensions by 2030. In February 2013 the SNRI said that South Ukraine 1 could have life extension after a major upgrade during 2013, and in October it approved plans for a ten-year extension to 2023.
- In March 2013 the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) announced a EUR 300 million loan for comprehensive reactor safety upgrading to the end of 2017, matching EUR 300 million from Euratom. The EUR 1.4 billion project will include up to 87 safety measures addressing design safety issues comprising the replacement of equipment in safety relevant systems, improvements of instrumentation and control for safety relevant systems and the introduction of organisational improvements for accident management.
- The life extension program is being challenged under the UN Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context '' informally known as the Espoo Convention '' which has been ratified by 44 countries and the EU. The convention comes under the Economic Commission for Europe and the challenge is on the basis of inadequate environmental assessment.
- Ukraine's best-known nuclear power plant was Chernobyl (Chornobyl in Ukrainian). This had the only RBMK type reactors in the country. Unit 4 was destroyed in the 1986 accident, unit 2 was shut down after a turbine hall fire in 1991, unit 1 was closed in 1997 and unit 3 closed at the end of 2000 due to international pressure.
- Interruptions in natural gas supply from Russia in January 2006 sharply focused attention on the need for greater energy security and the role of nuclear power in achieving this. A nuclear power strategy involving building and commissioning 11 new reactors with total capacity of 16.5 GWe (and 9 replacement units totaling 10.5 GWe) to more than double nuclear capacity by 2030 was approved by the government in 2006 to enhance Ukraine's energy independence. See Table below.
- Increasing nuclear power capacityThe 2006 strategy envisaged completing Khmelnitski 3&4, which were respectively 75% and 28% complete when work stopped in 1990. The government announced in September 2008 that construction on these would resume in 2010 for completion in 2016 and 2017. These completion dates were reaffirmed in mid-2010 and in the mid-2011 energy policy update. In February 2011 it signed a framework contract for construction with Atomstroyexport for AES-92 plants with V-392B reactors similar to those already on the site. In June 2010 an intergovernmental agreement was signed, under which Russia will largely finance the project. Some 85% of the UAH 40 billion (EUR 3.7 billion) project is to be financed through a Russian loan, with 15% funding coming from Ukraine. The loan is to be repaid within five years after the reactors go into service. In July 2012 the government confirmed the feasibility, costings and timing of the project '' $4.9 billion total. The loan agreement was expected to be finalized by the end of 2012. At the end of 2013 the energy minister said that construction might resume in 2015.
- It was earlier expected that an international tender would open up the choice of technology and in March 2008 Areva, Westinghouse and South Korean suppliers were invited to bid, along with Atomstroyexport and Skoda '' all involving pressurized water (PWR) types. In the event only Atomstroyexport and Korea HNP submitted bids, with the former being chosen.
- Ukraine power reactor construction, planned and proposed (all PWR type)
- ReactorTypeV=PWRMWe grossStart constructionStart operationKhmelnitski 3V-392
- Total (13) 14,000 MWeIn the WNA reactor Table, K3&4 are "planned", the other 11 (12,000 MWe) "proposed".
- The mid-2011 energy policy revision proposes 2300 MWe of new capacity with decision on technology to be after 2015. Following this there will be a need for replacing plants which are decommissioned in the 2030s. Energoatom proposes to select a standard PWR (or possibly Candu) design from among leading vendors for the remaining planned units after Khmelnitsky 3&4. This will involve consideration of local content in the plants. While Russian VVER technology is the most obvious fit, Energoatom's Atomproektengineering division provided a feasibility study recommending making provision for use of CANDU EC-6 reactors to the Ministry in October 2010.
- Chigirin on the Tyasmyn River in the southern Cherkassy Region is proposed as one site for a new nuclear plant.
- In connection with the South Ukraine nuclear power plant, the South Ukraine Power Complex also consists of the 11.5 MWe Olexandrivka Hydro Power Plant on the river Pivdenny Buh, generating annually over 25 million kWh; and the 2 x 150 MWe Tashlyk Hydro Pumped Storage Power Plant commissioned in 2006-07, with total annual production of 175 million kWh. A third unit is due to be commissioned here in 2011, and three more re planned from 2015. The hydro units of the South Ukraine Power Complex belong to the country's nuclear utility Energoatom, and they serve as an important regulation of the peak capacity for load-following.
- Energoatom has been planning to raise its electricity tariff in order to finance reorganization of the nuclear fuel cycle complex and to implement safety modernizations at all plants. The nuclear tariff is expected to rise further by 2015 to enable funding of life extensions and construction of new plants.
- In February 2010 Energoatom signed a cooperation agreement with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co (CGNPC) relating to nuclear power plant design, construction, operation and maintenance.
- Uranium resources and miningUkraine has modest recoverable resources of uranium - 225,000 tU according to IAEA Red Book 2011, 62,000 tU of these recoverable at under $80/kgU, and 131,000 tU according to the Energy Ministry. Uranium mining began in 1948 at Pervomayskoye, and 65,000 tU have been produced so far. Current production is about 1000 tU/yr (960 tU in 2012, 922 tU in 2013). VostgGOK expects increased production in 2014.
- The Vostochny Gorno-Obogatitel'niy Kombinat (VostGOK), Eastern Mining and Processing Enterprise or Skhidniy Gorno-Zdobychuval'nyi Kombinat (SkhidGZK in Ukrainian, or Skhidniy HZK) had been producing up to 830 tonnes of uranium per year - around 30% of the country's requirements. This is from several deposits '' Ingulskaya and Smolinskaya '' at Zheltye Vody or Zhovti Vody (Ukr) in Dnepropetrovsk region, and Safonovskoye in Nikolaev region. The main undeveloped deposit is said to be Mikhailovskoye in Kirovograd region. In both these regions mineralization occurs in metasomatic deposits up to 1300 metres deep. At Ingulskaya block leaching is undertaken, and a heap leach for low-grade ore has been set up at Smolinskaya, where beneficiated ore from radiometric sorting is railed to the central mill. VostGOK is also operating the Vatutinskoye, Central and Michurinskoye underground mines west of Zheltye Vody. Typical grade from these mines in metasomatic deposits is 0.1%U.
- Ore is railed 100 to 150 km to the central mill and hydrometallurgical plant at Zheltye Vody. The plant was built in 1958, rebuilt in the 1970s, and is due for further refurbishment. A UAH 400 million ($50 million) reconstruction of the hydrometallurgical plant is planned. VostGOK also plans a heap leach facility at Novokonstantinovskoye to treat one third of its ore, but the high-grade material from there will be railed east to these central facilities.
- The Novokonstantinovskoye uranium project in the Kirovohrad region was being developed independently of VostGOK by the Novokonstantinov uranium development company, to produce up to 1500 t/yr by 2013, and 2500 t/yr eventually. This is claimed to be the largest uranium deposit in Europe, and 93,600 tU resources at 0.14% are quoted (100,000 tU in a 2013 report). Ceremonial first production was in August 2008, but development then languished. Three levels have been opened up at 680 to 1090 metres depth. Russia's Rosatom had said it was keen to invest in developing the project, but agreement on equity was not reached. The government was seeking partners to help fund the $820 million development cost, but after becoming impatient with disputes, it legislated to put the project under VostGOK from December 2009.* In October 2010 VostGOK announced that production would commence in 2011, ramping up towards 1050 tU/yr. Russian overtures were again rejected. First production was in June 2011, with 99 tU projected to end of year. Production in 2012 was expected to be 180-190 tU, and then 424 tU in 2013, 760 tU in 2014, 1270 tU in 2015, and 2100 tU in 2017. VostGOK is aiming to invest over UAH 6 billion ($736 million) to develop the Novokonstantinovskoye mine, but financing this depends on securing long-term sales contracts with NAEC Energoatom.
- * This edict was canceled in February 2010, and the regional Public Utility Company Nedra Kirovogradshchiny was then to take over responsibility. However, this was reversed in September, and the project reverted to VostGOK.
- In June 2009 VostGOK announced that it planned to develop the Safonovskoye deposit in Kazankovsky District of Nikolaev Region, northwest Ukraine, using in situ leaching (ISL) to produce 100-150 tU/yr from 2011 in a sandstone deposit. A year later the target date was 2012, with 50 tU, reaching 150 tU/yr in 2014. This deposit had been mined with acid leaching to 1983, but mining was discontinued for environmental reasons.
- In 2009 VostGOK continued re-treatment of tailings at Smolinskaya mine, and the same is planned for Ingulskaya mine, both for uranium recovery and environmental reasons.
- Ukraine is giving priority and investing heavily to boost uranium production and this involves opening the way for foreign investment. It expects to produce 890 tU/yr in 2011 and hopes to fully satisfy its domestic demand of up to 1880 tU/yr by 2015. Projections to 2020 showed fairly steady production from existing mines at about 800 tU/yr, about 2500 tU/yr from Novokonstantinovskoye, and about 1500 tU/yr from new mines. A further target is 6400 tU/yr by 2030.
- Australian-based Uran Ltd had agreed with Ukraine's Ministry of Fuel & Energy and VostGOK to carry out a feasibility study for ISL mining of the small Surskoye and Novogurevskoye uranium deposits in the east of the country, near VostGOK's existing operations. However, in 2008 Uran abandoned the prospect.*
- * The agreements set out terms under which Uran might enter into a Joint Venture over the two sedimentary deposits in the Dnipropetrovsky region. However, in September 2009 the company said that "Following on the repeated failure of the Ukrainian uranium mining enterprise VostGOK to honour a number of agreements with Uran, a decision was made in 2008 to abandon our activities in Ukraine, at least until a more settled and effective political process is established." In 2011 it listed no Ukraine project.
- Ukraine also has zirconium resources, and supplies zirconium to Russia.
- There are legacy issues with former uranium mining and processing, particularly at the Pridniprovsky Chemical Plant (PHZ) at Dniprodzerzhinsk, not far from the Dnipro River. Nine tailings dams containing 42 million tonnes of mine tailings and 4 PBq of activity and derelict production facilities from operations over 1948-91 are the subject of a large-scale remediation program. PHZ processed ores from the Michurinskoye deposit (near Kirovograd), phosphate ores of the Melovoye deposit (near Shevchenko, now Aktau, Kazakhstan) and raw concentrate from GDR, Hungary and Bulgaria.
- Fuel cycleUkrainian uranium concentrate and zirconium alloy are sent to Russia for fuel fabrication. The nuclear fuel produced from these Ukrainian components by TVEL in Russia then returns to Ukrainian NPPs.
- The country depends primarily on Russia to provide other nuclear fuel cycle services also, notably enrichment. In June 2007 Ukraine agreed to investigate joining the new International Uranium Enrichment Centre (IUEC) at Angarsk, in Siberia, and to explore other areas of cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle and building power reactors in other countries. Late in 2008 it signed an agreement for Ukraine's Nuclear Fuel holding company to take a 10% stake in the IUEC based at Angarsk, and in October 2010 this came into effect. Ukraine's State Concern Nuclear Fuel apparently sells natural uranium to IUEC, which enriches it at Russian plants. Then IUEC sells the enriched uranium to the Fuel Company TVEL, which fabricates fuel assemblies and supplies them to NAEC Energoatom. The first commercial supply was in November 2012 and the next is expected in 2013. The contracted volume is reported to be 60,000 SWU/yr, proportional to the Ukrainian shareholding. Ukraine requires about 1.96 million SWU/yr overall.
- In order to diversify nuclear fuel supplies, Energoatom started implementation of the Ukraine Nuclear Fuel Qualification Project (UNFQP). The Project assumed the use of US-manufactured fuel in the VVER-1000 following the selection of Westinghouse as a vendor on a tender basis. In 2005, South Ukraine's third unit was the country's first to use the six lead test assemblies supplied by Westinghouse, which were placed into the reactor core together with Russian fuel for a period of pilot operation. A reload batch of 42 fuel assemblies was provided by Westinghouse in mid-2009 for a three-year period of commercial operation at the unit with regular monitoring and reporting. In addition to the initial supply of fuel from Westinghouse, other aims of the project included the transfer of technology for the design of nuclear fuel.
- However, in June 2010, Energoatom signed a long-term fuel supply contract with Russia's TVEL for all 15 reactors. Earlier, Rosatom had offered a substantial discount to Ukraine if it signed up with TVEL for 20 years. TVEL and Westinghouse both bid to build a fuel fabrication plant in Ukraine, and in September 2010 the Ministry of Fuels & Energy selected TVEL. The state-owned holding company Nuclear Fuel signed an agreement with TVEL for a 50-50 joint venture to build a plant to manufacture VVER-1000 fuel assemblies. The US$ 295 million plant is now under construction at Smolino, Kirovograd region, to produce about 400 fuel assemblies (200 tU) per year from 2013. Russia has agreed to transfer fuel fabrication technology by 2020. The site is near Smolinskaya uranium mine. In December 2011 the private joint-stock company Nuclear Fuel Production Plant (NFPP) was set up and will start supplying fuel in 2016. The first phase to 2015 sets up capacity for fabrication of fuel rods and assemblies, the second phase to 2020 involves production of fuel pellets.
- An attempt was made in the 1990s to set up a complete suite of fuel cycle facilities other than enrichment, but this failed for political and financial reasons. The December 2006 decision to form Ukratomprom revived intentions to build a fuel fabrication plant. Ukraine has been seeking cooperation with other countries which have experience in the nuclear fuel cycle as a part of its effort to increase its supply of low-cost nuclear electricity and to reduce its imports of natural gas and other energy sources from Russia. In December 2005 Ukraine and the EU signed an energy cooperation agreement which links the country more strongly to western Europe in respect to both nuclear energy and electricity supply.
- Tenders were called for a fuel fabrication plant, and in September 2010 Russia's TVEL was chosen over Westinghouse to build a $212 million plant. One condition is that Ukraine holds a controlling stake in the joint venture company that is to be established to manage the plant, despite relying on TVEL to provide most of the funds to construct it. Another condition is the requirement for the transfer of technology for the manufacture of fuel assemblies under a non-exclusive licence by 2020, for reactors both in Ukraine and abroad. Construction is due to start in mid 2014, with commissioning in 2015. It is assumed that from 2016 the plant will cater all nuclear fuel needs of Ukraine's nuclear power plants, while surplus products will be exported under separate arrangements with TVEL. The plant is to be doubled in size by 2020.
- In May 2008 Ukraine's Ministry of Fuels and Energy signed an agreement with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) to develop CANDU technology. This could provide synergies with the existing Ukrainian VVER reactors by burning uranium recovered from the VVERs' used fuel. (Such recycled uranium has fissile content similar to natural uranium and can be directly used in CANDU reactors). The technology concerned involves either reprocessing or DUPIC '' Direct Use of spent PWR fuel In Candu reactors. This has long been mooted by AECL, but is further ahead in South Korea than elsewhere due to their mix of PWR and CANDU reactor technologies. (Use of reprocessed uranium in CANDU reactors is being trialled in China.)
- Radioactive Waste ManagementThere is no intention to close the fuel cycle in Ukraine, though the possibility remains under consideration. In 2008 the National Target Environmental Program of Radioactive Waste Management was approved. Storage of used fuel for at least 50 years before disposal remains the policy. The new program meets the requirements of European legislation and recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Its implementation will create an integrated system of radioactive waste of all types and categories for 50 years.
- Used fuel is mostly stored on site though some VVER-440 fuel is again being sent to Russia for reprocessing. At Zaporozhe a long-term dry storage facility for spent fuel has operated since 2001, but other VVER-1000 spent fuel is sent to Russia for storage, at a cost to Ukraine of over $100 million per year. A centralised dry storage facility for spent fuel was proposed for construction in the government's 2006 energy strategy.
- In December 2005, Energoatom signed a US$ 150 million agreement with the US-based Holtec International to implement the Central Spent Fuel Storage Project for Ukraine's VVER reactors. Holtec's work involves design, licensing, construction, commissioning of the facility, and the supply of transport and vertical ventilated dry storage systems for used VVER nuclear fuel, initially 2500 VVER-1000 and 1100 VVER-440 assemblies. This was projected for completion in 2008, but was held up pending legislation. Then in October 2011 parliament passed a bill on management of spent nuclear fuel, and this was approved in the upper house in February 2012. It provides for construction of the dry storage facility within the Chernobyl exclusion area, between villages Staraya Krasnitsa, Buryakovka, Chistogalovka and Stechanka in Kiev Region. The storage facility will become a part of the common spent nuclear fuel management complex of the state-owned company Chernobyl NPP. The total storage capacity of the facility will be 16,529 VVER-440 and VVER-1000 fuel assemblies, and expected to cost $460 million, including 'start-up complex' $160 million. Stage 1 for 3600 fuel assemblies is due to open in 2015.
- Used fuel from decommissioned RBMK reactors at Chernobyl is stored, and a new dry storage facility is under construction there. In September 2007 Holtec International and the Ukrainian government signed a contract to complete the placement of Chernobyl's used nuclear fuel in dry storage systems (ISF-2). Removing the radioactive fuel from the three undamaged Chernobyl reactors is essential to the start of decommissioning them. Holtec will complete the dry storage project, begun in 1999 by French Framatome, and plans to use as much of the previous work on the project as possible, with the protection of public health and safety as the overriding criteria. The project is estimated to be worth EUR 200 million (US$ 269 million) and is expected to be completed in mid 2014. There is full endorsement from the Assembly of Donors, who provide funding for Chernobyl remediation and decommissioning.
- Also at Chernobyl, Nukem has constructed an Industrial Complex for Radwaste Management (ICSRM) which was handed over in April 2009. In this, solid low- and intermediate-level wastes accumulated from the power plant operations and the decommissioning of reactor blocks 1 to 3 is conditioned by incineration, high-force compaction, and cementation, as required and then packaged for disposal. In addition, highly radioactive and long-lived solid waste is sorted out for temporary separate storage. A low-level waste repository has also been built at the Vektor complex 17 km away.
- In 2013, a four-year Ukraine-NATO project began to clean up low-level radioactive waste at nine military facilities in the country. EUR 25 million was budgeted. The wastes will be buried in the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
- From 2011, high-level wastes from reprocessing Ukrainian fuel was to be returned from Russia to Ukraine and go to the central dry storage facility.
- Preliminary investigations have shortlisted sites for a deep geological repository for high- and intermediate-level wastes including all those arising from Chernobyl decommissioning and clean-up.
- A new facility for treatment solid radioactive waste is under construction at the site of Zaporozhe nuclear power plant, to be commissioned in 2015. It will be fitted with a state-of-the-art incinerator of Danish design.
- DecommissioningFour Chernobyl RBMK-1000 reactors, plus two almost-completed ones, are being decommissioned. Unit 4, which was destroyed in the 1986 accident, is enclosed in a large shelter and a new, more durable containment structure is to be built by 2015.
- This shelter project will be funded by the International Chernobyl Shelter Fund facilitated by the EBRD and is expected to cost about EUR 1.2 billion, more than two thirds of which has now been pledged. In September 2007 a EUR 430 million contract was signed with a French-led consortium Novarka to build this new shelter, to enclose both the destroyed Chernobyl-4 reactor and the hastily-built 1986 structure over it. It will be a metal arch 110 metres high and spanning 257 m, which will be built adjacent and then moved into place.
- In May 2005, international donors made pledges worth approximately EUR 150 million towards the new confinement shelter. The largest contribution, worth more than EUR 130 million, came from the G8 and the EU. Russia contributed to the fund for the first time and other fund members, which include the USA, increased their contributions, with the Ukrainian government pledging some EUR 15 million. The European Commission has committed EUR 239.5 million since 1997, making it the main donor.
- Units 1-3 are undergoing decommissioning conventionally '' the first RBMK units to do so '' and work will accelerate when the new dry storage facility for fuel is built (see Waste Management above).
- R&DUkraine has two research reactors, a very small one at the naval Engineering school and a 10 MW tank type one '' VVR-M '' which was commissioned in 1960 at the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kiev. This is due to close in 2015 and plans for a $250 million replacement were announced in 2008.
- In 2012 the government approved construction of a subcritical neutron source at the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology, using LEU. The USA will provide technical assistance and $25 million towards it. The facility is planned to start up in 2014. It is intended for research in nuclear physics as well as isotope production, particularly for nuclear medicine.
- OrganisationIn 1996 the former nuclear operating entity Goskomatom spawned a new corporate nuclear utility, Energoatom. Then Goskomatom was replaced by two Departments within the Fuel & Energy Ministry: a Department for Nuclear Energy, responsible for civil nuclear power plants operation, and a Department for Atomic Industry, responsible for the development of nuclear fuel cycle. Energoatom's current priorities are to increase safety, bring load factors up to 83-85%, and extend the working lives of the reactors by 10-15 years (at about US$ 150 million per VVER-1000 reactor).
- The regulator is the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRI or SNRC), now an independent authority (it was until 2001 under the Ministry of Environment Protection & Nuclear Safety).
- The 1995 law on Nuclear Energy Use and Radiation Safety establishes the legal basis of the industry and included a provision for the operating plant to have full legal responsibility for the consequences of any accident. The 1995 law on Radioactive Waste Management complements this, and the consequent state program was approved in 2002.
- Nuclear industry structure and the Russian connectionLate in 2006 the government moved to set up a new national nuclear industry entity - Ukratomprom, as a vertically-integrated nuclear holding company reporting to Energy Ministry and cabinet. Ukratomprom was to consist of six state-owned enterprises including Energoatom, the VostGOK uranium mining company, and the Novokonstantinov uranium development company, with assets of some US$ 10 billion, including $6.35 billion for Energoatom. Three major projects were to be launched in 2007, including a $1875 million uranium production venture comprising refurbishment of VostGOK's hydrometallurgical plant and construction of a uranium mill at Novokonstantinov. Then it was announced that Energoatom would not be included in Ukratomprom, and soon afterwards plans were abandoned.
- Russia has made strenuous efforts to regain its influence in Ukraine, and early in 2010 various proposals for civil nuclear joint ventures were put forward. In April the Russian president suggested "full-scale cooperation of our nuclear industries," and that the two countries establish a large holding company that would include power generation, heavy engineering and fuel cycle facilities. As a first stage, he suggested a merger involving Ukrainian uranium mining with Russia's Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant in Siberia, which produces VVER fuel. Also he noted that Ukraine's Turboatom was producing large steam turbines solely for Russia. Furthermore, all Ukrainian reactors need modernization which, he said, could be most effective with close cooperation of Russian enterprises, at the same time as opening access for Ukrainian partners to the Russian market as it greatly expands nuclear capacity. In addition, Russia and Ukraine could collaborate in foreign markets on the basis of financing provided by the Russian government and leading financial institutions. Ukraine's president agreed in principle that some of these particular suggestions might have merit.
- Rosatom followed up with the suggestion that if Ukraine signed long-term (25-year) fuel supply contracts with Russia it would enjoy a discount of more than US$ 1 billion. Furthermore, Rosatom was ready to transfer up to 50% of the shares in the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant to Ukrainian partners and establish domestic fuel production, either ''either [as] a branch of the combine where we can be shareholders together, or a new plant in the Ukrainian territory." Rosatom reiterated its long-standing desire to take a share of Ukraine's Novokonstantinov uranium project, and also proposed a joint venture bringing together the heavy engineering assets of Russia's Atomenergomash and Ukraine's Turboatom at Kharkov.
- Energoatom has set up Atomproektengineering to handle new nuclear power projects, including investment, design, and construction. It has already been involved with Khmelnitsky 3&4 (see below). In October 2010 Atomenergomash announced that it and NAEC Energoatom would set up a strategic consortium to localize nuclear equipment manufacture in Ukraine, particularly in relation to Khmelnitsky 3&4.
- Ukraine's plans for fuel cycle developments as of mid 2010 are to develop uranium mining and fuel fabrication, but not conversion, enrichment or reprocessing - these being done in Russia, albeit with some Ukraine equity in IUEC (see above).
- Ukraine's JSC Turboatom at Kharkov, established in 1934 and now 75.2% government-owned, is among the leading world turbine-building companies. It specializes in steam turbines for thermal and nuclear power plants, and has the capacity to produce 8000 MWe of such per year, with individual units up to 1100 MWe. It has supplied 110 turbines totaling 50 GWe for 24 nuclear power plants. Ukrainian power plants employ 47 Turboatom-made turbines plus 43 Russian ones. Turboatom's major competitors are the Power Machines Co in Russia and Germany's Siemens. Much of its production in 2010 was for Russia.
- Non-proliferationAfter the break-up of the Soviet Union, Ukraine negotiated to repatriate nuclear warheads and missiles to Russia in return for nuclear fuel supplies. Ukraine then joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapons state. Its safeguards agreement under the NPT came into force in 1998, and in 2005 the Additional Protocol to this agreement was ratified.
- Main sources:IAEA 2002, Country Nuclear Power ProfilesPerera, Judith 2003, Nuclear Power in the Former USSR, McCloskey, UK.Ukrainian Ministry of Fuel & Energy http://mpe.kmu.gov.uaNational Energy Regulatory Commission http://www.nerc.gov.ua/National Nuclear Energy Generating Company ENERGOATOM http://www.energoatom.kiev.ua/NuclearFuel 29/1 & 18/6/07.IAEA 1999: http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Features/Chernobyl-15/shelter-fund.pdf
- Appendix: The K2-R4 sagaIn the 1990s both the government and Energoatom were determined to bring two new reactors '' Khmelnitski 2 and Rovno 4 (K2-R4) '' into operation as soon as possible. Both reactors were 80% complete when a halt was imposed in 1990.
- In 1995 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Governments of the G7 countries, the EC and the Ukrainian government which required closure of the operating Chernobyl reactors. Thus, Chernobyl reactors were shut down '' the last in December 2000.
- The Memorandum stipulated the agreement on international financial aid to Ukraine to support Chernobyl decommissioning, power sector restructuring, completion of K2-R4 nuclear reactors, thermal and hydro plant rehabilitation, construction of a pumped storage plant, and to support energy efficiency projects in accordance with Ukraine's energy sector strategy.
- In 2000 the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) approved (by an 89% vote apart from abstentions) a US$ 215 million loan towards completion of K2-R4. This EBRD funding, though a modest part of the US$ 1480 million estimated to be required, was a key factor in plans for their completion to western safety standards. Conditions on the loan included safety enhancement of all 13 Ukraine nuclear power reactors, independence for the country's nuclear regulator, and electricity market reform.
- Following approval of the EBRD loan, the European Commission (EC) approved a US$ 585 million loan to Energoatom. The EC said that approval of this Euratom funding "a few days before the permanent closure of Chernobyl gives a clear sign of the Commission's commitment to nuclear safety ... as well as to the deepening of [EU] relations with Ukraine." It "will finance the completion, modernisation and commissioning of two third-generation nuclear units". The EC pointed out that it and the EBRD had concluded that the project met all safety, environmental, economic and financial criteria.
- Russia earlier provided US$ 225 million credit for K2/R4 equipment and fuel, then in 2002 a Russian loan of US$ 44 million for completion of the units was approved. The arrangement covered goods and services from Russia. It followed signing of a US$ 144 million agreement in June, including about US$ 100 million of fuel.
- However the promised loans of US$ 215 million and the Euratom's US$ 585 million were deferred late in 2001 because the government had baulked at doubling the wholesale price of power to USD 2.5 cent/kWh as required by EBRD. Ukraine also rejected almost all approved Russian loans. The Ukrainian government then approved estimates for the completion, site works and upgrades for the K2 - R4 nuclear power reactors, at US$ 621 million and US$ 642 million respectively. With local finance and a bond issue, Energoatom proceeded with work on both units.
- In July 2004, prior to start-up of the two units, the EBRD finally approved a scaled-down loan of US$ 42 million. This sum was matched by US$ 83 million from Euratom, approved by the EC. The project finances the post-start-up component of a safety and modernisation program developed for K2 and R4.
- The loan was approved on condition that revised tariffs are implemented in order to fund upgrading of all 13 operating power reactors in Ukraine to K2-R4 standards, that a decommissioning fund is set up and "an internationally agreed level of nuclear liability insurance" is reached.
- The program on modernisation and safety improvement of K2-R4 was established taking into account IAEA's recommendations. It consists of 147 "pre-commissioning", as well as "post-commissioning" and "before and after commissioning" measures. In 2003-2004, Framatome ANP, an independent expert of the EBRD, together with the local Riskaudit Company, reviewed the implementation status and sufficiency of the program. They assessed positively the result of this program's implementation to date. The post-commissioning modernization measures were completed in November 2010, under the US$ 125 million budget from EBRD and Euratom.
- In August 2004 the Ukrainian President said that Western governments had failed to honour their 1995 undertakings to assist his country in exchange for closing the Chernobyl plant, particularly in relation to the Khmelnitsky 2 and Rovno 4 completion, grid infrastructure and a pumped storage hydro plant.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 2002 Venezuelan coup d'(C)tat attempt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- 2002 Venezuelan coup d'(C)tat attemptDateApril 11 '' 13, 2002LocationVenezuelaResultChavez reinstated after popular uprisingThe Venezuelan coup d'(C)tat attempt of 2002 was a failed coup d'(C)tat on 11 April 2002, that saw PresidentHugo Chvez ousted from office for 47 hours, before being restored by a combination of military loyalists and massive public support for his government. Chvez was initially detained by members of the military[1][2][3] and of pro-business elites represented by Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce (Fedecmaras) president Pedro Carmona, who was declared as the interim president. Carmona's brief rule saw the Venezuelan National Assembly and the Supreme Court both dissolved and the country's 1999 Constitution declared void.[4] In Caracas, the coup led to a popular pro-Chvez uprising that the Metropolitan Police unsuccessfully tried to suppress.[5] Key sectors of the military[6] and parts of the anti-Chvez movement also refused to back Carmona.[7][8] The pro-Chvez Presidential Guard eventually retook the Miraflores presidential palace without firing a shot, leading to the collapse of the Carmona government and the re-installation of Chvez as president. The coup was publicly condemned by leaders of Latin American nations (the Rio Group then gathered in San Jos(C), Costa Rica at the time) who issued a joint communiqu(C) to that effect. On the other hand, the United States and Spain both acknowledged the (pro-US) Carmona forces as the de facto government but ended up condemning subsequent events.[9]
- The coup had apparently been planned for some six to nine months. The decision to try to overthrow Chvez came on the heels of what they hoped were a number of controversial laws Chvez passed that November attempting to strengthen government control over Venezuela's national oil company, PDVSA. A general strike was called for in December 2001. Early in 2002, a number of leading military figures called for Chvez's resignation. The ensuing power struggle saw, by April, an escalation of the strike at PDVSA, which became a general strike with support coming from the national federation of trade unions Confederaci"n de Trabajadores de Venezuela (CTV) and the pro-capitalist business group Fedecmaras.
- On 11 April, marchers were rerouted to the presidential palace where pro-Chvez supporters were holding their own rally. Efforts by civil authorities to keep the opposition marchers away from the palace were thwarted by media reports encouraging a clash. As the opposing sides neared each other, shots rang out. By that evening, some nineteen people were dead, with more wounded. The opposition media aired footage of Chvez supporters firing handguns from a bridge and alleged that it showed them firing on unarmed protesters. However, additional footage shows that the Chvez supporters were both being fired upon themselves and were also firing at a largely empty street, rather than a march. Chvez supporters claimed that unidentified snipers were responsible for the deaths.[10]
- The opposition media immediately blamed these deaths on "Chavistas", whom they claimed to have actually filmed firing on unarmed marchers from a bridge. This narrative was largely accepted without question by the international news media.
- The mainstream of Venezuelan media outlets are privately owned, and which side they were on was made abundantly clear in the way events were covered. The privately owned yet "public" media played a key role in the coup, providing continuous coverage of the general strike leading up to it, as well as having supported the dangerous rerouting of coup supporters to Miraflores Palace where pro-Chvez supporters were assembled that same day. Venevisi"n, owned by Gustavo Cisneros, played a key role, with pro-coup leaders meeting there after the 11 April march and appealing to the military to intervene on their behalf. It was also Venevisi"n that claimed to have filmed "Chavistas" firing from the bridge. This footage was edited by Venevisi"n in a way that suggested a planned ambush of opposition marchers by pro-Chvez gunmen.
- The private media refused to interview pro-government officials after the march, and once protests broke out following news of Chvez's detention, declined to give any coverage to that. Attempts by Chvez supporters to disclose that Chvez had not resigned, and was being held prisoner, were ignored or cut off. A key military division's attempt to publicize its rejection of the coup was ignored and reported only by CNN. After Chvez supporters retook Miraflores, the major networks stopped providing news reports altogether, with two of the three major newspapers cancelling the Sunday edition, claiming "safety concerns" for the lack of will.
- After the coup, the Organization of American States (OAS) established a "mesa" dialogue process, as it had in Peru following the May 2000 elections. At Chvez's request, the Carter Center and UNDP were also involved. In order to facilitate participation in this process, the anti-Chvez opposition created the Coordinadora Democrtica (CD); however, the CD continued to pursue non-electoral means to overthrow what is undoubtedly a democratically elected Chvez government. CD became involved in organizing the Venezuelan general strike of 2002''2003. After the collapse of that effort, the CD began organizing the Venezuelan recall referendum, 2004.
- Background[edit]Chvez was first elected president in 1998. One of his campaign promises was to convene a new constitutional convention,[11] and on 15 December 1999 he put the new Constitution of Venezuela to the voters in a referendum, which passed with 71.78% of the popular vote. However opposition to the Chvez government was particularly strong in the country's privately owned media outlets,[12] which had long represented the European-descended landowners and business community against the majority indigenous and darker-skinned populations. These upper and upper-middle classes now feared losing long-held economic and political power as a result of Chvez's many reforms.[13] The new policies of subsidizing basic foodstuffs, redistributing oil revenue and breaking-up large estates was particularly contentious. Following the 1999 constitutional referendum, Chvez was reelected in 2000 under the terms of the new constitution.
- On 13 November 2001, Chvez passed a package of 49 laws, using an enabling act which was about to expire. Two decrees in particular sparked protest: a law aimed at strengthening government control over the oil company PDVSA, which Chvez argued had become a "state within a state", and a land reform law, which included provisions for the expropriation of idle lands on large estates, even while providing the previous owners with compensation at the going market rates.[14] Opposition to these programmes included an attempt by Democratic Action to have the Supreme Court assess Chvez for potential mental incapacity, which would permit his removal from office under Article 233 of the new constitution; Newsweek picked this up and ran an article headlined "Is Hugo Chvez Insane?".[15][16] On 10 December, the opposition organised a one-day general strike, which was substantially effective, although shops in poorer neighbourhoods remained open. With newspapers, workplaces, schools and the stock exchange closed, "the opposition was ecstatic...[and]...convinced themselves that Chvez's support had all but vanished."[17]
- In early 2002, there were increasing signs of discontent in the military; in February four military officials, including a general and a rear admiral, publicly called on Chvez to resign. On 7 February 2002 Venezuela Air Force Colonel Pedro Vicente Soto and National Reserve Captain Pedro Flores Rivero led a rally protesting the Chvez government's allegedly undemocratic and authoritarian practices. Rear Admiral Carlos Molina Tamayo said on television that if Chvez did not resign, he should be impeached. Besides the opposition accusations that Chvez was undermining democracy and free speech, the military's complaints included Plan Bolvar 2000's use of the armed forces for poverty reduction activities instead of national defense. They also said Chvez was alienating the United States through a foreign policy involving negotiations with Colombian rebels and strengthening links with OPEC countries considered enemies of the US, including Saddam Hussein's Iraq.[18] Chvez and his allies suggested other motives, including Soto's being passed over for promotion, and pointed to a report in the Washington Post alleging that Soto and Tamayo had received $100,000 each from Miami bank accounts in return for denouncing Chvez.[18]
- In early 2002, Chvez's attempts to end the functional independence of the state oil company, Petr"leos de Venezuela (PDVSA), to bring its oil revenues under state control were met with strong resistance from PDVSA officials and managers. Many supported the old Rafael Caldera-era policy of apertura, that is, opening the Venezuelan oil sector to much greater foreign participation, to raise production; Chvez argued instead for cutting production, with coordination via OPEC, to raise prices and increase oil revenues. Chvez suspected apertura supporters of ultimately wanting to privatize the company, and the government attacked PDVSA management as diverting too much of its revenues into its own pockets.[19] (PDVSA royalties paid to the state had fallen from 71% of gross earnings in 1981 to 39% in 2000.[20]) In February Chvez fired the President of PDVSA, Brigadier-General Guaicaipuro Lameda, along with 5 of the 7 members of the PDVSA board of directors.[19] The case of the PDVSA management naturally received a great deal of attention from the private media,[21] with a series of walkouts and work slowdowns following.[19]
- Tensions continued to escalate through March and early April. The mayor of Caracas, Alfredo Pe±a, a former Chvez ally, said that Chvez was possessed by evil spirits, and called on the Catholic Church to perform an exorcism.[22] On 5 March the US Embassy cabled Washington to report that Fedecmaras, the CTV, and the Catholic Church had reached an agreement named "Bases for a Democratic Accord", which the cable described as "ten principles on which to guide a transitional government".[23] An Embassy official, commenting in the cable, said of the accord "another piece falls into place... This accord... may well form the frame of reference and code of conduct for a transitional government."[24] By March the CIA was briefing US officials that a coup might be planned, and on 6 April it issued another brief saying efforts to mount a coup were being stepped up.[22] The 6 April brief noted that "To provoke military action, the plotters may try to exploit unrest stemming from opposition demonstrations slated for later this month or ongoing strikes at the state-owned oil company PDVSA."[25]
- Events leading up to the coup[edit]Strikes[edit]On 5 April 2002, the PDVSA opposition to Chvez moved to shut down the company. Thousands of mainly white-collar workers stayed at home, and two of the five main export terminals were paralyzed. On 6 April the Confederaci"n de Trabajadores de Venezuela (CTV) trade union federation announced a 24-hour general strike for 9 April, to support the PDVSA protestors. It was joined the following day by Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce, headed by Pedro Carmona. As in the December general strike, the country's most powerful business group and largest trade union federation acted together.[26] On 7 April, Chvez fired seven PDVSA executives who had been leading the protests, and forced another 12 into retirement.[26][27]
- On 9 April, the general strike was moderately successful, with oil production slowed, and newspapers not published. Television stations cancelled regular programming and commercials to run continuous coverage of the strike, including the stations' own anti-Chvez ads. The strike organizers declared it a success, which the government disputed, and in an effort to show its version of events, ordered a series of "cadenas" (mandatory government broadcasts), showing daily life continuing (over 30 cadenas on 8 and 9 April[28]). On the evening of 9 April, the strike was extended for another 24 hours. On 10 April, the strike was less effective, with many schools and businesses re-opening. As with the previous day, television provided continuous coverage, and the government intervened with cadenas '' but this time the networks split the screen, showing the cadena on one side and their coverage of the strike on the other. On the evening of 10 April, Fedecmaras and CTV announced the strike would be extended indefinitely, and called for a march to the PDVSA headquarters the following day.[29]
- Coup preparations[edit]The coup had been planned for at least six to nine months. On the evening of 11 April, with the coup in full swing, one coup plotter told television viewers that the coup had been long planned: "Nine months ago a movement started to organise itself more firmly, a serious movement, and fortunately it has come to fruition today."[30] Chvez ally Jorge Garca Carneiro, taken prisoner at Fuerte Tiuna, was told by a number of rebels '' including General Enrique Medina G"mez, Venezuela's military attach(C) in Washington, D.C., who had flown to Caracas earlier in the day '' that the plot had been planned for months. They also told him that the plan to kill a few people with snipers dated back years, as a way to ensure fewer deaths in the event of a coup. Lucas Rinc"n Romero, who came to Fuerte Tiuna around this time, later testified to the National Assembly that he had heard similar things, and that Vice Admiral H(C)ctor Ramrez had told him he had been involved in the plot for six months.[31]CNN correspondent Otto Neustald has said that on the morning of 11 April he recorded a video message from a number of high-ranking military officers, led by Vice Admiral H(C)ctor Ramrez, which was broadcast later in the day. The message, recorded at least two hours before the killings started, accused Chvez of massacring innocent people using snipers, referring to at least six dead and dozens wounded.[32][33]
- On 10 April, Brigadier General N(C)stor Gonzlez Gonzlez appeared on television to demand Chvez's resignation and to issue an ultimatum. The statement had the desired effect of ensuring that Chvez cancelled his planned trip to a Rio Group summit in Costa Rica: the coup plans required Chvez to be in Venezuela.[34] The message was recorded in the house of Napole"n Bravo, host of Venevisi"n's 24 Horas, as Bravo admitted on air on 12 April, in a discussion with Rear Admiral Molina Tamayo.[35][36] Also on 10 April, a draft of what would become the Carmona Decree was shown to the leading intellectual Jorge Olavarra for comments. Olavarra warned that it violated democratic norms and would provoke an international reaction.[31]
- Shortly before 11 April, Al Rodrguez Araque, a former guerilla and Chvez ally then serving in Vienna as the General Secretary of OPEC, heard of a potential oil embargo against the United States by Iraq and Libya, over US support for Israel. More importantly, he heard that "the United States was planning to prod a coup into action in Venezuela to head off any threat of embargo."[37] Rodrguez Araque's warning led Chvez to declare that he would not join such an embargo, and to secretly hide several hundred troops in Miraflores' underground corridors, commanded by Jos(C) Baduel.[37][38]
- 11 April march[edit]On 11 April over two hundred thousand people[39] marched to the PDVSA headquarters in defense of its recently dismissed management board. Secretly, the organizers had planned to announce a "spontaneous" decision to reroute the march and "descend on Miraflores Palace to force the president to resign".[34][40] By late morning, speakers at the rally at PDVSA headquarters called for a march to Miraflores, and the crowd approved and began the six-mile march.[41] The march was re-routed without consultation with the Police, who legally had to approve the changed route.[42] The government, upon seeing how events were unfolding on television, called for a halt in the progress of demonstrators so that the very real possibility of a violent confrontation taking place between the marchers and thousands of Chavistas already gathered there at the palace might be avoided.[43]
- However, with only a handful of Venezuelan National Guard and loyalist police around Miraflores (the opposition-controlled police were largely helping the opposition march move towards Miraflores), Chvez ordered the activation of a military plan to occupy key locations in the city, Plan vila.[44][45] When the General responsible was nowhere to be found, another general, Jorge Garca Carneiro, the head of the largest military unit in Caracas, offered to step in. However, this effort was thwarted by soldiers who blocked a highway by diverting civilian traffic into the base at Fuerte Tiuna and preventing troops from leaving.[44] On contacting the base, the general was also told that a group of generals had plans to arrest the President.[45]
- Miraflores confrontation[edit]Close to Miraflores, a line of police and National Guard held the marchers for a time, before the marchers pressed on. The protesters were led by Guaicaipuro Lameda and Rear Admiral Molina Tamayo, "who kept calling on them to surge forward for a direct assault on the palace about two hundred yards away."[46] The National Guard fired tear gas to keep the opposition marchers away; Molina Tamayo urged the crowd to advance through it.[46] At about 2:30 pm opposition protesters began to throw objects at the National Guard and the Chavistas a block away; some were thrown back, and the opposition and the Chavistas exchanged insults. Police motorcycles pushed the opposition towards the Chavistas, and as a police tank turned onto the main street, the first shot was heard.[46] Lameda, Molina Tamayo, Carmona, and CTV leader Carlos Ortega had left the area on motorcycles a few minutes earlier.[47] By the end of the afternoon, nineteen were dead[48] and around 60 injured,[49] most killed between 3:20 pm and 3:55 pm.[48]
- There is no consensus as to who was responsible for the deaths on 11 April 2002, and this remains one of the most controversial issues in Venezuelan politics today. The opposition version of events puts the blame on Chvez, or at least on his supporters. A Venevisi"n camera positioned on a rooftop that afternoon captured images of people using handguns to shoot from the pro-Chvez counter-march being held on Puente Llaguno, an overpass that crosses one of central Caracas's busiest avenues; it is unclear who they are shooting at, but the opposition narrative is that they were shooting at the opposition march and responsible for the deaths.[50] The gunmen argue that they were, in fact, returning fire at unknown snipers and Metropolitan Police firing towards them. The documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised shows footage captured from another angle by an amateur cameraman of the gunmen firing while the street below is empty; another documentary, X-Ray of a Lie argues the former's footage obscures Metropolitan Police trucks on the street below. The 2004 documentary Puente Llaguno: Claves de una Masacre showed that the Chavistas on the bridge did not begin shooting until 4:38 pm, by which time most of the opposition deaths had already occurred.[48] In addition, most of the opposition deaths were at least 300 yards away from the bridge, too far to be killed by the Chavistas' pistols with the precise head shots witnessed.[48]
- An eyewitness with military experience, who was shot himself, reported most victims being killed with precise head shots and alerted the crowds to the danger of snipers.[51] Some of the victims (which included both opposition and Chavistas) were shot in locations not reachable from the bridge, being around corners from the main street.[48]El Nacional reported that the presidential honour guard arrested three snipers,[52] while other reports claim seven arrests at the Hotel Ausonia of men later freed in the chaos of the coup and empty shells found at the Hotel Ed(C)n.[53] Video evidence and audio recordings later provided at the trial of Metropolitan Police leaders suggested plainclothes police had infiltrated the La Nacional building and were sniping on the opposition marchers and police below.[49]
- At 3:45 pm Chvez called another cadena. Broadcasting from an underground location in the palace grounds, he appeared unaware of the violence outside and spoke for ninety minutes on the successes of his administration and calling for peace. Half an hour into the cadena, the networks split the screen again, showing the violence outside the palace, and disrupted the audio from the cadena. In response Chvez ordered the networks taken off the air, saying that networks are licensed by the state, but "they can't use that right to attack the state itself, to instigate violence, or, knowing there is an insurrectional plan, support it..."[54] The networks continued to broadcast via satellite.[54] Only when Chvez emerged from the broadcast did he learn the extent of the violence.[54]
- Five minutes after Chvez's broadcast finished, Lameda and Molina Tamayo went on the air at Venevisi"n, where many opposition leaders had gathered, and, blaming Chvez for the violence, urged the armed forces to intervene.[47] An hour later Carmona and others, including former Chvez minister Luis Miquilena, similarly denounced the president, and the tape of ten ranking military officials which Otto Neustald had recorded earlier was broadcast.[33]
- At around 7.30 pm, Venevisi"n began broadcasting its version of events that afternoon, showing the Chavistas firing from Puente Llaguno, juxtaposed with footage of dead or wounded protestors, and accusing the Chavistas of shooting unarmed opposition protestors and of having planned an ambush.[50] (In the following days the international media largely followed this line without question.) Shortly after, the head of the army, Efran Vsquez Velasco, together with other ranking army officers, declared that Chvez had lost his support.[55]
- Chvez sought to get out the government's version of events, but struggled to do so. Venezuelan television refused to interview any government officials, and the government was left with broadcasts from Miraflores via the state-run Channel 8 (Venezolana de Televisi"n, VTV). By 10 pm this too was gone, as police loyal to Miranda governor Enrique Mendoza took it over, its employees putting on an old nature documentary before leaving.[56] Shortly before the takeover, Mendoza had said "this channel 8 crap needs to stop".[57]
- At 10.20 pm National Guard general Alberto Camacho Kairuz declared on television that Chvez had "abandoned" his office. This was not the case; Chvez was in Miraflores, contacting ambassadors from a range of countries to keep them informed and seek their help as mediators.[58] Around midnight, Fidel Castro called, and urged him not to quit or to follow the example of Salvador Allende in the 1973 Chilean coup d'(C)tat (who committed suicide in the presidential palace, under military assault). Jos(C) Vicente Rangel later said that "the call from Fidel was decisive so that there was no self-immolation. It was the determinant factor. His advice allowed us to see better in the darkness."[58]
- Chvez's detention[edit]In the early hours of 12 April, the coup plotters demanded Chvez's resignation. With the loss of "almost all ... military force on hand in order to resist or move to another place",[59] Chvez said that he would consider it to avoid a potential bloodbath if there were disturbances involving the crowds outside Miraflores.[60] However, he declared that four conditions would have to be met, including that he be allowed to resign before the National Assembly, with power passing constitutionally to the Vice President prior to new elections; and that he would be able to address the nation live on television.[59][60] At 3 am, with the coup plotters threatening to bomb the Miraflores palace if Chvez did not resign, Chvez told General-in-Chief Lucas Rinc"n that he would do so. Within twenty minutes Rincon had announced on television that Chvez had been asked for his resignation, and had accepted.[61] A few minutes later, Chvez was told that the four conditions he had declared would no longer be accepted, and Chvez declared that he would surrender himself to the coup plotters as "president prisoner".[62]
- After the resignation had been announced, Chvez was escorted under military guard to Fort Tiuna, where he met with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. Chvez was also met by army officers, who by then had determined that he was not to be sent to Cuba. Instead, Chvez would be taken to La Orchila, a military base off the coast of Venezuela, until rebel leaders could decide Chvez's fate. Whilst being held at Fort Tiuna, Chvez had access to television and saw the rolling television claims of his resignation, and became concerned that he would be killed (and the death made to look like suicide) in order to keep the narrative clear.[63] He was able to get word out that he had not in fact resigned, via a telephone call to his daughter, who, via switchboard operators at Miraflores still loyal to Chvez, was able to speak first to Fidel Castro and then to Cuban television.[64] In an interview with two women from the military's legal department, Chvez reiterated that he had not resigned, and they faxed a copy of his statement to the Attorney General, Isaias Rodriguez. To make the news public on Venezuelan media, Rodriguez called a press conference, supposedly to announce his own resignation. Instead, on 12 April at 2 pm, he announced live on television that Chvez had never quit, and was being held illegally. Most of his statement was cut off, with Venezuelan networks returning to the studios.[65] In the evening, Chvez was flown to the remote naval base of Turiamo, near Puerto Cabello, where he considered the risk of his own murder/assassination. According to Chvez, at one point an officer declared to another, "If you kill the president here we'll all kill one another."[66] On 13 April, with the critical support of top military officer Raºl Baduel,[67][68] and with Chvez supporters having retaken Miraflores and the soldiers holding him now calling him "President", Chvez wrote a note from his captivity in Turiamo stating specifically that he had not resigned.[69]
- Carmona's interim presidency[edit]Businessman Pedro Carmona Estanga, president of Fedecmaras, was installed as interim President after Chvez's detention. Carmona issued a decree, which came to be known as the Carmona Decree, dissolving the National Assembly and Supreme Court, and voiding the 1999 Constitution.[70] The decree declared that new elections for a "National Legislative Power" would take place no later than December 2002, and that this would draft a general reform of the 1999 constitution; new "general national elections" would take place within a year of the decree's declaration.[71] The decree also suspended the Attorney General, Controller General, state governors and all mayors elected during Chvez's administration.[72][73] As one academic later put it, "all institutions were abolished leaving the country effectively without the rule of law."[74] A Rio Group meeting of Latin American governments taking place that day in Costa Rica adopted a resolution condemning the "interruption of constitutional order in Venezuela", and requesting a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS); only Francisco Flores of El Salvador said that he would recognise the Carmona government.[75] Carmona also reinstalled Guaicaipuro Lameda as head of PDVSA. PDVSA management swiftly announced the end of oil exports to Cuba, and declared that it would step up production, implying an end to cooperation with OPEC.[76]
- Although Carmona promised new elections within a year, with a return to the pre-1999 bicameral parliamentary system, and also repealed a controversial set of 49 laws on the economy which had been passed six months earlier, the dissolution of the institutional framework fragmented the broad anti-Chvez coalition which had supported the coup, with many viewing it as "the triumph of a small oligarchic elite."[70] Additional strategic errors (the failure to include labour leaders such as Carlos Ortega in the government, and the appointment of Vice Admiral H(C)ctor Ramrez as minister of defence, ahead of army General Efran Vsquez) contributed to the inability of the interim government to withstand the backlash against it.[70][77]
- Pro-Chvez uprising and restoration[edit]Prompted by the spreading news that Chvez had not resigned, Carmona's installation as President generated a widespread uprising in support of Chvez that was suppressed by the Metropolitan Police.[5] It also led to a demonstration outside the Presidential Palace by hundreds of thousands of people. In contrast to the opposition marchers, "it was the poor from the peripheral barrios who returned Chvez to power."[78] With the palace surrounded by protestors, and with several hundred paratroopers still ensconced beneath the palace, their commander, Jos(C) Baduel, telephoned Carmona to tell him that he too was as much a hostage as Chvez was, and gave him an ultimatum that he return Chvez alive within 24 hours.[79] Meanwhile General Raºl Baduel, who headed Chvez's old paratrooper division in Maracay, had been trying unsuccessfully to make public his opposition to Carmona; however Venezuelan media refused to interview him.[80] Raºl Baduel contacted the head of the Presidential Guard, which remained loyal to Chvez, and told him "it's now or never". Late in the morning of 13 April the Presidential Guard entered the palace from their barracks via underground tunnels, and retook the palace; many of the coup plotters escaped.[80] Since Chvez was being held in a secret location, the presidency was assumed for several hours by Vice President Diosdado Cabello until Chvez was reinstated.
- After the retaking of Miraflores, the military coup plotters held a meeting in Fort Tiuna, and drafted a statement recognizing Carmona as President, but demanding the restoration of the country's democratic institutions. In the confusion of the meeting, Chvez ally Jorge Garca Carneiro crossed out the section recognising Carmona; and it was in this form that the statement was read to CNN studios (since no Venezuelan media would broadcast it).[81] After the coup Carmona was placed under house arrest, but was able to gain asylum in the Colombian embassy after an anti-Chvez protest drew away his security detail.[79]
- Whilst Chvez was temporarily removed from office, the Caracas Stock Exchange saw liquid stocks reach record levels, with the index growing nearly 1000 points in a single trading session. When it became clear the coup had failed, the index fell again.[82]
- Media role[edit]Mainstream Venezuelan media outlets such as El Universal, El Nacional, El Nuevo Pas, Globovisi"n, Televen, CMT and RCTV supported the coup.[83] At the same time, only the anti-Chvez point of view was reflected in the news reports of international media agencies and organizations.[84][85]
- In the run up to the coup, the private media had supported the anti-government demonstrations. The 11 April edition of El Nacional was headlined "The Final Battle Will Be in Miraflores".[86] In March RCTV had given blanket coverage to anti-government demonstrations whilst not covering pro-Chvez ones altogether.[87] On 11 April, the anti-government march, the message "remove Chvez", and the call to redirect the march to the presidential palace in Miraflores, were "widely announced, promoted, and covered by privately owned television channels, and whose explicit support for the opposition became evident." A steady stream of unpaid ads asked Venezuelans to participate in the insurrection.[88]Andr(C)s Izarra, then the managing producer of RCTV's El Observador, later told the National Assembly that he had received clear instructions from owner Marcel Granier that on 11 April and following days he should air "[n]o information on Chvez, his followers, his ministers, and all others that could in any way be related to him."[89] The coup plotters, including Carmona, met at the offices of TV network Venevisi"n.[83] After Chvez was detained, protests by Chvez supporters, including riots and looting which led to 19 deaths, broke out in parts of Caracas.[87]RCTV sent its reporters to quiet parts of town for "live shots of tranquility" and ignored the events.[87]
- At the beginning of the coup, opposition-controlled police shut down Venezolana de Televisi"n, the state television channel, whilst police efforts were made to shut down community radio and television stations.[90] As a result, the news that Chvez had not in fact resigned was largely kept out of the Venezuelan media, and spread by word of mouth;[90] only one Catholic radio network continued to broadcast the developing news.[87] Chvez was able to get word out that he had not in fact resigned, via a telephone call to his daughter, who, via switchboard operators at Miraflores still loyal to Chvez, was able to speak first to Fidel Castro and then to Cuban television.[64] The Attorney-General attempted to make public Chvez's non-resignation via a live press conference supposedly to announce his own resignation; most of his statement was cut off, with Venezuelan networks returning to the studios.[65]
- Venezuelan television media failed to broadcast news of Chvez supporters retaking of the Miraflores palace; the four major television networks stopped providing news reports altogether.[87] The St. Petersburg Times reported that "RCTV was showing Walt Disney cartoons. Venevisi"n ran a daylong marathon of Hollywood movies: Lorenzo's Oil, Nell and Pretty Woman. Another station, Televen, told its viewers 'to stay indoors,' treating them to baseball and soap operas. Globovisi"n, the country's top 24-hour news station and CNN affiliate, spent much of the day rebroadcasting upbeat footage of Chvez's ouster. An announcer repeatedly cautioned viewers, 'We are living in times of political change.'"[91] The heads of Venevision, RCTV and Globovision, as well as the publisher of El Nacional, met with Carmona at Miraflores.[91] The head of Globovision reportedly called to CNN in Atlanta "to request the U.S. network join the blackout."[91] Two of the three major newspapers (El Universal and El Nacional) cancelled their Sunday editions, allegedly for safety reasons. (The third major newspaper, ltimas Noticias, printed a limited Sunday edition accurately reflecting events; some tabloids and regional television stations also covered the news.)[87] When CNN announced the rebellion against the coup of a key military division in Maracay (commanded by General Raºl Baduel), "CNN expressed amazement that the press were saying nothing."[83] After Chvez loyalist forces had re-taken Miraflores, the military coup plotters drafted a statement demanding the restoration of democracy; it had to be read to CNN studios since no Venezuelan media would broadcast it.[81] Only by 8 o'clock on 13 April was the reinstalled government able to inform the people of the situation, via domestic (state) television channels.
- Aftermath[edit]By the time the Organization of American States' (OAS) Permanent Council met on 13 April, the coup was effectively over, and on 14 April the United States ("albeit with little enthusiasm"[75]) joined with other OAS members in condemning the coup and sending the OAS General Secretary on a fact-finding and diplomatic mission.[75] The OAS subsequently established a "mesa" dialogue process, as it had in Peru following the May 2000 elections. At Chvez's request, the Carter Center and UNDP were also involved.[92] In order to facilitate participation in this process, the anti-Chvez opposition created the Coordinadora Democrtica (CD).[93] However, the Coordinadora Democrtica continued to pursue non-electoral means to overthrow the government, and was involved in organising the Venezuelan general strike of 2002''2003. After the February 2003 collapse of that strike, the CD was much more willing to engage with the mesa process, and pushed for a binding recall referendum under Article 72 of the Constitution of Venezuela, which was ultimately agreed on 23 May 2003.[92][94] Ultimately the CD rejected the outcome of the Venezuelan recall referendum, 2004, which saw 59% of the vote for Chvez, despite the OAS and Carter Center's authentication of the result.[92]
- Allegations of US involvement[edit]Chvez has asserted numerous times that US government officials knew about plans for a coup, approved of them, and assumed they would be successful.[95] Chvez also further alleged that "two military officers from the United States" were present in the headquarters of coup plotters.[96] Rear Admiral Carlos Molina, a central leader of the coup, later said that "We felt we were acting with US support... we agree that we can't permit a communist government here. The US has not let us down yet."[97]
- According to a report in The New York Times, US Assistant Secretary of State Otto Reich warned Congressional aides that there was more at stake in Venezuela than the success or failure of Chvez. He accused Chvez of meddling with the historically government-owned state oil company, providing a haven for Colombian guerrillas, and bailing out the Cuban dictatorship with preferential rates on oil. Reich also announced that the administration had received reports that "foreign paramilitary forces", who they claimed were Cuban, were involved in the bloody suppression of anti-Chvez demonstrators.[98] No proof was offered. Eva Golinger published an article and her interpretation of several official documents claiming that a number of US agencies, including the CIA, had previous knowledge of the coup. She maintains that the USAID was being used by the CIA in the coup.[99] According to The New York Times, "The documents do not show that the United States backed the coup, as Mr. Chvez has charged. Instead, the documents show that American officials issued 'repeated warnings that the United States will not support any extraconstitutional moves to oust Chvez.'"[100] The documents showed that American officials knew of the coup attempt beforehand, something which they had strenuously denied in the days after the event.[100] A review of Golinger's first book carried out by Veneconomy, a political and economic research publication in Venezuela, says that, "In none of the cases where she makes a specific citation of an official [U.S. government] document is there a quote affirming what she states."[101]
- The United States government immediately declared it's support for the coup-installed regime, and blamed Chavez' governments actions to have caused the events.[102] They said that Chavez had resigned the presidency and dismissed his cabinet, and that security forces under his command had fired upon unarmed protesters.[103]
- Upon news of Chvez's return, Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor to US PresidentGeorge W. Bush, said, "We do hope that Chvez recognizes that the whole world is watching and that he takes advantage of this opportunity to right his own ship, which has been moving, frankly, in the wrong direction for quite a long time."[104] Bush denied any involvement of the US government in the coup attempt and asked Chvez to "learn a lesson" from it.[105] Asked whether the administration now recognizes Mr. Chvez as Venezuela's legitimate president, one administration official replied, "He was democratically elected," then added, "Legitimacy is something that is conferred not just by a majority of the voters, however."[106]
- In 2009, former US President Jimmy Carter told Colombian newspaper El Tiempo that he believed that Washington knew about the abortive coup and may have been involved.[105]
- Bush Administration officials acknowledged meeting with some of the planners of the coup in the several weeks prior to 11 April but have strongly denied encouraging the coup itself, saying that they insisted on constitutional means.[107] However, a Defense Department official who was involved in the development of policy towards Venezuela said the administration was sending a different message. "We were not discouraging people," the official said. "We were sending informal, subtle signals that we don't like this guy. We didn't say, 'No, don't you dare,' and we weren't advocates saying, 'Here's some arms; we'll help you overthrow this guy.' We were not doing that."[106]
- Because of the allegations, an investigation conducted by the US Inspector General, at the request of US SenatorChristopher Dodd, requested a review of American activities leading up to and during the coup attempt. The OIG report found no "wrongdoing" by US officials either in the State Department or in the Embassy, but it also concluded that "It is clear that NED [the National Endowment for Democracy], Department of Defense (DOD), and other US assistance programs provided training, institution building, and other support to individuals and organizations understood to be actively involved in the brief ouster of the Chvez government."[108]
- Criminal investigation[edit]The people filmed shooting from the Puente Llaguno bridge were initially identified as being pro-Chvez political activists Rafael Cabrices, Richard Pe±alver, Henry Atencio, and Nicols Rivera. They were captured by the police and jailed for one year as they awaited trial, but charges were dropped before the trial began. Rafael Cabrices died from a heart attack three years later, in August 2005.[109]
- However, in April 2009, and after a trial that had begun back in March 2006, and which had seen "265 expert testimonies, 5,700 photos, 20 videos and 198 witnesses", it was in fact ten of those same Metro police officers who were convicted of crimes leading to the deaths of three demonstrators back on 11 April 2002. Six of them, charged with homicide, were sentenced to 30 years each in prison. Only one officer was found "not guilty". A lawyer for the victims of the violence described the Caracas Metropolitan Police as "the armed wing of the opposition".[110]
- Under the 1999 Constitution, military officers are entitled to a pre-trial hearing before the Plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice to rule on whether they should be charged with a crime. In such a hearing on 14 August 2002, the Tribunal ruled by an 11''9 margin (with two justices recused) that four high-ranking military officers charged with rebellion should not stand trial, arguing that what took place was not a "coup" but a "vacuum of power" that had been generated by the announcement of Chvez's resignation made by Gen. Lucas Rinc"n Romero.[111] On 12 March 2004, however, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled that the recusals were unconstitutional, making the hearing invalid and that this meant the military officers (by then retired) should stand trial.[112]
- On 18 November 2004, a leading state prosecutor Danilo Anderson was assassinated shortly before he was scheduled to bring charges against 400 people for alleged participation in the coup. Meanwhile Carmona and several other participants went into exile.
- In December 2007, Chvez issued a pardon covering more than 60 people who had drafted or signed the Carmona Decree.[113]
- Documentary films[edit]The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, also known as Chvez: Inside the Coup, is a 2003 documentary focusing on events in Venezuela leading up to and during the April 2002 coup d'(C)tat attempt, which saw Chvez removed from office for several days. With particular emphasis on the role played by Venezuela's private media, the film examines several key incidents: the protest march and subsequent violence that provided the impetus for Chvez's ousting; the opposition's formation of an interim government, headed by business leader Pedro Carmona; and the Carmona administration's collapse, which paved the way for Chvez's return. Another documentary made by Venezuelans Wolfgang Schalk and Thaelman Urgelles, X-Ray of a Lie, discusses what they allege as manipulation of the Irish production of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Yet another documentary, by Calle y Media, Venezuela Bolivariana covers the events from 1989 to the 2002 coup attempt. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles.[114]
- See also[edit]References[edit]^"Esposa de Gebauer espera publicaci"n en Gaceta de Ley de Amnista". El Universal. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010. "Otto Gebauer fue imputado por el delito de insubordinaci"n y privaci"n ilegtima de libertad al coronel Hugo Chvez Fras," (Spanish)^"Veneconoma". Veneconoma. 15 March 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2010. (Spanish)^Rey, J. C. (2002), "Consideraciones polticas sobre un ins"lito golpe de Estado", pp. 1''16; cited in Cannon (2004:296); "In 2002, Venezuela's military and some of its business leaders ousted President Chavez from power and held him hostage." (N. Scott Cole (2007), "Hugo Chavez and President Bush's credibility gap: The struggle against US democracy promotion", International Political Science Review, 28(4), p498)^Interim Venezuelan president sworn in. BBC News. (13 April 2002). URL. Retrieved 30 May 2007^ ab"Crculos bolivarianos protestaron". ltimas Noticias. 13 April 2002. Archived from the original on 2 November 2003. Retrieved 11 April 2008. (Spanish)^"Insurrecci"n civil y militar termina con el golpe; Chvez, en Miraflores". La Jornada. 14 April 2002. Retrieved 4 March 2007. (Spanish)^Hernndez, Enrique (7 May 2002). "Capriles: "Nunca apoy(C) el gobierno de Carmona"". Asamblea Nacional de la Repºblica Bolivariana de Venezuela. Retrieved 4 March 2007. (Spanish)^"Cecilia Sosa no ha sido notificada formalmente medida privativa de libertad". Uni"n Radio. 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2007. (Spanish)^"Press Release Archive 2002". Embassy of the United States Caracas, Venezuela Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 17 June 2010. ^Kim Bartley, Donnacha ' Briain (directors) (2003). The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Ireland, Venezuela. Archived from the original on 2013-07-13. Retrieved 2013-07-06. ^"Venezuela is promised 'political revolution'". BBC. 2 February 1999. Retrieved 4 March 2007. ^Read, Oliver (28 December 2006). "Venezuela's Media Wrestles with Stigmas, New Rules". PBS. Archived from the original on 7 March 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2007. ^Branford, Becky (13 August 2004). "Analysis: Chavez at eye of storm". BBC. Retrieved 4 March 2007. ^Jones, Bart (2008), Hugo! The Hugo Chvez Story: From Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution, London: The Bodley Head. pp305-6^Jones (2008:309)^Phil Gunson, Newsweek, 11 November 2001, "Is Hugo Chvez Insane?"^Jones(2008:310)^ abJones (2008:311)^ abcJones (2008:312-3)^Jones (2008:306)^Margarita L"pez Maya, "Venezuela 2002''2003: Polarization, Confrontation, and Violence," in Olivia Burlingame Goumbri, The Venezuela Reader, Washington D.C., U.S.A., 2005, p 14.^ abJones (2008:314)^Eva Golinger (2007), The Chvez Code, Pluto Press. p62^Golinger (2007:63)^Golinger (2007:65)^ abJones (2008:315)^"OPEP: crisis petrolera a la vista". BBC News. 8 April 2002. Retrieved 1 September 2009. ^U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 31 March 2003 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices '' 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2006. Archived 11 August 2009.^Jones (2008:316)^Jones (2008:334)^ abJones (2008:335)^Special Broadcasting Service, 11 November 2002, Venezuela '' Anatomy of a Coup, Journeyman Pictures^ abJones (2008:326-7)^ abJones (2008:317)^Jones (2008:343)^In the same discussion, Bravo hosted Victor Manuel Garcia (director of polling company Ceca), who discussed his lead of a civilian command at Fort Tiuna, which he said during the coup was in constant contact with the military commands of N(C)stor Gonzlez Gonzlez and Efran Vsquez Velasco. Garcia said that he had had close coordination with Molina Tamayo during the opposition march. '' Golinger (2007:73)^ abNikolas Kozloff (2007), Hugo Chvez: oil, politics and the challenge to the United States, Palgrave Macmillan. p27^Greg Palast, The Guardian, 13 May 2002, Opec chief warned Chavez about coup^Newsweek, 29 April 2002, Hugo's Close Call^Otto Neustald reported several months later that on the evening of 10 April, in the call asking him to record a video the following morning, he had been told that a march would go to the presidential palace and that there would be deaths. Golinger (2007:69)^Jones (2008:319''320)^(Spanish)Espinoza, Ocarina (2005). "Sucesos de Abril de 2002: Tres das que marcaron la historia del pas". Uni"n Radio. Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2007. ^Jones (2008:320)^ abJones (2008:321-2)^ abGott, Richard (2005), Hugo Chvez and the Bolivarian Revolution, Verso Books, p225^ abcJones (2008:322-3)^ abJones (2008:326)^ abcdeBart Jones (2008), Hugo!, p. 328.^ abGregory Wilpert, NACLA, "The Venezuelan Coup Revisited: Silencing the Evidence", NACLA Report 42(4)^ abJones (2008:327-8)^Bart Jones (2008), Hugo!, pp. 323''324.^El Nacional, 13 April 2002, cited in Maurice Lemoine, Le Monde Diplomatique, May 2002, "Venezuela: a coup countered". (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5tWO9IidD), footnote 11^Bart Jones (2008), Hugo!, p. 329^ abcJones (2008:324-5)^Jones (2008:330-1)^Jones (2008:331)^R(C)gis Bourgeat, Reporters without Borders, Venezuela: Caught between an authoritarian president and intolerant media, April 2003^ abJones (2008:332-3)^ abHarnecker, Marta. (Z Communications, 9 January 2003)."Lessons of the April Coup: Harnecker interviews Chvez". Retrieved 7 September 2010.^ abBart Jones (2008:337)^Bart Jones (2008:338)^Bart Jones (2008:338-9)^Jones (2008:344)^ abBart Jones (2008):345)^ abBart Jones (2008):346-7)^Bart Jones (2008:354)^"Top former general breaks with Chavez over constitutional changes". CNN. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2010. ^"Venezuela: Chavez's key backers". BBC News. 19 March 2004. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010. ^Bart Jones (2008:359-60)^ abcStrategic Comments, "Venezuela's Political Tempests: Can Chvez Weather the Storm?", 8 no. 4, May 2002^(Spanish)Acta de constituci"n del Gobierno de Transici"n Democrtica y Unidad Nacional^BBC news. (BBCVenezuela investiga el "Carmonazo". Retrieved 13 June 2006. (Spanish)^BBC news. (BBC 13 April 2002) Interim Venezuelan president sworn in. Retrieved 31 August 2006^Cannon, Barry (2004), "Venezuela, April 2002: Coup or Popular Rebellion? The Myth of a United Venezuela", Bulletin of Latin American Research, 23(3), p297^ abcParish, Randall, Peceny, Mark and Delacour, Justin(2007), "Venezuela and the Collective Defence of Democracy Regime in the Americas", Democratization, 14: 2, 207 '' 231, pp218''219^Kozloff (2007:29''30)^"Many in the armed forces supported the coup because they did not want to be ordered by the Venezuelan government to repress protesters as the army had been ordered to do in the 1989 Caracazo. The emergence of an autocratic transitional government that might ask them to repress a different set of civilian protesters led many to also withdraw their support from Carmona." '' Parish, Randall, Peceny, Mark and Delacour, Justin(2007), "Venezuela and the Collective Defence of Democracy Regime in the Americas", Democratization, 14: 2, 207 '' 231, p220^Cannon (2004:295)^ abKozloff (2007:30)^ abJones (2008:357)^ abBart Jones (2008:358)^Javier Santiso, Latin America's Political Economy of the Possible: Beyond Good Revolutionaries and Free Marketeers, MIT Press 2006, p.195^ abcMaurice Lemoine, Le Monde Diplomatique, 10 August 2002, "Venezuela's press power". (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5n7VaWIad)^Maurice Lemoine, Le Monde Diplomatique, August 2002, (French)"Coups d'Etat sans fronti¨re", (Portuguese)"Golpes Sem Fronteiras".^Castillo, Antonio. "Breaking Democracy: Venezuela's Media Coup" [online]. Media International Australia, Incorporating Culture & Policy, No. 108, August 2003: 145''156. Availability: ISSN: 1329-878X. [cited 10 May 12].^Eva Golinger, Venezuelanalysis.com, 25 September 2004, A Case Study of Media Concentration and Power in Venezuela^ abcdefDinges, John. Columbia Journalism Review (July 2005). "Soul Search", Vol. 44 Issue 2, July''August 2005, pp52''8^The quote and the information on the unpaid (donated airtime) ads are from Margarita L"pez Maya, "Venezuela 2002''2003: Polarization, Confrontation, and Violence," in Olivia Burlingame Goumbri, The Venezuela Reader, Washington D.C., U.S.A., 2005, pages 15, 16. The value of the donated time has been placed at Bs. 1.6 millardos '' close to $US 3 million.^Golinger (2007:80)^ abBart Jones (2008:356)^ abcDavid Adams and Phil Gunson, St. Petersburg Times, 18 April 2002, Media accused in failed coup^ abcAndrew F. Cooper, and Thomas Legler (2005), "A Tale of Two Mesas: The OAS Defense of Democracy in Peru and Venezuela," Global Governance 11(4)^"the creation of the Coordinadora Democratica, on 5 July 2002, from a very fractious, heterogeneous opposition, was prompted in large part by the perceived need to have a single voice when dealing with the Carter Center and the OAS." (Cooper and Legler 2005)^OAS, Agreement Between the Representatives of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Political and Social Groups Supporting It, and the Coordinadora Democratica and the Political and Civil Society Organizations Supporting It, Caracas, 23 May 2003.^Observer International, 2002, 'Venezuela coup linked to Bush team'. Retrieved 22 September 2007^BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/1985670.stm 'Warning to Venezuelan leader'. Retrieved 22 September 2007^Wilson, Scott, "Clash of visions pushed Venezuela toward coup", Washington Post, 21 April 2002, cited in Avil(C)s, William (2009), "Policy Coalitions, Economic Reform and Military Power in Ecuador and Venezuela", Third World Quarterly, 30: 8, 1549 '' 1564^Marquis, Christopher. (17 April 2002). "U.S. Cautioned Leader of Plot Against Chvez". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2007.^The proof is in the documentes: The CIA ws involved in the coup against Venezuelan President Chavez, Eva Golinger, Venezuelafoia.info^ abForero, Juan (3 December 2004). "Documents Show C.I.A. Knew of a Coup Plot in Venezuela".The New York Times. Retrieved 21 February 2010.^[1] "En ninguno de los casos donde presentaban una cita especfica referida por la nota a un documento oficial determinado en el ap(C)ndice del libro, VenEconoma encontr" que estuvieran all realmente las afirmaciones, que en el texto principal del libro ella atribuye a diferentes diplomticos norteamericanos."^http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020412-1.html^http://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/9316.htm^Bellos, Alex (15 April 2002). "Chvez rises from very peculiar coup". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2006.^ ab"US 'likely behind' Chavez coup". Al Jazeera. 21 September 2009. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2009. ^ ab"Bush Officials Met With Venezuelans Who Ousted Leader" The New York Times, 16 April 2002^BBC, 16 April 2002, US denies backing Chavez plotters^"A Review of U.S. Policy Toward Venezuela November 2001 '' April 2002" United States Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors Office of Inspector General, July 2002^(Spanish)"Falleci" de un infarto Rafael Cabrices". Radio Nacional de Venezuela. 30 August 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2007. ^Venezuelanalysis.com, 6 April 2009,Nine Police Found Guilty of April 2002 Venezuelan Coup Deaths^Sentencia de los Militares. (Spanish) Retrieved 17 November 2005.^TSJ (2005). "T1 ST04 N5". Tribunal Supremo de Justicia. Archived from the original on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2006. .^USA Today, 31 December 2007, Chavez pardons accused coup backers^(Spanish)"Venezuela bolivariana: pueblo y lucha de la IV guerra mundial". IMDB.com. Retrieved 12 March 2013. External links[edit]
-
- The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Revolution Will Not Be TelevisedTheatrical release poster
- Directed byKim BartleyDonnacha ' BriainProduced byDavid PowerNarrated byDonnacha ' BriainStarringHugo ChvezPedro CarmonaJesse HelmsColin PowellGeorge TenetCinematographyKim BartleyDonnacha ' BriainEditing byngel Hernndez ZoidoStudioPower PicturesDistributed byVitagraph Films (US)Release datesRunning timeChavez: Inside the Coup52 minutesThe Revolution Will Not Be Televised74 minutesCountryIrelandLanguageEnglishSpanishBudget'¬200,000Box office$200,000 ('¬171,000)[nb 1]The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Spanish: La revoluci"n no ser transmitida), also known as Chvez: Inside the Coup, is a 2003 documentary focusing on events in Venezuela leading up to and during the April 2002 coup d'(C)tat attempt, which saw President Hugo Chvez removed from office for two days. With particular emphasis on the role played by Venezuela's private media, the film examines several key incidents: the protest march and subsequent violence that provided the impetus for Chvez's ousting; the opposition's formation of an interim government headed by business leader Pedro Carmona; and the Carmona administration's collapse, which paved the way for Chvez's return. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised was directed by Irish filmmakers Kim Bartley and Donnacha ' Briain. Given direct access to Chvez, the filmmakers intended to make a fly-on-the-wall biography of the president. They spent seven months filming in Venezuela, following Chvez and his staff and interviewing ordinary citizens. As the coup unfolded on 11 April, Bartley and ' Briain filmed on the streets of the capital, Caracas, capturing footage of protesters and the erupting violence. Later, they filmed many of the political upheavals inside Miraflores, the presidential palace.
- Bartley and ' Briain conceived of the film after Bartley returned from documenting the aftermath of the 1999 Vargas mudslides for an Irish charity. Following a visit to Venezuela to determine the feasibility of a film project, the pair formed a production company and applied to Ireland's film board, Bord Scannn na hireann (BS), for a development grant. At BS's request, the filmmakers partnered with a more experienced producer and shot a short pilot to show to potential investors. Funding for the '¬200,000 production was provided by BS and several European broadcasters. Bartley and ' Briain shot more than 200 hours of material; editing focused on identifying footage that would make the film entertaining and drive the plot. It was at this stage that the film's coverage narrowed to concentrate more on the coup attempt.
- The film was positively received by mainstream film critics and won several awards. Reviewers cited the filmmakers' unprecedented proximity to key events and praised the film for its "riveting narrative";[1] criticism focused on its lack of context and pro-Chvez bias. First shown on television in Europe and Venezuela in 2003, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised later appeared at film festivals and secured a limited theatrical release on the art house circuit. Independent activists held unofficial screenings, and Venezuelan government officials encouraged its circulation to build support for Chvez's administration. The film is regularly shown on Venezuelan television, and in the capital it is often broadcast during "contentious political conjunctures".[2]The Revolution Will Not Be Televised paints Chvez in a favorable light, which has led to disputes over its neutrality and accuracy; particular attention is paid to its framing of the violence of 11''13 April, the filmmakers' editing of the timeline, and the alleged omission of incidents and personnel. The film is variously cited as an accurate portrayal or a misrepresentation of the events of April 2002.
- Background[edit]Throughout much of the twentieth century, Venezuela was beset by political, civil and military unrest. After Juan Vicente G"mez's long reign as president ended in 1935, a series of military rulers followed, concluding with Marcos P(C)rez Jim(C)nez's overthrow by general uprising in 1958. Although the military remained influential, Venezuela's government has since been chosen by civilians through democratic processes.[3] Until 1998, the dominant political parties were Acci"n Democrtica and COPEI, who shared seven presidencies between them. In 1989, during the second term in office for Acci"n Democrtica's Carlos Andr(C)s P(C)rez, Venezuela was hit by a severe economic crisis. A wave of protests known as the Caracazo engulfed the country and dozens were killed in rioting.[4]
- Hugo Chvez, then a Lieutenant Colonel in the army, had formed a secret revolutionary group (MBR-200) in the early 1980s and was planning a "rebellious intervention".[4] He later felt the Caracazo was a missed opportunity for his movement.[4] Three years later, Chvez saw another chance; in February 1992, he led an unsuccessful military coup d'(C)tat and was imprisoned. A second coup attempt, without his involvement, also failed. Chvez enjoyed some popular support for his actions. Released from prison in 1994, he recast his revolutionary group as a legitimate socialist political party, the Fifth Republic Movement.[5] The movement adopted former Venezuelan leader Sim"n Bolvar as its "iconic hero" and "reference point"; Bolvar had played a key role in Latin America's successful struggle for independence from Spain in the 1820s.[3] In the 1998 presidential election, Chvez won 56.2% of the vote, on a promise to "end the corruption of several decades" and institute a new Bolivarian Revolution that he felt would secure Latin America's true independence from the outside world.[5]
- Chvez strengthened his support among the poor with a series of social initiatives known as the Bolivarian Missions, and created a network of grass-roots workers' councils, the Bolivarian Circles.[6] Nevertheless, by early 2002, Venezuela was "embroiled ... in a severe political crisis" as Chvez sought to bring more of the country's vast oil wealth under state control.[7] Although the state-owned radio and television stations remained staunch advocates of Chvez's stated policies'--to redistribute the nation's wealth to the poorest'--the private media was more hostile.[nb 2] The crisis reached a head when Chvez attempted to remove the management of the state oil company, Petr"leos de Venezuela (PDVSA), provoking a showdown. "Oil managers, business leaders, and large segments of organized labor" called a general strike.[7] The strike was backed by a large segment of the population, "particularly the country's increasingly impoverished middle class" and army officers upset at the increasing politicization of the military.[7]
- On 11 April 2002, hundreds of thousands of people marched in protest against the government. Abandoning their planned route, the marchers advanced towards the palace, a path that took them close to government supporters who had come out in opposition to the protest. Journalist Phil Gunson wrote, "Shooting broke out on all sides. A score of civilians died and more than 150 suffered gunshot wounds. The military high command called for Chvez to resign, and at 3:20 the next morning they announced he had agreed to do so. The presidency was assumed by a business leader, Pedro Carmona, but his government collapsed in less than forty-eight hours and Chvez returned to power."[7]
- Synopsis[edit]The Revolution Will Not Be Televised opens in 2001[nb 3][8] with footage of Chvez as he tours the country. Met with "popular enthusiasm", he speaks at rallies, decrying neoliberalism and the international community's attacks on his character.[9] The film outlines Chvez's rise to power, before covering his day-to-day routine and appearances on his television show, Al" Presidente, which includes a phone-in for citizens to speak with the president.[9] Chvez outlines his aspiration to be seen as a modern-day Bolvar.[8] Clips from Venezuelan and United States news reports demonstrate a "relentless campaign" against the president.[10]
- Interviews with communities from both sides of the political divide indicate how Chvez is seen by the rich and poor.[10] The latter support his stated aim to redistribute the country's oil wealth;[11] the former fear totalitarianism and are worried Chvez will institute communism. In February 2002, the media war intensifies after Chavez takes control of PDVSA.[10] The film states that the company was previously run as a private interest for the benefit of a minority, despite being state-owned. Business leader Pedro Carmona and union boss Carlos Ortega are the main voices of the opposition. After the pair visit Washington, D.C., the CIA and the State Department express concern about Chvez's rule and stress the importance of Venezuela's oil. A Venezuelan general appears on private television to voice similar disquiet. Carmona appeals for a public protest at the offices of PDVSA.[12]
- On 11 April, opposition protesters begin their march outside PDVSA's headquarters in Caracas; Chvez's supporters gather outside the presidential palace. The protest route is changed to take it to the palace; shots ring out and civilians are killed. The private media blames Chvez's supporters, citing footage that shows them shooting at opposition protesters from a bridge.[10] The narration states, "What the TV stations didn't broadcast was [this camera angle], which clearly shows that the streets below were empty. The opposition march had never taken that route."[13] Later, the state television signal is cut; rumors circulate that the opposition has taken over the studio.[14] At the palace, members of the military high command demand Chvez's resignation, threatening to bomb the building. The president refuses to resign, but submits to their custody.[10] He is led away, and Carmona announces on television that a transitional government will be established.[14]
- On 12 April, opposition leaders appear on private television, where they disclose their plan to unseat Chvez.[10] Carmona is sworn in as president while images play of unrest on the streets. Defying media censorship, Chvez's supporters disseminate the story that the president did not resign.[15] On 13 April, they gather to protest outside Miraflores,[16] while palace guards plot to retake the building. The guards take up key positions and, at a prearranged signal, take members of the new government prisoner.[17] The state television channel is relaunched and urges the army to back Chvez.[18] "Full military control" is returned to the Chvez administration and the president arrives at the palace amid celebratory scenes.[10] Chvez makes an address in which he says it is fine to oppose him, but not the Constitution of Venezuela. The closing titles say Carmona fled to Miami while under house arrest, and that Ortega went into hiding, only reappearing to help lead the opposition after Chvez said there would be no repercussions. Most of the dissident generals, after being expelled from the army, fled to the US. Others remained as part of the opposition.[19]
- Production[edit]Development[edit]In December 1999, independent Irish filmmaker Kim Bartley visited Venezuela as part of Concern Worldwide's emergency response team, to document the aftermath of the 1999 Vargas mudslides that had devastated much of Vargas State in the north of the country. Bartley become fascinated with how those affected by the tragedy perceived Chvez, and in late 2000,[20] she and Donnacha ' Briain'--a filmmaker and former colleague who shared her interest in "Latin American politics and issues around globalization"[21]'--spent two weeks in Caracas to determine the feasibility of a film project.[20] The pair formed a production company, Runway Films, and in January 2001 applied to Ireland's film board, Bord Scannn na hireann (BS), for a development grant.[22] Bartley and ' Briain proposed a fly-on-the-wall documentary,[21] a "personal profile and intimate portrait" of Chvez[23] that would be "broadly supportive" of him.[24] During their 2000 visit, the filmmakers had sensed that "something genuinely was happening" in Caracas,[20] and felt an urgency to get the project underway; even so, it wasn't until April 2001 that BS approved the £6000 ('¬9500) grant.[22]
- The project was at this point named Al" Presidente, a working title taken from Chvez's weekly television and radio program.[25] BS set about exploring avenues of funding;[26] the organization persuaded Bartley and ' Briain to make a short pilot to show to potential investors,[27] but refused the filmmakers' application for a '¬60,000 grant towards their '¬131,000 production budget. BS felt the pair needed to partner with a production company that had experience in the field, and which could help raise the remaining funds. Bartley and ' Briain approached Power Pictures and, with the addition of David Power as a producer, reapplied for the grant.[27] Even as filming began, the full budget'--now at '¬200,000[27]'--had not been secured. David Power pitched the project at several documentary festivals and markets. At Dublin's Stranger Than Fiction festival in September 2001, the BBC, S4C and Channel 4 declined to invest. Raidi" Teilifs ireann (RT) expressed interest in providing development funds; no such deal was made, but RT did offer '¬10,000 (subsequently '¬20,000) for the Irish broadcast rights. In October, the Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Programma Stichting also committed '¬10,000. At a November market in Amsterdam, Power once again approached the BBC and was turned down, as the organization believed the film's subject was "too far away to be relevant to [its viewers'] lives".[28] However, RT's Kevin Dawson pushed the film at a European Broadcasting Union pitching session, securing the interest of German television channel ZDF, which subsequently provided funds.[28] In late 2001, BS finally approved a production grant of '¬63,000.[29]
- Filming[edit]In 2000, Bartley and ' Briain had been promised "exclusive access" to Chvez by the government's Minister of Communications.[29] They arrived in Venezuela in September 2001.[7] While filming the pilot they met the president,[29] after which they reconsidered their approach.[30] Bartley explained, "We had ... this notion of investigating Chvez'--was he a demagogue? Was the media persona just that? What makes him tick? My sense had changed as we got closer; what we're seeing here is a guy who is motivated, driven, not the demagogue with another side, drinking, carousing. I began to see him as more transparent'--what you see is what you get."[24] Bartley and ' Briain began by attempting to build a relationship with Chvez that would allow them the access they required. At first, the president's staff treated the filmmakers with suspicion and made filming difficult. After numerous delays, Bartley and ' Briain finally got through to Chvez. They calculated that they needed to "press the right buttons" to gain his support, so they presented him with an old edition of the memoirs of Daniel Florence O'Leary, who had fought alongside Sim"n Bolvar.[31] Inside, they had written a quote from the Irish socialist playwright Sen O'Casey.[nb 4] Slowly, Bartley and ' Briain gained their subjects' trust, "dissolving any self-consciousness as a result of their cameras".[32]
- Although ensconced with Chvez and his entourage, Bartley and ' Briain felt a disconnect from the events of the outside world. During a "chaotic" road-trip with Chvez, they "knew something was coming", and divined that Chvez's trip was intended to bolster his support and "get people used to being on the streets".[32] Chvez had recently "upped the ante" with the introduction of the Land Law.[nb 5][32] Increasing tensions further, in February 2002, Chvez took control of PDVSA;[10] the private media stepped up its criticism of Chvez, which for Bartley and ' Briain "marked the beginning of an exciting phase".[33] By April 2002, Bartley and ' Briain were in Caracas and spent much of their time filming at the presidential palace, following Chvez and his staff.[21] As the 11 April crisis unfolded, Bartley and ' Briain filmed outside the palace, first capturing footage of the demonstrations and subsequent violence,[13] then events inside the palace during the afternoon, evening and early hours of 12 April. Through their previous contacts at the palace, Bartley and ' Briain were able to continue filming without interference: "no one paid any attention to us'--we just blended in."[21] Later that day, Bartley and ' Briain stayed away from the palace through fears for their safety. Unable to leave the country'--the international airport was closed'--the filmmakers instead took to the streets, "to document the repression [they] were witnessing".[21] At the same time, a press office cameraman was in the palace, "reluctant to lose his job despite the change in government".[21] He filmed the formation of the interim government. When Bartley and ' Briain returned to the palace on 13 April, the cameraman let them have his footage.[21] They remained filming in Venezuela until July 2002, interviewing residents[34] and recording "witness" accounts from those who had been present during the coup'--ministers, security guards and journalists.[35]
- Editing[edit]"While I'm editing a film, I never forget that it is entertainment ... Something that people are going to pay for to watch and thus make them think, laugh, or learn things they didn't know before. So you must never ever let them get bored. ... There are always hundreds of stories sleeping inside the material and you have to find them and wake them up. But you have to organise them in a way that they become entertainment."'--Editor ngel Hernndez Zoido[36]Using two digital video (DV) cameras,[37] Bartley and ' Briain shot over 200 hours of material[38] on 300 DV tapes.[34] They intended that editing take ten weeks;[39] instead, it took six months.[40] Rod Stoneman, BS's CEO at the time, described the amount of footage compared to the film's final length as "exceptional".[36] The 200:1 ratio was far above the norm for most documentaries, which usually have a ratio of 10:1 or 15:1. When the filmmakers returned to Ireland, they decided they needed an editor who spoke Spanish. Bartley remembered a documentary she had seen about baseball in Cuba, El juego de Cuba, so they hired its editor, ngel Hernndez Zoido. Zoido approached the film as if it were entertainment, feeling that the primary concern was to ensure the audience did not get bored.[36] He tackled each scene the same way. After watching the rushes with Bartley and ' Briain, Zoido asked them, "What do we want to tell in this scene?"[41] He focused on two factors: how much information would be necessary to drive the plot, and provide an emotional core. Preferring to work alone, Zoido would then send the filmmakers from the edit suite. After Zoido completed the scene, the trio discussed whether those aims had been realized.[41]
- The large amount of footage, and the fact that the filmmakers were "in a sense ... looking at it for the first time", meant that the film's concept only became clear during editing.[36] The events of 11''13 April gave it "a new dramatic centre",[41] although Bartley and ' Briain were keen that the film did not concentrate entirely on the coup. They had intended to include more historical and political context;[41] it wasn't until late in post-production that the focus narrowed[40] to include more emphasis on the media's role in Venezuelan politics.[35] In October 2002, a two-hour "rough cut" was shown to Stoneman and Brendan McCarthy, BS's head of Production and Development.[40] This version included the "witness" accounts that Bartley and ' Briain had captured after April 2002. Stoneman felt that these sequences reinforced the film's claims, but "diluted its originality".[35] He argued that they be cut, and that to compensate, Bartley and ' Briain should record a voice-over and place themselves more in the frame as witness-protagonists, ideas that the filmmakers initially resisted.[35]
- As editing progressed, budget shortfalls prevented BS from finalizing contracts. The organization also restricted post-production funds to "limit [its] exposure" in the event the project was not completed.[35] Stoneman contacted a former colleague at the BBC, Nick Fraser,[42] who had declined to help finance the film in 2001.[28] Fraser was commissioning editor for the BBC's Storyville documentaries series. According to Stoneman, Fraser was "still undecided", having been told by the head of BBC Two that "we've done Chvez".[42] Nevertheless, the BBC pre-purchased the film and in December 2002 received a rough cut.[42] At the BBC's behest, the opening of the television version was made more dramatic. Fraser was unsure about the voice-over; he asked for a more "opinionated" narration that, according to Bartley, would "get the boot in".[42] Although the BBC did not ask outright, Bartley's impression was that the organization wanted the film to be "against Chvez".[42] Fraser later said he had asked for the filmmakers to "include [an interview] with someone not a Chvez supporter".[8] He also suggested that a more experienced director be employed to help edit the film. The filmmakers "made a few minor concessions", but resisted major edits.[42] ' Briain's voice-over in the final cut was "polished up but not significantly changed".[42]
- The filmmakers created two versions of the film. Chvez: Inside the Coup, intended for television broadcast, lasts 52 minutes.[9] The feature-length The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'--which takes its name from the Gil Scott-Heron song of the same name[43]'--is 74 minutes long.[9]
- Release[edit]Television[edit]Chvez: Inside the Coup aired on RT One on 18 February 2003, as an installment of the channel's True Lives documentary series. The broadcast prompted a passionate public and critical response, and "lively debate" on radio and in newspapers; RT soon arranged for a repeat broadcast.[16] In the United Kingdom, it aired on BBC Two on 16 October 2003, as part of the channel's Storyville documentary strand,[44] and on BBC Four on 18 November 2003.[45]Chavez: Inside the Coup also aired in Canada, Japan, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark.[46] The speed of the television broadcasts left a full theatrical run unlikely'--a fact the filmmakers later regretted.[nb 6] The film also failed to be picked up by a television company in the US, although HBO was interested at one point.[48] In Venezuela, La revoluci"n no ser transmitida premi¨red on 13 April 2003,[49] on state television channel Venezolana de Televisi"n (VTV).[50] It has since been shown regularly on Venezuelan television; the state-funded community station Catia TVe often broadcasts the film during "contentious political conjunctures", such as the 2004 recall referendum, the 2006 presidential election, and in 2007 to "help build support" for the government's controversial attempt to revoke the license of private television network RCTV.[51]
- Festivals and theatrical run[edit]The Revolution Will Not Be Televised screened at several film festivals in 2003, winning numerous awards.[48] Beginning with the South by Southwest festival on 7 March,[21] its festival appearances included the Banff World Television Festival, the Seattle International Film Festival, the Marseille Festival of Documentary Film, the Three Continents Film Festival,[52] the Chicago International Film Festival,[53] the Monaco International Film Festival, the Galway Film Fleadh and the Los Angeles Wine & Country Festival.[54] In March 2003, a VHS copy of the film screened to under 100 people as part of an American Cinematheque Irish film festival in Los Angeles. Among the viewers was the president of Vitagraph Films, David Schultz, who bought the rights for theatrical distribution and paid for the film to be converted from video. Schultz initially struggled to secure the support of exhibitors; they were skeptical of the film's commercial prospects, and believed "the environment was not hospitable" for a film critical of the US so close to the start of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[55] They only became receptive a few months later, when political perceptions shifted and the public became more aware of Venezuela because of its oil wealth.[55] One such exhibitor was the Film Forum in New York City. Mike Maggiore, a programmer at the theater, worked to market the film and raise its profile with film critics. He created press kits and circulated information to appeal to "a particular audience".[56]
- The Revolution Will Not Be Televised premi¨red to the public at the Film Forum in November 2003. The showing was accompanied by protests outside the theater from supporters and detractors of the film, both of whom "attempted to influence audience reception".[57] A few weeks previously, the film had been withdrawn from an Amnesty International film festival in Vancouver; staff at the organization's Caracas arm said they "feared for their safety if it were shown".[58] The film's success at the 2003 Grierson Awards was also overshadowed by a letter to the Grierson jury from London-based Venezuelan filmmakers, who disputed its version of events.[52] Opposition demonstrators at the Film Forum premi¨re attempted to throw doubt on the film's "impartiality, precision, veracity, editorial integrity, and ideological independence", while supporters "encouraged theatergoers to denounce censorship" and sign a petition.[57] Opposition protests also greeted showings in Canada, Australia and France.[57] The run at the Film Forum earned $26,495 ('¬22,600)'--several thousand above Maggiore's expectations.[59] After a limited run in theaters in six cities,[46] the film had earned over $200,000 ('¬171,000),[nb 7][62] not quite profitable, but still considered "a significant sum for a documentary".[59]
- Informal distribution[edit]Bartley and ' Briain showed the film to Chvez in February 2003. They recalled his response as "quite emotional".[63] BS waived Venezuelan licensing fees for the film; on 13 April, it was screened simultaneously with the television broadcast at a cinema in Caracas, before which Chvez made a speech saying, "Watch this film and you will see the face of the coup."[64] Pro-Chvez activists also distributed the film unofficially. The Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador screened the film in New York City, where Bolivarian Circle members "accepted donations" for bootleg copies.[65]El Universal said the Venezuelan government had 10,000 copies made,[49] and according to National Review, the Venezuela Information Office (VIO) "encouraged art-house theaters" to screen the film.[66] Government representatives aided the film's distribution officially and unofficially.[67] Venezuelan filmmaker Wolfgang Schalk said the film counted on the worldwide support of Venezuelan embassies and a public relations effort to show the film free at universities and theaters in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.[49] Peace Action New York was given permission for a screening during a fund raiser in the Lincoln Center, where 250 people paid $35 ('¬30) each to see the film and take part in a "question-and-answer session" with guests such as Leonor Granado, the Venezuelan Consul General.[67] The consulate office made DVDs of the film available to "anyone who wanted a copy", as Granado said the film was vital to "building support in [the US] for the Venezuelan government".[67]
- Journalist Michael McCaughan invited a group of people who held anti-Chvez views to a screening of the film. He said some among the audience changed their opinion of Chvez after seeing it, although many remained hostile. McCaughan said the consensus opinion was that the film was "'excellent' and reasonably objective", but that "Chvez remained a dictator leading the country to a totalitarian grave".[68] As of 2006, groups such as Global Exchange were arranging tours to Venezuela that included a screening of the film.[69]
- Analysis[edit]Disputed accuracy[edit]In Venezuela, debate about The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is "often acrimonious".[70] The film has become key to framing people's understanding of the events of April 2002.[71] The previously accepted international view was that Chvez's ousting came from a "spontaneous popular response" to the repression of his regime; the film "directly contradicts" this position,[21] and since its release it has rapidly become "the prevailing interpretation of [the crisis]".[7] The film's critics charge that it omits or misrepresents important events. Much of the criticism is centered on the filmmakers' "use of stock [documentary] devices", such as compositing clips from several events to present them as one incident.[72] Parallel editing also depicts sequences as if they occurred at the same time, when some of the footage was captured on different days. Bartley and ' Briain justify these methods as standard practice in the construction of documentary realist films.[72] Caracas-based journalist Phil Gunson, writing in Columbia Journalism Review, says that most of the film critics who embraced the film ignored "the complex, messy reality" of the situation.[7] He charges that the filmmakers "omit key facts, invent others, twist the sequence of events to support their case, and replace inconvenient images with others dredged from archives".[7] Bartley and ' Briain argue that Gunson's points are "issues of dispute" that "continue to divide opinion" in Venezuela.[73] Author Brian A. Nelson says that Bartley and ' Briain'--in their initial meeting with Chvez'--did more than merely invoke Daniel O'Leary to gain the president's support for filming; Nelson alleges that they offered to portray the president positively in return for open access, with a "you scratch my back if I scratch yours" understanding that he says was ultimately reflected in the film's "unabashed pro-Chavismo."[74]
- BBC and Ofcom investigations[edit]"Controversy and contention began to build around [the film], with a high level of complaints and responses reaching organisers, distributors and curators, culminating in the publication of articles, a petition and formal complaints. ... From the point of view of those who opposed Chvez, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised 'constitutes the main weapon of the Venezuelan government to disseminate internationally a biased, manipulated and lying version of what happens [in the country].'"'--Rod Stoneman, former CEO of BS[75]Soon after the film's October 2003 broadcast on BBC Two, Venezuelan filmmaker Wolfgang Schalk began a campaign against The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, representing El Gusano de Luz ("The Worm of Light"), an organization associated with the Venezuelan opposition. In July, Schalk had complained to RT about its broadcast of the film.[68] On 21 October, El Gusano de Luz published a "detailed critique" as part of an internet petition[76] that attracted 11,000 signatories, 85% of whom self-identified as Venezuelan.[77] Directed at the European broadcasters that financed and aired the film,[49] the petition said in part, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is being presented as an author's film, as an objective journalistic research film, while it is really a very well plotted and accomplished propaganda operation, supported logistically by the Venezuelan government, with the aim of misleading unprepared spectators of countries who do not know the totality of events."[77] The petition submitted 18 specific points of contention with the film.[77] Venezuelan private television soon aired two programs "dissecting and denouncing" the film, and similar newspaper articles followed.[78]
- Much of the anger about the film stemmed from its high profile internationally;[78] that it had been "blessed with the imprimatur of the BBC ... with its connotations of fair and authoritative reporting" only made matters worse.[75] John Burns, writing in The Sunday Times, restated many of Gunson's arguments,[79] and the BBC received 4,000 e-mails demanding that Storyville's commissioning editor, Nick Fraser, be sacked.[8] Toward the end of 2003, the weight of criticism forced the BBC to act.[79] The corporation's complaints unit opened an investigation, and Fraser said the BBC would not show the film again until it had concluded. He wrote to David Power expressing particular concern over an error with the end titles and the use of out-of-chronology footage, saying the latter was "a real problem'--particularly ... since it has been used in a film dedicated to exposing the frauds of Venezuelan TV".[79] The furor came at a difficult time for the corporation, which was under the spotlight of the Hutton Inquiry, the official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly; the BBC had been criticized for reporting that intelligence dossiers had been "sexed up" by the UK government to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[8]
- The petition's claims were also taken up by the UK's independent telecommunications regulator, Ofcom.[76] The body investigated official protests made by several Caracas residents. The concerns largely focused on footage of the residents' attending a neighborhood meeting in June 2002, which was positioned in the film as a prelude to the April coup attempt. The residents said that the filmmakers had used footage of them without consent and that the film had misrepresented their views.[44] In September 2005, Ofcom provisionally ruled that it had not upheld the complaints, citing the BBC's internal review and rebuttal as grounds.[80] A subsequent appeal by the residents was unsuccessful.[44] Two weeks after Ofcom's initial ruling, the BBC announced it had closed the complaint and that no further investigations would take place.[80] Stoneman believed the BBC had overreacted, saying its guardedness was merely a product of being a frequent victim of press attacks on its ethos. Fraser said, "The film was very good in many respects, but also misleading."[8] He believed the filmmakers considered Chvez honorable, but having written a book on Peronism was more skeptical himself. Fraser concluded, "I still think it's a good film, because of the coup sequence. It should be seen as a Venezuelan West Wing'--biased, of course, but highly entertaining."[8]
- Responsibility for violence[edit]One of the film's key contentions is that the private media aired footage selectively to make it look like the violence of 11 April was caused by Chvez's supporters, portraying them as an "irrational and uncivilized mob".[59] Private television repeatedly showed Chvez's supporters on Puente Llaguno bridge as they shot at Baralt Avenue below, an area purportedly full of opposition marchers.[7] The film says this footage was edited to show the gunmen but not the people near them who were ducking to avoid being shot. It follows with images taken from above the bridge showing an empty Baralt Avenue, claiming that "the opposition march had never taken that route" and that Chvez's supporters were only returning fire.[13] Gunson charges that this edit is itself a misrepresentation, stating that the film does not mention that both sets of marchers were fired upon, and taking issue with the implication that "coup plotters" were the shooters.[7] In response, the filmmakers say, "Nowhere in the film did we say that only [Chvez's supporters] were shot ... Nobody can say with certainty who orchestrated the shootings."[73] Gunson also asserts that the footage of the empty street was taken earlier that day, citing an "analysis of the shadows" by Schalk,[7] who created a counter-documentary, X-Ray of a Lie, to examine The Revolution Will Not Be Televised "scene by scene to uncover [its] narrative strategies and use of artifice".[38] Brian A. Nelson agreed with the analysis, claiming that Baralt Avenue was not as empty as the film portrays and that the filmmakers "put a black bar at the top of the frame to hide the Metropolitan Police trucks that were still there".[81] Bartley and ' Briain reaffirmed their claim that the opposition did not pass below the Puente Llaguno bridge, citing eyewitness statements'--including one from Le Monde Diplomatique's deputy editor'--and an Australian documentary, Anatomy of a Coup, that "came to conclusions similar to our own".[73] A Venezuelan documentary, Puente Llaguno: Claves de una Masacre, also supported Bartley and ' Briain's view.[82]
- Timeline and media depictions[edit]Other issues of contention include the lack of historical context; the film does not cover some of the events leading up to Chvez's ousting, including the long-running political crisis and the general strike. Gunson also criticizes the filmmakers for showing events out of order. In June 2002, they filmed an opposition community group as its members considered "how to defend themselves against possible ... attacks" from Chvez's supporters.[7] In the film, this sequence is placed before the march. Bartley justified the action, saying that the residents' opinions were representative of those held "long before" the events of April 2002.[73] Responding to the critique, the BBC added a date stamp to the sequence for the film's repeat broadcast.[83] Gunson also cites footage of Caracas mayor Freddy Bernal as he sings to a happy group of Chvez supporters in front of the palace. Later images of a "differently dressed Bernal" reveal that the footage was from another day.[7] Similarly, Gunson says that until shot at, "The opposition march was entirely peaceful."[7] The film presents footage of its "violent finale"'--including an image from another day'--as if it occurred during the protest's approach to the palace, accompanied by the narrated claim that "some in the vanguard looked ready for a fight".[7] Bartley and ' Briain admit that they included a "limited" amount of archive footage,[73] but say it was a "legitimate reconstruction"[84] to build context "before the core narrative of the coup [took] off" as they "could not be everywhere filming at all times".[73]
- The Revolution Will Not Be Televised claims that state television was "the only channel to which [Chvez] had access", but does not mention that during the violence he requisitioned "all radio and TV frequencies" to broadcast his two-hour address.[7] Private television circumvented the rules allowing this action by splitting the screen, showing Chvez's address on one side and footage of the violence on the other.[7] Chvez subsequently took television stations RCTV and Venevisi"n off the air.[85] The film's assertion that VTV was taken over by opposition "plotters" is also disputed; according to X-Ray of a Lie and Gunson, staff left willingly.[7][85] Gunson further alleges that footage of VTV's signal being cut'--mid-interview with a government legislator'--was fabricated.[7] Bartley and ' Briain say they witnessed ministers' being unable to broadcast and that the International Federation of Journalists corroborated their claim that opposition forces took over VTV.[73] The film also presents footage of armored vehicles around the palace, which Gunson says were there at the request of the president, not the opposition. He also challenges the film for presenting Chvez's supporters as "invariably poor, brown-skinned, and cheerful" and the opposition as "rich, white, racist, and violent".[7] He says that the opposition protests were multiracial and that armed government supporters "made the center of Caracas a no-go area".[7] Bartley and ' Briain cite several commentators who uphold the claim that Chvez's supporters "were broadly poor and dark-skinned and the opposition broadly white and middle class", including Gunson himself in an April 2002 article in The Christian Science Monitor.[73] Gunson does agree that the film was right to point out that the private media "behaved disgracefully" by "systematically [excluding the pro-Chvez] viewpoint from print, radio, and TV" during the period of the coup.[7]
- Military involvement[edit]Of greater concern, Gunson says, is the "deliberate blurring of responsibility for the coup".[7] The film presents the idea that the military commanders dispersed, "leaving a total power vacuum".[7] However, the high command's senior figure, General Lucas Rinc"n (who announced Chvez's resignation on television), was not part of the coup and remained in the government after April 2002.[7] The petition draws the conclusion, "(1) either General Rinc"n stated a truth that was accepted throughout the whole country ... or (2) General Rinc"n lied, because he was an accomplice ... that seems not to be the truth because he [remained in Chvez's administration]."[86] Only one of the high command joined Carmona's interim administration before contributing to its downfall by withdrawing his support. The military leaders shown withdrawing their support for Chvez were not the high command, and Vice-Admiral Hector Ramirez Perez was not the head of the navy, as the film claims. Gunson says, "With one solitary exception, these generals and admirals had not 'fled abroad' after the Carmona government collapsed."[7] Although Bartley and ' Briain accept that Rinc"n said Chvez "had agreed to resign",[86] they reiterate that "elements in the military [threatened] force in the effort to make Chvez resign"; the filmmakers say it is "irrelevant" that the whole military did not join the coup, as this "is the case with most coups".[73] General Rinc"n's announcement was omitted because they felt it was "supplementary to the main, key fact of the story",[7] that no documentary evidence of the resignation exists.[86]
- X-Ray of a Lie[edit]Schalk investigated The Revolution Will Not Be Televised for five months.[58] In 2004, he and producer Thaelman Urguelles responded to the film with their own documentary, X-Ray of a Lie, which set out to expose its "manipulation".[87] Schalk said the film "presented a distorted version of events ... to fit a story that appeals to audiences". Schalk is associated with the Venezuelan opposition;[58] Bartley and ' Briain say that it is "not insignificant that Schalk has led the well-resourced campaign, linked to [the opposition], to discredit and suppress [the film]".[73]
- Chavez: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised[edit]In 2008, Stoneman published Chavez: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised '' A Case Study of Politics and the Media. A book "of film studies rather than politics", it nevertheless looks in detail at the petition's arguments.[8] Stoneman "broadly absolves" the filmmakers; he concludes, "There were some relatively small examples of slippage in the grammar of the piece, but overall the film was made with honesty and integrity. Of the 18 objections made, 15, if not 17, were wrong. The filmmakers spent a long time assembling evidence to show why they'd done what they'd done in the film and mostly it's true."[8] Stoneman conceded that the filmmakers' cin(C)ma v(C)rit(C) approach meant that for wider historical and political context, viewers should look elsewhere. Stoneman received an "Executive Producer" credit on the film, which he explains as an unasked-for gratuity that came by virtue of his position as head of BS.[8]
- Reception[edit]Critical response[edit]Among mainstream critics in the US and UK, the film received almost exclusively positive reviews.[88]Rotten Tomatoes reported that 98% of 48 sampled critics gave the film a positive review, with an average score of 7.9 out of 10.[89] At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average out of 100 to critics' reviews, the film received a score of 82 based on 24 reviews.[88] Almost all local and national film critics in the United States said the film presented a "riveting narrative", but conceded that it was a biased account of the events.[1]
- "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised gets viewers inside these tense, emotional and occasionally terrifying events with immediacy and, given the confusion of the time, remarkable clarity. Bartley and O'Briain are clearly Chavez supporters'--their glowing portrait of this controversial leader is never punctuated by critical questions about his policies or methods. But the filmmakers' biases don't stop The Revolution Will Not Be Televised from being riveting drama."'--Ann Hornaday, writing in The Washington Post[90]Frank Scheck, writing in The Hollywood Reporter, said the film presented an enthralling story that "resembles a taut ... political thriller",[91] and Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times called it a "remarkable documentary" full of "astonishing shots".[92] Both critics said the film was made so through the filmmakers' unique inside access to the events at the palace with Ebert calling that aspect "unique in film history".[91][92] Although Ebert was generally very praising of the film, he criticised the way in which Chvez's opponents were portrayed,[92] while Shenk faulted the lack of historical context; however, he said this was balanced by the film's "brevity and succinctness".[91] In Variety, Scott Foundas wrote that the film was a "superior example of fearless filmmakers in exactly the right place at the right time", and likely the best of a string of documentaries that have shone the light on US involvement in South America.[93] He had praise for the camera work and editing, and said the film was a "startling record" that reached "another level" when events shifted to the presidential palace.[93] He cited these scenes'--along with those of the protesters' clashing'--as ones that "spark with a vibrant tension and uncertainty".[93]
- J. Hoberman of The Village Voice said the film was a "gripping" account that did "an excellent job in deconstructing the Venezuelan TV news footage of blood, chaos, and rival crowds", and said it was "nearly a textbook on media manipulation".[94] Writing for The New York Times, Stephen Holden said the film was "a riveting documentary" that delivered "the suspense of a smaller-scale Seven Days in May", citing the way in which it examined how television can be used to "deceive and manipulate the public".[95] He reproached the film's uncritical depiction of Chvez, and how it hinted at CIA involvement without presenting any proof.[95]Ty Burr in The Boston Globe called the film "our best chance" to find out what really happened on 11''13 April, but cautioned that the filmmakers' "pro-Chvez stance" meant that for wider context audiences should look elsewhere, as it left out too much of Chvez's record.[43] Burr also said the film's attempt to make the US into a villain was ineffective. He said, "because [the filmmakers] view the chasm that divides Venezuela purely in the context of the Cold War and Latin American political instability, they downplay the class warfare that's exploding right in front of them."[43] Nevertheless, Burr concluded that the film's narrow focus remained engrossing.[43]
- Desson Thomson of The Washington Post stated that the film successfully reproduced the "panic and fear" at the palace as events unfolded, saying it came across like a "raw, Costa-Gavras-style thriller" that was "worth watching down to the last thrilling minute".[96] He said that knowing how uncertain Venezuela's future was made the film even more powerful. Thomson believed the handheld video was put to good use, calling its "news-breaking immediacy ... intoxicating".[96] He concluded, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is an extraordinary piece of electronic history. And a riveting movie."[96] In the Miami New Times, Brett Sokol agreed that the film was "never less than thrilling", but said that as history, it was "strictly agitprop".[97] Similarly, Mark Jenkins wrote in the Washington City Paper that the film was "unapologetically polemical", but "notable foremost as a gripping you-are-there account".[98]
- Accolades[edit]The film won several awards in 2003''04. It was also nominated for Best Documentary and Best Irish Film at the Irish Film and Television Awards.[99] The annual International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam gives an acclaimed filmmaker the chance to screen his or her Top 10 films. In 2007, Iranian filmmaker Maziar Bahari selected The Revolution will not be Televised for his top ten classics from the history of films.[100]
- References[edit]Annotations^Exchange rates are based on the Oanda Corporation's historical records of average interbank lending rates from the period.^According to Phil Gunson in Columbia Journalism Review, in Venezuela, "It is hard, if not impossible, to find an impartial observer. Most of the country's private news media have openly joined the opposition. State radio and TV are crude cheerleaders for the government."[7]^This synopsis describes the 74-minute cut of the film,The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. The 52-minute television version, Chvez: Inside the Coup, begins differently but covers the same points.^"You cannot put a rope around the neck of an idea; you cannot put an idea up against the barrack-square wall and riddle it with bullets; you cannot confine it in the strongest prison cell your slaves could ever build."[32]^Introduced in November 2001 as one of 49 presidential decrees, the Land Law aimed to increase the country's food production by breaking up and redistributing unused or underused land.^Stoneman speculates that the television broadcasts may have prevented the film from being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature (the Academy's rules disqualify broadcast features).[47]^The $200,000 figure is supported by Stoneman,[46] but box office tracking websites The Numbers and Box Office Mojo both say the film earned $153,859 ('¬131,300) from eight theaters over 59 days.[60][61]Notes^ abcSchiller (2009), p. 488.^Schiller (2009), p. 494.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 5.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 6.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 7.^Stoneman (2008), p. 8.^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabGunson, Phil (May''June 2004). "Director's cut: did an acclaimed documentary about the 2002 coup in Venezuela tell the whole story?". Columbia Journalism Review43 (1): 59''61.^ abcdefghijMcKay, Alastair (Winter 2008). "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, But The Coup Attempt May Be Sexed Up". Product Magazine (Red Herring Arts and Media): 10. ISSN1468-9901.^ abcdStoneman (2008), p. 29.^ abcdefghStoneman (2008), p. 30.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 6.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 7.^ abcdBartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 8.^ abBartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 10.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 11.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 31.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 12.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 13.^Bartley & ' Briain (2003), chapter 15.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 11.^ abcdefghijKing, Michael (7 March 2003). "The Camera Is Mightier Than the ...". The Austin Chronicle.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 12.^Stoneman (2008), p. 1.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 13.^Stoneman (2008), p. 4.^Stoneman (2008), p. 14.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 15.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 16.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 17.^Stoneman (2008), p. 18.^Stoneman (2008), p. 19.^ abcdStoneman (2008), p. 20.^Stoneman (2008), p. 21.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 22.^ abcdeStoneman (2008), p. 26.^ abcdStoneman (2008), p. 23.^Schiller (2009), p. 483.^ abSchiller (2009), p. 485.^Stoneman (2008), p. 28.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 25.^ abcdStoneman (2008), p. 24.^ abcdefgStoneman (2008), p. 27.^ abcdBurr, Ty (6 February 2004). "Riveting 'Revolution' shines on big screen". The Boston Globe.^ abcStaff (27 November 2006). "Fairness and Privacy Cases". Broadcast Bulletin (Ofcom) (74).^"Storyville '' Chavez: Inside the Coup". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 March 2010.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 2.^Stoneman (2008), p. 119.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 33.^ abcd(Spanish) Lebon, Manuel (16 November 2003). "Cineastas venezolanos objetan video 'La Revoluci"n no ser transmitida': Desarman una farsa meditica". El Universal. "... que fue mostrado por primera vez por VTV el 13 de abril de 2003. Posteriormente, el Gobierno hizo 10 mil copias en Cuba de esta producci"n para mostrarla en diversas partes del mundo. ... La pieza audovisual 'tiene un lobby millonario que cuenta con apoyo de las embajadas venezolanas y hasta agencias de relaciones pºblicas que manejan presupuestos enormes para exhibir la cinta gratuitamente en las universidades o en cines comerciales de urbes como San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago o Nueva York'."^Schiller (2009), p. 496.^Schiller (2009), p. 495.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 34.^ abc"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". New York Times Online. Retrieved 3 March 2010.^ abcdefg"ScreenWest '' Power Pictures". ScreenWest. Retrieved 25 March 2010.^ abSchiller (2009), pp. 486''487.^Schiller (2009), pp. 487''488.^ abcSchiller (2009), pp. 488''489.^ abcCampbell, Duncan (22 November 2003). "Chavez film puts staff at risk, says Amnesty". The Guardian.^ abcSchiller (2009), p. 479.^"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Box Office Mojo. Amazon. Retrieved on 22 April 2010.^"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". The Numbers. Nash Information Services. Retrieved on 22 April 2010.^Schiller (2009), p. 490.^Stoneman (2008), p. 35.^Stoneman (2008), p. 36.^Schiller (2009), pp. 490''491.^Miller, John J. (27 December 2004). "Friends of Hugo: Venezuela's Castroite boss has all the usual U.S. supporters". National Review.^ abcSchiller (2009), pp. 492''493.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 37.^Forero, Juan (21 March 2006). "Visitors Seek a Taste of Revolution in Venezuela". The New York Times.^Schiller (2009), p. 480.^Schiller (2009), p. 499.^ abSchiller (2009), pp. 485''486.^ abcdefghijBartley, Kim; ' Briain, Donnacha (May''June 2004). "Who's Right? The Filmmakers Respond". Columbia Journalism Review43 (1): 62''63.^Nelson (2009), p. 337.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 39.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 47.^ abcStoneman (2008), pp. 39''40.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 38.^ abcStoneman (2008), pp. 43''44.^ abStoneman (2008), p. 67.^Nelson (2009), p. 265.^Stoneman (2008), p. 55.^Stoneman (2008), p. 51.^Stoneman (2008), p. 48.^ ab(Spanish) Linzalata, Ernesto (31 July 2004). "Estrenan 'Radiografa de una mentira': Cuando la (C)tica es fundamental en la vida". El Universal.^ abcStoneman (2008), p. 56.^De La Fuente, Anna Marie (15 June 2007). "Venezuelan networks tread lightly". Variety.^ ab"Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The". Metacritic. CNET Networks. Retrieved 27 February 2010.^"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 27 February 2010.^Hornaday, Ann (12 December 2003). "In Venezuela, A Filmmaking, & Political, Coup". The Washington Post.^ abcShenk, Frank (1 April 2003). "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". The Hollywood Reporter.^ abcEbert, Roger (31 October 2003). "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Chicago Sun-Times.^ abcFoundas, Scott (10 July 2003). "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Variety.^Hoberman, J. (4 November 2003). "Recall Sequel in Venezuela? Hugo Your Way, We'll Go Ours". The Village Voice.^ abHolden, Stephen (5 November 2003). "Film review; Tumult in Venezuela's Presidential Palace, Seen Up Close". The New York Times.^ abcThomson, Desson (12 December 2003). "A Revolutionary Documentary". The Washington Post.^Sokol, Brett (27 November 2003). "Through a Lens Distortedly". Miami New Times.^Jenkins, Mark (26 December 2003). "The Bigger Picture Show". Washington City Paper.^Staff (15 October 2003). "IFB Backed Projects Receive Over 70 IFTA Nominations". Irish Film Board. Retrieved 25 March 2010.^(Dutch)"Maziar Bahari over zijn Top 10". IDFA. Retrieved 3 March 2010. "Het is een van de films uit de Top 10 van filmmaker en journalist Maziar Bahari (Teheran, 1967), sinds 2000 vaste IDFA-gast ... The Revolution will not be Televised, Kim Bartley and Donnacha O'Brian (Ierland, 2003)."^"Irish Film Board/Bord Scannn na hireann '' Awards 2003". Irish Film Board. Retrieved 24 March 2010.^ abStaff (7 December 2007). "RT's Proud Awards History Continues In Competitive Times". RT. Retrieved 25 March 2010.^Kay, Jeremy (3 December 2003). "Balseros, Revolution win top honours at IDA Awards". Screen Daily. EMAP. Retrieved 24 March 2010.^Halligan, Benjamin (October 2003). "Leeds International Film Festival, 2003". Senses of Cinema. ISSN1443-4059.^Staff (1 April 2004). "The Peabody Awards Are Announced". The New York Times.BibliographyBartley, Kim; ' Briain, Donnacha (2003). The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. [DVD]. (Galway, Ireland: Power Pictures).Nelson, Brian A. (2009). The Silence and the Scorpion: The Coup Against Chavez and the Making of Modern Venezuela (New York: Nation Books). ISBN978-1568584188.Schiller, Naomi (October 2009). "Framing the Revolution: Circulation and Meaning of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Mass Communication and Society (Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis) 12 (4), pp. 478''502. doi:10.1080/15205430903237832. ISSN1532 7825.Stoneman, Rod (2008). Chavez: The Revolution Will Not be Televised '' A Case Study of Politics and the Media (London: Wallflower Press). ISBN9781905674749.External links[edit]
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Ukrainian gold reserves loaded on an unidentified transport aircraft in Kiev's Borispol airport and flown to Uncle Sam's vault News Wire 24
- Ukrainian gold reserves loaded on an unidentified transport aircraft in Kiev's Borispol airport and flown to Uncle Sam's vault News Wire 24Home'ºBusiness'ºUkrainian gold reserves loaded on an unidentified transport aircraft in Kiev's Borispol airport and flown to Uncle Sam's vault
- By Marcus BrooksonMarch 7, 2014 '
- According to the iskra-news.info last night ,Ukrainian gold reserves (40 sealed boxes) were loaded on an unidentified transport aircraft in Kiev's Borispol airport. The board took off immediately.
- A source in the Ukrainian government confirmed that the transfer of the gold reserves of Ukraine to the United States was ordered by the acting PM Arseny Yatsenyuk.
- So my guess is, that is if indeed this report is true it either means the new ruling elite have stolen the gold bullion or perhaps their is a legitimate fear of the Russians taking possession of this bullion, whatever the facts, it still looks very shady indeed.
- Official narrative: gold bullion is going to USA. Real narrative: probably to Switzerland where it is divided between Yulia Tymoshenko and her cronies.
- Categories: Business, Ukraine Crisis
- Tags: Borispol airport, business, Europe, Gold bullion, Gold prices, gold reserves, Putin, Russia, Russian airplanes, Russian authorities, transport aircraft, Ukraine crisis, ukraine revolution, Ukraine's economy., Ukrainian gold
- FollowFollow ''News Wire 24''
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Ukraine PM Yatsenyuk says to visit U.S. for crisis talks
- KIEV: Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on Sunday he would travel to the United States this week for crisis talks with senior officials.
- "I am going to the United States for meetings at the highest level aimed at settling the situation in Ukraine," Interfax quoted Yatsenyuk as telling a government meeting, without providing further details.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Russia has made 'serious miscalculation': Britain
- LONDON: Russia's incursion in Crimea is a "serious miscalculation" and Moscow could face far-reaching economic consequences unless a diplomatic solution can be found, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Sunday.
- Hague said European countries could switch from using Russian gas to supplies from the United States or elsewhere in protest at Moscow's actions.
- He told BBC TV that a referendum in Crimea about whether to leave Ukraine scheduled for March 16 would come "ridiculously quick".
- "The world will not be able to regard that as a free or fair referendum," Hague said.
- He dismissed suggestions that Moscow was oblivious to the West's anger at its actions in Crimea.
- "I think they (the Russians) do care about the international reaction to what they've done. That reaction is strong," he said.
- Hague said that unless a diplomatic solution could be found, "there would be far-reaching trade and economic consequences".
- Possible measures such as visa freezes and travel bans would "be taken very seriously by the individuals concerned".
- "Those are things over time which I think will mean this (the intervention in Ukraine) has been a serious miscalculation."
- Although there have been no armed clashes yet, Hague warned that a lack of progress through negotiations would "bring the real danger of a real shooting conflict".
-
- EU leaders draw up plans to send gas to Ukraine if Russia cuts off supply
- Europe braced for possible battle with Moscow after Gazprom threatens to cut off gas supply if Ukraine does not pay bill
- EU leaders are rapidly drawing up plans to send some of their stocks of Russian gas back to Ukraine and other eastern European countries that need it, if Vladimir Putin reacts to western sanctions over the Crimea crisis by starving the continent of energy.
- Russia's largest gas producer, Gazprom, said on Friday that Kiev had missed a deadline to pay $440m for gas received in February and threatened to cut off the country's supply if it did not make the payment.
- Gazprom provides Ukraine with around half its gas, and other countries in eastern and southern Europe, including Poland and Greece, reportedly have low stocks of gas.
- Although Gazprom said the threat to Kiev would not affect the supply to the rest of Europe, western leaders are steeling themselves for a possible battle with Moscow over energy supplies. At least half of the Russian gas that is piped to Europe passes through Ukraine.
-
- 'Gaat de EU zichzelf boycotten? Vergeet het maar!'
- OPINIE - Thomas von der Dunk '' 09/03/14, 08:27
- column Welke sancties moet Brussel nu nemen, vanwege de schending van het internationaal recht? De Krim - laat dat duidelijk zijn - krijgt Oekra¯ne er echt niet mee terug. Het Kremlin laat die nooit meer los, stelt Thomas von der Dunk.
- Voor de Russen bezit de Krim dezelfde gevoelswaarde als Gibraltar voor de Britten
- 'EU op (C)(C)n lijn over Georgi-crisis 2008', zo kopte de satyrische nieuwssite 'De Speld' afgelopen donderdag, naar aanleiding van de pijlsnelle annexatie van de Krim door Rusland. Eigenlijk lijkt mij dat in het geval van Oekra¯ne nog ongekend optimistisch: de suggestie dat men in Brussel inderdaad al binnen zes jaar op (C)(C)n lijn zou kunnen zitten.
- Nee, dan was die tweede constatering in De Speld inzake de bozige commentaren van de leiders van Europa dezer dagen al iets reler: 'Er is geen continent ter wereld dat het regime van Dzjengis Khan zo ondubbelzinnig heeft veroordeeld. Al in de 19de eeuw zeiden Europese machthebbers dat het allemaal wel wat minder had gekund'.
- Als het op snel handelen aankomt, dan heeft - we zagen dat al met Milosevic versus de NAVO - een eenhoofdige autocratie meestal een forse voorsprong op een veelkoppig democratisch vergadercircuit. Bij elke grote internationale crisis valt Europa langs vaste lijnen uiteen, conform de eigen historische trauma's en economische belangen.
- Welke sancties moet Brussel nu nemen, vanwege de schending van het internationaal recht? De Krim - laat dat duidelijk zijn - krijgt Oekra¯ne er echt niet mee terug. Het Kremlin laat die nooit meer los: voor de Russen bezit die dezelfde gevoelswaarde als Gibraltar voor de Britten.
- Ook de EU zou uiteindelijk er niet aan ontkomen de vraag naar de staatkundige toekomst van de Krim aan de bewoners zelf voor te leggen
- Fait accompliDe annexatie is een fait accompli, zoals Jaap de Hoop Scheffer terecht afgelopen donderdag op een bijeenkomst in Clingendael stelde - hoe komt het toch dat Nederlandse politici pas verstandige dingen gaan zeggen, zodra ze van de last van een politiek ambt zijn bevrijd?
- Een van zijn mede-discussianten benadrukte dat het Westen moest blijven hameren op het internationaal recht. Maar het Westen heeft daar ook zelf niet altijd een boodschap aan. Voormalig VN-ambassadeur Peter van Walsum distantieerde zich als lid van de commissie-Davids indertijd nadrukkelijk van het idee dat internationaal recht altijd en overal boven alles zou gaan. U weet wel: dat draaide bij die casus uiteindelijk om de kennis van nu versus de kennis van toen. De Hoop Scheffer weet daar alles van.
- In het geval van de Krim, dat door Kiev voorlopig nog onvoorwaardelijk teruggeist wordt - waartoe zelfs het dreigen met geweld niet wordt geschuwd - komt daar nog iets bij. Stel dat de hardliners - 'als Poetin nu geen halt wordt toegeroepen, zal hij steeds verder gaan' - hun zin krijgen, wat wordt dan de uitkomst?
- Zijn optreden mag alle afkeuring verdienen, en het nu steeds verder vervroegde referendum een farce zijn, ook de EU zou uiteindelijk - als zij haar eigen democratische uitgangspunten inzake zelfbeschikkingsrecht, die zij tegen Poetins chantagepolitiek tegenover Oekra¯ne heeft ingezet, tenminste respecteert - er niet aan ontkomen de vraag naar de staatkundige toekomst van de Krim aan de bewoners zelf voor te leggen.
- MeerderheidDe kans is groot dat die ook dan in meerderheid voor Rusland zouden kiezen, omdat de meeste Krimbewoners Russen zijn. Dat betekent dat Brussel een conflict hoog laat oplopen, omdat de methodes waarmee een bepaalde uitkomst bereikt wordt niet deugen, terwijl die uitkomst dezelfde blijft. Zou dat achteraf (C)cht voor escalatie een goede legitimatie vormen?
- Welke maatregelen zouden dat bovendien moeten zijn? Met elke economische sanctie die de handel met Rusland betreft, straft de EU meteen ook zichzelf. Gaat de EU zichzelf boycotten? Vergeet het maar! Dat maakt veel van de opgewonden reacties tot geblaas en geblaat voor de B¼hne.
- Den Haag bijvoorbeeld, en dan speciaal de VVD, is daarvoor veel te dol op Oost-europese criminelen. Hen mag met het witwassen van hun zwarte geld vooral geen strobreed in de weg worden gelegd. Herinnert U zich de reactie van staatssecretaris Weekers, toen het ging om het aanpakken van Nederland als belastingparadijs? Nog vorig jaar maakte de Tweede Kamer zich onsterfelijk belachelijk door per motie als onaantastbare waarheid vast te leggen dat wij niet zo genoemd mochten worden. Als het om Newspeak gaat, kan ook de familie Kim in Pyongyang soms van Den Haag leren.
- Telkens als er in de wereld een kleptocraat of autocraat ten val komt, blijkt die een fors deel van zijn van zijn aan de eigen bevolking ontroofde buit in Nederland te hebben gestald: indertijd Kaddafi, nu Janoekovitsj. Pas nadat hij gevallen is, treedt de Nederlandse overheid tegen zo iemand op.
- Nog kort voor de omwenteling in Kiev was onze ambassade aldaar, geheel conform de Uri Rosenthaldoctrine dat buitenlandse politiek slechts handelsbevordering is, druk doende Oekra¯ense oligarchen voor het oprichten van een brievenbusfirma in Nederland te interesseren. Andermaal blijkt het gelijk van Benjamin Franklin: Holland is not a nation, but a shop.
- Gasrotonde en belastingrotonde van EuropaE(C)n uurtje Nieuwsuur volstond donderdag om te weten dat van de manmoedigheid van Den Haag, dat zo graag de gasrotonde en belastingrotonde van Europa wil zijn, straks weinig overblijft.
- Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst, in Clingendael aanwezig, moest niet aan economische sancties denken, omdat Europa economisch net een beetje begint op te krabbelen - met het oog op de gevreesde anti-stem bij de Europese verkiezingen niet zonder belang.
- De Hollandse bollenboeren zagen hun bloemenexport al in rook opgaan. Durft het kabinet een ontslaggolf politiek voor zijn rekening te nemen? Dijsselbloem kan de extra inkomsten uit Russische brievenbussen bovendien maar al te goed gebruiken om de begroting rond te krijgen. Hoeveel kiezers willen dokken om de Krim uit Poetins handen te redden om hem daarop door de Krimbewoners zelf weer aan Poetin te laten retourneren?
- Nu, toegegeven: dat Edith Schippers en prinses Margriet zich even beter niet in Sotsji kunnen vertonen, heeft men intussen door. Poetin zal op de strafmaatregel inderdaad met angstig gebibber hebben gereageerd.
- Thomas von der Dunk is columnist voor Volkskrant.nl
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- GASEURO-Why The EU Will Not Resist Putin's Ukraine Military Coup :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website
- Politics / Energy ResourcesMar 02, 2014 - 10:51 AM GMTBy: Andrew_McKillop
- Gaseuro Recycling and Petrodollar Recycling
- Much more discreet and more easily denied than also-denied petrodollar recycling operated by the US and Saudi Arabia, the EU's gaseuro and petroeuro recycling operated with Russia, especially by Germany, Italy and France but also by other EU states is starkly different to the ''petrodollar system'' because it is an economic win-win. Because of this, the EU after ritual blethering and cries of alarm will avoid operating economic, trade, monetary or other sanctions against Russia.
- Using the monetary and economic leverage of gaseuro recycling, the EU's national treasuries and financial institutions of the ECB and BIS, as well as private banks, can hope to finance the massive black hole of Ukrainian national finances. Conversely, any sanctions operated against Putin's Russia will backfire immediately as Russia cuts all gas supplies to, and passing through, the Ukraine triggering an instant continental economic crisis, backed up by Putin's additional ability to suspend or limit oil shipments to Europe.
- The simplest way to understand why the gaseuro and petroeuro recycling system is a win-win is that the EU, led by Germany runs a major trade surplus with Russia. Buying Russian gas and oil, paid for with euros, enables Russia to buy European goods and services, and create credit for further buying. When or if the EU was foolish enough to run sanctions against Russia, this major economic support to the continent's basically weak and stagnant economy would collapse. It would be lose-lose.
- World reserves of natural gas are massively larger than oil reserves, although the magic adjectives ''conventional and unconventional'' heavily change any figure you care to use. One handy figure is that world conventional associated (with oil) gas reserves plus stranded (not associated with oil) gas reserves are roughly equivalent to 100 years of present world total gas consumption. Conventional oil reserves are enough to cover about 40 years of world total oil consumption. Making things a lot more complicated, with little-appreciated but major coming impacts, which include impacts on world money systems and the shadowy but real ''petrodollar system'', gas can substitute a lot of oil. It can be converted to synthetic light oil albeit at large energy loss, it can substitute oil for petrochemicals, it can replace oil for road, rail and marine transport. For heating, both industrial and residential, gas is the best and easiest energy fuel. Oil is substitutable.
- Outside of Europe, all major regions and economies are raising their gas demand faster than their oil demand. For diehard Global Warming believers, gas is also ''low carbon'' meaning lower CO2 emissions per unit energy used, and non-carbon pollutants in gas are almost zero. This can be compared with typical heavy crudes such as Saudi Heavy of 27.5 degrees API weight, containing 2.92% sulphur and a string of metals starting with iron, vanadium and nickel, and able to include zinc, manganese, mercury, chromium and others. Heavy oils sometimes even include thorium and uranium.
- Heavy oils can only be heavily polluting, meaning heavy oil spills are always an environmental disaster and extracting them is always dirty. As we know, the extraction and refining of heavy oils and oil sands generates as much as three times the total CO2 emissions compared to conventional oil, simply due to the energy needed to extract and then refine oils which in extreme cases can have a weight of 10 degrees API, that is bitumin or asphalt. Key examples of heavy oil production as in Venezuela, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran are rarely able to extract more than 5%-25% of the crude oil in place. The so-called ''upgrading'' of these ultra-heavy crudes can only pollute and can only cost money.
- This locks-in the high price of oil because the extraction and refining process is so resource-intensive. Put another way, when oil prices decline the economic rationale for heavy oils disappears.
- For as long as oil demand was believed to be hard or impossible to substitute and no energy policy action was taken to reduce or substitute its consumption, high oil prices locked-in the upstream production and refining side. This enabled continually-increasing production, and the so-called ''producers' rent'', that is overpriced oil, could operate. When it did not operate '' notably the period of roughly 1983-1999 with low or very low oil prices (and of course the entire postwar period to 1973 and the famous Arab Oil Shock) '' the petrodollar system had a role to play. Its fundamentals included the notion that world oil demand could only increase, oil was scarce and controlled by OPEC and only in exceptional conditions '' as in 1983-1999 for geopolitical reasons (including the Iran-Iraq war) '' could oil prices be pushed down and kept low.
- Taking world gas prices of today, which are massively distorted by region and nearly always underpriced relative to oil, current European gas prices around $11 per million BTU are equivalent to oil at about $63 per barrel. As we know, due to the USA's stampede into shale gas, prices in the US (although rising) are less than one-half European gas prices, while Asian gas prices are the highest at close to the oil price (about $16 per million BTU).
- No Gas Opec and Nopec Oil
- In both cases this especially concerns Russia, which has many times tried to create a ''Gas Opec'' group and organization of major gas producers and exporters, without success. Russia is also the biggest ''Nopec'' oil producer and exporter. It is a key player in the undeclared and ''off the radar screen'' petro-euro recycling system, especially concerning Russia-Germany financial and monetary relations, utilising euro surpluses and deficits, linked with financial entities including the ECB and BIS.
- The financing of government deficits across Europe draws, in part, on this petroeuro and gaseuro recycling system operated near-exclusively with Russia.
- The US-Saudi petrodollar system is a lot older and better known, although treated as ''confidential and/or secret'' and often denied. For a valedictory rationale using uncertain logic, the US Federal Reserve Bank of NY has a full statement http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/current_issues/ci12-9/ci12-9.html.
- Gas was always the ''poor cousin of oil'', for many years priced at below $2 per million BTU (equivalent to oil at $11.60 per barrel), and pre-1973 at prices around 40 US cents/MBTU. It was rarely transported and sold across frontiers, and accounted for less than 12.5% of world total energy consumption (23% today). Gas never featured in the US-initiated petrodollar system but it was a key player in the Europe-Russia gaseuro recycling and financing operation, from the start.
- Always thought of by its US and Saudi inventors as a win-win, the ''petrodollar system'' has many downsides and for the global economy it is only lose-lose, because since at latest 2005, it operates to maintain oil at artificially high prices and enables (or forces) the US to run huge trade deficits. Just as important, the system started as a secret political initiative and will end political, but possibly public. Its economic, financial and monetary roles were always placed in the back seat, and only one aspect was treated as paramount. Favouring US-Saudi economic relations and bolstering the US dollar.
- One key factor turning a theoretical geopolitical win-win into an economic, financial and monetary lose-lose, certainly for the USA, stems from US debt and ''dollar hegemony'', both of them pushed only one way '' further - by the petrodollar system. Put another way, the US of today can only operate its debt financing-money printing binge for as long as oil prices stay high, or very high.
- The petrodollar system is above all political and concerns the US and Saudi Arabia. Due to current-ruling Saudi potentates, notably the very recent ''Intelligence supremo'' Prince Bandar bin Sultan claiming there should be Saudi rule over US decisions '' notably on Syrian bombing - the threat of Saudi Arabia ''abandoning the petrodollar'' has been given a whorl in the media.
- What You Don't Expect '' You Will GetWhen or if Saudi oil exports were increasingly billed and settled in currencies other than the USD, the present semi-monopoly of the dollar for global oil trade would disintegrate. The pat-analysis is that when or if Saudi Arabia ''abandons the dollar'' for oil sales, the dollar will sink out of sight. The exact opposite is more likely - a strengthening of the USD's world value after a ritual and probably impressive period of ''trial by market''. To be sure, market logic - we mean engineered panic - would take some time to adjust to the real world, as ever, but the main reason the dollar would strengthen would be the USA's need to print and issue far less and far fewer ''chaff dollars''.
- The exact inversion of trade relation between the US and KSA on one hand, and the EU and Russia on the other explains why petrodollar recycling is on its way out, but the gaseuro recycling operation will be a key player deciding what happens in the geopolitical shakeout of eastern Europe presently under way, starting with the carve-up of the Ukraine. The US, for as long as it remained an importer of oil and considered to have ''constantly increasing oil import dependence'', could only run a trade deficit with KSA and other Opec suppliers.The European Union, and especially Germany run a major trade surplus with Russia. Supplying petroeuros and gaseuros to Russia enables it to buy EU products.
- For decades, Washington has bowed and cowed, and gone to extraordinary lengths to mollycoddle the Saudis, despite the huge Saudi exposure '' due to nearly all its money reserves of about $700 billion being in dollars - to any theoretical crash of the USD's value. Putin's Russia is less exposed to this form of blackmail. Russia can import more from Europe if the euro depreciates, and use gas prices and oil prices to tilt the playfield towards a weaker but not crippled euro. Europe in fact has a present win-win with Russia, due to the artificially high value of the euro plus gaseuro recycling. The EU is unlikely to throw this win-win away to ''save Euromaidan hopes and expectations''.
- In another vast difference with US-Saudi petrodollar recycling, US debt would have in no way grown so fast, to such extremes, nor would the US trade deficit have ballooned, if the ''petrodollar system'' had not existed. Petrodollar recycling was designed and operated to print money '' long before Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen and QE. US gains throughout all the phases or formats of ''the system'' which started in 1972 under Nixon and Kissinger were always more apparent than real '' but the US political elite feeds off appearances. One of its key basic defects.
- Without the prop of petrodollar recycling and its leverage, operated by the US Federal Reserve banking system and the leading US money market banks, for decades, it would be unlikely that the US could run its present fantastic annual trade deficits. The US economy would have to ''re-localize'', or ''de-offshore''. Europe, although deindustrializing, has avoided this '' as shown by Germany remaining an industrial power, proud of it, and rich because of it.
- How the Ukraine Crisis Sealed Gaseuro RecyclingEurope has no leverage over Putin's Russia. Europe also gains from the gaseuro recycling system. After the ritual cries of alarm, Europe can build on the gaseuro recycling system to lever part of the heavy financial aid that must go to Ukraine '' simply to prevent its total economic collapse.
- For the US and inevitably, the end of petrodollars and their recycling will mean an end to the era of cheap imports and super low interest rates, but will also reset the global economy '' not at all to the disadvantage of the USA. China, now the world's No 1 oil importer, will be obliged to move fast to replace dollars for its oil trade. This will mean the RMB appreciates, which is what China doesn't want, but has to accept. One thing is certain, any attempts by KSA to sabotage the US dollar will not be germane to China '' which holds about $1.25 trillion of US Treasury bonds.
- Only a quick glance at Europe's gas and oil supply, transport, refining and distribution system is needed to show that the EU has massive dependence on Russian hydrocarbons '' and profits from it, but denies this. As Putin's Kremlin, and Russian ministries including the Finance ministry are well aware, EU dependence on Russian hydrocarbons has a direct counterparty in Russian dependence on European industry, services and trade '' and the euro. Conversely the real economic interdependence and counterparties between the US and Saudi Arabia are tiny and transient. The US can terminate petrodollar recycling tomorrow. After the ritual gyrations of financial markets for a ritual period, it will suffer no enduring economic loss.
- When or if the EU tried to terminate the gaseuro and petroeuro recycling system with Russia, there would be massive economic loss in Europe. The Ukrainian crisis, probably sooner rather than later, will bring this energy-economic and monetary dependence, and interdependence with Russia into full view at the top of the agenda. Both the EU and Russia have every reason to cooperate in preventing the Ukrainian crisis from ruining a system that works!
- Contact: xtran9@gmail.com
- Former chief policy analyst, Division A Policy, DG XVII Energy, European Commission. Andrew McKillop Biographic Highlights
- Co-author 'The Doomsday Machine', Palgrave Macmillan USA, 2012
- Andrew McKillop has more than 30 years experience in the energy, economic and finance domains. Trained at London UK's University College, he has had specially long experience of energy policy, project administration and the development and financing of alternate energy. This included his role of in-house Expert on Policy and Programming at the DG XVII-Energy of the European Commission, Director of Information of the OAPEC technology transfer subsidiary, AREC and researcher for UN agencies including the ILO.
- (C) 2014 Copyright Andrew McKillop - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis.Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisor.
- (C) 2005-2014 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREEDaily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.
-
- Scottish independence is 'not matter for Russia' - The Scotsman
- Russia has no interest in the Scottish independence debate, according to the country's president Vladimir Putin.
- He distanced himself one week after reports suggested the UK Government was seeking Russia as an ally to stop Scotland leaving the union in a referendum this September.
- The claim was dismissed as ridiculous by Downing Street at the time.
- Mr Putin told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: ''It's not a matter for Russia, it's a domestic issue for the United Kingdom.''
- People have the right to self-determination, he said.
- ''But I believe one should not forget that being part of a single, strong state has some advantages and one should not overlook this,'' he continued.
- ''It's a choice for each and every people according to their own circumstances.''
- Asked if an independent Scotland could join a customs union with Russia, he said: ''I wouldn't rule that out''.
- Russian state news agency Itar-Tass had last week reported an anonymous source in David Cameron's office saying that Britain were seeking support from Russia on the Scottish independence debate and pulling troops out of Afghanistan. These claims were reported by the Sunday Herald.
- The original report, issued on Hogmanay, said: ''Great Britain is extremely interested in the support of Russia, as holder of the G8 presidency, in two vital areas in 2014: the Afghan pull-out and the Scottish independence referendum.''
-
- Concerned About EU Integration, Moldova's Gagauz Region Holds Disputed Referendum
- CHISINAU -- With the upheaval in Ukraine showing no signs of abating, neighboring Moldova has become the star of the European Union's Eastern Partnership program.Chisinau initialed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the bloc in November -- but not everyone is Moldova is on board with the country's aggressive European-integration policy.
- As the policy has accelerated, the Russian-supported breakaway region of Transdniester has rumbled increasingly loudly. Recently it adopted Russian legislation, a clear signal of the region's preference for joining a Russia-led customs union.
- And on February 2, the southern Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia is holding a controversial referendum, asking locals if they favor closer relations with the EU or the CIS Customs Union.
- [According to RFE/RL's Moldovan Service, the head of Gagauzia's election commission said turnout was at more than 55 percent in the afternoon, passing the required one-third to be considered valid. A correspondent in Comrat reported long lines at polling stations earlier in the day.]
- In an interview with RFE/RL's Moldovan Service, Gagauzia Governor Mihail Formuzal did not hide his personal preferences. "I think that for the next 10 years it is in our interest to be in the customs union. I think that would enable us to modernize our economy, secure reliable markets for our goods," he said.
- "And, at the same time, during these years we would carry out the genuine democratization of our society to correspond with the globally accepted standards and democratic norms of a law-based state. At present, unfortunately, we do not have this in our country."
- Gagauzia is a geographically discontinuous region with a population of about 155,000 people, mostly ethnically Turkish, Russian-speaking, Orthodox Christians. Many locals there fear that Chisinau's EU-integration agenda masks an intention to unite Moldova with neighboring Romania.
- Gagauzia Governor Mihail Formuzal is clear in his preference for Russian integration.Governor Formuzal said this was the main concern in his region. "There is a definite skepticism as we watch the processes going on in Europe today," he said. "The citizens of Gagauzia are very concerned that Euro-integration processes are being carried out in synch with, say, the entry into Europe through Romania. And this worries and frightens people."Moldova's central government has tried hard to stop the February 2 referendum, which it sees as a challenge to the country's territorial integrity. A court in the Gagauz capital of Comrat accepted Chisinau's argument that the autonomous region is only allowed to hold referendums on local issues. But Gagauz authorities are proceeding with the ballot despite the court ruling.
- The referendum will ask whether Gagauzia should be able to declare independence in the event that Moldova loses or surrenders its own independence and whether Moldova should pursue closer relations with the EU or with the CIS Customs Union.
- Officials from Chisinau have rushed to the region in recent days in a seemingly unsuccessful bid to stave off the divisive vote.
- Prime Minister Iurie Leanca was in Comrat on January 22 to argue that people don't have sufficient information to vote in such a referendum. "Of course, learning the opinions of the population -- and not just here, but across the country -- is a basic element," he said. "But let's first inform our citizens so that they can very consciously make a decision. And then, at the next parliamentary elections, everyone will have the opportunity to make their opinion known."
- Moldova's Gagauz-Yeri district (Gagauzia)EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele was in Comrat on January 23 for the first time since the Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 -- meeting with local university students and trying to allay concerns about the EU's intentions. Afterward, he posted on his Twitter account that he "underlined in Comrat" that the Association Agreement is "a nationwide project for Moldova" with a role for all regions, including Gagauzia.Officials in Gagauzia counter that informing the public is exactly what the central authorities and the European Union have failed to do. The documents that were initialed at the Eastern Partnership summit in November 2013 were not even published in Romanian and Russian until January 14 and January 21, respectively.
- Gagauz legislator Ivan Burgudji slams the government for its alleged secrecy. "Let them explain. Let them come and explain and not make decisions behind closed doors," he says. "And it isn't just Gagauzia, but the entire population of Moldova hasn't been acquainted with what is going to be signed, and what is good and what is bad in it."
- He adds that officials in Comrat reached out to Chisinau in the past and were rebuffed. "They should have come a long time ago. The local parliament invited the president to come, but he didn't," he says. "In any event, if these visits had come earlier, maybe the situation would be different now."
- Ion Tabarta, of the Institute of Policy Analysis and Advice in Chisinau, agrees that the ruling pro-European coalition has failed to engage with the Gagauz, both about the European-integration process and about issues of concern to the region.
- "We haven't been able to integrate the Gagauz minority into Moldovan society," Tabarta says. "They had their issues -- they were unhappy with the representation they got in the national leadership, government, and parliament. Chisinau just neglected these problems. So dialogue now comes a bit late, but I think it can move forward."
- Chisinau-based political analyst Igor Botan is less sanguine. "It's more of a political conflict, since Gagauzia does not have the power of secession that Transdniester did," he notes. "But they can keep alive this political conflict: while the European Union is pondering whether to sign an Association Agreement with Moldova, they set up obstacles and send the message that they do not agree. And they have the support of the voters and of the Russian Federation."
- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin hinted darkly earlier this month that "the train called Moldova that is chugging toward Europe might lose a couple of its cars." Clearly he had in mind both Transdniester and Gagauzia.
- Ironically, representatives of the Gagauz minority in Ukraine have endorsed that country's EU-integration ambitions and have called on the government and the opposition to reach a peaceful settlement.
- Robert Coalson contributed to this report
-
- Russia Threatens to Drop The Dollar and Crash The U.S. Economy if Sanctions Are Imposed - Obama Signs Sanctions Anyway | SCG News
- On Tuesday Reuters reported that a Kremlin aid Sergei Glazyev had announced that if the U.S. were to impose sanctions on Russia Moscow may drop the dollar as a reserve currency and refuse to pay off any loans to U.S. banks saying that Moscow could recommend that all holders of U.S. treasuries sell them if Washington freezes the U.S. accounts of Russian businesses and individuals.
- "We would find a way not just to reduce our dependency on the United States to zero but to emerge from those sanctions with great benefits for ourselves," said Glazyev."An attempt to announce sanctions would end in a crash for the financial system of the United States, which would cause the end of the domination of the United States in the global financial system"
- That statement is startling by itself, but the true gravity of this situation is only evident when you consider it in context. China has taken Russia's side in the Ukraine conflict (they are after all allies) and China holds the lion's share of U.S. treasuries. If Russia puts out the call to drop the dollar China would have a choice: either hold on to those treasuries while the dollar slides (losing their shirt in the process) or join Russia and dump their holdings as well. It should be pretty obvious which way China would go.
- The effects of a coordinated bond sell off by China and Russia would be earth shattering. This would be the financial equivalent of a nuclear bomb being dropped. It is no exaggeration to say that such a move would mark the end of an era.
- You would think that this would prompt some serious reflection and that diplomats would be scrambling to resolve this peacefully, but instead today Obama signed a sanction order anyway and revoked the visas of a number of Russian officials. All of this supposedly in response to the violence in Kiev even though we now have leaked phone conversations that indicate that it was in fact the new coalition government in Ukraine that was responsible for the shootings and that the West knows this. Combine this with the fact that several U.S. officials met directly with known Neo-Nazi leaders prior to the coup in Ukraine and these sanctions are even more non-nonsensical.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Nieuwe regering Oekra¯ne wil onderzoek naar bloedbad Kiev
- 08/03/14, 13:25 '' bron: ANP
- (C) AFP. Betogers botsen met de politie op het Onafhankelijkheidsplein in Kiev, 20 februari
- De nieuwe prowesterse regering van Oekra¯ne wil een parlementair onderzoek naar het dodelijke vuurwapengeweld in februari in Kiev. Dat bericht het Oekra¯ense persbureau Interfax.
- In de commissie moeten parlementsleden van alle partijen zitting krijgen. Tijdens het onderzoek moeten getuigen, artsen en internationale deskundigen aan bod komen. Veiligheidschef Andrej Paroebij, tot voor kort oppositieaanvoerder, krijgt de leiding over het onderzoek.
- Eind februari kwamen tientallen betogers tegen de pro-Russische president Viktor Janoekovitsj om het leven tijdens confrontaties met de veiligheidsdiensten. Rusland heeft daarna op de mogelijkheid gezinspeeld dat het bloedbad in sc¨ne was gezet om de machtsovername in Oekra¯ne mogelijk te maken. Moskou liet zaterdag weten voorstander te zijn van het onderzoek.
- Afgelopen week lekte ook een telefoongesprek uit tussen de Estse minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Urmas Paet en EU-buitenlandchef Catherine Ashton. Daarin uitte de minister twijfels over de toedracht. Hij liet later ook weten dat hij daarmee niet heeft willen zeggen dat de oppositie zelf betrokken was bij het geweld.
-
- BBC Now Admits: Armed Nazis Led ''Revolution'' in Kiev, Ukraine | New Eastern Outlook
- Like the West's support of sectarian terrorists across the Middle East, including Al Qaeda, it has found the most despicable elements in Ukrainian society to lead ''revolution'' for the sociopolitical reordering of Eastern Europe. As the dust settles and the West's proxy regime finds itself safely entrenched in Kiev, Ukraine '' the Western media can now finally recuperate some of its lost legitimacy after months of denying the obvious '' that armed Neo-Nazis led the so-called ''Euromaidan'' uprising.
- A BBC Newsnight short titled, ''Neo-Nazi threat in new Ukraine,'' reveals xenophobic Jew-hating nationalists, armed and leading the mobs in Kiev, directly contradicting months of Western media narratives portraying the rabble as aspiring for ''freedom,'' ''democracy,'' and ''closer ties with the West,'' with the most absurd example being the ''I am Ukrainian'' propaganda reel.
- Far from a ''pro-democracy'' uprising, the ''Euromaidan'' was yet another case of Western engineered regime change leveraging the good intentions of the ill-informed to mask the covert backing of ugly armed extremists, just as it had done all across the similarly engineered ''Arab Spring'' in 2011.
- In light of the BBC's report, confirmed intercepted phone conversations between the EU and Estonia regarding the Ukrainian opposition's hiring of snipers deployed against both police and protesters takes on a new degree of veracity with deepening implications. It also reframes US Senator John McCain's taking to the stage in Kiev, side-by-side with these overt Nazis as an abhorrent, shameful act bordering on treason and material support of terrorism.
- The BBC's exposure of armed Nazis in Kiev leading the mobs and the overthrow of an elected government, with the overt backing and blessing of the West exposes the Western narrative as outright fabrications. A prime example of this narrative was the Daily Beast's article, ''Putin's Crimea Propaganda Machine,'' which ironically attempts to twist accusations of skewing reality around onto Russia. In it, it states:
- Russia invaded Ukraine over the weekend, justifying its incursion by claming it needed to protect Crimea's ethnic Russian population from supposed neo-Nazi extremists. This was pure propaganda, of course'--Vladmir Putin has been keen to annex land that used to be part of Russia, as he did in Georgia in 2008, and seems to think that the Ukrainian army will and should immediately surrender to the Russian one.
- Still, Putin needed a story to spin, no matter how full of holes, and thus the neo-Nazi claims. But as it turns out, Crimea's streets are not exactly paved with extremists'--a fact that has proven troublesome for Russian state TV channels looking to find token far-right bogeymen.
- While the Daily Beast claims Russian state TV is having trouble finding Neo-Nazi extremists in Crimea, it appears the BBC is falling all over them in Kiev. Their existence in the capital of Ukraine, the fact that they are confirmed to be armed and poised to seize and consolidate greater power, is an overt threat to both the people of Kiev, and the rest of the Ukrainian population, and is cause of grave concern for Ukraine's neighbors '' considering the Nazis' blood-soaked, genocidal origins.
- In this light, we see precisely what Russia is attempting to counter, but is being wholly condemned by the West for standing up against. For the West, its ability to ally itself with the most abhorrent ideologies ever conceived by mankind indicates that the supposed principles its society is based upon are merely facades behind which it couches its true ambitions '' hegemonic expansion, no different than the violent extremist helping-hands it regularly finds itself collaborating with around the world.
- The West Drawing the Long Knives Already?
- The BBC's sudden ''honesty'' regarding brigades of armed Nazis infesting western Ukraine, however, is not the result of the British state propaganda arm examining its journalistic conscience, but rather an attempt to throw off extremist thugs that will only, from now on, become a liability for the West's ambitions in the Eastern European nation.
- The West would most likely prefer to replace armed Neo-Nazis with NATO forces, professional mercenaries, and a proxy force of Ukrainians trained and led by Western special forces and intelligence operatives.
- Just as the West has done in Afghanistan, where it used sectarian extremists and terrorists to wage a proxy war against the Soviet Union in the 1980'²s, only to end up turning on their ''allies'' from 2001 onward '' the West will use the Neo-Nazis of Kiev only for as long as absolutely necessary before turning on them and dumping them. The BBC's short piece exposing the repugnant nature of the forces that in fact led the so-called ''Euromaidan'' uprising is perhaps the first step toward achieving this goal.
- Those watching the Ukrainian crisis closely will want to monitor the posture the West takes regarding their fascist armed, militant proxies, and be aware of preparations the West might be making to replace them with a more professional, as well as presentable, armed front to consolidate and hold gains made during the violence and chaos that has consumed Kiev for the past several months.
- Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, especially for the online magazine ''New Eastern Outlook''
-
- White House plays down speedy role for U.S. natural gas in Ukraine
- White House plays down speedy role for U.S. natural gas in UkraineTop News
- White House plays down speedy role for U.S. natural gas in Ukraine
- ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - The White House on Friday appeared to play down the possibility of changing U.S. policy on exporting natural gas to address the situation in Ukraine.
- White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Air Force One that policy changes would not have an immediate effect and noted that natural gas stocks in Europe were above normal levels because of a mild winter.
- "There is no indication currently that there's much risk of a natural gas shortage in the region," he said.
- Europe and Ukraine are key export markets for natural gas from Russia, which has historically shut down pipelines as a pressure tactic. As Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula this week, its state-owned energy company Gazprom said it will stop discounting natural gas for Ukraine.
- But widespread shipments of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) are still several years away.
- The Department of Energy is working its way down a list of more than 20 applications for LNG export licenses. It has approved six licenses since 2011 and the first project is not expected to begin exporting until late next year. The other five still need approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which can be a lengthy process.
- "So proposals to try to respond to the situation in Ukraine that are related to our policy on exporting natural gas would not have an immediate effect," Earnest said.
- Several lawmakers, including Rep. Cory Gardner, a Republican from natural gas-rich Colorado, introduced bills this week to try to speed up the DOE approvals, but they face an uphill battle in the Senate.
- Ukraine has no terminals to receive LNG shipments, so even if U.S. cargoes were ready soon it is uncertain when the fuel could be delivered.
- Washington instead is working to reduce Ukraine's dependence on any single source of natural gas.
- Ukraine and Eastern Europe could get more gas from Northern Africa, including Libya and Algeria, and from East Africa or the Mediterranean in the next couple of years.
- Washington is also hoping Croatia will build an LNG receiving terminal, which could help Hungary, Slovenia and perhaps Ukraine.
- Once U.S. LNG exports start they likely will first head to Japan, India and other Asian countries that have little access to gas sent via pipeline and are willing to pay more for the fuel than Europe does.
- As more U.S. projects are approved and investors spend billions of dollars to build them, U.S. LNG could play a bigger role after 2017 in reducing global prices for the commodity, analysts said.
- Earnest noted that Russia prides itself on being a reliable supplier of natural gas to other countries. That reputation would be jeopardized if it turned off the taps during the Ukraine crisis.
- "Russia currently yields about $50 billion a year in revenue from exporting natural gas, so ending that kind of relationship with Europe would have significant financial consequences for Russia as well," he said.
- (Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner, Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Sandra Maler and Meredith Mazzilli)
- White House plays down speedy role for U.S. natural gas in UkraineTop News
- White House plays down speedy role for U.S. natural gas in Ukraine
- ON BOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - The White House on Friday appeared to play down the possibility of changing U.S. policy on exporting natural gas to address the situation in Ukraine.
- White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Air Force One that policy changes would not have an immediate effect and noted that natural gas stocks in Europe were above normal levels because of a mild winter.
- "There is no indication currently that there's much risk of a natural gas shortage in the region," he said.
- Europe and Ukraine are key export markets for natural gas from Russia, which has historically shut down pipelines as a pressure tactic. As Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula this week, its state-owned energy company Gazprom said it will stop discounting natural gas for Ukraine.
- But widespread shipments of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) are still several years away.
- The Department of Energy is working its way down a list of more than 20 applications for LNG export licenses. It has approved six licenses since 2011 and the first project is not expected to begin exporting until late next year. The other five still need approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which can be a lengthy process.
- "So proposals to try to respond to the situation in Ukraine that are related to our policy on exporting natural gas would not have an immediate effect," Earnest said.
- Several lawmakers, including Rep. Cory Gardner, a Republican from natural gas-rich Colorado, introduced bills this week to try to speed up the DOE approvals, but they face an uphill battle in the Senate.
- Ukraine has no terminals to receive LNG shipments, so even if U.S. cargoes were ready soon it is uncertain when the fuel could be delivered.
- Washington instead is working to reduce Ukraine's dependence on any single source of natural gas.
- Ukraine and Eastern Europe could get more gas from Northern Africa, including Libya and Algeria, and from East Africa or the Mediterranean in the next couple of years.
- Washington is also hoping Croatia will build an LNG receiving terminal, which could help Hungary, Slovenia and perhaps Ukraine.
- Once U.S. LNG exports start they likely will first head to Japan, India and other Asian countries that have little access to gas sent via pipeline and are willing to pay more for the fuel than Europe does.
- As more U.S. projects are approved and investors spend billions of dollars to build them, U.S. LNG could play a bigger role after 2017 in reducing global prices for the commodity, analysts said.
- Earnest noted that Russia prides itself on being a reliable supplier of natural gas to other countries. That reputation would be jeopardized if it turned off the taps during the Ukraine crisis.
- "Russia currently yields about $50 billion a year in revenue from exporting natural gas, so ending that kind of relationship with Europe would have significant financial consequences for Russia as well," he said.
- (Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner, Writing by Jeff Mason; Editing by Sandra Maler and Meredith Mazzilli)
-
- Natural Gas Act of 1938 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Natural Gas Act of 1938Related LawsFederal Power Act of 1935Relevant Court CasesFPC v. Natural Gas Pipeline Co., 315 U. S. 575 (1942)[1]The Natural Gas Act of 1938 was the first occurrence of the United States federal government regulating the natural gas industry. It was focused on regulating the rates charged by interstate natural gas transmission companies. In the years prior to the passage of the Act, concern arose about the monopolistic tendencies of the transmission companies and the fact that they were charging higher than competitive prices. The passage of the Act gave the Federal Power Commission (FPC) control over the regulation of interstate natural gas sales. Later on, the FPC was dissolved and became the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC continues to regulate the natural gas industry to this day.
- History of regulation[edit]Regulation in the natural gas market has been in place since the very beginnings of the industry. Originally in the mid-1800s, natural gas was manufactured out of coal, and delivered locally in the same area in which it was produced. Local governments saw the monopolistic tendencies of the market and began to enforce regulations. It was decided that there would be one distribution network but the rates that could be charged would be regulated by the local governments.
- In the 1900s, natural gas was not only used in the locations it was produced, it began to be shipped between municipalities. Intrastate pipelines between cities began to develop and local governments no longer had the authority to regulate rates. The solution to this problem was to enlist state level public utilities commissions to oversee regulation.
- In the years to follow, new technology finally allowed interstate transportation of natural gas. This brought more problems to the ease of regulation. Between the years of 1911 and 1928, states attempted to regulate many of these interstate pipelines. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state oversight of these pipelines violated the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. This left a large gap for monopolistic business practices to occur in natural gas transmission.
- In 1935, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a report which voiced its concern with the market power of natural gas utilities. Congress then passed the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) to try to limit the natural gas holding companies power. However, this act still did not cover the regulation of interstate sales.
- Natural Gas Act of 1938[edit]In 1938, the United States Congress passed the Natural Gas Act in order to take control of interstate natural gas transmission. This was the first time the federal government became involved in regulating rates of interstate transmission. The act gave the Federal Power Commission (FPC), a government agency, jurisdiction over regulation. It was the job of the FPC to regulate the rates that transmission companies charged. The act required that companies had to obtain a ''certificate of public convenience and necessity'' from the Federal Power Commission before they could make an interstate sale of natural gas.[2] These certificates set the maximum prices natural gas could be sold for. This meant that if gas flowed from one state to another where it was sold to a gas distribution company, the sale by the pipeline to the distributor would need a certificate. However, the final sale to retail customers were exempt from the law. Although the Natural Gas Act regulated both the transportation and sale of gas in interstate commerce, the production and gathering of gas was exempt from federal regulation. Oil companies claimed that because production and gathering was exempt, any sales that took place at the wellhead or along the gathering lines between the oil company that owned the well and the pipeline company was also exempt from Natural Gas Act regulation. The producers wanted to charge a wellhead price based on market forces, while consumer groups argued that the Natural Gas Act intended that both producers and pipelines should be limited to cost-based rate regulation, so that the final price paid by consumers would represent only the cost of producing, transporting and distributing the gas. In the court case Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Wisconsin,[3] the Supreme Court held that the sale of natural gas at the wellhead was indeed subject to regulation under the Natural Gas Act. The case resulted in federal price controls on wellhead gas prices for the next 40 years. The act also specified that ''no new interstate pipeline could be built to deliver natural gas into a market already served by another pipeline.''[4] In 1942, these powers went on to cover any new transmission lines as well. Approval of the FPC was needed before a company could build an interstate transmission line. The act was passed to control the monopolistic tendencies of the market in which companies previously had the power to charge higher than competitive prices. In 1977, the FPC dissolved and the authority to regulate natural gas was transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).[5]
- History of FPC and FERC[edit]In 1920, the FPC was established by congress to coordinate hydroelectric projects under federal control. Early on, the FPC was under joint administration of the Secretary of War, Interior, and Agriculture while the FPC only had an Executive Secretary. All of their other personnel was borrowed from these other departments. This mixture of leadership often resulted in conflicting mandates and made it difficult to design a consistent energy policy. To resolve this, in 1928 Congress voted the give the FPC enough funds to hire their own staff. In 1930, the Federal Power Act established a bipartisan commission to run the FPC. In 1938, the Natural Gas Act gave FPC jurisdiction over interstate natural gas pipelines and wholesale sales. In 1938, the Natural Gas Act gave FPC jurisdiction over interstate natural gas pipelines and wholesale sales. In 1942, this jurisdiction was expanded to cover the licensing of more natural gas facilities. In 1954, the Supreme Court decision in Phillips v. Wisconsin extended FPC jurisdiction over all wellhead sales of natural gas in interstate commerce.[3][6]
- Congress passed the U.S. Department of Energy Organization Act in 1977, which consolidated various energy-related agencies into a Department of Energy. Congress insisted that a separate independent regulatory body be retained, and the FPC was renamed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, preserving its independent status "within" the Department. In 1978, FERC was given additional responsibilities for harmonizing the regulation of wellhead gas sales in both the intrastate and interstate markets.[7] In 1983, Congress ended federal regulation of wellhead natural gas prices. After this decision, FERC looked to increase competition in the natural gas industry.[8]
- The Energy Policy Act of 2005 expanded FERC's authority to impose mandatory reliability standards on the bulk transmission system and to impose penalties on entities that manipulate the electricity and natural gas markets. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave FERC additional responsibilities as outlined in FERC's Top Priorities and updated Strategic Plan. As part of that responsibility, FERC:
- In 2005, the year's Energy Policy Act expanded FERC's authority to enforce reliability standards on bulk transmission systems and to impose penalties on the entities that control the electricity and natural gas markets. It also gave FERC additional responsibilities which they outline in the Top Priorities and Updated Strategic Plan. The parts of the plan that affect natural gas include that FERC:[9]Regulates the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce.Approves the siting of and abandonment of interstate natural gas facilities, including pipelines, storage and liquefied natural gas.Uses civil penalties and other means against energy organizations and individuals who violate FERC rules in the energy markets.Oversees environmental matters related to natural gas and hydroelectricity projects and major electricity policy initiatives.Administers accounting and financial reporting regulations and conduct of regulated companies.Effects[edit]The Natural Gas Act of 1938 had an enormous impact on the future of not only the interstate natural gas market, but the U.S. energy policy and regulation. The natural gas industry has undergone tremendous change since 1938, and pipeline companies no longer function as resellers of gas to local distribution companies (LDCs), the ideas behind the act still impact natural gas regulation to this day. Concern about market power continues to be a key driver of natural gas regulation and monitoring of the market.[4]
- References[edit]External links[edit]
-
- US, Europe step up pressure as Ukrainian crisis intensifies
- By Peter Symonds8 March 2014Tensions in Ukraine continued to mount Friday as Russia denounced the threat of US and European Union (EU) sanctions against Russian and pro-Russian Ukrainian officials.
- In a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday, Obama issued what amounted to an ultimatum for a complete capitulation. He insisted that Russia recognise and negotiate with the pro-Western regime installed in Kiev via a fascist-led coup, withdraw all troops from Crimea and open the door to ''international monitors.''
- Just hours before, the US announced sanctions on unspecified Russian and Ukrainian individuals and entities, using as a pretext the vote by the Crimean regional parliament to hold a referendum to secede from Ukraine and associate with Russia. Russian-backed military forces have taken over the Crimean Peninsula where a majority of the population is Russian-speaking and the Russian navy has a major base at the Black Sea port of Sevastopol.
- The Obama administration has also escalated military tensions with the dispatch of six F-16 fighters to Lithuania, 12 F-16s and 300 US troops to Poland next week, and the entry of a US destroyer into the Black Sea. In the midst of the standoff, Turkey, a NATO ally, scrambled eight F-16s to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea.
- The EU has also set in motion its own three-step plan for sanctions. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned yesterday that tougher measures were planned if Moscow did not back down. ''If there are not very swift results, there will be new measures aimed at those responsible and Russian businesses,'' he told France Info radio.
- The US and EU sanctions are being accompanied by a deluge of propaganda in the American and international media denouncing ''Russian aggression'' and demanding the recognition of ''Ukrainian sovereignty.'' The level of hypocrisy involved is staggering. Not only have the US and its European allies been aggressively intervening in Ukraine to oust the elected government, but Washington has carried out intrigues, interventions and a string of wars of aggression, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria.
- Responding to the latest threats, a Russian foreign ministry statement yesterday condemned the EU's actions as ''an extremely unconstructive approach.'' It warned: ''Russia does not accept the language of sanctions and threats, but if they are imposed they will not remain unanswered.''
- A separate statement on Putin's phone call with Obama noted that the Russian president had pointed out that the situation in Ukraine was the result of an ''anti-constitutional coup.'' He defended Russian actions, saying that the regime in Kiev had taken ''absolutely illegitimate decisions on the eastern, south eastern and Crimea regions.''
- Putin did, however, make a conciliatory gesture, stressing the importance of US-Russian relations that ''should not be sacrificed for individual differences, albeit very important ones, over international problems.'' Later yesterday, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed the hope that ''extremely deep disagreements'' between Russia and the West would not lead to a new Cold War.
- The extreme right-wing character of the US-backed Ukrainian regime was underscored yesterday by the announcement that the head of the fascist Right Sector organisation, Dmitro Yarosh, would stand in elections scheduled for May. Highlighting the prominent role played by Right Sector and the far-right Svoboda party in the putsch that ousted Russian-aligned President Viktor Yanukovych, a spokesman Andriy Tarasenko declared: ''We remain the leaders of this revolution.''
- Yarosh has called for the banning of Yanokovych's Party of the Regions and the Communist Party of Ukraine. In the most recent elections, both parties received more votes than Svoboda. Tarasenko boasted that Right Sector, whose armed thugs were prominent in anti-Yanokovych protests in Kiev, was ''mobilising'' in preparation for war with Russia.
- Arseniy Yatsenyuk, interim prime minister in the Kiev regime, yesterday flatly ruled out any compromise with Russia, denounced any move by Crimea to secede from Ukraine as ''unlawful and unconstitutional'' and the backers of a referendum as ''separatists and traitors.'' A court issued an arrest warrant for Sergei Aksyonov, the leader of the secessionist movement.
- The Ukrainian administration yesterday failed to pay its latest bill for gas supplied by the Russian energy giant Gazprom, bringing the total outstanding debt to nearly $2 billion. The refusal to pay could escalate the crisis after Gazprom threatened to halt gas supplies, saying ''we can't supply gas for free.'' Any cut-off would not only hit Ukraine, but also many European countries supplied by Gazprom via pipelines running through Ukraine.
- Russia's response to the aggressive US-led confrontation underlines the weakness of the Putin regime that represents the interests of corrupt Russian oligarchs. By whipping up Russian nationalism and chauvinism, Putin only heightens the danger of plunging Ukraine into an ethnic civil war that threatens to draw in all the major powers and plunge the world into a disaster.
- Russia is seeking to consolidate its position in Crimea. Yesterday, after meeting with Crimean parliamentary delegates in Moscow, Valentina Matvienko, leader of the Russian parliament's upper house, told a large rally of Russian nationalists in Moscow that Crimea would be welcome as part of the Russian Federation if it votes in the referendum to do so.
- The Crimean Peninsula is the key strategic base for the Russian navy to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Russian navy has scuttled two aging warships at the entrance to Lake Donuzlav, effectively preventing several Ukrainian naval vessels from leaving their home base. A confrontation at a Ukrainian military base outside Sevastopol, during which Russian-backed forces attempted to take-over the facility, has reportedly ended without incident.
- The chief responsibility for this highly flammable situation lies with the Obama administration and its allies, which are determined to inflict a humiliating and debilitating back down on the Russian government, no matter what the cost and dangers involved.
- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
-
- Gladio '' the Gift that Keeps on Giving
- Gladio seems to still be with us
- We are seeing it today, in the Ukraine, Syria, across Africa; more than two dozen instances have been cataloged. Highly organized armed groups, multiple nationalities, all drawn upon at need, ready for any mission, riot, revolution, subversion, terror attacks or assassinations.
- Their actions are ruthless, their allegiances a matter of ''conspiracy theory.'' They never take credit, never issue manifestos, have no website.
- Gladio operatives run entire nations, the Republic of Georgia certainly, Albania/Kosovo, in South America, Bolivia and Paraguay. There is always a political theme, though vague and ethereal, the signs are there, Western intelligence agencies, secret societies, manipulation of commodity markets, currencies and, above all sovereign debt.
- The group is called''Gladio'', after the Latin term ''gladius'', the short sword used in the Roman arena. Those who have heard of Operation Gladio have a vague notion of a NATO sponsored anti-communist program that, during the 1980s and 90s somehow ''went wrong.'' The version told the public is actually quite amusing.
- Supposedly, Gladio was established after the war by SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe). Were one to assume the mysterious Gehlen Organization, CIA and Gladio were one in the same, same roots, same financing, same lack of accountability, one might be on a very strong footing.
- Gladio loon Breivik '' but his 'team' all got away.
- What isn't amusing is the fact that Gladio is still operating. When Anders Breivik, the worst mass murder in recent years, admitted to being a Gladio operative, few were surprised.
- All the signs were there, intelligence services and police agencies helping him every step of the way and a prison life of not just privilege but periodic forays outside the walls when he feels the need for a breath of fresh air.
- Other Gladio signature operations are seen at Sandy Hook, the Boston Marathon, Ft. Hood or the anthrax attacks and ''DC Sniper,'' these and so many more, nameless mysterious ''lone gunmen'' with lots of help. Gladio operations may well have killed 8000 in Iraq last year alone.
- When the Bush cabal chose to ring Russia with secret prisons and germ warfare labs while the family bought up huge tracts of South America, we saw clear signs of Gladio's worldwide reach. Gladio didn't die in a few Italian ''show trials.''
- The real Gladio is more than something quite different, perhaps beyond the simplistic terms of ''sinister'' or ''conspiratorial.'' The French use the term ''ouverage'' to describe something that is exposed or ''unearthed.'' Gladio is, to that extent, an ouverage, a look beneath, a glimpse, a rare opportunity to view to underpinnings of what existed then and exists now.
- Gladio is fed, not just by greed but by a powerful mythology, combining a variety of religions and occult philosophies. There is only a generalized history of Gladio, featured in a well-organized Wikipedia page. There are unanswered questions, unanswered and unasked.
- Why did NATO choose proto-Christian mysticism as a basis for terror organizations? How does an organization established and funded by NATO suddenly ''turn bad'' with no reason whatsoever given, no reason given and none ever asked for. Not only is there no evidence Gladio was stopped, quite the opposite, it has thrived and expanded its reach and power.
- ________________________________
- Even today the vast majority of Americans know nothing about this
- Faced with Stalin's threat, real or perceived, to take over Europe through military force, NATO decided it would create ''stay behind networks'' to hold some portion of Europe ''safe'' while the United States and, perhaps Canada, prepared new ''D Day'' landings in order to push back the ''Red Horde.''
- To do this, NATO recruited groups steeped in esoteric religious beliefs, ostensibly ''Freemasons,'' but other groups as well including the Thule Society and the Jesuits.
- During the 1980s, the White House became a center for occult worship, the Reagan's followers of astrology and the Bush family tied to Dominionism, a heretical Judeo-Christian death cult that deeply infiltrated the military service academies and eventually took over America's nuclear command structure.
- It is the removal of these ''Dominionists'' that we hear about as ''discipline failures'' among every rank of America's nuclear forces.
- In and around Washington, the ''party circuit'' long known for ''special guests only'' debauchery, typically cocaine and prostitutes became something quite different. For those invited ''upstairs,'' it was no longer an orgy but something darker and endlessly stranger, closely resembling scenes from director Stanley Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide Shut.
- The rumors, far more reliable than conspiracy theories, told of ''prayer breakfasts'' and ''Christian Evangelical'' functions featuring satanic rituals, institutionalized child abuse and even human sacrifice.
- In 2013, word leaked out of an upcoming child sacrifice to be held in Denver, Colorado on the Summer Solstice, an event that was to include key Washington powerbrokers and America's financial elite.
- The story, when published, was seen as wild conjecture until, two days prior to the ''event,'' police stopped the kidnapping of a two year old in Oklahoma City, a few hours' drive away. Prior to be killed in a shootout with police, the kidnapper admitted the child had been taken for a satanic sacrifice to be held on the Summer Solstice, as was reported two weeks before.
- ''According to an affidavit for a search warrant, Wallace (the suspected kidnapper) began speaking about the Illuminati, a satanic cult, while holding the girl and pointing at knife at her. Police say they quickly did some research and learned June 21 is a day of human sacrifice for the Illuminati.''
- ''Something old, with something new''
- In 1985, NATO military intelligence officers working on war plans for the middle east, part of the 26 plan set intended to cover every imaginable contingency, were approached about including Gladio into their tactical operations response scenarios.
- Gladio had already been credited with terrorist acts including the 1978 kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, the then Prime Minister of Italy.
- Even then, the US Army had no difficulty in asking that an established terror organization be included as a ''force multiplier'' in military operations.
- However, field commanders refused to share classified information with terrorists and the idea was scrapped. A year later, Gladio killed a number of American soldiers in a Berlin terror bombing. A year after that, they downed a TWA airliner over Scotland.
- Since that time, they have been implicated in dozens of terror operations, many within the United States, a considerable level of activity for an organization of ''ghosts.''
- ________________________________
- Recent reports from the Ukraine have again resurrected Gladio. Armed groups that have been tasked with escalating violence have been identified as part of the ''P2'' organization, the original group of Swiss and Italian Freemasons found responsible for the ''Years of Lead'' terror offensive in Italy.
- In 1990, the European Parliament called for a comprehensive investigation of Gladio, citing it as a terrorist group run by intelligence agencies tasked with intimidating and interfering with European governments.
- 24 years later, they are alive and well, intimidating and interfering in the Ukraine while the 1990 investigation has yet to get off the ground.
- Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues. He's a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today, especially for the online magazine ''New Eastern Outlook''.
- _______________________________
- Related Posts:Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=290731
- The views expressed herein are the views of the author exclusively and not necessarily the views of VT or any other VT authors, affiliates, advertisers, sponsors or partners. Legal NoticePosted by Gordon Duff on Mar 7 2014, With 0 Reads, Filed under Editor, WarZone. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
- To post, we ask that you login using Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail in the box below.Don't have a social network account? Register and Login direct with VT and post.Before you post, read our Comment Policy - Feedback
-
- US, European Union impose sanctions against Russia
- By Alex Lantier7 March 2014Western powers ratcheted up sanctions against Russia Thursday, while the US mounts a major military buildup in Eastern Europe.
- The immediate pretext for sanctions from both the US and Europe was the vote in the regional parliament of the Crimean Peninsula to prepare secession from Ukraine and association to Russia, subject to a popular referendum later this month. Russian-backed forces have taken over the strategic peninsula, which hosts a major Russian naval base at Sevastopol and where most of the population is Russian speaking.
- Installed by a Western-backed, fascist-led putsch on February 22, the Kiev regime faces broad hostility in more pro-Russian parts of the country. Its first act was to eliminate Russian as an official language in Ukraine.
- Thursday morning, as European Union (EU) officials prepared to meet to discuss actions against Russia, US President Barack Obama unilaterally issued an executive order authorizing sanctions and visa bans against Russian officials. Later yesterday, EU officials announced a similar, three-step plan for sanctions on Russia, echoing Obama's arguments.
- Obama's order described Russian actions in Crimea as ''an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.'' Obama's message to Congress announcing the executive order said it would target ''persons'--including persons who have asserted governmental authority in the Crimean region without the authorization of the government of Ukraine'--who undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine.''
- In a press statement later in the day, Obama added, ''The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law. Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine.'' He added, ''In 2014, we're well past the days when borders can be drawn over the heads of democratic leaders.''
- Like every statement coming from top US officials, and parroted in the media, these statements reek of hypocrisy and are full of contradictions. In fact, it is Washington and its allies who are trampling on the Ukrainian constitution, backing a right-wing regime they helped install via an extra-legal putsch. If anyone should be detained and their fortunes seized because they were ''destabilizing Ukraine'' and violating its constitution, it is top officials in Washington and the European capitals.
- And in criticizing ''borders'...drawn over the heads of democratic leaders,'' Obama spoke as the chief executive of a state that has been engaged in endless war and has elevated the violation of national sovereignty to a principal of foreign policy. Western powers themselves unilaterally redrew the borders of a European country, Yugoslavia'--separating Kosovo from Serbia and declaring it independent in a move aimed at undermining Serbian and Russian influence in the Balkans.
- More broadly, Washington and the EU reserve the right to occupy other countries and carry out drone murder in violation of the sovereignty of countries across the Middle East and Africa.
- Obama's reference to ''legitimate'' and ''democratic'' government is used in reference to a government that is based on right-wing and anti-Semitic forces like the Right Sector militia and the Svoboda party, which have praised Ukrainian SS units who carried out the Holocaust during World War II.
- The reliance of the US and European operation on fascistic forces was revealed in the EU negotiations over sanctions. During the discussions, Eastern European regimes such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Baltic states pressed for harsher terms against Russia. A proposal emerged to call for ''quick steps towards the dissolution of any paramilitary structures'''-- a demand aimed at pro-Russian self-defense groups in Crimea.
- However, this demand was dropped, Britain's Daily Telegraph noted, ''because it would also apply to Kiev groups, particularly the far-right nationalist groups that are the backbone of the new government here.''
- Washington is also deepening its military buildup against Russia in Eastern Europe. US officials announced Thursday that they would send 12 F-16 fighters to Poland and the guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun to the Black Sea, which borders Ukraine and Russia. According to US Navy web sites, the Truxtun is part of the battle group of the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, which recently arrived in the region.
- Moscow responded with massive air defense drills in Western Russia. Military spokesman Colonel Oleg Kochtkov called it the ''largest-ever exercise'' by air defense units in the region.
- Western powers are also dispatching military observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to Ukraine, trying to send them into the Crimea.
- Washington and the EU are embarking on an unprecedented confrontation with Russia, aimed at forcing a humiliating Russian climb-down in Ukraine, discrediting President Vladimir Putin's regime, and undermining Russian influence in the region.
- Media portrayals of this policy as motivated by the Western powers' alleged love of democracy are lies. It is bound up with the concerns of imperialism. These include Russia's role as an obstacle to US war plans, such as its plans to attack Syria last September, and its decision to grant asylum to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden after he exposed unconstitutional mass spying on the people by US and European spy agencies.
- A media silence prevails on the significance of the Sevastopol base, which Kiev is now trying to seize from the local Crimean authorities and place under Western control. It played a key role in Russian naval deployments to the Mediterranean during last year's Syrian war scare.
- As they stir up military tensions at the heart of Europe and threaten to cut off Russia's $2 trillion economy from world markets, the imperialist powers are apparently calculating that the Russian ruling elite will ultimately back down. Later on Thursday, Obama had a telephone call with Putin in which he outlined a deal that would involve the pullback of Russian troops and the installation of international monitors in Crimea.
- Having seen one unpopular post-Soviet regime collapse in Ukraine, they anticipate that personal concerns of Russian oligarchs desperate to save their bank accounts in London and Zurich will again trump everything and everyone else.
- The reaction of Russia in Crimea was anticipated by US officials and has been used to immensely intensify tensions against the nuclear power. There is at least a section of the ruling class that is clearly prepared for war.
- By moving towards an all-out clash with Russia, moreover, the US and European powers are risking vast unintended consequences and economic, military, and political shocks.
- Economic commentators underlined that a policy of sanctions with Russia threatens to shut down large portions of the European economy, which relies on Russia as a key source of oil and gas. An anonymous US official remarked, ''Russia is now a two-trillion-dollar economy, if you're going to sanction them across the board, you have to be very careful not to kill yourself while doing it.''
- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
-
- The crisis in Ukraine and the dissolution of the Soviet Union
- 7 March 2014It is becoming clearer every day that the United States and Germany instigated the crisis in Ukraine, installing a right-wing nationalist regime completely subservient to Washington and NATO, with the intention of provoking a confrontation with Russia.
- On Thursday, the Obama administration brushed aside conciliatory talk from Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced an initial round of sanctions, pushing the European Union to announce its own sanctions later in the day. Meanwhile, American warplanes have been dispatched to the Baltics and US warships have entered the Black Sea.
- In response to a unanimous vote by the Crimean parliament in favor of seceding from Ukraine and joining the Russian Federation and the setting of a referendum on secession for March 16, President Obama declared the holding of such a vote a violation of the Ukrainian Constitution and international law.
- As always'--and as has been the case throughout this crisis'--the statements of the US government are infused with hypocrisy. In 1992, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States pressed for the breakup of Yugoslavia. In 1999, it went to war against Serbia to secure the secession of the province of Kosovo. Washington's position on one or another issue is never determined by the principles of international law, but rather by its calculation of US geopolitical and economic interests.
- The question is now: how far is the US prepared to go in order to secure a victory over Russia in this confrontation? In a television interview, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power repeated Washington's ultimatum that Russia recognize the US-backed regime in Kiev, even as she warned that developments in Ukraine could ''go south.''
- So reckless is the warmongering of the US that even former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the most ruthless practitioner of imperialist power politics, is alarmed. He began an op-ed piece in Thursday's Washington Post by writing: ''Political discussion on Ukraine is all about confrontation. But do we know where we are going?''
- Washington's strategic playbook is all too clear: it made use of Ukrainian fascist ''demonstrators'' to topple the elected government of President Viktor Yanukovych and acquire unfettered control over the country. The Obama administration assumed that Putin would offer at least token resistance, if only to avoid an extreme loss of face.
- However, the US is not seeking a compromise with Russia. It wants Russia to make a humiliating climb-down, and is risking the outbreak of nuclear war in the process. The United States is demanding nothing less than Moscow's acceptance of a hostile Ukraine that will serve as a forward staging post for US and NATO military forces and intensified operations aimed at dismembering Russia.
- In part, the stance taken by Washington reflects anger over recent events, specifically Russian support for the Assad regime in Syria and the decision by Putin to provide asylum to National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. Both cases are viewed as an expression of Russia's refusal to accept unconditionally the global hegemony of the United States. Washington wants a sharp and permanent change in the relationship of forces between itself and Moscow.
- The Obama administration seems to be counting on Putin's willingness to back down in the face of the combined military and financial might of US and European imperialism. But the fact remains that it has provoked a crisis that could spiral into a military collision with catastrophic consequences. Even if nuclear war is averted in this instance, the events of the past week have demonstrated that a new world war, utilizing nuclear weapons, is not just a danger. It is an inevitability unless the working class intervenes to put an end to capitalism and imperialism.
- This situation, and the position in which Russia finds itself, fully confirm the catastrophic consequences of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The December, 1991 announcement by Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his Ukrainian and Belarusian counterparts Leonid Kravchuk and Stanislav Shushkevich of the dissolution of the USSR was the final act of treachery in decades of betrayal by the Stalinist bureaucracy of the October 1917 Revolution that created the workers' state and the socialist and internationalist program upon which the revolution was based.
- The bellicose propaganda in the Western media about Russian ''expansionism'' is absurd. Since the breakup of the USSR, vast portions of the former Soviet Union and all of its East Bloc allies have been brought into the orbit of US and European imperialism. The fate of Russia has confirmed the warnings of the Trotskyist movement that the dissolution of the Soviet Union would result in the transformation of post-Soviet Russia into an impoverished and despotic semi-colony of Western imperialism.
- Prior to the breakup of the USSR, the linchpin of Stalinist foreign policy was ''peaceful coexistence'' with imperialism. The Kremlin used all of its influence to suppress the international working class struggle against capitalism in return for an imperialist accommodation with the USSR.
- In the final years of its rule, as it completed its repudiation of whatever remained of the legacy of the October Revolution, the Kremlin bureaucracy under Gorbachev acted as if imperialism was a Marxist fiction. As they dismantled the Soviet Union, the bureaucrats peddled the illusion that a capitalist Russia would be allowed by the United States and its European NATO allies to live in peace, as the new Russian biznismen grew ever richer on the plundered wealth of the old USSR.
- But imperialism is not a fiction. It is a brutal reality, and its geopolitical and economic interests rule out peaceful coexistence with Russia. The opposition of the United States to the Soviet Union was based not only on the non-capitalist structure of the USSR. The United States could never reconcile itself to the fact that the Soviet Union, the creation of the October Revolution, deprived American imperialism of direct control over the vast natural and human resources of such an immense country. Even though the USSR no longer exists, the appetites of US and European imperialism remain.
- Thus, a weak capitalist Russia confronts the threats of American and European imperialism. Leading a regime that rests on an utterly corrupt elite'--which has deposited a substantial portion of its ill-gotten riches in US and European banks'--Putin relies on the reactionary mechanisms of military maneuvers and Great Russian chauvinism. Bereft of a coherent strategic vision'--let alone one that would find support beyond the borders of Russia'--he is looking for an avenue of retreat that will not leave his regime utterly humiliated and discredited. But it is not at all certain that the United States will ease the pressure, and the danger exists that the crisis may escalate out of control.
- In The Sleepwalkers, a recently published book on the July 1914 crisis that led to the outbreak of World War I, historian Christopher Clark calls attention to the recklessness of the European diplomats whose miscalculations produced a disaster. But compared to Obama and his European allies, the actors in the 1914 crisis seem almost models of restraint!
- Even if a way is found out of the present impasse, it will be only of short duration. Another crisis will soon follow. The crisis of February-March 2014 should leave no doubt that the imperialist system must lead to war. The only means by which this can be prevented is through the unification of the international working class in the struggle for socialism.
- Peter Schwarz and David North
- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
-
- Report: American Lobbyist Interviewing Ukraine Presidential Candidiates
- Welcome to the theater of the crony controlled absurd.From the very well connected Roger Stone:
- Paul Manafort reportedly operating out of a Five-Star Hotel in Kiev -interviewing Presidential candidates #Ukraine'-- Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) March 7, 2014
- According to Wikipedia, Manafort is an American lobbyist and political consultant. A former adviser to the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush, Bob Dole, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford, he is a senior partner in the firm Davis, Manafort and Freedman.
- DMF does not appear to have a web page. According to SourceWatch, DMF is a Registered Foreign Agent for "Federal Republic of Nigeria".
-
- Six US Warplanes En Route to Baltics
- Following up on yesterday's promise of more deployments to the region, the United States has sent six F-15 fighter planes to the Baltic States for NATO air patrols.
- Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas confirmed the deployments, saying they were a response not just to Ukraine but to ''additional military activity in the Kaliningrad region.''
- Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic, formerly East Prussia. Olekas claimed significant increases in military operations there in the past four days, but exactly what form they took is unclear.
- Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said the deployment proved NATO is responding ''promptly and fast'' to the Ukraine situation, saying it underscored that ''Russia today is dangerous'' and needed to be countered militarily.
- Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
-
- China 'to rent five per cent of Ukraine' - Telegraph
- "This reminds us of a colonial process even when there is no colonial link between the two countries involved," said Christina Plank, co-author of a report by the Transnational Institute on "land-grabbing".
- With its current population of 1.36 billion predicted by the UN to rise to 1.4 billion by 2050, China is among the leading renter of overseas farmland in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, though the XPCC deal would make Ukraine China's largest overseas farming centre.
- China consumes about one-fifth of the world's food supplies, but is home to just nine per cent of the world's farmland, thanks in part to rapid industrialisation.
- "As urbanisation speeds up, consumption has led to greater food demand and domestic grain prices have stayed above global prices," Ding Li, a senior researcher in agriculture at Anbound Consulting in Beijing, told the South China Morning Post. "Therefore, China has been importing more and more grain."
- Apart from China, India, South Korea, the Gulf states and western European corporations began taking tracts of land, especially in Africa, after global food prices spiked in 2008.
- XPCC however is making the first such major foray into continental Europe. It has a country that has the largest land area in the continent and was known as the "bread basket as the Soviet Union" but which has progressed slowly since the fall of the Iron Curtain.
- "The special thing about Ukraine is that there is so much land and so much food left, so there is not a danger of shortage. They already export a lot of grain that they cannot consume on their own," said Ms Plank.
- Campaigners are however concerned about major land deals pushing smaller farmers off the land, causing unemployment and blocking long-term rural development.
- The Dnipropetrovsk transaction comes with considerable side benefits for the region. The Chinese firm said it would help build a motorway in the Crimea and a bridge across the Strait of Kerch to connect the Crimea with the Taman peninsula in Russia.
- Cultivation methods in the area controlled by the Chinese would be modernised.
- "On the one hand you can say this is good because you have these technological innovations and more efficient production, but then you have got to ask 'is it sustainable'?" said Ms Plank.
-
- Gas Euro / Petro Dollar
-
- Pricing
- Taking world gas prices of today, which are massively distorted by
- region and nearly always underpriced relative to oil, current European
- gas prices around $11 per million BTU are equivalent to oil at about
- $63 per barrel. As we know, due to the USA's stampede into shale gas,
- prices in the US (although rising) are less than one-half European gas
- prices, while Asian gas prices are the highest at close to the oil
- price (about $16 per million BTU).
- Recycling between Russia and Germany of Gas and Euros
- The European Union, and especially Germany run a major trade surplus
- with Russia. Supplying petroeuros and gaseuros to Russia enables it to
- It finances deficits EU wide
- Russia uses Gas Euro's to purchase EU products and services
- US keeps cheap gas to produce cheaper goods to sell to EU
- Could this be a play to devalue the Euro?
- Control EU at the very least!
-
- F-Russia
-
- Pussy Riot members burned with chemicals and beaten in 'organized' McDonald's attack | The Raw Story
- By Agence France-PresseThursday, March 6, 2014 13:37 EST
- Two members of Pussy Riot were left with chemical burns and head injuries after they were attacked by youths in a branch of McDonald's, the group said Thursday.
- Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were left covered in green stains after ''an organised group'' of young men attacked them with antiseptic, pepper spray and weapons, Tolokonnikova's husband Pyotr Verzilov said in an e-mail to AFP.
- A video released by Pussy Riot showed six young men wearing patriotic Russian symbols shouting obscenities at the women while videoing the action in a branch of the fast-food chain in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod.
- One held up a placard saying: ''Dirty whores, get out of the city.''
- Pussy Riot's lawyer Yevgeny Gubin told Interfax that the attackers also ''threw metal objects'' at the women.
- This isn't the first time members of the anti-government protest group have been attacked since they were released from two-year prison sentences for hooliganism in December.
- They were whipped by Cossacks and questioned by police over allegations of theft in Sochi during the Winter Olympics, according to a video shot by the group.
- Tolokonnikova posted doctors' statements on Twitter saying she suffered chemical burns to her eyes, face and hands from the attack on Thursday.
- Alyokhina said she required stitches for scratches on her forehead and suffered concussion.
- ''At 7:20am (0320 GMT), an organised group barged into the McDonald's where members of Pussy Riot with their crew were having breakfast and attacked them with pepper spray, green antiseptic and other weapons,'' Verzilov said.
- Police were investigating the incident, the Interfax news agency reported.
- The women were detained in Moscow last week at a protest against the jailing of anti-Putin activists over street clashes in 2012.
- AFP journalists cover wars, conflicts, politics, science, health, the environment, technology, fashion, entertainment, the offbeat, sports and a whole lot more in text, photographs, video, graphics and online.
-
- putain translation English | French dictionary | Reverso
- (juron) ce putain de ..., cette putain de ... this bloody (Grande-Bretagne) * ..., this goddamn (USA) * ...
- excl (pour exprimer sa surprise, son admiration ou son contentement) damn it! * Putain tu m'as fait peur! Damn it, you scared me! Putain qu'il joue bien Zizou! Damn it, he plays well that Zizou!, He plays bloody well that Zizou! putain qu'elle est bonne ta soupe! Your soup is bloody good!
- Collaborative Dictionary French-Englishn.
- 1. whore, prostitute, bitch! 2. damn it! fuck! (slang) (interjection)
- putain qu'elle est bonne ta soupe!
- Your soup is bloody good!
- Putain qu'il joue bien Zizou!
- He plays bloody well that Zizou!
- Putain qu'il joue bien Zizou!
- Damn it, he plays well that Zizou!
- Putain tu m'as fait peur!
- 'putain' also found in translations in English-French dictionaryn.
- remarquable, sacr(C), putain de...
- mince alors ; nom de dieu ; merde ; putain de merde
- tu vas fermer ta putain de gueule
- what the fuck does he want?
- qu'est-ce qu'il veut (bordel)? que peut-il bien vouloir? putain, qu'est-ce qu'il veut ?
- To add entries to your own vocabulary, become a member of Reverso community or login if you are already a member.It's easy and only takes a few seconds: results in context below >> see more"Collins English French Electronic Dictionary (C) HarperCollins Publishers 2005"
-
- Pussy Riot Attacked at McDonald's in Russia
- Moscow TimesPussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina have been attacked by five young men at a McDonald's in Nizhny Novgorod on Thursday.
- The unknown attackers threw metal objects at the women as they were eating, leaving Alyokhina with ''a cut to her forehead,'' their lawyer said, Interfax reported.
- Furthermore, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina sustained injuries to their eyes after an unidentified liquid was thrown in their faces.
- Video footage of the attack posted on YouTube shows the young men scuffling with the Pussy Riot members and hurling profane insults at them. A voice can be held in the background pleading for a McDonald's security guard to intervene.Read more
-
- Common Core
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Chicagoland Emmanuel charter schools
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ::. The Gates Millennium Scholars .::
- THE GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARS PROGRAM The deadline for the 2014 GMS Online Application process was Wednesday, January 15, 2014. The database is now closed. Please note that application forms that were submitted online by 11:59 p.m. EST January 15, 2014 are currently being processed and we will not be able to provide status updates. Students who submitted their application by the deadline will begin to receive notification in March 2014.The selection and notification processes are as follows: ' February 2014, independent readers will complete an individualized reading and scoring assessment of eligible students in three major areas: o academic achievement, o community service, and o leadership potential ' March 2014, students will be notified and informed if they are selected as a finalist or not selected. ' Finalists will be notified if they are selected as Gates Millennium Scholars or not selected by mid-April 2014. All selected Gates Scholars will be notified no later than May 1, 2014.
- Thank you for your interest in the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.
- Please always refer to this site for official GMS information and timelines (including the application deadline).The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program selects 1,000 talented students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. We provide Gates Millennium Scholars with personal and professional development through our leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career. For a complete listing of the 1,000 incoming Gates Scholars and to "meet" some of them in their local news, click on the
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- COMMON CORE-Billionaires co-opt minority groups into campaign for education reform
- On the march against big business. Light Brigading, CC BY-NCUnder the mantra of civil rights, billionaires such as Eli Broad, Bill Gates and the Koch Brothers and the powerful corporate-funded lobby group the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) are using venture philanthropy and the political process to press for school reforms in the United States.
- The ongoing Vergara law case in California in which nine students are suing the state over teacher tenure laws, is backed by Student Matters, a non-profit that has received donations from the Broad Foundation and the Walton Foundation, run by the Walton family that founded supermarket chain Wal-Mart.
- The driver behind the case is a campaign to loosen labour rules in order to make it easier to fire ''bad'' teachers, under the argument that their presence discriminates against disadvantaged children. Opponents of the case argue that it is a blatant attempt to change the conversation from the realities of California's divestment in education '-- the state is 46th in the nation in spending per student in 2010-11, and 50th in the number of students per teacher.
- What these organisations and other others such as the the Koch brothers, Bradley Foundation, Heritage Foundation, Students First and Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education '' all supposedly supporters of school reform '' have as a common denominator is a vision of a profit-based market approach to education.
- School vouchers are one of the primary education reform policy approaches pressed by the billionaires and the business lobby. Voucher programs, which provide public funding for students to attend private schools, have become more popular in the US in the past several decades.
- Most existing school voucher programs in the US have been small-scale and targeted at low-income students, such as the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, and the Washington DC program. But there has recently been a push to expand programs to include students from middle income families.
- Notably, a small, but vocal cadre of civil rights advocates from US minority groups have allied with the billionaires and business lobby via groups such as the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), pushing for school vouchers and other neoliberal education reforms.
- Have they been hoodwinked or led astray? It is understandable that minority groups are searching for alternatives to the status quo, as the US has a history of consistently and puposefully underserving students of colour. In fact, we still do. For example, one wealthy suburban district in Texas recently spent nearly $120m on a football stadium and performing arts centre, while poorer districts have struggled to afford adequately trained and certified teachers.
- School reform advocates in the US are often a motley alliance between civil rights proponents whose primary focus is greater opportunity for historically underserved students of colour, and neo-liberals who desire to reduce the role of the state in public education and shift the education system towards a profit-making enterprise.
- Vouchers aren't the answerIn the case of vouchers, the long-term impact on civil rights is already known. A decade of peer-reviewed research in Chile has demonstrated that a voucher market has increased inequality for students living in poverty and closed public schools.
- A voucher approach escalates inequality because capital rules the day. Test scores become negotiable capital in addition to hard currency. Students without this capital are denied access to attractive schools because there are other individuals in the market that are more desirable to schools.
- School choice becomes exactly that in a voucher system '-- schools choose. So, if you are a proponent of school ''choice'' and interested in civil rights and equity '--- vouchers will not help you realise your goals. But if you are a neoliberal, you are in business.
- How can we conceive choice and education reform differently? If you don't like the choices that have been forced upon you for decades, then you are going to want access to alternatives. Are vouchers the choice parents should have? Turns out that vouchers show very little promise in analyses of peer-reviewed research literature for improving student success or equity at large.
- However, there are gold standard reforms in the peer-reviewed research literature that show at much more impact on student success than vouchers. These include full-day pre-kindergarten education. Underserved communities should have access to empirically-supported choices rather than ideological ones. Parents in Milwaukee and elsewhere should also be able to choose schools that are attractive and well-resourced like the private and public schools across the tracks or river or highway. Why don't US high-poverty communities have these choices?
- Pressure on public school fundingIn Florida, Ohio, Arizona, Texas we have seen billions of dollars in fiscal cuts to schools while school vouchers, Teach For America, and charter schools are peddled by ALEC and the usual billionaire proponents as an alternative to the restoration of school funding for public schools.
- In Texas and elsewhere, legislatures have used politics to force inadequate funding of US public schools while at the same time arguing that the schools are inadequate. The response from coalitions of citizens across the US has been a slew of lawsuits aimed at states over inadequate public funding to force politicians to respond.
- Colin Powell once said, ''If you break it you own it.'' That's the end game for these education ''reformers'' backed by billionaires and corporations. First, they seek to transfer the cost of education from the state budget to the family, household budget. Second, civil rights and equity are not their true priorities.
- Instead these special interests are supporting vouchers and other neoliberal reforms contrary to the interests of students of colour. In doing so they will shift the US education system to maximise corporate profits, while limiting democratic control of public schools.
- These same billionaire ''reformers'' have co-opted the equity discourse by offering a carrot to minority groups. This can sometimes be in the form of millions of dollars as in the case of the Black Alliance for Educational Options and Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina. But all this hides the inequity that profit-based approaches to education foment.
- Sign in to Favourite Post a CommentTagsUSA, education equity, Lobbying, US education, education inequity
- Related articles 7 March 2014 Social class affects school achievement less than you think 5 March 2014 Moving 'quality' teachers between schools will not help disadvantaged children 3 March 2014 Why poor kids continue to do poorly in the education game 19 February 2014 No end in sight as Syria misery spreads across region 19 February 2014 Syrians suffer as world plays politics with humanitarian aid
-
- If Anything, Common Core Teaches Kids to Hate the Constitution
- One of the fairy tales central-planning lovers spin about Common Core K-12 curriculum and testing mandates is that they will ''reinvigorate[e] the democratic purpose of public education.''
- He lauds the ''commitment in the Common Core to the democratic mission of public schools.'' When liberals are suddenly super-excited about teaching the Constitution, it's time to raise the suspicious flag, especially from someone who doesn't seem to realize that it deliberately restrains our country from operating as a democracy. (For the record, Wiener describes the United States as a democracy 12 times and never anything else. He must have never read about ancient Athens'--and neither will kids at Common Core's behest.)
- Should conservatives get equally giddy over Common Core's ''once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine and reprioritize the special role that schools play in preparing students for active civic participation''? Not unless we like perpetuating public schools as recruitment centers for leftist ground troops.
- To borrow a metaphor that my farmer father used when we kids were trying to convince him to let us watch a movie or read a book he thought was destructive to our minds and morals: ''If I made delicious brownies and just put a bit of manure in it, would you eat it?'' In this case, it's more like serving kids a steaming pile of manure with brownie inside somewhere'--Common Core, of course, being the poo and our founding documents being the brownies. We can get kids to read things they should in school without also forcing them to endure the mediocre-quality education Common Core perpetuates, which will not prepare students for a four-year college or a STEM career. If we agree that people make better citizens with a good education, we have to insist kids get the best we can offer them, which even according to Common Core supporters are the standards of California, Indiana, and Massachusetts, which academically trump Common Core.
- Further, Wiener either in ignorance or deliberately he does not mention in what context Common Core would have children read our founding documents. Fortunately for informed debate, Hillsdale College history professor Dr. Terrence Moore has thoroughly examined Common Core's mandates in this regard, and they are shocking. ''The texts have been artfully selected to convey a particular bias against the Founding Fathers,'' the former Marine lieutenant writes in his recent book, The Story-Killers. He notes that the first mention of the Constitution is in middle school, and Common Core only recommends that students read the Preamble and First Amendment. From the chapter entitled ''Superficiality and Bias'':
- The Common Core authors apparently do not think that middle school students, even eighth graders, can handle the Constitution as a whole. So they recommend the Preamble, which, of course, could have already been memorized by fourth graders'....As a point of comparison, the Core Knowledge Sequence, a well-known K-8 curriculum put out by the Core Knowledge Foundation, requires eighth graders to study the entire Constitution'...the entire Bill of Rights and Amendments 13 and 19, and the Marbury v. Madison decision.
- While the Preamble and First Amendment are listed at the top of [Common Core's] list of 6th-8th informational texts, a modern book called Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution by Linda R. Monk is listed below'...On page 95 of Appendix B, where a selection is given from Monk's guide, we find what the Common Core authors want students to think about the Constitution: ''...For a sense of the evolving nature of the Constitution, we need look no further than the first three words of the document's preamble: ''We the People.'' When the Founding Fathers used this phrase in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America's citizens'...' [The quotation continues in this fashion.] So there you have it'--from the Supreme Court's 'first African American' justice. The Founding Fathers were misogynists and racists. Thus, the nature of the Constitution must be 'evolving.'
- Moore goes on to show how Monk's work is a biased liberal hatchet job against history and how Common Core repeats this exercise later when recommending another similar work to interpret the Bill of Rights for students, which essentially rips into the founders for ''hypocrisy, deception, and racism.'' See more here. No contrary interpretation of these founding documents is recommended by Common Core, not even the careful vindication of Abraham Lincoln some decades later. So, yes, Common Core requires kids to read the Constitution et al, but in a manner that will predispose impressionable children against it. So that's why ''conservatives'' like Jeb Bush and Mike Huckabee support Common Core, right? Like other folks, they continue to project their curricular fantasies onto Common Core rather than reading what it actually says.
- Wiener also makes a number of high-minded, conservative-sounding but empty statements about ''educating young people for citizenship'' and ''studying seminal documents of our democracy,'' but no matter how you dress it up, poop is still poop and my kids ain't eating it.
- Joy Pullmann is an education research fellow at The Heartland Institute and a 2013 Robert Novak journalism fellow for in-depth reporting on Common Core.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Elite$
-
- GeenStijl : Nucleaire Top cleansweept Nederland van de kaart
- Noord-Koreaanse toestanden in NL tijdens Nucleaire Top (NSS) eind maart. Terwijl de NOS zit te vingerwappen naar de gemene Poetin die de lieftallige Oekrainoos van hun Krim afhelpt, slaan de oligarchen hier in Nederland meedogenloos toe en pikken ons halve land in. Heel dat blauwe gebied rond Schiphol is een NO GO AREA geworden van 22 t/m 26 maart, omdat er een paar (58) *kuch* wereldleiders naar ons land komen. Officieel heet het dat je niet mag vliegtuigspotten met een telelens. Maar de praktijk is dat iedereen met een smartphone of een pen met een lampje van de straat kan worden geplukt door de Berkut Politie van de Bilderberg Groep. Lees deze NOODVERORDENING eens goed en huiver. De vorige keer dat we een dergelijke huishoudelijke mededeling van de overheid kregen, stond er BEKENDMAKING boven. Heel dit land gaat middeleeuws om de Strafbaarstelling Illegaliteit of als er een uitgeprocedeerd leukemie-patientje op het vliegtuig naar huis moet. Maar nu horen we maar weinig over burgerrechten. Goed, het was al bekend dat er verregaand security gezeik zou komen. Bedrijven kunnen hun deuren sluiten. Burgers in heel NL ernstig in gevaar omdat elke NL-pliesie naar regio Schiphol/Den Haag is gedirigeerd. Luchtafweer in Den Haag (lol). Had u trouwens deze officile NO FLY ZONE kaart van NL (pdf) al gezien? Zelfs kindertjes van 5 met een ballon en/of vlieger met een touwtje langer dan 3 meter in de buurt van Leeuwarden of Eindhoven zijn al potentile terreurverdachten tijdens de top. Mag dit allemaal maar zo, GeenStijl? Eh... nee. Maar ze doen het toch. Fok jullie NL burgers, en na de 26ste maart kijken we wel verder, landsadvocaten genoeg. Juridisch stinkt dit zaakje als een topambtenaar in een jongetjesbordeel. Nu we het toch over stiekeme neuqseks hebben. Wist u dat escortbureaux in 020 en Den Haag en omstreken een speciale geheimhoudingsverklaring hebben moeten tekenen? Kortom, heel NL wordt genaaid, maar u krijgt er geen geld voor. (h/t)
- Pritt Stift | 08-03-14 | 09:31 | Link | Reageer ookJe bent ingelogd als: (Uitloggen)
- Probeer trouwens eens de totaal officieuze niet-ondersteunde third-party GeenStijl extension die compleet niet door ons ondersteund wordt en volledig op eigen risico is.
- Je bent niet ingelogd, klik hier om dat wel te doen: login of doe een CookieSync.
-
- Je moet toch wat, tussen het vergaderen door - BNR Nieuwsradio
- Meer hieroverPolitie mag fouilleren vanwege nucleaire top
- Nederland gaat op slot tijdens nucleaire top
- De Nuclear Security Summit wordt op 24 en 25 maart gehouden in Den Haag. En dat merkt Marike van der Velden, eigenaar van escortbureau Society Service. ''Het is bijzonder druk in die periode.''
- Het is natuurlijk niet altijd met zekerheid vast te stellen dat boekingen met de top te maken hebben, maar er is wel sprake van een uitzonderlijke situatie, zegt Van der Velden. ''Doorgaans wordt er bij onze escortservice tussen de twee en acht dagen vooruit geboekt. Nu zien we dat de boekingen al weken van tevoren geplaatst worden.''
- Ook, zegt ze, wordt geregeld specifiek gevraagd om discretie; ook dat is ongebruikelijk. ''Wij zijn natuurlijk als bedrijf altijd discreet richting onze clinten, maar het is niet standaard dat er van tevoren geheimhoudingsovereenkomsten getekend worden. Dat gebeurt in dit geval wel.''
- KwaliteitDe extra drukte is voor Society Service geen reden om nog snel even extra dames aan te nemen. ''Als wij zijn volgeboekt, dan zijn wij volgeboekt. Ik ga niet hiervoor ineens met spoed nieuwe dames aannemen, want dan ben ik een beetje bang dat dat ten koste gaat van de kwaliteit'', zegt Van der Velden.
- Den Haag ontvangt tijdens de top bijna 60 wereldleiders en duizenden delegatieleden en journalisten.
- Rutte verwacht geen militair conflict met Rusland
- ''t Zonnetje is onze koopman'
- Opnieuw zeldzame pelikaan gespot
- Freddy, who's your granddaddy?
- Trouwen voor 1 dag: wel de lusten, niet de lasten
- Ballonnen voor jarige Opstelten
- 'Achterneefjes' pieper en tomaat trekken voortaan samen op
- Australir overleeft 4 weken in jungle
- Goed geslapen? Dat denk je maar
- Robot kletst in de ruimte
-
- EUROLand
-
- Spain on alert, decade after train bombings - The Local
- Published: 09 Mar 2014 11:21 GMT+01:00Updated: 09 Mar 2014 11:21 GMT+01:00
- A decade since the deadly Al-Qaeda-inspired train bombings in Madrid, Spain stands on alert against growing numbers of Islamist "lone wolves" willing to launch fresh attacks, officials say.
- The ranks of young radical Islamists in Spain have swelled, recruited for jihad -- or holy war -- not in mosques but in Internet chat rooms and private houses, officials and experts say.
- Spanish courts sentenced 18 people for the bombings that killed 191 people on commuter trains heading for Madrid's Atocha station on March 11, 2004.
- The Spanish anti-terrorist service's level of alert has since remained at "a likely risk of attack", junior security minister Francisco Martinez told AFP.
- "That has not changed... but the number of jihadists has grown," he added. "Especially in certain areas, radicalisation has increased."
- A study by the Royal Elcano Institute, a Spanish research body, said 84 Islamists, all young men, were convicted for attack plots in Spain between 1996 and 2012, or died in relation to such attacks.
- Those who died were the seven chief suspects of the Madrid bombings, who committed suicide weeks afterwards. The convicts also included those seized in a failed plot in Barcelona in 2008.
- Most of these Islamists were first-generation immigrants from Algeria, Morocco or Pakistan.
- Increasingly, such suspects are being radicalized on the fringes of the Islamic world, not in the closely-watched mosques, said Fernando Reinares, a security specialist at the institute.
- "They tend to gather in small, marginal places of worship and in private homes," he said.
- This recent breed of extremists is marshalled not so much by Islamic clerics as by seasoned warriors, "charismatic individuals who have fought in Afghanistan, Bosnia or Chechnya", he said.
- The number of people arrested as suspected terrorists fell considerably after the year following the Madrid attacks.
- "After March 11, Spain was in a state of shock and judges were ready to authorize actions at the slightest indication," said Javier Jordan, a security expert at Granada University.
- Of the 500 suspected Islamic extremists arrested between 1995 and 2014, only 78 have been convicted.
- "Many of the people arrested then were freed for lack of proof," Jordan added. "The courts and the police are much more cautious now."
- In recent years, however, police have arrested several suspects that Spain's interior ministry has identified as a new breed of "lone wolf", self-radicalized online.
- That was the profile attributed to Mohamed Merah, who killed seven people in southern France in 2012. Authorities said he had visited the Spanish region of Catalonia five years earlier.
- Suspected Islamists arrested in the first few years after the Madrid attacks, up to 2009, "were more structured, in groups and in cells, but in the past few years a profile of isolated figures has emerged", said Martinez.
- Some of them "leave to wage jihad in conflict zones" such as Syria, he added.
- Last June Spanish police said officers in Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the northern tip of Morocco, busted a gang that recruited and indoctrinated young men and sent them to fight in Syria.
- The Elcano Institute in a report cited police intercepts of conversations between members of that network willing to "wage jihad at home", in Spain, if they returned from Syria.
- The institute's research indicates that between April 2012 and November 2013, some 20 Islamic extremists headed from Spain to fight in Syria's civil war.
- "The risk is that individuals with European passports who have taken part in jihadist activities in Syria return to their country of origin with the intention of carrying out what they call acts of jihad," Reinares said.
- Ryanair sacks staffer for eating sandwichA Spanish flight attendant has lost his case against the Irish low-cost airline after he was sacked by his employers ...
- 'Spain could be a world leader in solar power'If this charismatic German is successful, giant marbles could soon be powering our planet. Now he hopes to go into ...
- Mother who froze her babies faces 40 yearsA woman who allegedly killed and then froze two of her own babies is facing up to 40 years in ...
- Map fail: News show puts Germany in wrong spotA Spanish television station has been left with egg on its face after misplacing several European countries on a map ...
- Oscars fail: Spanish star in identity mix-upThe 2014 Oscars ceremony could be one to forget for Spanish actress Pen(C)lope Cruz after it emerged the US Academy ...
- How Barcelona is getting it wrong on cannabisThe number of so-called 'cannabis clubs' in Barcelona has exploded in recent years but some are worried a lack of ...
- 'Let migrants in, like Sweden did with Nazis'The controversial editor of Spanish right-wing newspaper La Raz"n has said "Spain should act like Sweden did during World War ...
- Businessmen baffled by mystery Dear Santa noteWhat happens when a young boy addresses his Christmas letter to the North Pole but it ends up in the ...
- Masked protesters mar key economy summitAngry demonstrators took to the streets in the Spanish city of Bilbao on Monday to protest the presence of an ...
- Video of brutal beating of teen girl shocks SpainFootage of a 14-year-old girl beating up a classmate because in her own words she "had good reason to" has ...
- The coast of Galicia. Photo: Wikimedia
- Like thousands of abandoned villages in Spain, A Barca -- with its 12 crumbling stone homes covered in moss and ivy -- is seeking a new owner to bring it back to life. READ () >>
- Barcelona slumped to their third defeat in seven league games as they lost away to relegation-threatened Valladolid 1-0 on Saturday. READ () >>
- A decade since the deadly Al-Qaeda-inspired train bombings in Madrid, Spain stands on alert against growing numbers of Islamist "lone wolves" willing to launch fresh attacks, officials say. READ () >>
- The town of Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Photo: Wikimedia
- A team of archaeologists in Argentina has pinpointed the location of the 1765 shipwreck of a Spanish merchant ship off the southern coast, officials said Saturday. READ () >>
- Photo: Javier Soriano/AFP
- Thousands rallied in Spanish cities on Saturday to mark International Women's Day with noisy demonstrations for equality at work and against the government's bid to curb abortion rights. READ () >>
- The Convent of Trinitarians in central Madrid, where Cervantes was buried in April 1616. Photo: AFP
- Four centuries after his death, Madrid has decided to finance a search for the remains of Spanish Golden Age writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of the emblematic Don Quixote of la Mancha. READ () >>
- A plane carrying Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy from Dublin to Madrid returned to the Irish capital on Friday shortly after takeoff because a warning light came on, officials said. READ () >>
- International Women's Day
- Can you name these three influential Spanish women? Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ElHormiguero/Flickr/YouTube
- From scientists to saints, the history of Spain is full of influential women. To mark International Women's Day, The Local has put together a list of women who have helped shaped the country. How many do you know? READ () >>
- A family pose as they celebrate Gibraltar's National Day in Gibraltar on September 10, 2013. File photo: Marcos Moreno/AFP
- The chief minister of Gibraltar has told top UK officials a possible UK exit from the European Union could see the diminutive territory disappear "economically from the map". READ () >>
- Wearing white masks, the protesters held a banner reading: "Our bodies! Our rights! Young, free, feminists! Photo: Arran
- Two daredevil protesters chained themselves to the facade of a Barcelona church on Friday morning to demonstrate against Spain's proposed new abortion law. READ () >>
-
- Italy's Renzi plans 10 billion euro cut to income tax: report
- ROMESat Mar 8, 2014 9:31am EST
- Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks during a news conference at the Government Palace in Tunis March 4, 2014.
- Credit: Reuters/Anis Mili
- ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government of Matteo Renzi will propose a 10 billion euro cut to income tax, daily newspaper La Repubblica reported on Saturday, without giving a source for the information.
- A spokeswoman for the prime minister would not confirm the report, but said that details of a reform plan would be released following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
- Renzi has pledged to introduce a range of reforms to kickstart an economy that grew a feeble 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of last year and has record 12.9 percent unemployment.
- But the 39-year-old must tread carefully to pursue growth without breaking European Union spending rules.
- The European Commission put Italy on its watch list last week due to its high public debt and weak competitiveness, meaning it will monitor reforms and could impose fines if they are not implemented.
- Renzi had previously promised a 10 billion euro cut to the tax wedge, the difference between what an employer pays and what a worker takes home, but had not clearly stated whether the reduction would come from income tax, social contributions or a regional tax on productive activities.
- On Friday a spokeswoman for European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn warned that regional development funds could not be used to pay for a tax wedge reduction.
- La Repubblica reported the income tax cut would be funded by 7-8 billion euros in spending cuts and the repatriation of funds from Switzerland.
- Italy, which suffers from rampant tax evasion, has been in talks with its neighbor over disclosure of Italian savers' holdings in Swiss banks.
- Renzi, who became prime minister after ousting his predecessor Enrico Letta in a party coup last month, has struggled to make headway on the first of his promised reforms, to change the electoral law to end the fragile majorities that have hindered lawmaking in the past.
- The bill, which has been held up by debate on amendments, may only apply to the lower house of parliament, after the party of Silvio Berlusconi said it would back an amendment that would exempt the Senate from the changes.
- Renzi said the Senate would be abolished within a year anyway.
- (Reporting by Naomi O'Leary; Editing by Rosalind Russell)
- Link thisShare thisDigg thisEmailPrintReprints
-
- Italian excessive economic imbalances, let's talk about homework
- On Thursday, the European Commission published its In-Depth Reviews, as part of the 2014 cycle of the European Semester. The analysis concluded that Italy has excessive economic imbalances. Reactions from Rome were immediate: the new Prime Minister Renzi responded with the 134 characters of twitter. The Italian Economic and Finance Ministry elaborated a bit more than the Twitter message, issuing a press release. Both the tweet and the Press Release do not try to deny or put forward a different analysis, but rather recognizes the figures and 'rides the wave', repeating the reform mantra. Good sign, but not enough.
- Let's take a step back, and take a glance at the Commission's analysis. Rehn stated that Italian excessive economic imbalances are due to public debt and scarce competitiveness. Regarding the former, it is no surprise that Italian debts (139% in Q3 2013) is persisting and prohibits investments; as for the latter, deep-rooted inefficiencies hinder competitiveness. Therefore, the Commission calls for the Italian government to enact swift structural measures. If the Commission's analysis seems impeccable, two elements can be added for the bigger picture. The first is that, if the public debt is not decreasing, this is also due to the contribution to the EU finance assistance programmes and the recent release from public administration of due payments to private entities, as the Italian Economy Ministry stated in its Press Release. And the latter measure was actually approved and welcomed by the European Commission itself. As a second element, I find it interesting to note that the markets seem to have recovered some confidence in the country and the infamous spread (to German bonds) seems to confirm the tendency.
- Thus, if the Commission is well consulted on the Italian accounts as well as related measures, and if its concerns do not come from the markets, Olli Rehn's words are to be interpreted beyond the economic analysis, as a political pressing. This, from the eyes of an Italian citizen, is something to be generally welcomed considering the usual clumsiness of Italian public policies. However, Rehn was probably more scared from the rumours in Rome that Renzi's measures will lead to breach the (also quite infamous) stability and growth pacts criteria.
- From rumours to announcements, the ones made by Renzi, when receiving the vote of confidence from the parliament, are quoted in the Ministry statement as proof that the Italian Government is fully in line with the Commission's recommendation to tackle the two issues of competitiveness and public debt. In its press release, the ministry concludes that the competitiveness of Italian economy remains hindered by high taxation on labour cost, ''a problem which the Government is going to face with determination''. The Italian ''Job Act'' is expected to be proposed by Renzi in the next 10 days. A ''double figures cut'' of taxation on workers and companies along with the introduction of more flexibility via contracts with progressive safeguards are the main measures anticipated. Regarding the debt, the ministry seems to aim at reducing the ratio by increasing growth, rather than cutting expenditure.
- However, these announcements seem to fall short of a figures-check and to crumble against the economic analysis. Time has come for the Italian government to conjugate the big principles proclaimed so far in expenditure and revenue voices. The new Minister of Economy, Padoan, has surely all the necessary experience and international credibility to put forward well-calibrated proposals. But again, this is just not enough. Those proposals will need to be backed by the same political parties in the parliament that kept alive the former government of Mr. Letta ''who was indeed replaced by Renzi due to Letta's 'incapacity to reform'.
- No easy task. Last night Renzi ''who attended, in Brussels, his first European Council meeting, dedicated to Ukraine- commented that Italy does not go to the EU to take its homework home. Maybe. Even hopefully. But surely the Italians, and Europeans, need to be told how Italy is going to do its homework. Detailing how Italy will get this done may result in increased confidence (and maybe less stringency on accounts) in Brussels as well as in the markets. And perhaps, the declarations from Rehn could be used by Renzi as pressure on its Parliamentary majority to swiftly sign up for that homework.
- Andrea GentiliI always dreamed to be a journalist, novelist, poet, a storyteller'... so why am I working on EU Affairs?! Well, I guess to accrue stories. My own story started below the Alps, in Bergamo, sprouted next to the (European) column of Hercules, Seville, and led me to Brussels, via Maastricht. There, I studied European Public Affairs and worked as Communications Associate for an NGO, Empower European University (the name announces the aim). Studying interest representation made me eager to see how it really works and I went for it. I started in Brussels in the office of Imperial Tobacco, in the decisive months for the review of the Tobacco Products Directive. To keep on cutting my teeth and exploring the bubble, I have moved to a major consultancy, where I work on banking union and financial services legislation. I write about what I know and what I like; EU affairs, Latin-America, Italian politics (quite frustrating, I know).You can relay your views to me in English, Spanish, Italian and French and, of course, hurl insults at me in every other language.
- Email at andreagentili@europeanpublicaffairs.eu or tweet to @AGentili_EU.
-
- ChristenUnie wil minimum leeftijd voor seks met prostituee
- 08/03/14, 06:55 '' bron: ANP
- Er moet een minimumleeftijd komen voor seks met prostituees, zoals bij de verkoop van drank en sigaretten. Als jongeren seks hebben met prostituees is dat slecht voor hun beeld van vrouwen en hun latere seksleven. Dat stelt de ChristenUnie. De partij lanceert woensdag daarover een plan, schrijft het AD.
- Prostituees zouden vooraf hun klanten om een identiteitskaart moeten vragen. De politie moet steekproefgewijs controleren, vergelijkbaar met de controle op alcoholverkoop. Het idee komt van de ChristenUnie-vrouwen uit Amsterdam, Den Haag en Utrecht.
- 'We hanteren een strikte leeftijdsgrens voor roken en drinken, omdat het schadelijk is voor jongeren. Dat geldt ook voor prostitueebezoek', stelt Kamerlid Gert-Jan Segers. Prostituees moeten binnenkort 21 jaar zijn voor ze aan de slag kunnen als sekswerker.
-
- War on Weed
-
- Pot candy 'geared toward children' seized at San Clemente checkpoint - latimes.com
- Marijuana-laced candy found in the trunk of a car at the San Clemente checkpoint on Interstate 5, according to the Border Patrol. Two men were arrested. (U.S. Border Patrol / March7, 2014)
- By Tony PerryMarch 7, 2014,7:02 a.m.
- Two men were arrested at the San Clemente checkpoint Thursday after agents found a load of marijuana-laced candy in their car, the Border Patrol said.
- We've upgraded our reader commenting system. Learn more about the new features.Los Angeles Times welcomes civil dialogue about our stories; you must register with the site to participate. We filter comments for language and adherence to our Terms of Service, but not for factual accuracy. By commenting, you agree to these legal terms. Please flag inappropriate comments.Having technical problems? Check here for guidance.
-
- War on Guns
-
- US state bans Peeping Tom photos
- 7 March 2014Last updated at 03:41 Massachusetts lawmakers have approved a bill targeting those who take photographs of "the sexual or other intimate parts" of people in public.
- It comes a day after a state court ruled a man who took photos up the skirts of female passengers on Boston's subway did not break the law.
- The bill makes such offences punishable by up to two-and-a-half years in jail and a $5,000 (£3,000) fine.
- Governor Deval Patrick has already said he will sign the measure into law.
- After the legislation's unanimous approval on Thursday, state Senate President Therese Murray said: "Women and children should be able to go to public places without feeling that they are not protected by the law."
- The bill states that anyone who "photographs, videotapes or electronically surveils" a person's sexual or intimate parts without consent should face a misdemeanor charge.
- The crime becomes a felony - punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine - if the accused secretly takes indecent photographs of anyone under the age of 18.
- The bill was prompted by the case of Michael Robertson, who was arrested in August 2010 after police received complaints that he had used his mobile phone to take photos and videos up the skirts of female passengers on the Boston subway.
- On Wednesday, the state's Supreme Judicial Court found the existing Peeping Tom law did not apply to "photographing (or videotaping or electronically surveilling) persons who are fully clothed and, in particular, does not reach the type of upskirting that the defendant is charged with".
-
- Obama Nation
-
- Two Million Fewer Americans Are Employed Than Were a Year Ago
- Clarence Tabb, Jr./Rapport Press/Newscom
- This is supposed to be the fifth year of an economic ''recovery,'' but the jobs numbers continue to badly underperform. In February, U.S. employers added 175,000 workers to their payrolls, but that's still below the 200,000 to 250,000 a month we need to bring down the real unemployment rate and to keep pace with young people entering the workforce.
- But the employment anemia is still plaguing the U.S. economy. The labor force participation rate (63 percent) remains stuck at or near its lowest point since the late 1970s when the Bee Gees were the hottest music group in America. Amazingly, there are more than 2 million FEWER Americans in the labor force today than one year ago. Usually recoveries bring more Americans into the workforce.
- Another troubling sign: weekly hours worked dipped by 0.2 hours in February. How much the record snow and cold impacted these numbers is yet undetermined.
- The number of long term unemployed (six months or more) also rose by 203,000. Americans who lose their jobs are having a very hard time finding new ones.
- Since this recovery began, job growth has maintained an underwhelming pace of half the employment growth of the average recovery. If the number of jobs had just kept pace with the growth of food stamps recipients, we would have at least 2 million more Americans working today. If the economy were where Obama promised it would be when he signed his stimulus bill, we would have at least 3 million more jobs and an unemployment rate of 5 percent.
- It's time for the White House to get serious about an aggressive jobs agenda. Right now it isn't. Its two big ideas, Obamacare and the minimum wage hike, would erase nearly 3 million more jobs.
- A pro-jobs agenda would mean suspending Obamacare, cutting tax rates on businesses, ending regulations that choke off jobs '' especially in the energy industry '' and bringing down government spending and debt to free up private sector resources. For the near 20 million Americans unemployed, underemployed, or out of the labor force, this is no recovery at all.
-
- Anemic US jobs report shows growth in long-term unemployed
- By Andre Damon8 March 2014The US economy added 175,000 jobs in February; barely enough to keep up with population growth, according to figures released Friday by the Department of Labor. The ranks of the long-term unemployed, those who have been out of work for more than 27 weeks, grew by 203,000, hitting 3.8 million.
- Thirty-seven percent of unemployed people have now been out of work for six months or more. Before the 2008 crash, the long-term unemployed never amounted to more than 26 percent of the total jobless, while the total number of long-term unemployed was one-third its present level. The mean duration of unemployment currently stands at 35.4 weeks, up from 16.9 weeks in 2006.
- The continued growth in the number of long-term unemployed comes after Congress and the White House cut off emergency federal jobless benefits at the end of last year for 1.3 million people. The number of unemployed workers denied benefits has since increased by 576,000, bringing the total to nearly 2 million. Counting the family members in these households, those affected could number as high as 6 million.
- The latest report follows two months of dismal jobs reports. Job growth in December and January was the worst for any two-month period since 2010, and well below the already tepid monthly average of 160,000 from January through November of last year. The US economy created 129,000 jobs in January, and followed December's increase of 75,000.
- The total number of unemployed hit 10.5 million in February, up 223,000 over the previous month, and up from 6.8 million in 2007, according to Friday's report.
- February's jobs figure was ''well below the 200,000 to 300,000 jobs a month that a robust jobs recovery would have generated,'' said Chad Stone, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
- There are now 651,000 fewer jobs than there were before the recession, even though the working-age population has grown by about 8 million during that time. Friday's jobs report noted that the labor force participation rate is down by 0.5 percent from a year ago and is down by about 3.5 percentage points since 2007.
- According to the Economic Policy Institute, 5.66 million ''missing workers'' have dropped out of the labor force over the past five years for economic, not demographic, reasons. If these missing workers were counted as unemployed, the unemployment rate would be 10 percent.
- A large section of the jobs added in February were low skilled and low wage, such as food service workers and home health aides. Professional and business services added 79,000 jobs, a significant portion of which (24,000) came from temporary employment.
- The food service sector added 21,000 jobs. The typical food preparation worker receives $9.18 per hour, or $19,100 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Private education and health services added 18,200 jobs, including 6,900 in home health care services, mostly consisting of home health care aides, who have a median pay of $9.70 per hour.
- The number of federal government jobs fell by 6,000 in February, although the reduction was partially offset by increases in the number of state and local government jobs. Since February 2010, 617,000 government jobs have been eliminated, led by a reduction of 392,000 in local government.
- February's tepid jobs report comes amid a string of layoff announcements. Earlier this month, IBM began its planned series of layoffs that could entail the elimination of up to 15,000 workers, according to media reports. This will be on top of last year's layoffs, in which some 3,000 workers lost their jobs.
- This week, electronics retailer RadioShack announced that it would close over a thousand stores after worse than expected holiday sales, while Staples Inc., the office supply chain, announced plans to close 225 stores by the end of 2014.
- Amid the staggering growth in the number of long-term unemployed, the media has dropped the issue of extended jobless benefits, with next to no coverage of the impact of the ending of the program.
- The cutoff of emergency jobless aid is only the latest in a series of sweeping attacks on bedrock antipoverty programs. On November 1, food stamps were slashed by $11 billion, leading to benefit reductions for 46 million people. In January, Congress voted to slash an additional $8.7 billion from food stamps. Thus, millions of long-term unemployed workers are not only being cut off from cash assistance, but are also being hit with reductions in food aid.
- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
-
- In Performance at the White House: Women of Soul
- March 06, 2014 | 5:04 | Public Domain
- President and First Lady host ''In Performance at the White House: Women of Soul'' for music legends and contemporary major female artists at the White House celebrating the great ''foremothers'' of American music, with songs expressing the struggles and achievements of women.
- Download mp4 (183MB) | mp3 (5MB)
-
- Active Shooter - Critical Incident Management Plan - The University of Iowa
- In general, how you respond to an active shooter will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter, bearing in mind there could be more than one shooter involved in the same situation. If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and focused. Use these guidelines to help you plan a strategy for survival.
- What to do if you hear gunshotsIf you hear what sounds like gunshots or popping, immediately assume they are gunshots and don't investigate. You need to quickly decide one of three courses of action:
- Can you stay where you are and secure yourself from the shooter? If so, take action to secure yourself, and, if it is safe, immediately call 911.Can you escape the building or get to an area where you are secure from the shooter (or at least some place where the shooter can't see you)? Get to a secure area if possible, and immediately call 911.Are you unable to escape from the shooter? If you are unable to escape, you need to assess the situation to see if you can shield yourself, or if you need to prepare to take aggressive action to protect yourself.Deciding on the best course of action The information below will aid in deciding on which course of action might be your best option:
- If an active shooter is outside your building, proceed to a room that can be locked if possible, close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all the lights; if possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room. One person in the room should call 911; you may hear multiple rings but stay on the line until it is answered. Tell the dispatcher of what is taking place, and inform him/her of your location; remain in place until the police, or a campus administrator known to you, gives the ''all clear.'' Unfamiliar voices may be the shooter attempting to lure victims from their safe space; do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a police officer. If an active shooter is in the same building you are, determine if the room you are in can be locked and if so, follow the same procedure described in the previous paragraph. If your room can't be locked, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and secured, or if you can safely exit the building. If you decide to move from your current location, be sure to follow the instructions outlined below. If the room cannot be locked, barricade the door with heavy furniture such as desks, tables, and bookcases if possible. If you determine that escape is possible, run and attempt to alert others as you exit the area/building. As you exit, warn others from entering the area/building of danger. If an active shooter enters your office or classroom, try to remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, and alert police to the shooter's location; if you can't speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what's taking place. At times the location of a 911 call can be determined without speaking. If there is absolutely no opportunity for escape or hiding, attempt to shield yourself with any available object (i.e., desk, book bags, computers, etc.) It might be possible to negotiate with the shooter. If you and others decide to make an attempt to overpower the shooter, realize this will involve significant risk and cannot be accomplished half-heartedly. If the decision is made to confront and attempt to overpower the shooter, experts recommend spreading out and not standing in a group. It may be possible to disorient the shooter by yelling and throwing items. Remember, this will involve significant risk and may involve final attempts to preserve innocent lives. If the shooter leaves the area, proceed immediately to a safer place and do not touch anything that was in the vicinity of the shooter. Plan you escape routeNo matter what the circumstances, if you decide to flee during an active shooting situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind.
- Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officer you may encounter and remain calm. The police officer's verbal commands will be loud and extremely insistent; do not be offended.Do not ask questions, but provide important information (such as the location of the shooter) if you are certain of such information.Do not attempt to remove injured people; instead, leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators; law enforcement authorities will want to speak with you to obtain information.
-
- AP News : APNewsBreak: FBI investigates prison company
- REBECCA BOONEPublished: TodayBOISE, Idaho (AP) - The FBI has launched an investigation of the Corrections Corporation of America over the company's running of an Idaho prison with a reputation so violent that inmates dubbed it "Gladiator School."
- The Nashville, Tenn.-based CCA has operated Idaho's largest prison for more than a decade, but last year, CCA officials acknowledged it had understaffed the Idaho Correctional Center by thousands of hours in violation of the state contract. CCA also said employees falsified reports to cover up the vacancies. The announcement came after an Associated Press investigation showed CCA sometimes listed guards as working 48 hours straight to meet minimum staffing requirements.
- The Idaho State Police was asked to investigate the company last year but didn't, until amid increasing political pressure, the governor ordered the agency to do so last month. Democratic state lawmakers asked the FBI to take up the case last month.
- Idaho Department of Correction spokesman Jeff Ray confirmed Friday that the FBI met with department director Brent Reinke on Thursday to inform him about the investigation. Idaho State Police spokeswoman Teresa Baker said her agency was no longer involved with the investigation and the FBI has taken it over entirely.
- "They (the FBI) have other cases that are tied to this one so it worked out better for them to handle it from here," Baker said.
- Baker wouldn't comment on what the other cases entailed. U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson in Boise also declined to comment on the scope of the FBI investigation, but did say the agency was looking into fraud.
- "The FBI is investigating CCA and looking at whether various federal fraud statutes were violated and possibly other federal statutes connected with the fraud," Olson said. "They will be working in close consultation with our office. Beyond that I can't comment."
- CCA spokesman Steve Owen said his company would cooperate with investigators.
- "Our own internal investigation concluded that this was not a criminal matter, and we remain confident in those findings," Owen said in a prepared statement.
- The understaffing has been the subject of federal lawsuits and a contempt of court action against CCA. The ACLU sued on behalf of inmates at the Idaho Correctional Center in 2010, saying the facility was so violent that inmates called it "Gladiator School" and that understaffing contributed to the high levels of violence there.
- In 2012, a Boise law firm sued on behalf of inmates contending that CCA had ceded control to prison gangs so that they could understaff the prison and save money on employee wages, and that the understaffing led to an attack by one prison gang on another group of inmates that left some of them badly injured.
- The Department of Justice requested a copy of a forensic audit done for the Idaho Department of Correction earlier this year. That audit showed that CCA understaffed the prison by as much as 26,000 hours in 2012 alone; CCA is strongly contesting those findings. CCA's Owen has said the company believes the audit overestimates the staffing issues by more than a third.
- CCA's contract with Idaho was worth about $29 million a year. In February the company agreed to pay Idaho $1 million to settle the understaffing claims.
- Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter initially resisted the suggestion that a criminal investigation was needed and earlier this year, rebuffed a suggestion from Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden that he order state law enforcement agencies to investigate. But on Friday, Otter's spokesman, Jon Hanian, said the governor thought the FBI's involvement was "great."
-
- NBC, CBS Covers Obama Spelling Gaffe; ABC Out to Lunch
- From the 7 March 2014 edition of NBC Nightly News:
- BRIAN WILLIAMS: Well, if you remember the heat Dan Quayle took for how he spelled 'potato,' or the linguistic and grammatical trouble that 43 [George W. Bush] got himself into, then you may want to see this from last night. President Obama paying tribute to the great Aretha Franklin at the White House '' one song, though, in particular.
- PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: When Aretha first told us what R-S-P-E-C-T meant to her- (audience laughs)
- WILLIAMS: The President just decided to go with it, in keeping with the spirit of the evening '' which was a raucous, good evening of music at the White House.
-
- NA-Tech
- Apple paid for the playlist patent
-
- The Adam and Dr. Drew Show
- iTunes | RSSAdam Carolla & Dr. Drew Pinsky reunite the partnership that made Loveline a wild success and cultural touchstone. In each episode Adam and Drew take uncensored, nothing-off-limits, calls about sex, drug, medical and relationship issues. Dr. Drew brings the medicine while Adam's comedy and rants are the spoonful of sugar to make it go down.Produced by Chris Laxamana and Gary Smith
- #123: LuciteDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together talking patent trolls, Adam's recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show and Drew's daughter's recent appearances in the media. They also take a listener phone calls from a fan who wants advice about dealing with his girlfriend's family members.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #122: Kelley JamesDOWNLOAD HEREMusician Kelley James joins Adam and Drew for a discussion about legacy and the metaphorical treadmill that is life, never actually finishing but always moving forward. They also take a call from a fan concerned that his emotions are too detached from his decision making process and another caller wanting educational advice. As the show starts to wrap up our very talented guest performs live with his acoustic guitar.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #121: Big TextileDOWNLOAD HEREDrew gives an update on his daughter Paulina and some of the punches that he and his wife Susan have been taking in the media as a result of the publicity. They also take listener phone calls on borderline personalities and how to deal with financial disagreements within a marriage.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #120: The 21-Year-Old MaleDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the fact that Drew's son just left for a semester abroad in Australia, contrasting that against some of Adam's experiences from around the same age. The pair also discuss some of the differences in cost of living between the late 70s and early 80s and today, citing things like televisions as opposed to gas and home prices. They also take listener phone calls from a fan struggling with depression and a fan frustrated with people getting offended when they're confused.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #119: Don't Do Your Best, Do MY BestDOWNLOAD HEREDrew opens the show explaining to Adam something he learned from a urologist friend of his that may explain his sluggish behavior over the past six months or so. Adam and Drew then discuss an interesting offer that has come up for their wives involving reality TV. They also take listener phone calls from a fan who's concerned that his daughter's mother is having her third child in 8 years with another man and a fan who has questions about marijuana and the respiratory system.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #118: Erik KramerDOWNLOAD HEREFormer NFL quarterback and East Valley Trojan Erik Kramer joins Adam and Drew in studio for a trip down memory lane back to when Adam and Erik played football together. They also discuss the tragic death of Erik's son who battled drug addiction in his teenage years.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #117: Art AlexakisDOWNLOAD HEREMusician Art Alexakis joins Adam and Dr. Drew to talk about teaching at Los Angeles College of Music, fatherhood, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. They also explore the way society views beauty today and take listener phone calls including one about cell phone radiation.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #116: Should I Tell My Kids About My Past?DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back taking your calls. They talk about how Adam is able to speak openly about his family and friends on the podcast without fear of offending people and give a listener advice on how he should navigate that as well. They also speak with a listener who has been sober for over 20 years and is wondering when to tell her 12 year old about her addiction. As the show wraps up the help a guy in his late twenties who wants to know when is the right time to actually pull the trigger and get married.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #115: GospelDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing habits and why they're important on both a micro and macro level. They also discuss some of the lawsuits that Adam is currently fighting off and why that has led to a certain level of frustration Adam has with Lynette. Adam also shares his new Mangria commercial with Drew and they take listener phone calls.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #114: Nude ScenesDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together this week examining an article from the LA Times that is vexing Adam. They also review Adam's appearance on Huff Post Live and discuss how people like to use wide sweeping statements to deflect from the fact that they don't have any answers. Later in the show they take listener calls including someone looking for substance abuse treatment at low costs and advice on a family member leaving behind a wife and two children after committing suicide.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #113: Moving In TogetherDOWNLOAD HEREDrew starts the show solo this week discussing an upcoming lecture he will be giving on attachment. When Adam arrives they dive quickly into calls taking a call from a couple who want to know if moving in together is in the best interest of their relationship. They also speak with an international caller and a caller wanting to know if he should leave his family business to pursue more lucrative opportunities and use his MBA.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #112: Making TimeDOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show talking to Drew about making time for success. They also take listener phone calls from a concerned parent, a first time homeowner and much more.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #111: Life After CheatingDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together for a conversation about working small to big and the prominence of that style of thinking in today's society, especially when it comes to government. The pair discuss a politician who is trying to ban e-cigarettes in California while seemingly ignoring the larger problems of our school system and public roads. They also take listener phone calls including a question about memory loss after sobering up from meth and someone trying to cope with life after cheating on his wife.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #110: Rent-A-GirlfriendDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew get together for a long discussion about delayed gratification and some of the issues that Adam has been confronted with when it comes to his longtime friend, Ray. They take listener phone calls on marijuana addiction studies, suicide attempts, and borderline personality disorder. And Adam proposes a new business idea.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #109: Fred StollerDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by actor and author, Fred Stoller, and his lawyer, David Albert Pierce, to talk about a frivolous lawsuit. They discuss how ludicrous the American legal system can be with Fred sharing the story of his suit and relating it to Adam's patent troll lawsuit. Later they wrap the show up taking listener phone calls on hyper vigilance and preparing for twins.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #108: Joseph Sorge, director of Divorce Corp.DOWNLOAD HEREJoseph Sorge, director of the new documentary 'Divorce Corp.,' joins Adam and Drew for a very frank conversation about the divorce rules in this country and how they compare to those of other countries. They also take listener phone calls about trying to figure out a career path, the NuvaRing, and addictive personalities.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #107: Mold Is OldDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together for the start of 2014 and Adam tells a story about a problem he had with his auto insurance company. They also take some phone calls including one from a man who is extremely concerned that his family members can't maintain a budget. The pair then give their opinions on second-hand smoke.Superfan Sidebar >>
- #106: Adam Ray and Brad WilliamsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew welcome good friends of the program Adam Ray and Brad Williams to close out 2013. Drew recounts his favorite memory from the show this year and Adam recalls a bit he always wanted to do on The Man Show involving the Gay Yellow Pages. Later they take listener phone calls including a question about yeast infections, IUDs relating to smelly vaginas and how to approach a therapist about medication.
- #105: SynthesisDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing their recent award as iTunes' Best New Podcast of 2013 before transitioning into a discussion about Adam's Paul Newman documentary. Later Drew brings up a new documentary he's involved in called 'Divorce Corp.' which leads Adam to give an extended explanation of how divorces work. Later they take calls including a listener who thinks he has the answer to Drew's bathroom mystery.
- #104: Yes, And'...DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew address the new message on the California freeway signs before taking some listener calls and discussing the art of improvisation.
- #103: Cats and DogsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam tells Drew about his recent trip to Sacramento and Fresno. They also take some listener phone calls about pornography and certain nicknames used within the African American community.
- #102: What's The Plan?DOWNLOAD HEREThe show begins with an update of Drew's ongoing investigation in regards to the the toilets at the studio. They also take listener phone calls on discussing sex with your children, losing the spark after marriage, and a parent struggling with the decision to throw his daughter out of the house.
- #101: The Pantheon of Carolla WeirdnessDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss curious family behaviors. They also take listener phone calls from a parent with a white supremacist child and a husband who is considering cheating on his wife.
- #100: JFKDOWNLOAD HEREOn the 100th episode of The Adam and Dr. Drew Show, Adam explains some of the policies he would like to see if he were president. They also take a deep look at the history of president John F. Kennedy.
- #099: Jimmy PardoDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew share Thanksgiving memories, talk to comedian Jimmy Pardo, and answer listener calls.
- #098: Growing BrainDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing documentaries and why we as a society and seemingly so interested in them, especially in recent history. They also take listener phone calls including a radio producer who wants career advice, a newly single father trying to grapple with his wife leaving him and the kids, and how to deal with the financial implications surrounding a bad breakup.
- #097: She'd Make A Good InmateDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together discussing the similarities between Drew's dog and Adam's daughter. Then they discuss the New York High Line park and how the bureaucracy plaguing California would prevent something like that from ever existing in Los Angeles. They also take listener phone calls from a parent who suspects his child is cutting, spanking your children, and how a grandparent should act when his or her child is getting divorced.
- #096: Morning SessionDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show with Drew making a startling accusation about possible nefarious activities in the Carolla Digital bathrooms. They also take listener phone calls on handling a relative with dementia, the future of Perry Caravello from 'Windy City Heat' and a fan from England offering to do some advertising for Mangria.
- #095: Doug BensonDOWNLOAD HEREDoug Benson joins Adam and Dr. Drew today for a discussion about marijuana and the impending legalization in Colorado and Washington. Doug then explains how a head on collision delayed his appearance on the podcast by a few days. They also take listener phone calls on digital pirating and marijuana addiction, and have a conversation about addicts that are able to use in moderation.
- #094: I Wasn't Throwing Away a Rams BeanieDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing bullying in the context of the recent Richie Incognito story and Adam does an extensive inventory of the experiences from his childhood that would be considered bullying in today's society. They also take calls from listeners on bulimia rehabilitation, birth control impacting sex drive and prostate cancer screening.
- #093: No Blood In The PeckarooDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together today discussing Adam's ongoing issues with the 'retarded goblins' he employs to screw up his life. Adam also expresses his displeasure with Lynette's insistence that their dog Molly must be inside at all times. They also take listener phone calls on jealousy in relationships, male sexual performance issues and opiate addiction.
- #092: Are We Obese or Are We Hungry?DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back at the CNN building this week discussing healthcare and how young people approach it. They also examine the state of America's hunger problem and the lack of motivation plaguing most Americans, citing Adam's famous 'ten thousand dollar deal'.
- #091: Early Wrap PartyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are recording from the CNN building on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. They open the podcast discussing a recent experience Adam had on the set of his new TV show where crew members were all gathering at a bar to celebrate wrapping the first episode. Drew also inquires about Adam's therapy.
- #090: Where'd You Get That Egg?DOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show telling Drew about a frustrating situation involving his daughter and missing car keys. They also discuss frivolous government spending. Then they take listener phone calls and discuss the difference between happiness and satisfaction.
- #089: Jo Koy, Brandon Marshall, and Mental Health AwarenessDOWNLOAD HEREJo Koy joins Adam and Drew in studio and they take a call from NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall to discuss mental health awareness and Brandon's fine from the NFL for wearing green cleats. Jo Koy and Adam then share some personal stories involving family members who suffer from mental illness.
- #088: Kathie Lee GiffordDOWNLOAD HEREKathie Lee Gifford joins Adam and Drew by phone to talk about her upcoming podcast 'Kathie Lee and Company' and her journey from a family with two working parents to a media powerhouse. Later Adam tells a quick story about an interview he saw relating to the movie 'Captain Phillips' and they take listener phone calls from a veteran experiencing numbness, Drew's opinion on e-cigarettes and what a lottery winner show do with her winnings.
- #087: You Wanna Be Jimmy Kimmel?DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together this week and Adam opens the show with a long story about the change that has occurred in work ethic over the years, citing a recent move Gary made on the trip to Portland and Seattle. Adam also tells a contrasting story about a Porsche driving gentlemen he met at the Bellevue Mangria tasting.
- #086: Pipe FittingDOWNLOAD HEREDrew opens the show reading an email he received just as the show started from another radio personality. Later Drew shares a video with Adam of a fan listening to their show on her way home from oral surgery and Adam tells Drew about a recent physical ailment that was plaguing Adam. Later they take listener phone calls on long distance relationships with possible cheating, a woman with lhttp://adamcarolla.com/adamanddrew/iver issues and the value of DBT therapy for treating depression.
- #085: It's Just a Waste of My Water!DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the recent story about a child who successfully boarded a flight from Minneapolis to Las Vegas without a ticket. Adam then goes on to pose the question, ''Is Los Angeles smart or stupid?'' Later they go to the phones and take listener questions on balancing time and where in L.A. is the best place to live.
- #084: LearningDOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show discussing an interaction he had recently with Sonny's teacher and the fallout from his using that interaction in his comedy shtick. He then turns to the topic of his father and how he is simultaneously very smart and insanely stupid, citing a story about his leased car as evidence. They then take listener calls on Adam's desire to help his parents, whether or not it's advisable to pursue a job in terrestrial radio and a question about Adam's new movie Road Hard.
- #083: Dr. Drew's CancerDOWNLOAD HEREThe show opens this week with Drew making a revelation about his health and his educating Adam on some of the realities about the particular issue Drew has been dealing with in recent months. They then take a call from a doctor Drew is familiar with on Twitter who has heard Drew's story and wants clarification on Drew's stances on all aspects of prostate cancer and treatment.
- #082: Kristen and Marni from the Ask Women PodcastDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by Kristen Carney and Marni Kinrys from the Ask Women Podcast and discuss relationships and attraction. They also take listener phone calls on trophies for kids and Vitamin D.
- #081: Y.P.O.DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the Emmy results and specifically Breaking Bad. They also discuss the best writing on a variety show category and examine the percentage of writers in that category that are male. Adam also tells Drew about his recent trip to Coronado with his kids to race his vintage Datsun, an activity Adam explains to Drew he really wants his children to witness.
- #080: A Little Hit and MissDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing an original joke that Sonny came up with and pitched to Adam. Drew then asks Adam how his therapy has been going and the conversation evolves into a wider discussion about what Adam is trying to get out of it. They also discuss the upcoming Feast of San Gennaro in Los Angeles that Adam helped in creating. Adam also discusses his theory with Drew about genetic diversity and humans attraction. As the show wraps up they take listener questions about male hormone replacement therapy, at what point Drew realized that Adam was talented and condom use with birth control.
- #079: Fish and ChipsDOWNLOAD HEREDrew and Adam discuss a fatal traffic accident which occurred that morning. Adam then launches into a discussion about the NFL and their rules committee with Drew and they examine how Adam's observations may be driving him insane. Later they take listener phone calls on depression medication for a former meth user and a recovering addict considering sexual experimentation.
- #078: EnvyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing John Hotchkis and Adam's love of people with specialized skills. Drew then brings up the recent internet video that turned out to be a prank by Jimmy Kimmel and they examine the culture of watching 'fail videos.' They also take calls on genetics weighing into a decision to have children and whether a listener should take a job promotion or go to business school.
- #077: VexedDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing instant gratification and how the ability to get anything you want these days has been a negative for kids. Adam then revisits one of the things about football that drives him insane and asks Drew for his input on possible solutions. They also take calls from listeners who want to know Adam's opinion on animals and how well interracial relationships work.
- Garo Yepremien Attempts a Pass
- #076: Uncircumcised LoungeDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing Adam being back in therapy and how that relates to a recent flight where Adam had a few cocktails and started to spread the good word to anyone within 2 rows of his seat. They also take listener phone calls from a guy who wants advice on telling a buddy his wife is cheating, a construction worker who is considering going back to school and a guy who's wondering if he's on the road to becoming an alcoholic.
- #075: Nerf MacheteDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing their recent trip to New England to perform live shows and Adam briefly touches on a recent race he had in Monterey. Adam then expresses a frustration he's been experiencing lately involving bartenders and Mangria. Drew also brings up the Bradley Manning case and gets Adam's take on the idea of the government paying for his sex change operation. As the show wraps up they take listener phone calls from a young man whose girlfriend has extreme anxiety about sex and a heterosexual female who only enjoys masturbating to females.
- #074: On the RoadDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew record a podcast on the road about Oprah, distorted images in media, and the differences between L.A. and Boston.
- #073: Bradley Manning's Gender ChangeDOWNLOAD HEREDrew starts out today's show solo and discusses Bradley Manning before taking listener calls on topics from opiate dependency to the way Adam acts towards his staff members. After the break, Adam arrives and recalls an argument he just had with Lynette.
- #072: Gary Anthony Williams and Jordan BlackDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show talking about a picture of Adam's family. Drew then recounts a recent hellish experience he had on a flight from Carmel and Adam counters with a story about some glitchy landing gear he had going to and from Denver. Later, comedians and improvisors Gary Anthony Williams and Jordan Black join to talk about their podcast, live improv show, and they take listener phone calls with Adam and Drew.
- #071: Acemo's TipsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing a gift Adam received from a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. In the context of that gift, they discuss a conversation Adam had with a mother from his children's basketball team about this very podcast. Later they take listener calls from fans including a gentleman whose wife feels he is a workaholic and if men get more sexually comfortable after marriage.
- #070: PeanutsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show with a complaint about Drew's eating habits that has been brewing since last week. In the context of Drew's mistake, Adam and Drew discuss behavior modification and why it is so hard these days to get people to modify their behavior. Later they take calls on the HPV vaccine, a pregnancy ending in miscarriage and marijuana dependency.
- #069: Magic StoneDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew take a trip down memory lane and discuss some of the fine folks they worked with over at Loveline including junior producer Laura and 'Tera don't call me Tara goddamnit'. Adam also discusses how quality and consistency are more important now than ever, citing the change in what numbers quantify a popular TV show now vs 30-35 years ago. Later they take listener calls on whether or not to tell a girlfriend about strippers at a bachelor party, long term results of Benadryl abuse and if there are lasting impacts of stimulant use.
- #068: Adam Ray and Brad WilliamsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam Ray and Brad Williams join Adam and Drew this week and they share stories including Brad performing with Jim Jefferies at a little person convention in Southern California. They also explore how chefs and photographers have made leaps and bounds in terms of attracting women. The conversation then turns to the Anthony Wiener controversy and the Sydney Leathers sex tape. Later they take listener phone calls on in vitro fertilization and rehab facilities effectiveness.
- #067: Gaham Parker RulesDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show with a discussing a now deceased psychiatrist and radio host named David Viscott, whom Adam used to listen to while he was digging ditches and Drew once hosted on Loveline. Adam tells an amazing story about a call into Viscott's show when he was listening at the worksite one day. They also take listener phone calls from a guy who keeps finding himself attracted to damaged women, a guy who gets nosebleeds during sex and a question about Adam's political leanings.
- #066: Do No Master ClosetDOWNLOAD HEREThe show opens with Drew making an observation about the bathroom trashcan at Carolla Digital Studios and in responding, Adam tells a story about the maid service used both at the Carolla home and Studios. Adam also recounts an interaction he had with Gary 'Full-Tard' and how a spelling error caused a considerable amount of confusion. Later they take listener phone calls on methadone as a treatment for pill addiction, a mother who is sleeping with her 12 year old until he falls asleep and answer a question about HPV vaccines.
- #066: But Come OnDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew examine a recent appearance that Adam made on Huffington Post Live and discuss some of the social issues Adam tried to bring up on that show.
- #064: Cornholing the MaidDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the Anthony Weiner scandal. Adam also brings up some experiences he and his children have been having with the 'feelings doctor'. Later, listeners call in with questions about cheating spouses, synthetic marijuana and a tough situation with child molestation.
- #063: Funky Soul PatchDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew offer advice to a caller about raising twins. They also help a man who is having trouble dealing with his wife's depression and then they discuss the future of male birth control.
- #062: Your First Step Doesn't Always Need To Be ForwardDOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show by sharing a story with Drew about a disagreement he and Lynette had over her car keys recently. Later the conversation turns to Adam's Fund Anything campaign and Adam shares his promotional Bryan Cranston video with Drew. They also take calls about a developmental disorder, smoking hookah, and a classic Loveline episode.
- #061: Honest Conversation About RaceDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are back together for a show about racism.
- #060: Dr. Spaz ReturnsDOWNLOAD HEREDr. Bruce returns to fill in for Dr. Drew and they discuss some of the eccentricities of Adam's family. Later, they take listener calls from a guy in his early 20'²s who has trouble dating, a drug addict in the early stages of drug and alcohol use, and a man wondering how to tell his wife about his sexual addiction.
- #059: Dr. SpazDOWNLOAD HEREAdam is joined by Dr. Bruce (aka Dr. Spaz) filling in for Dr. Drew. Adam and Bruce discuss Adam's long standing frustration with Bruce's kids and their pizza preferences. They also explore some back pain Adam has been having, and take a call from a listener in Russia who has a question about racism.
- #058: Go Find a MirrorDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the change in Adam's flora and fauna and how that has impacted his ability to fart with impunity anytime he wants. They also talk about a letter Adam got from one of his former employees and take listener calls on SSRI's impacting weight and the details involved in getting a vasectomy.
- #057: No Cement PondsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show talking about Adam's life at home and how his anger could evoke the way people act around him. Adam also tells a story about his frustrations with his housekeeper and pool man as well as the horrific drivers in Los Angeles. The show wraps up with an epiphany Adam recently had.
- #056: The Schwarzenegger EffectDOWNLOAD HEREDrew starts the show by himself this week and discusses something he recently saw at a hotel pool in Las Vegas. When Adam arrives, the topic expands to a broader discussion of weight issues in America. Later they take calls from a recovering alcoholic who has just moved home and a guy who is having trouble keeping the spark in his relationship.
- #055: Tweeting Amanda BynesDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew open the show by addressing the recent controversy over Drew's comments about Amanda Bynes on Twitter. Later, they take calls on the addictive nature of Adderall, how to deal with a young child battling a terrible disease and how fertility treatments can impact pregnancy.
- #054: Brandon StogsdillDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew discuss Adam needing a physical. They also talk to Brandon Stogsdill via phone and hear his story of going from being an incarcerated felon to a graduate student and author. Afterwards, they take listener calls about online dating, torn meniscus rehab, and trouble getting pregnant.
- #053: NiceDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew open the show talking about their view being nice. Later they take listener calls from a medical student who is wondering about going forward with his girlfriend and a guy who is older than the average virgin.
- #052: Dabbling in Gay PornDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show this week discussing the way that Adam wants to make sure that he shares experiences with his children. Later they take listener phone calls on having an autistic parent, recovering from childhood sexual abuse and porn addiction.
- #051: Just a Waste of My TimeDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show with special guests Sonny and Natalia Carolla. Later the conversation turns to how children are coming up differently, specifically when it comes to pornography and relationships. After the break Adam tells a story about pegs on BMX bikes and they take a listener call on teaching teens to drive.
- #050: EssenceDOWNLOAD HEREAdam opens the show recounting a recent conversation he had with Matt 'The Porcelain Punisher' Fondiler about birthdays. Later they discuss commencement ceremonies and take listener calls on epilepsy, hyper vigilance and how vitamin D can improve testosterone levels.
- Episode #049: Only the BestDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing moral satiation and the belief that every child should have the best and only the best of everything. They continue talking about education and revisit the interview Adam did with Gavin Newsom on The Adam Carolla Show. Later they take listener phone calls on a having a hyper sexual partner and how to approach a relative about their weight issues.
- Episode #048: Someone Shit in a TreeDOWNLOAD HEREThe show opens with Drew raising concerns about people at the warehouse not following Adam's bathroom etiquette guidelines. They then turn to calls early in the show about schizophrenia medication, how to maintain a friendship with an ex after a divorce and the dangers of Adderall usage.
- Episode #047: Be ThirstyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing Adam's recent birthday celebration and how Adam feels about birthday celebrations in general. Later, Adam tells a story about a curiously thoughtful birthday gift he received from a family member. They also take listener phone calls on marijuana use when trying to conceive and a situation where one person was hiding an STD from their partner.
- Episode #046: Jimmy PardoDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by podcasting pioneer and all around hilarious guy Jimmy Pardo for a discussion about podcasting, depression and the inability to waste. Jimmy & Adam also commiserate over their frustation at people not being able to do things the way they do them. Later they take calls on incompatible genitalia, complications from scoliosis and tonsil removal.
- Episode #045: All BallsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew recount some memories from their recent trip to Napa and Sonoma for their live show and Adam's vintage race. Later, in discussing the scent of his racing gear, Drew makes a discovery about himself and his refined sense of smell. Later, they take listener calls on the Meyers Briggs test, hyper hydrosis and how to handle getting back into civilian life from military life.
- Episode #044: The Entry Hall of LifeDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show talking about how people get in their own way when trying to do something. Adam explains that the main hurdle that people allow to get in their way is themselves and a large part of anything is going ahead and doing it. Adam also explains some of what was normal when he was growing up and how that inspired him. They also take listener calls on metal illness, the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction and grand mal seizures.
- Episode #043: GritDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show talking about grit and how badly they want their kids to have that quality over almost any other. The discussion then turns to parents and the culture of not wanting to hunker down and care for your kids even if you have to do it in a bare bones fashion. Later they take calls including an epileptic man who only has seizures during sex.
- Episode #042: Mother's DayDOWNLOAD HEREDrew and Adam wish everyone a Mother's Day and Adam tells a story about a letter he recently received from his mother. Drew and Adam go on to explore a recent breakfast Adam shared with his mother and stepfather and an interesting request that came up during that breakfast. Later they take listener calls on short-term memory loss during addiction recovery and unpleasant vaginal odor.
- Episode #041: Why Sex HurtsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the impending verdict in the Jodi Arias trial and why the public is so infatuated with the trial. Adam also expresses some frustration he's been experiencing with his website and the pair take listener calls on reporting domestic violence, Adam gives some advice on how to get into comedy and they help a fan who's wife is going through menopause and is experience pain during sex as a result.
- Episode #040: Rigorous HonestyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the controversial Los Angeles police and firefighter's retirement program DROP. Drew also revisits a comment he made in a previous episode that's pertinent to the somewhat political conversation. Later Adam and Drew take listener calls on an inability to maintain weight, fair custody sharing and the god component of most 12 step programs.
- Episode #039: Keeping the Spark AliveDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew go in depth and explore some of the history between Adam and his father Jim. They also take listener phone calls on the traits of alcoholism, how to keep the spark alive after six children and what to do about extreme memory loss.
- Episode #038: Emotional CurrencyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show examining the difference between people who are always working and those who can easily take time off. Adam also brings up a noticeable difference in one of his children after his recent Long Beach Grand Prix victory.
- Episode #037: FlingsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss Adam's recent victory in the Long Beach Grand Prix and the possible reasons behind Adam's stepfather not coming to the race. Later they examine some of Adam's childhood surrounded by his friends Ray and Chris and take listener calls on picking therapists, ending a relationship with your fianc(C)e and internet dating.
- Episode #036: The Age FactorDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew go over some old notes from their classic Loveline days. They also take listener phone calls on significant age differences in couples and consistent Adderall use.
- Episode #035: Doug BensonDOWNLOAD HEREDoug Benson joins Adam and Dr. Drew to discuss his new film, 'The Greatest Movie Ever Rolled,' and life on the road as a comic and marijuana enthusiast. Later they answer listener questions about jealousy and the impacts of sexual abuse on future relationships.
- Episode #034: Pamela AdlonDOWNLOAD HEREPamela Adlon joins Adam and Drew for a discussion about tattoos, piercings and how personal styles have changed over the years. Later the trio takes listener calls on topics including HPV prevalence in males, proper healing times for a vasectomy and advice for a young man looking to get back together with his ex.
- Episode #033: ScientologyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss some upcoming charity work Adam has to do and why everyone is obsessed with the extremely long exercise of playing golf. Later they take listener calls and revisit a classic Loveline episode discussing scientology.
- Episode #032: Shawn GreenDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by Dodger's legend Shawn Green to discuss baseball as well as Shawn's thoughts on his car, the Tesla Model S. Later they all take calls on using Adderall as a study aid, bipolar treatments and changing names after marriage.
- Dancing With The Stars Clip
- Episode #031: Gary Anthony WilliamsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by Gary Anthony Williams and examine the nuances of improv comedy and why Dr. Drew has never been able to grasp them after all these years. Later they examine the persistence of racism and the different ways in which it manifests itself in today's society.L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival
- Episode #030: Jim JefferiesDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew sit down with comic Jim Jefferies, star of FX's Legit to discuss why its harder to sell tickets in Los Angeles as well as the infuriating differences between today and the Elvis/Sinatra era. Later they discuss how tuned out people have become and examine some comments made about Adam by another radio host.
- Episode #029: Education in AmericaDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by author and educator Kelly Matthews for an in depth conversation on the state of education in America today.
- Episode #028: Brad WilliamsDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by comic Brad Williams to discuss an idea for a TV vehicle starring Brad and how to deal with hecklers. Later they take calls on retrograde orgasms, the dangers of stopping alcohol use, and tapering off Suboxone.
- Episode #027: Beat Yourself UpDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show by examining how people can be exceptionally smart when it comes to things that interest them and extremely inept when it comes to doing things that aren't as important to them. Later they take calls on using opiates to combat back pain, the effects of e-cigarettes and erectile dysfunction with diabetes.
- Episode #026: Pedoph IsleDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss their recent separate court side experiences at Lakers games. They then explore how Adam's mother met her current husband and Ray's role in uncovering that information. Later the pair take calls on punishing pedophiles, overcoming the residual effects of childhood molestation and how a borderline personality can affect children.
- Episode #025: Uncertain PaternityDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the Jodi Arias trial and Lynette's potentially dangerous infatuation with it. They also take a listener call on the evolution of the term transgender.
- Episode #024: TransgenderDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the Jodi Arias trial and Lynette's potentially dangerous infatuation with it. They also take a listener call on the evolution of the term transgender.
- Episode #023: Podium of NarcissismDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the narcissism in our society and Adam shares portions of his recent Gavin Newsom interview with Drew. They also recount stories from their recent performance in Denver.
- Episode #022: Girls vs. Deuce BigalowDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss Adam's courtside experience with Bill O'Reilly at the Lakers game and examine the comedic writing of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. They then take calls on combining caffeine with Adderall and unwanted relatives at a wedding.
- Episode #021: Fecal Human TransplantDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the Big Mac over the years and play a classic Loveline clip to highlight Adam's consistency They also take calls on fecal human transplant and cold feet before marriage.
- Episode #020: Is Adam an Alcoholic?DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew examine the abysmal traffic in Los Angeles and discuss common sense solutions that can be achieved without further expenditures. Then they take listener calls on Viagra, brain surgery and Adam's alcohol consumption.
- Episode #019: Mindy McCready DiscussionDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew open the show discussing the tragic passing of Mindy McCready and Drew's frustration with the media's role in the story. They also take listener calls on cutting, depression vs. laziness and the dangers of MDMA use.
- Episode #018: NauglesDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the culture of too much self-esteem and the now defunct Naugles fast food chain. They then take listener calls on Humira and long distance relationships.
- Episode #017: Social AnxietyDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew examine the differences between employees and spouses as well as Adam wanting to expose his children to quality entertainment. They also take calls on HIV transmission, social anxiety and Al-Anon.
- Episode #016: TiburonDOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss the fundamental difference between men & women. They then take calls on marijuana use, high blood pressure medication and Drew has an addition to Adam's bathroom rules.
- Episode #015: David Alan GrierDOWNLOAD HEREDavid Alan Grier returns and the guys talk football and head injuries as well as taking calls on PTSD, bone marrow donation and Adam's heroes.
- Episode #014: David Alan GrierDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew are joined by good friend David Alan Grier and they discuss the Manti T'eo story and take calls on hernia surgery, women who don't want to commit and bits from days past.
- Episode #013: Diane FarrDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew are joined by former Loveline co-host Diane Farr to discuss bathroom etiquette and take calls on Xanax, atrophied testes and methamphetamine addiction.
- Kissing Outside The Lines
- For more with Dianne, go to http://GetDianeFarr.com and follow her on Twitter @GetDianeFarr
- Episode #012: Heroin Addict MomDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss Adam's problems with pet food storage and take calls on heroin addiction, the Controlled Substances Act, and teenage pot use.
- Episode #011: Peeing During SexDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew take questions from a herion addict without money for treatment and a guy who wants to ask his girlfriend to lose weight. Plus, they break down trippy '60s songs.
- Episode #010: Defending Lance ArmstrongDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss the Lance Armstrong controversy and take calls on chronic over-eating and abuse by step parents.
- Episode #009: Superfan GiovanniDOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew sit down with Superfan Giovanni and take a trip down Loveline memory lane. Later Adam and Drew take calls from listeners on retrograde ejaculation, fear of commitment and a unique sexual fetish.
- For more with Superfan Giovanni, visit http://giopodcast.com
- Episode #008DOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss the recent passing of Huell Howser, John Lennon and giant Mexican guitars. They also take calls from listeners on depression, suboxone and dealing with a suicidal alcoholic parent.
- Episode #007DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss a traveling mishap Drew experienced over the holidays and they take calls on couples therapy, circumcision & testicular irregularities.
- Episode #006DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Drew discuss observations made during a recent visit to Disneyland and take calls on dealing with a bad break-up, alcoholic parents and energy drinks.
- Episode #005DOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss the internets effect on the first amendment and take calls on anal sex, PTSD & chronic yeast infections.
- Episode #004DOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss his frustration with Lynette's 'business' trip and take calls on shopping addiction, permanent birth control & persistent nosebleeds.
- Episode #003DOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss the 'Tune Out' factor in today's society and take calls on anxiety, Alanon and abortion.
- Episode #002DOWNLOAD HEREAdam & Drew discuss the troubles Adam's been having with selling Mangria at his shows and take calls on topics including marijuana addiction & HPV.
- Episode #001DOWNLOAD HEREAdam and Dr. Drew begin their new podcast series with stories about FUBU, journalistic integrity, and achieving the impossible. They also take your sex, drug, and relationship calls.
-
- SAVE OUR PODCASTS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND - FundAnything
- Who Is Involved and Why Should You Care?
- Adam Carolla is leading the fight against Patent Trolls that are trying to shut down the Adam Carolla Show '' AND ALL OTHER PODCASTS! Here's why Adam needs your help:
- Adam is being sued in Federal Court by Personal Audio. Personal Audio is not an ongoing business. The only reason Personal Audio exists is to sue every business imaginable '... including Adam Carolla. That's right, lawsuits are the only way that Personal Audio makes money!
- Personal Audio, and companies like them, are known as Patent Trolls. Here's how they work. First, Patent Trolls buy up broad based, general patents. Then The Trolls sue every business possible. Their claim is that their patents are being used without permission or compensation.
- In Adam Carolla's case, Personal Audio is claiming they own the patent for the delivery of all media over the Internet. Therefore, Personal Audio claims that The Adam Carolla Show is guilty of patent infringement.
- Personal Audio is also going after any other Podcast they believe can be shaken down for money. They have already made these same allegations against Marc Maron, Chris Hardwick and many others.
- What Will Your Money Be Used For?
- Winning this case is crucial for the survival of all Podcasting! If Adam Carolla loses this battle, then every other Podcast will be quickly shut down.
- Because Patent Trolls like Personal Audio would use a victory over Carolla as leverage to extort money from every other Podcast.. As you probably know, Podcasts are inherently small, owner-operated businesses that do not have the financial resources to fight off this type of an assault. Therefore, Podcasts as we know them today would cease to exist.
- Every dollar of your donation to the Save Our Podcasts Defense Fund will go towards the legal costs of defending The Adam Carolla Show against Personal Audio's frivolous lawsuit.
- This fund will be raised on the behalf of ALL PODCASTERS AND THEIR FANS, and send a crystal clear message to all patent trolls that we WON'T BACK DOWN!
- Most importantly, your contribution will ALLOW YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTS TO REMAIN IN OPERATION!
- When Personal Audio filed these frivolous claims against The Adam Carolla Show, they expected Adam to roll over and pay a financial settlement. Normally, this would be the only viable course of action (besides shutting down) as defending a lawsuit of this nature costs millions of dollars.
- If Personal Audio had their way, every single Podcast including 'The Adam Carolla Show', 'This American Life' and ''WTF with Marc Maron'' would be faced with one simple choice. Either shut down or charge listeners to keep the lights on.
- When Personal Audio filed these frivolous claims, they could never have imagined that thousands of people would band together on the Internet to wage this battle.
- This is a chance for your voice to be heard. If you love Podcasts, and love the freedom of the Internet, we invite you to join us at this critical moment.
- Your contribution and participation are GREATLY appreciated!
- Find out more ways to get involved by emailing: LegalDefense@AdamCarolla.com
- Adam was recently on The Howard Stern Show to rally the troops in this war against the Patent Trolls! Check out this article from HowardStern.com
-
- Newsweek Relaunches in Print With Bitcoin Reporting Coup | Adweek
- Newsweek returns to newsstands Friday with a small press run (70,000), but it's hoping to make a big impact with its cover story, which claims to have actually tracked down the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the man credited with inventing Bitcoin.
- As the story goes, Nakamoto doesn't open up much except to say that he's not involved in Bitcoin anymore, but senior staff writer Leah McGrath Goodman manages to wring out a nearly 3,400-word profile of the California man, who's described as rumpled and unkept and living in a modest home, despite having a fortune estimated at $400 million.
- Newsweek new editor in chief Jim Impoco, who had to pull together the issue at breakneck speed in three months, is enjoying the moment. ''The [U.K.'s Sunday] Times had a 7,000-word story trying to find the inventor of Bitcoin and didn't. The Telegraph tried to find the founder and got nothing. The New Yorker, Fast Company, they followed the trail, and the trail went cold. And we found him.''
- Readers can be forgiven for having low expectations for Newsweek these days. It's been hobbled by a string of layoffs, ownership changes and circulation cuts. Its last owner pulled the plug on the print edition at the end of 2012. When new owner IBT Media announced that it was restarting the presses, it set a goal of a 100,000 circulation, a far cry from its circulation peak of 3.3 million.
- But Impoco has ambitious designs for Newsweek, which he's described as a monthly coming out weekly. Priest + Grace (O, the Oprah Magazine, Cond(C) Nast Portfolio) designed the magazine, which is heavy on the black and red. The magazine is perfect-bound and printed on thick, glossy stock.
- Adweek got an exclusive first look at the 68-page inaugural issue. The quick front-of-book reads that are the stock in trade of newsweeklies were tossed in favor of full-page photography (''Big Shots'') and medium-length articles. The article mix is provocative and international in scope ("I think being smart is cool," Impoco said). In addition to the Bitcoin feature, there's a feature by Katrina Brooker on Gen. Stanley McChrystal's new business venture. Jeff Stein has an article on how China keeps an eye on Tibetan exiles and Janine di Giovanni wrote about women jihadists. Impoco said he took inspiration from the Newsweek of the '80s, when Newsweek had "its scrappiest group of writers and reporters."
- ''There's not a lot of fluff,'' Impoco said.
- Relaunching a newsweekly magazine may seem like a lark these days, when New York magazine has gone twice-monthly and Time is doubling down on digital (its long-awaited Web relaunch went live Wednesday). But Newsweek's approach doesn't depend on it selling a lot of issues; it's going after the long tail of die-hard readers that are willing to pay for it, and charging them accordingly'--the magazine will cost $7.99 per issue and $149.99 per year for a combined print-digital subscription, which puts Newsweek at the high end of even weekly magazine subscriptions.
- Advertising will be a small part of the mix; the first issue has just six advertisers (Mazda, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Paradies, Seton Hall and Oakland universities).
- ''We're confident that it will be a very interesting package to the readers,'' IBT Media co-founder and CEO Etienne Uzac said. ''[Impoco and I] both agreed, we want to bring back Newsweek's past panache'--the stories that really matter. We felt that was the obvious place for Newsweek.''
-
- Man uit Japan ontkent bedenker bitcoin te zijn
- Bewerkt door: redactie '' 07/03/14, 03:54 '' bron: AP
- (C) ap. Dorian S. Nakamoto, tijdens het interview met AP.
- Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto, de man die volgens het Amerikaanse blad Newsweek de bedenker is van de bitcoin, ontkent dat hij iets met de digitale munt heeft te maken. Hij zegt dit in een uitgebreid exclusief interview met persbureau AP.
- Nakamoto beweert zelfs dat hij nog nooit van de bitcoin had gehoord totdat zijn zoon hem vertelde dat een verslaggever van Newsweek contact met hem had gezocht, drie weken geleden.
- De 64-jarige man erkent dat een aantal feiten uit het geruchtmakende Newsweek-verhaal kloppen: zo heeft hij een tijd gewerkt voor een defensiebedrijf en was zijn naam bij geboorte Satoshi. Maar hij ontkent ten stelligste dat hij 'het gezicht achter de bitcoin' is. Meermalen zegt hij: 'Ik heb er niets mee te maken.'
- PseudoniemSinds de introductie van de bitcoin in 2009 is de bedenker altijd een mysterie gebleven. De persoon (of personen) achter de schepping van de digitale munt stond bekend onder de naam Satoshi Nakamoto, maar daarvan werd over het algemeen aangenomen dat het een pseudoniem was. Deze 'Satoshi Nakamoto' publiceerde in 2008 een paper waarin het cryptogeld werd voorgesteld. Bekend is dat hij tot 2011 actief was in de bitcoingemeenschap. Daarna is niets meer van hem vernomen. Totdat Newsweek donderdag de identiteit onthulde. Althans, zo leek het.
- Na de publicatie van het artikel, donderdag, is Nakamoto platgebeld, zo vertelt hij AP. Een paar uur later stond er een tiental verslaggevers voor zijn bescheiden huis in Temple City, Californi. Hij kwam naar buiten en gaf te kennen dat hij slechts met (C)(C)n verslaggever wilde praten. Hij vroeg ook om een 'free lunch'. Uiteindelijk sprak hij met een AP-reporter, eerst in de auto en later (onder het genot van een sushi-lunch) op het kantoor van het persbureau. Volgens AP is hij op alle elementen in het Newsweek-artikel (4.500 woorden) ingegaan.
- 'Daar kan ik niet over praten'Nakamoto, die toen Newsweek aanbelde meteen de politie erbij riep, zou volgens Newsweek over bitcoin hebben gezegd: 'Daar ben ik niet meer bij betrokken en ik kan er niet over praten.' De man zegt tegen AP dat dit een verkeerd ge¯nterpreteerde quote is. Hij zou het niet over bitcoin hebben gehad maar over zijn vak, bouwkunde. Twee politieagenten stonden bij het gesprek aan de voordeur.
- Newsweek zegt achter het artikel te blijven staan. De verslaggever Leah McGrath Goodman, die twee maanden in het artikel heeft gestopt, zegt dat er geen enkel misverstand kan bestaan over wat Nakamoto bedoelde.
- Newsweek schreef over de man dat hij een teruggetrokken bestaan leidt in het stadje in Californi, waar hij samenwoont met zijn 93-jarige moeder. Hij stamt af van de samoerai en is de zoon van een boeddhistische priester. Hij houdt van modeltreinen. Een deel van de informatie klopt. Nakamoto bevestigt bijvoorbeeld dat hij uit Beppu, Japan komt en naar de VS verhuisde toen hij 10 was.
- Belangrijkste vituele muntBitcoin is de eerste en verreweg de belangrijkste virtuele munteenheid. De bitcoin kwam in 2009 voor het eerst in omloop, maar heeft vooral het afgelopen half jaar fors aan populariteit en waarde gewonnen. De totale waarde van alle bitcoins wordt geschat op miljarden. De munt ligt op dit moment hevig onder vuur door digitale overvallen op twee bitcoinbanken. Alle huidige digitale munteenheden zijn gebaseerd op de bitcoin.
-
- Breaking: Bitcoin Exchange Closes Down US Operations Because of Hostile US Regulatory Environment
- Vault of Satoshi has issued the following statement:It is with great regret that we inform you that we will be ceasing our US operations effective today. If you reside outside the United States this does not affect you.
- We've made this decision not because of any specific legal challenge or threat, but because we feel the regulatory environment in the US is becoming increasingly hostile toward Bitcoin, and more specifically toward exchanges trading in digital currencies. We're heeding the warnings of Bitcoin Foundation and BitInstant founder, Charlie Shrem, who recently conducted a troubling interview with ''Let's Talk Bitcoin.'' If you want to hear more about the situation exchanges face operating in the US, we recommend you listen to episode 87 of ''Let's Talk Bitcoin'' here.
- We've made repeated attempts to comply with FinCEN regulations, but their online form submission process will not allow us to post reports from our headquarters in Ontario, Canada. They refuse to accept printed paper reports, and their drop-downs don't include Canadian options, making it impossible to the file the required documentation properly in order to comply. Despite repeated inquiries into how to properly file reports from Canada, we have yet to receive a satisfactory response. They've literally made it impossible for us to run our business in compliance with their regulations.
- We make this decision with a heavy heart, and will be revisiting it as we continue to monitor the regulatory and legal position of the US government (and all of its individual States) towards digital currency exchanges. Each State has their own requirements for how to handle a business like ours, and the setup and compliance costs are astronomical. We'd like to get back into the US digital currency exchange market as soon as possible, but cannot do so until the regulatory situation is clarified and settles down. We will be exploring re-launching on a state-by-state basis, but we do not yet have a timeline in place.
- If you are a US-based customer, unfortunately your account will soon be demoted to level 1, and you will be limited to coin-to-coin trading, which will be launching within the coming weeks. Any dollars currently in your account will be refunded to you via check, which you should receive within 2-3 weeks' time. Please make sure your address is correct.
- If you're a US-based customer and have recently submitted documents for verification, unfortunately, we will not be able to verify your account at this time.
- To all of the amazing American users who have helped us build Vault of Satoshi into what it is today: we value you tremendously and we hope that we have not lost your trust and support. We deeply regret that we can no longer service your cryptocurrency exchange needs, and we'll do everything we can to re-gain your business and re-launch in your country in the near future, stronger than ever before.
- To Canadian and International users, we've got exciting plans ahead and are continuing our to expand and cement our position in this industry. Stay tuned for more amazing innovations from our team here in Canada.
- Thank you once again for your incredible and humbling support.
-
- Dear Newsweek: RTFM | Makeshift Kiosk
- Today (or rather yesterday), I was at the Texas Bitcoin Conference in Austin. It was awesome. I met a legion of capable individuals working in the Bitcoin space. But when I finally had a chance to sit down and read and talk about my experience online, I could only find people buzzing about how Newsweek had found Satoshi Nakamoto.
- The article has, of course, now been debunked, but I am still peeved at Newsweek. They wasted a really good day for internal Bitcoin community education. Unless they were hoping for a quick fix or a rebranding, Newsweek's owners should also be peeved. No credible news organisation would have published this article. And since an in-credible news organisation is just a tabloid, Newsweek has just lost the readership who reads this article and discovers the truth. This article is the front page story of their new first print edition. So, nice work there.
- Mistakes were made aplenty in the printing of this article. One minor mistake would be to identify someone when there is no good reason to disrespect their privacy. Another mistake would be masquerading as your subject in order to obtain private records. This is clearly illegal and, to me, morally wrong. To me, the real first mistake is that finding Satoshi isn't even really a newsworthy pursuit. I suppose it sells well, though. But enough about those mistakes; I'll let others talk about them in detail. The mistake I would like to focus on is the mistake of not consulting the internet about any of this.
- Not insane, just incompetent.
- How do I know the reporter did not consult the internet about her find? Well, maybe she did. In some circumspect manner. But I find it hard to believe that anyone who has spent any time investigating Satoshi online would look at the evidence she saw, and say ''I don't have any doubt (it's the creator of Bitcoin)''. If they would, I'd like to sit across the poker table from them someday (and I don't play poker). Online, we have a couple standards of doubt we use to determine the truthfulness of claims about Satoshi.
- One fairly speculative method of investigation is to compare writing styles. Satoshi can be more than one person, but at least one of them writes proper English. Below is Dorian's writing style. A redditor found it from an Amazon review and reported it within less than a workday of this breaking story. An outside observer must have been amazed at his quick research, but once you realize that we've used this criterion for years (centuries in Bitcoinland), it seems rather obvious how we found this information so quickly.
- Perhaps he's also behind Buttercoin
- A somewhat less speculative method is to find Satoshi's hardware. In a series of blog entries, an excellent researcher uses artifacts in the Bitcoin public ledger to make some educated guesses as to what hardware Satoshi used to mine Bitcoins. No attempt was made to locate this artifact. The reporter did not indicate she asked Dorian or his family any questions about perhaps the only unencrypted physical evidence we can obtain about Satoshi.
- This guy's blog is a good starting point for Satoshi research.
- The gold standard for proving that someone is Satoshi is definitely not claiming, without recorded evidence, to have heard him say ''I am no longer involved in that''. It's getting him to sign a message that only the creator of Bitcoin can sign. He can sign from his PGP key that he used to communicate with the world, or he can sign from the very first entry in the blockchain ledger that he created. He has various other keys too (Bitcoin-QT alert key), and any one of them will work. And even then, some people will still have doubts. Certainly, you cannot counterfeit cryptographic signatures and everyone can verify their authenticity. However, Satoshi could have given his keys away. At the very least, though, you can be sure that your subject is in possession of Nakamoto's keys. These are among his most private, personal, and valuable of possessions. Unless there were huge red flags, I would then be comfortable using the words ''without a doubt''.
- So, how do I know all this? I know all this simply because I read the internet. This reporter, her editor, and her research team (''research team''? ''research'' team?) clearly don't know how to use the internet. If Newsweek had simply proposed their Nakamoto in a way that protected their piece, the internet (Reddit, StackExchange, Quora, or various relevant niche forums) would have asked them about their criteria and debunked their theory immediately.
- A good way to get laughed off the internet
- Instead, they used their own arbitrary contrived criteria that seemed credible to the general public to write a fantasy piece that wasted everyone's time. When operators fail to work the basics of a system, engineers utter an expression that predates the internet era: ''Read the fucking manual'' (RTFM). This is a news organisation failing in a very basic way to report the news. And so, my advice as an engineer is this: Dear Newsweek, The internet is your ''fucking manual''. Your interactive and extremely thorough manual. Try and use it next time you attempt journalism.
-
- Whistleblower Threatens to Expose Corruption at Bitcoin Foundation
- If a breathless car chase wasn't cinematic enough to make you care about Bitcoin, how about a whistleblower threatening to publish an expose about corrupt elders and ominously signing off: "You have 72 hours"?
- An "entrepreneur and former venture capitalist" who goes by the handle the Two-Bit Idiot declared "war" today in a blog post entitled Coup or Death for the Bitcoin Foundation? The blogger, whose name is Ryan Selkis, previously talked to Fortune's Dan Primack about leaking documents about Mt. Gox. In today's post, he threatened to publish a searing expose on Monday unless two of its board members resign. TBI also claims that the foundation's corporate sponsors "discouraged" him from airing Bitcoin's filthy laundry.
- According to TBI, chairman Peter Vessenes and executive director Jon Matonis are not "ethically entitled" to retain their board seats in the Seattle-based non-profit because conflicts of interest and gross negligence. The most damning allegations are related to the disastrous implosion of Mt. Gox. In the early days, Mt. Gox was the largest Bitcoin exchange and a tent pole for the budding economy, hiding questionable practices.
- TBI says Vessnes and Matonis got their money out through connections with Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpeles, while $473 million swirled down the blockchain drain (emphasis mine):
- On Monday, I plan to publish a full article which elaborates on these damning facts and much more:
- 1) The Foundation never once warned Bitcoin investors about keeping deposits in Mt. Gox, despite clear red flags dating back to at least April 2013. Nor did the Foundation craft or advocate for best practices such as technical transparency, deposit audits, or appropriate consumer protection disclosures. This was a colossal failure of leadership.
- 2) There is evidence that Bitcoin Foundation board members may have had direct access to Mark Karpeles which allowed them to personally deposit and withdraw funds from Mt. Gox, despite persistent delays for other customers.
- 3) There is a troubling and inappropriate overlap between Peter Vessenes' staff at his private company, CoinLab, and the Bitcoin Foundation's staff, which goes far beyond shared office space.
- 4) The current leadership has shown a stunning disregard for proper communications with its members. The importance of immediate resignations (rather than gradual) is highlighted by the Board's secret plans to move the Foundation's headquarters to London without input from members and sponsors.
- 5) Peter Vessenes has had a nine month conflict of interest regarding Mt. Gox given that his company CoinLab was involved in an active multi-million dollar lawsuit against Mark Karpeles and Mt. Gox, following a failed partnership. Both men remained on the board of directors, and the Foundation failed to draft adequate by-laws that would allow them to address situations such as this where directors had material conflicts, which would compromise their ability to act in the best interests of its members.
- This egregious behavior and negligence may not be the worst of the information to come. I have been unable to reach representatives of the Foundation for comment on a myriad of other accounting issues related to the treatment of member donations.
- True believers like to tout the fact that Bitcoin is intentionally decentralized, so an industry group like the foundation is about as close to an authority figure or overseer as you're going to get. The agency's website says:
- Bitcoin Foundation standardizes, protects and promotes the use of Bitcoin cryptographic money for the benefit of users worldwide.
- TBI claims Vessenes and Matonis are at fault, rather than the foundation itself. But it's worth noting that both Krebeles and Charlie Shrem, the indicted founder of BitInstant, were formerly board members:
- And for better or for worse, with all of its blue-chip sponsors and leading role to date in events such as the Senate Bitcoin hearings and NYDFS BitLicense hearings, the Foundation is the mouthpiece for the entire industry.
- Peter Vessenes and Jon Matonis are not scapegoats. They are not innocent bystanders. And they are not ethically entitled to remain in their board seats through later this year.
- TBI also claims that the foundation's corporate sponsors told him to keep his mouth shut, but doesn't name said sponsors. This list of platinum, gold, and silver foundation members mainly includes Bitcoin startups. Previous donors to the foundation include Wordpress and Fred Wilson from Union Square Ventures. Among investors, the most prominent and full-throated support has come from Andreessen Horowitz, which recently invested $25 million in Coinbase.
- At this week's Texas Bitcoin Conference, I was fortified by near-unanimous agreement (and, at times, applause) that the current leadership must resign or be forced out of their positions on the Foundation. Yet I have also been warned that I am playing a dangerous game, with cunning and ruthless power brokers. I have been discouraged by corporate sponsors of the Foundation not to make a public stink which would be "counter-productive" and "irresponsible" for Bitcoin. Most would prefer to let the Mt. Gox scandal blow over, but I would rather wipe the slate clean definitively, blood or no.
- TBI describes himself as a "truth-teller," making "the business case for #Bitcoin on its journey from speculative investment to world-changing utility" and clearly sees himself as the Edward Snowden of cryptocurrency.
- What if someone spends Bitcoin to take him out before he can send documents to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and others? TBI's got it covered:
- If I get hit by a bus this weekend, my lawyers will release it.
- If you have any information to share about the Bitcoin Foundation, please email nitasha@gawker.com.
- Update: A previous version of this post said TBI was anonymous. His name is Ryan Selkis, as he acknowledged in this interview with Fortune.
-
- Julian Assange Warns SXSW of ''Military Occupation of the Internet Space'' | Re/code
- In a surreal session in Austin today, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange spoke with an enormous hall full of SXSW attendees via a problematic Skype connection from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
- (Well, it was full at the beginning of the session. Poor remote video can lose a crowd.)
- Assange '-- credited with ushering in the current era of classified document releases, and unable to travel internationally for fear of extradition '-- is not necessarily this annual arena's star of the year. That would be Edward Snowden, who is also speaking with SXSW via video chat from Russia on Monday. Also on Monday, journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has been Snowden's key outlet, will be join SXSW on a hookup from Brazil.
- But at a tech industry event at a time when Internet freedoms are top of mind, Assange is definitely a draw.
- ''There has been a military occupation of Internet space '-- a very serious phenomenon,'' Assange told the crowd, responding to texted questions from a moderator, and checking periodically to see if people in the cavernous ballroom could see him via show of hands.
- Predictably, the U.S. government was Assange's main rhetorical target. ''There is a question if the Barack Obama administration is at all serious, and who really wears the pants,'' he said. ''Is it the security agencies, or the civilian part?''
- The evidence to back up that allegation, according to Assange, is found in the lack of firings, prosecutions, budget cuts and other punitive actions that might have occurred in the eight months since the original Snowden revelations.
- Before Wikileaks brought this style of disclosure and whistle-blowing to the headlines four years ago, ''We weren't actually living in the world, we were living in some fictitious representation of the world,'' Assange argued.
- Now that people are starting to understand the extent of government surveillance and secrets, the Internet has gone from an apathetic space to a political space, Assange said.
- Going forward, Assange urged people to be aware that anything they do online is being watched.
- And it's troubling, he said, that control of Internet services rests with such a small number of companies. The fact that Google knows that one million Android phones are activated per day is a problem in and of itself, Assange asserted.
- ''There's a single group that's able to capture that much information,'' Assange said. ''That's a surveillance nightmare.''
- More Articles About South by Southwest 2014
-
- Red Hat programmer discovers major security flaw in Linux
- Red Hat programmer discovers major security flaw in Linux7 hours ago by Bob Yirka (Phys.org) '--Programmer Nikos Mavrogiannopoulos who works for Red Hat, has discovered a major security problem with the Linux operating system'--a bug that could allow a hacker to create a certificate that could bypass the normal authenticity checks. Red Hat sent out an immediate alert and suggests all those who use its product update their software with a fix they've made available.
- Officially known as CVE-2014-0092, the bug appears to be a simple programming error'--one that has been in a part of the Linux operating system for over a decade. More specifically, the bug involves GnuTLS's (a library of functions used for processing certificate requests) validation of X509 certificates. In many respects, the error appears to be similar to the "goto fail" security problem that cropped up in iOS and OS X recently. At issue in both cases is the infamous GOTO computer command which has been criticized by several high profile programmers for several years. Problems occur with it due to a programmer failing to consider one or more events. GOTO commands are called on demand, i.e. IF condition GOTO some other part of the code. The problem can be made worse if negative conditions are used because humans can't always think of every possible outcome.
- In this instance, GOTO commands were being executed under certain conditions that allowed for bypassing certificate authentication, allowing unauthenticated certificates to be processed as if they were authentic. If a hacker discovered the flaw, they could cause their own certificates to be authenticated, allowing for decrypting data. That of course could impact a lot of users as Linux, especially the Red Hat version, is very commonly used as a web server operating system.
- What is most surprising about the bug is that it went undetected for so long. Linux is an open source operating system which means thousands, if not millions, have access to the source code'--every one of whom can test any part of it. That no one thought to independently test every part of the highly important GnuTLS's library seems almost unfathomable.
- Now that the bug has been identified, fixes have been made in virtually all Linux variants, which users can download. Sadly, not everyone keeps up on such reports, however, which means the bug could very well live on in many web servers and others systems around the world for many years to come.
- Explore further:Symantec discovers worm that targets systems running Linux'--threat to other devices
- More information:rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0246.html
- More from Physics Forums - Computers
- Symantec discovers worm that targets systems running Linux'--threat to other devices Dec 02, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--Antivirus company Symantec has announced that it has discovered a new worm on the loose'--one that attacks vulnerabilities in computer systems running Linux. Thus far, they report, the threat is ...
- International Space Station making laptop migration from Windows XP to Debian 6 May 12, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--The International Space Station has decided to switch dozens of laptops running Windows XP over to Debian. What Linux fans have been saying for years'--that Linux delivers greater stability ...
- Apple readies security fix for Mac after iOS flaw Feb 24, 2014
- Apple said Monday it was developing a security fix for its Mac OS X computer operating system after a patch released for its iPhones and iPads to thwart hacker attacks.
- Bringing the world reboot-less updates Jan 24, 2014
- It's an annoyance for the individual computer user: You've updated your operating system, and now you need to reboot. This is so the computer can switch to the modified source code.
- Valve releases both Steam Machine and SteamOS Dec 16, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--Video game maker Valve Corporation has officially made SteamOS available for download for anyone who wishes to do so. At the same time, the company announced that it has also shipped Steam Machines ...
- Linux camp has key to Windows 8 boot lockout Oct 14, 2012
- (Phys.org)'--Microsoft's rocky reputation with the open source community was not exactly obliterated with hardware news surrounding the upcoming launch of the operating system, Windows 8. Systems will come ...
- Ubisoft to unleash 'Watch Dogs' video game in May 1 hour ago
- Ubisoft said Thursday that it will unleash hacker-themed video game "Watch Dogs" on May 27 in what could turn a disappointing launch delay into a smart marketing move.
- Mozilla to improve JPEG compression with mozjpeg tool 1 hour ago
- (Phys.org) '--Mozilla announced on Wednesday its new project to provide a production-quality JPEG encoder that improves compression. Project mozjpeg will bring better compression efficiency to JPEG, the popular ...
- Iceland startup finds success with trivia app 2 hours ago
- A small startup has taken the gaming world by storm, finding success with its QuizUp trivia app and spurning offers to abandon its remote Iceland headquarters in favor of California's Silicon Valley.
- Shaq seeking funding for new 'Shaq Fu' video game 2 hours ago
- Shaq wants to be back in a video game.
- Video games target Japan's silver generation 13 hours ago
- At a nursing home in suburban Tokyo, 88-year-old Saburo Sakamoto darts his fingers energetically to catch characters that appear on a touch screen in front of him.
- Review: Apple's iWork brings simplicity to docs Mar 05, 2014
- Microsoft's Office is the go-to software package for creating and sharing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Google's Docs has emerged as a good, free alternative for lightweight tasks. But what's often overlooked ...
- User comments : 3Adjust slider to filter visible comments by rank
- Display comments: newest first
- Eikkanot rated yet3 hours ago
- every one of whom can test any part of it
- Technically, but not practically speaking.
- Extremely few people go around poking the source code of their operating system for fun without a pressing need - and even when they do it's a snowball's chance in hell they'll just stumble on the particular line of code that contains the bug amongs the millions of lines of code - assuming they're competent enough to notice or do anything about it in the first place.
- It all takes time, money and effort, and unless you're paid to do it you probably just don't give a toss. Meanwhile, people who are trying to break into these systems do have the motivation and time, and often the money to spend the time poking around to see what breaks - and then tell nobody else about it.
- That's why I find the Linus's law of "Many eyes make all bugs shallow" a load of rubbish because the eyes are blind. If there is a bug in open source software, chances are the black hats are going to find it first.
- rjflorynot rated yet2 hours ago
- Technically the problem is not with the operating system itself, but with an accessory library maintained by a completely different group. This library is also used by several other operating systems besides Linux.To claim the problem is with the Linux operating system is akin to claiming a bug in the quicktime player or acrobat reader is the fault of microsoft- it isn't...
- Bonianot rated yet36 minutes ago
- every one of whom can test any part of it... technically, but not practically speaking
- IMO the possibility to compile and install network servers from source code is utilized with malicious network admins for introduction of their private backdoors much more often, than for reporting the errors to community. In Windows the system libraries are checked against their CRC codes during each start of Windows. Every attempt for replacement of some library with some private one not only is more difficult (as you have no access to source code), but the system recognizes it and replaces it by its original version from repository.More news stories
- Spotify snaps up The Echo NestMusic streaming service Spotify announced Thursday it had acquired The Echo Nest, a company behind technology to suggest songs to listeners.
- Groups seek privacy review of Facebook-WhatsApp tie-upTwo privacy activist groups asked US regulators Thursday to put on hold the Facebook acquisition of messaging service WhatsApp to ensure against misuse of user data.
- Ubisoft to unleash 'Watch Dogs' video game in MayUbisoft said Thursday that it will unleash hacker-themed video game "Watch Dogs" on May 27 in what could turn a disappointing launch delay into a smart marketing move.
- Australian returned as head of world intellectual property bodyAn Australian lawyer and jurist, Francis Gurry, was Thursday renewed for a second term as chief of the UN's influential intellectual property agency based in Switzerland.
- Mozilla to improve JPEG compression with mozjpeg tool(Phys.org) '--Mozilla announced on Wednesday its new project to provide a production-quality JPEG encoder that improves compression. Project mozjpeg will bring better compression efficiency to JPEG, the popular ...
- ALMA sees icy wreckage in nearby solar system: Possible hidden planet causing rapid-fire cometary collisions(Phys.org) '--Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope have discovered the splattered remains of comets colliding together around a nearby star; the researchers ...
- Contacts better than permanent lenses for babies after cataract surgeryFor adults and children who undergo cataract surgery, implantation of an artificial lens is the standard of care. But a clinical trial suggests that for most infants, surgery followed by the use of contact ...
- Endo gets US approval for long-acting testosteroneDrugmaker Endo Pharmaceuticals says it received U.S. approval for its long-acting testosterone injection Aveed, which joins a crowded field of hormone-boosting drugs for men.
- British widow wins battle for husband's frozen spermA British woman won a High Court battle on Thursday to preserve her late husband's sperm for at least another decade so that she can bear his children.
- Environmentalists warn of Spain oil-drillingCampaigners warned Thursday of environmental threats from new oil-prospecting projects off Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands, two major tourist destinations.
- Javascript is currently disabled in your web browser. For full site functionality, it is necessary to enable Javascript. In order to enable it, please see these instructions.(C) Phys.org' 2003-2013, Science X network
- Red Hat programmer discovers major security flaw in Linux7 hours ago by Bob Yirka (Phys.org) '--Programmer Nikos Mavrogiannopoulos who works for Red Hat, has discovered a major security problem with the Linux operating system'--a bug that could allow a hacker to create a certificate that could bypass the normal authenticity checks. Red Hat sent out an immediate alert and suggests all those who use its product update their software with a fix they've made available.
- Officially known as CVE-2014-0092, the bug appears to be a simple programming error'--one that has been in a part of the Linux operating system for over a decade. More specifically, the bug involves GnuTLS's (a library of functions used for processing certificate requests) validation of X509 certificates. In many respects, the error appears to be similar to the "goto fail" security problem that cropped up in iOS and OS X recently. At issue in both cases is the infamous GOTO computer command which has been criticized by several high profile programmers for several years. Problems occur with it due to a programmer failing to consider one or more events. GOTO commands are called on demand, i.e. IF condition GOTO some other part of the code. The problem can be made worse if negative conditions are used because humans can't always think of every possible outcome.
- In this instance, GOTO commands were being executed under certain conditions that allowed for bypassing certificate authentication, allowing unauthenticated certificates to be processed as if they were authentic. If a hacker discovered the flaw, they could cause their own certificates to be authenticated, allowing for decrypting data. That of course could impact a lot of users as Linux, especially the Red Hat version, is very commonly used as a web server operating system.
- What is most surprising about the bug is that it went undetected for so long. Linux is an open source operating system which means thousands, if not millions, have access to the source code'--every one of whom can test any part of it. That no one thought to independently test every part of the highly important GnuTLS's library seems almost unfathomable.
- Now that the bug has been identified, fixes have been made in virtually all Linux variants, which users can download. Sadly, not everyone keeps up on such reports, however, which means the bug could very well live on in many web servers and others systems around the world for many years to come.
- Explore further:Symantec discovers worm that targets systems running Linux'--threat to other devices
- More information:rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0246.html
- More from Physics Forums - Computers
- Symantec discovers worm that targets systems running Linux'--threat to other devices Dec 02, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--Antivirus company Symantec has announced that it has discovered a new worm on the loose'--one that attacks vulnerabilities in computer systems running Linux. Thus far, they report, the threat is ...
- International Space Station making laptop migration from Windows XP to Debian 6 May 12, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--The International Space Station has decided to switch dozens of laptops running Windows XP over to Debian. What Linux fans have been saying for years'--that Linux delivers greater stability ...
- Apple readies security fix for Mac after iOS flaw Feb 24, 2014
- Apple said Monday it was developing a security fix for its Mac OS X computer operating system after a patch released for its iPhones and iPads to thwart hacker attacks.
- Bringing the world reboot-less updates Jan 24, 2014
- It's an annoyance for the individual computer user: You've updated your operating system, and now you need to reboot. This is so the computer can switch to the modified source code.
- Valve releases both Steam Machine and SteamOS Dec 16, 2013
- (Phys.org) '--Video game maker Valve Corporation has officially made SteamOS available for download for anyone who wishes to do so. At the same time, the company announced that it has also shipped Steam Machines ...
- Linux camp has key to Windows 8 boot lockout Oct 14, 2012
- (Phys.org)'--Microsoft's rocky reputation with the open source community was not exactly obliterated with hardware news surrounding the upcoming launch of the operating system, Windows 8. Systems will come ...
- Ubisoft to unleash 'Watch Dogs' video game in May 1 hour ago
- Ubisoft said Thursday that it will unleash hacker-themed video game "Watch Dogs" on May 27 in what could turn a disappointing launch delay into a smart marketing move.
- Mozilla to improve JPEG compression with mozjpeg tool 1 hour ago
- (Phys.org) '--Mozilla announced on Wednesday its new project to provide a production-quality JPEG encoder that improves compression. Project mozjpeg will bring better compression efficiency to JPEG, the popular ...
- Iceland startup finds success with trivia app 2 hours ago
- A small startup has taken the gaming world by storm, finding success with its QuizUp trivia app and spurning offers to abandon its remote Iceland headquarters in favor of California's Silicon Valley.
- Shaq seeking funding for new 'Shaq Fu' video game 2 hours ago
- Shaq wants to be back in a video game.
- Video games target Japan's silver generation 13 hours ago
- At a nursing home in suburban Tokyo, 88-year-old Saburo Sakamoto darts his fingers energetically to catch characters that appear on a touch screen in front of him.
- Review: Apple's iWork brings simplicity to docs Mar 05, 2014
- Microsoft's Office is the go-to software package for creating and sharing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Google's Docs has emerged as a good, free alternative for lightweight tasks. But what's often overlooked ...
- User comments : 3Adjust slider to filter visible comments by rank
- Display comments: newest first
- Eikkanot rated yet3 hours ago
- every one of whom can test any part of it
- Technically, but not practically speaking.
- Extremely few people go around poking the source code of their operating system for fun without a pressing need - and even when they do it's a snowball's chance in hell they'll just stumble on the particular line of code that contains the bug amongs the millions of lines of code - assuming they're competent enough to notice or do anything about it in the first place.
- It all takes time, money and effort, and unless you're paid to do it you probably just don't give a toss. Meanwhile, people who are trying to break into these systems do have the motivation and time, and often the money to spend the time poking around to see what breaks - and then tell nobody else about it.
- That's why I find the Linus's law of "Many eyes make all bugs shallow" a load of rubbish because the eyes are blind. If there is a bug in open source software, chances are the black hats are going to find it first.
- rjflorynot rated yet2 hours ago
- Technically the problem is not with the operating system itself, but with an accessory library maintained by a completely different group. This library is also used by several other operating systems besides Linux.
- To claim the problem is with the Linux operating system is akin to claiming a bug in the quicktime player or acrobat reader is the fault of microsoft- it isn't...
- Bonianot rated yet36 minutes ago
- every one of whom can test any part of it... technically, but not practically speaking
- IMO the possibility to compile and install network servers from source code is utilized with malicious network admins for introduction of their private backdoors much more often, than for reporting the errors to community. In Windows the system libraries are checked against their CRC codes during each start of Windows. Every attempt for replacement of some library with some private one not only is more difficult (as you have no access to source code), but the system recognizes it and replaces it by its original version from repository.
- Spotify snaps up The Echo NestMusic streaming service Spotify announced Thursday it had acquired The Echo Nest, a company behind technology to suggest songs to listeners.
- Groups seek privacy review of Facebook-WhatsApp tie-upTwo privacy activist groups asked US regulators Thursday to put on hold the Facebook acquisition of messaging service WhatsApp to ensure against misuse of user data.
- Ubisoft to unleash 'Watch Dogs' video game in MayUbisoft said Thursday that it will unleash hacker-themed video game "Watch Dogs" on May 27 in what could turn a disappointing launch delay into a smart marketing move.
- Australian returned as head of world intellectual property bodyAn Australian lawyer and jurist, Francis Gurry, was Thursday renewed for a second term as chief of the UN's influential intellectual property agency based in Switzerland.
- Mozilla to improve JPEG compression with mozjpeg tool(Phys.org) '--Mozilla announced on Wednesday its new project to provide a production-quality JPEG encoder that improves compression. Project mozjpeg will bring better compression efficiency to JPEG, the popular ...
- ALMA sees icy wreckage in nearby solar system: Possible hidden planet causing rapid-fire cometary collisions(Phys.org) '--Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope have discovered the splattered remains of comets colliding together around a nearby star; the researchers ...
- Contacts better than permanent lenses for babies after cataract surgeryFor adults and children who undergo cataract surgery, implantation of an artificial lens is the standard of care. But a clinical trial suggests that for most infants, surgery followed by the use of contact ...
- Endo gets US approval for long-acting testosteroneDrugmaker Endo Pharmaceuticals says it received U.S. approval for its long-acting testosterone injection Aveed, which joins a crowded field of hormone-boosting drugs for men.
- British widow wins battle for husband's frozen spermA British woman won a High Court battle on Thursday to preserve her late husband's sperm for at least another decade so that she can bear his children.
- Environmentalists warn of Spain oil-drillingCampaigners warned Thursday of environmental threats from new oil-prospecting projects off Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands, two major tourist destinations.
- Javascript is currently disabled in your web browser. For full site functionality, it is necessary to enable Javascript. In order to enable it, please see these instructions.(C) Phys.org' 2003-2013, Science X network
-
- No Surprise Here: Credit Reports Created With Your Online Information Are Mostly Inaccurate '' Consumerist
- More than 64 million Americans are cut off from access to traditional banking because they lack credit history. To better serve these unbanked consumers financial institutions are relying on the promises of big data brokers to accurately determine the creditworthiness of consumers. But is the new method a reliable way to provide affordable access to credit? Not really, a new report by the National Consumer Law Center points out.
- The NCLC's new report ''Big Data: A Big Disappointment for Scoring Consumer Creditworthiness'' [PDF] investigates the inaccuracies in the information provided by data brokers and reviews the trustworthiness of products using big data analysis.
- Big data is the use of information culled from Internet searches, social media and mobile apps to determine a consumers' creditworthiness. Big data promises to make better predictive algorithms that in could in turn make better products available to the underbanked.
- Fifteen volunteers, all NCLC employees, attempted to retrieve their information from four data brokers: eBureau, ID Analytics, Intelius, and Spokeo for the investigation.
- Each volunteer found their reports to be filled with inaccuracies and incomplete information including wrong email addresses and poorly estimated income.
- Seven of the 15 consumer reports generated by eBureau, a company that touts advanced models, contained errors in estimated income. The reports nearly doubled the salary of one participant and halved the salary of another. Additionally, 11 of the 15 reports incorrectly stated the consumer's education level.
- Reports purchased from Intelius and Spokeo had the most inaccuracies. The most common inaccuracies included wrong addresses, added or omitted family members and added or omitted social media accounts.
- The reports from eBureau, and ID Analytics were found to contain very little information.
- Big data reports were found to contain a number of inaccuracies.
- ''Proponents of big data underwriting argue that by using a constellation of factors to price credit, the cost of credit will be reduced for low-income borrowers, thus enabling lenders to provide lower-cost small loans as alternatives to payday loans,'' the NCLC notes in the report.
- The NCLC evaluated seven loan products that are based on big data underwriting. Six of the products are marketed as payday loan alternatives, including RISE Credit.
- The evaluation found that while some of the features are ''less bad'' than those of traditional payday loans, the products fail to meet requirements to be considered genuine, better alternatives, the NCLC report concludes.
- When the NCLC delved deeper into big data brokers they found the companies could be considered consumer reporting agencies and subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- The FRCA imposes substantial duties on a CRA, most importantly dealing with accuracy, disclosure and the right to dispute items on reports. The NCLC concludes that it's unlikely that big data brokers could meet FCRA requirements.
- While big data does offer alternative methods to determine an unbanked consumers' creditworthiness it falls apart when put to the test, NCLC reports.
- ''Unfortunately, our analysis concludes that big data does not live up to its big promises,'' NCLC notes. ''A review of the big data underwriting systems and the small consumer loans that use them leads us to believe that big data is a big disappointment. More and more, consumers are leading robust lives online. However, as data about consumers proliferates, so does bad data.''
- To better ensure that big data is used correctly, the NCLC developed several federal policy recommendations:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should continue to study big data brokers and credit scores testing for potential discriminatory impact, compliance with dis- closure requirements, accuracy, and the predictiveness of the algorithms.The FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) should examine big data brokers for legal compliance with FCRA and Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).The CFPB should create a mandatory registry for consumer reporting agencies so that consumers can know who has their data.The CFPB, in coordination with the FTC, should create regulations based upon the FTC's research that:Define reasonable procedures for ensuring accuracy when using big data;Specify a mechanism so that consumers can do a meaningful review of their files '¨including all data points that can be linked to that consumer (not just those that '¨identify the consumer explicitly); andDefine reasonable procedures for disputing the accuracy of information.The CFPB should require all of the financial products it regulates to meet Regulation B's requirements for credit scoring models.
-
- Target CIO leaves in wake of security breach as chip cards move in | VentureBeat | Security | by Barry Levine
- Above: Beth M. Jacob, now Target's former chief information officer.
- As Target tries to regain its footing after the massive security breach it suffered back in December, its chief information officer, Beth Jacob, announced today that she is resigning, effective immediately. Meanwhile, the gigantic retailer is speeding up its adoption of smart credit card technology.
- The search to replace Jacob, who has held that position and vice president of Target Technology Services since 2008, will focus on external candidates and will utilize an outside search firm, CEO Gregg Steinhafel said in a statement.
- The company reportedly has said Jacob initiated the resignation, but retail consultant Walter Loeb told the Associated Press that ''she was the fall guy.'' According to her bio on the Target site, Jacob holds a bachelor's degree in retail merchandising and a masters in business administration. It doesn't mention a computer science degree.
- In addition to a new CIO, the company is also searching for a chief compliance officer and a chief information security officer. Responsibilities for security had previously been divided between various executives. Target will name an interim CIO until it selects a permanent replacement.
- ''Target has to take some public steps to say 'we take this seriously,'' Steven Kirn of the University of Florida's Miller Retailing Center told Venturebeat. The company has to show that ''this is a big deal and we are taking big steps,'' he said.
- Target has a big barn door to close. At the end of last year, the giant retailer acknowledged that confidential information in 40 million customer credit card accounts had been stolen, and later added that personal data in as many as 70 million other accounts may also have been breached. Target reported last week a 46 percent drop in profit for the fourth quarter year-over-year, in part because of a fall-off in sales after the data theft was announced.
- In addition to the CIO's departure and the company's centralization of security authority, Target is moving on several fronts to get back on track.
- The company's U.S. stores had been using credit cards with a magnetic stripe, which are considered vulnerable technology. Last month, the company said it is putting on a fast track its $100 million adoption of more secure chip-based cards and terminals. In recent testimony before Congress, chief financial officer John Mulligan said that all of the company's proprietary REDcards and store readers will use that technology by the first quarter of next year, six months faster than previously scheduled.
- Smart cards, widely used outside the U.S., employ microprocessor chips to encrypt transaction data. Because of this, even a stolen card number will not permit a thief to easily counterfeit a chip card. Target said that losses in the U.K. from lost or stolen smart cards have dropped 67 percent since 2004, in large part because of chip card technology. In Canada, where even Target stores are using them, losses were reduced by an estimated 72 percent from 2008 to 2012.
- Target also plans to require the use of a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) for added security. But Mulligan acknowledged in an op-ed on the retailer's website that PINs may not be necessary. ''To be frank,'' he said, ''there is no consensus across the business community on the use of PINs in conjunction with chip-enabled cards.''
- If smart cards are so great, why is it taking massive data breaches to get U.S. retailers aboard? ''A reason the United States has been slow to embrace change,'' Mulligan wrote, ''is that all players in the payments system '' merchants, issuers, banks, and the networks '-- have not been able to find common ground on how to share the costs of implementation.''
- He noted that Target had piloted an early version of smart cards a decade ago, but the cards were expensive, it would've had to replace all of its store readers, and the technology was Target-specific.
- ''The whole industry is now migrating to the chip-based card,'' the Miller Center's Kirn told us, a conversion that could take another three years to complete. He noted that his American Express card already uses a chip, as does his American Airlines AAdvantage card. As of last spring, Visa said it had issued more than 3.5 million chip cards to U.S. customers.
- ''The transition is happening,'' Kirn said.
-
- Chiner$
-
- Full text of Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013 - Xinhua | English.news.cn
- BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China published a report titled "Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013" on Friday.
- Following is the report's full text:
- Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013
- State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China
- The State Department of the United States, which posed as "the world judge of human rights," made arbitrary attacks and irresponsible remarks on the human rights situation in almost 200 countries and regions again in its just-released Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. However, the U.S. carefully concealed and avoided mentioning its own human rights problems. In fact, there were still serious human rights problems in the U.S in 2013, with the situation in many fields even deteriorating.
- -- In 2013, 137 people died in 30 mass killings, which caused four or more deaths each, in the U.S.. A shooting rampage in the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. left 12 people dead.
- -- The U.S. engaged in a tapping program, code-named PRISM, exercising long-term and vast surveillance both at home and abroad. The program is a blatant violation of international law and seriously infringes on human rights.
- -- The use of solitary confinement is prevalent in the U.S.. About 80,000 U.S. prisoners are in solitary confinement in the country. Some have even been held in solitary confinement for over 40 years.
- -- The U.S. still faces grave employment situation with its unemployment rate remained high. Rates of unemployment for the lowest-income families have topped 21 percent. The homeless population in the U.S. kept swelling and it had climbed 16 percent from 2011 to 2013.
- -- There are a large amount of child laborers in the agricultural sector in the U.S. and their physical and mental health was seriously harmed.
- -- Frequent drone strikes by the U.S. in countries including Pakistan and Yemen have caused heavy civilian casualties. The U.S. has carried out 376 drone strikes in Pakistan since 2004, causing deaths of up to 926 civilians.
- -- The U.S. remains a country which has not ratified or participated in a series of core UN conventions on human rights, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
-
- SnowJob
-
- Court rejects NSA request to keep data
- The secretive federal surveillance court has denied the National Security Agency's (NSA) attempt to hold onto people's phone records for longer than the law allows.
- In an order released on Friday, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court said the Justice Department's attempt to authorize keeping the records beyond the current five-year legal limit ''is simply unpersuasive.''
- ''The Court has not found any case law supporting the government's broad assertion that its duty to preserve supersedes statutory or regulatory requirements,'' Judge Reggie Walton wrote in the court's decision.
-
- Schmidt: Not even US gov't can get at Google user data - CNET Mobile
- Google chairman Eric Schmidt tells the crowd at South by Southwest that the company's efforts to secure its user data from attacks are now complete.
- Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, left and Google Ideas Director Jared Cohen, who were interviewed at South by Southwest Interactive on Friday.
- (Credit: The New Digital Age)Although he didn't get into specifics, Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt told a packed house in Austin on Friday that the company has completed its efforts to secure user data against unauthorized access.
- On the first day of the annual South by Southwest Interactive conference, Schmidt told panel moderator Stephen Levy of Wired that the solution to governmental intrusions was, "to encrypt data more."
- "We are pretty sure that now that the info inside of Google is safe from prying eyes, including those of the US government," Schmidt said, who clarified that his company was still subject to the Patriot Act and "secret" US courts.
- They were joined on stage by Jared Cohen, with whom Schmidt co-authored "The New Digital Age" last year. The book examined how technology and the Internet were changing society.
- Schmidt said that he saw government intrusions, including the revelation that the National Security Agency had accessed Google user data without Google's knowledge, were no different from similar incursions by other governments.
- "We were attacked by the Chinese in 2010. We were attacked by the NSA in 2013," Schmidt said.
- However, that didn't mean that Schmidt saw heroism in the actions of leakers. Schmidt said he was seriously "shocked, shocked that Julian Assange leaked the transcript" of a conversation Schmidt had with him.
- The issue of who gets to decide what information is available to the public was a topic of discussion, both in their book and on stage today.
- While Schmidt said that Google believes in a "free and open Internet for all people, not just Americans," he was skeptical of the motives of people who leak information.
- Levy anonymously cited a Google executive who told him that the biggest adversary to privacy was the US government, which Schmidt did not contest. The coming improvements to encryption technology, Schmidt said, will keep the Internet safe and open even in countries like Iran that want to "Balkanize" and create their own Internet.
- They also addressed the deep split in the San Francisco Bay Area, Google's home turf, between people who work for tech companies and those who don't.
- Schmidt said that he was "very worried" about the problem, but that the solution was to embrace technology.
- "But there's no way to hold back the technology. We can get through [the tension] with more education, openness, entrepreneurship, [and] capitalism," he said.
-
- Snowden EU testimony
- %PDF-1.5 %½½½½ 58 0 obj endobj 73 0 obj stream h½bbd```b``½"S½d½d½"½O½e½½½`½z0{½lE½½f½IF½½@½½½L@½½&½Q½½½½½@½]½( endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 89 0 obj stream h½b```"Ov&!b`½½0pl`½½½P½A½½w½½½ ½2½g½½½``½½v+w½½l½½Û²½h#½½½½½½hѽ½½½½½½½½½Ô½ ½e`ݺH½1H½1½AH½t½{ ½½½½½ÑaUCD½Z½½½$½½½)0½m)½½F½1h endstream endobj 59 0 obj endobj 60 0 obj endobj 61 0 obj stream h½Ämo½0ǽ%½0½½½Ø½*½a½JlH½`HQ^d½½"½I½Ø¾=wNÜ...c½P½½½|g½½½(½½½MD,½1D)A½%Z+bb½½XF8½Pr½%½ µ4½J½MmE½U½½½½½½Z½½5DD½½8"o½½a}½½2:½½½½=½½½l½½½½vh½½i½½e½½½tZ½hT>$½½~½p½p,½½|½ v½½½½½½½h ½w=½½½½n½½½½½r½!A½\½½Ô½gz½8½½T½i½F'½½i½½L½RÙº½½n½k½É¶½½Kt½½S[½½T½.o½½½½]R^½½9½;½v½B½½½b{o½½½½Fh2)½½@½½ ?½½½V½4m½Ö>>½½½½A½½ S%½½Smw½I½2lc½½Ff½>½½G½½½'1{"½4:UCigi?½½J½Ú½½ ^O ½½xu½d.½½-}V½½½T½½tW7½p½½t½½ ½L?Ľ%½½½½½Ä½E½½m½MQs½½×½r½K% endstream endobj 63 0 obj stream H½½TË®½0½#½½½%½½½ .5½½½½$nR½p˽i½.½f½¨½Q½½j½@%Z½t½½$½½½½4½3c\½½½½stream x½½R½n½0½½+|L6½H½!½Ä½½½½½½½½½s½½k½½½%½½ ;3;½½½Í®½½½½É½G{½½½i½go½½[U]½½9zR½K=T½½½c½9½k½½0O½½½.½½½½)½½BÆ´/vؽI½½L ½$N½½Ú½u½½I½P½½½½½G½Q½P½`½½½eg½y½`½½½:jw½½2½"½l;R½½t½½}½h½½G½X[MZi½|½j5½*½l½½½_½:I½ endstream endobj 68 0 obj stream H½½TMo½0½½ v½½Ú°$½Z`½½Ü'½½½Y½½R&½½½GRn½3½½bH½=½G½½7{½½p^½½A½b½½V½Ô
½½½½AQx½Nf{q½½n½½½0½x½½½½½| ½½½×>>½½Ç>>½½½T½½½%½B½½½½|½{½½E½½QfF½½~H½½½d#fX½!½½8½½½@} ½½½o;½½=½X½W0G½½ O½½KË'*½-½½½W½½2Ýswͽ 5½&8½qSFCÜ´:Ó½S½M&E½½[½½½2½½[½a½½d½½½½!½8i½t ½5r½M½½½½½½½½b½m½½½½Eco½^½jH½/½~R½;_½½YÛÒ½½*½½Txd½½H½6T½w½½ ½]4J½½½½L½ ½s½½w ½Mh½yRtkg½½½½½½½½½V,[½!½½G½CB½Ô¨½Ú½F½½L½½~+2ѽ½Ö½i˲Vm9Û£lr`½½½½Å½[{½½½½½V0½^.(cc½-d½"½½½½½½½ygE½½~x[½:½½½)½½½d½FH½½5½½½B&K͵X½Ñ"t½½-EbK½s½½½4x-wy½½m½Z0½½½½7½wPT/ƽ½1TQ½G½½½~63½½EZ½É½5½½½½[` ½½½
- %PDF-1.5 %½½½½ 58 0 obj endobj 73 0 obj stream h½bbd```b``½"S½d½d½"½O½e½½½`½z0{½lE½½f½IF½½@½½½L@½½&½Q½½½½½@½]½( endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 89 0 obj stream h½b```"Ov&!b`½½0pl`½½½P½A½½w½½½ ½2½g½½½``½½v+w½½l½½Û²½h#½½½½½½hѽ½½½½½½½½½Ô½ ½e`ݺH½1H½1½AH½t½{ ½½½½½ÑaUCD½Z½½½$½½½)0½m)½½F½1h endstream endobj 59 0 obj endobj 60 0 obj endobj 61 0 obj stream h½Ämo½0ǽ%½0½½½Ø½*½a½JlH½`HQ^d½½"½I½Ø¾=wNÜ...c½P½½½|g½½½(½½½MD,½1D)A½%Z+bb½½XF8½Pr½%½ µ4½J½MmE½U½½½½½½Z½½5DD½½8"o½½a}½½2:½½½½=½½½l½½½½vh½½i½½e½½½tZ½hT>$½½~½p½p,½½|½ v½½½½½½½h ½w=½½½½n½½½½½r½!A½\½½Ô½gz½8½½T½i½F'½½i½½L½RÙº½½n½k½É¶½½Kt½½S[½½T½.o½½½½]R^½½9½;½v½B½½½b{o½½½½Fh2)½½@½½ ?½½½V½4m½Ö>>½½½½A½½ S%½½Smw½I½2lc½½Ff½>½½G½½½'1{"½4:UCigi?½½J½Ú½½ ^O ½½xu½d.½½-}V½½½T½½tW7½p½½t½½ ½L?Ľ%½½½½½Ä½E½½m½MQs½½×½r½K% endstream endobj 63 0 obj stream H½½TË®½0½#½½½%½½½ .5½½½½$nR½p˽i½.½f½¨½Q½½j½@%Z½t½½$½½½½4½3c\½½½½stream x½½R½n½0½½+|L6½H½!½Ä½½½½½½½½½s½½k½½½%½½ ;3;½½½Í®½½½½É½G{½½½i½go½½[U]½½9zR½K=T½½½c½9½k½½0O½½½.½½½½)½½BÆ´/vؽI½½L ½$N½½Ú½u½½I½P½½½½½G½Q½P½`½½½eg½y½`½½½:jw½½2½"½l;R½½t½½}½h½½G½X[MZi½|½j5½*½l½½½_½:I½ endstream endobj 68 0 obj stream H½½TMo½0½½ v½½Ú°$½Z`½½Ü'½½½Y½½R&½½½GRn½3½½bH½=½G½½7{½½p^½½A½b½½V½Ô
½½½½AQx½Nf{q½½n½½½0½x½½½½½| ½½½×>>½½Ç>>½½½T½½½%½B½½½½|½{½½E½½QfF½½~H½½½d#fX½!½½8½½½@} ½½½o;½½=½X½W0G½½ O½½KË'*½-½½½W½½2Ýswͽ 5½&8½qSFCÜ´:Ó½S½M&E½½[½½½2½½[½a½½d½½½½!½8i½t ½5r½M½½½½½½½½b½m½½½½Eco½^½jH½/½~R½;_½½YÛÒ½½*½½Txd½½H½6T½w½½ ½]4J½½½½L½ ½s½½w ½Mh½yRtkg½½½½½½½½½V,[½!½½G½CB½Ô¨½Ú½F½½L½½~+2ѽ½Ö½i˲Vm9Û£lr`½½½½Å½[{½½½½½V0½^.(cc½-d½"½½½½½½½ygE½½~x[½:½½½)½½½d½FH½½5½½½B&K͵X½Ñ"t½½-EbK½s½½½4x-wy½½m½Z0½½½½7½wPT/ƽ½1TQ½G½½½~63½½EZ½É½5½½½½[` ½½½
-
- Glenn Greenwald to Speak at Amnesty's Annual Human Rights Conference
- Amnesty International USA is bringing our membership to Chicago for our 2014 Human Rights Conference. This year, we're talking about how we must forge change at home in order to have an impact globally.
- And today, we are proud to announce that Glenn Greenwald will join the conference via video link from Brazil for a discussion about the U.S. government's use of mass surveillance. Glenn will also discuss the federal government's persecution of whistleblowers who seek to tell the truth about human rights violations.
- Glenn is a journalist, constitutional lawyer, commentator, and author of three New York Times best-selling books on politics and law. Next month, he's set to release his fifth book, No Place to Hide, about the U.S. surveillance state and his experiences reporting on the documents disclosed by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
- From mass surveillance to mass incarceration, human rights must be restored, and Mr. Greenwald represents a commitment to justice that Amnesty shares.
- Amnesty International is campaigning to end mass surveillance by the United States government and urging the Obama administration to respect the right to privacy of people everywhere, regardless of nationality or other discriminatory factors.
- Our Human Rights Conference will take place from April 4-6. The theme is ''Bringing Human Rights Home'' and we will be focusing on strengthening the links between the local and global aspects of the human rights movement.
- Amnesty is also calling on Congress to pass the USA Freedom Act, a bipartisan bill that would help to end the dragnet collection of information about personal r communications and require greater transparency from the administration.
- Amnesty believes that any use of surveillance must be narrow in scope, subject to judicial review, and necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim.
- ''I am honored to be asked to speak at Amnesty International USA's annual conference. Amnesty's work is vital in a world where human rights are constantly under threat.''
- We're honored to have you Glenn. Join us in Chicago April 4-6 for our annual Human Rights Conference.
-
- A vast hidden surveillance network runs across America, powered by the repo industry | BetaBoston
- Few notice the ''spotter car'' from Manny Sousa's repo company as it scours Massachusetts parking lots, looking for vehicles whose owners have defaulted on their loans. Sousa's unmarked car is part of a technological revolution that goes well beyond the repossession business, transforming any industry that wants to check on the whereabouts of ordinary people.
- An automated reader attached to the spotter car takes a picture of every license plate it passes and sends it to a company in Texas that already has more than 1.8 billion plate scans from vehicles across the country.
- These scans mean big money for Sousa '-- typically $200 to $400 every time the spotter finds a vehicle that's stolen or in default '-- so he runs his spotter around the clock, typically adding 8,000 plate scans to the database in Texas each day.
- ''Honestly, we've found random apartment complexes and shopping plazas that are sweet spots'' where the company can impound multiple vehicles, explains Sousa, the president of New England Associates Inc. in Bridgewater.
- But the most significant impact of Sousa's business is far bigger than locating cars whose owners have defaulted on loans: It is the growing database of snapshots showing where Americans were at specific times, information that everyone from private detectives to insurers are willing to pay for.
- While public debate about the license reading technology has centered on how police should use it, business has eagerly adopted the $10,000 to $17,000 scanners with remarkably few limits.
- At least 10 repossession companies in Massachusetts say they mount the scanners on spotter cars or tow trucks, and Digital Recognition Network of Fort Worth, Texas, claims to collect plate scans of 40 percent of all US vehicles annually.
- Today, a legislative committee in Boston is scheduled to hold a hearing on a bill that would ban most uses of license plate readers, including the vehicle repossession business, making exceptions only for law enforcement, toll collection, and parking regulation.
- ''We have technology rapidly moving ahead in terms of its ability to gather information about people,'' said state Representative Jonathan Hecht, a Watertown Democrat who filed the bill along with state Senator Cynthia Creem of Newton, Brookline and Wellesley. ''We need to have a conversation about how to balance legitimate uses of this technology with protecting people's legitimate expectation of privacy.''
- But Digital Recognition and other so-called ''data brokers'' who collect plate scans are fighting Hecht and Creem's bill, arguing that repo agents are not invading privacy when they scan a license plate, which is available for all to see. The data brokers do not disclose the owner of the plates, they point out, though customers such as banks, insurers, and private investigators have ready access to that information.
- Brian Shockley '-- vice president of marketing at Vigilant, corporate parent of Digital Recognition '-- plans to warn legislators that Massachusetts risks getting left behind in the use of a new tool that helps fight crime.
- ''I fear that the proposed legislation would essentially create a safe haven in the Commonwealth for certain types of criminals, it would reduce the safety of our officers, and it could ultimately result in lives lost,'' Shockley is scheduled to say in testimony prepared for the hearing before the Joint Transportation Committee.
- License plate scanning technology has been around for decades '-- the British police originally adopted it in the 1970s to track the Irish Republican Army members '-- but it only came into wide use in the last decade as cheaper but highly effective models became available. These scanners use high-speed cameras and optical character recognition technology to capture up to 1,800 plates per minute, even at high rates of speed and in difficult driving conditions. The scanner also records the date, time, and GPS location of each scan.
- Since 2008, more than 60 Massachusetts police departments have started using scanners to track down drivers with unpaid tickets, no insurance, or driving stolen vehicles, but the trend has raised concern about potential privacy invasions. In December, Boston police suspended their use of plate scanners altogether after a Globe investigation reported questionable data management, including the accidental public release of more than 69,000 license plate numbers that had been scanned over six months.
- Meanwhile, private companies were quietly and rapidly finding ways to profit from much larger databases with little public discussion. Digital Recognition Network, with the help of about 400 repossession companies across the United States, has increased the number of license scans in its database tenfold since September 2010, and the firm continues to add another 70 million scans per month, according to company disclosures. Digital Recognition's top rival, Illinois-based MVTRAC, has not disclosed the size of its database, but claimed in a 2012 Wall Street Journal interview to have scans of ''a large majority'' of vehicles registered in the United States.
- Unlike law enforcement agencies, which often have policies to purge their computers of license records after a certain period of time, the data brokers are under no such obligation, meaning their databases grow and gain value over time as a way to track individuals' movements and whereabouts.
- Massachusetts private investigator Jay Groob said he uses the license plate database kept by a third data broker, TLOxp, paying $25 for a comprehensive report from the Florida-based company's ''very impressive'' database of a billion-plus scans.
- ''It helps generate other leads,'' said Groob, president of American Investigative Services in Brookline. ''If a vehicle has been missing, or you need to locate a person, this gives us another locus to investigate.''
- Groob said he would use the database to track a missing person or conduct background investigations for child custody or marital infidelity litigation. Groob said he ''absolutely'' foresees vehicle location data becoming part of private investigators' standard toolkit.
- Chris Metaxas, chief executive of Digital Recognition, has promoted his database as a useful tool for anyone else who has to confirm a person's real address ''because most of the time people are near where their cars are.'' He told the Globe that his database is already helping the auto insurance industry cut down on fraud in which where applicants falsely claim to live in a place where insurance rates are lower.
- ''Some people have a condo in Florida but actually live in New York ten months out of year,'' said Metaxas. ''Insurers need help to keep this kind of fraud under control.''
- But the main commercial use of license plate scanners remains the auto finance and auto repossession industries, two professions that work closely together to track down people who default on their loans. Digital Recognition lists Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., HSBC Holdings, and Citibank among its clients, while MVTRAC boasts that it serves 70 percent of the auto finance industry.
- Liran Cohen '-- owner of Massachusetts Recovery Bureau, a repossession company in Lynn '-- said most banks he works with now require repossession contractors to use license plate readers because it is so much easier to find vehicles eligible for repossession.
- ''The banks want it,'' said Cohen, who mounted his license scanner on an unmarked tow truck. ''All of them make a big deal out of it, since it gives them so much value.''
- But the use of scanners has grown so fast that there has been little discussion of what limits, if any, to place on repossession agents as they trawl for vehicles to impound. A number of such companies contacted by the Globe confirmed that they often send their spotter cars to commercial lots, such as shopping mall parking lots, because those tend to be hotspots for vehicles to repossess.
- In fact, on its website Digital Recognition described what it calls good ''target environments'' for repossession agents, including ''malls, movie theaters, sporting events, and numerous other locations.'' In marketing materials, the firm has indicated that it suggests routes for repossession companies that focus on workplaces and commercial lots during the day and apartment complexes and residential areas at night.
- However, several commercial property owners contacted by the Globe said they had no idea repossession agents could be in their parking lots, scanning license plates and feeding them into a national database. Some said they would consider the practice trespassing.
- ''We're unaware that this is happening, and we're reaching out to our security teams and law enforcement contacts to get a better handle on it,'' said Les Morris, spokesman for Simon Property Group, which owns Copley Place mall in Boston and South Shore Plaza in Braintree.
- ''If we saw scanning like this being done, we would throw them out,'' said Issie Shait, senior vice president of property management at New England Development, which owns the CambridgeSide Galleria and Bunker Hill Mall District.
- Two repossession companies also told BetaBoston that they focus on low-income housing developments, since a significant number of residents are delinquent on their car payments.
- ''This is just another example of stereotyping,'' responded Cambridge Housing Authority deputy executive director Michael Johnston, who had never heard of plate scanners before. ''But our lots are open, and we don't have any gated communities in our system, so I don't know how to prevent it.''
- But the national database companies claim they have no say in where their affiliates scan plates, whether on private property or along public streets. They said repossession agents and tow truck companies are all private contractors who make their own decisions.
- ''We have nothing to do with the actual data collection process,'' Digital Recognition's Metaxas said in an interview. ''We provide technology to repossession professionals.''
- The burgeoning private databases of license plates may ultimately be a boon to law, as well, giving them access to a trove of license plates that many are not allowed to keep themselves, because of data-purging requirements. Hecht and Creem's bill would require law enforcement statewide to purge its license plate data after 48 hours.
- Digital Recognition already provides its entire data pool to more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide, free of charge for most searches. The Massachusetts State Police is a registered subscriber, as are the Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and Quincy police departments. Even Boston College and Brandeis police have access to the firm's entire scan database.
- License plate reader companies have defeated proposals similar to the one before the Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee, and they sued the state of Utah after it enacted a ban on commercial use of license plate scanning. In its filing, Digital Recognitionasserts that its field agents have a First Amendment right to collect pictures of license plates in public places.
- But privacy advocates say the databases are far more intrusive than the data brokers admit, arguing that private businesses can easily translate anonymous-sounding license plate numbers into owners' names just by obtaining information from states' motor vehicle registries. In Massachusetts, for example, private investigators can get access to the Registry of Motor Vehicles directly, and insurance companies and banks may already know the plate number for a given individual.
- ''Right now, it's the wild West in terms of how companies can collect, process, and sell this kind of data,'' says Kade Crockford of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. ''The best legal minds, best public policy thinkers, and ordinary people whose lives are affected need to sit down and think of meaningful ways we can regulate it.''
- Shawn Musgrave is the editor of MuckRock, an independent investigative news and open records startup based in the Boston Globe Media Lab. Shawn can be reached at shawn@muckrock.com.
-
- Vaccine$
-
- Fall 2014 "Pills To The People" Medical Countermeasures Exercise Participation Survey
- The WA Dept. of Health, Northwest Healthcare Response Network and Public Health departments for Seattle King County, Tacoma Pierce County, Kitsap County and Snohomish County are planning a full scale exercise to test Emergency Operations Centers and Medical Countermeasures operations related to a biological or terrorism event.This survey is specific to the healthcare facilities in Seattle King County and Tacoma Pierce County that are supported by the Northwest Healthcare Response Network. We encourage hospitals, long term care facilities and any other healthcare facility that may serve as a Private Medication Center to participate in this exercise!
- Exercise Dates are:Wed, Oct. 1, 2014 - Emergency Operations Centers and policy level discussions. (Healthcare organizations are NOT expected to play this day. NWHRN, the Disaster Clinical Advisory Committee and/or the Healthcare Emergency Response Committee are most likely to play this first day.)
- Thurs, Oct. 2, 2014 - Medical Countermeasures Operations full scale exercise. (Healthcare facilities ARE encouraged to participate in this logistics focused day.)
- Please respond by February 20, 2014
- Please contact Jennifer Lord, NWHRN Training & Exercise Manager with any questions '' Jennifer.Lord@NWHRN.org or 206-718-8589.
-
- Israel
-
- Obama's ''Partner In Peace'' Mahmoud Abbas: ''No Way'' Palestinians Will Recognize Israel As A Jewish State'...
- The Palestinian president says there's ''no way'' he'll recognize Israel as a Jewish state and accept just a portion of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
- Mahmoud Abbas says in comments published Friday by the official WAFA news agency that he withstood US pressure when he sought UN recognition for a state of Palestine and suggested he could do so again.
- US Secretary of State John Kerry is to present ideas for the contours of a deal to Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
-
- Ottomania
-
- Erdogan Says Turkish Government Facing Covert Film Threat
- Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government has been ensnared by a series of anonymously leaked audio tapes of purported corruption, said his administration may face a new threat from covertly recorded video recordings.
- "In these incidents, there is not just wiretapping, there is also filming," Erdogan said in Ankara yesterday, according to state-run Anatolia news agency. "It's even been stretched to the extreme of filming extramarital affairs, invading a family's privacy and totally ignoring moral values."
- Speaking to local reporters after the release of audio tapes that the opposition said placed Erdogan at the center of a bribery scheme, the premier lashed out at the tactics.
- "I don't accept the use of the Internet in this way," Erdogan said. Speaking in eastern city of Elazig today, the premier said the Gulen movement, which he blames for the government's troubles, requires young people staying at its hostels to "curse" his name.
- The crisis broke in December, when scores of people with links to the government were arrested or detained on charges including gold-smuggling, bribery and bid-rigging -- allegations that have been described as an attempted coup by Erdogan. Since then, the Borsa Istanbul 100 Index (XU100) has fallen by about 14 percent, while the lira has dropped by about 8 percent.
- Last month, audio recordings were posted on the Internet apparently showing Erdogan, who has served 11 years in office and is Turkey's second longest-serving prime minister, discussing the collection of money from a businessman, a defense contract and legal proceedings. The tapes cannot be independently verified. 'Right to Sin'
- Metin Kulunk, a lawmaker from Erdogan's ruling party and member of the industry committee, told Haberturk television late yesterday that graft allegations are "interfering with people's right to sin." He also said critics were arrogating God's authority by using "peoples' deficiencies as a political tool in a coup attempt."
- Erdogan has repeatedly accused U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen -- a former ally -- and his supporters within the police and judiciary of illegally wiretapping phones and filming members of his party, government and their families in a "coup" attempt against his Islamic-rooted government ahead of local elections on March 30.
- His government has already purged thousands of police officers and judicial officials. The jailed graft suspects, including sons of two state ministers and the head of a state bank, were all released last month. 'Undermine Peace'
- The prime minister's arguments "undermine social peace and pave the way for violence by sowing the seeds of hatred and animosity," the Journalist and Writers Foundation, whose honorary president is Gulen, said in a statement today.
- Amid the dispute with Gulen's followers, Erdogan's government has thrown its backing behind concerns by the military that convictions of its members were based on fabricated evidence. President Abdullah Gul today approved a law to abolish the special courts which convicted about 400 serving and retired officers on coup plot charges over the past two years, in a move which may possibly lead to retrial of the men.
- The country's top court today ruled that the rights of a former chief of staff, General Ilker Basbug, had been violated during a trial last year that led to his being sentenced to life imprisonment alongside dozens of other generals, journalists and academics on charges of attempting to oust Erdogan's government. The court asked a lower court to decide whether to release him.
-
- Why ErdoÄan wants to shut down social media
- Why ErdoÄan wants to shut down social mediaPrime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan has revealed that he is thinking of shutting down social media sites, including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, right after the election. He claims that he does not want social media to hijack the Turkish nation. Expectedly, such a statement by ErdoÄan has sparked harsh criticism among intellectuals, Internet users and the media.
- More:Why ErdoÄan wants to shut down social media - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news
-
- JCD
-
- The 10 Worst Hotels and Motels in America | The Fiscal Times
- Baymont Inn & Suites (also on JD)
- Baymont Inn & Suites received mediocre scores in all categories except check-in, which received a positive review, and below average scores in everything except ''Cost & Fees'' in the J.D. Power survey. Guests at the Alexandria, Louisiana location complained of a broken air conditioner, rude front desk attendants, mildew spots in the bathroom, and cockroaches.
- Photo: Baymont Inn and Suites Celebration is courtesy of TripAdvisor
-
- 2030
-
- Great Barrier Reef faces irreversible damage by 2030 | Business Standard
- Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef may be irreversibly damaged by climate change in just 16 years unless immediate action is taken, scientists have warned.
- A new report by Selina Ward from University of Queensland highlights the potential ecological and economic damage to the reef from global warming.
- "One of the most important functions of the reef is as a wave barrier. That protection will be lost. Without the reef, a lot of islands will be swamped," Ward said.
- The reef has lost about half its coral coverage since the mid-1980s, with increased carbon dioxide concentrations contributing about 10 per cent alongside damage from other sources such as invasive species and farm nutrient run-off, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a professor of marine science at the University of Queensland, said.
- Climate change is fast taking over as the main threat to the world's reefs as warmer waters increase the frequency of coral bleaching, while acidifying oceans weaken or erode coral structures, 'The Sydney Morning Herald' reported.
- By 2030, on present projections for the growth of carbon dioxide emissions, conditions will be "getting close to what we understand to be some of the limits in terms of rapidly calcifying reefs", Hoegh-Guldberg said.
- The Great Barrier Reef may have shrunk to 10 per cent or less of its previous coverage by 2050 if the present trajectory continues, he said.
- Bleaching is caused by corals becoming too warm and dying at a much greater rate than normal.
- Also heat-stressed corals are now more likely to succumb to disease after a bleaching event because the role of bacteria is changing.
- Ward referred to recent studies that have shown the erosion of the reef from acidification as more carbon dioxide is absorbed by the oceans is happening more rapidly than previously thought.
- The reef's plight will be a focus of this year's Earth Hour, expected to be observed in 152 nations around the world.
-
- VIDEO
-
- VIDEO-Daily Press Briefing - March 7, 2014
- MS. PSAKI: Hi, everyone. Dana Hughes, welcome back. She had a baby, everyone. She looks fabulous. Just for the '' let the record note. (Laughter.)
- QUESTION: Plus her baby is very beautiful.
- MS. PSAKI: Her baby is also beautiful, so that's good. If the baby wasn't beautiful, we wouldn't say anything about it, so that's how you know. (Laughter.) Okay.
- So in all seriousness, I have one thing at the top on Egypt and the UN Human Rights Council joint statement. The United States remains concerned about the climate for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association in Egypt. To underscore that concern, we cosigned today a cross-regional joint statement on Egypt at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva which was read by the Icelandic delegation. We were pleased to join 27 countries to reiterate our common concern for the universal rights '' universal human rights of all Egyptian citizens. In addition, and separately, the international community clearly condemns the reprehensible terrorist attacks that have taken place in Egypt.
- The statement also reflects a broad consensus that restrictions to peaceful assembly, association, and expression run counter to Egypt's pursuit of stability and democracy, and that a free press is an essential pillar of any democratic society. It further expresses our concern about the disproportionate use of lethal force by security forces against demonstrators, noting that even when faced with persistent security challenges, security forces have a duty to respect and observe Egypt's international human rights obligations and commitments.
- With that, let's get to your questions.
- QUESTION: All right. Well, I have a long laundry list of housekeeping things --
- QUESTION: -- but I won't start with them because I have a feeling people have more broadly '' things of broader interest --
- QUESTION: -- to talk about. So I'll begin with '' not with Ukraine, but with the Middle East, actually.
- QUESTION: So the Secretary was in Aqaba earlier today. As he was in Aqaba, WAFA, which is the Palestinian news '' official Palestinian News Agency, was putting out comments made by President Abbas to a group of young Fatah people in which he said there was no way he's ever going to accept a Jewish state and there's no way that he '' and he '' there's no way he's ever going to accept a capital of an eventual Palestinian state on a piece of or a part of land in East Jerusalem.
- Given the Secretary's and now the President's recent and upcoming involvement --
- MS. PSAKI: Meeting, mm-hmm.
- QUESTION: -- on this issue, what does this say about the Palestinians on this side, but more broadly, both sides preparing their people for the kind of compromise that's eventually going to be needed if you're going to have a peace agreement?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, let me say first that obviously, Jordan has played a historic and of course recent important role in the peace process, as we all know, and just as a reminder, the Secretary has engaged very closely with King Abdullah, with Foreign Minister Judeh over the course of the last several months as these negotiations have gone on. And as '' and of course, the Arab Peace Initiative Follow-On Committee has played an important role, hence part of the focus of his visit. I think --
- QUESTION: Right, but that wasn't my '' (laughter) --
- MS. PSAKI: I understand, but I just wanted to repeat that.
- QUESTION: I was just pointing out the '' that while the Secretary was there --
- MS. PSAKI: I understand. I'm getting there.
- MS. PSAKI: I think, Matt, we're '' we've all been clear that we're at a pivotal point in these negotiations, that there's no greater evidence of that than the fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas are both here within weeks of each other to have meetings with President Obama. And we fully expected '' I should say the Secretary fully expected that as we reached a point where there was a discussion about highly contested issues, about issues that have decades if not longer years of history, that there would be statements made, there would be concerning comments made by both sides. And we have seen that over the past couple of weeks. It's not unexpected. We still firmly believe that both sides are committed to pursuing this process, and as you know, President Abbas has a meeting with President Obama in just about 10 days from now.
- QUESTION: Okay. Well, being convinced that both sides are committed to pursuing a process is one thing, but being convinced that both sides are willing to make the compromises needed to get the process to actually accomplish anything is something that's completely different. Explain to me how the last nearly eight months '' seven months, to be more specific, have gotten the two sides '' when you see comments like this from Abbas, explain to me how the last seven months of intense negotiations or intense U.S. involvement has brought, in this case, the Palestinian side any closer to reaching a deal or to even reaching a framework. Because if the framework we're going to have is lay out all these things and then each side is going to say, ''Well, we reject completely this, this, this, and this,'' which are all issues that you know have to be compromised on, I just '' I don't understand what you have done, where you have gotten in the process.
- MS. PSAKI: Well, Matt, I know to the frustration of you and many others we haven't laid out a day-by-day update on what progress has been made behind the scenes. We do feel progress has been made, otherwise we wouldn't still be engaged in the process. Of course at this point in the discussion, there's going to be a debate about the most challenging issues, the most contested issues. And if you look at the issue of a Jewish state and whether Israel will be called a Jewish state, that's been our position, as you know, for a long time, but that doesn't reflect what the parties will agree to, which I know you know, and of course there are many issues like that that are being discussed as part of the framework.
- So to us, it is not a surprise that at this pivotal point in the discussions, as we're getting down to the later end of the nine-month timeframe, there would be heated rhetoric and language by both sides about what they are and aren't willing to make compromises about.
- QUESTION: Okay. So you don't think that an abject refusal to even consider compromise on either of those two issues means that they won't, in the end, end up compromising?
- MS. PSAKI: Matt, we will see where we land. As the Secretary has said many times, it's like a mosaic. There are compromises about give-and-take on a range of issues, and we'll see where we land at the end.
- QUESTION: So, wait, wait, the last '' just the last one on this. So you don't find his comments particularly concerning?
- QUESTION: Or are you concerned about them?
- MS. PSAKI: Look, I think we don't find comments by either side surprising expressing concerns or their political challenges on a variety of the issues that are being discussed. Our focus is on moving the discussion forward.
- QUESTION: Can I just quickly follow up --
- QUESTION: -- on the issue of the capital? The capital, apparently in the framework agreement, designates an area called Beit Hanina, which is really closer to Ramallah than it is to Jerusalem. We don't know how that came about. So in your opinion, should the Palestinians accept an area that is not really part '' historically a part of East Jerusalem as their capital of Jerusalem?
- MS. PSAKI: Said, I'm not going to go down this road with you --
- QUESTION: Okay. But is this --
- MS. PSAKI: -- or negotiate here from the podium on the details.
- QUESTION: Okay. And on the issue of the Jewish state --
- QUESTION: -- I don't know if you looked at, let's say, the Haaretz editorial today. And they lay out how the Palestinians have already recognized Israel time and time again '' Arafat did; Abbas did; the PNC, which is the Palestine National Council, did and so on '' that in fact have done everything in terms of recognizing the state, as it has been recognized by every other state. So do you '' will you insist in this framework agreement that the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a Jewish state?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I think I just addressed this, but our position --
- MS. PSAKI: -- let me finish '' our position, as you know, has been for quite some time --
- MS. PSAKI: -- that Israel is the Jewish '' that Israel is a Jewish state. That doesn't reflect, of course, what the parties are going to agree to.
- MS. PSAKI: That's our view. So I'm not going to get ahead of where we are. It's not about demands. The parties have to agree to what will be in a framework and what will be a part of the path forward for negotiations.
- QUESTION: Okay. But why is it the responsibility of the Palestinians to recognize Israel different than any other state that already recognizes Israel? I mean, Israel can be a Jewish state or whatever it wants to call itself, as the Palestinians say, but in terms of recognizing Israel, they will do what the United States has done or what France has done or what Britain has done. They are willing to do that. Why should they do it differently?
- MS. PSAKI: I'm not sure I follow your question completely.
- QUESTION: Okay. My question to you is: Why the Palestinians are obligated to recognize Israel as a Jewish state when all the other states that have relations with Israel and have recognized Israel since day one did not do the same?
- MS. PSAKI: No one is talking about an obligation. We're talking about a discussion and what's being compromised as part of a discussion on a framework for negotiations.
- QUESTION: Right. Okay. So you don't see this as a precondition, then?
- MS. PSAKI: I think I'm done with your line of questioning.
- QUESTION: Do you see it as a precondition?
- QUESTION: Do you see it as a precondition?
- MS. PSAKI: Go ahead. I think we're moving on. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: Just following up on this '' both lines of questioning, the issue is, is that Netanyahu has called it a minimal requirement for peace, and as Matt mentioned, Abbas just said he in ''no way'' would consider calling Israel a Jewish state. So I think what the real question is, is because that gap is so large, do you, the U.S., recognize the importance of this one issue for the continuation of negotiations for even a framework? Because when you say that you're working on a framework for --
- QUESTION: -- the continuation of negotiations, surely if they can't agree on that one issue, what's the point of --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, the negotiations have not been concluded. There isn't a final framework. And it's not about what's important to the United States. It's about what's important to both parties. They have different priorities that are important to both parties. They're discussing those now. But I'm not going to litigate it further in public.
- QUESTION: Well, but how do you feel about the fact that they are litigating it in public and saying that '' again, one is saying it's a minimal requirement for peace, fundamental to the agreement on the peace accord, and the other is saying we absolutely won't do it. They're '' this isn't in private. They're doing it in public.
- MS. PSAKI: Well, negotiations are about discussing the issues where you disagree. So we'll let those continue and we'll see where we end on the end.
- QUESTION: Is the framework completed? Did you complete it?
- MS. PSAKI: If you '' if we did, you'd know, wouldn't we '' wouldn't you?
- QUESTION: Yeah, because some press reports said that --
- QUESTION: (Off-mike.) (Laughter.)
- QUESTION: -- the President gave a copy of it to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Secretary gave a copy to Mr. Erekat.
- MS. PSAKI: There are a range of reports out there. There's a range of options, a range of paper. So I would caution you from believing everything you read. There's no document that the sides have both agreed to, and if there was, you would know.
- QUESTION: I'm sorry. Go ahead, Samir.
- MS. PSAKI: Did you have another one?
- QUESTION: Will you present the framework in a written document, or it's going to be a verbal --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I expect there would be something that would be public if the sides agree to a framework.
- QUESTION: What was the urgency behind Secretary Kerry's sort of detour into Aqaba to meet with the King of Jordan?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, Said, you know because you don't see me here that often, but that he enjoys the personal diplomacy and spending time in person, discussing and negotiating tough issues. And there are a range of issues we work with Jordan on. Certainly Middle East peace is one of them.
- QUESTION: So the framework on the Middle East, will it be entirely public?
- MS. PSAKI: I think we'll cross that entire bridge when we get to it, Michael. Do we have --
- QUESTION: Enjoys the personal diplomacy? That's why he's coming?
- MS. PSAKI: He thinks it's effective.
- QUESTION: He thinks it's useful, or it's a matter of enjoyment?
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, and he enjoys it as well. Both.
- MS. PSAKI: Do we have any more on Middle East peace?
- MS. PSAKI: Okay. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: When the Secretary announced the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, was it his hope that they would have an actual peace agreement by April 29th?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, that's what he said at the time, yes.
- QUESTION: And is it fair to say that he has abandoned that hope by that deadline and that what he is now aiming for is the framework for negotiations by that date?
- QUESTION: So he still hopes to get an agreement by the 29th of April?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, our focus here, Arshad, is on the framework for negotiations, which will outline the path forward for both parties.
- MS. PSAKI: When we reach that point, if we reach that point, we'll determine what the next steps are.
- QUESTION: But does he still hope to achieve a peace agreement by '' within the nine-month timeframe?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, obviously, if there's a framework that's reached, it would take some time to agree on a final-status agreement. But beyond that, we're taking this week by week, and we'll see where we are if there's a framework and when there's a framework.
- QUESTION: Why wouldn't he hope to get a peace agreement by that date?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, Arshad, I know you know from covering many of these in the past that historically, the '' a full treaty, which has a lot of legal components, is a lengthy document, can take a significant amount of time. So that's not something that you can typically put together overnight. But again, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, when there's a framework.
- QUESTION: Well, is it not '' is the correct answer not, ''Yes, he hopes that he can still meet that target date that was originally set but that just given the way things are, that is becoming less realistic'' --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, it's not as --
- QUESTION: -- ''to meet the target''?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. I was trying to give kind of a more nuanced answer in the sense that if there's a framework, it's not '' historically, there is no final-status agreement, no treaty that's been agreed to in the course of days. So, no, that would be challenging --
- MS. PSAKI: -- with the timing. So '' but we're focused on the framework. We'll see where we land and what the next steps are.
- Do we have any more on Middle East peace? Okay. New topic?
- QUESTION: I had a couple of questions on South Asia, starting with India.
- QUESTION: Recently released Human Rights Report by the Secretary accused India of widespread corruption in the Indian Government and also --
- QUESTION: -- (inaudible). My question is: Recently Assistant Secretary Madam Nisha Biswal was in India, and if she had discussed this Human Rights Report with the Indian officials there? And second, if she or anybody, including the ambassador, met with the fighting against corruption Mr. Kejriwal, while also was the chief minister of Delhi? Now he's also going throughout India for '' fighting for the Lok Sabha elections?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't have any more details on her trip than what she's announced and what she's talked about in public comments. Obviously, we raise human rights issues whenever we can in a range of countries, but we'll see if there's more we can report back to you.
- QUESTION: Can you give details about her visit there in India?
- MS. PSAKI: There have been pretty extensive details put out and she's done a number of press conferences or made some public comments, so I'd point you to those.
- QUESTION: Staying with India --
- QUESTION: Can I just '' yeah, I've got an India follow-up.
- MS. PSAKI: Oh, sure. Okay.
- QUESTION: I just wondered if you'd got a reaction to the question you were asked yesterday about the cricket match.
- MS. PSAKI: I don't. I don't have any comments on that.
- QUESTION: Assistant Secretary Biswal was quoted '' was asked in a television interview whether Modi would be granted a U.S. visa as prime minister of India, and she replied, ''I would just say that the United States has welcomed every leader of this vibrant democracy and that a democratically-elected leader of India would be a welcome partner.'' Is that '' does that mean yes, that they '' that Modi or basically anybody else who is elected, democratically elected prime minister of India, would get a visa to come to the United States? Or does it just mean that they'd be a welcome partner; they might not be welcome in the United States, but you'd be happy to be their partner over the phone or elsewhere?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, as you know, we don't speculate on visas, of course, and our position hasn't changed on this case. And I think she was just reflecting the strength of our relationship with India. Obviously, the elections haven't taken place at this point, but our position hasn't changed on this, which is that Mr. Modi is welcome to apply for a visa, and obviously that would be considered through the normal process.
- QUESTION: So it shouldn't be taken, then, as it has been by some, as a suggestion that --
- QUESTION: -- he would indeed get a visa?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, and we wouldn't make a sweeping prediction for anyone, right --
- MS. PSAKI: -- given visas are confidential.
- QUESTION: So that's not what she meant to suggest there?
- QUESTION: Okay. Thank you.
- QUESTION: You wouldn't make a sweeping prediction for anybody?
- MS. PSAKI: Matt, what I mean is that we don't talk about --
- QUESTION: What about '' yeah, what about '' (laughter) --
- MS. PSAKI: -- the visa processes. There are some, perhaps, that may be easier than others.
- MS. PSAKI: Do we have any more on India?
- QUESTION: Yeah, one more, quickly.
- QUESTION: Modi had said several times that he will not apply for the U.S. visa, but question again comes over and over and over: If he becomes the prime minister of India tomorrow '' I mean after the April and May elections '' then what happens?
- MS. PSAKI: I think that was Arshad's question.
- QUESTION: No, I'm '' that's what he said, Mr. --
- MS. PSAKI: And Nisha Biswal spoke to it.
- QUESTION: He will not apply for U.S. visa.
- MS. PSAKI: So I would point you to that. Do we have '' go ahead.
- QUESTION: Just two '' yeah, just two question on sanctions, and the second will --
- QUESTION: -- segue into --
- MS. PSAKI: Sanctions where?
- QUESTION: All over the place.
- MS. PSAKI: Okay. (Laughter.)
- QUESTION: This '' the second one will segue into Ukraine.
- QUESTION: The Japanese Government deposited $450 million for the purchase of oil to the Central Bank of Iran this week.
- QUESTION: And Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif was visiting Tokyo, welcoming renewed trade ties. Do you have any concerns with that? Is that --
- MS. PSAKI: There's zero connection.
- QUESTION: Zero connection?
- MS. PSAKI: This is implementation of the JPOA. There are certain deadlines that are available, I think, on the White House website. There was an installment on March 1st confirming that Iran has completed dilution of half of the stockpile of near 20 percent. There was another installment today, March 7th, which is the second tranche, which is kind of a separate part of the installment plan.
- QUESTION: Was that your question?
- QUESTION: Well, my question was --
- MS. PSAKI: He was asking about the March 1st money and whether there was a connection with Japan in terms of his visit.
- QUESTION: Well, no, he was asking about Japan putting money '' buying Iranian oil.
- QUESTION: Yeah, well the 450 --
- QUESTION: Isn't that what you were asking?
- MS. PSAKI: No, he asked about the 450, which is --
- MS. PSAKI: -- part of the installment plan. There's '' we're not, obviously, going to get into the details of the mechanisms, although you've seen some of them publicly --
- MS. PSAKI: -- but it was part of the agreed-to payment with reaching the half of the 20 percent dilution. And there was also another payment separately today.
- QUESTION: Okay. The second question I have is, in terms of Russia, do you have concerns or fears that sanctioning of Russia will in some way or another affect '' for its invasion of the Ukraine '' its part in the unified front against Iran --
- QUESTION: -- (inaudible) to the P5+1? And if I could just elaborate on that, you have said multiple times that the unity of the P5+1 is a top priority for you.
- QUESTION: And obviously, you've told Congress that anything that may fray that unity is something that you'd like to avoid, so --
- MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. We do not. We don't agree with Russia on every issue. We don't agree with China on every issue. We don't agree with a range of countries on every issue. But Russia is not a part of this in supporting it because they're doing it as a favor to the United States. They also have been '' have publicly spoken about their concerns about Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. And so we fully expect, and evidence of the last week shows you this, that they will remain an active partner at the negotiating table.
- Any more on Iran? Iran, Iran? No.
- QUESTION: Okay. Today Saudi Arabia designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Do you have any comment on that?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't. We haven't made that designation. So --
- QUESTION: Is that likely to sort of widen the gap between one of your allies, Qatar, and the rest of your allies in the Gulf, which is the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia?
- MS. PSAKI: I'm not going to analyze that from the podium, Said.
- QUESTION: Is that '' but let me ask just what I asked yesterday.
- QUESTION: So this really comes on the eve, almost, of the President's visit there.
- QUESTION: Is that likely to complicate his visit, or in any way sort of put it off or cancel it or whatever?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, that's why we're encouraging '' broadly, we're encouraging dialogue to resolve these issues, but beyond that, I don't have anything more for you.
- QUESTION: So you're not suggesting (inaudible) the Muslim Brotherhood, are you? (Laughter.)
- QUESTION: No, I'm not suggesting that, not at all.
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, let's move to Asia.
- QUESTION: I'm just suggesting --
- QUESTION: Can I ask you about what '' I don't know, it seems to be the world's longest running criminal prosecution, the sentencing today of the Malaysian opposition leader Anwar.
- QUESTION: Do you have any comment on that?
- MS. PSAKI: I believe I do. One moment. Well, we of course, given how lengthy it has been, have followed the trial very closely over a long period of time. The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar and his trial have raised a number of concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the courts. In this high-profile case, it is critical for Malaysia to apply the rule of law fairly, transparently, and apolitically in order to promote confidence in Malaysia's democracy and judiciary.
- The ruling also comes on the heels of the February 21st conviction of another opposition figure, Karpal Singh on sedition charges that also raise concerns. While we have a strong partnership with Malaysia, we have raised, of course, the Anwar case with Malaysian officials and emphasized that fairness, transparency, and the rule of law are essential to have the confidence needed in their judicial system.
- QUESTION: So do your concerns extend beyond what you seem to be saying are concerns about political motivation to the actual offense that he has been convicted and sentenced of? You seem to have strong opinions about anti-sodomy, anti-gay laws in places elsewhere like Uganda. Do you make the same case with the Malaysians?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't have all the details of what he's been sentenced on. I mean, I've read a little bit about it, but not, probably, enough. And obviously, I think --
- QUESTION: When he was first arrested, you were probably too young to know what it was '' I mean, this goes back. I was a much younger man; you might have been in grade school still when this first '' this whole thing started. (Laughter.)
- MS. PSAKI: Thank you for that, Matt.
- QUESTION: But so can you check to see if you have raised the issue of the actual law that he has been convicted and sentenced of, as I understand that there are the political concerns, too, but that's --
- QUESTION: Can I follow up on that?
- QUESTION: You didn't '' I mean, you talked about the importance of things being handled apolitically. It used to be the U.S. Government's position that the prosecution of Anwar Ibrahim was politically motivated. Is that still your view?
- QUESTION: Okay. And then when you say we have raised his case, obviously it's many, many years --
- QUESTION: -- did you raise it today following this ruling?
- MS. PSAKI: I can check on that. It would have happened on the ground for ambassador, so I'll check and see if that was something that happened today. Sure.
- QUESTION: Yes, thank you.
- QUESTION: Can I stay in the region?
- QUESTION: And this will dovetail into Ukraine, which might --
- QUESTION: -- others might questions on, too. The White House Sent out a readout of President Obama's call with the Prime Minister of Japan --
- QUESTION: -- noting that they agreed that Russia's actions are a threat to international peace and security, and that they committed to work to insist that Russia abide by its obligations and commitments to Ukraine's sovereignty. The readout from the Japanese side is rather different and does not mention Russia at all, just mentioning that President Abe supports President Obama's efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. How do you explain this discrepancy?
- MS. PSAKI: I can't speak to their readout, and I would point you to my colleagues in the White House, but broadly speaking this call was about engagement and broadening our engagement with a range of our close allies and partners about the situation in Ukraine. Obviously, Japan is an important global partner, and so discussing with them what we're doing, why we're doing it, why international unity is important, was the purpose, but I don't know that we have concerns about that difference in the readouts.
- QUESTION: How would you characterize the state of '' or the state of coordination between the U.S. and Japan on this issue, specifically?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I would let you '' I would point you to Japan on how '' on their engagement and level of engagement.
- QUESTION: But from your perspective.
- MS. PSAKI: But of course, they're an important global partner, and that's why the President called them, called the prime minister, to talk to him about what we're doing. And that reflects our relationship, it reflects what an important player they are on the global stage.
- QUESTION: Mm-hmm. You've said '' I mean, you've said previously that disagreements between the U.S. and Japan happen, it's part of being such a close partner and ally and that when you do, you express them. But would you say there are some --
- MS. PSAKI: I would characterize this as a disagreement at all.
- QUESTION: But would you say that there are some disagreements or some tensions regarding this issue, I mean --
- MS. PSAKI: What '' with whom?
- QUESTION: Well, Japan has --
- MS. PSAKI: I didn't say with Japan.
- QUESTION: No, with Japan on the issue of how to approach the Ukraine crisis.
- MS. PSAKI: I didn't say there was disagreement.
- QUESTION: No, I know. I'm asking you --
- QUESTION: -- if you would say that there are disagreements or if there are some tensions with Japan on how you approach this issue.
- MS. PSAKI: Not that I'm aware of. I would point you them if they have concerns or disagreements, but not that I've seen or that I'm aware of.
- QUESTION: So '' okay. Just finally, are you concerned that Japan's higher demand for fossil fuels post-Fukushima, which Russia is a very prominent supplier of, is '' represents kind of an obstacle in presenting '' in approaching the Ukraine crisis with Japan and with other allies who are also consumers of Russian goods?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well, there are a range of countries that have greater trade and economic relationships with Russia than the United States does, and we certainly recognize that. Our preference here is not to keep hyping up sanctions; our preference here is to find an end to this conflict that's happening through engagement, through discussion '' Russia can take the off-ramp. So we recognize that, but we also think it's important for countries to be unified given what's happened here in Ukraine and that's certainly what the President and Secretary are expressing to a range of our global partners.
- QUESTION: Staying with that --
- QUESTION: -- in the phone call last night between the presidents '' between the two presidents, there was some suggestion from President Obama about some kind of mediation --
- QUESTION: -- that the Russians and Ukrainians need to sit down together. Does he have any idea of or is there any idea within the '' percolating within the Administration as to what kind of structure or who should lead the mediation?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well, there's '' Secretary Kerry talked a little bit about this yesterday. But that's part of the discussion, is what '' there are a range of formats that are possible. Certainly the United States is happy and willing to be a part of that. The issue here is getting Russia and the new government in Ukraine at the same table, having a discussion, and there are a range of partners and players in the international community that can be a part of that. So that's what's being talked about now.
- QUESTION: But I mean, would you see it more in a kind of formal setting, such as through the United Nations, or would this be something that, perhaps, like you said, maybe the United States would be willing to be a partner to that, but would Russia necessarily want the United States involved in a mediation of this nature?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. It's a good question. It's what's being talked about now. It doesn't necessarily have to be through the UN. The UN has obviously been engaged what's been '' with what's happening on the ground and they've been on the ground. But there are also a range of partners who have been very closely engaged in this in Ukraine as well. So that's all what's being talked about right now.
- QUESTION: Did you see the presidential '' the Russian president spokesman's comments about the idea of Western mediation? I think Dmitry Peskov said, ''This makes us smile.'' He seemed '' essentially seemed to find the idea risible, laughable, ridiculous. He evoked no interest in it whatsoever. Do you '' is that constructive from your point of view?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I think that doesn't reflect the discussions that have been happening with the Russians, with Foreign Minister Lavrov, with other officials about a range of options for a contact group and for a discussion with the new Government of Ukraine.
- QUESTION: I mean, you do see the difficulty? The Russians are obviously wary of European involvement given the history of Ukraine and why the Russians stepped into all this. And then, obviously, they'd be perhaps a bit leery of any kind of U.S. involvement. So that kind of leaves you '' well, who would be in this contact group and who would be leading it?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, Jo, the --
- MS. PSAKI: (Laughter.) Though Russia is fairly isolated here from where the international community is, so there are not a lot of options for partners or members of the contact who have not stated that the steps they've taken are illegal and inappropriate, there are still partners who would be willing to and happy to be a part of bringing an end to this through diplomatic channels regardless of that. So we'll see what happens. But that's what was '' the President was referring to in the statement.
- QUESTION: Can you '' on Russia --
- QUESTION: Ukraine's new prime minister --
- MS. PSAKI: Let's just do one at a time.
- MS. PSAKI: Ukraine? Okay.
- QUESTION: You were talking about Russia is isolated and so on. Today began the Paralympics and, in fact, 48 countries are participating in Sochi. The largest team is the American team. It has, like, 80 members, followed closely by Russia. So how is that '' how does that work into this equation of isolation and so on, and sanctions?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, the White House announced this, Said, I think a couple of days ago. But the United States is no longer sending a presidential delegation to the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi. Of course, we continue to strongly support the U.S. athletes and we certainly don't want them to be hurt by this process, but they will participate. We wish them great success, but we won't be sending a presidential delegation which does send a strong message.
- QUESTION: Okay. But in a way '' I mean, no presidential delegation was sent. I mean, I understand that the President for the Winter Olympics designated a team led by, I suppose, a lower level.
- MS. PSAKI: That's true, but that was before this all happened, and that was unrelated to this.
- QUESTION: Did you see, then, that the Ukrainian team decided to '' not to pull out of the Paralympics because they decided they wanted to have a presence there?
- MS. PSAKI: I didn't see that, but that's interesting and --
- QUESTION: Well, they wanted to show that they '' according to their statements, they wanted to show that Ukraine is in '' a sovereign nation, and as a sovereign nation, should take part in the Olympics.
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. And certainly, we all support the athletes, our athletes as well. So --
- QUESTION: Ukraine's prime minister said on Wednesday that Ukraine's ridding itself of nuclear weapons in agreements with Russia in part invited this intervention, and that the international community's failure to protect Ukraine was harming efforts, nuclear nonproliferation efforts. He specifically pointed to what Iran would be learning from this. Do you have a comment on that?
- MS. PSAKI: I actually haven't seen those comments, so I'll check and see if we have anything to add.
- QUESTION: Has Secretary Kerry spoken with Foreign Minister Lavrov since they met and since he said he was taking ideas back to Putin? And if he hasn't, are there any calls scheduled, and --
- MS. PSAKI: He did speak with him this morning, but it was right before I came down, so I didn't have a chance to get a readout of the call. But we can get something around to all of you once that's available.
- QUESTION: And that would have been from the plane?
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, from the plane, mm-hmm.
- MS. PSAKI: Let's just finish '' do we have any more on Ukraine?
- MS. PSAKI: Ukraine, in the back.
- QUESTION: What's the current thinking on the response if the referendum in Crimea goes ahead? There's been strong language about that proposal.
- QUESTION: Is there a different or slightly separate set of options that are being considered if it happens?
- MS. PSAKI: Look, I think we're taking this day by day and week by week. I think you heard the President, Secretary Kerry, a range of officials say yesterday that it's '' that step is not recognized by the constitution. It wouldn't be legitimate, according to the constitution of '' the Ukrainian constitution, and that our view is that the new government needs to be a part of any conversation or discussion.
- There is some irony here in that the Russians are not supporting the elections in May, or they're against the elections in May, which would be the most widespread democratic step that could be taken that reflects the views of all of the people of Ukraine. So I don't think that should be lost on anyone. But what I would '' we're taking this day by day, and so obviously, our focus now is getting the Ukrainians and the new government of Ukraine and the Russians back at the table, and there are a range of formats and options for that. We'll see where we are at that point.
- QUESTION: And just one more?
- QUESTION: Putin's spokesperson has just said they fear ethnic cleansing in Crimea. What's your response to that? And what is the U.S. doing to verify these repeated claims coming from Russia?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't think there is evidence of that. I know that they have been making accusations about far right ultra-nationalists and what steps they've been taking. Some respected organizations in the United States, including the Anti-Defamation League, have expressed their concerns about rhetoric being used, and we certainly condemn that. But again, I wouldn't '' I think we've seen a range of comments made that are not matched with the facts on the ground.
- QUESTION: Can I ask a question?
- QUESTION: Do you think that '' and forgive me if this came up --
- QUESTION: -- at some point this week and I missed it, but you all but called President Putin a liar in your fact sheet the other day. You accused him of making ''false claims.'' You talked about comments of his that were fiction.
- QUESTION: Why is that helpful to your effort to secure a diplomatic solution here?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, Arshad, I think the most powerful antidote to false information is the truth, and while of course we have continued to '' and in every statement that's made publicly '' offer an off-ramp to the Russians, there's also a range of information '' misinformation that is out there. And so it's important in our view to communicate what the facts are, and that needs to be a starting point or an important point in the process as we litigate this further. Again, I don't think that anyone is really offended by a piece of paper. This really was used to convey accurate information to a range of people and a range of countries, because there's a lot of misinformation out there.
- QUESTION: I think the Russian foreign ministry was offended by the piece of paper. People can be offended by a single word. And I '' the reason I asked is simply whether you think this has in any way '' and it may not have '' made your diplomacy harder, particularly with Putin since you called him out by name.
- MS. PSAKI: Not at all. Not in a '' for a moment. There are multiple paths that we need to take, and we're doing that beyond that one document, including the announcement yesterday about sanctions and visa bans. And putting that necessary pressure on, we feel is essential while at the same time pursuing the diplomatic path.
- QUESTION: But wait. You're saying that you don't think gratuitously insulting the president of Russia is in any way '' in any way makes your job '' makes the diplomatic job harder?
- MS. PSAKI: I think we were putting out accurate information when there was a range of misinformation that was out there --
- QUESTION: Right. Understood, but I mean --
- MS. PSAKI: -- and there was a void of the actual facts.
- QUESTION: Yeah, but you did go out of your way, and I think you were quite '' not you, maybe not you personally, but the building itself was quite happy and pleased with itself over '' with the Dostoevsky quote and this kind of thing. I mean, it was clearly something that there was some glee behind it. And I guess I'm asking, are '' you say absolutely not, you don't think it's made the diplomatic work any more difficult, in response to Arshad's question. I just wonder how you can say that, that you don't believe that insulting someone like this is going to hurt.
- MS. PSAKI: I don't think we look at it that way. We laid out the specific facts of what's happening, given there's a great deal of misinformation out there, Matt. At the same time, there were discussions and negotiations that were happening on the ground in Paris and Rome. At the same time, we made a decision to put in place a visa ban and move forward with the authority for sanctions.
- MS. PSAKI: This is not a unilateral exercise here where we're just taking one step at a time.
- QUESTION: Well, I '' yeah, and I understand that. But in the middle of all this very serious work that's going on, you guys come out with a statement that takes '' let's call it what it is, it takes pot shots at the guy and insults him, which is not '' which is entertaining, certainly, but not always the way, or not, certainly, in keeping with the kind of staid diplomatic striped pants kind of language and conduct of the past. So I'm just '' you stand by this '' you stand by '' behind your statement that, no, that you don't think that this has made things '' this has made the atmosphere more difficult?
- MS. PSAKI: Discussions and engagement has continued --
- QUESTION: Continued despite --
- MS. PSAKI: -- throughout the course of the last couple of days.
- QUESTION: And do you know, in your conversations with Marie or with anyone else on the plane --
- QUESTION: -- has Lavrov mentioned this to the Secretary at all?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't have any update on that.
- QUESTION: You don't know?
- QUESTION: And you probably don't know this either --
- QUESTION: -- and you are probably too smart to comment on it, but I wondered if it came up in President Obama's --
- QUESTION: Try. (Laughter.)
- QUESTION: I wonder if it came up in President Obama's hour-long conversation with President Putin.
- MS. PSAKI: Not that I'm aware of, Arshad, but we'll let you all know if there's more to report.
- QUESTION: A quick one on Russia?
- QUESTION: Do you have more information on past U.S. sanctions against Russia other than '' was it Magnitsky List that you mentioned yesterday?
- MS. PSAKI: No, there's not '' not since then. Obviously, there's a long history, and I'm sure you can find that information, but not since then.
- MS. PSAKI: Do we have any more on Ukraine just before we move on? Okay, Turkey. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: Okay. Just two quick questions. In Turkey, more than 500,000 people, including senior government officials, journalists, and business leaders have had their communications tapped and disseminated on social media. I was wondering if you had any comment on that, and also how the Administration would react to a similar situation, if you could, at all, say anything about that.
- MS. PSAKI: Well, let me say, as we've previously said a number of times, but it's worth repeating, we share the serious concerns raised by the OSCE and others that the recently amended internet law has the potential to severely restrict free expression, freedom of the press, and access to information over the internet. That's something we remain concerned about, and obviously we've seen, to your point, that manifest itself in some ways.
- I didn't really understand your second question.
- QUESTION: It was just if you could comment on how '' I'm not sure we even got the first question, just if you had any comment on the fact that more than 500,000 people have had their communications wiretapped and disseminated on social media. Do you have any comment on that?
- MS. PSAKI: Oh. I haven't seen the report on that, so no, I don't have any comment on that.
- QUESTION: Okay. Thank you.
- MS. PSAKI: Turkey. Turkey. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: Yesterday, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the Turkish Government will take some necessary steps about '' regarding social media, including banning '' shutting down YouTube and Facebook. What's your remarks to this?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well, we are concerned by any suggestion that social media sites could be shut down as the internet law is implemented. We're looking to Turkey to uphold its commitment to respect the fundamental freedom of expression. Independent and free media are essential to an open society and an accountable system of government. We believe that all democracies are strengthened by the diverse voices of their people and a free and unfettered press.
- QUESTION: I was wondering if you had any response to this Reuters report that Syria is going to miss its deadline to destroy its chemical weapons production facilities.
- MS. PSAKI: Mm-hmm. Sure. Well, after weeks of inaction, we note that the Syrian Government has moved additional chemicals over the last week. I think the OPCW put out a report in terms of where they stand.
- MS. PSAKI: Twenty-six percent or so, I believe. As we sit here today, though, less than one-third of Syria's chemical weapons materials have been removed from Syrian territory via the port of Latakia. We remain deeply concerned that the Assad regime has missed two intermediate milestones established by the OPCW Executive Council last November for removal of chemicals. They have fallen woefully behind the schedule for destruction. Recent shipments are encouraging signs that Syria is accelerating CW movements to Latakia, but the regime's previous lack of action has put the June 30th deadline for elimination of Syria's program at risk.
- They presented, as you may know, a 65-day plan, which is an improvement of the previous 100-day plan, but still doesn't take into account recommendations by the OPCW which would allow for the removal of all chemicals in just 37 days. So we still think it could be moved more quickly.
- It is imperative, of course, that the international community '' and we're certainly a part of this '' continue to maintain and exert pressure on the Syrian regime to live up to its obligations and continue to expedite the movement of chemical weapons.
- QUESTION: And when you say the June 30th deadline is at risk, are you saying you're doubting that that deadline will be met?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I'm just '' I'm saying it's at risk. The OPCW '' obviously member states can make their own recommendations, but '' they will convey publicly what their views are on that, but because they've missed some of these deadlines, it puts it at risk, and not quite at the point of missing, but at risk.
- QUESTION: But (inaudible)?
- QUESTION: Deputy Secretary Burns yesterday --
- MS. PSAKI: Sure, of course.
- QUESTION: -- Burns said exactly the opposite, that it could still be met, I mean, that '' maybe that '' he didn't say that it wasn't at risk, but he said in response to questions on the Hill --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I didn't say it would '' it's not going to be met. I said it's at risk, so --
- QUESTION: Right. But here --
- MS. PSAKI: -- because they've missed some deadlines.
- QUESTION: But the question '' your question you got was about a report that said they will not meet the deadline.
- QUESTION: That was a '' it's '' just so we're clear, it's about --
- QUESTION: Well, I don't know --
- QUESTION: -- an intermediate '' it's an intermediate deadline, not the June 30th deadline.
- MS. PSAKI: Right. It's not the June 30th deadline. It's a deadline that --
- QUESTION: So you believe that the June 30th deadline could still be met, bottom line?
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, but it's at risk.
- QUESTION: It's at risk? Got you.
- QUESTION: I mean, but the report does say that none of the 12 facilities that Syria declared have been destroyed, but are you '' do you think there is a chance that still they can speed up the process before the June 30th deadline?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, that's a very important part of the process and what they agreed to. But again, there are steps they can take to expedite the actions on their end. We're continuing to press them to do that.
- QUESTION: So it still can be met, (inaudible)?
- MS. PSAKI: It remain '' it's at risk, given they've missed deadlines, including the one --
- QUESTION: But it could be '' can still be met?
- MS. PSAKI: Syria? Or some '' Syria?
- MS. PSAKI: Okay. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: Also following up from the meeting on the Hill yesterday, I wondered if you had any comment to a couple things that struck me during the testimony. One was '' one of the experts said that there is a possibility that this war could actually go on for another decade --
- QUESTION: -- which obviously pours kind of '' all kinds of cold water over the peace efforts that the United States is engaged in. So I wondered if you could comment on that, whether you feel that that's actually a realistic prospect for the people of Syria.
- And then the second question was: I think it was Deputy Secretary Burns asked whether now the United States believes that it's better to leave Assad in power, given the fact that with all these extremists on the ground, he's the better of two evils. And I wondered if you could answer that. I mean, Deputy Secretary Burns said no, we still believe that he has to go and that he's a magnet for all these foreign fighters and a magnet for terrorism into the region. But do you still stand by the assertion that Assad's days are numbered?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, I agree with Secretary '' Deputy Secretary Burns, no surprise, and that's something Secretary Kerry has said multiple times. So no, we don't think it would be preferable or better for him to stay.
- QUESTION: But are Assad's days still numbered? That was the assertion a year or so ago.
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, that is, of course, what our focus is, is bringing an end to the Assad reign '' the Assad regime's reign in Syria. Obviously, there are many challenges and many events that have happened over the course of the last year. But we continue to believe that he is a magnet for terrorism, that he is not '' he's a brutal dictator who has killed his own people, and there's no place for him now or in the future of Syria.
- QUESTION: But that doesn't answer the question about whether his days are numbered.
- The first question: In terms of what was stated, as I understand it, there were a range of experts that spoke who were not speaking on behalf of the Administration. Of course, we know why there are such grim predictions, because for three years Assad has not only refused to heed the call of the Syrian people to step down, but the regime's campaign of horror has been bankrolled and supported by Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, and the regime has fostered the growth of violent extremists. So those are the events that have happened over the course of the last year, as you all have covered very closely. I'm not going to make a prediction. Of course, our focus remains on ending the blood '' ending the bloodshed and suffering of the Syrian people as quickly as possible. And that's why we're working on multiple tracks.
- QUESTION: When you say ''fostered the growth of extremists,'' you don't '' are you suggesting that it might be intentional? Or are you saying that just their actions have unintentionally '' you're not --
- MS. PSAKI: Their actions, his presence. He's been a magnet for terrorism.
- QUESTION: There's been '' right. Fair enough. But there's been '' there have been suggestions from around town and around different places that Assad might actually be in cahoots with some of the extremists and that '' so that's not what you were saying?
- MS. PSAKI: What I was saying --
- QUESTION: You were saying --
- MS. PSAKI: -- was the first. Yes.
- MS. PSAKI: So, Syria? Did you have one on Syria or something else?
- QUESTION: I have two things, actually. One on Egypt and the other as a housekeeping.
- QUESTION: On Egypt and the cross-statement, is there any indication that with all these statements that the Egypt Government's actually listening? I mean, what happens after this statement?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, that's hard for me to evaluate, but it doesn't mean we don't think it's still essential and important to express concerns and raise concerns when we see them. And obviously, we have taken steps in terms of freezing certain assistance, and '' but speaking out when we see human rights abuses or where we see brutality is something that, as the United States Government, we feel is incredibly important. Whether or not they're listening, I can't make an evaluation of that.
- QUESTION: Well, they haven't said '' no one's come to the United States and said anything about '' like they haven't responded to not just the statement of --
- MS. PSAKI: The Human Rights Report? The report I mentioned?
- MS. PSAKI: Not that I'm aware of. I mean, obviously there's a range of discussions that happen every day, and as a part of that, certainly they could have, but I don't have anything to read out for you in terms of that.
- QUESTION: And my second question is just a follow-up from my colleague's question yesterday.
- QUESTION: Do you have any update on whether you've given the certificates of demonstrated competence to the AFSA representatives?
- MS. PSAKI: I do. We have '' as I mentioned yesterday, there were two different FOIA requests. So we have fulfilled the requests meeting the July FOIA. That was from '' requested from January '' January 1st, 2013 to the present time, meaning to when it was '' when the process of looking at it began, which means it's through November. So that is a request we've met. The February request is separate. We just received it last week. As I said yesterday, and as is the case in any FOIA, we're working to process that.
- QUESTION: Now, when you say fulfilled, does that mean that you agreed and handed over those certificates --
- MS. PSAKI: I don't have any details on that, but just to '' and I know somebody asked this question yesterday, but it's an important note here because I looked into this. These documents that they're asking for are about a page or two pages long.
- MS. PSAKI: They are certainly not reflective of the qualifications or even that extensive of a background or any '' of any of the individuals.
- QUESTION: Right, which kind of begs the question as to why it took so '' if they're only a page or two long, why it takes so long to go '' anyway. But --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, they only --
- MS. PSAKI: To answer another one of your questions, Matt --
- MS. PSAKI: -- because I aim to please here --
- MS. PSAKI: -- the request was not made informally or through any other channels --
- MS. PSAKI: -- but through the FOIA. Correct, through the FOIA process.
- QUESTION: Would they '' oh, I suppose this is a hypothetical question, but would '' does it '' are '' could they have gotten it through an informal request? Or do you '' would you have demanded that they go through the FOIA route to get them?
- MS. PSAKI: I can't answer that question. I mean, it's impossible to answer.
- QUESTION: Right. And then --
- MS. PSAKI: But we do try to provide information --
- MS. PSAKI: -- and work closely with AFSA.
- QUESTION: And when was it fulfilled as '' the way --
- MS. PSAKI: I'd have to double check on that. I believe it was this morning, but let me double check on that and make sure that's true.
- QUESTION: It was this morning. So you missed their deadline. You were hoping for a little leeway, kind of like the Israelis and the Palestinians.
- MS. PSAKI: I'll check and make sure, Matt. Well, they certainly know when we met it or didn't meet it, right?
- QUESTION: Well, right. I know. Okay.
- MS. PSAKI: It's not a secret to them.
- QUESTION: So we need to ask them if they're satisfied with --
- MS. PSAKI: And I can check '' well, I can check too when '' if it was last night or this morning.
- QUESTION: How many tickets '' how many tickets were there?
- MS. PSAKI: I don't have any numbers for you. It was any that were applicable in that timeframe.
- QUESTION: Do you have in front of you '' and I know the building has put these together, but I don't know if it's made its way to you '' the response to the question that I asked yesterday, just to get it on the record, for how long it takes on average to respond to FOIA requests for the State Department?
- QUESTION: I am delighted. Let's --
- MS. PSAKI: Get excited, it's a Friday.
- QUESTION: Let's put this on the record. (Laughter.) Excellent.
- MS. PSAKI: Okay. In Fiscal Year 2013, the average time to process a simple request was 106 days. In the same fiscal year, the average time to process a complex request was 533 days. To show just a factual point here on efforts to improve, in Fiscal Year 2013, the Department received over 18,000 FOIA requests and processed over 21,000. So we processed more than we received, meaning we're trying to speed up the process.
- QUESTION: So '' and I had one other question about that, which is that implies that there is a big backlog that you were able to '' right?
- QUESTION: Are you trying to get rid of the backlog and are you trying to speed up the responses? I understand that there are issues of whether information is classified and whether there's personal information and so on, but more than 500 days for a complex request is a year and '' it's a lot of time. So --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, we always make an effort to move things more quickly, and that's evidence of it. I will say, though, in terms of '' because you asked about this yesterday too '' the order question.
- MS. PSAKI: It's a little more complex, so I'd ask that question in terms of what that means. So we use multiple tracks to process requests based on a variety of factors, including, of course, the complexity of the search and review --
- MS. PSAKI: -- all those factors that you mentioned needed, the sensitivity of the records and the need for internal and external consultations, which for some are needed. So '' but yes, we always make an effort to be as responsive as possible, and the fact that we processed 21,000 in a year we received 18,000 means we did take some steps to catch up to a backlog.
- QUESTION: Do you know if the days that you gave, are those calendar days or workdays?
- QUESTION: They're dog days.
- MS. PSAKI: Dog days. Isn't every day a workday, Matt?
- QUESTION: Or leap days? Well, some people consider Saturday and Sunday not to be workdays.
- MS. PSAKI: Sure, I can get some clarification --
- MS. PSAKI: -- whether 106 is calendar or work days.
- QUESTION: And the 500-and-some.
- MS. PSAKI: Sure, of course. Yes.
- QUESTION: As long as we're dealing --
- QUESTION: -- with housekeeping things, I'll give you my two. One, I understand that Medea Benjamin has signed a Privacy Act waiver now and that you will be able to tell us precisely what happened on the ground in Cairo that fateful day.
- MS. PSAKI: I certainly can. Get out your pen.
- QUESTION: Did you fax it to her, Matt?
- QUESTION: No, I would have, though. (Laughter.)
- MS. PSAKI: He was active on Twitter about this. We can confirm that Medea Benjamin was '' so because she signed a Privacy Act waiver, we can confirm that she was detained by Egyptian immigration authorities upon her arrival in Cairo on March 3rd, 2014. Egyptian authorities reported to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that they were holding a U.S. citizen around 3:00 a.m. local time on March 4th. A consular officer attempted to contact Ms. Benjamin directly multiple times. The consular officer was unable to make contact with her prior to her deportation at 11:53 a.m. that same day, but was able to talk to immigration officials and several of her friends as well as inform U.S. consular staff in Turkey. While in Turkey '' because she was put on a plane back to Turkey '' on March 4th, Ms. Benjamin was contacted by phone by a consular officer at 8:30 p.m. local time to check on her welfare and to arrange a visit the following morning. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara also requested that the Turkish authorities grant Ms. Benjamin humanitarian parole to allow her to seek appropriate medical care for the injuries she sustained in Egypt. She was transported to a local hospital, where she received a medical examination and treatment for a dislocated shoulder. A consular officer then visited with Ms. Benjamin at the airport the next morning at 10 a.m. She was given a Privacy Act waiver to sign, but she deferred, as we all know, stating that she wished to consult with her legal team first. She was then deported, arriving in the United States the evening of March 1st. And she signed --
- MS. PSAKI: March 5th, sorry.
- MS. PSAKI: March 5th, and she signed '' that would be reversing '' that would be time travel and backwards '' and signed a Privacy Act waiver, which was delivered to the Department of State just today.
- QUESTION: Thank you very much for that, and thanks, CA, for it.
- QUESTION: Do you know, was the '' let's talk about Cairo.
- QUESTION: Because she herself has been very complimentary of the Istanbul embassy and '' sorry, consulate, and its active '' but she alleges that in Cairo, basically she was ignored. Originally, when this question was asked, you said that there had been contact between her and a consular officer.
- QUESTION: That was not correct.
- MS. PSAKI: I was incorrect.
- MS. PSAKI: And there were obviously several steps in this, hence my confusion, but --
- QUESTION: Do you know, was there an effort made to get to see her in person in Cairo, and if there was, why that didn't happen?
- MS. PSAKI: So a consular officer did attempt to make contact with Ms. Benjamin on several occasions, calling --
- QUESTION: Right, by phone.
- MS. PSAKI: But obviously that's a step in the process. Unfortunately, they were unable to connect. However, the consular officer was able to connect with her friends, as you know. It's not standard practice '' and I just learned this too '' for a consular officer to visit a U.S. citizen who was not given permission to enter a country. However, we '' because we couldn't reach her '' I mean, it was '' and we had reached through Egyptian authorities. There wasn't a way to make contact about the next steps in the process.
- QUESTION: I'm sorry, who was not given permission to enter the country?
- QUESTION: You're saying that she did not have an Egyptian visa?
- MS. PSAKI: She did have a visa, but a visa doesn't give you --
- QUESTION: Oh, oh, oh. I see what you're saying.
- MS. PSAKI: -- permission to enter a country.
- QUESTION: So if you're stuck in limbo, kind of, if you've been detained at the airport, that doesn't '' that's not the same as --
- MS. PSAKI: Well, it allows you to travel to a port of entry, like an airport.
- QUESTION: Right, but that's not the same in consular terms as someone being arrested for, I don't know, hitting some '' theft, and going to an actual jail. Is that what you're saying?
- MS. PSAKI: Right. The '' well, or going --
- QUESTION: So if you're --
- MS. PSAKI: -- or exiting the port of entry. Mm-hmm.
- QUESTION: If you're in immigration limbo --
- QUESTION: -- you '' consular access isn't required?
- QUESTION: I mean, the host country doesn't have to provide.
- MS. PSAKI: And consular '' yes. Consular access also requires cooperation, and, of course, permission from the local authorities. So permission to visit her was not granted in time to perform a welfare and whereabouts visit before she was deported.
- QUESTION: Okay. All right. And my last one on this and hopefully this will be it forever, is: Do you '' in your original answer to the question the other day, you said that she had been provided all appropriate consular access. Speaking just about Cairo, does that story '' what happened in Cairo, do you stand by that?
- MS. PSAKI: Yes, because we attempted to reach out to her.
- QUESTION: That she received all --
- MS. PSAKI: I was incorrect in stating that they had reached her. Obviously, officials reached her in Turkey and provided assistance in Turkey.
- QUESTION: Right, right. But I'm talking about the second part of your original statement, the ''all appropriate'' --
- QUESTION: ''All appropriate assistance.''
- QUESTION: -- she was provided with ''all appropriate assistance'' in Cairo. You stand '' is that part correct, or is that incorrect?
- MS. PSAKI: That is correct.
- QUESTION: That is '' but you're talking about Turkey, right?
- MS. PSAKI: No. I'm talking about '' obviously, there were attempts to --
- QUESTION: So you're basically --
- MS. PSAKI: Those were not successful.
- MS. PSAKI: That happens from time to time.
- QUESTION: Well, wouldn't it be more accurate to say you tried to provide her with all appropriate consular assistance, but you were unable to get through to her? Is that --
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. That is a fair statement.
- QUESTION: All right. Okay.
- QUESTION: Could I just ask --
- QUESTION: Sorry. I just wanted to ask, and I don't know if you're able to answer this --
- QUESTION: -- Ms. Benjamin has alleged that her dislocated shoulder came about as the result of her treatment by the Egyptian authorities. Is that your understanding of what happened as well?
- MS. PSAKI: We don't have '' I can't confirm the cause of her injury or details on that. She was, as you know, because I just stated it, treated in Turkey for her dislocated shoulder. But we'd refer you to her and refer you to the Egyptian police for any other details on what happened.
- QUESTION: And has there been any '' sorry, Arshad --
- QUESTION: No, go ahead, go ahead.
- QUESTION: -- has there been any representation made from the Embassy in Cairo to the Egyptian authorities about any perceived unnecessarily rough handling of Ms. Benjamin?
- MS. PSAKI: I'm happy to check on that and see if there has been.
- QUESTION: Yeah. I'd be interested also whether Ms. Benjamin asked for you to raise that issue with the Egyptians. I mean, if she's claiming it's a result of her treatment or mistreatment, or '' then, did she ask you to raise it, and have you done so?
- QUESTION: All right. So my last housekeeping one is to '' that --
- MS. PSAKI: We have '' let me just add one thing.
- MS. PSAKI: We have contacted the Egyptian authorities to clarify what she was told in terms of our outreach or whether a consular official had reached out and why we were unable to schedule a consular visit with her as well.
- QUESTION: And just '' and one other thing '' what '' when you '' obviously, some people don't have international phones. I have no idea what is her case. But the effort to contact her, was that just calling whatever is her cell phone number, or was it calling Egyptian authorities?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, as I said, we were in touch with both, all of that.
- MS. PSAKI: And her friends, which we were also '' friends and family, which we were also in touch with.
- QUESTION: Yeah, but I would think the people most able to put you in touch with her were probably the people detaining her, right?
- MS. PSAKI: Right. And we were in contact with the Egyptian authorities as well.
- QUESTION: My last housekeeping thing.
- QUESTION: Today is the deadline, apparently, for the State Department to decide whether it wants to file a brief in this lawsuit that's being brought by some Haitians against the United Nations. Has the Department decided whether it will file a brief in this case, and if it has, is it in support of the UN or is it in '' which wants the case dismissed '' or is it in support of the people bringing the case? Or is it just neutral?
- MS. PSAKI: Sure. Well, my understanding is DOJ, of course, would file the brief, right, not the State Department. But we did '' the U.S. Government filed a statement of interest and suggestion of immunity yesterday, asserting that the United Nations, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and Assistant Secretary General for UN Peacekeeping Operations are immune from suit in the case of '' in this case.
- The cholera outbreak resulted, as we all know, in a tragic loss of life just when Haiti was struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake from 2010. We, of course, first and foremost, express our sympathy for the victims of the epidemic. But in cases like this, we don't file a brief out of a lack of empathy. We '' the United States has legally binding treaty obligations that require it to afford the UN immunity from suit and also provide immunity for UN officials. That's why it was important to file the brief and why we filed the brief.
- QUESTION: So you believe, along with the UN, that this case should be dismissed because they enjoy immunity?
- MS. PSAKI: Well, we believe that they should enjoy immunity, and this brief was submitted based on the legal analysis of that issue.
- QUESTION: Right, but does not immunity apply to criminal cases? This is not a criminal case.
- MS. PSAKI: That's true. You may be beyond my legal depth on this particular issue.
- QUESTION: So the position of the U.S. Government, of the State Department, as presented to the court by the Department of Justice, is that the UN and individual UN officials cannot be subject to civil lawsuits?
- MS. PSAKI: You'd have to check with DOJ on this, Matt. And I will check with them, too.
- MS. PSAKI: I think we have to wrap this up.
- QUESTION: Bangladesh, yeah. Thank you.
- MS. PSAKI: Okay, last one. Go ahead.
- QUESTION: Thank you very much. My question is about the recent elections and violence in Bangladesh.
- QUESTION: Many people in Bangladesh are very angry at the word being used, Islamists were behind the violence, because what they are saying is, of course, Islam is a religion of peace, not violence. My question is here that those people who are against violence and killings of ethnics and all those were militants and terrorists. What is the position of the U.S. Government now as far as a recent democratically elected government in Bangladesh?
- MS. PSAKI: Goyal, I'm happy to connect you with our experts. I know we put out statements on this, but I don't think I have anything further to add.
- QUESTION: And finally, quickly, on Nepal. Recently, Assistant Secretary Nisha Biswal also visited Nepal '' one, whether she has invited the newly elected prime minister to the U.S., and also, any statement? We didn't see anything from her visit.
- MS. PSAKI: From her visit? I'll check with our team and see what they provided, and make sure you get that.
- QUESTION: Thank you, ma'am.
- (The briefing was concluded at 2:15 p.m.)
-
- VIDEO-Are 'Blackwater' now active in Ukraine? Videos spark talk that U.S. mercenary outfit has been deployed to Donetsk | Mail Online
- Unidentified armed men seen on the streets of Donetsk in east UkraineRussian diplomat claims 300 mercenaries had arrived in Kiev this weekMercenaries in the region could give Putin pretext for military actionDonetsk has been the scene of big pro-Russian demonstrations this weekBy Damien Gayle
- PUBLISHED: 17:49 EST, 8 March 2014 | UPDATED: 19:37 EST, 8 March 2014
- Speculation was growing last night that American mercenaries had been deployed to Donetsk after videos emerged of unidentified armed men in the streets of the eastern Ukrainian city.
- At least two videos published on YouTube earlier this week show burly, heavily armed soldiers with no insignia in the city, which has been gripped by pro-Moscow protests.
- In one of the videos onlookers can be heard shouting 'Blackwater! Blackwater!' as the armed men, who wear no insignia, jog through the streets.
- A screengrab from a YouTube video showing armed men on the streets of Donetsk, a largely Russian-speaking city in east Ukraine which has been the scene of large protests against the country's new regime
- Donetsk was this week the scene of civil unrest as pro-Russian elements among its citizens seized control of the regional administration headquarters and another government building.
- Yesterday thousands of people gathered in the city centre waving Russian flags and calling for a referendum to determine the status of the strategically important coal-mining region.
- Both the videos which purport to show 'Blackwater' mercenaries in Donetsk were uploaded last Monday, with their descriptions written in Russian.
- The context of the videos is not clear, but it appears that the armed men had turned up at a street protest against the new regime. They wander around brandishing their weapons before suddenly fleeing the scene as passers-by shout 'Blackwater! Blackwater!'
- Both the videos which purport to show 'Blackwater' mercenaries in Donetsk were uploaded last Monday, with their descriptions written in Russian. They could give Russia the pretext to invade the region
- The armed men hop down from the elevated position where some had been standing and make their exit
- Since the videos emerged, Twitter has been alive with speculation that mercenaries linked to Blackwater, now known as Academi, are active in Ukraine, helping to prop up the embattled new pro-western government.
- And a Russian diplomat in Kiev told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday that 300 employees of private security companies had arrived there.
- 'These are soldiers of fortune proficient in combat operations. Most of them had operated under private contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other states,' the source said. Interfax reported that the diplomat did not disclose the nationalities of the mercenaries but said, 'Most of them come from the United States'.
- Asked whether the soldiers seen in the videos could be from Academi, Dr Nafeez Ahmed, a security expert with the Institute for Policy Research & Development, said: 'Difficult to say really. It's certainly not beyond the realm of possibility - Academi have been deployed in all sorts of theatres.
- 'I think the question is whether the evidence available warrants at least reasonable speculation.
- 'On the face of it, the uniforms of the people in the videos are consistent with US mercs - they don't look like Russian soldiers mercs. On the other hand, why run around in public making a show of it?'
- He added: 'Of course the other possibility is it's all Russian propaganda.'
- Any suggestion that a U.S. mercenary outfit like Blackwater, known now as Academi, had begun operating in east Ukraine could give Russian president Vladimir Putin the pretext for a military invasion
- As the armed men left the scene, suspicious bystanders could be heard yelling 'Blackwater! Blackwater!'
- Any suggestion that a U.S. mercenary outfit like Academi had begun operating in the country could give Russian president Vladimir Putin the pretext for a military invasion.
- The Russian parliament, the Duma, has already voted to give Putin the authority to take action in the country, where the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych was last month ousted after mass protests in the capital, Kiev.
- Pro-Russian forces have already seized control of the southern Ukrainian province of Crimea, although the Kremlin denies that the thousands of heavily armed, well-equipped men that have appeared there are under its control.
- Last month a report in the Daily Beast claimed that 'informed sources' in Moscow had said the troops belong to Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana, a private security contracting bureau similar to Academi that is close to the Kremlin.
- The videos which emerged this week come amid reports in Russian media which claimed that 300 'strong' men had arrived at Kiev's Boryspil airport carrying military-style bags.
- Reports speculated that they were being sent to regions in eastern and southern Ukraine where Russian-speaking and ethnic Russian groups posed a secessionary threat to the new government.
- Blackwater was founded in 1997 by former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince and were one of several private security firms employed by the U.S. government to protect its diplomatic missions overseas.
- With the outbreak of the Iraq war in 2003 the company's operations expanded and its revenue mushroomed, but a string of controversial killings by its personnel led to a rebranding, first to Xe and then to Academi, its current name.
- As well as acting as security contractors, Blackwater are seen by some as a private army that can promote U.S. interests without official military involvement.
- Technically they are a multinational company and can by hired by anyone, but the board of directors includes a number of U.S. establishment figures including John Ashcroft, the former Attorney General, and former NSA chief Bobby Ray Inman.
- Pro-Russian demonstrators take part in a rally in central Donetsk earlier today: The eastern city is in part of Ukraine where the majority of the population are either Russian-speaking or ethnic Russian
- Russia! Help us: Protesters hold signs in English calling for Russian intervention in the region
- No to Nato: A woman holds a sign decrying the trans-Atlantic alliance, while the Hammer and Sickle, the flag of the Soviet Union, flies in the background at the pro-Russian demonstration earlier today
- Riot police stand guard in front of regional government building which was until Thursday occupied by pro-Russian activists, as demonstrations carry on outside
- If Blackwater are present in Ukraine, it would make most sense for them to be deployed in the country's east and south, where pro-Russian protesters raised the Russian flag over the regional parliament last Saturday.
- It remained in place until Thursday when Ukrainian police regained control of the building without any resistance.
- Donetsk, home city of deposed president Yanukovich, has seen the most persistent pro-Moscow demonstrations in a wave of protests that have erupted across southern and eastern cities.
- MailOnline contacted Academi for comment, but there was no reply.
- Share or comment on this article
-
- VIDEO-UN Climate Chief Sees 'Silver Lining' in Extreme Weather Events | MRCTV
- patrick.goodenoughPatrick covered government and politics in South Africa and the Middle East before joining CNSNews.com in 1999. Since then he has launched foreign bureaus for CNSNews.com in Jerusalem, London and the Pacific Rim. From October 2006 to July 2007, Patrick served as Managing Editor at the organization's world headquarters in Alexandria, Va. Now back in the Pacific Rim, as International Editor he reports on politics, international relations, security, terrorism, ethics and religion, and oversees reporting by CNSNews.com's roster of international stringers.
-
- VIDEO- Massachusetts Supreme Court Rules UPSKIRT PHOTOS Taken Without Permission ARE LEGAL! - YouTube
-
- VIDEO- Abby Martin To Piers Morgan MSM Filled Corporate Shills Who Continuously "War Monger & Fear Monger!" - YouTube
-
- VIDEO0 "We Are Still Hopefull That Through High Level Negotiations We Can Get Putin To Pullback" Amb Power - YouTube
-
- VIDEO-Man Labeled "BITCOIN Founder" By The Media Denies Being The Inventor Of BITCOIN - YouTube
-
- VIDEO- Sandy Hook Police Dash Cam Video does not show children evacuating per Official Timeline. - YouTube
-
- VIDEO- The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Chavez, The Coup - MUST WATCH! - YouTube
-
- No R-S-P-E-C-T
- Rspect has to be earned before it is given, and the way the crowd is laughing at him at the moment of the gaffe, it's quite clear they are giving Obama all the rspect he has earned.
- Posted by: hit and run | March 08, 2014 at 07:43 AM
- Good morning. Apparently they have located 2 oil slicks in the water (missing plane).
- Who will be investigating this?
- Posted by: Miss Marple | March 08, 2014 at 08:07 AM
- How Working In Washington Taught Me We're All A Little Like RT America
- But that's not why I'm writing this post. I'm writing this post to explain how working in Washington taught me we're all a little bit like the good folks who work at RT America '-- struggling against editorial censors, doing our best to follow our conscience despite sometimes suffocating pressures from our publishers and sponsors.
- When I started working at ThinkProgress at the Center for American Progress Action Fund in 2009, I did so because it was an awesome platform to do good journalism. I knew that I disagreed with CAP on a number of issues, and that I wouldn't be allowed to write things too harshly critical of President Obama '-- which half of senior CAP staff had worked for or wanted to work for '-- or the Democratic Party, or CAP's corporate sponsors in the ''Business Alliance.''
- http://zaidjilani.tumblr.com/
- Posted by: Neo | March 08, 2014 at 08:09 AM
- the brainslug, is deeply planted inside, Donahue snorfle, he could have addred the Jesse Ventura hour, Kirchik's piece in the Basiliskwas better on the island of misfit toys.
- Posted by: narciso | March 08, 2014 at 08:22 AM
- That link is very funny. I don't think I ever appreciated Rodney Dangerfield before.
- Posted by: Jane | March 08, 2014 at 08:35 AM
- If you read Neo's link and then think about it you will get a little sick in the tummy.
- The lefty makes the valid point that left wing news and journalism outlets pressure their writers to toe the party line. If you don't you'll get canned or ostracized.
- Now consider right wing news and journalism outlets. Who gets canned or shunned there? Righties who don't toe the left wing party line.Think of Derbyshire or Steyn.Now if you spend a career attacking conservatives or conservatives and libs equally you'll get a shiny ribbon.But say anything sufficiently provocative to make the pinkos squeal and stick some long knives in you and you'd better watch out for your "friends".
- Posted by: Ignatz | March 08, 2014 at 09:03 AM
- narciso, Thanks for that link. One does, indeed, wonder.
- Much is being made of the fact that non one has claimed credit. I do not find that unusual, particularly if those people who also sent the knife-wielders to the Chinese train station were involved.
- Posted by: Miss Marple | March 08, 2014 at 09:37 AM
- It was really TOTUS's fault. Unless obama couldn't even read it properly.
- Do you think the lsm will preface every introduction of obama with "the president who couldn't spell" like they do with Quayle who is still discussed as "the VP who couldn't spell?"
- No, I don't think so either.
- Posted by: Jim | March 08, 2014 at 09:55 AM
- Which brings me to why we're all a little like RT America. The people who work at ThinkProgress today continue to do awesome, independent reporting. But they have a lot of constraints on them, and I'm sure they wish they didn't. But it's an unfortunate reality in many of the journalistic environments we exist today. We can't criticize certain people, or dig into certain stories, or follow our noses on the trail of corruption if it means upsetting our publishers, sponsors, and donors.
- RT has more stones and commitment to principle than any of these Stink Progress idiots, none of whom have resigned in protest. Or the military brass who have let Hagel and the JEF decimate what they're supposed to be responsible for maintaining.
- Posted by: Captain Hate | March 08, 2014 at 09:59 AM
- I had no idea. Apparently half of our county is without power after the storm. We've been fine - most of the damage appears to have occurred down closer to town.
- Posted by: hit and run | March 08, 2014 at 10:18 AM
- Clarice Feldman believes Dick Armitage is a liar, except'....
- Clarice Feldman is a writer for the American Thinker who has taken the position that Dick Armitage is a liar, except when his lies fit her agenda. Then you can believe him over all others.
- Feldman's agenda: Keep Americans from learning that "Plamegate" is a cover-up, and that her friends in Washington, DC were not victims. They were participants.
- Remember we said "Now that the lie is out in the open, individuals involved in the "Plamegate cover-up" are having difficulty answering the simplest of questions."
- That's because once Armitage's lies are fully exposed to the public, the "Plamegate cover-up" comes crashing down, exposing the granddaddy of all scandals. And, that will explain a plethora of scandals. Including current ones!
- http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2013/11/18/clarice-feldman-believes-dick-armitage-is-a-liar-except/
- Posted by: Truthbetold | March 08, 2014 at 10:33 AM
- No respect for military spending results in a, get this......ONE PERCENT LESS for the budget. It's a poutrage, I tell you.
- http://www.thenation.com/article/178714/pentagons-phony-budget-wars#
- "Yet a careful look at budget figures for the US military'--a bureaucratic juggernaut accounting for 57 percent of the federal discretionary budget and nearly 40 percent of all military spending on this planet'--shows that such claims have been largely fictional. Despite cries of doom since the across-the-board cuts known as sequestration surfaced in Washington in 2011, the Pentagon has seen few actual reductions, and there is no indication that will change any time soon."
- Posted by: too funny these guys | March 08, 2014 at 10:38 AM
- I thought this bit posted at Drudge was interesting:
- Stolen European passports on missing plane
- Foreign ministry officials in Rome and Vienna confirm that names of two nationals listed on the manifest of the missing Malaysian airlines flight match passports reported stolen in Thailand...
- Italy's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that an Italian man whose name was listed as being aboard is traveling in Thailand and was not aboard the plane...
- a name listed on the manifest matches an Austrian passport reported stolen two years ago in Thailand.
- Don't know what to make of this. Don't know if it happens frequently or not.
- Off the top of my head (3 Grey Goose martinis) I have difficulty imagining for what purpose people would be traveling to Beijing with stolen European passports. It would not be my choice of destination if I was traveling on a stolen passport.
- Just FYI, I travel to the country plenty, always professionally and in uniform, but regardless Chinese Custom's always grills the heck out of us Passport-wise coming and going. Even just landing in Beijing for a quick turn where we don't even get off the plane, their officials come on board, take our passports, run them off to wherever they take them, then bring them back an hour or so later so we can continue on our next leg.
- Posted by: daddy | March 08, 2014 at 10:44 AM
-
- VIDEO-The Truth About RT Host Liz Wahl's Resignation Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
- Cynical stunt coordinated with anti-Russian agitator
- Paul Joseph WatsonInfowars.comMarch 7, 2014
- Ex-RT host Liz Wahl is not ''brave'' or ''courageous.'' Her resignation reeks of hypocrisy.
- In a follow up interview with Fox News, Wahl, who resigned in protest against state propaganda, says ''yes'' she would take a job with CNN.
- Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.watson.71FOLLOW Paul Joseph Watson @ https://twitter.com/PrisonPlanet
- Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a host for Infowars Nightly News.
- This article was posted: Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 5:16 am
-
- VIDEO-Greenspan: Little can be done to stop Putin - CNBC
- Greenspan 'pessimistic' on Ukraine outcome
- Friday, 7 Mar 2014 | 7:33 AM ETDiplomacy is far less important than stock movements in Russia, says Alan Greenspan, former Federal Reserve chairman, sharing his thoughts on the growing crisis in Ukraine and its impact on the Russian economy.
- Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told CNBC on Friday he's pessimistic about the Ukraine crisis because it appears that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to put the Soviet Union back together.
- "Putin probably, almost certainly, thinks that one of the great disasters of the 20th century was the demise of the Soviet Union," Greenspan said in a "Squawk Box" interview. "It's very obvious that he's trying to work its way back and maintain something similar to that sort of institution."
- He added, "I don't see that we have the capability of preventing it'--except, if we can affect their financial system significantly that it creates deterioration within Russia."
- If that happens, there will be a response from Russia, Greenspan said, but only in that case.
- There's been little progress on the diplomatic front'--evidenced by a statement from Putin, following an hour-long telephone call with President Barack Obama, saying that Moscow and Washington were still far apart on the situation in the former Soviet republic.
- (Read more: Putin rebuffs Obama as Ukraine crisis escalates)
- "Diplomacy is really far less important than the stock movements within Russia," Greenspan said, because in past confrontations there really wasn't much of a stock market in Moscow.
- "The ruble has been deteriorating in a way that's clearly tied to potential problems within Ukraine," he said. "It has a major effect on the Russian economy, which you know is not doing well."
- In an interview with CNBC earlier Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he's not prepared to make any concessions over Crimea, which is planning a referendum on March 16 on whether to break away from Ukraine and rejoin Russia.
- (Read more: Ukraine's PM: No concessions on Crimea)
- "No one will recognize this referendum, apart from maybe North Korea, Syria and Venezuela," Yatsenyuk said. "I want to be very clear'--Crimea was, is, and will be an integral part of Ukraine. No concessions. Full stop."
-
- VIDEO-COLD SHOULDER: ABC, CBS Exclude Scientists Critical of Global Warming for More Than 1,300 Days | CNS News
- Like a simple parlor trick, the networks are able to make skeptical scientists vanish, at least from the eyes of their viewers.
- In some cases, the broadcast networks have failed to include such scientists for years, while including alarmist scientists within the past six months. ABC, CBS and NBC's lengthy omission of scientists critical of global warming alarmism propped up the myth of a scientific consensus, despite the fact that many scientists and thousands of peer-reviewed studies disagree.
- Neither CBS nor ABC have included a skeptical scientists in their news shows within the past 1,300 days, but both networks included alarmists within the past 160 days -- CBS as recently as 22 days ago. When the networks did include other viewpoints, the experts were dismissed as "out of the scientific mainstream" or backed by "oil and coal companies."
- The networks were able to promote the myth that there is a scientific consensus for man-made, catastrophic climate change by including climate alarmists much more often than skeptical scientists and by challenging the credentials of the skeptics that they did include.
- There are thousands of skeptical scientists, so it's not like the networks couldn't find any. Marc Morano, who runs the website Climate Depot, has published a special report listing more than 1,000 dissenting scientists worldwide who dispute man-made global warming claims made by the likes of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former Vice President Al Gore.
- CBS was the worst, ignoring skeptical scientists for 1,391 days, ever since the May 15, 2010, "Evening News." That night, CBS interviewed former NASA climatologist, Dr. Roy Spencer during an extensive profile of alarmist meteorologist, and non-Ph.D., Dan Satterfield.
- It was just 22 days ago, on Feb. 12, 2014, that CBS included an alarmist physicist, Dr. Michio Kaku on "This Morning." Kaku is a contributor to "This Morning" and that day he warned of the "heating up of the North Pole" which "could cause gigantic storms of historic proportions."
- ABC last included a skeptical scientist 1,383 days ago. During the May 23, 2010, segment of "World News," ABC played a brief, 23-second clip of Princeton-educated Dr. Fred Singer expressing his skepticism over man-made climate change, along with clips of two alarmist scientists. Singer's was the only opposing view in that report and his views were actually taken from a much earlier interview aired on ABC March 23, 2008.
- Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, a Princeton professor, appeared on ABC "World News" Sept. 27, 2013, arguing that climate change is "bearing down on us," only 160 days ago.
- NBC did a far better job than the other broadcast networks, but the last time they included a skeptical scientist was still a whopping 298 days ago. NBC's May 13, 2013, "Today" included Dr. Jay Lehr of the Heartland Institute. Lehr criticized the supposed link between carbon dioxide and global temperatures.
- An alarmist scientist appeared on NBC much more recently, however, only 115 days ago. On Nov. 11, 2013, "Today" Dr. Raghu Murtugudde predicted the increase of high-intensity hurricanes during a segment on how global warming would make hurricanes more powerful. [wold]
-
- VIDEO-Booze! Bats! Apps! South by Southwest Interactive revealed (Vooza)
- Booze! Bats! Apps! Go behind the scenes with both an organizer and an attendee of South by Southwest Interactive. Keep Austin weird! (This episode of Vooza is sponsored by [L]earned Media, which provides startup founders with strategic content marketing to help launch or grow your business.)
- Share on FacebookTweetEmailLinkEmbedhttp://vooza.com/videos/behind-the-scenes-at-sxsw-south-by-southwest-interactive/
-
- AUDIO-Rep. Alvin Holmes says white Republican lawmakers would abort mixed-race grandchildren (audio) | AL.com
- MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- A debate Tuesday over a bill to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected turned to race after Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Indian Springs, compared her bill to Brown vs. the Board of Education.
- But during the debate, Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, said that his Republican colleagues would support abortion if their daughters were impregnated by black men.
- "Ninety-nine percent of the all of the white people in here are going to raise their hand that they are against abortion," he said. "On the other hand, 99 percent of the whites who are sitting in here now, if their daughter got pregnant by a black man, they are going to make their daughter have an abortion."
- Listen to the rest of Holmes' comments below.
