Blogue NorthBlogue NorthThis political blog focuses on current events in world politics. With links to the latest news stories, the blog offers analysis and speculation from a former PoliSci student. The blog also features local Montreal news on a weekly basis.
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Montreal groups on popular uprising in Lebanon
2006-12-16 06:57:01 Montreal, Quebec — On Tuesday, three Montreal organizations called on Canadian media and the Canadian government to look at the situation in Lebanon objectively. Tadamon! Montreal, Al Hidaya Association and the Council of Lebanese Canadian Organizations (COLCO) held a joint press conference explaining the situation in Beirut. Speakers for the groups stressed that contrary to media coverage, the popular uprising is not a coup, but is an attempt to form a national unity government, which would accommodate different factions. Moreover, the protest is not a Hezbollah-only enterprise, with Hezbollah representing only a third of protesters. “We hear about Hezbollah demonstrations, but Hezbollah makes up only a fraction of opposition forces. One of the major forces in the opposition coalition is the CPL which is a laic group largely supported by Christians,” said Ziad Najjar of COLCO. The groups denounced Canada’s unambiguous support of the Siniora government, sayin... More About: Pop , Montreal , Popular , Real
Syria sought to end political crisis in Lebanon
2006-12-16 06:57:01 Siniora in Russia Moscow, Russia — Lebanon ’s Prime Minister Fouad Siniora is in Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials. The visit comes ahead of Basher Assad’s visit to the Russian capital, and is likely intended to garner Russian influence over Syria . While Syria was not directly mentioned, President Putin said that Russia would help Lebanon ease the political tension. Role for Syria? It is no secret that Russia is in good relations with Syria, both politically and economically, so Putin’s support will be useful to the Siniora government. However, more is needed to solve the political standoff. The idea that Damascus can stabilize the situation lies on the fact that Hezbollah has been linked to Syria. However, the current protests in Beirut are not a Hezbollah-only project. In fact, several political factions have mobilized to demand a unitary government. According to Ziad Najjar, of the Council of Lebanese Canadian Orga... More About: Political , Politica , Crisis
No sympathy for Iran
2006-12-14 12:54:01 Tehran’s two day conference on the Holocaust has come to an end, with world leaders heavily criticizing Iran for staging a conference around Holocaust denial. Notably, Russian foreign ministry has said that it shares the UN’s determination to not deny the Holocaust. The conference has raised eyebrows everywhere with the Iranian government inviting questionable speakers including David Durke of the Ku Klux Klan as one of its presenters. Without a doubt, the two-day event was meant as a statement to Israel, with Iranian President Ahmadinejad saying that Israel would soon disappear just like the Soviet Union once did. However, this is not effective diplomacy and it’s not likely to win Iran any international support, when it has an opportunity to play a bigger regional role with an opportunity in Iraq. Instead of playing the role of a moderate, Iran is simply portraying itself as an extremist state; criticizing Israel is one thing, but denying its existence based on a ... More About: Path
Quebec: Liberals close in on Bloc
2006-12-10 12:50:02 Quebec, Canada — Much was made of newly-elected Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion’s reputation in Quebec. Having authored the Clarity Act which makes it harder for Quebec to separate from Canada, the former Environment Minister has enjoyed popularity in English Canada and criticism in Quebec. However, an Angus Reid poll shows that Canada’s Liberal party is barely behind separatist Bloc Quebecois in the province. The Bloc leads Quebec with 37% of the vote, with the Liberals at a close second with 35%. It is notable to mention that in January’s federal election, the Bloc had received 42.1% of the vote. The poll goes to show that Quebec’s separatist ambitions may be changing, as Dion’s election as head of the Liberal Party do not seem to have put a dent in the party’s popularity in Quebec. In fact, the poll can be seen as a success for the Liberals, as the scandal-laden party was far behind the Bloc in January. The Angus Reid polling also foll... More About: Quebec , Close
Israel not ruling out military force against Iran
2006-12-10 06:50:07 While Europe (in consultation with US) is looking to soften the proposed UN resolution on Iran , to accommodate opposition from Russia and China, Israel i PM Ehud Olmert called for dramatic steps to be taken against Iran. Understandably, the Israeli leader’s remarks come in light of repeated anti-Israeli statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad. The Israeli PM said that inl light of Ahmadinejad?s statements, he is not even ruling out a military strike against Iran. “I expect significantly more dramatic steps to be taken. Here is a leader who says openly that it is his aim to wipe Israel off the map. Israel is a member of the United Nations,” said Olmert. Ahmadinejad’s anti-Israeli rhetoric is certainly unacceptable and is intended for a domestic audience in Iran. But the rhetoric must be contextualized; the Iranian President’s statements are made in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Part of the issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the lack... More About: Military , Force , Again
Revised UN resolution for Iran targets Russia
2006-12-09 18:49:02 European states have reportedly drawn up a new text for the Iran Nuclear resolution. The previous draft had been rejected by China and Russia . Unidentified officials have told The New York Times that the new text allows for Iran’s civilian nuclear program to go on, as the prohibitions have to do with activities linked with making a nuclear weapon. It also removes restrictions on the nuclear reactor being built by Russia in Bushehr. The revision is undeniably meant to get China and Russia on board and it’s likely that the Europeans will get the support of the two veto-yielding powers. The key issue for Russia is the idea of nuclear energy and what Russia stands to gain economically if Iran is to develop its nuclear program. With Bushehr off the new proposal, the Russians will be able to complete the power plant without obstruction. If the project is successful, they stand to gain more similar contracts, as Iran is looking to expand in the nuclear field. The new text also ... More About: Gets , Target , Vise
Nuclear Energy on the Rise, Iran on Board
2006-12-09 18:49:02 Nuclear threats are more and more prevalent these days with North Korea having tested a nuclear bomb in October of this year. Iran is also reported to be developing a weapons program, something its leaders deny. Terrorists are reportedly in search of nuclear capabilities; last year, Russian dissident Boris Berezovsky was quoted as saying that Chechen rebels were missing a small component to create a dirty bomb. Obviously this is making world powers worried and they are increasing their pressure against potential nuclear proliferation. The US and Europe have been insistent on stopping Iran?s nuclear program. When North Korea tested its new capability, one of the first statements made by President Bush was a warning against passing the technology on to rogue states or terrorists. Understandably so, the West is worried. Unfortunately, nuclear technology will not go away, and with the development of developing nations, it will be more and more present, because of its effectiveness. Not ... More About: Nuclear , Nuclear Energy , Energy , Board
?Voyage to Italy? / Victor Burgin
2006-12-08 06:47:02 Montreal, QC — British artist Victor Burgin is in town to launch Voyage to Italy , an exhibition which was commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Architecture. For the exhibition, Burgin took an 1860 photograph of the Basilica at Pompeii by Charles Fratacci as his point of departure. Burgin went back to the Basilica and took his own photographs recreating the ruins at Pompeii and the remains of the Basilica. He also put those photographs together into a video and added a narrative. Below is an interview I conducted with Victor Burgin on the even of the exhibition’s opening: Tonight at 6PM the CCA is hosting a free event, which will have Victor Burgin and Hubertus von Amelunxen speak about the formal and conceptual framework and the implications of Voyage to Italy. The exhibition starts today and runs through March 25, 2007.
North Korea-Russia, Deal or No Deal?
2006-12-06 18:45:01 Russia is refusing to comment this weekend’s reports from Japan, which suggested that North Korea would offer Russia exclusive rights to its uranium in exchange for open support at the forthcoming nuclear negotiations. A representative of Rosatom, Russia’s Nuclear Agency, said that the agency does not comment on rumors, while Russia’s foreign ministry called the reports “provocative.” It is important to note that while Russian officials have not commented on the reports, they did not deny them either. There is no reason to assume that such talks are impossible; after all, apart from China, Russia is North Korea ’s closest ally. With pressure from the US to deal with North Korea accordingly, Russia needs incentives to work with the North Korean government. It is also in search of new areas of influence, as it is constantly being undermined in its traditional area (former Soviet Union), notably by Georgian President Sakaashvili. North Korea also has ... More About: Russia , Deal
Iraq Report Due, Options for Bush
2006-12-06 18:45:01 The Iraq Study Group will deliver its report to US President Bush this morning. It is expected that the report will advocate a change of policy in Iraq, which can include troops reduction as well as looking to Iraq’s neighbors for assistance. In the wake of the forthcoming report, President Bush has suggested that his policy in Iraq will be one of perseverance. Different reports have surfaced suggesting that the US President is unlikely to accept big changes in Iraq. However, it remains to be seen what the recommendations actually are and what the President’s reaction will be. At the same time, Bush’s new man, Secretary of Defense nominee Robert Gates has made statements about the US not winning the war in Iraq. In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Gates suggested training more Iraqi forces. This seems to be part of the US’ new strategy in Iraq; President Bush has said in a meeting with Iraqi PM Maliki that he is unsatisfied with Iraq tackling sectar... More About: Report , Port , Options
Iraq Report Delivered
2006-12-06 18:45:01 As was expected, the Iraq Study Group has advocated training more Iraqi forces and engaging in diplomacy with Iraq’s neighbors, Iran and Syria. The report also favors gradually getting US combat troops out of Iraq. Its assessment of the situation in Iraq as “deteriorating” and says that Bush’ policy is “not working.” It remains to be seen what the reaction of the US executive will be to the report it commissioned. Change in policy is likely, because of President Bush’s Secretary of State nominee Robert Gates. Gates’ discourse has differed from his predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld, and he has said that the US is “not winning” in Iraq. That seems to be in line with the Iraq Study Group’s report, which sees the situation in Iraq as “grave and deteriorating.” Whether the US is in a stand-off with Iran and Syria or not, it will have to welcome some sort of dialogue with Iraq?s neighbors. After all, Iran has already... More About: Report , Port , Live , Repo
Charest Government Announces Spending for Research
2006-12-05 06:44:02 Montreal, QC — Quebec Premier Jean Charest was in Montreal today to announce the government’s initiative to spend an additional 888 M$ on research an innovation. Development Minister Raymond Bachand explained that the government’s new strategy is meant to ensure that research can be brought to a commercial market which can then compete with the growing economies, like that of China and Alberta. “Quebec is doing good, better than the average. But this is today,” said Charest alluding to the strategy’s goal of creating future growth in Quebec’s economy. The strategy is based on the idea that the strength of Quebec’s economy is in its high-tech exports. With a population of 7.6 million, Quebec is certainly not a big domestic market nor does it have the population numbers to be a manufacturing leader. Thus, the funding announced is aimed at getting researchers into the marketplace. The aeronautic sector was given as an example of Quebec le... More About: Government , Research , Men , Search , Spending
ERRATUM: RE: Vigil for Anas Bennis
2006-12-05 06:44:02 In the original article entitled Vigil for Anas Bennis, I reported that Mohamed Anas Bennis was of Algerian heritage. This is, in fact, not correct; Mr Bennis was from Morocco. I regret the error. More About: Ratu
An Iraqi Democracy
2006-12-05 06:44:02 The Iraq i project, led by Britain and the US, is increasingly coming under fire from all directions. While it is not a surprise to see outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speak about the devastating shortcomings of Iraq, it is somewhat unexpected to see a Donald Rumsfeld memo stating that US tactics in Iraq are “not working well enough” and that a shift in policy must ensue. The revelation of the memo comes after both Human Rights Watch and a panel of UN experts criticized the Dujail trial of Saddam Hussein as being flawed and unfair. The UN panel even called the Hussein?s detention illegal. While the Dujail trial was not a direct consequence of US or British tactics — the former Iraqi leader was tried by the new Iraqi government — it does raise serious questions about an Iraqi democracy. Ultimately, the Iraqi project’s goal was to bring democracy to the Middle East with Iraq as a starting point. And Iraq did get an electoral democracy with real el... More About: Democracy , Demo
Progress in Nuclear Negotiations?
2006-12-05 06:44:02 Reports from Japanese media indicate that progress may be made when negotiations with North Korea are resumed later this month. Kyodo News reports that the US and others have urged North Korea to abandon is nuclear program by 2008 in return for economic aid as well as security guarantees. All the while, the US and its allies are warning of additional sanctions if North Korea refuses to cooperate with the plan. This reasoning is much more in line with what IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei called for two days ago and is a step in the right direction after a lack of progress in pre-negotiation talks this week. ElBaradei, the chief nuclear expert at the UN said that North Korea needed incentives to abandon its nuclear program, not just sanctions. At the same time, a report in Tokyo Shimbun suggests that Pyongyang will offer uranium exports to Russia which can then be enriched and resold as nuclear energy fuel to China. According to the report, talks about giving Russia exclusive rights to N... More About: Nuclear , Prog , Clear , Progress , Negotiation
Momentum for Hezbollah
2006-12-05 06:44:02 Hezbollah has spoken. Actually, its supporters have. And they refuse to be silenced until the government resigns. For over two days now, the opposition to the current government in Lebanon has assembled in the hundreds of thousands in Lebanon’s capital Beirut. The protesters want the resignation of Prime Minister Siniora’s government. The PM has said he won’t back down to what he calls a coup attempt. The current action goes to show how much support Hezbollah has gained after this summer’s 34-day war with Israel, a war in which the Lebanese government took a neutral position. It is this neutrality which has cost the government popularity and has made it so easy for Hezbollah to mobilize popular support. Whether the demonstration is successful in unseating the government or not, the damage has already been done: the Western-backed government has failed in regaining the trust of its population. After all, Siniora and his ministers had over three months — ... More About: Men , Moment , Hezbollah , Momentum
More Indication of US Withdrawal
2006-12-05 06:44:02 While US President Bush continues to insist that the US has no plans of withdrawing from Iraq prematurely or on a deadline, Iraqi PM Mailiki today has set a timeline. According to the Prime Minister, Iraq will be able to fully take responsibility for its security by June and relieve international troops of that function. This is certainly the scenario favored by the British who have publically indicated that they would seek an exit from Iraq within a little over a year. It is also a scenario likely to go with forthcoming recommendations by the Iraq Study Group, which will likely recommend gradual troops withdrawals. President Bush knows all of this, and he knows that the US will likely have to leave Iraq within a year. He also knows that the US will likely not be leaving the flower of democracy it hoped to instate, but a divided country. And it is for these reasons that Bush is rejecting the idea of an exit; the idea is to make it look like the Iraqis asked the US to leave, but the ... More About: Cat , With , More , Draw , Withdrawal
Vigil for Anas Bennis
2006-12-05 06:44:02 Montreal, QC — About 20 protesters gathered at the corner of Cote-des-Neiges and Kent street today to mark the one-year anniversary of the murder of Mohamed Anas Bennis. Anas Bennis was shot two times by police officers Bernier and Roy on December 1, 2005. The police officers have claimed self-defence and were not charged by prosecutor James Rondeau. The investigation into Mohamed Anas Bennis’ death has been secretive; the report into the death is confidential and has been kept from the victim’s family. The father of Anas Bennis came to the event and saluted supporters for making it out in the terrible weather conditions and thanked them for spreading the message. The event was organized by the Collective Against Police Brutality (COBP), which has denounced the decision to not prosecute the two officers. The COBP and its supporters believe that Anas Bennis’ Moroccan heritage is at the core of of the killing. “The writing is on the wall. This is racial ...
Hezbollah Calls for Government Resignation in Lebanon
2006-12-05 06:44:02 Hezbollah today organized a massive protest in Beirut overnight and has called for the resignation of the government. This is an action which was postponed two weeks ago with the murder of Christian Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel; quite conveniently, the murder took place the day before the planned protest. At the time, fingers were pointed at Syria, Iran and Hezbollah. Hezbollah showed diplomatic resolve and did not stage the planned protest. While we may never know who killed Gemayel or why, it is clear that pointing the finger at Syria and Hezbollah is just irresponsible and lazy. After all, there has been no proof presented and the assassination is politically to the disadvantage of both Syria and Hezbollah. Hezbollah does not need to assassinate anyone in the government to marginalize the opposition, because Hezbollah has significant support from the Lebanese population, particularly following the failure of the Lebanese government to take a stand in the Israeli bombings o... More About: Government , Lebanon , Men , Calls , Nation
ElBaradei Wants Incentives for North Korea
2006-12-05 06:44:02 IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei believes that North Korea needs incentives to stop its nuclear program. Today, ElBaradei called for the use of carrots and sticks in dealing with the nuclear regime. According to ElBaradei, “Sanctions alone [do not], in my view, resolve security issues. We need them to look into a package of incentives for North Korea to come back into negotiations.” The comments from the IAEA chief come after there was no progress at pre-negotiation talks between North Korea, China and the US. More About: Cent , Want
A Regional Role for Syria
More articles from this author:2006-12-05 06:44:02 Only a few weeks ago, the West had been criticizing Syria over its alleged meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs. The accusations were raised over the murder of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel. With Lebanon’s current political crisis — which has Hezbollah challenging Prime Minister Siniora’s government — the West is now turning to Syria to help alleviate tensions, fearing an all-out civil war in the country. It is German Foreign Minister Steinmeler who has taken the lead. In a meeting with Syria’s President Assad today, Steinmeler applauded Syria’s recent move to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq, an event which went largely unnoticed nearly two weeks ago. The Foreign Minister urged that Syria act in similar fashion in regards to Lebanon. The reason for Steinmeler’s appeal is the political standoff between Hezbollah and Prime Minister Siniora, whose government has lost popularity over its handling of the 34-day war with Israel. ... More About: Regional , Role , Gion 1, 2 |
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