Blogue North

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2

North Korean talks resume soon
2007-02-03 07:53:01
There are big hopes for next week’s 6-party talks with North Korea . Christopher Hill, key negotiator for the US, has said that the US is hoping for progress. It’s likely that this progress will happen, and that the Korean s will get what they’ve been seeking, which is aid. It is also very likely that the financial sanctions against imposed on the regime in 2005, will be adjusted. The US has engaged in separate talks for those sanctions, but those talks are certainly linked to the nuclear issue. After all, it was after the October test and the December talks, that the US was ready to have serious dialogue about the financial sanctions. While Hill is being careful in what he’s saying and has made it clear that specific concessions on North Korea ’s side are a requirement, there have been reports that North Korea will be more lenient in accepting those concessions. And accepting US aid. What does this all mean? If the talks next week are successful, then the...
More About: Resume

Protesting war. Iraq, Iran, Somalia
2007-01-29 07:48:02
Opposition to the war in Iraq is back in the headlines. After a Senate Committee formally opposed President Bush’s plan for Iraq — which the President is still going through with — anti-war protesters have come out onto the streets. This is nothing new. When the Iraq conflict developed over three years ago, thousands also marched the streets. The Administration ignored to budge then. And the Administration will ignore this wave of protests too. But this opposition is not insignificant. Large demonstrations against the war in Iraq have with time become scarce, and it now seems that the anti-war movement is starting to grow, at least in its visibility. Capitol Hill officials are ready to criticize the war, and citizens are asking an end to the conflict. Washington, DC apparently saw at least 100 000 protesters demand an end to the war in Iraq. This is important, because the war movement is not about to end. It’s true that the US will be out of Iraq sooner rathe...
More About: Iran , Testing , Mali , War

Lebanon tensions ease, official warns of ?civil war?
2007-01-28 07:48:01
This week, things turned for the worse in Lebanon , with violence erupting in Beirut. But both the government and the opposition seem to be showing maturity by calling for unity in Lebanon to prevent an outbreak of civil war. This situation is very indicative of what is going on in Lebanon: the protests of recent months are not opportunistic, but realistic. There is a significant segment of the Lebanese population that dislikes the way the current government is handling the country. And instead doing things un-democratically, through terror, the disenchanted are taking peaceful means to voice their concerns and demands. No one can doubt that Hezbollah, a key player in the protests, is capable of acts of terror (and ones of magnitude). After all, it was Hezbollah that seriously challenged the reputation of the IDF this summer. However, Hezbollah has not been violent. There is no indication that the assassination of Pierre Gemayel, which occurred before the protests began, has been lin...
More About: War , Tension , Sion , Civil War

Apologies + video
2007-01-28 07:48:01
Apologies to everyone that expected the regular posts on here this past week. For different reasons I haven’t been able to post; a few other commitments, and then I was in Boston for a couple of days. I should be posting regularly now, however. And just for fun, here’s what the “other commitments” sometimes involve. I’m the one playing bass: Update: For those interested, I’ll be posting more of these kinds of video posts over at a new blog, Bitter Music.
More About: Video , Logies , Polo , Logi

Montreal, Quebec — Former FACE school principal Nick P
2007-01-16 19:38:01
Montreal, Quebec — Former FACE school principal Nick Primiano met with FACE students, teachers, and parents at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday night. The event, organized by SOS FACE, was the first opportunity for members of the school’s community to speak to Primiano since his suspension in September and his subsequent resignation in November. Having signed a confidentiality agreement with the Commission Scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), Primiano gave the best explanation he could, by providing anecdotes from his encounters with school board officials over the years. The most notable example was a phone call that the then-principal received from a CSDM functionary concerning media reports of parents camping outside the school to register their children there. Primiano expected a word of congratulations, but instead was chastised for creating a “spectacle” that left “people with questions.” Alluding to the allegations brought against him by the CSDM,...
More About: Montreal , School , Face , Real

As a result of the contentious Dujail Trial, Iraq has gone a
2007-01-16 19:38:01
As a result of the contentious Dujail Tria l , Iraq has gone ahead with two more hangings. This time, state television is not broadcasting the executions, one of which ended in an accidental decapitation. Journalists were shown a silent video recording of the process which took place overnight. In late December, Saddam Hussein’s execution was broadcast on state television; the video was also silent. It was later revealed that the former Iraqi President was taunted and insulted as he was hanged. The revelation came from a rogue video with audio recorded on a cellphone and leaked onto the internet. Iraqi officials are saying that these hangings were carried out appropriately and that the video will not be made public. Keeping it private makes some sense, but it also negates the necessity of showing a silent video to journalists. If Iraq’s executioners and officials have really learnt their lesson after hanging Saddam Hussein, shouldn’t members of the media be able to v...
More About: Content , Gone

Iraqi President Talabani is continuing to show a pro-active
2007-01-15 07:36:03
Iraqi President Talabani is continuing to show a pro-active stance in Iraqi foreign policy. Following the official return of diplomatic ties with Syria in November, the President is now meeting with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus. Syria is a vital player in the region and, over the years, has had important relations with Iran: the ties between the two nations developed when Syria sided with Iran in the Iran-Iraq war. It’s also worth mentioning that the Iraq Study Group’s report released in early December favored dialogue with Iran and Syria, Iraq’s immediate neighbors. President Talabani seems to be following this policy, even if the US is reluctant to do the same. In fact, the Iraqi President has become a somewhat unnamed figure in Iraqi leadership. In his address to Americans Wednesday, President Bush did not mention Talabani, only mentioning Prime Minister Maliki. This is consistent with US foreign policy of late, which has been centred on dealing exclusivel...
More About: Iraq , Show , Side , Iraqi

The idea of the US attacking Iran seems far-fetched and unre
2007-01-14 07:35:01
The idea of the US attacking Iran seems far-fetched and unrealistic. Not only is the US’ military over-stretched, strategically any operation could spell disaster. Iran’s facilities are not as exposed as Iraq’s were and Iranian infrastructure would not be taken out of order as easily, with an intricate underground network existing in Iran. However, considering President Bush’s address to US citizens on Wednesday night, reality doesn’t seem to matter much to this Administration. There continue to be signs that the Administration is interested in facing off against Iran. Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran against impeding US efforts in Iraq. Prior to her warning, US troops stormed an Iranian consulate in northern Iraq and detained five diplomats, violating international norms on treating diplomats . Were a US or British consulate raided in like fashion, an immediate response would be rightly implemented. Could the US be provoking Iran?...
More About: Idea , King , Seem , The U

On the eve of US-North Korea financial talks, which have bee
2007-01-14 07:35:01
On the eve of US-North Korea financial talks, which have been tentatively set to take place on the week starting January 22, the idea of a second nuclear test by the DPRK is being talked about yet again. Kyodo news agency quoted Japanese lawmaker Taku Yamasaki quoting North Korea n official Song Il-ho as saying that a second nuclear test would depend on US actions. The Koreans have an interest in upping pressure on the US to succumb to North Korean demands, including those of lifting financial sanctions. Kim Jong-il’s government has no leverage in the nuclear talks, except for the country’s nuclear capability itself. If talks continue in deadlock — and North Korea is unwilling to make concessions — then a second nuclear test could become the only effective way to pursue the country’s interests. Right now, North Korea’s best tool is the threat of such a test. Neither the US nor North Korea want another test to take place. A test would spell disaster...
More About: Financial , Talk

Montreal, Quebec — FACE School’s former principa
2007-01-14 07:35:01
Montreal, Quebec — FACE School ’s former principal Nick Primiano will be addressing FACE students and parents this Monday, followed by a Q&A session. The event will take place at the corner of Ste-Catherine and University streets at Christ Church Cathedral at 6PM. Despite students’ and teachers’ requests, the Commission Scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), which administers the school, has refused to allow the popular principal to address his former students at the school. This fall, Primiano was suspended by the CSDM under dubious and secretive circumstances, and later resigned. A group of FACE parents and alumni, dubbed SOS F.A.C.E., is organizing the event. Created after Primiano’s suspension, SOS F.A.C.E. has been active in monitoring CSDM practices vis-à-vis FACE, as members believe that the suspension — and Primiano’s subsequent resignation — may be part of the CSDM’s larger agenda for reforms at the bilingual arts-driven school...
More About: Montreal , Face , Real

Iraq arrests official, cracks down on free media
2007-01-04 13:20:02
The individual thought to have taped Saddam Hussein’s hanging has been arrested in Iraq . The footage, taken on a cellphone (at least one other video was made, according to an Iraqi prosecutor), has been leaked onto the Internet and was aired on Al-Jazzeera amongst other stations. The video differs from the official video of Hussein’s death in that it includes audio and it’s clear that the former Iraqi president is being insulted by officials present at his hanging. The government is upset at the video leak and at the uproar it has created in the Sunni population. However, the fault is not with the official who taped the execution. If Iraq is to operate as a democracy with rule of law and fair trials, as President Bush put it last week, then it cannot act like it did with Saddam Hussein. Not only was the sentencing of Hussein questionable, but its execution has now been shown to be motivated by personal feeelings. The personal concerns of those present at the hangin...
More About: Media , Arrest , Free , Arrests

Ban Ki-moon a pushover on first day of job
2007-01-03 19:19:01
New UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon , began his new tenure cautiously on Tuesday. When asked for comment, the Secretary General did not criticize Iraq’s death by hanging of Saddam Hussein. “The issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state to decide,” said Ban, inviting speculation on the UN’s position on the death penalty. It is widely known that the oraganization officially opposes the death penalty. Ban’s new spokesperson, Michele Montas, was quick to label Ban?s comments as his “own nuance” on the issue and not a change of policy at the UN. In his remarks on Hussein, the Secretary General stated that the former Iraqi president was responsible for “heinous crimes and unspeakable atrocities against Iraqi people.” Interestingly enough, Ban did not say anything about Hussein not being tried for all of his crimes and that his second trial had not been completed. After all, Hussein’s death sentence was for r...
More About: Moon , Over , First , Push

Gazprom seeks to expand empire
2007-01-03 07:18:01
Russian gas giant Gazprom has signed a deal with Belarus to sell gas for $100 per 1000 cubic meters (up from $45). The deal was signed right before 2007 hit and also sees Gazprom get a 50% stake in Belarus’ gas pipeline Beltransgaz. Already one of the largest producers of gas in the world, Gazprom is seeking more command by securing control of the Belarussian pipeline, which is strategically important in delivering gas to Europe. While there is widespread criticism of Russia for using gas prices to dictate foreign policy, there is also a counter-critique. State owned or not (Russia has a controlling package in the company), Gazprom is in the business of making money. The high profile cases of price hikes come from the Soviet past, with Ukraine, Georgia and others benefiting from friendly prices. Did Belarus truly deserve to pay $45 when Europe pays over $200? Shouldn’t the market decide the price? That’s precisely the lesson Georgia learned when it had to cave in t...
More About: Prom , Empire , Seek

To watch in 2007
2007-01-01 13:15:02
Afghanistan. Often forgotten because of the headlines from Iraq, Afghanistan is not a solved affair. Only Kabul is somewhat stable, with Kandahar and other cities remaining unsafe. Global Warming. Scientists have been talking about it for years, and Al Gore has now popularized it with a documentary film . Yet there is still no clear policies on tackling this global issue. The US has not returned to the Kyoto framework (and hasn’t offered a good alternative) and Canada’s new government has been defiant in backing out of the Kyoto protocol. Meanwhile, the arctic shrinked a few days ago. Iran. Will the Republic bow to pressure and halt uranium enrichment? And if not, what will Ahmadinejad do next? Iran has potential to play a vital regional role in stabilizing Iraq. It also may face opposition from the US. Iraq. Will British and US occupying forces leave Iraq and leave it to Iraqi forces to provide security? Lebanon. The standoff in Beirut continues, with protesters vowing ...
More About: Watch

2006: Not the year of US foreign policy
2007-01-01 01:14:01
When the US went to war with Iraq a few years ago, it cited the possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) by Saddam Hussein’s regime as a reason for the war. Since the 2003 invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq, there has been no proof of WMD in the country. Luckily, the US (as well as Britain, Italy and Australia) had plans for democracy in Iraq, which culminated in the so-called Purple Revolution of the January 2005 elections. Surprisingly, those elections did not result in much violence and outlooks were positive. But 2006 saw the violence in Iraq grow to huge proportions, some saying the country was in a state of civil war. US troops have had trouble subduing the violence and more troops may be on the way, with the Bush Administration circulating the idea of a surge option. An exit from Iraq was an option a few months ago, but it now seems farfetched. Yet the US could use its troops elsewhere. In a major failure of US foreign policy, North Korea tested a nuclear...
More About: Policy , Foreign Policy , Foreign , Year , Poli

Saddam Hussein hanged on the eve of Hajj
2006-12-30 13:12:02
As expected, Saddam Hussein has been hanged in Iraq. The execution was slated to happen before the New Year and the former president’s late attempts to appeal the verdict were unsuccessful, with a US judge rejecting his appeal saying that Hussein was not in US custody. Hussein’s legal team had argued that he was a Prisoner of War and thus should have remained in US custody. That would annul the Iraqi court’s decision. The defense makes sense with Hussein having been captured as part of the US’ war on Hussein’s regime. Considering the flawed trial which convicted Hussein to the death, the hanging is quite contentious. Furthermore, it is something that can spur violence with parts of Iraq still behind the former president. The execution comes on the eve of the Hajj holiday, and this may be intentional, with officials possibly hoping that Hajj will subdue potential violence.

?Time and patience? for North Korea talks
2006-12-29 13:11:02
It was reported yesterday that the US had offered to remove North Korea from its list of states sponsoring terrorism, if the DPRK agreed to dismantle its nuclear program. With the talks failing to lead to any result, it’s clear that North Korea declined. The regime is not interested in soft power assets, but wants concrete ones like its financial operations resumed. This is why the regime insisted on the removal of financial sanctions. Secretary General of the UN designate Ban Ki-moon commented the six-party talks of last week by saying that “the issue requires time and patience.” The South Korean politician vowed to work on resolving the crisis once he starts his new job in the UN. Ban Ki-moon has a good point: the issue is more complicated than a week of talks can resume. After all, North Korea has won a big battle by testing its nuclear weapon. The US, on the other hand, has found an effective tool in financial sanctions. Ironically, it is because of these sanct...
More About: Time , Patience

Dough Stych on Iraq, Iran
2006-12-29 13:11:02
On today’s Off the hour, I got the chance to speak with Doug Stych of Doug’s Darkworld about his thoughts on the war in Iraq and the idea that the US may be planning war with Iran . Listen below:
More About: Dough

Living in Moscow
2006-12-29 13:11:02
Russia has been in the news quite a bit lately. A common trend is to draw the parallel between Russia of today and the Soviet Union. For example is this weekend’s article in the Washington Post on the 15-year anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union. On today’s Off the hour I spoke with Alexander Popov, who is a producer working in Moscow about his experience of politics while living in Russia’s capital and what he thought of the parallel. Listen below:
More About: Living , Ving

Independent Iraq
2006-12-26 01:08:01
A British raid of a police station in Basra is bringing forth questions of the degree of Iraq i independence. The Guardian reports that British forces stormed Jamiat prison, to free 127 prisoners, many of whom British forces feared would be killed or were falsely imprisoned. The BBC reports that the head of city council of Basra has called this operation illegal, saying that the council had not been informed of the raid. It’s noteworthy that Basra is one of the areas the British hoped to leave for Iraqi forces to secure, as a first test of how prepared Iraqi forces are to handle security on their own. Foreign Secretary Beckett has said that British forces could be out of Basra province by spring. This raid and the Iraqi response seems to be a vote of no confidence on the part of the British, on how well Iraqis can secure their own freedom. It’s yet another confirmation that Iraq is not an independent democracy. After all, Iraqi President Talabani invited to Iranian envoys...
More About: Independent , Epen , Dependent

Iran resolution, US foreign policy
2006-12-24 13:06:02
The UN Security Council has passed a resolution condemning Iran for its nuclear enrichment. Key was the support of China and Russia, who have been reluctant on approving earlier drafts of resolutions against Iran. Iran has responded by questioning why the UN has not condemned Israel for its nuclear arms. This criticism was made possible by a recent slip by Israeli PM Olmert. The resolution has been long in the making and has been specifically tailored to make sure it would be adopted. Specifically, Bushehr, the Russian nuclear power plant built for Iran, is not mentioned. The resolution’s sanctions also allow countries to unfreeze assets of the companies dealing with Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles program, because freezing them is left to countries’ discretion. It’s not clear what the US’ intentions with Iran are, but after some time out of the spotlight, Iran is back in the forefront of US foreign policy. The US this week made it its intention t...
More About: Policy , Foreign Policy , Foreign , Poli

Talks go nowhere; US frustrated with North Korea
2006-12-23 01:05:01
Beijing, China — After four days, the Beijing talks on North Korea ’s nuclear program have not generated much progress, with US negotiator Christopher Hill entering day five without much optimism. Hill is blaming North Korea for its stubbornness in not budging on its demand that financial sanctions against it are lifted. The US claims that the financial sanctions are not linked to the nuclear issue, and have to do with alleged money-laundering and counterfeiting tied to a Macau bank. “We cannot be diverted from what we need to do in the six-party talks, which is to have the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington. In an interesting turn, Forbes reported that South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun blamed the US for compromising a deal reached last September by implementing the financial sanctions at a sensitive time. If the current round of negotiations ends in deadlock, it will not be the first time and ...
More About: With , Talk

North Korean talks enter fourth day
2006-12-21 13:03:02
Beijing, China — North Korea is refusing to renege on its demand that financial sanctions against it be lifted, before it dismantles its nuclear program. While the negotiations are continuing, they risk coming to a standstill if either side does not change its position. Following North Korea ’s October 9 nuclear test, the US wants the Korean s to dismantle their nuclear program. The Koreans, in turn, want financial sanctions, imposed last year, to be removed. Undoubtedly, progress is being made, as the talks have entered a fourth day of negotiations and have been extended until Friday. Likely, the US and North Korea are reluctant to reveal what concessions they are willing to make, to maintain their strong bargaining advantage. The US has effectively shown that sanctions do sometimes work — North Korea would not be stubborn about the financial sanctions, if they were not a problem for the regime. North Korea, on the other hand, has shown that hard power still makes o...
More About: Talk

New Iraq strategy: more troops or not?
2006-12-21 07:03:01
New Secretary of State Robert Gates has met with US commanders in Iraq and found them cautious of a proposal to infuse Iraq with more troops. The commanders don’t want a boost in troop levels without a clear mandate for those troops. The commanders clearly understand that another 20 000 troops will not rectify the situation without a clear strategy. President Bush has echoed the sentiment, saying he is open to a troops increase with a clear mission. It’s yet another confirmation that the US is looking to exit from Iraq in the next 10-14 months. The idea of increasing US troops to train Iraqi forces is gaining more and more popularity, with US troops incapable of stabilizing the civil uprisings in the US-supported democracy. A new strategy in Iraq will be announced by President Bush in January; it remains to be seen whether the US President will go along with suggestions from the Iraq Study Group, which he commissioned. A temporary troops increase can be expected, with th...
More About: Strategy , More , Troops , Trat

Negotiations and Resolutions
2006-12-20 19:02:02
While it appears that there is still no consensus on an Iranian resolution, the US wants the UN Security Council to vote on one this week. State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said the US wants the vote before the weekend. It’s not clear yet what the resolution would be and what kind of sanctions could be imposed. Obviously, the question right now is of accommodating Russia who has vested economic interests in Iran. However, the resolution vote would be coming at a time when the US is trying to send pressure signals to Iran, even considering a bigger military presence in the region. It also comes at a time of ongoing negotiations in Beijing: six-party talks are under way, attempting to settle the nuclear issue in North Korea. Like in the case of Iran, accommodating Russia will be an issue, with the addition of China. With permanent seats on the UN Security Council, the two states may be courted to make certain votes in exchange for support in other areas. If a successf...
More About: Solutions , Negotiation , Negotiations , Solution , Resolutions

AUDIO: Montreal groups on Lebanon
2006-12-19 01:00:01
A press conference on Lebanon ’s political crisis was held last Wednesday by three Montreal groups. To listen to what they had to say, press play below:
More About: Audio , Audi , Real

Abbas? tricky timing
2006-12-18 06:58:02
This weekend Palestinian President Mahmoud Abba s has called early elections, in the hope of stabilizing the mounting violence in Gaza. Despite PM Haneya’s rejection of the election, a ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah forces has been announced. It remains to be seen if fighting will subdue on Monday. Abbas has said that he had no choice but to call the election, with a failure to form a unity government with Fatah rival Hamas. The Palestinian President is thus hoping to gain Fatah advances in parliament by taking away seats from Hamas. However, the move is not without its risks as Hamas continues to enjoy support in the Palestinian Authority. The stakes are high for Abbas; if Hamas wins parliament again, it will be another vote of confidence for Abbas’ political foes. If this occurs, it can lead to even more political instability as it will be hard to accuse Hamas of being non-democratic. It may also lead to a Hamas presidency. Abbas’ move also puts Israeli-Palesti...
More About: Rick , Trick , Tricky

Readying North Korean negotiations
2006-12-17 18:58:04
Christopher Hill, the US negotiator for the North Korea nuclear talks says he is ready to talk to his North Korea n counterpart. The BBC reports that Hill has once again iterated the US unwillingness to accept North Korea as a nuclear power. North Korean negotiator Kim Kye-gwan has confirmed that North Korea is using its nuclear advance strategically, saying “the problem can be resolved” once the US stops being hostile to the regime. The Koreans realize that they currently hold the upper hand in the negotiations, and it will be hard for the US to persuade North Korea to give up their bargaining chip. Interestingly enough, Hill has not said that North Korea must give up their arms for negotiations to begin, as had been implied in previous US statements. The meeting between Hill and Kye-gwan is meant discuss the talks before they begin on Monday in Beijing. This is pre-negotiation for each side to make its position clear. Thus, the US may indicate that security guarantees a...
More About: Read

Eve?s Quest: trivia game
2006-12-17 18:58:04
Eve’s Quest is a trivia game all about women. Joanna Broadhurst, a co-creator of the game, speaks about the making the game and the responses to it. Listen below. To find out more about Eve’s Quest, visit www.evesquest.com
More About: Trivia , Game

The Swell Season: Interview with Glen Hansard
2006-12-16 06:57:01
The Frames frontman, Glen Hansard, recently released his first solo album The Swell Season . The Swell Seaon — Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova — are currently on tour in the US supporting Damien Rice. The following is my interview with Glen Hansard, which aired CKUT radio’s Friday Morning After today. It was conducted in Boston this Monday:
More About: Inter , Interview , With , View