Stories about International Relations from September, 2007
One Million Voices for Peace
What is the One Million Voices campaign all about and could peace in the Middle East be a reality? Also, what role is the internet and blogging playing in this mass movement, which over 500,000 Israelis and Palestinians have signed up for so far? Global Voices Online caught up with campaign Communications Coordinator Erin Pineda who discusses with us the ambitious project, which aims to amplify the voices of the 'moderate silent majority' caught up in the conflict.
World Reaction to the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights
In every society in which they find themselves, the world's 370 million indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable and marginalized. After over 22 years of negotiations and consultations, the United Nations approved the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples earlier this month, a broad, non-binding agreement articulating basic...
Peru: Fujimori Extradited to Face Charges
After a lengthy process, the Chilean judicial system ruled that former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori would be extradited to face charges of corruption and human rights abuses. When news of the court's decision reached Peru, bloggers would react almost instantaneously with jubiliation and with a firmer confidence in the justice system. However, questions still exist about what this means for the political landscape in Peru, especially for the party of current President Alan Garcia and whether this was part of Fujimori's plan the entire time.
Ukraine: The Language Issue
Victor Yanukovych's Party of the Regions is pushing for a referendum on granting Russian official status as a national language, in addition to Ukrainian. Below is a selection of views on the "language issue" from the Ukrainian blogosphere.
Vietnam: Ignoring Myanmar
Diacritic highlights the protests happening in Myanmar and wants Vietnam to distance itself from Myanmar. In recent years Vietnam has increased its contacts with Myanmar.
Iraq: Repugnant Black Water
Salam Adil discusses the reactions of Iraqi bloggers to Black Water, a private security firm, which has recently killed at least eight Iraqi civilians while driving American diplomats through the streets of Baghdad in this post.
Serbia: Chemical Tolimir's Trial
Srebrenica Genocide Blog reports on the ICTY trial of Zdravko Tolimir, an unrepentant former Serb general charged with “genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of laws and customs of war.”
Serbia: Noise
Belgrade 2.0 writes about the noise of turbo folk music: “It is designed to destroy brain cells more effectively than most advanced weapons today, without harming the natural environment, pretty much like the new Russian vacuum bomb.” And about the noise of a military celebration that invlolved MIG planes flying...
Thailand: North Korean Refugees in Thailand
Bangkok Pundit responds to the criticism that Thailand is singling out North Korean detainees for harsh treatment. North Koreans fleeing the desperate conditions in their country are increasingly using Thailand as a transit point to South Korea.
Algerian: Middle Eastern Studies in the US
Algerian blogger Nouri discusses university programmes in the US which offer Middle Eastern studies.
Syria: Message of Peace
Syrian blogger Yaser met with Giordano and Luca, two Italians, “travelling around the countries of the Mediterranean to spread the message of peace and harmony with a simple gesture ..a hug.” Click the link to read more.
Latvia: N. Irish Football Fans and Russian Nationalists
All About Latvia writes about an encounter between Northern Irish football fans and Russian nationalists in Riga.
Moldova: Transnistria
Douglas Muir of A Fistful of Euros writes about Transnistria, “a sort of post-Communist gangster state”: “Travellers unanimously agree that Transnistria is weirdly fascinating for the first hour or two, then just depressing and boring.”
Czech Rebublic: Reinventing Masaryk
Dr. Sean's Diary writes about Václav Klaus’ multiple views of Czechoslovakia’s first president T.G. Masaryk.
Nepal: Regional Politics
Nepali Netbook on regional politics, and how India's aspiring relationship with China affects the one with Nepal.
Internet Governance, Global Privacy and IGF-Rio
The global debate on Internet governance will once again gather people from all over the world at UN's IGF, this time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The process was started last year in Athens, when more than 1,200 participants focused on discussion of the overarching issues tied to the future...
Algeria: US Embassy Staff ‘Incompetent’
“(F)or some reason American embassies are staffed with illiterates and space monkeys, rather than helpful personnel with a sense of duty to American citizens. I say this from my own experiences as well; it is not easy for anyone to get into the American embassy in Algiers. With so much...
Russia: President Lugovoi?
The Accidental Russophile writes about presidential ambitions of Russia's “polonium man” Andrei Lugovoi.
Ukraine: Serpent Island Election
Ukraine List will be observing the Sept. 30 parliamentary election on Serpent Island, population “maybe around 50-100 people depending upon how you count them and how long they stay.”
Poland: Idiot's Guide to Polish Elections
The beatroot explains the Polish election to the masses: “Being an idiot is not a disadvantage when trying to understand the Polish political scene. In fact, it may be an advantage.”
Europe: Islamisation
The beatroot writes about the “non-issue” of Islamisation of Europe.
