Stories from 1 December 2007
Egypt: Feelings of a nation
With the world's sight focused on Annapolis, Egyptian students have another battle with the Israeli and American Ambassadors at home. Eman Abd Al Rahman translates from Arabic.
Iran:National Peace Council
Fardablog reports that the Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist,Shirin Ebadi, about two weeks ago, announced that she intends to launch National Peace Council in Iran.Her slogan is no to war,yes to peace and human rights.She says there is a real danger of war between Iran and USA.
Egypt: Annapolis Adieu
"Annapolis, Annapolis, this name is haunting me everywhere I go - in newspapers and blogs and on TV. For me, Annapolis seems to be a Greek city near The Acropolis, or something. But the truth is, it is an American city where a peace conference was held between the Arabs, Israelis, and Americans," writes Tarek Amr, who gives us a new perspective on the peace talks.
Kazakhstan: Oil Consortium Still on Talks with the Govt
Steve LeVine informs that the Kashagan consortium says it has reached a framework agreement to settle the dispute with the Kazakh government, but the two sides have a long way to go in the talks.
Armenia: World AIDS Day
To mark World AIDS Day, Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts statistics and commentary on the situation in Armenia.
Africa: The African Diaspora Film Festival
The African Diaspora Film Festival is taking place in New York: “The program for the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival, which will take place in New York on November 23-December 9, 2007, has a special “Portugal and Africa Program,” which includes old and new films about Lusophone African topics.”
Sri Lanka: Birding in Sinharaja
Gallicissa on the experience of birding in Sinharaja in Sri Lanka.
Kyrgyzstan: Election Campaign Not Equal for Candidates
The Azamat Report reviews the pre-election campaign in the regions of Kyrgyzstan, and notes that all large visual ads – billboards – in the Naryn region belong to the president's Ak Jol Party.
Sri Lanka: Heroes Day Speech
Transcurrents.com presents observations on the LTTE leader's speech on Heroes Day in Sri Lanka.
Kyrgyzstan: Thoughts about Elections
The Azamat Report opines on the parliamentary election to take place in Kyrgyzstan December 16 this year, and says that the government seems to want to have as many small non-opposition parties in the new Parliament as possible.
Pakistan: Diary of a gay man from Karachi
Pakistan Paindabad, a blog by an Indian fascinated with Pakistan has an interesting post on the reflection of a homosexual man in Pakistan.
Turkmenistan: Anniversary of Assasination
Maciula recollects about the fifth anniversary of failed – and highly controversial – assasination attempt against the first leader of Turkmenistan, despotic and notorious Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, and reflect if there are hazards for the new president.
Nepal: On political impasse
Bahas on political psyche and the tried and tested method of sticking with status quo in Nepal.
Tajikistan: UNDP Says Tajiks Are Less Developed
Vadim points out that, according to the United Nation's Development Program, Tajikistan has the worst indices of human development among the former Soviet states.
Kyrgyzstan: Prime Minister Dismissed
Asel reports that president of Kyrgyzstan Bakiev has dismissed his prime-minister, who heads the rival party ahead of parliamentary elections.
Turkmenistan: Insisting on Rise of Gas Prices
Maciula opines on the increase in Turkmen gas prices for Russia, saying that the new president Berdymukhammedov’s pragmatic policy starts bringing results.
Kazakhstan: Set to Chair OSCE in 2010
KZBlog is pondering over the Madrid OSCE Ministerial Council's decision to grant Kazakhstan with the right to chair in the Organization in 2010.
Kazakhstan: Improving Customs System
Bboyd reports that the World Bank announced the approval of a new loan to Kazakhstan for developing better customs procedures, which may further develop trade in the Central Asian region.
Central Asia: UN's Year of Clean Water
Bboyd says that in view of the fact that UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon has designated 2008 as the Year of Water Sanitation, the Central Asian states could use it to their benefit.
Kazakhstan: Ugly Trade Over OSCE Bid
Joshua Foust analyzes the controversies and debates over the Kazakhstan's bid to chair the OSCE, despite poor human rights and democracy record in this Central Asian country.
Afghanistan: The Army's New Academy
Carl Robichaud reflects on the new military institution, established in the United States specially to address the Afghani issue – the U.S. Army's “Afghanistan Counterinsurgency Academy”.
