Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 141-146

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 141

WESTERN EUROPE

Political Issues

Noam Chomsky told Zaman, a Turkish magazine that objection to Turkey’s EU bid are simply racist and even if Ankara completes all requirements, Europe might still refuse it. Chomsky’s criticism of the EU came amid the growing far right-wing across Europe and the comment made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that multiculturalism has utterly failed, an indication to the failure of Turks and Arabs integration.

Noam Chomsky’s view tallies with the new decision made by Centre-right French MPs that intends to stop France from paying money due for Turkey to help it on the path to EU membership. They argue that “Turkey is not in Europe. This is evident both geographically and historically.”

Power struggle is taking a toll on the European Union. The debate is to what extent MEPs can be part of EU delegations to multilateral and bilateral meetings and negotiations with other countries. The Parliament wants to have its representatives guaranteed participation in all multilateral, but also bilateral agreements "of particular political importance" for instance on trade or fisheries.

The European Parliament has won the right to look into the nitty gritty of spending in foreign delegations in the EU's new diplomatic service European External Action Service (EEAS). The ambassador will have to take personal responsibility for making sure that European Commission funds channeled through their offices are spent correctly.

According to an Ifop poll 71 % of the French fear the country's image abroad is suffering due to the recent laws made by the government welcomed domestically but offensive abroad. As Paris prepares to chair the G20, it hopes to polish France’s global image.

European Liberals are wary as new the Dutch government takes office due to the government coalition with far-right, nationalist, anti-immigration and anti-Islam party.

Economic Issues

Acknowledging the hitch of the economic problem the country faces, UK’s Queen Elizabeth II canceled a Christmas party for her staff this year.

France is feeling the heat of strike actions that have affected the economy. Highlighting the economic implications of the recent strike, the chairman of the French oil company Total acknowledges the worrisome nature of the strike.

Meanwhile in Spain, unemployment and austerity measure have made the coalition of labour and Socialist Workers’ Party a natural alliance.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Dutch prosecutors have asked an Amsterdam court to acquit Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam, anti- Muslims and anti-immigrant politician of the charges pressed against him. Prosecutors argue that his anti Islam comments are part of the debate needed by the society.

The refusal of certain Chinese journalists into EU conference hall has raised the view that EU is conceding to Chinese censorship even on its own soil. EU-China relation is definitely burgeoning and is expected to continue growing.

Paris has submitted a document to the EU Commission concerning Roma expulsion. The commission expected of Paris to change its rules which must be congruent with EU directive. According to this a person who is to be deported has the right to ask for a one month delay, the right to appeal and the right to receive a written notice of deportation.

Meanwhile, Roma, Livia Jaroka, the only Roma MEP in the European Parliament is hoping the media interest will help her push for a "micro-regional" strategy for Europe's largest ethnic minority.

As part of EU’s effort to curtail the health and environmental hazard of smoking, the bloc’s Health commissioner said the European Commission is bent at banning smoking totally in public by 2011. The addiction kills some 650,000 Europeans every year.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

The Nabucco pipeline project is an unfinished business and bottlenecked by politics despite the huge interest the EU has thrown in it. It is yet to be seen whether a new negotiation by a Belgian engineering firm with Turkmenistan could affect the whole project.

The EU is hoping to fight for an extension of the Kyoto Protocol during environment talks in Nagoya, Japan, and at crucial UN climate change talks which start in Cancun, Mexico. The bloc wants to halt biodiversity loss by 2020 and work towards restoring the ecosystem contributing to avert global biodiversity loss.

It also welcomed an international deal to limit carbon emissions from the aviation sector. However due to economic issue, EU is not expected to donate any money in this regard.

After a two years debate, the EU Commission was able to reach a consensus on green tariff for curtailing heavy lorries creating air and noise pollution. The law is part of EU’s effort to improve its environment.

The European Commission appears to have backtracked on earlier plans for a compulsory moratorium on deepwater oil drilling inside the EU, with new proposals set to call for a voluntary ban at member state discretion.

Meanwhile the recent Hungarian toxic spill from an aluminium plant grips EU’s attention and experts from the bloc’s commission have been sent to Hungary to help curtail a second leak as the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes such is inevitable.

Geostrategic Issues

The intended cut of military spending by the British government has raised dust among NATO members particularly Washington fearing that such cut might affect the overall NATO and global military performance. The cut is part of the whole effort to tackle Britain’s ballooning budget government deficit.

Paris has shown willingness for European missile defense system even though the continent still holds the goal of nuclear disarmament. The system has been controversial because it was initiated by Washington and has raised Russian’s concern which NATO is making effort to address.

The repeated message by the U.S. State Department's counterterrorism is that Europe is more likely to experience an event similar to the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks in India. The alert is believed to be premised on coordinated intelligence gathered from aborted terrorist attacks.

Israel's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman tells Europe that Israel will not allow being placated as Czechoslovakia was sacrificed for Hitler in 1938. Lieberman is asking the EU to solve its internal problems before telling Israel how to solve the issue of Palestine.

Meanwhile, Pakistani foreign minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has urged the EU to keep fund flowing and to enhance economic development in Pakistan if the bloc really wants to help in solving the menace of extremism.

EAST EUROPE

Political Issues

Albanian ruling party is under fire from coalition partners as well as the opposition party, for electoral reforms and the inability to resolve pending accusation of electoral irregularities in last June 2009 election. Meanwhile, Albania has been inducted into the EU visa liberalization scheme but the bloc demands that Albanians be educated on the scheme for sake of avoiding abusive use.

It is not election time in Croatia but political parties have started gearing up for the next November 2011 general election as coalition parties constitute themselves.

Following the resignation of President Fatmir Sejdiu last month, Kosovo parliament is expected to be dissolved by the end of the year; meanwhile political parties have commenced preparations for the next elections.

Serbian parliament is heading towards making a resolution to declare as war crimes action committed against the Serbs during the 1990s war. The resolution was deemed fit following the same done by the parliament to condemn the war crime perpetrated against Albanians and Bosnians.

The Bosniak cultural community of Sandzak, a part of Serbia wants Belgrade to recognize their autonomy as an entity. The community recently gained more strength through a landslide election victory and believes Belgrade should allow them to relate freely with Turkey, who they see as a brother state.

Poland is bent at maintaining East-Oriented policy, a priority for the EU and supports EU’s position on three principles of the international law: right of nations to self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of force. This is in reference to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Meanwhile, Poland is lashing out at Russia for refusing to allow the relatives of the Katyn massacre victim’s access to investigation files.

On-going municipal and senatorial elections in Czech Republic is becoming a concern for the ruling centre-right government, whose coalition is losing public support after being in office for three months.

Estonian opposition leader and Center Party Chairman Edgar Savisaar commented on recent Latvian elections; Savisaar believes Latvian elections result would have been different if discontented persons had not left the country due to high unemployment.

Latvian elections result indicate the victory of Dombrovskis’ centre- right Vienotiba (Unity) bloc garnered 31% of the vote and won 33 seats in the 100-seat parliament.

Economic Issues

Failing economic policy has pushed Macedonian main opposition Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) to launch a series of anti-government demonstrations across the country.

The Romanian government was able to reach a compromise with striking civil servants after a long strike action was launched against the government for its IMF inspired austerity measures.

While economies all around the world have been struggling to halt appreciation of their currencies, the central European states are reaping benefits from currency strength. Meanwhile, Polish economy continue to experience growth and decline in unemployment

The Czech government has approved a plan to tax solar plants and to use proceeds from future carbon credit sales to keep power price hikes below 10% for homes and businesses in 2011.

It was a sound opportunity for both countries, as Bulgarian-Slovak Consultative Commission for Economic Cooperation signed agreements to improve economic cooperation in many fields. Yet, several thousand trade unionists marched through the Slovak capital Bratislava protested against austerity measures planned by the country's centre-right government.

Hungary plans tough public sector staff cuts in 2011 and may impose taxes on the energy sector to keep its pledge to the European Union to cut its budget deficit below 3 % of GDP

Recent Statistics on Estonian economy show a slight growth despite its troubles.

The preparation of 2011 Latvian budget will decide whether or not the country will implement tough budget cuts recommended by the World Bank.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Ilija Jurisic a former Bosnian security officer received a hero’s welcome in Tuzla, Bosnia after a court in Belgrade acquitted him of war crimes charged against him.

Meanwhile despite problems facing the government, Pristina has taken the responsibility of building houses for ethnic minorities residing in the disputed new country.

Slovakia is considering handing over two alleged Chechen terrorists to Russia, despite objections from the European Court of Human Rights.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych promised to sack any public employee responsible for media terrorism. Under Yanukovych, who was elected last February, there have been spates of attacks on journalists.

The European parliament president (Speaker) said that too many people were dying on Europe’s roads in reference to Poland and Ukrainian cases; meanwhile Czech Transport Ministry published an analysis which claims that the volume of traffic on motorways decreased by 11 % between 3pm and 11pm on Fridays after higher tolls were introduced.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Romanians finally laid the controversial energy issue to rest by signing a memorandum of intent with officials from Russian gas giant Gazprom regarding the possibility of the South Stream pipeline transiting Romania.

Toxic spill from Hungary is becoming a concern for the Balkan countries as the toxic flows into the Danube and now reaches Serbia and Croatia.

Hungarian police has detained the director of the aluminum company responsible for a flood of caustic red sludge that killed eight people when it burst from its reservoir last week. The arrest coalesce with the vow by the Hungarian Prime Minister Orban that the perpetrator of the environmental crisis will be held responsible.

Following the meeting of leaders of the two countries, France is ready to consider a proposal in the European Union to modernize Ukraine's natural gas transit system. This is worthy for Ukraine as President Viktor Yanukovych is working to restore his country's regional reputation as an energy transit nation for the European Union. Meanwhile the European Union is cautioning Poland not to allow its gas transaction with Russia undermines EU’s national gas transit systems which could be illegal under European laws.

Lithuanian government signed a new cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA), in research related areas and geared at using space technologies for peaceful purposes.

Geostrategic Issues

The head of the European Commission (EC) delegation to Serbia, Vincent Degert, has said that Belgrade has failed to meet the goals of an anti-corruption strategy that parliament adopted five years ago.

Slovenia and Croatia have ironed out one of their differences as the former is ready to refund the money of Croats saved in a defaulting Slovenian bank. Meanwhile the two nations continue to be embroiled in a border dispute, a hurdle for Croatia-EU talks.

Armenia and Slovakia reached a new air transportation agreement that will allow direct flight between the two and promotes cultural and economic tie.

RUSSIA

Political Issues

The on-going election in Russia is projected as a victory for the ruling party; the regional elections has been punctuated by emotions about the next step of democracy in Russia as ruling and opposition parties have been at loggerhead and independent parties are emerging.

Economic Issues

Russia-Algeria bilateral ties moved to the next stage following the final inking of agreement in six sectors including energy and transportation. Similarly, Russia and Cyprus signed a tax treaty expected to strengthen business ties and reaffirm Cyprus' status as a primary source of foreign investment in Russia.

Russia along with the rest of the BRIC countries hopes to put up strong resistance to attempts to make a harsh appraisal of currency controls at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington.

Social/Humanitarian Issues

The Russian government is not backing away from the plan to ban a comprehensive tobacco advertisement and public tobacco smoking by 2012.

Meanwhile the Russian Orthodox Church has joined the YouTube family by opening its own channel on the popular video hosting site to “bring God's word closer to lives of modern youth," Patriarch Kirill said in a video recorded for the channel.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Reaching an agreement with Romania on the controversial South Stream pipeline, Russia’s oil giant Gazprom is also aiming at creating a hub in the Middle East and Far East.

Russia is expected to hike tax on oil product as well as pushing prices above $60 per barrel in 2011 to ensure stable growth.

Russian authority is prepared to beef up monitoring of environmental pollution. Scallop garden is expected to start monitoring the Far East Kozmino Bay, seven time zones east of Moscow.

Geostrategic Issues

Russia hopes to normalize relation with Belarus. Both countries in recent times have been exchanging unpleasant remarks and accusation of meddling in each other’s domestic politics.

US/CANADA

Political Issues

In America Democrats hold 26 governor seats against 24 by the republicans, but with elections underway, there is a growing feeling that republicans will change the calculus.

According to the Nanos Research survey, Canadian Conservatives minority government has picked ahead all opposition parties, although election is not imminent but analysts hold the view that the minority government would face serious setbacks over its budget in early 2011.

Canada has lost its bid for the seat of UN non-permanent members after contesting along with Germany and Portugal. Critics believed the failure was due to Ottawa’s sharp foreign policy, strongly pro-Israel Middle East policy and reductions in bilateral aid to poor African nations. Canada has served on the non-permanent seat six terms in the past.

Economic Issues

As the U.S economy continues to experience a downturn with no hope for recovery at the earliest, banks and customers are busy struggling to streamline the issue of foreclosures, while there is growing accusation that banks have ignored signs of troubled foreclosures.

Canadian economy recorded a bigger deficit than expected. The Conservatives government is trying to stabilize the economy but like every other developed economy, the recession is still lingering.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Toronto-born Omar Khadr is the only Canadian citizen accused of murdering a U.S. soldier with a grenade during a battle in Afghanistan in 2002. The Canadian government has rejected pleading on his behalf and his case continuously being delayed in the U.S

As marijuana becomes an acceptable drug across states in the U.S, there is growing tension that addiction to the drug might become high among youth and could transcend into adulthood. Even though not all Americans consent to the legality of the drug, some elders believes the drug is helpful for medical and health related diseases.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Google and Good Energies, an investment firm specializing in renewable energy, have each agreed to invest heavily in a proposed $5 billion transmission backbone for future offshore wind farms along the Atlantic Seaboard that could ultimately transform the region’s electrical map.

Geostrategic Issues

America's ambassador to Britain said there is no evidence that violent dissident groups in Northern Ireland are getting money from the U.S amid the view that Irish-Americans have been accused of backing the IRA's campaign of violence before its was disbanded.

LATIN AMERICA

Political Issues

The Argentine government is prepared to veto a parliamentary bill that tends to increase pension and minimum wage. The president is against the bill as it would cost the economy.

As Brazilians look prepared for second round of election by October 31, abortion becomes a political issue tearing apart the leading Workers’ party and in friction with the Catholic Church.

Following troubled days of rescue operation for trapped miners, the Chilean parliament is preparing to enact law for better welfare of miners and company involve in the extraction sector. Chile hopes to increase its copper production level through the new bill. Meanwhile, Chile’s foreign secretary said that Chile’s copper exploration company is going to invest $4 billion in Balochistan, Pakistan, to explore copper.

It was a diplomatic plus point for Colombia by becoming a nonpermanent UNSC member along with Brazil from the region. Meanwhile, efforts by the Colombian government continue in fighting the threat of FARC rebels.

In Mexico, the political teeth crushing issue is the vicious cycle of violence perturbing the Mexicans and at the same time headache for neighboring states in the United States. .

According to the president of the Venezuelan Confederation of Industries, Chavez administration has seized at least 185 manufacturing companies within 2010, excluding firms in the agriculture sector.

Economic Issues

Brazilian plane manufacturing company Embraer is on a deal with China to provide passenger planes with 50 seats.

Upon applauding the effort of the rescue effort of the Chilean government, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu requested President Pinera of Chile to come to Israel to sign a free trade agreement.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

The protection of the Amazon is necessary for Brazil and the world amid the growing tension of global warming. Therefore cubing unruly deforestation in the Amazon is getting greater attention by the government Meanwhile, Brazil recorded 16.43 billion dollars for exporting soybeans, soya flour and soybean oil, which accounts for the largest share of Brazil's overall agricultural exports.

Geostrategic Issues

The rift between Argentina and Britain remains on the headlines as both countries tussle over the authority of Falkland Island, which according to the Argentina is being pirated by the British government because of its oil reserve.

Meanwhile according to reports Argentine is offering help to Pakistan in the Agriculture and energy sectors, in the wake of the devastation caused by the floods.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is on a foreign tour geared at strengthening his ties with the expected visiting nations, though experiencing political fracture at home. Chavez has also reiterated his support for Argentina against British interference in the Falkland Islands and equally threw his support for China, opposing the Nobel Prize awarded to a Chinese prisoner by the West.

AUSTRALASIA

Political Issues

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the ban on internet materials such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child sex abuse is premised on moral values but such could only be accessed by Internet Service Provider companies. The ban however has caused resentment among the Aussies.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Australia's former long-serving Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks reveals his ordeal at the prison in a newly published book “Guantanamo: My Journey". Hicks however is not expected to gain from his publication as Australian law forbids making profit from crime.

Indian student leader in Melbourne rejected the portrayal of race relations depicted by a Bollywood movie as definitely inaccurate. The movie follows the series of attacks on Indian students in Australia which stained relation between the two countries.

Geostrategic Issues

Having a regional refugee centre in East Timor remains unfinished business between Australia, Indonesia and East Timor, although these countries are in a series of discussion over the matter. East Timor’s lawmakers are objecting to such centre based on lingering problems on the island. §

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 142

WESTERN EUROPE

Political Issues

The Franco-German agreement which gives leeway to EU members to having control over imposing penalties in exchange for Franco-German amendment of EU treaties has raised the ire of the German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle of the pro-business Free Democrats. The latter believes the new agreement is too flexible; rather it should show authority and assertiveness and should be free of political opportunism.

With the growing far right politicians across Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was not shy to say that multicultural society in Germany have utterly failed, indicating the supposed failure of immigrants to integrate.

A cut in British public spending is being hailed by the government as best option for the deficit gripped economy. The cut also affects military spending and has raised Washington’s concern as well. The British cut shows the trend across Europe but challneges Keynesian theory that deficit spending by governments is crucial to avoiding a long recession.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi argued during an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily that UN sanctions might have little or no impact on Iran even though Rome consented to the sanctions. Berlusconi believes Russia and China are the two non-western countries that can convince Iran out of its blind alley.

Economic Issues

Despite the economic problems in the region and in the Eurozone, European MEPs have voted by a vast majority to increase next year's EU budget by 5.9 %, a move they define as "responsible" despite government spending cuts in member states.

The EU does not so much believe in U.S style of Big-government and stimulus package that bailed financial institutions out of recession. The regional bloc is bent at making law that will make banks shoulder the cross of their failure without endangering taxpayers.

Despite the massive strike actions that almost rendered the economy lame, French President Sarkozy and his centre-right government refused to back down on a bill seeking to plug a hole in pension funding by raising the minimum retirement age to 62 from 60 and raising the age at which people qualify for a full pension to 67 from 65.

The domestic crisis between the French and the government has transpired beyond domestic to EU issue. Shortage of fuel caused by the strike actions is causing fret for EU Strasbourg office as mobility of EU staffs is impaired.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Arrest of transgender persons accused of prostitution and resisting police has stirred EU’s interest on Turkey’s level of human right. The case might dent Turkey of being intolerant of heterogeneous people.

The EU and UN are seriously concern about the detention of illegal migrants apprehended in Greece. A UN report suggests that Greek detentions clearly amount to inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of Articles 7 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Meanwhile, according to a report by Reporters without Borders, Greece’s press freedom ranking plummeted from 35 places to 70 amid a general decline in press freedom in the whole of Europe. The Greek plunge is due to political unrest and related physical attacks on journalists.

Upon the submission of a document by Paris to EU commission over its expulsion of Roma. The commission ended the case to petition Paris before the European court for violating EU rules. Meanwhile Paris has agreed to exercise future actions in line with EU rules.

Complementing U.S State Department terror alert for Europe, the Saudi Arabian intelligence has issued a fresh alert about an Al-Qaeda plot in Europe. Thus, indicating the necessity of Europeans to gear up for any eventuality.

In the Netherlands’ controversial Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders' party has become part of the ruling conservative government, but that does not stop the Amsterdam court from trying him over provocative and insulting comments made against Islam. However Wilders believes sitting judge should be dismissed for what he called judges’ prejudices.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

The European Commission has sent a strong warning to Italy to clean up its city of Naples from tons of trash or face sanctions. Italy’s Naples is accused of failing to create a sound disposal management after the garbage crisis flared in 2007. The Naples problem is associated with corruption, poor management and infiltration by the local mob.

For most economies it was uneasy to accomplish a reduction in gas emission plan, but the 2009 Ireland’s recession forced the economy to reduce its gas emission by 20 %.

Ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss is increasingly becoming a concern for the EU before the next Kyoto and Cancun talks. The EU believes the challenge entail huge costs which society simply cannot afford; as such EU wants the extension of the Kyoto protocol.

Geostrategic Issues

The European Commission is becoming worried over the increasing number of asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia who were recently inducted in EU visa liberalization scheme. The scheme only accords free mobility and does not allow asylum seeking.

Meanwhile, the EU has given a green light to Moldova for a visa free regime ahead of the country’s election which might likely see a pro-EU government. In the same way, the bloc will still allow Belarusian President Aleskander Lukashaneko and few officials entry into the EU but the most notorious people in the nomenklatura will remain persona non grata.

The two powerhouses in the EU are debating on how to alleviate the concern of Russia over the proposed European missile defense system. NATO has signaled the need to put Moscow on board of the system as the latter is an inescapable member of Europe.

The Vatican along with bishops from the Middle East has issued a communiqué demanding Israel to succumb to UN resolutions calling for an end to its "occupation" of Arab lands. They added that Israel shouldn't use the Bible to justify "injustices" against the Palestinians.

EAST EUROPE

RUSSIA

Political Issues

Even as Russia completes its regional and municipal elections, political dust is yet unsettled as opposition remains proactive challenging the government over political discrimination.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has approved a government motion to extend Poland's ISAF mission in Afghanistan until April 13, 2011.

The Czech ruling party is under fire as opposition parties are getting upper hand in Senatorial and municipal elections. Such atmosphere of victory could undermine the set of proposals the ruling party tends to undertake.

Current Slovak government is headed by a woman and it has just completed its 100 days in office. According to reports it will take great effort for the coalition government to live up to high expectation the public demands from it.

The President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych announced he will hold a meeting with the representatives of the opposition parties to ensure the transparency of the October 31 local elections.

Hungarian government tends to be pushing for stronger ties with Syria and effort that could be accentuated if Hungary takes over the bloc's rotating presidency in 2011.

Economic Issues

World Bank economists have contested Russia’s view that Moscow could soon be another global financial hub. The argument depicts Russia as far below other BRIC countries in terms of investments.

Poland has finally reached a bargaining price with Moscow on gas delivery to Poland and its transit to Germany through the Yamal pipeline.

Meanwhile according to reports the Polish economy remains vibrant and its stock market attests to that fact leading to the insinuation that Poland could become formidable financial centre in Central and Eastern Europe.

The new Slovak government is yet to find a solution to the demand of Slovak’s trade unions. Meanwhile the government’s austerity package, with its 1.7 billion euros in cuts and tax raise makes the public unhappy.

The presence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Ukraine and Belarus is no doubt an indication for deeper economic relations as the three countries inked agreement on energy cooperation and transaction. Nonetheless, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), says its economy was growing faster than expected. Meanwhile, China is also eyeing the Belarusian market.

The European Commission has filed a query with Hungary and is waiting for reply on the country's tax on the telecommunications sector.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

In a latest ruling by the European Court of Human Rights the court ruled that Russia unlawfully banned gay pride marches and picketing in Moscow in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Polish-Lithuanian diplomatic relations is on a historic low upon the accusation by the Poles that minority Poles in Lithuania are facing discrimination and the latter is not sensitive about it.

Meanwhile according to reports Poland spends more on its justice system than any other EU state. Poland has the most judges in the EU, after Germany, amounting to 10,322 currently on the legal circuit

Romanian President Traian Basescu after meeting visiting Hungarian President Pal Schmitt said that Romania has no problem with a new Hungarian law which allows easier acquisition of citizenship for ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries. There are around 1.4 million ethnic Hungarians in Romania.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Russian grains will remain scarce in the international market as Moscow extends ban on grains for another six months owing to the fear that shortfall in domestic supply. Meanwhile, Russia’s energy clout continues to expand following the acceptance of Romania to join the South Stream pipeline project and the new soft position taken by Bulgaria on same project.

European Union member Lithuania has rejected a proposal by neighboring non-EU Belarus for a joint nuclear power plant amid competition between three similar projects in the region.

The Slovak environment ministry has hinted a growing fear that the country might face a similar devastating toxic sludge spill that hit neighboring Hungary two weeks ago.

Geostrategic Issues

Russia has disclosed its bid to be part of the US-NATO sponsor European missile defense shield though the shield has remained controversial. Meanwhile, Moscow says it has no misgiving over Indo-US military deal. For Moscow it will be a diplomatic success if ASEAN accepts it bid for membership as the Southeast Asia hold their 17th summit.

Russia had provided Poland with the draft report on its investigation of the Polish president's plane crash in Russia in April. It is now a matter of deliberation by the Poles to ascertain the authenticity of the report.

US/CANADA

Political Issues

For the Democrats everything matters before the November 3rd elections and the deployment of former President Bill Clinton to campaign in swing states is no coincidence. Meanwhile, President Obama warns Americans consumers from voting republicans as their policy will further put consumer to jeopardy. Meanwhile, with the Tea Party advance, republicans continue to make a lead in run-up for the elections.

According to reports, in the US illegal immigrants have no voting rights but they are allowed to participate as volunteers campaigning for a candidate. These volunteers have the impression that elected candidate can help change their status from illegal to legal migrants.

Condoleezza Rice, the former US Secretary of State, during an interview with Olivia Ward of the Toronto Star last week asserted that the Tea Party movement is good for the country; Iran is weaker as clergy authority is under fire, no regret for overthrowing Saddam and China will have to match economic development with political correctness.

Toronto voters are locked in an election that will determine whether the mayor will go for to liberal or conservative party. The latest polls give Ford (liberal) and Smitherman (conservative) around 30 % of the vote each.

Economic Issues

US President Obama has reiterated the need for a change in global trade rules particularly with the new emerging economies like China. The U.S has been a pushover for the Chinese economy for a decade and that has to be changed as China heads for valued added and competitive products.

Meanwhile Canadian Central Bank mulls over future hike in monetary policy as the nation’s economy is yet to regain its stamina, added to that is the uncertain U.S economy which the Canadian economy is vulnerable to.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

American scholars are back discussing culture as explanation for poverty and other attitudinal disposition of people in different locale. Amid the socio-economic and political scenario in the country cultural discourse is becoming indispensable.

The next global attack might not be in the conventional military warfare but a cyber attack, which the United States is now set forth to challenge through the joint effort of Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security and Defense Department.

Canadian government is refusing the rings of human smugglers from profiting on its tradition of hospitality. The government is toughening its immigration policy refusing illegal asylum seeker to get safe havens in the country.

The Canadian police debunked the view that they has apprehended one of the assassins involved in the killing of Hamas leader in Dubai.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Months after the runaway oil from BP operation on Gulf of Mexico was sealed, environmental aftermath effect remains a discourse and scientists are arguing that building a chain of sand berms off the coast cannot suffice.

Canadian Environmental Defense, Equiterre and the Pembina Institute are the trio group shouldered with the task of beefing up the enforcement of legislation in the Alberta oil sands. The environmental implications of the sand exploration have been a concern over the last months.

LATIN AMERICA

Political Issues

The ruling Workers’ party’s bid for a second run election is challenged by the Brazilian Catholic Church on the premise that Ms Rousseff is campaigning for legalization of abortion, which according to the church is detrimental to the growth of the society.

Recent Chileans experience might be the backdrop for President Sibestian Pinera willingness to send the Mine Workers Safety bill to the parliament so as to reduce the repetition of similar ordeal.

Colombia joined the group of powerful countries as it becomes a member of non-permanent UNSC members for the year 2011-2012.

President Hugo Chavez has been on a foreign tour geared at garnering more diplomatic clout for Venezuela. His visit to the Russian backyard like Ukraine and Belarus is likely to raise the oil export of Venezuela to these countries.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

For Colombians it would be a step forward as the nation participates in the UN sponsored Creative Economy Forum at the Shanghai World Expo.

It is not in the interest of the country receiving human right violation reports, even though it is facing an unending battle with drug lords. The recent human right publication by Inter-American Court of Human Rights depicted violations of the human rights by Mexican military in 1974 and such report tallies with other documents that Mexican military is not discriminatory in the killing civilians.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

According to reports the protection of the Amazon is simply not environmentally wise for Brazil alone but for the world in general as the debate over climate change and global warming unfolds. President Lula has praised the effort of his government in reducing the rate of deforestation of the Amazon.

Colombia’s coffee production for 2011 is more likely to see a shortfall as compared to 2010 due to heavy rains that have flooded the Andean nation.

AUSTRALASIA

Political Issues

Showing her commitment to the Afghan campaign, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says her country is ready to face the challenges ahead in winning the war and Canberra will not abandon Afghanistan but will work along coalition partners to achieve a realistic future.

Economic Issues

Singapore's stock exchange is preparing to launch a takeover of its Australian counterpart to form a 14 billion dollar stock house. The tie-up between the Australian and Singapore stock exchanges, which have market capitalizations of some 6.1 billion US dollars and 7.9 billion US dollars respectively, would require government approval.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser told shareholders that any acquisition or investment must create value for shareholders. If shareholder value is not demonstrated, the company will not proceed with the proposed acquisition. The mining giant would pull out of a hostile 40-billion-dollar bid for Canada's Potash Corp if it proves too expensive.

Meanwhile, BHP announces an increased output in iron ore production as market from China and India increases.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Australian government has deemed it fit to move certain vulnerable families among the asylum seeker to community settlement due to the hard times in the camp. Australian immigration policy has been stained due to series of unrest in the camp.

Meanwhile in Australia a six years old girl has been banned from taking her bus to school after she pulled down the trousers of one of her teasers, who tormented her for wearing the hijab. §

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 143

WESTERN EUROPE

Political Issues

According to Lisbon treaty, European Citizens' Initiative can be evoked through referendum in order to effect legislation. Europe's far-right 'lite' parties want to use this initiative to push for a pan-European ban on Turkish accession to the EU.

The European Commission has launched surveillance Rabit-teams on the Greek-Turkish border to stem the tide of undocumented immigrants passing through the Greek-Turkey border for EU countries.

Unfolding realities in the EU has forced the EU leaders to agree on the need for tweaking the EU’s rulebook on a limited basis, though a Franco-German proposal for a wholesale rewriting was once rejected. The rules can help resolve issues like the budget deficit; strengthening the Euro and many more could be laid to rest. However the change must be cautious not to trigger another round of referenda.

The tentative change is further creating brawl between EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding and France. For months she lambasted Paris for expelling Roma and now called the Franco-German proposed changed irresponsible but unkindly taken by Paris rather as insult to the French.

The European Commission urges the United Kingdom to end discriminatory conditions which breach transitional arrangements on free movement of workers and the obligation to ensure equal treatment on the basis of nationality. London is believe to be depriving citizens of Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland, Romania and Bulgaria certain social benefits.

France political decision of banning the burqa is brewing trouble for the country as al-Qaeda sends threat of killing French citizens if the French government refuses to retract the law.

Regardless of whether the Wikileak materials were justified or not, Britain deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg broken ranks with the UK and US administrations that the leak suggest that basic rules of war, conflict and engagement have been broken or that torture has been in any way condoned are extremely serious and need to be looked at.

Economic Issues

As the global economy problems linger, G20 summit held in South Korea strived to reduce the tension of the problem, the summit moved toward more market-determined exchange rate systems that reflect underlying economic fundamentals and they pledged to refrain from competitive devaluation of currencies.

More importantly, Europe during the G20 summit agreed to give representation to the emerging economies which meant that Europe has to give up two of its seats.

French strike actions have become more noticeable on the streets but the victims of the strike on sea are less known. Report has it that sailors get stranded on the sea failing to reach the shore due to striking workers and hence made life uneasy for sailors on the sea.

Wanting to reach the benchmark set by the EU and curtailing the repetition of Greek financial crisis, the Portuguese Socialist ruling minority government and its centre-right opposition PSD compromised on a deal on austerity budget for 2011. Meanwhile, China has indicated its willingness to buy Portuguese government bonds.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

As part of its Crisis Management plans, the EU’s Aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva has proposed having standby Crisis Unit that will be responsible whenever natural disaster strikes. Having such unit will eliminate the dilemma of rescue operation among member state.

According to the latest report of Transparent International, Greece took the position of 78/178 as the most corrupt nation in the EU. The report shows a change in the usual suspect nations like Romania and Bulgaria.

The world was once again gripped by bomb threat allegedly sent from Yemen via Dubai to London and U.S. Investigators are still looking into the viability of the bomb.

The issue of the Roma is once again coming to spotlight following the report of Human Right Watch that there is a forceful relocation of Roma to Kosovo. The NGO is asking all western European countries to stop sending Roma back to Kosovo until they can ensure that conditions for their integration there have improved.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

EU leaders are at the last stage of rubber stamping the consensus of having the Kyoto protocol extended as recent environmental summits have been less yielding. This is also due to the growing sensitivity of the EU towards the loss of biodiversity environment.

Following the EU warning of a fine over environmental indiscipline, the Italian government has finally resolved the garbage problem of Naples, responsible for angry clashes and stinking waste piling up in streets of Naples.

Geostrategic Issues

Although a complete lift of sanction on Cuba cannot be embarked, yet the EU deems it worthy to start exploring closer ties with the Communist country, following the release of dissidents and reforms unfolding in Cuba.

EAST EUROPE

Political Issues

The Polish Parliament is debating laws to regulate In-vitro fertilization (IVF) but the bill is facing challenge from the opposition Law and Justice Party and the Catholic Church as morally wrong.

The result of recent Czech Senatorial elections has become a hurdle for Prime Minister Petr Necas’s drive to narrow the budget deficit. The Czech Social Democrats now with a majority has vowed to veto cuts in welfare programmes upon the election’s victory.

The upper house of the Czech parliament gave final approval to expand the country’s military mission in Afghanistan to 720 troops next year from the current ceiling of 535.

Meanwhile, Slovak parliament passed a revision to the judicial council act on October 19, which requires the judicial council to appear before the public and its members will be obliged to provide arguments before the public for their decisions.

Hungary’s top court has defended its powers after the governing Fidesz party proposed curbing them to prevent the judiciary from interfering with its political promises or budget goals.

As Belarus prepares for election, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is scheduled to send a long-term observer mission to Minsk to observe the country's presidential election.

In Latvia, prime minister has made a sharp reversal of a decision that tends to include radical nationalist in the newly constituted government. The government now wants aboard the Centrist Unity Alliance and the Populist Greens and Farmers Union.

Economic Issues

Poland is leading countries that already have a reformed pension system not to be forced by the EU to incorporate pension cost in budget deficit cut. EU believes the move to exclude pension reform costs would violate the EU's current accounting system. Meanwhile Poland’s resolve for the Euro is unwaived in the face of a growing economy.

On the other end, Czech National Bank Governor Miroslav Singer expects the country’s economy to grow faster than previously expected as current forecast for 2010 growth is 1.6 per

Hungary's public debt can begin to decline in 2010 if the Forint remains near 270 per euro, and the current path would bring debt to the EU's ceiling of 60 percent of GDP by 2015.

Estonia's ministry of economic affairs and communications will allocate the €350mn ($485mn) proceeds of a sale of CO2 credits to Spain for investment in new wind farms.

In Lithuania, Statistics Lithuania announces that third-quarter GDP increased by 0.6 per cent compared to the same period last year and by 6.7 per cent compared to the second quarter of 2010.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Poland is not taking lightly the issue of Pole minority in Lithuania. Poland accuses the Baltic state of marginalizing the Poles and refusing to use standard Polish orthography in the transcriptions of the names of Polish residents and in the Baltic country. In the same connection, a UN human rights panel’s report urges Hungary to tackle widespread and "virulent" hate speech, discrimination and violence against the Roma minority as well as rising anti-Semitism.

Following the attack and murder of a political assistant in the offices of Law and Justice Party last week, the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) demands a complete ban on firearms in Poland allowing only sports clubs and hunting associations to purchase weapons.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

The Slovak government intends to apply similar Czech’s law that slashes subsidies on solar power producers, though the Slovak law will only support solar power plants with a capacity of maximum 100 kilowatt hours.

Following the visit of President Hugo Chavez to the region, Ukraine and Belarus have signed the first in a series of agreements needed to start the transit of Venezuelan crude oil to Belarus through Ukrainian pipelines.

Estonia plans to separate Eesti Gaas’s natural gas sales and transmission divisions in two years to reduce dependence on Russia’s Gazprom, the biggest owner and its sole gas supplier.

Geostrategic Issues

Poland’s Defense Ministry is to renegotiate a contract for the purchase of anti-ship and land attack missiles from Norway’s Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace Company.

Slovakia which does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state after its unilateral declaration of independence in 2008 has agreed to withdraw the country's NATO-troops from Kosovo by the end of 2010 and will make a modest increase of troops in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan by next year.

Hungary remains a favourite and supporter of Turkey’s EU bid as Ankara played a significant role in Hungary’s NATO accession. As Hungary takes on the EU presidency in the first half of 2011, Turkey issue will be part of the prioritized issues.

European Union Foreign Ministers kept the threat of sanctions hanging over Belarus, but decided not to implement the threat in the hope of encouraging the authoritarian state towards democratic reforms.

RUSSIA

Economic Issues

The Russian government heads for a huge privatization by embarking on a five-year plan to sell off stakes in prized state companies such as oil major Rosneft and banks Sberbank and VTB to raise US$60 billion for state coffers.

Russia and other emerging economies have come under the radar of European Commission’s criticism. The commission believes protectionism policies of these economies is affecting EU’s economy recovery and does not meet the commitments of G20.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

As political tension heightens in Russia, left wing and liberal anti-Kremlin opposition groups gathered in Moscow protesting against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, demanding his resignation. Meanwhile, Moscow is unhappy about NGOs reporting of press freedom in the country.

Russia, the United Nations, the European Union and the Vatican stands oppose to the death sentence of former Iraq’s former deputy premier Tareq Aziz. Such sentence is believed by the four as potential to exacerbate the tension in Iraq.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Moscow and Washington struggles to ensure nuclear nonproliferation amid an unsettled START agreement. Moscow fears that the republicanisation of the U.S Congress could further undermine the agreement. Meanwhile, Russia’s nuclear energy cooperation with Armenia, Russia-Saudi, Russia-Ukraine, Russia-Venezuela nuclear talks and Turkmenistan gas pipeline are all raising more questions about Moscow energy intentions.

Geostrategic Issues

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has visited Ukraine as both countries are now on a new level of relations. Russian gas supplies to Ukraine became a matter of discussion during the visit as about 80 percent of Russian gas exports to the European Union is transited via Ukraine.

US/CANADA

Political Issues

The pre-election polls show that coalition that brought Obama-Democrat party to power is faltering. Women, Roman Catholics, less affluent Americans and independents, who threw their support for democrat in 2008 are now showing interest for the Republican Party.

Economic Issues

As the midterm election campaign draws to a close, fear hangs in the air that U.S deficit might further increase owing to the on-going polarization between the Democrat and Republican parties and coupled with the frenzy that democrats might lose the House majority. Meanwhile, Washington is rallying allies against Chinese economic protectionism particularly its devalued currency that has been a lingering issue between developed economies and Beijing.

According to Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman of U.S, American economy would have been worse off without federal stimulus programme. Ben has refused to heighten the partisan fray on the state of the economy by avoiding public debates. Bernanke and the rest of Obama’s administration need magical effort to turn around the economy, revive it from further downturn.

Being a major U.S economy partner, the faltering U.S. housing market is a potential threat for Canadian economy, adding salt to Canada’s injury following IMF report that risks to Canada's economic outlook have increased. Yet the Canadian economy was reported to resume growth in wholesale trade, manufacturing and oil and gas extraction during the month of August.

Canadian fertilizer producer Potash Corp, Saskatchewan does not favour the takeover bid by BHP. The company has gotten the support of the Liberals and the left-wing New Democrats opposing the BHP offer.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

The U.S Justice Department has fined GlaxoSmithKline for putting on sale 20 drugs with questionable safety. The pharmaceutical company will have to pay $150 million for the settlement of criminal charges that will be the largest such payment ever by a manufacturer of adulterated drugs

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Halliburton has refused to accept the blame for the blowout of BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. According to presidential investigative panel, Halliburton had made unreliable cementing that contributed to the April disaster.

Canada is a major neighbouring trade partner of the United States and Canadians are always fearful that unkind law from Washington could hamper their economy as in the lobby against TransCanada’s application to build the 2,000-mile Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline hopes to bring crude oil to the U.S. Some fear it will further increase U.S dependence on fossil oil.

LATIN AMERICA

Political Issues

The death announcement of the former Argentina President, Nestor Kirchner was a shock for the country and the region. Late Nestor Kirchner was reported to have died of heart attack, therefore jeopardizes his presidential bid.

In Brazil it was a clear show of victory for Ms. Dilma Rousseff upon securing 56% votes after the second round of Brazilian elections. Rousseff believes filling the boot of Lula will be tough task and fervently determined to further accomplish the legacy of Lula. Meanwhile, President Lula da Silva still maintains a high rating from the public even after the elections.

Economic Issues

Brazil and Argentina, the leading oilseed producers in Latin America held meetings with Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay in Santiago, Chile on the prospect of combining their oilseeds for export to buyers in Asia and elsewhere.

The economy is being under fire and added to the Venezuela’s finance minister predicts that Venezuela’s oil industry is going to shrink by 1.4 percent and the non-oil economy will decline 2.6 percent in 2010.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

The internet is reported by Ibope as the battle ground for Brazilian president candidates and their supporters. The avenue of social networking increases Brazilians internet usage which was reflected in the just concluded elections.

Mining tragedy is not usual in the region and the recent Chilean saga is becoming a wakeup call for others, therefore linking the closure of 18 illegal gold mines in Colombia will not be overstatement geared to ensure safety. Meanwhile, Brazil has shown interest in Colombia’s metallurgical coal and ready to help in constructing railway for its export.

Colombian government is worried over the California's Proposition 19, which aimed at legalizing marijuana. If such law comes to being, it will grease up marijuana production, a major crop in Colombia.

The menace of drug lord is a protracted experience the Mexican government is still struggling to resolve as Ciudad Juarez was again hit by drug lord. Meanwhile, Mexican government accuses the United States of lack of seriousness to fight drug as California prepares to legalize marijuana.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

With the aim of reducing environmental pollution and providing cheap energy, Chilean President Pinera inaugurated the Pacific Hydro's La Higuera and La Confluencia projects that will provide almost 1 million Chilean homes with renewable energy, equivalent to taking more than 250,000 cars off the road.

Meanwhile, Chile and Pakistan mull on cooperating on projects like irrigation, coal, hydro power, and mining in Sindhi province.

Venezuelans might have to endure months of unsupplied gas from Colombia as the latter undertakes maintenance and upgrading of gas machinery.

Geostrategic Issues

The 2nd South American-African joint summit is an indication that the global south can have a viable cooperation. Since 2020, trade between South America and Africa was recorded to have jumped from $6 billion to $36 billion and Brazil has been the main beneficiary of the transactions.

The 12th Dialogue and Agreement Mechanisms of Tuxtla Presidential Summit (Tuxtla Group Summit) was recently held and attended by ten Latin American governments. The summit agreed to strengthen regional and bilateral cooperation on security and to create a united front against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Argentina-Russia consolidated their 125 years old diplomatic relationships through the inking of agreements in nuclear power engineering, space exploration, high technologies, and transportation sectors.

Meanwhile, tussle between Argentina and Britain over Malvinas remains a hot issue. Argentina claims Britain is not ready to give up the island due to its energy reserve.

Chilean President Pinera’s visit to Germany was aimed at showcasing the democratic tradition between the two countries and love of the citizens as demonstrated during the recent rescue effort of 33 miners. Pinera taunted Cuban-Venezuelan inspired kind of democracy as unparallel with the Chile.

President Chavez’s foreign tour is completed and Chavez believes it was a success encompassed Africa, Asia and Europe followed by huge inking of agreement and cooperation.

AUSTRALASIA

Economic Issues

The proposed merger of Australia and Singapore stock exchange is brewing debate even within the coalition government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The Green coalition partner is against the merger and other opposition finds regulatory issues with the bid.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

In Australia, a Muslim cleric lost an appeal against his jail terms for being complicit in an abortive terror attack. The appeal court however said some sentences given to his group were excessive.

Geostrategic Issues

As Australia renews its commitment in Afghanistan, its ministry of defense found that the WikiLeaks documents had not had a major impact on its operations in Afghanistan. §

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 144

WESTERN EUROPE

Politics

According to reports EEAS chief Catherine Ashton has shown confidence in the experience and expertise of German and Polish diplomats to become deputy secretary generals in the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Sentiments regarding the U.S elections in the EU vary; while some believe EU-US will not rupture, EPP, an umbrella organisation of all centre-right parties in Europe believes it is ripe time to clinch with the Republican dominated Congress.

Joining the passport-free Schengen zone for Albania and Bosnia by Christmas is an immense achievement but such benefit will not condone asylum or residence seeking. The decision to have the two countries carries a majority vote but with a misgiving from Dutch and French governments.

Meanwhile, the bloc rained abundance of criticism on Serbia for lack of judiciary reform and against a market economy caught up in red tape. At the same time, the Enlargement Strategy’s report criticised the Western Balkan for non-protection of press freedom.

With the intention of avoiding severe relations with allies, the British government is revoking its universal jurisdiction principle. The principle damaged UK-Israel relations upon the evocation of the principle to arrest foreign Israel minister for war crime.

For the socialist Greek government it has been an uneasy undertaken implementing austerity measures and abiding by EU and IMF conditions. The conservative opposition wants the government to replace austerity with a policy of state investment to stimulate the economy. Meanwhile a snap election is expected to test the support for the austerity measures.

Facing it own political and economic problems, Greece is increasingly becoming gateway for illegal migrants into Europe. A recent UN report accuses Athens of violating rights of these migrants and Athens has called for EU assistance to face the threat of illegal immigration.

Economy

The proposed $600 billion by the U.S Fed is also angering EU that Washington has broken the tight belts and common policy reached at G20 Toronto summit.

Berlin whose net contribution to the EU is higher than others has rejected the proposal to have EU tax. The European Commission has been rolling out different mechanisms to resolve the financial issues facing the bloc. Germany like every other believes tax-raising powers is residual to national governments.

Meanwhile in France the dust is unsettled as French unions are still gearing up for street protest with the aim of forcing President Sarkozy to retract his pension law.

A deal reached by the ruling and opposition Portuguese parties was to save the country from repeating the Greek financial crisis. The deal was applauded by the EU and Lisbon hopes to reap the benefit of Beijing's largesse in trade deals and alleviate market pressure on its debt.

Society

Pope Benedict XVI visit to Portugal is once again reiterating the view that Europe ought to admire its Christian heritage. The Vatican is alarmed by the growing secularization of Europe and the ongoing trend of homosexual wanting active public sphere.

The European Commission has adopted a Communication on “A comprehensive approach on personal data protection in the European Union,” outlining the Commission’s ideas for modernizing the EU legal system for the protection of personal data to address globalization and rapid technological changes. The Commission hopes to revise the data protection legal framework in 2011.

Abu Hamza al-Masri, an Islamic preacher was able to retain his British citizenship and delay his extradition to the United States following a court ruling. Meanwhile a British lawyer was able to show the criminal actions of British soldiers in a secret detention centre near Basra, Iraq. The lawyer holds that the abuse amounted to Britain’s Abu Ghraib.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

EU energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger is optimistic that the EU leaders will approve his plan to have radioactive waste buried deep underground and overseas exports of the toxic byproduct also banned. Doing this will be a conformity to International Atomic Energy standards, the idea is believed to be on a record high support than usual among EU leaders. Meanwhile, Oettinger has also called on Moscow to join the EU energy strategy, in hopes to strengthen relations.

The EU is on the verge of finalizing the Danube Strategy aimed at making the Danube basin a competitive region in the next decade. The Danube basin includes, primarily: Germany (especially Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria), Austria, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria inside the EU, as well as Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova and parts of Ukraine.

Geostrategic Issues

Ankara’s strategic policy could clash with NATO’s desire. Ankara is reluctant to see Tehran added or targeted as threat within the new NATO defense system. The reluctant policy is believed to be an acid test for Ankara’s NATO membership.

A controversial defense deal between Britain and France was finally signed. The agreement including the creation of a joint expeditionary force, shared use of aircraft carriers and combined efforts to improve the safety and effectiveness of their nuclear weapons.

Oslo and Stockholm are unhappy with U.S surveillance carried out in both countries and believes such violated their national law. Explanation for such action is awaited upon Washington’s claim that the surveillance was deemed potential for security risks to the U.S.

Estonian EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas has cautioned the EU against extremely restrictive measures and panic atmosphere following the Yemeni and Greek bombs. Kallas opined that proportionate response that will close the potential loopholes is what is needed though 100 % security is unattainable.

EAST EUROPE

Politics

Amid Tirana’s gloating over its EU integration achievement, the government approved a historic budget for 2011, which aims to improve social amenities and hike salary and pension. Meanwhile, the ruling party rejects the proposal of the opposition to have an unlimited investigation into the alleged election irregularities of June 2009, an allegation that has roadblock the smooth functioning of the Albania parliament over a year.

In Bosnia, Bakir Izetbegovic a member of the of the tripartite presidency offered apology to all victims of the 1990s war, agreeing that all victims are equal. Meanwhile, the Bosnian Central Election Commission (CIK) confirmed results of recent general elections. Still in Bosnia, the alliance of the two largest Serbs parties, Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) is a tactical plan to having joint platform which gives them 12 of the 42 seats and avenue to repel any repulsive law against the Serbs in the parliament

As the EU prepares to amend the Lisbon Treaty, there is growing fear among EU aspirants that such changes might impair their accession but Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor takes a different view and hopes to close all EU chapters by 2011. Meanwhile Daniel Srb, leader of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) plans to hold a protest against the planned visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic to Vukovar in November. Vukovar symbolizes the bloodiest place for Croat during the 1990s war.

Kosovo enters a new political level following an institutional brawl that brewed parliamentarian anger for vote of no-confidence against the government. The dissolution of the government makes the country set for a snap December election intended to be monitored by the Brussels and Washington.

Economy

After a complete supervision of its economy and financial doings, IMF will be issuing another loan to Romania by mid January.

Geostrategic Issues

Washington has refuted the view opined by former ambassador William Montgomery that nothing has changed since the end of the Bosnian war and the country should rather be partitioned.

Would there be a limit for Turkey’s diplomacy in the Balkan; Ankara has shown willingness to mediate the talk between Serbia and Kosovo over the disputed status of the latter. Meanwhile, the UN is reviewing its regular quarterly report on the situation in Kosovo as situation in northern Kosovo remains worrisome.

Belgrade’s enthusiasm for the EU has grown with the aim of getting EU accession status in months to come. Meanwhile, visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic to Croatia is aimed to close dark past even though a Croat opposition party wants Tadic to take responsible of his predecessor.

RUSSIA

Politics

From any observers of Russian democracy, the recent veto by President Dmitry Medvedev was a landmark, halting the move by the Duma from hampering the right of freedom of assembly which is enshrined in the Russian Constitution. The Duma adopted changes to the law on protests and rallies which stipulated tighter sanctions against those who violate terms of public meetings set by the government.

The Visegrad Four EU members continue to flex their clout in the bloc by trying to make EU consider their stance on Romany minorities, economic and energy security issues. Poland and Czech Republic integrals of the Visegrad Four are disfavouring the proposed change of EU’s law seen as a Franco-German initiative, though Warsaw wants to keep good relations with Germany.

Hungary remains resolute in supporting Turkey’s EU accession as it takes on EU rotational presidency by 2011. Meanwhile, Hungary hopes that Canada will reconsider its bid for visa-free regime. Ottawa has been reluctant to welcome 2004 EU members into that regime.

Despite its stained relations with Moscow, Belarusian Central Election Commission has invited Russia and Latvia to monitor its presidential election, meanwhile German and Polish leaders also called on President Alexander Lukashenko to ensure fair election.

The outcome of Ukrainian mayor and regional council elections was received with cold reaction from Washington, thus tallied with misgivings of opposition parties and election observers that the elections was not free from irregularities.

Economy

It was a signal for cautious economic planning as the World Bank cut its forecast for Russia's economic growth and warned of risks from inflation.

Joint investment summit of Chinese and Polish entrepreneurs created the avenue for entrepreneurs of both countries to boast upon the manner with which their economies survived the global financial turmoil. Poland has been China's top trading partner in central and Eastern Europe for five years.

The continent is facing economic and financial trauma, but the Poles have cause to be happy as the National Bank of Poland has predicted growth amounting to 4.3 and 4.2 percent in 2011-2012 respectively. Such progressive prediction was not true for Czech Republic, where both the finance ministry and central bank both cut the previous forecasts for 2011 GDP outlook.

Meanwhile, the Slovakia's strongest opposition party SMER failed to win parliament's backing for a special levy on banks next year that might have replaced a planned rise in value added tax (VAT). The parliament rejected the proposal because it has yet to go to the EU table.

Hungarian economy is still struggling to regain is sovereignty even after it spat on the face of the IMF. The government is pushing to make the economy meet the European Union's deficit target amid a troublesome budget.

For Belarus active participation in the EU's Eastern Partnership programme is not a relegated option and having a committed economic transaction with Turkey is paramount.

Society

The objection of religion once symbolized Communist Russia, but the increasing role of religion in the public and anti gay actions could be an unfolding new wave of conservatism.

According to a marketing survey most Russians take advantage of the internet for financial and economic dealings as in plane and train tickets, mobile services and music transactions.

The Poles were honoured as the EU brings together scientific minds to inaugurate the Copernicus Science Centre and to show a multi-media "Big Bang" extravaganza in their country.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Russia energy importance is far from being eclipsed in the soonest future as Europe though seeking for alternative energy still have active dependence on Russian gas. The renewal of agreement between Russia and Ukraine for energy transit from the latter to the rest of Europe and the new demand by Netherlands and Denmark for more gas from Gazprom demonstrates Russia incontestable energy clout.

Similarly, the Russia-ASEAN recent summit also highlights Russia energy influence as ASEAN nations never hide their energy cooperation with Moscow. Meanwhile, Gazprom records income growth and predicts more.

Russia's high-tech companies Rusnano and Renova have announced plans to build the country's first industrial solar power station near the Black Sea.

During the 14th International Trade Fair of oil and gas industry in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Iranian Ambassador to Ukraine Akbar Qasemi was not shy to say that his country stands as the gateway for gas and oil from Asia to Europe.

Geostrategic Issues

NATO and Russia are still struggling to agree upon a joint proposed European missile system, but both have a consensus view of stamping out opium production in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Russia and Japan dispute over Kuril Islands, called the Northern Territories by Japan remains a lingering matter.

Poland is taking very serious the proposed NATO Lisbon Summit which hopes to bring Russia aboard. Poland has been more critical of Moscow for its hegemonic tendency in the region.

Slovakia and Czech Republic are prepared to reduce their troops’ commitment in Kosovo but increase them in Afghanistan, where NATO forces are operating.

Can North Korea learn from the lesson of Ukraine that was once a nuclear hub but simultaneously became non-nuclear and join the fold of economic developing states? The argument stand thus that nuclear weapon is a characterization of North Korea and a symbol against external influence.

US/CANADA

Politics

It is now a dusted issue; Republican Party has swept the House with landslide margins but failed to capture the Senate. The election results brought forth several questions: Was the election about President Obama? How powerful a phenomenon is the Tea Party movement? How will the new Congress address the still-weak economy? What will it mean for the crop of likely 2012 Republican presidential candidates? Did anonymous campaign money sway the outcome?

The White House has called the election result a shellacking for the Democrat Party and Obama realised a tough time to come from discontented Republican of his big government project.

According to Ipso poll, Canadian minority government takes a lead in opinion poll upon listening to the voice of the people not to allow the takeover of Potash Corp by BHP Billiton.

Economy

Could the proposed $600 billion by the Fed for the recovery of the banking sector go unattacked, such will never outpace republican dominated Congress radar, furiously against big government.

Could it be true that it would still take 12 years to close the gap between the growing number of American workers and the total available jobs, according to the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project? If such estimation should be true then jobless Americans will still have cause to be angry with the White House.

The Canadian government finally listens to the voice of the public as the minority government rejected the takeover bid by BHP Billiton for Potash Corp. Prime Minister Stephen Harper referred to the rejection as a rare case as Canada often welcome foreign companies. Meanwhile, Canadian employment rate is yet to pick its original stamina though few employment opportunities were recorded.

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney opined that the financial industry will make lower returns after global banking reforms are put in place as these institutions must adopt stricter rules on capital and liquidity.

Society

An American Appeal Court has held back the right of Arizona police to question people on the road suspected of illegal stay. The court insinuated that fighting illegal immigration is the task of the federal government therefore state is not expected to overlap that jurisdiction.

The Midwest state of Iowa pioneered safeguarding minority rights back from 1839, when Iowa Supreme Court became the pacesetter protecting minority interest, but when same court legalized same-sex marriage, it irritated the public leading to the expulsion of three judges. Thus causing fear over the independence of judiciary.

Before the U.N. Human Rights Council, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Esther Brimmer had to prove U.S protection of human rights was higher than any other country, following cries over violation of human rights by foes and friends of Washington.

Omar Khadr terrorist case has finally been rested by 40 years jail sentence although he might be released in less than three years after being transferred to his country, Canada.

Geostrategic Issues

Paying a visit to India, President Obama believes Washington should relax export regulations for New Delhi though with caution and fear for outsourcing U.S jobs which became an issue in the just concluded midterm elections. Obama also threw his support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC.

Scott Stewart argues in his article Al Qaeda Unlucky Again in Cargo Bombing Attempt published in STRATFOR November 2, 2010 that al- Qaeda intention was not to hurt the Jew but to bring down U.S airliners in the recent Yemeni bomb saga. Even though the tactical plan failed the group will continue to make effort as in camouflaging more bombs from security agents. But according to the New York Times, the foiling of the attack was a success of intelligence and infiltration of Taliban and al-Qaeda groups

LATIN AMERICA

Politics

Following the death of Argentina ex. President, Nestor Kirchner, criticisms have started rolling upon President Cristina Kirchner that her economic policies could be changed and her government has not be able to integrate Argentine poor into the status of the middle class as done by Brazilian Lula.

It was a landslide victory for the Brazilian Workers’ party as Ms. Dilma Rousseff, a former chief of staff under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won the presidential elections with a strong mandate of 56 % against her opponent from PSDB. In order to keep the rhythm, Rousseff is promising her supporters an un-discontinued Lula’s policy.

Economy

Despite its social problems, Mexico is taking a leap to becoming world leader in auto manufacturing industry. Mexico starts a $570 million autos plant that will employ 700 people and produce Pentastar V-6 engine for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

President Hugo Chavez is simultaneously nationalizing and privatizing companies in the country. One of Venezuelan refinery Citgo is about to be sold to Germany with the aim of increasing its benefit to the economy. Meanwhile, Iran has offered state-run oil holding Petroleos de Venezuela a 10-percent interest in a South Pars Phase12.

Society

Heap of allegations mount on Colombian military of being complicit in indiscriminatory killing of innocent Colombians under the premise of fighting drug and rebel groups. The killing has triggered UN and Human Right groups’ concerns and the government urges the military to offer apology to the public

President Calderon severely criticized the United States over its lackadaisical attitude towards the fight against drug, in reference to the plan of California State to legalize marijuana.

Internet usage is increasing in the region and governments in the region are not taking their chances. The recent Brazilian presidential election brings internet social networking to limelight and Venezuelan Hugo Chavez’s support via the internet is increasingly growing.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Chilean mining investor displayed their willingness to invest in Balochistan, Pakistan resources. Meeting with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chilean Consortium of Mineral Exploring Company wants to invest $3.5 billion over the four years in the Balochistan Reko-Diq project.

Geostrategic Issues

The meeting of President Santos and Hugo Chavez is a clear indication that both countries have normalized their relations. Both leaders agreed to strengthen ties through energy projects and to increase joint effort to combat rebel groups. While the two resolve their differences, Spain wants Venezuela to stop supporting ETA and should extradite ETA member wanted in Spain.

AUSTRALASIA

Economy

For Australian opposition parties the merger of Australia and Singapore Stock exchange will harm Australia’s economy but Prime Minister Julia Gillard during ASEAN summit told her Singaporean counterpart that disturbing such long-standing foreign investment processes is unhealthy.

Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan believes certain Australian banks are defying the rule of the Central Bank by hiking their lending rate. According to Swan, such action is a display of arrogance and the government will crack them down.

Geostrategic Issues

The increasing clout of China in Asia Pacific is grabbing regional attention and Washington is equally concerned. Therefore re-tailoring Washington-Canberra and New Zealand strategic alliance in Afghanistan and making China more responsible is no surprise and was a prime issue discussed when Hilary Clinton visited the region. §

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 145

WESTERN EUROPE

Politics

EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy has spoken beyond the stereotype attached with him. He lambasted the increasing mantra for nationalism across Europe and made a reminiscence how nationalism puts Europe to protracted wars in the past. He nevertheless lauded the courage for austerity measures as solution for recent financial problems.

Poland has always been at the forefront fighting for equality of members within the EU. The latest proposal of the Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini to have within the EU six steering group made up of the Union's biggest countries has been rejected by Warsaw, indicating that model of UNSC is unwelcome in the bloc.

The European Commission has unveiled an overhaul of its code of conduct, which will curb ex-commissioners from exploiting their previous office. Ex-EU commissioners have found to be lobbying on behalf of corporations by taking advantage of their previous portfolio.

Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi is yet on another political threshold as oppositions mount no confidence votes against him and his policies. Berlusconi’s survivability will be determined by the social capital of his party.

Greek municipal elections would put to test and decide if the people agree with the austerity policy of the government or support the opposition’s anti-austerity policy. Despite the political trial, the Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas extends appreciation to the German government for playing a role in bailing out his economy from recent crisis.

With the new EU border police sent to Greek-Turkey border, hundreds of illegal immigrants are now apprehended using Greece as transit into other parts of Europe.

Economy

EU’s 2011 budget is becoming a leg dragging issue due to the lack of consensus between the European Parliament and the council. The dividing line is whether or not the Union should increase its budget to 5.9 or 2.9, the latter is welcomed by the parliament on account of austerity measures swinging around EU countries.

The British government is taking all measures to reducing backlog of the nation’s deficit. One of the measures is retrieving tax from all tax evaders banking in foreign countries. Therefore the coalition government is reaching agreement with foreign countries having tax evaders’ accounts

The Irish economy is sending alarm across Europe of another failing economy dripping in financial problem and signaling to get help from EU and IMF. Ireland has thus announced a plan to nearly double its package of spending cuts and tax increases to try to rein in its huge deficit.

Society

The head of security at one of Europe's busiest airports has said that EU governments should invest more resources in old-fashioned human intelligence and fewer in new regulations and screening technology. The recently foiled bomb was accomplished based on human intelligence not on machines, thus investment in human intelligence in what should be pivotal.

Blacklisting airports did not get the approval of most EU members, following the proposal by Germany to blacklist certain airports in terrorism-prone countries. The bloc rather resolved to form ad-hoc committee responsible to make effective inspection, check listing and risk analysis of cargo for overall safety of airport.

The French government commemorated the 92nd anniversary of the end of World War I. by honoring the war veterans. French Muslim soldiers of the war were honored at the Paris Grand Mosque.

European deputies have started raising voices for a transatlantic inquiry into Iraqi torture cases described in US war logs published by Wikileaks. EU leaders want to trash out the issue with US. British deputy PM spearheaded this attempt that such description of torture should not be left unturned.

Vatican and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations since the last 50 years and both take themselves as religious societies. Recently a letter was sent by the Pope to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to demands the stop of religious discrimination of Catholics in Iran.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Creating and facilitating naval traffic, cleaning up the highly polluted river and improving regional links through bridges, highways and better train connections are supposedly essence of the Danube River Strategy. A project under consideration by the EU to facilitate both EU and non-EU countries sharing border around the Danube, the project will be similar to the Baltic Sea Strategy.

The demand of energy particularly renewable is increasingly becoming a discussable issue for European leaders and through the effort of the European Commissioner for Energy the proposal of having unified energy policy has been sponsored. Such proposal is not unlikely to meet reservation from Europe’s capital wanting to maintain sovereignty over energy policy.

As energy needs and cry over global warming increases, developed economies are struggling to re-channel attention for renewable energy. The attempt by the EU to having 10 % of transport energy needs from renewable sources (like biofuels) by 2020 will further increase greenhouse gas emissions as reported by Institute for European Environmental Policy.

Geostrategic Issues

After two weeks suspension on passenger flight ban from Yemen, the German government has lifted the ban from Yemen, although the ban still continues on air cargo coming from that Arabian country.

Paris and Amsterdam believe opening Schengen zone to Romania and Bulgaria should be delayed till both countries clear their slate by fighting against corruption, reforming their justice systems and a better surveillance of the border with Moldova.

EAST EUROPE

Politics

As Albanians prepare for local elections, OSCE urges the parties to ensure women get their legal 30% representation.

Meanwhile a plea by Albanian President Bamir Topi asks that Kosovo be admitted soon to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Adding Kosovo in such an institution could further accelerate its EU integration.

It was applauded as a diplomatic success as European Commission finally lifted EU visa for Albanian citizens, but the protracted political impasse facing Tirana cost it EU candidate status deprival.

Politics of ethnicity continues to be the core of polarization in Bosnia and caution notes is rolling in that Bosnia is more likely to lack behind in development and EU integration if such persist.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) mulls the possibility of sanction against Bosnia (BiH), Sarajevo has not amended its constitution drafted under the Dayton Peace Agreements which discriminates against minorities as mentioned by the European Court of Human Rights.

Croatia moves closer closing up EU negotiation chapters with three more chapters remaining and hope to get the EU membership card by next year. Even after signing EU accession treaty, the Croat government wants a public referendum.

Amid the run-up for Kosovo December general elections, parties have started going for coalition in bid to maximize their chances. Meanwhile, the election is becoming a big dilemma for Serbia whether or not to ask Kosovo Serbs to participate or boycott the elections. Boycotting the election will do them no good and could further dent Belgrade’s status before the EU. EULEX has rejected the request to secure the ballot boxes instead urges the Kosovo police to do their job well.

Economy

Montenegrin government has suspended its controversial economic citizenship programme launched in August, in order to harmonize policies with those of the EU. according to the plan Montenegro offered citizenship to any member of the business community who invests over 500,000 euros in the country.

The new Polish leader, President Bronislaw Komorowski is aiming for big changes in the country’s constitution, changes which according to his projection will redefine and reposition Poland in Europe. Meanwhile, Polish parliament mulls over the next NATO summit in Lisbon, the summit becomes important for Poland because of the new role of Russia in the proposed NATO missile system.

Despite huge discontent for the policy, the Czech parliament went ahead to approve package of unpopular austerity measures designed to reduce Czech Republic's deficit.

Having evaluated the results of the local authority elections, which received international criticism, Ukrainian leadership has decided to take several steps towards improving the national election legislation. .

Although a popular politician during his tenure as Slovakian leader, ex-Prime Minister Robert Fico was re-elected leader of his leftist SMER party and vowed to return to government when the next election is held in four years time. Meanwhile, Slovakian Prime Minister, Iveta Radicova, has threatened to resign after two failed bids to vote in a new prosecutor-general in place of the incumbent. She argues that he has been too feeble on cases involving dishonest politicians, business tycoons and privatizations.

Political wrangling between Belarus and Russia remains alive as President Alexander Lukashenka attacked Moscow of plotting to make him lose during the forthcoming elections. Nonetheless, Belarusian parliament has submitted to President Alexander Lukashenka the proposal concerning the possible recognition of independence of two Georgian breakaway regions.

Poland maintains its economic growth within the region and recent show of its stock market is another testimony. The Polish treasury is also profiting from its privatization policy. Such growth is also true for Czech’s economy that grew by 3 % year-on-year in the third quarter of 2010, an indication to the rebounding of its trade and manufacturing sectors.

The government of the Czech Republic has expressed its willingness to support the government of Ghana to establish an urban rail system and to help revive some of Ghana's defunct factories. They have also agreed to share their technological and other professional expertise with Ghana to enable her to generate more power and transmit electricity for both domestic and the external markets.

Hungary plans to continue to rely on revenue from extraordinary crisis taxes in 2014, contrary to government pledges to end such taxes in 2013. The Hungarian parliament also passed a bill that scraps the Constitutional Court's jurisdiction in matters of taxation and contributions, meanwhile inflation grips the economy.

Amid the survival crisis facing the Eurozone, report by the European Commission shows that most Estonians are resentful that their country join the zone. Estonia intended to join the zone by January 2011, yet the Estonia's economy expanded faster than expected in the third quarter, with growth in exports and domestic demand fuelling the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, Latvia has completed its budget for the next year considering the conditions of international lenders.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Amid the political crisis facing Pristina, EULEX head Xavier Bout de Marnhac said ongoing corruption investigations will not be discontinued and hopes that such will propel developments.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Deputy Prime Minister Svetozar Marovic are to appear as witnesses before a court in a case of nine people charged with deporting Bosniak civilians from Montenegro in 1992.

Serbian government has launched smoking ban in offices and public places. The law bans smoking in all public buildings, offices, educational institutions and hospitals. People who break the rules will be fined 46 euros.

The celebration of Poland’s Independence Day was a mixture of reactions, while the event marked the anniversary of the end of World War I, when Poland regained its independence; other marked it with anti-fascist protest.

US-based Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), the European Roma Rights Centre and the Greek Helsinki Monitor, has jointly filed complain with the EU against the failure of Czech Republic to comply with court order that ordered it to stop placing thousands of healthy Roma children in schools for the mentally disabled.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

According to reports Croatia is not expected to be part of the Bulgaria’s nuclear plant (Belene) instead it will focus on its own energy projects; however the decision will not affect bilateral relations with Bulgaria.

Bulgarian cabinet finally approved a partnership in the planned Russian South Stream pipeline that will run across the Black Sea. The agreement envisages a 50-50 % partnership between Gazprom and Bulgarian Energy.

Geostrategic Issues

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a visit to Bulgaria on (November 9th), the first by a Syrian head of state in 24 years. Assad urges Sofia to play its role, both in its bilateral relations with Israel and within the EU, to urge Israel to continue the peace process.

It was a political slap for Kosovo as the European Commission did not recognize the readiness of Pristina for EU visa liberalization scheme. The commission holds that Pristina has yet to meet the readmission and reintegration criteria, something Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi and Integrations Minister Besim Beqaj disputed.

The European Commission has agreed to equip Montenegro with pre-accession assistance funds aims to support democratic and economic reforms in Montenegro. This also adds to the fact that Montenegro is set to receive EU candidate status following a recommendation the European Commission, just four years after declaring independence.

Serbia’s EU Stabilization and Association Agreement have been ratified by Hungary another EU member.

RUSSIA

Politics

President Dmitri A. Medvedev vetoed the harsh law by the Russian Duma that would have made it more difficult for opposition to launch peaceful protest. Political atmosphere has been torrid recently due to opposition’s demand that politic should be more open. Meanwhile, the Russian president is clamoring for political and economic regeneration to be speed up in the North Caucasus Federal Region.

Economy

According to Renaissance Capital’s report, Russian GDP is expected to grow an annual 5.3 % in the first three months of 2011 as government spending widens, consumer demand rebounds and bank lending spur recovery.

Russian authority wants IMF to change its quota realignment; Moscow wants the quota system to be changed for the next two years and Moscow along with China will not be happy if Washington pumps more money without consulting other economies.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Last week about 4,000 members of the Russian Communist Party gathered in downtown Moscow to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.

According to reports over 450 terrorism-related crimes were registered in Russia between January and September.

With the aim of revitalizing the educational system, Russian president believes quality of education in Russia has deteriorated, and the country needs to cut the number of universities and colleges.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Although Gazprom’s profit fell less than expected in the second quarter, as rising Russian prices helped offset a foreign exchange loss and slower European gas sales. Yet the company continues to ink natural gas agreement with foreign countries like South Korea.

European energy stakeholders like ex- German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer holds that Russia’s South Stream pipeline was not for energy reasons but to pull Ukraine eastward and as a competitor to NABUCCO, the European pipeline project intended to reduce Europe's dependency on energy imports from Russia.

Geostrategic Issues

According to reports Moscow senses a threat from Turkey if a part of NATO’s missiles is deployed in the latter. Meanwhile, Russia has inked millions of dollar arms contract with Indonesia.

US/CANADA

Politics

The midterm elections outcome was no doubt a victory for the Republican Party that has swept many gubernatorial seats, federal House and state Houses. They are in for rolling back democrats’ policy and tougher stance on issue the democrats have been mild with.

Meanwhile Washington is seeing a new wave of inexperienced politicians joining the House through the effort of the Tea Party Movement. Only time will tell if these newcomers will effect their pledged changes or blend in with Washington’s politics.

Obama’s White House has a hard battle to fight; his party recently lost the House majority to Republicans during the midterm elections, meanwhile his new deficit reduction plan is awakening the scorn of both republican and democrats alike and it is hard to predict the outcome of the battle.

If a Federal election is held in Canada it might be hard for minority ruling or opposition parties to obtain maximum votes as latest EKOS poll puts support for both parties as deadlock.

Economy

The weak American economy and the plan to pump $600 billion into the economy by Fed have been greeted with criticism. China, Brazil and Germany are against the plan asking the United States not to weaken international market by pumping in more dollars. Washington’s deteriorating debt repayment capability is another concern for many economies wanting to dig it out with Washington during the Seoul G20 summit. The summit was not a success for Washington because both the free trade agreement with South Korea and the huge spending model for global economy failed to yield.

Canada does not want to be left out in gaining access to the new emerging promising economies like India. Free trade talks were launched between the two countries with hopes to boost gross domestic product in each nation by C$6 billion a year

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Immigration is increasingly becoming a politicized issue up from the United States, across Europe and down to Australia. Even though there are certain degree of tolerance for illegal immigration in Canada, immigration has made Winnipeg a hub of multiculturalism as the demand for immigrants increase in Manitoba.

Geostrategic Issues

Washington is in the middle of a strategic debate whether or not the war in Afghanistan is on the right track. Military officials are taking the areas where U.S and NATO forces have upper hand as indications of success but intelligence officers take the stance that such success can only be measured if eliminated low level militants do not regroup for another attack.

Canada has joined the United States in banning cargo and mail shipments from Somalia and Yemen and had put restrictions on transporting toner printer cartridges on passenger flights. The restrictions are in response to the discovery two weeks ago of bombs hidden in cartridges being shipped to the United States from Yemen.

LATIN AMERICA

Politics

Brazil’s President-elect Ms. Dilma Rousseff is once again reiterating the intention not to discontinue with outgoing President Lula’s policies. Meanwhile, authorities of Sao Paulo have opened the case of the four military personnel who tortured Ms. Dilma Rousseff during 1970s’s military rule.

Economy

The loan by Brazil’s National Development Bank to build a bullet train track between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro has raised public discourse. The huge project is believed by critics to be a project that could slow down the country’s economic growth.

As the economy continues to experience growth, Brazilian government is opening more channels of opportunities for the economy as in sugar plantation in Ghana, contributing to anti-AIDS drugs in Mozambique, entering bilateral trade agreement with Mexico.

Chile became the first Latin American country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Turkey following the ratification by the Chilean Senate. Similarly, both China and Chile are also extending ties through bilateral agreements.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Freedom of thought and association is increasingly becoming a threat for the Argentine society as same-sex couples want similar recognition given to homosexual in other countries; however Argentina’s Catholic Church is strongly against such freedom.

The dengue fever is puncturing Brazilian society as number of infected has increases from the record of last year.

The order of Colombian President Santos and the cry of human rights organizations have forced Colombia’s army to suspend seven officers for failing in brutal murders last month of three impoverished children near Colombia’s northeast border with Venezuela.

The question before the Mexican government is when will drug related violence cease. Mexican drug lords are increasingly opposing the writ of the state as discriminatory killings climbs the ladder. Rifle production in the United States and sale in Mexico is also another forces link to the drug violence.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Venezuelan National Assembly has approved a bill to construct and operate a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes. The plant is expected to be completed in ten years under Russia. Venezuela is also reaching an agreement with Cuba to explore its oil reserve in the Gulf of Mexico, such engagement is hoped to further strengthen the socialist oriented countries.

Geostrategic Issues

Argentina believes Malvinas Island is its property and does not need to attack it or regain it. Buenos Aires believes dispute over the island should be peaceful.

The bid of the Brazilian military to equip its arsenal with 36 air fighter jets is locking the heads of French and Swedish military industries as both are interested in the $4-6billion bid, though according to reports France is more likely to seal the deal.

The dust has settled over Colombia and Venezuela, both countries now share cordial relations, but critics hold that such could be temporary if Caracas does not entirely fulfill its pledge to crackdown rebel groups

AUSTRALASIA

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

The Australian government mulls over referendum for the recognition of the aborigines community as the first people of the nation in the constitution, though earlier referendum refuses to acknowledge it. Even if the recognition goes on the aborigines will want indigenous rights to be entrenched in the text of the constitution rather than a symbolic acknowledgment in a preamble.

Geostrategic Issues

The increasing power of China in the neighborhood is said to be responsible for the new military alliance between Canberra and Washington as the latter plans to have its base in the pacific country. §

Zone 3- Euro-Americas Summary Week # 146

WESTERN EUROPE

Politics

EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy has referred to current financial trauma facing Eurozone as a survival crisis. He insinuated that the survivability of the European Union develops on the resilience and endurance of the Eurozone as three new EU countries are gripped by debts.

The lack of consensus among EU members over 2011 budget remains a headache for Brussels. Certain EU members (Britain and the Netherlands) are reluctant to give in to the MEPs demands. Meanwhile, failure to reach an accord on the budget could be implicative for EU’s projects at home and abroad. The budget failure was also due to reluctance by member states to grant MEPs extra powers in future multi-annual budget negotiations.

Iceland is bidding for the EU card but wanting a speedy negotiation upon which the Icelandic people can consider in a referendum. The north European country wants to follow the Norwegian pattern but the EU enlargement spokeswoman Angela Filota holds that there is no short-cut and no fast-track negotiation.

Economy

Irish financial crisis is again sending a wrong signal to the Euro zone as a fragile economy. The Irish finance minister has hinted the desire to seek EU and IMF bailout for its troubled economy and once again raises the question of the fate of the Eurozone and whether or not disintegration of the zone is far. Meanwhile, Ireland’s economic problem has started pushing Irish once again out of the country searching for greener pastures elsewhere across the globe.

According to the latest EU audit, Greece incurred a much larger budget deficit and levels of public debt than the earlier estimated amount. Therefore, more Greek bonds would have to be sold and that could be reflective on Athens’ economy.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding believes national barriers should be no hindrance for European Disabled from getting their benefits, thus brings forth the necessity for a common European Disability Act that will remove barriers by the end of the decade and give sense of belonging to European Disabled anywhere within Europe.

The EU although has been relatively lenient with Belgrade but the inability to apprehended the remaining fugitives (Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzcic) will further roadblock Belgrade’s application for EU membership. The case is highlighted by chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague.

Germany a stronghold European country is taking great security concern following the terror threat issued by U.S State department and the Saudi Security coupled with the Yemeni threat saga and the tip that militants have arrived in Germany from Waziristan to cause harm.

Pauline Neville-Jones UK junior minister responsible for counter-terrorism observed that the continent is facing threats from Islamic radicals, increasingly radicalism in Northern Ireland and cyber-attacks, yet that must not stop Britain and the rest of Europe from keeping civil liberties of people.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

According to the EU agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos, the EU's common agriculture policy (CAP), demands a change and that change should emphasize greater environmental protection with less divergence in payments between 'old' and 'new' member states. The changed policy needed to be greener, fairer, more efficient and more effective.

Ahead of NATO summit in Lisbon, EU-US foreign ministers hope to having a common transatlantic energy and security policy and regulatory regimes for energy saving and eco-friendly technologies. They hope that such will further strengthen ties and facilitate energy diplomacy in energy resourceful areas for the two sides of the Atlantic.

The rate of electricity consumption is said to be on the rise, a pointer to the increasingly necessity of energy. Smart grids is becoming household necessity for cutting bills by using energy-consuming devices at low-rate times of day, it also enables utility companies to cut peak-time demand and avoid costly blackouts.

Geostrategic Issues

Outcome of Lisbon NATO summit indicates success of diplomacy as NATO agrees to have a joint missile system which was different from ex-President Bush controversial missile system. The proposed system is believed to be problematic due to certain reservations from NATO members though a canopy for all NATO members and could be supported by Russia as Moscow’s consent for strategic alliance has long been awaited. The alliance also intends to cut fat and build muscle as part of NATO’s austerity measures.

EAST EUROPE

Politics

According to reports the growing tempo of Polish centric slogans among Polish leaders is a reality of how the Poles want the rest of Europe and the world to see them. Having stable politics and vibrant economy not only makes Poles proud of themselves but more importantly enthusiastic of the rotational EU presidency coming to Warsaw by next year, which will give leverage in dealing with all former ex-communist countries in the neighborhood including Russia.

Czech President Klaus said he was frustrated with the excessive attention the media and politicians have paid to Czech post-war crimes. He said that post-war violence by Czechs against ethnic Germans in former Czechoslovakia was not as harsh as Nazi atrocities before and during World War II and is not at all comparable. Meanwhile, Ghanaian Vice President, John Dramani Mahama ended his five-day official visit to the Czech Republic.

The Hungarian parliament has passed its next year’s budget with reduction in tax. Meanwhile, as Budapest looks forward to the EU rotational presidency, western Balkan’s EU integration is said to be a priority.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych denied that he had eroded press freedoms since coming to power, saying that journalists could write what they liked so long as it was the truth.

As Belarus prepares for the next presidential elections, the wind remains unclear whether incumbent President Alexander Lukashenka will retain his seat.

Does Estonia have the political and economic will to join the Eurozone as resentment mounts against it within the country? Meanwhile, Latvia’s government has agreed on 2011 budget deficit cut target with international lenders.

Economy

The economies in Central and Eastern Europe continue to show signs of recovery, as far as Poland and the Czech Republic are concerned. This is also true for big brother Russia, where there is a relatively stabilized economy.

Meanwhile, according to EU10 Regular Economic Report on the ten ex-communist states now members of the EU, Poland and Slovakia are spotted as leading the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region with robust GDP growth of 3.5 % this year. While, the Government of Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund have successfully approved the terms of the Stand-By Agreement continuation, which was signed in July this year.

New Zealand will be entering into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the trio of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan having a common custom union.

Similarly, the World Bank announces US$150 million loan for Belarus for road upgrading and modernization project, which will help develop Belarusian transport infrastructure on a strategic transit corridor and introduce electronic tolling.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

The Hungarian parliament may soon be voting on a new media bill that would restrict the ownership of TV channels and limit the expansion of media companies.

Ukraine's political scene is featuring a new trend of bare-breasted young women under the banner of Femen that aim at protecting women’s right in the country.

Geostrategic Issues

Slovakia’s troops finally departed from Kosovo as earlier mentioned by the government, who till now have not recognized the independence of Pristina. Meanwhile Slovakia intends to increase its NATO presence in Afghanistan.

RUSSIA

Politics

Russian political scenario was predicted to be a tussle ground between PM Putin and President Medvedev, though of less truth, as Putin continues to maintain greater popularity on domestic issues and Medvedev trying to be more diplomatic in foreign issues.

Economy

Russian economy has extended its tentacle globally but not felt adequately in far Eastern Asian countries, although there is a robust transaction between China and South Korea. Meanwhile, Russia’s government hopes to intensify its privatization programme by opening up state companies’ shares to foreign companies. Also, according to reports, Russian Finance Ministry plans to tighten control over foreign trade operations following the fear that there has been too much capital outflow.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Russia has joined the band of countries producing and testing HIV vaccines, the first examinations of three vaccines, being developed in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk, showed their safety after application.

The Russian Parliament has passed a law to restore to religious organizations property seized by the state in Soviet times. Meanwhile, preliminary results of last month census conducted in Russia puts the population around 143 million.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Russian government intends to halve the quota of imported poultry next year and wants farmers to sow 25 % more spring crops to meet the demand after a severe drought this past summer.

Geostrategic Issues

Russian pundits believe the change in Washington is ominous for Russia-US relations as republican congress is more likely to retract and hinder policy objectives intended by the Obama government. Such scenario can further create gulf between Moscow and Washington and deprive the latter of the former’s cooperation on global issues.

Russia, India and China, all BRIC members believe they are on same track and having common goals in international politics and economic development. Even though during the G20, where Russia and China criticized Washington, India took the side of the former.

The Russian-Czech joint modernization programme to upgrade Russian-made Mi helicopters is one good way of friendly and cooperative neighborhood between former Soviet blocs and readiness of EU countries to allow Russia technology in their premises.

US/CANADA

Economy

The report by the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research that that government aid to G.M. and Chrysler saved more than 1.1 million jobs in 2009 and 314,000 jobs in 2010 indicates the effectiveness of Obama’s bailout. Therefore the recent surge and sale of G.M’s stock gives tax payers certain degree of relief.

The breeze of financial problem is not exempting the state of California that of late rose from billion dollars budget shortfall but sunk back into yet another fiscal crisis which is calamitous for the departing governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger and fearful for the incoming governor Jerry Brown.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

The health care law is beginning to see another phase of discussion as health officials and institutions are lobbying to persuade the Obama administration to relax or waive a body of older laws intended to thwart health care monopolies. The debate is revolving around how effective and reaching is private and government sponsored health service.

Workers at the 9/11 disaster have finally reached a consensus with the New York authority to be compensated for the various health problems and inconveniences they suffered during the emergence days of the event.

The trial of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani charged with the 1998 U.S embassy bombings in Africa is becoming a test for President Obama, whether or not a civil court can do justice in the case of a terrorist suspect as compared to a military court. The federal court in Manhattan acquitted him of all charges save for conspiracy and that is raising dust from the Republicans and relatives of victims crying that justice has not been done.

Geostrategic Issues

In its latest edition of Inspire, Al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen was reported to have articulated how the supposedly foiled terror attack was a success in that it was a calculated strategic low-cost attack designed to inflict broad economic damage as it disarrayed western security and created fear.

What strategic peril should Washington await if the New Start arms control treaty fails? Republicans have been muscling to hinder the treaty on the premise of national security, but hindrance to the treaty will definitely further stain U.S-Russia relations and could be misinterpreted by Tehran.

LATIN AMERICA

Politics

Brazil adds to the number of countries where a woman is the leader of the country. According to Pew Global Research Center, 59 % of men and 52 % of women responded affirmatively that they are ready for a woman leader. Meanwhile the recent election displayed the role of the cyber world in politics as a sizeable number of Brazilians joined the band of internet users.

Colombian President Santos appears to be on the good books of the people as Ipsos Napoleon Franco’s poll puts his rating popularity as 73% which of course has do with his diplomatic success with Venezuela, Ecuador and other neighbors, though opposition parties are not sparing him of criticisms.

In Mexico, labour unions launched protest demanding the parliament to reduce the allocations for security forces and increase allocations for social development in next year's budget.

President Chavez said his government is providing more opportunities to small investors by cracking down on the banks and other private firms which exploit small investors. Meanwhile, thousands of Venezuelans protested in Caracas against the real state owners who are exploiting public rights by allotting property according to their merit.

Economy

Being the world’s second largest corn exporter after the United States, under a new agreement with China, Argentina will be exporting million tons of corn in 2011, 150 times more as compare to the present export.

Brazil’s President-elect, Ms. Dilma Rousseff joined the group of countries lambasting Washington for devaluation of dollar seen as a menace to global economy. The criticism came amid G20 summit in Korea which gave Brazil opportunity to sign military deal with Seoul.

Restricting Mexican trucks into the United States is one issue disturbing Mexico as a NAFTA member. Business establishments in both countries are however clamoring and asking Washington to lift the ban on Mexican trucks believed unhealthy for American roads.

Social/Humanitarian Issue

Northern Brazil is often time represented with poverty and rising number of child labour, but Lula’s government is credited to have beaten down the tempo of poverty in the region.

The protracted Mexican War on Drugs has increased the number of inmates in prisons. Meanwhile, the country’s tourism is also suffering following the outbreak of H1N1 flu and increasing violence.

Food, Environment and Energy Issue

Brazil is extending energy investment in Africa particularly in Portuguese speaking country of the continent. Brazil is very much interested in extending its technology of ethanol and mining investment across the continent.

Despite the natural and manufactured risks the country recently faced, the government of Chile is not relenting effort to improve the development of the country. The government has embarked upon a $3.85 billion freshwater pipe to its arid north geared at stimulating social and economic development in the region. Chile is also eyeing the prospect of a nuclear plant and government has started sensitizing the public about it.

Colombia’s Ecopetrol intends to increase its oil production and exportation as the government of Santos has been able to maintain certain degree of security from the threat of FARC.

Mexico hopes to host the world around November 29 to December 10, 2010, for the second Climate Summit after Copenhagen.

Geostrategic Issues

The Chilean government continues to earn praise for rescuing trapped miners. The country has also strengthened its bilateral relations with Asian countries like Thailand and China. §



________________________________________________________
Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and jointly developed by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please Preview your comments before posting.