It isn't right Iraqi citizens are sustaining the worst of the conflict in Iraq. They are defenseless. It's wrong. They are dying at least ten times faster than USA troops and our troops are dying at 3 per day. We need to leave Iraq.
That said:
I listened to a talk by Joe Biden yesterday. He has clear understandings as to how counter measures to the insurgency could be placed but the longer I listened to his very truthful observations it became very clear the 'insurgency,' if you will, has stubbornly taken over Iraq after a short window of opportunity following the initial invasion. The 'Green Zone' is protected by redundant cement barriers and travel in and out of the Green Zone is by helicopters traveling at 150 miles per hour and cars that speed along the streets at no less than 40 mph. It was completely clear 'visiting' Iraq by USA Legislators to come to understand the efforts there, is nothing less than an act of bravery and no one can say Joe Biden has not been completely dedicated to his purpose on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I also found a deep appreciation to the USA military that cares for these statesmen/women as they travel to evaluate a situation the military lives with daily.
Senator Biden outlined four steps of improvement in the way the efforts in Iraq can be and should be implemented but the only one that made sense to me was the third option which was to arm the Kurds and Shi'ites to maintain their stronghold in Iraq. He stated although there is movement to include the Sunnis in the political process the majority of Sunnis are still oppositional to the current government. He also stated major political 'timelines' in Iraq have been met, but, certainly the 'conditions' including a 40% unemployment rate of the people of that country have fallen far short of most goals. The average Iraqi receives about 8 hours of electricity in a country with searing heat of 120 degrees F for the third summer of occupation. There is, besides the unemployment, massive problems with sewage and unhealthy standards of living.
Senator Biden flew over some areas of Iraq which brings a sense of improvement in places but although he maintains an optimistic view he stated Iraq required USA troops for at least another year.
I believe Senator Biden is no different than any other legislator, including Iraqi legislators, in that Iraq is currently the best game in town and the place where any foreign influence of jihadists can best be confronted. That is a judgement about a well organized 'insurgency' that is more a rebellion and while Senator Biden may have a better plan to change the way things are done to 'speed' processes with the Iraqi people to quell the resistance to their new government, the 'inviting' nature of fighting USA troops only compounds the problem for the Iraqis and having our troops there is a bittersweet reality that needs to come to an end.
It is the Iraqi people that are most suffering and it is they that should receive the greatest support in the way they need it which is not going to be accomplished by the control of the USA in doling out funds and munitions to protect themselves and improve their situation. The monies the people of this country have gone dearly in debt for has not been used for improvements for Iraqis but 40% has currently been used up in defense measures. That is 40% those people will never see in the way of assistance to improving their society and the percentage is only destined to grow from here.
It is wrong to watch the number of dead citizens of that country grow without arming them to protect themselves. I don't know why the only means of protection to the average citizens, namely their militias, have not been brought on board as allies while arming them to protect their cities and citizens long before now. The militias are more than willing to conduct themselves as a protection to their ethnicities and have already demonstrated their skills. With little emphasis on training, these militias could be a foreboding force in defense of neighborhoods and cities. The danger to USA forces in doing so would be a stronger resistance to USA inspection of homes and hamlet. But the purpose of the militias would then preclude the presence of USA forces and as long as the militias are able to care for the lives of their citizens what necessity would there be for inspecting with cooperation of understanding to prevent human rights violations. The human rights issues have not manifested in Kurdish and Shi'ite communities up to now realizing standards for women are different from the West. But, in examining past exposes' as seen in journals such as National Geographic there is an acceptable standard of living that will improve when monies are used for improvements of living standards rather than security.
The longer we are in Iraq the greater the temptation to escalate our presence there which will only exacerbate the situation with the citizens of that country as well. The 'insurgency' will increase and while the 'strategy' for a counter insurgency is to 'seal' the borders of Iraq that requires the cooperation of neighboring countries including loyalists like Jordan and that to date has been impossible. In realizing the USA has porous borders one can only realize the impossible nature of closing the borders of Iraq. While the current administration has 'high ideals' for Iraq the practical application to that country is not realistic.
To keep a realistic view of Iraq through these days of political propaganda as handed out by Cheney minimally, one has to keep intact a mental image of Iraq in the color of 'red zone' while the ONLY 'green zone' is in Baghdad maintained minimally by redundant cement barriers. We need to leave Iraq and we need to do that soon to avoid further escalation of the insurgency that very successfully kills the citizens of Iraq. The three functional battalions of Iraqi miiltary need to be deployed to Green Zone priorities. The Bush Administration has failed miserably by the very fact 40% of rebuilding funds have been used for security and cannot be trusted to oversee any more civil funding. The monies scheduled to become improvments in Iraq are going to Bush crony military contractors rather than the improvements to the well being of the people of Iraq. The entire emphasis of this administration is completely fool-hearty and the people of Iraq are dropping like flies because of it. Their militias need to be armed to protect them. This is far to hideous already. Is there anyone with realistic estimates of the civilian dead?
Iraq will never be the happy little country Americans are hoping for unless the entire Middle East has achieved that goal. We are at least a decade in the offing to any of that. The invasion into Iraq was completely foolish and what was more foolish was the open season on munitions in the largest munitions dump in the Middle East. What was Rumsfeld ever thinking and consenting to other than the complete stupidity on the part of Bush and Blair. Both are ambitious and blind fools with 'intelligence' that served 'the plan' rather than 'the truth.' They have completely placed the world at risk.
Bombing Attacks on Iraqi Forces Kill 38 in North
By
Published: June 27, 2005
MOSUL, Iraq, June 26 - Four suicide bomb attacks struck Iraqi police and an Iraqi Army base in a 16-hour wave of insurgent violence in the northern city of Mosul on Saturday and Sunday, killing 38 people and wounding scores more. One American commander said the violence continued a trend in the past few weeks of insurgent attacks intensely focused on Iraqi security forces.
… But the attacks over the weekend - on a traffic checkpoint, a police headquarters, a hospital security gate and the principal Iraqi Army base in the north, Al Kasik - demonstrated how susceptible the Iraqi forces remain to suicide strikes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/international/middleeast/27iraq.html?hp&ex=1119931200&en=88663ec18e294771&ei=5094&partner=homepage
This is still another hideous situation as Bush completely disregards the safety of the public to pursue Ideologue views of the world. Where do these idiots stop there unreasonable demands of this country. I tell you what why don't we just move the entire population of the USA 100 miles in from the oceans as Bush has no regard for Global Warming and then clear out the West of any life so this administration has a playground to practice and fail at their nuclear aspirations and congregate everyone in cities where they belong so that when MDS finally works we can actually protect a larger number of Americans than if they are strewn all over the country.
U.S. Has Plans to Again Make Own Plutonium
By WILLIAM J. BROAD
Published: June 27, 2005
The Bush administration is planning the government's first production of plutonium 238 since the cold war, stirring debate over the risks and benefits of the deadly material. The substance, valued as a power source, is so radioactive that a speck can cause cancer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/politics/27nuke.html?hp&ex=1119931200&en=c7773ecb46469c9c&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Heat and Wind Fan Wildfires Across Utah
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 27, 2005
Filed at 12:59 a.m. ET
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- Firefighters battled in hot, dry and windy weather Sunday to contain wildfires that have prompted evacuations, closed a major highway and covered much of southwest Utah with a dark, smoky haze.
Officials said the blaze about 20 miles north of St. George grew from 2,000 acres to 8,000 acres in less than 12 hours, and by late Sunday was within five miles of New Harmony.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Western-Wildfires.html?
Well, here is a novel idea. George Walker Bush living on 'jazz' and governing on a 'whim.'
Some in G.O.P. Call on Bush to Focus on Governing
By RICHARD W. STEVENSON
Published: June 27, 2005
WASHINGTON, June 26 - President Bush and his hard-charging political team, which seemed to make all the right moves in winning re-election last year, have stumbled when it comes to governing in a second term, many Republicans say, leaving the White House scrambling to get back on track.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/politics/27bush.html
This administration chronically breaks the law and the Congress chronically looks the other way as they are as corrupt as the administration itself. It's tough to stay clean in a cesspool.
Two Groups Charge Abuse of Witness Law
By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: June 27, 2005
WASHINGTON, June 26 - Two leading civil rights groups charge in a new study that the Bush administration has twisted the American system of due process "beyond recognition" in jailing at least 70 terror suspects as "material witnesses" since the Sept. 11 attacks, and the groups are calling on Congress to impose tougher safeguards.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/politics/27witness.html
Endangered Species Act Faces Broad New Challenges
By FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: June 26, 2005
WASHINGTON, June 22 - More than three decades after the Endangered Species Act gave the federal government tools and a mandate to protect animals, insects and plants threatened with extinction, the landmark law is facing the most intense efforts ever by the White House, Congress, landowners and industry to limit its reach.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/26/politics/26species.html
The Guardian
We won't give up nuclear effort, says Iranian leader
Surprise poll winner confounds west
Robert Tait in Tehran, Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger in Washington
Monday June 27, 2005
The Guardian
Iran's new hardline president-elect, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, yesterday threw down a challenge to western leaders by vowing to resist international pressure to abandon the country's nuclear programme and branding Israel the source of instability in the Middle East.
The remarks, made at his first press conference since a landslide victory, will underline concerns in America, Israel, Britain and other European countries, where wrongfooted diplomats have been scrambling to come to terms with the consequences of his win.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,12858,1515458,00.html
Overweight who diet risk dying earlier, says study
Ian Sample, science correspondent
Monday June 27, 2005
The Guardian
Overweight people who diet to reach a healthier weight are more likely to die young than those who remain fat, according to a study.
The finding needs to be backed up by further research before sweeping changes are made to public health strategies, the authors warn, but it highlights how poorly the long-term health effects of dieting are understood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,11381,1515455,00.html
Iraq insurgency could last a decade, admits Rumsfeld
Julian Borger in Washington
Monday June 27, 2005
The Guardian
The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, yesterday warned that the insurgency in Iraq could go on for at least a decade and confirmed that the army had been in contact with some of its leaders in an attempt to quell the violence.
He spoke after insurgents launched coordinated suicide bomb attacks which killed at least 33 people and wounded dozens more in the northern city of Mosul.
Mr Rumsfeld said that Iraqis, not US troops, would eventually bring an end to attacks that have killed thousands of civilians and 1,730 American soldiers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1515527,00.html
The tipping point
US public opinion on the Iraq war dips with every dead soldier, and plummets at the first sniff of defeat
… For the White House Iraq has become the latest faith-based initiative.
A recent Gallup poll revealed that 56% said the war "wasn't worth it". Meanwhile, for the first time, a majority say they would be "upset" if Bush sent more troops, and a new low of 36% say troop levels should be maintained or increased. An earlier Washington Post poll showed that two-thirds of the public believe the US military is bogged down in Iraq while almost three- quarters think the level of casualties is unacceptable. The figures match or exceed the previous high-water mark of public disenchantment. More than half believe the war has not made them safer and 40% believe it has striking similarities to the experience in Vietnam.
Anti-war sentiment had always been part of mainstream national conversation here. But with the Democratic party and its presidential candidate having supported the war, such views remained marginal in the body politic.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1515377,00.html
Divorce mediation scheme flops
Only 23 couples take part in pilot plan to help separated parents resolve child contact disputes
Clare Dyer, legal editor
Monday June 27, 2005
The Guardian
Plans to introduce a child-friendly way of dealing with battles between separated parents have been derailed after a pilot procedure was completed by just 23 couples in nine months.
The figure is far below the 1,000 that ministers expected would use the system, which is set to be expanded in legislation before parliament. Three family courts in London, Brighton and Sunderland were chosen to try out a one-year project due to end in September, which could have become the norm in England and Wales for resolving child contact disputes after parents split up.
http://society.guardian.co.uk/children/story/0,1074,1515464,00.html
The Jerusalem Post
Radical Palestinian groups plan to move offices to Gaza
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
RAMALLAH
Leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian radical groups in Lebanon and Syria are planning to move to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuates the area, Palestinian sources confirmed on Sunday.
The sources said Palestinian Authority officials have been urging Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who spends most of his time in Damascus, to consider moving his office to the Gaza Strip after the completion of the Israeli withdrawal.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119752425131
US helicopter crashes north of Baghdad
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
MISHADA, Iraq
A US helicopter crashed in a field north of Baghdad on Monday morning, witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119838846385&p=1078397702269
Haifa Court sentences 'stairwell rapist' to 30 yrs
By JPOST.COM STAFF
The Haifa District Court sentenced Igor Antipaka, the alleged "stairwell rapist," to thirty years in prison on three counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault and indecent acts.
The trial's three judges, headed by Haifa District Court President Micha Lindenstrauss, wrote in the verdict that they had no compassion for the accused - a violent man "who let himself be ruled by his basest impulses," Army Radio quoted.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119838846284&p=1078397702269
US forces hold exercises with Algeria
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
ALGIERS, Algeria
US naval forces opened two days of maritime exercises with Algeria on Sunday that were aimed at improving cooperation at sea in the fight against terrorism.
US vessels based in the United States and Morocco were among those taking part in the exercises, codenamed "Barbary Thunder," according to a statement made by the US Embassy in Algiers.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119752424579&p=1078397702269
US troops take control of Taliban stronghold
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
KHAKERAN VALLEY, Afghanistan
Skimming low over the desert in helicopters with guns at the ready, American troops advanced into the Khakeran Valley in southern Afghanistan on Sunday, three months after Taliban rebels attacked police and forced them to flee.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119752423250&p=1078397702269
Iran president-elect vows to pursue nuke program
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Iran's President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Sunday to pursue a peaceful nuclear program and said Iran doesn't need America to make progress.
"Iran's peaceful technology is the outcome of the scientific achievements of Iran's youth. We need the peaceful nuclear technology for energy, medical and agricultural purposes and our scientific progress. We will continue this," the ultraconservative Ahmadinejad told a press conference two days after being elected president.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1119752422793&p=1078397702269
Haaretz
Court orders J'lem municipality to drop ban on gay pride parade
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent
The Jerusalem District Court ordered the Jerusalem municipality on Sunday to drop its ban on the fourth annual gay pride parade in the city, accepting a petition by Open House, Jerusalem's gay and lesbian community center.
Judge Moussia Arad, who is vice president of the court for administrative affairs, also ordered the municipality and Mayor Uri Lupolianski to pay court costs of NIS 30,000 each.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/592439.html
A blossoming achievement
By Zafrir Rinat
After several weeks of tense anticipation, the staff of the Hebrew University Botanical Gardens on the Mt. Scopus campus celebrated an impressive achievement, which is likely to help preserve a rare natural wonder. In the Mediterranean section of the gardens, the wandering bellflower (campanula peregrina, in Hebrew pa'amonit hadura) has flowered for the first time. The plant is in danger of extinction, and is found in only one place in Israel: Nahal Kziv in the Upper Galilee.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/592459.html
The USA is in dire straights when it is using these issues as leverage to KEEP UP with China. It tells me more about the military technology of the USA than it tells me anything about China. China could be bluffing as to it's prowess and it has Russia as an ally. But, this move by the USA tells me plenty about Bush's ability to lead into tomorrow. Iraq has destroyed the forward impulsion of the USA in it's ability to surpass other countries in national defense. It's a darn shame. Every dime goes to Iraq for control and all Rumsfeld can do is think nukes. The USA is on a slippery slope of self destruction and this is proof.
The China syndrome
By Haaretz Editorial
Ever since the middle of the past decade, China, as a power, has become the biggest threat to America's universal supremacy. The wooing of the days of Nixon and Kissinger, and Mao and Chou, in the face of the common enemy, the Soviets, has faded, and turned into tense competition. Contributions to the election campaign of former president Bill Clinton drew an all-out attack by the Republicans on the Democrats. American defense and space corporations were sanctioned for the sale of banned equipment and know-how to the Chinese. Beijing's openly declared intentions - to prevent Taiwanese independence and extend its circle of influence some 1,000 kilometers beyond the borders of China - worried the Bush administration, whose first crisis, prior to September 11, 2001, involved a collision between a Chinese fighter jet and a U.S. spy plane.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/592485.html
But what does Israel get out of it? Stab in the back politics with the Palestinians? I think Israel is better off with China as an ally.
Israel, U.S. draft agreement for openness, equality in arms deals
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent
The agreement regulating the reporting of weapons sales that Israel will have to sign with the United States will be worded in an equable manner, sources familiar with the draft have reported.
The memorandum, which is to put an end an export crisis with the U.S., will state that the U.S. and Israel are "strategic partners" and that each country will be considerate of the other's concerns about military technology being transferred to other countries. The countries "arousing concern" will be specified separately.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/592507.html
Longings for Arafat
By Danny Rubinstein
When looking today at what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the following question could come to mind: Should we begin longing for Yasser Arafat? The number of terror attacks has indeed dropped since his death, but the Israeli defense establishment is taking the credit for this, and not giving any to the Palestinians. Israeli intelligence has improved, they've built fences and walls, and thousands have been arrested. Nevertheless, recent weeks have seen an increase in attacks, despite the good intentions of the new chairman, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). On this backdrop there are many Israelis who would say: What do we care about good intentions? Abu Mazen wants to eradicate terror - but can't. Whereas Arafat could have, but didn't want to. The outcome with both is the same: There's terror. So what difference does it make?
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/592483.html
Israel
Israel's Labor Party postpones primaries
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 26 (UPI) -- Israel's Labor Party has postponed its elections without setting a new date following signs that its voters' list has been inflated.
Census takers apparently registered people without obtaining their permission. Some people reportedly belonged to another party, and names of sick and dead people also appeared.
Party Secretary General Eitan Cabel's suggested at Labor's convention Sunday that primary elections for the party's leadership be postponed indefinitely. Delegates approved the proposal by a majority of 60 percent against 40.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20050626-16441900-bc-israel-labor.xml
ISRAEL GAY MARCH GETS GO AHEAD
27.6.2005. 10:27:02
A court in Jerusalem has given the go ahead for the city’s annual Gay Pride march to take place this week.
The court ruled that the municipal council "did not have the right to discriminate against a section of the population because of sexual orientation."
The court also ordered the municipality to pay legal costs of more than $7,800.
Israeli Interior Minister, Ofir Pines, had ordered the municipal council to allow the fourth Gay Pride march to take place in Jerusalem on Thursday.
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=114485®ion=6
Israel scraps arms deal with China
Conal Urquhart in Tel Aviv
Monday June 27, 2005
The Guardian
Israel has cancelled a major arms deal with China after US allegations that it misled Washington on the export of shared technology, it was reported yesterday.
The US imposed a series of tough trade sanctions on Israel in protest at its deal to upgrade Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.
American defence officials said Israel had claimed it was maintaining the drones when in fact it was upgrading them using technology the US did not want to fall into Chinese hands.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1515478,00.html
BBC
Pakistan hears rape case appeal
Police take Mukhtar Mai (r) to Islamabad
Pakistan's Supreme Court has begun hearing appeals in a notorious gang rape case that has been the centre of worldwide attention.
A village council in Punjab allegedly ordered the rape of Mukhtar Mai in 2002 because her younger brother was seen with a woman from another tribe.
The case became mired in controversy after a lower court in March overturned the convictions of five men.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4624799.stm
Israel to rule on Hurndall death
By James Reynolds
BBC News, Jerusalem
Tom Hurndall died nine months after falling into a coma
An Israeli military court is due to give its verdict in the case of a soldier accused of the manslaughter of a British student.
Tom Hurndall, 22, was shot while he was working as a photographer and activist in the Gaza Strip in April, 2003.
Mr Hurndall, from north London, was shot in the Palestinian town of Rafah.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4625355.stm
Nationwide strike in South Africa
Unions have called strikes over privatisation in recent years
Many South Africans appear to be staying away from work in a nationwide strike over unemployment, but the overall response appears patchy.
Transport operators say the number of commuters is down by almost half with traffic lighter than usual.
Most mineworkers at AngloGold Ashanti, have stayed away from work. However, another mining group, Goldfield, said most of its employees were working.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4625135.stm
Oil is on it's way to $100.00.
Oil prices surge to record level
Consumers still fill up despite a 60% oil price jump in the past year
Oil prices have continued to climb on Monday, surging to a record on concerns that demand will outstrip supply.
US sweet light crude was trading 67 cents higher at $60.51, after earlier hitting $60.64. Brent, the other main contract rose 71 cents to $59.07.
Analysts said that prices are likely to sit close to the $60 mark for some time as demand shows little sign of abating.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4625383.stm
US envoy to discuss Nepal crisis
By Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu
The king assumed direct control in February
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Donald Camp, is in Nepal on a two-day visit to discuss the political crisis in the country.
He is due to meet senior officials of the royalist government and top opposition leaders.
Mr Camp is the second senior US official to visit Nepal in less than two months.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4625401.stm
Thousands stranded in flood alert
Thousands of people have been left stranded after the level of the Sutlej river rose in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday.
Officials say the waters of the river, which originates in the Himalayas, have started receding but a flood warning remains in place.
Nine bridges have been washed away and damage to property is estimated at more than one billion rupees ($23m).
In 2000 floods on the Sutlej killed about 150 people in the state.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4625657.stm
The New Zealand Herald
Silent deaths in rural Zimbabwe
A Zimbabwe child climbs in the rubble of what used to be the family home in Nguboyenja surburb of Bulawayo. Picture / Reuters
27.06.05 4.00pm
By Daniel Howden
MATABELELAND - As a United Nations envoy begins a tour of Zimbabwe today, The Independent has revealed a deadly nexus of Aids, starvation and depopulation of the cities that is sending tens of thousands to a silent death in rural areas.
One month into President Robert Mugabe's brutal campaign of demolition and displacement, which has cost at least 400,000 people their homes and livelihoods, the scale of the humanitarian disaster is emerging.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332943
Tsunami report gives details of Aceh devastation
An Indian boy, who survived last year's tsunami, looks out to the sea from atop a wooden catamaran in the southern Indian town of Cuddalore. Picture / Reuters
27.06.05 1.00pm
By Kathy Marks
BANDA ACEH - The tsunami that raged across the Indian Ocean six months ago levelled populated areas totalling more than 200 square miles in Indonesia, the country worst affected, according to a just released official report.
The report, compiled by agencies including the International Organisation of Migration, contains the first detailed assessment of the impact on Aceh province.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332921
Fear still rules in tsunami zone
27.06.05
By Simon Collins
Six months after the Boxing Day tsunami, thousands of people on islands off the coast of Sumatra refuse to return to their homes because of fears of another disaster.
New Zealand aid worker Simon Williamson said from the Sumatran city of Padang that tremors were still being felt regularly and experts predicted another big earthquake and possible tsunami.
"The islanders are living up on the hills in tents, so we have a displaced and nervous population," he said.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332787
Greg Ansley: Relief workers in the firing line
27.06.05
Some hostage stories have happy endings. This month 32-year-old Italian aid worker Clementina Cantoni was released by kidnappers in Afghanistan 24 days after she was snatched by four gunmen in Kabul.
In Australia last week, 63-year-old engineer Douglas Wood, who was working on reconstruction contracts in Iraq, flew into Melbourne to be reunited with his family after six harrowing weeks as a hostage in Baghdad.
But life is becoming increasingly dangerous for the doctors, nurses, engineers and others who work to bring hope and relief to the millions suffering from war and disaster.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332801
West braced for harder stance from Iran
Iran's President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Picture / Reuters
27.06.05
TEHRAN - President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election victory completes a conservative grip on Iran's main levers of power that will likely lead to greater tension with the West and a more isolationist economic policy.
But a tougher Iranian stance on its controversial nuclear programme and other issues will emerge only slowly through Iran's system of clerical rule that gives supreme leader Ali Ayatollah Khamenei the final say in state affairs, analysts say.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332834
Lawyer quits after Corby spat
27.06.05
SYDNEY - Schapelle Corby's former Australian lawyer has accused her family of profiteering from her drug smuggling conviction.
Gold Coast-based lawyer Robin Tampoe quit Corby's camp on Saturday after falling out with her mother Rosleigh Rose.
He told the Nine Network that Rose had accused him of trying to profit by gaining a profile out of her daughter's case.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10332828
concluding . . .
