2008 Woodie Awards
International Updates
Jonathan Stone
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Former Prime Minister Speaks on Bombing
According to CNN.com, Jose Maria Aznar, Spain's former Prime Minister, backed Spain's government for how they handled the aftermath of the Madrid train bombing.
Before he showed his support for the government, he first criticized them, saying that they were quick to place blame on ETA, a Basque terrorist group. He made the statement in order to stop people from criticizing him. Aznar said, "I have been accused of being eager to blame the massacre on the terrorist gang ETA. If this were the case, one must admit that others beat me to it."
He continued by acknowledging the 191 people who died in the attack, and how fast and effective Spain's forces were to respond immediately after the attack.
Aznar was asked by center-left parties to assert that the Popular Party, in which he belongs to, misjudged the threat of terrorism in Spain, and that the Popular Party continued to inaccurately lead Spaniards to believe that ETA was responsible for the attacks once new evidence arose that showed Islamic ties to the bombing.
Aznar says, "A search has been underway for the smoking gun of the alleged lie of the government I presided over. After months of investigation, after many hours of testimony, that evidence has not appeared. We told the truth about what we knew." (CNN.com)
Jordan's Prince Stripped of His Title and Power
According to CNN.com, Jordan's King Abdullah II has decided to strip his younger brother, Prince Hamzah, of his title.
Apparently, the King wanted Prince Hamzah to step down in order to garner full control of the power his father left him. Hamzah followed his brother's order out of honor and respect for his family and father. He says, "I obey the command of my elder brother out of my loyalty, love and obedience." He continued by saying that he supports his brother by being a "faithful soldier and devoted supporter".
The King told his brother, who is now an American college student, that he was being striped of his power in a televised speech. In the speech, Abdullah said that he is released "from the constraints of the position of crown prince in order to give you the freedom to work and undertake any mission or responsibility I entrust you with."
Abdullah delivered the speech on Sunday, November 28, and he has not yet revealed who Hamzah's replacement will be. The most likely replacement would be Faisel, who is given the responsibility of regent when the king is traveling. He is currently a major general in the army and is the chief of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. (CNN.com)
Iran's Nuclear Program Put on Hold
According to CNN.com, Iran's uranium-enrichment program will be on hold until the country reaches an agreement with Europe. According to an Iranian negotiator, Iran's intentions are peaceful, and negations could last only a couple of months.
Iranian Hassan Rohani said, "We decided to do this voluntarily to create trust. The period of suspension is only for the purpose of carrying out talks with Europe. This period of time should be logical and should not go on forever."
On Monday, November 29, The International Atomic Energy Agency, part of the United Nations, revealed their decision to watch over Iran while they have their nuclear program on hold.
The IAEA is not confidant that Iran will keep the program suspended while negotiations are taking place. Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the IAEA, said, "I believe it's an important milestone in the long and difficult road to establish the nature of Iran's nuclear program. We'll continue with full vigor our verification of it."
United States President George Bush says that this is a step in the right direction, "and it's very important for whatever they do to make sure that the world is able to verify the decision they have made."
On Sunday, November 28, Iran made a move that quieted some of their doubters. They withdrew their demand to use 20 centrifuges, which could have been utilized to enrich uranium. (CNN.com)
Response to AIDS in China and India
According to CNN.com, China and India, the two highest populated nations in the world, have decided to start taking action against AIDS. The disease was at first ignored in the Western world because the disease was found mostly in prostitutes, drug addicts, and homosexuals.
On Wednesday, December 1, China held a World AIDS Day to promote fighting the disease. China had a sluggish reaction to HIV/AIDS when the disease first became a problem, and now the United Nations thinks that up to 10 million Chinese could be infected by 2010.
Sex workers spreading awareness marked AIDS Day in India. The workers, who were given the day off, tied ribbons to police officers in the city of Ahmedabad.
Antonia Costa, the U.N.'s Office on Drugs and Crime's executive director said, "The world can no longer afford to ignore the enormity of the HIV epidemic. The time has come to strike back at a killer that is transmitted by drug use and sex, as well as by ignorance and denial."
On AIDS Day, activists and governments both put a great deal of effort toward promoting awareness of the disease. Khalid Malik, the U.N.'s resident coordinator for China, expressed his concern over the message reaching the people. He said, "It is a society where there is still a lot of stigma, a lot of uneasiness about talking about sexual matters. These are large societal issues to confront." (CNN.com)
According to CNN.com, Jose Maria Aznar, Spain's former Prime Minister, backed Spain's government for how they handled the aftermath of the Madrid train bombing.
Before he showed his support for the government, he first criticized them, saying that they were quick to place blame on ETA, a Basque terrorist group. He made the statement in order to stop people from criticizing him. Aznar said, "I have been accused of being eager to blame the massacre on the terrorist gang ETA. If this were the case, one must admit that others beat me to it."
He continued by acknowledging the 191 people who died in the attack, and how fast and effective Spain's forces were to respond immediately after the attack.
Aznar was asked by center-left parties to assert that the Popular Party, in which he belongs to, misjudged the threat of terrorism in Spain, and that the Popular Party continued to inaccurately lead Spaniards to believe that ETA was responsible for the attacks once new evidence arose that showed Islamic ties to the bombing.
Aznar says, "A search has been underway for the smoking gun of the alleged lie of the government I presided over. After months of investigation, after many hours of testimony, that evidence has not appeared. We told the truth about what we knew." (CNN.com)
Jordan's Prince Stripped of His Title and Power
According to CNN.com, Jordan's King Abdullah II has decided to strip his younger brother, Prince Hamzah, of his title.
Apparently, the King wanted Prince Hamzah to step down in order to garner full control of the power his father left him. Hamzah followed his brother's order out of honor and respect for his family and father. He says, "I obey the command of my elder brother out of my loyalty, love and obedience." He continued by saying that he supports his brother by being a "faithful soldier and devoted supporter".
The King told his brother, who is now an American college student, that he was being striped of his power in a televised speech. In the speech, Abdullah said that he is released "from the constraints of the position of crown prince in order to give you the freedom to work and undertake any mission or responsibility I entrust you with."
Abdullah delivered the speech on Sunday, November 28, and he has not yet revealed who Hamzah's replacement will be. The most likely replacement would be Faisel, who is given the responsibility of regent when the king is traveling. He is currently a major general in the army and is the chief of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. (CNN.com)
Iran's Nuclear Program Put on Hold
According to CNN.com, Iran's uranium-enrichment program will be on hold until the country reaches an agreement with Europe. According to an Iranian negotiator, Iran's intentions are peaceful, and negations could last only a couple of months.
Iranian Hassan Rohani said, "We decided to do this voluntarily to create trust. The period of suspension is only for the purpose of carrying out talks with Europe. This period of time should be logical and should not go on forever."
On Monday, November 29, The International Atomic Energy Agency, part of the United Nations, revealed their decision to watch over Iran while they have their nuclear program on hold.
The IAEA is not confidant that Iran will keep the program suspended while negotiations are taking place. Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the IAEA, said, "I believe it's an important milestone in the long and difficult road to establish the nature of Iran's nuclear program. We'll continue with full vigor our verification of it."
United States President George Bush says that this is a step in the right direction, "and it's very important for whatever they do to make sure that the world is able to verify the decision they have made."
On Sunday, November 28, Iran made a move that quieted some of their doubters. They withdrew their demand to use 20 centrifuges, which could have been utilized to enrich uranium. (CNN.com)
Response to AIDS in China and India
According to CNN.com, China and India, the two highest populated nations in the world, have decided to start taking action against AIDS. The disease was at first ignored in the Western world because the disease was found mostly in prostitutes, drug addicts, and homosexuals.
On Wednesday, December 1, China held a World AIDS Day to promote fighting the disease. China had a sluggish reaction to HIV/AIDS when the disease first became a problem, and now the United Nations thinks that up to 10 million Chinese could be infected by 2010.
Sex workers spreading awareness marked AIDS Day in India. The workers, who were given the day off, tied ribbons to police officers in the city of Ahmedabad.
Antonia Costa, the U.N.'s Office on Drugs and Crime's executive director said, "The world can no longer afford to ignore the enormity of the HIV epidemic. The time has come to strike back at a killer that is transmitted by drug use and sex, as well as by ignorance and denial."
On AIDS Day, activists and governments both put a great deal of effort toward promoting awareness of the disease. Khalid Malik, the U.N.'s resident coordinator for China, expressed his concern over the message reaching the people. He said, "It is a society where there is still a lot of stigma, a lot of uneasiness about talking about sexual matters. These are large societal issues to confront." (CNN.com)