Breffni O'Rourke

April 20, 2004

World: NASA Set To Launch Probe To Test Einstein's Famous Theory

The U.S. space agency NASA is set today to launch (19:00 Prague time) a space probe designed to test Albert Einstein's theories of relativity. According to one aspect of the famous theories, large objects such as planets, stars, and black holes distort time and space as they spin. Scientists say that if Einstein is correct, NASA's Gravity Probe B should be able to detect that a small bit of time and space are actually missing from the orbit of such large objects in space.

April 19, 2004

Spain/Iraq: Will Madrid's Decision To Withdraw Troops Weaken Multilateral Resolve?

The new Spanish prime minister The new Spanish government has ordered Spain's 1,300 troops in Iraq be brought home as soon as possible. The United States says it expects other countries with forces in Iraq to reassess their positions following the Spanish announcement. Washington also says it will continue close cooperation with Spain in the war against terrorism.

April 09, 2004

Turkey: EU Entry Appears As Far Away As Ever

No Turkish flag yet. Turkey has been an applicant to join the European Union for almost as long as the bloc has been in existence. But despite what EU officials call "courageous" efforts at reform, there is always more to do. And now there are new complicating factors in Ankara's path.

April 07, 2004

World: Freedom House Report Highlights Countries With Democratic Deficits

The U.S.-based pro-democracy organization Freedom House has issued a report that examines the problems and hurdles facing democratic development in 30 countries. The report concludes that Uzbekistan is one of the most repressive countries in the world. It also says democratic efforts in Kyrgyzstan have stalled, as they have in Armenia and Ukraine. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are described as having authoritarian systems.

April 06, 2004

Spain: Rapid Progress Under Way In Madrid Bombing Arrests

Spain appears to be making rapid progress in its efforts to capture the terrorists responsible for the Madrid bombings. Sixteen suspects are now in custody, and another five -- including the suspected ringleaders -- appear to have committed suicide rather than submit to arrest. Spanish authorities say they believe the core of that particular group is now shattered. But how can they be sure that more terrorists are not awaiting their moment to make fresh attacks?

April 01, 2004

EU: Europe Wavers As Time For Action On Kyoto Pollution Cuts Approaches

The Kyoto Protocol on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has been on ever-shakier ground since it became clear that Russia might not sign it. Now, some Western European leaders are expressing reservations about implementing the Kyoto targets because they could affect Europe's economic competitiveness. Meanwhile, the world's pollution problems are only becoming more urgent.

March 30, 2004

EU: Prodi Threat Of Troop Pullout Another Crack In Iraq Coalition

Prodi with Russian President Vladimir Putin The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq appears to be facing another blow to its solidarity. It has been only a few weeks since the new government in Madrid announced it will withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq unless the United Nations takes over there. Now the president of the European Union's executive commission, Romano Prodi, says that Italy will do the same if the Italian left wins the country's next election. Prodi is leaving his EU job later this year to lead the leftist coalition in Rome.

March 29, 2004

Middle East: Egypt Seeks To Rescue Canceled Arab League Summit

Egypt has offered to host the Arab League summit meeting that was to have been held today and tomorrow in Tunis. In a surprise last-minute announcement, Tunisia said it was postponing the summit indefinitely because a preparatory ministerial meeting could not agree on an agenda. RFE/RL correspondent Breffni O'Rourke reports on the latest developments.

March 25, 2004

EU: Microsoft To Appeal Huge Fine

Microsoft, the world's biggest computer software maker, says it will appeal against a fine of over $600 million imposed on it by the European Union for breaking competition rules. Microsoft has spent years battling market regulators in the United States and Europe concerned about its business methods. Reacting to the latest judgment, the company says it could even negatively affect trans-Atlantic relations.

March 24, 2004

Middle East: Policy Of 'Targeted Assassinations' Raises Difficult Questions In Age Of Terrorism

Despite international condemnation, Israel says it intends to continue its policy of assassinating the leaders of the militant Islamic organization Hamas. The announcement follows the killing this week of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Can a country eliminate its opponents by the bullet, where no formal state of war exists? Has the "war on terrorism" uniquely changed the ground rules?

March 22, 2004

Middle East: Could Assassination Of Hamas Spiritual Leader Foment Extremist Acts Outside The Region?

Israel's assassination today of the spiritual leader of the Hamas militant Islamic organization, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, has sent shockwaves through the international community. Yassin was influential and admired in the entire Islamic world, and Palestinians have already vowed revenge for his death. Could the Yassin affair have repercussions beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

March 19, 2004

Spain: Proximity To Maghreb Region Brings Risks, Opportunities

Spain has traditionally had strong relations with the Arab countries of North Africa. These ties will be tested in the wake of the bloody Madrid terror bombings, in which Moroccans and also an Algerian are suspects. But with the European Union seeking to improve its counterterrorism efforts, perhaps Spain's links to the Maghreb region can be of special significance.

March 17, 2004

World: Events In Spain Highlight Differing Trans-Atlantic Views Of War On Terror

U.S. President George W. Bush has urged America's allies to stick together in the war against terrorism following the bloody terrorist attacks in Madrid. But the aftermath of the attacks, in which more than 200 people died, in fact illustrates key differences in the way Americans and Europeans view the war on terror.

March 16, 2004

EU: States Seek Clear Line On Antiterrorist Measures In Wake Of Madrid Bombings

The European Union is moving to coordinate its counterterrorism efforts in the wake of the bloody terrorist bombings in Madrid. A series of high-level meetings have been called for the next few days. But the bulky structure of the EU as usual makes progress slow, and there is a strong sense of vulnerability in Europe following the devastating attacks on commuter trains in Madrid on 11 March.

March 11, 2004

Kazakhstan: Abikaev Is Suddenly The Number-Two Man

Yesterday, Kazakhstan's former National Security Committee chief was appointed to the Senate, then immediately elected speaker of the upper house of parliament. That makes Nurtay Abikaev the number-two man in the country, the person who would take over should the president be unable to fulfill his duties for some reason.

March 10, 2004

EU: Where Sunshine Is Abundant, Solar Power Is Often Too Expensive

Renewable energy sources like solar power and wind power are continuing to gain in popularity around the world. The European Union, for instance, wants its member states to use such methods to generate an overall 12 percent of their energy requirements by 2012. Paradoxically, however, it is in the cold countries of the Northern Hemisphere where solar power is most favored. In the lands of burning desert sun, like the Middle East, solar power is relegated to a niche market. Will this ever change while oil remains in plentiful supply?

March 10, 2004

Iraq: Palestinian Militant Abu Abbas Dies In U.S. Custody

The United States says Palestinian militant Abu Abbas, who planned the hijacking of the Italian cruise liner "Achille Lauro" in 1985, has died in U.S. custody in Iraq. A spokesman said Abbas died on 8 March, apparently of natural causes. Abbas, whose real name was Muhammad Abbas, had been held by the U.S. military since his arrest in Iraq last April.

March 08, 2004

Greece: Conservatives Sweep Into Power

Greece's conservative New Democracy Party, led by Costas Karamanlis, won power in yesterday's general election, ending more than a decade of rule by the socialists. Karamanlis is promising to modernize the economy and to carry through the massively expensive Olympic games to take place in Athens this summer.

March 04, 2004

Greece: 'Unprecedented' Security Measures Planned For Summer Olympics

The countdown is beginning to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The games will be the largest such event held in what one could call the new era of global terrorism. And with hundreds of thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators packing the Greek capital, security will be a nightmare. Can the spirit of sport survive such anxieties? Or will the Olympic flame burn less brightly as a result?

March 03, 2004

EU: Migration Group Dismisses Fears Union Will Be Swamped By The East

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is dismissing fears of a massive wave of migration into European Union countries from Eastern Europe when 10 new states join the union on 1 May. In a study just released, the Geneva-based IOM forecasts temporary migration from some areas, but at what it calls reasonable levels.