Khatya Chhor

July 16, 2004

Western Press Review: Anglo-American Intelligence Failures, Uzbekistan's Human Rights Record, And A Wellspring Of Trouble In Turkmenistan

Prague, 16 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics at issue in some of the major dailies today are the release of two separate reports, in the United States and Britain, documenting intelligence failures in the run-up to war in Iraq; frozen aid and human rights in Uzbekistan; and Turkmenistan's "troubled waters." We also hear from the widow of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of the Russian edition of "Forbes" magazine, who was slain last week in Moscow.

July 15, 2004

Western Press Review: Freeze On Uzbek Aid, Ukrainian Elections, And Slow Justice In The Hague

Prague, 15 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Discussion and debate in some of the world's major dailies today focuses on the U.S. decision to withhold million of dollars in aid from Uzbekistan for its dismal human rights record; the push for free and fair elections in Ukraine; The Hague's slow justice for the former Yugoslavia; elections in Afghanistan; the surprising truths behind violence in the home; and continued bloodshed in Baghdad, as U.S. and Iraqi forces struggle to temper an ongoing insurgency.

July 14, 2004

Western Press Review: Allawi Takes On Insurgents; Reforming Policy In Russia And The U.S.; Karzai And The Warlords

Prague, 14 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- In some of the world's leading dailies today, discussion focuses on Iraq's new prime minister, Iyad Allawi, and his attempts to bring stability to the country by negotiating with insurgents; a new plan for the West's Mideast diplomacy; improving Russia's image abroad and the push toward policy reform within; the murder of Paul Klebnikov, the Moscow editor of "Forbes"; and Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai's struggle with his country's powerful warlords.

July 13, 2004

Western Press Review: Influence And Independence In The Caucasus, Klebnikov's Killing, And U.S. Unilateralism

Prague, 13 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of press coverage today begins with a closer look at the standoff over Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, as Moscow and Tbilisi try to reach an understanding over the region's separatist aims. President Mikheil Saakashvili has pledged to reassert Georgian control over the province, while Moscow has traditionally backed its bid for increased autonomy. Another issue under scrutiny in the region is the 9 July slaying of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of "Forbes" magazine's Russian edition. Klebnikov was gunned down on 9 July by an unknown assailant as he left his office. His killing comes after a succession of official Kremlin crackdowns on the media, and many observers are wondering whether his death is yet another indication that the rule of law and civil society remains tenuous in today's Russia. Other topics today include the trial of former Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic and how the U.S. administration is adopting a more multilateral approach to its foreign policy.

July 12, 2004

Western Press Review: The Death Of 'Forbes' Editor Klebnikov, Israel's Security Barrier, And Serbia's New President

Prague, 12 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics at issue in the press today are two high-court rulings on the legality of Israel's security barrier; the killing of Paul Klebnikov, editor of "Forbes" magazine's Russian edition; the U.S. administration's intelligence failures in the run-up to the war in Iraq; and Serbia's new president, Boris Tadic, who many hope will lead Serbia toward economic reform and eventual EU membership.

July 09, 2004

Western Press Review: Lost Chances In Iran, Crisis In South Ossetia, And The Two Faces Of Kabul

Prague, 9 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics up for debate in some of the world's major dailies today are Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's regressive tendencies, a new chance to capture indicted war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic, the crisis in Georgia's separatist province of South Ossetia, lost diplomatic chances in Iran, and the two sides of Kabul, where the contrast between enduring poverty and the emergence of glitzy Western business ventures stands in stark relief.

July 07, 2004

Western Press Review: Kerry Picks A Running Mate, Russia's Central Asia Bid, The Origins Of Terrorism, Serbia's Pro-EU President

Prague, 7 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Much press coverage today is dominated by a discussion of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's choice of a vice-presidential running mate. Kerry announced yesterday that he has chosen Senator John Edwards, a dynamic and personable lawyer from North Carolina, to join him in his bid to win the White House from U.S. President George W. Bush this November. The trial of Saddam Hussein also remains a topic of media interest, as does Russia's response to the rise of NATO influence in Central Asia, the Arab world's efforts to encourage democratic reform, how the first Gulf War paved the way for the age of terrorism, and Serbia's new chance to join Europe, following the election of pro-reform and pro-EU Boris Tadic to the presidency.

July 06, 2004

Western Press Review: Broadcasting The Workings Of U.S. Government, And How To Start A (Peaceful) Revolution

Prague, 6 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics up for debate in the press today are Tehran's nuclear program; making the inner workings of the U.S. government more accessible to viewers in the Middle East; how a nation's natural resources can actually make it poorer; and "rules for revolutionaries" from President Mikheil Saakashvili, the architect of Georgia's "Rose Revolution" in November.

July 05, 2004

Western Press Review: Israel's Security Barrier, Russia And Kyoto, And NATO In Afghanistan

Prague, 5 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics at issue in the press today are the Israeli Supreme Court's ruling that part of the security barrier under construction violates the rights of Palestinians; Russia's decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global warming; NATO's lackluster performance in Afghanistan; and revamping U.S. policy in Iraq.

July 02, 2004

Western Press Review: Saddam On Trial, Crisis In Sudan, And NATO In Afghanistan And A Possible Expansion Further East

Prague, 2 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Media attention today largely remains focused on Iraq, where former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was charged with crimes against humanity at a court appearance yesterday. Many observers are calling for his trial to be fair and transparent to demonstrate that, despite the magnitude of the crimes the former president is charged with, equality before the law is a cornerstone in the new Iraq. Other attention today is focused on Sudan, as U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan make a high-profile visit to the region to highlight the continued killing and displacement of civilians in Darfur. The two world leaders have called on the Sudanese government to take steps to halt the violence and to ensure humanitarian aid can reach the over 1 million refugees amassed at the country's borders and in neighboring Chad. Other commentary focuses on the West's faltering commitment to Afghanistan and the possibility of expanding NATO further east to the Black Sea and South Caucasus.

July 01, 2004

Western Press Review: Hussein's Day In Court, The Search For Karadzic, And Targeted Assassinations

Prague, 1 July 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Several items in the media today focus on the upcoming trial of Iraq's former leader, Saddam Hussein, as he made his first appearance in a Baghdad court today. Touted by some as the "trial of the century," many observers note that the kind of justice Hussein receives will be indicative of Iraq's commitment to building a just civil society on the ashes of his regime. Other issues addressed today include the sacking of 60 Bosnian Serb officials for the government's failure to locate and apprehend Radovan Karadzic and other indicted war criminals; taking the time to get nation-building projects right; Russia's bid for influence among its neighbors and beyond; and whether targeted assassinations -- in Chechnya, the Gaza Strip, or Afghanistan -- undermine the chances for peace.

June 30, 2004

Western Press Review: Neglecting Afghanistan, The Legal Rights Of Detainees, And Iraqi Sovereignty

Prague, 30 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics under discussion in the media today are Western neglect in Afghanistan, the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on the rights of detainees held by the U.S. government, the war in Chechnya, the return of sovereignty to Iraq this week, and Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Portugal's prime minister and now the man picked to succeed Romano Prodi as president of the European Commission.

June 29, 2004

Western Press Review: Iraq Gains Sovereignty Ahead Of Deadline, And Serbia's New Reformist President

A review of press commentary and analysis today finds much discussion of yesterday's surprise handover of sovereignty to Iraq, two days before the scheduled transfer deadline on 30 June. While most observers welcome the transfer as a step toward returning national self-determination to Iraqi hands, many question whether yesterday's move was merely symbolic, since insecurity and violence continue to reign and access to basic services such as electricity remains sporadic. Many are asking what can be expected to change as the new Iraqi interim government accedes to power. Other commentary looks at 27 June elections in Serbia, in which a pro-EU democratic reformist candidate, Boris Tadic, won the presidency.

June 28, 2004

Western Press Review: NATO leaders Meet In Istanbul, Serbia's New President, And Seeking A Solution In Chechnya

Prague, 28 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As a NATO summit gets under way in Istanbul, several items in the major dailies take a look at the recent history of the alliance and its developing role in dealing with the world's crises. Discussions over a future NATO role in Iraq following the return of Iraqi sovereignty is also a hot topic of debate among alliance leaders. Other attention in the press is focused on yesterday's elections in Serbia, where a pro-European candidate, Boris Tadic, won the presidency; finding a lasting solution to the war and violence in Chechnya; the 26 June summit of EU and U.S. leaders; and Kyrgyzstan's "fading romance" with the West.

June 25, 2004

Western Press Review: NATO's New Challenges, Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi, And EU Constitutional Hurdles

Prague, 25 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Several items in the press today take another look at NATO, following a request this week by Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi for the alliance to help provide security in the country and ahead of the upcoming alliance summit in Istanbul. The role of NATO is also discussed today in light of its continuing mission in Afghanistan, which many believe is foundering due to the failure to extend a troop presence to areas outside Kabul. We also take a look today at Allawi as he prepares to take up the reins of government with the 30 June transfer of power to his interim Iraqi administration. Political reform in Armenia and the fledgling EU constitution, agreed on 19 June following all-night marathon negotiations, are also discussed.

June 24, 2004

Western Press Review: Repression And Militancy In The Caucasus And A Limited Democratic Push In Kazakhstan

Prague, 24 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Several items in the press today address the situation in the North Caucasus, as an attack on 22 June in the Republic of Ingushetia once again highlighted the continuing war for independence in Chechnya and a parallel rise in Islamic militancy in the region. We also hear calls for international support for those living under repressive regimes, of the folly of trying to impose democracy through military means, and about a limited push for democratic change in Kazakhstan.

June 23, 2004

Western Press Review: Vying For Trans-Atlantic Influence, Iran's Nuclear Program, And Ingushetia

Prague, 23 June 2004 (RFE/RL) – One of the topics at issue in the press today is trans-Atlantic relations and the divide within Europe over how the European Union should conduct its relations with the United States. Events in Iraq one week before the official handover of power to an interim administration in Baghdad are also discussed, as are Iran's nuclear "brinkmanship" and the war in Chechnya, as an attack in neighboring Ingushetia sparks fears that the separatist conflict may be widening.

June 22, 2004

Western Press Review: Russian-U.S. Cooperation, An EU Constitution, And Iran's Nuclear Program

Prague, 22 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics of interest in the press today are establishing better Russian-U.S. security cooperation in Eurasia and beyond, the potential dangers of Iran's nuclear program, the agreement on an EU constitution, and the countdown to the handover of sovereignty in Iraq on 30 June.

June 21, 2004

Western Press Review: EU Constitution, Afghan Security, And Poland's Jacek Kuron

Prague, 21 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Several items in the major dailies today discuss the agreement on a European constitution, reached early on the morning of 19 June after a sleepless night for EU delegates. Other issues addressed in the press include the "not insurmountable" task of establishing security in Afghanistan; the prosecution of Russia's oligarchs; and the death last week of Poland's Jacek Kuron, whom many credit with sowing the seeds of the collapse of communism with his famous 1964 critique of the party and the formation of his Committee to Defend Workers (KOR), the precursor to the Solidarity movement.

June 18, 2004

Western Press Review: Central Europe's EU Snub, NATO Failure In Afghanistan, And The 9/11 Commission

Prague, 18 June 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As the EU's constitutional summit wraps up in Brussels today, we take a look at why Central Europe snubbed the European Union in last week's parliamentary elections; the Kremlin's choice for a new Chechen president; NATO's looming failure in Afghanistan; the trial of former Yukos oil chief Mikhail Khodorkovskii on tax-evasion and fraud charges; and the findings of interim reports on the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.