Khatya Chhor

Western Press Review: Tensions Rise In Georgia, The Israeli Disengagement Plan, And Allegations Of Prisoner Abuse In Iraq

5 May 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics at issue in the major news dailies today were Israel's controversial plan to partially withdraw from the occupied territories, rising tensions between Tbilisi and the restive Georgian province of Adjaria, and allegations of prisoner abuse by Anglo-American coalition officials in Iraq. We also heard about the growing Iraqi penchant for conspiracy theories in a commentary by Salaam Pax, whose debut as the so-called "Baghdad Blogger" brought him worldwide fame as he chronicled the U.S.-led invasion of his country a little over a year ago.

Western Press Review: Al-Nasariyah's New 'Political Realism,' And A Setback For Israel's Sharon

Prague, 4 May 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics addressed by media commentary today are a new spirit of pragmatism in Iraq's southern city of Al-Nasariyah; promoting democracy by encouraging indigenous initiatives in the Middle East; and a setback for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, as his controversial plan to withdraw from Gaza in exchange for keeping permanent settlements in the West Bank is soundly rejected by his own party in a referendum.

Western Press Review: Iraqi Prisoner Abuse, World Press Freedom Day, EU Enlargement

Prague, 3 May 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, several items in the major dailies discuss the dangers faced by journalists in their attempts to cover current events everywhere from war zones to suburban streets. The alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. and British coalition authorities is also the topic of much debate today, as images of prisoners coerced into compromising positions surface in the media. We also take a look at EU enlargement, following the 1 May accession of 10 new members to the European Union.

Western Press Review: EU Prepares For Enlargement; Uzbekistan's Education Troubles; Iraq

Western Press Review: The Media's Role, From The 10 EU Accession Countries To Nagorno-Karabakh And Iraq

Prague, 29 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of analysis and commentary in the press today finds several items on the emergence of independent media, from the 10 EU accession states to the first nongovernmental newspaper in Nagorno-Karabakh. Also at issue today is the continuing struggle between the foundering Armenian government and the even weaker opposition; the Mideast vision of Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, as he visits Washington this week; and Russia's policy of fostering "controlled instability" in the South Caucasus.

Western Press Review: EU Enlargement And Russia, Dividing The Caspian's Riches, And The Duma's Restrictions On Protest

Prague, 28 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of press commentary today finds much discussion of the European Union as it gets ready to accept 10 new members on 1 May. We also take a look at EU-Russian relations in light of an expanded partnership agreement declared yesterday in Brussels; dividing up the riches of the oil- and gas-rich Caspian Sea region; a controversial bill in the Russian Parliament proposing restrictions on public demonstrations; and ongoing events in Iraq.

Western Press Review: Resistance Continues In Al-Najaf And Al-Fallujah, Impending EU Enlargement

Prague, 27 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Much press commentary today is dominated by the tense situations in Al-Najaf and Al-Fallujah, as U.S.-led coalition forces confront Iraqi resistance forces in both cities simultaneously. Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr remains entrenched in the Shi'a holy city of Al-Najaf and is reportedly amassing weapons, while fighters are mounting a resistance from Al-Fallujah, a Sunni stronghold west of Baghdad. As one commentator today points out, the coalition is confronting starkly dissimilar antagonists in each situation, and the circumstances demand two unique and nuanced approaches. Also at issue today is the impending expansion of the European Union on 1 May, as 10 new members spanning from the Baltics to the Mediterranean get set to join the European club.

Western Press Review: EU Expansion, Tensions In Georgia, European Defense Strategy, And Iraq

The EU's impending enlargement is being discussed in the international press Prague, 26 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As 10 new nations get set to join the European Union on 1 May, several news dailies begin the week with a look at how Europe will change when it expands to 25 member countries stretching from the Baltics to the Mediterranean. Other discussion centers on the continuing conflict in Georgia between Tbilisi and the semi-autonomous province of Adjaria, the impotence of European defense strategies, a failed UN plan to reunite Cyprus, and how the "moral compass" of U.S. policy has gone astray.

Western Press Review: Political Transition In Kyrgyzstan, NATO And The 'Greater Middle East,' And Armenia's Genocide

Prague, 23 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the topics addressed by some of the world's leading dailies today are the potential for democratic transition in Kyrgyzstan, a new role for NATO in the "Greater Middle East," the 89th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks, and how trans-Atlantic relations affect common responses to global crises.

Western Press Review: Earth Day, Islamicism In Central Asia, And Croatia's EU Bid

Prague, 22 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As the world marks the 34th annual Earth Day to raise awareness of environmental issues, several major dailies carry items assessing what is being done -- and what needs to be done -- to address global ecology concerns. An intelligence analysis today looks at what the late-March bombings in Uzbekistan indicate about regional Islamic activity, while other commentary looks at Georgia's plans to reassert control over Adjaria and Croatia's EU bid.

Western Press Review: Iraq's 30 June Deadline, Al-Jazeera, And The Arab World's View Of U.S. Policies

Prague, 21 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of the items up for debate in the major news dailies today finds discussion of Al-Jazeera, the Arab world's premier satellite news channel, and a broader consideration of how the Arab world views the United States and its policies. Some analysts also urge the U.S. administration to face the realities that threaten to scuttle the 30 June deadline for a transfer of power in Iraq.

Western Press Review: Iraq's Looming 30 June Deadline; Security In Uzbekistan

Prague, 20 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The prospect of greater UN involvement in Iraq elicits several comments in the press today. At a news conference on 13 April, U.S. President George W. Bush said UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi would determine the form of the Iraqi interim administration that will accept power from the U.S.-led coalition on the scheduled 30 June transfer date. But several analysts and observers question whether the UN is either able or willing to take on a greater role in the country amid persistent security concerns and continuing militant resistance to the U.S.-led occupation. We also take a look today at Uzbekistan's plan to diversify its security options in the wake of a string of attacks in late March.

Western Press Review: Resistance In Iraq, Afghan Instability, And The Death Of Hamas Leader Al-Rantisi

Prague, 19 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Developments in Iraq continue to be the focus of much media debate today as U.S.-led forces confront resistance to the occupation. Afghanistan's slow slide into instability is also addressed, as is the situation in the Middle East following the 17 April assassination of Hamas leader Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi.

Western Press Review: Ethics And Foreign Policy, Power-Sharing for Georgia, And The Fine Line Between Crime And War

Prague, 16 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Among the issues being discussed by some of the major press outlets today are the U.S. president's defense of his policy in Iraq, the ultimate costs of an unethical foreign policy, how terrorism is blurring the line between crime and war, a power-sharing proposal for Georgia, and Iran's influence among anti-American elements in Iraq.

Western Press Review: 'Vague' U.S. Intent In Iraq, The Armenian Opposition, And Israel's Gaza Withdrawal

Prague, 15 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Press commentary today focuses largely on Iraq, with several newspapers looking at U.S. President George W. Bush's remarks at a rare press conference on 13 April. Other topics include rising populism in Central and Eastern Europe ahead of EU entry; growing political opposition in Armenia; and controversial plans for a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Western Press Review: Iraq's Insurgency, Protests In Armenia, And Central Europe's EU Misgivings

Prague, 14 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Continuing clashes and civilian hostage taking in Iraq continue to dominate the headlines and much of the debate in the major dailies today. Central and Eastern Europe's waning love affair with the European Union is also discussed, as is political protest in Armenia and the unfortunate parallels between the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and Israel's policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

Western Press Review: Anti-U.S. Resistance Grows In Iraq, While Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Gains New Focus

Prague, 13 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Following a week of violence between the U.S.-led coalition forces and various Sunni and Shi'a factions in Iraq, much press commentary remains focused on the growing resistance facing occupation forces. Comparisons between Iraq and Vietnam are becoming more common, and some observers are questioning how, and to whom, Washington will transfer power in Iraq on 30 June. Other commentary today focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to arrive in Washington for talks tomorrow.

Western Press Review: Escalating Resistance In Iraq; Rice's Testimony Before 9/11 Commission

PRAGUE, 9 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Fighting in Iraq is continuing between U.S.-led coalition forces and Sunni and Shi'a insurgents, as well as with the Al-Mahdi Army in the service of radical Shi'a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The battles in cities throughout Iraq dominate the headlines and press commentary today, and have many wondering whether the United States was prepared for the level of resistance it is now facing in Iraq. Also under scrutiny is the testimony of U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice yesterday before the commission investigating possible intelligence failures ahead of the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Western Press Review: Resurgent Violence In Iraq, Rice Under Oath, And Uzbekistan's Media Crackdown

Prague, 7 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- As fighting continues in Iraq between U.S.-led coalition forces and Sunni and Shi'a insurgents, the press is dominated by discussions of what the upsurge in resistance might mean for the proposed 30 June transfer of power to an Iraqi administration.

Western Press Review: Mounting Resistance In Iraq And The 'Growing Pains' Of EU Accession

Prague, 7 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of the major dailies today finds continuing discussion of recent events in Iraq, as violent skirmishes continue between various Iraqi factions and U.S.-led coalition forces. Followers of radical Shi'a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are leading much of the resistance, as al-Sadr himself remains barricaded in the holy Shi'a city of Al-Najaf. There is an outstanding warrant for al-Sadr's arrest on charges linked to the murder last year of a moderate Muslim cleric. Other topics addressed in the press today include recent suicide attacks in Uzbekistan and the "growing pains" of EU accession in Central Europe.