--- On Sat, 26/6/10, Global Policy Forum <g...@globalpolicy.org> wrote:
From: Global Policy Forum <g...@globalpolicy.org>
Subject: GPF Newsletter Apr. 20-24
To: avnis...@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, 26 June, 2010, 3:41
Global Policy Forum
June 21 - June 25, 2010 |
Security Council Social and Economic Policy International Justice NGOs Iraq
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Security Council
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China Says "Concerned" about South Korea-U.S. Drill (June 22, 2010)
China has expressed concern about joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises involving a U.S. aircraft carrier. China has called for restraint in the wake of South Korea's allegations that North Korea sank one of Seoul's navy ships. China prefers that the Security Council only act after the South's claims have been independently substantiated, and believes that military drills like these may "escalate tensions and harm the interests of countries in this region." (Reuters)
Russia Pushing for Control of Fuel Supplies to Crucial US Airbase (June 22, 2010)
A recent UN report states that the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in the last three months, contrary to the assertions of the Pentagon and NATO that the US-led coalition is making steady progress. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasized that violence has increased on nearly all dimensions, with a 94% increase in roadside bombings over the same period in 2009. Ban linked the increased violence to NATO operations and "a growing capability" of the local insurgency. In response to the UN report, a key NATO official said, "It has to be tougher perhaps before it goes easier." (The Telegraph)
UN: Afghan Insurgent Violence Soaring Over Last Year's Levels (June 19, 2010)
A recent UN report states that the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in the last three months, contrary to the assertions of the Pentagon and NATO that the US-led coalition is making steady progress. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasized that violence has increased on nearly all dimensions, with a 94% increase in roadside bombings over the same period in 2009. Ban linked the increased violence to NATO operations and "a growing capability" of the local insurgency. In response to the UN report, a key NATO official said, "It has to be tougher perhaps before it goes easier." (The Huffington Post)
Social and Economic Policy
Opening Remarks at Launch of 2010 MDG Report (June 23, 2010)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon painted a picture of mixed success at the release of the 2010 Millennium Development Goals report. In spite of the crises in finance, food and fuel, the world has seen reduction in the poverty rate overall, but, "improvements in the lives of the poor have been unacceptably slow." In an effort to generate renewed momentum for the anti-poverty goals in the run up to the 2015 deadline, the Secretary-General announced that he has established an MDG Advocacy Group composed of political leaders and other prominent figures. (United Nations News Center)
G8 Falls Short on Development Aid (June 23, 2010)
In advance of the Toronto G20 summit, G8 countries have issued the Muskoka Accountability Report, assessing the results of their commitments to international development aid. The report is a step towards greater accountability and transparency in the G8 process. It identifies areas of shortfall from the promises of the 2005 Gleneagles Summit, naming and shaming the countries responsible. Set within a long history of unfulfilled pledges, the G20 meeting in Canada offers leaders the opportunity to re-commit to the goals they earlier identified. But whether it will be the "recovery and new beginning," as the conference is named, remains to be seen. (IRIN)
The True Cost of the World Cup in South Africa (June 22, 2010)
The costs of hosting the World Cup in South Africa were said to be justified by the economic growth that the event was supposed to generate. Expenses are expected to surpass original estimates by 757 percent. The expected growth in infrastructure and small local businesses has not come close to offsetting the funds that have been diverted from long-term priorities such as healthcare and education. FIFA and international corporate sponsors such as McDonald's and Coca Cola are the biggest beneficiaries of the event with much of the local South African population unable to even attend the matches. (AlterNet)
Far From Gulf, a Spill Scourge 5 Decades Old (June 16, 2010)
The Gulf oil spill leads headlines daily, whereas the international media ignore weekly oil spills in the Niger Delta. The oil industry contributes 80% of the Nigerian government's revenue, yet the people living in the region benefit little. The nearly 546 million gallons of oil spilled in Nigeria has led to catastrophic environmental destruction and seriously damaged the food supply and livelihoods of those living there. Collusion between government and oil industry officials has led to ineffectual regulatory policies. Without media coverage, the big oil companies like Shell escape accountability. (New York Times)
Aid Ironies (May 24, 2010)
Thoughtful and constructive criticism of international aid can be invaluable in efforts to promote accountability of aid agencies and realize more effective and sustainable aid interventions. A failure to differentiate between misspent and well-spent aid, however, forms the backbone of common criticism of international aid, promoting public misunderstanding and masking aid successes and achievements. Ultimately this contributes to a misguided public discourse prioritizing, often incongruous, anti-aid ideologies ahead of opportunities to realize economic and social improvements for some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. (Huffington Post)
International Justice
Podcast Interview with William Pace and Jennifer Trahan about the ICC Review Conference (June 22, 2010)
On June 22, 2010, GPF interviewed William Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, and Jennifer Trahan, Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University, about the relevance and outcome of the Review Conference of the International Criminal Court. The conference took place in Kampala, Uganda, from May 30 until June 12, 2010. The discussion focussed mainly on the amendment on the crime of aggression and the role of the United States during the negotiations. (Global Policy Forum)
Sri Lanka Furious as UN's Ban Names War Crimes Panel (June 21, 2010)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due to name a three-member panel of experts to look into alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan military against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels during the final months of the country's civil war. The move follows a visit to the island by the under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe. The Sri Lankan government is deeply unhappy with the Secretary General's decision, as the creation of the panel could lead to a full-blown war crimes investigation. (AFP)
Hague Prosecutor: Fugitives are Priority (June 19, 2010)
The Chief Prosecutor and President of the Hague Tribunal have presented their six-month reports on the work of the Tribunal to the UN Security Council. According to Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, the Serbian government has continued to cooperate with the Tribunal by giving access to documents, witnesses and archives. Serbia has also continued with its operative activities in the search for Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadžic. Brammertz stresses, however, that Belgrade must consider its current form of actions and increase its efforts in finding and arresting the fugitives. (B92)
Surrendered Darfur Rebels to Appear in Court (June 17, 2010)
On August 27, 2009, the International Criminal Court summoned the Sudan rebel leaders Abdallah Banda Abakaer and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus to appear before the Court for alleged war crimes offences. Both are believed to be responsible for the attack against the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in 2007, leaving 12 AMIS soldiers dead. On June 16, 2010, both rebel leaders turned themselves in to the ICC. Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who is also wanted for alleged war crimes, continues to deny the charges against him. (Afrik.com)
NGOs
Review: "The United Nations and Civil Society" (June 16, 2010)
Nora McKeon's book analyzes the interaction between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the UN over the past two decades. Much of the focus is devoted to food and agricultural issues and McKeon examines the World Food Summits of 1996 and 2002 to identify a growing trend of "partnership culture" between the FAO and CSOs. Although she calls attention to the obstacles faced by CSOs, she does believe that the UN can serve as a forum for meaningful CSO engagement. (Foreign Policy in Focus)
Iraq
Soldier's Shocking Allegation: Troops Ordered to Engage in "360 Rotational Fire" Against Civilians (June 21, 2010)
Former US Army Specialist Ethan McCord has revealed that orders for "360 rotational fire" against civilians were issued in Iraq at battalion level as a new standard operating procedure in response to improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. If true, the claim amounts to evidence for mass execution of civilians: an egregious war crime. Such mass execution of civilians has been prosecuted in the past under international law in the cases of Germany 1944, Nanking 1937, Hankow 1938 and the German invasion of Poland 1939. McCord is one of the soldiers visible in the Wikileaks video helping wounded children after the attack. He, along with
a former colleague, has also written an Open Letter of Reconciliation and Responsibility to the Iraqi People and joined the growing ranks of US soldiers who oppose the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Alternet)
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