press
In the papers
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
By Katherine Spencer
The Guardian (UK)
“As Burma dies, our macho invaders sit on their hands”
A strongly worded editorial by Guardian journalist Simon Jenkins says the Chinese earthquake has given relief to western leaders whose hypocrisy on intervention has been exposed by post-cyclone inaction.
Jenkins lists the response from world leaders, from Gordon Brown to George Bush, all of whom have condemned Burma’s ruling Junta for the regime’s handling of the crisis.
He questions why the same politicians who have spent the past seven years intervening wherever the mood took them have become so passive.
“Where are the buccaneers of Bosnia, the crusaders of Kosovo….the brave hearts who rescued the Afghans from the Taliban and the Iraqis from Saddam Hussein?”
He says the UN would intervene if there were internal massacres but natural disasters do not provoke the same response, even if many more lives are at stake.
Jenkins concludes saying that “offending national sovereignty is apparently fine when it involves oil, opium, Islam or a macho yearning to boost regime change. It is not to be contemplated when it is just a matter of saving hundreds of thousands of lives.”
Bangkok Post ( Thailand)
This editorial in the Bangkok Post takes the opposing view, arguing that in this case, intervention – certainly from Thailand – is not appropriate.
Journalist Achara Ashaya says the saying ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ applies to Thailand’s relations with Burma if the kingdom mishandles the situation because of pressure from the international community.
He argues that Thailand has done its best by expressing concern and offering its condolences as well as delivering token aid to the stricken country.
“The last thing Burma needs is megaphone diplomacy;” he says, arguing that Thailand should not allow itself to be seen as a proxy of the West and should protect its own interests.
Die Welt (Allemagne)
“Obama brings HipHop to politics”
“Wie Obama den HipHop in die Politik brachte”
German newspaper Die Welt asks how US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has gained the advantage over rival Hillary Clinton.
What is his secret? He’s introduced hip hop to politics, which has proved a hit with voters.
While Clinton referred to Rocky Balboa in a bid to engage with younger voters, Obama’s celebrity reference was rapper Jay Z…
While George Bush’s popularity is at an all time low, the American people are looking for something different and Obama’s cool image is a refreshing change.
Libération (France)
« GM: The UMP cuts down the president »
“OMG: L’UMP fauche le Président”
Today’s French daily press is dominated by the issue of GM crops. French President Nicolas Sarkozy lost a crucial vote on genetically modified crops in France yesterday….it highlighted divisions within both parliament and his own party.
Parliament threw out his controversial bill when a third of Sarkozy’s UMP party rebelled and joined left-wing lawmakers to vote out the text on technical grounds…
France is Europe’s top agricultural producer – but GM crops cover less than one percent of the country’s farmland.
There is widespread public hostility to GM crops in France. In February the government in February banned the only strain of genetically-modified corn currently grown in France, MON810, produced by the US agribusiness giant Monsanto.
Le Figaro (france)
« The hidden face of the 61st Cannes Film Festival »
“ La Face Cachee du 61 Festival de Cannes”
French screen siren Julianne Moore dominates the front page of Le Figaro. She’s is due to open the 61st Cannes Film Festival today.
Inside there is an article which delves into the official selection and looks at how the 22 films were chosen. This year’s list was notable by the last minute decisions and omissions. Films include the latest offering by James Gray, Steven Soderbergh and Gilles Jacob.
