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COMMENTARY -- NEWS REPORTING
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COMMENTARY -- US and Israel's
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COM_002-01Mar2003.html Wednesday,
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15 Dead in Suspected Suicide
Bomb Attack on Jerusalem Bus
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Middle East - Israel - Jerusalem - @Israeli police
-
Suicide Bombing of
Bus
An explosion has ripped
through a bus in central Jerusalem, and police say at least 15 people were
killed and dozens of others wounded. Less than an hour after the blast, Israeli
helicopters fired missiles at a car in the Gaza Strip, killing at least six
Palestinians.
VOA -- 11 Jun 2003, 15:29
UTC
Ross Dunn
Jerusalem
 
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| AP |
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| General view of
bus explosion in downtown Jerusalem, Wednesday |
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An explosion has ripped through a bus in central Jerusalem, and
police say at least 15 people were killed and dozens of others wounded. Less
than an hour after the blast, Israeli helicopters fired missiles at a car in
the Gaza Strip, killing at least six Palestinians.
Israeli
police say a Palestinian suicide bomber was behind the explosion that turned a
commuter bus into smoldering wreckage. Ambulances have rushed to the scene
close to the city's open-air market, Mahane Yehuda.
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| Ambulance
evacuates Israeli passengers injured in bus bombing, Wednesday |
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Shortly after the attack, Israeli forces mounted fresh military
operations in the Gaza Strip. Israeli helicopters fired missiles at a car,
destroying the vehicle.
On Tuesday, Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas leader Abdel
Aziz Rantisi. Hamas vowed to launch a wave of revenge attacks that would "set
the land on fire."
Hamas spokesman Mahmoud Zahar said the bombing proved that
Palestinian fighters were capable of reaching Israelis anywhere, but he stopped
short of claiming responsibility for the attack.
The organization frequently carries out suicide bombings and
other terror attacks.
Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas has called for Hamas
and other groups to suspend their attacks to give negotiations with Israel a
chance to succeed. He has also ruled out using force against Hamas, saying his
only course of action would be dialogue.
The Israeli Cabinet issued a statement saying the operation
against Mr. Rantisi was justified and that the government would take every
action possible to ensure the security of its citizens.
The
statement followed harsh criticism of the Israeli operation by U.S. President
George W. Bush, who said such acts would not enhance the security of Israel and
also make it difficult for the Palestinian leadership to persuade militant
groups to halt terror attacks.
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Afghan Police Criticized for
Alleged Human Rights Abuses
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South East Asia - Afghanistan - Kabul - @Amnesty
International -
Police Brutality
As Afghanistan's transitional government
works to set up a viable justice system, some international observers are
concerned about reported human rights violations by the police. In some cases,
Afghan law enforcement bodies are more a source of fear than of safety.
VOA -- 11 Jun 2003, 11:33
UTC
Michael Kitchen
Hong
Kong
 Listen
to Michael Kitchen's report (RealAudio)
Kitchen
report - Download 267k (RealAudio)
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| Afghan and
British forces patrol in Kabul |
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As Afghanistan's transitional government works to set up a viable
justice system, some international observers are concerned about reported human
rights violations by the police. In some cases, Afghan law enforcement bodies
are more a source of fear than of safety.
The human rights group Amnesty International says it is
receiving numerous accounts of rights violations at the hands of Afghan police
officers.
Margaret Ladner, the group's representative in Afghanistan,
says allegations against police include arbitrary detention and acts of
torture.
Part of the problem, she says, is a lack of proper training and
adequate pay.
"You have police across the country, most of whom have never
had any proper training," she said. "They are many former mujahedin, former
soldiers, and they've been folded into the police force. There have been a
number of problems of getting salaries to them and the salaries that they are
paid - when they are paid - are inadequate."
Ms. Ladner, who is working on a report on Afghan prisons due
out early next month, says conditions in the countryside are especially
troublesome. She says police there often report to local warlords rather than
to the central government.
But even in the capital, Kabul, the police force has drawn criticism.
The U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch alleges that officers putting down a
student protest in the city late last year fired shots into the crowd of
demonstrators, killing at least three people.
Ms. Ladner adds that Amnesty International is also looking into
cases of troops from the U.S.-led coalition forces detaining terror suspects
without legal process.
"This results in a system that's very arbitrary, where people
who are detained have no idea why they're detained and their family members
have no idea why they're being detained," said Ms. Ladner.
She says that while Amnesty International understands the need
for U.S. action against terrorism and insurgency in Afghanistan, such goals can
be achieved while still meeting international human rights standards.
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Egypt Condemns Israeli Attack
Tuesday in Gaza
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Middle East - Israel & Palestine - Re: Gaza
Helicopter Strike -
@Cairo, President Mubarak -
Condemnation of Israel
Egypt's
President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday condemned Israel's attempt to assassinate a
leader of the Islamic militant movement, Hamas. Egyptian officials say such
actions threaten not only the new peace initiative but also talks they are
holding to broker a truce among Palestinian factions. Refer tocompanion
articles and associated comments on this web page.
Comment
(HFY): Egypt has trouble saying anything positive about Israel or
attempting to display any empathy regarding Israeli issues as do the entire
Arab Alliance.
VOA -- 11 Jun 2003, 14:01
UTC
Dale Gavlak
Cairo
Listen
to Dale Gavlak's Report (RealAudio)
Gavlak
Report - Download 276k (RealAudio)
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| Firefighters and
other Palestinians examine vehicle hit by Israeli missie |
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Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday condemned Israel's attempt
to assassinate a leader of the Islamic militant movement, Hamas. Egyptian
officials say such actions threaten not only the new peace initiative but also
talks they are holding to broker a truce among Palestinian
factions.
After
talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Cairo, President Mubarak
told reporters that the Israeli attack couldn't have come at a worse
time.
Mr.
Mubarak called the assault shocking. He said U.S. officials had urged both
Israel and the Palestinians to avoid reprisals as the new peace initiative,
known as the "road map," is being initiated.
He added that Egypt is actively working to broker a cease-fire
among Palestinian factions in a bid to quell the violence. He said such actions
threaten talks, which are currently underway.
Egyptian security chief Omar Suleiman is in the West Bank
meeting with Palestinian officials.
Italy's
Prime Minister Berlusconi, whose country soon takes the rotating presidency of
the European Union, urged Israel to show greater wisdom.
He said that even if Israel's reaction is understood, it must
demonstrate greater wisdom and prudence. Mr. Berlusconi came under criticism by
the Arab press for failing to condemn the attack during a visit to Jordan
Tuesday.
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| Abdel
Aziz-Rantissi at hospital |
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Jordanian newspapers have accused Israel of reactivating the cycle of
violence by trying to assassinate Hamas political leader Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi
Tuesday in a helicopter raid in Gaza City that left the militant
wounded.
The
Jordan Times says such actions will only strengthen Hamas and play into the
hands of extremist groups. The Al-Rai newspaper, meanwhile, accuses
Israel of not only targeting Hamas, but also of undermining the effectiveness
of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
Gulf Arab newspapers echoed much of the same language and tone
Wednesday. They argued that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has dealt a
devastating blow to the Mideast peace road map with the attack.
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French unions continue strike
action
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Europe - France - Paris @French Unions Strike
Action -
Blocking Pension Reform
Plans
French transport and
education problems were continuing on Wednesday as many workers stayed away
from their posts after Tuesday's national strike. Hundreds of thousands
protested on Tuesday making travel and garbage removal in the cities difficult
as Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin presented his pension reform plans to
parliament. The unions are trying to block pension reform plans which would
force their members to work longer to claim a full pension. A similar reaction
is expected to a vote on the same issue by the Austrian parliament. France's
last attempt at pension reform in 1995 triggered a wave of protests that helped
to bring down the government.
BBC -- Wednesday, 11 June, 2003,
14:32 GMT 15:32 UK
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Rail travel is not as
difficult as on Tuesday |
French transport and education problems were
continuing on Wednesday as many workers stayed away from their posts after
Tuesday's national strike.
But while there were some signs of
the situation returning to normal the four main unions involved in strike
action issued a joint statement calling for more action on Thursday.
The unions are trying to block
pension reform plans which would force their members to work longer to claim a
full pension.
Hundreds of thousands protested on
Tuesday as Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin presented his pension reform
plans to parliament.
Mass protests spilled over into
violence in the evening, as police in Paris used tear gas and water cannon to
quell unrest among demonstrators.
Meanwhile the Austrian parliament
prepared on Wednesday to vote on pension reforms.
The plan is expected to be approved,
despite a split in the ruling coalition and nationwide strikes.
Still problems
In France, protests still slowed
travel on the railways and in major cities on Wednesday, although flights were
running normally.
|
RAFFARIN REFORM
PLAN
By 2008 public sector
workers must work for 40 years to get full pension
By 2012 all workers must
work for 41 years to get full pension
By 2020 all workers must
work for 42 years to get full pension |
Half of France's regional trains
were running, said state operator SNCF, but most high-speed TGV and Eurostar
services were operating normally.
Paris commuters had an easier
journey to work as more buses, metro services and trains were operating - but
there were still problems in the cities of Marseilles, Bordeaux and
Rouen.
Two leading unions have accepted the
government's proposals, while four others agree that some reform is needed -
but not the government's.
The pro-Communist CGT union has been
on strike for a week, but on Tuesday several others joined in for the third
nationwide strike in as many weeks.
Rubbish collectors were among those
who stopped work, leaving waste piling up on doorsteps in some areas.
Amendments
This first stage of the reform would
bring the public sector into line with the private sector, and would be
completed by 2008.
The contribution period for all
workers would then be increased to 41 years by 2012 and 42 years by
2020.
The government has said it wants the
law passed before parliament's summer recess in July, but the left-wing
opposition has promised it a rough ride.
The Communists have tabled more than
6,000 amendments.
France's last attempt at pension
reform in 1995 triggered a wave of protests that helped to bring down the
government.
.
WATCH AND LISTEN The
BBC's Richard Forrest
"Some
protesters vented their fury on the police"
SEE ALSO:
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the
content of external internet sites
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End of article 4
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Liberia: Rebel Ultimatum
Expires
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Africa - Liberia - Monrovia - Will Charles Taylor
Step Down?
Fighters
for the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, advancing from the
north and west of the capital, have been getting closer to Monrovia's center in
recent days, causing tens of thousands of people to flee south. A rebel
ultimatum for Liberian President Charles Taylor to step down expires Wednesday.
Tuesday, there was a lull in fighting, and government forces appeared to have
stopped the rapid rebel advance. There is a growing fear that the capital could
be facing a repeat of the deadly fighting that struck Monrovia during the
mid-1990s. Mr. Taylor, himself a former rebel, won elections in 1997 after
seven years of civil war. See the companion article by the BBC next down after
this article.
Comment (HFY): Almost everyday there are
wars or rumors of wars or threats of wars (military conflicts) with on going
wars and wars that stop just to start over again. These wars are often over
territory and usually involve tribal conflict. But often these wars are over
who controls the people. Africa is embroiled in this constant cycle of wars.
Zimbabwe is a good example of what happens to democracy in Africa because of
this mentality and desire to dominate others. In addition, Africa, both man and
animals alike, suffer constantly from drought and disease and plagues. But in
spite of this hardship there seems little difficulty in acquiring small arms
and ammunition or fancy expensive cars in which the leaders drive around. The
leaders, without exception are well fed, well dressed, often well educated, and
apparently up to the trough of political dominance like pigs scrapping for
their food. Where there are not wars in Africa there is rampant government
corruption. Runaway government corruption characterizes nearly every political
state in Africa. However, in all fairness, corruption seems to be an attribute
of nearly every government in the world. This is why Christians should be out
there reshaping society and not just winning souls for Christ. Christians
should be acting in one accord against sexual immorality and political
corruption, two social attributes that seem married together. From a
Christian standpoint, it is difficult to advocate violence to stop
violence as the USA correctly did in both Afghanistan and Iraq. But if violence
is not exercised against the violent then those that dominate and oppress take
children as slaves and soldiers, rape and abuse women treating them as
livestock, indiscriminately take human life, and commit all kinds of atrocities
on others, and finally end up fighting one another in a total regression back
to tribal or gang dominance and the tribal virtues of living. Talking or
negotiating with these sorts is like "making deals with the devil". There are
simply those who are totally given over to the state of mind where they will do
anything to dominate others and they will hide themselves or protect themselves
in such a way that the innocent or gullible act as their buffer, their shield,
and their defense just as do the 3 Palestinian terrorist organizations or the
FARC in Colombia or the Maoists in Nepal or the IRA and so on. If we do not put
an end to this syndrome of violence and dominance and oppression as indicated
in the vision against terrorism proposed by President Bush this syndrome will
eventually take down the entire world. But that vision is either incomplete or
not fully disclosed. Because, in order to have a peaceful world we need a
harmonious mentality and mankind does not have what it takes to be this
way. There are simply too many issues where the natural man refuses to
coexist with the "Christ Like" person. The natural man, no matter how
civilized, is driven by self indulgence and predatory instincts. The "Christ
Like" person is driven by the love or caring of God for His creation. And it is
only by being transformed to be "Christ Like" that a harmonious mentality will
come into place.
Sooner or later the kingdom of God must become visible
on this earth as it descends from heaven and its descension may take the
initial form of a union of the Americas and a permanent revival towards being
"Christ Like". God rules through His creation and that translates into the
requirement that it is up to mankind (including Christians) to make the
necessary social, political, and cultural changes. The Christians that would
and could make these changes have convinced themselves that the imminent
destruction of this worlds social system will bring on the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ riding a white horse followed by an army of angels and the whole
world will be judged and put straight. If they are mistaken in this
literal view then they have missed their only chance of serving God in the
capacity which Christ has been doing for the last 2000 years. A
co-worker with Christ should be doing in and with the world order what Christ
has been doing with regard to that world order for the last 2000 years. There
is a position held by many Christians that God interacts with this world
through Christ only with the sole purpose that is to create a few (when
compared to the large number of unbelievers) transformed believers for his
future kingdom. Conversions are important. But it may be a "narrow"
self-centered view to believe in God's interaction with mankind in sticktly
this way. The example of Jesus Christ as represented in the New Testament seems
to indicate that he was as much interested in social redemption as he was in
personal redemption. The entire Old Testament is replete with social issues and
the redemption of Israel as a God fearing (revering) society to be an example
to the world Examples both personal and social are set only that they may
be followed. The time has come to live in the truth of what God expects
and follow the direction given by the Spirit, which is God.
VOA -- 11 Jun 2003, 12:41
UTC
Nico Colombant
Abidjan
Listen
to Nico Colombant's Report (RealAudio)
Colombant
Report - Download 276k (RealAudio)
x
x |
.
A
rebel ultimatum for Liberian President Charles Taylor to step down expires
Wednesday.
The
rebels, who control more than two thirds of Liberia, have not said what they
will do when the deadline passes.
Fighters for the Liberians United for Reconciliation and
Democracy, advancing from the north and west of the capital, have been getting
closer to Monrovia's center in recent days, causing tens of thousands of people
to flee south.
Tuesday, there was a lull in fighting, and government forces
appeared to have stopped the rapid rebel advance.
But aid workers, many of whom have left Monrovia because of the
deteriorating situation, fear the capital could be facing a repeat of the
deadly fighting that struck Monrovia during the mid-1990s. Mr. Taylor, himself
a former rebel, won elections in 1997 after seven years of civil
war.
A
spokesman for the rebels, Bodioh Siapoe, who is based in the United States,
says it's time for Mr. Taylor and his forces to give up power so that calm can
return to Monrovia.
"There should be no reason why there should be chaos in
Monrovia," he said. "There really should be no chaos because here is a man who
was allegedly elected democratically to lead a people and has disappointed
them. He has not satisfied any of the things he has said he would do for the
people. As we speak, there is no electricity, there is no drinking water,
people are not getting paid. The man is charged by the international community
as a war criminal and he should just step down and people who are loyal to him
should also see reason to put their guns down."
Last week, a United Nations backed court in Sierra Leone
indicted Mr. Taylor for war crimes because of his support of Sierra Leonean
rebels. The indictment was unveiled as Mr. Taylor arrived for the start of
Liberian peace talks in Ghana, but he was allowed to return to
Monrovia.
West African mediators have been trying to get Liberian rebels
and the government to agree to a cease-fire so the peace talks in Ghana can be
effective. These efforts have been repeatedly delayed.
Mediators were hoping to get to Monrovia on Tuesday, but their
plane was forced to land in nearby Sierra Leone because of bad
weather.
The
mediators said they were optimistic they would accomplish their mission in
Monrovia on Wednesday.
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End of article 5
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Liberia leader agrees
truce
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Africa - Liberia - Monrovia -
@West African mediators - Akosombo in Ghana -
Agreement?
The
rebels, who have advanced to the outskirts of the capital, Monrovia, have also
agreed to stop fighting, paving the way for peace talks to resume at Akosombo
in neighbouring Ghana. Ghana's Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo said that a
formal ceasefire could be signed by the end of the week, reports the French
news agency, AFP. President Charles Taylor has agreed to a ceasefire with rebel
forces, West African mediators have said. However, Monrovia residents fear a
repeat of the brutal ethnic killings they witnessed during the 1990s civil war,
which were supposed to have ended with Mr Taylor's 1997 election
BBC -- Wednesday, 11 June, 2003,
15:33 GMT 16:33 UK
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Food and water are getting
scarce |
President Charles Taylor has agreed to a
ceasefire with rebel forces, West African mediators have said.
The rebels, who have advanced to the
outskirts of the capital, Monrovia, have also agreed to stop fighting, paving
the way for peace talks to resume in neighbouring Ghana.
Ghana's Foreign Minister Nana
Akufo-Addo said that a formal ceasefire could be signed by the end of the week,
reports the French news agency, AFP.
Monrovia residents fear a repeat of
the brutal ethnic killings they witnessed during the 1990s civil war, which
were supposed to have ended with Mr Taylor's 1997 election.
 There are
dead bodies in the main street and you can smell death in many
places  Alain Kassa, MSF
|
Increasing numbers of people have been fleeing
the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) advance on
Monrovia, where up to one million people need urgent help, according to aid
agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
Malaria
MSF head Alain Kassa says that
medical workers were forced to abandon the last civilian hospital in the city
on Tuesday.
They managed to evacuate one patient
with cerebral malaria, he said.
"There are dead bodies in the main
street and you can smell death in many places."
Four days after the assault began,
streets in the government-held area of the city are crowded with nervous,
scared people looking for shelter, says the BBC's Paul Welsh in the
city.
Meanwhile, some 500 foreigners have
reached neighbouring Ivory Coast onboard a French navy ship after being
airlifted out of Monrovia on Monday.
Earlier, Defence Minister Daniel
Chea said that government troops had re-taken full control of the strategic
Saint Paul's River bridge on the western outskirts of the city, which leads to
rebel-held areas further inland.
International appeal
The peace talks in Ghana were
suspended on Friday, when Lurd forces reached the outskirts of Monrovia.
When the talks opened a week ago, Mr
Taylor offered to step down, if that would bring peace to Liberia.
|
HAVE YOUR SAY
Please pray
for our country to have peace and to be successful in this world.
Jomo Randolph,
Liberia
|
"All the parties have decided to
observe a truce so the negotiations can go well in Akosombo," Mr Akufo-Addo
said. Aid officials said more than 60,000 refugees had headed into Monrovia
from camps where they had been living after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the
country during the four years of conflict involving the Lurd
rebels.
The government has asked for more
international aid after distributing its dwindling stocks of rice.
"We are appealing to the
international community to send supplies. We can hold on for a few more days
but things are deteriorating," said Health Minister Peter Coleman.
'Total anarchy'
"Our actual plight seems to be
unheard of outside of Liberia," James Kollie told the Associated Press news
agency.
|
CHARLES TAYLOR
Indicted on war crimes
charges
Under UN
sanctions
Former warlord
Won 1997
elections
|
A spokeswoman for the UN World Food
Programme, Christiane Berthiaume, told journalists in Geneva: "It's total
anarchy, it's not a war like any other."
He added that the international
community could not escape its responsibility to help achieve a
ceasefire.
The UN Security Council has
expressed deep concern, and called on all sides to cease hostilities.
The Lurd offensive has cut off land
escape routes from the city.
.
WATCH AND LISTEN The
BBC's Paul Welsh
"Monrovia
is becoming a city of the frightened and desperate"
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the
content of external internet sites
.
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End of article 6
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Ontario legalises gay
marriage
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Americas - Canada - Ontario - Toronto -
@Provincial Appeals Court - Gay
Marriages
The highest court in
Canada's largest province, Ontario, has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have
the right to marry there. The ruling upholds a lower court decision and
challenges the Canadian Government to change its laws on same-sex marriage."One
thing is very clear that the government cannot discriminate when it's an issue
of rights and that's what the courts are in the process of deciding," said one
of the candidates, Paul Martin, who is widely seen as the favourite to become
the next prime minister. The ruling stated that the heterosexual definition of
marriage violates gay couples' rights under the country's constitutional
document, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However some government and
opposition members of parliament said they were dismayed by the decision and
planned to challenge it at federal level.
Comment
(HFY): Within this BBC article we have the statement, "Polls indicate a
slight majority of Canadians favor legalization of same-sex marriages. Some
Anglican churches in Canada have already offered blessings to gay and
lesbian couples." My issue here is not that a provincial or federal court might
rule in this fashion, although I disagree with the ruling. My issue is that
some who call themselves "Christians" don't appear to know the "Will of God".
The "Will of God" is not arbitrary and up to clerics to determine (as with the
Catholic and many other churches) on behalf of those that assemble together in
true Divine Fellowship. In the Old Testament this was the case but in the New
Testament clerics serve only the role of preparing and equipping the saints
(believers) to minister unto one another. This is an entirely different form of
government than anything we see today although it began to take place in
Jerusalem as depicted in the Book of Acts. In the New Testament the two Old
Testament offices of priest and governor (the two olive trees, the two branches
and the two cups in Zechariah) are merged in Christ. Christ is the King-Priest
not only for Israel but for the entire world by serving as both
mediator/interface as well as Lord over all creation. It is the Divine Spirit
(God) as manifested through Christ that is to direct true believers. Believers
bound together in this Spirit are what Paul calls the Body of Christ. That Body
of Christ is to ultimately grow into a Theocracy - it is the New Jerusalem
descending from heaven to become a kingdom on this earth. This is not a
fellowship turned Theocracy as directed by clerics but a cooperative form of
engagement, support, and accord between believers as directed by the Divine
Spirit. In the first place I question that any congregation of true Christian
believers engaging each other in such Divine Fellowship and ministering one to
another, could agree to incorporate into their assembly those that practice
this kind of sexual behavior. I base this not on how the Apostle Paul strongly
condemned such practices but on how the entire bible condemns such practices.
Obviously these Anglicans, and other church groups I am aware of, certainly do
not accept the scriptures as the basis of being "Christian". Neither do they
understand nor do they practice Divine Fellowship of Believers. Christ accepted
the authority of the scriptures but he did clarify intent. However, this
avoidance of the authority of scripture by some churches is a trend in some of
the more "modern" churches, almost secular church organizations. The second
thing I wish to take issue with is that the Canadian Government, as do many so
called democratic governments today, allow the courts too much jurisdiction in
the formation of laws as opposed to the enforcement of laws and the
determination that laws have been violated. All this we have seen before in the
Old Testament. Provincial and Federal legislators are supposed to be the law
making body of a democracy, not the courts. The courts are supposed to
translate laws set out by the provincial and federal legislators, those elected
as members of parliament and those appointed into the senate. If there are
difficulties or controversies surrounding these legislated laws such as with
the constitution then these elected legislators should put forward amendments
to the constitution to ensure that statements that appear universal may not be
taken beyond their intent. There is also another spin off issue regarding the
acceptance of such rulings. Canadians may tolerate behavior that they
themselves do not condone. The creation of laws based on what people tolerate
is illegitimate and should be on the basis of what people generally wish to
mandate to the elected legislators. Court rulings take none of this into
account and therefore the mentality of judges and groups of judges can become a
social agenda approaching a dictatorship where a few - appointed and not
elected - make decisions on behalf of the many. This is entirely different than
the few (elected to do so) make decisions on behalf of the many. In Canada too
many elected majority leaders allow the courts this latitude over the so called
"hot potato" issues. This is not only "lazy" but is totally "irresponsible"
conduct on behalf of those that trust their government to do the job for which
they were elected. However, from a Christian perspective the issue is the state
of the church and its failure to form a single theocratic entity along the
lines indicated in the New Testament and according to the teachings of Jesus.
Christian legislators and lobby groups should be working toward this
end.
BBC -- Wednesday, 11 June, 2003,
04:17 GMT 05:17 UK
x
x |
.
|
|
By Lee
Carter
BBC, Toronto
|
Michael Stark and Michael
Leshner were able to marry immediately |
The highest court in Canada's largest
province, Ontario, has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the right to
marry there.
The ruling upholds a lower court
decision and challenges the Canadian Government to change its laws on same-sex
marriage.
The appeals court ordered that gay
couples seeking a legal union should be issued a marriage licence
immediately.
The case had been fought by a gay
couple, Michael Stark and Michael Leshner, who wasted no time in getting
married hours after the ruling.
I'm very
clearly opposed to redefining marriage
Liberal MP Pat
O'Brien |
Another couple, Jeff Parker and
David Wood, saw the ruling on the internet and immediately went to Toronto City
Hall to get their papers ready for an August wedding.
The 61-page ruling says the
heterosexual definition of marriage violates gay couples' rights under the
country's constitutional document, the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
Ontario is the third Canadian
province to strike down the federal heterosexual definition of marriage in
court decisions.
Public opinion
The Canadian Government had asked
for more time to study the issue. Now it may not have any left.
All three Liberal party leadership
candidates to replace outgoing Prime Minister Jean Chretien said they would not
contest the ruling.
"One thing is very clear that the
government cannot discriminate when it's an issue of rights and that's what the
courts are in the process of deciding," said one of the candidates, Paul
Martin, who is widely seen as the favourite to become the next prime
minister.
However some government and
opposition members of parliament said they were dismayed by the decision and
planned to challenge it at federal level.
"I'm very clearly publicly already
opposed to redefining marriage. There's no way I could possibly support that in
good conscience and will not support that," said Liberal federal MP Pat
O'Brien.
Polls indicate a slight majority of
Canadians favour legalisation of same-sex marriages. Some Anglican churches in
Canada have already offered blessings to gay and lesbian couples.
.
SEE ALSO:
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the
content of external internet sites
.
. |
End of article 7
.
.
Peru hostages set
free
. |
.
Americas - Peru - @Toccate a town south-east of
Lima - Hostages
Peruvian President
Alejandro Toledo said the kidnappers fled when Peruvian security forces (about
300 soldiers and police) searching the remote Andean regiona approached. For
the first time, the president blamed what he termed the remnants of the Shining
Path rebel movement for the kidnapping and taking hostage 71 people who worked
for the Argentine firm Techin. The communist Shining Path group was once Latin
America's most feared guerrilla group where in the 1980s it was blamed for
sparking off a two-decade civil conflict in Peru which led to the deaths and
disappearances of more than 30,000 people in car bombings, assassinations and
peasant massacres. The Shining Path was dealt a severe blow in 1992 when its
leader Abimael Guzman was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. This
recent hostage taking, suspected to be by the Shining Path, all took place near
Toccate, about 350 kilometres (220 miles) south-east of the capital Lima.
BBC -- Wednesday, 11 June, 2003,
03:08 GMT 04:08 UK
x
x |
.
|
Armed gunmen raided the camp
in the early hours of Monday |
Dozens of people who were kidnapped in the
Peruvian mountains have been released less than 36 hours after they were
snatched.
Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo
said all 71 hostages were "healthy and safe".
Mr Toledo said the kidnappers fled
when Peruvian security forces approached, and hundreds of soldiers and police
were now searching for them in the remote Andean region.
For the first time, the president
blamed what he termed the remnants of the Shining Path rebel movement for the
kidnapping, which took place near Toccate, about 350 kilometres (220 miles)
south-east of the capital Lima.
Most of the hostages worked for
Argentine firm Techint, and were living ion a camp while building a natural gas
pipeline in the area.
The president praised the army and
police, saying that the hostages were freed without paying the kidnappers - who
had demanded $1m, medicines and communications equipment.
"This has been a nightmare with a
happy ending," he said.
However, one of the freed hostages,
Julio Aguilar, told local radio he believed Techint had met the kidnappers'
requests.
In Lima, Techint spokesman John
Hartley denied that the company negotiated with the kidnappers.
Speaking on national television, Mr
Toledo said his administration would not negotiate with guerrillas. He said the
group would be beaten, and beaten within the law.
Despite a threat by the
hostage-takers to kill their prisoners in the event of an assault, the
president ordered about 300 army and police commandos into the
region,
The hostages included three police
officers and seven foreigners - six Colombians and one Chilean, the president
said.
The police officers had been
delivering explosives to the camp, which were also stolen by the gunmen.
Peru's Foreign Minister Alan Wagner
said the kidnappers may have disguised their true identity by wearing the
uniforms worn by Techint workers.
Civil conflict
The communist Shining Path group was
once Latin America's most feared guerrilla group.
In the 1980s it was blamed for
sparking off a two-decade civil conflict in Peru which led to the deaths and
disappearances of more than 30,000 people in car bombings, assassinations and
peasant massacres.
The Shining Path was dealt a severe
blow in 1992 when its leader Abimael Guzman was arrested and sentenced to life
imprisonment.
Guzman faces a retrial between
September and November after the high court ruled that the 1992 verdict was
unconstitutional.
.
SEE ALSO:
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the
content of external internet sites
.
. |
End of article 8
.
.
S. Africa Will Not Interfere in
Zimbabwe Political Situation, says Mbeki
. |
.
Africa - South Africa - Re: Zimbabwe -
No Thank You - Not Interested - More Money
Please
The president of South
Africa, Thabo Mbeki, says his government will not interfere in the political
situation in Zimbabwe.
Comment (HFY): This is a typical African
response. Africa blames the richer nations of the world for the problems in
Africa created by incompetent, corrupt and oppressive African leadership. There
is no real African will to change Africa for the better. Anyone that cannot see
that Mugabe is the problem in Zimbabwe does not want to see the problem. See an
above comment aimed at this issue. We have a somewhat similar, but not as
severe a problem in the Americas. The United States, Canada, and Mexico should
be working much closer with each other and the rest of the Americas to
establish a common standard of living and integrated social infrastructures and
social stability. It makes good sense that the USA should lead the Americas in
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