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Bolivia: Two Regions, Two Documents · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

December 15 marked a pivotal day in Bolivia, when two regions celebrated their newly created documents.  In the city of La Paz, members of the ruling party Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) formally presented the Constitution that was approved by the Constituent Assembly delegates present in Oruro.  The Assembly was moved to that city after an outbreak of street clashes in the original site of Sucre.  Opposition delegates were not present for the final votes, which drew an outpouring of criticisms that the new Constitution does not represent the entire country, for its content and for the process in which it was approved.
As a result, individuals and groups in Santa Cruz protest this move through hunger strikes.  However, more importantly, a provisional assembly drafted and presented an Autonomic Statute, which outlines the administrative structure of a more autonomous Santa Cruz.  Three other departments are in the process of following the steps of Santa Cruz.
Blogger Renzo Colanzi of Mientras Estás Aquí [es] was one of the members on the hunger strike and blogged about his experience  He also reflects on an incident that took place near the site where the strikers had congregated.  A man had approached the strikes to take pictures, which had been cordoned off with yellow tape by members of a militant youth group, Unión Juvenil Cruceñista (UJC).  As a result, members of the UJC chased and beat the man.  Colanzi writes about the incident and other incidents of intimidation.
En otro episodio triste mi amiga Maria Escandalo paso por mi carpa un día a la 1:00 am y por lo que me comentaron (estaba durmiendo) al día siguiente los tarados de la UJC las obligaron a borrar las fotos de su cámara. Una noche hablaba al respecto con uno que era supervisor o algo así y me decía mas o menos lo siguiente… “es que a nosotros nos acusan de debilitar el proyecto, de hacer quedar mal a los cruceños pero cuando hay que ponerle el pecho a las balas nos mandan a nosotros…” Me pareció una suplica de simpatía, no le respondí nada, mi posición es clara, la UJC y los Ponchos Rojos me parecen sacados de la misma bolsa.
In another sad episode, my friend Maria Escandalo passed by my tent one day at 1:00 a.m. and from what they told me the next day (I was asleep), the idiots of the UJC made her erase the photos from her camera. One night I was talking to one of their supervisors about the incident and he or more or less told me…”they accuse us of weakening the project, of making the Cruceño (people from the city of Santa Cruz) people look bad, but when they need someone to go to the front lines to face the bullets, then they send us…”  It seemed to be a plea for sympathy, but I didn't respond.  My position is clear, the UJC and the Ponchos Rojos (militant supporters of the government) are cut from the same cloth.
However, the outpouring of support for those on the hunger strike caught Colanzi's attention.  He continues:
Es impresionante la cantidad de gente que venia a dar su apoyo a los huelguistas y regalar palabras de agradecimiento. Gente que nunca vi, amigos, no tan amigos, en fin… un cantidad increíble de gente desfilaba por la plaza 24 de septiembre todas los días, tardes y noches. También es increíble la cantidad de personajes interesantes que uno se encuentra. Muchos generales, estrategas, guerrilleros y un largo etcétera se presentaban con lo que se debía o no hacer para salvar Santa Cruz y el país.
It is impressive to see the amount of people that came by to give their support to the strikers and give them words of thanks.  There were people that I have never seen before, friends, acquaintances, and in the end, there were a large amount of people that walked by the plaza 24 de septiembre during the day, evening and nights.  It is also incredible to see the amount of interesting people that you see.  Many generals, strategists, warriors, etc. who came by to give their opinion on what we should or should not do to save Santa Cruz and the country.
On the other end of the country, Cristina Quisbert of Bolivia Indigena [es] was in the Plaza Murillo to witness the celebration and reflecs back when the sight was not commonly seen:
Inclusive en la decada de los 40 del siglo pasado, el indigena, estaba prohibido de ingresar a la Plaza Murillo, y la gente de la sociedad de entonces manifestaba su descontento cuando algunos indigenas se sentaban en las escalinatas del Palacio Legislativo. La gente de entonces decia que la presencia del indigena constrastaba con la modernidad que, segun esas personas, el pais debia alcanzar. Hoy, desfilaron por el Palacio, delegaciones de multiplicidad de pueblos originarios ataviados de ponchos blancos, rojos, color alpaca, verdes, celestes, etc. Rostros indigenas aymaras, quechuas, guaranies, etc. mostraban la esperanza de constar con una nueva Constitucion en la que por primera vez se toma en cuenta a los discriminados de siempre.
In the 1940s, the indigenous were prohibited from entering the Plaza Murillo and the people from the higher society expressed their discontent when some indigenous would sit in the staircases of the Congress.  The people would say that the indigenous presence contrasted with the modernity, according to these people, that the country should strive for.  Today, they paraded by the Palace, multiple delegations of indigenous peoples, with their white, red, wool, green and blue ponchos.  Aymara, quechua, guaraní faces displayed hope of a new Constitution, which for the first time, takes into account those who have always been discriminated against.
Mario Duran of Palabras Libres [es] was also present on the other side of the country to witness the marches and intent on covering the activities.  He posts photos and videos of the march.  Since he is not a member of the traditional press, he had a little trouble to gain access.
Un oficial de la policía me detiene cuando trato de ingresar a la Plaza Murillo, en frente mío el palco oficial, el regimiento Escolta Presidencial Colorados, de nada sirven mis explicaciones, empiezo a tomar fotografías… aprovecho un descuido de la seguridad, unos pasos sin mirar atrás y me ubico en una posición inmejorable, rodeado de los medios de prensa oficiales.
Ingresa el presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, por la sorpresa reacciono con lentitud y no alcanzo a tomar fotos, otro día será. Rodeado por los ministros, toma asiento en el palco oficial, la multitud lo ovaciona, vivas y jallallas se escuchan, suenan las notas del Himno Nacional de Bolivia, se canta y se escucha “morir antes que esclavos vivir”. Empieza la marcha de los pueblos.
A police offer stops me, when I try to enter the Plaza Murillo and in front of me is the official stage.  Even with my explications, the Presidential Guard “Colorados” do not allow me to enter.  I begin take photographs. I take advantage of a lapse in security, and after a few steps I do not look back.  I couldn't be in a better spot, surrounded by members of the official press.
President Evo Morales enters, and due to the surprise, I was unable to take photographs.  Surrounded by his cabinet, he takes a seat on the official stage.  The crowd applauds, with cries of “long live”, and the National Hymn of Bolivia begins to play.  Everyone sings and you can hear, “prefer to die than to live as slaves” (a line from the anthem).  The march of the indigenous peoples begins.
Now comes the holiday season, where both sides appear to enter into a “truce,” but the argument about the validity of the two documents and the course that each takes from here continues.  Miguel Centellas of Pronto* writes about this:
Technically, of course, none of the autonomic statutes are “legal” (in the sense that the state empowered people to draft them). Then again, very little of the process by which the CPE was approved was “legal” (in the sense that it followed established procedures set by law), either. So if the measure of validity is “popular” legitimacy (as if a Rousseauian “popular will” can ever be divined), then it’s going to be a very prickly business to determine which is more legitimate—or if they both are
Andrés Pucci has his own opinion on this question [es]:
Este estatuto tiene la misma legalidad que el documento presentado por la Asamblea Constituyente, es decir, ambos están fuera de la ley,
This statute has the same legality as the document presented by the Constituent Assembly, meaning, both are outside the law.
The divisions between the country seem to be increasing, with rhetoric amplified from both sides. Some other bloggers are talking about possibilities for genuine dialog between all involved and the campaign. Ciuadano K [es] writes:
Esta iniciativa de reunir a instituciones, organizaciones y personalidades representativas con el fin de convocar a un diálogo nacional fue asumida por el Defensor del Pueblo, Waldo Albarracín, a causa que el 95 por ciento de los ciudadanos no participa en la pelea que hay entre el gobierno y la oposición y los comités cívicos de cinco departamentos.
This initiative to gather institutions, organizations, and representatives with the aim to convoke a national dialogue was started by the Defensor del Pueblo (public ombudsman), Waldo Albarracín, because 95 percent of the citizens do not participate in the battle between the government and the opposition and the civic committees of the five departments.
Finally, Willy Andres from Santa Cruz tries to maintain an optimistic attitude among this divisive state [es]:
No había visto a Bolivia más separada que ahora y no quiero buscar culpables y tampoco es oportuno hacer debate de todo esto, solo que antes era por encima nada más; ahora el abismo es más grande y nada parece ser suficiente para construir un puente de unión; pero tampoco me animo a decir que no hay oportunidad de unidad nuevamente… solo espero que no sea demasiado tarde.
.
I have not seen Bolivia so divided than it is now and I don't want to look for the guilty parties and it is also not the time to debate all of this.  Before it was only at the surface, but not the abyss is large and nothing seems to be sufficient enough to bridge this divide.  However, I also don't want to say that there is no more opportunity for unity..I just hope it is not too late.


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Central Asia: 2007 in Retrospect · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Martha Brill Olcott reviews the major developments in Central Asia in 2007, pointing out trends in all five post-Soviet republics.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Adil Nurmakov


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China: Group Rentals · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Nan Yang from Virtual China blogs about the impact of Shanghai regulation against group renting to ordinary people and the fact that such regulation maybe illegal in nature.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Netizens Want More Government Control? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Fons from China Herald links to a report done by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in which 41% wants more political control in the cyberspace.


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China: Top “Jokes” · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated a post in Tianya which composed some top “jokes” in China in 2007: These ‘jokes’ are not funny at all; in fact, they are solemn and dismal.


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China: Youth Died in Police Station · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A eleven years old boy was found dead in a police station in Kaifeng City. He was detained by the police for 8 days for stealing 13 bicycles. His parent found bruises and cigarette burning marks on the dead body. Liu Xiaoyuan pointed out that, whenever criminal suspects were found dead in police station, the official explanation is always “sudden death” (zh).  What does “sudden death” mean? A cover-up of truth?


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China: Sobbing without tears · Global Voices
Bob Chen

On 15th December, a post named “the investigation of drought in Northwestern, Lanzhou region” appeared in Skyline (Tianya.cn, 天涯). The writer Manbaqi(满八旗) recorded his five-day research in Lanzhou district, Gansu province, part of the Yellow River drainage area. Over 40 pictures and his sincere appeal for people’s concern put the post under focus.
The Yellow River area, especially the “central plain”(中原)  has long been honored as the cradle of Chinese. However, Gansu province, which used to be a grassy, lush land, also a part of midland, has been gradually drained over history due to the climatic change and overgraze. Today, the land ,especially the mountainous region is tightly associated with drought.
The writer told:
这里年平均降雨量只有300毫米左右，而蒸发量却高达1500-2000毫米以上。严重缺水，导致当地农民生活贫困，教育落后，妇女儿童的生存健康状况亟待改善。笔者了解到，即使有的村落仅有的一点水源，也是高氟水，水的含氟量达到7.8毫克／升，而国家规定安全饮用水的最高界限是1.0毫克／升。因长期饮用高氟水，村民普遍的特点是大骨节病和黄斑牙。一般男子到50多岁就丧失劳动能力，妇女有的二十五六岁生育完就弯腰驼背、脊椎变形，丧失劳动能力，甚至生活不能自理。
The average rainfall here is only 300mm/year. But the evaporation is over 1500 to 2000mm. The lack of water brings farmers poor life and underdeveloped education. The living condition of women and children urgently requires an improvement. I got to know that the only water source in some villages contain all but High-Fluoride water (over 7.8mg /L). But the limit should be 1 mg/L. Long drinking High-Fluoride water, the villagers there typically have Kashin-Beck disease  and mottled enamel. Men might lose working ability at age of 50 and women might hunch and have distorted backbone soon after procreation, with their working ability lost. Some people even felt hard to take care of themselves.
Though they are not out of methods on fighting the drought, the villagers often can’t really build the wells needed due to the lack of fund. The writer made a calculation:
实践证明，修建一口容量36立方米的水窖，一年可蓄集雨水50—80立方米左右，能保证一个3—5口人的家庭一年的人、畜饮水；拥有2口水窖，就能发展一亩庭院经济作物，因而可以陆续解决一系列的生存发展问题。有关专家评价，在严重缺水地区修建集雨水窖，是有效利用雨水资源以解决缺水之忧的最简便、最经济、最实用的办法。投入1000－1500元，就可以建一眼集雨水窖，等于一家人就有了生存和发展的希望。
A water well of 36-CBM capacity can store 50 to 80 CBM water each year and therefore guarantees the supply to a family of 3 to 5 people and all its herds. With 2 wells like this, 1 acre of crops cultivated in the yard can be developed, so that a series of problems can be solved. Experts estimate in areas thirsty for water, building rainwater wells helps a lot. It’s the quickest, most convenient and practical way. With a investment of 1000 to 1500 RMB, a well can be built and a hope can be earned.
But the promising future is again prostrated to the cold reality.
但是，因为贫困，许多家庭却无力修建一眼像样的水窖。在这里，还有成千上万的农民兄弟在与严重缺水苦苦搏斗，他们想水、盼水、哭水、梦水，向五湖四海呼唤着―――水。
But because of poverty, many families had no fund to build a well. Here, thousands of farmer brothers are wrestling with the serious lack of water. they think of, expect, cry for, and dream of one thing—— water (水)！
I personally googled the situation in Gnasu. A news in 2001 told that a campaign “121 rainwater collection project” had been launched, and with the help of government, 1.31 million people were benefited from the project. Actions have been taken, but based on this post, more are to be done.
The following pictures show us a world yelling for water, though they might actually be too thirsty to squeeze out a single word. They are shot by the writer during the trip.
The dried landsscpe
The village
An old man scooping water
Carrying water from far away
A corner of the village
An old woman
A girl from Taiwan cried for the scene
A wrinkled, dried hand
An old woman sick in the bed
Door of grade one classroom in school
People get water from pools like this
They smiled when hearing more wells could be built with the donation
Soil, but no water
The children, also the future
The home
The school
This is water
On the net forum, netizen “I am not ugly but I am not tender” replied:
以前听说有些人一生只洗三次澡，一直想像不了为什么才洗3次。看了这组图片，终于明白原来一滴水对缺水的地区来说是那么的可贵。
LZ，我们可以帮上什么忙么？
I have heard that someone has merely taken 3 baths during his lifetime. I didn’t figure out before why he did so. Watching this picture, I know how valuable one drop of water could be to a place thirsty for water.
Can we help?
“Potato” said:
上学那会，去过一次西北，比这更穷困缺水的家庭比比皆是，用“心痛”两个字根本无法表达你眼睛里看到的景象！
那个时候去，我们都是自己带的水壶，因为好像矿泉水还不“流行”，领队早早就提醒我们要节约着喝，到地方没水喝要自己忍着，不要跟人家要，结果很多同学最后还是没能忍住。。。。。
终生难忘的一段记忆！
When I was in school I used to be somewhere in northwestern region and the families thirstier for water are even more prevalent. The term “heartache” is far from being enough to depict what you have seen. We took our water jugs there. The leader reminded us of water thrift; never ask the villagers for water even though you are thirsty. But many friends could not hold on.
I won't forget that for my lifetime.
“Think and Do” said:
看到这样的景象，除了眼含泪水，我们还能做什么？
What else could we do other than bearing tears in our eyes?
A reply writed:
政府已经开始做了，只是投入太少了，对于整个缺水地区来说只是杯水车薪。解决问题只能靠全社会多渠道的力量。
The government has started its work. But the fund is still limited. The effort, up till now, remains inadequate compared to the whole serious situation. We need various power from the whole society to solve the problem.
Some rebuked:
这个是推卸责任！人们之所以结成社会，建立国家就是为了解决这种问题！我们之所以交税也是为了解决这种问题！这个 国家的公务员一年可以吃掉喝掉上千亿，却没有1000-1500块钱给这些人修一口水窖，扪心自问，我们的政府到底有没有在做？为什么投入那么少？钱到哪 里去了？
This is shirking the responsibility. People formed society and built nations to solve this kind of problems. We pay tax for the same goal. Public servants in this country can eat and drink up hundreds of billions, but have no 1000 to 1500 RMB to build a well for the people. Ask yourself, is our government really taking measures? Why so little fund? Where is the money?
But a netizen named “Ben-bu-gai-la-Deng (本不该拉灯)” from northwestern region tried to speak more constructively:
1.	在甘肃\宁夏\青海等省区的很多地方,缺水是常态,农民基本是靠天吃饭的,一年的收成如何,取决于降雨量的多寡.
2.	甘肃在很多年前已经在搞”121雨水集流工程”,对此楼主已经有所解释,我再说详细一点:就是在屋顶\庭院用水泥铺出集流面,有一定的倾斜角度,可让雨水流入水窖,水窖如果用水泥衬砌,则集流的雨水可以保存较长时间,供日常生活\生产用.
1. In provinces such as Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, many places find drought a common situation. Farmers rely on the weather since the crop depend on the rainfall.
2. Gansu had been working on “121 rainwater collection project” for many years. Let me explain further what it is about: on the roof people can build a slanted platform so that rain water could be channeled to a water-well. If the well is made of cement, the rain water can be preserved longer for daily use or production.
He also replied to the question why people don’t emigrate out of the region.
9.对有些生态环境恶劣确实不适合人类生存的地方,移民也一直在搞,如甘肃的往河西走廊\秦王川的移民,但是进展缓慢,受故土难离的观念\资金等诸多因素影响,难度不小.
10.现在中央和当地政府对改善生态环境也抓的很紧,很多地方几年前开始退耕还林,种草种树,给农民一定的粮食和现金补贴,组织剩余劳动力外出打工,大力发展适合当地环境种植的马铃薯等农作物.
9. Actually in some bleak, arid regions unfitted for living, emigration has long been on the schedule. But it goes slowly due to farmers’ ideas that inherited lands are valuable as well as the limit of fund. It’s a hard work.
10. The government is working hard on improving the environment. Many fields have been returned to forests. Farmers might get a certain amount of allowance in crop or in cash. Also, the government has organized the excessive labor to work outside their hometowns and developed the local crops like potatoes.
Indeed, in today’s China, we have heard so much news on poor, underdeveloped villages. The long grilled nerve is under the danger of being numb. But on the day when we no more trust on others’ appeal for help and no longer commiserate on hearing injustice, we might lose our hope.
Here is what the writer of the original post stated in the ending:
恻隐之心，人皆有之，积善行德、扶危济困是中华民族的美德。在此，笔者跪求天涯各位德人帮顶此帖，让更多的人了解和帮助那里正在经历苦难的农民兄弟。再次的感谢！！！
We all have a heart of compassion. Working for goodness and helping the weak is always the virtue of Chinese. Here, I urgently appeal you to help pump the post, to let more people know the farmer brothers suffering there. Thank you again！

author: Bob Chen


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Costa Rica: Reviewing Educational Standards in Universities · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Juan Carlos Hidalgo thinks that public universities in Costa Rica should take a look at their own educational standards [es], instead of just focusing on private universities.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Cuba: No Cricket  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Child of the Revolution finds something “not quite right” about the Cuban cricket team not making its international debut at the Stanford 20/20 tournament “because of the US commercial and trade embargo on the Castro regime.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Czech Republic: Jan Švejnar · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Czech president is due to be elected Feb. 8 by a joint session of both chambers of the parliament, and Dr Sean's Diary writes about a likely contender for the post: Jan Švejnar, who “emigrated to the US in 1970 (where, as a dual-national, he is still based) taking a PhD at Princeton and carving out a high profile career as academic economist […].”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Dubai Real Estate Company Invests in Rwanda · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Dubai World, Dubai's real estate investment holding company, announced plans to invest $230 million in the Rwandan tourism industry [Fr], writes Addax.

author: Jennifer Brea


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Ecuador: Nomination of Jefferson Pérez as Best Athlete of 2007 · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Nelson Piedra [es] and Cronica Cero [es] both highlight the nomination of Ecuadoran track and field athlete Jefferson Pérez as the best Ibero-American athlete for 2007.


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El Salvador: Notes on the Police Force · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Solavá of Hora Cero [es] provides some notes about police in El Salvador including the figure that there are more lawyers, than police.  In addition, nearly 1,900 officers are facing expulsion.


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El Salvador: Top Ten Religion Stories in 2007 · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Carlos X. Colorado provides a guest article on Tim's El Salvador Blog and lists the top 10 religion stories in El Salvador for 2007.


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Georgia: Election Cartoons · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

One refreshing addition to the Georgian blogosphere as the January election approaches is Georgia Ink, the blog of cartoonist Vladimir Shioshvili. With elections in the South Caucasus generally tense, Shioshvili injects some humor into proceedings by asking, for example, why was the State of Emergency lifted at 7pm on 7 December?

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Georgia: Media Ownership · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

As the 5 January presidential election in Georgia approaches, the pro-opposition Resistance Georgia blog raises some important questions about ownership of the media in the former Soviet republic.


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Guatemala: Blogger Gathering in Western Guatemala · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Blog Cachacero [es] writes about a blogger gathering in western Guatemala and included a trip to the game room in order to “break the ice.”


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Guyana: Stop Quarreling! · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

A great tip on how to get your wife to stop quarreling, courtesy Guyana-Gyal.


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Haiti: Haiti Now! Film Festival  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

kiskeácity links to a review of the Haiti Now! Seminar, held earlier this year: “There have been some misunderstandings between anglophone West Indians and Haitians over Caricom and its role in Haiti so this kind of cultural effort for mutual understanding is worth noting.”


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Hong Kong: Delay No Mall · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN picks up a local news on a shopping mall called: Delay No Mall.


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India: Children, violence and guns · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

karmickids is shocked by a shootout in a school in India – and why she isn't likely to buy her kid any toy guns.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India: Delhi from the sky · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

synchroni-cities has a beautiful post on Delhi as seen on wikimapia.


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Iran:A Court Considered Three Jailed Students Innocent · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Daneshjoo blog[Fa],an Iranian court considered three jailed university students,Tavakoli,Ghasaban and Mansouri, innocent.These students have been in prison for 9 months and were forced to confess about publishing anti regime articles.Now an Iranian court says they never published such articles.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Jamaica: Blogging  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Francis Wade thinks that blogging changes everything.


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Japan: Depopulating Second Life · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Adamu translates a local news report on the depopulation of the Japanese version of Second Life.


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Kazakhstan: 2007 – Filthy Politics and Grapes of Wrath · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

The passing year was rich in shaking news and political scandals in Kazakhstan, all of which have been finding reflection in the blogosphere’s reactions and online debates. Many of those events will find their place in the history textbooks of the future, and life may never remain the same after 2007.
POLICY MILESTONES
The poll shows that three major macro-political developments have been in the focus this year. Interestingly enough, the most discussed Kazakhstan-related topic on the West – the expected chairmanship of the first Central Asian, post-Soviet state with poor human rights record in the OSCE, the Europe’s most influential and solid pro-democracy and security institution – is less regarded by the Kazakhstanis with only 16 per cent of the vote. The Astana’s bid for this post was so aggressively advertised within the country that the citizens have simply got tired of the issue itself.
According to sammuel_kasso, this topic is weakly accepted by the people: “It’s more like a news item for Euronews Channel”. Moreover, as aftakep says, the chairmanship is scheduled for 2010 – that’s the year when we shall discuss it. Nemtschin agrees: “I don’t see much use of the OSCE; the bid is good just for PR”. Although, even being not so popular within the country, the fact as such may lead to a much broader global impact, undermining the Organization’s authority.
The second subject on top of the bloggers’ vote is devoted to a row of political manipulations in Kazakhstan, that included constitutional reform – claimed as a “step towards democracy” by the authorities, but turned out to be a leap towards strengthening the control over political field – the subsequent extraordinary parliamentary elections and formation of a one-party parliament. The presidential “Nur-Otan” party grabbed all seats in the Legislature, which is now elected fully by party lists. OSCE, a body to be governed by Kazakhstan in two years, said the vote was neither free nor fair – the same characteristic it has been giving to all previous elections in Kazakhstan.
“The constitutional amendments have logically finished what had been planned from the very beginning – no strangers in power”, nemtschin reacts. Pulemetchizza is more emotional: “The amendments and mono-party parliament is an unprecedented hypocritical filth”. Slavasay ties this issue together with OSCE: “It shows how a state with a “president-for-life” [constitution now provides for termless rule of the country’s first president] and a one-party parliament can become a leader of the community of democratic countries”.
The “Nurbank” affair, disgrace of Rakhat Aliyev – once almighty and horrifying elite member, former chief of special services, former media mogul and ex-husband of the president’s eldest daughter Dariga Nazarbayeva – and the war of kompromats [rus – discrediting materials] lead the chart. Aliyev served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, when the scandal emerged in a commercial bank, which he was used to own. Top managers of “Nurbank” had been abducted, tortured and deprived of their assets – reportedly, personally by Aliyev, who was then quickly sent back to head the Kazakh embassy in Vienna, Austria. Two of the bankers are still missing. The trial over Aliyev and accomplices is under way, while the ex-son-in-law is splashing out scandalous recordings of wiretapped telephone conversations of the country’s top officials.
“Nurbank” affair and the so-called “Rakhatgate” looks like a TV reality show”, sammuel_kasso notes, but the people closely watch it with an intense interest, none of the soap operas can boast with – and the poll proves that, giving 50 per cent of the votes to the first instance in the history of Kazakhstan, when the high-ranking official and president’s relative is prosecuted for crimes, – and when the accused strikes back with illegal wiretapped recordings and counter-accusations.
SOCIAL TENSIONS
The most frequent addition in the comments to this poll was about mortgage crisis and sharp rise in prices for almost every kind of goods and services. The first echo of the housing credits crisis in the United States came on the post-Soviet space to Kazakhstan, whose oil-driven economy has already suffered from the evil circle comprised of banks, giving away money to the construction firms, construction firms groundlessly inflating prices for housing, and again banks giving away overpriced mortgages to the people. Many construction sites are now very quiet – Kazakhstan’s building sector is in serious depression.
Another blow came from the galloping inflation and weak regulation of markets. Immediately after the parliamentary elections, which the ruling party declared as a vote of confidence to its policies, prices for bread jumped up two times. Other types of first priority food products then followed this example, and then the price for public utilities increased. The cost of living has suddenly become much higher – even representative of the middle-class level have accepted it painfully. For the socially vulnerable groups of population it was a pure shock. Most of them could barely make both ends meet with their pensions and allowances with no perspective of saving. Now they should further restrict their expenses.
The issue of the rise of grass-root nationalism in Kazakhstan also worries the bloggers. There were several instances of inter-ethnic clashes in the country over the past year – Kazakhs and Turks, Kazakhs and Chechens, Kazakhs and Uighurs… The trend – if it is present – is, indeed, very alarming and lamentable for Kazakhstan, which is a home for nearly 100 ethnicities. For nearly a century, Kazakhstan was proudly bearing the titles like “laboratory of friendship”, or “an island of tolerance”. The clashes were flaring up from the minor routine squabbles, often caused by alcohol, – and in most cases eyewitnesses say the wrangles seemed to be carefully orchestrated and well-organized by somebody, although initially the roots of resentment lay in lack of the rule of law, especially on the local level.
Cross-posted on neweurasia.net


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Kazakhstan: The country’s strike-back · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Ben reviews the developments in Kazakhstan in 2007, focusing on the energy issues and Kazakh government's rising resource nationalism.


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Kazakhstan: What is Ak-Orda? · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Arseny posts a funny story that vividly indicates how many people living in Astana’s Old Town – a Soviet provincial cityscape – sometimes do not have any idea of what is happening on the Left Bank, where the Shining New Capital of Kazakhstan is rapidly growing.


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Korea: Election Day · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

I am writing this post in the middle of election day (2 hours left) in Korea. Not surprisingly, until now, the turnout of voters is recorded as the lowest in the history of the Republic of Korea. Bloggers and netizens in towns and provinces are busy updating the voting news of their places. The low number of young voters is one of the major issues on the internet news and among bloggers now. While some netizens honestly speak that they don’t care about voting or some of them even insist that not voting is also their right, others are actively using the Internet to encourage people to vote.
Jang Hui Yong is shocked at the low turnout of voters for this election day.
1.투표율 저조 실감!
투표율이 저조할 것이라는 보도도 있었고, 예상을 하기는 했지만 막상 투표장에 가보니 실감할 수 있었습니다.
저는 항상 출근하면서 아파트 앞 관리사무소에서 투표를 하다보니 투표를 하는 시간이 일정합니다. 지난 총선 때는 관리사무소 출입구 계단까지 서 있다가 투표를 했는데, 오늘은 그 때하고 같은 시간이었는데도 제 앞에 10분 밖에 없었습니다.
투표율이 상당히 저조할 것으로 보입니다.
그동안 정치에 대한 불신과 그에 따른 무관심이 부른 결과라고 하지만, 그렇다고 국민주권의 상징인 선거권을 포기하는 일은 없어야 할 것입니다. 최선이 아니면 차선이라도, 차선이 아니면 차차선이라도 선택해야 합니다.
투표 하지 않고서 나중에 자신이 원하지 않는 후보가 대통령에 당선된 것에 분노한다는 것은 어리석은 일이라 봅니다.  반드시 투표하시기 바랍니다.
2. 역시 젊은 유권자 없어! 아직 투표 안 했다면 지금 투표장 가세요!!
투표를 하고 난 후 잠시 투표장을 지켜 봤습니다. 역시 이번 선거에서도 어르신들만 눈에 띄였습니다. 젊은 유권자가 보이질 않았습니다. 물론 잠시 지켜본 것으로 단정지을 수는 없지만, 역대 선거를 보면 젊은 사람들의 투표율이 낮았습니다. 이번 선거 역시 젊은층의 투표율이 상당히 낮을 것이라는 예상을 하게 합니다.
미래를 위한 선택입니다. 젊은 여러분들의 미래와 직접 연결된 한표입니다. 바로 여러분 자신의 문제입니다. 반드시 투표했으면 좋겠습니다. 아직 투표 안 하셨다면 지금 바로 투표장으로 가시기 바랍니다.
3. 법정 공휴일? 쉬시나요? 출근 하셨나요?
엘리베이터를 타고 오다가 이웃 한 분을 만났습니다. 출근하는 길이라고 했습니다. 투표를 하고 싶지만 바빠서 못 할 것 같다면서 회사 출근 버스타러 뛰어가더군요. 저 역시 출근했습니다. …법적으로는 오늘이 공휴일이지만, 작은 중소기업에 다니는 직장인들은 이렇게 출근하는 경우가 많습니다. 여러분들은 쉬시나요? 출근 하셨나요?
4. 여러분은 누구를 선택하셨나요?
투표를 하고 난 후 회사에 오니 역시 모든 관심사가 ‘누구 찍었어요?’ ‘과연 누가 대통령이 될까?'입니다.
결국 중요한 것은 먹고 사는 문제가 아니겠냐면서 00후보를 찍었다는 사람이 있는 반면, 부도덕하고 부패한 사람이 어떻게 한 나라의 지도자가 될 수 있느냐면서, 그런 사람을 뽑으면 대한민국의 질서가 무너지고, 또한 세계의 웃음거리가 될 것이라며 비판하는 사람도 있습니다.
또한 이번 선거에서 경제보다 중요한 것은 ‘남북 평화'이고, 경제 또한 한반도 평화가 결국 진정한 경제성장의 원동력이라면서 평화를 지향하는 정당 후보에게 투표했다는 사람도 있습니다. …여러분은 어떤 기준으로, 누구를 선택하셨나요?
It seems like a really low turnout.
Although it is caused by distrust of politicians and indifference, people should not give up their own voting right. If there is no best candidate, we can think about alternatives or alt-alternative. Without participation, being angry with the president whom you didn’t want is stupid. Please vote.
2. No young voters! If you haven’t yet, please go right away!
After voting, I looked around. Of course, I could spot old people, but couldn’t find young voters. I should not judge with a short stay there. But since the history of the election, young people have always participated less and the election this time is not exceptional either.
It’s a choice for the future. It’s a vote for the future that is related to the young people. It’s your own problem. I hope that you vote without fail.
3. Legal holiday. Do you take a day off or go to your working place?
I ran into my neighbor in the elevator. He’s on the way to his working place. Even though he wants to vote, he said that he can’t do so because he’s afraid of being late and ran to the bus station. I am also at my company… Even though it is a legal holiday, many employees at small businesses don’t take a day off. Are you taking a day off or are you at your company?
4. Who did you choose?
When I arrived at the company, the major topic of the conversation was “who did you vote for? Who will be our next president?” While some people said that eating and living are anyway important and therefore they vote for a candidate, others criticized that if an immoral and corrupt person becomes the president, the order of our society will be destroyed and people all over the world will mock us. In addition, some people voted with the thought that the more important one than the ‘economy’ in this election is ‘peace between north and south Korea’ and it will cause a stable economy.
With what standard, who did you vote for?
Young netizens are interested in the age of voting participants. A netizen describes high participation for the election in Jeju Island and shows an interesting theory.
제주도 동쪽마을 구좌읍 월정리 중앙초등학교에 마련된 투표장에 도착한 시간은 아침 5시55분, 법정 공휴일이라고는 하지만 일찍 해야할 일이 있기에 컴컴한 새벽에 투표장으로 향했다. …사람들의 웅성거림이 들렸기 때문이다. 컴컴한 이른 아침에 사람들이 웅성거리는 소리.이렇게 빨리 나올줄을 몰랐다는 생각에 가까이 다가가다 또한번 놀란다. 길게 늘어선 줄이  학교의 건물과 건물 사이로 숨어들어 그 끝이 학교 후문으로 연결되어 있었다. 전부다 어른들이다. 젊은 사람들은 하나도 보이지 않고 전부 삼촌들이다…
…오늘따라 삼촌들께서 커다란 거인으로 보인다. 일터로 나가시기 전에 자신의 소중한 한표를 행사 하시고 가시는 모습들이 그렇게 보기 좋을수 없었다. 어쩌면 이분들께 미안한 생각이 드는건 당연한 일인지도 모른다. 나는 삼촌들 보다 하나의 세상을 더 살고 있기에 미안한 생각이 드는지도 모른다. 이분들은 온라인 세상을 모르시니 말이다.
그저 눈으로 보고 듣는것 이외에 자신의 주장을 표현 하시는 일이라고는 마을의 회관에서 열리는 마을 회의때, 그러니까 오프라인 행사때가 아니면 자신의 주장을 표현하는것이 한계가 있다는 말이다. 이런 분들이 자신의 일터로 가기전에 소중한 한표를 행사하시는데 우리 젊은이들은 어떠한가? 이분들이 경험하지 못하는 또다른 세상인 온라인을 경험하며 문화의 이기를 누린다…
…어두 컴컴한 새벽에 거인처럼 다가온 그 어른들의 모습에서 우리나라의 선거 문화를 엿볼수 있다. 나이가 많은 분들일수록 투표율이 높다는 이러한 형상 하루빨리 고쳐져야할 좋지 못한 현상임에 분명하다. 이건 이래서 않하고 저건 저래서 싫다를 표현하는 젊은 세대들이 헌법으로 만들어놓은 국민의 참정권인 선거를 포기하고 국민의 주권을 행사하지 않고 그사람이 좋다 나쁘다를 평하는 것은 옳지못한 일이다….
Today, they look like giants. Before they go to their working places, it looked good that they exercise their own rights. I even felt sorry for these people. I have another world to live than these uncles because they don’t know the on-line world.
Even though they can see and listen to what’s in front of them, where they can express themselves is just at village meetings or off-line events. Even these people make use of their precious votes. But how about us young people? We take advantes of culture, experiencing the on-line world that these people can’t.
Looking at the seniors who looked like giants at dawn, I could see our election culture. The symptom that the older people have, the higher turnout of voting should change sooner or later. Young generations express that they don’t like this and that, and give up suffrage and don’t make use of their sovereignty. This is not a good symptom….
A netizen even says that he came back to Korea from Moscow for election day.
…소중한 주권을 행사하시기 바라면서 저 역시 최악이 아닌 차악을 선택하기 위해 모스크바에서 9시간동안 비행기를 타고 어제 귀국을 했습니다….
Netizens are really enthusiastically sharing their experiences and news about the election, and the internet is an important means of their expression and of updating on the anxious moments.
남은 3시간을 두고 과연 몇프로나 나올까요? 어느 분이 대통령이 되던 투표율은 좀 높았으면 하는데요. 정치적 무관심과 귀차니즘이 이렇게 깊었나요? 안타깝기 그지 없네요…..5년을 책임질분인데 말이죠. 그러면서 정치인 욕하는거 보면 참 뭐라고 해야할가요?

author: Hyejin Kim


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Kyrgyzstan: “I don’t believe” arrests · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bektour Iskender posts an article about participants of the “I don’t believe” action that have been arrested for protesting against the official results of the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan.


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Kyrgyzstan: Manas Petroleum · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Ben reports that a Kyrgyz company is getting involved in the oil business in Kyrgyzstan and Albania.


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Kyrgyzstan: The Tulip Revolution’s Bitter Blooms · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Nathan reviews the outcomes of the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, including conclusion of the OSCE monitors, official results, reactions of the state bodies and the public.


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Lithuania: Coffee and Health Care · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Music and Life – Everywhere! writes about Vilnius coffee houses and health care costs.


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Mexico: In a Cab with a Wrestling Mask · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Still in Mexico City, Juan Pablo Meneses of Cronicas Argentinas [es] tells a story of his first experience taking a taxi in the capital city, which included a colorful wrestling mask.
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Mexico: The Story of a Deported Teen · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Nathan Gibbs and reporter Amy Isackson produced a video piece about a 17-year-old boy, who was deported to Mexico, and who subsequently returned.  He links to the video and accompanying photos on Flickr.


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Morocco: Eid al-Adha · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

In my last post, I shared the thoughts of foreigners on Christmas (or a lack thereof) in Morocco.  This week, we'll change focus to the celebration of Eid Al-Adha, the holiday which Muslims celebrate as a commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah (God).
Braveheart-does-the-Maghreb has noticed her neighbors getting ready for the feast:
Yesterday I noticed the young women who are my neighbors were out whitewashing the sidewalks of our street. There are fresh bales of hay giving off the smell of a country sunrise stacked throughout the Medina, and I passed several sheep being carted to an unknown fate on my way home. Later in the day Abdul Latif, my landlord, arrived at my door to tell me I must get to the hannout and stock up because all the shops will be closed for three days. I think it starts tomorrow but it might be today. I'm going out later to check. I will keep you updated.
The View From Fez reports on sheep prices in Fez:
If you want a really nice sheep, pop off to the tents in the carparks at Acima or Marjane (the supermarkets) where there's a wide choice. You'll need to know how to check its teeth and prod it about a bit to make sure it's good quality. This year a live sheep will cost you Dh41 per kilo, which just goes to prove that inflation isn't very high in Morocco. Three years ago, it was Dh35 per kilo. Mind you, a sheep must weigh at least 40kg, so that's a minimum of Dh1640; rather more than the average Christmas turkey, and very expensive for many families. But in this culture of helping your neighbour, no-one will go hungry, every family will get their sheep, even if they share with relatives. And some wealthy people will buy a hundred or two sheep and give them away.
Myrtus simply wishes friends happy holidays:
May your hearts and homes be blessed with PEACE, LOVE and LAUGHTER.
Blogger SunnyRaindrops, a new “face” in the Blogoma, has posted a recipe for the holiday, explaining:
Some people think that steamed lamb looks unattractive (though no one denies that it is incredibly good). If you feel this way you may brown the eat quickly in butter or oil at the end, or roast it at high heat until it browns.
The trick to this and other lamb dishes from Morocco is to cook the lamb beyond the point of stringiness to the stage where the meat is butter-tender and very moist.
Steamed food should be eaten the moment it is ready, when it is at it's peak: if left too long, it will dry out.
This is what my family eats on the first day of the Festival of the Sacrifice.
To Morocco and Beyond, another new face and a Peace Corps blogger, has come face to face with his host family's Eid dinner already:
My host father informed me that we will be eating lamb and proceeded to show me a room behind his hanut (a small convenient store he owns that is below our house) where the lamb was being fed very well. As I looked at the lamb I tried not to make eye contact because I knew it would making eating him later more difficult. I'm sure I will have much more to write about this later on… beacuse if I understood my host father correctly someone is going to learn how to be a butcher…
Whatever you celebrate, be it Eid al-Adha, Christmas, Hannukah, or otherwise, have a wonderful holiday and happy new year.
Photo by Tom Fakler

author: Jillian C. York


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Panama: A Look at How Coffee is Picked and Processed · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The Boquete Guide provides a look at how coffee is manually picked and processed in Panama.


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Panama: Holiday Hand-outs · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

During the holidays, the streets seem to fill with more children begging.  Chiriqui Chatter provides thoughts on this practice and deciding to whom to give that coin.


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Peru: The Purchase WONG Supermarkets · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

A Chilean company recently purchased the Peruvian supermarket chain WONG.  Juan Sheput of Mate Pastor [es] writes about some possible implications for the country.


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Romania: Health Care · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Transatlantic Politics writes about the disastrous state of Romanian health care.


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Russia: Attacks on Ingushetia.ru · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia reports on the attacks on Ingushetia.ru, a site that “often reports news about conditions [in Ingushetia] that the authorities do not want covered.”


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Russia: “Don Putin” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog is reminded of Godfather as he reads about “Putin’s acceptance to be Prime Minister if his protege Dima becomes President.”


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Russia: Middle Class · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Dr. Sean's Diary writes on Russia's middle class, a subject that has inspired “a lot of informed journalistic comment – […] – but seemingly little in the way of academic research. How can you research something that doesn’t exist – and perhaps historically never did?”


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Russia, Moldova: Natalia Morar’s Expulsion · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Perspectives on the New Russia and Robert Amsterdam write about journalist Natalia Morar's work and the possible reasons for her expulsion from Russia.


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Russia: New York Times’ Coverage · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Perspectives on the New Russia updates a recent post on the New York Times’ coverage of Russia.


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Russia: North Korean Laborers · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Moscow Through Brown Eyes writes about North Korean laborers in Russia and examines other cases of coerced labor, elsewhere.


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Russia: Politics and Style · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

James of Robert Amsterdam's blog reviews recent coverage of “the marriage of Russia's emerging political culture and style.”


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Russia: Putin on Modern Warfare · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Vladimir Putin appears, sort of, on Modern Warfare video game, James of Robert Amsterdam's blog reports.


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Russia: Putin’s Year · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Vladimir Putin has been in the news a lot lately. If it's not the overwhelmingly overwhelming majority of Russians voting for his party, then it's Time Magazine naming him as its Person of the Year.
Below are some initial reactions to today's piece of Putin news from Anglophone Russia bloggers.
Robert Amsterdam:
[…] in general I think that it is a good thing for Americans to start focusing attention on Russia (however I am surprised that no mention was made of Mikhail Khodorkovsky or other similar figures). […]
Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow:
[…] Brace yourselves for a wave of commentary and opinion pieces with this selection as a “hook,” all of which will no doubt note that the honor – once known as “Man of the Year” – has in years past been bestowed on people like Stalin (twice!) and Hitler…
In the comments section to this post, Lyndon and W. Shedd of The Accidental Russophile discuss Putin's Time cover photo and his looks in general:
Lyndon:
[…] I actually think he usually does a fine job of looking sinister (when he's not busy looking borderline goofy doing his “ganksta lean”/”pimp limp” swagger), and that it may be an intentional part of his image, although this particular photo would appear to be editorially selected for maximum sinister-ness.
On the other hand, I think Time used a tightly cropped head shot (and not this “throne” angle) for the cover, which is the more important photo. And I have to give the “throne” shot its due, since it is a great encapsulation of the “tsar”/”gangster” vibe that surrounds Putin these days (again, a vibe that is not entirely invented by the media but is in part self-created), so I'm sure the photog was delighted to capture it.
W. Shedd:
I remember some youtube or rutube clip (likely on some blog, of course) that showed a comic comparison of Yeltsin vs. Putin. Yeltsin of course was shown as a stumbling drunk, the the Putin portrayal showed him as something of a vain fashion horse, walking, posing, and turning like a model, vogue-ing for the camera.
That image of him has stuck with me, as sort of a vain guy and usually trying to appear serious.
Do you think he plays on a sinister look? […]
Lyndon:
There's actually going to be a talk in DC in Jan. titled “Presentation of Self in Russian Culture: The Case of Vladimir Putin.” Should be interesting. […]
W. Shedd of The Accidental Russophile:
[…] There is always something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Putin deserves the most credit for simply having clear ideas on asserting Russia's influence on the international stage, now that the nation has resurgent economic prowess.
To commemerate the occasion, I'm sharing the following Putin cut-out figure. Now you too can have a little Putin, Man of the Year, watching over your desk!
[…]
Inside Krasnodar:
Congratulations to Mr. Putin and to the country of Russia for being named “The Man of the Year.” While Time is correct to recognize the growing influence and importance of Russia in today’s world, it still fell back on old cliches and tired stereotypes in its cover story. Fortunately, Time magazine also printed the full transcript from its interview with President Putin. I often find that when one actually reads Putin’s words and has direct access to his thoughts and opinions one is surprised at how bright, logical, and insightful he can be. Sure you say but he’s still scary. Really? Read the transcript below and decide for yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised. […]
Andy Young of Siberian Light:
[…] By dragging Russia kicking and screaming from the post-Soviet anarchy of the Yeltsin era, Putin has single handedly made ‘managed democracy’ a semi-respectable form of government. His success will encourage others to believe that, provided they secure stability and steady economic development for their people, they can rule indefinitely.
Whether this is a positive, or a negative development, I’ll leave you to decide. After all, you were last year’s Time Magazine Person of the Year…


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Russia: Rosstat vs Kremlinologists · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Russia in the Media cites statistics to prove that two “brave Kremlinologists” engaged in “manipulations with numbers,” as they worked on a Russia piece for the International Herald Tribune.


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Russia: Some More on Medvedev · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Streetwise Professor writes about the man some (or many?) believe will succeed Putin as Russia's president in 2008: “I have not commented about Putin’s anointing of Dmitri Medvedev because I don’t do Kabuki theater or puppet show reviews.”


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Russia: Yegor Gaidar’s Book · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Streetwise Professor reviews Yegor Gaidar's new book: “I believe that Gaidar is right that down this path lies ruin. I fear, however, that Russia will have to find this out the hard way. So Yegor Gaidar is a prophet without honor in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house. But I believe he is a prophet nonetheless. And I heartily recommend that you read his excellent book.”


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Sri Lanka: GK3, Meek and Geek · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Moving Images, Moving People with impressions of the Third Global Knowledge Conference or GK3 held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.


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Sri Lanka: Three years after the Tsunami · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Chuls Bits & Pics on the tsumani, after three years – remembering those who died, and asking where all the money went.


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Tajikistan: Bread Prices   · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Ian looks back at 2007 in Tajikistan and says that the hottest issue by far being discussed was the rise in the price of staple foods, especially bread.


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Tajikistan: Hydropower Delayed  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bboyd reports that the launch of Tajikistan’s big hydropower plant is delayed again due to lack of concrete deliveries.


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The Politics of Cleaning Up Dakar · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Senablog writes about the Senegalese government's latest attempts to rid the streets of Dakar of informal traders [Fr], which last month prompted large protests.  Senablog describes how previous efforts have been unsuccessful because of the support traders enjoy from marabouts and some politicians.


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Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica: Death of Traditional Media  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I think blogs…and other online mediums can and should take the place of traditional media, if only because it saves trees…but also because…I do not think that traditional journalism is doing the job anymore”:  Sungoddess foresees the demise of traditional media in the Caribbean.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Christmas Cheer  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The wonderful part of Trinidad and Tobago is that its people of all religious backgrounds celebrate the Christian holiday”: Theboookman explains.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Wet Christmas?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Now is Wow is dreaming of a wet Christmas.


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Afghanistan: Taliban Call · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Sanjar reports that Taliban leader Mullah Omar on Tuesday called on foreign forces to withdraw from Afghanistan.


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Albania: On Corruption and Bribery · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Kolin of Living in Shkoder writes about corruption in Albania and answers a reader's question: “As a foreigner, have you ever bribed an Albanian official?”


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Albania: Wood Burning Stoves · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Living in Shkoder writes about winter and wood burning stoves in Albania.


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Arabeyes: Celebrating Eid Al Adha  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al Adha – which commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah (God). It also culminates the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which has this year attracted more than 2 million people. Here's how bloggers from the region marked the occasion.
Palestine:
From Palestine Dr Mona El Farra , who lives in Gaza, talks about efforts which are currently underway to help the needy. She writes:
while iam writing this entry , volunteers distribute meat for approximately 1500 families in diffrent parts of Gaza Strip , jabalia , Gaza City , beit hanoun ,Magazi camp , shatie , nusierat ,khan yunis ,in some areas, volunteers are distributing the Eid meat while under real danger , because of the israeli military operation against Gaza in (almagazi camp )
we managed to reach the most needy families ,and at the moment more than 75%of gaza families in Gaza live under poverty line ,
thanks to all who were keen to work this project with us in Gaza
El Farra also describes life under siege in this post:
Xmas time is so close, from Gaza I send my love, and best wishes for merry xmas and happy new year, I ask you while celebrating and rejoicing ,not to forget us in Gaza,to remeber the thousands of men , women and children who takes the worst brunt of continous unjust war , to spread the word of truth, to shake the world consciousness against the big war crimes that is happening in Gaza, the harsh inhuman collective punishment against my people, the occupation crimes that is committed under the pretence of Israel security and fighting terrorism!!
When it is late, it is not acceptable for the world to say: WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN GAZA
Libya:
In Libya, Khadija Teri describes how Eid is smoother away from the prying eyes of the extended family. She explains:
This is a first for us – The first Eid by ourselves (in 19 years). We've always done Eid with the entire family. Every year the family seems to get bigger, and noisier, and with that Eid becomes an unpleasant experience. This year we decided it was time to go it alone and it was wonderful. No crabby sister-in-laws or screaming babies, and best of all no brother-in-laws hanging about, so the girls and I could wear what we liked and leave our hair uncovered. Yeah!!!!
Lebanon:
In Lebanon, Sietske spends Eid on a boat ride, along with pictures.
She writes:
It’s the Eid in Beirut. Everything is closed today.
In the Cedars the ski slopes opened today. You can sea the snow in the mountains right here in Beirut. It’s pretty early; the season usually starts in January…
And you wouldn’t say it either, as I was basking in the sun at the Solidere Marina. They’ve got some nice yachts moored there. I visited one 10 million dollar yacht. Nice. Very nice. “If you like it so much, ask your husband to buy you one,” said the man. Yeah, right. I’ll settle for the $500,000 model any time.
And then goes on a boat ride.
Photo credit: Sietske
Still in Lebanon, Ahmad offers us reasons as to why Eid celebrations do not start on one day across the Muslim world. He writes:
I wish a Happy and Blessed Adha Eid for everyone of you despite the confusion whether the Eid starts Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (or even later). This makes me wonder why would it be so difficult to agree on a unified Eid!?
Among the reasons he cites are:
Explanation 1:
In my humble opinion, the authoritative sheikh in KSA, who also happens to be the employee of the Saudi king, is using a defective calculator ..
Explanation 3:
A third explanation which also makes perfect sense is that not all scholars are spotting the same moon.
Explanation 5:
They spot something else – other than the moon.
Kuwait:
From Kuwait, Fonzy  shows us with pictures the shopping frenzy for Eid. He describes the situation as follows:
Past two days I went to Avenues to Boggi to buy a suit then pick it up next day.  The first day, it took me 15 mins to find parking.  Yesterday, it took me around 30 mins to find a spot and it was all the way next to IKEA.  Walking through the mall, you just keep bumping into people. Everyone is carrying all these shopping bags running from store to store, not to mention all those kids who walk around smoking and checking out girls.  Though crowded and noisy, it was nice seeing all these people out preparing to celebrate Eid with their new outfits and accessories.
Syria:
Our last stop is in Syria, where Hovic  shows us photographs of Aleppo at Eid and Christmas time.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Armenia: Dram Politics · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Economist is unhappy with the way the media and other bloggers have reported on the appreciation of the Armenian Dram against the US Dollar. In particular, says David, the issue is instead hijacked for political purposes.


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Armenia: Media Protest · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer reports on a protest staged to support a regional TV station in Gyumri, Armenia's second largest city. The station is facing continued pressure from the local authorities as next year's presidential election draws closer.


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Armenia: Robinson Crusoe in Kurdish · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Kurdistan and Hayastan — Hand in Hand posts a scan of the front page of the Kurdish translation of Daniel Dafoe's classic book, Robinson Crusoe. The book was translated and published in the Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish in 1936.


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Bahrain: Bahraini Demonstrator ‘Killed’ · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger emoodz  writes (Ar) about the death of a Bahraini demonstrator in this post.


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Bahrain: National Day Celebartions  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Ammar shares scenes from his country's national day celebrations in this photo post.


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Barbados, Jamaica: Navel String  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Dirt under the nails is a good thing”: Living in Barbados blogs about an interesting Jamaican tradition and the joys of being close to the earth.


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Barbados: Matters of Race  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Barbados-born pop star Rihanna's revelation that she was bullied at school for being “white” causes Barbados Free Press and What crazy looks like to blog about “the intersections of race, colour, class and gender in the Caribbean.”


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Barbados: Politics and Unions  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Notes From The Margin asks: “Should a Union endorse a political party? Should politicians be union representatives?”


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Bermuda: The Government We Deserve? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

A Limey In Bermuda thinks that the island has got the government it deserves.


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Brazil: We will write in Portuguese indeed · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Felipe Lobo [pt] analyses the many reactions brought by a post published in Portuguese at the American site propeller, among which comments like “Our national language is English! If you want to post something, do so in English”. The Brazilian blogger believes they will carry on speaking in Portuguese and says: “Informally, the Internet has English as its “official” language. However, as it is a democratic media, it allows the use of any language, in any place. Its geography has turned out quite complex”.

author: Paula Góes


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Cambodia: Monks Stopped From Petitioning  · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Flickr user Jinja has posted images of police action against monks in Cambodia.
More images at the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights.
The monks were protesting against Vietnam's arrest earlier this year of a Cambodian monk Tim Sakhorn. According to a petition at the petition online site, Tim Sakhorn was arrested by Cambodian authorities on June 30 for allegedly  for “conducting activities that are harmful to the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship.”. The monk was defrocked and after which his whereabouts were not known. In August the Vietnamese authorities announced that they have arrested Tim Sakhorn for activities that undermine Vietnam's unity.
The monks also want Vietnam to return the Cambodian land that they claim Vietnam occupied in the past. The fight with the police broke out when the monks were heading to the Vietnamese Embassy to drop of a petition.
Bloggers in Cambodia and abroad have been commenting on the issue.
1. Street Fighting Monks
2. Cops Vs. Monks Contd.
(Both from Details are Sketchy)
3. Return of the Kampuchea Krom Monk Issue
(From Erik W. Davis at  buddh•ism ad•junkt)
(Thanks to John Weeks for the links)

author: Preetam Rai


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China: Fixed Price Begging and IPO · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Mr zhang ran into a beggar doing RMB6 dollar begging in the street. The blogger feels that such kind of begging method is similar to the IPO in the stock market (zh), if the company don't fix a price, people would just give a penny.


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Cuba: Show Me Your Friends… · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Child of the Revolution describes the United Nations resolution expressing concern at reports of human rights violations in North Korea “surprising” – and notes that “the usual suspects” (including Cuba) abstained from the vote.


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Egypt: High Alert Security in Zamalek  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Arabist from Egypt posts a security circular for the rich Zamalek district in this post.


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Egypt: Sunni-Shia Dream · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The sectarian rift between the Islamic Sunni and Shia sects is haunting Egyptian blogger D B Shobrawy‘s dreams. Read about that here.


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Georgia: Authoritarian Tendencies · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Resistance Georgia comments on the latest report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) which concludes that Georgia is veering towards authoritarianism. The pro-opposition blog thanks the ICG for using such words when the international community is reluctant to do so.


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Ghana: It’s time for music in politics · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Chale discusses the use of music in the Ghanian presidential race: “Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, is in the news again. After causing stirs on the music scene and political landscape with his Letter to parliament track, he has released a new political song called ‘Da no’ which means That day.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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India: Tweetup! · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A Tweetup (or Twitter Meetup) in Mumbai, probably the first one in India – more information at Gauravonomics.


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Iran:UN Sees Iranian Rights Abuses · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Omid Memarian,journalist and blogger,informs us that the “U.N. General Assembly approved a draft resolution Tuesday expressing “deep concern” at the systematic human rights violations in Iran, including torture, flogging, amputations, stoning and public executions.


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Iraq: Celebrating Eid · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Najma from Iraq shares with us how she celebrated Eid Al Adha in this post.


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Israel: Hypocritical Arabs  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“(A)ny state that defines itself as “Arab” would be equally guilty of the racism that Israel is being accused of,” writes The Elder of Zion, in this post, which lists excerpts from the constitutions of a number of Arab countries and Iran.


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Israel: Interfaith Hanukkah Party  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jerusalem Gypsy, from Israel,  holds an interfaith Hanukkah party – with Muslims and Jews.


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Japan: The battle of HCV victims · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

Stories about tainted blood products are nothing new in Japan. In the 1980s, patients with hemophilia contracted HIV from tainted blood products, the result negligence on the part of the government and pharmaceutical companies about an earlier FDA decision to withdraw its approval of the products.
In 1987, pregnant women in Aomori who were given fibrinogen — for which, again, the FDA had withdrawn its approval in 1977 — were found to be infected with hepatitis C, bringing public attention to the issue of HCV infections contracted via tainted blood product. Between 1969 and 1994, HCV infections spread among those who underwent surgery and childbirth and remained unnoticed for decades.
The Green Cross Corporation (now Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation) was involved in both cases, and as vcccttea writes:
このミドリ十字はかつての関東軍７３１部隊の内藤良一(元陸軍中佐)により
戦後まもなく民間血液銀行として設立されメンバーおよび役員に旧７３１部隊関係者が
多くＨＩＶほか薬害を起こしている、そして今度の薬害肝炎です。
In 2002, hepatitis C patients who contracted the disease through the use of tainted blood products filed lawsuits against the government and the parmaceutical companies in Tokyo and Osaka. In the following year, similar lawsuits were filed in Fukuoka, Nagoya and Sendai. Four courts ruled that the state and the pharmaceutical compnaies are responsible for the HCV infections, but the Sendai Court denied the state's responsibility. Earlier this month, the Osaka Court suggested mediation through which plaintiffs who contracted HCV via tainted blood products between 1986 and 1988 could be compensated, setting a deadline for the government on December 20.
Fukuda Eriko, one of the Fukukoka plaintiffs, expressed her frustration with the government proposal following the Osaka court ruling in her blog:
到底納得いかない。
私たちは、従来から、原告だけのために闘っているわけではないといってきました。
被害にあったものは、打たれた時期や、製剤の種類にかかわらず、また、原告であるか、ないかに関わらず、なにも悪いことをしていないのに、
肝炎に感染し、健康を害され、周りの大切な人や家族にも、つらい思いをさせながら、人生被害をうています。
平等に救済されるべきです。
しかも、この案を、総理は私たちがのむかもしれないと思っていたんでしょう。
「13日の和解案を見て、検討したい。」とおっしゃていました。
しかし、和解内容は、末に知らされていました。
私たちが、原告だけ救済される案を、のむだろうとと思っていたということが、許せません。
被害者の一部をほったらかしにして、幕引きしようと思っている。
The scandal has draw significant attention from the media and the public. Kokoro of wanbalance writes:
国がとんでもない薬品を承認しつづけていたのだから、国が保障するのは基本中の基本。問題なのはそれだけではない。だいたい、罪を犯したものが今も罪を問われないで、のうのうと暮らしていることが大問題です。肝心要の時に、いったい誰が続行を決断したのか？これも防衛省の汚職事件と同じ構造があるんじゃないの？そうでなければ、アメリカでは危険だという事で、とっくのとうに使用禁止になっていた薬品だと判明していたにも関わらず、どんどん売っていた製薬会社と、国の役人との汚職から起ったことなんじゃないでしょうか。
Another blogger pochi refers to two newspaper articles, one[ja] about compensation for the HCV victims and another[ja] about an 800 billion yen missile defense.
では、1800億円だとか、5700億円だとかは大きい金額でしょうか？
上の二つの記事を比較してみてください。
片や、５年後までに、8000億円から１兆円のお金をつぎ込む計画ですが、金額は倍増することも、さらにもっと増えることもある・・・・。そして、その結果は「使い物にならなくなる可能性」があるということだそうです・・・・・。フウ～（ため息です）。
一方、1800億円や5700億円は、自分たちにはいっさい責任がないのに国と製薬会社のせいで被害にあわれた方に支払われるべきものです。
あらためて、みなさんに問いかけたいのです。
1800億円とか5700億円とかって、大きすぎますか？
救済する人に「線引き」をする必要がありますか？

author: Hanako Tokita


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Japan: The Mixi Social Network · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

At Asiajin, shunichi arai writes about Mixi, Japan's largest and most popular social networking service.

author: Chris Salzberg


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Japan: UFOs Do Exist · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

James from Japan Probe picks up an interesting local news: a top government official believes that the existence of UFO is definitely real.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Jordan: Views on Lebanon Conference · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordanian blogger Mohammad Azraq is back from a conference in Lebanon. Read his observations here.


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Kazakhstan: Blogosphere’s Self-Reflection  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Recently, the Kazakhstani blogosphere has suddenly become interested in what the blogs really are and what sort of impact they have. Bloggers produced series of posts on this topic approximately at the same time. It is difficult to say for sure what was the reason for such wave of self-reflection – maybe it is caused by rising attention of the international donors to development of the citizen journalism, maybe by a series of “best blog” contests (at least three contests are under way – a MediaNet's, neweurasia's competition and a Hivos-funded one, organized by CJ.kz; and some more are ahead), or maybe by the maturing of the blogosphere itself.
Mantrov says that, based on his own experience, citizen journalism – a sign of democratic pluralism – is when a cyber-activist or a journalist is analyzing a certain topic not because of the honorarium, but first of all, because he or she is imbued by an issue and tries to solve the problem.
Aftakep structures his interest in the blogs in three clauses:
“1. Self-expression. Do you remember the Maslow's Pyramid of Needs? Self-expression is only a couple of lines below sex – very close. Why do you think the blogs appeared?
2. A storage of wise thoughts.
3. Original way of communication. Social networks are fully built on this desire of a human: new acquaintances, others’ lifes. Cool.”
Megakhuimyak sees the blogs as a tool for politicians to spread their message. “Interesting, the Russian oppositionists – in contrast to the Kazakh ones – have media, access to the television and some popularity in the society. However, all of them do blogs, like SPS leader Nikita Belyh or liberal leader Boris Nemtsov, because they don't want to lose another chance to work with the electorate and gain additional political scores. Our opposition members only yell that they can't do anything to broadcast their thoughts. But, apparently, they simply don't want to. That's why they have such levelof popularity”.
Cross-posted from neweurasia.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Kuwait: Operation Cat Rescue  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Kuwaiti firemen were out in full force – to rescue a cat. Read Mark‘s report with photographs here.


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Kyrgyzstan: Weeding the Tulip Garden · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bboyd reviews the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, saying that instead of a diverse planting of ideas and leadership, Kyrgyzstan’s legislature will have a kind of political desert for ideas and institutions.


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Macau: March for democracy and end to corruption · Global Voices
Paula Góes

José Carlos Matias [pt] publishes pictures and videos to mark the eighth anniversary of Macau's reversion to Chinese rule, among which images of today's workers march demanding more democracy and a corruption-free government.


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Puerto Rico: Loving Life · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“A reminder of My mortality. A memo to Me that nothing is guaranteed”: A close call makes Gil the Jenius appreciate life all the more.


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Russia: Lyudmila Ulitskaya · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Russian Blog writes about Lyudmila Ulitskaya's latest – and, possibly, her last – novel, “Daniel Stein, translator”: “After being such a prolific writer for many years, and after the huge work she put into her last effort, she of course deserves a break. Anyone who has read this masterpiece would not argue with such a decision, even though after reading it the reader feels a hunger for more, for more of this kind of writing, and, of course, for Ulitskaya to write more books of this kind.”


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Russia, Moldova: Interview With Natalia Morar · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

An interview with journalist Natalia Morar by Grigory Pasko – at Robert Amsterdam's blog.


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Serbia: 50 Cent in Kosovo · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Prishtine: Independence and Kanun hosts a discussion of 50 Cent's recent concert in Kosovo.


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South Africa: Is Jacob Zuma untouchable? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Outlet is pessimistic about the future of South Africa: “Within a day of being ANC president, a major force against him is bound to be disbanded. I really hope someone does something about this soon, this country is facing some serious troubles otherwise.”


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South Africa: Two centers of power · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ray Hartley's take on Zuma's victory as ANC president: “As of today, the country is living with the much speculated about phenomenon of “two centers of power”. Jacob Zuma is ANC president while Thabo Mbeki remains president of the country.”


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South Korea: A Black Day for Progressive? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

CINA describes the winning of Lee Myung-bak in the presidential election as a black day for progressive movement in South Korea.


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Soviet History: The Red Terror · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about the history of Cheka and the Red Terror.


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St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Christmas Traditions  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

MACO Caribbean Living gives us a glimpse into unique Christmas celebrations in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.


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Syria: Hassan Al Quwatli RIP  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Hassan al-Quwatli, the oldest son of Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli [1943-1949, 1955-1958] has died in Saudi Arabia. Syria Comment has an obituary here.


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Taiwan: Gtalk Translation · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

PipperL is checking the accuracy of Gtalk translation from English to Chinese (zh), e.g ‘He looks fine’ is translated into ‘he is looking forward to have a fine’ in Chinese.


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The Balkans: A Blogroll, Sort Of · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Balkan Anarchist posts a blogroll of sorts, listing all blogs (mostly Balkan, but not exclusively so) he has left comments at in 2007. Of special notice are Genocide in Bosnia, a blog by an exile from Srebrenica, and this discussion at Srebrenica Genocide Blog.


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The Balkans: Fighting Genocide Deniers · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Srebrenica Genocide Blog has two new posts up: on the atrocities of 1943, and on Darko Trifunovic, a “Srebrenica genocide denier” employed by the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Security Studies. In a comment, Alan Jakšić of Serbian Anarchist recommends that Daniel of Srebrenica Genocide Blog file a “formal complaint” with the University of Belgrade: “Afterall, university people are supposed to take such feedback seriously. And given the political VARIETY in the country, you might just be successful. So try taking it direct to them if you haven't already. And should they not take it seriously, well, you can always blog about it.”


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The troubled pasts of Burkina Faso  · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

The United Nations Development Programme recently released its 2007/2008 Human Development Index, which ranks countries not just by incomes, but by social indicators like life expectancy, literacy and education.
This year, the news was not good for Burkina Faso, which dropped  from the world’s fourth poorest country to its second poorest. It didn’t escape the local independent press that the country actually placed last because the sole country it beat out, Sierra Leone, is attempting to rebuild itself after a decade-long civil war.
Burkina Mom found it sadly ironic that development indicators are falling while the government throws itself a huge party for National Day, replete with a huge parade and many festivities. It was really just another opportunity for local elites to pat themselves on the back:
Burkina’s people are losing ground daily and the government thinks to distract them with the occasional pathetic parade or speech. Bread and circuses anyone? Hey-the average citizen here would LOVE some food and a good show. But the entertainment on offer is frankly sub-par. The parade on the 11th in honor the National Republic Day was mainly an opportunity for the elites to pat themselves on the back. Certainly none of the modest folks that I work with daily knew anything about the supposedly delightful distraction proposed by their loving government. As for those people working downtown, all it did was prevent them from getting to work on time for several days (there were rehearsals for the parade that shut down the center of town for hours a day). And as for the “bread” part of the equation, that would be much appreciated, as hunger and malnutrition are rife here. But there’s no free lunch. Or even a small free snack.
Burkina Faso also commemorated the ninth anniversary of the death of crusading independent journalist Norbert Zongo, who was killed along with three other people in a village about 100 km south of Ouagadougou.
Zongo, the founder of the country’s first independent newspaper, L’Indépendant, spent much of the last year of his life investigating the death of David Ouedraogo, the personal chauffeur to Francois Compaore, the brother of Burkina Faso’s president. Ouedraogo was secretly held at a base for the Presidential Guard Force, tortured and eventually killed for allegedly stealing money from his employer.
On December 13, members of civil society, press freedom groups and regular citizens gathered once again to demand the government re-open the stalled investigation into the Zongo murders. But as the years continue to add up, Africa Flak, (a blog I am involved in), wonders if any amount of internal and external pressure can be placed on the government to find those who killed Zongo and his colleagues:
“With nine years and counting since the Zongo killings, I am of two conflicting opinions about the steps international organizations and governments can take. My first instinct says it’s too late for outsiders to influence the Burkina government on this issue. That being said, I don’t know how many conversations regarding the Zongo affair have taken place in upper levels between, say, the European Union and Burkina Faso. If the subject has indeed been broached, these discussions have so far proved fruitless – the investigation into the killings has been allowed to wither and die a slow, painful death. It should be said that in the world of diplomacy few things are more sacred than national sovereignty, and the Zongo killings represents the mother of all domestic issue. ”
Finally, Keith from Under the Acacias is told by a person named “H” the strange history of Al Hadji Bani, a man who went to Mecca but became disillusioned with the commercialization of the pilgrimage. He returned to Burkina Faso to Bani, a small village located 230 km north of Ouagadougou, which is now famous for the seven earthen mosques, six of which break Islamic tradition by not facing Mecca.
Al Hadji Bani claimed he was a prophet sent by God, and people started following him, Keith writes. They claimed Al Hadji Bani had dreams and revelations regarding the mosques – about where they should be built.
“H” says that Al hadji Bani then started claiming that he was Jesus returned, and that Bani was the new Mecca, and that Muslims should now pray facing Bani rather than Mecca. This was in 1989, and it was at this time that “H”, along with many others, became disillusioned and left the community.
The rest of the story can be found here.

author: John Liebhardt


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Trinidad & Tobago: Bah Humbug! · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jeremy Taylor wants to call off Christmas.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Trinidad & Tobago: Hanky Panky  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Leader of the Opposition wiped his hands on a handkerchief after reluctantly shaking hands with the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago at the ceremonial opening of the 9th session of Parliament – The Extra Secret Blog of Basdeo Panday explains everything.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Media Accuracy  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“It's not enough to just present the news. You have to be accurate”: Media Watch corrects several reporters’ poor pronunciation.


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Turkey: Childhood Dreams  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Turkish blogger Murat Altinbasak shares his dreams with us in this post.


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Uzbekistan: 2007 in Retrospect · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Libertad reviews major event in Uzbekistan in 2007, pointing out a topic that deserves more attention than others – pre-election process in Uzbekistan.


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Afghanistan: Tribalism, a true enemy · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Sanjar opines that the reason Iraq and Afghanistan remain unsettled battlefields isn't that our two civilizations can't agree on the nature of God, but because they can't agree on the nature of man.


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Armenia: Another Blogger Outraged at Azerbaijan Event · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogian weighs into the controversy that surrounded the opening of a Days of Azerbaijan funded by the British Embassy in Yerevan earlier this week. Supporting the action of those bloggers who protested the event in person, Simon says that such an event is unthinkable on the second anniversary of the destruction of Armenian khachkars (stone crosses) in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan.


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Armenia: Election Differences · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer features a guest post by a Swiss ex-pat worker in Armenia who compares how elections are conducted in Europe with how they are conducted here in the South Caucasus.


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Armenia: Hiking in the Mountains · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Armenia and me posts a photograph and an account of a recent hiking trip in the snow covered mountains north of the Armenian capital.


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Armenia: Action Puts Bloggers In Media Spotlight · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

In countries such as Armenia where the mainstream broadcast media is firmly under the control of government-connected businessmen and/or officials, while the traditional print and online media largely reflects the opposition in the country, there is no doubt that blogs have an important role to play in the dissemination of information, news and views.
Yet, until recently, this has not been the case, perhaps in part to the low level of internet penetration in the country as well as a largely apathetic potential audience. However, since the 12 May parliamentary election 2007 in Armenia, and especially as the country readies itself for the 19 February 2008 presidential election, that might now all be changing.
But rather than change as the result of alternative, opposition voices seeking to involve themselves in the internal political life of the country, the situation might now be changing because of four bloggers who protested on and offline against an event staged early this week at a Yerevan school to promote peace and reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The two countries have been in an effective state of war over the breakaway mainly-Armenian inhabited territory of Nagorno Karabakh for two decades and attempts to sign a lasting peace agreement since a 1994 ceasefire fail time after time. The event, Days of Azerbaijan in Armenia, was funded by the British Embassy in Yerevan and hoped to change the perception of Armenia's defacto enemy in the minds of local school children.
This is how I reported the news on my own blog.
PanArmenian.Net reports that Armenian bloggers have protested the opening of the Days of Azerbaijan posted earlier. Well, it’s fair to say that they don’t represent Armenian bloggers as a group, but it is interesting to see the use of the word blog in a headline or story.  […]
[…]
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A group of Armenian bloggers handed a symbolic present – a peace of soap – to Georgy Vanyan, the initiator of “Days of Azerbaijan” in Yerevan. The present was handed with a wish “for better work.”
The measure had for an object to teach the organizers of the so-called Days of Azerbaijan a good lesson.
[…]
The four Live Journal bloggers — Uzogh, Pigh, Aerial_vortex and Akunamatata_ser — were angered by the attempt to hold such an event at a school run by Armenia's former Minister of Education, Ashot Bleyan, who is often accused of “anti-Armenian” positions on Nagorno Karabakh and Genocide recognition. Speaking to Global Voices for this post, Uzogh explains in more detail how and why the four bloggers staged their action.
On December 14, the day when the press release announcing the event at Bleyan's school was sent to public, I wrote a post [RUS] expressing my anger towards the organizers and sponsors of this event. The post resulted in many comments and a rather long discussion with Mark Grigoryan (Armenian journalist now residing in UK).
Some of the participants of this discussion suggested doing something to make this event a failure, but I preferred to take some time out for reflection before resorting to action. A day later, I concluded that an aggressive action would not result in the failure of the event, but would rather turn the organizers into some kind of victims which would lead to increased publicity and additional fund raising opportunities.
That's why I instead preferred to pursue a tactic of mockery and shared this idea with a few bloggers that had already expressed their intention to join any protest action. We had a brainstorming at my house on Sunday and figured out what could be done.
I didn't want to make this a public protest action, and none of us are members of any political party or non-formal group etc, so we did not aim to attract a lot of supporters. This was the protest by a few men and citizens, and not a civic action. At its core was the concept that we didn't like the strategy of unilateral reconciliation through the brain-washing of children.
In a sense, and unlike how bloggers are usually perceived, the root of the action could be considered nationalist. However, what was most interesting was that it largely seems to have attracted the support of other bloggers regardless of their political orientation. One such blogger, for example, who spoke highly of the action was The Armenian Observer.
At the opening ceremony of the event, which took place in the Mkhitar Sebastatsi educational complex headed by Former Minister of Education Ashot Bleyan, the group of mentioned Bloggers rushed to the speaker – head of the Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives (CCPMI) Georgi Vanyan and presented him with pieces of soap. This symbolic gesture, which is highly offensive and contains elements of bitter sarcasm, was carried out as a form of protest, for implementing this action, which according to blogger Pigh […] is quite untimely, doesn’t contribute to the promotion of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in any way, and is only seen by the Bloggers as a way for Mr. Vanyan, to launder grant money – even at the price of hurting his country’s interests.
Another blogger, Blogian, also approved of the action even though he himself is in favor of finding a lasting peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Indeed, according to Uzogh, the four bloggers who staged the action are also not against such objectives, but like Blogian are instead against activities run by individuals whose positions on such initiatives are not supported by the bulk of society in the country. Blogian explains.
The selective Radio Free Europe report on a British Embassy-sponsored event called “Days of Azerbaijan” in Armenia has been brought upon fierce criticism from bloggers  after the U.S. State Department-sponsored news agency failed to mention that a group of bloggers in Armenia had protested the event by handing a soap to the Armenian organizers of “Days of Azerbaijan” as reported by sources such as PanArmenian.net and ArmeniaNow.
[…]
Being one of the few bloggers that has spoken for Armenian and Azeri rehumanization, I still have to protest “Days of Azerbaijan” for my VERY PERSONAL reasons.
VERY PERSONAL, because I treat every medieval Armenian cross-stone that Azerbaijan reduced to dust two years ago as my own dead relative and I don’t want a group of idiots organizing ”Days of Azerbaijan” in Armenia during the second anniversary of Djulfa cemetery’s destruction.
If “Days of Azerbaijan” included commemoration and condemnation of Djulfa’s destruction I’d be for the event.  But since one of the organizers, Ashot Bleyan, has suggested in the past that Armenian students shouldn’t learn about the Armenian Genocide, one can’t expect much from morons like him.
Yet, even though the action did disrupt the event if only for a few seconds and certainly made it's point, what is also interesting is that many media outlets neglected to report that it had occurred. One of those publications was the online version of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, for example. However, the event and the action was covered by a few television stations and thus firmly put blogging and bloggers firmly on the map in Armenia.
Again speaking to Global Voices for this post, Uzogh explains what the action achieved.
Many people from the Armenian Live Journal community have written supportive posts quoting our original report from the action. This enthusiasm brought our posts to the top three positions in the Yandex blog rating — something like the Russian-language-Google which pays a lot of attention to, and maintains its own popularity rating for, blogs. Our posts resulted in lots of supporting protest posts from other LJ users. This feeling of support was amazing, and I finally  understand for the first time what it means to have such support.
The action was successful and we made our voice heard. We pushed the words of bloggers into the offline media, and we made journalists curious about what blogs are. We successfully expressed our feeling of deep disagreement about the event at Bleyan's school and I think this action broke the ice in terms of stopping the silence in the Armenian media about blogs. To be honest, I'm a little proud of that.
Uzogh promises more actions by bloggers in the near future.


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Bahrain: Celebrations, commemorations, and demonstrations · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahrain is approaching the end of a ten-day holiday to celebrate both its National Day and Eid Al Adha, which has seen tragedy as well as joy. December 16 is Bahrain’s National Day, and the following day celebrates the King’s accession to the throne (عيد الجلوس), but it is also a day on which the opposition mark ‘Martyrs’ Day’, commemorating the people who died during the 1990s while fighting for political reform. During demonstrations this year one man died, creating another ‘martyr’, and increasing tension on the streets of the kingdom.
Celebration of the nation
We start on a positive note, however, with a photo from Ammaro showing some festive lighting on the occasion of National Day:
Photo credit: Ammaro.com
Shaima Al Watani expresses her love of Bahrain:
خلجات كثيرة تعتمر في صدري .. فاليوم يوم الوطن .. يوم الأرض التي ولدنا عليها .. ونموت عليها ..
Many emotions fill my heart…Today is the day of the nation…The day of the land on which we were born…and on which we will die…
Plus ça change?
Not everyone is experiencing such intense emotion; LuLu is apparently stuck in a rut:
Happy National Day
Happy Coronation Day
Condolences on Martyrs Day
THIRTY-SIX Years later, I turn to the TV to watch our leaders give the same old speech, I wait a bit longer to watch the same old national dance, I get on youtube to watch the same old protest video, then I turn to our good old online discussion forums to read the same arguments over and over. It then hits me that, as part of the silent majority, my main concern is for the 10-day vacation. I also realize then that I have nothing to do those ten days except blog…
So how do you feel today?
Father of the nation
By coincidence, this week also saw the first anniversary of the death of Sheikh Abdul Amir Al Jamri,  the ‘spiritual leader’ of Bahrain's Shia population and of the political uprising during the 1990s. Samia Hassan addresses him:
معذرةًً أيها الشيخ.. هذه الجزيرة لا تزال تشتاق لقرص الحرية..
Apologies, oh Sheikh… This island is still craving the taste of freedom…
In remembrance
Maroon Al Ras gives some background to ‘Martyrs’ Day':
الجدير بالذكر أن 17 ديسمبر من كل عام، هو يوم الشهداء في البحرين، ففيه سقط أول شهيدين في انتفاضة التسعينات، وهما: هاني خميس، وهاني الوسطي رحمهما الله تعالى
One should note that December 17 of each year is Martyrs’ Day in Bahrain, on which the first martyrs of the uprising of the nineties fell, namely Hani Khamis and Hani Al Wasti, may they rest in peace.
Lizardo is uncompromising:
We’re not forgetting or forgiving
its not our right anyway
there is a right and it should go back to its owner
for Bahrain for the land
for our heros
Hayat remembers those who died:
في السابع عشر من الشهر الجاري احتفى بعض الأخوة بعيد الشهداء .. شهداء الوطن الذين سطروا أروع التضحية و الفداء من أجل وطن حر ينعم مواطنيه بحقوقهم و حريتهم…
On the seventeenth of this month some brothers marked Martyrs’ Day… Martyrs of the nation who made the most glorious sacrifice for the sake of a free nation whose citizens enjoy their rights and freedom…
Mohammed AlMaskati is also grateful:
ستظل دماء شهدائنا تروي شجرة الحرية، وستظل ذكراهم تبقى في قلوبنا و عقولنا
The blood of our martyrs will continue to water the tree of freedom, and their memory will remain in our hearts and minds…
Tragic death
During demonstrations on ‘Martyrs’ Day’, one of the demonstrators died; Mahmood’s Den was the first English blog to report the news:
I’ve just received a report that a Ali Jassim Mohammed, a 31 year old, was taken to the International Hospital about two hours ago in an unconscious state due to tear-gas exposure fired at a demonstration in Jidd Haffs.
He was one of many taking part to commemorate the contentious “Martyr’s Day” which the opposition wants to commemorate annually on the 17th of December, a day which has been inaugurated by the authorities as the “King’s Ascension Day”. The Ministry of Interior apparently issued a press release in which it stated that Ali’s death was due to a heart attack rather than tear-gas related. There are currently serious riots going on at the mortuary between the demonstrators and the police.
Reaction
The news of Ali Jassim's death led to more demonstrations and riots; for pictures and video clips see here, here, here, and here.
Photo credit: Gulf Daily News
Mohammed AlMaskati salutes the youth who were demonstrating:
أنتم نبض هذا الوطن، … أنتم شرف هذا الوطن و عزه، أنتم من رفض هذه المهازل التي نعيشها بسكوتنا
You are the pulse of this nation…you are the honour of this nation and its pride, you reject the farce we are living by our silence…
Ali Abdulemam gives a personal perspective to the story:
تحدثت أخت الشهيد السعيد علي جاسم عن أخاها الذي يستعد لاستقبال مولوده خلال الشهرين القادمين، وأنه في آخر كلماته التي نطق بها كان يوصيهم بزوجته وإبنه المرتقب، وأضافت أنه اشترى كل احتياجات طفله المرتقب “عدا سرير لم يستطع شرائه”
Ali Jassim's sister said that her brother was ready to welcome a baby in the coming months, and that amongst the last things he said was that he was entrusting them with his wife and expected child, and he added that he had bought all the child's requirements expect for a bed, that he hadn't been able to buy.
The bigger picture
Mahmood is frustrated:
Ali is reportedly recently married and was awaiting his first born soon. May his soul rest in peace.
Ours; however, will probably continue to be tormented by this ridiculous push-and-pull relationship between some elements of the opposition and the regime both of whom so far have failed to resolve their points of difference. Their dialogue, if at all it exists, can’t be anything but like a conversation between two deaf and dumb people with neither side prepared to listen. … How difficult is it really to recognise our shortcomings and work together toward an equitable resolution?
LuLu tried to put the events into context:
I have to say that I tried my best to stay away from this issue, simply because as everyone else, I don't know all the facts. I don't know if tear gas can kill a person, and I don't really know if it was police brutality that killed Ali Jassim Makki. But responsibility extends beyond the direct act of murder. Ali Jassim and hundreds with him were out there because it was their way of demonstrating their grievances. … We look around and we see naturalization (tajnees), corruption, unfairness, sectarianism.. yet many of us keep quiet because we can still live comfortable lives without getting involved. The problem is, not all of us have this comfortable life. These demonstrations are an act of desperation, and all government measures and anti-demonstration laws will not make it go away. … Supporting a “reformist” agenda espoused by the King cannot be separated from supporting the right of free expression and public demonstration. In any case Jassim and people like him don't really know or care to know about our anti-demonstration law, our independent investigation committees, or even the International Declaration for Human Rights that we signed apparently. They want to know that their government is not stealing their wealth, perpetuating their poverty, or selling their country to foreigners. Until the leadership is ready to treat its people as citizens (not subjects), no amount of government propaganda can change this sad situation.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Chile: Anniversary of Massacre in Santa María of Iquique · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Enzo Abbagliati of Cadaunadas [es] commemorates the 100 year anniversary of the massacre of Santa María of Iquique in Chile, where depending on the reports up to 195 striking mineral workers were killed by soldiers.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Chile: Eliminating Violence in the Stadiums · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Chuqui provides a couple of suggestions on how to eliminate violence in the football stadiums in Chile [es].


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China: Children Version of Lust, Caution · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated an editorial discussion of yweekend about the children version of Lust, Caution.


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China: Xiamen PX · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated an article from Southern Weekend which described in detail the negotiation among governments, Xiamen people and business over the Xiamen PX project.


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Colombia: Comparing Rates of Kidnapping · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Nicolás París of Machete [es] compares the rates of kidnapping in Colombia and Venezuela.


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Dominica: Posh Christmas · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Living Dominica decks the halls with her “gratitude tree” and gets ready for Christmas.


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Dubai: New Smoking Regulations · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Farrukh Ahmed writes about new smoking regulations in Dubai.


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Environment: Conflict continues in DRC · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

The Gorilla Protection blog updates that “The armed conflict is still right next to the Gorillas – literally bullets are flying, army and rebel positions are constantly moving, and if there are any civilians left, they are fleeing.”

author: Juliana Rotich


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Environment: How would Green Tax in SA be implemented? · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

Carl of Greencars asks ‘South Africa’s Green Tax – how’s it going to be implemented?’, saying
“Government needs to apply the carrot AND the stick when persuading car buyers to purchase cleaner cars.”


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Environment: The story of Stuff · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

Black looks posts a video  showing the story of stuff, she notes “90% of the stuff consumed in the US is trashed within six months – now that is truly scary”


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Hong Kong: Currency Peg · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

As Hong kong Currency is pegged with U.S, the economy in U.S has leaded to negative interest rate and inflation in Hong Kong. Kaie pointed out that such economic pain is unnecessary and against economic logic (zh).


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Iran:A poor musician in photos · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohammad Tajik,blogger and photographer, has pusblished several photos of a poor musician in Tehran.It seems the musician is suffering from leprosy.