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May 5, 2009
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Georgia troop mutiny; Tbilisi blames Moscow.
- Israel rejects claims in UN report on Gaza war.
- Swat evacuation could signal major Pakistani offensive.
- Obama launches crackdown on overseas tax dodgers.
Top of the Agenda: Georgia Troop Mutiny
Troops at a military base in Georgia mutinied today in what Georgian military officials are calling a coup attempt with Russian backing. Reuters reports Georgian troops seized control of the base, where a tank battalion had mutinied. http://m1e.net/
News reports and comments from Georgia's government indicate the revolt was timed to disrupt military exercises between Georgia and NATO, which are scheduled to open tomorrow. At a morning news conference, the Times reports, a senior official of Georgia's interior ministry said "the plan was organized with Russia, and the plan was at a minimum to spoil the NATO exercises, at a maximum to carry out a large-scale military uprising in the country."
The Russian news outlet ITAR-TASS quotes an unnamed official from Russia's security services who says the accusations of Russian involvement "are just delirium and agony of the ruling regime" in Georgia. http://m1e.net/
NATO officials had yet to comment on the flare-up at the time this newsletter was prepared.
Tensions between Georgia and Russia, particularly over NATO, have lingered since the 2008 war between the countries over the Georgian breakaway province of South Ossetia, whose independence Russia supported.
Background:
- The BBC looks at how Russia views NATO. http://m1e.net/
- In a recent interview, S. Frederick Starr, a professor at Johns Hopkins, told CFR that Moscow appears inclined to establish a stronger presence in Russia's "near abroad." http://m1e.net/
Related Analysis:
- CFR's Stephen Sestanovich and Charles Kupchan explained last year's conflict between Russia and Georgia in a conference call, the transcript of which is available here. http://m1e.net/
- CFR's James Goldgeier, in a recent expert brief, says NATO has internal tensions of its own. http://m1e.net/
MIDDLE EAST: Israel-UN Dispute
Haaretz reports Israeli officials are rejecting a UN report alleging that Israeli troops deliberately struck UN installations during their offensive in the Gaza Strip earlier this year. http://m1e.net/
The AP outlines the findings of the report, which will be presented to the Security Council later today. http://m1e.net/
IRAN-U.S.: The BBC reports an Iranian court will hold an appeal hearing next week for a U.S. journalist Iran recently sentenced on charges of espionage. http://m1e.net/
PACIFIC RIM: China Flu Precautions
The BBC reports China forced dozens of quarantined Mexicans to be air-lifted back to Mexico today, as part of sweeping precautions the country is taking against a potential outbreak of swine flu. http://m1e.net/
The Global Times reports both Beijing and the World Health Organization are playing down complaints that China has been discriminatory in its handling of the disease. http://m1e.net/
Xinhua reports China today delivered its second large shipment of flu aid supplies to Mexico. http://m1e.net/
S.KOREA: The Korea Times reports South Korea's currency, stocks, and real estate have all surged in value in recent weeks. http://m1e.net/
S.KOREA-N.KOREA: Yonhap reports Seoul and Pyongyang are holding preliminary talks that could lead to new meetings aimed at resolving disputes over their joint industrial complex at Kaesong. http://m1e.net/
SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA: Swat Evacuation
The BBC reports Pakistani officials lifted a curfew and encouraged civilians to leave areas around the town of Mingora, in the Swat Valley, indicating that a major military offensive there could be imminent. http://m1e.net/
Dawn reports government troops and Taliban are already engaged in intense gun battles in Mingora. http://m1e.net/
CONSTITUTION: The Daily Times reports Pakistan's chief justice has said Pakistan's Supreme Court feels empowered to revisit or change the seventeenth amendment of the country's constitution, which made significant changes to the document in 2003 under former President Pervez Musharraf. http://m1e.net/
A Dawn article from the time the amendment was passed explains some of the changes it made. http://m1e.net/
This Backgrounder from CFR explains Pakistan's constitution more generally. http://m1e.net/
AFRICA: Chad-Sudan Dispute
Chad accused Sudan of launching cross-border attacks two days after the countries signed a reconciliation deal (BBC). http://m1e.net/
The UN News Service says troop buildups in the border region dividing the countries is cause for concern. http://m1e.net/
S.AFRICA: Business Day reports South African business confidence shows signs of improvement. http://m1e.net/
AMERICAS: Obama Overseas Tax Rules
President Obama said he would launch a major effort to crack down on U.S. businesses and individuals who dodge taxes by parking cash overseas. http://m1e.net/
The FT says Obama's move sets up a potential clash with multinational corporations. http://m1e.net/
VENEZUELA: Venezuela's oil minister said recent heavy rains and an earthquake have not affected the country's oil output (El Universal). http://m1e.net/
EUROPE: Germany and Gitmo
Deutsche-Welle reports the United States is asking Germany to take up to ten Guantanamo Bay inmates next year. http://m1e.net/
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