Monday, May 17, 2010

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily News Brief, May 17, 2010

 

From the Council on Foreign Relations

May 17, 2010

View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

- Thai General Dies, Protests Continue
- Iran Agrees on Uranium Swap with Turkey
- U.S. Urges China for Open Technology Policy
- Euro Hits Four-Year Low Against Dollar

Top of the Agenda: Thai General Dies, Protests Continue

Red-shirt protests intensified in Bangkok (NYT), with the official death toll since Thursday rising to 35 dead and 244 injured. The renewed spate of violence was triggered by the shooting Thursday of renegade general Khattiya Sawatdithol, who had sided with the protesters and was reported dead Monday. Sunday, the government offered safe passage for any protesters who wished to leave the downtown area where they have been stationed for six weeks. Protest leader Nattawut Saikua offered to withdraw militant fighters from the streets and negotiate through the United Nations if the government also called a ceasefire and withdrew its troops. The government rejected the condition of involving the UN, since it would legitimize the protesters as an internationally recognized party.

The government said it would agree to talks (BBC) as long as protestors showed "sincerity" by leaving their camp. It offered free transportation home for those who left, and warned that the area was not safe and anyone who stayed could face up to two years in prison. Few of the five thousand protestors appeared willing to leave.

Analysis:

In the China Post, Kavi Chongkittavorn says Thailand's election to the UN Human Rights Council last week boosted its diplomatic capital. But the government will need to preserve freedom of expression and improve public diplomacy to stay credible.

A Bangkok Post op-ed says Thailand does not need UN intervention to mediate its political conflict.

The escalating standoff between Thai government troops and red shirt protesters reflects a fundamental shift in Thai politics and a weak government, writes CFR's Joshua Kurlantzick.

MIDDLE EAST: Iran Agrees on Uranium Swap with Turkey

Iran agreed to ship most of its enriched uranium to Turkey (AP) in a nuclear fuel-swap deal negotiated with Brazil and Turkey.

This Backgrounder examines Iran's nuclear program.

Iraq: Iraq's election commission said a recount of more than two million votes in Baghdad preserved the narrow lead (WSJ) of former prime minister Ayad Allawi's electoral bloc over Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's alliance.

PACIFIC RIM: U.S. Urges China for Open Technology Policy

Amid concerns about China's local innovation policies, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke urged China to remain open to U.S. (Reuters) and other foreign technology as it increases investment in clean energy.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Afghan Religious Leader Killed

Prominent Muslim religious leader Rahman Gul, his brother, and a relative were killed in Afghanistan's Chapa Dara district (al-Jazeera). Separately, an Afghan passenger plane crashed into the mountains (AFP) of northern Afghanistan Monday carrying forty-three people, including foreigners.

India: Maoist rebels killed eight villagers in an apparent revenge attack (AFP) on suspected informers in India's Chhattisgarh state.

AFRICA: Al-Shabaab Fires at Somali Parliament

Somalia's parliament met Sunday for the first time since December as al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab fighters fired mortars at the parliament building (Reuters), and African Union peacekeepers returned fire.

Nigeria: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said his remaining twelve months in office are not enough (ThisDay) to achieve his administration's goals.

AMERICAS: BP Reports Some Progress on Oil Spill

After more than three weeks of trying to stop the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, BP engineers say they have achieved some success (NYT) by using a mile-long pipe to capture some of the oil and divert it to a drill ship.

Mexico: 1994 Mexican presidential candidate Diego Fernández de Cevallos, still a power broker in the country's ruling party, is missing (AP) amid signs of violence.

EUROPE: Euro Hits Four-Year Low Against Dollar

The euro hit a four-year low against the U.S. dollar as fears continued about Europe's budget troubles (FT). The German government is calling for other eurozone countries to adopt their own versions of Berlin's balanced-budget law (FT).

Six experts weigh in on the contagion threat of the European debt crisis and the potential impact on the U.S. economy.

Europe: On Monday, flight restrictions due to ash drifting down from Iceland were lifted from London's two major international airports--Heathrow and Gatwick, but restrictions remained (AP) in Amsterdam, Northern Ireland, and smaller airports on Scottish islands.
 

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