This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.
Turkey braces for possible refugee influx from Syria
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The Syrian military has arrested hundreds of protesters, and killed about 500. As it prepares for this week’s massive demonstrations following Friday’s midday prayers, the army is moving some 30 tanks and 40 armored vehicles from Daraa to Banias. CNN
We’ve heard a lot about masses of refugees from Tunisia and Libya reaching Italy, but now a new refugee problem is growing, as the government violence in Syria is causing a wave of refugees arriving in Turkey. Turkey has already set up a refugee camp for 300 Syrians. Southeast European Times
Republican terrorists in Northern Ireland raising money in U.S.
Terrorist splinter groups from the old Irish Republican Army (IRA) are threatening new attacks in both mainland U.K. and Northern Ireland, and are raising money in the United States to support their activities. In the 1960s-90s, in a period known as “the Troubles,” there was sectarian violence between a Protestant majority that wished to remain a part of the U.K. and Catholic Republicans who wanted who sought union with the Republic of Ireland. The violence and terrorist attacks mostly ended with peace agreements in 1998 and 2005, but splinter groups are now threatening renewed violence. Wall Street Journal (Access)
Portugal’s Jose Socrates apparently misrepresented bailout agreement
When Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates announced the EU/IMF bailout on Wednesday, without revealing details, he sold it as being almost painless, requiring few new austerity measures beyond those that had already been implemented. However, EuroIntelligence says that a Financial Times analysis proves that Socrates lied. (Quelle surprise!) The actual memorandum indicates harsh tax increases, special taxes on pensions and welfare benefits, freezes on public sector pay, and labor reforms that make it easier to dismiss workers. Financial Times (Access).
Turkey reverses position and calls for Libya’s Gaddafi to step down
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi to step down right away. This is a shift in Turkey’s position, which previously had called for negotiation, and originally opposed any Nato military intervention at all. According to Erdogan:
“A new period started in the history of Libya. Words ran out on the Libya matter. At this point, what needs to be done is for Muammar Gaddafi, who is holding the government in Tripoli in Libya, to leave power immediately and to fulfil his historical and humanitarian responsibility.
Gaddafi has ignored calls for change in Libya and instead preferred blood, tears and pressure against his own people. Under current conditions, the best way is to return power to its genuine owners, the Libyan people. Libya is not the property of a single man or one family.
India considers hunting down terrorists on Pakistan’s soil
America’s successful military intervention in Pakistan that led to the death of Osama bin Laden has raised “tormented” questions among Indians, who wonder why they can’t do the same. After the horrendous November, 2008, terrorist attack on Mumbai, India wanted to send its military into Pakistan to go after the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist group, but was stopped from doing so. Indian Army Chief Gen VK Singh said that Indian armed forces were “competent” to carry out a similar operation. “I would like to say only this that if such a chance comes, then all the three arms (of the military) are competent to do this,” he said, but added, “Whether the US sought permission or not (from Pakistan), it has to be asked from them.” Express Tribune (Delhi)
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir responded to Singh in a press conference: “Of course, the United States is a friend and important partner in the fight against terror. But it’s worth stating here that any country, that any other country, that ever acts on the assumption that it has might and can mimic unilateralism of any sort, it will find that it has made a basic miscalculation. We feel that that sort of adventure and miscalculation would result in a terrible catastrophe.” Bloomberg
Europeans consider resettling Roma Gypsies in Russia
This is really mind-blowing, but apparently is being seriously considered. Last year, France deported thousands of Roma Gypsies to their homes in eastern Europe, a move that was popular in France, but condemned by politicians in other countries. (See “5-Sep-10 News — Thousands protest Gypsy expulsions from France.”) But now, with Russia’s population facing some serious declines, the Russians and the Europeans are discussing the possibility of resettling all the Roma in Russia and the Ukraine, which have a tradition of tolerance for the Roma, as reflected in Russian novels and music. “In this way, by counting on our accommodating spirit and hospitality, ‘tolerant’ Europe wants on our account to resolve the problem of its own intolerance. And it is worth noting that in the circles in and around the powers that be in Russia, there is actively being prepared the basis for such decisions.” Paul Goble
France considers early troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
The U.S. has about 90,000 troops in Afghanistan, while European countries, including France and Germany, have another 13,000 or so. The plan is to begin withdrawing troops this year, with complete withdrawal planned for 2014. But after the death of Osama bin Laden, France is reconsidering its options, and may withdraw its troops sooner. CS Monitor