EGYPT

EGYPT
Al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo, Oct. 30: The Republican Party is in so much trouble it may risk a major confrontation in the Middle East before half-term congressional elections in November. Republicans are far behind in the polls. Iraq has turned into a liability for President Bush and his party. According to a recent intelligence report, terrorist activities in Iraq escalated after the occupation, something President Bush has been refusing to acknowledge. A sex scandal featuring a key Republican congressman, Mark Foley, only made what was already bad worse.
Washington's intentions
Recently, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said that some Lebanese parties are encouraging the Americans to strike at Syria and occupy Damascus. Syria is not alone in suspecting Washington's intentions. The U.S. administration has been trying to dismantle the Hamas government in Palestine. And when Condoleezza Rice met with eight Arab foreign ministers a few days ago, analysts said that the U.S. secretary of state was trying to form a consensus on future arrangements in the region.
The current crisis of the Republican Party offers motive for dramatic actions in the Middle East. Mostly likely, Iran would be the first target, but Syria, Hizbullah and Hamas are all in the crosshairs. One can expect a variety of U.S.-Iranian skirmishes on various fronts, perhaps setting the stage for a wider confrontation. Interestingly enough, computer companies on both sides are already marketing video games based on possible war scenarios. Today, it's just a game. But tomorrow, we may have to deal with the real thing.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph, Oct. 31: No one, either on the left or right of politics, can deny that global warming is a reality. Green leaves, still hanging to the trees, tell the story, as do early morning temperatures. ... The question is: what can we do about it -- and are we prepared to pay the price?
The report by Sir Nicholas Stern, commissioned by the Treasury, confirms what scientists have been saying for years -- that the earth is warming up, as living standards and fuel consumption rises, and that the consequences will be disastrous, economically as well as environmentally, unless a global strategy is agreed and implemented. Other countries may reach slightly different conclusions, but Stern has set the standard, arguing that although stabilizing carbon emissions will be costly, it will be a lot less than a catastrophic economic depression in future.
Carrots and sticks
The Government has already announced that a climate change bill will be introduced, with carrots and sticks for those who either make a large or a small contribution to environmental protection. No one can quarrel with polluters paying more, and others less, but the Government's record on climate change has been so poor that the public will suspect that extra taxes may be charged, to be spent in other ways.
Public transport, under Labour, has never been given the emphasis it should have been, to cut private motoring and road-borne freight traffic. Anything that would be unpopular with the public, especially at election time, has been ruled out, so scheduled rises in fuel duty have been vetoed and budget airlines have thrived on tax-free aviation fuel.
All the old arguments against tougher laws will be trotted out, but their effectiveness is waning, just as the Arctic ice sheet is reducing by 9 percent a decade.
FIJI
Sun News, Nov. 1: What bears all the hallmarks of a botched attempt to remove the army commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, yesterday leaves the Government in a precarious position. Apparently unable to dismiss the commander and equally unable to coexist with him, the Government is left to look hapless, helpless and halfhearted. That may not be the truth but it is most certainly the public perception.
No replacement
The trouble appears to have been that the Government sought to dismiss the commander without first having a replacement ready and willing to take on the job. The senior officers approached apparently declined saying they did not have the support of the RFMF (Royal Fiji Military Forces.) "Appears" and "apparently" because neither the military nor the Government have troubled to enlighten the public on just what is the state of affairs.
In that event the Suva (the capital city) rumor mill was in full production yesterday and will continue to be so until someone, preferably the prime minister, tells the people the truth.