Weekly World news

LITHUANIA

Lietuvos Rytas, Vilnius, April 7: Even before the NATO summit it was obvious that Ukraine and Georgia were unlikely to receive any signal that they would be accepted to the bloc. Arguments by the United States and some of its East European partners on the strategic importance of these two countries were met with stronger counter-arguments why they cannot be allowed to join.

Serious doubts

Many European countries have serious doubts over Kiev and Tbilisi’ readiness to join NATO. ... On the other hand, NATO is often referred to as an alliance dominated by one state — the U.S. This fact has probably fueled hopes in Ukraine and Georgia that Washington would be able to make enlargement skeptics change their minds.

This simply did not happen. It is hard to say if the efforts by American leaders alone would were enough to document the promise to Kiev and Tbilisi that they may be able to join NATO in the future. But now Ukraine and Georgia know for sure that the fate on this question is completely in their own hands.

INDIA

Times of India, New Delhi, April 9: The ongoing India-Africa summit in New Delhi may have taken a leaf out of China’s aggressive wooing of Africa. Yet India and Africa share a far older relationship and many common problems.

Centuries of colonialism have badly dented self-confidence in both India and Africa, a situation from which they are only just emerging.

As newly independent nations they found industry more prestigious, at the cost of neglecting agriculture. Since many in India and Africa struggle to feed themselves, spiralling food prices across the world will hurt them the most.

Yet India and Africa have the potential to become the granaries of the world. Besides abundant sunlight and fertile soil, they have regions that are favourable for the cultivation for practically every commercially important crop in the world.

In terms of productivity per acre, India scores badly for most crops. Yet even now, it is the second highest producer of fruits and vegetables.

Green revolution

Africa has a variety of soils and agro-climatic zones. It’s crying out for its own green revolution.

India has had its green revolution which, however, is running out of steam in terms of feeding its ever-expanding population. Indian farms badly need a makeover.

If India and African nations were to realise their joint agricultural potential, think of the effect that would have. Currently, 60 per cent of Indians and 70 per cent of the African population are engaged in farming.

Agriculture directly generates demand for rural labour. It delivers the most bang for the buck in terms of employment generated and gives opportunities to the poorest.

BRITAIN

The Independent, London, April 8: Unlike many newspapers, The Independent always believed it was right that a public inquest be held into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Now that the inquiry has found that Diana was unlawfully killed due to the “gross negligence” of her driver, Henri Paul, that evening in Paris 11 years ago, we continue to believe that it was right that the inquest was established. It is vital not only that justice is done, but that it is seen to be done. It is true that there was no compelling evidence that Diana was murdered, as Mohamed Al Fayed whose son Dodi perished in the same crash has long asserted.

‘Brake failure’

But it is equally true that Diana had written, only months before her fatal journey, that she feared some people were plotting her assassination and that it would involve “brake failure”. That is hardly typical behaviour of those who die in car accidents.

And whatever one’s personal belief about that crash in the Pont d’Alma tunnel, the plain fact is that a considerable number of people in Britain believed, before this inquest began last year, that what happened to Diana was not an accident.

Indeed, some will still have questions about how exactly Diana died and not just Mr Al Fayed. That is their prerogative.

But for the rest of us, it is to be hoped that this verdict will, at the very least, bring an end to the unedifying soap opera that has accompanied this inquest.

After six months, 250 sworn testimonies, and considerable public expense, it is difficult not to breathe a sigh of relief that it is finally over.

FINLAND

Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki, April 9: The Olympic torch relay is not meant to be a political weapon for the host country of the Olympics or its critics. However, separating sports from politics, in line with Olympic ideals, is seldom successful and on the part of the Beijing games it has utterly failed.

Protests

The nationalistic riots in Tibet and China’s clumsy way of relating the events have inflamed the situation to such an extent that protests against the torch’s trip are certain to continue as it travels through 20 countries to China.

The International Olympic Committee has good reason to meet this week to evaluate the desirability of continuing the torch relay. But it won’t be solved by simply directing it only to those countries where demonstrations would not be allowed.