Summary: U.S. The Bush Administration's campaign for democracy appeared to lose its voice somewhat in response to the military coup in Thailand. While the European Union condemned the coup and called for "the military forces stand back and give way to the democratically elected political government,'' the State Department merely said that it was uneasy about the military takeover and hoped ''the Thai people will resolve their political differences in accord with democratic principles and the rule of law.''
President Bush and President Ahmadinejad clashed at the UN Tuesday over Iran's nuclear ambitions and each other's place in the world. Ahmadinejad accused the US of hegemony and hypocrisy. Bush said Iran's leaders were misleading Iranians about US intentions.
The New York Times editorializes against both President Bush's proposal for the treatment of detainees and Senator Warner's alternative. The White House bill repudiates the Geneva Conventions. The alternative bill preserves the Conventions but defines "illegal enemy combatant" so broadly it could be applied to almost any foreigner. Both bills choke off judicial review and allow those acquitted by a military tribunal to be held indefinitely.
A coalition of religious leaders in Connecticut has come together to pressure Senators Lieberman and Dodd to come out in opposition to torture.
Senate Majority Leader Frist signaled yesterday that he and other White House allies will filibuster a bill dealing with the interrogation and prosecution of detainees if they cannot persuade a rival group of Republicans to rewrite key provisions opposed by President Bush.
Iran The White House has muddied what were once clear lines in pursuit of diplomacy, the Washington Post reports. U.S. officials have acquiesced in a European effort to find a face-saving way for the talks to begin. U.S. officials are still pursuing sanctions. But with allies balking, negotiations appear more likely than punishment.
President Ahmadinejad suggested Tuesday that Pope Benedict had satisfactorily "modified" his remarks on Islam, one sign of an easing of anger since the pope issued an apology.
President Bush struck a more conciliatory tone on Iran in his speech at the UN than in previous speeches, the Washington Post reports.
Warren Buffett pledged $50 million to help the IAEA set up an international nuclear fuel bank that aspiring powers like Iran could turn to for reactor fuel instead of making it on their own.
Iraq Senior Iraqi and American officials are beginning to question whether Prime Minister Maliki has the political muscle and decisiveness to hold Iraq together as it hovers on the edge of full civil war, the New York Times reports.
A leader of a panel studying American policy toward Iraq said Tuesday that Prime Minister Maliki must take immediate action to improve security, end sectarian killings, reduce corruption and deliver basic services if he wants to retain US support.
Lebanon Residents of southern Lebanon remain skeptical of the intentions of new UN peacekeepers, Anthony Shadid reports for the Washington Post.
Palestine President Abbas is trying to convince Israel and the US that a national unity government with Hamas will satisfy Western demands that Hamas recognize the right of Israel to exist, forswear violence and accept prior Israeli-Palestinian agreements. But a draft political program does not mention Israel. It speaks of a Palestinian state in the territories captured by Israel in 1967, and says the government shall respect agreements signed by the PLO, but "in a manner that protects and safeguards the higher interests and the rights of the Palestinian people." Such phrases, and another emphasizing "the right of return" of Palestinian refugees, are seen by Israel as only a conditional acceptance of a two-state solution and thus falling short of international demands, the New York Times reports.
Egypt Gamal Mubarak, son of Egypt's president, proposed that Egypt pursue nuclear energy, drawing applause from Egypt's elite and raising expectations he is being positioned to replace his father. The speech raised the prospect of two embarrassing developments for the White House: a nuclear program in Egypt, recipient of $2 billion a year in US aid, and Gamal succeeding his father without substantial political challenge.
Yemen Voters go to the polls Wednesday in Yemen's presidential election, a heated contest pitting voters' desire for change against fear of instability. It may prove to be one of the most open electoral battles in the region, the New York Times reports.
Thailand Thailand will probably not restore democracy for at least a year, Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, the commander who seized power in a coup, announced. General Sondhi's junta banned public gatherings and urged "farmers and laborers" - many of whom are strong supporters of the ousted government - to stay out of politics.
In this issue: U.S. 1) Thai Army Chief Gets King's Endorsement 2) Leaders Spar Over Iran's Aims and U.S. Power 3) Rules for the Real World 4) Religious leaders target Lieberman in torture debate 5) Dissidents' Detainee Bill May Face Filibuster Iran 6) U.S. Policy on Iran Evolves Toward Diplomacy 7) Iranian Leader Accepts Efforts by Pope to Recast His Remarks 8) In U.N. Speech, Bush Softens Tone on Iran 9) $50 Million Offer Aims at Curbing Efforts to Make Nuclear Fuel Iraq 10) Doubts Rise on Iraqi Premier's Strength 11) Iraq Must Act on Security Now, U.S. Advisory Panel Chief Says Lebanon 12) Lebanon Peacekeepers Met With Skepticism Palestine 13) Israel Hopes to Complete Its Withdrawal From Lebanon on Friday Egypt 14) Mubarak's Son Proposes Nuclear Program Yemen 15) Yemen Leader Is Now Paying for Providing Open Election Thailand 16) Leader of Coup in Thailand Sets Timetable
Contents: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/newsroom/index.html
-------- Robert Naiman Just Foreign Policy www.justforeignpolicy.org
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