Egypt repeating Turkey's 1960 history

17 May 2015 Sunday

Egypt is repeating a disdainful period of history that Turkey itself witnessed 55 years ago, when coup plotters executed an elected leader, Turkish premier said Saturday.

Addressing an election rally in the western Bursa province, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "A disdainful, painful period that happened in Turkey 55 years ago is now being repeated in Egypt."

Davutoglu was referring to Turkey's 1960 military coup that saw the then Turkish premier, Adnan Menderes, executed.

Menderes was first jailed and then made to stand on trial before being executed along with two ministers, Hasan Polatkan and Fatin Rustu Zorlu, following the 1960 coup.

Davutoglu pledged that no president or prime minister would ever again be sent to the gallows in Turkey.

He also slammed a headline about the Morsi story posted on the Dogan Media Group's news website that allegedly said: "Mursi, president with 52 percent votes, sentenced to death."

The premier asked the meaning of choosing such a headline. "What do they mean? If they mean [to refer to] our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who became president with his 52 percent votes, then they should know that no president or prime minister will be sent to gallows again in these soils," Davutoglu said.

He pledged to protect democracy under any circumstances.

Later, Davutoglu told a Turkish network Saturday that Egypt could not go back to its pre-revolution era.

"No matter how much they want to revive the [Hosni] Mubarak era, it is impossible to go back now," he said, adding: "It is also impossible to make chaos and crisis sustainable."

He accused those who “broke the back of the democracy in Egypt” of being responsible of all sectarian clashes that had now appeared in the Middle East.

"The democracy trend was replaced by sectarian clashes and efforts [were made] to return to old regimes after the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013," the premier said.

"In Yemen, Houthis, Shias and Sunnis fought together for democracy; in Egypt, Muslims and Christians did also and in Libya, it was the same also."

"But the wind suddenly changed after ousting of Morsi," he noted.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/159264/egypt-repeating-turkeys-1960-history.

Gunmen try to kill Libya's recognized prime minister

May 27, 2015

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Gunmen tried to assassinate Libya's internationally recognized prime minister on his way to the airport in the eastern city of Tobruk on Tuesday, a spokesman for his government said.

Arish Said, head of the government's media department, said that Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni's motorcade was attacked and one of his guards was lightly wounded but that there were no fatalities.

"They managed to escape," Said said. Prior to the attack, he said armed men who had been protesting outside a session of the Tobruk government's House of Representatives tried to storm the building, firing shots into the air and demanding al-Thinni be removed from office.

They were "threatening to kill the prime minister and force the House to sack him," Said said. He identified the men as being funded by "corrupted political financiers" linked to powerful Tobruk tribal leaders, without elaborating.

The session was postponed until next week before the attempted assassination. Nearly four years after the ouster of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya is consumed by chaos. The country split is between an elected parliament and weak government, and a rival government and parliament in Tripoli set up by the Islamist-linked militias that took control the capital, forcing the government to relocate to the far eastern cities of Tobruk and Bayda.

The turmoil has enabled the rise of an active Islamic State branch, which now controls at least two cities along the country's coastline. Before the assassination attempt, a leader from Tobruk's dominant Obiedi tribe, Faraj Abu Alkhatabia, threatened al-Thanni on private broadcaster Libya Awalan.

"This prime minister must resign, if he doesn't I will smash his head," he said, adding that "either he leaves or we won't let the house of representatives stay in Tobruk." A national security adviser to the Tobruk government, who declined to comment for fear of retribution, linked the threat to powerful Tobruk businessman and oil magnate Hassan Tatanaki, a member of the same tribe who owns the Libya Awalan television station.

"This morning the prime minster spoke with the head of the house of representatives regarding the pressure applied by Libyan tycoon Tatanaki who wishes to be appointed foreign minister." Tatanaki's office could not be immediately reached for comment.

Earlier Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said civilians, including foreign nationals, are trapped in several neighborhoods in Libya's embattled eastern city of Benghazi, urging fighters there to let them depart without conditions.

In a statement, the U.S.-based group says militias and army units have surrounded the downtown areas, where several hundred people are reportedly trapped and not allowed to leave. Some of those trapped were Syrians, Palestinians, and Asian and African nationals.

Middle East and North Africa director Sarah Leah Whitson said that all forces involved must take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian property, and that the Libyan army and militias must allow civilians safe passage and facilitate access to badly needed aid.

Associated Press writer Brian Rohan contributed to this report from Cairo.

Paris celebrates WWII resistance heroes in Pantheon ceremony

May 26, 2015

PARIS (AP) — Paris authorities are escorting coffins representing four World War II resistance figures through the French capital toward the Pantheon, the resting place of French heroes.

The event Tuesday is part of two days of national ceremonies honoring the two women and two men, meant to symbolize French efforts against extremist violence in the past and today, four months after terrorist attacks left 20 dead in Paris.

Hearses bearing the coffins of Genevieve de Gaulle-Anthonioz, Germaine Tillion, Pierre Brossolette and Jean Zay are weaving through the Left Bank, escorted by guards on horses. French President Hollande will induct them formally into the Pantheon on Wednesday.

The coffins of the two women do not contain their remains but soil from their gravesites, because their families didn't want the bodies themselves moved.

French bill seeks to boost renewable energy, cut nuclear use

May 26, 2015

PARIS (AP) — France's lower house of parliament has approved a bill aimed at boosting renewable energy and reducing the country's reliance on nuclear power, among other environment-friendly measures.

The French government wants to be exemplary this year in environmental matters, since Paris is hosting a U.N.-backed conference in December where 196 countries aim to limit greenhouse gas emissions to fight global warming.

The bill pushed by Ecology Minister Segolene Royal was approved Tuesday by the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, with 308 votes for and 217 against. It will then go to the Senate for further discussions. At the end of the process —probably over summer— the assembly will have the final say.

Among the more significant changes are the following measures:

GAS EMISSIONS

The bill sets a target of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent below the 1990 level by 2030, in line with the European Union official target.

NUCLEAR POWER

The bill aims to reduce France's dependency on nuclear power to 50 percent by 2025. Today, France relies more on nuclear power — 75 percent of its energy — than any other nation in the world. At the same time, the new bill fixes the goal of increasing the proportion of renewable energy France uses in power production to reach 40 percent by 2030.

FIGHTING FOOD WASTE

One measure would forbid big supermarkets from destroying unsold food, part of a national campaign against food waste. The bill would require big supermarket chains to donate goods no longer fit for sale to charities or to farms for use as animal feed or compost.

BANNING PLASTIC BAGS

The new law would ban plastic bags in all supermarkets and stores on January 1, 2016.

GREEN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Under this bill, the state, local and city councils would be required to buy at least 50 percent of low emission vehicles when they renew their fleets of buses, starting in 2020.

ENERGY SAVINGS

This measure would force all private owners of houses and apartments to renovate their properties if they consume a high amount of energy, one that exceeds a defined threshold.

Despite challenges, Zimbabwe showcases artists in Venice

May 26, 2015

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Stone and wood carvings displayed by street vendors in Zimbabwe reflect a long tradition of sculpture, and despite economic and other challenges, the country's artists are forging new paths and even have displays at one of the world's most prestigious art fairs.

Zimbabwe has a national pavilion at the Venice Biennale for the third consecutive time, making it an African standout at the Italian event that Raphael Chikukwa, curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, describes as "the Olympics of the visual arts."

Chikukwa spoke in Harare last week to The Associated Press after returning from Venice, where the work of three Zimbabwean artists is displayed at the waterfront church of Santa Maria della Pieta. The artists include Chikonzero Chazunguza, who draws inspiration from 18th century local leaders who opposed British colonialists, and Masimba Hwati, who incorporates Twitter, Coca-Cola and other brand logos into his work. The third, Gareth Nyandoro, portrays Harare's street vendors, whose large numbers reflect Zimbabwe's high unemployment.

"Continuity in these international forums is key," Chikukwa said in his gallery office. He praised state support and cited efforts to nurture young artists. The Harare gallery is currently displaying the work of "Born Frees," artists born after Zimbabwe became independent in 1980. There is also an exhibition of portraits of prominent actors, academics, politicians and other local figures. A huge painting shows Robert Mugabe, the 91-year-old president who has ruled since the end of white minority rule.

The gallery opened in 1957 and the first exhibition, titled "From Rembrandt to Picasso," showed original works by European artists. The Venice Biennale, which ends in November, features 89 national pavilions. Other African participants include Angola and South Africa. The fair curator is Nigerian Okwui Enwezor, the first African to hold the post.

Zimbabwe's economic woes have left artists struggling for funding. Chikukwa also contrasted the big crowds at the Biennale's opening week to the lack of strong interest in Zimbabwe for art exhibitions. He remains motivated, however, by his mission to have the artists' work be seen.

"Giving voice to artists, it's a very important element in any society," he said.

Enraged voters reject political status quo in Spain, Poland

May 26, 2015

MADRID (AP) — Reeling from punishment at the polls, Spain's major parties prepared Tuesday for negotiations with anti-establishment newcomer groups while Poland's governing party assessed how to reconnect with voters who ousted the president.

The elections held Sunday in the two countries exposed a common theme: Voters, many of them economically hurting or with friends or relatives who are, were turned off by politicians who snubbed their key concerns.

In Spain, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy raised eyebrows during the campaign by suggesting few Spaniards were talking anymore about the unemployment rate of nearly 24 percent as he stressed Spain's return to economic growth.

His party won the most votes but lost the absolute control it enjoyed in eight of Spain's 13 autonomous regions that function much like U.S. states, and was defeated in its traditional Madrid powerbase.

An anti-eviction activist is on track to become Barcelona's next mayor as the new business-friendly Citizens Party and left-wing We Can Party emerged as king makers for regional and municipal governments across Spain after portraying Rajoy's Popular Party and the main opposition Socialist Party as out of touch.

Rajoy must call general elections by the end of the year, and Popular Party regional leader Juan Vicente Herrera said it was a mistake to trumpet an economic recovery that rings hollow for so many voters.

"There is a recovery and society needs hope, but this recovery is not noticed by many families," said Herrera, who won re-election to lead Spain's Castille and Leon region. In Poland, President Bronislaw Komorowski lost re-election after a lackluster campaign in which he seemed out of touch with the problems of many Poles despite years of economic growth. Komorowski was backed by the ruling pro-market Civic Platform party, whose leaders are now struggling to see how they can avoid defeat in the more important parliamentary elections this fall.

At one point, Komorowski was asked by a young man how his sister can expect to get by and purchase a home when she earns 2,000 zlotys ($525) per month. Komorowski's reply: "Find another (job). Get a loan. Get work."

Since Sunday's balloting, party leaders have decried Komorowski's campaign as too passive, with some distancing themselves from the defeated president. Poland's president has limited powers, but is the head of the armed forces, and can propose and veto legislation.

Komorowski's opponent was Andrzej Duda, a little-known right-wing member of the European Parliament. He won after an energetic campaign focusing heavily on low wages and poor job opportunities. In response, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz on Tuesday announced a tax relief to families with children — an obvious attempt to show greater concern for struggling Poles.

The defeats for the ruling parties in the two countries should serve as a wake-up call for European Union leaders to value political diversity and drum up support for the 28-nation bloc amid rising opposition from euro-skeptics questioning its value on economic and other fronts.

The Spanish and Polish votes drive home "the need to renew our being Europeans if we want to save the project of our founding fathers," said EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

Gera reported from Warsaw. Associated Press Writer Jorge Sainz contributed to this report from Madrid.