11 November 2003

A few glimmers of hope

[source, source]

Iranians under the age of 30 — who comprise more than two-thirds of the population today — express little interest in terrorist groups, anti-Zionism, and radical politics in general. In places where young people congregate, Iranians constantly question their government’s support for terrorist groups. “I see the way people look at me when I travel,” complained one young Iranian. “Immediately, they think, ‘Watch out for the Iranian, he might be a terrorist.’ I blame our government for cultivating this image by supporting radical groups.” Meanwhile, on campuses, rumors abound that Palestinian militants and Hezbollah fighters are imported from Gaza and southern Lebanon to help quell recent student unrest — tales that make the groups even more unpopular. […]

This disaffection with the Palestinian cause stems in part from many Iranians’ frustration with Iran’s economic and political problems. They see Iran’s moribund economy partly as a result of the country’s embrace of international radicalism, which has damaged foreign business ties. […] Even some older Iranians have grown weary of the Palestinization of foreign policy. At an earthquake site in northern Iran last year, a group of elderly victims complained bitterly about the government’s slow response. “If the earthquake occurred in Palestine, they would have sent money and supplies. To us, they only give empty slogans,” one said.

Lots of small but hopeful signs here. The comment on people looking suspicously at Iranians because of the actions of the mullahocracy puts the blame where it belongs, on the mullahocracy and not the West and acknowledges that if the government is reformed then Westerns will be less suspicious. The acknowledgement that the fate of Palestine counts for little or nothing towards the future of Iraq is more clear sighted than most of the US State Department.

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The EUlite - living on a different continent

[source]

Support for the 230-page [EU Constitution draft] document was negligible among key states certain to hold a vote, falling as low as five per cent in Holland and three per cent in Denmark, said the EU-wide poll yesterday.

Most people with any view on the matter wanted the text “partially” or “radically modified” or abandoned, though most supported the abstract principle of an EU constitution.

Britons were the most hostile, with 35 per cent calling for outright rejection. But citizens in all of the EU’s current and future states appeared disdainful of the document.

Support for the draft stands at 11 per cent in Germany followed by France (10 per cent), Spain (seven), Austria (six) and Finland (four).

The survey, published by the European Commission, will bolster calls by the Conservatives and the French opposition parties for a referendum, showing 86 per cent support for a vote in Britain and 92 per cent in France.

Oooooh, that’s gotta hurt. But UK Prime Minister Blair is on the job:

It emerged at the weekend that Downing Street has been pleading with Paris to avoid a vote, fearing that it could create unstoppable momentum for Britain to follow suit.

That’ll show them pesky voters!

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More glory for the War on (some) Drugs

[source, source]

A Toys ‘‘R” Us television commercial, which features the company’s mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, inhaling helium from a balloon, has drawn the ire of anti-drug campaigners who say the ad sends a dangerous message to children.

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Arab governments admit: saving children's lives is anti-Palestinian

[source, source]

Arab nations will oppose an Israeli resolution condemning Palestinian attacks on Israeli children that is awaiting a vote this week in a UN General Assembly committee, a Palestinian diplomat said on Monday.

The Israeli resolution, pending in the assembly’s Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, mirrors an Egyptian-sponsored resolution adopted by the panel last week that demands Israel protect Palestinian children.

Palestinian envoy Nasser al-Kidwa said Arab delegates, meeting at UN headquarters, concluded the Israeli draft had been written “as a bad joke” and should be voted down.

“Frankly, we were not amused,” al-Kidwa told reporters after the meeting. “This is an anti- Palestinian resolution, much more than it is a pro-Israeli children resolution.”

“The Europeans say they will abstain. I can’t see anybody voting in favor of this,” he said. p. Not amused by the resolution. Can’t see anyone else voting for it. He’s probably right on the latter.

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