“Algeria is ‘sitting on a volcano’.” We will continue to sift for opportunities to support reform, and should be prepared to offer our frank but private opinion of Algeria’s progress along the way”. This was how David Pearce, the former U.S. ambassador to Algiers, concluded his report to the Department of State four days after the April 2009 presidential elections. An election which paved the way for a third term for Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, following an amendment of the constitution, in November 2008, which removed the restriction on only two consecutive mandates. Algerians and close observers of Algerian affairs did not of course need Wikileaks cables to know that Algeria has been sitting on a volcano.
Egypt 2011: a historic revolutionary process
23 April 2011, byOn February 11 2011 Hosni Mubarak, in power since 1981, left power following eighteen days of mass demonstrations. A simple protest by young people had been transformed into a powerful wave of mobilisation which shook the whole of Egyptian society. A revolution is underway, but clearly nothing has yet been resolved.
First National Meeting of PSOL Ecosocialists approves Curitiba Charter
23 April 2011, byMore than a hundred people, including delegates and observers, took part in the PSOL’s first ecosocialist gathering in the Brazilian city of Curitiba, in Paraná state, from 1 to 3 April. A series of panels focussed on aspects of the ecosocialist agenda both in the region and worldwide, on mapping socio-environmental conflicts within Brazil and on how to transform the PSOL into an ecosocialist party.
Update on fund raising and solidarity
22 April 2011, by ,The funds collected by ESSF are sent to the North-East region of the National Trade Union Council (NTUC). For reasons of effectiveness, we have for the time being chosen to concentrate our efforts in its direction, because it operates directly within the disaster area and can take into account all dimensions of solidarity (emergency aid, defence of social rights, antinuclear mobilization…). But many movements in Japan are mobilized since the catastrophe of March 11th, in various fields.
Fukushima and capitalist inhumanity
21 April 2011, byWriting after the Japanese nuclear disaster, Dr Abraham Behar, President of the Association of French Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (AMFPGN), asked: “Voices are raised to discuss the fate of the 50 technicians who are doing what they can in the highly radioactive plant. But who cares about the some 300 others working alongside the fire-fighters and their derisory water jets? [1].
Thai military make threats against pro-democracy Redshirts
21 April 2011, byOne year after the Military gunned down nearly 90 pro-democracy civilians in Bangkok and in the run up to the promised first election since the 2006 coup, the Military have been very active in increasing the obstacles to a free and fair election. They are seriously worried about the outcome of this election.
Fukushima, a slow Chernobyl
20 April 2011, byWe can still describe the situation in Fukushima Daiichi as a “slow Chernobyl.” At the time of the accident at Three Mile Island [in the United States], the fuel bar was exposed 1 hour and 40 minutes after the accident, and 52% of the core came into meltdown for about ten hours before the cooling function was repaired. Despite the explosion of hydrogen, the leakage of radioactivity was limited thanks to the construction of the reactor, specially reinforced in case of a plane crash due to the proximity of the airport at Harrisburg.
Why the Lese Majeste law in Thailand is an abomination
20 April 2011, byThe lese majeste law in Thailand represents a gross attack on the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and academic freedom. It is a fundamental attack on Democracy carried out by the Military, the Palace and the elites. The practical impact is that Thailand has struggled for years to achieve a fully developed democracy, a free press and internationally accepted academic standards in our universities.
The IMF-EFSF and the answer from the Left
19 April 2011, byAs Portugal heads for a general election called as a result of Prime Minister José Sócrates calling in the international financial institutions, the Left Block makes clear its alternative to the crisis.
Fukushima - an ongoing nuclear disaster
19 April 2011, by“I have engaged in the activities of our Fukushima Network for Denuclearization for more than 20 years, but we are now confronted with the ongoing nuclear disaster”. On April 3, a public meeting of “Fukushima Nuke disaster: an urgent report from Iwaki City” was held in Tokyo. The meeting was sponsored by Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center [CNIC: http://www.cnic.jp], and the 300-seat assembly hall was full in spite of adverse conditions of a short-notice meeting at Sunday evening.
Footnotes
[1] “l’Humanité” March 21, 2011