compilation of articles from various sources on the state of affairs in the rest of the Middle East. The NRK guy sort of stands out.
THE ARAB UPRISING AND THE GREAT POWERS
Dagsavisen 2012 06 06 p 19, Bjørn Hansen
Summary.
The author, a foreign policy commenter of the NRK through many years, is lamenting the fact the revolutions in the Arab world have not lead to the results the (left wing in) West has hoped for. While criticizing Russia and China over supporting Assad, the author still finds space to blame the British and the French over their interference a century ago; and of course USA over having invaded Iraq.
Turkey
Aftenposten 2012 06 06 p 7, William Nygaard, Eugen Schoulgin, both of PEN/IPA
Summary.
The authors of this op-ed launches a strong attack on Turkey over its human rights record, including suppression of free speech, torture, phony trials and suppression of information over the Armenian genocide. The authors demand the UN and NATO to make initiatives towards this country.
Quotes:
“And we might safely question why- not receiving any better reply than respect of human values and democratic ideals being fragile concepts under the AK party of Erdogan. It displays a sort of neo-Fascist power expression, camouflaged under Islamists rhetoric’s”.
“…it is about wide criticism by the international community in which the UN and democratic governments, not least the NATO allies, actively and clearly condemns Turkey’s transgressions towards its own citizens contrary to elementary concepts of justice and human rights. Silence leads to transgressions continuing, violence and censorship, while efforts are of use”.
The Norwegian co-author of this op-ed, William Nygaard, has paid a high price for his commitment to free speech, being the victim of an assassination attempt in 1989, over having published the “Satanic verses”.
Central Asia/Caucasus
FROM THE EURO-VISION TO THE TRENCHES
Dagbladet 2012 06 06 p 25, Jan Erik Smilden
Not Online
Summary.
Jan Erik Smilden writes on the conflicts in the region; reporting of fighting recently between Armenia and Azerbadshan, warning over this conflict «spilling over», involving Turkey and other regional actors.
Jan Erik Smilden is certainly not a devoted friend of Israel; however, he is one of the best informed Norwegian journalists, personally involving him in local research. There is good reason to take his predictions seriously
