December 2007
World
Putin's Party Dominates Parliamentary Elections (Dec. 2): United Russia takes 64.1% of the vote, far ahead of the Communist Party of Russia, which wins 11.6%. Opposition parties complain that the election was rigged, and European monitors say the vote wasn't fair. Putin used his sway over the media to stifle the opposition and campaign for United Russia, making the election a referendum on his popularity.
Venezuela Rejects Referendum (Dec. 2): Voters, 51% to 49%, reject referendum put forward by President Hugo Chávez that proposed 69 amendments to the constitution, including the abolishment of presidential term limits, removal of the Central Bank's autonomy, which would have given Chávez new power to build a socialist economy, and others that enjoyed wide support, including reducing the work day to six hours and offering pensions to street vendors and housewives.
Intelligence Report Concludes Iran Has Halted Weapons Program (Dec. 3): A National Intelligence Estimate compiled by the 16 agencies of the U.S. intelligence community says "with high confidence" that Iran froze its nuclear weapons program in 2003. The report contradicts one written in 2005 that
stated Iran was determined to continue developing such weapons. (Dec. 4): Despite the report, President Bush says ran remains a threat and can not be trusted to pursue enriching uranium for civilian use. "Look, Iran was dangerous, Iran is dangerous, and Iran will be dangerous, if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," he said. "What’s to say they couldn't’t start another covert nuclear weapons program?"
CIA Destroyed Interrogation Tapes (Dec. 6): New York Times reports that in 2005 the CIA destroyed videotapes of the interrogation of two al-Qaeda suspects. The tapes reportedly included agency operative using harsh interrogation techniques. The tapes, the paper said, were not given to members of the Sept. 11 commission, which had requested such evidence, or to the defense team of terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui. CIA director Michael Hayden said the tapes, if released, posed a "serious security risk" and could have jeopardized the safety of CIA officials and their families.
Putin Names His Choice for Successor (Dec. 10): Russian president Vladmir Putin endorses Dmitri Medvedev in March 2008's presidential election. A Putin loyalist who is said to be moderate and pro-Western, Medvedev serves as a first deputy prime minister and the chairman of Gazprom, the country's oil monopoly. He has never worked in intelligence or security agencies, unlike Putin and many members of his administration. (Dec. 11): Medvedev says he will name Putin as prime minister if elected president.
Car Bombs Explode in Algiers (Dec. 11): As many as 60 people are killed in two suicide attacks near United Nations offices and government buildings in the capital of Algeria. The bombings occur within minutes of each other. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, formerly called the Salafist Group for Preaching, claims responsibility. It's the worst attack in the Algeria in more than 10 years.
City in Southern Iraq Hit By Bombs (Dec. 12): In the worst violence in months, nearly 30 people are killed and 150 wounded when three car bombs explode in Amara. Local officials had recently assumed control of security.
European Union Votes to Adopt New Treaty (Dec. 13): Treaty, if ratified by all 27 members, would have the president of the EU in office for two-and-a-half years rather than the current six-month term, and allows most decisions to be reached with a majority vote instead of unanimity, as is currently required.
Musharraf Ends Emergency Rule (Dec. 14): Pakistani president also restores the Constitution, but he also issues several executive orders and constitutional amendments that preclude any legal challenges related to his actions during and after emergency rule was established and bars the judges who he fired from resuming their positions. "Today I am feeling very happy that all the promises that I have made to the people, to the country, have been fulfilled," he said.
Turkey Attacks Kurdish Targets in Iraq (Dec. 16): With the help of the U.S. military, Turkish fighter jets bomb areas in Dohuk Province in northern Iraq, targeting the Kurdish militant group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party. At least one civilian is reported to have died in the attack.
Britain Transfers Control of Basra to Iraqis (Dec. 16): Iraqi government takes military control of Basra, the last region that was still under British control.
Russia Delivers Nuclear Fuel to Iran (Dec. 17): Russia says Iran has promised to use the enriched-uranium fuel rods for a power plant at Bushehr. The International Atomic Energy Agency will monitor and control the fuel.
African National Congress Selects New Leader (Dec. 18): Delegates choose Jacob Zuma as their leader, ousting South African president Thabo Mbeki, who had been in control of the party for the last ten years. With the victory, Zuma is poised to become president when Mbeki's term expires in 2009. Zuma was acquitted of rape charges in 2006 and faces corruption charges.
Conservative Politician Wins Presidential Election in South Korea (Dec. 19): Lee Myung-bak, of the opposition Grand National Party, wins 48.7% of the vote. Chung Dong-yong, who was endorsed by outgoing president Roh Moo-hyun, takes 26.1%. Lee has been dogged by allegations of ethical improprieties, and the National Assembly voted two days before the election to reopen an investigation into whether he manipulated the stock of an investment company.
Dozens Die in Suicide Bombing at Pakistan Mosque (Dec. 21): About 50 people die in an assassination attempt on Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Pakistan's former interior minister, during a celebration of Id al-Adha at a mosque in the northwest part of the country.
Backers of Ousted Prime Minister Win Parliamentary Elections in Thailand (Dec. 23): People Power Party, which supports former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, takes 233 out of 480 seats in parliamentary elections, a clear rebuke to the military, which ousted Thaksin in a coup in 2006.
Bhutto Killed in Suicide Attack (Dec. 27): Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto dies at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. President Pervez Musharraf blames al Qaeda for the attack, which kills 23 other people. Bhutto's supporters, however, accuse Musharraf's government of orchestrating the bombing. Rioting throughout the country follows the attack. (Dec. 30): The Pakistan People's Party selects Bhutto's eldest son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as its chairman to succeed his mother.
Disputed Kenyan Election Sparks Deadly Tribal Violence (Dec. 27): Preliminary results have opposition candidate Raila Odinga, of the Orange Democratic Movement, defeating incumbent Mwai Kibaki, 57% to 39%, in Kenya's presidential election. In addition, several of Kibaki's closest allies, including the vice president, lose their seats in Parliament. Odinga, a champion of the poor, had promised to eliminate corruption and tribalism. (Dec. 30): Odinga's lead diminishes, and Kenya's election commission declares Kibaki the winner, 46% to 44%. Violence breaks out among members of the Luo and Kikuyu tribes. Odinga is Luo, and Kibaki is Kikuyu. International observers say the vote was rigged.
Attacks in Iraq Fall Significantly (Dec. 29): Gen. David Petraeus reports that car bombs and suicide attacks dropped by 60% since June 2007. He also says that al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia remains the greatest threat to Iraq's security.
Nation
US Would Oppose Indefinite Pakistan Election Delay VOA 31 Dec 2007 -- The United States said Monday it would oppose an indefinite delay in parliamentary elections in Pakistan in the wake of last week's assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
Afghanistan: Khalilzad Hopes Response To Pakistan's 'Huge Loss' Is Renewed Effort To Counter Extremism RFE/RL 28 Dec 2007 -- The assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto prompted quick international condemnation, as well as intense examination of its effect on South Asia and the rest of the world.
Pakistan Should Move Forward with Democratic Process, U.S. Says Washington File 28 Dec 2007 -- The United States is reaching out to political leaders across Pakistan in the wake of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination, urging them to move forward with the democratic process.
Benazir Bhutto laid to rest IRNA 28 Dec 2007 -- Hundreds of thousands of people attended funeral of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated on Thursday.
India to review situation following assassination of Benazir IRNA 28 Dec 2007 -- In the wake of Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a meeting with political leaders Friday to discuss the situation in Pakistan.
Pakistani Government Blames Al-Qaida for Bhutto Assassination VOA 28 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's government says al-Qaida terrorists were behind the assassination of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan Tightens Security to Thwart Violence as Bhutto is Buried VOA 28 Dec 2007 -- Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered to at the family graveyard where former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was being laid to rest.
Pakistan Plans to Hold General Elections on January 8 VOA 28 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's caretaker prime minister says the government has no immediate plans to postpone general elections scheduled for January 8, 2008.
Asian Leaders Express Concerns About Pakistan's Future VOA 28 Dec 2007 -- Leaders across Asia are voicing condemnation and shock over the killing of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, and their fears for the future stability of the country.
Remembering Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto VOA 28 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated.
Bhutto Assassination Condemned by World Leaders Washington File 27 Dec 2007 -- President Bush joined world leaders in shocked condemnation of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and called for continued progress toward democratic reforms in Pakistan.
Security Council urges calm following ‘reprehensible’ terrorist attack in Pakistan UN News Centre 27 Dec 2007 -- Condemning the deadly terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and at least a dozen others in the northern city of Rawalpindi, the United Nations Security Council called on all Pakistanis to show restraint in the wake of today’s tragedy.
Bhutto Assassination Condemned by World Leaders Washington File 27 Dec 2007 -- President Bush joined world leaders in shocked condemnation of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and called for continued progress toward democratic reforms in Pakistan.
Security Council urges calm following ‘reprehensible’ terrorist attack in Pakistan UN News Centre 27 Dec 2007 -- Condemning the deadly terrorist attack that killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and at least a dozen others in the northern city of Rawalpindi, the United Nations Security Council called on all Pakistanis to show restraint in the wake of today’s tragedy.
World Leaders Condemn Bhutto Assassination VOA 27 Dec 2007 -- Leaders from around the world have condemned the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
Riedel: Bhutto’s Assassination ‘Almost Certainly’ Work of Al-Qaeda cfr.org 27 Dec 2007
Backgrounder: Pakistan’s Institutions and Civil Society cfr.org 27 Dec 2007
Analysis: Pakistan After Bhutto cfr.org 27 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed December 27 in a gun and bomb attack (NYT) following a preelection rally near Islamabad.
Iran strongly condemns assassination of Benazir Bhutto IRNA 27 Dec 2007 -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini here on Thursday strongly condemned assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto who was killed in a suicide attack at a campaign rally.
India expresses shock over Benazir's assassination IRNA 27 Dec 2007 -- Expressing shock over the brutal assassination of Pakistan former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, India Thursday described Benazir as an 'outstanding woman leader of the subcontinent'.
Secretary-General voices outrage at assassination of ex-leader of Pakistan UN News Centre 27 Dec 2007 -- Expressing his shock and outrage at the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the “heinous crime” and called for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.
Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Assassinated VOA 27 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday at a campaign rally just two weeks before parliamentary elections.
Bush Condemns Bhutto Assassination VOA 27 Dec 2007 -- President Bush has condemned the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. President and Mrs. Bush Extend Condolences Regarding Assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Condemn Violence The White House 27 Dec 2007
Bhutto's Death Felt Keenly In Kabul RFE/RL 27 Dec 2007 -- The death of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in an apparent suicide attack outside the capital, Islamabad, has shaken the country's political landscape and underscored the threat that politically motivated violence poses in Pakistan and the region.
Pakistan, Afghanistan Governments Pledge Enhanced Cooperation VOA 26 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan and Afghanistan have pledged to enhance cooperation between their spy agencies and tighten border controls in an effort to curb militant activities on both sides of the border.
Opposition Leaders Target Musharraf During Campaign VOA 24 Dec 2007 -- Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif says the country's president has made Pakistan a laughing stock of the world by removing the judiciary.
Pakistani Authorities Arrest 2 Police Officers After Terror Suspect's Escape VOA 18 Dec 2007 -- Pakistani authorities have arrested two police officers in connection with Saturday's escape of a British terror suspect.
PAKISTAN: Swat Valley picks up the pieces after clashes IRIN 17 Dec 2007
Pakistan Confirms 1st Human Bird-Flu Death VOA 16 Dec 2007 -- Health officials in Pakistan have confirmed the country's first human fatality caused by bird flu.
Pakistan air force fighter aircraft crashes IRNA 15 Dec 2007 -- A fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in the country's eastern Punjab province, the PAF said.
Pakistani President lifts emergency IRNA 15 Dec 2007 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday lifted the state of emergency, proclaimed by him on November 3, according to a Presidential order.
Pervez Musharraf lifts state of emergency in Pakistan RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2007 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has lifted the state of emergency in the country and restored the Constitution in full, local television said Saturday.
Musharraf Promises Free, Fair Elections after Altering Constitution VOA 15 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has promised upcoming parliamentary elections will be free and fair after he quashed what he said was a conspiracy among the judiciary against democracy.
Pakistan President Amends Constitution; Prepares To Lift Emergency Rule VOA 14 Dec 2007 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made last-minute changes to the constitution on Friday, just a day before lifting the six-week-old state of emergency.
Pakistan Opposition Leader Bhutto Leaves Door Open to Compromise VOA 14 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto says she remains open to working with President Pervez Musharraf, but only if next month's parliamentary elections are free and fair.
New Poll Finds Pakistanis Want President Musharraf to Quit VOA 13 Dec 2007 -- A new opinion poll indicates more than two-thirds of Pakistanis are angry at the current state of affairs and want President Pervez Musharraf to resign.
Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable cruise missile - media RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan has successfully conducted a test launch of a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, national television said on Tuesday.
Sharif's Party Decides to Participate in Pakistan Elections VOA 10 Dec 2007 -- Campaigning for January elections has begun following the decision by the political party of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to participate
Pakistan's Musharraf Promises Fair Vote; Opposition Boycott Crumbles VOA 09 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's President is again promising that next month's elections will be free and fair, as efforts by opposition parties to present a united front appear to have crumbled.
Pakistan's Army: Most of Swat Valley Cleared of Pro-Taliban Militants VOA 08 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's army says it has cleared almost all pro-Taliban militants from the country's northwestern Swat Valley, after killing nearly 300 militants in recent weeks.
U.S. Lawmaker Questions Approaches To Pakistan, Afghanistan RFE/RL 07 Dec 2007 -- A U.S. congressman who once traveled with mujahedin fighters as they battled Soviet forces in Afghanistan says Pakistan has been exerting a negative influence on stability in the region.
Pakistani Opposition Party Deadlocked Over Electoral Demands VOA 07 Dec 2007 -- Pakistan's two main opposition parties remain deadlocked over a list of demands the government must meet to prevent an election boycott.
Pakistani Police Prevent Ex-PM from Visiting Ousted Chief Justice VOA 06 Dec 2007 -- Pakistani riot police Thursday prevented opposition leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from meeting the country's ousted chief justice, who is under virtual house arrest.
Pakistani Army Claims Major Gains Against Pro-Taliban Militants in Swat Valley VOA 06 Dec 2007 -- The Pakistani army says its troops have recaptured two militant-held towns in northwestern Swat Valley and destroyed the headquarters of a radical pro-Taliban cleric.
Musharraf to meet opposition demands or face poll boycott RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2007 -- ISLAMABAD, December 4 (RIA Novosti) - Media said on Tuesday opposition leaders are threatening to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections due January 8, if President Pervez Musharraf does not meet their demands.
Former Pakistani PM Bhutto Launches Election Campaign; Still Considering Boycott VOA 01 Dec 2007 -- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto launched her election campaign Saturday, traveling to Pakistan's northern tribal area to appeal to voters.
Business/Science/Society
Gunman Opens Fire at Omaha Mall (Dec. 5): Robert Hawkins, 19, of Bellevue, Nebraska, kills eight people before turning the gun on himself at the Von Maur department store in the Westroads Mall in Omaha. Five people are also wounded.
Report on Steroids Rocks Professional Baseball (Dec. 13): Document, the result of a thorough, far-reaching investigation led by former U.S. senator George Mitchell, accuses 89 current and former Major League Baseball players of using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Players include Roger Clemens, Chuck Knoblauch, and Eric Gagne.
U.S. Resists Pressure at Climate Change Conference (Dec. 15): At the end of a two-week conference on climate change in Bali, Indonesia, delegates from 187 countries agree to formulate a follow-up to the Kytoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. The U.S. concedes that a new agreement is necessary, but refuses to make a firm commitment to reduce emissions.
EPA Says States Can't Set Own Emissions Standards (Dec. 19): Environmental Protection Agency administrator Stephen Johnson declares that 17 states, including California, do not have the authority to implement their own standards. The states had sought to impose tougher restrictions than those in place under federal law.