TOP STORIES
Throwing Stones at a Glass Embassy
Since August, 200,000 citizens have been displaced in the Congo (NYTimes, AP)
October 28, 2008: DR CONGO—On Monday, hundreds of protestors in Eastern Congo hurled rocks at the United Nations in response to the continued advancement of rebel forces and the increased number of internally displaced citizens. Since August, over 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the intensified fighting between the Congolese government and the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel force from Uganda. The crisis has intensified since a peace deal collapsed in August, and it is estimated that the two years of sporadic fighting have forced over a million from their homes. Although the country holds the United Nation’s largest peacekeeping force of more than 17,000 troops, the UN has been unable to stem rebel forces and the Spanish general leading the mission recently resigned. On Tuesday a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office stated: “The army is no longer guaranteeing security,” and as of Wednesday, will be pulling out aid workers. This humanitarian crisis that has stemmed from Congo’s 1998-2003 War is estimated to have killed 5.4 million citizens, and encompasses some of the most brutal warfare tactics known to man: rape and child soldiers. The situation stands as a stark and terrible reminder of the consequences of a failed state.
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Damocles’ Sword and the New Prime Minister
October 28, 2008: GEORGIA–Also on Monday, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia dismissed his prime minister and replaced him with a little-known ambassador, Grigol Mgaloblishvili. Besides the fact that he has a cool, unpronounceable name, Mr. Saakashvili’s choice demonstrates Georgia’s first real change since the Russia-Georgia War. The announcement was not unexpected, and the reorganization of the cabinet in the next couple days is not likely to be drastic. The move is a preemptive effort to stem the protests that are planned on November 7 against the Georgian government; however, Mr. Saakashvili has stated that the previous prime minister was contracted for only one year and the dismissal was planned. Despite all the nonchalance, foreign investors have fled and Georgia’s economic growth has been cut to 3.4% from 12.4% in 2007. Mr. Saakashvili himself summed it up best this week, stating: “Existential threat hangs over Georgia like a Damocles’ sword.”
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Mikheil Saakashvili should watch his head
WEEKLY BRIEFS
The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency has stated the amount of nuclear material stolen is “disturbingly high”. Because you didn’t have enough things to worry about.
South African leaders have been unable to mediate the crisis in Zimbabwe, and are calling for a full summit.
The Dalai Lama has called a special meeting in November with Tibetan exiles, to discuss a new strategy in dealings with China.
A West African regional has ruled Niger’s government must pay $19,000 to a young woman sold into slavery at age twelve—toast to that.
And finally, Russian communists claim that the new Ukrainian Bond girl is a traitor to the USSR, because 007 is an “Enemy of the Soviet People.” Sounds like someone is just jealous that she gets to snog Daniel Craig.
By Dana Liebelson
