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- Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 17:03:33 -0500
- From: Greg Gerritt <gerritt@edgenet.net>
- Subject: ASGP-COO ASGP News Circulator 1/28/01 pt 2
BBC Monitoring Europe - Political Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring January 23, 2001, Tuesday LENGTH: 270 words HEADLINE: Slovakia's Liberals and Greens to form coalition SOURCE: TASR web site, Bratislava, in English 1611 gmt 22 Jan 01 BODY: Text of report in English by Slovak news agency TASR web site Bratislava, 22 January: The Liberal Democratic Union (LDU) and the Slovak Green Party (SZS) will create a coalition, Jan Budaj, LDU chairman and his SZS counterpart Anton Juris informed at a press conference on Monday 22 January . The agreement between the two members of the ruling coalition should be signed in 10 days, being already approved by the authorities from both parties. Both parties consider this coalition to be a new core of stability on the Slovak political scene. "LDU-SZS is open for all nonextremist parties oriented towards the citizens and the European Union (EU). We believe that LDU-SZS agreement will be a gift for those who do not wish for non-standard populist parties and parties that have ideologies connected to communism," said Budaj. Budaj added that it will be an advantage for both parties to have more MPs in parliament (they would have five as a coalition) in order to make green and liberal policy stronger. Budaj says that the coalition will not fish for MPs in other parties, platforms or movements, but is open in case any MPs are interested in its programme. Greens and Liberal MPs are a joint faction of the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK) caucus and intend to remain a part of it until the parliamentary election in 2002. (SDK was formed out of five - KDH Christian Democratic Movement , DS Democratic Party , DU Democratic Union , Greens and SDSS Social Democratic Party of Slovakia - parties in mid-1998. Now, all have changed, or are about to change their status, editorial note) Copyright 2001 Institute for Public Affairs In These Times January 22, 2001 SECTION: >LTR> Pg. 2 LENGTH: 360 words HEADLINE: For Pete's Sake BYLINE: Pete Karman, Rockfall, Connecticut BODY: My former colleague Joel Bleifuss' vituperative attacks on Ralph Nader and the Green Party seem based on a fantasy about the Democratic Party. Bleifuss posits that the Democrats are a functioning polity where, in his words, "the majority of African-Americans, Latinos, trade unionists, feminists, environmentalists, and gays and lesbians practice politics." In fact, there's little place to practice politics in the Democratic Party because it was long ago transformed into a money- and vote-cadging machine run behind closed doors by professional operatives. The truth is that when the groups named above want something politically, there is no Democratic "there" to go to. They have to buttonhole individual Democratic politicians. Bleifuss' advice that Nader should have run in the Democratic primaries is ludicrous on several counts. Modern primaries are configured not to contest political differences, but to eliminate the candidates with the thinnest checkbooks. Had Nader taken part in the primaries, he would have been able to bring his message only to a tiny audience of activist party regulars at enormous cost. And, if he had even modest success at this, he would have faced exactly the same charges of being a "spoiler" who was too extreme to win and therefore only hurting Al Gore's chances. In other words, Bleifuss likely would have been heaping the same abuse on Nader, only a year earlier. My central Connecticut chapter of the Green Party, covering the small cities of Middletown and Meriden, has consistently, even after the election, had more people attending its meetings than the Democratic or Republican town committees of the far larger cities of New Haven and Hartford. The Green Party has permanent walk-in storefront service centers in those cities, or exactly two more than the major parties. Our state computer network buzzes with alerts about joining actions with the same groups that Bleifuss says practice their politics with the Democrats. The Democrats' site is a screen saver by comparison. Our local chapter was happy to get past the election because our plate is brimming with issues and alliances. Copyright 2001 The Denver Post Corporation The Denver Post January 21, 2001 Sunday 1ST EDITION SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A-27 LENGTH: 367 words HEADLINE: Denver rally denounces Bush BYLINE: By Sheba R. Wheeler, Denver Post Staff Writer, BODY: Denouncing George W. Bush as the 'illegitimate ruler' of the American government, Green Party members and about 150 of their supporters picketed against Bush's inauguration during a rally at the Colorado Capitol on Saturday afternoon. Motorists who passed the throng of protesters honked their horns in honor of placards that read, 'Hail to the Thief!' and 'Bush, Bought and Paid For.' Some protesters held signs in favor of Ralph Nader for president in 2004. Nader ran as the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2000. Participants said they rallied for electoral reform. Others called for aggressive campaign reform that would stop big-money corporations from using donations to gain more access to the government than common citizens. Some protesters pointed to alleged racist acts in Florida in which people of color were not allowed to vote as a reason for galvanizing the public to fight for a true democracy. 'This election showed us the need for electoral reform and campaign finance reform,' said Nancy Harvey of the Green Party's Boulder chapter. 'It's clear just from last night's inaugural celebrations and from the thousands of dollars big companies spent to buy a plate at that dinner that big corporations have more of a voice than normal people,' Harvey said. 'We are afraid that Bush will usher in a new era of big corporations.' Attendees were asked to become more active and involved in their communities' needs. 'Bush is a president-select, not a president-elect,' said Ron Forthofer, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the 2nd District U.S. House seat, which represents Boulder County. 'This tells us it's not sufficient to only vote. We have to be public as well as private citizens.' Renee Hummel, of Jamestown, said she came to the rally because she was sickened and distressed by the election process, the counting that took place in Florida, as well as the partisan votes by Supreme Court members that ultimately gave Bush the win. 'We now have an illegitimate president being seated in government, and I came here to make my stand against it,' Hummel said. Copyright 2001 Post-Newsweek Business Information, Inc. Newsbytes January 21, 2001, Sunday LENGTH: 358 words HEADLINE: New Zealand Politicians Protest E-Mail Snooping Bill BYLINE: Adam Creed; Newsbytes DATELINE: WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND BODY: New Zealand's Green Party has stepped up its protest against a controversial new bill that could allow police to hack into computers and intercept e-mail using keyword searches. The Crimes Amendment Bill (No 6) is currently before a select committee which is taking submission up until Feb. 9. The long-awaited legislation is mainly intended to criminalize computer hacking in New Zealand. The country has so far been without specific laws outlawing malicious hacking. But some have criticized the amendment and claim the real intent is also to extend police powers of surveillance. The Green Party has extended its campaign against the bill, protesting with others outside a satellite communications facility near Blenheim this weekend. "What (Information Minister) Paul Swain's bill will do is enable the police, the Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau to intercept any e-mail, fax or pager message," said Green MP, Keith Locke. "It will make it very difficult to New Zealanders to protect the privacy of their communications," he added. A facility at Waihopai intercepts electronic messages passing through two satellites stationed over the Pacific Ocean. Locke says the new bill will enable the authorities to also intercept messages passing through cables, and via Internet service providers, anywhere in New Zealand. "If this new interception uses the Waihopai 'key word' system to trawl through messages, the thoughts of many innocent New Zealanders could be intercepted and transcribed, just because they happen to use the 'wrong' keywords," he said. New Zealand's Information Minister, Paul Swain, earlier said that the average New Zealander has nothing to worry about. "I have given an absolute assurance that law-abiding citizens who are not involved in criminal activity have nothing to fear from this legislation," he said. "People will be looking for proof of that assurance when the select committee reports back." Reported By Newsbytes.com, http://www.newsbytes.com . Copyright 2001 MGN Ltd. Sunday Mirror January 21, 2001, Sunday SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 7 LENGTH: 113 words HEADLINE: GREENS IN PUSH FOR DAIL SEATS BODY: A BIG political push is to be made by the Green Party throughout the Republic to claim more seats in Parliament in the next Irish general election, it was revealed yesterday. The party, which has two MEPs out of Ireland's 15 and also has two Dail deputies, has made plans for a huge drive to form branches in the Midlands and southern counties. Spokesman Steve Rawson confirmed yesterday: "Apart from holding on to our existing seats, we will be targeting a number of new constituencies." He said that new branches are to be set up in Westmeath, Offaly, Dublin City, Carlow/Kilkenny and Cork South. The party has about 1,200 members across the country. Copyright 2001 The Press Association Limited Press Association Newsfile January 20, 2001, Saturday SECTION: HOME NEWS LENGTH: 343 words HEADLINE: BUSH URGED TO TAKE LEAD IN A GREEN WORLD BYLINE: Mick McGann, PA News BODY: President-elect George W Bush was today being invited by environmentalists to swear allegiance to planet earth rather than just the United States of America, at an alternative inauguration ceremony in London. As Mr Bush is officially sworn into office, activists from the Green Party and Friends of the Earth will gather outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square and call on him to take action over global climate change. An alternative version of the US flag will being raised to emphasise the need for the new President to recognise his responsibilities across the world. And a huge globe will be "smoked" to symbolise the threat environmentalists believe is posed to the earth's climate by current US policies. Jean Lambert, a Green Party Member of the European Parliament, said: "The world will be looking to the United States to take a lead on addressing climate change. "The US uses the greatest amount of energy of any country on the planet and if it believes it won't be affected by climate change it will get a very rude shock indeed. "Several of the southerly cities have already been rocked by severe storms and there will be more to come unless we all reduce our greenhouse gas emissions." She said she hoped the new President would prove wrong predictions that he would not be interested in a world climate change agreement. "We hope he comes to the next round of climate change negotiations determined to achieve a strong enough agreement so we can go forward to deal with the most pressing problems," she added. Roger Higman, a senior climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said Mr Bush must take action to prove he is not the "burning Bush" some people fear. He said: "His greatest challenge is to end the USA's lack of action on climate change. "That would show his true qualities as a world leader rather than a president who believes everything big business says. "The USA and the rest of the world does not need a president who is out of step with scientific evidence and public opinion on climate change." Copyright 2001 Czech News Agency (CTK) CTK National News Wire January 18, 2001 SECTION: General News LENGTH: 312 words HEADLINE: GREEN PARTY REFUSES DECISION OF CZECH GOVERNMENT ON TEMELIN BYLINE: ICE DATELINE: VIENNA, Jan 18 ; (ICE) KEYWORD: 'Austria Czech Temelin Green' BODY: The Austrian opposition Green Party has joined the Upper Austrian politicians and environmental activists who refuse the Wednesday's memorandum of the Czech government on the process of conducting an environment impact assessment of the nuclear power plant in Temelin, south Bohemia. "The assessment of the nuclear power plant which was approved by the Czech government on Wednesday is at clear variance with the agreement between Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Czech Premier Milos Zeman from Melk," spokeswoman for the Green Party Eva Glawischnig said. Despite Zeman and Schuessel's agreement, neither the public nor Austria and Germany will be involved in the assessment, Glawischnig says in a statement that was made available to CTK. The agreements were signed in Melk, Austria, by Zeman and Schuessel in December. They concern Temelin which has been strongly opposed by environmentalists and the Austrian government. In the agreement the Czech Republic undertakes to carry out Temelin's environment impact assessment by the end of May or early June. The Czech Republic wants Germany and Austria to have only observer statues as their experts will not be allowed to take part in drafting the assessment reports. "In the submitted form the Temelin's assessment can be called a farce. Austrian or possibly EU standards will not be obviously observed," Glawischnig said. She called on Schuessel not to accept the memorandum of the Czech government and to officially protest against it. Glawischnig demands that Temelin's assessment be conducted by the end of this year yet before the repeated launch of the reactor. Temelin, which started to be launched last October, is situated some 60km from the border. Its opponents say it is not safe because it combines Soviet design with western safety technology and fuel. Copyright 2001 The Providence Journal Company The Providence Journal-Bulletin January 18, 2001, Thursday, Metro EDITION SECTION: NEWS, Pg. 4C LENGTH: 69 words HEADLINE: Just say 'no' to Norton BODY: Greg Gerrit, of the Green Party of Rhode Island, voices strong opposition to President-elect George W. Bush's nomination of Gale Norton as secretary of the interior. Gerrit was among representatives from about a dozen environmental groups who participated in a news conference in front of U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee's Providence office yesterday. Story, A-13. Copyright 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc. Portland Press Herald January 17, 2001, Wednesday, FINAL EDITION SECTION: LOCAL & STATE, Pg. 1B LENGTH: 610 words HEADLINE: Inaugural drawing Mainers -- to protest; The Green Party and a nonpartisan group each will fill a bus. BYLINE: JOSHUA L. WEINSTEIN Staff Writer BODY: They may be some of the hottest tickets in Washington, D.C., but Charlene Decker wants nothing to do with them. She could have gotten one -- Maine's senators gave tickets to Saturday's presidential inauguration to any Mainer who asked -- but Decker sees no reason for celebration. Still, she and dozens of other Maine people will be in Washington Saturday -- to protest. At least two busloads of people -- one organized by the Maine Green Party, the other connected to a nonpartisan group called Voter March -- will head down to Washington on Friday night to let the president-elect know they're not happy -- with him or the system. By protesting, the groups are expressing their faith in America. "For me, this is what democracy looks like -- going somewhere, protesting, exercising my voice," said Phil Linden, who is 30 and lives in Portland. Linden is traveling to Washington with the Greens group organized by Decker. Linden, Decker and others who are going to Washington to protest are unhappy with the two-party system. They see no difference between Democrats and Republicans, and believe that corporations have corrupted the process. "The exclusion of qualified candidates from the debates is a very anti-democratic and arrogant manner," said Decker, who is 51. So on a recent night, she and others sat in the Green Party office in Portland and painted protest signs -- "Bush Out," they painted on the back of old Nader for President signs. "Democracy or Plutocracy." "The Madness of King George." Kristin Dolcimascolo, who also will travel to Washington with the group, protested the World Trade Organization in Seattle, and saw the rubber bullets, saw the violence. Dolcimascolo, a 26-year-old middle school science teacher who lives in Portland, is a touch worried about the potential for violence, and is put off by the police barricades that officials are erecting all over Washington. But not so worried that she'll keep from expressing her opinion. "It's scarier sitting on your couch feeling powerless," she said. "When you're there with all those people, you feel powerful." Jo Ann Simon, a writer who lives in Camden, will be on another bus, which, with 57 people on board, will be full. "We want George Bush to hear our message loud and clear," she said. "He does not have a mandate and he is behaving as if he did have one." She said she is angry at the U.S. Supreme Court "choosing our president," and angrier still "by the fact that Bush's appointments were so ultraconservative when he didn't even win the election popularly." She is particularly unhappy with the prospect of John Ashcroft being attorney general. Like the group heading down with Decker, Simon is angry but optimistic. "We are not cynics," she said. "We feel the system is badly injured at the moment, but we can recover. The only way we can make those in power aware is by getting out there and protesting -- because they're not listening to us otherwise." She expects the trip to be difficult. "It's grueling," she said. "This is a grueling trip. We're going to be on a bus for 20 hours down and back. We'll have to sleep on the bus both ways and our time in Washington will be on our feet. It's going to be a long, long trip." And, she said, a worthwhile one. Anyone interested in joining Decker's group in Washington may call Decker at 879-0700. For those who cannot travel to Washington, a coalition of organizations including the Green Party plans a rally at the federal courthouse in Portland at noon Saturday. Staff Writer Joshua L. Weinstein can be contacted at 791-6368 or at: jweinstein@pressherald.com NOTES: Photo with Halperin ran in york and coast editions only. GRAPHIC: Staff photos by John Ewing Susan Murch paints protest signs Tuesda; for Green Party members to carry in Washington, D.C., this weekend. Also making signs are Charlene Decker, rear left, Phil Linden and Kristin Dolcimascolo.; Nick Halperin and Susan Murch paint protest posters at the Green Party office in Monument Square in Portland on Tuesday. Protesters will head to Washington, D.C. Copyright 2001 EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS The Express January 16, 2001 LENGTH: 352 words HEADLINE: CAMPAIGNERS VOW TO FIGHT ON DESPITE VERDICT - NEWS; GM PROTESTERS FINED FOR DAMAGING CROPS BYLINE: BY MYRA PHILP BODY: GREEN campaigners yesterday vowed to keep fighting against genetically-modified crops despite four of their number being fined for causing GBP 1.60 worth of damage to GM plants. The men were found guilty by a sheriff in Edinburgh following a lengthy and expensive trial even though 28 protesters were cleared of similar charges in an English case last September. Green Party MSP Robin Harper last night condemned the verdict, claiming campaigners were left with no option other than demonstrations. He said: "It's an indictment of the Scottish Executive that members of the public feel they have had to resort to taking their own action to protect the Scottish countryside from GM crops. "If the Lab-Lib Executive is not prepared to protect the environment, is it any wonder people feel they have to take reasonable action themselves to prevent these crops flowering?" Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie, QC, decided the men had acted illegally after hearing arguments that the four men had a reasonable excuse for uprooting GM-oil seed rape plants in a Government-run test field near Penicuik, Midlothian. Her decision that their actions were not justified was the opposite of a verdict clearing 28 Greenpeace activists on similar charges in Norfolk last September. In that case, Lord Peter Melchett, a Labour peer and executive director of Greenpeace, argued that they had good reason for ripping up genetically-modified maize. But yesterday in Edinburgh, fining Mark Ballard, 28, James Mackenzie, 28, and Matthew Herbert, 29, GBP 125, Sheriff Jarvie decided they had acted illegally. The fourth accused, Alan Tolmie, 34, was fined GBP 250 in view of his previous convictions. Outside court, Mr Ballard, said: "We did what we had to do after exhausting all conventional means in objecting to the release of GM organisms." James Mackenzie said: "The fight will continue. We are now considering an appeal." Matthew Herbert added: "The fact the law found us guilty of doing something which is morally correct means we should question the law, not the people acting in this way."
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