Leave the HDC<\/p>\n
When the Indonesian government decided to mandate the Henry
\nDunant Center (HDC) to be the mediator of its peace talks with
\nthe Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the public welcomed it and hoped
\nthe conflict in Aceh would finally end. However, this hope is
\nbeginning to fade. Armed clashes in the restive province have
\nagain been happening almost every day.<\/p>\n
It does not come as a surprise that many parties question the
\nHDC's capability and role in bringing peace to Aceh. Chairman of
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Amien Rais, has even
\nasked the government to stop involving the HDC as mediator. He
\nsees the HDC as a trouble-maker which sides with the GAM.<\/p>\n
As mediator, the HDC has not only failed to carry out its
\nfunction. The agreements resulting from HDC's mediation have
\nalso given the GAM a chance to expand its influence and power.<\/p>\n
There is no longer any reason for the government to maintain
\nthe HDC as mediator. The Aceh conflict is an internal problem of
\nIndonesia, which is supposed to settled it on its own. Thus, it
\nneeds self-confidence. -- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>\n
;
\nANPAk..r..
\nOtherop-SARS
\nSARS prevention
\nJP\/6\/<\/p>\n
SARS prevention<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization and many countries in the world
\nare making a major effort to prevent the spread of SARS as a
\ncondition for controlling the epidemic, while at the same time
\ntrying to develop vaccines and medicines, a process that will
\ntake years. WHO announced on Monday that there are signs the
\nspread of the disease has been halted in Toronto, Hong Kong and
\nSingapore, three of four parts of the world where there is the
\ndanger of contracting SARS. Hong Kong and Singapore have taken
\ndrastic measures to control the epidemic. Thousands of people who
\ncame into contact with SARS patients were put in quarantine,
\npatients were hospitalized in isolation and hospitals devoted
\ntheir infrastructure to treating SARS patients.<\/p>\n
The Israeli health system's reaction to the threat of severe
\nacute respiratory syndrome has been slow and gradual, as
\nindicated by WHO's instructions.<\/p>\n
With a reasonable effort, the epidemic's spread to Israel can
\nbe prevented and it is critical to do so. Beyond the suffering
\nand damage experienced by patients and their families, and the
\npublic anxiety if the disease spreads to here, the economic
\nburden that has been caused to the affected countries is
\ncertainly not needed by the Israeli economy. Israel must aspire
\nto be SARS-free.<\/p>\n
-- Ha'aretz, Tel Aviv<\/p>\n
;
\nANPAk..r..
\nOtherop-NKorea-nuclear
\nNorth Korea's nuclear programs
\nJP\/6\/<\/p>\n
North Korea's nuclear programs<\/p>\n
The problem is how to stop North Korea from continuing to
\ndevelop its nuclear capabilities beyond simply claiming
\npossession of a few nukes as a negotiating tactic. The United
\nStates needs to loosen its stance of refusing to sit down at the
\nnegotiating table unless North Korea abandons all nuclear
\ndevelopment. Pushing the country into a corner will have adverse
\neffects. The United States needs to exhibit flexibility to
\nestablish an environment that would smooth the way toward North
\nKorea accepting a compromise.<\/p>\n
\"If North Korea really already possesses nuclear weapons, we
\ncannot let it produce more, and any existing ones must be
\ndestroyed. Needless to say, we have to make sure it will never
\nuse weapons of mass destruction. Any attempt at a military
\nsolution would devastate South Korea and also have an enormous
\nimpact on Japan. It is not an option. The only realistic course
\nis to maintain the present defensive military deterrent and
\nextract a compromise from North Korea through negotiations.<\/p>\n
\"North Korea's stance will fuel discussions at the United
\nNations about possible sanctions. Nuclear development leads to
\nnational self-destruction rather than revitalization.<\/p>\n
\"Initially it was a shock to hear North Korea has nuclear
\nweapons. However, we should not let that cloud our judgment.
\nJapan possesses the diplomatic carrot of economic aid. Japan
\nshould continue to attempt to convince North Korea that the only
\nroute toward normalization of relations is through abandoning
\nnuclear programs.<\/p>\n
-- Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/leave-the-hdc-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }