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February 20, 2008.
As Fidel steps down, what road will Cuba take as it moves towards life without their 54-year figurehead
Fidel Castro - the symbol of socialism in his Cuban heart-land - has led his people for almost five decades. The land of free food, education, health and housing - that was initially modelled on the Soviet and East German system - has long been the thorn in America's thigh. Though even through the unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 to the never-ending economic and social blockade and various CIA-backed assassination attempts, communism still lives and breathes in Havana.
With Fidel now leaving his post, citing on-going health problems, The United States now, of course, are hoping for a swift democratic transition in Cuba. This transition has been unattainable for so long now. The likes of Chile, Nicaragua, El Salvador and countless other nation-states in the region have had their Socialist governments brought to their very needs by intense US pressure (and in some cases) through blatant aggression and even White House-led coup d'état’s. But Cuba, for over five decades, has repelled any such pressure from their hegemonic neighbour. Those in the White House now believe that this is their best chance to pressure Cuba into accepting the market-economic model and move towards democratisation and capitalism.
The problem with this notion is that Fidel's brother, Raul (72) is almost certain to be offered the official leadership of the Communist Party. In fact, many commentator’s and scholars believe that this hand-over has already occurred.
Forget the rhetoric, there is constitutional civil rights in Cuba. Citizens have the constitutional right to guaranteed employment, food, free education, free health care, housing, political participation, freedom of expression, personal property and freedom of religion. The Cuban state is constitutionally bound to guarantee these rights. Western media and politicians have always been quick to judge Cuba as a rouge state, but this has never been the case – at least not since Castro’s revolution in December 1956.
However, as is the case in so many Latin and South American countries', there is a unequal distinction between the top and the bottom in terms of economic prosperity. Forget the theories of socialist equality, the rich are rich, and the poor are poor in Cuba. The country has a working-poor in the millions, living in fear of the unknown. The unknown in this case, is living without Fidel has their unchallenged leader. This fear is bound to continue for some time to come. But, as 90 per cent of Cubans vote in national elections – with the most recent being six years ago – the vast majority of the population are contend with the current economic, social and political situation. Over the next five years we will know whether Cuba’s transition is one towards democratisation and free-markets or the changeover from one political leader to another.
February 19, 2008.
* At long, long last, Kosovo has declared independence from Serbia, ending a long chapter in the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia. Not even Milosevic's hearty followers could stop the inevitable force for independence. That was Sunday night - a long time ago now.
Kosovo, a small area in Sothern Serbia, with a 90 per-cent ethnic Albanian majority, mostly Muslim, have copped the ‘raw end of the stick’ for many, many years. Even still, Belgrade claim Kosovo to be a vital part of its countries' past and future, and vows to never give up the territory. In fact, even today, Serbia's police have filed criminal charges against three Kosovo Albanian leaders for "organising the proclamation of a phoney state on Serbian territory." Belgrade claim that by proclaiming the independence of Kosovo, the three had "committed a serious criminal act against the constitutional order and security of Serbia."
Russia and China are among the other neighbours who bitterly oppose the secession. China are worried about the possible negative impact that Kosovo's unilateral declaration would have on the region. But if one merely took the time to read, or view any footage of the atrocities that have taken place in the region over the last 15 years, then that would surely result in having the upmost pity for the Albanian (and Muslim) population of Kosovo. Let the poor people live without fear and oppression.
* Meanwhile, with a strong-hold of up to 80,000 troops, backing up police and authorities, Pakistani's took to the polling booths for their general election. The same election that was initially postponed following the assassination of democratic hopeful, Benazir Bhutto.
There is no doubt at all that the death of Bhutto, the most progressive and Western-friendly politician, in a Muslim nation rife with anti-American sentiment, raised concerns about the countries' future, but also about the stability of its nuclear-arms. The election, which is expected to be filled with bloodshed, is being keenly watched by allies and neighbours. Hopefully the right result will take place, and that means President Musharraf, who has ruled since coming to power in a 1999 military coup, leaves the political scene forever.
February 18, 2008.
I'm sure by now you have all heard or read, at least to some extent, the controversy sparked up by the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments about how some parts of Sharia law should be implemented into the British legal system.
Even Britain’s more leftist intellectuals’ strongly disagree with the Archbishop’s comments, as images, including political cartoons of Sharia law depicting wife-beating husbands and divorce strangle-holds spread around the world via media scare-mongering and right-wing politicians. The vast majority of the recent discourse depicts Sharia law - and those that follow it - as being a brutal, harsh and inhumane legal system.
To fill in the gaps for those who have missed the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments the Archbishop, Lord Carey, considered the idea of accommodating Sharia law into some areas of the dispute resolution process, in particular in the context of family law. This consideration was received with animosity both in the U.K., and here in Australia. I for one agree, at least to some extent, with the Archbishop’s idea. My reasoning is really quite simple.
Ghena Krayen and Harsam Farache, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, alluded to the fact that some parts of Sharia law - in the context of family law - is already being used in the U.K. and indeed here in Australia. In the family context, two people can use the law of Christianity, Judaism or any religion, and it is both legally binding and equates to a valid contract. A couple can enter into a contract to abide by Sharia law if they so wanted to and many people form a vast array of religious and spiritual denominations do just that. How many of you reading this blog knew that, I wonder? I for one surely didn't before reading their opinion piece in today’s paper.
Without the media shoving ideas and images down our throats, let’s attempt to get one thing straight - there is a host of similarities’ between Sharia law and the Australian (and the U.K./U.S.) legal systems. Both courts share the same plaintiff and defendant system. Both systems have identical laws on child custody, and in fact, both follow the same guidelines as the Australian Family Law Act. The distinct difference between the two legal systems, at least in the according to the Archbishop, lies in the time-frame that a respective couple are forced to wait (1 year) to officially file for divorce. Yes, women who follow Sharia law can divorce their husband’s, too.
To truly exercise democracy and political and religious freedom, one must be able to exercise the Australian value of mutual respect, first, and then be able to ensure that equity and justice is attainable for all. Krayen and Farache also point out that in terms of mistreating woman, it is not so much an issue of Islam, but more so a cultural issue. I can understand why some people can find the Archbishops comments offensive, but one must be able to make the stark distinction between strict Wahaboo Islamic law (which I completely disagree with) to other Islamic-based legal systems. Just as one cannot claim that the British Westminster system is completely compatible with our own constitution and legal doctrines. Legal systems and customs change, not based on the solely on the religion of its people, but of cultural and historical factors that often organically changes.
By reading this, I hope that you don’t assume for a minute that I agree with the banning of the Three Little Piggies from all state libraries. No, this issue is not about political correctness, nor is it about modifying the centuries-long Westminster legal system in Britain - but more about giving families choice and freedom, taking into account Britain’s changing demographics.
February 15, 2008.
* A Palestinian woman was allegedly refused access to an ambulance at an Israeli military checkpoint, and consequently died in her village soon after. The woman, named Fawziya Qabb and who subsided in the occupied West Bank, is a cruel casualty of the uncivilised region
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February 2, 2008.
- The death toll from a powerful explosion at an unlicensed fireworks manufacturer in Istanbul has climbed to 21 as another body was recovered
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January 31, 2008.
* In a pivotal moment in Indigenous appeasement, the highly respected Reconciliation Australia co-chairman, Mick Dodson, has welcomed the decision adopted the other day by the Rudd government to issue an apology to the Stolen Generation. Dodson claimed the decision to say sorry was "monumental", and a huge step in Indigenous affairs
[ Click here to read more ]
January 28, 2008.
The coffin carrying the body of Indonesia's former president Suharto has been driven through the streets of Jakarta ahead of the state funeral today on the main island of Java. Suharto represents a bad history for Indonesia, and to be honest, I am finding it hard to feel any sorrow for his death. He was branded a dictator, murderer and a thief, but hopefully now, his passing can force a 'turning over of the page' and let a new chapter in Indonesia begin
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January 24, 2008.
In breaking news, Iran's leaders, led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have vowed to press on with Tehran's nuclear work, regardless of any new United Nations sanctions. Surprisingly, or maybe not so, this comes merely one day after the world powers agreed to a rough outline for a new resolution
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Comments (5)
Comment by Simon Ellis-Jones
on What do people think are the major issues in politics today?
It's interesting though, because it doesn’t seem like climate change is a HUGE election issue over in the States! I'm sure it gets a mention, but I tend to hear more talk about the recession in coming and Iraq.