Spanish Pundit

MSN Noticias

El presidente español, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, destacó hoy el “intenso camino” que España y Rusia tienen por delante en materia económica, política y cultural, al tiempo que el mandatario ruso, Vladimir Putin, manifestó su “satisfacción” por la firmeza de las relaciones entre ambas naciones.Minutos antes de la entrevista de trabajo que ambos mantendrán en la residencia oficial de verano del presidente ruso, Putin y Zapatero realizaron una breve declaración en la que ambos coincidieron en destacar las buenas relaciones bilaterales.

Putin manifestó su “gran satisfacción” por que España y Rusia mantengan “firmes” sus relaciones bilaterales y destacó que el “muy buen intercambio” que ambas naciones mantienen en la esfera política.

En materia económica, señaló que se está produciendo un incremento de las inversiones, con un 40 por ciento de aumento por ambos países el pasado año, y confió en que se mantenga la tendencia.

El presidente ruso reconoció que ha habido “problemas” y que la presencia española en su mercado ruso “todavía es insignificante”. Por último, se manifestó satisfecho “en general” por el curso de las relaciones bilaterales y aseguró que esta nueva visita del presidente español supondrá un “incentivo” en los vínculos entre ambas naciones.

Zapatero afirmó que las relaciones diplomáticas, que cumplen su trigésimo aniversario, son “muy positivas” y subrayó que ambos países tienen por delante “un intenso camino” juntos tanto en el plano económico, como en el político y el cultural.

Por último, destacó el desarrollo de España y sus perspectivas de invertir en Rusia, así como el aumento de su presencia por medio del español y la cultura española.

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Zapatero pointed out the “intense path” that Russia and Spain have ahead (hein???) and Putin stated his satisfaction for the firmess in the relationship between the two Nations (wow, Putin has called Spain a Nation and Zapatero has not protested!!!).

In the official statement, Putin also underlined that there is a very good exchange between the two Nations in a political sphere. Regarding economy, he said that there is a rise in inversion, of a 40% each year in both countries and he added he trusted that tendency was going to be maintained.

Putin also acknowledged that there had been problems and that Spanish presence in Russia “was insignificant”, addind that the Spanish PM visit is an “incentive” in the links between the two countries (oops, does Putin know Zapatero is a jynx???).

Zapatero considered that the relationship is “very positive” and underlined the importance of the Spanish development and of our perspectives of inversion in Russia. Lastly, he pointed out the significant rise of the Spanish language (hehehe, in Russia, my friends, and here in Spain, there are places where the use of Spanish is nearly forbidden… ) and culture.

I don’t like this relationship. It’s good to have allies but Putin? He has time to speak with Putin but not with Merkel? Spain has more interests in Russia that in Germany?

Oohh!!! You’re lovable, Ahmi, even with that haircut!! 

My goodness, thanks God they can’t have children ensemble…

Just go and read Fausta’s post: an excerpt:

On a trip to strengthen ties with leftists in Latin America and roll back U.S. influence, the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has pledged to invest $1 billion in Bolivia and reaffirmed relations with the Venezuelan president with a declaration that “no one can defeat us.”

And now comes the laughable statement from Aggggggggmi:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has extended an invitation to U.S. President George W. Bush to speak at an Iranian university if the American leader ever traveled to the Islamic Republic, state-run television reported Friday.

As part of his controversial trip to New York, the hardline Iranian leader spoke Monday at Columbia University, where he faced hostile questioning and a combative introduction by the university’s president, who said Ahmadinejad exhibited “all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator.”

“If their president plans to travel to Iran, we will allow him to make a speech” at a university, Ahmadinejad told state TV before leaving New York to travel to South America earlier this week.

If I were Bush I would never go to Iran till the mullahs are gone, just in case…

But that’s not all:

Ahmadineyad y Chávez se saludan en la recepción oficial en Caracas. (Foto: AP)

“Short and very private meeting between them“

Ahmi, this does not look good. You said there were no homosexuals in Iran…, remember?

And we are not even in spring!!!

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Ahmadine-jihad está en Bolivia y Venezuela, abrazándose con sus respectivos presidentes. Con uno hace manitas y con el otro mantiene una “corta pero muy privada relación“. (Dios, mejor que no hayan puesto el vídeo…)

Pero no: no ha sido un viaje de placer. En Bolivia Ahmadinejad ha anunciado que Irán va a invertir un billón de dólares en Bolivia.

Con Chávez departió en el habitual estilo robolusionario:

“Nos hemos sentido todos los venezolanos verdaderamente orgullosos de ser sus hermanos, amigos de Irán, y de compartir juntos este camino de la revolución, de la dignidad de los pueblos, de la soberanía. ¡El camino de la lucha contra el imperialismo!“, declaró Chávez al recibir a su colega iraní.

[…] Por su parte, el presidente iraní llamó a su “hermano de corazón” Chávez el “gran revolucionario de América Latina”, y lo calificó como “un gran hombre, revolucionario y valiente, que ha dedicado su vida al avance del pueblo venezolano, de la revolución y al despertar del pueblo latinoamericano”. Auguró que los gobiernos y pueblos de Irán y Venezuela “con una puesta en común estarán siempre juntos en la escena mundial (…) multiplicando” su poder en beneficio de la paz y prosperidad de los “pueblos oprimidos”.

Agregó que Caracas y Teherán “estarán al lado de todos los pueblos revolucionarios en el mundo” como “el pueblo oprimido de Bolivia, el querido pueblo de Nicaragua, la gente revolucionaria de Cuba, el pueblo ecuatoriano, uruguayo“, agregó.

“Hermano de corazón”… huyyyyy, esto se pone mal.

Por cierto, que Ahmadine-jihad quiere ¡¡invitar a Bush a hablar en Teherán!!

Y ¡no estamos en primavera!

Another day, more bad news from the Burmese Junta:Michelle Malkin » Reports: Military junta cuts Internet access in Burma; Sniper reportedly killed Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai

(…) Burmese bloggers have been crucial whistleblowers and eyewitnesses to history–supplying the world with round-the-clock coverage and photos of their oppressive regime’s crackdown. Now, just as the Western press is lauding their role, the military junta has reportedly cut off Internet access:

Myanmar’s government appeared to have cut public Internet access and troops occupied key Buddhist monasteries on Friday, witnesses and diplomats said, in an effort to end demonstrations against the ruling junta.

The moves raised concerns that the military government may be preparing to intensify a crackdown on civilians that has killed at least 10 people in the past two days. The Internet in particular has played a crucial role in getting news and images of the pro-democracy protests to the outside world.

According to AFP, government officials are blaming a “damaged underwater cable.”

After two days of unrest in Yangon’s streets, Myanmar’s main link to the Internet has stopped working, according to a telecom official who blamed the problem on a damaged cable.

“The Internet is not working because the underwater cable is damaged,” an official with Myanmar Post and Telecoms told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Myanmar’s Internet service is tightly controlled and only sporadically available even in the best of times, but the military has tightened its controls amid anti-government protests.

In Bangkok, an official at a Thai telecom that provides satellite services to Myanmar also said some Internet service inside the country had been cut.

One western source inside Myanmar said she had not been able to access emails or Internet since late morning.

Yes, question the timing

The yell of a monk yesterday as he stands up, with broken glasses thanks to a shot from the Burmese soldiers and surrounded by a tear gas’ cloud:

Who is going to come to help us? Do they know in your country what’s happening here? Why nobody is helping us?

has a more chilling sound after reading the link Schwan (hello  ) left me yesterday in the comments:

The professor Desmond Ball, from the Center of Strategic Studies and Defense from the University of Universidad de Canberra –who has published a book about the Burmese spies–, underlined that “the intelligence services and the security forces have tapped all the telecommunications’ systems of the country”.

In Burma, having a non-declared radio-phone means detention and whoever is surprised with a satellite phone is charged with “high treason” and condemned to a minimum punishment of 20 years in prison. Moreover, to use a PC, you must have an special license from the Communications and Mail Ministry. Infringing that law means a punishment between seven to fifteen years in prison. In this country, there are only a dozen cybercafes with limited access to Internet.

In every hotel of Rangoon and in other cities, the phone calls are intercepted without even considering that can be known by the speaker and, if the stablishment’s internet service is used, it will record it to their archives. The ordinary Burmese say that the military regime has “eyes and ears” everywhere. They know that the powerful Intelligence Service pays not only military men, but also beggars, street sellers, hotel receptionists, office workers, monks, taxi drivers and students, among others.

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Si estás cerca de Madrid y puedes venir, mañana hay una manifestación a las 12:00 en la Puerta del Sol hay una protesta contra la dictadura birmana.   Gracias a todos.

The crackdown continues.
News from The Associated Press

Soldiers with automatic rifles fired into crowds of anti-government demonstrators Thursday, killing at least nine people in the bloodiest day in more than a month of protests demanding an end to military rule.Bloody sandals lay scattered on some streets as protesters fled shouting “Give us freedom, give us freedom!”

On the second day of a brutal crackdown, truckloads of troops in riot gear also raided Buddhist monasteries on the outskirts of Yangon, beating and arresting dozens of monks, witnesses and Western diplomats said. Japan protested the killing of a Japanese photographer.

Daily demonstrations by tens of thousands have grown into the stiffest challenge to the ruling junta in two decades, a crisis that began Aug. 19 with rallies against a fuel price hike then escalated dramatically when monks began joining the protests.

With the government ignoring international appeals for restraint, troops fired into packs of demonstrators in at least four locations in Yangon, witnesses and a Western diplomat said. Protesters - some shouting “Give us freedom!” - dodged roadblocks and raced down alleys in a defiant game of cat and mouse with soldiers and riot police that went on for most of the day.

Some 70,000 protesters were on the streets at the height of the chaos, though the total was difficult to estimate as different groups broke up and later reformed.

Sandals were strewn by a pool of blood at one spot where people fled approaching police. In a brave challenge, a bare-chested man emerged from one crowd to advance toward riot officers, then was felled by a rubber bullet and suffered a beating by officers who took him away.

They are fighting bravely against the Junta:

Local residents in South Okkalapa township have surrounded security forces who returned to Ngway Kyar Yan monastery to arrest the abbot following last night’s raids.

At least 130 monks were detained in the raid on the monastery, and personal belongings including robes, rice and 2,000,000 Kyat in cash were seized.

Security forces returned at around noon today to arrest the abbot and took up positions surrounding the monastery.

But hundreds of thousands of local residents, outraged by the raids, surrounded the troops, shouting anti-government slogans and demanding the immediate release of the detained monks.

Other developments today:

1. Burma says it will issue a visa to UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who is being urgently sent to the country
2. the Association of South-East Asian Nations voices “revulsion” at the killings and urges Burma - one of its members - to exercise restraint
3. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour warns Burmese leaders that they could be prosecuted for their actions

Found in Burmanet.org.

Last news are that Kyang Kyang, General Than Swe’s wife, their daughter, Thadar Swe and their grandson have taken a plane to go abroad. Something which is really worrying.

USA has announced sanctions against 14 Burmese officials.

Oh, and Myanmar is how the Junta named the country, so the Burmese people are not very fond of it.
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En español:

La Junta Militar birmana acepta la entrada al país del enviado de la ONU.

China y Rusia evitan una condena de la ONU. capullos   ( y siento el lenguaje…).

El Ejército birmano reprime una manifestación a tiros y causa al menos 9 muertos.

Al iniciarse el día, una inmensa multitud se había reunido de nuevo en torno a la pagoda Sule. “Les damos 10 minutos. Si no se van, emplearemos medidas extremas”, gritaron los soldados a través de megáfonos. Poco después, por lo menos 100 personas habían sido detenidas y obligadas a subir a camiones militares, mientras los otros manifestantes huían corriendo por las calles del centro, explicaron los testigos.

Los jóvenes, acompañados por unos 20 monjes budistas, cantaron el himno nacional birmano mientras encaraban a decenas de policías y soldados armados que les impedían el paso, afirmaron los testigos.

“El general Aung San nunca habría ordenado al ejército que matase al pueblo”, gritaron, en referencia al difunto héroe de la independencia birmana y padre de la líder pro democrática y premio Nobel de la Paz Aung San Suu Kyi.

EEUU anuncia sanciones contra 14 altos cargos birmanos.

¿Un nuevo Tiananmen?

El último episodio acontecido en la revuelta popular de Birmania hace temer lo peor. Anoche, Kyaing Kyaing, esposa del jefe de la Junta Militar, el general Than Shwe, acompañada de su hija, Thadar Shwe, y de uno de sus nietos, tomó un vuelo de Air Bagan en primera clase y abandonó el país.

La situación de Birmania (formalmente Myanmar, nombre que, por cierto, la oposición no acepta porque fue una ocurrencia del nuevo orden castrense) no ha hecho más que ir a peor desde que el pasado 19 de agosto la Junta Militar que gobierna el país con mano de hierro decidiera subir el precio del combustible un 500%.

La revuelta popular de estos días, a diferencia de la que desencadenó la matanza de 1988, está liderada por el movimiento budista, y encabezada por los monjes de la gran pagoda de Shwedagon, el primer santuario del país, símbolo de la nación, que hasta ahora no se había destacado por su hostilidad al régimen.

En el país no se celebran elecciones legislativas desde 1990, cuando Aung San Suu Kyi, al frente de la Liga Nacional por la Democracia (LND), consiguió una victoria abrumadora que la facción militar se negó a reconocer y que resolvió disolviendo el parlamento y encarcelándola, para más tarde ponerla bajo un arresto domiciliario que todavía hoy continúa.

Desde entonces, Than Shwe, mantiene a su país sometido a un régimen de terror y secretos, fortaleciendo el papel del ejército y asfixiando toda aspiración democrática. Además, en este tiempo, se ha esforzado por lograr un acercamiento a China, Rusia, India y Tailandia, países muy interesados en los recursos naturales birmanos, fundamentalmente el gas. Y a tenor de los acontecimientos, lo ha conseguido: El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU instó ayer a la Junta Militar a ejercer la “contención” en sus actos violentos contra la población civil, pero el veto de China evitó la condena del máximo órgano de Naciones Unidas contra el régimen.

Y otra vez los recursos energéticos de por medio.