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In Japan for G-8 Summit, Bush Defends Olympic Move
RUSUTSU, Japan – President Bush arrived on the lush and mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on Sunday to talk to world leaders about climate change, soaring oil and gas prices and aid to Africa. But first, he defended his decision to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics next month – and got a little help from his host, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan, who announced that he would also attend.
“I view the Olympics as an opportunity for me to cheer on our athletes,” Mr. Bush said, at a press conference in nearby Toyako, after the two leaders met privately. He said not going to the opening ceremony “would be an affront to the Chinese people” that might make it “more difficult to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese leadership.”
Human rights advocates have been urging a boycott of the Games, to protest China’s crackdown on anti-government protest in Tibet and its support for the regime in Sudan. Other world leaders, including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, are skipping the opening ceremonies. But after meeting privately with Mr. Bush, Mr. Fukuda seemed to adopt the president’s reasoning.
“Olympics are sports events,” the prime minister said, adding, “I don’t think you have to really link Olympics with politics.”
Mr. Bush’s visit to this scenic hot springs resort, on the edge of a volcanic lake, marks his last meeting as president with the leaders of industrialized nations, the so-called Group of 8. The trip, which coincided with Mr. Bush’s 62nd birthday on Sunday, marks the beginning of the president’s exit from the world stage, and it comes as other nations are frustrated with the United States over the weak dollar, and rising oil and food prices, which are threatening the global economy.
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Mr. Bush also used the press conference to assuage Japanese concerns about his recent decision to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism – a move that has touched a raw nerve here because of the North’s abduction of Japanese citizens. Mr. Bush took the step in exchange for the North’s long-delayed declaration of its nuclear program to the outside world.
But the fate of the abductees, who disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s as part of an apparent effort by the North to train Japanese-speaking spies, is a very emotional issue here, and Japan has been using its role in the six-party talks with North Korea to press the North for the abductees return. The big fear here is that, now that the United States has removed the North from the group of countries that Mr. Bush once dubbed the ‘’axis of evil,” Japan will lose its leverage.
Mr. Bush, saying he was “aware of the sensitivity,” made Mr. Fukuda a promise. “The United States will not abandon you on this issue,” he said
RUSUTSU, Japan – President Bush arrived on the lush and mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on Sunday to talk to world le... more -
70 killed in China Mine Explosion
A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China killed at least 70 people today and left at least 26 others trapped in one of the countrys worst mining accidents this year, according to the official Xinhua news agency. A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China killed at least 70 people today and left at least 26 others trapped in one of the cou... more
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Hundreds Killed as Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Cyclone Sidr brings with it winds up to 149 mph, heavy rain, and huge waves. Thousands have fled inland.
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More Violence in Pakistan
A suicide bomber blew up a bus, killing 8 and wounding many more, while government security forces clashed with pro-Taliban militants, killing 60 rebels. A suicide bomber blew up a bus, killing 8 and wounding many more, while government security forces clashed with pro-Taliban militants,... more
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Monks return to streets of Burma
More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month's bloody crackdown on protests. The monks chanted and prayed as they marched through Pakokku, the site of an incident last month that triggered pro-democracy protests nationwide.
The government said 10 people died during the crackdown, but diplomats believe the toll was much higher.Thousands more - many of them monks - were thought to have been detained.
More than 100 monks have marched in central Burma, the first time they have returned to the streets since last month's bloody crackdow... more -
Myanmar: No More Curfew or Ban on Assembly
President Bush says the move by the Burmese Government is just "cosmetic" and is not a real change.
Do you think the demonstrations will start up again? Would you be out in the streets, willing to potentially die or be tortured in your quest for democracy? President Bush says the move by the Burmese Government is just "cosmetic" and is not a real change. ... more -
"You are no longer Monks."
Monks who have been released from their captivity in Myanmar are relating tales of horrible conditions. The government claims that only 10 people were killed in the violent shut down of the protests and that all but about 100 monks have been released. The numbers of both are much more likely a lot higher, with potentially thousands of monks still in custody.
The monks are reportedly being packed into rooms so tightly they can not lie down. They are beaten when they move or refer to themselves as monks, being told they are just men with shaved heads. They can not leave to go to the bathroom, and are given one or 2 bottles of water per day to share among 50 men, and they have not been given any medical treatment. Some are said to have died from their injuries in the holding rooms. Monks who have been released from their captivity in Myanmar are relating tales of horrible conditions. The government claims that on... more -
Burmese Activist Dies in Interrogation
According to a group of Myanmar exiles, the family of Win Shwe, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy who was arrested on September 26, was told that he had died during interrogation and had been cremated.
For the most part, things have returned to normal in Myanmar - back to the restrained and oppressive state things were in before the protests for democracy began - though sporadic arrests of those involved in the demonstrations have continued. According to a group of Myanmar exiles, the family of Win Shwe, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy who was a... more -
Myanmar Crackdown
The protests in Myanmar have captured the attention of the world. We review the events that have taken place on the streets of Yangon.
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Koreas Working Towards a Peace Treaty
The presidents of North and South Korea have signed a deal that they will work towards a peace treaty to formally end the Korean war to replace the cease-fire that has been in place since 1953. The two countries are also asking for another next meeting, to include China and the U.S., both of whom were also involved in fighting the Korean war. The presidents of North and South Korea have signed a deal that they will work towards a peace treaty to formally end the Korean war t... more
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The Mess in Myanmar
As many feared, the situation in Myanmar is getting even uglier. The top U.S. diplomat in the country is reporting that truckloads of people are being driven out of the cities. Apparently, soldiers are dragging people out of their homes at night, announcing in the streets that they have photographs and are arresting people who participated in the pro-democracy rallies. As many feared, the situation in Myanmar is getting even uglier. The top U.S. diplomat in the country is reporting that truckloads o... more
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The News on North Korea
There's a lot going on for Kim Jung Il these days.
He's in the middle of a three day summit with South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun, and Roh just turned down Kim's offer to extend the summit by an extra day, but not before Kim could get a joke in about Roh being unable to make decisions on his own (Roh was surprised by the offer and said he had to confer with some of his staff before declining the invitation). The two leaders say they are working towards peace for the 2 countries, but don't ask for details, cause there are none available.
Plus, North Korea has just agreed in 6 party disarmament talks to provide a complete list of all nuclear activities and shut down its main facility by the end of the year, all under U.S. supervision.
What a week! There's a lot going on for Kim Jung Il these days. ... more -
Summit of the Koreas
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun walked across the demilitarized zone, the strip of land that separates the two countries which are technically still at war (the Korean war ended in a cease fire rather than a peace treaty), the first leader to do so. Roh was on his way to a meeting with Kim Jong Il, as the two countries are slowly working on reconciliation. The summit is scheduled to run through Thursday.
North Korea has also apparently asked to be removed from the U.S.'s list of states that sponsor terrorism. There is no word from the U.S. on when/under what conditions this would happen. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun walked across the demilitarized zone, the strip of land that separates the two countries which are... more -
Troops Shut Down Protests, Internet Access Cut Off
Protesters were back out in the streets today of Myanmar again today. But government troops were also out, taking swift and firm action: firing guns, chasing demonstrators out of the streets, as well as beating and arresting some. Troops have also taken control of several Buddhist monasteries in an effort to prevent the monks from joining the activities, and have cut off access to the internet and phones, which raises concerns that the violence may begin to rise as access to knowledge of the situation is more restricted. Protesters were back out in the streets today of Myanmar again today. But government troops were also out, taking swift and firm acti... more
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Shooting, Tear Gas, and Arrests in Myanmar
Thousands of pro-democracy protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar despite the threat of government violence against them after the military conducted raids of Buddhist monasteries overnight. Reports indicate that many monks were beaten and hundreds arrested. The military government has apparently been using tear gas and shooting into the crowds after orders to disband were ignored. Thousands of pro-democracy protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar despite the threat of government violence against them after ... more
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Protests in Myanmar Continue Despite Government Warnings
After the Burmese government issued warnings Monday night to end the protests or face unspecified action, Tuesday morning, thousands of Buddhist monks and many more supporters were out on the streets in Myanmar again to continue the protests against the military government there. So far, sound trucks calling on the monks to return home are the only government presence patrolling the streets. But given the brutal crack down on protesters in 1988, this all makes me very nervous. After the Burmese government issued warnings Monday night to end the protests or face unspecified action, Tuesday morning, thousands o... more
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Shinzo Abe commemorative manju for his short lived prime minister tenure
Shin-chan manju cakes are the latest hot item until a new prime minister is elected
Outside the controversial Yasukuni Temple they also sold Jun-chan (Junichiro Koizumi) manju cakes on the day he made his controversial visit to the shrine that angered China and Korea.
I so want one... Shin-chan manju cakes are the latest hot item until a new prime minister is elected ... more -
Powerful aftershocks hit Sumatra
They just had a huge earthquake and now more after shocks, more news to follow in the coming hours.
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A Happy Coup
Thailand's coup took the world by surprise, but the country's taking it in stride. The tanks and soldiers are not striking fear, but rather making for a grand photo opportunity. Thailand's coup took the world by surprise, but the country's taking it in stride. The tanks and soldiers are not striking fear, but r... more
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losing face in china
head of chinese airline offers to quit after explosion
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