National Catholic Reporter, May 1, 2005
By Stephen Zunes [find source at TheFreeLibrary.com]
In the city of Andijan in the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, a large demonstration took place May 13, protesting government corruption, repression and the country’s worsening poverty. Soldiers fired into the crowd, killing more than 500 civilians. Rather than condemning the massacre, the White House called for “restraint” from both sides and claimed that Islamic “terrorist groups” may have been behind the protests that prompted the shootings…
Month: May 2005
Arms transfers to Pakistan undermine U.S. foreign policy goals
National Catholic Reporter, May 20, 2005
By Stephen Zunes [find source at TheFreeLibrary.com]
The Bush administration’s decision to sell sophisticated F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan raises questions regarding the administration’s stated commitment to promote democracy, support nonproliferation and fight terrorism and Islamic extremism. Pakistani Gen. Pervaz Musharraf, who overthrew the democratically elected government in 1999, continues to suppress the established secular political parties while allowing for the development of Islamic political groups…
The U.S. Role in the Breakdown of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
Foreign Policy In Focus/IPS, May 1, 2005 By Stephen Zunes
In the time since the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at Camp David in the summer of 2000 and the subsequent Palestinian uprising, details have emerged that challenge the Clinton administration’s insistence—reiterated by leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties as well as by much of the mainstream media—that the Palestinians were responsible for the failure to reach a peace agreement and for much of the violence that has engulfed Israel and Palestine since then…