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World view
- By Joseph Marques, Chief Sub Editor
- Published: 23:01 August 14, 2008
Russia and Georgia went to war over the enclave of South Ossetia. A ceasefire was called after days of fighting. The Olympic games got of to a colourful start amid allegations of restrictions against foreigners and journalists visiting Beijing. One of the greatest Arab poets of the modern era, Mahmoud Darwish, passed away after a brief illness. His death is a tragic loss to the Arab world and for the Palestinians in particular. These events were contemplated, analysed and commented on. We present here excerpts of editorials from the regional and international press.
Russia-Georgia war
Russia and Georgia were both blamed for the war in the Caucasus. Both countries claim the disputed territory of South Ossetia. When Georgian forces entered the enclave, Russia swamped the territory and captured swathes of Georgian land. A ceasefire is in force, but the situation is still tense in the region.
Commenting on the conflict, The New York Times called on the US and its its European allies to tell Russian President Vladamir Putin in the clearest possible terms that such aggression will not be tolerated. And that there will be no redivision of Europe.
"There can be no business as usual until Russian troops are out of Georgia, fighting has ended and all sides have agreed on a plan for calming the tensions in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At a minimum, that means international mediation, more autonomy for both regions and the stationing of truly neutral international peacekeepers - not Russian troops," it said.
Echoing a similar view, The Christian Science Monitor stated that a new Iron Curtain is being drawn around Russia. "It's not so impregnable or wide as the Soviet one. But Moscow's willingness to war with Nato-aspirant Georgia sends this clear message to the expanding West: Thus far, and no farther. Given Russia's strength, the West has few options," it said.
On the issue of whether the Western alliance would confront Russia militarily, it stated: "Neither the US nor any other Nato country will fight Russia over Georgia's two tiny separatist enclaves - South Ossetia and Abkhazia ... The US is bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan. Who wants war with Russia over this?"
Terming it as Europe's new war, The Times of India remarked that the fighting itself is over unfinished business left over from the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. "When Georgia broke away from Russia two regions on its Russian border, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, remained loyal to Moscow. After Georgia's "rose revolution" of 2003 the nation allied itself to the US under the leadership of Mikhail Saakashvili, elected president in 2004. Georgia contributed the third largest number of troops, after the US and UK, to the US-led coalition in Iraq, while also bidding for Nato membership. President Bush was in favour of integrating Georgia into Nato but the Europeans demurred. No doubt, Saakashvili's government has been rash by daring the Russians in their own backyard," it commented.
Olympic Games
The Olympics Games got off to a flamboyant start. China lived up to the expectations of the world by hosting the world's greatest sporting extravaganza. However, there were criticism over discrimination - the most notable case being of the girl who not allowed on stage to sing the opening song because she was ugly.
China's People's Daily, however, lauded the "glory of the Olympics".
It stated: "Over seven years, the host country of the Olympics has borrowed the knowledge of its citizens and gathered the strength of the people to present a brand new Beijing to friends from all across the world. Now, the water in Beijing is clear, the sky is blue, the roads are free of traffic jams, the streets are clean, and this ancient city shines with youth."
Gulf Times picked on the supposedly live pictures of fireworks representing footprints moving from Tiananmen Square to the Olympic stadium were partly computer-generated or pre-recorded.
"Perhaps no one should be surprised by the smoke and mirrors approach because earlier this year the same organisers shamelessly revealed that the medal ceremony hostesses had to fit the criteria of being tall, slim, young and attractive," it said.
The Times too commented on it, saying, "So if all it takes is computer wizardry, some lip synching and rent-a-crowd fans, London need lose no sleep worrying about trumping Beijing or about mounting costs. The tricksy opening ceremony can be faked, and even the stadiums themselves could be run up on a computer screen. And when the world is entranced by a magnificent new London, who will notice the difference? Only those people who care about the Olympics."
Tragic loss
The passing away of the doyen of Arab literature and one of the leaders of the Palestinian movement, Mahmoud Darwish, came as a shock for the entire Arab world. Through his poetry and other writings, Darwish gave voice to the sufferings of the Palestinian people under occupation and in exile, while simultaneously articulating their dreams of living at peace as equal citizens in their own state.
The Daily Star, highlighting the achievements of the legendary poet, said: "Darwish is now gone, but the causes he defended are nowhere near resolved and the Palestinian people who have long been denied the basic right of statehood and civil liberties are experiencing unprecedented vulnerability. Unfortunately, his wish to be buried near his birthplace in what is now Israeli soil will also remain unfulfilled."
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