PAKISTAN: John Kerry went to Islamabad two weeks after the death of Bin Laden

U.S. Senator John Kerry was Monday in Islamabad to try to restore relations between the United States and its key ally, as it arrived at a "defining moment" in Pakistan after the elimination of Osama bin Laden.

The Democratic chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, is the first senior U.S. official to visit Pakistan since a helicopter-borne U.S. commandos killed the leader of al-Qaida May 2 in Abbottabad, a city-garrison two hours drive from Islamabad.

The attack "illegal" according to Islamabad, caused a stir at a population overwhelmingly anti-American, not for the death of bin Laden, who has raised little protest, but for the "violation of sovereignty "Pakistan.

The CIA, who led the operation, confirmed that she had not warned the Pakistani authorities for fear of leakage.U.S. officials have since reported suspicion of "complicity" in the military and intelligence community to explain the presence of brain attacks of Sept. 11 in a city housing more than 10,000 soldiers.

Many parliamentarians in Washington advocated greater severity towards Pakistan, which from the end of 2001, had proclaimed his support for the "war against terrorism" and delivered, since, dozens of senior Al-Qaeda to Americans.

Pakistan, who protested softly since 2004 against the very frequent fire missiles CIA drones targeting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the tribal areas of north-west frontier with Afghanistan, has raised his voice after the raid cons bin Laden.He threatened to Washington to review its policy of cooperation on counterterrorism if such an incursion occurs.

Their sides, prominent members of Congress calling for cutting funds allocated considerable since late 2001 by the United States to Pakistan to finance its war effort against Al Qaeda and its allies, who have taken refuge in the tribal areas since the invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001.

Washington has given more than $ 18 billion to Pakistan in nearly ten years, mainly as support to his omnipotent army, and in 2009, notably under the leadership of John Kerry, Congress authorized an extension of 7.5 billion over 5 years in civilian aid.

But observers believe it is dangerous for Washington to alienate the only nuclear military power in the Muslim world, inhabited by nearly 180 million inhabitants, when the international coalition comprised two-thirds of U.S. troops bogged down in its war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Senator Kerry arrived in Islamabad late Sunday night and a sign that the army who actually run this country according to experts unanimous, he met upon his arrival Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the all-powerful Chief of Staff , relegating to Monday's meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The army has assured that General Kayani had conveyed to Mr.Kerry of "intense emotion" has caused the U.S. raid in the army.

"This is a decisive moment in our relationship with Pakistan", said Mr. Kerry on Sunday in Kabul.

Before the death of bin Laden, Washington had always praised the efforts of Islamabad in the fight against al Qaeda but felt that the army does not produce enough effort against the Taliban in Afghanistan in their rear bases in Pakistan.

But Mr. Kerry said that there was evidence that Islamabad "has knowledge of certain activities" of the Taliban on its territory, and that it was "very disturbing". "We must find a way to move forward, if possible.Otherwise, it could be a series of negative consequences that may be important, "he warned.

FOOTBALL - THE QUOTA CASE: No legal proceedings against members of the FFF

Ten days after the beginning of the controversy over the possible application of ethnic quotas by the French Football Federation, the outcome of the case is imminent. The Minister for Sport, Chantal Jouanno, spoke Tuesday about the investigation conducted by the services of his ministry, and whose findings were surrendered on the evening of Monday.

Chantal Jouanno announced that the Ministry of Youth and Sports would not be the case in court: "The evidence we have does not allow us to prove the existence of a quota system or a system project quotas.Today we do not have elements to convey anything to the prosecutor. "

After noting that the football world had been "seriously shaken by the revelations of the site Mediapart," the minister confirmed that he still appeared "very clear that discussions on ways to limit the number of players and binational quotas [had] been held. "

No witch hunt

Chantal Jouanno also came on the individual responsibilities of several executives of the Federation.She acknowledged that the national technical director (DTN) Blaquart Francis had "taken" from "About regrettable" but nevertheless assured that "no document [would] suggest that a discriminatory philosophy has been maintained to the DTN" .

She has finally ruled on the case largely Laurent Blanc considers it inseparable from the context: "It was an internal meeting at the DTN. [...] White attended for the first time this type of meeting . The hearings clearly shows that he discovered this debate. He had no firm plan on the subject, no notice, "she explains.There are no facts to suggest that White condone discriminatory guidelines instead. "

And the minister quoted the coach of the Blues to support him: "If only blacks in the poles and if blacks want to play there in the France team that fits me very well."

Chantal Jouanno also said that the investigation by its staff tended to prove that Muhammad Belkacemi had "not submitted documents to the press." Last week, the adviser acknowledged that National had made the recording of the meeting complained of November 8.There will be a "reminder to the rule" for him "that it is forbidden to record meetings."

Call for change to FFF

While recalling that "the State [could] do not interfere in the affairs of the federation," Chantal Jouanno felt that there was "no doubt be heavy make decisions within the FFF. She said it had proposed an "organizational audit" to instances of domestic football, and a "managerial support.Recommendations that the FFF has no obligation to follow nonetheless.

Parallel to the survey by the Ministry of Sports, the Federation conducted its own investigation internally, in collaboration with government departments.

The ratio of the two investigators was delivered Tuesday morning to the president of the FFF Duchossoy Fernand, who will unveil an outline in the day Tuesday.

According to a source familiar with the matter told AFP the paper would report "internal problems" but has found no "wrongdoing" or "discrimination characterized.

In addition to the scheduled press conference on Tuesday, the FFF will hold a special federal council on Thursday.It will discuss, identify potential internal administrative penalties.

LIBYA: Libyan Transitional Council, an authority that fails to convince

Created in the euphoric early days of the revolution in Benghazi in February, but few recognized internationally and economically driven, the Libyan National Transitional Council (CNT) is it really a viable institution capable of influencing the scene policy?

"The question is on everyone's lips at a time when the conflict drags," says Jean-Pierre Maulny, Middle East specialist at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS). "Many Western leaders are questioning the legitimacy of this body."

The absence of power-cons Libyan nevertheless gives little choice to European and American leaders. The CNT is the sole interlocutor of the international community."This is the only organization that resists visible," added the specialist. A view shared by Dominique Moisi, an expert on Middle East at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI). "They are strong because they are unique," said the expert. "Their main asset is their existence. It invalidates the legitimacy to Gaddafi.

"No charismatic figure"

Both experts agree, however, the "fragility" of this reciprocating. "From a political standpoint, the insurgents have no charismatic leader," said Dominique Moisi."Their members are too small and lack a unifying figure is a major flaw for a body of resistance."

Composed of 31 members, the CNT is composed of a vast majority of anonymous - lawyers, professors, doctors. Civilians who, despite themselves, they damage the image of the Transition Board. "A resistance organization operates through two levers: a charismatic figure or organization infallible. Here we have neither one nor the other."

Cash also appears to be lacking Libyan insurgents. To fill their coffers, the rebels decided to go to their Western allies.The rebellion assess its needs for the next three months to three billion dollars to pay the balances of the insurgents, food, medicines and other basic supplies. "They have no money and the Libyan economy threatens to collapse," says Jean-Pierre Maulny.

In this context, the international community is reluctant to invest money in an organization as unstructured. "Western leaders refuse to finance weapons on which they have no control," says the specialist.

Diplomatic bungle

On the diplomatic front, the Transition Board fouls a little brushes. Thursday, CNT announced it has been recognized by Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. Only problem, all three have denied."A false step that speaks volumes about the communication of the rebels," quipped Dominique Moisi. Denmark "has recognized the CNT as a dialogue partner." No more. Spain and the Netherlands as a valid interlocutor.

Only France, Qatar, Italy and The Gambia have officially recognized the Resistance Council as the legitimate representative of the people. "It's little," admits Jean-Pierre Maulny, "too few to influence global politics."

Does this mean that the CNT is destined to disappear? "It's a premature meets Dominique Moisi. The fall of Gaddafi is the ultimate test. It is only then that we will know if the movement will die or if a political leader will emerge ..." Although caution the side of Jean-Pierre Maulny."The CNT today derives its strength from the Hate crystallized around Gaddafi, but tomorrow ... If the regime falls, the CNT will prepare the future, an alternative to the Guide, win the support of the Libyans ... Are they really prepared and structured? "

NIGERIA: The legislative postponed to Monday for "organizational problems"

AFP - Nigeria has decided to postpone its elections lésiglatives to Monday because of organizational problems that marred the vote scheduled for Saturday, said the head of the electoral commission.

"To preserve the integrity of elections and retain overall control process effective, the commission has taken the difficult but necessary to repel Monday, April 4, 2011 elections to the National Assembly," saidAttahiru Jega the press.

The election of 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 Senators would be Saturday the first of a planned series in the month, a test for democracy in the country's most populous country.

The most important presidential has been set for Saturday, April 9. It must be followed on 16 regional elections.

LIBYA: Participation shy of Arab countries to the London conference

Arab countries appeared back on Tuesday at the London conference to prepare for the Libya post-Qaddafi, the French and British wanted to cause the broadest and consensual way.

The announcement in the final communique that Qatar, the only Arab country with the UAE to participate in operations in Libya, will host the next meeting of the "contact group" came opportunely temper that impression late in the day.

Primarily concerned with the future of this country, most Arab states, such as Algeria and Egypt, which has now been overturned Hosni Mubarak, were not represented at the founding meeting of the "contact group" on Libya, which was attended by some forty countries and organizations.

The Arab League chief Amr Moussa, had declined the invitation, being represented by a single ambassador, a low profile by an Egyptian diplomat said the support of military operations by NATO and the unknowns hanging over Following the events in Libya.

The support of the Arab League to the West had yet been the trigger for the adoption of resolution 1973 the Security Council of the United Nations authorizing the adoption of "all necessary measures" to protect civilian populations.

While the Western powers - the United States, France and Germany - were represented by their Foreign Minister, Arab states were found by an ambassador, with the notable exception of the UAE and Qatar, which has a gesture of good will by agreeing to be noticed the host of the next meeting.

"The end of the Gaddafi regime is near," assured the opening of the meeting, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem.

Only seven Arab countries, on the 24-member Arab League were represented.

The African Union was, she was absent, while the chairman of the AU Commission, Jean Ping, was given again this Monday.

Other notable absentees, the Libyan people.The National Transitional Council (CNT), opposed the plan by Colonel Qaddafi, could not attend the meeting, despite the pressures of France.

Ahmad Jibril, who represents the CNT abroad, but multiplied sidelines meetings with chiefs of American diplomacy, Hillary Clinton, French, Alain Juppe, German, Guido Westerwelle, British and William Hague.

Contacts described as "very friendly" by the Council, which was then called, during a press conference, the countries involved in the response to Libya to supply arms to the rebels, in addition to political support.

The Council also submitted a statement in his "vision" of the post-Qaddafi and listed its "obligations: draft a new constitution, formation of political parties, citizens' right to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections and denunciation of terrorism ".

The terms are vague, when fighting continues and where Colonel Qaddafi does not appear eager to take the path of exile, as many call them leaders.

"I hope we do not make the same mistake as Iraq, where the post-Saddam Hussein was actively prepared including London, with the Iraqi opposition, to achieve the result we know" said one Arab diplomat, who requested anonymity.

 

TUNISIA: The interim government is continuing its battle against the former ruling party

AFP - The Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi on Monday urged members reunited for the first time since the fall of Ben Ali, to authorize the Interim President to rule by decree-law, bypassing parliament dominated by the former ruling party power.

The battle against the former all-powerful Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) had taken the first step Sunday with the announcement by the Ministry of Interior of the "suspension" of the party before a "dissolution" next.

MPs gathered in front of the palace of Bardo in Tunis headquarters of the Parliament, the prime minister has urged politicians to preserve the achievements of the popular revolution that led to the downfall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14.

A bill to that effect "will enable the Interim President (Fouad Mebazaa) to adopt ordinances pursuant to Article 28 of the Constitution," said the Prime Minister.

"Time is precious.These decree-laws, Tunisia really need to overcome the dangers "threatening the gains of the revolution, insisted Mohammed Ghannouchi.

"There are people who want to return to Tunisia in back, but we must honor our martyrs, who fought for freedom," he said, calling the 125 members present (out of 214 elected members) to adopt the text, expected to rise on Wednesday before the House of Councillors (Senate).

Members should decide in the day on this "bill empowering the president to take interim decree law", according to the unified agenda of the session.

Specifically, the untouchable and all-powerful party under President Ben Ali, who claimed to have 2 million members in a country of 10 million people, has yet no right to organize meetings or rallies, and all its premises are closed.

But many of its cadres are still present in the government and police. The opposition fears that the RCD, the only party that benefited from facilities around the country, only takes all the elections scheduled in six months.A delay also challenged as being too short by many political groups banned under Ben Ali.

This offensive against the RCD operates in a time of great tension in various regions of the country (north, south and center), while the government has to ease the curfew in force since January 12 after a clean sweep at the head of the police.

The recent appointment of 24 new provincial governors are struggling to pass. In several areas, demonstrators demanded their departure just days after taking office because of "RCDisme.

The governor of Gafsa (West Central) has had to leave Sunday its offices under military protection.

Further north, the city of El Kef was a weekend of rioting that people attribute to ochestrées provocations by the RCD. Two people were killed Saturday by a police commissioner, the police building was set on fire twice, and groups of looters have caused panic in the city.

CHILE: Santiago opened an investigation for the first time in the death of Allende

Chilean Justice announced Thursday the opening of its first investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of President Salvador Allende died during the coup of General Augusto Pinochet that toppled the leftist government, September 11, 1973.

"We'll see whether or not there was suicide and under what circumstances," said a judicial source, who requested anonymity.

Salvador Allende, elected president of Chile in 1970 to lead a leftist coalition, was killed by gunfire in the presidential palace, bombed by the air force during the coup led by General Pinochet.He was 65.

An autopsy concluded that Allende had committed suicide, but the results are disputed by some political sectors and organizations defending human rights.

"Justice will investigate what has not been investigated," he simply stated the prosecutor of the Court of Appeal, Beatriz Pedrals.

It was she who on Wednesday opened proceedings in this case and in 725 other cases of violations of human rights during the dictatorship (1973-1990), never previously treated for lack of complaints.

"Last year, the lists of victims of the Rettig Report (National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation) have been reviewed and this information was intersected with the complaints so far.We then saw that many cases had not been the subject of proceedings, "said the judiciary.

The judge assigned to coordinate these issues has asked the Attorney Pedrals to complain instead of victims of dictatorship, which ended in 3150 killed or missing and 28,000 cases of torture.

Currently, 560 former military personnel are prosecuted for crimes committed under military rule.

Files opened Wednesday correspond to cases of missing and dead prisoners "whatever the reason," said the judge. It may for example include people killed by a bullet "lost" during a protest.

"We must investigate all crimes.We speak more than 700 cases that have never been investigated, including that of Allende, which gives more weight "to the proceedings, responded Lorena Pizarro, president of the Association Parents of Disappeared Detainees.

The arrival in power of Allende had worried the conservative sectors of Chile and the United States, who feared that his "Chilean road to socialism" do not rock the South American country in the communist camp.

Washington had decided to act secretly with the CIA, sponsoring and supporting the coup against Allende, who had nationalized the major mining resources of the country, such as copper, at the time controlled by U.S. multinationals.

The United States has long supported the then military regime and its economic policy, modeled on the precepts and ultra-liberal monetarists of the Chicago School.

Pinochet died in 2006, 16 years after he left office without having been tried.

Allende's widow, Hortensia Bussi, had fled to Mexico after the coup but had continued to fight the dictatorship. She herself died in 2009 at the age of 94 years.

The couple had three daughters, Carmen Paz, Beatriz, who died, and Isabel, Socialist MEP.