December 13th

New Media Dodge Mid-east Censors ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bbc News by Robin Lustig - (Special Report) December 13, 2007 - 1:03pm It's never easy writing about media freedom. Even in countries where there is no official censorship, all reporters know there will always be some restraints on what they can say - editors need to be persuaded, owners need to be kept happy, the law has to be obeyed. » Read more

Angry Start To Palestinian Talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Independent by Donald Macintyre - December 13, 2007 - 1:02pm The first formal Israeli Palestinian negotiating process for seven years made an acrimonious start yesterday in the shadow of plans for new Jewish housing in Arab East Jerusalem and the threat of military escalation in Gaza. Palestinian negotiators used the first session since the international Middle East conference in Annapolis to express their outrage over plans for an expansion of the settlement of Har Homa - already criticised by the US, EU and UK government. » Read more

Thanks, But No Thanks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Samih Khalidi - (Commentary) December 13, 2007 - 1:01pm The Palestinian state has now become the universal standard for all solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The international community applauds the concept. President Bush proudly proclaims it as his "vision". The Israelis have come to it belatedly, after years of steadfast refusal and rejection. » Read more

Politics: U.s. Jews Tilt Rightwards On Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Inter Press Service (IPS) by Jim Lobe - December 13, 2007 - 12:59pm U.S. Jews appear to have become more opposed both to Israel's making key concessions in renewed peace talks with Palestinians and to the U.S. carrying out a military attack against Iran's nuclear facilities, according to the latest in an annual series of surveys of Jewish opinion released here this week by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). » Read more

Prerequisites For Peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Baltimore Sun by Mustafa Barghouthi - December 13, 2007 - 12:58pm As one who for decades has supported a two-state solution and the nonviolent struggle for Palestinian rights, I view the recent conference in Annapolis with a great deal of skepticism - and a glimmer of hope. Seven years with no negotiations - and increasing numbers of Israeli settlers, an economic blockade in Gaza and an intricate network of roadblocks and checkpoints stifling movement in the West Bank - have led us to despair and distrust. Any commitment must be made not only to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008 but also to end Israel's occupation. » Read more

Insider Account Of Peacemaking Details History Of Misguided Diplomacy ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward by Nathan Guttman - December 13, 2007 - 12:56pm As negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians reached their peak at the Camp David summit of 2000, the Clinton administration was facing such a shortage of manpower that a translator who had no diplomatic experience was drafted to fulfill diplomatic missions in the most delicate moment of the negotiation process. » Read more

Aiming To Translate Politics Into Hope For Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Steven Erlanger - December 13, 2007 - 12:55pm Tony Blair had that practiced politician’s half grin, his eyes in semi-focus, as the Palestinian minister of tourism, Khouloud Daibes, showed him around a display of Palestinian products at the Chamber of Commerce here Tuesday night. Mr. Blair, the former British prime minister and now the Western envoy for Palestinian development, posed for photos with businessmen and praised the quality of the local marble tiles. » Read more

Democrats Show Beltway "strength," Avoid Being Depicted As Weak ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Salon.com by Glenn Greenwald - December 13, 2007 - 12:54pm Democrats show Beltway "strength," avoid being depicted as weak (updated below - Update II) In the world of the Beltway pundit, Bush Dog Representative, and Democratic strategist, this is how Democrats prove how "strong" and tough they are and avoid being demonized as "weak" and "soft"; this is all just from today: From The Hill: From The Washington Post: From CNN: From The Hill: » Read more

Icrc Says Israeli Clamps Worsen Gaza And W.bank Crisis ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Stephanie Nebehay - December 13, 2007 - 12:50pm Israeli restrictions have caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank that is growing worse, leaving hospitals unable to treat the sick and keeping farmers off their land, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. In a statement issued on Thursday, the neutral humanitarian agency called on Israel to "lift the retaliatory measures which are paralyzing life in Gaza" and urged Palestinian factions to stop targeting civilian areas and putting lives at risk. » Read more

First Palestinian Policewomen Begin Work ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Dalia Nammari - December 13, 2007 - 12:48pm Palestinian pedestrians gawked at the unusual sight of female police officers directing traffic in Ramallah on Wednesday, the first batch of women to venture into a job traditionally reserved for men in the West Bank. The women wore uniforms of navy blue pants and light blue shirts and many donned navy blue headscarves, a sign of Muslim modesty. Some male police officers sneered at the women as they directed traffic and kept pedestrians from jaywalking on their first day on the job. » Read more