Different countries send their politicians to Brussels for different reasons. Berlusconi treats the EU Parliament as a fashion show sending the best looking female MEPs on a passarella. France knows that it doesn’t need to control the EU from Brussles, and can easily do it from Paris, so send its unwanted MPs to Brussels before throwing them out of politics. The Poles and Brits want to the out of the EU so send their extreme-Right Wing politicians who are so Right they’re Left… and Cyprus…. Ooof!

With Cyprus, I have never seen such a fuss over the European elections. For three days all we saw were politicians celebrating, and saying they ‘came first’ before the results were already announced. So the EU’s 3^rd smallest nation has 6 seats which means 6 MEPs. Big deal. If they can’t pass laws in their country do they think they’ll pass these laws in Brussels? Heck no. The fuss, the waving of the flags, the speeches, the ceremonies, the interviews, all that over 6 measly seats in the EuroParliament. And the fighting of the parties… Did someone forget to tell them that they are in Brussels for Cyprus, not for the Left of the Right.

Macedona is Hellenic. Did anyone say otherwise?

Do you duty: vote yes

http://www.topix.com/forum/world/macedonia/TAAAAFN23PMGMJ147

Remembering...

Never Forgetting
Always Remembering

Landmines... again

For Christmas I posted a delightful blog about landmines, namely in Bosnia. This was to remind you that despite the Christmas cheer (personally the commercialisation of Christmas had defeated the whole point of it) the landmine issue was not resolved.

The late Princess Diana with the Halo Trust put the landmine issue on the map with the Ottawa Treaty (aka the Land Mine Treaty) which has been signed and ratified by 100 countries. Its purpose is to prohibit, prevent the use of and remove all landmines 10 years after it’s signing – which basically is now. Has Bosnia been cleared? Has Cyprus?

The landmine is now a stigmatised weapon, no government wants to be seen using it (only two countries used it last year) but this has still not curtailed its use. This is not helped by the fact that the UN is shifting its funding elsewhere as some of the places that need to be de-mined are just too dangerous to work in. Other places like Bosnia have political difficulties which does not help their country’s demining.

America has not signed the Ottawa Treaty – due to Korea although by 2010 all US mines are meant to self-destruct. The UK too hasn’t signed the Treaty, despite Diana being a patron of it, due to the war in Las Malvinas/Falkland Islands. The UK has yet to clear out the mine from the Islands saying that they have lived there with them and the landmine areas are clearly marked so why bother with the cost. The argument against this is that clearing out landmines is a legal obligation.

Palin hates bloggers... and moose... and democrats... (duh!)

Sarah Palin described bloggers who spoke up against her as ‘Those bloggers in their pajamas sittin' in their parents' basements, just writin' garbage’. Dear Ms. Palin, I may have talked about you in my blog and like everyone else described you as a whackjob but I can guarantee to you that I do not sit around in pajamas, I am too busy to sit around and I don’t even own pajamas, my parents do not own a basement and I don’t live with them and I don’t write garbage (well, maybe sometimes – but it seems that you are the one who is upset with it).

No, you are wrong Ms. Palin. I write on the third floor of my apartment block; overlooking the city of Nicosia in very expensive clothes sipping red wine. May I also add that unlike you; I know that Africa is a continent and not a country; although I cannot see Russia from my house like you can, I know a lot more about it; and I think you should consider yourself I incredibly lucky to spend 140,000 dollars on clothes. If fashion doesn’t let you win it, then nothing will. Not even Tokyo fashion week!

Art at the UN

The roof of the UN HQ in Geneva is covered in a phenomenal art piece - see picture aboev. It does look good but it cost 18 million euros. A regualr roof would have cost about... what? Around a million? Now I know every international organisation's HQ building needs a roof - and sure, some could have art work, as above... but I kind of feel that that money could have been used for another cause like building a school in Africa, or perhaps to save a town somewhere. Perhaps the artists could have painted the the painting on the house (pun intended). I don't know - but with the violence in the DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Kosovo, Darfur, Tibet, the West Bank and everywhere else... that money seems a little excessive. Or maybe it's just my opinion and 18 million euros is nothing to the UN as they donate much more to charity and do so much more... you decide... I really can't say... my opinion on this is sketchy at best.

Obama at the White House

With the advent of Obama to the White House I hear many Americans saying that they feel proud to be American again. And I am proud for them. I am also a little proud from me. I’ll tell you why. Since Bush came on the scene and wreaked havoc many Americans, Republican and Democrats alike have shied away from expressing their dislike of their president and at the time toned-down their American-ness (only slightly though – Americans are not ones to be thought of as timid). I even during the times of Bush (but not because of Bush) have always been fond of America. My reason for this is simple; the people. The closest and best friends I made were American. If you surround yourself by one thing, in my case; Americans; then inevitably you adopt their ways. My accent has become if not American then transatlantic; with many strong R’s and statements that sound like questions. But only slightly – people assume I’m some kind of Eurotrash-type person who spends his time between Geneva and New York. Either than or I’m some Middle Eastern who although acts all pious can’t resist the pleasures of the West.

I’m none of these. I just made good American friends, picked up their values (confidence, openness and a penchant for good times) and dropped my English values (overt-politeness) and some Cypriot values (erm… it turns out that I actually didn’t have many to begin with). And so I became default American. Not the ‘God bless America’ type, but more the ‘land of opportunity/ hard work/ get off your ass and do something/ I have something to say’ type, which for me is the real America; unapologetic and creative. So now America will come back in fashion again. To hate America is no longer fashionable. For me it never was because I knew the difference between associating Bush with America. They are two different concepts. People do not see this and often associate the leader of a country with the country, so because Obama won and people like him, America is popular again. People not only don’t hate it now but they want to love it. Correction; they need to love it because wearing an American flag on the t-shirts will be in again. I on the other hand can take the moral high-ground… maybe the ‘I was there first’ high ground; because I always liked America. I just wish I was there to cheer them all on!

Elections in 2 days

It is 10.27pm, 1 November, as I am writing this and it has just occured to me, after months of following the campaign, or should I say The Campaign (as there really is only one true campaign) that on Monday, America goes to the polls to vote for a new President. I am actually more excited for American voting than I was voting for our Presidents (which I took very seriously indeed).

However, finally two days before election day I am fully behind his campaign wagon (as I mentioned, I do not take voting lightly) and although Hillary is still the best candidate, Obama has to win. Now I fully support him. Another Republican in the White House... don't get me started. And the best thing is, two more days left of Bush. Wow... what a long eight years its been!

I really think Obama can do. Maybe it's time for Change?

Backing Barack

If McCain wins, people will move to Canada (or even better; France) and America will begin a debate about how racist American actually is (with emphasis given to the southern states). If Obama wins, it will give a new lease of life to a nation tired of Republic mistakes and bigotry and we will never here the end of Obama being the first black president. To me, it’s no big deal, he is black; the race to the White House for me never included any racial undertones because it don’t matter what colour you are as long as you can do the job. But we will never hear the end about Obama being the first black president (which he will be). He could cede Alaska (and Palin while he’s at it) to Russia, Texas to Mexico, New York to Israel and the rest of America to Yemen and people wouldn’t bat an eyelid. Instead, people will still be talking about him being the first black president.

One of my (American) friends say that that’s because some Americans are racist (finger pointing to the south), but are they really? How is that possible when America is such a melting-pot to have such racial tensions? When I was there I saw nothing but integration and multiculturalism. But my friend pointed out that I was in the OC and Vegas. Not exactly middle-America, bible-belt, guns and tractors now, is it?

For me, the presidential race 2008 is not a race issue, it’s an age issue. McCain will be 70-something if he becomes president (which he won’t). Fine so we shouldn’t be ageist. Fine I won’t be. But his age doesn’t merely mean he is old, it means that he represents all that is old, Republican, extreme and dusty about America. And let’s face it; America is still a vibrant and innovative place and for that you need a vibrant and innovative president, enter Obama! Yes, I know I am looking mostly at the coasts and pockets of affluence in certain states (like Austin, Texas for example; it’s a blue dot in a sea of red). But these places run the country and the economy (which the Reps ran into the ground). Furthermore, if anything happens to him, Palin, the moose-hunter/ hockey-mum/ republican from hell will not only lead America, she will rule the world. And she only know where Russia is because it’s opposite her house.

So I am (finally) backing Obama after dealing with my issues about Hillary not being in the race. Obama is good for the economy, he is good for America and its (necessary) new foreign policy image and he is even good for Cyprus and Israel. So let’s hope he wins the White House come Nov 4th!

I look like a Communist?

I don’t vote according to political parties. I don’t vote according to ideology. I vote according to my interests and what the presidential candidate is ‘offering’ Cyprus. Therefore the left wing think I’m a fascist and the right wing think I’m a communist. I’m neither.

However, the other day at a cocktail party sipping on a martini (shaken and stirred) when someone told me that I look like a communist. I was wearing my Gucci shirt and tie and Armani trousers, my Cavalli trousers and environmentally-friendly faux alligator-skin shoes. I couldn’t have looked more high-class unless I came out of a limo. And I still looked like a communist?!
I want to know what rich, consumer-driven communist nation this person was talking about. I thought communists wore red. I mean isn’t that their colour? Or maybe they wear Omonia colours; green? I was wearing a white shirt and grey trousers! And I still looked like a commie! Was he insane? My communist friends think I am the most materialistic, shallow, selfish person (with a good heart tho) who roamed Nicosia. And now I’m told I look like a comrade? I’m confused.

When I asked this person to press on he said it’s because I look like I have a cold attitude towards people. Cold as in Russia? Maybe he got the feeling of those cold Russian communist winters around me. Or that I’m too authoritarian, like Stalin. Or maybe it’s because I’m all about sharing the love. I just don’t share my drink.

Speaking of communism. I really want to run Russia. I can actually see myself running the place from my office in the Kremlin. Ok, I hardly speak the language and all I know about Russia is vodka, but I look like a communist apparently which I’m sure they’d like, although Russia is now ultra-capitalist, but I like challenge so I should run the place.

Sarah Palin: Wild and Remote

The more I read about Sarah Palin, McCain’s choice for Vice-President the more I like her and yet dislike her. What I can’t stand is that she is a gun-totting creationist who is so anti-liberal she makes Uzbekistan look like Amsterdam. Her beliefs not only horrify me but horrify any Y2K liberal and open-minded European. Yet, despite her beliefs which I find outlandish at best I like the way she not only has clung onto them, but she has made everyone else (who is Republican of course) like and support them as well. The fact that she is not, and I quote her part of the ‘Washington elite’ actually makes her more appealing. An outsider in the most powerful club in the world? Albeit she was hand-picked by McCain himself, but after the Republican convention she really fired up the Republic party which until now was looking dower, bland and boring. It’s true that the Republicans are just a collection of old men one as similar and bland (and older) as the next. Like Russian dolls they are the same mass-produced men with slight variations. And then this stunning librarian goddess comes on the scene and shakes things up. Even I can’t help but be mesmerised by this conservative ‘hockey mom’ and I’m a confirmed liberal.

And that’s my point, although I do not agree with anything Palin says and think she is a hypocrite for having an unmarried pregnant 17 year old daughter and shoving her into the spotlight while simultaneous banning S- - education at school I like the way she stands by her beliefs and is defined by them. Not many people are like that. Not even Obama who touts change and yet hasn’t been half as vocal as Palin. She does not believe in abortion and so actually had her down syndrome child. Whatever party you belong to, that is admirable. It’s not easy raising a child let alone a differently-abled one. Her zest for life, the fact that she is a runner-up to the Miss Alaska title, her ruthlessness even at playing basketball and ‘sorting out’ unethical practices within her own party such as selling her predecessor’s private jet on eBay, makes her a force to be reckoned with. She is the life and soul of the Republican Party that they so dearly and desperately need. Without her it’s just a bunch a wrinkly white men. She has truly resuscitated the McCain campaign. If McCain wins, it’ll be because of her. And if they don’t win the election, then she’ll just be another joke to the Republicans, because no matter how good you are, big boys clubs like the Republican party only look after big boys regardless of how strong the girl is.

I’m still supporting the Democrats (without Hillary unfortunately) but I have a feeling that some of the swing-voters of the Democrats who backed Hillary won’t resist being seduced by Palin and her politics. But I’ll tell you what, I’m curios to see what she’ll be like if they win. Although that will spell disaster again for everyone (another four years of Republicans? Oy!) I can imagine that she’ll shake up Washington and the world in ways Bush only could with his incompetence

Russian recognition of breakaway regions

So now Russia has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia. No surprise there. And Putin states that the US and the West are to blame for encouraging Georgia (and then not coming to defend it). Talk of NATO membership will of course give Georgia the right to flex what muscles it has thinking that the West will help. It didn’t. The West in repose to Moscow’s actions condemned Russian recognition of the two regions with American asking Russia to ‘reconsider’ (oh how ridiculous does that sound, ‘dear Russia, please reconsider retracting your recognition of these two states for whom you waged a war… love Bush’) and France calling Russia an ‘international outlaw.’

I too, disagree with Russia’s recognition of the regions but I find the Western stance hypocritical. They themselves recognized Kosovo, ignoring UN Resolution 1244 and now turn around and tell Russia not to do exactly what they did in February of this year. We now see an anti-Russian stance in the EU and US with the ascent of a new Cold War, especially when the US sets up bases in the Czech Republic and Poland to protect us from Iran. Who are they kidding? Certainly not Russia. And if you are going to place Eastern Europe in NATO and then moved on the Caucus, of course Russia will respond forcefully. The West has no consistent foreign policy whereas Russia’s is to remerge as a new and powerful nation and since Putin took control it has done just that. Russia is now a force to be reckoned with. It has clearly understood the notion that if the US can invade a sovereign state and carve it up, why can’t Russia?

Call me a Clintonista

Many people are rooting for Obama. And why not. He is the fresh new face that American politics so desperately needs. Many other also needed Hillary. In fact everyone needs Hillary. Actually, it’s true to say that Hillary would have made the best president. Now I know half of you are rolling your eyes and protesting, (leave a polite comment if you respectfully disagree) but Obama is the style and Hillary is the substance. Their policies were not that different from each other, but ultimately Obama won because he is just so damn cool. Hillary is establishment. They would have made a great team but in the end, American chooses her presidents according to image rather than content - examples can be found with Reagan and the Governator.

However, now that Obama looks set to win the presidential race, many staunch Hillary supporters are having difficulty reconciling the fact that Hillary lost. Many will vote for McCain instead as a form of protest. Although the idea to vote for him is horrific, it is understandable given the circumstances. That Team Hillary was so close to winning, that she is the strongest candidate and that in this electoral race so many emotions have been tied into making. Eight years after Bush, who wouldn’t be emotional? So Obama’s biggest difficulty will be winning over Hillary supporters. He made a big mistake not having her as his Vice-President, possibly fearing that she will dominate him. A logical excuse.

It seems obvious now that Obama will win the elections. At least this gets the Democrats in office and can repair the mess Bush caused. But the saying is true though, only a Clinton can clean up after a Bush. So we’ll have to see just how well Obama cleans up without the help of a Clinton. Especially the best one!

Clintonistas feel that Hillary lost, not because she was the lesser candidate, (she was undoubtedly the better of all candidate of the bunch who ran from both parties), but because of the sexist media, the hype around Obama’s campaign and the idiosyncrasies in the Democratic electoral system. What’s more, Hillary although having lost the nomination still appears undefeated as she always has done. She stood up for her husband when rumours of his infidelity crept in, she stood by him again during the Lewinsky scandal, she showed poise, toughness and emotion during the campaign and character when she lost to Obama despite knowing full well, as you and I do, that she is the better candidate.

Having said that, as a European I support Obama, but only through default. My vote still goes to Hillary. McCain is nothing but Bush’s third term. He is bad for America and bad for the world. Therefore the struggle isn’t to have Obama win, it’s to convince all those tough Clintonistas not to vote for McCain. And there are more than previously thought.

The fact that she stood up there and endorsed her rival only elevates Hillary in our eyes. True she did not previously endorse Obama (read below) and what she said was true but perhaps now she has to. If Obama loses it could also spell the end of her political career. Or maybe not. Others believe, rather oddly, that Hillary’s career will survive only if McCain winds, because that way Hillary can start her campaign all over again for the next election in 2012, to which she will most certainly win. But what would you choose? Another Republican prolonging Bush’s policies with the hope that Hillary wins the next election, or a chance to get the Republicans out asap and the possibility that Hillary will not run in the 2012 elections?

Hillary on Obama
Dec. 3, 2007: ‘So you decide which makes more sense: Entrust our country to someone who is ready on Day One ... or to put America in the hands of someone with little national or international experience, who started running for president the day he arrived in the U.S. Senate.
March 2008. ‘I know Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House. And Sen. Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.’
Feb. 23, 2008: ‘Now, I could stand up here and say, 'Let's just get everybody together. Let's get unified.' The skies will open, the light will come down, celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.’ (source: yahoo.com)

But the biggest endorsement she could give Obama was slamming McCain: ‘No way… No how. No McCain.’ Will the Clintonistas listen? They are a strong bunch. They don’t listen to just anyone, even if the person they support is a Clinton.

Russia and Georgia

Russia alongside South Ossetians have ethnically cleansed the remaining 20,000 Georgians from their villages in South Ossetia follwing the war this month. The hypocrisy here is that Albanians ethically cleansed Serbs from Kosovo, to which Russia is protesting about, and yet has done the same thing in South Ossetia. Russia refuses to recognise Kosovo but will recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

US President George W Bush made this commitment… saying: "Georgia's borders should command the same respect as every other nation's. There's no room for debate on this matter." This becomes a moral argument, with the Russians answering that after supporting Kosovo's unilateral secession from Serbia, the West is guilty of "double standards" in the Caucasus (source: bbc.co.uk)

Naturally one can argue that Russia has recognised the two regions as independent countries as a balancing act or bargaining chip for Kosovo, which the West has recognised. And again hypocrisy is apparent even with the West which is angered by Russia’s recognition of the breakaway provinces while yet pushing for the independence of Kosovo. This obvious double standards and flouting of international law. It has nothing to do with law or peacekeeping but expansionism.

Georgians were wrong to launch and attack into its two breakaway provinces which lead to their total separation from Georgia, but Saakashvili believed the West would help. How can he possible believe so? Because America said they might offer NATO membership? While simultaneously France and Germany would rather see it excluded due to their links with Russia. The President made a big mistake; his beliefs made him put too much trust in the perfidious West who never came to his rescue in the end, his actions have led to war and the loss of lives and now we that Georgia is about to change. Yet, as a sovereign nation, Georgia’s borders should be respected and negotiations should lead to a compromise, perhaps a federation. Which is why, despite launching an attack, Abkhazia and South Ossetia should remain in Georgia. The West should stop meddling in the Caucus and Russia should realise that if these regions gain independence what about all the small republics in the Russian Federation? I’m sure after this the US won’t hesitate in recognising Tartarstan if they ever claim independence.

And this brings me to my point. Why are Cypriots supporting Russia’s invasion of Georgia while our own country has been invaded by Turkey? Yes, I know South Ossetia and Abkhazia are different homogenous regions with their own language and Georgia isn’t mixed the way Cyprus was. But don’t you find it contradictory from Cypriots point of view? After all we didn’t recognise Kosovo nor do we support it, so why do we support Russia’s invasion of Georgia? The only argument for it are the links with Russia. And don’t they realize that siding with Russia they are giving impetus to recognise the occupied areas of Cyprus?