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Tuesday, 30 January, 2007

  • Newsnight
  • 30 Jan 07, 04:50 PM

rwanda_203use.jpgFergal Keane has produced a harrowing tale, searching for the truth behind the incident which sparked the killings of hundreds of thousands of people in Rwanda.

Also, was Greenwich's super casino bid stymied by revelations that John Prescott stayed at the US ranch of the millionaire owner of the Dome - Philip Anschutz?

And the latest on the re-arrest of Lord Levy.

Comment on here.

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  • 1.
  • At 09:28 PM on 30 Jan 2007,
  • frank wrote:

oh dear, Lord Levy third on the running order...not a rerun of the Ruth Turner saga is it. I had rather hoped the Newsnight editorial team had regained a little impartiality and objectivity. People may begin to doubt whether this is a serious news programme.

  • 2.
  • At 11:35 PM on 30 Jan 2007,
  • Benedict qui venit wrote:

Blair has primed society for systematic embezzlement by Blairites ..hidden with deliberated games ...even in healthcare from honest taxpayers who expected a fundamental trustability of participation ..and the jobs to be done for thier tax

He has made crime pay and changed the face of accusation to pervert the course of everyman's justice away from the lawful toward the self serving irresponsible

GOOD FORTUNE

(In celebration of Manchester’s success
on being granted the first Super Casino licence.)

CASINO! Where winners win what losers lose
and degradation stalks in fancy shoes
built up on money’s worst obscenity
and politicians’ impropriety;
we watch another step in our decline
done in some devilish name - but not in mine.

As our Archbishop bumbles his regret
our godly leader’s gleaming eye is set
and all around him ministers proclaim
taxation’s gain from gaming brings no shame.
This government would live by bread alone:
Hail Britain! New Integrity-Free zone.

30.1.07


  • 4.
  • At 11:40 PM on 30 Jan 2007,
  • Kima Ndogo wrote:

The Rwanda Story
It seems as if the whole premise of this section is flawed. Fergal Keene himself clearly stated that the Interhamwe [Hutu extremists] had planned the genocide much before the actual shooting down of the plane. The assasination of the President was just a trigger for events that had been prepared long before. If the plane wasn't shot down, would the genocide plans have been scrapped and the perpetrators melted back into the woodwork?! Seems unlikely. It feels like this intense focus on the actual assasination is just a distraction tactic, to take away attention from Western (including French) responsibilities in the Rwandan genocide and to avoid dealing with the true horrors of the genocide itself by focusing on the circumstances surrounding its beginnings.

  • 5.
  • At 11:51 PM on 30 Jan 2007,
  • Richard wrote:

Fergal Keane's tale on the Rwandan genocide was very interesting and informing.

As someone who knows and had witnessed something about the Rwandan genocide, when I look closely at the report, Fergal eane tends to be supporting if not promoting Kagame by trying to discredite the French judge.

Let's remember that it was Fergal's recent reports that helped Kagame's regime to get the extradition from Britain of two alleged genociders who were already granted Asylum in UK.

Judge Brugiere is a top European judge and he is only involved in this story because the crew members of Habyarimana's plane were French and their families want justice to be done. If the crew members of Habyarimana's plane were British we would do the same.

Kagame and his regime was not juge Brugiere's first target so why is Kagame so agitated? Is Rwanda a better place now that Kagame is the president? Rwanda has got the largest rate of African refugees in the world not that they fled genocide but because Kagame terrorises everyone who is not supporting him. Being Kagame's opponent equals being a genocider. He uses the Rwandan genocide as a marketing asset to consolidate his power.

Rich

  • 6.
  • At 12:04 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Richard wrote:

Fergale Keane’s report on Rwanda was very interesting and informing. However, as someone who knows and have witnessed things in relation to the Rwandan genocide, when I look closely at this report it feels as if Fergale is taking Paul Kagame’s side by trying to focus on discrediting the French judge.

Let us remember that it was one of Fergale’s recent report that helped Kagame’s regime to get two alleged ‘genociders’ extradited to Rwanda although they’d already been granted Asylum in UK.

Judge Brugiere is a top European judge and he is only involved in this story because crew members of the Habyarimana’s plane were French. (I am sure if they were British we would want to speak to Kagame too).

Judge Brugiere’s first target was not Kagame or his regime so why is he so agitated now? Is Rwanda a better place now that Kagame is on power? Rwanda has got the highest rate of African Refugees not because of the genocide but because of kagame’s regime.

Kagame uses the Rwandan genocide as a marketing asset with enables him not only to benefit from the international community’s compassion, but to also consolidate his autocratic power.

Rich

  • 7.
  • At 01:30 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Liam Coughlan wrote:

The Rwanda report was a classic Fergal Keane. Who else would sit down with the President of a dictatorship and ask him if he was responsible for shooting down an aircraft carrying his predecessor! His report raises more questions than it answers though, shining a light on possible shadowy dealings by the French Government in the affairs of Rwanda.

There lies a rich vein for future Newsnight/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ reports. Propping up or removing leaders of independent countries is not an activity over which the USA can claim a monopoly. What shenanigans are the Russians up to with respect to its neighbour and satellite states, that may lead to future wars? What unofficial roles did different EU states play in stoking, prolonging, intensifying or avoiding conflict in the Balkans. At home a recent report on the RUC in Northern Ireland showed complicity in the murder of 15 citizens on the part of the police service, thus fueling the secrarian backlash on the part of republicans.

As long as the EU has 25 different foreign policies, alliamces and agreements with friends, there remainms the possibility that some will recognidse Independence for Kovovo tomorrow, and others will not.

  • 8.
  • At 01:35 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Liam Coughlan wrote:

The Rwanda report was a classic Fergal Keane. Who else would sit down with the President of a dictatorship and ask him if he was responsible for shooting down an aircraft carrying his predecessor! His report raises more questions than it answers though, shining a light on possible shadowy dealings by the French Government in the affairs of Rwanda.

There lies a rich vein for future Newsnight/³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ reports. Propping up or removing leaders of independent countries is not an activity over which the USA can claim a monopoly. What shenanigans are the Russians up to with respect to its neighbour and satellite states, that may lead to future wars? What unofficial roles did different EU states play in stoking, prolonging, intensifying or avoiding conflict in the Balkans. At home a recent report on the RUC in Northern Ireland showed complicity in the murder of 15 citizens on the part of the police service, thus fueling the secrarian backlash on the part of republicans.

As long as the EU has 25 different foreign policies, alliamces and agreements with friends, there remainms the possibility that some will recognidse Independence for Kovovo tomorrow, and others will not.

  • 9.
  • At 04:22 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Mr wallace wrote:

Is man inherently racist?

Tonights newsnight report on the Rwandan genocide was very interesting.I always assumed that the two warring groups of the Rwandan genocide were mainly based on political difference.The comments on this report that it was based on ethnic difference was a revelation to me.I checked the online encyclopedia and the differences between Rwandan tutsi and hutu are based on some bizarre criteria"if you have less than ten cows and a blunt nose"and such like.Historical tribel differences,outside influence from colonialist all play their part in creating an African into separate groups.Africans have had conflict based on differences,just like Europeans and others (and still do).Does this not illustrate that man is inherently racist even to their own particular race,not unlike how one is politically left and is antagonistic to one who is politically right and vica versa.Has the large scale multicultural and multi religious growth,certainly in the last 30 years in Gt Britain created a potential nightmare for its inhabitants?. community tensions have already surfaced with riots and racist killing on both sides.With the growth of Islam,a prime example of difference and potential conflict.The charge that its not compatible with western culture has being voiced by many commentators.The almost day to day reporting that muslims and its communities are becoming a problem for govt,policing,terrorism,freedom of speech ect,and a response in voting attitudes from some white communities to the far right party,the BNP,seem to be on the increase,which in turn has got the government and the other political parties quietly worried. Have the political elite over the last 30 years being so PC and so right on,born from imperialist past guilt and well meaning liberial thinking,endangered the wellbeing of the indigenous peoples of these islands?.When you see the conflicts around the world played out for us on 24 hour news and taking from what history informs us of conflicts.what conclusion do you come to? we should be all concerned,regardless of our political views.

  • 10.
  • At 06:50 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Mahmud Ibrahim wrote:

I support the Police fully on this "cash-for-honours" saga.

Interest groups like Lord Levy's should be kept out of a truly democratic system.

As Sir Richard Branson has recently pointed out, there is surely something fundamentally wrong when these groups through their huge influence on the media decide for the British people "who their next Prime Minister" will be.

Infact, I will add that such groups now wield so much power and tend to undully influence in almost all spheres of British society including in government, politics, education etc. which is not good for a healthy democracy.

Mahmud.

  • 11.
  • At 10:34 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Brian Kelly wrote:

To my everlasting shame I was cajoled to vote for this grubby , lying , disgracefull lot into power in 1997.. I came to my senses in subsequent elections ..too late..What does the ROTW think when they read today's headlines! All Mps should force a GE now.. before the entire fabric of the UKs Political system is destroyed beyone repair... a coalition of all main parties(inc Real Labour) should be considered!

  • 12.
  • At 10:46 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Brian Kelly wrote:

To my everlasting shame I was cajoled to vote for this grubby , lying , disgracefull lot into power in 1997.. I came to my senses in subsequent elections ..too late..What does the ROTW think when they read today's headlines! All Mps should force a GE now.. before the entire fabric of the UKs Political system is destroyed beyone repair... a coalition of all main parties(inc Real Labour) should be considered!

  • 13.
  • At 10:49 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • vikingar wrote:

For the benefit of other posters :)

Mahmud Ibrahim = anarchosurfer

1 person with 2+ ID's :(

If interested, review & judge for yourselves [1]

vikingar

SOURCES:

[1] MY #32 /blogs/newsnight/2007/01/thursday_12th_january_2006.html

  • 14.
  • At 11:05 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • vikingar wrote:

BREAKING NEWS:

8+ Arrested in Birmingham early Wednesday 31Jan07 *

* allegedly 7 British Muslims males of Pakistani descent, 1 Pakistani national

An alleged IRAQ STYLE kidnapping, torture & beheading planned with video to be released online (³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, SKY)

Several properties raided in Birmingham:

- Home (Jackson Road, Alan Rock area);
- Corner Shop (Poplar Road)
- Islamic Bookshop (allegedly 'Mountains Of Knowledge' 509 Stratford Rd, Birmingham, Sparkhill, B11 4LP [1]

The intended targeted a man in 20's is under police protection.

Excellent balanced reporting by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ correspondent Rajesh Mirchandani on News 24 live (approx 0950 GMT) from scene in Birmingham.

Birmingham Mail also done a interesting local piece [2]

Worth a look

vikingar

SOURCES:

[1]
[2]

  • 15.
  • At 11:07 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • vikingar wrote:

BREAKING NEWS:

8+ Arrested in Birmingham early Wednesday 31Jan07 *

* allegedly 7 British Muslims males of Pakistani descent, 1 Pakistani national

An alleged IRAQ STYLE kidnapping, torture & beheading planned with video to be released online (³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, SKY)

Several properties raided in Birmingham:

- Home (Jackson Road, Alan Rock area);
- Corner Shop (Poplar Road)
- Islamic Bookshop (allegedly 'Mountains Of Knowledge' 509 Stratford Rd, Birmingham, Sparkhill, B11 4LP [1]

The intended targeted a man in 20's is under police protection.

Excellent balanced reporting by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ correspondent Rajesh Mirchandani on News 24 live (approx 0950 GMT) from scene in Birmingham.

Birmingham Mail also done a interesting local piece [2]

Worth a look

vikingar

SOURCES:

[1]
[2]

  • 16.
  • At 11:11 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • ejikeme dick wrote:

The leader of Hezbollah, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has accused the US of ordering Israel to start last year's conflict with the militant group?what is the evidence to comfirm that,the are the one the did it to happen.

  • 17.
  • At 11:46 AM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • ejikeme dick wrote:

In 1980, one in three complaints of rape ended in a conviction. Today, it's one in 20. In Gloucestershire, which was named the worst-performing county last year, how did it get so low?it base on the once that reported and the one that have something about to say when it was reported.and the solution to found about it.

  • 18.
  • At 12:20 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Munene Ng'ang'a wrote:

The report last night on the ludicrous French claims that Kagame shot down Habyarimana's plane are an attempt by the French to hide their complicity in the genocide.
The French are worried about their influence waning in Francophone Africa, hence, this report to discredit a regime that ended the genocide in Rwanda. France should be ashamed of herself, her record in Vichy France and now the genocide in Rwanda is something that needs to be exposed to the world.

Judge Brugiere is a stooge of the French government, these stupid allegations against Kagame won't wash in Africa, indeed, they will reinforce our view that France is trying to cover up its role in the genocide. It is a high time countries like France and the UK realised their influence is on the wane in Africa, the days of installing servile presidents to do their bidding in AFrica are long gone.

  • 19.
  • At 12:57 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Obadiah Mua wrote:

The French are treading on very dangerous grounds.Their so-called investigations and witnesses will only lead them to doom.The French have been responsible for genocidal crimes in Africa since colonising Africa more than 4 decades ago.In the Cameroons,they hunted and exterminated all nationalist fighters at home and in exile(watch documentary on the assassination of Felix Moumie on "arte TV")Today they want to divert public attention on the fact that they commandeered remotely the massacre of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda in 1994.Africa is going to rise up like one man and the French will have no way to go to.The time has come for them to be flushed out of Africa be it in Rwanda,Southern Cameroons or central Africa as a whole.Enough is a enough!

  • 20.
  • At 01:37 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • chris wrote:

Well said Brian @11 !

Yesterday Levy re-arrested, casino addiction revenue but no pumped oxygen, free booze or kids allowed so its OK LOL ! Reid on the ropes, single parents get benefits removed and what do we wake up to today?

I allege that its kinda getting predictable.


  • 21.
  • At 01:39 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Annie Howard wrote:

I really wanted to contact directly Fergal Keane, to ask him about the millions of hutus who have been massacred in the forests of what was Zaire at the time, by the rwandese army after Kagame came to power. There were witnesses, aid workers, who were used to lure the fleeing refugees (hutu extremists but an awful lot of women, children, and old people) out the woods. These refugees appeared at one time on the satellites of the American army, to disappear totally afterwards. Documentation exists about it. It is less politically explosive than bringing down the president's plane, but it is just as important, as is the plundering of Zaire's (Congo) natural resources by Rwanda.
And by the way, I found offensive to hear that the victims were only tustsies. They were in majority, but there were also a considerable number of people, some of whom I knew and who use to work for the rwandese red cross, who could be described as moderate hutus, and were also butchered. History is never black and white, and to simplify it, is denying justice for the victims, and absolving the guilty.

  • 22.
  • At 01:40 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Annie Howard wrote:

I really wanted to contact directly Fergal Keane, to ask him about the millions of hutus who have been massacred in the forests of what was Zaire at the time, by the rwandese army after Kagame came to power. There were witnesses, aid workers, who were used to lure the fleeing refugees (hutu extremists but an awful lot of women, children, and old people) out the woods. These refugees appeared at one time on the satellites of the American army, to disappear totally afterwards. Documentation exists about it. It is less politically explosive than bringing down the president's plane, but it is just as important, as is the plundering of Zaire's (Congo) natural resources by Rwanda.
And by the way, I found offensive to hear that the victims were only tustsies. They were in majority, but there were also a considerable number of people, some of whom I knew and who use to work for the rwandese red cross, who could be described as moderate hutus, and were also butchered. History is never black and white, and to simplify it, is denying justice for the victims, and absolving the guilty.

  • 23.
  • At 01:42 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • chris wrote:

Well said Brian @11 !

Yesterday Levy re-arrested, casino addiction revenue but no pumped oxygen, free booze or kids allowed so its OK LOL ! Reid on the ropes, single parents get benefits removed and what do we wake up to today?

I allege that its kinda getting predictable.

  • 24.
  • At 02:12 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Annie Howard wrote:

I really wanted to contact directly Fergal Keane, to ask him about the millions of hutus who have been massacred in the forests of what was Zaire at the time, by the rwandese army after Kagame came to power. There were witnesses, aid workers, who were used to lure the fleeing refugees (hutu extremists but an awful lot of women, children, and old people) out the woods. These refugees appeared at one time on the satellites of the American army, to disappear totally afterwards. Documentation exists about it. It is less politically explosive than bringing down the president's plane, but it is just as important, as is the plundering of Zaire's (Congo) natural resources by Rwanda.
And by the way, I found offensive to hear that the victims were only tustsies. They were in majority, but there were also a considerable number of people, some of whom I knew and who use to work for the rwandese red cross, who could be described as moderate hutus, and were also butchered. History is never black and white, and to simplify it, is denying justice for the victims, and absolving the guilty.

  • 25.
  • At 03:19 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Gemma L wrote:

Why did you go on and on about the millennium dome last night, and hardly a mention how devastating the decision is for Blackpool?

Apart from anything else about the pros and cons of a 'super casino', this is a ridiculous decision. A super casino next to a football stadium in East Manchester will not attract tourists, but only local people. Blackpool is a rundown seaside resort which would have benefitted greatly from this casino. I think it would have reduced the risk of addicts and professional gamblers being the sole visitors, because ordinary people would and could go there for the Blackpool seaside atmosphere as well as a bit of a gamble.

Manchester gets far too much 'regeneration' money as it is; these winning bids are getting increasingly city-centric, the same as Newsnight. Manchester has got the stadium and facilities for the Commonwealth games, the tram, their city centre plushly redone and Manchester University. And it STILL needs regenerating? These big initiatives obviously do not work in large cities, so they need to try a different approach to regenerate the poor areas. Blackpool is already a flashy, entertainment town, why not spread the facilities around and let someone else have a go, so tourists avoid traffic jammed, expensive Manchester.

  • 26.
  • At 11:35 PM on 31 Jan 2007,
  • Puzzled wrote:

Why are so many posts coming up twice for Tuesday?

  • 27.
  • At 08:45 PM on 04 Feb 2007,
  • Jean Pierre Mbarimo wrote:

Fergal Keane digging into the Rwandan story is yet another proof that what happened in Rwanda that fateful night of April 6, 1994 is going to haunt the country for long years. Every Rwandan knows exactly who shot the presidential plane. No one seriously questions Juge Bruguiere competence in the matter. But who cares about the subtleties of the timeline since there was an open genocide committed by the Hutus against Tutsis? For one, there is understandable uneasiness among genocide survivors who don't dare imagine that plans involving "a certain amount of massacres" were made and carried out by the RPF to capture all the power. Secondly, with clear implications of RPF in the "genocide trigger" -i.e. the downing of the presidential jet, no one would seriously dispute the allegations made against the RPF of crimes against humanity, let alone allegations of acts of genocide.
It is just that the political circumstances are not yet right for Kagame to lower the tone. But again, who cares?

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