Jaffari, Popular Shiite, Takes Vice President Post/Jordan Times--New WMW

[Gloria]

Full excerpts, links up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR JUNE 2, 2004

1//The Independent, UK--CHOICE OF LEADERS RESTORES POLITICAL CLOUT FOR THE SUNNI ARABS (The disadvantage from the US point of view of Mr Yawar being chosen as president is that he will be more difficult to predict and control than Mr Pachachi, a vastly experienced diplomat. On the other hand, Mr Yawar may be able to use his links with Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan to gain a measure of acceptance in the Arab world. The new president was not part of the exiled opposition, much disliked by most Iraqis, so that may also help his popularity. He was heavily critical of the attack by the US Marines on Fallujah in April. But the interim government will be weak because it is dependent militarily on the US. The old Iraqi Governing Council, now disbanded, was discredited by its lack of real power over security and the economy.)



2//The Jordan Times, Jordan--JAFFARI, POPULAR SHIITE, TAKES VICE PRESIDENT POST(Ibrahim Jaffari, who was handed Tuesday one of Iraq's two vice presidential posts, is a religious Shiite Muslim who heads the Dawa Party and enjoys more grassroots support than any other government member…Based on alphabetical order, Jaffari took the first rotating chair of the US-installed Governing Council in July 2003. Unlike most of his successors and fellow returned exiles, he benefits from wide popular support. Some of his detractors accuse him of being corrupt, having shadowy ties with Iran and being a proponent of a conservative Islam hampering women's rights…The party's military wing also conducted spectacular attacks against the Iraqi embassy in Beirut in 1981 and against the French and US embassies in Kuwait in 1983. Jaffari's party quickly reestablished itself in the Shiite heartland of Iraq after the US-led invasion last March, and organised some of the first demonstrations in the south demanding the departure of US troops. Since then, his party has been successfully using its popular mandate to turn its Saddam-era cell-based structure into a leading political force.)



3//Arab News, Saudi Arabia--MANY WESTERNERS IN EASTERN PROVINCE CONSIDERING EARLY EXIT (Several big joint ventures and multinational groups have made mass bookings for their American and European executives to destinations ranging from the United States to Europe and Asia. Americans, it appears, have now started taking seriously their embassy’s advice to leave the country… There is also word of mass resignations from big corporations, including unconfirmed reports of resignations from Saudi Aramco. Some large multinationals involved in oil operations are now reportedly thinking of sending first their American and European staff and later the Asians home. Such reports raised the question whether these companies are going to stop their operations in Saudi Arabia altogether. There are indications that some multinationals are contemplating moving their offices from here to either neighboring Bahrain or the United Arab Emirates. However, the companies declined to confirm or deny such reports.)



4//The Toronto Star, Canada--MINORITY DEALS START (Federal party leaders are beginning to lay down their conditions for forming a minority government, a prospect that looms larger each day in a tight federal election contest. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, whose party is creeping closer to neck-and-neck contention against Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberals, said yesterday he wouldn't make any formal deals with other parties simply to form a government after the June 28 vote…"Look, a few months ago everyone was talking about Mr. Martin winning practically every seat. Now they're talking about (the) possibility of us forming a minority ... I think we're going to win a majority when this is over." There was more trouble for the Liberals as an Ipsos-Reid poll broadcast on CTV News last night said 66 per cent of respondents said it's time for a change in government.)



5//The Manila Times, Philippines--GMA: GOVT CAN HANDLE COUP PLOTS (While in spiritual retreat in Cebu, President Arroyo is also apparently preoccupied with thinking about the reported plots to topple her administration.In her first public appearance after the May 10 elections, Mrs. Arroyo spoke in Cebu, assuring the people the government is doing all it can to stop alleged coup plotters and political extremists…Police and the military link the reported plots to allegations of massive cheating in the election and the vote count to ensure Mrs. Arroyo’s victory.The plots are allegedly designed to prevent her from being proclaimed if she wins.)

[paulk]

1. Juan Cole thinks this guy has positioned himself to be the next

Prime Minister. I wonder what the Sunni reaction will be, considering that he's al-Sistani's brother in law.