Media Statement | | February 3, 2009

In a historic development for South Africa, South African dock workers have announced their determination not to offload a ship from Israel that is scheduled to dock in Durban on Sunday, 8 February 2009. This follows the decision by Cosatu to strengthen the campaign in South Africa for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Apartheid Israel.

The pledge by Satawu (South African Transport and Allied Workers Union) members in Durban reflects the commitment by South African workers to refuse to support oppression and exploitation across the globe. Last year, Durban dock workers refused to offload a shipment of arms that had arrived from China and was destined for Zimbabwe. Now, says Satawu’s General Secretary Randall Howard, the union’s members are committing themselves not to handle Israeli goods.

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David Axe writes in, “War Is Boring: Obama’s War Strategy Evolved Version of Bush’s“, that Africa has been “a neglected backwater in Pentagon planning.” A public relations pitch for U.S. military-enforced “social engineering” in Africa may be news but “Human Terrain System” is an extension of the same aged U.S. policy ladder planted decades ago atop the remains of potential resistance; anticipating reports on Viagra shipments arriving in the DRC courtesy U.S. Africa Command.

How we fuel Africa’s bloodiest war
Johann Hari, The Independent, 30 October 2008

What is rarely mentioned is the great global heist of Congo’s resources

People throw stones at UN peacekeepers patrolling on a road in Kibati, about 16 miles north of Goma

The deadliest war since Adolf Hitler marched across Europe is starting again – and you are almost certainly carrying a blood-soaked chunk of the slaughter in your pocket. When we glance at the holocaust in Congo, with 5.4 million dead, the clichés of Africa reporting tumble out: this is a “tribal conflict” in “the Heart of Darkness”. It isn’t. The United Nations investigation found it was a war led by “armies of business” to seize the metals that make our 21st-century society zing and bling. The war in Congo is a war about you.

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Kouchner milked African states: book
Henry Samuel, The Daily Telegraph; with files from Agence France-Presse, 5 February 2009

France’s crusading Foreign Minister has been accused of using his political clout to earn huge sums from African governments.

In a new book, The World According to K, journalist Pierre Pean accuses Bernard Kouchner, the country’s most popular politician, of being a cynical opportunist who used his position to secure lucrative contracts from Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Clinton to meet French counterpart on 5th February
IranVNC / 3 February 2009

Washington, 3 February (IranVNC)—France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will visit Washington on Thursday for his first meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, AFP reports.

“This first working visit is taking place within the context of the new trans-Atlantic relationship that we are hoping for,” France’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Eric Chevallier said in Paris, according to AFP.

The two diplomats will discuss “major global challenges and major international issues, in particular the Middle East, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur and the DR [Democratic Republic of] Congo,” he added.

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Israeli forces seize Gaza aid ship
Al Jazeera / 5 February 2009

The Israeli navy has captured and diverted a ship from Lebanon carrying more than 60 tonnes of aid to the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent aboard the Al-Ikhwa (The Brotherhood) ship said the navy first opened fire, then five Israeli soldiers boarded the ship, beating and threatening the passengers.

“They are pointing guns against us – they are kicking us and beating us. They are threatening our lives,” Al Jazeera’s Salam Khoder said.

Communications with the ship broke off shortly thereafter.

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No arms aboard seized Gaza freighter
By Amir Cohen, Reuters, 5 February 2009

ASHDOD, Israel (Reuters) – The Israeli navy boarded a freighter trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip on Thursday and escorted it into the port of Ashdod, Israeli officials said.

It was the first apparent attempt by a foreign ship carrying aid to reach the Palestinian enclave since Israel ended its 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago.

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Juan Cole, Informed Comment, 5 February 2009

It is being alleged by US pundits that the outcome of the provincial elections in Iraq, as far as it is known, indicates a defeat for the religious parties and for Iran.

This allegation is not true.

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Vote fraud claims in Iraq ballot
BBC / 5 February 2009

Claims of election fraud in Iraq are being investigated, as the counting from the weekend’s election continues.

Sunni Arab tribal leaders in western Anbar province say they have hundreds of documents proving irregularities.

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Related:
Sudarsan Raghavan: As Anbar Counts Votes, Sheiks Voice Defiance