contributions

By Adrian Blomfield
The bullet that whistled through the lobby of the Sea Hotel in Najaf yesterday, embedding shards of glass into a foreign reporter’s cheek before lodging itself in an air-conditioning unit, carried an unmistakeable message: "Get out."
Journalists working in Iraq have long lived with the danger of being targeted by insurgents fighting US-led forces and their Iraqi allies.
But in Najaf the roles have been abruptly reversed. Now the Iraqi police threaten journalists, (…)

By Bill Van Auken
New York City officials have rejected a fresh request for a permit allowing an anticipated quarter of a million demonstrators to rally in Central Park August 29, on the eve of the Republican National Convention.
The administration of billionaire Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg denied the application virtually as soon as it was submitted. This leaves the massive march that is slated to surge up Seventh Avenue past the convention site at Madison Square Garden with no (…)

by Robin Nieto
Caracas - Today at a press conference in Caracas, both the Carter Center and the OAS, supported the results of the country’s national electoral council (CNE), which shows results of the referendum as supporting President Chavez to stay on President.
"After an analysis, we are in a position to say that our information coincides with the results of the CNE," Carter said, adding that the results are in favor of Chavez. The latest CNE total vote of the recall referendum is (…)

By Adrian Blomfield in Najaf
The Iraqi authorities ordered foreign journalists to leave Najaf yesterday, threatening to arrest or even shoot reporters as US marines and Iraqi government forces resumed the fight against Shia militants.
Iraqi police told the journalists to leave because of a supposed threat by insurgents to bomb their hotel. The intimidation - including shots apparently fired by police at the hotel - came as Iyad Allawi, the interim prime minister, hailed the birth of (…)

General Ghaleb al-Jazairi, police chief of Najaf, issued an instruction to journalists working in the Iraqi holy city yesterday that sounded remarkably like a threat.
"I have received orders from the interior minister, who demands that all local, Arab and foreign journalists leave the hotel and city within two hours," he said. "We have information that there is a 250kg car bomb targeting them. Therefore you should leave immediately for your own safety."
For their safety, or for the (…)

By JOHN F. BURNS
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 15 - A conference of more than 1,100 Iraqis chosen to take the country a crucial step further toward constitutional democracy convened in Baghdad on Sunday under siege-like conditions, only to be thrown into disorder by delegates staging angry protests against the American-led military operation in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.
After an opening speech by Iraq’s interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, delegates leapt out of their seats demanding the (…)

Sit-down protests and traditional dances as Democrats use every weapon to beat Bush
by Paul Harris
The smiling face of former New York mayor Ed Koch beams down from posters all over the city. ’The Republicans are coming,’ it says underneath. ’Make nice.’
Fat chance. New York is bracing for one of the biggest showdowns in its political history as the Republican national convention comes to town at the end of the month. Meeting the army of delegates, politicians and lobbyists will be a (…)

by Patrick Markey
CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a populist who survived a coup two years ago, appeared on Monday to have weathered the latest challenge to what he calls his revolution to help the poor as he declared victory in a historic recall referendum.
With 94 percent of electoral rolls counted, 58 percent of voters cast ballots against removing Chavez from office, said National Electoral Council President Francisco Carrasquero.
Chavez, dressed in a red (…)

Opposition Charges Government Committed Fraud
By Mary Beth Sheridan
CARACAS, Venezuela - A triumphant President Hugo Chavez declared Monday that he had beaten back an effort to recall him, and he vowed to press forward with leftist policies that have stirred fierce opposition at home and irritated the U.S. government.
The opposition coalition that had campaigned to oust Chavez appeared stunned by the results and alleged the government had committed fraud. About 58 percent of (…)

by Robin Nieto
Caracas, August 16, 2004-Outside the presidential palace, thousands listened to President Hugo Chavez’ victory speech shortly after the country’s only electoral authority (CNE) announced the preliminary results of the presidential referendum which show that a majority of Venezuelans voted to keep Chavez as President of Venezuela.
Results of the referendum were announced by CNE President, Francisco Carrasquero, shortly after 4 am this morning. According to Carrasquero, (…)