Washington may be up in arms over General Stanley McChrystal's comments to Rolling Stone magazine about the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and how some of his colleagues are handling it -- but some in Afghanistan are asking what the fuss is all about. Many among the local population in Kabul say that McChrystal revamped the forgotten war, putting it on a different path and instilling a counter-insurgency strategy (COIN) in an attempt to regain the trust of the Afghan people. He instilled a new hope, they argue, for those Afghans who actually backed the war effort, also angering the Taliban -- which ramped up their PR -- in the battle for hearts and minds. President Hamid Karzai has vocally expressed his support for General McChrystal and called him the "best" commander for the war in Afghanistan, according to his spokesman Waheed Omar. He added that McChrystal is a man of great integrity who understands the Afghan people and their culture and that Karzai hopes president Barack Obama will not replace the commanding general with someone else. McChrystal and Karzai have built a strong relationship in the year he has been in Afghanistan, flying to districts and provinces in order to gain the support of villagers while showing a united front. He hasn't just been sitting around NATO headquarters barking orders say local officials - he's been going out in the field, meeting with soldiers and most importantly meeting with Afghans. General Mohammad Zahir Azimi, the spokesman for the Afghan defense ministry, explained that McChrystal's knowledge of Afghanistan stems from his discussions with Afghans. He stated that McChrystal is a frequent attendee at village council meetings -- known as "shuras" -- throughout the country, where he listens to their problems, concerns and needs. The Ministry of Defense, which is being pushed by the U.S. and NATO to add more troops to their arsenal, is also standing behind McChrystal. "Since the arrival of General McChrystal to Afghanistan many of our problems have been solved," ministry spokesman Azimi told CNN, "including problems with civilian casualties, unlawful detentions. He has also improved the coordination between Afghan and international forces on and off the battlefield." By focusing on building infrastructure and civilian issues, Azimi adds, McChrystal has been able to win back some Afghan support. But with the firestorm in the United States, the Afghan voices are being muffled again.
II. TELEGRAPH - Dutch police use 'decoy Jews' to stop anti-Semitic attacks
Lodewijk Asscher, Amsterdam's mayor, has ordered the new decoy strategy to cut the number of verbal and physical attacks on Jews, amid fears that anti-Semitic "hate crime" is on the rise. "Jews in at least six Amsterdam neighbourhoods often cannot cross the street wearing a skullcap without being insulted, spat at or even attacked," according to local reports. Amsterdam police already disguise officers as "decoy prostitutes, decoy gays and decoy grannies" in operations to deter street muggings and attacks on homosexuals or the city's red light district. Police in the Dutch city of Gouda have claimed the use of officers disguised as apparently frail old age pensioners has helped cut street crime. "If we receive several reports of street robbery in a certain location, we send out the granny. That soon quietens things down," said a spokesman.
III. JPOST - Israel relations with Cyprus never better
One positive ricochet from the recent tension with Turkey has been an improvement in Israel’s ties with Cyprus, something one senior diplomatic official said has been very helpful in dealing with the issue of boats setting sail for Gaza. Cyprus could not have “been better” in the aftermath of the Gaza flotilla incident on May 31, when nine people were killed after the IDF stopped a Turkish-flagged boat from breaking the naval blockade of Gaza. “We would have had many more problems” without the cooperation of Cyprus, the senior official said. For instance, a week after the incident, the Cyprus-based Free Gaza Movement announced it was leaving for London after the Cyprus government refused to let the organization use its ports as staging points for the Gaza-bound boats. “Cyprus is not happy to have us here. They are cooperating with the Israelis and we don’t like this,” one of the movement’s heads, Greta Berlin, told the Chinese Xinhua press agency. “It is time for us to go.” Xinhua quoted the Cyprus government as saying its decision had been taken to protect what it called “vital national interests.” The senior diplomatic official said the breakdown of relations with Turkey had also led to a strengthening of Israel’s ties with Turkey’s northern neighbor, Bulgaria, as well as with Romania. According to government officials, as Turkey no longer allows the Israel Air Force to train in Turkish airspace, maneuvers may in the future take place over Romania. Likewise, as tens of thousands of Israeli tourists who in years past have gone to Turkey are now looking for other venues, Israeli travel agents – according to Israeli government officials – are looking to Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania as possible alternatives, and are eagerly being courted by tourist professionals there.
IV. FIFA - Rueful Greeks head for home
As far as Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is concerned, the fact his side went into their final game in Group B with a genuine chance of progressing to the Round of 16 is a cause for celebration in itself: “Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Croatia aren’t even here so I’d like to congratulate my team once again. They couldn’t have given any more.” Yet though the Greeks are heading home earlier than they would have liked, they at least managed to improve on their showing at their only previous appearance in the world finals. Pointless and goalless at USA 1994, the Pirate Ship looked far more at home on the big stage this time around, collecting a win against Nigeria and causing problems for the mighty Albiceleste. Taking stock of his side’s performances over the last few days, goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas believes they have every reason to be satisfied: “In 1994 we didn’t score a single goal and conceded ten, and the new generation wanted to erase memories of that. To get over the disappointment of the first game and answer the criticism that came our way - some of it justified - was very rewarding and we achieved something we can be proud of.” Greece’s misfortune was to come up against the toughest side in the group in their most important game. And though they mounted a fierce rearguard action, they could not contain the potent Argentinian strike force for the full 90 minutes. “We defended really well for most of the game but it’s extremely difficult to play against footballers of such a high standard,” commented Tzorvas. “They’re the strongest side in the tournament so far, and we tried to stand up to the challenge and do the very best we could.” “We can leave with our heads held high,” said fellow squad member Alexandros Tziolis. “When you play against a team that strong the only thing you can really do is defend as well as you can and try and hit on the counter whenever possible.” On the bright side for Rehhagel’s men, they can voyage home safe in the knowledge that they have set a new FIFA World Cup finals landmark for Greek football, a possible springboard for future success, starting with the upcoming qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2012.
V. CANADIANPRESS - EU police in Kosovo arrest war crimes suspect, look for 2 more
EU police in Kosovo say they have arrested a man suspected of torturing prisoners in camps set up by ethnic Albanian guerrillas in northern Albania during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. Kristiina Herodes, a spokeswoman for the 2,000 strong EU police mission in Kosovo, said Wednesday the force "carried out a house search and arrested a male suspect" in Djakovica, a town close to Kosovo's western border with Albania. She says two more suspects have been identified. This is the second arrest related to the alleged torture of prisoners in detention centres run by the Kosovo Liberation Army. The guerrilla force used Albania's north as a base from which to supply and organize its volunteer force in Kosovo fighting a separatist war against Serbia.
VI. RIANOVOSTI - Russia sends fresh peacekeepers to Sudan
Russia will airlift about 120 personnel to Sudan Wednesday as part of an international peacekeeping operation there, the Defense Ministry said. Russian peacekeepers have been in Sudan since April 2006, providing transport services for UN military observers, escorting freight shipments and carrying out rescue and other operations. They are rotated every six months. The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Sudan comprises 120 personnel and four Mi-8 helicopters equipped to United Nations standards. In March and April, the Russian helicopter unit transported almost 1,800 passengers and more than 86 metric tons of cargo as part of preparations for the country's general elections. The Russian peacekeepers also delivered ballots to polling stations in southern Sudan. Personnel from the group were awarded UN medals in May for their outstanding performance in the region. The UN Mission in Sudan was established in 2005 to monitor the peace agreement between the government in Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in southern Sudan, which ended the longest-running civil war in Africa.
VII. CALGARYHERALD - G20 must do more to protect Christians in Turkey
Visualize the Vatican without Catholics or Jerusalem with no Jews. Better yet, imagine Mecca without Muslims. Silly, is it not? The international community would never tolerate such things. But alas, the soul of Christianity is vanishing in Turkey today and hardly anyone is heeding the call for help. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the holiest centre of Orthodoxy, is being systematically suffocated by Turkish authorities. Despite calls for human rights reforms in Turkey, the government in Ankara continues to discriminate against religious minorities. As a result, the survival of the 1,700-year-old Patriarchate is uncertain. In the fourth century, Constantine the Great allowed Christianity to flourish and founded a new capital in present-day Istanbul. The "New Rome," strategically situated along the shores of the Bosporus, was an indispensable link for commercial activity between Europe and Asia. The associated economic, political and cultural advantages allowed the Byzantine Empire to become the most powerful force for many centuries. In 1453, however, Sultan Mehmed's army took control of the capital. Although the Empire died, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church lived on. Following licentious looting after the siege of Constantinople that included the trashing of the Hagia Sophia basilica, the Sultan sought someone for the Ecumenical throne to be responsible for the Orthodox population. After the Holy Synod chose a monk named Gennadios as leader, Mehmed pronounced, "Be Patriarch and may Heaven protect you! On every occasion count upon my friendship and enjoy all the privileges possessed by your predecessors." These words were often cited to safeguard the activities of the Patriarchate. For 500 years of Ottoman rule thereafter, the Mother Church coexisted peacefully with Turkish authorities. In addition to carrying out its spiritual authority, it regulated the secular affairs of Christians. When nations began gaining their independence from the Ottomans, the Ecumenical Patriarchate ceased its civic role, becoming again a purely religious institution, which it remains to this day. It is therefore deplorable that the Ecumenical Patriarchate, despite guarantees under the Treaty of Lausanne, faces numerous problems that threaten its existence. These include the continued illegal closure of the Theological School of Halki and restrictions on Church elections. The inability to train new hierarchs coupled with the requirement that Patriarchs be Turkish citizens is a cruel combination that may soon create a spiritual vacuum in Christianity. Furthermore, the Patriarchate -- in spite of existing before even the idea of Turkey -- has no legal status or identity in the country! Ankara refuses even to recognize the title "Ecumenical" -- a sixth-century ecclesiastical designation recognized throughout the world. The majority of faithful under the jurisdiction of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, for example, are outside Turkey -- including roughly 500,000 in Canada. The Canadian government, regrettably, has remained largely silent on the plight of the Patriarchate. The United States, European Union and United Nations have each called on Turkey to take restorative measures that strengthen the status of its non-Muslim communities. When President Barack Obama addressed the Turkish National Assembly last year, he remarked that, "Freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening Halki Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond." Moreover, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has specifically called on Ankara to redress the situation of its Orthodox population. Without a concerted and sustained international effort, it is unlikely that Turkey will ameliorate the position of the Patriarchate. As 2010 is an international year for Canada, it is in this context that Prime Minister Stephen Harper can make a meaningful difference. As host of the G8 and G20. Summits (the latter includes Turkey) Canada has the chance to champion the existing international consensus in support of the spiritual centre of Orthodoxy. The Prime Minister has maintained that the public does not want its government to "sell out important Canadian values -- our belief in democracy, freedom, human rights . . . to the almighty dollar." If this is the policy toward some countries (e. g., China) should it not be the policy for all countries? Turkey -- regardless of the size of its economy and population and strategic geographic location -- should not be given a pass on its human rights responsibilities. Canada can help save the living institution that is Orthodoxy and the historical mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The international community must work to prevent a great moral void in Christianity, akin to the Vatican vanishing -- 300 million faithful are counting on them.