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Political and military events, January 2005
Burundi
The process of integrating government and rebel forces into a new ‘national defense force’ began. This force is to number 30,000 and be split evenly between ethnic Hutus and Tutsis; there is also to be a 20,000-strong police force, also evenly split. The effort is supervised by the U. N. Operation in Burundi (UNOB), and is expected to take five years. Six rebel groups have signed cease-fire agreements with the government; only the Forces for National Liberation group has not (Reuters).
Western Hemisphere, diplomatic affairs
There was a brief spat between Colombia and Venezuela when a FARC member was captured in Caracas by bounty hunters paid by Colombia, then brought to Colombia and arrested. Venezuela recalled its ambassador but the two countries ultimately agreed on a resolution of the dispute (CNN.com).
Italy
Police conducted a series of raids against the Mafia in Sicily (Reuters).
1-4 JANUARY 2005
Peru
Police and nationalist militants clashed in Andahuaylas, in Apurimac province. About 100 gunmen led by former army Maj. Antauro Humala seized a police station on the 1st and demanded the resignation of President Alejandro Toledo. Skirmishing continued between both sides as security forces surrounded the station. Humala and most of his men surrendered on the 4th (AP).
2 JANUARY 2005
Croatia, politics
In a presidential election, incumbent Stipe Mesic polled 49.0%, while Jadranka Kosor, from the ruling Croatian Democratic Union, had 20.18 percent. The two headed for a runoff on the 16th (AP).
9 JANUARY 2005
Sudan
The comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the SPLA rebels was signed in Nairobi, Kenya by Vice President Ali Osman Taha and John Garang. The agreement calls for an interim power-sharing government which will rule for a six-year period to implement the various terms. Garang becomes First Vice-President (CNN.com).
Israel
An election was held in Palestinian areas for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Israeli authorities facilitated the election. Mahmoud Abbas defeated Mustafa Barghouti by a decisive margin; turnout was about 65% according to election officials (CNN.com).
10 JANUARY 2005
Israel, politics
The Knesset approved Prime Minister Sharon’s new coalition, which added the Labor party and the United Torah Judaism party. The addition of Labor’s 21 seats and the religious party’s five brings Sharon’s coalition up to 66 (Reuters).
15 JANUARY 2005
Russia
There were some protests against reforms of subsidized services to the elderly, disabled, veterans and others which had recently gone into effect. About 10,000 people demonstrated in St. Petersburg, and there were small protests in some Moscow suburbs (AP).
16 JANUARY 2005
Croatia, politics
In the presidential runoff, Stipe Mesic defeated Jadranka Kosor by about 66% to 34% (Reuters).
19 JANUARY 2005
Iraq
It appeared that a coordinated series of five car bomb attacks was largely foiled by security forces. One of the attacks killed 18 Iraqis, including five police, near the al-Alahi hospital in Baghdad (CNN.com).
20 JANUARY 2005
United States, foreign policy
President George W. Bush, in his second inaugural address, spoke emphatically of promoting democratic political systems around the world, declaring that to be the centerpeice of US foreign policy, necessary for America’s security and the pursuit of America’s values. Bush’s remarks are significant enough to be worth reproducing here, in part:
For a half-century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical -- and then there came a day of fire.
We have seen our vulnerability, and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny -- prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder -- violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders and raise a mortal threat.
There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment and expose the pretensions of tyrants and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant. And that is the force of human freedom.
We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.
America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one. From the day of our founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this Earth has rights, and dignity and matchless value because they bear the image of the maker of heaven and Earth.
Across the generations, we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security and the calling of our time.
So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.
This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen and defended by citizens and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own.
America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom and make their own way.
The great objective of ending tyranny is the concentrated work of generations. The difficulty of the task is no excuse for avoiding it. America's influence is not unlimited, but fortunately for the oppressed, America's influence is considerable, and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause....
We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies. Yet, rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty (CNN.com).
21 JANUARY 2005
Iraq
A suicide car bombing in Youssifiya killed several people. A car bomb attack near a Shi’ite mosque in Baghdad killed at least 14 (CNN.com).
26 JANUARY 2005
United States, politics
National Security Advisor Condoleza Rice was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of State, replacing Colin Powell (AP).
27 JANUARY 2005
Bangladesh
An attack on an Awami League rally in Habiganj killed four people including opposition lawmaker Shah AMS Kibria (CNN.com).
30 JANUARY 2005
Iraq, politics
Elections were held for a transitional government. There will be a 275-member Transitional Assembly which will select a president and two vice presidents. This government will draft a new constitution to go before voters in an October referendum.
The United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which received most of its support from the Shi’ite south, won 140 seats. The Kurdish alliance won 75, and the Iraqi List, led by Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, won 40. Turnout was about 58%. However, among Sunni Moslems, it was low (CNN.com).
Israel
Over 100,000 people demonstrated in Jerusalem against plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip (CNN.com).