The Big 2 are leaving

Tony Blair is making a farewell-greeintg with Jacques Chirac in Paris. Those two have not always agreed but rather disagreed with each other, especially on the Iraq in 2003. Washington cannot be more thrilled about the new US-Euro relation in months to come as two new leaders of the most powerful European states, Sarkozy and (very likely) Brown, want closer tie with the US.

Personal note: 2007 Summer Intern

I will be working for Amnesty International in London From June to August for 3 full months.

Blair announces his resignation

Blair announced today that he would resign on June 27 after a decade as prime minister and 13 years as leader of the Labour Party. It is inevitable that he will be remembered for the 2003 Iraq War. He may never be able to escape the Iraq legacy.What I think however is that Blair has energised modern politics and has always been acting boldly and always challenged this fast-ever changing world in a frontline. He will also be remembered for many other contributions and initiatives he made. (The Northern Ireland power-sharing government, Kosovo, Action on Africa, Climate change, fighting global terrorism etc)Perhaps, not only Britain needed him but also the international community needed his leadership in a past decade.

 

Tony Blair félicite Nicolas Sarkozy (en français)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Cu9187tCY

 

France and its weight in international affairs

Nicolas Sarkozy has won the second round of the French presidential election. He said that he wants to be a key player in international affairs. France believes in itself that it is one of the strongest influences in the world when it comes to world affairs. As Sarkozy's presidency is just beginning, I am absolutely interested to see how France will project its influence on the world stage and how it will maintain its position as a key player.

 

 

 

Alan Johnston missing for 53days

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/world/2007/alan_johnston/default.stm

UN World Press Freedom Day

“The rights to life and to liberty and integrity and security of person and also to freedom of expression are fundamental human rights that are recognized and guaranteed by international conventions and instruments.” (UNESCO Resolution, General Conference 1997)

http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/press/

 

 

Japan's pacifist constitution

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has called for a review of the nation's charter. "We face the need to review the Constitution," Abe argues that some of the provisions are unrealistic for the modern age, for instance, war-renouncing Article 9. If he is so convinced that the Constitution has to be rewritten, he should first explain clearly to the people how he perceives the situation in postwar Japan.

Sarkozy, Royal face off in election debate tonight!

Sarkozy and Royal will hold a televised debate tonight.

"British PM Gordon Brown"

After the 10years legacy, Tony Blair is finally leaving. He said on the TV interview that his resignation will formally be announced next week and also said that he now predicts Brown will follow him at 10 Downing St.According to the public survey by The Independent newspaper 69 % of British people will remember Blair for the most controversial Iraq War in 2003. David Cameron said "Tony Blair will be remembered as a successful party leader but not as a good prime minister."

 In my opinion, Tony Blair will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of modern history!