Our 31st year of publishing the International Observer

Current Concerns

European debts, Euro stability

Civil war in Syria

Conflicts in Yemen

Sudanese confrontations

Noticed and Noted

All former candidates but one now support the Republican front runner

On 2 May, former Senator Newt Gingrich (born 17 June 1943) suspended his quest for nomination by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate and gave his halfhearted support to former Governor Mitt Romney (born 12 March 1947). On 14 May, Congressman Ron Paul (born 20 August 1935) ended active campaigning. In the US, attention is now directed on who Romney will select as his vice presidential running mate. Like speculation in the press, the list of possible nominees is large but among those mentioned frequently are Senator Marco Antonio Rubio (born 28 May 1971) of Florida; former Minnesota Governor Timothy James Tim Pawlenty (born 27 November 1960); and Ms. Nimrata Randhawa Nikki Haley (born 20 January 1972), Governor of South Carolina.

[May 2012]

Socialist assumes presidency of France

François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande became the 9^th President of the 5^th Republic in a quick and dignified installation on 15 May after winning two rounds of elections. In a brief and thoughtful address (see documentation in the back of this issue) in a rainy Paris, the new president described his mandate as “putting France back on her feet, in a fair way. Open up a new way in Europe. Contribute to world peace and the protection of the planet.” He also assured the citizens of France that he would not decide everything on behalf of everyone.

May 2012]

Zimbabwe elections may be held next year

Although the so-called unity government survived the past year, this month it appears stymied. One reason is the absence of president and sundries ministers—all on vacation. And when the big man is not around, even his acting stand-in will not make an important decision. Likewise, the prime minister is abroad and the cabinet cannot sit. Three significant matters are pending: completion of drafting of the constitution which is expected by the end of March. Next, a referendum will be held on the constitution, probably in mid-year. Finally, election of a new Parliament. The former ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) was keen on holding it last year. Strenuous opposition from the coalition Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) and repeated influential counseling of the Troika of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) prevented that. ZANU is hell-bent on holding the elections this year, even before there is a new approved constitution. In its favor and an ominous development was the appointment of a new defense chief, a presidential loyalist who had called the prime minister a national security threat. His soldiers will be actively involved in the logistics of the elections by being present near or at polling places and collecting ballot boxes thus threatening the integrity of results. Yet the holding of elections this year remains doubtful as the parties are unable to agree and the Troika, especially the South African president, is insisting that free and fair elections can only be held when an independent electoral system is in place.

[January 2012]