No. 435 September 2006:

The common sense assumption is that language is a cultural and social concern subject to its own rules and practices. Language is a living expression and people chose the words they know and want. But that’s only part of the story. Governments have been trying to regulate the use of language for centuries because not only are “words  the instruments of diplomacy,” (Polish Foreign Minister Konrad Skubiszewski, 1961) but they also know about the power of words in cultural domination and politics. The recent modifications of the German language reform show that even the government cannot always decree how people use words. The long-time effort of France to stem the tide of new words, mainly Anglicisms, works for official writing but “fast food,” “internet,” and “parking” are still widely used.

 Now comes the new president of Iran who decreed as was reported on 29 July that government and its cultural bodies can no longer use foreign words and must be replaced by modified Farsi words. He directed the Persian Academy to find replacements for words like “cabin” and “pizza” and make sure that publications adhere to the new rules. To Iranians with a memory of history this is not  new. Two hundred years ago, the Qajar kings fought Arabic and the first of the Pahlavi shahs again pushed to replace Arabic words with ancient Persian expressions. Incidentally, “elastic loaf” is to be used for “pizza” and a “cabin” becomes a “small room.”

The Kremlin, Russian philologists, and writers have a different concern about Russian. They are keenly interested in keeping up the use of Russian or restoring its prominent status in the former Soviet republics and in Eastern Europe. The World Association of Russian Press (WARP) sees itself as best qualified to keep the use of the language alive and boost its use, especially in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The restoration of the status quo of the Russian language in CIS was the chief topic at the 8th World Congress of Russian Press in Astana on 26 June. Priority tasks, outlined by the secretary general, are development of translation, general education, on-line use in Russian language studies, and promoting language use through contact with CIS organizations.

The new UN Peacebuilding Commission held its inaugural session on 23 June in New York and elected the Angolan ambassador as its chairman. Although the Security Council is represented by seven members, including all permanent ones, the new body is advisory in nature and its main task is to prepare a unified strategy for dealing with the specific problems of each country emerging from conflict. It remains to be seen whether the commission’s work will benefit return to normalcy in Somalia and Uganda and later in Sudan.

The closure of China Century by China’s government in July was severely criticized in a petition signed by more than 100 intellectuals and dissidents, reported Voice of America on 4 August. The site, one of a few where free expression of views was possible, allegedly violated internet regulations but the government action is in line with recent restrictions on the distribution of news by foreign news services, the reporting on catastrophes, and the coverage of trials. One signer of the petition,  a law teacher, attacked the government’s attitude that “so-called stability is having the same ideas, the same way of doing things. These things and modern, democratic, and free thought are completely contradictory,” he said.

These days, the German government is not very popular at home. Disappointment of citizens who expected a drastic change and a major economic upturn centers mainly on Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel.  At first there was satisfaction that a woman had become head of government, someone from the East, a scientist with fresh ideas. Now the popular image is of someone who likes to be seen with international leaders, enjoys the trappings and perks of office, and is not very good at getting reforms going, not even in the health services which started before her term. Her position as party leader is also becoming the subject of criticism, at least out of the public eye, according to press reports. Both coalition partners, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, remain fixed on their own concepts, thus keeping them back from fully agreeing on major tasks. Each party also has its own internal factions and influences which further complicate the working of an effective coalition. It appears  the  partners will continue with patchwork legislation hoping that in the next elections they can present themselves as having achieved a lot  without having sacrificed any of their positions. The hope that their new profile will be decisive is probably an illusion and voters may show their disappointment by staying away or favoring extreme groups.

Nippon’s new government leader will be Shinzo Abe (born 29 September 1954) of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Cabinet Secretary in the outgoing cabinet and holding the most influential position after the prime minister, he will probably have little trouble managing government and ministers. But he is young and politically inexperienced and lacking charisma. Nationally, and that will greatly affect dealings with Japan’s neighbors, especially China and the two Koreas, he will seek to instill greater nationalism and patriotism in the islands’ citizens and boost the nation’s status and influence in the world. He hopes to turn the self-defense forces into armed forces in word and role and expand their missions abroad. The emphasis on revived patriotism to be taught in school will have the support of conservatives but will run counter to students and teachers who have grown up with democratic models and an anti-war constitution.

There is every reason to be somewhat confused about what will happen next in Libya after taking in recent remarks by its Leader, Colonel Mu’ammar  Qadhafi, and his son Seif al-Islam Qadhafi. Some past moves of the leader did  appear erratic or mercurial but now he praises the gains of the revolution—no surprise there—and urged supporters on 1 September to kill those who want to change Libya’s “direct democracy.” Yet his son told an audience in August that the country needs reforms and must free itself from the grips of a monopolizing “Libyan mafia.” He also expressed regrets that the system was not as democratic as he wishes and that there was no free press. In a different vein, the colonel warned his countrymen not to follow the Gulf states which rely on oil not trade but to begin start manufacturing some of the things they need.

Only three parties will eventually be left in Russia and unless the democrats unite they will again be left out of the elections for the State Duma in 2007. Irina Khakamada who was a candidate for president in 2004 and placed fourth of six contenders with 3.8 percent of the vote, told RIA Novosti in August that unless Yabloko and the Democratic Party—Union of Right Forces (SPS) agree on one candidate they will repeat the mistake of the last election.

An effort by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) to unite centrist  parties in Turkey to oppose the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) is received with rejection and derision by potential partners. The True Path Party (DYP) seems to say that the voters know it and its “true path” and therefore does not need the help of an alliance. The leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP)  went so far as to describe attempts to form an alliance as unconstitutional and unethical. An AKP deputy leader dismissed plans to form an alliance and will concentrate on resolving the current financial turmoil and nominating a candidate for president next year. Incidentally, at a recent party retreat, AKP deputies were banned from talking about the candidate, reports Turkish Daily News.

Country reports: June-August 2006.

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forecast: October-November 2006

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