Month: December 2007

Photo: Orin Langelle/GJEP

After Bali Climate Talks: Toward a People’s Agenda for Climate Justice

Brian Tokar December 18, 2007 Brian Tokar

Bali Protest Photo: Orin Langelle/GJEP
With all the fanfare that usually accompanies such gatherings, delegates to the recent UN climate talks on the Indonesian island of Bali returned to their home countries declaring victory. Despite the continued obstructionism of the US delegation, the negotiators reached a mild consensus for continued negotiations on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, and at the very last moment were able to cajole and pressure the US to sign on.

Destruction in Palestine, Indymedia

A Gaza Development Corporation

Rene Wadlow December 18, 2007 Rene Wadlow

Destruction in Palestine
On December 17, 2007, eighty seven states, the United Nations Secretariat, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund met in Paris for a one-day international funding conference for the Palestinian Authority. $7.4 billion was pledged over a three-year period - $3.44 billion for 2008.  The conference, planned well in advance, comes shortly after the Annapolis meeting whose aim was to restart serious Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that would lead to the creation of a sustainable Palestinian state by the end of President Bush's term in 2008. Financing an economic recovery and development program for Palestine is an obvious need for the creation of a state. However, it is often easier to raise funds than to spend them in ways that promote the desired ends.

Photo: Langelle/ GJEP

Indonesia: Protests at United Nations Climate Convention

Global Justice Ecology Project December 12, 2007 Global Justice Ecology Project

Photo: Langelle/ GJEP
On December 11th, a very diverse group of non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples organizations and social movements staged a protest outside of a press conference where World Bank President and former US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick announced the launch of the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. "This Facility is merely the World Bank up to their old tricks," stated Anne Petermann, Co-Director of Global Justice Ecology Project.

Robert Jensen

Independent Media and Objectivity: An Interview with Robert Jensen

Jeff Nall December 12, 2007 Jeff Nall

Robert Jensen
When independent journalists step beyond the corporate media's code of courtly niceties in dealing with government policy and officials, they are often saddled with the label of 'advocacy journalism.' Meanwhile, the incestuous relationships between mainstream journalists and policy makers escape popular scrutiny. Recently I spoke Robert Jensen, a professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, about the value of independent media, and the question of objectivity in mainstream and independent news.

US Planes at Manta

Ecuador Declines US, Offers Manta Air Base to China

April Howard December 12, 2007 April Howard

US Planes at Manta
When the U.S. Air Force Southern Command's 10-year usage rights for Ecuador's Manta air base expire in 2009, they can expect to be evicted in favor of China. The air base shares a common runway with Manta's Eloy Alfaro International Airport terminal, but the air base has a separate office for cargo, while the airport handles passengers. About 475 US military personnel are stationed at the air base under a under a 10-year agreement signed with Quito in November 1999 and due to expire in 24 months.