Articles by Super User

US Moves to Bottle African Lightning
LUANDA — In late July, the Clinton administration quietly agreed to resume military cooperation with Angola. According to an Angolan newspaper, the US will provide airspace control equipment, military training through a private contractor, and help in drafting a development plan. South Africa’s SAPA news agency adds that the US recently participated in military exercises with the Botswanan and South African armed forces.

These developments mark the emergence of a new and potentially risky US policy toward Africa – increased engagement, with an eye toward preventing conflicts from spreading. To this end, the administration appears willing to support Angola’s MPLA government, while abandoning the UNITA rebels it has long supported. Angola still receives aid from Russia, Cuba, and Libya. read more

Robertson Goes for the Gold

MONROVIA — Liberian President Charles Taylor is known for many things:  embezzling, escaping jail, abusing human rights, and starting a bloody civil war. Now he adds another line to his resume — Pat Robertson’s business partner. The TV preacher has struck a deal with Taylor that allows a Robertson-owned company to mine for gold in Liberia’s Bukon Jedeh region. Freedom Gold Ltd., which lists Robertson as president and sole director, was formed last December in the Cayman Islands. read more

Indonesia Plays the Autonomy Card

DILI – After 23 years of brutal Indonesian rule, President B.J. Habibie has offered East Timor independence if people reject autonomy in return for accepting Indonesia’s permanent sovereignty. The announcement, setting a July vote, took the international community by surprise. But rather than expressing relief, pro-independence supporters in East Timor remain skeptical.

After Habibie’s announcement, right-wing militia groups, armed by the military, led assaults on sympathizers of Falintil, the pro-independence guerrilla forces. Hundreds have died during recent attacks, and over 18,000 people have been displaced since last November. read more

Angola and Zambia Move Toward War

LUSAKA – A year ago, Zambia and Angola were whispering about war. Now theyre shouting, as Angola accuses its neighbor of helping to arm Jonas Savimbis UNITA rebel movement. In Lusaka, Zambias overcrowded capital, headlines about a possible invasion hit the streets every other day. One such story, which said Angolas military power is three times that of Zambias, led to the arrest of staff members at The Post and subsequent espionage charges. read more

Haunted by a Shameful Legacy

HOLLYWOOD – Dashiell Hammett. Lillian Hellman. Clifford Odets. Those literary legends were just a few of the left-leaning citizens whose names Elia Kazan, then under scrutiny for his own political affiliations, recited before the vicious House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) sniffing out radicals in 1952. A brilliant stage and screen director (A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, East of Eden), Kazan claimed he was proving his patriotism 47 years ago. He has remained unrepentant about those McCarthy Era betrayals ever since. read more

Another Countdown for Mumia

PHILADELPHIA – On October 28, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied the appeal of Mumia Abu-Jamal, along with his motion for a new trial. Although the decision is being appealed in federal court, Gov. Tom Ridge could sign a second death warrant at any moment. After that, Abu-Jamal may have as little as 30 days to get a judge to issue a stay of execution.

A respected journalist and anti-racism activist, Abu-Jamal was accused of killing a police officer on weak, tainted evidence. During the original trial, jurors were barred on racial grounds, key evidence was suppressed, and police officers were permitted to testify that Mumia had confessed – after "forgetting" to mention it for two months. read more