Issues of Global Import

8 September 2003


Abbas Quits PLO Premiership
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, handed in his resignation last week after just four months in the job. If proof were needed that the road map to Middle East peace is dead, this is the proverbial nail in the coffin. He was supposed to have been a moderate man with whom the Israelis could negotiate. It turns out he is a sensible man who quit a non-job. Click here to read Kensington's Opinion.

Assassination of Ayatollah Hakim --Don't Blame US
Logic has never been a strong point among the religious hierarchy of any faith. A few rabbis, imams and the Jesuits have tried over the centuries to inject their beliefs with reason, but the results have been mixed at best. So, it was no surprise that, at the funeral of the murdered and martyred Ayatollah Baqr al-Hakim, the senior cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani blamed the Americans for his compatriot's death. It was, however, disappointing that the Ayatollah could not swallow his anger long enough to use his head. Click here for more.

Immigrants to be Tested before Getting UK Passport
The British government has sparked a small controversy by suggesting that immigrants take classes and a test in order to get a UK passport and to vote. Detractors suggest that in doing this the government is trying to define "Britishness" to the detriment of whatever special interest the detractor represents, while supporters say it will help immigrants function within British society. As the proposal stands, it will do neither. Click here to read why.