News: Same Sh*t, Different Day

• Nothing is black and white: An article in the New York Times discusses the difficulties of US-China relations regarding human rights issues, such as the current situation in Tibet. Though several prominent American politicians have condemned China’s harsh reaction to the demonstrations in Tibet, President Bush remains silent on the issue. A former national security advisor to President Clinton remarked, “I think to the extent that he can work the issue privately, it’s better, frankly. The public statements just make the Chinese dig in their heels all the more, make them more resolute in their repression.” This poses interesting challenges for the international human rights movement, as the high degree of nuance and “behind the scenes” foreign policy makes it difficult for us to hold our leaders accountable for their commitments to human rights. On the one hand, we have no way of knowing if necessary action is underway to uphold human rights commitments, but on the other, a public airing of diplomatic processes would likely be counterproductive to achievement the ultimate goal. Conundrum.

• Zimbabwe: Mugabe said that opposition parties will never rule “as long as we are still alive.” (Referring to the kleptocrats of the ZANU-PF, of course.) Mugabe also told people, in essence, to ‘grow a pair’ and deal with the water shortage and other economic crises in the country. A report by the Council on Foreign Relations details how, amid staggering economic crisis, Mugabe granted control of political institutions to security forces, which could be problematic should Mugabe lose in the elections on Saturday.
• Darfur: The New York Times reports on the obstacles faced by the hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force—namely, lack of troops and necessary equipment.
• Other news from Sudan: The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005 to end the long-running North/South civil war, appears to be in jeopardy, as the SPLA accuses the government of lagging in the implementation of the treaty’s provisions. The government dismisses the claims.