INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND: The maneuvers have begun for the succession of DSK

Reuters - Interned in the huge prison complex Rikers Island since Monday evening, Dominique Strauss-Kahn to add to a prison daily increasing pressure for his resignation as director of the IMF.

Then he will appear a second time on Friday before a criminal court in Manhattan to respond to alleged sexual assault, DSK is increasingly isolated and keeping him at the head of the International Monetary Fund is seen as an embarrassment .

The IMF has tried to contact its Director General to determine whether he intended to remain at this station during the course of the investigation or whether he planned to retire.

In a statement, the international institution has lamented the fact that such a relationship could not take place since the inquiry of DSK Saturday afternoon at JFK Airport in New York on a plane to Paris.

An IMF spokesman said that "it is obviously important that contact can be established within a reasonable time."

"I know there is a problem concerning his status in the IMF, but it is hoped that this will be put in brackets the time that we see clearer in this case," said Bill Taylor, one of the lawyers DSK.

Washington calls for an interim Director

Two sources at the IMF confirmed to Reuters that the board has tried Tuesday to join DSK considering whether or not to remain at his post.

One source said that IMF chief's resignation is the ideal solution, while the second source said that this sentiment was not shared by the 24 members of the board of directors.

The IMF chief is currently in custody at Rikers Island prison after rejecting his request for bail in a case of alleged sexual assault on a woman in a hotel room in New York.

According to the regulations of the prison administration of the city, inmates may receive three visits per week in addition to their lawyers.

The U.S. treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, said it was important that the Fund can continue to operate normally at a time when he intervened in the rescue of several European Union countries.

"I can not comment on the case, but obviously he (DSK) is not in a position where it may lead the IMF," said Geithner.

"It is important that the Board of Directors of the IMF formally appoint someone to a transitional period and that person is acting as director," he added.

The White House is already thinking of replacing John Lipsky, number 2 of the Fund who is temporarily acting, and plans to push the candidacy of Councillor David Lipton to this post.

"Given the situation, the release on bail was refused, he should (resign) to avoid penalizing the institution," said Maria Fekter, Austrian Minister of Finance.

"It is important to ensure the stability of the institution, but we must also rely on the intelligence of Mr. Strauss-Kahn.And in this case it does not seem to have demonstrated, "said Elena Delgado, Spanish Minister of Economy.

Rivalry between emerging European and

If it is not yet officially opened, a succession of DSK to head the IMF is already the subject of rivalries, especially between emerging markets and European Union.

China, which last year became the third largest contributor to the Fund, called for "fairness, transparency and merit" in choosing the new head of the organization.

Brazil and South Africa echoed this position by stating that the choice of the next executive director must be on the basis of his qualifications and not his
nationality.

"We believe it is appropriate to have someone from a country emerging.We believe that India and Brazil are good options, but we also believe that Europe will try to maintain its leading position and we're going to press, "said an official of Brazil.

The three main tasks of the director who will eventually be named are: the debt crisis in Europe, the establishment of a political agreement on reducing debt in the U.S. and the risk of an inflationary bubble in emerging markets .

Waiting to be re-heard by American justice, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was under continuous surveillance designed to prevent any suicide attempt.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has shown no signs to that effect and it is simply a precautionary measure, said a source within the prison service.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn will be monitored more frequently than other inmates, the source said, without elaborating.

LIBYA: In Doha, the "contact group" trying to prevent the stagnation of the conflict Libyan

The foreign ministers of the "contact group" on Libya will meet in Qatar on Wednesday when the stalemate of the situation causes a tension among the allies.

On the eve of this meeting, France and Great Britain, who were at the forefront of military intervention in the sky Libyan Tuesday urged NATO to step up its raids to destroy heavy weapons forces of Muammar Gaddafi.

In Luxembourg, where he attended a meeting of European ministers, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister said Tuesday that NATO, which took over the United States, Great Britain and France March 31, did not play its role adequately.

"NATO has absolutely wanted to conduct this operation on the military.Well now, there is now (...) It is not acceptable Misrata can continue to be under fire from the bombing of Qaddafi's troops, "he said.

His British counterpart, William Hague, also requested that the Alliance is intensifying its efforts."We must maintain and strengthen our efforts within NATO," said the Foreign Secretary.

For more than three weeks after the first air strikes against the regular forces Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi is still in place and the insurgents, whose representatives will travel to Qatar, do not seem able to overthrow him by force.

With the failure of mediation attempts by the African Union, the prospects for a compromise were parallel remote.

"A new Somalia?"

Established at the London conference, March 29, the "contact group" on Libya to fly the political aspect of the Allied intervention.

Representatives of the National Transitional Council (CNT), established by the rebels in their stronghold of Benghazi (East), will be heard by the Ministers in Doha.

They should also hold talks with Musa Kusa, a former Libyan foreign minister who defected and fled to London last month, said the British government.Koussa was concerned that his country from becoming "another Somalia".

The Doha meeting comes as the stalemate threat and that the humanitarian crisis is accentuated in Misrata, the last major town held by rebels in western Libya and besieged for weeks the troops of Muammar Gaddafi.

At least 250 people died in six weeks in this city located 220 km east of Tripoli.

"When one pulls gun on Misrata is that there are many guns that must be identified and neutralized (...) It should be on it more efficient," stressed Alain Juppe.

NATO, which has intensified its air attacks during the weekend around Misrata and Ajdabiah, destroying several tanks forces Gaddafi rejects criticism of the French and British.

In a statement, she said it "vigorously conducts its military operations in Libya under the mandate given to it" and that "the pace of operations is determined by the need to protect the civilian population."

Late Tuesday night, the Alliance announced that its air force had destroyed five tanks in the area of ​​Misrata."Our aviation continues to strike targets around Misrata regime," the Canadian General Charles Bouchard, Commander of NATO.

The rebels have announced they have demanded weapons to countries that have recognized their Transitional National Council as the sole representative of the country, namely France, Qatar and Italy.

"We presented a list of military equipment and technology we need," said Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, official spokesman of the CNT in Benghazi.

LIBYA: Gaddafi After the message, the White House calls for "action, not words"

AFP - The White House insisted Wednesday Muammar Gaddafi deeds and not words after receiving a message from the leader following the withdrawal of U.S. fighter planes to Libya.

"We can confirm that there was a letter, obviously not the first" the Libyan leader, told reporters the spokesman of President Barack Obama, Jay Carney, aboard Air Force One carrying President Philadelphia (Pennsylvania East) for a meeting focused on the economy.

But without disclosing the content of the message, Mr.Carney said that Obama had been saying for weeks that a cease-fire in Libya would depend "acts and not words (and) an end to violence."

"The words, this is not the same as action," insisted the spokesman.

Earlier Wednesday, state news agency Jana announced that Colonel Gaddafi had "Wednesday sent a message to President Barack Obama after the withdrawal of U.S. coalition aggressive colonialist cross against Libya," the agency said without give details on the contents of the message.

The U.S. military had withdrawn Monday that fighter jets were involved in the international campaign in Libya. It should now provide more than had intended to conduct air refueling missions as well as jamming and surveillance.

Liveblogging: France launches military action in Libya

What you should remember:

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that French fighter planes had penetrated into Libyan airspace to prevent the forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to attack the city of Benghazi, a stronghold of the opposition.


The statement by the French head of state concluded an international summit on the situation in Libya, which gathered in Paris this Saturday the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, British Prime Minister David Cameron and many Arab and European politicians.
A military plane was shot Saturday morning while flying over the city of Benghazi.The aircraft belongs to the opponents of Muammar Gaddafi.
According to the insurgents in Benghazi, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi bombed roads leading into town. The regime denies the accusations and says its planes remained on the ground, according to the cease-fire it announced Friday.

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SAUDI ARABIA: Violent repression of a Shiite demonstration in the eastern United

AFP - Three Shiite demonstrators were injured Thursday in eastern Saudi Arabia by gunfire from police attempting to disperse a rally, according to a witness on the eve of a call for protests in the kingdom.

The shootings have occurred, while between 600 and 800 people, including women, demonstrating in Al-Qatif to demand the release of nine prisoners Shiite, said the witness, who requested anonymity.

"While walking in the heart of the city was completed, the soldiers started shooting at demonstrators, and three of them were injured," he added.

The three injured men were hospitalized but their injuries were "moderate," the source said, that the shooting lasted about 10 minutes.

These incidents occurred on the eve of a call to protest launched on Facebook.

The call claims that "the leader and members of the Majlis al-Shura (consultative council appointed) be elected", "the release of political prisoners" and "freedom of speech and assembly" in the kingdom.

Saudi officials have stated several times in recent days that the demonstrations were banned in the kingdom and that the police were authorized to intervene to enforce the law.

In Riyadh, the situation was normal on Thursday but police patrols were more numerous than usual, residents said.

In Washington, Deputy Adviser for National Security President Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes, said the U.S. closely monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia, one of its main allies in the Middle East, and defended " universal values ​​"such as the right to protest.

The prospect of turmoil in the heart of the world's largest exporter of crude oil has contributed to nervousness in the oil market.Brent Thursday evolved around $ 114 a barrel.

"The attention is focused on the crisis in the Middle East, while demonstrations potential for + the + day of rage Friday in Saudi Arabia could push crude prices, with Brent who could brush against the new $ 120 barrel, "he told AFP analyst Sokou Myrto.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, had told reporters Wednesday the "rejection of any interference in internal affairs" of his country.

"Reform can not be done through demonstrations," he said, adding that "dialogue" was the best way for citizens to make their voices heard.

Following appeals on Facebook, a few hundred people had already expressed last week in eastern Arabia, where Shiites are concentrated, demanding the release of a cleric.

This dignitary, Sheikh Toufic al-Aamer, was released on March 6 and 26 Shiites arrested during demonstrations last week have been released in recent days.

Inmates whose demonstrators demanded the release Thursday are nine people arrested in 1996 after the assassination of anti-American Khobar in eastern kingdom.

The Shiites are concentrated especially in the eastern province, rich in oil, make up about 10% of the population of Saudi Arabia.The community complains of marginalization in a country ruled by Wahhabism, a puritanical Sunni doctrine.

AFRICAN CINEMA: Diary: Opening of the 22nd edition of Fespaco

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Arriving on a flying

Epic. When traveling to an African destination, we know that the journey will not be trivial. So when we boarded in Paris yesterday morning, towards Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to cover the largest film festival on the continent, Fespaco, we were prepared for a great adventure.

The flight was very nice with all the cream of African cinema on board such Dora Bouchoucha, director and producer of Tunisia, Missa Hébié, Burkinabe filmmaker ... My English colleague, Leela Jacinto, had never come in black Africa, and for her it was a real discovery.I am from Senegal, experienced in this type of travel, thought he had seen others.

Cassandras often castigate African airlines to their lack of organization and management of hazardous passengers. What was not my surprise to discover that traveling with Air France, the luggage could never happen. But that is what happened, my suitcase remained at the airport in Paris! First contact with the ground in Burkina total confusion. Fortunately, the legendary warmth and friendliness of Burkina Faso make you quickly forget what kind of inconvenience.Even the customs officers sympathize, some even offer to lend you a toilet, or even to stay at home (very friendly!).

The Independence hotel gave us a warm welcome. As the nerve center of Fespaco, we come across every festival. Some of them welcomed us for coverage FRANCE 24 events in the Maghreb and the Middle East.The jury of the festival, Dora Bouchoucha, says that thanks to the work of our chain that many of his countrymen have seen pictures of this historic uprising that led to the downfall of the regime of Ben Ali, January 14.

Today, festivities begin with, culminating in the opening ceremony of the festival in the stadium August 4

Sunday, February 27, 2011

In search of the precious badge ...

Upon awakening the morning of the opening of the festival, we were cheered up and determined to get our precious card: press accreditation gives access to all projections.Again, the African adventure has kept its promises.

Two young volunteers of the festival, many working for Fespaco, indicated on signs at the entrance of the hotel, change the place of withdrawal impromptu press kits and accreditation.

The direction Liptako an administrative building guarded by security guards. A hotel taxi fares tourism practitioner with a large margin during the festival period, is not knowing the place. Finally, we arrive at Liptako and after a quarter of an hour long queue, we eventually call the manager, posted among the fifteen persons entrusted to the withdrawal of accreditation.We ask him if he needs our press card or our identity card so that we can recover our precious sesame. "I need the badges!" He replied. "But wait, we have just to remove them," rétorquons us in charge. "Ah ... but this is not ladies," cried he with the utmost relaxation.

Thus, under the astonished gaze of Leela Jacinto, my alter ego speaking, we rapidly engulf in a taxi towards the center of Fespaco.From there, assisted by another volunteer, we succeed in dodging the dense crowd massed around and inside the imposing building ocher style post-colonial place to find the withdrawal of the international press.

Again, the kindness of Burkina Faso has been a great comfort. Badges in hand, we finally leave the premises. On the steps, we meet Michel Ouédraogo, Deputy General Fespaco. In an advanced state of nervousness, just a few hours of opening, it does not wish to answer our questions ... But appointment is made for the next day.

BELGIUM: "We want a government!" 30,000 demonstrators chanted in Brussels

AFP - More than 30,000 Belgians took part Sunday in Brussels in a march of "shame" to expose the unprecedented political crisis lasting record that threatens the unity of the country, due to differences between Flemish and Francophone, and ask formation of a government.

This is the first time since the Belgian parliamentary elections of 13 June 2010, ordinary citizens are expressing their exasperation with massively to the current impasse.

They were responding to a call via the Internet popularized five young Flanders and Brussels, three students and two employees, claiming no political affiliation even if one of them is the son of Minister of Justice, a Flemish Christian Democrat .Their motto: a march of "shame" for the kingdom.

"A beard for Belgium"

"What we want? We want a government," chanted the protesters, often young, the 224th day of the crisis which saw the country deprived of effective government, a record in Europe.

Many demonstrators wore also on Sunday a placard with the slogan "Divide? Not in our name!" Slogan of a meeting of artists and intellectuals held in Brussels on Friday evening, which caused a stir.

The participants, mixed Flemish and Francophone, have denounced the line defended by the Nationalist party emerged as the winner of legislative independence, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), which contributes to the current political stalemate.

The tone of humor, speaking Geluck Philippe, the famous designer of the "Cat", is called a "revolution of mussels and fries," the Belgian national dish, along the lines of "jasmine revolution" Tunisian .

Other successful slogan, "A beard for Belgium" could be read on stickers flown Sunday some 34,000 demonstrators (by police), following a call from the Belgian actor Benoît Poelvoorde no longer to shave until the denouement of the crisis.

A text divides the Flemish majority

"We want a solution.Not this trench warfare between political parties, "said one protester Flemish, Christopher, 27, researcher in sociology from the University of Antwerp (Flanders, north).

For him, Sunday's protest reflects "the beginning of a rift between Flemings," since the right Flemish - N-VA and the Christian Democrats VCT - dismissed on January 6 a draft agreement prepared by a socialist Flemish with a mission of conciliation.

This text was instead supported by the Flemish and Francophone left participant for more than seven months in the endless negotiations in September

Single incident of the gathering on Sunday, five Flemish extremists were detained by police when they tried to destroy tracts for demonstrators.

One of the organizers of the march, Vandereecken Simon, a graphic designer for 23 years, welcomed a success "has exceeded our expectations."

"Our politicians will have to react after such a mobilization. Otherwise, we'll see what steps to take," he told AFP.

Belgium has been administered since 2010 by a firm responsible for caretaker absence of agreement on a new reform of its institutions.

The Francophone Wallonia and Brussels want to limit the autonomy demanded by the Flemish reinforced (60% of the estimated 11 million Belgians), particularly in tax matters, lest it be the beginning of the end for the country.

Opening the trial of the perpetrator of a cartoonist Muhammad

The trial of a 29 year old Somali man accused of attempted murder against the Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard of Mohammed opened Wednesday just before 9:30 am (0830 GMT) in the court of Aarhus (center), noted AFP.

The hearing of the trial court was transferred into the premises of the Court of Appeal because of the busy media, surrounded by extraordinary security measures with police dogs and metal detectors.

Geele Mohamed, whose name was revealed for the first time publicly at the hearing, had burst a year ago at night in the house of the cartoonist, armed with a hatchet and a knife, shouting that he wanted kill him, according to the testimony of the draftsman.

"My client admits only possession of knives and intrusion into people's property," he said at the hearing counsel for the Somali, Mr. Niels Strauss.

Kurt Westergaard, 75 years old today, had been spared by hiding in her bathroom, before the police stop a suspect after having wounded twice.

The Somali, who has denied the charges since his arrest on the evening of 1 January 2010, faces life in prison.He is charged with attempted murder and terrorism as well as assaulting a police officer and illegal possession of weapons.

According to the Danish intelligence service, he was close to Somalia's Islamist al-Shabab and leaders of Al Qaeda in East Africa.

Nine days of hearings are scheduled and the verdict is expected around the first week of February.