9.08.2007
Capezzone prima e dopo la cura
Pubblicata da DagoSpia una sensazionale sequenza di foto del giovane Presidente della Commissione Attitiva' produttive della Camera. A sinistra durante l'incredibile inaudito periodo di mobbing subito da parte di Pannella, a destra poco dopo l'inaugurazione nella sede di Dec!dere (umile ma onesta') sulla via della firma di un contratto di collaborazione con RAI2.Auguroni!
9.07.2007
9.06.2007
Can't Touch This
va detto però che, sempre di più, il compagno Jobs ci propone mezze bufale. C'era veramente bisogno di un iPod da 16 giga col touchscreen, tegnologia già ampiamente diffusa, che costa di più di quello "meno sofisticato" che tiene oltre 4 volte tanta musica?
Cronologie pavarottiane
E' morto Pavarotti, non c'è bisogno che ve lo dica io. Leggo oggi su repubblica un pezzo in cui si parla della sua seconda moglie Nicoletta dove a un certo punto si dice che "nel '93" ella "aveva cominciato a lavorare per Pavarotti: impiegata, poi segretaria del maestro, con un ruolo sempre più importante." Bugia! Quando ero studente universitario mi è capitato qualche volta di fare la comparsa per il Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, nel 1990 Pavarotti fu Manrico nel Trovatore di Verdi per la regia di Montaldo, dirigeva Zubin Metha. La Nicoletta già allora si aggirava dietro le quinte, e non solo, con le medicine anti-sciatica per il maestro.
Pavarotti aveva (avuto) una gran voce, specie in gioventù, ma soprattutto era uno a cui piaceva cantare, magiare, bere e divertirsi. Nell'antepiano, la prova dell'opera in costume prima di quella generale, di quel Trovatore del '90, tra il primo e il secondo atto a un certo punto si cimentò nell'imitazione di Wanda Osiris con tanto di boa cantando "ti parlerò d'amor". (poi chiese di abbassare di un semitono "Di quella Pira", ma queste son quisquilie). L'autografo lo ha la mia fidanzata di allora...
Fossero esistiti i telefonino con la videocamera oggi si sarebbero potuti utilizzare quei 2 minuti per salutarlo degnamente.
Pavarotti aveva (avuto) una gran voce, specie in gioventù, ma soprattutto era uno a cui piaceva cantare, magiare, bere e divertirsi. Nell'antepiano, la prova dell'opera in costume prima di quella generale, di quel Trovatore del '90, tra il primo e il secondo atto a un certo punto si cimentò nell'imitazione di Wanda Osiris con tanto di boa cantando "ti parlerò d'amor". (poi chiese di abbassare di un semitono "Di quella Pira", ma queste son quisquilie). L'autografo lo ha la mia fidanzata di allora...
Fossero esistiti i telefonino con la videocamera oggi si sarebbero potuti utilizzare quei 2 minuti per salutarlo degnamente.
9.05.2007
9.04.2007
Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica
At the weekly press conference held by the Presidential Spokesman Mr. Hasan Ercakica, information regarding the meeting that will be held tomorrow between Mr. Talat and Mr. Papadopoulos has been provided. Ercakica said:
“As it is known, a meeting will be held in the buffer zone between President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos in the official residence of the Special Representative to Cyprus of the UN Secretary-General.
As a result of the preparatory work carried out both yesterday and today, it has been decided that the meeting will take place at 16:00 hours. President Talat will be accompanied by the Presidential Undersecretary Mr. Raþit Pertev.
The Turkish Cypriot side is attending this meeting with the purpose of enabling the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations that will be carried out to reach a comprehensive and just settlement for the Cyprus problem.
As it is also known, this purpose was the primary purpose of the Agreement signed by both leaders on 8 July 2006, as well. One of the principles decided on by both leaders on the same date was “to remain committed to the fact that a comprehensive settlement is desired, possible and should not delay any longer”.
Turkish Cypriot side is still committed to this principle.
It has already been established in the Set of Ideas that the framework of a settlement would be “a bi communal and bi zonal federation based on political equality”.
Tomorrow, we are attending the said meeting within this frame of reference to maintain our search for an urgent settlement and to pave the way for a settlement that will serve to the interests of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots”.
COMMITTED TO A FEDERAL SETTLEMENT
Replying a question concerning the ongoing federal settlement discussions in the Greek Cypriot side, Presidential Spokesman Ercakica said that:
“I would like to reiterate that Turkish Cypriot side is committed to a bi zonal federal settlement based on political equality of Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. We follow the discussions in the Greek Cypriot side as well. We are also aware that some circles supporting Mr. Papadopoulos have started claiming that a federal settlement would not be functional. We would like to remind those circles that in Cyprus, a federal state would function as it does in other countries.
Our faith in a federal settlement is an indication of the fact that we posses the will to protect the interests of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.
We should not be afraid of compromise. Compromise means producing concrete solutions instead of lingering with abstract principles. Establishing a Federal Republic of Cyprus is such a meaningful compromise. In order to make this happen, we would like to work together with the Greek Cypriot side.
We must consider this meeting of the leaders as a step forward taken towards a lasting settlement.
Both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have endured painful experiences. We must establish a new future in the light of these experiences. The Europe we follow was able to renew itself as a result of quite painful experiences as well. This should set a lesson for us! We are not able to correct our fighting past but we can establish our future together. We must act in accordance with this.
Turkish Cypriots do not have the intention of harming the Greek Cypriots. We truly support a federal state in which no one can claim hegemony over the other. We also think that this is to the advantage of the Greek Cypriots as well. Therefore, we consider the 5 September meeting as a significant opportunity in that direction.”
Gordon Brown is Allergic to Afghan Analgesics
For a few months, I have been working with MEP Marco Cappato on a report on Afghan opium that he eventually introduced to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament as a recommendation to the European Council urging the EU to promote opium-based analgesics the world over and, to address the poppy factor in Afghanistan, launch a pilot project for its legal production for medical purposes in that country.
The document was presented at the beginning of July before the Foreign Affairs Committee and received several oral comments and written amendments that Mr. Cappato will need to incorporate, or reject, before the report is discussed at the EP next week. On 23 August last, the British Government, the biggest financial supporter of poppy eradication in Afghanistan, circulated a memo that discourages MEPs to vote in favor of such a a proposal; here it is:
UK GOVERNMENT BRIEFING NOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
23 August 2007
Title: European Parliament recommendation to the Council on production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan
Doc No: B6‑0187/2007
Legislative Procedure/Reading: Own Initiative Report
Rapporteur/EP committee: Marco Cappato / Foreign Affairs Committee
1. Summary
The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss an EP Own Initiative report, proposed by ALDE, entitled "Production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan" on 11-12 September. The report urges the Council to adopt a common position - pursuant to Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union - towards the "production of poppies for medical purposes to be used, in the framework of an internationally managed pilot project, for the production of opium-based analgesics for the national Afghan market and possibly for those countries that experience a lack of availability of opiates".
2. Key concerns
The Government of Afghanistan, with the full support of the UK, has judged that licit cultivation of opium in Afghanistan would not be an effective method of tackling the illegal production and trade in opium and heroin for the following reasons:
- Insufficient infrastructure. The Afghan government has ruled out licit cultivation as a means for tackling the drug trade. They accept they do not have the capacity to administer a licit cultivation scheme. There is a high chance that licit cultivation would be diverted for illicit purposes. The UK supports their decision
- Not economically competitive. Based on the latest figures available, the production costs for the equivalent of 1 kg of morphine is US$56 in Australia, US$159 in India and US$250 in Turkey. The current cost in Afghanistan is approximately US$450.
- Enormous scope of expansion. Opium poppy is grown on less than 4% of agricultural land. Licit cultivation would add to existing illicit cultivation, not replace it. It would attract more farmers to cultivate poppy.
- No shortage of opium for medicines. The UK Department of Health have confirmed that the perception of a shortage in legally-produced opium for medicinal purposes is a misunderstanding. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) stated in 2006 that an over production in licit opiates since 2000 has led to stockpiles in producing countries 'that could cover demand for two years'. Afghan opium would therefore contribute to an already oversupplied market.
The Council, in Conclusions of 23 February on Drugs and the Rule of Law in Afghanistan stated that it “reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government of Afghanistan, which has primary ownership of the process, in its efforts to tackle drugs through the National Drug Control Strategy.”
The international donor community in Afghanistan does not support such proposals.
3. European Parliament consideration
The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss the report on 11 September and vote in Committee on 12 September. The political parties are due to discuss it between 17-20 October and it is due for a Plenary vote on 23 October
4. Official Contact Point for Further Information
Damon Bristow
e-mail: damon.bristow@fco.gov.uk
tel: + 44 (0)20 7008 2411
Alexander Naqvi
e-mail: alexander.naqvi@fco.gov.uk
tel: + 32 2 287 8368
The document was presented at the beginning of July before the Foreign Affairs Committee and received several oral comments and written amendments that Mr. Cappato will need to incorporate, or reject, before the report is discussed at the EP next week. On 23 August last, the British Government, the biggest financial supporter of poppy eradication in Afghanistan, circulated a memo that discourages MEPs to vote in favor of such a a proposal; here it is:
UK GOVERNMENT BRIEFING NOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
23 August 2007
Title: European Parliament recommendation to the Council on production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan
Doc No: B6‑0187/2007
Legislative Procedure/Reading: Own Initiative Report
Rapporteur/EP committee: Marco Cappato / Foreign Affairs Committee
1. Summary
The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss an EP Own Initiative report, proposed by ALDE, entitled "Production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan" on 11-12 September. The report urges the Council to adopt a common position - pursuant to Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union - towards the "production of poppies for medical purposes to be used, in the framework of an internationally managed pilot project, for the production of opium-based analgesics for the national Afghan market and possibly for those countries that experience a lack of availability of opiates".
2. Key concerns
The Government of Afghanistan, with the full support of the UK, has judged that licit cultivation of opium in Afghanistan would not be an effective method of tackling the illegal production and trade in opium and heroin for the following reasons:
- Insufficient infrastructure. The Afghan government has ruled out licit cultivation as a means for tackling the drug trade. They accept they do not have the capacity to administer a licit cultivation scheme. There is a high chance that licit cultivation would be diverted for illicit purposes. The UK supports their decision
- Not economically competitive. Based on the latest figures available, the production costs for the equivalent of 1 kg of morphine is US$56 in Australia, US$159 in India and US$250 in Turkey. The current cost in Afghanistan is approximately US$450.
- Enormous scope of expansion. Opium poppy is grown on less than 4% of agricultural land. Licit cultivation would add to existing illicit cultivation, not replace it. It would attract more farmers to cultivate poppy.
- No shortage of opium for medicines. The UK Department of Health have confirmed that the perception of a shortage in legally-produced opium for medicinal purposes is a misunderstanding. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) stated in 2006 that an over production in licit opiates since 2000 has led to stockpiles in producing countries 'that could cover demand for two years'. Afghan opium would therefore contribute to an already oversupplied market.
The Council, in Conclusions of 23 February on Drugs and the Rule of Law in Afghanistan stated that it “reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government of Afghanistan, which has primary ownership of the process, in its efforts to tackle drugs through the National Drug Control Strategy.”
The international donor community in Afghanistan does not support such proposals.
3. European Parliament consideration
The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss the report on 11 September and vote in Committee on 12 September. The political parties are due to discuss it between 17-20 October and it is due for a Plenary vote on 23 October
4. Official Contact Point for Further Information
Damon Bristow
e-mail: damon.bristow@fco.gov.uk
tel: + 44 (0)20 7008 2411
Alexander Naqvi
e-mail: alexander.naqvi@fco.gov.uk
tel: + 32 2 287 8368
9.03.2007
President Mehmet Ali Talat’s Statement on September 1 World Peace Day to Anatolia News Agency
Talat: ''Today is September 1 World Peace Day. Of Course, in Line With Today’s Spirit, Our Biggest Desire is to Solve the Cyprus Problem as Soon as Possible”
TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat said that his biggest desire is to solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible, in line with the spirit of September 1 World Peace Day. “September 5 is an important opportunity in this regard,” said Talat.
Asked about his expectations from the September 5 meeting with Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos, President Talat said that his biggest expectation is to reach a permanent and comprehensive solution.
Talat said that they want the Cyprus problem to be solved as soon as possible. “Today is September 1 World Peace Day. Of course, our biggest desire is to solve the Cyprus problem in line with today’s spirit and importance. But it is not enough to desire. We have to personally contribute to the solution. We have to personally solve the problem.”
President Talat said that he is in the position to solve the problem and he is aware of this responsibility.
“We, as the Turkish Cypriot side, have extended our hand in peace to the Greek Cypriot side for many years now,” said Talat. “Since the 2004 referenda, the solution of the Cyprus problem has been our fundamental goal. September 5 is an important opportunity for this. Our constant calls, since 2004, to come together and solve the problem resulted in a meeting on July 8. This is the second response to our calls. I am hoping that this second meeting will not lead to an approach of postponing the solution of the Cyprus problem, as the July 8 meeting did. I am hoping that this meeting will lead to the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem as soon as possible. I will do everything in my capacity to achieve this goal. We are going to the meeting with good will and with no preconditions. We are going to the meeting to open the way for a solution and to prepare the ground. I am hopeful.”
President Talat, responding to a question on whether or not the Greek Cypriot side accepted to meet because of the upcoming elections, said whatever the reason, everything begins with an inducement. He stated that there are allegations that the Greek Cypriot side accepted to meet due to internal political reasons:
“But still,” continued Talat. “The Cyprus problem affects many international and national developments. Not only national, but international developments, because the Cyprus problem has turned into an international problem, whether we like it or not. And thus, internal and external factors all influence this international problem. This meeting is taking place not only due to internal factors. It is taking place also due to international factors. The international arena, be it the European Union, the United Nations, and individual countries and institutions, have been pressuring for, desiring, encouraging, whatever you would like to call it, a meeting between the two leaders for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Thus both, internal and external factors brought this meeting about. For that reason, we have to leave aside how we came together, and work to get a positive outcome. I hope that the Greek Cypriot side also realizes urgently that a solution is necessary and that we have success in the end.''
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)