Issue 157

 

LI Deputy President decorated by Indonesia

This week, LI Deputy President and VVD's delegation Leader in the European Parliament Hans van Baalen was made Commander in the order of the Mahaputra Star by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Wirajuda. The Star, one of the highest Indonesian decorations, was awarded to Mr. Van Baalen and former Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Ben Bot. Van Baalen received this honour for improving ties between the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia and for his support during the negotiations to acquire European airspace access for Garuda Indonesia Airlines. Furthermore, Mr. Van Baalen was lauded for his continued efforts to gain mutual recognition for veterans on both sides of the Indonesian war of independence. During a visit to Indonesia two years ago, Mr. Van Baalen also opened the dialogue between Liberal International and the Liberal Democratic party of Indonesia. According to Mr. Van Baalen: “Indonesia is of vital importance as a gateway between Europe and Asia. I feel sincerely honoured to have been granted this important award together with Ben Bot

 

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FNF hosts event on German elections

Last Tuesday, LI cooperating organization the Friedrich Naumann Foundation organized a seminar about the results of the recent German general elections in Brussels. Key note speaker was Mr. Reinhard Schlinkert, a much respected authority on German politics and President of DIMAP political research agency. Based on opinion polls, he explained how the liberals scored such a huge win, thus handing the social democrats their worst defeat in decades. His presentation was followed by a lively discussion around the topic. LI Vice President on the Bureau and FNF Chairman Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt stated: “The German elections showed that a clear majority of the citizens are convinced about the necessity of political reforms, especially regarding tax policy and the labor market. This explains the overwhelming success of FDP with its best result in federal elections ever and the victory for the so called black-yellow coalition. We are optimistic that the coalition negotiations will conclude within the next 10 days. Liberal positions will be very visible in the next government”.

 

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Moscow Regional Elections saw multiple violations

The Moscow City Duma elections that took place on 11 October saw multiple violations despite the reports of the Moscow Electoral Commission that “no grave violations” took place. Independent election observers and opposition parties noted the multiple violations such as ballot box stuffing and inhibiting access to polling stations.  Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of LI member in Russia, YABLOKO, said: “Stemming from both direct and indirect data, we can say that YABLOKO obtained about 12% of the votes. Fraud took almost two thirds of our votes. Many YABLOKO voters found out that ‘someone' had already voted for them, and they were not allowed to vote. There was an Anti-election propaganda throughout the whole elections and no information on where to vote was available to the public. Russian President Medvedev described the elections as ‘well organized' and ‘in accordance with the law'.” 

 

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We need to power Canada on clean energy – say LPC’s Ignatieff

Just days after officials walked out on Canada during climate change talks in Thailand Michael Ignatieff, leader of LI full member the Liberal Party of Canada has outlined his vision for a cleaner Canada: “We need to power Canada on clean energy. Clean energy is jobs. It's trade. It's rebuilding our place in the world and leaving Canada stronger and more prosperous than we've ever been,” Mr. Ignatieff. In explaining this initiave Mr. Ignatieff's plan would invest in clean energy in new and traditional sectors, help businesses and families become more energy efficient, and enforce mandatory clean-energy procurement standards on the federal government. “We must protect our environment. We must protect our economy. We must be ready to compete and ready to lead. We can't afford the price of indifference,” he said.” Mr. Ignatieff was elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in May 2009 alongside the 182nd Executive Committee of Liberal International.

 

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Argentine Senate passes controversial media bill

Last Saturday, Argentina's Senate overwhelmingly backed a controversial law which has been criticized as an attack on press freedom. Legislators backed President Cristina Kirchner's appeal to reshape Argentina's media laws by a resounding 44 votes to 24. The bill defines media as being for the 'social and public good'. The committee to Protect Journalists senior program coordinator for the Americas, Carlos Lauria commented on the situation stating that: many Argentine journalists and free press advocates acknowledge a need to overhaul broadcasting regulations enacted in 1980, during military rule, but there are grave concerns about this bill.' CPJ, a non profit organization that promotes press freedoms worldwide, found that provisions in the Argentine bill could restrict freedom of expression, particularly an article that gives the president authority to appoint most members of a new broadcast regulatory body.  Lauria also said that: 'We believe that the regulator must be autonomous and independent to ensure that broadcast concessions are not subjected to political interference.'

 

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Graham Watson supports Taiwan’s bid to take part in UN agencies

Graham Watson MEP (LibDems-UK) has endorsed calls for Taiwan to participate in specialised UN agencies, particularly agencies such as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). “Given that Taiwan is still recovering from a devastating typhoon then, yes, of course it should be allowed to participate in organisations like [the WMO].” He said he 'wholeheartedly' supports a growing European Parliament campaign calling for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. In a parliament on 17 September, pro-Taiwan Euro-parliamentarian proposed that Taiwan should be allowed to take part in the WMO so as to help it better deal with natural disasters caused by a period of climatic changes stemming from global warning. Taiwan suffered the worst devastation in 50 years when Typhoon Morakot hit the country in early August. Taiwan has not been represented at the United Nations since 1971, when the Republic of China's seat was given to the People's Republic of China. Since 1993, Taiwan has been unsuccessful in its bid to enter the UN due to China's objections.

 

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Liberal Matters “The Global Economic Crisis” now online

Following the Report of Liberal International Vice President Juli Minoves on the “The World Economic Crisis: An essay on its origins, characteristics and possible outcomes from a liberal perspective” that was presented at the Liberal International Executive Committee in Vancouver in May 2009 (available online in English and French), LI has continued its focus on worldwide financial crisis. Over dozen prominent liberal politicians, intellectuals, economists, academics and journalists from all continents contributed towards a unique publication of the LI magazine Liberal Matters titled “The global economic crisis”. In the forward LI President Lord Alderdice reflected on LI's founding document, the Oxford Manifesto, written in 1947: “…the suppression of economic freedom must lead to disappearance of political freedom”. The second edition for 2009 can now be found online at the LI homepage, www.liberal-international.org.

 

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Cairo Congress

The 56th Congress of the Liberal International will be held in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt from Thursday 29th October until 1st Sunday November 2009. The central theme of this pre-eminent liberal event for 2009 will be 'Education for the 21st Century', and will gather hundreds of liberal leaders and thinkers from around the world. The event is hosted by Liberal Internationals Egyptian member the Democratic Front Party. Hundreds of liberals from all over the world will attend the Congress that opens at the morning of the 30th October. The Congress documents have now been sent to the member parties and the registered delegates. If your party/delegate has not receive the documents please immediately alert the LI Secretariat. Most Congress documents can now also be found online. For password access to the resolutions please email LI political advisor James Patava (james@liberal-international.org). For more information please visit the LI website or contact the LI secretariat at +44 207 839 5905 or at all@liberal-international.org

 

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