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How many pauses does the EU need? September 29, 2006

Posted by Kirsty Hughes in Blogroll, EU, Kirsty Hughes.
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This week, the head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso announced that, with the agreement to allow Bulgaria and Romania to join the EU on January 1st next year (despite their still dubious records on corruption), it was time for the Union to have an ‘enlargement pause’.  A couple of weeks before he’d told the Financial Times in an interview that the Union shouldn’t be obsessed with its comatose constitution but must get on with real politics. But now he says enlargement must pause while the EU obsesses with its comatose constitution (quote: “I do not think it would be wise to proceed with any enlargements before we have resolved the constitutional issue in Europe”.)  Well who said politicians have to be consistent? < (more…)

The Tibetan Struggle – new China-Tibet railway; Dalai Lama’s birthday July 6, 2006

Posted by Kirsty Hughes in Kirsty Hughes, Tibet, authors.
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  Kirsty Hughes 

This week China opened its new railway link that takes trains all the way from Beijing to Lhasa in
Tibet (http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,1809839,00.html  ).  It is an ominous development for those who hope that one day Tibet will enjoy independence or even genuine autonomy.  (more…)

Finland at the helm of the EU ship – but going in which direction? July 4, 2006

Posted by Kirsty Hughes in EU, Europe, Kirsty Hughes, authors.
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Kirsty Hughes 

As all EU-watchers know, Finland now has its turn at the helm of the great EU ship for the next 6 months (its official website is at  http://www.eu2006.fi ).  What can we expect with this Nordic nation in the lead? (more…)

Arms conundrum on the road to peace in Nepal June 27, 2006

Posted by Kirsty Hughes in Kirsty Hughes, Nepal, South Asia, authors.
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  Kirsty Hughes, 26th June 2006

Two months after Nepal’s extraordinary people’s movement that brought up to 5 million people onto the streets across this small Himalayan country, prospects for a permanent peace are getting tantalisingly close. But the closer Nepal’s political leaders and the Maoists get to a deal, the tougher are the questions.

(more…)