Spain Unhappy with Iran's Uranium Enrichment

This leaked cable (classified) from February 19th of last year conveys a message passed along from Spanish officials to the United States that Iran "crossed a line" after the announcement that the country planned to begin enriching uranium up to 20%.

Some Questions:

Does Spain's status as a non-nuclear state legitimize its anti-proliferation stance?

Why did Spain feel the need to convey its mood to the US? Can they pursue nonproliferation in Iran without the United States? Might US involvement hinder Spain and the EU's ability to succeed in such efforts?

Doctors of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez disagree over his Health

In the McClatchy, Wikileaks was able to obtain a cache of emails stolen from the Austin-based Stratfor analytical firm. Among the communications was one from December 2011, describing how Russian doctors blamed Cuban medics for botching Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's first cancer surgery and how they had to "clean up the Cuban team's mistakes." According to the report, Cuban doctors thought Chávez had two years to live, while the Russian team gave him one year.


My question is how can someone define the longevity of a person´s life? especially someone with such importance.


Wikileak

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/28/140199/wikileaks-doctors-of-venezuelas.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/28/140199/wikileaks-doctors-of-venezuelas.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/28/140199/wikileaks-doctors-of-venezuelas.html#storylink=cpy

Global Intelligence Files

Your wikileak wednesdays just got more interesting. I introduce you to the Global Intelligence files which have started to be released as of today through various media outlets. There is a dirct link on the important link window under Wikileaks: The Global Intelligence Files.  

GENERALITAT TO OPEN OFFICIAL "DELEGATION" IN NEW YORK CITY

In October 2009, Catalan regional government plans to open an official "delegation" in New York City. Roser Clavell, the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs said that the world sees Generalitat (the Catalonia regional government) is seen in from two different perspectives: "the diplomatic corps resident in Barcelona (good) and the national Spanish press (not so good). Clavell implied the Generalitat was not happy with its portrayal in the press and 

wanted to tell its own story. 

While it is not at all clear Catalans are happy seeing their taxes go to expensive offices in the most expensive cities around the world, especially since officials have recently claimed lack of resources to cover rising social and educational programs, the ERC is hoping regional pride will eventually win the day.

Link

Israel and the Western European and Others Group

This leaked cable from Madrid outline's Spain's 2004 opposition to granting Israel permanent status in the Western European and Others Group within the United Nations. The classified cable notes that while Spain is willing to support Israel's entry to the New York offices at the United States' request, the overarching European policy was set at a resounding "no." The main objection from European states stemmed from Israel's history of ignoring their recommendation, particularly on human rights. Originally, Israel was granted membership on a temporary basis only to compensate for the nation's inability to join the WSOG's Asian counterpart due to the opposition of Arab states.

Questions:

• Is Israel a western state? Does it deserve entry into the predominantly western WSOG voting group?
• Do Spain and the rest of Europe have a reasonable objection to Israel's inclusion in WSOG's non-New York offices (such as Geneva - which handles human rights issues)?

Spaniards Hold Mass Protests Against Labor Reforms

Hundreds of thousands of protesters were marching throughout Spain on Sunday in the first large-scale show of anger over new labor reforms that make it easier for companies to fire workers and pull out of collective bargaining agreements. Union organizers said around 1 million people had marched by mid-afternoon, but official figures were not released.


Ironically, this was the same day the Popular Party held their conference in Sevilla. "If we want Spain to grow and create employment, we had to do what we've done," Rajoy said at his Popular Party's annual congress in southwestern Seville on Sunday. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government passed the package of reforms nine days ago in an effort to shake up a labor market seen as one of Europe's most rigid and to encourage hiring in a country battling the highest unemployment rate in the eurozone, at nearly 23 percent.


"Workers who've got jobs now are worried these reforms will make it easy to lose them, and in current conditions, those who don't have work are going to find it impossible to get a job," an office worker said.


^ Do you agree with the following statement or not? Will this package help unemployment?

`Dont Cut Our Rights¨

Political Imprisonment and Universal Values

This article from the Washington Post tells the story of a Chinese woman who has come to the United States to tell the story of her husband - an imprisoned Chinese civil rights lawyer. On the same day she sat in the tunnels of the Capitol complex, the story notes, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping was drinking champagne with Vice President Joe Biden at the State Department headquarters, and giving a vague speech about progressing civil rights in China.

Things to consider:

Is there such a thing as a universal value? Were VP Xi Jinping's comments an affirmation that liberalized civil rights are a universal value? Alternatively, do his country's actions demonstrate that liberalized civil rights are not a universal value - and his words simply represent a learned ability to say what is necessary in the global arena?

How Spain deals with terrorist groups and stubborn foreign leaders/governments

This cable, sent from the US Embassy in Madrid to the Secretary of State in 1986, provides a glimpse into international controversy in the 80s. After the expulsion of a Libyan diplomat accused of bribing Spanish military officers, Libya responded by declaring Spanish cultural and economic counselors in Tripoli persona non grata. The wire says that Spain acted without clear knowledge of where the series of expulsions would lead. Most importantly, it highlights a difference in Spanish tendencies; whereas now the Spanish government addresses terror threats more submissively because of public opposition to violence or provocation of terror groups, the cable indicates that Spain was taking a hard line against terror in 1986 to battle public perception that it was too soft.

Questions:

Did Spain's public mentality on terror really change, or was the expectation of a strong reaction based on the involvement of Spanish military officers?

Is Spain's military still susceptible to bribery? Is it dangerous to the Spanish government?

Nike Swoosh

In this Wikileak, I found that Nike won their 14 year battle in the Spanish Constitutional Court in using their trademark name and swoosh in Spanish stores. For over fourteen years, Nike has been pursuing former spanish partner, Cidesport, in court in an attempt to gain control of the Nike trademark in Spain. Cidesport has been using the Nike swoosh and trademark since 1981 while Nike neglected to register its own trademark at the time. 


The 1999 Supreme Court decision barring Nike from selling clothes with its logo in Spain has cost the company tens of millions of dollars in separate production runs and lost sales.


Nike's Decision in Court


My question is why would the Spanish Constitutional Court not allow the use of the Nike trademark in their country? To gain profits? 

"Dealing with Zapatero: An Inexperienced but Probably Manageable Partner"

This wikileak is a confidential message written by the the American Ambassador in Spain, George Argyros, regarding initial reactions to the election of President Zapatero. Argyros discusses how the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and Zapatero were shocked that they had won the election, and that Zapatero and his people were scrambling to get their plan of action in order. Argyros criticizes Zapatero's lack of experience in government administration, and discusses how he will have to lean on his advisors while avoiding the maturation of a corrupt government, such as that under PSOE President Felipe Gonzalez (1982-1996). Furthermore, Zapatero must work to dispel the image that he won the election to appease terrorist organizations. Dealing with terrorist organizations will be one of Zapatero's foremost responsibilities, and it because of this matter that Argyros believes the United States must build a firm relationship with Spain. In conclusion, the United States have long term interests in Spain that transcend governments in power due to Spain's standing in the EU and NATO, and it's historical and linguistic links with the Americas; however, the election of Zapatero, a European Left, means that he will be relatively skeptical about the United States' motives at best, and anti-American at worst. Argyros then goes on to offer suggestions for future actions, and discusses Spain's involvement in the War in Iraq. While a big part of Zapatero's campaign revolved around his opposition to the war, a UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) giving the UN a leading role in the Iraq mission could provide the impetus for Zapatero to maintain Spanish forces in Iraq. 


There are a few questions I would like to raise for discussion. (1) Why did Spain get involved in the War in Iraq and the War in Afghanistan in the first place? (2) What are the main political parties in Spain and what are their stances? (3) Why do so many European nations remain skeptical of the United States?


http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2004/03/04MADRID960.html#

Challenge to Chavez in Venezuela

Henrique Capriles Radonski, a governor in Venezuela, recently won the primary to challenge President Hugo Chavez in the general election this October. Capriles' party, MUD, recently won the popular vote in legislative elections. Chavez generally dismissed all challengers in the primary as allies to the US in its imperialist missions. Full BBC article is here.

Questions:

Is US imperialism a valid complaint/phenomenon today? Regardless, threats and rhetoric of US imperialism have been used by multiple leaders, particularly in the Latin American world, to maintain power in recent decades. Is it still an effective strategy, or do Venezula's recent "midterm" elections demonstrate a change?

Linsanity

This articles discusses the cultural shock-waves created by Jeremy Lin, the first Asian American in the NBA in over 50 years who has the New York Knicks on a 5 game winning streak. The article talks about the sense of pride Asian Americans are experiencing due to the emergence of a relatable Asian American athlete. Additionally, the article appeals to Jeremy's background as an Asian American Christian to further evidence Jeremy's stereotypical Asian American persona.

Why do individuals find themselves drawn towards people of same religious backgrounds, ethnicities, etc.? Overall, is this type of flocking beneficial or detrimental to society?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/sports/basketball/the-knicks-jeremy-lin-faith-pride-and-points.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

March 11 Terrorist Attacks in Madrid and Spain's Elections: Implications for U.S. Policy - Chris Carter

Brief Overview

The document I selected is from a report to members of Congress, issued by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The report provides an outline of the March 11, 2004 subway bombings in Madrid, and how the Popular Party-controlled Spanish government quickly lost credibility by immediately blaming Basque terrorist groups when the attacks more closely resembled the planning, precision, and magnitude of Al Qaeda (or Al Qaeda-like) groups. As a report to congress, two crucial analyses emerge from there: (1) the possibility of Islamic terrorists successfully exerting influence in a Western election, and (2) the implications of new Prime Minister Zapatero's military-as-a-last-resort stance given the crucial role Spanish bases play in the initiation and support of US military campaigns in the Middle East.

Questions for consideration:

1) Is the possibility that Spain might restrict or revoke US privileges to establish and use bases in Spanish territory credible? If not, is highlighting such a possibility to politicians, particularly in the US House of Representatives, responsible? Does it contribute to empty rhetoric, political polarization, or misunderstanding in the US government?

2) The Socialist Party's victory was a surprise, with the Popular Party expected to maintain power by at least a narrow margin. Does the Socialist win signal the possibility of terrorist groups successfully changing the outcome of Western elections? What would be their motive? What implications does that possibility have for other European nations and/or the United States?

Spain & US: Views on Terrorism

In this Wikileak, I found that although Spain and US alike try to find and imprison Al-Quada and Islamic terrorist groups, their ways of fighting terrorism are different. Here is an excerpt of the report that I found interesting:

"Observers believe Prime Minister Zapatero's philosophy on fighting terrorism may differ somewhat from that of the United States. Zapatero has said that he views military force as a "last resort" in the war on terrorism. He has stressed the need to address social and economic roots of terrorism both in Spain and in Islamic countries. He has called for an "alliance of civilizations" among Western countries and Islamic ones. Zapatero has underlined the need to integrate the Muslim population in Spain. an "alliance of civilizations" among Western countries and Islamic ones. "

Regardless of Bush and his Republican background, why do we believe in the power of the military to solve problems?

Spain: Current Issues and U.S. Policy

"Observations on Vaccine Production Technologies and Factors Potentially Influencing Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Choices in Developing Countries: A Discussion Paper"

Ensuring the adequate availability of pandemic influenza vaccines is a daunting challenge for any country, but for developing countries it is an especially difficult task. Due to the rapid increase in patents and patent applications related to influenza vaccines, access to vaccine production technologies has been further impeded in contemporary society. The WHO Global Action Plan (GAP) aims to increase pandemic influenza vaccine supply by stimulating the demand for these vaccines since this will stimulate private sectors to increase their production capacity, thus providing necessary vaccines in case of pandemic outbreaks; however, the cost of implementing GAP in developing countries would be astronomical. Inequity in accessibility to pandemic vaccines manifests in a disproportionate burden of serious disease and death, but this issue can be improved by increasing the distribution of global vaccine supplies through the transfer of various finances and technologies.

Should vaccines and pharmaceutical research remain a predominately corporate, private sector business? What should determine who is able to receive necessary medication and who shouldn't? What does humanity really mean?

http://wlstorage.net/file/pandemic-vaccine-options-2009.pdf