Beware the hypocrisy of international allegiances
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1763193,00.html
Bush's messy choice of friends and enemies is not a moral failing. It's
a ruthless show of strength and should be feared
Jonathan Steele
Friday April 28, 2006
The Guardian
Here is an ABC of how to promote undemocratic regimes. The leader of
country A will be George Bush's guest today after recently supervising
a parliamentary election that was widely considered not to have been
free and fair. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE), which sent the usual team of observers, described it as "not
meeting international standards".
The incumbent leader had tight control over the media, and used
state-funded TV to highlight his alleged achievements while ignoring or
denigrating his opponents. His police were brutal and broke up rallies.
"There were restrictions on the freedom of assembly, as well as
harassment, intimidation, and detentions of some candidates and their
supporters," as the OSCE put it.
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