July 2009

Fatah, West's hope for peace, faces critical test (AP)

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Fatah, the divided and demoralized movement of the late Yasser Arafat and the West's best hope for delivering a Mideast peace deal, is trying to stage a comeback.
On Tuesday, Fatah is supposed to open its first convention in 20 years, hoping to clean up its corruption-tainted image and transform itself into a vibrant alternative to the Islamic militants of Hamas.
The international community, including U.S. diplomats, is watching anxiously, since Fatah is the only mainstream Palestinian champion of compromise with Israel.
Yet there are signs that the movement, paralyzed by infighting and generational power struggles, is incapable of reform. And because of a bitter standoff with Hamas, it's not even certain the three-day convention in the West Bank city of Bethlehem will open on schedule.
Failure or cancellation could further weaken the already poor standing of Fatah's leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and hurt the Obama administration's peace push.
"Any blow to Fatah at this convention will be a blow to the international vision of solving the conflict," said Khaled Hroub, a Palestinian analyst.
In the 20 years since the last convention, Mideast peace hopes have seesawed wildly. Arafat launched an internationally acclaimed peace effort with Israel in 1993, unleashed a violent uprising in 2000 and died in 2004. Hamas emerged as a major spoiler, seizing control of the Gaza Strip, and this year a relatively moderate Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was replaced by a hawk, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Fatah seems wholly preoccupied with its internal pre-convention maneuvers and little attention is being focused on the new party program, a thorough rewrite of the document adopted 20 years ago.
The 1989 convention called for "armed action" against Israel. The new one firmly commits the Palestinians to peace talks, although it still mentions "armed struggle" as a theoretical right, said its author, veteran Fatah leader Nabil Shaath.
He said the Fatah program is setting 20 rules for its peace negotiators.
For example, it states that negotiations cannot be held as long as Israel expands Jewish settlements. Abbas has said he will not resume talks without such a freeze, and such a clause could strengthen him should he come under international pressure to bend on the issue.
Shaath would not elaborate further on the program, but the Palestinians' chief demand has remained constant a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem. "We are dedicated to the peace process, we are dedicated to negotiations, provided we are not taken for a ride," Shaath said.
One thing going for Fatah is a nascent economic recovery in the West Bank, helped by a relaxation of Israeli security measures under Netanyahu.
But on the larger issues, the Israeli leader has been less forthcoming. He has said no to a settlement freeze, no to a redivision of Jerusalem, and only a qualified yes to statehood.
It seems unlikely the convention and adoption of a revised program will do much to sway Israeli public opinion. A majority in Israel support an eventual peace deal, but are reluctant to give up land now because of fears it will be used by the Palestinians to launch attacks.
Still, Israeli analyst Yossi Alpher says Israelis should root for Fatah as the only viable force for a peace settlement.
"All those Israelis who find fault with it have to ask themselves what the alternatives are," he said. "They don't look very good."
Abbas' job as party leader is not on the line, but support by his party can help shore up his political legitimacy. His term as president expired in January, and he has simply stayed on, saying the rift with Hamas left him no other option.

Potential successors are not challenging Abbas now, but their relative strengths will be measured when the more than 1,500 delegates from the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the diaspora elect new party committees.

Marwan Barghouti, who led the last Palestinian uprising, is running for the 21-member Central Committee from the Israeli prison where he is serving five life terms for his role in shooting attacks. A strong win could help a future bid for the presidency, once Abbas steps down.

A Barghouti rival for a committee seat, Mohammed Dahlan, has had Western support but is a polarizing figure who lost influence after Hamas seized his native Gaza Strip from Fatah rule in 2007.

In contrast to secretive and disciplined Hamas, Fatah is a chaotic big-tent movement that draws activists ranging from academics and entrepreneurs to scruffy militants.

The convention pits old against young, West Bankers against Gazans, Palestinians from those territories against representatives of the diaspora. Since its founding, it has been the standard-bearer of the Palestinian cause, but once Arafat achieved limited autonomy for the West Bank and Gaza, the Fatah leadership came to be seen as using its power for self-enrichment.

While Hamas earned popular support with its network of clinics, schools and welfare services, some Fatah leaders drove big cars and built ostentatious villas.

Fatah activists say Hamas beat Fatah in the 2006 election largely because of its clean-cut image rather than its refusal to recognize Israel.

Nabil Amr, the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, frankly acknowledged Fatah's tarnished reputation during a recent campaign stop in the northern West Bank town of Qalqiliya.

"Fatah is full of thieves, spies and corrupt people, enough to destroy any country," said Amr, 61, who is seeking a committee seat. "But Fatah survived because it is close to the people."

But in Gaza, Fatah is barely hanging on. In the past two years, Hamas has systematically dismantled the party's organization there, closing offices and arresting scores of activists.

Meanwhile, the two territories that would become the Palestinian state are heavily at odds, especially since Hamas seized control of Gaza.

New presidential and parliamentary elections won't be held unless Fatah and Hamas reconcile, and months of talks have gone nowhere. Now Hamas is saying it won't let Gaza's Fatah delegates travel to the convention unless 900 of its followers are freed from West Bank prisons.

Syria and Egypt are mediating, but its not clear if the conference can proceed without the Gazans.

Venezuelan regulators to pull 34 radio concessions (AP)

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela's telecommunications regulator says it will revoke the broadcast rights of 34 private radio stations.
Agency chief Diosdado Cabello says the stations have failed to renew their concessions or update their registrations.
Cabello says the broadcasters "will have to end transmissions once they are notified."
He added Friday that regulators have begun informing the affected stations.

Hard Money

In some cases the low loan to values do not facilitate a loan sufficient to pay the existing mortgage lender off in order for the hard money lender to be in first lien position. Because securing the property is the basis of making a hard money loan, the first lien position of the lender is usually always required.

Tired of private hard money lenders and brokers telling you they can fund a loan for you, only to tell you that they cannot 3 weeks later? Does 3 weeks sound too long to begin with?

Christening Gifts

For the reception of adult converts, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is performed, at which the clothing with the baptismal garment is optional.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dress in white clothing to perform and to undertake baptism. Traditionally, the proselyte wears a white jumpsuit, white socks and white underclothing. The person performing the ordinance wears either a white jumpsuit or white slacks and white shirt. Historically, women and girls wore white dresses with weights sewn in at the hems to prevent the clothing from floating during the ceremony.

Leading tributes to Sir Bobby Robson (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) –
Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson passed away aged 76 on Friday and his death from cancer brought an emotional response from the football community:

"Sir Bobby was a wonderful man, a real gentleman. To manage the England national team for so long was a remarkable achievement and we all remember how close he came to leading England to the World Cup Final in Italy.

"His spirit and courage was incredible. To fight cancer so many times really showed the strength of the man."

- England manager Fabio Capello

"I was never too big or proud to ask him for advice which he gave freely and unconditionally. In my 23 years working in England there is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson.

"I mourn the passing of a great friend; a wonderful individual; a tremendous football man and somebody with passion and knowledge of the game that was unsurpassed."

- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

"We had some great times. He was just a pleasure to work with. I was with him in Portugal only a few weeks ago when I went over to play in his charity golf day which was a fantastic event.

"He was struggling with illness at the time and had been advised not to travel, but he wanted to be there. That just shows the character of the man."

- Bryan Robson, England captain under his namesake

"The death of Sir Bobby is a sad loss to football. His record in many different countries was testament to his talents as an outstanding manager, and he clearly never lost his tremendous passion and enthusiasm for the game."

- Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez

"He will be sadly missed by everyone, not just by people in the football world but from all walks of life. It's a very sad day for everyone, especially his family, his close friends and anyone who's ever worked with him."

- Alan Shearer, the former England striker who played for Robson at Newcastle

"He was a fantastic football manager, probably the most enthusiastic football man I've ever met in my life. Look at the job he did at Ipswich, and all over the world. I've never met a man with more enthusiasm and passion for football."

- Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp

"For everybody in the football world it's a very, very sad day. He's the closest we've come to winning the World Cup (since 1966) - that's how good Bobby was.

"I met up quite a few times with him when he was Newcastle manager and that passion was still there. I think that was still there to this very day. He had a genuine, refreshing love the game."

- Glenn Hoddle, a former England coach and one of Robson's players at the 1986 World Cup

"He had a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for football and life and continued to retain this right to the last days of his life.

"He will be deeply missed by everyone, especially those who played for him. I have the fondest memories of playing for him at two World Cups."

- Former England striker Gary Lineker, who played for Robson at two World Cups

"It's really sad and I am really hard put to a few words together. We came across each other many times, on TV for World Cups, and we played against each other. We go back far and we had some great times. I feel now for Bobby's family."

- Terry Venables, like Robson a former England and Barcelona coach

"Everyone had the utmost respect for him. He handled people in the right fashion and I think that was his major strength. He was a joy to be around."

- Ray Wilkins, the former Manchester United and AC Milan star who played for Robson at the 1986 World Cup

Spurs probe Twitter rant on Bent's page (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) –
Tottenham Hotspur are investigating whether criticism of the Premier League club's chairman on Darren Bent's Twitter page were posted by the England forward, a spokesman for the club said on Friday.

The comments on the social networking website included an expletive aimed at chairman Daniel Levy amid a rant about Bent's frustrations over the drawn-out negotiations surrounding his possible transfer to fellow Premier League side Sunderland.

"Do I wanna go Hull City? NO. Do I wanna go Stoke? NO. Do I wanna go Sunderland? YES," Bent's 'tweeter' page said after he was also linked in British media with Hull and Stoke City.

A Spurs spokesman said investigations into the Tweeter comments were underway but had not yet been completed.

"It's still being looked into. We don't have answers yet When we do the matter will be dealt with internally. It's just a case of finding out whether it actually is his page or not."

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told Sky Sports News the failure to agree on a transfer fee was the main stumbling block to agreeing a deal for Bent to join the north-east club.

"Only 24, 48 hours ago we thought we were virtually there. Obviously, other clubs have shown an interest.

"We're hopeful that we can still try and do a deal if we possibly can... we will obviously pick up discussions in the next two, three days and see what it takes," Bruce said.

(Reporting by Phakamisa Ndzamela; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Man pleads not guilty in soldier slaying in Ark. (AP)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A 23-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he shot and killed a soldier outside an Arkansas Army recruiting center, and prosecutors say they'll seek the death penalty.
Abdulhakim Muhammad is accused of fatally shooting Pvt. William Andrew Long and wounding another soldier on June 1. A Pulaski County judge set a trial date of Feb. 15 in the case.
Muhammad's lawyer said Friday his client is in good spirits but wouldn't say whether Muhammad's calls to the media claiming responsibility for the death would affect his case.
Muhammad has called The Associated Press twice to discuss the shooting. In those conversations, Muhammad says he didn't consider the killing a murder because U.S. military action in the Mideast justified it.

Judge rules against BU student in downloading case (AP)

BOSTON – A federal judge has ruled that a Boston University student violated copyright infringement laws when he swapped music online.
Joel Tenenbaum, of Providence, R.I., admitted on the witness stand Thursday that he downloaded and distributed 30 songs.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner ruled late Thursday that the only issue for the jury now is whether his infringement was willful, and how much in damage to award four record labels that sued him over the illegal file-sharing.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating the case later Friday. The case in Boston is only the nation's second music downloading case against an individual to go to trial.
Last month, a federal jury in Minneapolis ruled a Minnesota woman must pay nearly $2 million for copy right infringement.

ABC's 'Defying Gravity' launches sex into space (AP)

NEW YORK – Put four men and four women on a six-year space mission and what happens?
Things "get fun pretty quickly," says Ron Livingston, star of the new ABC summer series "Defying Gravity."
The sci-fi show, which debuts Sunday with a two-hour episode at 9 p.m. EDT, has a real saucy side, as you would expect from the creators behind "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy." Naked bodies float around from time to time, sometimes engaged in simulated sex.
Livingston, who played Carrie Bradshaw's boy pal Jack Berger on "Sex and the City," says "Defying Gravity" producers wanted a show for both men and women, "something that was sleek and sexy and exciting."
The series involves a crew whose mission is to study the solar system but who soon find out that there's a mysterious, secondary agenda; strange things start happening onboard. Livingston's Maddux Donner, commander of the spaceship, is thrust into a romantic triangle when he joins up and finds two ex-girlfriends on board.
Malik Yoba co-stars as the ship's co-pilot.
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On the Net:
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Book store offers South Africans place to debate (AP)

JOHANNESBURG – In the book store Boekehuis, people squeeze among the shelves as an Ivorian and an Angolan novelist discuss a troubling characteristic of their new homeland South Africa: a hatred of foreigners that has flared into violence.
Another day, another novelist is speaking about love and survival in a time of AIDS, when a black South African woman like herself must stand up to generations of patriarchal traditions to ask her husband to take an HIV test.
Tough topics, and in the gentlest of settings.
Boekehuis Afrikaans for house of books is in a Victorian era home with walls a welcoming shade of toasted yellow, gleaming wood floors and a coffee shop dispensing lattes and scones to be consumed along with the latest poetry journals.
Manager Corina van der Spoel, a former literary journalist and book publicist, has created more than a shop. After nearly a decade, Boekehuis has become a comfortable place for South Africans to meet to define themselves as they grapple with what it means to be modern, multicultural and post-apartheid.
"A friend of mine calls it a salon," van der Spoel said, at first brushing aside the idea with some embarrassment.
Then, after reflection, she decides: "It is that."
Interviewed in the shop, van der Spoel repeatedly excuses herself, jumping up to hand a book to a customer in a wheelchair, hug a regular, check that all is well with a childrens book author's lively appearance before toddlers sprawled on blankets and pillows in a sunny front room.
The 42-year-old Van der Spoel's personal touch is everywhere. The books in English and Afrikaans fighting for space on tables and shelves reflect her interest in the humanities, philosophy and serious fiction. Her taste is so trusted, she's been invited to judge major South African writing contests.
Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa's best known writers and author of the AIDS novel "Beauty's Gift," became a Boekehuis devotee after one reading. She had flown from her home in Cape Town, and says jokingly she's angry with her publicist for scheduling the flight back the same night as her appearance.
"I was loath to leave that room," she said. "The people were so warm, the audience so receptive."
Magona said Van der Spoel "has created an arena where people can come to an honest discussion about things they feel strongly about. It's an arena where real dialogue can take place. It's a brave undertaking."
Magona said the bricks and mortar of such a space are planning, consistency and networking. Van der Spoel does it for the most part by word of mouth and e-mail. Boekehuis has no Web site. It doesn't have enough staffers to maintain one, van der Spoel said.
Pamela Nichols was drawn into the Boekehuis network by a friend who saw parallels between van der Spoel's project and a coaching center for young writers Nichols was developing at Johannesburg's University of Witwatersrand.
Nichols was mentoring black South African students who were the first in their families to attend college. Their leap into the unknown was a metaphor for a people trying to write its future together after the divisions of apartheid. In the discussions at Boekehuis to which she now brings students by the car-full Nichols found crucial questions being raised about race and identity.
"I can't think of as welcoming an intellectual space," Nichols said.
Most of van der Spoel's guests are South African writers, evidence of renewed vigor in local writing in recent years. Van der Spoel said she started the readings simply to get people to come to the shop, which is hidden behind the modern headquarters of her employer, Media24, a major newspaper and magazine publisher. Media24 wanted to do something special with the house it left when it razed the rest of the block to build its business park, and settled, with van der Spoel, on a book shop.
Van der Spoel's only retail experience had been a stint in an antiquarian book shop in London while also working as a correspondent for a South African radio station in the 1990s. She has a warning for the book lover who's always dreamed of opening the perfect shop: Boekehuis does not make a profit. So far, Media24 has indulged the enterprise, paying salaries to van der Spoel and three other staffers. (The company seems inclined to continue.)

"It's hard to make money," van der Spoel said. "People who have to make money don't always have the freedom to do what I've done."

Van der Spoel sometimes tries to create intriguing juxtapositions. It doesn't always work, she said, ruefully recalling an established writer who was less than gracious at the start of his reading when she introduced him to a young memoirist.

Other times, serendipity takes over, as when Angolan novelist Simao Kikamba broke into a folk song the night of the xenophobia discussion, his unadorned tenor expressing so much of the immigrant's loneliness. An amateur videographer captured the moment and posted it on YouTube.

Van der Spoel organized the evening after anti-foreigner violence across South Africa last year left more than 60 people dead and forced thousands from their homes. South Africans in squatter camps and other impoverished areas had accused immigrants from countries like Zimbabwe of taking scarce jobs and housing. Sociologists say the deadly rage, which has exploded at other times, had roots in the apartheid era, when the white government's propaganda about blacks from other countries took root in the minds of both blacks and whites.

Van der Spoel looks back on moments of "magic" at Boekehuis Kikamba's song, world-renowned photographer David Goldblatt bringing listeners to tears with stories of growing up the son of a tailor who catered to the blacks and whites who worked Johannesburg's gold mines.

"Love for books is a very special thing that binds people," van der Spoel said. "I see that every day."

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