UNESCO confirms that it is not involved in the “New 7 wonders of the world” campaign
In order to avoid any damaging confusion, UNESCO wishes to reaffirm that there is no link whatsoever between UNESCO’s World Heritage programme, which aims to protect world heritage, and the current campaign concerning “The New 7 Wonders of the World”.

This campaign was launched in 2000 as a private initiative by Bernard Weber, the idea being to encourage citizens around the world to select seven new wonders of the world by popular vote.

Although UNESCO was invited to support this project on several occasions, the Organizaton decided not to collaborate with Mr. Weber.

UNESCO’s objective and mandate is to assist countries in identifying, protecting and preserving World Heritage. Acknowledging the sentimental or emblematic value of sites and inscribing them on a new list is not enough. Scientific criteria must be defined, the quality of candidates evaluated, and legislative and management frameworks set up. The relevant authorities must also demonstrate commitment to these frameworks as well as to permanently monitoring the state of conservation of sites. The task is one of technical conservation and political persuasion. There is also a clear educational role with respect to the sites’ inherent value, the threats they face and what must be done to prevent their loss.

There is no comparison between Mr Weber’s mediatised campaign and the scientific and educational work resulting from the inscription of sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List*. The list of the “7 New Wonders of the World” will be the result of a private undertaking, reflecting only the opinions of those with access to the internet and not the entire world. This initiative cannot, in any significant and sustainable manner, contribute to the preservation of sites elected by this public.
Stathis comment: I agree, but it is better to prevent a situation than to try to apologise after. For me, the new 7 wonders is just a way for making money. Nothing less - nothing more. Finish.

Pakistani soldiers storm mosque
Smoke rose above the Red Mosque after troops began their operation
Troops in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, have stormed a controversial mosque after talks with hardline Islamists inside broke down.
The army says about 50 militants and eight soldiers have been killed.

"It is a final push to clear the place of armed militants," said military spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad.

Students at the mosque and its attached religious schools have been defying the authorities for months in their campaign for Sharia law in the capital.

Australia 'has Iraq oil interest'

Australia has about 1,500 military personnel in the Gulf
Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has admitted that securing oil supplies is a key factor behind the presence of Australian troops in Iraq.
He said maintaining "resource security" in the Middle East was a priority.

But PM John Howard has played down the comments, saying it was "stretching it a bit" to conclude that Australia's Iraq involvement was motivated by oil.

Stathis comment: Thanks God, we found someone to say the truth.

Torture 'still common in Turkey'

Amnesty International noted a fall in the incidence of torture in police custody
Widespread use of torture is continuing in Turkey despite the government's "zero tolerance" policy, says human rights group Amnesty International.
Stathis comment: So what? To the point that the western community believes that the Turkish model of democracy is the "ideal" for every eastern country, tortures will dominate and poison the turkish society. Sorry..

ब्रिंग थेम होम, ओर वेट तो कोम्प्लेते थे पेंटिंग?

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html

Vanunu sentenced to new jail term

An Israeli court has sent former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu back to jail for six months for breaking the conditions of his parole.
Vanunu was released in 2004 after an 18-year sentence for disclosing Israeli nuclear secrets, but he faced curbs including speaking to foreign media.

Stathis comments: no comment.

French Prime Minister announced plans to modernise France's institutions of government.

In his first major policy address since taking office in May, Mr Fillon proposed strengthening parliament and reforming the voting system.

Mr Fillon, 53, also pledged to slash unemployment by the end of the government's five-year term in 2012.

He told parliament the new EU treaty agreed in June would go before MPs for consideration in 2008.

In a referendum in 2005, French voters, along with the Dutch, rejected the draft EU constitution, which the treaty aims to replace.

"France needs Europe to protect its interests and expand and Europe needed France to restart itself," Mr Fillon told MPs.

Large swathes of the government's reform plans had already been revealed almost two weeks ago by President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to MPs from his UMP party.

Stathis comment: Could you immagine, after two decades, Sarkozy to be a great leader, something like Mitteran / Kohl? Where are the left side leaders?