News & Reports 2011-07-03

 Hello and Welcome to News and Reports on China Radio International.

 
In This Edition
 
Thailand's political parties make last-ditch efforts for Sunday's general election.
 
Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released from house arrest after prosecutors 1 said the hotel maid who accused him of attempted rape 2 lied to a grand jury.
 
A Gaza bound American vessel 3 has been intercepted 4 and escorted back to shore in Greece following Greek authorities' decision to ban flotilla heading to the Palestinian territory from leaving its ports.
 
The Red Cross Society of China suspends operations in one of its fundraising groups and requested investigations 6 into the branch's alleged 7 misuse 8 of donations.
 
 
Hot Issue Reports
 
Thai Parties Launch Last-minute Campaign ahead of Election
Candidates in Thailand's election have greeted supporters during the final hours of campaigning, as ballot 9 boxes and polling stations are prepared for Sunday's vote.
 
The two main prime ministerial candidates campaigned in the capital Bangkok, which has the largest number of constituencies.
 
Democrat 10 Party leader and incumbent 11 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced his confidence in the election, as he tried to win support from vendors 12 and buyers at a clothing market.
 
"Campaigning is always difficult, always hard, you have to work hard, always a challenge, but you know, we're pleased with the response, I think that we've got the momentum 13, and I hope that the people will really take Thailand forward."
 
Abhisit and the Democrats 14 have maintained their popularity among the elite 15, and urban middle and upper-class voters.
 
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party candidate Yingluck Shinawatra greeted supporters from a vehicle near a crowded weekend market, urging people to go to vote.
 
Yingluck is the youngest sister of ousted 16 prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was military deposed 17 five years ago and has remained influential 18 among rural voters and anti-coup activists 19.
 
Local polls have consistently given Yingluck's opposition 20 Pheu Thai party a strong lead in the race.
 
But the predictions have given neither Pheu Thai nor the ruling Democrats the 250-seat majority needed to form a government. This means there will likely be fierce jockeying to win over smaller parties to build a governing coalition 22.
 
Poland Takes over EU's Rotating Presidency 23
Poland has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union for the first time, assuming the six-month chairmanship of the organization from Hungary.
 
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk 24 said his country aims to promote economic reforms and deeper integration 25 in the bloc 26 struggling with a debt crisis in the euro zone.
 
"We reinforced the rule that the European Union budget is prepared for the European community, which could affect the harsh and unforgiving competition between national interests. This is our common success, that the community-oriented character of these proposals could be saved. "
 
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the EU Commission, says this puts Poland in a strong position to push forward some challenging projects.
 
"Let me mention just one. The European Commission has set out it's vision this week for the European Union budget for the period 2014-2020. This is focused on enhancing prosperity and creating employment in a spirit of solidarity 27 to achieve social, economic and territorial 28 cohesion 29 for all our 27 member states."
 
Poland is a modern EU success story that has achieved strong economic growth since joining the bloc in 2004, even avoiding recession during the 2008 to 2009 global financial crisis.
 
But the huge challenges ahead include the Greek debt crisis and negotiations 30 over the EU's next long-term budget, due to start under the Polish presidency.
 
Russian and French FMs Exchange Differing Views on Arms Air-dropping in Libya
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the visiting French counterpart Alain Juppe exchanged differing viewpoints over France's air-dropping of weapons in Libya.
 
Alain Juppe defended his country's actions, saying France acted within the U.N. resolution framework.
 
"I would say that from the French point of view, we are exactly within the framework of the (UN) resolutions of 1970 and 1973 where article four, if I remember rightly, says something different to resolution 1970, it says 'all means can be used to aid the civil population to protect themselves.' So it is within this framework that we have taken action."
 
Lavrov countered Juppe's remarks with a statement condemning 31 the U.N. resolution 1973.
 
"Alain Juppe answered my question and this answer was what he has just said that resolution 1973 has this paragraph four which allows whosoever to do whatsoever 32, for whatever reason. It is precisely 33 because of this paragraph that we have problems with resolution 1973 because in all other aspects we support it."
 
Lavrov said earlier that France might have violated a UN arms embargo 34 on Libya by air-dropping weapons to rebels fighting troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Ghaddafi.
 
Veto-wielding Russia abstained 35 from the UN vote to authorize 36 air strikes on Libya in March.
 
German FM Urges Syria to Stop Violence against Civilians 37
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop violence and allow political reforms to meet public demands.
 
Westerwelle made the comments while meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during his visit to Turkey.
 
"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should end pressure and violence and start reforms. He should answer legitimate 38 demands of the public."
 
For his part, Davutoglu stressed that Arab leaders should gear up for a peaceful reform process to meet people's demands.
 
"We believe that legitimate demands of Arab nations should be met with a peaceful transitional period and political reform process. Arab nations voice their demands on this issue and as Turkey, we give utmost importance to their demands and we believe these demands should be answered by peaceful means."
 
Turkey has become increasingly critical of Assad after backing him to improve ties with the West and seek a peace deal with Israel.
 
Assad has faced criticism over the military campaign to crush the three-month uprising as violence in the country escalates 39.
 
Turkey has received more than 10,000 Syrian refugees as a result of the prolonged unrests in Syria.
 
Strauss-Kahn Released from House Arrest
Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released from house arrest after prosecutors said the hotel maid who accused him of attempted rape lied to a grand jury.
 
New York State Supreme 40 Court Justice Michael Obus granted the release of Strauss-Kahn.
 
"Of course, the case is not over as you just heard. You will be expected to appear here on the adjourned 41 date, unless the court orders otherwise, in the interim 42, or we change the date, and I am confident that you will. In the meantime, there will be no rush to judgment 43 in this case. The people will, I have no doubt, continue to investigate."
 
Strauss-Kahn agreed to return to court, which includes a July 18 hearing.
 
His bail 44 payment of $1 million and bond of $5 million were returned to him but his passport was not, meaning he can travel only within the United States.
 
Strauss-Kahn's lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he wants the charges dropped.
 
"We believed from the beginning that this case was not what it appeared to be and we are absolutely convinced that the next step will lead to a complete dismissal of the charges."
 
The 62-year-old Strauss-Kahn still faces charges that he sexually assaulted the woman in New York, but questions about her credibility appear to be shifting the case in his favor.
 
The case has hinged on the accuser, a 32-year-old Guinean immigrant who cleaned the Sofitel hotel room in Manhattan where Strauss-Kahn was staying.
 
Prosecutors have found issues with her asylum 45 application, tax returns and statements to the grand jury investigating the assault case.
 
American Gaza Bound Vessel Intercepted
A Gaza bound American vessel has been intercepted and escorted back to shore in Greece following Greek authorities' decision to ban flotilla heading to the Palestinian territory from leaving its ports.
 
The activists tried to head out to sea on the 'Audacity 46 of Hope' secretly from the port of Perama near the Greek capital, Athens, but failed after authorities stopped them.
 
Vessel spokeswoman Jane Hirschmann said they were intercepted about two miles out at sea.
 
"It was smooth sailing until the coastguard came up and put a boat in front of our boat and said to the captain 'you have to turn back."
 
Nine Greek and foreign-flagged vessels 47 and several hundred activists on the flotilla had said they want to break Israel's sea blockade and deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.
 
Greek officials said it was not safe to continue.
 
But organizers blamed Israel for putting pressure on Greece, which is mired 48 in an economic crisis and has grown closer to Israel as it seeks more foreign investment.
 
A passenger on board the ship said even though the vessel is forced back, they are not giving up.
 
"We are the Audacity of Hope and that we will try again to go to Gaza. It's important for the international citizens to speak up when our governments do not."
 
Greece as well as the United States had previously 49 urged activists not to proceed with the flotilla, saying it could lead to confrontation 50 and noting that there were other means of aid delivery.
 
In a tragic 51 confrontation in May of last year, nine activists were killed when Israeli naval 52 commandos raided an international flotilla trying to break into Gaza for humanitarian 53 aid for the Palestinians.
 
Yemenis Rally For and Against President
Tens of thousands of Yemenis turned Friday prayers into rallies for and against President Ali Abdullah Saleh who is recovering from injuries sustained in an assassination 54 attempt last month.
 
Saleh opponents urge that acting 55 President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi demand Saleh quit and allow Yemenis to choose a new leader.
 
Anti-government protester Yassir al-Hosni called on the Arab League to show support for Yemeni opposition forces.
 
"We are calling the Arab League to stand beside Yemen's people like they stand beside Libya's people, what is the difference between Yemen blood and Egyptian blood and Tunisian blood? We call on them to stop the blood bath in the Arab world, we will not leave until the system leaves."
 
A smaller number of Saleh supporters marched through the streets holding placards and posters of the president, and wished him a quick recovery.
 
Mohammed Khalil said the international community should respect the will of the Yemeni people who voted Saleh into power until his term ends in 2013.
 
"I want to say for everybody to respect our voice, our choice, we trust this man to be our President so this is the President until 2013."
 
Lisbon Residents Showed Resignation to New Tax Plan
Residents of Lisbon have expressed their resignation after Prime Minister Passos Coelho announced in parliament an extraordinary one-off tax to help Portugal deal with its public finance problems.
 
Under the new program, a 50 percent levy 56 on year-end bonuses, or half a monthly salary, which is received by all Portuguese 57 will be imposed.
 
Pensioner 58 Antonio Rodrigues said it was time for all Portuguese to help solve the debt problem.
 
"It's a unique moment when we all should join hands to solve part of our problem. It's going to be difficult, everyone must make sacrifices, but I think it is time for us to understand and to solve our common problem."
 
Another Lisbon resident said there was nothing that people could do.
 
"I think the reaction will be bad, but we don't have much choice but to accept it. There are no other hypotheses to change things, are there?"
 
With a comfortable majority in parliament, the government program is expected to pass.
 
Red Cross Society of China Requests Investigation 5 over Scandal
The Red Cross Society of China has suspended operation of one of its fundraising groups, and requested investigations by state authorities following the recent widespread suspicion of misuse of donations.
 
The Red Cross Society of China came under scrutiny 59 after a 20-year-old woman Guo Meimei bragged 60 about her luxurious 61 lifestyle on her micro blog including enjoying Maserati and Lamborghini cars and expensive handbags. She also claimed to be the general manager of Red Cross Commerce.
 
Guo's behavior caused public outcry.
 
The Red Cross Society of China has denied the existence of such a company under its administration. It also declared that they do not have an employee named Guo Meimei.
 
And Guo herself has admitted that she had faked her association with the Red Cross Society of China, and that by doing so, has tarnished 62 the organization's reputation.
 
But the public curiosity was still not quelled 63. They demand proof that public donations are not misused 64.
 
The organization brought the case to the police on Friday and said it would take legal action in order to safeguard its rights and restore the society's reputation.
 
Wang Wei, the secretary-general of the Red Cross Society of China explained the relationship between his organization and the Red Cross Commercial Society.
 
"The Red Cross Society of China just gives some guidance to the Red Cross Commercial Society in its professional service."
 
He added that the society had suffered because the incident has developed into a way for the public to express its resentment 65 against the nouveau riche.
 
Experts said the anger was a result of the long-held distrust of the society's allocation of funds and its opaque 66 operations.
 
Kvitova Crowned at Wimbledon
21-year-old Petra Kvitova has become the first Czech to win the Wimbledon title in 13 years. She stunned 67 tournament favorite Maria Sharapova with a shock 6-3, 6-4 straight-set victory in the women's singles final. Our London correspondent Tu Yun has more.
 
Kvitova made a slow start in her first Grand Slam final and was broken in her first service game. But the 8th-seeded Czech soon regained 68 her rhythm on serve and dominated the match till she wrapped it up with an Ace 21.
 
It's Kvitova's first Grand Slam title. She also became the third Czech to be crowned at Wimbledon after Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna.
 
"It's hard to find some words. I'm standing 69 here with the trophy 70 and I see the great players in the Royal Box. It's very nice that they (Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna) are watching me and have supported me all the time during the tournament and gave me some advice. It's great."
 
Though it's a bit of a disappointment for Sharapova who claimed the title here in 2004 when she was only 17, the Russian says it's still a big step for her considering she hadn't been able to reach beyond the fourth round in a Grand Slam for a few years.
 
"I have had amazing support over so many years and to be back at this stage and holding the runners-up trophy - I wanted that big one and it's something I'm going to be back for and I'm hoping to get again soon."
 
In men's doubles, the Bryan brothers clinched 71 their second Wimbledon title by defeating Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau. Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik beat Sabine Lisicki and Samantha Stosur to become the women's doubles champions.
 
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun reporting from Wimbledon.
 
China Launch New Pension System that Covers All
 
China made a breakthrough to create a social security net that covers everyone by launching the urban and rural pension systems.
 
The new type of rural pension system attracted 190 million rural villagers during the past two years. More than 50 million people benefiting from the system are above the age of 60.
 
While the urban pension system just started on a nationwide trial basis, which guarantees the unemployed 72 to get subsidies 73 from central and local governments when they reach 60, as long as they have paid into their pension accounts for at least 15 years.
 
A commentary from the China Daily argues that the government-sponsored pension system is irreplaceable, but residents must be realistic. Taking care of the elderly is a task that can only be achieved when government, society and individuals join hands together.
 
The article says the current system divides standards into 10 categories based on how much an individual pays. The minimum payment for an urban resident is 100 yuan annually 74, or about $15 US dollars. Even though he or she gets less in monthly pension compared to those who pay more, at least, every one can participate to get support.
 
The article notes that as a populous 75 country, the financial burdens for government is heavy and raising the standard to a higher level is hard, given the current number of senior citizens in China, which is nearly 180 million, or about 14 percent of the entire population with an ever growing aging population.
 
The article says that other ways should be utilized 76 to ensure living expenses of senior citizens besides the government pension system, such as accumulated savings 77 of individuals, financial support from family and pension money from commercial insurance.
 
The author points out that people may consider joining the pension system at a young age and paying more in their accounts to receive higher pensions in the future. Those who cannot afford even the lowest payment should get special aid from the government.