- On February 10, Israel held parliamentary elections for
120 seats in its 18th Knesset. The process repeats every four years unless
the body calls an earlier election by majority vote. The prime minister
may also ask the president to request one early that will proceed unless
the Knesset blocks it. Parliamentary terms may be extended beyond four
years by special majority vote. Israel has no constitution. Under Article
4 of its Basic Law: The Knesset:
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- "The Knesset shall be elected by general, national,
direct, equal, secret and proportional elections, in accordance with the
Knesset Elections Law." Every Israeli citizen 18 or older may vote,
including Arabs who are nominally enfranchised, may serve in the parliament,
but can't govern or in any way influence policy.
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- Knesset seats are assigned proportionally to each party's
percentage of the total vote. A minimum total is required to win any
seats. Jewish parties alone are empowered. Arab parliamentarians have
no decision-making authority. They're also constrained by the 1992 Law
of Political Parties and section 7A(1) of the Basic Law that prohibits
candidates from denying "the existence of the State of Israel as
the state of the Jewish people."
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- Under the law for Arabs and Jews, no candidate may challenge
Israel's fundamental Jewish character or demand equal rights, privileges,
and justice. The essential Zionist identity is inviolable. The law works
only for Jews. Israeli Arabs have no rights. They're denied equal treatment
and justice, even those elected to public office. Israel calls this democracy.
South Africa called it apartheid. Nazi Germany called it fascism.
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- On January 12, the Central Elections Committee (CEC)
banned two Arab parties from participating in the February elections on
grounds of incitement, racism, supporting terrorist groups, and refusing
to recognize Israel's right to exist. Two extremist right wing parties
requested it - Yisrael Beiteinu and National Union. Named were United
Arab List-Ta'al and Balad. All charges were bogus and hateful.
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- On January 21, Israel's High Court unanimously reversed
the ban after Arab politicians appealed, but this behavior shows what
Arab citizens face in a country affording rights only to Jews. Nonetheless,
election law states that all votes are of equal weight, without saying
- only Jewish ones matter, not those of Arabs or members
of other faiths. Israel is a Jewish state. Others are outsiders, unwelcome,
unwanted, disadvantaged, without rights, and criminally abused at the
whim of the government.
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- Israeli Election Results
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- Given the number of Israeli parties, coalitions are needed
to govern as no single party ever won enough Knesset seats to do it on
its own.
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- Below are the results of the February 10 elections:
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- Kadima:
-
- -- 28 seats, one less than previously. Founded by Ariel
Sharon and 13 other Likud members in November 2005, Kadima (meaning "forward"
or "in-front"), calls itself "a broad popular movement
which works to ensure the future of Israel as a Jewish democratic state."
It's now Israel's largest political party. Its ideology is center-right
and very militant.
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- Likud:
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- -- 27 seats compared to 12 in the previous Knesset. It
was founded in 1973 as a right wing union of the revisionist Herut party
with the Gahal and center Zionist parties. Its former prime ministers
include Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ariel
Sharon. Netanyahu again leads it. Its ideology is hard right and like
Kadima is very militant.
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- Yisrael Beiteinu (or Israel is Our Home):
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- -- 15 seats, four more than the previous Knesset. It
was founded in 1999 by Avigdor Lieberman, an ultranationalist and revisionist
Zionist. In its January/February 2007 issue, the Washington Report on
Middle East Affairs said his rise "makes (the) US - Israel alliance
more dangerous," given his extremist views.
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- On Israeli Radio in November 2006, he called for the
assassination of "militant" Palestinian leaders (meaning from
Hamas and other resistance groups) and added: "They have to disappear,
to go to Paradise, all of them and there can't be any compromise."
He also wants all peace agreements (like Camp David and Oslo) abandoned,
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas ignored, and earlier urged that Israeli
Arabs be deported and Arab Knesset members who met with Hezbollah or Hamas
executed.
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- Haaretz called him an "unrestrained and irresponsible
man....a threat (to Israel for) his lack of restraint and his unbridled
tongue (that may) bring disaster (to) the whole region." Confrontation
with Iran is one of his top priorities as well as continued illegal settlement
expansions. Lieberman is hard-line and uncompromising. His party surpassed
Labor to rank third in popularity.
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- Labor
-
- --13 seats compared to 19 in the previous Knesset. Founded
in 1968 by the union of the Mapai, Ahdut HaAvoda, and Rafi parties. Its
ideology is Zionist, neoliberal, and militant like the above three parties.
Former prime ministers include David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Shimon Peres,
Yitzhak Rabin, and Ehud Barak. Barak is its current leader.
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- Shas
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- -- 11 seats, one less than the previous Knesset. Founded
in 1984 by rabbis Ovadia Yosef and Elazar Shach, it's an extremist right
wing religious party led by Eli Yishai, Israel's deputy prime minister
in its 17th Knesset.
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- The National Union Party
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- -- 4 seats. Founded in 1999 by Rehavam Ze'evi and Avigdor
Lieberman. Now led by Ya'akov Katz, it's extremely militant, supports
settlements in all the Land of Israel (as biblically defined), and advocates
expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank, preferably on a voluntary
basis.
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- Jewish Home Party
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- -- 3 seats. It was founded in 2008 by a merger of the
National Religious Party, Moledet, and Tkuma. Modelet then broke away,
and half of Tkuma rejoined National Union. Now led by Daniel Hershkovitz,
it's a moderate right wing, pro-settler, religious Zionist party.
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- Hadash-Democratic Front for Peace and Equality
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- -- 4 seats, a gain of one. Founded in 1977, it's a Jewish-Arab
party led by Mohammad Barakeh. Its ideology counters the above right
wing bloc with little public support. It's anti-Zionist, favors dismantling
Israeli settlements, ending the occupation, and backs the right of return,
full equality for Israeli Arabs, and a comprehensive stable peace.
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- New Movement Meretz
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- -- 3 seats compared to 5 in the previous Knesset. Founded
in 1992, it's a labor Zionist, social democratic party led by Haim Oron.
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- United Torah Judaism
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- -- 5 seats, one less than previously. Founded in 1992,
its ideology is strict adherence to the laws of the Torah. Its current
leader is Yaakov Litzman.
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- Balad
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- -- 3 seats compared to none in the previous Knesset.
Founded in 1995, its ideology is Arab nationalism and democratic socialism.
Its current leader is Jamal Zahalka.
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- United Arab List-Ta'al
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- -- 4 seats, up from none in the previous Knesset. Founded
in 1996, it represents Israeli Arabs under its current leader Ibrahim
Sarsur.
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- Israel has about 20 other minor parties. None got enough
votes to win seats. The big loser was Gil. It had seven previously. Now
it has none. Led by Rafi Eitan, it's ideology is social welfare and pro-elder
care.
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- Israel Shifts to the Right
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- On January 15, a Haaretz-Dialog poll showed widespread
support for the Gaza war with less than 10% of Israelis calling it a "failure."
Despite mass slaughter, destruction, and human suffering, 82% of respondents
believed the IDF hadn't "gone too far."
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- It played out strongly in the February elections with
center to far right parties winning decisively - 104 of the 120 seats
or 86.6% of the Knesset. In spite of mass global condemnation, Israelis
stood firm on hard-line militarism, candidates favoring conflict over
conciliation, and continued occupation of Palestine in lieu of peace.
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- Negotiations continue for a new government, but policy
is clear whoever becomes prime minister. Under Tzipi Livni or Benjamin
Netanyahu, Gaza's siege will continue. So will West Bank oppression,
conflict over peace, leaders affirming it in rhetoric and policy, and
international community support will back them. Grim times persist for
Palestinians, isolated and on their own after decades of occupation and
abuse.
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- On February 11, Juan Cole's web site headlined: "Right
Wing Sweeps Israel" in an election that "sounded the death knell
for the two- state solution." One never existed, of course, because
separation accelerates land annexation, and equity demands one democratic
state for members of all faiths equally.
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- After the February 10 elections, that possibility is
more remote than ever with figures like Avigdor Lieberman emerging as
"kingmaker." He rose in prominence on a racist platform against
20% of the population and now wants them "executed," expelled,
or at least forced to sign loyalty oaths.
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- Under a hard-line Netanyahu or Livni government, Cole
sees one of three possibilities:
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- -- a hardened apartheid giving Palestinians fewer rights
than ever and no control over their land, borders, water and air; Palestinians
won't accept it, so conflict ahead is assured;
-
- -- a violent expulsion policy affecting all Palestinians,
including Israeli Arabs to purify Greater Israel for Jews; Cole believes
that "This option would almost certainly end the peace treaties with
Egypt and Jordan" because a population outflow this great would
create tensions in both countries and they'd react; they and other Arab
states might also ally with Iran and create a new problem for America
and Israel.
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- -- a single-state solution; impossible now but over time
economic, technological, and political boycotts may force one.
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- As for Obama reviving the peace process and a viable
two-state solution, both prospects aren't possible given Israel's shift
to the right and the Israeli Lobby's influence against it.
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- In a February 10 Nation magazine article, Neve Gordon
disagrees. Headlined: "Few Peacemakers in Israel's Knesset,"
he believes it's for "the world, and particularly the Obama administration,
to respond," unmindful of his one-sided Israeli support and reluctance
to counter its policy.
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- Nonetheless, Gordon hopes that Obama "will make
good on his promise for change and introduce a courageous initiative that
will finally bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians" under a two-state
solution "to resolve this bloody conflict once and for all."
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- "With determination and political boldness he can
do just that." Perhaps so but he won't. Obama is timid, not bold.
He "crossed the River Jordan," according to James Petras. His
administration is filled with Zionist zealots professing unconditional
support for Israel. With that team in place, Israeli interests matter.
Palestinian ones don't. Change awaits a new day in Israel and Washington,
and given Tel Aviv's likely government, it's more in the future than ever.
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- Prospects are grim with Israeli Arab Knesset member (MK)
Ahmed Tibi calling Livni "90% Lieberman and 10% Netanyahu."
For his part, Netanyahu is 100% hard-line, and won't give an inch on compromise.
As head of state, he promises to destroy Hamas. As 1996 - 1999 prime
minister, his agenda was three "nos:"
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- -- no Golan Heights withdrawal;
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- -- no discussion, division, or relinquishing of Jerusalem,
and
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- -- no precondition negotiations with Arafat, meaning
Palestinian relations depend on full compliance with Israel demands.
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- Today he's more hard-line than ever, vows as prime minister
to "thwart the Iranian threat," and sabotage Tehran's nuclear
program once and for all by any means necessary. He also opposes the peace
process, wants expanded illegal West Bank settlements, and, like Lieberman,
called for "mass deportations of Arabs from the Territories."
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- For her part, Livni is no less hard-line in vowing to
overthrow Hamas if elected and finish subduing Gaza. As kingmaker, Lieberman
won't join any government that will "agree directly or indirectly
to Hamas staying in power." He opposed last month's ceasefire that
"prevented the IDF from finishing the job" and stops just short
of demanding renewal.
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- As a result, AP reported on February 11 that Arabs see
little chance for peace under any new government and fear the emergence
of Israel's far right. It cited Middle East newspapers decrying Lieberman's
rise, denouncing him as racist with Syria's Al-Thawra saying: "The
Israelis are electing war and extremism....so long as the Israel street
is extremist and racist, the government would be like it."
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- In Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi called
it "regretful" that all sides were hard-line in their campaigns.
"Each party tried to show a more brutal, aggressive and pro-occupation
face...." He added that Iran has no official position on the election
as it doesn't recognize any Israeli government.
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- Oraib al-Rentawi, head of the Al Quds Center for Political
Studies, said a Livni government may market an illusory peace process,
but under Netanyahu, "the mission will be far more difficult."
Others think it impossible no matter who's prime minister given that 61
years of oppression prevented any from emerging thus far. With Israel's
far right shift, it's less likely now than ever.
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- Forming A New Government
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- Under Israel's Basic Law, the president (a symbolic,
ceremonial post), lets one Knesset member form a new government and head
it as prime minister.
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- The law reads as follows:
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- "When a new government has to be constituted, the
President of the State shall, after consultation with representatives
of party groups in the Knesset, assign the task of forming a Government
to a Knesset Member (MK) who notified him that he is prepared to accept
the task."
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- Time constraints are imposed - a maximum 28 days but
the President may extend it for an additional 14. If a government can't
be formed or if the Knesset rejects the one proposed, "the President
may assign the task....to another Knesset Member who has notified him
that he is prepared to accept the task...." No mention of a "she."
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- "When the Knesset Member has formed a Government,
he shall notify the President of the State and Speaker of the Knesset"
within a designated period. The MK who "formed a Government shall
head it."
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- On February 16, Haaretz reported that Netanyahu "said
earlier that he would begin forging a coalition with his party's 'natural
partners' as soon as possible" even though Kadima bettered Likud
by one seat.
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- Livni said she'd only join a Netanyahu coalition on a
rotating prime ministerial basis. Jockeying for position continues amid
conciliatory and hostile rhetoric with one Likud MK (Silvan Shalom) accusing
Livni of "shtick, tricks, (and) scheming (that could) sabotage the
standard political process." He added that election results affirmed
Netanyahu as the rightful prime minister so allow him to "form a
government as soon as possible."
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- Prime minister Olmert mentioned post-election uncertainty
and suggested that Livni join a Likud coalition "with Kadima as a
central factor." At the same time, Olmert advised Livni to head the
opposition to ensure a clear victory next time.
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- On February 17, Labor's Housing and Construction Minister,
Isaac Herzog, told Haaretz that neither Livni or Netanyahu can form a
new government that will hold. "At this rate, (he suggested) we will
find ourselves in the midst of new elections within a few months"
because Livni agreed to ally with Yisrael Beitenu.
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- Labor whip, Eitan Cabel was even more strident saying:
"The scam that is Kadima has now been exposed before all. If the
leftist voters who gave their ballot to Livni would have known (they'd
be) in bed with Lieberman, they would have demanded their votes back."
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- President Peres spoke about the complicated task he faces:
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- "On Wednesday (February 11) at 6PM, I will get the
official results," and will then try to form a unity government.
"The nation told me to consider the election results honestly and
as the law prescribes, so I will make my decision after I hear out all
the parties."
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- On February 15, the Jerusalem Post reported new developments
in a story headlined: "Police have evidence of money laundering against
Lieberman." Quoting former National Fraud Unit's Boaz Guttman, writer
Yaakov Lappin said "Police amassed sufficient evidence to link....Lieberman"
with these charges. It's believed that he used Cypriot bank accounts under
his daughter's name - for money laundering and possible fraud and bribes.
"The police source said there was no doubt about money laundering,"
but that prosecution could be a long way off given complex hurdles to
be overcome before charges lead to a trial.
-
- Guttman added that fallout affecting Lieberman could
be considerable since he's now damaged goods. Forming a new government
is more complicated and important positions for Lieberman are off- limits
- including finance and public security.
-
- On the same day, Tehran's Press TV reported that "An
Israeli defense strategy report for 2009 has tasked the military with
making preliminary preparations for launching a war against Iran."
It calls the country "the No. 1 threat the IDF is now preparing
for," and cites Tehran as "a threat to Israel's existence"
without any evidence to prove it. There is none because Iran threatens
no other country but is prepared to defend itself if targeted.
-
- Nonetheless, "Israeli officials argue that a military
attack is a legitimate option for taking out Iran's nuclear infrastructure"
even though the IAEA says it complies with NPT provisions. Israel is
a nuclear outlaw non-signatory.
-
- Earlier, Tel Aviv asked the Bush administration for bunker-buster
bombs, green light permission to attack, and overflight and refueling
rights over Iraq. It was rebuffed in favor of covert sabotage efforts.
-
- For its part, Iran is seeking sophisticated Russian S-300
long- range surface-to-air missiles. They can intercept aircraft, cruise
and ballistic missiles so pose a formidable defense against attack. Lexington
Institute vice-president and Pentagon advisor Dan Goure said "If
Tehran obtained the S-300, it would be a game-changer in military thinking
for (targeting) Iran." It might also prevent a Middle East holocaust
if Washington and/or Israel seriously consider one, something even the
Bush administration didn't pursue.
-
- On February 16, the UK Telegraph headlined: "Israel
launches covert war against Iran" with writer Philip Sherwell calling
it "an alternative to direct military strikes against Tehran's nuclear
programme, US intelligence sources have revealed."
-
- It includes planned assassinations of "top figures
involved in Iran's atomic operations" as well as "sabotage,
front companies and double agents to disrupt the regime's 'illicit' weapons
project, the experts say."
-
- According to a former (unnamed) CIA officer, the idea
is to slow progress without Iran knowing what's happening. "The goal
is delay, delay, delay until you can come up with some other solution"
because the Obama administration may prefer non-military efforts for
now.
-
- Rumors are that Mossad was behind the mysterious 2007
"gas poisoning" death of Ardeshire Hassanpour, Iran's top nuclear
scientist at its Isfahan uranium plant. Other suspicious deaths were
also reported, and according to an unnamed European intelligence official,
"Israel (doesn't hesitate) assassinating weapons scientists"
or anyone else for that matter.
-
- Israeli security and intelligence journalist, Yossi Melman,
said that "Without military strikes, there is still considerable
scope for disrupting and damaging the Iranian program, and this has been
done with some success." Tehran is alerted to the threat and has
measures in place to counteract it.
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- Observers are following the rhetoric and watching as
events unfold. In the meantime, jockeying and deal-making continue as
Netanyahu and Livni try outmaneuvering each other to form a new government.
Whoever wins, Palestinians, Israelis, and most others will be losers.
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- On February 19, AP reported that Lieberman endorsed Netanyahu,
"all but guaranteeing that (he'll) be the country's next leader."
Haaretz went further saying that "65 MKs announced (for) Netanyahu
(so) it appears that his path to the premiership is (now) paved."
Livni called it "the foundation....for an extreme right-wing government."
Lieberman wants Kadima in it. Likud said it would try to forge a broad
coalition, and Peres may shortly announce Netanyahu will lead it.
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- Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre
for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached
at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
-
- Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com
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