International News in Brief

By Nate Storey

Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the EU
The European Commission has announced that Romanian and Bulgaria will be admitted to the European Union in 2007. However, they will be inspected periodically to ensure the countries are making progress in reducing corruption, organized crime, using EU funds properly, and guaranteeing food safety.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria likened the vote to the fall of the Berlin Wall for the country. The Romanian Prime Minister made similar comments, saying that Romania should be very proud of itself, but should be aware that this will not mean all Romania’s problems will go away.

In recent years, Bulgaria and Romania have carried out an extensive reform process and have gone through thorough transformations. Still, both countries are required to report every six months on corruption prevention measures. They will also have to deal with possible food export bans because of outbreaks of swine fever. Additionally, Bulgaria could face a ban from flying within EU airspace unless its air safety standards are improved. Japan’s parliament has elected Shinzo Abe as the nation’s new prime minister Shinzo Abe has been elected Japan’s youngest prime minister since World War II at the age of 52. He will be replacing Junichiro Koizumi, who has served for the last five years. Abe pledged to continue Koizumi’s economic reforms and work to improve relations with China and South Korea, who were angered by Koizumi’s visits to Yaskuni war shrine, which celebrates numerous soldiers who have died fighting against (among others) Korea and China in such wars as the Sino-Japanese Wars and World Wars I and II. Abe announced he would take a 30% cut in his pay, saying he was making an effort to cut government spending. He also wants to push for a tighter alliance with the USA and wants to begin a period of more assertive foreign policy.

Saddam Hussein has been ejected from his trial again For the third time in a week, Saddam Hussein has been ejected from his trial, this time for defying instructions to be quiet. The other six co-defendants were also later ejected following heated arguments with the judge. After the defendants and their lawyers, who are boycotting the trial, left, the trial was able to continue. The judge told Hussein, “By disrespecting the court, you are only damaging your cause.” He responded by reading a 20-minute statement, but courtroom microphones were cut off partway through.

Saddam Hussein was also thrown out of the court on Monday after complaining about being confined in a metal pen where the defendants sit.

Tony Blair gives last Labor Party conference speech as leader of party
Blair said that it was “hard to let go” and praised Gordon Brown (with whom he’s had a rocky relationship), who appears to be his most likely successor. He reminded listeners to remember that the elections were three years off, but the Conservative Party is in the lead in polls, so the Labor Party needs to stay united.

Blair used the speech to describe his government’s successes in education, health and crime prevention. He also defended his foreign policy actions and his stance in the ongoing threat of terrorism.

His advice for the next person in power is to be aware of global changes and be wary of finding balance between upholding internal security and being open with the public. Blair also advocated public service reform within Britain.