The Balkans is not my area of expertise, but the issue of territorial gains from genocidal policies is going to come up in the future of Darfur as it is today in Bosnia, which it why it seems relevant to highlight this recent interaction between former US diplomats in the Balkans, William Montgomery and Peter […]
Archives for 2009
From those with the most power to those with the least . . .
June 11, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Too tired and too many interview notes to go over to do a proper post, but just to say that today covered the extremes. I started the day interviewing the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, and finished the day in the overcrowded lodgings of a Darfuri family of twelve who are struggling […]
“Cross cultural exchange” – the informal way
June 10, 2009 by 1 Comment
Picture for a moment, a non-English speaking Muslim tourist in – name your location – Sydney, Amsterdam, New York. What are the chances she would be taken, literally, by the hand, by a group of uni students who knew absolutely nothing about her, and invited into their activities for the afternoon as if she were […]
Darfuris in Cairo
June 9, 2009 by 1 Comment
I did several interviews with Darfuri refugees here in Cairo today. Each person requested anonymity, and I understand why. Not only are they still scared for family and friends remaining in Darfur, but life for them here is not easy either. I’ll leave that issue there for now, but suffice to say, making it out […]
Genocide/crimes against humanity/war crimes into law (on paper anyway)
June 9, 2009 by Leave a Comment
A list of items that the Arab League’s Envoy to Sudan gave me on Sunday night (to show me the progress Sudan has been making) included the recent incorporation of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes into Sudanese criminal law. I was caught out. I prepare thoroughly for interviews, but this was news to […]
Making new spaces “home”
June 8, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Apologies in advance, since I already know this is going to be an off-beat post (in its honour I have added a new category: “Totally random stuff”), but I’ve had it for the day with reconstructing the way the UN Security Council got to refer Darfur to the ICC (Chapter 2), so I’m up for […]
Serendipity on the streets of Cairo
June 7, 2009 by 1 Comment
Tonight I’m set to have my first interview with one of the African heads at the Arab League. I was told to meet him at the Egyptian Diplomatic Club – but no address was given. No one where am staying seemed to have any idea, I couldn’t reach my contact person, and google offered me […]
Decision on who should judge Katanga
June 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
For those who followed the ICC hearing on the challenge to admissibility of the case against Germain Katanga last week, you’ll want to tune back into the court this Friday 12 June. Trial Chamber II will be handing down their decision in a public session at 9am Hague time.
Perceptions from outside the U.S. #5: Poland
June 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Kris Kotarski is a journalist and peace and conflict researcher. He grew up in Warsaw, Poland before immigrating to Canada in 1991. In the last year, he has been based somewhere between Calgary, Ottawa, Warsaw, and Berlin He contributes regular columns to the Calgary Herald and 3 Quarks Daily. Is there an advocacy movement for […]
Open Letter: Research update 1/3
June 5, 2009 by 1 Comment
Hi everyone I’m now one third of the way through my incredible year as an Open Society fellow, and about to embark on three intensive months of interviews in Africa, so it seemed like an appropriate time to send an update. The bulk of my U.S. government interviews are now complete. High profile highlights to […]
