“The road of the apocalypse passes through Beslan” is the title of an article by André Glucksmann, published on the front page of Le Monde (16/9), in which the author comments on the tragic international situation following the massacre in North Ossetia. “Those who experience the end of the world don’t see it, those who see it don’t yet experience it, but are condemned to meditate, even against their will, on the edge of an abyss”, writes the philosopher, and he adds: “I am inconsolable for the dead of Beslan, shocked and dismayed, like everyone, to discover in the dumbfounded gaze of a hostage that the impossible is possible”. With regard to the question of Chechnya, the author of the article points out: “After so many massacres and in the black light of Beslan, the balance-sheet of Putin’s war speaks for itself: it’s that of a chaotic butcher, of a manufacturer of apocalypse. It’s time (…) to call Putin to order, to ask him openly and publicly to change method”. “The Chechen guerrilla war opens the road to terror”, is the headline carried by the Herald Tribune ( 16/9), over an article in which C.J. Civers examines the “evolution” of the “Chechen terrorist leader” Basayev: “ In 1996 he assumed command of the assault that drove the Russian army out of Grozny and that led de facto to Chechen independence. In January 1997 he lost the race for the Chechen Presidency, getting only 23.5 percent of the vote…. Chechnya has become a rogue state with the Islamic militants who have profited from it”. On the previous day (15/9), the American daily had dedicated its opening story to “ Europe divided” on the position adopted by Putin. “The diplomats of the majority countries of the European Union writes Judy Dempsey led by Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy, have said they are ‘examining Putin’s speech (…). But the smaller countries, especially those that were added to the European Union in May, have openly criticised Putin’s proposals, which, if put into practice, would reinforce his control over the Russian legislative assembly and over the regional governments”. “A group of MEPs asks for a ceasefire in Iraq to facilitate the release of the hostages”. The Spanish daily ABC ( 16/9) explains that “ a total of 31 Italian and French MEPs signed a document to ask for a temporary suspension of military operations in Iraq”. The resolution appeared however on a day on which “ violence once again rocked the country, leaving over twelve people dead”. The paper emphasises that the declaration “had the support of the majority groups in the European Parliament”. Another Spanish daily, Periódico ( 15/9) opens its front page with the news of the interrogation of former Spanish premier José María Aznar by the commission on the terror attacks of 11 March in Madrid: “The 11-M Commission unanimously decides to interrogate Aznar”. “For the first time a former prime minister makes a statement to a parliamentary inquiry”, underlines the paper. “The People’s Party, indignant, dismisses the work of the commission and accuses it of being ‘scandal-mongering'”. A crown for Sarah, A crown for Pier A crown placed on her head, another on his head. So began, on Saturday 11 September 2004, the celebration of the marriage of Sarah Numico (Ccee press Officer) and Pierbartolo Mellano in the sanctuary of the Madonna della Mellana at Boves (Cuneo-Italy). It could hardly have been otherwise, seeing that Monsignor Aldo Giordano (Ccee Secretary) and other “European” celebrants were accompanied at the altar by the bishop of Oradea (Romania), Monsignor Virgil Bercea, who wished in this way to present the spouses with a touch of the oriental liturgy. Then, in the prayers, hymns, testimonies and good wishes, the marriage service was marked by a joyful mixture of various languages… including Roman dialect. It was Msgr. Giordano who gave the final message: “Now we shall have to say that 11 September is also the day on which Sarah and Pier have been married”. As if to say that by choosing this date the two youth wished to offer, or rather be in the name of God, a sign of hope. Thank you and the very best wishes of Sir! ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1324 N.ro relativo : 64 Data pubblicazione : 18/09/04
