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Transcript of BBC
News on Video (In the News of January
23, 2007)
>> Thousands of protesters have blocked major routes in and around lebanon
and in other centres across the country atikE. It's being called by opposition
parties led by the militant group hezbollah who are demanding a new government.
Pro and anti-government supporters clashed in the capital beirut and
demonstrators burned tyres and set up barricades. The government has warned that
troops will be used if necessary to maintain order.
>> Black smoke over beirut. Lebanon at a stand still. In their thousands,
opposition supporters are on the streets, blocking the streets, taking part in a
general strike to government of fouad siniora. Throughout the country roads are
blocked. Schools, shops and businesses are closed. It's an escalation of the
protests which began late last year. Mr. Siniora's allies are not impressed.
>> ( Translated ): Since this morning the lebanese people have been exposed
to aggression from the opposition led by hezbollah, aggrsport and their right to
go to work and especially to beirut airport. Their completing what the israelis
did in breaking theeans l its delicate system of sectarian power sharing under
strain, but hezbollahious which led the fighag turning on the government in
beirut insists it will not resort to violence.
>> ( Translated ): We will not be scared and we will not retreat. Nobody
willer the phi us as part of a civil war or a sectarian conflict because we will
not be dragged into iT.
S>> Elected authorities.Repare for a major aid conference in lebanon's
struggling economy. But for the moment all eyes are on the streets. Chris
Morris, bbc news.
>> U.S. Military officials in t deed operation by american and iraqi forces.
The militia has been detained for sectarian killings around baghdad. In total 6
u.N. Alleged -- in total 600 alleged members of the meals are being held for
some of the people killed in the worst violence in baghdad so far this year.
More than 130 people were killed in and around the city on monday. 88 died and
160 were injureduble car bng second-hand clothes market in baghdad. A further 12
died in an attack in the nearby city of baqouba. A huge blast has ripped through
al-arabiya in gaza city. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the
blast.Wing its troops from somalia nearly a month after its forces dove the
union of islamic courts militia out of the somali capital, mogadishu, ending six
month let's return to events now in lebanon, many b muir. Jim, bring us up to
date. We've seen burningn the
>> Indee yes.He say that lebanon is pretty much paralysed. The situation is
the same almost everywhere, but varying degrees of tension. In the shiite
dominated areas in the south of the country and the east, they're pretty it's in
the mixedre trouble, areas in the north in particular because Christian factions
support the there, and there's further north in tripoli reports that one person
has been killed in exchanges of gunfire there. And several people have been
wounded in clashes of one sort or another, some involving gunshots, but others
involving people throwing stones or simply having scuffles of one sort orinated
by sunnis who largely support the government, but where shiites and their
riroad it hasn't yet flared into an all-out conflict, which everybody, of
course, is well aware is a very major danger.
>> And the general strike does seem to have take an firm grip over the
country. Economic activity has come to a stand still.
>> Well, yes, indeed, inklug beirut's airport which had to close flights
because people can't get to and from the airport. One wonders how the prime
minister, fouad siniora, holed up in the government building behind me, how he's
supposed to get to paris. They were planning to hold a conference on thursday,
hoping to raise billions of dollars in aid for lebanon. The country is pretty
much paralysed. People who wanted to go to work, some of them had to turn around
because the roads were blocked. It's not thearve wants the strike. It's that a
strike has been imposed because movement has been paralysed.
>> Okay. For now, Jim, thank you. Thousands of people are taking part in a
funeral procession for the prominent turkish Armenian journalist shot dead last
friday. The man's wife addressed the crowd outside the office of his newspaper
where he was kid. His coffin is taken to an Armenian church for a service
expected to take place within the next hour. Our correspondent sarah rainsford
is in Istanbul. She spoke to us as the procession began.
>> It's been 45 minutes now since they started walking past the spot where I
am and heading towards the Armenian church where the funeral will be held. Still
they're coming, tens of thousands of people all here to show their solidarity
and the horror at what happened to this man. Behind me is the office of the
turkish-Armenian newspaper. It's the part of istanbul a few metres from that
office that he was shot and killed on friday. As this crowd reaches that spot,
they applaud and they shout their support for a man who many people here are
already beginning to see as a martyr.
>> 12 people have been killed in a gunfight between indonesian police and
suspected islamic militants during a raid in sulawesi. Police say 11 of those
killed were from a militant group, including two from a wanted list for the 2005
beheadings of two Christian girls. One policeman was killed in the raid. North
and South Korea envoys are
meeting in the region in an effort to restart six-nation talks on Pyongyang's
represents programmes. Meanwhile, china has confirmed it did hold an anti-satellite
test last week. Several countries made strong protests in which a missile was
used to destroy one of its own weather satellites. United nations bird flu
officials in Bangkok are urging asian countries to be on heightened alert of new
outbreaks. Since the beginning of the year there have been new bird flu
flare-ups in China, Japan, sex, Thailand and Vietnam.
>> A suicide bomber in afghanistan has killed ten people and injured up to 40
others close to a nato base. The governor of the province said those killed were
afghan labourers waiting at a checkpoint to get work inside the base. Military
officials said no nato personnel were hurt. The crisis in iraq has harm ed the
image of the united states around the world. In a new opinion poll conducted for
the bbc between november and january by the international polling firm globe
scan, sampling views of 26,000 people in 25 countries.
>> Just 29% said the U.S. Is having a mainly
positive influence on the world. Over two-thirds believe the U.S. Military
presence in the middle east provokes more conflict than it prevents. 17% believe
U.S. Troops are a stablizing force. But there was widespread disapproval of
washington's handling of the iraq war. The u.S. Prison camp at guantanamo bay,
iran's nuclear programme, and global warming. A foreman u.S. Ambassador to nato
said the iraq war did indeed start the decline.
>> After 9/11 in 2001, american popularity and support from others was really
quite high. Really with the american invasion of iraq, that began turning things
in the wrong direction. And even today with a turn on the part of the president,
a lot of his administration, reaching out to allies, trying do other things
besides iraq, of a positive character, i'm afraid that the united states
distressingly is stuck with bad image over what is happening in this particular
country.
>> Ambassador robert hunter there. Tanya's here now. The message on wall
street is mind the gap.
>> The shares go up when the boss goes. That tells you something. Investors
are asking if a best known clothes retailer is going out of fashion. Gap dumped
its boss after reports of a dismal shopping season caps three years of falling
sales. Shares on wall street rose on the news. Brian Roberts says a turnaround
at gap is still possible.
>> Someone who can unlock that potential and perhaps realign it with a much
more competitive fashion market. There is a chance the gap could prosper once
again.
>> Here's a turnaround that's already happened. Ireland's been one of
europe's big success stories over the past decade. A series of development plans
has transformed the country from one of the poorest countries in europe into one
of the richest. Today the country is launching its fourth such plan. This time
around E.U. Funding has moved each and much of the funding will come from
private finance. The question is will it receive enough of a boost to keep the
momentum going.
>> I think one of the issues in the irish economy after is a 15 years of
very, very strong economic growth, clearly a lot of our infrastructure and our
public services are under pressure. So the national development plan that's
going to be announced today which will cover the period 2007 to 2013, it will be
around 180 billion euro, which is at 110% of our gross domestic product. That
money will be spent over next seven years, and it will address areas like
infrastructure, building roads, putting in public transport systems. It will
address areas like education and training to ensure that the quality of the
labour force in this country is sufficient to meet the needs of particularly
multinational investors who want to invest in the country. There's also going to
be an element dealing with the whole peace process with northern ireland. And
the last programme, which has just expired, looked at some cross-border
initiatives. I would expect today's programme is going to do a lot more in that
direction. The other key element I think is going to be in the area of social
infrastructure, building social and affordable housing and ensuring that the
less advantaged in society get a fair crack at the whip going forward. So we're
talking about a lot of money being spent over a seven-year period to ensure that
the irish economy is capable of sustaining the sort of economic growth and
momentum that has been published over the last decade.
>> Exactly the question investors want answered. Shares in the tv producers
in endymol after reports that rupert murdoch is interested in buying the
company. There is speculation that telephonica could be ready to sell up to
murdoch who controls the media empire news corps. That would be an interesting
sale indeeD.
>> Thank you. Coming up on bbc world -- hillary clinton launches a massive
campaign to be the next president of the united states, but can she keep up with
her competition? More than 20 people have been killed in the west african state
of guinea in clashes between the security forces and demonstrators protesting
against the rule of the president. Police blocked tens of thousands of people
trying to march into the centre of the capital.
>> Confusion, panic and feaR. Life in guinea's capital as a general strike
threatens to become something far more serious. Police on the streets,
eyewitnesses say, are out of control.
>> ( Translated ): We stopped and looked around. Other people are running
when the presidential guard started to shoot at them.
>> Presents tests are taking place -- protests are taking place here and in
other towns around the country. The government fears this is not just a dispute
about pay and conditions.
>> ( Translated ): We have come to the conclusion that it's no longer just a
strike, but it's now about political demands. They want to fight on political
ground.
>> And the protesters are hardly denying that facT. The general strike that's
nearly two weeks old, a protest against an aging president who took power in a
coup more than 20 years ago. The president has health problems and many think
his time is up.
>> ( Translated ): Enough is enough. We've been hurt enough times. The people
of guinea now want a new government. That's our objective.
>> Union leaders have been arrested as the government tries to bring all this
to a halT. The u.N. Secretary diswrerl says he's gravely concerned about what's
happening. Math wriew charles, bbc news.
>> The bolivian president, evo morales, has marked his first year in office
with a speech promising further redistribution of wealth to try to eliminate
poverty in what is south america's poorest country. He pledged to raise taxes on
foreign mining firms. The main news here on bbc world: Thousands of lebanese
demonstrators have blocked major roads in and around the capital, beirut, at the
start of a general strike. Tens of thousands of people in istanbul are taking
part in a funeral procession for a prominent turkish-Armenian journalist hrant
dink who was shot dead last friday. Thousands of people taking part in the
world's social firm currently under way in the kenyan capital nairobi. The forum
has been held every year for the past seven and aims to provide clear
alternative to the world economic forum. Key themes are justice and equality. In
nairobi is the secretary-general of the world alliance for citizen
participation. It's a world alliance of 500 N.G.O.S in 100 countries. Thank you
for joining us. Your experience derives largely from the anti-apartheid
campaign. How has that impacted upon what your aspirations are and indeed your
methods?
>> Well, we're an official forum. One of the issues very much on the agenda
is how to protect democracy in the wake of the way the war on terrorism is
prosecuted. Sadly even countries that claim to promote democracy are actually
giveing way to human rights abuse. There's detention without trial and so forth
and so on, so democracy is a burning part of the forum. Yesterday there was a
lot of focus on human rights violations in zimbabwe and the absence of
democracy. But this year is a place for people from abroad spectrum of different
areas of concern, gender inequality, poverty, environmental justice, to form a
defined voice and make connections and alliances across the national boundary.
>> In your view, how significant is it that the forum is being held for the
first time in africa?
>> Well, africa sadly has been portrayed as a very poor continent. Sadly
africa in reality is one of the richest continents underneath the ground, but
because of exploy exploitation and ongoing exploitation we have this continent
one of the poorest above the ground. So africa is going to connect with its
allies not only in latin america, asia and other parts of the globe, but it's
making alliances and building partnerships to continue the struggles that we
need to even with our brothers and sisters in developed countries around the
world. Democracies...
>> Thank you very much for joining us live there from the world social forum
taking place in the kenyan capital, nairobi. Hillary clinton has hit the ground
running in her campaign to be next president of the united states. In her first
event she held a live web chat online as part of what she called a conversation
of america. The former first lady is also facing stiff competition.
>> Hi, david, how are you?
>> Hillary Clinton, the former first lady and democratic senator for new york.
Could she now become the first woman president of the united states? This
weekend she used a the new weapon of choice for politicians, the internet, to
announce her presidential campaign. Now she's started it with half-hour live web
chat underlining her different approach to the world.
>> We have so squandered that goodwill, and we've got rebuild it. That means
starting at the top with a president who will send a message to the rest of the
world that we want to work together.
>> Also tonight she's the front-runner for the democratic presidential
nomination.
>> Hillary's been blitzing the tv studios,, too. While she's popular with
democrats, she's still yet to convince some americas who question her warmth and
likeable.
>> Even those who approve of you as a candidate have questions about your
electability. What would you say to them?
>> I would say, give me a chance. As a friend of mine said the other day, I'm
the most famous woman that nobody really knows because i've been caricatureised
to some extent. I want to let people make their own decisions.
>> Hillary's biggest challenge may be the charismatic senator barack obama
from illinois, a fellow democrat whose easy charm has proved a potent draw. Her
biggest advantage may be moneY. She's expected to raise $100 million this year
in what is set to be the most expensive presidential campaign ever.
>> We're going to see an unlimited spending arms racE. We're going to see the
two presidential nominees spend a total of $1 billion in private funds in this
election.
>> The race has now really started, but can Hillary win? She certainly has
the money and the machine, but does she have the magic to win over not just the
minds but the hearts of the american people? James westhead, bbc news in
washington.
>> Stay with us here at bbc world because coming up, escape from the jaws of
death, how an australian diver outwitted a shark. A british expatriate living in
china is campaigning to save the great wall from the ravages of time. William
lindsay has been documented the damage caused by tourism and erosion in a series
of dramatic photographs.
>> It's china's most famous landmark. Stretching for thousands of kilometres
across the north of the country. But years of erosion and tourism have taken
their. To many parts of the great wall are slowly falling down. Now one british
man is determined to stop all that. William lindsay has made protecting the wall
his life's work.
>> I saw an old photograph of the wall taken in 1907. And i've taken the same
picture in 1987. It was the same location, but there was a big tower in the
middle of the photograph which disappeared. It's gone. It made me think how the
great wall was slowly changing before our very eyes. This is a good summary it
reminds people that even the great wall of china, one of the world's greatest
buildings, will not just stay there. It has to be protected in a positive way.
>> His latest exhibition shows the extent of the damage to the great wall
over the years. In recent months the government has announced new rules to
protect it, including banning parties and all-night raves, which have become
common along parts near beijing.
>> ( Translated ): The great wall reflects and records china's history. So if
we protect it and do thorough research on it, people can understand china's
past. If we understand the past, then we will have a better understanding of the
chinese people.
>> But the reality is there's not much in the way of funding to protect the
great wall. The government is reluctant to limit the lucrative tourist trade,
despite the damage it causes. In china's new capitalist economy, it's money that
matters, not history. Daniel griffiths, bbc news, beijing.
>> An australian diver has miraculously fought free from the jaws of a
three-meter long shark which had seized him by the heaD. In a remarkable escape,
the man was hauled back on to his boat by his son. Nick bryant reports.
>> Lucky to be alive after escaping the jaws of death in the most literal
sense of all. Professional diver eric marris, the victim of a ferocious attack
from a white pointer shark. He'd been driving off the shores of new south wales
when the three-meter long shark attacked. The predator grabbed 41-year-old diver
by the head, crushing his face mask and breaking his nose. Then it returned for
a second bite, clenching its jaws along the diver's torso. But he fought back
and was flown to hospital where he's being treated for shock and blood loss. His
condition serious but stable.
>> It appears the shark has taken the diver completely into his mount --
mouth and obviously bitten him. The diver had the presence of mind to poke it in
the eyes, and he was eventually spat out.
>> This is what remains of marris' driving equipment, shredded by the shark's
razor teeth. And this is the blood-soaked boat that helped in his rescue.
>> He came up to the surface and he was going, "help, help, there's a shark.
There's a shark." There was a big pool of red blood. I pulled him out of water.
He's going, "get me to shore, get me to shore."
>> Shark attacks are not uncommon in australian waters. They happen about 15
times a year, one of the highest in the world. But this kind of escape is a
genuine raimplt locals are calling it a miracle. Nick Bryant, bbc news, Sydney.
>> Let's go back to istanbul now where we can look at the latest pictures on
that funeral procession. Tens of thousands of people are in that procession,
which is going from one part of istanbul just outside the offices of the
newspaper where hrant dink was shot to the Armenian church where his funeral
mass is about to begin. So bbcnews.Com. You can keep up to date. <
* While this transcript
can be a help for listening and quotation, one may need to
be aware of that there appear minor spelling mistakes on this
transcript occasionally. For example, some initial letters
need to be changed into capitals. |
![Computer-generated image of a weather satellite [photo credit: EUMETSAT® 2007]](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42471000/jpg/_42471025_satellite203.jpg)
Aftermath of blasts 
Targeting migrants
