Comment du Jour

Happy Birthday Hamburg!!


The Port of Hamburg recently celebrated its birthday--the 821st to be exact. So the major north German harbor city decided to throw a big party.

Cunard's majestic Queen Mary 2 sailed into the port as did tall-masted sailing ships and the French helicopter carrier Jeanne D'Arc. There were over 300 vessels visiting the Hanseatic city on the Elbe for the annual harbor festival in May.

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg traces its roots to its historic and still-vibrant commercial contacts among the cities of North Sea and the Baltic.



*Picture kindly provided by Port of Hamburg Marketing/Germany

Spanish TV Correspondent Decries Cuban Censorship


UNITED NATIONS — “Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right…but around the world there are governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it,” warned UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon proclaiming World Press Freedom Day.

Thus when Vincente Botin, a veteran Spanish TV news reporter formerly based in Cuba, briefed UN correspondents, the message was all the more poignant. Botin, whose four year stint in Havana working for Spain’s TV Espanola, spoke of the ongoing pressures from the Castro dictatorship and the continuing attacks against the free press.

Botin stated that according to the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders, that Cuba holds the dubious distinction of jailing the second largest number of journalists in the world today, led only by the People’s Republic of China. He added that even as a foreign correspondent, being forced to walk a thin line of “self-censorship” and “face a tricky balancing act as to what we can say.” Over the past few years, three foreign correspondents were kicked out of Cuba, and that is why “we have to write between the lines and use metaphor to convey the story.”

Importantly Botin stated that since the communist controlled island considers itself in a “state of war,” that press surveillance remains intense. Again citing Reporters Without Borders, he stated that twenty state security agents are assigned to monitor each foreign correspondent.

“Freedom of media is at risk anywhere the independence of thinking is under pressure,” stated a Spanish delegate at a separate UN committee hearing. “All UN member states make their commitment to respect fundamental freedoms, to guarantee full respect for freedom of expression, and access to information, and to ensure the unhindered movements of press representatives The EU considers it of paramount importance that these commitments are fully adhered to.”

Thus I questioned Botin whether the Spanish government, which let’s face it, has a long history with Cuba dating from colonial times to the present day, has taken a pro-active stance on human rights in the Caribbean island?

Given that the Madrid government presently also holds the presidency of the European Union, it is all the more of a political bully pulpit to exert positive influence over Cuba. Botin conceded that Spanish governments both of the right, namely Jose Maria Aznar and currently Jose Zapatero of the socialist Left have spoken of “engagement” for the island. Yet neither right nor left has achieved any positive human rights results in dealing with Fidel Castro.

Interestingly, political pressures from the European Union states have been reserved and limited with the exception of the Czech Republic’s courageous stand.

Though he does not favor the longstanding American economic embargo on Cuba which dates from the early years of Castro’s rule, Botin admitted that what the Havana regime does not like to admit is that the USA is the island’s 5th largest trading partner and the 1st exporter of food to Cuba. This may prove an uncomfortable contradiction but it is equally a commercial reality.

He conceded that while Raul Castro formally replaced his ailing brother Fidel in 2008, in fact the expected reforms “never materialized.” Moreover the Communist Party of Cuba “controls all.” Botin conceded the regime is a “personality driven dictatorship.”

Dealing with the internet, Secretary General Ban stated, “The censors are also active in cyberspace, restricting the use of the internet and the new media.” According to Botin, the internet in Cuba plays a very limited role; “It is one of the lowest in the world with only 9 in 1,000 people having access, which is actually lower than Togo.” The numbers of internet bloggers are few but naturally under surveillance.

A 2010 Freedom House survey of global press freedom placed Cuba fifth from the bottom of 196 states surveyed followed only by Libya, Burma and North Korea.

In a riveting account of his four years in Cuba, Botin wrote a book, Castro’s Funerals,” as a way to “exorcise” himself from the self-censorship and compromises made while formerly living in Castro’s state.

Comment du Jour

Euro Pros!

While ill-winds from the Aegean are buffeting the financial futures across Euroland, a strong breeze of common sense is blowing from the Baltic waters.

Estonia is set to join the Euro currency group next year. The tiny Baltic state of 1.3 million people has proven to be the keeper of the flame of fiscal discipline. Public debt is the lowest in Europe and the deficit is just under 3 percent. And while the roaring economic growth rates of the 1990's are but a memory, this proud little democracy has all the attributes for joining the common Euro currency--without having to fudge the numbers.

Naturally the Tallin government wants to join the Euro to be fully part of the Club to which it already belongs--NATO, the United Nations, and the European Union. After a half century of brutal Soviet occupation, Estonians appreciate freedom but also want that insurance policy of belonging. Look at the map!

Comment du Jour

Euro Woes!

The Greek crisis threatens the financial stability of the European Union.

Now the once-vaunted Euro currency seems to be teetering.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated plainly, "The euro is in danger. If we don't deal with this danger, then the consequences for us in Europe are incalcuable." Her comments pushed the Euro down from $1.2228 to $1.2145, before it bounced to $1.2190.

Days earlier Chancellor Merkel came under withering domestic criticism when her government finally gave in to what ammounts to a Greek-bailout by Berlin. So the German, French and the Dutch taxpayers will pick up the financial tab for profligate spending in Greece....and likely soon in Spain and Portugal too.

Iran rants at nuclear talks answered with silence

UNITED NATIONS — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad got the stage he wanted but not necessarily the political bounce he needed. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave the political tough-talk she needed, only then to waffle on the follow-up-as to what’s next? Most delegations offered polite palaver over the wonders of nuclear non-proliferation but few had the moral stamina to mention names.

Thus the “Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)” was off and running with a near-rhetorical yawn, save for the ranting and raving of Iran’s president against the USA and the “Zionist entity” Israel.

Hillary Clinton was widely praised for admonishing Ahmadinejad saying he “offered the same tired, false and sometimes wild accusations against the United States and other parties at this conference.” She predicted, “Iran will not succeed in its efforts to divert and divide.”

Yes, but then Hillary faltered, by not specifically naming North Korea rather referring to it as among a few “outliers,” the Obama Administration’s deliberately fuzzy and ambiguous term for rogue regimes. By not directly citing Pyongyang’s proliferation, she may be trying to offer political “face” for Beijing which remains North Korea’s sole comrade. China has pressured Pyongyang to return to the floundering “Six Party Talks,” on nuclear disarmament.

Here’s the challenge as listed by the left-leaning Carnegie Endowment, “The principal weakness of today’s nonproliferation regime is enforcement. Specifically, the international community seems unable to authorize and implement quick and robust action when a state breaks the rules.” NPT’s role remains disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

In other words when the quaintly titled Democratic People’s Republic of Korea withdrew from the NPT in 2003, there was hand wringing but nary a slap on the wrist. North Korea has since become a nuclear weapons state. Islamic Iran’s continuing under the radar proliferation in the race to build a bomb, has produced “deep concerns” among many delegations but still not the critical political mass to seriously confront the odious regime in Tehran.

While the Conference’s first day started off with heavy hitters, it soon became ho-hum, pro-forma, drone which characterizes such events. Russia sent its Deputy Foreign Minister. France and Mainland China had their Ambassadors deliver the speech. Russia’s delegate stayed silent on Iran, as did China and Turkey.

Western countries are clearly on board over the clear and present danger coming from Islamic Iran and communist North Korea. Even European neutrals such as Austria and Ireland specifically cited the danger of both Iran’s and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

The French delegate cited Iran and clearly stated, “that dialogue is not an end in itself. It must produce results.” Germany called for tougher sanctions on Iran.

Still, the Carnegie Endowment, warned in a report, “Similarly, reactions to Iran’s safeguards violations also illustrate a worryingly permissive attitude toward non-compliance with non proliferation agreements.”

This is alarmingly true. The majority of speeches while singing the praises of a nuclear weapons free world and the needs for non-proliferation, tellingly did not even mention the Tehran’s ongoing transgressions. There’s far less consensus than we may imagine on these proliferation threats.

Brazil a growing player on the global stage, and not surprisingly is seeking a permanent seat on the Security Council stated, “The NPT is an intrinsically unfair Treaty which divides the world between the Haves and Have-Nots.” The Brazilian delegate did not mention either Iran or North Korea either.

Building consensus in a multi-national forum such as the United Nations is difficult at best. For the Obama Administration, getting the long-sought and overdue tough sanctions package on Iran through the UN Security Council may be marginally closer.

Comment du Jour

12 May

Europe Day!!

Europe Day was celebrated in New York with a Gala reception at the legendary New York Public Library. Ambassador Pedro Serrano, acting head of the EU's United Nations delegation, hosted the event which brought together delegates, Consuls, and friends for the annual celebration of Europe.

On 9 May 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented the proposal to create the European Coal and Steel Community, the economic forerunner to the Common Market and later the European Community. In the wake of WWII which ended five years earlier, the integration was seen as indispensable to maintaiing peaceful relations throughout Europe.

Now 60 years later, with 27 memeber states, the European Union is an economic and political player on the global stage.

New York's Empire State Building was lit with the blue and yellow EU colors to celebrate the occasion.

Comment du Jour

5 May

Heed the Greek Crisis

Evoking an ominous tale of mythology, the current financial crisis in Greece threatens to undermine the European currency, the Euro, and more especially rattle global markets and nerves.

Now nearly six months into this financial tragedy, we see the French and German governments (read taxpayers) grudgingly prepared to bail out $236 billion in Greek DEBT!! And the IMF of course is a player.

The lessons of the Greek socialist government’s profligate spending, fiscal irresponsibility, and sloppy oversight has turned a crisis in a small European country into a wider challenge affecting all Euroland.

Tellingly it provides a cautionary tale for the United States itself.

The hydra-headed monster of massive government spending creating debt, deficit and depression threatens Greece. Government debt as a percent of GDP stands at a whopping 125 percent. But Greece, alas, is a small country of eleven million people but its influence in the global market, as its influence in Western is far greater.

Bankers speak about contagion from Greece spreading to Spain, Portugal and Ireland.

Should we be less polite and use the word Dominos????

(actually in early February I wrote a large and detailed column predicting this..please go to my April file)

Comment du Jour

1 May

Of Books and the Rites of Spring

The New York Antiquarian Book Fair remains one of those Rites of Spring which just seems to improve. Celebrating it's 50th anniversary, the event which Andy Rooney of CBS TV called "The Best Bookshow in the World," most certainly lives up to its reputation among collectors and scholars alike.


Some 200 rare book and map dealers from the USA and Europe converged at the storied Park Avenue Armory and in my opinion despite the economy, revived the elusive magic of antique shows. Not only was the venue crowded, but patrons were buying!

Whether it was the sought-after first editions, the rare maps, or the illuminated manuscripts on vellum, the Book Fair has become a jewel in the treasure chest of antique shows.


For example, Frederik Muller Rare Books, from the Netherlands, offered the rare Maximilianus Transylvanus: de Moluccis Insulis (Cologne, 1523). The book cites the first reporting of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.
The same Dutch dealer also exhibited a rare Wang Qi Chinese atlas from 1660

Lux Mentis Booksellers, a Maine, merchant had a first edition of Herman Melville's Moby Dick in a full leather case. Seth Kaller of White Plains New York offered a wonderful array of Americana including a signed George Washington letter written at Headquarters during military operations in 1780.

Transatlantic commercial relations seemed to prosper at the Fair with large numbers of booksellers from Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.

An interesting Fair with interesting people. Bravo!