absolutely alex’s adventures & times

As if air travel these days isn’t miserable enough already, (London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, anyone?) the European Commission came up with an even more bone-headed idea to make passenger jets become truly torture chambers.

It has ruled that cellphones will now be able to penetrate airplanes flying over European airspace, the final bastion of peace and tranquility from the constant ringing of silly ringtones and people babbling away with no consideration to fellow passengers.

No thanks to a technology that will have small mobile phone base stations, called pico cells, placed in aircraft that will allow cellphone coverage in a plane. The plan for now is to have the system switched on only after the plane has taken off and is in a cruising altitude.

Cellphone calls from planes could start as early as next month, reports say. It will also cost more than calls made from land.

While it is up to individual airlines to decide if they wanted to introduce the system to their flights, Air France and Ryanair are two airlines that are already keen to introduce the cellphone technology into their aircrafts.

Would there be airlines brave enough to say, thanks but no thanks, and refuse to bring the system onboard? That airline would be sure to win a lot of customers who are hoping to get a few hours of peace on the flight.

Using a cellphone on a flight is not like having people use theirs on train rides or buses. Those are short commutes, compared with flights.

What happens if you had to sit through ten hours of a trans-Atlantic/ Pacific flight next to a whiny neighbor who insists on spilling every lurid detail of a bad relationship to the person on the other end of the cellphone line? You could not move away as easily as if you were on a bus or train. Neither could you jump out of the plane just to escape the noise and the yakking, the way you could a bus. Wouldn’t air rage incidences soar with the introduction of cellphone use on planes?

Of course, airlines could say there would be rules on cellphone use onboard. They could mollify customers dreading the onslaught of cellphone use by designating “quiet zones”, like they have on trains now. But let’s be real. There are bound to be the boorish types that would blatantly ignore these quiet zones or pretend not to be aware of them, destroying everyone’s peace. Are we then allowed to have them thrown out of the plane, along with their beloved cellphones?

Airlines might think businessmen will be the most eager to use the service and carry on working without missing a beat. But they might be surprised to know that many business executives greet the no-mobile phones rule on planes as a welcome respite, a time to catch up on reading or sleep and have some downtime to themselves.

The only hope left is that the rates to use cellphones on the planes would be so high that it would be prohibitive and discourage most people to bother switching on their phones and dialing.

Perhaps this is all inevitable, and it is just a matter of time before cellphones are used on airplanes. But the average human being is already so interconnected these days, it is bordering on the ridiculous. What is so bad about slowing down, turning off that mobile phone and reading or napping on the flight instead? It really will not kill us not to be in touch 24/7.

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Maybe it is true after all — women leaders can be tougher and ballsier than men.

Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has decided to do away with the bobbing and weaving and cut to the chase — she will not be in Beijing for the opening ceremony for this summer’s Olympics, making her the first world leader to take such a bold stand. Her action is believed to be a response to the violent suppression of Tibetan protests by the Chinese authorities, although her office has been careful to disassociate her decision from the issue.

Unlike her French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, there is none of the humming and hawing from the German leader. Sarkozy, after much pressure from the French population to take a strong stand against Beijing, would only say his attendance in Beijing in August is conditional on China’s behavior in its crackdown over Tibet.

Other European leaders have also decided to boycott the Beijing Olympics. They include Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister and President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic.

Perhaps having grown up under the communist system in the former East Germany, Merkel has a stronger sense for standing on the side of human rights. She had previously infuriated the Chinese leadership by meeting the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, in Berlin in September last year.

In retaliation, China had canceled a meeting between the German Justice Minister and Chinese officials. This time, the repercussions from Beijing are likely to be even tougher, given how badly China wants the Beijing Olympics to be its coming party and a showcase of its progress to the world.

China’s headache will not end here. The European Union has a foreign ministers’ meeting in Slovenia on Saturday and the Tibet issue will be part of the agenda. According to reports, some European leaders want a concerted EU response to the matter, although many are reluctant to resort to boycotting the Olympics, preferring talks rather than tying sports to politics.

The European country caught in an awkward position in this episode is the UK. Its prime minister Gordon Brown had promised to be at Beijing. But his hands are rather tied, given his role as the leader of the country that will be hosting the Olympics next, in 2012. If the EU decides to take a harder stand, the UK would be stuck in a dilemma.

At the end of the day, the European leaders do have to tread carefully on this very delicate issue. The main thing here is the welfare of the Tibetans. While it is necessary they send Beijing a firm signal, they cannot afford to overdo things and cause China to come down even harder on the Tibetans in response. That would make things more tragic than it already is.

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Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

We tried offering a base in Azerbaijan to you so that we could work together on the whole missile defense shield system, but you declined, so don’t be surprised that we’re producing intercontinental ballistic missiles for new-generation nuclear submarines or beefing up our air defense.

That’s in essence Russia’s message of defiance and retaliation to the Western world, particularly Bush’s plan to install a US missile defense system in what Russia still see as rightful sphere of influence, the Czech Republic and Poland, despite these countries already being in the European Union and NATO.

Russia had never believed US explanations that the anti-missile system is for warding off potential danger from states like Iran or North Korea. It thinks the US system is not only redundant, but a real threat to Russia itself. Last month, Russia stopped participating in the conventional arms treaty that puts limits on Russia and NATO deployments in Europe.

Now that its Bulava-M missiles were successfully tested recently, Russia will be ordering more of it.

Russia isn’t stopping there. It’s also stepping up its air defense, with a new system that has missile-intercepting weapons, Reuters reports.

The surface-to-air missile unit can destroy ballistic targets, ballistic missiles and aerodynamic targets, according to the Russians. Ostensibly, it is meant to defend Russia’s 2014, which would be held in Russia’s Black Sea region of Sochi. But in reality, the air defense system is a not-so-veiled counter to the US’ planned system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

In a sign that’s reminiscent of the arms race era, Russia added that it has started work on a more sophisticated anti-missile defense system that will be mobile.

An increasingly-assertive and oil and natural minerals boom-induced cash-rich Russia will be harder to deal with. Add to that the ultranationalism that Putin has actively been spreading among the youth, and it looks like the West will have another Cold War-style issue to contend with.

Should we start worrying about the latest salvo fired by Russian President Vladimir Putin?

In a move reminiscent of the old Cold War days, he had just threatened to target Russian missiles at Europe in a tit for tat move for US plans to have a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The US had said the missile defense system it plans to install in eastern Europe is meant to counter threats from states like Iran and North Korea.

But Russia is not biting.

Refuting that Iran or Korea is the intended target, Putin instead suggested that the real aim is Russia.

So is this just the latest flap or is Russia serious about challenging what it sees are threats to its very existence and turning hostile?

It could be argued that Russia is still uncomfortable with the growth of NATO right up to what it feels are its doorstep and backyard, the eastern European states.

Another theory is that Putin, mindful of his departure from office next year and the elections, is keen to buttress his nationalistic credentials, playing to the domestic audience and trumpeting Russia’s new sense of toughness, to ensure a smooth transition for his hand-picked successor. Russians are known to prefer a strong and dictatorial leader to one who’s democratic yet weak, so it’s no wonder that Putin is enjoying high ratings. Its repressed media also probably has much to do with his showing with the Russian people, but that’s another story.

The Russian leader might also have been reacting in anger at what it deems as Washington’s unilateral actions. The Bush administration did withdraw in 2002 from the anti-ballistic missile treaty that had previously been in force for 30 years. Washington had also proceeded with its plans of the missile shield a little too quickly, without ensuring that Russia is suitably mollified, and is now reaping the consequences of Russia’s wrath.

The BBC calls current US-Russia relations “… an era of self-interest, with both sides following and promoting their own agendas, which may or may not coincide or clash”.

But President Bush is trying to build bridges with Putin before things get out of hand.

The International Herald Tribune says Bush has invited Putin to the Bush family estate at Kennebunkport in Maine, an honor Bush has never accorded to any other world leaders. Not much good though, is expected to come out of that, with analysts even speculating that the Kremlin is deriding the Bush reaction after the series of belligerent Russian statements, the IHT reports.

On the other hand, there is truth to the argument that the missile defense system destabilizes the strategic balance of Europe and Russia is justifiably nervous at the westward sweep of NATO alliance forces. It is perhaps perceived not only as a snub, but also raised its heckles. Coming at a time when Russia is feeling flush from rising oil prices and its growing strategic importance with its involvement in issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue, Putin is more emboldened to assert itself and even turn hostile by hitting back at what it views are threats to its place.

Putin’s latest reactions are distressing, considering the succession of incidents recently: from Putin likening the US to Nazi Germany, Russia’s bellicose attitude towards Estonia, to its blatant disregard for human rights such as the attack on and detention of gay rights protesters in Moscow.

It seems unlikely that the US-Russia relation will turn back to the time when Bush declared that he saw into Putin’s soul and decided he could do business with the man. Perhaps the tension will remain at the level of a war of words until both men leave office and might not erupt into a return to the Cold War, although it is threatening to step dangerously into that territory.

“I will defend my convictions while respecting others,” pledges French President Nicholas Sarkozy, declaring his guiding philosophy, as he plunges into his job with relish, giving an opinion on anything or everyhing.

This is a man who has the energy of a man half his age, seems like he is staying up all night thinking through all the biggest issues of the day and is keen to unleash himself and his ideas onto his first big international appearance, at the G8 summit in Germany this Wednesday, while simultaneously projecting the image that France is once again a major player in the world stage.

On the European Union and its role, Sarko has been urging that European leaders accept a new, simplified European treaty that will be ratified by member states through parliamentary votes rather than popular vote, which had sealed the fate of an earlier incarnation through rejection by French and Dutch voters. His philosophy towards the EU has also solidified around the idea of it wielding more power as an economic entity and less in political realms. But at the same time, he told the Financial Times he opposed EU’s trade policy, labeling it “excessively liberal”. It figures. Despite his reformist credentials, Sarko is at the core a protectionist when it comes to French industries, insisting on staying the course on French agriculture and justifying it by explaining that “the security of Europe’s food supplies was vital”.

On the incoming UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarko had this piece of advice. “Gordon Brown has advanced and modernized the British economy over 10 years. I hope that in moving from Number 11 to Number 10 Downing Street he understands that Europe is not outmoded.” But Sarko smoothly added, “Europe has need of the UK and the UK has need of Europe.” He further established the groundwork for a smoother transition in his dealings from Tony Blair to Brown, by telling the Financial Times that “I don’t think that everybody shares my opinion. I don’t have this arrogant vision. He is more liberal than I am.”

Sarko, who has long professed his admiration for the US, is also playing nice when asked about US President George W Bush, Iraq and Bush’s recently-announced environmental initiatives. Regarding Iraq, he pulled out the diplomatic card, professing to not being qualified to comment when he doesn’t have troops in Iraq and affirming French support in Afghanistan through continued troop presence. When it came to commenting on Bush’s environmental plan, Sarko called it an “encouraging evolutionary”. This guy looks set to have a great conversation on the sidelines of the G8 summit with Bush. Expect an invitation to Camp David in the mail for him soon.

But really, Sarko seems set to build consensus and make friends everywhere. It’s a smart move that will warm him to the leaders and create an easier basis for doing business. He was equally flattering about German Chancellor Angela Merkel, complimenting her on her leadership in the EU’s rotating presidency and expressing confidence of her ability to push for issues such as reform and the environment through.

The only person that might not get the full assault of Sarko’s charm is Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the latest hissy fit Russia is throwing about the US’ missile plan, Sarko said he plans to have a “frank and direct” discussion with Putin. Though professing to desire a strategic partnership and amicable relations with Russia, Sarko had came out strongly to condemn Moscow’s strengthening authoritarianism and human rights abuses in Chechnya while campaigning for the presidency. Russia is unlikely to forget that quickly.

So it looks like this upcoming G8 summit might be a little more than just boring business as usual with Sarko’s kinetic and involved presence. The attending heads of states will no doubt have to hear plenty of his opinions and contend with a French President with an assertive approach. While it remains to be seen if Sarko will wear them out, the media, especially the European ones, is still nursing its love affair with Sarko. You could bet on seeing, and hearing, a lot of the guy over the next few days.

Finally, the Bush administration is getting something right in its international appointments.

In a pleasant surprise, the US will be announcing that it is replacing disgraced and scandal-ridden World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz, with Robert Zoellick.

The appointment is likely to generate plenty of goodwill and enthusiasm worldwide.

Thanks to his immense experience in the international arena, Zoellick’s appointment is probably going to be more successful than Wolfowitz’s. Zoellick has held a number of government positions, the most prominent ones being the US Trade Representative at the start of Bush’s first term in office, and later as the Deputy Secretary of State, effectively the US’ number 2 diplomat.

In his capacity as trade representative, Zoellick had traveled around the world tirelessly, steering US trade policy while simultaneously winning over nations to the cause of free trade with his intellect, consensus-building and fair-dealing manner.

His success as a US Trade Representative is legendary, most notably in his success at resuscitating stalled World Trade Organization talks, and for his solid partnership with his equally indefatigable European counterpart then (European Commissioner for Trade), Pascal Lamy, who’s now the WTO chief.

Zoellick’s appointment would help mollify European sentiments, which had soured on Wolfowitz as they made clear to the Bush administration Wolfowitz’s need to exit. Countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, which had dealt with Zoellick firsthand when he was trade representative, were also reportedly keen on his appointment.

Being a career diplomat, Zoellick is well-known as an expert bridge-builder, an experience that will serve him well as he tries to mend fences with the 10,000 World Bank employees and win their support. The bank employees had revolted against the hypocrisy and high-handedness Wolfowitz had meted out during his term and were instrumental in ensuring his downfall.

Currently a Goldman Zach’s executive, Zoellick’s experience in economic policy coupled with his ability to engage different stakeholders should prove useful for his tenure at the World Bank.

Rumors had been rife when the position came up two years ago that Zoellick was in the running to be named World Bank chief, but he was eventually passed over by the Bush administration for Wolfowitz.

It’s now time for Zoellick to shine and do damage control, even as the World Bank grasps with an identity crisis. Zoellick will not only have to restore dignity to the World Bank and rally its staff, but work on redefining its relevance in this changed economic reality, while simultaneously continuing on its anti-corruption policies.

More evidence of Russia’s troubling human rights records — over the weekend, peaceful gay rights activists were punched and kicked as they attempted to stage a gay rights march in Moscow.

The police looked the other way as thuggery again reared its ugly head in Russia. Ultra-nationalists and skin-head types showed up, turning violent on the gay rights activists, some from other European capitals, even as television cameras from around the world captured every blow on tape.

To add insult to injury, the activists were arrested or detained while their assailants got away scot-free. Among the activists detained were European Members of Parliament.

All this, even as Russia has decriminalized homosexuality for 14 years.

The law may have changed but it is obviously just lip service.

It didn’t help matters that Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov condemned homosexuality as “satanic” as he swore never to allow gay pride parades in Moscow. The country’s Russian Orthodox Church, too, is on his side, giving the Mayor its blessings by supporting the ban. No wonder the ultra-nationalists were emboldened.

It’s shameful that the G8 nations give Russia a seat at the table when it repeatedly refuses to play by the rules of civilized nations which have embraced tolerance and diversity as part of their raison d’etre.

Besides just warring with the US over the climate treaty, the G8 has to make it its priority to condemn unequivocally Russia’s recent action against the gay rights activists and make clear its reprehensible behavior have no place in the grouping in its upcoming summit. The European Union, under Germany’s leadership, had spoken out against Russia’s clampdown on its political activists in a recent summit. It’s only logical that the EU followed up on that and crank up the pressure by speaking up for the gay rights activists and gay rights itself.

Mayors from various European capitals have already condemned the episode, calling it sad and deplorable.

While gay rights activists in Russia had predicted the fracas and many stayed away, they should have turned out in full force, if nothing else, to show that brutality and violence cannot cow them into silence and hiding. It’s unfortunate that foreigners were the ones spearheading the movement and taking blows for it, but Russian activists will have to show more fortitude in bringing across the message to the authorities that they too have rights and can no longer be intimidated.

One of the activists who was attacked, British singer Richard Fairbrass of the band Right Said Fred, expressed it best when he told the BBC: “When it was over I actually felt more sorry for the guy that whacked me than I did for me… How threatened can he be, how insecure is he to be threatened by a bisexual pop singer who’s most famous for singing ‘I’m too sexy’?”

If we’re not back in the days of the Cold War yet, we’re most probably heading there fast.

Russia under Vladimir Putin is on a war path with the West and its latest fight is with the UK, in Russia’s refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB officer charged by the UK of killing Alexander Litvinenko with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 last November.

Naturally, it would be hard for Russia to hand Lugovoi over, those who have pointed the finger at the Kremlin said, for fear of the British unraveling the mystery and identifying the perpetrators.

They said that Lugovoi would not have obtained the polonium without assistance from well-placed sources in the Russian administration. “Clearly it was a state-sponsored job. But who within the Russian state? . . . It must be someone very, very high up,” Alex Goldfarb, a spokesman for Litvinenko’s family told the Washington Post. “It is unrealistic to think Putin will surrender the perpetrator because he will tell the whole plot to the British.”

But the world at large, and the West in particular, ought to be getting alarmed at Russia’s increasingly aggressive, even thuggish behavior in its foreign policy, propelled by its need to defend and assert itself amid misplaced notions of nationalism and resurgence.

Silencing an exiled citizen who had mouthed-off against Russia is a mere footnote compared to recent Russian behavior against other nations, which has become more antagonistic.

Earlier this month, Russia unleashed its wrath against Estonia for removing a statue of a Soviet soldier from central Tallinn, in what is believed to be an orchestrated series of cyber attacks against Estonia’s government websites, banks, newspapers and companies. Russians have also staged violent protests against the Estonian embassy in Russia, even to the point of trying to attack the Estonian ambassador to Russia.

Putin himself had recently made progressively provocative pronouncements. Just this month, he criticized the US as being akin to Nazi Germany. Not too long ago, he had openly complained of its feeling of being encircled as the US looks towards placing missile sites near Russia’s border, in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Russia’s relations aren’t much better with the European Union. Last week’s summit between Russia and the EU ended on a sour note, with the EU boldly criticizing Russia’s restrictions on protesters for the summit while raising Russia’s human rights record.

Russia’s actions have even provoked a warning by the EU that Russia has to deal with the EU as a whole, a warning for Russia not to continue regarding former Soviet-sphere countries as its satellites and subjecting them to trade sanctions.

Putin is scheduled to meet the leaders of the G8 in a gathering next month. The leaders of those nations should use the occasion to continue standing up to Russia by working together to reject its bullying tactics.