John Pilger, in an article in the New Statesman entitled ‘The Pursuit of Julian Assange is an Assault on Freedom and a Mockery of Journalism’, published today in Swedish translation by Fria Tider, mentions the historic significance of the British government’s threat to invade the Ecuadorean embassy and seize Assange. It is not perfectly clear that a threat could properly be considered to have been made.
What would be of historic significance, it seems to me, is if, before diplomatic relations were legally severed etc., the British police actually did invade the building of the embassy, and only the many Assange supporters witnessing and livestreaming the attempt in the middle of the night prevented them from actually entering the embassy and seizing him. That, as I understand it, is what Assange himself said happened. Why is there not more discussion about this?
Everything else in Pilger’s article seems to me accurate or plausible.
Fria Tider also continues to publish essential articles on the case in English, explaining some of what mainly British and American conservative critics of Assange and defenders of his Swedish enemies fail to understand:
(Thanks also to Ewa C. who first drew my attention to Pilger’s article by posting it on fb a couple of days ago.)
Delving into a world once shrouded in complete mystery and impenetrable security, this investigative report provides a fascinating account of the annual meetings of the world’s most powerful people – the Bilderberg Group. Since its inception in 1954 at the Bilderberg Hotel in the small Dutch town of Oosterbeek, the Bilderberg Group has been comprised of European prime ministers, American presidents, and the wealthiest CEOs of the world, all coming together to discuss the economic and political future of humanity. The working press has never been allowed to attend, nor have statements ever been released on the attendees’ conclusions or discussions, which have ramifications on the citizens of the world. Using methods that resemble the spy tactics of the Cold War – and in several instances putting his own life on the line – the author did what no one else has managed to achieve: he learned what was being said behind the closed doors of the opulent hotels and has made it available to the public. This second edition includes an entirely new chapter and updated information on topics such as an earlier attempt to break up Canada and the portents of a North American union.
Die Finanzkrise ist kein Ergebnis einer Naturkatastrophe, wie uns häufig vorgegaukelt wird. Außerdem unterstellt der Begriff “Krise” dass es sich um ein vorübergehendes Ereignis handelt, das durch Krisenmanagement beherrschbar ist. So wird davon abgelenkt, dass Organisationen, Institutionen, Einzelpersonen und Gruppen – als übliche Bankengeschäfte getarnt – hemmungslos ihre eigenen Interessen verfolgt haben. Mit krimineller Energie haben sie große Mengen Geld bewegt und in Netzwerken, die der Organisierten Kriminalität vergleichbar sind, dubiose Geschäfte getätigt. Doch die strafrechtliche Aufarbeitung des Geschehens hat bisher nicht stattgefunden. Wolfgang Hetzer fragt nach den Gründen und untersucht, welche Straftatbestände greifen könnten. Für ihn ist es höchste Zeit, dass das traditionell gegen die “Unterschicht” eingesetzte Strafrecht auch endlich gegen die “Oberschicht” angewendet wird.
Cet ouvrage, publié pour la première fois en 1962 a été l’un des tout premiers à mettre en évidence le caractère omniprésent et multiforme de la propagande. Dépassant les définitions classiques, il a montré que la propagande n’était pas l’apanage des dictatures, mais une nécessité pour tous les régimes, qu’elle ne se limitait pas à la guerre psychologique, mais englobait aussi les public and human relations destinées à adapter l’homme à une société. Près de trente ans après sa publication, ce livre demeure une référence indispensable pour la compréhension d’un phénomène qui n’a cessé de s’étendre et de se perfectionner.
Olle Bengtsson 