aerocontrols
27th October 2003, 07:58 PM
Yeah, this (http://www.chinapost.com.tw/detail.asp?onNews=1&GRP=A&id=21086) rocks.
Socialist International hit with no-shows as it gathers for a congress in Brazil
It was billed as a gathering of socialism's stars, but no-shows and last-minute cancelations put a damper on the 22nd Socialist International Congress.
Brazil might have seemed an attractive venue for a socialist these days. South America's largest country has an elected leftist president for the first time.
But Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- all previous guests of the assembly -- didn't attend the latest four-yearly summit of the world's left-leaning parties. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said he was stuck in Saudi Arabia and couldn't get to Brazil in time for Monday's opening.
Spain's former premier and grand old socialist, Felipe Gonzalez, blamed a canceled flight, and Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller also dropped out late, pleading a full plate of domestic issues.
It's been rough for them lately, I guess. Lula's their only big recent win, and he's not even going to join their club unless they agree to join him out on the far-left fringe.
How are Schroeder's chances of maintaining his government looking? (Seriously, I'm asking. I've heard he was in trouble, but one hears a lot of things...)
MattJ
Socialist International hit with no-shows as it gathers for a congress in Brazil
It was billed as a gathering of socialism's stars, but no-shows and last-minute cancelations put a damper on the 22nd Socialist International Congress.
Brazil might have seemed an attractive venue for a socialist these days. South America's largest country has an elected leftist president for the first time.
But Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- all previous guests of the assembly -- didn't attend the latest four-yearly summit of the world's left-leaning parties. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said he was stuck in Saudi Arabia and couldn't get to Brazil in time for Monday's opening.
Spain's former premier and grand old socialist, Felipe Gonzalez, blamed a canceled flight, and Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller also dropped out late, pleading a full plate of domestic issues.
It's been rough for them lately, I guess. Lula's their only big recent win, and he's not even going to join their club unless they agree to join him out on the far-left fringe.
How are Schroeder's chances of maintaining his government looking? (Seriously, I'm asking. I've heard he was in trouble, but one hears a lot of things...)
MattJ