“Almost hidden in the chorus of voices rejoicing the recent election of a president for Somalia, there are some less promising aspects that have remained outside the media focus. To raise doubts is a little bit like swearing in church; how can anyone seriously be against peace in Somalia?” [FULL TEXT]

Québec Enters the Millennium
By DAVID T. JONES
Nov 1

“Québec remains the flashpoint for Canada. If today Canada appears tranquil, it is balanced on a knife edge, always just another sovereignty referendum from crisis.” [FULL TEXT]

“In the Havana airport, we stand in line and slide our passports into fluorescent-lit cubicles to serious men in drab uniforms. We tell them we are going to stay in a hotel in Matanzas, a lie; we've been told it might create problems to tell the truth, that we are being put up in a dormitory at the Baptist church [and] we are paying our hosts in American dollars to cover expenses.” [FULL TEXT]