More is being asked of the United Nations by more people in more places.
The United Nations today leads what seems at times like a double life. Pundits criticise it for not solving all the world's ills, yet people around the world are asking it to do more, in more places, than ever before - a trend that will continue in 2011.
It is not hard to see why. Newspapers, television and the internet make clear the sheer scale of the need. Conflicts rage in too many places. Natural disasters strike with greater fury and in greater numbers than ever.
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On top of all this, we face a new generation of threats, unlike any in history, which spill across borders and have global reach. No single country or group, however powerful, can deal with them alone. All must work together - in common cause for common solutions - to tackle challenges such as climate change, poverty and nuclear disarmament.
But there is profound scepticism that we can do so. The world looks to the UN as never before, yet the conventional wisdom is that we are not up to the job. The problems are too complicated. Resources are too few. The UN appears too divided to make the vital difference.
The conventional wisdom is, however, wrong; worse, it is dangerous, for we have all seen how quickly it can take hold, distort reality, and then harden like cement. For example, four years ago, when I came to office, only a handful of global leaders knew enough even to talk about climate change - the defining challenge of our times, whose effects we see every day, all around us. Today, we have moved climate change to the top of the global agenda.
But make no mistake: it has been a difficult road. In December 2009 in Copenhagen, world leaders talked far into the night and emerged, according to the conventional wisdom, with virtually nothing. In fact, though we did not get a comprehensive, legally binding treaty that would usher in an era of sustainable, low-carbon prosperity, as we had hoped, there were significant achievements in Copenhagen.
For the first time, developed and developing countries acknowledged their responsibility to curb emissions of greenhouse gasses and agreed on the goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 2 degrees. And, for the first time, countries made large pledges to finance mitigation and adaptation efforts: $30 billion over the next three years for fast-start financing, and $100 billion a year by 2020.
The lesson is that we should not dream of overnight breakthroughs, or allow ourselves to fall into despair in the absence of immediate progress. We must work to build on many smaller advances, wherever we can make them - by mobilising support, creating broad alliances, building coalitions, and taking into account a web of moving parts and complex issues - because that will set the stage for the eventual breakthroughs.
Collective action has never been easy, but it has never been more necessary than in achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals - the world's blueprint for ending extreme poverty. The conventional wisdom will tell you that the MDG targets - reducing poverty and hunger, improving the health of mothers and children, combating HIV/AIDS, increasing access to education, protecting the environment, and forging a global partnership for development - are simply unattainable. In fact, we are controlling disease - polio, malaria and AIDS - better than ever, and making big, new investments in women's and children's health - the key to progress in many other areas.
Nevertheless, on climate change, poverty and other issues, the conventional wisdom is that the UN should cede responsibility to the G20. But the G20, by itself, is not the answer. Despite strenuous debate about currency issues and trade imbalances at its summit in Seoul in November, the sole area of agreement concerned an issue on the G20's agenda for the first time - economic development. Recognising that global recovery depends on the emerging economies (that is, the developing world), G20 leaders embraced investments aimed at lifting the world's most vulnerable people out of poverty.
That is why G20 leaders accept the need to work closely with the UN. After all, no organisation does development better. The G20 and the UN are finding new ways to work constructively together - not as rivals, but as increasingly close partners. And that is the way it should be.
Forty years ago, a great American statesman, Dean Acheson, looked back at the excitement he felt in helping to build the post-World War II order. Present at the Creation, he called his memoir.
Today, we find ourselves at an equally exciting moment, no less critical to the future of humankind. We, too, are present at a new creation. And the UN must constantly recreate itself as well. We must evolve and keep pace with a rapidly changing world. We must be faster and more flexible, efficient, transparent and accountable. In an age of austerity, resources are precious; we must make every dollar count.
People everywhere live in growing anxiety and fear. There is near-universal loss of trust in institutions and leaders. Amid such uncertainty, our future depends on a UN that brings together the countries of the world not only to talk and debate, but also to agree and to act; that mobilises civil society, business, philanthropists and ordinary citizens to help the world's governments solve current problems; and that delivers peace, development, human rights, and global public goods - in a word, hope - to people around the world every day.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au
12/30/2010
12/29/2010
G20 and EU 'posturing' could exacerbate future banking crises
The efforts of the G20 and European Union to overhaul financial regulations have been lambasted for being "disingenuous political posturing" that are "increasing the likelihood of future meltdowns", an influential think-tank has warned.
The TaxPayers' Alliance has published a paper accusing politicians and regulators of basing their response to the financial crisis on a "mistaken view of its causes" and "political considerations".
The paper, which was co-written with the Lagatum Institute, an academic group that focuses on wealth, attacks the key aim of politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne for internationally co-ordinated regulation. It warns that "global regulation causes global crises".
The authors, Dalibor Rohac of the Legatum Institute and Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said in the report: "Common capital adequacy rules, while increasing transparency, also encourage homogeneity in investment strategy and undertaking of risk, leading to a high concentration of risk. That means that global regulations can be dangerous because they increase the amplitude of global credit cycles."
The paper adds: "The Basel regulations may still be procyclical, imposing more onerous requirements on institutions at times when the system is in trouble."
The authors claim the new regulations, including the G20-sponsored Basel rules and the Capital Requirements Directive of the EU, have been based on too narrow a view that "greed and insufficient regulation" were the causes. They argue that "regulations and poor policy choices" were also to blame - and that the authorities are in danger of making similarly dangerous mistakes.
The paper claims that parts of the G20 agenda are "completely irrelevant" to reducing risk in the system. It argues: "The idea that "tax havens" and banking secrecy are among the issues that contributed to the financial crisis is completely unfounded. If anything, tax competition could curb some of the excesses of the big, fiscally irresponsible, welfare states by making it difficult for governments to impose too onerous fiscal burdens on mobile tax bases."
By Louise Armitstead
Source: Telegraph Media Group
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
The TaxPayers' Alliance has published a paper accusing politicians and regulators of basing their response to the financial crisis on a "mistaken view of its causes" and "political considerations".
The paper, which was co-written with the Lagatum Institute, an academic group that focuses on wealth, attacks the key aim of politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne for internationally co-ordinated regulation. It warns that "global regulation causes global crises".
The authors, Dalibor Rohac of the Legatum Institute and Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said in the report: "Common capital adequacy rules, while increasing transparency, also encourage homogeneity in investment strategy and undertaking of risk, leading to a high concentration of risk. That means that global regulations can be dangerous because they increase the amplitude of global credit cycles."
The paper adds: "The Basel regulations may still be procyclical, imposing more onerous requirements on institutions at times when the system is in trouble."
The authors claim the new regulations, including the G20-sponsored Basel rules and the Capital Requirements Directive of the EU, have been based on too narrow a view that "greed and insufficient regulation" were the causes. They argue that "regulations and poor policy choices" were also to blame - and that the authorities are in danger of making similarly dangerous mistakes.
The paper claims that parts of the G20 agenda are "completely irrelevant" to reducing risk in the system. It argues: "The idea that "tax havens" and banking secrecy are among the issues that contributed to the financial crisis is completely unfounded. If anything, tax competition could curb some of the excesses of the big, fiscally irresponsible, welfare states by making it difficult for governments to impose too onerous fiscal burdens on mobile tax bases."
By Louise Armitstead
Source: Telegraph Media Group
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
12/28/2010
MP backs G20 outlay
The Beacon Herald kicks off a series of year-end interviews with local political leaders with Perth- Wellington MP Gary Schellenberger. Wednesday, Perth-Wellington MPP and provincial Environment Minister John Wilkinson.
Perth-Wellington's MP is backing the government all the way on its controversial pension reform plan and on its stand that spending close to $1 billion on security for a weekend G20 summit in Toronto was justified.
Despite the arrests of about 1,000 demonstrators, many of whom were released without charge or who had charges withdrawn or dismissed, Gary Schellenberger said that in his view police did not exceed their authority.
"I'm strongly behind the government and I am strongly behind the police. I think they did a great job," said Schellenberger in a year-end interview.
Security costs could have been less, he suggested, "if we only had the protesters on the street and not the hooligans that were only there to cause trouble."
Schellenberger said he does not feel police overstepped their authority. Some of the incidents were orchestrated by demonstrators for the television cameras, he suggested.
"No one was killed," he pointed out, and the cost was about the same as for security at the Vancouver Olympics.
Challenged on the comparison of the two events, Schellenberger said the difference was the presence of 20 national leaders, including the U.S. president, at the Toronto event.
About 400 written complaints about police misconduct were made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director following the June summit.
So far, one officer has been charged in connection with the melee that included damage to police cruisers and some smashed store fronts.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was meeting with provincial government representatives in an attempt to achieve consensus on pension reform the day of the Schellenberger interview, but Flaherty had shifted considerably from an earlier position aimed at expanding the existing Canada Pension Plan to an optional private pool plan.
Critics doubted whether Canadians who already haven't been using available saving and investment opportunities would go for what appears to be a more complex, optional pension system.
Schellenberger, however, rejected that argument.
"This is what's the matter with the country. The government can't be everything to everybody and people have to take some responsibility," he said.
He mentioned that when he ran a home decorating business his company couldn't afford to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan.
He took care of his own personal savings and investments, he said.
"We're in an open society where people have the right to save money or to spend money."
The CPP amounts to a payroll tax for business, Schellenberger said, and if an employer can't afford to contribute but is forced to, the business will go broke and jobs will be lost.
Numerous reports on Canadians' retirement prospects have indicated most people don't put enough away for retirement and that even if they are entitled to a pension, it's not enough for a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.
VETERANS AFAIRS
As chair since September of the House of Commons' standing committee on veterans affairs, Schellenberger acknowledged past ombudsman Patrick Stogran brought forward some important issues about the treatment of veterans.
Veterans Affairs Minister Jean- Pierre Blackburn has acted to correct the situation, Schellenberger said.
"Minister Blackburn has really taken the bull by the horns to make sure our veterans are looked after properly."
One of Stogran's main criticisms was that bureaucrats in the ministry were more concerned about scrimping on health care funding for wounded soldiers than on making sure they were being amply compensated for the extended care they need.
"One thing I've realized out of this is that Veterans Affairs seemed to work well for our Second World War veterans and our Korean (War) veterans, but some of our modern veterans don't belong to any organizations -- they don't belong to the Legion or Army and Navy Vets."
Schellenberger cited changes made to the Veterans Charter, which was implemented in 2006, that are expected to assist those who may have fallen through the cracks.
"The minister has made some changes, some very important changes," he said, including a change that allows flexibility in how compensation for long-term health care is handed out for disabled veterans.
Schellenberger said the department was already working on some of the issues raised by Stogran -- since replaced by a new ombudsman.
"They were getting addressed one way or the other or they were working on getting them addressed. They just weren't quick enough for him," he said.
The standing committee will be reporting to the House in the new year on a study recently undertaken dealing with suicide and mental health among veterans and military personnel.
There was consensus around the table that such a study should be done, said the committee chair.
ELECTI ON?
Asked about the possibility of an election, Schellenberger said there's one chance for that happening around the budget but he had been told there will be "no poison pill in the budget."
"There's no appetite with the populace out there for an election. Our whole thing is to try to bring this economy back from the fragile state that it's been in."
That's where the finance minister's priorities are, said Schellenberger.
He defended the government's infrastructure stimulus program that has been extended to projects begun by March 2011 and pointed to local municipal projects that have benefited, including the new sanitary sewage system in Shakespeare and the industrial park expansion in Stratford.
The MP cited as an example of government money well spent the $3 million in stimulus funding granted to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2009. Not only did it help turn around a projected multimillion-dollar deficit, but it generated some $34 million in economic activity in the Stratford area.
"That's money well spent," he said. "I think when government can give money to leverage money and create activity, that is good."
While local economic development strategies have been largely focused on job creation, Schellenberger said a recent pre-budget conference in Listowel raised the issue of a shortage of general labour.
"It's almost ironic," he said. "Our problem is we have a shortage of labour."
Erie Meats, which bought the former Campbell Soup plant in Listowel, is looking for employees. So is Spinrite Yarns, also in Listowel, as well as an auto parts manufacturer in the riding, he said.
Schellenberger said that in North Perth and in the area that includes Wellington-Palmerston, some 500 to 600 workers are needed for general labour.
In agriculture, he said, the pork and beef industry is "still in peril," although grain and oilseeds farmers have seen a turnaround with good yields and prices.
The value of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar is still a big concern to area farmers and businesses in the riding, Schellenberger said.
Source: http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/
Perth-Wellington's MP is backing the government all the way on its controversial pension reform plan and on its stand that spending close to $1 billion on security for a weekend G20 summit in Toronto was justified.
Despite the arrests of about 1,000 demonstrators, many of whom were released without charge or who had charges withdrawn or dismissed, Gary Schellenberger said that in his view police did not exceed their authority.
"I'm strongly behind the government and I am strongly behind the police. I think they did a great job," said Schellenberger in a year-end interview.
Security costs could have been less, he suggested, "if we only had the protesters on the street and not the hooligans that were only there to cause trouble."
Schellenberger said he does not feel police overstepped their authority. Some of the incidents were orchestrated by demonstrators for the television cameras, he suggested.
"No one was killed," he pointed out, and the cost was about the same as for security at the Vancouver Olympics.
Challenged on the comparison of the two events, Schellenberger said the difference was the presence of 20 national leaders, including the U.S. president, at the Toronto event.
About 400 written complaints about police misconduct were made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director following the June summit.
So far, one officer has been charged in connection with the melee that included damage to police cruisers and some smashed store fronts.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was meeting with provincial government representatives in an attempt to achieve consensus on pension reform the day of the Schellenberger interview, but Flaherty had shifted considerably from an earlier position aimed at expanding the existing Canada Pension Plan to an optional private pool plan.
Critics doubted whether Canadians who already haven't been using available saving and investment opportunities would go for what appears to be a more complex, optional pension system.
Schellenberger, however, rejected that argument.
"This is what's the matter with the country. The government can't be everything to everybody and people have to take some responsibility," he said.
He mentioned that when he ran a home decorating business his company couldn't afford to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan.
He took care of his own personal savings and investments, he said.
"We're in an open society where people have the right to save money or to spend money."
The CPP amounts to a payroll tax for business, Schellenberger said, and if an employer can't afford to contribute but is forced to, the business will go broke and jobs will be lost.
Numerous reports on Canadians' retirement prospects have indicated most people don't put enough away for retirement and that even if they are entitled to a pension, it's not enough for a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.
VETERANS AFAIRS
As chair since September of the House of Commons' standing committee on veterans affairs, Schellenberger acknowledged past ombudsman Patrick Stogran brought forward some important issues about the treatment of veterans.
Veterans Affairs Minister Jean- Pierre Blackburn has acted to correct the situation, Schellenberger said.
"Minister Blackburn has really taken the bull by the horns to make sure our veterans are looked after properly."
One of Stogran's main criticisms was that bureaucrats in the ministry were more concerned about scrimping on health care funding for wounded soldiers than on making sure they were being amply compensated for the extended care they need.
"One thing I've realized out of this is that Veterans Affairs seemed to work well for our Second World War veterans and our Korean (War) veterans, but some of our modern veterans don't belong to any organizations -- they don't belong to the Legion or Army and Navy Vets."
Schellenberger cited changes made to the Veterans Charter, which was implemented in 2006, that are expected to assist those who may have fallen through the cracks.
"The minister has made some changes, some very important changes," he said, including a change that allows flexibility in how compensation for long-term health care is handed out for disabled veterans.
Schellenberger said the department was already working on some of the issues raised by Stogran -- since replaced by a new ombudsman.
"They were getting addressed one way or the other or they were working on getting them addressed. They just weren't quick enough for him," he said.
The standing committee will be reporting to the House in the new year on a study recently undertaken dealing with suicide and mental health among veterans and military personnel.
There was consensus around the table that such a study should be done, said the committee chair.
ELECTI ON?
Asked about the possibility of an election, Schellenberger said there's one chance for that happening around the budget but he had been told there will be "no poison pill in the budget."
"There's no appetite with the populace out there for an election. Our whole thing is to try to bring this economy back from the fragile state that it's been in."
That's where the finance minister's priorities are, said Schellenberger.
He defended the government's infrastructure stimulus program that has been extended to projects begun by March 2011 and pointed to local municipal projects that have benefited, including the new sanitary sewage system in Shakespeare and the industrial park expansion in Stratford.
The MP cited as an example of government money well spent the $3 million in stimulus funding granted to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2009. Not only did it help turn around a projected multimillion-dollar deficit, but it generated some $34 million in economic activity in the Stratford area.
"That's money well spent," he said. "I think when government can give money to leverage money and create activity, that is good."
While local economic development strategies have been largely focused on job creation, Schellenberger said a recent pre-budget conference in Listowel raised the issue of a shortage of general labour.
"It's almost ironic," he said. "Our problem is we have a shortage of labour."
Erie Meats, which bought the former Campbell Soup plant in Listowel, is looking for employees. So is Spinrite Yarns, also in Listowel, as well as an auto parts manufacturer in the riding, he said.
Schellenberger said that in North Perth and in the area that includes Wellington-Palmerston, some 500 to 600 workers are needed for general labour.
In agriculture, he said, the pork and beef industry is "still in peril," although grain and oilseeds farmers have seen a turnaround with good yields and prices.
The value of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar is still a big concern to area farmers and businesses in the riding, Schellenberger said.
Source: http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/
12/27/2010
Six months after G20 - was it worth it?
With graphic scenes of burning police cruisers and corralled protesters combating peace officers, June’s G20 summit caused a global commotion. Yet, with so many residual effects, was this meeting of government and financial leaders worth it?
No, said Kezio Mauronik, a downtown resident who calls himself a non-confrontational opponent to what many feel was a wasteful weekend.
“With the aftermath overshadowing the actual meetings, I don’t think many people who weren’t directly involved even know what the summit was about anymore,” he said. “Toronto citizens should not have been subjected to such a blatant disruption.”
Mauronik said he sees both sides of how the weekend erupted into disarray.
“Contrary to the popular line put forth by the police and the media, anarchy isn’t about breaking things,” he asserts. “What happened to police cars and shop windows was vandalism. To describe those acts as anarchism is pure ignorance.
“Still, it was disturbing to see the use of police force first-hand, something you’d expect in dictatorial countries, not Canada. As a normal citizen prompted to peacefully protest by our then-mayor, I shouldn’t have been subjected to that.”
Mauronik said he holds political leaders accountable for allowing Hogtown to be subjected to the debacle while “disowning the entire thing.”
A report by Ontario Ombudsman André Marin found that police were hastily granted greater powers by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services via an amendment to the Public Works Protection Act.
Marin said the revision created “martial law ... in the city of Toronto, leading to the most massive compromise of civil liberties in Canadian history.” His report calls for revision of the PWPA and a review of what powers police may receive under the act.
In response, Toronto police Chief Blair said, “I think it’s important that the public be assured that we’re all taking this very seriously” and noted five officers accused of using extreme force had been identified with more to come.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said the province acted with “good intention” yet was rash in allowing the law alteration. “The police were given additional authority. We moved too quickly to provide that authority,” he said.
Last Tuesday, Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani was charged with assault with a weapon in the takedown of a protester near the Ontario legislature during the summit.
Source: Metronews.ca
http://www.metronews.ca
No, said Kezio Mauronik, a downtown resident who calls himself a non-confrontational opponent to what many feel was a wasteful weekend.
“With the aftermath overshadowing the actual meetings, I don’t think many people who weren’t directly involved even know what the summit was about anymore,” he said. “Toronto citizens should not have been subjected to such a blatant disruption.”
Mauronik said he sees both sides of how the weekend erupted into disarray.
“Contrary to the popular line put forth by the police and the media, anarchy isn’t about breaking things,” he asserts. “What happened to police cars and shop windows was vandalism. To describe those acts as anarchism is pure ignorance.
“Still, it was disturbing to see the use of police force first-hand, something you’d expect in dictatorial countries, not Canada. As a normal citizen prompted to peacefully protest by our then-mayor, I shouldn’t have been subjected to that.”
Mauronik said he holds political leaders accountable for allowing Hogtown to be subjected to the debacle while “disowning the entire thing.”
A report by Ontario Ombudsman André Marin found that police were hastily granted greater powers by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services via an amendment to the Public Works Protection Act.
Marin said the revision created “martial law ... in the city of Toronto, leading to the most massive compromise of civil liberties in Canadian history.” His report calls for revision of the PWPA and a review of what powers police may receive under the act.
In response, Toronto police Chief Blair said, “I think it’s important that the public be assured that we’re all taking this very seriously” and noted five officers accused of using extreme force had been identified with more to come.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said the province acted with “good intention” yet was rash in allowing the law alteration. “The police were given additional authority. We moved too quickly to provide that authority,” he said.
Last Tuesday, Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani was charged with assault with a weapon in the takedown of a protester near the Ontario legislature during the summit.
Source: Metronews.ca
http://www.metronews.ca
12/24/2010
Central Bank appointed G20 financial partner
Central Bank of Kenya has been appointed a non-G20 member of the newly established Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).
12/23/2010
Hearing for G20-death officer may come after inquest
Misconduct proceedings for the police officer seen pushing Ian Tomlinson at a London protest could take place after the newspaper seller's inquest, a coroner's court has heard.
The 47 year old died after collapsing on the pavement on the fringes of G20 protesters on April 1 last year.
A pre-inquest review attended by members of his family today heard that the full inquest could take place as early as the end of March, although dates in April and May were also suggested. Judge Peter Thornton QC, sitting as assistant deputy coroner, said the inquest would last between five and six weeks, with the evidence being considered by a jury.
The Old Bailey judge discussed whether the inquest should take place before the misconduct hearing against Pc Simon Harwood, a member of the Metropolitan Police's territorial support group. He could be sacked under the fast-track misconduct proceedings.
Pathologist Dr Freddy Patel originally found that Mr Tomlinson died of natural causes but amateur video footage emerged showing him being pushed to the ground by the police officer.
Matthew Ryder QC, representing Mr Tomlinson's family, said the jury could be influenced by evidence that emerged from Pc Harwood's disciplinary hearing if it was held first. He told City of London Coroner's Court: "There is little advantage, and significant disadvantage, in having the inquest after the disciplinary process, and there is a risk of prejudice to the interests of justice in having the inquest afterwards."
Jeremy Johnson, for the Metropolitan Police, said the misconduct hearing should take place "promptly" and that there was a "delicate balance" in deciding the timings of the two cases. He said he was "narrowly in favour" of going ahead with Pc Harwood's misconduct hearing, and added: "Ideally the inquest would take place first but if there is to be a delay before the inquest happens, there is no barrier to the misconduct proceedings pressing ahead."
Mr Thornton will consider the timings of both hearings and said he would write to the force "hopefully this week" to give his opinion. He told the hearing: "There is no hard-and-fast rule about this; it's just a question of what is just and fair and, in the end, what makes sense."
A start date in May would prevent delays caused by Easter and the Royal wedding bank holiday in April, Mr Thornton said. But Mr Ryder argued for "as early a start as possible".
Mr Johnson agreed that the "considerable delay" that had already occurred was "regrettable". A date should be set within the next two weeks, with the venue also yet to be decided.
Source: Press Association Ltd.
http://www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk
The 47 year old died after collapsing on the pavement on the fringes of G20 protesters on April 1 last year.
A pre-inquest review attended by members of his family today heard that the full inquest could take place as early as the end of March, although dates in April and May were also suggested. Judge Peter Thornton QC, sitting as assistant deputy coroner, said the inquest would last between five and six weeks, with the evidence being considered by a jury.
The Old Bailey judge discussed whether the inquest should take place before the misconduct hearing against Pc Simon Harwood, a member of the Metropolitan Police's territorial support group. He could be sacked under the fast-track misconduct proceedings.
Pathologist Dr Freddy Patel originally found that Mr Tomlinson died of natural causes but amateur video footage emerged showing him being pushed to the ground by the police officer.
Matthew Ryder QC, representing Mr Tomlinson's family, said the jury could be influenced by evidence that emerged from Pc Harwood's disciplinary hearing if it was held first. He told City of London Coroner's Court: "There is little advantage, and significant disadvantage, in having the inquest after the disciplinary process, and there is a risk of prejudice to the interests of justice in having the inquest afterwards."
Jeremy Johnson, for the Metropolitan Police, said the misconduct hearing should take place "promptly" and that there was a "delicate balance" in deciding the timings of the two cases. He said he was "narrowly in favour" of going ahead with Pc Harwood's misconduct hearing, and added: "Ideally the inquest would take place first but if there is to be a delay before the inquest happens, there is no barrier to the misconduct proceedings pressing ahead."
Mr Thornton will consider the timings of both hearings and said he would write to the force "hopefully this week" to give his opinion. He told the hearing: "There is no hard-and-fast rule about this; it's just a question of what is just and fair and, in the end, what makes sense."
A start date in May would prevent delays caused by Easter and the Royal wedding bank holiday in April, Mr Thornton said. But Mr Ryder argued for "as early a start as possible".
Mr Johnson agreed that the "considerable delay" that had already occurred was "regrettable". A date should be set within the next two weeks, with the venue also yet to be decided.
Source: Press Association Ltd.
http://www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk
12/22/2010
Cop union blasts media over stakeout
Toronto Police's union boss is upset that media staked out the home of a cop charged with assaulting a G20 protester.
In a statement released Wednesday, association president Mike McCormack said media went to the home of Babak Andalib-Goortani on Tuesday after the Special Investigations Unit announced the constable was charged with assault with a weapon in connection with the beating initially suffered by Adam Nobody in June.
"These intrusions into the officer’s family life were inappropriate and inconsiderate," McCormack said.
Nobody also told the SIU he was beaten a second time by plainclothes officers after he was arrested at Queen's Park, the designated free speech zone for the G20 conference that was cleared by police in riot gear on June 26.
Media also tried to speak with Andalib-Goortani's spouse, McCormack said.
"The officer’s family has the right to go about their lives without being hounded by the media," he said. "His family are in no way related to the charge against the officer and have the right to be left alone."
He said "the media frenzy at the SIU building" when the officer was served with a summons and "the associated excessive publicity" can impact the officer’s right to a fair trial, and asked the media to stay away.
Andalib-Goortani is to appear in court next on Jan. 24.
By ROB LAMBERTI, Toronto Sun
Source: Toronto Sun
http://www.torontosun.com/
In a statement released Wednesday, association president Mike McCormack said media went to the home of Babak Andalib-Goortani on Tuesday after the Special Investigations Unit announced the constable was charged with assault with a weapon in connection with the beating initially suffered by Adam Nobody in June.
"These intrusions into the officer’s family life were inappropriate and inconsiderate," McCormack said.
Nobody also told the SIU he was beaten a second time by plainclothes officers after he was arrested at Queen's Park, the designated free speech zone for the G20 conference that was cleared by police in riot gear on June 26.
Media also tried to speak with Andalib-Goortani's spouse, McCormack said.
"The officer’s family has the right to go about their lives without being hounded by the media," he said. "His family are in no way related to the charge against the officer and have the right to be left alone."
He said "the media frenzy at the SIU building" when the officer was served with a summons and "the associated excessive publicity" can impact the officer’s right to a fair trial, and asked the media to stay away.
Andalib-Goortani is to appear in court next on Jan. 24.
By ROB LAMBERTI, Toronto Sun
Source: Toronto Sun
http://www.torontosun.com/
12/21/2010
McGuinty punishes those responsible for G20 secret law
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has punished those under his command who were responsible for the secret law that was passed during the G20 summit.
The law was passed under the Ontario Public Works Protection Act on June 2 allowing police to search people trying to enter the G20 summit area.
Many people believed that Ontario had passed a rule allowing police to arrest those who came within five metres of the G20 security fence if they had no identification, or refused to show it to officers.
The Toronto Sun has reported that McGuinty said he dealt with the matter, "making changes, changing ministers," including former community safety minister Rick Bartolucci, who switched positions with Jim Bradley as minister of affairs and housing.
Source: Rogers
www.680news.com
The law was passed under the Ontario Public Works Protection Act on June 2 allowing police to search people trying to enter the G20 summit area.
Many people believed that Ontario had passed a rule allowing police to arrest those who came within five metres of the G20 security fence if they had no identification, or refused to show it to officers.
The Toronto Sun has reported that McGuinty said he dealt with the matter, "making changes, changing ministers," including former community safety minister Rick Bartolucci, who switched positions with Jim Bradley as minister of affairs and housing.
Source: Rogers
www.680news.com
12/20/2010
CEOs Choose 'Successful Hosting of G20' As Best News of 2010
CEOs of major Korean companies have chosen 'the successful hosting of the G20 Seoul Summit' as the most important economic news of 2010.
The Samsung Economic Research Institute revealed survey results Sunday showing that more than 22 percent of the respondents chose the Seoul Summit since they believe it helped boost the country's national brand power.
The survey compiled responses from over 300 opinion leaders of major Korean corporations.
The introduction of the smartphone and tablet PC came as the second major issue of the year, followed by the global currency imbalance and the free trade agreements with the EU and the United States.
Source: arirang
www.arirang.co.kr
The Samsung Economic Research Institute revealed survey results Sunday showing that more than 22 percent of the respondents chose the Seoul Summit since they believe it helped boost the country's national brand power.
The survey compiled responses from over 300 opinion leaders of major Korean corporations.
The introduction of the smartphone and tablet PC came as the second major issue of the year, followed by the global currency imbalance and the free trade agreements with the EU and the United States.
Source: arirang
www.arirang.co.kr
12/16/2010
G20 protest doctor Freddy Patel's charge legal 'abuse'
A pathologist who examined a man who died in the G20 protests should not face a separate charge as it would be an abuse of process, his lawyer said.
Dr Freddy Patel examined Ian Tomlinson, who was pushed over by a policeman. Dr Patel was suspended for three months after concerns over the autopsy.
The General Medical Council is now deciding if he made a separate autopsy ruling without "proper consideration".
Dr Patel also faces another allegation, that he falsified his CV.
The separate autopsy ruling relates to the 2002 death of a prostitute, known as Mrs E.
Police discovered her in a flat, naked apart from a towel, with blood on the wall.
In his autopsy, Dr Patel noted she had facial bruising around her nose and a bite mark on her leg.
She had a split to her liver and blood loss.
Dr Patel found she had died during consensual sex and attempts to resuscitate her had failed.
It is alleged Dr Patel did not consider appropriately whether she had been asphyxiated in a non-obvious way.
But the pathologist's counsel, Adrian Hopkins QC, argued the panel had already ruled on the case in July this year and the matter should therefore not be considered again.
He claimed the allegations were "almost identical" to charges earlier ruled upon by the panel.
Mr Hopkins said: "The substance of the case against Dr Patel is the same.
"It is no good simply to tweak the wording to make the same criticism.
"We say these changes are changes of style not of substance and we have to look at substance."
Mr Hopkins added the length of time that had passed since the death meant evidence had been lost, and Dr Patel had been unable to respond fully.
The panel has the authority to ban Dr Patel from practising.
The hearing continues.
An inquest into the death of Mr Tomlinson, a newspaper seller, will begin next year.
Dr Patel's examination concluded that he died of natural causes linked to coronary artery disease.
But two other pathologists later separately concluded that Mr Tomlinson died of internal bleeding as a result of blunt force trauma, in combination with cirrhosis of the liver, after the G20 protests on 1 April 2009.
No charges have been brought against Pc Simon Harwood, the officer who pushed Mr Tomlinson and appeared to strike him with a baton on mobile phone footage then posted on the internet.
Source: BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
Dr Freddy Patel examined Ian Tomlinson, who was pushed over by a policeman. Dr Patel was suspended for three months after concerns over the autopsy.
The General Medical Council is now deciding if he made a separate autopsy ruling without "proper consideration".
Dr Patel also faces another allegation, that he falsified his CV.
The separate autopsy ruling relates to the 2002 death of a prostitute, known as Mrs E.
Police discovered her in a flat, naked apart from a towel, with blood on the wall.
In his autopsy, Dr Patel noted she had facial bruising around her nose and a bite mark on her leg.
She had a split to her liver and blood loss.
Dr Patel found she had died during consensual sex and attempts to resuscitate her had failed.
It is alleged Dr Patel did not consider appropriately whether she had been asphyxiated in a non-obvious way.
But the pathologist's counsel, Adrian Hopkins QC, argued the panel had already ruled on the case in July this year and the matter should therefore not be considered again.
He claimed the allegations were "almost identical" to charges earlier ruled upon by the panel.
Mr Hopkins said: "The substance of the case against Dr Patel is the same.
"It is no good simply to tweak the wording to make the same criticism.
"We say these changes are changes of style not of substance and we have to look at substance."
Mr Hopkins added the length of time that had passed since the death meant evidence had been lost, and Dr Patel had been unable to respond fully.
The panel has the authority to ban Dr Patel from practising.
The hearing continues.
An inquest into the death of Mr Tomlinson, a newspaper seller, will begin next year.
Dr Patel's examination concluded that he died of natural causes linked to coronary artery disease.
But two other pathologists later separately concluded that Mr Tomlinson died of internal bleeding as a result of blunt force trauma, in combination with cirrhosis of the liver, after the G20 protests on 1 April 2009.
No charges have been brought against Pc Simon Harwood, the officer who pushed Mr Tomlinson and appeared to strike him with a baton on mobile phone footage then posted on the internet.
Source: BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
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