December 2003
Voting on the Draft Constitution of Afghanistan Has Been Suspended
Voting on Afghanistan's new draft constitution has been suspended due to disagreements over power-sharing and ethnic minority recognition. Afghan leaders, including Hamid Karzai, are seeking…
Seminary Teacher in Qom: Torture is for Awakening Humans - 2003-12-25
Mohsen Ghorvian, a teacher at Qom Seminary, argues that torture is misinterpreted and can be justified under certain regulations in Islam. He distinguishes between torture…
Hamid Karzai: Afghanistan Needs a Central Power to Establish Unity - 2003-12-24
Hamid Karzai has firmly advocated for a strong presidential system in Afghanistan, rejecting calls for a parliamentary system. This stance reflects his belief in the…
North Korea Criticizes Japan's Decision to Purchase Missile Defense System - 2003-12-24
North Korea has condemned Japan's decision to acquire a U.S. missile defense system, claiming it will escalate tensions. Japan insists the purchase is for defensive…
Central Council Member of the Participation Front: Why Should We Vote in a System That Claims Its Legitimacy Does Not Come from the People?
Hosseini Mojahid from the Participation Front criticized the legitimacy of the Iranian political system, questioning why citizens should vote when their votes are deemed unimportant.…
Two U.S. Courts Challenge Bush Administration's Treatment of Terrorism Suspects - 2003-12-18
Two federal courts in the U.S. have ruled against the Bush administration's treatment of terrorism suspects, with one court ordering the release of Jose Padilla…
Three Rockets Hit Kabul Hours Before the Third Day of the Loya Jirga - 2003-12-16
Three rockets struck Kabul just before the third day of the Loya Jirga, but no casualties were reported. The Loya Jirga participants are discussing the…
Meeting of Sri Lankan President's Representative with Prime Minister
Sri Lankan leaders have extended the deadline for resolving a power struggle, with President Kumaratunga's representative meeting Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. Tensions escalated after the President…
Poisoning of 100 Iranian Female Students Due to Gas Leak
Over 100 female students at Zanjan Islamic Azad University were poisoned due to a carbon monoxide leak from a faulty heating system. Many were treated…
Loya Jirga Session Opens on Sunday in Kabul - 2003-12-13
The Loya Jirga session is set to open in Kabul, where intense discussions on a new constitution are expected. Hamid Karzai emphasizes the need for…
Russia Launches Rocket Carrying Three Unmanned Spacecraft
Russia successfully launched a Proton-K rocket carrying three unmanned spacecraft to enhance its navigation satellite system. The launch took place from Kazakhstan, and the Russian…
13 Million People in Iran Involved with Drugs Daily - 2003-12-10
Ali Hashemi reported that 13 million people in Iran are involved with drugs daily, with significant economic and social costs. The issue is seen as…
Hamid Karzai Threatens Not to Participate in Afghan Elections
Hamid Karzai has threatened not to run for re-election if the Loya Jirga opts for a government system with a prime minister. He argues that…
Failure of EU Foreign Ministers to Draft Constitution
EU foreign ministers failed to make progress on a draft constitution before an upcoming summit, with key issues including voting reform and the power of…
Germany and Italy: We Will Not Abandon Our Efforts to Join the European Union Voting System
Germany and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to rejoin the EU voting system during a meeting between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The…
Oxford Research Organization: 90% of Iraqis Want a Democratic Government - 2003-12-02
A recent study by the Oxford International Research Organization reveals that 90% of Iraqis support a democratic government, despite concerns about democracy's effectiveness. The study…