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August 7, 2005
Conflicting thoughts. . .
It's hard to support or condemn the events unfolding in Mauritania. As I mentioned before, the President of Mauritania has been deposed in a bloodless coup (as far as coups go, that's pretty good). President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya has been characterized as a tyrant, and there are certainly some issues to look at in his 20 years of elected rule, but the fact remains that this is a military group that has seized power against that nation's constitution and trashing a constitution is never really a good thing. As we learn more, we may find that this case is the exception to the rule, I'm not sure, but I'll be watching.
Reuters is reporting that the Military Council that has seized power is stating that they will hold a Constitutional Referendum and elections within two years and they are making efforts to normalize internal and external relations. A positive sign, for sure, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. Military juntas historically, have been reluctant to turn over power to civilian constitutional rule.
The President remains in Niger, the African Union has condemned the coup, they're talking about it at the U.N. and the U.S. State Department says that they are monitoring the situation closely and do not approve of extra-constitutional seizures of power.
We're hearing NOTHING about this from the American MSM. Google searches return hits from Russia, China, South African and other African media, but there is virtually NOTHING from the American Media big boys. I can only assume that since there was no bloodshed, no rioting and nothing in this event to cast blame on Bush they just aren't interested in a soverign nation being taken over by a military junta.
Just another example of how the MSM just doesn't care about reporting, but rather that they care only about what they can cast in a negative light.
--Jason
PS - I'm still seeing hits from Mauritania in my logs, and a few have emailed that they are glad "someone in America" is noticing. If you live in Mauritania and happen to come across this blog, please drop me a line at Jason[AT]JasonColeman.com and share your experiences in connection with these events.
Military coup in Mauritania. . .
State Department Press Briefing excerpt.
Posted by JasonColeman at August 7, 2005 10:28 AM
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