Wednesday, November 15 06

D.R. Congo sits on the edge of factional violence days before results of presidential re-vote are announced. 'Independent commission' will mediate the Ethiopia-Eritria border dispute beginning with November 20 multiparty discussions in The Hague. Diplomatic wrangling continues to surround The Sudan, as Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Guehenno turns up pressure on Khartoum and U.N. Secretary General Annan pushes his 'hybrid' peacekeeping model. Robert Fisk predicts that the urge to direct responsibility for civil war back toward Iraqis will sway U.S. political writers, and Jerry West breaks the news that war is for-profit business. E.U. foreign policy chief Solana announces signing of special new 'European Neighborhood Policy' by South Caucasus countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Here's a useful 'backgrounder' explaining the insurgency in Iraq.