North Korea joins Castro, Hamas, Gaddafi and Chavez in expressing support for Obama:

The following is an excerpt of a fascinating story carried by the World Tribune newspaper: According to the Choson Sinbo, a newspaper run by ethnic Koreans in Japan and which supports North Korea, “North Korea prefers Democratic candidate Barack Obama over Republican John McCain.

"The Communist country, which has survived a relatively hawkish Bush administration, considers McCain "a variant of Bush" and "nothing better than a scarecrow of neoconservatives”……………………….”The newspaper expressed hope of better ties between North Korea and the United States under an Obama administration...”

This is highly embarrassing for Barrack Obama as already Fidel Castro has referred to him as “the most progressive candidate to the U.S. Presidency”. Gaddafi of Libya has already -on Al Jazeera- expressed a preference for Obama.
In addition Hugo Chavez of Venezuela favours Obama over McCain. Barack Obama -whilst cautious-has stated that he could meet Chavez.

Aaron Klein and John Batchelor interviewed Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Prime Minister of Hamas, on WABC radio. In the interview he stated that “Hamas has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Yousef said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election."
The interview is carried here:(Click on black arrow)

These endorsements are highly embarrassing for Obama and will undoubtedly become a major issue in the Presidential Election campaign. They reinforce the belief that Obama is suspect on foreign policy. Advantage to John McCain.

Olympic Flame Arrives in San Francisco -Huge protests anticipated

Tibetan activists have been protesting outside San Francisco City Hall since the crackdown in Tibetan areas began in mid-March. On Monday, three members of Students for a Free Tibet scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to unfurl banners. On April 1, having been pressurised by human rights groups, city authorities released details of the torch route and the mayor publicly assured protesters that they would have access along the entire route. Hopefully as many people as possible will come out to vent their spleen at the jackboot tactics of the Chinese authorities in Tibet. Indeed Darfur and human rights abuses in China itself must not be forgotten

"Just because we have a very large Chinese population in San Francisco doesn't mean we support actions abuses committed by the Chinese government," San Francisco Board of Supervisors Member Chris Daly has said. The torch relay has triggered protests in previous host cities, including Athens London, and Paris. The next city stops are Buenos Aires and Dar es Salaam.

Kevin Rudd, the newly elected Australian Prime Minister has shown moral leadership by warning that he would not allow Chinese officials to provide their own security for the Olympic torch when it is carried through Canberra this month.
Mr Rudd referred to the outrageous behaviour of Chinese Olympic officials who were involved in unsavoury clashes with demonstrators in London and Paris- “All security, repeat all security, is provided by Australians,” he told The Times during a visit to London.

The Olympic torch is due to be carried through Canberra on April 24. As many Australians as possible must come out to show solidarity with Tibetans and Darfurians.