Palestinian unity deal: High expectations
As Fatah and Hamas agreed to reconcile, what are the prospects for Middle East peace?
| Palestinian reconciliation |
In a surprise announcement last week the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a unity deal, declaring that they will form an interim government to run both, Gaza and the West Bank. Israel rejected the deal, saying it would never negotiate with the new government unless Hamas was prepared to change its policy towards Israel. What is the deal for Fatah? What differences remain? And what can be expected from reconciliation?
Sir David is joined from Ramallah by Saeb Erekat, a key member of the Fatah central committee to talk about the prospects for Middle East peace.
Four years ago, the story of the apparent abduction of a three-year-old British girl swept around the world, Madeleine McCann was taken from the bedroom of the family’s holiday apartment in Portugal while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann were eating in a nearby restaurant.
An investigation by Portuguese police was unable to find any trace of Madeleine, and after 15 months the case was closed. Now, the case was re-opened by London’s Scotland Yard Police. Madeleine’s parents have never given up hope of finding her. And they raised money to fund a world wide “Find Madeleine” campaign.
Kate and Gerry McCann are joining Sir David to talk about the case and about their search for Madeleine.
| Geoffrey Rush and Imran Khan |
One of the great stars of film these days is Geoffrey Rush who has won the triple crown of acting, an Oscar, an Emmy and Tony Award. Earlier this year he was starring in the successful film The King’s speech, which won four Academy Awards and he was playing King George VI’s speech thearapist. He also played Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Geoffrey Rush talks to Sir David about filming Pirates of the Caribbean, the issues behind The King’s speech, and his career.
Two suicide bombs killed scores of people in northwestern Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban are claiming responsibility, saying it was “the first revenge” for the death of Osama bin Laden. Meanwhile, relations between Pakistan and the US remain tense in the wake of the US operation to kill the al-Qaeda leader.
Suspicions remain about whether some elements in Pakistan’s security forces knew that bin Laden was living in their country. Pakistan’s prime minister says it is absurd to accuse the Pakistani spy agency, the ISI, or the armed forces of incompetence or of collusion with al-Qaeda.
Imran Khan heads the Movement for Justice party in Pakistan. He joins Sir David to talk about issues surrounding bin Laden’s death, the impact on Pakistan’s economy and politics, and prospects for the country’s future.
This episode of Frost Over the World aired from Friday, May 13, 2011.