This is’Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Moderator) What are the news today?
Reporter) Yes. Pope Francis concludes the itinerary for his first visit to Iraq in 2000 years of Catholic history. Pope Francis emphasized peaceful coexistence and hope throughout the three nights and four days of Iraq. Learn more. We will continue to convey the news of the death of two protesters from the military and police in Myanmar again in Myanmar, and the news that the so-called “vaccine passport” discussions are actively taking place in Europe, and the pros and cons are mixed.
Host) This is the first news of the global village today. First, let’s look at the news of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, on his visit to Iraq.
Reporter) Yes. Pope Francis left the country on the 8th after completing his trip to Iraq for 3 nights and 4 days. At Baghdad International Airport that day, President Barham Salley and other senior Iraqi government officials hailed the Pope.
Host) Pope Francis was the first among Catholic popes to visit Iraq?
Reporter) Yes. The Roman Catholic Pope stepped on Iraqi land
It was the first in the history of Catholicism in 2000 years. The rise of bloody violence in Iraq has raised concerns about the Pope’s personal safety. However, the Pope says he has not bent his will to visit Iraq, which has been suffering terribly from the war, and to comfort the Iraqi people and the Catholics in Iraq.
Host) Let’s point out the main schedule of what the Pope took during the 3 nights and 4 days visit?
Reporter) Yes. Pope Francis arrived at Baghdad International Airport on the 5th, amid the hospitality of the Iraqi Prime Minister, leaders of religious circles, and civil and social groups. The pope then moved to the presidential palace to meet with Iraqi government officials, including President Salley.
Moderator) What did the Pope have with the top Iraqi government leaders?
Reporter) Yes. Throughout the period of his visit to Iraq for 3 nights and 4 days, the Pope’s main message was peace, coexistence and hope. The topic with Iraqi government leaders was also the peaceful coexistence of various religions and anti-terrorism. The Pope called for peaceful coexistence, saying Iraq is suffering greatly from war, terrorism, and extremist-induced conflicts. Iraqi government leaders thanked the Pope for his visit to Iraq.
Moderator) Pope Francis also met with Iraqi religious leaders?
Reporter) Yes. On the sixth, the second day of his visit to Iraq, the Pope visited Najaf in southern Iraq to meet with Shi’ite spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Alsistani. Najaf is a Shi’ite holy place where the graveyard of Imam Ali, the first Shiite leader, is located.
Host) It was a historic meeting between the chief Catholic chief and the leading sectarian leader of Islam?
Reporter) Yes. It is said that the meeting of the two religious leaders was planned by the Holy See and Iraq for a few months ago. The meeting of the two religious leaders took place in Sistani’s home. In particular, the Pope got out of the car and walked to Sistani’s house about 30m ago. Local residents welcomed the Pope and even launched a dove, a symbol of peace.
Moderator) Are you curious about what the two religious leaders were talking about?
Reporter) The interview between the two leaders was conducted privately. The two leaders talked for about 50 minutes. Major media outlets, including the AP and Reuters, reported that Pope Francis called for the inclusion of minority Christians in Iraq, and that Shistani leader Sistani also promised peaceful coexistence with Christians.
Moderator) How many people believe in Christianity in Iraq right now?
Reporter) It is difficult to determine the exact number because many people believe in secret for fear of punishment by Iraqi authorities. At one time, it reached 1.5 million people, Reuters reported, but it has now been reduced to 300,000 people due to attacks by extremist terrorist groups and the like.
Host) Iraq is also a historical site of the world’s three major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, right?
Reporter) Yes. In particular, the southern Ur region is the hometown of’Abraham’, where Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all ancestors. Pope Francis also visited this place. The Pope met here with Christianity and Islam, as well as Yazidian leaders, another minority in Islam. The Pope emphasized here that violence committed in the name of God is indeed the greatest blasphemy.
Host) Did the Pope hold Mass during his visit to Iraq?
Reporter) Yes. On the 6th, Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Baghdad. This Mass was attended by President Salley, the chairman of the National Assembly, and the foreign minister. Also, on Sunday, the 7th, I visited northern Iraq. In Erbil, large-scale outdoor masses were held.
Host) Isn’t the northern part of Iraq a particularly serious place of war?
Reporter) That’s right. In northern Iraq is Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. The Islamic Sunni extremist militant group IS attacked to take over the area, causing numerous casualties and refugees. Pope Francis also met and consoled Alan Kurdi’s father the night before his departure.
Host) If you are Alan Kurdi, aren’t you the boy who shocked the whole world when a body was found on a Turkish beach several years ago?
Reporter) That’s right. It was a 3-year-old Syrian boy. Kurdi-kun died in 2015 when the boat overturned while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Greece with his father and family in a small boat. The whole world was in shock and grief as the body of a little boy was pushed by the waves and found on a Turkish beach. Kurdi’s father is now known to be working on refugee aid in Erbil.
Moderator) U.S. President Joe Biden also mentioned the Pope’s visit to Iraq?
Reporter) Yes. President Biden evaluated the Pope’s visit to Iraq as a symbol of hope around the world. President Biden is the second Catholic president of the United States after John F. Kennedy. In a statement released today, President Biden said, “The Pope’s visit was the first historical and welcome visit to Iraq.” President Biden continued, “As the Pope said, brotherly friendship lasts longer than brotherly murder, and peace is stronger than war.”
Host) Global Village Today is the next news. This time, let’s go to Myanmar. Another fatality occurred in Myanmar?
Reporter) Yes. On the 8th, anti-coup protests continued in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, and Mandalay, the second city. Two people were shot and killed by police in the northern Michina region, Reuters reported.
Moderator) Are witnesses’ testimony pouring out?
Reporter) Yes. Witnesses say soldiers and police dismissed protesters by throwing flash grenades and shooting tear gas. They also fired at the protesters and said two protesters were shot in the head and killed. One citizen told Reuters how to shoot a gun at an unarmed people, and said he would surely find their rights through peaceful protests.
Host) Since the Myanmar military coup on February 1st, how many people have died so far?
Reporter) According to the United Nations, 38 people died a day on the 3rd by violent suppression by the military and police during the protests. On the 28th of last month, 18 people were killed by the police shooting. If it was confirmed that two people died this time, at least 58 people were killed.
Moderator) You say there are a lot of people arrested?
Reporter) Yes. Myanmar’s independent private organization, the Political Offender Support Association, said that as of the 8th, about 1,800 people have been arrested and detained so far. Myanmar military officials issued a statement on the 8th and announced that they had arrested 41 people in protests the day before.
Host) Is there an increasing number of strikes in Myanmar to resist military coups?
Reporter) Yes. Major unions in Myanmar are joining the strike. So far, at least 9 unions have joined the strike. Union leaders in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing made a statement on the 8th and condemned the military coup in Myanmar. At the same time, they respected the will of the people that appeared in the general elections in November last year and urged the immediate release of national advisor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Yun Min.
Moderator) How is the local atmosphere in the announcement of strikes by major industries?
Reporter) Merchants are also actively participating. In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, department stores, shops, factories, and banks all closed and joined the strike. Only small shops selling some teas, such as milk tea, were open.
Host) Myanmar women are also actively protesting?
Reporter) Yes. In particular, on the 8th’International Women’s Day’, women protest leaders urged Myanmar women to actively protest the military.
They referred to women as’revolutionaries’ and emphasized that “they try to control us with fear, but we will fight it.”
Host) Are there any new movements in the international community?
Reporter) On the 5th, the UN Security Council called an emergency video conference and discussed the Myanmar situation. But it ended without much success. Initially, the Security Council prepared a statement condemning the Myanmar military, but it was destroyed as China and Russia showed lukewarm attitudes. The United States, in particular, is criticizing Myanmar’s neighbor, China, that it should actively put pressure on the military.
Moderator) What is China saying about this criticism?
Reporter) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned the situation in Myanmar at a press conference related to the National People’s Congress of China (Non-in University) on the 7th. China says it adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and is preparing to engage constructively. Wang Yi also insisted that all parties should refrain, and emphasized that China is not on either side.
Host) Global Village Today, let’s look at one more news. In Europe, the so-called’Vaccine Passport’ discussion is in full swing?
Reporter) Yes. As the new coronavirus vaccination is in full swing around the world, so-called’vaccine passports’ are also attracting attention. It means to issue some kind of vaccination certificate to those who have been vaccinated. In particular, active discussions are taking place in Europe.
Moderator) This issue was also addressed at the recent European Union (EU) summit, right?
Reporter) Yes. On the 25th of last month, a summit meeting of 27 EU member states was held by video. Leaders agreed to issue a’vaccine passport’ by this summer. Last week, EU Commissioner Ursula von der Raien said the legislation would be enacted within this month.
Moderator) So, is this a’vaccine passport’ that I must have when entering other countries in the future?
Reporter) Yes. Of course, when entering other countries. The idea is to create a digital certificate that can be used even when entering stadiums or performance halls. However, a related bill has not yet been created, and the arguments for and against it are still mixed, so it will take a considerable amount of time for the actual implementation. In the midst of this, Wang said on the 7th that the Chinese foreign minister was also pushing for the issuance of a vaccine passport.
Moderator) How are opinions divided specifically in Europe?
Reporter) Yes. Countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain, where tourism is a large part of the country’s economy, are actively supporting the issuance of vaccine passports. On the other hand, countries like France and Belgium are in the opposite position. Germany was also against it at first. But Prime Minister Angela Merkel said at the EU summit last month that he agreed that digital vaccine certificates are important and necessary.
Moderator) Why are France and Belgium opposed?
Reporter) It is pointed out that it is discriminatory and less realistic. Vaccination has not been properly conducted in most countries yet, and it is unfair to decide whether to enter the country with or without such a certificate. French President Emmanuel Macron also protested, saying that until June or July, young people in their country will not be able to get the vaccine.
Moderator) Has the UK not withdrawn from the EU? How is the UK viewing this vaccine passport issue?
Reporter) The British government has not yet decided to introduce a vaccine passport. However, it is known to be under review very positively. In particular, the UK was in a hurry to vaccination as the corona damage was the largest among European countries. Before the peak summer season, Reuters predicted that it would be the country with the most vaccinations for working age groups among European countries.
Host) Then, overseas travel will be more free than other countries, right?
Reporter) That’s right. If the UK introduces the vaccine passport system, it also means that it will be the country that issues the largest number of vaccine passports among major European countries for the time being. For this reason, the travel industry and the aviation industry, which were directly hit by the novel coronavirus, are now making special efforts to attract British people.
Moderator) In fact, the number of overseas flight reservations by British people has skyrocketed recently?
Reporter) Yes. Currently, the UK is taking steps to ease the blockade with the aim of a full lift in June. Overseas flight reservations by airlines such as’easyJet’, the leading low-cost airline in the UK, are increasing rapidly. In addition, countries such as Cyprus are making active efforts to attract British tourists who have been vaccinated from May 1st, saying that they will not be tested or quarantined separately.
Moderator) On the other hand, are there any voices against attracting foreign tourists?
Reporter) Yes. Someone like the Mayor of Christian Estrosi in Nice, a representative vacation spot in southern France, is premature. But the French airline and travel industry warned that as time goes on, France will lag behind more aggressive countries like Spain and Greece.
Moderator) Yes. The global village, I’ll listen to you today.