Cyrus Vance Jr., a prosecutor very discreet

Bill Clinton was Kenneth Starr, Dominique Strauss Kahn, Cyrus Vance Jr. This will be 56 years attorney is charged with two deputies, John A. McConnell and Lisa Friel, to prove the guilt of DSK in sexual assault case that pitted him against a maid of the Sofitel New York. A trio of shock that will not favor or concession. "Everyone wants and deserves the same thing, a system that makes justice and is based on fairness": that is the credo of Cyrus Vance Jr. At the hearing Thursday in the court of the Supreme Court of New York, John A. McConnell, in any case, polished their arms to convince Judge Michael J.DSK shells that had sufficient wealth to flee if released on parole, citing his alleged escape attempt on the Air France after the alleged assault of Saturday, May 14 If the intervention of the prosecutor has as much weight is that the American system is based on the adversarial process. Unlike the French system where the judge is investigating the charge and discharge, the U.S. Attorney collects evidence that may prove the guilt of the accused. To do this, all means are good.The prosecutor's office joins the police in particular - in this case the Special Victims Bureau, which oversees the Sex Crimes Unit. "In such case, the prosecutor and his team work closely with the police, laboratories, scientists, photographers. In court, the prosecutor will have to prove the guilt of the accused, thanks to evidence and witnesses. He can ask all the incriminating evidence from the hotel, hospital ...", explains Eric Lisann, former United States Attorney.Cyrus Vance Jr., a regular spheres of power under the spotlight since the collapse of the DSK affair, which should capture for weeks or even months, Cyrus Vance Jr. is a regular, since very young, spheres of power. His father, Cyrus Vance, was in fact Secretary of State for the armies of the Kennedy administration and later Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jimmy Carter. But "Junior" has avoided the footsteps of his father, preferring the right policy. A graduate of Yale and Georgetown, he moved to Seattle in 1988, despite a promising start in New York office of the famous attorney at the time, Robert Morgenthau."Cyrus Vance Jr. spent part of his career in Seattle, where he built his reputation as a criminal lawyer. They say he did it to escape the shadow of his father, extremely experienced in New York" France 24 says Frederick T. Davis, counsel to the bars of Paris and New York and former federal prosecutor in New York. A prosecutor "fair and worker" In 2004, he returned to New York. Five years later, the station's popular "district attorney" (counsel for the State of New York) is free. At 90 years, Robert Morgenthau, district attorney of the city between 1975 and 2009, resolved to step down. Indeed, the United States, prosecutors are elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years.The requirement for candidates to campaign to win public opinion is seen as a guarantee of their independence. For Cyrus Vance Jr., is a dream of studying at your fingertips. He made a brilliant campaign in which he received the unanimous support of the press - the tabloids to The New York Times - and Robert Morgenthau, who said on television in April 2009: "I think Vance is by far the most qualified. C ' is a good lawyer, he is right. " In the middle of New York law, this impression is shared: they say discreet, hardworking and fair. "It is very well seen from the bar. It is a fair man, not arrogant and very open. It is more austere and hard as its predecessor, which was highly publicized.There is also a leading expert in criminal law, "Frederick T. Davis continues." The prosecutor is a political figure, but not an ideologue. It is supposed to act on behalf of the people, but is sworn to uphold the law and impartiality. Cyrus Vance Jr. is in this spirit ", adds Eric Lisann. Proponent of local justice, Cyrus Vance Jr. has launched the" community-based justice "based on cooperation between judges, police and social workers. It he cares to defend the poor and tackle crime "particularly in the field of domestic violence and intimate," he says on his website.Emerging "star system"? In November 2009, Cyrus Vance Jr. wins the election "district attorney" as a Democrat, and that with 91% of the vote. "A prosecutor built his career on big shots, he can benefit later. We judge a prosecutor at the rate of charge, in the same way that a lawyer becomes a tenor of the bar in terms of its number acquittals. We can talk about the phenomenon of star system, "said a corporate lawyer's office in New York who wishes to remain anonymous.Prosecutors become highly publicized trials of celebrities, even if they lose, as was the case with Marcia Clark in the case of OJ Simpson, acquitted, for Kenneth Starr, the special prosecutor's "Monicagate" Bill Clinton or Tom Sneddon, Michael Jackson accuser unfortunate. With a deal like that for DSK, Cyrus Vance Jr. could claim the same fame.

FRANCE: "The RSA is not a salary but a safety net

With his proposed reform of Revenue solidarité active (RSA), the French Minister for European Affairs, Laurent Wauquiez, caused an uproar on the left and right, and even within the government.

Sunday, the minister, speaking as leader of the club "The social right", proposed to cap the accumulated social benefits to 75% of the minimum wage (SMIC) or requesting five hours Weekly social service recipients of the RSA in exchange for payment of their allowance. Objective: to fight against the "cancer of the assistantship" in the words of the minister.

Immediately, several government figures have stood the initiative of Laurent Wauquiez.On Tuesday, Prime Minister Francois Fillon flew to the aid of this speech establishment in May 2007 under the leadership of Martin Hirsch, then High Commissioner for Active Solidarity against Poverty. "Thanks to the RIAA, return to work is more attractive than the dependence of solidarity, said the head of government in the National Assembly.The RSA is an advance over the RMI [minimum integration income, ed]. "

For Helen Perivier, an economist at the French Observatory of Economic Conditions (OFCE), the tracks of reform Laurent Wauquiez upset the very nature of social assistance and, therefore, the French social model.

FRANCE 24 - How would the Minister Laurent Wauquiez they trigger such an outcry?

Helen Perivier - Currently, people who touch the RSA must actively seek employment. They are supposed to be covered either by social workers or through outplacement services as the employment center, or both, so that it can work again as soon as possible.Jobs in assisted contracts in the nonprofit sector is the major route of reintegration into employment of recipients of welfare benefits.

However, these jobs are more or less general interest in the work recommended by Laurent Wauquiez [monitoring outside schools, cleaning, reception in public services, Ed]. This statement is therefore to stigmatize people who touch the RSA but does nothing in terms of stimulating the job market or re-employment in this population. The danger would be to move from a logic of solidarity, which is based on social assistance in France, a logic of "workfare" pure, ie reimbursement of aid paid by a few hours.The RSA is not a salary as a salary provides access to social rights (pensions, unemployment insurance, etc..), But a guaranteed minimum income, which represents a last safety net.

F24 - It is therefore to change the nature of the French social model ...

HP - Everything is a question of balance between the idea of ​​merit and solidarity. In France, it is clear that the solidarity prevails, but this assay is moving in time. With the implementation of RSA, it has already moved the cursor to the merits, since moved to supplement the wages first by a grant once the unemployed back into employment.

F24 - Are there other countries in cases of "social service" as proposed by Laurent Wauquiez?

HP- United States, for example, welfare is clearly based more on the concept of merit than on solidarity. This logic has hardened in the 1980s with President Ronald Reagan, and "workfare", which means "work for your welfare" ["work for your own wealth"] was true act in the mid- 1990 with the reform of social assistance. Some states, like Indiana, have a very strict and follow a logical allocation of reimbursement by a community service.

Yemen: President Saleh clings to power

AFP - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday reaffirmed his intention not to cede power, nearly two months after the beginning of the controversy insists his departure.

"We're always there, solid as a rock, and we will not be shaken by events," said Mr. Saleh in front of notables, showing no sign of letting go of the reins of power he has held for 32 years .

"Our nation has overcome in the past a lot of obstacles and emerge stronger from the ordeal now," assured the Head of State challenged in the street who has lost the support of part of the military, religious and tribal.

Mr.Saleh has accused the Islamists and the opposition have caused shortages of gas and fuel in the country "by cutting the roads" and a shortage of electricity "sawing the high voltage pylons.

The presidential party's General People's Congress (GPC) has already considered "unacceptable" a departure from Mr.Saleh said Friday that his supporters want to "resist" the pressures of the street and its opponents.

The spokesman of the GPC, Tariq al-Shami told AFP Saturday that "power will be delivered only one that will choose the people through elections, the only way for a peaceful transition of power."

The politburo of the GIC said about him, according to state news agency Saba, having met on Friday under the chairmanship of Mr.Saleh, from "review the obstinate position of the party al-Islah (Islamic) and its allies (...) who closed the door for dialogue and tried climbing.

Among these allies, the political bureau cited the parliamentary opposition parties, the Shiite rebellion in northern Yemen and Al-Qaeda.

The manifestation of support to President Saleh in Sana'a organized on Friday alongside the protesters, expresses "the attachment (the people) to constitutional legality," said the Politburo.

Increasingly isolated after the denial of religious and tribal leaders, Mr.Saleh said Friday he was unwilling to cede power to opponents he described as "adventurers and conspirators."

An attempt at reconciliation between MrSaleh and the strong man of the army, General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who joined the protest, has "failed to defuse the crisis or to bring their points of view", had said Friday a source close to the AFPs discussions.

In the south, the daily "October 14", which was the mouthpiece of the Yemeni regime in Aden but was discontinued Tuesday, reappeared on newsstands Saturday, taking the defense of the protest movement.

"The opposition demonstrations shouting slogans demanding the fall of the regime," as the newspaper had stopped publishing its editorial on Tuesday when refused the instructions of the Ministry of Information.

Aden was the capital of former South Yemen before the country's unification in 1990, is more liberal than Sanaa, the capital, and the city is at the forefront of protest against the regime.

Also in the south, six alleged members of al-Qaeda were killed Saturday in a clash with the army in the Abyan province, a stronghold of the extremist network.

"Militants of Al-Qaeda launched Saturday at dawn an armed attack against a military unit on guard near a power plant Loder.The soldiers returned fire, killing six attackers, "said a source within the security services, a report confirmed by medical sources.

Some parts of Yemen, particularly in the south, beyond increasing the control of central government, particularly after the defection of army leaders who joined the movement demanding the resignation of President Saleh.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Chelsea-Manchester United, a duel between English clubs showing shifts

The game 100% English between Chelsea and Manchester United as a poster of the quarterfinals of the Champions League, which the draw took place Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon (Switzerland).

The Red Devils, who won the Blues on penalties in the final of the 2008 edition, will have to find the heart of Londoners after their last league match on 1 March. The Red Devils were so inclined on the pitch at Stamford Bridge (2-1) on a penalty issue, triggering the wrath of Alex Ferguson, coach of MU.Result: The main person was handed a five-game suspension and 35,000 euro fine for attacking the referee.

Real Madrid - Barcelona in the semi-finals?

Those who attended the draw will not failed to notice the hypothetical encounter between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona looming in the semifinals of the event.

Indeed, if Madrid beat the Londoners Tottenham in the quarter and if Barcelona do not fall into the trap of Shaktar Donetsk, the two Spanish giants could well play their fourth face-to-face for the season. Because the two clubs will meet in the final of the King's Cup, scheduled April 20, after the two Clasico of the season - the first of which was won 5-0 by Barca, while the second is scheduled April 17.A week later, on 25 or 26 April, the two clubs could therefore still compete in the Champions League ... What a little stoke the rivalry between the two clubs.

The other match of these quarters will pit the defending champions, Inter Milan, Schalke 04 of Spanish striker Raul. A meeting also doubtful for the team from the Ruhr for the Lombards, who defeated another German team in the knockout finals: Bayern Munich. But with the worst difficulties ...

The draw:

Real Madrid - FC Tottenham

Chelsea - Manchester United

FC Barcelona - Shaktar Donetsk

Inter Milan - Schalke 04

Matches go on 5 and 6 April, leg matches on 12 and 13 April.

FOOD: Rising food prices hit a new record

"In February, unfortunately, the food prices have hit a new record." This was announced Abby Abbassian, an economist with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told FRANCE 24. In February, the benchmark index of the FAO has indeed jumped 2.2% in January. Over the last six months, the increase was nearly 70%.

The situation begins to resemble more than in 2008, during which many food riots had broken out.The rising price of grain basket, accounting for 46% of the caloric World, "is largely responsible for this new record," regrets Abby Abbassian.

FAO estimates that several factors could prevent a new hunger crisis. "The situation in 2008 was largely due to higher rice prices within the basket of grain, remains one of the most stable," says Abby Abbassian. At that time also, investment in biofuels, which use grain, but now seemed uncontrollable "they are better controlled."

BAHRAIN: The Shiite opposition suspends participation in parliament

AFP - Two protesters were killed Shiites in Bahrain in quelling anti-government protests, which continued Tuesday in this small Gulf kingdom ruled by a Sunni dynasty.

The protests erupted Monday in the Shiite villages on the initiative of surfers who have called on Facebook to protest to demand political and social reforms in the wake of riots in Tunisia and Egypt.

Bahrain, Shiite-majority country, made short shrift next to the other oil monarchies of the region, its oil reserves had virtually dried up.

Customers have called on Facebook to continue the demonstrations on Tuesday, including a high turnout at the funeral of the victims.

The Shiite bloc in parliament, al-Wefaq which has 18 seats elected on 40, said it had suspended its participation in the meeting because of the repression "wild" demonstrators calling including that the government solve the unemployment problem and increases wages.

A young protester, Ali Mcheimeh, succumbed to his injuries on Monday night received during the dispersal of a demonstration in the Shiite village of Diya, east of Manama, said the interior ministry by announcing an inquiry whether the police had "had an unwarranted use of weapons."

The police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters in several Shiite villages, which Darraz, west of Manama, Sitra (east), Balad Al-Qadim and Jed Hafs (center), witnesses said.

A second Shiite protester was killed by a "bullet fragmentation" when dispersing a rally Tuesday at a hospital in Manama prior to the funeral of Mcheimeh, according to an Opposition MP Shiite Ibrahim al-Khalil Marzooq, which was also reported injured.

"Fadel Salman Matrouk was killed by bullets in front of the hospital Suleimania fragmentation in Manama where people had gathered for the funeral of the first martyr," he told AFP.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement on the Twitter site a "clash pitted some people attending a funeral at a patrol of security forces", which caused the death of Matrouk. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of his death.

Mr.Marzooq further explained that the movement al-Wefaq had suspended its participation in parliament "because of the reaction to the wild events that left two dead."

Besides the House, which has limited powers, Parliament has a consultative council whose 40 members are appointed by the king and can block any initiative from the elected assembly.

Between 1994 and 1999, Bahrain was the scene of violence led by Shiites who had been forty deaths. The Shiites feel discriminated against in employment, social services like housing and public services provided to their villages.

Switzerland freezes assets of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier

AFP - Switzerland on Tuesday blocked the assets of former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier follows the entry into force of a new law that would allow them to return to Haiti, announced Foreign Ministry.

"This law was accepted by Parliament at its autumn session 2010, it entered into force on 1 February 2011", says the Department of Foreign Affairs (Department) on its website.

"The funds were then blocked Duvalier on the basis" of this new law, say the Swiss authorities.

The law was nicknamed "Lex Duvalier" in the Confederation, as she was introduced to compensate for a lack appeared in the long legal battle over restitution to the Haitian people by some 6 million Swiss francs (4.6 million) filed by the Duvalier family in Swiss bank accounts.

"Baby Doc" indicted for theft and corruption in Port-au-Prince

Two days after his return to Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier was convicted Tuesday of conspiracy, embezzlement and corruption in public administration during his years in power (1971-1986).

The former dictator nicknamed "Baby Doc", left Tuesday's late on the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, where he was questioned by a prosecutor. "He is free but is available to justice" said one of his lawyers.

Earlier in the day, the judge and prosecutor Gabriel Ambroise Auguste Aristides, accompanied by a dozen policemen had gone ask Jean-Claude Duvalier in the hotel where the former dictator was installed since his surprise return to country on Sunday after 25 years of exile in France.He had then taken under police escort to the courthouse.

Outside the hotel, then the palace, dozens of his supporters had gathered to demand the release of the former president "for life". "A few hundred demonstrators pro-Duvalier sing songs to his glory and chanting slogans against René Préval [the current head of state of Haiti, ed]," said Alexandra Fox, special correspondent for FRANCE 24 in Port-au-Prince . There were burning tires and throwing stones.The UN Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) protects the entrance with tanks. "

In the sights of the defenders of human rights

The son of Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had transferred power in 1971 when he was only 19 years old, yet embodies, like his father, one of the darkest pages of history Haiti, marked by torture and murder committed by opponents of the secret police, the "Tonton Macoutes". But today, "Baby Doc" nevertheless enjoys the support of some of the Haitians.As for the young, who make up the majority of the population, they have not experienced the dark days of his presidency.

Several international human rights, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, also demanding the arrest and trial of former dictator for crimes against humanity committed during his presidency (1971-1986 ).

The former dictator has still not explained the reason for his return. According to his longtime girlfriend, Veronique Roy, he has planned to stay only three days.Its reappearance in Haiti is still resurface "all questions concerning" and "impunity and accountability around him," said Monday the spokesman of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in Geneva, Rupert Colville , during a press briefing.

Experts on Human Rights UN review, meanwhile, now, the opportunities for Haitian authorities to prosecute."It is not yet clear that Haiti is in position to arrest and prosecute Jean-Claude Duvalier for anything right now," said Rupert Colville, stressing that no one knew yet s it existed or not warrants of arrest of Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti courses.

Photo: Amelia Baron / RFI correspondent in Port-au-Prince (Haiti)