Fire Rat: Metal Season: 1d

25 Sep ~~ 29 Sep

A time for decisions and decisiveness: meetings are held, plans drawn up and courses of action are laid out. People let go of their biasses and preconceptions and they ask themselves honestly what best ought to be done. They work for the common good of their community.
The Fulfilment:
Well, I think I blew it on this one. There has certainly been a flurry of diplomatic activity these past few days, all geared towards getting a summit together between Arafat and Netanyahu. But the dominant theme by far has been the need to purge ourselves of anger and frustration. It has been a cleansing experience, yes, but seldom peaceful. Well, I guess I'm allowed one blunder every two months or so .... :-)
Armenia: Govt imposes martial law in the capital to restore order. Parliament strips immunity from eight opposition figures believed to have planned and led yesterday's riots. Purging.
Afghanistan: Kabul falls to the Taliban rebels and the govt flees into another valley. Purging.
Israel: All hell breaks loose as Palestinians and Israelis fight running battles in the streets. Now there are fifty dead and hundreds wounded. Tanks used to try to impose order. Venting of pent-up frustration.
India: ex-PM P.V.N. Rao charged with forgery in a plot to disgrace a political opponent. Purging.
Argentina: Labour unions stage a 36-hr general strike today and tomorrow to protest govt austerity measures.
Tanzania: First trial opens in cases of Rwandan genocide, but neither side is ready to proceed just yet. Purging and cleansing.
Afghanistan: Taliban has full control of the capital. This new govt's first action was to hang the ex-president from the Communist era, named Najibullah. Current president had already fled and his whereabouts are unknown. Purging and cleansing.
Japan: PM Hashimoto dissolves Parliament and sets 20 Oct as the date for elections. Purging and cleansing.
Thailand: King Bhumibol dissolves Parliament and sets 17 Nov as date for new elections after coalition parties fail to name a new PM after several days of negotiations. "Meetings are held, plans drawn up and courses of action are laid out. People let go of their biasses and preconceptions and they ask themselves honestly what best ought to be done. They work for the common good of their community."
Israel: Fighting in the streets and at border crossings not getting any better. Venting anger and frustration.
USA: California: Prison riot kills one and injures 18 -- guards open fire to restore order. Purging and the venting of frustrations and anger.
UN: Israel is soundly criticised by the Security Council for exasperating the situation. Furious telephone diplomacy goes back and forth to get summit arranged. "Meetings are held, plans drawn up and courses of action are laid out."
Afghanistan: Islamic laws imposed immediately -- women not to be seen in public, no alcohol, men to grow beards forthwith. Purging and cleansing.
Israel: Conflicts down to a dull roar by today. Military scales back from the brink of reconquering the Palestinian lands.
Cambodia: Peace treaty signed between large splinter faction of the Khmer Rouge and the govt. Guerrillas will be absorbed in the regular army as regular troops. "People let go of their biasses and preconceptions and they ask themselves honestly what best ought to be done. They work for the common good of their community."
Japan: Significant fraction of the governing party breaks away to become a new party in the upcoming elections. Purging and cleansing.
USA: Clinton announces there will be a summit this week between Arafat and Netanyahu, but the bickering over details drags on. "Meetings are held, plans drawn up and courses of action are laid out. People let go of their biasses and preconceptions and they ask themselves honestly what best ought to be done. They work for the common good of their community."
World: G7 finance ministers approve a new debt-relief program for poor countries -- up to 80% of debts will be forgiven. Purging and cleansing. "People let go of their biasses and preconceptions and they ask themselves honestly what best ought to be done. They work for the common good of their community."
Sri Lanka: Govt troops capture Kilinochchi from rebel Tamils. This was the last major town under rebel control. It fell at 10:00 GMT today (29 Sept) -- this is about 21 minutes before the end of this specified period in the diary. Purging and cleansing.

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