February 20, 2005

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[edit] February 20, 2005

• American author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson is found dead in his Aspen, Colorado home, the result of an apparent suicide. (BBC) (Bloomberg) (CNN)
• The United States and Japan release a joint statement which says that easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait is among their "common strategic objectives". The statement is welcomed by the government of Taiwan, but is condemned by China. (Xinhua) (Reuters) (NY Times)
• U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers resigns over allegations of sexual harassment, while continuing to deny them. (VOA)
• In Europe's first national referendum on the proposed European Constitution, the people of Spain vote to endorse the Treaty by a landslide 76.73% to 17.24%. However, turnout is an extremely low 42.32%, even after both the government and the main opposition party campaigned for a "yes" vote. (BBC) (Reuters) (Bloomberg) (EUobserver) (EurActiv) (BBC)
• Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell directly accuses Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams as well as Martin McGuinness (both elected MPs) and Martin Ferris TD of being on the Provisional IRA Army Council, the first such direct accusation from the Irish Government. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern meanwhile has said he does not know the make-up of the Council. (Ireland Online)(RTÉ)
• According to official results, the opposition Socialist party secures an absolute majority at the Portuguese Parliament election, 2005. (CNN International) (ABC)
• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus votes in its early general election. The election was called by President Rauf Denktaş after the coalition led by Mehmet Ali Talat finally lost its parliamentary majority. (BBC), (DW)
• USA and EU join the protests against Faure Gnassingbé of Togo. ECOWAS imposes sanctions and suspends Togo's membership in the organization and USA does not accept his rule as legitimate and ends all military assistance (Reuters AlertNet) (News24) (GhanaWeb) (BBC)