Morosidade is the product of forces largely beyond the judiciary's control.

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Not only has Kirchner "bulldozed" the legislative branch, but he also tried to gain more control over the Judiciary.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The meaning of Kirchner��s recent defeat

During his tenure, Nestor Kirchner moved to establish control over the judiciary (see America's Report "The Meaning of Kirchner's Defeat in Recent Municipal Elections" by Luis Fleischman, July 19, 2007).

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Argentina's Kirchner, ally of Chavez

Only Fiji, among Pacific Island nations, has seen its constitution abrogated, its judiciary dismissed and its army assume control.

ECONOMIST: Ping-pong politics roil three island nations

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved four gun-control measures this month.

WSJ: Biden, speaking in NY, supports assault weapon ban

East Timor would have its own parliament, its own elections, its own political parties, its own judiciary, its own police force, control over its own internal security, cultural, social and educational policy.

CNN: FOR 'AUTONOMY' IN EAST TIMOR

Senate Democratic leaders want a gun-control bill to emerge from the Judiciary Committee that could be amended on the Senate floor.

WSJ: Corrections & Amplifications

Both the Socialists and the right say they would help small businesses, spend more on education, promote women in politics, limit the number of elected and executive posts a politician may hold, control health spending, and make the judiciary more independent.

ECONOMIST: France

His reforms over the past year included scrapping state security courts, cementing civilian control of the army, allowing Kurdish-language teaching and broadcasting, and shaking up the police and judiciary.

ECONOMIST: Turkey and the European Union

One proposal discussed, according to politicians familiar with the talks, was to transfer control of the investigation of Mr. Hashemi to the Kurdish region, which has its own government, judiciary and armed forces.

WSJ: Iraq Crisis Grows With New Threat