The latest G8 Summit at Hokkaido is supposed to address (besides other issues) the problem of global food scarcity. Ban Ki-moon rightly urged the world leaders to be generous and give immediate food assistance to the poorest nations of the world. But the Summit has made a bad start. The rich menu of delicacies which the world leaders will feast upon looks out of place in today’s situation of rising food prices and global hunger. While according to UN estimates, 105 million more people, including 30 million in Africa, could drop below the poverty line because of rising food prices, G8 leaders will bite into caviar, milk fed lamb, sea urchin and tuna, with champagne and wines flown in from Europe and the U.S. The picture of the gastronomic indulgence of leaders of the dominant nations of the world points to the lack of real concern towards the suffering and hunger of millions in the world, especially in Africa. In 2005, at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, world leaders had solemnly vowed to give $25 billion in aid by 2010. Till today the rich nations have only given a minuscule 14% of the amount. Amidst this Gordon Brown Gordon Brown urges his countrymen to avoid waste in the kitchen. Bush had made facetious remarks a few months ago about the Chinese and Indians eating more and contributing to rising food prices. But there is good news too. The EU has understood the gravity of the situation and decided to direct towards Africa the amount saved from cuts in farm subsidies. But much more needs to be done. The G8 leaders could have send a strong signal to the world that they are serious and sensitive to the rising hunger in the world by make doing with a simple menu on their dining tables. The rich luxurious menu seems like a cruel joke to the starving millions. Source: TimesOnline, Daily Mail
Bhutanese are adding western flavor in their life without loosing their originality
The country is moving to modernization but at a slow pace. Bhutan is looking towards more advancement, but with that it does not want to loose its originality. There are few examples which indicate that now people are becoming aware and are looking forward to modernization, and those are discussed here. Like, it is being said that the thinking of the people towards leaving their children to the day care providers is psychotropic except for the young working people; today people are wearing modern dresses, designer wear and tuning in to satellite TV for the first time which was not legalized until 1999. They are fighting to maintain the balance between becoming modern and being Bhutanese as well. They made their traditional dresses compulsory at offices and temples. They banned MTV and WWE, as they believe that by watching WWE encourages children to be violent and MTV is spoiling their thinking, as Bhutan government thought what one see will do that only and this is not the Buddhists nature. Bhutan likes modernization but not at the cost of loosing its originality and that’s why it was the first country to ban tobacco. The young teenagers can be seen strumming a guitar and having a meal that add taste from the west, their cafe offers yak burgers and pizza with yak meat. So, in all we can say that in Bhutan, the people are adding a western flavor in their life without loosing their originality. source
US eases pressure on North Korea for little gains
President Bush seems to desperately want to add laurels to his presidency in its twilight hour. How else could one explain the striking off of North Korea from the terrorism blacklist? It is very likely that North Korea has been supplying nuclear arms technology to Iran and Syria. It is also very probable that it is continuing with its nuclear enrichment programme. President Bush not only took off the ‘bad boys’ label from North Korea but has also sent in shiploads of badly needed wheat into the country. In return for what? For a dramatic destroyal of the old Yongbyon nuclear reactor. Besides that North Korea has only given some details of its nuclear programme. What is totally missing is any mention of its enrichment plans and its aid to Iran and Syria. Many in the Bush administration are not happy with the concessions given to North Korea. It seems that Condoleezza Rice has won over Dick Cheney as far as that country is concerned. Though Rice has said there is still a long way to go and that North Korea has to do much more, one wonders why the rogue country was not squeezed further to bring it into line. The floods in the country last year have destroyed the crops. More concessions could have been got from Kim Jong Il. Instead the US seems to be taking a "big-hearted" approach towards a country that has always acted aggressively and secretly. It has contributed much to the proliferation of missiles and nuclear technology in the world. There is a saying that a dog’s tail always remains crooked. It applies prefectly to Kim Jong’s Korea. Image Source: WSJ
Rising human rights violation in China on the eve of the Olympics
As people from every corner of the globe are preparing themselves to be a part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to be held in August this year amidst the slogan – One World, One Dream, some dissidents are urging the global community to boycott this year’s summer Olympics in protest against Chinese atrocities in Tibet. The French President Nicolas Sarkozy is contemplating boycott of the opening ceremony that would be attended by a number of prominent world leaders. However, the overwhelming majority are not considering boycott of the games as a fitting retribution to China for its unending human rights violation. Although, the protests by the Tibetans have grabbed international headlines in the past few weeks but the tyranny of the communist government of China is not concentrated only in Tibet, but human rights violation has increased manifold in the Mainland on the eve of the Olympics. As soon as one arrives in Beijing for the Olympics, they would be dazzled by the architectural marvels of the city – its skyscrapers, its spacious streets, its modern stadium and its happy inhabitants. Hidden underneath the glitter of wealth and splendour is a different China – a country without freedom of expression, without political freedom, without religious freedom and without any human rights. There is no transparency in the funding of the huge Olympic projects. There had been complaints of large-scale embezzlement of taxpayers’ money and the deputy mayor of Beijing formerly in charge of Olympics construction had been arrested on corruption charges. To clear spaces for construction thousands of civilian houses have been demolished without properly compensating their owners. Two brothers, Ye Guozhu and Ye Guoqiang, had been imprisoned and tortured for filing a legal appeal after their house was forcefully demolished. By the end of 2007, around 1.5 million people were forced to evacuate the cities to facilitate the Olympics construction. Without any formal resettlement schemes, these people are expected to suffer untold misery. To keep the cities clear of beggars, homeless and vendors, these people have been detained in shelters or labor camps. The Chinese government is not supporting any kind of petition against their demolition drives. On August 5, 2007, 200 petitioners had been arrested in Beijing. In January 2007, a petitioner Duan Huimin was killed by Shanghai police and in July last year another petitioner Chen Xiaoming died under mysterious circumstances during a lengthy detention period. In continuing with its efforts to stifle the voice of popular resentment, China is continuing with its literary inquisition. 35 Chinese journalists and 51 writers are still languishing in the Chinese prisons. Over 90 percents of the arrests had taken place after China’s successful bid for the Olympics in July 2001. The 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, the blind activist Chen Guangcheng is serving his four years prison term for exposing the truth about forced abortion and sterilization. There is no freedom of expression, countless websites have been closed, blogs deleted, and Chinese interviewees had been tortured and arrested for speaking to the foreign media. The above incidents had been chronicled by Chinese human rights activists Hu Jia and Teng Biao. For publishing an open letter highlighting the atrocities of the Chinese government, Hu Jia has been sentenced to 3 ½ years imprisonment this week. Source:Washington Post Image
China’s Tibet nightmare is over for now
The Tibet protests had initially unnerved the Chinese government. With the Beijing Olympics just a few months away, it could not throw in battalions of PLA soldiers with orders to crush the rebellion brutally. Instead, it is dealing with the rebellion of army soldiers disguised as policemen. The idea is to show the world that this is an internal security matter, needing only police action; no need for the army. These furtive measures along with brusque warnings to major powers to stay off Tibet have worked. The blunt talking has worked not only because China is a military power, but also because it’s economic clout is enormous. India is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that China is not the least offended. US president Bush has said he will go to the opening ceremony of the Olympics as a ‘sports lover’. This fools no one. Everyone is looking the other way. Tibetans are alone, except for shrill but futile noises from human rights organizations. All this has emboldened China. It has beefed up security in the troubled province. The dirty tricks department of the Chinese government has let loose rumours that some Tibetans have ganged up with Al Qaeda elements amongst Muslim Uighurs. This is like finishing off a job well done (of subduing the protest). The Tibetans can do nothing but smoulder in anger in their hearts. The more practical ones, who see only the economic benefits of being a part of a rapidly growing country, have actually denounced the Tibetan uprising. It seems the Chinese economic success story is dousing the flames of the cry for Tibetan independence. Image credit Washington Post
Taliban insurgents gaining lost grounds in Afghanistan
According to recent Pentagon and an independent website reports, combat deaths are on rise in parts of Afghanistan. American military death toll has been the highest in this month of June and they are still counting. There are no confirmed records of civilian deaths which could be increasing as well. Taliban is regaining strength and is reclaiming some parts of the southern and eastern regions of the country. There are many reasons for the growing strength of Taliban. First of all, it is getting more support from confederation of militant groups from eastern Afghanistan for its fight against American military. These militant groups proliferate along the border of Pakistan and often take refuge in the tribal areas of Pakistan. They even launch cross-border attack into Afghanistan. Pakistan government’s peace talks and negotiations with these groups in the tribal belts don’t seem to work. American officials are growing skeptical about role of Pakistan too. Secondly, American troops not only find it difficult to tackle the difficult mountainous terrain of Pakistan-Afghanistan border which is a haven for Taliban and militant groups, even the weather plays a tricky part. Insurgency and attacks are low in winters when mountains are covered with snow. Summer is the weather for combat. The tradition continues and now is the peak time of guerrilla warfare for Taliban backed insurgents. This could partly be the reason for increased violence in Afghanistan. There seems to be no end in sight for the continuing war in Afghanistan. War is going on in the rough terrain of Afghanistan since 2001. The region has highest number of foreign troops which include some 32,000 American troops and 38,000 American-led coalition troops from other countries under NATO. Yet, there is a growing demand for more troops and sophisticated weapons from American side. Can more troops curb Taliban led insurgency? Taliban will never give up its fight against the forceful military occupation of the region by America. They want to reinstate religiously conservative Pashtun led government in Afghanistan. They’ll continue to irritate and kill American troops with road-side bombs and small attacks and gain more control over regions. More troops and stock of sophisticated weapons will not help either. Modern wars never bring hope of peace. source: IHT
Afghani Jihads Get Stronger With Foreign Insurgents
Afghanistan is gradually turning into a secure shelter for international jihads and the jihadist movements. It is getting stronger even than Iraq. But how it has been possible? Because they are inviting insurgents newly trained in Pakistan and in many other countries. There is an online network facilitating this process of developing pristine jihads in the country- known as a call for “lions of Islam” to join the war in Afghanistan. And this online recruitment is going on particularly in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Chechnya and Turkey. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) of Pakistan. This is the center place for training to the jihads and is sending them to join the Afghanistan warlords. The boarder line between Afghanistan and Pakistan is facing more attacks these days. According to Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the al-Qaeda-linked foreign fighters are seen with larger groups in Fata. The increase is remarkable with compared to the past years. Reports say that in the year 2007, there was an agreement between al-Qaeda and Hizb-e-Islami according to which both will work together for the same cause. Abu Yusuf Saleh al-Yemeni, an emissary for al-Qaeda, now except leading al-Qaeda, also manages the Hizb-e-Islami fighters, Taliban and Pakistani militants from bases in Nuristan. This place is seen with more than 400 militants scattered everywhere and moving fearlessly all around. These foreigners include Chechens, Arabs and Pakistanis. More recently Lashkar-e-Toiba fighters have been linked to al-Qaeda. The increasing strength and dominance of this insurgent group is clearly visible in the recent attack of July 13 that almost overran a remote US combat outpost at Wanat in Nuristan. And it was nothing less than a “first rate” attack in fact. We don’t know what the aim and extent the jihadist movements have set for fighting, but one thing is sure that they become doubly stronger and violent after each defeat. Source: timesonline
Pakistan – Is the honeymoon over?
The political scenario in Pakistan showed its ugly side yet again, with the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif publicly acknowledging that his Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is pulling out from the newly formed coalition government as no consensus between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and his party could be reached to facilitate the reinstatement of the ousted judges (sacked by President Musharraf). This very ouster of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Iftikhar M. Choudhry, had led to countrywide protests and agitation where hordes from judicial fraternity had courted arrest against Musharraf’s move. Giving a clear hint of vindication – Nawaz Sharif was overthrown way back in 1999 by Musharraf in a coup when he was the army chief – with this decision, he may have aired his intention to his coalition partner, Mr Zardari. Of late, differences between the coalition partners too have come for some scrutiny, with neither of them clearly stating their stand on Musharraf’s continuity. The timing of the decision could not have been more inappropriate for Nawaz Sharif simply because Ishaq Dar, the Finance Minister in his cabinet of ministers, was slated to come up with his annual budget in next couple of weeks. Nawaz Sharif said, We want the unconditional, dignified and honourable return of the judges. For the time being, we’ll not sit in opposition. We will not be part of any conspiracy aimed at strengthening dictatorships. If the tug-of-war between the coalition partners on this issue doesn’t reach to its logical ends very soon, Pakistan could witness (after years of military regime) a serious jolt to the just introduced democracy. So, its time for Nawaz Sharif for some serious introspection, which might give the country respite from such hiccups. The international audience will closely monitor the developments, especially the king makers United States and Britain. If reports are to be believed, rival faction PPP has already shown its desire to work out a formula which will allow Musharraf to continue in office, by relinquishing few powers, e.g. the right to dismiss Parliament. Source: Timesonline
Heroin Traded for Weapons in Afghanistan
The poppy cultivation is the most lucrative trade in Afghanistan, inspite of the legal ban on the crop cultivation and risks involved in business. It is one of the largest contributors of drug exports throughout the world and the recent boom in opium production is a cause of worry for many neighboring countries of Afghanistan. Since 1980 Soviet invasion, many warlords in Afghanistan traded heroin for weapons, in search for power, money and fame. Afghanistan was already crippled because of war and its economy also considerably weakened which made many people in Afghanistan, switch over to opium cultivation, which yielded more money. It was during this period that drugs were exported into Russia in large scale and through Russia into other European countries. The trade has since then become illicit and Taliban are now utilizing it to their benefits to purchase arms and ammunitions, creating turbulence in various parts of Afghanistan. It is no doubt that there exists a large network apart from Taliban, helping to promote its business and exports. The drug trafficking laws in the country prove inefficient with many government officials and ministers involved in this murky business .Furthermore the promise of money and power lure many Afghans into the trade. The American and British troops find themselves helpless to fight on with little support from the people. With the boom in Opium production and illegal exports, it is better that Russia and other European and American countries, especially Britain watch out. The other neighboring states, India and Pakistan too have to be careful over these issues, since it involves both drug trafficking and terrorism, with drugs being traded for weapons. Source: The Independent
Peace deal in Swat: Pakistan bows to Taliban pressure
A vulnerable peace deal is in place in the Swat region of Pakistan’s northwest frontier province. For months Pakistani security forces have been fighting Islamic radical groups resulting in hundreds of deaths in the region. As the peace deal is in place there is a glimmer of hope that peace will persist bringing normal life back in this picturesque valley. While many endorse the peace deal, the US and other western allies have strong reservations about the deal. Washington believe that peace deals in Pakistan’s restless tribal areas are times when the Taliban prepare themselves for launching attacks across the border into Afghanistan and other Western targets. Yet as far as the local population is concerned the peace deal is a chance for tourism to return to the region. Tourists used to flock the swat valley in hordes during peaceful times but the continuous fighting has robbed the region of his most important economic lifeline. Furthermore, with the introduction of the strict Sharia law,one of the main demands of the fundamentalists would lead to the formation of more terror groups and would close down all democratic rights of the people. Pakistani human rights groups have alleged the Pakistani government of bowing to the pressure of the fundamentalists as the peace deal has provided more power to the regional clerics. The deal was struck by the new Pakistani government and Islamabad hopes that if this is successful, it could be implemented in other parts of the nortwest frontier province angering western powers and Afghanistan. Many see this peace deal to be a way to clip President Parvez Musharraf’s wings who is seen as a staunch US ally and many have blamed the former general of stoking extremism by fighting fire with fire but one must not forget that Parvez Musharraf also tried many peace deals but failed miserably. No wonder the current peace deal is doomed even before it is implemented widely. Via: BBC