If proof ever were needed that Israel is not going to return the illegal seize of land its has taken from the Palestinians in 43 years of its occupation of the West Bank land Arab East Jerusalem, the arming of settler colonies with anti personnel weapons and up to day military arms and equipment should free any impartial observer of the fallacy that the Zionist state will relinquish control of the illegally seized Palestinian territory as part of what is a design of a 'Greater Israel' stretching from the Mediterranean to the Jordan river.
Triggering this rush to fortify colonists who are already armed to the teeth is a fear that the UN General Assembly in its opening session in September 2011 will recognise Palestine as a state although it is under Israeli occupation.
The fear of the wrong doer, violator of endless international agreements, and UN resolution, Israel lives in great fear that at the moment the UN may declare Palestine a state in good standing in the world area, such a proclamation would trigger an uprising against the Zionist occupiers.
The scenario is worthy of a B film, the more especially since Israel is a heavily armed state and has at least 200 atomic weapons; thinks nothing of waging war on its neighbours proactively and seizing vessels on the high sea in a manner which might have titillated the Barbary pirates.
Israel extreme reaction is symptomatic of its own internal contradictions and its inability to make peace with its neighbours nor recognise Palestine in a two solution.
The Zionist state is a Goliath that has the ability to cause much wrack and ruin but has the ability to sleep well at night. Brief, Israel has let its worst nightmares colour its own dreams and policies which ironically will hasten its own isolation and decline.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Attack against UN headquarters in Abuja orchestrated by al Qaeda
Little surprise here. Al Qaeda through a previously unknown 'spokesman' Mamman Nur has claimed responsibility for the attack against UN headquarters in Nigeria's capitol Abuja, leaving 23 dead and numerous injured on 26 August 2011.
Nigeria is a structural nightmare, pitting the western and northern parts against the oil rich east that once tired to secede as 'Biafra' forty years ago.
The central authority proved unable to reign in the violence in the north where Muslims killed Christians and Christian killed Muslims, and where an easy truce between the two communities never held for long.
In a flash of controlling violence, petty and grand, the government allowed 'Sha'aria' law to a status equal to civil and criminal law. The introduction of Muslim law encouraged and fostered and nourished radical Islamist groups that now have become a part of the al Qaeda network in north and west Africa.
Problems gnawing at the body politic and economic of Nigeria since independence now feed 'terrorism' with an Islamic face. The central and regional authorities will not step up a 'war' that will turn Nigeria into a war zone of indeterminate duration.
Nigeria is a structural nightmare, pitting the western and northern parts against the oil rich east that once tired to secede as 'Biafra' forty years ago.
The central authority proved unable to reign in the violence in the north where Muslims killed Christians and Christian killed Muslims, and where an easy truce between the two communities never held for long.
In a flash of controlling violence, petty and grand, the government allowed 'Sha'aria' law to a status equal to civil and criminal law. The introduction of Muslim law encouraged and fostered and nourished radical Islamist groups that now have become a part of the al Qaeda network in north and west Africa.
Problems gnawing at the body politic and economic of Nigeria since independence now feed 'terrorism' with an Islamic face. The central and regional authorities will not step up a 'war' that will turn Nigeria into a war zone of indeterminate duration.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
South Korea inching towards better relations with North Korea?
South Korea's president Lee Myung bak has dismissed his unification minister Hyun In teak. Known as a hardliner, Hyun until his forced leaving of Lee's cabinet, was a mirror reflexion of the president's own position towards Kim Jong il.
Hyun's replacement Yu Wook ik signals a softening in Lee's stance, it seems.
Lee's 'Drang nach Norden' has failed, and his sabre rattling had provoked the exchange of live fire between South and North Korea during joint US ROK military exercises along the Northern Limit Line within a blush of North Korean territorial waters when the South's shells fell there in November 2010. The incident raised fears of reopening the frozen Korean War which awaits a peace treaty after 61 years.
Kim Jong il's marshalling the support of Russia and China in his willingness to rejoin six party talks, long in abeyance, in Beijing without preconditions, has put South Korea and the US into a position of quibblers by their rejection of North Korea's proposal as 'deja vu all over again' and hardly worth considering. Not only that the seize of South Korea tourist sites in Kumgangsan in North Korea has upset the business community on which Lee's Grand National Party depends.
Lee is a lame duck president, should we forget. The GNP is anxious to improve relations with the North. So under the pressure of international and national long fire on policy towards North Korea, Lee is forced to name a new unification minister.
The choice of Yu has significance: he served as Seoul's ambassador to Beijing. With news of his nomination, China has welcomed Lee's choice.
With Yu, will Lee inch more 'warmly' toward Kim Jong il?
Hyun's replacement Yu Wook ik signals a softening in Lee's stance, it seems.
Lee's 'Drang nach Norden' has failed, and his sabre rattling had provoked the exchange of live fire between South and North Korea during joint US ROK military exercises along the Northern Limit Line within a blush of North Korean territorial waters when the South's shells fell there in November 2010. The incident raised fears of reopening the frozen Korean War which awaits a peace treaty after 61 years.
Kim Jong il's marshalling the support of Russia and China in his willingness to rejoin six party talks, long in abeyance, in Beijing without preconditions, has put South Korea and the US into a position of quibblers by their rejection of North Korea's proposal as 'deja vu all over again' and hardly worth considering. Not only that the seize of South Korea tourist sites in Kumgangsan in North Korea has upset the business community on which Lee's Grand National Party depends.
Lee is a lame duck president, should we forget. The GNP is anxious to improve relations with the North. So under the pressure of international and national long fire on policy towards North Korea, Lee is forced to name a new unification minister.
The choice of Yu has significance: he served as Seoul's ambassador to Beijing. With news of his nomination, China has welcomed Lee's choice.
With Yu, will Lee inch more 'warmly' toward Kim Jong il?
Algeria welcomes Qaddafi's second wife, daughter, and two sons
Algeria is giving comfort to Qaddafi's second wife, his daughter, and two sons. This welcome has raised a few eyebrows and questions.
The media has hardly hinted at the cosy relations between the two countries. Yet Algeria has supported the fall Libyan colonel in men, arms, and has defend him politically.
Little wonder: Algeria has been, more or less successfully, waging a 20 year war against its own insurgents, admittedly hardline Islamists who took up arms after being denied the fruits of an election by the politico military junta that has ruled the country since independence in 1962.
Any bolstering the cause of Libyan 'rebels' would, for the Algeria elite' breathe new strength into a flagging radical Islamic armed opposition. Furthermore, it would encourage secular forces, especially the Algeria left, which the FLN coalition government has kept tightly down during since the overthrow of Ben Bella in 1965.
Today, floating on a sea of petrodollars, the Algerian treasury is 'pleine a craquer'; the country's wealth, especially in oil and gas,is tightly under state control, and the ruling circles intend that it remains so.
So the overthrow of Qaddafi spells new challenges for Algeria since any step the new government will take towards democracy and modifying the economic picture, spells 'existential' danger for this North African country.
Offering asylum to half of the Qaddafi family signals uneasy relations with the New Libya, and more headaches for Algeria.
The media has hardly hinted at the cosy relations between the two countries. Yet Algeria has supported the fall Libyan colonel in men, arms, and has defend him politically.
Little wonder: Algeria has been, more or less successfully, waging a 20 year war against its own insurgents, admittedly hardline Islamists who took up arms after being denied the fruits of an election by the politico military junta that has ruled the country since independence in 1962.
Any bolstering the cause of Libyan 'rebels' would, for the Algeria elite' breathe new strength into a flagging radical Islamic armed opposition. Furthermore, it would encourage secular forces, especially the Algeria left, which the FLN coalition government has kept tightly down during since the overthrow of Ben Bella in 1965.
Today, floating on a sea of petrodollars, the Algerian treasury is 'pleine a craquer'; the country's wealth, especially in oil and gas,is tightly under state control, and the ruling circles intend that it remains so.
So the overthrow of Qaddafi spells new challenges for Algeria since any step the new government will take towards democracy and modifying the economic picture, spells 'existential' danger for this North African country.
Offering asylum to half of the Qaddafi family signals uneasy relations with the New Libya, and more headaches for Algeria.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Storm warnings in Singapore?
After tasting voters discontent in recent parliamentary elections, Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Leung assured the electorate that he and the People's Action Party which has ruled the city state for the last half century 'will try harder' to listen to the people.
Now after a recount--something unheard of in Singapore's electoral vocabulary--the PAP backed Tony Tam, a former deputy prime minister, barely won.
The race for the largely symbolic post of the presidency with an annual salary of us$3.04 million, was fielded by not one, not two, but four candidates, all with the name of Tan. The 'Straits Times', which hews to PAP's line, praised Tony Tan from day one.
Looking at the results, we find that in spite of the government's powerful machinery, Tony Tan squeaked into office with 35.19 per cent of the 2.15 million votes cast. Second came Tan Cheung Bock, a PAP stalwart (who forced the recount) with 34.85 per cent. In third place, the Singaproe Democratic party's Tan Jee Say showed a strong 25.05 per cent, which should send alarum bells ringing in the corridors of the PAP leadership, the more especially since his hearty support among the electorate uncovers simmering discontent with PAP long rule. And finally, Tan Kin Lian, a former PAP district official who broke with the party, garnered a mere 4.91 per cent, thus forfeiting the money he put up for the privilege of running for president.
Although PAP's grip on governmental institution remains firm for the moment, internal currents swirling near the surface should be a warning to the PAP for more flexibility and meeting the needs and concerns of a young population coming to the fore.
Lee truly needs 'to do more' for the party's survival. A telling sign is that his father Lee Kwan Yew has abandoned his title as 'minister mentor' at the age of 88. He may advise his son still, but this Svengali's power is waning, and the aging PAP leadership has not groomed younger vigorous politicians, only a generation of yes men and women. Tis a telling sign that PAP is headed into turbulent political waters in the future.
Now after a recount--something unheard of in Singapore's electoral vocabulary--the PAP backed Tony Tam, a former deputy prime minister, barely won.
The race for the largely symbolic post of the presidency with an annual salary of us$3.04 million, was fielded by not one, not two, but four candidates, all with the name of Tan. The 'Straits Times', which hews to PAP's line, praised Tony Tan from day one.
Looking at the results, we find that in spite of the government's powerful machinery, Tony Tan squeaked into office with 35.19 per cent of the 2.15 million votes cast. Second came Tan Cheung Bock, a PAP stalwart (who forced the recount) with 34.85 per cent. In third place, the Singaproe Democratic party's Tan Jee Say showed a strong 25.05 per cent, which should send alarum bells ringing in the corridors of the PAP leadership, the more especially since his hearty support among the electorate uncovers simmering discontent with PAP long rule. And finally, Tan Kin Lian, a former PAP district official who broke with the party, garnered a mere 4.91 per cent, thus forfeiting the money he put up for the privilege of running for president.
Although PAP's grip on governmental institution remains firm for the moment, internal currents swirling near the surface should be a warning to the PAP for more flexibility and meeting the needs and concerns of a young population coming to the fore.
Lee truly needs 'to do more' for the party's survival. A telling sign is that his father Lee Kwan Yew has abandoned his title as 'minister mentor' at the age of 88. He may advise his son still, but this Svengali's power is waning, and the aging PAP leadership has not groomed younger vigorous politicians, only a generation of yes men and women. Tis a telling sign that PAP is headed into turbulent political waters in the future.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Kim Jong il's pledge to halt nuclear testing
Kim Jong il has pledged whilst in Russia to halt nuclear testing. Russia's president Dimtry Medvedev has obtained Kim's pledge that hinges on a pipeline from Russia's gas fields through Central Asia and the two Koreas.
Kim pledge has even caught his most ardent detractors asleep, it seems. Medvedev has put a feather in Russo North Korean relations, thereby renewing a long friendship turned cold by the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Nonetheless, the "Dear Leader" has sent the same message to the Obama White through Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, visiting senior department of state officials, and a variety of intellectuals and scholars who, from time to time, have visited Pyongyang.
The American president and his ally in Seoul, Lee Myung bak, have responded to Kim Jong il's call for a halt in the North's nuclear programme with no conditions as disingenuous, for in the high moral tone Obama and Lee take, Kim lacks 'sincerity'.
Me, oh my, were 'sincerity' a diplomatic virtue, both the US and South Korea would be seen as seriously lacking in that excellent quality.
What Washington and Seoul mean by 'sincerity' is accept all our conditions or else. No statesman with a good sense of self respect could roll over and play doggo as Obama and Lee demand. As a result in the joint US ROK intransigeance a stalemate has obtained since 2008. And the six power talks in Beijing have been ajourned 'sine dia', in spite of the North's willingness to come back to the negotiating table without conditions.
Medvedev seems to believe Kim, in stark contrast to Obama and Lee. The Russian president has his own agenda but he sees bring North Korea in from the cold is preferable than the festering situation that exists now. Medvedev sees purchase in welcoming the much boycotted DPRK into the embrace of diplomacy and solving the dangers of nuclear proliferation in the divided Korean peninsula, through aiding North Korea materially. In this, he has shown remarkable 'commonsense', which is something that the US and South Korea have not.
Kim has shown himself a conspiciously able leader of his country which everyone with a grudge against him and his country, thought would have long collapsed. Wrong! Even the cruel havoc of Mother Nature on the country's crops have been unable force the North to fold its cards and walk away.
At the bottom of it all may very well be the feeling that the DPRK, shunned, boycotted, sanctioned to the hilt in the world community, and the object of a relentless propaganda war, outwits the big boys at negotiation poker, and with low cards. Their condescension is so glaring and blinding that they take the forest for the trees and miss the hand offered by Kim Jong il. Medvedev saw it and has grasped it, thereby giving us hope that the six party talks may resume.
Kim pledge has even caught his most ardent detractors asleep, it seems. Medvedev has put a feather in Russo North Korean relations, thereby renewing a long friendship turned cold by the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Nonetheless, the "Dear Leader" has sent the same message to the Obama White through Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, visiting senior department of state officials, and a variety of intellectuals and scholars who, from time to time, have visited Pyongyang.
The American president and his ally in Seoul, Lee Myung bak, have responded to Kim Jong il's call for a halt in the North's nuclear programme with no conditions as disingenuous, for in the high moral tone Obama and Lee take, Kim lacks 'sincerity'.
Me, oh my, were 'sincerity' a diplomatic virtue, both the US and South Korea would be seen as seriously lacking in that excellent quality.
What Washington and Seoul mean by 'sincerity' is accept all our conditions or else. No statesman with a good sense of self respect could roll over and play doggo as Obama and Lee demand. As a result in the joint US ROK intransigeance a stalemate has obtained since 2008. And the six power talks in Beijing have been ajourned 'sine dia', in spite of the North's willingness to come back to the negotiating table without conditions.
Medvedev seems to believe Kim, in stark contrast to Obama and Lee. The Russian president has his own agenda but he sees bring North Korea in from the cold is preferable than the festering situation that exists now. Medvedev sees purchase in welcoming the much boycotted DPRK into the embrace of diplomacy and solving the dangers of nuclear proliferation in the divided Korean peninsula, through aiding North Korea materially. In this, he has shown remarkable 'commonsense', which is something that the US and South Korea have not.
Kim has shown himself a conspiciously able leader of his country which everyone with a grudge against him and his country, thought would have long collapsed. Wrong! Even the cruel havoc of Mother Nature on the country's crops have been unable force the North to fold its cards and walk away.
At the bottom of it all may very well be the feeling that the DPRK, shunned, boycotted, sanctioned to the hilt in the world community, and the object of a relentless propaganda war, outwits the big boys at negotiation poker, and with low cards. Their condescension is so glaring and blinding that they take the forest for the trees and miss the hand offered by Kim Jong il. Medvedev saw it and has grasped it, thereby giving us hope that the six party talks may resume.
Happy birthday General Giap
Italians wish long life by raising a glass and saying 'cent'anni'. May you live a hundred years!
Vietnam's celebrated general and companion of Ho Chi Minh celebrated his 100 birthday on 25 August 2011.
In frail health, the old soldier who engineered the defeat of France at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 after a 54 day campaign which resulted in over 2000 dead, 5000 wounded, and 11.000 prisoners, thereby ending the first Vietnam War.
Giap displayed his military flair and genius by drubbing the Americans during the Second Vietnam War ten years later during the 1968 Tet Offensive, and laid down the strategy for the eventual fall of Saigon and the retreat of the US in 1975.
At his century mark, the general has joined the high ranks of a military strategist and is bigger than life in the annuals of history.
His 'Guerre du peuple, armee du peuple' stands the test of time and is a manual of guerrilla warfare, a war which he characterises by citing a Vietnamese saying: a war of elephants against ants'.
Happy birthday Vo Nguyen Giap, and many more years of life!
Vietnam's celebrated general and companion of Ho Chi Minh celebrated his 100 birthday on 25 August 2011.
In frail health, the old soldier who engineered the defeat of France at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 after a 54 day campaign which resulted in over 2000 dead, 5000 wounded, and 11.000 prisoners, thereby ending the first Vietnam War.
Giap displayed his military flair and genius by drubbing the Americans during the Second Vietnam War ten years later during the 1968 Tet Offensive, and laid down the strategy for the eventual fall of Saigon and the retreat of the US in 1975.
At his century mark, the general has joined the high ranks of a military strategist and is bigger than life in the annuals of history.
His 'Guerre du peuple, armee du peuple' stands the test of time and is a manual of guerrilla warfare, a war which he characterises by citing a Vietnamese saying: a war of elephants against ants'.
Happy birthday Vo Nguyen Giap, and many more years of life!
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