Free Thoughts

Delhi cops rope in pay phone operators - MSN India

2008-08-05T21:37:00.001+05:30

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Delhi cops rope in pay phone operatorsPhone booth operators have been asked to keep an eye on people calling Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jammu and Srinagar as Independence Day approachesNew Delhi: Telephone booth operators, taxi drivers and guesthouse owners in the capital have been asked to keep an eye on people calling Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jammu and Srinagar as Independence Day approaches. Cyber cafes and guesthouses have been told to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.Telephone booth operators have been asked to maintain a separate register for people making local, intra-state and international calls in the run up to Aug 15."Try to overhear the conversation and if any suspicious activity is noticed, inform police immediately and keep a watch over the person. Keep an eye on persons making calls on ISD codes 008801 (Bangladesh), 0092 (Pakistan), 09977 (Nepal) and local codes 0191 (Jammu) and 0194 (Srinagar)," the instructions read.Raju, a phone booth owner in southwest Delhi, told IANS: "The cops come daily to my shop and check the register to see whether we are maintaining a record. A constable then signs and put the date at the end of the particular day's record."Apart from keeping a call record, guesthouses have been told not to allow guests to use the hotel address for delivery of new mobile phone SIM cards. They have also been asked to install CCTVs at the entrance and maintain the footage of visitors.A "watch (is) to be kept on persons using guesthouses and they have to obtain photo identification cards of users and local contacts in case of a person belonging to another state or country," the instructions say.Also, don't be surprised if a taxi driver asks for a passenger's identity proof or reports to the police if a passenger has been clicking pictures of any important monument in the city."Terror threat increases manifold during the time of Independence Day and Republic Day. So we are asking each and every person to remain vigilant and report any suspicious matter to police," a top Delhi Police official told IANS."If we don't keep their phone call records, it is very likely that the terrorists may escape easily after executing blasts in the city. We appeal to people to cooperate with the police," the official added.Mobile SIM card dealers have been strictly instructed to ask customers for photo identification proof. Besides installing web cameras with recording facility, cyber cafe owners have been directed to keep a watch on people surfing the Internet."We are very particular about cyber cafes after the series of blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. The terrorists have used cyber cafes before executing the blasts," said a senior official.Apart from briefing phone booth operators, taxi drivers, guesthouses, parking attendants, vegetable sellers and market associations, the Delhi Police have for the first time sent requests to large hospitals, colleges, schools and resident welfare Associations to take precautionary measures.Letters have been sent to medical superintendents of Safdarjung Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and principals of schools and colleges."In Ahmedabad, terrorists did not spare hospitals and they exploded bombs there when media people and relatives of affected persons in the bomb blasts gathered in the hospital," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Kumar Gyanesh."In view of the terrorist attacks on hospitals, we have written letters to AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals for strengthening security in and around their premises," Gyanesh said.In a letter to colleges and schools, the police have asked them to be vigilant as they could prove vulnerable targets for terrorists.Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Delhi cops rope in pay phone operators - National News – News – MSN India - News

SAARC Security Pact

2008-08-04T13:08:00.000+05:30

S Asian leaders sign security pact

Saarc leaders signed deals to develop energy, food security and to fight terrorism [AFP]

South Asian leaders have called for joint action against terrorism and more regional trade, according to a draft declaration adopted at a regional conference in Colombo.
The two-day summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation, or Saarc, ended in the Sri Lankan capital on Sunday. The eight Saarc member countries adopted a regional anti-terrorism co-operation agreement on Sunday, despite accusations that members of Pakistan's main spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, helped carry out a deadly bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.
Saarc, which groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, also noted the urgent need to develop energy and food security.
The leaders approved the immediate establishment of a food bank to cope with regional shortages triggered by rising prices, as well as plans for improving energy security in the region, home to nearly one-fifth of the world's population. The foreign ministers of the Saarc members signed the anti-terrorism agreement, and endorsed the creation of a regional development fund and rules for standardisation of products traded among member countries. The leaders agreed to focus on developing hydropower and renewable energy programmes involving solar equipment and wind turbines.Saarc was established in 1985 to promote economic co-operation, but progress in most areas has been slow.

'Terrorism combat'

The security pact calls for freezing funds that might be used for terrorist activities, regular meetings between security chiefs, the exchange of intelligence, and training of personnel dealing with terrorism and drug offences. The deal may be difficult to implement in view of accusations by India and Afghanistan that elements of the ISI helped an armed group bomb India's embassy in Afghanistan on July 7, killing 41 people. During a meeting with Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, on Saturday, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan prime minister, offered to launch an independent investigation into the allegation, Shivshankar Menon, India's most senior diplomat, said.Pakistan had earlier denied the accusation.

Afghan-Pakistan pledge

Separately, the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to "re-engage" in the fight against extremism, a joint statement said. Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, and Gilani met on the sidelines of the summit on Sunday, according to a joint statement. "The two sides agreed to co-ordinate their efforts to stop cross-border terrorism," the statement said. "At the suggestion of Pakistan, the Afghan side agreed to re-engage on all bilateral and multilateral forums.

Dhaka mulls Free Trade

2008-08-04T13:03:00.001+05:30

Dhaka mulls free trade pacts with India, Pak, Sri Lanka

4 Aug, 2008, 1146 hrs IST, IANS

DHAKA: Bangladesh has decided to sign bilateral free trade agreements (FTA) with three major South Asian trading partners - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - in view of the failure of multilateral trading arrangements to serve the country's interests. The decision was taken at a meeting Sunday with stakeholders and experts at the commerce ministry. Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman chaired the meet, a national newspaper said on Monday. While negotiating with India on the FTA, the issue of transportation and regional connectivity will come up for discussion automatically, former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan was quoted to have said. He said Dhaka should have its position clear on this. Although the meeting considered trade data based on research done at home and by the World Bank, it decided to go for further studies, indicating that the process would be slow. A core group comprising public and private sector representatives will be formed with the chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute, M Ali Taslim, as its chief, to assess probable risks and gains of striking the free trade deals with the neighbouring countries. "The whole exercise will be accomplished under a public-private partnership so that the interest of the country can be served," said the commerce adviser, who performs ministerial functions in the cartetaker government headed by Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed. The Bangladesh high commissioners to these three countries will be asked to give their opinions in this regard and contact the host governments to resume negotiations that remain stalled since their beginning in late 2003. The latest collapse of the World Trade Organisation talks at the level of mini-ministerial conference in Geneva as well as a slow progress in expanding the regional trade under the SAARC Free Trade Area prompted Bangladesh to go for bilateral trading arrangements. Demands including duty and quota-free access of products of the least developed countries like Bangladesh to markets of developed countries remain unrealised despite their commitments during the Hong Kong trade ministerial meeting in 2005. "It will also mean boosting of the regional trade through bilateral arrangements," said an official present at the meeting, in reply to the question why Dhaka would now prefer the bilateral FTA. The meeting also decided to ink similar deals with Nepal and Bhutan in order to justify the objectives of signing FTA with the three major trading nations in the region. Bangladesh has been suffering balance of payments deficits with India over the years at a range of more than $2 billion. Dhaka also has trade imbalance with Islamabad and Colombo although the overall trade volume in this regard is much lower than that with India. Issues of service sector, non-tariff barriers and sensitive list, especially how they would be dealt with in the FTA deals, came up for discussion at the meeting which was attended by representatives of the trade bodies and research organisations and officials of relevant government agencies, the newspaper said.

Faith

2008-08-03T19:26:00.001+05:30

Condoms `Promote Sin' in Papua New Guinea as AIDS, Faith Cross

By Simeon Bennett

Aug. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Godfrey Wippon, the pastor of Papua New Guinea's 70,000-member Revival Fellowship Church, has a simple HIV-prevention message for his flock.``Flee from sin, flee from committing adultery and fornication,'' Wippon, 56, said in a telephone interview from Goroka, in the country's Eastern Highlands. ``If you are a church and you're issuing condoms, you are promoting sin and you're anti-Christ.'' Those infected should turn to God, who has healed 40 church members of HIV, Wippon said.Religion has helped and hindered global health officials battling HIV. While faith-based groups care for AIDS patients, efforts to slow infection have been stymied by religious beliefs and practices. These include Islamic prohibitions against gay sex, which shames gays in Malaysia from responding to prevention efforts, and opposition to circumcision by Hindus and Sikhs in India, global health officials said.``On one hand, some faith-based organizations may be the greatest providers of care and support,'' said Sally Smith, an adviser on faith-based partnerships for UNAIDS, the United Nations' HIV agency. On the other hand, she said, reactions by some religious leaders ``haven't always been positive.''The role religion plays in the fight against HIV is under discussion at the world's biggest AIDS conference, taking place this week in Mexico City. The six-day meeting of 25,000 researchers, health workers and activists features about 100 poster presentations on faith and HIV. It was preceded by a separate summit for Christian groups working with patients.Changing Views``Ten to 15 years ago it was something you didn't talk about,'' Smith said in a July 18 telephone interview from Geneva. ``Now everybody you talk to is saying, `Oh yes, we are just about to start work with faith communities.'''In India, even discussing circumcision to help prevent HIV has run up against historic tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Circumcision reduces men's risk of contracting HIV by at least half and could prevent 5.7 million new infections and 3 million deaths over two decades in Africa, according to the UN's World Health Organization.``For various reasons, religious and otherwise, it has been identified as a very non-Hindu procedure,'' said Nomita Chandhiok, deputy director-general of reproductive health and nutrition at the Indian Council of Medical Research.India has 2.5 million HIV sufferers, according to a November estimate by UNAIDS. The agency reduced the number from 5.7 million, which would have been the largest total for any country, citing improved surveillance. Almost 90 percent of transmission is through unsafe sex, according to India's National AIDS Control Organization.Twice as LikelyA study published last year in the journal AIDS found that uncircumcised homeless Hindu men in Kolkata were more than twice as likely to have HIV as circumcised homeless Muslim men, even though the Muslims had more sexual partners and more frequent contact with prostitutes.The medical procedure is seen as a mark of religious identity, says Shivananda Khan, an AIDS activist and chief executive officer of Naz Foundation International. The a London- based group works to prevent HIV among gay and bisexual men in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.``Because my family name is Khan, people think I'm a Muslim,'' he said in a July 11 interview. ``I've been questioned by various intelligence agencies in different parts of this region as to what I do, who I am, and am I a Muslim. In one situation the only way I could prove I was not a Muslim was to take my pants down and say, `See, I'm not circumcised.'''Truck Driver's OpinionGurdev Singh, a 44-year-old truck driver, says he doesn't care what the benefits are. As a Sikh, he says the procedure is unthinkable.``Only Muslims circumcise,'' Singh said at a road stop in Hosur, on the outskirts of Bangalore. ``I will not circumcise as it is against my beliefs.''In Malaysia, where about half the population is Muslim, officials don't need to promote circumcision. The challenge lies in prevention among gay men and bisexuals, AIDS activists say. The Koran and Malaysian law prohibit sex between men.``For Islam it's non-negotiable,'' said Adeeba Kamarulzaman, chairwoman of the Malaysian AIDS Council. ``Homosexuality is `haram,' full-stop,'' she said, using the Arabic word for forbidden, in a July 16 telephone interview.New HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in Malaysia rose to 184 last year from 51 in 2002, according to the council's data. The real number is probably higher, said Raymond Tai, acting executive director of the Kuala Lumpur-based PT Foundation, which promotes safe sexual practices to gay men.More InfectionsIn Papua New Guinea, where 97 percent of people say they are Christian, health officials expect 5 percent of the population to be infected with HIV by 2012, compared with 2 percent this year. AIDS is the main cause of hospital admissions and deaths.From the beginning of the epidemic, established denominations such as the Catholic and Anglican churches have provided care, counseling and testing services ``when the government was in denial,'' said Richard Eves, an anthropologist at the Australian National University who edited a book on HIV and Christianity in Papua New Guinea.More recently, evangelical, charismatic and Pentecostal churches such as Wippon's Revival Fellowship have flourished, promoting a form of Christianity that characterizes HIV as ``the wages of sin,'' Eves said in a July 17 telephone interview.To contact the reporters on this story: Simeon Bennett in Singapore at sbennett9@bloomberg.net;Last Updated: August 3, 2008 00:01 EDT

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

American Chronicle | Nepal: Wither SAARC? Or withering away?

2008-08-03T12:06:00.001+05:30

Nepal: Wither SAARC? Or withering away?

Atul Chatterjee:

Atul is a post graduate in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. He has been a school teacher, NGO worker story writer and contributor to various publications. He has written on political, education and economic issues.author's emailauthor's web siteview author's other articlesJoin this author's mailing listYour Name:E-mail Address:Atul Chatterjee

August 03, 2008This is the 15th South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation meet at Colombo. When SAARC was founded a major objective was economic cooperation. At present intra SAARC trade is just five per cent, what does Nepal have to gain by lowering of tariff and non-tariff barriers?Firstly, Nepal does not have a slew of manufactures which it can export. So removal of non tariff barriers is not going to help it all that much on the export front. Further Pakistan has stalled any major agreement by linking the resolution of the Kashmir issue and has refused to grant most favoured nation status to India.India has been erecting all sorts of economic barriers against Bangladesh, and on the other hand in this multilateral institution of SAARC it claims to be lowering barriers to trade. So SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Association) is still a non starter.It has been announced that Nepal´s Prime Minister G P Koirala is looking for a meeting with Indian PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines during the meet. What is he going to ask for? What is the continuity from the past?Another agreement that India is looking for is in the area of terror. It will have to get Pakistan to agree to sign the document which mainly concerns exchange of information about terror activities and suspects.What does Maldives and Bhutan also members of SAARC really have to do with terror? India could well have pursued the case bilaterally with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and possibly Afghanistan. Each country would have a different level of comfort dealing with India which is the main mover for this agreement.Alternately India should look towards a general agreement under UN auspices to cover this area of terror and try for a 'Global Accord on Terror'.Pakistan has been asking for the inclusion of China in SAARC, India does not want that. China will be able to bring in substantial funds and expertise into SAARC. Nepal would be well advised to support Pakistan in this venture. With China in it would act as a counterweight to India.India on the other hand is supporting the inclusion of Myanmar, this is a good move for that country as it will start coming out of seclusion. But again it is a country with a very weak economy.SAARC needs an injection of fresh blood, best in the form of China. Or else it will become an association of the weak which is rapidly turning into a battle ground and wither away in due course.Nepal should weigh its options, at present the secretariat of SAARC is located in Kathmandu, the employment generated due to that is the main advantage it is gaining!!

American Chronicle | Nepal: Wither SAARC? Or withering away?

Bangladesh, Bhutan call for freer trade for South Asia's SAARC nations - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE

2008-08-03T08:55:00.001+05:30

Bangladesh, Bhutan call for freer trade for South Asia's SAARC nations

August 3, 2008 (LBO) - Bhutan and Bangladesh, tried to fan the flame of free trade in South Asia as dismantling trade barriers went off the agenda, when leaders of seven nations that make up a South Asian regional grouping met in Colombo.The agenda of the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) was dominated by calls for action against terrorism and ways to counter an oil and food commodity price bubble, the worst the world has seen since 1973.Intra-regional trade in the grouping made up of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is low largely due to high tariff barriers that block the movement of goods across the states.Bangladesh first mooted the idea of a free trade bloc for South Asia as early as the 1970s, and after SAARC was created in 1985 the foundation for a preferential trade deal was laid in 1993.Negative ListsIn 2006 it was extended with a deal on the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) which is expected to bring down tariffs by a modest 20 percent, but it is loaded with a 'sensitive' or 'negative' list.The 'negative' lists are in place to appease domestic producers who have long profited from selling goods to a captive domestic customer base, without competitive pressures forcing them to be more efficient.The helpless domestic consumer base includes half the world's poor, who are forced to buy unnecessarily expensive goods as a result of trade barriers which worsen their living standards.To help South Asians access the cheapest producers of the region, trade barriers need to be dismantled.In addition to improving living standards of consumers, bringing down the barriers would also reward the most efficient producers while punishing those that don't become efficient."Our goal in SAARC is to create new opportunities and to promote linkages for attaining better living standards for our people," chief advisor to the caretaker administration of Bangladesh, Fakruddin Ahmed said at the inauguration of the summit meeting Saturday."Despite SAFTA, non-tariff and para-tariff barriers, complicated and cumbersome customs procedures stand in the way of greater intra-regional trade."Similarly, long sensitive lists closed to preferential tariff and rigidities in other structural and policy frameworks stand in the way of our desire to have a fully integrated South Asia."Clearly there is a need to remove these hurdles to enhance intra-regional trade."EchoedThe appeal was also echoed by Bhutan, which is a landlocked country and is also highly dependent on overland transport links."The imperatives of economic co-operation and free trade in a highly globalised and interdependent world cannot be over-emphasized," Prime Minister Jigmy Y. Thinley said."Recognizing that the furtherance of intra-regional trade is the key to promoting and encouraging an environment of innovation, healthy competition and enterprise that will stimulate economic growth, create gainful employment and generate high income for our peoples, we have created SAFTA."But for this instrument to be meaningful, the number of items on the negative list must be reduced, non-tariff barriers removed and the trade facilitation measures implemented."At the same time liberalization of trade in services and investments must also be perused in earnest."The negative lists however allow barriers to come down at least on goods which are not in contention allowing entirely new trade to start in goods that were not even considered for export and import within the region earlier.Impatient with the delay in SAFTA, India has been striking bi-lateral deals with her neighbours with highly successful deals with Sri Lanka and several other nations.An enhanced economic deal with opening of services, was due to be signed between Sri Lanka and India on the sidelines of the summit.But it was aborted at the last minute after Sri Lanka got cold feet following protests from protectionist lobbies and Marxist political elements.Real LiberalizationMeanwhile, Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundations for cheaper communication among the people of South Asia by calling for a reduction in international tariffs within the region.Telephone tariffs within the region are absurdly high, and in many countries it is cheaper to call Europe or North America than their neighboring nations due to artificially high call charges driven by an archaic tit-for-tat penal fee system."Although the numbers of mobile phone users in South Asia are rapidly increasing yet, our people remain distanced through the barrier of tariffs," President Rajapaksa said."I, therefore, propose that we actively promote a reduced tariff for IDD (international direct dialing) calls within the South Asian region to bring our people much closer, much sooner."Bangladesh also called for liberalizing investment within the region saying that intra-regional investment flows are very small in South Asia."Given the right kind of environment and confidence, the potential for increased intra-regional investment is huge," chief advisor Fakruddin Ahmed said."I feel that a restrictive investment regime is one of the inhibiting factors in attracting foreign direct investment."In this context it is important that the draft agreement on promotion and protection of investments in finalised at the earliest."While an incomplete liberalization agenda remains, new areas for action have been added, including terrorism, which is an acknowledged serious problem within the region - sometimes egged on with the help of sanctuaries in each others' countries - climate change and rising food and energy prices.The call of Bangladesh and Bhutan comes as critics compared SAARC unfavourably with the European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) pointing the two groupings' achievements on economic integration.

Bangladesh, Bhutan call for freer trade for South Asia's SAARC nations - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE

Zee News - india traffickers hub

2008-08-03T08:14:00.001+05:30

India becoming transit point for human traffickers: Minister

Chennai, Aug 02: India is fast becoming a transit point as well as a destination for human traffickers from Nepal, Bangladesh and other Commonwealth nations, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy said on Saturday."A large number of children and women are reported missing every year in India. About 1,34,000 women are reported missing in India between 1996 and 2001. Trafficking has acquired grave dimensions with penetration of organised crime syndicates," the minister said.He was speaking at a seminar on 'Consultation on methods to combat trafficking of children and women for commercial sexual exploitation in Tamil Nadu' here.Venkatapathy said factors like underdevelopment, privatisation, liberalisation and commercialisation of agriculture had paved way for increase in trafficking of children and women in India.Madras High Court Chief Justice A K Ganguly said while 30 per cent children enter prostitution after being raped, two per cent enter due to natural disasters which increase vulnerability of women and girls."Human trafficking has become major money making business next to arms and drug trafficking. Illiteracy coupled with poverty is the main reason, making women and children fall prey to trafficking," he said.Tamil Nadu DGP K P Jain said the state, which had recently figured in high supply zone for traffickers, had constituted a special cell to check trafficking."We have appointed nodal officers in all the districts to monitor the trafficking. Only through sensitising the society we can bring an end to this menace," he added.Bureau Report

Zee News - india traffickers hub

The Island-Features

2008-08-03T08:06:00.001+05:30

On Indian Expansionism

by

Gamini Seneviratne

This is a subject that merits close scrutiny in the context of the efforts of the Indian bureaucracy to force a ‘Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’ (CEPA) down our throats. Indian is evidently afraid that others, notably China, who are competing for resources in this part of the world would get a foothold here. That, they already have; the pressure now is to pre-empt further expansion of the presence of China, Japan & Co. in, shall we say, Lankan waters.As projected, CEPA would simply choke economic enterprise by our people and appropriate our resources in the interests of a Pax Indiana. ‘Histories’, written, naturally, by the perpetrators of such violence, refer to a Pax Romana, a Pax Brittanica and, nowadays, in the present continuous, a Pax Americana. This Indian initiative must also be seen in the light of India’s nuclear deal with the USA: it foreshadows the nature of the ‘Pax’ contemplated by Delhi.Though the small and medium print or even much of the large have yet to be made public, the CEPA (which is now said to be on hold), would no doubt underwrite the same kind of ‘peace’ that every invader of sovereign territories has sought to achieve.In his study of ‘Ceylon Under the British Occupation’, Dr. Colvin R de Silva gives a vivid account of the ‘Madrasi administration’ that was imposed during the early years of the British occupation on the maritime provinces. He characterises them as predators who had no sympathy for the people and their culture (the Brits sent them back). Perhaps Dayan Jayatilleka, whose personal / political positions as they have meandered over time to his benefit should read that.We seem to have it all over again now, and in spades: tea & rubber estates, the Uva Vellassa on the back of magnetite, oil farms in Trinco, the LIOC etc all bent on proving themselves to be the most rapacious.In the not too distant past the parsimony of Indian officials was reflected in the terms they demanded for such products as arecanut (from here), and beedi wrapper leaf (from there). The range of products governed by more recent and equally one-sided deals on trade is much wider. Illustrative of the Indian bureaucracy’s absence of good faith is their prohibition on the export of onion seed for our use. The results of a study of Indo-Lankan trade by a researcher at the ARTI should throw much light on the subject (for use by policy makers who wish to be enlightened).In my formal encounters with the bureaucrats who used to control all human activity in India, but no longer do on terms that tend to be those mentioned below, some of them were so vain (‘arrogant’ might be their preferred term of self-description), and constipated that we felt they had been bawled off by their wives that morning.In a somewhat rambling piece on ‘Will India Become A Superpower?’Ramachandra Guha, author of ‘India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy’, says,"The terms that came to mind in characterizing an earlier generation of Congress leaders were: patriotic, efficient, social democratic, incorruptible. The terms that come to mind now are: selfish, nepotistic, sycophantic, on the make. . . the unelected officials at times exceed the elected politicians in the scale and ambition of their corruption."Guha also comes up with a quote from (Mahatma) Gandhi which is pertinent to any review of where India is being shepherded by her mercantilists such as Manmohan Singh. The proposed CEPA is but one example:"God forbid that India should ever take to industrialization after the manner of the West. The economic imperialism of a single tiny island kingdom (England) is today keeping the world in chains. If an entire nation of 300 million took to similar economic exploitation, it would strip the world bare like locusts." "These words," writes Guha, "come from an article published in the journal Young India in December 1928. Two years earlier, Gandhi had declared that to "make India like England and America is to find some other races and places of the earth for exploitation".Dr. Manmohan Singh, ironically, was Secretary to the South Commission chaired by Dr. Gamani Corea. Many years ago, Dr. Corea told me how astonished he had been by the sentiments expressed by his colleague at an open conference. Dr. Singh had been conscious of it, but at a tête-à-tête over lunch, Dr. Singh had been evasive.The collection of States ruled by the Rajahs & Ranis, coupled with those over which the British had firm control, became the ‘India’ of today (less the newly created ‘Pakistan’). Commencing with that demarcation (and the concurrent appropriation of Jammu & Kashmir), India has been muscling all around her own territory. She has, for example, choked land-locked Nepal, forced Bhutan to generate hydro-power its people did not need in order to feed Indian industry, violated our air-space and is hell-bent on building a canal through our territorial waters.Among such ‘interventions’, I recall the anguish that enveloped Mohammed Haroon, Minister of Agriculture of Pakistan, as we listened to his Indian counterpart, Fakruddin Ahmed, (later the President of India), outline India’s programme for developing her agriculture. Haroon muttered, ‘The Farrakar barrage’. It was India’s ‘enterprise’ in managing cross border waters: the barrage / dam was built just above her border with East Pakistan, its waters diverted to India in the dry season and, during the monsoon, released to drown what is now Bangladesh. I soothed him with words. More could be said about that and about that occasion. Such a ‘procedure’, was read as an act of hostility.1971 has come and gone. In Bangladesh, chaos has erupted from time to time. The partition of ‘Bengal’ that the Brits failed to carry through a hundred years ago has been made real by Delhi – checkpoints at the ‘borders’ that had not existed for people from ‘East Bengal’ to travel to ‘West Bengal’ for work. Every day. The policymakers in Delhi seem unconscious of the myopia that governs them and their country (which is yet engaged in the long haul towards ‘nationhood’).Their latest move has been to demand that the administration of Bangladesh, no less ‘interim’ than ours, should permit India to run her trucks and trains through Bangladesh in order to establish contact with her north- eastern states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. A further demand is that Bangladesh should build the infrastructure required to carry heavy Indian trucks (and truckers carrying AIDS). Bangladesh has turned down the Indian proposal.Jayantha Dhanapala & Daryll Kimball have termed Manmohan Singh’s Nuclear Deal ‘A Non-proliferation Disaster’ (The Island, 31st July) As I suggested in a recent article on our Foreign Service, Jayantha was conscious that India did not challenge the iniquitous provisions in the NPT (over which he presided) in the expectation of a horse-deal with the USA at a later date. That date has now arrived.The gist of this agreement is that India would be exempted from "long-standing NGO guidelines that require full-scope IAEA safeguards… … intended to prevent the use of civilian nuclear technology and material or weapons purposes." They note that, "Unlike the 178 other countries, India has not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). It continues to produce fissile material and expand its arsenal," and "give India the rights and privileges of civil nuclear trade that have been reserved only for members of the NPT."They observe, further, that "Incredibly, Indian officials also want exemptions from NSG guidelines that would allow supplier states to provide India with a strategic fuel reserve that could be used to outlast any fuel supply cut off or sanctions that may be imposed if it resumes nuclear testing," and that "This flatly contradicts provisions in the 2006 U.S. implementing legislation that were authored by Sen. Barack Obama."And what would that Senator, now the leading candidate for President, say to this? - "India is also demanding "full" nuclear cooperation, including access to advanced plutonium reprocessing, uranium enrichment, and heavy water production technology." And what would he say to Iran?Suvrat Raju, in an analysis of ‘The Nuclear Deal and Democracy’, notes "India's vote against Iran, its support for the war in Afghanistan and its endorsement of American positions on climate change, missile defense and chemical weapons -- where the Indian government acted against domestic opposition and long held policies to support the US." India would not be able to "protest loudly against the oppression of Palestinians, organize developing countries in defence of Iran or repudiate iniquitous conditions laid down by the WTO; it must support the US in diplomatic forums and provide logistical support for US military operations in Asia."Raju reports: "According to figures provided by Anil Kakodkar –- the chairperson of the Department of Atomic Energy –- the deal will increase India's installed energy capacity by 2.5% by 2020," – a tiny change in that respect.It was clear from the start that the deal was about a larger strategic relationship with the US (which would also help India obtain a seat in the Security Council)."India is ruled by a government", says Raju, "that is willing to make (in the words of Nicholas Burns, the American negotiator for the nuclear deal), "courageous decisions" -- and bulldoze domestic dissent -- if this is demanded by Washington or Brussels!"No wonder, Manmohan Singh has been contemplating the merits of a "single party state".Raju concludes that "The idea that a government may imperil its own existence to fulfil commitments made to a foreign government is antithetical to the idea of democracy." Yeah.

The Island-Features

Can SAARC take a blance path to Regional Integration

2008-08-01T08:00:00.001+05:30

Can SAARC take a balanced path to regional integration?
By Ameen Izzadeen

Regional integration is largely a myth. Absolute regional integration totally wipes out the identity of the state and gives birth to a new political unit in the form of a confederation, union, grouping or even a new mega state. In the unification of Germany, the formation of the United States of America, the creation of the Soviet Union and the birth of independent India, there is evidence to show how states formed into mega states through a process of integration, changing the world map. Colonisation, invasion, occupation and the use of force by a powerful state against a weaker nation are also tools of integration.The fear that weaker neighbours feel regarding a powerful regional bully also leads to regional integration. The long-defunct United Arab Republic —a union between Egypt and Syria from 1958 to 1961 — is a classic example that shows how factors such as fear, economic benefits and political ideology contributed to both integration and disintegration. The fear of a Communist takeover of South East Asian countries was one of the reasons that held together ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).But under normal circumstances, governments and nations have vested interests and nation-states will not dismantle voluntarily for the sake of integration.If the collective interest of two or more states far outweighs the national interest of the individual nation-state, then there is inducement for integration.But in terms of the prevailing political order, integration does not mean the formation of new mega states or confederations. Integration has assumed a new meaning in the form of greater cooperation in the fields of trade, communications, social welfare, transportation and other such areas where nations see there is greater advantage to be accruing to them through regional unity. In this form of regional integration, there is little or no threat to a state's sovereignty. Therefore, there is a tendency among states to form or join regional groupings.It is in this context that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) came into being and has survived the test of time. But the undercurrents that flowed beneath the surface of regional cooperation in the years prior to the formation or SAARC, have also survived. SAARC is essentially an economic bloc, a grouping that was formed with the stated intention of uplifting the living standards of South Asia's poor. But the undercurrents that prevailed in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, when the idea of South Asian regional integration was being mooted, told a different story.It is no secret that India's South Asia policy is guided by a doctrine similar to the United States' Monroe doctrine — which simply states that no outside power can interfere in the affairs of states in the backyard of a superpower. This vital policy doctrine of India was named the Indira Doctrine after the former Indian Iron Lady and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, for it was she who added flesh to India's South Asia policy. Since independence, India has been formulating its South Asia policy on the assumption that it was the natural heir of Britain to rule the waves of the Indian Ocean.Obviously, India's neighbours — particularly Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — resented New Delhi's claim for hegemony in the region and had been looking for a mechanism to check India.Sri Lanka's then President, J. R. Jayewardene, a political realist to the core, thought that by joining ASEAN, Sri Lanka, the first South Asian state to liberalise its economy, could not only gain immense economic benefits but also check India's hegemonic designs on Sri Lanka. But India outmanoeuvred him and warned ASEAN against any move to enrol Sri Lanka.But the old fox, as President Jayewardene was referred to by both his friends and foes, outfoxed India and embraced the idea of South Asian regional cooperation no sooner it was first mooted by Bangladesh's then military President Zia-ur-Rahman, another South Asian leader who resented India's hegemonic South Asian policy.It is naïve to assume that India was unaware of the moves by its neighbours to trap it in a regional grouping, which would seriously undermine its geostrategic objectives. This explains why India was circumspect and did not jump at the idea of South Asian regional cooperation. It joined SAARC only after it had studied the pros and cons from its own national interest perspective, especially in the light of its Indira Doctrine, which continue to this day.It is amidst these undercurrents that SAARC set sail from Bangladesh in 1985. President Jayewardene addressing the inaugural summit in Dhaka said, "We are setting this ship afloat today. There may be mutiny on board, I hope not. The sea may be stormy but the ship must sail on and enter the ports of poverty, hunger, unemployment, malnutrition, disease and seek to bring comfort to those who need it."Twenty-three years after these words were spoken, those steering the ship can still see the port from which they began their voyage while in the ports of poverty, hunger, unemployment, malnutrition and disease the arrival of the ship is eagerly awaited.But don't dismiss SAARC as a total flop. It has some achievements to its credit. For instance, the SAARC Secretariat website proudly claims that there is complete integration in agriculture and rural Development; telecommunications, science, technology and meteorology; health and population activities; transport and human resource development.Though the areas look many, they belong to four main categories. Sadly, the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), which many hoped would inject new life into SAARC, is not on the list, although SAFTA is supposed to have come into being in January 2006.SAFTA's lack of progress was a classic example of how member-states give precedence to their national interest over the collective interest of the region. The arduous process that led to SAFTA speaks volumes for the mutual suspicion and undercurrents in the grouping, especially between India and Pakistan. Pakistan and India are looking at SAFTA not only from an economic point of view but also from a strategic point of view. Neither country is willing to offer sweeping concessions to the other. India says that it is Pakistan's unwillingness to grant India the most favoured nation status that is blocking the full implementation of SAFTA.There is a viewpoint in India's neighbourhood that the biggest beneficiary of SAFTA will be India as it could swamp the whole of South Asia with cheap Indian goods while other South Asian countries will find it difficult to compete in the Indian markets.Sri Lanka, frustrated by the lack of progress the talks on SAFTA were making, promoted a different mechanism — bilateral Free Trade Agreements between South Asian nations. The credit for initiating this practical approach should go to Sri Lanka's much respected foreign minister, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. His initiative has borne fruit with Sri Lanka signing FTAs with India and Pakistan, and other South Asian countries also taking steps towards FTAs.In fact, the present trend in regional integration appears to be FTAs and RTAs (Regional Trade Agreements). According to World Trade Organisation (WTO) statistics, RTAs and FTAs have grown by one hundred percent between January 1995 and April 2002.But again, FTAs between South Asian states are not without their problems. There are still areas of disagreement. For instance, many in Sri Lanka believe that India is adopting subtle protectionism under pressure from its industrial and agriculture lobbies. They cite opposition from India's garment and tea industries to exports from Sri Lanka, notwithstanding the FTA. Perhaps, India would have acted differently if it had followed the Gujral doctrine, which called for concessions to India's weak neighbours in trade agreements.India's protectionist attitude was blamed for the failure of last week's Doha rounds of WTO talks in Geneva. India's external trade policy is a fine example of how countries would not agree to any deal inimical to their economic or national interests.The challenge before SAARC is to find a working formula to balance the collective interest of South Asia against the national interest of individual nations. One proposal is to bring in China as a full member. China could qualify to be a South Asian nation as it borders India and Pakistan. China's presence will make SAARC the world's most powerful trade bloc — not only because the grouping will represent nearly 40 percent of the world's population but also because it would allay fears of Indian hegemony.

Sri Lanka Breaking News-Daily Mirror Online

FACTBOX-Politics hobbles trade at Colombo SAARC meet

2008-08-01T07:56:00.001+05:30

FACTBOX-Politics hobbles trade at Colombo SAARC meetWed Jul 30, 2008 12:17pm IST Email | Print |Share| Single Page[-] Text [+]July 30 (Reuters) - Trade and terrorism are on the agenda for the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Colombo on Aug. 2 and 3.Here is an overview of the group and its agenda:For a full story, please click on [ID:nSP322153]HISTORY, AIMS:- SAARC was established in 1985 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan became the eighth member in 2007.- Formed to help boost economic growth and trade in one of the world's poorest regions -- home to about 1.5 billion people, tens of millions of whom live in abject poverty -- it has been flayed by critics who say it has remained a talking shop where lofty speeches are rarely translated into action.TRADE RHETORIC AND REALITY:- Trade between members did not accelerate in the five years after structured economic cooperation began with the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) in December 1995.- Intra-SAARC commerce remains at just over five percent, compared to other regional forums such as Asean's internal trade at 26 percent and EU's 55 percent.SLOW PROGRESS, INDIA-PAKISTAN PROBLEMS:- Signed in January 2004, the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement, supposed to supersede SAPTA, finally came into force in July 2006.- Aimed at achieving zero tariffs on almost all products by 2012, SAFTA has witnessed squabbles over tariff concessions with Pakistan accusing India of violating the agreement with various Non-Tariff Barriers.- SAARC's perceived failure to take off despite many summits has been traced to mistrust and animosity between its two biggest members, India and Pakistan, whose rivalry dates back to their independence in 1947. Their uneasy ties, particularly over disputed Kashmir, still undermine greater regional cooperation.ISSUES ON THE TABLE IN COLOMBO:- Officials say no major agreements are expected -- accords could include one to launch a SAARC Development Fund (SDF), a pact on regional legal cooperation to fight crimes and a fund to manage food and energy crisis.- India would push for counter-terrorism drive after facing a wave of bombings last week, and another attack on its embassy in Kabul that India blames on Pakistan's spy agency. (Compiled by Krittivas Mukherjee; Editing by David Fox)

FACTBOX-Politics hobbles trade at Colombo SAARC meet | Quotes | Company News | Reuters

Bangladesh Civic Group Blames Foreign Envoys for Prying in Domestic Affairs

2008-08-01T07:47:00.001+05:30

Bangladesh Civic Group Blames Foreign Envoys for Prying in Domestic AffairsBy: iStockAnalyst Thursday, July 31, 2008 9:56 AMSend Email Email View Comments Comments (0) Post Comments Post Comment Bookmark It Text of report headlined "Foreign diplomats blamed for meddling in internal affairs" published by Bangladeshi newspaper New Age website on 31 JulyA civic group has alleged that diplomats of some influential countries have been meddling in Bangladesh's internal affairs blatantly flouting the globally accepted diplomatic etiquette.It also criticised the leaders of political parties for creating scopes for foreign diplomats to poke their nose into the country's internal affairs.The National Interest Group, launched in April 2008 to keep a watch on activities and statements of Dhaka-based foreign diplomats, published its first-ever quarterly report Wednesday, found envoys of the United States, Britain, European Union and India most active and consistently flouting Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular relations."They have publicly spoken about our governance, political process, anti-corruption drive, election procedure, foreign policy, economy and even security matters," Mahmudur Rahman, coordinator of the group and former energy adviser to the [BNP] Bangladesh Nationalist Party -led alliance government, told a press conference.Referring to statements by different foreign diplomats over the last four months, the report said that the present "unelected and weak" government showed extreme tolerance towards the external interferences without any protest in most cases.Politicians rushed to diplomats' residences and hold closed-door meetings with them in the name of tea parties, it revealed.It also castigated a section of the media for giving excessive coverage on foreigners' statements."They in fact instigate diplomats and visiting foreign dignitaries to make derogatory remarks about Bangladesh," the report said.The group, which placed seven-point recommendations to the government seeking an end to foreigners' meddling in Bangladesh's domestic affairs, also called upon the media not to be used as a tool of propagating foreign policy objectives of the imperial powers.It stressed the need for raising mass awareness to stop violation of the Vienna Convention and protect Bangladesh from unwanted external interventions.The diplomats should be warned against violation of the international norms and politicians should be condemned for parleying with local embassy people on internal political matters, it said.The group also asked the foreign embassies to maintain lists of local guests who pay frequent visits to their residences and make those public to ensure transparency.Prior permission from the government should be made mandatory for the embassies to hold any meeting with political parties, it suggested.The report pointed out that the neo-liberal economic policy of the West had been continuously undermining the economic sovereignty of the smaller and weaker South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.While these countries need supports to advance their economies to strengthen their positions and capacities in the given global order, multilateral and bilateral development partners did the opposite, the report added.Originally published by New Age website, Dhaka, in English 31 Jul 08.(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring South Asia. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.trackingStory Source: BBC Monitoring South Asia

Bangladesh Civic Group Blames Foreign Envoys for Prying in Domestic Affairs

EX MP Jailed

2007-05-14T14:24:00.001+05:30

Joynal Hazari jailed over wealth report

Ex-BNP MP Farid arrested, Abu Zafar sent to jail

Star Report

A Feni court yesterday sentenced former Awami League lawmaker Joynal
Hazari to three years' imprisonment as he failed to submit his wealth
statements to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), reports BSS.

Judge of the special court Mohammad Nazrul Islam convicted Hazari who is on the government's list of 50 corrupt suspects.

ACC's
Assistant Director Shafiqur Rahman filed the case under section 26(1)
of Anti-Corruption Law 2004 on April 8. Five witnesses gave their
depositions.

The AL leader has been absconding since
August 16, 2001, and was convicted in four cases out of 20 filed by the
various government organisations.

EX-MP FARID ARRESTED

Rapid
Action Battalion (Rab) arrested former BNP lawmaker from Cox's Bazar-2
Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuzullah Farid from his NAM Flat on Manik Mian
Avenue yesterday.

A team of Rab-3 picked Alamgir up around 2:00pm. He was under Rab custody until 8:00pm.

Rab said Alamgir is an accused in a Tk 50 lakh extortion case filed with Moheshkhali Police Station on April 15.

Former Chairman of Hoyanok union in Moheshkhali Abdul Mabud Chowdhury filed the case against Alamgir and 18 others.

EX-MP ZAFAR SENT TO JAIL

Former
BNP lawmaker from Faridpur-1 constituency Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar was
sent to jail yesterday when he appeared at a local court in a case
filed in connection with misappropriation of relief materials.

District
and Sessions Judge M Abdul Majid rejected his bail petition and ordered
sending him to prison. Later, he was sent to Kashimpur jail, reports
our Faridpur correspondent.

The case was filed against him
following the recovery of 304 CI sheets of government relief fund from
his village home by the joint forces on February 12.

BNP Reform Question

2007-05-14T14:18:00.001+05:30

Leaders jettison Khaleda on reforms question

Rakib Hasnet Suman

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is becoming isolated within the party as
more leaders, now articulating their views against her 'unilateral'
decisions in running the party, are asking for reforms to bring
democracy in the party.

Former
whip in parliament and BNP Joint Secretary General Ashraf Hossain
yesterday called for curbing the power of the party chief and end
'dynasty'.

Earlier several senior leaders of the party demanded decentralisation of power within the party.

Another
faction of BNP, however, raised questions about the recent 'revolt'
against the party chief by some leaders and said those leaders had
earlier accepted every decision of Khaleda Zia without any question.

"The party constitution should be changed as the power given by the constitution was misused," Ashraf Hossain said.

Terming
Khaleda's 'family centric' leadership as undemocratic, he said, "The
party chairperson has given priority to her relatives and non-political
persons during the last few years. Even she appointed her relatives to
the party positions without any consultation."

"As a political
party, BNP was not run the way it was supposed to. Fourteen years have
passed without any national council and nothing has been done according
to the party constitution. But I could not get the chance to tell this
in the party platform," he said.

Meanwhile, BNP Joint
Secretary General Goyeshwar Chandra Roy yesterday hinted that party
Chairperson Khaleda Zia might release her brother Sayeed Iskandar from
the post of vice-chairman of the party.

"I discussed the
matter with her [Khaleda] over phone and she told me that she would ask
her brother to resign," Ghoyeshshar told a TV channel last night.

Sources
said Sayeed Iskandar did not meet Khaleda Zia in last few days as she
decided to ask her brother to resign from the post of party
vice-president.

"Dynasty is harmful for the democracy while
decentralisation of power is urgent for the party," former whip Ashraf
Hossain told the reporters yesterday.

Ashraf, one of the close
aides of BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, said it is good to
see that some people are now speaking against dynasty.

Earlier former BNP minister M Saifur Rahman said, "There should be an immediate end to family-centric politics."

Freeing
politics from family influence is needed for a vibrant multi-party
democracy in the country, Saifur, who is also a member of BNP Standing
Committee, said.

He said a large number of leaders and
activists of the party are worried about the concentration of power in
the hand of a single person.

Dhaka city Mayor Sadeque Hossain
Khoka also spoke in favour of changing the party leadership and
decentralisation of power to make the party pro-people.

"BNP
must carry out reforms within the party, punish the corrupt and remove
failed politicians," former minister M Osman Farruk said in his recent
interview with the media.

The people of Bangladesh had enough
of dynastic rule and now they want to live and work in a democratic
environment, the BNP leader said, adding that all over the world people
are rejecting dynastic rule and Bangladeshis are no exception.

Meanwhile,
BNP chairperson's adviser Hannan Shah yesterday said that Khaleda Zia
is facing pressure to go to any ASEAN country on the plea of treatment.

Politics

2007-05-14T14:16:00.001+05:30

Jalil for law to throw corrupt, criminals out of politics

Staff Correspondent

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday said the corrupt politicians, black money holders and godfathers of criminals can be rooted out through legislation and consensus among the political parties.

He thanked the military-backed interim administration for initiatives to rid politics and parliament of the evil elements.

"It would never do the nation any good if the evildoers are elected to parliament. They only cater to self-interest and poison politics," Jalil told reporters at his Mercantile Bank office.

Queried if his party would decide not to nominate the corrupt suspects, black money holders and patronisers of criminals for the next election, the AL leader said "If we expel them, the others will shelter them, and in that case, my party will wind up being on the losing side. So, all political parties need to arrive at a consensus on the issue."

An effective legislation can free the political parties of perverting forces, he noted adding that the politics should be controlled by no one but the politicians.

Jalil said they have always been in favour of reforms and that is why they had placed a 31-point reform proposal. "We had long been calling for an independent and strong Election Commission (EC)," he added.

The AL leader called on the interim government to lift the ban on political activities especially indoor politics so they could begin the work on reforms and help the EC carry out electoral reforms.

He also urged it to hand over power to an elected government after a free and fair election as soon as possible.

Asked about reform of the political parties, he said the AL has grown to be the largest political party through reforms since its founding. "If further reforms are necessary to keep pace with the changing times, we will of course discuss the issue at the party forum once the ban on indoor politics is gone," he observed.

"But there would be no reforms without Sheikh Hasina," Jalil said adding, "The party leaders and workers are emotionally attached to her as they see in her the reflection of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. No one in the party could think of a leadership minus her."

"Hasina never wanted to be the Awami League president. It was rather the leaders of the organisation who elected her as its chief in 1981. Before that, the party was split in four factions. So she is the symbol of unity. Those who believe in the ideals of Bangabandhu just cannot think of Awami League without Hasina."

Jalil welcomed the EC's decision to task the armed forces with preparing the voter roll. Describing the military personnel as the sons of this soil, he said, "There's nothing wrong with them doing the work."

On intra-party democracy, the AL general secretary said, "No other party but Awami League practises democracy within it."

He said when a whole lot of discussions are on about party reforms and democracy, Khaleda Zia's brother Sayeed Iskander's being a vice-chairman of the BNP has dealt a severe blow to the spirit of reforms. It only exposed that "the party is very much in dynastic politics".

Referring to former finance minister M Saifur Rahman's remark that it was a mistake to accept President Iajuddin Ahmed as the chief adviser, Jalil said the realisation has come very late. "Like him, many others [of BNP] will now understand their mistakes and see the logic behind our demand," he said.

CTG Port Turns Dynamic

2007-05-11T13:45:00.001+05:30

Ctg Port suddenly turns dynamic

Performance goes up by 30pc, business cost reduces by 40pc

Rafiq Hasan, back from Ctg

Following the promulgation of the state of emergency in January this
year, the efficiency of the premier port Chittagong increased 30
percent and the cost of running business there reduced by 40 percent, a
recent study revealed.

The
turn-around time of ships at the port reduced to 4.48 days in the month
of April whereas it was 11.65 days in January this year. The number of
vessels handled per month at the port also increased to 86 in April
from 70 in January last. The number of ships handled in January 2006
was 60.

The amount of cargo handled also increased to 83,245 TEUs (twenty equivalent units) in April from 76,213 in January last.

The
customs' processing of export-import documents also ran at a quick pace
to keep up with the goods handling at the port. The Chittagong Port
customs officials claimed that over 98 percent documents have been
assessed so far within the time frame and only two percent remains
pending due to various reasons.

The business community
expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the joint forces in
stopping corruption, illegal toll and bringing discipline back in cargo
handling.

Immediately after deployment of army personnel
in order to aid the civil administration in January this year, a
taskforce under the joint forces took initiative and got involved in
the port activities, according to sources.

The taskforce held a
series of meetings with all stake holders and rounded up corrupt labour
leaders, port officials and other criminals who were obstacles to
smooth operations of the port.

A number of private operators
were also appointed to manage the terminal and handle cargo quickly as
part of the reform programme and gradually the port's activities
improved.

The business community and port users started getting
the benefit of the actions taken by the joint forces and demanded
continuation of the reforms and the system to be made permanent so that
the premier port never went back to the previous dismal condition after
changes in the national politics.

Earlier the premier port was
a headache for the nation for long as it was termed one of the most
insecure, inefficient and costliest ports of the world.

It is
going to be a model for other sectors to follow as the long congestion
of the ships and containers were untangled with three-months' effort,
the sources said.

At the moment, there is no ship congestion at
the port. Sometimes 5-8 berths remain empty due to lack of ships. Most
ships enter the Karnaphuli channel without wasting any time waiting at
the outer anchorage. In the month of January this year, the average
waiting time of ships at the outer anchorage was over 14 days.

A
medium-sized ship's per day cost of waiting is around $10,000-15,000.
Sometimes ships wait at the outer anchorage due to technical reasons
like low tide.

"We are happy and every sensible person should
be happy not only because the corruption has been stopped but also for
the port as it is moving towards maintaining a proper system," said MA
Latif, senior vice president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (CCCI).

Due to the bad image of the port abroad,
the local business community has to pay at least 20-22 percent higher
freight charges than other ports of similar distant, he pointed out.

Latif
said the port got a bad name as political parties used the port as a
tool to make their demands heard. "We want relief from the anarchy
created in the name of a democratic movement," he said.

Referring
to the politicians, Latif further added that they have their democratic
rights for a political movement but they do not have any right to
create panic in order to realise their demands.

There should be
a law made so that people who lost properties and suffered due to these
political movements could be compensated, he stated.

"The port
has gone through a revolutionary change in the last three months and we
are moving in the right direction," said Mahbub Ali, chairman of
Bangladesh Shippers Council--a platform for exporters.

He said
it would take more time to make everything all right but whatever
changes took place in last three months were never thought possible.

"We
want the present condition to continue," he said, adding, "This is high
time to give the message to the politicians that the port should remain
above politics for the sake of this nation."

According to
sources, the port situation started improving after the appointment of
Saif Powertec to undertake an integrated operation at the exclusive
container jetty, Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT).

Earlier,
the company operated four sophisticated gantry cranes at the CCT.
Operations at the CCT were done by various groups and each group had
different jobs. As a result, the pace of container handling suffered.

The
number of ships handled a month doubled at the CCT after all the
groups' operations were integrated. A total of 31 container ships were
handled at the CCT in April this year whereas 15 ships were handled in
December last year.

Nine imported items are now taken directly
off docks from ships helping a long way in reducing container
congestion. The items are rice, wheat, beans, mastered, chickpeas,
scraps, wet paper, cotton and poultry feed.

More than 1,000
trucks and over 2,000 labourers used to get inside the port to handle
these goods creating traffic congestions inside the port.

The
container keeping capacity at the port jetty was increased to 22,000
TUEs from 12,000 TEUs a few months ago by expanding the yard area. The
space increased as the yard of newly constructed New Mooring Container
Terminal (NCT) was added to the available space.

The port
authority hoped the capacity would be increased to 30,000 TEUs by July
this year when the park yard and under construction yard inside the
port become available.

Earlier, lunch, dinner and prayer time
used to be long in Chittagong port. The authorities enforced a duty
roster at each station where the name of an employee and the duration
of his or her duty time were mentioned. The duty officer goes on
inspections to ensure that the right man is at right place at the right
time.

The authorities also opened two complaint cells at the
terminal building and at the girls' school to respond to complaints.
This worked well as problems could be addressed faster, a source said.

The
joint forces also took an initiative to stop power cuts inside the
port. The Power Development Board (PDB) connected the port jetty with
the national power grid and no disruption of power occurred at the
terminal in the last three months.

Profile ofthe Terrorist Insurgency in NE

2006-12-20T09:26:00.000+05:30

Profile of the Terrorist Insurgency in North East India---Isha Khan - 12/19/2006

Formation: Asom Sanjukta Mukti Morcha or the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was formed on April 7, 1979 by Bhimakanta Buragohain, Rajiv Rajkonwar alias Arabinda Rajkhowa, Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia, Samiran Gogoi alias Pradip Gogoi, Bhadreshwar Gohain and Paresh Baruah at the Rang Ghar in Sibsagar to establish a "sovereign socialist Assam" through an armed struggle. War Cry: Joi Ai AsomLeadership:Arabinda Rajkhowa is the 'Chairman' of ULFA. 'Vice Chairman' Pradip Gogoi was arrested on April 8, 1998 , and is currently in judicial custody at Guwahati. 'General Secretary' Anup Chetia is under detention in the Bangladeshi Dhaka after being arrested on December 21, 1997. The outfit's founding member and ideologue Bhimakanta Buragohain, 'Publicity Secretary' Mithinga Daimary and 'Assistant Secretary' Bolin Das were arrested during the military operations in Bhutan in December 2003. Earlier, 'Cultural Secretary' Pranati Deka was arrested at Phulbari in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. Other leaders are: Bhimkanta Buragohin, Pradip Gogoi alias Samiran Gogoi, Mithinga Daimari, Pranati Deka and Ramu Mech ,Mithinga Daimary (real name Dipak Das),The cultural secretary of the Ulfa, Pranati Deka hails from Nalbari district. She is the wife of the group's finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika. She was first arrested from a Mumbai hospital in 1996. Later, she was released on bail in 1998 only to be arrested again at Phulbari, Meghalaya in 2003 while trying to escape. The ULFA has a clearly partitioned political and military wing. Paresh Barua heads the military wing as the outfit's 'commander-in-chief'. Following the military operations in Bhutan in December 2003, most of its top leadership reportedly operates from unspecified locations. According to reports, ULFA is in the process of relocating its camps in Myanmar, Mon district of Nagaland, Garo hills of Meghalaya and Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.Areas of Activity and InfluenceThe ULFA's organisational structure is divided into four zones:East Districts(Purb Mandal) West Districts(Paschim Mandal) Central Districts(Madhya Mandal) South Districts(Dakshin Mandal)Sanjukta Mukti Fouj (SMF):A military wing of the ULFA, the Sanjukta Mukti Fouj (SMF) was formed on March 16, 1996 . SMF has three full-fledged battalions (Bn): the 7th, 28th and 709th. The remaining battalions exist only on paper - at best they have strengths of a company or so. Their allocated spheres of operation are: 7th Bn (HQ- Sukhni) Responsible for defence of GHQ8th Bn Nagaon, Morigaon, Karbi Anglong9th Bn Golaghat, Jorhat, Sibsagar11th Bn Kamrup, Nalbari27th Bn Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar28th Bn Tinsukia, Dibrugarh709th Bn KalikholaLinks and camps:The ULFA sought shelter in the forests on the Indo-Bhutan border from the early 1990s and established several camps in the forest areas of southern Bhutan. Over the years, it reportedly developed linkages with several officers and personnel of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) and Police - which ensured, among other things, a steady flow of rations, logistical support as well as aid and contacts for money laundering. The ULFA's Bhutan set-up had a reported strength of around 2000 cadres spread across the outfit's 'General Head Quarters', it's 'Council Head Quarters', a 'Security Training Camp' and a well-concealed 'Enigma Base'. Numbering around 13 in all, the major camps of the ULFA in Bhutan included:1. Mithundra 2. Gobarkunda3. Panbang4. Diyajima5. Pemagatsel Complexi. Kharii. Shumariii. Nakar6. Chaibari7. Marthong8. Gerowa9. Sukhni (Merungphu): 'General HQ'10. Melange11. Phukaptong: 'Council HQ'12. Dalim-Koipani (Orang)13. Neoli DebarliMost camps and other establishment of the ULFA were in Sandrup Jongkhar, a district in southern Bhutan that borders Assam's Nalbari district. The RBA is reported to have destroyed all the outfit's camps and observation posts during the military operations launched in December 2003. In 1986, ULFA first established contacts with the then unified National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) of Myanmar for training and arms. ULFA linked up with the Kachins through the 'good offices' of the Naga rebels. It learnt the rudiments of insurgent tactics from the Kachins (who reportedly charged Rupees 100,000 per trainee). Subsequently, links were established with Pakistan 's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan Mujahideen. Reports indicate that at least 200 ULFA activists received training in Pakistan and Afghanistan.Bangladesh authorities arrested its leader Anup Chetia on December 21, 1997 . He is currently under detention at the high-security Dhaka Central Jail. The main charges against Chetia include illegal entry into Bangladesh, possession of two forged Bangladeshi passports, possession of an unauthorised satellite telephone and illegal possession of foreign currency of countries as diverse as the US, UK, Switzerland, Thailand, Philippines, Spain, Nepal, Bhutan, Belgium, Singapore and others. Two other accomplices, identified as Babul Sharma and Laxmi Prasad, were also arrested along with Chetia. ULFA gradually expanded its network to include operational control of activities and the receipt and shipment of arms in transit before they finally entered India. Owing to greater vigil along the known routes of ULFA arms flow, the group has, in recent times, been making attempts to set up bases in Meghalaya, especially in the West Garo Hills to coordinate the transit of arms. ULFA has for long maintained close linkages with the Pakistan's ISI which procured several passports for Paresh Baruah and other ULFA cadres. Several ULFA cadres have also received arms training from the ISI at various training centres in Pakistan, close to the Afghanistan border. ULFA had also announced its support for Pakistan during the Kargil war. They described the Pakistani intruders - primarily Pakistani Army regulars and Afghan mercenaries - as 'freedom fighters'. Reports indicate that the ULFA's mouthpiece, ULFA's a website newsletter Swadhinata also known as 'Freedom', receives editorial support from ISI inside Pakistan. It was in 'Freedom' that the ULFA first supported the Pakistanis during the Kargil war. The ISI has provided ULFA cadres with arms training, safe havens, funds, arms and ammunition. Training has been given at camps in Pakistan and Bhutan. At least 300 ULFA cadres were also trained at Rawalpindi and other locations in Pakistan. The training included courses in the use of rocket launchers, explosives and assault weapons. Paresh Baruah has been regularly visiting Karachi since 1992-93. He is also reported to have met Osama bin Laden in 1996 during a visit to Karachi. The ULFA leader was reportedly taken to a camp on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where he not only received assurance of military help in the form of arms and ammunition, but also assurances of co-operation and logistical support of all international organisations owing allegiance to bin Laden, including the International Jehad Council, the Tehrik-ul-Jehad, Harkat-ul-Jehadi-e-Islami (HuJI), apart from the Al Qaeda. The ISI has also trained ULFA terrorists in counter intelligence, disinformation and use of sophisticated weapons and explosives. Pakistan has facilitated the visits of Paresh Baruah and other ULFA leaders to Singapore , Thailand and other countries, and a channel for the transfer of funds and arms has been created. The ISI largesse enabled ULFA to buy arms in Cambodia, paying for these in hard currency routed through Nepal. The ISI also 'introduced' ULFA to LTTE transporters who, for a fee, undertook to transport arms from Southeast Asia into Myanmar. In April 1996, Bangladesh seized more than 500 AK-47 rifles, 80 machineguns, 50 rocket launchers and 2,000 grenades from two ships off Cox's Bazaar. Four Tamils were among those arrested Co-operation between various terrorist organisations in India's north-east and foreign groups was formalised with the formation of the Indo-Burmese Revolutionary Front (IBRF) in 1989. The IBRF was made up initially of the NSCN-K, ULFA, United Liberation Front of Bodoland, Kuki National Front (KNF) (all from India) and Chin National Front ( Myanmar). Paresh Baruah is reported to have paid a substantial sum of money to the Kachins for the first large consignment of weapons from Thailand. Manerplaw in lower Myanmar on the border with Thailand is the stronghold of the rebel Karen National Union which, in 1993, is reported to have delivered, from the Cambodian arms market, AK-56 rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled guns and anti-tank rifles to the ULFA. The organisation's cadres have identified an arms dealer as an ethnic Kachin and wife of an assassinated Manipuri rebel Themba Song. The Communist Party of Burma is known to have gifted some weapons, mainly Chinese-made M10 rifles, to ULFA and Naga terrorist organisations. Arrested ULFA cadres have claimed that Baruah used to smuggle heroin, procured in Myanmar into Assam as part of "a personal operation". According to surrendered ULFA cadres, the ULFA terrorists had also crossed over into China via Bhutan and established contact with the Chinese Army. The group, on the basis of these contacts, had a rendezvous with a Chinese ship on the high seas in March 1995 during which a weapons' consignment was transferred to them. A further consignment ultimately landed up in Bhutan in 1999, though it was actually acquired in 1997. ULFA also runs profitable narcotics business in Myanmar and Thailand. A close nexus between ULFA and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had also been reported. The LTTE is reported to have trained various ULFA cadres in explosives handling. ULFA as a Revolutionary Organization: United Liberation Front of Assam, ULFA, a revolutionary political organisation was born on the lawns of the historic Rang Ghar of Sibsagar on 7th April 1979. ULFA'S aims & objects : To liberate Assam , (a land of 78,529 square K.M.), through Armed national liberation struggle from the clutches of the illegal occupation of India and to establish a sovereign Independent Assam. ULFA represents:ULFA represents, as its name implies, not only the Assamese nation but also the entire independent minded struggling peoples, irrespective of different race-tribe-caste-religion and nationality of Assam. The struggle for national liberation of Assam never is a separatist or secessionist movement. Assam was never a part of India at any point of time in history. The fact is independent Assam has been occupied by India , and deploying occupation forces they are oppressing our peoples and persecuting them. ULFA itself and all freedom fighters of Assam are neither planning nor conspiring to break up India! We are not conducting any armed operation inside India . Freedom fighters of Assam are only trying to overthrow Indian colonial occupation from Assam. The armed struggle for self-defence: The people of Assam are confronting with various problems. Among those, the National identity problem is basic. The communal riot that was followed by the partition of India and Pakistan was responsible for the influx of foreigners from the Indian sub-continent in large scale and thereby caused a real threat to the demographic composition of Assam. India has all along encouraged this influx because of a population base having ethnic affinity with main land India is always favourable to their long term security perspective. This is one of India 's major aspects of colonial occupation of Assam. In economic sphere, India has been engaged in large-scale exploitation. Despite its rich resources, Assam remains one of the most backward states. Therefore, the question of real threat to the national identity of the people of Assam under the colonial occupation and exploitation of India has become the basic problem. As a whole, the problem has become a question of life and death to the people of Assam. The people of Assam confronted with the aforesaid problems such as influx of foreigners and massive exploitation of its natural resources and determined as national identity problem after summing up them. Against the gross injustice for sheer survival as a nation, as a people and as individuals, the people of Assam many times launched democratic and unarmed peaceful movement. However, India ruthlessly suppressed and crushed them ignoring the value of democratic movement. Though the people of Assam and leadership of the struggle have a strong stand for peaceful and amicable solution of the conflict, India has always been trying to force a military solution. Indian military operation in Assam:The main intention of this operation is to suppress the legitimate aspiration of the people of Assam , and their basic and fundamental human rights i.e., national self-determination. There are endless lists of gross human rights violations during this period by Indian occupation forces. They have killed hundreds of innocent people, hundred more have disappeared in their custody and many of our womenfolk have been raped while many more hundreds have been severely tortured to become handicapped. It is the reflection of direct consequence of colonial repressive policy of India. Today, Assam is an occupied country under Indian's martial law and an undeclared war inside Assam is running on. Any thing may happen at any time inside this war theatre. Colonial India 's this repressive policy compel to the freedom fighters of Assam to take up arms for self-defence. So, armed national liberation struggle of Assam is a democratic struggle for the survival of a Nation.ULFA commander Paresh Barua:One of the 'most wanted' north-east terrorist leader, the 45-yr-old ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua is a versatile radical who has been successful in evading Indian forces for long despite non-stop efforts by the latter. Wanted for a series of robberies, killings and extortions, he is believed to be currently based in Bangladesh or Bhutan. Trained in guerrilla war by ISI, Kachin Independent Army (KIA) of Myanmar and NSCN, he can handle all kinds of weapons, travels on forged passports and identity cards and lives on money obtained from extortion or robbery. Also known as Paban Barua and Pradip Barua. He, he is 173 cms in height, has black hair and black eyes, a scar on the palm of his right hand. On May 10, 1985 he and some others raided a bank in Guwahati and shot the manager and stole a sum of Rs 27, 549.62 in cash. Often dubbed as 'braveheart' by many ULFA sympathisers, he has had brush with death several times, including in Dec 2000 when he was seriously wounded in a factional gun-battle in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. But there is other side of Barua story too. Born on May 1, 1957 , he is a very good football player, can speak a number of languages including English, Bengali, Hindi, Naga and Singpho and of course Assamese, his mother tongue. Insurgent Outfits in North East India Arunachal: National Liberation Front of Arunachal: Koj Tara Dragon Force (ADF) Assam:United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) :Paresh Baruah, Arbinda Rajkhoa, Anup Chetia, Daimari, Pradip Gogoi National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF) Dima Halim Daogah (DHD) Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) Rabha National Security Force (RNSF) Koch-Rajbongshi Liberation Organisation (KRLO) Hmar People's Convention- Democracy (HPC-D) Karbi People's Front (KPF) Barak Valley Youth Liberation Front (BVYLF) United Liberation Front of Barak Valley Manipur: United National Liberation Front (UNLF) People's Liberation Army (PLA) People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) Manipur Liberation Tiger Army (MLTA) Iripak Kanba Lup (IKL) People's Republican Army (PRA) Kangleipak Kanba Kanglup (KKK) North East Minority Front (NEMF) Kuki National Front (KNF) Kuki National Army (KNA) Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) Kuki National Organisation (KNO) Mizoram:Hmar People's Convention (HPC) Hmar People's Convention- Democracy (HPC-D) Hmar Revolutionary Front (HRF) Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) Zomi Revolutionary Volunteers (ZRV) Indigenous People's Revolutionary Alliance(IRPA) Kom Rem People's Convention (KRPC) Chin Kuki Revolutionary Front (CKRF) Bru National Liberation Front Meghalaya:Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) People's Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M) Hajong United Liberation Army (HULA) Nagaland:National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) - NSCN(IM) National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) - NSCN (K) Naga National Council-NNC (Adino)Tripura:National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT): Biswamohan Debbarma, Nayanbashi Jamatia All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) : Ranjit DebbarmaTripura Tribal Volunteer Force (TTVF) Tripura Liberation Force (TLF) All Tripura Volunteer Force (ATVF) Tripura National Army (TNA) Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT) West Bengal:Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation (KLO)

SEZ in Birgunj-Nepal

2006-12-07T13:40:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI, DEC 5 : In a first-of-its-kind assistance to a neighbouring country, India has decided to help Nepal put in place an institutional mechanism to develop a special economic zone (SEZ) in Birgunj.
This is significant given the rapid strides rival China has taken to boost economic activity in the Indian neighbourhood. India has now strategically decided to extend aid to build infrastructure in neighbouring countries. Since China has an edge over India in making a success story of SEZs, India seems to be in an overdrive to not let countries like Nepal take Chinese cooperation for SEZs.

There were reports that Nepal was trying to get Chinese help in developing an SEZ at its China border near Tibet. This is aimed at providing Nepal’s products direct access to the Chinese market. Authorities here had informed their Nepalese counterparts that India would offer its expertise and commission a study on the feasibility of an SEZ in Nepal, as well as explore possibilities of financial help to develop more such SEZs at a later stage, commerce ministry officials told FE.
Since the Nepal government is in the process of framing an enabling legislation regarding SEZs, it has not yet decided how much land should be allocated for setting up the Birgunj project.
Confirming that the matter was discussed at an inter-governmental committee meeting in August, the officials said India had also encouraged Nepal to opt for a public-private partnership model to develop SEZs rather than go in for a fully state-owned model. Besides, India had asked Nepal to send a team here to study the progress made by Indian SEZs and also the problems such zones faced, the officials said.
Developing an SEZ, like the one proposed at Birgunj, along the Indo-Nepal border, makes business sense for Nepal as several of its products come to India through border trade. However, since this was not the case with India, the government was not for developing any SEZ on the Indian side along the Indo-Nepal border at this stage, they added. But India is wary about China taking advantage of low duties in the South Asian Free Trade Agreement and routing its products through neighbouring countries to India without much value addition.
Recently, in response to India extending a $100-million line of credit to Nepal, China had offered similar credit worth double that amount. Also, last month, China inked a pact with Pakistan to have a free trade area in an effort to triple bilateral trade to $15 billion from the current $4 billion in a decade-and-a-half. Besides, China recently overtook India, in terms of trade with Bangladesh.

LTTE and ULFA

2006-12-03T11:17:00.000+05:30

New Delhi, Dec 2, IRNA
India-N-E separatists-Tamil Tigers India's banned northeast separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), has established links with the Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels, but there is no evidence that it is receiving arms supplies from the Sri Lankan rebel group, a top Assam police official has said.
"The ULFA leadership has established `diplomatic relations' with the LTTE and there is evidence in that regard," a PTI report said here quoting the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Asked to comment on a news item on the Sri Lankan portal lanka.com that the LTTE was supplying arms to the ULFA through its "merchant navy," the official said that so far there has been evidence only of "diplomatic relations between leaders of both the outfits." "We cannot say that a working or operational relation is there between the two outfits, but the top leaders know each other," he said.
Thousands of ULFA cadres have either surrendered or been arrested, but none of them had confessed to any arms deal with the LTTE, the official pointed out.
The portal had claimed the LTTE's merchant navy recently transported a large consignment of arms and ammunition through Southeast Asia and delivered them to the ULFA.
"The ISI introduced LTTE's arms suppliers to ULFA leaders and two Tamils were arrested in Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh when a huge quantity of ammunition meant for the ULFA was seized," the official said.
Arms were also supplied to ULFA through Cambodia for which the group paid "hard currency routed through Nepal," he said.
The portal had also claimed the ISI had facilitated recent visits by top ULFA leaders, including commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, to Singapore, Thailand and other countries.

Rumsfeld's War and War Crimes

2006-11-20T12:31:00.001+05:30

By Dr. Habib Siddiqui11/16/06

The 2006 election was a referendum on America’s war in Iraq. The results displayed widespread mistrust of the Bush administration. Some of the most pro-war Republican hawks in the Senate and the Congress have been replaced by Democratic candidates that appeared to be anti-war or less pro-war. As a face saving measure, President Bush had to find the fall-guy, and so his ‘trusted’ Defense Secretary, the 74-year old neocon idealist, Donald Rumsfeld, had to be replaced with a realist - Robert Gates, former CIA Director.The decision to ask Rumsfeld to resign was easy for the White House. After all, Rumsfeld’s resignation had been sought, since America’s illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, by many groups, including military officers within his own Pentagon, for not developing a ‘winning’ strategy. His policies have been dubbed variedly as being authoritarian, failed, insane, unrealistic, stupid, criminal, businesslike, quagmire and fiasco.Always defensive and combative, Rumsfeld was tunnel-visioned in his approach to the neocon-orchestrated war against the Muslim world (which he liked to package as Islamofascism); behaving more like an old dog that did not like to learn new tricks. In spite of mounting pressure from the Congress to sack him, Bush had kept him in his job, hoping for miracles in Iraq and thus, the 2006 election. But with the humiliating defeats in both the houses, the honeymoon was over. So, the man who was the architect of the first war of the 21st century became its first big casualty.As one of the primary architects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rumsfeld will always be remembered alongside Bush and Cheney for the scandals of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo that epitomized inhumanity, savagery, bigotry, perversion and sadism. He authorized the use of torture and brutal, evil and shameful treatment that violated the Geneva Conventions, and thus constitute war crimes. He refused to treat his Muslim prisoners as POWs. He put them in cages and moved them around naked. He approved interrogation techniques that included the use of dogs, removal of clothing, hooding, stress positions, isolation for up to 30 days, 20-hour per day interrogations, forcing to wear women's underwear on head, denying bathroom access and deprivation of food, sleep and rest. He approved the use of physical coercion and sexual humiliation to extract information from prisoners. He also authorized water-boarding (which constitutes torture), where the interrogator induces the sensation of imminent death by drowning.In the Muslim world, Rumsfeld (alongside Bush & Cheney) will long be remembered as another Hulagu Khan that killed, plundered and looted Baghdad, destroying the very city that was once the citadel of Muslim learning.Like Robert McNamara of the Vietnam era, Rumsfeld is equally remorseless for the deaths of 655,000 Iraqis. He describes the Iraq war as a "little-understood, unfamiliar war".As has been pointed out lately by Marjorie Cohn of Thomas Jefferson School of Law, President of National Lawyers Guild, prosecuting a war of aggression isn't Rumsfeld's only crime. He also participated in the highest levels of decision-making that allowed the extrajudicial execution of several people. [Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib by Seymour Hersh] Willful killing is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions, which constitutes a war crime. To elaborate further, Marjorie Cohn writes, “Even though Rumsfeld didn't personally carry out the torture and mistreatment of prisoners, he authorized it. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, a commander can be liable for war crimes committed by his inferiors if he knew or should have known they would be committed and did nothing to stop of prevent them. The U.S. War Crimes Act provides for prosecution of a person who commits war crimes and prescribes life imprisonment, or even the death penalty if the victim dies.” [Jurist – Forum: Donald Rumsfeld: The War Crimes Case, Nov. ‘06]War crime is a serious matter. Many legal experts and human rights activists are of the opinion that the warlords of our world need to be tried for their crimes against humanity. A few years ago, therefore, there were cases filed in the European courts against some war criminals, including Ariel Sharon of Israel for the massacre of Palestinians in Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps in Lebanon, and Jenin in the Occupied Palestine. Fearing their imminent arrest if they had stepped onto European soil, some of the Israeli generals did not disembark from their planes and returned to Israel.Last Tuesday (11/14/06), emboldened by Rumsfeld’s resignation last week, German and American lawyers asked a German prosecutor to investigate Rumsfeld on allegations of war crimes, stemming from the treatment of prisoners held in military jails in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The 220-page lawsuit, filed with the German federal prosecutor in Karlsruhe, names 11 other current and former American officials, including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whom it claims either ordered the torture of prisoners or drafted laws that legitimated its use. The suit, filed by civil-rights legal groups on behalf of 12 detainees - 11 Iraqis and a Saudi - asserts that they were subjected to beatings, sleep deprivation, withholding of food, and sexual humiliation. [See: War Crimes Suit Prepared against Rumsfeld, http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444246; and http://www.talkleft.com/story/2006/11/9/185830/840 for details.]These legal experts who filed the case believe that there is a fair chance of succeeding in bringing Rumsfeld and other Pentagon brasses to justice. The problem, however, is even if Rumsfeld and Co. are to be found guilty and condemned, the USA may not allow their extradition for hearing and subsequent imprisonment. Among western countries, interestingly, the USA is the only country that has not accepted the full jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to try its own war criminals, although, rather hypocritically, she had no problem having other monsters like the late Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia or Hutu leaders of Rwanda tried under the auspices of the ICJ.With U.S. laws protecting its government officials that are at variance with international laws, Rumsfeld’s war crimes case may eventually go to the UNSC. But there, the USA will veto such resolutions further isolating herself from the rest of the civilized world. Nonetheless, for billions of conscientious people in our planet, the suit is a much welcome event. It should be a matter of warning and deterrence for war criminals of today and tomorrow. "Even if we never put Rumsfeld on trial in a German court, he will be harassed and publicly stamped as a torturer," said Wolfgang Kaleck, a Berlin attorney who filed the complaint against Rumsfeld, together with the Center for Constitutional Rights, an American group, and other legal organizations.During the resignation event in the White House, President Bush said in tribute: "Donald Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change. Yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh perspective during a critical period in this war." In his farewell speech, Rumsfeld was equally gracious to his boss. Addressing the president, he said: "It is not well-known, it was not well understood, it is complex for people to comprehend and I know with certainty that over time the contributions you've made will be recorded by history." Only time will tell whether his euphoria is rightly placed!
posted by Jason Miller at 6:53 PM

Civic Disobedience and Social Forums

2006-11-18T11:05:00.000+05:30

Editorial

Civic Disobedience And Social Forums [ 2006-11-17 ]
By C. D. BhattaCivil protests through social forums have become weapons of the weak in the world. In this piece, attempt will be made to describe how civil protests and social forums are usurping statecraft and political power from the traditional forces (political parties and central government) in recent years. I delineate examples from the April uprising of Nepal (civic disobedience) which is hailed by the world community for providing a new prescription for regime change in politically troubled countries. It has elevated the notion of people power in shaping formal politics as against informal politics. Moreover, at least the South Asian countries seem to be following up on the Nepali way of regime change. The Nepalis case is particularly important for two reasons: first, it has brought about unprecedented political unity among the traditional political forces of different ideologies for the cause of democracy, and second, it has brought together all societal forces onto a common platform for democratic change. The success it has achieved, indeed, sets a good precedent in this regard. Inspired by the Nepali experience, Nawaz Shariff and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan have now come together and are sharing the same dais to oust military rule in Pakistan for democratic governance in the country. Similarly, opposition Myanmar leaders came to Nepal right after the successful completion of the movement to share the Nepali experience as if anything could be done of this scale in Myanmar to oust junta rule. One after another, many South Asian and other leaders from the politically troubled global South have taken the Nepali case as a recipe for regime change. Civil protests are waged frequently in the nation-states either to oust an undemocratic government or to put pressure on the democratic government to be more pro-public or to put pressure on market forces to protect consumer rights and others. The latest in line is the Bangladeshi civil protests that have brought its capital Dhaka to a standstill, following the unprecedented blockade by 14 political parties for reform in the electoral system and constitutional neutrality in the election that is scheduled for mid-January next year. Bangladesh is another troubled country in South Asia which has not been able to provide stable politics since its establishment. Infighting between the Awami League chief Sheik Hasina Waged and ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia has become the norm of the day. By and large, civic disobedience to oust undemocratic governments through public protests and lobby through social forums for just policies, that is, to fight against growing imperialist global policies of the WTO and other multinational companies, where one man, one country is being exploited by the other at the international level, has become the mantra in the 21st century. In fact, social forums have become very important to resuscitate national civil societies to become more proactive and vociferous in resisting anti-people policies both in the global south and north. Forums are used not only to oppose globalisation that plunders the wealth of Third world countries and exploits its natural resources but also against the growing nuclear farce, the unjustified war against terrorism, climate change, genetically modified foods, growing religious fundamentalism and much more. The history of organised meetings of the World Social Forum is relatively new. The concept kicked off solely from Latin American countries to oppose neo-imperialism. What is true though is that the forums are taking shape in the world political economy. Now the social forums are also being organised regionally (parallel summits) and even nationally to some extent in countries like Brazil and India. The recent India Social Forum is one in this regard where prominent civil society organisations and individuals like Medha Patkar, Vandana Shiva and others came together to resist government policies that were threatening the sovereign rights of the people to their lives and livelihoods by displacing small traders, hawkers, textile works, tribals and farmers. Similarly, suicides committed by thousands of farmers in India are another case in point as how the new economic agendas are putting undue pressure on citizens and taking their lives. The latest protest in New Delhi by the middle class businessmen against the 'ceiling policy' imposed by the government which threatens their livelihood is a case in point how industrialisation and the modernisation drive of the Indian government are throwing thousands of people out of the market. The organisation of social forums at the national level is particularly important as they help to shape pro-public national policies. The forums are necessary at a time when increased number of countries are pulling their hands out from social sector obligations and handing them over either to the private sector or to multinational companies under pressure from development banks such as the Asian, African, Latin American Development Bank and the World Bank that only understands the language of money and economics rather than providing social welfare to people at large. Perhaps, the Nepali civil society organisations should also think of organising a Nepal Social Forum like the Indian counterpart. Organising social forum meetings of civil society organisations is important for Nepal for three reasons: first to democratise and stabilise national politics, second to check and balance the market forces (consumer rights and others) and third to work out a nationalistic foreign policy. Foreign policyThe foreign policy issue is particularly important for small states like Nepal where political leaders and bureaucrats are duped by the 'big states'. The assistance of civil societies and social forums is particularly important while negotiating treaties, for the just distribution of natural resources and protecting and lobbying for the rights of the landlocked countries at international forums. Having said this, however, the foremost and immediate goal of the Nepali civil society organisations at this juncture must be to serve as a mediator to achieve sustainable national polity through the constituent assembly election.

Causes of War in South Asia

2006-11-17T15:43:00.000+05:30

EDITORIAL

Causes of war in South Asia
Khan Ferdousour Rahman
11/16/2006

"WAR has laid its armour down, peace puts it on, we know what war achieves, but by peace what is done?" - said by Friedrich Von Logan. South Asia has long been significant in global affairs, which has been the centre of long 5000 years of civilization. South Asia comprises the states of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - a region of great racial diversity with multiple cultures, languages and religions combining Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Mughul, Arab, Persian, Turkic, and West European cultures. No other region of the world possesses such unique distinctions and characteristics. The area is Indo centric, where India shares common boundaries with other six states of the region. No other country shares the same. Geo-strategic reason has made India a regional power, where Pakistan is the contender. Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the mid ranking states, where Bhutan and the Maldives are two micro-states in the region.Clausewitz described war as an instrument of foreign policy and 'an act of violence' intended to compel the opponent to fulfill the will. According to Martin Van Creveld, "war is a violent contest between two opponents, each governed by an independent will and to some extent free to do as sees fit." At present war between two states with professional and responsible armies is hardly be found, rather it occurs in the form of violence, terrorist activities and low intensity conflicts.Throughout the history, South Asia was the area of interest of Western powers, which caused many wars in the region. Up to the 17th century religion and territorial, expansions were the main causes of wars. The British came in the 17th century and gradually took control of the region through a number of wars and thereby made it a colony. But with the movement of people they had to quit the region after World War II.Both India and Pakistan fought three conventional wars in 1948, 1965 and 1971 in the region since their independence in 1947. India also fought a war with China in 1962. Other than these, there were number of unconventional wars in the region, i.e. Sikh, Naga and Mizo problems in India; Baluch and Sindh problems in Pakistan; and insurgency problems both in Sri Lanka and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. In all the major wars in the region, India was one of the parties. She was also involved in maximum numbers of unconventional wars. Total numbers of intra-state wars were more than inter-state wars in the region. The influx of cold war, sub-state nationalism, neo-colonialism for market domination, rivalry between two states (i.e. India and Pakistan) were the other causes of war in the region.In all the ages, war has been an important topic of analysis. The world is changing, so the causes of war also have changed at different ages. War used to be fought mainly to preserve social dominance during primitive age. But after that it has become complex and multidimensional due to the technological and social advancement. At present no state probably fights a war for a single cause, unless absolutely necessary.The Indo-Pak war 1948 was fought between India and Pakistan, though the main battles were fought only for two to three weeks. The war was fought on two fronts, i.e. Jammu-Kashmir, and in the West of Kashmir. The Sino-Indian war was fought in 1962 between China and India in the Sino-Indian border along Kashmir and Northeast Frontier Agency due to mainly border dispute. Another cause of this war was the Tibet, where India wanted to maintain the same status as British used to maintain during colonial rule. The second Indo-Pak war was fought between them in 1965. The issue was again Kashmir. The third Indo-Pak war was fought in 1971 on the question of independence of Bangladesh. This war was fought on two fronts; one was in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and another along the Indo-Pak border. The main causes of this war were old rivalry between India and Pakistan, governance problem and rise of nationalism in the then East Pakistan (presently Bangladesh). Through this war, Bangladesh got liberated from the clutches of the occupation army of Pakistan. In the process, also India achieved its mission in reducing power of Pakistan by breaking Pakistan into two pieces. India and Pakistan also fought a short war in Kargil in 1999.The geo-strategic reason has made India a regional power, which occupies 72% of the total area of the region. She is, directly or indirectly, one of the causes of the war in the region, as she always wants to dominate the region. Other future reasons may be the militancy problem and involvement of powerful outsiders due to their special interest. The interest groups always try to generate war. For example, western business community having a stake of heavy interest in many countries (like Nicaragua) is a major factor of war. Extraction of mineral resources may be another cause of war. Military Industrial Complex (MIC) of the US is often blamed as the major cause of the cold war. Sometimes the state itself becomes the cause of war due to poor governance and wrong political activities.Causes of war are changeable with the world system in various ages. War used to be fought for very silly reasons in the primitive days, which has become complex and multidimensional with the advancement of technology and society. In South Asia, war can be avoided if all the states take appropriate measures to strengthen the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) both in true spirit and practice. ......................................................The writer is a freelancer and can be reached on E-mail: ferdous3820@yahoo.co.uk

Child Malnutrition

2006-10-18T11:01:00.000+05:30

India has very high child malnutrition rates:study
JOSEPH VACKAYIL
Posted online: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

CHENNAI, OCT 17: Lack of improvement in per capita food availability during 1997-2003 and very high levels of child malnutrition rates have made the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) give India the same hunger score of 25.73 in 2003 as in 1997 in the Global Hunger Index (GHI). Answering FE ‘s queries,via e-mail, IFPRI researcher and author of the GHI, Doris Torif Wiesmann, said, “There are two major reasons why the Global Hunger Index for India did not improve from 1997 to 2003: per capita food availability did not increase, and child malnutrition rates remained at very high levels, with more than 46% of children under five being underweight”. Commenting on these two problem in India, she said India ranks 96th among 119 developing countries and countries in transition in the Global Hunger Index, but ranks 117th with regard to child malnutrition - only Bangladesh and Nepal exceed the very high Indian prevalence rate of underweight in children. Weismann said, the recent proportion of children underweight in India is 47.5% higher than the proportion of children underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. This is astonishing given the fact that a higher proportion of the population is food energy deficient in Sub-Saharan Africa (33%) than in India (21%) , according to FAO estimates.

Nobel Prize- Muhammad Yunus

2006-10-17T11:37:00.000+05:30

The Grameen Bank Founder Muhammed Yunus Gets the Nobel Prize.
Mon, 2006-10-16 12:09
By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph,.D.(Michigan State)
Muhammed Yunus, the Founder Director of the Bangladesh Grameen Bank has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
From very small beginnings in 1976 in a village in Bangladesh- with an initial loan of pounds fifteen, began this micro credit system of giving credit to the poor- mainly womenfolk. Today there are 6.5 million borrowers, 96% of whom are women. The Peer Lending Programme as it is called has 2,226 branches in 71,371 villages. In addition the Programme has spread to many countries including the USA.Muhammed Yunus, the Founder Director of the Bangladesh Grameen Bank has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006
The key method is that in any village community a loan is given to a selected poor person without any collateral security on the condition that the members of the community stand as voluntary unofficial guarantors. Their task is to apply social pressure on the loanee to keep up the repayment installments. If they succeed and if the payments are regular then another member of the community is selected by the Bank officials for another loan and with success in repayment another poor person is selected for a loan. The bank manager is in charge of the total process of interviewing the applicants, judging the best applicant, giving the loan and monitoring the repayments.
In the words of the International Fund for Agricultural Development of the UN Food & Agricultural Organization,
The Grameen Bank now stands as a model of lending to the poor with a very real possibility of being reproduced not only in the poorest countries but also in the heart of the richest as witnessed by a project of a similar scheme targeted at low income women in Chicago.
This Programme has also provided a great impetus to the minimalist microcredit programmes which has been pursued by the World Bank in many countries.
The founder Muhammed Yunus truly hopes to help the world’s poorest out of destitution. While the system of non collateral micro credit that is pursued under the Grameen Bank Model is truly commendable it has to be stated that there are certain limitations in this model which preclude the achievement of such a noble aim.
It is possible to achieve success in terms of loans granted and recovered and money poured into the rural scene,. A sustainable system of lending has been achieved. However there are limitations in terms of what the loanees can attend to in the form of enterprise creation, aimed at income generation. In a research study by Yunus himself,-it is documented that in the case of a loanee, “ with money come anxieties. Her main worry was how to use the money in the best possible way”(Joriman of Beltoil Village & Others in Search of a Future:1984) As far back as 1984 Dharam Ghai said that It is possible that with a large expansion in the size of operations of the Bank, particularly if this expansion is concentrated in limited areas there could develop a surplus of specific goods and hence returns from such activities could decline sharply.
This defect is due to the basic fact that though village folk can attend to their occupations with ease, when they approach the task of investment and the march from subsistence farming to commercial farming they require a technical knowledge. This training is an essential element for success in investment and was understood by certain researchers like Rahaman & Hossain as far back as 1988:" A very careful review of technical institutional and organizational matters must precede loan disbursement."In addition the training and loan disbursement has to be a part of development planning.
When the Grameen Model was introduced in the USA the US Senate Committee on Small Business was sharp to pin point this defect. They decided that "It is important that the Small Business Administration maintain the program’s emphasis on quality business training which must be provided by the intermediaries to all micro-loan borrowers if the program is to fulfill its intended purposes of economic opportunity for people who have little opportunity or access to credit otherwise."
The decision was for the USA Small Business Administration to provide funds for training for the loanees to emerge from subsistence to commerce. Connie E. Evans in her evidence before the US Senate Committee stated that To insist that people borrow money before they are eligible for Small Business Administration supported technical assistance is actually a counter productive policy in that it is better to put some technical support in first and then make the loan and not vice versa.
The Grammen Bank Programme has truly provided more cash flow to the villages. But it is important to find out what happens when more money is injected into an economy without a matching increase in the commercial activities. What happens can be illustrated from real situations in India when under the IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme) when loans were given to poor people to purchase an income generating asset like a cow. The loan was given on the strict condition that a cow was purchased. More money was available but the supply of cows was not increased. This led to a situation where the prices of cows increased. The increased supply of money did not create production of cows- instead the prices of cows were bid upwards- it created inflation. We get down to one of the basic theories of economics: The Quantity of Money Theory of Prices in action; this theory as Galbraith says- holds that prices, the volume of trade being equal, will vary in direct proportion to the supply of money.
Thus it cannot be ruled out that the effort of pouring in money into the rural economy without planning for the proper utilization through training and by enterprise guidance can actually lead to the creation of inflation. Perhaps this is why the rapid expansion of the Grameen Bank lending to the poor has not enabled Bangladesh to emerge out of the quagmire of poverty.
Further major flaws of the Grameen Model which deserve to be corrected if poverty eradication is to be achieved are:1. The fact that the loanees are not required to keep records, with the result that no one can actually be certain of the achievement. Thus many researchers have had to interview the people who had drawn loans and accept their word as gospel truth. This has meant that no tangible research has ever been done.
2.. Another major problem lies in the tasks performed by the Bank staff- they have to select a village area, attend to publicity, interview and select villages, organize peer pressure for repayment, obtain repayment and continue the loans to the next in the peer group. This is all done in the village and the role of the villagers is simply to apply peer pressure on the loanee to repay. In this we tend to forget that people develop their abilities only when they use them and if the selection of the loanees, the vetting of their business proposals, the disbursement of the loans, their recovery, the supervision of the use of the loan etc had been done by the people themselves through discussion and deliberation in village groups then the people would have been able to develop their abilities. Then the task of the bank manager is taken over by the people. This is the concept of Power to the People and the concept that was successfully tried out by Akhter Hammed Khan in the Comilla Programme of Rural Development which really transformed the Kotwali Thana, a poor destitute area to become a granary for the area- and is today a paradise within an ocean of poverty. Here it was cooperatives managed by the people themselves that did the tasks of the bank manager.
Professor Jeffery Ashe, one of the pioneers in initiating the Grameen Model in the USA has now, after two decades of experimenting, has ridiculed the role played by the bank staff in the Grameen Bank- it requires 625 full time workers to serve 100,000 clients. Ashe compares his Women’s Empowerment Program in Nepal where a staff of only 85 field workers was able to deliver literacy training and lending groups with 130,000 poor women in only sixty days of becoming operational.
It is hoped that these ideas may help the Grameen Bank in achieving its lofty ideal of poverty alleviation. I have worked in Bangladesh for two years as a consultant and have been struck with the fertility of the land and the sincerity, ability and dexterity of the farmers.
The achievement of the lofty ideals of the IRDP of India too is held up due to the same factor that loanees and people who receive grants and loans are not trained and therefore not equipped to make use of the funds they receive. Poverty is endemic in India and the lofty ideals of the IRDP have so far failed to make a dent in society. Perhaps both Programmes can also learn a great deal from the Youth Self Employment Programme of Bangladesh, run by the Ministy of Youth which concentrates on training and guidance in enterprise creation at the very doorstep of the projects, where since its inception in 1982, over a million have succeeded in becoming self employed on a commercially viable basis.

Expert justifies Delhi stand on N. Korea

2006-10-16T12:40:00.000+05:30

Published: 10/16/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)
Expert justifies Delhi stand on N. Korea
By Parsa Venkateshwar Rao, JrCorrespondent
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had promptly condemned the nuclear bomb test carried out by North Korea, even before the United States had responded to the situation.
The MEA statement said that North Korea's nuclear test poses a threat to peace on the Korean peninsula. The Indian response was seen as a sign of being more American than the Americans.
But Indian strategy experts argue that there's nothing strange about the Indian stand. In an interview with Gulf News, Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar, deputy director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analysis (IDA) here, has said that the Indian stance was in conformity with the view of the global community.
Asked about the validity of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), after the latest defiant act of North Korea, Uday Bhaskar has argued that the NPT became an inadequate doctrine by the end of the Cold War in 1989, and that the present moment presents a grey zone where there is no conceptual framework to face the new situation.
Excerpts from the interview:

Gulf News: Is it strange that India had condemned the North Korean nuclear test even before the United States did?
Uday Bhaskar: There was nothing strange about it. India's stance is in conformity with that of the global community.

Is it not contradictory that India, which had carried out a nuclear test, should object to the North Korean test?
India's case is on a completely different footing. No other state has shown the restraint, rectitude and responsibility that India has shown with regard to nuclear weapons. This is not the case with Pakistan and North Korea. Clandestine proliferation is a real danger in the case of North Korea, which has transferred nuclear know-how to countries like Iran and Libya. The further danger posed by North Korea, Iran and Pakistan is that the nuclear know-how may fall into the hands of non-state players. These are not issues in the case of India, and that is why its case stands on its own.

Is it right on the part of India to argue that the emergence of other nuclear weapons states - like North Korea and Iran - is not acceptable when India itself is a newcomer to the nuclear club?
The Indian stand is right because North Korea, Iran and Pakistan as nuclear weapon states pose a threat to regional and global stability. It is not so in the case of India. Unless Nepal and Bangladesh feel threatened by India and go in for their own nuclear weapons programme, the Indian status of a nuclear weapon state does not threaten neither regional nor global stability. This is not so in the case of the other three states.

Do you agree that the US response has been more calibrated in the case of North Korea, and that President George W Bush is now talking of containing nuclear know-how to North Korea and not talking in terms of condemning North Korean action per se?
Yes. The US had to respond differently because China and Russia were not in agreement with the US on the issue of taking direct action against North Korea.

Does the North Korean nuclear test reveal that the US cannot really impose NPT on other countries?
The Americans have been looking at the NPT from a narrow point of view. According to me the relevance of NPT ended with the closure of Cold War, and the Americans have not thought beyond the NPT. The North Korean test is a clear case of bolting the door after the horse has fled.

Would you say that at the moment, there is no conceptual framework for dealing with the situation that has arisen out of the North Korean test?
There is a grey area now. There is no clear framework to deal with the situation at the moment. India did not ever agree with the basis of NPT. New Delhi had always reservations about it. The Americans did not think about a post-Cold War situation where the Cold War concepts had become inadequate. NPT is one of them.

1.2b Assistance

2006-10-16T11:41:00.000+05:30

India to provide Rs 1.2b assistance
BY GOPAL KHANAL
NEW DELHI, Oct 14 - India is providing an assistance of Rs 1.2 billion to Nepal to build unified, modern check posts along the Nepal-India border for cross-border management. A source at India's Foreign Ministry said the assistance is being extended to make check posts along the border more organized and better equipped.
India is also building such check posts at major customs points along its borders with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar. India has allocated a total of IRs 8.5 billion for this. The building of unified check posts is expected to aid joint revenue collection, immigration checks, checking and verification of goods, and to assist bilateral trade.
"There is talk of building four such check posts (along Nepal-India border). The money has probably been allocated for building them," said acting Nepali Ambassador to India Tara Prasad Pokharel.
Under this plan, India is building 13 such check posts - seven along the Bangladesh border, four along the Nepal border and one each along Pakistan and Myanmar border. In the Nepal-India secretary level meeting on repatriation and mutual legal cooperation that took place in January 2005, the two sides had agreed to build such check posts.
Sources said the work was expedited after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed the need to develop border areas to boost trade in South Asia. Among the 13 check posts, the construction of four will start immediately, including the check post in Raxaul that will be upgraded within 15 months.

Downstream benefit: Stumbling Block

2006-10-10T11:48:00.000+05:30

HYDROPOWER SERIES II:Downstream benefit: a stumbling block
BY BIKASH SANGRAULA
KATHMANDU, Oct 9 - Downstream benefit remains the most contentious issue in water resources cooperation between Nepal and India. Dams like Koshi and Gandak, built in the past, benefited India in terms of flood control and irrigation, while large swathes of land was submerged in Nepal, displacing thousands of Nepalis. Today, Gandak is one of the most impoverished regions in Nepal, while Koshi is one of the most impoverished regions in South Asia.
Nepal's rivers, after flowing through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal in India, join the Ganges. The flow of water from these rivers has seasonal fluctuations, with massive flow taking place during the four months of monsoon, flooding Indian territory. The Ganges, in turn, floods Bangladesh before joining the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Like high dams, even hydropower projects, especially storage projects, provide downstream benefits to India. Unlike run-of-river projects, storage projects entail the building of massive reservoirs in Nepali territory. Building of a reservoir means inundating land in Nepal and displacing Nepali settlements. Storage projects are meant to collect water in monsoon, thus preventing flood in India. The collected water is released in dry season, when power demand is high, to generate electricity. The released water provides irrigation benefits to India during the dry season.
"India always wants to protect downstream water benefits," says Santa Bahadur Pun, former managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). In fact, Article 3 of Part 6 of a treaty drafted by India in 1990, which Nepal eventually did not sign, intended to protect that benefit.
The reason why major projects like the 10,800 MW Karnali Chisapani (storage), and the 6,840 MW Pancheswar High Dam Multipurpose Project failed to make progress was the inability of the two sides to quantify downstream benefits for providing compensation to Nepal. "India does not want to admit downstream benefits," says Ajaya Dixit, chairman of Nepal Water Conservation Foundation.
Government okay with storage projects
Despite the risk of getting entangled in further disputes on water sharing, Nepal government's policy does not shelve storage projects.
"We don't have reservations on awarding storage projects to private investors from India or other countries," said Jay Kishore Mackay, director general of Department of Electricity Development.
Among projects that recently attracted interest from private investors, is the 600 MW Budhi Gandaki, which is a storage project. Government granted license to an Australian company for another sizeable storage project, the 750 MW West Seti, whose construction is yet to commence even 12 years after granting of rights.
Experts against storage projects
While interpretations vary, many experts argue that storage projects, by virtue of involving regulated sharing of water, attract Article 126 of the Constitution of 1990 (also incorporated in the draft of interim constitution), which requires that all treaties that have long-term, serious and pervasive impact need to be ratified by two-third majority of parliament.
Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, general secretary of Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN), says that storage projects should be left alone.
"We should not touch storage projects. It will entail water sharing. Water will be a valuable asset in a few decades.
The government should award only run-of-river projects to foreign private investors," he says. "Run-of-river projects won't involve water sharing and won't cause displacement as well," Pradhan adds.
Pun also gives a big "NO" to storage projects. "Let's allow the building of run-of-river projects only. Let's open up a little, but not totally," he suggests.
Water sharing issues can be settled
A section of experts, however, suggest a more flexible course.
Energy economist Ratna Sansar Shrestha said that while the time is not right for power export as we have an unstable government and an unstable constitution, storage projects should not be kept out of reach of private investors in the long run.
"After we have a stable government and a stable constitution, we should enter into agreements on storage projects too, negotiating properly on compensation for inundation, relocation and rehabilitation problems in Nepal and flood control and irrigation benefits to India," he says.
According to the World Bank's guidelines, if a family is displaced by a development project, the family should be rehabilitated to a position of better economic status than where it stood previously.
However, Arjun Karki, managing director of NEA, warns that downstream benefits should not be hyped to the extent that they affect cooperation in hydropower generation.
"Storage projects indeed provide downstream benefits. But that is an indirect benefit to India. Unlike electricity, it is difficult to quantify these benefits in monetary terms," he says.
According to Karki, it's unwise to shelve storage projects on the pretext of water sharing issues. "Let's discuss modalities of compensation for downstream benefits and then award the projects," he says.

Bangladesh National Security and its Armed Forces

2006-10-10T11:29:00.000+05:30

Bangladesh’s national security and its armed forcesBy Dr. MahbubullahMon, 9 Oct 2006, 10:06:00
Email this article Printer friendly page Access News PhotosThere was no need of a state in the primitive society because there was no discrimination. Humans felt the need to form the state when discrimination began to surface. Discriminations also created anarchy, chaos and bloodshed making the need to create states all the more urgent. Thomas Hobbs describes the chaotic situation in the following words, " ..which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." Humans felt the need of an institution that can keep man's destructive instincts in check and when necessary can punish an offender. The institution that makes men follow a set of all-accepted rules and regulations and which ensures justice and equality is called a state. The civilisation man has achieved could not be achieved if there were no states.The state not only has the authority to use forces inside its demarcated territory but also reserves both the authority and responsibility to resist any foreign states from intruding into its sovereignty. A state acquires this right from its people. It is the people of a certain state that gives a state its legal authority to use force. In 1947 people of the then East Pakistan gave this right to Pakistan and the same people took away that right and put it onto a new state we now call Bangladesh.No one has denied the necessity of the army from primitive time to today. Those who want to change the society through revolution also felt the need of "the revolutionary army". The founder of the Republic of China Mao Tsetung said "Without a people's army people have nothing." No nation no matter on which philosophy it believes in, can do without the army. But some people of our country are pouring their venom against the army day in and day out. They are speaking against the development and strengthening of the army. Sometimes they even go to the extent of dissolving the army. Unfortunately, these anti-state elements have influence on the media. Poet Abdul Hakim has questioned about the legitimacy of the birth of those Bangalis who rear hatred for Bangla language. In the same way the Bangladeshis who spread malice against the army have problem in their birth.Now, will these people, who are hell bent on dissolving the army, tell us which people in the entire world are against the army of their own country? A certain group who call themselves economists is selling the notion that the army is an unproductive sector and therefore the budget allocation for the army should be brought down. Their real desire is to see the army getting dissolved, but they are afraid of telling it openly. I want to ask them, do you think anarchy is productive?There are many problems in Bangladesh's law and order situation which is hampering our productivity. No doubt the size of the police force in our country is inadequate. Though the army is not used for maintaining the day-to-day law and order situation, their very presence in the barrack is a source of our confidence: we feel assured that there will be no civil war, no insurgency in any part of the country (for instance in the Chittagong Hill Tracts) and no large-scale anarchy in the country.In the economics there is a concept of "Public Good". Its characteristic is one's consumption does not cut away another's consumption. A country's defence service is a classic example of Public Good. As citizen of an independent state we want to see that our sovereignty is not threatened by any foreign nation. If that happens we will lose everything, our trade and commerce, industry and agriculture. The army is there as the saviour of our sovereignty and all the citizens of a country enjoy this service of the army. What will be the situation of our economy without a defense force in place? Have these so-called economists read Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" where he wrote, "The first duty of the sovereign that of protecting the society from the violence and invasion of other independent societies, can be performed only by means of a military force. But the expense both of preparing this military force in time of peace, and of employing it in time of war, is very different in the different states of society, in the different periods of improvement."In a third world country like Bangladesh what makes the army all the more important is the army along with safeguarding our sovereignty, also ensures safety of our border from regional conflict as well as strengthens the internal unity. The army is thus the symbol of a nation's unity and prestige.Until 1815 UK's defence expenditure was never below 10% of its GDP. During the war in Austria, the seven-year long war, America's independence war, UK's defense expenditure would often go beyond 20% of GDP. During the time between two world wars a few renowned economists including AC Pigu wrote extensively about the positive aspects of defense budget cut. But when the Second World War broke out the economists began to look at the problems created because of the cut in the defence budget. During the Second World War UK spent about 50% of its GDP in the defence sector. However for an imperialist country like UK the cost-benefit equation is naturally different from a country that has no desire to colonise other countries. But that does not mean Bangladesh has no fear of falling a prey to other country's border aggression attitude, so it has to be prepared for wars that may be imposed on it. So, it must have a well-trained and well-equipped army. And Bangladesh will have to continue strengthening its army until there is a mutual agreement of all the countries about disarmament.Bangladesh has never spent more than 4 to 5% of its GDP in the defence sector. While the allocation stood at Tk 3402 crore (only 1.3% of GDP) in 2001-02 it stood at Tk 4320 crore (1.1 %) in 2005-06. In fact over the last few years allocation for the defence budget has always been declining. The other SAARC countries like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal spend respectively 6%, 3%, 4.5% and 1% of their GDP. Bangladesh's defence expenditure in terms of GDP percentage is lowest in the whole Asia. Besides the loin share of the allocation is spent on the salaries and other allowances while expenditure for purchasing war equipment never really crossed 10% of the total allocation. There is no allocation in the R&D sector while arms are bought with soft loan. In reality, hardly any money is being spent for modernising the army which is frustrating.Over the last 18 years, 55,984 members of our army took part in 37 missions in 26 countries under the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission. At present 9992 members of Bangladesh army that happens to be the biggest contributor in the UN peace-keeping mission, are engaged in 12 countries. During this 18-year period Bangladesh earned $1.5 billion, which is equivalent to $230 million dollars in remittance annually. Since the entire amount is being earned in foreign currency it would have been logical to spend it for the development of the army. But even there is misery.The army has always been in the front line whenever there has been any natural disaster like flood or cyclone. Unfortunately, they cannot sometimes intervene more promptly due to limitations in necessary equipment. Again, the army has been an institution that has created high quality human resources. The Army Staff College, National Defence College, Medical College, Pathological Laboratory and CMH have been rendering invaluable service in this respect. But members of the so-called civil society appear to be blind to such noble service of the army.There is another major contribution of a standing army. About 90% of the jawans in the army come from the peasants' families. They can be called "Peasants in Uniform". These soldiers send a part of their salaries to their parents living in the villages which undoubtedly help make the agricultural economy of our country more productive. Indian economist Amit Bhaduri has written on the importance of this remittance provided by the army personnel in the agricultural economy. The military expenditure in the developed countries like USA and UK also played a crucial role to maintain the demand level during under-consumption and stagnation. Socialist economists like Paul Baran and Paul Suiji have shown this positive impact of the defence expenditure. The synchronisation of military expenditure and cutting in unemployment rate by the rich countries during the period between two world wars is a fine illustration of their theory.Those who talk about cutting defence expenditure and dissolving the army are 'in fact' supporters of an undivided India. Significantly, they don't have anything to say when they see India is arming itself with modern military equipment, which is more aggressive than defensive. Now what is undivided India? Many westerners believe an undivided India means British India before 1947 with Pakistan and Bangladesh inside it while others draw the borderline covering Afghanistan and Myanmar. Though the Indian governments never admitted it openly it becomes obvious from its behaviour with its neighbouring countries. A hint of undivided India can be heard from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India : " India will inevitably exercise an important influence. Indian will also develop as the centre of economic and political activity in the India Ocean. The small national state is doomed. It may survive as a culturally autonomous area but not as an independent political unit." Nehru's philosophy clearly expresses India's real intention about its small neighbours like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan. Indian war experts also very much nurture this dream. Rabi Rikhi in his "The War that Never Was" writes, "India should at earliest opportunity incorporate Pakistan into the Republic followed by all the territories that composed India before independence. The natural boundary of India encompasses the present- day states of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Our geo-strategic imperative requires a subordinate Sri Lanka, Burma and Bhutan and a buffer Tibet and Afghanistan. No matter what the cost we must start the process of reintegration. Reintegration can be conducted either peacefully or by war. In 1975 Sheikh Mujibar Rahman was assassinated. Though Mrs Gandhi first considered intervention and the army alerted three divisions, in the end the government hesitated and the moment passed. The result: Our choice to keep Bangladesh in our camp vanished. India would have been fully justified in intervening under the same doctrine that lets the Soviet Union intervene in Poland and Afghanistan and the Americans in Nicaragua and Grenada".So, India is never willing to deter from realising its dream of undivided India. Following the 1991 elections an editorial in Kolkata's Anandabazar newspaper in March urged the people of Bangladesh to get united with India. Again India's support for Bangladesh's independence war was also not a selfless act of generosity. Moudud Ahmed in his "Bangladesh: Constitutional Quest for Autonomy" writes, "India's support for Bangladesh basically emanated from its negative approach towards Pakistan. For political, historical and economic reasons, it was India's natural desire to see that her rival power structure in the subcontinent is weakened. It was not so much love for democracy or sense of brotherhood for the people of Bangladesh that Indira Gandhi decided to support the Bengalis in their war to achieve independence." India supported Bangladesh's liberation war only to realise its national and international goals. It wanted to have a government in Bangladesh who will be loyal to it. The ''7-point treaty" between India and Bangladesh's temporary government led by President Syed Nazrul Islam was framed with that aim in view. Moulana Bhasani opposed this controversial treaty and demanded to make it public. One of the major points in the treaty was there would one common army of India and Bangladesh headed by an Indian. Bangladesh could form a paramilitary force to maintain its internal law and order. Indian army will stay in Bangladesh for an indefinite time and India and Bangladesh will have a common foreign policy, the other points said. However neither India nor Bangladesh government admitted the existence of such a treaty. Sheikh Mujibar Rahman also ruled out this notion with apparent hatred, but there was no dearth in his interest for forming a paramilitary force (Rakkhi Bahini). Again, the army was subject to neglect and discrimination during his rule.Those who preach that the army is not necessary are actually out to materialise that 7-point secret treaty. They want to see Bangladesh losing its independent self and get united with India. Some of these known faces of our country who rear such dream believe Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haq, Huseyn Shahid Suhrawardi, Moulana Bhasani and Sheikh Mujibar Rahman committed "a great sin". The greater sinners were the millions of independence-loving people who made highest sacrifice for liberty. These anti-state elements are thinking of correcting that "sin" by Bangladesh liquefying Bangladesh and making it a part of India.Prothom Alo is one of the top and most influential dailies of the country. If this daily creates confusion regarding issues of great national importance then there are reasons to be alarmed. The daily ran a series story on August 5, 6, 7 and 8 under the title of "Which way the modernisation of Bangladesh army is heading for?" After reading the story I wondered what does Prothom Alo and its editor Motiur Rahman want? I know Rahman since my school days. Rahman since college days was involved with communist party and later was the editor of the communist party's paper weekly Ekota. Though he is not related with the party now Prothom Alo has explicitly or implicitly advocated Soviet thoughts and ideas. The foreign policy of Soviet Union was to re-establish undivided India as it was before 47. It is the same philosophy that Congress and extremists Hindu leaders relish. They want to make Bangladesh and Pakistan their states and no patriotic Bangladeshis can support such mischievous scheme. Though Mizanur Rahman Khan wrote the report Motiur Rahman as the editor will have to shoulder responsibility for the story.About the first part of the story titled "Senabahini chay beshi shakti, beshi dapat, beshi ostra" the army headquarters sent a rejoinder saying, "the report bears the reporter and the newspaper authority's hatred against the army and expresses ignorance about military terminology. Though it was promised that the report will be based on the interview of Bangladesh army's chief published by Janes Defencse Weekly, the story in the end has created confusion and disputes about the army's image among people ." "More strength, more teeth, more fire power" is a frequently used phrase in military terminology which Bangladesh's Chief of the Army Staff used in his interview. But take note how Mizanur Rahman, the reporter, translated these words. He translated "more teeth" as beshi dapat. In the army the word "teeth" means ''fighting arms". Will it be unjust if one thinks that the Bangla word dapat was used with evil intention. In Bangla dapat is a negative word which is used to indicate unjustified usage of strength and power. So, it does not require any research to see the malevolence the writer is spreading about the army by intentionally using this negative word.In the report Mizanur Rahman writes that the Bangladesh army's philosophy is centered on gathering more power and more arms. Now, doesn't this reporter want to see a strong and capable army? These Khans actually want to see a crippled and pathetic Bangladesh army. Any patriot would want that they army is provided with from whatever national resources we have, so that it can ensure safety of the nation. He also writes, "It seems both the leaders of BNP and AL share similar attitude towards the army as both of them support big purchase for gradual modernisation of the army." When these two leaders take opposite side in every national issue it should be greatly appreciated if they are found in agreement about a certain issue. But the reporter cannot be happy for understandable reasons.Mizanur Rahman in the second part of his story titled ''The Navy's dream of purchasing submarine" writes "it is apparent that all the governments have maintained continuation of military purchase. But though the education sector gets the highest budget establishing a university or raising teachers' salary are often ignored or delayed by the governments. The pace of development is so slow when compared with the rocket-speed development of the army." The malice is explicit here. When Bangladesh has the lowest budget in terms of GDP percentage for the army, how can the reporter make such a comment? No doubt the people of Bangladesh want to see development of the country's education and health sector, but not by turning the army crippled.Again the reporter has quoted former army chiefs in an abrupt manner and partially creating scopes for misinterpretation about the army. Such practice, specially for a country as Bangladesh is in, can prove very dangerous.The national security of Bangladesh is too important an issue to deal haphazardly. It has different dimension and of them the most important one is the issue of core security. Our army is responsible for providing us with the core security. But it is also true that the army alone cannot perform this duty if the countrymen are not with them. The people of Bangladesh have never seen the army with suspicion. It is those people who cannot tolerate Bangladesh's existence as an independent state in the world map and who want to see it dissolved into another large country, who cast aspersion against the army. (Dr. Mahbubullah is Professor, Development Studies Department, University of Dhaka)

Children,women-trafficking on the rise in India

2006-10-08T20:04:00.000+05:30

Top Stories"Children, women-trafficking on the rise in India"
Kochi, Oct. 7 (PTI): National Human Rights Commission Chairman, Justice A S Anand, today said that trafficking of women and children was on a rise in India.
India was not only a transit point for trafficked women and children, but was also recipient and a supplier of such persons, Anand said delivering a lecture on 'Human Rights - Challenges of the 21st century'.
The exploitation of women and children for sex, however, was not confined to India alone. With porous borders with Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the problem has global dimensions, he said.
Quoting statistics, he said it was a flourishing trade of eight billion dollars a year. It is almost surpassed the profits from drugs trafficking.
In Asia-Pacific itself, 4.5 lakh people are trafficked every year and out of them 2 lakh were from South Asia, he said.
Pointing out that trafficking had wider dimensions and needs multi-pronged effort to tackle it, he said prostitution was not prohibited under the ammended Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act, 1986.
Despite the ammendment, the legislation falls short of its objectives and has not proved effective to check commercialised flesh trade, he said.
The act does not provide punishment for the client and makes no provision for the sex worker's rehabiltiation.
Sex tourism was on the rise in the country, particularly in Kerala, he said. "We have heard of sex tourism in Thailand, Malaysia and now it is on the rise in India," he said.

Unlikely Suspect

2006-10-06T12:06:00.000+05:30

The revelations made on September 30 by Mumbai police chief AN Roy of the way in which the July 11 bomb blasts were planned and executed have emboldened the hawks in the Indian armed forces and intelligence establishment who have been arguing that it would be rank folly to trust Pervez Musharraf's declarations on Kashmir or his desire for peace with India. Their scepticism has been strengthened by Roy’s bald assertion that not only the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), but also Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was directly involved. According to him, the LeT could not have dispatched as many as 10 operatives from Pakistan without at least a nod from the ISI. The fact that LeT’s operatives seem to have entered India through Nepal and Bangladesh, where the ISI is well entrenched, has strengthened their belief.
This assumption needs to be treated with caution. The conception of Pakistan as a monolithic State in which all organs of government and civil society work in perfect harmony is fanciful, to say the least. Pakistan is, in fact, a somewhat chaotic, half-formed State in which the authority of the rulers is being constantly contested. The most that the LeT’s involvement with the Mumbai blasts and the possible involvement of the ISI with the LeT reveals is that the disarray in the Pakistani State is far greater than the most pessimistic assessments made so far. The alternative explanation, that Musharraf is backing attempts to trigger a communal holocaust and bring about the disintegration of the Indian State while lulling it into a false sense of security is far-fetched, because it requires a level of brinkmanship that is not far from suicide.
Musharraf already faces threat of insurgency in North Waziristan and Balochistan. These have forced him to deploy more than a quarter of the Pakistani army in these areas, dangerously thinning Pakistan’s defences on the Indian border. Since his military commitments in Waziristan and Balochistan are open-ended, he needs to keep the Indian border quiet at any cost. Inciting and assisting the LeT to spread terror in India is hardly the best way to do so.
On the contrary, common sense would expect a head of State in his predicament to minimise the number of fronts on which he has to fight in order to concentrate on the ones most important to him. By this yardstick, maintaining peace in Waziristan and bringing the rebellion in Balochistan under control are infinitely more important than poking away at India in the hope that it will blow up, for India poses no immediate threat to Pakistan’s existence.
Viewed from this perspective, all of Musharraf’s overtures to India in the last two years — from his retreat from the demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir before the Saarc summit at Islamabad in 2004, to his carefully unveiled plan for limited autonomy to a federal Kashmir in October 2004, to his visit to Delhi in April 2005 — make perfect sense. Even India’s ‘postponement’ of the composite dialogue after the Mumbai blasts did not end his overtures. In the interview he gave to A.G. Noorani for Mainstream, he mooted the need for the two countries to control the activities of their intelligence agencies, a tacit admission that he did not have the measure of control over its activities that he would like, but also an indirect rebuke to India for allowing the R&AW to meddle in Balochistan. He also took advantage of the exposure of the London bomb row to put LeT head Hafiz Mohammad Sayeed in jail and has kept him there since. Thus, if the LeT continues to operate with impunity or, worse, with the help of elements within the Pakistani State, it is because Musharraf is unable to fully control one or both of them.
In recent weeks, the pressure exerted on Musharraf by developments within Pakistan for brokering a peace with India has, if anything, become greater. Not only has his attempt to invoke (not for the first time) the help of the Sardars of Waziristan to control the Taliban run into a storm of criticism from a beleaguered US and Nato, but the flare-up in Balochistan after the killing of Sardar Bugti has brought him face to face with the possibility of an insurrection that he may not be able to control. These developments paved the way for the resumption of the dialogue with Manmohan Singh in Havana and the decision to create a joint mechanism for intelligence sharing between the two countries.
But if the Pakistani State is in disarray, so is policy-making in India. Nothing underlines this more sharply than the way in which Roy’s press conference has all but destroyed the Havana initiative. The arrest and interrogation of 12 out of the 15 Indians who were allegedly involved in the bombing had created a golden opportunity for the Indian government to test Pakistan’s sincerity. For they had revealed the names and whereabouts of several of the Pakistani participants in the plot as well as the LeT’s involvement. Had these names and the supporting proof been given quietly to Pakistan, its agencies would have had an opportunity to cooperate with India, shielded from the public gaze. We would soon have found out how much control Musharraf genuinely had over them and how sincere he was in Havana. But that opportunity was destroyed by Roy’s public accusation of the ISI. Not only did it leave the Pakistani foreign office with no option but to make a blanket denial, but it also forced its spokesperson, Tasneem Aslam, to make it clear, in advance of any investigation, that the question of deporting anyone to India did not arise. For those in the ISI who looked at the Havana initiative with as much horror as their counterparts in India, Roy’s press conference must have been pure music.
Had Roy done this on his own, he could have been accused of jumping the gun in order to capture kudos for the Maharashtra police. But as he himself made clear, he was given the green light to hold the press meet by the Centre. One is, therefore, forced to ask who in the central government? Was it the Home Ministry or the PMO? Did it have the clearance of the Prime Minister and, if so, did Singh not realise that it would make a mockery of his Havana initiative? If Singh was not consulted, then who went out of his or her way to sabotage the Havana initiative and hold up the Prime Minister to ridicule?
These questions have not only to be asked, but answered. For, the accusation that Roy jumped the gun is not being made by the ‘doves’ and ‘peaceniks’ alone. It has also been echoed by some in the intelligence services who have complained that they were not given enough time to tie up the loose ends of the investigation. It is, therefore, difficult to avoid coming to the conclusion that while Roy’s press conference may have been designed to reassure the Mumbai public, its timing was designed to torpedo Singh’s Havana initiative.
Close watchers of the political scene in Delhi have remarked during the past year that the government is virtually paralysed by its own internal dissensions. Many have jumped to the conclusion that this is because of the ‘dyarchy’ within the Congress that has resulted from power being shared by Sonia Gandhi and Singh. But the sorry tale of the peace-that-may-now-never-be shows that the dissension exists within Singh’s government and because he allows it to exist. Over two years, it has grown to the point where it is no longer a battle to give advice to the government. Today, the struggle is over control of the government’s agenda.

Security Trends South Asia- Oct 2006

2006-10-06T11:19:00.000+05:30

Security Trends South Asia - October 2006
Rahul K Bhonsle
Security-risks.com undertakes a survey of the security situation in South Asia during the month, this time September 2006 and possible way ahead for October 2006 and beyond.
The key issues during the month were a number of international initiatives to bring economic and security benefits to the South Asian Sub Continent. The Non Aligned movement leaders Summit in Havana saw resumption of peace dialogue between India and Pakistan, including drafting of a crucial Joint Mechanism on terror. India-Brazil-South Africa or IBSA and Indo German Defence relationship will supplement strengthening of Sino Indian relations, with the visit of the Chinese President Hu Jin Tao in November.
There was some hope of peace in Sri Lanka; Pakistan managed to lower the heat in Balochistan while Afghanistan remains an area of concern with increase in the production of poppy to 6100 tons and Taliban activities not showing any loss of momentum.
Bangladesh is witnessing civil strife in pre election mode, ditto for Nepal. Globally the military coup in Thailand, spelt the limits of democracy in South East Asia, Sudan and Somalia remained unstable, while Lebanon saw pull out of Israeli troops from the south replaced by the UNIFIL.
Indian police announced a major breakthrough in the 7/11 Mumbai blasts, Naga peace talks are set to resume in October while the process with ULFA, broke down. Dengue and Chikungunya are razing a large swathe of area of India from Kerala to New Delhi.
A survey of these and other critical issues duly summarized has been presented in the copy attached with this email to all key opinion leaders, policy makers and security analysts for their information and reference. The same is also forwarded to you for your consideration of publication of any issues which you find relevant please.
For more information, visit www.security-risks.com.
Indo-US Civil Nuclear DealEd : Rahul Bhonsle, Ved Prakash, Dr K R Gupta
Placing the Debate on the Indo US Civil Nuclear Deal in Perspective -
Atlantic Publishers and Distributors (P) LtdB-2, Vishal Enclave, Opposite Rajouri Garden, New Delhi - 110 027, INDIA
Rahul K Bhonslerkbhonsle@security-risks.com South Asia's First Online Monthly Security Journal www.security-risks.com Mob No 91 9899692368, 9818272740
alan@newsblaze.com

Maoist to Improve Coordination

2006-10-05T10:37:00.000+05:30

Maoists to improve coordination
K. Srinivas Reddy
Decision came at a meeting in Nepal of Maoist Parties and Organisations
Need for people's movements to draw closer
South Asia a burning cauldron of revolutionary movements
Committee to deepen links between genuine Maoists
HYDERABAD: Maoists in Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan have decided to improve their coordination to turn South Asia "into a flaming field of people's upsurges."
The decision came at the fourth conference of the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia (CCOMPOSA) in Nepal in August last week. Representatives of eight Maoist parties participated in it.
The meeting, convened by the Communist Party of Nepal, assumes significance in the backdrop of the success of the armed revolution in Nepal and the unification of the Maoist parties in India.
Interestingly, a fledgling ultra left party from Sri Lanka, the Communist Party of Ceylon (Maoist), too attended.
Notwithstanding the forceful assertion of Nepal Maoists that they would not meddle with the Indian Maoist movement and that it would be treated as the country's "internal security concern," the political resolution passed at the conference asserted that the coordination committee would "deepen and extend the links between genuine Maoists of the region and increase the coordination to fight back the enemies in the respective countries."
The resolution underlined the need for the people's movements in South Asian countries to "draw closer together and assist their respective struggles." It came down heavily on "`the U.S. imperialism guiding the Indian expansionist rulers."
South Asia, the committee felt, has become a "burning cauldron" of the revolutionary movements. In Nepal, people's war had reached new heights, while in India the merger of two major Maoist parties created a formidable force.
In Bangladesh, Maoists were making efforts to unite and spread revolutionary activity to new areas. In Bhutan "sprouts" of new Maoist movement had begun. All these developments make "South Asia a flaming field of Maoist revolutions," the resolution said.
The conference was attended by the Proletarian party of Purba Bangla-CC, Communist Party of East Bengal (ML) (Red Flag), Balgladesher Samyobadi Dal (ML) (all from Bangladesh), Communist Party of Bhutan (MLM), Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Commuist Party of India (Maoist), Communist Party of India (ML) Naxalbari and Communist Party of India (MLM).
The Communist Party of Ceylon (Maoist), which attended the meeting, is, not a signatory to the resolution, thereby indicating that it was invited as an observer to the conference.

Indian gov't to spend USD 185m to enhance border trade - Irna

2006-10-05T09:59:00.000+05:30

Indian gov't to spend USD 185m to enhance border trade

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 839

2006-10-05T09:53:00.000+05:30

Dream of an Ordinary Citizen

The Statesman

2006-10-04T17:59:00.000+05:30

Special Article

peopleandplanet.net > climate change > newsfile > bangladesh threatened by floods and sea rise

2006-10-04T17:55:00.000+05:30

Bangladesh threatened by floods and sea rise

Sri Lanka business already hit by ethnic conflict, damaged by rigid labour laws, high taxes: new World Bank study says

2006-10-02T19:49:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka business already hit by ethnic conflict, damaged by rigid labour laws, high taxes.

WWF - Lines of defence: Elephant protection in India’s North Bank Landscape

2006-09-27T13:17:00.000+05:30

Lines of defence: Elephant protection in India’s North Bank Landscape

::PeaceJournalism.com - The Peace Media Research Center's e-magazine::

2006-09-27T13:11:00.000+05:30

::PeaceJournalism

Financial Express

2006-09-26T11:00:00.000+05:30

Lentil imported from Turkey, India not safe.

Dowry: a Social Evil - OhmyNews International

2006-09-26T10:38:00.000+05:30

Dowry: a Social Evil.

Maoists close ranks to make South Asia a flaming field of revolutions | Asian Tribune

2006-09-26T10:35:00.000+05:30

Maoists close ranks to make South Asia a flaming field of revolutions.

Opinion & Analysis

2006-09-26T10:33:00.000+05:30

Shankar Acharya: Foreign Policy: Mid Term Report

.: India: International Religious Freedom Report 2006 - World :. .: All American Patriots :.

2006-09-20T12:32:00.000+05:30

.: India: International Religious Freedom Report 2006 - World

The Hindu : National : India an opportunity, not a threat, to neighbours: Saran

2006-09-10T08:19:00.000+05:30

India an opportunity, not a threat, to neighbours: Saran

Organiser - Content

2006-09-10T08:07:00.000+05:30

Confront the anti-Hindu

AEI - Short Publications

2006-09-10T08:04:00.000+05:30

Containment with Chinese Characteristics

Nepalnews.com Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.

2006-09-07T12:17:00.000+05:30

South Asia to achieve 7.5 percent growth in 2006: ADB

2006-09-07T12:13:00.000+05:30

: "Doing business in India is not easy
BS Reporter / New Delhi September 6, 2006

India may have marginally improved its overall ranking in terms of doing business to 134 in 2006 from 138 in 2005, but it still lags behind neighbours like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh in terms of ease of doing business, according to the International Finance Corporation.

While the IFC report on 'Doing Business, 2007' released today said that India was the top reformer in South Asia though it still ranks relatively low at 134 and lies 41 places after China-which is reforming at a faster pace than India.

'India, as leading reformer in South Asia, has taken over the top spot from Pakistan in last year's report. India cut the time to start a business from 71 to 25 days and reduced the corporate income tax rate from 36.59 percent to 33.66 percent. A Supreme Court decision made enforcing collateral simpler-easing access to credit. New risk management procedures in customs lowered import time by two days and exports by nine days. And reforms to stock exchange rules toughened investor protections,' the report said.

However, the challenges of starting a business in India are far many with entrepreneurs expected to go through 11 steps over 35 days on an average to launch a business at a cost equal to 73.7 per cent of gross per capita income, it said.

Similarly, it takes 270 steps and 20 days to complete the process of complying with licensing and permit requirements for ongoing operations in India, according to the report. Even among eight south Asian countries, India ranks sixth in the category of 'ease of doing business' with only Bhutan and Afghanistan occupying the position behind it, according to the report.

On ten paramete"

India to expand road network along India-China border | India Defence

2006-09-06T08:31:00.000+05:30

India to expand road network along India-China border.

Of river and leadership in South Asia: A fall out of stockholm world water week

2006-09-02T21:39:00.000+05:30

Of river and leadership in South Asia: A fall out of stockholm world water week

Report: India to Raise Trade Dispute

2006-08-30T00:19:00.000+05:30

India to Raise Trade Dispute

Minister prescribes Union-state cooperation to end terrorism

2006-08-28T09:25:00.000+05:30

Minister prescribes Union-state cooperation to end terrorism

PIB Press Release

2006-08-27T09:06:00.000+05:30

COMMONWEALTH REGIONAL WORKSHOP

eKantipur.com - Nepal's No.1 News Portal

2006-08-27T09:03:00.000+05:30

Nepal proposes route for Sino-India trade

Financial Express

2006-08-27T09:00:00.000+05:30

AIDS in Asia and Bangladesh

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 801

2006-08-27T08:56:00.000+05:30

Hunt for ooutlaws begins amid high alert

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 801

2006-08-27T08:52:00.000+05:30

Young leaders ask BNP to ditch senior rebels

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 801

2006-08-27T08:49:00.000+05:30

Ivory Coast crash kills 6 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 801

2006-08-27T08:47:00.000+05:30

7 Killed, 60 Injured

PINR - Asia's Coming Water Wars

2006-08-24T10:54:00.000+05:30

Asia's Coming Water Wars

Financial Express

2006-08-24T10:38:00.000+05:30

ADB to fund study for developing 18 transport corridors

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 796

2006-08-24T10:16:00.000+05:30

Make S Asia an integrated labour market

People's Daily Online -- SEAR ministers call for collaboration to improve people's health

2006-08-24T10:10:00.000+05:30

SEAR ministers call for collaboration to improve people's health

India, Nepal set to resume trade talks

2006-08-24T10:08:00.000+05:30

India, Nepal set to resume trade talks

The hard truth behind Asia's boom - Editorials & Commentary - International Herald Tribune

2006-08-24T10:05:00.000+05:30

The hard truth behind Asia's boom

The Observer | Review | An identity crisis of our own making

2006-08-19T12:33:00.000+05:30

An identity crisis of our own making

�Powerless� India eyes energy booster from neighbours

2006-08-18T14:17:00.000+05:30

�Powerless� India eyes energy booster from neighbours

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 791

2006-08-18T14:02:00.000+05:30

Deep Sea port in Ctg

'60% of S Asia's HIV+ in India'- The Times of India

2006-08-16T09:33:00.000+05:30

'60% of S Asia's HIV+ in India'

India's tryst with caste | Hard News

2006-08-16T09:26:00.000+05:30

India's tryst with caste

Organiser - Content

2006-08-13T10:28:00.001+05:30

Boot out The Maoist Brutes

Organiser - Content

2006-08-13T10:28:00.000+05:30

Boot out The Maoist Brutes

Organiser - Content

2006-08-13T10:25:00.000+05:30

Terrorism Target is hindu Civilization of India

Organiser - Content

2006-08-13T10:21:00.000+05:30

Tackle it through multi-pronged strategy

Bangladeshi or Bangalee

2006-08-11T15:04:00.000+05:30

Bangladeshi or Bangalee

Nepalnews.com Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.

2006-08-08T11:25:00.000+05:30

Experts to discuss diaster prepraedness and natural hazards

People's Daily Online -- Experts to discuss disaster preparedness for natural hazards in Nepal

2006-08-08T11:16:00.000+05:30

Experts to discuss disaster preparedness for natural hazards in Nepal

Call to solve water issues thru� regional cooperation

2006-08-08T11:14:00.000+05:30

Call to solve water issues thru� regional cooperation

WORLD IN BRIEF

2006-08-08T11:11:00.000+05:30

WORLD IN BRIEF

Financial Express

2006-08-08T11:09:00.000+05:30

Bangladesh may joinTrans-Asian Railway Network

IOL: Bangladesh targets children in polio campaign

2006-08-07T11:28:00.000+05:30

Bangladesh targets children in polio campaign

Global Politician

2006-08-07T11:20:00.000+05:30

RAW: An Instrument of Indian Power

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 780

2006-08-06T10:55:00.000+05:30

How Safta impacts Bangladesh's Export

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 780

2006-08-06T10:53:00.000+05:30

Bimstec Ministerial Meeting in Delhi from Aug 08

Kathmandu's new casino opens with eye on Indians

2006-08-06T10:47:00.000+05:30

Kathmandu's new casino opens with eye on Indians

ABS-CBN Interactive

2006-08-06T10:46:00.000+05:30

Magsaysay Awardees: From Asia to the World

Financial Express

2006-08-05T11:40:00.000+05:30

Informal Trade in South Asia

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 779

2006-08-05T11:24:00.000+05:30

Politics of Arrrandisement

Tehelka - The People's Paper

2006-08-05T11:19:00.000+05:30

India is much more jingoistic than Pakistan

India-Myanmar gas pipeline to bypass B�desh

2006-08-03T12:11:00.000+05:30

India-Myanmar gas pipeline to bypass B�desh

Asia Times Online :: South Asia news - Lest we forget Nepal

2006-08-03T12:07:00.000+05:30

Lest we forget Nepal

Chennai Online News Service - View News

2006-08-03T12:05:00.000+05:30

US, EU, S.Korea are SAARC Observers

SAARC FMs meet Morshed: Bilateral, regional issues discussed

2006-08-02T11:18:00.000+05:30

SAARC FMs meet Morshed: Bilateral, regional issues discussed

A disastrous model

2006-08-02T11:16:00.000+05:30

A disastrous model

Plans afoot to create a 'power pool' in South Asia | Asian Tribune

2006-08-01T10:48:00.000+05:30

Plans afoot to create a 'power pool' in South Asia

Nepalnews.com Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd.

2006-08-01T10:46:00.000+05:30

Prestigious Magsaysay Award

Hasina�s opportunistic statements

2006-08-01T10:08:00.000+05:30

Hasina�s opportunistic statements

Driving benefit from SAFTA

2006-08-01T10:07:00.000+05:30

Driving benefit from SAFTA

37,700 British nationals living in India : HindustanTimes.com

2006-08-01T10:05:00.000+05:30

37,700 British nationals living in India

All Fall Down

2006-07-29T13:22:00.000+05:30

All Fall Down