War on Terror Destroying US Credibility on Human Rights

Ten years later, there is still an aura surrounding the attack on the World Trade Center (WTC). People remember where they were when they heard about it.
The United States immediately refused an offer of assistance from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the defense alliance whose Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on all of them. NATO has not been the same since. The United States later used its airpower to bomb the Taliban and Al-Qaida's regular forces to bits. That was also a resolute act that was carried out without any significant presence on the ground in Afghanistan, and which did not provoke any particularly strong protest.
Eliminating Terrorism Menace
The decisive action in the period immediately after 11 September was an act of speech, that of defining the situation as war. And then there was a war, against Iraq. The justification that the United States gave for going to war was not correct; there was no tie between Al-Qaida and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as the United States had alleged, and people knew that. When this became known to the public in the country that is the US main ally, the United Kingdom, it cost social democrat Tony Blair his job as prime minister. US public opinion hardly reacted at all.
But there was some protest. One of the critics, interestingly enough, was a razor sharp analyst named John Mearsheimer. "If you are the strongest guy in the street, why stand on the rooftop and shout it out," he asked. If US military power is absolutely superior to that of other states, why throw away a huge amount of resources, which could advantageously be deployed elsewhere, on something that cannot possible be of vital national interest?
Now, in 2011, when the war in Iraq alone has cost the United States more than the war in Vietnam, and it seems quite unclear what the benefits have actually been, there are many more people asking the same question. But when it was essential to question the war, Mearsheimer and a few other skeptics stood completely alone. In Europe, a majority of us asked whether Al-Qaida was what the Germans call duellfähig, worth a duel, with the world's strongest state by far. Would not a police operation have been a reaction that was considerably more in proportion to the situation, and considerably better suited to get results?
Deterioration in Quality of Life
That question remains valid. Others have been added to it. The main question now being asked is how to get out at the least possible cost. The costs have already been far too high. The whole tone of US politics, and to some extent that of European politics as well, has become increasingly edgy and security-oriented. This is a deterioration in quality of life that affects us all.
The US warfare has been costly, not only in human lives and in financial terms, but also politically. The United States has managed to preserve the decisively important alliance with Saudi Arabia, and officially at least, working relations with Pakistan have been maintained, but over the last ten years, the United States has become even less popular among wide sectors of the population in the Middle East. For Americans, there is now even more reason to ask the question: "Why do they hate us?" than there was in 2001.
When the United States chose to define relations with radical Islam as war, this led to extended effects in all of Christendom, and in the entire Islamic world, the Ummah. Before 9/11, we in Norway talked about "immigrants." Now we talk about "Muslims." One precondition for the events of 22 July was the steadily growing tension between these imaginary quantities in the decade before. Here we have two examples of a general tendency that cannot be explained by 9/11, but which cannot be considered in isolation from 9/11 either.
US Ties With Central Players
With regard to the United States' place in the world in general, 9/11 seems chiefly to have strengthened and accelerated already existing tendencies. The US shift away from Europe toward the rest of the world has been obvious. The United States is, therefore, not overly concerned about NATO being weakened. Tensions between the United States and the other central players on the world stage, particularly China and India, have become bigger. These two states were dissatisfied with their ranking and influence before 9/11, and after ten years of growth, they are even more dissatisfied.
The border between India and Pakistan has consolidated its position as one of the places where a war in Asia could break out; it is probably the most likely place. No one now talks triumphantly about the United States being the strongest empire in world history, as many Americans did before 9/11. Nevertheless, the United States is still the strongest state by far in military terms and will remain so for some years to come.
The candidate for the most important repercussion of 9/11 is related to the polarization in relations with Muslims and in relations with China and India, but it is more general in character. After the United States' behavior at Guantanamo and in Abu Ghraib, it is more difficult for Washington to speak from a human-rights perspective.
Western Hegemony
After the unsuccessful campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is more difficult to credibly claim that US political and economic systems can be forcibly exported. Taken together with China's and India's steadily strengthening positions, this means that the West's ascendancy in global politics has been considerably weakened.
In the future, the "war on terror" may be seen as an important stage in the windup of Western hegemony. 9/11 was a terrible tragedy. The "war on terror" was a failed reaction to it.

Bangladesh Rejects Indian Proposal for Exporting Natural Gas

Bangladesh has turned down an Indian proposal for exporting natural gas to that country. Indian Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde placed the proposal on 15 September 2011 during his visit to Dhaka to join a meeting of the (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) energy ministers. Dhaka did not respond positively to the proposal.
Growing Problems
In this regard, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Enamul Haque said Bangladesh was unable to export gas at this moment because of deficit of the energy in the country. At a news conferee on the evening of 15 September 2011 the state minister said Bangladesh will export gas to foreign countries in future subject to availability of the energy.
It has been learnt that the two countries a meeting discussed 250-MW electricity from India. In this regard, the sate minister electricity from India could be received from India in due course of time as per the commitment of New Delhi. He said the media report published on the complexities regarding construction of joint gridline between Bangladesh and India was not completely right. But he admitted that some problems were created over acquiring lands for the gridline at a number of places in the Indian state of West Bengal. He said that Bangladesh had the similar problem.
At this moment Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said electricity from India could be availed from in India on time. He said the problem created in the West Bengal will not hamper the project. Because, a minor section of the gridline will be required to be built on the India side while rest was in existence from earlier.
SAARC Energy Ministers’ Meeting
Moreover, the two-day meeting of the SAARC energy ministers ended at Rupashi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka on the same day through the concluding ceremony. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the concluding session. Power ministers from five countries and 35 represetatives attended the meeting.
The SAARC member countries at the meeting reached a consensus on singing power deals among the countries. In addition, the meeting adopted a survey on attaining energy security in the South Asia.
Presenting the detailed outcome of the meeting at a news conference in the evening, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources State Minister Mohammad Enamul Haque said the SAARC countries will sing a power exchange agreement within the next year (2012). The meeting decided to elicit opinion on the draft agreement until 31 October 2011.
Regional and Energy Trade Survey
He further said the meeting adopted the SAARC Regional and Energy Trade Survey. The survey recommended guidelines on production and trade in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries. An analysis of the survey shows that the committee of experts has stressed the need for signing a framework agreement for enhancing capacity in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries.
The experts believe such a framework agreement will benefit every member state. They also put emphasis on regional trade and legal compulsion.
Energy Security System
The survey shows the yearly demand for fuel oil by the SAARC member countries is increasing by 5 percent while for gas by 6.34 percent. The per hour demand for electricity the SAARC countries by 2020 will increase to 2920693 KW.
A source with the meeting said the member countries are in a state worry over the present quantity fuel for power generation. And as a result, they put stress on building an energy security system through mutual cooperation.
According to the survey, the Maldives is ahead of all the member countries in the commercial use of energy. The next positions go to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan at the last.
The survey report says the SAARC countries have their peculiarities in the use of energy. But India and Pakistan are dependent on more than one source of energy. The rest countries have unilateral source. The survey stressed the need for diversifying the use of energy in those countries.
The state minister at the press conference said the SAARC countries at the meeting agreed to carryout survey on inter-grid power exchange. Besides, Bangladesh at the meeting placed a proposal for forming a SAARC Energy Regulatory Commission.

Current Predicament in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

At this moment, US President Barack Obama, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and at least 120 heads of State or Government, might have already arrived in New York to attend this year's UN General Assembly. At this year's UN General Assembly, we can UN member countries to debate and discuss issues pertaining to nuclear safety, famine in Africa, Libya and other major issues. But the highlight of the debate and discussion for this year's UN General Assembly definitely focused on Palestinian Authority's application to join the United Nations as a member country.
The determination of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in wanting to file in an application for Palestine to become an UN member country is very firm. After giving his address at the UN General Assembly on 23 September, Mohamoud Abbas submitted Palestine's application documents to join the United Nations as a member country to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. After this, the "showdown" at the UN General Assembly between the Israeli regime and the Palestinian authority will officially be on at the UN platform.
Movement Against Palestinian Authority
At this stage, apart from the Israeli regime which has continued to intimidate the Palestinians, the United States, the European Union and the so-called Quartet West (the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations) are still making last-minute effort to discourage and to advise the Palestinian Authority on giving up its application to the UN as a member country. The consequence after the Palestinian authority filed an application in wanting to become an UN member is indeed unpredictable. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has also warned his fellow Palestinians that in the coming days, Palestinians will face even more (unpredictable) problems.
Abbas indeed knows very well that the consequence for the Palestinian Authority to file in an application to become an UN member can be very serious. However, regardless of what will happen to the Palestinians in the coming days, he has decided to fight for the independence of Palestine through seeking the help of the UN member countries now. Such a strong determination taken by the Palestinian Authority in wanting to become an independence country has reflected the political reality that in addition to the despair of the Palestinians after engaging more than 20 years of peace negotiation with the Israeli regime, their despair has also exposed the hypocrisy of the United States in its handling of Israeli-Palestinian affairs all along.
Although the United States has expressed its support for the "two state solution" framework to allow peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, but it appears that all the peace proposals coming from the United States in wanting to resolve the pending Israeli-Palestinian conflicts are but empty talks. These empty talks coming from the United States can only let the Palestinians getting "excited" for a short while only. This is because in order for the United States to support and implement the Israel-Palestine "two-state solution framework", the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority must first resolve the vast and varied issues between them. These issues have included calling the Israeli regime to stop building more Jewish settlements in the Palestinian occupied land and for the common border between Israel and Palestine to retract back to the 1967 period. In addition, the Israeli authority must also allow the Palestinians to use East Jerusalem as its capital; to allow the tens and thousands of Palestinian refugees scattered in Jordon and other countries to return to their homeland, and so on. However, so far, the Israeli authority has even refused to issue an official command to stop the Israelis from building more Jewish settlements on the Palestinian land. As such there is no hope for the Palestinian Authority to expect the Israeli regime to take action on other issues that can move toward the two-state solution plan for Israel and Palestine.
Pressure on Israeli Authority
As a strong ally of Israel, the US Government has, besides repeatedly proclaimed that it will support the independence of Palestine, and besides issuing regrets to deplore the uncalled for action taken by the Israeli regime on the Palestinian land, the US Government has not taken any actual or pragmatic action to support the Palestinians. The US Government is afraid to offend the influential Jewish community in the United States.
The US Government dares not exert pressure on the Israeli authority and force the Israeli regime to make concessions toward the Palestinian Authority so that the Israeli-Palestinian peace talk can be resumed again. In this regard, the United States cannot escape the responsibility for causing the present predicament between the Israeli and the Palestinian Authority that has in turn led the Palestinians having to use the United Nations as its next political platform to resolve their pending problems.

China's Strong But Not Hegemony Policy: Needs Implementation First Within Country

After news reports on China's construction of aircraft carrier simmered by the world media and criticized by a series of "powerful" public opinions and commentaries for a period of time, China's State Council Information Office issued a "White Paper on China's Peaceful Development" again after a break of six years.
Maintaining World Peace
For the first time, in this White Paper, China acknowledges that China has now become a strong power. But at the same time, China also assertively says that the peaceful emergence of China will break the pattern of the rise of great nation's theory that comes with the perception that "when a country becomes strong, it will bound to become a hegemony." This White Paper has also clearly pointed out the logic of China's development and its relationship with the international community. In other words, it is China's intention that through maintaining world peace, China wants to develop its own country; and at the same time, through developing its own nation, China wants to maintain world peace. During this particular period of time when the US supremacy as a hegemony is going through a declining process, and when China's State Council Information Office chose to release this White Paper on the eve of the tenth memorial service of the 11 September terrorist attack tragedy in the United States, the release of this White Paper by the Chinese authority in such a high profiled manner has indeed carried with it two significant meanings to the outside world. The first meaning or purpose is that China wants to stress that the development of China is through peaceful emergency. This means that even the development of China's navy and the navy navigation in the ocean become powerful, China will not move away from its peaceful rise track. The second purpose is that the Beijing authority wants to emphasize the fact that China has no intention to take over the super power role of the United States and become another hegemony in the world. In other words, China is unwilling to become target of attack by the world community.
Of course, China's public declaration that it will insist on carrying out its independent and self-rule peaceful rise foreign affairs policy has come with the intention to tell the world community that China will not call upon other countries to form an ally partnership; and that China will not become a world super power and as such there is no need for other countries to worry about the "China threat theory". This is precisely the original intention of China's White Paper. However, it is important for us to understand that any White Paper issued by a nation is but a promise on paper only. We must gauge if this White Paper of China will let the outsider world, especially China's neighbouring countries feel that a strong China is not a threat to them but an opportunity?
In this White Paper, China's State Council Information Office has listed down six major national core interests China must resolutely safeguard. These core interests have included the safeguard of China's national sovereignty, national security, wholesome territorial integrity and national territorial reunification. It has also included the safeguarding of China's Constitution in order to ensure the overall stability in China's social order and China's national political systems; as well as the provision of basic guarantee for sustainable economic growth and development.
National Integrity and Sovereignty
Nevertheless, if we take a closer look at reality in the present day situation in China and compared them with have been highlighted in China's White Paper, we can indeed raise some questions. First of all, from international perspective, if a big country such as China cannot fulfill the above six points as stated in its White Paper, it will become quite obvious that this country cannot call itself a "superpower." Then, certainly, people will also ask: How can China resolve the Taiwan cross-straits issue? How can China maintain the wholesome of its national integrity and sovereignty vis-a-vis cross straits ties? As for Taiwan, does it mean that as long as Taiwan's sector does not forcefully push ahead its Taiwan Independent agenda, Beijing will forever insist to adhere to its peaceful reunification policy; and that Beijing will never resort of using force to attain its unification goal as promised? Moreover, will Beijing refrain from setting a time table to attain its unification goal on Taiwan?
Regional Tension and Military Expansion
As for China's claim on the Diaoyutai Islands which, in fact, are under the control of Japan; and as for China's claim on some of islands in the South China Sea which in fact are actually occupied by Vietnam and other countries, it is good for other countries to know precisely the ultimate ways and means in which China will want to take them back and claim them as part of its territory. If Beijing does not process clear statement on these issues and if Beijing cannot provide possible and workable measures to resolve these conflicting sovereignty issues, then the Chinese authority can create doubt to both its domestic and overseas audience. People at home will then say that the Beijing regime is incompetence for it cannot even provide concrete assurance to protect China's national unity and China's sovereignty and integrity. People in China will ask the question of why China should make self-declaration that it is a "strong country" then?
However, the domestic and international public opinions, especially the public opinions coming from China's nearby countries will hold suspicion and question if China's military power development is targeted at the countries surrounding China in order to resolve the territorial and boundary disputes with them? In the end, the countries surrounding China cannot help but will continue to pull the United States into this region as their protective umbrella. In the end, regional tension and even military expansion in this part of the world cannot be avoided. And the so-called peaceful emergence of China will remain an empty slogan coming from China.
Fight for Basic Human Rights
As the saying goes, diplomacy is a continuation of internal affairs. Yet from China's perspective, what China has often overlooked is the promotion of the "China threat theory" by other countries. If this China threat theory is only a strategic measure used by the big powers in the world to hit at China, we do not think the people in China will take it seriously. They may even be offended by such a statement or theory. But to some of the overseas Chinese community, there is a market for this "China threat theory" and the main reason leading to this is in fact caused by some problems triggered by China's internal happenings, For example, to the overseas Chinese community, China's domestic issues relating to Chinese activists' fight for basic human rights; the issues relating to the "Tiananmen Mothers"; the appeal by parents of babies suffered from kidney stone sickness; and the protest of civilians against the forceful relocation and dismantling of their homes by the local authorities; etc, are but the Chinese people's valid appeal to the authorities of their basic rights as citizens according to the provision provided under the Chinese Constitution.
However, all these appeals or protests by the people in China have instead been treated by the authorities in power in an unconstitutional spirit. In this regard, it is quite natural for people to ask: "If the Chinese Government can treat its own citizens in such a manner, how can other countries expect China to treat other countries well?" People overseas will also ask: "If China is a country governed by rule of laws, what is the basic of its promise to the people then?" Quite simply, if the people in China do not trust their own government and if the people in China have no faith in the fairness of their public authority, then how can the Chinese people overseas believe in Beijing's peaceful rise promise then?
Country's Political Systems
As such, if China wants to fulfill its peaceful development promise and allow others to believe it also, China must first of all give peace to its own people. If China wants to uphold its Constitution and to ensure the establishment of the country's political systems is in place, then China must first ensure that the rights and privileges granted to all the people in China as constitutional rights be given to them as provided under the Chinese Constitution.
It is only when a big country such as China which has a population of 1.3 billion can process sufficient peace and rule of laws within the nation; and it is only when the people in this big country can have basic human rights and freedom as protected under the Chinese Constitution that this big country can have the qualification and be eligible to convince the world that after China becomes a strong power, Chins will not seek to dominate the world as a hegemony as stated in its recent White Paper on Peaceful Development.

Palestinian's Statehood Bid

The establishment of the State of Palestine is not an option. But it is a must. Democracy and human rights dictate that. There is no bargaining about it. In fact, globalization becomes the standing partner of independence.
Democracy fighters -- from the United States, the United Kingdom, India, China and Indonesia -- strongly believe that independence is the basic right of every man. All forms of colonization, arbitrary control by one nation over the other and all crimes against humanity must be erased from earth.
Nation's Independence
Everyone in the world is born with a basic right to equal treatment regardless of ethnicity, religion, education, hobby and domicile. World figures such as Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses, Prophet Jesus, Prophet Mohammad, Aristotle, Abraham Lincoln and even Mother Teresa lived to fight for the important meaning of a nation's independence. Basically, people must be free.
The Palestinian nation deserves it all. No more pleas should be proposed to take side with Israel over Palestine's bid for independence. China and Russia -- two countries known to be undemocratic and repressive - fully support the Palestinian nation's aspiration to be sovereign.
All citizens of the world show full support for Palestine's independence which was fought for on 23 September 2011 at the UN Security Council's meeting, in New York. BBC made polls in 19 countries that showed 49 percent of respondents support the establishment of the State of Palestine. People of China, among those who gave the response, gave their support.
Israeli Government’s Betrayal
Palestine has been tired of being Israel's victim. Palestine has had enough being dictated in negotiations which should have been equal in talking about the issues that are always betrayed by the Israeli Government. They want to advance. They no longer want to talk about being free. They have wanted to discuss borders, state sovereignty, Palestinian nation's pride currency, and the State of Palestine which is a member of the UN and internationally acknowledged.
We are grateful that there are still many citizens and governments of the world that are sane, who give their sympathy for the fulfillment of Palestine's aspiration from being an observer in the UN to being its member. We salute the attention of the world citizens who give democratic support through social networks and blogs to urge the UN to grant Palestine's proposal. Democracy and human rights must be respected in Palestine.
US Attitude
However, we do not see such sympathetic attitude coming from the US Government under the leadership of Barack Obama. As a matter or fact, we still remember Obama's promise during his visit to the West Bank a year ago who wanted to see Palestine as free country, like other countries in the world. This is very ironic considering that the United States has been the global administrator of the spreading of democratization wave all over the world. And in Palestine, Obama still betrays that.
We urge the US not use its veto against the inclusion of Palestine as a UN member. Israel is certainly angry, but the suffering of Palestinian people is more than enough to not be the victim of the prolonged conflict.
We call on the Indonesian Government to play a more active role in supporting the ideal of a free state of Palestine which will have East Jerusalem as its capital city.

Bangladesh Inflation Takes Dangerous Shape, Inflicts Hardship on Common People

Inflation has taken a dangerous shape in the country. From the very beginning of the year 2011, inflation has continued rising and has crossed the double-digit mark. Inflation continues its upward trend even after crossing the mark. The rate of inflation is higher in the food sector than in the non-food sector. Despite that, the non-food sector is not lagging behind in the rate of increase. Within the span of one year, inflation in the sector increased by seven times. Side by side with the prices of food items, house rent, transport cost, and expenditure on clothing and shoes have also increased. As a result, the people are passing their days amid hardship. Additional money is going out of their pockets, but income is not increasing.
Point-to-Point Basis
At present, the rate of inflation in the rural and urban areas has skyrocketed. The food price inflation in the urban areas is higher than that in the rural areas. As a result, the urban people are spending more money for purchasing food.
According to the latest statistics of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in August the inflation at national level was recorded at 11.29 percent on a point-to-point basis. This is the highest in the past three years. The inflation in July 2010 was recorded at 10.96 percent.
BBS sources said the national food price inflation in August 2011 was 12.7 percent. The inflation in the nonfood sector during the same period was 8.76 percent. The inflation in the rural areas in August 2011 was at 12.59 percent on a point-to-point basis (comparison with the same month of previous year). However, it was at 12.94 percent in the urban areas. As per this account, one has to spend 112.94 taka for a particular quantity of food in August this year against 100 taka spent for same the quantity of food in August 2010.
The interesting aspect of the inflation this time is that the inflation has increased manifold in the nonfood sector. The BBS says the nonfood sector inflation in August 2010 was 3.76 percent. The same in August of the current year has stood at 8.76 percent. The inflation in this sector within a span of one year has been increased by three times. The non-food sector inflation, both in the rural and urban areas, has increased at an alarming rate.
Causes of Rising
Why is non-food sector inflation rising side by side with the food sector? In this regard, economists said a rise in the food price always increases the prices of other goods. When expenditure increases on purchasing food items, the prices of other goods are also raised in a race with that. When the price of food increases, it also pushes up the house rent. Side by side with that, the prices of shoes and other goods will also be increased. As a result, the prices of non-food items will rise at an abnormal rate.
The BBS statistics are a proof of this. The BBS statistics shows that in August 2010 the inflation in the garment and shoe sector was recorded at only 1.14 percent. In August 2011, the same was recorded at 7 percent. Inflation increased by seven times in the span of only one year. Similarly, inflation in fuel and lighting in August 2010 was recorded at 0.3 percent in the last year. The same stood at 2.51 percent in August 2011.
Prices of Food in Rural Areas
Meanwhile, the country's economists are considering as a dangerous event the gradual rise in inflation. They said it was thought that the price of food will be reduced after harvesting the new paddy. However, in practice, this did not happen. Instead the price of food was increased.
The upward trend in inflation indicates that the prices of food in the rural areas have not decreased. A kilogram of rice is now being sold at a price close to 40 taka. The rural people spend more than 60 percent of their income on food. With the rise in inflation they are now spending a large chunk of money on procuring foods. It is quite evident that they passing days amid misery.
Existing Social Safety Net
Under the above circumstances, the economists said the government will have to supply food to the rural poor at a subsidized price. They said it will be wise on the part of the government to expand the existing social safety net. They said a rationing system can be launched in the rural areas to overcome the crisis. The government will have to introduce a rationing system in the urban areas also particularity for the garment industry labors with immediate effect, as food price inflation in the cities has surpassed 12 percent.
Meanwhile, the state-run trading corporation the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), in its routine market analysis said the price of rice in the country has increased by 15 percent in a span of one year. Similarly, the prices of edible oil increased by 42 percent, onions by 57 percent, and sugar by 23 percent.

India Proposes Setting Up of Bilateral Chamber of Commerce With Zimbabwe

Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia has made proposals toward the establishment of a bilateral chamber of commerce between India and Zimbabwe -- the Indo-Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce.
A bilateral chamber of commerce represents and furthers the interests of each of its member countries through the promotion and encouragement of bilateral trade and investment. Scindia made the proposals during the one-day Zimbabwe-India Business and Investment Conference held earlier this week.
Maintaining Close Relationship
There is need to work toward the setting up of an Indo-Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce, which will facilitate interaction between the business communities of both the countries and facilitate interaction between business and government between the two countries.
Bilateral chambers of commerce exist as independent entities yet maintain a close relationship with their embassy and/or consulate, and as such play an integral role in strengthening bilateral relations and economic interactions. The Indo-Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce can play a critical role in boosting economic ties between the two countries, which participants at the conference agreed were still rather constrained.
Successful History of Engagement
Indian ambassador to Zimbabwe Jeitendra Tripathi said although economic ties between the two countries had improved steadily in recent year, there was a still a long way for them to reach their full potential. Trade between Zimbabwe and India has improved from $60 million recorded in 2009 to around $125 million between 2010 until today.
There are a number of Indian public and private companies that are operating in the country. Indian public sector companies namely Indian Railway Construction Company, Rail India Technical & Economic Services, Water and Power Consultancy Services and Telecommunications India Ltd have a successful history of engagement with Zimbabwe and companies in maintain and upgrading infrastructure projects in the country.
Some Indian companies that have made investments in Zimbabwe include Surface Investment, which has set up a multi-seed edible oil producing plant near Harare capable of producing 100,000 bottles of edible oil daily with an investment of nearly $15 million.
Cotton-Ginning Plant
The project is a joint venture between Midex Global (Pvt) Ltd, Indore and Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe. Graffax Cotton (Pvt) Ltd -- 100 percent foreign-owned Export Processing Zone company -- has investments in the country of $25 million. The company has one cotton-ginning plant in Sanyati and Mount Darwin in Zimbabwe.
PM Electronics of India is exporting transformers to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority. The company has also signed a technology transfer agreement with Zesa Enterprises for a transformer manufacturing project in Harare. There are also a number of smaller Indian businesses operating across the country.
The Indo-Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce will typically provide useful business contacts, business services (including translation, interpreting and market research), events and networking opportunities, business courses and seminars and monitoring of new legislative proposals which might affect member's interests.

India, South Africa Agree To Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the medium, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. This was agreed in a bilateral meeting between Jyotiradiya M Scindia Minister of state Commerce and Industries and Scindia is on a one day visit to South Africa heading a Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) business delegation to South Africa. Scindia held wide ranging discussions with Elizabeth Thabethe, Deputy Minister for Trade & Industry. During the discussions Scindia referred to the historical ties and their common struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Addressing the press after the meeting the Minister for State for Commerce & Industry said, "South Africa houses many prominent centers of learning and excellence. There is a scope for the universities and research and scientific institutions to enter into R&D collaborations.
The MSME sector accounts for a large share of industrial output, employment and exports in both countries. There are immense opportunities of cooperation and strategic alliances in MSME sector, which could be in the form of joint ventures, technology collaborations or marketing tie-ups."
Bilateral Trade in 2010-11
The total trade between the two countries in the financial year 2010-11 was $10.6 billion, higher than bilateral trade target of $10 billion by the year 2012, set during the visit of South African President Jacob Zuma to India in June, 2010. A revised bilateral trade target of $15 billion has been set for the year 2014 during the meeting of Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Indian Government and the Minister of Trade and Industry, South African Government held on 10 January 2011. Scindia expressed hope that the India-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) will be concluded soon, which will give a considerable boost to our exports in the Southern African region. South Africa is India's 2nd largest trading partner in Africa. There is, however, ample scope of diversifying the existing trade basket by bringing in many more manufactured goods.
Addressing the business conference "India-South Africa: Developing Partnerships for Future" at Johannesburg, Scindia said "Our economies are placed in similar positions in the global economic order, and both our governments are faced with similar socioeconomic imperatives. It is imperative for us to step up the bilateral cooperation, intensify knowledge sharing and jointly address developmental issues, leading to inclusive growth in our respective economies. "Speaking about the potential areas of cooperation he mentioned that there are tremendous prospects for South African diamond mining companies to enter into long term contracts with the Indian diamond companies/rough purchasers like DIL, MMTC etc. and there exists tremendous scope for co-operation and JVs between Public Sector undertakings of the two countries in the coal sector. He mentioned about the significant contribution made by 1.5 million strong Indian Diaspora in South Africa. The business conference was jointly organized by the CII and the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA).
Structured Engagement and Interaction
Addressing the conference he mentioned that the 1st India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in 2008, and the 2nd Summit, recently held in May 2011 at Addis Ababa, have designed a new architecture for a structured engagement, interaction and cooperation between India and Africa in the 21st century. At the 2011 Summit, our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, made several announcements for the next three years, including the availability of $5 billion Lines of Credit; more than 22,000 scholarships and an additional $700 million to establish new institutions and training programs in consultation with the African Union and its institutions.
In a meeting organized by the Indian High Commission, he also interacted with the leading CEOs of Africa and explained to them the opportunity India offers due to its unique democratic and demographic dividend.
There is active contact between India and South Africa in multilateral fora, particularly at the NAM, Commonwealth, G77, G20, New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP), and World Trade Organization (WTO). Both countries are part of the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) trilateral initiative. Both countries are currently non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (2011-2012). South Africa rendered pro-active support in the NSG decision to enable full civil nuclear cooperation with India. South Africa recently participated in the BRICS summit held in China in April 2011.

Rabbani's Assassination: Jolt To Afghan Peace Efforts

The assassination of former Afghan President Barahuddin Rabbani in a suicide attack makes it clear that peace in that war-torn country is very far yet. His assassination is an attempt to sabotage the ongoing efforts for peace in that country. Those involved in hatching the conspiracy alone cannot be held responsible for it. Efforts to bring peace are under way with the US support. But not only the Taliban, but the common man in Afghanistan also have no faith and trust in the United States, hence, they do not take these efforts seriously. Insurgents and terrorists derive mileage efforts; and have to bear the brunt of it. Even the former Afghanistan president became a victim to such suicide attack.
Talks With Taliban
Rabbani was among the moderate leaders in Afghanistan. He was the president of Afghanistan in the period 1992-1996 and as president he made efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai assigned him the task of bringing terrorist elements in the peace process by holding talks with the Taliban and bringing them back to the mainstream. Since Rabbani was an influential leader, his efforts were being supported not only by various sections of the society but at the international level as well. He visited India in July as the chairman of the High Peace Council. He held meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, and others. He attached special importance to India on the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the establishment of peace and lauded India's cooperation and commitment for it. That is why India has expressed deep sorrow and grief at his sudden demise and announced to continue to extend cooperation in the peace process in that country.
Rabbani was of the firm belief that without India's full support, the peace dialogue cannot move in the right direction. Under these circumstances, his killing has given rise to a significant query to what role would India have in the dialogue with the Taliban and to whom Karzai would hand over the responsibility to hold talks with the Taliban.
Hatred Toward US
The killing of Rabbani makes it clear that there exist a most powerful group among the Taliban, which want to derail the peace dialogue. The main reason behind it is nothing but the strong resentment and hatred toward the United States. The assassination of Rabbani is a severe jolt to the United States also which is prepared to pack up and leave Afghanistan. If, consequent upon Rabbani's killing, the peace dialogue get affected, it may have an impact on the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan as well.
Most importantly, Rabbani's assassination is a severe jolt to moderate elements in Afghanistan. This moderate group includes that section of the Taliban, which was supporting the talks, by abjuring violence with the Karzai government and US representatives. In short, the fatal attack on Rabbani has placed a big question mark on his expectations of establishment of peace. It has, more importantly, added to the woes and difficulties for the United States.

Europe, US To Tell Palestinians Not To File Application as UN Member

Palestinian Authority has announced its application in wanting to become a member country of the United Nations. This announcement made the Israeli authority extremely furious. Israel has come out with a stern warning and said action taken by the Palestinian authority will end with a "tragic result." In addition, Israel has even given Palestine the hint that not only the Israeli authority will not allow Palestine to become an independent country; it will even annex some of its lands. As it stands, the United States and the European Union (EU) are getting very nerves over this recent development by the Palestinian authority in wanting to become an UN member.
Israeli-Palestinian Negotiating Table
On one hand, they warned the Palestinian regime that such action taken by the Palestinian authority will result in the United States and the EU cutting off their aid and assistance to the Palestinians; on the other, they also quickly dispatched special envoy to meet up with Palestinian and Israeli leaders respectively. They hope that at the eleventh hour, they can convince the Palestinian authority to give up its action in wanting to file a membership application to the United Nations but will instead choose to return to the Israeli-Palestinian negotiating table to settle their disputed border.
However, we must understand that it has been a dream for the Palestinians to become an independent country for a long time now. For more than 20 years in the past, the Palestinian authority has already engaged in numerous rounds of peace talks with the Israeli regime to settle the territorial dispute. Palestinians also hope that they can become an independent state under some kind of peaceful negotiation atmosphere. But until today, there is still no progress in the peace talk between the Palestinian authority and the Israeli authority. Palestinians are in a "desperate" stage now. They have no other choice but to apply to the United Nations and ask the UN member countries to recognize it as an independent nation. It is difficult for Europe and the United States to tell the Palestinians not to file an application as an UN member.
Pragmatic Solution
As the situation stands now, although the United States and European nations are rather anxious about the application of UN membership by the Palestinian authority, the only measure they can do at this moment is try to persuade the Palestinian authority not to apply as an UN member; however, until today, the West especially the United States still cannot find a pragmatic solution which is acceptable by the Palestinian authority to resume peace negotiation talk with Israel. The last Israeli-Palestinian talk was held more than a year ago. But at that peace talk, due to the fact that the Israeli authority has insisted on the continual construction of the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories, the peace talks has broken down eventually.
Palestinian-Israeli Border Conflict
However, the Palestinian authority's demand now is different. The Palestinian authority has, besides insisting that the Israeli side must stop constructing permanent settlements in the Palestinian land, it also demands that the revived peace negotiation talk on the Palestinian-Israeli border must be based on the Palestine territory before the Six Day War held on 1967. In addition, the Palestinian authority also said that the peace negotiation talk with the Israeli regime must be based on the principle that East Jerusalem would become the future capital of Palestine. But all these conditions set by the Palestinian authority are also the terms firmly opposed by the Israeli side. As such, the special envoys sent by the United States and European nations to the respective Israeli and Palestinian side can only say all the good things they can say in the hope that eventually the Israeli authority and the Palestinian authority can resume peace talk between them. Yet in reality, they can only do the "talking" they cannot persuade either side to give in a little bit of concessions to the other side in order to cut a negotiation deal. So, the lobbying miss ions of the US and European envoy to Israel and Palestine are doomed to fail.
US Support to Israel
In fact, on the pending Palestinian demand in wanting to file in an application for UN membership, US President Obama has also faced with a sense of helplessness. On one hand, President Obama does not want to offend the powerful and influential Jewish community in the United States, and on the other, President Obama also does not want to further alienate the Arab countries if the United States chooses to support Israel. However, after weighing the types of interests he can obtain from both sides, in the end, President Obama still chose to support the Israeli authority and will prevent the application of the UN membership by the Palestinian authority.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the authority that represents the Palestinians, is determined to submit an application for Palestine to become an UN member to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 23 September. However, according to the spokesperson of the Palestinian authority, if a "trusted choice" favorable to the Palestinian authority can emerge prior to 23 September; the Palestinian authority will still take it into consideration. However, due to the shortage of lead time, there is no indication to show that the Israeli regime will soften its position on its peace negotiation term with the Palestinian authority. It is thus unavoidable for a new round of fight between the Israel authority and the Palestinian authority to emerge in the United Nations in the coming days.

Thai Government Sets Up Command Center for War on Drug

Prime Minister Yinglak Shinawatra presided over the ceremony to launch the operation of a national agenda called National Command Centre for Combating Drugs (NCCD) at the Santi Maitree building in the compound of the Government House on 11 September. Yinglak said poll results from several offices state that the public wanted the government to urgently address drug problems since drug figures have increased rapidly. According to a 2007 statistic, there were then 490,000 drug abusers. The figure has tripled over the past four years. For this reason, the government has made anti-narcotic operation a national agenda as suggested by Her Majesty the Queen. It expects to reduce the prevalence of drug problems in one year. Relevant authorities need to integrate their effort to reduce the prevalence of drug problems by 80 percent.
Antinarcotic Operation
There are six factors in the antinarcotic effort during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. First, authorities based their operation on areas with drug problems and divided jurisdiction among relevant authorities. Second, relevant authorities had been assigned to share responsibilities. Third, the database of drug traffickers and prospective traffickers and abusers at the district and provincial levels should be synchronized with the government's database. Fourth, it had identified 300,000 drug abusers that could be rehabilitated. Fifth, it set up the protocol for assignment between the government's anti-narcotic center and provincial agencies. And six, it designated clear focal points for each operation. This government will incorporate the poll results with its operation plan, which comprise six components. First, it will empower the people with the concentration on urban communities and villages. This requires cooperation from all sectors.
The government will also incorporate the suggestion of Her Majesty the Queen in its antinarcotic operation. Second, the government will address drug abuse problems by regarding abusers as patients.
Third, it will prevent the spread of drug abuse in vulnerable areas. The government will reduce the number of vulnerable areas from more than 80,000 communities to more than 60,000 communities. Fourth, the crackdown on drug traffickers and influential people will be based on the rule of law. The enforcement of legal measures must be fair for all. Fifth, the government will promote the cooperation with other countries and border authorities in preventing and suppressing the trafficking of narcotic drugs and reactants into the country. And sixth, the government will convince more than 600,000 patients to receive medical treatment.
Set Goals
The Yinglak government has set the following six goals:
First, it will curb narcotic problems and strengthen 60,000 communities to immediately reduce drug demand in the market. Second, the government has set up a national center on anti-narcotic effort, the NCCD, which is the center of the cooperation between relevant ministries, provinces, local administrative organizations and border agencies. Third, it will build up the structure of authorities and responsibilities among relevant officers, including criteria for rewards and punishment. Fourth, the government will base its operation on people in communities and the participation of all sectors. They are expected to regard this issue as an urgent issue. Fifth, the government has asked the Office of Narcotics Control Board to support the NCCD. Sixth, the Finance Ministry and the Bureau of Budget will allocate budgets to authorities at all levels to enable them to work smoothly. This is because the government has truly made its anti-narcotic effort a national agenda.

Political Corruption Takes Alarming Shape in Bangladesh’s Educational Institutions

The Education Ministry, director general (GD) office and education boards in the country have been failing to play an effective role in removing the long-persisting corruption, irregularities and mismanagement. Rather political corruption has taken an alarming shape in educational institutions.
The managing committees and governing bodies are virtually running the private educational institutions. But their corruption and irregularities at this moment are the main problem of the country's schools and colleges. Huge numbers of educational institutions have been running by controversial committees year after year.
It has been revealed through inquest that various irregularities are going on at different educational institutions for a long time. The concerned officials of the ministry, DG offices and the boards are committing the irregularities in nexus with the managing committees, governing bodies, principals of the colleges and headmasters of the schools. The written policies and guideline framed for a smooth running of the institutions have remained in pen and paper only.
Political Committees in Root of Corruption
The managing committees and governing bodies of all private educational institutions are supposed to be constituted in combination of local learned and amicable persons, real guardian of the students and teachers. But in violation of the normal practice most of the committees have been formed with politically influential people of the respective localities. Most members of the committees lack required educational qualification and are devoid of honesty. Controlling admission trade, recruitment trade and construction are the main business of the committees. They have made the educational institutions one of the main sources of their fortune building.
The inquest further reveals that political infiltration in running the educational institutions is the main cause of the existing anarchy and sorry state of the schools and colleges. Apart from political reasons, hundreds of teachers and employees, including principals and vice principals of the schools and colleges have been driven out of the institutions due to corruption, looting, mismanagement, violence and conflicts. In many organizations irregularities are going on through the collaboration of corrupt committees and principals. The principals, who raise voice against corruption, are removed from the institutions.
According to the present provision, a member of parliament (MP) by dint of his position can be the chairman of managing committee or governing body of a maximum of four educational institutions in his constituency. And as a result, the entire committees are formed politically. Besides, activities at all educational institutions situated in the constituency are run under the directives and influence of the concerned MP. It is seen that in appointing of patrons of education to the committees dishonest and illiterate persons are nominated under political consideration in place of educated and honest persons. At some institutions committee members in the quota of guardian are elected from those people, who have not any children studying in the schools and colleges. Many of them are becoming managing committee or governing body members in the guardian quota whose sons and daughters virtually do not study in the organizations. They are becoming elected guardian member of the committees under political patronization without being guardians.
For example, one Ghulam Ashraf Talukdar was elected to guardian member of Ideal School and Collage Governing Body on 5 June 2009 and at that time he had no children studying in the institution. But nothing could prevent him becoming the committee member as he was the president of Motijheel Thana unit of the ruling Awami League. In an investigation, Dhaka Education Board found proofs of allegation against him, but could not take any action.
Similarly, genuine and efficient teachers are not elected to the committee as teachers' representative. And this way the country's secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions are run by inefficient and corrupt committees.
It has been known through investigation that many members of the governing bodies do have any known sources of income or occupation. Becoming a member of the committee is their occupation and source of income. Some of them are becoming members of more than one institution. And some others remain members of the committees for life long. For example: one Jahirul Alam had been a governing body member Dania AK School and College in the capital for more 45 years. He had no source of income. Jahirul Alam had been the patron of education and guardian member of managing committees of two educational organizations- Dania University College and Dania Ideal High School. A good number of people in the locality have formed a clique to maintain special relations the managing committees of the institutions. The clique is involved in construction work, admission trade and recruitment trade in relations to the organizations.
Despite Investigation Accused Remain Untouched
Corruption by principal, managing committees and governing bodies at hundreds of educational institutions across the country have been proved in investigations by the inspection and audit director of the education ministry, education boards and Education Directorate. Despite finding proofs of corruption and irregularities against the accused, those principals, teachers and managing committee members have remained untouched so far. For example: An allegation about enrolling 518 students in 2007 against the principal of Ideal School in the capital Dhaka, Shahan Ara, was proved in the investigation. On recommendation of the education ministry in 2008 and during the last caretaker, she was sacked from the job by Kazi Aminul Islam, the then secretary of the Prime Minister's office, who was also chairman of the governing body of the school, as more allegations of corrupt practices were proved against her. But with the political changeover taking place in the country she got back her job in 2009. Allegations are also rife that Principal Shahan Ara has again resorted to admission and recruitment trade at the school as she got back her job managing different quarters in exchange for huge money.
The school sources said the last election to the governing body of Ideal School was held in 2001. And since then an ad-hoc committee has been running the school. Allegations are rife that this ad-hoc committee is in the root of all corruption at the school.
Various sources have confirmed that a section of officers at Dhaka Education Board has their hands behind in retaining the ad-hoc committees at different institutions year after year. The tenure of the governing body of another renowned educational institution in the capital Dhaka- Viqarunnesa Noor School and College- was expired in 2010 (as per the new circular issued by the government). The education board at last dissolved the committee recently under instruction of the education ministry as a sequel to the scandal involving its teacher Parimol. But the board and education ministry did not take any step in this regard despite functioning of the illegal committee for a long time. Rashed Khan Menon MP was the chairman of Viaqarunnesa Noon School and College Governing Body. He was the chairman of Ideal School Governing body.
The governing board of Dania College in the capital sacked its Principal Shahadat Hossain as proofs of allegations of corruption and irregularities were found in three investigation report of the education ministry and one by the National University. But after Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman becoming chairman of the governing body of the school, Shahadat Hossain was reinstated to his earlier position through a unilateral decision bypassing the governing body. And accordingly Shahdat Hossain broke open the door of the chamber of the principal and captured the room.
Apart from Dania College, allegations were raised against Mahfuzur Rahman for his controversial activities while performing the responsibilities of the chairmen of the governing bodies of Tejgaon University College and Siddheswari University College. After the transfer of Mahfuzur Rahman, Iqram Ahmed became the new commissioner of Dhaka Division. By dint of his official position, he became the chairman of the governing body of Dania College to give legal coverage to Principal Shahadat Hossain. Subsequently Additional Divisional Commissioner A K M Murtaza got the responsibility of the new chairman of the college. He refused accept Shahadat Hossain and made Khadem Ashraful Alam the acting principal of the college as per the decision of the governing body.
Following this incident, A K M Murtaza, in face of threat from threat from one Abul Hossain, who claimed himself a major of Bangladesh Army, filed a general diary with the concerned police station and resigned from the post of the chairman. Subsequently Dhaka University Professor Dr Zahidul Islam was given the responsibility of the chairman of Dania College. There is an allegation that Shahadat had made arrangement to make another Dhaka University Professor Mosharraf Hossain the chairman of the governing body of the college by removing him from the post through fraudulence means by managing the National University. During the tenure of Mosharraf as the chairman of the governing board, Shahadat made arrangements for giving legal coverage to all illegal activities and driving out teaches against him, stopping salaries and allowances and harassing the teachers. He sacked seven teachers and three employees from the college without any investigation.
After assuming power by the present government, local MP Habibur Rahman Mollah became the chairman of the governing body of Dania Collage. Being an MP of the opposition party, Mollah in 2001 submitted recommendations to the National University authorities to conduct an investigation into huge corruption and irregularities committed by Principal Shahadat Hossain. Shahadat was sacked from the post of the principal of the college in 2003 in line with the investigation demanded by the MP. But the interesting matter is that Habibur Rahman Mollah again becoming an MP of ruling the party took stance in favor of Shahadat Hossain and wrote a letter to the National University on the official pad of the parliament for stopping investigation against him.
Ministry, Boards, DG Office Indifferent
It seems the education ministry, education directorate and education boards have no responsibilities in controlling this irregularities and anarchy by the managing committees of the schools and colleges. They feel relief by shifting all the responsibilities on running the private educational institutions to the managing committees and governing bodies. But these committees have now turned into the centers of all corruption. The education ministry, boards and DG office have specific responsibilities for a smooth running of the private educational institutions. But they are not performing the responsibilities. The inspection and audit directorate of the education ministry, inspection section of the education boards and the DG office have prescribed responsibilities in this regard. The inspection and audit directorate of the ministry is assigned to monitor whether the managing committees are complying with the instructions of the government. But the ministry, boards or DG office very seldom perform their duties. They take initiatives for investigation only when big scandals take place at the institutions. Apart from that they do not take any initiative to bring the institutions under monitoring or accountability throughout the whole year. The government is spending billions of taka every year in different sectors of the private schools and colleges, including MPO and construction. But in relations to their assigned responsibilities, the ministry and other responsible government organizations are not ready to deliver.
Anarchy in Villages’ Educational Institutions
Ataur Rahman was the principal of Mominpur College at Natore district headquarters. After assumption of power by the present government, the local ruling party leaders drove him out from the college issuing death threat. The responsibility of the principal of the college was given to Assistant Headmaster of Dhopapara High School Abul Kalam Azad. Local upazila (subdistrict) executive officer, who was the chairman of the governing body, described him as an illegal principal and informed the matter to the education board. But the education board did not take any action in this regard. Following filing of a lawsuit by Principal Ataur Rahman, Abul Kalam Azad was compelled to leave the college. Subsequently college teacher Shreemon Narayan got the responsibility of the principal. By this time the tenure of the upazila executive officer was expired. One Jalal Uddin Mridha has been made the chairman of the governing body on the basis of a DO letter from the local MP Ahad Ali Sarkar. Allegations of adopting fraudulence means in running the affairs of the college, including recruitment, have been raised following formation of the managing committee under his leadership.
Imdadul Haque has been a teacher of Satkhira City College since in 1983. He was appointed to the post principal of the college in 2003 through competitive examination. Mukesh Chandra, chairman of the governing body of the college, sacked him on 19 April 2010. Some allegations were raised against Principal Imdadul Haque in internal audit report. He was asked reply the allegation within 18 April 2010. The principal said submitted the reply to Mukesh Chandra on time and he has proofs in this regard. Despite that Mukesh Chandra called a meeting of the governing on 19 April and sacked him from job on charge of not submitting the reply. At the same time one teacher of the college -- Abu Ahmed -- was given the responsibility of the principal. Abu Ahmed was at that time on retirement. As per the rules promulgated by the National University in 2008, in absence of the principal, the vice principal and his absence one senior teacher of the college will get the responsibility of the principal. But under political consideration, the party teacher on retirement was given the charge of principal superseding four teachers. According to the rules of National University, one has to apply for extension of service tenure three months before his or her retirement. Abdul Ahmed did not abide by the rules. And as a result, the extension of his service tenure is illegal.
Imdadul Haque said that as part of forgery six decisions were taken at the college in a day. The decisions taken on 19 April were: extension of service tenure of Abu Ahmed, his joining to the post on the same date, meeting of the governing body, handing over charge to the vice principal and sacking of Imdadul Haque.
Bahauddin Bahar, principal of Patuakhali Abdul Mridha College, has been sacked from his job. Becoming a supporter of the opposition party was only his 'offence.' On 9 July 2009, Shahjahan Mia MP became the chairman of the governing body. On 11 July, he called a meeting of the governing body and sacked the principal of the college. As per the existing rules, the chairman has no jurisdiction to call any meeting. Besides, he did not give the notice of meeting to the principal. For sacking a principal requires brining genuine allegations and giving the scope of self defense to the accused. Principal Bahauddin said no procedures were maintained in his case and the meeting was called without any agenda. Many members of the governing body, including the founder member of the college and representatives of the National University, were absent from the meeting. According to the rules of the National University in absence of the principal the vice principal and his absence the most senior teacher will be given the responsibility of the principal. But after removal of Principal Bahauddin, the number seven senior teacher was given the responsibility.
A T M Abdul Latif, principal of reputed Baufal Collage in Patuakhali District, was ousted from the college by local Chhatra League activists following assumption of power by the present government. His 'offence' was he joined the service during the tenure of the four-party alliance government.

Thai Government Sets Up New Legal Reform Commission

The 1999 edition of the Thai-language dictionary of the Royal Institute defines the "rule of law" as basic principles of the law. The Cabinet has set up the Commission on the Rule of Law, chaired by Prof Ukrit Mongkhonnawin, and assigned it to oversee that the Cabinet, the Parliament, Courts, independent organizations and government agencies would comply with the rule of law. In other words, the commission would ensure that all other agencies would comply with the basic principles of the law.
Interference in Works of Independent Organizations
However, the government's opponents came out to attack the administration immediately, alleging that it set up the commission to interfere in the works of independent organizations. Some alleged that the commission's establishment was a silent coup. Some alleged that the government set up an unlawful panel to have more power than the constitution and the panel would destroy courts.
The opponents made the allegations although the Ukrit Commission only has the authority, which is empowered by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)'s directive on rule of law of BE 2554, to draft strategies, directions and measures, recommendations and procedures for the government to carry out to guarantee that the implementation of the laws will be fair and honest under a single standard in line with the rule of law. The Ukrit Commission will simply propose that government agencies concerned should carry out their duty under the rule of law.
To simply put, the Ukrit Panel would simply compile reports and draft proposals for the prime minister, to whom it reports, and for other government agencies concerned. But the prime minister or the government agencies may ignore the proposals and the panel can do nothing about that.
Major Reasons
In the past, an independent committee was often formed with the PMO’s directive with either of three main reasons:
1. To buy time, drag feet and avoid taking responsibility. The government often used this tactic when it encountered a problem, which was too serious and difficult to handle. For example, the government of then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra set up the independent National Reconciliation Commission chaired by former Prime Minister Anan Panyarachun.
2. To mediate disputes for agreements. The government often used this tactic when there were political conflicts. For example, the Aphisit Wetchachiwa government set up the committee studying how to reform the Constitution, chaired by Sombat Thamrongthanyawong.
3. To propose what the government wants to do but still lacks legitimacy to do it. The government needs to appoint "non-partisan" people to propose what it wants to do. And the Ukrit commission should fit this category.
Demand of Situation
The question that needs pondering is what the Ukrit Commission would do.
Justice Minister Pracha Phromnok, who proposed the establishment of the Ukrit commission, declined to answer this question. He simply said the commission would "improve the judiciary process to do away with double standards".
Phuea Thai Party MPs and red-shirt leaders declined to clearly explain the purpose of the Ukrit commission's establishment.
On optimistic view, the Ukrit commission may follow up on the works of the independent committee to investigate and search for truths for national reconciliation, chaired by Khanit na Nakhon.
The Africa model that the Khanit panel used to try to lead the country to national reconciliation has three steps: (i) to search for truths; (ii) to remedy the affected people; (iii) to reform judicial process. If the Khanit panel is regarded as the first step in the process, the Ukrit Commission should be regarded as the last one.
And in the second step, the government may set up a committee to remedy people affected by political incidents no matter which side they belong to. It has been reported Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyut Wichaidit may be assigned to chair the remedy panel.
On pessimistic view, the Ukrit Commission may be a new tool in disguise designed to help the big boss.
Such suspicion remains although Ukrit has declared that he would not touch the amnesty for Thaksin or reopen his legal cases. This is because Ukrit, three-time Parliament president, is known to have very close ties with two-time Prime Minister Thaksin.
The close ties were proved with the fact that the Thaksin 1 and 2 governments always used services from lawyers from the Ukrit Mongkhonnawin law firm.
Assets Concealment Case Against Thaksin
And Phuea Thai party-list MP Watthana Mueangsuk, who was in charge of seeking bail for red-shirt suspects in 2011 and who is a key messenger of Thaksin, is a favorite student of Ukrit, who formed the Faculty of Law of Chulalongkorn University.
There used to be unconfirmed reports that Ukrit was tipped to become the Constitution Court president when the court was trying the first assets concealment case against Thaksin.
It has been reported that the Ukrit Commission's main tasks are to amend the charter enacted following the coup as well as amending the laws enacted following the 19 September 2006 coup to do away with the perception of double standard legal enforcements from the Thai society.
But several people believe that the Ukrit Commission would have something to do with Thaksin or else the government of Thaksin's sister would not have rushed to form it.
Red-Shirt Movement
The term "double standard" has become a rhetoric that the red-shirt movement used to describe the feelings of people affected by the 19 September 2006 coup.
The term has been playing key role in helping the red-shirt movement grow very fast.
Two years ago, a group of demonstrators called on the Surayut Chulanon government to allow the People's Channel or PTV satellite channel to operate like the ASTV of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or other satellite TVs. And the PTV demonstrators transformed into red-shirt demonstrators who have grown up with both political significance and mass-support strength.
Red-shirt leaders successfully proved to their followers that the laws have been enforced with double standards. They cited several examples of double standards to incite protests by the red-shirt people.
For example, they have proved that the aristocrats could encroach on forest reserves without being taken legal actions against.
They cited the case of Surayut encroaching on the Khao Yai Thiang Mount. Eventually, public prosecutors decided to drop charges against the former prime minister on ground that he hacked intention to encroach on the forest.
Surayut's case was compared to the Ratchadaphisek land case in which the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office convicted Thaksin and sentenced him to two years in prison.
The most successful strategy was to incite anger of the red-shirt people over double standards toward rallies of the red-shirt and yellow-shirt people.
Red-shirt leaders pointed out that yellow-shirt demonstrators were often provided convenience for their demonstrations while demonstrations of red-shirt people were cracked down on.
The first crackdown was ordered in 2007 when red-shirt protesters rallied in front of the Sisao Thewet residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanon.
The red-shirt people faced the second crackdown in 2009 when they rallied on Phitsanulok Road in front of the Government House.
In the latest crackdowns in 2010, troops were deployed to crack down on red-shirt protesters on Ratchadamnoen Road and at the Ratchaprasong Intersection.
In all the crackdowns, the red-shirt leaders were arrested and faced legal actions and were detained in remand prisons.
In the worst situation, some of them were charged with having committed act of terrorism. The charges caused several of them to be remanded without bail.
These incidents became a key factor that the red-shirt leaders used to compare treatments received by PAD leaders, who once led protesters to storm into the Government House and NBT Station and to seize the Don Mueang Airport and Suwannaphum International Airport in 2008.
Although yellow-shirt people were slapped with terrorism charges like the red-shirt people, they were dealt with a different standard because yellow-shirt leaders were freed on bail and were not detained in a remand prison.
In the latest development, Sombat Bunngam-anong, the editor of the Laichut magazine, was sentenced to six months in jail for violating the emergency decree that banned rallies. He was given the sentence for rallying at the Imperial Lat Phrao shopping mall when the government declared the state of emergency in Bangkok in 2010.
Dissolution Case Against Democrat Party
However, at the same time, the multi-colored-shirt people, led by Tun Sitthisomwong, held a demonstration at the Democracy Monument without being arrested.
And the question that always troubles the mind of red-shirt people the most is why the dissolution cases against the Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties came up with different rulings from that in the dissolution case against the Democrat Party.
These are some of legal cases troubling the mind of red-shirt people waiting to be addressed by the Ukrit commission to do away with double standard.

Malaysia, US Army Conduct Joint Military Exercise

Malaysian and the US military is now conducting a combined military exercise with code name called "15/2011 Keris Strike" at the Terendak Army Camp in Malacca from 15 to 27 September. The morning of 15 September representatives from both countries held a welcoming ceremony to bless the smooth running of the combined military exercise and also to wish all military officers represented in the combined exercise all the best.
This kind of combined military exercise between Malaysia and the United States has been conducted in the past years and this year's combined military exercise is the 15th round of combined military exercise between the two countries. Malaysian Armed Forces sent Major General Datuk Razali bin Haji Ahmad, Commander of the Malaysian Army Third Division to represent Malaysia to receive the 117 US soldiers led by US Brigadier General Michele G. Compton.
Main Objective
This code name "Keris Strike" combined military activity between the Malaysian and US military is part and parcel of the regular combined military exercise held between Malaysia and the United States. This kind of military activities has been carried out for many years now. The purpose of this combined military exercise is to promote regional security and to share experience and knowledge with each other when the armies are required to carry out the task in the maintenance of regional peace and security. The aim is also to help create a harmonious regional security platform.
At the ceremony, Major General Datuk Razali Haji Ahmad said that this year, Malaysian Armed Forces has sent 150 soldiers of different ranks to participate in this combined military item. Both countries have also exchanged some important information.
He said: "We are grateful for the support given to the Malaysian military by the US military. This combined military activity is aimed to upgrade Malaysian military's experience and knowledge when it carries out regional defense task; it is also meant for the Malaysian military to learn, to prevent and to avoid conflict and violence."
UN Mandate
Major General Datuk Razali said Malaysians should keep the situation and development in Somali as a lesson to remember. He said the regional security problem in Somali has turned Somali into a chaotic state. The situation in Somali has also hampered the world community's effort to carry out peace progress there.
This military activity is carried out in line with the UN mandate. The combined military exercise between the Malaysian and US Army will be carried out inside the Terendak Camp in Malacca that began from 15 September.
Meanwhile at the welcoming ceremony, US military representative Brig Gen Michele also gave advance blessings and well wishes to both the Malaysian and US military representatives who are going to participate in this combined military exercise. Brig Gen Michele hoped that the army officers from both counties can reap fruitful reward and experience. Brig Gen Michele believed that the Malaysian military could provide the US military with highly quality training environment.
Rewards and Experience
Brig Gen Michele said the participating US soldiers came from the various units of the US Army. They will put in their full force to help Malaysian Army upgrade its standard and level in carrying out assignment in the maintenance of regional peace and security.
At this welcoming ceremony, the soldiers from both countries also carried out their respective religious prayer. They prayed that the Malaysian and US soldiers who participate in this combined military exercise will reap fruitful rewards and experience. This was done toward the end of the ceremony. While the US soldiers bowed their heads to say their prayer, the Malaysian soldiers carried out their prayer according to the Islamic ritual.

Fifth China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction

The opening ceremony of the Fifth China-Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction was held on 14 September at Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta. The forum was organized by Indonesian National Development Planning Ministry, office for poverty alleviation of Chinese State Council, and China International Center for Poverty Alleviation; and collaborated by the bureau for poverty reduction of Indonesian National Development Planning Ministry and office for poverty alleviation of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The region was endorsed by ASEAN Secretariat, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), China International Center for Economic and Technology Exchanges, Asian Development Bank (ADB), China International Exchange Association, and Australian Council for International Development.
The opening ceremony was moderated by Indonesian National Development Center. Speakers of the ceremony included Agung Laksono, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare; Li Jinhua, honorary president of China Association of Poverty Alleviation; Sayakane Sisouvong, vice secretary-general of ASEAN; ADB Vice President Ursula Schaefer Preuss; and Armida Alisjahbana, Indonesian Minister for National Development Planning. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark sent her congratulatory note. Agung Laksono announced the official opening of the forum.
Focus on Poverty Alleviation
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Zhang Qiyue, also attended the forum. The forum recorded an attendance of more than 100 participants, including persons-in-charge of offices for national and social development and offices for poverty alleviation from ASEAN countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; prominent experts and scholars in the studies of poverty reduction, prominent entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGO) and international organizations.
The theme of the forum was "The Quality of Growth and Poverty Reduction". The forum aimed at studying the analysis framework and interaction mechanism between the quality of economic growth and poverty reduction; sharing the experience of different countries in improving the quality of economic growth to facilitate poverty reduction; and assessing the attempts taken by international development organizations, NGOs, and enterprises in improving the quality of economic growth to reduce poverty.
Li Jinhua introduced to the audience the current situation of poverty reduction endeavor in China. He said that the cause of poverty reduction is now entering a new phase in China. The state has continued to boost its commitment and efforts in alleviating poverty, to improve the system of assuring adequate food and clothing for the people, to stimulate the vitality for development in poverty-stricken areas, and to consolidate the efforts of various sectors in the society in the cause of poverty reduction. China has achieved a great success in this regard. The country has achieved the target stipulated in the UN Millennium Development Goals by reducing the population living in poverty by half. China has made its contribution to the global cause for poverty reduction.
Tackling Financial Crisis
In this new century, ASEAN countries have gradually gotten over the financial crisis erupted at the end of last century and shown a trend of economic recovery and growth. For example, Indonesia achieved an average economic growth of over 5 percent in the past eight years. In addition to Singapore and Brunei, all other member states of ASEAN are still developing countries. Therefore, development remains the core issue for these countries at present. How to reduce poverty in the process of development is one of the most important challenges facing these countries. ASEAN is still one of the regions facing serious poverty problem. The lack of coordination between economic growth and social development has led to the imbalance in development in these countries or in the region. The scope of poverty is more extensive and the extent of poverty is more profound; whereas the foundation for economic development in this region is relatively feeble. A long term mechanism for sustainable development is not established yet. Likewise, China also faces the similar predicament. What need to achieve is to make sure the people's needs for adequate food and clothing, free education, basic healthcare, and shelter are catered.
Quality of Economic Growth
Armida Alisjahbana said that Indonesian Government needs to improve the quality of economic growth using different approaches. At the same time, another challenge for the government is to make more people benefit from the economic growth and make sure the poor can also enjoy the fruits of economic growth. This has also become a hot academic topic and a matter of public concern.
The pressing tasks for Indonesia and other ASEAN countries are to improve the quality of economic growth, to make sure the income of the poor grows faster than the income of the non-poor, to make sure the poor enjoy equal opportunities in employment and basic public services like healthcare and education, to speed up the poverty reduction, and to reduce the disparity between the poor and the rich. We would earnestly promote the self-independent program devised by the Indonesian government to make the poor become rich within a short period.

Malaysia-Brunei Ties: Cooperation in Oil and Natural Gas Sector

After jointly investing in the exploration of the CA2 deepwater oil block in the waters off Brunei, Malaysia and Brunei recently agreed to step up the bilateral cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector. Petronas (Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company) and Brunei National Petroleum Company (Petroleum Brunei) signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU on the work on the joint demarcation and survey of the land boundary will also be finalized under the framework of the production sharing contract. This is another positive move taken by countries in the South China Sea to explore oil resources after the cooperation of Vietnam and the Philippines with US and British oil companies in exploring oil resources and offshore drilling. Considering that Malaysia and Brunei have the experience of cooperation in deepwater oil drilling, it is believed that the big-scale oil exploration endeavor this time will bring about a new model for the exploration and development of resources in the South China Sea.
Resources in South China Sea
The idea of the two countries to jointly develop the resources in the South China Sea is still pending the actual implementation for the time being. In order to facilitate the administrative work, we suggest Malaysia and Brunei to set up a joint venture company to reach a consensus of cooperation and joint investment in developing offshore resources in northern Sarawak and Brunei. The proposal to jointly develop resources in the South China Sea is a groundbreaking idea to expand the scope of the economic development in the two countries and a feasible way to further develop the bilateral ties of Malaysia and Brunei.
Malaysia and Brunei are inseparably related both in terms of geographical location and historical background. To work together with Brunei in developing resources is always an important goal in Malaysia's endeavor in expanding and developing its ties with foreign countries. As the dispute over the sovereign right in the South China Sea is becoming increasingly complex and superficial, the idea proposed by leaders of Malaysia and Brunei to jointly develop deepwater resources undoubtedly offers another possibility to resolve the dispute. The close relationship between Malaysia and Brunei has seen some changes in recent few years. One of the most important factors causing the changes is the escalation of the race for resources in this region and the sovereignty dispute over islands in the South China Sea. As sovereignty disputes between China and Vietnam, as well as the Philippines, become increasingly intense, the United States has also "officially" made a bid by stationing its aircraft carrier at Cam Ranh Bay. This move taken by the Pentagon also indicated the intention of the Obama administration to extend its influence to Southeast Asia. As the United States is "marking its territories" in the South China Sea, Southeast Asian countries are also compelled to seek their allies and partners for economic cooperation to ensure their continuous economic growth and political influence. Such a development has inevitably led to the changes in the bilateral ties between Malaysia and Brunei.
Meanwhile, in view of the rapid development of Indonesia's economic and trade sector, there are also scores of tourism cooperation projects in the west coast of Borneo for Malaysia and Indonesia to explore. The two countries have also engaged in cooperation in exploring or even drilling oil fields and this trend has been particularly obvious over the past few years. This has facilitated the Malaysia-Brunei cooperation in exploring oil resources. The Malaysian and Brunei governments have agreed to step up their cooperation in the sector of natural resources. Since it involves the complicated process of border demarcation, the task has been entrusted to the Joint Brunei-Malaysia Land Boundary Committee. Once the survey is done and the exploitation of offshore oil resources commences, there will be a new round of race for resources in the South China Sea.
Political and Economic Ties
Malaysia is undergoing economic transformation; while the world economy is showing a trend of slowing down and the second round of economic recession has already started. Thus, in the past one year, the Malaysian government has endeavored to promote the so-called "external exploration" policy.
Malaysia hopes to strengthen and boost its political and economic ties with other countries in this region by working together in exploring and distributing resources. At the same time, Malaysia also hopes to locate new investment destinations in a bid to ease the mounting pressure caused by the slow economic growth in the country. The agreement on the bridge construction signed by Malaysian and Brunei Governments will get the two countries ready for more cooperation in exploring resources in the future.
Joint Communique
Nevertheless, there is also a blind spot in the Malaysian government's policy toward Brunei. The border demarcation is a matter concerning territorial sovereignty of the two countries and it is expected that there will be lots of practical difficulties ahead. An earlier rumor about "exchanging oil blocks with sovereign right over Limbang" is actually an implication of border demarcation. Fortunately, Malaysia and Brunei immediately agreed on joint investment and development of the CA2 deepwater oil block off Brunei and debunked the rumor. Anyway, it is only until recently that a new opportunity arose to make this cooperation project possible through a Joint Communique, a result of the earnest efforts taken by both Malaysian and Brunei governments. This shows that there are more rigorous tests awaiting the policy of joint development of oil resources.
In the face of the many difficulties in the cooperation plan and the possibility of triggering a new round of conflicts over the islands in the South China Sea, leaders of Malaysia and Brunei have timely proposed the idea of cooperation package which includes cooperation in trade, investment, defense, finance, and transportation. Such an idea can make the plan to develop the resources in the South China Sea less sensitive. At the same time, the plan can also be an important bid to further develop the Malaysia-Brunei relations. This kind of broad vision and policy mind-set will lead us to the right path towards bright prospects of our national development.
The joint development of the CA2 oil block is a greatly profitable plan and expected to generate multi-billion dollar profits to both countries in the next 40 years. The profits should exceed this amount if we take other oil by-products into account. Setting up a joint venture company to explore and develop the abundant oil resources in the deep sea off northern Sarawak and Brunei using modern corporate approach will at least reduce the red tape in bureaucratic procedures.

US Pays Heavy Opportunity Cost 10 Years After 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Prior to 11 September 2001, the United States was always full of confidence in facing all kinds of challenges and provocations. The name of the United States then was synonymous to "international police personnel" and "financial big brother."
But suddenly, 11 September 2011 came; three aircrafts hit the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon Building of the US Defense Department. Towering buildings collapsed; and the confidence of the people in the United States also collapsed with them. The world community suddenly realized US President George W. Bush could so easily be attacked by the weaker party.
In 2009 when George W. Bush, Jr. left the White House, many people in the United States especially the family members of the US soldiers who had to station overseas to fight the so called counterterrorism war in Iraq and in Afghanistan; as well as the antiwar protestors, were happy to see Bush leaving. They applauded.
Spreading Islam-Phobia
After the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States, the US security mechanism has also undergone tremendous change. The so-called Islam-phobia also spread quickly in the United States. In the US society, the personal freedom of the citizens became subject to certain restrictions. The immigration law has also been tightened. Once again, Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilization" thought caught the attention of the people again.
Joseph Nye, Jr. who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Clinton administration believed that a major significant shift of the 11 September incident was that there was an increasing strength of the nonstate actors in the power fight. This shift of power has become one of the largest power transitions in the information age.
The number of the people in the United States killed by Al-Qaida terrorist network was more than the people killed by the Japanese military when Japan attacked the US Pearl Harbor during the Second World War. As such the attacks by the terrorists as non-state actors can perhaps be called the "privatization of war." This is because the war between two nations can no longer be limited or confined to the fight and contest of military strength between nations only.
During the Cold War period, the "mutually assured destruction" strategy allowed the United States and the former Soviet Union to process strong and elite military force. But such a strategy could not allow either country to get benefit from adversaries. In the end both sides became equally vulnerable in order to avoid disaster from happening. But the 11 September terrorist attack in the United States has re-written this international rule of the game.
Creating Asymmetric Situations
Joseph Nye, Jr believed the 11 September terrorist attack incident has created two asymmetric situations that in turn have helped to push the Al Qa'ida terrorist network a step forward.
First, it is the "information" asymmetry. While the terrorists are well aware of their target of attacks, but the United States has little understanding of the hiding places and facial features of the terrorists. While some intelligence were able to predict the damage of the nonstate actors could cause to great powers such as the United States but the conclusions of the intelligence did not get acceptance and be included as part of the official counterterrorism strategy adopted by the authority. Second, there is this "attention" asymmetry. While it is logical for large scale participating bodies with many interests and goals to overlook and pay less attention to some of the smaller scale participating bodies; on the other hand, the smaller participating players can pay more attention to their own goals and are able to focus their attention to what they want to do.
On reflection, the global agenda pertaining to the terrorist attacks staged by Al-Qaida Chief Osama Bin Laden has already been dominated in the world scene for approximately 10 years. Although Bin Laden has already been killed by the US military force in Pakistan in May 2011, but the United States has also paid trillions of dollars in the past ten years trying to arrest Bin Laden. The United States has ended up paying more for the opportunity cost than it has earlier expected.
It is indeed strange and funny for us to observe that when the people in the far away land in the United States suffered the hurt of terrorist attacks 10 years ago, some sectors still hold the suspicion that the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States was but a self-directed act by the United States itself. Moreover, there were also some sectors that were thankful that such tragedy had happened in the United States but had not happened to them; and there were also some compassionate sectors who expressed their sympathies to the people in the United States. But a tragedy remains a tragedy. After the wounds heal, the indelible scars left in the hearts of the Americans can still occasionally feel the pain.
It has been ten years after the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States. The world media has spent large media space to report on news related to the 11 September incident in order to evoke our past memory of what had happened to the United States ten years ago. But such a memory war will not just stop here; it may even turn worse as days go by.
Top National Priority
International rule of the game is like the Leaning Tower of Pisa; it will continue to tilt toward the side of the stronger power. US President Barack Obama has tried to change it. He begins US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. But the asymmetry situation he faces will be difficult for him to see the result within short period of time.
No wonder some people in the United States feel that the biggest lesson the United States can learn from the experience of the 11 September incident is on how the US Government should handle its foreign affairs. They feel that the US Government should adhere to the advice of former US President Eisenhower who had won many highly decorated war honors for half of his life some half a century ago. This former US president had said: "Do not get into war that involves in the occupation of other countries' territories. Put focus on strengthening US economy as top national priority."
Unemployment Rate and Federal Deficit
However, now the US economy is in a mess. Although the pending US sovereignty debt issue seems to have been resolved, but there are many hidden concerns in the US society. President Obama has continued to be troubled by the high unemployment rate and federal deficit issue in the United States.
The United States has already bid farewell to its former arrogant hegemony and their proudly-hailed power. The misjudgment of what the United States should do after the 11 September terrorist attacks has led the United States loosing many good opportunities to make good the nation. What is left after the 11 September incident is but a rotten economy, a mess and regret in the US society.