2010 Likely To Be Another Tough Year for President Obama

During the festive Christmas season, US President Barack Obama finally has something he is extremely happy about. This is because the US Senate finally passed the health care reform bill extending coverage to 31 million US nationals, and landed President Barack Obama a major political victory. On a party line with the required 60 votes, Senate Democrats supported the bill. After suffering setback at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen, the approval of the health reform bill by the Senate has indeed added a touch of festive joy to President Obama. However, after his festive holidays, President Obama will again face other headaches especially those related to his health care reform bill.

Recent Pro-Democrat Opinion Poll
The US Senate regulations would require 60 votes for the bill to pass through. President Obama's health care reform bill just received enough votes in his favor. Moreover, a recent pro-Democrat opinion poll has shown that only 42 percent people, who participated in the survey, are supportive of President Obama's health care reform bill. On the other hand, the 56 percent of people who opposed the health care reform bill has reflected the reality that US nationals in general are not in favor for all citizens enjoying the same health care insurance system equally.
Under the old medical care system, as many as 47 million US citizens do not have medical insurance coverage. Among this group of citizens, 20 million of them do not work hard to earn a living or do not engage in decent work.

The uninsured population also includes new immigrants who obtain residency status. In general, most US nationals advocate self-reliance in adopting a hard working lifestyle to earn a living. As such, although the average US nationals do acknowledge that it is a good virtue for the government to use massive amount of money to help the needy, they are unwilling to allow the government to use taxpayer money to help the lazy people. As such even the supporters of President Obama do not agree with the President's universal system of medical care plan. They feel the new health plan is unfair to those who work hard.

Uphill Task Ahead
We believe that when the House of Representatives finally approves the new health care reform plan proposed by President Obama, it will be a mammoth task for the Obama administration to find $ 1 trillion to extend medical coverage to all citizens. By then the impact of the medical reform bill on the insurance industrials and the disputes between patients and sicknesses to be covered in the new medical bill can take up President Obama's energy to handle. Such confusion will not help to improve the job situation in the United States either. When the US mid-term congressional election is only 11 months away, 2010 is going to be another uphill task for President Obama.

India-Japan Getting Toward Powerful Friend

"My shoes are Japanese" is a very popular song of 1950s. But even today, children hum its tune with the same ardor. The word "Japanese" might have been familiar to Indians but the country itself seemed to be a small island in Asia. Its economic progress has created history.
Japan was thoroughly ruined by US nuclear bombs. Yet, it later formed an alliance with that very country to take the manufacturing sector by storm. As a result, Japan has turned into a global economic powerhouse, to become the second most powerful economy. China and India are today competing to become a superpower in Asia. But Japan was the first country in the region to have a successful record of modernization.
If friendship between India and Japan had not reached the expected level, the United States has to be partly blamed for it. Our relations with Japan at this stage cannot actually be described as "cordial." But relations change with time. US-Japan relationship is no longer the same. China is determined to replace Japan as the second most powerful economy. Its growing military strength is giving jitters to Japan about a future crisis. At the same time, under Obama's leadership the United States has decided to accept China as the leader in Asia. The need to create a balance of power in the continent has, therefore, drawn Japan toward India.

Signing CTBT

During Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's recent India visit, differences surfaced between the two countries over India having not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Yet, it carries out much significance because 45 countries of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) have adopted a considerably soft approach toward India. Most of them have signed civilian nuclear cooperation agreement also, under which they have promised to supply raw material for nuclear plants in India. This has been made possible as a consequence of the India-US nuclear deal during the Bush Administration. When in 1998, India conducted a nuclear experiment, a majority of the nuclear fuel supplier countries imposed major sanctions against India. These included Japan also.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Hatoyama exchanging views on the CTBT in New Delhi was quite on the predictable lines. The Japanese, being the first and only victims of the nuclear bomb, do not miss an opportunity to advocate for a strict control on the proliferation of nuclear weapon technology. But India cannot be blamed for the CTBT not coming into force. As Dr Manmohan Singh made it clear, a new situation will arise when the US and China first ratify the CTBT. Only then can anybody raise the question why India, too, should not put its signature on it.
Despite not having ratified the CTBT, India continues to occupy the moral high ground because of its unilateral declaration of a moratorium on nuclear tests and adherence to the No First Use policy. In fact, India’s record as a nuclear weapon power is much better than that of China, which has harmed the non-proliferation cause by disguisedly helping Pakistan to acquire weapon-production capability.
India’s latest stance on the CTBT remains what the NDA government articulated after the 1998 nuclear tests — New Delhi would not come in the way of the treaty coming into force if the US and China went ahead and put their signature on it.
During the Second World War, Japan was the only country that suffered the devastation caused by nuclear bombs. Since then Japan has made astonishing progress in the technical sector. From this aspect it is reckoned among the leading nations of the world. Nevertheless, it has stuck to its official policy since then. It has neither conducted nuclear experiments nor is it in favor of doing so.
In so far as India is concerned, various successive governments have consistently emphasized that nuclear experiments carried out by have been for peaceful purposes in the civilian sector. Nevertheless, the whole world is aware that India was constrained to take to this path in the wake of the nuclear experiments conducted by certain major nations, especially China. Which is why, India has been hesitant to sign the CTBT. The leading nuclear weapon nations are pursuing their unilateral policy. On one hand they have piled up huge nuclear weapons, on the other they have been restraining other countries to do so. What is actually desirable is that the world should be made nuclear weapon free. All the nuclear weapon stockpiled in the past should be destroyed and a ban should be imposed on doing so.

Agreement on Defense Sector
The agreements on defense and on fighting terrorism are a historic step taken to meet this "need." Japan's most serious problem today is rapid decline in population. The number of deaths exceeds by far the number of births. Japan's social system does not allow foreigners to settle there. Nonetheless, manpower is required to run factories and other enterprises. In contrast, India is beset with a population explosion. At the same time, it has a large number of skilled workers who can become Japan's most dependable source.
Although Japan fully appreciates the stance adopted by India, its policy to amass nuclear weapons is understandable. We are duly aware that Japan has surged ahead in all respects during the past few decades, which is amazing. Japan's stance has been quite cordial. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the two nations have not marched forward on the path of cooperation and friendship to the extent that was expected of them. It is regrettable that they have not been able to do so, so far. For instance, Japan promoted its friendship with China through extending mutual cooperation in various fields. According to one estimate, the volume of Japan's trade with China is 20 times more than with India. It is also true that Japan extended cooperation to India whenever it was sought from Japan in various technological sectors and vital projects.

Comprehensive Cooperation
The Japanese prime minister displayed tremendous response for the supply of the technology required in the introduction of bullet trains in India. There are still numerous sectors of technology in which India can seek comprehensive cooperation from Japan. Even otherwise, India needs to learn a lot from Japan. It needs the Japanese cooperation in its quest for accelerating the pace of progress for improving the economic lot of its people. It is to be hoped that India and Japan would succeed in taking a quantum leap toward their mutual friendship in the future.
Japan might now be hesitating to give nuclear equipment to India. But going by present indications, this partnership is bound to be forged in the future. Japan seems to be pressuring India to eradicate nuclear weapons. Its real targets, however, are China and the United States. Hatoyama's visit will certainly take this growing friendship between the countries to new heights.

Autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir: Appropriate Step for Peace and Development

By recommending in its report autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister's Working Group on center-state relations has triggered afresh the debate on this issue. The working group constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 25 May 2006 has taken three years to submit its report.

Confidence-Building Measures
The preceding working group teams had already put up their reports, on the basis of which steps were taken for confidence-building measures and the restoration of credibility in Jammu and Kashmir. Trade and traffic have been resumed from Kashmir to Pakistan. The recommendations made in these aspects have been implemented to bring about improvement in the government's performance through promotion of trade, and strengthening the economy of the two countries.
The demand for pre-1953 status in Jammu and Kashmir has been voiced repeatedly. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference has also advocated it. Nine years ago, the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly had adopted a resolution in support of this demand with two-thirds majority.

Objection Raised
The Government of India should not have any objection to grant of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir within the jurisdiction of sovereignty and the country's constitution. Under such sovereignty, issues pertaining to identity, boundary, and government performance can be deliberated upon. This working group has not made any concrete recommendation to strengthen center-state relations. Nonetheless, its suggestions indicate these relations can be promoted through grant of autonomous status to the state.
Peace, prosperity, and progress are the vital needs of Jammu and Kashmir. If, simultaneously with grant of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, development schemes can be implemented in an effective manner, only then can Pakistan-sponsored terrorism be countered readily. The fifth working group has left it to people of Jammu and Kashmir whether Article 370 of the Constitution providing for a special status to Jammu and Kashmir can be kept in force, and if so, for how long further?

Erosion of National Sovereignty
The entire country needs to perceive that granting autonomy does not imply erosion of national sovereignty. People of Jammu and Kashmir have already suffered huge loss of life and property due to terrorist violence. At this juncture, the general public of the state requires employment, security, and health services, because the state's economy is utterly shattered. There is a need for prudent planning through center-state coordination in respect of all these issues.
All regions of the state should be treated at par with each other in respect of their representation in the state's overall economic development. Here is the most appropriate time for both the central government and the state to take the required initiatives. Grievances of people of Jammu and Kashmir can be redressed through such initiatives for only through these steps can the path for permanent peace and prosperity be paved. Large-scale damage has been caused to traditional vocations of Jammu and Kashmir. There is urgent need for formulation of special plans for rehabilitation of these enterprises. Traffic and transportation should be promoted through improvement of infrastructure. The industry related to terrorism can be rehabilitated through strengthening road, rail, and air services. This will promote interaction between people of various parts of the country. On the whole, it should be ensured that autonomy is not reduced to mere paperwork.

Shadow of Global Terrorism Looms in Singapore

The shocking news of an unsuccessful terrorist attack on board of a Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day that took place toward the end of the first decade of the 21st century seems to have awakened the world of the unbearable memory of the 9/11 terrorist attack at the beginning of this century. To a certain degree, the most recent unsuccessful plane attack incident has served to remain people who live in peace and work happily in this region that the ghost of terrorism is, in fact, not that imaginably far away from our daily life.

Major Violent Terrorist Attacks After 9/11
The 9/11 terrorist attacks had led the United States into utter chaotic and panicky situation. The attacks subsequently led to the war in Afghanistan and the US military invasion of Iraq. "Counter-terrorism" has become the most popular term in world news; and in the days that followed, the terrorist attacks on innocent civilians have also become more and more frequent.
In the past 10 years, major violent terrorist attacks after the 9/11 incident included the following: the 12 October 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia; the 11 March 2004 subway bombings in Madrid, Spain; the 7 July 2005 London subway and bus bombings; the 11 July 2006 train bombings in Mumbai, India. Moreover, the 26 November 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai hotels also witnessed the terrorists carrying out an act of atrocities killing innocent people trapped in hotels. On 17 July this year, two international hotels in Jakarta also suffered from terrorist bomb explosions.

Changed Strategy of Terrorists
If we trace the global terrorist attack history in the past 10 years, we can observe that after international airlines and international airports began to strengthen security control at airports after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the global terrorists have also found it difficult to repeat their old tricks to plant explosives on airplanes or to hijack airplanes for terrorist activities. Therefore, it has become more logical for the global terrorists to turn their target of attacks at public transportation systems include the subways and buses or in planting explosives in crowded places.
The purpose of the terrorists is to create media headlines and to cause major bloodshed. However, the unsuccessful attempt of terrorist attack on the US airplane on Christmas Day has revealed the reality that the global terrorists have not given up any opportunities to play their old tricks either. Moreover, we also have to bear in mind that the skills used by the global terrorists to hit at their targets have also become more and more sophisticated or becoming more and more difficult for the security authority to detect.
From the already published details of the foiled Northwest Airline terrorist attack, we understand that the terrorist who tried to blow the plane is a Nigerian. He managed to pass through the security check at the Amsterdam Airport. He also managed to carry explosives on board the US airplane. According to information from the Amsterdam Airport, this airport has carried out its security arrangements in accordance with normal procedures. Obviously, after a long period of observing and testing at the Amsterdam Airport, the terrorists must have already found loopholes in the existing airport security procedures at the Amsterdam Airport to allow them to bring on board the plane the dangerous items they can use to assembly as explosive. As quoted by a passenger on the same Northwest Airline flight, when the terrorist tried to detonate the explosives, he heard some dull sound similar to firecrackers. He also saw smoke coming out from the place where the terrorist was seated. It was most fortunately that the passengers sitting near the Nigerian terrorist managed to pin him down to avoid an airplane disaster.
After this Northwest airplane incident, we trust all international airports and airlines around the world will further strengthen their security measures. Although this will certainly result in more inconvenience to airline passengers, if we take into account the imminent and real danger of terrorist attacks, we have to accept such tight security airport and airline rules without any choice.

Targeting Singapore
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city. It is also an important international air transportation hub. The attempted terrorist attack on an US aircraft on Christmas Day has once again reminded the importance for all Singaporeans to take necessary precautions to ward off possible terrorist attacks and to think about the danger of terrorism, while we are still enjoying our peaceful vicinity. Moreover, Southeast Asia is also an active beehive of terrorist activities.
The bomb explosions in Bali and in Jakarta are only a close distance away from Singapore. The bomb explosions in Mumbai and the killing of hostages by senseless terrorists in the Mumbai hotels have caused the death of one Singaporean who was there on an official assignment. Facing the possible threat of terrorism, Singaporeans cannot afford to have any room to think that their country is the lucky one that can be exempted from being attacked by terrorists.

Tough Time Ahead
Beyond Singapore's international airport, the public transportation system in Singapore remains as possible terrorist target. After Singapore's Internal Security Bureau arrested the first batch of the Jemmiah Islammiah (JI) members in December 2001, the government managed to expose the JI terrorist network' conspiracy to attack Singapore's basic infrastructure, including the subway station and other important facilities. All these plots by terrorists have clearly shown that Singapore cannot be immune from global terrorism threat. Although Singaporeans can still use the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) subway safely as the main daily public transportation, the foiled terrorist attack on board of the Northwest Airline flight lane on Christmas Day has again reminded and alerted us that we should not take the safety of our everyday life for granted.
Of course, in our normal vigilance of public safety, there is no need for Singaporeans to have a feeling of unnecessary fear or terrorist threat on our life. Although the threat of terrorism seems a distant away from us, terrorist threat can also be very close to us. The only assurance citizens should learn to adopt is that for quite a long time in the future, we all have to learn to live our a normal life with the ghost of terrorism looming over our sky.

Congress At 125: A Review

Today the Indian National Congress (INC) celebrated 125th Foundation Day across the country with much enthusiasm. Undoubtedly this is unprecedented in the annals of world political history. In other words, it is a historic moment, that in any country in the world, any political party would be successfully celebrating its 125th anniversary, and it is a matter of great pride for every member of the Congress to be a part of such a historic party, with a rich legacy of 125 years.

Unique Dimension
The INC is undoubtedly the largest, and, possibly, the oldest political party in the world, with a mass membership that quite possibly exceeds the population of several small countries. And yet, this is not the only unique dimension of the INC. The history of the Congress is inextricably intertwined with the history of the Indian independence movement, and hundreds of leaders and foot soldiers of the party had the honor to stand at the frontlines of the exceptional struggle for the country’s independence from the British rule.
The INC is exceptional because, once again, in the annals of world political history no other country has fought for and obtained its independence without warfare and weapons. Exceptional because the entire struggle for freedom was based on the foundation of truth and moral authority, and the creed of non-violence symbolized by the mighty power of the example of Mahatma Gandhi. Little wonder then that the name of Mahatma Gandhi resonates even today in the context of peace, and moral values in the world order.

Dominating Indian Political Landscape
The fact is that Congress and its leaders were born from the strong moral values and sacrifice of the freedom movement, and it is this spirit of service and dedication to the country, which informs the philosophy of the INC until today. From the battle for freedom, the Congress led the country in the task of nation building under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, and, during that golden period, the Congress dedicated itself to the ideal of a welfare state, the commanding heights of the public sector, and an India determined to come out of the wounds of partition, as also the shadow of colonial rule and take her rightful place in the comity of nations. Under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Congress reiterated its foundation of morality and ethics, and continued to dominate the Indian political landscape.
After that began a period in our political history, when elections to state legislatures were won by some political parties, and from being the party in the government, the Congress moved to occupy the Opposition space in some states. But soon Indira Gandhi dominated the national political scene and towered over all other leaders, with her fiery determination and commitment to the poor. "Gharibi hatao" (eradicate poverty) became the slogan of the Congress, both within the country and at different international fora. Whether it was the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) or the creation of Bangladesh, the abolition of privy purses or nationalization of banks, the Congress under Indira Gandhi found a lasting place in the hearts and minds of people. The poor of our country, the women, the dalits, and tribals, the disadvantaged all over the country, felt that Indira Gandhi would look after them and protect their interests. All over the country, it was the Congress alone which was the party in government, or the leading Opposition party of the country.

Generational Shift in Congress
The assassination of Indira Gandhi marked a generational change in the Congress, and the country’s youngest-ever Prime Minister in the form of Rajiv Gandhi assumed power at the Centre. Soon he led the Congress to a spectacular victory at the hustings. Thereafter began the era of youth, of redefining the role of the Congress in the modern world and taking India into the 21st century and to the path of success.
With refreshing idealism, which refused to be dampened by vested interests or nay-sayers, Rajiv Gandhi introduced to the party, and the country, computers, technology, efficient delivery, and, above all, the concept of transparent, accountable politics. His steadfast idealism saw the impossible happen. Power was devolved for the first time, in a real sense, to the level of local government. Also for the first time, dalits and tribals and women were given a share of decision-making and a space on the political horizon by the reservation of seats for them in local bodies.

Emergence of Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi took over the reins of the party years after the assassination of her husband, and in the face of great pessimism expressed by parties opposed to the Congress. The Congress itself was numb and traumatized by the death of Rajiv Gandhi, and many wondered if the grand old party would be able to fight its way out of the vacuum caused by the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, who had been a leader acceptable not just to the entire Congress party, but to every Indian, cutting across barriers of geography, economics, caste and creed. In the 10 years Sonia Gandhi has led the party, the Congress has virtually gone from triumph to triumph, emerging once again as the only party with a truly pan-Indian presence, in government or the leading Opposition in every state of the country.
Moreover, the Congress has once again moved with the needs of the time and has fashioned itself, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, into a party committed to the welfare and upliftment of the most disadvantaged sections of Indian society, party committed to inclusive growth, to democracy, to accountability and to a strong self-reliant India. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has been the pride of the party with his shining integrity and quiet dedication. The Congress represents every section of the society, including youth and women, and the iconic leadership of Rahul Gandhi has been tremendously instrumental in taking the message of the Congress to the youth of India.

Maintaining Winning Streak
The year 2009 witnessed another landmark for the Congress, which is leading United Progressive Alliance (UPA). It was widely expected that anti-incumbency would ensure that the Congress did not come back to power at the Centre, and indeed, in recent times, very few governments have won a second term at the national level. However, the steadfast commitment to inclusive growth, particularly schemes such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act, won huge trust and support from the Indian people.
Moreover, as any political observer could see, the electorate was tired of the hollow jargon-type electioneering followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and certainly did not believe in Lal Krishna Advani’s promises of good and decisive governance. Also, the Congress, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Dr Singh, presented the much more satisfying prospect of good governance.

Revival of Congress in Uttar Pradesh
In fact, the true achievement lay in the revival of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s repeated forays into the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, his candid engagement of ordinary people, his transparent commitment to ensure democracy within the party, and good governance, saw the Congress winning back in substantial measure the trust of the people of Uttar Pradesh. It is an important signal that the days of polarizing and identity-based politics may not be fully history, but the success of Rahul Gandhi’s idealism signals a new watershed.
The challenges ahead are many. In a country like India, there is always the temptation to try the gimmickry of narrow electoral appeal and populist politics to win elections. Democracy within the party and accountability to the public, as well as making inclusive development electoral planks, may not bring gains in the short-term. But, if anything, it is clear, that the Congress has stood the test of time. With our historic legacy, and mature leadership, infused now by the idealistic and transparent appeal of youthful leaders like Rahul Gandhi, the Congress now towers head and shoulders over other formations. The Congress also has the ability to build patiently, and wait for results.

Assessment
To conclude it can be said that the achievements of the Congress are manifold, and self-evident. The challenges facing the party are the same as any that might face any mass-based political organization, but these challenges appear relatively minor in the face of the strength of the party and the vision of the leadership of Sonia Gandhi.
In addition, the tremendous moral authority of Sonia Gandhi's single act of declining the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has raised her leadership to heights that can never be achieved by other leaders, and invests her leadership with particular resonance. And the greater the heights achieved by the Congress, the greater will its commitment be to the service of the country. The time will better tell the story because the common people of the country have voted the Congress to power for the second consecutive term with great expections.

Minarets and West

Christians and Jews started a horrific process of wars against the Islamic world in the wake of the 9/11 under the pretext of rubbish philosophies like clash of civilizations. This process continues to date in spite of the martyrdom of hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. The West is using its utmost power to prove Islam as a religion of coercion and Muslims as extremists because the Westerners consider Islam their main rival. However, the fact is that more the enemies of Islam accelerated the propaganda against the religion of the holy Prophet Muhammad, the deeper Islam penetrated into the veins and bloods of the white-skinned Westerners. Hundreds of strayed non-Muslims, Americans, and Europeans embraced Islam after the 9/11.

Natural Justice System of Islam
This is a fact that other systems in force on this earth, as against Islam, have lost their meaning and utility. The forces of Judaism, socialism, and secularism are shivering because of the natural justice system of Islam. In addition, the extremist Christians and Jews have launched a campaign to terrify the West for their specific interests and their real objective is to cover up their black deeds.
By trumpeting tirades against Islam, fears, and allegations, it is conceived that Islam's ever-increasing spread and popularity has been contained, but the fact is that those who have malice and jealously against Islam have to eat humble pie every time.
Increasing Impact of Islam
The entire world expressed hatred against the United States and allied butchers for the tyranny they unleashed in Iraq and Afghanistan, whereas attraction for Islam tremendously increased. On the failure to win hearts by dint of weapons and gunpowder, the anti-Islam powers have started launching indecent assaults on Islamic symbols, civilization, culture, the holy Quran, and Islamic beliefs.
This is a fact that Islam is spreading in the West with great speed and watching the situation, it can be said that Islamic civilization will get precedence on the vagabond culture of the West one day or the other. The Western rulers are unnerved by the increasing impact of Islam. Although incidents of jeering at Islamic teachings do happen every other day, yet the latest scene of hatred against Islamic faith is queer and surprising as the Western extremists started smelling terrorism from the minarets of mosques.

Protest in Switzerland
The rightist political parties of Switzerland and extremists, nourishing a dirty desire to weed out Islam, have been demanded ban on the minarets for several years. Thus, Switzerland had to hold referendum to disentangle the issue of minarets. Forty-seven percent people cast their votes in favor of minarets. The opponents say that minarets are reflective of Islamization and Islamic system. They cry that minarets are reflective of Islamic faith, and Islamic laws, which do not have any room in the Swiss democracy.
Silly posters have been displayed in every nook and corner to falsify Islam and photographs of Kalashnikovs, missiles, and veil-wearing women have been published on posters along with minarets. The exhilarating minarets of mosques have been an irritant for pagans, enlightened people, Jews, and Hindus until today. The mental dirtiness and prejudice of these rationalists can be guessed from the fact as to how they linked minarets of mosques with Kalashnikovs, missiles, and terrorism to express their hatred for Islam. The stupid people should be asked why the minarets started causing convulsion for them all of a sudden, although these have been inviting the humanity to the straight path and betterment for centuries.
Before Switzerland, hatred for minarets started in India, where fanatics Hindus belonging to Sangh Parivar (Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh -- Hindu nationalist organization -- and sister organizations) started convulsing on seeing the minarets of the Babri Mosque. Then, they martyred (demolished) Babri Mosque in a savage way. Approximately 400,000 Muslims live in Switzerland and the number of mosques is less than two dozens. We pay compliments to the West for its narrow-mindedness, intolerance, and hatred for and fear from other religions, particularly Islam, and even small harmless minarets are not tolerable for them. The Muslim world has termed the referendum on ban on minarets violation of fundamental rights, moral values, and negation of freedom and appealed to the Swiss Government to revoke the decision.

Affecting Interfaith Harmony
It is fact that such improper measures affect the interfaith harmony. In Switzerland, Islam is the only religion, after Christianity, that is fast spreading and this is the very point that has enraged the West. While expressing concern about the ban, the human rights agency of the United Nations has said that after Switzerland it can be followed across Europe, which will become the starting point for horrible campaign against foreigners in several countries. UN Commissioner Nipvi Pillay has termed the decision violation of the UN charter and said that it is a discriminatory law. According to the charter, ban cannot be imposed on the architectural infrastructures related to Islam or any other religion, and these cannot be demolished. If the Swiss Government fails in abandoning its intransigence, and maintains its decision on ban, it will be the violation of the international convention on civilian and human rights. Switzerland is a signatory to this convention. The tolerance and large-heartedness is the hallmark of Swiss fame.

Role of Muslim Community
The role of Muslim community plays key role in the development of Switzerland. The richest people and rulers of the Muslim world have deposited trillions of dollars in Swiss banks and 80 percent products of Switzerland are used in Muslim countries. The tourism industry has fundamental role in the economic power of Switzerland. Fifty percent of the money earned from tourism comes from the purses of the Muslims.
If the Islamic traditions are trampled down in the same way, Switzerland will suffer economic losses. Secular extremists want to scorch this safe and rich country into the flames of prejudice. The wave of insulting Islam had not subsided in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, when Switzerland also joined this rank. This is the war of civilization, which the West is losing. The pain of the defeat has turned the West mad. Out of its madness, it is emitting poison against Islam.

Assessment
However, the truth is that such acts and mischief do not inflict any harm on Islam. The jealous people are trying to spit on the moon. The West is called as a civilized region where guarantees are given every day for the protection of human rights, rights of minorities, civilian liberties, and democracy are trumpeted every day but the French daily, the Tesuez has exposed the real face of the West.
The newspaper writes that Western democracy is the official apartheid. It is the duty of the Muslim community to safeguard the Islamic tradition with true heart and forge unity to counter the conspiracies of the West that come to light every day to distort the sanctity of Islam.

Taiwan Sets Up ASEAN Studies Center

As Taiwan strives forth to sign cross-straits ECFA (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement] with mainland China and as Taiwan tries to make contact with ASEAN to negotiate for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, the Taiwan government's think tank, launched its first ever Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center recently. Of note was that Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou personally attended the launch and gave the opening speech. The presence of President Ma at the launch has highlighted the importance of Southeast Asian countries to Taiwan.
In his address President Ma Ying-jeou has again said that Taiwan planned to sign the ECFA with mainland China and hoped that Taiwan could become one of the members of "ASEAN Ten-plus-Four" (ASEAN Ten plus China plus South Korea plus Japan plus Taiwan.)
However, Rodolfo C. Severino, a former ASEAN Secretary General, who also attended yesterday's launch of Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center, opined that if Taiwan had the intention to sign FTA with ASEAN, the possibility of success would not be too optimistic. To him this was because FTA was essentially a political document. In fact, the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center was already in operation on 1 October 2009.

Focused Center for Studies of Southeast Asian Nations
According to our understanding, this Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center is a comparative more focused center for the studies of Southeast Asian nations. It is also the first ASEAN Studies Center sponsored by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new Center does carry with it certain political significance. Prior to the establishment of this Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center, all think tanks or research units associated with Southeast Asian countries or ASEAN were funded by Taiwan's Economic Development Council or the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
In this regard, the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center would indeed assume the role to help Taiwan promote the signing of FTA with the ten ASEAN nations. When asked to comment, Associate Professor Lin Qin Ming of Tamkang University opined that although Chung-Hua Institution for Economic would expect this new Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center to play the role to facilitate the sealing of FTA between Taiwan and ASEAN, this government think tank would probably also expect the new Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center to do more. It would expect the new Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center to help facilitate diplomatic ties and to build stronger political ties with all the 10 ASEAN nations.
In his address at the official launch of the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center, President Ma has emphasized the need for Taiwan to pay attention to the integration of countries in ASEAN as the bloc has become an increasingly important economic power in the region. Ma also said that through the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center, the government think tank could establish a dialogue mechanism between Taiwan and ASEAN and that through such dialogue Taiwan and ASEAN could enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement
President Ma pointed out that the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Asia-Pacific countries accounted for more than half of the world total GNP. In term of trade volume, Asia Pacific region has accounted for half of total world trade volume. In term of population, the Asia Pacific region accounted for 40 percent of world population. In addition, the intra-regional trade in Asia has grown from 40 percent in the last century to the present 52 percent. In 2000 there were only three FTAs signed in Asia. However, in August this year the total FTAs signed in Asia were as high as 56. President Ma added that within the Asia-Pacific region, countries that have not signed any FTA with other countries were Taiwan and North Korea only. As such, he said Taiwan must strive hard to become part of the regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. He also said that after Taiwan signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with mainland China, Taiwan could, through the EACE look forward to broader interactions with ASEAN members, as well as to increase Taiwan's participation in regional forums.
In fact, because of political and economic consideration, Taiwan has already begun its 'Look South" policy during the mid 1990's. During that period, the Taiwanese government encouraged Taiwan businesses to invest in Southeast Asian countries. Taiwan's national policy then was to "look south" to Southeast Asian nations in order to balance the "westward expansion" of trade to mainland China. However, most Chinese businesses still preferred to invest in mainland China. As of today, mainland China has already become Taiwan's largest export market. Taiwan's total export market to mainland China now is as high as 40 percent. However, the ASEAN 10 is still Taiwan's second largest export market. Taiwan's export value to the ten Southeast Asian countries combined has accounted for about 15 percent of Taiwan's export trade in 2008. In other words, mainland China and Southeast Asia are Taiwan's two main export platforms.

Trade by Regional Organizations
Beginning 1 January 2010, the ASEAN Ten Plus China (ASEAN plus One) FTA will become effective. By then Taiwan's goods will still have to pay higher tariffs as compared with countries within the region. In order to prevent Taiwan's export goods to mainland China and to ASEAN countries from losing competitive edge in prices, it is thus Ma Ying-jeou government's desire to seal the ECFA deal with mainland China and also to sign FTA with ASEAN nations to prevent Taiwan from being marginalized in trade by regional organizations.
According to the interpretation of the Ma Ying-jeou government, the way for Taiwan to move toward regionalization is to sign the ECFA trade deal with Beijing first in order to remove the political hindrance coming from mainland China.
However, when we talked to the former Secretary-General of ASEAN, Rodolfo C. Severino who attended the launching function of the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center yesterday, Severino felt that the possibility for Taiwan to enter a FTA with ASEAN was not optimistic. At this movement Severino is also the head of the ASEAN Studies Center in the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
Severino pointed out that the crucial factor was that by nature "FTA is essentially a political document. He said FTA involved trade tariff and trade tariff has to be established between governments. Moreover, the signing of FTA would also involve taking oath to maintain friendly bilateral ties and encourage mutual investment and bilateral trade interaction. FTA also included the significance to support FTA partner's integration into regional organizations.

Political and Economic Interest
When we asked Rodolfo Seveino to comment if the success rate of Taiwan to sign FTA with individual ASEAN country could be higher if the cross-straits ECFA were signed, or when the cross-straits ties between China and Taiwan have continued to improve, Severino said the difficulty faced Taiwan to do that would also not be an easy one. According to Severino, the reason was that all ASEAN nations support the "One China" policy. This was in addition to the reality that the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan, and the Taiwan's relationship with other trading partners were two separate issues. Severino also said that ASEAN countries still have to take into account their own national interests. To the majority of ASEAN members, China today is definitely more important than Taiwan in term of ASEAN countries' respective political and economic interest.
In response to Seveino's comments, Associate Professor Lin Qin Ming of the Institute of Asian Studies, Tamkang University, also agreed with Severino's assessment of Taiwan's FTA situation with ASEAN nations. Lin pointed out that if it were a decade ago, it would be much easier if Taiwan wanted to sign FTA with individual ASEAN nation. Lin said that the opportunities and chips for Taiwan to do so then would be relatively better because during that period China has yet to emerge as an influential power. Moreover, during that period, there were also more Taiwanese investments and businesses in Southeast Asian countries. More importantly, to Associate Professor Lin, the signing of bilateral FTA would depend on the motivation usually coming from private industries from industry.

Global Environment and Stubborn Major Powers

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference has recently come to an end after deliberations spread over two weeks. Most of the countries apparently maintain that the conference ended without reacting any conclusion. True, that no major success could be achieved at the prolonged conference, but it would not be entirely true that nothing was achieved. It was not the first attempt of its kind to control international environment problems or global warming. Yet, it was the first endeavor of its kind and its outcome it cannot be denied.

Controlling Emission of Greenhouse Gases
It is necessary to examine the achievement of the conference before proceeding any further. We Indians have reasons to take deep interest in the conference's outcome. First, India was an important country that participated in the conference from the very beginning to the last and second, India is also not safe from the impact of deadly changes in the world environment.
The Copenhagen Conference was termed a session on the lines of the Kyoto meeting, because under the Kyoto Protocol, the responsibility of controlling emission of greenhouse gases was put on developed nations. Developing and poor countries, however, felt that the responsibility of reduction of greenhouse gases was being laid on them. Several countries are of the view that the entire show was arranged by the United States, which emerged victorious in the end. US President Barak Obama suddenly appeared on the scene and because of his intervention, the conference was saved from being a failure. Developing nations feel that the agreement reached at Copenhagen is a significant progress toward controlling global warming, but it is not sufficient.

Conciliatory Process
Developing nations maintain that the United Nations should take further action in the light of the new agreement. They reiterated their desire to achieve clean generation power like that in the United States, which would have dual benefit. Yet, experts on environment and less developed countries have criticized some sections of the agreement and have grudgingly supported it. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also said that a lot is yet to be done, but he commended the efforts made by the United States and other countries. It is clear that India also took part in the conciliatory process. That is why the prime minister participated in the last session himself.
In addition to India, other countries like China, Brazil, and South Africa also played an important part in conducting the Copenhagen session. The Copenhagen conference can be termed a success because at the conference held on 11 December 1997 at Kyoto in Japan, only 37 industrialized countries had participated, and 184 participants had promised to implement the agreement within a fixed timeframe. Yet, it was actually implemented on 16 February 2005. Also, deliberations at Kyoto were not as extensive as at Copenhagen. Brazil, India, South Africa, and China were endeavoring ever since to control emission of harmful gases. India went to the extent of setting up a separate Environment Ministry, and the prime minister also appointed a separate ambassador for it. At Copenhagen, 193 countries participated in the deliberations. Most participants were from poor and developing nations. These countries had some objections to certain provisions of the agreement. Yet, when the United States promised to extend financial assistance to developing nations, they fell in line.

Need to Control Emission
In fact, huge expectations were put on the Copenhagen summit, even before it actually commenced. Since those expectations could not be fulfilled, they feel that nothing was gained or achieved. The least of Copenhagen's achievement is that major and industrialized powers have, at least, admitted that there was dire need to control emission of deadly gases to save the world from climate disaster. The strength of 193 countries is more powerful than of mere 37. Also, at Kyoto, only European and developing regions had participated. As against it, at Copenhagen, Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia all participated. At Kyoto, it was resolved that member countries would cut their emission of greenhouse gases up to five percent, as compared to the 1990 level. The target was to be completed between 2008 and 2012, but it did not happen.
The Kyoto Protocol had maintained that basically, the responsibility of the deadly climate change and global warming lies on developed nations because their industries are emitting greenhouse gases for the last 150 years. They were held responsible to cut their emission of greenhouse gases. Now, the responsibility has shifted to developing and poor nations. Under the circumstances, it becomes an even greater responsibility of developed countries that they should bring down emission of greenhouse gases in their countries, at least to the level that was promised under the Kyoto Protocol.

Extraordinary US Interest
There is one apprehension. In the subcontinent, particularly in India, a larger chunk of population is dependent on mills and factories that have tall chimneys. Similar system prevails in less developed and poor countries. Some circles are of the view that on the pretext of controlling greenhouse gases, industrialized nations want that these factories in poor countries should be shut down. After that, their own industrial products would have larger markets.
The apprehension is not out of place or unjustified. According to a survey, more than 1,000 US companies have monopolized the world. These companies interfere in the drafting of annual budgets of these countries, and have a larger say in it. The extraordinary interest shown by US President Barak Obama and his endeavors further strengthen the apprehension. It is, perhaps, owing to this that our government has categorically asserted that the India's interests would not be compromised, and the international community would have to take equal responsibility in controlling climate change.

Quranic Teachings
It would be apt to mention that the holy Quranic teachings are very clear on controlling deadly change in climate. We believe that no other religion but Islam draws attention to it. Allah has repeatedly warned against going beyond the limits in every issue, and has directed the powerful to treat the weak amicably and well. Islam even directs to keep a moderate voice even while praying. Yet, the world today has taken to the path where the strong threaten the weak, and attempt to usurp their rights.
The strong feel no shame while doing so. According to a survey, a mere seven percent of individuals have gained control over 67 percent resources of the world, implying that the rest 93 percent of population shares the remaining 33 percent of resources. In this scenario, any attempt to further press the large chunk of populace, that already suffers injustice, would amount to inviting a major disaster.

French Prime Minister’s Visit to Vietnam

In his first recent visit to Vietnam by a French prime minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations, Francois Fillon had discussed, with his Vietnamese counterpart, cooperation in many important areas that resulted in the signing of 13 bilateral agreements. Parallel to commitments at the state's level, representatives of the accompanying business mission comprising of 40 leading French corporations and companies in energy, aerospatial, telecommunications and so on are also looking for joint venture opportunities.

Support and Cooperation

Regarding France as a special and prioritized partner in Europe, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has expressed his wishes to witness a strong French presence in Vietnam in all economic, political, cultural and educational sectors. The head of the French Government, who considers Vietnam the gateway to expand its presence in South East Asia, has acknowledged his expectations. Fillon has reiterated that the French Development Agency (AFD) will continue its support and cooperation with Vietnam in major projects such as underground metro, electricity, overhauling of the Long Bien Bridge, measures to deal with negative effects from climate change and rising sea water.Also taking part in the discussion meetings, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has shown his pleasure when the French party has pledged to actively push forward the project to establish a Science and Technology University in Hanoi of which an official agreement was signed right after the meeting. Furthermore, France also pledged to assist in training 400 teaching doctorates for this university.However, the most important agreements reached by the two parties are in the field of nuclear energy, aviation, maritime security and defense.

Civil Nuclear Issue

With the signing of the inter-government agreement in civil nuclear cooperation with Vietnam, the world leading country using nuclear energy in total energy consumption (more than 75 percent) has made one step closer in the race to win the contract to supply technological process to the first Vietnamese nuclear project.
It is known that the number of prospective partners in this project has been short-listed to France, Japan and Russia and the Vietnamese side is still weighing the option depending on the advantageous edges of each country.

Development in Aviation Sector

Although with a value of no more than one fourth of the project to supply a small satellite for monitoring natural resources, environment and natural disasters (13.9 million euro compared to 55.8 million euro), the financial protocol for the project to put in place a network system to conduct surveillance of fishing vessels, fishing grounds and marine resources by satellite technology has a more practical and strategic meaning for the Vietnamese marine exploitation sector, particularly, ocean fishing as a way to deal with natural calamities and sea piracy. This is the most meaningful of all the signed projects this time.The agreement signed with Airbus group to purchase more Airbus planes for Vietnam Airlines is considered as an exchange for the promise that France will assist Vietnam to develop aeronautic industry. According to the MOU between Vietnam Airlines and EADS, the two parties will further discuss in detail the implementation of the project to manufacture some component parts for Airbus in Vietnam.The defense cooperation agreement will open the opportunity for Vietnam to purchase defense equipment from France. Adding to the aforementioned sectors, the two countries also signed other agreements through which France will provide preferential credit for the underground metro, thermal power and people credit funds projects. In the cultural area, an agreement on the establishment and management status of Vietnamese-French Cultural Centers has been also signed.

Mumbai Terror Attacks Underline Lapses in Counter Measures

Be it terrorism or communal riots, citizens of Mumbai have been suffering from pain for years. The Babri Mosque in Ayodhya was demolished on 6 December 1992, and serial blasts were carried out in Mumbai in reaction to it in 1993. At that time also, the police department had been unsuccessful in stopping riots.

Security Negligence
The central intelligence network keeps informing the Maharashtra government, from time-to-time, of apprehensions of terrorist incidents. Before the 26 November 2008 incident also, it had warned the Maharashtra Government that some big terrorist incident could take place in Mumbai. It was also warned that terrorists could come through sea route, and carry out some big incident.
Despite it, the Maharashtra Government and Mumbai police did not take it seriously. This is the conclusion of the high-level committee appointed to probe into the 26 November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack.

Leadership Capabilities Questioned
Since the eighth decade of the last century, India has become well acquainted with terrorism. There have been terrorist attacks on Parliament and in all big cities of the country. After every attack, an investigation committee is appointed, but its recommendations are never implemented. The report of the committee appointed to probe into the Mumbai terror attack has exposed several flaws in the police establishment.
Questions have also been raised about the leadership capabilities of former Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor. There was warlike situation in Mumbai during the attack. The probe committee believes that this was guerilla warfare, and Hasan Gafoor has been found to be a total failure in forming a strategy to counter it.
An ordinary policeman is not capable of facing guerilla warfare, and only specially trained National Security Guards could tackle them, but the government and high-level police officers were totally nonplussed, and were not in a position to deal with the situation. Policemen facing the terrorists also did not possess modern weapons. Despite it, they bravely countered the trained terrorists. The committee has made detailed revelations in its report on all these aspects. The report says that there was utter neglect of management of intelligence reports and the prescribed criteria of crisis management.

Victim of Conspiracy
The main issue is that the report rejects outright the allegation by martyr Ashok Kamte's wife Vinita Kamte that her husband was the victim of a conspiracy. Several big cities of the country are still on the hit list of terrorists.
It is necessary to train policemen to face guerilla warfare tactics of terrorists, and equip them with latest weapons.

Would Presidential Election Result in Significant Changes?

The largest ever number of presidential candidates in the history of this country is contesting the coming presidential election to be held on 26 January. Nominations for the election were accepted on 17 December. The Election Commission announced nominations had been registered from 22 contenders with one being rejected.

Significant Election
The coming presidential election in considered to be significant in several aspects. The United National Party [UNP], which has contested all elections since independence has for the first time in its own history not fielded a party candidate to contest the election, but is instead supporting a common candidate of an opposition alliance led by the party.
The contest at the election is set to be a close tussle between two main candidates who have emerged as the most powerful contenders. This has turned out to be another crucial aspect of the election. It will be no surprise if this election runs into the second count of preferential votes to come up with the winner.
As far as the election law of Sri Lanka is concerned, if a candidate fails in the first count to secure 50 percent of the votes polled, the second count of preferential votes has to be done to decide on the winner. This would be a new factor in the election history of Sri Lanka because there has been no precedent for a need of a second count. The previous highest number of presidential candidates at one election has been 13.
Thirteen candidates contested presidential elections in 1999 as well as in 2005. Only three candidates contested the 1988 presidential election. This is the lowest number of candidates at a presidential election. Twenty-two candidates contesting the presidential election to be held next year is a new record. Of the two main presidential candidates Mahinda Rajapaksa or Sarath Fonseka will win the election and the other 20 candidates are well-aware of this fact.
Then, why are they contesting? There are several reasons that can be attributed for this, the most important one being that of splitting votes to deprive both leading candidates of a majority in the first count.
Their next objective is that no other candidate or party should get votes from their electorate. Their thinking is that the votes, which could be potentially polled against Mahinda Rajapaksa should not be secured by Sarath Fonseka and those votes of supporters of the UNP and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna [JVP] who do not want to cast their votes to Fonseka should not vote for Rajapaksa. It is on the basis of this train of thought that a large number of candidates is contesting the coming presidential election.
Although a large number of candidates is contesting this election it is very doubtful as to whether they will be able to even save their deposits or at best draw 100,000 votes each.

Tamil Vote Bank
The Tamil vote bank has become indispensably valuable to two main candidates. There is a reasonably conducive atmosphere, in which Tamils can go to the polls as compared with the atmosphere that existed back in 1988.
While the chief presidential candidates are in the field exploiting the military victory, the main question that begs and answer is : For which candidate will the Tamil people, who are subjected to the miseries and sufferings of war, vote this time.
The number of registered voters in the north is 1 million. Similarly, as per the census conducted in the year 2007 the number of registered Tamil voters in the east is 400,000. Therefore, approximately 1,300,000 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the North and East. Leaving them aside there is also a considerable number of Tamil voters living in Colombo and its outskirts.
In these circumstances, election analysts say, the candidate who secures the Tamil vote will win the election. But Tamil voters have no particular desire to have any truck with either of the two main candidates. Both of them have earned a good measure of animosity and hatred from the Tamil community. It is against this backdrop that every one awaits anxiously the decision that the Tamil voter will finally take.
Sivajilingam, Tamil National Alliance [TNA] MP, is also contesting the election as an independent candidate and his objective might be that of securing the votes of Tamils who are in the bitter grip of hatred toward the two main contenders. Similarly there are also three Muslim candidates in the presidential election to further divide the votes of the Muslim voters who do not favor the candidacy of both Fonseka and Rajapaksa.
Former MP Illiyas is contesting as an independent candidate. Myown Mustapha, who was holding the portfolio of deputy higher education minister, is also contesting as an independent candidate. He crossed over from the UNP to the ruling party. As such he might divide the Muslim votes of the UNP.
In addition to these two candidates another Muslim candidate called Ismail is also contesting the election on the Democratic United National Front [DUNF] ticket.
Since three Muslim candidates are contesting there is a possibility of the Muslim votes being split. Another fact with regard to the main Muslim parties is that they are either with the ruling alliance or with the UNP. Meanwhile, Wickremabahu Karunaratne, leader of the New Left Front, will also divide the votes of Tamils.
In sum, there are Sinhala candidates to divide the votes of the Sinhala people and Tamil candidates to divide Tamil votes. As such, the possibilities of all votes being divided are many. The minor candidates can only hope for creating a negative impact only at the point of the first count. It is at this point that the second count becomes significant.
In the face of the claim made by the main political parties that they will abolish the presidential system of government this could well turn out to be the last presidential election we will see. A total of 14,088,500 persons are eligible to cast their votes at the election this time.
Of these voters 1,955,312 voters do not have identity cards. The relevant statistics are for districts other than Jaffna.

Election Law Specification
The election law specifies that those who do not possess identity cards cannot cast their votes and should this be rigidly applied a large number of Sri Lankans would be deprived of their right to vote. Similarly, 190,000 easterners also do not have national identity cards. Meanwhile, 42 percent of the voters in Vavuniya District is said not to have identity cards.
However, the election secretariat states that action is being taken to issue special identity cards to those who do not have national identity cards. We, however, do not know how far this would be fruitful. Tamil voters might especially be deprived of voting or they would deliberately give the election a miss.
Although there are more than 20,000 displaced civilians in Jaffna, less than 1,000 voters have applied to cast their votes. This is a clear example to show Tamil voters are not keen on the election. The international community is as keenly interested as we all are to know, which way the Tamil vote will go. This election will help all concerned to arrive at conclusions about certain long outstanding doubts and questions.

Politicians' Support Vital to Achieve Eco-Sustainability in Malaysia

Muslims across the world celebrated the new Islamic year on 17 December. Ideally Muslims should start this new year with new determination to make more contribution to the advancement of the religion, nation and country. Muslims should also give Islam a new image - to present to the world that Islam is dynamic and harmony, not a religion of terrorism that is fond of war, as demonized by certain media.

Reducing Emission of Carbon Gas
On top of that, recently the world's attention was drawn to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which was participated by 192 countries. The conference aimed at seeking ways to reduce the emission of carbon gas to the atmosphere, which has become the main culprit of the rising temperature on the earth. The concerned world citizens hope to see the best outcome so that the role of each country will be made clear through the multilateral negotiation which has started two years ago.
However, almost all were not ready at that time as the environmental issue was often viewed in an anti-development context. In fact a politician opposed to my initiative by arguing that he did not want to be linked with the struggle of the Penans and anti logging industry.
The reality is that the time keeps changing. The present political scenes are much colored by environment-related issues. The polemic between US President Barack Obama and John McCain for the post of the US President in 2008 is still fresh in recent memories, with debates over climate change, green technology and carbon neutral economy.

Goal of Environmental Sustainability
Likewise, in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, environmental issue has become one of the key national policy that being heatedly debated on the political stage. Along the journey from Bali 2007 to Copenhagen, politicians worldwide have familiarized themselves with environmental terms and concepts such as GHG, Kyoto Protocol, carbon trade and sustainability, which were only comprehensible for professors, experts and environmentalists two decades ago.

The goal of environmental sustainability will not be achieved without support from the politicians. Through the Copenhagen Conference, we hope the political communities of various levels will have a chance to understand the ideal of environmental sustainability not only as political capital, but also a dogma to advance the mind and commitment of the society.
In my opinion, the Malaysian society at present has shown a big change in the mentality with respect to the matter of environmental sustainability. This is evident if we measure the concern over global issues such as climate change and green technology, thanks to the extensive coverage by the media and public awareness program implemented by various quarters, including education institutions.

Determination and Commitment
However, the Malaysian society needs to be make yet another step to have a first class sustainability mind. Indications of living up to the first class sustainability mind are environmental pro-initiative, paying fees for the service of piping and sewage management; no smoking, especially in public places; no river pollution and chopping down trees; to be concerned and would even become an environmentalist and fight to ensure there is no pollution of the country's environment.
Various efforts have been taken by various quarters in several aspects, since a long-time ago with substantial funding. Nevertheless, the effect is not so obvious especially in terms of the environmental quality. For example, many rivers and drains are still dirty (or even dirtier). Similarly, the sewage management has not been handled well.
In this regard, in conjunction with the new Islamic year, let us strengthen the country's determination and commitment to contribute more, including contribution to the sustainability of the country's environment. This is appropriate with the natural talent of human beings as the ruler of the world.
It is also hoped the multilateral negotiation in Copenhagen will prepare for a framework of global carbon neutral economic development, which is to be implemented with full awareness of people's responsibility in achieving environmental sustainability in a concerted effort.

Concerted Approach Needed
A concerted approach is important as the initiative of environmental sustainability starts from a sustainability mind and it is cultural. In addition to that, I am of the view that economic instrument like what is being heatedly debated in Copenhagen will not increase the commitment on environmental sustainability, especially when it is not supported by a viable legal system and the society is still unfamiliar with the philosophy of sustainable living.
So, Muslims should make a good use of this Islamic new year to create a new commitment so that Muslims can live up more to a sustainable lifestyle together with other world citizens. The Copenhagen Conference will surely seal the global commitment.

Copenhagen Climate Summit Decides To Treat Ailment Without Curing it

Environmentalists are disappointed because all their efforts were wasted at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The conference called to stop global warning could not reach any definite legal or binding conclusions. Nevertheless, an agreement has, more or less, been reached on a proposal that includes a future direction.

Commitment To Limit Average Global Warming
The most important point in the proposal is commitment to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius, equivalent to the pre-industrial era. In order to do this, all countries are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions voluntarily. International surveillance systems will keep a watch on these cuts. Some regular financial aid has been promised to poor countries. This is likely to prevent them from cutting down trees recklessly. They will be encouraged to adopt technology that would help in reducing emissions.
Some countries facing a threat to their existence because of the rise in sea level have vehemently opposed this proposal. Some Latin American countries also raised objections on the ground that it did not follow the procedure for reaching an agreement. As a matter of fact, conditions at Copenhagen could not perhaps allow even a word of thanks by way of a joint proposal. Seeing two weeks of hard labor going waste, US President Barack Obama convened a small meeting of heads of States of India, China, Brazil, and South Africa. The proposal was drafted on the basis of the points agreed upon at this meeting. It would be advisable to accept this proposal as better than nothing, instead of rejecting it outright.
European countries, especially those in the North, and Japan have a different agenda on environment. They do not have much problem is getting the support of the most distressed countries either. It is, however, difficult to convince them and jealous environmentalists throughout the world of the problems related to emission cuts of developing countries like India and China.
Instead of going too far, let us take the case of Delhi alone. In order to reduce pollution, a court order was passed directing factories to move out of the city. Thousands of laborers became unemployed as a result of this situation, which had occurred some years ago. They have still not been able to find jobs. Perhaps, millions of people will die by 2050 due to global warning. But if factories of India and China close down, the number of deaths from starvation will exceed this number by far in 10 to 20 years.
For 150 years, countries of Europe, and later the United States, were responsible for covering the world with smoke. Yet, they are advising India and China to adopt pollution-free technology! Instead of indulging in such an exercise, these countries ought to find a technology to make their power factories and cars pollution free, and pass it on to developing countries, free of cost.
Promise of Clean Air
It could be said about what took place in Copenhagen that there was nothing unexpected in it. Copenhagen summit chairperson Denmark, and several other countries had already said that there would be no legally binding agreement in Copenhagen. Developed countries were against any legal binding, as they knew that they would not be able to fulfill any commitment. Countries like India and China were against it because they knew that developed countries would put the burden on them. African countries and other countries standing on much lower rung of development did want an agreement with some kind of legal binding, because only they would have to suffer the worst consequences of climate change, and they would benefit from any agreement to reduce carbon emission.
But the attitude of developed and big developing countries has proved that any international agreement or organization could be successful only when it is least binding and most flexible. We should also understand the compulsions of leaders of all countries. They are first accountable to people of their countries, and leaders of a country like India could only accept any binding agreement when it does not harm development of its people. A long time after independence, India has come on the path of rapid development and Indian leaders could not even think of applying brakes on it now.
At the same time, developed countries are so habituated to their lavish lifestyle that it is futile to expect them to sacrifice it. As far as poor countries are concerned, they have nothing to sacrifice. In this situation, we should think what good could be found from Copenhagen, and what could be the done really to save the environment.

Better Targets in Future
The first good thing though little, that has taken place, is we have moved forward, and environmental protection would come first for consideration in development programs, and we would be able to decide better targets in the future. It could be said that this is not enough, and there isn't enough time to move forward so slowly.

It is necessary to work on priority at two levels. For one, research in technology and science to protect environment should be increased and results of it should be made available easily to all. Second, along with reducing carbon emission, we should strengthen those forces of nature that help it fight pollution.

Measures To Save Earth
The world did not expect that following such sharp differences over measures to save the earth, all countries would start speaking in one voice, but it was also not expected that instead of implementing the Kyoto Protocol, they would allow it to die. It is not wrong to look at the agreement brought about by the United States and BASIC countries (India, China, Brazil, and South Africa) from this viewpoint.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, 37 industrialized nations, besides the United States, were bound to cut their greenhouse gas emission level by five percent until 2012. In Copenhagen, they were involved in the exercise of developing a consensus on implementing this binding reduction target and bringing the United States within its ambit. After all, what is the worth of reducing greenhouse gas level from five percent to two percent and making it voluntary instead of compulsory? These 37 countries that were tied down by the Kyoto protocol have also become free like the United States.
In addition, the BASIC countries became flexible in the matter of international monitoring for reduction in emission level. This was done very skillfully under the cover of discussion, help, or facility of technology for greenhouse gas emission with international agencies. The United States brought in this provision to corner China.

Relief to Developing and Poor Countries
In the summit, developing countries were hoping that they would be able to acquire the technology from rich countries to cut down greenhouse gases emission, but that did not happen. There was also no discussion on measures to prevent destruction of forests that bring rains for agriculture, fodder for livestock, and development. By doing so, Indonesia and Brazil have become the third and fourth biggest greenhouse gas emitting countries of the world.
Of course, it is an achievement that rich industrialized countries have agreed to give billions of dollars, in short and long-term measures, to provide relief to developing and poor countries from natural calamities coming as a result of greenhouse gas emission. If you look at it, this is like continuing the treatment while the disease persists. One does not know whether, despite this lifeless agreement, Al Gore would be able to convince Obama for any new agreement on "Earth Day" next year.

BJP Gets Youngest President

Nitin Gadkari has been appointed the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), succeeding Rajnath Singh whose term got over in November 2009. The 52-year-old Gadkari became the youngest party president, heralding the BJP’s first step toward ushering in a generational transition in its leadership. Gadkari’s appointment came a day after the party veteran L.K. Advani stepped down as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, handing over baton to Sushma Swaraj. A special slot of chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party was created by amending the party constitution and Advani became its first incumbent. Arun Jaitley was also renominated as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Coming to Helm of Affairs
Hailing from Nagpur, Gadkari also happens to be the first party president from Maharashtra. He has been a public works minister in Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999 and has also been heading the party’s State unit since November 2004. He takes charge at a time when the party is trying to restructure itself after suffering a setback in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Indications of a generational change were available over the past few months, particularly when Mohan Bhagwat took over as the new chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Giving an inkling of the RSS thinking, he hinted at the possibility of younger leaders coming to the helm of affairs in the BJP.
Gadkari is virtually unknown in Delhi and other parts of the country. However, in Maharashtra, he is a familiar figure. He has the reputation of being a man who can get things done. Significantly, he has constructed the seamless Mumbai-Pune express highway at half of the quoted price when he was the state’s PWD minister in the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government from 1995 to 1999. Another feather in his cap was his successful venture in getting as many as 55 flyovers constructed for Mumbai. He also got an international airport built in Nagpur.

The Road Man
Gadkari sat with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was leading the NDA government and drew the map of the Prime Minister’s ambitious National Highway Project. So much so that he has acquired the nomenclature of “Road Man”. If anything, this is the most noticeable change from the Vajpayee-Advani era, and one that can detract from the BJP’s vote-catching abilities. It is reasonable to ask if the present changes are fated to be of a stop-gap nature.
Several BJP leaders in the states, particularly those of the caliber of Narendra Modi — who is seen by a wide swathe in the party as the natural leader of the saffron political matrix in the country, notwithstanding his severe limitations in terms of acceptability to a wide arc of people — are apt to get ideas as the next general election approaches.

Exit Route for Advani
However, there can, be no comparison between Advani’s new position as the chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party — which is meant to guide him into retirement in the expectation that he won’t get political — and the identical post Sonia Gandhi occupies in the Congress. Sonia Gandhi is the fulcrum of power in her party, and in that capacity the force that sustains the UPA government. Sushma Swaraj takes Advani’s place as the BJP’s chief in Parliament, and will thus be the new Leader of the Opposition. Her one noteworthy attribute is that she is a strong public speaker in her mother tongue, Hindi. The other key change, of course, is the naming of Nitin Gadkari as the next BJP chief, replacing Rajnath Singh.
The RSS was forced to accept the principle of an honorable exit route for Advani. The post of chairman which was given to the veteran leader fits uneasily into any organizational chart. If he plays his cards well, Advani could emerge as the primary moral authority in the BJP, almost rivaling the ideological ombudsmen in Nagpur. The belief entertained by those adept in the art of remote control, that Advani would retire and devote his energies reading books, watching cricket and enjoying Hindi films, have been dashed. The inventor of the modern rath yatra has publicly said that he is still in the game of politics, although he carefully avoided any mention of the Deng Xiaoping and Lee Kwan Yew precedent. In recent years, the management of the BJP has certainly come to resemble a diarchy; Saturday’s agreement formalized it.

Future Prospect for Party

If the “politicians” in the BJP scored a modest success by ensuring Advani’s exceptional status, they failed to establish the inviolability of the principle that ‘the BJP should be run by the BJP’. It is no great secret that Nitin Gadkari, like his predecessor Rajnath Singh, has been appointed by the Sangh and the “politicians” have merely endorsed a decision taken elsewhere. But unlike the transition in 2005 which was based on tacit understanding, the latest arrangement is based on the bizarre separation between ‘politics’ and ‘organization’.
The BJP will control its own politics but the RSS (through its full-time pracharaks) will run the organization. Whether this curious separation — reminiscent, in a strange sort of way, of the separation between ‘mass struggles’ and parliamentary interventions in the Communist parties — will work or become the recipe for incoherence is something that bears close monitoring.

US Realistic Strategic Interest Lies in Asia-Pacific Region

Recent statistics show that the United States has already emerged from its most serious economic recession for the past 70 years. While President Barack Obama was happy to note that the US economy has turned better, he also maintained his cool. He warned: "Before the economy is fully recovered, we still have a long way to go."
The global financial and economic crisis triggered by the US financial sector has not only inflicted heavy losses on the US economic entities, it has also brought economic disaster to countries of the world. This round of economic and financial crisis has also dealt a blow to the international image of the United States. Meanwhile, the emergence of other new economic bodies such as China, India, and Brazil has signified that the international world order will soon undergo a major adjustment. How the United States can continue to maintain its world superpower status and how the United States can continue to play an important role to maintain the present international rule and order amid the fast changing global environment is going to be a critical challenge for the decisionmakers in Washington.

Major International Reserve Currency
When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was in the United States recently, he gave the United States a gentle reminder that the United States was still the world's largest economy and ultimately the largest trade market. Lee said that the dollar was still the major international reserve currency; but no matter what challenges it faced, the United States must continue to maintain its position as a superpower in the Pacific region in order to protect its core interests.
Lee also said that if the United States did not continue to maintain contact with the Asia-Pacific region, its role in the world would be weakened. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's gentle reminder to Washington leaders is indeed like a morning bell that wakes the United States up.

Momentum of US Economic Recovery
Yet, as we observe the momentum of US economic recovery from a distance, we cannot help but to comment that in addition to the fact that President Obama and his administration's economic rescue measures have produced results, the US economic recovery also symbolizes the inherent superiority of the US system -- its openness and power structures, the arrangement of its mutual checks and balances, the internal vitality of the nation to carry out self-correction of errors -- all these factors have given the United States the ability to repair the damage.
For sure, the US superpower status is achieved through its economic and military power of comprehensive national strength and also through this self-correcting dynamism. The vitality of this self-correction nature of the United States has also reflected in its political and foreign policy.

Discarding Previous Unilateral Attitude
In dealing with Iraq, Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea, the new US Government has gradually discarded its previous unilateral attitude and instead tried to take a more balanced and orderly steps to deal with its diplomatic disputes with these countries.
Such change of attitude will not only help restore the US leadership in the international community and it will also allow the United States to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Development in Asia-Pacific Region
With the rise of China and India, the world's driving force of development is obviously slanting from the Atlantic to the Pacific slope. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's address in Washington was his insight into the trend of the development in the Asia-Pacific region. His address served as a gentle reminder to the United States. Minister Mentor Lee also mentioned that Chinese leaders have considered that their best strategy is to build a strong and prosperous future and use their huge and increasingly highly skilled and educated workers to outsell and outbuild all others.
China would, therefore, avoid any action that would affect its relations with the United States. As such, Minister Mentor Lee believed there would be cooperation and competition in China-US relations. He said that while competition between China and the United States was inevitable, there would not be disputes between the two countries.

Maintain Superpower Status
If the United States wants to maintain its superpower status in the Pacific region, how Washington can best handle China-US ties will obviously be the most crucial key for the United States to think about.
Moreover, the influence of China, the country that advocates peaceful coexistence and peaceful development has growing steadily and won the friendship and trust of majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and also that on the basis of mutual benefit, neighboring countries of China have also accepted China as an emerging power in this region. As a matter of fact, most of the Asian countries also welcome the great trade opportunities China's development brought to the region.

China Factor
Meanwhile, China has also become more confident through the steady growth of its national power. Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Federal Military Commission who was in the United States for an official visit recently, pointed out four obstacles in the US military strategy that hampered China from trusting the United States. The remarks by Xu Caihuto senior US government officers have shown that in China-US military ties, China has begun to take the position to take its own stance instead of allowing the United States to advance in military advantage. Xu has asked the United States to reduce and eventually halt air and sea military surveillance close to China's shores of the exclusive economic zone. Such remarks will raise the eyebrows of those US military crews who have been patrolling along the Asia-Pacific Ocean since the end of the Second World War.

Realistic Strategic Interest
We notice that the rise of great powers seemed to have a close link with military conflict. Before the Second World War, the rise of Germany and Japan had left a bitter lesson in world history. But China has proposed an overall strategy of peaceful development. This is in line with the interest of the United States and China in the long run. Such development is what the countries in the region will like to see happening. This is the long-term goal of China. The realistic strategic interest has prompted the United States to continue serving as a superpower in the Pacific region.
However, there is a long way for the United States to go as well. But seeking peaceful coexistence with China is without any doubt one of the military strategies the United States should materialize to make its superpower status in the Asia-Pacific region meaningful.

Faulty Management Cause of Growth-Inflation Imbalance

In November, the inflation rate rose to 4.78 percent, and it has created several complex problems for the government. In itself, this inflation rate is not dangerous, but the circumstances under which this rate has been recorded rings a danger bell.
For the past some time, the inflation rate was quite low due to recession, but whatever was the rate was due to sudden rise in prices of very essential food items.

Pressure on RBI
The inflation rate in respect of essential food items has reached 20 percent pushing up the overall inflation rate. The problem is that the government does not have any immediate remedy to reduce prices of essential food items. There is growing pressure on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase interest rates, but there is danger of it adversely affecting the improvement in economy. Second, how effective would the monetary steps be on price rise due to shortage of food items is also being argued continuously.
The manner in which we run our economy is still quite old fashioned. The RBI would certainly take some steps to reduce cash, but the question is when? The government could certainly make some efforts to increase availability of food items, but arresting this price rise can take place only be after the Rabi harvest comes.

Result of Mismanagement
In fact, price rise in essential food items because of shortage that we are suffering from is the result of mismanagement of past several years. While the growth rate has increased due to development in service and industry sectors, the agriculture sector still stands where it was. We don't have any plan for long-term needs.
Food items of our everyday need also keep going through the vicious cycle of less production, more prices and more production, less prices. If a big country like ours would leave its agriculture on the vagaries of the market and the monsoon, crisis will be created.

Affecting Price Hike
There has been less rain this year and prices of pulses have gone up. More pulses would be produced next year and the prices would fall. But when growing pulses would become a less profitable proposition and the rains would be good, farmers would again reduce growing pulses.
The present crisis toward the end of the first decade of the 21st century is warning us that it is necessary to pay attention to agriculture, otherwise people would keep suffering from price hike, and policymakers would continue to work out the complex arithmetic of growth and inflation rate.

Nobel Committee Hastily Awards Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama

The most ironical thing in the history of the Nobel Prize presentation is that the Nobel Committee has presented the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama, who will send more troops to Afghanistan. The international community's responses to President Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan contain more derogatory remarks than praises. Even President Obama has expressed his surprise that he would receive the Nobel Peace Prize earlier.
In the United States, opinion polls have shown that more than 60 percent people felt Obama did not deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize; and only 20 percent of those participated in the opinion polls said that he deserved the prize.

Devaluation of Nobel Prize
Unfortunately, the authority of the Nobel Committee and the value of the Nobel Peace Prize have suffered grave damage because of President Obama. As a matter of fact, the Nobel Peace Prizes were only given to committed people for their outstanding contribution toward world peace in the past. For example, the prizes were given to people who mediated for the end of war, for effort to defuse a military conflict, to stop the detonation of a war, or even for people who were imprisoned by authority for the peaceful struggle of their countries.
Many people who received the Nobel Peace Prize have devoted their whole life to promote peace. All of these will take time and hard work. More importantly, the international community would acknowledge the contribution of these peace workers who achieved tangible results. Their contribution toward peace work must be convincing enough to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.

Distinct Irony
When President Obama won the presidential election, he said that he had a plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan systematically. He promoted a nuclear-free peace vision. By virtue of President Obama's "oath," the Nobel Committee hastily awarded President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize (without first gauging his peace effort result).
What the Nobel Committee did was risky, particularly when we all knew that before President Obama went up to the stage to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, he had already announced his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. To the larger international community, it was a distinct irony.
Some people have described the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen a war between "human and nature." If President Obama cannot convince the US Congress to make greater commitment to reduce gas emission level and to allocate more funds to help developing countries to reduce gas emission level, the rationale for President Obama to receive Nobel Peace Prize will further be reduced in the eyes of many people.

Justification for War
When the "peace contributions" of President Obama remain a big question mark, awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama could then be a purposeful intention of the Nobel Committee to present the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama in his capacity as the US President and to allow him to become the fourth US President who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
If the war in Afghanistan enters a stage of stalemate, or if the war in Afghanistan expands, thus forcing the United States to send more troops to Afghanistan to get more involved in the war, it will be very late for the Nobel Committee to recall the Nobel Peace Prize back from President Obama. This will be a disgrace as we look back at the Nobel Peace Prize history.
We should listen to President Obama's remarks when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize at the Nobel Prize presentation ceremony held in Oslo. In order to justify the US military operation in Afghanistan, Obama legitimized the Afghanistan war with elegant reasons. He even reiterated that he could achieve peace through the path of engaging in a just war. President Obama also defended and justified the need for the United States to use force on Iraq and Afghanistan. In his view, there were many evil forces in the world. He said that if peaceful negotiation failed, the choice of using war to resolve conflict was one of the means to attain peace. He called this type of war "righteous war."
From here, we can see that President Obama has embedded war in his political ideology. As he said: "If peaceful negotiation failed, using force to resolve conflict would still be his choice."
When a Nobel Peace laureate like President Obama whose mind cannot exclude the ideology of war and whose subconscious has the nonpeace element, this is a very dangerous thing. Moreover, as a "superpower," the United States loves to play the role of international police. If President Obama can so easily make decision to use force to interfere with other countries' internal affairs, it is just very difficult for the international community to keep making complaints. It is indeed dangerous and with high risk for the Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama, a non-peace lover so early.