India-Pakistan Foreign Minister-Level Talks

At the India-Pakistan foreign minister-level talk that was in the news for the past several days, the two sides gave a proof of prudence, and it seems that learning a lesson from their past lapses both the neighboring countries want to make a headway in a bold manner. It, however, does not imply that a complete thaw has taken place in the relations between the nations.
Confidence-Building Measures
It is good that India and Pakistan have wisely accepted the mutual differences and have deemed it fit to take forward the process of confidence-building measures. On this count, the meeting held between Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rambani Khar can be termed satisfactory. From the consensus on extension of transactions along the Line of Control to four days, encouraging tourist and pilgrimages, relaxation of the visa conditions, and mitigating the differences on the Kashmir issue show that simultaneously with the changing scenario the change in other aspects is also discernible now.
For, Pakistan loses no opportunity to raise the Kashmir issue. Before the meeting with Krishna, Khar's meeting with Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Gillani and Mirwaiz Farooq had led to such indications. Further, the meeting took place at a time when with the arrest of Pakistan lobbyist Ghulam Nabi Fai in the United States a new face of Islamabad on Kashmir has come to light. Just not that, Pakistan has been persistently shying away from extending expiration in the 26/11 Mumbai case investigations. Notwithstanding all this, Pakistan has exhibited its inclination toward extending its cooperation on the issue of the war on terror.
Establishment of Fresh Ties
From the foreign ministers meeting it is also evident that foreign secretaries of both countries had done a fairly good amount of homework. That is why probably that Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao could comment that political will is discernible with regard to the establishment of fresh ties between the countries. The truth is due to the commonality of the historic background of India and Pakistan there has been a massive lack of mutual trust between them from the beginning. If some change is now perceptible in the Pakistani attitude toward India then it is obvious reason is that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism today and it is faced with pressure from all directions, including the United States.
In the circumstances, the Pakistani foreign minister's observation is a positive development that the new generation will witness new relations between India and Pakistan. Yet, nonetheless, it is to be seen now to what stance Pakistan takes on the terrorism front.

War Hysteria Responsible for US Economic Crisis

The serpent of debt is about to swallow the United States. The day of 2 August carries much importance for US economy. This fear has considerably increased that the US crisis will affect the global economy as well.
IMF’s Warning
Christine Lagarde, chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has once again stated emphatically that the debt crisis in the United States should be resolved as early as possible, as a further delay in it cannot be afforded. Any crisis in the US economy will badly affect the economies all over the world.
If realities are kept in view, it becomes crystal clear that the United States has torn apart global economy directly or indirectly. By plunging several countries into the war, the United States has deteriorated their economies. But, the United States has itself fallen prey to this complex crisis today.
If the United States' past 20-year history is reviewed, we will find that it is its war hysteria that has made it to face this situation. Whether it is senior Bush or junior Bush, their combatant thinking has broken the back of US economy. The Iraq and Afghan wars have been waged without any reasons and only to maintain its status of being a superpower. America's wars did not end, but George W. Bush's government did end and he passed on these gifts to President Barack Obama. The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan forced the US economy to breathe its last.
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
The United States has to spend approximately $2 billion a week on the wars, while the country's revenue has considerably decreased. The prices of food and other commodities are increasing and it is becoming difficult for American people to cope with this situation. On the other hand, the income is falling. Unemployment and inflation are witnessing an upward trend. President Obama has curtailed the war hysteria, but the situation appears to be slipping out of hand. Economic situation in the United States is going from bad to worse and becoming complex with each passing day. Neither President Obama nor the Congress has a solution to this situation. According to experts, if the Congress and the President did not come out with a proper arrangement before 2 August, the United States can face problems from the IMF, which the US economy will not be able to withstand.
Moreover, energy reserves in the United States are also at the lowest level, which is a big challenge for the US Administration and people. If the huge sum of money spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is used to resolve the economic crisis, perhaps US economic situation can improve. The earlier the United States gets rid of these futile and meaningless wars, the better it is for the country.

Sugar, Edible Oil Become Scarce in Bangladesh After Government Fixes Prices

Sugar has almost disappeared from the market following a government decision. Sugar is not available in the market from the next day after the government fixed its price. Edible oil is not being sold anywhere in the market at the rate fixed by the government. The sale price of chickpea was fixed in Chittagong but the market of the commodity has gone wild there too.
Virtually there is no control over the market. The businessmen have been selling commodities as per their will or stopped selling. The government itself went into hiding after fixing the prices of commodities. None is to monitor the market. As a result, the market has become reckless.
According to the government data, there is no deficit of sugar in the market. As per the Tariff Commission, current sugar stock in the market is 101,055 metric tons. From April to 21 June 2011, letter of credits (LCs) were opened to import 412,587 metric tons of raw sugar. But "there is no sugar" is the common reply from shopkeepers in the market.
The Commerce Ministry has fixed the prices of sugar, soybean oil and palm oil on 20 June 2011 ahead of the month of Ramadan. As per the government-fixed rate, the retailers will have to sell loose soybean oil at taka 109 per liter, palm oil at taka 99 per liter and sugar at taka 65 per kg. The marker has turned volatile after the government to the decision to this effect.
The retailers have been blaming the wholesalers for high prices of sugar saying that it would not be possible for the retailers to sell sugar at a lower price if wholesalers sold the item to them at increased price. On the other hand, wholesale traders claimed that there was supply shortage of sugar in the market despite the closure of a number of big sugar refineries.
Open Market Without Sugar
There was almost no trace of sugar in retail grocery shops in kitchen markets of the capital during a visit in the market on July 22. Most of the retail shopkeepers informed that they are refraining from selling sugar.
There are around 25 shops at Palashi kitchen market. During a visit to the market on July 22 morning, it was seen that sugar was selling at only one shop at taka 72 per kg. The shop owner said he will not bring sugar further from the wholesale market after the current stock of his shop will exhaust.
Mohammad Abdus Satter of Obayed Store of the market said: "I stopped bringing sugar for selling just being fed up (with the situation). Sugar is unavailable in Moulavibazar (a wholesale market in Dhaka). If we somehow find out some sugar, we have to purchase it at increased rate. How we sell sugar at a low price?"
Nurul Amin, owner of Amin Store at Palashi bazar said he had not brought sugar from the wholesale market yesterday. His complain is that the wholesalers of Moulavibazar are selling sugar without issuing memos so that none could be able to know the actual sale price of sugar. They (wholesalers) have started applying the tricks after a mobile court fined a number of wholesale traders for selling sugar at exorbitant price. There was no loose sugar at two shops in Bokshibazar intersection area. The situation was the same when there was a searched for sugar at the grocery shops located opposite the Shyamoli cinema hall. Instead, it was seen that packed sugar was being sold at those shops at taka 70 per kg.
Mohammad Sohag, co-owner of Ratul Store of Topkhana Road, came to Moulavibazar to buy a sack of sugar yesterday noon. He said majority of the wholesale shops of Moulavibazar area were closed. Though a few shops are open, they charged taka 3500 for per 50-kilogram sack of sugar.
What is wrong with sugar: The wholesalers claimed that sugar price has increased due to supply shortage against the demand in the market. They said the current daily demand of sugar is 5,000 metric tones while supply is only 2,000 metric tons. It is the reason behind sugar price soaring in the wholesale market. At a meeting with sugar refinery owners on July 9 ( 2011), Commerce Secretary Golam Hossain informed that the stock of sugar in the country was 97,000 metric tons. In the meantime, LCs were opened to import 217,000 metric tons of sugar. Besides, Bangladesh Food Industry and Sugar Corporation has a reserve of 53 metric tones of sugar. There would be a surplus of 100,000 metric tones of sugar against the demand of 300,000 metric tons up to Eid-ul-fitr (in early September). The businessmen informed the meeting that the current stock of sugar was 75,000 metric tons.
However, the Tariff Commission, on the basis of data given by the refiners, said that the current sugar stock in the market is 101,055 metric tons. From April to 21 June 2011, LCs were opened to import 412,587 metric tons of raw sugar. The total quantity would reach 382,325 metric tons if the available stock of raw sugars was refined properly. Taking into account the statistics of the sugar stock, the Tariff Commission at the beginning of July, made its observation that there would be no crisis of sugar in the market.
Abul Hashem, Vice President of Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association said that they did not get adequate supply of sugar following the close down of four local refineries. If sugar was not supplied to the market by refiners as per government-fixed price, it would not be possible for them to sell at reduced prices.
Golam Mostafa , President of Bangladesh Sugar Refiners Association and Managing Director of Deshbandhu Sugar Mills Limited said that there were 80,000 metric tons of sugar in and around the Chittagong seaport. Another 35,000 metric tons sugar are on import pipeline. The sugar crisis would go soon.
No Loose Soybean Oil in Market
Loose soybean oil is also not available in kitchen markets and grocery shops of the capital. Most grocers advised the consumers to buy bottled and packet soybean oil when they asked the shopkeepers to sell loose soybean oil. Some retailers, who were still selling loose soybean oil are charging taka 4 to 5 taka more per liter beyond the government-fixed rate. Loose soybean oil was being sold at taka 115 per liter at different places of Mirpur in the capital.
‘The government fixed taka 109 as the price of per liter loose soybean oil, but no impact of this was seen in the market. I bought the cooking oil at taka 115 a liter,’ a shopper alleged. Loose cocking oil was hardly found in the grocery shops located opposite Hatirpool kitchen market. Everybody was selling bottled and packed soybean oil. But loose soybean oil was being sold at taka 112 to 114 per liter inside the kitchen market. In Karwanbazar too, loose soybean oil was being sold at similar price.
Secretariat-Based Government Efforts
Officials of the Commerce Ministry were present at the secretariat even on holiday on 22 July (Friday). They would also attend their respective offices on every Friday and Saturday (weekly holidays) up to Eid-ul-fitr.
The Commerce Ministry sources said officials of the 14 mobile courts which have been formed to monitor markets on the occasion of Ramadan met with Additional Secretary of Commerce Ministry, Murtaza Ali Chowdhury after rounding up different kitchen markets on 22 July. The mobile courts in their observation blamed importers for the current sugar crisis. The importers did not import sugar timely. Another observation of the mobile courts was that sugar was selling at higher price much before the government fixed its price. The traders who bought sugar at high price during that time are now in trouble. And for that reason, sugar price soared in rapid pace.
The Commerce Ministry had issued letters on 21 July 2011 to the owners of four closed sugar refineries asking for the reason behind closing their factories and for not importing sugar before Ramadan. Sources said, the authority of Deshbandhu Sugar Mills informed the ministry on the following day that 52,000 metric tons sugar imported by them is scheduled to reach the country within next three to four days. And Meghna Group, the owner of big sugar refinery, said 75,000 metric tons of sugar being imported by them would reach within one week. Two edible oil refiners inform nothing to the ministry until now.

Beginning of New Era in India-Pakistan Cooperation

Although nothing substantive came out of the talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, S.M. Krishna, and Hina Rabbani Khar respectively, the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and both resolved to keep the process of dialogue alive to find solutions to various issues including terrorism.
Positive Aspect
The positive aspect of the talks held in New Delhi, is that both countries have come to realize that none of them is to gain anything by following the policy of confrontation and by making provocative speeches. Both countries are the nuclear powers in South Asia. There is urgent need that the two countries bury past bitterness and tensions and move together to improve mutual ties, to turn the region into a haven of peace and amity ensuring development and prosperity for their peoples.
Leaving behind the bitterness of the meeting held in Islamabad last July, the foreign ministers of the two countries had positive and useful talks, and resolved to carry the process further. Addressing a joint press conference after their talks, they said that terrorism today poses the greatest challenge to both countries and there is dire need of dealing with it together. Both agreed that all pending issues and disputes can be resolved through the process of dialogue only. They recognized the need of mutual cooperation, coordination and confidence building measures to improve their relations. The two ministers succeeded in putting earlier differences and disputes aside and agreed to enlarge the scope of bilateral tourism and trade. Perhaps, because of this attitude, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, later commented that the mist that had engulfed their relations has cleared.
Toward Strength and Stability
The foreign minister of Pakistan said that the relations between the two countries have entered a new era. Since there is a change in the mind set of the peoples of the two countries, it would be easier to carry the relations in the right direction. She asserted that it was her sincere desire that the process of dialogue should continue without any hindrance. People in official circles too feel that the relations would now smoothly move toward strength and stability. In his meeting with the foreign minister of Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that we would have to strive hard to bring our relations on an even keel. Hina Rabbani Khar informed the prime minister that the new generation in Pakistan is desirous of having better relations with India.
The picture that emerged from the talks of the two foreign ministers and the joint press conference is that Pakistan has now come to realize the futility of confrontation with India because of its strained relations with the United States. It feels that instead of looking toward others for getting their issues resolved, it would be in the fitness of things to hold talks with India to find solution to all outstanding issues.

New Drive for India-Pakistan Peace

In the subcontinent, India and Pakistan have conveniently remained rivals. Deriving benefit of their skirmishes, international lobbies filled up their coffers. There are countries who consider India-Pakistan cordial relations a threat to them. Simultaneously, there are countries who consider their friendship the guarantee of stability.
Global analysts know very well that their enmity can prove deadly as they both are nuclear powers. In both countries there are elements who are trying instigation through communalism. In both the regions there are separatist elements. Pakistani fundamentalists try to find reason for jihad (crusade) against India, calling it as Kufristan (the land of nonbelievers). Whereas, Hindu fundamentalists still do not recognize the existence of Pakistan. Both the ideologies are negative and dangerous and not supported by the prudish.
US Approach and Role
Continued US defeat in Afghanistan forces it to meddle for peace between India and Pakistan. I think it is a good effort on the part of the United States which should be supported. It is heartening that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from the very beginning has been trying to create good relations. His steps are courageous. He is a man of open heart and feels the pain created by the enmity. He has seen such circumstances at close quarters which created unending process of problems and disasters. Pakistan has fast been going on the path of regression. Its militant religious groups are devastating its economic fabric. Pakistani rulers have realized that the support for extremism is fatal for them.
Adopting Positive Approaches
The arrival of Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar should be viewed in this perspective. The meeting between the external affairs ministers was result oriented. Both adopted positive approaches that may be fruitful in the future. Six-month multiple visa for traders living at the Line of Control and making two-day trading to four days are of vital importance. The fixation of external affairs ministers' meeting is also a good sign. India's demand to give it a special status of trading country is a prudish idea.
I think Manmohan Singh should take interest in this direction and promote business between the countries. There are several items in the Indian market which Pakistan requires and several things are there which India requires. Recently, during scarcity of onion, lentil, and sugar, India had to import from Pakistan. We should create the sentiments of Samaritans in the hour of need. Facilities should be given for transportation. It is hoped that the group in power of Pakistan will realize the pains of the people and by forgetting the bitterness of the past should work for a bright future with sincerity.

India-Pakistan Talks: Positive Indications

After the India-Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks followed by the foreign minister-level talks, it appears once again that the Pakistani Government is keen to extend cooperation to the Indian Government to enhance mutual partnership. Similar situations were witnessed in past years also. However, this time around, it seems somewhat different, as Pakistan has started perceiving the ground realities gradually, about which adequate realization has been missing so far.
People's Problems
Dictators and politicians of that country have been playing a game over the decades, out of which nothing positive had emerged. Instead, Pakistan's very survival seems to have been imperiled. People's problems have assumed far more serious proportions than before.
Now, Pakistan rulers have started realizing that the shoulders on which they had rested their guns for firing have started trembling. The seeds that were sown by Pakistan are now being harvested by itself. The sport of bloodshed being played by it claimed lives of thousands of innocent people. The sovereignty of the country is being challenged by militant organizations on a large scale. Pakistan appears entrapped in an utterly tight position. Under such circumstances, it seems it can ill-afford to remain constantly at loggerheads with India. Pakistani rulers have now undoubtedly taken a major turn.
Core Issue Between Two Countries
The core issue between the countries is that of Kashmir, and they are now desirous of a peaceful solution to it. They are holding out promises to each other to promote cooperation in this regard. On the problem of terrorism also, the two nations seem to be speaking in the same voice.
Foreign ministers of India and Pakistan have expressed the view that terrorism is persistently posing a big threat to peace and security. They have, therefore, assured that they are fully determined to wipe out the threat of terrorism in all conditions. At the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meetings also, the issue of cooperation is often deliberated on. The two nations have, therefore, committed to cooperate with each other in the spirit of SAARC nations. They have expressed positive sentiments by talking in terms of relaxation of visa rules facilitate traffic on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, and also on the Poonch-Rawalkot passage.
Economic and Trade Front
In addition to Kashmir, the outstanding issue of Sir Creek and Siachin are hanging fire for a long time now. The maximum emphasis was, however, laid on economic and trade related issues at this meeting.
In case these sentiments are actually translated into action, there is every likelihood of positive changes coming into the relations between the countries, and the overall environment in this region can get largely transformed.
At the same time, terrorist organizations have been at work to see that India-Pakistan ties do not improve. But the changing scenario tends to help and inspire to initiate more positive steps in bringing the two nations closer. It can usher in a new era of peace in the region.

US Debt Crisis of Concern to World

Recently, the debt crisis of the Euro Zone worsened and spread to Italy. However, this is no match for the growing possibility that the US Government may not be able to pay its national debt from 2 August onward.
US President Barack Obama has had a one-week-long negotiation with leaders of both the Democratic Party and Republican Party in a bid to avoid closing down parts of the federal government. The current debt ceiling set for the federal government of the United States is $14.29 trillion. This limit will be hit by 2 August. The US Congress has to approve raising this limit before this date. Otherwise, the government would have to put off some of its financial commitments.
Faster Depreciation of US Dollar
Ben Bernanke, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, warned that defaulting payment will trigger impacts to the global economy. More alarm was heard from two major credit rating agencies, Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P), which warned that if the political standoff persists, they will cut the United States' prized AAA credit rating.
There are a few reasons why the world, the developing world especially, should be on the alert under this situation. First of all, many developing countries hold a few billions of short-term US Treasury Bills as part of their foreign reserves. If happens, a debt default will have unpredictable impacts to countries that have no choice but to make a "haircut" or only have part of their Treasury Bills paid.
Defend Creditors' Interests
Although this seems quite unlikely, a debt default and downgrade of the credit rating alone will also devalue the US Treasury Bills. Moreover, the value of the US dollar seems to have depreciated faster lately. Thus, the losses may be bigger in the future.
Last week, China (which holds $1.15 trillion long-term US Treasury Bills) called on the United States to defend the interests of the holders of the US Treasury Bills through responsible policy and measures.
Secondly, if the impasse or the final solution plunges the United States into economic stagnancy or a new round of economic recession, the economic growth of developing countries will also be affected.
Substantial Cut in Government Spending
Regardless of the final deal of the US President and the two major parties, the core of the deal will certainly be a substantial cut in the government spending. This will cut down the effective demands of the economy. And this will contradict the effects of the monetary stimulus measures introduced by the Obama administration to address the economic recession. The stimulus package had successfully brought economic recovery to the United States in 2008 and 2009.
Thirdly, Washington stressed that there are uncertainties in the unhealthy dependence on the US dollar as the international foreign reserves. There is a need for reforms to reduce the dependence on one single currency. For example, some prominent economists like Joseph Stiglitz, Jose Antonio Ocampo, and Yilmaz Akyuz and some decision-makers like the governor of the central bank of China have advocated the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) (major currency basket) as a currency for global reserves.
Spur Reforms of Global Reserves System
Although a debt default of the United States is most unlikely, the matter has now turned from unimaginable to possible. This may once again trigger the discussions on the reforms of the global reserves system.
The facts of the current impasse facing Washington are as follows. The current $14.29 trillion debt ceiling will be reached by 2 August, therefore new borrowing is not allowed before this date. The government estimates that the debt ceiling has to be raised to $24 trillion, so that the government could fulfill its promises made for the period after the presidential election a nd before November 2012.
Many Republican congressmen, especially those influenced by the Boston Tea Party, hope that the government could achieve budget balance through substantial cut of spending without raising taxes.
But some Republican leaders are willing to consider small tax hike or even closing the tax loopholes. However, they find it hard to convince their colleagues in the party. They also hope the cut of spending could exceed the increase of the debt ceiling.
The President and Democratic Party are willing to cut down the spending substantially, but they also hope to raise the taxes on the rich, so that both can contribute to the reduction of the budget deficit. Leaders of the Democratic Party said unyieldingly that social and medical security must not be affected, although Obama is willing to allow some cut in this area.
Should the extreme attitude of the Boston Tea Party become the mainstream in the Republican Party, it will be a tough task to strike the deal. The Democratic Party and Republican Party must give in fully to solve this problem.
Should the impasse persists, a possible solution is the proposal made by the Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell. During this period, the President proposed the plan to increase the debt ceiling and cut down budget, but the plan was rejected by the Congress and the President voted against it. McConnell's proposal will be passed, unless two-thirds of the Congress vote against it again.
Regulatory System Collapses
This has also made all quarters claim that they will hold on to their stands and avoid the crisis.
If no consensus is reached by 2 August, then the US Government would have no choice but to choose not to pay what items and when these items would not be paid. These include the interest of the short term national debt, social security, health care, vendors, unemployment relief, food, military expenditure, salaries for employees of the federal government, etc.
The priority will be paying debt. Thus it is very unlikely that the US Government would not pay the debt, unless the impasse persists for a long time. When there is no transaction, other services and remuneration will be affected and increase continuously.
Almost everyone would agree, there will be no way out for the government if it operates this way. Yet, the regulatory system of the United States is losing its functions. This has caused serious impacts to other countries. Therefore, everyone hopes that they could come out with a solution before 2 August.

Philippine Needs To Create Bilateral Friendly Atmosphere With China

President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III has made clear recently that he will visit China within this year. He added that barring unforeseen circumstances, the visit will take place this year. He further said that to him, engaging talks with all parties especially with China, are important. He also said that the Philippines and China would focus discussion on resolving the sovereignty dispute in this (South China Sea) water which is of strategic importance.
News about President Aquino's intention to visit to China was heard much earlier. At one time, it was even speculated that his visit to China would be in May. But May has already passed and the President's visit to China did not materialize. Last week, the Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario also told outsiders that President Aquino will visit China either at the end of August or in early September. Nevertheless, this is the first time President Aquino made clear to the press that he will visit China this year. Since this news was confirmed by Aquino personally, the prospect of President Aquino's expected visit to China is settled. Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario has also traveled to China recently. We trust that probably the mission of the Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario's visit to China is to pave the way clear for President Aquino's visit to China later on.
Resolving Sovereignty Dispute
When President Aquino accepted the media interview, he did talk about the mission of his China visit. He said that he would focus his visit on resolving the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea. He hoped that the Philippines and China could reach an agreement over the sovereignty dispute because people's lives are at stake and he could not ignore this problem. What President Aquino said at the press interview has set the tone of his forthcoming visit to China.
During the past 36 years after the Philippines and China established diplomatic relations with each other, almost all the previous President of the Philippines had paid visited to China and some had even visited China a few times. President Aquino's mother, the late Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino also paid official visit to China in April 1988. During her visit, the late President Corzon A. Aquino even made a special trip to her ancestral home to visit her relatives in Hongjian village, Longhai County, Zhangzhou City of Fujian Province. Her visit to the Chinese village left a good topic of discussion for bridging the Philippines-China bilateral ties. In reciprocation, Chinese national leaders also returned official visits to the Philippines. These official visits by China's national leaders have included today's big three political giants- President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and NPC (National People's Congress) Chairman Wu Bangguo.
It is a good development that President Aquino has the desire to visit China. To the Philippines and China as well as to the people of the two countries, this can consider as a major event. The people for both countries will be happy to see President Aquino's plan to visit China sailing through smoothly. This is because the people from both countries do understand that high-level government officials' mutual visits to each other's country is an important agenda in building up good bilateral relationship. Through such high-level government official visits, the relationship between the two can achieve a higher level of friendly diplomatic relations and can become everlasting friendly neighbor.
Bilateral Consultation
Generally speaking, before nations engage in high-level government official visit, the two nations will usually try their best to create a friendly and harmonious atmosphere. Such atmosphere will be conducive to attain a successful visit that follows. This is a normal diplomatic protocol. Yet what we observe from the recent happening in this country is that the relationship between the Philippines and China has been an unpleasant one due to the territorial dispute between the two countries in the South China Sea. Recently, the Manila side has even considered Li Yongsheng, the political counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines as a character that the Philippine Government will not want to deal with.
The reason was that during the last round of bilateral consultation held between the Philippine and Chinese Government officials to discuss the issues pertaining to the South China Sea conflict, Li Yongsheng has raised his voice. Under such a backdrop and atmosphere, we should ask ourselves if it is the best time for President Aquino to visit China now? Can we expect President Aquino's forthcoming visit to China to achieve some kind of a constructive agreement between the two nations?
Establishment of Diplomatic Ties
The Philippines and China have long standing diplomatic history. The people from both nations have long maintained a friendly relationship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the people from both countries have made good effort to cultivate and nurture the good friendship between them. They cherish the hope that their respective high-level national leaders will visit each other's country frequently in a manner similar to how relatives will visit each other's home. However, under the current circumstances, especially when the Philippines and China have just gone through a round of territorial dispute recently, a strange atmosphere has emerged between the two countries. This does not seem to be the best time for President Aquino to pay official visit to China.
South China Sea Conflict
We believe that if President Aquino really feels that his visit to China is very important and it is a trip that cannot do without, then he must make good preparation for such a visit. For example, he should put aside the territorial and maritime dispute in the South China Sea. He must avoid coming out with words or statements that can hurt the feelings of the people from both the nations. He must not engage in things detrimental to tarnish the bilateral ties between the two countries. He must work hard to create a friendly atmosphere that can make his official visit to China a successful one.
Conversely, if the Philippines continues to quarrel with China over the South China Sea conflict, then even if President Aquino visits China as planned, such a visit will not help to resolve the conflict between the two countries. Such a visit will not benefit the diplomatic ties between the two countries. In the final analysis, even if President Aquino proceeds to visit China, such a visit cannot achieve the goal of his visit very much. Such a visit will not bring any benefit to the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. It is better for him not to go than go to China!

Hillary Clinton’s India Visit

During the highly important recent visit to India by US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, the United States and India have expressed the resolve for promotion of cooperation in civil nuclear technology and defense sectors along with others departments also. Hillary Clinton has said that they will not tolerate the sanctuaries for the terrorists at all. Pakistan should take full-scale action against terrorism for the sake of stability in the region and that it should share intelligence information. It is necessary for the future of Pakistan itself.
India-Pakistan Dialogues
The US and Indian foreign ministers expressed these views while addressing a joint news conference at the conclusion of strategic dialogues. On this occasion, both the countries agreed to expand cooperation for curbing terrorism and to expedite the process of implementation of the civilian nuclear agreement. The strategic dialogues also discussed the Pakistan-India dialogues and they urged that Pakistan should destroy the safe havens of the terrorists for stability in the region and for security of its future. Clinton said that civil nuclear agreement is a ''vital investment'' between both the countries. For this purpose, the United States will keep cooperating with India.
Clinton assured the Indian officials that the Barack Obama administration will keep the pressure up against Pakistan to handle the extremists and that they will not allow Taliban to regain power in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US military. She said that Pakistan-India talks are welcome development. The United States wants to see confidence restored between both the countries and for this purpose the settled measures should be properly acted upon.
War on Terror
She reiterated that the United States considers Pakistan an important ally in the war on terror. She confessed that the number of people who died in terrorists' attacks are far more than the people in the United States. However, Pakistan should secure its areas and its people. We want long term relations with Pakistan under the bilateral interests however we will not tolerate the safe hideouts of terrorists in any part of the world and we will have to work jointly in order to remove them. It is correct that no government can offer shelter to a terrorist since it is aware of the mortal consequences.
She said that it is in the interest of Pakistan' future to improve ties with India. She also said that we want to see justice done to the people who attacked India. The United States is committed to the agreement for civil nuclear technology and it will honor the agreement.
Expressing condolences and sympathies with the victims of Mumbai blasts, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton said that Indian war against terrorism is ''our war''. We will always side with India on this issue. Pakistan has also fallen prey to the terrorism. On this occasion, both the countries reached an agreement for the cyber security as well. Under the agreement, Indian secret agency -- Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the US CIA will provide intelligence information to each other in case of any incident of terrorism.
Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna said during the talks with US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, we have talked about the permanent membership of India in the UN Security Council and to expand the role of India in Afghanistan. Krishna said at the time of military drawdown from Afghanistan, the United States should keep the ground realities in view and ''ensure'' that following the withdrawal, the Taliban-led terrorists do regroup and strengthen themselves. We have made it clear to the other allied countries, including the United States, that their presence is highly necessary in Afghanistan.
US Withdrawal From Afghanistan
US State Secretary Clinton said I want to make it clear that though the United States has initiated the process of pulling out its troops from Afghanistan but it does not mean we are completely leaving the region. We are committed to performing our duties in the region. She said that in order to give the reconciliation a practical shape and to maintain it, the United States would need the cooperation of all the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, including India and Pakistan. India has recently shifted its stance after a longtime opposition to talks with the Taliban.
Referring to India's stance, US State Secretary Clinton said that India has expressed its ''concerns'' about foreign intervention during the process of reconciliation. We agree to these concerns and we are holding talks with India over these issues. We also believe that Pakistan's role in also very important in this process and Pakistan has ''fair interests'' which should be safeguarded. A democratic, stable and prosperous Pakistan is necessary for the durable peace and security in the region. The drawdown in the forces does not signify that we are leaving Afghanistan alone.
US State Secretary Hillary Clinton urged India that now it is the right time when India should play its leadership role in the Asia where China is spreading its influence and power. She said that India should help the neighboring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan that are suffering numerous difficulties. India should expand its political influence as it has its economic influence and power. Moreover, Washington is ''aware of the fact'' that India has the capability to do so as compared to China. The 21st century is the time to find new opportunities and playing leadership role. She said the United States and India share common vision with regard to the future of the region. US State Secretary Clinton said that Indian leadership has all kinds of abilities to positively shape the future of Asia Pacific region and in this process, we encourage India that it not only should look toward east but also engage itself in the east as well.
Evolution of Economic, Historical and Scientific Process
The statement of US State Secretary Hillary Clinton in India where she said, ''I want to make it clear that the United States is going to start the process of drawdown of its troops from Afghanistan but it does not mean that we are going to leave this region'' is no less than a tragedy for the terrorists and their patrons. The terrorists are jumping with joy that they will once again regain the control of the region after the US withdrawal from this region and again they will be able to do what they please with. Moreover, the 'West's' agenda in this region with regard to the terrorism and the terrorists will not change because of the US economy coming to the state of default. It is notable that now India is also part of west besides China and Russia. However, no matter they are the US allies or Russia or China, no wants to see the United States going bankrupt because in that case, these advanced countries will lose lots of their assets in the United States. It will result into anarchy as a result to which the religious fanatics and terrorists will take over the control of the entire world.
Impact of US Economic Collapse
To be a superpower and then come up the expectations of this responsible level is no joke because it all takes place as a result of a long evolution of economic, historical and scientific process.
As a result of the collapse of the US economy, the world will confront various crises of serious nature including economically and militarily and no one will be immune from the mortal and lethal repercussions of the US economic collapse. Therefore, all these countries including the advanced countries will make every possible effort that things do not go this way because to successfully discharge the duties of a superpower is not possible for anyone including the US allies, and Russia or China, at the moment.

India-South Korea Civil Nuclear Cooperation Pact

India and South Korea signed a “historic” civil nuclear cooperation agreement on 25 July, paving the way for the possibility of Seoul exporting its atomic power plants. South Korea has now become the ninth country which had signed nuclear agreement with India after it got the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) in 2008. The other countries are the United States, France, Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Namibia.
The agreement, signed after summit talks between President Pratibha Patil and her South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak, provides legal ground for South Korea’s participation in atomic power plant construction projects in India. It is like other civil nuclear agreements signed between India and other countries.
Historic Agreement
Lee termed the nuclear cooperation agreement as “historic” and will act as “a milestone, demonstrating that our two countries have now truly become strategic partners.”
During the talks, Lee called for support for South Korea's efforts to make inroads into India's atomic power plant market, the statement said.
India is currently building six nuclear power plants and plans to construct around 40 more by 2032, while South Korea seeks to become a major exporter of its home-built nuclear power plants.
The state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
South Korea has now become the ninth country which had signed nuclear agreement with India after it got the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) in 2008. The other countries are the US, France, Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Namibia. The two countries have just concluded and signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Both India and South Korea decided to start talks on civil nuclear cooperation during a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lee on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in October 2010.

The nuclear agreement was signed by Dr Srikumar Banerjee, Secretary Department of Atomic Energy and Kim Sung Hwan, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.

Earlier, Patil and her South Korean counterpart Lee held a 20-minute restrictive meeting followed by delegation-level talks for over an hour at the ‘Blue House’, official residence of the Korean President. Patil is on a week-long tour of Korea and Mongolia.

Opportunities Emerging From New Economic Avenues
In addition to the agreement on nuclear cooperation, the two sides also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on media exchanges and another agreement on administrative arrangements to provide social security to people working in India and Korea.
Speaking at a banquet hosted by Lee in her honor, Patil said India would work with South Korea to enhance trade relations and tap investments opportunities emerging from new economic avenues.
She also called for greater people-to-people contacts between the two countries and cooperation in the UN.
Korean President Lee expressed hope that Patil’s visit will give a fillip to bilateral ties. “I firmly believe that Your Excellency’s visit will generate further momentum for the deepening of our cooperation,” he said.
Both presidents agreed to encourage greater people-to-people exchanges and stressed to start more direct flights between India and South Korea.
Forging Bilateral Ties
The pact provides legal ground for South Korea’s participation in atomic power plant construction projects in India
The two sides also signed MoUs on media exchanges and on administrative arrangements to provide social security to people working in India and Korea

Bomb Explosions in Norway and World Peace

Bomb explosions near the office of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and incidents of firing on the meeting of the ruling party killed 37 people injured dozens others. Police believe that the bomb was planted in a vehicle. The person who fired at the Labor Party's youth summer camp was wearing the police uniform. He shot the youths indiscriminately, leaving 10 people dead and several injured. Foreign media says that the helicopters were seen flying toward Utoeya. The Norwegian prime minister and the head of Labor Party said that the situation on the island is tense.
International Financial Crisis
The United States, the United Kingdom, NATO countries and the European Union have strongly condemned the bomb explosion and declared it as detestable and a cowardly act. A large number of world leaders have also strongly condemned the bomb explosions in Norway. No organization has claimed the responsibility of the explosion as yet. However, it has been reported that the assailant was a Christian, which means it had nothing to do with Muslims.
This shows that extremism is found not only in Muslims, it also found among the followers of other religions, and it is increasing. Such a huge act of terrorism in a peaceful and developed country like Norway is a regrettable and is a source of concern. This act is highly condemnable. These explosions are testimony to the fact that whatever is happening in the western world, and the policies followed by the major countries of the world, are becoming a source of anxiety for the common man, whichever country he might belong. On one hand, the United States and its allies have started the process of conquering different countries under the pretext of terrorism; on the other, because of these policies, the international financial crisis is increasing instead of decreasing. The situation has got so alarming that the threat for the United States going bankrupt is on an increase. It is quite evident that in such a case the entire world will suffer.
Mounting Extremism
Moreover, these major countries are aimlessly making conquests; however, they are not paying any attention toward finding some resolution to the longstanding issues of Kashmir and Palestine. These are the issues that are becoming a source of grief and anger among the people, and are the reason for the mounting extremism across the world. Financial crisis has gripped the world. Not a single country or a group of countries, including the G8, has tried to find out what the principal cause is and who are responsible for it? It will be impossible to eliminate extremism until a serious effort is not made to solve these problems. However, it can be predicted that it will increase. The underdeveloped countries should be convinced that terrorism is now knocking at their door if they show ignorance in this regard.
It is the need of the hour to thoroughly investigate the entire incident so that those responsible for it could be found and an action may be taken afterward. However, it is necessary that the developed countries reconsider their policies and make the developed and underdeveloped countries partner in their progress, and take them along. It is the better way to get rid of terrorism.

Virus in World Civilization: Fundamentalists on Shoulder of Peril Humanity

The great creator has created seven skies and grounds that means the earth beautifully through the skilled artisans. He has created 18,000 species. Of them, the almighty announced the mankind as the greatest creature of the creator by vesting task of love and responsibility in the human being. He also handed over the responsibility of representation to other creatures. Moreover, he has kept the human being created by earth at the level of faults. He has also provided adequate knowledge of understanding good and bad ways to two communities---the human being and demons. He has created heaven for good people and hell for bad people. He has also kept ready a fine judiciary system for dooms day. He has sent saints to each locality to inform about the benefit of good work and bad work. He also sent time-befitting books on law for giving directives on positive and negative sides.
Extreme Peak of Development
The mankind as per its pervading natural rules thinks themselves as lovely and beautiful and members of well-civilized nation. On the other hand, they consider others as ugly, nasty, black sheep and uncivilized. The people before 10,000 years used to claim that they are well-civilized nation. Those who lived before them were barbaric, orthodox, primordial and wild people. We claim in today's world that we are well-civilized nation. We want to prove through various innovations and architecture that we are in extreme peak of the development. Those who lived before us were orthodox, barbaric, primordial, wild and uncivilized. The people crossed the 21st century would claim that they are well-civilized nation. Do you know what they would mention us? They are ugly, nasty, barbaric, orthodox, fanatics, illiterate, impolite and uncivilized. Or they would give a new hateful title. Let see are we really a well-civilized nation or holding any hatful adjective.
The creator has not only sent Hazrat Adam ,the first man, to the world as a complete great man by providing all kinds of education, rather the almighty has sent him as a messenger or teacher of animals of all species including human being and demons. He has sent Hazrat Hawa as the wife of Hazrat Adam. The spread of posterity is made from the above mentioned original father and mother and ancient Semitic, Hamitic, Ad Samud etc which have emerged as the successors of Adam and Hawa later. Various branches and tentacles of these nations spread at different places of the world. At the rotation of time, various nations and communities were born side by side with building of various civilizations. According to the testimony of the history, the Jews were nomadic nation before 1500 BC. In course of time, they were divided into three branches -- Finish, Aramaic and Hebrew. For finding out the lot, they left the Arab desert region and one branch set up settlement in Egypt, another in Palestine and the rest branch established settlement in Kenona town. During settlement in Egypt, the Hebrew nation took slavery of Faraun Kaus. The Hebrew nation was freed from the shackle of slavery after Kaus drowned in the Nile River during the war with Hazrat Musa . Under the leadership of Hazrat Daud and Hazrat Solaiman, they were installed in the seat of glory in phases and established the Hebrew empire side by side with building Hebrew civilization. At that time, Jerusalem was their capital. After the death of Hazrat Solaiman, the fall of the Hebrew empire began and they were spread at different parts of the world. In the year of 3500 BC, that great Babylon civilization was built due to reconciliation of Semitic civilization. Asiria civilization was one of its branch and ancient Hebrew civilization was a different branch of Semitic nation. At the rotation of time, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Sindhu and Arjya civilizations were built. The sum and substance is that it is the world civilization or modern civilization which has been built with mixing of culture of the East and West. Some historians expressed opinion that the Egyptian that means Arab civilization carries the inheritance of the Helle nic civilization. The claimants of these civilizations reached in such a stage in the 10th century by making great reconciliation of all civilization which has been called as the era of 'Aiyame Jaheliat' or the 'Era of Darkness'. After ups and downs, when the world people were engaged in injustice, unholy practice, wars, women, liquor, anarchy and violence, while indiscipline became a regular phenomenon, then the world civilization experienced stumbling in every step.
The creator has sent great saints or messengers in all ages to bring the derailed people in the right track. And Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet who was sent by the almighty Allah to the world about 1500 years ago as a messenger to show the light of the derailed people. We the Muslim community has taken shelter under the very pleasant shade of Islam, the religion preached by the great prophet. Our predecessors were baptized in the religious tenet preached by Hazrat Muhammad that means the great book Al Koran which was vested in the great prophet. It is necessary to mention as the all old constitutions that means religious opinions were annulled with the appearance of the great book Al Koran, what is the logic to call the Muslims as fundamentalists?
Despite remaining united by the Jews, Christians and Buddhists and following cancellation of their all ideologies and philosophies, they cannot spread their 30-40 thousand year-old religious opinion. Being fanatics and covered by the bigotry, they cannot accept the invitation of Islam. A few numbers of people were baptized in Islam by realizing its necessity, but the majority people remain orthodoxy. The mentioned fanatics are hatching bad and hatful conspiracies to prove themselves innocent. The thirsts of Jews, infidels, Christians, the Hindus and others, who claimed themselves well-civilized, are yet to end, by making the humanity in peril and shouldering the ghost of fundamentalism on the Muslims. Besides the fundamentalism, they have given various titles to the Muslims like orthodox Muslim, fanatics Muslim, militant Muslims, terrorist Muslim etc. Khwaza Ismail Mohammad Umrad, Golam Farid, Bahaullah, Golam Ahmad Qadiani, who are the successors of the posterity of Meer Jafar, Ghoseti Begum, the intruders of the Jews, infidels and Christians, were the claimers of feigning prophets. Earlier many feigning prophets faced outrage of Allah by claiming Nabuat.
Those who were condemned for opposing Islam openly were author of the Saternic Verses Salman Rushdi, insulters of Al Koran Sardar Alauddin, author of the controversial book, Lajja, feminist Taslima Nasrin. Their collaborators remain active that how make breach or crack in the Islami unity and belief. The Muslim women have been pressed into the streets alluring them employments and providing equal service through the non-government organizations and in the name of women renaissance. Our mothers and sisters are being naked by opening Hijab in the name of enforcement of various laws. By creating panic of famine, they are engaged in conspiracies to reduce the Muslim manpower, by distributing free contraceptives. Conspiracies are on to change the syllabus of Qaumi madrasa and stop fatwa, which is an integral part of Islam. Poet Daud Haidar made acrimonious comments to the Muslims as fundamentalists when he filed a story in favour of feminist Taslima Nasrin in daily Manab Jamin on July 15 in 2009.
You can read the titled 'Taslima Nasrin's Lajja and Others' edited by Mousi Yasmin as how the poets, litterateurs and newspapers of two Bengals and India undermined the Muslims. Or reading directly 'Lajja' as how Scud missiles have been thrown on Islam. The Muslim people waged a movement considering that the image of Islam will be tarnished and communal harmony in India and Bangladesh would be destroyed. As the then government banned Lajja by undertaking stringent measures, would the respected lawyers term the government as fundamentalists ? In fact, the word of fundamentalism has been evolved from Beng ali language. A section of Alem society in blind faith or other intention or going to express one-sided thinking, analyzed the misinterpretation of the word fundamentalism. But everybody admitted that the word fundamentalism has been turned into reviling like Meer Jafar. Many of their opinion is that we are accepting Adam to lone Allah, accepting the prophets and Risalat and laws of Allah from the beginning and believing those, so we are fundamentalists.
Why they are not trying to understand that the name of these acceptances and beliefs is oneness. The word Allah is the name of a unique entity. On the other hand, the fundamentalism is a law created by the human being and the name of an ideology. Two different matters--fundamentalism and oneness are not same in any way. If confusion is created by mixing up the two separate theories, the birth of different Ferqa or organization is no wonder. It is mentionable that Islam was sent to all prophets including Adam and Issa They all recognized the lone Allah and preached His faith. The rituals of Islam which were essential to perform by them were not applicable for us. The almighty Allah Himself through the holy Koran annulled all laws, theories and ideologies that were vested in the prophets. As the word of 'fundamentalism' has come from Bengali language and it is not a part of Quran-Hadith and has been turned into reviling and the word is applicable for separate religious faiths, would the consequence of shouldering the word on the Muslim nation be good? Rather, it carries the forecast of creating brotherly conflict in the Muslim society and separating the Muslim unity.
Is there any scope of thinking for a single time that the great philosophy and ideology named Al Koran sent by Allah and preached by Muhammad is a complete book where all kinds of present time-befitting laws have been incorporated. It has been clearly mentioned in the Koran that Islam is a complete code of life. This notion has been recognized by all irrespective of religions, caste and creed. It is our beyond realization that why a section of Muslims want to be fundamentalists after showing lame excuse.
A magazine on religious Tamuddun affairs in its January 2011 issue published the editorial titled 'Evaluation of fundamentalists and non-fundamentalists'. As per the language of the editor of the magazine, the fundamentalists are the real Muslims. However, in the last part of the editorial, he said the word 'fundamentalist' has been turned into a reviling.
It is the recognition of the Muslims as fundamentalist by describing the Muslims fundamentalists directly. It can be said with example that everybody has freedom of expression. It is his/her fundamental rights. But it does not mean that anybody could be reviled illogically in the name of freedom of expression. Does Abdul Wahed think the Muslims are blind, deaf and dumb or disabled? It seems that only Wahed holds the authority of 1500 million Muslims. Or he has the power of acceptance and denial of that matter which is vested in 1500 million Muslims!
The Western nations were worried after the discovering of a huge quantity of natural resources in the Muslim countries in Asia and Africa which were independent after the Second World War. The Western powerful nations thought that if the Muslim countries become the owners of huge natural resources and they remain united, they would dominate them very soon. From this apprehension and necessity, the Western nations are trying to create crack in the unity of Muslim countries. They are continuing creating anarchy through panicky propaganda against the Muslim nations which was highlighted in my article.
Undermining Muslims Through Mockery
Burden of shouldering one or one more communities:
The titles like Fundamentalist Muslims, Orthodox Muslims, Militant Muslims and Terrorist Muslims are the sharpen weapons or cruise missiles of the Western forces to destroy the Muslim community. These Western forces are always panicked before the jubilant spirit of Muslims. Despite not having any natural resources Japan, which was destroyed by the nuclear bomb during World War II, was the target of envy of the Western forces. So they are making all-out efforts to destroy the Muslims by giving up the civilization. The masked shameless people want to cover their stigma by observing the Hiroshima Day. In fact they do not bother the civilization. The non-Muslim community is continuing to undermine the Muslims. When they feel self satisfaction by undermining the Muslims through mockery, then their spies or agents welcome through various media to satisfy their lords. They are pushing the adjective named civilization towards the death through books, newspapers, handbill, leaflet, posters, radio, television, CD, VCD, DVD, websites and publicity machinery. As they do not know the correct definition of the fundamentalism and they have no capability of complete analyzing of fundamentalism, a section of the ulema society thinks that oneness and fundamentalism is same. They also think that they were baptized in Islam before Hazrat Muhammad It is not correct at all.
The holy Qran has annulled all ideologies and religious opinions including earlier religions. The role of that ulema society is so frustrating that does not need to say. It would be clear to the readers like daylight by unveiling the mask and some scattered incidents of America that who are infecting the world civilization by virus. And in the name of war on terror, who are burdening the fundamentalism on the shoulder of the Muslims and crippling the world civilization.
Situation in Arab World
Look at present Lebanon and Palestine. The air of Palestine has become heavy due to crying of bloody people of Palestine. Threat after threat is coming in Iran, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Jordan and other Muslim countries. Despite that, would you say that the world civilization remains unhurt?
Dear readers, the incident between Iraq and Kuwait was a brotherly conflict. Arab League had the responsibility to resolve the matter as it was the internal matter of the Arab world. But in the name of peacekeeping, the United Nations destroyed the country by violating thousands of mothers and sisters and looting the oil resources. The oil-rich nations are now the victims of hateful lust. The world civilization has been counting time of death.
Look at Afghanistan and Bosnia. Did the Western countries not carry out aggression on these countries? They are now over the moon by dividing Soviet Union into 15 pieces. The world civilization is now weeping after being emotionalized after extreme Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena under the leadership of LK Advani and under the guidance of fanatic Hindu Dharma Sabha and Biswa Hindu Parishad leveled the Babri Mosque with soil ignoring the High Court verdict.
Bangladesh’s Liberation War
Remember the Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. Three million freedom fighters sacrificed their lives after they were bullet-hit by the Pakistani occupation forces which were equipped with arms provided by so-called super powers America and China. Ignoring the international war policy and painting foot step at the chest of the civilization, they violated 200,000 mothers and sisters. Where was the UN Human Rights Commission, where was the UN Security Council and Geneva Convention? They will be thrown into the dustbin of the history. The days are not far long, they would be awarded hateful titles to be given by the people of the 20th century. Besides, they would try to stigmatize us through false fishing net. The world civilization is now fighting for life after being attacked with the deadly disease. The Western people pushed the world civilization toward the death. How the world people would find out a remedy? Is there any preventive medicine?
Yes, the only preventive medicine is faith. Scud, cruise, and other deadly weapons are outdated before. The Muslims have no fear as they are martyrs if they die and Gazi (hero) if they live. So revive the faith. Jump with nuclear of faith. Whatever barriers have come, face this with courage of faith. It is the time for taking preparation of self-protection. Wake up as it is not the time for sleep. The tornado would be further strengthened if you sleep. Face the enemies of Islam with the strength of faith.
We should keep it in mind that the crushing of the Western people would not be good. The last victory of the faithful is sure because Allah would extend support to them. And Allah is the only resort of the faithful. So we are saying without any doubt that the world civilization suffering from deadly disease would be cured, the faithful would witness last victory.

Bangladesh Trade Deficit Crosses $7 Billion

Despite a bullish trend in the export sector, the country's trade deficit has increased by an enormous proportion due to a massive import cost and a slow pace in remittance inflow. According to Bangladesh Bank's (BB) latest statistics on the balance of payment, the trade deficit in the first 11 months (July-May) of the fiscal 2010-2011 increased by 46 percent in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The BB released this information on 14 July 2011.
Difference Between Import and Export
According to the BB information, the import cost during the July-May period of the fiscal 2010-2011 stood at $27.710billion. The export earning during the same period was at $20.610 billion. The difference between import and export that means the trade deficit stood $7.1 billion. The deficit during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal was $4.87 billion. And as a result, pressure has been created on the balance of payment because of the rise in the trade deficit.
The balance in the current account surplus for the said period was only $610 million. The current account surplus for the same period of the previous fiscal year (2009-10) was at $2.970 million. On the other hand, a deficit of $750 million has been created in the overall balance. During the same period of the previous fiscal, there was a $2.66 billion surplus in the overall balance.
Balance of Payment
The BB while preparing the report on the balance of payment adjusts the export earning as the FOB (excluding transport cost of goods before loading ships and shipping cost). And as a result, the figure of export earning in the BB report is comparatively lower than that of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
However, a 10 percent deduction on account of insurance and shipping cost is made from the statistics of import cost received on the basis of C and F (shipping fare and other cost) to include the import cost in the statistics of balance of payment on FOB basis.
About this state of the balance of payment private research organization, Prof Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of the CPD (Center for Policy Dialogue), said that though there has been a big growth in the export the import cost also increased very significantly due to a rise in the prices of commodities in the international market. He said that a big chunk of our export earning is spent for importing the raw materials of the export items. He said that the current account balance has come under a tremendous pressure due to a rise in the trade deficit side by side with a slow pace in the remittance inflow. He said this pressure will continue in the coming says in the wake of the present state of commodity prices in the international market. To overcome this situation, he suggested diversification of the export items and export market in one hand and taking effective measures for increasing remittance inflow on the other.
According to the BB statistics, the deficit in the service sector has also increased side by side with the trading sector. In the first 11 months of the last fiscal year, the trade deficit in the service sector stood at $2.23 billion. The figure was $1.58 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal. At present there is a surplus of $11.14 billion in the current transfer account. Of the amount, remittance inflow was $10.61 billion. A 5 percent growth was registered in the remittance inflow in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year. On the other hand, a deficit of $1.1 billion was recorded during the same period. The deficit in the previous fiscal was $290 million.
FDI Decreasing
According to information in the BB report, in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year a $720 million net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) came to the country. The net FDI in the previous fiscal was $820million. Meanwhile, a $22 million portfolio foreign investment was withdrawn from the share market. During the same period of the previous fiscal, the portfolio foreign investment withdrawal was $85 million.
Pressure Mounted on Reserve
Pressure has been mounted on foreign exchange reserve because of a rise in the trade deficit and a overall negative impact on the balance of payment. The reserve at the end of May 2011 was increased by a minor proportion in comparison with the same period of the previous fiscal. But the situation has been deteriorated in consideration of the ability of meeting the import cost. The reserve at the end of May 2011 stood at $10.43 billion, which is equivalent to meeting the import cost for 3.6 months. The reserve had the capacity of meeting the import cost for 4.9 months in the previous fiscal.

ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministerial Meeting is going on in Bali, Indonesia. This Meeting plans to come out with a new Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The intention of it is to resolve the territorial dispute over the islands in the South China Sea. As the territorial dispute over the islands in the South China Sea island is widespread and complex; adding to the fact that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and China's Foreign Affairs Minister Yang Jiechi will also be attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to be held in Bali on 23 July, one can expect the issue of territorial dispute between China and ASEAN countries to be raised and debated. In this regard, this round of ASEAN Ministerial Meeting which has already drawn widespread attention has indeed carried with it a significant meaning for all concerned countries.
Interference of External Forces
Originally, the plan and hope for this round of ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting was for ASEAN to search a right direction and path as well as to look for the role that ASEAN should play in the international arena as a regional grouping. But unexpectedly, in recent months, the territorial dispute over the islands in the South China Sea suddenly emerged with the interference of external forces. There were even incidents whereby the confronting countries involved in the conflict had the tendency to resolve the territorial dispute between them by military force. Yet such a development has in turn led ASEAN member countries to, without any intent, produce a certain degree of consensus. In the first place, due to the special geographical location of the South China Sea, countries surrounding this patch of regional water which includes China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have put forward different interpretation of claims pertaining to the sovereignty of the islands in the South China Sea.
The interpretations by different countries over the islands ownership have in turn led to overlapping of claims among them. According to the principles of the Law of the Sea, the overlapping maritime claimants can in fact be resolved through negotiation and demarcation of maritime zone. However, in the case of the South China Sea, it is not easy for the demarcation of territorial waters to come out with any kind of good arrangement. This is because the numbers of main claimant bodies involved in the maritime territorial dispute in the South China Sea are quite a lot. Moreover, the level of overlapping claim of islands and maritime waters by these countries are also varied in different degrees or levels.
Maritime Demarcation Issue
Second, if countries intend to use some kind of demarcation agreement to resolve maritime conflict it will usually mean that the involved countries are willing to more or less make certain degree of mutual concessions or compromise on how the maritime demarcation should be settled. However, between China and Vietnam and between China and the Philippines and even between China and Malaysia, each and every country involved in the South China Sea island dispute does not show any obvious signs of compromise. Some involved countries have even deployed military vessels to protect their claimed territorial islands. As such, at this round of ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting, the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that ASEAN member countries intend to come out is but a framework to vigorously promote the idea of using negotiation as means to resolve the territorial dispute and conflict. Such a proposal is bound to heighten the territorial dispute between China and ASEAN countries.
Territorial and Jurisdictional Dispute
If ASEAN member countries come out with the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea unilaterally among themselves, what can happen during the following ASEAN Regional Forum is the possibility for China to engage in aggressive debating war with the Philippines and also with Vietnam. In the past, at the meeting held between China and ASEAN member countries to discuss "how to handle the potential conflict in the South China Sea", China and ASEAN did issue a joint statement that said: "In the territorial claim regions, relevant countries should consider the possibility to adopt a mutually beneficial cooperation framework to resolve the territorial dispute in the South China Sea."
The statement also said that "military force should not be used to resolve the territorial and jurisdictional dispute in the South China Sea." When such a proposal was jointly announced by both China and ASEAN during that period, the use of words in the announcement was filled with peaceful compromised terms. It was considered then that China and ASEAN countries have finally attained positive and fruitful result deemed useful to defuse the potential conflicts in the South China Sea. But in fact, such a joint declaration does not carry with it any legal binding. Moreover, the conclusion of that meeting between China and ASEAN also did not really touch on the actions and behaviors already taken by some involved countries which have gone ahead to take unilateral action to develop the islands which they claimed ownership. Such a joint declaration by China ASEAN then has now become a time bomb affecting the peace and security in the South China Sea.
Concept of Joint Development
So far, the concept of joint development of the resources in the South China Sea is still worthy of this region's effort to promote further. Participants of the ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting held in Bali should offer a variety of concrete and feasible solutions on this joint development of resources concept and to encourage all the relevant countries building more consensus on this idea. Furthermore, even all relevant countries have the desire to implement the concept of joint development of resources in the South China Sea; they should still approach the planning and consideration of it from different angles and perspectives. This is because the sea area of the South China Sea is quite vast and the claims as expressed by involved countries are all different. As such, at this very moment, it can still be a bit more difficult to streamline the whole South China Sea region as one unified common development zone which can allow the involved countries to proceed and carry out full-fledge cooperation to jointly develop the resources there. However, if through some kind of international cooperation, China and all the involved ASEAN countries can come out with different demarcation zones, then it is more feasible for involved countries to engage in joint development of resource projects in the South China Sea region. The scope of cooperation can begin with small point and later on expand to larger surface. Depending on the different maritime zones in the South China Sea, the main cooperation bodies can carry out joint resource development projects either using bilateral or multilateral approach as warranted. In addition, countries in the South China Sea can also specify the type of marine resources such as oil and gas for the involved countries to carry out specific joint cooperation development projects.
Of note is that after the United States made a deliberated attempt to intervene in the South China Sea dispute, ASEAN countries are shrouded in the shadow of its powerful neighbor. The main reason for the United States to forcefully making its presence in wanting to get involved in the South China Sea oil exploration activities is that the United States wants to use such an approach to threaten the Beijing authority. Its intention is to force China and Vietnam as well as China and the United States to move to the negotiating table. This is also because when the US and Canadian companies, which have traditional cooperation ties with these ASEAN countries overheard that the United States might not rule out the possibility to use force in the South China Sea, these companies might be encouraged to take bold step to engage in joint resource development projects with Vietnam and the in the South China Sea knowing that they have the subtle backing coming from the United States. In this regard, when the United States deploys its military supremacy chips in the South China Sea, such chips can at least be used for the US companies to get involved in the joint resource development projects with countries in the South China Sea region. By so doing, the United States will not end up with not getting any concrete benefits from it.
Of late, the defensive actions taken by the Philippines and Vietnam over their respective territorial rights for islands in the South China Sea have become more and more aggressive. This especially so when the Manila Government has now included the Karajan Islands in the South China Sea as its administration district and considered the Islands as an integral part of the Philippine territory . Under such delicate circumstances when countries involved in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea islands have continued to insist on their respective claims for their islands in the South China Sea, even the situation between China and the Philippines will not immediately develop into a sword crossing confrontation, we trust Vietnam will not keep its silence for long.
Resolving Controversial Issues
The theme of the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting held on 21 July should go more specific into the controversial issues pertaining to the South China Sea. And China's "just in time" action will definitely trigger the old issues pertaining to the unilateral development of islands by some countries surrounding the South China Sea. There is no way for these old problems to avoid being discussed. To resolve the conflict of interest in the South China Sea once and for all, there is a possibility that some ASEAN countries must give the suggestion for ASEAN to sign an Convention with Beijing on the joint development of resources in the South China Sea, or to work on the areas in the South China Sea that can carry out joint development projects. Yet once the countries involved begin to touch on the real issues, quarrels and fights over the real issues can even be more serious than before. In the end, there is no end to the fights and quarrels over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Steps To Improve India-Pakistan Relations

A meeting of the Pakistan-India Joint Working Group with regard to the travel and trade facilities across the Line of Control (LoC) was held in New Delhi on 18 July where Zahra H. Akbari, director general for South Asia at the Foreign Office, led the Pakistani delegation while Joint Secretary Y.K. Sinha led the Indian delegation. In the meeting, the Cross-LoC Travel and Trade Arrangements were examined so that their effective implementation is ensured and additional steps are taken for the provision of the cross-LoC trade and travel facilities.
Unanimity of Views
The unanimity of views between India and Pakistan for enhancing trade through the Control Line, increase in travel and confidence-building measures is appreciable. It is an indication that difference between Pakistan and India are waning and harmony is growing, which is unavoidable for establishment of peace in this region. It is, however, necessary that effort is made to give the matters agreed upon a practical shape because an agreement for the provision of travel facilities to the people of the Occupied and Azad Kashmir across the Control Line and the promotion of trade between them was also reached earlier during the era of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and perhaps it was also implemented for some duration but this process was later suspended because of the lack of appropriate attention of the two governments and not only the little trade that was going on was suspended rather the hope of the people of the two regions to meet their relatives across the Control Line after decades also died. Therefore, it is necessary that this process is continued this time so that an atmosphere of harmony is created, which is necessary for strengthening the Pakistan-India relations. If seen attentively, such an atmosphere is also necessary for longstanding problems between the two countries. And if this process is to be advanced, this goal can be achieved by increasing the across-the-border travel facilities for people of each other.
Common Interest
New Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has told the Parliamentary Committee on National Security that progress is being made in the relations with India and if it had not been so, the India reaction after the Mumbai blasts would have not been positive. It is a welcome advancement. It is in the interest of both the countries that these contacts are not only maintained rather also enhanced. It is also necessary that care should not be ignored in this process of increasing meetings because both the countries are currently facing terrorism and any carelessness can provide the extremists an opportunity too achieve their nefarious designs.
Some care is being exercised after recent strain in relations with the US that is appropriate. Its proof is it that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has recommended that citizens of the US and other countries are issued visas from the Foreign Office through one-window. It will be its benefit that a single authority will be authorized to issue visa and obviously will also be answerable for arrival of any disliked personality or person in Pakistan.

It is hoped that this policy of carefulness will yield good results. The Parliamentary Committee on the National Security in its meeting of Monday made some other recommendations as well that need attention e.g. the committee has sought the draft of the Establishment of National Counterterrorism Authority and Anti-Terrorism Act from the Ministry of Interior, the objective of which may be that the immediately and solid planning for checking terrorism is reviewed. The committee has recommended that the Foreign Office should strictly implement the resolutions of the Parliament. It is a good proposal because it is necessary for establishment of the supremacy of parliament in the country that whatever resolution is passed, it is implemented in its letter and spirit.
Demand of Situation
Pakistani Senator Raza Rabbani has said that keeping in view the stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense, the committee would prepare recommendations for the government. Appropriate proposals will emerge in this way by implementing, which the government will be able to improve the defense and foreign affairs. The committee has also stressed that Pakistan's strategic interests should be given fundamental importance in all policies. It is a fact that there should have been no need to make this recommendation because safeguarding the strategic interests of any country is the top priority of its government. Anyhow, if the committee has now called attention towards it, the monitoring of these matters is necessary. The committee has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that talks with all countries should be held on the basis of equality and sovereignty. This directive too should be implemented because all countries and nations of the world are equal and none has supremacy on the other. Therefore, whenever talks are held or matter is agreed upon with any country, it is should be on the basis of equality.
The need for this directive has perhaps been felt because the US attitude toward Pakistan during the past many decades that Pakistan's assistance is stopped after achievement of the US objectives or sanctions are imposed on Pakistan has created an impression at the public level that the United States has supremacy over Pakistan. The adoption of the policy of equality is also needed to dispel this impression.

Indian Farmers Produce Record Food Grains

Indian farmers have produced record grain in the just-concluded 2010-11 farm year, even as the world struggled with shortages. Food grains consist of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. In 2009-10, the total farm output was 218 million tons as compared to 234 million tons in the year before.
The food grain production witnessed an all-time record 241.56 million tons of food grain during 2010-11, surpassing the earlier record of 234.47 achieved during 2008-09, on the back of a good monsoon and higher support prices for farmers.
The record production shows that the sustained focus on food grains and pulses in recent years by the federation has paid off rich dividends. The output of pulses and oilseeds, two key consumption items India is not able to produce enough, also hit a record high.
Major Factors
However, sustaining the record output may be difficult this year because of the poor rainfall in July may affect sowing and eventually the output. By mid-July, the country had received 3 percent below normal rainfall with 13 Meteorological Department’s reporting a deficit. The record food grain output was largely because of a sharp rise in production of wheat to 86 million ton against 81 million ton in the year before.
India has now set a target of 245 million ton food grain for the 2011-12 crop year. The 2010-11 can be termed a very good year. The overall food grains production target is 245 million ton for the 2011-12 crop year.’
According to the fourth Advance Estimates for the year, the food grain production surpassed the previous record of 234.47 million ton achieved in 2008-09 with a good margin and is significantly higher than 218.11 million ton produced in 2010-11. However the estimate is still less than the target of 244.50 million ton set in the beginning of the crop year 2010-11.
All commodities in the basket, including wheat at 85.93 million ton, rice at 95.32 million ton, coarse cereals at 42.22 million ton, pulses at 18.09 million ton, oil seeds at 31.10 million ton have achieved an all time record. Among the coarse grains, maize with a contribution of 21.28 million ton, is significantly higher that the production of 19.73 million ton achieved during 2008-09.
Cotton and Kharif Output
Cotton production also increased from 24.23 million bales in 2009-10 to 33.43 million bales in 2010-11. For the 2011-12 crop year, the Agriculture Ministry has pegged rice production at 102 million ton, 87 million ton for kharif and 15 million ton for Rabi, wheat at 85 million ton, coarse cereals at 41 million ton, and pulses at 17 million ton taking food grain output to 245 million ton.
India will be able to meet the demand under the proposed National Food Security Act for which the requirement is around 60-65 million ton.
Food Inflation
The comfortable food grain stocks has kept a check on prices of cereals, but the rising demand for vegetables, milk and fruits had kept overall food inflation high. Inflation in food articles has dropped to 8.31 percent at the beginning of July from over 20 percent at the beginning of the year.
Minimum Support Price Increases
The sharp increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP), for a number of crops has allowed farmers to apply more inputs to their crop, helping lift output across crops. The MSP for pulses was raised up to 700 per quintal before the cropping season last year. In the case of some pulses, the increase more than 20 percent.

Thai Air Force Orders Aerostar UAVs From Israel

A foreign news agency reported that the Thai Air Force has signed an agreement to purchase an Aerostar Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) system from an Israeli aeronautics company.
After the country's economic crisis in 1997 was over, the Thai Air Force has readjusted the structure of its combat force. One of the actions taken was to set up a fleet of 10 to 12 unmanned air vehicles as earlier reported on the official website of the Thai Air Force.
According to the report, the purchase agreement was signed since 2009. The Aerostar AUVs will be commissioned to the 404 Squadron of Wing 4 in Takhli (Nakhon Sawan Province). The unmanned air vehicles will be operating in parallel with the Learjet 35 A and Arava, the military transport and surveillance aircrafts of the 402 Squadron. It is anticipated that the Aerostar UAVs will be put to work before the end of 2011 to enhance the Thai Air Force's combat potential. According to the Thai Air Force's policy, the Wing 4 will further developed to serve as the /Network Centric Air Force/. At the same time, another project will be implemented to increase the efficiency of the F-16A/B jet fighters (/MLU/ Project) of the 403 Squadron.
Supporting Suppression of Insurgency
Moreover, it is believed that the Thai Air Force will use the Aerostar UAVs to support the suppression of insurgency in the three southern border provinces. The surveillance mission has been conducted by the two recently purchased DA-42 MPP aircraft which were commissioned to the 402 Squadron in 2010.
It is not the first time that the Thai Air Force will be using unmanned military aircraft. In 1988, the Thai Air Force sent a five-member team led by an assistant air force commander to purchase seven SkyEye UAVs of R4D model from the BAe System Company. The aircraft were attached to the 402 Squadron and used during the border clash at Ban Romklao village before they were decommissioned 20 years later. In 2008, the Thai Air Force ordered three unmanned air vehicles of CyberEye II model from Malaysia's Cyber Technology Company and the aircraft were delivered in 2009, which was the same year that the agreement on the purchase on a special barter deal of the Aerostar UAVs was signed.
In November 2010, a team of five air force officers led by an assistant air force commander, in his capacity as president of the project, was sent to Israel to follow up the progress of the installation of equipment on the aircraft as required by the Thai Air Force and observe the flight-testing of the first Aerostar (S/N 678). It is anticipated that this batch of the Aerostar UAVs should be better than the ordinary model because they are equipped with the communications system compatible to the Thai Air Force's operation data system at the present and in the future.
The Aerostar is an unmanned air vehicle of the /tactical UAV or TUAV/ type. It is suitable for intelligence gathering, target-searching, and surveillance operations (/Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance or ISTAR/). The aircraft has straight wings and double tail wings with three wheels (one at the head and two at the fuselage under the wings) with a /pusher-propeller twin-tailboom/.
The Aerostar is 4.5 meter long and has a wingspan of 7.5 meters. It is powered by a 30-horsepower two-stroke engine produced by Zanzottrra, model 490IA, and has a maximum flying altitude of 18,000 feet, 12-hour endurance, loiter speed of 60 knots, and maximum take-off weight of 210 kg, 50 of which is the weigh of equipment.
The aircraft and communications and navigator equipment are controlled by the digital technology of the UMAS type with 30,000 hour operation before maintenance.
The equivalent in term of efficiency of the Aerostat is the Thai Army's Seacher Mk. I/II. The Aerostar is comparable to between the RQ-7A/B Shadow 200 and MQ5A/B Hunter systems of the US Armed Forces.
Satellite Communications System
An important equipment of the Aerostar is the /Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR). The self-revolving ball shape unit of DSP-1 model is produced by the Controp Precision Technologies Company. Attached underneath the fuselage are a color and high resolution CCD-TV for daylight operation and an infrared FLIR camera operating on medium-range frequency (MWIR frequencies of 3 to 5 microns which can effectively penetrate haze and dust). The camera system can zoom photos and is used for night operation. The Aerostar is also attachable to the /laser range finder/ or /laser marker./ However, it is unknown if the Air Force has ordered the installation of this equipment on the purchased aircraft.
The Aerostar is equipped with the data-link communications system controlled by the /line-of-sight/ radio frequencies (of C-, L-, or S-bands) with a direction-controllable antenna disc from the Commtact Company mounted on top of the fuselage and has an operation range over 200 kilometers. It can be installed with the /SATCOM/ satellite communications system. The ground control station, /HCS (Hydra Control Station)/, is capable of controlling in the real time several aircraft at the same time. In addition, a small remote control device, /RPCS (Remote Payload Control Station)/, can be used for field operation to control in the real time of the Aerostar UAV. The ground Hydra Contrl Station can easily linked with other control systems (such as the /RTADS/ system of the Air Force which will soon be replaced by the /RTACCS/ system which will be controlling all air combat operations in addition to the normal air defense works) to send information to the high-level commanders to assist their decision making activities on battlefield and in real time. It will be an important portion of the /Network Centric Warfare/.
Antiterrorism Operations
The Aerostar was first commissioned by the Israeli military in 2000 and registered over 10,000 flying hours without encountering any problem in a short period of 18 months. Among the 15 countries that have purchased a total number of 131 Aerostar UAVs are the United States, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Georgia, Nigeria, and Angola. It has been used during the antiterrorism operations by the NATO troops in Afghanistan. At present, Aeronautics is the process of development of the Aerostar-C. The new model of Aerostar has a wingspan 2.5 meters longer and is powered by a 65-horsepower four-stroke engine. It has 24-hour endurance and can carry as much as 80 kilogram of equipment. It is possible that the Thai Air Force might be interested in this model. However, the specifications of the Aerostar-C are still lower than those stipulated by the Thai Air Force in 2006 which requires a 30-hour endurance and carrying capacity of 135 kg -- a /MAL (Medium-Altitude Long Endurance)/ rather than a /TUAV/ category.
During the Defense & Security 2009 Fair in Thailand, officials of the Aeronautics Company told our TAF Team in an interview that in selling the Aerostar UAVs to the Thai Air Force, the company would also transfer the technology to the buyer. However, it is still unclear if the agreement has included the technology transfer.