Islamic Bloc: Need of Hour

The electronic and print media of the United States and the United Kingdom, which are presently leading the civilized and developed countries of the world, are forcefully in the forefront to raise voice for the protection of human rights. These countries consider themselves as the custodian of human rights and the human rights organizations making progress under their patronage are telling tales of repression and tyranny taking place in the world to proclaim their sympathy and love for humanity. They have even set up organizations to prevent the factors affecting the natural environment for wildlife and maritime life.
Muslims' Rights at Stake
The animal rights organizations come into action without any delay even if their dogs are maltreated. However, some one should ask those, who raise voice for animal rights that why they fail to see the rights of the Muslims for the sake of their own interests? Under the leadership of the United States, the world of paganism, intoxicated by power and might, declares any country any time, particularly some Muslim country, as terrorist and attacks it. Iraq and Afghanistan were ruined by this civilized country under a premeditated conspiracy.
Why this country, which teaches lesson to audacious countries, fails to see the flagrant terrorism by its protectorate country, which has been perpetrating repression on the innocent Palestinians since long. Why the US Administration has blindfolded itself?
Problem for Innocent People
If attacking the life and property of innocent people is considered as terrorism in the United States, then the murder and pillage in Afghanistan should be considered worse than terrorism. The fault of the innocent and guiltless Afghans is only that they are Muslims. The bloodletting of innocent people is a slap on the face of the international campaign against terrorism. The truth is that the stains of this blood will never be cleansed from the face of the global alliance. The irony of justice is that the country, which offered the largest sacrifices against terrorism, got nothing in return. The blood of innocent elderly people, children, and women is spilled every other day in UAV attacks on many Muslim countries. At time, Pakistan’s national honor and self-respect is hurt by staging the farce of the presence of Usama Bin Ladin's hideout in Pakistan. However, present Pakistani leadership remains unmoved and it is looking toward others even in this difficult situation.
Imperialism and Colonialism Forces
The forces of imperialism and colonialism have surrounded the Muslims today. They are eying Pakistan, Iran, and other Muslim countries after spilling blood in Iraq and Afghanistan. The crusade goes on. There is a dire need for a strong Islamic bloc under these circumstances. Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran can forge this bloc together.
The Arab and Asian states can be included in it later. Turkey and Iran are already willing but Pakistan and Afghanistan are under the influence of the United States. The leaders of these two countries will have to realize the subtlety of the situation as the crusade can only be countered by forging an Islamic bloc.

Singapore's Presidential Election Changes Country's Political Landscape

As soon as the result of Singapore's Presidential Election was announced, we heard voices that questioned the representatives of a weak president.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan, who is deemed as the candidate anointed by the ruling party, narrowly won the election of the seventh president of Singapore with 35.19 percent of votes (744,397 votes) after a tough see-saw battle. Former member of parliament, Dr Tan Cheng Bock (some rumors said he was backed by the Goh Chok Tong's faction in the People's Action Party (PAP) garnered 34.85 percent of the popular votes (737,128 votes). Tony Tan won the election only by a majority of 0.34 percent (7,269 votes)!
Tan Jee Say, who was initially seen as the biggest competitor of Tony Tan, secured 25.04 percent of votes (529,732 votes); whereas Tan Kin Lian, who was regarded as the weakest candidate, only managed to gain 4.91 percent of votes (103,931 votes).
After the result was announced, some posted comments in the Internet, saying that should Tan Jee Say and Tan Kin Lian have not run in this election, Tony Tan would have become the second George Yeo. There were also sarcastic remarks in the Internet such as "Congratulations to Tony Tan for his embarrassing election as the President with 744,459 votes from a population of 5 million". Some also insinuated that Tony Tan won the election because of votes from "immigrants."
It is indeed embarrassing that Tony Tan only won by less than 1 percent majority considering that dozens of trade unions and clan associations had openly shown their supports to him and that he had the "blessing" from PAP. This is not only a blow to the personal prestige of this "president of all people," it is also another shock to PAP after the general elections in May.
Setback to PAP
The general elections in May 2011 have been described as an important watershed in the history of Singaporean politics. PAP only managed to secure 60 percent of the popular votes and lost a Group Representation Constituency for the very first time. Despite it all, public opinion still believed that more than 40 percent of the electorate should be PAP hardcore supporters. But judging from the result of this presidential election, PAP hardcore supporters might have dropped to about 35 percent only. This is undoubtedly another political setback to PAP. On contrary, this is a great motivation to the opposition.
Moreover, there were as many as 37,826 spoilt votes recorded in this presidential election. The number of spoilt votes is five times more than the 7,269 majority votes secured by Tony Tan! This has also made the election of Tony Tan even less convincing. Why did so many voters give up their chances to create a history of Singapore? This is another matter worthy of being studied.
Significant Change
Although the Singaporean government has deliberately kept a distance from the presidential election and repeatedly stressed that the president is beyond politics, this intensely competitive presidential election has obviously brought about many surprising changes to the country's politics.
Among others, the most significant change is that the Singaporean voters have become more strong-minded. They are brave enough to challenge the authority of the authoritarian political leaders and to oppose to the conservative political system. These changes have given birth to a new landscape of the Singapore-style democracy. Singapore has now entered into a more competitive new era with more possibilities!

RBI Opens Door to India Inc With Strong Fences

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 29 August paved the way for corporate India to enter banking, but set stiff conditions that straightaway shut the door on real estate companies and brokerage firms. In its much-awaited draft guidelines for new private banks released on Monday, the RBI said private groups or entities with diversified ownership, sound credentials and a "successful track record" of 10 years would be allowed to apply for new banking licenses. The central bank is considering issuing banking licenses for the first time since 2004.
Such groups or entities cannot have more than 10 per cent or more assets or income from real estate and capital market activities.
Nonoperative Holding Company
The new banks can be set up only through a wholly owned, nonoperative holding company, or NOHC, that will control the bank and other financial service companies in the group, the RBI said. The NOHC, which will be registered as a non-banking finance company with the RBI, will include all financial arms of the founding group. The minimum capital required to set up new banks has been fixed at Rs 500 crore.
Banking aspirants such as the Aditya Birla Group, the Mahindra Group and Larsen & Toubro were generally happy with the guidelines -- something reflected in the sharp rise in the shares of some non-banking finance companies expected to seek banking licenses.
While Bajaj Finance ended 15 per cent higher, Reliance Capital, IFCI, SREI Infrastructure, Shriram Transport Finance and Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services ended 2.5 to 11 per cent higher.
However, some felt some of the clauses gave the incumbents undue advantage. For example, the minimum capital adequacy ratio for existing banks is nine per cent as against 12 per cent prescribed for new banks.
New Draft Norms
Similarly, in existing banks, foreign shareholding is permitted up to 74 per cent. It has been capped at 49 per cent for new banks for the first five years. Another discrepancy is in the listing norms. While existing banks are not mandated to get listed, new banks have to be listed on local bourses within two years of licensing.
New banks would also have to open at least one in four branches in rural areas with a population of no more than 9,999.
While laying down the detailed eligibility criteria, the RBI has made it clear the licenses will be offered selectively after the final guidelines are framed and certain amendments made in the Banking Regulations Act, 1949. The central bank has sought comments on the draft norms from public and other stakeholders by October 31.
According to the draft norms, banking being a highly leveraged business, licenses shall be issued on a very selective basis to those who conform to the requirements, who have an impeccable track record and who are likely to conform to the best international and domestic standards of customer service and efficiency. Therefore, it may not be possible for RBI to issue licenses to all the applicants meeting the eligibility criteria.
The central bank will also seek feedback on applicants from other regulators, enforcement and investigative agencies such as Income Tax, Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.
The RBI has also stipulated half the directors of the holding company be independent, with a view to keeping in check the influence of promoters.
RBI is directionally very clear it will allow the corporate sector to have a play in banking. The central bank has also made it clear what type of corporate it wants in the sector and only serious and long-term players can be considered.
Paid-Up Capital of Bank
The holding company will have to hold a minimum 40 per cent of the paid-up capital of the bank for an initial period of five years. It will have to reduce its shareholding in the bank to 20 per cent within 10 years and to 15 per cent within 12 years from the date of licensing. The new bank will have to be set up within a year of getting in-principle nod.
Individuals or institutions other than the holding company can own more than 10 per cent of the paid-up capital of the bank, directly or indirectly. Shareholding of five per cent or more by individuals and institutions will also be subject to prior RBI approval.
Despite the restrictions on foreign shareholding and higher capital requirements, the new banks will be competitively placed and will have a level playing field. The technology cost has come down sharply and these new players don't have any legacy issues like existing banks.
The RBI also proposed the business model for new banks include how they aim to achieve financial inclusion. They have to open 25 per cent of their branches in unbanked rural centers. The banks should also operate on the core banking solution platform from the beginning.
Nonbanking Finance Companies
The nonbanking finance companies seeking a banking license can either convert themselves into a bank or set up the bank separately.
For promoters having over 40 per cent income from non-financial business, the RBI has put in some additional guidelines. Banks promoted by these corporate entities will have to seek prior approval for raising paid-up capital beyond Rs 1,000 crore for every block of Rs 500 crore.

Prachanda’s Exible Proposal To Form Maoist Government in Nepal

In an effort to lead a new government, the Maoists are making a new proposal relating to the peace process, constitution drafting and government formation. (The Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M)) Chairman (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) Prachanda announced the new proposal on 25 August, which is flexible than the ‘bottomline’ proposed by the party previously.
Prachanda's new proposal was discussed for more than three hours on 24 August at a meeting of (Maoist) officials. The standing committee (of UCPN-M) met in the morning of 25 August to give final shape to the proposal. The most contentious issue in the peace process is the issue of army integration.
Proposals Regarding Peace Process
Along with the new proposal, the Maoists have said they will continue to strive for a consensus government to the last minute even if they are contesting to lead the majority government. The formation of a consensus government could not be possible by the three days of extended deadline by Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav, leading to the election process for the prime minister beginning on 25 August. ‘The process of electing majority government began, yet our efforts would be focused on the formation of a government on the basis of political consensus, the standing committee of our party is meeting tomorrow which will bring concrete proposals regarding the peace process, constitution drafting and government and this will help facilitate the formation of a consensus government within the majority,’ Maoist Vice Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha Prakash said after the meeting.
The Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and Madhes-based parties have informally agreed to the Maoist proposal through different ‘channels.’ The Maoist understanding is that a Maoist-led government is possible if their (other parties) suggestions are also incorporated in the proposal. The Maoist meeting has also decided to go for majority process (in forming the government).
The Maoists are announcing new proposal to take into account all sides at a time when the Congress and UML have been insisting that they would not accept the Maoist leadership so long as it does not provide a fundamental commitment to the peace process. According to a source, the new Maoist proposal is based on the discussions it had on the subject with different political parties and the informal agreement reached with them.
The Maoist preparation is to open the prospects of a government led by the party by making proposals regarding the peace process, constitution drafting and the government. The Maoist plan is to involve all parties in the government to make concrete progress in the peace process even if the formation of a majority government is a distinct possibility.
The proposal by the Maoist chairman also regrets for the failure to form a consensus government. ‘The consensus government led by the Maoists should have been formed on the basis of the proposals we had made regarding the army integration and rehabilitation, other works related to the peace process and the drafting of the constitution but we are sad that the basis for the formation of a national consensus government could not be there,’ said Vice Chairman Prakash.
The Maoist leaders had discussed that the government led by the Maoists would have made remarkable progress within short span of time since the party was unified on the question of the peace process and constitution drafting. Leaders closer to Vice Chairman (Mohan Baidya) Kiran have argued that the party should not be flexible on the question of the number (of combatants) to be integrated.
What is New Proposal?
Maoist Chairman Prachanda's proposal on the peace process, constitution drafting and government discussed at the party officials meeting on Wednesday refers to the integration of 7,000 combatants under the directorate general under the Nepal Army. There would be one brigadier general from among the combatants and the leadership would be handed over to the combatants after they complete the ‘bridge course.’ The last central committee meeting of the party had decided that the directorate general should be led by the combatant.
Similarly, it has been proposed that the central level leaders of the party now in the people's army would be given due honor by the state and they would return to politics and those (combatants) opting for rehabilitation would be given relief amount of between (Nepali rupees) NR 500,000 and NR 700,000. At present, six central level leaders of the Maoists are at the commanding level in the people's army. The proposal also mentions that the keys to the containers where Maoist arms are stored would be handed over to the army integration special committee headed by the prime minister soon after there is an agreement on the government under the Maoist leadership.
Similarly, some flexibility would be exercised regarding people's army (fighters) who opt for integration and for this an expert group would be formed from among the Maoists and Nepal Army. The Maoists have been asking for integration of between 8,000 and 10,000 combatants.
The Maoist central committee meeting that closed on 9 Saun (25 July) had decided to accept the leadership system of the directorate general for the integration, pre determine the number of combatants to be integrated, and honorable rank harmonization. Similarly, it has decided that the integration should be done on the basis of fixed units, organize the combatants as military units, guarantee honorable assignment to them, and promote democratization and inclusiveness of the security agencies.
National Security Policy
Maoist Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya Kiran had argued for the formulation of a national security policy and clear integration modality before army integration was made, 50 percent of the new force must be composed of people's army, and at least between 8,000 and 10,000 people's army should be integrated.
He also wants the new force to be deployed for border security, and argues for group integration, experience should be counted as qualification, the new force must be armed, and those opting for rehabilitation should be provided relief amount of between NR 700,000 and NR 1,000,000.

Indian Parliament Accepts Anna Hazare's Demands

After being reviled for its self-serving ways and incorrigible politicking, the political class delivered when it mattered. Displaying an unerring big-day temperament, political parties surpassed themselves as Parliament gave Anna Hazare a massive victory.
Sensing the public mood, political egos were largely in check. MPs drove home the humbling knowledge that politicians were lagging their constituents. The leaders had become the led.
Agreed Points
After over eight hours of debate around the structure of the Lokpal Bill, the Government and the Opposition in both the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament) and Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament) came together to agree “in-principle” to the three major demands the activist had raised in his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 August as a condition to end his protest.
In doing so, the Parliament, which sat for the longest hours this monsoon session today, paved the way for the Gandhian to end his fast. Anna responded late night after government’s emissary and minister Vilasrao Deshmukh announced the day’s developments amid cheering and roaring crowds at the Ramlila Grounds. “We have won the battle but the war remains. This is your victory. I will end the fast tomorrow in the presence of all of you,” Anna said to his supporters.
Earlier, the two Houses agreed that the anti-graft law, to be effective, must cover corruption by lower bureaucracy through appropriate mechanisms; must have an inbuilt grievance redress system which Anna calls the citizens’ charter and should provide for enabling laws to establish Lokayuktas in states on the lines of the Lokpal at the Centre.
The debate ended amidst members thumping their desks to applaud the agreement which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee summed up as “the sense of two Houses” which would now be conveyed to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice for its consideration.
Hazare Breaks 12-Day-Long Protest Fast
A day after his 12-day-long fast for a strong Lokpal culminated into a victory for both the civil society as well as Parliament, anti-corruption crusader Hazare on Sunday ended his hunger strike. Anna broke his fast by drinking coconut water with honey, given to him by two girls - five-year-old Simran and Ikra.
Addressing the crowd at Ramlila Maidan after ending his fast, the social activist described it as a victory of every Indian. He also described it as a victory of the media for waking up the people of this country.
Vowing his fight will continue, the Gandhian said the anti-corruption movement was a lesson for the world to learn as to how to wage a nonviolent battle. Anna said the movement instilled trust in us that we can remove corruption from this country.
Asking people to be alert and keep a watch on the Lokpal process, Anna said the movement would have to restart if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lokpal Bill. Anna said it is the power of the people that made Parliament take a decision on Lokpal.
Leaders’ Reactions
Some leaders did hit back at civil society, warning that calling politicians names could draw retaliatory action. Others blamed the media's 24x7 focus for nurturing the agitation. But most were quick to accept that the people's anger was real and needed to be seen as genuine disgust with corruption.
Congress and BJP leaders, who usually do not pass up a chance to have a go at each other, seriously addressed the question of accountability in public life. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee set the tone by saying MPs should carefully consider the implication of their views but not fail to seize the moment at hand.
In the Rajya Sabha, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Anna's campaign had outlined relevant demands and reminded the House that democracy could not be so lethargic as to not pass the Lokpal bill 42 years after it was first proposed. CPM's Sitaram Yechury pointed to the need to match intent with practicability. In the Lok Sabha, Congress's Sandeep Dikshit spoke of the urgent need to end Anna's fast.
Some MPs were candid enough to agree that the phenomenon was not limited to Mumbai and Delhi. "We are all getting phone calls from our constituents asking why are we not talking about this," said BJP's Varun Gandhi, MP for Philibhit, in an extempore speech.
Even Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav's caustic reference to Team Anna member Kiran Bedi's antics and a side-splitting description of how relentless media pressure of the "dabba" (TV) was depriving leaders of their sleep, carried more than a degree of self-deprecation. Politicians, he suggested, had asked for it.
For a discussion that revolved around deeply contentious matters impacting India's federal structure -- usually much less can ignite state sensibilities -- there were not too many interruptions or cat calls in Parliament. Even regular disrupters like Congress's Lal Singh seemed taken in by the gravity of the occasion.
Most speakers had worked hard on their speeches. MPs did not slip into unnecessary hyperbole and stuck to the substance of what was at hand. For a class that has been under fire and subject to most dismissive treatment, they did not fling the muck back.
There was the cut and thrust of politics as Opposition leaders reminded Congress of how a string of scams had created the space for Anna's movement and given it unprecedented legitimacy. There were retaliatory barbs about how the National Democratic Allaince record was not squeaky clean either.
All quarters in Parliament seemed to realize the challenge they face is much larger than one of factional identities. It was not the time to settle internecine scores. The relevance of Parliament itself was questioned. On 27 August, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha posted a thumping riposte.

Prime Ministerial Election in Nepal

Although last time it had taken 17 rounds of elections spanning seven months to elect a prime minister, indications this time is that Nepal will get a new prime minister on 28 August.
With Baburam Bhattarai, Maoist (Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M)) parliamentary board in-charge, and Ram Chandra Poudel, (the Nepali) Congress parliamentary party leader, filing their nomination papers on 26 August for the prime ministerial contest, the result is possible in the first round as per the revised legislation (parliamentary regulation).
Law on Consensus
Speaker Subhas Chandra Nemwang of the Constituent Assembly expects the result at the very first round. ‘In view of the unpleasant experiences in the past, we had amended the law on consensus vote to prevent anyone to abstain from voting except for reasons specified in the law, and to remain neutral while being present’ (at the time of voting), he told Nagarik. ‘I have also reminded the meeting (of the legislature-parliament) of the same on 25 August.’
He expressed the hope that all members (of the Constituent Assembly) will be present at the meeting on 28 August to elect a prime minister and vote. Sixteen rounds of elections for a prime minister failed to produce results last February, and the election had to be deferred to reform the regulation.
Prime Minister Jhal Nath Khanal was elected as prime minister only after elections were held under the new arrangements after the amendment of the regulation. The election this time will also decide whether Congress Parliamentary Party leader Poudel, who was defeated in all 17 rounds of elections at that time, will be elected to the office of the chief executive of the country.
Under the amended regulation, no member of parliament will be allowed to remain absent without the permission of the speaker. The amendment also changes the previous system of proposing (one prime ministerial candidate) at a time for vote and votes were for or against. (The main problem was also two other forms of votes: abstention even if the member was present at the meeting, and neutral vote).
The proposal of both the candidates contesting the prime ministerial election would be put to a vote at once when the legislature-parliament meets for election scheduled to begin at 1300 (Nepal standard time). The members can caste only their ‘yes’ votes.
At the meeting, Speaker Nemwang will ask members supporting Bhattarai to remain seated on the one side of the lobby while those supporting Poudel will be asked to remain seated on the other side.
The speaker has already issued a ‘ruling’ that parliamentarians cannot be absent from the meeting except for the permission of the speaker or for a justifiable reason. However, how effectively this ruling is implemented is doubtful because during Prime Minister Khanal's election held on 3 February 2011, all members of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum were absent from the meeting yet no action was taken against them.
The regulation provides that each candidate for the office of the prime minister should inform the secretary general (of the Constituent Assembly) along with a proposer and an endorser. At the 28 August meeting, first of all Maoist contestant Bhattarai will address the parliament and propose his candidature. Soon after, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the proposer, and (UCPN-M Vice Chairman) Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the endorser, will speak in support of Bhattarai.
Then another candidate, Poudel, will present his case. His proposer, Prakash Man Singh, and endorser, Bimalendra Nidhi, will speak. Soon after, the speaker will allow both candidates time to withdraw their candidature in favor of the other. Even if there is a single candidate left in the contest, elections have to be held to prove the majority. If no candidate withdraws, the candidature wi ll be put to a vote at once. This means the vote will be only in support of either of the candidates, with no ‘no’ vote.
Since the parliament has effectively 594 members, a candidate must win support of at least 298 votes. The Unified Maoists (UCPN-M) has 237 members and (the Nepali) Congress has 114 members. Therefore, both the parties need the support of other political parties. The UCPN-M can easily win a majority votes if it is able to win the support of the United Democratic Madhesh Front (UDMF), which has a combined membership of 65. It will be necessary for the (Nepali) Congress to win support of UML (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist), which has 105 members, the UDMF, and other smaller political parties.
Before the regulation was amended, the proposer had the right to withdraw the candidature (in the prime ministerial contest) but now this right is with the candidate. In the prime ministerial election held on 21 July 2010, Madhav Kumar Nepal, who was the proposer, had announced the withdrawal of the candidature of (CPN-UML) Chairman Jhal Nath Khanal from the prime ministerial contest. It was after this that the regulation went through amendment.
Priority to Peace and Constitution
Baburam Bhattarai is the prime ministerial candidate from the UCPN-M while Ram Chandra Poudel is the candidate from (the Nepali) Congress. Both the candidates, who registered their candidature with Manohar Bhattarai, parliament's secretary general, are vice chairman (Poudel is vice president) of their respective parties. Bhattarai is UCPN-M's parliamentary board in-charge and Poudel is (the Nepali) Congress parliamentary party leader.
Both were directly elected from Gandaki Zone in the Constituent Assembly election. Bhattarai, who hails from Khoplang 4 (village) in Gorkha District, has Maoist Chairman Dahal as proposer and Narayan Kaji Shrestha as endorser.
Poudel, who hails from Risti 2 (village) in Tanahu District, has Prakash Man Singh as proposer and Bimalendra Nidhi as endorser. Poudel wanted (former prime minister) Sher Bahadur Deuba as his proposer but the later said he could not make it because he was indisposed. Nidhi is close to Deuba and was chosen as endorser.
The 57-year-old Bhattarai has reached the parliament secretariat along with Chairman Dahal, Vice Chairman Shrestha, General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa, Post Bahadur Bogati, Dev Prasad Gurung, Dinanath Sharma, and Hisila Yami to register the candidacy at 1120. Soon after registering, Chairman Dahal, in a brief comment, said, ‘We are contesting for (supporting) peace and constitution.’ Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said even if the candidacy had been registered, efforts at consensus continued.
The 67-year-old Poudel reached the parliament secretariat 70 minutes after the Maoists had registered. He was accompanied by Singh, the party general secretary, Nidhi and other leaders. After registering, he said he wanted an end to impunity, peace, good governance, and constitution. He also reiterated that the search for consensus was on. Speaker Nemwang has already fixed 28 August to decide on their candidature.

Government, Opposition Parties Lack Willpower To Curb Corruption

Corruption has been a powerful focus for movements in the past, and battling it is a global idea. In our neighborhood, "corruption" has been used by army generals in Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Myanmar to do away with elected governments. Latin America was assaulted by corporates from the United States, for centuries, arguing that the "corruption" of the local elites in mismanaging the boundless possibilities of resources justified annexations and invasions, generating the fascinating term "banana republic."
Fixing the generically "corrupt" is a win-win at the moment. It is heretical to question it. Yet, there is a deep tussle over the central idea that is at the heart of what "corruption" is.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, there were ideas of freedom from corruption and the tyranny of the state, as economists like Friedrich von Hayek and even David Ricardo understood the phrase. Adam Smithian ideas rested on the freedom of entrepreneurship, under a benign law-and-order minimalism. The Depression of the 1930s and the economics and politics of the World Wars brutally reconfigured these ideas. Keynesian notions were on the necessity of broadening the ambit of the state; and, over the years, freedom from the tyranny and "corruption" of private profit, as opposed to social good, was in currency. The anti-milawat and anti-mehangaai agitations in India, for example, in the late sixties, found a focus at the doors of traders, as seen in several of the popular movies of the time that villainised the shopkeeper.
However, as the world changed once again, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and its empire, caused by "corrupt" and bureaucratic insensitivities and the negation of personal freedoms there, free enterprise was once again a winner. But now, the mood in Europe and elsewhere, particularly its annoyance at corruption and malfeasance, is also demanding freedom from unregulated, self-serving business interests. After Lehman and Madoff, the West is introspecting not only on the role of corporations but also that of NGOs, and the need for accountability and transparency in the causes they front and the shows they put up. Scrutiny is not simply limited to the state.
In India, after two decades of economic reforms, there is a flourishing private sector. But this agitation is not quite clear about what and whose corruption it is so doggedly opposed to? CII, FICCI, big industries and several corporations, in a fabulous PR move, were the first to get off the block and ride the Anna annoyance wave. It has been a smart move to pre-empt the identification of other sources of corruption.
Fight Against Growing Menace
While Anna Hazare is fighting nonviolently against corruption with strong willpower with the support from the people of the country, the manner in which people's representatives sitting in the country's Parliament are fighting against corruption, neither is there honesty in it, nor will power.
The manner in which both sides put their points across on corruption issue on 24 August in both houses of Parliament; there were more things against each other than against corruption. Both sides tried their best to humiliate each other, which is utterly shameful. You can never fight decisively against corruption with such attitude.
Role of Congress
The Congress has, since 2004, argued for a redefinition of the role of the state in India, and seen it as a crucial vehicle for the uplift of those below the breadline. Their understanding of rural poverty programmes; their social vision; even their understanding of the Maoist problem stem from a concept that there is too little of a "good and effective" state.
The Two Indias idea -- one India desperately needing redress and programs, food security, employment guarantees, a right to information and freedom even from private contractors, with a dutiful state being refashioned to allow aspirations to take flight -- is the bedrock of this idea and its politics. The fact that these two ideas were interwoven (either cleverly or by chance) before the 2009 elections, and that they clicked, should have provided the regime an impetus to push ahead and aggressively question whether the narrow focus on a particular sort of corruption of this movement was at all fair.
Rigid Stance
There is lack of willpower in the ruling parties and opposition parties both. The elected representatives have made the biggest contribution in encouraging corruption. During the debate, MPs admitted partially that corruption is growing under the present system. The institutes that are established to prevent corruption are themselves encouraging it. Therefore, change in the system is essential, otherwise, in the coming days, people of the country would never forgive political parties and elected representatives.
Hazare's Proposal
The question now is: How to rein in corruption? Had the government taken such concrete steps, there would have been no need for Anna Hazare to agitate. Hazare's proposal of the Jan Lokpal bill is a step in the direction of preventing corruption, which is unacceptable to the government. The task of enacting the law is of the Parliament. It is supreme, but one would also have to think about the kind of mentality and character those sitting in Parliament have.
Had the MPs and ministers been honest, there would not have been such big scams in the country today. That is why they are also talking about bringing the behavior of MPs inside Parliament also under the ambit of the Lokpal. Political parties would have to clarify their policy on the corruption issue. Political parties themselves are unclear. The offer of resignation by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)MPs Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughna Sinha is an example of the party's dual character. Not only the BJP, but all other parties also have such dual character. They would have to correct this character.

Civil Unrest, Rekindled Nationalism in Libya

The Libyan revolutionaries captured the country's capital Tripoli with a crushing force. Three sons of the Libyan tyrant Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who made up a last-ditch fight were seized one after another. Now the revolutionaries are stepping up their hunt for Gaddafi while taking over the control of Libya's economic lifelines. This indeed marks the death of "the era of Gaddafi". Although Gaddafi still tries hard to turn the tide, he has lost his control over the country. The name of Gaddafi may become obsolete soon.
Under the coordination of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Transitional National Council formed by the anti-Gaddafi alliance is now gradually taking over the ruling power. This has not only realigned the political forces in Libya, but has also added an uncertain variable to the new order of Middle East, which is yet to be established. This variable may be in the form of what predicted by the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton -- an Iraq-style civil unrest in Libya. But it could be in the form of the resurrection of nationalism in Middle Eastern tribes as well. The fanatic nationalism may replace the tyrant politics and start to expand its external influence again. Whichever scenario it is going to turn out, the situation in Libya worries the outsiders a lot.
What worries us the most now is the rekindled nationalism among the public in Middle East. The emergence of nationalism almost coincides with the collapse of the tyrant rule. Nationalism has timely filled in the blank in the people's hearts after the downfall of the tyrant politics. In countries used to be ruled by tyrants like Iraq, Tunisia, and Egypt, nationalism has helped the people found their new starting point. However, the over emphasis on nationalism may cause new commotion. Another concern is the anti-Gaddafi alliance because we could see the shadow of Gaddafi cast upon the alliance. Under this shadow, we do not see any candidate who can replace him at the moment yet. This is why many Western people have predicted that after the downfall of Gaddafi, Libya will plunge into an internal strife, which will be more sinister and destructive than that in Iraq. The hatred and violent confrontation between tribes may lead the country to a crisis of separation.
It is beyond doubt how the weapons of mass destruction and bio-chemical weapons possessed by Libya could influence the balance of powers in Middle East. Therefore, a pressing mission for the gulf countries now is to rebuild the "natural equilibrium" of Middle East. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have called on Gaddafi to hand over his power the soonest possible, so that the Transitional National Council led by Mahmoud Jibril can take over the administration temporarily. This is not only related to how fast Libya can be consolidated, this is also related to the establishment of the equilibrium in Middle East. If a political and economic alliance can be established and the different tribes in the country can agree and come out with a consistent diplomatic policy in the post-Gaddafi Libya, then it is possible that we will see a power balance between the Libyan alliance and other Arabic countries. If Libya is unable to establish such a political and economic alliance at the moment, then the country should develop some form of negotiation mechanism among the many tribes in the country to ensure the security in Libya itself, as well as in Middle East. This kind of arrangement of the power structure is rather similar to the equilibrium in Europe in the 19th century, but at the same time, this is indeed the direction of the development of our history today.
Disintegration in Arab World
In addition to diplomatic arrangement, the West should also find way to mitigate the shocks caused during the disintegration process in Iraq, Tunisia, and Egypt by tackling from the perspective of internal affairs. The West has hoped to see Middle East transit from tyrant politics. However, the changes have been too speedy for the West to handle. We have even observed the panic and confusion of the West as they are unable to be on top of these changes. Initially Russia opposed to the call of the United States and Europe that demanded Gaddafi to step down. But the country changed its mind in late July and called on Gaddafi to step down the soonest possible. This is an example of how some have failed to have a good command of the situation. This is why the West should get in touch with the revolutionaries as soon as possible to learn about their thoughts, to provide them the necessary aids, to appease the grudge among the tribes, and to prevent another civil war from breaking out.
Deterioration of Country’s Economy
The deterioration of the Libyan economy triggered the movement that eventually toppled the Gaddafi regime. However, the deteriorated economy would not get improved as an immediate result of the collapse of the tyrant politics or the rise of nationalism. What would the Libyan people do when they realize nationalism is not going to bring them warm winter?
Perhaps some would get frustrated; but it is more likely that some would advocate Fascist and nationalist dictatorship and attack the West for bringing the Libyan economy into trouble. They may impute the economic problems to the West and a series of civil wars may break out between tribes in support of Gaddafi and anti-Gaddafi tribes.
Role of International Community
Thus, what the whole international community should do today is to think of how to address the issue based on the fact of the power vacuum in Libya. For the West, the United States especially, the current pressing task is to understand and handle the changing state of affairs in Libya by employing a new framework. The new framework has to cover both the internal affairs and diplomatic fronts. In relation to internal affairs, they should establish communication channels with all tribes in Libya to be on top of the situation. At the same time, they should offer economic aids as soon as possible to help the Libyan people get through the coming severe winter and prevent Fascism or civil wars from breaking out.
Diplomatically, they should try to reestablish the equilibrium to prevent the expansion of the Arabic nationalism. For the entire international community, handling the changing state of affairs in Libya is like managing an international crisis. It is the greatest challenge to the political wisdom and resolution of the Western world as to whether or not they can handle this crisis in an appropriate manner and whether or not they can prevent the predicted disaster.

Growing Massacre in Karachi

The ongoing massacre in Karachi and killings of dozens of people in a suicide attack on a mosque in Jamrud (in Khyber Agency) are, in fact, part of the same tragedy although they appear to be two separate incidents, which should be attributed to incapability of the leadership and the poorest governance. The concern expressed by the highest leadership of the country did not cast any impact on the tragic situation in Karachi. The terrorists are still dominating the city. The common people are being kidnapped and killed after they are made to disembark from the buses. The security institutions are helpless while worthy federal interior minister after cursing the terrorists has threatened that the government is giving them last chance.
Role of Islamic World
Probably a situation worst than the present one cannot be imagined in the state that the biggest military and nuclear power of the Islamic world is unable to do anything except expressing shock and grief, showing helplessness and cursing the terrorists. The statements of Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik have become proverbs. However, the talk of the president with Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain is surprising that the terrorists will even burn our houses if we are not united. If the media have not distorted the statement attributed to the president, what else except expression of helplessness it can be called.
A simple question is that as to why the government considered indiscriminate use of military power justified in Swat and other tribal areas. Why it thought it necessary to deal with the challenges posed to the writ of the government with force? Why it considered use of force against terrorists in Karachi, which is trade and economic hub of the country, as unnecessary although Karachi is like a heart for the economy and deterioration of situation in Karachi is badly affecting the entire country. The apparent reason is that the government wanted to get appeasement of international powers through indiscriminate use of force in Swat and other areas while it is not the same in case of Karachi. Therefore, falling dead bodies, deserting houses and cries of women and children have failed to persuade the government to take serious steps for establishing peace in Karachi.
Federal interior minister still says he is giving last chance to terrorists. However, the anti-peace elements will probably be certain that the last chance is not being given to them for the last time so perhaps they will be thinking it unnecessary to pay heed to such remarks. The expression of helplessness by the government and reiteration of accusations by MQM throw some light on situation in Karachi that powerful federal and provincial ministers are present behind those who are playing with the peace of the city. MQM's accusations concerning Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency are also worth consideration. In such a situation, the demand of Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif appears to be justified that intelligence reports on Karachi situation should be presented in the parliament to help people's representatives to become aware of the situation in the city. If the power of people's representation (representatives) is used to resolve problems in Karachi, it will certainly give some relief to the people of Karachi and they will be able to come out of helplessness and isolation.
Poor Law-and-Order Situation
The basic causes of poor law-and-order situation in Karachi and northern (tribal) areas, worst unrest and lawlessness need to be taken into account afresh. The joint resolution of parliament in the wake of so-called war on terror should be implemented and it should be realized that we have got nothing except threats, apprehensions, reservations, problems and crises by becoming part of the US war. The impacts of the war have now spread to entire country. The law-and-order is absent, economy destructed, plight of people ill and government's writ eroded. It is the incapability of the leadership that it is highlighting the problems but not proposing their appropriate solution. The result of worst governance is that justice is prevailing and corruption, nepotism and plunder of national resources are becoming temperament of the nation and new records are being built in this regard.
The constitution and law have become a joke while judiciary has been dishonored. These are the bad results of poor and weak governance that the groups involved in loot and plunder are taking the cities hostage by becoming united and organized in the form of organizations. Ethnic prejudices have spread and society as a whole is disintegrated. The international media has commented rightly on the situation in Karachi that people of the city who are in a state of helplessness are waiting for a savior. The traders' community in the city is seeking the Army's help. Obviously, the Army cannot take any step on its own. As for the leadership, it will perhaps take considerable time to understand that protection of life and property of the citizens is beyond political interests, and politics is not meant to mislead the people through promises, luring and deceitful slogans.
Delivering Complete Justice
The fulfillment of promises made by rulers with the masses are attributed to the establishment of peace, serious steps taken for the welfare and betterment of the people, elimination of fear and delivering complete justice. The real politics is name of giving such concepts a practical shape. Being a Muslim, we are bound not to deviate from the commandments of God, enforce on our lives orders of God for the welfare of human beings, religious benefits and salvation in the world hereinafter and bring the human beings to the worship of God by getting them rid of every type of slavery of human beings.
The struggle for the establishment of Pakistan was for such a state where the Muslims will be able to highlight truthfulness of religion by giving Islam's way of life a practical shape. It is evident that we have caused harm to ourselves by deviating from the orders of God. The dominating class, which is indulged in merry making, is living life of kings and it will perhaps not be able to realize these facts. However, the people, who are facing hardships and worries, can adopt the course of collective forgiveness. If we adjure collective sins today and make a resolve to elect a pious leadership, it is very much likely that we escape from the clutches of nature and see the era of a leadership having approach in line with national objectives by getting rid of bad governance and anguish of incapable rulers.

Bali Bombings Case: Umar Patek To Be Prosecuted Under Antiterror Law, Penal Code

Umar Patek, suspect of the first Bali Bombings, is facing a criminal sentence of 10-15 years in prison. He has been charged with various articles of the Law on Counterterrorism, the Immigration Law and the Penal Code. "The sentence is over 10 years or even 15 years in prison," said Head of General Information Division of the National Police Chief Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar at a news conference on 21 August 2011.
When asked about the issue of Umar Patek being sentenced to death, "I think it is possible." The severity of sentence, Boy said, still depended upon the results of further investigations and the judge's decision.
Umar Patek has been detained since 17 August until December. Umar is being detained at the Mobile Brigade Headquarters Detention Facility, Kelapa Dua, Depok. Over the next four months, police will collect evidence and question Umar. Boy presumed that Umar's trial would be held in the next eight months.
Defendant's Statements in Trial
Police will also look for evidence from the questioning of witnesses, the collection of documents or letters and clues, and the defendant's statements in trial. Umar's case will be handed over to the public prosecution office before being submitted to the court. "At the public prosecution office it will take about two months and the trial will take about two months," said Boy.
Police plan to charge Umar with Article 9 of the Law No. 15 of 2003 on Counterterrorism, Article 55 of the Penal Code in connection with Article 56 of the Penal Code with a subsidiary charge of Article 380 in connection with Article 55 of the Penal Code in connection with Article 56 of the Emergency Law of 1951 and Article 55 of the Immigration Law.
Boy accused Umar Patek of playing a big role in a number of terrorism acts in Indonesia (see "Umar Patek's Traces"). He was found in the records of the Jemaah Islamiyah and the [Jemaah] Anshorut Tauhid networks. "He had joined the Mindanao separatist group," said Boy.
Umar's wife, Rukayah, is also in detention on charges of immigration violations. Rukayah is a Philippine citizen who has an Indonesian passport which was made using fake birth and family certificates. The woman who was born on 13 May 1984 is in the same detention facility with Umar but placed separately in a special cell.
Military Training in Aceh
National Police Headquarters Public Relations Division Head Inspector General Anton Bachrul Alam on 19 August stated that police would stick to the plan of imposing the Terrorism Law on Umar Patek. The scenario was chosen based on the accusation that Umar Patek had supplied firearms to support terrorism. "Together with Dulmatin," he said.
The firearms were allegedly supplied by Umar Patek in 2009 through the Philippines. Umar brought four rifles and handed two of them to Dulmatin. Police also found another fact that he knew about the military training in Aceh. "This is proof that he is involved," said Anton.
Since Umar was brought back to Indonesia, police have yet to announce the results of investigation into him. In fact, police previously expressed their intention to obtain information on terrorism from Umar Patek.

Libya's Future After Gadhafi's Downfall

When I turned on my computer in the morning and clicked into the website of Reuters, the big headline reads: ‘Rebels enter Tripoli, crowds celebrate’. Beneath the headline was a picture of a rebel sitting at the windowsill of a car -- he stretched half of his body out of the window and raised his arms high up to cheer.
Continuing Civil War
Libya has plunged into a civil war for more than six months following the eruption of the reform wave in Middle East early this year. The civil war has finally come to an end?
Finally, the winner emerges between the Libyan revolutionaries backed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the force loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi after a half-year tough fight. But I have put a question mark there because this only marks the end of a civil war. Another or more civil wars are brewing, or we may say that it has actually already started.
Libya is a country. But more accurately, it is actually a tribal society. There are altogether about 2,000 small and big tribes in Libya. Strictly speaking, Libyan people are actually loyal to their own tribes. In Libya, a country with such special attribute, the people identify themselves more with their tribes than with the country.
Suppressive and High-Handed Approach
In the past 42 years, Gaddafi had ruled Libya using suppressive and high-handed approach. In the eyes of democratic European and North American countries, Gaddafi is beyond doubt a dictator. But in a typical tribal society that practices the rule of the jungle, it is an absolute daydream if we hope the nation would elect an Obama in accordance with the standard of the West.
From the perspective of the outsiders, the Libyan people are now liberated and Libya is now reborn. But what actually happens in the country now is that a civil war within a civil war is boiling up and may break out at any moment.
There may be a reign of terror among the Libyan tribes now. The war between tribes may be brewing and poised to erupt. What follow will be fighting back, revenge, and power struggle.
Gaddafi already fell. But his followers and the Gadhafa tribe which has been loyal to him would not just await their doom. They would definitely fight back and take revenge.
At the same time, the opposition is similarly factional. In late July this year, Major General Abdul Fatah Younis -- former interior minister in Gaddafi's regime who subsequently defected to the rebels and became the chief commander of the revolutionaries -- was killed in an ambush. What the transitional government claimed when announcing his death was contradictory, making some to suspect if Major General Abdul Fatah Younis was assassinated by ‘his own men’. His death also revealed the internal contradiction in the opposition camp.
Challenges Faced by Transitional Government
Meanwhile, the transitional government is also facing tricky and tough issues like the distribution of interests and power after it takes over the ruling power; the post-war reconstruction of Libya, and putting the chaotic society back to order.
NATO, which is led by the West, had deployed their troops to Libya in the name of democratizing Libya. Now, as the Libyan tyrant Gaddafi is coming close to his ‘last breath’, is Libya advancing towards democracy?
Let us take a look at Iraq and Afghanistan. Commotion and social disorder have prevailed after the two nations overthrew their dictators. In a Third World country in transition, democracy is still a luxurious gift.

US Vice President Joe Biden's Visit to China

US Vice President Joe Biden visited China at the invitation of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. The meeting between the Chinese host and the US guest was carried out in a calm, peaceful and polite atmosphere without the United States dictating its traditional arrogant attitude toward China. On Beijing's side, China has also stressed its confidence in the US economy. The last time we observed such a peaceful scene in US-China public diplomacy was when Chinese and US national leaders met after the 2008 global financial tsunami. It can be observed that the similar kind of peaceful diplomatic scene has again emerged with the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden to China.
Bilateral Economic Issue
On one hand, it is because the US economy has again faced with economic difficulty while on the other hand, China's economy was also badly affected by it. When both countries have to absolutely depend on each other for economical support, China and the United States have no choice but to rise to the occasion and join hands again to go through this difficult economic time together. On the other, one of the focuses of Biden's visit to China has also come with Biden's intention in wanting to get to know this future national leader of China Xi Jinping better. In this regard, it is crucial for the United States to avoid the hardening of the US bilateral ties with China at this juncture so that when the Chinese and US leaders meet again in the near future, the meetings between them will not become somehow difficult and stiff.
During US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to China, the United States did not pressure China on issues relating to China's human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of religious, and other sensitive topics. Issue on the US stand to demand the appreciation of Chinese currency Renmibi has also been put aside. In addition, before Biden arrived in China, issue relating to the US arms sale to Taiwan has also been shelved through the message given out by the US media. As such, Biden's visit to China has given outsiders an impression that there was an added air of harmony and peace with less hostility in the public diplomacy between China and the United States. The focus point of the discussion during Biden's meeting with Chinese leaders was on bilateral economic issue only.
The US federal debt issue has triggered tremendous turbulence in international financial markets and there is a grave concern that the US economy might encounter another round of recession. As the largest creditor of US Treasury debt, how China views the economic outlook of the United States has become one of the intentions for Biden to find out during his visit to China.
On the first day of US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to China, Biden stressed that China and the United States were the two nations that held the key to global economic recovery. He said the stability of world economic will need to rely on US-China cooperation. In other words, the United States wants to move closer to China on economic cooperation. Later on, when it was Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's turn to express his view, Xi said: "The US economy can rebound quickly. The self-repair capacity of the United States is also very strong. We believe that after the US economy has gone through the crisis, the future of US economy will be better than now." This positive view of Xi Jinping on the US economy should allow the Obama administration to have a peace of mind.
Future Prospects
During his six-day visit to China, Biden has engaged several rounds of talks with Xi Jinping. In addition, when Xi Jinping accompanied Joe Biden for his visit to Sichuan and other places, both the two leaders indeed have the opportunity to develop close personal contact. Such close personal contact between leaders from the two countries should be helpful for both sides to establish good working relationship in the coming days. Although the US Vice President does not process as much authority as the Chinese Vice President, especially in the case of China w hen Xi Jinping is expected to move up and take over the Chinese President post when it is time for the Communist Party of China to carry out national leadership transition next year, yet after all, in the case of the United States, Biden is still US President Barack Obama representative during his visit to China.
While in China, Biden told Chinese President Hu Jintao face-to-face of his intention to establish good personal relationship with Xi Jinping. Biden also said that President Obama and he hoped that Xi Jinping can continue Hu Jintao's China policy toward the United States in the coming years. If President Obama can be reelected as the second term US President next year, then such a good working relationship that Biden has already established with Xi Jinping will be helpful to further stable the development of US-China relationship. Of course, if Obama does not win in the coming US presidential election, then this will be entirely a different matter.

India, Bangladesh To Sign 12 Agreements During Manmohan Singh's Dhaka Visit

India and Bangladesh will sign a dozen of agreements and memorandum of understandings during Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's coming Dhaka visit on 6 and 7 September 2011. As the date for signing the deals approaching fast, Dhaka and New Delhi are working round the clock to finalize the agreements. By this time, the agreements on an interim deal pact on sharing waters of the common rivers -- the Teesta and the Feni -- purchasing electricity from India, transit relating to movements of Bangladesh transports in Nepal and Bhutan via India and transshipment have been finalized. The final decisions on other agreements, including preparations of the blueprints of the rest deals and memorandum of understanding, may come by the next week.
However, Indian Water Resources Minister Paban Kumar Bansal will arrive in Dhaka on 5 September 2011, the day before the arrival of Manmohan Singh. The formal announcement on water sharing agreement of the Feni and the Teesta rivers will be made in his presence.
Diplomatic Maneuvers
Sources said Dhaka and New Delhi conducted diplomatic maneuvering more than a period of one and a half years over the 50-point joint communiqué signed during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit on 10 January 2010. The two countries particularly worked on the issues of border disputes, water management of 54 common rivers, including water sharing agreements on the Teesta and Feni rivers, trade and commerce and increasing corporation in different fields.
A process of the agreement began in January in Dhaka at a water secretary level meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) through an announcement of signing interim agreement on sharing the waters of the Teesta and the Feni rivers. Later, negotiations began on border problem through Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) meeting and on transit and transshipment following a high powered Dhaka delegation's visit to New Delhi. But controversies are going on the issues.
Foreign Ministry sources said a high powered meeting was recently held at the Prime Minister's office on the possible agreements to be signed during Indian Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit. The meeting reviewed various aspects of the agreements.
One source relating to the meeting said the high powered meet tentatively finalized various issues, including the interim agreement on sharing waters of the Teesta and Feni rivers, the agreement on setting up joint venture power grid in Khulna, purchasing electricity from India and transit agreement, demarcating six kilometers unsettled borderline between the two countries, signing of protocol on exchanging enclaves and adversely possessed lands along the common borders or memorandum of understanding, singing of memorandum of understanding on trade liberalization under trade agreements, memorandum of understanding on using renewable energy, using Chittagong and Mongla seaports under transit agreement, three separate protocols on the use of railway and land routes, memorandum of understanding on protecting biodiversity, including tigers, in the Sundarbans, and memorandum of understanding on making provisions viewing the state television programs of the two countries by the two peoples. Besides, the signing of memorandum of understanding on setting up a railway link between Akhaura and Agartala also figured prominently at the meeting agenda.
A competent sources at the foreign ministry said more than 10 agreements and memorandum of understanding might be signed between Bangladesh and India during Manmohan Singh's visit. The accords to be signed are an interim agreement on sharing waters of the Teesta and Feni rivers, an agreement on the management of waters of the common rivers, agreement on transit and transshipment, agreement on cooperation in the power sector, agreement on trade liberalization, agreement on exchanging enclaves, agreement on handing over the adversely possessed lands and agreement on border management.
Water Sharing Pact
Meanwhile diplomatic sources said Indian Water Resources Minister Paban Kumar Bansal will arrive Dhaka on 5 September 2011 and a formal announcement on signing the water sharing agreement on the Teesta and Feni rivers will be made at a meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission in the presence of the minister.
About this agreement, a senior official of the water resources ministry said a 15-year interim water sharing pact will be signed. India has given a proposal to Bangladesh to equally share the Teesta waters Keeping 10 percent of the stream intact for keeping normal the flow of the river. He expressed the hope that another agreement on water sharing of a separate river will also be singed at that time following the Teesta model.
Points of Contention
He said the two countries have some points of contention over the 'guarantee clause' of the proposed Teesta water sharing accord. And it is hoped that Dhaka and New Delhi will arrive at a consensus on the issue before the visit of Manmohan Singh.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has taken a political decision on giving India transit facilities and allowing the country to Chittagong and Mongla seaports. The procession of fixation fees in this regard has remained at the final stage.
In this regard, Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman said Indian good will transported to the northeast region of that country by using Bangladesh's naval, railway and land routes. The concerned departments of the government are working on fixing the fees in this regard. The adviser said cordoning supports are being provided to the departments whenever they face any difficulty in their work.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi said the facilities being developed with India, including the communication sector, will be beneficial to the entire region. Particularly, he said, all the countries will be able to use the transit facilities and the ports.
The source said, according to the rules and regulations of the World Trade Organization, regional and sub-regional cooperation, any interim, short and long term signed memorandum understanding on bilateral interests between government, individuals and organizations is treated as an agreement. Likewise before the agreement, the signed instruments aimed at reaching a decision on any agreement, including negotiations and observations, are treated as understanding.
Implementation and Violation
And at the same time necessary understanding could be reached considering the area and context of the agreement, but there is no legal binding on any bilateral party for implementing or augmenting this understanding. But legal redress could be sought against any aberration in the implementation and violation of the agreement under the existing laws.
It has become evident in field of regional and sub-regional cooperation, including the South Asia, that Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and close neighboring country India and Myanmar have many memorandum of understandings on the issues of communication, exchange of culture, curbing terrorism and other suitable matters. In continuation of this memorandum of understandings, the agreements could be renewed after the periods of 10 or 20 years or even more. Experts said the memorandum of understanding pave the way for arriving at any agreement.

Ever-Increasing Israeli Aggression

Notwithstanding the pressure exerted by the United States on Israel to be serious about resumption of peace dialogue and to refrain from doing anything that may ignite the situation in the Middle East, the truth is that the Zionist US child has gone completely out of control, and all such US suggestions fall on deaf ears. This makes it abundantly clear that the United States, which promised to teach a lesson to Iraq and Afghanistan, cannot muster courage enough to adopt the same kind of stringent attitude to discipline Israel.
Impact of US Financial Crisis
During this current period in US history, when it is facing the worst ever financial crisis, President Barack Obama finds it extremely difficult to take any harsh stand against Israel because Israel's significance and importance has multiplied manifold for the United States as the US economy is largely in the hands of Zionists.
Because of this reason, despite apparent US pressure for a peace dialogue, Israel has not only announced to construct 277 dwelling units in the West Bank area to continue with its expansionist designs, it has carried out bombings on Gaza to make the situation there explosive. The Israeli Government has defended its action in Gaza by maintaining that the bombing was a reaction to the rocket attack on Israel from Gaza. Yet, is it justified to target innocent children? Can carrying out bombing on a mosque be termed a reaction? In fact, the purpose behind such action is nothing less than injuring and killing Palestinian Muslims who are observing fast and saying prayers during this month of Ramadan.
The attack by Israeli Army on Gaza was no reaction of any kind. Instead, it was clear aggression. There are reports that a civilian was killed and several others were injured in this attack. The bombing testifies that Israel wants go gain mileage during this month of Ramadan when the resistance by Palestinian Mujahidin [crusaders] has come down, and there are not many protests against Israel. The aim of the bombings is only to terrorize Palestinians.
Not only has Israel taken to terrorism through its army in Gaza, the Zionist government, by making an announcement to construct new Jewish houses in West Bank, has sought to escalate tension. It has announced to construct 277 dwelling units in West Bank. This implies that its plan and design to expand its occupation of Palestinian areas continues unabated, disregarding pressure from the international community.
Growing Pressure on Isreal
It is pertinent to mention that Israel is under immense pressure to initiate serious measures to solve the Palestine issue, and to avoid making provocative announcement of construction of new Jewish settlements in occupied areas. As a matter of fact, such Israeli announcements are simply meant to derail the peace dialogue. The Palestinian Authority is considered to be pro-United States.
The Authority has also made it clear that no peace dialogues are possible and are meaningless until Israel stops work of construction of new Jewish settlements in occupied areas. Even the United States, maybe on the face of it only, continues to criticize such Israeli announcements. The United States has termed the Israeli announcement extremely disturbing. The United States maintained it might have an adverse impact on attempts to resume the peace dialogue between Israel and Palestine. The United States has asserted that it has approached Israel on the issue to explain the US stand on the issue.
Construction of New Houses in West Bank
To what extent the United States manages to satisfy Israel, and whether Israel stops construction of new houses in West Bank is a matter of conjecture. What appears to be certain is that Israel has never been interested in holding peace talks, nor does it have any inclination to it now. Even if it adopts a somewhat flexible attitude, only apparently, the main purpose behind it would be to lessen international pressure.
In short, because of Israeli aggression, the threat of escalation of tension and the situation becoming explosive is looming large over the Middle East. It is a matter of grief and sorrow that neighboring Islamic countries, as is their wont, are not prepared to adopt any hard stand against Israeli aggression.

Impasse on Lokpal Bill

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in both houses of Parliament over social activist Anna Hazare's arrest is disappointing and causes concern. It is clear from his statement that he is not only unaware of the country's ground realities; he also does not realize the big mistake his government has made. It is ridiculous that his government is committing one mistake after another and he is trying to show as if everything is being done in a legal manner.
Government's Obstinacy
After how much more disgrace would the federal government realize that its prestige is being ruined and that the government has become a subject of ridicule inside and outside the country?
Despite condemnation of Anna Hazare's arrest by all, the manner in which the prime minister tried to justify the action taken by the Delhi police only shows the federal government's obstinacy. Could there be anything worse than the prime minister stating conditions imposed by the police as right, which is indicative of a dictatorial system from every angle?
Fighting Corruption
It is not surprising that the prime minister opposed the Jan Lokpal bill, (citizens' Ombudsman bill) but how could he support the government draft of the Lokpal bill? It is not only a weak bill, but it is also a symbol of deceit with the people. It is because of this toothless and watered down bill that people are compelled to conclude that the government is deliberately refraining from putting in place a capable system of reining in corruption. Does the federal government have any answer why such a diluted draft of the Lokpal bill was prepared despite talking big about fighting corruption? It is because of this deceit that people of the country are on the streets today.
No matter how much the federal government calls itself committed to fighting corruption, the fact is that nothing is being done that would reassure people that the government is concerned about growing corruption. Since it is the Parliament's task of enacting the law, the civil society would also have to understand its limitations. The manner in which a weak and useless Lokpal bill is not acceptable to the civil society, similarly the civil society does have the right to impose the Jan Lokpal bill on Parliament.
Solutions to Problems
Democracy has some laws of its own and solutions to the problems can be found only within their ambit. When the civil society under Anna Hazare's leadership has brought the egoistic federal government on its knees, and undoubtedly it has lost its splendor, all efforts now should be made to pave the way for enacting an effective Lokpal bill.
Undoubtedly, the responsibility to find a way out rests with the ruling party, but that does not mean that the opposition remains restricted to maligning the government. Like the ruling party, if the opposition too were to say that the Jan Lokpal bill is not acceptable to it, how would the deadlock be broken? It is not only necessary but essential that there is fresh dialogue between the political leadership and civil society and its intention this time should not be to deceive the country.

FDI Limit in Banking Sector To Be Capped at 49 Percent

Indian companies may have reasons to rejoice, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to allow some of them an entry into the banking space. The entry will, of course, be subject to stiff riders. Real estate companies, however, may not be as lucky as they are among four sectors that will find the banking doors locked.
According to a government official, the RBI is expected to come out with draft guidelines on allowing new private banks, as the Finance Ministry and the central bank have resolved their differences on most of the contentious issues.
Capping New Banks
The official said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in new banks may be capped at 49 per cent for now, as the RBI was not in favor of higher FDI. In a discussion paper released in August 2010, the central bank had suggested capping FDI in new banks at 49 per cent in the first 10 years, which could be subsequently raised to 74 per cent. The ministry was open to a higher cap.
The number of new licenses to be issued has not been decided yet and the call will be taken by the RBI.
The guidelines were more or less final, but the regulator would want to give a one-month window to all stakeholders to give their suggestions on the draft, said the official.
On the reasons for keeping real estate companies out, the official said the government did not have a good experience when the sector was allowed in the Special Economic Zone space.
Foreign Investment Limit
The central bank had sent the draft guidelines to the Finance Ministry in January 2011 to seek its approval. The process got delayed as differences cropped up over the grant of licenses to industrial houses, the minimum foreign investment limit and caps on promoter shareholding.
It is learnt that initially the RBI was not in favor of giving licenses to big corporate entities, while the finance ministry was opposed to restricting the FDI limit to 49 per cent. At present, banks are allowed to have an aggregate 74 per cent foreign investment (FDI plus foreign portfolio investments), with a cap of five per cent for a single investor.
The norms will also minimize the downside risks of industrial houses promoting banks and ensure promoters of these new banks meet the "fit and proper" criteria. This would make it difficult for any entity to get a license if any case involving it was pending before any regulator.
The minimum capital requirement for new banks may be kept at Rs 1,000 crore, five times the requirement when new bank licenses were given in 2001. The RBI had stipulated this be increased to Rs 300 crore over three years from the commencement of business. The minimum promoters' contribution may be retained after dilution of stake over a period of five years.
Retention of Current Approach
In its discussion paper, the RBI had suggested retention of the current approach of requiring promoters to bring in a minimum of 40 per cent of capital with a lock-in clause for five years. The threshold for other significant shareholders was proposed to be restricted to a maximum of 10 per cent, with a requirement to seek acknowledgement from the RBI on reaching the five per cent threshold and above. "Promoters, too, would have to dilute to the extent required in a time-bound manner, say, five years after the lock-in period," the discussion paper said.
The grant of new licenses will be linked to financial inclusion as the finance ministry is looking at a nationwide roll-out of Unique Identification (UID) numbers with the help of banks.
Industrial houses such as Larsen & Toubro, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Aditya Birla Group and the Shriram group have expressed interest in setting up banks. Currently, the space is dominated by the State Bank of India and private lenders such as ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.
In the 2010-11 Budget, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had first announced that new banking licenses would be issued to private sector players and non-banking finance companies to extend the geographic coverage of banks and improve access to banking services.

Indian Government, Anna Hazare Reach Agreement

After two nights in Tihar Jail and hard bargaining, Anna Hazare and Indian Government reached an agreement on early morning of 18 August under which Delhi Police removed all restrictions and allowed him to carry out his hunger strike for a fortnight in the spacious Ramlila Maidan, Delhi. The breakthrough in the battle of attribution between the two sides came in the wee hours of the day after top aides of Hazare met Delhi Police Commissioner Brijesh Gupta and reached an agreement.
The deal marks a major climb down from government and police's earlier insistence that the fast would be allowed at J.P. Park, a smaller venue, only for three days with maximum of 5,000 protesters in addition to a number of other conditions.
Result of Hard Negotiations
The agreement came more than 40 hours after Hazare's arrest of 16 August and release the same night. However, the Gandhian refused to come out of the jail, continued his fast and carried out hard negotiations from Tihar through his emissaries.
Activist Kiran Bedi tweeted that Hazare has accepted the Delhi Police offer of 15 days and announced that he will go to Ramlila Maidan after 1500.
However, another close aide of the 73-year-old Gandhian said this morning that it may not be possible for Hazare to launch his protest from the Ramlila Ground Thursday as the venue was full of muck and needs cleaning up.
Confirming the deal, Home Secretary R K Singh said: ‘Delhi Police and Anna Hazare Team have agreed on the venue, duration, conditions etc.’
‘Delhi Police and the Anna Hazare team worked out between themselves this agreement. The Delhi Police has no problem in giving 15 days time and the 15 days also suits the Anna Team,’ he said.
Kejriwal said Hazare does not want to go before proper arrangements are made at the fast venue because once the crowd gather, it would be difficult to put in place proper facilities.
He stated that arrangements like erection of tents and provision of drinking water facilities were being made. He said that Hazare's health was perfectly all right and doctors from Medanta Medicity headed by Naresh Trehan have already checked him and certified him fit.
Last night, Hazare refused a check up by doctors from GB Pant Hospital apprehending that they may remove him from the jail on health grounds.
Asserting that the government has bowed down to people's pressure, Kejriwal said: ‘We have just entered the battle, a long fight remains.’
He appealed to the government to give a chance to the Jan Lokpal [Ombudsman bill] draft prepared by the civil society for Parliament to discuss.
‘People have a right to say what draft will go to Parliament. They are supreme in democracy,’ he said rejecting government's contention that civil society cannot make law. Kejriwal also attacked the government for the arrest of Hazare and seven of his associates, including himself, on the morning of Tuesday and the decision to release all of them within hours.
He also disputed government's contention that the police did not seek remand of Hazare and others and that it was the decision of the executive magistrate's decision to remand them to seven days judicial custody.
‘First they arrested us on the ground that we will disturb peace. Police asked us to give a written undertaking that we will not go to JP Park. But we told them we will go there soon after our release. Then they asked for seven days custody,’ he said.
Kejriwal said there was a need for a debate over police power to detain and release people at will. ‘They say we are bad but how in two hours, we have become alright?...Are we toys? What kind of law and order and democracy is this?’
Hazare credited the people of India for this ‘victory’ and thanked them and thousands of people who took to the streets in a non-violent way throughout the country, he said quoting the Gandhian.
He said violence occurs only in rallies of political parties not in the campaign of Hazare. ‘This only shows the government will have to bow before the demands of the people,’ he said.
Former Law Minister and Hazare associate Shanti Bhushan said the decision to allow Hazare to fast for 15 days showed that his demands were reasonable and that the government should bring in a new Lokpal Bill after consulting the Gandhian.
Provisions of Lokpal Bill
He claimed the provisions of the Lokpal Bill put forward by the Hazare team were ‘totally’ Constitutional. ‘I can certify that they are Constitutional and I think it would be wise for the government to withdraw the (present) bill from Parliament and move a fresh bill after talking to Anna.’
Meanwhile, Hazare's supporters gathered outside Tihar Jail to greet the news of government agreeing to the demands of the Gandhian.
As supporters started pouring in chanting anticorruption slogans, about 250 Delhi police personnel were deployed to provide security around Tihar, while another 200 men in uniform were kept on standby.
Bomb disposal teams and dog squads conducted a surprise check outside Tihar Jail, soon after the Anna Hazare team announced that the Gandhian would move out of the prison to launch his anti-corruption protest at Ramlila Maidan.
The teams descended outside the jail, where Hazare supporters were camping to express solidarity with the social activist, at around 0330 and conducted a thorough check and sanitized the area.

World Economic Prospects

The issue of the US loss of AAA credit rating on last weekend is not over end yet. International credit rating agency Standard and Poor's warned that there is one-third probability that the agency will further downgrade the US credit rating in the coming half to two years. The US economic prospects are gloomy in view of the country's debt crisis. In addition to the spread of the European debt crisis, the global stock markets crashed again on 8 August. G7 and G20 finance ministers and officials called for emergency meetings to find ways to solve the problems.
Great Depression-Like Situation
The global stock market disaster has also caused turmoil in foreign exchange markets. Another round of depreciation of major currencies is expected. Moreover, the US credit rating may be further downgraded. Bad news comes one after another. Many are worried that the situation may be worse than what happened in the 1930s and that there may be a repeat of the Great Depression. What measures the Malaysian government would take to deal with this crisis? This is another matter of concern.
First of all, the current global economic problems, especially the US debt crisis, are very tricky. Almost all economists are at their wits' end as to how to solve these problems. One and a half year ago, with the exception of Prof Paul Krugman, almost no economist or research institute foresaw and warned the possible serious debt crisis in the United States. They also failed to predict that the United States would lose its AAA credit rating or have its credit rating downgraded to an even lower level. Europe, which is now plagued by the debt crisis, was the most severely stricken area in the first round; whereas Asia and Latin America were seriously hit in the second round. Almost none of the countries in the world can escape the crises.
Rise of Unemployment
The two rounds of financial crises have affected each other and now Asia is deeply plunged into the economic recession. The signs of this economic recession are the drastic fall of stock markets and depreciation of currencies. In medium and long term, we will see the decline of economic growth, rapid rise of unemployment rates, drastic drop of actual wages, and inflation. In other words, the degree of the current economic recession in the world, especially in Europe, is not far from the Great Depression in the 1930s, or even worse.
Finance ministers of G7 countries have recently met to discuss how to prevent the financial markets from plunging into turmoil as a consequence of the European debt crisis and the downgrade of the US credit rating. At this moment, an appropriate measure for the governments is to adopt expansive currency and financial policies in order to increase the total demands. However, Japan has already suffered economic downturn for seven years. During this period, the country suffered another severe setback caused by the earthquakes and tsunami. Japan has repeatedly adopted the measure of tax cut and expanding public spending. The country's interest rate has even dropped to the unprecedented 1 percent. Still, these measures have been to little avail. In other words, the economic problem of East Asia (Japan especially) has failed almost all economists. Both the governments and academicians have not been able to come out with any effective solution. At the same time, China may also find it hard to protect its own interests. Thus, it is not practical to expect China to come to the rescue. People are becoming more and more pessimistic over the economic prospects.
Second, the major economies in the world are now in different phases of the economic cycle. This is a rare and special phenomenon and has made the problems even more complicated. The United States has gone through more than seven years of expansion period since its economy started to recover in 2001 and has slowly declined from the peak. Now the United States is deeply plunge d in the debt crisis and its economic growth dropped drastically. The slowdown in the growth of the corporate surplus clearly proves this. The US debt crisis has also dragged the whole world into trouble. After this round of serious recession, the world economy may have to take a long time to gradually recover.
Third, the chaining effects in the current international trade and finance have increased a great deal. For example, the deterioration of the European debt crisis may cause serious losses to French bank Société Générale and the biggest bank of Italy and may be accompanied by the so-called ‘competitive’ depreciation. The plummet of the US stock market had also instantly led to the crash of stock markets worldwide. All these cannot be explained by fundamental economic theories. The European and US governments are still at their wits' end in handling their debt crises. As the interest rates, stock markets, and foreign exchange markets see drastic rise and fall, hindrance is expected in the financing of international trade and investment, and multinational capital because the risks have risen substantially.
International Policy Coordination
We can foresee that in the coming few years, there will be an obvious decline in international trade and investment as well as capital movement. This is of course greatly disadvantageous to the global economic growth. The turmoil and unrest in the global financial markets indicates the necessity for comprehensive reforms of the international financial system.
The key international currency, the US dollar, will become extremely unstable. Although governments of countries worldwide understand the importance of the ‘international policy coordination,’ they rarely walk their talk due to their selfish consideration. This has substantially weakened the stability of the international economic and financial system as compared to the past.
Future Scenario
We do not see any reliable and feasible solution for the debt crises in the near future, yet. The negative impacts on small economies like Malaysia are also obvious. One good example is that the economic growth of our country for this year is projected at 4.5 percent only. We foresee that various economic indicators will further decline in the second half of the year. It seems the recession is inevitable. As the demands from overseas declined drastically, expanding domestic demands will no doubt help to stabilize the economy in short-term. However, whether it is done through increasing budget for public projects or implementing incentives for rental cut, it will invariably lead to a soar of budget deficit. If the government rushes to implement some public projects, the quality and economic benefits of the projects may be affected easily.
Considering that the increase of the private investment had reached 24 percent in the first quarter of the year, it is indeed necessary to think twice on whether the government should introduce new measures in stimulating investment. In view of the bad and unfavorable external economic environment, economic stability is more important than economic growth.

Blood-Soaked Afghanistan: Obama's Declaration of Pulling Out US Troops

The history of Afghanistan is blood-soaked. There is no end of blood-shed in Afghan history. At the latest spell, 60 persons were killed and 43 others were injured in a car bomb blast at Logger Province of the country. Although Taliban were blamed for this subversive design, they did not accept their involvement in the bomb explosions. Rather they strongly refuted the allegations. The puppet government of Hamid Karzai is ruling the country after the US-led military intervention in Afghanistan in the name of fighting back the Taliban regime. Still today huge number of American and British troops remained stationed in the mountainous country with a plea of protecting democracy and peace. Although Afghan people now dislike presence of foreign troops in their own soil, it has been internationally recognized that the Afghan citizens are playing the key role in maintaining peace and tranquility in the country.
National Building Activities
There are at least 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan. Besides, there are British soldiers. On 22 June Barack Obama declared to withdraw 33,000 US troops from there. He made the declaration while giving a speech at White House. Of them, 10,000 soldiers will be lifted this year, while the rest 23,000 will be pulled out by 2012. Obama said now is the appropriate time for the US troops to come back from Afghanistan and devote in national building activities. This declaration of the US President generated high acclamation world wide. He also faced instant criticism over such announcement. Even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stressed on the political impact of the Obama's announcement. The Defense Secretary said the gradual diminishing trend of US public opinion against further staying of the US troops in Afghan soil is the major cause of such sudden decision of Barack Obama to pull back troops from there.
There are many debates over the merits and demerits of withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Discussions were held not only on the impact of Obama's declaration on Afghan situation but also on the total internal political arena of the United States. The political aspect of Obama's announcement has become more specific and clear from the statement of Hillary Clinton. She said Obama would pull out US troops from Afghanistan by July 2011. She further said lifting of troops from Afghanistan was the commitment of Obama to the nation. By giving declaration of withdrawal of solders from Afghanistan Obama has been just materializing his pledges to the nation.
Reducing US strength and Influence
It has not yet been possible to know from any survey report whether Obama's popularity has enhance owing to such declaration. But this declaration has created bitter reactions among the US commanders who are still stationed in Afghanistan. This is because withdrawing troops from Afghanistan would definitely reduce the strength and influence of the United States over Afghanistan. Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff of US Army Mike Mullen said that the announcement of President Obama is much more stronger than the suggestions given by the military commands. Chief of army staff of US troops in Afghanistan General David Petraus has also expressed similar opinion. But it was understood from their versions about the dangers that may descend on US troops in Afghanistan following such sudden announcement of army pull out from Afghanistan. It would definitely put the US military presence in Afghanistan on an awkward position.
Worldwide War on Terror
Although US troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan as per Obama's declaration, it is sure that all soldiers would not leave Afghan soil right now. The year 2014 may be a target in this regard. Even if the US troops are withdrawn from the Afghanistan as per Obama's declaration, there would be presence of foreign troops in the country. They are allied forces of the United States. That means there would be foreign troops in Afghanistan to protect the interest of the western world. There is no reason for the Afghan people to be very joyful or enthusiastic over the Obama's declaration to pull out soldiers. It is apprehended that after Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameroon may give similar declaration. But Cameroon was strongly alerted about it right now. British Army Chief General Peter Wall said there is still doubt if the British soldiers could be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 2014, the deadline set earlier by the British Premier. Former British Army Chief Richard Dundy called upon the British Premier to remain alert over the impending risk of pulling out troops from Afghanistan. He said, "In no way Britain should be influenced by Obama's decision to withdraw troops from Afghan soil."
Richard's statement had proved beyond any amount of doubt that the declaration of Obama is very much political. In an interview Richard Dundy said Obama had given announcement of pulling out troops from Afghanistan purely for internal political reason. "I hope the United Kingdom will not put its step on Obama's traps." Dundy said adding "Cameroon would surely not like to see that Afghanistan be tinged with blood again."
Indiscriminately Killing Civil People
Although Hamid Karzai welcomed the Obama's declaration of army pullout, it is not still clear if such political stance of the United States would be beneficial for the Afghan people. The worldwide war on terror being launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies is not above controversy. While speaking at an Anti-Terrorism Conference in Teheran on 25 June, chief religious leader of Iran Ayatollah Ruhullah Khomeini said that in the name of war against terror, the United States has been rearing the terrorists. They are indiscriminately killing civil people by launching drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, they are declaring so smugly war against terrorism in the world. The Palestinian people have been launching war in their own soils to materialize their demands to have their own independent and sovereign homeland. But the United States and some of its western allies are branding the Palestinians as terrorists. However, Obama has been contesting for the presidency of the United States for the second term. To maintain his popularity, Obama has to talks over establishment of peace in the Middle East like his declaration of withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. It would be demonstrated through the poll-results how much confident the US people are on Obama's commitment.