UN Millennium Development Report 2012: Largest Proportion of Underweight Children Live in India

The United Nations’ Millennium Development Report 2012 was released on July 2. The report states that in 2010, one in every five maternal deaths globally happened in India which accounted for 20 per cent of the total mortality in this respect.

The report reveals that while the world has achieved targets of poverty reduction, improved drinking water supply and decreased number of urban residents in slums, it has not done well on maternal health and child nutrition goals.

India is set to miss the Millennium Development Goal (MDG)-5 (on halving numbers of maternal deaths between 1990 and 2015) if it does not accelerate the pace of progress. The report flags concerns for the world with just 1,000 days left to meet the deadline of 2015.

Alarming Situation in South Asia

Gaps in these areas are alarming for South Asia, particularly for India, where 57,000 women died during pregnancy or within 42 hours of termination of pregnancy in 2010, posting a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 212 per one lakh live births. India’s MDG target is to get the figure down to 109.

India is moving well on MMR but it would not achieve the MDG at the current pace. About 153 maternal deaths are happening in India every day. That is one every 10 minutes; and six every hour.

In 2001, India reported 91,000 maternal deaths. That is down to 57,000, indicating some progress. India has reduced maternal mortality by 38 per cent in 10 years, but it must do more. We need more auxiliary nurses and midwives and skilled birth attendants.

Women’s Condition

Globally, 2.87 lakh women died during child-birth in 2010. Fifty six per cent of these died in sub-Saharan Africa and 29 per cent in South Asia. Twenty per cent of these deaths occurred in India alone. MMR in the developing countries remains 15 times higher than in developed regions. Sub-Saharan Africa still has a high MMR of 500, Eastern Asia has a low of 37 while South Asia accounts for a figure of 220.

The report further states that the regions with high MMR are those with poor availability of skilled birth attendants.

On child health, however, considerable progress has been made. In developing countries, under five mortality rate declined by 35 per cent, from 97 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 63 in 2010. India now has an IMR of 47, down from 125 per 1,000 live births in 1992.

State of India

India has the largest proportion of underweight children. Hunger is another huge challenge though India has reduced its poverty rates from 51 to 37 per cent between 1990 and 2012. The country has 237 million people going hungry at present.

It fares poorly on all three standard indices used to measure child nutrition — stunting (height for age), wasting (weight for height) and underweight (weight for age), with 59 per cent children stunted, 42 per cent underweight and 11.4 per cent wasted.

G8 Summit: Camp David Declaration Addresses Major Economic, Political Challenges

The leaders of the G8 countries of eight most developed countries of the world – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States have met recently in Camp David, Maryland. They addressed major economic and political challenges faced by the world. The G8 summit in Camp David was the first major international event for the new French President Francois Hollande.

Camp David Declaration

The leaders of the summit in their Camp David Declaration recognized the importance of meeting our energy needs from a wide variety of sources ranging from traditional fuels to renewable to other clean technologies. As they reached implement their own individual energy strategies, they embraced the pursuit of an appropriate mix from all of the above in an environmentally safe, sustainable, secure, and affordable manner. They also recognized the importance of pursuing and promoting sustainable energy and low carbon policies in order to tackle the global challenge of climate change.

To facilitate the trade of energy around the world, they committed to take further steps to remove obstacles to the evolution of global energy infrastructure; to reduce barriers and refrain from discriminatory measures that impede market access; and to pursue universal access to cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy. The leaders remained committed to the principles on global energy security adopted by the G8 in St. Petersburg.

The group’s leaders papered over their deep-seated divisions on how best to tackle the Eurozone crisis, and declared that they wanted debt-stricken Greece to remain within the fold. However, they called on Athens to stick to the terms of a massive EU-International Monetary Fund (IMF) cash-for-reforms bailout, now hanging by a thread.

Incidentally, two Indian-Americans — PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi and USAID administrator Raj Shah — were among the few special guests invited by US President

Barack Obama to a G-8 luncheon at Camp David on Saturday. They were invited to take part in a discussion with four African Presidents/PMs invited to the special luncheon. Obama said this was perhaps the first time business leaders attended a G8 summit.

Climate Change Problem

The summit leaders agreed to continue their efforts to address climate change and recognize the need for increased mitigation ambition in the period to 2020, with a view to doing their part to limit effectively the increase in global temperature below 2ºC above preindustrial levels, consistent with science. They strongly supported the outcome of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Durban to implement the Cancun agreements and the launch of the Durban Platform, which they welcomed as a significant breakthrough toward the adoption by 2015 of a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force applicable to all Parties, developed and developing countries alike.

The leaders agreed to continue to work together in the UNFCCC and other fora, including through the Major Economies Forum, toward a positive outcome at Doha.

Six-Point Settlement Plan

In its “Camp David Declaration”, the Group of Eight also supported six-point plan of the United Nations and Arab League Joint Special Envoy (JSE) Kofi Annan’s settlement plan for Syria and cautioned North Korea against further provocation, besides pledging steps to mitigate the economic impact of the Afghan transition and saying Greece, now battling a crippling debt crisis, should remain in the Eurozone.

The summit leaders supported the efforts of JSE Annan and look forward to seeing his evaluation, during his forthcoming report to the UN Security Council, of the prospects for beginning this political transition process in the near-term. Use of force endangering the lives of civilians must cease.  They called on the Syrian Government to grant safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel to populations in need of assistance in accordance with international law. They welcomed the deployment of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, and urge all parties, in particular the Syrian government, to fully cooperate with the mission.

The Camp David leaders strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Syria. They remained deeply concerned about the threat to regional peace and security and humanitarian despair caused by the crisis and remain resolved to consider further UN measures as appropriate.

Incidentally, two Indian-Americans — PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi and USAID administrator Raj Shah — were among the few special guests invited by US President Barack Obama to a G-8 luncheon at Camp David.

Iran and North Korea’s Nuclear Programs

Piling up pressure on Iran, the leaders of the world's eight most powerful economies have asked it to swiftly address all outstanding issues related to its nuclear program and vowed to ensure that crude markets are "fully and timely" supplied despite oil embargo on Teheran.

As Iran faced sanctions, the G8 leaders said increasing disruptions in the global oil supplies "pose a substantial risk" to the world economy.

The G8 leaders remained united in our grave concern over Iran’s nuclear program. They called on Iran to comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions and requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors. They also call on Iran to continuously comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including its safeguards obligations.

The summit leaders also called on Iran to address without delay all outstanding issues related to its nuclear program, including questions concerning possible military dimensions.  They desired a peaceful and negotiated solution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, and therefore remain committed to a dual-track approach. They welcomed the resumption of talks between Iran and the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union High Representative). They called on Iran to seize the opportunity that began in Istanbul, and sustain this opening in Baghdad by engaging in detailed discussions about near-term, concrete steps that can, through a step-by-step approach based on reciprocity, lead towards a comprehensive negotiated solution which restores international confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

As regards North Korea, the G8 leaders continued to have deep concerns about provocative actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that threaten regional stability. They remained concerned about the DPRK's nuclear program, including its uranium enrichment program.  They condemned the April 13, 2012, launch that used ballistic missile technology in direct violation of UNSC Resolution.

The Camp David leaders urged the DPRK to comply with its international obligations and abandon all nuclear and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. They called on all UN member states to join the G8 in fully implementing the UNSC resolutions in this regard.

Countering Terrorism

At the summit, G8 leaders condemned transnational organized crime and terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They pledged to enhance our cooperation to combat threats of terrorism and terrorist groups, including Al-Qaida, its affiliates and adherents, and transnational organized crime, including individuals and groups engaged in illicit drug trafficking and production. They stressed that it is critical to strengthen efforts to curb illicit trafficking in arms in the Sahel area, in particular to eliminate the Man-Portable Air Defense Systems proliferated across the region; to counter financing of terrorism, including kidnapping for ransom; and to eliminate support for terrorist organizations and criminal networks.

The G8 leaders urged states to develop necessary capacities including in governance, education, and criminal justice systems, to address, reduce and undercut terrorist and criminal threats, including "lone wolf" terrorists and violent extremism, while safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. They underscored the central role of the United Nations and welcome the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and efforts of the Roma-Lyon Group in countering terrorism.

Growth and Employment Opportunities

“As all the leaders agreed, growth and jobs must be our top priority. A stable, growing European economy is in everybody’s best interests — including America’s,” Obama said after the end of the summit.

“Europe is our largest economic partner. Put simply, if a company is forced to cut back in Paris or Madrid, that might mean less business for manufacturers in Pittsburgh or Milwaukee. And that might mean a tougher time for families and communities that depend on that business,” he said.

“Even as we’ve confronted our own economic challenges over the past few years, we have collaborated closely with our European allies and partners as they’ve confronted theirs,” Obama said.

The US president said he discussed with other leaders the ways for promoting growth and job creation while still carrying out reforms necessary to stabilize and strengthen their economies for the future.

Poverty Alleviation

The Camp David leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and recognized the vital role of official development assistance in poverty alleviation and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. As such, they welcomed and endorsed the Camp David Accountability Report which records the important progress that the G8 has made on food security consistent with commitments made at the L’Aquila Summit, and in meeting our commitments on global health, including the Muskoka initiative on maternal, newborn and child health. They remained strongly committed to reporting transparently and consistently on the implementation of these commitments.

The next G8 Summit will be held the United Kingdom in 2013.

India Successfully Test-Fires Agni V Missile: Country Joins Elite Club of Nations

India successfully test-fired country’s long-range surface-to-surface Inter-Continental Ballisitic Missile (ICBM) -- Agni-V -- from the launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast on April 19. The missile can carry a pay-load of 1 ton and is capable of reaching deep into Asia and Europe. It is a move that would bring the emerging power into a small club of nations with intercontinental defense capabilities.
Only the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, Russia, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom – along with Israel, are believed to have such long distance missiles.
Most Advanced Version
The Agni V, a three-stage, all solid fuel powered missile with multiple independent targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV), is designed to be the most advanced version of the indigenously built Agni series. It is powered by solid rocket propellants and can be transported by road. India has tested several missiles in the past few years as part of its program, which started in the 1960s.
With a planned range of 5,000 km (3,100 miles), the Agni V will traverse 2,000 km more than any Indian missile has ever done. The present launch will see the missile first power its way to a vertical height of 500 km in the atmosphere before following a ballistic trajectory that will see it splash down in the Indian Ocean way beyond Indonesia.
A commercial jetliner would take over six hours to traverse such a distance. But Agni V, traveling at 24 times the speed of sound and 30 times faster than a commercial jet, will traverse that distance in just 18 to 20 minutes. In doing so, it will become not just the longest range ballistic missile in India's strategic armory but also its fastest. Most importantly, Agni V would put most of China's major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, within Indian missile range.
Building Long-Range ICBMs
The test of Agni V would give India the capability of building long-range ICBMs or missiles that can reach targets of 8,000 km or more.
With a warhead weight of 1,500 kg (1.5 ton) Agni V will ultimately be capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads giving it deadly strike capability.
Agni V would be a significant step up from the range of Agni missiles that India currently has in its armory. The latest missile will have higher payload capability, a specialized booster and a new set of road-mobile launchers. The smaller versions of the missiles like Agni-II and Agni-III are rail-mobile which poses limitations in transportation especially when keeping these hidden from overhead satellites and prying human eyes.
Agni I goes to 700 km and Agni II, 2000 km. Both these are primarily meant to target Pakistan, giving India a capability to strike its neighbor from any part of the country.
Agni III and Agni IV are missiles in the 3,000 km class meant for China and other regional neighbors. The distance though is a limitation as these classes of missiles would be unable to strike many of China's strategic cities or locations. So the need for Agni V.
Avinash Chander, DRDO's Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems), said, "There are many firsts we are incorporating in Agni V, these include two all new composite motors that would propel the missile to distances bordering ICBM capabilities."
At 17 meters in height, Agni V is almost 5 stories tall and has a diameter of two meters - similar to that of the giant main sewage pipelines that are laid in most Indian cities. Agni V is short and squat as compared to India's space rockets.
Almost three years in the making, Agni V is a three-stage rocket that, has one of the most highly developed guidance systems that the DRDO has ever built to enable it to strike targets at great distance with stunning accuracy.
While the first stage motor is similar to the one used in Agni III, the second and third stage motors are brand new and built of light composite materials that are being flight tested for the first time. It reduces weight and gives the missile greater punch.
Although the first launch would be from a static harness at the Island, Agni V would have tremendous road mobility once it is fully developed. These include a canister launch which means that it gives India "stop and launch" capability from any part of the country. Once India successfully test Agni V, the country would have broken the barrier of long range ballistic missile systems.
Facts About Missile
* With a range of 5,000 km, Agni V will traverse 2,000 km more than any other Indian missile
* Traveling at 24 times the speed of sound, Agni V will traverse 5,000 km in just 20 minutes
* If successful, it will give India the capability of striking all major Chinese cities, including Shanghai
* The technology being used in Agni V will ultimately give India the capability to build ICBMs.

4th BRICS Summit: Playing Crucial Role at World Level

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is a grouping of the world’s emerging economies, representing five continents. The BRICS countries together account for 40 per cent of global GDP ($18.49 trillion). Intra-BRICS trade is worth $212 billion, and is growing at 28 per cent a year. It has set itself a trade target of $500 billion by 2015.
The importance of BRICs in the world economy has increased manifold since the acronym was first coined approximately seven years ago. Few could have imagined then how the US economy would collapse and bring down with it much of the rest of the world. It is worth revisiting the original formulations on the significance of these four major countries that were made by representatives of a major US investment bank
Some member countries in the organization are among the fast emerging economies in the world. At the same time, the world has come to realize that to bring an end to the unipolar world and to maintain the power balance, the importance of Russia cannot be ignored. Countries such as China and Brazil not only want to maintain close relations with the United States, but with Russia as well.
However, the aim of the BRICS is to enhance cooperation among member countries and working together at the international forums. Clearly, it is an opportunity for India to improve and strengthen its relations with China and strive to get their disputes resolved.
The fourth BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on March 28-29. The summit’s theme was “BRICS partnership for Global Stability, Security and Prosperity.” The participants included Presidents Hu Jintao of China, Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Brazil’s Dilma Rouseff. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted the summit, and also held a series of bilateral sessions with his guests, including China’s Hu Jintao.
The summit held against the backdrop of continued profound and complex changes in the international situation, uncertain prospects in world economic recovery and the steadily rising status and role of emerging markets and developing countries in international affairs. It was yet another important event in the ongoing BRICS cooperation. India has worked effectively in preparing for the summit. China tried to work with other BRICS members to push for positive outcomes. On the summit’s eve, the five nations resolved to resist protectionist tendencies worldwide.
The leaders of five emerging economic powerhouses affirmed not just their growing economic clout but also their impact on the global political order.
Delhi Declaration
At the end of the summit, BRICS leaders issued a Delhi Declaration. The Declaration hinted at backing an alternative candidate for the World Bank president's post which has always been appropriated by an American and exhorted the Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to quickly realign their priorities and approach to the needs of the developing world. This is an agenda the five countries intend pursuing at the coming G20 meeting in Mexico as well.
The leaders also weighed the consequences of setting up a “BRICS Bank” and opted for a more contemplative approach by asking their Finance Ministers to examine its feasibility and report back at the next summit in Russia. They agreed that the bank should in no way emerge as a competitor to the World Bank and the IMF but provide funds for projects that do not find favor with these institutions.
In line with their professed commitment to multilateralism in economic and political problem solving, the leaders agreed to invest more in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which played a major role in catering to the interests of developing countries in the run-up to the setting up of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Seeking to reinforce their growing economic heft with diplomatic clout, the BRICS grouping pitched for a bigger say in global governance institutions, including the United Nations and the IMF, and told the West that dialogue was the only way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and the Syria crisis.
The leaders of BRISC’s formulation on Iran came close to condemning the West's pressure tactics to make other countries obey their latest restrictions on trade ties, especially in the energy sphere. Saying that a conflict would have disastrous consequences, it wanted the two antagonists to resolve suspicions over Iran's nuclear program through talks on multilateral fora.
On Afghanistan, BRICS exhorted the international community to stay the course on the development front for 10 years after the West withdraws most of its combat troops by 2014-end and, on Russia's insistence, made a mention of checking narcotic trafficking.
In a fresh assertion, BRICS asked the West to implement the 2010 governance and quota reform before the 2012 IMF/World Bank annual meeting, as well as the comprehensive review of the quota formula to better reflect economic weights. They asked for enhancing the voice and representation of emerging market and developing countries by January 2013, followed by the completion of the next general quota review by January 2014.
In a signature step, the BRICS decided to create their first institution in the form of a BRICS-led South South Development Bank that will mobilise "resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries." The leaders directed their finance ministers "to examine the feasibility and viability of such an initiative, set up a joint working group for further study, and report back by the next summit."
The development banks of the five countries signed two pacts, including a master agreement on extending credit facility in local currency and BRICS multilateral letter of credit confirmation facility agreement, which could help scale up bilateral trade from $230 billion to $500 billion.
India’s Major Points
Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also said that the grouping has agreed to examine in "greater detail" a proposal to set up a South-South Development bank, funded and managed by BRICS and other developing countries.
Singh also urged member countries to speak in one voice on key issues such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms. He suggested that BRICS countries should speak in one voice on issues such as reforms of the international body.
On UNSC reforms, Singh suggested that BRICS countries should speak in one voice on issues such as reforms of the international body.
He also said in their restricted session, the grouping also discussed the ongoing turmoil in West Asia and agreed to work together for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Touching upon the issue of terrorism, Singh said the countries should enhance cooperation against terrorism and other developing threats such as piracy, particularly emanating from Somalia.
UN Millennium Development Goals
BRICS nations are the defender and promoter of the interests of developing countries. In their cooperation, BRICS countries have committed to promoting South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue, endeavored to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals, worked for early realization of the goals set out in the mandate for the Doha development round negotiations, strived to secure a greater say for developing countries in global economic governance and fought all forms of protectionism.
Cooperation among BRICS countries is made necessary by the ongoing economic globalization and democratization in international relations. It is consistent with the trend of the times characterized by peace, development and cooperation, and fully conducive to building a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity.
Role of China
An impression is sought to be created that with its massive monetary reserves and political clout, China may exert undue influence in this bank. This is unlikely. Such a bank will not require too much paid-up capital (relative to the average size of respective sovereign reserves) if intelligent financial engineering can help sequester foreign reserves. This would mean that the smallest BRICS economy, South Africa, could easily commit an amount similar to that of China in the capital structure. Such doubts could be further allayed with the institution of a rotating Presidency of, say, a two-year term that could initially be restricted to the BRICS countries alone.
India-India Strategic Ties
The China-India strategic and cooperative partnership has made all-round progress in recent years. A sustained, sound and steady growth of relations between China and India, the two large developing countries sharing borders with each other, will serve not only the well-being of the two peoples but also peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole.
The Delhi Summit will be remembered forever for one major achievement, at least. Its expected decision to set up a BRICS bank on the lines of the World Bank may change the course of economic activity in the member-countries. The setting up of this new financial institution by the bloc that has brought together half of the world’s population may speed up infrastructure development programs in the BRICS countries and serve as a second line of financial defense in times of economic crisis as is being faced by Europe today.

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2012

The United Nations has warned that the world is on the brink of another recession, projecting that global economic growth will slow down further in 2012 and even emerging powerhouses like India and China, which led the recovery last time, will get bogged down.
The UN “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2012” report has cut the global growth forecast for next year to 2.6 per cent from 4 per cent in 2010.
It has called 2012 a "make-or-break" year for the global economy, which will face a "muddle-through" scenario and continue to grow at a slow pace.
"Following two years of anaemic and uneven recovery from the global financial crisis, the world economy is teetering on the brink of another major downturn," the UN report said, warning that "the risks for a double-dip recession have heightened".
The report said the failure of policymakers, especially those in Europe and the United States, to address the jobs crisis, prevent sovereign debt distress and escalation of financial sector fragility poses the most acute risk for the global economy in 2012-13.
GDP Growth
Growth in developing countries like India and China, which had stoked the engine of the world economy so far, will also slow down to 5.6 per cent in 2012 from 7.5 per cent in 2010
"Developing countries are expected to be further affected by the economic woes in developed countries through trade and financial channels," the report said. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in China and India is expected to "remain robust, but to decelerate," it said.
India's economy is expected to expand by between 7.7 per cent and 7.9 per cent in 2012-13, down from 9.0 per cent in 2010. In China, growth slowed from 10.4 per cent in 2010 to 9.3 per cent in 2011 and is projected to slow further to below 9 per cent in 2012-13.
Notably, the United Nations has revised its 2012 prediction downward for every major country. It projected 1.3 per cent growth for the US (down 0.7 per cent from its last forecast), 1.5 per cent for Japan (down 1.3 per cent), 0.5 per cent for the 27-nation European Union (down 0.8 per cent) and 8.7 per cent for China (down 0.2 per cent).
Persistent Weaknesses
The report stated that a serious, renewed global downturn is looming because of persistent weaknesses in major developed economies on account of problems left unresolved in the aftermath of the recession of 2008-2009. It said that most developed country governments have indiscriminately switched from fiscal stimulus to premature austerity measures. This has further weakened global aggregate demand, already nurtured by persistent high unemployment.
Financial and Commodity Markets
Additionally, the economic woes in Europe and the US are exacerbating volatility in international financial and commodity markets and slowing growth in developing countries. All of these weaknesses are present and reinforce each other, but a further worsening of one of them could set off a vicious circle leading to severe financial turmoil and a renewed global recession for 2012-13.
The report outlines several policy directions that could avoid a double-dip recession, including the optimal design of fiscal policies to stimulate more direct job creation and investment in infrastructure, energy efficiency and sustainable energy supply, stronger financial safety nets, better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, as well as providing sufficient support to developing countries for addressing the fallout from the crisis.

People of Arab World Hijacked

All of a sudden, the love of the prime minister for religion has gone up. Even the Menons (left politicians like Rashed Khan Menon and his accomplices) are uttering verses of the holy Quran. The religion trade is now going on massively by making efforts to stop 'fatwa' (religious addict) saying it is a trade of religion traders and uttering the ideals of Islam. Taking the office of a "religion-less" or irreligious state, the love for religion is nothing but a lie and deception.
The people of the country know in whose interest the women policy has been framed. The CIDAW is a charter of conspiracy for turning the women into a commercial commodity. In 1997, a so-called declaration in the United Nations for ending or abolishing all discriminations against the women had got recognition. It is not a charter for development of the women but a story of deception or intrigue. The real Islamic scholars and leaders have taken to the street. They are united not only against the women policy but against all the anti-Islamic policies. Slogans are being raised everywhere in the country that fatwa will be the constitution of the country in future.
Unity of Society
So it is not hartal (closure strike), what is the great need of the country is unity of the society of religious leaders and Islamic thinkers. And only united strength can protect the dignity of the holy Quran. The people of the Arab world have been hijacked. The people are not seeing the dream of freedom. Their fear always is that when bombs and grenades of the hyenas are thrown into their homes. The boisterous sound of weapons and missiles is shattering the life and peace of human habitats. The people are rushing toward hospital in corpse, carrying ambulances with mutilated and severed bodes of the human beings. What they wanted and what is happening; it is like bringing crocodiles by digging canals. In fact, the character of the United States is one and identical. The difference is only in their complexion or in the color of their skin. So the Nobel Peace Prize winning Barack Obama is doing the same thing as his predecessor George W. Bush did. Overtly, it may seem they are not united, but, in fact, they are. The imperialism is the core policy of the United States. As hyenas do not feel good, the United States does not find it comfortable without aggression. They are carrying out killings as they have been doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are a nation of hyenas. They are selling life-destroying tablets and pills in the packets or phials of peace.
US Responsibility
It is also the US responsibility to protect those who they purchased. The movements are a convocation or installation of grabbing anew. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a purchased grouping of the United States. And the United Nations is their place for their pastime and gossiping.
The attention of Obama is fixed not on the people of Libya but on their oil resources or oil wealth. Thrown into deep recession, it is the need of the United States to plunder the resources of Muslims to get their luxurious lifestyle going. When the United States citizens are beset with unemployment and are about to start begging at that time their government has attacked the Libyan people to grab their oil resources. Other autocratic Arab rulers joined NATO air attacks. And the responsibility of the United States is to ensure security to the evil doers or Satans. Sending warships to Libya they gave a signal to others that no more now, the game is over. Our target has been achieved.
Warplanes and Warships
The last desire of former US President Bush was to launch attack on Iraq and Libya. Obama has fulfilled that desire of Bush. But the difference is Bush has already been insulted trough the hurling of shoes while Obama is yet to get that treatment. The people across the world have been fuming. Obama is playing such a game where the world is clapping with contentment when Libya is being bombarded. It means there will be attacks, but quietly. There would be killing but without any sound.
Obama! You are not t he last. The more your atrocities will grow, the more your days will be numbered. Your nuclear weapons will lose their strength and prowess. Look at Fukushima of Japan. They are counting their days for ruination with their own arms. Not much time would be needed to end your game of pride. Your warplanes and warships would crash onto the roof of your White House only in three minutes. Your nuclear reactors would add gloom to the taste of your dream. The wait of the Muslim ummah (community) is for the help of God. The things for which you boast are your deathtrap.

6th East Asia Summit Adopts 2 Declarations

The sixth East Asia Summit (EAS) has recently been held in the Indonesian resort island of Bali. The EAS is a gathering of leaders from 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam– the Dialogue Partners and the United Nations.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the opening ceremony that the combined forces of the participating countries are remarkable. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev are represented by their respective Foreign Ministers.
The EAS discussed broad and strategic issues of common concern at the regional and international levels, and ways to enhance and strengthen the cooperation within five priority areas of the EAS, namely finance, energy, education, communicable diseases, and disaster management.
Joint Declarations
At the end of the summit, leaders adopted two declarations namely, the Declaration of the EAS on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations, and Declaration of the 6th East Asia Summit on ASEAN Connectivity.
The first declaration contains basic norms and common principles taken from various previous basic documents including the UN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and other arrangements among EAS participating countries.
It will serve as the guidance of conduct for EAS participating countries toward promoting and maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The second declaration includes connectivity as one of the key areas of cooperation of the East Asia Summit besides the existing five priorities, namely finance, energy, education, communicable diseases and disaster management.
This declaration will inter alia support and facilitate further cooperation between the ASEAN and other EAS participating countries in the Connectivity initiative, and a regional public- private partnership development agenda and will promote greater engagement and cooperation in people-to-people connectivity.
The EAS seeks to promote cooperation in political and security issues, boost economic growth and integration, and secure financial stability. At last year's summit in Vietnam, leaders formally agreed to expand the meeting to include the United States and Russia.
With the participation of the two world powers, the group hopes to strengthen cooperation on global challenges and discuss rules on maritime security and nuclear non-proliferation.
About EAS
The EAS is originally an annual gathering of 10-member ASEAN and six other East Asia countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Established in 1967, ASEAN, which groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, forms the core of the broader EAS.
In October 2010, ASEAN leader agreed at the end of the 17th ASEAN Summit to invite the United States and Russia to join the EAS in 2011, which increased the number of ASEAN dialogue partners to eight.
The EAS serves as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic issues of relevance to East Asia as well as other regional and global issues, with the focus on areas such as international terrorism, energy, infectious diseases, sustainable development, poverty reduction and others.
Relief measures for floods and other natural disaster will be a top agenda item for this year's EAS. Leaders will discuss how to recover their economic growth and prevent future natural disaster for the good of the whole region.

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

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

Four-Nation Heads of States Dushanbe Conference

In the heads of states conference held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan have agreed to make concerted efforts to eliminate terrorism, extremism, and crime. The declaration issued at the culmination of the Four-Nation Heads of States Conference also underscored the need for setting up various projects to pave way for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
The participating nations endorsing the need to continue the reconciliatory process have expressed optimism that after the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, the regional powers will oversee the affairs in Afghanistan. The Afghan security forces will also be strengthened and equipped.
Role of the United Nations
The role of the United Nations will be important in this respect, the meet felt. Extremism will be rooted out from the region through the promotion of trade and investment. Russia will invest in Pakistan in the energy, telecommunication sector, and infrastructure development. According to the declaration, Russia has committed to invest in a 1,000 MW power transmission project that is on the anvil between Tajikistan and Pakistan. It was also agreed to launch rail and road projects to promote trade links.
Pakistan’s Commitment
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, addressing the conference, has said that Pakistan is committed to eliminating terrorism from the region in the interest of peace and progress. The Central Asian states can benefit from Pakistani seaports.
The resolve that these countries have expressed to uproot terrorism from the region is indeed commendable. These countries have somehow been plagued by various challenges and issues. The issue of terrorism and extremism is the most significant. The region is now faced with a unique situation in the possible aftermath of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. As the foreign troops continue to pull out from Afghanistan, the regional powers will have to undertake new responsibilities and face bigger challenges. There will then be a paramount need to step up efforts to establish peace and stability and an accelerated rate of growth and development in the region. This is the only strategy that can do away with terrorism and extremism to a great extent. The countries have expressed the possibility of regional power assuming control of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops. In this respect the role of the United Nations has also been highlighted. This will not be an easy undertaking as the extremist forces are gaining strength with each passing day. Their influence too is growing.
Time Ahead
In future, the collusion between the regional powers will be critical in dealing with such challenges. Failure to do so will make the situation precarious. The highlight of the declaration is that Russia has assured of investing in the development of infrastructure, telecommunication, and energy sector of Pakistan. This is something that Pakistan badly needs. The leadership of these four countries must implement the decisions arrived at this conference so that progress and prosperity can return to the region.

Islam and Women Rights

Islam has ensured the equitable rights to men and women. It has given the security of life and property and the highest honor to women. When in the age of darkness and ignorance female child was buried alive, women were being sold like animals in markets and were used as slaves, and parents became depressed hearing the news of birth of female child, then God criticizing it in the holy Koran said: "And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief!" (Surah An-Nahl: Verse 58). Being sympathetic to the women community the Prophet Muhammad said: "Female child is the symbol of prosperity and benevolence". He also said: "He who raises three or two or at least one female child appropriately will be placed in heaven."
Introduction
God has created the human race with a combination of one woman and one man. In the case of giving birth to a child the role of one man and one woman is almost the same rather it can be said that the contribution of woman in this regard is comparatively more than man. A mother hides her coming child for more than ten months in her womb. At one stage gives birth to a new born child taking the risk of her life. This is not the end rather she feeds milk to her child until the age of two-and-a-half year with care and responsibility. In this regard, God says in the holy Koran: "I have given orders to mankind to be kind to their parents. His mother (because during birth) bears him with much sufferings and gives birth through much pain as well." In addition to giving birth to children, women are also contributing to many vital sectors of the society. Role of women is profound in all sectors from conjugal life to family, societal, political, and economy. Contribution of women in protecting the country and independence of the country is also worth mentioning.
However, in today's civilized society some human like animal are appearing in the role of hyenas and are carrying out oppression on those beautiful helpless women. The process of development is being hindered assaulting the race of mothers who are advancing the world to development with each passing day by their activities and without those the social backbone would have been perished. It is to be noted that people of different religions and different ethnicity showed inhuman attitude to women. Women are being belittled in Hindu religion by terming various names like Lakshmi, Padmini, Rakkhashi, Opoya, etc., and the freedom of women has been denied by kicking off the Sati Daho system (Hindu practice of burning of widow with her husband's corpse). There were no rights of women in the Jewish philosophy and Christianity. For example, it can be said: "The British women before 1807, German women 1900, Swiss women 1907, and Australian women before 1919 could not be the owner of any type of property" (Abdul Karim Biajar Siraji, Nari Nirjaton Jugey Jugey (Women Oppression in Different Ages), Dhaka: Cultural Center of Islamic Republic of Iran, December 1992: 5).
At that time people used to give preference to male child over female child. But the Prophet Muhammad said: "If any of you have son and daughter, and if you bring something for them, give it to your daughter first and your daughter will give the rest to her brother after taking hers."
The messenger of freedom of humanity Prophet regarding significance of wife said: "Good wife is a symbol of the good luck" (Muslim). He also said about the value of wife said: "He among you is the best who is best to his wife." (Tirmizi Sharif).
About the rights of widow the Prophet of Islam said: "Those who take the responsibility of widows are the participants of jihad in the path to God and are the diligent practitioners of prayer and fasting" (Bukhari, Muslim).
A separate and long Surah in the holy Koran has also been alighted on rights and responsibilities of women titled "Women" which have not been for male. Therefore, George Barnard Shaw said: "Only Hazrat Muhammad has given the appropriate honor to women."
When in the human society there was no right for women, the merciful God declared clearly abolishing that confusion:
"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable" (Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 228).
Protesting the oppression that had been carried out on women in the pre-Islam period it is said in the holy Koran:
"Treat with them fairly" (Surah An-Nisa: Verse 19).
No nation recognized the personal right of women on anything. After the emergence of Islam it recognized the economic freedom of women. As for instance, words of God:
"For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned" (Surah An-Nisa: verse 32).
In the age of darkness and ignorance, people used to marry wealthy women for the love of property. After the death of husbands of those women, people used to consider their widows as their successors forcibly like the properties. They used to marry them against their will. But God issued order:
"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will" (Surah An-Nisa: verse 19).
When women were kept imprisoned to deprive them from paying their due dowry, God declared:
"Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them" (Surah An-Nisa: verse 19).
The people used to think that women have been created to serve the male only.
But God declared that: "They are your garments. And ye are their garments" (Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 187). That means, in this life one completes other.
Men used to raise allegations of adultery or something like that against their wives having the ill-motive of marrying another, so that that wife leaves on her own will leaving her own property and share. But the merciful God declared:
"But if ye decide to take one wife in place of another, even if ye had given the latter a entire treasure for dower takes not the least bit of it back: would ye take it by slander and a manifest wrong?" (Surah An-Nisa: Verse 20).
Islam has recognized the right of women in the property of parents. As for instance God said:
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large,-- a determinate share" (Surah An-Nisa: Verse 7).
The Prophet Muhammad in the last Hajj said:
"Careful! You have rights on women and they too have rights on you" (Tirmizi, He termed this Hadith "Hasan Hadith," said Riyadus Saleheen 1/276).
Sources of Properties for Women
In the pre-Islam era, women themselves were products let alone owner of properties. Islam has given rightful rights of women on property. About the ownership of property by women God in the holy Koran said: "Give the prefixed dowry to your wife." It is also been said: "Men will be owner of their earnings and women will be the owner of their earnings" (Surah An-Nisa). There are three major sources of wealth for women: 1. Mahr (amount of money or property that is given to the wife by the husband as a non-returnable dowry in the marriage contract), 2. Inheritance to parents, close relatives, husband, and children, and 3. Personally earned income. Despite the existence of sources of income, they have no head of expenditure. Even the cost of her maintenance is not on her. As for instance, before marriage all of her responsibilities lie with father, after marriage it is on the husband and in old age it is on children.
Preference to Men Over Women
Regarding this the merciful God said in the holy Koran: "Men are responsible for women because God has given supremacy (in terms of creating) of one on other, and for that they (men) spend (for paying Mahr and maintaining)." In that verse two causes of the supremacy of men over women have been cited: the first reason is natural or related to creation and the second reason is social or earned. If we give some of our attention, we would find that men and women are not equal at all. There are differences among them for natural cause. As for instance, speed, food habit, likings, hobbies, etc., of men and women are not the same. Moreover, there are huge differences in terms of weight, height, pulse, blood pressure, hormone, and brain structure.
Supporters of so-called equality say: "Men and women are equal biologically; but women are lagging behind in different sectors due to discrimination in male dominated society". Here we would say: "Why there are clear differences between male and female among other living entities in the nature except mankind although they live in female dominated family or society? As for instance, lion has mane but the lioness does not; tiger has moustache but tigress does not; rooster has tuft of hair on his head but the hen does not have that; male duck has curly feather in its tail but the female duck does not; ox has fat on his shoulder but the cow does not have any; etc.
Workplace, Responsibility, and Duty of Men and Women
As women and men are not equal biologically, therefore, their responsibilities and duties and workplace are not the same. As for example, men will serve the duty of defense with their masculine strength and courage and will earn, while women with their feminine softness will serve in the family, bear children and raise them through affection and love. As it is not possible for men to bear children, it is also not easy for women to do the difficult tasks, including defense. Therefore, it is not the equal rights of men and women rather is would be rightful rights or balanced rights, i.e., not equality rather equity. Rights depend on responsibilities and if the rights are to be made equal then the responsibilities are to be divided equally and that would be against the nature and nonscientific.
Islam is the religion of nature and, therefore, the rules of Islam are in favor of nature. Therefore, the meaning of opposition of Islam is showing rude attitude to nature. Civilization faces destruction if it opposes nature. For natural causes in the Muslim society and in human civilization the responsibilities of men are more than the women. As the workplace and scope of duties are not the same for men and women, therefore the equal distribution of property between the two is not justified. For that reason, Islam has told about giving more to the son in terms of inheritance. These reasons are: (a) preservation of family, (b) manage the relatives, (c) performing family and social duties, (d) paying Mahr to wife and bear the cost of maintaining, (e) bearing the cost of maintaining and raising children, and (f) render support and looking after old parents.
It is to be noted that a man has three Farz (must do) heads of expenditure that a woman does not have. There are: (a) bearing cost of his maintenance after being adult, (b) bearing cost of maintenance of wife after marriage, and (c) bearing cost of maintenance of children. Therefore, after 1947 in India and Pakistan and after 1971 in Bangladesh till now this rule is in effect for Muslim inheritance. Even the Indian government has not intervened into the Muslim inheritance law. Even Islamic laws are part of the syllabus in the universities of India. Therefore, it is not appropriate to enact any law against not only Islam in Bangladesh but also against any religion.
The Women Development Policy 2011 is not only against Islam rather it is against all religions, including Hindu, Buddhism, Jainism, and Christianity. Similarly the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women charter of the United Nations is against all the religions. For that reason, many countries in Europe and the United States are not implementing the charter although they signed it.
In this regard one issue deserves serious consideration that in the human civilization starting from the pre-historic era to the present time men are playing lead roles. Even in the so-called developed world Europe and the United States men are leading in different religious groups, including Jewish, Christians, Hindu, and Buddhists because it is natural. Until today almost 80 percent women in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia are housewives and recently many ultra-moderns are being attracted to Islamic family system in search of peace. What Islam has given to women in terms of rights and facilities have not been implemented fully until today. Therefore, for the development of women let the rights recognized by Islam be implemented and let the policy be prepared according to that.

US Stirs More Storms To South China Sea Conflicts

Since March 2011, both Vietnam and the Philippines have engaged in several rounds of arguments with China over the sovereignty disputes of islands in the South China Sea. These conflicts have led to a sudden increase of tension in the South China Sea. More recently, Vietnam has even come out with official protest against China, making claim that China has dispatched its warships to interfere with a Vietnamese ship's oil exploration work in the South China Sea, cutting and damaging the ship's undersea oil probing cable.
However, the Philippines also accused China for invading the Philippines' territorial waters as many as seven times within this year. Moreover, the Manila Government also claimed that since its protest against China's invasion of its territorial waters could not be resolved, it has now decided to appeal the case to the United Nations. Yet China's response to the Philippines was that China's vessels were sailing along its own territorial waters. China claimed it did not violate any other country's territorial rights at all.
Dispute Over Sovereignty Rights
By virtue, any dispute over the sovereignty rights of islands in the South China Sea is but the dispute between 'two families' namely ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and China. In the past, when there were disputes over issues pertaining to conflicts in some of the islands in the South China Sea, the members of these two families would sit down and negotiate a way out to settle the dispute.

However, ever since US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came out with remarks saying that 'the United States has the obligation to ensure free and secure maritime shipping route along the South China Sea' and presented a high profile of US intention in wanting to involve in the South China Sea affairs when she attended the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Vietnam in July 2010, the United States has indeed stirred more storms to the South China Sea. The sky above the South China Sea has suddenly changed color, and the atmosphere in the South China Sea has also become increasingly tense among countries surrounding the Sea.
Expansion of China's Military Power
On 4 June, when US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was in Singapore attending the Tenth Asian Security Conference, Gates reiterated the US position in the South China Sea. He said the United States will maintain 'strong' military power in this region to guard its allies and to protect the Southeast Asian region's waterways and the region's maritime security. Indirectly, Gates also hinted that the expansion of China's military power has threatened Asian countries. Yet of note is that China's Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie was also among the representative attending the same Asian Security Conference held in Singapore.
From these recent incidents, it is not difficult for us to see that the US involvement in the South China Sea affairs has already disrupted the 'warm relationship' that ASEAN has all along maintained with China. It is also not difficult for us understand that of late, China's high-profiled execution of power in the protection of its maritime interest in the South China Sea is but a design for China to resist the power competition coming from the United States. Of course, the Chinese authority also knows that the reason why Vietnam and the Philippines will loudly accuse China for violating their respective maritime territorial rights is because they have received encouragement from the United States indirectly. As such, at this stage of time, the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea is no long an issue between the 'two families' namely ASEAN and China. The South China Sea issue has been internationalized. We trust that if some major happening or conflicts ever happens in the South China Sea in the coming days, the United States will definitely want to get involved in it.
Issues and Problems
Issues and problems pertaining to the South China Sea are indeed very complex because these complex issues have involved many countries. Besides China, many other countries have also claimed their rights over certain portion of the group of islands in the South China Sea. These countries have included Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. If the conflict in the South China Sea cannot be resolved in an amiable manner, it can lead to military conflicts in any minute.
In this regard, what our Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak recently said at the 10th Asian Security Conference held in Singapore should be viewed as a hint for the direction that ASEAN countries should go in order to resolve the conflicts in the South China Sea. Najib said: 'As long as we treat China positively and constructively, China will also make the same response to us. China is a country well known for returning kindness to other countries when it has received kindness from others.'

Terror of Pirates

Somali pirates have become a serious challenge for the world. Every now and then they hijack commercial vessels and take huge amounts in lieu of releasing the crew members held hostage. This problem has assumed serious proportions. Their activities are growing. Approximately six months ago they hijacked a ship and were holding 15 Indian crew members hostage and were demanding huge amount as ransom from the concerned shipping company. After the company paid the ransom, the pirates released eight Indian hostages recently, but they did not release the remaining seven Indians and continued to hold them as hostage. Now they are demanding to release those 61 pirates, who were arrested by the Indian Navy in March, in lieu of the seven Indian hostages.
Role of the United Nations
Overseas Indians Affairs Minister V. Ravi has said that saving the lives of Indian hostages would be their highest priority. He has also assured of quick decision and speedy action in this matter. Indian naval ships have foiled several attempts of hijacking ships by these pirates, but this problem is not restricted to any one country. All countries of the world are suffering from this problem.
An economic organization named the International Counter Piracy Trust has been constituted to prevent it, which makes funds available for the projects to deal with pirates, but it is not proving to be very effective. This is such a complex problem that only two-three countries cannot deal with it collectively. The UN role could prove effective for it.
Solution to Problem
A mechanism should be created under it that launches a campaign for eradication of pirates. The navies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France are deployed on the Somali coast. Despite it, pirates have been unleashing terror.
The Somali Government is weak and without resources. It could also be a good alternative that, instead of taking action separately, the Somali Government should be strengthened by providing arms and funds to it, which could eradicate the pirates.

Vietnamese Political Activities, Hostile Forces

It has become a routine that whenever our Party and state conduct political activities, hostile forces inside and outside of the country immediately distort and slander our Party and state in the media, especially on the internet.
Most recently, on the occasion of the election of deputies to the 13th National Assembly and people's councils at all levels for the 2011-16 term, hostile forces have posted on the internet and broadcast on radio to distort the election procedures and to slander our Party's leadership of the National Assembly. They ask the loaded question 'is the National Assembly of the Party or of the people' and assume that only democracy in Western countries is true democracy and allows true human rights.
Human Rights and Democracy
Scientifically, the concepts of human rights and democracy are common concepts. They are defined in documents of the United Nations, but they only have value when they are adapted and practiced in each country, each with its own model. Differences between human rights and democracy models among countries in the world are inevitable. It comes from history, tradition and culture. The international community acknowledged this in the document 'Vienna Declaration and Program of Action' at the international human rights conference in 1993 in Vienna, Austria.
At the present time there are more than 190 countries in the world, with many different political systems and national institutions, but no country calls them undemocratic and no one has the right to call them dictatorial or militaristic. In each country, following whichever ideology - capitalism or socialism - whichever political system- multiparty or one ruling party, separation of powers or centralization, whichever economic model - liberalism or socialist-oriented market economy -- it falls within the jurisdiction of each nation, and no one has the right to interfere, even the United Nations.
Post-Bourgeois Democratic Revolutions
History shows that after the bourgeois democratic revolutions, for example in Britain in 1689, in America in 1776, and in France in 1789, people to some extent enjoyed the democratic system, civil rights and human rights. In the colonies including our country however, after hundreds of years people still lived under colonial-feudal systems, which, in fact, was modern slavery. No 'mother country' shared the values of democracy and human rights with colonial peoples.
The fact is that democracy and human rights in our country were achieved by the blood and struggle of our people under the direction of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh who conducted the August Revolution in 1945.
In fact, throughout nearly a century of revolutionary history from 1930 to now, our Party and President Ho Chi Minh always headed toward the goals of independence for the nation and freedom and happiness for the people.
The leading role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the state and society comes from a righteous historical, political, and legal background which the people respected and trusted and granted them that role. That role was defined in the constitution, the original law of the nation, by the National Assembly, the most powerful body in the country. This article is compatible with the Charter of the United Nations as well as international conventions on human rights. Article 1 of 'the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 stated 'All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status.' This means that nations have full rights to determine their social system, ideology, political system, constitution, and laws which include the role of the ruling party.
Socioeconomic Programs
The relationship between the Party and the National Assembly is that the leading institutional role of the Communist Party of Vietnam is shown in its comprehensive leadership, guidelines, the organization of the Party, and the roles of officials and Party members. This characteristic is not imposed by the Party, but has been formed by history and has gained the respect of all the people. The leadership of the Party throughout the past 12 National Assembly terms has aimed at the goal of following the words of Uncle Ho which are 'our National Assembly truly presents the interests of people.' In fact, our country's National Assembly is getting better at fulfilling the role of a powerful state body of the people, for the people and by the people. Sessions of the National Assembly are becoming more and more open and democratic, especially the questioning of members of the government. Many socioeconomic programs proposed by the government have been carefully discussed, assessed, adjusted, and even delayed for further study by the National Assembly. In elections, under the leadership of the Party through the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the ratio of ethnic minority, female, and non-Party members is always taken seriously. For example, in the 11th term, members of ethnic minority groups comprised 7.2 percent.
In the 12th term it had risen to 17.6 percent while the 53 ethnic minority groups in our country account for only 13 percent of our population. Female members comprised 25.8 percent of the 12th National Assembly, while at that time in Thailand female members were 11.7 percent, 23.7 percent in Malaysia, 11.6 percent in Indonesia, 24.8 percent in Singapore, 25.2 percent in Laos, and 19.5 percent in Cambodia.
This evidence is the basis to reject the distorted argument of hostile forces and affirm that our National Assembly is the National Assembly of the Party and the people at the same time. The National Assembly of the Party does not mean ownership like in the economic sense, but rather it is a historical mission and the Party's love for the people and the nation. Therefore, to remain a National Assembly of people, we must ensure the leadership of the Party.
Enhancing Quality of Party Organizations
However, to fulfill its honorable mission forever, to deserve the status of ruling party and the faith of the people, our Party has to continuously renovate and enhance the quality of Party organizations and of each Party's member according to Ho Chi Minh thought 'The Party is morality and civilization.' At the same time, we must continue to improve the leadership mechanisms, and fight against covering others' shortcomings and doing the jobs of others. Now, at grassroots levels, the Party still does the jobs of the government and people's councils. We must surmount this resolutely.

Fresh International Efforts To Resolve Kashmir Dispute

The international Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has decided to take several steps on Kashmir. Apart from increasing the number of members of the Kashmir Coordination Group, it has also been decided to provide scholarship to Kashmiri students studying in universities and institutions of Muslim countries. It has also been decided to form a human rights commission on Kashmir, which would bring out a report on the Kashmir situation.
Visas to Kashmiris
Abdul Aleem, the special representative on Kashmir, gave this information in Brussels, where an international meeting on Kashmir had been held. This shows the OIC has become active over the Kashmir issue, and has started taking action. The UAE has started issuing stapled visas to Kashmiris. This practice has been started with the prime minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The UAE spokesperson said that issuing stapled visa was right since Kashmir was a disputed territory. There is no violation of any international law in this practice. China had also earlier granted stapled visas to Kashmiris on the ground that Kashmir was a disputed territory.
Need For International Lobbying
Meanwhile, two senior members of European Parliament have said it was in the interest of both India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. They said the two countries have been ignoring the Kashmir issue due to their vested interests. They said influence and domination of army in Pakistan has weakened democratic institutions.
To strengthen democracy, army had to be kept away from institutions. They felt the need for international lobbying on the Kashmir issue. They said Indian interests were linked with Europe. Europe could play a role in resolution of the problem. They said the Kashmir issue was the only issue that had been hampering the progress of the two neighboring countries. It is said the United States and the United Nations have been silent.
Track-Two Diplomatic Front
Kashmir has thereby been seeing a new turn in the situation. Countries of the world want this issue to be resolved. This can be done only through sincere efforts. Leaders of the two countries also want this. On Track-Two diplomatic front, former diplomats, former army officers, and civil society also want this issue to be resolved.
If this takes place, it can lead to freedom of South Asia from poverty and disease. If this issue remains unresolved, all other issues seem insignificant.

New Bangladesh Women Development Policy 2011

The Bangladesh Government has approved the "Women Development Policy 2011" with a provision of equal rights for women and men to inherited property. If it put into action, a drastic change will take place in the existing practice of inheritance in the light of the stance of the holy Quran.

It is known from the published reports of newspapers that for the interest of economic empowerment of women this policy has included almost all issues of the policy of 1997, including the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) charter of the United Nations. This policy has utterly included the issue of "inherited" instead of the previous "immovable-movable property."

Salient Features

The draft policy approved by the cabinet includes the declaration to ensure the "equal rights of men and women" in family, society, and work places. The policy has also ensured women's full control on their earned property, credit, land, inheritance, and market management. Moreover, it has also said about ensuring 33 percent representation of women in various political organizations in phases and about initiatives of direct election upgrading the reserved quota of women in parliament to 33 percent. According to the policy, all discrimination against women and contradictory provisions against the CEDAW charter would be abolished. Moreover, there has fresh pledge for enacting new laws to ensure equality between men and women.

It is true that the women in our society are being a prey of discrimination and being deprived form their rights in many ways. For this condition influential groups of our society blame religions specially Islam instead of finding the main reasons and remedies behind these. But the formulators of the women development policy have tactfully avoided implementing the main part of the Islamic system where women are being awarded a glorious place.

Protest Against Decision

Just after the declaration of this draft policy, top Islamic scholars vehemently protested it. They have started their protest with statement, speech, and demonstration. But the Grand Alliance government led by the Awami League ignoring their opinions campaigned relentlessly that there is nothing against The Quran in this policy. To protest the government's stance on this issue a dawn to dusk hartal (closure strike) was observed on 4 April across the country called by Mufti Fazlul Haq Amini, leader of the Islami Oikko Jote. In favor of the hartal demonstrations were taken place across the country on the day before the hartal. Without any kind of instigation police attacked a rally in Jessore.

The police shot and killed a hafiz (one who memorizes the entire Quran by heart) when he fell down in sewerage after a chase by them. On the day of hartal police and government-supported armed cadres attacked the ulema during the picketing and about hundred ulema were injured. About two hundred protesters were apprehended by the police. Hartal is a universally accepted democratic right for movement.

Ignoring Opinions of Oppositions

Opposition parties call for a closure strike to show their public support when an autocratic ruler runs a country by ignoring the opinions of oppositions. Through the reflection of public opinion government and opposition can realize about their positions. But the autocratic force always ignores the democratic movement by dint of their power, although that cannot be possible at the end of the day. The history teaches us that every dictator always falls down to people's power.

We believe that a democratic government should not behave like a dictator. Democratic values cannot evolve through this behavior. The people have achieved the independence and democracy through supreme sacrifice. They will protect their achievements by all possible means, if needed they will sacrifice more. But they will not move away. Therefore, we think that the government should rule the country showing respect to democratic norms and values.