Alain Soral - Septembre 2012 : 2. Sur la situation en Syrie
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C.I.A. no al-qaeda ever existed - BBC documentary the power of nightmares
On May 10, 2012, twin blasts destroyed the Syrian military and
intelligence bases in Damascus. The opposition denied that it was them
who detonated a bomb that killed 55 people. Suddenly, an unknown group,
calling itself the Al-Nusra Front, claimed responsibility for the
violence. When we see the modus operandi, it is probable that the Front
Al Nusra is the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria.
These terrorists are always utilize the state of chaos to entrenched as
in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Chechnya. From these
countries, they then launched a terror to institutions of a secular
government which they accuse of infidels and foreign countries that
dominate the Islamic countries.
The strategy adopted by Al-Qaeda and their affiliates from Sayyid Qutb's
thought -- a Muslim intellectual who was hanged by Egyptian President
Gamal Abdul Nasser in 1953 -- and Abdullah Azzam, the Palestinian
thinker who died mysteriously in Peshawar, Pakistan in the late 1980s.
Al-Qaeda led by Osama bin Laden and his followers from various countries
were hiding in Afghanistan, under the unstable Taliban and busy
fighting with the Afghan mujahideen in the north country to attack the
U.S. targets in various places, such as the attack on the U.S. Embassy
in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania, in 1996; the attacks on
destroyers USS Cole, which was refueling in Aden, Yemen in 2000 and a
phenomenal attack on two twin towers in New York and the Pentagon,
Washington in 2001.
On 23 July, the branch of Al-Qaeda in Iraq launched their deadly attacks
in different areas in Iraq that killed 115 people. The target of their
attacks are regions dominated by Shiite Muslims in Baghdad and other
cities, and military units and police in the oil-rich northern region.
Since the regime of President Saddam Hussein was overthrown by the U.S.
invasion in 2003, Iraq has not been able to stand as a stable and strong
democracy state.
The majority of the Sunnis have not been able to accept the new
constitution of Iraq, (which brought the Shiites who constitute the
majority) to power. Power struggle between the ethnic Kurds in the
north, Sunni Arabs in the center, and Shia Arabs in the south, and the
weakness of the security forces after the military regime of Saddam was
dissolved by the U.S. to make Iraq as a fertile terrorist nest.
Yemen which was also affected by the Arab Spring, where there was a
conflict between the opposition and the regime of President Ali Abdullah
Saleh opened the great opportunities for terrorist group calling itself
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to expand its influence.
They now control of Abyan province and many other cities in the south of
the country. Yemeni troops backed by U.S.drones was overwhelmed because
they had to face a popular uprising against the regime, Shiite Houthi
rebels in the north and separatists in the south. In December before
Christmas 2010, the United Arab Emirates security found a tube printer
containing explosives on a plane bound for the U.S.. AQAP claimed to
send the package.
In Somalia, Al-Qaeda branch calling itself Al-Shabaab now controls the
central and southern Somalia that hit by unrest since the 1980s. The
central government is not able to face them and only have power in
Mogadishu, capital of Somalia. Kenya and the African Union troops backed
by UN had entered to poor countries in East Africa last year, but until now
have not been able to bend Al-Shabaab that often kidnap foreign tourists
in Kenya (neighboring Somalia) and commit robbery at sea to get ransom
money to keep members and buy weapons to fight their enemies.
In Libya, terrorist groups exploited the chaos and armed conflict
between the Gaddafi regime forces and the opposition. When the Gaddafi
regime fell in August last year, Libyan Al-Qaeda who are the members of
AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) - which consists of a group of
terrorists in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania - looting
weapons warehouses owned by the Gaddafi regime. They are headquartered
in southern Algeria and master African Sahel that stretches from the
Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
Terrible terror carried out by Boko Haram in Nigeria was allegedly
assisted weapons from AQIM. Boko Haram (which rejected Western culture)
wants to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria that is almost half of
the population amounted to 160 million people are Christians.
It's been a year. Chechen groups (who want to establish their own state
separate from Russia) often bombing at certain strategic places in
Russia, especially Moscow as an expression of their anger over the
occupation of Russia in their region. Meanwhile, the Chechen people
helped the terrorists in many Muslim countries, such as Afghanistan,
Kashmir, Iraq, and now they are preparing to enter Syria. Or they have
infiltrated in there? I do not know, I'll ask my partner about this.
Chechen militias along the Somalia militia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates are now in the Bab
al-Hawa -- an international border crossing between Syria and Turkey --
ruled by Syria's Liberation Army (FSA). They're ready to enter Syria to
help the FSA to fight Bashar alAssad regime dominated by Shiites who
believe in the incarnation, their teachings had been mixed with
Christianity and Hinduism.
Al-Assad regime has accused the rebels in Syria as terrorists backed by
foreigners, in order to justify the Syrian government efforts in
combating the opposition. Although the majority of Syrian opposition is
Sunni Muslim people, but it can not be denied that the terrorist group
has been entrenched in Syria and joined the army to fight Al-Assad.
Rebuttal of the opposition that the foreign militias joined the fight
against the regime is only to maintain the image that the Arab countries
and the West continue to support the opposition.
King Abdullah II of Jordan warned of the possibility of Syria's chemical
weapons would fall into Al-Qaeda's hands when al-Assad's regime fell
like the regime in Libya, after the regime distributed the destructive
weapons to different regions of the border to face foreign troops if
they tried to invade Syria.
The phenomenon of Syrian chemical weapons, the U.S. attack plan, France,
and Israel to the country, the foreign militias as well as political
support and weapons from Russia, China, and Iran to Al-Assad regime
hints about the complexity of Syria issues and the possibility the
country would be like Iraq, where Al-Qaeda got their new nest to kill
the Nusayri also targeted the U.S. and Israel when they have chemical
weapons.
*****
It is not too surprising that Germany is one of the most obese country, because its citizens known as beer drinking culture and eating fatty food. In an effort to reduce the number of obese people, the government is providing fruit and vegetables as free snacks for school children in the country.
Senkaku Islands should not be sold to anyone, except to the Japanese government or public organizations. It is an agreement of Kurihara family after buying the Senkaku islands in the mid-1970s.
"Our fundamental rule is not to sell the islands to individuals or private companies," said a spokesman for the Kurihara family -- Hiroyuki Kurihara -- told The Japan Times.
Kurihara family mastered four of the five islands located in the constellation of Senkaku Islands. Four islands were purchased from Zenji Koga, descendants of the islands ruler since the Meiji era. Zenji's father -- Tatsuhiro -- built a factory with 200 workers in the islands at the end of 1890. Four islands then belonged to Zenji in 1932.
"The important thing is to make sure that the history is not erased," said Hiroyuki, a spokesman (and he's also Kunioki's brother) of Kurihara family. "Without history, Japan will lose ground to claim the Senkaku as Japanese people's territory. "
According to Hiroyuki, supposedly, the attempts to takeover Senkaku Islands have been done long ago. In the mid-1970s, Shintaro Ishihara, who is currently the governor of Tokyo has offered these islands. "But,..." Hiroyuki continued, "The offer was rejected because Ishihara wanted to buy on behalf of him personally. But this time he's on behalf of Tokyo government. "
The Japanese government also said they wanted to buy the islands last week. As to who finally could buy, Hiroyuki was not willing to give information. "The last hope of Koga Tatsuhiro is to ensure the history of Senkaku remain protected, and my brother chose to do so."
At first glance, the tension between Japan and China is similar to the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the Scarborough Shoal. The awkwardness is the Japanese central government seemed to compete with Tokyo governor - Shintaro Ishihara --- in plans to buy the Senkaku (in the Japanese version), or Diaoyu (in Chinese version).
According to Koichi Nakano -- a political scientist from Sophia University in Tokyo -- it indicates a fight competition in domestic level. "The issue is more concerned with domestic politics as in the context of international relations, Japan's attitude is unreasonable," he said.
Nakano's opinion was evident when Ishihara's son -- the Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Nobuteru Ishihara -- wanted to seize the chair of the party leadership from Sadakazu Tanigaki. Like a tit for tat, the ranks of senior LDP apparently wanted to replace Tanigaki with someone who was more popular to voters.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda from the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was hit by the turmoil. His electability level is now on the wane. He is viewed as weak on issues of territorial disputes with neighboring countries. Voices of DPJ lawmakers were likely eager to dump him.
Two series of events was read carefully by Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara. To shake Noda as well as to boost the popularity of opposition party, Ishihara then collects donations, which until earlier this month has reached 1.45 billion yen. The funds will be used to buy three of the five islands in the Senkaku Islands.
Ishihara's step gets full support from the LDP. Last June, the party has promoted the bill in the Upper House of Parliament that allowed the central government to purchase or lease his uninhabited island. That includes the possibility of a forced foreclosure rules on each island.
PM Noda did not stand idly by. He was said to send an envoy to negotiate the purchase of the islands for 2.05 billion yen.
Pranamita Baruah -- a researcher from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, India -- said Noda government was forced to take a position that is very skewed to the nationalization of the islands due to fears of turmoil in the DPJ.
According to Baruah, if Ishihara is allowed to buy the islands without a counter strategy, then criticism to the central government will be flowing. In other words, Japanese government's efforts to counter to nationalize the Senkaku is not only to restore public support, but also to reduce opposition.
Regardless of who wins, the friction between Japan's central government and Tokyo's government is predicted will continue to occur. Moreover, along with signs of accelerated election of Japan's lower house members, Senkaku problem would be politicized for the sake of popularity.
*****
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101 East - China: Broken Dreams | 101 East : China's dirty secrets
A man, dressed as the Muppet character Elmo, is arrested in New York’s Times Square September 18, 2012. The arrest took place after a loud verbal exchange between the man and tourists, witnesses said. The police at the scene did not give a reason for the arrest. REUTERS/Adrees Latif
Britain's Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, ride a traditional war canoe as they arrive in Tavanipupu, Solomon Islands, Sept. 17, 2012. Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, are at the third stop of a nine-day tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. REUTERS/Rick Rycroft/Pool
A protester shouts slogans as he stands on a burnt car during clashes with riot police along a road leading to the U.S. embassy, near Tahrir Square in Cairo September 14, 2012. Egyptian protesters, angry at a film they say insults Prophet Mohammad, hurled stones on Friday at a line of police in Cairo blocking their way to the U.S. embassy, which was attacked earlier this week. (REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)
Sajal Biswas, 40, a snake charmer puts the head of a snake into his mouth as he performs at a roadside on the outskirts of Agartala, capital of India's northeastern state of Tripura, September 13, 2012. (REUTERS/Jayanta Dey)
A woman practices yoga during a mass floating event in the Dead Sea on September 14, 2012. (REUTERS/Nir Elias)
ALAIN SORAL
Alain Soral - Septembre 2012
Inevitable. For some reason, his face is in my mind for days. Oh what's the matter? Ehh .... mmm...so, so and so .... ugh ...Am I rambling? I love my partner, really, but this face ... mmmm .... Alan Soral is very sensual, isn't he?
(What? ... Ow ow, you'll see, Cisca! I report this matter to your fiance, and you'll get yelled at him!)
Oh no, no, you may be mistaken. Later today, my partner looks wise
and very fatherhood. Yesterday he just said, "Stop staring at him with your rainbow eyes, Miss Full of Hormones!
ROCKET MAN
Yves Rossy (born 27 August 1959 in Neuchâtel) is a Swiss pilot, inventor and aviation enthusiast. He is the first person to achieve sustained human flight using a jet-powered fixed wing strapped to his back. This jet pack has led to his being nicknamed Jet Man, Rocket Man and Fusion Man.
Rossy developed and built a system comprising a back pack with semi-rigid aeroplane-type carbon-fiber wings with a span of about 2.4 metres (7.9 ft), powered by four attached Jet-Cat P200 jet engines modified from large-model, kerosene fueled, aircraft engines. His first flight occurred in November 2006 in Bex,[2] lasting nearly six minutes and nine seconds. Yves later successfully flew across the English Channel on 26 September 2008 in 9 minutes 7 seconds, reaching a speed of 299 km/h (186 mph) during the crossing. Later in 2008, he made a flight over the Alps, reaching a top descent speed of 304 km/h (189 mph) and an average speed of 124 mph.
In November 2009, Rossy attempted a crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, hoping to be the first person to fly between two continents using a jetpack. He leapt from a small plane about 1,950 m (6,500 ft) above Tangier in Morocco in the direction of Atlanterra in Spain. The flight was expected to take about a quarter of an hour but, due to strong winds and banks of cloud, Rossy ditched into the sea, to be picked up ten minutes later by his support helicopter 3 miles from the Spanish coast. He was flown to a hospital in Jerez, and later released unhurt. The Spanish Coast Guard later retrieved the jetpack (which had a parachute and a float).
On 5 November 2010, he flew a new version of his jet-powered flight system and successfully performed 2 aerial loops before landing via parachute. He launched from a hot air balloon piloted by Brian Jones at 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) and flew a total of 18 minutes before landing. The wingspan of Rossy's latest craft has been reduced to 2m.
On 7 May 2011, Rossy flew across the Grand Canyon in Arizona, after the United States Federal Aviation Administration classified his flight system as an aircraft, waived the normal 25 to 40 hours of flight testing time, and granted him permission to perform the flight.
Yves served as a fighter pilot in the Swiss Air Force, flying Dassault Mirage IIIs, Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs and Hawker Hunters. He flew Boeing 747s for Swissair. As of 2008, he was flying for Swiss International Air Lines.
He was recently featured on an episode of Stan Lee's Superhumans.
Indeed, this discovery helps me to state that between me and him have the same desire: to be able to fly! At that point they said, "It is easy. You just get on a plane."
"Oh, no. That's not what I want. Sitting in the plane does not mean you can fly. I want to fly in an aircraft though. Why? 'Cause I can fly. Where have I'll fly, fly ... why? Because I can fly!"
Of course, my opinion was not taken because of the limitation that humans can not fly. Now he is proving that we can, can! Yes, we can fly, yes! although it does not last long.(Jetman, could some day we can also use your discovery? I guess this is still limited to "find the dream" project on "limited dream", too. Yeah. Can you design it to be empowered to use for all the users? For the young and old, men women, yes all of us! Can you also help me to bring a lot of paper airplanes which I have prepared for my beloved people in Switzerland and Paris? Thanks for your consideration of this matter. It is a collection of letters that I fold them into the paper airplanes. Everytime I throw them to the sky, I always hope they will never go back to my lap anymore. Shanana nana .... whatever which has gone, can not go back... shanana nana, but it could be, shanana nana whatever will come back again ...nanananana )
American ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker deplored the absence of Pakistan in international conference related to Afghanistan, Monday. But according to him, it would not impede the progress of Afghanistan or change the outcome of the meeting.
If Pakistan boycotted the talks on the future of Afghanistan, it would be detrimental to Pakistan. Pakistani officials have repeatedly said they would not participate in the conference in Bonn, as a protest against the NATO air attack at the end of last month that killed 24 government soldiers near the Afghan border.
Hillary Clinton has offered condolences to the families of the soldiers and Pakistan people through the Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. A brief statement of the U.S. Department of State also reaffirmed the respect of America's commitment to the Pakistan's sovereignty and commitment to cooperate in the pursuit of common goals based on mutual respect and interest. (That's the language of diplomacy! Of course, it must be said for the sake of self-respect. Can you imagine the same thing happens to Israeli soldiers, for example? Let alone 24 people, ehhehe. One person only means,... boom!)
Bonn conference, which started on Monday (Dec. 5), carried on a decade after the first Bonn conference on Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai said that Afghanistan would require a decade of financial and military support after the foreign troops leave the country in 2014.
"Afghanistan will surely need help for 10 years - until about 2024 ... we will need training to our own troops. We will need the equipment for the army and police as well as helping to establish the state institutions. If we lose this fight, we will be threatened with a return to the situation prior to 11 September 2001," Karzai told the German magazine Der Spiegel.
According to a World Bank study released last month, Afghanistan will require about $ 7 billion in each year to fill its length requirement after the foreign troops leave the country.
Meanwhile, members of the Afghan parliament said that the conference would not produce the results without participation from Pakistan. (Duh, Afghan, do not you know that the Pakistan still sulking? Let it alone, just calm the mind for a while. Uh, but I'm a bit confused by your character, Afghan. You were upset with Pakistan caused by the Taliban. Then you are closer to India, whereas you know that India and Pakistan, well .... they are not close friends with each other. Well, you seemed really upset on Pakistan, and you expressed your frustration at Pakistan by playing the eye with India. So far, I think the relation between India and America is just fine. So, between you, India and America, you are all fine.
But strangely, when Pakistan was troubled by the U.S, you say that you will remain on Pakistan's side and ready to help it. What do yo mean? Do you hate, but you also love Pakistan as well, hmm? Now America wants to say goodbye to you. What now? How? Do you also want to sing this song? Uh, but get ready! Tokyo was also mentioned in that song. Haiya ... but I'm sure Japan was no business at all with the intent of this song... ahahaa... bonjour, monsieur. J'aime les fleurs de cerisier de vous. Je vous remercie de tout coeur. Mwah!)
Civilians on horse-drawn carts scurry past burning fuel tankers along the Khyber Pass, an important border crossing connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan and a major supply route for NATO forces. Ten years ago, the US began dropping bombs on targets in Afghanistan in a bid to oust the Taliban for harboring al-Qaida terrorists.
A Canadian soldier shakes hands with an Afghan boy near Kandahar in the summer of 2007. The anniversary of the war in Afghanistan comes amid growing concerns that the Taliban could regain control of the country once US and NATO troops withdraw. US President Barack Obama has said responsibility for Afghanistan's security should be handed over to Afghan forces in 2014.
Mere weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, residents of Kabul, seen here on Nov. 13, 2001, made their way to greet incoming fighters of the Northern Alliance. When the Afghan war began, it didn't take long for US forces to topple the Taliban government. But the deposed Islamist fighters have been waging increasingly aggressive attacks against NATO and Afghan security forces in recent months as responsibility for the country's security slowly changes hands.
Afghan women donning all-covering burqas wait for humanitarian aid in Kabul on Dec. 14, 2001, while a soldier uses a wooden stick to maintain order.
Soldiers from the German Bundeswehr have been stationed on the Hindu Kush since 2001. Seen here on July 1, 2008, a Quick Reaction Force takes part in a drill near the northern city of Masar-i-Sharif.
German Bundeswehr soldiers return fire after coming under mortar attack from insurgents on Dec. 14, 2009, while rebuilding a bridge that was destroyed on the outskirts of Kunduz.
Fighters from the Northern Alliance are seen returning from their front line positions after a battle in northern Afghanistan. The NATO-backed forces have played a crucial role in undercutting the Taliban's stranglehold on the country.
A skirmish in Helmand province. A US marine shouts as he tries to protect an Afghan man and his child during a skirmish with Taliban fighters near the town of Marjah in Helmand province on Feb. 13, 2010.
Close call for Sgt. William Bee, a US Marine taking fire from Taliban fighters near Garmsir in Helmand province on May 18, 2008. As of Oct. 4, 2011, the number of US military deaths in Afghanistan stood at 1,682, according to an Associated Press count.
An Afghan man is detained by US forces in Helmand province after a battle with Taliban insurgents. During the US' tenure in Afghanistan, America's image abroad has been tainted by the maintenance of so-called "black sites" -- secret interrogation centers scattered across the country, run by the CIA.
A man cleans a portrait of the popular mujahedeen leader Ahmad Shah Massoud on the ninth anniversary of the fighter's assassination on Sept. 8, 2010.
At Arlington National Cemetary near Washington D.C., a woman cries as she hugs a US Marine on May 27, 2010, near the grave of her 19-year-old son.
A woman covered in a burqa walks past riot police outside a stadium in Kabul on Feb. 23, 2007.
From their clifftop perch, Afghan soldiers keep an eye out for the enemy in the valley below on Sept. 22, 2005. In the background are the sandstone cliffs that once housed the Buddhas of Bamiyan -- monumental statues destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001.
An Afghan police officer stands guard in front of the destroyed King's Palace in Kabul on Aug. 29, 2005.
Northern Alliance fighters watch bombs rain down on Tora Bora on Dec. 16, 2001. The mountains housed a labyrinthine network of caves and it was long speculated that Osama bin Laden used the caves to evade capture.
Afghan children peek out the window of their shelter in the former Soviet Embassy in western Kabul on Nov. 27, 2001. In the 1980s, US-backed mujahedeen fighters in Afghanistan pushed out their Soviet occupiers in a bloody conflict that left rival militias vying for power. The civil war that ensued would eventually pave the way for the Taliban's rise to power.
As US Marines fill sand bags around their light mortar position on Dec. 1, 2001, a flimsy cardboard sign warns of nearby enemies.
Former US President George W. Bush and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai wave from a golf cart at the American presidential retreat, Camp David on Aug. 5, 2007. Months after the US invasion began, Karzai was sworn in as the head of the interim government in a power-sharing agreement.
Even in times of war, life goes on. In this photo taken June 1, 2010, Afghan soccer players gather in front of the destroyed Darulaman Palace in Kabul.
Opium oozes from poppy plants in a field in Farah province on May 5, 2009. A major source of revenue for the Taliban, the American military has set its sights on reducing the trafficking of the drug. But many poor farmers rely on the profits it generates for survival.
Opium oozes from poppy plants in a field in Farah province on May 5, 2009. A major source of revenue for the Taliban, the American military has set its sights on reducing the trafficking of the drug. But many poor farmers rely on the profits it generates for survival.
The late al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden (left) sits next to Ayman al-Zawahri in this undated file photo. The US invasion of Afghanistan was retaliation against the country's Taliban rulers for harboring the terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Taliban insurgents read the Koran in a military jail in Kabul on Nov. 26, 2001.
A curious crowd watches a helicopter belonging to the Afghan National Army Air Corps as it carries President Hamid Karzai during an election rally in Gardez, south of Kabul, on Aug. 4, 2009.
A US soldier takes a knee during a memorial ceremony for a fallen comerade on Feb. 8, 2010.
Taliban militants carry their weapons through the snow in an undisclosed location on Jan. 16, 2009.
Karzai admitted, "Sadly we have not been able to provide security and stability to all the people of Afghanistan. This is our biggest failure".
Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul on Saturday appealed for international aid for his country after the withdrawal of NATO troops. "After 2014, we will continue to require long-term help from our friends in the international community," said Rasoul on the forum discussion at Bonn. German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle promised in the forum that the world would not let go of Afghanistan, while he also stressed the importance of the women's role in that country, where they are currently facing the great discrimination.
In an interview in the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagzeitung, Westerwelle re-expressed his regret over Pakistan to boycott the conference in Bonn, which was attended by delegates from 100 countries. "Pakistan will get more benefit from a stable and peaceful Afghanistan than the other neighbors," he said.
In Bonn, Saturday (3 Decembre 2011), thousands of people have rallied to protest the conference and the German military role in Afghanistan.
*****
The vote to elect members of the Russian parliament started on 4 Decembre. Russia's far eastern region held an election process earlier than other regions because of differences in time was far enough. To illustrate just how vast the territory of Russia, when Moscow was awake, then resident in Russia's far east(eg Valdivostok) was still falling asleep.
A number of reports mentioned this election took place amid the allegations of rules violations of the election. Russia's independent election monitoring agency, Golos said they received and compiled the 5300 complaints related to the election process. The report mentioned many allegations of election violations committed by United Russia Party led by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The Golos report was rewarded with a number of pressures and one of them happened to the leaders of institutions funded by the U.S. and the European Union, Lilya Shibanova.
Moscow's main airport security officer arrested Lilya for a few hours after she refused to hand over her laptop. Moscow airport officials accused Lilya was using illegal software on her laptop. Earlier, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the foreign countries had intervened in the electoral process in Russia.
Some lawmakers in the country were also questioning the legitimacy of institutions of foreign election observers, such as Golos, to oversee the Russian elections. Moscow court on Friday (12/2) imposed a fine on Golos of U.S. $ 1,000 because it violated the rules by publishing the poll results five days before the election.
In the elections this time there are seven parties are allowed to nominate their candidates. The amount is less when compared to previous elections, 11 parties. Parliamentary elections will compete for 450 seats and involve the citizens of Russia in various areas that are divided into nine time zones.
I am not anti-Russian. I like Putin and I do not like the dirty ways of invisible hands that always work with a very distinctive way. Mr. Putin, be careful with the current situation in your country, that's all.
*****
HUGO CHAVEZ
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was asked as "leader" of new alliance of regional body in Latin America which was founded as a rival to U.S. dominance in the region.
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) which consists of 33 countries without the U.S. and Canada which was unveiled on Friday (12/2) was the Chavez's first international appearance since he underwent cancer surgery in June.
Chavez looked warmly welcomed the other leaders, including Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez and Cuban leader Raul Castro.
"As the years have passed, CELAC will leave OAS which is old and outdated, "said Chavez, referring to the organization of American States formed by Washington. Chavez called CELAC as a basis for the 200 years of the revolutionary ideals of independence hero Simon Bolivar which are being delayed. "Only unity will make us free," said Chavez, who was greeted with loud applause. "This is the path, unity, unity, unity."
Many observers predict the formation of CELAC however is a clear message to U.S. that the leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean will no longer simply regarded as a "backyard" to Washington. Some countries have the sentiment of anti-Americanism, but for many other leaders, CELAC formation however is a very important step in their regional togetherness.
Without involving the U.S. and Canada, CELAC aims to encourage regional integration and encourage the formation of a regional reserve fund for the economic crisis and human rights monitoring bodies. But among other observers, the skeptics argue that the formation of CELAC is nothing more than reproduce the joint venture's acronym which has been highly overlapping in the region.
However, the CELAC's countries still can not be ignored. They have a population of nearly 600 million people and become the number one exporter of food in the world. If their GDP were combined, the number would reach 6 trillion U.S. dollars, which means it is one-third of the combined output of the U.S. and Canada. Cuba was suspended from the OAS (which is based in Washington) since 1962.
"This has been aided by weakening of progressive intervention by the U.S. in some areas since the easing of Cold War. It allows other countries - notably China - to enhance their role not only in economics but also politics, "said Robert Munks from think tanks.
Meanwhile, for President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega, CELAC formation is considered as the end of the Monroe doctrine. Monroe Doctrine was a relic of the 19th century set on December 2, 1823. The doctrine considers the European colonization efforts in America as the aggression, so the U.S. is justified to intervene.
Shared the happiness with the formation of CELAC, many times Chavez spoke at length and occasionally even made satirical jokes about his health which has been a sensitive issue in Venezuela. "Whose baldhead is the most elegant? Lula's or mine?" Chavez joked, comparing himself with the former Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
*****
M Y A N M A R
Clinton met Suu Kyi at the opposition leader's lakeside residence in Yangon
Clinton is the most senior US official to visit Myanmar in 50 years
The secretary of state hit a bell for good luck as she toured Shwedegon Pagoda in Yangon
Clinton met Myanmar President Thein Sein in the capital, Naypyidaw
Clinton said the US is ready to improve ties with Myanmar, if the country continues to implement reforms
Myanmar was ruled by the military for decades until elections last year brought a nominally civilian government to power
Myanmar was ruled by the military for decades until elections last year brought a nominally civilian government to power
Myanmar was once a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship of the ruling. However, now the stretching of democracy in that country begins to show the positive developments. After more than two decades the military show stubbornness over the protests against human rights violations, Myanmar's military leaders are now starting to brag to reform their institutions.
However, it's not just enough to reform the military. Other policies such as the free guarantee voice for unions, the reduction of restrictions on press to report the information, and the release of some political prisoners have become one of the Myanmar government's agenda.
According to former officials of the United Nations (UN) and the observer Mynamar, Thant Myint-U, one year period to be a critical time for President Thein Sein. Can he prove to the international public that the liberalization in the country can go smoothly? However, the issue of poverty, economic disruption, and turmoil in some areas are still 'haunts' of Myanmar. Ethnic groups with large weapons often do battle with government forces along the border of China and Thailand. The border region is also known as a major producer of illegal drugs of heroin and methamphetamine which sold to various parts of Asia.
"Basically, it's very easy to increase the sense of optimism at this point, imagine the release of political prisoners, Aung San Suu Kyi enters the parliament, and the elections are honest and fair," said Thant Myint-U, as quoted by the New York Times. "But it's hard to find a sense of optimism in the economic sector. There is no clear legislation. The banking system is inadequate, and no system that can help economic growth so that the business is not growing because there is no loan capital," he added.
President of Myanmar Thein Sein is a central figure in the reform agenda. In general, the people of Myanmar in Yangon to assess the president is good. They assess Sein as someone who can compromise and relatively honest for the sake of building a modern Myanmar.
Founder of National League for Democracy (NLD), U Win Tin, said there were two powers in Myanmar: the government under the control of Thein Sein, and the military.
"Thein Sein promises a clean government and makes peace with armed ethnic groups, while the military want to continue to fight the rebels, "he said. "We need a new friend," said economist Myanmar, Khin Maung Nyo as quoted by the Guardian. "We have two problems, lack of budget and also the government must manage the budget effectively and wisely."
Myanmar's debt continues to rise and the currency is unstable. "Officially, a U.S. $ is equivalent to 6 kyat, but in fact it reaches 800 or 900 kyat per dollar," said Khin Maung Nyo. The government spends about 23% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the military, but only 1% for education and 1% for health so that health crisis is threatening the country.
Dramatic events are still emerging from the grassroots movement. One of them is the opposition to the development of Myitsone dam assisted by China in the Irrawaddy region. Construction of dams has flooded an area of Singapore and damaging a number of ponds and infrastructure in river's downstream.
The electrical energy generated by the dam is about 90% flowed to China, while profiting from the sale of electricity is scooped by the ruling military junta.
Not surprisingly if the local residents were finally held a rebellion with bomb attacks and the message "Save the Irrawaddy" was tacked on a number of city walls, even up to Yangon.
Barack Obama predicts that the U.S. can embrace Myanmar, as long as it is able to carry out political reforms. The move is expected to improve the diplomatic relations and create economic benefits after more than 50 years of strained relations between the two countries.
Obama's decision to send Hillary Clinton to come to Myanmar in early December marked the stages of a new covenant with the civilian government which is serious to run a series of reform processes after the power's takeover from military junta through the election last year.
For the U.S., the approach with Myanmar can open new markets and offset the power of China which has been the biggest political and economic partner for Myanmar. "This is an important advance that we can see since the military take over and destroy one of the most prosperous countries in Southeast Asia, "said David Steinberg, Burma observer studies from Georgetown University, as quoted by Reuters. "There are concrete steps to reform the institutions of government and the U.S. should make every effort that can increase the possibilities that continue to occur," added Steinberg.
The Obama administration has commenced exploration on Myanmar in 2009 ago. In recent months Washington began to aggressively approach, since the military finally supporting the civil administration reform and other measures.
The U.S. dropped the economic sanctions against Myanmar since 1988. The U.S. trail was followed the European Union, Australia, and Canada by pressing the military junta.
Ernest Bower said that the U.S. entrepreneurs were keen to invest in a country which has a population of approximately 54 million people and rich in natural resources such as natural gas, mining, and wood. "This is an incredible opportunity. We find a rich country in Asia that has not been touched by any other country for 40 years," said Bower. (Oh, I'm imagining a wealthy spinster. Hmmm ... maybe she'll be the belle/target for struggle between the men, both male virgin or widower. And the unpretty women but rich will always look good in comparison with pretty women but poor. Hmm...)
*****
D O G
C H I N A
H O R S E
T A L I B A N
LOVELY THINGs
PARIS-SWITZERLAND/LOVELY PEOPLE, PLACE& MEMORY
J'ai regardé devant moi
Dans la foule je t'ai vue
Parmi les blés je t'ai vue
Sous un arbre je t'ai vue
Au bout de tous mes voyages
Au fond de tous mes tourments
Au tournant de tous les rires
Sortant de l'eau et du feu
L'été l'hiver je t'ai vue
Dans ma maison je t'ai vue
Entre mes bras je t'ai vue
Dans mes rêves je t'ai vue
"Thank you for your perception! I like your romantic side, even if I do not always comment and I'm glad that you're in my circle of friends." (Courtesies by: Wolfgang A. Gerhardt)
Wolfgang A.Gerhardt : May be you like this Sunday collage
Cisca Zarmansyah : Before today, there never was a person doing this to me. You create a simple matter to look special. This is a special thing for me.
Cisca Zarmansyah : Thank you. I love it. I love you, my friend. ♥
"When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent. I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent. I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out. I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent. I wasn't a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out." - Martin Niemöller
... Ow ow, you'll see, Cisca! I report this matter to your fiance, and you'll get yelled at him!) 
and I do not like the dirty ways of invisible hands that always work with a very distinctive way. Mr. Putin, be careful with the current situation in your country, that's all.
)
