Moulana’s memories would have travelled back to the mid-seventies when his party, the SLFP in coalition with other left parties were in an equally embarrassing position with the cost of living having gone through the roof, the government gone broke and compelled to impose austerity measures while there was an acute shortage of essential foods. They were only left with slogans and the party activists chanted in unison: ‘Seeni nethiwa thae bonnaam (we will drink tea without sugar); Haal nethiwa buth kannam (even without rice we will eat cooked rice!), Pol Sambola Eppa (we don’t want pol sambol) and ‘Sirima mathinita jayawewa’ (Victory to Madam Sirima). Like in the seventies, on Wednesday they were left only with slogans. At that time it was the CIA and imperialists. On Wednesday it was ‘international saboteurs’ and NGOs.

Sri Lanka’s political history repeats itself with accuracy. Sirima Bandaranaike, with the General Elections just one year away, staged the glittering Summit of the Non-Aligned Nations attended by about 90 heads of state. BMICH was brand new then and she did not mind the opprobrium caused by breaking up of homes and shop fronts along the Colombo-Negombo road to make it a highway for her distinguished guests to travel from the airport. Now we have the Hambantota showpiece. At that time Sirima got down some brand new vehicles but somewhat modest Peugeots and impressive Holden limousines which were rather low priced. We are now getting down Rolls Royces and BMWs for the Commonwealth heads of state.

The people were not impressed with the Non Aligned razzamatazz which Sirima Bandaranaike would have probably hoped would happen. The results were evident when the elections came.

What happened in the seventies need not repeat itself in 2013 or thereafter. But there are lessons to be learnt which veterans like Alavi Moulana will remember well. The lesson to learn is that the people’s tolerance has its limits, however much they may have supported and tolerated earlier.

Faults have to be admitted and corrected. Empty sloganeering, however rhythmic and appealing they may sound in political demonstrations, will not convince even the committed. Insulting and abusing opponents will only result in greater support and sympathy for them.

The cost of living was escalating in the two terms of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. It has continued to spiral skywards quite rapidly during the two terms of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Yet the people bore all burdens heaped on them without protest. Probably the reason for this docility was the absence of an effective opposition. On Wednesday they came together on a same platform. This was a good example of adversity making strange bedfellows.

The excuse of the Rajapaksa regime for their failure to reduce the cost o living was the War. Wait till the War is over, the people were told. It is four years since the War was over but the people have yet to taste the fruits of victory. Instead the prices of essential commodities have been rocketing up while the salaries remained constant.

The lifestyles of the ruling class have not changed. Instead some seem to be under the impression that we are truly a middle income country that can now afford luxuries which only the developed world can enjoy such as Rolls Royce and other expensive cars. From where they find the resources, only the astrologers and racketeers will tell.

The salaries and perks of politicians have not diminished. Instead they are distributing the largesse to their political hangers on in the form of duty free cars. The la dolce vita of the political smart set continues. Unless drastic steps are taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to cut out wastage in the well identified ‘white elephants’ and instill financial discipline into the ranks of his frontline leaders and their scions, the stars do not look good for the country.

The focus of my article in The Sunday Leader of 5 May was on the need for Northern Provincial representation. It now looks as if those elections may be held in September 2013. I will elaborate on the likely consequences of representation, or the lack of it, drawing on past experience in Sri Lanka, India and the USA.

All over Sri Lanka the bulk of the Muslim population are Tamil speakers. It was so almost 100% at every socio-economic level when the Official Language Act was enacted in 1956. But at that time the political leadership of the Muslims comprised mostly Members of Parliament representing Sinhalese majority electorates. All these voted for Sinhala Only, as desired by their mostly Sinhalese voters, even though they were themselves Tamil speaking.

The Muslim MPs representing Eastern Province electorates voted against the Bill, as desired by their voters, nearly all of them Tamil speaking. In the Senate, A.M.A. Azeez, who was not elected by Sinhalese voters, not only opposed the Bill but quit his party on this issue. One of the objectives in forming the SLMC, much later, under the leadership of Ashroff, based in the Eastern Province, was to ensure the election of Muslim MPs responsive to the wishes of the Muslim population.

In India, the Dalits /Harijan /Untouchables and Tribals have enjoyed quota reservations in political bodies and public institutions at all levels for close to a century. The practice had been that the reserved seats had been rotated from election to election with only Dalits standing for elections in the seats reserved for them.  In the 1930s, about the same time as the Donoughmore Commission in Sri Lanka, a dispute arose between the Dalit leader Dr. B. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi as to whether electorates should hitherto be purely territorial or whether Dalits should have separate electoral registers.

Gandhi wanted the former, and Ambedkar the latter, but there was no dispute regarding the need for reservations. Under Gandhi’s proposal even in electorates for Dalits, the majority of the voters would be non-Dalits. Dr. Ambedkar argued that the Dalit candidates would then tailor their manifestos to suit the majority non-Dalit voters. In fact Dalit candidates seeking High Caste Hindu votes would often stand respectfully outside the house, declining any invitation to enter the house or to sit on a chair or to accept a cup of tea. Such practices helped to win High Caste votes.  Dr. Ambedkar wanted Dalit candidates to adopt radical manifestos for 100% Dalit electorates.

The British Colonial Government suspended progress towards independence till this issue was solved. Gandhi started a fast to death and was close to death when Ambedkar caved in, and agreed to purely territorial electorates with both Dalit and Non-Dalit voters in exchange for increased quotas for Dalits. It is this compromise that was embodied in the Indian Constitution drafted two decades later under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ambedkar.

In the USA, Governor Wallace of Alabama, perhaps the most racist of the Southern leaders, had Presidential ambitions. His state had a Black majority but he had ensured that, as in most Southern states, most of the Blacks were denied voting rights on some pretext or the other, such as illiteracy. The Whites all over the South were fearful of being swamped by Blacks if they gained voting rights.

His 1962 campaign slogan was, “From the cradle of the Confederacy, this very heart of the great Anglo-Saxon Southland … Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever! He bitterly and violently opposed the Voting Rights Act, but when he found that he could not stop it, he did a U-turn on many issues. He thereafter supported many Black causes because his vote base was now more Black than White, though he remained as racist as ever.

Hopefully the NPC elections will not only bring about changes in the administration of the Northern Province, but also compel Colombo to take into account the NPC leadership, which may be why these elections have been long delayed. The elections and their likely outcome will surely have a positive impact on the politics of Colombo and also on National Reconciliation.

 

In India, the Dalits /Harijan /Untouchables and Tribals have enjoyed quota reservations in political bodies and public institutions at all levels for close to a century. The practice had been that the reserved seats had been rotated from election to election with only Dalits standing for elections in the seats reserved for them.  In the 1930s, about the same time as the Donoughmore Commission in Sri Lanka, a dispute arose between the Dalit leader Dr. B. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi as to whether electorates should hitherto be purely territorial or whether Dalits should have separate electoral registers.

Gandhi wanted the former, and Ambedkar the latter, but there was no dispute regarding the need for reservations. Under Gandhi’s proposal even in electorates for Dalits, the majority of the voters would be non-Dalits. Dr. Ambedkar argued that the Dalit candidates would then tailor their manifestos to suit the majority non-Dalit voters. In fact Dalit candidates seeking High Caste Hindu votes would often stand respectfully outside the house, declining any invitation to enter the house or to sit on a chair or to accept a cup of tea. Such practices helped to win High Caste votes.  Dr. Ambedkar wanted Dalit candidates to adopt radical manifestos for 100% Dalit electorates.

The British Colonial Government suspended progress towards independence till this issue was solved. Gandhi started a fast to death and was close to death when Ambedkar caved in, and agreed to purely territorial electorates with both Dalit and Non-Dalit voters in exchange for increased quotas for Dalits. It is this compromise that was embodied in the Indian Constitution drafted two decades later under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ambedkar.

JVP politburo member and head of the National Trade Union Center (NTUC), K. D. Lalkantha says that the strike called on the 21st by the Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance demanding the withdrawal of electricity tariff increase is a unique campaign where everyone could join. He observed that from putting up a black flag to staying away from activities like daily shopping and other chores, people can decide how they want to join the protest campaign on the 21st. “The government will not stop its unprogressive actions and it is only a broad public struggle that could help the current situation,” Lalkantha said. He added that the joint trade union alliance would continue with the struggle to bring victory to the people.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: How prepared are the trade unions for the nation-wide strike on the 21st?
A: The decision to strike was taken by a group of trade unions including the JSS, NTUC, FUTA and Free Trade Zone (FTZ) unions. The Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance decided on the strike and wrote a letter to the President on April 29 stating the demand of the trade unions. We said that the working people cannot bear the increased electricity tariffs and to bring back the prices to its formal position. We said other ways of addressing the CEB losses could be considered. We said that the increased electricity tariffs should be withdrawn by May 20 or the trade unions would call for a strike on the 21st. The President’s statement on May Day about the tariffs confused the people. However, on May 5 we wrote to the President saying that the so-called relief provided to the people is a lie and to withdraw the tariff increase without giving ‘relief.’
The NTUC trade unions in the public, private and estate sectors have taken steps to ensure that the strike on the 21st will be a success. We are prepared for the strike. Other trade unions have also taken similar steps. Trade unions that are not connected to us have also been asked to support the strike. Some have said they do not have time to prepare, which is their problem. We will stand by our decision and continue with the strike. The JVP and the UNP have expressed their support for the strike and the TNA said they would get back to us after discussing the matter. We have asked other political parties as well to support the strike. Farmers, three wheeler drivers, bus operators and lawyers have also agreed to support us. The Coordinating Committee has set up committees at district level to make the strike a success island wide.

Q: How do you see the people’s response towards the strike action?
A: Some have telephoned us and extended their support. No one has said anything against the strike. We have made a public request asking them not to use public transport or purchase anything from shops on the 21st and support the strike. A programme like this one has been initiated in order to enable the public also to participate in a national struggle. The JVP commenced a protest campaign carrying torches in Maharagama and it has now spread island wide. On April 24 the party started a campaign to sign a petition and to distribute leaflets. On May 15, trade unions, political parties and civil society held a protest march in Colombo. However, the public does not have the chance to join in most of these campaigns. Nevertheless, people could join the next action on the 21st. People can put up black flags as a mark of protest. Farmers can support by not taking their produce to the economic centers that day, three-wheeler drivers could stay away from work even for a few hours. It is a sacrifice. People can decide how they want to join the protest campaign on the 21st. We have given the leadership now and people have a responsibility to come forward.

Q: The UNP and the JVP seem to be on a joint struggle after many years. Will this continue in future struggles as well?
A: There have been lots of factories that have shut down since the government took over, but the mud slinging factory is hard at work. According to them, the strike on the 21st is a joint action by the JVP and the UNP. I categorically say that this is not an action by the JVP and the UNP. In fact this sort of action should not be limited to such a small area. The decision to strike was taken by the trade unions and it is a public struggle. We as trade unions share the right to speak to any one seeking their support for the public struggle. The UNP and the JVP cannot have any political alliances since the policies of the two parties are completely different. Even in the future, the JVP and the UNP will not join as political entities.

Q: There have been much criticisms by persons affiliated to the government that the JVP does not have any moral right to protest against the electricity tariffs after destroying assets of the CEB during the 1989 insurgency. How do you respond?
A: Let’s speak of what happened in 1987. J. R. Jayewardene’s pro-American foreign policy and the separatist agenda resulted in India invading Sri Lanka. People who speak of foreigners invading us don’t like to say that India also tried to invade us in the 1980s. The Indian air force forcibly entered Sri Lanka’s air space and it is an invasion. JR was then forced to sign an agreement by the Indians. India then brought its forces to the North and East of the country and Sri Lankan forces were limited to the South. JR gave official status to the Indian invasion. In 1818 and 1845 there were insurgencies against foreign invasions and it was the same in 1987. The insurgency was against the invasion and those who knelt before it. The JVP supported the political struggle and the armed struggle was carried out by the Deshapremi Jathika Vyaparaya.

State assets were attacked as part of the struggle to defeat the invasion and the ruler who supported it. They say that we burnt agrarian services centers, but at the time they were military camps behind the agrarian services board. It is similar to the attacks in the North where in some instances schools where LTTE cadres were housed were attacked. There’s nothing wrong in such attacks. Transformers were destroyed since they supplied power to the military camps. All these actions are justifiable when you look at the struggle. ID cards were collected due to security reasons. When the security forces started to surround villages to hunt down people, they could not arrest anyone without identification papers. When you look at history, heroes like Keppetipola and Weera Puran Appu have also attacked state assets. In 1988-89 transformers that powered military camps were destroyed but that cannot take away our right to speak of the CEB and the people’s rights.

Q: The trade unions have called for the withdrawal of the electricity tariff hike. How do you propose the CEB could overcome its current crisis?
A: There’s a clear solution. The government policy is to palm the losses on the people. It is wrong. The policy should be to make institutions efficient and reduce costs. If the government wants to give a good message to the people, it should stop immediately the using of public funds to pay for the electricity bills of government ministers’ houses. Secondly, agreements with the diesel plant owners that have caused these losses to the CEB should be cancelled. The CEB, people and investors should all get a fair treatment through new agreements. The government could go further and take over the private diesel power plants by paying compensation to the owners since the CEB has the know how to operate such plants. It is the problems with the private diesel power plants that have made the CEB purchase thermal power even when reservoirs are full. The government should also renovate the Sapugaskanda oil refinery and increase the capacity of oil refined in the country. This will reduce the spending of money to purchase refined fuel at higher costs. Also, a new refinery should be set up to meet the entire fuel requirement of the country. There would also be an added advantage of producing good quality fertilizer and agro-chemicals as by-products.

Q: The CEB Chairman has reportedly said that the current 16% increase in electricity tariffs is insufficient and that there needs to be a 28% hike. What are your views?
A: The people are now being given the dividends of the failed economic policies of the UNP, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was decided in 1982 to set up a coal power plant but it was not implemented. Japan came forward in 1992 to build a coal plant for the country, but the government did not want it. When Ranil Wickremesinghe took over the government in 2001, the Japanese ambassador in Sri Lanka was summoned and asked to set up two thermal power plants instead. Ranil Wickremesinghe is also responsible for the current crisis. However, the agreements signed by the then government expired in 2007, but this government extended them. They said the power crisis would be resolved with the Norochcholai power plant, but instead an old power plant was imported and fixed causing constant breakdowns. We want to tell the rulers to make institutions efficient and get profits. The easiest way out is to increase tariffs and burden the people. This is an IMF proposal since they have called on the government to resolve the crisis. The current crisis is not a problem of the CEB alone. The devaluing of the rupee and wrong economic policies are all connected to it. The wastage on white elephants like the Mattala airport, the Sooriyawea stadium and the Hambantota port should be stopped.

Q: Do you believe that continuous agitation campaigns would result in the government withdrawing the tariff hike?
A: The government will not stop its unprogressive actions and it is only a broad public struggle that could help the current situation. Some will join the struggle on the 21st and some won’t. However, we will continue with the struggle even after the 21st and work towards getting the support of those who were not part of the struggle on the 21st. If we stop after the 21st, then there’s no way forward for the people. We will continue to struggle to bring victory to the people. Our responsibility is to give leadership to the people. Earlier people said there was no opposition in the country. The trade unions have now given a solution to the people’s problem, and it’s now up to the people to join the struggle.

Q: What action would be taken in the event the government ignored the demand?
A: A government cannot ignore the public. If the government ignores, that is because the public is silent. This struggle is a public struggle and not an individual struggle. We ask the people if they would do their part, if everyone does their part, this government can be defeated and we will prove it from this battle.

The New York Times quotes unnamed US officials as saying the missiles could be used to counter any potential future foreign military intervention in Syria.

Without confirming details, Russia’s foreign minister said Russian supplies did not break any international rules.
It comes amid growing alarm that chemical weapons may be being used in Syria, something US President Barack Obama has said would be “a red line”. Meanwhile efforts continue to arrange an international conference on Syria.

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Mr. Lavrov in Sochi on Friday to discuss the plans for the conference, which would aim to bring together the Syrian opposition and members of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. At a news briefing, Mr Ban said it was important to “not lose momentum” on the drive towards holding a peace conference and dates for it were being “actively discussed”. Mr. Lavrov said a resolution could only be found through “an inclusive all-Syrian dialogue with participation of all Syrian forces, without any external intervention, as soon as possible”. Also on Friday, the UN’s refugee agency said more than 1.5m Syrians were now registered as refugees, with the true figure likely to be much higher.

“Refugees tell us the increased fighting and changing of control of towns and villages, in particular in conflict areas, results in more and more civilians deciding to leave,” UNHCR said in a statement.
(Courtesy: BBC)
——————————————————————–

Pakistan Mosques Hit By Deadly Blasts

Two explosions in the Malakand region of north-west Pakistan have killed at least 13 people, officials say.
The bombs went off near two mosques in Bazdarra village, close to the tribal areas that border Afghanistan.

The Assistant Commissioner of Malakand, Abdullah Mashal said more than 30 people were injured in the blasts. He told the BBC that 15 of the injured were in a critical condition and being taken to hospitals in Mardan and Peshawar. An eyewitness, Shahid Ali, told the Associated Press news agency that the explosions came just as Friday prayers were starting.

“Many people are buried under the rubble,” he said. No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. Pakistanis voted in a general election on 11 May, with Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League set to become prime minister for a third time.
(Courtesy: BBC)
———————————————————–

West Bengal Class III Student Dies After Teacher Smashes His Head Against Wall

A nine-year-old student, whose teacher had dashed his head on wall for not doing his lessons, has died of injuries in hospital.
The class III student, Bapi Joardar, of Nirdheshkhali Shishu Shiksha Kendra in South24 Parganas district had his head dashed against a wall by lady teacher Champa Mondal on April 15 for not doing his lessons, police sources said on Friday.

The injured student was admitted to a hospital here from where he was referred to the National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata where he died on Thursday night, the sources said. The teacher, who was in her early thirties and was with the school for about 3 to 4 years, was arrested on Friday, they added.
(Courtesy: Times of India)
–

Obama Names New Acting IRS Chief

Daniel I. Werfel

President Obama appointed Daniel I. Werfel, the controller of the Office of Management and Budget, to be the acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the White House announced Thursday.

Mr. Werfel, who manages much of the day-to-day operations at the budget office, will replace Steven Miller, who was fired this week as the agency’s interim director in the scandal over its targeting of conservative groups.
The White House said in a statement that Mr. Werfel would begin his new job on Wednesday.

“Danny has proven an effective leader who serves with professionalism, integrity and skill,” Mr. Obama said in the statement. “The American people deserve to have the utmost confidence and trust in their government, and as we work to get to the bottom of what happened and restore confidence in the IRS, Danny has the experience and management ability necessary to lead the agency at this important time.”

Another top official at the IRS also announced his departure Thursday. Joseph H. Grant, the acting commissioner of the tax exempt and government entities division, said he would retire on June 3.

At the budget office, Mr. Werfel has been the administration’s point man on one of the thorniest political problems in the last six months: the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration.

As controller, Mr. Werfel is responsible for making sure that the departments and agencies of the federal government adhere to the sequestration law.

Now, the president is charging him with another difficult task: overseeing the IRS in the middle of a scandal. Republicans — and some Democrats — have made clear that they intend to hold numerous hearings over the next several months, and it will be Mr.
Werfel’s job to comply with their demands even as he keeps the agency running.

Mr. Werfel, 42, is a long time civil servant who has worked deep in bureaucracy, far from the political arena.
Before managing the implementation of the sequester, for instance, Mr. Werfel helped to implement the complicated American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Mr. Obama’s stimulus legislation. The selection of such a technocrat — a well-liked one who also served in the George W. Bush administration, no less — seemed designed to pre-emptively defuse partisan criticism.

Josh Bolten, who served as Mr. Bush’s chief of staff and budget director, praised Mr. Werfel as a “smart choice” to help restore faith in the I.R.S. following the revelations that officials there targeted conservative groups.

“He was always, in my experience, very professional, careful, non-ideological,” Mr. Bolten said. “He’s not easily intimidated. He’s low ego. He’s just going to tell it straight like it is. It’s not that he’s bipartisan. He’s nonpartisan.”
Officials said Mr. Werfel had agreed to serve in the position until the end of the year.

The president then would have to name another acting commissioner or nominate someone to permanently lead the agency. That nomination would be subject to Senate confirmation.

(Courtesy: New York Times)

———————————————————

UPA Should Declare Its PM Candidate First: BJP

BJP  said last Friday that the Congress-led UPA should declare its Prime Ministerial candidate first and whether Rahul Gandhi is a stakeholder for the top job or not. While insisting that BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision regarding its PM candidate at an appropriate time BJP national general secretary and former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah said, since UPA was in power, it should first take a decision in this regard.

“I am a BJP worker. I don’t have any individual thinking. BJP Parliamentary Board will take a decision at the right time,” Shah said when asked whether the party will project Narendra Modi as its PM candidate.

“UPA is in power, let them first decide whether their prince (Rahul Gandhi) is a stakeholder for the top job or he will be the Prime Minister. Let UPA first decide, after that the Opposition’s case comes in question,” he said.

Stressing that the Congress will face defeat in the upcoming general elections, Shah said, “One thing I know is that elections will be between Congress and BJP, and Congress in its entire history, will get the lowest number of seats this time around.
(Courtesy: Times of India)

————————————————–

US$ 1 Million Worth Jewels Stolen In Cannes

More than US$ 1 million worth of jewels due to be lent to movie stars at the Cannes film festival were stolen from a hotel room in the French Riviera town, a police source said.
The jewels were in the safe of the room rented by an employee of Chopard, a luxury jeweller, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The incident at the hotel in central Cannes took place on the night of Thursday to Friday as the festival got under way, drawing thousands of movie stars, film industry executives and journalists to the fabled resort.
(Courtesy: New York Times)

The President was undoubtedly making a political speech on May Day and his announcement was that there would be no increase in tariffs to those consuming less than 60 units.

“Not even an increase of 5 cents,” he declared. However, the debate continued with some claiming that there was an increase in the amount even to those who consume less than 60 units. Factors such as Fuel adjustment charge and Fixed Charge were brought in. The CEB came out with a statement that ‘relief measures’ as announced by the President would be implemented. The Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka (PUCSL) after initially being quoted as objecting to the proposed reduction in tariffs later gave its approval.
The PUCSL complied with the tariff reduction announced by the President. Of course it is axiomatic that what the Executive President says is law, even from a public platform and naturally the PUCSL complied. The final determination of how much your ‘light bill’ is can only be made when you get the bill at the end of the month.

While consumers have come to believe in the ‘relief granted’ in the May Day announcement, in reality there is no such ‘relief’. Only the threatened imposition of increased tariffs was not implemented.

Whatever ‘relief’ claimed to have been granted is for those consuming less than 60 units and it is doubted very much whether even the poorest of consumers can limit usage to less than 60 units.

The increased power tariffs have galvanized the working class as well as those living on the fringes of poverty to protest against the continuing price hikes imposed on them over decades. It will be recalled when Chandrika Kumaratunga contested the presidential elections for the first time, she vowed that she would bring the price of bread down to Rs 3.50. Today the price of a loaf of bread of very low quality is Rs 60. All this the consumers have accepted without a mummer. Undoubtedly the rising prices of essential commodities – fuel, flour – in world markets have contributed to the escalation of prices the world over. But governments of developing countries who brag so much about protecting the masses have failed miserably to do so.

Sri Lankans take pride in declaring themselves as a rice-eating nation. But despite the escalating prices of wheat flour we have now a bread-eating nation! The reason is the cost of fuel in cooking rice. Successive governments should have implemented programmes of producing firewood for modified cooking hearths in homes. Leadership and precept are essential in giving such direction. When political leaders resort to microwave cooking at home, the concept of cooking by firewood does not trickle down.

The people have begun to react. Within the ranks of the government itself the constituent socialist parties – the LSSP, CP, the Democratic Left Front (led by Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara) are leading the protest. They are being joined by other parties as well.
Meanwhile UNP and JVP trade unions and civil society groups too are protesting. The Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance has called for an island wide strike on May 21st. The Committee has already given the government an ultimatum of May 20th to withdraw the electricity tariff hike.

The reaction of the ruling UPFA government to all this rising tide of public anger is pathetic.
Night races for the rich; import of Rolls Royce cars to show off to the Commonwealth leaders of how affluent Sri Lanka is; a brand new fleet of Air Bus planes costing billions of dollars for the loss making SriLankan Airlines; and even duty free cars for ex-Provincial Council members are some of the latest proposals by the government. These are repeats of Marie Antoinette asking why the poor can’t eat cake if they don’t have bread or Nero playing the fiddle while Rome was burning.

While the Rajapaksa government is being assailed by severe economic blows coming out of international markets, it should take definite steps to help the masses in their pathetic plight as well as cracking down on wastage and profligacy. Reports of wastage and corruption in the Petroleum Corporation, CEB and SriLankan Airlines are legion. There are well-intentioned critics within government ranks such as D.E.W. Gunasekera who have been calling out for widespread economic reforms and a halt to wastage and corruption, to no effect. He and others like Ministers Tissa Vitharana and Vasudeva Nanayakkara have been forced to step on to the streets to make their protests.

The lights are physically going out for the UPFA, one by one. It is time for preventive action not song, dance, Rolls Royce and an Airbus fleet.

By S. Sivathasan

When the Jaffna Development Council started functioning a Minister who made frequent official visits to Jaffna was Hon. Gamini Dissanayake. His known closeness to the President lent some significance to the discussions he had with Mr. Nadarajah the Chairman of the Council. A warm rapport developed between the two. To the Chairman it opened a two-way communication connecting the District with the Centre. The Minister perhaps was not unaware of the political fall-out for the government, if things turned out well.

Quite a few meetings with the Minister were held in Colombo. The Chairman, the Government Agent Dr. Nesiah and the writer participated in these meetings. What were emphasized from the Council’s side were substantially larger funding and more devolved powers to utilize the finances effectively. The proposition struck a sensitive chord with the Minister and he took the initiative in arranging for a meeting with President J.R. Jayawardene one evening at his residence. It was in the latter part of 1982.The five of us took part in the discussions for over an hour. Development priorities with central funding were outlined by us. The Jaffna Lagoon Scheme and bridging the Mahadeva Causeway were among them. There was responsive interaction.

J. R. Jayewardene, Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake

In mid-1982, to mark the first anniversary of the Development Council a special sitting was organized. Policy and programme set out in a document of fifty pages was read out by the Chairman at this ceremonial sitting. It became the base for discussions in Colombo. In a subsequent document, another exercise was undertaken to define objective principles for block grants to Development Councils. The capital votes were taken together and after setting apart a certain percentage for central government works, the balance was to be given to the districts. Distribution based on the criteria of population and area of each district will compose a share and the remaining amount will be apportioned according to a district’s state of growth, development needs and other relevant criteria.

This proposition with figures extracted from the Printed Estimates and worked out with a district perspective was sent to the powers that be in Colombo. To continuous correspondence and personal contact, there was a response from the President. Three from the Development Council, Chairman, GA and the writer were invited for a discussion on a day of a Cabinet meeting. After the conclusion of the meeting, President retained a handful of Ministers including Lalith Athulathmudali and Cyril Mathew and called on the Chairman to address them. The strategy appeared to be to expose them to the suffocation suffered by a Development Council for want of finances and of authority. The Chairman a former Senator had the respect of the President for his outspokenness. He explained the proposition urging the need for meaningful financial devolution and for increased funding. Lalith showed interest and even appeared impressed with the proposition.

The above meeting was about January 1983, after the conclusion of the referendum and the general election in 1982. About two weeks subsequently, I was summoned by the President for a discussion on budgetary support.  Those present included Lalith, Dr. Ranjit Attapattu from the deep South and the DST. Issues related to making the Councils effective were discussed. In passing even the creation of a District based Public Service from among serving officers was touched on. An important decision taken was to appoint a Committee of Secretaries – about six – to suggest ways for greater financial support.

Lalith was to be Chairman and Mr. Bradman Weerakoon Secretary. Mr. Felix Dias Abeysinghe though retired was in the committee for his Local Government background. I was appointed Assistant Secretary, so that as a wearer of the shoe in the Jaffna District, I could explain where it pinched and how hard. After deliberations spread over a few weeks, an Interim Report was submitted in May 1983. The highlight of it was a recommendation for an allocation to all Development Councils of a sum equivalent to the allocation for the Decentralized Budget (DCB). It meant a doubling of Rs. 420 million to 840 million for direct spending by the districts.

This was far from satisfying. The North South dialogue with the President from October 1982 to September 1983 achieved precious little. No meeting ground came about. Each side was reinforced in its own position and policy stance on the scope of devolution. Political power residing in the South prevailed over the North. There was not even a thought of sharing. The failed attempt at building bridges alienated the Tamils still further. They saw the effort and the minimal financial support through the prism of a Tamil saying – show the moon to distract the child that pesters. The simmering Tamil problem only festered. The Tamil side was neither distracted nor convinced nor satisfied. To those who pegged their vision on a federal arrangement, the Development Council with proven impotence was a far cry.

The Chairman did not wish to continue with a position that offered little prospects for meaningful engagement. He relinquished his post and informed the President accordingly, about the 12th July 1983. The next week the Ex-Chairman and I were invited for a discussion on devolution at the President’s residence. At this point of time we had come to the position that a Province and not a District should be the unit of devolution. We wanted to put forward this point of view.  At the conference seated on one side were about five others including Lalith and facing them were both of us. President’s opening sentence was “Chairman, if you are thinking of any scheme outside the Development Council set up, WE PART”. So the discussion was limited to refining the existing scheme.

The next day July 22nd, we travelled back to Jaffna by car with the GA. Explosions that midnight changed the political scene. In late September I was called for a one to one discussion on the Development Council and Devolution.  In a fortnight I was summoned again. At this discussion senior officials too participated. I said “Sir, if we can take up the most sensitive issue of land and make some progress, it will clear the way to success in other subjects”. Devolution of all powers relating to land was put across. After some deliberations on land Mr. G. V. P. Samarasinghe said, “You can’t override the Minister”. After some more discussions the meeting ended. It marked the end of a year’s effort. India’s involvement grew thereafter eclipsing any local initiative.

After the riots many of the MPs were in self-exile. The Development Council lingered on for a few more months making little impact on economic life. When it was born, there were no comets seen. At its demise there was not a whimper. Having lived up to the objective of the President it derived neither power nor finances. It just withered away. There was no devolution and little development. Even the meager expectations of some Tamils were completely belied. In the words of a Tamil recluse, uttered 1,000 years ago, “everything receded as a phantasm, an old tale and a dream”. The Council merged in the Kachcheri, losing its brief authority and identity. The district had to wait for the next five years for the North-East Provincial Council.

UNP Badulla District parliamentarian Harin Fernando says that the government’s move to marginally reduce the electricity tariffs that were increased last month is yet another media gimmick done to divert people’s attention from the issue and to convince that the government is genuine in addressing the people’s issues. He observed that people should not endorse the government that promotes aimless development projects. “What people in this country can do is to stand up for their rights and demand,” Fernando said, adding that the UNP is always prepared to fight along with the people.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Do you believe that the government has actually provided relief to the people through the recent reduction in electricity tariffs?
A: Not at all! I would personally say that it was yet another media gimmick done to divert people’s attention from the issue and to convince that the government is genuine in trying to support the majority of the poverty stricken individuals in keeping their cost of living in some sort of control. However, it’s interesting to note that although the President on May Day stated that he would reduce the electricity tariffs, it has not been done. It is only the method of calculation that was changed. Therefore it only increased the price and also the slab of which over 60 units will be charged. As a result, a much higher price than was originally decided would be slapped on the consumer. Hence over two thirds of the general population will be subjected to very high electricity prices in the coming months. People are going to realize this situation sooner than later and the government would then have to face the people’s wrath.

Q: What action do you think the people could take to force proper relief from the government?
A: People in this county should force the government not to waste the general public’s funds for unwanted, so-called development projects without any destined aim. It is in fact a deep tragedy to see certain heads of the government living in luxury spending and wasting taxpayers’ monies to fulfill their personal fantasies. Therefore what people should not endorse is the government that promotes this kind of aimless development.

Q: Do you believe that a people’s action could prevail upon the government?
A: To an extent, but a government of this nature could care less for the people’s voice and that alone would bring about their downfall one day. The government will witness this situation when they are facing crunch time. The government can keep avoiding its voters for a while, especially when people vote them aimlessly to win a majority. The government after receiving a majority manipulated its way to distorting the people’s mandate to illegally make for themselves a two-thirds majority in parliament. Once that happens the chances the general public could get involved becomes minimal because it has absolute power to change the policies within the frame. Sadly once an overwhelming majority or power is given, the voters become helpless and have to remain till an election again to show their displeasure. What people in this country can do is to stand up for their rights and demand. However, any strong government feels vulnerable when people take to the streets because it can erode their image, which is the key to their success at elections.

Q: What role is the UNP playing in demanding a withdrawal of the electricity tariff hike?
A: We have currently organized a few demonstrations and supporting a few strikes as a joint opposition and from within the party, all parliamentarians, provincial council or and local government representatives have demanded the government to provide relief. As a party it’s very little we can achieve unless the general public understands the gravity of this situation. It’s a great disaster when it comes to people’s daily expenditure, the electricity tariff hike is going to cause enormous hardships for people since this will have a direct impact to all sectors. All that the UNP can do is to mobilize the people to stand against the unreasonable increase, which is done by the govenrment in order to cover debts and its mismanagement. I believe we the UNP have suggested and explained in various forums how the prices could be reduced and what has to be done. It is also up to the people to come out and join a common struggle to win their rights and relief. The UNP is resolute in its stance of standing by the people and providing them with the leadership to achieve their goals.

Q: There’s now talk of introducing a 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Do you think there’s currently a necessity for a Constitutional amendment?
A: No, it is very clear that the UNP has no faith in the government. This kind of exaggerated amendments are introduced to hoodwink the people to show its genuineness to solve matters. The UNP stance is for the government to first implement the 17 Amendment, which is of utmost necessity for this country, and it’s future. There is no need to introduce amendments when the existing amendments haven’t been even implemented.

Q: In the event the government is looking at a 19th Amendment, what areas do you think it should be focused on?
A: Purely focusing on national integration and reconciliation.  And most importantly, if there is any sincerity in the pledges given prior to election, abolish the executive presidency. Also establishing racial and religious harmony and thereby bringing in strict legal procedures to curtail such extremism.

Q: The UNP has spoken of drafting a new Constitution for the country. What made the UNP decide on such a move? What are the key areas that would be focused in this Constitution?
A: UNP, in my personal thinking, has realized our own mistake in the constitution we introduced. Therefore learning from the past the UNP is now in a better situation or a position to understand the need of the hour and for the future. The key to all is changing the executive presidency, which has caused immense damage to the beautiful nation, which all politicians have taken to their advantage. We need to have a head of state who is answerable to the people and who will be on check. We must remember that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We will also concentrate on a permanent solution to the still lingering ethnic issue that is still prevalent in the country. Also include clauses that ensure transparency in spending public funds.

Picture of a May Day Rally

In our youth news of the release of a new Bond movie or the famous Dollar series would thrill us no end. Those were the days of the ill-starred coalition government of Mrs. Bandaranaike (1970-77) when austerity was the by-word for the believers while deprivation the reality for most. To us, looking out of a culture which had made deficiency a kind of a living motif, James Bond was certainly larger than life. It was incredible that a man, fictional as he maybe, could live with such glamour and act with such panache. As somebody once said, in our days there was no youngster who did not want to be James Bond!

But even in those youthful aspirations we could not ignore the realities of life in a poor far-away island. There was no way that a newly released movie in Hollywood could be greeted in real time in Sri Lanka then. If I remember right, Dr. No came to the Savoy only a few years after it was released. Thunderball rolled to the theatre in Wellawatte in the early 1970s although the movie was released in the mid – 1960s.The inevitable realisation that we were living in a kind of a time warp far away from all the exciting happenings in the world was painful.

Later, perhaps with greater maturity we began to realise that it was not only in movie releases that we were much behind real time.

Practically everything we do there is an unmistakable Johnny come lately quality about us that would strike anyone. From cars, radios, aero planes to ideas and ideologies, washed ashore decades after their invention, and sometimes even long past their use by date. In the world of politics, concepts such as democracy, parliamentary systems, administrative structures, socialism etc. did not come here in real time. These ideas and ideologies ; conceived, copiously written and argued out, fought over , tried out and sometimes discarded in foreign cultures , were adopted much later by us. But once adopted we seem to follow them not only imitatively but also with a stubborn rigidity.

May Day – Foreign Idea

Does the very foreignness of the idea prevent a true and complete understanding?

There is no denying that in conception and form the May Day celebration is a foreign idea. For centuries, going back to Pagan times, May Day was celebrated in various European countries. It became identified as the day of labour much later.

Industrialisation, the rise of the proletariat, clashes with authorities, the attendant ideologies, the shooting at a Haymarket in Chicago all happened in the West, another culture, another world as it were. In real time they have done all that and have now moved on to another paradigm or as Marx would have it, a new thesis. The West has more or less attained high standards of living across the board making a display of labour unity meaningless. Even China which has turned itself into the world’s largest manufacturer of mass products would not be too keen on the idea of an organised working class flexing its muscles.

Today perhaps the only country which can in an instant summon a few million humans, even in the freezing cold, scorching heat or unbearable humidity, is North Korea. In most other countries people can think for themselves and act as autonomous individuals. Besides, leisure options have multiplied and when it comes to spending a public holiday the possibilities are numerous. In the 21 Century we cannot easily imagine a democratically elected leader having the gumption to bring thousands of his supporters for an uncomfortable march in the hot sun which in reality goes nowhere. Arguably a government has no case for such a rally as they are in a position to provide whatever that is being demanded by the marchers.

In North Korea, evidently the people have no other life. The sole purpose of their existence is to glorify their leader who is now the third generation of the founder Kim Ill Sung. They have no ideas or interests of their own. The State has to only tell them that it is their patriotic duty to attack the South and it will be done. If the State tells them that they enjoy a superior life style so it will be for them. The people of North Korea apparently have no issue with one family ruling over them. If he had any inkling that this hermetic Asian country was going to use his doctrines to justify a dynasty Karl Marx would surely have had a stricture against the use of his fine ideology by such cultures! The North Korean leaders seem to be using every idea and ideology only as a way of running their country as a family business.

We can only thank our stars that our people are not like the North Koreans!

Buckingham Palace made an announcement signalling to the British that Her Majesty would be reviewing her long-haul travel plans starting this year. The most high-profile of this review was the announcement made in a typically subtle fashion, that Her Majesty will not, after all, be travelling to Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). At the age of 87 this was a gentle reminder to her subjects that the Queen will be taking things ever so slightly easier than she has in the past. The Palace also immediately announced that the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles would be deputising and would most certainly be going to Colombo later this year. The British Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that he would be attending and also re-affirmed that Her Majesty would be staying home.

In keeping with the style that one expects from the British broadcaster, Channel 4, the channel was brave enough to pose the possibility that perhaps Her Majesty was pulling a Royal ‘sickie’. This matter was further compounded when Buckingham Palace was asked to name any other long haul future engagements that were being rearranged. The answer “No” only added to the Channel 4 possibility.

Fallen asleep

Public Relations firms acting for the government of Sri Lanka appear to have fallen asleep and have failed to capitalise on the fact that Her Majesty is 87, has had a particularly gruelling two previous years of engagements, that her husband, Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh was hospitalised later last year and that it is entirely plausible that this was no Royal ‘sickie’ but a very real start of the gradual transfer of Royal duties to the heir, Prince Charles. No one really bothered to highlight that during the Queen’s Speech to Parliament, two additional thrones were visible and occupied by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker-Bowles.Her Majesty in fact is quite likely to be preparing for a formal abdication in favour of her son. No one perhaps has had as long a time in waiting and training than Prince Charles has done.

The problem for Sri Lanka is that public opinion in the west is rather at odds with what our actions in this country are. Usually, winning a war on terrorism by a legitimately elected government is hailed by the west especially. In Sri Lanka’s case that acknowledgement only lasted weeks before being overtaken by a superior Diaspora public relations machinery. Now instead of focusing on that victory the focus has shifted to the last two months of a 30-year war. Not one international broadcaster worth its salt has highlighted what happened in the period before – a period that is nearly thirty years in time.

Unfortunately though the initiative changed a full circle not because of any superiority by the agencies acting for the Diaspora but more because of an inaction on the part of our government. Perhaps it was unbelievable naivety perhaps it was the fact that amidst the euphoria little heed was paid to shutting the stable doors: the media presentation was severely overlooked and to add insult to injury some members of the media were treated as nothing more than troublesome busy bodies and dismissed with utter contempt. Worse of course was to follow: treated publicly with contempt, the cue was on for attacks and intimidation of the media not realising that the media either shapes or breakes the perception that the world outside our small bowl has of tiny Sri Lanka.

Western View

It is more than sad that very little has been done to assuage the genuine concerns that the Western world has for the so-called victims in Sri Lanka. The west of course will view the people of the former conflict areas as victims as much as they do those members of the media who have been treated with utter contempt and disrespect bordering on the criminal.

And that is not all. When some matters catch the flow of international news agencies like for instance the Tangalle murder and rape case involving two foreign nationals spending their hard-earned money in our economy and who came to our country by their own free will because clearly they perceived us as ‘rather all right’ and where they perceived they would have a damn good stay and go back complete with tans to show off in their local pub, international opinion and perception will be gravely shaken to the bone. The conscience of all those people watching the evening news in capitals across Europe, the Americas, Australasia and wherever, will be truly disturbed by what they see for a few minutes on their televisions.

Matters are further compounded by the fact that very unfortunately for all of us, the people of Sri Lanka, the wheels of justice move – when they do move – rather painfully slowly. It is only in exceptional cases that matters speed through the judicial processes in such a way that Hamilton would be left gaping in wonder. On a number of occasions the government have had every opportunity to move decisively instead of choosing lethargy and indifference as a means of hoping that trouble will go away. Unfortunately for us the people of this country, indifference, apathy and this ‘I am all right Jack’ attitude only conveys a message that in Sri Lanka the people are downtrodden, where the rule of law supposedly does not function as it should, where if one is able to draw on the resources of politicians, more or less anything can be yours for the taking or doing.

As Mahinda Samarasinghe MP said a while ago, ”we don’t need to be told, we don’t need to be taught”. Sri Lanka certainly does not need to wait for David Cameron to arrive here and lecture our legislators and people on how we should be conducting our affairs – we should be self-motivated to a sufficient degree to be able to do so of our own free will. If we in Sri Lanka are unable or unwilling to do so, it will be obvious for all concerned that Sri Lanka is on a very slippery slope indeed if not in fact. (faraz@thesundayleader.lk)

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim offered a preview of the movement’s potential Wednesday when he rallied a huge display of citizen power in Kuala Lumpur estimated to number up to 100,000 people. Anwar says his opposition will push a nationwide campaign to dispute last Sunday’s election in which it won a majority of the popular vote but still lost to the 56-year-old government, which he accuses of massive electoral fraud.

Any move to overturn the result looks doomed to fail, with the opposition accusing the Election Commission and courts of being in the government’s pocket. But the drive could lead to instability in the multi-ethnic country if Anwar, who has battled the Barisan Nasional (National Front) government for 15 years, can deliver promised “proof” of fraud, said pollster Ibrahim Suffian.

“If the opposition can produce meaningful evidence of fraud, the government may fall into a crisis of legitimacy,” said Ibrahim, who runs independent opinion researchers Merdeka Centre. That would further squeeze Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose standing in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the power behind Barisan, is less than clear.

Besides losing the popular vote, the coalition ceded a number of parliamentary seats, prompting speculation over whether Najib would face a leadership challenge in party elections by year-end. In much-analysed comments after the election, influential former hard-line leader Mahathir Mohamad expressed disappointment with Najib’s performance. “Of course, the people will question his capacity and his strategies,” Mahathir said, adding “the party may take action, as happened with Abdullah”.

He was referring to former premier Abdullah Badawi, who was dumped by UMNO following a weak 2008 election showing, in a party putsch spearheaded by Mahathir that brought Najib to power. Barisan, which is dominated by ethnic Malays, has controlled parliament for decades while a small and ineffectual opposition has largely looked on. But Barisan, accused of corruption and authoritarianism, suffered unprecedented losses in 2008 to its reform-minded rivals, prompting Najib to subsequently woo disaffected minorities in a bid to win back support.

That appears to have failed, with the nation’s economically powerful Chinese, who make up 25 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million people, rejecting his government in unprecedented numbers Sunday. Najib poured fuel on the fire after the election by appearing to blame Chinese for his disappointing showing. “We are more polarised and fragmented than ever,” political scientist Faisal Hazis said, adding that Najib faced a “dilemma” in healing the divisions.

A key factor for the polarisation is Barisan’s long time use of race politics, and in particular, advantages given to Malays in business, education and other spheres. The policies irritate minorities and are blamed for a brain drain and curbing national competitiveness.

Najib has made limited reforms, but Faisal said only dumping the system outright was likely to win back voters including middle-class Malays who feel the policies mainly benefit a Malay elite. “Najib has lost their trust. Only a big gesture can win them back,” Faisal said.
Analysts said Najib also may need to head off questions about his legitimacy by addressing problems in the electoral system, which had already sparked massive demonstrations in recent years. Though Najib has called for an effort to heal the widening political and social schisms; analysts say that will be difficult as he must appease UMNO conservative forces who already have lashed out at voters who abandoned Barisan.

Such forces are more used to “retribution rather than reconciliation”, said Ibrahim. “This means reforms will have to take a back seat”.

Najib, however, is believed well-placed to ride out any leadership challenge, which analysts said would only play into the opposition’s hands. “If there was an attempt to challenge Najib, it could cause the government to collapse as Anwar is ready to pounce,” said Mustafa Ishak, politics head for the National Council of Professors.

UMNO parliament member Nur Jazlan Mohamed told AFP that Najib has already briefed coalition members on plans to refocus government resources on cities, where many of the most disaffected voters are, in a bid to win back support. (Channel News Asia)
———————————————————–

India To Commission Its First Supersonic Naval Fighter Squadron

India on Saturday will commission its first-ever squadron of naval supersonic fighters, the MiG-29K “air superiority” jets, which will eventually operate from the decks of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) as well as the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC).

Defence minister A.K. Antony will do the honours at the ceremony at the naval airbase INS Hansa in Goa, which will also mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the fleet’s “air arm” of the force. While celebrations are certainly in order, it also underlines the lack of long-term strategic planning and timely decision-making in the country.

The MiG-29Ks — the first 16 of the 45 fighters ordered from Russia for over US$2 billion will constitute the INSAS 303 “Black Panthers” squadron — began arriving in India a couple of years ago but the 44,570-tonne Gorshkov will be ready for delivery only by end-2013 after being refurbished in Russia for US$2.33 billion.

Similarly, the 40,000-tonne IAC being built at Cochin Shipyard will not be handed over to the Navy anytime before 2018, derailing the force’s long-standing ambition to operate two full-fledged carrier battle groups (CBGs) by 2015. The 65,000-tonne IAC-II, in turn, remains merely on the drawing board as of now. As earlier reported by TOI, India’s only solitary carrier, the 54-year-old INS Viraat, is currently out of action while undergoing yet another life-extension refit.

Moreover, it has only 11 Sea Harrier jump-jets left to operate from its deck, with no replacement of the fighters possible. All this when the recent Pentagon report on China’s growing military might holds Beijing is pursuing a robust carrier building programme after inducting its first carrier, the, the 65,000-tonne Liaoning, in September last year. “China is likely to build multiple aircraft carriers over the next decade,” it said.

China, of course, will take some years to master the highly-complex art of operating its J-15 fighters from a moving airfield on the high seas and then transforming the entire package into a potent offensive weapons platform. India, in contrast, has been in the business of operating “flattops” for five decades now, commissioning as it did its first carrier INS Vikrant with Sea Hawk jets way back in 1961.

It has long been realized that CBGs prowling on the high seas project power like nothing else on the globe. It’s no wonder that as part of its impending pivot towards Asia-Pacific, the US plans to deploy at least six of its 11 CBGs — each American carrier is over 94,000 tonne and capable of handling 80-90 fighters — in the region. Asia-Pacific has emerged as the new strategic theatre for rivalry between US and China, with India too jostling for space with the latter in the Indian Ocean region.

However, India will be able to deploy two potent CBGs only after 2018 when INS Vikramaditya and IAC are able to operate together. This, however, does not detract from the sheer capabilities of the MiG-29Ks.

With mid-air refuelling and an extended combat radius of operations as well as BVR (beyond visual range) and guided anti-ship missiles, MiG-29Ks will provide a “four-fold capability jump” over the Sea Harriers, say officers.

The MiG-29Ks, with a range of 1,300km and a service ceiling of 58,000-feet, are capable of STOBAR (short takeoff but arrested recovery) operations. They are armed with R-73 and RVV-AE guided air-to-air missiles, Kh-35E anti-ship missiles, KAB 500KR/OD TV guided bombs and S-8KOM rockets. (Times of India)

————————————————————-

Woman Pulled From Rubble In Bangladesh Factory Disaster

A woman has been rescued from the collapsed factory building in Bangladesh after 17 days. Local television stations broadcast live images of emergency service workers pulling the woman from the rubble.

However, the death toll from the tragedy has climbed to over 1000. It is believed that more bodies might still be trapped two weeks after the Rana Plaza complex accident occurred.

The disaster near the capital Dhaka is said to have been triggered when generators were started up during a blackout. Focus has been placed on Western retailers who use the impoverished country as a source of cheap goods. The garment industry worth almost €15 billion accounts for 80% of the South Asian country’s exports.

The Bangladeshi government has blamed the owners and builders of the eight story complex for using shoddy materials. The European Union has threatened punitive measures in order to press Dhaka to improve safety standards for the 4 million people who work in the garment industry. (Euro News)

———————————————————-

Syria Ready For UN To Investigate Chemical Arms

Syria has agreed to receive a United Nations team to investigate claims of the use of chemical weapons in the country’s conflict. That is according to its deputy Foreign Minister, Faisal Muqdad. The Syrian government first asked for the inquiry shortly after accusing opposition rebels of using chemical weapons at Khan al-Assal near Aleppo on March 23. Muqdad’s permission for the UN investigation comes after Israel reportedly targeted military sites near the capital Damascus. Meanwhile Syria mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, stays on in his role which has prevented UN action to halt the two-year-old civil war. (Euro News)

—————————————–

Nations Agree To New Chemical Ban, Export Controls

UN officials and delegates say more than 120 nations agreed to tighter controls on several chemicals and hazardous waste, including a gradual ban on a flame retardant and some new export requirements for other substances.

ut they say an effort to rein in use of construction material Chrysotile asbestos and a powerful herbicide, Paraquat, fell short at a two-week summit of delegates to three main international treaties.

The heads of two UN agencies and other officials told reporters Friday the summit was ending with agreement to phase-out the commonly used flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane, or HBCD, but exempted some uses in buildings.

The officials and delegates say the summit approved tighter requirements for disclosing information about exports of insecticide Azinphos-methyl, two flame retardants, PentaBDE and OctaBDE, and a fabric protector, PFOS. (Times of India)