kolkatapost

Tepco set for $13 bn bailout, needs $100 bn or more and Tokyo (35 bn)Evacuation kept a secret!

2012-01-27T07:45:00.001-08:00

Unquote:

1. Future clean up, decommissioning and compensation cost estimated at $100 bn or more.

2. Fifty of the nation's 54 reactors have been idled since the disaster and all may be off-line by spring for safety checks.

3. Will Abdul Kalamity tell Madurai, Tirunelveli and Thiruvananthapuram citizens how to get out of their places, where to go and for how many decades?

S N

QUOTE:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/26/tepco-idUSL4E8CQ0SO20120126

UPDATE 3-Japan's stricken nuclear operator set for $13 bln bailout - sources

Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:47pm EST

By Kentaro Hamada and Linda Sieg

Jan 26 (Reuters) - Japan is set to launch a $13 billion bail-out of the owner of its stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant after the utility dropped resistance to a public fund injection, sources said on Thursday, as the country debates the future of nuclear power.

The injection of 1 trillion yen ($12.8 billion) in public funds into Tokyo Electric Power Co would effectively nationalise the firm, supplier of power to almost 45 million people, in one of the world's biggest bailouts outside the banking sector.

Tepco's Fukushima plant was wrecked by a quake and tsunami last March, sparking the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years and swamping the firm with future cleanup, decommissioning and compensation costs estimated at $100 billion or more. But it had been resisting a bail-out, fearing a loss of management control.

It is now resigned to the state rescue, but sources familiar with the matter said it was still dragging its feet over the form of bail-out, with the government proposing that the state-backed Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Fund take a two-thirds share, which would let Tokyo make the key decisions.

"If the government has a two-thirds stake, they have a right to control management, so naturally, Tepco doesn't like that," said one source familiar with the matter.

Tepco's plight is emblematic of problems facing Japan's entire nuclear power industry, once touted as safe, clean and cheap. Fifty of the nation's 54 reactors have been idled since the disaster and all may be off-line by spring for safety checks, despite government efforts to regain public trust in an industry that had provided a third of Japan's power.

The government has abandoned a plan to boost nuclear power to more than half of electricity supply by 2030, but has signalled atomic energy could play a role for decades to come.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda aims to come up with a new plan for Japan's mid-to-long-term energy mix by summer, but must first persuade a wary public to allow off-line reactors to resume operations -- not an easy task.

BANKS TO LEND MORE

Tepco's fate is also being watched for clues as to whether Japan will deregulate its system of monopolistic regional utilities that both generate and distribute electricity.

Tepco's share price soared on the bail-out news, jumping as much as 8 percent in heavy trade.

Tepco, which together with the fund is drafting a business reconstruction plan to be unveiled in March, is also seeking at least around 1 trillion yen in fresh loans from banks and insurers, sources said.

One source said the financial institutions were likely to agree to the additional lending in an effort to keep Tepco afloat and protect their already big exposures.

Japan's three mega-banks -- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group Inc and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc -- have combined exposures to Tepco of around 3.3 trillion yen, and their outstanding bonds total 5 trillion yen, according to IFR Japan Capital Markets.

A source familiar with the plan said it envisaged Tepco remaining under state control for 10 years, while resuming bond issuance in four or five years after which it would issue new equity to raise money to pay back the government.

The Nikkei business daily said the plan called for the utility to swing into profit in fiscal 2014 after posting a parent-only net loss of about 580 billion yen in the year ending March 31 and next fiscal year.

That would be followed by a net profit of 37.7 billion yen in fiscal 2013, largely on the sale of real estate, the Nikkei said. Tepco is also expected to generate a pretax profit of 159.1 billion yen in fiscal 2014, it added.

The projection for improved earnings, however, is based on the assumption Tepco will increase household electricity rates by 10 percent in October and reduce fuel costs by restarting reactors at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in fiscal 2013 -- moves the utility will find difficult to execute.

Tepco shareholders will need to approve an increase in its authorized share capital at an annual meeting in June before the nationalisation plan could go ahead.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/world/asia/projections-during-nuclear-crisis-included-evacuating-tokyo.html

Possible Tokyo Evacuation Was Kept Secret in Nuclear Crisis

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Published: January 25, 2012

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese government's worst-case scenario at the height of the nuclear crisis last year warned that tens of millions of people, including residents of Tokyo, might be forced to leave their homes, according to a report. Fearing widespread panic, officials kept the report secret.

The emergence of the 15-page internal document might add to complaints that the government withheld too much information about the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the world's worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

It also casts doubt about whether the government was sufficiently prepared to handle what could have been an evacuation on an extraordinary scale.

The report was submitted to Naoto Kan, the prime minister at the time, and his top advisers on March 25, two weeks after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, causing three reactors to melt down and generating hydrogen explosions that blew away protective structures.

Workers ultimately were able to bring the reactors under control, but at the time it was unclear whether those emergency measures would succeed. Mr. Kan commissioned the report, compiled by the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, to examine what options the government had if those efforts failed.

The authorities evacuated 59,000 residents within 12 miles of the Fukushima plant, and thousands more were evacuated from other towns later. The report said, however, there was a chance that far larger evacuations might be necessary.

The report looked at several ways the crisis could escalate — explosions inside the reactors, complete meltdowns, and the structural failure of cooling pools used for spent nuclear fuel.

Using matter-of-fact language, diagrams and charts, the report said that if meltdowns spiraled out of control, radiation levels could soar.

In that case, it said, evacuation orders should be issued for residents within and possibly beyond a 105-mile radius of the plant and "voluntary" evacuations should be available to everyone living within 155 miles and beyond.

That would have included the Tokyo area, with a population of 35 million people, and other major cities like Sendai, with 1 million people.

The report further warned that contaminated areas might not be safe for "several decades."

"We cannot rule out further developments that may lead to an unpredictable situation at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where there has been an accident, and this report outlines a summary of that unpredictable situation," said the document, which was written by Shunsuke Kondo, the leader of the atomic energy commission.

After Mr. Kan received the report he and other Japanese officials publicly insisted that there was no need to prepare for more widespread evacuations.

Rumors of the report emerged this month after a panel was created to investigate possible cover-ups. The Kyodo News agency first reported on the contents of the document on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the government continues to refuse to make the document public. Goshi Hosono, the cabinet minister in charge of the nuclear crisis, implicitly acknowledged the document's existence this month, but said the government had felt no need to make it public.

"Even in the event of such a development, we were told that residents would have enough time to evacuate," Mr. Hosono said.

Afghanistan: Coffins for the U.S. and NATO, Contracts for China

2012-01-27T07:44:00.001-08:00

Afghanistan: Coffins for the U.S. and NATO, Contracts for China

Posted on Jan 23, 2012

By Barry Lando

Some bitter ironies in Afghanistan these days: U.S. and French soldiers gunned down by the very Afghan troops they work with. America and its NATO allies, facing huge budget problems themselves, persist in squandering billions in Afghanistan to defeat Islamic radicals and create a propitious climate for growth and investment. Right now, the largest investments so safeguarded are Chinese.

In another paradox, it was American engineers who, in the summer of 2010, completed a survey concluding that Afghanistan sits atop $1 trillion of untapped copper, iron and lithium deposits. If it could just get its act together, the country had a promising future. Skeptics immediately claimed that rosy estimate didn't take Afghanistan's woeful infrastructure into account; it could cost more to mine those resources than they were worth.

But that's not how the Chinese see it. A few weeks ago, China's National Petroleum Corporation became the first foreign company to be allowed to explore Afghanistan's oil and gas reserves in the Amu Darya Basin. The deal is estimated to be worth more than $700 million. Some speculate it could ultimately be worth 10 times that amount to China.

Even before that deal, however, China was already the largest foreign investor in Afghanistan. In 2007, Beijing signed a $3 billion agreement to explore huge copper deposits in Mes Aynak, south of Kabul.

India is the only other country to go after Afghan minerals. Last November a deal was signed giving Indian firms the rights to 1.8 billion tons of iron ore, one of the largest untapped deposits in Asia.

It's very unlikely that the Chinese [and Indians] would be making such risky bets without the security provided by the U.S. and its allies. After the copper deal was inked, 2,000 U.S. troops were deployed to provide general security in Logar Province, where the Mes Aynak mine is located. They also protected the projected routes of the road and railway that will service the huge development. An additional 1,500 members of the Afghan National Police, presumably paid and trained by the U.S. and its allies, were sent to guard the mine itself.

In addition, facing restless Muslim groups in their own country, the Chinese are not at all unhappy about the U.S. and NATO taking on Islamic militants in Afghanistan.

Yet, all the while, China has consistently refused to contribute to the joint Western military force. It even turned down a request to permit NATO to ship nonlethal supplies via China to Afghanistan.

So why aren't the U.S. and its allies screaming about the situation? Because if they are to have a face-saving way out of Afghanistan that doesn't disintegrate into chaos, they desperately need China's huge new investments to continue and prosper.

As things now stand, once the income from opium production is deducted, 97 percent of Afghanistan's GNP comes from foreign aid. A whole new economy is needed.

After China's National Petroleum Corporation signed its recent oil agreement with Kabul, experts warned that success was far from a sure thing: It could take five to 10 years of expensive exploration to see whether the oil fields are really worth developing.

But the Chinese are after more than oil and copper. They see each deal as another foot in the door. They are also determined to reap huge potential profits to come from rebuilding Afghanistan's shattered infrastructure and economy; among such projects is a high-speed rail system. In this way, without massive military deployments, China has already become a major player throughout the region. (I've written about China's activities in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and the Gulf in other recentblogs.)

A particularly insightful comment on China's tactics in Afghanistan followed an article in The Diplomat:

"Achieving a peace agreement is always the number one preference for Chinese government. By nature Chinese are not interested in 'beating' other group of people, but are interested in 'gaining' concrete benefits. This is due to the Chinese culture and history. In Chinese culture, people believe in 'harmony brings wealth'. Therefore, when dealing with a dispute, a Chinese normally do not set his goal as completely beating the others, but rather sequence his goals according to priority, and try to achieve the goal with the highest priority first, and so on. Each disputant may achieve some goal upon settlement of the dispute."

Case in point: Thanks to the Chinese, the Afghans may benefit from a real high-speed rail system long before the deficit-ridden U.S.

Oklahoma lawmaker wants to stop Pepsi from using aborted fetus cells in soda flavoring research

2012-01-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

In order to simulate various flavors in processed foods, some food manufacturers are actually using aborted fetal cells to test and produce these artificial chemical enhancers that millions of Americans consume every single day. Concerned about the ethical and moral implications of such a process, Oklahoma Senator Ralph Shortey has introduced new legislation to prohibit this practice from occurring in his home state.

Senomyx, a California-based biotechnology company that specializes in developing food flavorings, is one such company that uses aborted embryonic cells to create "isolated human taste receptors," which are used in the production of food chemicals. And this company has partnered with several major food manufacturers, including Kraft, PepsiCo, and Nestle

"There is a potential that there are companies that are using aborted human babies in their research and development of basically enhancing flavor for artificial flavors," Sen. Shortey is quoted as saying by KRMG News Talk Radio. "What I am saying is that if it does happen then we are not going to allow it to manufacture here."

According to Children of God for Life (CGL), a pro-life watchdog group, Senomyx uses HEK 293 to produce its artificial flavor enhancing chemicals. HEK 293 is code for human embryonic kidney cells that are manipulated to produce taste receptors that express a specific protein known as the G protein. But CGL says the company could also use animal, insect, or other more acceptably-derived cells instead, and still procure the same results.

While aborted fetal cells are not necessarily in the final products made by PepsiCo, Kraft, or Nestle, such cells appear to needlessly play a part in the production of artificial flavor chemicals used by these companies. And since there are viable alternatives to this questionable practice, Sen. Shortey, CGL, and many others are calling for its end.

As we reported previously, the Campbell Soup company used to be a Senomyx partner until CGL contacted them about the fetal cell issue. Shortly thereafter, reports indicate that Campbell's officially cut ties with Senomyx, which in 2003 filed a patent for "recombinant (genetically modified) methods for expressing a functional sweet taste receptor."

Sources for this article include:

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/food-containing-fetuses-targeted-under-new-oklaho/nG7P7/

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-groups-call-for-pepsi-boycott-over-aborted-fetal-cell-lines/

Does smoking tobacco fulfill a nutritional need?

2012-01-27T07:42:00.001-08:00

Does smoking tobacco fulfill a nutritional need?

Friends,

A radical view but perhaps this has been known for years. Tobacco alone perhaps is not dangerous as made out to be. But when wrapped in paper laced with nitroglycerine to make it burn faster [yes, the same nitroglycerine used in making dynamite] and other chemicals to process the tobacco, it becomes lethal. Women smoked HOOKA andlived a healthy life.

Other analysts have something else to say. The sudden interest is "Cigarette smoking is injurious to health" coincides with nuclear weapons test.

Kind regards

Does smoking tobacco fulfill a nutritional need?

As counter-intuitive as this question might seem, nicotine is actually a nutrient source. It is one form in which we can obtain a vital nutrient: vitamin B3, also called niacin or nicotinic acid.

I have never seen this angle to smoking discussed in a clear form until I came across, through some friends on facebook, a very informative but kind of hidden away write-up by a parent who refused to just accept as fact what "everybody knows" - that kids start to smoke because of tobacco company propaganda.

Ironically, the article was languishing in a place called the CyberCemetery, an archive of government websites that have ceased operation (usually websites of defunct government agencies and commissions that have issued a final report).

The source URL is at govinfo.library.unt.edu/tobacco/

Here is the text...

Archive

teenage smoking and tobacco company coverups - video4@ckt.net, 2/23/01 1:57AM

A cursory study into tobacco use by teenagers appears to have discovered a new door into the causes of teenage smoking. Nicotine has long been accepted as the addictive portion of tobacco products, but what is apparently little known is that nicotine and niacin (vitamin B3) are analogues. An examination into this previously untrod avenue may yield significant new data into the treatment of teenage tobacco use.

Much research has been done establishing that teenagers do use tobacco, but very little has looked into the actual causes and none could be found on E.R.I.C. that has been done from the aspect that tobacco may fulfill a nutritional need.

As a parent of six children and a non-traditional graduate student, adolescent smoking is something I have had to deal with at least six times. As a graduate student with a grounding in communication, it is of primary concern to me, with all the information targeting teen smoking, that there has not been a more significant effect on the target audience -- adolescents.

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics (1998) shows a steady increase in smoking in that while 9% of the children in the 8th grade surveyed admitted to smoking every day, 24.6% of the 12th graders smoke daily. The Federal Interagency Forum offered no answers but did recommend more study.

The statistics would seem to show that Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, L. 1957) does not apply to smoking. Applying Festinger's theory, a greater amount of resources dedicated to preventing teen smoking should have led to a greater decrease in teen smoking, but that does not seem to be the case. In fact, the opposite seems to have occurred. The teenagers exposed to the larger amount of anti-smoking information (the 12th Graders) were almost 3 times as likely to be smokers. This led me to ask whether the addictiveness of nicotine might have some influence on why a theory like Festinger's, so well grounded in other areas, did not seem to work here.

Teenagers use tobacco. That is an established fact. What is up for contention is why do teenagers use tobacco, in spite of all the propaganda cultural pressure aimed at telling them not to. Many court cases have been fought on this issue but there is still little current information due to the mutability of the subject matter, children.

If teenagers' diets are niacin deficient and their bodies know what their minds don't ( and their teachers won't tell them), that niacin and nicotine are the same thing, their bodies would make them crave tobacco as the source of a necessary nutrient, but being a matter of taste, they would not be able to describe it scientifically. An anecdotal reply might be -- "I don't know why I like it; I just do," with no understanding that it's fulfilling necessary needs of the nervous system, like orange juice provides antioxidants for the body.. B Complex vitamins are just as important as vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C compromises the immune system; a lack of B vitamins compromises the nervous system.

Another example is Iodine. Iodine is a poison but it is also a necessary nutrient. The body only needs a thimble full of Iodine for a lifetime but without that thimble full a lifetime is only a few years. The endocrine system self destructs without it. A smoker may only get a thimble full of Niacin from a lifetime of smoking (10-20mcg per cigarette), but at least they have that lifetime to discover and correct the problem (poor diet, alcoholism or malabsorptive bowel), which is how to get the Niacin without the other 43 carcinogenic substances the American Cancer Society has identified in Tobacco smoke.

The intention of this study is to discover if teenage tobacco use, smoking and other, may be the result of a niacin deficient diet, not tobacco advertising. There may appear to have been an intentional deception in hiding the fact that niacin and nicotine are basically the same thing, but simply put, it's because until now there has been no funding to look at tobacco from the point of view of a nutritional function. Tobacco has been used for a wide range of other maladies from Asthma ( Niacin prevents Histamine release Robert Thompson Cybervitamins.com) to Bowel obstruction (A Modern Herbal guide 1931).

My argument is that the real cause has been overlooked in the "rush to judgment" and nutritional deficiencies have been misdiagnosed as mere addictions, subject to whim and will. The body needs niacin and it knows nicotine will work if niacin isn't available. This is not a conscious function.

The objective is to decrease adolescent smoking by removing the dietary deficiency, hence the body's need for the nicotine. The U.S. RDA for niacin ranges from about 15mg to about 20mg per day, but to get that much a person needs to eat a serving of chicken, a serving of turkey, a serving of Spinach and a bowl of fortified cereal each day or smoke 2 packs of cigarettes.

This shed an entirely new light on the problem of teen smoking. It meant that teens might not be smoking because it was "cool" or because the nicotine was addictive; it might be because tobacco was fulfilling a nutritional deficiency in their diets. Niacin deficiency is common outside the United States and, in its severest form, Pellagra, it can kill. It is rare in this country because since Dr Goldberger discovered niacin as a nutrient in 1895, corn meal and wheat flour have been fortified much the same way as salt is fortified with iodine.

Iodine, as a substance, is a poison, but in very small amounts, it is required by the body for thyroid function and preventing unwanted growths like goiters. A body requires less than a thimbleful of iodine for a lifetime, but without that thimbleful, it doesn't have a life. Niacin is similar in that it doesn't take a lot (20 mg RDA) and too much is toxic. A single gram of niacin is toxic to most humans. [Actually, the writer here may have some false information of niacin toxicity. People have been known to take several grams of niacin without any toxic effects. - Sepp]

Niacin, like iodine, is hard to find in the diet without supplementing it somewhere. For example, to receive the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of niacin (20 mg), a person would need to eat 3 servings of poultry, 3 servings of pork and a baked potato with skin to get 20 mg of natural niacin. Other alternatives would include 5 bowls of fortified cereal or 15 servings of french fries. Another problem is that some people with gastrointestinal problems have trouble absorbing niacin, even if it is in the diet.

I realized that there was nothing wrong with Festinger's Theory; what was wrong was the current view of nicotine as a cultural or behavioral symptom. A person has only 2 choices when it comes to oxygen, do it or die. The same choice applies to niacin and iodine. Without it we die. Lack of niacin or iodine may not be as quick a death as a lack of oxygen, but the results are just as certain.

The result of this information was the formulation of a theory that teenagers may be smoking to fulfill the nutritional need for niacin. In order to test this, a comparison will be done comparing teen smoking and diet. The best way to do this is with a controlled survey of the high schools. If the information from the survey supports that teen smoking has a dietary link, then efforts will be made to improve the nutritional levels of that segment of our society that seems to have the least concern for nutrition, teenagers.

Pepsico, Quaker oats and GMOs

2012-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

It is time we all looked deep into what we are buying as food.

Kind regards

http://ironboltbruce.blog.com/2011/11/09/pepsico-quaker-oats-gmo-youre-on-your-own/

Pepsico, Quaker Oats & GMO: You're On Your Own

Posted: 9th November 2011 by ironboltbruce in Kleptocracy
Tags: corporate greed, end profit wars, end the fed, expose 9/11 truth, global revolution, gmo, imprison the kleptocrats,kleptocracy, occupy dc, occupy wall street, october 2011, pepsico, political corruption, political labels, quaker oats, refund taxpayer trillions, regime change, repeal patriot act, reverse citizens united, single term limits, stop the machine

PEPSICO, QUAKER OATS & GMO: YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN
Global Revolution 1: American Revolution 2: Day 54: Communication 1
IronBoltBruce's Kleptocracy Chronicles for 9 Nov 2011 (g1a2d0054c1)
How many examples of greed and corruption must you see before you act?

PepsiCo Inc. is a Fortune 500 global conglomerate with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay, Inc. PepsiCo has since expanded from its namesake product Pepsi to a broader range of food and beverage brands, the largest of which include an acquisition of Tropicana in 1998 and a merger with Quaker Oats in 2001 – which added the Gatorade brand to its portfolio as well.

Since 1989 Pepsico has contributed more than $10 million to federal and state political campaigns, and since 1997 they have spent an additional $28 million on lobbying. Topping their politician recipient list is former Pennsylvania House Speaker John M. Perzel, the alleged mastermind of the $13 million "Computergate" scandal that pled guilty to corruption charges and is currently awaiting sentencing. Rick Perry comes in number two, with Ed Rendel, Barack Obama and George W. Bush rounding out the top five.

http://tinyurl.com/6ml7q2c

http://tinyurl.com/7ues4sh

http://tinyurl.com/6pwrqa2

We don't know what Pepsico got from the money they gave to Perzel, but we do know at least one thing they are getting from their lobbying investment: So far, it has kept GMO warning labels off of their products.

"GMO" stands for "genetically modified organism", i.e. organisms whose genetic material has been artificially altered using genetic engineering techniques. The USA is the largest commercial grower of genetically modified crops in the world, and at least 75% percent of the processed foods consumed in America contain GMO ingredients.

http://tinyurl.com/26xkpfd

GMOs are banned or significantly restricted in 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the nations in the European Union. But here in the Corporate States of America, consumers aren't even given the benefit of GMO warning labels so they can decide for themselves if a risk exists and whether they are willing to accept it. To make matters worse, IN AMERICA IT IS LEGAL TO LABEL FOOD PRODUCTS AS "NATURAL" EVEN IF THEY CONTAIN GMO. And why are things that way? Because profit-before-principle corporations like Pepsico – working through co-opted and false fronts like the Organic Trade Association (OTA) – lobby to keep them that way:

"General Mills (currently represented on the OTA board by Craig Weakly of Small Planet Foods), H.J. Heinz Co. (invested in the Hain-Celestial Group), PepsiCo (Tropicana and Quaker produce a few organic products), and Kellogg's (owns Kashi), joined a coalition of corporate giants – the "Coalition Against the Costly Labeling Law" – including chemical makers Monsanto and DuPont, agribusiness ConAgra, food processor Sara Lee, the pesticide lobbying group CropLife and the junk food lobbying group the Grocery Manufacturers Association, in spending some $5.5 million to defeat mandatory GMO labels."

http://tinyurl.com/6xuxuo7

So before you sit down for your next piping-hot bowl of "healthy living" Quaker oatmeal, consider this:

"Quaker Oats states that it is an 'all-natural' product. Pepsico/Quaker Oats manages a processing plant that emits roughly 19,000 pounds of sulfuryl fluoride yearly. Sulfuryl fluoride is a toxic greenhouse gas used to treat crops like oats in storage."

http://tinyurl.com/43rxdkk

http://www.organic.org/image.php?image=assets/article_images/201.gif

MUST READ: The Demise of the Dollar

2012-01-27T07:37:00.001-08:00

The Demise of the Dollar
By Robert Fisk, Independent UK
26 January 12

n the most profound financial change in recent Middle East history, Gulf
Arabs are planning - along with China, Russia, Japan and France - to
end dollar dealings for oil, moving instead to a basket of currencies
including the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, the euro, gold and a new,
unified currency planned for nations in the Gulf Co-operation Council,
including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Qatar.
Secret meetings have already been held by finance
ministers and central bank governors in Russia, China, Japan and
Brazil to work on the scheme, which will mean that oil will no longer be priced in dollars.
The plans, confirmed to The Independent by both Gulf
Arab and Chinese banking sources in Hong Kong, may help to explain
the sudden rise in gold prices, but it also augurs an extraordinary
transition from dollar markets within nine years.
The Americans, who are aware the meetings have taken
place - although they have not discovered the details - are sure to
fight this international cabal which will include hitherto loyal
allies Japan and the Gulf Arabs. Against the background to these
currency meetings, Sun Bigan, China's former special envoy to the
Middle East, has warned there is a risk of deepening divisions
between China and the US over influence and oil in the Middle East.
"Bilateral quarrels and clashes are unavoidable," he told the Asia
and Africa Review. "We cannot lower vigilance against hostility in
the Middle East over energy interests and security."
This sounds like a dangerous prediction of a future
economic war between the US and China over Middle East oil - yet
again turning the region's conflicts into a battle for great power
supremacy. China uses more oil incrementally than the US because its
growth is less energy efficient. The transitional currency in the
move away from dollars, according to Chinese banking sources, may well be gold. An indication of the huge amounts involved can be gained from the wealth of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar who together hold an estimated $2.1 trillion in dollar reserves.
The decline of American economic power linked to the
current global recession was implicitly acknowledged by the World
Bank president Robert Zoellick. "One of the legacies of this crisis
may be a recognition of changed economic power relations," he said in Istanbul ahead of meetings this week of the IMF and World Bank. But
it is China's extraordinary new financial power - along with past
anger among oil-producing and oil-consuming nations at America's
power to interfere in the international financial system - which has
prompted the latest discussions involving the Gulf states.
Brazil has shown interest in collaborating in
non-dollar oil payments, along with India. Indeed, China appears to
be the most enthusiastic of all the financial powers involved, not
least because of its enormous trade with the Middle East.
China imports 60 per cent of its oil, much of it from
the Middle East and Russia. The Chinese have oil production
concessions in Iraq - blocked by the US until this year - and since
2008 have held an $8bn agreement with Iran to develop refining
capacity and gas resources. China has oil deals in Sudan (where it
has substituted for US interests) and has been negotiating for oil
concessions with Libya, where all such contracts are joint ventures.
Furthermore, Chinese exports to the region now account for no fewer than 10 per cent of the imports of every country in the Middle East, including a huge range of products from cars to weapon
systems, food, clothes, even dolls. In a clear sign of China's
growing financial muscle, the president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, yesterday pleaded with Beijing to let the yuan
appreciate against a sliding dollar and, by extension, loosen China's
reliance on US monetary policy, to help rebalance the world economy
and ease upward pressure on the euro.
Ever since the Bretton Woods agreements - the accords
after the Second World War which bequeathed the architecture for the
modern international financial system - America's trading partners
have been left to cope with the impact of Washington's control and,
in more recent years, the hegemony of the dollar as the dominant
global reserve currency.
The Chinese believe, for example, that the Americans
persuaded Britain to stay out of the euro in order to prevent an
earlier move away from the dollar. But Chinese banking sources say
their discussions have gone too far to be blocked now. "The Russians
will eventually bring in the rouble to the basket of currencies," a
prominent Hong Kong broker told The Independent. "The Brits are stuck in the middle and will come into the euro. They have no choice
because they won't be able to use the US dollar."
Chinese financial sources believe President Barack
Obama is too busy fixing the US economy to concentrate on the
extraordinary implications of the transition from the dollar in nine
years' time. The current deadline for the currency transition is
2018.
The US discussed the trend briefly at the G20 summit
in Pittsburgh; the Chinese Central Bank governor and other officials
have been worrying aloud about the dollar for years. Their problem is that much of their national wealth is tied up in dollar assets.
"These plans will change the face of international
financial transactions," one Chinese banker said. "America and
Britain must be very worried. You will know how worried by the
thunder of denials this news will generate."
Iran announced late last month that its foreign
currency reserves would henceforth be held in euros rather than
dollars. Bankers remember, of course, what happened to the last
Middle East oil producer to sell its oil in euros rather than dollars. A few months after Saddam Hussein trumpeted his decision, the
Americans and British invaded Iraq.

http://www.readersupportednews.org/news-section2/320-80/9635-focus-the-demise-of-the-dollar

आवा गणतंत्र दिवस म गढ़वालि शीखा

2012-01-27T07:34:00.001-08:00

आवा गणतंत्र दिवस म गढ़वालि शीखा

LET US LEARN GARHWALI THROUGH GERMAN AND ENGLISH

___________________________

SECHZEHNTE ON : SIXTEENTH LESSON : SOLON PATH : सोलों पाठ

BY: KHUSHAL SINGH RAWAT , MUMBAI

________________________________________________________________

VORBEREITUNGEN ZUR REISE : PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY

सफ़र कि त यारी

-------------------------------------------------------

GERMAN : Wie wir schon erwahnt haben, ist die Familie Schulz mit der

Familie Lessing verwandt. Lessings haben ihre Pauri Verwandten eingeladen, sie zu besuchen. Die Familie Schulzz hat die Einladung angenommen. Sie werden eine Woche inRamnagar bleiben und dann fur vierzehn Tage an die See fahren.

ENGLISH : As we have already mentioned, the Schulz family is related to the Lessing family. The Lessing have invited their Pauri relatives to visit them. The Schulz family have accepted the invitation. They will stay in Ramnagar for one week and then go to the seaside for fortnight.

ROMAN GARHWALI : Janu ki hamal pailee batai ki Schulz ar Lessing ku kutumb ku apas ma rishta cha. Lessing la Paudi batee ristadar milna khunee bulai. Schulz ka kutumb waloo la haan kaar. Wu log Ramnagar ma ek hafta khuni raala ar pheeri samudra chhal dwee hafta ku jaala.

गढवाली : जन कि हमल पैली बतै छौ , शुल्ज अर लेसिंग कु कुटुंब कु आपस म रिश्ता छौ लेसिंग ला पौडी बटी रिश्तदार मिळणा कु बुलाई छौ. शुल्जका कुटुंब करोन हं करी . वू लोगरामनगर म एक हफ्ता खुणी राला अर फीरी समोद्र का छाल द्वी हफ्ता कु जाला .

Zwei Tage vor der Abreise hat Frau Schulz zu packen begonnen. Sie hat die meisten Sachen in einen grossen Reisekoffer gepackt. Fur ihren Mann hat sie zwei Anzuge, drei Paar Schuhe, sechs Hemden, ebenso viele Unterhosen, ein Dutzend Kragen und ein halbes Dutzend Taschenticher eingepaket.

Two days before the departure Mrs. Schulz began to pack. She packed most of the things in a big trunk. For her husband she packed two suits, three pairs of shoes, six shirts, the same number of pants, dozen collars and half a dozen handkerchiefs.

Jaan se dwee din paili Mrs Schulz samaan dharan lagi gya. Ween jaroori

samaan ek bagus ma bhori deen. Apda adimee khuni ween (weenl) dwee soont, teen jwada jutaa, chhai kurta, wutgai pant, ek dazon kola ar adha darzon rumaal bhori deen.

जाण से द्वी दिन पैली मिसेज शुल्ज सामान धरण लगी ग्या . वी न जरुरी समान एक बगस म भोरी दिन .अप्डा आदमी खुणी वी न द्वी सून्ट, तीन जोडी जुता , चार कुर्ता , उतगै पैन्ट ,एक दरजन कॉलर अर अधा दरजन रुमाल भोरी दिन .

Fur sich selbst hat sie Kleider, Wasche und Schuhe eingepackt. Sie nimmt

zwei Kostume mit, hat aber nur eins eingepackt. Das andere wird sie auf

der Reise tragen. Auch die Sachen fur die Kinder hat sie in den Reisekoffer gepackt. Die Toilettenartikel hat sie in einen Handkoffer gelegt.

For herself she packed dresses, underwear and shoes. She is taking two

costumes with her but has only packed one. She will wear the other on the

journey. She also packed the things for the children in the trunk. The

toilet articles she put into a suitcase.

Aphu khuni ween laara, bhitra ka laara ar jutaa bhwari. Wa dwee kurta

sular lijaneech par kewal ikhya hi dhar. Ek wa saffar ma pairi ki li

jaali. Ween nounyalu ku bhi kuchh samaan bagas ma bhwar. Kangee, saaban, brush ween sootcase ma dhar

अपु खुणि वी न लारा, भीतर का लारा अर जुता भ्वरी. व द्वी जोडी कुर्ता सुलार अफू दगडी लि जाणी चा पर एक जोडी हि धार.. दुसरी व

सफर म पैरी कि जाली .वी न नौन्यालू कु भी कुछ समान बगस म भ्वार. कंगी. साबण, बुरश वीन सूटकॅस म धार

Wahrend seine Frau mit Packen ;beschaftigt war , hat Herr Schulz das

Kursbuch studiert. Das ist ein Buch, in dem man sehen kann, wann die Zuge abfahren und wann sie ankommen. Ein Zug fahrt um acht Uhr zehn von Haridwar ab, aber das ist etwas zu fruh fur sie. Der nachste Zug fahrt um halb zehn, ist aber ein Personenzug, der sehr langsam fahrt und auf allenkleinen Stationen halt. Sie haben sich entschlossen, den zehn Uhr Zug zu nehmen. Es ist ein Schnellzug.

While his wife was busy packing, Mr. Schulz has studied the time table.

This is a book in which one can see when the trains leave and when they

arrive. One train leaves Haridwar at ten past eight, but that is rather too

early for them. The next train leaves at half past nine, but it is stopping

train, which is very slow and stops at all the small stations. They decided

to take the ten o'clock train. It is a fast train.

जब मिस्टर शुल्ज कि जननी समान धरणं म लगी छै त वू रेल गाडी कु टेंम टेबल द्यखणू छो . या किताब म गाडी का बारा म देखी सकदा कि कब गाडी छुटन्द अर कब पौछंद. एक गाडी आठ बंजी कि दस मिनट म हरिद्वार बटी छुटन्द पर वू वूखुणी भौत जल्दी कि होणी चा..एका बाद कि गाडी साडे नौ बंजी छुटन्द पर या रुकणि वाली गाडी चा जू कि भौत हि मठू मठू कै अर हर एक छोटा इसटेसनो म रुकंद . वून्ल दस बंजी कि गाडी पखडणा कि स्वाच.. या तेज चळणी वली गाडी चा.

Jetzt ist die Familie reisefertig. Hans hat ein Auto geholt, der Chauffeur

hat den Koffer die Treppe hinuntergetragen und neben seinen Sitz gestellt. Das kleine Gepack hat die Familie mit in den Wagen genommen. Die Nachbarn haben ihnen " Auf Wiedersehen " gesagt und " Gute Reise " gewunscht. Nun fahrt das Auto ab.

Now the family is ready for the journey. Hans has fetched a car, the driver

has taken the trunk downstairs and put it next to his seat. The family have

taken the small luggage with them in to the car. The neighbours have said " Good - bye " to them and wished them " Bon - voyage ". Now the car is

setting off.

Ab kutum tayar ch safar kana ku.Hans la ek kar kairi yala, drabar sandook

phaidewnd lee gya ar apdi seet ka bagal ma dhairi yaal. sabya mabat chhwata chhwata saman kaar ma ligee. Unka khwal woonkhuni

" Jaawa ho " bwal ar " yatra saffal hoona ki shubh kamana dinee. Ab kar jaan bati gya.

अब कुटुम तयार च सफर कना कु . हंस ला एक कार कैरी याली,.ड्रेबर संदूक फैडिउंद ली ग्या अर अपडी सीट का बगल म धैरी याल . सब्या माबत छ्वाटा - छ्वाटा समान कार म ली गीन . उनका ख्वाल वालो न " जावा हो " बवल अर " यात्रा सफ्फल हुणा कि शुभ कामना" दिनी. अब कार जाण बटी ग्या.

______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Wir fahren nach Berlin. Sie fahren nach Amerika. Das Flugzeug fliegt nach

Spanien.

We are going to Berlin. They are going to America. The aeroplane is going

to Spain.

Ham Berlin janaa chha. Wu Amerika Janaa chhan. Hawa jaaz spain janoo cha.

हम बर्लिन जाणा छा . वू अमेरिका जाणा छन. हवाजाज़ स्पेन जाणू चा

Wir gehen zu meinem Onkel. Die Kinder gehen zur Schule. Ich gehe zum

Schneider.

We are going to my uncle. The children go to school. I am going to the

tailor.

Ham myara kakaa ka paas janaa chh. Nounyal sgool janaa chhan. Mi oujee ka paas janoo chhoun.

हम म्यारा कका का पास जा णा छा . नौन्याल स्गोल जाणा छन. मि औजी का पास जाणू छौं.

Sie gehet zur Schneiderin. Wir gehen heute Abend ins Theater.

She is going to the dressmaker. We are going to the theatre tonight.

Wa apadi dress bana n wala ka paas janee cha. Ham sanima haal ma aaj raati janaa chha.

व अपड़ी ड्रेस बणाण वला का पास जाणी चा. हम सनीमा हाल मा आज राती जा णा छा.

____________________________________________________________________

Ich wasche mich vor dem Essen. Sie haben sich schnell angekleidet.

I wash before meal. They got dressed quickly.

Mi khanu se pailee dhoondu. Woon cham laara pairi ki taiyar whe geen.

मि खाणा खाणु से पैली धू न्दू . वूंन चम् लारा पैरी की तैयार व्हे गीं

Er hat sich in den Finger geschnitten. Ich habe es selbst getan.

He cut his finger. I did it myself.

Wel apadi anguli kati dya. Mil aphi kayee.

वेल अपड़ी अंगुली कटी डया . मिल अफ़ी काई.

Haben Sie das selbst gemacht ? Sie hat den Pullover selbst gestrickt.

Did you make that yourself ? She knitted the pullover herself.

Kya tumal se tai aphi banayee ? ween Khandyala aphi boo n.

क्या तुमल से तै अफ़ी बनाई ? वींल खडयाला अफ़ी बूण .

Haben Sie diesen Kuchen selbst gebacken ?

Did you bake this cake yourself ?

Kya tumal yu kek aphi banayee ?

क्या तुमल यु केक अफ़ी ब़ाणाई ?

__________________________________________________________

END OF LESSON SIXTEEN.. सोलों पाठ समाप्त

The Economist on the failed coup in Bangladesh (A MUST READ!)

2012-01-27T07:32:00.001-08:00

The Economist on the failed coup in Bangladesh (A MUST READ!)

Turbulent house
The Economist January 28, 2012

[Ishraq Ahmed] makes many claims. Among the more plausible and specific
is that spies from India's Research Analysis Wing (RAW) operate in
the country. He claims, too, that for two years RAW has had an office
within the headquarters of Bangladeshi Intelligence in Dhaka and a
"direct submarine cable for communications" back to India. He
claims that Indians conduct electronic surveillance in the country and
kidnap suspects from Bangladeshi cities. Indian prodding, he adds,
encourages the government to crack down on "anyone with beards. Any
practising Muslim is vilified and portrayed as Taliban."

FULL ARTICLE

http://deshcalling.blogspot.com/2012/01/turbulent-house.html
<http://deshcalling.blogspot.com/2012/01/turbulent-house.html>

Demands for sharia law as Muslim Brotherhood emerges in Libya

2012-01-27T07:30:00.001-08:00

The article below the main article, reveals that not only did Obama and his fellow Socialists in the Democratic Party orchestrate the over throw of Gadaffi with their European Socialist National cohorts in NATO and the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization under the false pretense of installing a Democracy in Libya that he deceived Americans would be like the Democracy that the founding fathers of the US established, but according to the article Obama and his fellow Socialists in the Democratic Party are now sending US troops to help the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen, which operates under the Islah Party, to defeat al-Qaeda strongholds in southern Yemen and to help the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia counter the growing al-Qaeda in the Maghreb presence in these countries. These Socialists should to be removed from their political offices and put in Gitmo and prosecuted with their Muslim Brotherhood terrorist cohorts. These activities are part of the fulfillment of Rev. 18:2, which foretold that Babylon the Great would become a prison for every hateful bird, which includes the Socialists in the Democratic Party.

Rev 18:2 and he cried out with a mighty voice, saying "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.

In Rev. 18:4 Jesus forewarns those believers that are supporters of the now Socialist Democratic Party, they will receive their plagues.

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues;

According to Rev. 18:24 the Socialists in the Democratic Party will continue to succeed in causing America to become responsible for killing the Christian prophets (correct those who teach the gift of prophecy is no more and blaspheme those with the gifts) with in her and through their ongoing Socialist crusades in Africa and the Middle East become responsible for all who are slain on the earth.

Rev 17:12 "And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. {13} "These have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast.

Rev 17:16 "And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. 17 "For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.

Rev. 18:21 Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.

Rev 18:24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."

John saw in Rev. 17:12 & 16 and in Rev. 18:21 that the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliate terrorist organizations, which are symbolized by the ten horns, or kings, which are the leaders of the terrorist organizations that are operating with in the ten nations that are fighting as a kingdom with Israel and have branches in the USA, thanks to the Socialists in the Democratic Party, will join with the Antichrist (the beast) in their common purpose to defeat the USA militarily, which occurs because of the anti-Christian/Semitic activities of these Socialists.

According to Jesus, John, Paul, Daniel and Zecharia the believers will be rescued in the resurrection of the dead and those who are alive at the time just after Babylon the Great is defeated.

Jesus

Mat. 24:29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, {30} and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. {31} "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

John

(Rev 19) 1 After these things I heard, as it were, a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; {2} BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER."

Rev 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." {8} And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Paul

(2 Th 2:1-5) Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, {2} that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. {3} Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, {4} who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. {5} Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

Daniel

(Dan 11:31) "And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

(Dan 12:1-2) "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. {2} "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Zechariah

Zech. 14:1 Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. 4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. 5 You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!

Demands for sharia law as Muslim Brotherhood emerges in Libya

Posted on January 22, 2012 by creeping

More than $1 billion of your tax dollars confiscated for Obama's unConstitutional Libyan war to usher in sharia law. Taxation for Islamization! via Libyan Islamists rally to demand Sharia-based law | Al-Masry Al-Youm

Hundreds of Libyan Islamists rallied on Friday to demand that Muslim Sharia Law serve as a primary source of legislation. The rally's organizers called the event a response to the emergence of secular political parties after the fall of Muammar Qadhafi's dictatorship last year.

Assembled by Islamist political and religious groups, mostly young and bearded men holding up copies of the Koran demonstrated in squares in the capital Tripoli, the eastern city of Benghazi, and in Sabha in the southern desert.

In Tripoli's Algeria Square, Islamists burned copies of the "Green Book," Qadhafi's eccentric handbook on politics, economics and everyday life, to underline that the Koran should be the country's main source of legislation.

By contrast, a group of secularists who have staged a sit-in in the square for more than a month chanted: "We want a civil state."

The Islamist demonstrators encompassed members of the conservative Muslim Brotherhood and harder-line Salafis, who both back strict versions of Islam, and relative moderates who prefer a civil state simply inspired by Sharia.

The protests offered a glimpse into Libya's political future in which Islamist and secularist parties are expected to vie for seats in a national assembly scheduled to be elected in June to draft a constitution for the North African country.

Experts believe the Muslim Brotherhood is the most organized political force and could emerge as the leading political player in Libya after Qadhafi, who harshly suppressed Islamists during his 42 years in autocratic power.

Western powers are coming to accept that the advent of democracy in the Arab world means bringing Islamists to power. They have become the biggest election winners in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco over the past few months.

--------

Al-Qaida franchises expanding operations

Could move Obama decision 'from disaster to debacle'

Publishing Date: 01.01.12 12:41

By F. Michael Maloof

WASHINGTON – The leaders of al-Qaida's terror operations are planning to move more resources from Pakistan, where they have been headquartered previously, to Africa as the franchises there expand their work to take advantage of the mainly pro-Islamic revolutions across North Africa and in the Middle East countries. The reason is that U.S. drone attacks have been having an increasing impact. And in apparent anticipation of such a move by al-Qaida, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta already has said that U.S. counter-terrorism efforts will shift from Afghanistan to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, are on the rise. AQAP is making inroads into Yemen where it controls entire provinces. It is using Yemen as a base to infiltrate neighboring Saudi Arabia. Regional experts say that political upheaval across North Africa also has assisted AQIM in expanding its presence and influence there. Sources say that several senior al-Qaida militants have moved into Libya to take advantage of the lack of any cohesive government there. One of the major al-Qaida personalities, Abu Yahya al-Libi, who is from Libya, may already be there. He is al-Qaida central's third in command and recently was in Pakistan. Al-Libi is AQ's leading ideologue and strategist who once was at the U.S. prison at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan but escaped in July 2005. Since the upheaval in neighboring Egypt, al-Qaida also is moving into the Sinai Peninsula where the Egyptian military and police had a presence but have retreated in recent months, making the region increasingly lawless and ungovernable. As a consequence, the natural gas pipeline linking Egypt in the Sinai with Israel has been subject to numerous bombings attributed to AQ in the Sinai, which apparently has linked up with local Bedouin tribesmen and Hamas from the Gaza Strip to stage attacks on the 140-mile stretch of land that borders Israel. The Israelis estimate that as many as 400 AQ militants are in the region. Regional analysts anticipate that the security situation in the Sinai will only grow worse given the geopolitical direction the country is heading with Islamists becoming increasingly prominent in the ongoing parliamentary elections and the expected presidential elections next year. In addition, analysts see AQIM attempting to link up with elements in East Africa, such as the Boko Haram in northern Nigeria and the al-Shabaab in Somalia. AQIM's rise and linkage with other Islamist militant groups poses a potential threat to southern Europe. All members of al-Qaida central's top echelon come from Africa. In addition to al-Libi, Ayman al-Zawahiri, who succeeded Osama bin Laden as al-Qaida leader following bin Laden's death last May 2 in a U.S. SEAL raid in Pakistan, is from Egypt. AQ's second in command is Said al-Adel, who also is an Egyptian and has a background as a former Special Forces officer. Given that these North Africans now form AQ's core leadership, it may explain why the organization may be shifting from Pakistan back to the Arab world. Such a strategic shift also could adversely affect any trend toward democracy in the North Africa and Middle East regions, in which Arab autocrats have been removed from power. And there's a footnote to the U.S. departure from Iraq: al-Qaida is moving back there as well. It sees an opportunity to join with the Sunni minority who feel that the Shi'ite regime of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is taking advantage of the U.S. departure to contain the Sunni influence in the country. In recent days, his government issued an arrest warrant for his Sunni vice president, Tareq al-Hashemi, promising to further irritate already tense sectarian relations between Iraqi Sunnis and Shi'ites. Al-Maliki accuses him of terrorism by ordering assassinations and bombings against Iraqi government and security officials. When Sunni President Saddam Hussein ran Iraq, he exhibited even more brutal actions against Shi'ites. While al-Maliki hasn't gone to the extremes of brutality that Hussein did, increasing opposition to the Sunnis could drive them closer to al-Qaida and expand their influence greatly. "If that happens," according to Marc Thiessen of the Washington think-tank American Enterprise Institute, "then (President Barack) Obama's decision to reject his commanders' advice and withdraw all U.S. forces will go from a disaster to a debacle.

Bro. James D Albright

To read the main paper that this article supports go to: http://jamesdalbright.org/archives/19

ANHRI من يقف خلف اغتيال النشطاء السياسيين ؟

2012-01-27T07:28:00.001-08:00

De: ANHRI <anhri@lists.anhri.net>
Objet: [ ANHRI ] ANHRI congrtulates Arab winners of PEN award; Iraq illegally detains a journalist and who's behind murder of activists in Egypt
À: anhri@lists.anhri.net
Date: Dimanche 22 janvier 2012, 16h44

الشبكة العربية تحتفى بفوز وراق وسليمان ونينى بجائزة القلم الدولية

القاهرة فى 22 يناير 2012

إحتفت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان اليوم، بفوز كلا من الصحفيين السودانيين الحاج وراق، وعبد المنعم سليمان، والصحفى المغربى رشيد نينى بجائزة منظمة القلم الدولية لحرية الراى والتعبير لعام 2011.

في احتفالها الذي أقيم في هولندا بتاريخ 19 يناير 2012 منحت منظمة القلم الدولية جائزتها السنوية لستة من الصحفيين منهم الصحفيين السودانيين الحاج وراق، مؤسس صحيفة "أجراس الحرية"، ورئيس تحريرها، عبد المنعم سليمان، والصحفى المغربى رشيد نينى، رئيس تحرير جريد "المساء" السجين حاليا، بالاضافة للناشطة الإيرانية آسيه اميني، و الصحفى المكسيكى خيوسو ليموس، والصحفى الروسى ميخائيل بيكنوف، بإعتبارهم من الصحفيين الذين تصدوا للعنف والافلات من العقاب والسجن، دفاعاً عن إيمانهم بحرية الراى والتعبير .

تمنح القلم الدولية جائزتها للمدافعين عن حرية الرأي وحرية الصحافة التي تعتبر من حقوق الإنسان الأساسية. كما تمنحها كذلك للصحفيين والكتاب والشعراء والناشرين الذين يتعرضون للتضييق عليهم والخناق بسبب عملهم، وتتمثل الجائزة في شهادة تقدير ومبلغ مالي قدره 2500 يورو.

وقالت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان " إن تكريم اصحاب الراى والمدافعين عن حرية الراى والتعبير امرا يدفعهم لبذل المزيد من الجهد فى دفاعهم عن الحريات "

وأضافت" هناك الكثير من اصحاب الراى فى الوطن العربى ممن يواجهون الكثير من المصاعب والمتاعب بسبب ارائهم ومواقفهم وعلينا جميعا بذل جل جهودنا لضمان حرية الراى والتعبير فى المنطقة العربية"

لمزيد حول وضع حرية الراى والتعبير:

المغرب

السودان

--------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/?p=47611

--------------------------------------------

==============================================

العراق: الشبكة العربية تدين احتجاز الصحفي علي الفياض دون اذن قضائي

القاهرة في 22 يناير 2012

استنكرت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان اليوم، احتجاز الصحفي علي الفياض المراسل الصحفي لجريدة "الزمان"ورئيس تحرير وكالة"السلطة الخامسة"للانباء منذ خمسة أيام من قبل شرطة حماية المنشأت دون الإستناد الى قانون ما أو إذن قضائي.

فقد احتجزت شرطة حماية منشأت "واسط" الواقعة وسط العراق الصحفي علي الفياض لاتهامه بنشر خبر "فصل 36 شرطي من محافظة واسط" والذي تناقلته الوكالات الاخري وبثته قناة العراقية الفضائية وقناة البغدادية، ولا يزال محتجزا الي الان.

هذا ويعاني الصحفيين ووسائل الاعلام في العراق من التضييق واحكام القبضة الأمنية عليهم من قبل السلطات واستهدافهم والاعتداء عليهم جسديا،ففي 20 يناير الجاري تم الاعتداء بالضرب علي الصحفي "صفاء واهم"والذي يعمل صحفيا حرا اضافة الي القيام بسحله من قبل عناصر الحماية في مستشفى "الكندي العام" وسط بغداد اثناء قيامه بإعداد تحقيقا صحفيا عن"أسلوب إرغام المواطنين على دفع الرشا للموظفين المسئولين عن دخولهم المستشفي" وانتقاده لذلك.

وقالت الشبكة العربية:" إن الإحتجاز التعسفي لـ "الفياض" من قبل مديرية شرطة حماية المنشآت يعد منافيا لاختصاصها وذلك يعتبر انتهاكا لسيادة القانون، واعتداءا صريحا علي حرية الاعلام والصحفيين، ونوع من احكام القبضة الامنية عليهم بهدف تكميم افواههم عن نقل الحقيقة للجمهور" .

واضافت الشبكة العربية ان الصحفيين في العراق اصبحوا محاصرين بين قمع السلطات التي تحاول بشتي الطريق التضييق عليهم واثنائهم عن كشف الفساد الذي يحدث في المؤسسات الرسمية للدولة، اضافة الي خطر الجماعات المسلحة التي تستهدفهم من وقت لاخر "

وطالبت الشبكة العربية السلطات العراقية برفع القبضة الامنية عن حرية الاعلام والراي والتعبير وافساح المجال لكل صاحب رأي وفكر لان يعبر عن رأيه كيفما يشاء طالما لا يتعارض ذلك مع الدستور والقانون.

--------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/?p=47633

-------------------------------------------

=================================================

من يقف خلف اغتيال النشطاء السياسيين ؟!

الشبكة العربية تحمل السلطات المصرية مسئولية الكشف عن ملابسات اغتيال محمد جمال

القاهرة في 22 يناير 2012

أعربت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الإنسان اليوم, عن إنزعاجها الشديد من خبر إغتيال الناشط السياسي محمد جمال عضو إئتلاف لجان الدفاع عن الثورة علي ايدي مجهولين فجر امس السبت 21 يناير خلف دار القضاء العالي عقب مغادرته لوقفة احتجاجيه نظمها مع زملاءه امام مكتب النائب العام للمطالبة بتطهير القضاء.

وكان جمال قد غادر الوقفة الاحتجاجية في تمام الساعة الرابعة فجراً بعد أن اتفق مع زملاءه الناشطين علي تنظيم مسيرات للمطالبة باستقلال القضاء وتنظيم مشاركتهم في مظاهرات 25 يناير وبعد إنصرافه بدقائق عاد الي زملاءه المعتصمين امام مكتب النائب العام وهو ينزف علي آثر طعنة بآلة حادة, وكان يشير لزملاءه بيده خلف دار القضاء العالي قبل ان يفارق الحياة.

وعلي صعيد آخر توفي في اليوم نفسه -السبت 21 يناير- الناشط السياسي كريم ابو زيد عضو ائتلاف الثورة بالغربية في حادث غامض علي الطريق الصحراوي اثناء توجهه للمنيا للمشاركة بمؤتمر ثوار مصر الثاني.

وحملت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الإنسان السلطات المصرية مسئولية الكشف عن ملابسات اغتيال النشطاء والكشف عن مرتكبي جريمة قتل محمد جمال وتزامنه مع مقتل كريم ابوزيد لا سيما وإن الاغتيال من المرجح ان يكون قد حدث علي خلفية الدعوة للتظاهر السلمي لاستكمال الثورة المصرية يوم 25 يناير القادم فضلاً عن أن الحكومة هي الجهة المسئولة عن حماية المواطنين وتقاعسها عن تقديم الجناة للمحاكمة يعد مشاركة في الجريمة"

وقالت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الإنسان "لا نعلم حتي الأن ما هي الأسباب الحقيقية لاغتيال الناشط محمد جمال او ظروف الحادث الذي ادي لوفاة الناشط كريم ابوزيد ولكننا ننتظر أن يتم اجراء تحقيق عاجل وشفاف للكشف عن ملابسات تلك الجرائم خاصة وإننا نخشي ان تكون هناك جهة تقوم بتنفيذ مخطط تصفية جسدية للنشطاء لا سيما وإنه سبق وان تلقي بعض النشطاء تهديدات بالتصفية"

موضوعات متعلقة :

مكالمات تهديد وتتبع للمحامين واختطاف طبيب وتعذيبه بسبب توثيق حالات شهداء ومصابي الثورة

---------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/?p=47651

------------------------------------

=========================================================

ANHRI congratulates Arab winners of 2012 Oxfam/PEN Award

Cairo- 22 January 2012

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) celebrates today the three Arab winners of the Oxfam/PEN Award given to writer and journalists defending for freedom of expression: The Moroccan Rachid Nini and the two Sudanese, Alhaj Warrag and Abdul Monem Soliman.

In a ceremony in The Hague on 19 January 2012, six writers have received the 2012 Oxfam/PEN Award: Moroccan (Almasa'a) newspaper editor Rachid Nini; (jointly) the two Sudanese Alhaj Warrag, "Truth Rings" newspaper founder and editor, and columnist Abdul Moniem Soliman, Iranian journalist, blogger and activist Asieh Amini; Mexican journalist and writer Jesús Lemus Barajas and Russian journalist Mikhail Bekhetof. These writers have suffered violence, imprisonment and impunity for their peaceful work and resistance. Rachid Nini is currently in prison in Morocco.

The Oxfam Novib/PEN Awards are an annual event to recognise writers who have been persecuted for their work and continue working despite the consequences. A collaboration between PEN International Writers in Prison Committee, the PEN Emergency Fund and Oxfam Novib, winners of the annual Awards receive a certificate and a cash prize of 2,500 euros.

ANHRI said: "rewarding opinion makers and defenders of freedom of expression does encourage them and others to exert more efforts in defending freedoms" given the fact that "there are many defenders of freedom of expression in the Arab world who suffer enormous troubles and difficulties because of their opinions and positions, yet all of us must do all our best to guarantee the right to freedom of expression for everybody in the Arab world"

For more information (in Arabic) on freedom of expression in Sudan and Morocco

----------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=6267

----------------------------------------------

=========================================================

Iraq: Illegal detention of the Journalist Ali Alfayad a blatant violation to press freedom

Cairo- 22 January 2012

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned today the illegal detention of the Iraqi journalist Aly Alfayad, reporter of Al-Zaman newspaper and editor of Al-Solta Al-Khamsa [The 5^th Authority] News Agency, 5 days ago by the facilities protection police.

The facilities protection police at Waset governorate in the center of Iraq, arrested and detained Alfayad for publishing news about the "termination of 36 policemen in Waset governorate" which was conveyed by different news agencies and two TV news channels, Al-Iraqya Sat and AlBoghdadya. He has been detained up till writing this press release.

Iraqi journalists and media means are suffering under restrains; the authorities' clampdown; targeting and physical assaults. In the 20^th of Jan. the police guards of the Canadian Public Hospital in the center of the Iraqi Capital Baghdad, assaulted the freelance journalist Safaa Wahem, by beating and dragging him, while preparing an investigative story on "forcing citizens to bribe officials to log in the hospital"

ANHRI said "the illegal detention of Alfayad by the facilities protection police department is not only not competent and therefor a violation to the rule of law, but also a blatant violation to the press and media freedom, and a form of grip tightening in the context of the gagging campaign aims at blocking journalists from conveying the truth to the public."

Adding that "journalists in Iraq have become on the horns of a dilemma between the authorities' repression and attempts to impose different restrains on their wok; impeding them from exposing corruption in the states' institutions on one side and the danger of the armed groups that target them now and then on the other side", ANHRI calls upon the Iraqi authorities to lift the policing grip on media freedom and the freedom of expression and to open the space for everyone to express ideas and opinions freely as long as it is consistent with the laws and the constitution.

For more information (in Arabic) on Iraq

-----------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=6279

-----------------------------------------------

====================================================

Egypt: Who's behind political activists murders?

ANHRI holds Egyptian authorities the responsibility to investigate Mohamed Jamal murder

Cairo- 22 January 2012

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) expressed today its great annoyance for the news about murdering the political activist Mohamed Jamal, member of a coalition of committees defending the revolution, by anonymous, yesterday 21 Jan. 2012 at dawn, in front of the High Court, while on his way home after a protest in front of the public prosecutor's office demanding judiciary cleanse.
Jamal left the protest at 4 a.m. after agreeing with his colleagues on mobilizing for the marches calling for judiciary independence and on their participation in the forthcoming 25th of January 2012, minutes after he left, Jamal returned to his colleagues' sit- in in front of the public prosecutor's office bleeding of a stab with a sharp blade, he was pointing to his friends at the area behind the High Court when he fell dead.

In a different incident, political activist Karim Abo Zed, member of the revolution coalition in Algharbya governorate, died on the same day 21- Jan. in a mysterious accident on the desert road, in his way to Almenya governorate to attend the 2nd Conference of Egypt's revolutionaries.
ANHRI holds the Egyptian government responsible to investigate the assassinations of Egyptian activists; to arrest Mohamed Jamal murderers and to investigate the coincidence between the two incidents specially that both of them are relating to the calls to peacefully demonstrating to resume the Egyptian revolution on the forthcoming 25th of Jan. "The government is the body responsible for the safety of citizens, and its failure to bring the perpetrators to justice is considered to be collusion"
ANHRI said "we don't know yet the factual reasons behind Jamal murder, nor the circumstances of Abo Zed accident but we are asking for immediate and transparent investigation in these two cases, for we are afraid that there might be a group that carries out a physical liquidation scheme of activists, given the murder threatens that some activists have been receiving earlier."
Related information

Doctor abducted, lawyers stalked and receive threatening calls (20 December 2011)

---------------------------------------------

http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=6284

Obama Supports the Muslim Brotherhood-Muslim Brotherhood Sees Weakness

2012-01-27T07:26:00.001-08:00

Even the unbelievers see that the Democratic Socialists of America or the Progressives in the Democratic Party are adopting the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliate terrorist organizations into their Socialist anti-Christian/Semitic agenda in the USA, Israel and the world. These activities are part of the fulfillment of Rev. 18:2 which foretold that the USA would become a prison for every hateful bird, which includes the Socialists in the Democratic Party, the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliate terrorist organizations as well as the grassroots Socialist voter base. The fact the Democratic Party Socialists have caused America to take the leading role in aiding and abetting the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliate terrorist organizations over throw governments that either outlawed or were keeping the Muslim Brotherhood from taking control of the governments in these countries and they assisted these Muslim terrorists over throw other non-Muslim governments including the Christian government in West Africa is part of the fulfillment of Rev. 18:24, which foretold that Babylon the Great, which is the USA would become the leader of and therefore responsible for the murder of all who have and will be slain on the earth.

Rev 18:24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues;

Obama Supports the Muslim Brotherhood-Muslim Brotherhood Sees Weakness

Sunday, January 8, 2012

By Barry Rubin

Not only is the Obama Administration, as I've written for the last year, favoring radical Islamist forces–despite the fact that these are anti-Western, pro-terrorism, building dictatorships, and openly antisemitic and anti-Christian–but now even the establishment media is admitting it.

A friend of mine said, "Oh, they are probably saying that the Brotherhood is sounding radical publicly but privately reassuring U.S. officials that they are moderate."

"No," I replied. "That's the old way of doing things when it was important to be, or at least to pretend to be, somewhat balanced. Now they say that the Brotherhood sounds moderate both publicly–ignoring all evidence to the contrary–and privately. Those who disagree are merely Republicans trying to defeat Obama in the election, and so should be ignored. The mass media today in such matters is worse than our worst nightmares of a decade ago."

And so for the first time in U.S. history an American government, to the applause of the vast majority of the mass media, is backing an anti-American authoritarian movement. Here's how the New York Times explains it:

"The Obama administration has begun to reverse decades of mistrust and hostility as it seeks to forge closer ties with an organization [the Muslim Brotherhood] once viewed as irreconcilably opposed to United States interests."

Any serious foreign policy analyst should see three red flags in this paragraph:

First, of course the U.S. government must deal with Egypt's government but that doesn't mean it should publicly proclaim that the Brotherhood is a nice group and give what amounts to an unconditional endorsement of it.

Indeed, the Obama Administration and media are using a cheap trick. They confuse the proper, responsible policy of dealing with those in power wihile doing something quite beyond that: a self-destructive policy of rushing to insist that sworn enemies of freedom and the United States are really nice guys and there's no problem with having them in power.

As I've written before, it's possible to elect a dictatorship. The Egyptian people have a right to do so but that doesn't mean the West should like it.

Doesn't anyone remember that the Obama Administration has been apologizing for all the bad regimes America supported in the past? Now Obama is using the exact same argument: claiming that we must be nice to them because they are in power. What's the difference between that and the historic relationship to the Mubarak regime? At least Mubarak supported U.S. interests. These people don't. They have openly supported murdering Americans, especially in Iraq!

In 1979 an Islamist revolution occurred in Iran. The United States quickly recognized that new regime and tried to be buddies with it. We all know how that worked out.

Second, why should the burden of reversing "decades of mistrust and hostility" be exclusively on the United States. Doesn't the Brotherhood, which benefits from U.S. engagement, need to do that also or even beforehand? Why is there no conditionality here, no hint that the Obama Administration or New York Times understands how hostile the Brotherhood has been and continues to be? If the U.S. president won't demand a quid pro quo (something in exchange for his concessions) who is going to look after U.S. interests?

Third, by saying the Brotherhood was "once viewed as irreconcilably opposed to United States interests" the author suggests this is no longer true. We know that the Obama Administration thinks the Brotherhood has changed. Yet there is no evidence in terms of deeds, ideology, or statement made in Arabic that the Brotherhood has done so.

Thus, Obama has given away all U.S. leverage and assets beforehand, just as he did by announcing a year ago, during the revolution's opening days, that he would be happy to accept a Muslim Brotherhood government.

So the Brotherhood's moderation is assumed. The science is settled; the debate is over.

"The reversal also reflects the administration's growing acceptance of the Brotherhood's repeated assurances that its lawmakers want to build a modern democracy that will respect individual freedoms, free markets and international commitments, including Egypt's treaty with Israel."

Wow, yes that's it. The Obama Administration believes what the Brotherhood says and not what has been said by Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and others including many moderate Egyptians. No one has bothered to look at the actual radical record of Brotherhood lawmakers in the last parliament! Obama has chosen his friends and he's on the wrong side.

"And at the same time it underscores Washington's increasing frustration with Egypt's military rulers, who have sought to carve out permanent political powers for themselves and used deadly force against protesters seeking an end to their rule."

This is nonsense. Of course, the military has used force, though rarely deadly force. But what evidence is there that the military wants "permanent political powers"? On two occasions it put forth some demands and then retreated within a few hours when pushed by the Muslim Brotherhood. Yet even when moderates protested in the thousands the army either ignored them or broke up the demonstrations.

Doesn't this tell you something?

In fact, the administration has only criticized and pressured the army, not the Islamists. So here's an understatement:

"…As the Brotherhood moves toward an expected showdown with the military…over who should control the interim government—the newly elected Parliament or the ruling military council—the administration's public outreach to the Brotherhood could give the Islamic movement in Egypt important support. It could also confer greater international legitimacy on the Brotherhood."

It only took a year to figure that out. Yes, the Brotherhood gains more support because of U.S. policy. Some Egyptians argue the Americans back the Brotherhood so they might as well join the winning side. Others argue that the Brotherhood has intimidated the Americans so they are heroes who should be supported.

In other words, Obama isn't just observing but is affecting events. Now, note how the Obama Administration avoids this issue:

"It would be `totally impractical' not to engage the Brotherhood `because of U.S. security and regional interests in Europe,' a senior administration official" said. But we are not talking about holding talks, we're talking about becoming apologists for Islamism, a position announced and defended in a detailed explanation by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It is entirely predictable that as the revolutionary Islamists take anti-American and dicatorial stances the Western media will underreport them and the Obama Administration will ignore them, if only to defend the mistaken ideas they hold and the mistaken policy Obama has staked out.

Notice the use of the word "engage." Earlier, the Obama Administration spent much of its effort engaging Iran and Syria, claiming this was necessary. One thing about this president, and the complicit media, is that they never examine past failures when the precise same strategy is repeated (domestic example: "Stimulus" followed by "Jobs Bill.")

How do we supposedly know the Brotherhood is moderate? Because that is what it tells the Western journalists and diplomats. But that's not what it tells the Egyptian people or its own members: "the official said.…`They've been very specific about conveying a moderate message'…." Indeed, the State Department tells us that the Brotherhood has pledged to maintain "universal human rights" and previous Egyptian government commitments, presumably the peace treaty with Israel.

And, of course, the Brotherhood would never lie to U.S. officials in secret, easily deniable and non-binding chats that run totally contrary to the policies its leaders have advocated every day for decades (including the same week as this New York Times article appeared) and that fit its ideology. The fact that they doubt Obama would do anything about it if they trampled those commitments also makes them less likely to keep such promises.

The fact that Senator John Kerry is leading this effort is even scarier. He has been wrong about every Middle Eastern issue, notably his failed engagement policy with Syria and Iran. Might Kerry learn something from this experience about how radical forces can lie to you and manipulate you into supporting their repressive regimes?

Of course not.

Will anyone in the mass media compare Kerry's positions on engaging Iran and Syria with his making the same mistake now by engaging the Arab Islamists?

Again, of course not. So the public won't hear people say: Hey, hasn't this policy already failed twice under this administration?

Kerry's foolishness is endless. He told the reporter, "The Brotherhood's leaders said they were eager to work with the United States and other Western countries, especially in economic areas." Oh, they want American money. If that doesn't prove they're moderate what does?

And here's an interesting twist, the kind of thing that makes the New York Times the kind of newspaper it is:

"The administration's willingness to engage with the Brotherhood could open President Obama to new attacks by Republicans who are already accusing him letting Islamists take over a pivotal ally. Some analysts, though, said the overtures amounted to a tacit admission that the United States should have begun such outreach to the region's Islamist opposition long ago."

Did you catch that?

First, the Republicans (boo!) will criticize Obama without any basis and, second, the real mistake was that the United States (Bush?) should have engaged Islamists even sooner!

So the idea that Obama is wrong about the Brotherhood is dismissed a mere partisanship. Thus, there need be no actual discussion of whether this charge is true! The Times readers are conditioned to reject anything associated with Republicans. The idea that Obama let (I prefer the words "helped," cheered," and "declared harmless") Islamists take over a pivotal ally is now officially banished. And if you hear someone say otherwise, know that he is a Republican trying to sabotage Obama so ignore that person. Immediately put hands over ears.

Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Doha Center in Qatar, is the person quoted as arguing that the United States missed chances to build ties to "moderate Islamists" earlier. Should America apologize for keeping the Brotherhood waiting? And what about the effort to build ties with "moderate Islamists" like Hizballah, the Iran regime, and Syria's government which is not Islamist but allied with the Islamist bloc?

But here's Hamid's really interesting point: "Now the Brotherhood knows it is in a stronger position and it is almost as if the U.S. is chasing them and they are sitting pretty."

Yes, that's it. They view Obama policy not as one of friendship but of weakness. Thus, they will make no concession—except patience and mouthing soothing words in English—in the pursuit of their radical, anti-American agenda

Bro. James D Albright

To read the main paper that this article supports go to: http://jamesdalbright.org/archives/19

Massive US Troop Movements In California Raise Russian Concerns , plus 10 more

2012-01-27T07:21:00.001-08:00

Massive US Troop Movements In California Raise Russian Concerns , plus 10 more

Massive US Troop Movements In California Raise Russian Concerns

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:45 AM PST

A disturbing report prepared by the Ministry of Defense circulating in the Kremlin today states that Russian Military Officials were rebuffed by NATO yesterday after questions were raised regarding massive troop and war equipment movements in the United States region of California and said to involve over 78,000 soldiers from various countries.

Israel will indeed strike Iran in 2012

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:42 AM PST

One of Israel's leading strategic analysts says the country's leadership believes air strikes can set back the Iranian nuclear programme by three to five years

Fukushima: A Nuclear War without a War: The Unspoken Crisis of Worldwide Nuclear Radiation

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:34 AM PST

The World is at a critical crossroads. The Fukushima disaster in Japan has brought to the forefront the dangers of Worldwide nuclear radiation. The crisis in Japan has been described as "a nuclear war without a war". In the words of renowned novelist Haruki Murakami:

Oklahoma lawmaker wants to stop Pepsi from using aborted fetus cells in soda flavoring research

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:29 AM PST

Is Now The Time To Move Away From Major U.S. Cities?

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:21 AM PST

As the U.S. economy falls apart and as the world becomes increasingly unstable, more Americans than ever are becoming "preppers". It is estimated that there are at least two million preppers in the United States today, but nobody really knows. The truth is that it is hard to take a poll because a lot of preppers simply do not talk about their preparations. Your neighbor could be storing up food in the garage or in an extra bedroom and you might never even know it. An increasing number of Americans are convinced that we are on the verge of some really bad things happening. But will just storing up some extra food and supplies be enough? What is going to happen if we see widespread rioting in major U.S. cities like George Soros is predicting? What is going to happen if the economy totally falls to pieces and our city centers descend into anarchy like we saw in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? In some major U.S. cities such as Detroit, looting is already rampant. There are some sections of Detroit where entire blocks of houses are being slowly dismantled by thieves and stripped of anything valuable. Sadly, the economy is going to get a lot worse than it is at the moment. So is now the time to move away from major U.S. cities? Should preppers be seeking safer locations for themselves and their families? Those are legitimate questions.

Kennedy Tapes: JFK Library Releases Last Of His Secret Tapes

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 03:05 AM PST

Final recordings President John F. Kennedy secretly made in the Oval Office include an eerie conversation about what would become the day of his funeral.

Thousands wage war against ACTAck on Internet

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 02:45 AM PST

Poland is bracing for a new day of protests against a copyright agreement signed by Warsaw on Thursday. Opponents staging demos and hacker attacks say the ACTA treaty amounts to internet censorship and gross violation of human rights.

What happened at Obama-no-show trial

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 02:40 AM PST

Georgia citizens today delivered sworn testimony to a court that Barack Obama is slam-dunk disqualified from having his name on the 2012 presidential ballot in the state, because his father never was a U.S. citizen, which prevents him from qualifying as a "natural-born citizen" as the U.S. Constitution requires for a president.

Weird World! 'Oozing' Alien Planet Is a Super-Earth Wonder

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 02:28 AM PST

A new look at an alien planet that orbits extremely close to its parent star suggests that the rocky world might not be a scorching hot wasteland, as was thought. In fact, the planet may actually be stranger and wetter than astronomers ever imagined.

The End is the Beginning is the End

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 02:18 AM PST

Ashvin Pandurangi: The latest revolution of the Euro Crisis Cycle has brought us back to talks of restructuring Greek sovereign debt through "Private Sector Involvement" (PSI), which are somehow taking place in a Universe where debt restructuring is not allowed to be confused with "debt default" or "bankruptcy". On Friday January 20, the IIF (representing some of Greece's creditors) and the Greek government announced that they had finally reached an "agreement" on the basic structure of the restructuring (or the basic restructuring of the structure?).

Two brave policemen shoot 43-year-old woman in the back with tasers

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 02:10 AM PST

Over the last few years, the use of tasers by police has been the center of some controversy amongst a few members of the general public. While the devices were originally justified as a means to subdue violent criminals without using lethal force, the fact is that tasers have not replaced lethal force at all. They have, however, replaced reason and common sense.

India: New Salman Rushdie row

2012-01-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

India: New Salman Rushdie row

Four news videos follow the story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aktZG6CYpkA&feature=uploademail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KlWKMlRgsE&feature=uploademail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrxUy5PO64&feature=uploademail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTk6xBVZmyE&feature=uploademail

Nepal: Land to the Peasants, or returned to the Landlords? « Frontlines of Revolutionary Struggle

2012-01-27T07:05:00.001-08:00

This is from the Maoist Frontlines of Revolution blog:

Nepal: Land to the Peasants, or returned to the Landlords?
[Feudal landlords and reactionaries have always and everywhere claimed that revolutionary land reform--the seizure of lands for cultivation by landless peasants--is not an expropriation for liberation, but is a criminal theft by undeserving peasants. It was shocking when the Maoist party in Nepal [(UCPN(M)] abandoned the People's War and adopted a bourgeois-constitutional path–and then promised to return the peasant-liberated lands, in order to make peace with the landlords and capitalists. Inevitably, struggle inside the Maoist party ensued, which continues, and which has led to the Party ordering its leadership (which has taken government positions) to reverse its capitulationist deal of returning liberated lands to the landlords. Prime Minister Bhattarai and Party Chairman Dahal (Prachanda) are juggling the opposing goals of maintaining their influence in the Maoist party, while continuing to make unprincipled concessions to the bourgeois parties in the government. Revolutionaries have forced the issue out of the smoke-filled back rooms and into the open for all to see–and continue to press the issue. We shall see. — Frontlines ed.]

—————————

by redstar

Kathmandu, January 26: The secretariat of the standing committee of the UCPN-Maoist urged the government, not to withdraw its decision to legalise land transactions carried out by Maoist-formed 'people's government ' during the period of people's war.

In a meeting held at party Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda's newly residence at Lazimpat on Thursday, they advised the Maoist-led government not to annul January 12 decision.

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai's Cabinet had decided that all the land and property transactions carried out by Maoist people's council during the great people's war, would be given legal status.

Because of the drastic decision of the government, opposition parties the Nepali Congress and the Communist party of Nepal United Marxist and Leninist has condemned it.

As they have been obstructing House since January 17 demanding that the government revoke its January 12 decision, the impending tasks in peace and statute have been severely affected.

http://revolutionaryfrontlines.wordpress.com:80/2012/01/26/nepal-land-to-the-peasants-or-returned-to-the-landlords/

Emirates: Dubai, budget tries to keep debt under control But doubts on ability to fulfil obligations continue

2012-01-27T07:04:00.001-08:00

Emirates: Dubai, budget tries to keep debt under control
But doubts on ability to fulfil obligations continue
05 January, 18:02

(ANSA) - DUBAI, JANUARY 5 - The key words of Dubai's 2012 budget are caution, optimism and recovery, words that were repeated over and over by the emirate's authorities in the past 12 months to citizens, regional markets and international investors. The budget was presented a few days ago and includes a cut of 6.83 billion, to ''improve the efficiency of expenditure while boosting productivity and social and economic return." But there are still doubts if Dubai will be able to pay its pending debts: 12 billion over 2012 and more than 93 for what is called "Dubai Inc.".

The announcement between 2010 and 2011 of a restructuring of the debt of Dubai World, the government holding that forms one of the pillars of Dubai's economy, caused agitation on the regional markets, as well as outside the region. After months of negotiations with banks and creditors, DW has finalized its obligations totalling 20 billion euros, reassuring the interests that gravitate around its economy.

Still, early in 2012 financial analysts once again raised doubts about the solvency of the emirate. The government-related companies with the highest debts include Jebel Ali Free Zone, called to fulfil its obligations of 1.5 billion euros by November and DIFC, Dubai International Financial District, 970 million euros in sukuk (Islamic bonds) with maturity in 2012. There are already some "rescue'' instruments: in 2009 the Fund for financial support was created by the government of Abu Dhabi and the central bank with an endowment of 15.5 billion euros.

Another option is the sale of assets, like DW has already sold some of its international assets, but the success of this option depends on the willingness of foreign investors, which seem less than enthusiastic at the moment. According to the government programme, revenues will be close to 6.5 billion euros, 60% from taxes on services, 22% from customs duties, 11% from the oil sector and 7% from companies that are owned by the government, including Dubai Aluminium, Ducab (which produces power cables) and NBD, the National Bank of Dubai.

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/economics/2012/01/05/visualizza_new.html_40600598.html

Who should be dismissed immediately?

2012-01-27T07:02:00.001-08:00

Who should be dismissed immediately?

Posted by: "S Turkman" turkman@sbcglobal.net turkman@sbcglobal.net

Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:44 am (PST)

Pakistan has been a Military Staged Democracy because GHQ knows, no Charity of
Aid and Loans would be available and country would become like Talibani
Afghanistan if it took over again despite being told not to do so through UN and
British Commonwealth Sanctions against it in 1999. Pak Military does not want
Dollar to become worth Rs. 2 lac like Talibani Currency of Afghanistan because
then, there would be no Imported Products in homes of its Officers and tens of
millions of Pakis would be starving to death just like Afghans.

Military has been toppling Democratically Elected Governments even in its own
Staged Democracy. Gen. Keyani had come to Washington more than two years ago
seeking permission to overthrow Zardari so, no UN Sanctions are passed against
his rule, no kicking out of Commonwealth takes place against Pakistan and Export
Concessions for Pakistan remain in tact. Obama had refused to permit overthrow
of Zardari and told Keyani to stop interfering in Politics. Keyani did not
follow the orders so, he is going to lose his job soon, not Zardari, Memogate or
not.

.
Un-elected servant of Pakistanis like Military is not above Pak Constitution
because it carries Machine Guns, rides in fearsome Tanks and flies Jet
Fighters. Its not above an Elected Government either. Chief Justice is obeying
orders of Gen. Keyani instead of following Constitution so, he should be
dismissed from his job for violating Pak Constitution besides Keyani and ISI
Chief immediately by Pres. Zardari and Prime Minister.

Lets see, what Military can do after that?
Military does not have enough shit in its Guts to overthrow Zardari and face US
Bombing it to Stone Age within just a few days after which Pakistan would be
promptly disintegrated in to a dozen new countries to end all the dangers of
Islamic Bomb and start a new era of peace, prosperity and advancement in Sub
Continent India. So, I actually dare Pak Military to overthrow Zardari
Government even if he does not have Guts to do, what I am proposing.

.
S U Turkman

________________________________

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shaikh Mohommad <shaikh.mohommad@mail.com>

What you have forgotton is STAGE 1, STAGE 2, STAGE 3 and ALL STAGES [ SEE BELOW]

Pakistan Army is holding all the cards.
Pakistan Army decides foreign policy issues.
Pakistan Army is a state within a state
Pakistan Army runs an economic empire
Pakistan Army has staged coups after coups.
Pakistan Army receives money from USA
Pakistan Army kills Pakistanis in Balochistan, Swat and Northern Pakistan
Shall I go on?

Those who oppose Army rule have seen their fate:
Z Bhutto was hanged.
BB was murdered
Now it is Zardari and Hussain Haqqani.
Where it will stop?

Today the reality is that all Political parties have said that they will oppose
Martial Law.
Is that enough?

When will Pakistanis emulate Egypt and other countries and overthrow the Army
rule?

Shaikh Mohommad

----- Original Message -----
>From: Pakistan Foundation
>
>
>Summary of the case
>
>
>According to allegations :
>
>Zardari contacted Hussain Haqqani to approach power circles
>in his host country for saving his chair and in return he promised
>to fire COAS and DG ISI who were not co-operating with them
>and to fullfil their long outstanding desire " access to pak nukes ".
>
>STAGE 2
>
>After surviving , Zardari was unable to meet his promises because
>it was never so easy in Pakistan to unseat a serving COAS and a
>DG ISI who enjoys the confidence of COAS.
>
>STAGE 3
>
>Resuing Force decided to punish Zardari for his broken promise
>which is not something unusual for him by leaking the deal and
>for this job middle man Mansoor Ejaz was selected.
>
>STAGE 4
>
>Mansoor wrote a letter in Financial Times leaking the deal.
>
>STAGE 5
>
>Nawaz Sharif thought it a good case for chasing Zardari and went
>to Supreme Court and Supreme Court appointed a Commission for
>fact finding.
>
>STAGE 6
>
>In the meantime Zardari was working hard to please his masters
>and apparently has succeeded in winning their support once
>again in an atmosphere when Pak army was not willing to work
>with them any more after Salala post incident.
>
>STAGE 7
>
>Signals from all concerned qurters indicate that a deal a struck
>and Memo Gate will be an other open secret of our national
>history. The latest of these signals is PM's retreat from his
>statement about COAS and DG ISI.
>
>STAGE 8
>
>Thats why Mansoor Ejaz has started dragging his feet after the
>deal after getting signal from the rescuers and Nawaz Sharif , the
>petioner has flown out the country on the date of hearning with an
>excuse of medical checkup abroad whereas he is the owner of a
>very modern hospital and medical college in lahore. .
>
>Important :
>
>Although nobody has the right to put the facts under the carpet
>but one thing nation must not digest and that is about the access
>to Pak nukes. A man who compromises on this is not less
>security risk and national criminal than those who promised the
>access.
>
>Nawaz , COAS and DG ISI should not forget that it is not year 2000.
>It is 2012 and any deal on a subject which is about Pak Nukes will not
>tolerated by Pakistani and history.
>
>
>Pakistan Foundation

Scoundrel Corporate Want Narendra Modi As Prime Minister – Exclusive

2012-01-27T06:59:00.001-08:00

Scoundrel Corporate Want Narendra Modi As Prime Minister – Exclusive ©

Honorable Members of Parliament,

I was shocked to find yesterday Essar Steel had commissioned Rs.37,500 crore Flat Products Steel Plant but soon Firstly found out in 2008 Annual Report it was 93% owned by Cayman Island company. Secondly this Indian Funded project would not contribute much to taxes in India, thirdly it would cause all the pollution in high population density Surat district and fourthly displace existing facilities in other states due to excess capacity.

Ø      With Rs.37,500 Crores India could have promoted 10,000 Agro Industries – 20 in each district adding atleast 10% GDP and to benefit 5 crore farmers directly and indirectly compared to NEGATIVE contribution – reducing net employment and increasing cost compared to existing units.

My NRI returned friend invested in Essar Steel subscribing to IPO – purchased 10,000 shares for Rs.220 each when Ruias paid just Rs.10 for each share, for several years ES didn't register the share – finally when registered its value Rs.15-Rs.18 and he than sold it. Had he purchased some plot it would have been worth Rs.10 crores.

Thus Essar Steel largely financially promoted by Indians and debt funded by Indian Bank and Indian money was owned by Ruias almost free is now owned and operated by Ruia company from Cayman Island. Essar Steel retained over subscription as permitted and invested Free Cash in its control to fund (Oil and Gas, Power, Infrastructure, Ports, Projects, Services, Shipping, BPO, Telecom, Realty, Information technology, Publishing, Agribusiness, Essar TV, Partner with Essar, Other businesses.)

Ø      Ruias transferred ESSAR STEEL to Cayman Islands – foreign ownership is 93%. So entire group funded by Indian Equity and Indian Deposits is not registered in India and not contributing to Taxes in India.

Ø      This alone is $30b to $50b Loss to India or transfer of $50b to CAYMAN Island. (Essar Hutch was worth $18.9b)

You wondered how Gujarat as claimed by Narendra Modi is growing fast but firstly not reflected in GDP figures and secondly Gujarati people continues to be Malnourished, Stunted and Under Weight. Essar Projects, RIL, Tata, Adani and others contribute nothing to Gujarat – subsidies are more than tax revenue when most are owned and operated from Tax Heavens. These Foreign Owned companies also claim Corporate Tax Concessions called Tax Forgone.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=73098
As per latest Monthly Per Capita Expenditure Gujarat Ranks 8th and 9th among major states.

I quick succession we found just one family Essar was involved in Foreign Transactions and Illegal Subsidy to

1. Sales tax subsidy of 125% of project cost i.e. Rs.9100 crores to Essar Refinery.

2. $20b Essar Hutch sold out to Vodafone for $12b – India got nothing – even IT case was lost.

3. Essar Steel too is Cayman Island Company 93% directly owned and controlled by Ruias.

4. Tata, Ambanis, Mittals, Ruias, Agarwals etc operate foreign companies from Foreign Heavens with Indian Money.

Similarly many more companies Funded By Indian Banks and Indian money are Registered in Foreign Companies contributing nothing to the states and center as Taxes and little by way of employment – but polluting our Environment.

All these Scoundrel Corporate promote Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.

Ravinder Singh
Progressindia008@yahoo.com
January27, 2012

Essar Steel

http://www.essar.com/upload/pdf/ESTL_AR_08_09.pdf
HOLDING COMPANY
Essar Steel Holdings Ltd (which in turn is a subsidiary of Essar Global Ltd, Cayman Islands – the ultimate holding Company) continues to be the Holding Company of your Company. The ultimate holding company viz. Essar Global Ltd, along with its other subsidiaries, now holds 93.21% equity shares in the
total paid up equity capital of the Company.

http://www.essar.com/article.aspx?cont_id=aWtuL7n6lSQ=
Essar Projects completes world's fourth-largest single-location steel plant in Gujarat

The successful completion of Essar Steel's 5-MTPA steel plant establishes Essar Projects as a leading engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the steel industry.

January 21, 2012

Essar Projects (EPIL) recently handed over the 5-MTPA integrated steel plant to Essar Steel – establishing itself as a leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the steel industry.

The completion of this project makes the Hazira Steel Complex the largest single-location flat steel producer in India and the fourth-largest single-location flat steel producer globally. The complex, with an annual capacity of 10 MTPA, has been completed at a total cost of Rs 37,500 crore.

In a ceremony held at Hazira, A V Amarnath, CEO, Minerals & Metals SBU, Essar Projects, handed over the completed project by presenting a symbolic key to Rajiv Bhatnagar, COO, Essar Steel, and P Alagurajan, Chief – Projects, Essar Steel, in the presence of Alwyn Bowden, President and CEO, Essar Projects and Dilip Oommen, CEO, Essar Steel.

Essar Steel also organized a media briefing, which was addressed by Mr Bowden and Mr Oommen. A presentation on the expansion projects and the capabilities of EPIL was also made by Mr Amarnath. Media from Ahmedabad and Surat were present during the hand-over ceremony, who later also visited the steel plant.

Commenting on the completion of the project, Mr Bowden said, "This project has reinforced the competence of Essar Projects as the premier EPC contactor with great project management skills backed with necessary resources and construction capabilities that gives us further confidence to take up mega projects anywhere in the world."

With this expansion project, Essar Projects has now an established track record in setting up large integrated steel plants from raw material processing to setting up downstream steel processing facilities like plate and pipe mills. Also to its credit is the world's largest gas-based sponge iron plant with a capacity of 6.8 MTPA, set up by EPIL as part of the steel complex.

On completion of the steel complex, Mr Oommen said, "We congratulate Essar Projects for this stupendous achievement. EPIL has built these state-of-the-art facilities within the stipulated time. It is heartening to note that all the facilities are functioning efficiently without any problem. This gives us a clear advantage in bringing down our costs and offers us operational flexibility in terms of usage of raw materials and product mix. While completing this project, we have ensured that the safety and environmental aspects are given due importance in the design, construction and operations of the plant."

With the execution of this mega project, EPIL has demonstrated its capability in implementing such large complex projects to the highest global quality standards. This is among the biggest steel plants built in India in recent times and reflect the company's capability in building world-class infrastructure in India.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=73098
Monthly Per Capita Expenditure & Food Expenditure of States
Figures in Rs. – Figures in Red are above Gujarat

States

MPCE Rural

Food

MPCE Urban

Food

(1)

(2)

(3)

(5)

(6)

Bihar

780

505

1238

655

Chhattisgarh

784

456

1647

720

Orissa

818

507

1548

749

Jharkhand

825

503

1584

816

UP

899

521

1574

728

MP

903

504

1666

694

West Bengal

952

604

1965

907

Assam

1003

646

1755

929

Karnataka

1020

577

2053

869

All-India

1054

600

1984

881

Gujarat

1110

640

1909

882

Maharashtra

1153

623

2437

999

Tamil Nadu

1160

635

1948

876

Rajasthan

1179

647

1663

798

AP

1234

717

2238

1002

Haryana

1510

815

2321

1001

Punjab

1649

795

2109

933

Kerala

1835

843

2413

970

PUBLIC HEALTH Criminal trials T.K. RAJALAKSHMI Questionable drug trials on mentally challenged persons by doctors in Indore emphasise the need for strict enforcement of medical ethics.

2012-01-27T06:55:00.001-08:00

http://www.frontlineonnet.com/stories/20120210290203300.htm

PUBLIC HEALTH

Criminal trials

T.K. RAJALAKSHMI

Questionable drug trials on mentally challenged persons by doctors in Indore emphasise the need for strict enforcement of medical ethics.

T. VIJAYA KUMAR

SOME WOMEN BELONGING to Piduguralla of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, who underwent clinical trials by a pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad, at the Government General Hospital in Guntur. A June 2011 picture.

IN what appears to be a page out of Robin Cook's medical thriller, government and private doctors in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, reportedly carried out clinical trials of various medicines on some 233 patients who had gone to them seeking psychiatric treatment. As in Cook's famous book Coma, in which a medical student uncovers the unethical practices in a hospital and is targeted, a resident doctor with a prominent government hospital in Indore attempted to expose the unethical trials and was removed from service. The trials, using humans as guinea pigs to test medicines produced by pharmaceutical companies, were conducted between January 2008 and October 2010 without following proper guidelines.

Following a huge public and media uproar over the trials and the related deaths, 12 doctors, including six involved in the trials on mentally ill patients, were fined just Rs.5,000 each for not informing the parent hospital about the conduct of the trials and for ignoring protocols. The doctors had apparently obtained the approval from independent ethics committees attached to private hospitals. Five doctors were hauled up by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the State government in 2011. But no action was taken against them. On January 1, the State government imposed a small fine on the 12 doctors. Responding to media reports on the trials conducted on mentally ill patients, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which addresses matters concerning morality relating to clinical trials, issued a notice to the State government on December 23, 2011, and demanded a report within four weeks.

The matter pertaining to the drug trials on mental patients in contravention of Schedule Y of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which has explicit guidelines for clinical trials involving the mentally ill, and the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research on Human Participants, was raised by Anand Rai, a former resident doctor of MGM Memorial Medical College in January 2011. Anand Rai wrote to the NHRC, which in turn referred his complaint to the State Human Rights Commission. Even after several months, no action was taken. The media then began to report the issue, following which the NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the trials.

No one took notice of his complaint, Anand Rai told Frontline. Things were moving but not fast enough.

In the third week of November 2011, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, relating to regulations in clinical trials. The amendments, it said, had been approved by the Drug Technical Advisory Board, a statutory committee under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The notification dated November 18, 2011, pertaining to the draft rules called the Drugs and Cosmetics (3rd Amendment) Rules, 2011, seeks to strengthen the regulations in favour of trial subjects but has many loopholes. Moreover, it was not given adequate publicity to elicit responses.

Public health experts noticed only recently the notification, posted on the website of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), seeking comments from the public within 45 days. " Not everyone visits the website regularly. More time should be given for responses as the proposal is beset with problems," said Anand Rai. The deadline of 45 days for sending responses has expired, but given the concerns raised, the government could consider extending the deadline in order to get more feedback on the rules.

The draft rules claim to have incorporated effective provisions to provide financial compensation to trial subjects in case of trial-related injury or death; enhance the responsibilities of the ethics committees, the sponsor and the investigator to ensure financial compensation and medical care to trial subjects who suffer injury or death; and amend the format for obtaining consent to include details such as address and occupation, and annual income of the subject so as to have information of the socio-economic status of the trial subjects.

Public health groups such as the Low Cost Standard Therapeutics (LOCOST) and Sama have criticised the proposed amendments. They have requested more time from the government so that all concerned groups can articulate their views. Under the proposal, the ethics committees have been given the responsibility of deciding the clinical trial relatedness of an injury as well as the quantum of compensation. Sama representative N.B. Sarojini and LOCOST spokesperson S. Srinivasan argued that it was not correct to hand over both issues to the ethics committees. At present there are no clear guidelines about the constitution of the ethics committees and their monitoring. Members of the ethics committees were found to be biased as they themselves conducted the trials. The so-called independent ethics committees looked into issues of protocol instead of assessing them objectively, they said. They were not part of any hospital but were often owned and operated by powerful private commercial interests, the critics pointed out.

A.M. FARUQUI

A DEMONSTRATION IN February 2011 in front of the Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre against unethical drug trials on victims of the 1984 gas leak.

They said a very large number of trials took place in private clinics. The ethics committees did not have the expertise required to determine the quantum of compensation based on the extent of injury, the age of the sufferer, and liabilities in case of death and, overall, had very little training in issues of ethics. Conflict of interest issues as well as institutional biases were matters that were yet to be resolved, they said. The committees had a complete say over compensation issues, including a review of disputes relating to compensation. "The decision of the ethics committee after the review shall be final," the draft rules state.

Registration of clinical trials was voluntary before November 17, 2008. But the ICMR made it mandatory to register such trials with full disclosure of trial data with its Clinical Trials Registry from June 15, 2009.

In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha in March 2011 relating to the total number of clinical trials and deaths caused by such trials between 2007 and 2011, the Health Ministry gave the following information: 1,622 clinical trials were conducted between July 2007 and February 2011, and there were 288 deaths in 2008, 637 in 2009, and 597 up to August 2010. They were definitely not insignificant numbers.

The matter of trials being conducted clandestinely was raised in the State Assembly more than once where an independent legislator claimed that 1,883 persons, including children and mentally challenged persons, were subjected to drug trials between 2006 and 2010. No action was taken against any doctor during all those years. No names came out. The matter came up in Parliament. On December 20, 2011, replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on the regulation of clinical trials, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare spoke of six cases of violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules in the context of clinical trials and the action taken during the last three years.

The Minister said that following news reports about drug trials in the MGM Memorial Medical College and Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital involving the drug Tadalafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension, the CDSCO and the State Drugs Controlling Authority conducted investigations and found that two doctors had used the drug without permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The Minister informed the House that the study with the drug had been initiated on September 18, 2005, when the drug had not been approved for the said indication in the country. It was approved for another indication, male erectile dysfunction, on June 10, 2003. On November 2, 2011, the Ministry directed the two doctors to stop the clinical trial of Tadalafil in pulmonary arterial hypertension and restrained them from conducting any clinical trial for a period of six months.

That was all the punishment handed out. Barring the occasional warning or temporary suspension of permission to conduct trials, the Ministry did not cite a single instance where strict action had been taken against the doctors in the last three years. Consider this. Last year, a Hyderabad-based research firm was reported to have conducted clinical trials of an anti-cancer drug at a multi-speciality hospital on poor people without their informed consent. It transpired that it had conducted bio-equivalence study on an already approved anti-cancer drug and there were certain irregularities with respect to the process of informed consent, review and the decision-making process of the ethics committee.

The firm was punished by withdrawing the permission granted for equivalence on June 22, 2011. But when it submitted "corrective" actions for the subject recruitment process and other procedures, it was granted a no-objection certificate to conduct the bio-equivalence study, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions such as informed consent process, including documentation of the process through audio-video means, and conditions about the functioning of the ethics committees and the investigators. It was business as usual again.

The Indore and Hyderabad episodes are not isolated ones. Issues of informed consent involving the poor and vulnerable sections of society have always posed a problem. The compensation paid by pharmaceutical majors in case of death during trials is paltry compared with the profits they make. It was not very long ago that post-licensure clinical trials on tribal girls in Khammam in Andhra Pradesh and Vadodara in Gujarat to test the efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine came under severe criticism over consent-related issues. The ICMR and the two State governments were the collaborating partners in the trial. Following reports of the death of seven girls, the ICMR suspended the trials on April 7, 2010. An inquiry committee found certain discrepancies in the conduct of the trial.

In response to a Right to Information application on November 27, 2010, seeking information about drug trials conducted by the Chacha Nehru Children's Hospital and Research Centre, Indore, over the last six years, doctors used the smokescreen of confidentiality between the sponsor and the principal investigator in order to evade an answer to the queries raised. A doctor in the medicine department of the MGM Memorial Medical College and Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital, in response to an RTI application filed by Anand Rai, wrote that clinical trial agreements could not be publicised as that would affect scientific and business interests. He argued that the sponsoring pharmaceutical companies and the clinical research organisations (an individual or an organisation to which the sponsor may transfer or delegate some or all of the tasks and duties in a clinical trial provided such obligations are defined in writing) would be reluctant to undertake new research in the State and in the government hospitals if such information was made public.

Compared with other States, he wrote, Madhya Pradesh lagged behind in medical research. Particularly, government hospitals were far behind private clinics in this area. Delineating the benefits of medical research through drug trials, he said it encouraged foreign investment, improved scientific skill, generated employment and brought international contacts for the medical community. He stated that information could be given under limited conditions to the investigating authorities such as the EOW.

The State EOW launched an investigation only as the matter refused to die down. It found that 73 trials were carried out at the Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital on nearly 3,300 patients, of whom 1,800-odd were children. The trials were carried out by six doctors who received pecuniary benefits from drug companies. Eighty-one trial subjects, including 18 children, suffered from serious side effects. Sixty trials were carried out in the private sector by some 40 doctors; the details of the patients were unknown. Eight Indian companies and 22 multinationals had sponsored the trials.

Anand Rai brought out some more interesting details. He said that the MGM Memorial Medical College had 27 members on its ethics committee, of whom 22 were professors in the college. The chairpersons of the committees of at least two government hospitals were veterinary doctors. The members of the ethics committee of the MGM Memorial Medical College were the principal investigators in many cases, he said. The secretary of the committee himself failed to follow the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ICMR guidelines, he said.

"At the moment, we are discussing drug trials sponsored by large pharmaceutical companies and conducted on vulnerable sections of the population. The research subject is typically less powerful than the sponsors and investigators conducting the research. Hence, any compensation should address this imbalance and not be directed to short-term harm or injury," he said. All trial subjects should be given cashless health insurance for the rest of their lives, Anand Rai suggested. (He is now serving as a medical officer with the Health Department.)

On January 5, Brinda Karat, Communist Part of India (Marxist) leader and a former Rajya Sabha member, submitted a memorandum to V.G. Somani, the DGCI, requesting action against the clinical trials in Indore. She reminded him that it was more than a year since the trials and the violations had been exposed but the DCGI had failed to act against those involved. She said that an inquiry conducted by the EOW had found clear violations for which the licences of the doctors should have been cancelled. The State government's inquiry report had specifically recommended that the DGCI and the ICMR conduct investigations into the violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the ICMR and Medical Council of India guidelines.

Barring certain weak and cosmetic changes to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, relating to compensation in case of injuries to and death of trial subjects, no measures have been taken to strengthen the system in favour of those undergoing trials. Notwithstanding the Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research on Human Participants framed by the ICMR in 2006, norms continue to be flouted by both the public and private sectors in health care. The framework to deal with issues of compensation, consent and transparency is considered very weak, leading to several allegations, many of which seem to be well-founded, of exploitation of the poorer sections. After all, it is not the well-to-do on whom the trials are conducted. And often on the grounds of confidentiality (clinical trial agreements), agreements between the pharmaceutical company, the principal investigator and the organisation, information regarding drug trials is not given out freely. It requires dogged efforts by people like Anand Rai to bring these aspects into the public domain.

kolkatapost

Tepco set for $13 bn bailout, needs $100 bn or more and Tokyo (35 bn)Evacuation kept a secret!

Possible Tokyo Evacuation Was Kept Secret in Nuclear Crisis

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Published: January 25, 2012

Afghanistan: Coffins for the U.S. and NATO, Contracts for China

Oklahoma lawmaker wants to stop Pepsi from using aborted fetus cells in soda flavoring research

Does smoking tobacco fulfill a nutritional need?

As counter-intuitive as this question might seem, nicotine is actually a nutrient source. It is one form in which we can obtain a vital nutrient: vitamin B3, also called niacin or nicotinic acid.

Pepsico, Quaker oats and GMOs

Pepsico, Quaker Oats & GMO: You're On Your Own

MUST READ: The Demise of the Dollar

आवा गणतंत्र दिवस म गढ़वालि शीखा

The Economist on the failed coup in Bangladesh (A MUST READ!)

Demands for sharia law as Muslim Brotherhood emerges in Libya

ANHRI من يقف خلف اغتيال النشطاء السياسيين ؟

الشبكة العربية تحتفى بفوز وراق وسليمان ونينى بجائزة القلم الدولية

العراق: الشبكة العربية تدين احتجاز الصحفي علي الفياض دون اذن قضائي

من يقف خلف اغتيال النشطاء السياسيين ؟!

ANHRI congratulates Arab winners of 2012 Oxfam/PEN Award

Iraq: Illegal detention of the Journalist Ali Alfayad a blatant violation to press freedom

Egypt: Who's behind political activists murders?

Obama Supports the Muslim Brotherhood-Muslim Brotherhood Sees Weakness

Massive US Troop Movements In California Raise Russian Concerns , plus 10 more

Massive US Troop Movements In California Raise Russian Concerns , plus 10 more

Top News

India: New Salman Rushdie row

Nepal: Land to the Peasants, or returned to the Landlords? « Frontlines of Revolutionary Struggle

Emirates: Dubai, budget tries to keep debt under control But doubts on ability to fulfil obligations continue

Who should be dismissed immediately?

Who should be dismissed immediately?

Posted by: "S Turkman" turkman@sbcglobal.net turkman@sbcglobal.net

Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:44 am (PST)

Scoundrel Corporate Want Narendra Modi As Prime Minister – Exclusive

PUBLIC HEALTH Criminal trials T.K. RAJALAKSHMI Questionable drug trials on mentally challenged persons by doctors in Indore emphasise the need for strict enforcement of medical ethics.