Thursday, December 24, 2009

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 98

Week # 98, Dated 12th - 18th Dec. 09’
TURKEY
Political Front: The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has continued its demonstrations in Turkey as well as in Europe; protesting against the condition of their leader Abdullah Ocalan at İmralı Prison. In the meanwhile despite the PKK claiming responsibility for a terrorist attack in the city of Tokat that left seven soldiers dead earlier this week, the prime minister has stated that there might be other unseen groups and masterminds behind the attack wishing to undermine the government's Kurdish initiative. PM has again reiterated his commitment to push on with its democratic initiative agenda despite strong criticism from opposition parties.
A Turkish court has banned the pro-Kurdish DTP on allegations of having links with PKK. The PM has condemned the court's decision that caused angry protests and plunged the country into political uncertainty. Meanwhile reaffirming their previously announced decision, leaders of the now-defunct Democratic Society Party (DTP) announced that all deputies would withdraw from parliamentary proceedings and return to their respective constituencies to campaign at the grass root level.
Geo-strategic Front: Turkey has clearly said that it would by no means let Israel misuse Turkish airspace to carry out intelligence and surveillance missions of a neighboring country. Meanwhile Turkish growing relations with Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Albania, Egypt, Australia, Denmark, China and Russia remained significant as exchange of official visits by diplomats took place.
Economic Front: Dutch insurance company Eureko has made plans to shift its major investments to Turkey from several countries. Meanwhile two Turkish construction contractors have been named among Europe's top 100 construction companies.

FERTILE CRESCENT
Political Front:
Egyptian MPs have submitted 146 investigation requests against the ruling regime in a special session of People’s Assembly (PA). 128 requests got accepted however tension mounted between opposition, independent MPs and the ruling NDP.
Iraqi elections would be held in March where the Foreign Ministry projected a possible coalition government.
Geo-strategic Front: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his Turkish counterpart held talks in Ankara on the impasse in the Middle East peace process and the rift between Palestinians factions. Meanwhile the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad underlined his commitment to stability in Iraq during his meeting with Iraqi Shiite leader Amar al-Hakim.
The comments by Saudi Foreign Minister, recently published in the International Herald Tribune, have provoked a range of reactions in Lebanon. The Saudi Foreign Minister expressed his opinion that Lebanon would never enjoy full sovereignty as long as Hezbollah owns more arms than the state military.
British Foreign Minister, David Miliband phoned Israeli opposition leader Livni to apologize and promised to act on changing laws regarding allowing the arrest and prosecution of Israeli officials accused of committing war crimes against the Palestinian people. Further more he opposed the British Court order to apprehend her should she travel to the UK. PM Gordon Brown also asked Livini to visit their country as she would be warmly welcomed there.
Social Front: Egyptian government has recently submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) as part of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
Economic Front: Egypt’s government has started channeling most of its additional spending into infrastructure projects in a bid to combat fall-out from the global financial crisis.
In its first comment since the formation of Lebanon’s unity Cabinet, the Institute of International Finance indicated that the creation of the government would probably improve confidence in the Lebanese economy and maintain strong growth of about 7 percent. It also talked about the likelihood of implementing key reform measures included in the Paris III agenda, such as fiscal adjustment and privatization of the telecom sector.
United States President, Barack Obama, signed the Foreign Aid Budget Law of 2010 which includes granting $2.775 Billion in security aid to the state of Israel.

GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council
Geo-strategic Front: A Gulf monetary council would be tasked to decide the peg of a proposed single currency among Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. UAE and Oman are the two countries who have abandoned the plan to join the monetary union.
Gulf leaders have agreed to set up a rapid intervention force that will help states deal with any aggression against their territories, such as the Yemeni rebel incursion into Saudi Arabia. The Saudi navy has set up a blockade off Yemen's northern Red Sea coastline, in an effort to keep fresh supplies from reaching the rebels, who have engaged in a five-year insurgency in the north of the country to win autonomy. The leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have further reaffirmed the right of the UAE over the three islands, occupied by Iran.
While talking about Tehran's failed talks with the West about its nuclear program, Bahrain considered the absence of Gulf countries a major factor. Also Kuwait regards the Afghan war and the Iran nuclear crisis as potent threats to security in the Gulf region. Lastly the landmark 123 Agreement between the UAE and the US for the peaceful development of nuclear energy came into force last week.
Social Front: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Yemen have promising projections for reaching UNESCO's international criteria for educational development.
Economic Front: Consumer prices in GCC countries have fallen this year as the global financial crisis prompted an economic downturn. Meanwhile Islamic finance, an increasingly important element of the GCC financial sector, seems to be in a better position to lead the way in the region’s economic recovery.

CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front:
Political parties represented at the Azerbaijani Parliament addressed the U.S. embassy in Baku voicing protest against the U.S. Congress financial aid to Nagorno-Karabakh separatists from the budget bill 2010. Meanwhile a Kazakh court has rejected the appeal made by detained Journalist Esergepov, the owner and chief editor of the Almaty-based weekly "Alma-Ata Inform," who was sentenced to three years of jail for revealing state secrets in an article printed in his newspaper in November 2008.
A criminal case has been opened against 49 associates of the late Tajik Emergency Situations Minister Mirzo Ziyoev. An investigation by the National Security Committee has shown that Ziyoev and 49 others were plotting an armed operation to release some of their supporters from jail. Meanwhile Bakhodir Choriev, the emigrant leader of Birdamlik (Solidarity) Uzbek opposition movement, who had recently returned home, was sent back to USA.
600 observers are expected to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections in Tajikistan.
Geo-strategic Front: Rights groups have criticized the West for allowing Kazakhstan to assume the rotating chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, saying the nation is unfit to lead a group devoted to promoting democracy. Meanwhile Germany has allocated Kyrgyzstan €8million for housing development.
Uzbek border guards have shot and wounded two Tajik citizens along Tajikistan's border in the northern Panjakent district. The Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov have signed an agreement to ease cross-border transit for people living along their common frontier.
President of Turkmenistan and Vice Prime Minister of Russia discussed cooperation in the energy sphere and promotion of the most important joint projects aimed at the intensification of partnership. Also Japanese-Turkmen economic cooperation committees held a joint meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 16.
Social Front: The European Parliament has adopted a resolution critical of what it calls the deterioration of media freedom in Azerbaijan. The State Committee for Work with Religious Associations has registered 30 more religious communities. Meanwhile Almaty police detained 29 people for a disturbance during demonstrations on Kazakhstan's Independence Day.
A reporter for the Russian BaltInfo news agency was beaten in Kyrgyzstan's capital. Also Dozens of Uzbek refugees held a protest in Stockholm to support jailed Muslim women in Uzbekistan. Furthermore a prominent Uzbek photographer/video-grapher has been charged with defamation and damaging the country's image because of the content of her photos and videos.
Meanwhile a World Health Organization (WHO) official has reported 14 swine-flu cases in Tajikistan.
Economic Front: SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) and the National Iranian Gas Export Company have signed an agreement on supply of Azerbaijani gas to the northern provinces of Iran during the winter. The leaders of Kazakhstan and China have jointly unveiled the Kazakh section of a natural gas pipeline that would tap into Central Asia’s vast energy riches and loosen Russia’s influence over the region. Also the international Turkmenistan - China gas pipeline was officially launched on 14 December. China has signed the intergovernmental framework agreements on granting two soft loans to Turkmenistan.
Employees of Tajik Embassy in Beijing have given up their three-day’s wages to help the implementation of the Roghun hydroelectricity project. Meanwhile in Tajikistan, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.1 percent in the year to November 30, 2009.
INDIA
Political Front: The BJP has expressed dissatisfaction over the Liberhan Commission report. Meanwhile moderate parties have strongly condemned BJP’s involvement in the demolition of the Babri Mosque. Indian Muslim communities have asked the government to implement the Liberhan Commission report and duly pay compensation to the affected families.
The CBI report of Shopian murder case has again disturbed security situation in Kashmir where the death of two women being documented as accidental drowning has raised local reaction.
Regional front: Phase three and fourth assembly elections successfully ended in Jharkand with 55 and 58% turnout respectively. Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh’s unity seems to be in danger as the demand for a separate Telangana state by TRS caused serious concerns for the state and centre. TRS’ chief’s hunger strike ended after the confirmation of government to initiate the bill for a separate Telangana state.
Geo-strategic Front: at the UN climate conference India along with other developing countries opposed any move from developed world regarding introduction of a bill to restrict green house gas emissions.
Social Front: 8 lakh Indians are falling prey to cancer every year. Also 37.2% Indians are below poverty line in accordance with consumption criteria.
Economic Front: India has announced plans to increase its bilateral trade with Russia up to $20 billion.

EAST ASIA
Political Front:
Former Thai PM Thaksin landed in Cambodia amidst tight security. The issue is expected to mount tensions between the neighboring countries. Thai government has claimed that it would submit an extradition request to Cambodia for Thaksin.
Geo-strategic Front: Thai government has recently detained five foreigners and their foreign registered aircraft loaded with war weaponry that flew from North Korea and was probably heading towards Iran. Investigations are underway.
Social front: Religious authorities in the North Sumatran Province of Aceh attempted to pass a law according to which Muslim adulterers would be stoned to death, a move that the Indonesian government blocked. Meanwhile at the environmental front Indonesia has announced to cut carbon emissions up to 26% by 2020.
Malaysian government has recently unveiled its plan to combat corruption. Also the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has assured its support to the Catholic Church's fight to overturn a government ban on the use of the term 'Allah' to describe God in Christian texts. Meanwhile Malaysia has expressed willingness to provide assistance to the Muslim community in southern Thailand in the interest of restoring peace and harmony in the restive region.
Economic Front: Malaysia has expressed willingness to send financial and banking experts to help Thailand set up an Islamic bank in the three provinces in the south for the benefit of Muslim residents. Meanwhile Thailand has cancelled an eight-year-old Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia on the oil and gas-rich overlapping area in the Gulf of Thailand.
The Philippine central bank kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low to boost economic growth from near a decade low. Meanwhile the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has forecasted a 2.3 per cent growth for Brunei next year after it contracted by 1.2 percent in 2009.
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 97

Week # 97, Dated 5th - 11th Dec. 09’

TURKEY
Political Front: Supporters of detained PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan have been asking government to provide better living conditions in jail, to their leader. Turkish Foreign Ministry however declared his prison to be of international standard. Recently emerged issue of government’s treatment of PKK's jailed leader; led Democratic Society Party (DTP) to start anti-government rallies. Meanwhile DTP leaders have claimed that government's democratic initiative has ended.
In the meantime other opposition parties have also mounted pressure upon the government to end peace initiative. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan however reiterated his party's intention to continue plans for the settlement of the Kurdish question through a massive democratization package.
Amidst ongoing crisis court started hearing a case filed by the Supreme Court of Appeals’ Prosecutor’s Office in 2007 against the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) demanding its closure on charges of separatism. Meanwhile seven soldiers were killed in the central province of Tokat after Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists opened fire on soldiers patrolling a rural area in the district.
Geo-strategic Front: US President Obama pushed Turkey for more support in curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Erdogan during his visit to the US however asked Obama to give more time for talks with Iran, before seeking a fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions. While talking about the Cyprus issue; Erdogan asked the US administration to exert greater effort to press for a solution on the island by March next year. Meanwhile he dismissed any chances of troop’s withdrawal from Cyprus unless Greece takes similar measures.
Meanwhile the EU has repeatedly asked Turkey to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus but Turkey hasn't complied with it so far. Turkish Cypriot leader has been asking Turkey not to open access to its ports and airports unilaterally rather to wait for lasting solution. In a statement issued in Brussels after a meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council, the 27 EU ministers expressed “deep regret” over the absence of improvement in Turkey’s relations with Greek Cyprus. Turkey has condemned the Council for ignoring Greece and pressurizing Turkey who had already been taking practical measures to settle the issue.
As regards halted Turkish-Israeli ties, Turkey has accused Israel for innocent killings of Palestinians during their raids against Gaza. Meanwhile, responding to a question concerning rumors that Israel had entered Turkey's airspace for espionage purposes, Erdogan refuted these. All the while Turkish relations with Macedonia, Mexico, Albania, Germany, plus Turkish role in Afghanistan also grabbed attention.
Social Front: Pharmacies across Turkey, except for pharmacies listed to stay open, were closed to protest a decrease in the price of medicine.
Economic Front: United States Trade Representative and Turkish Deputy Prime Minister have unveiled a new forum aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between the two nations. Meanwhile the Turkish Statistics Institute (Turk Stat) revealed that Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 3.3 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared to the same period last year.

GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council
Political Front: Kuwait's parliament quized the prime minister of the oil-rich Gulf state over allegations of corruption; the Kuwaiti government won the battle of interpellations. Kuwait entered a new period of political turmoil as 10 opposition MPs filed a motion of “non-co-operation” against the premier over corruption charges after a marathon closed session. To pass, it requires a simple majority of elected members of the Assembly, which currently stands at 49.
Geo-strategic Front: General James Jones, national security adviser to President Barack Obama, has claimed it would be useful to have contributions of additional manpower and personnel from the Gulf States as part of the new US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The GCC heads of parliaments and Shura councils ended their two-day meetings. Their final communiqué included the approval of the regulatory guidelines of the parliamentary and foreign relations coordination committee, review of a memo on 2009 activities by the GCC Secretariat, a report by Oman on its presidency over the previous session and activities during that period, and review of developments along the Saudi borders and support to the Kingdom's measures aiming to protect its sovereignty.
Saudi forces have repulsed Yemeni Shia rebels trying to seize a border village inside the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has denied Tehran's charge that an Iranian nuclear scientist was kidnapped on a pilgrimage to Mecca and hauled off to the United States.
Meanwhile Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on states of the Gulf region to expand cooperation and promote ties for welfare of the peoples of the region. Iran and the United Arab Emirates signed five documents for cooperation in various spheres including law and commerce.
Social Front: A campaign has been launched for the voting age in Bahrain to be lowered to 19. Meanwhile Bahrain has been found at higher risk than most countries from threats such as rises in sea levels.
Economic Front: The GCC has one of the lowest total tax rates (TTR) and simplest taxation compliance requirements worldwide for business establishments. Stocks in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain all suffered steep falls after trading resumed on December 1 but have since stabilized. Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets recovered amid an apparent return of confidence, closing up more than one and almost four percent, respectively, after heavy losses over Dubai’s debt woes. Saudi Arabia's index has emerged as the best performing market in the Gulf region this year. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia's top monetary official sought to reassure investors and play down the impact of Dubai World’s debts.
In a move to strengthen its international operations and capitalize on business opportunities in Pakistan, Dubai Islamic Bank’s fully-owned Pakistani subsidiary, has opened 10 new branches across the country.

CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front: Council of Europe has selected members of the observation mission; being headed by Turkey, to monitor municipal elections in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile opposition parties have expressed their intention to start unity talks in early 2010. Proposals for Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev to be named ''president for life'' have contributed to concerns about Kazakh democracy.
Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kamchybek Tashiev has resigned as Prime Minister reprimanded him during the session for using reserve funds to build houses for ministry personnel in the southern city of Osh. A former senior Kyrgyz Security Council official has been hospitalized after a reported attack in the capital, Bishkek.
Uzbek authorities have increased assaults on human rights activists ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. Meanwhile 60 practicing Muslims have been detained in southern Uzbek prison on charges of religious extremism.
Geo-strategic Front:In an effort to enhance ties with Azerbaijan, Iran has announced plans to unilaterally cancel its visa regime, allowing Azerbaijanis to visit and stay in Iran for a month without visa. Meanwhile Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has insisted on restoring control over Nagorno-Karabakh despite accepting the right to self-determination as a core principle for resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute over the territory. The US has been putting efforts as a mediator to achieve final solution to the conflict.
NATO has launched a new pilot project for social adaptation of reserve troops in Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile Tajikistan has extended full support to the measures being taken by the US in order to bring stability in Afghanistan. Also Turkmenistan and EU have started discussing prospects to enhance economic cooperation.
Social Front:The Azerbaijani parliament has voted to make it illegal to employ children under the age of 15.
Several senior Kazakh officials have been jailed in high-profile corruption cases over the last two years. Meanwhile a high school geography teacher in the southeastern Kazakh city of Taldy-Qorghan has sought permission to wear an Islamic head scarf since the wearing of a Hijab is prohibited in class. In order to fight swine flu, Kazakh health officials have recently presented a vaccine.
The Kyrgyz nongovernmental organization "Citizens against Corruption" has won the French Liberty, Equality, and Brotherhood Award for 2009. Kyrgyz authorities recently denied entry to prominent Tajik human rights activist Nigina Bakhrieva, which prompted a call from Human Rights Watch to seize harassment. Meanwhile a woman suffering from swine-flu-like symptoms has died in northern Tajikistan in what could be the country's first reported death from the H1N1 virus.
Turkmen President has signed a decree granting amnesty to nearly 4,000 convicts in honor of a national holiday. Meanwhile Uzbek students who refused to work in cotton fields during the harvest season have been expelled from high schools and universities. The Human Rights Watch has strongly criticized such repressive policies of the Uzbek government.
Economic Front:Azerbaijan has started exporting Azeri Light oil to Turkey via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to develop a project design and feasibility study for a new regional power rehabilitation project in Tajikistan. Meanwhile Uzbekistan has officially announced withdrawal from the Regional Power Grid.

EAST ASIA
Political Front:
An anti-corruption rally was planed in Indonesia, which the President declared a threat to oust him, a claim denied by protestors. Meanwhile recent unrest in the province of Maguindanao has led President of Philippines to declare martial law in the region, a move that the former President highly criticized.
Geo-strategic Front: Indonesia and China have strongly emphasized the need to enhance bilateral strategic ties. Meanwhile Malaysian Prime Minister has recently paid his first visit to Thailand in order to promote their annual consultation.
Social Front: Human Rights Chief in Philippines has accused Ampatuan clan for their involvement in last month’s political massacre in Maguindanao that left 57 civilians dead. Meanwhile the two-day talks between the Philippines government and representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended with both sides optimistic over the continuation of the stalled peace parleys. Also five thousand supporters of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra rallied in Bangkok, seeking to put pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose rule they deem as illegitimate.
Economic Front:Asian Development Bank has announced to grant US$200 million loan to Indonesia for further reforms to spur sustainable growth and cut poverty. All the while government is making efforts to convert its maritime resources into huge foreign exchange reserves.
Despite visible fall in GDP Thai economy shows sign of recovery and seems to be an attractive market for investment. The failure of the government’s privatization program and the deterioration of revenue collection remain causes for concern as they would lead the Philippines to incur a budget gap equivalent to 4% of its economic output.
Malaysia's prime minister has announced some potent liberalization measures. Corruption however seems to be a major obstacle in the way of foreign investments. Japan still appears to be the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. The public sectors dealing in halal food in Malaysia and Pakistan have been working towards increaseing cooperation in agriculture and veterinary services. Malaysia also seems keen to sign regional and bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Vietnam's import from Indonesia stood at 1.18 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of this year, down 20 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile Vietnam has won a contract to export 400,000 tons of rice to the Philippines. IMF has asked Cambodia to take measures for the betterment of its banking system that has badly suffered due to global economic downturn.

CHINA
Political Front: The electoral setback of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and better performance of pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in recently held local elections is expected to spoil chances of collaboration between Taiwan and mainland China.
Geo-strategic Front: A delegation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement ended a one-week visit to China to boost cooperation. Meanwhile China pledged to work with Indonesia to push forward the bilateral strategic partnership. Likewise China and Philippines have also agreed to promote defence ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao also spoke highly of the strategic security talks with Russia that helped to promote bilateral ties. Also Chinese growing tie with Central Asia Republics, Japan, Egypt, Peru and Canada were also in focus this week.
Social Front: 76 percent white-collars working in Chinese mainland cities suffer sub-health and nearly 60 percent are over fatigued; among high income group aged from 35 to 50. Meanwhile China has launched 45,000 governmental websites this year. China has invested more than 6.5 billion yuan (959 million U.S. dollars) to preserve grasslands in northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Meanwhile a pipeline leak has cut water supplies to thousands of families for more than 18 hours in the Northeast China.
Economic Front:Chinese economy has suffered from Dubai economic crunch yet business community retained their confidence. Peru's government has recently ratified a free trade agreement with China. Meanwhile the Chinese government pledged to push forward the transformation of its economic development pattern next year while maintaining stable and comparatively fast economic growth.
China's exports have dropped considerably to the United States since the financial meltdown. On the whole, China's imports and exports rose 9.8 percent in November year on year, ending a 12-month decline, to stand at $208.2 billion. China's GDP is estimated to reach 8.3 percent growth this year with next year surpassing nine percent. In the meantime the China Investment Corporation (CIC), has nearly doubled its overseas investment this year compared with last year, putting most of the funds into foreign energy and mining companies. Lastly, China intends to boost consumer spending in line with a strategy to lift the country's economy.
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please Preview your comments before posting.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 95-96

Week # 95-96, Dated 21st Nov- 4th Dec. 09’

SOUTH ASIA- INDIA
Political Front: National Level: Liberhan Commission Report dominated Indian political front that convicts BJP and other Hindu extremist parties for their involvement in the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992. While the BJP has declared the report to be politically motivated, Shiv Sena’s Chairperson Bal Thackeray has called upon Hindus to unite against fundamentalist Muslims, deemed a threat to Indian society. Also various political parties in the Lok Sabha have strongly condemned the 1984 Sikh massacres.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat has opposed government’s increasing relations with the US proclaiming capitalism a curse for Indian society and the recent economic crisis as an obvious example of its failure.
Maoist and Naxal rebels destroyed school buildings, a railway station and other government property in different areas of Chattishgarh, Bihar and Jharkand while Border Security Force (BSF) has been deployed in some districts to counter insurgents’ activities.
In Kashmir Hurriyat conference’s moderate segment under Mir waiz Umar Farooq has held discreet talks with Delhi seeking a suitable resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Regional Level: Peaceful polling, despite isolated incidents of violence was observed in Jharkand amidst high security arrangements. Meanwhile two blasts occurred in Assam leaving 7 people dead.
Geo-strategic Front: PM Man Mohan Singh has emphasized greatly on boosting ties with the US. Meanwhile Obama administration has reiterated commitment to implement civil nuclear energy pact with India. Also Canada has finally signed a civil nuclear energy agreement with the country after long negotiations.
Social Front: Indian Space Research Institution claimed that reducing water resources and a change in rain patterns has topographically affected vast regions in the country. Meanwhile in Madhya Pradesh malnutrition has hence far caused 25 causalities among children.
Economic Front: India has achieved 7.9% growth rate in the second quarter of this fiscal year. In the meantime the US-based internationally recognized foreign-policy think tank Carnegie Endowment has claimed that India would be the world’s third largest economy in 2050 after China and US.

EAST ASIA
Political Front: In the Philippines peace talks have resumed between the government and the insurgents. Meanwhile the Thai PM has denied any chance of reshuffle in cabinet line-up at this point in time.
Geo-strategic Front: Indonesian Customs officials have confiscated 75 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which can be used as fertilizer or explosive material, being shipped in from Malaysia.
In a recent statement Cambodian PM claimed that their relations with Thailand normalize only in case of a regime change in the latter. Meanwhile Vietnam has expressed interest in enhancing economic and trade ties with the US.
Social Front: several hundred ‘hard-line’ Muslim protestors staged rallies in Indonesia urgeing the government to prevent the spread of HIV by implementing Islamic law. Meanwhile the Malaysian health authorities have been on high alert for a possible second wave of A/H1N1 influenza due to the increase of new cases in the northern hemisphere. Also Vietnam has recently confirmed two A/H1N1 influenza victims, bringing the casualties to 44.
The US State Department in its recent reports has appreciated Philippines for exerting “special efforts” to respect religious freedom and tolerance, as well as promote interfaith dialogue in the world arena. Meanwhile Thailand's military has requested the U.S. to provide satellite equipment and imagery in order to hunt thousands of Islamist separatists who have been killing Thai troops and civilians in an attempt to establish a strict Muslim state in the south.
Economic Front: Indonesia has been Australia's 18th largest investment destination with a cumulative stock of capital investment amounting to nearly $4 billion. Meanwhile foreign direct investment fell almost 30 percent to 89.28 trillion rupiah ($9.40 billion) this year.
Revised statistics released by Vietnam's General Statistics Office showed industrial production rising, but foreign investment falling and exports slowing. Meanwhile Vietnam and China have agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in the economic corridor.
Ten companies from eight countries have sought permission to invest in solar energy projects in Cambodia after the August removal of a 15 percent duty on import of the materials. Meanwhile Brunei has been ranked 30th out of 182 countries evaluated under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index.

CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front: Campaigning for municipal elections in Azerbaijan has officially begun, with 18 parties and some 31,000 candidates registered to compete. According to a survey conducted by the Kazakhstan Institute of Politician Decisions, the sympathies of the city dwellers still lie with the ruling party Nur Otan; while largely being unaware of the merger of the National Social-Democratic Party (NSDP) and Azat (Freedom).
Geo-strategic Front: International mediators have come up with a mixed assessment of the Munich talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Uzbekistan has closed its border with central Asian neighbor Kazakhstan to avoid spread of swine flu. Tajik President has urged CIS states to combine efforts to ensure information security, including safety of keeping databases online.
President of Turkmenistan and PM of Italy held bilateral talks in Rome. Also on Nov. 20th Tashkent hosted the meeting of US assistant deputy Secretary of State on South and Central Asia George Kroll with Uzbek and foreign journalists. During meeting the US representative denied any plans to resume military cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Social Front: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the international community to ask the Kazakh government to improve the country’s human rights situation.
Global Fund has allocated Kyrgyzstan $28M to fight AIDS. Meanwhile Kyrgyz officials refused to grant permission for a protest against energy tariffs for fear of the spread of swine flu. Many schools also remained closed amidst the health risk. The Turkmen President has signed a decree authorizing an increase in wages, pensions, state allowances and scholarships.
Economic/Energy Front: Russia and Kazakhstan have concluded agreements on oil transit and the parallel operation of the two countries’ power grids. Meanwhile Uzbekistan has expressed willingness to withdraw from the Soviet-era power grid that unites four Central Asian countries, a decision the Uzbek government sees as politically motivated.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Geo-strategic Front: Italian Foreign Minister has announced to enhance relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) six member states. Relations between Saudi Arabia and the European Union have entered a new phase with the Riyadh-based European Commission Delegation changing its name to the “Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia.” On the other side Saudi Arabia claimed taking control of a strategic mountain on the Saudi side of the border with Yemen, clearing the area of Yemeni Shia rebels.
Social Front: A Saudi religious scholar has issued a fatwa (religious edict) banning the hiring of runaway housemaids.
The cost of the flood damage in Jeddah has been estimated at SR3.5 billion. Of this total, SR1.5 billion would be provided to citizens in the form of indemnities while remaining SR2 billion has been the damage estimated to the city’s infrastructure. Meanwhile the US President Barack Obama hailed Saudi efforts to tackle the swine flu virus among over two million people gathered for Islam's holy ritual of Hajj.
Economic Front: Qatari stocks rose on sound fundamentals that attracted investors despite negative sentiments in the region over Dubai’s debt concerns. Meanwhile Bahrain and Kuwait have also logged gains as world stocks hit a fresh 14-month high. Massive investments to expand bus networks in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have highlighted the potential for major growth in the commercial vehicles market in the Middle East as regional economies rebound from the global economic downturn. Improvement in oil prices is expected to help Saudi Arabia escape its first fiscal deficit.

FERTILE CRESCENT
Political Front: The coalition of opposition parties in Egypt has placed seven demands in front of the government to guarantee free and fair parliamentary elections in 2010. meanwhile Iraq's parliament has approved an amended law needed to hold an election next year, but the new text risks being vetoed a second time which could delay both the vote and next year’s partial US troop withdrawal. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Adel Abdelmehdi have both agreed to the new parliament-proposed amendments of the country's election bill, while vowing for further amendments in an aim to appease the country's second Vice President Tariq Al-Hashemi. Meanwhile Sunni tribal leaders in the northern city of Mosul led peaceful protests against the election law claiming it does not treat their province fairly.
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has called for the establishment of a committee to work towards the abolition of religion-based politics in Lebanon. He also proposed changing the electoral law to seek better representation. Meanwhile Hezbollah’s Secretary-General declared the party's new manifesto demanding a country for all faiths; the first "Open Letter" in 1985 originally called for the establishment of Islamic rule in Lebanon.
The Israeli Authorities in Jerusalem handed Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Committee in Jerusalem and Khatib of the Al-Aqsa mosque, a restriction order preventing him from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque for six months. The edict has been condemned as a violation the International Law and the freedom of religion.
Geo-strategic Front: Algerian Foreign Minister expressed hope to mend ties with Egypt after the recently violence in Sudan causing tension between the two nations. Meanwhile Lebanon's new cabinet has agreed on a policy statement that acknowledges Hezbollah's right to use its weapons against Israel. Also Jordan has filed an official complaint against Israel demanding it stop excavations and renovations at the Church of Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem.
Social Front: The civilian death toll in Iraq fell to its lowest level in November since the 2003 US-led invasion, defying predictions of a spike in violence before next year’s parliamentary election. Meanwhile authorities in the southern city of Basra have removed a ban on the sale of alcohol.
October and November have been bloody months for Lebanon's migrant domestic workers - over the last five weeks nine women have died. Most deaths have been reported as suicide.
Economic Front: Chairman of Egypt’s investment authority, recently held meeting with an Iraqi delegation to discuss joint development projects. The Lebanese Communist Party (LCP), together with other leftist groups, held three separate demonstrations in and around Beirut to protest against state plans for privatization of essential services, poor electricity supply and the high wages of government ministers.

TURKEY
Political Front: Turkish PM has reiterated his commitment to implementation of democratic initiative in order to resolve decades-old Kurdish issue. PKK initially offered government to start peace talks but later announced to launch protest against detention of their leader. The pro-Kurdish party DTP also withdrew its support from the democratic initiative. Meanwhile the EU has strongly appreciated Turkish government for its efforts to end the Kurdish problem.
A new document titled the Cage Operation Action Plan was uncovered by the Taraf daily last week and ostensibly reveals military plans to destroy the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) through the assassination of prominent non-Muslim figures in Turkey. Links between this plan made by naval officers and the previous one launched by Ergenekon have been found. In response to this plan Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared the belief that people in Turkey would react adversely to those who want to ‘imprison the nation in a cage’.
Geo-strategic Front: Israel and Turkey have marked their first ministerial visit since the Gaza row. Meanwhile Turkish Defence Minister has given Israeli contractors 50 days to fulfill the delivery of the Israeli-made surveillance drones, known as Herons.
Turkey has accepted an invitation to be part of an international group that would monitor peace talks between the Philippine government and the country's largest Muslim group. Meanwhile seen as a possible trustee for the low-enriched Iranian uranium, Turkey continued its shuttle phone diplomacy with the related parties. Turkey and Libya have announced to abolish visa requirements, opening a new era in once-strained ties. In the meantime Turkey and Jordan have also agreed to lift visa requirements during the President's visit to Jordan.
Social Front: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the top court’s ruling that nixed the Higher Education Board, or YÖK’s, decision to change the current coefficient system applied to university entrance exams in favor of the graduates of vocational high schools, including religious imam hatip schools.
Number of victims of swine flu has crossed 160 so far. Adverse weather conditions are another challenge faced by the government. Lastly, Turkish scientists succeeded in destroying cancerous cells with drug-loaded micro scale nanocages.
Economic Front: Turkish multinational enterprises, or MNEs, have expanded their foreign investment in the last several years, yet much of that progress has been reversed due to the global turmoil.

CHINA
Political Front: Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged constant efforts to improve the building of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to secure the Party's role as the steel core of the country's leadership. Two 46-year-old officials have become China's youngest provincial-level Party chiefs as the country announced major leadership reshuffles ahead of the 18th Party Congress in 2012. Meanwhile one of the Senior Chinese leaders has called on publicity departments and media organizations to "vigorously" broadcast the core values of socialist China and inspire the public to achieve the Party's development goals.
The government of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has launched the "Tianshan Project" to stop the distribution of illegal and reactionary publications produced by ‘terrorists’, ‘separatists’ and ‘extremists’ within the region.
Geo-strategic Front: China has called for early resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. Chinese Defence Minister has recently paid highest level visit to North Korea. China has also announced to donate $700,000 to UN peacekeeping missions.. In the meantime ruling parties of China and South Africa have pledged to learn more from each other on running their states. Growing relations of China with France, Singapore, Canada, Albania, Japan, Hungary, Russia, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and South Africa remained important. Meanwhile Chinese efforts to strengthen ties with Brazil, Peru and Ecuador also grabbed attention.
Social Front: The China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) and the Ministry of Finance have jointly launched a plan to finance service towards the jobless with mental and physical disabilities. Meanwhile Chinese President Hu Jintao has pledged to mobilize the whole society to improve AIDS/HIV control. China has also made progress in implementing a two-year action plan on human rights since it was published in April.
Chinese vice premier has called for efforts to build the South-to-North Water Diversion Project into a water-efficient and environment-friendly project. Meanwhile China has promised to cut its carbon emissions up to 40-50% by 2020.
Hong Kong: Spread of swine flu is a potent social issue in Hong Kong.
Economic Front: A US senior expert has expressed serious concern regarding Nobel economics laureate Paul Krugman's recent push for a stronger Chinese currency claiming that it would jeopardize economic recovery. Meanwhile China railed against the United States' decision to slap anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made steel pipes for the oil industry in the largest trade measure the US has ever launched against China. China has expressed interest in taking active measures to increase imports from Europe to address the trade imbalance.
Lastly, non-State-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) employed 70 million people or 80 percent of China's total workforce in the industrial sector in 2008.

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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 94

Week # 94, Dated 14th -20th Nov. 09’
EAST ASIA

Political Front: Philippines Presidential elections are due to be held in May 2010.
Thousands of people in Thailand have launched a rally against allegedly anti-monarch remarks recently made by Thaksin in an interview with ‘British Times’.

Social Front:Indonesia and Malaysia intend to establish a joint task force in order to handle troubled Indonesian workers working in Malaysia. Meanwhile health experts have reported five million patients of Aids in Indonesia.

Economic Front
: Indonesia and Pakistan have made plans to boost their economic ties via trade. Also The Asian Development Bank continues to provide financial assistance to Indonesia for economic reforms.
Malaysia expects substantive increase in its GDP by 2012. Meanwhile the Thai PM has declared political challenges, rising inflation and environmental issues to be the major obstacles in the way of economic reforms.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front:
Kazakh Upper house of Parliament has approved a bill introducing tougher punishment for invasion of privacy in a move condemned by the opposition as an attack on press freedom. Meanwhile the new representative of the Kyrgyz PM to the parliament has recently been named.

Geo-strategic Front: In Azerbaijan a Baku court sentenced two bloggers on Nov. 11th, Hajizada to 2 years and Milli to 2 1/2 years in prison on hooliganism charges for an altercation at a restaurant on July 8th. The Azeri government has also blamed Germany and Norway over their interference in the case which is widely being condemned as politically motivated.
Meanwhile the Azeri President has accused Armenia of delaying efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azeri Parliamentarians have also requested NATO to implement UN resolutions on the disputed region.
The Tajik President recently attended inauguration of Hamid Karzai in Kabul. Also the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs recently paid a visit to Uzbekistan.

Social Front: OSCE has launched implementation of Civic Action for Security and Environment Programme in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile the imprisoned director of the Kazakh Bureau for Human Rights has been denied access to his lawyer; rising rage of human rights activists. The growing number of Kazakh students in the US has also grabbed attention.
Kyrgyzstan's dominant, pro-presidential Ak-Jol (Bright Path) party has approved a provision that would require its diplomats to understand the Kyrgyz language. Meanwhile Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the government of Kyrgyzstan to release two human rights activists.

Economic Front:
Azerbaijan seems keen for the Nabucco pipeline project that would connect it with Germany across Europe. Russia has also welcomed Azerbaijan’s participation in South Stream projects. Meanwhile talks about US-Azeri energy cooperation have started.

President of Kazakhstan has announced that his government would not allow foreign investors to get hold of all important Kazakh Banks; despite the fact that investors bring substantive benefits for the country’s economy. As far as energy sector is concerned Kazakh Parliament has expressed serious reservations regarding gas and oil supply to China.
70 percent of Tajikistan’s water supply infrastructure has become obsolete and requires serious repairs.

GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council

Geo-strategic Front: GCC Secretary General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah has strongly condemned Israel's decision of building 900 settlements in Jerusalem, saying it violates international law and damages the efforts towards Middle East Peace process.
Saudi Arabia and the United States have discussed prospects of expanding military cooperation during a strategic meeting of their high officials. Meanwhile Saudi King and French President Sarkozy also discussed the prospects of Middle East peace process during Sarkozy’s visit to the Kingdom.

Social Front: This year a sharp decline of almost 70% would be observed in the number of local pilgrims because of the threat of Swine flu. 20 swine flu victims have already been found among pilgrims so far. Bahrain also expects a new wave of the virus.

Economic Front: The upcoming GCC Summit is expected to launch the unified Gulf currency.

FERTILE CRESCENT

Political Front: Iraq's general election in January was thrown into doubt when the presidential council demanded a greater say for minorities and nationals living abroad. In the meantime Iraq’s Kurds threatened to boycott the elections, days after the country’s Sunni vice president threatened to veto the newly passed election law needed to hold the January vote. Current political crisis has devalued the recently passed Election law that had been welcomed by all political groups.
Lebanon’s new national-unity Cabinet has claimed that the March 14 and March 8 political camps have retreated from the tactics of confrontation which led the country to the brink of civil war in May 2008. Meanwhile it is expected that Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s government would almost certainly not alter the status quo on the most divisive issues such as Hezbollah’s possession of arms or the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon, but it would likely lead the rival factions to abandon the trench-warfare dynamic that has dominated the domestic political scene since late 2006.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has clearly stated that declaring a Palestinian State should not be conducted before ending the Israeli occupation.

Geo-strategic Front:Russia's plan to supply Lebanon with 10 MiG-29 fighter jets is soon to enter its final phase.

Social Front:Diabetes is being regarded as a potent social issue in Jordan.

Economic Front:Egypt’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has declared substantive progress in establishing a large-scale industrial project in Cairo.

TURKEY


Political Front: Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan informed parliamentarians about the government's democratic move process in a parliamentary general assembly. The government has also announced to establish a human rights institution and a commission on combating discrimination and strengthen legal measures to combat hate crimes.
Col. Dursun Çiçek, who has recently been arrested for drafting an action plan to destroy the ruling party, was interrogated by civilian prosecutors about the members of the military who gave him the order to prepare the plan. He however denied knowledge of the action plan and responsibility for the signature on the document. This ‘anti-democracy’ plot has seriously damaged people's trust in the Turkish military. Later on, the accused Colonel was released less than two days after his arrest on charges of membership in Ergenekon, a move strongly condemned by the jurists.

Geo-strategic Front: Turkey has expressed its readiness to store low-enriched uranium from Iran and assured that there would be no technical obstacles in the way of such storage. Ahmadinejad has appreciated Turkey’s role regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile growing Turkish ties with Spain, Italy, Egypt, Russia and Iraq remain significant. Turkey has also welcomed Kosovo’s first elections and has strongly condemned Israeli aggression.

Social Front: The number of women who wear the headscarf has increased from 64.2 percent to 69.4 percent in the last four years under the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) administration and the percentage of women who wear the “turban,” a more conservative way of covering the head, has increased from 3.5 percent to 16.3 percent. Meanwhile many people claim that Turkish education has also become more religious taking Turkey to the ‘Arab’ path.
Meanwhile the number of swine flu victims has crossed 73.
Economic Front: Growing unemployment seems to be a serious concern for the Turkish government.

CHINA

Geo-strategic Front: Mainland China has expressed keenness to enhance economic cooperation with Taiwan. Meanwhile Chinese growing ties with Sudan, Philippines, Vietnam, Syria, Japan and Africa grabbed attention. China has also expressed serious concern regarding Israeli aggression in Palestine.
The US President’s visit to China dominated the geo-strategic front this week, considered as very critical and significant. Public within the US observed sharp divide over this issue. Analysts view his visit as a new beginning of the US-China relations. While talking to media Obama stressed greatly on the need of joint US-China cooperation to confront various global challenges being faced by the globe.

Economic Front: The visit by Barack Obama has been well received by US businesses in China. Meanwhile the Chi Next Index fell by the end of the week as 19 out of the 28 shares at China's start-up board for small and medium-sized enterprises were down. The gross domestic product (GDP) of China's western regions rose 12.5 percent in the first nine months from a year earlier

Social Front: Widely spread swine flu has become a serious source of concern for China like many other countries as death toll suffering from the virus has crossed 53.

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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please PREVIEW your comments before posting.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 93

Week # 93, Dated 7th -13th Nov. 09’

CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front: Preparations for Municipal elections are in full swing in Azerbaijan with almost 1000 nominations from the ruling party. Meanwhile, Majlis, the lower chamber of the Kazakh parliament, has endorsed the amendments to the draft law designating administrative accountability for increasing Kazakhstan's content in state procurement of goods and services. All the while the plight of detained Kazakh activist in an alleged political case continues. The Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan has elected Roza Otunbaeva as its new leader.
Two women in Tajikistan's northern Sughd Province have been detained for alleged membership in the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). Meanwhile Famous political prisoner and key opposition leader Sanjar Umarov has been freed in Uzbekistan.
Geo-strategic Front: International mediators have expressed satisfaction over upcoming meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Meanwhile Iran has unilaterally announced to lift visa requirements with Azerbaijan. Defense ministers from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have gathered in Dushanbe, Tajikistan for the 57th session. Meanwhile the US ambassador has expressed keenness to boost ties with Uzbekistan.
Social Front: Azeri TV channels and Radio have expressed serious concerns regarding protection of Azeri language. While more than 2000 Kazakhs have applied to go for Hajj despite wide spread fear of swine flu. Many cases of swine flu have been reported in Kyrgyzstan, and two cases have been reported in Azerbaijan. In Turkmenistan pilgrimage for Muslims to 38 sacred places within the country was organized.
At least 3,500 children live in orphanages in Kyrgyzstan. All the while many people in the southern Kyrgyz region have started changing their family names back to Soviet-era, Russified surnames claiming it is easier thus to get registered with the Russian police and even get better jobs.
Economic Front: Parliament of Azerbaijan has started discussion over state budget 2010. Meanwhile Azerbaijan and Iran have signed MoU on supply of natural gas. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Kazakhstan has declined 3.2% in January-September 09’ as compared to last year. While in Kyrgyzstan the consumer costs have reduced by 0.2 % in the same period. Deflation has also been traced in Azerbaijan and Moldova, with 1.7 and 2.9 % respectively. At the same time Kyrgyz (GDP) has grown by 3.2 % and has hit 157 billion soms, in 2009.
The lower house of the Tajik parliament has approved the national budget for 2010. Meanwhile gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Iran has been completed and it is ready for official launch of gas pipeline to China.

GCC- Gulf Cooperation Council
Political Front
: Kuwaiti opposition party has asked PM to step down for handing a 700,000-dollar cheque to a former MP. Meanwhile in Bahrain a campaign called '19@2010' has been launched to push for lowering the voting age from 20 to 19 years in the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections.
Geo-strategic Front: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) approval of the Goldstone report about the Israeli army’s grave human rights violations during its assault on Gaza Strip early this year. GCC Secretary General also welcomed the formation of a new Lebanese government, headed by Saad Al-Hariri. While honoring its commitments Saudi Arabia has announced to provide economic assistance to Pakistan. Meanwhile Saudi air attacks against Yemeni rebels at its border area have raised the chances of intensification of the conflict that the US has expressed serious concern over. At the same time all Arab countries have extended full support to Kingdom for its action. Kuwait has reiterated its stance and support for Palestinians right of self determination. Meanwhile Qatari Emir has recently paid visit to Bahrain in order to boost their bilateral ties.
Oman has sent various relief packages to the earthquake victims in Indonesian islands.
Social Front: The Saudi health Ministry has assured that it would not ban any one from performing Hajj, being considered as at high risk of swine flu.
Economic Front: Saudi private sector investments in the US reached SR1.58 trillion last year. Meanwhile Saudi Senior Executives seem more confident over their economic prospects and satisfied with their government’s response to economic turmoil as compared to their counterparts in UAE.

TURKEY
Political Front: Kurdish issue dominated the Turkish political front. The Ruling AK Party initiated debate over ‘democratic initiative to resolve Kurdish issue, in Parliament on 10 November; the death anniversary of Kamal Atatürk. The Opposition strongly criticized the choice of date claiming it undermined the reverence of their leader’s anniversary. In the meantime PM has announced to visit 81 cities to propagate his ‘democratic initiative’. Also the Pro Kurdish Democratic Party has asked the government to form a special parliamentary committee to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile the police was asked to complete investigations on a military plot set to topple AKP’s regime. Also the government has been alleged for ordering intelligence agencies to tap telephones of top judges and other members of Turkish judiciary.
Geo-strategic Front: The ICJ convicted Sudanese President’s decision to cancel his upcoming visit to Turkey to attend OIC Conference was suspected to have come about due to Turkish pressure, a claim that both governments deny. Meanwhile the OIC summit was held this week in Turkey where main issues under debate included; peace in Afghanistan and the resolution of Darfur crisis. Besides that Turkey and Iran also discussed IAEA proposal about Turkish role in Iranian Uranium deal; being backed by the US.
Greek Cypriot has assured that it would not block Turkish bid for EU. Meanwhile there are widespread assumptions regarding Turkish-French deal about the formers membership of EU; while the later has voiced high hopes for Turkish role in Mid-East peace process. Hezbollah has also appreciated Turkish role in the peace process. In the meantime Syria has also asked Turkey to mediate the resolution of the Middle Eastern crises.
Social Front: Death toll of swine flu victims has reached 60 in Turkey, while around 250,000 recoveries through vaccination have been reported.
Economic Front: G20 states, including Turkey, have agreed to maintain the availability of financial stimulus measures until the world economy shows more improvement. Meanwhile the Turkish President has asked OIC to take measures to improve trade and economic ties among member states. Turkey’s industrial production has decreased by 8.6 %in September compared to last year. At the same time the stock market closed at 48,864.00 points with the benchmark index up by 1.51%. A standby loan agreement between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been delayed by the government for political purposes. Meanwhile total foreign trade volume between Turkey and Egypt is expected to reach $3.5 billion by the end of year.

CHINA
Political Front:
China's anti-graft chief He Guoqiang has urged nationwide grass root units to strengthen honest governance. Meanwhile Chinese President has urged to establish and improve the mechanism of democratic self-governance of villages that can both secure the Communist Party's leadership and safeguard villagers' rights.
Geo-strategic Front: A delegation from the Chinese mainland paid a six days visit to Taiwan in an effort to improve ties. Also the former has expressed readiness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on financial supervision with Taiwan. Close Chinese-African relations remain significant while China and Serbia also seem keen to strengthen their military ties.
China has expressed high hopes about Obama’s recent visit to the country. Chinese relations with Singapore also seem to be in full swing. All the while China has agreed to sell $1.4 billion worth of jets to Pakistan.
Social Front: The study of Chinese has become increasingly popular in France. Meanwhile the growing number of H1N1 flu cases in the mainland has triggered a rush for insurance products as more and more people have been trying to mitigate exposure and health risks.
In order to address environmental issues South China's Guangdong province has ordered a halt to any further expansion of three major polluting industries in the Pearl River Delta area.
Nine men have been executed for taking part in rioting that left nearly 200 people dead in Urumqi in July.
Economic Front: China has decided to raise gasoline and diesel prices both by 480 Yuan (70.28 U.S. dollars) per tonne. Meanwhile China's auto sales rose 72 % year on year to 1.22 million units in October on the back of strong domestic demand boosted by government stimulus measures. Chinese equities closed slightly higher with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 11.55 points, or 0.36%. Also the country’s urban fixed-asset investment rose 33.1 % in the first 10 months to 15.07 trillion yuan (2.21 trillion U.S. dollars), compared with the same period a year earlier. China's imports and exports fell 10.7 %in October year on year, but monthly exports exceeded100 billion U.S. dollars for a fourth straight month. Imports however stood at 86.8 billion U.S. dollars for October, a decrease of 6.4 % compared with the same month last year.
The Chinese President Hu Jintao gave a four-point proposal to boost economic growth and revive world economy during a speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit.

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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.
Please PREVIEW Your Comments Before Posting.