Week # 119, Dated 8-14 May 2010 GCC
Geo-strategic Front:
Top leaders of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council started their 12th consultative summit meeting in Saudi Arabia last week. Ma
in areas of focus remained Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, Iraqi elections and Iran’s nuclear issue apart from general political, economic and security issues being faced by the member states. All the while Saudi Foreign Minister reiterated the Arab stand regarding guaranteeing the rights of all countries in the region to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Kuwait took a similar stand while also asking Israel to open its nuclear facilities to IAEA.
Economic Front:
Bahrain has advocated the peaceful use of nuclear energy to serve economic development. Growing Chinese economic ties with the Arab world also seem to be important. Meanwhile amendments to the US-Bahrain FTA have been approved by the Shura Council.
Social Front:
Qatar-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Yousuf al-Qaradawi has urged those European countries which are considering outlawing the full veil (niqab) to review their plans, saying that such a move might prompt some Muslims to campaign for imposing a “modest dress code” on foreigners living in Muslim countries.
Floods in Jeddah have caused severe damage to lives and properties of residents. Meanwhile the media has declared corruption to be the main cause of poor infra-structure being badly affected by floods.
An annual Reports released by UAE’s National Committee to combat Human Trafficking has clearly evinced remarkable performance of the state in controlling such activity.
FERTILE CRESCENT
Political Front:
Egyptian Parliament has approved a two-year extension of an amended emergency law despite vociferous objections from opposition and independent MPs.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the IAEA has issued a public call for political change in Egypt ahead of presidential elections planned for next year. He has also denied emergency law that bans gatherings critical of the government of Hosni Mubarak. Meanwhile Human Rights activists and opposition parties mainly Muslim Brotherhood have also condemned government’s implementation of the emergency law.
Following the March elections in Iraq a functional government is yet to be established. Existing uncertainty has led jihadi groups to fuel their activities. Meanwhile an effort on the part of Shia parties to form government risks the fear of marginalization of the Sunni minority. Meanwhile the recount of votes in Baghdad hasn’t brought any remarkable change in over all election results.
In the run-up to the 2009 parliamentary election in Lebanon reportedly an estimated $35 million was spent on election-related activities by different political parties. Meanwhile a further $32 million was spent on political advertising and media in the period from August 2008 and July 2009.
Geo-strategic Front:
Four African countries i.e. Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania have signed a new treaty on the equitable sharing of the Nile waters despite strong opposition from Egypt and Sudan who have the lion's share of the river’s water.
Meanwhile Israelis and Palestinians have finally started indirect talks regarding the Middle East Peace Process.
Economic Front:
The UN FAO seems optimistic about wheat production in Iraq this year mainly because of suitable weather conditions.
Social Issues:
Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority has announced to block Skype’s voice over Internet protocol, via mobile phones. Cairo said Skype was violating Egyptian law by providing international calling outside the “approved gateways.”
Meanwhile active participation of Lebanese women in local elections clearly indicates progress in the country.
CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front:
The top military commander in the breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh has dismissed Azerbaijan's continuing threats to take back the disputed region by force.
Kazakh lower and upper houses of Parliament have approved constitutional amendments, one after the other, granting President Nursultan Nazarbaev the status of "leader of the nation”. Opposition however has strongly condemned this major amendment.
Supporters of Kyrgyzstan's interim government have clashed with supporters of ousted President Bakiev in the south of the country, where Bakiev loyalists have already occupied several regional government buildings. Meanwhile large numbers of protestors have launched demonstrations in the capital city and have demanded trial of the ousted President. Under enormous pressure, interim government has requested Latvian government to detain the son of their ousted President Bakiev. Meanwhile a difference of opinion has emerged among the members of ruling regime over the issue of constitutional changes.
The Tajik President has reinstated the State Committee on Religious Affairs to oversee the country's religious organizations.
The Turkmen parliament has approved a new edition of the country's Criminal Code that reduces the maximum sentence for the most serious crimes.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov has signed a decree to abolish private notary offices in order to avoid criminal situations.
Geo-strategic Front:
The Kyrgyz-Kazakh border remains closed despite an agreement between the two countries' leaders to reopen it.
The US has demanded greater transparency in the supply of aviation fuel to a key U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile Iran has offered to play the role of a mediator between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Turkmenistan has expressed keenness to enhance ties with CIS countries.
Economic Front:
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania have signed a Protocol on the Export of Liquefied natural gas to Europe.
Kazakhstan has invited India to join its industrial program. Russian companies also seem keen to start energy projects in the Kazakh oil and gas sectors. Meanwhile China has lifted a ban on grain exports from the country.
Tajikistan and Pakistan have discussed ways to expand their bilateral economic and trade ties.
Social Front:
Floods in South eastern part of Azerbaijan have compelled a large number of people to leave their homes.
Meanwhile floods in Tajikistan have reportedly caused deaths of more than 20 people. The President has expressed serious concerns regarding coping with the issue effectively.
In a separate development the Tajik government has suspended a ban on advertisement of mobile phones.
SOUTH ASIA
Political Front:
The BNP led regime has been declared as the main reason behind emergency rule that was imposed in Bangladesh in January 2007, by ruling regime.
Meanwhile in Nepal, Maoists have resumed their hard-line approach over the issue of integration of Maoist cadres into the Royal Army. They carried out a six days strike to mount pressure on the government. The Business communities have also called for an end to the ongoing dispute. Amidst such pressure it seems unlikely that the government would succeed in promulgating the new constitution by May 28. Meanwhile the EU has asked Nepalese PM to quit his seat in order to restore stability.
Geo-strategic Front:
Saudi Arabian Airlines suspended all its flights from the Kingdom to Bangladesh last week following a strike by air fuel station workers in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile Bangladesh and South Korea held a summit on May 18 to discuss bilateral economic cooperation.
The Foreign Minister of Maldives discussed bilateral ties as well as regional issues with the Pakistani government during his visit to the nation last week.
The Maldivian Minister of Home Affairs has promised to allow International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) officials to enter the island state without a visa.
India and Nepal have signed two MoUs that aim to enhance economic ties between the two countries.
Sri Lankan President has urged the international community to be aware of the threats being faced by the nation at the hands of remnants of the subdued Tamil tigers.
Economic Front:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has devised a costly lending program for Bangladesh this year as it has increased its hard-term loans up from the softer ones in the revised aid scheme.
Economic growth in Bhutan slowed sharply last year to 6% as tourist numbers fell. Meanwhile according to the World Bank's report Sri Lanka's economy expanded by 3.3% in the second half of 2009, the fastest rate recorded since 2002 showing stability despite a weak global economy.
Social Front:
According to reports Bangladesh has announced to send its first all-female contingent of police officers on a United Nations peacekeeping mission, to help with reconstruction in quake-devastated Haiti.
Nepal is suffering from food shortage of 316,465 metric tones, affecting over 1.6 million people this year.
INDIA
Political Front:
BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has strongly criticized the Congress-led UPA government for being soft on terrorists and their sympathizers because of vote bank politics. He blamed UPA for price rise and increasing Naxal insurgency in the country. He also condemned Samajwadi party for betraying opposition parties during cut-motions in the parliament.
Recently made remarks by the Indian Environment Minister urging the need to lift restrictions over Chinese investments, have brought huge criticism against him mainly by opposition parties and to certain extent by Congress as well.
The Election Commission of India (EC) has announced the poll schedule for the biennial election to 11 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh as eleven members of the Rajya Sabha from the state will retire on July 4.
Meanwhile 7 police jawans have been added to the list of deceased this week at the hand of the Maoists.
Geo-strategic Front:
During a recently held meeting in Tehran, Indian Deputy NSA has asked Iran to extend cooperation in order to bring stability in Afghanistan. They however remained quiet about security-related issues.
Meanwhile The US administration has named India's oil and gas flagship ONGC and Indian Oil Corp (IOC) among the 41 firms worldwide having energy ties with Iran, an act for which it may impose sanctions on them.
Indian government has extended the ban on LTTE by another two years following intelligence reports that remnants of the Sri Lankan Tamil terror outfit were trying to re-group in Tamil Nadu.
Economic Front:
Last week the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex registered its biggest single day gain of 561 points in ten months after EU and IMF agreed on a 1 trillion dollar emergency fund for the Union to help contain the region's credit crisis.
Social Front:
Strong criticism by media and civil society against Darul Uloom Deoband’s statement that women should not work with men; led Darul Uloom to withdraw from its stance.
Meanwhile a faction of the Gujjars has warned to launch a fresh agitation against the 1% additional quota offered to the community by the government, saying it was not ready to settle for anything less than the 5 % separate reservation.
Meanwhile an increase in the number of cases of honor killings has been observed in Indian Punjab.
EAST ASIA
Political Front:
A group of militants has been arrested by the Indonesian police during raids.
Meanwhile in Malaysia the campaign for bi-elections of mainly urban and ethnic Chinese parliament seat of Sibu has led to a historic win where Malaysia's opposition snatched the parliamentary seat in a ruling coalition stronghold.
Besides that Anwar Ibrahim’s ongoing trial has increased tension between ruling regime and opposition party.
The Thai Prime Minister has put forward a plan to end the rallies that have crippled Bangkok but it remained in limbo as talks dragged on over the details, including a proposed early election in mid-November. Opposition Parties have agreed to accept government’s plan but warned to continue their sit-in protest as until the government allows their satellite television to go back on the air and until key government leaders face charges related to bloody April 10 clashes in which 25 people were killed and more than 800 others wounded.
Finally elections have been held in Philippines. More than 85,000 candidates have contested elections for 17,000 seats. Meanwhile President-apparent Benigno Aquino III refused to take an oath of office before the new chief justice, alleging impropriety in the appointment by the outgoing president in the ending days of her term.
Geo-strategic Front:
The Cambodian government has recently signed a treaty with China to enhance cooperation. Meanwhile Southeast Asian leaders have raised concerns about regional stability in the wake of Thailand's political crisis.
Economic Front:
Indonesia's economic growth has accelerated in the first quarter to its fastest pace since the third quarter of 2008. In the 2010 budget, government of Indonesia has allocated Rp. 9 billion for modernization of old textile and leather machineries in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The Indo-Indonesian trade has expanded by over 20 % in the first two months of 2010. Sino-Thai links too have further enhanced. Economists hope to witness economic growth in the post election scenario. Meanwhile Vietnam has announced to invest around US$8.6 billion in island infrastructure to boost national defense and economic development on its remote ocean outposts.
Social Front:
In recently held elections in Philippines nine people were killed. Despite such election violence it should be noted that poverty and disease have decreased significantly in the country, but people are still at risk from crime, road accidents, food safety, pollution, human trafficking, drugs, domestic and sexual violence, the destruction of natural resources, and political disorder.
AFGHANISTAN
Political Front:
The United Nations has agreed to provide $149 million to Afghanistan's election commission for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Meanwhile the Southern Province of Afghanistan remained the hub of violence as 3 NATO soldiers, 1 former police chief and his 2 body guards along with 20 Taliban fighters were killed. In the Western Province too 5 pro-government militiamen were killed by the Taliban. In eastern province the US has killed 15 Afghan civilians.
Geo-strategic Front:
Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai has asked foreign troops to pay more attention to securing civilian lives in the fight against insurgents. Karzai and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have vowed to put aside their differences and work together to build a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
Meanwhile Estonia has announced to keep its troops in Afghanistan as long as their presence is required.
Social Front:
More than 2 dozen people were killed in Northern Afghanistan because of heavy floods.
Meanwhile the Counter-Narcotics Ministry has lashed out at the Kandahar governor for not cooperating in efforts at eradicating opium poppies from the troubled southern province.
CHINA
Political Front:
Chinese Mainland has once again urged Taiwan to give up its pro-independence stance.
Meanwhile China has also started putting efforts to reforms in its judicial system. Also the Chinese Vice President has asked Communist Party officials to eradicate political jargons from their speeches.
Geo-strategic Front:
Chinese President paid a visit to Russia last week at the occasion of their Celebration Day in the memory of their victory against Germany. Both States discussed areas of bilateral cooperation. Chinese growing ties with Sweden, Denmark Cambodia and Namibia also remained significant.
China has urged the international community to enhance cooperation to deal with the global financial crisis in an effective manner. Meanwhile China has also expressed its intention to maintain peace and stability at the Indo-Sino border. Improvement in Chinese ties with Japan as well as South Korea has also been observed.
China has rejected U.S. President Barrack Obama's recent accusation that the country's press was not free. At the same time the US has expressed its desire to work with China in order to expand global economy.
China has welcomed the start of indirect talks between Israel and Palestine. The Chinese government has also congratulated Philippines over smooth conduct of their general elections.
This week Chinese close cooperation with the Arab world and African countries also grabbed attention.
Economic Front:
Chinese government has been putting efforts to improve environment for foreign direct investments. China has asked developed nations to assist the developing world in its green economy endeavor by technology transfer, financial assistance and market liberalization.
China's fiscal revenue in April rose 34.4% year on year to 792.6 billion Yuan (116.03 billion U.S. dollars), boosted by rising tax revenues and domestic prices. Meanwhile China's government has opened a new range of government-run industries to the private sector, either through investment in existing companies or establishment of new firms.
China has made an Exhibition Centre to increased imports of African commodities.
President of the Asian Development Bank has said that exchange rate of Yuan is China’s internal affair.
China has asked banks to freeze more money from lending through a higher reserve requirement. However despite droughts, agricultural price increases and other unfavorable factors, China's agricultural exports have seen a 20 % growth in the first quarter of 2010.
Social Front:
The Chinese government has set up environmental protection agencies to build capacity with the confidence to balance economic growth and protection of environment.
According to reports the world's most populous nations, China and India, have improved the lives of more slum dwellers than any other country. Meanwhile China is engaged in efforts to stop floods.
Internet services have been resumed in North-West China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region after 10 months, originally stalled after a riot in Urumqi on July 5 last year. §________________________________________________________
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