Friday, April 30, 2010

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 115

Week # 115, Dated 10 to 16 April 2010

TURKEY

Political Front: The Ankara-based metropolis Strategic and Social Research Center conducted a poll on 7 & 8 April regarding the question of Constitutional amendments. 50.6% respondents supported the reforms while 39.2% claimed that in case of referendum they would not support the amendments package.

Geo-strategic Front: Turkish Foreign Minister has expressed optimism about the chances of revival of the Iranian nuclear deal with Turkey according to which Iran would send its low enriched uranium reactors to Turkey. He further denied any knowledge of sanctions against Iran and reiterated the importance of the nation for Turkey being provider of a route to the later to Central Asia. He further regarded peaceful negotiations to be the best way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.

Meanwhile during the 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit in Washington US President Barrack Obama has urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to maintain Turkey’s constructive contribution, initiative and efforts to achieve a solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff. In response Erdogan urged the international community to pay equal attention to Israel as well that has been carrying on acts of aggression against Palestine.

On the sideline of the nuclear summit Erdogan held meeting with the Armenian President and asked him to resolve their issues with Azerbaijan as Turkish-Armenian relations can not be delineated from Azeri-Armenian ties.

Italy disagrees with France and Germany’s view that Turkey should have a “privileged partnership” with the European Union. Meanwhile Turkish growing ties with Oman, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan also grabbed attention.

Economic Front: Turkey and Iran have planned to commence studies for the establishment of a free industrial zone between the two countries. Turkish foreign direct investment (FDI) has recently become more concentrated in Middle Eastern countries, rising by 55.9 % in the first two months of the year over the same period of 2009 and accounting for 43.8 % of all investments made. Turkey has lost nearly $208 million in the past three years due to problems it has faced in the operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (BTC), carrying Caspian Sea crude oil to European markets.

Social front: Religious groups have expressed their concern after Dutch research recently identified 185 different industrial uses of a pig – including the use of its hemoglobin in cigarette filters. The announcement prompted Turkish health authorities to conduct a series of tests on different brands of cigarettes sold in Turkey, concluding that there was no trace of the blood.

GCC

Geo-strategic Front: Pakistan has welcomed Saudi mediation for the restoration of meaningful composite dialogue with India.

Meanwhile the Saudi King has won appreciation for his call to hold dialogue among various religions.

Bahrain and Thailand have agreed to bolster their cooperation on food security, Islamic finance, education, culture and construction. Meanwhile Oman has started talks with the UK seeking to buy Euro-fighter Typhoon aircrafts.

Economic Front: Yemeni imports from Pakistan have reached USD 200 million during the past year. Saudi stock exchange rose at highest level since 2008. The government has decided to pay the difference of the customs fees applied under the Gulf Cooperation Council unified customs tariff on 180 major food items and construction materials to help curb inflation in the Kingdom that reportedly surged to a 27-year high of 8.7% in February.

Qatar has offered to invest $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) in France's heavily indebted CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest shipping group.

Social Front: A bomb explosion at a South Yemeni Prison caused successful escape of 30 prisoners.

In Saudi Arabia, land and homeowners in unplanned districts across the province of Makah have demanded an increase on compensation packages which have already paid out SR32 billion for 2,000 properties demolished by the Mayor’s Office.

Government of Bahrain has refused to register cars with Gulf license plates. Meanwhile a municipal council in Bahrain has demanded closure of restaurants and cafés at midnight. Analysts claim that such demand could increase existing strain between liberals and conservatives in the country.

Kuwait's information ministry has pledged a zero-tolerance policy towards satellite channels that broadcast programs that could "erode national unity or undermine social cohesion. Meanwhile Kuwaiti media criticized the participation of three Kuwaiti athletes in an international track meet where Israelis also participated.

Public Smoking has been banned in Qatar.

IRAN

Political Front: Iran has barred reformist former president Mohammad Khatami from leaving the country ahead of a trip he planned to make to Japan for a nuclear disarmament conference.

Geo-strategic Front: Iran's envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog has criticized the US nuclear summit and claimed that any decision made over there would not be binding for those who would not attend the summit. On the other hand five permanent members of UNSC along with Germany have been engaged in talks regarding sanctions against Iran, where Turkey and BRIC countries have emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution for the issue.

While talking to the press recently Iranian military Commander has warned that Iran would respond to any military attack from the United States by targeting American forces stationed in the Middle East.

Economic Front: Following talks with the US President, Malaysian PM has announced to cut off gasoline supplies to Iran because of its controversial nuclear program. Meanwhile China sold two gasoline cargoes to Iran. Besides that growing economic ties of Iran with Brazil and Poland are also significant.

Social Front: Large numbers of German tourists have been visiting Iran this week. All the while growing Iranian cooperation with Turkey against drugs and boosting South-Korean & Iranian cultural ties also remained potent.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front: The European Court of Human Rights has strongly condemned the government of Azerbaijan for its poor voting record.

Opposition activists and independent journalists gave a petition to the U.S. Consulate in Almaty urging President Barrack Obama to reject Kazakh President's invitation to attend an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit in Astana. Meanwhile the Kyrgyz interim regime offered security guarantees to ousted President and his family in case he agreed to resign and then leave the country. Ousted President Bakiev accepted the offer and has now moved to Kazakhstan. Before leaving Kyrgyzstan, Bakiev addressed his nation and said that he has been toppled by force. Meanwhile Interim government has taken an initiative to run a trial against the President for killing dozens of innocent people.

Geo-strategic Front: Turkish Foreign Minister has reiterated his country’s constant position over the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, during his meeting with Azeri counterpart. The Azeri FM has also discussed areas of bilateral cooperation with the EU.

Kazakh PM has announced to provide humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan for the victims of the violent clashes between antigovernment protesters and Kyrgyz security forces. Meanwhile Kyrgyz President has granted the US new over-flight rights for the re-supply of US and NATO troops in Afghanistan.

India and Kazakhstan have started talks for a civil nuclear deal.

US Assistant Secretary of State paid a visit to Kyrgyzstan last week and held a meeting with the new government. Meanwhile the interim leader of Kyrgyzstan has agreed to abide by previous agreements on Manas Airport.

In the meanwhile Russia has warned Kyrgyzstan against the threat of civil war amidst ongoing political crisis.

Economic Front: Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the project AGRI for gas supply. The World Bank has provided 13.5 million U.S. dollars for rehabilitation of the water supply system in the city of Kulob.

The 2nd meeting of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian commission on economic cooperation was held in Yerevan.

Belarus has ratified an intergovernmental agreement with Turkmenistan on international motor transportation of passengers and cargos.

Social Front: Azerbaijani police dispersed an opposition rally against restrictions on freedom of assembly in the capital city and briefly detained demonstrators.

A web browser that bypasses censors has become the most popular way to access the Internet in Kazakhstan.

EAST ASIA

Political Front: Indonesian President has voiced positive expectations from the Jakarta Declaration that would boost infrastructure development in Asia-Pacific region. The declaration would probably be signed in ongoing Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference in Jakarta.

The Malaysian PM was in the US last week attending the nuclear summit.

In Bangkok, Thailand Pro-Thaksin Red Shirt demonstrators have launched violent protests. Despite a declaration of emergency in the country protestors refused to end their demonstration demanding that the PM step down. Despite huge pressure the PM who enjoys full support of the establishment has hence far remained reluctant to leave his place.

Unrest has increased prior to upcoming elections in the Philippines. Last week a grenade attack on a political gathering left one man dead and 14 wounded. Meanwhile government’s decision to use machines for voting in May-10 elections has also become a point of concern for analysts who claim that it would lead to unfair voting and would cause problems in elections.

Vietnam’s media has started drawing comparison between Thai unrest and stability in their country amidst recent crisis in the former.

Geo-strategic Front: The United States has announced its decision to stop a shipment of military trucks to Cambodia as punishment for sending Uighur asylum-seekers back to China.

Economic Front: The United States and Indonesia signed an agreement paving the way for increased US investment in Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's fourth most populous country. Meanwhile Newzeland and Malaysia have also signed a free-trade agreement.

Pakistan has appreciated Malaysian investment in Baluchistan province in various sectors.

Political unrest has adversely affected Thai economy. Meanwhile Myanmar and Vietnam have agreed to promote economic cooperation in 12 key sectors.

Social Front: People have launched violent demonstrations in the Indonesian capital asking one of the senior officials to resign.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Aceh province of Indonesia last week.

SOUTH ASIA

Political Front: Bangladesh, Dhaka High Court judges threatened to call the police after former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s lawyers shouted slogans in a courtroom and threatened them, calling them “agents” of the government.

The government of Maldives has presented the Political Parties Act bill to the parliament and declared it an effort to strengthen the democratic system in the nation.

Meanwhile a member of the Maldivian Presidential Commission, who had been appointed to investigate corruption allegations against the former regime, has resigned, after the President’s Office allegedly informed the commission not to disclose details of an investigation.

The Nepali Congress has offered to back a reinstallation of a Maoist government in the country, incase they come out with a concrete action plan on former combatants and meet other key demands. Congress has also expressed serious concern about future of peace process after 28 May- due date for completion of the constitutional draft.

Geo-strategic Front: The government of Bangladesh has given approval for a deal with Russia to build a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant to meet energy needs. Meanwhile Denmark has assured Bangladesh of providing more support to the country's power, energy, ship building industry and trade and business sectors for her socio- economic development. UCPN (Maoist) has intensified bilateral discussions with different parties in an attempt to get their support against the current coalition government.

Economic Front: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Bangladesh to boost electricity generation through public-private partnership to stimulate the overall economy. The idea of lending small loans to poor people has grabbed the attention of Bangladeshi government. United Nations and Maldives Government have signed the agreement on the USD 40.6 million, as pledged during the donor conference.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cautioned that Nepal could continue to feel the lagged effect of the crisis in 2010, which in turn could challenge country’s macro-economic management.

Iran has expressed desire to double its purchase of sSri Lankan tea. Meanwhile the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced to provide an emergency loan of $150 million to Sri Lanka for projects involving the internally displaced persons.

Social Front: People across Nepal celebrated the country's New Year on 14 April in accordance with the official calendar Bikram Era 206. In the meantime Sinhalese and Tamil Communities jointly celebrated their Traditional New Year for the first time, ending a three decades old conflict.

INDIA

Political Front: Leader of main opposition party BJP has strongly condemned Congress for the price rise and growing rate of unemployment in the country. Meanwhile he also condemned DMK for the power and power crisis in Tamil Nadu. He called his own party to be a non-communal party that works for country’s development irrespective of caste and creed. Government has also been condemned for launching operation against Naxalites. Trinamool Congress Chief, Mamta Banerjee, has claimed that government’s launched operation in search of Maoists has caused ruthless killing of innocent people. The Government meanwhile has successfully flown an American Unmanned Ariel Vehicle in the first trial run during the operation against Naxalites.

All the while involvement of Tharoor in the IPL franchise has raised concerns among political circles and even in his own party. Left parties have even demanded his resignation as, for them, its highly inappropriate for a minister in the Union government to be part of such activities.

The Chief Election Commissioner expressed concern that roughly 700 out of 1,000 registered political parties do not contest polls but the Election Commission has no power to de-register them.

Economic Front: Majority of Indian investors have high hopes regarding Indian economic recovery and growth.

Social Front: Senior BJP leader L K Advani has said that the party needs to work to explain to the people that Hindutva and Indian secularism are synonymous. §

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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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Monday, April 26, 2010

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 114

Week # 112, Dated 3rd- 9th April 2010

TURKEY

Political Front: Seven members of the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have been killed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) during operations carried out in Hakkari.

The ruling party has re-opened constitutional amendment bill for signatures. Despite strong opposition by CHP, MNP and BDP; the government seems quite optimistic about getting some votes from a few of the deputies of these opposition parties. At the same time Baykal has also expressed flexibility in his stance regarding the approval of bill by saying that his party would back AKP if the government rules out the articles that intend to bring changes in judicial structure.

Geo-strategic Front: Turkish PM has reiterated his support for a diplomatic solution to resolve Iranian nuclear issue and claimed that sanctions would not play an effective role in compelling Iran to avoid pursuing nuclear program.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Israeli FM for his remarks condemning Turkish PM. Meanwhile Turkish PM has declared Israel as main threat to the peace in Middle East.

Turkish envoy is visiting Armenia to hold talks on the delayed ratification of agreements to improve ties. All the while Turkey and Greece have reached an agreement on five new Confidence Building Measures during the visit of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister to Ankara. Turkish PM also paid a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Economic Front: Turkey’s annual inflation figures reached 8.52% in March 2010. All the while industrial production has also started growing at a constant pace.

Social Front: Turkish police have rounded up nine more suspects, including a former international footballer, in connection with a match-fixing probe.

Increasing number of suicide attempts being carried by youth has emerged as a serious social issue being faced by Turkey.


GCC

Political Front: Yemen's southern separatists observed civil disobedience in the two southern provinces of Al Dhaleh and Lahj where secession sentiments run highest among the country's six southern provinces. Yemeni government has released 236 men, who had been arrested for supporting Al Houthi rebels. The release of prisoners is part of the six conditions for peace framework agreed upon by the government and the rebels. Later on government announced to stop efforts to end the Al Houthi armed rebellion north of Yemen after alleged violations by the rebels including the kidnapping of 11 soldiers.

Geo-strategic Front: The Syrian government has canceled a deal with Kuwait's AL-Noor Financial Investment Company to build a 140,000 barrel per day refinery in eastern Syria. The announcement has been regarded as a setback for the Gulf country that aimed to attract investments to meet their domestic needs.

A new air route Riyadh - Mumbai - Riyadh has been launched on March 31, 2010 with frequency of 4 flights in week. India and Saudi Arabia have expressed keenness to boost their strategic ties. Saudi Arabia and Vietnam have also started working on boosting their bilateral relation. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia has announced that it would not interfere in Iraqi affairs.

A Saudi scholar has voiced his intention to visit Jerusalem next week, and has been told by the Israeli authorities to seek a visa. Meanwhile Kuwait has denied reports that Israeli nationals have been allowed into the country.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the State of Kuwait have reached an unprecedented agreement according to which the two sides would organize joint courses and Kuwaiti lecturers would educate NATO personnel on some regional issues.

The Palestinian ambassador to Bahrain has urged the local sports authorities and the national football team to go ahead with a match scheduled for May 28 in Palestine, assuring them that they would not deal with Israelis and that their passports would not be stamped by Israel. Despite the reassurance the Bahrainian MP has called for cancellation of the match.

Economic Front: GCC has started working on some $2trillion worth projects in the region that would create extensive opportunities for global construction and investment community. The annual political and economic dialogue between the 27-member European Union and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would take place in Brussels next week with the aim to foster cooperation and ties between the two regional groupings. Above all this, GCC stock markets have started posting gains since the end of the month of March 2010.

Oman has recently pledged $100 million in aid to Yemen. Meanwhile an increase in Saudi stock exchange has been observed. Rapid growth has also been observed between UAE and Norway.

The price of Kuwaiti crude oil reached $ 81.07 per barrel on April 6, an increase of $ 3.89 per barrel compared to a week earlier.

Social Front: The Human Rights Watch has asked the United Nations, the government of Yemen and Al Houthi rebels to investigate violations of the rules of war committed during a recent conflict in the north of the country. Meanwhile UN agencies have asked the government to grant them access to distressed civilians in the former war zone.

President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) in Saudi Arabia has ordered a full investigation of the beating of a TV reporter during a major soccer match.

Kuwaiti lawyers have called for a number of major judicial reforms in the country. Meanwhile Kuwaiti Minister of Education and of Higher Education recently said that the updated English syllabus being taught in Kuwaiti schools indicated the country's increased "openness" to the rest of the world.

Oman has unveiled a new cyber-security agency tasked with defending the nation’s rapidly expanding IT and e-governance infrastructure from criminal attack.

Qatar has started working on new media laws.

FERTILE CRESCENT

Political Front: In Egypt last week tension erupted during a joint meeting of the human rights committee and the national security committee in the People's Assembly between delegates from the NDP and the Muslim Brotherhood. Strain escalated over the discussion of 12 information requests submitted by the Brotherhood in which they accused police officers of breaking into houses and violating the sanctity of women.

Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) decided to hold its annual one-day conference to announce its election platform before the upcoming parliamentary elections slated for the end of this year.

Iran has urged Iraqi leaders to form a national unity government that includes Sunni Muslims. The idea has sparked a debate in Iraq over the merits and deficiencies of unity government, with various factions and political figures lining up on either side of the proposal.

Recent announcement of an agreement between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, has compelled the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and the Lebanese Democratic Party (LDP) to declare their alliance; for upcoming municipal elections in Lebanon..

Geo-strategic Front: Egypt has been putting efforts to hold direct negotiations with Somali pirates and to persuade them to stop piracy.

More than 5,000 Sudanese voters in Egypt headed to polls last week to cast their votes in the presidential election. The electoral process in Egypt was being observed by representatives of the electoral commission as well as Egyptian civil society organizations.

The Washington Post has recently reported that U.S. President, Barak Obama, has seriously started putting efforts to present a new plan for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Economic Front: In accordance with the announcement made by Egypt's National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in February the country's three mobile operators have blocked service to all anonymous users and made-in-China cell phones which have repetitive serial numbers.

Social Front: Reporters for the Islam Online website went on strike three weeks ago, protesting the “unethical involvement” and “lack of transparency” displayed by their parent organization’s newly-elected board of directors. According to reports the Islamic Message Society, based in Qatar, had apparently been pushing the website--previously known for its moderate tone and tolerant views--in a “more conservative direction,” according to a former employee of the organization.

Reports indicate that Millions of Iraqis exist below the poverty line in a country which floats on oil and earned more than $60 billion from oil sales last year.


IRAN

Political Front: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Majlis deputies to spare no efforts to support the government and help remove existing obstacles to implementation of subsidy reform plan. Senior Iranian diplomat has claimed that conducting the upcoming meeting on disarmament in Iran would signify the country’s honesty and firm intention for elimination of nuclear weapons.

Geo-strategic Front: Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has called for a rapid release of the two Iranian nationals held by Italy, and asked the Italian official to avoid playing into the hands of the CIA and the Pentagon.

Iranian Defense Minister has rejected the speculations that Israel might launch an attack against the country, warning that any aggression by the regime will be reciprocated with a crushing response causing its annihilation. Lastly, Iran has warned international community that imposition of sanctions against the nation would lead to radicalization.

Economic Front: Iraq, China, United Arab Emirates, India and Afghanistan were the major importers of Iranian products in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2010).

Social Front: Iran and Turkey have dismantled 15 networks of drug trafficking during last Iranian calendar year started on March 20, 2009.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front: An Azerbaijani opposition party has postponed a protest after Baku authorities rejected a formal request to stage a protest outside city hall. Various international organizations have decided to present their plans for assisting Azerbaijan to prepare for the November Parliamentary elections. The Azerbaijani government has announced to create the necessary conditions for all political parties to hold activities under the law in the run up to the parliamentary elections.

Kyrgyz President has denied any chances of stepping down amidst opposition’s calls. All the while the opposition party has launched massive protests against government and claimed to have its own mini government in Bishkek; the Government employed force to counter protestors.

Geo-strategic Front: Azerbaijani Interior Ministry has announced to launch large scale counter-terrorism operation along Russian border. Azerbaijan has also warned military intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh in case of failure of peace talks.

Russia has moved toward recognizing the self-proclaimed new leadership of Kyrgyzstan by the Kyrgyz opposition party -- while the United States says it has not yet decided whether to recognize the new authorities.

Meanwhile flights supporting NATO operations in Afghanistan from an air base in Kyrgyzstan have been temporarily suspended following violent political upheaval in Bishkek.

Turkmenistan is looking forward to boost cooperation with France.

President of Uzbekistan held meetings with the head of US Central Command and the General Secretary of UN respectively. Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged restraint in a growing dispute between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan over the building of a massive Tajik hydroelectric dam.

Economic Front: Marketing and economic operations department of Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR) exported 13, 317 tons of fuel, 177,499 tons of diesel oil, 11,309 tons of aircraft fuel and 235 tons of gasoline in March.

Tajik and Russian finance Ministers have discussed specialist training program for Tajik Financial system. Meanwhile the forum of business circles of Uzbekistan and Vietnam was held in Tashkent on 6 April.

Social Front: Private houses and state institutions, as well as 6 villages have been flooded as a result of torrential rains in Azerbaijan's Agsu region.

A Chinese man has been sentenced by a Kazakh court to five days in jail for attacking the office of an independent newspaper.


SOUTH ASIA

Political Front: The Dhaka High Court has rejected the bail pleas of five Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leaders, including its chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, in two cases filed against them for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

Acute power shortage in Bangladesh brought people on the streets whereby the government deployed forces to control the masses. Meanwhile the Prime minister has called upon market owners and shopkeepers not to use electricity from the national power grid after 7:00pm in order to help the government to tackle the present power crisis.

The government of Nepal has started holding consultations with various political parties over the fate of UNMIN. The Unified CPN-Maoist decided to call Nepal bandh on April 12 to protest the government’s decision to award the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) contract to India. As a result Nepal’s Supreme Court told the government not to proceed with the award of the contract until further orders.


Normal life in the southern plains of Nepal, adjoining India, remained paralyzed for a day due to the two day general strike called by the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) demanding more autonomy and rights. The leader of Nepal's opposition Maoists demanded the government step down, calling it the "main obstacle" to the country's faltering peace process.

Parliamentary elections have been held in Sri Lanka, where a few incidents of violence grabbed attention. Besides that voters turn out remained lower than expected; many assume that IDPs particularly faced difficulty in casting votes.

Geo-strategic Front: A top Bangladeshi minister has asked Pakistan to formally apologize for the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 'Liberation war' so as to strengthen bilateral ties.

Bangladesh’s parliament has adopted a resolution giving full support to the U.N. secretary general’s proposal for a total nuclear disarmament plan.

India has announced plan to form a holding company in Bhutan to undertake hydropower development in order to enhance its strategic influence.

Nepal and the US have agreed to sign the new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), replacing the bilateral Economic and Trade Agreement (ETA) that they signed in 1947.

Economic Front: Bangladesh has received its first sovereign credit rating that has given it much needed access to foreign financial markets and made it a lucrative destination for foreign investors. All the while Bangladesh's exports to the European Union increased by more than 6 per cent in 2009, despite significant decline in Europe's two-way trade with almost all countries due to the fall-out of the global recession.

Social Front: The US President Barrack Obama has selected Bangladesh as a model for food security. In this regard, the US would provide Bangladesh with a good portion of the assistance of $100 million pledged for food security of the developing nations.

The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has become a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Inadequate water supply in urban areas has emerged as potent social challenge being faced by Bhutan.


INDIA

Political Front: BJP has strongly condemned government’s policies to improve minorities’ status in the country by calling it the policy of appeasement by Congress. It further added that such policies would deepen the existing divide between various groups hence it would hurt the spirit of unity.

Meanwhile SP and RJD have voiced against Women’s Reservation Bill in its present form and demanded quota for Muslim women and backward classes.

The VHP has again started talking about the issue of Ram temple at Ayodhya; raising fears of disrupting harmony. Muslims however have announced to accept court’s decision that is expected by the end of this year; regarding this issue.

Maoist rebels have accepted the responsibility of killing 74 members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and two policemen from the Chhattisgarh police, and destroying an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in Dantewada district. Congress and the opposition parties held protests against Maoist guerillas for their violent activities. All business and academic activities observed stalemate in Chhattisgarh. All the while Special Investigation Team has revealed the involvement of international Maoist groups in providing arms training to Indian Maoist rebels.

On the Kashmir front, a railway track was blown up last week. Besides that opposition leaders in Kashmir have asked their people to participate in national census.

Geo-strategic Front: After the February 25 fruitless Foreign Secretary-level talks, India has expressed willingness to have the second round of talks with Pakistan in order to discuss critical water issue. Meanwhile India has reiterated her commitment to the Indus basin treaty and denied its violation.

India has expressed desire to seek membership of SCO. India’s External Affairs Minister during his visit to China asked the Chinese government to invest in Kashmir, to improve ties with India and to support the nation in gaining membership of UNSC.

Social Front: Annual Flow Report released by the US Department of Homeland Security indicates that the number of Indians being granted the Green Card has declined each year since 2007. Indian officials have called this process as 'reverse brain drain' to the home country.

Kerala has decided to seek Rs 165 crore as assistance from the Centre to tackle drought conditions.


KOREA

Geo-strategic front: North Korea has sentenced a U.S. man to eight years of hard labor for illegally entering the country.

North Korea has also denied involvement in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship that broke in half after an explosion last month, leaving 44 sailors still missing.

Economic Front: South Korea's POSCO (005490.KS), the world's No. 4 steelmaker, has raised prices of stainless steel products for a third straight month on rising raw material costs and to match global competitors.

Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) recalled 12,984 vehicles sold in South Korea due to floor mat problems. Annual growth in South Korean domestic retail sales likely slowed in March after posting a 12.9 percent rise in February.

Social Front: According to reports, in Korea about one in five drug addicts have attempted suicide in the past as a side effect of narcotics usage.

Foreign students in Korea have welcomed opening of a center to counsel the foreign nationals.


JAPAN

Political front: According to a recently released poll, nearly half of Japanese voters do not support any political party in their country.

Geo-strategic Front: Japanese Foreign Minister has appreciated the new U.S. policy of limiting the use of atomic arms, calling it a big step toward a "world without nuclear weapons" but adding that other nuclear powers need to follow suit to make it effective.

Economic Front: Japan has agreed to resume talks on reopening its market to U.S. beef. Japan's government has also announced to use budget reserves to support the economy rather than compiling an extra budget.

Social Front: China has executed a Japanese citizen for drug smuggling, ignoring concern from Tokyo that the move, along with plans to execute three other Japanese, could inflame public opinion. §

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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.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 113

Week # 112, Dated 27 March- 2nd April 2010
TURKEY
Political Front: Ruling party AKP has sent amendments draft to parliament for voting proposing 26 amendments in the constitution. The ruling party needs support of 330 deputies to get the resolution passed in favor of constitutional amendments. Though the party has 336 members, some are expected to oppose the bill. In the meantime the PM has also claimed that in case of parliament’s rejection, the amendment package will be taken to the public for a referendum. On the other hand two leading opposition parties namely CHP and MHP have launched an active campaign against the constitutional amendments introduced by the ruling party. An open survey however indicates that most of the people have condemned opposition parties for instantly rejecting amendment package.
An Istanbul court has released nine military officers, including three admirals, who have been charged in an alleged plot to overthrow the government. Besides that Turkish counterterrorism teams have detained 22 suspected members of al-Qaeda in simultaneous operations conducted in three provinces namely Aksaray, Manisa and the Şereflikoçhisar district of Ankara.
Geo-strategic Front: Turkey has strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Moscow. Meanwhile both Turkey and Russia have discussed cooperation in the field of security.
The Irish President’s visit to Turkey has further boosted their historical ties. Growing Syrian cooperation with Turkey also remained potent. In the meantime Turkish President paid visit to Pakistan and stressed on the need to enhance collaboration in various sectors.
The German Chancellor has expressed her willingness to enhance cooperation with Turkey mainly in the energy sector. At the same time Angela Merkel has urged Turkey to vote in favor of US and EU at UNSC over the issue of Iranian nuclear program. Meanwhile Turkey has strongly condemned France and Germany for supplying arms to Greece. Turkey has also condemned Israel for considering united Jerusalem as their capital.
As far as the Turkish bid for EU is concerned Cyprus issue has been regarded as quite significant hence its resolution seems to be important for Turkish joining of the EU. Lastly, US Secretary of Hillary Clinton has assured Turkey that resolution regarding Armenian genocide would not be approved in the White House. Besides that a recent survey indicated that only one third of Armenians support reconciliation with Turkey.
Economic Front: An increase in China’s scrap iron imports has pushed up prices in Turkey from TL 800 per ton to TL 1,300. Exports from Turkey dropped 0.8 percent to 16.1 billion USD in the first two months of 2010, whereas imports were up 26.2 percent to 23.1 billion USD. Hence Turkey's foreign trade deficit rose 242.4 percent in the first two months of 2010 to 6.9 billion USD.
Smoking ban in Turkey has led to a 15 percent drop in cigarette sales since its implementation. Turkey has refused to sign deal with IMF over some political issues.
Social Front: A head scarved woman was recently denied entry to a toy museum in Ankara.
The number Face book users in Turkey has crossed 20mln. Besides that heavy snowfall in Eastern provinces of Turkey, various arrests over the issue of match-fixing and growing number of suicides in Turkey remained important issues.

GCC
Political Front: Kuwait's government has condemned statements that it had struck deals with some lawmakers to support the information minister in a no-confidence vote.
Geo-strategic Front: Yemen has asked its neighboring Gulf countries to provide jobs to skilled and semi-skilled Yemenis along with the regular aid and assistance.
Pakistan has welcomed Saudi mediation for the restoration of meaningful composite dialogue with India. All the while Saudi King has recently called for dialogue among religions. Bahrain and Thailand have agreed to bolster their cooperation on food security, Islamic finance, education, culture and construction. In the meantime Bahrain has contributed $1 million to recovery efforts in Haiti.
Oman has expressed interest in buying Aircrafts from UK.
Economic Front: Yemeni imports from Pakistan have reached USD 200 million during the past year.
Saudi stocks last week rose to its highest point since 2008. meanwhile the government of Saudi Arabia has decided to pay the difference of the customs fees applied under the Gulf Cooperation Council unified customs tariff on 180 major food items and construction materials to help curb inflation in the Kingdom that reportedly surged to a 27-year high of 8.7% in February.
Qatar has offered to invest $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) in France's heavily indebted CMA CGM, the world's third-biggest shipping group.
Social Front: Around 30 prisoners escaped after a bomb explosion at a prison in southern Yemen.
Meanwhile two men and two women were killed in a car accident after allegedly being chased by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Al-Khalil area in Medina.
The number of Nepali laborers in Saudi Arabia has been growing. Kuwait's information ministry has pledged a zero-tolerance policy towards satellite channels that broadcast programs that could "erode national unity or undermine social cohesion. Meanwhile Kuwaiti media criticized the participation of three Kuwaiti athletes in an international track meet where Israelis also participated.
Oman has imposed fines against people smoking in public gatherings.

IRAN
Political Front: Strain between Iranian President and his opponent and former President Rafsanjani has been quite visible since Iranian elections of 2009. All the while the stance of Supreme leader in this regard, seems to be quite vague. The Iranian judiciary has claimed that the post election situation has made the country more strong as people have successfully fought against anti-Republic plots. Meanwhile reports have indicated that one of the Iranian nuclear scientists who disappeared after performing Hajj last year, has been found in USA working for CIA.
Geo-strategic Front: Tehran has rejected a statement by the Arab League repeating the UAE ownership claims over the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. President Mahmud Ahmedinejad has suggested that a woman be appointed as the deputy to the head of OIC. Russia has reiterated its stance regarding Iranian nuclear program and has called negotiations to be the only appropriate way to resolve the issue.
Economic Front: Iranian Vice President said that his country has witnessed 8% growth in industry in one year. Iran’s Guardian Council has approved the budget for the next Iranian year which allows the Iranian president to go ahead with his plan to cut costly state subsidies.
Iran and Bahrain have discussed ways to promote cooperation in oil and gas sectors. Meanwhile Iran Agricultural Jihad Ministry and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement last week to implement two new projects in Iran.
Social Front: Iran’s Navy has sent 7th vessel to the Gulf of Aden to fight pirates and protect the country’s shipping lines.
In a letter to Foreign Minister Iranian students from eight main universities in Tehran urged Iranian diplomatic authorities to swiftly cut ties with Sweden until Swedish officials apologize for republishing a sacrilegious cartoon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), by one of their newspapers.

CENTRAL ASIA
Political Front: Leaders of Kazakhstan's Communist Party and the United Social Democratic Azat (Free) Party have issued a joint statement demanding the release of a jailed activist. Meanwhile several Kazakh activists have been detained in Almaty while campaigning for the release of jailed former uranium company head.
The Kyrgyz President has declared Western democratic system to be unsuitable for his country.
A new criminal procedure code of Tajikistan came into effect last week; that increased power of judicial courts.
Geo-strategic Front: Amidst growing strain between Azerbaijan and Armenia; a former military leader of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has recently warned of the growing threat of another Armenian-Azerbaijani war. Meanwhile the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia also discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh issue with EU representatives at Brussels. All the while Foreign Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia also discussed the same issue. Meanwhile Disarmament Program Manager of the US State Department, has recently paid visit to Azerbaijan and held meeting with higher officials.
Exchange of fire was observed at the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border.
Kyrgyz Parliament has signed MoU with British Parliament. Meanwhile the Tajik President paid a visit to Singapore and Brunei in order to enhance ties. Also the UN Secretary General recently arrived in Turkmenistan during his visit to the Central Asian Republics. Russian Vice Premier also recently paid a visit to Uzbekistan.
Economic Front: Nabucco Managing Director has announced its readiness to start pipeline construction in 2011. Meanwhile Kyrgyzstan has started taking measures to improve conditions for the business community.

Social Front: Azerbaijani officials announced that foreign companies have invested some $5 million in the construction of a major film complex in Baku. All the while Jailed Azerbaijani blogger Emin Milli has been offered a place in a prestigious British fellowship program designed for future leaders.
The German automaker Daimler AG has agreed to pay a $185 million fine to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations that bribes were paid to secure business in a number of countries, including Russia, Turkmenistan, Romania, Bulgaria, and Latvia.
Kazakh journalists have urged authorities to explain their criteria for defining "destructive" websites. Meanwhile on March 25, 2010 the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (Committee) adopted its final observations and recommendations after considering third periodic report of Uzbek government.

SOUTH ASIA
Political Front: Bangladeshi Prime Minister has directed the ministries and other departments to implement quota facilities for the disabled persons in government services. BNP chairperson and Leader of the Opposition has decided to launch anti-government agitation programs by May after completing her ongoing political tours in the divisional headquarters.
Nepali PM denied rumors regarding his resignation and blamed Maoists for their non-seriousness regarding the ongoing political crisis in the country. Meanwhile former Nepali Foreign Minister blamed India and US for their involvement in nine years old palace carnage. Nepali Maoists have demanded Rs. 2 mln for each militia joining politics. Leader of the parliamentary party of the Nepali Congress (NC), said that his party would support the Maoist bid to return to power 'if they gave up violence and disbanded the Maoist army'. Along with the issue of integration of Maoists in Nepali Army; concerns regarding the issue of federalism and secularism also prevail in the countrty.
Sri Lankan President has warned his former military commander General from entering into politics. Meanwhile the premier paid his first visit last week to Tamils Heartland after re-election. Sri Lanka's main opposition, UNP candidate for the Colombo District and former journalist Susil Kindelpitiya has been arrested on a complaint lodged by a woman who claimed that she was abused and threatened by him.
Sri Lanka's Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has initiated discussions on an "unofficial" level with other opposition parties over the possibility of forming a national reconciliation government after the April 8 general election. A team of sixteen observers from Japan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan and Thailand representing Asian Network for Free Election would monitor Srilankan elections on a request made by the election watchdog.
Geo-strategic Front: India has proposed to Bangladesh the setting up of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in a joint venture (JV). Bhutanese PM held bilateral discussions with his Nepali counterpart while visiting the country. Among various issues they also focused on the critical issue of Bhutanese refugees. India has provided an assistance of Rs 11.1 million for constructing a new school building and another Rs 2.19 million for a primary health centre in Nepal. All the while British Department of International Development (DFID) funded Nepal with 961,822 Euro (some US$1.5 million) for procuring voter registration equipment. Sri Lanka has questioned the double standards of the United Nations by attempting to set up an expert panel on Sri Lanka within nine months whereas it took nine years for the organization to set up a probe commission to investigate Britain’s involvement in Iraq.
Srilanka has requested India to help her in construction of a 500 MW coal-based power plant.
Economic Front: Economist claimed that an unusual hike in land prices, the culture of default loan with banks and massive tax evasion has widened the rich-poor gap in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has expressed readiness to give duty free access to 18 Bhutanese products. International donors mainly; Japan, US, EU and IMF, have pledged 313 million dollars in aid to the Maldives to help its recovery from last year’s financial crisis. Despite identification and diagnosis of growth constraints and availability of required financing, political deadlock has stalled the implementation of poverty, health, and environment-related development programs in Nepal. Sri Lanka’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in five quarters as the government stepped up spending on new roads and ports after the end of a quarter- century of civil war in the country.
Social Front: Bangladesh has lifted a ban on a photo exhibition on extrajudicial killings linked to security forces following protests from local and international rights groups. Farmers, women and students staged weekend protests against power cuts disrupting industry and households in Bangladesh. Government blamed its predecessors for power shortage and claimed that it would take time to meet energy needs. All the while government has barred use of air conditioners from 6 pm to 11 pm daily until further notice for all residences, private and public offices, businesses and shops. An international rights group has accused Bangladesh of 'violating human rights' in its crackdown on the unregistered refugees mainly Rohingyas Muslims.
All South Asian countries observed Global Earth Hour last week in order to extend support to the WWF climate change campaign.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has accused Nepalese Army for using excessive force that caused death of two women and a 12-year old girl inside Badriya National Park last month. Meanwhile the wife of Sri Lanka's detained ex-army chief accused authorities of preventing her husband from receiving vital medical treatment and said he could die in custody.

INDIA
Political Front: Strain has further exacerbated between Congress and BJP because of Congress’ criticism on BJP’s involvement in 2002 Gujarat massacre and Modi’s hesitation to face Special Investigation team. As far as Maoist insurgency is concerned Home Minister P Chidambaram has said India would be able to counter the Maoist insurgency by 2013.
Geo-strategic Front: India has successfully tested nuclear-capable, ship-based Dhanush and surface-to-surface Prithvi-II.
India and the United States have agreed to the arrangement and procedures under which the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel would take place at two stand-alone safeguarded sites. New Delhi also retains the right to make additions and modifications. This would allow India to retrieve recyclable material found in spent fuel from U.S.-origin nuclear plants for further generating electricity. The reprocessing plants, however, would operate under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) procedures. India has been concentrating on its military presence in the northern borders in order to counter Chinese perceived threat. The US has warned India and Pakistan to avoid any discussions with Iran over the issue of IPI pipeline.
Economic Front: Marked improvement has been observed in Indian Stock Exchange. Meanwhile India’s merchandise exports grew 34.8 percent to $16.09 billion for the fourth consecutive month in February.
Social Front: Against the backdrop of racial attacks and stricter immigration rules, Indian students' enrolment in universities in Australia's Victorian state has recorded a massive drop of around 40% in the first two months of the new academic year as compared to the same period in 2009.
To fulfill international requirement India has started working on the mechanism to count its population. Meanwhile Hindu-Muslim riots in the city of Hyderabad led government to impose curfew over there.

KOREA
Political Front: The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) of South Korea urged President to dismiss Defense Minister and Chief of Naval Operations over the sinking of the Cheonan patrol ship near the inter-Korean sea border last week. Defense Minister however claimed that a torpedo could be the cause of sinking of naval ship.
Geo-strategic Front: North Korea accused the United States and South Korea for allowing tourists and journalists into the heavily armed buffer zone that has divided the Korean Peninsula. In the meantime USA has again asked North Korea to resume six party talks in order to resolve the nuclear issue.
A U.S. Navy group of four ships has joined South Korea's rescue and recovery operations for its sunken frigate, the Cheonan. South Korean President reiterated its claims over islets of Dokdo in East Sea where Japan also has claims.
Economic Front: The leaders of five members of the G-20 Steering Group including South Korea urged G-20 member nations to carry out the agreements reached at the past meeting in order to reform the global financial regulatory framework and create post-crisis measures. Sinking of South Korean naval ship also affected shares of the country negatively. All the while South Korean exports increased in March as compared to the last year but fell as compared to February this year.
Social front: The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has opened a center for the nation's third climate supercomputer in a move to become the world's sixth most advanced country in weather forecasting by 2012. Involvement of a large number of school teachers and headmasters in corruption poses serious social challenge to South Korea. The Ministry of Labor has decided to slash the quota of H-2 working visas for ethnic Koreans to zero this year. Chinese and Russians would be the main sufferers.

JAPAN
Political Front: A candidate supporting the Democratic Party of Japan has been elected as president of the Japan Medical Association, defeating the incumbent supporting the Liberal Democratic Party. Representatives of the two junior partners in the Democratic Party of Japan -led coalition has asked the government to rule out a plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa; hence the government has started looking for an alternative. Meanwhile discussion over the issue has been held by Japanese officials with the US officials. US Defense Secretary has asked Japanese officials to get local consent on an area where Futenma has to be relocated.
Geo-strategic Front: The 2010 East Asian Strategic Review by the National Institute for Defense Studies has stressed that the U.S. forces should be permanently forward-deployed in Japan in order to enhance strategic partnership between the two. Japan and Poland have also signed a memorandum to promote cooperation in the civil use of atomic power.
Economic Front: Confidence at Japanese companies has improved for the fourth straight quarter. Toyota has promised to respond faster to customer complaints as it held its first meeting of a quality experts committee set up to help salvage a reputation battered by massive recalls and reports of runaway vehicles.
Social Front: Japan's first antismoking ordinance took effect in Kanagawa Prefecture, banning smoking in public facilities, including hospitals, schools and government offices. UN has urged Japan to avoid racism and protect minorities’ rights. §
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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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