Visual Content – U.S. Foreign Policy

March 2, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Authors and Scholars discuss the U.S. Foreign Policy in the visual content.

Every citizen must know the government activities.

What is being done by the government of the people to the people of other nations.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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Haiti – Securing the Caribbean Nation’s Future

March 1, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The island nation in the western hemisphere is still struggling to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that caused an estimated three hundred thousand lives and millions displaced in the capital, Port-Au-Prince.

International aid, particularly from the United States and the global community to the relief organizations was significant for it helped in saving lives.

Despite the efforts, the suffering is far from over. The Haitian government is gradually addressing the humongous challenges following the catastrophe. Due to lack of resources, the government and the citizens were ill prepared for the calamity.

It’s noticeable in the comparison between Haiti and Chile, the recent earthquake victim.

Although, Chile has lost lives in the natural disaster, fortunately the death toll is proportionately less considering the greater magnitude than the one in Haiti.

Nevertheless, every life matters and the governments’ capabilities to restore normalcy is often tested during such national crisis.

Then there are displacement issues that are more demanding, with the population exodus from the disaster areas. If it’s harder for rich nations to cope with the tremendous humanitarian tasks after the natural events as seen during Katrina, it’s even more difficult for the poorer countries to salvage.

In Haiti’s case, the nation has been subject to prolonged foreign occupation and intervention initially by the French colonial power and,

Subsequently through U.S policy that enabled the military coups including the abduction of the democratically elected President Jean-Bertinand Aristide, currently forced into exile in South Africa and,

The U.S economic policy, that allowed corporations to dismantle the functioning economic structure established during the rare peaceful political atmosphere in Haiti.

Even though, the United States is currently making concessions to accept the earthquake victims as asylum seekers, the U.S foreign policy contributing to Haiti’s status quo cannot be ignored.

The present U.S gesture is admirable.

However, the previous administrations’ policy has transformed the once self-supportive Haitians into economic refugees in their soil.

U.S performance with respect to the military coups in Latin America has been consistent and Haiti is no exception.

The latest being the Honduran political crisis in 2009 – when the democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya, now exiled in Costa Rica, was ousted from power through coup d’état on the United States’ watch.

Providing economic aid to Haiti would temporarily ease the burden on the incumbent President, René Préval’s government.

Regardless of the commitment term, it’s not guaranteed to relieve the people from the worst economic conditions.

What the Haitian population require at the moment is not an extemporaneous political status, represented by the United States appointee – President René Préval,

Instead a viable government led by an experienced leadership of the republic choice, the President in exile – Jean Bertinand Aristide.

The Superpower interference in democratically elected government affairs has been detrimental to the natives and the entire region. Whether it’s Haiti, or for that matter Iran in the Middle East.

It’s inconceivable that the citizens are barred from residency in their country of birth or naturalization for political reasons imposed by the foreign powers.

Reference :

The exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertinand-Aristide and the Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, having been democratically elected continue to remain popular in their country of origin until now. Yet, they both are denied access to their country.

Again, it’s poignant to raise the conspicuous flaws or hypocrisy in the U.S foreign policy that is diametrically opposed on issues even when related to a singular nation like China or Israel…and justifiably condemned by the people worldwide.

For example, “The current U.S foreign policy with China” –

U.S is conciliatory to China’s occupation of Tibet irrespective of the prevalent persecution and mass killings of the peaceful Tibetans, including Beijing’s furor over the spiritual leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama’s truncated meeting with President Obama.

The U.S. position is claimed as a tough decision because of the “economic ties” with the communist nation.

On the other hand, the contemporary U.S agreement on Arms sales worth $8 billion with Taiwan, antagonizing the U.S. major creditor, China is somehow not considered an economic impediment.

Ref: Congressional Research Service – http://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL30957.pdf – Thank you.

Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales since 1990.

Taiwan arms sale to test US-China ties – www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2437419/posts –

“Many Taiwanese, however, consider Washington’s willingness to sell defensive weapons as a sign of enduring US commitment to a longtime ally …”

Likewise, U.S. policy towards Israel – The condemnation of Iran for the inflammatory remarks against Israel was appropriate.

Reportedly, the U.S. has not ruled out military action against Iran for the nuclear program.

Further, the hawkish representatives in Washington have earlier stated the use of nuclear weapons in this context.

Ironically, with Palestine –

The U.S. is passive on the provocative Jewish settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem as well as the National Heritage controversy, notwithstanding the Israeli authorities’ persisting oppression of the Palestinians – all of which are attributed to the past and the present peace process failure.

United States credibility as the “leader of the Free World,” is jeopardized because of the explicit double standards in the U.S foreign policy.

Haitian exiled President Jean-Bertinand- Aristide’s return to his native country is the honorable decision and a unique opportunity for the United States to remedy the former administrations’ undemocratic interception in the stable Haitian government then elected by the people.

The Republic of Haiti deserves a government that has the potential to revive the economic prospects that prevailed under Aristide’s Presidency.

Hence, upon the exiled leader’s arrival in his homeland, the ex-President would be able to participate in the 2010 elections and elected to the office with a resounding victory.

Indeed, that would be the best gift for the political and the natural disaster victims in Haiti.

Finally, Humanity owes it to Haiti in ending the population plight.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under International Politics, Politics | Leave a Comment 

His Holiness Dalai Lama in Spotlight

February 23, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

His Holiness Dalai Lama was a guest at the CNNs Larry King Live show on Monday, February 22, 2010.

During the interview, the host Larry King stated,

“Most Americans do not want the United States relationship strained with China over Tibet’s independence.” 

Interestingly, Mr. Larry King did not provide any specifics like who exactly these Americans are, the pollster name and details for authenticity.

Such position could not be from the mainstream population given the fact that by and large American people are samaritans and strong believers of democracy including human rights for them and others.

That being the case, it makes one wonder –

Like everything else is Made in China, if the questionnaire for this interview was possibly,

Prepared by China or Beijing’s representatives in the United States due to the provocative and insensitive questions posed in the interview.

Should a major international network like CNN compromise on substance to boost rating?

As for the alleged statement cited by the CNN talk show host, the anonymous individuals prioritizing economic opportunities over Tibetan people’s freedom cannot be living in the,

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

More likely, they belong to the – Land of the Narcissists, Home of the Hypocrites.

The people of the oppressed nation, Tibet may not necessarily be the strongest ally of the United States for whom the latter poised as the leader of the free world would not undertake risks against the invader and persecutor, the Communist China, like it did in 1991 –

When the U.S and allies waged war against Iraq in retaliation to Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of a comparatively small kingdom, the oil rich Kuwait,

Or for that matter,

Threatening to wipe out (Obliterate with nuclear weapons- the rhetoric during Presidential campaign) anyone harassing the nuclear armed Israel, the United States surrogate partner in the middle east despite Israel prominently established as the Neo-Imperialist in the region.

Is freedom a natural right and an entitlement for the privileged while remaining a fantasy for the weak and defenseless?

What would be the twenty first century like in the absence of the following events?

The women’s suffrage movement leading to the women’s vote in the United States of America.

If, President Abraham Lincoln had not ended slavery.

A young civil rights leader DR. Martin Luther King daring to dream a world without prejudice.

If, a resilient leader Mahatma Gandhi had failed in the non-violence principle to free his nation from two hundred years of colonialism.

Creating the state of Israel in OId Palestine amid Arab disagreement in the aftermath of holocaust.

The fall of Berlin wall and Eastern Bloc nations set free from the former Soviet Union.

Liberation of South Africa from the brutal apartheid.

Likewise, Independence for the small island nation East Timor -after prolonged tyranny and massacre.

Emancipation of human beings is not up to free individuals or the oppressive authority to decide whether the enslaved are eligible for liberty or not.

Reiterating the earlier message – All living beings are created equal and born to be free.

The people in Tibet, Palestine, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan and the nations in Africa, Middle East, and Latin America are no exception to this natural rule of law.

No military might and economic power can continue to suppress the freedom of the population for their false sense of political superiority.

His Holiness Dalai Lama for diplomacy sake could seek autonomy rather than independence for the persecuted and tortured six million Tibetans on account of Tibet’s economic dependency on China.

China’s communist politburo decline political freedom and economic opportunities for long oppressed Tibetans in the Buddhist land.

However, India and South Africa would not be independent had they been abandoned under similar notion that the fate of the several millions are better off as the oppressed minority in their domicile.

Every tribe, community and society has leadership potential to guide and govern the people irrespective of the economic and educational status.

It’s an innate quality provided by nature and commonly seen throughout the animal kingdom.

Because of human greed to amass wealth and territories poignantly,

China – In spite of being third largest nation by total area and the second largest in land area, Beijing authorities insist on retaining Tibet, Xinjiang province, annexing Taiwan and currently eying on neighbor India.

Furthermore, the Chinese Communist rule conspicuously reining in on the most powerful nation, the United States transformed into a subservient economic debtor through unfair trade practices.

Not barring the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, WTO membership and veto power in the UN Security Council consistently abused by the Communist nation at any given time.

Again, the United States and allies biased treatment of other communist nations is noteworthy.

Cuba and North Korea are incessantly subject to economic sanctions for a variety of reasons ranging from human rights violation to the nuclear standoff.

On the other hand, China, the ultimate communist authority with gross human rights violation and utter disregard for international rule of law is granted immunity based on the emerging economic power status by the democratic nations.

United States lacking in political will and corporations with investments in China are pressuring media to evade democracy depriving the people of Tibet the political freedom.

Then the real power – the people as consumers from all walks of life across the world should prove that the political and economic stakeholders can no longer determine the destiny of human beings.

Worldwide boycott of Made in China goods along with investments withdrawal from the state controlled Chinese holdings by humanitarians, democracy and peace seekers for all contrary to the selective few could lead to the beginning of the end of the communist rule in China and elsewhere.

Not long ago, in the latter part of the twentieth century i.e. during the cold war, the former Soviet Union was formidable opponent of the United States.

Lo and behold, the iron curtain dropped astonishing the rest of the world in marking the end of the repressive rule.

History is testimony to the fact that the rise and fall of empire and emperors not attributed to honorable surrendering of power or the oligarchs’ magnanimity but instead the voice for democracy within and outside oppressed nations have enabled the political transition.

With an inevitable freedom for the people of Tibet, Palestine, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and others, the optimism will prevail over the lingering insecurity among the authorities and their proxies in the political and economic domain.

Caring, compassionate and peace activists from around the world must stage a non-violent protest and display solidarity in the freedom movement for Tibet, Palestine…the only hope and a guaranteed victory towards democracy for these nations.

Finally, the consumer power always succeeds against any economic and political power.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Ethics, Featured, International Politics, Politics | 1 Comment 

Reflection on the World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland

February 19, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

The World Economic Forum on January 27 – 31, 2010, at Davos, Switzerland contemplated the global economic crises.

Speakers from the large consortium expressed their thoughts and hope or the lack thereof about the global economic prospects at the annual meeting.

Summarizing the summit issues:

The general focus has been:

The economic recession.

The financial crisis and the need for financial reform.

U.S economy, the dollar, the deficits and the gridlock in Washington due to Special Interests’ control of Congress.

Skepticism on the EURO currency strength and concerns regarding European market from the economic struggles in Greece, Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Latvia to name a few further exacerbated by the majority euro members surpassing the 3percent budget deficit cap, a criteria for the euro currency usage.

ECB (European Central Bank) role in easing the liquidity crisis.

UK urging banks to assume responsibility – i.e. resume credit to the frail economy.

National Debt from bailouts – A common symptom shared by the major global economies.

Emerging Markets’ potential in stimulating economic growth through international mergers and acquisitions.

Corporate leadership in risk undertaking, growth sustainability and resisting or embracing reform.

Technological impact on business and adapting social networking concept to promote global agenda.

Google – China controversy on hackers and censorship.

Green Technology and consensus on the climate change policy.

Humanitarian issues related to natural resources such as water scarcity, inadequate food supply in fighting hunger, poverty and disease worldwide.

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Economic Synopsis – By Padmini Arhant

Global economic recession – The general agreement is:

The massive capital interjection with public money in the private sector particularly the finance and the auto industry in the United States was essential in the year 2008 and 2009 to avert a major catastrophe – a full blown depression.

Following that, the bailed out bankers have supporters and cynicists to defend or vilify the mega rewards via executive bonuses amid severe financial meltdown mostly attributed to the current economic crisis.

Another contentious issue related to the financial sector is:

Should governments continue to bailout banks under the banner?

“Too Big to Fail.”

Regardless, it’s clear from the recent experience that a serious financial reform is no longer an option but a necessity to counteract risk undertaking in the financial market.

Moreover, the finance industry being the vehicle for the economic growth, it cannot resist regulations due to the uninsured public funds management by the private sector.

Evidently, the real estate slump exacerbated the liquidity crisis in the global economies viz. Iceland (nicknamed as the “subprime economy”) Ireland, Spain and not sparing the once booming commercial real estate capital – Dubai, UAE,

Leaving the United States not unique in the burgeoning residential and commercial real estate decline.

In terms of stimulating the economic growth, industrialized nations and the emerging markets face a common dilemma – stimulus packages, bailouts and the rising national debt.

Government stimulus programs target specific industries in the domestic economy with the green technology touted as the promising field.

Unequivocally, the green technology should be promoted by all nations big and small besides infrastructure projects and reviving the manufacturing industry.

However, the stimulus activity is bound to create national debt from the budget deficit because of sluggish GDP and the negative current account balance for import-oriented economies like the United States.

U.S Economy:

Although, the multi-trillion dollar deficit has not drastically affected the U.S credit rating as the investor confidence in the U.S market is not lost,

The status quo cannot prolong with the persisting Republican members’ opposition against tax hikes to protect self-interest and special interest.

Notwithstanding their blockade in the financial, health care and energy sector reform.

Therefore, the American electorate must be careful prior to swinging their support to the Republican members in Congress.

The ideologues were responsible for bringing America on its knees under the disastrous Bush-Cheney administration.

Now, the same republican members are determined to stay on the course to debilitate the U.S economy with an utter disregard for the ‘average’ Americans.

While comparing the economies in the stimulus funding, it’s clear that the nations investing in the domestic economy like China, Japan, India, Brazil… have survived the worst crisis through quasi participation.

Private sector project with public capital infusion is seemingly a viable economic strategy to reduce unemployment and curb public outcry over increasing national debt.

It’s attention worthy that President Barack Obama has similarly approached the economic woes with the SBA loans to boost small businesses, tax credits to the corporations and the green sector only to be browbeaten by the “fiscal conservatives” in name only on both sides of the aisle.

Again, something to remember about the so-called “fiscal conservatives” successful derailment of economic progress.

So far, the opposition policy in every national issue is “Penny wise and Pound foolish.”

Not to mention their conduct exemplified in the tarnished U.S image at WEF with,

Communist China scorn democracy by citing the Special Interests’ dominance in American politics.

The statement is not far-fetched except for scapegoating democracy against totalitarianism.

United States should adopt big and bold economic actions to contain the high unemployment and that would be:

Job creation in the infrastructure projects, innovate the manufacturing sector with technology alongside revolutionizing industrial growth on eco-friendly foundation.

Energizing the small businesses and retail industry is equally important to enhance the per capita income, an appropriate inclusion in the economic progress measurement rather than reliance on GDP growth alone.

United States is rich in resources in every aspect with an advantage of being the pioneer across the economic spectrum.

The rumor about United States weak economic status and attempts to denigrate the U.S dollar as the international currency is nothing but smear tactics by the competitors vying for the leading role in the world economy.

What the investors should bear in mind is the U.S economy’s resilience to rebound in the face of worst economic and political crisis and history is testimony to that effect.

In addition, the democratic system is a positive factor in attracting investments within and offshore.

European Economy:

The EU and the ECB (European Central Bank) proposals are pragmatic in many ways.

ECB intervention to pull the European financial markets from the liquidity crisis would facilitate the anticipated credit flow in the union.

Economic setbacks in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Latvia and last but certainly not the least Iceland are significant and cannot be abandoned for it might reach a crescendo irrespective of the trade volume.

Accordingly, the conditional offer from Germany and France to bailout Greece is vital to protect the EU economic interest with Greece being the union member.

The leadership in the Mediterranean nation under the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is capable of salvaging the dire economic situation.

When the reckless banking sector was bailed out for speculative trading, otherwise gambling of public investments,

The Greek economy with labor capital, entrepreneurial exuberance and political stability deserves EU / IMF /World Bank assistance to survive the economic turmoil.

It would be detrimental to hinder the borrowing opportunity for Greece and other ailing economies predominantly due to the regional impact.

At the same time, Greece and Iceland should be transparent with facts and display fiscal responsibility to the international monetary oversight for creditworthiness.

United Kingdom is right on target in demanding the financial sector to resume credit to the frail economy.

U.K has been forceful in urging the much-required global financial regulations even though not surprisingly, the conservative political faction is against it.

France – Recommendation on the long overdue closing of corporate tax havens is a step in the right direction.

In fact, the rule of thumb for the global economies dealing with budget deficits is to:

Eliminate redundant expenditure

Differ or limit discretionary spending

Scale back unaffordable commitments like wars, conventional stockpiles and nuclear proliferation not barring extravagant agenda like moon travel more for prominence than purpose.

Revision of tariffs and taxation laws to expand the revenue horizon.

It’s imperative to consider tax increases and close tax evasion loopholes through tax havens.

Spending freeze with tax cuts and synonymously tax increases with skyrocketing expenditure would be oxymoron at any given time.

Emerging Markets viz. BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China):

The salient feature in the group is their ability to focus and invest entirely on the domestic economy.

Unlike the United States and NATO, none of the four nations is currently engaged in active warfare though; cross border tension is permanent with contingent defense forces on the periphery.

Still, the four nations ‘combined defense spending falls short of the exponentially escalating U.S military expenditure appropriated for –

Two overt wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,

A proxy war in Yemen with drones and fighter planes provided to the Yemeni forces,

Over and above the U.S military base situated nationally and overseas.

Poignantly China more than Russia is engaged in the lucrative arms race to Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, North Korea, war torn Africa – Darfur in Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Guinea, Rwanda…

Yet, not competitive enough to the United States in this respect and confirmed by:

The New York Times article By THOM SHANKER – Thank you.

Published: September 6, 2009

Despite Slump, U.S. Role as Top Arms Supplier Grows

“Despite a recession that knocked down global arms sales last year, the United States expanded its role as the world’s leading weapons supplier, increasing its share to more than two-thirds of all foreign armaments deals, according to a new Congressional study.”

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Economic Synopsis – By Padmini Arhant

BRIC countries impressive performance is expected to continue with the investor confidence higher in these regions than Europe.

Their view on the U.S domestic job creation as isolationism or protectionism do not bode well since the BRIC nations have adapted the domestic investment policy to expedite economic revival.

The irony is the characterization of the United States and Europe adhering to similar strategies as ‘protectionism.’

It’s noteworthy that Brazil, India and China have benefited from globalization with transnational ventures in their shores.

Such anomalies beckon paradigm shift in the globalization concept among the emerging markets.

Some U.S corporations as the global operators echo the sentiments much to the displaced domestic workforce anguish and disappointment.

They remain oblivious to the facts that the United States being the largest consumer base and a major importer is struggling to contain high unemployment, fragile housing market and credit crunch in the financial sector.

U.S economic recovery is paramount for the global economic stability.

Optimize Technological Applications:

World society is more digitalized than before and technology embedded industry maximize efficient output. Incorporating technology in every imaginable field is the cornerstone for the present and future generation.

Green Technology and Climate Change Policy:

Industrialized countries along with developing nations are grappling to arrive at a consensus on climate change policy.

Fortunately there is tremendous enthusiasm towards green technology and the economic powers are reluctant to make the swift transition by renouncing fossil fuel and nuclear power to natural sources like solar, wind and hydrothermal energy.

The main problem lies with the profit guiding politics by the energy behemoths obstructing the fossil fuel and nuclear technology abandonment against all natural elements for energy production.

Life survival and sustenance on the planet is dependent upon clean air, water and food chain maintenance, not achievable without an aggressive climate change policy.

Hybrid policy targeting carbon emissions through carbon tax and cap & trade is the viable solution from the economic and political standpoint, other than possibly winning bipartisanship in the climate bill legislation in the United States.

Humanitarian Issues:

Water scarcity and inadequate food supply is the global challenge confronting humanity.

Emerging markets favoring globalization have a primary responsibility in addressing the plight of the vast majority in their domain rather than exclusively focused on GDP growth.

The population in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East cannot be ignored by the affluent nations and their $100 billion commitment in economic aid during the G20 meeting reflects meagerness and not eagerness to alleviate suffering on the planet.

Poverty being the reality, the global community can provide to the needy by reining in on personal greed.

Communal development against concentrated growth guarantees a bright future for humanity.

Global progress and prosperity begins with economic equality, social justice and political freedom.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Economy, Featured | 3 Comments 

People’s Republic of China – Domestic and Foreign Policy

February 19, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

There is an inherent danger in the hybrid economies with the state controlled capitalism conspicuous in the Google – China controversy with the hackers in China infiltrating the Gmail user accounts.

Having been threatened by Beijing recently, I can relate to the incident.

Hence my message to Beijing is:

I remain steadfast in my commitment to the humanitarian cause and strongly condemn the Communist nation’s following actions:

Human rights violation against the people of China,

Suppression of democracy

Imprisonment of Chinese dissidents

Failure to curb human trafficking and organ extortion crimes in and from China.

Interference in foreign nations’ visitor protocol – example United States and India.

Harassment of foreign investors in Chinese soil,

Patent law and Copyrights infringement.

Music, Movies and Software piracy.

Currency manipulation to gain export advantage against the United States and the rest of the world.

Arms supply to Africa,

Aiding ethnic cleansing in Sri Lanka,

Promoting tension between Pakistan and India on Kashmir,

Territorial dispute with India and incursion in the northeastern border concerning the Indian state Arunachal Pradesh.

Refusing to acknowledge Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Forging defense and economic partnership with the dictatorial regime, the military Junta in Burma.

Non-cooperation with international community on Iran and North Korea nuclear standoff.

Abuse of the U.N Security Council permanent membership.

Declining support in the global financial regulations on tax havens used by corporations.

Disregard for the COP15 Copenhagen environmental accord.

And the most reprehensible crime against humanity being –

The illegal invasion and occupation of the independent nation – Tibet

Innocent men, women, children and the Buddhist Monks of Tibet subject to tyranny and persecution.

Systemic eradication of Tibetan culture.

Desecration of the Tibetan shrines and the Tibetan Buddhist religion constituting sacrilegious in the highest order.

It’s important for the Chinese leadership to understand that economic prosperity without freedom is analogous to the bird with clipped wings locked in a golden cage.

Sooner than later the caged bird would set itself free as all living species are born to be free.

Individuals with authority fail to understand that no matter how mighty and powerful one might be –

All things must end for a new beginning in compliance with the natural law.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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The Iranian Crisis – A message for the Iranian regime and the Republic

February 15, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Pictures are worth a thousand words @

https://www.padminiarhant.com

Thank you.

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The Iranian Crisis – A message for the Iranian regime and the Republic

February 14, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

Lately, the puppet President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad representing the Islamic Republic of Iran, addressed the captive audience falsely claimed as the “pro-government” and “anti-Western” protesters – when they appeared to be the ‘oppressed’ choosing to remain silent amid government crackdown prevalent in the “pro-democracy” activism.

Since the fraudulent elections in June 2009, the Islamic Iran Participation Front, a reformist or the green party victory was suppressed violently by the Iranian theocracy.

The defiant autocrat Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed the incumbent candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the President in name only (INO).

Followed by the brutalities against the unarmed civilians with the clerics, the Guardian Coucil, The Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Basij and the entire regimen behind the ruthless authoritarian regime being responsible for the blasphemy of the sacred religion – Islam, they falsely represent in the Iranian Republic.

Iranian regime mostly controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the fractured group of Shiite clerics have superficially projected strength in the fragile government. When, in fact, it’s crumbling in the face of terror against their population and despotism through dupe proclamation of nuclear status.

While addressing the massive crowd attending the mandatory rally, ironically in Azadi Square (Azadi – translation in Urdu, Persian and Arabic – freedom/ independence), the cleric appointee President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared Iran as a nuclear state on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

Pro-democracy demonstrators should not inhibit the power possessed by them because their sacrifice thus far has not been in vain. In reality, it has rattled the regime and is nearing collapse sooner than later. It’s obvious in the actor President Ahmadinejad’s fumbling speeches and the misgivings from his statements.

For instance, The New York Times report dated February 12, 2010 titled:

Iran: Nation can make nuclear fuel for bombs – Dissent crackdown keeps opposition from taking over streets – Thank you.

“In the address in Azadi Square in Tehran, Ahmadinejad relied on familiar nationalist and anti-Western themes, accusing the United States and Europe of trying to hold Iran down and challenging them by saying that Iran had succeeded in enriching uranium to 20 percent and could do even more.

“We have the capability to enrich uranium more than 20 percent or 80 percent, but we don’t enrich because we don’t need it,” Ahmadinejad said.

But he added a warning to the West.

“Please pay attention and understand that the people of Iran are brave enough that if it wants to build a bomb it will clearly announce it and built it and not be afraid of you,” he said.

“When we say we won’t build it that means we won’t.”

‘Nuclear state’ – The president also repeated his declaration that Iran was a “nuclear state,” adding that it had the capacity to enrich uranium to weapons grade if it chose to.

The West has accused of Iran of running a nuclear weapons program, while Iran has insisted it is pursuing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

“The Iranian nuclear issue has become the main pillar of the regime’s legitimacy,” said Mustafa el-Labbad, an Iran expert in Cairo.

“So Ahmadinejad is putting it in the center of the scene in order to conceal the internal differences and huge domestic challenges they face.”
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Deception by the Iranian regime – From Padmini Arhant

It’s clear from the report that the automated message confirms the fiction than the facts.

In the speech itself, the anomalies stand out despite the big and bold statements.

President Ahmadinejad boasts about the nuclear capability and inadvertently attributes the achievement ability to the people, contrary to his government response and miscalculation of the liberators’ will in the pro-democracy movement.

The Islamic regime’s representative is right. Underestimating the people’s power is a gross mistake for any government and the regime should be the first one to recognize the undercurrent beneath the iron fist rule camouflaged in the newly invented image as the nuclear threat to the west and the rest in the region.

Meanwhile, the international community is being beguiled on Iran’s nuclear readiness.

The Iranian President prods the United States and the allies to react in an effort to subvert the popular anger currently aimed at the regime.

By doing so, the regime could rein in on democracy and prevent the international support to the democratic cause for the Iranian population would view the Western aggression as extemporaneous.

That’s why it would be irrational for Israel and the United States to consider military action or economic sanctions that would adversely affect the people of Iran in many ways than the regime using the population as the pawn.

With Israel, the security concerns are legitimate and justified considering the flagrant remarks by the belligerent leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

However, Israel’s instinctive strike against the nuclear site would trigger explosives from its mortal enemies and Iranian regime’s allies Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the bruised Syria, notwithstanding Iran for being targeted militarily.

Israel should realize that its earlier success in aborting the Syrian nuclear program is not equivalent to the Iranian provocation.

As such, Israel is struggling with the ‘sovereignty’ issue among the Arab neighbors – predominantly because of its ‘neo imperialistic’ status against the Palestinians.

Israel’s pre-emptive strike against Iran would exacerbate the volatility in the Middle East.

As for the United States acting on behalf of its strongest ally Israel, it would be detrimental to national security.

Besides being hypocritical, the U.S military intervention would be economically, politically as well as strategically a suicide to be drawn into a fourth war with a nation commanding a million in armed forces and several millions in reserve viz.the Basij available for service.

The hypocritical position stems from the Obama administration domestic plan to provide loan guarantee, essentially a federal subsidy to build nuclear power plants and reactors for the nuclear energy program, one of several overtures to appease the “hard to please” conservatives in Congress to build bipartisanship in passing the energy bill.

U.S attack against Iran, yet another Islamic nation would embolden Al-Qaeda and enable the easy recruitment of suicide bombers invading the land, air and sea voyages.

As suggested earlier the first and foremost step for the U.S,, France and Britain is to expand the permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council from the current P5 Plus to P11.

Bringing in conciliatory members like Japan, India, South Africa and Brazil including the UAE would give adequate leverage against the reluctant members China and Russia.

Next, freezing the regime representatives’ bank accounts, renouncing diplomatic ties with the government and restricting emissary travel should constrict the operation within and outside the regime’s control.

Ultimately, the viable option to ease the quagmire lies with the people of Iran.

Although, the bloodshed from the atrocity against innocent civilians is not the ideal pathway to freedom, the regime is unwilling to acknowledge defeat and remains committed to anti-Islamic means to retain power.

Moreover, the regime’s violent stance is oxymoron due to the theocracy supposedly representing ‘Islam – the religion of peace.’

On the other hand, the brave citizens, particularly the non-violent youth of Iran have admirably stood up to the totalitarianism that has shamefully brandished the sword against peace and democracy seekers.

Is this how the theocracy represents Islam?

What is the difference between them and Al-Qaeda that is vowed to terror against people regardless of race or religion, especially subjecting Islam and its followers to perpetual smear and stigma?

Do the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the clerics think they would be absolved of the unforgiveable sins against their own people, the callousness displayed and conducted in the name of Prophet Mohammad (May Peace be upon him) and the religion of Islam?

If they are confined to such belief, then they ought to be delusional. Overwhelmed by greed and monstrosity in clinging to power, the regime has lost the opportunity to redeem itself from the unspeakable crime against humanity.

Every one of them will pay a price according to their own deeds. Anyone slighting the warning will endure the burden of pain and grievances inflicted upon fellow human beings.

Unless, the perpetrators repent their wrongdoings and change the course of action by surrendering to the people representing the Almighty God, Allah (the all merciful and forgiving force) and allow democracy, freedom to prevail in Iran.

Perhaps it’s their only and the last chance to prove them as honorable Muslims. If they were, they would not have engaged in the oppressive behavior to begin with. Nevertheless, in accordance with the holy Quran, every Muslim is bound to defend the Prophet and Islam, the religion that has suffered intensely from the terror organizations’ and the dictatorial regime’s disregard for life.

The sinners could disavow tyranny and pledge their service to humanity through peace and non-violence, granting democracy and freedom to their citizens in order to pay homage to Prophet Mohammad (May peace be upon him) and the sacred Islam.

Further, the Holy Quran warns the sinners against any harm on their Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters especially the non-combatants in their privacy of their homes and elsewhere.

For evil cannot exist eternally and all things end in compliance with the natural law.

Iranian leadership does not see the danger in the horizon with the nuclear disaster of greater magnitude than Chernobyl awaiting in the underground nuclear site at the holy city Qom and in other parts of Iran.

Therefore, dismantling the nuclear program entirely i.e. all over Iran, is the safe and the only solution to protect the sanctity of the holy city Qom and Iran.

Given the status quo in Iran, the reformist movement and the opposition with the republic support should maintain the peaceful and non-violent approach towards democracy for the people of Iran.

It would be in Iran’s best interest for the momentum to continue in freeing the nation from the theocracy’s shackles. The regime’s doctrine based on irreligious morals and personal philosophy is diametrically opposed to the Islamic law.

Reiterating the earlier message on Peace – It could be described as a sweet scented delicate flower that stimulates the senses with calmness and serenity. At the same time, it’s the formidable challenge against violence.

Nations that sought peace for their freedom were guaranteed political, social and economic stability due to the citizens’ inherent determination to prevail against the odds – the violence that produces only immense loss of life.

Victory is within reach of those who tread on the trails of peace, will and optimism.

The people of Iran courageously display these qualities in the on-going political crisis for truth and justice is on their side.

Good luck and fortune waits in abundance for the suffering Iranian population.

Your sacrifice will not be futile.

One should never quit without tasting the flavor of success in life.

The Iranian electorates’ perseverance towards democratic goals will be a trailblazer for other nations in the Middle East.

Finally:
Yawm ad-Din “the Day of Judgment” (Arabic: يوم الدين‎) is God’s final assessment of humanity.

It is stated in Qur’an:

[From] now, God has lightened your [task] for He knows that there is now weakness amongst you: But [ever so], if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will subdue two hundred, and if a thousand, they will subdue two thousand, with the leave of God: for God is with those who patiently persevere.
—Qur’an, [Qur’an 8:66

Indeed those who are opposing Allah and His Messenger are bound to be humiliated. The Almighty has ordained ‘‘My Messengers and I shall always prevail’’. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Powerful.
—Qur’an, [Qur’an 58:20]

Persian , Independence, … الله أكبر (Allahu Akbar )
(Arabic , … Allāhu Akbar (الله أكبر) : “God is the Greatest.” …)

Persian, … šāʾ Allāh (ar | ما شاء الله), which means, “God has willed it”. …-
Insha’Allah (إن شاء الله) – Allah Willing –

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under International Politics, Politics | Leave a Comment 

State of the Union Address by President Barack Obama

January 29, 2010

By Padmini Arhant

President Barack Obama presented the first State of the Union address to the joint session of the United States Congress.

Appropriately, the core message was about the economy and the various proposals to revive the nation from the prolonged economic recession that began in 2002.

Attention to the small businesses, students and the average American families who represent the significant consumer base is timely and the commitments are economically viable.

The tax cuts to Corporations preserving American jobs is a necessary strategy to deal with the double digit unemployment risen to the current rate by 2.6 percent, since inheriting the 7.6 percent rate in January 2009 when the former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney left office.

In fact, the $787 billion funding towards President Obama initiated American Investment and Recovery Act helped to contain the economic crisis and the unemployment to a marginal increase against the financial sector avalanche.

There was a large emphasis on education to improve Math and Science skills among K-12 students.

In addition, the President laid out the programs to ease the burden on the students attending Community College through tax incentives, affordable loan payments, increasing Pell Grants and even enticing them to join public service in exchange for the loan adjustment. Of course, the families were included with a $10,000 tax relief for their children’s college education.

As highlighted by the President, sound education is the stepping-stone to progress and prosperity in a society and the effective means to reduce poverty. Also, it would decrease the prison population that is straining the state budgets like in California.

In social issues – the President pledged to repeal the ‘don’t ask don’t tell,’ discriminatory policy in the United States military against the gay service personnel who are equally dedicated in their patriotic duty. A remarkable recognition and long overdue.

On the discretionary budget-spending freeze scheduled to begin in 2011, it’s relieving to note that the safety net for the retirees and senior citizens available through social security, Medicare and Medicaid for the low-income families would not be affected.

However, it’s essential to apply tighter control on the defense spending that is disproportionately increasing against health care, educational and environmental cause regardless of party representation in the White House.

The President urged both parties in Congress to rein in wasteful spending in the form of earmarks or pork barrel – It’s necessary to be discerning in the expenditures given the accumulated national debt.

Job creation through public projects such as high-speed railways and infra structure maintenance is coherent with the former President JFK’s achievement in connecting America from coast to coast.

It’s a worthwhile investment and pervasive in dealing with the energy and environment issues.

The President is right on target in this respect due to multiple benefits on these projects viz.

First, it would decrease unemployment and boost the economy simultaneously.

Second, it enables energy conservation with mass transit possibly becoming the desirable public transportation, besides having a positive environmental impact.

Third, from the health standpoint – the automobile accidents being the leading cause of premature deaths and often leaving the victims with horrific physical injuries in the industrialized countries, the proposed system is a preventive measure in that regard.

Moreover, the stress factor that is common among the motorists could be eliminated as well.

Last but not the least; the local economies would enormously gain from an efficient public transport system attracting tourists within and outside the country.

It’s gratifying to note the President’s affirmation on the health care reform – Echoing the President’s message – Health care legislation cannot wait indefinitely for it’s proved to be a burgeoning crisis contributing to national deficit due to horrendous costs not to mention the loss of lives.

The President also detailed on the financial reform that ought to be implemented to save the domestic and the global financial markets from major catastrophes in the future. It’s crucial for the legislation to be loopholes free to deter the industry from circumventing the rules and regulations.

With respect to the on-going wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the capturing and killing of terrorists might be a partial success for the military operation. Nevertheless, terrorism emanating from despair and desolation cannot be eradicated with military might and sophisticated drone attacks.

In the absence of a functional government facilitating basic necessities like clean water, agricultural and industrial growth, education, health care and social equalities that guarantees freedom to live life with dignity, the regions will continue to be the breeding ground for terror.

The President fulfilling the campaign promise on troops withdrawal from Iraq by this summer deserves praise and credit. Again, the veterans returning home after a traumatic combat situation have to be suitably provided for their settlement in the civilian environment. These patriots and their families cannot be abandoned after their sacrifices for the nation.

Warning the rebels in Iran and North Korea on nuclear programs is warranted. But, the successive failures in the multilateral talks in 2009 and 2010 among the 6 powers including Russia on Iran’s nuclear program suggests the inherent mistrust and power struggle conspicuous in the United Nations Security Council.

Reiterating the earlier suggestion, the solution to resolve the international crisis on different fronts is to expand the U.N. Security Council from 5 to 11, with the inclusion of new and conciliatory members like Japan, Brazil, India, South Africa, UAE and the present defacto member, Germany.

In other international crisis, even though the Israeli Palestinian conflict was not part of the address, the President responded to a town hall participant’s question on this issue.

Despite Israel being the United States strongest ally and the political predicaments prevalent more in Israel than Palestine, Israel’s settlement expansion along with brutal occupation and humiliation through check posts in Palestine must be condemned unequivocally to reflect fairness and United States commitment to an independent two state solution in the region.

To summarize the first State of the Union address by President Barack Obama, the content was relevant with the economy being the primary focus and the well-articulated objectives strengthened the urgency to act on the issues confronting the nation.

The presentation was immaculate for it had the measured composure and at the same time the passionate delivery revealed empathy, resilience and resolve to energize the party members and the democratic base especially after being let down in the preceding political upheavals.

Now, the responsibilities lie with the Congress members of both political parties to lay their ideological differences aside and coalesce to pass the legislations designed to alleviate the average Americans’ suffering, for which the representatives were elected.

The people on their part, i.e. the students, working families, senior citizens, businesses and alike have a unique opportunity to renew democracy by calling the local representatives in the House and the Senate to pass the pending legislations on financial reform, health care and climate bill.

Democracy is efficient with the main street activism to promote the desired ‘Change,’ in Washington and Wall Street.

When we could succeed in 2008, we will do so in 2010, if you make it possible.

Please extend your support to our President Barack Obama and those Congress members who are devoted to your interest and not the special interests.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Politics, United States | Leave a Comment 

Mutiny in Pakistan

October 31, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

The terror networks scattered around Pakistan have joined forces with Al-Qaida and Pakistani Talibans to challenge the fragile central power in Islamabad. October has been the bloodiest month with a spate of suicide bombings and explosions in different cities including the audacious attacks against the military headquarters heightened by a hostage crisis.

Major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Islamabad have been the fair game for the militants seeking vengeance towards the Pakistani military operation against the domiciled Talibans in the South Waziristan, the lawless region controlled by the terror groups.

When the country’s military and the intelligence that is constitutionally limited to national defense expand their role in civilian affairs through military coups, aiding and abetting in the assassinations of Political candidates, orchestrating terrorist activities in foreign nations, the backlash is accordingly serious and consequential. Naturally, the monsters raised by the Pakistani ISI and the ‘esteemed’ military are now giving them the run for the money.

In a newly awakened moment, the Pakistani military is grappling to contain the pre-meditated and the impromptu domestic terrorisms originally nurtured by the institutions with the central government turning a blind eye to the flames that has evolved into an inferno at the present time.

The conspiracy base for a significant terror attacks suffered and averted around the world by most democracies are unequivocally linked to the Pakistani networks. In fact, the recent hostage situation at the Pakistani military compound reportedly (Source- Pakistani media) had three defense personnel full-fledged involvement in the hostile takeover.

Unfortunately, the innocent civilians endure the human and economic losses from the senseless violence regardless of the sources being either home-grown or external. The widespread terror activities across the nuclear nation are symbolic of the notorious organizations’ objective to undermine the government that is historically replaced by the military coups in Pakistan.

It’s rather intriguing that the Pakistani intelligence, noted as the reliable agency within the country’s political hierarchy, has sharply declined in the entrusted intelligence services to protect the nation and prevent any harm to the neighbors in Iran, Afghanistan, India or the farther away United States.

On the other hand, although the latest Pakistani aggressive military action in the Swat Valley against the local tribal forces representing the Pakistani Talibans claimed to be effective, the mass population has been displaced with a unique ‘refugee’ status in their homeland. The populace frustrations are justified with comments such as “when the American dollar trickles in, the Pakistani military stunt is displayed to charm the foreign donor.”

Any drastic measures viz. the drone attacks and continuous shelling pursued by the local and the foreign governments against the terror networks producing immense civilian casualties…alternatively, the chaos from the lack of humanitarian provisions is likely to facilitate a fertile ground for terror recruitments of the desolate victims.

Likewise, the Saudi Arabia financed ‘Madrassas,’ the schools attended by the children of the poorer segment have been highly controversial especially in Pakistan due to the dominance in the form of Deobandi, Wahhabi and Salafi Islamic elements.

Madrassas, – A generic Arabic/Urdu term for ‘schools’ in the Islamic nations around the world have maintained the reputation of a ‘regular’ school, teaching educational and vocational skills to the disadvantaged as well as the secular minorities in the society.

Nevertheless, the madrassas run by the extreme religious authorities mainly in Pakistan has become the bone of contention after September 11, 2001.

The reports indicate that since independence in 1947, the madrassas in Pakistan have risen from 200 to over an estimated 40,000, with the unofficial madrassas in the country anywhere between 10,000 and 13,000 comprising approximately 2.0 million students.

Further, in the 1980’s – the Pakistani government deployed militants in Kashmir and Afghanistan believed to have attended the madrassas inculcating fundamentalism in the curriculum. A sizeable proportion of students in these institutions were the neglected local and refugee population from the Soviet era Afghanistan and neighboring Baluchistan.

On a broader aspect, the madrassas appear to be serving the deserving population with the required basic education and religious/cultural appreciation. Appropriately, the Zardari-Gilani administration could establish uniformity in the madrassas resembling the national public/private educational system.

What is the reason behind Pakistan’s mutiny?

Two sources are predominantly responsible for the political instability in Pakistan. They are the Western intervention in Pakistan’s political system and the joint opposition to the Western intrusion by the Pakistani military and the intelligence alike. As a result, the real stakeholders, the people in the society are subject to systemic abuse of power in the inherently fractured political gamut.

The Western powers admire and search for the political candidates in awe with western ideology. Hence, they cherry pick those individuals as the preferred heads of the government in these regions, in spite of their nominees’ past failures, political scandals and most relevantly the paradoxical personal background revealing them as the Western proxies in the nation with an overwhelming majority in abject poverty, inadequate literacy and illiteracy.

Moreover, the Western selection criteria based on their candidates’ foreign affiliations viz. a U.S. or Western educated, failing that a longtime resident with Western work experience etc. for political successions in the diametrically different cultures is perceived by the locals as the dismissal or invalidation of their society.

On the flipside – the Pakistani military, the ISI and the local political factions in abhorrence to the Western choices constantly attempt to sabotage the ‘so-called’ democratic elections. If the Western appointed political candidates survive the electoral processes, then the listed oppositions ensure the limited life span of such governments not barring the restricted authority on foreign policy and nuclear site management.

The people in Pakistan clearly understand that the elections in their country are a mere charade with an inevitable political casualty resulting from the western backed candidates’ insincere declaration to reform the fundamentally corrupt political structure.

It’s important to highlight that the moral and ethical degradation are not necessarily exclusive to Kabul, Islamabad, Middle East, Africa…the contemporary world politics is plagued by corruption, cronyism and power clenching with an utter disregard for the people’s plight that is conspicuous in the policy decisions at the state, national and international level.

Politics is a game where the key players i.e. the people are used and abused for political gains. When it’s not convenient, they are considered to be a threat to the political status and financial security by some elected officials in their unconstitutional and unconscionable commitment to derail progress.

The United States health care fiasco serves as a good example in this context.

Pakistan’s current mayhem is self-inflicted precisely from the military and the intelligence reigning control over the U.S and other Western democracy backed puppet governments. When the national intelligence in cohort with the various terror networks are implicated for terror activities in foreign soil and the authorities ‘supposedly’ in power grant immunity to every imaginable terror group, criminal elements, terror masterminds, then the outcome is bound to backfire.

The matter worsened when the supreme court justices were fired by the former President Parvez Musharraf clarifying the above point that, the political figures do not hesitate to violate the constitution in order to remain in power. Under the same presidency, the world’s most wanted Osama Bin Laden was provided the medical treatment while the nuclear arsenal dealer A.Q.Khan, revered as the ‘Father of the Nuclear Pakistan,’ sheltered in a ‘Royal comfort’ to satisfy the minimal legality for a monumental criminal activity.

United States in return rewarded the Musharraf government with billions of dollars in aid and greeted the President as the strongest ‘ally’ in the newly invented ‘war on terror.’ When the ally, for most part chose to remain oblivious in the grand mission to capture the 9/11 terror chief or eradicate the terror movements around the country as they were not obligatory to account for the ten billion dollars and more in financial compensation by the American tax payers.

That raises the question against the U.S. intelligence and their ingenuity in the contentious issue of global terrorism when the American public was repeatedly alerted with the various terrifying color codes during the Bush-Cheney administration that stood by and let the dwarf develop into a giant. Meanwhile, the pleasantries and medal of honor bestowed upon each other in Washington for masquerading the facts as fiction.

Recently, the Congress approved 1.5 billion dollars each year over the next five years in financial aid to curb terrorism in Pakistan created a pandemonium in the Pakistani political circuit expressing the stipulations in the bill as an insult to Pakistani sovereignty.

Interestingly, the political forces’ objection was anchored on the meaningful requirement to alienate the military operation from the ‘democratically’ elected government role essentially strengthening the sovereignty and empowering the people in the nation governance.

The heated debates and the subsequent Pakistani dignitaries’ visit to Washington to discuss against the legitimate legislative conditions confirm the reality on the Pakistan military dominance in the government. Furthermore, the recipients’ demand to make the substantial donations with no strings attached has been a dangerous precedence in the terror related policy between the U.S and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s relations with the neighbors all around have been extremely volatile, tensions have escalated along the borders with Iran, and Afghanistan compared to the relatively calmer Kashmir front. Not surprisingly, the critics were swift in their finger pointing at the arch nemesis India and the benefactor United States, held responsible for Pakistan’s status quo when the people of both nations have been the victims of brutal terror attacks and continuous plotting against the respective national interests.

Is there hope for Pakistan to emerge from the present quagmire?

Absolutely. It’s only achievable through the active participation of the ‘moderates’ in the society that is prevalent in the economic activities…however, not visible in the political or social reform. Pakistan has tremendous intellectual talent and leadership skills at its disposal. The reason for its obscurity is the deprivation of equal opportunities to people across the diverse socio-economic spectrum, due to the western influence and military interference in the frail democratic system.

Pakistan’s salvage rests in the hands of the far sighted and reasonable minds seeking harmony and not acrimony with its neighbors and the international community. The peaceful convergence of the moderate thinkers and the youth population brimming with ideas can be an indomitable force in dealing with the humongous problems facing the nation and lead the country towards a credible democracy.

The leadership in Pakistan can ease the burden on the society by softening the rhetoric towards nations eternally viewed as ‘political rivals,’ particularly India, a strategy created by the vengeful ‘British Raj’ (British rule) as a token gift to the Indian sub-continent upon being ousted from the region.

Pakistan and India would not be independent if not for the iron will of the single entity, Mahatma Gandhi to free the region from the burgeoning colonial occupation and relentless effort to unite the sparring Hindu and Muslim factions that ultimately ended in the leader sacrificing his life for the cause.

Sadly, the terror attacks launched against civilians around the globe yielded fatalities among people of Islamic faith as well. India being the second largest Muslim nation in the world, the impact is even greater when one Muslim vows to destroy the life of another across the border.

After gaining independence on August 14, 1947, Is Pakistan really a free nation today?

A country mired with incessant violence and political turmoil needs to pause and reflect on the course of actions that has led to the regrettable carnage and devastation with no end in sight thus far.

Therefore, it’s poignant for the Pakistani society at the crossroads to disavow divisiveness and embrace solidarity within and around itself.

The only beneficiaries from Pakistan’s disintegration threatening the national and global security are the despots of the terror organizations and the profit oriented military industry complex.

Pakistan can rise and shine again with the solemn oath to pursue peace and resurrect the due progress it is entitled to in the twenty first century.

I convey my best wishes to the people of Pakistan and pray for their peaceful existence.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, International Politics, Politics | Leave a Comment 

Misplaced Diplomacy – His Holiness Dalai Lama’s Visit to Washington

October 8, 2009

By Padmini Arhant

His Holiness Dalai Lama is one of the favorite guests for the people around the world. The spiritual leader is a personification of peace, joy and immense hope for the people of Tibet and an overwhelming majority in the international community.

His Holiness’ visit has been anything except controversial in any part of the world, despite the authority in China politicizing the spiritual leader’s visit to deflect the horrendous humanitarian crime against the peaceful Tibetan population not barring the suppression of democracy in the Mainland and ethnic provinces of China.

According to the news reports, Washington has differed the meeting with his holiness as a precautionary measure due to the impending visit by the President of the United States to China and the possible ramifications on the Chinese leadership cooperation or the lack thereof in the economic and environment policy, notwithstanding the contentious Iranian nuclear negotiations.

All the more reason for the urgent expansion of the United Nations Security Council that holds the globally persecuted population hostage to camouflage the atrocities against humanity.

The White House elected option in this context is extremely disappointing considering the democratic status and the tradition followed with respect to receiving guests from diverse backgrounds to promote diplomacy unless the entity is a threat to national or international security…

There appears to be a mistaken identity. The regime in China should realize that the guest denied honorable reception to appease them is not Osama, but instead the diametrically opposite being, the Dalai Lama and Beijing’s implied deliberations on the important global matter suggests the implicit spread of the world’s most fearsome ‘Communist’ rule by proxy against even the firmly democratic United States and other nations.

Interestingly, China’s neighbor and the obvious thorn on their side, Taiwan was threatened by the Communist regime stating the protocol as provocative during the holiness recent visit to the island nation. However, the Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou let diplomacy override the political shenanigan from Beijing.

As detailed earlier in the blogpost on this website –” People’s Republic of China – The Deadly Dragon” published on 08/13/2009, letting the Communist regime dictate terms and conditions to the nations regardless of stature is a dangerous precedence and inflates the hubris of the authority responsible for the most genocides worldwide.

The irony is, the repressive regime reining in on the economic power through tactical investment in U.S. Treasury notes while dumping goods on the U.S. consumers thereby enslaving the ‘Superpower’ to the point of no return. Meanwhile, the Communist nation engaged in worst humanitarian crimes in history remains a mere spectacle dissipating into a fading memory.

The International Court of Justice as the UN judiciary has diligently held trials against the perpetrators of human atrocities until date. Similarly, the International criminal court, a permanent tribunal potentially has global jurisdiction on war crimes to genocides and other massacres. Yet, the two most internationally dependent judicial systems are oblivious to the regime’s historical brutality towards humans across the globe.

The heinous crimes among them are – the systemic abuse of the Tibetan population and desecration of the holy shrines including the enriched Tibetan culture.

Subsequently, the Tiananmen massacre in worldview, Darfur genocide, Sri Lankan Government ethnic cleansing and now the mass killings of the people of Guinea, West Africa by the military dictator has Beijing’s footprints i.e. trademarks as the chief supplier of the conventional deadly arsenals to these impoverished regions.

North Korea, Pakistan and Iran are in the MFN (Most Favored Nation) category for the Communist nation in the prolific arms race.

Notably in Darfur, the authoritarian rule violating the self sanctioned UN arms embargo as the permanent member of the UN Security council is the absolute defiance for the international rule of law by the regime, essentially delivering the present P5 UN Security Council irrelevant, if not a laughing stock to say the least.

In light of the continuous denouncement by Beijing towards his holiness’ visit to any nations for a spiritual and educational purpose or otherwise, it’s imperative for the UN General assembly to condemn the dictatorial regime and act vigorously by demanding the dissolution of the UN Security Council with members violating their resolutions for political and economic gains.

The present UN Security Council has emboldened the rogue nations with the leadership of China as the Chieftain successfully enabling the holocausts around the world particularly the oppressed Tibet in the Himalayan foothills.

China had no business to invade Tibet before and has no reason to occupy the region now. Therefore, it’s in the best interest of the Chinese regime to heed to the prophetic warning and prepare for Tibet’s inevitable independence and not the autonomy as pleaded by the spiritual leader, Dalai Lama.

The Tibetan population deserves freedom and democracy through self-governance and not be subject to a diabolical rule in the twenty first century. This is not the Genghis Khan or Kublai Khan era for annexations and the international authorities cannot ignore the extreme human suffering under the past and the present Communist dictatorship.

Lack of action to bring the Chinese leadership to justice is complicity to the human annihilation in the worst order leaving a violent legacy for the future world.

As for China, holding the U.S. trillion dollar debt and defying the climate issue will be self-detrimental. Any willful harm to the world’s largest consumer base, the U.S. economy is an economic disaster for the global warehouse, China interdependent on the U.S. performance to sustain the presumptuous ‘emerging economic’ position in the global market. Even if China threatens to discard the U.S. currency, it would be fatal for the Chinese economic prospects given the volatility in the other international currency such as Euro resisting the precipitous rise, taking toll on the export nations like Germany.

Non-compliance to the environmental requirement is an invitation to the calamities continually experienced in several parts of China ranging from the earthquake, floods and typhoons that no longer constitutes a natural act.

With respect to the Iranian nuclear negotiations, it should be clear from the horrific evidence in Sudan (Darfur), North Korea and Burma that Beijing’s commitment to world peace and order is to be taken with a grain of salt because of the back alley trading and cohesion to the belligerent leaderships in these regions, conforming with the belief,

Birds of a feather flock together.

Besides, the present UN Security Council will be unable to deter Beijing from trading with Iran. China’s huge investments in the oil refineries, the hindering factor for Iran from becoming the leading crude oil exporter is in the elimination process through Beijing’s extensive involvement with Iran to satisfy the oil quest from the economic growth.

The only alternative to contain the recalcitrant Beijing is to expand the UN Security Council from P5 to P11 and introduce credibility to the UN authority governing the global crisis.

Throughout history, the communist leadership in China has demonstrated a disturbing and an untrustworthy relationship with its neighbors and other economies to achieve the long desired ‘Superpower’ goal. The mounting betrayal to humanity is a tip of the iceberg.

The U.S. subservience to China is a regrettable trend reflected in Beijing’s unethical demands to the American investors e.g. Google barred from competing in China on bizarre accounts and the mandatory regulation for technology sector to market PCs with built-in filters to curb free speech… are a few of the unscrupulous practices in the Far-Eastern ethos. Free and fairness is oxymoron to the regime.

The White House obliging to Beijing’s unnecessary intervention in diplomatic course with individuals and nations warrants a serious threat to the U.S sovereignty previously undermined by the espionage charges against Beijing’s agents and the recent alleged spying via telecommunication cables.

It’s time for the world population to come together and reject the totalitarian regime in China wreaking havoc not only in its own soil but also for the entire humanity. Since the democratically elected governments are reluctant to challenge the regime, pursuing peaceful and non-violent dissent against injustice is symbolic and a guaranteed success for liberation proven in the twentieth century.

Another effective strategy for the world population is to invest in other economies deserving equal opportunity to economic freedom.

The White House misplaced diplomacy against the spiritual leader might be an interim false victory for Beijing. Nevertheless, the ancient wisdom confirms that the end is near when the mind is unclear revealed through Beijing’s double-crossing in the domestic and international affairs.

Tibet was once a free spiritual sanctuary and destined to be so in the immediate future. Only time will prove the certain outcome for the pious and peace-loving Tibetan population.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under International Politics, Politics | Leave a Comment 

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