Wanachama wa taasisi ya DECI inayowezesha watu kupanda na kuvuna mapesa kwa faida nono wamegonga mwamba leo baada ya zoezi la ulipaji wa fedha zao walizopanda kama mbegu kutofanyika.
Awali, wanachama hao walikuwa wakitarajia kuanza kung\'oa `mbegu` zao leo, hasa baada ya kutangaziwa ratiba ya kufanya hivyo na uongozi wa taasisi hiyo yenye makao yake makuu pale Mabibo Mwisho Jijini.
Wakizungumza katika ofisi za Alasiri leo asubuhi, baadhi ya wanachama hao wa DECI wamesema kuwa uongozi wa taasisi hiyo (DECI) umewageuka leo asubuhi, kwani badala ya kuanza kuwalipa pesa zao kama walivyoahidi kupitia ratiba yao, wamekuta tangazo linalowaambia kuwa hawatalipwa kwa sababu akaunti za taasisi hiyo zimefungiwa na Serikali.
Akizungumza kwa niaba ya wenzake, kiongozi wa wateja hao walio katika tawi la Kinondoni Jijini, Bw. James Owe Risso, amesema kufuatana na ratiba iliyotolewa awali na uongozi wa kampuni hiyo Jumanne iliyopita, ni kwamba wateja 236 wa tawi hilo la Kinondoni walitakiwa kung\'`oa mbegu zao leo.
Akasema hadi jana jioni walipoondoka katika ofisi hizo, waliambiwa kwamba leo wangeng`oa mbegu zao, jambo ambalo liliwafanya wadamkie katika ofisi hizo na wengine kukesha ili kuwahi foleni.
``Tumefika pale tukakutana na tangazo ambalo halikuwa na muhuri wala nembo likisema kuwa leo hatutaweza kung\'oa mbegu zetu kwa sababu serikali imefungia akaunti,`` akasema.
Akaongeza kuwa kwa jinsi lilivyokuwa, yeye na baadhi ya wanachama wenzie hawakuliamini tangazo hilo.
Akasema ilipofika mishale ya saa 2:30 leo asubuhi, baadhi ya wafanyakazi wa DECI walifika katika ofisi hizo za Kinondoni na kuwatangazia kuwa wasingeweza kung`oa mbegu zao kwa sababu akaunti zimefungiwa na Serikali.
``Tukawahoji hiyo Serikali imefungia jana usiku ama leo asubuhi? Maana hadi walituambia kuwa tungeng\'oa mbegu leo,`` akasema.
``Swali hilo hakuna aliyeweza kutujibu,`` akaongeza.
Akasema wanashangaa kwanini ofisi hizo zinaendelea na shughuli za kuwasajili wateja kwa ahadi ya kuwalipa fedha zao wakati wakijua wazi kuwa akaunti zao zimefungiwa.
Wateja hao wakaiomba serikali kuwaeleza ni lini watalipwa fedha zao na pia kusimamia zoezi hilo kutokana na ukweli kuwa taasisi hiyo inatia shaka katika kukamilisha zoezi la kuwasajili.
Aidha, akasema katika zoezi hilo, tofauti na wenzao wa matawi mengine, wao wakienda kujiorodhesha wamekuwa wakitakiwa kuacha risiti zao kwa wafanyakazi wa kampuni hiyo.
Aidha, wamedai baadhi ya wateja wamekuwa wakigongeshewa mhuri unaoonyesha kuwa wamelipwa na kwamba wameshapokea fedha zao.
Hivi karibuni, Serikali ambayo inaendelea kuichunguza DECI, ilitangaza kufungia akaunti za taasisi hiyo na pia za baadhi ya wakurugenzi wake ili kuhakikisha kuwa watu waliopanda pesa zao wanarejeshewa.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
MPs hail Mengi on corruption `sharks`
An array of Members of Parliament have hailed IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi for naming five of what he called the key grand corruption ``sharks`` in Tanzania.
The legislators said in separate interviews here yesterday that Mengi had made a bold move which would pave the way for a more vigorous war on corruption in the country.
Shoka Khamis Juma (Micheweni - CUF), who is also shadow minister for Good Governance (President`s Office), called on all well-meaning Tanzanians to stand behind the IPP Executive Chairman ``at all costs because he has done what the official organs responsible for forestalling and combating corruption and other vices have failed to do``.
``We wholeheartedly support Mr Mengi because we believe that he has named those sharks in the full knowledge there are still more sharks and even whales in the ocean that must be exposed as well,`` said the MP, citing a popular Kiswahili saying.
``There is a sophisticated syndicate of corrupt sharks that has been systematically siphoning the resources of this country. We must fight corruption. Mr Mengi has gone a courageous step ahead of us, and we rally behind him,`` he added, speaking from the Parliamentary grounds.
The legislator, who is here for a scheduled two-week meeting of the National Assembly, stated that the war on corrupt would be far off target unless “the big sharks and the whales” were also exposed, arrested and brought to justice.
``That would be the best way of acknowledging Mr Mengi`s exemplary contribution to the war effort and congratulating him on a patriotic duty fulfilled with dignity,`` he said, pledging unwavering support for the IPP Executive Chairman.
The opposition leader, who made his remarks soon after the routine morning `Q & A` session in the presence of several opposition party members, said he was convinced that the `sharks` named by Mr Mengi at a news conference in Dar es Salaam on Thursday were not acting in isolation.
He pointed out that he was ``both baffled and shocked by the dead silence maintained by the authorities concerned on various issues of national interest``.
According to the MP, the evils perpetrated or fuelled by corrupt elements in society ``have so tarnished our country``s image that protecting the few individuals behind them will surely ruin our entire nation``.
Elaborating, Juma said China was making tremendous progress economically and otherwise because corruption was not being given breathing space.
``The list of the scandalous transactions and procurements involving the corrupt individuals is known. Time has come for patriotic wananchi to expose all prime suspects, including those still in on the run,`` he added.
He called on the authorities concerned to act on the matter without hesitation ``to save the lives of millions of innocent poor families impoverished by the corrupt elements in our communities``.
Dr Willibroad Slaa (Karatu & Chadema), a fiery anti-corruption crusader, also expressed unreserved support for Mengi``for having made bold and historic strides in the war on grand corruption``.
He said the list of corrupt `sharks` issued by the IPP Executive Chairman was that of notorious corrupt elements he knew very well and that, with Mengi`s memorable intervention, he too had gained new strength with which to sustain the momentum.
``Mengi has done the right thing. He has shown the way. Corrupt elements are not ashamed of their disgraceful deeds to the nation and what he has done is the ideal treatment they deserve,`` he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Raphael Chegeni (Busega - CCM) said Mengi`s remarks at the Dar es Salaam news conference was so relevant and substantive that the government ought to take them seriously and work on them.
``I am not sure whether his remarks will not be ignored… But this is an extremely serious matter and it should be dealt with appropriately for the good of our country and its people,`` he said.
However, some MPs interviewed said they had noted that Mengi had declared that the number of grand corruption suspects did not exceed ten but he had named only half of them.
They said it would be even better for the country if the names of the rest were also made public.
At Thursday`s news conference, Mengi named five people he described as ``notoriously corrupt sharks`` and urged the public to invest more courage in efforts to rid Tanzania of corruption, which he said was eating the country`s resources and stealing the people`s precious time.
He said the country was currently facing a big problem of grand corruption and was troubled by the fact that the people involved in acts of corruption did not want to be touched.
Mengi stated that the ``notoriously corrupt people`` were involved in almost all scandals that have happened in the country, including Richmond, Bank of Tanzania`s external payment arrears account (EPA), Dowans, military helicopters and vehicles, the Presidential jet, radar, National Social Security Fund, Public Service Pension Fund, and National Lottery.
Efforts to contact the five `sharks` named for comment failed yesterday, as they we were permanently not reachable by phone.
The legislators said in separate interviews here yesterday that Mengi had made a bold move which would pave the way for a more vigorous war on corruption in the country.
Shoka Khamis Juma (Micheweni - CUF), who is also shadow minister for Good Governance (President`s Office), called on all well-meaning Tanzanians to stand behind the IPP Executive Chairman ``at all costs because he has done what the official organs responsible for forestalling and combating corruption and other vices have failed to do``.
``We wholeheartedly support Mr Mengi because we believe that he has named those sharks in the full knowledge there are still more sharks and even whales in the ocean that must be exposed as well,`` said the MP, citing a popular Kiswahili saying.
``There is a sophisticated syndicate of corrupt sharks that has been systematically siphoning the resources of this country. We must fight corruption. Mr Mengi has gone a courageous step ahead of us, and we rally behind him,`` he added, speaking from the Parliamentary grounds.
The legislator, who is here for a scheduled two-week meeting of the National Assembly, stated that the war on corrupt would be far off target unless “the big sharks and the whales” were also exposed, arrested and brought to justice.
``That would be the best way of acknowledging Mr Mengi`s exemplary contribution to the war effort and congratulating him on a patriotic duty fulfilled with dignity,`` he said, pledging unwavering support for the IPP Executive Chairman.
The opposition leader, who made his remarks soon after the routine morning `Q & A` session in the presence of several opposition party members, said he was convinced that the `sharks` named by Mr Mengi at a news conference in Dar es Salaam on Thursday were not acting in isolation.
He pointed out that he was ``both baffled and shocked by the dead silence maintained by the authorities concerned on various issues of national interest``.
According to the MP, the evils perpetrated or fuelled by corrupt elements in society ``have so tarnished our country``s image that protecting the few individuals behind them will surely ruin our entire nation``.
Elaborating, Juma said China was making tremendous progress economically and otherwise because corruption was not being given breathing space.
``The list of the scandalous transactions and procurements involving the corrupt individuals is known. Time has come for patriotic wananchi to expose all prime suspects, including those still in on the run,`` he added.
He called on the authorities concerned to act on the matter without hesitation ``to save the lives of millions of innocent poor families impoverished by the corrupt elements in our communities``.
Dr Willibroad Slaa (Karatu & Chadema), a fiery anti-corruption crusader, also expressed unreserved support for Mengi``for having made bold and historic strides in the war on grand corruption``.
He said the list of corrupt `sharks` issued by the IPP Executive Chairman was that of notorious corrupt elements he knew very well and that, with Mengi`s memorable intervention, he too had gained new strength with which to sustain the momentum.
``Mengi has done the right thing. He has shown the way. Corrupt elements are not ashamed of their disgraceful deeds to the nation and what he has done is the ideal treatment they deserve,`` he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Raphael Chegeni (Busega - CCM) said Mengi`s remarks at the Dar es Salaam news conference was so relevant and substantive that the government ought to take them seriously and work on them.
``I am not sure whether his remarks will not be ignored… But this is an extremely serious matter and it should be dealt with appropriately for the good of our country and its people,`` he said.
However, some MPs interviewed said they had noted that Mengi had declared that the number of grand corruption suspects did not exceed ten but he had named only half of them.
They said it would be even better for the country if the names of the rest were also made public.
At Thursday`s news conference, Mengi named five people he described as ``notoriously corrupt sharks`` and urged the public to invest more courage in efforts to rid Tanzania of corruption, which he said was eating the country`s resources and stealing the people`s precious time.
He said the country was currently facing a big problem of grand corruption and was troubled by the fact that the people involved in acts of corruption did not want to be touched.
Mengi stated that the ``notoriously corrupt people`` were involved in almost all scandals that have happened in the country, including Richmond, Bank of Tanzania`s external payment arrears account (EPA), Dowans, military helicopters and vehicles, the Presidential jet, radar, National Social Security Fund, Public Service Pension Fund, and National Lottery.
Efforts to contact the five `sharks` named for comment failed yesterday, as they we were permanently not reachable by phone.
Mengi: These are the ’sharks of corruption’
IPP Limited Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi yesterday publicly named five alleged ’’corruption sharks’’ in the country, saying they were allegedly responsible for the looting of billions of shillings in public monies.
Mengi said the five prominent individuals - Rostam Aziz, Tanil Somaiya, Yusuf Manji, Jeethu Patel, and Subash Patel - were ’’involved in almost all scandals that have happened in our country.’’
’’The number of people who are accused of being especially corrupt in our country do not exceed ten... But out of the ten, these five are accused of being the sharks of corruption,’’ he told a news conference at IPP headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
He listed corruption scandals allegedly linked to the named individuals as the Richmond and Dowans power generation deals, the Bank of Tanzania’s external payment arrears (EPA) account scam, procurement scandals involving military helicopters and vehicles, the overpriced GulfStream presidential jet purchase, and the Mchuchuma Coal project.
Other scandals associated with some of the named suspects include the $41m military radar deal, national lottery dealings, and dubious deals with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).
All five named individuals are leading local personalities who have previously been associated with a number of allegations concerning grand corruption.
Mengi told reporters: ’’The great efforts of our president to hasten economic development and better living (conditions) for every Tanzanian are weakened by the horrendous theft of national resources. A great majority of Tanzanians still face extreme poverty; they are unable to determine where the one meal a day is going to come from.’’
He added: ’’To make things worse, where a Tanzanian with better means provides assistance to lessen hardship within the society and to eradicate poverty, these people involved in corruption allege that such assistance has a political agenda. They want Tanzanians to starve or die as a result of other problems.’’
The IPP chairman noted that instead of Tanzanians concentrating on the country’s economic development, they are now spending most of their precious time debating issues of corruption stemming from the ongoing looting of public funds.
’’Our efforts (to combat corruption) have failed to even cause a dent - instead, these corrupt people have been hardened in their determination. They have established newspapers that are abusive and treat Tanzanians with contempt,’’ he said.
’’Even as Tanzanians continue to cry foul, the notoriously corrupt people continue to use their ill-obtained wealth to influence the granting of big government contracts to themselves, often using different names,’’ he further asserted.
’’The notoriously corrupt people have been heard to say that they will annihilate the vehement combatants of corruption. The notoriously corrupt people should know that if the combatants are harmed in any way in this country or any other country, they will be answerable to the people of Tanzania,’’ he continued.
He called on Tanzanians as a whole to collectively ask the question: ’’What gives these notoriously corrupt people the audacity to treat Tanzanians with such contempt?’’
He also called for decisive action against individuals suspected of involvement in grand corruption, saying: ’’All corrupt people - and especially those who are being accused of notorious corruption - must be dealt with conclusively.’’
Failure to take such firm action against high-level graft could ’’rock the stability of our nation’’, he said, adding: ’’We must realize that we have now reached the stage where we must say: Enough is enough.’’
Mengi said the five prominent individuals - Rostam Aziz, Tanil Somaiya, Yusuf Manji, Jeethu Patel, and Subash Patel - were ’’involved in almost all scandals that have happened in our country.’’
’’The number of people who are accused of being especially corrupt in our country do not exceed ten... But out of the ten, these five are accused of being the sharks of corruption,’’ he told a news conference at IPP headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
He listed corruption scandals allegedly linked to the named individuals as the Richmond and Dowans power generation deals, the Bank of Tanzania’s external payment arrears (EPA) account scam, procurement scandals involving military helicopters and vehicles, the overpriced GulfStream presidential jet purchase, and the Mchuchuma Coal project.
Other scandals associated with some of the named suspects include the $41m military radar deal, national lottery dealings, and dubious deals with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF).
All five named individuals are leading local personalities who have previously been associated with a number of allegations concerning grand corruption.
Mengi told reporters: ’’The great efforts of our president to hasten economic development and better living (conditions) for every Tanzanian are weakened by the horrendous theft of national resources. A great majority of Tanzanians still face extreme poverty; they are unable to determine where the one meal a day is going to come from.’’
He added: ’’To make things worse, where a Tanzanian with better means provides assistance to lessen hardship within the society and to eradicate poverty, these people involved in corruption allege that such assistance has a political agenda. They want Tanzanians to starve or die as a result of other problems.’’
The IPP chairman noted that instead of Tanzanians concentrating on the country’s economic development, they are now spending most of their precious time debating issues of corruption stemming from the ongoing looting of public funds.
’’Our efforts (to combat corruption) have failed to even cause a dent - instead, these corrupt people have been hardened in their determination. They have established newspapers that are abusive and treat Tanzanians with contempt,’’ he said.
’’Even as Tanzanians continue to cry foul, the notoriously corrupt people continue to use their ill-obtained wealth to influence the granting of big government contracts to themselves, often using different names,’’ he further asserted.
’’The notoriously corrupt people have been heard to say that they will annihilate the vehement combatants of corruption. The notoriously corrupt people should know that if the combatants are harmed in any way in this country or any other country, they will be answerable to the people of Tanzania,’’ he continued.
He called on Tanzanians as a whole to collectively ask the question: ’’What gives these notoriously corrupt people the audacity to treat Tanzanians with such contempt?’’
He also called for decisive action against individuals suspected of involvement in grand corruption, saying: ’’All corrupt people - and especially those who are being accused of notorious corruption - must be dealt with conclusively.’’
Failure to take such firm action against high-level graft could ’’rock the stability of our nation’’, he said, adding: ’’We must realize that we have now reached the stage where we must say: Enough is enough.’’
Monday, April 20, 2009
paidContent.org - Google Has A Comment-Filtering System In The Works For YouTube
Google continues to try to make YouTube more acceptable to paying customers?be they content providers, advertisers or viewers?but its latest clean-up effort is aimed at keeping the Federal Communications Commission and groups like the Parents Television Council off its back, too. Google is currently testing a comment-filtering system for the video site, one that's designed to "give users and families greater control to moderate their YouTube experience," according to Ars Technica, citing a statement the company recently filed with the FCC.
Viewers will be able to choose whether to see all comments, no comments or filtered comments, though the filing doesn't offer specifics on the technology or when there will be a widespread roll out; Google (NSDQ: GOOG) wrote that it's one of "a number of initiatives" around moderating content that it has in the works.
Google isn't facing any imminent legislation from the FCC over YouTube's comments, but the Commission is looking into the way that Google, Microsoft and other digital media companies are handling content filtering and moderation. The research will be used in an upcoming FCC report on the various options parents have for controlling children's exposure to violent and sexual content. Google (and Microsoft, for that matter) maintains that the FCC's formal Notice of Inquiry should be relegated to "traditional television programming"?not web-based content?and that it already has sufficient moderation tools in place. But groups like the Parents Television Council have argued that "the site isn't doing enough to protect kids."
Viewers will be able to choose whether to see all comments, no comments or filtered comments, though the filing doesn't offer specifics on the technology or when there will be a widespread roll out; Google (NSDQ: GOOG) wrote that it's one of "a number of initiatives" around moderating content that it has in the works.
Google isn't facing any imminent legislation from the FCC over YouTube's comments, but the Commission is looking into the way that Google, Microsoft and other digital media companies are handling content filtering and moderation. The research will be used in an upcoming FCC report on the various options parents have for controlling children's exposure to violent and sexual content. Google (and Microsoft, for that matter) maintains that the FCC's formal Notice of Inquiry should be relegated to "traditional television programming"?not web-based content?and that it already has sufficient moderation tools in place. But groups like the Parents Television Council have argued that "the site isn't doing enough to protect kids."
Is South Africa on the cusp of change?
Jacob Zuma is one step away from the Union Buildings - South Africa's seat of power.
Wednesday's national and provincial elections are certain to see the African National Congress (ANC) leader become the new president of South Africa.
But this year's elections have been different.
A new opposition party, hewn from the ruling African National Congress, is challenging their dominance.
Even if they can't win this year, Cope (Congress of the People) may have altered the landscape of South African politics.
Columnist and academic Xolela Mangcu of Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University says the ANC has had to up its game since the emergence of Cope.
"They forced the ANC to go on the defensive, as was clear with the sheer volume of numbers they brought out to their final rallies on Sunday," he said.
"The ANC have turned it around and re-energised themselves."
Zuma's ups and downs
Mr Zuma's life has always been a rollercoaster ride.
My first encounter with him was in Tanzania in 1987, during his years in exile.
At that time, Mr Zuma and Thabo Mbeki (then the ANC's Director of Information) appeared inseparable as ANC colleagues.
Mr Zuma subsequently became Chief of Intelligence for the ANC, but always seen destined to remain in Mr Mbeki's shadow.
In 1999, at the start of his first administration, President Mbeki appointed Mr Zuma as his deputy.
However, in 2005, he was fired and later charged with corruption.
In the same year, he was accused of rape, but acquitted.
Nonetheless, many observers predicted that Mr Zuma would not be able to rebuild his political career.
Against the odds, and with the backing of powerful allies within the ANC, Mr Zuma staged a remarkable comeback.
Missing man
Mr Mbeki, in contrast, has gone missing from this 2009 election campaign.
Since being forced by the ANC to resign as president in September 2008, little has been seen of him, except in his capacity as the chief mediator in Zimbabwe.
He has not thrown his weight behind the ANC election campaign.
Nor has he come out in support of Cope, whose core backing comes from many of Mr Mbeki's former supporters.
This week, on the eve of the polls, the ANC was unable to say where Mr Mbeki would be casting his vote on Wednesday.
Issues not personalities
Politicians like to pretend that elections are about issues rather than personalities.
But even in South Africa, where there are no direct elections for president, this campaign has been dominated by the familiar faces on the political landscape.
Jacob Zuma's portrait has been on election posters in every main street in the country.
In a sophisticated and expensive campaign, the ANC has ensured that Mr Zuma has enjoyed maximum exposure.
In recent months, he has been to all corners of South Africa, sometimes speaking at three or four events a day.
In spite of just having turned 67, Mr Zuma remains as energetic as ever.
He has swept into the final phase of this campaign with gusto, always delighting his supporters by singing the song that he has made his own -"Mshini Wami" (Bring Me My Machine Gun).
'Stop Zuma'
Not to be outdone, Helen Zille, the leader of the parliamentary opposition - the Democratic Alliance - has also adopted a song and dance routine.
Ms Zille, who is Mayor of Cape Town, is contesting the position of Provincial Premier of the Western Cape.
The DA has been mounting a concerted effort to stop the ANC from once again securing a two-thirds majority, as it did in the 2004 elections.
Many say the real competition is between Cope and the DA to see which will become the biggest opposition.
They would have the upper hand in any coalition that may be negotiated between the two.
"I'm not sleeping long enough at night to recharge my mobile phone", said a visibly tired Ms Zille, as she visited the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town.
End of campaigning
Another leader who will welcome the end of campaigning is Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
At the age of 80, he is the only high profile political figure who has fought every election since 1994.
Both the Democratic Alliance and the Congress of the People are each set to win about 15% of the national vote, according to the latest opinion poll by Plus 94.
If Cope performs badly, questions will no doubt be asked about why the party chose to put forward a relatively unknown figure, Bishop Mvume Dandala, as its presidential candidate, instead of one of its two founder members - Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa.
South Africans will breathe a sigh of relief after the elections this week.
They will however, have to wait a while longer to find out just what kind of president Jacob Zuma will be.
Wednesday's national and provincial elections are certain to see the African National Congress (ANC) leader become the new president of South Africa.
But this year's elections have been different.
A new opposition party, hewn from the ruling African National Congress, is challenging their dominance.
Even if they can't win this year, Cope (Congress of the People) may have altered the landscape of South African politics.
Columnist and academic Xolela Mangcu of Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University says the ANC has had to up its game since the emergence of Cope.
"They forced the ANC to go on the defensive, as was clear with the sheer volume of numbers they brought out to their final rallies on Sunday," he said.
"The ANC have turned it around and re-energised themselves."
Zuma's ups and downs
Mr Zuma's life has always been a rollercoaster ride.
My first encounter with him was in Tanzania in 1987, during his years in exile.
At that time, Mr Zuma and Thabo Mbeki (then the ANC's Director of Information) appeared inseparable as ANC colleagues.
Mr Zuma subsequently became Chief of Intelligence for the ANC, but always seen destined to remain in Mr Mbeki's shadow.
In 1999, at the start of his first administration, President Mbeki appointed Mr Zuma as his deputy.
However, in 2005, he was fired and later charged with corruption.
In the same year, he was accused of rape, but acquitted.
Nonetheless, many observers predicted that Mr Zuma would not be able to rebuild his political career.
Against the odds, and with the backing of powerful allies within the ANC, Mr Zuma staged a remarkable comeback.
Missing man
Mr Mbeki, in contrast, has gone missing from this 2009 election campaign.
Since being forced by the ANC to resign as president in September 2008, little has been seen of him, except in his capacity as the chief mediator in Zimbabwe.
He has not thrown his weight behind the ANC election campaign.
Nor has he come out in support of Cope, whose core backing comes from many of Mr Mbeki's former supporters.
This week, on the eve of the polls, the ANC was unable to say where Mr Mbeki would be casting his vote on Wednesday.
Issues not personalities
Politicians like to pretend that elections are about issues rather than personalities.
But even in South Africa, where there are no direct elections for president, this campaign has been dominated by the familiar faces on the political landscape.
Jacob Zuma's portrait has been on election posters in every main street in the country.
In a sophisticated and expensive campaign, the ANC has ensured that Mr Zuma has enjoyed maximum exposure.
In recent months, he has been to all corners of South Africa, sometimes speaking at three or four events a day.
In spite of just having turned 67, Mr Zuma remains as energetic as ever.
He has swept into the final phase of this campaign with gusto, always delighting his supporters by singing the song that he has made his own -"Mshini Wami" (Bring Me My Machine Gun).
'Stop Zuma'
Not to be outdone, Helen Zille, the leader of the parliamentary opposition - the Democratic Alliance - has also adopted a song and dance routine.
Ms Zille, who is Mayor of Cape Town, is contesting the position of Provincial Premier of the Western Cape.
The DA has been mounting a concerted effort to stop the ANC from once again securing a two-thirds majority, as it did in the 2004 elections.
Many say the real competition is between Cope and the DA to see which will become the biggest opposition.
They would have the upper hand in any coalition that may be negotiated between the two.
"I'm not sleeping long enough at night to recharge my mobile phone", said a visibly tired Ms Zille, as she visited the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town.
End of campaigning
Another leader who will welcome the end of campaigning is Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
At the age of 80, he is the only high profile political figure who has fought every election since 1994.
Both the Democratic Alliance and the Congress of the People are each set to win about 15% of the national vote, according to the latest opinion poll by Plus 94.
If Cope performs badly, questions will no doubt be asked about why the party chose to put forward a relatively unknown figure, Bishop Mvume Dandala, as its presidential candidate, instead of one of its two founder members - Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa.
South Africans will breathe a sigh of relief after the elections this week.
They will however, have to wait a while longer to find out just what kind of president Jacob Zuma will be.
Cony graduate teaching in Tanzania
As college students across America buckle down for finals, Scott Wilkinson is teaching. While some of his pupils know basic math, some of them cannot even count to three.
Wilkinson, a 2007 Cony graduate, has been volunteering in Tanzania since Feb. 28, teaching school children age 2 through 7 about English, science, math and art; instructing incarcerated youth on how to grow their own gardens; and writing grants for an HIV/AIDS awareness organization.
Wilkinson, 19, a sophomore studying political science at the University of Notre Dame, decided to take a semester off.
Though he was doing well in college -- he graduated as salutatorian at Cony High School -- he said he felt a void.
"It just seemed like Africa was calling my name," he wrote in an e-mail from Tanzania. "Everyone kept asking me why I wanted to do this, (and) all I could answer was, 'Why not?'"
Tanzania is an east African country home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world's largest free-standing mountain. It is not uncommon for village huts to be constructed of sticks and mud.
Wilkinson's parents, Les and Robin Wilkinson, initially balked.
"There were feelings of pride, affection, but fear and anxiety," Les Wilkinson said. "His mother and I have a lot of confidence in his judgment, however, and it made sense to support him."
Scott Wilkinson, who had left Maine for the Midwest when he attended Notre Dame, knew he had to continue broadening his horizons.
"Notre Dame is one of the least diverse schools in the country, and I just felt like I really just needed to shake things up," he wrote in a e-mail. "What better way is there to experience a place than to live and work there for yourself?"
In the last two months, Wilkinson has climbed Kilimanjaro, volunteered at local orphanages and witnessed a United Nations trial concerning genocide in Rwanda.
"You just have to go for it," he said of overseas volunteering. "Volunteering is a fulfilling, eye-opening experience for yourself, yet it also makes an enormous impact on the community."
Wilkinson will arrive back in the United States this week and spend his summer coaching baseball at Camp Manitou.
He said he will return to college in the fall.
He doesn't worry about the near future, nor does his family, which includes his parents and three brothers.
"Scott has a lot of options ahead of him," his mother, Robin, said. "Whatever path he wants to go on, we're going to support it."
Wilkinson, a 2007 Cony graduate, has been volunteering in Tanzania since Feb. 28, teaching school children age 2 through 7 about English, science, math and art; instructing incarcerated youth on how to grow their own gardens; and writing grants for an HIV/AIDS awareness organization.
Wilkinson, 19, a sophomore studying political science at the University of Notre Dame, decided to take a semester off.
Though he was doing well in college -- he graduated as salutatorian at Cony High School -- he said he felt a void.
"It just seemed like Africa was calling my name," he wrote in an e-mail from Tanzania. "Everyone kept asking me why I wanted to do this, (and) all I could answer was, 'Why not?'"
Tanzania is an east African country home to Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world's largest free-standing mountain. It is not uncommon for village huts to be constructed of sticks and mud.
Wilkinson's parents, Les and Robin Wilkinson, initially balked.
"There were feelings of pride, affection, but fear and anxiety," Les Wilkinson said. "His mother and I have a lot of confidence in his judgment, however, and it made sense to support him."
Scott Wilkinson, who had left Maine for the Midwest when he attended Notre Dame, knew he had to continue broadening his horizons.
"Notre Dame is one of the least diverse schools in the country, and I just felt like I really just needed to shake things up," he wrote in a e-mail. "What better way is there to experience a place than to live and work there for yourself?"
In the last two months, Wilkinson has climbed Kilimanjaro, volunteered at local orphanages and witnessed a United Nations trial concerning genocide in Rwanda.
"You just have to go for it," he said of overseas volunteering. "Volunteering is a fulfilling, eye-opening experience for yourself, yet it also makes an enormous impact on the community."
Wilkinson will arrive back in the United States this week and spend his summer coaching baseball at Camp Manitou.
He said he will return to college in the fall.
He doesn't worry about the near future, nor does his family, which includes his parents and three brothers.
"Scott has a lot of options ahead of him," his mother, Robin, said. "Whatever path he wants to go on, we're going to support it."
Recession threatens Africa charities
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The world has seen banks and businesses fail spectacularly since the recession began but other vulnerable organizations in the developing world face devastation.
The recession is hitting the flow of money to charities across sub-Saharan Africa and organizations are facing tough choices in an effort to continue desperately needed work
"We were preparing for [the crisis] but I didn't realize it was going to be that bad, and I think that's like most people around the world," says Gemma Sisia, founder of The School of St. Jude, a school for the poor in Tanzania.
Assistant Professor Josh Ruxin, of Columbia University, says nonprofits across eastern Africa are failing during this recession. Ruxin lives in Rwanda where he develops health centers and agricultural jobs.
"What I've seen on the landscape is that a lot of the smaller nonprofits are going out of business," he says. "Today those who are not either extremely well connected or with a great strategy are going under by the dozens."
CNN could not independently confirm Ruxin's numbers. But international organizations including the International Monetary Fund warn of foreign aid decreases across the region.
At an IMF conference in Tanzania in March, participants gloomily assessed Africa's needs. They called on rich countries to keep the aid flowing.
"According to the World Bank, over 50 million people in low income countries, many of whom live in Africa, could be thrown back into absolute poverty -- with obvious consequences for other social ills, like sickness and infant mortality," said Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF Managing Director. "The economic and political challenges facing Africa are clearly enormous."
Sisia, the daughter of an Australian sheep farmer with no school administration experience, named The School of St. Jude after the patron saint of hopeless causes.
But since St. Jude's founding it has ballooned from three students to more than 1,000, and it has provided jobs for local Tanzanians. Two campuses operate in northern Tanzania near Arusha. The sites include multiple buildings for classrooms, administration, boarding and dining.
Now this setup is in danger due to the worldwide financial crisis. International donations, the school's livelihood, have tumbled by about a quarter, so Sisia has had to cut jobs and cut pay for staffers including herself.
Sisia usually finds sponsors for all children, but now she says she needs to cover costs for about 200 children at about $2,000 a head per year.
Most donors are middle class people from Sisia's native Australia. Sisia says some have lost their jobs during this recession, and can no longer contribute.
St. Jude gives food, housing, uniforms, and school supplies at no cost to the children or their parents. Providing food alone cost $100,000 dollars last year.
"Most of our children would not eat if it were not for the meals they receive at school," says St. Jude volunteer Alexandra Schaerrer.
So far all students have passed their national exams in the top 10 percent of the country, says Sisia.
Primary schools in Tanzania have poor primary school graduation rates. Schools like St. Jude provide an alternative to under-funded government schools that many students cannot attend.
"Although primary school education is free and compulsory, the parents have to provide uniforms, stationary, and in some cases desks and chairs before the child is allowed to attend school," says Schaerrer. "In a home where even food for the family is scarce, and most people survive on one or two dollars a day, there is no money for school expenses."
Tanzania's education has been improving overall, according to the World Bank. The national exam pass rate nearly tripled from 2000 to 2006. But a UNESCO study points to teacher and supply shortages as well as poor learning environments.
To get into St. Jude, prospective first-year students must be near the top of their classes in government school, must be able to pass an entrance exam, and must prove that they are "extremely poor."
Sisia says that during the two-month selection season, as many as 2,000 children apply each week for an average of 10 slots per week.
Ruxin says it's critical for African schools to stay afloat.
"When those donations don't come in, it literally means you start to lose the momentum for providing one of the very best investments that sub-Saharan Africa needs, which is a new generation of educated kids," he says.
Ruxin's efforts in Rwanda face similar challenges. He says plans to develop more health centers are moving more slowly now. Some donors are deferring promised funds "until further notice." Ruxin says he's not leaving projects behind, but those projects are moving slowly.
"We're not crippled, we're just not moving as quickly as I'd like," he says.
It's not that donors don't want to give, says philanthropy writer Shelly Banjo of Dow Jones Newswires, but they don't have as much money as they used to, and they must prioritize their giving.
Small nonprofits like St. Jude can benefit by reaching out to donors individually to tell them exactly what their needs are. "If donors care about you then they'll continue giving," says Banjo.
Banjo says another solution is thinking about how to contribute. Doctors or lawyers could provide free medical or legal services. Groups could urge members to give small sums that could add up to big money.
Ruxin's new project, Rwanda Community Works, aims to create agricultural jobs in the one of the provinces hardest hit during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. For this project, he takes traditional donors as well as investors who would like to see small returns.
Ruxin says that African charities face a Darwinian situation.
"I think that while it's survival of the fittest, that doesn't mean that organizations that do extremely good work aren't going to struggle or fail," he says. "The only silver lining is I think that the best not-for-profits will come out leaner and stronger and more effective."
Meanwhile, Sisia says she's "working her butt off" to fund St. Jude
The recession is hitting the flow of money to charities across sub-Saharan Africa and organizations are facing tough choices in an effort to continue desperately needed work
"We were preparing for [the crisis] but I didn't realize it was going to be that bad, and I think that's like most people around the world," says Gemma Sisia, founder of The School of St. Jude, a school for the poor in Tanzania.
Assistant Professor Josh Ruxin, of Columbia University, says nonprofits across eastern Africa are failing during this recession. Ruxin lives in Rwanda where he develops health centers and agricultural jobs.
"What I've seen on the landscape is that a lot of the smaller nonprofits are going out of business," he says. "Today those who are not either extremely well connected or with a great strategy are going under by the dozens."
CNN could not independently confirm Ruxin's numbers. But international organizations including the International Monetary Fund warn of foreign aid decreases across the region.
At an IMF conference in Tanzania in March, participants gloomily assessed Africa's needs. They called on rich countries to keep the aid flowing.
"According to the World Bank, over 50 million people in low income countries, many of whom live in Africa, could be thrown back into absolute poverty -- with obvious consequences for other social ills, like sickness and infant mortality," said Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF Managing Director. "The economic and political challenges facing Africa are clearly enormous."
Sisia, the daughter of an Australian sheep farmer with no school administration experience, named The School of St. Jude after the patron saint of hopeless causes.
But since St. Jude's founding it has ballooned from three students to more than 1,000, and it has provided jobs for local Tanzanians. Two campuses operate in northern Tanzania near Arusha. The sites include multiple buildings for classrooms, administration, boarding and dining.
Now this setup is in danger due to the worldwide financial crisis. International donations, the school's livelihood, have tumbled by about a quarter, so Sisia has had to cut jobs and cut pay for staffers including herself.
Sisia usually finds sponsors for all children, but now she says she needs to cover costs for about 200 children at about $2,000 a head per year.
Most donors are middle class people from Sisia's native Australia. Sisia says some have lost their jobs during this recession, and can no longer contribute.
St. Jude gives food, housing, uniforms, and school supplies at no cost to the children or their parents. Providing food alone cost $100,000 dollars last year.
"Most of our children would not eat if it were not for the meals they receive at school," says St. Jude volunteer Alexandra Schaerrer.
So far all students have passed their national exams in the top 10 percent of the country, says Sisia.
Primary schools in Tanzania have poor primary school graduation rates. Schools like St. Jude provide an alternative to under-funded government schools that many students cannot attend.
"Although primary school education is free and compulsory, the parents have to provide uniforms, stationary, and in some cases desks and chairs before the child is allowed to attend school," says Schaerrer. "In a home where even food for the family is scarce, and most people survive on one or two dollars a day, there is no money for school expenses."
Tanzania's education has been improving overall, according to the World Bank. The national exam pass rate nearly tripled from 2000 to 2006. But a UNESCO study points to teacher and supply shortages as well as poor learning environments.
To get into St. Jude, prospective first-year students must be near the top of their classes in government school, must be able to pass an entrance exam, and must prove that they are "extremely poor."
Sisia says that during the two-month selection season, as many as 2,000 children apply each week for an average of 10 slots per week.
Ruxin says it's critical for African schools to stay afloat.
"When those donations don't come in, it literally means you start to lose the momentum for providing one of the very best investments that sub-Saharan Africa needs, which is a new generation of educated kids," he says.
Ruxin's efforts in Rwanda face similar challenges. He says plans to develop more health centers are moving more slowly now. Some donors are deferring promised funds "until further notice." Ruxin says he's not leaving projects behind, but those projects are moving slowly.
"We're not crippled, we're just not moving as quickly as I'd like," he says.
It's not that donors don't want to give, says philanthropy writer Shelly Banjo of Dow Jones Newswires, but they don't have as much money as they used to, and they must prioritize their giving.
Small nonprofits like St. Jude can benefit by reaching out to donors individually to tell them exactly what their needs are. "If donors care about you then they'll continue giving," says Banjo.
Banjo says another solution is thinking about how to contribute. Doctors or lawyers could provide free medical or legal services. Groups could urge members to give small sums that could add up to big money.
Ruxin's new project, Rwanda Community Works, aims to create agricultural jobs in the one of the provinces hardest hit during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. For this project, he takes traditional donors as well as investors who would like to see small returns.
Ruxin says that African charities face a Darwinian situation.
"I think that while it's survival of the fittest, that doesn't mean that organizations that do extremely good work aren't going to struggle or fail," he says. "The only silver lining is I think that the best not-for-profits will come out leaner and stronger and more effective."
Meanwhile, Sisia says she's "working her butt off" to fund St. Jude
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tanzania maintains position on land ownership issue
TANZANIA has stood its ground on sticky issues regarding land acquisition, travel documents and permanent residence in the latest negotiations aimed at establishing the East African Community (EAC) Common Market.
The new round of talks between experts, which ended in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Thursday this week failed to reach a consensus on several outstanding matters.
Julius Onen, deputy secretary-general of the EAC in charge of projects and programmes told Xinhua news agency in an interview that negotiators from Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya agreed to forward the outstanding issues to the EAC summit scheduled for the end of this month.
’’We expect that when the summit meets on April 29, it should be able to give it (draft protocol) the blessing,’’ he said noting that the negotiators had agreed on 98 per cent of the draft protocol.
The negotiations which have been running since March 30 were attended by, among others, permanent secretaries and ministers in charge of East African affairs from the partner states.
While the four countries agreed on the draft protocol aimed at establishing the EAC Common Market by January 2010, Tanzania failed to reach a consensus with others.
The country insisted that national identity cards should not be accepted as travel documents within the community because they are not internationally recognized.
Instead, Tanzania advocated for the use of national passports or the East African passports, which could be difficult for residents to obtain.
The other four countries failed to agree with Tanzania on a common position on land acquisition. Tanzania argued that the issue of land is sensitive, which often triggers civil conflicts due to unequal distribution, as members have different land policies and tenure systems.
The others believed that land is an important factor of production and therefore a Common Market issue.
Tanzania disagreed with other countries which favoured a flexible citizenship, in which a national of a member state who resides in another partner state for a particular period of time automatically acquires citizenship of that country.
Tanzania said the issue of permanent residence is not provided for in its Constitution and is a sovereignty issue.
The formation of a Common Market is the second step in the region’s integration process before a monetary union and eventually a political federation. The region has already installed a Customs Union which came into force in January 2005.
According to documents prepared for the five-day negotiations, issues of different land ownership system and the common ID card adoption remain to be solved among member states.
Land is owned by the government in Tanzania while it could be property of individuals in Uganda.
Four countries opt for national ID cards as travel documents, unlike Tanzania, which prefers national or the East African passport.
Onen said an EAC summit set for April 29 is to endorse the final protocol which will then come into force on January 1, 2010.
The formation of a common market will pave way for a monetary union and finally a political federation. EAC has already adopted a customs union.
The Tanzanian government has maintained that it would not sign the EAC Common Market Protocol later this month if the document does not meet its expectations.
The new round of talks between experts, which ended in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Thursday this week failed to reach a consensus on several outstanding matters.
Julius Onen, deputy secretary-general of the EAC in charge of projects and programmes told Xinhua news agency in an interview that negotiators from Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya agreed to forward the outstanding issues to the EAC summit scheduled for the end of this month.
’’We expect that when the summit meets on April 29, it should be able to give it (draft protocol) the blessing,’’ he said noting that the negotiators had agreed on 98 per cent of the draft protocol.
The negotiations which have been running since March 30 were attended by, among others, permanent secretaries and ministers in charge of East African affairs from the partner states.
While the four countries agreed on the draft protocol aimed at establishing the EAC Common Market by January 2010, Tanzania failed to reach a consensus with others.
The country insisted that national identity cards should not be accepted as travel documents within the community because they are not internationally recognized.
Instead, Tanzania advocated for the use of national passports or the East African passports, which could be difficult for residents to obtain.
The other four countries failed to agree with Tanzania on a common position on land acquisition. Tanzania argued that the issue of land is sensitive, which often triggers civil conflicts due to unequal distribution, as members have different land policies and tenure systems.
The others believed that land is an important factor of production and therefore a Common Market issue.
Tanzania disagreed with other countries which favoured a flexible citizenship, in which a national of a member state who resides in another partner state for a particular period of time automatically acquires citizenship of that country.
Tanzania said the issue of permanent residence is not provided for in its Constitution and is a sovereignty issue.
The formation of a Common Market is the second step in the region’s integration process before a monetary union and eventually a political federation. The region has already installed a Customs Union which came into force in January 2005.
According to documents prepared for the five-day negotiations, issues of different land ownership system and the common ID card adoption remain to be solved among member states.
Land is owned by the government in Tanzania while it could be property of individuals in Uganda.
Four countries opt for national ID cards as travel documents, unlike Tanzania, which prefers national or the East African passport.
Onen said an EAC summit set for April 29 is to endorse the final protocol which will then come into force on January 1, 2010.
The formation of a common market will pave way for a monetary union and finally a political federation. EAC has already adopted a customs union.
The Tanzanian government has maintained that it would not sign the EAC Common Market Protocol later this month if the document does not meet its expectations.
Justin, Lupe to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
The singers will be amongst other adventurers to mount the 19,000-foot African peak as part of the effort to create awareness for the global water crisis.
Kenna, co-ordinator for the giant ascend, revealed it would further fulfill a personal but a noble ambition.
"My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there, and I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water. Maybe I can help out," Contactmusic quoted him as telling Elle magazine.
Meanwhile, Fiasco insisted he was looking forward to playing mischief-maker.
He said: "I’m an adventure junkie. Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that."
Kenna, co-ordinator for the giant ascend, revealed it would further fulfill a personal but a noble ambition.
"My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there, and I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water. Maybe I can help out," Contactmusic quoted him as telling Elle magazine.
Meanwhile, Fiasco insisted he was looking forward to playing mischief-maker.
He said: "I’m an adventure junkie. Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that."
Friday, February 6, 2009
US senators 'agree' economy bill
Senators in Washington say they have reached agreement on a huge economic stimulus package designed to revitalise the US economy.
Senior Democrats say they will back a plan worth $780bn (£534bn), instead of the $900bn sought by the president, in order to gain vital Republican support.
President Barack Obama has become angry with delays to the bill, which mixes big spending plans and tax cuts.
Some Democrats are now saying the bill will go to a vote late on Friday.
"We're going to do it, if not tonight, in the next day or so," Senate majority leader Harry Reid said, according to Reuters news agency.
President Obama has spoken of "an urgent and growing crisis".
His comments came as the latest unemployment figures showed that the US had had its single worst month for job losses for 35 years.
Almost 600,000 people lost their jobs in January alone - figures Mr Obama described as devastating.
Rough water
President Obama is desperate to pass the package, the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says.
This is the president's first big legislative initiative since he took office, and it has hit some very rough water, our correspondent says.
The new $780bn plan is composed of 42% tax cuts and 58% new government spending, Democratic Senator John Kerry said, according to Reuters news agency.
Other details of the slimmed-down package are sketchy, but one Democrat told Reuters that the homebuyer tax credit and car tax credit were still in the bill.
The Democrats need to persuade two Republicans to vote in favour of the bill for it to gain the necessary 60 Senate votes.
Although Democrats hold a 58-41 majority, 60 votes are required for the measures to pass because the bill would raise the federal deficit.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said that at least three or four Republicans would vote for the bill.
"The American people want us to work together," said Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who will vote for the bill.
"They don't want to see us dividing along partisan lines on the most serious crisis confronting our country."
'Echo chamber'
Mr Obama described as "devastating" the news that nearly 600,000 Americans lost their jobs in January.
"The situation could not be more serious. These numbers demand action," he said.
Mr Obama's remarks came as he unveiled a new board of economic advisers, chaired by Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve.
"I created this board to enlist voices that come from beyond the echo chamber of Washington DC," said Mr Obama, "and to ensure that no stone is unturned as we work to put people back to work and to get our economy moving."
About one-third of the bill is currently composed of tax relief, with the rest devoted to spending on infrastructure projects, like roads and bridges, new schools and alternative energy programmes.
Republicans and some centrist Democrats are keen to reduce the number of spending commitments in the bill, and without their support the bill may not have enough votes to pass in the Senate.
The House of Representatives approved its version of the package last week, worth $825bn, without any Republican support.
If the Senate gives its approval to the bill, the two different versions will then have to be reconciled in a joint House-Senate committee before facing a final vote.
President Obama has said he wants the passage of the bill to be completed by 16 February.
Senior Democrats say they will back a plan worth $780bn (£534bn), instead of the $900bn sought by the president, in order to gain vital Republican support.
President Barack Obama has become angry with delays to the bill, which mixes big spending plans and tax cuts.
Some Democrats are now saying the bill will go to a vote late on Friday.
"We're going to do it, if not tonight, in the next day or so," Senate majority leader Harry Reid said, according to Reuters news agency.
President Obama has spoken of "an urgent and growing crisis".
His comments came as the latest unemployment figures showed that the US had had its single worst month for job losses for 35 years.
Almost 600,000 people lost their jobs in January alone - figures Mr Obama described as devastating.
Rough water
President Obama is desperate to pass the package, the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says.
This is the president's first big legislative initiative since he took office, and it has hit some very rough water, our correspondent says.
The new $780bn plan is composed of 42% tax cuts and 58% new government spending, Democratic Senator John Kerry said, according to Reuters news agency.
Other details of the slimmed-down package are sketchy, but one Democrat told Reuters that the homebuyer tax credit and car tax credit were still in the bill.
The Democrats need to persuade two Republicans to vote in favour of the bill for it to gain the necessary 60 Senate votes.
Although Democrats hold a 58-41 majority, 60 votes are required for the measures to pass because the bill would raise the federal deficit.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said that at least three or four Republicans would vote for the bill.
"The American people want us to work together," said Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who will vote for the bill.
"They don't want to see us dividing along partisan lines on the most serious crisis confronting our country."
'Echo chamber'
Mr Obama described as "devastating" the news that nearly 600,000 Americans lost their jobs in January.
"The situation could not be more serious. These numbers demand action," he said.
Mr Obama's remarks came as he unveiled a new board of economic advisers, chaired by Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve.
"I created this board to enlist voices that come from beyond the echo chamber of Washington DC," said Mr Obama, "and to ensure that no stone is unturned as we work to put people back to work and to get our economy moving."
About one-third of the bill is currently composed of tax relief, with the rest devoted to spending on infrastructure projects, like roads and bridges, new schools and alternative energy programmes.
Republicans and some centrist Democrats are keen to reduce the number of spending commitments in the bill, and without their support the bill may not have enough votes to pass in the Senate.
The House of Representatives approved its version of the package last week, worth $825bn, without any Republican support.
If the Senate gives its approval to the bill, the two different versions will then have to be reconciled in a joint House-Senate committee before facing a final vote.
President Obama has said he wants the passage of the bill to be completed by 16 February.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Meet the icy side of Africa: Mt Kilimanjaro
ITALIAN mountaineer Bruno Brunod climbed Africa's highest mountain in a record five hours and 38 minutes.
We took six days, two guides, seven porters and a cook, and didn't make it all the way but still had the experience of a lifetime.
Iconic Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Tanzania's biggest drawcards, luring travellers who want something more physical than lying on a Zanzibar beach or viewing Serengeti wildlife from a safari vehicle.
As one of the world's tallest peaks that can be climbed without technical skills, Kilimanjaro is an accessible challenge and thousands reach the summit each year.
But that doesn't mean it's easy. To put the climb in perspective, Australia's 2228m Mt Kosciuszko is slightly higher than the park gate at the start of the Kilimanjaro trail.
At its highest point, Kilimanjaro reaches 5895m above sea level. The world's tallest freestanding mountain - actually a trio of dormant volcanoes - rises dramatically out of the plains.
Landscapes change from lush farmland to tropical rainforest, an open moorland of heath and wildflowers, a Mars-like alpine desert and, finally, the ice-capped summit.
Apart from the strenuous summit attempt, we averaged about six hours a day carrying just a daypack.
It is only possible to climb Kilimanjaro through a licensed agency, which provide guides and porters. This makes the trek an expensive proposition, and the park and hut fees alone exceed $900. But it does mean someone else does the cooking, cleaning and set-up.
We opted for the Marangu route, the only one that has huts to sleep in (on all other routes you need to camp). The porters walked ahead with most of the equipment and the cook usually had a snack waiting on arrival at each overnight stop.
By the time we reached the final hut at 4700m, we'd already walked for six hours that day, the fourth of the trek.
It was about this time the hike stopped being fun and started being a test of willpower.
We had about six hours to rest and refuel before heading back into the cold. Summit attempts generally leave at midnight so climbers can watch the sunrise from the top.
But on our attempt the wind blew strong and icy, bringing the temperature down to minus 18C.
Our guides had woken us at 11pm to dress - at this altitude, even that felt like running a marathon.
After 3½ hours of pain we reached Hans Meyer Cave at 5180m, the halfway point of the summit stretch.
We were still an hour from the top when dawn started to break. Watching the sunrise from the roof of Africa, a mile above the clouds, was an unforgettable, magical experience. But it was only a brief moment before we had to push on.
The last leg, a near-vertical scramble over rocks, seemed to go on for ever. Reaching the crater rim was a relief but by now we were too tired to feel anything resembling elation.
Exhausted, we collapsed on the freezing ground, from where we could just peer into the icy volcanic cone.
Pushing our bodies to their limits and beyond also left us feeling we could take on the world.
We took six days, two guides, seven porters and a cook, and didn't make it all the way but still had the experience of a lifetime.
Iconic Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Tanzania's biggest drawcards, luring travellers who want something more physical than lying on a Zanzibar beach or viewing Serengeti wildlife from a safari vehicle.
As one of the world's tallest peaks that can be climbed without technical skills, Kilimanjaro is an accessible challenge and thousands reach the summit each year.
But that doesn't mean it's easy. To put the climb in perspective, Australia's 2228m Mt Kosciuszko is slightly higher than the park gate at the start of the Kilimanjaro trail.
At its highest point, Kilimanjaro reaches 5895m above sea level. The world's tallest freestanding mountain - actually a trio of dormant volcanoes - rises dramatically out of the plains.
Landscapes change from lush farmland to tropical rainforest, an open moorland of heath and wildflowers, a Mars-like alpine desert and, finally, the ice-capped summit.
Apart from the strenuous summit attempt, we averaged about six hours a day carrying just a daypack.
It is only possible to climb Kilimanjaro through a licensed agency, which provide guides and porters. This makes the trek an expensive proposition, and the park and hut fees alone exceed $900. But it does mean someone else does the cooking, cleaning and set-up.
We opted for the Marangu route, the only one that has huts to sleep in (on all other routes you need to camp). The porters walked ahead with most of the equipment and the cook usually had a snack waiting on arrival at each overnight stop.
By the time we reached the final hut at 4700m, we'd already walked for six hours that day, the fourth of the trek.
It was about this time the hike stopped being fun and started being a test of willpower.
We had about six hours to rest and refuel before heading back into the cold. Summit attempts generally leave at midnight so climbers can watch the sunrise from the top.
But on our attempt the wind blew strong and icy, bringing the temperature down to minus 18C.
Our guides had woken us at 11pm to dress - at this altitude, even that felt like running a marathon.
After 3½ hours of pain we reached Hans Meyer Cave at 5180m, the halfway point of the summit stretch.
We were still an hour from the top when dawn started to break. Watching the sunrise from the roof of Africa, a mile above the clouds, was an unforgettable, magical experience. But it was only a brief moment before we had to push on.
The last leg, a near-vertical scramble over rocks, seemed to go on for ever. Reaching the crater rim was a relief but by now we were too tired to feel anything resembling elation.
Exhausted, we collapsed on the freezing ground, from where we could just peer into the icy volcanic cone.
Pushing our bodies to their limits and beyond also left us feeling we could take on the world.
Kenya, Uganda fail US aid test again, Tanzania passes
Kenya and Uganda have once again been deemed ineligible for a special US development aid programme that is providing Tanzania with nearly $700 million over the next five years.
According to “scorecards” issued last week, Kenya fails to qualify for the Millennium Challenge assistance because it falls short of an anti-corruption standard for the fourth consecutive year.
That finding will have disappointed Foreign Minister Moses Wetang’ula.
He stated in an interview during a September visit to the United Nations that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had assured him that Kenya would soon be approved for a Millennium Challenge grant.
In addition to failing the anti-corruption test that countries must pass in order to qualify for the aid, Kenya was judged to be lagging in regard to rule of law, immunisation rates, health expenditures and fiscal policy.
The country was given passing grades on 12 criteria, including political rights and government effectiveness.
Uganda is not entitled to receive Millennium Challenge funds because it meets one less than the minimal number of standards for potential eligibility.
Uganda fails on measurements of political rights, civil liberties, immunisation rates, health expenditures, girls’ completion of primary education and fiscal policy.
Tanzanian and American officials are meanwhile completing preparations for a Millennium Challenge programme aimed at greatly improving the country’s road and electricity networks.
The scope of this initiative suggests that Kenya and Uganda could also receive substantial infrastructure aid if they were to pass the performance tests established by US monitors.
The $698 million development assistance compact with Tanzania is the largest package of aid among 16 that have so far been approved for developing countries.
The agreements total $5.5 billion, with more than half that amount going to eight countries in black Africa: Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania.
According to “scorecards” issued last week, Kenya fails to qualify for the Millennium Challenge assistance because it falls short of an anti-corruption standard for the fourth consecutive year.
That finding will have disappointed Foreign Minister Moses Wetang’ula.
He stated in an interview during a September visit to the United Nations that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had assured him that Kenya would soon be approved for a Millennium Challenge grant.
In addition to failing the anti-corruption test that countries must pass in order to qualify for the aid, Kenya was judged to be lagging in regard to rule of law, immunisation rates, health expenditures and fiscal policy.
The country was given passing grades on 12 criteria, including political rights and government effectiveness.
Uganda is not entitled to receive Millennium Challenge funds because it meets one less than the minimal number of standards for potential eligibility.
Uganda fails on measurements of political rights, civil liberties, immunisation rates, health expenditures, girls’ completion of primary education and fiscal policy.
Tanzanian and American officials are meanwhile completing preparations for a Millennium Challenge programme aimed at greatly improving the country’s road and electricity networks.
The scope of this initiative suggests that Kenya and Uganda could also receive substantial infrastructure aid if they were to pass the performance tests established by US monitors.
The $698 million development assistance compact with Tanzania is the largest package of aid among 16 that have so far been approved for developing countries.
The agreements total $5.5 billion, with more than half that amount going to eight countries in black Africa: Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
MRAMBA YONA LAND IN COURT
Two former ministers appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday charged with abuse of office and occasioning loss of over 11bn/- to the government. Basil Pesambili Mramba and Daniel Ndhira Yona, who were minister for finance and minister for energy and minerals, respectively are facing a total of 13 counts. They pleaded a plea of 'not guilty' before Resident Magistrate Hezron Mwankenja.
The accused were remanded until December 5, after failure to meet bail conditions including depositing 3.9bn/- cash and secure two reliable sureties. He also ordered them to surrender their passports and restrained them from leaving Dar es Salaam without the court's permission. Though they appeared composed as the prosecution read the charges against them, Yona was sweating profusely as he kept on wiping his face.
Members of the public booed at them as they were being taken to remand after failure to meet conditions of bail. Investigations into the case have not been completed, the prosecution told the court. Members of the prosecution team are Principal State Attorney Boniface Stanslaus, Senior State Attorney Frederick Manyanga and three officials from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Hole Joseph, Benn Linkon and Tabu Mzee.
The then ministers, who are defended by advocates Michael Ngalo, Joseph Tadayo, Sam Mapande, Mafuru Mafuru and Elisa Msuya, arrived at the court premises in a PCCB vehicle, Toyota Land Cruiser GX registration number T 319 ATD. They also boarded the same vehicle when they were taken to Keko Remand Prison. Their arraignment was witnessed by several people who jammed at the court premises early in the morning after learning that the duo would be brought there to answer criminal charges.
The charges against the two former ministers are not related in any how on the scandal surrounding the External Payment Arrears (EPA) account of the Bank of Tanzania as previously stated by a section of the media. Both accused are facing jointly five charges of abuse of office and one count of occasioning loss to the government, while Mramba alone faces eight similar counts. It is alleged that the duo committed the offences between 2002 and 2007 at their respective offices.
The prosecution alleged that between August 2002 and May 28, 2005, being employed as ministers, the duo abused the authority of their offices by doing several decisions. They include arbitrarily procuring M/S Alex Stewart (Assayers) UK and its subsidiary company, M/S Alex Stewart (Assayers) Government Business Corporation to sign and execute gold production assaying agreement in Tanzania in contravention of Public Procurement Act and Mining Act, respectively.
The prosecution alleged that the former ministers left the Alex Stewart (Assayers) Government Business Corporation to sign an addendum extending gold production assaying agreement for two years from June 14, 2005 to June 23, 2007 in contravention of the said Acts. It is alleged further that the duo invited Dr Enrique Sugura of the said company to formalise the two years extension before the Government Negotiation Team was convened to work on the matter.
The accused also abstained from attending the mining assayer's fees issue and submitting the agreement to the Attorney General for vetting as it was recommended by the team consequent upon which act an addendum extending the gold production assaying agreement for two years. Between June 2003 and May 28, 2005, serving as ministers, wilfully and by their failure to take reasonable care or discharge their duties in reasonable manner, the duo unjustifiably allegedly processed a gold production assaying agreement with a clause number 4.3.1.
The prosecution alleged that the said clause led to unjustified tax exemption in favour of M/S Alex Stewart) Assayers) Government Business Corporation, thereby occasioning loss to the government to the tune of 11,752,350,148/-. While Mramba alone, the prosecution alleged, between October 10, 2004 and November 15, 2005, as Minister for Finance, abused the authority of his office by arbitrarily doing several unjustified decisions.
They include ignoring the recommendation by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) not to grant tax exemption to M/S Alex Stewart Assayers) Government Business Corporation.
He also allegedly processed and issued Government Notices (GN) No. 423/2003, 424/2003, 497/2004, 498/2004, 377/2005,378/2005, which granted tax exemption to the whole of withholding income tax payable by the said company contrary to the recommendations given by the TRA.
Between 2003 and 2007 in the city, as Minister for Finance, wilfully and by his failure to take reasonable care to discharge his duties in a reasonable manner, Mramba unjustifiably allegedly signed the said government notices. The said notices, according to the prosecution, had the effect of exempting the said company from paying income tax, thereby occasioning loss to the government of the said 11bn/-.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Background: Bretton Woods Set World Finance Order in 1944
European leaders have been calling for a new "Bretton Woods" agreement to rescue the world economy from the current crisis in the global finance system. But what exactly is Bretton Woods?
They hope that Saturday's summit in Washington of 20 leading economies will lay the basis for a new international finance order, similar to the 1944 agreement in the New Hampshire resort town of Bretton Woods.
World War II was still raging when delegates from 44 Allied nations met for the first three weeks of July, 1944, to set up a new system of rules and institutions that would regulate the international monetary system.
It was clear that European currencies would not be able to meet rising demands for international liquidity, so the delegates agreed to peg the currencies of industrialized countries at a fixed rate to the US dollar.
In the wake of the Great Depression
The goal was to avoid the sort of problems of currency fluctuations that plagued the international monetary system during the 1930s as the world recovered from the Great Depression.
In 1944, the US currency was still backed by gold, to the tune of $35 to the ounce, and was seen as the strongest currency in the world.
"At bottom, the Bretton Woods system rested on one simple assumption -- that economic policy in the United States would be stabilizing," writes Benjamin Cohen, a professor of international political economy at the University of California in Santa Barbara.
The Bretton Woods agreement also set up the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the predecessor of the World Bank to carry out the agreement and regulate the international monetary system.
While the IMF and World Bank continue to operate, the fixed currency system fell apart as the US increased its deficit spending during the Vietnam War and Great Society years of social outlays of the 1960s.
It became ever clearer that the US could no longer back the dollar with gold, and Washington suspended the gold standard in 1971 to allow it to float to its own level. By 1973, industrialized countries agreed to let their currencies also float free.
The Bretton Woods agreement was formally signed on Dec. 27, 1945, after Germany conceded victory to the Allies.
They hope that Saturday's summit in Washington of 20 leading economies will lay the basis for a new international finance order, similar to the 1944 agreement in the New Hampshire resort town of Bretton Woods.
World War II was still raging when delegates from 44 Allied nations met for the first three weeks of July, 1944, to set up a new system of rules and institutions that would regulate the international monetary system.
It was clear that European currencies would not be able to meet rising demands for international liquidity, so the delegates agreed to peg the currencies of industrialized countries at a fixed rate to the US dollar.
In the wake of the Great Depression
The goal was to avoid the sort of problems of currency fluctuations that plagued the international monetary system during the 1930s as the world recovered from the Great Depression.
In 1944, the US currency was still backed by gold, to the tune of $35 to the ounce, and was seen as the strongest currency in the world.
"At bottom, the Bretton Woods system rested on one simple assumption -- that economic policy in the United States would be stabilizing," writes Benjamin Cohen, a professor of international political economy at the University of California in Santa Barbara.
The Bretton Woods agreement also set up the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the predecessor of the World Bank to carry out the agreement and regulate the international monetary system.
While the IMF and World Bank continue to operate, the fixed currency system fell apart as the US increased its deficit spending during the Vietnam War and Great Society years of social outlays of the 1960s.
It became ever clearer that the US could no longer back the dollar with gold, and Washington suspended the gold standard in 1971 to allow it to float to its own level. By 1973, industrialized countries agreed to let their currencies also float free.
The Bretton Woods agreement was formally signed on Dec. 27, 1945, after Germany conceded victory to the Allies.
East Africa seeks to raise awareness on Internet governance
East Africa ICT stakeholders have launched an Internet governance course targeting policy makers to address gaps exposed at this week's regional meeting.
The lack of participation and deep understanding of Internet governance issues is a sign that more awareness is needed, said Mwende Njiraini, a telecoms engineer who outlined the course content.
New! Watch this Network World Webcast - Oracle Database Security for Security Administrators - Live WebcastStrathmore University and the Kenya College of Communications and Technology, both in Nairobi, will offer the course, but other institutions in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda were encouraged to establish such courses as well.
"The course aims to provide deeper understanding, develop regional perception on Internet governance issues and enhance use of Internet in socioeconomic development," Njiraini explained.
It will target government officials, academia, civil society, media, the private sector and others who are involved in the policy making process, added Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network.
The course will include classroom sessions and online tutorials, while graduates of the program will be required to complete public awareness projects.
This week's regional Internet Governance Forum exposed the need for increased awareness on critical Internet resources, such as management of root servers, legal dimensions of Internet governance, jurisdiction and arbitration, intellectual property rights, copyright, and data protection.
The lack of participation and deep understanding of Internet governance issues is a sign that more awareness is needed, said Mwende Njiraini, a telecoms engineer who outlined the course content.
New! Watch this Network World Webcast - Oracle Database Security for Security Administrators - Live WebcastStrathmore University and the Kenya College of Communications and Technology, both in Nairobi, will offer the course, but other institutions in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda were encouraged to establish such courses as well.
"The course aims to provide deeper understanding, develop regional perception on Internet governance issues and enhance use of Internet in socioeconomic development," Njiraini explained.
It will target government officials, academia, civil society, media, the private sector and others who are involved in the policy making process, added Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network.
The course will include classroom sessions and online tutorials, while graduates of the program will be required to complete public awareness projects.
This week's regional Internet Governance Forum exposed the need for increased awareness on critical Internet resources, such as management of root servers, legal dimensions of Internet governance, jurisdiction and arbitration, intellectual property rights, copyright, and data protection.
Stocks surge after China stimulus
Asian markets have risen sharply, a day after China announced a huge investment plan to kick-start its slowing economy.
Stocks leapt in Japan, China and Hong Kong, buoyed by China's efforts to sustain its growth rates, on which many Asian economies depend.
About $586bn (£370bn) is to go into housing, infrastructure and post-earthquake reconstruction in China over the next two years.
Correspondents say the package is a response to falling growth and exports.
There will also be significant cuts in company tax, while banks will be allowed to lend more to projects involving rural development and technical innovation.
The government also promised a shift to a "moderately easy" monetary policy.
"The investment expansion should be done swiftly and forcefully," a State Council meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao concluded.
"It's a huge package," Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency after a meeting of the Group of 20 finance officials in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"It will have an influence not only on the world economy in supporting demand but also a lot of influence on the Chinese economy itself, and I think it is good news for correcting imbalances."
Market bounce
Chinese stocks rose sharply, with the Shanghai Composite Index ending 7.3% higher at 1,874.80.
Market bounce
Chinese stocks rose sharply, with the Shanghai Composite Index ending 7.3% higher at 1,874.80.
Chinese exports have been a key driver of the economy
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock average closed up 5.8% to 9,081.43, helped by the weaker yen, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 3.39% at 14,726.59.
European shocks were also given a lift by the Chinese news.
The UK's FTSE 100 index ended the day up 38 points or 0.9% to 4,404, while Germany's Dax advanced 87 points or 1.8% to 5,026.
However, BBC Shanghai correspondent Chris Hogg said much uncertainty remained over the details of the package, and US stocks ended lower on Wall Street..
"What's not clear is how much of the sum announced is new money, in addition to current budgets," he said.
"And we don't know how the total money will be divided up between the different spending proposals and plans for tax relief".
Companies likely to benefit most from the government's investment plans did best, including banking, steel and construction firms.
Factory closures across the border in southern China have badly depressed China's manufacturing sector.
Commodity cuts?
Analysts said the stimulus package would not save China from the effects of the global financial slowdown, but could help to protect it.
China, and Asian economies who increasingly depend on it as an export market, had become used to double-digit growth figures.
But in the third quarter of this year growth slipped to 9%, its lowest level in five years.
Though this might be considered healthy elsewhere, the fall has been taken as a worrying sign in China where the government has relied on rapid growth to maintain political stability.
Interest rates
The Chinese government has cut interest rates twice in recent weeks, and began considering ways to avert a more dramatic economic slowdown in October.
These included measures to stimulate the property market, prompt construction of low-cost housing, and increasing export rebates on thousands of products.
Figures on Monday showed wholesale price inflation fell in October, which analysts said made the chance of another rate cut more likely.
Producer price inflation declined to 6.6% in the 12 months to October from 9.1% in September, according to the National Bureau for Statistics.
"Monetary policy is completely free to act to counter to any downside risks," said Ken Peng, an economist with Citigroup in Shanghai.
"It's still necessary for monetary policy to complement the fiscal package."
President Hu Jintao is to travel to Washington later this week for a global economic summit meeting.
Stocks leapt in Japan, China and Hong Kong, buoyed by China's efforts to sustain its growth rates, on which many Asian economies depend.
About $586bn (£370bn) is to go into housing, infrastructure and post-earthquake reconstruction in China over the next two years.
Correspondents say the package is a response to falling growth and exports.
There will also be significant cuts in company tax, while banks will be allowed to lend more to projects involving rural development and technical innovation.
The government also promised a shift to a "moderately easy" monetary policy.
"The investment expansion should be done swiftly and forcefully," a State Council meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao concluded.
"It's a huge package," Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency after a meeting of the Group of 20 finance officials in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"It will have an influence not only on the world economy in supporting demand but also a lot of influence on the Chinese economy itself, and I think it is good news for correcting imbalances."
Market bounce
Chinese stocks rose sharply, with the Shanghai Composite Index ending 7.3% higher at 1,874.80.
Market bounce
Chinese stocks rose sharply, with the Shanghai Composite Index ending 7.3% higher at 1,874.80.
Chinese exports have been a key driver of the economy
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock average closed up 5.8% to 9,081.43, helped by the weaker yen, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 3.39% at 14,726.59.
European shocks were also given a lift by the Chinese news.
The UK's FTSE 100 index ended the day up 38 points or 0.9% to 4,404, while Germany's Dax advanced 87 points or 1.8% to 5,026.
However, BBC Shanghai correspondent Chris Hogg said much uncertainty remained over the details of the package, and US stocks ended lower on Wall Street..
"What's not clear is how much of the sum announced is new money, in addition to current budgets," he said.
"And we don't know how the total money will be divided up between the different spending proposals and plans for tax relief".
Companies likely to benefit most from the government's investment plans did best, including banking, steel and construction firms.
Factory closures across the border in southern China have badly depressed China's manufacturing sector.
Commodity cuts?
Analysts said the stimulus package would not save China from the effects of the global financial slowdown, but could help to protect it.
China, and Asian economies who increasingly depend on it as an export market, had become used to double-digit growth figures.
But in the third quarter of this year growth slipped to 9%, its lowest level in five years.
Though this might be considered healthy elsewhere, the fall has been taken as a worrying sign in China where the government has relied on rapid growth to maintain political stability.
Interest rates
The Chinese government has cut interest rates twice in recent weeks, and began considering ways to avert a more dramatic economic slowdown in October.
These included measures to stimulate the property market, prompt construction of low-cost housing, and increasing export rebates on thousands of products.
Figures on Monday showed wholesale price inflation fell in October, which analysts said made the chance of another rate cut more likely.
Producer price inflation declined to 6.6% in the 12 months to October from 9.1% in September, according to the National Bureau for Statistics.
"Monetary policy is completely free to act to counter to any downside risks," said Ken Peng, an economist with Citigroup in Shanghai.
"It's still necessary for monetary policy to complement the fiscal package."
President Hu Jintao is to travel to Washington later this week for a global economic summit meeting.
Epidemic of strikes in Tanzania's higher institutions
A PICTURE is worth a thousand words, right? Technically you could replace every article of a similar length with a single picture. It is just that since beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, a thousand persons looking at the same picture might not see the same messages, positive or negative.
Some of us need extra help with our sense of imagination. For some people, you have to draw and label the lines and shades in a picture. So let me paint my picture with a thousand words.The pictures of students and teachers on TV screens and on newspaper pages in the past few weeks have been colourful to say the least. Students dragging others from buses or classrooms to force them to join the strikes amounts to violence.
So does the action of striking teachers throwing chairs at their leaders in a meeting hall. He called off the strike on finding out their actions were deemed unlawful by a court of the land. Should union leaders defy court orders?Since that court ruling, teachers have been going to school but doing zero teaching in class. That amounts to theft of the future of young minds. Theft similar but of a different magnitude to that of economic saboteurs.
Are they being paid salaries at the end of each month to silently 'teach' from their offices? No visible action has been taken by authorities despite evidence that indicates the slow strikes have crippled teaching all over the country this year. Who will pay for the learning denied to primary and secondary students in public schools?
Pretty soon the long arm of the law will catch up with teachers and students who break the law. Maybe forces of the crown will be forced to use forceful means to quell the epidemic of strikes that have bedevilled Bongoland in the past year or so. When force becomes first aid, we can join the ranks of Kenya and Zimbabwe where law enforcers are not so restrained and results of their handiwork end up in hospitals and beyond.
Our police should have arrested law breakers but they chose to err on the side of caution. So far so good.Before long the calm that has characterised Tanzania since independence may become a veneer of peace, tranquil on the surface but a simmering volcano lurking underneath. We risk losing the moral high ground of peace and tranquillity, losing the enviable title of the island of calm in Africa. Just because a few rowdy students whip their colleagues into a frenzy of mass hysteria, culminating into grand assembly of offspring of lumpen proletariats and bourgeoisies, chanting and ululating, reminiscent of 'ndombolo' and 'mdundiko' dances in the wee hours of the morning.
We have seen hordes of pseudo-intellectuals on TV, who dared to call themselves 'wasomi', struggling to juggle TVs, DVD players, impressive music systems and their suitcases large and small, as they scrambled to leave campus after they were booted out. These striking students of education, science or humanities will breed rebellious future teachers. What will they teach our grandchildren when they seem bent on earning a degree not yet offered in regular universities, Bachelor of Striking and Rhetoric with honours (BSR Hons.)?
The defiant, fire-breathing future intellectuals have vowed to fight on and strike again upon being reinstated at some unknown future date. You want to know how they spend their money, loaned or otherwise? Visit Mabibo hostel or any other dormitories of these potential future servants of the public.TV antennae growing like a forest of potted plants on windows for all to see. A cacophony of sound that passes for music flavours will assail your ears, unless you are deaf to the obvious. May be they got those from hire-purchase shops? When do they seriously study, these music and vision lovers?
They want loans for every student to be raised to 100 per cent. Give us 100 per cent loans or else what? Crucify the loan givers? Why not apply at banks for your loans? This is what happens in Europe and North America. Students apply for loans for studies at the local bank. That way, they know they must work hard to pass all examinations in order to pass with flying colours so that they will land good jobs after graduation. You can bet the western students do not necessarily spend their loan funds to buy stereos and TVs for their student rooms.
Our students have made a flying start with striking frequency. We know they will in theory repay the loans at some future date. But who will pay the costs of their present day strikes? The costly disruption of studies for those intent on serious learning; when will local and foreign students on and off-campus study for their degrees? What about the thousands of Chang'ombe, Mlimani, Muhimbili, Ardhi lecturers, cleaners, administrators, repairmen, cook, secretaries and other workers who will be paid while Universities are closed? There will be bills accumulating, for electricity, water and other services that the universities had budgeted for, to cover periods when classes are in session.
Should the universities and colleges take bank loans to cover budget deficits caused by disruption of classes? There will be return fares in thousands of shillings from sweating parents and guardians who can not afford the additional unbudgeted costs. Should parents sink further into debt because their boys and girls behave like we owe them extreme favours? It would seem like since the new semester started, the young women and men are in combative mode, striking to keep the iron hot.
They raise legitimate issues regarding how student loans are administered. For example, that there may be students from well-to-do families getting loans equal to 80 per cent of costs while some from poor families only qualify for 60 per cent. They should present the evidence for such an allegation to the public. Let the public judge and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute. Accusations are not sufficient justification to cause open and hidden loses to public resources through strikes.
It may be time for Universities and colleges to strike back. Uproot the bad apples before it is too late. The nation cannot afford the costly strikes nor can it afford the culture of settling legitimate concerns through illegitimate means that seems to be taking root. We sent those youngsters to study. We do not need them back home so soon. They must do their part. They must remember sacrifices which others have made to get them where they are. They should pay back in kindness.
Some of us need extra help with our sense of imagination. For some people, you have to draw and label the lines and shades in a picture. So let me paint my picture with a thousand words.The pictures of students and teachers on TV screens and on newspaper pages in the past few weeks have been colourful to say the least. Students dragging others from buses or classrooms to force them to join the strikes amounts to violence.
So does the action of striking teachers throwing chairs at their leaders in a meeting hall. He called off the strike on finding out their actions were deemed unlawful by a court of the land. Should union leaders defy court orders?Since that court ruling, teachers have been going to school but doing zero teaching in class. That amounts to theft of the future of young minds. Theft similar but of a different magnitude to that of economic saboteurs.
Are they being paid salaries at the end of each month to silently 'teach' from their offices? No visible action has been taken by authorities despite evidence that indicates the slow strikes have crippled teaching all over the country this year. Who will pay for the learning denied to primary and secondary students in public schools?
Pretty soon the long arm of the law will catch up with teachers and students who break the law. Maybe forces of the crown will be forced to use forceful means to quell the epidemic of strikes that have bedevilled Bongoland in the past year or so. When force becomes first aid, we can join the ranks of Kenya and Zimbabwe where law enforcers are not so restrained and results of their handiwork end up in hospitals and beyond.
Our police should have arrested law breakers but they chose to err on the side of caution. So far so good.Before long the calm that has characterised Tanzania since independence may become a veneer of peace, tranquil on the surface but a simmering volcano lurking underneath. We risk losing the moral high ground of peace and tranquillity, losing the enviable title of the island of calm in Africa. Just because a few rowdy students whip their colleagues into a frenzy of mass hysteria, culminating into grand assembly of offspring of lumpen proletariats and bourgeoisies, chanting and ululating, reminiscent of 'ndombolo' and 'mdundiko' dances in the wee hours of the morning.
We have seen hordes of pseudo-intellectuals on TV, who dared to call themselves 'wasomi', struggling to juggle TVs, DVD players, impressive music systems and their suitcases large and small, as they scrambled to leave campus after they were booted out. These striking students of education, science or humanities will breed rebellious future teachers. What will they teach our grandchildren when they seem bent on earning a degree not yet offered in regular universities, Bachelor of Striking and Rhetoric with honours (BSR Hons.)?
The defiant, fire-breathing future intellectuals have vowed to fight on and strike again upon being reinstated at some unknown future date. You want to know how they spend their money, loaned or otherwise? Visit Mabibo hostel or any other dormitories of these potential future servants of the public.TV antennae growing like a forest of potted plants on windows for all to see. A cacophony of sound that passes for music flavours will assail your ears, unless you are deaf to the obvious. May be they got those from hire-purchase shops? When do they seriously study, these music and vision lovers?
They want loans for every student to be raised to 100 per cent. Give us 100 per cent loans or else what? Crucify the loan givers? Why not apply at banks for your loans? This is what happens in Europe and North America. Students apply for loans for studies at the local bank. That way, they know they must work hard to pass all examinations in order to pass with flying colours so that they will land good jobs after graduation. You can bet the western students do not necessarily spend their loan funds to buy stereos and TVs for their student rooms.
Our students have made a flying start with striking frequency. We know they will in theory repay the loans at some future date. But who will pay the costs of their present day strikes? The costly disruption of studies for those intent on serious learning; when will local and foreign students on and off-campus study for their degrees? What about the thousands of Chang'ombe, Mlimani, Muhimbili, Ardhi lecturers, cleaners, administrators, repairmen, cook, secretaries and other workers who will be paid while Universities are closed? There will be bills accumulating, for electricity, water and other services that the universities had budgeted for, to cover periods when classes are in session.
Should the universities and colleges take bank loans to cover budget deficits caused by disruption of classes? There will be return fares in thousands of shillings from sweating parents and guardians who can not afford the additional unbudgeted costs. Should parents sink further into debt because their boys and girls behave like we owe them extreme favours? It would seem like since the new semester started, the young women and men are in combative mode, striking to keep the iron hot.
They raise legitimate issues regarding how student loans are administered. For example, that there may be students from well-to-do families getting loans equal to 80 per cent of costs while some from poor families only qualify for 60 per cent. They should present the evidence for such an allegation to the public. Let the public judge and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute. Accusations are not sufficient justification to cause open and hidden loses to public resources through strikes.
It may be time for Universities and colleges to strike back. Uproot the bad apples before it is too late. The nation cannot afford the costly strikes nor can it afford the culture of settling legitimate concerns through illegitimate means that seems to be taking root. We sent those youngsters to study. We do not need them back home so soon. They must do their part. They must remember sacrifices which others have made to get them where they are. They should pay back in kindness.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
’Obama to push US-Tanzania relations to greater heights’
OUTGOING US Ambassador to Tanzania, Mark Green, is confident that President-elect Barack Obama will foster the existing ’broad and deep’ relations between the two countries.
’’American engagement with Tanzania is broad and deep, and we expect it to remain such in the new Obama administration. Our poverty-fighting measures promote economic growth through support for wealth creation, food security, infrastructural development and other key components of what the Tanzanian government has asked us to do,’’ said ambassador Green in an op-ed article titled ’Democracy in Action.’
In the opinion article focusing on the just-concluded US presidential elections, ambassador Green added: ’’We will also continue to engage actively with Tanzania’s military and police services, promoting peace and security by supporting efforts to improve capabilities in such areas as maritime security, peacekeeping support, and trafficking-in-persons interdiction.’’
He noted that the US was working with Tanzanians to strengthen and enrich democratic institutions throughout the country.
’’Our programmes address health care issues, particularly HIV/AIDS and malaria, strengthen education through the refurbishment of schools, and as important, assist in this country’s difficult fight against corruption by supporting transparency and accountability initiatives at the local and national level,’’ he said.
Ambassador Green, who is expected to end his tour of duty in the country early next year, noted that former
US President Abraham Lincoln had defined American democracy as government ’’of the people, by the people, and for the people.’’�
He said since then, Americans have by and large viewed this phrase as the defining path of their electoral system.�
He added: ’’Americans appreciate the kind words and gracious gestures of support President-elect Obama has received from throughout the world, including here in Tanzania. We wish the best to all ’wananchi’ as this nation defines its own political history and seeks to determine its short, medium, and long term democracy goals as it strengthens its own sense of ’we the people’ for Tanzania’s future.’’
An opinion poll carried out by a US think-tank before the election established that more than three-quarters of Tanzania wanted Obama to win the presidential race.
After his election, the question has become -- What will Barack Obama be able to accomplish for Africa once he becomes president?
As in much of the world, hopes for his presidency are high.
Africa experts are optimistic but much more subdued. They say the global economic crisis and the United States’ considerable military commitments overseas may stymie Obama if he tries to intervene in conflicts in Darfur, build on President Bush’s ground-breaking AIDS programmes (PEPFAR) or take on Islamic extremists in the Horn of Africa.
Expectations have been high in Africa ever since Obama, whose father was from Kenya, travelled to the continent as a senator in 2006 and proclaimed, ”You are all my brothers and sisters.’’ He visited Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad and told cheering crowds that he would lobby for help back in the USA to solve their problems.
Aware of the limitations now that Obama is president-elect, African leaders have tried to tamp down their own people’s hopes.
AIDS and HIV, which infect about 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, is an issue where the money crunch could be particularly acute.
The US Congress has passed legislation that would triple funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which provides drugs to about 1.2 million HIV-positive Africans. Because of the economic crisis, paying out that projected $48bn bill over the next five years could force cuts in other critical foreign aid programmes, experts say.
Peter Piot, the executive director of the United Nations’ AIDS programme, warned last month that even if foreign aid stays at current levels, AIDS deaths worldwide could reach 3 million per year by 2011, up from 2 million in 2007.
Treating those enrolled in programmes such as PEPFAR is getting more expensive. Many patients develop resistance to first-line drugs and require pricier second-line medications. Africa also experiences the same problems seen elsewhere in the world.
Other African issues that could command Obama’s attention when he takes office in January are violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 250,000 have been displaced this year, and the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe’s government has seen inflation rise to 11.2 million. During his campaign, Obama condemned Mugabe’s intimidation of the opposition
’’American engagement with Tanzania is broad and deep, and we expect it to remain such in the new Obama administration. Our poverty-fighting measures promote economic growth through support for wealth creation, food security, infrastructural development and other key components of what the Tanzanian government has asked us to do,’’ said ambassador Green in an op-ed article titled ’Democracy in Action.’
In the opinion article focusing on the just-concluded US presidential elections, ambassador Green added: ’’We will also continue to engage actively with Tanzania’s military and police services, promoting peace and security by supporting efforts to improve capabilities in such areas as maritime security, peacekeeping support, and trafficking-in-persons interdiction.’’
He noted that the US was working with Tanzanians to strengthen and enrich democratic institutions throughout the country.
’’Our programmes address health care issues, particularly HIV/AIDS and malaria, strengthen education through the refurbishment of schools, and as important, assist in this country’s difficult fight against corruption by supporting transparency and accountability initiatives at the local and national level,’’ he said.
Ambassador Green, who is expected to end his tour of duty in the country early next year, noted that former
US President Abraham Lincoln had defined American democracy as government ’’of the people, by the people, and for the people.’’�
He said since then, Americans have by and large viewed this phrase as the defining path of their electoral system.�
He added: ’’Americans appreciate the kind words and gracious gestures of support President-elect Obama has received from throughout the world, including here in Tanzania. We wish the best to all ’wananchi’ as this nation defines its own political history and seeks to determine its short, medium, and long term democracy goals as it strengthens its own sense of ’we the people’ for Tanzania’s future.’’
An opinion poll carried out by a US think-tank before the election established that more than three-quarters of Tanzania wanted Obama to win the presidential race.
After his election, the question has become -- What will Barack Obama be able to accomplish for Africa once he becomes president?
As in much of the world, hopes for his presidency are high.
Africa experts are optimistic but much more subdued. They say the global economic crisis and the United States’ considerable military commitments overseas may stymie Obama if he tries to intervene in conflicts in Darfur, build on President Bush’s ground-breaking AIDS programmes (PEPFAR) or take on Islamic extremists in the Horn of Africa.
Expectations have been high in Africa ever since Obama, whose father was from Kenya, travelled to the continent as a senator in 2006 and proclaimed, ”You are all my brothers and sisters.’’ He visited Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad and told cheering crowds that he would lobby for help back in the USA to solve their problems.
Aware of the limitations now that Obama is president-elect, African leaders have tried to tamp down their own people’s hopes.
AIDS and HIV, which infect about 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, is an issue where the money crunch could be particularly acute.
The US Congress has passed legislation that would triple funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which provides drugs to about 1.2 million HIV-positive Africans. Because of the economic crisis, paying out that projected $48bn bill over the next five years could force cuts in other critical foreign aid programmes, experts say.
Peter Piot, the executive director of the United Nations’ AIDS programme, warned last month that even if foreign aid stays at current levels, AIDS deaths worldwide could reach 3 million per year by 2011, up from 2 million in 2007.
Treating those enrolled in programmes such as PEPFAR is getting more expensive. Many patients develop resistance to first-line drugs and require pricier second-line medications. Africa also experiences the same problems seen elsewhere in the world.
Other African issues that could command Obama’s attention when he takes office in January are violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 250,000 have been displaced this year, and the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe’s government has seen inflation rise to 11.2 million. During his campaign, Obama condemned Mugabe’s intimidation of the opposition
Three more fail bail test in EPA scam
Attemps to secure bail by three of the 20 accused persons in the External Payments Arrears (EPA) accounts scam hit a snag yesterday when all three failed to meet the set bail conditions again.
Bahati John Mahenge, Manase Hezekia Mwakale and his wife Eddah Nkoma Mwakale were brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court for bail consideration, but were returned into remand custody until today when they appear for preliminary hearing of their case.
The accused were each required to deposit in court 240m/- in cash or surrender a title deed of immovable property with the market value of the said amount. All three had brought with them the title deeds as initially required, but then the magistrate informed the accused that the title deeds had to be verified first.
Resident Magistrate Waliarwande Lema also directed that such verifications should be made by government valuers, and that such verifications should satisfy the court that the materials properties in the titles did not have any encumbrances. The other accused, Davies Magnus Kamungu and Godfrey Herry Mosha, who are enjoined in one case, are out on bail after meeting their set bail conditions.
In their cases, the accused are facing a total of 15 counts. They are charged with conspiracy, forgery, making false statements, obtaining registration by false pretences, uttering false documents, theft of over 2bn/- and an alternative count of obtaining credit by false pretences. Another 15 accused persons are still in remand, also for failure after failing to meet bail conditions.
They are Mwesiga Rutakyamilwa Lukaza and his younger brother, Johnson, who are charged with, among other counts, the theft of over 6bn/- from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). The rest are tycoon Jayantkumar Chandubhai Patel, alias Jeetu Patel, Devendra Vinodbhai Patel, Amit Nandy and Ketan Chohan – all of whom are charged with stealing over 21bn/-, conspiracy, forgery and obtaining credit by false pretences.
Others are Marijala Shaban Hussein, Rajab Shaban Maranda, Japhet Laiyandumi Lema, who are charged with conspiracy, forgery, uttering false documents, obtaining credit by false pretences and stealing over 10bn/- from the Central Bank. The rest are BoT officials Ester Mary Komu, the Acting Director of Debt Department,
Imani David Akim Mwakosya, the Head of Bilateral and Commercial Debt Division and two Acting Secretaries to the bank, Bosco Ndimbo Kimola and Sophia Joseph Lakila. They are charged with, among other counts, occasioning loss to the government of over 2.5bn/- through their negligence. The last group are Ajay Suryakant Somani and his younger brother Jai Chhotalal Somani, also charged with stealing 5bn/-.
Bahati John Mahenge, Manase Hezekia Mwakale and his wife Eddah Nkoma Mwakale were brought before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court for bail consideration, but were returned into remand custody until today when they appear for preliminary hearing of their case.
The accused were each required to deposit in court 240m/- in cash or surrender a title deed of immovable property with the market value of the said amount. All three had brought with them the title deeds as initially required, but then the magistrate informed the accused that the title deeds had to be verified first.
Resident Magistrate Waliarwande Lema also directed that such verifications should be made by government valuers, and that such verifications should satisfy the court that the materials properties in the titles did not have any encumbrances. The other accused, Davies Magnus Kamungu and Godfrey Herry Mosha, who are enjoined in one case, are out on bail after meeting their set bail conditions.
In their cases, the accused are facing a total of 15 counts. They are charged with conspiracy, forgery, making false statements, obtaining registration by false pretences, uttering false documents, theft of over 2bn/- and an alternative count of obtaining credit by false pretences. Another 15 accused persons are still in remand, also for failure after failing to meet bail conditions.
They are Mwesiga Rutakyamilwa Lukaza and his younger brother, Johnson, who are charged with, among other counts, the theft of over 6bn/- from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). The rest are tycoon Jayantkumar Chandubhai Patel, alias Jeetu Patel, Devendra Vinodbhai Patel, Amit Nandy and Ketan Chohan – all of whom are charged with stealing over 21bn/-, conspiracy, forgery and obtaining credit by false pretences.
Others are Marijala Shaban Hussein, Rajab Shaban Maranda, Japhet Laiyandumi Lema, who are charged with conspiracy, forgery, uttering false documents, obtaining credit by false pretences and stealing over 10bn/- from the Central Bank. The rest are BoT officials Ester Mary Komu, the Acting Director of Debt Department,
Imani David Akim Mwakosya, the Head of Bilateral and Commercial Debt Division and two Acting Secretaries to the bank, Bosco Ndimbo Kimola and Sophia Joseph Lakila. They are charged with, among other counts, occasioning loss to the government of over 2.5bn/- through their negligence. The last group are Ajay Suryakant Somani and his younger brother Jai Chhotalal Somani, also charged with stealing 5bn/-.
Lake Victoria Mining Company Inc triples Kalemela Gold Project in northern Tanzania
Roger A Newell PhD, the president and CEO of gold mining company Lake Victoria Mining Company Inc (OTCBB:LVCA.OB), reported on 11 November the acquisition of two exploration licenses (PL 2910, PL 3006) in Lake Victoria Greenstone Belt, Tanzania, subject to final payment, thus expanding its footprint in this prominent, productive and highly prospective gold belt.
The company said the new licenses are contiguous with the existing Kalemela License PL2747. The Kalemela Gold Project will contain over 260 square kilometres at the end of the transaction. A Lake Victoria Mining Company Inc will acquire a 60% ownership of the licenses for cash, shares, as well as a three year exploration commitment under the agreement with Geo Can Resources Ltd. The company is also provided with the option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the licenses.
The company said the new licenses are contiguous with the existing Kalemela License PL2747. The Kalemela Gold Project will contain over 260 square kilometres at the end of the transaction. A Lake Victoria Mining Company Inc will acquire a 60% ownership of the licenses for cash, shares, as well as a three year exploration commitment under the agreement with Geo Can Resources Ltd. The company is also provided with the option to acquire up to a 100% interest in the licenses.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
UK THINK-TANK WARNS: High-level graft cases likely to harm government’s popularity
A UK think-tank, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), has warned that the popularity of President Jakaya Kikwete’s government will likely suffer if prosecutions of high-level corruption cases do not happen sooner rather than later.
’’Although forced upon him by circumstances, the decision by the President, Jakaya Kikwete, to undertake a major cabinet reshuffle in February (and a mini-reshuffle in May) has given his popularity a boost, after his government seemed to be losing steam in the second half of 2007,’’ says the EIU’s latest country report on Tanzania.
The report cautions: ’’...despite the cabinet reshuffles, the continuing lack of a high-level prosecution means that the president has been unable to shake off the issue of corruption and demonstrate that he is not beholden to powerful factions within the (ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi) CCM.’’
’’Moreover, allegations of corruption about senior members of the party (CCM) continue to circulate, creating a wider sense of crisis over the issue.’’
The EIU is part of The Economist Group, which has organized a business roundtable conference scheduled for Dar es Salaam next month.
The conference was recently thrown into controversy after the organizers declared businessman Yusuf Manji as one of the key players shaping Tanzania’s future.
Manji has since been forced to withdraw from the conference following growing public criticism of his involvement.
The EIU, which is a research and advisory company, says the recent Cabinet reshuffles have given President Kikwete the opportunity to announce a ’leaner and meaner’ cabinet and one that seems, to the public, ’’less beholden to powerful forces within the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).’’
’’Mr Kikwete has also been able to present the resignation of the former prime minister, Edward Lowassa, and the earlier sacking of the governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as evidence that he is committed to fighting high-level corruption,’’ says the report.
’’Combined with the public perception of him as a dynamic individual with a popular touch, these developments place Mr Kikwete in a strong political position.’’
The EIU also sensationally declares that there is a campaign against former President Benjamin Mkapa within CCM.
The report says the ’’political whispering’’ against Mkapa gathered pace in recent weeks, when the former First Lady, Anna Mkapa, along with the former Chancellor of Mzumbe University, Ibrahim Kaduma, were named as owners of financial services company, Bayport Financial Services.
’’The key point of the saga is not that Mrs Mkapa or Bayport have done anything wrong, which seems unlikely; rather, following the corruption allegations that had been circulating in the Bunge, it indicates a growing anti-Mkapa campaign within the CCM,’’ says the report, adding: ’’Whether the (anti-Mkapa) campaign escalates further will only become apparent over time, but it is likely to fade away unless a major case with sufficient evidence, and few links to the current government, is found.’’
Other concerns about Kikwete’s presidency outlined by the UK think-tank include perceptions that the president ’’spends considerable time travelling overseas.’’
The report says high inflation rate in the first half of 2008, notably rising food and fuel prices, has raised questions over the government’s failure to act promptly and effectively.
According to the report, Kikwete is also suffering from the fact that, having centralized power around himself and his advisers, the government’s ability to make important decisions in his absence seems somewhat limited.
In its political outlook for 2008/09, the report cites the Zanzibar political situation as another area of concern.
’’It had seemed in mid-March that the ongoing muafaka talks between the CCM and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) had reached an agreement on some form of power-sharing government. However, the CCM on Zanzibar rejected the deal, arguing that it could be ratified only by a referendum, something the CUF is deeply opposed to,’’ says the report.
It adds: ’’Although a breakthrough is possible, ’notably if the referendum is organized by an independent body, rather than by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission,’ this would probably require Mr Kikwete to intervene directly in the dispute, something he has been reluctant to do.’’
The report also notes that pressure on the CUF leadership from hard-liners seeking a radical solution will increase.
However, given the strong police and army presence on Zanzibar, any violent protests are likely to be defused quickly, says the report.
’’Although forced upon him by circumstances, the decision by the President, Jakaya Kikwete, to undertake a major cabinet reshuffle in February (and a mini-reshuffle in May) has given his popularity a boost, after his government seemed to be losing steam in the second half of 2007,’’ says the EIU’s latest country report on Tanzania.
The report cautions: ’’...despite the cabinet reshuffles, the continuing lack of a high-level prosecution means that the president has been unable to shake off the issue of corruption and demonstrate that he is not beholden to powerful factions within the (ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi) CCM.’’
’’Moreover, allegations of corruption about senior members of the party (CCM) continue to circulate, creating a wider sense of crisis over the issue.’’
The EIU is part of The Economist Group, which has organized a business roundtable conference scheduled for Dar es Salaam next month.
The conference was recently thrown into controversy after the organizers declared businessman Yusuf Manji as one of the key players shaping Tanzania’s future.
Manji has since been forced to withdraw from the conference following growing public criticism of his involvement.
The EIU, which is a research and advisory company, says the recent Cabinet reshuffles have given President Kikwete the opportunity to announce a ’leaner and meaner’ cabinet and one that seems, to the public, ’’less beholden to powerful forces within the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).’’
’’Mr Kikwete has also been able to present the resignation of the former prime minister, Edward Lowassa, and the earlier sacking of the governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as evidence that he is committed to fighting high-level corruption,’’ says the report.
’’Combined with the public perception of him as a dynamic individual with a popular touch, these developments place Mr Kikwete in a strong political position.’’
The EIU also sensationally declares that there is a campaign against former President Benjamin Mkapa within CCM.
The report says the ’’political whispering’’ against Mkapa gathered pace in recent weeks, when the former First Lady, Anna Mkapa, along with the former Chancellor of Mzumbe University, Ibrahim Kaduma, were named as owners of financial services company, Bayport Financial Services.
’’The key point of the saga is not that Mrs Mkapa or Bayport have done anything wrong, which seems unlikely; rather, following the corruption allegations that had been circulating in the Bunge, it indicates a growing anti-Mkapa campaign within the CCM,’’ says the report, adding: ’’Whether the (anti-Mkapa) campaign escalates further will only become apparent over time, but it is likely to fade away unless a major case with sufficient evidence, and few links to the current government, is found.’’
Other concerns about Kikwete’s presidency outlined by the UK think-tank include perceptions that the president ’’spends considerable time travelling overseas.’’
The report says high inflation rate in the first half of 2008, notably rising food and fuel prices, has raised questions over the government’s failure to act promptly and effectively.
According to the report, Kikwete is also suffering from the fact that, having centralized power around himself and his advisers, the government’s ability to make important decisions in his absence seems somewhat limited.
In its political outlook for 2008/09, the report cites the Zanzibar political situation as another area of concern.
’’It had seemed in mid-March that the ongoing muafaka talks between the CCM and the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) had reached an agreement on some form of power-sharing government. However, the CCM on Zanzibar rejected the deal, arguing that it could be ratified only by a referendum, something the CUF is deeply opposed to,’’ says the report.
It adds: ’’Although a breakthrough is possible, ’notably if the referendum is organized by an independent body, rather than by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission,’ this would probably require Mr Kikwete to intervene directly in the dispute, something he has been reluctant to do.’’
The report also notes that pressure on the CUF leadership from hard-liners seeking a radical solution will increase.
However, given the strong police and army presence on Zanzibar, any violent protests are likely to be defused quickly, says the report.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Danish Queen to visit Tanzania
Her Majesty Queen Margret the II of Demmark and his Royal Highness Prince Consort will visit Tanzania on November 3 at the invitation of President Jakaya Kikwete.
The focus of the historic four-day state visit will be on development cooperation, investment opportunities and culture.
Since the earlier days of its independence Tanzania has enjoyed what many see as a �true friendship" with the Danish Government.
A business delegation of more than 40 companies will accompany Her Majesty and His Royal Highness. The companies mainly deal with agriculture and food, information technology and communication, industry and agriculture as well as infrastructure.
The companies, both small and medium, will try to line up with Tanzania counterparts in business.
The Danish ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Bjarne Sorensen, said he was very optimistic that the Danish companies will bring in not only capital but also markets for Tanzania businesses.
"It is my sincere hope that the visit will cater for many new business relations, investment opportunities and job creation," Mr Sorensen told journalists yesterday.
He continued: "Today our bilateral ties are focused on development assistance. I'm convinced that the state visit will also amplify the understanding on the importance of inter-cultural dialogue and the promotion of interaction between people in general and between our two peoples in particular." The ambassador said the visit signifies the long lasting friendship between the two nations.
Accompanying the royal couple is a delegation of 20 artistes. They will perform together with Tanzanian artistes and exchange ideas so as to strengthen cultural ties between Denmark and Tanzania.
On November 3, President Kikwete will officially welcome the Royal Couple at a ceremony to be held at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.
Later on the same day, the Royal Couple will attend the opening of a business seminar for Tanzanians and Danish business partners.
They are also scheduled to inaugurate cultural activities and participate in an open air concert in Dar es Salaam.
A famous Danish singer, Caroline Henderson, will perform together with Tanzania's up-and-coming star, Nakaaya and an established artiste, Banana Zorro.
The ambassador said the Royal Couple will also visit Morogoro to witness the success of development cooperation between Denmark and Tanzania. While there they will visit Dakawa village, the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
The visit to Zanzibar will acquaint the Royal Couple with Danish support to the heath sector on the Island. They will also experience the cultural heritage of Stone Town.
The final leg of the state visit will be in Arusha where the Queen and her husband will visit a training centre for development cooperation and go to Ngorongoro where they will visit the Maasai village of Oloirobi.
The total Danish assistance to Tanzania is expected to amount $91 million annually until the end of the Joint Assistance Strategy in 2011
The focus of the historic four-day state visit will be on development cooperation, investment opportunities and culture.
Since the earlier days of its independence Tanzania has enjoyed what many see as a �true friendship" with the Danish Government.
A business delegation of more than 40 companies will accompany Her Majesty and His Royal Highness. The companies mainly deal with agriculture and food, information technology and communication, industry and agriculture as well as infrastructure.
The companies, both small and medium, will try to line up with Tanzania counterparts in business.
The Danish ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Bjarne Sorensen, said he was very optimistic that the Danish companies will bring in not only capital but also markets for Tanzania businesses.
"It is my sincere hope that the visit will cater for many new business relations, investment opportunities and job creation," Mr Sorensen told journalists yesterday.
He continued: "Today our bilateral ties are focused on development assistance. I'm convinced that the state visit will also amplify the understanding on the importance of inter-cultural dialogue and the promotion of interaction between people in general and between our two peoples in particular." The ambassador said the visit signifies the long lasting friendship between the two nations.
Accompanying the royal couple is a delegation of 20 artistes. They will perform together with Tanzanian artistes and exchange ideas so as to strengthen cultural ties between Denmark and Tanzania.
On November 3, President Kikwete will officially welcome the Royal Couple at a ceremony to be held at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam.
Later on the same day, the Royal Couple will attend the opening of a business seminar for Tanzanians and Danish business partners.
They are also scheduled to inaugurate cultural activities and participate in an open air concert in Dar es Salaam.
A famous Danish singer, Caroline Henderson, will perform together with Tanzania's up-and-coming star, Nakaaya and an established artiste, Banana Zorro.
The ambassador said the Royal Couple will also visit Morogoro to witness the success of development cooperation between Denmark and Tanzania. While there they will visit Dakawa village, the Tanzania Tree Seed Agency and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
The visit to Zanzibar will acquaint the Royal Couple with Danish support to the heath sector on the Island. They will also experience the cultural heritage of Stone Town.
The final leg of the state visit will be in Arusha where the Queen and her husband will visit a training centre for development cooperation and go to Ngorongoro where they will visit the Maasai village of Oloirobi.
The total Danish assistance to Tanzania is expected to amount $91 million annually until the end of the Joint Assistance Strategy in 2011
Zimbabwe official wants to portray "true" political situation
HARARE, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- The head of the Zimbabwean delegation to the forthcoming Pan African Parliament's 10th Ordinary Session Joram Gumbo has said they will portray the true political situation in the country to counter exaggerations peddled by the hostile Western media, The Herald reported on Tuesday.
The PAP session, which begins this weekend, would discuss hot spots in Africa that include Sudan, Somalia and Kenya while Zimbabwe's March and June polls would be among subjects to be tabled for discussion, according to the state-owned newspaper's report.
PAP endorsed this year's March 29 harmonized elections but said the June 27 presidential run-off fell short of meeting continental standards.
Other members of the delegation include President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira and Mufakose Member of the House of Assembly, Ms Paurina Mpariwa.
Gumbo said he would go to Midrand, South Africa, the venue of the session, to tell the Zimbabwean story and not as what it has been portrayed by the hostile foreign media.
"We are going to give the true Zimbabwean situation and not what has been painted by CNN, BBC and SABC who do not really understand neither do they know what is really happening here," he said.
Gumbo is also ZANU-PF chief whip in Parliament and Mberengwa West Member of the House of Assembly.
"Zimbabwe held its elections in March and June and PAP sent its election observer team and this is why it would be on the agenda," he said.
Gumbo said the Zimbabwean delegation would apprise the continental body about the discussions aimed at constituting an inclusive government between ZANU-PF and the MDC formations.
He said this clearly demonstrated that there was no crisis in the country as Zimbabweans were capable of resolving their differences.
Some countries were facing worse problems than what Zimbabwe is experiencing, said Gumbo.
"Our situation is not the worst. There are worse situations than ours but people want to focus more on us because of our history, because we took away land and give it to black majority," he was quoted as saying.
Gumbo said it was critical that the local media take a robust stance in telling the Zimbabwean story. "Our problem is that our story is told by others," he said.
Head of PAP election observer team to Zimbabwe, Marwick Khumalois expected to table a report on the country's elections.
The PAP session, which begins this weekend, would discuss hot spots in Africa that include Sudan, Somalia and Kenya while Zimbabwe's March and June polls would be among subjects to be tabled for discussion, according to the state-owned newspaper's report.
PAP endorsed this year's March 29 harmonized elections but said the June 27 presidential run-off fell short of meeting continental standards.
Other members of the delegation include President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira and Mufakose Member of the House of Assembly, Ms Paurina Mpariwa.
Gumbo said he would go to Midrand, South Africa, the venue of the session, to tell the Zimbabwean story and not as what it has been portrayed by the hostile foreign media.
"We are going to give the true Zimbabwean situation and not what has been painted by CNN, BBC and SABC who do not really understand neither do they know what is really happening here," he said.
Gumbo is also ZANU-PF chief whip in Parliament and Mberengwa West Member of the House of Assembly.
"Zimbabwe held its elections in March and June and PAP sent its election observer team and this is why it would be on the agenda," he said.
Gumbo said the Zimbabwean delegation would apprise the continental body about the discussions aimed at constituting an inclusive government between ZANU-PF and the MDC formations.
He said this clearly demonstrated that there was no crisis in the country as Zimbabweans were capable of resolving their differences.
Some countries were facing worse problems than what Zimbabwe is experiencing, said Gumbo.
"Our situation is not the worst. There are worse situations than ours but people want to focus more on us because of our history, because we took away land and give it to black majority," he was quoted as saying.
Gumbo said it was critical that the local media take a robust stance in telling the Zimbabwean story. "Our problem is that our story is told by others," he said.
Head of PAP election observer team to Zimbabwe, Marwick Khumalois expected to table a report on the country's elections.
South Africa, Botswana in talks on military cooperation
JOHANNESBURG. Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Military cooperation between South Africa and Botswana will be high on the agenda at a four-day meeting between the two countries that starts in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The Joint Permanent Commission on Defense and Security (JPCDS) would also look at cooperation between the two countries to combat firearms and drug smuggling, and human trafficking, South Africa's defense ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Defense Minister Charles Nqakula and his Botswana counterpart, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, would lead their respective delegations at the 8th session of the JPCDS, which first met in 2000.
"It is further expected to discuss plans and security arrangements to ensure a successful hosting by South Africa of the2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament," the ministry said.
The Joint Permanent Commission on Defense and Security (JPCDS) would also look at cooperation between the two countries to combat firearms and drug smuggling, and human trafficking, South Africa's defense ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Defense Minister Charles Nqakula and his Botswana counterpart, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, would lead their respective delegations at the 8th session of the JPCDS, which first met in 2000.
"It is further expected to discuss plans and security arrangements to ensure a successful hosting by South Africa of the2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament," the ministry said.
Thai former PM Thaksin sentenced 2-year imprisonment
Thailand's Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions pronounced on Tuesday a two-year sentence on a land purchase scandal against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin is the first Thai prime minister who was adjudicated of imprisonment by the court.
The reading of the verdict started at 2:00 p.m. local time, while the former prime minister and his wife Khunying Potjaman were both absent. The Supreme Court ruled against Thaksin after reading the verdict for about two hours.
Thaksin was ousted in a September 2006 coup and is now in exile in Britain. The Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 to say that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra knew about the land purchase by his wife from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).
The court ruled that with the knowledge, Thaksin also carried out actions that constituted conflict of interest on part of Thaksin as a state official.
The jail term was given without suspension. However, because Thaksin is currently living in London of Britain, an arrest warrant was also issued for him.
The court ruled 7 to 2 to clear Thaksin's wife of all charges, citing that she was not a state official. Therefore the court revoked an arrest warrant on her of this trial.
Thaksin was found guilty of violating articles 4, 100 and 122 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Law which bars holders of public office and their spouses from entering into a contract with the state.
Before reaching the verdict, the Supreme Court said the Assets Examination Committee had the power to probe the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin and his wife.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Financial Institutions Development Fund is a state agency so there is ground for trial in the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin and his wife.
The court ruled down an agreement of Thaksin's defense team that the FIDF is not under state administration and that the Ratchadaphisek land purchase did not fall under Article 100 (3) of the National Counter Corruption Act, which covers state agencies.
Since the court ruled that the FIDF is state agency, the land purchase fell under the anti-graft act.
Immediately after the sentence, Thaksin spoke by telephone to the Reuters that he was not surprised, and had expected the jail term.
"I have been informed of the result. I had long anticipated that it would turn out this way," he was quoted as saying, adding that the case was politically motivated.
Anti-government group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters at the Government House compound they have occupied since late August cheered loudly at the verdict.
Earlier, the government spokesman said the verdict would not cause any change to the current political situation because Thaksin no longer had a role in Thai politics.
The Supreme Court accepted the land case for trial in July 2007after which arrest warrants were issued for Thaksin and his wife, who were then residing in exile in Britain.
On Jan. 8, 2008, Khunying Potjaman returned to Thailand to report herself to the court and was released on bail. Then, Thaksin came back to Thailand and denied all charges during a court hearing on March 11, 2008.
On Aug. 11, both defendants jumped bail, while the court continued its hearings in absentia. The court was earlier scheduled to deliver its verdict on Sept. 17, but it was postponed to Oct. 21.
Thaksin is the first Thai prime minister who was adjudicated of imprisonment by the court.
The reading of the verdict started at 2:00 p.m. local time, while the former prime minister and his wife Khunying Potjaman were both absent. The Supreme Court ruled against Thaksin after reading the verdict for about two hours.
Thaksin was ousted in a September 2006 coup and is now in exile in Britain. The Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 to say that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra knew about the land purchase by his wife from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).
The court ruled that with the knowledge, Thaksin also carried out actions that constituted conflict of interest on part of Thaksin as a state official.
The jail term was given without suspension. However, because Thaksin is currently living in London of Britain, an arrest warrant was also issued for him.
The court ruled 7 to 2 to clear Thaksin's wife of all charges, citing that she was not a state official. Therefore the court revoked an arrest warrant on her of this trial.
Thaksin was found guilty of violating articles 4, 100 and 122 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Law which bars holders of public office and their spouses from entering into a contract with the state.
Before reaching the verdict, the Supreme Court said the Assets Examination Committee had the power to probe the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin and his wife.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Financial Institutions Development Fund is a state agency so there is ground for trial in the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin and his wife.
The court ruled down an agreement of Thaksin's defense team that the FIDF is not under state administration and that the Ratchadaphisek land purchase did not fall under Article 100 (3) of the National Counter Corruption Act, which covers state agencies.
Since the court ruled that the FIDF is state agency, the land purchase fell under the anti-graft act.
Immediately after the sentence, Thaksin spoke by telephone to the Reuters that he was not surprised, and had expected the jail term.
"I have been informed of the result. I had long anticipated that it would turn out this way," he was quoted as saying, adding that the case was politically motivated.
Anti-government group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters at the Government House compound they have occupied since late August cheered loudly at the verdict.
Earlier, the government spokesman said the verdict would not cause any change to the current political situation because Thaksin no longer had a role in Thai politics.
The Supreme Court accepted the land case for trial in July 2007after which arrest warrants were issued for Thaksin and his wife, who were then residing in exile in Britain.
On Jan. 8, 2008, Khunying Potjaman returned to Thailand to report herself to the court and was released on bail. Then, Thaksin came back to Thailand and denied all charges during a court hearing on March 11, 2008.
On Aug. 11, both defendants jumped bail, while the court continued its hearings in absentia. The court was earlier scheduled to deliver its verdict on Sept. 17, but it was postponed to Oct. 21.
Sarkozy: World does not need Europe-Russia conflict
BRUSSELS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy told the European parliament Tuesday that the world does not need a crisis between Europe and Russia.
"Given the state of the world today, I don't believe the world needs a crisis between Europe and Russia," Sarkozy told a plenary session of the parliament in Strasbourg, France.
"We can defend our differences, human rights, but it would be irresponsible to create the conditions for a conflict for which we have no need," he said.
"Europe brought about peace...and Europe has brought about dialogue," he added.
Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, brokered a ceasefire between Georgia and Russia in August after a brief military conflict between the two countries.
"It strikes me that it's been a long time since Europe has played this kind of role," he said.
The EU suspended negotiations with Russia because of the war with Georgia, citing "disproportionate action" by the Russians.
After Russia withdrew its troops from buffer zones around Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, France, together with Germany, Italy and some other EU members, pushed for a resumption of the talks on a new agreement of cooperation and partnership with Moscow.
However, Poland, Britain and the Baltic nations, which proposed an " audit" of EU-Russia relations, opposed any hasty move.
"Given the state of the world today, I don't believe the world needs a crisis between Europe and Russia," Sarkozy told a plenary session of the parliament in Strasbourg, France.
"We can defend our differences, human rights, but it would be irresponsible to create the conditions for a conflict for which we have no need," he said.
"Europe brought about peace...and Europe has brought about dialogue," he added.
Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, brokered a ceasefire between Georgia and Russia in August after a brief military conflict between the two countries.
"It strikes me that it's been a long time since Europe has played this kind of role," he said.
The EU suspended negotiations with Russia because of the war with Georgia, citing "disproportionate action" by the Russians.
After Russia withdrew its troops from buffer zones around Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, France, together with Germany, Italy and some other EU members, pushed for a resumption of the talks on a new agreement of cooperation and partnership with Moscow.
However, Poland, Britain and the Baltic nations, which proposed an " audit" of EU-Russia relations, opposed any hasty move.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
RC DRILLING CONTINUES TO INTERSECT HIGH GRADE URANIUM MINERALISATION IN TANZANIA
Western Metals Limited (ASX:WMT) is pleased to announce that RC drilling in Southern Tanzania has been completed for 2008. The results received are encouraging and have continued to return significant high grade uranium intercepts. Mtonya - As of 15
th
September a total of 171 RC holes for 10,670m had been completed in
Southern Tanzania from the 2008 drilling programme. Of these, 152 holes for 9,288m were drilled into prospects along the Mtonya Corridor, including the recently discovered Grandfather Prospect. Results from this drilling continue to define and confirm tenor of mineralisation. New and previously unreported significant intercepts from the assay results received to date from 2008 RC drilling include:
For more please go to:
http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/previewDocument.ac?docID=GCA00891167WMT
th
September a total of 171 RC holes for 10,670m had been completed in
Southern Tanzania from the 2008 drilling programme. Of these, 152 holes for 9,288m were drilled into prospects along the Mtonya Corridor, including the recently discovered Grandfather Prospect. Results from this drilling continue to define and confirm tenor of mineralisation. New and previously unreported significant intercepts from the assay results received to date from 2008 RC drilling include:
For more please go to:
http://newsstore.smh.com.au/apps/previewDocument.ac?docID=GCA00891167WMT
SA minister calls for HIV vaccine
South Africa's new Health Minister, Barbara Hogan, has called for a renewed global effort to find a vaccine for HIV, which can lead to Aids.
Ms Hogan said it was unquestionable that HIV caused Aids and conventional medicines were the best treatment.
This comes in sharp contrast to her predecessor, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who spent years resisting the introduction of anti-retroviral drugs.
Some 5.5 million South Africans have HIV - more than in any other country.
Dr Tshabalala-Msimang earned the nickname "Dr Beetroot" for advocating healthy eating, as an alternative to ARV drugs.
Without directly criticising her predecessor, Ms Hogan told an international Aids vaccine conference in Cape Town on Monday that time had been wasted in the country's battle against Aids.
It was, she added, imperative that HIV prevention programmes were successful.
Ms Hogan's appointment as health minister has been welcomed by anti-Aids campaigners.
'Breath of fresh air'
"We know that HIV causes Aids," Ms Hogan said.
"It was imperative to get ahead of the curve of this epidemic 10 years ago. We all have lost ground. It's even more imperative now that we make HIV prevention work. We desperately need an effective HIV vaccine."
Commenting on her speech, Alan Bernstein, executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, said she was "a breath of fresh air".
Malegapuru Makgoba, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said that for the first time in years, South African academics were free to "state that HIV causes Aids without getting threats".
"It is a liberating experience," he said at the conference. "You don't know how long we suffered in bondage."
Former President Thabo Mbeki for many years suggested that HIV did not lead to Aids.
He resigned last month and his successor Kgalema Motlanthe quickly moved to name a new health minister.
Ms Hogan said it was unquestionable that HIV caused Aids and conventional medicines were the best treatment.
This comes in sharp contrast to her predecessor, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who spent years resisting the introduction of anti-retroviral drugs.
Some 5.5 million South Africans have HIV - more than in any other country.
Dr Tshabalala-Msimang earned the nickname "Dr Beetroot" for advocating healthy eating, as an alternative to ARV drugs.
Without directly criticising her predecessor, Ms Hogan told an international Aids vaccine conference in Cape Town on Monday that time had been wasted in the country's battle against Aids.
It was, she added, imperative that HIV prevention programmes were successful.
Ms Hogan's appointment as health minister has been welcomed by anti-Aids campaigners.
'Breath of fresh air'
"We know that HIV causes Aids," Ms Hogan said.
"It was imperative to get ahead of the curve of this epidemic 10 years ago. We all have lost ground. It's even more imperative now that we make HIV prevention work. We desperately need an effective HIV vaccine."
Commenting on her speech, Alan Bernstein, executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, said she was "a breath of fresh air".
Malegapuru Makgoba, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said that for the first time in years, South African academics were free to "state that HIV causes Aids without getting threats".
"It is a liberating experience," he said at the conference. "You don't know how long we suffered in bondage."
Former President Thabo Mbeki for many years suggested that HIV did not lead to Aids.
He resigned last month and his successor Kgalema Motlanthe quickly moved to name a new health minister.
Tanzania at extremely alarming level of hunger, Index reveals
Tanzania is among 33 countries in the world, which has extremely alarming levels of hunger. The 2008 Global Hunger Index indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo scored the worst, followed by Eritrea, Burundi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ethiopia. According to the index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in conjunction with Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, the index ranks countries according to the prevalence of child malnutrition, rates of child mortality and the proportion of people who are calories deficient. The global Hunger Index has been released for the World Food Day which is marked today (October 16). IFPRI Director General Joachim von Braun said the world has made only slow progress in reducing hunger in past decades with dramatic differences among countries and regions. ``Population and income growth, high energy prices, bio-fuels, science and technology, climate change, globalisation and urbanisation are introducing drastic changes to food consumption, production and markets. ``The current financial crisis complicates the picture. It actually brings some short-term relief for hungry people, as it contributes to reduced commodity prices. But the credit crunch makes access to capital difficult, including for agriculture and that adds another obstacle for overcoming the food crisis.`` Braun said. He said IFPRI recommends three areas for high-priority policy actions to address the current food crisis and improve the long-term functioning of the world food system which are productivity and research, nutrition and social protection markets and trade. He noted that governments and the global community should begin to correct previous failures in agricultural policy by investing in agriculture and food production, setting up reliable systems for assisting the most vulnerable people in a timely way, and establishing a fair global trading system and a conductive investment environment.
Most of G7 in recession, more rate cuts ahead
G7 =Canada,France,German,Italy,Japan,United Kingdom, and United States
G8=G7 + Russia
LONDON (Reuters) - The world's richest nations are in or close to recession and further interest rate cuts are needed to stem off more rot from the worst financial crisis in nearly 80 years, Reuters polls of economists showed on Thursday.
Particularly worrying in a quarterly survey of about 250 analysts across the Group of Seven nations is the sharp deterioration in the outlook for the United States, which until very recently was seen only flirting with recession.
Now the consensus view is that the world's largest economy will shrink for three successive quarters, last seen in 1974-75. That, say economists, will require the Federal Reserve to cut rates even lower than their already rock-bottom 1.50 percent.
The polls were taken after governments across the G7 nationalized swathes of the ailing banking sector and after the world's major central banks slashed interest rates in unison in an unprecedented move that even involved China.
Central banks are still flooding money markets with billions of dollars in temporary cash and dropping restrictions on access to funds but banks remain very reluctant to lend to each other and market rates are coming down only gradually.
This leaves the world economy in its most dangerous spot in a very long time, say economists, who have all but abandoned concerns over inflation given the rapid falls in asset prices and a halving in crude oil prices in just a few months.
"With GDP in rapid decline, we look for recessionary conditions to produce a rapid rise in unemployment and worsening corporate profits," said Peter Kretzmer, U.S. economist at Bank of America in New York.
"The downturn is also being felt around the world."
The latest Reuters polls marked the largest downgrades to growth across the G7, with the exception of Japan, since June last year. Since the polls closed, U.S. and Asian stock markets staged their biggest falls since the crash of October 1987, but this time not on fears for the banking system.
Now financial markets and economists are fretting in unison about a global recession and the damage that would do to consumer and company balance sheets, setting the stage for higher unemployment and shrinking profits.
INFLATION FALL A BRIGHT SPOT
Given the conclusion that recession is now probably gripping almost the entire developed world, it is tough to find positive news in the latest set of polls. Even the consensus that Canada will escape recession, although barely, is clearly at risk given its huge exposure to the U.S. economy.
With the exception of Japan, where growth and inflation are already weak as the country has only recently emerged from more than a decade of deflation, full-year growth expectations for 2009 have been chopped in half or even more compared with the most recent previous poll.
The consensus for Britain is outright contraction next year and four straight quarters of negative GDP, which started in the second quarter of this year. That has not happened since 1991-92.
"The silver lining is that with monetary policy able and hopefully willing to respond more aggressively than was the case back then, the recession will be shorter," said Andrew Brigden at Fathom Consulting in London.
"But much depends on how quickly the UK housing market stabilizes, and equally as importantly, on how quickly global credit markets reopen."
That could as easily be said for the United States as for economies on this side of the Atlantic given that there are no signs yet of the end to an historic property market rout.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank have come under harsh criticism this year for not cutting rates swiftly and aggressively as the Federal Reserve started to do more than a year ago at the outset of the credit crunch.
But inflation targets that have restricted them from doing so seem no longer the constraint they were. The polls show inflation is set to fall below the BoE's 2.0 percent target by the end of next year -- far from the 5.2 percent it clocked last month.
Inflation will fall to the European Central Bank's 2.0 ceiling again by the first quarter of 2010, according to median forecasts, and the latest figure of 3.6 percent is on a clear downtrend.
But that comes at a heavy price, with the first recession since monetary union for the now 15-member bloc and a grim outlook for its three largest economies, Germany, France and Italy.
Inflation is coming down in the United States as well, with the 2009 U.S. CPI view downgraded for the first time since February.
(Polling by Bangalore Polling Unit; Reporting by Wanfeng Zhou in New York, Tetsushi Kajimoto in Tokyo, Nigel Davies and Jonathan Cable in London, Cirsten Pahlke and Paul Carrel in Berlin, Brian Rohan in Paris, Viviana Venturi in Milan, Robin Pomeroy in Rome, Frank Pingue and Teresa Ruiz in Toronto; Editing by Ruth Pitchford )
G8=G7 + Russia
LONDON (Reuters) - The world's richest nations are in or close to recession and further interest rate cuts are needed to stem off more rot from the worst financial crisis in nearly 80 years, Reuters polls of economists showed on Thursday.
Particularly worrying in a quarterly survey of about 250 analysts across the Group of Seven nations is the sharp deterioration in the outlook for the United States, which until very recently was seen only flirting with recession.
Now the consensus view is that the world's largest economy will shrink for three successive quarters, last seen in 1974-75. That, say economists, will require the Federal Reserve to cut rates even lower than their already rock-bottom 1.50 percent.
The polls were taken after governments across the G7 nationalized swathes of the ailing banking sector and after the world's major central banks slashed interest rates in unison in an unprecedented move that even involved China.
Central banks are still flooding money markets with billions of dollars in temporary cash and dropping restrictions on access to funds but banks remain very reluctant to lend to each other and market rates are coming down only gradually.
This leaves the world economy in its most dangerous spot in a very long time, say economists, who have all but abandoned concerns over inflation given the rapid falls in asset prices and a halving in crude oil prices in just a few months.
"With GDP in rapid decline, we look for recessionary conditions to produce a rapid rise in unemployment and worsening corporate profits," said Peter Kretzmer, U.S. economist at Bank of America in New York.
"The downturn is also being felt around the world."
The latest Reuters polls marked the largest downgrades to growth across the G7, with the exception of Japan, since June last year. Since the polls closed, U.S. and Asian stock markets staged their biggest falls since the crash of October 1987, but this time not on fears for the banking system.
Now financial markets and economists are fretting in unison about a global recession and the damage that would do to consumer and company balance sheets, setting the stage for higher unemployment and shrinking profits.
INFLATION FALL A BRIGHT SPOT
Given the conclusion that recession is now probably gripping almost the entire developed world, it is tough to find positive news in the latest set of polls. Even the consensus that Canada will escape recession, although barely, is clearly at risk given its huge exposure to the U.S. economy.
With the exception of Japan, where growth and inflation are already weak as the country has only recently emerged from more than a decade of deflation, full-year growth expectations for 2009 have been chopped in half or even more compared with the most recent previous poll.
The consensus for Britain is outright contraction next year and four straight quarters of negative GDP, which started in the second quarter of this year. That has not happened since 1991-92.
"The silver lining is that with monetary policy able and hopefully willing to respond more aggressively than was the case back then, the recession will be shorter," said Andrew Brigden at Fathom Consulting in London.
"But much depends on how quickly the UK housing market stabilizes, and equally as importantly, on how quickly global credit markets reopen."
That could as easily be said for the United States as for economies on this side of the Atlantic given that there are no signs yet of the end to an historic property market rout.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank have come under harsh criticism this year for not cutting rates swiftly and aggressively as the Federal Reserve started to do more than a year ago at the outset of the credit crunch.
But inflation targets that have restricted them from doing so seem no longer the constraint they were. The polls show inflation is set to fall below the BoE's 2.0 percent target by the end of next year -- far from the 5.2 percent it clocked last month.
Inflation will fall to the European Central Bank's 2.0 ceiling again by the first quarter of 2010, according to median forecasts, and the latest figure of 3.6 percent is on a clear downtrend.
But that comes at a heavy price, with the first recession since monetary union for the now 15-member bloc and a grim outlook for its three largest economies, Germany, France and Italy.
Inflation is coming down in the United States as well, with the 2009 U.S. CPI view downgraded for the first time since February.
(Polling by Bangalore Polling Unit; Reporting by Wanfeng Zhou in New York, Tetsushi Kajimoto in Tokyo, Nigel Davies and Jonathan Cable in London, Cirsten Pahlke and Paul Carrel in Berlin, Brian Rohan in Paris, Viviana Venturi in Milan, Robin Pomeroy in Rome, Frank Pingue and Teresa Ruiz in Toronto; Editing by Ruth Pitchford )
Ugandans ban female circumcision
A community in eastern Uganda has banned the deeply rooted practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), an official has said.
Kapchorwa district chairman Nelson Chelimo said it was "outmoded" and "not useful" for the community's women.
The Sabiny are the only group in Uganda that practises FGM, which involves cutting off a young girl's clitoris.
Mr Chelimo said the council had submitted legislation to parliament for the ban to become law nationwide.
"The community decided that it was not useful, that women were not getting anything out of it, so the district council decided to establish an ordinance banning it," Mr Chelimo told AFP news agency.
He said there was a local belief that women who married without circumcision would be stricken by illness, but that this was "really outmoded".
FGM is seen in some countries as a way to ensure virginity and to make a woman marriageable.
In Africa, about three million girls are at risk of FGM each year, according to the UN.
UN agencies have called for a major reduction in the practice by 2015.
They say it leads to bleeding, shock, infections and a higher rate of death for new-born babies.
Kapchorwa district chairman Nelson Chelimo said it was "outmoded" and "not useful" for the community's women.
The Sabiny are the only group in Uganda that practises FGM, which involves cutting off a young girl's clitoris.
Mr Chelimo said the council had submitted legislation to parliament for the ban to become law nationwide.
"The community decided that it was not useful, that women were not getting anything out of it, so the district council decided to establish an ordinance banning it," Mr Chelimo told AFP news agency.
He said there was a local belief that women who married without circumcision would be stricken by illness, but that this was "really outmoded".
FGM is seen in some countries as a way to ensure virginity and to make a woman marriageable.
In Africa, about three million girls are at risk of FGM each year, according to the UN.
UN agencies have called for a major reduction in the practice by 2015.
They say it leads to bleeding, shock, infections and a higher rate of death for new-born babies.
Somali group threatens to attack Kenya
MOGADISHU, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Somali Islamist group on Wednesday said it would attack Kenya if the country does not rescind its decision to train Somali government forces.
Sheik Muqtar Robow Abu Mansuur, spokesman for the Islamist Al-Shabaab group, threatened that the group would carry out attacks inside Kenya if the southwestern neighbor does not stop "interfering in Somalia."
"We heard that Kenya wants to train 10,000 Somali government forces, we can understand that is a pretext to wrongly invade our country," Abu Mansuur said in a telephone news briefing for local reporters.
"Peace (between us) is in the interest of both of us (Kenya and Al-Shabaab), so leave us alone but if you come to our country, the peace you purport to have would vanish."
This statement from the Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia came days after media reports indicated that the Kenyan government plans to help train nearly 10,000 Somali government security forces.
Abu Mansuur said that his group would "humiliate Kenya and like Ethiopia" and "defend Somalia in any way possible". But he did not elaborate.
Al-Shabaab is accused by the United States of having links with Al-Qaida and of being involved in the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassy in Kenya.
The group, one of the major Somali insurgent factions, controls a number of important provinces in the south of Somalia particularly the two Jubba regions and a number of districts in Gedo at the border with Kenya.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
Sheik Muqtar Robow Abu Mansuur, spokesman for the Islamist Al-Shabaab group, threatened that the group would carry out attacks inside Kenya if the southwestern neighbor does not stop "interfering in Somalia."
"We heard that Kenya wants to train 10,000 Somali government forces, we can understand that is a pretext to wrongly invade our country," Abu Mansuur said in a telephone news briefing for local reporters.
"Peace (between us) is in the interest of both of us (Kenya and Al-Shabaab), so leave us alone but if you come to our country, the peace you purport to have would vanish."
This statement from the Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia came days after media reports indicated that the Kenyan government plans to help train nearly 10,000 Somali government security forces.
Abu Mansuur said that his group would "humiliate Kenya and like Ethiopia" and "defend Somalia in any way possible". But he did not elaborate.
Al-Shabaab is accused by the United States of having links with Al-Qaida and of being involved in the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassy in Kenya.
The group, one of the major Somali insurgent factions, controls a number of important provinces in the south of Somalia particularly the two Jubba regions and a number of districts in Gedo at the border with Kenya.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
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