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.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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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