Obama wins close race, beats Clinton in Guam

Ethiopia Promotes Intellectual Property Throughout Society

Media, schools, artists, writers, scientists, businesses involved

Street vendors in Ethiopia wear bibs reading "Let your choice be original works." (© Getachew Mengistie)

By Phillip Kurata
Staff Writer

Washington -- Ethiopia has mobilized its media, schools, judicial and law enforcement agencies, as well as commercial, cultural, artistic and scientific groups to press home the need for intellectual property (IP) protection to develop the country’s economy.

When the Ethiopian government grasped the importance of intellectual property rights as a development tool, it realized that a societywide engagement was necessary, says Getachew Mengistie, the director-general of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office.

"We concluded that piracy is not something that could be handled by the government alone," Mengistie said during a recent visit to Washington. He said the government formed a national intellectual property council in 2004, consisting of government ministries, the media, and trade, as well as artistic, scientific, literary and scientific groups, all of which have a stake in protecting the fruits of intellectual labor.

Mengistie said that Ethiopian television and radio stations produced programs that ran for months to educate the public on the importance of intellectual property protection.

"The programs asked the question, 'is there a parent who does not want better education for his children?' The answer is 'no.' So, if we are for better education, that requires access to better books and educational materials. These are the fruits of our authors. If these materials are going to be pirated, authors will not be motivated to write them," Mengistie said.

As a result of media involvement, when the police and courts began taking actions against pirating and counterfeiting, the Ethiopian public supported them, he said.

The Ethiopian government has begun preparations to integrate intellectual property protection into its curriculum for primary and secondary education to heighten citizens' appreciation for Ethiopian authors and inventors, according to Mengistie.

"Tomorrow's authors and inventors are today's primary school students," he said. "We should teach our students that our authors and inventors are our heroes." He said the curriculum will have a huge beneficial effect on Ethiopia's society and economy in 10 years to 20 years.

The director-general said Ethiopia has one of the great cultural treasures in the world, the Lalibela Church, which was carved from a single block of stone. "This is the result of the human mind, so it is intellectual property. But we don't know who has done this. It's more than about business. It's about national culture and identity," Mengistie said.

With regard to the Ethiopian music industry, the association of recording companies agreed to lower the prices of compact discs of original recordings from $15 to $2.50, Mengistie said. The price reduction took away much of the incentive to produce pirated compact discs, which cost about $1.10.

The 5,000 street vendors who sell CDs from push carts were brought into the broad educational campaign. "If we do not address the interests of these people, it would result in undesirable effects," Mengistie said. "They organized street vendors and gave them uniforms which say on the backs, 'Buy original, not pirated. Piracy kills creativity.'"

Protecting intellectual property has had a huge beneficial effect on the recording industry, according to Mengistie. In 2003, there were 50 Ethiopian recording companies. Now, there are 204. The number of musical works has risen, and the languages in which they are sung have broadened, notably in Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna, the main Ethiopian dialects. The maximum amount of money that a musician could make from a recording in the pre-IP era was about $45,000. Now, an artist can command a price of $150,000 for a recording. "You can see the benefits of investment and employment that intellectual property has brought. This brings increased government revenue. It's big," Mengistie said.

The policies have had an equally astonishing effect in nurturing the Ethiopian film industry. Filmmaking was nonexistent before 2003, but today, as if a magical wand has been waved, producers make two to three films a month.

"There is a big potential for this industry. This is for the domestic market, but there is a big Ethiopian diaspora in Europe, Africa and the United States. If we can find a mechanism to tap those markets, you can see where the creative industries will be in the future," Mengistie said.

Patents for industrial design have enabled Ethiopia to start developing a local manufacturing base and ease its reliance on imported goods. One example is the shoemaking industry, which has come into being during the past several years. Until a few years ago, Ethiopia's shoes were imported from Kenya, India or China. Now, as a result of patent protections, local manufacturers are producing shoes in greater variety and quality and at lower prices than what was available from importers.

A similar process is under way for traditional Ethiopian medicine, most of which has no written tradition. Traditional doctors are having their remedies tested and analyzed by Western-trained medical researchers. If the remedies are found to be effective, they are patented in the name of the traditional doctors and pharmaceutical companies, and the patent holders receive royalties on the sales.

"Traditional doctors are willing to share their knowledge provided that their rights are recognized and they are able to profit from their knowledge," Mengistie said.

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Bush Address to World Economic Forum in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

Stresses diversifying economies, investing in people, expanding freedom

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt)
May 18, 2008

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

Sharm el Sheikh International Congress Center
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
3:00 P.M. (Local)

THE PRESIDENT: Klaus, thank you very much. Thanks for inviting me. Klaus said, it's about time you showed up. Proud to be here. Laura and I are so honored that, Klaus, you gave us a chance to come. I do want to thank President Mubarak and Mrs. Mubarak for their wonderful hospitality. I want to thank the members of Congress who are here. I appreciate the heads of state who have joined us. I thank the foreign ministers who are here, including my own, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. And I want to thank the members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Laura and I are delighted to be in Egypt, and we bring the warm wishes of the American people. We're proud of our long friendship with your citizens. We respect your remarkable history. And we're humbled to walk in the ancient land of pharaohs, where a great civilization took root and wrote some of the first chapters in the epic story of humanity.

America is a much younger nation, but we've made our mark by advancing ideals as old as the pyramids. Those ideals of liberty and justice have sparked a revolution across much of the world. This hopeful movement made its way to places where dictators once reigned and peaceful democracies seemed unimaginable: places like Chile and Indonesia and Poland and the Philippines and South Korea. These nations have different histories and different traditions. Yet each made the same democratic transition, and they did it on their own terms. In these countries, millions every year are rising from poverty. Women are realizing overdue opportunities. And people of faith are finding the blessing of worshiping God in peace.

All these changes took place in the second half of the 20th century. I strongly believe that if leaders like those of you in this room act with vision and resolve, the first half of 21st century can be the time when similar advances reach the Middle East. This region is home to energetic people, a powerful spirit of enterprise, and tremendous resources. It is capable of a very bright future -– a future in which the Middle East is a place of innovation and discovery, driven by free men and women.

In recent years, we've seen hopeful beginnings toward this vision. Turkey, a nation with a majority Muslim population, is a prosperous modern democracy. Afghanistan under the leadership of President Karzai is overcoming the Taliban and building a free society. Iraq under the leadership of Prime Minister Maliki is establishing a multi-ethnic democracy. We have seen the stirrings of reform from Morocco and Algeria to Jordan and the Gulf States. And isolation from the outside world is being overcome by the most democratic of innovations: the cell phone and the Internet. America appreciates the challenges facing the Middle East. Yet the light of liberty is beginning to shine.

There is much to do to build on this momentum. From diversifying your economies, to investing in your people, to extending the reach of freedom, nations across the region have an opportunity to move forward with bold and confident reforms -– and lead the Middle East to its rightful place as a center of progress and achievement.

Taking your place as a center of progress and achievement requires economic reform. This is a time of strength for many of your nations' economies. Since 2004, economic growth in the region has averaged more than 5 percent. Trade has expanded significantly. Technology has advanced rapidly. Foreign investment has increased dramatically. And unemployment rates have decreased in many nations. Egypt, for example, has posted strong economic growth, developed some of the world's fastest growing telecommunications companies, and made major investments that will boost tourism and trade. In order for this economic progress to result in permanent prosperity and an Egypt that reaches its full potential, however, economic reform must be accompanied by political reform. And I continue to hope that Egypt can lead the region in political reform.

This is also a time to prepare for the economic changes ahead. Rising price of oil has brought great wealth to some in this region, but the supply of oil is limited, and nations like mine are aggressively developing alternatives to oil. Over time, as the world becomes less dependent on oil, nations in the Middle East will have to build more diverse and more dynamic economies.

Your greatest asset in this quest is the entrepreneurial spirit of your people. The best way to take advantage of that spirit is to make reforms that unleash individual creativity and innovation. Your economies will be more vibrant when citizens who dream of starting their own companies can do so quickly, without high regulatory and registration costs. Your economies will be more dynamic when property rights are protected and risk-taking is encouraged -– not punished -– by law. Your economies will be more resilient when you adopt modern agricultural techniques that make farmers more productive and the food supply more secure. And your economies will have greater long-term prosperity when taxes are low and all your citizens know that their innovation and hard work will be rewarded.

One of the most powerful drivers of economic growth is free trade. So nations in this region would benefit greatly from breaking down barriers to trade with each other. And America will continue working to open up trade at every level. In recent years, the United States has completed free trade agreements with Jordan, Oman, Morocco, and Bahrain. America will continue to negotiate bilateral free trade agreements in the region. We strongly supported Saudi Arabia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and we will continue to support nations making the reforms necessary to join the institutions of a global economy. To break down trade barriers and ignite economic growth around the world, we will work tirelessly for a successful outcome to the Doha Round this year.

As we seek to open new markets abroad, America will keep our markets open at home. There are voices in my country that urge America to adopt measures that would isolate us from the global economy. I firmly reject these calls for protectionism. We will continue to welcome foreign investment and trade. And the United States of America will stay open for business.

Taking your place as a center of progress and achievement requires investing in your people. Some analysts believe the Middle East and North Africa will need to create up to 100 million new jobs over the next 10 to 15 years just to keep up with population growth. The key to realizing this goal is an educated workforce.

This starts early on, with primary schools that teach basic skills, such as reading and math, rather than indoctrinating children with ideologies of hatred. An educated workforce also requires good high schools and universities, where students are exposed to a variety of ideas, learn to think for themselves, and develop the capacity to innovate. Not long ago the region marked a hopeful milestone in higher education. In our meeting yesterday, President Karzai told me he recently handed out diplomas to university graduates, including 300 degrees in medicine, and a hundred degrees in engineering, and a lot of degrees to lawyers, and many of the recipients were women. (Applause.)

People of the Middle East can count on the United States to be a strong partner in improving your educational systems. We are sponsoring training programs for teachers and administrators in nations like Jordan and Morocco and Lebanon. We sponsored English language programs where students can go for intensive language instruction. We have translated more than 80 children's books into Arabic. And we have developed new online curricula for students from kindergarten through high school.

It is also in America's interest to continue welcoming aspiring young adults from this region for higher education to the United States. There were understandable concerns about student visas after 9/11. My administration has worked hard to improve the visa process. And I'm pleased to report that we are issuing a growing numbers of student visas to young people from the Middle East. And that's the way it should be. And we'll continue to work to expand educational exchanges, because we benefit from the contribution of foreign students who study in America because we're proud to train the world's leaders of tomorrow and because we know there is no better antidote to the propaganda of our enemies than firsthand experience with life in the United States of America.

Building powerful economies also requires expanding the role of women in society. This is a matter of morality and of basic math. No nation that cuts off half its population from opportunities will be as productive or prosperous as it could be. Women are a formidable force, as I have seen in my own family -- (laughter and applause) -- and my own administration. (Applause.) As the nations of the Middle East open up their laws and their societies to women, they are learning the same thing.

I applaud Egypt. Egypt is a model for the development of professional women. In Afghanistan, girls who were once denied even a basic education are now going to school, and a whole generation of Afghans will grow up with the intellectual tools to lead their nation toward prosperity. In Iraq and Kuwait, women are joining political parties and running campaigns and serving in public office. In some Gulf States, women entrepreneurs are making a living and a name for themselves in the business world.

Recently, I learned of a woman in Bahrain who owns her own shipping company. She started with a small office and two employees. When she first tried to register her business in her own name, she was turned down. She attended a business training class and was the only woman to participate. And when she applied for a customs license, officials expressed surprise because no woman had ever asked for one before.

And yet with hard work and determination, she turned her small company into a $2 million enterprise. And this year, Huda Janahi was named one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen in the Arab world. (Applause.) Huda is an inspiring example for the whole region. And America's message to other women in the Middle East is this: You have a great deal to contribute, you should have a strong voice in leading your countries, and my nation looks to the day when you have the rights and privileges you deserve.

Taking your place as a center of progress and achievement requires extending the reach of freedom. Expanding freedom is vital to turning temporary wealth into lasting prosperity. Free societies stimulate competition in the marketplace. Free societies give people access to information they need to make informed and responsible decisions. And free societies give citizens the rule of law, which exposes corruption and builds confidence in the future.

Freedom is also the basis for a democratic system of government, which is the only fair and just ordering of society and the only way to guarantee the God-given rights of all people. Democracies do not take the same shape; they develop at different speeds and in different ways, and they reflect the unique cultures and traditions of their people. There are skeptics about democracy in this part of the world, I understand that. But as more people in the Middle East gain firsthand experience from freedom, many of the arguments against democracy are being discredited.

For example, some say that democracy is a Western value that America seeks to impose on unwilling citizens. This is a condescending form of moral relativism. The truth is that freedom is a universal right –- the Almighty's gift to every man, woman, and child on the face of Earth. And as we've seen time and time again, when people are allowed to make a choice between freedom and the alternative, they choose freedom. In Afghanistan, 8 million people defied the terrorist threats to vote for a democratic President. In Iraq, 12 million people waved ink-stained fingers to celebrate the first democratic election in decades. And in a recent survey of the Muslim world, there was overwhelming support for one of the central tenets of democracy, freedom of speech: 99 percent in Lebanon, 94 percent here in Egypt, and 92 percent in Iran.

There are people who claim that democracy is incompatible with Islam. But the truth is that democracies, by definition, make a place for people of religious belief. America is one of the most -- is one of the world's leading democracies, and we're also one of the most religious nations in the world. More than three-quarters of our citizens believe in a higher power. Millions worship every week and pray every day. And they do so without fear of reprisal from the state. In our democracy, we would never punish a person for owning a Koran. We would never issue a death sentence to someone for converting to Islam. Democracy does not threaten Islam or any religion. Democracy is the only system of government that guarantees their protection.

Some say any state that holds an election is a democracy. But true democracy requires vigorous political parties allowed to engage in free and lively debate. True democracy requires the establishment of civic institutions that ensure an election's legitimacy and hold leaders accountable. And true democracy requires competitive elections in which opposition candidates are allowed to campaign without fear or intimidation.

Too often in the Middle East, politics has consisted of one leader in power and the opposition in jail. America is deeply concerned about the plight of political prisoners in this region, as well as democratic activists who are intimidated or repressed, newspapers and civil society organizations that are shut down, and dissidents whose voices are stifled. The time has come for nations across the Middle East to abandon these practices, and treat their people with dignity and the respect they deserve. I call on all nations to release their prisoners of conscience, open up their political debate, and trust their people to chart their future. (Applause.)

The vision I have outlined today is shared by many in this region –- but unfortunately, there are some spoilers who stand in the way. Terrorist organizations and their state sponsors know they cannot survive in a free society, so they create chaos and take innocent lives in an effort to stop democracy from taking root. They are on the wrong side in a great ideological struggle –- and every nation committed to freedom and progress in the Middle East must stand together to defeat them.

We must stand with the Palestinian people, who have suffered for decades and earned the right to be a homeland of their own -- have a homeland of their own. I strongly support a two-state solution –- a democratic Palestine based on law and justice that will live with peace and security alongside a democrat Israel. I believe that the Palestinian people will build a thriving democracy in which entrepreneurs pursue their dreams, and families own their homes in lively communities, and young people grow up with hope in the future.

Last year at Annapolis, we made a hopeful beginning toward a peace negotiation that will outline what this nation of Palestine will look like -- a contiguous state where Palestinians live in prosperity and dignity. A peace agreement is in the Palestinians' interests, it is in Israel's interests, it is in Arab states' interests, and it is in the world's interests. And I firmly believe that with leadership and courage, we can reach that peace agreement this year. (Applause.)

This is a demanding task. It requires action on all sides. Palestinians must fight terror and continue to build the institutions of a free and peaceful society. Israel must make tough sacrifices for peace and ease the restrictions on the Palestinians. Arab states, especially oil-rich nations, must seize this opportunity to invest aggressively in the Palestinian people and to move past their old resentments against Israel. And all nations in the region must stand together in confronting Hamas, which is attempting to undermine efforts at peace with acts of terror and violence.

We must stand with the people of Lebanon in their struggle to build a sovereign and independent democracy. This means opposing Hezbollah terrorists, funded by Iran, who recently revealed their true intentions by taking up arms against the Lebanese people. It is now clearer than ever that Hezbollah militias are the enemy of a free Lebanon -- and all nations, especially neighbors in the region, have an interest to help the Lebanese people prevail. (Applause.)

We must stand with the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and other nations in the region fighting against al Qaeda and other extremists. Bin Laden and his followers have made clear that anyone who does not share their extremist ideology is fit for murder. That means every government in the Middle East is a target of al Qaeda. And America is a target too. And together, we will confront and we will defeat this threat to civilization.

We must stand with the good and decent people of Iran and Syria, who deserve so much better than the life they have today. Every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in stopping these nations from supporting terrorism. And every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. (Applause.)

The changes I have discussed today will not come easily -– change never does. But the reform movement in the Middle East has a powerful engine: demographics. Sixty percent of the population is under 30 years old. Many of these young people surf the web, own cell phones, have satellite televisions. They have access to unprecedented amounts of information. They see what freedom has brought to millions of others and contrast that to what they have at home.

Today, I have a message for these young people: Some tell -- some will tell you change is impossible, but history has a way of surprising us, and change can happen more quickly than we expect. In the past century, one concept has transcended borders, cultures, and languages. In Arabic, "hurriyya" –- in English, "freedom." Across the world, the call for freedom lives in our hearts, endures in our prayers, and joins humanity as one.

I know these are trying times, but the future is in your hands –- and freedom and peace are within your grasp. Just imagine what this region could look like in 60 years. The Palestinian people will have the homeland they have long dreamed of and deserve –- a democratic state that is governed by law, respects human rights, and rejects terror. Israel will be celebrating its 120 anniversary as one of the world's great democracies –- a secure and flourishing homeland for the Jewish people.

From Cairo, Riyadh, Baghdad to Beirut, people will live in free and independent societies, where a desire for peace is reinforced by ties of diplomacy and tourism and trade. Iran and Syria will be peaceful nations, where today's oppression is a distant memory and people are free to speak their minds and develop their talents. Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Hamas will be defeated, as Muslims across the region recognize the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause.

This vision is the same one I outlined in my address to the Israeli Knesset. Yet it's not a Jewish vision or a Muslim vision, not an American vision or an Arab vision. It is a universal vision, based on the timeless principles of dignity and tolerance and justice –- and it unites all who yearn for freedom and peace in this ancient land.

Realizing this vision will not be easy. It will take time, and sacrifice, and resolve. Yet there is no doubt in my mind that you are up to the challenge –- and with your ingenuity and your enterprise and your courage, this historic vision for the Middle East will be realized. May God be with you on the journey, and the United States of America always will be at your side.

Thank you for having me.

END 3:25 P.M. (Local)

(end transcript)

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Poll Finds Widespread Support for Democracy Worldwide

But respondents believe democracies do not always serve public will

Wives of jailed Cuban dissidents protest Cuba’s lack of democracy. (© AP Images)

By Eric Green
Staff Writer

Washington -- Even though support for democracy is widespread worldwide, advanced democracies are not always fulfilling the needs of their citizens, a public opinion analyst tells America.gov.

Steven Kull, director of the Washington-based WorldPublicOpinion.org, says citizens of a country can become dissatisfied with democracy if they are convinced their government is not trying to “serve the will of the people.”

Kull commented following the May 12 release of his group’s poll of 19 nations. The poll found broad public support for the principles of democracy, but, in nearly every nation surveyed, majorities are “dissatisfied with how responsive their government is to the will of the people.”

The poll of public attitudes toward democracy included respondents in the United States, Great Britain, France, China, India and Russia, among the nations surveyed.

WorldPublicOpinion.org describes itself as an international collaborative project aimed at giving “voice to public opinion around the world on international issues.” The project is managed by the University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes.

Kull said citizens of some authoritarian nations, such as China, have confidence their government “is actually trying to do what’s best for the people, and they perceive that the government is more attentive and responsive to the will of the people than in democracies.” However, Kull said, citizens of authoritarian nations also want their governments to be more democratic.

The pollster suggested governments such as the United State s should do more domestic polling of its citizens, in the same way the State Department polls public attitudes abroad. The polling, he said, would be aimed at helping policymakers understand better which public policy issues are important to citizens. The polling could be based on information from multiple sources, asking questions in many different ways, said Kull.

This survey of citizens’ attitudes toward democracy, said Kull, is part of a larger series of polling by his group on different aspects of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created 60 years ago. Other polls have surveyed attitudes on women’s rights, racial equality and freedom of the press. The poll on press freedom, released April 30, found worldwide support "for the media to be free to publish news and ideas without government control."

Kull said that “perhaps the most important point of all” from the poll on democracy is that the public in democratic states does not always think the “outcome of competing interests” in a country will result in something “reflective of the will of the people.”

Demonstrators in 2002 against Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez hold posters calling for democracy and liberty. (© AP Images)

In a press release announcing the poll results, Kull said that “most see their governments as primarily serving big interests rather than the people as a whole.” Kull said the “perception that governments are not responsive to the popular will appears to be contributing to the low levels of confidence in government found around the world.”

In a positive assessment about democracy, the poll found that majorities in all nations surveyed said "government leaders should be selected through elections in which all citizens can vote," a principle enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

DEMOCRACY EXPERT DISCUSSES POLL’S IMPLICATIONS

Thomas Carothers, an expert on the subject of building democracies, said the policy concern is that it becomes “particularly dangerous when you have weak or fragile democratic regimes where the citizens are really dissatisfied and feel that the government doesn’t care about them.”

In such circumstances, “people tend to vote in” individuals outside the regular political system who appeal to a “disgruntled electorate,” Carothers said.

“This raises the prospect of a breakdown of the existing party order or system,” said Carothers, who is the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s vice president for studies on international politics and governance.

Carothers said the election of such self-styled populists as Presidents Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Rafael Correa in Ecuador resulted from citizen frustration based on the feeling that the countries’ previous governments were “unresponsive.”

Carothers said that certain democracies have experienced a “fairly low level of public satisfaction with government over the last 20 to 30 years. This has been a fact for awhile.”

More about the poll on democracy is on the WorldPublicOpinion.org Web site.

For additional information, see “Universal Declaration of Human Rights Remains Relevant.”

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available on U.N. Web site.

Remarks by Laura Bush on Egyptian Education Initiative

Initiative creating new generation of technologically savvy students

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the First Lady
(Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt)
May 18, 2008

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
ON THE EGYPTIAN EDUCATION INITIATIVE
AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

National Congress Center
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

11:30 A.M. (Local)

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Mr. Wong. And thanks to all of you here. I'm so happy to be here to learn more about the Egyptian Education Initiative and what you all are doing to use technology to improve education at all levels.

Special thanks to Mrs. Mubarak for inviting me to attend this two-year anniversary meeting. I want to acknowledge all the ministers that are here with us today, but especially the Minister of Education. Thank you very much for being with us and joining us here. Thank you to our ambassador, Ambassador Margaret Scobey, who's joined us as well, and to Dr. Schwab, our host. Thank you very much for putting on this great forum.

Advances in technology and global communication are opening new markets and expanding opportunities for people around the world. The Egyptian Education Initiative recognizes that improved education is the key to taking advantage of these opportunities. EEI is bringing technology into Egypt's classrooms to create a new generation of 21st century learners. Congratulations to Mrs. Mubarak and to the Egyptian government for your leadership in this multi-stakeholder partnership.

EEI is one of several efforts that distinguish Egypt as a leader for education reform. Egypt is now implementing an innovative education strategy developed in coordination with individual citizens, the Ministry of Education, and eight international donors. It's taking steps to decentralize the decision making so that local stakeholders, including parents, are empowered to play a greater role in their children's education. And the Egyptian parliament has passed landmark Accreditation and Teacher Cadre Laws that promise to raise standards and improve teacher quality.

Mrs. Mubarak has been a powerful leader on issues that are especially important to me: literacy and advancing women's and girls' education. Egypt has more than doubled its female literacy rate in the last 30 years. And a recent education study by the World Bank noted the historic speed with which Egypt's gender gap in basic education is closing.

The United States is proud to partner with the government of Egypt to support its education goals, including the expansion of technology in schools. Last October, USAID launched the $21.5 million Technology for Improved Learning Outcomes activity in Egypt. This initiative -- known as TILO -- will provide IT equipment and training to around 200 primary and preparatory schools in seven governorates.

TILO should be a great complement to EEI. TILO is designed to help students think critically and apply knowledge to real-life situations. The project's objectives are coordinated to the Ministry of Education's standards for student learning in three domains: computer literacy skills, higher-order critical thinking skills, and active learning, problem solving and cooperative learning skills. TILO will also transform 85 experimental preparatory schools into laboratories for technological innovation under Egypt's "Smart School" Initiative.

This morning I visited Fayrouz Experimental School here to highlight another new partnership between Egypt and the United States -- and this one is my favorite -- it's called the Big Read. The Big Read was developed in the United States by the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The Big Read provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities featuring innovative reading programs and compelling resources for discussing outstanding literature. To date, the Big Read has reached more than 300 communities across the United States, and it features an educational library of 22 classics in American literature.

Now the Big Read will go international with the "Big Read Egypt/U.S." Through this "Big Read," Egyptians will read some of America's classic literature, and at the same time, Americans in American communities will learn more about Egypt by reading one of your greatest novels by the Nobel Prize-winning writer Naguib Mahfouz, "The Thief and the Dogs." This exchange will help inspire a love of literature in Egyptians and Americans while laying the groundwork for future collaboration between our nations. Our partners in the "Big Read Egypt/U.S." are the United States State Department, the Library of Alexandria, the American University in Cairo, and some Egyptian publishers who are publishing "To Kill a Mockingbird," John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," and Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451," translating into Egyptian Arabic for the Egyptian students and Egyptian communities to read.

I'm looking forward to reading "The Thief and the Dogs" as my very next book, and then to visiting United States communities as they read this classic of Egyptian literature.

Mrs. Mubarak, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for championing international partnerships, which benefit both our nations. The Egyptian Education Initiative is a model for progress and Egyptional (1) reform. I'm also always thrilled to hear about your "Reading for All" summer reading program. And the United States is pleased to partner with you as we advance -- educate tomorrow's leaders and pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

END 11:37 A.M. (Local)

(1) educational

(end transcript)

Morocco Endorses the Proliferation Security Initiative

U.S. welcomes the endorsement, leadership of Morocco

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 22, 2008

Media Note

Morocco Endorses the Proliferation Security Initiative

The United States welcomes and appreciates Morocco’s endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on May 19, 2008. Through its endorsement, the Government of Morocco has committed to join 90 like-minded nations in preventing and interdicting shipments of proliferation concern to and from states of proliferation concern and terrorists.

This is another example of the close cooperation between the United States and Morocco to combat the greatest threats of our time: global terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States appreciates the leadership and commitment Morocco has shown in addressing these challenges to international peace and security.

With Morocco’s endorsement, 90 countries on six continents are PSI participants. On May 28, 2008, PSI participating states are meeting in Washington, DC on the occasion of the Initiative’s fifth anniversary to assess the PSI’s achievements and develop new ideas for strengthening international cooperation to stop the proliferation of WMD, their delivery systems and related items. We will use this opportunity to broaden and deepen our counterproliferation cooperation with Morocco and the other PSI partner states. For more information on the Proliferation Security Initiative, please visit the State Department’s website: http://www.state.gov/t/isn/c10390.htm.

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Leon H. Sullivan Summit VIII Billed as “Summit of a Lifetime”

Biennial event will explore four key themes in U.S.-Africa relationship

The late Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, shown addressing delegates at a 1997 summit meeting in Africa (© AP Images)

By Charles W. Corey
Staff Writer

Washington -- The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation’s June 2-6 summit in the cities of Arusha and Zanzibar in Tanzania will explore a wide range of themes -- including investment, infrastructure, tourism and the environment -- as part of an ever closer U.S.-Africa partnership, according to the foundation’s vice president for policy and program development.

Gregory B. Simpkins previewed the foundation’s upcoming eighth summit in Africa for America.gov in a recent interview. He said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete -- the summit’s host -- is billing the event as “The Summit of a Lifetime” because everyone involved wants to ensure that the summit achieves substantive results.

“We have redoubled our efforts to create outcomes going into the summit so … we will have not only recommendations but, in some cases, programming that can be initiated to address some of the issues that are raised,” Simpkins said.

The first day will feature a workshop on the Global Sullivan Principles, named for the summit’s late founder, the Reverend Leon Sullivan. “We are in the process of formulating our planning on making the Global Sullivan Principles the preeminent corporate social responsibility program on the continent of Africa,” Simpkins said.

The Sullivan Principles originated in 1977 when Sullivan, a Baptist minister, issued a code of conduct in an attempt to end discrimination against black workers in South Africa oppressed by the nation's policy of apartheid. This initiative helped focus the attention of the international business community on the issue of racial injustice in South Africa by promoting criteria for socially responsible investment practices. In early 1999, Sullivan broadened the principles and launched a global campaign for the worldwide acceptance of his credo.

SUMMIT AGENDA

The summit will address a broad range of topics, all tied to enhancing the continent’s economic development. In addition, a separate two-day workshop on science and technology cooperation will be held in advance of the summit. (See “U.S.-African Science Partnership Could Lead to Greater Development.”)

There will be a workshop on the ever burgeoning U.S.-Africa trade ties as a result of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Simpkins said.

“We feel AGOA has been a success, but it could be more successful because it does not now include much agriculture,” Simpkins said. “Since 70 percent of Africa’s work force is involved in agriculture, obviously that is something that needs to be addressed.”

The diversification and the development of products eligible under the AGOA program -- other than oil, which makes up almost 90 percent of AGOA trade -- is something that must be discussed, he said. “We really need to look at other areas where the Africans might have a comparative advantage” and compete internationally under AGOA, he added.

Also on Day One, top U.S. officials will explain what the United States is doing to stimulate U.S.-Africa trade, Simpkins said. A youth forum exploring what is being done to prepare Africa’s youth for the future will close out the first day.

The agenda for the second day includes a presentation from General Electric on the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power across Africa -- a critical building block essential to Africa’s development. The session will also offer input from the World Bank -- which just hosted a huge power generation conference in West Africa -- and a range of African regional groups such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he said.

Workshops also will explore key topics such as alternative energy and sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will offer a workshop on using innovative and cooperative electric power programs known as “power pools” as a way to strengthen regional energy networks.

A separate workshop will address health care systems, Simpkins said. “No matter how much medicine we provide, the heath care systems in too many countries have just fallen apart. We need to take a look at ways to blend the private and public systems” for optimum benefit.

Africa’s education network and the degeneration of many of Africa’s universities also will be addressed, according to Simpkins, and the day will end with a workshop on the African Diaspora.

Day Three will focus on tourism, an industry that is growing faster in Africa than in any other region of the world. One workshop will explore the Caribbean model for tourism, in which small islands manage their own unique tourism niche without directly competing with each other.

The Sullivan Foundation hopes to hold a separate tourism conference in 2009 on the Caribbean model, Simpkins said, “bringing African officials into the Caribbean to learn what lessons they can take with them back home to apply.”

The summit’s final day will focus on the environment, with a presentation by the famed environmentalist and primatologist Jane Goodall. Representatives from conservation organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund will discuss biodiversity, climate change and effective management of natural resources.

The biennial Leon Sullivan Summit has been attended by two U.S. presidents -- Bill Clinton and George W. Bush -- and serves as a venue for bolstering the U.S.-Africa partnership, Simpkins said.

“A lot of things are done there … that make it a real summit. We have some of our business leaders from Chevron, General Motors and Coca-Cola meeting with major companies from Africa: Vodacom, IPP Media, … the Africa Business Roundtable and New Partnership for Africa’s Development [NEPAD] Business Council and East Africa Business Council.”

The U.S.-Africa business relationship is expanding more and more each year, Simpkins said, citing as proof a trade mission from Prince George’s County, Maryland -- a suburb of Washington -- that will be at the summit to explore business opportunities to benefit both Americans and Africans.

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Invitation by the youths of DAPD (Democracy with Active Participation for Development) newly created political party by the youths who believe that all is not lost for Cameroon.

Dear friend, if you have come into contact with this letter of invitation, know that our country is calling for you. The country wants you to direct your responsibility toward her so that in return, it may reward you, your children and grand children. This is just one among many methods which we use to communicate with many Cameroonians like you. Our prayer is that this invitation falls in the hands of those chosen by God to participate in laying the foundation of a new Cameroon. We believe that sharing our aspirations and the vision we have for Cameroon with you, your contribution in to our political platform will be of great significance. Thank you.

We are exactly 48 years since the acquisition of our independence. we can say that we have advanced on a chameleon’s step through a purely autocratic CNU regime to what president Biya describes today as “la Démocratie avancée” which how ever gives me Bikong Obanus at 32 the opportunity to have a say about the common good. You have certainly listened to many politicians read their speeches, and if I want to be of their calibre, I would jump in to telling you all what the CPDM and other political parties and the government have not done for us, I would remind you of your problems, I would blackmail them, only to enumerate a series of promises, suggesting no concrete and practical solutions to your problems hence sitting down to wait for my colleagues to bring food and drinks, but I value you more than that, I know that we all merit more than that. Today I will share something different with you, something really special.

What is different? And what is special?

Today I shall present to you what makes DAPD different from any other political party;

Firstly we believe in equality for all and privileges for none. This is a belief that each Cameroonian, regardless of background, has equal standing in the public forum. This is an inalienable right given to all human beings by God. Because we believe in this ideology so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. We are a heterogeneous party. Worth mentioning here is our acknowledgement for the diverse social backgrounds.

Secondly, we believe the people are the source of all governmental power-- that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted. This can be accomplished only by providing each citizen with every opportunity to participate in the management of state affairs.

Thirdly, we believe the government which represents the authority of all the people, not just one interest group, but all the people, has an obligation to actively,-- I say actively -- seek to remove those obstacles which would obstruct individual achievements -- obstacles emanating from race, ethnic group, sex, colour, and economic condition. The government must eradicate them-- seek to get rid of them all.

Fourthly, we are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change, we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future and last but not the least,

We have a positive vision of the future, founded on the belief that, the gap between the promise and reality of Cameroon can one day be finally closed. This promise in the nearest future is that of a transparent and democratic Cameroon, where equal citizens will choose general interest to personal one. We believe that.

The above lain ideology, my friend, is the bedrock of our concept of governing. This is part of the reason why Cameroonians must turn to the D A P D because these are the foundations upon which a national community can be built. Let all understand that these guiding principles cannot be discarded for short-term political gains. They represent what a country willing to develop must desire most. I know that these ideologies are strange to us Cameroonians because the greed of our fathers and ancestors made them to hide these virtues from us .these principles must not be negotiable.

Now we must look to the future. Let us heed the voice of good people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political philosophy, we ignore the common ties that should bind all Cameroonians. Many, who have analysed the present, fear the future, many are distrustful of their leaders, and believe their voices will never be heard. Many seek only to satisfy their private wants-- to satisfy their private interests. But this is what has put Cameroon in to pieces – for more than 40 years we had ceased to be one nation, we have lived as a collection of interest groups -- city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual, each seeking to satisfy private wants and the irony in it is, we still call ourselves Cameroonians.

I and my colleagues invite you to join us, so that Cameroon should have hope -- so that someone should speak for Cameroon -- so that some one can speak for the common good—so that someone can finally ask himself the question; what have I done for Cameroon?

This is the question which must be answered as we are preparing for the very next presidential elections -- Are we to be one people bound together by a common spirit, sharing in a common endeavour, or will we remain a divided nation and continue to fool ourselves that we are one nation? For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future, instead we must consider it a challenge and start from somewhere, and I suggest that the somewhere should be where you are at this moment. We must not remain the kleptomaniacs and reject our society. We must address and master the future together. It can be done if we restore the belief that we share a sense of national community, that we share a common national endeavour. It can be done.

There is no executive order -- there is no law and never shall there be one which can require Cameroonians to form a national community. This we must do as individuals, and if we do it as individuals, no individual whatever his/her political power can veto that decision.

As a first step, we must restore our belief in ourselves. We are a generous people, so why can't we be generous with each other? We need to take to heart the words spoken by Thomas Jefferson:

"Let us restore to social intercourse, that harmony and that affection without which liberty and even life are but dreary things."

A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good. A government is invigorated when each one of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. These years of hardship, poverty, unemployment and bad reputation harvested from our very hand work of corruption, embezzlement etc, should give of just one reason to redefine the "common good" and begin again to shape a common future. Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, then he/she is a traitor in the battle field and all of us are going to suffer -- For the ideal Cameroon which is shared by all of us, can only be realized in each one of us.

Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It's tough, very difficult. But a spirit of harmony will survive in Cameroon only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny -- if each of us remembers, when self-interest and bitterness seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny.

I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community.

I have confidence that the DAPD party can lead the way.

Yes, I have that confidence.

We cannot improve on the system of government presently existing, that is, a democratic government. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.

I began this invitation by promising you a different and special thing, I have summarised our uniqueness in the paragraphs above the special thing is that I Bikong Obanus am a youth, 32. I love you and my country, that is why I stood in front and took this challenge and am inviting you to join me. In democracy the more we are to openly share one opinion the most likely our opinion will become a reality. Let’s dream big for Cameroon and make it a reality. May God bless you and our country Cameroon.

Thank you.

By Bikong Obanus Banye, National Chairman DAPD

BP31553 Y’de-13

E-mail bikongoba@yahoo.fr,christakoudjou@hotmail.com

Done in Yaoundé on the 09/05/2007

What Do DAPD militants Believe? A Summary of the DAPD Party Ideology

By BIKONG Obanus Banye

May 11, 2008

The more than 200 political parties legalised in Cameroon since 1990, has often been used as a tool to weaken the Cameroonians opposition by the regime in place. Cameroonians, due to lack of information on real political ideologies, have often supported political parties base on grounds such as: tribal, region, money, crowd etc. This atmosphere has been very favourable for the regime in place. The creation of new political parties brings about more division in the country, making the ruling party, the only party with a national representation. The real questions to be answered by the leaders of this party are; what is your party ideology, and to what extend is it practiced? Do your militants know this ideology and freely support it? What positive account can you give to Cameroonians resulting from the implementation of your party ideology? At a first sight, one would think they are more than 200 political ideologies in Cameroon, but, a close observation reveals that all these political parties talk about democracy, and then direct all their attention toward other interest - like gating their own share of the national cake at all cost - including human blood. This summary of our party ideology is intended to help the population chose to affiliate in our party because they identify our beliefs as theirs and chose to work together with us in order to build a society based on these beliefs, and not for any other reason.

Individual Applications

DAPD militants believe in the rights of individual citizen. These rights include life, liberty, dignity, security, equality of opportunity, justice, privacy, and private ownership of property.

DAPD militants believe in the unity of Cameroon, thus its people, we strongly stand against such practises as tribalism, nepotism and egoism, which bring about disunity in Cameroon.

To summarize, DAPD militants believe that each Cameroonian should have the right to all of the above things without interference from other citizens or the government and should feel at home anywhere in Cameroon.

DAPD militants’ beliefs also honour the freedoms of the individual – freedom to worship as he or she may choose, freedom of thought, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, freedom of inquiry, freedom of expression, and freedom to participate in the political process.

These rights – called inalienable by the UN declarations on human rights and freedoms and supported by the Constitution of Cameroon –are strongly defended by the DAPD militants.

By the tenets of the DAPD Party, each individual also has responsibilities toward society and the nation. Each one of us – by the DAPD point of view- has the obligation to respect human life, to be tolerant, to be honest, to have self-control, to respect property of others, to respect the rights of others, to respect public good and to actively participate in the democratic processes and sustainable development of this nation. Activities such as corruption, embezzlement of public funds, misuse of state property, settlement of disputes- especially, public manifestations- by use of guns, are highly contradicted by the DAPD ideology.

In short, DAPD militants support a more complex version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.

Working Role of Government and Society

The DAPD militants’ point of view sets standards for the Cameroon society and the role of the government in that society. The basic beliefs about society and government are that:

Societies must have laws that the majority of the people support and accept.
Dissenting minorities are protected and have the right to have an opinion different than the majority.
The people rule and thus, the people elect government.
Government should respect and protect individual rights.
Government should also protect and respect individual freedoms.
Civil liberties must be guaranteed for ALL citizens by the government.
Government must work for the common good.

Most, if not all, of these solid DAPD militants’ beliefs are outlined and protected by the Cameroon Constitution, but is often not respected by the regime in place.

Before pledging membership or allegiance to any political party, Cameroonians should educate themselves about what each party believes and practice and what each party stands for to be sure that their own beliefs agree.

NB. If you share a stolen piece of bread with the thief for the sake of hunger, you are his accomplice, thus, you will not point an accusing finger at him, and if you do, you are pointing it at yourself. In our country, some thieves have the power to starve us; they even take pleasure in starving us, they make us feel so hungry to the extent that when we see a bit of their stolen bread, we call them gods for having accepted to give us a bit of it. The fact remains that we all are guilty of their crimes. We must keep in our minds that man does not live only by bread. Beware…

God bless you as you make your choice

Swaziland Going for Elections

Swaziland is going for its elections and registrations have started around the country. Registrations started on 19 May and it will continue until 22 June 2008. The tiny Kingdom of Swaziland is well known for its own unique system of governance that had been criticized by the “Pro Democratic Groups” in the country and the neighbouring South Africa; The “Tinkhundla System”. It is a system that seems working well with the majority of its own people.

The people of Swaziland will be voting for the “Indvuna yeNkhundla (Chief of the District Area) and for the Member of Parliament.” There are more than 40 “tinkhundla (Area Districts)”

Commenting on the elections, the King of Swaziland, King Mswati III encouraged the citizens to go for registrations and to behave well. He made his announcement on the National Media a week ago.

“We have heard in the neighbouring countries that there were disruptions and violence during elections, and I encourage the Swazi people to behave themselves.” He said.

King Mswati III is the only absolute Monarch in the African continent with more than 13 wives.

So far registrations are going well despite some threats from the progressive groups in Swaziland to boycott and burn registration pole stations. Some progressive groups are Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), People United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Ngwane National Liberation Congress (NNLC) and the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU).

According to one of the Progressive groups SWAYOCO, said that the “Tinkhundla System” is regarded as a chaos, which was and is still reigning and oppressing the Swazi people.

They quoted the main objective of SWAYOCO’s formation saying, “On its (SWAYOCO) formation, it declared to sweep clean the tinkhundla chaos which was and is still reigning in Swaziland. This giant youth movement has been born out of the irreconcilable contradictions between the tinkhundla ruling regime and the oppressed youth of Swaziland.”

The majority of Swazi people support the system as a good system for the African continent. They invited Zimbabwe and other countries around Africa who are struggling with the Western Democracy to copy the “Tinkhundla Sysytem”.

NB:

The King is born and the Prime is appointed by the King after 5 years. The Prime Minister appointed must bear the Dlamini surname or must be from the Royal family.

By Solomon Mondlane

(SADC news agent)

<a href="http://www.mybloglog.com/buzz/community/southernstarsun/" rel="6a8237666cdcb41a85d0a96f2b1b8c0784bb5615">Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification</a>

Changing Climate Could Alter Biology of Infectious Diseases

Influenza unknowns complicate predictions of effects due to warming

Emissions from the Eggborough Power Station, near Selby in the United Kingdom (© AP Images)

By Cheryl Pellerin
Staff Writer

Washington -- For 10,000 years the people, plants, animals and microbes of planet Earth have experienced an unusually long period of climate stability. This is ending as rising levels of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, disrupt sensitive interrelationships forged among these life forms in the dependable environments of the past.

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” say the international authors of Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, part two of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fourth assessment report.

Most of the warming over the past 50 years likely is due to the increase in concentrations of greenhouse gases, an increase probably caused by human activity.

In response to the warming, a growing body of evidence shows discernible, physically consistent changes. These include increases in global average air temperature and atmospheric temperatures above the surface, increases in surface and subsurface ocean water temperature, widespread snow melting, decreases in the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice, decreases in the extent of glacier and small ice caps and a rise in global mean sea level.

DIFFERENT PLANET

“The dangerous amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is less than what is there already,” James Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, told attendees at the May 12-13 American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia, whose theme was Climate, Environment and Infectious Diseases.

“We’ve already increased carbon dioxide [in the atmosphere] from 280 parts per million [ppm, by volume of air] to 385 ppm, and I think we’re going to have to reduce it down to at least the 350 ppm level, if not further,” said Hansen, who is known for his congressional testimony on climate change in the 1980s that helped raise broad awareness about global warming.

Averaged over the world, warming in the last century has increased by eight-tenths of a degree Celsius (1.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Over land areas, the increase is about 1.4 degrees Celsius (2.5 degrees Fahrenheit), and three-quarters of the warming has occurred in the past 30 years.

Also in that time, Hansen said, isotherms -- lines on a map that mark a given average temperature -- have been moving poleward at about 56 kilometers per decade. Such rising temperatures, along with land development and human population growth, are displacing a range of animals, plants and microbes, forcing them to adapt or perish.

“In effect,” Hensen said, “what we will be doing is pushing the species off the planet as the isotherms move still higher.”

NASA satellite image shows the minimum concentration of Arctic sea ice in 2005. (© AP Images)

If the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is allowed to double or triple beyond current levels, he added, “we’re going to produce a completely different planet.”

CLIMATE AND FLU

This aspect of climate change also poses risks to international public health -- from floods, heat waves and droughts promoted by rising temperatures, and from disruptions in the intimate relationships between disease-carrying insects (vectors) and their hosts.

“Changes in environment very often are the drivers for an infection to emerge,” Stephen Morse, professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, told the AIBS meeting attendees.

Emerging infectious diseases, according to Morse, who originated the term and the concept in 1989, are infections that newly appear in a population or have existed but rapidly increase in incidence or geographic range. Examples are HIV/AIDS, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

A driver, he added, “can be something that causes a greater chance or frequency of contact with a natural host and therefore a greater chance of introduction of a pathogen that might be able to get into the human population. Luckily for us, most are not very good at this.”

GLOBAL VILLAGE

Influenza viruses, including some avian flu viruses, are pretty good at getting into the human population. Despite their regular appearance in people, so little is known about some basic aspects of how flu viruses work that researchers are struggling to predict how climate change might affect the disease. Seasonality presents one the gaps in knowledge.

“In temperate zones [like the United States and Europe], we think of influenza very much as a winter disease,” Morse said.” In subtropical areas it shows two peaks -- winter and summer.”

In the tropics, the picture is a little more complicated -- some argue that influenza occurs at similar levels year round. In other tropical settings, there appear to be at least two major peaks -- summer and winter, or dry season and rainy season.

“What we think of as a winter disease does very well under hot, humid conditions,” he said, “so it’s not just the cold, dry conditions we always point to [as a promoter of human flu infectivity], but other things.” A warming climate could change the nature of seasonal flu and potentially affect the global distribution of disease.

For avian flu, a warming climate could change the traditional flyways of migratory birds that are suspected of infecting domestic fowl around the world with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu. Such changes also could affect interactions between wild waterfowl and domestic poultry, farmers’ interactions with poultry and the export and import of poultry worldwide.

“We are a global village and the microbes certainly are taking full advantage of that,” Morse said, “as we’ve seen with HIV/AIDS and SARS.

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U.S. Minority Population Continues to Grow

Minorities make up 34 percent of U.S. population in 2007

Arizona residents celebrate after being declared new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in 2006. (© AP Images)

By David Minckler

Special Correspondent

Washington -- Slightly more than one-third of the population of the United States -- 34 percent -- claims “minority” racial or ethnic heritage, a jump of 11 percent from 2000.

The May 1 Census Bureau report, covering estimates for the year 2007, confirms that the U.S. population is becoming increasingly diverse. Hispanics and Asians continue to be the two fastest-growing minorities.

There are 45.5 million Hispanics living in the United States, accounting for 15 percent of the U.S. population. Blacks comprise the second-largest minority group, with 40.7 million (13.5 percent), followed by Asians, with 15.2 million (5 percent).

From July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2007, the Hispanic population grew by 3.3 percent, Asians by 2.9 percent, blacks by 1.3 percent, native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders by 1.6 percent, and American Indians and Alaska natives by 1 percent. They all outstripped the white population growth of 0.3 percent.

It wasn’t always so. In the 2000 census, whites accounted for 77.1 percent of the total population. The white population grew by 4 percent between 1990 and 1999, and Hispanics by 3.5 percent. In 2000, whites were the majority in every state but Hawaii.

Whites are now 66 percent of the population. Today in Hawaii and three other states -- New Mexico, California and Texas -- more than 50 percent of the population is composed of people other than non-Hispanic whites.

The 2000 census was the first time people could identify themselves as having more than one race or ethnicity. In 2000, 6.8 million people, or 2.4 percent of the population, reported more than one race, thus there is some statistical overlap among the population groups.

A 100-year-old Hmong woman, a refugee from Laos, sits in a park in Anchorage, Alaska in 2007 (© AP Images)

The increasing minority population represents a major change in the history of U.S. population growth. The 19th century was mainly the time of migration from northern and western Europe, followed by a flood of immigrants from eastern, central and southern Europe. A growing animosity toward these immigrant populations led to limitations on immigration.

In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, barring Chinese laborers from coming to the United States. The Immigration Act of 1924 established the national origins quota system, which was aimed at restricting southern and eastern Europeans; it also prohibited immigration of East Asians and Asian Indians.

Starting in 1943, immigration and naturalization restrictions gradually were lifted. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the national-origin quotas and opened the way for a surge in immigration. It established annual visa caps for immigrants from Eastern and Western Hemisphere countries and preference categories based on family relationships and job skills. (See “The Immigration Act of 1965: Intended and Unintended Consequences.”)

Although minorities are now more than one-third of the national population, they are not dispersed uniformly across the landscape.

From California on the West Coast, along the southern border and up to New York on the East Coast, most of the nation’s minority populations are concentrated along the periphery of the continental United States (and in Hawaii). The states with the highest percentage of whites are mostly in the Midwest and the extreme northeast. The greatest numbers of Hispanics live in California, Texas and Florida, and in New Mexico they constitute the highest proportion of the total population (44 percent). The regions with the largest black populations are the East Coast and the South, as well as two Midwest border states – Michigan and Illinois. Asians comprise nearly 40 percent of the population in Hawaii, and large populations live along the West Coast and in New York, New Jersey, Texas and Illinois. California and Texas together have nearly a third of the nation’s minority populations.

Looking at the foreign-born population -- 37.5 million according to the Census Bureau’s 2006 American Community Survey -- the largest numbers of immigrants continue to flock to six states. These are California, New York, Texas, Florida and New Jersey, all coastal states, and Illinois in the Midwest. There is an increase in the flow of immigrants to the Southeast, the upper Northeast and the Rocky Mountain states. In 2006, foreign-born residents accounted for 12.5 percent of the population (the most recent published estimates). One-half of the foreign-born population in the United States is from Latin America, and more than one-fourth is from Asia.

Ethnic diversity is recognized as one of the United States’ greatest assets, providing a richness and strength to its economy and culture. One important resource coming from minority groups is young people. The median ages of all five minority population groups are lower than the median age of the population as a whole (36.6 years), while the median age of the white population is higher (40.8 years).

The minority populations also have buying power. Minorities owned approximately 18 percent of the 23 million U.S. firms in 2002, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. (See “Number of U.S. Minority-Owned Businesses Increasing.”)

The Census Bureau data refer to the respondents who reported belonging to a single race or a combination of races. For more information on the 2007 population estimates, see Census Bureau press release.

See Diversity.

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Women Entrepreneurs to Discuss Challenges and Success in Business

Ask America webchat May 19 with Robin Chase and Ilham Zhiri

When two women looked at the transportation problems faced by urban dwellers in the United States, they saw a business opportunity, as well as a way to help the planet. Together they founded Zipcar Inc., the world's largest car-sharing business. In another corner of the globe, a woman entrepreneur used her skills and determination to create and run a successful printing company.

On May 19, at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT), join entrepreneurs Robin Chase (Zipcar) and Ilham Zhiri (Impremerie el Maarif Al Jadida) to discuss the ins and outs of envisioning, starting and managing successful business ventures.

Robin Chase is the co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar, a car-sharing service, and is currently the CEO of GoLoco.org, an online social networking service that helps people create transportation networks. She is also the founder of Meadow Networks, a transportation consulting firm, and maintains a blog, Network Musings. Chase has lived throughout the Middle East, including Morocco.

Ilham Zhiri is the founder of a successful printing company in Morocco, Impremerie el Maarif Al Jadida. Zhiri also participated in a U.S. State Department business development program called Middle East Entrepreneurship Training (MEET), conducted at the Beyster Institute at the University of San Diego.

This video webchat will take place at http://state.acrobat.com/WomenInBusiness/. No registration is needed. Simply choose "Enter as a Guest," type in your preferred screen name and join the discussion. The chat room will open two hours prior to the live event. Send your early questions to askamerica@state.gov.

New Public-Private Fund Aims to Serve Muslim Women

“One Woman Initiative” seeks to change the world, one woman at a time

Benazir Bhutto, the inspiration for the One Woman Initiative (© AP Images)

By Jane Morse
Staff Writer

Washington -- A unique, new public-private program aims to improve lives around the world, one woman at a time.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice launched the One Woman Initiative, which will be aimed exclusively at Muslim women living in some 40 countries. A “women’s empowerment fund” of $100 million -- $67 million from the U.S. government and the rest from private corporations and foundations -- will support programs such as business and leadership training and improved access to justice.

In introducing the program May 12 at the State Department, Rice told her listeners that “in an age where women are climbing to new heights, we must pause for a moment and direct our concerns toward those who have been left behind.”

INSPIRED BY BENAZIR BHUTTO

The initiative is inspired by Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan who was assassinated December 27, 2007, while campaigning for another term as prime minister after eight years in exile.

The death of this moderate Muslim woman leader was an inspiration “to help nurture others who could become forces for moderation and peaceful change,” Rice said.

Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli, Rice’s senior adviser for women’s empowerment, told America.gov that the State Department was approached by a number of people who felt the tragic death of Bhutto was an opportunity for “shoring up women around the Muslim world.”

Tahir-Kheli said the One Woman Initiative is unique because it will enhance currently funded programs and help other programs that might not otherwise get assistance.

Rules governing who can qualify for government funding “are pretty onerous,” the ambassador acknowledged. “So small NGOs [nongovernmental organizations], small women’s programs that have capacity to make a big difference often don’t have the wherewithal to even apply.”

In contrast, the One Woman Initiative, itself a nonprofit organization, will have a greater ability to reach out to individuals and small programs through its private-sector arm, she said.

“What’s exciting,” Tahir-Kheli told America.gov, is that “this is the first public-private sector initiative in the United States that is focused on three areas: justice, opportunity, leadership.”

Government funding will be supervised by Henrietta Fore, administrator and director of U.S. foreign assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The private-sector segment will be chaired by Carly Fiorina, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Carly Fiorina Enterprises, which is focused on global economic development and grassroots empowerment programs.

Working with Fiorina are Sheila Johnson, philanthropist, entrepreneur and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET); Pat Mitchell, president of the Paley Center for Media; and Farooq Kathwari, chief executive officer of Ethan Allen Interiors.

Rice, during a May 12 interview on CBS’s The Early Show, said the treatment of women is “a bellwether of how well we’re doing in terms of the spread of decency, of dignity for human beings.”

The One Woman Initiative is an “initiative to recognize what can be done if women are empowered. … [I]f you can empower one woman, she can empower a village. That village then can empower a town and, ultimately, a whole society,” Rice said.

A fact sheet on the program is available on the Fiorina Foundation Web site.

Transcripts of the secretary’s remarks and her CBS interview are available on the State Department’s Web site.

More Coverage

Private Sector Drives Growth in U.S. Assistance to Poor Nations

Private giving with government aid boosts U.S. ranking in annual report

The Giving Empowers My Sisters group regularly pools small contributions from members to donate to charitable causes. (© AP Images)

By Michael Gelb
Special Correspondent

Washington -- Thanks to expanding private sector efforts, aid from Americans to developing nations rose nearly 6 percent during 2006, despite a decline in the amount of official assistance from U.S. government agencies, according to a report by the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity.

All told, U.S. public and private sources, including immigrants to the United States sending money back home, provided $130 billion to developing nations -- or more than six times the total support from the next largest donor nation.

Private philanthropy and remittances by immigrants totaled $106 billion, up from $95 billion the year before and more than four times the level of official U.S. government aid in 2006, according to the Index of Global Philanthropy. Private charities, foundations, corporations, religious organizations and universities provided roughly $35 billion in support to developing nations in 2006, compared to just less than $34 billion in 2005. Immigrants sent a record total of nearly $72 billion back to families or projects in their home countries. A year earlier, immigrants sent $62 billion home.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) from U.S. government agencies fell to just below $24 billion in 2006 from roughly $28 billion the year before, largely because of the completion of some debt-relief programs. Debt relief, which is considered development assistance, swelled in 2005 with the forgiveness of large debt obligations owed by Iraq and Nigeria. Globally, ODA from all 22 donor countries fell to roughly $104 billion in 2006 from $107 billion the year before, also because of the effect of debt relief.

The predominance of U.S. private giving over public sector assistance is consistent with the general trend among donor countries. The report says that the private sector is “reinventing foreign assistance through new, creative philanthropy and public-private partnerships.”

Carol Adelman, director of the Center for Global Prosperity, observes: “It is an exciting time for philanthropy as we watch how new and diverse private players are creating new business models for foreign aid.”

The study cited a significant shift in corporate involvement, which increasingly is characterized by “cause-related marketing” in which a company donates a percentage of profits to a specific charity or cause. It estimates that cause-related corporate efforts now raise about $1.5 billion annually. (See "Business Throws Its Weight Behind Special Olympics Summer Games.")

Despite this shift, official assistance still accounts for half or more of total assistance from most Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) member nations. The United Kingdom, the second largest donor nation, provided almost $21 billion in total assistance in 2006 with about $13 billion of that coming in the form of official assistance. Germany, the number three donor, provided just more than $18 billion in total aid, including more than $10 billion in ODA. OECD represents most industrialized nations.

The level of assistance can be affected by unanticipated events or political developments. For example, the U.S. government and private organizations in the United States provided almost $3 billion in targeted assistance in the first year after the Asian tsunami of December 2004. Assistance totals in 2008 might be affected by support for victims of the recent cyclone in Burma, but Adelman says it is too soon to estimate the amount of such aid.

An examination of aid from the United States shows remarkable diversity. Private charities and grassroots organizations provided $13 billion in support to developing nations, including volunteer time valued at more than $2 billion during 2006. Religious organizations contributed nearly $9 billion. Corporations provided almost $6 billion. Foundations contributed $4 billion. Colleges and universities provided another $4 billion, largely in the form of tuition assistance, scholarships and other educational grants to students from the developing world.

While American assistance far outpaces support from other countries when calculated in total dollars, other nations equal or surpass the United States when donations are considered in relation to the size of national economies and populations.

When measured as a percentage of gross national income, Sweden is the most generous source of official aid, followed by Norway and Luxembourg. The United States ranks 21st in official government aid as a percentage of national income. But when private and official aid is combined, U.S. contributions in 2006 climbed to sixth as a percentage of national income.

On a per capita basis, Norway ranks first, with $768 in total (official and private) aid per person in 2006. The United States is fourth among OECD nations, with $434 in total public and private donations for every American.

Treasury’s Rosen Discusses How Terrorist Organizations Exploit Charities

Ask America webchat transcript, May 15

Michael Rosen, a policy adviser in the Treasury Department's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, discussed the U.S. and international strategy to combat the exploitation of charities by terrorist organizations in a May 15 Ask America webchat.

Following is the transcript:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript

Guest:     Mike Rosen
Date:      May 15, 2008
Time:      9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT)

U.S. & International community Strategy to Combat Terrorist Organizations' Exploitation of Charities

Mike Rosen, U.S. Treasury Department

Moderator: Welcome to our webchat! We look forward to hearing from you on May 15. We are taking your questions now. The discussion will begin at 13:30 GMT.

Michael Rosen: Hi Everyone, I am on-line and ready to take your questions. Take care, Mike

Moderator: Dear participants, our speaker is addressing your questions now. Thank you for your patience.

Question [Chat Participant]: Does us have real right to declare charity works as "terror"? How you decide?

Answer [Michael Rosen]: I am not an expert in this area, but generally speaking, the U.S. Treasury, in consultation with other US government agencies, has statutory authority to determine whether any individual or entity meets specific criteria before imposing targeted financial sanctions. This criteria is set out in an Executive Order issued by the President of the United States. The determination of whether an individual or entity meets the specific criteria is a very thorough process and is based on evidence that is reviewed by many different agencies. It can also be challenged in U.S. courts and reviewed by judges. To date, all our enforcement actions have been upheld by both appeals and trial courts.

This statutory authority applies not only to charities but to all U.S. persons. This includes U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens (regardless of where they are located), all persons and entities within the United States, and all U.S. incorporated entities and their foreign branches. In addition, many so-called charities have been identified by the United Nations as having supported the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and Osama-Bin Ladan and all nations are required to implement sanctions against these identified charities. As I will explain later, the sad fact is that many terrorist groups such as Al-Queda and Hezbollah exploit charities that do good work. This fact has been recognized by the international community, including the European Union, the United Nations, and the Financial Action Task Force.

One last thing, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) is the responsible agency to implement these sanctions. I would recommend that you check the OFAC web site. They publish a lot of great information that explains in more detail how the process works.

Moderator: The website for the The Office of Foreign Asset Control can be found at: http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/

Q: Soultan: How I can do a good contact with Organizations?

A [Michael Rosen]: Hi Soultan, thanks for your question. I think what you are asking is how do you find a reputable charity in the United States?

First, as a government, we believe that charitable giving is an extremely important value for all Americans. Our role is to promote and protect this very important source of funds and make sure that it is not taken advantage of by fraud and illicit financial activities such as terrorism.

In terms of your question, the Federal government does not publish a list of approved charities. We encourage charitable giving by granting a tax incentive to qualified organizations. Right now, there are over 1.4 million "tax-exempt" organizations that do a variety of good work in the U.S. and abroad. Last year, Americans gave over 300 billion dollars in charitable donations. This extraordinary figure shows how important charities are for humanitarian activities and for promoting stability in critical areas.

What my office does is publish guidance for charities. These materials explain the risks that terrorists pose to charities. The Treasury Department worked with a number of charities to publish voluntary guidelines that a charity may adopt to minimize the chance that terrorist groups will exploit its operations.

Individual donors should start by reviewing the lists that many private-sector organizations publish. These lists identify charities that adhere to certain good-governance principles. You can also look at a charity's web site. It should tell you a lot of information on how a charity is run, its board members, priorities, how it spends its donations, etc. It is ultimately the responsibility of U.S. donors to follow the law, but these resources can help donors make a well-informed decision.

Q [fatma]: How do terrorist organizations exploit charities, how can one protect organizations from infiltration of such intentions?

A [Michael Rosen]: Thank you for the question, Fatma. We have seen cases in the past--and this is still ongoing--where terrorist groups have used charities to raise money that is then sent to fund their activities. They have also used charities as a front to provide cover for their activities and to move funds with the goal of avoiding detection. A separate issue from the practice of using charities to raise and move funds is the broader exploitation of the services of a charity. Sometimes charities are run by or on behalf of terrorist organizations. In this scenario, the hospital/school/social service agency is in fact providing legitimate services, but in the name of Al-Qaeda, LET, JUD or another Foreign Terrorist Organization. Often this happens when the government is weak or not providing a sufficient level of social services. When terrorist organizations fill this void it can radicalize a vulnerable population. In such circumstances, it is vital that the U.S. and other governments redouble their efforts to get aid into these areas. It also means that charities must adopt measures to protect themselves from this form of exploitation. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to your question. We encourage charities that operate in high-risk areas to adopt appropriate due diligence measures. To the extent that is reasonable, they should operate in a transparent manner, verify their operations, know who their partners or grantees are, and so on.

Q [Kuba]: why only in Muslim charities you look for illegal activities?

A [Michael Rosen]: Kuba, so far the vast majority of charities that have been designated by either the U.S. or the U.N as having supported terrorist organizations are groups that claim some Islamic affiliation. For the reasons explained above, I would say that these terrorist organizations deliberately target Muslim charities. However, it is not strictly an Islamic charity issue. First, all U.S. citizens must abide by U.S. law. Recently, a U.S. charity was designated for supporting the Tamil Tigers, a non-Muslim Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). In terms of FTOs, there are around 42 and some, like the Real Republican Army or the FARC, are non-Muslim.

Q [tmd]: why USA only support us 500000 dollars !!!!!!! you are the stingiest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A [Michael Rosen]: Hi TMD, In terms of private donations, Americans are the most generous donors in the world. There are many illustrations of this, such as the response by the U.S. Government and private donors to the Tsunami in Southeast Asia. The foreign assistance programs of the U.S. Government are also the largest in the world. For example, in the West Bank/Gaza region, we are the largest provider of aid. I do not have the exact figures, but you can check USAID's web site, which provides the amount of our direct foreign assistance broken down by region and country. In addition, many U.S. Government agencies provide technical assistance to numerous countries to combat money laundering and to counter financing of terrorism. Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance provides training on a number of subjects, including charities. The State Department also has similar programs, as do our law enforcement agencies.

Q [Kuba]: what charities must do for proper workings? must charities be approved with your ministry?

Michael Rosen: Hi Kuba, As I mentioned, we do not certify or approve a charity for anti-terrorist financing. The Federal government approves a charity to receive tax-exempt status. As part of granting tax-exempt status, charities are expected to take measures to conform to U.S. law. Many charities, for a variety of reasons, have measures in place for accounting, good governance, and transparency. These all help in the fight against terrorist exploitation of charities. In addition, the US government and other organizations have published "best practices" to assist charities that operate in high-risk areas.

Moderator: We wish to thank Mike Rosen for joining us today. The webchat is now closed. A full transcript of today's webchat will be published (usually within one business day) to our Ask America homepage.

(end transcript)

• U.S. Funding Helps Fight One of the “Worst Forms of Child Labor”;

Weapons Removal and Safety Education Aided by U.S. Grants

Nonprofit groups will focus on efforts in the Middle East, Africa, Asia

Anti-vehicle land mines being removed in Iraq. (State Dept.)

By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Staff Writer

Washington -- The dangers from explosive conventional weapons linger long after conflicts end.

In Sudan, for example, people and animals are dying from unexploded munitions and abandoned land mines. In 2007, a Sudanese couple died after the wife brought home an unidentified object to use as a cooking stone. It was ordnance and exploded from the heat.

The roads in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains harbor a different threat: anti-vehicle mines. Sudan has experienced civil war during four of the five decades since its independence in 1958.

The Danish nongovernmental organization (NGO) DanChurchAid has been working in Sudan to get the word out about the risk from mines and unexploded munitions and to get dangerous weapons out of the ground. The U.S. State Department has approved a $345,000 grant to the organization to clear mines on mountain roads.

The Albanians do not need a reminder that safety and munition disposal go hand in hand. In March, inexperienced workers dismantled artillery shells without protection or tools, setting off an explosion in Gerdec that killed two dozen people.

PREVENTING CASUALTIES IN A RACE AGAINST TIME

The British nongovernmental organization, Cleared Ground Demining, is working against the clock: it says someone is killed or injured by an exploding mine every 30 minutes. It has been awarded a $244,000 State Department grant to help Guinea-Bissau destroy stockpiled munitions that no longer are needed. Another NGO based in the United Kingdom, the Mines Advisory Group, will receive $271,800 in State Department aid for technical support to destroy small arms and light weapons in the Horn of Africa and Africa’s Great Lakes region.

The department’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement is distributing $4.4 million in fiscal year 2008 grants to 32 organizations around the world to destroy conventional weapons, mines and a variety of munitions and to help permanently injured victims. The grants also will pay for two film documentaries to highlight the problem of indiscriminate and illicit use of conventional weapons.

The grant level reflects the determination of the United States to cut the annual casualty rate from mines and explosive materials left behind. The United States estimates that there were 5,751 reported casualties in 2006.

Dennis Barlow, director of Virginia’s James Madison University’s Mine Action Information Center, said the State Department is using its funds in “creative and imaginative ways.” He told America.gov that the center will use its $265,000 grant to pay for nearly a dozen theatrical productions in Arabic.

The producers will hire cast members in Jordan who have lost limbs from conventional-weapons explosions. Barlow said exposing school-age children to actors who have been injured will educate the students about the dangers from unexploded weapons. It also will help erase the stigma in the society at large that is often associated with disabilities. Audiences will see that victims can “still be engaged in society,” he said.

COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERING TO SAVE LIVES

The plays will be presented at middle and secondary schools in 12 Jordanian provinces that still face problems from unexploded munitions. The hourlong productions will educate students about what to do if they find a land mine and how to report its existence to save lives.

Barlow said these socio-dramas, which will have input from clinical psychologists, will be scripted carefully and carry a message about “keeping people alive” that will “resonate with Jordanians.” The grant will pay for mine-risk education experts to make more than a half dozen trips to Jordan where they will coordinate with the National Demining Center in Amman and work with local partner LLCR. The money also will be used for costumes, transportation, measuring effectiveness of the community-based outreach and to film each play for later viewing.

Collecting accurate data is another important aspect of many of these grants. Barlow said his center will use another $155,000 grant to collect information about the volatility of weapons as they age. Old munitions will be tested under laboratory conditions, and the lessons learned will help countries set priorities for areas that need to be cleared of land mines.

Barlow said the State Department has been awarding grants at a steady rate, although funding may decrease as the problem of unexploded munitions is tackled successfully.

At the same time, the number of ammunition caches is on the rise in places of conflict like Iraq. Iraq will use $117,800 in State Department funding to destroy stockpiles of small arms and light weapons that are at risk of exploding, especially in cramped Baghdad neighborhoods. The Iraq Mine/UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Clearance Organization will oversee the work.

In Asia, the U.S.-British nonprofit group Spirit of Soccer is educating young people about land mine dangers. Its motto is: “Don’t play with landmines -- play football.” Prominent international football players appear on the organization’s Web site under the headline: “What do you need to be a professional soccer player? Your legs, your lives.” It will use a $75,000 grant in Cambodia for mine education.

For more information about U.S. policy, see the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement Web page.

Rewards for Justice Program for Rwanda Genocide Renewed by U.S.

Some of those alleged responsible for 1994 tragedy still at large

U.S.Marines lay wreath at Kigali Memorial

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch U.S. Marines lay a wreath at the Kigali Memorial Centre in February 2008. (© AP Images)

By Charles W. Corey
Staff Writer

Washington -– In an effort to achieve lasting peace in Africa’s Great Lakes region, the United States is renewing its efforts to bring to justice those alleged to have been responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda who are still at large by relaunching the Rewards for Justice war crimes program.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer discussed the program May 12 at a special State Department briefing, where she was joined by Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Clint Williamson.

Frazer called the Rewards for Justice program a “valuable tool that has complemented our efforts to end war in the Great Lakes region and to implement the Lusaka, Sun City and Pretoria peace processes.”

“Through it, we received valuable information that led to the arrest of three dangerous fugitives,” including “former government and militia leaders accused of genocide, complicit in genocide and in crimes against humanity: Tharcisse Renzaho, Jean-Baptiste Gatet and Yussuf John Munyakazi. These three are now in trial proceedings or awaiting trial.” Thirteen more fugitives still are sought under the relaunched program.

In addition to facilitating the apprehension of fugitives wanted for their alleged involvement in the Rwandan genocide, Frazer said, the Rewards for Justice program also has “showcased our commitment to justice and peace in the Great Lakes region.

“Since 2004, we have demonstrated U.S. commitment to prevent further conflict and support conflict resolution through the facilitation of the Tripartite Plus process, culminating with Secretary Rice's chairmanship of the Tripartite Plus Heads of State Summit in December that would include the presidents of Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the foreign and defense ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

The Tripartite Plus was established by the United States to facilitate relations and build confidence among the four countries in the Great Lakes region.

During his recent visit to the region, Ambassador Williamson assessed the benefits of relaunching Rewards for Justice as an incentive to those who could help to locate the fugitives, Frazer said.

“As President Kabila has said, the time is now for the former Rwandan armed forces and Interahamwe in eastern Congo, who have caused so much insecurity, suffering and devastation, to lay down their arms peacefully and return to Rwanda, as outlined in the Nairobi communiqué,” she said. The Interahamwe is the Hutu militia believed to have been largely responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

In separate remarks, Williamson reiterated that through the program’s relaunching, the State Department is renewing its efforts to bring to justice those most responsible for the 1994 genocide.

“I'm pleased to announce that the Office of War Crimes Issues will be working closely with the Bureau of African Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa to launch a new Rewards for Justice campaign. This campaign aims to secure the arrests of the 13 men indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for genocide and crimes against humanity who remain at large.

“As you know,” he told reporters, “ethnic violence of the scale and horror that we witnessed in 1994 does not happen spontaneously. It requires extensive preparation and planning. Many of the architects behind the Rwandan genocide have been arrested, thanks to political and material support from a wide range of nations, including the United States. These arrests and the trials and convictions that have followed challenge the notion that those who direct crimes such as these can go unpunished.”

Years later, however, 13 of those indicted remain at large, he said. “These men include Augustin Bizimana, Idelphonse Nizeyimana, Protais Mpiranya, Gregoire Ndahimana, Ladislas Ntaganzwa and Felicien Kabuga. All of these individuals exercised positions of power and influence in the lead-up to and during the genocide itself. The impunity of these men 14 years after the crimes were committed, and their continuing presence in the region, represents a threat to stability and reconciliation.”

Seven additional fugitives are being sought under the program: Fulgence Kayishema, Bernard Munyagishari, Pheneas Munyarugarama, Aloys Ndimbati, Charles Ryandikayo, Charles Sikubwabo and Jean Bosco Uwinkindi.

The State Department is cooperating with other governments, with the United Nations and with the ICTR to make it harder for these fugitives to remain at large. The Rewards for Justice program, Williamson explained, is one element of an international effort to tighten the net around those still being sought.

Because many of the fugitives are believed to be living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this Rewards for Justice campaign will be focused there, he said.

In the next weeks, Williamson said, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa will work with the U.N. missions and other partners in the Congo to distribute posters, matchbooks and other articles indicating that these men are wanted for genocide and advertising a financial reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to their arrest.

Information generated by the Rewards for Justice campaign will support the efforts of the ICTR, whose team of investigators continues to pursue fugitives.

Callixte Nzabonimana, an indicted government minister, was arrested in March, thanks to cooperation between the ICTR's tracking team and the government of Tanzania, Williamson said. Nzabonimana now awaits trial at the ICTR.

“As this shows, some of the most critical steps to ending the impunity of these fugitives must be taken by national governments in the region,” Williamson said. “Just last week, the government of Kenya persuaded a Kenyan court to freeze real estate property from which Felicien Kabuga, the ICTR's most wanted indictee, is believed to have drawn funds to support his life at large.” He called this “a welcome development,” but added, “It's our strong hope that this represents only a single step toward still more aggressive action from all the governments in the region to capture these men.

“We look forward to seeing the results from this campaign. We believe it will accelerate the process of bringing to justice those most responsible for these horrible crimes,” he said.

14 May 2008

Breaking the Silence on Political Violence in Zimbabwe

U.S. Ambassador McGee condemns Zimbabwe atrocities

The following letter by James D. McGee, U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, was issued May 8 and is in the public domain. There are no republication restrictions.

(begin byliner)

Breaking the Silence on Political Violence In Zimbabwe
By James D. McGee
May 8, 2008

I feel compelled, as a supporter of human rights, to speak out about the atrocities being committed across Zimbabwe. Whatever one believes about the questionable poll results finally announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the controversy over a run-off, the real story in Zimbabwe now is the violence being directed against average citizens for exercising their right to vote.

On March 29, a majority of Zimbabweans voted for change. There is no doubting that. Even the ZEC’s figures admit it. Equally undeniable is that some within ZANU-PF have started a systematic campaign of violence designed to block this vote for change. The U.S. Government has concrete evidence of destruction of homes, beatings, intimidation, and even murder. We have shared this evidence with the UN and regional leaders.

So far the U.S. Government has received confirmed reports of over 700 incidents of violence resulting in over 200 people taken to hospital. At least 20 have been killed. For example, an MDC ward chairman was taken from his home in Epworth on April 26 by a group of soldiers who beat him with clubs and guns before leaving him at a police station where he was detained all day and made to pay a fine.

Two days later, on April 28, a shopkeeper in Mutoko who supported the MDC was beaten by 30 ZANU-PF members. The same gang returned to his home the next day where they stole a goat and burnt down his house. The same day an unemployed elderly man was taken in Dzvarasekwa. Along with several others, he was taken by ZANU supporters to a base where they were beaten on the feet and back. After a full day of torture they were made to pay fines and told to not vote for the MDC, or they would be beaten again.

These examples are just a few of the hundreds of confirmed reports from around the country. Taken together they a paint a deeply disturbing picture of an organized campaign of violence against those who voted for the opposition.

The Zimbabwe government may attempt to claim that the MDC instigated the campaign of violence or is equally culpable. This is simply not the case. I and members of my Embassy have spoken to numerous victims and examined reports describing the violence. The inescapable conclusion is violence has been orchestrated at the highest levels of the ruling party, both to punish people for supporting the opposition in the March 29 election and to discourage support for the opposition in the event of a run-off election.

The violence cannot be allowed to continue. I will continue to speak out clearly and forcefully to demand its end. I know that SADC and other regional leaders are also concerned and I hope they will use their best efforts to stop the senseless brutality which affects Zimbabwe, the region, and most importantly ordinary people.

Until the violence stops, we will continue to work with local and international partners to help care for the wounded, feed the hungry and house the homeless.

Let me also be clear that the U.S. is aware of the identities of many of those responsible for instigating the violence and for carrying it out. We will continue to gather evidence of the atrocities being committed so that the guilty can one day be brought to justice.

[James D. McGee is U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe.]

(end byliner)

13 May 2008

Police Harass Diplomats After Visit to Zimbabwe Hospital

U.S. officials say conditions do not exist for free and fair runoff vote

Supporters of Zimbabwe’s rulers have increased attacks on the opposition party in advance of a presidential runoff vote. (© AP Images)

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington -- The May 13 detention and questioning of the U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe and diplomats from five other missions in Harare by Zimbabwean security forces constitutes harassment and reflects the current troubled atmosphere in the country, the U.S. State Department says.

Ambassador James McGee and the chiefs of mission from the United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan, plus officials from the Netherlands and Tanzania, were detained and questioned for 45 minutes by security forces at a roadblock near the capital, Harare, and again outside a hospital they were visiting, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters May 13.

McCormack said the incidents are “indicative of the kind of atmosphere that exists in Zimbabwe right now,” and that if foreign diplomats in Zimbabwe are being treated this way, “you can only imagine for Zimbabwean citizens what life is like if they make an effort to speak up, to voice their opinions.”

A senior State Department official said the diplomats had gone to meet with Zimbabwean citizens who had been hospitalized after being attacked by forces loyal to President Robert Mugabe. Violence has been escalating in the country since the March 29 election in which Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party lost its majority in parliament and Mugabe himself trailed behind challenger Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential vote.

In remarks to the Associated Press (AP) May 13, McGee said the United States has confirmed reports of at least 20 deaths and more than 700 incidents of violence since March 29. In a letter published May 12, McGee accused President Mugabe's party of orchestrating violence to intimidate opposition supporters before a proposed presidential runoff election.

The AP article said the convoy of diplomats visited an alleged ZANU-PF interrogation camp and two hospitals in order to document government-orchestrated violence against its political opposition.

AP reported that at one point during their detention, a police officer threatened to beat a senior U.S. Embassy aide. After McGee demanded the officer’s name, the police officer got into the ambassador’s car and lurched toward McGee, making slight contact with the ambassador's shins. AP said McGee then climbed onto the hood of the car while his aide snatched the keys from the ignition.

A hospitalized victim of post-election Zimbabwe violence

U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James D. McGee (center) at hospital bedside of opposition victim. (U.S. Embassy Harare)

None of the individuals were physically harmed and nothing was confiscated during the incidents, McCormack said. However, “by definition, if, on two occasions, you're held up for … nearly two hours and questioned about what you're doing, by security officials, then yeah, that's harassment,” he said.

VIOLENCE MUST END, MONITORS NEEDED IN ORDER TO HAVE A RUNOFF ELECTION

According to official election results released more than a month after the vote, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the most presidential votes, but not enough needed to avoid a runoff election.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer said May 12 that conditions currently do not exist in Zimbabwe for the country to hold a free and fair vote. (See “Zimbabwe Final Vote Tally Has Serious Credibility Problems.”)

“Those conditions would have to include an end to the violence, which is essentially state-sponsored violence against the opposition. [And] it would have to include a massive number of monitors that can go out into the rural area,” she said.

She also called for guarantees of safety for Tsvangirai, who is currently outside the country, and for the admission into the country of the international press to provide greater transparency for the election proceedings.

Frazer said the United States is “prepared to assist and support the creation of those conditions” by supporting organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union, and by working with the United Nations.

Zimbabwe’s government has not announced the date for the runoff election. “Certainly, if they pull a surprise and they say that the runoff is in a week, it's very unlikely that you're going to have the number of monitors there necessary for a free and fair runoff,” she said.

For additional information, see “Breaking the Silence on Political Violence in Zimbabwe,” a letter from Ambassador McGee.

European Union & her legendary duplicity

May 9^th was celebrated in France as Europe’s day. On that day in May 1950, France’s former foreign minister late Robert Schumann made a brilliant proposition to end the Franco-German perpetual wars over land and resources. He suggested the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), a body that will be charged with the management of coal and steel production in Alsace-Lorraine . Alsace and Lorraine are regions located on the east of France and west of Germany. The European Coal and Steel Community are without no doubt, the ancestor of the current European Union (EU). The 50s were also the period when France’s diplomacy was respected by her neighbours. But since the famous Schumann declarations, his idea has undergone several metamorphoses to a point that, I doubt whether he would have loved what his original draft has become. And still on the trajectory of change from the original draft sheet of the Schumann declaration, the 1^st of January 1958, marked the birth of twin pan European institutions: the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Community (EAC). The year 1958 was an eventful one for Europe. In that same year, precisely on the 29^th of December, was the creation of the European monetary union or treaty that has given birth to the pan European currency the Euro.

Transformations

The EU has undergone several transformations as earlier mentioned. She is no longer only a mechanism to prevent conflict and encourage free trade and movement of people as Robert Schumann dreamt. She has become a supranational state called the United States of Europe (not official) with capital in Brussels. But in spite the fact that, the EU is putting on all the trappings of a state, Eurocrats will deny that, they are constructing a supranational state. They will also refute vehemently any reference that, Brussels is the capital of the planned United States of Europe. But they have set up a trap, which traps them regularly. For if they are not planning to create a United States of Europe, why did they honour the former Belgian Prime minister Guy Verhofstadt with the sum of € 20 thousand for his book :Toward the construction of the United States of Europe? If they do not desire to create a supranational state, why did they write a constitution which was duly rejected in referenda held respectively in the Netherlands and France in 2005? And the bizarre thing with the political body known as the EU, which markets herself as the quintessence of democracy, is that, after the constitution was rejected, it was repackaged and renamed simplified treaty and adopted on the 13^th of December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal. But what is simplified with the 250 page treaty?

Eurocrats might deny all accusations heaped on them concerning their plans to deconstruct European nations, but the objectives of the organisation (EU), that they are working for, is clearly exposing them. The EU has the following objectives: common currency, which began in 1958 and which is partially in practiced today via the Euro and used as legal tender in 12 countries. And if a country can’t control her currency, then she has lost a vital part of her sovereignty. The EU’s other project are a common European judiciary, common European defence policy and common foreign policy. The last one is already taking shape, with Javier Solana as the EU foreign policy chief and spokesman. While those policies are flagrant evidence of the desire of Brussels to be the centre of power in Europe, which might be ignored because it is likely to be rejected, another ugly aspect with the EU is that, she supports all kinds of xenophobic policies in most EU member countries. Eurocrats have discovered from their vintage positions in Brussels that, Europeans seem to have reconnected with their old demons: intolerance, hence they (EU) wants to support populist national policies in a bid to attract sympathies.

Despicable

The EU is supporting the Romanian government’s plans to expel the Roma people or gypsies from their native land of Romania to Africa. Recently, a Romanian minister said his government was considering buying a piece of land in either Egypt or Sudan, in order to settle the Roma-people where they rightfully belong. But what did Brussels say about such ignominious declarations? The EU is also financing and constructing concentration camps in North Africa. The host countries can’t protest not only because they are poor, but more because, they fear the economic retaliation from the EU, should they refuse to serve as buffer between them and those they (EU) don’t want anymore on European soil. Furthermore, the EU plays a policy of divide and rule on the continent. And this, in order to gain influence on a continent that they have exploited and is perpetually scheming that she(Africa) remain continuously underdeveloped and weak economically. For example, during trade negotiations, she (EU) circumvents regional political bodies to deal directly with individual states that are weak. The new diabolic plan from Brussels and which is being resisted by France, is her (EU) decision that, illegal immigrants should be detain for more than two years in detention centres around the EU and in North Africa or in Senegal. In France currently, the longest an illegal immigrant can be detained is 15 days.

Ambiguous & Dictatorial

Even though France is protesting at the new Nazi-like law from Brussels concerning immigrants, she can’t do anything than to succumb to regulations from Brussels. Why? Simply because, EU laws are superior to national laws and worst, those laws are voted by nationally regurgitated politicians, with their high-sounding titles: Member of European Union Parliament (MEP). This simply means that, any laws voted in Brussels and however bad she is will sooner or later be nonetheless forced into national laws, and this, without the consent of the people. The laws or edicts from Brussels are aptly referred to as “directives”. Doesn’t that have a very dictatorial connotation? The EU has with pomp and fanfare decided to send her embryonic Pan European Defence Force, for training in two African countries: Chad and Central African Republic. According to the propaganda from the Brussels, the troops are there to protect civilian refugees from Darfur and also to avoid further escalation between Sudan and Chad. But two days ago, Darfur rebels, allegedly supported by Chad took the Darfur war a bit nearer to Khartoum. As it stands, it is evident that, the pan European Defence Force which is a flagrant fallacy, because she is pan- European only by name. In reality, the so-called pan European peace or military mission in Chad and Central African Republic is a French operation devised to protect two of her dictator friends and also assures her presence in a region where competition with China and the United States is strong. If the EU and their so-called pan European Force stationed along the Chad and Central African borders were really honest that they wanted peace and democracy, they will first have compelled Colonel Idriss Derby Itno of Chad and General Francois Bozize of Central African Republic to respect all the peace treaties and terms of negotiations they have signed with their respective oppositions: civilian or military. If the EU were really serious, instead of hiding in Chad, they would have gone to Darfur where the action is taking place. If the accusations made by Khartoum concerning the rebels that two days ago attacked her capital are correct, then it will be almost impossible for the EU to claim to be a neutral force. Already, they have already soiled their image by supporting two violent dictators and that alone discredits their pretentious propaganda of soft power, for how can power be soft?

Slavery: one vice shared by the entire human race

Slavery has affected all parts of the world and this, contrary to some popularly circulated believes. And as I put down these notes today, slavery and her consequences are still affecting her former and current victims in several ways. While slavery has affected the entire human race, it is only one structure of slavery that has been erected as symbol. And that symbol, which one often hears and read about, is that of transatlantic slave trade. That cruel trade was engineered by Europeans in collaboration with some Africans. Their macabre alliance, forced millions of Africans from black Africa and parts of North Africa or what is known today as the Maghreb region, from their lands to work as slaves in the Americas. Slavery is no doubt a crime, but there is no need to classify any crimes that, we human beings, have mutually inflicted on each other. Every experience of personal crime and injustice, is unique and thus not worth comparing. While the transatlantic slave trades are widely known other slaveries or slave trades are not known or don’t attract much publicity. The intra European or intra African slaveries or slave trades existed, but how many people are aware of it? How many people are aware that, the northern European tribe, known as the Vikings, were not only intrepid sailors, but equally, formidable slavers of fellow Europeans, such the Celtics?

How many people know that, the Eastern European (European parts of Russia included) tribes known as the Slavs are known as Slavs because of their slave past? The Eastern European tribe known as the Slavs and who are divided into several clans were collectively enslaved by other Europeans tribes and even by none European tribes from the Middle East, North Africa and part of West Africa. Namely: the Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Barbers and Maures. How many people know that, amongst the many enslaving tribes that existed in Africa, two, namely the Doualas and the Efiks, currently found in modern day Cameroon and Nigeria did not only enslaves other tribes such as the Igbos and the Bamilekes, but also served as the intermediaries to European slavers? How many people know that, today in Cameroon, some individuals are barred to the royal thrones because of their slave linage? There is the star case of the long standing brawl, over the royal stole of Besong –A- bang; a village located in the coastal part of Anglophone Cameroon other wise known as the South West province. The brawl there is fought between Mr Enowchong who is logically, the pretended to the throne, but is resisted by a section of the royal family, who claim that, because his father was a slave, he doesn’t have the right to be the chief of the Besong-A-bang people. Interestingly or not, Besong-A-bang is located within the ancestral sphere of influence of the former Efik kingdom.

And still in Cameroon, some tribes in coastal and forest regions of French-speaking Cameroon, such as the greater Doualas and the greater Bassa tribes, pejoratively identify grass field tribes generally known as the Bamilekes, as either “Bayong” or “Bakohom”, which means slaves. For it is evocative of the rapports that coastal tribes had with those of the interior. Fortunately, Jonathan Derrick in his book: Africa slaves today and Professor Victor E. Dike in his book: Osu Caste System in the eastern Nigerian Igbo tribe have shed more lights on Africa’s slave past and also her caste system, generally thought to be the exclusive preserve of India. While it can be honestly decried that, intra European and intra African slaveries are seldom given the exposure that they deserve another equally vicious slave trade treated with infinite precaution or considered a taboo is the Arab slave trade. The Arab slave affected principally the African Indian ocean islands and continental east and central Africa. It may have lasted longer than that on the western flank of continental Africa. It is also thought that, it might have been the most inhumane than or at par with the hyped transatlantic slave trade.

But strangely while people of black African ancestry on the continent or away cry, for reparation from Europeans. There seem to be an unholy alliance between black African victims and their Arab oppressors. In short, the Arab slave trade is seldom mentioned and there is almost no call for reparation from victims to their oppressor as it is the case westward. Why? I need an answer.

Book review: Slavery within the Islamic world: the forbidden truth (L’ esclavage en Terre d’Islam: un tabou bien gardé)

A book written by Malek Chebal has come to shed more light not only the Arab slave trade, but also on slavery in the greater Islamic world. Mr Chebal is an anthropologist and perhaps France’s best specialist on Islam. He was written more than 20 books on different aspects and topics of Islam and the Islamic society in her diversity. The title of his 496 page book which is divided into three parts is: Slavery within the Islamic world: the forbidden truth (my own English translation) and in French: L’ esclavage en Terre d’Islam: un tabou bien gardé. The title of part one is: Doctrine and it sub title is: what does Islam say concerning slavery? The author answers that: slavery within the Islamic world predates Islam and he adds that: slavery is an antique practice not only practiced by Muslims, but also by other ancient civilisations such as the Romans, Greeks and the Israelites. But the author asks these questions: did Islam as a religion, which started in the 7^th century really wanted to eradicate slavery in her bastion in the Arabian peninsular? Or did it simply wanted to give slavery a humane or acceptable face? Sub title 2 of part one is in titled: words to describe/ how slaves and slavery are identify in the Islamic world.

And here, the author tells us that, the Islamic word has a very rich vocabulary for slaves and slavery and he adds that, all those names or terminologies are stratagems employed either to hide what they are doing or to give slavery a humane or acceptable face. Some of those terminologies to identify slaves in the Islamic world are: abd (slave), ubudiyya (slavery), mi’bada (place where God is worshipped), ma’bud (specifically used to identify black slaves), muta’abbad (a despot/tyrant who considers himself as God) and Ghulam (name used to identify male slaves in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and in Indonesia). But in the ancient Arabian peninsular and in ancient Iraq, the author tells us that, slaves were designated according to their colours. It explains why, black slaves in the region were called Zandj or Aswad. For the author writes that, Zandj was a contraction of the Arabic appellation of the East African Indian Ocean Island of Zanzibar which in Arabic is called Zanjibar. Sub title three is in titled: 14 centuries and a half. And what does that really mean? You may have asked. Here, the author writes that, in order to understand the history of enslaving others in the past and currently within the Islamic world, it is important to make a thorough examination of the obscure past of the Islamic religion.

And he adds that, to understand or begin to understand slavery within the Islamic world, it is also primordial to investigate all the moments of crisis that predates Islam that has affected her regions of origin also crisis that Islam has undergone after she took roots. He also tells us that, if slavery is as old as humanity then, there is no doubt that, the source of slavery can only be trace within the Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece triangle. In other words even though slavery is a vice shared by the entire human race, those who hold the copyright of slave trade are the latter mentioned countries. Sub title four is in titled: Black & White. This part brings to the fore a reality within the Islamic world that is known but never officially admitted or accepted by Muslims. And the author writes that, the racial divide within Islam is appalling. But why is it not denounced? The author has an answer. He writes that, one reason why Muslims seldom denounced their internal racism is because it would be tantamount to opening a can of worms. And he continues that, although Islam recommends to all those practicing the faith to desist from any acts of discriminations by pointing that, prophet Mohammed told his followers that, there shouldn’t be any act of discrimination between for example an Arab against a Berber. But the author writes that, in practice the recommendation of the Prophet Mohamed is seldom respected.

The author points out that, in Islam, black Muslims or black slaves are perpetually discriminated by Arabs. Why? Simply because, Arabs have always had a condescending regard toward blacks a notion or practice that, the advent of the Islamic faith has not changed but consolidated. The author concludes. Sub title five is in titled: Pure & impure slaves. And the author tells us here that, Islam permits or allows the categorisations of slaves and she also instigates frontal opposition between slaves and their masters. How? The author write that, the Islamic holy book the Koran , supports the discriminative model, by recommending to Muslims who are masters, that, a slave who converts to Islam is worth than a free woman who is not a slave, even if the free woman appeals to the believer or the master. An example of a pure slave mentioned by the author was Bilal Al-Hibachi (literally, the Abyssinian or the Ethiopian who died in 641 BCE). Bilal Al-Hibachi was the first slave set free by the father-in-law of Prophet Mohammed. As concerns those considered as impure slaves, the author writes that, there are many and varied in Islam. One set of impure slaves are those who while in slavery, they have refused to convert to the religion of their masters (Islam). The next category of impure slaves in Islam, the author points out, are the millions of Asian labourers, who are working in Islamic lands such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Sub title six is in titled: ethnic group versus religion and the author tells us here again that, while Islam has racist practises, another dimension in the divisions that exist in the faith are the ethnic origin of her members. He continues: there is a deep divide in Islam, between Arabs or precisely Bedouins Arabs of the Middle East and other groups such as the Persians and the Turks, still from the same region. Between these three ethnic groups, who are all vying for the position of leadership within the faith, those who consider themselves as the rightful leaders of the Islamic religion are the Bedouin Arabs. Why? The author writes that, Bedouins are supremacist, for their legends are laden with claims of their noble status and he adds that, it is this quest for noble status within the Islamic faith, which makes many to claim to be descendants of Prophet Mohammed, who was from an ancient noble Bedouin family.

Sub title 7 is in title those without names. And the author tells us that, one characteristic of slaves was that, they had no name or their names were ignored. Hence the prevalence of generic names for slaves or people of slave ancestry within the Islamic world and the author also write that, the generic terms used by Arabs to identify a slave or those with slave linage are: abd or abid. And within slaves, those who were educated were/are either called riqq or raqiq, mawla (teacher) and Malik (the possessed). Another important sub title of part one, is that which focuses on another category of slaves common within the Islamic world: Eunuchs.

The author tells us that, within the Islamic world like elsewhere, where slavery was or is still practiced, slaves are classified according to their colours and geographic origins another sinister aspect with Islamic slavery is /was her appetite for a brand of slaves that were Eunuchs. And the author stressed that, most eunuchs were blacks from Sudan, Nubia, and occasionally from Ethiopia and other parts of the horn of Africa. The author also writes that, while the horn of Africa was a factory for the production of eunuchs, the only region or country in the region that was spared was Somalia. And he adds that, while slavery caused the death of many East Africans, the demand for eunuchs increased their mortality, because during the castration period many slaves selected for the hideous process lost their lives via bleeding. The other interesting subject handled in part one of the book are the slave routes. And the author points out that, the Arab slave trade had three main routes. The first was along the East African coast: Zanzibar via Djibouti, Egypt and the final destination was Mesopotamia. Slaves from this route were also sold in Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Anatolia and in India. The second route to source slaves was southern Libya and Chad.

Slaves from here (southern Libya and Chad) were caught and send directly to the North African Mediterranean ports, before being sold into slavery to Sicilians and elsewhere in Europe. The third route to source slaves was in the Sahalian belt of Africa. Namely: Western Sudan (Darfur), Mali, Niger and Northern Nigeria, precisely within the Borno empire, which covered Northern Cameroon and part of Central and Southern Chad. Slaves from these areas were first stocked in the desert city of Timbuktu (current day Mali), before being transported to Morocco. The writer writes that, the third Arab slave trade route, which was very far from East and Central Africa, was controlled by the Moroccans, because at that time the country or Kingdom was the epicentre of slavery in North western Africa. Why was Morocco controlling the third Arab Slave trade route? The writer writes that, it was simply because, during the middle of the XVI century, Morocco was a regional superpower. She was controlling at that time, most of what are today modern Niger Republic, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Northern Nigeria and Northern Cameroon. The author also points out that, slaves from Morocco’s sub Saharan possessions were not all sold to third parties, a majority stayed within the kingdom and were drafted into the Royal Army. Why? According to the author, it was because they were considered formidable warriors.

He adds that, the creation of special black Moroccan military units was introduced in the Moroccan Royal Army, when the Alawites took power and wanted to assure their domination. And the author writes that, the stratagem took shape during the rule of Moulay Ismail (1672-1727). He also adds that, it was around 1697-1698 that a slave military unit called abid, numbering around 150000 was constituted and exclusively dedicated to protecting the Alawites ruling family. The author also adds that, those black or slave military units, were equally considered as the bulwark of the Moroccan military superiority and influence in the region. Part two is in titled: journey into the lands of slavery. As the author has done throughout this book, peppering his work with verses from the Islamic holy book: the Koran. The quote that he chooses this time around is this: I recommend you to respect and fear Allah and also to obey your leader, even if he is a slave. Sub title 1 of part two is in titled: Istanbul, governed by the uterus. The author begins this part with a question: what was the conditions of slaves in Istanbul from 1505-1559, at the time when the city state was on the trajectory of Islamisation? He writes that, while tourists especially westerners, are fascinated by Istanbul because she is beautiful and attractive, with extraordinary tales of ancient romantic life, what most tourists are not told by their Turkish guides, are her(Istanbul) tumultuous past history.

The other hidden aspects of the past of Istanbul or which are mentioned superficially, the author writes: were her violent palace coups, political instabilities, slavery and her submission of women. But he adds that, another thing not mentioned to tourists about Istanbul was her love for two kinds of slaves. The two kinds of slaves loved in Istanbul were: blacks from her African possessions who were used within her military and also castrated before being drafted to serve as guides and protectors in the many royal palaces, which had the many wives and concubines of the nobilities. The second set of slaves in ancient Istanbul where Slavs from Eastern Europe, they too were castrated as black slaves were and also served within the army as black slaves. But the Slavic slaves in Turkey had another role. They were bought and brought into the royal families of Turkey, in order to procreate pure White children with blond hairs and blues eyes. Those blond children with bleu eyes were exclusively meant for the royal family or the ruling class. For the more one was White within Turkey’s ruling class, the greater chance and possible acceptability to rule he had.

But on one condition, that, he succeeds to elude all the traps inherent in Istanbul’s palaces, such as poisoning or violent palace coups. Sub title two of part two is in titled: Mesopotamia, land of submission and violent revolts. And the author writes that, ancient Mesopotamia which is part of present day Iraq was in IX century, the theatre of a revolt synonymous in every inch to that of the Spartans but the revolt was violently quelled. While the IX century Iraqi revolts was synonymous to that of Spartans in the way it started and equally in the method used to quelled it. But the author points out that, the revolt of ancient Iraq had a difference with that of the Spartans, for those revolting were black slaves, who were working in the rice fields of Basra, southern Iraq. Besides Iraq, that still has offspring of slaves taken from East, Central or Sahalian belt of Africa, who are located mostly in the south, the author points out that, other countries in the region with considerable Negro population are Iran and Pakistan, precisely in the Balouchistan region. The author writes that, the Iranian revolution, which has forced many Iranians into exile, has in a way made Afro-Iranians, who fled their country, to make the world to know about the existence of Negro-African population, whose presence is not always officially accepted.

Afro-Iranians, who are in exile, principally in United States and Canada, have made the world to know the existence of Negro-African population of their country via their militancy and agitations for the recognition of their rights. Where else were black slaves found in Iraq?

The author writes that, they were largely located in and around Basra, around Baghdad.

What was their principally occupation? The author writes that, they were working in the paddy rice field in southern Iraq and also on the banks of the rivers: Tigris and Euphrates. The author also writes that, the discovery by some people around the world that, Iran and Pakistan have large black African population might appear strange. He adds that, the real originality of the Afro-Iranians or Afro-Pakistanis populations are not their pigmentation, ethnic origin or the fact that they have maintained some traits of their traditions: such as music and dances from Africa. He continues: their originality lies in the fact that, they are Sunni Muslims in largely Shiites Islam countries. And this speaks volumes, given the acrimonious rapport that exists between the two dominant branches of the Islamic faith. Being Black Muslim in countries that doesn’t accept your existence is already not easy, and assuming a tendency (Sunni Islam) of the same faith that is a minority and treated like an enemy by the majority (Shiites) is authentication of the unique strength of character of Afro-Pakistanis and Afro-Iranians.

Sub title three is in titled: The Arabic peninsular: Saudi Arabia & the United Arab Emirates. Here, the author points out that, the region is popularly known for her large Oil deposits and exports. And he continues: but what are seldom mentioned about these countries by her many praise singers in western countries are: her legions of subservient labourers, her eunuchs, concubines or prostitutes, as well as other practises of submissions and humiliations that are rampant. Why does all those the latter mentioned vices still survive in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates? The author answers that, it is simply because the Islamic law, the sharia are legal laws and rules in those countries. He also writes that, sharia law has inscribed or instituted on the marbles of those countries a culture of discrimination, enslavement or submissions of others. And he adds that, countries such as Sudan, Mauritania and Somalia that have also adopted sharia laws have become countries where inequalities, absence of human right and discriminations reigns supreme as in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. And he concludes that, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates no longer have black African slaves, but they have been replaced by Asian slaves from: Bangladesh, China and India who are treated with utter disdain.

Egypt, Oman & Yemen

Sub title four is in titled: Yemen: Zabid, the slave market. The author tells us here that, Yemen had many singularities. She was the centre of a combination of civilisations that has help or contributed to produce some luminous tales that have fed the Bible and the Koran. He adds that, because of the strategic position of Yemen, the following Yemenite cities: Hoddaydah (Hodeida), Aden, Zabid, Moka and the island of Socotra became important points of slave trade with the east and central Africa. He continues: the Aden-Hoddaydah axis located on the western flank of Yemen, served as an important route for the importation of slaves from continental east and central Africa, who were first stocked in Djibouti and Zeyla. Sub title five is in titled: the Sultanate of Oman: official supplier of slaves. That author writes that, with her immense maritime front on the Indian Ocean and also facing Pakistan, India and Iran and her formidable Strait of Hormuz, Oman was well positioned. Her position made her to become and important player in slave trade in XVIII century. But how did Oman become the leader in the trade of east and central Africans? The author writes that, officially, it all began in 1649 after the reunification of various Omani tribes, who in turn succeeded to drive away the Portuguese who had exploited the previous Omani tribal rivalries in 1548 to capture Muscat.

India, Iran & Pakistan

He continues: the 1649 reunification of the Omani tribes, did not only have as success the expulsion of Portuguese from their country , they also drove Portugal out of her African possessions in the Indian Ocean and on continental East Africa: Mombassa, Pemba, Kilwa & Dar es Salam . Oman did not only trade in slaves from east and central Africa, whom they sold in India, Iran and Pakistan. They also traded in elephant Tusks, wood and Incense. Sub title six is in titled: Egypt, the brain or initiator of Arab slave trade: how come? The author has the answer. He writes that, the Islamic doctrine on slavery was first written and applied in Cairo, Egypt. Why? He says it was simply because; slavery has always been part and parcel of Egyptian life and history. And he continues his claims and research by writing that, during the periods of the Pharaohs, those who constructed her gigantic pyramids and served in her army were slaves. And since then, Egypt has become the epicentre of slavery and her slaves were sourced mainly from Nubia (before it became part of Egypt), Sudan, Ethiopia and other parts of east and central Africa.

Slaves from the afore mention regions of Africa were not only used in Egypt, some were taken to Mesopotamia, Turkey and the western parts of North Africa called Maghreb. And the author writes that, the Islamisation of Egypt in 642 did not help or stop slavery but perpetuated it. The author concludes this sub title, by stating that: there is no doubt that, the great Egyptian attractions of today, which are her gigantic and majestic pyramids were constructed by millions of black slaves bought and brought from east and central Africa, Sudan, Darfur (before it was attached to Sudan in 1916), Bahr Al Ghazel (now part of Sudan), Ethiopia & Nubia (nowadays part of Egypt). Sub title seven is in titled: Sudan & Nubia’s forceful cooperation with their Egyptian neighbour. The author begins thus: Nubia and Sudan have always been important, if not the principal suppliers of slaves to their Egyptian neighbour. And he adds: Sudan & Nubia were essential in the supplier of slaves to Egypt and at such, sustaining her economy, in the same way as Diamonds did to the South African economy. The author also writes that, Sudan’s name was given by Arab merchants who identified her in Arabic as Bilad ad Sudani or the land of blacks.

He adds again that, those same Arab merchants describe Sudan as a land of Gold, Ivory and primitive people, who were constantly fighting each other. The author continues: since the first era Islamisation of Egypt, Nubia and Sudan, the second couple, signed a strange pact with their northern neighbour, Egypt.

Horn of Africa: platform of slave trade

The strange deal, did not only modify the borders of the second twosome (Nubia & Sudan), it also compelled both to annually supplier 400 slaves to Egypt, in return for Wheat and Wine.

And the author concludes that, even though it is strange that, Egypt paid for slaves from Nubia and Sudan with amongst other things: Wine, whose consumption is prohibited in Islam, both countries are nonetheless too close ethically and religiously. And he adds: even though between both countries, it is Egypt that is shining, the things that make Egypt to shine on the face of the earth today were constructed by Sudanese and Nubians. He concludes .Sub title eight is in titled: Horn of Africa: platform of slave trade. The author writes that, from time immemorial, the horn of Africa called thus because it form, resembles the horn of Rhinoceros, has always been the route of all sorts of trades and in chief, slaves. And he points out that, all east African tribes took part in the various trades that operated on their territory or they became the subject of the trade. And when east Africans were captured, they were taken to Mogadishu, where they were selected and then exported to the Persian Gulf, Oman, India, and Egypt via Tadjoura in Djibouti. The Horn of Africa has traded with every other region that borders her. But it was with Yemen in particular her southern capital, Aden that the Horn Africa traded with most. The other important hobs of the slave trade network in east Africa were Massawa in Eritrea, Zeyla in Somalia, Aksum in Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Ogaden and Gonder regions of too Ethiopia.

Libya, Chad and Niger

Another speciality that the east African slave trade provided was her capacity to produce castrated slaves needed in Syria and Mesopotamia. But Africans were not the only sort after castrated slaves. The author writes that, the Balkans also provided large number of castrated slaves, needed in the Middle East. But the author also points out that, the Abyssinians or Ethiopians produced the bulk of African castrated slaves. Sub title 9 is in titled: Libya, Chad and Niger: suppliers of ebony woods (Slaves). Here, the author writes that, Chad is/ was considered as Libya’s hinterlands and the former was also a region that in past, was feared by many and also known for her long desert caravans that were full of slaves taken from Kanem, southern Chad and Niger and also from the Borno Empires located in present day North Nigeria and Northern Cameroon. Slaves from these regions were sold in North Africa and also on the European Mediterranean regions. Sub title 10 is in titled: Timbuktu: 333 saints, but with no slaves. And the author writes that, once upon a time, Timbuktu now located in northern Mali was a city who boated that she had/ have 333 saints. And he writes that, while the history books on Timbuktu and her ancient splendour is full of her glorious past, it makes little or no mention of the role the city played as a slave junction and storehouse, were slaved were packed, before continuing their journey to Morocco, to serve in the praetorian guards of the Moroccan sultan or sold to Egypt.

Bamako-Djenne-Mopti-Timbuktu-Gao axis

But why were slaves passing through Timbuktu destined principally to Morocco? The author writes that, it was simply because, Morocco was the regional power and needed those slaves, who were claimed to be fierce and fearless fighters, to fight in the Moroccan rifts were the royal family was facing perpetual rebellions. The writer also points out that, there is an important line that has always divided Mali, a country that straddles West and North Africa with almost the same ethnic representations in both regions. What is/was the divide that exists/existed in Mali mentioned by the author? The divide is/was the Bamako-Djenne-Mopti-Timbuktu-Gao axis. This axis might look as an imaginary demarcation, but it is real. For it is a line drawn along two conflicting Cultures of Mali and also most of the Sahalian belt of Africa. And what are the two conflicting cultures? The author says they are cultures of the Desert and those of the Savannah regions. The author also mentions in this part that, Mopti which is a city in current day Mali was the epicentre of the Guinea Empire, one of the greatest empires in the region. But he also writes that, it might be because of the closeness of Mopti to Timbuktu, which was an important slave centre and slave trade being an important source of wealth at the time, may have prompted King Charles 11 of England to name England’s first currency as the Guinea.

Senegal

Sub title 13 is in titled: Senegal: Contrast and Omissions. And the writer points out that, the role played by Senegal in slave trade was not insignificant. He adds that, Senegal is amongst the oldest countries in the region, with a rich history that is nonetheless fraught with her own fair share of catastrophes. The author continues: Senegal’s links with Mauritania and Morocco and the Islamic world in general, have often been punctuated with conflicts. And he writes that: while slavery officially ended in Senegal when she became a French colony, there are still some forms of slavery s going on in the West African state. The author also points out that, in Senegal, there is a selective form of education about slavery. He notes that, what are being taught in Senegalese schools are uniquely the transatlantic slave trade, while the Arab slave trade and the active roles that Senegal played in both slave trades seem to have been ignored by her authorities or not even mentioned.. Why has the policy and politics of omissions on slave trade persisted for long in Senegal? Was it a strategy hatched out by the countries political and education elites to absolve Senegal in her on roles in both the transatlantic and Arab slave trades?

The author travelled to Senegal for the research of his book. He did the same exercise with all Islamic countries mentioned in his book and where one or other forms of slavery still exist, writes that, Senegalese authorities refutes any idea that, their long focus on the transatlantic slave trade was a calculated attempt to absolve themselves or the Islamic world in the roles that they played in both slave trades. The author continues: Senegal has not only omitted to mention her own role and that of the Islamic world in slave trade, she also carry’s out a policy of omission in the marketing of Gore Island. Gore Island, also known as the door of no return was the last post where slaves from North West Africa and West Africa were packed, before being exported to the Americas. The author notes that, Senegal insists in making Gore Island not only to appear as the unique exit point of slaves from Western Africa to the America, but she (Senegal) also continues to make the world to think that, the only group of Africans who were locked up there, in anticipation of their forceful journey to the Americas were uniquely from black Africans. He insist and which is new, that, several North Africans from the Maghreb region were also send into slavery in the Americas specifically in Brazil.

The author also insists on the fact that, Maghrebians destined for slavery were equally packed at the Gore Island’s dungeons like other black Africans. North Africans from the Maghreb who were sent into slavery into the Americas via Senegal’s Goree Island were not all captured in North Africa, some were captured in Spain during the reconquista and directly taken to slave into plantations in the Americas, precisely in Brazil. But like any other African slave North Africans from the Maghreb region were first forced to disowned their original religion before taken into the plantations of the Americas.

Maghreb, the other Dark Continent

Sub title 14 is in titled: Maghreb, the other Dark Continent. Without any doubt, the North West African part of Africa called in Arabic: Maghreb, is located on a part of spot on earth that European explorer’s euphemistically called Dark Continent. But since the African continent was partitioned by the Europeans at the Berlin Conference of 1884, a spirit of division has been instilled into a people who have most often lived divided lives. In other words and contrary to pan Africanist propaganda, Africa has always been a divided continent with its people ignoring each other. Hence there are some Africans who are ashamed to be referred to as Africans and also ashamed of the current and past history of Africa. Amongst those Africans who are suspected to refuse or are ashamed to be called Africans are some from the Maghreb. But as already mentioned, Maghrebians are not alone, if other Africans had the possibility to reinvent or deny their African ancestry, most will. But while some Maghrebians are today ashamed to be considered as Africans, but happy to be considered as Middle Easterners, the author will shock them. He reveals that, genuine Middle Easterners do consider people from North West Africa, generally referred to in France as Maghrebians, first as Africans, before even distantly accepting them as Arabs. Why are Middle Easterners considering North West Africans with whom they share the same Islamic religion and also appear to have the same culture?

Reasons why Middle Easterners don’t accept North Africans are bona fide Arabs

The author writes that, the reason why Middle Easterners do consider North West African first as an integral part of the Dark continent, before considering them (North West Africans) as one of theirs ( Middle East Arabs) are many. The first reasons why North West Africans are rejected by Middle Easterners, according to the author, are first and foremost, the ethnic composition of the former. Still according to the author, North West Africans or Maghrebians are not Arab enough to the liking of the Bedouin Arabs of the Middle East. The second reason why North West Africans are rejected by Middle Easterners? the author write is that, the language or languages spoken in the region (North west Africa) is not pure or standard Arabic and the third reason, the author points out that is, North west Africans are rejected by Middle Easterners, because of the brand of Islam practiced in the Maghreb region, which to the proud Bedouin Middle eastern Arabs, is not yet properly cleansed of the influences of neighbours of Maghreb. In other words, the Maghreb’s own brand of Islam is still strongly influenced by those from her majority black African neighbours, considered inferior by Middle Eastern Bedouin Arabs. The author also stresses that, Middle easterners do not only consider North West Africans as Barbers, an ethnic group distantly alien from their proud Bedouin Arabic ancestry, but also considers North west African with all other pejorative and subjective interpretations attached to an African . In other words, Middle Easterners do consider North West Africans as primitive.

And finally, another fundamental reason behind the denigration of North West Africans by Middle Easterners, the author writes is the fact that, the former, in ancient times, used to supply the latter with slaves and also that, some elements of the former were also enslaved in the Middle East as their alter egos of East and Central Africa were. While Middle Easterners might in their Bedouin Arabic arrogant and supremacist traditions, keep on denigrating Maghrebians because the second are Africans or because of the roles played by the second during slave trades, not all parts of the Maghreb did excel in slave trade. One great slave trading nation in North West Africa was Morocco.

Morocco & Zanzibar

Why did Morocco do extremely well in slave trade? The author writes that, Morocco’s success in the inglorious trade was simply because, at that time, she was a regional super power, ruling a large section of West Africa, from Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Chad, Northern Nigeria and North Cameroon. Morocco’s control of part or the entire territories of regions and countries latter mentioned began around 1591. And the author concludes this part by writing that, while slavery and slave trade was and is still an atrocious trade, most slaves in ancient Morocco as well as in ancient Egypt did manage to worm themselves into the administrations of both countries and even took control of those countries. Sub title 17 is in titled: Zanzibar: the island of bitter spices. The author tells us here that, the Island of Zanzibar, during the period of slave trade and for two centuries, was the epicentre and brain of slave trade in the Indian Ocean with an influence that covered Comoros, Reunion and Madagascar Islands and also on the continental parts of East Africa from: Mozambique to Mombassa in Kenya. Why did Zanzibar wield such influence over the Indian Ocean African Islands and on continental east and central Africa? The author writes that, it might be because Zanzibar was strategically positioned.

She is just 35km away from continental east Africa and it was also easier to sail from Zanzibar’s port to African Indian ocean islands such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion Comoros and Madagascar, Pemba, Kilwa & Mafia. The author writes that, from1850-1860 not less than 30 thousand African caught in East, Central and other Indian Ocean African Islands transited via Zanzibar before taken into slavery in the Middle East, India, and Pakistan and in other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Brunei. He also writes that, Zanzibar assumed the filthy role that she played in slave trade when in 1449, native Zanzibaris, who could not drive away the Portuguese, who had occupied their Island via Vasco Da Gamma , decided to call Arabs from Yemen and Oman to help them. But the Yemenites and Omani, who came massively to help the Zanzibaris to end Portuguese occupation, decided after doing their job to enslave Zanzibaris. But in November 1890, the British took over control of Zanzibar and in 1897 decided to ban slavery and slave trade on the Island and on other islands in the Indian Ocean. The author concludes his book by stating that, most often, Islam is marketed as an inspiring religion that promotes equality. But in reality, he continues, Islam promotes inequality and those who practice the faith do blatantly ignore the teachings that they receive in their mosques and from the Islamic holy book: the Quaran.

This book is a brilliantly well written and well researched. And it is the produce from a man who is passionate about a religion that he loves, hence he has chosen not only to expose without sensationalisms her shortcomings in regions were she is dominant of commands considerable influence. Malek Chebal’s book is not aimed at tinkering with the Koran or Islam as it seem to be the trend, but in his infinitely humble disposition, he wants to contribute to make people know that, Islam is not free from the hypocrisies and excesses that the two other great religions: Judaism and Christianity are experiencing from their members. It is a book that is timely and comes to show that slavery and slave trade was not only practiced by the so-called inhumane, greedy and wicked Europeans. In short Malek’s book is evidence that, those who are evil are not only found in one race or in one part of the world and slavery and slave trade has shown that, the entire human race has good as well as evil people.

The Book’ profile

Name: Slavery within the Islamic world: the forbidden truth (L’ esclavage en Terre d’Islam: un tabou bien gardé)

Language used: French

Publisher: Fayard

Year of publication: 2007

Cost: € 24

Education Summit Advances U.S. Commitment to Global Development

Meeting focuses on promoting innovative partnerships in higher education

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush talk with Rwandan students during the president’s African trip in February. (© AP Images)

By Paul Levitan
Staff Writer

Washington -- Partnerships among U.S. and foreign institutions of higher education, the private sector and foundations are the key to innovation and global development and can help meet growing demand for food, water, health and energy, according to participants in a two-day summit on these issues.

“Each of your institutions has an important role to play in the future of the world’s youth, particularly in countries where young people are searching for alternatives to the lure of violent extremism. Together, we can unleash a combined power to counter the purveyors of hate, to give young people hope, and to lift up impoverished communities around the globe,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said April 30, the second day of the Higher Education Summit for Global Development.

Rice was addressing a gathering of nearly 200 educators from 66 countries and the United States, some 40 private sector businesses, foundations and nongovernmental organizations and five U.S. Cabinet secretaries.

The summit, which focused on promoting innovative partnerships, strengthening existing relationships and sharing best practices in the areas of education and development, was convened jointly by the secretary of state, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Henrietta H. Fore.

Other U.S. speakers included Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.

President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame was a special guest at the event.

Fore announced that USAID will provide $1 million for a total of 20 partnership-planning grants. The money will serve to create long-term collaborations between African and U.S. institutions of higher education. Collaborating with the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), the USAID grant will help to build African university capacity for instruction and problem-solving through the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative.

In addition, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to NASULGC, to build the grant-making framework for the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Collaboration Initiative. New funding will be used for university partnerships to build agriculture education and problem-solving capacity in African universities.

Fore challenged each participant to initiate at least two new partnerships during the summit and to focus on opportunities provided by the evolving models of higher education and the new information environment. “As the modern research university enters its third century, we must consider how this model, which has served us so well, can best operate in a more global world and in a wide variety of environments,” she said.

Spellings also underscored the impact of globalization on the need to educate students on the university level and above.

“In the global knowledge economy, higher education in particular has gone from nice-to-have to a must-have, for individuals as well as for societies. We all must educate more students to higher levels than ever before -- and we need to do this in the context of the broader world. Sticking to what you know and what's inside your campus gates just doesn't cut it anymore,” she said.

She added that governments should encourage cooperation and reduce barriers to interaction among institutions. “Opportunities for students, faculty and administrators to engage inevitably lead to the discovery of common ground. Ideas start to percolate about how two campuses might come together in an area of shared interest,” Spelling said.

The educators attended 11 break-out sessions on topics ranging from technical aspects of development to public policy challenges for current and future leaders in key areas such as health, education, science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

In her closing remarks, Rice said that U.S. funding for basic education programs abroad has risen from $100 million in 2000 to $694 million this fiscal year. In Africa, President Bush has launched two initiatives: The Africa Education Initiative and the Initiative to Expand Education.

“The programs reflect this administration’s belief that a quality education is vital to so many other hopes that we hold for children around the world, whether it is good health or civic participation or economic opportunity,” she said.

For more information, see education summit remarks by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore, and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings on the Web sites of their agencies.

Also see the USAID press release on the $1 million grant to improve education in Africa.

Reintegration Often Tougher for Girl Child Soldiers

Stigma, secrecy create extra burdens

A young female Tamil Tiger rebel rides a bus in Sri Lanka. (© AP Images)

By Jane Morse
Staff Writer

Washington -- Recovering from the stresses of soldiering in war is difficult for children; it is especially so for girl soldiers who often find stigmatization hinders their efforts to return to peacetime lives.

Information on girl soldiers is difficult to obtain, acknowledges Michael Wessells, author of the book Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection. “We just don’t have good data,” he told America.gov. “And I think the primary reason is the enormous stigma. For a girl to do difficult things, like killing and maiming, is unthinkable. It is much more unthinkable than it is for a boy.”

Wessells, a psychologist and professor at Columbia University and Randolph-Macon College, has many years of experience working as a child-protection practitioner with Christian Children’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that assists some 13 million children and their families in 31 countries. The fund helps children of all faiths.

He said child-protection practitioners only recently have been able to uncover evidence that suggests more than 10,000 girls might have been used as soldiers during the decades-long war in Angola, he said. That paucity of information is common wherever child soldiers are used, he added.

Child soldiers are known to have been used in conflicts throughout Africa and in Colombia, Sri Lanka, Burma, the Philippines, Iran, Iraq and Chechnya.

As a result, most former girl soldiers -- whether they were recruited or abducted; whether they served as combatants or simply in support roles -- try to hide their experiences, Wessells said. They fear they will not be able to marry and have normal family lives.

In Africa, where use of child soldiers has been especially prevalent, “family relations really matter a lot in the eyes of the community,” Wessells said. “We are dealing with, for the most part, collectivist societies where the girls define their well-being not in terms of their individual well-being, but in terms of their social relations and how well accepted they are by peers and elders and others,” he said.

Often girl soldiers are forced into exclusive sexual relationships by their captors. When babies result, the girls, who might have found a measure of protection in these unions, regard the fathers as “real” husbands, Wessells said. But these so-called “bush marriages” don’t endure in peacetime, he added, especially in rebel groups, because the couples are seen by their communities as having chosen to continue a military lifestyle rather than integrate into civilian life.

Heartbreak faces even those former girl soldiers with children who can find new husbands in peacetime. In West Africa and other parts of rural sub-Sahara Africa, the new husband often will not accept the children of his wife’s previous relationships, Wessells said. Those children are sent away to family members willing to take them; often they are marginalized or exploited.

HELPING GIRLS HELP THEMSELVES

The problem with programs trying to help former child soldiers is that they do not look at how the children themselves perceive their needs, according to Wessells.

“We don’t always do a very good job of listening to young people,” Wessells said. “One of the questions that comes up in regard to girls is: Have we taken adequate time to understand what the girls’ view of reintegration is?”

An injured Tamil Tiger girl rebel sits with her mother in Sri Lankan hospital. (© AP Images)

To address this issue, Wessells is working with the Christian Children’s Fund and 10 other agencies in a participatory action research (PAR) program in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Uganda. It focuses on more than 600 former girl soldiers who are mothers.

The goal, Wessells said, “is to put the power in the hands of girls; to have them go through a process wherein they organize themselves, define what reintegration means to them; ask what’s missing, and then design small actions and steps.

“One of the things that is happening so far is that they feel they don’t want to single themselves out too much,” Wessells said. “So they‘ve begun working with community advisory committees that they’ve set up, and they [the committees] consist in some cases of men as well as women. The whole idea is to try to not put themselves above the community but to work through and with the community.”

Some of the former girl soldiers are serving their communities or starting small businesses, he said. Although the program is only part way complete, the results seem promising. “The girls are saying they feel they are visible for the first time, that they have a voice and that they’re very proud of what they themselves are able to accomplish with their friends and the adults in the community and with their children,” Wessells said

Gender inequality remains an issue.

“I think it is a mistake,” Wessells said, “to think of reintegration as some nice benefits that happen in a post-conflict environment. It has to be part of a much wider movement toward the achievement of girls’ rights and all human rights.” Violence against women, he said, is endemic in many patriarchal societies.

“The problems of girl soldiers are only one small element in a much wider array of girls’ issues and denial of girls’ rights,” Wessells said.

For more information about child soldiers, see:

• Programs Help Child Soldiers Return Home;

• Videos Show al-Qaida in Iraq Recruiting Children for Terrorism;

• Child Soldiers a National and Global Security Issue, Expert Says;

• Former Child Soldier a Beacon of Hope to Conflict Survivors; and

• Nongovernment Groups Play Role in Stopping Use of Child Soldiers.

Ethiopian Lawyer Builds Strong Foundation for Women’s Rights

Meaza Ashenafi’s work wins her recognition as woman of courage

Meaza Ashenafi (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa)

By Jane Morse
Staff Writer

Washington -- Although Meaza Ashenafi is a lawyer by profession, her work reflects the spirit of an architect and builder.

She uses her legal skills to design a better life for Ethiopian women, a life that includes freedom from violence, equal rights, and access to education and political participation. She has built a durable foundation for these designs via laws incorporated into the Constitution of Ethiopia. These provisions protect the rights of women and children.

Her deft use of her talents and her lasting commitment to improving the circumstances of Ethiopian women led to her nomination for the 2008 International Women of Courage Award. The award, founded in 2007 by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, celebrates exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement.

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto has called Ashenafi “one of the most respected women in Ethiopia.”

In 1986, Ashenafi became the only woman in her class to graduate from Addis Ababa University with a law degree. After completing her studies, she served as a high court judge in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city. In 1993, she served as a legal adviser to the Ethiopian Constitution Commission of Ethiopia’s transitional government. It was then that she led in drafting the country’s constitution to include protections for the rights of women and children.

In an effort to improve the socio-political status of women, Ashenafi founded in 1995 the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan voluntary association dedicated to the promotion of economic, educational, political, social and full legal rights for women. EWLA volunteers provide legal aid services to distressed women.

In recognition of her contributions to Africa and her work at the EWLA, Ashenafi was awarded, in January 2003, the Africa Leadership Prize by the Hunger Project, a global organization with a mission to empower women.

In 2004, she became the executive director of the InterAfrica Group (IAG). The IAG is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan regional organization dedicated to the advancement of humanitarian principles, peace and development across Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa via research, public education and advocacy.

Ashenafi returned to school in 2006 to earn a master’s degree and is currently working for the Economic Commission for Africa, a regional arm of the United Nations Economic and Social Council that promotes economic and social development, intraregional integration and international cooperation. Most recently, she has been engaged in organizing political debates.

Ashenafi has come a long way since her birth in the small Ethiopian town of Asossa near the border with Sudan. Her mother, one of eight children, never had the opportunity to receive a formal education. But now, thanks to Ashenafi, Ethiopian women can aspire to great things.

More Coverage

U.N. Food Aid Agency Urges Countries to Lift Food Export Bans

Coherent global response to crisis needed, WFP's Sheeran says

A guard sells rice at a subsidized outlet in Bangladesh. High food prices have resulted in riots in some countries. (© AP Images)

By Kathryn McConnell
Staff Writer

Washington -- The head of the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has called on countries that ban exports of food commodities to lift those restrictions so more food can be available for humanitarian aid.

Approximately 40 countries have imposed bans as world commodity prices have increased several times in the past year. As a result, WFP is having trouble securing enough food for aid, WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran told a meeting at the International Institute of Economics in Washington May 6.

She called the crisis a silent tsunami that threatens to plunge more than 100 million people around the world into hunger.

Sheeran said purchasing problems affect WFP's ability to get food to areas where it is needed, such as Sudan. Export bans have forced WFP to go further from areas in need to seek food stocks, which adds to the time and logistical challenges of getting food to starving Sudanese and other populations, she said at the International Institute of Economics in Washington May 6.

WFP is facing the challenge of the "fusing of the fuel and food markets," she said. Food producers are breaking supply contracts with the WFP, accepting broken contract penalties, then selling their crops instead to biofuel producers at higher prices, Sheeran said.

WFP is seeking $755 million from donors to make up for a projected fiscal year 2008 budget shortfall caused by soaring food and transportation costs. This is a significant jump from the end of February, when WFP estimated it would need an additional $500 million.

WFP also is calling for a more coherent and increased international response to world hunger.

In the short- and medium-term, donors can provide seeds and fertilizer to farmers in developing countries so they can increase their production, Sheeran said. Donors also can support efforts to identify groups of people newly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition and provide them with safety nets.

Among the most vulnerable are refugees and people who are unsettled within their own countries, mothers and infants, HIV/AIDS patients, small-scale farmers and people living in cities on less than $1 a day.

Safety nets target aid to these groups by providing supplemental and school feeding programs to help households with low incomes meet their basic dietary needs.

The need for such systems can been seen in Haiti, for instance, where approximately half the population is malnourished and 60 percent of household income goes to food. Non-nutritional mud cakes, traditionally used for medicinal purposes, are now being used as food because they are the only thing people can afford, she said.

WFP official Josette Sheeran shows the amount of food in a child's ration for the organization's school feeding programs. (© AP Images)

In Burundi, the country's staple food -- cassava -- has gone up in price 200 percent since mid 2007. Poor households now are consuming moldy cassava, which in recent months has gone up in price threefold, Sheeran said.

Donors can work to provide aid recipients with more vouchers so they can purchase locally produced food, which is now too expensive to buy without help, she suggested.

Officials also can shift their policies to allow more purchases of food from farmers in developing countries, Sheeran said. That change would support local economic development and allow aid to reach people who need it faster than by costly transoceanic shipment.

President Bush has called on Congress to support a request to allow America to purchase up to 25 percent of food aid from farmers in developing countries. The measure is included in a new multiyear farm bill Congress is still debating.

Long-term responses to the crisis involve policy reforms by both food aid donors and recipients.

Sheeran said that without an increase in the international response to the food crisis there will be more hunger and malnutrition around the world, causing the overall health of poor people and rates of school attendance to decline.

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

The United Nations is calling for an international meeting to be held at its Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) June 3-5. The gathering will focus on how agriculture can continue to produce adequate quantities of food for the world’s growing population, particularly the poor and vulnerable, in changing climatic conditions, FAO said.

Sheeran said WFP is changing from an emergency food aid provider to an agency involved in agricultural development aimed at stabilizing food supply systems and allowing a reduction of dependency of food aid.

These efforts include training farmers in improved production methods and rebuilding infrastructure.

For instance, she said, in recent years WFP has planted 5 billion trees, which are helping to stabilize ground soils, and built thousands of kilometers of roads.

Sheeran said the WFP is coordinating with other donors to get food and other lifesaving supplies to Burma, devastated earlier in May by a massive cyclone. Because Burma is part of Asia's greatest rice-producing area, "the storm compounds the problem of lost rice production," she said.

The United States is the world’s largest food aid donor, contributing about half of all food aid. It provides approximately 40 percent of contributions to the WFP.

Campaign of Terror Unleashed in Zimbabwe

Fact sheet highlights post-election violence in Zimbabwe

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Washington, DC
May 7, 2008

Fact Sheet

Campaign of Terror Unleashed in Zimbabwe

In the aftermath of the March 29, 2008 elections, President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has unleashed a wave of political violence designed to cow opposition members and supporters into submission and deter them from participating or voting their conscience in a possible runoff election. Soldiers, police, war veterans and youth militia loyal to the ruling party have been deployed in rural areas throughout Zimbabwe to systematically intimidate voters through killings, beatings, looting of property, burning of homes and public humiliation. Women, children and the elderly have not been spared. Civil society groups, particularly those involved in election monitoring, and humanitarian organizations charged with providing desperately needed food assistance also have been targeted.

Victims (below statistics are as of May 5, 2008)

• Over 700 documented victims have required medical treatment for post-election violence-related injuries, including over 200 requiring hospitalization and surgical procedures. Many more victims are undocumented and there are increasing reports that government authorities are preventing victims from accessing medical treatment.

• At least eighteen deaths have been confirmed.

• Victims have suffered severe beatings, fractured bones and severe burns.

• Hundreds of opposition supporters have fled their homes in fear. Homes and businesses throughout rural areas have been burned and cattle and other livestock slaughtered.

• At least 6,735 persons have been displaced.

• On April 25, police raided the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party headquarters and took over 100 persons into custody. The detainees were later released.

• Credible reports indicate the military has established torture bases across the country.

• More than 130 white-owned commercial farms have come under siege by angry mobs; out of these, some 30 farmers have been forced to abandon their properties.

• Reports indicate women and girls have been sexually assaulted.

• Government security forces have raided civil society offices, confiscating computers and files, destroying property and intimidating staff.

• Police raided the offices of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, the independent organization that monitored the March 29th election.

• Government security forces beat more than 50 members of the civil society organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise, for participation in a pro-democracy protest on May 5; 11 persons were arrested.

(end fact sheet)

28 April 2008

Secretary Rice’s Remarks at the Peace Corps Conference, 2008

Rice commends Peace Corps volunteers’ dedication to assisting the neediest

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 28, 2008

REMARKS

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
At the Peace Corps 2008 Worldwide Country Director Conference

April 28, 2008

Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you, Ron, for that really wonderful introduction. I just want to say that I think the Peace Corps Director, Director Tschetter, is doing a fantastic job in leading this organization. Thank you for your leadership. (Applause.) I’m just delighted to be here with you to meet with you during this great opportunity to inspire leadership for yourselves, but I want you to know what inspirational leadership you are providing around the world. You really are, in many ways, some of the best ambassadors for what the United States is all about: the deep compassion that this country has; the sense of responsibility; the belief that every human being has the right to a life of dignity and opportunity. That is what the Peace Corps means around the world and it could not be true without you.

Now, we’ll forgive that Chris Hill and Richard Boucher were actually Peace Corps volunteers. (Laughter.) We’re very proud of that and we’re very proud of the fact that there are many Peace Corps volunteers throughout the Foreign Service, people who in a sense, cut their teeth on their Peace Corps service and then decided to make a formal career for the Diplomatic Service and that is something that we would love to see continue to happen.

The State Department has been known to tap your vast intellectual resources and to use those skills as people come back to build careers in foreign policy. There are, I am told, 22 who have served as U.S. Ambassadors, so that’s quite a record. I want to tell you, too, that this is really one of the great American success stories.

When John F. Kennedy, some four decades ago, challenged America through a speech to students at the University of Michigan, to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries, he did something very special. President Kennedy’s vision for the Peace Corps has challenged over 190,000 American men and women who have served in 139 countries and are really involved at the grassroots, living in communities and making a difference, one person at a time. I like to think of them as the right people for the right time.

And because they are the right people serving at the right time, millions of people across the globe have a positive view of America, because the first American that they ever met, maybe the only American that they’ll ever meet, was a Peace Corps volunteer.

Today, Peace Corps volunteers are opening up a whole new world for the people that they serve by teaching computer skills and providing access to the internet, so keeping abreast with the challenges of today. The invaluable trust Peace Corps volunteers are gaining among the people that they serve gives them the credibility to talk about diseases like HIV/AIDS prevention in their communities when, frankly, others cannot. That is why the Peace Corps is emerging as an important part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean.

In fact, as the Director said, while visiting Accra, Ghana in February with President Bush, I was fortunate enough to have lunch with a group of your Peace Corps colleagues. And earlier this month, I accompanied President and Mrs. Bush to Ukraine where we had the opportunity to see an HIV/AIDS education play put on by Peace Corps volunteer Margaret McKenna and 15 of her students. Margaret and her students not only perform in their own community, but they travel to educate other schools throughout Ukraine about the danger of AIDS.

Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has met the challenges of an ever-challenging world by adapting and responding to the issues of the day, but never losing sight of the values that have sustained the Peace Corps throughout its history. Currently more than 8,000 Peace Corps Volunteers continue to meet these new challenges across the globe, particularly in places where the Peace Corps has been absent for some time.

Just this past February, of course, President Bush announced the return of the Peace Corps to Rwanda, after a 15-year absence. And this summer, the Peace Corps will return to Liberia with a Peace Corps response program working in education. In 2007 the Peace Corps returned to Ethiopia after an absence of eight years. And volunteers began their service for the first time in Cambodia in 2007 to train teachers and teach English in seven provinces.

I’m just so pleased to see that the Director and your leadership is looking outside the traditional box for Peace Corps volunteers as well. I understand your initiative to bring more Baby Boomers into the Peace Corps and that’s netted 63 percent more applicants from older Americans – good for us older Americans – (laughter) – since the initiative was launched last fall. You will need these volunteers because I cannot tell you how many countries want Peace Corps programs. Your programs are making a difference in people’s lives.

Each of you is to be commended for your dedication to helping the world’s neediest people, oftentimes in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. Through your work, you’re strengthening communities, you’re improving lives and you’re building bridges between nations. You are indeed, the right people for the right time. And I know sometimes, almost always, it’s done in places that are remote and very, very far from family, friends and the comforts of America. I’ve talked to some of those Peace Corps volunteers and I remember one story, in particular, when I was just in Ghana. And I said to one of the volunteers: “So tell me what your life is like.” And this volunteer described going to the well to get her water every day. She described coming back to the house. And I said: “So it’s rather irregular, whether there is electricity.” And she said, “No, it’s not irregular, there isn’t.” (Laughter.) At that point, I was reminded what our Peace Corps volunteers are willing to do. And it really is the best of what we are as Americans. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your leadership of this great organization. Thank you for protecting, defending and sustaining its values through all of these years. And thank you for expanding its programs and its reach at a time when, indeed, the number of people around the world, who are just trying to find a hand-up to dignity and prosperity and opportunity is growing and growing worldwide. Thank you again for what you do. (Applause.)

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: Thank you, again, Madame Secretary, for taking time out of, I know, your very busy schedule to be with us here today. Do you have time for some questions?

SECRETARY RICE: I sure do.

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: Okay. We have time for some questions, so anyone who would like to ask the Secretary a question.

Yes.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I’m Jeff Kelley-Clarke. I served as a volunteer in Bahrain a long time ago. I’m wondering if you would comment on the role the Peace Corps has in trying to rebuild connections with the Arab world – the Muslim world, where we have volunteers in a lot of countries.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes. Thank you. Well, I think the Peace Corps has an extremely important role in trying to bridge the gaps and the differences in the Middle East and to reach out to those people. I think it’s extremely important to put in context what is happening in the Middle East, and then to think about how to engage the Middle East. I’ve been just last week, as a matter of fact, in Bahrain and I was also in Kuwait. I was recently before that just a couple of months ago in UAE. And I think what you’re seeing is that the people of the Middle East are becoming more and more demanding for a life of modernity and opportunity and really requiring their governments to rethink old bargains and this is very hard. I think you’re going to find that in the Middle East people are no longer going to be satisfied with being in a region that has been really very much behind in terms of education, in terms of opportunity, where there really are marginalized populations within political systems that don’t permit really very much room for political expression.

I think you’re seeing that something that I’m very interested in, which is the empowerment of women -- is bringing a lot of pressure for the education of girls. And the education of girls, not just in order to say that they were educated, but so that they can actually pursue real opportunity and, indeed, careers. And I can tell you that in almost every one of these countries now, I find it interesting that the leadership will say, oh, we have a woman in the parliament or we have a woman minister and they’re increasingly very proud of that. Now, this is a different Middle East. It’s not by any means, a democratic Middle East, it’s not yet a – by any means, a Middle East that is making the kinds of strides in human rights and civil liberties and pluralism that we would like to see. But it is a Middle East where those demands are growing. And it’s why the kinds of programs that the Peace Corps is actually able to run, which is at the grassroots level, one person at a time, one school at a time, one clinic at a time in teaching the teachers so that they can provide education. I think there is a real place here that a tremendous contribution can be made even above and beyond what is going on now.

And so with the growth of the ability of people to see through – whether it’s television, and you know how ubiquitous satellite television is throughout the Middle East, or whether it’s on the internet, people are just no longer satisfied with their status in life. And I think that’s a good thing. They don’t accept any longer that it is their status in life to be fill-in-the-blank, and I think that’s a very good thing.

So, I’m hopeful that in the Middle East, you will begin to see governments that can provide the kind of space that is needed for people to improve their lives, for them to have lines and channels for legitimate political expression. But I also think that the private efforts through organizations or through grassroots organizations like the Peace Corps, through nongovernmental organizations in giving people ways to pursue education, particularly women to pursue education, is going to be absolutely essential.

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: Other questions? Yes.

QUESTION: Many of us are in countries where the predominant source of food is grain, rice, et cetera. And I’m wondering about your thoughts about the U.S. Government’s thoughts about the skyrocketing prices of grain worldwide.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I’ll tell you, we are very concerned about the status of the food situation in the world. The Director of the World Food Program, Josette Sheeran, was actually someone who worked for me as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. And when Josette says that there is a silent tsunami, I think we really have reason for concern. She’s one of the most levelheaded people that I know. And the United States has historically been in the lead as a donor of food aid, at one point being as much as 62 percent of all food assistance. But the exchange rate, plus the – just the inability to get food to market, or food to people has made it very difficult.

Now, there are, kind of, four causes that we really have to look at and then I’ll tell you what I think we need to do in the interim. First of all, we’ve got to understand better what is happening in some conflict areas in terms of the distribution of food. It’s obvious that there are places like Sudan, where we’ve had a sudden uptick in the inability to distribute food. We thought that in one point, we had done a reasonable job, through bringing -- routes through Libya, of making at least a distribution of food possible. So, I think we need to look at conflict areas and see – Zimbabwe is another one – to really see where we have problems of distribution.

Secondly, we obviously have to look at places where production seems to be declining and declining to the point that people are actually putting export caps on the amount of food. Now, some of that is not so much declining production as apparently improvement in the diets of people, for instance, in China and India, and then pressures to keep food inside the country. So, that’s another element that we have to look at.

A third element that we have to look at is the incredible cost that fuel prices, everything from fertilizer to transportation costs, is bringing on our ability to distribute or to get food to people. And then associated with that, there has been, apparently, some effect, unintended consequence from the alternative fuels effort. Although we believe that while biofuels continue to be an extremely important piece of the alternative energy picture, obviously, we want to make sure that it’s not having an adverse effect. We think that it’s not a large part of the problem, but it may, in fact, be a part of the problem, the ethanol debate.

So, there are several pieces here that need to be understood better, but there are certain things that we know can work. One is: The United States needs to be able to locally purchase food. It would considerably drive down our transportation costs, it would considerably help markets in the market for local goods. Right now, we have to buy so much American and transport it that it really does eat away at our food aid dollars. And there is a bill on Capitol Hill that would help us do that. And I’ve been talking to a number of Congress people about trying to get that pushed forward.

Secondly, we need to look again at some of the issues concerning technology and food production. I know that GMOs are not popular around the world, but there are places that drought-resistant crop should be a part of the answer. And so, we’re looking, again, with that.

Third, we need a Doha round, which would – if we can complete the current round of trade negotiations, which would help to bring down agricultural subsidies by developed countries and give farmers, particularly subsistence farmers, greater access to market, we think this would also help. So, there – it’s a multifaceted problem. Now, we are – the President has just requested $200 million from the Emerson Trust, it’s called, to get emergency food aid in response to the World Food Program appeal. We are looking at what more we might need to do. We obviously want to address the short-term problem, but these other issues that I laid out, we need a broad-ranging and somewhat more integrated approach to make sure that we don’t just spend the food aid dollars and continue to face a food crisis down the line.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I’m Bonnie Thie, the new incoming Director for Peace Corps China. And I would be interested in your thoughts on the role of Peace Corps in countries that are not the traditional countries where you get your water out of a well.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes.

QUESTION: If you could comment on that? Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: Absolutely. Well, the great thing about Peace Corps is I tend to think that you’ve got, really, four different kinds of countries or different groupings of countries that you help. I remember very much when the Peace Corps went into Hungary when I was here the last time to teach English. And I think even in some, what we would call, middle income, lower middle income countries, there is potential to do programming that’s quite specific to a specific goal.

Secondly, there are the recovering countries from conflict. So, Liberia and Rwanda would clearly fit into that category. And that’s very heartening, because I’ll tell you, when you go to the Rwandan genocide museum and you see what happened to this country just a mere 14 years ago, it’s extraordinary that it’s a functioning country again. But it obviously is going to need a lot of help to rebuild. And so that’s another area in which the Peace Corps could go. Then of course, there are, as you put it, the more traditional places where it’s really poverty alleviation in very difficult places.

But then, finally, you’ve got a country like China which, of course, has resources in the macro sense. It’s a country, however, of 1.3 billion people. It will put three – it has 300 million people going to middle class status. That’s the size of the United States. But it has 150 million people who live on less than $2 a day. And that’s half the population of the United States. And so working with a country like that to, in effect, begin to make sure that people don’t remain marginalized, I think, is extremely important. And the programs that we run in a country like China, I would hope, that we would challenge the Chinese to – the Chinese or countries of that kind to augment, to be able to make synergies with the kinds of programs that can be run.

The Chinese will tell you -- and I think they’re right -- they will tell you if you think China is Beijing and Shanghai, go out to western China and see what life is like in western China. And my guess is you’ll run programs in places like that. So, still very important work to be done in developed developing countries, where the income distribution and where their quality of life is erratically different in different parts of the country. But what I would do from my position as Secretary – you do your work in a place like western China, but what I would do in my work as Secretary is challenge those countries to have policies and to have efforts that are actually evening out their own income distribution and not just continue to rely on, effectively, foreign assistance to do it.

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: Zoltan.

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I’m an immigrant from Hungary. I couldn't be Country Director of Hungary, but I am a Country Director of Azerbaijan.

SECRETARY RICE: Azerbaijan. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: One of the things that is quite evident is that democracy is being throttled in Russia, and this is echoed in the southern arc of Russia, the former Soviet Union. I think you’re quite right, and that is that the Peace Corps touches one person at a time. One of our hopes over years has been to expand the Peace Corps program. President Bush had a much higher aim or goal in terms of numbers of volunteers, so did the previous president, and we haven’t quite achieved that.

If we are to touch one person at a time and get at changing this anti-democratic action, then we need more volunteers in that southern tier. Is there some advice that you have on that point?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, the Director will tell you, I’ve been a big fan, a big advocate of doing precisely that. The Caucasus, particularly the -- not so much Georgia, but Azerbaijan, to a certain extent Armenia, there is important work to be done there to bring that part of the Caucasus closer to standards that we thought they were once meeting. And it has been a disappointment.

Now, one of the problems has been that because of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, all kinds of bad policies are tolerated, let me put it that way, or excused by political leaders. And I often say to them that if they don’t solve Nagorno-Karabakh, they’re going to end up falling further and further behind the region because the region is moving on.

So there is more that we could do there. I would love to see more volunteers in that part of the world, both in places that are starting to move up and places that are still mired in the kinds of problems that you have in Azerbaijan. But let me just say something about the democracy in general in an area like this. There are times when it feels as if the democratic process is just an inexorable wave moving forward. I can tell you what it was like to be in the White House in 1989 and 1990, 1991, when you got up every day and you went in and some country had changed its social system overnight from communism to democracy, and, you know, you had first the Poles and the Hungarians, and then you had the Czechs -- Czechoslovakia at the time -- pretty soon it was East Germany. It just seemed inexorable, followed then by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of a quasi-democratic territory, former territory of the Soviet Union. So there are times when it feels like that.

Another time that it felt a bit that way was in 2005, with the Orange Revolution and the Rose Revolution and the Cedar Revolution, and it felt again like the tide was inexorable. And then I know that there’s been a sense that perhaps that tide has receded some over the last several years, but I think of it a little bit differently, which is it’s more like a stepwise function. Things move up and then they level off for a while.

And the question is: Can you prevent them from sliding back? Because there will be another step up. When people’s expectations are raised that they’re going to have a voice, when people’s expectations are raised that they’re going to have real choices, democratic choices, for leadership, when people get accustomed to circumstances in which their personal freedoms are not abridged, if you can find the support in civil society, if you can find the support in nongovernmental organizations, if the United States stays with that program, I believe you’ll see another step up. So that it’s not an inexorable trend, but it is one that keeps moving carefully upward. And I think that’s how we have to think about what’s happened in the territory -- much of the territory of the former Soviet Union.

Even Russia itself -- you know, I was in Moscow as a graduate student in 1979. Russia is not the Soviet Union. Let me be very certain for you. I was in the Soviet Union. I knew the Soviet Union. Russia is not the Soviet Union. And Russians have certain expectations about personal freedoms. They have certain expectations about economic freedoms. I think it’s going to make a difference in the long run, maybe even the medium term, to what kinds of politics is actually tolerated in Russia.

So we have to keep building the foundation. We have to keep, through programs like the Peace Corps, helping people’s horizons to change and their expectations to change, and what they will and will not accept to change. We’re never going to be able -- the United States on the outside -- to impose democracy. The good news is, I always remind people, you actually don’t have to impose democracy; you have to impose tyranny. And so if you get people thinking in a different way about what their expectations, rights, ought to be, I think you will see that over time this great wave of democracy will continue, even in places where right now it may seem somewhat remote.

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: We have time for one more question. One more, right here.

QUESTION: Hello, welcome to the Peace Corps.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you.

QUESTION: My name is Camille Camacho. First of all, thank you for coming to visit us. Obviously, as a woman, you’ve come a long way to get to where you are. Do you have any words of wisdom that you could say to an aspiring young leader like myself?

SECRETARY RICE: Yes. (Laughter.) That’s great. The first thing is think of yourself that way, and I think that’s terrific. Yeah, I think it’s terrific.

I would say a couple of things. The first is you clearly found something you love to do, and the most important part of being successful at anything is loving what it is you do. I was very fortunate. I started out life as a piano major -- as a pianist. I was three years old when I learned to play the piano. I could read music before I could read. And I was absolutely going to be a great concert pianist.

And it was the end of my sophomore year, and I went to the Aspen Music Festival, which is a great school for prodigies, and I met 11-year-olds who could play from sight what it had taken me all year to learn. And I thought, okay, I’m about to end up at Nordstrom playing or -- (laughter) -- maybe a piano bar someplace. But you know, not Carnegie Hall.

And I went back and I told my parents, who had spent all of this time, effort, money in my piano career, and I said, “You know, Mom and Dad, I’m going to change my major.” And I remember very clearly my father said, “To what are you going to change your major?” I said, “I don’t know, but I’m changing my major.” And then we had the, you know, well, you’re going to end up a waitress at a Howard Johnson’s, you don’t know what you’re going to do with your life. (Laughter.) Well, it’s my life. Well, it’s our money. You know, just find a major. (Laughter.)

And fortunately for me, I wandered into a course in international politics, taught by Josef Korbel, Madeleine Albright’s father. And he had been a great Czech diplomat and he knew the Soviet Union, but he loved freedom, and he just opened up this world to me. And I went home and I said, “You know, I want to be a specialist on the Soviet Union.” And my parents kind of rolled their eyes and thought, right, so a specialist on the Soviet Union, great, at least sounds like a slightly better career path than you were on. (Laughter.)

But that says to me a second thing, which is to remain open, because there are times when one path may seem to close off and you need to take another path. And I think that one of the things that I’ve done right, more by accident than design, is that I’ve been pretty good about accepting ambiguity in life and not planning every step ahead. And one of the hardest lessons or hardest talks that I always had with my students at Stanford is to say you can’t plan where you’re going to be for the next 30 years of your life, take the next thing that’s in front of you and love that and see where that leads.

And the third point that the little story, I think, underscores for me is that I looked for people who could help. You know, you need people in your life who will inspire you and open doors to you. And sometimes networking or having mentors gets a bad name. You know, somehow it’s almost as if there’s something wrong with having people who will help you through your career, who will put opportunities in front of you, who will recommend you for that opportunity or come to you and say you really ought to do that. None of us, not a single one of us, has ever gotten anywhere without those people in our lives.

And so I think those are some of the lessons that I would say. And then the final one, and it goes particularly, I think, for women and minorities but maybe for anyone, is, you know, when I went home and I said, “You know, Mom and Dad, I want to be a Soviet specialist,” I was fortunate that they didn’t say, although they may have been thinking it, “What in the world is a black girl from Birmingham, Alabama thinking about to be a Soviet specialist?” There was nothing in my background or heritage that should have made me interested in that.

But it’s awfully important, awfully critical, not to let somebody else define your horizons. You’re going to find what it is you want to do and who you want to be, and the last question you ought to ask is, “Is that what I should do as a result of my gender or my race or my national origin or my disability or whatever?” Just don’t let anybody ask that question. And most importantly, don’t ask it yourself.

Thank you. (Applause.)

DIRECTOR TSCHETTER: Thank you. I can’t thank you enough, Secretary Rice. We very much appreciate your presence, your sage advice. This was an awesome last question. Thank you for asking that. (Laughter.) That was good advice for even us older folks, us Baby Boomers. So we appreciate having you here and we wish you all the best. Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

28 April 2008

Hallmark Joins “Red” Campaign to Fight AIDS in Africa

Company's products include greeting cards, handmade mud cloth bags

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, left, in front of a Product Red display

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, left, helps launch Hallmark Cards' (Product) Red Line at a store in New York. (© AP Images)

By Kathryn McConnell
Staff Writer

Kansas City, Missouri -- Hallmark Cards, the world's largest greeting card company, has partnered with rock star Bono and activist lawyer Bobby Shriver to raise funds to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa.

In joining the (Product) Red campaign, which features collections of cause-oriented products also identified as “Red,” Kansas City, Missouri-based Hallmark in October 2007 embarked on the company's largest social-impact initiative in its history.

(Product) Red is aimed at harnessing corporate and consumer power to fight AIDS. Since the campaign's launch in March 2006, Red partners and events have generated more than $100 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In addition to Hallmark, Red partners include American Express, Apple, Dell, Emporio Armani, Converse, Gap, Microsoft and Motorola.

Red partner companies contribute a percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from Red products to the Global Fund for programs in Africa, with an emphasis on women and children.

With Hallmark, "we were looking for a product that people buy every day" that is available at a lower price than the more expensive products of the brands of other partners, Shriver said.

Hallmark's (Product) Red collection includes greeting cards, gift wrap, cards with sound, note cards, electronic cards, customizable photo cards and holiday tree ornaments. Special Red cards will be offered for celebration days, including Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas and graduations, according to a company fact sheet.

The line includes the handmade "Mali Mud Cloth Bag." The bag represents one of the largest export orders on record for Malian artisans.

The bags have generated jobs and income for hundreds of people, giving them money to pay their children's school fees and expand their businesses.

"We can buy things we weren't able to before," a mud cloth bag artisan said in a video produced by Hallmark.

In June 2007 a team of "Hallmarkers" -- company employees -- traveled to Mali to lay plans for making and selling the bags, form relationships with the artisans and gain an understanding of their working conditions.

"The project is the first in Mali to be developed through the African Growth and Opportunity Act," Frank Masterson, a Hallmark manager, said.

The team worked with the U.S. Agency for Development-sponsored West African Trade Hub and with Peace Corps and MBAs Without Borders volunteers.

Red money is already at work in Africa, providing anti-retroviral treatment for HIV-positive individuals, funding HIV-prevention programs, feeding and educating children orphaned by AIDS and providing the low-cost treatments needed to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Eight percent of sales from Hallmark's (Product) Red products go to the Global Fund. That means the sale of one (Product) Red card with sound priced at $4.99 will result in a contribution of 40 cents, enough to purchase one dose of a medication used to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child during birth, according to the company.

Red is the color of "emergency," according to the brand's Web site. The parentheses in "(Product) Red" symbolize an embrace.

"Hallmark’s decision to partner with Red is in line with the company’s legacy of enriching lives and giving back," Jill Rosen, Hallmark director of licensing, said. "Red has brought mainstream consumer attention to the fight against AIDS in Africa."

Hallmark is the latest company to join (Product) Red.

The card company also creates, manufactures and distributes cards that benefit the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Through its Cards for the Cure program, the company raises funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit group that supports breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Hallmark's cards reflect local cultures and traditions, are produced in more than 30 languages and are available in approximately 100 countries.

In 1910 the company’s founder, 18-year-old entrepreneur Joyce Clyde ("J.C.") Hall, arrived in Kansas City from neighboring Nebraska. He began his business selling postcards out of two shoeboxes.

Hall's business skills led him to create what is now a $4.4 billion greeting card company that spurred the invention of modern gift wrap. The company also created the Hallmark Hall of Fame television movies series and the Hallmark Channel.

Information about Hallmark's partnership with (Product) Red is available on the company's Web site.

29 April 2008

"Girls Gotta Run" Donates Shoes to Help Ethiopian Girls

Gifts help girls stay in school and escape poverty, early marriage

This athletic shoe is the logo of Girls Gotta Run (GGR), a nonprofit that puts shoes on the feet of girls in Ethiopia. (Courtesy GGR)

Washington -- A Washington woman is helping to give shoes to girls in Ethiopia as an incentive for staying in school and to inspire their determination.

Patricia Ortman, a former professor of human development, in 2005 founded the nonprofit group "Girls Gotta Run" (GGR) to supply young female runners in Ethiopia with shoes they otherwise would not have.

Girls Gotta Run raises money, in part through the sale of art, to buy athletic shoes for Ethiopian girls training to become professional runners. Training to be athletes allows them to stay in school, avoid early marriage and gain personal independence.

For a girl, being able to run is a real statement of freedom that turns into power.

"When I dream, I see myself running so fast that I can bring up our living standard and buy all the girls of Ethiopia sneakers," said Sercalem Tesefay, a teenage Ethiopian girl.

Ethiopian girls as young as 12 can be sold as brides by parents desperate for dowry payments, according to Girls Gotta Run. Women are more likely to die in childbirth than reach sixth grade. In addition, Ethiopian cultural taboos prevent girls from walking long distances through desolate bush to school because parents fear rape and abduction, often done to force girls into early marriage, according to the nonprofit.

Girls Gotta Run helps persuade Ethiopian parents that their daughters should be allowed to go to school and delay marriage.

Running has become a powerful incentive in a country where seven of the 10 top-earning athletes are women.

Getting athletic shoes, however, is tremendously difficult. Inspired by the girls’ spirit and determination, and moved by their plight, a group of artists and others came together in early 2006 to form an organization to raise money to buy shoes for them. "Girls Gotta Run" thus was born.

"Running gives girls a lot of options and makes our bodies our own. And even if everyone doesn't make it, training opens up ideas to teach, to be a coach, to do anything you try hard at," said Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist Meseret Defar.

Virtually the only way teenager Tesdale Mesele could avoid being married at an early age into a life of housework and childbearing was to run.

So that's what she did. She ran along the rutted dirt roads and up the cracked steps to Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, the country's capital. Once she felt she was fast enough, Mesele ran around the country's only track, a rough ring of patched and potholed rubber inside Addis Ababa Stadium, hoping to be spotted by a running club and win a tiny sponsorship known as "calorie money."

Professional running in Ethiopia has long been dominated by men. Yet today, according to an Ethiopian sports magazine, seven of the 10 top-earning athletes in Ethiopia are women.

Inspired by these new national heroines, Mesele and thousands of other girls left their villages and came to the capital to live with relatives and train, dreaming of being able to compete.

But there are other, more practical reasons for girls to become fit and fast.

"I run so the boys know I'm strong and don't harass me," said Mesele, panting from her afternoon run from school to home in a ragged sweatshirt and sneakers. "I also run because I want to give priority to my schooling. If I'm a good runner, the school will want me to stay and not be home washing laundry and preparing injera," the spongy bread that is the staple of the Ethiopian diet.

Mesele lives in a mud compound with three other girls whose older sisters have brought them here from family farms to train as runners. But their real ambition is simply to stay in school. Girls sponsored by Girls Gotta Run are required to stay in school.

"I have so many hopes for her," said Mesele's older sister, Alamas. "When I was her age, my parents wanted me to marry an old man of 30. They were so angry when I ran away to the city. They didn't speak to me for years. But now, with my sister's dream of running, she has value to them. She doesn't have to have babies early."

More information is available on the Girls Gotta Run Web site.

Ethiopian Coffee Brands Go Global, Wake Up Local Economy

Before branding, some farmers cut down valuable trees to plant a narcotic

Getachew Mengistie, director general of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (Courtesy of Getachew Mengistie)

By Phillip Kurata
Staff Writer

Washington -- Ethiopia is beginning what it hopes is a steady climb out of poverty, with strong reliance on intellectual property rights protection.

"I believe that every country, whether poor or rich, has the capacity to create intellectual property assets," says Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office Director General Getachew Mengistie. "In many developing countries, people perceive intellectual property as being in the interest of America, Europe and Japan. This is a misperception. Intellectual property, if properly used, can meet the needs of countries like Ethiopia."

Mengistie believes that intellectual property rights protection played a big role in the economic development of the United States, and Ethiopia wants to harness the same power.

The director general took an audacious step to implement this concept in 2004, when he accepted advice from Light Years IP, a development group based in Washington, and moved to secure global recognition of three of Ethiopia's specialty coffees -- Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Harar -- as trademarks owned by Ethiopia. In so doing, Ethiopia overcame an attempt by the U.S. National Coffee Association to block the registration of the coffee trademarks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Starbucks Corporation, the world's largest coffee distributor, was converted from an opponent registration into a licensee and vigorous supporter.

Today, the fine coffee designations of Harar, Yirgacheffe and Sidamo are protected as trademarks in 29 countries. Ethiopia selects the global distributors for its coffee and sets the conditions for sale. Ethiopia charges no royalty fees for coffee distribution licenses, but, in return, asks the distributors to market each coffee under its separate brand name.

Explaining why Ethiopia has bypassed royalty fees, Mengistie said Ethiopia is not focused on immediate income, but rather on expanding global demand for specialty coffees, which over time will generate greater wealth. That strategy, he said, involves forming close partnerships with coffee importers, distributors and roasters, with the aim of educating the growing number of coffee connoisseurs around the world about the distinctive qualities of the Ethiopian fine coffee beans.

Ethiopian farmers, near Jimma, southwest of Addis Ababa, select coffee berries, considered some of the world's best. (© AP Images)

"Working with foreign coffee roasting and distributing companies, we are trying to create a situation where everybody wins. In the past, a producer would just sell his coffee without knowing where it went after it left his farm gate. The same held true for exporters. Likewise, coffee drinkers abroad did not know where the coffee came from, much less that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee," Mengistie said. Today, Ethiopia participates in and organizes international gatherings of coffee producers, distributors and advertisers to strengthen the partnerships.

"We underline that partnership with foreign companies is very important to countries like Ethiopia to use intellectual property for development," he said.

Although it is premature to draw definitive conclusions, there are early signs that Ethiopia's use of trademarks and branding is improving the lives of the 15 million Ethiopians who depend on the coffee sector, which accounts for 60 percent of the country's wealth.

"Before Ethiopia embraced intellectual property, coffee farmers were making so little that they were forced to cut down heritage Harar coffee trees and plant the narcotic khat," Mengistie said. "That would have been a disaster for Ethiopia and the rest of mankind."

Ron Layton, the head of Light Years IP, said that before Ethiopian coffee was trademarked, it was bringing only about 25 cents per pound more than standard commodity prices. Commodity prices sank as low as 37 cents a pound at one point, which devastated exporters selling in that price range. Today, the commodity price hovers around $1.30 per pound, but Ethiopian coffee, which is benefiting from the branding, sells at roughly double the commodity prices.

"In spite of producing highly distinctive fine coffee, the Ethiopian farmer was living on one of the lowest agricultural export incomes of any farmer in the world," Layton said, referring to the period before the branding effort got under way.

During the past year, as the result of improved negotiating strength, the price of Ethiopian fine coffee has doubled and no longer is set according to commodity markets. While visiting Yirgacheffe coffee farmers earlier this year, Layton was struck by the amount of new housing construction, the higher number of children in school and the increased numbers of bicycles and animals in the community. Those are all signs of economic improvement, he said.

"It may take another 12 months before Ethiopia's negotiating power stabilizes its long-term fine coffee prices. The goal is to break out of commodity markets and sustain a higher price over time, which will generate more investment in quality and raise production. That will also allow families to send children to school and college. Agricultural co-ops will have the funds to build schools, health clinics and water systems," Layton predicted.

02 May 2008

Advancing Freedom and Democracy Around The World

U.S. highlights commitment to promoting freedom, democracy worldwide

(begin fact sheet)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
May 1, 2008

Fact Sheet

Advancing Freedom And Democracy Around The World

U.S. Pursues Freedom Agenda By Strengthening Support For Democratic Dissidents, Helping Build Democratic Institutions

"Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world: All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for liberty, we will stand with you."

-- President George W. Bush, 1/20/05

May 3 marks World Press Freedom Day. We stand with journalists, editors, and bloggers who continue their work in spite of the risks. We call on all governments to guarantee the inalienable rights of their people, including, consistent with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the right to freedom of speech and the press. During Fiscal Year 2007, the United States provided $78 million in approximately 40 countries to promote media freedom and freedom of information. President Bush has met with many journalists and editors who are struggling against forces that seek to suppress media freedom. We salute these courageous individuals, and we recognize the importance of the right to a free press in spreading freedom around the world.

The United States is committed to the advance of freedom and democracy as the great alternatives to repression and radicalism. The most powerful weapon in the struggle against extremism is the universal appeal of freedom. Freedom is the best way to unleash the creativity and economic potential of a nation, the only ordering of a society that leads to justice, and the only way to achieve and permanently protect human rights.

• Expanding freedom is more than a moral imperative - it is the only realistic way to protect our people. The 9/11 attacks were evidence of an international movement of violent extremists that threatens free people everywhere. Nations that commit to freedom for their people will not support extremists; they will join in defeating them. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070605-8.html

The Administration created a Human Rights Defenders Fund in 2007, which provides grants for the legal defense and medical expenses of activists arrested or beaten by repressive governments. This fund began with $1.5 million and will be replenished as needed: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c22903.htm

Since December 2007, the Secretary of State has presented awards annually to recognize those striving to advance human dignity.

Freedom Defenders Award: This award recognizes a foreign activist or NGO that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing liberty and courage in the face of adversity. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/12/96688.htm

Diplomacy For Freedom Award: This award honors the U.S. Ambassador who best advances the President's Freedom Agenda by working to end tyranny and promote democracy using the full array of political, economic, diplomatic, and other tools. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/12/96688.htm

Under The Freedom Agenda, America Is Helping Emerging Democracies Build The Institutions That Sustain Liberty

The President has more than doubled funding for democracy, governance, and human rights programs since taking office, and his Budget continues to increase funding in these areas. The Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request strengthens governance and the rule of law and fosters independent media, democratic political parties, voter education, election monitoring, and human rights. The Fiscal Year 2009 Budget requests $1.72 billion for these activities, up from approximately $1.36 billion in Fiscal Year 2008 and $650 million in Fiscal Year 2001. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request provides $80 million for the National Endowment for Democracy, up from $31 million in 2001.

It is the responsibility of those who enjoy the blessings of liberty to help those who are struggling to establish free societies. America is working with its partners through multilateral organizations to advance freedom and liberty. This includes:

• Providing support for the UN Democracy Fund, proposed by President Bush at the 2004 UN General Assembly and inaugurated in 2005 by Secretary General Annan, President Bush, and Indian Prime Minister Singh. Through this fund UN members are working to help nations that want to join the democratic world. The Fund has raised $85 million, and the United States has granted almost $26 million to the Fund to date. The number of proposals submitted increased from 1,300 in 2006 to 1,800 in 2007 and projects are being identified for a second round of grant-making. A priority was funding projects to support the efforts of NGOs in emerging democracies, such as that of Hungary’s International Center for Democratic Transition, and to support civilian participation in the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative. Every free nation has an interest in the success of this Fund - and every free nation has a responsibility to advance the cause of liberty and, through it, the cause of peace.

• Launched a Roundtable on Democracy in 2005 at the UN General Assembly. Since then, the President has participated every year in this Roundtable to advance freedom by strategizing with leaders from around the world who are willing to take the steps necessary to spread liberty.

• Supporting the G-8 in its Partnership for Progress and a Common Future with the governments and peoples of the Broader Middle East and North Africa. This partnership is based on seeking genuine cooperation with the region's governments, as well as business and civil society representatives, to strengthen freedom, democracy, and prosperity for all.

• In June 2007 the President traveled to Prague to attend a conference of dissidents and democracy activists organized by former Czech President Havel, Natan Sharansky, and former Spanish President Aznar. In addition to his address, the President met privately with those gathered to hear their stories and discuss how to help other dissidents and activists. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070605-8.html

America is also using its influence to urge valued partners like Egypt and Saudi Arabia to move toward free political systems. These nations have taken action to confront extremists, yet they have a great distance to travel to expand liberty and transparency. The U.S. will continue to press nations like these to open up their political systems and give a greater voice to their people.

Under The Freedom Agenda, America Is Strengthening Support For Pro-Democracy Dissidents and Activists

On June 7, 2007, The President announced he had asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to direct every U.S. Ambassador in an un-free Nation to seek out and meet with activists for democracy and human rights.

The President has met personally with more than 100 dissidents, democratic and human rights activists, and independent journalists and their family members, including:

• Afghanistan: Mohammed Nasib, Sakeena Yacoobi, Sarwar Hussaini, 7/13/2005

• American Islamic Conference: Zainab Al-Suwaij and others (meeting with Iraqi-Americans and free Iraqis), 4/4/2003; Zainab Al-Suwaij, 6/5/2007

• Belarus: Irina Krasovskaya, Syvatlana Zavadskaya, 2/27/2006; Natalia Bourjaily, 9/19/2006; Aliaksandr Milinkevich, 6/5/2007; Aliaksandr Milinkevich, Anatoliy Lebedko, Sergey Kalyakin, Anatoliy Levkovich, Pavel Severinets, Dmitriy Fedaruk, Enira Bronitskaya, 12/6/2007

• Bolivia: Jose Brechner, 6/5/2007

• Burma: Charm Tong, 10/31/2005, 4/7/2008 (meeting with Mrs. Laura Bush)

• China: Li Baiguang, Wang Yi, Yu Jie, 5/11/2006; Junning Liu, Rebiya Kadeer, 6/5/2007

• Cuba: Isabel Roque and others (roundtable discussion with Cuban dissidents), 5/20/2003; Caridad Roque, Eleno Oviedo, Emilio Estefan, Luis Zuniga, 5/20/2005; Elias Amor Bravo, Rafael Rubio, 6/5/2007; Shirlen Garcia, Yamile Llanes,10/10/2007; family members of political prisoners Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, Jose Luis Garcia Paneque, Omar Pernet Hernandez, and Jorge Luis Gonzalez Tanquero (before his speech on Cuba, 10/24/2007); Elsa Morejon (wife of Medal of Freedom recipient and political prisoner Dr. Oscar E. Biscet), 1/24/2008; Miguel Sigler Amaya, Josefa Lopez Pena, 3/7/2008

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Immaculee Birhaheka, 6/27/2006

• Eastern Europe: 21 democracy activists from 13 countries (during Bratislava visit), 2/23/2005; Natan Sharansky, multiple times

• Egypt: Engy El-Haddad, 9/19/2006; Saad Eddin Ibrahim, 6/5/2007; Hisham Kassem, 9/18/2007

• Iran: Azar Nafisi, 11/2/2005

• Iraq: Ghassan Atiyyah, Kanan Makiya, Mithal Al-Alusi, Nibras Kazimi, 6/5/2007

• Kosovo: Veton Surroi, 6/5/2007

• Libya: Mohamed Eljahmi, 6/5/2007

• North Korea: Chol-hwan Kang, 6/13/2005; Gwang-Cheol Kim, Gwi-Ok Lee, Han-Mi Kim, Seung Min Kim, 4/28/2006

• Pakistan: human rights activists (civil society roundtable during visit), 3/4/2006

• Russia: 15 human rights activists (side event at G8 summit), 7/14/2006; Yuri Dzhibladze, 9/19/2006; Garri Kasparov, Karinna Moskalenko, Ludmilla Alexeeva, 6/5/2007; Elena Milashina, 9/18/2007

• Saudi Arabia: Jafar Alshayeb, Sami Angawi, 6/5/2007

• Sierra Leone: Zainab Bangurra, 6/27/2006

• Spain: Edurne Uriarte, Jon Juaristi, 6/5/2007

• Sudan: Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, 3/8/2006; Simon Deng, 4/28/2006; Alfred Taban, 6/27/2006;

• Syria: Farid Ghadry, Mamoun Homsy, 6/5/2007; Mamoun Homsy, Ammar Abdulhamid, Djengizkhan Hasso, 12/4/2007

• Thailand: Kavi Chongkittavorn, 9/18/2007

• Uzbekistan: Nozima Kamalova, 9/19/2006

• Venezuela: Maria Corina Machado, 5/31/2005; Carlos Ponce, 9/19/2006; Ewald Scharfenberg, 9/18/2007

• Vietnam: Cong Thanh Do, Diem Do, Nguyen LeMinh, Quan Nguyen, 5/31/2007

• West Bank: Bassem Eid, Issam Abu Issa, Rami Nasrallah, 6/5/2007

• Zimbabwe: Reginald Matchabe-Hove, 6/27/2006, 9/19/2006

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

01 May 2008

World Press Freedom Day Supports Journalists Facing Threats

Mozambique will host May 3 events sponsored by United Nations

The United Nations honored slain Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2007 for her work in promoting press freedom. (© AP Images)

By Eric Green
Staff Writer

Washington -- Global events marking World Press Freedom Day May 3 will spotlight repression against independent journalists and murders of members of the media, many of which go unpunished, press freedom advocates tell America.gov.

Press Freedom Day will remind the world that 171 journalists were killed in 2007 while pursuing their work, a number just short of the yearly record, and hundreds more were threatened, imprisoned or tortured, says the United Nations. The U.N. General Assembly in 1993 established each May 3 as the commemorative day for press freedom.

Joel Simon, executive director of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, says that when Press Freedom Day was created, “I don’t think anyone expected it to have the kind of resonance that it does today.”

Simon said the day is marked by numerous rallies, protests and newspaper editorials to focus international attention on the violence and repression inflicted on the media in many countries.

The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will hold its central activities marking the special day in Mozambique, a country where press freedom has begun to thrive following a civil war that ended in 1992.

Simon said, however, that the country’s small independent press corps was traumatized by the November 2000 murder of a leading Mozambican investigative reporter, Carlos Cardoza.

The murder “got a huge amount of attention” in Mozambique and internationally, Simon said. Cardoza was considered a fearless muckraker (a journalist who exposes corruption and scandals in business and politics). Reports said he was killed for daring to denounce by name criminal elements and corrupt government officials. The case spurred a “great deal of awareness about press freedom” in Mozambique, Simon said.

The press has been “quite vital in Mozambique in the post-civil war period, and has served as an independent voice,” said Simon. He added that the “state media is credible” in that country, a situation he said is not typical for Africa.

Mozambique’s government will participate in the May 3 ceremonies in Maputo, the Mozambican capital. Scheduled events include the awarding of UNESCO’s $25,000 prize to a journalist or organization for actions that contributed to the defense and promotion of world press freedom. The 2007 prize was awarded posthumously to the Russian journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot dead in October 2006. (See “U.S. Gravely Concerned About Global Killings of Journalists.”)

REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENTS FEAR INDEPENDENT MEDIA

David Hoffman, president of Internews Network, a nongovernmental group that promotes independent media, says press freedom day is important “because it reminds us of the vital role that a free and open media have in supporting democracy and civil society and creating transparency in government.”

A construction worker in Maputo, Mozambique

Construction continues in Maputo, Mozambique, where the United Nations will hold World Press Freedom Day events on May 3. (© AP Images)

Hoffman said he considers government repression of the independent media the top issue for Press Freedom Day.

Some countries have laws -- that “aren’t being followed” -– to protect the media, said Hoffman, whose organization is funded by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, among others.

Hoffman said an “anti-democratic backlash” against the media began following the 2003 “Rose Revolution” in Georgia, and similar movements in post-communist societies in Central and Eastern Europe and in Central Asia.

“Many repressive governments are fearful of an independent media in their countries because of the prominent role” that the press played in bringing about those movements, said Hoffman.

He cited Russia as an example of a country where the “independent media has been closed down,” which included the 2007 expulsion of Internews from the country on what Hoffman called the Russian government’s “purely political” charges against his group for alleged currency violations.

PRESS FREEDOM DAY IMPORTANT IN EMERGING DEMOCRACIES

William Orme, policy adviser for media development at the U.N. Development Programme, says that in “emerging democracies around the world, World Press Freedom Day has become a very significant event.”

The day is a “moment in the calendar [to support] journalists who often feel in jeopardy, marginalized and under threat,” Orme said. “It’s a moment where the international community officially acknowledges the central importance of a free media and a democratic system.”

Press Freedom Day, said Orme, is not just for journalists, but also serves as a reminder to the world’s citizens and governments “that the right to free expression and the exchange of information” is guaranteed in Article 19 of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Most countries are signatories to that international covenant, said Orme, a former newspaper reporter and executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Orme said his U.N. agency once ranked Mozambique as the poorest country in the world, but the nation has emerged after almost 20 years of civil war and hundreds of thousands dead to a stage when the nation’s leadership has “tried to build a democratic culture, including great leeway for the press.”

Though the situation for journalists in that nation is “hardly perfect,” Orme said, Mozambique holds “very important symbolic significance within Africa and around the world” as a place where press freedom is recognized as part of the country’s “democratic experiment.”

Article 19 of the U.N. declaration about human rights is available on the UNESCO Web site.

For additional information, see “United States Emphasizes Importance of Protecting Press Freedom.”

02 May 2008

Bush Asks Congress to Approve $770 Million More in Food Aid

President says new 2009 funds needed to deal with global food crisis

Men load a truck with bags of wheat donated by USAID. The food is urgently needed to assist in feeding the Afghan people. (USAID)

By Kathryn McConnell
Staff Writer

Washington -- President Bush has called on Congress to approve an additional $770 million to support food aid and agricultural development programs in fiscal year 2009.

With the administration's release of $200 million worth of emergency food reserves from a special humanitarian trust in April, America would spend a total of nearly $1 billion in new funds to bolster food security in poor nations, Bush said May 1 at the White House. The trust is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The administration also has a pending request to Congress for approval of an additional $350 million to be made available immediately, Steve McMillin of the Office of Management and Budget said during a White House press briefing following Bush's statement.

McMillin was joined at the briefing by Ed Lazear, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Dan Price of the National Security Council.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said in an April 28 news release that it is steering $40 million in fiscal year 2008 emergency funding for aid to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Haiti, Somalia, Mauritania, Uganda, Sudan and Zimbabwe. The aid would be distributed by the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP).

Bush said with Congress' approval of the $770 million, the administration would be on track to spend $5 billion in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to fight global hunger. Fiscal year 2009 begins October 1, 2008.

“We’re sending a clear message to the world that America will lead the fight to end hunger for years to come,” Bush said.

The proposed $770 million for 2009 would help meet needs in countries already experiencing food shortages and target nations that have become newly hungry, Henrietta Fore, USAID administrator, said May 1. It also would allow USAID to invest in mid- and long-term agricultural and economic growth programs “to help assure future food security,” she said.

“The urgency and magnitude of the challenge confronting us is great,” Fore said.

Rising prices around the world for such staples as maize, rice and wheat have sparked riots in some developing countries, including in Egypt, Haiti, Bangladesh and nations in West Africa. Global food prices are up 43 percent from 2007, Lazear said.

He said the additional cost of grain is felt more acutely in poor countries than in developed countries because more of a family's budget is used for food. Food can take up to a reported 75 percent of family income in those countries.

Factors contributing to the rapid rise in food prices include increasing demand for food in emerging-market countries, rising energy costs that raise the cost of producing food, adverse weather-related events that have reduced crop yields and depreciation of the U.S. dollar. Increased production of biofuels has raised the cost of maize, USAID said.

Somalis who fled violence are facing yet another humanitarian crisis -- a debilitating food shortage. (© AP Images)

Yet biofuels are “critical” to America’s national security, and the effect of biofuels on food prices “will diminish over time,” said Dan Price, deputy national security adviser.

The president also called on countries that have restricted agricultural exports to protect domestic food supplies to lift those restrictions. Doing so would “help ease suffering for those who aren’t getting food,” he said.

Ukraine recently eased its export restrictions on grain, a move the administration welcomed, Price said.

Bush said a conclusion of Doha Round trade negotiations would reduce and eliminate tariffs and other barriers, making it easier for people to get access to less-expensive food.

The WFP April 22 said rising food prices are creating the biggest challenge it has faced in its 45-year history. A “silent tsunami” threatens to plunge an additional 100 million people into poverty, according to the organization.

“This is the new face of hunger -- the millions of people who were not in the urgent hunger category six months ago but now are,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

Bush also urged countries to remove barriers to accepting improved crops developed through biotechnology. These crops are safe, able to resist drought and disease and “hold promise of producing more food,” he said.

Bush has called on Congress to support a proposal to purchase up to 25 percent of food aid from farmers in developing countries. That would save on shipping costs and allow more timely availability of aid when it is needed, supporters say.

That measure is included in a new multiyear farm bill Congress is still debating.

America is working with other members of the Group of 8 (G8) to secure commitments to give more food aid, Bush said. The G8 developed countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Great Britain and the United States -- will hold their annual get-together July 7-9 in Toyako, Japan.

Some think the administration's requests are not enough. Democratic Senators Dick Durban of Illinois and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania April 28 urged the administration to boost its fiscal year 2008 supplemental funding request for immediate food aid from $200 million to $550 million.

Casey, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the global food crisis “risks creating a series of failed states as anger at inadequate food stocks spurs riots and instability.”

America is the world’s largest food aid donor, providing approximately half of all food aid. It provides approximately 40 percent of contributions to the WFP and contributes aid through nongovernmental organizations, USAID said.

Bush's remarks, a transcript of the press briefing and a White House fact sheet are available on the White House Web site.

USAID's press release and a fact sheet about responding to the global food crisis are available on the agency's Web site.

30 April 2008

Long-term Approach to Food Aid Problems Necessary, Rice Says

Local purchases of food aid could lower transportation costs

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses a Peace Corps conference April 28 in Washington. (© AP Images)

By Kathryn McConnell
Staff Writer

Washington -- A long-term, broad-ranging and integrated approach to dealing with food aid problems can help avert future food crises, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told 65 Peace Corps country directors and headquarters staff.

One approach to dealing with the increasing costs of food aid distribution would be to purchase food in regions where it is needed, Rice said April 28 at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington. Authority to purchase up to 25 percent of food aid locally is one of the Bush administration's farm bill proposals being debated by Congress.

Local purchasing "would considerably drive down our transportation costs ... [and] considerably help markets" seeking local goods, she said.

Another approach to the challenges of food aid would be the completion of international trade negotiations. That would bring down developed countries' agricultural subsidies and give farmers, particularly subsistence farmers, greater access to markets, Rice said.

Production declines, growing demand among those who can afford better diets and export caps by some countries to keep food for domestic populations are affecting the supply of food for the poor, Rice said.

She said that advances in technology could boost food production, citing such developments as use of crops genetically modified to be drought-resistant.

The provision of food aid to those who need it also is affected by increased conflict in such countries as Sudan and Zimbabwe, where it is difficult to distribute food, Rice said.

PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

The secretary said she would like to see more Peace Corps volunteers posted in the Caucuses region of the former Soviet Union "both in places that are starting to move up [in becoming more democratic]” and places that are "still mired" in problems.

Rice said that today's Peace Corps volunteers are "opening up a whole new world for the people they serve by teaching computer skills and AIDS prevention in local communities. Volunteers have become "an important part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean," she said.

The Peace Corps is assisting different groups of countries, Rice said. Volunteers are helping people recover from conflict. In 2008, Peace Corps volunteers are returning to Rwanda after a 15-year absence and to Liberia to work in education.

In China, a where income distribution and quality of life is "erratically different in different parts of the country," volunteers are needed to help people who are struggling. Though China has many resources, 150 million people still live on less than $2 a day. Volunteers are needed to help those people, Rice said.

"Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has met the challenges of an ever-challenging world by adapting and responding to the issues of the day, but never losing sight of the values that have sustained the Peace Corps throughout its history," Rice said.

In 2008, the Peace Corps is celebrating a 47-year legacy of service at home and abroad. Currently there are more than 8,000 volunteers abroad, a 37-year high.

Since its beginning, more than 190,000 volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where they have served.

A transcript of Rice's remarks is available on America.gov.

More information about the Peace Corps is available on the agency's Web site.

29 April 2008

U.S. Additional Emergency Food Assistance in FY 08

USAID provides $240 million in response to increased food prices worldwide

(begin text)

U.S. Agency for International Development
Press Release
April 28, 2008

USAID Tops $1.36 Billion in Emergency Food Aid Provided in FY 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing assistance in response to the increase in food prices worldwide. USAID will provide an additional $240 million in food aid to meet emergency needs around the world, bringing the total emergency food aid provided by USAID, on behalf of the American people, to $1.36 billion since October 2007.

On April 14, President Bush directed the Secretary of Agriculture to use a portion of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust to help meet emergency food aid needs abroad. With the draw down, an estimated $200 million was made available for emergency food aid programs. In addition, USAID is committing $40 million in emergency food aid to help meet additional needs.

With this additional estimated $240 million, USAID will provide emergency food aid for programs in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Kenya, Haiti, Bangladesh, Somalia, Mauritania, Uganda, and Sudan. This assistance will be distributed by the UN World Food Program and private voluntary organizations.

Food insecurity requires a multifaceted solution that cannot be solved by food aid alone, and the U.S. government is working to further identify appropriate short and long-term interventions to help ease the burden of rising food prices to those in need worldwide.

The United States is the largest donor of food aid in the world, providing approximately $2 billion in food aid worldwide in Fiscal Year 2007. USAID has invested in agricultural production in developing countries as a major strategy for increased food availability, investing $538 million in FY07 to promote agriculture across the world.

For more information about USAID's humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Article translated in:

فارسی

Nongovernment Groups Play Role in Stopping Use of Child Soldiers

Groups also work on rehabilitation, reintegration of former child soldiers

By Jane Morse
Staff Writer

Washington -- Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in preventing the use of children as soldiers, say experts involved in the issue.

“The role of NGOs is really important at two levels,” says Jo Becker, advocacy director of the Children’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch. “One is the prevention side -- trying to persuade governments and armed groups not to recruit and use child soldiers in the first place,” she told America.gov. “But also, NGOs have a very important role on the other side -- when children are coming out of a war situation, it is often NGOs that are providing the rehabilitation and reintegration assistance that they need to get back into civilian life.”

Becker has worked on child soldiers issues for more than 10 years at Human Rights Watch, a New York-based NGO that conducts research and advocacy for human rights. She said she has seen a good deal of progress in the effort to end the use of children as soldiers.

“There are a number of examples that reports that we’ve published and advocacy that we’ve conducted have influenced the behavior of governments or armed groups that are recruiting and using child soldiers,” Becker said. “For example the LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy), a rebel group in Liberia, was persuaded to stop using child soldiers, in part, because of reporting that we did. There’s also been a pretty significant reduction in the last few years in the use of child soldiers by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka that corresponds to our reporting and advocacy on the issue.”

THE COALITION TO STOP THE USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS

Because the child soldier issue is so large and complex, NGOs have banded together to deal with it. Human Rights Watch, for example, is part of the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, an international NGO whose other steering committee members include Amnesty International, Defense for Children International, International Federation Terre des Hommes, International Save the Children Alliance, Jesuit Refugee Service and the Quaker United Nations Office-Geneva. The coalition promotes the adoption of -- and adherence to -- national, regional and international legal standards on the issue. That includes the U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the use of children under age 18 in both government and nongovernmental armed groups.

The coalition was instrumental in drafting and adopting the U.N. Optional Protocol as well as its ratification by 192 countries. In addition, the coalition has conducted workshops with activists on the ground to help them engage on the issue, do direct monitoring and advocacy and engage directly with some governments to influence changes in legislation and policy, Becker said. These efforts, according to Becker, can be credited for the worldwide reduction in the number of child soldiers, which is estimated to be between 250,000 and 300,000.

NO SINGLE WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

There is no single way to solve the problem of the exploitation of children as child soldiers, according to Rachel Stohl, senior analyst at the Center for Defense Information, a Washington-based policy research organization. Stohl is also on the steering committee for the U.S. Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, which includes some 40 national U.S. organizations working to influence U.S. policy on child soldiers.

“Certainly, diplomatically pressuring governments and nonstate groups that continue to use child soldiers is really important,” she told America.gov. But she added that protecting at-risk children is critical as well. “You can’t just do that from Washington, D.C. These kinds of programs have to be done in-country using the local communities as the basis because if the local community doesn’t have the capacity to help a former child soldier or to protect children, it then is just words, not deeds,” Stohl said.

NEXT STEPS

According to Becker, there is a fairly good set of international treaties in place to protect children against exploitation as combatants. The question now, she said, is how to get them implemented.

In the United States, Human Rights Watch has been advocating on behalf of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, which was introduced in U.S. Congress in 2007. If the legislation is adopted, Becker explained, it would put limits on U.S. military aid to governments that are involved in the recruitment and use of child soldiers. “This is a way that we believe that the U.S. can really use its influence to try and change the practices of other governments,” Becker said.

Becker said the outlook for the legislation is “pretty good.”

“The Senate version has 34 co-sponsors, including both Republicans and Democrats,” Becker said. “A version has already been adopted by the House as part of the larger Trafficking Victims Reauthorization Act.”

01 May 2008

Africa-Centered Military Command Designed to Listen and Respond

Security, stability, safety top goals for military-civilian activities

The AFRICOM deputy, U.S. Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates, visits a new U.S.-funded HIV/AIDS clinic in Zambia. (AFRICOM photo)

By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Staff Writer

Washington -- The African continent faces a raft of security challenges from human rights abuses, poverty, corruption and smuggling, to rapidly increasing populations and dwindling water resources.

While the United States always has interacted with Africa through diplomatic missions, defense attachés and the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, as well as through various other military commands, the focus now has been sharpened through the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which will be responsible for activities in 33 African countries.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies says “a robust command dedicated to Africa can achieve substantial diplomatic and security results for both the United States and Africa.” Andrew Terrill of the U.S. Army War College says the command is envisioned to be “like no other” in the sense that it brings together military and civilian officials to focus on humanitarian missions such as disaster response and land mine removal -- as well as more traditional missions such as anti-piracy, security sector reform and counterterrorism.

The command began to take form at its new headquarters in Germany after President Bush announced it in 2007. Air Force Reserve Major Robert Munson says the command is needed to support U.S. policy in Africa. Writing in the current issue of Strategic Studies Quarterly, he says the creation of the command does not presage a major shift in policy, but should improve coordination and “help weave many disparate elements of U.S. foreign policy into one more-coherent package.”

The command, in fact, will continue to highlight security, stability and safety activities in Africa that have been carried out in coordination with the State Department for some time. These include training peacekeepers through the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program (ACOTA), providing assistance through the International Military Education and Training program (IMET) and offering aid through President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR.

The command also is seen as an early-warning system, says Claudia Anyaso of the State Department. “We want it to be a system for prevention,” she told an April 21 conference in Arlington, Virginia, sponsored by Women in International Security and the Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute.

Lisa Schirch, program director for the 3D Security Initiative, agreed, stressing the urgent need for conflict prevention in Africa. Schirch was one of many Africa experts addressing the conference theme of “AFRICOM and the U.S. Strategy for Peace and Security in Africa.” She also emphasized the need for greater African development assistance to combat infectious disease, promote job training skills and emphasize helping African governments become more transparent as a way to prevent corruption.

Malaria Consortium program coordinator with AFRICOM’s General William Ward

A Malaria Consortium program coordinator meets AFRICOM’s General William Ward at a northern Ugandan camp. (AFRICOM photo)

Anyaso said that U.S. Agency for International Development officers will be conducting outreach activities and working through the command. She also said there are long-term plans for military officers from other countries to have input in AFRICOM programs.

Both Schirch and Anyaso emphasized that there are no plans to establish U.S. military bases in Africa to support the new structure.

Lauren Ploch, who is an Africa analyst with the Congressional Research Service, said AFRICOM has a distinct role to help Africans counter illegal fishing and human trafficking and help indigenous military forces gain better control over local maritime environments.

During his recent testimony before Congress, AFRICOM’s commander, General William “Kip” Ward, also talked about the need to confront transnational threats in Africa, including illegal drugs and dangerous weapons.

Former intelligence officer Robert Berschinski said there is a need to strengthen democracy in Africa and promote principles such as rule of law. The United States has to do whatever it can, he said, to foster conditions that will lead to peace and economic stability in Africa.

Former Ugandan Minister of State Betty Oyella Bigombe said AFRICOM’s activities should be transparent and diverse and its civilian and military officials should offer assistance “wherever help is needed.” Bigombe, who is a fellow at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, said nontraditional humanitarian aid, like helping Africans obtain safe drinking water, will go far in demonstrating U.S. friendship.

One attendee emphasized the importance of having African leaders identify the security problems to be tackled. Bigombe agreed, saying the assistance programs thereby would reflect African rather than U.S. interests.

Emira Woods, with the Institute for Policy Studies, said African security will be aided by a halt to the flow of arms, and human security will improve through better jobs, education and health care. What Africa needs most, she said, is development aid.

AFRICOM is seen as a way to avoid duplication of effort by various U.S. government agencies that are promoting better livelihoods in Africa. The U.S. Institute of Peace’s Linda Bishai said African issues were too often the stepchildren of various U.S. military commands that, in the past, looked at only a fraction of Africa’s requirements. Now, with a new Africa-centered command, she said, there is the opportunity to deal with African challenges as effectively and efficiently as is possible.

For more information about AFRICOM, see Ward’s recent testimony, on the U.S. Africa Command Web site.

02 May 2008

Zimbabwe Final Vote Tally Has “Serious Credibility Problems”

United States says runoff impossible while violence, intimidation continue

Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party leader, rejects the official vote tally released May 2. (© AP Images)

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington -- The final vote tally released May 2 by Zimbabwe’s Election Commission has “serious credibility problems,” and a runoff presidential vote is impossible when leading opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters are facing abuse by President Robert Mugabe’s government.

State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey cited “inexplicably long delays” and “post-election irregularities” that raise serious questions over the credibility of the government-appointed commission’s final vote count.

“This isn't a case of better late than never,” he told reporters May 2 in Washington.

Prior to the release of the vote count, Casey said May 1 that the situation might be different if the commission had released its official results “a few weeks ago.” Zimbabwe’s presidential and parliamentary election was held March 29.

Supporters of the opposition, real and suspected, were assaulted by Mugabe loyalists in the aftermath of the election. (© AP Images)

“There’s been an absolutely unconscionable and inexplicable delay in the process of releasing votes. And at this point, I think whatever those results show, they’re probably going to have limited credibility,” Casey said.

“Given these extensive delays and given the lack of any reasonable explanation for them, I think it’s going to be quite reasonable to assume that when people view these results, they’re going to view them with a high degree of skepticism and that they are not going to have the kind of credibility they would have had if they’d been released in a timely manner,” he said.

Tsvangirai, who heads the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, has claimed since the March 29 vote that he won more than 50 percent of the presidential vote, thereby avoiding the legal requirement for a runoff vote. The May 2 official tally gave him 47.9 percent to Mugabe’s 43.2 percent, and Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980, has agreed to a runoff election.

Speaking May 2, Casey said it was “really impossible as a practical matter” to consider how Zimbabwe would hold a runoff election when “the leading vote-getter is having his party and his supporters regularly harassed and subject to abuse by government officials.”

Mugabe’s government must “cease its repression of the opposition” and others in the country who want to peacefully express their views, Casey said. This must occur as a very first step “before anyone should even think or be able to talk about any kind of runoff election.”

Since President Mugabe’s 28-year rule of Zimbabwe began, the country has seen itself transformed from one of Africa’s leading economies and food exporters into a country that is dependent upon food aid, and with an inflation rate of more than 160,000 percent and an unemployment rate of approximately 80 percent.

U.S. officials have called on the country’s neighbors in southern Africa to use as much leverage as they can on the Mugabe government in an effort to curtail violence in the aftermath of the election. (See also “Time for Zimbabwe’s Neighbors to Exercise Leverage, U.S. Says.”)

Article translated in:

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[1] http://www.africanpath.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogEntryID=4652

Remarks by Ambassador Wolff on the Situation in Zimbabwe

Briefs reporters at the U.N. Security Council, April 29

(begin transcript)

USUN PRESS RELEASE

April 29, 2008

Remarks by Alejandro D. Wolff, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative, on Zimbabwe, at the Security Council stakeout, April 29, 2008

Ambassador Wolff: Good afternoon, as you just heard we had actually an excellent and quite sobering briefing from the Secretariat on the situation in Zimbabwe. We were struck in particular by his characterization of the situation as the worst humanitarian crisis since independence, and of a situation that was increasingly rendering the election process illegitimate. So we had numerous delegations express their concern and called for a reinvigorated effort by SADC and the AU and greater involvement by the UN in dealing with this crisis.

Reporter: Did the United States specifically back the idea of some kind of UN fact-finding mission or special envoy to Zimbabwe?

Ambassador Wolff: Yes we did. Several delegations spoke before I did - raised it specifically and we thought that was a good idea worthy of our support.

Reporter: How much support is there in the council for that - for the envoy and the fact-finding mission?

Ambassador Wolff: Well, it’s not unanimous, let me put it that way and I think it is dividing up in predictable terms.

Reporter: Ambassador, how will the U.S. – perhaps in conjunction with its allies – be following up on this? What is the next step? Where do you take it from here?

Ambassador Wolff: Well, I suggested also given the utility of the briefing and the sobering facts that were shared and the concern expressed. And let me underscore that, almost every delegation if I recall correctly did express concern. We thought it might be useful also and regret that this couldn’t happen in an open briefing of the Council.

Reporter: When would that be, sir?

Ambassador Wolff: Well, we haven’t scheduled any but as I mentioned this is a first step. We are looking at the situation on the ground. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the most important thing is the situation in Zimbabwe - the humanitarian crisis, the political crisis that is underway and the ability of the Zimbabwean people’s voice to be respected.

Reporter: Will this idea of a special representative or fact-finding mission necessitate Council approval? Do you think that is possible to get the Council to approve it or can you do it some other way through the Secretary-General’s office?

Ambassador Wolff: Well, I don’t think it’s up for the Security Council to decide on that. That’s essential up for the Secretary-General. We can opine on it. There’s a number of delegations who don’t believe the Council should be engaged on this which was regrettable. I think it is clear that the degree of concern, the nature of the threats posed by instability in Zimbabwe - whether it’s populations flows, whether it’s arms shipments, and the fact that SADC is involved, that fact that the AU is involved demonstrates that there is an international dimension to this.

Reporter: Ambassador Wolff, Zimbabwe’s Ambassadors made a lot – a number of times made the comparison to Florida in 2000 and said this is a vote dispute. How do you – I mean do you see anything to that analogy? They’re saying it took six weeks then, why not six weeks for them? What do you think?

Ambassador Wolff: I’m not even going to comment. It’s a ludicrous comparison and all you have to do is talk to the Zimbabwean opposition and see what their views are on how America conducts its elections.

Reporter: Ambassador, did anybody bring up the possibility of sanctions? I thought I heard something about that recently.

Ambassador Wolff: Not in my hearing. I don’t recall anyone mentioning it at this point.

Reporter: Mr. Ambassador, was there any agreement at all - even for instance on the humanitarian side – to try and step up aid since that would seem to be one issue that the Council might agree on?

Ambassador Wolff: Actually, I’m not sure the Council could agree on that either. The Council is divided as I mentioned, probably in predictable ways. There are a number of governments who were quite outspoken about the importance of the Council remaining engaged, the international community remaining engaged, pushing as much as possible but there were others who have different views and think that the situation deserves more time and that ultimately it is up for the Zimbabwean people to resolve it themselves. In a situation like that we’ll have to wait and see what if anything the Council is in a position to do.

Reporter: Would the Americans support an arms embargo?

Ambassador Wolff: You know I haven’t gotten instructions on that but it strikes me that we would, given the situation. Thank you.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

African football: shocking, Gabon defeats Cameroon in their den

The on going qualifiers in the up coming African Cup of Nations tournament, exclusively reserve for players plying their soccer talents on the continent, has been revealing surprises and also exposing the real qualities of individual local leagues. The finale is scheduled for Ivory Coast next year, between the months of February and March. It will be an occasion to show the real colours of local leagues and above all, expose new local talents, more often denied such platform in favour of those playing professional football in Europe. But if the performances of clubs from various African countries in the two continental soccer competitions: MTN CAF Champions League and CAF Cup, are the benchmarks, on which prognostics could be made, then countries susceptible to lift the first edition of the new tournament will be: Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast or South Africa. This is so because, clubs from these countries have in recent times, either won a trophy or two, in the two soccer competitions organised by the continental soccer governing body CAF or taken part regularly at the highest echelon in both competitions. African soccer is progressing, especially if the performances of African players in European leagues are taken into consideration.

Pivotal roles of African players

In France for example, African players have become so pivotal in the functioning of the local league to a level that, when they leave in January every year, for the Africa Cup of Nations, their departures, doesn’t only dry the charisma of the league, it equally offset plans and ambitions of most clubs. African players are also beginning to make similar impacts on other glamorous European leagues such as those of England, Scotland, Spain and Italy. While African players excel in Europe and elsewhere, one will think their performances are directly propositional to their individual national leagues. But the reality is at the image of Africa. There are some regions and countries with excellent leagues, while others have semblance of what may be called a soccer league. Take Ivory Coast (The Elephants, name of their national team) the second example, with her constellation of soccer stars. She is currently perhaps the best soccer team on the continent. But in Ghana, they were humiliated by Egypt, an African team, made up of 98% of African players plying their trade in three Egyptian clubs: Al Ahly, Ismaily and Zamalek. The successes of Egypt (Pharaohs, name of the Egyptian national team) against Ivory Coast and Cameroon made some to think that Africa had good leagues. As already stated, the reality is that, where there exist good soccer leagues in Africa is in North Africa and in the Republic of South Africa.

North African domination

The South African national football league can easily be compared to those of high profile European leagues. But North African clubs are ironically the ones dominating African club football. South African clubs haven’t because, they seem to be more interested in their domestic competitions than continental ones and also because of more financial constrains she generates than returns. Besides the victories of Mameloudi Sundown’s of South Africa in 1995, Assec Mimosa of Ivory Coast in 1998, Accra Hearts of Oak, Ghana in 2000, and Eyinmba Football Club of Aba, Nigeria in 2003 and 2004, no other club from sub Saharan Africa has been able to challenge North African domination or even won the CAF Cup. MTN CAF Champions League, won by those sub-Saharan clubs latter mentioned, is the famous of the two club competitions organised on the continent, which equally has/generates high financial rewards.

Why North African clubs dominate African club football

Moreover, from the look of things, even at national team levels, North African squads may soon overtake the ascendancy that three sub-Saharan football powers (Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria) seem to have had over them. But why is it that, North African clubs are dominating African club football? The answer is simply. North African clubs are dominating simply because, they have better organised leagues and those managing clubs there do make long term investments. It is not as though sub-Saharans can’t. They have excellent players, but the football administrators in sub-Saharans countries are those killing their local leagues and also the game. A proof that better management of clubs gives good results is the case of Eyinmba Football Club of Nigeria. Sponsored by Dr Kalu Orji, the former Governor of Abia state in eastern Nigeria, it was feared that, the back to back winner of the prestigious MTN CAF Champions Leagues will dehydrated financially and die as soon as Dr Kalu leaves office. But the club that seemed to be handled professionally with a manger by name Felix Anyansi is still waxing on. Last year, she emerged as Nigeria’s champion. Eyinmba Football Club of Aba is perhaps the best managed club in Nigeria[1]. And she is still in the ongoing 3^rd preliminary rounds of the 12^th edition of the MTN CAF Champions League. She recently registered a 5-1 victory over the high profile Tunisian team, Club Africain de Tunis at the Aba township stadium.

Conversely to Eyinmba of Aba, Nigeria is Sable de Batie aka San-san boys of Batie, Cameroon. In 2000, when she managed to make the last 8 clubs of MTN CAF Champions League, the club managers sold almost the entire team, before the tournament could end. What the owners of Sable failed to understand was that, clubs that have registered successes in North Africa or in Nigeria and Ivory Coast, in particular Assec Mimosa, have done so because of their capacity to maintain the same team on an average of 4 years. Ahly of Cairo, Egypt has had almost the same players for ten years and it may explain why, they are the serial winners of African club competitions. And in support of the notion that constancy pays, in 2003 and 04, when Eyinmba of Aba won back to back the MTN CAF Champions League, they did so, with the same boys. This simply means that, if the owners of Sable de Batie, after her mediocre show in 2000, did not sell all her players, she would have been able to construct a team solidly fit to challenge the local clubs in Cameroon’s league and also the best teams of the continent.

Poor club management impedes growth of sub Saharan clubs

There was another team from southern Africa, precisely Malawi, known as Bakili bullets, sponsored by former president Bakili Muluzi, but when he ran into problems it was also how such a promising club with talented players melted away. While currently very few team owners in sub-Saharan Africa have understood that football is a business like anyone, where sole proprietorship might be an impediment to her growth, a majority in North Africa had long understood the tricks. Hence, they do invite corporate bodies to help grow their clubs and that is why their domination will continue to grow and it may also serve as a fulcrum of the division of African soccer if those souths of the Sahara, don’t grow up financially. Already the MTN African Champions League is being seriously challenged by the Arab Champions League. And it appears the promoters of the second wants to remove the ethnic connotations she has, in order to attract rich sub Saharan clubs such as Eyinmba of Nigeria, Mameloudi Sundown’s of South Africa, Assec Mimosa of Ivory Coast and Accra Hearts of Oak of Ghana.

Nigeria is a country with several good clubs, but the leaders of the Nigerian FA, spend time fighting amongst themselves on how to make monies for themselves rather than the better organisation of the local league. Fortunately, some Nigerian clubs are still performing well, simply because, they have sponsors with deep pockets and also that; there is real local club competition in that country’s league. While Nigeria has the money and the infrastructure albeit poorly maintained, it is not the case with Cameroon.

Cameroon: little or nothing to show in term of football infrastructure

A country such as Cameroon that has taken part at the World Cup a record five times, her football infrastructure would have made other African countries pale with envy. But Cameroon has little or nothing to show in term of football infrastructure. She has three stadia, out of which, two were constructed in 1972, when she hosted her only continental soccer tournament. And amongst the three, only that which is based in Yaoundé and tagged: Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium is properly maintained. That which is located in Douala, the commercial capital of the country is a disaster waiting to happen. The Douala Reunification stadium is so run down that, local matches are now played at the Mbappe Leppe stadium, a mini stadium located at the Akwa neighbourhood of the city, which is neither CAF or FIFA sanctioned. Cameroon has a fourth stadium in the city of Bafoussam. But she has been under construction for 30 years now. It is a world record and whatever type of edifice they are preparing to produce in the form of a stadium, will be discovered whenever they decree the construction as terminated. Then there is also the scandal called Buea multipurpose stadium situated in the University town of Buea. It is a stadium that on paper is the most modern in the country and which was officially duly completed and inaugurated. But Buea has no modern stadium, for her local team Mount Cameroon FC plays her CAF international encounters 400km away in Yaoundé.

Paragons of corruption

But that part of the country has always known bogus realised projects. The other scandalous case has nothing to do with football. But it just to show the level of decay or corruption in that country and the scandal in question was the Kumba-Mamfe road. It is about 120km long, but before the reunification of British Southern Cameroon’s with the French-speaking Republic of Cameroon; it was a one lane macadamised road. But after reunification, late Ahmadou Ahidjo, the former president of Federal Republic of Cameroon, decided to dualise the road. And work on the dualisation was completed in 1964 and inaugurated officially. But the reality was that, the contractors were paid to destroy the original macadamised road, in a bid to curtail relations between Anglophone Cameroon with Eastern Nigeria. Any way, that was and is still what some Anglophones think, especially the nationalists. But the reality seems to be the past time of government officials in that country: corruption. Funds for the Kumba-Mamfe project developed eagle wings and were traced in French and Swiss banks. It was the same stratagem employed to destroy the road linking the coast of Southern Cameroon’s other wise known as the South West province with her interior, officially known as the North West province. The world soccer governing body, FIFA allocates to countries that have qualified for the World Cup, considerable sum of monies to prepare her for the competition and also help develop local infrastructure.

The problem of Cameroonian soccer

With Cameroon’s five participations, she is expected have raked the whopping sum $ 1 billion. But the amount have been wasted or diverted into private pockets. And in Ghana, during the pool phase, when the haughty and erstwhile touted Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were trashed by the Pharaohs of Egypt. Some Cameroonians could not believe their eyes. And as the saying goes: “the lazy craft man always quarrels with his tools”, they stated searching for alibis. Some pointed to poor organisation, while others pointed at ritualistic sacrifice of a bull per match, practised by the Egyptians in Ghana, a practise they also did in Burkina-Faso in 1998 and won the trophy, as they did in Ghana. But there wasn’t any ritualistic influence, for all African teams had their magical practises practiced in Ghana in full bloom. The problem of Cameroonian soccer was laid bear by Joseph Antoine Bell, former goalkeeper of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, now serving as consultant of the sport service of the audio section of the propaganda service of the French government: Radio France International (RFI). Mr Bell, whose fluency and objectivity in the criticism of his country’s football is brighter than his goal keeping performances, when he was in active service, has not made him friends in the land where football is used by the government for political purposes.

Mr Bell said Cameroon’s football was not only sick of her trademark fire brigade method of preparation, she was also sick of the poor organisation of her local league. He added that, in the last two decades, no Cameroonian club have been able to make any significant showing at continental level, not to mention win one of the two continental soccer competitions. He was not lying. But for speaking the truth, he was named and shamed and labelled unpatriotic. And when Cameroon did manage to snake herself into the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana, and again, against Egypt, he (Joseph Antoine Bell) was referred to as a prophet of doom. But the truth is that, gone are the days when Cameroon was the real lion king of African club football with clubs such as Oryx Football Club of Bonaberi, Douala, which won the first edition of CAF Champions league in 1964 against Hafia Football Club of Conakry, Guinea. She could also boast of clubs likes o Canon Sportive and Tonnerre Football clubs of Yaoundé and Union Sportive of Douala. Cameroon has become a midget as far as African club football is concern. The country still has the same clubs latter mentioned.

But other prestigious ones such as PWD Social Club of Bamenda and Dynamo of Douala are now languishing in the purgatory division two provincial leagues. But new ones have emerged such as Cotton Sport Football Club of Garoua, Mount Cameroon Football Club of Buea and Tiko United Football Club aka Samba boys of Tiko. But the level of Cameroon’s local league has truly plummeted and that explains why, the little Gabon came into the den of the Lions in Yaoundé and gave her a lesson in football. While Cameroonians might console themselves that, they were not the only ones shocked by alleged soccer under dogs, but it was blistering as a defeat[2]. And it was just a game of local players. It was an irrefutable indication that Cameroon may not only fail to qualify for Ivory Coast 2009, but also how far the country’s league has touched Congo (metaphor for bottom). It is not the first time that the Panthers of Gabon have moved all the way from Gabon to come to Cameroon to feed on the Lions, but this one is particularly painful because, it shows that, those manning the Cameroonian football league are not doing their job well enough. They need to do some refurbishing on how the league is operated.

Notes:-

Egypt, has withdrawn from the competition. According to Egyptian authorities, their withdrawal is to give more opportunity for their national team to prepare and qualify for the World Cup that will be organised by South Africa in 2010. The old biannual Africa Cup of Nations remains valid and it will be staged by Angola in 2010.

[1] Web site of Eyinmba Football Club of Aba, Abia state, Nigeria : http://www.enyimbafc.net/

[2] Results of all matches played during the weekend : http://www.cafonline.com/?lng=1&module=acceuilcompetition&cmpt=101&titre=Results%20&%20fixtures

Cameroon’s burgeoning Advertising, PR & Marketing industry

Yves Nestor Nlep is a 35 years old Cameroonian graduate of the Institute of Mass Communications Technology (IMCT) and the Plateau School of Administration & Management Studies (PSAMS). Both higher institutions of learning are respectively situated in Zaramaganda and Jos in Plateau state, Federal Republic of Nigeria. He now runs a consultancy specialised in Advertising, PR and Marketing Communications in Yaoundé, political capital of Cameroon. In the interview that follows, he talks about his consultancy and the future of the advertising, PR and Marketing industry in the West African state.

Hello Sir, thank you very much for accepting to talk to us about your business or consultancy, if you wish. Could you please tell us a little more about your consultancy? And substitute question. When did you start?

Yves Nestor Nlep: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about my Consultancy and the Advertising market in Cameroon. Concerning my Consultancy, it is specialised in Advertising, Marketing Communications and Public-Relations. The firm is located in Yaoundé, and we are in the business since 3 years. We have run some adverting campaigns in collaboration with our partners. Some of them were, the Launching of a new brand of computers: TEG and we have also organised some special events such as the 40^th Anniversary of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa in 2006.

Who are your clients and how do you get them?

Yves Nestor Nlep: My clients are in the public and private sectors; I also work as a consultant with many advertising agencies. I have some personal projects which I initiate and can have the backing of the Government. Such self initiatives that sometimes yield positive fruits are: “Salon National de l’Assurance” that will take place this year and “Cameroon Video Music Awards”. Most of the times, I get my clients through some project proposals, lobbying, and know-how.

It looks as though Cameroon is officially a bilingual English & French-speaking country. But am I wrong, if I said, Cameroon doesn’t have a vibrant advertising market as it is the case with other English-speaking African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa?

Yves Nestor Nlep: You are not wrong. The problem in Cameroon is that our economy is not booming as those of countries you mentioned earlier and this due to the fact that, for more than 20 years, the country has been under structural adjustment and thus, many investors were or are still reluctant to come and invest in Cameroon. The other deterrent to the progress of the advertising and Communications industry in general in the country is Corruption which is rampant and persistent despite the Government’s effort to fight it. And finally, there is a lot of bureaucracy in this country.

It also looks as though, individual Cameroonians and corporate bodies don’t fancy or don’t see the necessity to advertise. Is my observation correct? I also understand your consultancy is also into PR. Do you have people or corporate bodies knocking to seek your expertise?

Yves Nestor Nlep: You are right, and you know for long, Cameroon’s economy was in a monopolistic state, there was no competition, so many companies even Government used to use the budget meant for Communications for leisure or to fuel Government Official cars, furthermore, the advertising sector is full of Quacks and Charlatans and this does not facilitate our task since most jobs and the budgets that follows are given to family members or friends, and most of the time corporate bodies or people when awarding advert contracts, they see it as a favour. They don’t see it as being important to them or their businesses in anyway.

There are nonetheless some Cameroonians who seek services of advertising & PR consultancies. Do they come to indigenous entities like yours or they seem to prefer the services of a handful of multinationals existing in your country?

Yves Nestor Nlep: Most of the time, they prefer the services of multinationals companies, or they do allocate contract to their family members and friends.

Is it correct the claim circulated by some experts in any field operating in Cameroon that, Cameroonians elites and corporate bodies and even government, will rather seek the services of a European or consultancy from Westerners than offer the opportunity to indigenous entities?

Yves Nestor Nlep: Yes it is.

Your kind of venture is not common in your country, you will admit. Do you have a professional fraternity to protect your profession from quacks and also regularly improve on your skills, as it is the case with countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa? If yes, how is it called? And if no, do you have plans to set up such a body any time soon?

Yves Nestor Nlep: There are many professional bodies in Cameroon, but they are not well organised and members spend all their times fighting for leadership position. I intend in the near future to establish a body with some professionals.

There are some advertising firms run by Cameroonians in Cameroon isn’t it? Do you have contacts amongst yourselves? Personally, do you have any contacts with professional bodies elsewhere on the continent?

Yves Nestor Nlep: Yes we have some casual visits or contacts, and from time to time, we exchange views about the practice and problems we encounter in the running of our business and the profession; but all this is informal. As regard to your third question, I have contacts with some foreign professional bodies like Association des Agences Conseils en Communication (AACC) in France, and in Nigeria, I am a member of the Business Education and Examination Council (BEEC) where I obtained my Professional Diploma in Public Relations.

Finally, Cameroon is known for her strings of heavy taxes and corruptions, which are deterrent not only to foreign direct investments into your country, but it equally obstructs and stunt the growth of indigenous individual enterprises. Could you tell us about your own experience?

Yves Nestor Nlep: I have mentioned earlier the hindrances for the smooth running of a business in Cameroon and mine is not an exception, but one has to survive. Young Enterprises find it difficult to operate due to heavy taxation and this does not facilitate the growth of indigenous private enterprises since Banks do not lend money.

Elie B. Smith: thank you very much Sir.

Yves Nestor Nlep: it was my pleasure and I hope to talk to you again.

Mr Bikong Obanus Banye, chair of Democracy with Active Participation for Development (DAPD) outlines his plans and that of his party for his country.

A) Hello Sir, or should I call you Mr Chairman? (Laughter) I am glad you have accepted to share with us your vision and also that of the new political formation you have created. But don’t you think that, in a country with close to 150 political parties, yours is one new political formation too many?

Thank you very much for your interest in our political formation! It is true there are more than 200 political parties legalised in Cameroon; this number is just a clear indication of the big problem in Cameroon and I believe that it is patriotic to search solutions to the problems of ones country. The numerous political formations indicate the number of Cameroonians which believe in this approach while others uses different approaches to tackle the same problems, for example many Cameroonian musicians sing out these problems. I have observed that very few of these political parties appear in the field and this only during elections; this makes me wonder if the creators of these parties really master the socio-Economic and political situation in Cameroon, do they visualize the size of the problem and are ready to solve it. In 1990 the founding fathers of the SDF saw that the problem of the time was to fight for a democratic stat (thanks to Mr Nanga) and people supported them massively; today Cameroon have dramatically collapsed in a multidimensional form and we believe that this is because of the failure of the SDF, probably due to the fact that they did not correctly visualise the size of the problem and consequently could not deliver the good. SDF; the main opposition party is collapsing (they presently have no parliamentarian in the south west province and they almost did not make up a parliamentary group during the last July elections) while the greatest part of the problem they came to solve has not got any solution, its Chair has refused to renew the party since he is infected with the dictatorship syndrome carried by all political leaders of their time and since this syndrome inhibits evolution with time the youths have no choice than to seek the solutions to their problems elsewhere. We believe the creation of DAPD is justified and we are working to prove its worth.

B) Given that, almost all political parties created in Cameroon (excluding the ruling CPDM party and main opposition SDF), have failed to make any significant political showing, don’t you think yours will only serve to grow the number of political parties that have gone into the political graveyard of Cameroonian politics?

Your observation is right; you most also have observed that only these two parties receive government’s subventions before any elections, they mutually help each other in order to monopolise the political scene in Cameroon and Mr Biya revealed his help to the SDF leader during his interview at France 24 in 2007 at Paris; in the same light, the recent increase in the participation fees for the local councillors support our view. One is in Yaoundé and says that when Yaoundé breathe Cameroon is fine and the other is in Bamenda claiming the official position as head of the opposition. However like I mentioned in A above any political leader who does not analyse the political situation in Cameroon correctly before creating his party will hardly make any political progress since he will use wrong strategies, one thing I can assure Cameroonians with is that we were born in this system, we have grown in the system, we know the system is very bad (near to financial terrorism) and we are determined to change it with their support.

C) The recent political formation created in Cameroon was the Alliance of Progressive Forces (AFP) of Bernard A. Muna Esq., which was launched with pomp and fanfare. But it seems to have taken the highway of political oblivion. What makes you think that the fate of your political formation will be different?

It should be noted that AFP is a result of the Democratic misrule of the SDF Chair. Bernard A. Muna Esq is one of the founding fathers of SDF. AFP is therefore a faction of the SDF without any political vision of its own. We are not a Faction of any party. A resent contact with the AFP staff members made us know they base their political strategy on money; they told us they voted a budget of 2 billions for the twin elections of 22 July 2007 and attributed their poor results to the fact that this budget was not made up. Well this is not our lookout I just want you to understand why bad political strategies kill many political parties before they are known. We intend to stay as long as need shall be to achieve the final victory.

D) What will you say about those who claim that, those of you creating new political parties do so either because you are just trivial celebrity obsessed lots or just seeking a platform for an individual call into a system you pretend to fight?

People have the right to think and say what they want, we can’t stop doing what we believe is right because of what they will think and say about us. It is true that some say what they say after observing carefully but others still blackmail those who try because they are lazy and can’t take any initiative to bring a positive change, the first set will eventually ally behind any political leader who show prove of consistency and integrity. Please read through the article of faith of the militants of DAPD which at the same time is our manifesto.

E) What are the immediate objectives of your party?

We have two main objectives to attain till 2011. The first is to implant our party in and out of Cameroon. The second is to make sure that the present corrupt, dictatorial and satanic regime gives way to a humanitarian democratic and transparent regime as early as they shall be next presidential elections in Cameroon. Permit me to use this opportunity to call upon all Cameroonian of good will to join us in these efforts.

F) The Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) which is the ruling party and her ancestor the Cameroon National Union (CNU) are synonymous to a school where almost all leaders of opposition parties in Cameroon have had their formative years. Is it equally your case?

You are right when you testify that many political leaders are products of the ruling CNU/CPDM parties, you give me one more opportunity to analyse why many political parties fail. Our observation is “you only clean a pig to obtain a pig”. The political leaders, products of this school should be completely renewed in order to expect any positive results. I am 32 today and have suffered a lot from the practices of these regimes like many other young Cameroonians; I remember that during my school years these very political leaders repeated year after year that we were the future leaders, I like many young Cameroonians have not been given any opportunity to express this leadership so we have decided that the future is now and we believe that Cameroon needs our intervention. I am a product of the Grassroots having my formation from personal experiences and informal political education.

G) In Cameroon it is difficult to know which is which, when it comes to ideological identifications of political formations. Even the two dominant political parties in Cameroon: the CPDM and SDF are not excluded. Since yours is a new formation, what is your party’s ideological orientation?

The SDF says that it is a social Democratic ideology, the ruling CPDM say that they are practicing the community liberalisation (Libéralisme Communautaire). You are right to say that we don’t even know what they put in all these. As for our party, we can say that if we were in UK, we will act like the Labour party. If we were in the US, we will act like the Democrat party; and in France, we will act like the Socialist party (PS). Beside we will still refer you to our articles of faith …[1]

H) What is your party’s position on the Anglophone problem in Cameroon?

From the history of unification of Cameroon which I will not recite here there was a problem since the third option which was to give the Anglophone a chance of being independent was absent, the political leaders of the time did not also claim it; the very history tells us that all went well till president A Ahidjo disrespected the agreement of the Foumban conference and changed the 1961 constitution; this action raised the Anglophone problem in Cameroon, this problem was further aggravated in 1992 when the victory of Mr John FRU Ndi in the 1992 presidential election was stolen by Mr Biya and rumours came out that “an Anglophone can not rule Cameroon”. The real solution to this problem is Dialogue but Mr Biya believes that killing and infusing fear on those who claim justice on the matter is the only solution. If this problem is solved by secession a problem greater than that will come up and this will be that of disintegration of property and families. We believe that this problem can be solved without going behind. We can also learn from Dalai Lama of Tibet who has not stand for the independence of Tibet.

I) Are you for a return to the two state federal systems? As for federalism, we can easily vote for a many states federal Cameroon because we believe it will increase the rate of development.

J) Are the agitations of Anglophones founded or there are baseless as some are claiming? As I have mention above; it’s clear that the agitation of the Anglophones is politically founded but they are practical realities that this union has brought; this make us think that the real solution to this problem is dialogue.

K) Don’t you think that, come what may, there will be a break up of Cameroon?

So long as Biya is in power, the tendency is that these agitations may yield fruits because he ignores the problem with arrogance and therefore does not open any forum for dialog. However, the international community has a say in this issue.

L) What is your opinion and that of your party on the recent amendment of the constitution of Cameroon? What do you make of those who think that, Biya has been juggling with two constitutions, that are those of 1972 and 1996, and this, since 25 years and the so-called constitutional amendments is just a smoke screen?

After 26 years of absolute power, it is clear that Mr. Biya has failed and he recognises this fact himself. That is why he wants to remain in power eternally. He knows that the wind of change might blow and off he will go, reason why he immunise himself after power. As for the constitutions Cameroon is unique in the world even R Mugabe of Zimbabwe uses only one; probably it could be what is termed in Cameroon as “la Démocratie avancée”

M) Finally, could you tell us more about yourself? We will like to know the following: your place of birth and when, your region of origin, your religious affiliation, your marital status and what you do for a living.

My name is Bikong Obanus Banye; I am from Mbiame in the Bui division in the North West province of Cameroon. I was born on the 12^th March 1976. I was baptised in the Roman Catholic Church and I maintain the faith till today. I’m married with two children. As for what I do for a living, I initiated three years ago a rotating money project which I have been managing; this project’s objectives is to fund micro projects for its members in this way we are practically doing something for the youths against poverty. Today while I’m going full time in to politics the management of this project has been handed to a different person my friends promise to support me live on with the ideology of our party.

N) What message do you want to send to Cameroonians with your new party?

A great people are not that which doesn’t stumble. A great people are that which, after felling, know how to get up. Cameroon has collapsed! We call on all Cameroonians, here and abroad to join us and keep faith and patriotism. Mr. Biya’s regime cannot be more than us all. We count on the positive contribution of each Cameroonian.

CONTACTS

Chairman of the DPAD : Mr. Obanus BIKONG bikongoba@yahoo.fr
the Advisory Council: Dr. Christophe TAKOUDJOU christakoudjou@hotmail.com

Obama wins close race, beats Clinton in Guam

from The Associated Press

Enlarge

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., smiles as he watches his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, roller skate at Great Skates Fun Center in Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, May 3, 2008. Associated Press © 2008

Barack Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton by seven votes in the Guam Democratic presidential caucuses Saturday. The count of more than 4,500 ballots took all night.

Neither candidate campaigned in the U.S. island territory in person, but both did long-distance media interviews and bought campaign ads for the caucuses.

Results of the count completed Sunday morning Guam time show delegates pledged to Obama with 2,264 votes to 2,257 for Clinton's slate. That means they'll split the pledged delegate votes. Obama's slate won in 14 of 21 districts.

Clinton issued a statement Saturday night promising, "I will continue to champion the issues facing the people of Guam, and when I'm president I will ensure that hard-working families of Guam have the resources and the opportunity to succeed." Obama's campaign had no immediate reaction to the results.

Eight pledged delegates will attend the convention, each with one-half vote.

U.S. citizens on the island, however, have no vote in the November election.

The territory also sends five superdelegates to the National Convention in August in Denver.

Voters picked two of the superdelegates, electing uncommitted Pilar Lujan party chairman and Jaime Paulino vice chairman. Paulina ran as an Obama supporter. One other existing superdelegate has favored Clinton and the votes of the other two have not been declared.

The Guam caucuses added two pledged delegates apiece for Clinton and Obama. The vote for party chairman and vice chairman also added a superdelegate for Obama and subtracted one for Clinton because the outgoing vice chair had endorsed the New York senator.

Obama had a total of 1,742.5 delegates, including endorsements from party and elected officials who will serve as superdelegates. Clinton had 1,607.5 delegates, according to The Associated Press tally.

It will take 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer in Denver.

All-day voting Saturday had people lining up at 21 caucus sites around the U.S. territorial island, which has unexpected importance in a historic Democratic race in which every delegate matters.

There was no direct presidential vote, but each candidate had a slate of supporters on the ballot.

Slow ballot-by-ballot counting went through the night in the territorial legislative building after votes were hand-carried from the caucus sites.

Presidential caucuses on Guam usually pass without much notice from the candidates. This time, Obama and Clinton made their case for the territory's four regular delegates with local advertising and long-distance interviews.

Lines formed early at some caucus sites.

Cynthia Estrada of Dededo said she was making up her mind while waiting to vote, but she was leaning toward Clinton.

"She's had the experience," she said. "She's got her husband to help her."

Yona resident Tommy Shimizu said he was voting for Obama delegates.

"It's the fact that he grew up in Hawaii, and I think he can make change," he said. "I think it's time for that."

Clinton and Obama pitched improved health care and economic opportunity as they courted Guam voters from across the international date line. Both Clinton and Obama say they've got the better health plan for Guamanians.

Obama said in an interview with Pacific Daily News that he would support reexamination of a $5.4 million Medicaid spending limit imposed on the territory. Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, told KUAM radio that his wife would work to remove the cap.

Hillary Clinton also has called for Guamanians to be able to vote in presidential elections.

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Democracy with Active Participation for Development (DAPD)

The article of faith of the DAPD militants (creed)

As conscientious citizens of Cameroon, we militants of DAPD, mind about the well being of our fatherland; We love and practice the truth for our sake and for the sake of the future generations, we know that our love for our fatherland is indispensable for its sustainable development; we prove our love and loyalty by contributing for its social, cultural, economic and political welfare.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People; it is their duty to alter it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

We see, believe and recognise evil in corruption, embezzlement of public funds, deceitful politics, tribalism, nepotism, lack of social dialogue and egoism, and to witness with our souls and consciences the love for our fatherland, we take an oath before God and men that we shall not practice same.

Recognising the unending damages caused by these practices since independence to our fatherland, we take another oath before God and men that we shall spare no effort in fighting same and shall not develop any political compromise with any ambassador to these practices.

We have suffered from these practices since our independence in 1960 and now affirm with conviction that any form of government that practice tolerance toward these practices shall not be our legitimate government.

We know that the development of our fatherland depends not only on our contributions but also to those of our neighbours near and far; that is why we shall govern in goodness and humanism such as to promote all actions that brings progress, peace and unity in our nation.

We know that no true success comes without true devotion to task and that is why we shall spare no energy till we achieve the final victory.

Experience teaches us that leaders shall succeed if they lead with the consent of their followers that is why we shall promote good governance and democratic practices.

Our politics shall be that of true devotion and love for our fellow citizens.

Our politics shall be that of action and selfless services in favour of sustainable development.

Recognising the devastating effects of war, we shall not embark on such activities that can bring or cause war in our fatherland.

Memories of heroes young and old that have fallen fighting for the wellbeing of our fatherland reminds us of the dangers that awaits all ambassadors of truth, we invite all citizens Faithful and True patriots to fight and win the battle by our side so that their souls may finally rest in peace.

We pray God to bless, protect, guide and provide for us and our fatherland.

Done in Yaoundé on the 26/01/2008 by Bikong Obanus Banye Président national DPAD

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News from Africa and the World

24 April 2008

Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur Worsening, U.S. Envoy Says

U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission will not reach full strength until 2009

Hand-made sign spotlights ongoing Darfur crisis

By Merle D. Kellerhals
Staff Writer

Washington -- The humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan is worsening and the number of killed and displaced people continues to grow, reflecting an atmosphere of continuing violence, a senior U.S. diplomat says.

"The conflict that has created all of this humanitarian suffering has mutated from the Sudanese government's counterinsurgency campaign against new active rebel groups in Darfur in 2003, which targeted innocent Darfurians with unconscionable savagery, to a situation that is complicated by shifting alliances, growing ambitions, tribal conflicts and regional meddling," says Ambassador Richard Williamson, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan.

"The government of Sudan, the Arab militias, and rebel leaders all have blood on their hands," he said. "Make no mistake: this 'genocide in slow motion' continues, casualties mount, and more must be done to alleviate the terrible humanitarian suffering and bring sustainable stability and peace to this region brutalized and stained with the blood of innocent people."

Williamson testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee April 23 that since 2003 an estimated 200,000 people have died in Darfur as a result of the conflict and some 2.5 million people have been displaced inside Darfur or into neighboring Chad.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened an oversight hearing April 23 to determine what progress has been made since the United Nations and African Union assumed joint control of peacekeeping December 31, 2007, and to evaluate the U.S. response.

Committee Chairman Joseph Biden said that violence and banditry are still common. "Last week, the World Food Programme announced that it is going to have to cut rations for people in Darfur in half because so many of its trucks are being hijacked that it cannot maintain supply lines," Biden said.

Katherine Almquist, assistant administrator for Africa in the U.S. Agency for International Development, told the senators that after three years into the six-year road map known as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, "comprehensive peace in Sudan remains elusive."

Sudan is USAID's largest program in Africa and among the largest in the world, she said. It remains the United States' top foreign policy priority in Africa, and Darfur is the focus of the largest international humanitarian operation in the world.

"This devastating conflict has left 2.5 million people internally displaced and another 250,000 refugees in Chad," she said. "Since 2004, USAID has spent an average of $750 million annually in assistance to Sudan, including a total of $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance in Darfur and eastern Chad [over the same period]."

John Holmes, under-secretary-general for U.N. humanitarian affairs, told the U.N. Security Council April 22 in a special briefing that he was "saddened and angry" to inform the council that the situation inside Darfur had only worsened in the past 12 months. He advised the Security Council that the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force would not reach full strength -- 26,000 peacekeepers and police officers -- until 2009.

He said that to date only 9,000 peacekeepers have been sent into the Darfur region to replace a 7,000-strong African Union force.

In addition, the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force representative, Rodolphe Adada, said the force lacks five critical elements to become fully operational -- attack helicopters, surveillance aircraft, transport helicopters, military engineers and logistical support.

Williamson said that the government-supported Janjaweed militias that are responsible for most of the attacks on civilians have not been disarmed or controlled, as required in the Darfur Peace Agreement. But he noted that these were not the only groups responsible for violence and death in the region.

The deployment of a joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission would be a significant step toward improved security in Darfur, Williamson said. "But unfortunately, since the transition from the African Union Mission in Sudan to the AU-U.N. peacekeeping operation, UNAMID, there has been little change on the ground," he said.

Almquist said that despite initial cooperation, the Sudanese government has created new impediments that further hamper humanitarian programs.

Williamson said the United States has contributed significant funding for peacekeeping, in addition to funding 25 percent of these missions through its peacekeeping dues to the United Nations. The United States contributed more than $450 million to construct and maintain 34 base camps in Darfur for peacekeepers. In addition, the United States has committed more than $100 million to bolster African nations’ will to step forward and provide peacekeepers for Darfur, he said.

25 April 2008

U.S. Response to the Situation in Darfur

Outlines U.S. efforts to support peacekeeping, humanitarian aid to Darfur

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. Department of State
African Affairs
Washington, DC
April 23, 2008

Fact Sheet

U.S. Response to the Situation in Darfur

“The brutal treatment of innocent civilians in Darfur is unacceptable – it is unacceptable to me, it is unacceptable to Americans, it’s unacceptable to the United Nations. This status quo must not continue.”
– President George W. Bush

Authorization of a Peacekeeping Force

The United States is deeply concerned about the violence in Darfur, which includes unconscionable attacks against innocent civilians, humanitarian workers, and peacekeepers. The people of Darfur have suffered for too long at the hands of a government that is complicit in the bombing, murder, and rape of innocent civilians.

In the face of increasing instability, the United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) authorized by the United Nations Security Council on July 31 must deploy rapidly.

Almost 20,000 military personnel and more than 6,000 police will form the core of the force, whose mission is to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and to ensure peace and security.

Under resolution 1769, adopted by the UN Security Council on July 31, the UNAMID assumed authority from the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS) on December 31, 2007 and deployment is on-going. In the meantime, the United States will continue to urge all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate cease-fire and to provide protection and improved access to humanitarian workers.

Political Settlement Is Key

Transcending these efforts is the need to achieve a political settlement in Darfur. Peace in Darfur, and in Sudan as a whole, rests on the implementation of the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended 21 years of civil war in Sudan, and on the agreement by all parties involved in the Darfur conflict to a negotiated political settlement.

Full implementation of both agreements has been too slow. Implementation would enable the people of Sudan to address the resource allocation and power-sharing grievances that are at the root of the country’s conflicts. It also would pave the way for free and fair national elections in late 2009.

U.S. Diplomacy and Sanctions

President Bush, Secretary of State Rice, and others have spoken urgently and repeatedly with their international counterparts about Darfur. In January 2008, President Bush confirmed the appointment of Ambassador Richard S. Williamson as his Special Envoy to Sudan in order to energize diplomatic solutions to the Darfur crisis. The U.S. has also encouraged China to use its influence with Khartoum to work for a peaceful political settlement.

On May 29, 2007, responding to Sudanese President Bashir’s continued refusal to honor his commitments to end the violence in Darfur, President Bush ordered the U.S. Department of the Treasury to block the assets of three Sudanese individuals and one company involved in the violence and to sanction 30 companies owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan. This list currently includes seven individuals and more than 160 companies.

The sanctions are designed to increase the political pressure on Khartoum to end the violence, and supplement sanctions that the United States has maintained on Sudan since 1997. Those sanctions include restrictions on imports from and exports to Sudan, an asset freeze against the government of Sudan, and a prohibition on U.S. arms sales or transfers to Sudan.

In October 2006, President Bush signed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA) underscoring U.S. economic sanctions on the Government of Sudan, but also lessening restrictions on the Government of Southern Sudan, Darfur, the Three Areas, and some areas in and around Khartoum.

U.S. Support for Darfur Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance

• Provided over $4 billion in humanitarian, peacekeeping and development assistance to the people of Sudan and Eastern Chad since 2005.

• Fund 25% of the cost of the hybrid UN-AU Darfur pea

25 April 2008

U.S. Sanctions on the Government of Sudan

U.S. sanctions are intended to increase pressure to end the violence in Darfur

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. Department of State
African Affairs
Washington, DC
April 23, 2008

Fact Sheet

United States Sanctions on Sudan

The United States is committed to ending the violence and providing assistance to the suffering people of Darfur, as well as ensuring the peaceful democratic transformation throughout Sudan. The U.S. is the largest single donor to Sudan, providing 80 percent of the food distributions by the World Food Program to date and more than $4 billion since 2005 to assist humanitarian, reconstruction, and peacekeeping needs in both Darfur and other regions in Sudan. The United States is working to implement North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to support the development of the Government of Southern Sudan. We are contributing to reducing mortality and to helping over 3.5 million people suffering from violence and deprivation in Darfur.

Along with the African Union and other international partners, the United States led the way in achieving the Darfur Peace Agreement, signed by the Government of National Unity and the rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Mini Minawi on May 5, 2006, in Abuja, Nigeria. The Darfur Peace Agreement represents a historic opportunity to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation in Darfur. Like the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Darfur Peace Agreement is a framework through which to promote peace, stability, and democratic transformation.

In 1993, concern for Sudan’s Islamist links with international terrorist organizations led the U.S. government to designate Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism. As such, Sudan is subject to restrictions on foreign assistance; a ban on defense exports and sales; a Congressional notification requirement for certain exports of dual use items; directed votes on international financial institution assistance; restrictions on debt reduction; and miscellaneous other restrictions.

These designations sought to increase the political pressure on Khartoum to end the violence, and supplement sanctions that the United States has maintained on Sudan since 1997. Those sanctions include restrictions on imports from and exports to Sudan, restrictions on financial transactions, an asset freeze against the government of Sudan, and a prohibition on U.S. arms sales or transfers to Sudan. Additionally, with United States leadership, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1672 (2006) which requires states to apply targeted sanctions in the form of a travel ban and asset freeze on four specific individuals responsible for impeding the peace process and committing heinous crimes against the people of Darfur. In resolutions 1556 (2004) and 1591 (2005), the Council also imposed a partial arms embargo which prohibits arms transfers to the Government of Sudan in Darfur and to all non-governmental persons operating in Darfur wherever they are located.

The U.S. has imposed economic sanctions on a total of seven individuals and more than 160 companies owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan or linked to militia. The individuals have widespread involvement in Darfur, and have been linked to violence, atrocities, and human rights abuses in the region. Among other things, the sanctions are intended to increase pressure on all parties to end the violence in Darfur.

In October 2006, President Bush signed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA) underscoring U.S. economic sanctions on the Government of Sudan, but also lessening restrictions on the Government of Southern Sudan and the geographic areas of Southern Sudan, Darfur, the Three Areas, and some IDP camps in and around Khartoum.

On December 31, 2007, President Bush signed into law the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007, which authorizes State and local governments to divest from companies doing business in named sectors in Sudan.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

25 April 2008

Time for Zimbabwe’s Neighbors to Exercise Leverage, U.S. Says

State Department warns that pro-Mugabe forces are preparing to use violence

Jendayi Frazer (center) addresses reporters

Jendayi Frazer tells reporters the international community cannot let the situation in Zimbabwe “escalate further.” (© AP Images)

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington -- The Bush administration has called on Zimbabwe’s neighbors to use “maximum leverage” to help the country’s citizens avoid a dramatic crisis, citing indications that forces loyal to President Robert Mugabe are preparing to use severe force against the government’s political opposition.

“There have been some raids. Clearly, there was a use of force there. And, sadly, it is consistent with the behavior of this regime over the past years,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters April 25.

“It is really incumbent upon the neighbors of Zimbabwe and anybody who has an interest in this issue to bring about the maximum leverage that they can to help avoid what could be a terrible situation for Zimbabwe,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwean riot police raided the headquarters of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, and witnesses claimed they arrested at least 100 MDC supporters and seized computers and documents.

The riot police also raided the headquarters of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the largest independent observer group in the country’s March 29 elections, which said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had gained the most votes in the presidential ballot against Mugabe.

Although it has been nearly one month since the election, the official presidential results have never been announced and the government-appointed electoral commission is recounting 23 of the 210 voting constituencies for the parliamentary vote, which had previously indicated that President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party had lost control of the legislature for the first time since independence in 1980.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer, citing independent monitors that had declared Tsvangirai the winner of the presidential vote, said Tsvangirai “won, and perhaps outright,” and called on Mugabe’s government to “accept the result.”

Frazer, speaking in South Africa April 24, said the government is rejecting the will of its people. “If they had voted for Mugabe, the results would already have been announced. Everyone knows what time it is,” she said.

The assistant secretary said the situation may call for a negotiated solution, but the severity of human rights violations against opposition supporters has reached the point that more international involvement may be necessary.

“We can’t stand back and wait for this to escalate further,” she said. She also praised British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s plan to promote an arms embargo on Zimbabwe, saying the United States would “consider seriously” his idea.

22 April 2008

U.S. Supports African Stance Against Arms Shipments to Zimbabwe

United States has asked China to recall freighter

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States does not believe that shipping Chinese arms and light weapons to Zimbabwe is in anyone's best interests, a State Department official says.

The State Department has urged countries in southern Africa not to allow a Chinese freighter to dock and offload a cargo of AK-47 assault rifles, mortars and ammunition destined for landlocked Zimbabwe, says deputy spokesman Tom Casey. And the United States has also asked the Chinese government to recall the freighter.

The Chinese freighter -– An Yue Jiang –- arrived in South Africa last week [April 13-19], but was not allowed to unload its cargo, intended for delivery to Zimbabwe. Since then, Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania and Namibia have refused to allow the cargo to be unloaded and shipped overland into Zimbabwe, according to news reports.

Zimbabwe has been embroiled in a post-election crisis since March 29, when results from the presidential and parliamentary elections were not released by the government of President Robert Mugabe. Since then, Zimbabwe's election commission has refused to release final results, and it appears that Mugabe and top opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are facing a runoff election. Critics have argued that a runoff election cannot be held before the original results are released to the public.

Casey said April 22 that Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer is going to South Africa, Zambia and Angola to talk about bilateral issues and the current crisis in Zimbabwe.

“We don’t think it’s appropriate at this point, given the political upheaval that’s occurring in Zimbabwe, for anyone to be adding extra tinder to that situation by providing additional weapons to Zimbabwe security forces,” Casey said.

He said that China has been asked in a message delivered by U.S. diplomats in Beijing to halt the shipment and "to refrain from making additional shipments."

"We have been in contact with various governments in the region, as well as with the Chinese government, on the subject of this vessel that had been attempting to deliver weapons to Zimbabwe," Casey said. "And we're pleased to see that many countries in the region refused to either accept this vessel in their ports or to offload those weapons."

And the United States is pleased that the Chinese government is saying that "the vessel may, in fact, now be recalled back to China," he said.

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman praised the African nations for blocking shipment of the small arms and light weapons to Zimbabwe, saying that "with this action, African leaders have taken a principled stand to safeguard the Zimbabwean people and to reinforce their rights."

He said that these arms could well have been used against Zimbabweans who are opposed to Mugabe and to help militias that have already been attacking villagers and destroying their homes.

23 April 2008

AFRICOM Is Historic Step in U.S.-Africa Relationship

Diplomat compares AFRICOM’s importance to creation of State’s Africa Bureau

U.S. Navy personnel with Sao Tome soldiers

U.S. Navy personnel participate in a medical training exercise with soldiers from Sao Tome. (AFRICOM photo)

By Charles W. Corey
Staff Writer

Washington -- The U.S. military’s Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, is “history in the making” and, like the creation of the Africa Bureau at the U.S. Department of State 50 years ago, it is a vital step in an ever closer relationship between the United States and Africa.

Claudia Anyaso, director of the Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs for Africa at the State Department, made that point April 22 in an address to the Women in International Security Program at the U.S. Army War College.

“This year, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Africa Bureau -- 50 years of enhancing relations with the nations of Africa and developing Africa policy,” Anyaso said.

“Based on a 1957 report from his vice president, President Dwight Eisenhower established the Africa Bureau on September 2, 1958. The creation of the bureau signaled the importance that the U.S. placed on its relations with the growing number of independent African countries and that the United States would have direct relations with Africa, no longer dealing with Africa through European allies. The establishment of embassies in these new nations followed and now number 44, with four consulates.”

“Fifty years later,” she said, “the Department of Defense is acknowledging the strategic importance of Africa by establishing a military command devoted solely to African security needs and will no longer have to deal with Africa through three military commands -- the European Command, the Central Command and the Pacific Command.”

Anyaso, a career public diplomacy official who served as a member of the AFRICOM planning and implementation team, said she and her fellow team members all believe that AFRICOM is “history in the making.” Additionally, she emphasized that the State Department “strongly supports” AFRICOM.

The Africa Command will support U.S. government efforts to work with African nations to achieve common goals through partnership and collaboration, she said. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s policy of transformational diplomacy stresses partnership and the treatment of African partners as equals. “Thus, AFRICOM’s mission will support the secretary’s diplomatic policies,” Anyaso said.

“We also believe that AFRICOM complements the desires of African countries, as expressed by the African Union,” she said.

Second, she said, AFRICOM will improve the Department of Defense’s ability to support other U.S. government programs in Africa. “No longer will U.S. government agencies and African partners have to deal with three separate commands, and coordination will be easier.”

Third, an expanded interagency role in AFRICOM presents opportunities for all U.S. government agencies working in Africa, she said. “The interagency component of AFRICOM will provide an opportunity for continuous dialogue so that there will be a greater understanding of upcoming issues and … an opportunity for better planning.”

Fourth, the Africa Command will foster security, stability and safety, all of which promote economic prosperity and stability on the African continent. “If done right,” Anyaso said, “AFRICOM can prevent problems from turning into crises and crises from turning into conflicts.”

NONMILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE VITAL ROLE

Anyaso praised AFRICOM for integrating a large number of staff members from other U.S. government agencies into its command structure. A portion of the work of the military and civilian staff will be directed by Mary Carlin Yates, a senior State Department official and former ambassador to Ghana, who is the civilian deputy to the commander for civil-military activities, she said. Vice Admiral Robert Moeller is the deputy for military operations, though both will work with staff composed of military and civilian personnel.

Yates, who is also a State department public diplomacy officer, will direct the commander’s civil-military planning and programs, with emphasis on aligning the Africa Command’s activity with that of other U.S. government entities.

Yates will be responsible for policy development and resource and program assessment and will direct all the command’s plans and programs associated with health care, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian mine removal action, disaster response and security sector reform, Anyaso said.

Improved coordination of the numerous U.S. government programs in Africa, Anyaso said, will allow the U.S. government and its African partners to make the best use of U.S. government resources in achieving their mutual goals of peace, prosperity and stability on the continent.

Anyaso stressed that in 50 years the State Department’s Africa Bureau has managed U.S. relations with Africa, engaged in public diplomacy activities across the region and learned a few things that can benefit AFRICOM: that personal relationships are crucial in Africa and that listening leads to mutual understanding.

The United States wants an even closer relationship with Africa, Anyaso said, adding, “We are talking about long-term commitment.”

“Nothing happens quickly in Africa. Commitment and perseverance are essential,” she said. The United States, she added, understands that actions speak louder than words.

The image of America in much of Africa is of a 20-year-old Peace Corps volunteer who lives among Africans, learns their language, earns little and is eager to learn, she said. Another image is of a nongovernmental organization (NGO) worker, or a Fulbright program professor or a missionary.

“General William E. Ward, the AFRICOM commander,” she said, “wants to emphasize programs and deeds.”

A good example of that, she said, is the Africa Partnership Station project, in which the USS Forester toured the coast of West Africa, working with nongovernmental organizations and African partners, who were involved in the planning, on health and other community projects. “These are new images of America being created,” Anyaso said, “all of which demonstrate American good will and concern.”

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22 April 2008

U.N. Looking for Ways to Enhance African Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping no substitute for ending conflict, U.S. envoy Khalilzad says

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -– U.N. peacekeeping operations should have clearly defined goals and specific missions, timelines and budgets, and they should not be a substitute for ending conflicts or an excuse for delaying ways to resolve them, says U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

"Despite substantial improvements, we face enormous challenges," Khalilzad says of U.N. peacekeeping efforts. Part of the problem faced by the United Nations is that resources are overstretched and the supply of well-equipped peacekeepers does not meet demand, he says.

To resolve shortfalls, Khalilzad says, existing U.N. resources must be used more effectively and efficiently in combination with international organizations and with the African Union (AU). And these efforts must be matched with building more capacity -– particularly regional capacity -- to conduct peacekeeping operations.

The United Nations recently held an open debate in the Security Council on strengthening the relationship with regional organizations and the African Union on peace and security in Africa.

"The United States supports democratic transitions and economic development in African countries," Khalilzad said in the discussion. And that includes working in post-conflict countries and across Africa assisting civil society organizations in combating gender-based violence, trafficking in persons and other human rights violations, he said.

Khalilzad, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, proposed that the Security Council first should assess how it plans peacekeeping operations and how it will sustain them. "Peacekeeping operations should be a means to an end, rather than a substitute for resolving conflicts or an excuse for delay," he said. "While we understand the risks of leaving too soon, we should look to terminate nonviable peacekeeping operations."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is fully committed to enhancing cooperation with regional organizations to develop more effective ways for conflict prevention and resolution, as well as a predictable, interlinked and reliable system for global peacekeeping. "Preventing and resolving conflict peacefully must remain high on the shared agenda of the African Union and the U.N.," he said.

Ban also said work in Sudan's Darfur region and in Somalia must be stepped up for desperately needed progress.

Khalilzad said one goal should be to free up forces and funds for where they are most needed in places like Darfur, where the U.N. peacekeeping mission has been collaborating with the African Union.

"The U.N. and AU have embarked on a historic cooperative effort -– the deployment of the U.N.-AU hybrid force UNAMID [United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur]," Khalilzad said. The United States has called for immediate and full deployment of UNAMID to improve the situation in Darfur, but also to show that the United Nations and AU can form effective partnerships, he said.

At the same time, the AU must enhance its capacity to conduct successful peacekeeping and other nations should help, he said. That also requires AU members to increase their national peacekeeping capacity.

Since 2005, the United States has trained 34,750 peacekeepers from 40 countries and has provided $375 million to increase global capacity for peacekeeping in Africa and elsewhere, Khalilzad said. The program, known as the Global Peace Operations Initiative, has developed regional organizations' peacekeeping capacity in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, South and Central Asia, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere. One of the roles for the new U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) is to enhance overall AU peacekeeping capabilities.

And funding to support this capacity building is equally important, Khalilzad said. A final recommendation is for closer U.N. and AU cooperation, he said, citing the UNDPKO-AU [United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations - African Union] Peace Support Team and its work in mission planning and the management of logistics and resources.

24 April 2008

Forty-Year-Old Nonproliferation Treaty Under a Microscope

Compliance and disarmament are among the most pressing concerns

Officials watching the destruction of a missile silo

By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Staff Writer

Washington -- Nations that are party to the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) will discuss additional ways to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament and foster cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy when they meet in Switzerland April 28.

It will be the second of three meetings before they must make formal recommendations about the NPT during a review conference in 2010. The treaty was extended indefinitely in 1995 and must be reviewed every five years.

Under the terms of the NPT, the nuclear-weapon states have agreed not to transfer weapons or help encourage non-nuclear-weapon states to produce or acquire such weapons. And the non-nuclear-weapon states have agreed not to receive nuclear weapons or produce them.

Participants at the Geneva session, led by Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Yel’chencko, the session chairman, will focus on topics tied to the treaty’s core. Christopher Ford, the U.S. special representative for nuclear nonproliferation, says the review cycle is “a unique opportunity for countries to exchange views about how the treaty is living up to its intentions and expectations, and to develop common ground on how we can help it do better.”

While no consensus agreement is needed or envisioned at this point, Ford told America.gov, “We all aim to build greater policy convergence toward the 2010 Review Conference.”

He expressed the U.S. hope that there will be progress toward agreement on key principles of at least some of the important issues. As was the case during the 2007 NPT Preparatory Conference, the United States will focus on what can be done to help the treaty regime meet existing proliferation challenges.

Another area of U.S. interest is expanding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in what Ford characterized as “proliferation-responsible ways.” This is important for a variety of reasons, including its great value “as a major and environmentally responsible contribution to global development” at a time of rising energy demands, he said.

Ford said this is at the forefront because “well-crafted proposals, such as reactor fuel supply assurances, can help expand nuclear power generation” and they can help persuade nations that they do not need to develop fuel-cycle capabilities. This is highly desirable because there otherwise would be a tremendous proliferation risk since the fissile material produced for fuel also could be diverted for direct use in a nuclear weapon.

The United States also will highlight the need to strengthen the treaty regime’s ability to deter and, if need be, to respond to treaty withdrawal by countries that are in violation of their obligations.

Finally, Ford said, the United States will highlight its “exemplary record of accomplishment” with respect to nuclear disarmament, as well as its “constructive and unprecedented contributions” to recent international disarmament debates. U.S. officials will discuss how U.S. policies “can help lay the foundations” for the kind of security environment that would be “necessary for nuclear disarmament to become a realistic and attractive policy choice” for existing weapons holders.

SEARCHING FOR COMMON GROUND

“We plan to work with our counterparts to develop common positions” on the raft of issues under review, Ford said, because some are sufficiently “ripe” to use as initial consensus building blocks for the final document that will be sought in 2010.

William Potter, who is director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute in California, has identified as many as nine obstacles facing the treaty. At the top of his list are the “increasing uncompromising national positions” offered by both the nuclear- and non-nuclear-weapon states.

He says he is not sanguine about the current state of the NPT. His view is shaped partly by “the surreal quality of the debates” that he says too often dominate the review process and partly by an air of complacency he believes exists about pressing nuclear dangers.

Potter will be in Geneva sounding the alarm that, too often, “core nuclear proliferation and disarmament challenges are neglected” while the participants are consumed by haggling over procedural issues.

“Time is not on our side,” Potter warns. “We do not have the luxury of postponing the debate. We cannot wait until the [session’s] last three days” to begin substantive debate.

What is desperately needed, Potter said, is an extended and rich debate about the most pressing nuclear challenges of the day, leading to forging common ground on how to deal with them.

For more information about U.S. policy, see NPT Review Cycle on the State Department Web site.

24 April 2008

Malaria Initiative Helping Save Lives, Treat Disease

U.S.-African partnerships are crucial to program's success

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Dakar, Senegal have proven highly effective in curbing malaria in poorer nations. (© AP Images)

By Merle D. Kellerhals, Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -- Efforts to reduce deaths caused by malaria in 15 African countries are succeeding because of a cooperative strategy based on partnerships between the United States and each African nation, says first lady Laura Bush.

"In 2005, President Bush took action to respond to this crisis by launching the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI). PMI is a five-year, $1.2 billion program that's combating malaria in 15 African focus countries," says Mrs. Bush. "Partnerships are at the heart of PMI's strategy."

The initiative works to combat malaria in humans -- which is caused by the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito -- by supplying insecticide-treated bed nets, spraying insecticides in houses and providing cutting-edge medicines to those who have been diagnosed with the disease, Mrs. Bush says. "And it offers preventive treatment to pregnant women and unborn children," she said April 24 in a briefing for the U.S. Congress.

"More than 6 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets have been bought, and around two-thirds of these have already been distributed," Mrs. Bush said. "Houses have been sprayed in 10 countries -- protecting over 17 million people."

More than 12 million treatments of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which employ the most effective medicine against malaria, have been purchased, she said. Additionally, PMI has supported training for about 30,000 health workers.

"In just its second year of operation, more than 25 million people have benefited from PMI interventions," she said.

Mrs. Bush said that in 2007 participants in World Vision's RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/AIDS-Affected People with Integrated Development and Support) program joined with PMI to deliver approximately 500,000 bed nets in Zambia. Smaller efforts to help protect HIV/AIDS patients, who are highly vulnerable to malaria, have proven exceedingly successful, she said.

"There is now evidence in at least four PMI focus countries that a huge impact on malaria transmission is being achieved," she said. "By the end of this year, at least 70 percent of families in the first seven PMI focus countries are expected to own one or more insecticide-treated mosquito nets."

She said the initiative is making progress toward the goal of reducing malaria deaths by 50 percent in the 15 PMI-targeted countries.

Richard Tren of the research and advocacy group Africa Fighting Malaria told VOA News recently that President and Mrs. Bush have shown considerable leadership in fighting malaria. "They communicate and explain to congressmen that Congress's interest in authorizing and appropriating money for malaria programs saves lives every day and makes an enormous difference," he said.

A transcript of first lady Laura Bush's remarks is available on America.gov.

21 April 2008

Trademarks -- Not Counterfeits -- Create Jobs, Experts Say

India, Africa, other developing areas can benefit from strong IPR laws

Girls dance to a Bollywood song in New Delhi. If producers control piracy, creativity and profits go up, experts say. (© AP Images)

By Judy Aita
Special Correspondent

United Nations -- Developing nations stand to be the biggest beneficiaries of strong trademark and copyright laws, experts said at a forum focusing attention on World Intellectual Property Day, which will be observed April 26.

Reform of intellectual property laws, coupled with strong protection efforts, can unleash the technical and creative innovation that has been the hallmark of long-term growth and development in Western economies, the trademark experts said.

Michael Ryan, director of the Creative and Innovative Economy Center at The George Washington University Law School, said that when trademarks and other intellectual property tools are part of national development strategies they can spur growth and prosperity in economic sectors from agriculture and medicine to entertainment.

“We've been told in developing country after developing country that pirates are a good thing because they create jobs. No. Pirates are not good things. They don't create very good local jobs. Instead, what they do is they take away lots of good jobs,” Ryan said during the forum.

“Film pirates do not hire directors, actors, cinematographers, sound technicians and key grips; software pirates do not recruit computer science and business management graduates from universities. They manufacture discs worth a few cents and pay their workers accordingly,” he said.

Bollywood is one of the world's biggest producers of films, yet a fundamental constraint is piracy, Ryan noted. “Piracy has made it difficult for Indian filmmakers to get much return on their investment," he said.

“If they can figure a way to get control of piracy, which is prevalent throughout the distribution chain, they will have an extraordinary opportunity. Bollywood has not yet seen what it will be able to do with both the creativity and profits that will be unleashed,” he said.

Pirates of patented technologies, copyrighted creative expressions and trademarked goods operate multibillion-dollar global industries, but they provide only low-skill, low-wage jobs, according to Ryan. He said they do not comply with good manufacturing practices, but produce poor-quality goods that can be ineffective or downright dangerous. He said they add nothing to the well-being of a country.

Pirates do not open their factories to inspection by health and labor regulators; they do not establish relationships of trust with consumers, nor do they pay taxes, Ryan said.

COFFEE PRODUCTION

Ethiopian coffee tasters are becoming experts in ever-more-boutique brews, as the industry seeks higher prices. (© AP Images)

Meanwhile, Colombian and Ethiopian coffee producers are brilliantly managing their trademarks and brands, panelists said. Through marketing strategies, quality control and intellectual property enforcement, Colombia has been able to get 10 cents per pound more than market price for its coffee for decades, Ryan pointed out. “That is a remarkable achievement,” he said.

Begun in 1927 by coffee growers, the nonprofit National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia has used trademarks, marketing, enforcement and an internal system of accountability to bring international recognition for its coffee. It has meant improved living standards for 566,000 growers and a better price for Colombian coffee on world markets, said Mary Petitt, vice president of the federation.

The federation's logo of Juan Valdez is known worldwide as “a seal of quality” for a good cup of coffee, Petitt said. (See "Juan Valdez Travels the World, Sends Profits Home to Colombia.")

Ethiopia's efforts to get control of the names of three of its high-quality coffees -- Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe -- is one of a number of recent initiatives designed to give developing countries and their farmers and artisans a bigger profit share.

Ron Layton, chief executive of the nonprofit Light Years IP, said that Ethiopia's strategy is to control the brands and change negotiating terms so that the coffee price, and therefore the farmers' income, increases. The country now issues royalty-free licenses that allow third parties to use the trademarks. In exchange, the licensees must advertise the origin of the coffee, educate customers about Ethiopia's coffee and provide information on retail sales.

As a result of the new strategy, Layton expects demand for Ethiopian coffee to grow and bring $100 million to $150 million in additional income to the country each year.

TEXTILE MANUFACTURING

On the other hand, Washington-based lawyer Anthony Carroll said that the demise of traditional textile manufacturing in West Africa is a sad lesson on how a region lost control of its creative heritage and was unable to protect its markets.

In the 1980s at the height of production, 600,000 tons of the unique wax-dyed cotton was produced by more than 100,000 workers. In the 1990s, however, 140 of 180 factories in West Africa closed; the jobs went to China, where most of the traditional patterned cloth now is produced.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

After reforms to national intellectual property laws, biomedical companies in Brazil and Jordan have become “very dynamic innovators,” Ryan said. One Brazilian company has turned decades of research toward developing its own products. A Jordanian company, instead of focusing on producing generic drugs, has secured 80 patents worth $5 million since 2006.

Layton said that he already has been approached by a number of developing countries about how they can protect their products and has identified 30 potential industries in Africa that could benefit from intellectual property protection.

Life of Nobel Laureate and Africanist Ralph Bunche Honored

U.S. Department of State’s Africa Bureau celebrates its 50th anniversary

Ralph Bunche, United Nations under-secretary-general, at his desk at U.N. headquarters in New York City, April 26, 1963. (© AP Images)

By Melissa Martinez
Staff Writer

Washington -- Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State recently honored Ralph Johnson Bunche, a scholar, Nobel laureate, career diplomat and Africanist who sought to study and understand Africa from the African point of view.

Pearl Robinson, associate professor of political science at Tufts University, gave a keynote address highlighting Bunche’s legacy as a diplomat, a peacekeeper and an academic whose work had an impact not only on African studies but also on U.S. foreign policy.

Speaking to an audience that included diplomats and Africanists during a ceremony in February at the State Department’s Ralph Bunche Library, Robinson focused on Bunche’s work as a U.S. diplomat and his dedication to U.S. relations with Africa during decolonization.

Bunche, who died in 1971, was a true pioneer, Robinson said. He was an African American who rose from working-class roots in Detroit to become under-secretary-general of the United Nations. In 1950, he became the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, for his work mediating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and its neighbors Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

“Bunche spent the formative years of his professional life as an academic who specialized in Africa,” Robinson said. In his 1934 doctoral dissertation, he wrote that “the dominant force in modern Africa is that of change.” His work “prefigured the ethos of what would come to be called, by the 1950s, the new field of African Studies,” she added.

“Bunche recognized the need to shed light on colonial administration, race relations and the responsibilities of the international community toward dependent peoples and nonself-governing territories,” Robinson said. This continues to be of academic and policy relevance even today, as Africa continues to overcome new challenges it faces related to political, economic and social change.

Known as one of the great internationalists of the 20th century, Bunche had to overcome many challenges. Despite being orphaned at an early age when his mother died of tuberculosis and his father abandoned him, Bunche graduated first in his class at secondary school. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles on a scholarship and graduated summa cum laude. Bunche was awarded a fellowship to study at Harvard University, where he earned a doctorate in government and international relations.

Ralph Bunche receives the Nobel Peace Prize diploma

Ralph Bunche, right, receives the Nobel Peace Prize diploma, in box, at Oslo University on December 10, 1950. (© AP Images)

Throughout his academic life, Bunche studied Africa from the perspective of the African, Robinson said. “He sought to bring the latest theories to bear on African problems and insisted on the importance of understanding the African’s point of view.”

To gain this perspective, Bunche did fieldwork in Africa, wrote about the continent and introduced courses on African studies into the curriculum of Howard University in Washington, where he served as chairman of the political science department.

Bunche’s work continues to be carried out by others who have demonstrated their commitment to Africa, Robinson said. As an example, she highlighted the work Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer has done to shape U.S. policy toward Africa under the Bush administration to improve health and education infrastructure, support subregional peace and security in Africa and expand free-market trade and investment.

“Toward the end of his life, Bunche spent a good deal of time reflecting on what it means to be a policymaker with responsibility for decisions that have lasting implications for future generations and life-or-death consequences for large numbers of people,” Robinson said.

“Bunche had come to appreciate that knowledge per se is fleeting, and that what matters is less what you know, but rather how readily you are able to absorb new information, how effectively you can analyze problems and evaluate solutions and how much access you have to locally produced knowledge that comes from sources other than intelligence services,” she added.

In closing, Robinson said Bunche discovered early on that creating change takes more than one person -- it takes the commitment of many who are willing to invest time, energy and effort.

The ceremony honoring Bunche was part of a yearlong celebration of events commemorating U.S.-Africa ties and the establishment of the department’s Africa Bureau.

President Eisenhower established the Africa Bureau on September 2, 1958. It signaled the importance the United States placed on its relations with the growing number of independent African countries, and it also showed that the United States would have direct relations with Africa, no longer dealing with Africa through European allies. The establishment of embassies followed. There are currently 44 U.S. embassies in Africa and four consulates.

For information on a 2002 documentary about Bunche, see “William Greaves, Pioneering African-American Filmmaker.”

See Africa and Diversity.

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15 April 2008

Violence Against Zimbabwe’s Opposition Contrary to Democracy

State Department criticizes plan to recount March 29 presidential vote

Militia loyal to Zimbabwe’s governing party have burned homes belonging to people suspected of supporting the opposition. (© AP Images)

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington -- The Bush administration has condemned forces loyal to Zimbabwe’s government for using violence against opposition supporters, and U.S. officials also criticized Zimbabwe’s electoral authorities for their plan to recount the March 29 presidential vote.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said members of Zimbabwe’s security forces and supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party have been using violence and intimidation in the wake of Zimbabwe’s March 29 presidential and parliamentary elections.

“These incidents appear to target individuals who voted against ZANU-PF candidates during the elections,” McCormack said in an April 11 statement.

Calling on Mugabe’s government to stop perpetrating such incidents immediately and to show restraint and respect for human rights, McCormack said there is “no place for violence or intimidation in a democratic society.”

Shoppers pass empty food shelves in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare as the post-election political crisis continues. (© AP Images)

The State Department also updated its travel alert to American citizens in Zimbabwe April 11, saying that some military and police forces, as well as war veterans, are “creating a climate of intimidation and fear across the country.”

The travel alert said Americans should be aware that these forces have been especially active in rural areas and high-density suburbs. “There have been attacks on opposition supporters, renewed farm invasions, and arrests of election officials accused of vote tampering. There is a continued risk of arbitrary detention or arrest,” the travel alert said.

President Bush telephoned U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon April 15 to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe, according to White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. According to Johndroe, Bush told Ban it is “important for the situation in Zimbabwe to be resolved peacefully and soon. It's gone on too long."

In remarks to reporters April 15, McCormack said Zimbabwe “is in a crisis,” both politically, because the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has refused to announce the results of the March 29 presidential contest, and economically, because of long-standing government policies that have led to hyperinflation, food shortages and mass unemployment.

Despite never having released the presidential ballot results, the commission, which is made up of individuals appointed by Mugabe’s government, now is calling for a recount of the vote.

McCormack criticized the idea, saying “there has not been a good chain-of-custody regime in place” for the ballots and ballot boxes since the March 29 vote. “Anything could have happened between election day and when a recount takes place, and that’s a cause of deep concern not only for the United States but other countries around the globe,” he said.

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U.S. Welcomes Kenya’s Agreement on Coalition Cabinet

Agreement is important step towards full implementation of accord

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 13, 2008

Statement by Sean McCormack, Spokesman

Kenya: Agreement on Composition of Coalition Cabinet

The United States welcomes the announcement by President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Odinga that they have reached agreement on the composition of the coalition cabinet.

We commend the President and Prime Minister-designate for once again making the courageous decisions necessary to move the nation forward. Formation of the cabinet is an important step along the road toward full implementation of the political accord. We urge the President and Prime Minister-designate to maintain momentum by moving quickly to carry out institutional reforms, particularly with respect to revision of the constitution, reform of the electoral process, and land issues. We also urge them to personally lead efforts to promote reconciliation.

As a strong friend and partner of Kenya, the United States will provide strong support for the coalition government as it works to strengthen democratic institutions and expand prosperity for the benefit of all Kenyans.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)