For years, Charles Wesley Mumbere worked as a nurse's aide in the United States, caring for the elderly and sick. No one there suspected that he had inherited a royal title in his African homeland when he was just 13.
On Monday, after years of political upheaval and financial struggle, Mr Mumbere,56, was finally crowned king of his people to the sound of drumbeats and thousands of cheering supporters wearing cloth printed with his portrait.
At a public rally later in the day, Ugan-dan President Yoweri Museveni officially recognised the 300,000-strong Rwenzururu Kingdom. Mr Museveni restored the traditional kingdoms his predecessor banned in 1967, but has been adamant that kings restrict themselves to cultural duties and keep out of politics.
"It is a great moment to know that finally the central government has understood the demands of the Bakonzo people who have been seeking very hard for recognition of their identity," Mr Mumbere said, sitting in his office in in the whitewashed single-storey building that serves as a palace.
The Rwenzururu parliament sits nearby, in a much larger structure made of reeds. It was here that the traditional private rituals were held Sunday night and Monday morning to crown Mr Mumbere king. Thousands walked several miles to see Mr Mumbere, dressed in flowing green robes and a colourful hat, be officially recognised. Old men clutching canes shuffled up the hill beside women in colourful Ugandan dresses called "gomesi." Among them was Masereka Tadai,43, proudly overseeing practice for a march that retired scouts and girl guides would perform before the king.
"Everyone is very happy because the president has accepted to come here and officially recognise the Rwenzururu Kingdom," Ms Tadai said over a nearby drumbeat.
The new King of Uganda's Mountains of the Moon has undergone many transformations - from teenage leader of a rebel force to impoverished student to a nursing home assistant working two jobs in the US, where he lived for nearly 25 years.
Mr Mumbere's royal roots only became public in Pennsylvania this July,when he granted an interview to The Patriot-News of Harrisburg as he was preparing to return to Uganda.
He inherited the title when his father,Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga, died while leading a secessionist group in the Rwenzori Mountains, otherwise known as the Mountains of the Moon. The rebels were protesting the oppression of their Bakonzo ethnic group by their thenrulers, the Toro Kingdom.
The Bakonzo demanded to be recognised as a separate entity and named Kibanzanga, a former primary school teacher, as their king in 1963.
"It was very difficult growing up in the bush," remembered Mr Mumbere,who was nine years old when his father took the family into the mountains. Although he received military training,Mr Mumbere did not fight.
"Our country has been independent [from the British] for 40-something years,but in Rwenzururu you may not find running water, there are no hospitals,"Mr Mumbere said.
Shortly after Kibanzanga died, his son led the fighters down from the mountains to hand in their weapons. Mr Mumbere went to the United States in 1984 on a Ugandan government scholarship,attending a business school until Uganda's leadership changed and the stipend was stopped. He gained political asylum in 1987, trained as a nurse's aide and took a job in a suburban Washington nursing home to pay his bills.
In 1999, he moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, where he worked for at least two healthcare facilities.
He was "very loyal, a very hard worker,a very private person", said Johnna Marx,executive director of the Golden Living Centre-Blue Ridge Mountain on the outskirts of Harrisburg.
Mr Mumbere said he chose to train as a nurse's aide because the work,"was more reliable. Other jobs you can be laid off easily". Living in the US, however,was "a very difficult experience. Sometimes you have two jobs. You go to college in the morning, between 8am to 12pm.Then you go prepare to go to work at 3pm and then return at 11pm".
He is now a green card holder, and his son and daughter live in Harrisburg.But he never forgot the people he left behind. When the Ugandan government decided to reinstate the traditional kingdoms, Mr Mumbere lobbied for the Rwenzururu Kingdom to be among them.
After 10 years of negotiation, President Museveni announced in August that the government would recognise Rwenzururu as Uganda's seventh kingdom.Government recognition does not grant any executive power but allows the monarchs to determine cultural and social issues affecting their people.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
UN establishing panel to probe Guinea killings
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is establishing an international commission to investigate the attack on unarmed protesters in Guinea last month that left dozens dead and many injured, the UN said.
A mission left on Friday to look into arrangements for setting up a commission to determine who was responsible,UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said.
"The secretary-general remains deeply concerned by the tense situation in Guinea following the violent crackdown,which he had strongly condemned, on unarmed civilians," she said.
A peaceful pro-democracy rally in the West African country on Sept 28 took a violent turn when presidential guard troops opened fire on tens of thousands of demonstrators. A Guinean human rights group says 157 people were killed.The government put the death toll at 57.
Ms Montas said the mission's leader,Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios will meet with Guinean authorities, regional organisations and others regarding the work of the commission.
The International Criminal Court announced on Thursday a preliminary investigation into last month's violence.The violence has drawn widespread condemnation, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for military leader Captain Moussa "Dadis" Camara to apologise and step down. Capt Camara seized power hours after long-time dictator Lansana Conte died last December.
The UN investigation was announced on the same day that the resignations of two cabinet ministers in Guinea were announced and as France urged its citizens to leave as security deteriorated in the aftermath of the bloody rally.
Information Minister Justin Morel Jr and Labour Minister Alpha Diallo said they could not serve a government responsible for such violence.
Mr Morel resigned late on Thursday citing moral reasons and Mr Diallo on Wednesday, citing religious convictions.
The resignations follow that of Agriculture Minister Abdulrahmane Sano on Monday. Mr Sano cited the protest as the reason for his resignation.
A mission left on Friday to look into arrangements for setting up a commission to determine who was responsible,UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said.
"The secretary-general remains deeply concerned by the tense situation in Guinea following the violent crackdown,which he had strongly condemned, on unarmed civilians," she said.
A peaceful pro-democracy rally in the West African country on Sept 28 took a violent turn when presidential guard troops opened fire on tens of thousands of demonstrators. A Guinean human rights group says 157 people were killed.The government put the death toll at 57.
Ms Montas said the mission's leader,Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios will meet with Guinean authorities, regional organisations and others regarding the work of the commission.
The International Criminal Court announced on Thursday a preliminary investigation into last month's violence.The violence has drawn widespread condemnation, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for military leader Captain Moussa "Dadis" Camara to apologise and step down. Capt Camara seized power hours after long-time dictator Lansana Conte died last December.
The UN investigation was announced on the same day that the resignations of two cabinet ministers in Guinea were announced and as France urged its citizens to leave as security deteriorated in the aftermath of the bloody rally.
Information Minister Justin Morel Jr and Labour Minister Alpha Diallo said they could not serve a government responsible for such violence.
Mr Morel resigned late on Thursday citing moral reasons and Mr Diallo on Wednesday, citing religious convictions.
The resignations follow that of Agriculture Minister Abdulrahmane Sano on Monday. Mr Sano cited the protest as the reason for his resignation.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
SO MANY QUESTIONS, TOO FEW TRUE ANSWERS
Opinion polls influence the public and politicians, but are they really accurate? With so many polls on politics and society being taken in Bangkok every week, it might be sensible to ask not just how reliable they are but also whether the public has become too reliant on them. These are pertinent questions in an age when the public, as well as politicians, have become increasingly influenced by the results of the latest surveys. Pollsters may try to assure you their work is accurate enough to be trusted, but even those in the industry are well aware of the many inherent problems.
In 1988, the American Association of Public Opinion Research heard its president, Eleanor Singer, warn against a list of caveats including: "the lack of truthful responses to questions; the failure to do justice to the richness of people's experience; the failure of people to understand certain types of questions that depend on memory or insight into their own feelings; the tendency of researchers to impose their own framework; the fact that certain words in questions mean different things to different people; the tendency of people to give an opinion even when they do not have a real point of view," and more.
Suffice to say, when faced with instant questions, people often respond in a knee-jerk fashion. Often left behind are careful weighing of the issue, the chance for the respondent to hear other voices before making his own judgement, the restrictive and top-down framing of the question, and the abandonment of a nuanced and qualitative approach supplanted by easy-to-digest quantitative data. All these constitute a cause for concern, especially when polls aren't just prone to being inaccurate, shallow and not truly reflecting people's thoughtful and deliberative views, but also tend to reinforce results in the direction the findings dictate.
Daniel Yankelovich, an American expert on public opinion and judgement noted in his 1991 book, "Coming to Public Judgement" that, "The 'quickie' opinion polls that make newspaper headlines … or 30-second sound-bites based on simplistic questions, are a menace that has grown all too familiar … Analysts found that by asking people a few simple additional questions on any issue, such as how personally involved they were with it, how much they might change their mind, one could determine which opinions were volatile and which were firm."
Yankelovich posited that the quality of public opinion should be measured by three criteria: Willingness to take responsibility for the consequences of one's views, firmness, and consistency. Or, to put it more simply: A stable, consistent and responsible view.
"The ability to resolve internal conflicts of values is the foundation of good-quality public opinion … Resolving conflicts of values takes times; it is painful work, and people avoid it as much and for as long as they can."
All these are elements are missing in a world of instant and incessant polling, so it's good to bear in mind what we may possibly be missing out.
In 1988, the American Association of Public Opinion Research heard its president, Eleanor Singer, warn against a list of caveats including: "the lack of truthful responses to questions; the failure to do justice to the richness of people's experience; the failure of people to understand certain types of questions that depend on memory or insight into their own feelings; the tendency of researchers to impose their own framework; the fact that certain words in questions mean different things to different people; the tendency of people to give an opinion even when they do not have a real point of view," and more.
Suffice to say, when faced with instant questions, people often respond in a knee-jerk fashion. Often left behind are careful weighing of the issue, the chance for the respondent to hear other voices before making his own judgement, the restrictive and top-down framing of the question, and the abandonment of a nuanced and qualitative approach supplanted by easy-to-digest quantitative data. All these constitute a cause for concern, especially when polls aren't just prone to being inaccurate, shallow and not truly reflecting people's thoughtful and deliberative views, but also tend to reinforce results in the direction the findings dictate.
Daniel Yankelovich, an American expert on public opinion and judgement noted in his 1991 book, "Coming to Public Judgement" that, "The 'quickie' opinion polls that make newspaper headlines … or 30-second sound-bites based on simplistic questions, are a menace that has grown all too familiar … Analysts found that by asking people a few simple additional questions on any issue, such as how personally involved they were with it, how much they might change their mind, one could determine which opinions were volatile and which were firm."
Yankelovich posited that the quality of public opinion should be measured by three criteria: Willingness to take responsibility for the consequences of one's views, firmness, and consistency. Or, to put it more simply: A stable, consistent and responsible view.
"The ability to resolve internal conflicts of values is the foundation of good-quality public opinion … Resolving conflicts of values takes times; it is painful work, and people avoid it as much and for as long as they can."
All these are elements are missing in a world of instant and incessant polling, so it's good to bear in mind what we may possibly be missing out.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Suu Kyi surprises by returning to the limelight
Although still under house arrest,Aung San Suu Kyi has returned to an active political role by initiating dialogue with both Burma's junta and Western nations, analysts say.In the space of seven days, after a Rangoon court rejected the pro-democracy leader's appeal against her recently extended house arrest, her status appeared to shift rapidly from political prisoner to potential key negotiator."She is politically active and significant. She still has a role in Burma," said Win Min, an activist and scholar who lives in Chiang Mai.
Events over the past week in the militaryruled nation have moved at a dizzying pace when compared with the stagnation of recent months.
Ms Suu Kyi, detained for around 14 of the past 20 years, had two meetings with Aung Kyi, the labour minister and official liaison between her and the junta, the first such talks since January 2008.
The frail 64-year-old was subsequently granted permission by the ruling generals to discuss Western sanctions imposed on Burma with top United States, British and Australian diplomats in Rangoon on Friday.
"She was very, very engaged in the subject,very interested in going into detail on what she wanted to talk about and she seemed as ever very eloquent," said British ambassador Andrew Heyn in an interview with the BBC.
Ms Suu Kyi wrote a letter to Snr Gen Than Shwe at the end of September offering her cooperation in getting Western sanctions lifted, after years of favouring harsh measures against the generals.
Contrary to expectations, the junta chief seems to have accepted her proposal - at least for the time being.
"She would like to see herself as a pivotal point in the relations between the junta and the US. They might be prepared to allow this to some extent," said former British ambassador Derek Tonkin.
The military regime has promised elections for 2010, the first in Burma since 1990, when Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide but was never allowed to take power.
With the opposition leader set to remain out of the way next year thanks to the recent 18-month extension to her house arrest,many observers believe the polls will be a sham that will only strengthen the junta's power.
The reclusive regime chief, according to some analysts, is likely to try to use his opponent - whom he loathes - to restore his image for the elections.
"Than Shwe is the only one who took all these decisions," said Mr Win Min, referring to the rejection of Ms Suu Kyi's appeal and her various subsequent meetings in recent days."He decided not to release her but to give her a little bit of freedom so that he could appear somehow as someone flexible,"he added.
But Ms Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win was confident she could play an increasingly important part in developments over the coming months, especially following Washington's recent decision to re-engage the junta.
"We assume that her meeting with diplomats to lift sanctions is the start of her political role because sanctions themselves are a matter of politics," Mr Nyan Win said.
"Aung San Suu Kyi always has the right to participate in politics. It is not a concern whether or not she's under house arrest,"he added.
Yet scepticism remains that the iron-fisted regime could repeat past behaviour and offer goodwill gestures before violently closing all doors to dialogue again.
One fundamental sign of progress would be a meeting between Ms Suu Kyi and Gen Than Shwe himself, as the pair have not met for years. Mr Nyan Win raised the possibility of such talks on Friday.
But "The Lady", as she is widely known in Burma, would have to consult with other NLD members first and also see minister Aung Kyi again before a meeting with the junta leader would be possible, former ambassador Tonkin suggested.
He acknowledged however that the two sides were at least finally communicating."We don't know where this conversation is going to go. But it is taking place. It's the best game in town at the present time and we need to see where it goes," he said.
Events over the past week in the militaryruled nation have moved at a dizzying pace when compared with the stagnation of recent months.
Ms Suu Kyi, detained for around 14 of the past 20 years, had two meetings with Aung Kyi, the labour minister and official liaison between her and the junta, the first such talks since January 2008.
The frail 64-year-old was subsequently granted permission by the ruling generals to discuss Western sanctions imposed on Burma with top United States, British and Australian diplomats in Rangoon on Friday.
"She was very, very engaged in the subject,very interested in going into detail on what she wanted to talk about and she seemed as ever very eloquent," said British ambassador Andrew Heyn in an interview with the BBC.
Ms Suu Kyi wrote a letter to Snr Gen Than Shwe at the end of September offering her cooperation in getting Western sanctions lifted, after years of favouring harsh measures against the generals.
Contrary to expectations, the junta chief seems to have accepted her proposal - at least for the time being.
"She would like to see herself as a pivotal point in the relations between the junta and the US. They might be prepared to allow this to some extent," said former British ambassador Derek Tonkin.
The military regime has promised elections for 2010, the first in Burma since 1990, when Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide but was never allowed to take power.
With the opposition leader set to remain out of the way next year thanks to the recent 18-month extension to her house arrest,many observers believe the polls will be a sham that will only strengthen the junta's power.
The reclusive regime chief, according to some analysts, is likely to try to use his opponent - whom he loathes - to restore his image for the elections.
"Than Shwe is the only one who took all these decisions," said Mr Win Min, referring to the rejection of Ms Suu Kyi's appeal and her various subsequent meetings in recent days."He decided not to release her but to give her a little bit of freedom so that he could appear somehow as someone flexible,"he added.
But Ms Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win was confident she could play an increasingly important part in developments over the coming months, especially following Washington's recent decision to re-engage the junta.
"We assume that her meeting with diplomats to lift sanctions is the start of her political role because sanctions themselves are a matter of politics," Mr Nyan Win said.
"Aung San Suu Kyi always has the right to participate in politics. It is not a concern whether or not she's under house arrest,"he added.
Yet scepticism remains that the iron-fisted regime could repeat past behaviour and offer goodwill gestures before violently closing all doors to dialogue again.
One fundamental sign of progress would be a meeting between Ms Suu Kyi and Gen Than Shwe himself, as the pair have not met for years. Mr Nyan Win raised the possibility of such talks on Friday.
But "The Lady", as she is widely known in Burma, would have to consult with other NLD members first and also see minister Aung Kyi again before a meeting with the junta leader would be possible, former ambassador Tonkin suggested.
He acknowledged however that the two sides were at least finally communicating."We don't know where this conversation is going to go. But it is taking place. It's the best game in town at the present time and we need to see where it goes," he said.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
HAVE "PUUYAI" FALLEN IN ESTEEM OF OUR YOUTH?
Is one of our most popular national values under threat? In a public sruvey, respondents displayed an obviously wavering faith in the old adage "Follow puuyai (senior persons) and dogs won't bite you". Today's young people, the pollsters say, seem to have more confidence in themselves as the "bdlief index" has dropped from 98.6 in the previous survey to 95 this time (100 points is considered historically normal level of belief).
The pollsters' interpretation of the results may be too kind to today's adults. Perhaps this issue of trust has as much to do with adult's trustworthiness as young people's growing self-reliance. Locally and internationaly, youngsters have been withnessing silly political conflicts, absurdd reasons for wars and a much-advocated economic system teetering on an abyss' edge, to name just a few.
They have learned how common it is for adults to be hypocrites, and such bad ones at that, And every day yields a new lesson on double standards, nepotism, prejudice and etc.
So, it's basically good news that young people are not trusting adults as much as before. And why should they? it is the childen now who are begging their puuyai to stop smoking. The anti-climate change campaign has been utilising the energy and sincerity of today's adolescents. Digital innovations have been dominated if not monopolised by young people.
They, of course, don't play politics, and it's no surprise politics is where the world's mess is concentrated, and where, no pun intended, everyone is acting like a child.
The pollsters' interpretation of the results may be too kind to today's adults. Perhaps this issue of trust has as much to do with adult's trustworthiness as young people's growing self-reliance. Locally and internationaly, youngsters have been withnessing silly political conflicts, absurdd reasons for wars and a much-advocated economic system teetering on an abyss' edge, to name just a few.
They have learned how common it is for adults to be hypocrites, and such bad ones at that, And every day yields a new lesson on double standards, nepotism, prejudice and etc.
So, it's basically good news that young people are not trusting adults as much as before. And why should they? it is the childen now who are begging their puuyai to stop smoking. The anti-climate change campaign has been utilising the energy and sincerity of today's adolescents. Digital innovations have been dominated if not monopolised by young people.
They, of course, don't play politics, and it's no surprise politics is where the world's mess is concentrated, and where, no pun intended, everyone is acting like a child.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thai brothel tale haunts minister
France's culture minister, already under fire for defending Roman Polanski who faces sex charges, has been attacked for his memoir which describes sex with Thai brothel "boys".
Frederic Mitterrand, the 62-year-old nephew of late president Francois Mitterrand,wrote a book described by its publisher as a "novel of autobiographical inspiration" in which the first-person narrator recounts sexual adventures with Thai boys.
"At a time Mitterrand:when France Memoir attacked is engaged with Thailand to fight against the curse of sex tourism, here we have a government minister who himself explains that he is a consumer," opposition Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Hamon said.
The far-right National Front Party called for Mr Mitterrand's resignation, saying his 2005 book La Mauvaise Vie The Bad Life )had left "an indelible stain on the government".
The passages in The Bad Life that have sparked controversy deal with the hero's visits to brothels and boy bars in Southeast Asia.
Frederic Mitterrand, the 62-year-old nephew of late president Francois Mitterrand,wrote a book described by its publisher as a "novel of autobiographical inspiration" in which the first-person narrator recounts sexual adventures with Thai boys.
"At a time Mitterrand:when France Memoir attacked is engaged with Thailand to fight against the curse of sex tourism, here we have a government minister who himself explains that he is a consumer," opposition Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Hamon said.
The far-right National Front Party called for Mr Mitterrand's resignation, saying his 2005 book La Mauvaise Vie The Bad Life )had left "an indelible stain on the government".
The passages in The Bad Life that have sparked controversy deal with the hero's visits to brothels and boy bars in Southeast Asia.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
But Deng is the leader to celebrate for a revolution
Thursday was the 60th anniversary of the day Mao Zedong stood on the platform at Tiananmen Square and announced the formation of the People's Republic of China. But the revolution that millions of Chinese are really celebrating began 30 years ago - under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping.
For the Chinese who had for years endured Japanese occupation, 1949 brought the promise of a new era. But a decade later, the puffed-up National Day celebrations could not mask the widespread starvation that resulted from Mao's commune system. Later, Mao's Red Guards terrorised the country, killing intellectuals and officials. The world shrank away. At a low point in the Cultural Revolution, China had only one ambassador abroad, in Cairo. In isolation, China fell far behind other East Asian countries.
Like Germans who asked why they followed the Nazis, thoughtful Chinese wonder why they continue to follow Mao even after disaster struck. Outsiders also ask why a people who rejected communist utopianism and class struggle celebrated the 60th anniversary under a large portrait of Mao in Tiananmen Square.
One reason is that after Mao's death,Chinese leaders considered how the entire Soviet leadership lost political authority after 1956, when Khrushchev thoroughly denounced Stalin. They thus decided to keep images of Mao even as they departed from his visions and ideol-ogy. Also, the Chinese understand that Mao's achievements of the first seven years of the revolution, especially in unifying the country and building local organisations, formed a base for what his successors accomplished. Still, most Chinese recognise that the true revolution belongs to Deng Xiaoping. No specific reforms were as important as his persistence in further opening China's doors and encouraging its people to scour the world for new ideas in science, technology and management.
One first step was to promote talent at home. Many universities had been closed during the Cultural Revolution,which ended with Mao's death in 1976.When he returned to power in 1977,Deng embarked on a colossal rush to hold national entrance examinations and reopen universities.
Deng also frequently invited ChineseAmerican scientists for talks. His key question was always: How can China catch up in science? In 1978, when Frank Press, President Jimmy Carter's science adviser, visited China, he was taken aback when Deng proposed sending far more students and faculty to the United States than Dr Press had the mandate to offer.Deng was so insistent on a quick answer that Dr Press called President Carter,waking him in the middle of the night.President Carter immediately accepted Deng's proposals.
In the 30 years since Deng started his revolution and further opened China's doors to foreign trade and investment,hundreds of millions have risen above the poverty level, China has become the workshop of the world, urban slums have been replaced by forests of modern high-rise buildings, superhighways have succeeded dirt roads and cars have displaced donkey carts.
To be sure, the last 30 years have had plenty of problems - corruption, crackdowns on dissidents, environmental degradation, unequal educational opportunities and a failing rural health system.Chinese leaders lacking confidence in their ability to maintain public order are not likely to listen to Western advice on how to handle human rights, minorities and dissidents.
China will move at its own pace, but Deng's revolution demonstrated that it is able to take positive lessons from the West. So on this 60th anniversary, we should join in the celebration of the Deng revolution and not be distracted by the portrait of Mao hanging in Tiananmen Square.NY TIMES
Ezra F Vogel, a professor emeritus at Harvard, is writing a book about Deng Xiaoping.
For the Chinese who had for years endured Japanese occupation, 1949 brought the promise of a new era. But a decade later, the puffed-up National Day celebrations could not mask the widespread starvation that resulted from Mao's commune system. Later, Mao's Red Guards terrorised the country, killing intellectuals and officials. The world shrank away. At a low point in the Cultural Revolution, China had only one ambassador abroad, in Cairo. In isolation, China fell far behind other East Asian countries.
Like Germans who asked why they followed the Nazis, thoughtful Chinese wonder why they continue to follow Mao even after disaster struck. Outsiders also ask why a people who rejected communist utopianism and class struggle celebrated the 60th anniversary under a large portrait of Mao in Tiananmen Square.
One reason is that after Mao's death,Chinese leaders considered how the entire Soviet leadership lost political authority after 1956, when Khrushchev thoroughly denounced Stalin. They thus decided to keep images of Mao even as they departed from his visions and ideol-ogy. Also, the Chinese understand that Mao's achievements of the first seven years of the revolution, especially in unifying the country and building local organisations, formed a base for what his successors accomplished. Still, most Chinese recognise that the true revolution belongs to Deng Xiaoping. No specific reforms were as important as his persistence in further opening China's doors and encouraging its people to scour the world for new ideas in science, technology and management.
One first step was to promote talent at home. Many universities had been closed during the Cultural Revolution,which ended with Mao's death in 1976.When he returned to power in 1977,Deng embarked on a colossal rush to hold national entrance examinations and reopen universities.
Deng also frequently invited ChineseAmerican scientists for talks. His key question was always: How can China catch up in science? In 1978, when Frank Press, President Jimmy Carter's science adviser, visited China, he was taken aback when Deng proposed sending far more students and faculty to the United States than Dr Press had the mandate to offer.Deng was so insistent on a quick answer that Dr Press called President Carter,waking him in the middle of the night.President Carter immediately accepted Deng's proposals.
In the 30 years since Deng started his revolution and further opened China's doors to foreign trade and investment,hundreds of millions have risen above the poverty level, China has become the workshop of the world, urban slums have been replaced by forests of modern high-rise buildings, superhighways have succeeded dirt roads and cars have displaced donkey carts.
To be sure, the last 30 years have had plenty of problems - corruption, crackdowns on dissidents, environmental degradation, unequal educational opportunities and a failing rural health system.Chinese leaders lacking confidence in their ability to maintain public order are not likely to listen to Western advice on how to handle human rights, minorities and dissidents.
China will move at its own pace, but Deng's revolution demonstrated that it is able to take positive lessons from the West. So on this 60th anniversary, we should join in the celebration of the Deng revolution and not be distracted by the portrait of Mao hanging in Tiananmen Square.NY TIMES
Ezra F Vogel, a professor emeritus at Harvard, is writing a book about Deng Xiaoping.
Red flags still fly for Mao Zedong
On Oct 1,1959, I took part in a parade for the 10th anniversary of the communist revolution that led to the founding of the People's Republic of China. I was a middle-school student in the central city of Xian, and my classmates and I gathered at school before dawn.We marched into the city's main square,where senior party leaders would review the parade.
As members of the Young Pioneers,acCommunist youth organisation, we were all in uniform- we boys in crisp white shirts tucked into navy slacks and the girls in white shirts and blue pleated skirts that swayed in the brisk morning breeze. Each of us had a red scarf neatly tied around the neck. We were like meticulously arranged flowers, waiting for inspection.
The senior party leaders showed up late, as usual. By the time they delivered their slogan-filled speeches and initiated the flag-raising ceremony, we had already been standing like statues for several hours, our feet planted to the ground.Nobody was allowed to make a noise or leave the group, even though I badly needed to answer the call of nature.Instead, I raised my arms repeatedly and joined the crowd in shouting:"Long live the Chinese Communist Party! Long live Chairman Mao!"
Standing next to me was a student who seemed to share my anxiety. She was pretty, with closely cropped hair.Her eyes darted around impatiently. We waved our arms, chanting slogans like everyone else.
Suddenly, I saw a trail of tears rolling down her cheeks. I first thought she had been caught up in the revolutionary euphoria, but then I noticed that she seemed to be embarrassed by something. She kept adjusting her skirt with her hands.I looked closer and saw that she had wet herself. I untied my red scarf and tucked it into her hands.
Our political instructor used to tell us that the red colour of our national flag symbolised the blood shed by communists who had sacrificed their lives for the country. We were told to treat our scarves like parts of the flag. So as I quietly tossed away my stained scarf at the end of the ceremony, a vague sense of fear flashed through my mind.
In 1963, I entered college. All freshmen had to undergo a month of intensive training to prepare for the anniversary parade. On the morning of Oct 1, we goose-stepped in unison, passing the podium and saluting the leaders. Once again,there were red flags everywhere. Colourful floats depicted another bumper harvest.People shouted slogans at the top of their lungs, touting the so-called accomplishments of the Great Leap Forward campaign. I later heard that more than 20 million Chinese had starved to death as a result of that disastrous programme.
It was on the eve of another National Day, in 1968, that the security police suddenly arrested me and put me in a detention centre without any explanation. During interrogation, I found out that my "crime" was related to a letter I had written a year before to the Moscow University Library, requesting a copy of "Dr Zhivago", which was banned in China as counter-revolutionary. The police had intercepted the letter and had been monitoring me for quite some time.
I was sentenced to three years of reeducation in a labour camp, where I spent two National Days behind bars.On those days, prisoners were granted a reprieve from working in the fields.National Day was a holiday for the guards,who simply locked us inside while they went home. We were able to enjoy a day without supervision. More important,every prisoner would get a few morsels of pork in his meal, which normally featured half-rotten vegetables, thin corn gruel and steamed corn buns.
So while the whole country was involved in the Oct 1 celebration, we huddled inside our cells, chatting and playing cards, a rare break from the daily grind of hard labour. The parade, the fireworks and the slogan shouting seemed as remote as a half-forgotten dream.
In September 1971, I was released from jail and arrived home a few days before National Day, which was unusually quiet. Later, through the rumour mill,people learned that the plane of Defence Minister Lin Biao had mysteriously crashed in Mongolia.(Lin, once seen as a possible successor to Mao, had fallen from favour.) The authorities scrambled for an appropriate public explanation.Lin's absence at major public events could certainly fuel speculation that could damage Mao's reputation. To buy time,the government cancelled the parades that were supposed to glorify the Great Leader and his successor.
Mao soon grew ill and was no longer in the mood to go to Tiananmen and wave to the adoring masses. Red October lost its lustre and we were finally free to celebrate National Day at home.
This Oct 1, the elaborate parades and tight control - returned. I watched from the United States as China's leadership orchestrated a huge celebration to showcase its wealth and military prowess - while the familiar red flags flew over the capital.
Tens of thousands of policemen and volunteers were sent in to maintain security. The party tried to control the weather and even regulate the movement of pigeons. Dissidents were under surveillance or in jail. I couldn't help but think that while China has made great material progress over the last 30 years,Mao is still clearly the patriarch of the Communist Party.
As members of the Young Pioneers,acCommunist youth organisation, we were all in uniform- we boys in crisp white shirts tucked into navy slacks and the girls in white shirts and blue pleated skirts that swayed in the brisk morning breeze. Each of us had a red scarf neatly tied around the neck. We were like meticulously arranged flowers, waiting for inspection.
The senior party leaders showed up late, as usual. By the time they delivered their slogan-filled speeches and initiated the flag-raising ceremony, we had already been standing like statues for several hours, our feet planted to the ground.Nobody was allowed to make a noise or leave the group, even though I badly needed to answer the call of nature.Instead, I raised my arms repeatedly and joined the crowd in shouting:"Long live the Chinese Communist Party! Long live Chairman Mao!"
Standing next to me was a student who seemed to share my anxiety. She was pretty, with closely cropped hair.Her eyes darted around impatiently. We waved our arms, chanting slogans like everyone else.
Suddenly, I saw a trail of tears rolling down her cheeks. I first thought she had been caught up in the revolutionary euphoria, but then I noticed that she seemed to be embarrassed by something. She kept adjusting her skirt with her hands.I looked closer and saw that she had wet herself. I untied my red scarf and tucked it into her hands.
Our political instructor used to tell us that the red colour of our national flag symbolised the blood shed by communists who had sacrificed their lives for the country. We were told to treat our scarves like parts of the flag. So as I quietly tossed away my stained scarf at the end of the ceremony, a vague sense of fear flashed through my mind.
In 1963, I entered college. All freshmen had to undergo a month of intensive training to prepare for the anniversary parade. On the morning of Oct 1, we goose-stepped in unison, passing the podium and saluting the leaders. Once again,there were red flags everywhere. Colourful floats depicted another bumper harvest.People shouted slogans at the top of their lungs, touting the so-called accomplishments of the Great Leap Forward campaign. I later heard that more than 20 million Chinese had starved to death as a result of that disastrous programme.
It was on the eve of another National Day, in 1968, that the security police suddenly arrested me and put me in a detention centre without any explanation. During interrogation, I found out that my "crime" was related to a letter I had written a year before to the Moscow University Library, requesting a copy of "Dr Zhivago", which was banned in China as counter-revolutionary. The police had intercepted the letter and had been monitoring me for quite some time.
I was sentenced to three years of reeducation in a labour camp, where I spent two National Days behind bars.On those days, prisoners were granted a reprieve from working in the fields.National Day was a holiday for the guards,who simply locked us inside while they went home. We were able to enjoy a day without supervision. More important,every prisoner would get a few morsels of pork in his meal, which normally featured half-rotten vegetables, thin corn gruel and steamed corn buns.
So while the whole country was involved in the Oct 1 celebration, we huddled inside our cells, chatting and playing cards, a rare break from the daily grind of hard labour. The parade, the fireworks and the slogan shouting seemed as remote as a half-forgotten dream.
In September 1971, I was released from jail and arrived home a few days before National Day, which was unusually quiet. Later, through the rumour mill,people learned that the plane of Defence Minister Lin Biao had mysteriously crashed in Mongolia.(Lin, once seen as a possible successor to Mao, had fallen from favour.) The authorities scrambled for an appropriate public explanation.Lin's absence at major public events could certainly fuel speculation that could damage Mao's reputation. To buy time,the government cancelled the parades that were supposed to glorify the Great Leader and his successor.
Mao soon grew ill and was no longer in the mood to go to Tiananmen and wave to the adoring masses. Red October lost its lustre and we were finally free to celebrate National Day at home.
This Oct 1, the elaborate parades and tight control - returned. I watched from the United States as China's leadership orchestrated a huge celebration to showcase its wealth and military prowess - while the familiar red flags flew over the capital.
Tens of thousands of policemen and volunteers were sent in to maintain security. The party tried to control the weather and even regulate the movement of pigeons. Dissidents were under surveillance or in jail. I couldn't help but think that while China has made great material progress over the last 30 years,Mao is still clearly the patriarch of the Communist Party.
Economy looms large over vote
Greeks voted in a snap election yesterday with the opposition socialists vowing to force Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis out of power and drag the economy away from recession.
Final opinion polls put George Papandreou's socialist Pasok party between five and seven percentage points ahead of the ruling New Democracy party going into the election.
"I am certain that together we will change Greece," Mr Papandreou said after casting his vote in Athens.
"We want to do it, we can do it, and we will achieve it," added the former foreign minister and son of late prime minister Andreas Papandreou.
Mr Karamanlis also said his party would win."I have complete confidence in citizens' maturity," Mr Karamanlis said after voting in his home city of Thessaloniki.
New Democracy, which called the election halfway through a four year term, has been stung by corruption scandals but the economy has taken centre stage in the election campaign.
Buoyed for years by annual growth of about four percent, partly attributed to European Union funds, Greece is now on the brink of recession with output growth near zero.
Greece's public debt, one of the highest in the eurozone, is set to exceed 100% of GDP this year, and the EU placed the country under supervision in April over its excessive budget deficit.
Mr Karamanlis has promised a twoyear austerity policy coupled with a crackdown on tax evasion.
Mr Papandreou proposes to invigorate the economy with salary and pension hikes above the rate of inflation in 2010.
He has announced a 100-day plan to boost the market, create jobs and clean up public finances.
"Massive sums are being lost [to corruption]," Mr Papandreou added.
Under the current electoral law the socialists will need to win between 40 and 42% of the vote for a workable majority in parliament.
Many analysts say Pasok is assured of victory. The Karamanlis government currently holds a narrow one-seat majority in parliament.
Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis said only minor incidents had been reported in the election.
In one a vote supervisor in Evrytania,central Greece was delayed for three hours by a rockslide and a 47-year-old man in the same area was arrested after insisting to rescind his vote, state television reports said.
Pasok must keep its voters from flocking to the fledgling Green party, which gained support after fires killed 77 people in 2007 and scorched Athens' eastern flank this summer.
The level of support for the Greens,who need 3% of the vote to enter parliament, could doom Pasok's aim of forming a government on its own.
"The undecided vote is around 10-15%," noted Thomas Gerakis, head of Marc polling institute.
"These voters could well turn to the smaller parties if the perception is that Pasok is going to win an outright majority," Mr Gerakis added.
Final opinion polls put George Papandreou's socialist Pasok party between five and seven percentage points ahead of the ruling New Democracy party going into the election.
"I am certain that together we will change Greece," Mr Papandreou said after casting his vote in Athens.
"We want to do it, we can do it, and we will achieve it," added the former foreign minister and son of late prime minister Andreas Papandreou.
Mr Karamanlis also said his party would win."I have complete confidence in citizens' maturity," Mr Karamanlis said after voting in his home city of Thessaloniki.
New Democracy, which called the election halfway through a four year term, has been stung by corruption scandals but the economy has taken centre stage in the election campaign.
Buoyed for years by annual growth of about four percent, partly attributed to European Union funds, Greece is now on the brink of recession with output growth near zero.
Greece's public debt, one of the highest in the eurozone, is set to exceed 100% of GDP this year, and the EU placed the country under supervision in April over its excessive budget deficit.
Mr Karamanlis has promised a twoyear austerity policy coupled with a crackdown on tax evasion.
Mr Papandreou proposes to invigorate the economy with salary and pension hikes above the rate of inflation in 2010.
He has announced a 100-day plan to boost the market, create jobs and clean up public finances.
"Massive sums are being lost [to corruption]," Mr Papandreou added.
Under the current electoral law the socialists will need to win between 40 and 42% of the vote for a workable majority in parliament.
Many analysts say Pasok is assured of victory. The Karamanlis government currently holds a narrow one-seat majority in parliament.
Interior Minister Spyros Flogaitis said only minor incidents had been reported in the election.
In one a vote supervisor in Evrytania,central Greece was delayed for three hours by a rockslide and a 47-year-old man in the same area was arrested after insisting to rescind his vote, state television reports said.
Pasok must keep its voters from flocking to the fledgling Green party, which gained support after fires killed 77 people in 2007 and scorched Athens' eastern flank this summer.
The level of support for the Greens,who need 3% of the vote to enter parliament, could doom Pasok's aim of forming a government on its own.
"The undecided vote is around 10-15%," noted Thomas Gerakis, head of Marc polling institute.
"These voters could well turn to the smaller parties if the perception is that Pasok is going to win an outright majority," Mr Gerakis added.
High court to rule on terror cases
Hot-button issues including gun rights and counterterrorism will be on the docket when the US Supreme Court, including newest member Sonia Sotomayor, begins a new term today.
The nation's highest court, whose decisions deeply affect US policy, will also go to work amid growing speculation over the possible departure of a judge.
The nine justices have agreed to examine 55 cases this term. They will soon decide whether to add to that roster an appeal brought by Guantanamo Bay detainees who have been cleared for release and want to resettle in the US.
Another sensitive case likely to be taken up by the court is President Barack Obama's request to block the release of photos showing detainee abuse at the hands of US personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, despite a court order demanding the images be made public.
The justices have already agreed to take on a case that involves defining the parameters of the term "material support to terrorism", a charge that has been levelled in recent years in dozens of cases to obtain some 60 convictions. It has become an important tool for prosecutors because it is such a broad term.
But its use is being contested by a rights group on behalf of an organisation that has worked on closely with members of the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Tamil Tigers.
Whatever decision the court makes,it will affect dozens of detainees at Guantanamo who have had the charge levelled against them.
On gun rights, the court will hear a case asking it to specify whether its June 2008 ruling confirming Americans' rights to bear firearms, at home and for self defence, applies even where local and state governments ban weapons.
The justices will also decide whether minors can be sentenced to life in prison without parole for crimes other than murder. About 100 prisoners face this situation in the US.
The court also will be asked to decide whether the immunity of former Somali prime minister Mohammed Ali Samatar can be lifted to allow him to be pursued for alleged torture and murders committed in the 1980s.
The nation's highest court, whose decisions deeply affect US policy, will also go to work amid growing speculation over the possible departure of a judge.
The nine justices have agreed to examine 55 cases this term. They will soon decide whether to add to that roster an appeal brought by Guantanamo Bay detainees who have been cleared for release and want to resettle in the US.
Another sensitive case likely to be taken up by the court is President Barack Obama's request to block the release of photos showing detainee abuse at the hands of US personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan, despite a court order demanding the images be made public.
The justices have already agreed to take on a case that involves defining the parameters of the term "material support to terrorism", a charge that has been levelled in recent years in dozens of cases to obtain some 60 convictions. It has become an important tool for prosecutors because it is such a broad term.
But its use is being contested by a rights group on behalf of an organisation that has worked on closely with members of the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Tamil Tigers.
Whatever decision the court makes,it will affect dozens of detainees at Guantanamo who have had the charge levelled against them.
On gun rights, the court will hear a case asking it to specify whether its June 2008 ruling confirming Americans' rights to bear firearms, at home and for self defence, applies even where local and state governments ban weapons.
The justices will also decide whether minors can be sentenced to life in prison without parole for crimes other than murder. About 100 prisoners face this situation in the US.
The court also will be asked to decide whether the immunity of former Somali prime minister Mohammed Ali Samatar can be lifted to allow him to be pursued for alleged torture and murders committed in the 1980s.
Month-long reunification celebrations start in Berlin
Gigantic puppets starred at celebrations marking the 19th anniversary of German unification in Berlin on Saturday as tens of thousands watched the mechanical marionettes on their walk through the city.
At the capital's landmark Brandenburg Gate, for 45 years the border between communist east and capitalist west, a 5m little girl giant from the east reunited with a 15m giant "relative" from the west as on-lookers cheered.
The two puppets, part of a show designed by artists and technicians of French troupe Royal de Luxe, hugged and kissed after a walkabout of several kilometres through the once divided city.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany's first head of government to grow up in East Germany, hailed East Germans'determination to bring down the communist regime 20 years ago which led to German unification a year later.
The 1.6-million (78.4 million baht)Royal de Luxe show is part of a host of celebrations in the runup to the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov 9. They will peak with a party on both sides of the Brandenburg Gate on Nov 9 to which the last Soviet leader,Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as leaders from the 27-nation European Union and other countries have been invited.
Festivals, concerts and parades across the country marked the beginning of reunification celebrations on Saturday.
Germany was separated into Sovietaligned East Germany and Nato-allied West Germany for more than four decades until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and official reunification in 1990.
In a speech in the southwestern city of Saarbruecken, Chancellor Merkel told a crowd of about 1,000 that German unity had not just "fallen from the sky"but was the result of years of "courage and determination". She added Germans need to keep this in mind when faced with issues like the current economic crisis or other global problems:"Freedom and responsibility go together," she said.
Security was tight, following a series of threats by Islamic extremists that specifically mentioned Germany.
At the capital's landmark Brandenburg Gate, for 45 years the border between communist east and capitalist west, a 5m little girl giant from the east reunited with a 15m giant "relative" from the west as on-lookers cheered.
The two puppets, part of a show designed by artists and technicians of French troupe Royal de Luxe, hugged and kissed after a walkabout of several kilometres through the once divided city.
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany's first head of government to grow up in East Germany, hailed East Germans'determination to bring down the communist regime 20 years ago which led to German unification a year later.
The 1.6-million (78.4 million baht)Royal de Luxe show is part of a host of celebrations in the runup to the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov 9. They will peak with a party on both sides of the Brandenburg Gate on Nov 9 to which the last Soviet leader,Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as leaders from the 27-nation European Union and other countries have been invited.
Festivals, concerts and parades across the country marked the beginning of reunification celebrations on Saturday.
Germany was separated into Sovietaligned East Germany and Nato-allied West Germany for more than four decades until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and official reunification in 1990.
In a speech in the southwestern city of Saarbruecken, Chancellor Merkel told a crowd of about 1,000 that German unity had not just "fallen from the sky"but was the result of years of "courage and determination". She added Germans need to keep this in mind when faced with issues like the current economic crisis or other global problems:"Freedom and responsibility go together," she said.
Security was tight, following a series of threats by Islamic extremists that specifically mentioned Germany.
EU leaders take heart in Irish "yes" vote
Relieved EU leaders hailed Ireland's vote to accept a key reform treaty as attention turned yesterday to the last two nations holding up the moves to streamline decision-making in the 27-nation bloc.
Irish voters backed the Lisbon Treaty by 67% to 33% in a referendum which overturned their rejection of the treaty last year.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen called it "a good day for Ireland and ...a good day for Europe".
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called the vote a "sign of confidence".
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for new pressure on final holdouts Poland and Czech Republic to quickly ratify the treaty.
"France wants the states which have not yet done so, to finish the ratification procedure as quickly as possible so that the Lisbon Treaty can be implemented before the end of the year, as the 27 promised," Mr Sarkozy said.
The French leader called on Sweden,which currently holds the EU presidency,"to take all necessary initiatives so that the Lisbon Treaty quickly comes into force". Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said he had called a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday with Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer and Mr Barroso,"to decide the action to take to advance the situation".
Poland's President Lech Kaczynski has said he would sign the treaty if Ireland voted yes. A euro-sceptic, Mr Kaczynski had no immediate comment on the Ireland result. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for quick action.
"I hope that now President Kaczynski will sign the treaty very quickly as he promised," Mr Tusk said.
"Europe is waiting."Polish officials said the signature could come within days.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus, another fierce opponent of the Lisbon Treaty,said ratification was "not on the cards"after the country's constitutional court ordered him not to sign the treaty.
The court is to rule on whether the treaty breaches the Czech constitution but the ruling could take several weeks.
Doubts also linger about Britain,where the opposition Conservatives have said that if they win a national election next year they will order a referendum if the treaty has not been approved by all 27 nations.
"I think people in this country will be frustrated and angry that Ireland has been able to vote twice on a treaty that changes the way we're governed and yet we haven't been able to vote once," said Conservative leader David Cameron. But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the result cleared the way for the EU "to focus on the issues that matter most to Europeans:a sustained economic recovery, security,tackling global poverty, and action on climate change".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said she was "very happy" because Ireland's move was "an important step"towards implementing the treaty.
The treaty, which creates a full-time EU president and a foreign affairs supremo, must be ratified by all 27 EU members to come into effect.
Ireland's first rejection in 2008 almost derailed the reforms.
The new vote went ahead against a backdrop of severe economic recession which experts said pushed Irish people back into the European fold.
Dublin held another referendum after securing guarantees on key policy areas which it felt had led to last year's rejection, including military neutrality,abortion and tax laws.
The result was welcomed in the Balkans, where EU membership candidates, including Serbia, had feared a second Irish "no" vote would ruin their chances of joining the bloc.
The "yes" vote "has opened doors to Europe that will have space for all European nations, including those from the western Balkans", Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said.
Ireland's "yes" vote has also intensified the unofficial race for the EU's new top jobs. Top EU figures would like the posts to be assigned at the next EU summit this month, and lobbying is already underway.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair is the early favourite to become the first EU president, with support from London and Paris.
But Mr Blair still suffers from his close alliance with former US president George W. Bush, whom he helped to launch the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Irish voters backed the Lisbon Treaty by 67% to 33% in a referendum which overturned their rejection of the treaty last year.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen called it "a good day for Ireland and ...a good day for Europe".
European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called the vote a "sign of confidence".
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for new pressure on final holdouts Poland and Czech Republic to quickly ratify the treaty.
"France wants the states which have not yet done so, to finish the ratification procedure as quickly as possible so that the Lisbon Treaty can be implemented before the end of the year, as the 27 promised," Mr Sarkozy said.
The French leader called on Sweden,which currently holds the EU presidency,"to take all necessary initiatives so that the Lisbon Treaty quickly comes into force". Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said he had called a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday with Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer and Mr Barroso,"to decide the action to take to advance the situation".
Poland's President Lech Kaczynski has said he would sign the treaty if Ireland voted yes. A euro-sceptic, Mr Kaczynski had no immediate comment on the Ireland result. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for quick action.
"I hope that now President Kaczynski will sign the treaty very quickly as he promised," Mr Tusk said.
"Europe is waiting."Polish officials said the signature could come within days.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus, another fierce opponent of the Lisbon Treaty,said ratification was "not on the cards"after the country's constitutional court ordered him not to sign the treaty.
The court is to rule on whether the treaty breaches the Czech constitution but the ruling could take several weeks.
Doubts also linger about Britain,where the opposition Conservatives have said that if they win a national election next year they will order a referendum if the treaty has not been approved by all 27 nations.
"I think people in this country will be frustrated and angry that Ireland has been able to vote twice on a treaty that changes the way we're governed and yet we haven't been able to vote once," said Conservative leader David Cameron. But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the result cleared the way for the EU "to focus on the issues that matter most to Europeans:a sustained economic recovery, security,tackling global poverty, and action on climate change".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said she was "very happy" because Ireland's move was "an important step"towards implementing the treaty.
The treaty, which creates a full-time EU president and a foreign affairs supremo, must be ratified by all 27 EU members to come into effect.
Ireland's first rejection in 2008 almost derailed the reforms.
The new vote went ahead against a backdrop of severe economic recession which experts said pushed Irish people back into the European fold.
Dublin held another referendum after securing guarantees on key policy areas which it felt had led to last year's rejection, including military neutrality,abortion and tax laws.
The result was welcomed in the Balkans, where EU membership candidates, including Serbia, had feared a second Irish "no" vote would ruin their chances of joining the bloc.
The "yes" vote "has opened doors to Europe that will have space for all European nations, including those from the western Balkans", Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said.
Ireland's "yes" vote has also intensified the unofficial race for the EU's new top jobs. Top EU figures would like the posts to be assigned at the next EU summit this month, and lobbying is already underway.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair is the early favourite to become the first EU president, with support from London and Paris.
But Mr Blair still suffers from his close alliance with former US president George W. Bush, whom he helped to launch the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Philippine govt under fire over response
As entire suburbs of Manila remain under water and evacuees wait in vain for food a week after deadly floods, the Philippine government is drawing anger over not being prepared for the disaster.
Sanitation for about half a million people in temporary evacuation centres,remains dismal, increasing the risk of disease, while debris is still piled on the streets, clogging drains.
Even President Gloria Arroyo has flashed her irritation at the government's response since tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rains in 40 years on the nation's capital on Sept 26.
"This is not good enough in a time of crisis," she admonished one official late last week during a nationally televised meeting of government administrators to discuss the relief efforts.
Critics say successive governments of the country of 92 million people have failed to adequately prepare for the earthquakes and typhoons that inevitably come its way given its location.
"In a land lashed by no less than 20 storms during the typhoon season, we have not built up a disaster relief mech-anism," political analyst Amando Doronilla wrote in the Philippine Daily Inquirer ."From the first hours of the flood, the government failed to exist. The army and police were caught off-guard. They ran out of inflated rubber boats to rescue people stranded in their homes or carried away by flood waters."
The official death toll from the floods in the Philippines stands at 293, although dozens more are missing.
More emergency aid reached southern Laos yesterday, officials said after Ketsana left at least 24 people dead there.
"They've already started going out and helping people, giving out water and food," said Sally Sakulku, of Britishbased Health Unlimited, referring to her staff in hardest-hit Attapeu province.
"It's accessible now."Flood waters left the rugged region reachable only by helicopter and boat until limited road access opened on Saturday. Ms Sakulku said her teams expected to reach about 1,000 families by nightfall last night in Attapeu, which borders Cambodia.
The death toll from Typhoon Ketsana in Vietnam jumped to 162 yesterday with hundreds more injured, an official said, adding urgency to a Red Cross appeal launched to help more than 200,000 storm victims.
Another 13 people remain missing and 616 are injured, said the official from the national flood and storm control committee in Hanoi.
Ketsana affected 14 provinces, according to officials, but about half the deaths happened in just two areas: the central fishing province of Quang Ngai and mountainous Kon Tum. There were 47 dead in Kon Tum and 33 in Quang Ngai, officials said yesterday.
The Red Cross said it needs help to provide rice, fresh water, and rebuild destroyed homes.
"We are very happy to receive any support, money or goods," Doan Van Thai, secretary-general of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said on Saturday.
Meanwhile Taiwan yesterday said that Typhoon Parma may be approaching the island, but it was still 310km away.It is predicted to circle around the Bashi Channel which separates Taiwan and the Philippines and then turn southwest,a weather bureau official said.
Sanitation for about half a million people in temporary evacuation centres,remains dismal, increasing the risk of disease, while debris is still piled on the streets, clogging drains.
Even President Gloria Arroyo has flashed her irritation at the government's response since tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rains in 40 years on the nation's capital on Sept 26.
"This is not good enough in a time of crisis," she admonished one official late last week during a nationally televised meeting of government administrators to discuss the relief efforts.
Critics say successive governments of the country of 92 million people have failed to adequately prepare for the earthquakes and typhoons that inevitably come its way given its location.
"In a land lashed by no less than 20 storms during the typhoon season, we have not built up a disaster relief mech-anism," political analyst Amando Doronilla wrote in the Philippine Daily Inquirer ."From the first hours of the flood, the government failed to exist. The army and police were caught off-guard. They ran out of inflated rubber boats to rescue people stranded in their homes or carried away by flood waters."
The official death toll from the floods in the Philippines stands at 293, although dozens more are missing.
More emergency aid reached southern Laos yesterday, officials said after Ketsana left at least 24 people dead there.
"They've already started going out and helping people, giving out water and food," said Sally Sakulku, of Britishbased Health Unlimited, referring to her staff in hardest-hit Attapeu province.
"It's accessible now."Flood waters left the rugged region reachable only by helicopter and boat until limited road access opened on Saturday. Ms Sakulku said her teams expected to reach about 1,000 families by nightfall last night in Attapeu, which borders Cambodia.
The death toll from Typhoon Ketsana in Vietnam jumped to 162 yesterday with hundreds more injured, an official said, adding urgency to a Red Cross appeal launched to help more than 200,000 storm victims.
Another 13 people remain missing and 616 are injured, said the official from the national flood and storm control committee in Hanoi.
Ketsana affected 14 provinces, according to officials, but about half the deaths happened in just two areas: the central fishing province of Quang Ngai and mountainous Kon Tum. There were 47 dead in Kon Tum and 33 in Quang Ngai, officials said yesterday.
The Red Cross said it needs help to provide rice, fresh water, and rebuild destroyed homes.
"We are very happy to receive any support, money or goods," Doan Van Thai, secretary-general of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said on Saturday.
Meanwhile Taiwan yesterday said that Typhoon Parma may be approaching the island, but it was still 310km away.It is predicted to circle around the Bashi Channel which separates Taiwan and the Philippines and then turn southwest,a weather bureau official said.
LEE WANTS US ROLE IN REGION
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has signalled a regional groping proposed by Japan's new premier should involve the United States, news reports said yesterday.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office last month, has outlined his long-term vision for a European Union-style economic and political alliance of Asian nations under a single regional currency.
Lee, who will begin his four-day visit to Japan today, told Japanese media in Singapore that the proposed regional community should not be a closed group.
"It is in Japan's and the region's interest to keep the regional architecture open and inclusive," Lee said in his written response to the media.
"We must also maintain the strong economic and security ties between Asia and the US across the Pacific," the Singapore premier said.
"[But as] there have so far been faw details about the East Asia Community proposal, I look forward to understanding better from Prime Minister Hatoyama what he has in mind," he added.
Hatoyama unveiled the proposal in an article ahead of his party's landslide win in the August 30 general elections tha ended more than half a century of almost unbroken conservative rule.
Lee, who will be the first head of government to visit Japan since hatoyama's inauguration on September 16, said he wants to maintain close ties with the Hatoyama administration.
"Japan is a very important regional and international player [and] much has changed since my last visit in March 2007," Lee said.
"I look forward to fruitful and substantive discussions with Prime Minister Hatoyama and his colleagues," he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office last month, has outlined his long-term vision for a European Union-style economic and political alliance of Asian nations under a single regional currency.
Lee, who will begin his four-day visit to Japan today, told Japanese media in Singapore that the proposed regional community should not be a closed group.
"It is in Japan's and the region's interest to keep the regional architecture open and inclusive," Lee said in his written response to the media.
"We must also maintain the strong economic and security ties between Asia and the US across the Pacific," the Singapore premier said.
"[But as] there have so far been faw details about the East Asia Community proposal, I look forward to understanding better from Prime Minister Hatoyama what he has in mind," he added.
Hatoyama unveiled the proposal in an article ahead of his party's landslide win in the August 30 general elections tha ended more than half a century of almost unbroken conservative rule.
Lee, who will be the first head of government to visit Japan since hatoyama's inauguration on September 16, said he wants to maintain close ties with the Hatoyama administration.
"Japan is a very important regional and international player [and] much has changed since my last visit in March 2007," Lee said.
"I look forward to fruitful and substantive discussions with Prime Minister Hatoyama and his colleagues," he added.
Missing copter's wreckage finally found after 12 years
An army Hor Tor 206 helicopter which went missing 12 years ago has been found in jungle on the ThaiBurmese border in Umphang district.
The bodies of the pilot, Lt Adisak Pongpes, and three crew, Lt Charnvet Kiddee, SM 1 Anek Panchang and Sgt Jessada Thammasorn, have not been found.
A search team from the 4th Infantry Regiment in neighbouring Mae Sot district called an early halt to their recovery operation amid heavy rain after some team members developed a fever.
Phadung Yingphaiboon, commander of the regiment, said the team would go back when the weather improved.
The discovery has put to rest the long-held theory that the helicopter,flying on a patrol mission on Aug 28,1997, had been shot down by the Burmese military, Col Phadung said.Burma asked Thailand to mount the search, because it did not want the shadow of the old claims hanging over it.
Col Phadung said the search team found the helicopter had broken into two. The aircraft must have hit a large tree about 20 metres from where it was found, lost its balance, spun around,and then crashed into another large tree before falling to the ground, he said.
No burn marks were found on the wreckage, he said.
The bodies of the pilot, Lt Adisak Pongpes, and three crew, Lt Charnvet Kiddee, SM 1 Anek Panchang and Sgt Jessada Thammasorn, have not been found.
A search team from the 4th Infantry Regiment in neighbouring Mae Sot district called an early halt to their recovery operation amid heavy rain after some team members developed a fever.
Phadung Yingphaiboon, commander of the regiment, said the team would go back when the weather improved.
The discovery has put to rest the long-held theory that the helicopter,flying on a patrol mission on Aug 28,1997, had been shot down by the Burmese military, Col Phadung said.Burma asked Thailand to mount the search, because it did not want the shadow of the old claims hanging over it.
Col Phadung said the search team found the helicopter had broken into two. The aircraft must have hit a large tree about 20 metres from where it was found, lost its balance, spun around,and then crashed into another large tree before falling to the ground, he said.
No burn marks were found on the wreckage, he said.
Abhisit flags tourism as new hope
The government plans to overhaul the country's investment policy by replacing unwanted manufacturing projects with tourism developments, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.
The move follows the Central Administrative Court's order last Tuesday suspending the operating permits of 76 projects, many of them in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and nearby areas in Rayong.
The government has appealed against the order to the Supreme Administrative Court.
Mr Abhisit said on his weekly TV and radio programme yesterday the government had assigned the National Economic and Social Development Board to study which industrial projects the country did not want and look into the possibility of whether tourism projects could replace them.
The impact of those scrapped projects on the economy and job creation would also be studied.
Mr Abhisit said the government was trying to balance the interests between industrial developers and local communities.
He said it was necessary for the government to appeal the court order regarding the industrial projects as it wanted to see what final guidelines the court would give for projects that have been granted government approval.
Meanwhile Suthi Atchasai, a leader of the People's Eastern Network, yesterday denounced the government's decision to appeal the court ruling,saying the appeal was not appropriate as Map Ta Phut residents would be badly affected if the projects went ahead.
Mr Suthi lashed out at the government for paying too much attention to the economy and industrial development and ignoring the plight of local residents living near the project sites.
He vowed to lead local residents to Bangkok on foot to protest against the government's decision.
He said unless the government changed its stand, his group would petition His Majesty against the government for failing to pay heed to the King's sufficiency economy concept.
The move follows the Central Administrative Court's order last Tuesday suspending the operating permits of 76 projects, many of them in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and nearby areas in Rayong.
The government has appealed against the order to the Supreme Administrative Court.
Mr Abhisit said on his weekly TV and radio programme yesterday the government had assigned the National Economic and Social Development Board to study which industrial projects the country did not want and look into the possibility of whether tourism projects could replace them.
The impact of those scrapped projects on the economy and job creation would also be studied.
Mr Abhisit said the government was trying to balance the interests between industrial developers and local communities.
He said it was necessary for the government to appeal the court order regarding the industrial projects as it wanted to see what final guidelines the court would give for projects that have been granted government approval.
Meanwhile Suthi Atchasai, a leader of the People's Eastern Network, yesterday denounced the government's decision to appeal the court ruling,saying the appeal was not appropriate as Map Ta Phut residents would be badly affected if the projects went ahead.
Mr Suthi lashed out at the government for paying too much attention to the economy and industrial development and ignoring the plight of local residents living near the project sites.
He vowed to lead local residents to Bangkok on foot to protest against the government's decision.
He said unless the government changed its stand, his group would petition His Majesty against the government for failing to pay heed to the King's sufficiency economy concept.
CPD IS AGAINST CHARTER CHANGES
The Campaign for Popular Democracy has voiced opposition to the government's bid to amend the 2007 Constitution, saying that such a move would only benefit politicians.
Suriyan Thongnu-ied, acting secretary-general, said yesterday that the proposed changes are not an issue for the general public because the charter is sufficiently progressive, especially in protecting civil liberties and community rights.
He said all previous charter amendments have failed to reduce the number of corrupt politicians.
"When politicians and governments are corrupt, there are arguments for the military to stage coups and nullify the charter. New charters are then written and amended. It's a vicious circle."
"If the government insists on charter amendment, there should be a referendum asking voters which articles of the charter should be amended instead of amending the charter first and then asking the people to endorse such revisions," he said.
Seri Suwannapanont, former deputy head of the charter-drafting committee, said it's obvious that politicians would gain from the proposed charter amendments, especially the government and the ruling Democrat Party.
The coalition partners also hope to use the movement to push for other issues such as an amnesty for ex-politicians, he added.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of New Politics Party, said the charter amendment could lead to a wider political rift and waste public funds since it costs about Bt2 billion to organise a nationwide referendum.
The proposed referendum on charter amendments could also be turned into a referendum on the fate of this government, he said.
Instead, the government should hold public hearings on the charter amendments as a means to educate the general public, he said.
In his weekly address, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the charter amendments would proceed under two guiding principles - the rewriting must foster the reconciliation of politicians and the proposed amendments must be endorsed by the people via a referendum.
The whips from all parties had agreed to frame the charter rewrite on six issues and the government would ensure the people to have the final say in the matter by voting in the referendum, he said.
He promised each of the six amendments would be enacted only after passing the referendum.
In regard to the timing of the referendum, the parties were weighing three options - before the drafting of amendments, after the completion of the draft and following the parliamentary deliberation.
The proponents and opponents of the charter rewrite would be allocated sufficient time to air their views ahead of the referendum, he said.
The referendum should take about 90 days to complete, he said.
Suriyan Thongnu-ied, acting secretary-general, said yesterday that the proposed changes are not an issue for the general public because the charter is sufficiently progressive, especially in protecting civil liberties and community rights.
He said all previous charter amendments have failed to reduce the number of corrupt politicians.
"When politicians and governments are corrupt, there are arguments for the military to stage coups and nullify the charter. New charters are then written and amended. It's a vicious circle."
"If the government insists on charter amendment, there should be a referendum asking voters which articles of the charter should be amended instead of amending the charter first and then asking the people to endorse such revisions," he said.
Seri Suwannapanont, former deputy head of the charter-drafting committee, said it's obvious that politicians would gain from the proposed charter amendments, especially the government and the ruling Democrat Party.
The coalition partners also hope to use the movement to push for other issues such as an amnesty for ex-politicians, he added.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of New Politics Party, said the charter amendment could lead to a wider political rift and waste public funds since it costs about Bt2 billion to organise a nationwide referendum.
The proposed referendum on charter amendments could also be turned into a referendum on the fate of this government, he said.
Instead, the government should hold public hearings on the charter amendments as a means to educate the general public, he said.
In his weekly address, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the charter amendments would proceed under two guiding principles - the rewriting must foster the reconciliation of politicians and the proposed amendments must be endorsed by the people via a referendum.
The whips from all parties had agreed to frame the charter rewrite on six issues and the government would ensure the people to have the final say in the matter by voting in the referendum, he said.
He promised each of the six amendments would be enacted only after passing the referendum.
In regard to the timing of the referendum, the parties were weighing three options - before the drafting of amendments, after the completion of the draft and following the parliamentary deliberation.
The proponents and opponents of the charter rewrite would be allocated sufficient time to air their views ahead of the referendum, he said.
The referendum should take about 90 days to complete, he said.
COALITION AGREES TO AMEND SIX POINTS
The coalition partners of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government yesterday endorsed a bid to amend six key points of the 2007 Constitution.
Newin Chidchob, who attended a high-powered meeting with the premier at Baan Phitsanulok on behalf of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, said there would be a separate draft for each of the key points for consideration by Parliament.
Abhisit declined to talk to reporters after the evening meeting, but there was reportedly a deal with other coalition party leaders.
The Abhisit government comprises six parties - the premier's Democrat Party, Newin's Bhum Jai Thai Party, Banharn Silapa-archa's Chart Thai Pattana Party, Suwat Liptapanlop's Ruam Jai Thai Party, Pinij Jarusombat's Puea Pandin Party and Suwit Khunkitti's Social Action Party.
All these coalition leaders were present at yesterday's meeting, even though they have been banned from politics for a five-year period.
One of the six key issues is to amend Article 237, which prescribes punishment by party dissolution in case of election fraud.
Another key issue is to regroup constituencies for the so-called one-man, one-vote system.
Newin, who has been a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the coalition, said the Abhisit government could last until next June if the charter amendment goes smoothly.
Abhisit said during his weekly address that a referendum would be conducted for the people to vote on each of the six issues slated for rewriting.
Parliament is going to take charge of the drafting of the six amendments while the government will assist in organising the referendum, he said.
Before the casting of the referendum votes, the whips are expected to launch an awareness campaign to clearly explain the pros and cons of each issue to voters, he said.
He reminded critics not to be overly concerned about partisan interests related to the charter amendments, saying voters would not approve any self-serving amendments.
The charter amendments, if passed by Parliament and approved in the referendum, will likely lessen the polarisation, he said, noting much of the existing animosity among politicians stemmed from differing views on charter provisions. The people will be the final judge to render the verdict on all or parts of the amendments, he said.
For example, the proposed amendment of Article 237 should be decided by a referendum and not by politicians, he said. All views on the provision will be aired and the government will respect the conclusion formed by the people, he said.
Even though in his personal opinion, he thinks the punishment for election fraud should be aimed at party executives and not the party, he would respect the referendum outcome.
He dismissed speculation about his coalition trying to cling to power by stretching the drafting and referendum proceedings.
The rough estimate of nine months to complete the charter amendment was based on prescribed steps under the law, he said.
Newin Chidchob, who attended a high-powered meeting with the premier at Baan Phitsanulok on behalf of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, said there would be a separate draft for each of the key points for consideration by Parliament.
Abhisit declined to talk to reporters after the evening meeting, but there was reportedly a deal with other coalition party leaders.
The Abhisit government comprises six parties - the premier's Democrat Party, Newin's Bhum Jai Thai Party, Banharn Silapa-archa's Chart Thai Pattana Party, Suwat Liptapanlop's Ruam Jai Thai Party, Pinij Jarusombat's Puea Pandin Party and Suwit Khunkitti's Social Action Party.
All these coalition leaders were present at yesterday's meeting, even though they have been banned from politics for a five-year period.
One of the six key issues is to amend Article 237, which prescribes punishment by party dissolution in case of election fraud.
Another key issue is to regroup constituencies for the so-called one-man, one-vote system.
Newin, who has been a powerful behind-the-scenes figure in the coalition, said the Abhisit government could last until next June if the charter amendment goes smoothly.
Abhisit said during his weekly address that a referendum would be conducted for the people to vote on each of the six issues slated for rewriting.
Parliament is going to take charge of the drafting of the six amendments while the government will assist in organising the referendum, he said.
Before the casting of the referendum votes, the whips are expected to launch an awareness campaign to clearly explain the pros and cons of each issue to voters, he said.
He reminded critics not to be overly concerned about partisan interests related to the charter amendments, saying voters would not approve any self-serving amendments.
The charter amendments, if passed by Parliament and approved in the referendum, will likely lessen the polarisation, he said, noting much of the existing animosity among politicians stemmed from differing views on charter provisions. The people will be the final judge to render the verdict on all or parts of the amendments, he said.
For example, the proposed amendment of Article 237 should be decided by a referendum and not by politicians, he said. All views on the provision will be aired and the government will respect the conclusion formed by the people, he said.
Even though in his personal opinion, he thinks the punishment for election fraud should be aimed at party executives and not the party, he would respect the referendum outcome.
He dismissed speculation about his coalition trying to cling to power by stretching the drafting and referendum proceedings.
The rough estimate of nine months to complete the charter amendment was based on prescribed steps under the law, he said.
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