Creation of khan

2012-01-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

প্রায় সাড়ে তিনশো টন ওজন বহন করার মতো বাংলাদেশের কোন শহরেই কোন ব্রীজ বা কালভার্ট-এর নেই। তাই ভারতের ট্রানজিটের পণ্যবাহী ট্রেইলার চলাচলের জন্য ব্রাহ্মনবাড়িয়ার ব্রীজ বা কালভার্টগুলোর পাশ দিয়ে তৈরী করা হয়েছে ডাইভার্সন রোড। আর এতে করে কৃষি কাজ ব্যহত হওয়াসহ ব্রাহ্মনবাড়িয়ায় সৃষ্টি হচ্ছে নানাবিধ সমস্যা। ব্রীজ-কালভার্টের পাশ দিয়ে বিকল্প ছোট সড়ক বা ডাইভার্সন রোডের এই দৃশ্য পুরো ব্রাহ্মনবাড়িয়া জুড়েই। ভারতীয় পণ্যবাহী প্রায় সাড়ে তিনশো টন ওজনের ট্রেইলারের চাপে এরই মধ্যে ক্ষতি হয়েছে বেশ কিছু কালভার্টের। বড় ধরনের দূর্ঘটনা ঘটার আশঙ্কায় রয়েছেন স্থানীরা।
ফসল উৎপাদনে এই ধরনের ডাইভার্সন রোড কৃষিকাজের জন্য হুমকী হয়ে দাড়িয়েছে বলে জানিয়েছেন অনেক কৃষক। ব্রীজ-কালভার্টের তলদেশ ভরাট করে এসব ডাইভার্সন রোড তৈরী করায় বর্ষায় তলিয়ে যাচ্ছে অনেক স্থান, যাতে ক্ষুদ্ধ এলাকাবাসী।............

Is it Bangladesh or indian state???...............

2012-01-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ekushay TV has shown a report where it has been shown how to provide transit to India and to facilitate the passing of heavy track and trolly of India, Bangladeshi government has created a dam on Titas river to make a link road in between Brahmanbaria and Akhaura only because the existing over bridge will not be able to handle the load of such heavy trolly and truck of India. It created a very adverse affect on the local peoples for dividing the Titas river into 2. It hampered flow of water and affected all the people those who live by depending on Titas river.

The reported raised couple of question towards the end of the report... starting by Local people are completely shocked for divining an alive river in to 2. He said "Is it the Golden bengal of Bangabandhu or Rabi Tagore??? or is it the beautiful bengal of Jibana nanda??? or is it the Bangladesh of Kazi Nazrul??? We do not know these great persons if would have been alive what dream they would see for this country. We only know that it is not like dividing nail river under the instruction of a prophet. With the instruction of own country and to give special facility to a foreign country a river has been divided. The chest of Titas river has been made injured severely."

ষড়যন্ত্র হলে হাসিনার পাশেই থাকবে দিল্লি...........

2012-01-30T19:30:00.000-08:00

ষড়যন্ত্র হলে হাসিনার পাশেই থাকবে দিল্লি
অগ্নি রায় • নয়াদিল্লি
ক্ষমতা থেকে বাংলাদেশের অগণতান্ত্রিক পদ্ধতিতে শেখ হাসিনাকে সরানোর চেষ্টা হলে, তাঁকে সব রকম সাহায্য করার সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী মনমোহন সিংহ। বাংলাদেশ সরকারকেও সেই বার্তা দেওয়া হয়েছে।
ভারত মনে করছে, শেখ হাসিনার বিরুদ্ধে গত কালের ব্যর্থ সামরিক অভ্যুত্থানের আসল লক্ষ্য ছিল নয়াদিল্লি। হাসিনা সরকার আসার পর থেকেই ভারত ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে যে মৈত্রীর পরিবেশ তৈরি হয়েছে, তাকে ভেস্তে দেওয়াটাই এই সেনা অভ্যুত্থানের লক্ষ্য। দু’দেশের গোয়েন্দারাই রিপোর্ট দিয়েছেন, এই লক্ষ্যে হিজবুত তাহরির, জামাতে ইসলামি ও খালেদা জিয়ার নেতৃত্বাধীন প্রধান বিরোধী দল বিএনপি একজোট হয়ে কাজ করছে। গোটা ঘটনার মাথা হিসেবে উঠে আসছে প্রাক্তন প্রধানমন্ত্রী খালেদা জিয়ার পুত্র তারেক রহমানের নামও।
এর আগেও ভারত-বিরোধী আন্দোলনের সঙ্গে তারেকের নাম উঠে এসেছে। অভিযোগ, ২০০৪ সালে আলফাকে অস্ত্র জোগানোর পরিকল্পনার পিছনেও খালেদা-পুত্র ছিলেন। চট্টগ্রামে ওই ঘটনার পরেই শেখ হাসিনার উপরে গ্রেনেড হামলা হয়। সেই ঘটনার সঙ্গেও তারেকের জড়িত থাকার প্রমাণ মিলেছে বলে জানিয়েছে পুলিশ। ভারত মনে করছে, এটা কোনও বিচ্ছিন্ন ঘটনা নয়। কারণ গোয়েন্দা সূত্রে খবর, গত সাত-আট মাস ধরেই এই চক্রান্ত চলছে। গত নভেম্বর মাসেই হাসিনাকে উৎখাতের একটি ষড়যন্ত্র হয়। সেনাবাহিনীর কিছু মাঝারি স্তরের অফিসার সেই সময়ে সেনা অভ্যুত্থানের ছক কষেছিল। কিন্তু শুরুতেই তাদের চক্রান্ত ফাঁস হয়ে যায়। তার পর থেকেই নজরদারি জোরদার করে সেনা-গোয়েন্দারা, যার ফলশ্রুতিতে এ বারের চক্রান্তটি ধরে ফেলা সম্ভব হয়। ভারত সরকারের এক প্রবীণ মন্ত্রীর কথায়, বাংলাদেশ স্বাধীন হয়েছে ৪০ বছর। তার পরে তার অর্ধেক সময়ই কেটেছে সেনাশাসনে। ও দেশে সেনা অভ্যুত্থানের আশঙ্কা তাই সব সময়েই থেকে যায়।
গোয়েন্দারা জানিয়েছেন, বিএনপি-জামাত জমানায় বিশেষ উদ্দেশ্যে সেনাবাহিনীতে বেশ কিছু কট্টর মৌলবাদীকেও নিয়োগ করা হয়েছিল। এখনও বাংলাদেশের সেনাবাহিনীতে মাঝারি স্তরের অফিসারদের মগজ ধোলাইদের চেষ্টা চলছে। ইস্তাহার প্রচার করে বলা হচ্ছে, ‘বাংলাদেশ যাতে আর একটা সিকিম না হয়ে যায়, তার জন্য সেনাবাহিনী থেকে ভারতপন্থী অফিসারদের সরাতে হবে।’ পরিস্থিতি সামলাতে বৃহস্পতিবার রাত থেকেই গোয়েন্দা-তথ্যের ভিত্তিতে বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন অঞ্চলে র্যাব ও পুলিশ নিষিদ্ধ সংগঠন ‘হিজবুত তাহরির’-এর বিরুদ্ধে অভিযান চালাচ্ছে। বেশ কিছু হিজবুত-সদস্যকে গ্রেফতারও করা হয়েছে।
কালই শেখ হাসিনা অভিযোগ করেছিলেন, বিএনপি-ও এই চক্রান্তের পিছনে রয়েছে। সে অভিযোগ অবশ্য আজ অস্বীকার করেছে বাংলাদেশের প্রধান বিরোধী দলটি। দলের মুখপাত্র মির্জা ফখরুল ইসলাম আলমগীর দাবি করেছেন, তাঁরা গণতান্ত্রিক প্রক্রিয়াতেই সরকার পরিবর্তনে বিশ্বাসী। দলের নেত্রী খালেদা জিয়া বাংলাদেশের প্রধানমন্ত্রী পদে তিন বার দায়িত্ব পালন করেছেন। তাই শেখ হাসিনার মন্তব্য অনভিপ্রেত ও অনাকাঙ্ক্ষিত। কিন্তু প্রাক্তন সেনাপ্রধান হারুন-অল-রশিদ মনে করছেন, “মুক্তিযুদ্ধ-বিরোধী নেতাদের বিচার শুরু হওয়ায় এই ধরনের ষড়যন্ত্র ফের হবে।” বিএনপি-র পাল্টা যুক্তি,তাদের দলের প্রতিষ্ঠাতা প্রয়াত জিয়াউর রহমানও মুক্তিযুদ্ধের প্রথম সারির নেতা ছিলেন। তাঁদের দলেও বহু প্রথম সারির মুক্তিযোদ্ধা রয়েছেন। তাই এই চক্রান্তে তাঁদের নাম জড়ানো ঠিক নয়।
বাংলাদেশের আঁচ যাতে এ দেশে এসে না পড়ে, গোয়েন্দাদের তার জন্য পরিস্থিতির উপর নজর রাখতে বলা হয়েছে। একই ভাবে বাংলাদেশ সীমান্ত সংলগ্ন সেনা-ঘাঁটিগুলিকেও সতর্ক থাকতে বলা হয়েছে। দিল্লিতে অবস্থিত বাংলাদেশি দূতাবাসের সঙ্গেও যোগাযোগ রাখা হচ্ছে। গত কালের সেনা-অভ্যুত্থান ভেস্তে দেওয়ার পিছনে ভারতের তরফ থেকেও গোয়েন্দা তথ্য ছিল। পশ্চিমবঙ্গ-সহ সীমান্তবর্তী রাজ্যগুলির সঙ্গেও যোগাযোগ রাখছে কেন্দ্র।
গোয়েন্দাদের কথায়, বাংলাদেশের বাইরেও হিজবুত তাহরিরের একটি সংগঠন রয়েছে। প্রবাসী বাংলাদেশিদের ওই সংগঠনে তারেক জিয়ার যথেষ্ট প্রভাব রয়েছে। বাংলাদেশে হিজবুতের প্রকাশ্য সংগঠন ‘ব্রাদার অফ ইসলাম’ও জামাতে ইসলামি ও বিএনপির সঙ্গে সমন্বয় রেখে কাজ করছে। তারা প্রচার করছে, টিপাইমুখ প্রকল্প গড়ে বা তিস্তা চুক্তি না-করে ভারত বাংলাদেশকে বঞ্চিত করে চলেছে। কিন্তু শেখ হাসিনা তা মাথা নিচু করে মেনে নিচ্ছেন। ভারতের বিরুদ্ধে চলছে ধর্মীয় উস্কানিমূলক প্রচারও। গত কালও চট্টগ্রামের একটি মসজিদে জড়ো হয়ে হিজবুত-সদস্যরা উস্কানিমূলক লিফলেট বিলি করছিল। তাদের কয়েক জনকে গ্রেফতার করা হয়েছে। ঢাকার উত্তরায় আজ গোপন বৈঠক করার সময় হিজবুতের পাঁচ সদস্যকে আটক করেছে র্যাব। সেখান থেকেই উস্কানিমূলক লিফলেট উদ্ধার হয়েছে। রাজশাহি থেকেও এক জনকে আটক করা হয়েছে।
শেখ হাসিনা প্রধানমন্ত্রী হওয়ার পরেই ২০০৯-এর ফেব্রুয়ারি মাসে বিডিআর বিদ্রোহ হয়। তার পরে এ বার চক্রান্তে সেনাদেরই একটি অংশ। বারবার এই ঘটনায় চিন্তায় রয়েছে ভারত। কারণ সাধারণ নির্বাচনের এখনও অনেক দেরি। ভারতের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের অনেক প্রকল্প প্রক্রিয়ার মধ্যে রয়েছে। ঢাকাকে একশো কোটি ডলার ঋণ দেওয়া হয়েছে। তিস্তা নিয়ে জট ছাড়ানোর পাশাপাশি বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে পণ্য পরিবহণ চালু করার চেষ্টাও চলছে।
শেখ হাসিনা সদ্য ত্রিপুরায় ঘুরে গিয়েছেন। শনিবার পেট্রাপোল-বেনাপোল সীমান্তে আরও একটি আস্থাবর্ধক পদক্ষেপ হতে চলেছে। এই পরিস্থিতিতে হাসিনা সরকারের কর্তৃত্ব যাতে কোনও ভাবেই দুর্বল না হয়ে যায়, তার জন্য স্পষ্ট ও কড়া অবস্থান নিয়েছেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী।

Awami bakshal nipa jak

2010-12-03T01:50:00.001-08:00

Kabir chowdury,ramendu mazumdar are broker of india

The Fourth Amendment to Bangladesh constitution was an insult and betrayal to the independent war.

2010-07-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

In Bangladesh, the great struggles of freedom in which go to the heart of post mother language battle of February 21, 1952. As the aggression and tyranny continued, once again in 1971, a nation stood up strong and passionately with fiery hands against the belligerence and unjust in hoping to provide equal justice, individual freedom, collective rights, freedom of religion, freedom of press, democracy, equal economic opportunity, and most importantly peace and security for all. The world was shocked and as well in high spirited to witness how a brave nation fought so fearlessly, sacrificed millions of lives, and in nine months in December 16, 1971 secured an own place in world map.

A moment of freedom, Bangladesh institutes self-governance and finds her in a time of extraordinary change. The population of the country, the size of the domestic economy, the size of the world market, the borderless economy, attractive changes in mobility and communication, the on going demands and improvements of technology, they are started in growing to be all larger, more alarming, more complicated, and certainly more difficult not only to achieve as well to manage. In many ways, to meet up these extraordinary challenges, a war torn country have need of an unselfish leadership with an unwavering mission with a clear vision to leaded the country.

The liberation war and a government, the strong endeavor of individual wisdom and responsibility unquestionably survived Bangladeshis coming together as one nation in 1971. All together, at nation’s best, a time to make real the promises of freedom to lift this nation from an unjust to a just society rested upon with post war government. Therefore, as country’s first elected government, Sheikh Mujib’s administration (1972-1975) was the defining period for the future of Bangladesh.

There is no higher calling than the sacrificing life for the country. Yet, the moment of glory stayed for a short period of time. Given the political attitude of the country, the sacrificed of three millions lives have on no account been treasured and realized. In addition, the war torn country took a demoralizing turn, the Fourth Amendment to the constitution was passed on January 25, 1975 abolishing parliamentary democracy, banning all political parties and introducing one-party presidential rule with a creation of one party system- “Bakshal.”

Not long ago, a nation stands at once as the wonder and admiration of the whole world. When more than ever the nation is in urgent need of moral courage from its public officials, the fourth amendment to the constitution demonstrated a more serious line of attack not only to the peace and security of the country as well it was a direct confrontation with the principle of the independence war. The courage, nation’s pride and honor, individual and collective freedom and rights, democratic process, and equal justice these all have been replaced by political uncertainty and with a vicious future.

Drawing on a wide range of arguments, one can suggests if nation’s aspiration was only to become free from then West Pakistan (now Pakistan), the implementation of fourth amendment could have been studied differently. But, given the objectives of the independence war, a close study suggests that because of the fourth amendment not only moral strength of a nation state purely collapsed as well social system as a whole. In reality, still today Bangladesh is striving to recover from.
The revolutionary nature of Bangladeshis, the evidence suggests nothing is clearer than their resolute belief in equal justice, and equal opportunity which are the social and moral fiber for a nation. As nation’s honor and social system collapsed, it was clear to envision that Bangladeshis will have a very long journey not only to have political stability as well to make social peace. Let us remember, it is always easy to have a handle on when a corporation or a group of people failed. But if history is any guide, at any time a government should failed a country generations bound to suffer from it.

The impacts of Sheikh Mujib’s era (1972-1975), one approach is to observe, the truth always will remain the truth, falsehood always will remain falsehood regardless of what people have to say. In truth, the policies his administration embraced and actions he pushed forward represented a great threat to Bangladesh’s future from all aspects: the military, equal justice, education, trade and industry, technology, civic leadership, and most of all the freedom. Thus, it was a departure from peace and security for the country. On the other hand, peoples of Bangladesh have failed to make the Fourth Amendment to take lesson from.

Given the fact, it is never easy to hold powerful officials accountable for their misdeeds, but it is still important to try to do so. Therefore, the Fourth Amendment raises complex issues about the future of the country. The government owes to the people of Bangladesh an open public hearing and thorough investigation about Sheik Mujib’s decision on Fourth Amendment. And as a responsible person, one shall have moral duty to ask why did an unchallenged leader such as Sheikh Mujib desire to do so? And did he act alone or was he advice to do so?

For the most part of Bangladesh’s history, the government and the opposition party in the parliament have not been able to advance their own agenda beyond the rhetorical stage, and in every day nation’s future grew uncertain. Thus, it will be right to say that there should be a strong agreement, the peoples of Bangladesh may have earned freedom, but they are not free, not yet.

Now it addresses the question we all are left with, how did a country like Bangladesh ever end up here? Certainly, the corruption and violence will not end until the occupation ends and people of Bangladesh are allowed to exercise genuine self-determination. In conclusion, self-determination will begin when Bangladesh will have a constitutional amendment outlawing a person to become a head of the government more than twice in a five years term.

azimkhan1983@gmail.com

2010-07-06T15:24:00.000-07:00

AL rule reminds Bangladeshis of dark days of BKSAL–Mujib’s dictatorship
EmailWritten by moinansari on Oct-12-09 2:48pm
From: rupeenews.com

Sleeping ministers, rapes and atrocities in Bangladesh

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Although nine months have already passed since Awami League led ‘Grand Alliance’ government [a combination of leftists and Islamists] came in power through a questioned landslide victory, according to Dhaka’s popular vernacular tabloid daily Manabzamin, twenty ministers and junior ministers in the cabinet are seen very much inactive. Two of the ministers of the present government are mostly spending time at home or hospital as they have several physical complications, while some of them do not attend their office even five hours a week. Ministries are forced to send files at their homes for signature. According to Manabzamin, there is no reflection of the Electoral Manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League in its administration. There are 52 member cabinet in Bangladesh consisting ministers, junior ministers and advisors.

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Treaty of friendship with India March 19 1972: Sheikk Mujib and his government presented the people fascism in the name of democracy, social injustice in the name of socialism, national disunity in the name of Bengali nationalism and communal disharmony in the name of secularism. In this way after subjugating the whole nation in a state of gasping suffocation all the opposition was crushed systematically through state terrorism with a view to close all the constitutional and democratic avenues to bring any change of government. The nation was thrown into an era of total darkness with no hope to breathe afresh. It was Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that mortgaged the national independence and state sovereignty signing the 25 years long-term unequal treaty with India. By creating Rakkhi Bahini, Lal Bahini, Sheccha Shebok Bahini and other private Bahinis AWAMI-BKSALISTS unleashed an unbearable reign of terror killing 40000 nationalists and patriotic people with out any trial.

The newspaper said, there is ‘tug of war’ between ministers and secretaries in a number of ministries in Bangladesh, as those ministers are trying to turn these government offices into mere center of party sycophants and touts. The most effective minister in the preset cabinet in Bangladesh is Abul Maal Abdul Muhit, who is in charge of the finance ministry. He is popularly known as the ‘digital minister’ in Bangladesh as he already has introduced e-communication system in his ministry where, every citizen of Bangladesh can contact the minister through email and get replies to their questions. Finance ministry in Bangladesh is considered to be the most effective under the leadership of AMA Muhit.

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Agricultural affairs minister Matia Chowdhury, who enjoys high esteem of being the most honest politician in Bangladesh is earning wrath of Awami League activists as she rejects all forms of requests from party touts. But now a days, there are even allegations of irregularities against Mrs. Chowdhury. She is alleged of issuing license for dealing in fertilizer only to Awami League cadres.

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Commerce minister Lieutenant Colonel [Retired] Faruq Khan has already earned the bad reputation of being the most talketive minister in Bangladesh. Although there are rumors that the commerce minister does not pay any heed to any type of persuation from the party cadres, it is proved that several relatives of him are active in lobbying and they are known to be the ‘channels’ in reaching the minister in getting any issue settled and done. Faruq Khan is already alleged of according a huge business contract of edible oil and sugar to a non-existent Swedish company.

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There are series of allegations against the junior minister in law ministry, Advocate Qamrul Islam. It is reported in press that, he is continuing to take bribes in appointing Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors in Bangladesh.

General Secretary or ruling party and minister in charge of local government and rural development [LGRD], Syed Ashraful Islam attends his office only 5-6 hours a week. His absence in the ministry causes tremendous obstacle in smooth performance of this very important office of the government.

According to some of his close allies, the LGRD minister wakes up from bed everyday at 1 pm. Till he gets prepared, the working hour of the ministry is almost finished. Syed Ashraful Islam is more busy in party activities than taking care of his responsibility as a very important minister.

Labor and manpower minister, Engineer Mosharraf Hussain [who is the father-in-law of Prime Minister’s daughter] has failed to make any contribution in creating any job scope for Bangladeshi workers abroad. He also has failed in doing anything in resolving the ongoing labor unrest in various textile and readymade garment industries in Bangladesh.

Junior minister of labor and manpower ministry, Monnujan Sufian [wife of a trade unionist] spends most of the time in her constituency instead of attending the ministry.

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Mujib's body lay in the streets for days: 1975 New York Tims reported death of Shaikh Mujib Ur Rahman:-Bangladesh: Coup de etat against Mujib Ur Rehman 14th August 1975: Soon after stepping on the soil of the independent country Awami League came out with the ambiguous slogan of “Mujibbad”. After three and half years when “Mujibbad” was proven to be an empty slogan Sheikh Mujibur Rahman like any other power hungry dictator promulgated 4th amendment and took all powers in his own hand by forming one party autocratic regime of BKSAL. This unprecedented constitutional coup de’ tat was called his ‘Second Revolution’. As he usurped absolute power apparently things for a while looked calm on the surface but beneath that uneasy calm political and social conditions were fast deteriorating. AWAMI-BAKSAL period is the dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Volumes would not be enough to write the full history. On Jan. 25, 1975 with a stroke of pen Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killed democracy and imposed on the nation the yoke of one party rule of BAKSAL. He snatched away from the people freedom of press, freedom of expression, fundamental rights along with all political rights. All national dailies and periodicals were banned except 4 government-controlled dailies. Constitutional rights of the judiciary were also high jacked and was brought under the administrative control. Rule of law thus was buried. AWAMI-BAKSAL period is the dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Volumes would not be enough to write the full history. On Jan. 25, 1975 with a stroke of pen Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killed democracy and imposed on the nation the yoke of one party rule of BAKSAL. He snatched away from the people freedom of press, freedom of expression, fundamental rights along with all political rights. All national dailies and periodicals were banned except 4 government-controlled dailies. Constitutional rights of the judiciary were also high jacked and was brought under the administrative control. Rule of law thus was buried.

Land minister Rexaul Karim Heera and Social Welfare minister Enamul Huq Mustafa Shahid spend most of their time at their homes, as they have several physical complications due to old age. Sons of these ministers were seen active in the ministries concerned in ‘looking after’ day-to-day activities of the ministries. It was reported in the local media that those sons of the ministers were making good amount of cash through various types of corruption, taking the advantage of their father’s undeclared representatives in the ministries.
Leftist leader Dilip Barua, who is in charge of the industries ministry has failed to show any remarkable performance in past nine months. He has already been alleged of corruption while purchasing fertilizer from abroad. It may be mentioned here that, Bangladesh imports Urea, Potash and other types of fertilizer from foreign countries worth a few hundred million dollar, each year.

Minister in charge of civil aviation and tourism ministry, Golam Mohammed Quader is working tirelessly despite series of threats from the corrupt trade unionists in several organizations under his ministry, including the nation flag career Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Communication minister Syed Abul Hossain is alleged to be persuing and lobbying in getting various projects for his own company named Shaco Limited. Abul Hossain is known to be a good friend of China.

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It is further alleged that, Abul Hossain has virtually forced the energy ministry in issuing the permission in favor of his own company for establishment of 150 mega watt power station in Sylhet district.

Health ministry has turned into an epicenter of war between the minister, junior minister and advisor. Due to such internal battle, there is virtually no performance of this ministry, which already resulted in no initiative from the government in providing vaccine to people during the recent crisis of Swine Flu. There are also reports in Bangladeshi media that the country is already suffering from acute crisis of birth control and family planning materials.

Minister in charge of livestock ministry is presently at the center of serious controversy as several animals are continuing to die at Dhaka zoo during past few weeks. The minister failed to take any action in stopping such dubious death of animals.

Bangladesh: Coup de etat against Mujib Ur Rehman 14th August 1975: Soon after stepping on the soil of the independent country Awami League came out with the ambiguous slogan of “Mujibbad”. After three and half years when “Mujibbad” was proven to be an empty slogan Sheikh Mujibur Rahman like any other power hungry dictator promulgated 4th amendment and took all powers in his own hand by forming one party autocratic regime of BKSAL. This unprecedented constitutional coup de’ tat was called his ‘Second Revolution’. As he usurped absolute power apparently things for a while looked calm on the surface but beneath that uneasy calm political and social conditions were fast deteriorating. AWAMI-BAKSAL period is the dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Volumes would not be enough to write the full history. On Jan. 25, 1975 with a stroke of pen Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killed democracy and imposed on the nation the yoke of one party rule of BAKSAL. He snatched away from the people freedom of press, freedom of expression, fundamental rights along with all political rights. All national dailies and periodicals were banned except 4 government-controlled dailies. Constitutional rights of the judiciary were also high jacked and was brought under the administrative control. Rule of law thus was buried. AWAMI-BAKSAL period is the dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Volumes would not be enough to write the full history. On Jan. 25, 1975 with a stroke of pen Sheikh Mujibur Rahman killed democracy and imposed on the nation the yoke of one party rule of BAKSAL. He snatched away from the people freedom of press, freedom of expression, fundamental rights along with all political rights. All national dailies and periodicals were banned except 4 government-controlled dailies. Constitutional rights of the judiciary were also high jacked and was brought under the administrative control. Rule of law thus was buried.

From these information it becomes crystal clear that the present government is gradually failing in ensuring good governance. Bangladesh Awami League is not only failing to fulfill its electoral pledges to the nation, but, pushing the fate of the nation towards multiple complicities mostly due to either mafunction or non-functioning of the ministers.

Meanwhile, another leading vernacular daily in Dhaka, Amader Shomoy reported that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajib Wajed Joy is working as her ‘undeclared advisor’ since the present government came in power.

In 1996, when Awami League came in power, Joy, who lives in United States committes series of irregularities by proclaiming to be the advisor to his mother. It was even reported in a English language periodical in Bangladesh that Sajib Wajed Joy became owner of huge properties in United States during the tenure of his mother [1996-2001].

Now, here is the most alarming information, which will clearly show the bad governance of Bangladesh Awami League in past nine months. According to Amar Desh, a front ranking vernacular dailly newspaper in Bangladesh, 338 women and children were raped during past nine months in various parts of Bangladesh while 50 women and 22 minor girls were murdered after rape.

The report further said, 68 women and 51 girls were also gang raped during past nine months.

On September 25, 2009, 10 activists of Bangladesh Awami League raped a young girl, on her return from a Hindu temple at Kolapara upazila [sub-district] under Patuakhali district at the Southern part of Bangladesh. Later, an influential ruling party leader of the sub-dustrict, forced the family members of the raped girl to sign in blank papers to stop them from lodging any complaint with police. None of the perpetrators were ever arrested since the brutal rape of the Hindu girl.

At Pirojpur district [Southern part of Bangladesh], Ahsan Kabir Mamun, information secretary of the district committee of the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League abducted a school girl and videographed while raping her with the help of his friends. It may be mentioned here that, while Awami League was in power in 1996, a leader of its student’s wing arranged a grand party at Jahangir Nagar University to celebrate the completion of his ‘raping 100 female students’. Later, instead of punishing this perpetrator, Awami League awarded him with a job at National University. Since Awami League came in power in 2009, such rapes have again started in various university campuses and residential halls in Bangladesh.

BAKSHAL

2010-07-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

On 24th Feb 1975 President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through a decree announced formation of the only political party of the country Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League or BKSAL. He also declared himself to be the chairman of BKSAL. In the 3rd article of the announcement it was stated, "Till any further order from the President all the members of the Parliament of the defunct Awami League, all its members, Cabinet Ministers, deputy Ministers, state Ministers will be considered as the members of the BKSAL. Bongo Bir Gen. Osmani and Barrister Mainul Hossain decided to defy this order and not to join BKSAL instead they both resigned from their Parliament membership.

Due to the announcement of the so-called ‘national party’ all other political parties got abolished. Finally CPB, NAP Muzaffar and Awami League got merged into BKSAL. Out of the 8 opposition members in the Parliament 4 joined BKSAL.

On 6th June 1975 the organizational structure and the constitution of BKSAL was announced. That day names of 115 members central committee were announced. In that 115 members-- vice President, Prime Minister, speaker, deputy speaker, Ministers, deputy Ministers, state Ministers, 3 Chiefs of the army, navy and airforce, DG BDR, DG JRB and the secretaries of all the ministries were included.

The Executive Committee of BKSAL

(1) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, (2) Sayed Nazrul Islam, (3) Mansoor Ali, (4) Khandakar Mushtaq Ahmed, (5) Abdul Hasnat Mohammad Kamruzzaman, (6) Abdul Malek Ukil (7) Prof. Yusuf Ali, (8) Manaranjan Dhar, (9) Mohiuddin Ahmed, (10) Gazi Golam Mustafa, (11) Zillur Rahman, (12) Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni, (13) Abdur Razzak.

List of the Central Committee of BKSAL

(1) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, (2) Sayed Nazrul Islam, (3) Mansoor Ali, (4) Abdul Malik Ukil, (5) Khandakar Mushtaq Ahmad, (6) A.H.M Kamaruzzaman, (7) Mahmudullah, (8) Abdus Samad Azad, (9) Yusuf Ali, (10) Fani Bhushan Majumder, (11) Dr. Kamal Hussain, (12) Sohrab Hussain, (13) Abdul Mannan, (14) Abdur Rab Shernyabat, (15) Manaranjan Dhar, (16) Abdul Matin, (17) Asaduzzanan, (18) Korban Ali, (19) Dr. Azizul Rahman Mallik, (20) Dr. Mozzaffar Ahmad Choudhury, (21) Tofayel Ahmad, (22) Shah Moazzam Hossain, (23) Abdul Momen Talukder, (24) Dewan Farid Ganj, (25) Professor Nurul Islam Choudhry, (26) Taher uddin Thakur, (27) Moslemuddin Khan, (28) MD Nurul Islam Manju, (29) AKM Obaidur Rahman, (30) Dr. Khitish Chandra Mandal.

(31) Reazuddin Ahmad, (32) M. Baitullah, (33) Rahul Quddus(Secretary), (34) Zillur Rahman, (35) Mohiuddin Ahmad MP, (36) Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moin, (37) Abdur Razzaq, (38) Sheikh Shahidul Islam, (39) Anwar Choudhry, (40) Sajeda Choudhry, (41) Taslema Abed, (42) Abdur Rahim, (43) Abdul Awal, (44) Lutfur Rahman, (45) A.K. Muzibur Rahman, (46) Dr. Mofiz Choudhry, (47) Dr. Allauddin, (48) Dr. Ahsanul Haq, (49) Raushan Ali, (50) Azizur Rahman Akkas, (51) Sheikh Abdul Aziz, (52) Salahuddin Yusuf, (53) Michale Shushil Adhikari, (54) Kazi Abdul Hakim, (55) Mollah Jalaluddin, (56) Shamsuddin Mollah, (57) Gaur Chandra Bala, (58) Gazi Ghulam Mustafa, (59) Shamsul Haq, (60) Shamsuzzoha, (61) Rafiqueuddin Bhuiya, (62) Syed Ahmad, (63) Shamsur Rahman Khan, (64) Nurul Haq, (65) Kazi Zahurul Qayyum, (66) Capt.(Retd) Sujjat Ali, (67) M.R. Siddiqui, (68) MA Wahab, (69) Chittaranjan Sutar, (70) Sayeda Razia Banu, (71) Ataur Rahman Khan, (72) Khandakar Muhammad Illyas, (73) Mong Pru Saire, (74) Professor Muzzafar Ahmad, (75) Ataur Rahman, (76) Pir Habibur Rahman, (77) Sayeed Altaf Hussain, (78) Muhammad Farhad, (79) Motia Choudhury. (80) Hazi Danesh, (81) Taufiq Inam(Secretary), (82) Nurul Islam(Secretary), (83) Fayezuddin (Secretary), (84) Mahbubur Rahman(Secretary), (85) Abdul Khaleque, (86) Muzibul Haq (Secretary), (87) Abdur Rahim(Secretary), (88) Moinul Islam (Secretary), (89) Sayeeduzzaman(Secretary), (90) Anisuzzaman(Secretary), (91) Dr. A Sattar (Secretary), (92) M.A Samad(Secretary), (93) Abu Tahir (Secretary), (94) Al Hossaini (Secretary), (95) Dr Tajul Hossain(Secretary), (96) Motiur Rahman. Chairman. TCB, (97) Maj. Gen K.M. Safiullah, (98) Air Vice Marshal Khandakar, (99) Comodore M.H.Khan, (100) Maj Gen. Khalilur Rahman, (101) A.K. Naziruddin, (102) Dr. Abdul Matin Choudhury, (103) Dr.Mazharul Islam, (104) Dr.Sramul Haq, (105) ATM Syed Hossain, (106) Nurul Islam, (107) Dr. Nilima Ibrahim, (108) Dr. Nurul Islam PG Hospital, (109) Obaidul Haq Eiditor Observer, (110) Anwar Hossain Manju Editor Ittefaq, (111) Mizanur Rahman BPI, (112) Manawarul Islam, (113) Brig. A.M.S. Nuruzzaman DG Jatiyo Rakki Bahini, (114) Kamruzzaman teachers Association, (115) Dr. Mazhar Ali Kadri.

In the same declaration 5 sister organisation of BKSAL were also formed:-
General Secretaries

1. Jatiyo Krishak league Fani Bhushan Majumdar

2. Jatiyo Sramik league Professor. Yousuf Ali

3. Jatiyo Mahila league Sajeda Choudhury

4. Jatiyo Jubo league Tofayel Ahmed

5. Jatiyo Chattra league Sheikh Shahidul Islam.

The general Secretaries nominated were most trusted confidants of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The members of the central committees of these organizations consisted of members taken from CPB, NAP Muzaffar and Jatiyo league of Ataur Rahman Khan.

In accordance with forming of BKSAL on 16th June 1975, News Paper Cancellation Act was promulgated. Under this Act only four nationalized dailies were allowed to be published along with a few weeklies. Rests were all banned.

Thus after complete burial of democracy the whole country was subjugated under unprecedented reign of white terror. Being denied of personal security the people was suffocated and became hostages in their own homeland under the tyranny of the autocratic BKSAL rule. The political leaders and workers alike miserably failed to grasp the famous doctrine, "Of the people, by the people and for the people." Thus people could not achieve their cherished dream in spite of their glorious straggle and sacrifice. All their efforts had got lost once again in the blind alley because of the betrayal of the leadership.

The Road To BAKSAL

2010-07-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

The forecast of the political weather of Bangladesh is not very good. The way the ruling regime Awami League is treating the opposition parties and stifling dissent voices reminds people of the BAKSAL (Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League) of 1975 when all opposition political parties and newspapers were banned.

During the campaign of the last general election, Awami League never mentioned that, in honour of the founder of BAKSAL Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it would go back to a one-party political system in Bangladesh. But now we notice an irresistible tendency in the Awami psyche to return to BAKSAL style politics.

Television channels and newspapers are being shut down. Rallies of opposition parties are being thwarted with bright Awami excuses: Awami affiliate organizations call counter rallies at the venue where opposition parties want to hold a meeting; and then the police step in and declare 144 to proscribe any political rallies. On one occasion, obviously directed by the government high-ups in Dhaka, a local UNO emerged in the midst of a political meeting and declared 144 on the spot. Needless to say, if such an episode occurred in the midst of an Awami rally, the UNO would not have returned home alive.

Unlike the first Awami regime of the 1970s, the current Awami government does not shut down a newspaper without an excuse. It locates a Hasmat Ali, takes him away from his home and keeps him in a secret location for 6 hours. Then the country comes to know that this Hasmat Ali sues an editor, on the basis of which the government arrests the editor and shuts down his newspaper.

Unlike the earlier Awami regime, the current one has a big advantage: with the help of a neighbouring country it has produced dozens of ‘intellectuals’ affiliated with universities who issue moral certificates to Awami human rights violations. Many of these intellectuals appear on TV, write for newspapers and sell statements. They are instrumental in distracting the attention of the people from the pressing issues and in bringing in issues in public attention that have no relevance to the eradication of poverty or to the advancement of the country. These intellectuals will present the 21st-century BAKSAL to the world in a sugar-coated way. Since the Awami League uses the secularism slogan to sell its fascist ideas, the secular west may turn a blind eye to a one-party political system in Bangladesh. However, the people of Bangladesh will have to bear the brunt of the atrocities of such a one-party political system.

awami bakshal

2010-07-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

Bakshal Ordinance 1975 (Jan25-Aug15) : A Dark Spot in the History of Bangladesh ১৯৭৫ সালের ২৫শে জানুয়ারি। জাতীয় সংসদে মাত্র মিনিট পাঁচেকের আলোচনার অভিনয় করেই বাংলাদেশে গণতন্ত্রকে কবর দেয়ার আয়োজন সম্পন্ন করা হলো। জাতীয় সংসদের বিশাল কক্ষে উপস্হিত জনপ্রতিনিধিবৃন্দ সংবিধানের চতুর্থ সংশোধনী গ্রহণ করার মাধ্যমে দেশের অসহায়, বিমুঢ় জনগণের কাঁধে নির্দ্বিধায় একদলীয়, চরম স্বৈরতান্ত্রিক শাসন ব্যবস্হার জোয়াল চাপিয়ে দিলেন। মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান এক লহমায় বনে গেলেন মহামান্য রাষ্ট্রপতি শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান। আওয়ামী লীগসহ দেশের সকল রাজনৈতিক দল নিষিদ্ধ করে জন্ম দেয়া হলো দেশের একমাত্র রাজনৈতিক দল, যার নাম বাংলাদেশ কৃষক শ্রমিক আওয়ামী লীগ, সংক্ষেপে বাকশাল। বাক স্বাধীনতার টুঁটি টিপে হত্যা করে চারটি সংবাদপত্র ব্যতীত সকল সংবাদপত্র প্রকাশনার অনুমোদন বাতিল করা হলো। রাষ্ট্রপ্রধান, তার পরিবারবর্গ এবং অপরাপর ক্ষমতাবান ব্যক্তিবর্গের স্তাবকতার জন্য বাঁচিয়ে রাখা হলো ইত্তেফাক, দৈনিক বাংলা, বাংলাদেশ টাইমস এবং বাংলাদেশ অবজারভার। চতুর্থ সংশোধনীর মাধ্যমে প্রণীত শাসন ব্যবস্হা যে কি পরিমাণ ফ্যাসিষ্ট প্রকৃতির ছিল, সেটি সংশ্লিষ্ট আইনের উদ্ধৃত অনুচ্ছেদ দুটি থেকেই উপলব্ধি করা সম্ভবঃ
‘‘অনুঃ ১১৭ক। জাতীয় দল। ১) রাষ্ট্রপতির নিকট যদি সন্তোষজনকভাবে প্রতীয়মান হয় যে, এই সংবিধানের দ্বিতীয় ভাগে বর্ণিত রাষ্ট্র পরিচালনার মুলনীতিসমুহের কোনো একটা পরিপুর্ণভাবে কার্যকর করিবার উদ্দেশ্যে অনুরুপ করা প্রয়োজন, তাহা হইলে তিনি, আদেশ দ্বারা, নির্দেশ দিতে পারিবেন যে, রাষ্ট্রে শুধু একটা রাজনৈতিক দল (অতঃপর জাতীয় দল নামে অভিহিত) থাকিবে।
২) যখন (১) দফার অধীন কোনো আদেশ প্রণীত হয়, তখন রাষ্ট্রের সকল রাজনৈতিক দল ভাঙ্গিয়া যাইবে এবং রাষ্ট্রপতি জাতীয় দল গঠন করিবার জন্য প্রয়োজনীয় সমস্ত পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করিবেন।
৩) জাতীয় দলের নামকরণ, কার্যসুচি, সদস্যভুক্তি, শৃঙ্খলা, অর্থসংস্হান এবং কর্তব্য ও দায়িত্ব সম্পর্কিত সকল বিষয় রাষ্ট্রপতির আদেশ দ্বারা নির্ধারিত হইবে।
৪)(৩) দফার অধীন রাষ্ট্রপতি কতৃক প্রণীত আদেশ-সাপেক্ষে প্রজাতন্ত্রের কর্মে নিযুক্ত কোনো ব্যক্তি জাতীয় দলের সদস্য হইবার যোগ্য হইবেন।
অনুঃ ৩৪। রাষ্ট্রপতি-সংক্রান্ত বিশেষ বিধান। সংবিধানে যাহা বলা হইয়াছে, তাহা সত্ত্বেও এই আইন প্রবর্তনের সঙ্গে সঙ্গে,
ক) এই আইন প্রবর্তনের অব্যবহিত পুর্বে যিনি বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি পদে অধিষ্ঠিত ছিলেন, তিনি রাষ্ট্রপতির পদে থাকিবেন না এবং রাষ্ট্রপতির পদ শুন্য হইবে;
খ) জাতির পিতা বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি হইবেন এবং রাষ্ট্রপতির কার্যভার গ্রহণ করিবেন এবং উক্ত প্রবর্তন হইতে তিনি বাংলাদেশের রাষ্ট্রপতি পদে বহাল থাকিবেন যেন তিনি এই আইনের দ্বারা সংশোধিত সংবিধানের অধীন রাষ্ট্রপতি পদে নির্বাচিত হইয়াছেন।”

বাংলাদেশের জনগণের সৌভাগ্য যে উপরোক্ত গণবিরোধী, নিবর্তনমুলক একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হার স্হায়িত্বকাল ছিল সাকুল্যে ৬ মাস ২০ দিন। তবে সেই স্বল্প সময়ের নির্যাতনের দুঃসহ স্মৃতি এখনো দেশবাসীর মনে জাগরুক রয়েছে বলেই আমার বিশ্বাস। ১৯৭৭ সালে মরহুম জিয়াউর রহমান বহুদলীয় গণতান্ত্রিক শাসন ব্যবস্হায় রাষ্ট্রকে ফিরিয়ে নিয়ে যান। ইতিহাসের নির্মম পরিহাস আওয়ামী লীগের অবিসংবাদিত নেতা মরহুম শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান নিজেই তার ঐতিহ্যবাহী দলকে হত্যা করেছিলেন এবং সেই মৃত দলের পুনরুজ্জীবন ঘটিয়েছেন বিএনপির প্রতিষ্ঠাতা মরহুম জিয়াউর রহমান।

পাঠক হয়তো ভাবছেন ২০০৮ সালে এসে আমি ১৯৭৫ সালের কাহিনী উত্থাপন করছি কেন? জনগণ বুঝতে পারছেন কিনা জানি না, তবে নির্বাচনের নামে বাংলাদেশে আবারো একটি একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হা প্রবর্তনের উদ্যোগ গ্রহণ করা হয়েছে। সেই কারণেই ১৯৭৫ সাল এখনো আমাদের কাছে অতি প্রাসঙ্গিক। এদেশ থেকে একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হা বিতাড়িত হয়েছিল ১৯৭৫ সালের ৮ নভেম্বর এক সামরিক ফরমানের মাধ্যমে। পরবর্তীতে অবশ্য ১৯৭৯ সালের ৬ এপ্রিল তারিখে সংসদে পঞ্চম সংশোধনী গ্রহণ করা হলে বাকশাল বিতাড়নকারী উল্লিখিত সামরিক ফরমানটি সাংবিধানিকভাবে বৈধতাপ্রাপ্ত হয়। অর্থাৎ ১৯৭৫ সালে শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান কতৃêক চরম অগণতান্ত্রিক ব্যবস্হা প্রণয়ন প্রক্রিয়ায় বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনীর কোনো ভুমিকা ছিল না; বরং গণতন্ত্র ফিরিয়ে আনার ক্ষেত্রে তারা ইতিবাচক পদক্ষেপ নিয়েছিল। দুর্ভাগ্যজনকভাবে আবারো বাংলাদেশের জনগণকে একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হার নিগড়ে আষ্টেপৃষ্ঠে বাঁধার যে দেশি-বিদেশি আয়োজন চলছে, সেখানে অনভিপ্রেতভাবে সেনাবাহিনীর একাংশের ভুমিকা রয়েছে বলেই অধিকাংশ নাগরিকের ধারণা।

এক-এগারোর পুর্ব পর্যন্ত বাংলাদেশে সর্বাপেক্ষা নিন্দিত সরকারের ক্রমতালিকায় প্রথম দুটি স্হান অধিকার করেছিল যথাক্রমে ১৯৭৫ সালের ২৫ জানুয়ারি-পরবর্তী বাকশাল সরকার এবং জেনারেল (অব.) এরশাদের আট বছর মেয়াদি স্বৈরসরকার। গণবিরোধিতার বিচারে পুর্বোক্ত দুটি সরকারের সঙ্গে এখন সমানতালে পাল্লা দিচ্ছে ড. ফখরুদ্দীন আহমদের সাংবিধানিকভাবে প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ ২২ মাস বয়সী তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকার। এই সরকারের প্রকাশ্য এবং অপ্রকাশ্য কর্তাব্যক্তিরা তাদের অজনপ্রিয়তার বিষয়ে সম্যকভাবে অবহিত আছেন। সরকারের সঙ্গিন অবস্হার বিষয়টি সম্পর্কে তাদের বিদেশি মুরব্বিরাও এতদিনে জেনে গেছেন বলেই আমার ধারণা। এমতাবস্হায় ক্ষমতাসীন নীতি-নির্ধারকবৃন্দ একটি একতরফা এবং নিয়ন্ত্রিত নির্বাচন অনুষ্ঠানের মাধ্যমে একদলীয় শাসন প্রতিষ্ঠার উদ্যোগ গ্রহণ করায় আমি অন্তত বিস্মিত হইনি। নবরুপে বাকশাল প্রতিষ্ঠার উদ্যোগে ১৯৭৫ সালের মতোই সুশীল (?) সমাজের নানাভাবে সমর্থন প্রদানও প্রত্যাশিত। বাকশাল প্রতিষ্ঠিত হওয়ার পর তৎকালীন সুশীলরা (?) রোদে পুড়ে, বৃষ্টিতে ভিজে ঘণ্টার পর ঘণ্টা দাঁড়িয়ে থেকে মরহুম শেখ মুজিবুর রহমানের পদস্পর্শ করে যেভাবে সংহতি প্রকাশ করতেন সেই স্মৃতি ভুলে যাই কি করে? সেই সকল সুশীলের (?) মধ্যে অনেকে এখনো জীবিত রয়েছেন। এদেরই একজন বর্তমানের ডাকসাইটে সুশীল (?) নেতা এবং পশ্চিমা সাম্রাজ্যবাদীদের একান্ত আপনজন ড. কামাল হোসেন বাকশাল গঠন প্রক্রিয়ায় প্রত্যক্ষ ভুমিকা রেখেছিলেন। একই ড. কামাল যে এক-এগারোর একজন প্রধান রুপকার, তাও তো দেশবাসীর অজানা থাকার কথা নয়।

১৯৭৫ সালের তুলনায় এখনকার কুশীলবরা একদলীয় শাসন প্রতিষ্ঠার উদ্যোগে অবশ্য অধিকতর সুবিধাজনক অবস্হানে রয়েছেন। সেই সময় বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী অগণতান্ত্রিক কার্যকলাপের সঙ্গে একেবারেই সম্পৃক্ত ছিল না। আর এবার স্বয়ং সেনাবাহিনী প্রধানের সহোদর এবং তার কন্যা-জামাতার ভাই (পুত্রা) নির্বাচনে অংশগ্রহণ করছেন। একজন নির্বাচনে দাঁড়িয়েছেন স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থীরুপে এবং অন্যজন এক-এগারো প্রক্রিয়ার সরাসরি আঁতাতভুক্ত আওয়ামী লীগ থেকে। সেনাবাহিনী প্রধানের সহোদরের বিরুদ্ধে আওয়ামী লীগ একজন দুর্বল প্রার্থীকে মনোনয়ন দিয়েছে, যাতে সেনাপ্রধানের ভাই সহজেই নির্বাচনে বিজয় লাভ করতে পারেন। বাংলাদেশের বিগত আটটি জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে কখনো ক্ষমতাসীন সেনাপ্রধানের সহোদর নির্বাচনে অংশগ্রহণ করেছেন এমন ঘটনা স্মরণে আসছে না। এরপর বর্তমান প্রশাসনকে নিরপেক্ষ আখ্যায়িত করার আর কোনো সুযোগ নিশ্চয়ই থাকে না। ১৯৭৫ সালে একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হা প্রণয়নে সেনাবাহিনীর কোনো রকম ভুমিকা না থাকলেও পুর্বেই বলেছি এবারের চিত্র ভিন্নতর। তদুপরি এবারকার আন্তর্জাতিক পরিস্হিতি একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হা প্রবক্তাদের অধিকতর অনুকুলে। সত্তর-এর দশকে বিশ্ব দুটি বিবদমান শিবিরে বিভক্ত থাকায় বাংলাদেশের মতো ক্ষুদ্র রাষ্ট্রসমুহের দরকষাকষির একটা সুযোগ অন্তত ছিল। আর এখন সারাবিশ্বে দাপট দেখাচ্ছে একমাত্র পরাশক্তি, সাম্রাজ্যবাদী মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। সেই স্বেচ্ছাচারী পরাশক্তি মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র এবং আঞ্চলিক আধিপত্যবাদী শক্তি ভারত বর্তমানে আণবিক মিত্রতা চুক্তিতে আবদ্ধ। এই মিলিত শক্তি বাংলাদেশে একটি কথিত ধর্মনিরপেক্ষতাবাদী একদলীয় শাসন ব্যবস্হাকেই যে তাদের স্বার্থের অনুকুল বিবেচনা করবে, সে বিষয়ে সন্দেহের কোনো অবকাশ নেই। স্মরণে রাখা দরকার ইরাকে ধর্মনিরপেক্ষ বাথ পার্টির নেতা সাদ্দাম হোসেনকে ব্যবহার করেই সাম্রাজ্যবাদী মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র দশকের পর দশক মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে অনৈক্য জিইয়ে রেখে প্রয়োজন ফুরানো মাত্র তাকে হত্যা করেছে। দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার বাস্তবতায় মার্কিন-ভারত অক্ষশক্তির কাছে এখন বাংলাদেশে গণতন্ত্র কিংবা নাগরিকের মৌলিক অধিকার কোনো বিবেচ্য বিষয় নয়। প্রয়োজন হচ্ছে যে কোনো মুল্যে সর্বঅবস্হায় মাথা নাড়ানো একটি পুতুল সরকার। কাজেই দুঃসংবাদ হচ্ছে এবারের একদলীয় সরকার ১৯৭৫ সালের তুলনায় দীর্ঘস্হায়ী হওয়ার আশঙ্কাই অধিক। জরুরি আইনকে ব্যবহার করে একটি পাতানো নির্বাচনে অংশগ্রহণ করার মাধ্যমে এই অনৈতিক এবং দেশের স্বার্থবিরোধী প্রক্রিয়াকে আওয়ামী লীগের মতো বৈধতা দান করবে কিনা সেই সিদ্ধান্ত চারদলীয় জোটের একান্ত নিজস্ব ব্যাপার। তবে দেশপ্রেমিক, স্বাধীনতাকামী জনগণকে দেশের সার্বভৌমত্ব রক্ষার জন্য দীর্ঘস্হায়ী প্রতিরোধ সংগ্রামের প্রস্তুতি গ্রহণ করতে হবে এবং তা এখনই।

Missile Defense in Asia

2009-11-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

North Korean and Chinese missile forces cast a long shadow over U.S. allies in Northeast Asia. The United States has sought to develop common missile defense policies among its allies-Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan-to defend the region against missile attacks from North Korean and Chinese launch sites. Yet the varied responses of its allies have led to a record of mixed success in dealing comprehensively with this ominous threat.

North Korea's launching of a No Dong missile over the Japanese archipelago in 1998 generated a strong sense of national vulnerability and public support in Japan for intensifying construction of a missile defense system. South Korea's tepid response to North Korean military provocations was the result of Seoul's fear of undermining its diplomatic and economic outreach to Pyongyang. In Taiwan, the government finally managed to pass a budget to augment its missile defense system only to face a U.S. roadblock.

North Korea has deployed approximately 600 short-range Scud tactical ballistic missiles and 200 medium-range No Dong missiles. The Scud missiles have an estimated range of 320 km-500 km, which limits them to South Korean targets. The No Dong has a range of 1,300 km, allowing it to target most of Japan. Pyongyang is also developing two longer-range variants, the Taepo Dong 1 (TD-1) and Taepo Dong 2 (TD-2), but they have not yet been deployed because of failed test launches. The ranges of the TD-1 and TD-2 are uncertain but are estimated at 2,220 km and 6,000 km, respectively.

On August 31, 1998, North Korea launched a TD-1 missile that flew over Japan. Although its third stage failed, it demonstrated a long-range capability that could put Alaska, Hawaii, and the western United States at risk. On July 4, 2006, Pyongyang successfully launched six Scud and No Dong missiles, but a TD-2 missile failed after 42 seconds of flight and crashed into the Sea of Japan. If the launch had been successful, the TD-2 would have flown over Japan.

The most visible aspect of the Chinese missile threat is shortrange ballistic and cruise missiles. By late 2007, China had deployed 990-1,070 conventionally armed (but nuclear capable) Dongfeng-11 and Dongfeng-15 short-range missiles opposite Taiwan. It is augmenting this force with approximately 100 new missiles per year, including variants with improved ranges, accuracies, and payloads. China also has 300-400 operational long-range missiles that could reach U.S. and Japanese forces on Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands.

In July 1995 and again in March 1996, China launched a series of missiles to intimidate Taiwanese voters into electing a pro-China candidate in Taiwan's first popular presidential elections. Its intervention closed the Taiwan Strait to merchant shipping for several days and forced thousands of ships to reroute around Taiwan's east coast. The missile tests underscored China's willingness to use short-range ballistic missiles as instruments of coercion.

Driven by concerns over North Korea's highly visible and growing missile and nuclear capabilities, as well as the quiet but inexorable expansion of China's ballistic missile forces on the Taiwan Strait, Japan is pursuing Aegis sea-based missile defense systems and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) systems around Okinawa and Tokyo. Despite repeated U.S. urging, however, it is reluctant to adopt a broader regional security role.

Japan's postwar pacifist constitution precludes engagement in "collective self-defense," or defending another country against attack. Under the current interpretation, it is uncertain whether Japanese missile defense systems would be allowed to intercept missiles attacking the United States or to protect a U.S. naval vessel that was next to a Japanese Aegis destroyer. On June 24, 2008, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda rejected the recommendations of a panel convened by his predecessor that would have allowed a more expansive interpretation of Japanese defense roles, including defending the United States.

Progressive South Korean Presidents Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo-hyun downplayed the extent of the North Korean threat to garner domestic support for their attempts to foster reconciliation with Pyongyang. Seoul was fearful that deploying a missile defense system or even criticizing North Korea over its military provocations and human rights abuses would anger Pyongyang and lead to a collapse of the inter-Korean engagement policy.

President Roh resisted joining an integrated missile defense system with the U.S. and limited the South Korean response to building a lowtier missile shield. General Burwell Baxter Bell, then commander of U.S. Forces Korea, underscored that South Korea does not currently have a missile defense system that complements deployed U.S. capabilities. He recommended that Seoul "look more directly at the anti-theater ballistic missile capacity, partner better with us and fully integrate with our capacity, so that they can provide a more protective envelope for their nation."

To do so, South Korea must deploy a more sophisticated missile defense system, including PAC-3 and SM-3 missiles. Seoul is currently building a low-tier missile shield by purchasing eight batteries of older German Patriot-2 missiles and fielding Aegis destroyers without theater ballistic missile capability.

Since Lee Myung-bak was elected president, South Korean defense officials have been more receptive to joining the U.S. global ballistic missile defense (BMD) initiative. However, General Lee Sung-chool, deputy commander of Combined Forces Command, stated that before joining a U.S. BMD system, Seoul would have to "conduct a comprehensive review of lots of factors first, such as a security environment around the peninsula, conditions of combat areas, North Korea's military threat, budgetary issues, and public sentiment."

In December 2007, Taiwan's legislature announced a long-delayed decision to increase defense spending, including funding for upgrading PAC-2 systems and purchasing three PAC-3 missile defense batteries. The PAC-2 upgrades would enhance ground support equipment for three existing fire units to enable them to fire either Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM) or PAC-3 missiles. The PAC-3 would be the more likely option because the PAC-2 GEM is no longer in U.S. production.

However, the Bush Administration has delayed the $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, which includes the missile defense requests. Although there has been no official change in U.S. policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reportedly put a hold on the arms sale to avoid irritating China, lest it upset ongoing North Korea negotiations and the President's visit to the Beijing Olympics. Reports also suggest that the Ma administration in Taipei requested the hold as part of its push to resuscitate cross-strait negotiations.

The Heritage Foundation is releasing a new documentary film about missile defense titled, 33 Minutes. On the 33 Minutes site, the movie trailer can be viewed, along with a wealth of information and articles about missile defense in the United States and worldwide.

Missile Defense in Europe

2009-11-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

The U.S. ballistic missile defense (BMD) system is a single, integrated system to protect the United States, its deployed forces, and U.S. allies and friends against growing threats posed by ballistic missiles from rogue states such as North Korea and Iran. It is the policy of the United States to work with its allies to deploy defenses against existing and emerging threats from missiles of all ranges.

This is important because a ballistic missile carrying just one weapon of mass destruction payload could cause catastrophic damage to a country. The missile defense system deployed over the past four years protects the United States against long-range attack. It also integrates mobile sea-based and transportable land-based capabilities to intercept shorter-range missiles. In missile defense, geography matters.

The early warning radars in Alaska, California, and the United Kingdom and the long-range missiles based at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, are not positioned properly to defend Europe against intermediate-range and long-range ballistic missile attacks from Iran. The short-range defenses (including Patriot systems) deployed by a handful of European allies and current U.S. sea-based missile defenses cannot provide adequate defensive coverage and engage with high confidence the much faster missiles coming out of the Middle East. Iran is in an aggressive race to build on its shorter-range missiles to extend its military reach. It is also acquiring missile technologies and even whole missile systems through trade with proliferators such as North Korea. Iran has publicly announced that it is developing a space launch vehicle, which means developing the technologies and knowledge (e.g., rocket staging) for longer-range ballistic missiles.

These developments, combined with the statements by Iran's leaders (e.g., Ahmadinejad's stated goal "to wipe Israel off the face of the map" and his admonition that other nations must "bow down before the greatness of the Iranian nation and surrender") are reasons for concern about Iran's military direction. One must ask why a country such as Iran is acquiring ballistic missiles that can reach more than 1,500 kilometers, a strike range that would overfly Israel and the American bases in the region.

One possible answer is that Iran sees value in having the ability to coerce and impose Iranian policy on European leaders by holding them hostage. The power to blackmail and threaten European and U.S. leaders means that Iran might not need to fire a single missile to affect the foreign and defense policies of its enemies.

An operational missile defense system that protects European nations could counter any such move by Tehran. Preparing defenses against an emerging missile threat takes many years, which is why the Bush Administration decided to proceed with deploying 10 long-range interceptors in Poland and building a midcourse discrimination radar in the Czech Republic.

The missiles and the radar would provide redundant protection of the United States and an initial defense of Central and Northern Europe from long-range ballistic missile attack. The radar in Central Europe would supplement sensor coverage from the early warning radar in the United Kingdom, which is already integrated into the U.S. system, and other radars that might be deployed in and around the region on land and at sea. These Central European sites provide geographically ideal locations for protecting both the United States and our European allies. Allies in Southern Europe are not vulnerable to long-range missile attack from Iran, but in a crisis, they would need the shorter-range defenses offered by Patriot PAC-3s, Aegis BMD ships, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries, and other NATO missile defense systems. The United States has concluded negotiations with the Czech Republic and Poland. In April 2008, all 26 NATO nations formally endorsed the missile defense plan, agreeing with the United States that the threat from Iran is serious and that the Bush Administration's planned defense approach is the right one. The benefits of this deployment are clear.

Long-range defenses in Europe will increase the options available to U.S. leaders to defend against sophisticated threats by providing more decision time and engagement opportunities. This deployment would strengthen transatlantic security by reassuring and defending allies and friends, complementing emerging NATO plans to defeat short-range and medium-range threats, and preventing coercion and preserving U.S. and NATO freedom of action. An effective missile defense system could also dissuade rogue states from pursuing ballistic missiles in the first place and deter ballistic missile launches. Critics of the European deployments worry about the predictable negative reaction from Russia's leaders and the possibility of damage caused by debris. However, the 10 interceptors in Poland and the midcourse radar in the Czech Republic oriented toward the Middle East are incapable of intercepting the hundreds of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and the thousands of warheads in the Russian arsenal.

Russian concern that the United States could turn these defensive interceptors into offensive weapons is likewise groundless. Future U.S. activities at missile defense sites in Europe will be transparent to the Russians and to host nations. Perhaps more important, this concern does not make military sense from the U.S. point of view because the U.S. already has the capability to bring offensive strike submarines or bombers into a regional conflict. The United States has also assured its allies that the launched objects' momentum will cause debris resulting from intercepts in space to continue along the missiles' original trajectories and that most of this debris will burn up when it reenters the atmosphere.

Another way to view the debris question is to compare it to Europe's experiences during World War II, when leaders found that shooting down enemy aircraft, regardless of where they crashed and the level of damage caused by the crashes, made far more sense than allowing them to survive and deliver their bombs.

One fact, however, is beyond dispute: Once a missile has been launched and its payload has acquired the target, our leaders and the leaders of Europe will have only the option of missile defense to secure the safety of the citizens of their countries. Find out more about the growing nuclear proliferation threat facing the world today. Visit 33 Minutes - Missile Defense in a New Missile Age, a new documentary film about missile defense in America. The site includes video commentary, animations of missile defense strategies, and extended missile defense resources and articles.

Test-Launch Feared To Set Iran's Missile Visibility

2009-11-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

Iran's aggressive launching of its recent research rocket is setting a negative feedback to most "superpower" countries that witnessed the inauguration of its newly built space center.

This was the first low-orbit research satellite that Tehran ever had and was shown to the global community through its Iranian-state media.

As things are heating up in Iran, the test-launch is being criticized as a threat to the Western nations. The controversial issue on Tehran's nuclear projects is on the verge of being seen and speculations are on the rise as to what Iran is trying to imply with its actions.

Washington has made a statement that this event was very unfortunate for Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. At the same time, this launching, according to political experts, will surely be another reason for Tehran's isolation to other nations around the globe.

BBC media personnel Jon Leyne said the launch was symbolic as it coincided with the 29th celebration of the Iranian revolution. The event was shown in Iranian TV with Tehran's national song of patriotism.

For Iranian President Ahmadinejad, this was indeed a great achievement for it showed Iran's growing supremacy in space. The test-launched was earlier scheduled to take off in March 2009.

Iran is planning to set more test-launches in the future as its president believes "building and launching a satellite is a very important achievement."

With these developments, superpower nations fear that Tehran is also taking drastic steps of intensifying its nuclear production.

But the isolated country denies all speculations of nuclear processing for warfare and insists all their projects are solely created to generate electricity.

Ever since Tehran started nuclear projects, there was already a growing tension that it might bomb Israel any time soon as its rocket technology came in the open.

Maynard Joseph Delfin finished AB Journalism (cum laude) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked as book editor, deskman, copy editor and research and publications officer in leading publishing and research companies in the Philippines. Read more of his blogs at

Israel, Technology Leader - Despite Defending Against Terrorist Neighbors and World Anti-Semites

2009-11-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

Despite defending itself (diplomatically - with one-hand) against anti-Semites in the UN, Europe and the US; as well as its civilian population (physically -with its other hand) against external rocket and internal terrorist attacks - tiny Israel has somehow survived, perhaps even thrived, during the otherwise world-wide collapse of industry and technology - thanks to teen-age seriousness and a culture of entrepreneurial high-technology.

In spite of the constant drumbeat of negative press coverage by liberal extremists (Israel, their double-standard pariah state), there is one aspect of this lone democracy in the mid-East that gets scant attention - the country's technological economy. In the face of the inordinate per-capita economic and manpower drain on its limited resources which are expended in its own defense, Israel has still achieved the highest percentage concentration of innovation and entrepreneurial ism in the world. Despite railings against investment in Israel by extremist anti-Israel, pro-Arab special-interest-groups, giant multinational technology companies and global investors have been setting up research and development laboratories in Israel for decades. Even in 2008, a year of chaos for the global economy, the per-capita R and D ventures in Israel exceeded that of the US by 2.5 times, Europe by 30 times, China by 80 times, and India by 350 times. And for start-up companies, Israel still achieves the highest concentration in the world, with more Israeli companies listed on the US NASDAQ stock exchange than from Europe, China, Japan, India and Korea - combined. In the percentage of its total economy that is spent on R and D - giving the world the benefits of its innovative creativity across a wide spectrum of science and technology, notably in the pharmaceutical and medical fields - Israel is among world leaders.

Much of Israel's economic dynamism, and the way it appears to have weathered the global downturn, seems traceable to young-adult seriousness and government policies which cultivate a unique entrepreneurial spirit, including innovative immigration policies and a disproportionate investment in high technology. However, the fundamental foundation may well be its universal military training and national service program - this seems to energize an early maturation of Israeli citizenry. While teen-age students in other countries preoccupy themselves with taking a years pre-college vacation or deciding which university to attend, Israelis focus on the country's variety of military units. And while students elsewhere are thinking about where to vacation or how to get into the most desired universities, Israelis prepare themselves for recruitment into elite units of the Israel Defense Forces. For example, learning to speak Arabic is a leg up toward a desired assignment in the Intelligence branch of service.

During the year before attaining draft age at eighteen, Israeli youths, male and female, must report to IDF recruiting centers for an initial one-day screening, which includes aptitude and psychological exams, individual interviews, and a medical evaluation. At the end of the day, a health and psychometric classification is determined, with service possibilities presented to the young candidate in a personal interview.

An interesting factor in the national attitude and aptitude of Israelis, those who complete their training program together, remain as a team throughout the many years of their regular and reserve service. Thus, their unit becomes like a second family, and Israelis remain in the military reserves until their mid-forties.

While it is difficult to get into the top Israeli universities (comparable to Harvard, Princeton or Yale) the IDF's elite units are considered equivalent. The unit in which an applicant served tells prospective employers what skills and relevant experience the applicant may already possess.

At the age of 18, Israelis enter the army for a minimum of two to three years, and if they don't reenlist, they typically enroll at a university. A massive percentage of Israelis thus enter university from army service, far more than any other country. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, almost half of Israelis are university-educated, among the highest percentages in the world. And according to a recent World Competitiveness Yearbook, Israel was ranked second among sixty developed nations on the criterion of whether "university education meets the needs of a competitive economy".

By the time students finish college, they're in their mid-twenties; some already having graduate degrees, with a large number married. "All this changes the mental ability of the individual," says Gary Shainberg, an eighteen-year veteran of the British navy, and Vice President for Technology and Innovation at British Telecom. "They're much more mature, they've got more life experience - and Innovation is all about finding ideas." He reasons.

Gil Kerbs, an Intelligence unit alumnus, who works in Israel's venture capital industry, comments,
"In Israel, one's academic past is less important than the military past - a key question in every job interview, 'Where did you serve in the army?'"

The advantage that Israel's economy and its society gains from this national service experience was driven home by Shainberg, "There is something about the DNA of Israeli innovation that is unexplainable," he says, "I think it comes down to maturity: nowhere else in the world where people work at technology innovation, do they also have to do national service."

Should Israel Hit Iran?

2009-11-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

Before you read this article remember it is an opinion, and we all have them, and if you are a Jew hater don't read this article at all, it will only get you more angry, because there are a lot of those folks out there:

Should Israel bomb the nuclear sites in Iran? First of all let me say, it is easy to say something on behalf of someone else, when you are safe at home. But let me change the options, and perspective, and then come back to the question in the first line of this article.

If my neighbor said, "...as soon has I can afford to buy a gun and learn how to shoot it, and have money to buy bullets to kill you and your family members with I will...," and if I believe he will do what he says he will do, I would stop him one way or another. I would try to go to the police (in this case with Israel and Iran, go to the UN), and after five years the if the polic could not do anything, or would not do anything, and the window of opportunity was closing as it is now, the window that could protect my family, I'd have to hurry up and do whatever I had to do to stop the professed murderer to be, and I would not be going back to the police that for five years could do nothing to protect me in the first place, that really only gave the enemy, the one that said, '...as soon as we have the means, we will destroy you..." I repeat, I would not go back to the place that would only consume more of my time without results, I would do my own plan.

So now we can go back to the original question. Would I hit their nuclear sites? Let me give another example first: what country would not try to protect their people from mad cow disease? Today South Korea is protesting US Meat, not protesting the North bombing them in the future, which they said they could and might, but rather meat, my point here is, they feel a threat to their society, and they are blocking the gates so the meat markets in South Korea do not take in US Meat. They have negotiated on this matter, and resolved some issues. In a like manner, the UN, and five other countries have talked with Iran, and solved nothing. It comes under the heading of being a protectionist.

Now we know Iran has oil, enough to light up all the cities in the world for ten-years, so do they need a nuclear plant? I don't think so, and they know so. Ok, now we go back to the first question again, which is perhaps a little more obvious of what my answer is going to be 'Should Israel hit Iran?."

If I was Israel, I would ask: "Do we fight a war with Iran now, or when they got the nuclear bomb," because they will fight with them sooner or later, and sooner with the bomb, once they have it.

This is what is on their minds I'm sure. The other question comes to light: will this start a worse bloodily war in the Middle East? Iran is already at war with America in Iraq, so it doesn't really matter all that much. Matter of fact, if Israel attacked now, and not wait a year from now, America may have to back up Israel even if they don't want to. Whereas, two years from now, will America be there to do it? Because once we leave Iraq, as Obama says, I doubt we are coming back to assist Israel.

Yes, so my answer is yes, if I was the Prime Minister of Israel, I'd do it mighty quick also, while the world is still tossing about the fear factor of what Iran might do, since they said they will do it once they got the means to do it. Tomorrow for me would not be quick enough.

Now for those that are saying "You must like to see people die," because war means death. I say this, tonight most likely the person reading this, thinking how negative this letter is, is going to have a good nights sleep, will Israel? It is easy to say let's talk, but Israel has been talking for five years, going in circles, and getting mixed messages, the window is almost closed. And if there is going to be a war with Iran, it's a good time to have one, while Israel and the US are all in place; Russia is coming in with some long term assistance for Iran, once they are in place, it will be most difficult to hit Iran, without provoking Russia, and then we got more than we bargained for, and Israel will have a new war to deal with, and bigger.

Iran, $10 Gas, and World War 3

2009-11-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

Iran is taking advantage of the Iraq situation. The U.S., the largest and most powerful nation in the world, has become bogged down in a war similar to Vietnam. High casualties and we can't stop the insurgents. As stated on CNN -"they come out of nowhere, set bombs and traps, and then disappear. It's a real mess." The situation in Iraq has U.S. ratings on everything from George Bush to the economy at an all time low. Iran is seeing this as the best opportunity to push the limits. The U.S. is already burdened by Iraq and the New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina disaster.

In tonight's speech the President stated that we cannot give up on what we have already accomplished in Iraq. He is right. But with all our CIA, NSA, and reports from credible sources that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction hidden in caves in Syria - why don't we go and see? Why did we let the U.N. investigators go on wild goose chases when the weapons were buried and hidden elsewhere? If Syria is really hiding these chemical and biological weapons are they really our friend? Iran knows where they are and has their own supply to boot. Notice how they waited until the U.S. public opinion on the war in Iraq started to dwindle before starting their uranium enrichment program.

According to the bible and the new bible code revelations this is all spelled out. The actual, tested, codes reveal a chemical supply (anthrax) in the hills of Syria, hidden in caves guarded by Saddam's terrorist buddies. The bible codes along with the bible and backed by some of the most learned and respected rabbi's in the world spell out that Iran will result in 3 words - World War 3! Yes, it will result in ever increasing gas prices, but it will also result in financial collapse. Many people are saying that, finally, after all these years the prophecies spoken about in Revelations have already begun. That's pretty scary.

Regardless, Iran is obviously up to no good and should and will be dealt with severely - unfortunately the U.N. security counsel will not do anything until March. I wonder how many nuclear weapons or even dirty nuclear and biological weapons they could create in this time. What I can't see is, regardless of religion, why can't we all just get along and stop killing each other and playing power games?

Iran is a serious threat and will result in higher gas prices and probably cause a recession, whether or not it ends in war. We need to find and fund new energy sources, hybrid technology, etc... As Jimmy Carter said back in the 70's - we need to lower our dependence on foreign oil or it will hurt us. We'll this is what has happened. We as a nation are in debt to our eyeballs, we love big vehicles, etc... We need to start preparing for leaner times. A recession would hit us hard, but war with Iran, while still occupying Iraq, and still paying for Hurricane Katrina rebuilding could actually bring upon a depression - experts are now saying it is possible. We are actually in worse shape now than we were in 1929 to face a possible depression. Iran is a serious problem. The experts are in unison on this one - start to conserve.

Iran Or North Korea - Who is the Biggest Nuclear Threat?

2009-11-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

With the political battle going on in Iran and the national anthem named "Death to America" to the sick and twisted mind of Kim Jong-Il in North Korea using Hawaii as target practice for nuclear weapons, it is hard to determine on thing. Who is the biggest threat? There are many issues surrounding these claims that the countries would pose a threat to America and the world. The different views of the citizens of these countries view Americans and other people as loving people and don't want to bring harm to anyone. There are many who feel that there is a threat that is fueled by different rumors and assumptions. Many people feel that there is a bigger threat than both these countries. But behind the Parliament doors, it is a different story.

In Iran there is, as stated earlier, a national anthem called "Death to America". Many would view this as an empty threat and that it is just a time old tradition that the Iranian people sing to support their country. Others view this as a threat that they will attack America when they can. It is difficult to decide to what is the meaning of national anthem when parliament allowed for it to be sung time and time again.

In North Korea, there have been many threats of leader Kim Jong-Il to America and other countries saying statements like, "If any country including America interfere with the missile launch then they will pay." This automatically will give anyone the impression that this is a world threat from North Korea. Others view this as a childhood spat and ignore the threat to be all in "good fun". Sarcasm is the scapegoat that many reporters view it as.

With the many issues surrounding these two countries, time will tell who the biggest threat is. Many people in the world are preparing for anything to happen and there have been many reports to what the two countries are doing to fuel the fire of the assumptions. In the world there are many conflicts. Recognizing and acknowledging the strife will allow you to see what is coming in the future. Iran and North Korea have their moments where they show the peace loving country they have. It is hard to see in a world that views violence as a way of life. For many in Iran and North Korea, this is fact.

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Iran's Military Capabilities

2009-11-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

Iran accounts for 5% of world oil production. As long as cars run on gasoline Iran won't be strapped for cash and can self finance the research and development costs for weapons of mass destruction.
In the article we analyzed Iran's objectives in the areas of foreign policy and security.

Obtaining political ascendancy over the other countries in the region and buttressing her status as a regional power;

Spreading Islam, according to Muslim tradition, throughout the world;

Augmenting active and deterrent defense against the many threats which are directed towards her.

According to the declarations of the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, and her supreme ruler, Ali Sayyid Khamanei, we can derive that the extermination of Israel is Iran's fourth objective.

In this article, I will attempt to provide an idea of Iran's military capabilities and the areas where she presently constitutes a tangible threat to the State of Israel.

A Large Military Force

The four objectives which we discussed in the previous article induced Iran to begin a massive armaments buildup ever since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The process accelerated greatly following the results of the Iran-Iraq War, as in the aftermath of that war, Iran's status as a regional power was definitely undermined.

Iran maintains an army, which is in effect the largest and most powerful in the Middle East, according to accepted criteria: the budgets invested in it, the quantity of soldiers who serve in it, and its firepower. The criteria according to which it is customary to define the IDF as the most powerful army in the world, or at least in the region, pertain to the statistics of strategic victories in relation to the size and power of the army, which are measured according to those same objective parameters via which we can determine that the Iranian army is the most powerful army in the region. The Iranian military force is composed of 14 land divisions and 15 Air Force squadrons.

The Iranian navy totals 170 vessels, including frigates, corvettes, missile boats and three submarines. Despite the importance of the Navy for establishing hegemony on the order of a superpower in the Gulf, it is possible that the Iranian Navy constitutes the Achilles Heel of the Iranian army in particular, and of the Iranian plan to become the solitary power in the Middle East in general.

Research and Development for Mass Destruction

There are many countries throughout the world who maintain weapons of mass destruction. Many other countries would like to put their hands on weaponry which can pose a threat but are incapable of taking any significant steps in that direction. There are a few countries that can really take tangible steps towards obtaining weapons of this type, and upon them, the West, headed by the United States applies severe pressure.

An example of this is Libya's climb down from such attempts. Libya which observed what was being done to Afghanistan and Iraq, decided to raise her hands in surrender before the West would knock at her gates and drew back from her plans to obtain weapons of mass destruction. An additional example is North Korea, the single country in the world that still adopts a militant Communist line. North Korea's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons repeatedly provoke commercial sanctions against her.

What typifies Iran in the area of weapons of mass destruction in general and nuclear weapons in particular, is that it constitutes the only state that possesses the capability to fiscally contend with all aspects pertaining to the production of weapons of mass destruction. Iran produces 5% of the world's oil consumption, and as long as the world still travels on gasoline, she will not lack for cash in her coffers, and will prove capable of financing by herself, without any outside assistance, the research and development requisite for producing weapons of mass destruction.

In the diplomatic arena, Iran enjoys unusual immunity. A large portion of Iran's conventional arsenal was built in Russia and China, and was paid for there in cash. Additionally, the nuclear reactor in Busheir, which is supposed to be operational in the next few months, is the product of an agreement signed between Iran and Russia in 1995. According to the deal, Russia will complete the construction of the reactor within a decade, and in tandem will provide large quantities of nuclear fuel, in return for $ 830 million which Iran will transfer to Russia. The defense industries, of both Russia and China, require Iranian money like air to breathe.

Iran's ramified ties in this sphere with Russia and China, two very important countries in the UN, have paved Iran's path to a nuclear bomb. These countries are fighting the necessary battles on Iran's behalf to prevent the imposition of sanctions that would really pester her existence. In this context, Mohammed el-Baradei and his associates-- who were sent by the United Nations to supervise the Iranian nuclear program, and ensure that it would be intended exclusively for civilian (electricity etc.) purposes -- have become a fraud. Iran is not afraid of the UN and her nuclear program always regarded the production of electricity and civilian purposes as a secondary objective, if at all.

As of 1999, Iran employs over 10,000 Russian nuclear engineers. Let it be said in Russia's defense that those engineers chose to work in Iran, simply for the reason that after the fall of the Iron Curtain they do not have many potential employers. If the matter depended on the Russian Government, they would have preferred that as few Russian citizens as possible be dependent upon Iran.

The Iranian arsenal also comprises biological and chemical weapons. Intelligence sources, both Israeli and foreign, contend that to this date Iran has the largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the world. These stockpiles include "materials that cause burns, asphyxiation and blood and nerve agents", contends Sean Pine, in his article in the periodical "Nativ" (the January 2003 issue). Iran's research projects in this sphere of chemical weapons are as ambitious as her plans in the sphere of nuclear weapons.

Western intelligence reports on a deal that can take shape between Iran and China, under which China will provide Iran with components that will allow her to be an independent producer of chemical weapons. Such a situation, if it should obtain, will allow Iran to export chemical weapons, whose signature is much lower and whose portability is much higher and smoother than that of nuclear weapons. The repercussions can be destructive, as in a chemical attack on a central Israeli city that will be perpetrated by the Hamas or one of the sundry terror organizations sheltering under its authority.

Iran conducts independent research, in the sphere of biological weaponry as well, despite the fact that this realm is much less developed than the chemical and nuclear spheres. According to reports from various sources, Iran is the only country of means which conducts active research in this sphere. Another hostile body which conducts research in this field, despite the fact that one could hardly call it a state, is the global terror organization Al-Qaeda. The publications state that Iran retains stocks of dangerous biological weapons, such as ricin and anthrax.

Ballistic Missiles

Iran is the most advanced country in the field of research and development in ballistic missiles. Iran's most useful piece of missile development is the "Shihab 3" with a range of up to 1500 km, the import of this range is that it can hit any point in Israel and some strategic American targets in Southeast Turkey and in Saudi Arabia.

The development of the Shihab three began already during the year 1992. The first test was performed in 1998, and opinions are divided whether it was a success or not. However, this discussion is not really salient in view of the fact that tests which were conducted recently on the Shihab 3 were highly successful, and this missile is today the star of the Iranian ballistic system. It's customary to believe that the Shihab 3 is a product of independent Iranian research and development, but in reality we are dealing with a missile that was based on a North Korean missile.

While deploying the Shihab 3, Iran is busy developing the Shihab 4, a missile that is based on technologies that were used in Soviet missiles. The Shihab 4 will have a range of 2000 km and will cover all of Turkey and parts of Greece.

The Shihab 5 is in the preliminary development stages. Its maximal range according to intelligence sources, will be 5600 km, in other words it will constitute a real threat to central Europe.

Isolated intelligence sources report the development of the Shihab 6, with a range of 10,000 km and an ability to threaten the Eastern United States.

Additionally, Iran disposes of a system of short and intermediate range ballistic missiles, whose purpose is to defend Iran's borders against her neighbors (such as Uzbekistan). However, one must take into account the threat implicit in the fall of the Hashemite Regime in Jordan. In such an eventuality, it's possible that these missiles will easily find their way into the hands of Hamas on the West Bank, and will constitute a real threat to Israel.

A Huge and Unavoidable Military Force

To sum up the matter, Iran presently maintains an unprecedentedly powerful army. It is capable of declaring full scale war against Israel, and to constitute an equal and disciplined foe against an American invasion of Iran's soil, should that occur.

Iran's nuclear weapons buildup is apparently unavoidable. From the moment it has a nuclear bomb in its possession Iran will be capable of launching it against us. However, due to Israel's "second strike" capability -- the launching of a nuclear bomb from Israel towards Iran, in an immediate and automatic fashion should Iran launch a bomb against us -- will apparently prevent the initiation of war in this manner. Even if Iran does not refrain and decides to launch the bomb as a declaration of war, it is plausible to assume that it will not succeed in destroying Israel although it could cause her unprecedented damage.

Europe Under Nuclear Threat From Iran?

2009-11-02T13:34:00.001-08:00

Iran is a developing country that is very rich in hydrocarbon resources. While it should be using those resources to build up its economy and improve the standard of living of its people, its government has seen fit to plow a large percentage of its wealth into its space and nuclear programs. Why does it need them? With all that oil and gas, why does Iran need nuclear reactors to produce electricity? Why does it need to put its own satellites into orbit when there is so much poverty within its borders?

The answer lies in projecting its power. Iran is widely believed to be developing nuclear weapons material; it has managed to get its hands on advanced bomb designs (including a miniaturized variant) and has attempted to put a satellite into space only ten weeks ago (in August 2008). Though there is great prestige in being able to launch one's own satellites, such efforts also serve a secondary (primary?) purpose of enabling one to drop atomic bombs on faraway targets.

Who has to worry about Iran's rapidly growing military power? Israel for sure as Tehran has sworn to destroy it numerous times. The US is also a vilified enemy of the Islamic nation but Europe too is in danger. First, several European countries support sanctions against Iran and this has earned them threats of retaliation. Second, Iran thinks that hitting Europe will deter or hurt the US and several senior Iranian officials have said just that. Europe shouldn't feel too safe because even though Iran is a faraway land, it is getting closer every day.

Does Anyone Doubt an Iranian, Islamic, or Terrorist Nuke On Obama's Watch?

2009-11-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

The confidently-expressed view of liberal and main-stream media regarding the acquisition of WMD - including nuclear weaponry by rogue nations (e.g. Saddam Hussein/Iraq in the past, Iran and North Korea today) - has always been to minimize the imminence of threat, to push such back in time, to call for never-ending diplomacy and "meetings", but never military pre-emption or meaningful sanctions. Now however, with more than three years remaining in Obama's term in office - there is apparently no one of knowledge who thinks the world's "safe time" until such a development obtains - will exceed Obama's tenure. And although this potentially catastrophic consequence certainly dwarfs the economic issues on the Obama plate, little is heard of this ticking time bomb, which can only be described as nightmarish. Extremist-terrorists openly advertise their intentions, and every day there is headlined proof of intent and capability with conventional common-place explosive devices - the killings of some dozens of innocents, even fellow Muslims, in various locales all over the world. If suicide killers are so readily solicited to kill a handful of "infidels" in a back-water locale, one can only shudder to think of how fanaticism-driven zeal will clamor to blow up a million people in a major city in the US or a European capital!

From all the indications from the White House, it appears that other issues are on the front burner of administration attention: first Health Care, then Unemployment, then of course Afghanistan, and certainly concerns over Global Warming with its idealistic Cap-and-Trade approach. But, will the nuclear threat keep? Will foreign diplomacy succeed to change the promised plans of Iran? Has foreign diplomacy (essentially bribery) ever really worked - or has this past century proven that it is only the US military that has kept the world's rogue leaders and countries from willful excesses? Will Russia and China help a pleading America? Hardly - their self-interested rejections of cooperation with the US re sanctions has been so obvious as to be embarrassing. Perhaps Europe? But there is hardly any potential hope there either - many observers of the European scene regard it as a tragedy-in-process, that Europe is experiencing a "death wish" - the becoming an "Islamic continent" in only a few more decades is so well along that it is inevitable.

Despite Obama's heavy hand on Israel, does his (disproportionately Jewish) staff think Israel will really await their own promised destruction without attempting something?

What is going to happen?

Aaron Kolom qualifies as a "rocket scientist" with over 50 years aerospace engineering: Stress Analyst to Chief of Structural Sciences on numerous military aircraft, to Corp. Director Structures and Materials, Asst. Chief Engineer Space Shuttle Program through first three flights (awarded NASA Public Service Medal), Rockwell International Corp.; Program Manager Concorde SST, VP Engineering TRE Corp.; Aerospace Consultant.

Russia Continues to Sell Weapons to US Adversaries - This Time Venezuela

2009-11-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Russia continues to sell weapons and weapons technologies to adversaries of the United States. They sold Mig Fighter planes to Saddam Hussein and were advising him even up until the US invaded Baghdad. Today, the Russians are selling weapons to Iran too, lots of them, and many other advanced technologies too. But that's not all, no sir, apparently they are upping the ante in South America.

According to the BBC; "Russia has agreed to lend Venezuela over $2bn (£1.2bn) to buy weapons, President Hugo Chavez has said. The credit will be used to purchase nearly 100 tanks and a series of anti-aircraft rocket systems from Russia." Earlier in the year the BBC reported a Russian arms sale of $4 Billion.

Russia also sold a 30 million dollar executive aircraft to the President of Bolivia, and they are busy making life tough for the United States in nation-states around the world. Why? Some believe it goes back as far as Afghanistan, when the US assisted the "Freedom Fighters" with stinger missiles and other weapons to fight the Russian invaders.

Others note that Russia was business causing problems for us in Vietnam selling weapons to our enemies there too. In essence, Russia is constantly, purposely, and maliciously setting up the stage for more conflicts, and unfortunately, their actions in the Middle East and elsewhere are going to lead to dire problems in the future; some military analysts believe World War III.

With friends like Russia, who needs enemies, noted one strategic war planner who refused to go on record with us today. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes that if Russia sells tanks to Venezuela, that the US military may have to go and do some serious; Landscaping

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

Russia - The Threat of a New Cold War

2009-11-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

Quite often in our writings we focus on Big Brother in his guise as Uncle Sam. It's not that we are anti-American - quite the opposite in fact. We love the spirit and wording of the American constitution, and the freedom of choice and expression that America stands for - in theory. That's why we are saddened that the practical experience on the ground stateside today is rather different from the theory, and why we frequently choose to publish articles critical of the US government in the hope that this trend may be reversed.

However, we must not wear blinkers, and these we are seriously concerned about another Big Brother state which has a worrying and fast-expanding influence on the world stage. The Russian Bear, feared since the times of the Tsars, is again rearing its head. Today it's not just the Russian nouveaux riches invading flashy European resorts, but we see well-trained Russian troops carrying out meticulously executed attacks on the territory of other sovereign countries.

As I write, the first serious war on European territory since the break-up of Yugoslavia is taking place. I'm hopeful that the killing won't continue for long, and that a solution to this conflict between Georgia and Russia will have been found before you read this.

The conflict over South Ossetia has been "on ice" since the break-up of the Soviet Union. In the meantime the world forgot about it. Most likely, the world will soon forget about this brief revival of hostilities. But there is a more serious underlying threat here, which is the strength of Russia, and the emergence of a new, more subtle form of cold war. This will affect us all, particularly as global businesspeople and investors. Those of us who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, as the saying goes.

Just a couple of weeks before the surprise outbreak of hostilities in South Ossetia, I and Peter Macfarlane wrote a piece for our blog, based on a report in Time magazine about increasing Russian influence in the Caribbean. President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela was present in Moscow to sign a billion dollar arms contract. Simultaneously, Russia announced that it was considering using its old ally Cuba as a base for refuelling war planes in America's back yard, sparking a feisty reaction from Fidel Castro who stated in effect that he didn't have to confirm, deny or justify anything. All this in turn came surprisingly close after the announcement of a US missile defence system to be built in what Russia considers its back yard, the Czech Republic. Meanwhile in Asia, July saw the signature of a milestone border demarcation agreement between Russia and China, no doubt seeking to build up influence in the orient as a counterbalance to NATO.

A recent article in the Financial Times (August 13th, 2008) opines that in attacking Georgia, the Kremlin has laid down a new challenge to the west. Analyst Charles Clover writes that by attacking an American ally and prospective NATO member and getting away with it, "Russia suddenly belongs to the elite group of countries that can write their own rules." He continues that "Few doubt that Georgia is the first in a series of moves to re-establish Moscow's control over the former Soviet Union."

Since the turn of the century, Russia has undergone a startling transformation which many in the west have failed to notice. While Europeans have been closer to the action, many across the pond have been so focused on the terrorist threat that Russia has risen unchallenged. The pro-western liberalism of the 1990s, when Russia was beholden to the west, is long gone - the new theme of the Russian government is "patriotism." The army has also been turned around and is now in much better form than a decade ago. Clover calls the Georgian campaign a "textbook example of modern warfare", apparently copied from the US campaign in Kosovo.

Russia now has the third-largest reserve of foreign currencies in the world, and a huge trade surplus. The source of all this wealth, of course, is oil and gas - and to a lesser extent minerals. We also see the spectacle of thinly-disguised attempted government takeovers of foreign investments in this area.

Worryingly, Western Europe replies on Russia for more than a quarter of western Europe's gas, without which many Europeans would be unable to cook and heat their homes in winter. Russia has a history of mysteriously reducing supplies due to "technical difficulties" or of fiddling with prices at short notice.

From an investment point of view, Russia is becoming an increasingly risky market. But we believe that commodity prices will remain high and this will give Russia the financial status it needs to expand its "patriotic" aims. Russia has substantial leverage to manipulate hydrocarbon prices, and even the gold price. There may be opportunities here, but there are also substantial risks. You can be better prepared for both by gaining a deeper understanding of the underlying geopolitical situation. Those investing or living in Eastern Europe or the Baltic boom states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania might want to consider getting a "Last Plane Account."

Is The United States Starting World War III?

2009-11-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Are we currently in World War III? Many pundits claim that we are. What brings them to this conclusion? Yes, the U.S. is currently engaged in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, these engagements are a prelude to a coming major conflict. We live in a world that faces global terrorism. However, many countries don’t see terrorism as a threat.

During the last world war, the world didn’t see Hitler as their problem; the Holocaust occurred while nations did nothing. Now history stands to repeat itself. Nations are not presenting a united front against terrorism, even as terrorists openly threaten them. The next tragic event may likely bring the world into a full-fledged world war. Ezekiel 38 and 39 contains one of the most popular Biblical prophecies regarding the destruction of many nations after a major war. After this war, the geographical and landscape of the Middle East will be considerably different.

The prophet Ezekiel was taken captive after the Babylonian conquered Jerusalem. It was during the years 592 to 586 BC that he wrote his prophecies. Chapter 38 of Ezekiel opens with:

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” (Ezekiel 38: 1-6, 13)

Most Bible scholars agree that the countries Ezekiel’s describes are Russia, Persia (Iran), North Africa, and other Islamic surrounding nations. In his book, Epicenter, Joel Rosenberg outlines the countries listed in Ezekiel Chapter 38: Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal are Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Persia is Iran. Gomer is Turkey and possibly Germany and Austria. Beth-togarmah is Turkey and Armenia. Sheba and Dedan are Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and Gulf States.

Some may ask why Russia would attack Israel. Let’s not forget Russia’s past behavior towards Israel. Recently released White House documents show during the 1967 war, Russia came quite close to invading Israel. It wasn’t until the United States stepped-in that Russia backed off. Also, Russia was less than willing in allowing Russian-Jews to return to Israel during the Diaspora. There has been a constant underlying friction between the countries. One would have to been under a rock not to notice the new found buddy-buddy friendship between Russia and Iran. Russia’s selling of nuclear arms and fuel to Iran may not be seen as an alliance, but it is. This alliance has all the ingredients for an unimaginable confrontation. When the Gog / Magog war occurs, Russia, Iran, North Africa, and other Islamic nations will pay a heavy price. Chapter 38 of Ezekiel leaves off with all these countries receiving a relentless judgment for God.

“And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38: 21-23)

Reminiscent of His defense of the Israelites during the Exodus, the Lord will once again come to Israel’s rescue and soundly defeat her enemies. He will send confusion into the camps and all the nations will know that He is the Lord. I believe this will be the beginning of a great spiritual awakening for the Jews and Gentiles. Think about it! Once observing surrounding nations’ line up against her, political commentators will conclude that the nation of Israel is a goner. All will declare it’s a miracle that the state of Israel still stands. The question is will they give God the glory? The evidence will be indisputable to deny and as His word says, “Then they shall know that I am Lord.”

On his DVD, Israel and the Battle of Gog and Magog, Perry Stone describes a four-fold plan of the enemy described in Ezekiel’s prophecies:

“To take a spoil.”

“To turn your hand on the places now inhabited.” (Ezekiel 38:12)

“To take away silver and gold.”

“To take away cattle and goods.” (Ezekiel 38:13)

Due to a warning the Holy Spirit gave his father, Stone believe a major famine will hit the Middle East forcing Russia, Iran, and other Islamic nations to invade Israel for her goods and resources.

Chapter 39 of Ezekiel continues in detailing the complete and utter destruction against Gog and the other nations against Israel. Destruction will be so bad that 1) Israel will burn the weapons of their enemies for seven years, 2) in order to cleanse the land it will take Israel seven months to bury their enemies, 3) the Lord will allow birds and beast of the field to feast on the sacrificial meal He has prepared for them from the corpses of Israel’s fallen enemies, and 4) the Lord will allow only 1/6 of the invaders to live. (Ezekiel 39: 9, 12, 17)

In my opinion, World War III has begun. Casualties of war are occurring everyday. The aftermath of Gog and Magog will leave a vastly different Middle East. Not surprisingly, terrorist do not believe Ezekiel’s prophecy or the Bible. For as long as the nation of Israel exists, her Arab brothers will proudly shed their blood to try to prove God’s Word is untrue and to make the nation of Israel disappear. Sadly, they don’t know that they are fighting a loosing battle. Don’t forget there is perpetual spiritual warfare that ensues every day.

In this devastating war, it appears the beast of the field will be feasting on the flesh of Israel’s fallen enemies located in a place named Bashan. “Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan (Ezekiel 39:18). If one were to do an internet search for the site of Bashan, you would find that it’s the Golan Heights. The area of the Golan are in a current dispute between Israel and Syria. On July 7, 2207, a top Syrian official said that if Israel doesn't vacate the strategic Golan Heights before September, Syrian guerrillas will immediately launch "resistance operations" against the Golan's Jewish communities (worldnetdaily.com). For some strange reason, Syria is not mentioned among the nations in Ezekiel’s prophecies. Syria must have already met her destruction. (Isaiah 17:1)

Ezekiel 39 closes with: “ 27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; 28Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. 29Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.” Verse 27 and 28 has already occurred. The Jewish people are once again in their homeland and countless Jews are returning to Israel. Verse 29 declares that in the near future, the Lord will pour His spirit upon the house of Israel. Will you be ready?

Nevada York, Author of Caught Up and Mahogany's Revelation, released her latest book Journey to Salvation in 2006 to rave reviews from readers. Nevada's published novels are an accomplishment that has been well worth the wait. Not willing to be deterred, her determination has bought about the publication of two memorable novels.

Future War Will Be For Water

2009-11-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

In the coming century, new challenges are emerging. We are confronted with both old and new threats to international scarcity of many commodities especially good air and water causing security of population; resulting widespread poverty. It has to be recognized by world leaders as the most daunting of all the problems facing the world in the new century; and fundamental values of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility now form common values through which achievements in all the further categories can be realized. In each of these key areas environment and resources play a central role. Threats to common security now include so-called ‘soft threats': environmental degradation, resource depletion, contagious diseases and corruption, to name just a few. It is now recognized that environmental degradation and both scarcity and abundance of natural resources are potential sources of conflict – and cooperation – and need to be more systematically addressed in this context. Access to fresh water and sanitation services are a precondition to achieving the other internationally accepted goals in the Millennium Declaration.

Scarcity of water is a function of supply and demand. Demand is increasing at an alarming rate in some regions, through population growth and increasing per-capita use. In many water-scarce oil rich Gulf countries,saline water purification may be temperory affordable method.But we have to find out permanent solutions by preserving the eco system. The second crisis is deteriorating water quality. Agriculture is the biggest polluter: increased use of fertilizer and pesticides has contaminated both groundwater and surface water supplies. Domestic and industrial pollution is also increasing, and the problem affects mainly in developed and partially in developing countries.

All nations should cooperate to understand the importance of an integrated approach to water resource management at both international and local levels. Equity and rights, cultural and ethical issues are essential to be addressed when dealing with limited water resources. Imbalances between availability and demand, the degradation of groundwater and surface water quality, inter-sectoral competition, inter-regional and international disputes, all center around the question of how to cope with scarce water resources.

FUTURE TRENDS IN STEALTH WEAPONS

2009-11-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

Cao Benyi
This article sets forth the important function of stealth weaponry in modern warfare, as well as domestic and foreign research and development in this field. It also points out the crucial technological problems that have to be overcome in research on stealth weaponry in view of Chinese conditions, and offers some recommendations. The purpose is to draw the attention of relevant Chinese specialists to the problems connected with stealth weaponry research.

The powerful capabilities and special characteristics of stealth weaponry enable evasion of detection by sensing equipment on the ground, breaking through a great variety of the enemy's defensive systems, and penetrating deeply into enemy territory to attack all strategic objectives. As a consequence of the very rapid development of stealth technology, the survival potential and the rate at which stealth weapons will successfully break through enemy defenses in modern warfare have been remarkably enhanced. This has attracted worldwide attention. This article elaborates on four aspects of the functions and future trends of stealth weaponry.

Cao Benyi contributed this article to the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry, Modern Weaponry, no. 11 (8 Nov 1992).

Stealth Weaponry in Modern Warfare

It is characteristic of modern warfare that it stakes everything on technology. Following the rapid development of radar, infrared, laser, and millimeter wave detector and guidance technologies, every kind of weaponry is almost immediately monitored by concentrated radar and photoelectric detectors. It is for this reason that every country is now expending great energy on stealth weaponry research to enhance the operational effectiveness and survival potential of weaponry in modern warfare. Stealth technology is part of high technology; stealth weaponry is extremely important in modern warfare. Several countries have by now developed various kinds of highly efficient stealth weaponry, such as stealth planes, stealth missiles, stealth naval vessels, stealth tanks, etc. Some have indeed already been transferred for use by the armed forces and successfully tried out in actual combat.

F-117A stealth fighters, developed by the United States, were used in the armed invasion of Panama on December 20, 1989, when they successfully evaded the radar network of the Panamanian defensive forces and unloaded two almost laser-guided bombs on the Rio Hato airfield, 90 km southwest of Panama City. This made it very easy for the U.S. paratroopers to accomplish the great military achievement of occupying the Rio Hato airfield. When the Gulf war erupted on January 17, 1991, F-117A stealth fighters were the main formation in the attacking air force, and they dropped the first bombs on Baghdad. These laser-guided bombs of the "Bao-shi-lu" III type, weighing one ton each, were dropped with unerring precision on the large communications building that housed the information services of the Iraqi armed forces, scoring a remarkable hit. One F-117A stealth fighter dropped two 2-ton laser-guided bombs right into the entrance to the Iraqi Scud Missile storage hangar. Another F-117A stealth fighter dropped one bomb into the air shaft of the Baghdad air defense headquarters, and yet another made a very destructive attack against the Baghdad air force headquarters, bringing this huge building down in a big cloud of fire and smoke. In all these air attacks the F-117A fighters maintained a record of zero losses.

Used as a strategic and tactical attack weapon, a stealth-guided missile makes it impossible for the target to defend itself. During the Falkland War of 1982, the Argentines used the French-made Exocet guided missile to sink the British destroyer Sheffield. In the Gulf War, the U.S. Navy used 100 highly effective Tomahawk cruise missiles with stealth characteristics to attack Iraqi strategic targets in the early morning of January 17, 1991.

The great importance of stealth weaponry in modern warfare has gradually been realized by China's scientific and military experts. China has vast territories, vast territorial skies and waters, and long shorelines. To protect its territorial rights over its land, air, and sea against any future aggression, it is necessary for China to make every effort to develop stealth technology, to develop stealth weaponry, and to do what is necessary to enable China's stealth technology to catch up with the world's most advanced level of such technology in a short time.

Domestic Developments and Critical Technological Problems

In China, research on stealth weaponry was started in the 1980s, and great progress has been achieved, particularly in aspects of theoretical research on active and exterior stealth applications for entire aircraft and for components. Microwave tests, in dark rooms and in the open, have by now been completed in the case of a number of entire aircraft and a large number of components.

During the last few years, some units have started research on stealth materials. For example, the research institute of the Beijing Iron and Steel Complex has developed a coating material of superfine metallic particles with radar wave absorption properties. Other relevant units have developed other coating and structural materials.

Because China was late in starting research on stealth weaponry, it has technically not yet nearly reached the level of such countries as the United States and the former Soviet Union. To offset its underdevelopment, to narrow the disparity with the rest of the world, and to be in control of the initiative in any future war, it is certainly necessary from now on to intensify research in stealth weaponry. The following are some of the critical technical problems that will have to be resolved in China's research on stealth weaponry:

* Expand the stealth waveband. Stealth technology is an important component of electronic warfare, and development of stealth technology must be conducted with full consideration for the peculiarities of modern warfare. The main emphasis on research of stealth weaponry in the various countries is currently placed on centrimetric wave, submillimeter wave, infrared, laser, and metric waveband expansion. The stealth waveband will therefore have to be expanded. Meticulous design of the external contours of stealth weaponry. It necessitates streamlining of the exterior of stealth weaponry, eliminating angular reflections and mirror reflections, and the rational design of the exhaust and air intake system of the power unit, to provide minimal surface area for radar reflection.
* Use of the most modern types of radar wave absorption and permeable materials. Exterior coating of the stealth weaponry with wave absorptive material and the use in structural components of wave absorptive and permeable materials can effectively reduce the surface area for radar reflection.
* Selection of power units with limited heat radiation, combined with the cooling of the exhaust fumes will reduce infrared and heat radiation of stealth weaponry and will make it infrared indiscernible.
* Use of electronic countermeasures and increasing the outer impedance load of the stealth weaponry. Installing on stealth weaponry electronic interference mechanisms and various kinds of equipment that would signal out false targets.
* Developing and installing accurate measuring devices. We should place main emphasis on setting up radar testing plants that are consonant with the environment of modern warfare, develop newly structured radar, taking as our principal research objective measurement of the reflecting surface area of the radar targets under wideband conditions, and should thoroughly research the reaction in the targets of the radar waves.

Suggestions for Development of Stealth Weaponry

* In light of the world's modern testing technology, and giving overall consideration to China's financial, material, and geographical conditions, it is necessary for China to start research on stealth weaponry, and to develop as quickly as possible stealth weaponry that is attuned to China's national conditions and that is also up to worldwide advanced standards.
* In the development of stealth weapons, China must firmly adhere to the principles of independence, initiative, complete self-reliance, and must in technological matters take the road of integrating what has already been developed with activities of own independent creativity. At present, China must set up as quickly as possible various research projects. Those projects that have already been set up should be considered as models and research topics to be brought to fruition in the research units.

The radar-indiscernible structure of the stealth weaponry is an important research topic. It comprises primarily research on the external structural contours and structural research on power units, power unit installations, exhaust and air intake, directional guidance installations, installation platform for the armament system, and the antenna system. The rational structural composition of stealth weapons is extremely important for a reduction of its radar-reflecting surface area and for enhanced radar-indiscernibility.

Radar-indiscernible material is one of the key items in stealth weapons; application of indiscernible material and the outer stealth structural contours are of equal importance. Research abroad has already produced various kinds of highly effective radar-indiscernible coatings and structural materials. At present, as far as materials technology is concerned, mixed materials for increased wave absorption have very good prospects. The appearance of such new technologies as sandwich-intertwined wave-absorbing materials and self-programming materials have opened new roads for the development and manufacture of radar-indiscernible materials. Superfine metal particles also have great potential as a radar-indiscernible coating material. It is necessary for China to develop through various technological methods a series of structural and coating materials with radar-indiscernible properties.

* Costs of stealth weaponry must be reduced and production must be made economically more acceptable. Abroad, costs of developing various types of stealth weaponry have been excessively high. For instance, the cost of one single American B-2 Stealth bomber is in excess of $500 million. China's economy is still very backward, and its financial and material resources are extremely limited, which makes it even more necessary to reduce the costs of developing stealth weaponry and make its production economically more acceptable.
* In light of China's backwardness in stealth technology, if we are to fill as quickly as possible the present stealth weapon gap that exists in China, we must make use of every opportunity that is offered, import from abroad advanced technologies and equipment, establish as quickly as possible a research organization in the country. Thus we can speed up development of China's stealth technology.
* At the same time as the development of stealth weaponry is going on, research must also be undertaken in antistealth technology. Stealth technology as well as antistealth technology are parts of the key projects in high technology that are currently being pursued by the various countries of the world. For the period from 1990 to 2000, the U.S. Defense Department ranks stealth technology second among its 17 technology projects of highest importance. Among the 22 key technology projects for preferential development in 1990, three dealt with antistealth technology. This makes it very obvious that in future warfare stealth technology as well as antistealth technology will both be indispensable.

NANOTECHNOLOGY WEAPONS ON FUTURE BATTLEFIELDS

2009-11-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Major General Sun Bailin

History shows that today's scientific dreams can readily become tomorrow's scientific realities and today's scientific explorations can become sources of development for tomorrow's socially productive forces and military combat power. Therefore, people who are concerned about future social development trends inevitably are also concerned with current scientific exploration. While advancing toward a macro world, people are also engaging in unremitting exploration of the micro world. Having undergone the "catalysis" of modern science and technology, certain notions that used to be viewed as wild tales are now approaching mankind "as if coming to "life." Some of man's fancies are to manufacture extremely small-scale electrical machinery that can only be seen under a microscope, an "intelligence chip" that could be transplanted into the brain of an insect, a "remote controlled submarine" that could freely navigate the human circulatory system, small-scale spacecraft and satellites the size of a thimble, an actuator that could respond to a single atom, and so forth. These are microscale electromechanical system technologies that have been discussed with increasing frequency during the 1990s.

This article by Major General Sun Bailin of the Academy of Military Science is excerpted from National Defense, June 15, 1996.

The term "microscale electromechanical system" principally refers to controllable and movable microscale electromechanical apparatuses that have exterior dimensions of less than a millimeter and the components of which have dimensions that are in the micron to nanometer range. They are the inevitable result of man's pursuit of the miniaturization of high-technology apparatuses since the advent of microelectronic technology. As early as the beginning of the 1970s, exploratory research into microscale electromechanical systems had already begun, but this field saw substantial development only by the end of the mid-1980s. At that time, it was realized that by using advanced manufacturing technology for large-scale integrated circuits, one could develop microscale prototypes of large-scale mechanized systems. Hence, a "technological revolution" was initiated advancing toward microscale electromechanical systems. The essence of this "technological revolution" was that in the course of transforming man's relationship with nature, we have progressed from the material millimeter-micron stage to the molecular-atomic nanometer stage. It could possibly bring about a leap forward in unit material storage and information processing capabilities. Its basic characteristic is, through precise, perfect control and accurate, subtle discrete forms, to configure molecular or atomic structures rapidly and, according to a person's intent, to control atoms and molecules or atomic and molecular clusters to manufacture microscale devices with a specific function, thereby raising materials processing technology to an unprecedented level.

Because this revolution's latent prospects for application and its extremely rapid development, and also because of its having opened up several new high technologies of great significance to the national economy and defense, including nano-electronics, the study of nanomaterials, nanomechanics, nanobiology, nanomanufacturing, nanosurveying, nanocontrol, and nanomicrology, it is ushering in the "nano-era" of the 21st century. Experts commonly believe that technology on the micron-nanometer scale is military-civilian dual-use technology that contains extremely great promise. At present, its application in military affairs consists primarily of two aspects: microscale electromechanical systems and their micro-electric connected specialized integrated microscale apparatuses.

Rand Report

In 1993, the U.S. Rand Corporation submitted to the U.S. military a research report, "Military Applications of Microscale Electromechanical Systems," which portrayed the latent military applications of microscale electromechanical systems, attracting attention from relevant quarters. The possible military applications of the microscale electromechanical systems conceived of in this report include the following:

Microscale Robot Electrical Incapacitation Systems
The microscale electromechanical systems typically conceived for development usually include six sub-systems: sensor systems, information-processing and auto-navigation systems, maneuvering systems, communications systems, destruction systems, and drive generators. These microscale electromechanical systems have a certain automatic capability and mobility. When there is a need to attack enemy electrical systems, one can utilize unmanned aircraft to disperse these microscale electromechanical systems in the vicinity of a target.

When the target goes into operation, the systems sense the target's location and move in its direction until they permeate the target's interior, thus causing the enemy's electrical systems to malfunction. When releasing microscale electromechanical systems, one should be as close to the target as possible. In this way both time and equipment can be saved. After release, the systems can automatically seek the target and permeate its interior, thus causing it to wholly or partially lose its ability to operate. Microscale robot electrical incapacitation systems have an additional potential use, which is an economic blockade or embargo of the enemy. For example, by slipping into "information superhighway" apparatuses and preventing unimpeded flow along the "information superhighway," these systems could severely harm a modern, information-intensive economy. In addition, strategic targets that are vulnerable to attack by microscale robot electrical incapacitation systems include electrical power systems, civilian aviation systems, transportation networks, seaports and shipping, highways, television broadcast stations, telecommunications systems, computer centers, factories and enterprises, and so forth. Of course, there are those who worry that, were this kind of apparatus ever to used by an international terrorist organization, it could very possibly become a "double-edged sword" that threatens social stability.

Ant Robots
These microscale electromechanical systems can be controlled with sound. The drive-energy source of ant robots is a microscale microphone that can transform sound into energy. They can be used to creep into the enemy's vital equipment and lurk there for as long as several decades. In peacetime, they do not cause any problems, but in the event of war, remote control equipment can be used to activate the hidden ant robots, so that they can destroy or "devour" the enemy's equipment. In addition, there are at least 25 specialists who have done many years of research on nanotechnology and microscale electromechanical systems. Speaking from the latter stages of a great deal of scientific investigation, within the next 10 to 25 years, manufacture of these microscale electromechanical apparatuses of molecular dimensions will be possible and may actually sport "changeable hair," like that of Sun Wukong. These ant robots would "self-replicate" and have ultrasensitive reconnaissance apparatuses and remote-control mines for a combat platform. Were the need to arise, ant robots could be released against an enemy and used to search out sensitive military areas that must be controlled. By means of a control program, microscale reconnaissance apparatuses and microscale mines could "self-replicate" to the required density, thereby creating a "strategic threat"or decisive blow against the enemy. It can be conceived that, once ant robots that can "self-replicate" appear on the future battlefield, a "sudden paralysis" of the enemy's macroscopic combat system will occcur by means of the tremendous combat force emitted by microscopic apparatuses, to the extent that the enemy must submit to the combat pressure created by microscopic electromechanical systems.

Blood Vessel Submarines
Microscale electromechanical systems can be made yet smaller, being manufactured into "blood vessel submarines." Such devices can undertake patrol missions within the complex human circulatory system, and upon discovering a "focus of infection" or an "abnormality" somewhere within the body, they can both send a warning signal and also undertake activities under the direction of a doctor or engage in mortal combat with bacteria and viruses within the body. If this concept is realized, doctors will be able to call upon microscale electromechanical systems to perform "molecular or atomic surgery."

Distributed Battlefield Microscale Sensor Networks
In modern warfare, in order to accurately reconnoiter enemy combat deployments and troop movements in a timely fashion, opposing sides have invested financial, material, and personnel strength to research, produce, deploy, and employ reconnaissance systems and apparatuses throughout the world. However, the solemn facts of the Gulf War tell us that, when hunting the highly mobile and wideranging "scud" missiles, the area covered by existing reconnaissance systems is limited. However, microscale electromechanical systems could solve the problem of crucial areas that must be kept under continuous surveillance.

One possible case would be to use unmanned aircraft or other methods to distribute a large number of low-cost, use-on-demand microscale sensor systems over a combat zone. High-altitude unmanned aircraft would employ an onboard coded laser of a modulated double-angle reflection communications system to record the position of every microscale sensor. Then, the sensor systems begin to collect, process, and store information, until another unmanned aircraft uses an identical coded laser to send out an inquiry. Each sensor again employs modulated double-angle reflectors to transmit its data back to the unmanned aircraft. This type of microscale electromechanical system has clear advantages in terms of deployment, endurance, and vulnerability. Compared to existing theater long-range monitoring systems, microscale sensor systems are more rapidly and conveniently deployed, and they are more complete. Existing sensor equipment, when in the open, can be seen with the naked eye within a range of 200 meters. However, microscale electromechanical systems, which are measured in millimeters, cannot be distinguished with the naked eye when dispersed in the air and are also difficult to identify with instruments. Certain materials reveal that microscale electromechanical systems are not confined to use in the military arena. They also provide impetus for man's efforts to understand and alter his environment in the fields of information technology, the study of materials, environmental science, biology, and medical science.

In the application of specialized integrated microscale apparatuses, such apparatuses currently being developed can acquire environmental information on the local area or in remote areas and, through the specialized integrated microscale apparatuses' gene-fragment communications system, transmit the information to nearby microscale apparatuses. They can also transmit to a central processor. The uses of specialized integrated microscale apparatuses with the most vitality are the infield of space navigation. They will be able to gradually replace all sorts of subsystems on current spacecraft and carrier rockets, and then develop further into independent space systems, thus leading to the advent of microscale satellites and "nanosatellites."

Nanosatellites
"Nanosatellites" represent a revolutionary breakthrough in future satellite development. They are a type of distributed satellite structural system. Such distributed systems, in contrast to integrated systems, are able to avoid the damage that follows the malfunction of an individual satellite, and thus will increase the survivability and flexibility of future space systems. The best application of nanosatellites is their deployment in local satellite groups or in distributed constellations. For example, if we launch nanosatellites in solar stationary orbits, with 36 nanosatellites placed evenly into each of 18 equally spaced orbits, then there would be a total of 648 nanosatellites in orbit. Thus, we could ensure that at any given time, there would be continuous coverage and surveillance of any spot on the Earth. Currently, there are already a few western countries that are researching "microscale" satellites.

Japan Making Greatest Investment

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the topic of microscale electromechanical systems has been raised many times in scientific publications, and this field's specialized deliberations have attracted attention. A few experts in Japan, Western Europe, and the United States believe that with the rapid development of science and technology, microscale electromechanical systems will be a research topic of the utmost importance over the next 10 years. According to the Rand Corporation report, Japan is the nation making the greatest investment into research and development of microscale electromechanical systems at present. Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry has formulated a 10-year plan for developing microscale electromechanical systems; furthermore, it has already built a "molecular assembler." At the end of 1993, the Hitachi Corporation announced that it had, under room temperature conditions, built a working single-electron memory chip. Just like current chips, this type of chip can store one bit of information, but the newer memory devices only require 1/1,000,000 of the power consumption of older memory devices, and they require only 1/10,000 of the surface area.