Home Archives for March 2018

Sarkozy’s hand in the French Cookie Jar?

Sarkozy and his former chief of staff, Claude Guéant, are being investigated for secretly accepting at least fifty million Euros from Khadaffi for his 2007 electoral campaign.

by Eric S. Margolis

( March 30, 2018, Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) There was something refreshing about watching former French president Nicholas Sarkozy being interrogated in a French jail. Particularly since he may soon be accused of conspiracy in the murder of my old friend, Col. Muammar Khadaffi of Libya.

Sarkozy and his former chief of staff, Claude Guéant, are being investigated for secretly accepting at least fifty million Euros from Khadaffi for his 2007 electoral campaign. Such a payment violated France’s maximum permissible limit for political donation, not to mention a ban on foreign financing of candidates and failure to report the payments. Sarko also faces investigation over secret payments from the Gulf oil states.

French political candidates often have to wade through the sewers to finance their campaigns because spending limits were set relatively low to prevent big money from buying the elections, as in the United States.

These charges against Khadaffi and Guéant have been percolating for years with only a muted response. Sarkozy also got into hot water after he was accused of bilking large sums of cash from a senile heiress to France’s L’Oréal cosmetics company.

But three years ago, a French-Lebanese businessman told the French investigative site Mediapart that he had given suitcases with 5 million Euros (US $6.2 million) to Guéant. The former chief of staff would later claim the cash was payment for a painting he had sold to the shady Lebanese. Of course it was!

In 2007, Sarkozy became president of France. At the time, he and Khadaffi appeared to be best of friends. The Libyan leader made a gala visit to Paris, pitched his Bedouin tent on the grounds of the presidential palace and received the lavish official welcome that the French do so well.

France was interested in Libya’s high quality oil and using Libya as a beachhead for expanding Paris’ former influence in North Africa. France and Libya secretly colluded to fight Islamist rebels in the region who were battling French-installed puppet rulers in West and Central Africa.

But then Sarkozy turned sharply against the Khadaffi regime and joined US and British efforts to overthrow it. This was not the first time. Former French president, François Mitterrand, ordered his intelligence chief, Count de Marenches, to destroy Khadaffi’s personal jet with an altitude-fused bomb. Marenches told me the bomb was secreted aboard the plane, then removed when relations with Tripoli improved.

British intelligence, MI6, also tried to assassinate Khadaffi by means of a car bomb in Benghazi, Libya, but failed, though many civilians were killed.

Sarkozy eventually heeded demands from Hillary Clinton, then US Secretary of State, to launch a war against ostensible ally, Khadaffi, and seize his oil riches.

Warplanes and special forces from the US, France and Britain joined in a sustained attack on Libya, which was cynically misrepresented as a humanitarian rescue mission. French aircraft strafed Khadaffi’s convoy. French special forces and Libyan mercenaries caught Khadaffi, tortured him with a knife, then shot him dead.

Khadaffi had made the fatal mistake of telling his eldest son, Saif al-Islam, and senior officials about his secret payment to Sarkozy. When word leaked out from Saif, Sarkozy quickly ordered the attack on Libya. Dead men tell no tales. French intelligence is very skilled at rubbing out foes and nuisances.

My surmise is that French justice will find some tenuous link between Sarkozy and Khadaffi’s murder, but no hard proof Sarko was directly involved. If George W. Bush and Dick Cheney could get away Scott free after killing over one million Iraqi civilians in a trumped-up war, why prosecute Sarko for this minor ‘contretemps?’

Their hocus-pocus is creating fuss within the security apparatus, as the incumbent Navy Commander's retirement is due in five weeks

by Our Special Correspondent

( March 30, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Subsequently, his “successful presentation” at the National Security Council, little known but so-called highly influential man mostly living in the United States of America, known as Mohamad Milan, is playing a mediating role to buy National Defense Coastal and Border Protection System, a radar system, produced by Polaris, a US-based private entity for security solutions, reliable sources told the Sri Lanka Guardian.

But nobody knows the needfulness of such sophisticated system, and many are wondering if the country needs why through a private businessman.

Milan who is later managed to create a dealing-wheeling friendship with the senior security officials in the Country and offered incumbent Navy Commander and his team to visit the USA recently.

'He has kindly accepted and visited with his team,' sourses said.

Apparently, their hocus-pocus is creating fuss within the security apparatus, as the incumbent Navy Commander's retirement is due in five weeks, sources added.

Lady Dentist has nothing to do with an advanced security mechanism, but she was able to win over the competitors including most suitable officers who deserve such courses

by Our Special Correspondent

(March 30, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is yet another interesting development reported in Sri Lankan Navy where the Commander of Navy has recommended a long service lady dentist to represent Sri Lankan Navy in the Advanced Security Co-operation Course annually conducted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) is a U.S. Department of Defense academic institute that officially opened Sept. 4, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Alas! Lady Dentist has nothing to do with an advanced security mechanism, but she was able to win over the competitors including most suitable officers who deserve such courses.

According to internal sources in the Sri Lanka Navy, Lady Captain Dentist will fly to Hawaii, in a few days to breathe the Hawaii air for five weeks.

Kim said he sincerely hoped that China will continuously make new great achievements in the course of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and a great modern socialist country.

by Xinhua

( March 28, 2018, Beijing, Sri Lanka Guardian) At the invitation of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid an unofficial visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday. During the visit, Xi held talks with Kim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju and watched an art performance together.

Li Keqiang, Chinese premier and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended related activities, respectively.

During the talks, Xi expressed warm welcome on behalf of the CPC Central Committee to Kim for his first visit to China.

Kim said, since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has, with tremendous political courage and a strong sense of responsibility, developed new thinking and new ideas, put them into action, and solved many tough problems that were never resolved and accomplished many big things that were long on the agenda but never got done. These achievements fully proved that the lines of the CPC are correct lines that accord with the national conditions. In particular, Comrade General Secretary has put forward the requirements that the Party should exercise effective self-supervision and practice strict self-governance in every respect, which has contributed greatly to Party building and realized the overall Party leadership over all work. At present, the WPK is also intensifying its efforts in fighting against arrogance, bureaucracy and corruption.

Kim said he sincerely hoped that China will continuously make new great achievements in the course of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and a great modern socialist country.

The two leaders thoroughly exchanged views on the situation of the world and the Korean Peninsula.

Xi said that positive changes had taken place on the Korean Peninsula since this year, and China appreciates the important efforts made by the DPRK.

On the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said that China sticks to the goal of denuclearization of the peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and solving problems through dialogue and consultation.

China calls on all parties to support the improvement of inter-Korean ties, and take concrete efforts to facilitate peace talks, said Xi, noting that China will continue to play constructive role on the issue and work with all parties, including the DPRK, toward the thaw of the situation on the peninsula.

Kim said that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is starting to get better, as the DPRK has taken the initiative to ease tensions and put forward proposals for peace talks.

"It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearization on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il Sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong Il," he said.

Kim said that the DPRK is determined to transform the inter-Korean ties into a relationship of reconciliation and cooperation and hold summit between the heads of the two sides.

The DPRK is willing to have dialogue with the United States and hold a summit of the two countries, he said.

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At the invitation of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, Kim Jong-un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), paid an unofficial visit to China from March 25 to 28. During the visit, Xi held talks with Kim at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Kim before their talks. [Photo/Xinhua][/caption]"The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if south Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace," said Kim.

The DPRK hopes to enhance strategic communication with China during the process, jointly safeguard the trend of consultation and dialogue as well as peace and stability on the peninsula, said Kim.

Before the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Kim at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

After the talks, Xi and Peng held a welcoming banquet for Kim and Ri. While delivering an address, Xi said that in the beautiful season of spring when everything is coming back to life, the unofficial visit of Comrade Kim Jong-un and Lady Ri Sol Ju to China is of great significance for the two countries to deepen communication, strengthen coordination and promote cooperation, and will push the relations between the two parties and the two countries to a new high in the new historical phase, as well as make important contributions to pushing forward the peace, stability and development in the region.

Xi said he had candid and friendly talks with Chairman Kim Jong-un. "We agreed that carrying forward the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK accords with the common interests of both sides, and is the common strategic choice of both sides."

"No matter how the international and regional situation changes, we will both firmly grasp the global development trend and the overall situation of the China-DPRK relationship, strengthen our high-level exchanges, deepen our strategic communication, expand our exchanges and cooperation, and benefit the people of both countries and the people of all countries," he said.

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Xi Jinping holds talks with Kim Jong-un at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. At the invitation of Xi, Kim paid an unofficial visit to China from March 25 to 28. [Photo/Xinhua][/caption]While addressing the banquet, Kim said that as the situation of the Korean Peninsula is undergoing unprecedented changes, he paid a swift visit to China, out of good wishes for promoting peace and stability on the peninsula, and carrying on and developing the DPRK-China friendship.

He said the fact that he chose China as the destination of his first overseas visit showed his will to carry forward the tradition of DPRK-China friendship, and how he valued the friendship between the two countries.

"I have had successful talks with General Secretary Xi Jinping on developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, our respective domestic situation, maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and other issues," he said.

"In this spring full of happiness and hopes, I believe my first meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping will yield abundant fruits of DPRK-China friendship, and facilitate peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

During the visit, Xi and Peng held a luncheon for Kim and Ri in the Yangyuanzhai Room of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Xi said that the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse has witnessed the development of the traditional friendship between the two countries, and the close relations between leaders of the elder generations of the two parties and two countries "have set an example for us."

"We welcome Chairman Kim Jong-un and Lady Ri Sol Ju to visit China now and again," Xi said.

Kim said that the DPRK-China friendship is especially precious, adding he would like to join hands with Xi to follow the noble will of leaders of the elder generations, carry on and develop the DPRK-China friendship that remains unchanged despite winds and rains, and elevate it to a new high under new circumstances.

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Kim Jong-un visits an exhibition showcasing the innovation achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). [Photo/Xinhua][/caption]Kim also visited an exhibition showcasing the innovation achievements of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since the 18th CPC National Congress. Kim showed his admiration for China's accomplishments in the development and innovation of science and technology, and wrote an inscription to mark the visit.

Ding Xuexiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee; Guo Shengkun, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee; Huang Kunming, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Cai Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the activities.

Choe Ryong Hae, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the Organization and Guidance Department; Pak Kwang Ho, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department; Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the International Department; Kim Yong Chol, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the United Front Department and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, accompanied Kim Jong-un on his China tour and attended related activities.

Students saw a choice of goods that were produced in the U.S. but tasted differently abroad.

by Michael Czinkota

( March 28, 2018, Washington DC, Sri Lanka Guardian) This spring, I wanted Michael Czinkota’s students to remember their “Marketing Across Borders” class while they traveled to azure beaches and Caribbean getaways. They were to connect their break experiences to some of the themes we have explored in class. Their responses offered an interesting – and illuminating – glimpse into how international marketing shapes the decisions of young travelers.

As digital natives, most of my students performed the research and planning for their trips online. Whether scoring cheaper flights or finding top restaurants, these young travelers turned to social media platforms and travel websites like AirBnb and TripAdvisor, to find affordable, and often all-inclusive, deals for hotels and flights. Students noted the power of word of mouth, which they far preferred over mass-market pamphlets, in guiding travel decisions. Much trust was placed in the reviews of peer travelers.

Much international travel was to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Germany.

But even when my students ventured outside their comfort zones, they still encountered elements of the familiar. They noted the prevalence of Japanese manufactured cars, such as Toyota, in countries like Mexico and Jamaica. For food, they found a preponderance of American brands – like McDonalds and Starbucks – that were almost identical to those in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A student, involved in a social justice immersion trip to Jamaica, found international marketing to be an important tool in business development. She found billboards with emotional global brand messages: “Kakoo loves Pepsi!”; “Jamaica, land we love; Honda, car we love.” Many messages were targeted toward tourists and rendered in English rather than local languages.

In terms of favorite topics, many of my students’ broached food. There was a fascination with the globalization of food products. Students were delighted to taste the delicious meals of the world. “Food trends from around the world had penetrated the Costa Rican market: Breakfast places were serving cold brewed ice coffee, kombucha, acai bowls, avocado toast, and homemade vegan bread. Australians own the best taco joint in Tamarindo. A woman from Minnesota was the chef at a local breakfast café. Markets served poke bowls (sushi bowls from Hawaii), arepas (shredded beef sandwiches from Venezuela), and traditional French pastries.”

Students saw a choice of goods that were produced in the U.S. but tasted differently abroad. In the Dominican Republic, there were different taste versions of Coca Cola. Snacks of choice, such as Doritos, were sold at two different prices depending on whether they were sold in American or Mexican packaging. In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the point of sale changed in supermarkets. Oreos were sold alongside American cereals rather than in the cookie section!

All these observations contribute to a wider understanding of international marketing forces that shape tourism for young travelers today. Travel can be good – it gives more perspective, more context and more variety. Surely, there will be more alternatives and new experiences, which make life more meaningful, spicy and more interesting.

Michael Czinkota teaches international business and trade at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and the University of Kent. His key book (with Ilkka Ronkainen) is “International Marketing” (10th ed., CENGAGE).

Georgetown University students, Dina El-Saharty and Lisa Burgoa, contributed to this report.

Bolton nominally falls into the realist camp, but he inhabits the extreme end of it – he is a hard-liner and a hawk. He reflexively distrusts diplomacy to settle disputes.

by Steven Feldstein

( March 28, 2018, Boston, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Donald Trump’s announcement on March 22 that John Bolton would become the new national security adviser took the policy world – and Bolton – by surprise.

Bolton’s hawkish views are well known. During his run as a Fox News commentator, he advocated for preemptively bombing North Korea and at other times called for regime change in Iran.

As a junior aide at the State Department, I occasionally intersected with Bolton while he was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations between 2005 to 2006. His brusque manner and deep mistrust of the U.N. were eye opening. I recall one meeting in which he claimed that a newly formed U.N. reform panel represented a “conspiracy” that he would uncover in due time. He never followed up with any further information to the best of my knowledge.

Throughout his tenure, he had a testy relationship with then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and many others at the State Department. After his appointment expired, I recall that most of his colleagues breathed a sigh of relief upon his exit.

Now as a scholar of foreign policy and international relations, I find that Bolton’s promotion to one of the most important jobs in the Trump administration raises critical questions: What is Bolton’s worldview? And is his aggressive posturing on Iran and North Korea hyperbole, or do they represent a real template for new policies? If Bolton’s policy decisions start to match his rhetoric, then the possibility of war may become very real.

Bolton’s hard-line perspective

U.S. foreign policy experts tends to fall into three camps: realist, liberalist and idealist. Realists view international relations as a competition for power among self-interested states. Liberalists contend that economic integration between nations, international institutions and democracy can overcome selfish state behavior. Idealists believe that international politics are shaped by collective ideas, values and principles.

Bolton nominally falls into the realist camp, but he inhabits the extreme end of it – he is a hard-liner and a hawk. He reflexively distrusts diplomacy to settle disputes. He believes that force and coercion are preferable means to advance U.S. interests. Bolton views international relations as a series of “nasty, brutish and short” struggles where military force is the deciding factor.

Throughout his career, he has advocated for force over negotiation, often with disastrous results. While serving as the undersecretary for arms control in the Bush administration, for example, he played a key role in shaping intelligence related to alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He not only declared his confidence that such weapons existed, but publicly warned, “If Saddam Hussein does not co-operate we have made it clear this is the last chance for him.”

As history shows, Saddam did not possess biological or chemical weapons, but the United States went to war against Iraq anyway. Bolton’s more recent saber-rattling against Iran echoes the past. He has called for Trump to “tear up” the Iran nuclear agreement, and to use bombs and missiles to accomplish U.S. security objectives. As Bolton intones: “Time is terribly short, but a strike can still succeed.”

What does Bolton want?

Bolton believes that force alone will ensure continued U.S. dominance in the international system. He sees diplomacy and negotiations, particularly through the U.N., as a tactic for weak states to tie the hands of stronger states. He has repeatedly claimed that negotiations, such as over North Korea’s nuclear program, are a waste of time, and that treaties are “essentially only political documents.”

At his core, I believe Bolton is concerned with how to maintain U.S. primacy in the face of relative decline. He recognizes the likelihood that the Chinese economy will soon become the largest in the world, and that economic power is a key component of military strength. Therefore, Bolton maintains that the best way to secure American power is to confront revisionist states – countries such as North Korea and Iran which seek to overturn the status quo order – through military strength, and to knock back challenges from potential peer competitors, like China.

Unlike a classic realpolitik strategist like Henry Kissinger, diplomatic subtlety is not part of Bolton’s playbook. If collateral damage accrues, say millions of civilian casualties from a conflict on the Korean peninsula, I’d expect Bolton would likely say that is the cost of doing business.

How will Bolton manage the bureaucracy?

Many commentators have extolled Bolton’s ability to co-opt the bureaucracy in support of his objectives. That case may be overstated.

It is true that through determination and bullying Bolton sometimes prevailed during heated interagency battles. But his overall record was underwhelming. Bolton’s reputation was so divisive that both Democratic and Republican senators joined together to block his confirmation as ambassador to the U.N. in 2005. Eventually, the Bush administration resorted to a 17-month recess appointment to get him up to New York.

While working as a diplomat in the U.N., he notably feuded with his counterparts, particularly Secretary General Kofi Annan. Other countries blithely ignored – if not ridiculed – his agenda, leaving him with a sparse list of accomplishments. Said one Western ambassador: “Instinctively, he’s a bully. He has succeeded in putting almost everyone’s back up, even among America’s closest allies.”

In fact, Bolton’s most lasting U.N. legacy may have been his famous assertion: “The Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If it lost 10 stories today, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference.”

Bolton’s State Department colleagues also found him insufferable, according to The Washington Post. He routinely conflicted with Secretary Rice, and as he approached the end of his tenure, his polarizing attitude had shorn him of allies. Rather than wield unrestrained influence, internal opponents often stymied his priorities. As someone notoriously difficult to work with – including serious allegations of workplace abuse – Bolton will may encounter substantial friction once he gets in place as national security adviser.

Drumbeat of war?

Some experts argue that under Bolton’s leadership, going to war is not inevitable, but several factors give pause. Many senior diplomats and military leaders – the checks and balances – have left the administration. There are simply fewer experienced people left in the room to challenge Bolton’s ideas.

In addition, it remains to be seen how Trump’s own impulsiveness, as recently evidenced by his sudden announcement of trade tariffs, may affect Bolton. It may turn into what academics call the “risky shift phenomenon.” This occurs when individuals in group settings are reluctant to appear overly cautious. Instead, the most reckless member dominates such groups, causing individuals to take chances they would not otherwise carry forward. Trump’s tendency to take audacious gambles, combined with Bolton’s predisposition to use military force, is what is causing many to fear a heightened risk of international confrontation.

Appointing a hard-line figure like Bolton signals that Trump is ready to embrace a much more aggressive and volatile foreign policy. The next few months will bring key decisions on Iran and North Korea. Bolton’s leadership will go a long way towards determining whether the U.S. finds itself yet again on the brink of war.

Steven Feldstein, Frank and Bethine Church Chair of Public Affairs & Associate Professor, School of Public Service, Boise State University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

As a Sri Lankan born American, I saw the potential in this program to build links between two countries. People at Braeside Camp develop leadership while serving kids who are from foster and families that are disadvantaged

by Udara Soysa

( March 27, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Several Sri Lankans from different ages and walks of life over the last decade were selected for a leadership program at Braeside Camp working with underprivileged youth in Orange County, NY. This program continues to build a bridge between Sri Lanka and the United States. The program offers an opportunity for Sri Lankans to work with underprivileged youth in New York for 8 weeks prior their return to Sri Lanka.

Gavin Britto, a Sri Lankan born American citizen was among very first people who participated in this program from summer of 2010.

"As a Sri Lankan born American, I saw the potential in this program to build links between two countries. People at Braeside Camp develop leadership while serving kids who are from foster and families that are disadvantaged," according to Britto.

Braeside Camp exists in a beautiful and peaceful setting (an oasis in the heart of Middletown NY) Our campus is complete with tall trees, rolling hills and a creek that wraps around the perimeter, all creating the perfect backdrop to the endless fun and frivolity that takes place here in the summer. The program has been in existence since approximately 1897 and began as a place for children to come and recover and convalesce from tuberculosis here in the great outdoors. After tragically losing its founders to the disease, the camp turned over to a, not for profit in the mid-1930’s. At that time it became dedicated to providing an authentic, enriching and educational overnight camp experience for kids in the Orange County NY area. While the camp serves many children, it is dedicated especially to those that could not otherwise afford such an experience and has existed as such ever since.

"Braeside Camp leadership program really changed the way I looked at the world," according to Yudesh Gunaratne. A former head prefect at Nalanda College, Yudesh participated in the leadership program in summer of 2016. " I grew more as an individual through the program," he said.

Meanwhile, Chathuranga Thoradeniya, a former Airforce officer and a leadership trainer from Sri Lanka who participated in this program said that the exchange program will continue to foster dialogue between youth from Sri Lanka and the United States.

"Key in developing international understanding is private initiatives bridging cultural gaps," he added.

Kaneel Maddumage, an attorney at law who participated in the program in 2016 said he is participating in the program again in 2017.

"I am very thankful for the good people at the American embassy for facilitating this connection, especially with visa complications," he added.

"We really appreciate the support given by Sally Sternal at the embassy to make our experience a reality," according to Ayesha Sheara, a law student who is participating in the program this year.

"Well, its tough being in a foreign country and working with youth who are totally different than me and I don't think I will ever consider such program if not for Braeside," she added.

"I just finished my law degree exams and I have 2 months before I start Law College, so during this time I wanted to develop my leadership skills so I decided to participate in this program," according to Keshini De Hoedt who is also attending the program this year. "It's tough being away from home but I am really loving it so far," she added.

Meanwhile, some youth from Braeside Camp visited Sri Lanka and served underprivileged youth in Sri Lanka through several volunteer programs.

Ricky Climes, a native of Orange Country made several trips to Sri Lanka in 2012/2014 and served youth in areas as far as Hingurukaduwa in Buttala, Sri Lanka. " I loved my experience at Braeside and through Braeside connections, I visited Sri Lanka few times -- I loved it,"

Chandler Owes, a New Yorker, who visited Sri Lanka in 2016 served as a volunteer to teach English with Horizon Lanka foundation in Anuradhapura. " For me this connection meant everything - I plan again to return to Sri Lanka this year as well," he said.

"Braeside prides itself on creating a culture of caring and nurturance where youth can feel safe and comfortable with one another," says Craig Altmann, a social worker from Orange County who adds that the cross-cultural element at Braeside is key for its long-term success.

So far nearly dozens of Sri Lankans have participated in the program while four Americans have visited Sri Lanka to volunteer as a result of the connections from the program.

More information about Braeside Camp can be found at www.braesidecamp.org.

( The writer is an Attorney-at Law )

Two areas have specifically come under intensive attacks from the Burmese Army- one around the Tanai Township (also pronounced as Danai and Tanaing) on the LEDO Road and another around Sumprabhum on the road from Myitikkyina to Putao.

by Dr. S. Chandrasekharan

( March 27, 2018, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) In our paper 6350 dated 19 Feb 2018 we have mentioned that fighting between the Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) and the Kachins had intensified and that the offensive instead of bringing around the KIA to signing the agreement would only result in throwing them in the lap of the Chinese through the newly formed FNPCC (Federal Political Negotiation and Consultation Committee) led by the Chinese supported UWSA (United Wa State Army).

On 13th Feb. two ethnic armed organisations of the now marginalised UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council) the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the nationwide cease fire agreement sponsored by the Government amidst great fanfare with all the important dignitaries including the State Counsellor and the Army Chief attending and addressing the function.

Since 25th January, fighting between the Army and the Kachins escalated to new levels and probably the offensive was to bring round the KIA to sign the agreement. After a lull, a second offensive on KIA controlled areas appears to have started in the first week of March.

Two areas have specifically come under intensive attacks from the Burmese Army- one around the Tanai Township (also pronounced as Danai and Tanaing) on the LEDO Road and another around Sumprabhum on the road from Myitikkyina to Putao.

The KIA is said to have withdrawn from the mining areas of Tanai and its Battalion 14 from its base which was the target of Army. Even as recent as 23rd March clashes have been going between the Army and the KIA and it is said that Army has been using heavy artillery to clear the area. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have expressed concern over the fighting and about the safety of the civilians affected.

It may be recalled that at the instance of the Chinese representative Sun Guoxiang, representatives of the Burmese Army and the KIA met on Feb 1st- the first of its kind after the cease fire between the two was broken in 2011. The talks ended in agreeing for further talks but in the meeting, the Burmese Army representatives wanted the KIA to vacate and dismantle certain of the formations created by the KIA after the Cease fire was broken in 2011. This was not agreed to, as the contention of the KIA was that once the cease fire is broken with renewed offensive, the KIA is free to strengthen itself. It is also said from sources close to the KIA that the Army’s offensive is a reflection of their opposition to the presence of KIA in northern Shan areas. It is known that historically, the KIA has had a presence in the northern Shan for a very long time.

An interesting and detailed article by a knowledgeable person who writes under the pseudonym Joe Kumbun throws some light on the reasons for the Army’s offensive against four brigades and a battalion of the KIA.

First, is that the Tatmadaw has recently strengthened itself by acquiring fighter jets from Russia and in fact these jets have already conducted air strikes on one formation of KIA. Given the increase in the fighting strength of the Tatmadaw and the creation of new brigades by the KIA, fighting is bound to continue and escalate in the near future.

Second, the offensive is perhaps meant to increase pressure on KIO to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. This in my view is very unlikely but instead it would only make the KIA become more dependent on the UWSA led alliance and thus to China.

Third, the offensive is meant to be a warning to other non-signatories of the NCA like the AA, TNLA, MNDAA and even the UWSA- the biggest one with over 40,000 fighting cadres in its strength. This again is very unlikely with China holding the key to reconciliation.

The suggestions made by Joe Kumbun for resolving the conflict are very valid and could be tried without any outside interference. These include

One, De-escalation of fighting and establishment of peace in Kachin areas should be the first priority. The cease fire agreement of 1994 was unfortunately broken by the offensive of Tatmadaw in 2011 and more it continues less will be the chances of ethnic reconciliation now being pursued by Suu kyi.

Second, the Army should show some magnanimity and accept a role for the FPNCC in political dialogue and objections to the AA, TNLA and MNDAA participating in the political dialogue should be dropped. Already the UWSA is talking to the government as we will see later, but the objection of the Army over the inclusion of other groups like AA etc. in the political dialogue has some substance. What is the guarantee that more groups may mushroom and go for an umbrella protection under the UWSA even if these groups are now allowed? It is a question of principle.

Last, that the Government and the Army should invite the KIO and other armed groups for the third Panglong Conference due to be held soon. This is doable and can be pursued.

There was a mild flutter and even astonishment when a member of the government’s peace commission announced that the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Mongla group (NDAA) had accepted the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement only to be quickly denied by the UWSA subsequently. What perhaps would have happened is that both the government and UWSA may be in touch with each other to explore ways to continue the political dialogue. Even here the problem is that the government as yet is unwilling to recognise the umbrella coalition of FPNCC as a group while willing to deal with the groups individually!

There is so much that makes Britain what it is, or what it used to be. What does it mean now to be called “British” - the “Land of Hope and Glory”? Has the shine over recent times faded?

by Victor Cherubim

(March 27, 2018, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Academics at Cambridge Analytica used the data they gathered to do things such as looking at the correlation between Facebook users’ personality and their political leaning, their buying habits, their associations.

What they found out among other things was that the younger generation, perhaps the “millennials” were more conservative in taste than their elders, at variance with popular belief. Data did not make Democrats vote Republican (Trump) but it was used to suppress Democrats (Afro=Americans) going to the ballot box by targeting them with “memes” reminding them of the bad Clinton vibes.

What was new in this “study” was that it gave unprecedented access (4.5 million) for further information on which to base new research studies.

Facebook’s problem is nothing new, data minting in politics boosted its popularity in demographic data, but more specifically to tailor messages to segments of the population, to target women, young people, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable without their consent, without their knowledge.

Equifax “unaccounted” disclosure of Credit files last year is with the end game of taking out credit checks to monitor your credit, suggesting you to freeze your credit by stopping anyone taking advantage of your credit history, costing you an additional $30 to unfreeze it, with an added provisional disclaimer of right to sue.

Spotify’s algorithm which makes educated guesses bases it data on users’ information of listening to songs what it knows you already like, but it cannot make you like music you “hate”.

Collecting anything as a hobby

To engage the public of all ages with a hobby instead, the Royal Mint which has been making coins for over 1100 years has started a Coin Hunt with the circulation of the new 10 Penny pieces, in an innovative, thought provoking way.

Various themes in Stamps, in Coins, in pictorial Cigarette Cards, Animal Cards, for that matter anything novel, have engaged the attention of hobbyists over many, many decades.

With the public more recently engrossed in upgrading, buying, exchanging the latest models of Apple’s i-phone and adding other innovative phone applications in the market, collecting non expensive, affordable items, was on the wane.

The British Way

The British are often in the vanguard of innovation, of many sorts. Whether it is fashion or fabrics, they are fascinated in novel ways of keeping people, ordinary folk engaged, engrossed and entrapped in exchange not only of ideas, but of ordinary day to day objects, sometimes even “objects of vertu”.

When it came to Coins, various themes reflecting the British way of life were sought after not necessarily in Britain, but of interest abroad. Like during the Colonial days, “Made in England” was considered a mark of class. Themes such as Royalty, Cities or Countries of the UK, Sport, Flowers, fauna, and flora were featured in memorabilia, stamps, or Coins.

There is so much that makes Britain what it is, or what it used to be. What does it mean now to be called “British” - the “Land of Hope and Glory”? Has the shine over recent times faded? Like everything in life, times change, people change, countries are re-born.

A New Britain after Brexit

After June 2016 a new motivation surrounds Britain. After the EU consent of the Withdrawal Agreement on 23 March 2018, Britain is aghast and marching again. “Onward soldiers marching, marching on to war,” is the beat of today. It is a new beginning of sorts.

My reflection

Years ago when I was a young lad, growing up in Sri Lanka, my Dad, a British Shipping Agent, went to Cargills of Colombo the well known Merchandiser, and bought me a Hornby Train set imported from England. It was a novelty, much cherished, much time spent, giving me hours of pleasure. Today many years on, I too have moved on. I hope to strike a different theme to keep me occupied.

A Novel Coin Collection idea is born. The offer this time was a hobby to collect the 26 Letters of the English Alphabet A to Zee each as a motif on the 10 Penny Coin in circulation in UK. Each Letter of the Alphabet is “etched”on the reverse, with the latest Queen’s Head in obverse. The fascination was that each letter represented something “quintessentially” and extraordinarily British.

The early strike Letters A to Z “10 Penny Coins” were put in circulation by Royal Mint in the 1^st week of March 2018 with the first mint of 500,000 strike of each letter. The circulating coins were to be distributed through the Post Office network at a price of £4, many, many times it value. It is hoped to be a Collector’s item at some time.
The Collection is called a Coin Hunt as some letters are not available, perhaps, not put in circulation.
To date we are informed that over 2.6 million ten pence pieces have been minted across the 26 designs and more are in the pipeline.
For those who want to study the Coin Hunt, the Letters A to Z stand as follows:

A – Angel of the North N - NHS

B- Bond – James Bond O- Oak Tree

C- Cricket P- Post Box

D-Double Decker Bus Q- Queuing

E- English Breakfast R- Robin

F- Fish & Chips S-Stonehenge

G- Greenwich Mean Time T- Tea

H- Houses of Parliament U- Union Jack Flag

I – Ice Cream V - Villages

J- Jubilee W- World Wide Web

K- King Arthur X- X marks the Spot

L- Loch Ness Y- Yeoman Warder

M-Mackintosh Z- Zebra Crossing

All the above Coin Letters celebrate all things British. The Hunt is now on to collect all the 26 Letters in your change given to you.

For some this hobby is more than a craze

Like all things we crave, this hobby collecting Alphabet Coins is a craze. For some, it is an investment. But like all fads, it is a sign of the times, a sign of national pride expected after Brexit.

Featured Illustration: Uday Deb ~ Courtesy: Times of India

The corruption in the West extends beyond politicians, presstitutes, and an insouciant public to experts.

by Paul Craig Roberts

( March 27, 2018, Washington DC, Sri Lanka Guardian) Among Western political leaders there is not an ounce of integrity or morality. The Western print and TV media is dishonest and corrupt beyond repair. Yet the Russian government persists in its fantasy of “working with Russia’s Western partners.” The only way Russia can work with crooks is to become a crook. Is that what the Russian government wants?

Finian Cunningham notes the absurdity in the political and media uproar over Trump (belatedly) telephoning Putin to congratulate him on his reelection with 77 percent of the vote, a show of public approval that no Western political leader could possibly attain. The crazed US senator from Arizona called the person with the largest majority vote of our time “a dictator.” Yet a real blood-soaked dictator from Saudi Arabia is feted at the White House and fawned over by the president of the United States.

The Western politicians and presstitutes are morally outraged over an alleged poisoning, unsupported by any evidence, of a former spy of no consequence on orders by the president of Russia himself. These kind of insane insults thrown at the leader of the world’s most powerful military nation—and Russia is a nation, unlike the mongrel Western countries—raise the chances of nuclear Armageddon beyond the risks during the 20th century’s Cold War. The insane fools making these unsupported accusations show total disregard for all life on earth. Yet they regard themselves as the salt of the earth and as “exceptional, indispensable” people.

Think about the alleged poisoning of Skirpal by Russia. What can this be other than an orchestrated effort to demonize the president of Russia? How can the West be so outraged over the death of a former double-agent, that is, a deceptive person, and completely indifferent to the millions of peoples destroyed by the West in the 21st century alone. Where is the outrage among Western peoples over the massive deaths for which the West, acting through its Saudi agent, is responsible in Yemen? Where is the Western outrage among Western peoples over the deaths in Syria? The deaths in Libya, in Somalia, Pakistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan? Where is the outrage in the West over the constant Western interference in the internal affairs of other countries? How many times has Washington overthrown a democratically-elected government in Honduras and reinstalled a Washington puppet?

The corruption in the West extends beyond politicians, presstitutes, and an insouciant public to experts. When the ridiculous Condi Rice, national security adviser to president George W. Bush, spoke of Saddam Hussein’s non-existent weapons of mass destruction sending up a nuclear cloud over an American city, experts did not laugh her out of court. The chance of any such event was precisely zero and every expert knew it, but the corrupt experts held their tongues. If they spoke the truth, they knew that they would not get on TV, would not get a government grant, would be out of the running for a government appointment. So they accepted the absurd lie designed to justify an American invasion that destroyed a country.

This is the West. There is nothing but lies and indifference to the deaths of others. The only outrage is orchestrated and directed against a target: the Taliban, Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi, Iran, Assad, Russia and Putin, and against reformist leaders in Latin America. The targets for Western outrage are always those who act independently of Washington or who are no longer useful to Washington’s purposes.

The quality of people in Western governments has collapsed to the very bottom of the barrel. The British actually have a person, Boris Johnson, as Foreign Secretary, who is so low-down that a former British ambassador has no compunction in calling him a categorical liar. The British lab Porton Down, contrary to Johnson’s claim, has not identified the agent associated with the attack on Skirpal as a Russian novichok agent. Note also that if the British lab is able to identify a novichok agent, it also has the capability of producing it, a capability that many countries have as the formulas were published years ago in a book.

That the novichok poisoning of Skirpal is an orchestration is obvious. The minute the event occured the story was ready. With no evidence in hand, the British government and presstitute media were screaming “the Russians did it.” Not content with that, Boris Johnson screamed “Putin did it.” In order to institutionalize fear and hatred of Russia into British consciousness, British school children are being taught that Putin is like Hitler.

Orchestrations this blatant demonstrate that Western governments have no respect for the intelligence of their peoples. That Western governments get away with these fantastic lies indicates that the governments are immune to accountability. Even if accountability were possible, there is no sign that Western peoples are capable of holding their governments accountable. As Washington drives the world to nuclear war, where are the protests? The only protest is brainwashed school children protesting the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment.

Western democracy is a hoax. Consider Catalonia. The people voted for independence and were denounced for doing so by European politicians. The Spanish government invaded Catalonia alleging that the popular referendum, in which people expressed their opinion about their own future, was illegal. Catalonian leaders are in prison awaiting trial, except for Carles Puigdemont who escaped to Belgium. Now Germany has captured him on his return to Belgium from Finland where he lectured at the University of Hesinki and is holding him in jail for a Spanish government that bears more resembance to Francisco Franco than to democracy. The European Union itself is a conspiracy against democracy.

The success of Western propaganda in creating non-existent virtues for itself is the greatest public relations success in history.

Featured image courtesy: www.realityofdreams.org.uk

“The rule of law requires that the government should be subject to laws rather than law should be subject to government.”

by Anjum Parvez and Subhra Agarwal

( March 26, 2018, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Independent and impartial judiciary is unequivocally regarded as one of the hallmarks of a vibrant democracy. It’s often said that the social development, prosperity and strengthening of democratic credentials in a society depends upon complete justice, independent judiciary and rule of law.

However, these cherished goals can be achieved only if all institutions of the state dispense their functions with dedication and devotion and pay heed to the Constitutional mandates.

In this context, the Constitutions of India, England and United Sates of America (US) have bestowed upon the judiciary the deadly task of protecting the fundamental rights of the subjects. This is the reason the judicial departments in these democracies have been made independent of other organs of state to champion the cause of judicial independency. Because, the framers of the Constitutions were of the opinion that an independent and vibrant judiciary can only succeed to garner public trust and foster social justice and Edward Coke’s concept of rule of law.

Coke is said to be the originator of the concept of rule of law when he asserted that king must be under god and law and thus vindicated the supremacy of law over pretensions of the executive. He was the first person who coined a maxim called “Law principally de legalite,” which means “Law will rule.” The concept is in the negation of individual’s governance.

Importantly, Coke’s Rule of Law (RoL) was later explained at full-fledged length by the much-acclaimed professor of Constitutional Law AV Dicey in his popular work The Law of Constitution (1885). Dicey’s notion of RoL was based on three principles: supremacy of law, equality before the law; and predominance of legal spirit.

On this note, Professor Wade in his book Administrative Law argues, “The rule of law requires that the government should be subject to laws rather than law should be subject to government.” However, an independent judiciary could only spearhead the cause of rule of law and constitutional spirit. Conversely, an obedient judiciary would be successful in upholding the philosophy of ruling party, not the philosophy of Constitution.

Further, Wade and Philips in their work Constitutional Law (1960) observed, the theory of separation of power signifies that the same set of persons should not compose the functions of more than one organ of government.

In contrast, there is an uncontested truth that only justice can ensure unity and integrity of a state and that justice can be prevailed by an independent judiciary. This is the reason why the highest court is always considered to be the ultimate adjudicator of dispute between one state and the other or between central government and state government(s) or vice versa. In these unprecedented situations, independency of judiciary is a must for limiting the tussles among the government machineries. As per Article 131 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court under ‘original jurisdiction’ clause is empowered with an exclusive jurisdiction to decide the disputes between the government of India at one side and one or more states at the other side; or vice-versa.

However, the US Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to consider only the matters relating to question of law or matters in want of Constitutional interpretation.

At this background, a potent weapon in the hands of judiciary could be the power of judicial review to establish the supremacy of Constitution. Judicial review is the procedure established in Britain where the courts have been conferred power to supervise the exercise of public power. In US, the Supreme Court can set aside any order pronounced or action taken by the administrative authority if it contravenes with ‘due process’ clause of the Constitution. Similarly, in India the concept of judicial review is not championed by a single Article. There are plethora of Articles which include Articles 13, 32, 131 to 136, 142, 143, 226 or 246 to activate the cause of judicial review in India.

An independent judiciary helps in establishing the rule of Constitution in any state. It means the supremacy of Constitution can only be maintained when the judicial department is given an inherent duty to decide what law is. Chief Justice Marshall while dispensing the landmark judgment for Marbury v. Madison (1803) had observed that the ‘Constitution of US is supreme law of land’ and it’s the task of judiciary to declare what the law is.

Over and above everything else, there must be continuing efforts to assure the nation that a truly independent judiciary can exist in a democracy which would not be sabotaged at any pretext.

In a bid to canvass the concepts of rule of law, judicial review or separation of power, the judicial independency is a must. Justice HR Khanna himself in his autobiography-- “Neither Rose, nor Thorns”--mentioned that if there are three prime requisites for the rule of law, they are: strong bar, independent judiciary and enlightened public opinion.

Justice Khanna further argued that there can be no greater indication of decay in the rule of law than a docile Bar, a subservient judiciary, and a society with a choked or coarsened conscience.

It’s time for the states to acknowledge the uncontested saying of HR Khanna, at least, for maintaining constitutionalism in democratic set up. Its high time we realized that in a country with written Constitution, courts ought to have the additional functions of safeguarding the supremacy of Constitution by interpreting and applying its provisions and keeping all the authorities within the scope of Constitutional mandates.

Garner has rightly said that the rule of law is often used simply to describe the state affairs in a country where the law is observed and order is kept. And, the breeds of RoL cannot nurture in a democratic society where there is denial of independent, impartial and vibrant judiciary.

Moreover, the concept of judicial review is a sacrosanct principle embodied under the Constitutions which gives a spacious room for the judicial department to act freely for maintaining Constitutionalism in the state. It has been hailed as the basic structure of the Constitution in India. In this way, the doctrine becomes the most potent weapon in the hands of the judiciary for quickening the pulse of rule of law.

Its horizon further broadens when it comes to acknowledge that the notion neither allows the other wings of government to enact any piece of legislation in contravention to the rights conferred by the Constitution. Nor, it permits the executives or administrative authorities to go offending the principles of natural justice.

There is a common perception that the judiciary in India, UK or US has been playing a constructive role over the years. It has moved a step ahead in right direction to cement the walls of Constitutional democracy in India, UK or US. However, the judiciary cannot champion this cause unless it’s impartial and independent.

It would be just to conclude that sovereignty is located neither in parliaments of India, US or England nor in the judiciary but in the Constitution itself. So, there is a dire need to maintain the sanctity of our judicial department for quickening the pulse of supremacy of Constitution and rule of law.

(Mr Parvez is a faculty member at Constitutional Law in Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India and Ms Agarwal is a student of LL.M (Constitutional and administrative laws) at Faculty of Law College Dehradun, Uttaranchal University.)

Eventually China is going to take all the stakes of Asia like a fresh unchallenged demon.

by Swadesh Roy

( March 26, 2018, Dhaka, Sri Lanka Guardian ) The people who brought independence for us, most of them of that generation have passed away or upward old age; in the same manner, the generation fought against the military ruler in Bangladesh for democracy are now senior citizens. So, the 48th Independence Day is for the new generation. Despite only celebrating it, they have to realize the proposition of this 48th Independence Day and their duties.

They should understand first that within five years, they have to take the responsibilities of this country in all sectors, and when they will take responsibilities of their country, the world order will be different. Even, not only the world, Asia and our neighbour countries will take a new shape. Moreover, the Middle East will lose a major portion of their gripped wealth (basically the oil economy will be narrowed down), and Europe will lose their ideology liberalism in the name of saving European economy and society like Trumps America first. In spite of that, the economy of Europe will not be good. Both the oil economy of Middle East and the liberalism ideology of Europe have immense impact on our socio-economy and politics. On the other hand, then America will need to withdraw many of their stakes from Asia though they are trying to make a Quade to continue their stakes in future, but the present realities say, that will not be very much functional. On the contrary, Asia is growing with imbalance power because of the supreme emerging of China with economy and military power. In Asia, Japan is, no doubt, a big economy, and once it was the second economy in the world; in spite of being in that position, after the Second World War, Japan is never counted as a big power of the world. Truly, without a military power, in this present world, no country is counted as a world power only on the basis of economic power. In this order, India comes as a next economic power after Japan, and not only in Asia, India is now a big economy in the whole world. Moreover, India is also a world military power; especially they are one of the Naval powers in the whole world, and this fact made them different from Japan and they are not counted in the same manner as Japan, but India has another limitation that is poverty. At least 50 percent of the people of India live in poverty. On the contrast, in Asia, China is taking shape in economy and military power enormously. That will make the power imbalanced in economy and military not only in Asia but in the world.

Eventually China is going to take all the stakes of Asia like a fresh unchallenged demon.

However, when the neighbor, the continent Asia, even the world is positioning with this new shape, the new generation of Bangladesh has to take the responsibility of the country.

Even when they will take the responsibility of the country, the population of the country will be at least two hundred million, and it will be two hundred fifty million within the following five years. Similarly, the population of both China and India will be increased. Under that circumstances, the big military and economic power, China, will either try to control the whole Asian market or will try to make a monopoly market in Asia; here to mention that they have already taken the major markets in Asia. In this context, Europe has no ability to fight against China. America and India will jointly fight against China for which they will try to get some far eastern countries and one of the economic powers, Japan, in their side. Besides that, China will try to take more stakes in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Conversely, India and America will try to stop that aggression of China at least in Afghanistan. When this entire scenario is going to take shape in the mentioned way, in that situation, Bangladesh has to admit that being one of the transit countries in Asia, we have to act very cautiously for our own economy and the security ground.

So, in this 48th Independence Day, the new generation should understand that running a country is not going to be an easy task for them as then the world will not be like bipolar or unipolar rather will be the multidimensional world. In a bipolar or unipolar world, it is easy, for you can choose a side and run your country maintaining that side. On the contrary, in this multidimensional world and in an imbalanced Asia, the job will be the toughest for a leader of a country like Bangladesh. The new generation should understand it to observe the activities of our present Prime Minister. Like all the new world players, she has understood the change in the world. She is maintaining the emerging economic and military devil, China, by one hand, and India and its friend America by the other hand. She has to maintain it at this age when China has already taken all the Indian stakes in South Asia except Bangladesh, and she has saved all of her country's stakes from all the countries of the world.

Given this context, when the new generation will take the responsibility of the country, the equation between China and India will be more complicated. Similarly, the Asian market will be more multifaceted market, for many places of the human labor will be replaced by robots, but in the meantime, the purchasing power of the Asian countries will be increased. Besides, Asia will also use the robots. With this object, combining the robot- power and the manpower, the production power will be increased in Asia. Even then taking all the huge manpower of Bangladesh, it can go for using robot power in many sectors. In spite of that, it may be true that Bangladesh can get more markets for its all products expanding from Asia to Europe and America. As an illustration, Indian and American market may become freer for the others, for facing the Chinese dragon.

As a result, it may be said that this new complex world is certainly knocking at the door, and we are going to be a part of that world. Again, when we will be the citizen of that new world, the new generation will be in the driving seat of the country. In this context, it is the demand of the time that in this 48th Independence Day, the new generation will take the oath to prepare and build themselves up in way that they can run the country properly in that complicated world. Therefore, they will be happy thinking, 48 years ago, when their motherland Bangladesh was born in the world, it was a small country, but now their motherland is not only a player of Asia but also the player of the world.

Swadesh Roy, Executive Editor. The Daily Janakantha, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is a highest state award winning journalist and can be reached at swadeshroy@gmail.com

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