Friday, May 28, 2010

The Thai-US relationship: In the middle of a Bangkok Storm

BY: Pavin Chachavalpongpun
I visited Washington DC in October last year. While there and together with a number of scholars mostly from Southeast Asia, I had a chance to dine with Kurt Campbell, US Assistant State Secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, in a cosy restaurant near the Capitol Hill. The dinner was organised just four days before Campbell's first exploratory mission to Naypyidaw. He wanted to hear our views on how to best deal with the Burmese junta.

I took this opportunity to ask Campbell about the US perception towards Thailand's protracted crisis. Campbell frankly replied that the Obama administration was more concerned about the rising violence in Thailand than political repression in Burma. This was because Thailand has long been one of the US's closest allies in Asia and the US has a major stake in the kingdom's political stability.

Since October 2009, the Thai situation has gone from bad to worse. And during the past few days, Bangkok's streets were filled with blood. The government, on 13 May 2010, ordered its second crackdown on the red-shirted protesters. The deadly confrontations between the red-shirts and the security forces have so far resulted in almost 40 people killed and more than 200 injured. The US has every reason to be anxious about the situation that has obviously gone out of control.

Recently while on his way to Naypyidaw, Campbell made a brief stopover in Bangkok. On 9 May 2010, he held a meeting with Chaturon Chaisaeng, the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party's former leader, Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and key leaders of the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Campbell claimed that he just wanted to hear about the red-shirts' position and response to Abhisit's proposed roadmap.

This profoundly infuriated Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya who condemned the US government for "meddling" in Thai internal affairs. The next day, Kasit summoned US ambassador to Thailand Eric John to the Ministry for a 45-minute lecture. Later, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to Kasit, revealed that the Foreign Ministry opposed talks between the US official and people attempting to oust the government in demonstrations which involved armed men.

Chavanond reportedly stated, "The political situation was sensitive and the red shirts' campaign was considered an act of terrorism or rebellion to overthrow the government. The US should be careful in meeting any political groups as they could use the opportunity for their own benefit." Kasit must have known well the definitions of "terrorism" and "rebellion" to overthrow the government. As one of the leaders of the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Kasit employed the same tactic as seen today by the UDD. He was one among those who seized the Suvarnabhumi Airport in November 2008. Kasit, together with the PAD members, also attempted to unseat the elected governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat. The only difference is that Kasit has not yet been prosecuted for his unlawful actions.

I supported Campbell's latest move even when it could be considered as interference in Thai politics. His meeting with the red-shirted leaders was significant. On the US's part, it signals the shift of the US policy toward Thailand—a shift that reflects the reality in the Thai-US relationship.

During the Cold War, the US forged its close alliance with the Thai military and the powerful old elite while compelling the government of the day to formulate a pro-American, anti-communist, and even anti-democracy policy—all were carried out in the name of containing the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Consequently, Thailand endured a series of despotic regimes in order to satisfy the US government and to receive generous military aid. When the Cold War was over, the US continued to uphold its intimate relationship with Thailand's established forces, believing that they represented the US's long-term interests in this country.

The US's pro-elite position explained why it did not come out harshly against the military coup of September 2006. Perhaps, because Thaksin was a threat to the Bangkok elite, he thus was also a threat to the American interests. And indeed, since the coup, the US remained relatively silent about the worsening situation in Thailand. Hence, Campbell's personal meeting with the red-shirted leaders symbolised a shift in the US stance vis-à-vis political developments in Thailand.

In looking back, despite a strong bilateral foundation, Thai-US relations were confined within an old structure and simply taken for granted. Whereas bilateral relations have been amicable, at a deeper level, new developments, either domestic or international, are gradually reshaping long-established ties. Rapid democratisation and economic development in Thailand have in recent years paved the way for a more open society and the emergence of new political players. Yet, US leadership failed to appreciate these new changes.

The US has probably learned that the Thai public, "yellow" or "red", has become more engaged in the political process than ever before and has more influence on public and foreign policy. Sadly, both Kasit and the Foreign Ministry are still been trapped in a Cold War mindset that expects the US to maintain its pro-elite position. In the meantime, Thailand has become a more mature society.

In the current turmoil, not everyone in Thailand approves of the red-shirts' violent demonstrations. Likewise, some of them disapprove the state's heavy-handed measures against the protesters. But from Washington's point of view, there is a need to preserve channels of communication with both the government and the UDD. The US has recently done so in the case of Burma - Washington has entered in a dialogue with the ruthless regime in Naypyidaw, and not just with Aung San Suu Kyi.

In the old days when Kasit campaigned for the ouster of Thaksin-backed regimes, he reached out to Thailand's foreign allies to deligitimise the former. If so, why can't the red-shirts now do the same thing? Or is this just another case of double standards in the maelstrom that had gripped Thai politics?
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Kind Regards;
VK Pandey

A Foreign Policy Agenda for the New Philippine President

Quite early on, all the other major presidential candidates, except former President Joseph Estrada, who preferred to wait for the official results of the vote, conceded victory in the May 10 Philippine elections to Senator Benigno Aquino III.

For the incoming president, the hard work of undertaking the necessary reforms now begins. Here are four foreign-related issues on which the new president will have to lead the nation.

Relations with China.

President Aquino may have to make an early visit to Beijing, if only to focus his mind on this all-important relationship, to take the measure of China's decision-makers, and to have a first-hand look at Chinese realities. Some of the issues to deal with are the conflicting claims of the Philippines and China to land features in the South China Sea and the uncertain nature of the maritime regimes there, the competition with China for markets and investments, the opportunities that a rapidly rising China presents to the Philippines, and the links between Chinese firms and powerful Filipinos. For the Philippines, China is both an opportunity and a challenge; it is both a rising power with which the Philippines has a territorial dispute and a surging market that can be an engine of growth for the region of which the country is a part. In any case, China is a looming force in East Asia while being held down by a number of internal constraints. The Philippines ought to approach its relations with China with utmost seriousness and sophistication, taking these tensions and seeming contradictions into account.

Competitiveness

The Philippines has been losing out in the global and regional competition for markets and investments. The reasons for this are not hard to fathom. Inconsistent economic policies. Uncertain economic decisions. Restrictive regulations on investments. Inadequate infrastructure. The high cost of public utilities. A sense of personal insecurity. The President has to address these perceptions, whether valid or not, whether founded on reality or merely created by a bad press. The rest of the world is not standing still. Already, Indonesia is outpacing the Philippines in economic growth and attractiveness for investors. Vietnam has long overtaken the country in, for example, tourist arrivals. This is not to mention the other neighbours – Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand – and China.

The Philippine diaspora

Filipinos at every level of skill have been leaving for other countries in increasing numbers to live and work. This phenomenon led a former member of the Philippine Cabinet to remark that Filipino labour and foreign capital are combining to build other countries. What is preferable, he said, is for Filipino labour to stay at home and combine with investments, domestic or foreign, to help build the Philippines. For this, both the Filipino worker and the necessary capital have to be attracted to engage themselves in the development of the Philippines – through the generation of employment, the expansion of the domestic market, efficient and affordable public services, educational improvements, the enforcement of the rule of law, personal security, the reduction of corruption, good governance, and the even-handed dispensation of justice. These are all, of course, inter-related and must be addressed together, simultaneously and head-on. Filipinos, those in the country and those outside it, yearn for these simple attributes of life and nationhood, which, they see in person or through the mass media, are enjoyed by other people as a matter of right. It is extremely unhealthy for society that its economy is so dependent on overseas citizens' remittances as that of the Philippines. It breaks up families. It hollows out the middle class. It deprives the nation of its most talented and enterprising workers.

The improvement of education

Related to the nation's international competitiveness, especially for the future, is the matter of education. First is the fundamental question of language. The nation remains undecided on the language in which children are to be taught – the language of their home, Tagalog or English. This is not about the learning of English, which nobody opposes, but about the most effective language in which to teach children the skills that they need for life and work. It is also about how English is most effectively taught and learnt – as the general language of instruction or as a second language. The second is the need to teach our children again love of country and the distinction between right and wrong. The schools, as well as families, have to teach children to embrace the right as something good for the self, the community and the country and reject the wrong as something harmful and personally and socially shameful. The third, and not necessarily the last, is training for science and technology; without the skills for these, economic progress is not possible.

These alone constitute a full agenda for the incoming president. He has to attend to them if the Philippines is to regain its place in the region and in the world under the new leadership.


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Kind Regards;
VK Pandey

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Recent Politics in Nepal --Exclusively on Most Visited Blog

Kurakani betwwn Sud and PM ,Nepal
(Dhruba Banjade)
(We are sorry becoz if you are not Nepali and Indian, you may not know the abstract of this article)
This kurakani between Sud and PM, Madhav Kumar Nepal is just my imagination. Dialgoues are kalpanik, Kasiko life ma milna gayema sirf sanyog matra hune chha.
( Sud, enter into the PM office in Baluwatar, where PM was waiting him)
PM: ( seat bata jurukka uthera avibadan gardai) Namaste, Aap ka intajaar kaar raha thaha.
Sud: Namaste.
( Sud ney aapni daya haat, PM ko Kum par rakhkar 2-3 bar dhhap marar, PM muskuraye, and baitheny ke liye isara kiya.)
PM: Resignation maag raha hey Mawobadi, kya karu?
Sud: u must take ur adan. dariye maat, hum aapke saath hey.
PM: i know this. lekin kya karu, agar mawobadi agree nahi huye myad add karney ke liye?
sud: Aap daar qu rahey hey?. Aap ney twwo sambhidhan kavi chahanahi theey.
PM: ya.
Sud: Sambhidhan sava, unke liye hi banaya thha. Wo jantey hey,wo marna nahi deyenge yisko.
PM: ya,
Sud: Wo sirf bargening kaar rahe hey.
PM. Fir vi agar nahi many twwo?.
Sud: manegeny, qu nahi manegey.
PM: r u sure?
Sud: more than 100%
Pm : musukaa muskaudai, agar aap nahotey twwo, mey kaab chhod chuka ho ta ye PM post.
Sud: (musukka muskaudai), aap ko maddat karney ke liye hi may yeha hu. Nahi twwo mujhey jana thha Delhi.
Pm: ( Manilo anuharr banaudai), please matt jahiye now. Rokiye 2-4 diin.
Sud: Ghabaraiye maat. Mey yehi hu. Humchahatey hey, aap PM bantey rahey . aur aap hi sambhidhan jari karey.
PM: Sambhidhan jari! Meiney samjha nahi.
Sud: Bolna two padta hey na!. Under ki baat under hi rahey two achha hey.
PM: I see.
Sud: Aap jaisa samjhdar aur kohi nahi. Even Girija vi nahi theey. Won sey two baat karney ke liye vi daar lag ta thha.
Pm: Yo jiddi they na.
Sud: Agar wo maan gaye hotey, mey un sabko dikha deta thha, magar unho ney nahi mana. Aur aaja wo headache baan gaye hey.
PM: Agar fir vi, wo namney and sambhidhan vanga huwa twwo.
Sud: you behave hum yehi chahatey hey, yo vanga ho.
PM: twwo?
Sud: sabse jyada nuksaan twwo unko hi hogi.
PM: Kaise?
Sud: sambhidhan sava mey, sab sey jyada member kiskey hey?
Pm : Unke.
Sud: baat saaf
Pm: Agar aap usko bachney ki jyada kosis karengey, wo khatam karney ki acting karengey
PM: Yisiley twwo maine wo bola thha. Wo thhik thha na?.
Sud: aap ney woisa hi kiya thhaha , jaisa meiney bola thha,
( dono muskuraye)
Pm: Baad mey mafi magna pada na.
Sud: yehi twwo politics hey. Unki leader ko dekho, kaise gohi key aasu nikal tey hey .
PM: PM banney key badd real politics jaan raha hu.
Sud: mey chalta hu.
PM: main baat twwo bataya hi nahi?
Sud: kaun?
PM: aaj kya kahu, 3 dal ki meeting mey?.
Sud: Aap apni adan kayam karey, Pareko ma behorumla.
(Sud bahirinchhan. PM musukka muskaudai 3 daliya meeting ma pugchha.). Tespachhi, next episode ma.

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BY
Dhruba Banjade
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Top Universities in Canada





































































































Universities Towns
1 University of Toronto
Toronto
2 The University of British Columbia
Vancouver and other locations
3 University of Waterloo
Waterloo
4 McGill University
Montreal and other locations
5 Simon Fraser University
Burnaby and other locations
6 York University
Toronto
7 University of Alberta
Edmonton and other locations
8 Université Laval
Quebec City
9 University of Ottawa
Ottawa
10 University of Calgary
Calgary
11 University of Victoria
Victoria
12 Université de Montréal
Montreal
13 Carleton University
Ottawa
14 McMaster University
Hamilton
15 The University of Western Ontario
London
16 Université du Québec à Montréal
Montréal and other locations
17 Ryerson University
Toronto
18 Queen's University
Kingston
19 University of Guelph
Guelph and other locations
20 Université de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke and other locations
21 University of New Brunswick
Fredericton and other locations
22 Concordia University
Montreal
23 University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
24 University of Manitoba
Winnipeg
25 Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's and other locations
26 Dalhousie University
Halifax
27 University of Regina
Regina
28 HEC Montréal
Montreal
29 University of Windsor
Windsor
30 Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal
Montreal
31 Université du Québec
Quebec City and other locations
32 Ecole Nationale d'Administration Publique
Quebec City and other locations
33 Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo and other locations
34 British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby
35 University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg
36 Brock University
St. Catharines
37 University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge and other locations
38 Ecole de Technologie Supérieure
Montreal
39 Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Chicoutimi and other locations
40 University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown
41 Trent University
Peterborough
42 Trinity Western University
Langley
43 Université de Moncton
Moncton and other locations
44 Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
45 Nipissing University
North Bay
46 Saint Francis Xavier University
Antigonish
47 Saint Mary's University
Halifax
48 Mount Allison University
Sackville and other locations
49 Acadia University
Wolfville
50 Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Edmonton
51 Lakehead University
Thunder Bay
52 Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops
53 Royal Roads University
Victoria
54 Laurentian University
Sudbury and other locations
55 SAIT Polytechnic
Calgary
56 Bishop's University
Sherbrooke
57 University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Oshawa
58 University of the Fraser Valley
Abbotsford and other locations
59 University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George and other locations
60 Mount Saint Vincent University
Halifax
61 Université du Québec en Outaouais
Gatineau
62 Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Vancouver
63 Université du Québec à Rimouski
Rimouski and other locations
64 Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Amos
65 Royal Military College of Canada
Kingston and other locations
66 Concordia University College of Alberta
Edmonton
67 Redeemer University College
Ancaster
68 College of the North Atlantic
Stephenville and other locations
69 Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo and other locations
70 Mount Royal University
Calgary
71 Capilano University
North Vancouver and other locations
72 Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Surrey and other locations
73 Cape Breton University
Sydney
74 Brandon University
Brandon
75 Ontario College of Art & Design
Toronto
76 Atlantic Baptist University
Moncton
77 Université Sainte-Anne
Pointe de l'Église and other locations
78 Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface
Saint Boniface
79 University of King's College
Halifax
80 Canadian Mennonite University
Winnipeg
81 Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Truro
82 NSCAD University
Halifax
83 Ambrose University College
Calgary
84 First Nations University of Canada
Regina
85 Canadian University College
Lacombe
86 The King's University College
Edmonton
87 St. Mary's University College
Calgary
88 Yorkville University
Fredericton
89 Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Merritt and other locations
90 Aurora College
Forth Smith and other locations
91 Luther College
Regina
92 St. Thomas More College
Saskatoon
93 St. Stephen's University
St. Stephen
94 Campion College at the University of Regina
Regina
95 Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Corner Brook
96 St. Thomas University
Fredericton
97 Collège Universitaire Dominicain
Ottawa and other locations
98 Bethany Bible College
Sussex

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Kind Regards;
VK Pandey