(September 1-15, 2016)
Pakistan
General’s Swansong Shows Civilians their Place in Pecking Order
If there was ever any doubt about who really calls the shots in Pakistan, the September 6 (Defence of Pakistan day) speech of army chief Gen Raheel Sharif would have removed it. In what could well have been his last major public speech before retirement, Gen Raheel Sharif seemed to throw norms, propriety and protocol in the rubbish bin by speaking as though he was the head of state and talking on issues which, at least constitutionally, were way out of his league. Addressing a gathering which included his de jure boss – the defence minister – and other senior political leaders, Gen Sharif patted himself on the back for a job well done and claimed to have achieved all the military objectives of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. But he then suggested that the civilian government had failed to complement the army’s successes by delivering on the administrative and political side. From corruption to foreign policy (Kashmir and Afghanistan), and from law and order to the peaceful message of Islam and how it must be spread, the general said it all. Essentially he laid down the do’s and don’ts for the civilian government and what the army expects from it. What this means is that even if Gen Raheel Sharif doesn’t get an extension, his successor is likely to follow the line set by him and the civilian government, regardless of its mandate or orientation, will have to stick to the line laid down by the military establishment.
Political Temperature Simmers, but Doubts on Things Boiling Over
The political temperature went up by a few notches after the Speaker of the National Assembly forwarded references for disqualification filed by the ruling PML-N against Imran Khan to the Election Commission but rejected the references against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members (including the Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and finance minister Ishaq Dar) for their involvement in the Panama Papers scandal. The blatant bias of the Speaker, who claimed that there wasn’t enough evidence against Nawaz Sharif but enough against Imran Khan, had the entire opposition up in arms in Parliament and on the media. On the ground, however, the agitational politics of Imran Khan doesn’t seem to be gaining momentum. None of the other opposition parties endorsed his plan to gherao the Raiwind home of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Even members of Imran Khan’s own party have counseled against the move, prompting a rethink.
The plans to mount a massive movement against Nawaz Sharif also suffered a setback after the cleric, Tahirul Qadri, not only refused to participate in Imran Khan’s Raiwind march but also took a break from his own Tehrik-e-Qisas movement against the Sharif government. Qadri, however, has continued to spit venom against Nawaz Sharif and has accused the Sharif family of being a security threat, an Indian agent who has employed 300 Indians in his sugar mills who have been given non-police reporting visas to Pakistan. According to Qadri, these Indians were in touch with the alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jhadav. Despite officials clarifying that all visas to Indians are given after vetting by the intelligence agencies, Qadri has demanded the arrest of Nawaz Sharif.
Army and Altaf Squeeze MQM (Pakistan), UK Turns Squeeze on Altaf
Despite disassociating itself from the London-based party HQ in the hope of winning some relief in Pakistan from the military establishment, MQM (Pakistan) is finding itself being squeezed from both London and Rawalpindi. Even though MQM-P submitted a resolution in National Assembly to condemn Altaf Husain’s controversial speech, and later supported a government-sponsored resolution against the same speech, the pressure continues to be piled on the Pakistan-based MQM. Their entreaties to not be pushed against the wall and for giving them political space have fallen on deaf ears. MQM offices continue to be demolished or sealed – at last count 124 demolished and 177 sealed – and their workers continue to be targeted by the ‘law’ enforcing agencies, their funding drive during Eid was blocked and their defeat in a crucial by-election was ensured by not allowing MQM supporters to vote. Meanwhile, close associates of Altaf Husain in London have made it clear that the ‘minus-one’ formula, i.e. minus Altaf formula, is unacceptable as is any move to alter the ideological foundations of the party. The fact that most of the grass root organisations continue to remain loyal to Altaf means that MQM-P leadership is caught in a limbo. But with British authorities once again becoming active against Altaf and launching investigations into his controversial speech for inciting violence, he could find himself in trouble.
Army Enters Punjab to Fight Terrorists; Lawmakers Claim Double-Game
Even as the Pakistan foreign office and Interior Minister have been insisting that there is no IS presence in Pakistan, the army spokesman made tall claims of eliminating the IS footprint in Pakistan. According to the ISPR chief, some 300 odd people with IS links have been arrested so far and some major attacks planned by IS have been foiled.
The Army meanwhile has managed to, at least partially; get its way in Punjab after the provincial government announced that the Rangers would be deployed to assist the police in hunting down terrorists and their supporters. Although the Rangers haven’t been given police powers and are to work with the police, given the power equations in the country, this is a mere fig leaf behind which the civilian government is hiding. In any case, the initial operations haven’t been against Islamist terrorists (many of whom work in partnership with both the civilian and military authorities) but against alleged Baloch insurgents belonging to the BLA who were operating from the tribal belt of Rajanpur district in South Punjab. Using helicopter gunships, nearly 35 alleged militants were killed in the tribal areas of Rajanpur.
While the Army keeps congratulating itself on the success of Zarb-e-Azb and keeps forcing foreign interlocutors to laud the army’s efforts under this operation, Pakistani lawmakers aren’t very impressed by the so-called successes of Zarb-e-Azb. Participating in a debate on the Quetta hospital bombing incident, one senator question the success of Zarb-e-Azb and said that while a lot of figures are thrown about, no names of people killed in the operation have ever been given. Another senator pointed to the impunity with which proscribed organisations were allowed to operate. But the most scathing comments came from PPPs Farhatullah Babar who said that while there is no evidence of the nexus between corruption and terrorism (a pet topic of Gen Raheel Sharif), there is a clear and undeniable evidence of the ‘unholy nexus between the state agencies and militant outfits’.
Afghanistan
Ghani Visits India, Gets $ 1 Billion Plus Indian Commitment to Afghanistan
President Ashraf Ghani further cemented Afghan-India relations during his two day visit to New Delhi. Apart from an economic assistance package of $1b that was offered by the Indian government for Afghan capacity building and infrastructure development, the two countries signed three agreements, including an extradition treaty. India has already made arrangements to airlift Afghan commodities in order to by-pass the border restrictions imposed by Pakistan. Perhaps encouraged by this and the arrival of the train from China to Northern Afghanistan, President Ghani declared that Afghanistan was no longer a landlocked country and had options other than Pakistan. Both President Ghani and PM Modi expressed their keenness to expedite the Chahbahar route through Iran. Although India has been open to enhancing defence cooperation with Afghanistan and has in the past given four attack helicopters to the Afghan government, there was no fresh announcement of any new equipment being supplied or arranged by India for the Afghan security forces. According to media reports, the Afghan government is seeking more choppers, heavy vehicles (APCs and Tanks) and spares support from India. Both President Ghani and the PM Modi called for an end to all support, sponsorship and sanctuaries for terrorists, a clear reference to Pakistan’s role in exporting terrorism in both India and Afghanistan. During a public lecture in New Delhi, President Ghani pulled no punches in excoriating Pakistan’s double-games, duplicity and deception and even went to the extent of calling it a revisionist state which celebrates every defeat as victory and considers every intelligence failure a confirmation of a conspiracy theory.
Taliban Warn India Against Bolstering Afghan Security Forces
A Taliban spokesman, who is believed to be living in Pakistan, warned India against giving any military assistance to the Afghan government to prolong its lifespan. He called the supply of weapons to the ‘criminal foreign backed group’ (read Afghan government) a ‘clear hostility towards our [Afghan] people’ and added that this will only increase the distrust between the people of Afghanistan and India and lead to a deterioration of relations.
Security Situation
The security situation continues to be grim in Afghanistan. Two dozen people, including two top officials, were killed and nearly a 100 were wounded in twin suicide attacks near the Defence Ministry and a residential area in Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Meanwhile, in a surprise attack, the Taliban made a push for Tarin Kot, capital of Uruzgan province. They over-ran the checkpoints around the city and captured large parts of the city, forcing panicked citizens and officials to flee the besieged city. As has become a pattern, it wasn’t long before the security forces ousted the Taliban and regained control of the city. But the sense of insecurity that descended on the people works to the advantage of the Taliban.
China
China Observes 40th Death Anniversary of Mao
On 9 September 2016, China commemorated 40th death anniversary of Mao Zedong. Thousands of Chinese citizens from all parts of the country ‘made a pilgrimage’ to Shaoshan, the birth place of Mao in Hunan province. People also congregated at the Tiananmen Square to pay homage to the leader. Despite, sharp contrast between his ideology and the present day “socialism with Chinese characteristics” people look upon him as a symbol of unity, as the father of the nation. His portrait still hangs from iconic Tiananmen gate and appears on the currency. There was commemoration even in Sydney and Melbourne. However, this year the commemoration was at a lower level but the spirit was same.
Reshuffling of Party Provincial Secretaries
Administrative preparations at the provincial levels for the 19th Party congress of the CCP, due next year, After the annual conclave of senior CCP leaders, Xi Jinping made announcement about the changes at the provincial level party secretaries in six provinces; Hunan, Anhui Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan and Inner Mongolia. Clearly, the autonomous regions were given priority.
Many of the newly appointed secretaries have close link to state and party chief. Both Du Jiahao of Hunnan and Chen Hao of Yunnan worked with Xi Jinping in Shanghai in 2007. Additionally, the appointment of Wu Yingjie in Tibet is also strategic; he is one of the few ethnic Han who is also a “Tibetan”. The new appointments indicate that decisions have been taken anticipating that there will be over 92 vacancies of 205 seats in the main body and five in the PBSC. Apparently, Xi Jinping is trying to put loyalist at key party position to ensure support at the party congress the next year.
Premier Li Keqiang Attended 11thEast Asia Summit in Laos
The East Asia Summit, a pan- Asian forum of leaders of 18 countries (ASEAN plus 8), took place at Laos (Sept 6-8), immediately after the G-20 meeting in Hangzhou. Premier Li Keqiang attended the meeting. Notably, this year marks the 25th anniversary of dialogue partnership of the China with ASEAN. During his speech, Premier Li hailed the long association of China with ASEAN and the positive contribution made by China in advancing mutual trust between both the sides. It was agreed to designate 2017 as the ASEAN-China “Year of Tourism” Cooperation. He took this opportunity to explain China’s stance on the South China Sea (SCS) issue. The SCS issue was not discussed rigorously, in 28 point declaration only one paragraph was devoted to the SCS. This was because of China’s diplomatic, economic and military maneuvering in the region. Even though President Barack Obama mentioned the Arbitration judgment on SCS and insisted that the summit should acknowledge the verdict, it was not incorporated as the countries avoided getting into the dispute. Besides this, leaders of China, South Korea and Japan discussed with ASEAN leaders for speedily concluding a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with ASEAN countries.
After the summit, Premier Li Keqiang visited Laos. This year marks the 55 years of China-Laos relations. Major outcome of this meeting was the agreement to align China’s 13th Five year Plan with Laos 8th five year plan.
China –Russia Naval Drill in the South China Sea
China and Russian started an eight day joint naval exercises known as “Joint Sea 2016”, from 12-19 September 2016. The drill being held in off the southern coast of the Guangdong province, near People’s Liberation Army and Navy’s Nanhai fleet is based. This year’s drill comes at a time of heightened tension in the disputed South China Sea (SCS) and is the first after the Arbitration ruling. In 2014, China and Russian held joint naval exercise in the East China Sea soon after the heightening of the dispute in the region. In 2015, the exercises were held at two places: the Sea of Japan and the Mediterranean Sea.
The currant drill entails live fire drills, island defence, “Island seizing” activities including anti- submarine operations. It will feature naval surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, and ship- borne helicopters, Marine Corps and amphibious armored equipment from both navies. Overall, the drill is expected to improve the capacity of dealing with the “common security threat”. So far it is the largest joint operation ever by the two navies. The drill is important because it emphasises linkages with the world’s second and third largest militaries. Russia is the only country that has backed China on its stance over the PCA ruling and by holding the drills it is once again showing its support on the issue.
Taiwan Appoints new Chairman for Strait Exchange Foundation
The cross-Strait relations are handled by two agencies namely: the “Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits” (ARATS) and its counterpart in Taiwan, the “Strait Exchange Foundation” (SEF). They were formed in 1991 and 1990 respectively. The SEF is a semiofficial organization set up by Taiwan to handle technical or business matters related to PRC. It is a private organisation, funded by the government and controlled by the Mainland Affairs Council of the PRC.
After the resignation of Lin Join- sane in May 2016, Hung mao has been appointed the new chairman. As a former minister of foreign affairs, he is well versed with cross-strait affairs. Notably, Tien had served on the National Unification Council during the Lee Teng-hui tenure. The appointment has assumed importance since the regime change in Taiwan, cross-Strait relations have been strained. PRC’s reaction on this appointment has been sharp and clear. ARATS will not resume regular dialogue with the SEF until the local authority recognizes the “1992 consensus”.
Earlier there had been protest by the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) in Taipei to abolish the organization as its functions are ‘frozen’. Some Taiwanese believe that the SEF was founded according to the “one China” framework, rooted in the Chinese Civil War. Conversely, in the last few years SEF had become redundant. The government agencies from both the sides have interacted directly, with the Mainland Affairs Council and China’s Taiwan Affairs office. It remains to be seen how the new Chairman revives the SEF and restores its lost importance.
Nepal
Internal Developments
Demand for Constitutional Monarchy, Hindu Kingdom
Chairman of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N), Kamal Thapa has demanded amendment to the constitution to re–establish constitutional monarchy and Hindu Kingdom. Addressing a training programme for cadres of his party in Mahottari district on September 1, he said “we kept our demands aside adopting the democratic process during the constitution promulgation. Now the ruling parties and Madhes-based parties have been raising voices for amendment to the constitution. Then, our demands should be included in the amendment.”
Way Paved For 7 High Courts
Parliament, on September 11, endorsed three inter-related bills, paving the way for establishing seven high courts as part of the implementation of the new constitution. The House unanimously endorsed the Judicial Administration, Judicial Council and Judicial Service commission bills, which have inter-related provisions regarding establishment of the high courts, appointment of judges and provisioning the manpower for such courts. The judicial Administration Bill has proposed transforming one appellate court in each of the seven federal provinces into high courts and converting the nine remaining appellate courts into benches of the high courts in the provinces concerned.
Nepal Emerging as Major Hub for Drug Trafficking
With the rise in drug abuse in Nepal, the number of people arrested on the charge of smuggling is noticeably increasing. Over the past six years (2011-2015), 15,496 drug smugglers were arrested, 2,000 were detained on an average each year for involvement in drugs abuse and smuggling. The number of female smugglers had increased at an alarming rate. Among the smugglers, there were 763 Indian nationals, including 36 women. Apart from India, 80 foreigners from other countries were arrested this year alone. International drug smugglers have been using Nepal as a transit point for smuggling cocaine and heroin from Latin American countries such as Brazil and Peru. The cocaine and heroin are further smuggled to India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia among other East Asian countries.
External Relations
PM Dahal on India Visit (Sept. 15-18)
Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal accompanied by his wife, arrived in New Delhi, on September 15, on a four-day visit to India. This is his first overseas trip since becoming PM for the second time last month. The Prime Minister leads a delegation of 116 members which includes Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat and Physical Planning and Transport Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The delegation also includes government officials, parliamentarians, media persons, businessmen and industrialists. As per the itinerary, PM Dahal will call on President Pranab Mukherjee, hold meetings with Indian PM Narendra Modi and some senior cabinet members of the Government of India, on September 16. On September 17, he will inspect Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh; visit Patanjali Yogpeath and its industrial/manufacturing units in Haridwar; interact with intellectual circle and business community in New Delhi as well as with Nepali community in India. He will return home on September 18.
Prior to the visit, Dahal held wide ranging consultations with foreign affairs experts, industrialists, leaders of various political parties and former prime ministers. Foreign affairs experts, industrialists and business persons suggested to the prime minister to put on his agenda expansion of the inter-country electricity transmission line, solution to trade and transit issues, attracting investment in energy, agriculture and tourism sector in Nepal, among others. In course of interaction with political leaders, the CPN (UML) vice Chairman Bhim Rawal suggested that the PM should not sign any agreement that could jeopardise national interest. During the discussions with the former prime ministers, PM Dahal was urged to utilize the visit as an opportunity to take the bilateral relations to a new height and ensure the enforcement of bilateral treaties and agreements.
Foreign Minister Prakash Mahat Visited India
Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharant Mahat visited India on September 11-13 primarily to lay the ground for the visit of PM Dahal. In New Delhi, Mahat met with Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and various other Indian ministers. During meeting with Sushma Swaraj, it was agreed to expedite preparations for Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Nepal. The final decision regarding Mukherjee’s visit will be taken during Prime Minister Dahal’s current visit to India. Both foreign ministers also held discussions about Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s visit to India. Mahat also requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal. During his current visit, PM Dahal will extend an invitation to Modi to visit Janakpur, Lumbini and Muktinath.
New Envoys to India and China
The government, on September 1, recommended the appointment of Deep Kumar Upadhyay and Leela Pandyal as Nepal’s Ambassadors to India and China respectively. Upadhyay, who was Ambassador to India under the NC led govt of Sushil Koirala, was recalled by the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led government. Paudyal is a former chief secretary and is known for good governance and austerity.
Bangladesh
Internal Developments
War Criminal Mir Quasem Hanged
As per judgment of the International Crimes Tribunal, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem was hanged to death at Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur, on September 3. In protest against the hanging, Jamaat-e-Islami called for countrywide hartal on September 5, which passed off without making any impact on the people’s routine life.
Demand for Khaleda’s Trial
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, speaking at a discussion programme in Dhaka on August 30, said that ‘it was our misfortune that Khaleda Zia put the national flag, stained with blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, in the hands of Razakars. She had made them ministers and now they are being hanged as war criminals’, she said. So, the people want to see as to what should be the punishment for her, she added. The prime minister asked the Awami League supporters to build a strong public opinion for the trial of Khaleda and her husband late president Ziaur Rahman for making war criminals ministers.
Meanwhile, ‘Swadhinta Padak’, or Independence Award, of Liberation War Sector Commander and BNP founder Gen Ziaur Rahman has been removed from the National Museum. The cabinet committee on National Awards withdrew the award posthumously conferred on him in 2003, when the BNP-Jamaat coalition was in power. BNP, on September 10, staged demonstration in metropolitan cities and district headquarters across the country protesting at the removal of ‘Swadhinta Padak’ conferred on late president Zia-ur Rahman.
Tarique and 3 others Charged with Sedition
The Detective Branch of police formally charged four people including BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and former Ekushey Television (ETV) Chairman Abdus Salam in the a case sedition. Investigating officer submitted the charge sheet at Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, on September 6, following home ministry’s clearance. The case relates to broadcast of Tarique’s speech delivered at an event in London, threatening Bangladesh’s sovereignty and trying to create hatred against a legally constituted government and dishing out false and fabricated information.
Khaleda Summoned by Court in Fake Birthday Celebration Case
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate summoned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, on September 1, in a case filed against her by Dhaka Union of Journalists’ former Joint General Secretary Gazi Jahirul Islam accusing her of celebrating fake birthday on the National Mourning Day on August 15. The order was issued after taking cognizance of the case and asked the BNP Chairperson to appear in person before it on October 17.
Khaleda Terms Anti-Militant Drives Stage-Managed
Alleging that the law enforcers have been operating stage-managed anti-militant drive, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said, on September 1 that the police had detained people labeling militant by placing arms with them and after few days they were shot dead. The BNP Chief brought this allegation while addressing a discussion meeting at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, in Dhaka marking its 38th founding anniversary.
External Relations
Pakistan and Turkey Protest Execution of Mir Quasem
In a press release issued immediately after the execution of war criminal Mir Quasem on September 3, Pakistan foreign ministry said that it was ‘deeply saddened’ over the execution of Mir Quasem, a leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, for alleged crimes committed before December 1971, ‘through a flawed Judicial process’. The government of Bangladesh should uphold its commitment, as per the Tripartite Agreement of 1974, wherein it decided not to proceed with the trials as an act of clemency, the release said, recriminations for political gains being counterproductive. Pakistan National Assembly also adopted a resolution, on September 7, against Bangladesh’s war crimes trial. The resolution claimed that the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders was ‘contrary’ to the tripartite agreement signed by Pakistan, India and Bangladesh in 1974. The Parliament asked the Pakistan government to seriously raise the issue at all the international forums.
Bangladesh government strongly protested against the press release of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Samina Mahtab was called, on September 4, and Additional Foreign Secretary handed over a note verbale stating that by repeatedly taking the side of those convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide, Pakistan has once again acknowledged its direct involvement and complicity with the mass atrocity crimes committed during the Liberation War in 1971
The government also protested against a statement on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on September 4, on the execution of Quasem Ali. Turkey described the execution of Mir Quasem Ali as a wrong practice. In protest, Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued a note verbale to the Turkish embassy, on September 5 conveying Bangladesh’s dismay that such reactions were tantamount to interference in matters pertaining to a sovereign state.
Sri Lanka
CBK Calls for Federal, Semi-Secular Constitution
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga called for joint effort of all parties to compile a federal, semi-secular constitution to bring about proper reconciliation in the country. She said the effort is to compile a constitution which gives priority to Buddhism; gives equal rights to all other religions and at least try to convert Sri Lanka into a semi-secular state even if Lankans are unable to convert it into a totally secular state. She added that Sri Lanka should learn lesson from countries which have resolved their issues by formulating federal and secular constitutions.
Referring to India, CBK said, “In India, there are 36 languages and dialects, and number of religions. It was a country which never had unitary status as there were several kingdoms within that country in the past. However the British brought them all together. Leaders like Nehru and Gandhi drew up a federal constitution and a secular state. This has made India a stable nation. India has become a stable country as a result of devolution of power and by safeguarding the rights of all ethnic groups in that country.”
New Steps taken by Government for Reconciliation
At the event held, under the theme, "Peace, Harmony, and Reconciliation through Communication" at Vavuniya, Deputy Inspector General on September 12, announced introduction of emergency call services for the people in the Northern districts enabling them to submit their problems in their language. Sri Lanka Army, in keeping with the new government's policy to release more security forces-held lands to the civilians, has agreed to release to civilians 700 acres of private land occupied by it in the Valikamam North area in Jaffna. Earlier, the military had released more than 2,000 acres of land back to the owners. Resettlement of the displaced people in the Jaffna peninsula is due to be completed by the end of March next year.
SLFP’s 65th Convention Held
65th Convention of Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) was held in Kurunegala on September 4, 2016. Addressing the convention, President Sirisena said that all members of the party must unite to strengthen the SLFP instead of threatening to create new political parties. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who currently serves as a patron of the SLFP, attended the convention. Several SLFP alliance partners also joined President Sirisena and SLFP leaders on the dais.
Notable absentees at the Convention were former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the UPFA faction calling itself the ‘Joint Opposition’. In the strongest hint that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is poised to break with the UPFA, President told the gathering that they would contest the upcoming local government polls under the SLFP’s traditional ‘hand’ symbol. Since 2004, the SLFP has been the main constituent of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) that traditionally contests elections under the symbol of the betel leaf. However the UPFA’s smaller constituent parties have been strongly critical of SLFP policies under President Sirisena’s leadership. This faction is led by the former President and includes a large grouping of SLFP members who routinely flout party directives.
Maldives
Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit has uncovered corruption in the Maldives in a documentary named ‘Stealing Paradise’. Secretly filmed interviews describe how men on mopeds carried millions in cash to the Maldives’ political elite. President Abdulla Yameen and his former deputy, Ahmed Adeeb, are accused of receiving cash in bags up to $1m, so much that it was “difficult to carry,” according to one of the men who delivered it. In a statement following its release, the Government said: “There is no evidence in this report connecting President Yameen or current members of his Government to any wrongdoing.” It noted that these claims already form part of a wider investigation initiated by President Yameen in February 2016. Government said that they have asked Al Jazeera to provide any evidence they have which is relevant to this investigation. In another move, the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives has threatened to use the controversial defamation laws against anyone involved in producing or broadcasting what it says are false allegations of corruption due to be aired in an Al-Jazeera documentary. Al-Jazeera had already pulled out a number of journalists from the country due to concerns about repercussions they could face and what it claimed was intimidation.
Myanmar
Peace Process Underway
The Union Peace Conference or 21st Century Panglong Conference took place in Naypyidaw from August 31 to September 3. Seventeen ethnic armed groups attended the conference. Three groups—the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Arakan Army-did not participate. It was unclear if KIA vice-chairman N’Ban La would be allowed to address the opening session since the military was not very keen on his joining the conference.
In his address, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for women’s participation be increased to 30 percent from the current 12 percent to make it an inclusive process. Myanmar Army Chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing continued to stick to their oft stated stand of upholding its six peace principles and three main national causes i.e. non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. This statement can be viewed as negating the ethnic groups’ demand of having federal democratic union. However, some analysts feel that the Conference was an initial step towards further negotiations on the long road to peace and reconciliation. The ethnic groups are expected to continue to work for achieving equality and a degree of autonomy for their people/state/region.
During discussions between Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission the General opined that proposed solutions to the communal conflict in the state must have the “approval” of the Buddhist Arakanese community. He was obviously supporting the hard-liners’ on the. Rohingyas issue.
Kofi Annan stressed that the commission would only make “recommendations” to the government, and would “take a holistic approach, not only on citizenship but also regional development.”Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor, has mandated the Commission to “investigate the root causes of the conflict in Arakan State and develop a reconciliation process between the two religious communities in the region.” The Arakan National Party and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) objected to the inclusion of the international members, because it would “interfere with Burma’s sovereignty.” However, Aung San Suu Kyi has been working to allay any such apprehensions.
Suu Kyi Meets Obama: Sanctions to be Eased
Aung San Suu Kyi met with President Barack Obama on September 14 and urged Washington to lift economic sanctions and restore trade benefits to Myanmar. Apparently, the White House has notified Congress that it would be restoring trade benefits to Myanmar by November this year because of progress on workers’ rights. The benefits were suspended in 1989. The US has been gradually relaxing sanctions since political reforms began five years ago; however, it has retained restrictions on military-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. There are indications that over one hundred individuals and companies are expected to be dropped from a Treasury blacklist and restrictions will be lifted on new investment with military and on the imports of rubies and jade. Some estimates state that the industry is worth nearly half of the nation’s economic output.
Suu Kyi, addressing US business community, called upon US companies to bring in investment to Myanmar, saying economic success would help convince people and the powerful military that democracy is the best way forward. Suu Kyi observed that economic development could help foster national reconciliation. Further she stated that the transport and energy sectors were suffering from decades of neglect, and support was needed to build the education and health systems and the skills of its people.
