The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda, which brings together the United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Le Parti Social-IMBERAKURI has learned with shock and horror about grenade attacks that occurred last night, 19th Feb 2010, almost simultaneously in three different localities of Kigali. At the moment, there are conflicting reports about the number of dead and injured. However a major issue at hand is the protection of the lives of innocent and defenceless citizens who are at serious risk.
These cowardly and wicked acts are meant to instill fear in the population at a crucial time when we are heading for the Presidential elections in a few months.
We categorically condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest terms possible and call upon the Rwandan Government, as we have done in recent past to:
1. Investigate and bring to book the perpetrators of these acts.
2. Guarantee the security of all people and their property.
3. Ensure a fair hearing for the suspects when they are apprehended.
Issued at Kigali, 20th February 2010
Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Chairperson, United Democratic Forces
Mr. Frank Habineza
Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Me. Bernard Ntaganda
Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
20 February, 2010
A mysterious arms dealer lands Illinois golf course in legal "twilight zone."
St Louis Post-Dispatch (US)
20 February 2010
By Todd C. Frankel
Marion, Illinois - Until recently, people here had little reason to know the name John A. Bredenkamp or anything about his past, a tale worthy of a James Bond villain, filled with allegations of international arms deals, blood diamond trades and ties to despotic regimes in his native Africa. Bredenkamp had visited Marion just once, nine years ago, to look over the Bermuda grass fairways and 96 sand bunkers at the Kokopelli Golf Club he was about to buy. He flew out the same day. A low-profile owner, he sold the course to a Florida group in 2006. He kept only a right to split future profits if the course sold again, his one tenuous tie to this Southern Illinois city. His name might have been forgotten, except for what took place two years later. "It's just so absurd," said Fritz Archerd of Gainesville, Fla., head of the group that bought the course from Bredenkamp. "And it's all because of him."
Just as the golf course was to change hands, the US Department of Treasury blocked the sale - indefinitely. Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control had named Bredenkamp to its roster of terrorists and others deemed so undesirable they are targets of economic sanctions. They are called Specially Designated Nationals. Most of al-Qaida is on there. So are Colombian drug kingpins. Their US assets are frozen. US citizens are forbidden from conducting business with them. Now Marion's only golf course has been frozen, too, stuck in a perplexing legal limbo for the last 15 months. The current owners are desperate to unload the club, but can't. Last week, it effectively closed its doors. Seventy-five workers were let go. Just the golf pro remains, left to keep an eye on golf shirts and hats marked down 70 percent.
Meanwhile, the owners and politicians are rushing to hash out a deal with Treasury before the fairways turn, in the horrified words of the local chamber of commerce, to wheat fields. "Hard to believe that what he did has reached all the way to Southern Illinois," said David Hays, a local restaurant owner who leads a group of investors still hoping to buy the golf course. Hays added he had done some research on Bredenkamp since this all happened. "He's a bad dude." Bredenkamp, 69, is still barely known in the United States. He was born and reared in Africa. He was captain of the Rhodesian national rugby team in his younger days. He built a tobacco leaf company from scratch into one of the world's largest. He made the 1996 list of Great Britain's richest people (No. 76). His fortune was pegged at several hundred million.
About that time, he made a heavy foray into sports, at one point managing the careers of star golfers Ernie Els and Nick Price. Rumors of misdeeds swirled around Bredenkamp even then. But little was known for sure. Sports Illustrated called him "the most mysterious man in golf." "He's a charmer," said Steve Smyers, a noted golf course architect from Florida who designed Kokopelli and knew Bredenkamp. Smyers got Bredenkamp interested in buying the course in 2001. But Bredenkamp was not a golfer. After several years, the pair decided to sell the struggling Kokopelli. Archerd's investment group saw an opportunity. They structured a deal to buy out Bredenkamp and Smyers while giving them the right to share profits if Archerd's group made a killing. But Archerd said his group has taken a hit on Kokopelli. With the economy tanking, it was not a good time to invest in a golf course. So in late 2008, they were close to selling it to Marion-area investors.
The exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but both sides said it would have been a wash. The Marion group would pay off about $330,000 debt and tax liens, plus other expenses of Archerd's group. No profit remained. Archerd said he expects his investors will lose about $750,000 on the deal. "We are getting nothing out of this. Bredenkamp would get absolutely nothing out of this," Archerd said. "They're blocking a guy's interest that is worth zero." But they didn't get the deal done before Treasury's letter arrived in November 2008. The Treasury called Bredenkamp a crony of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, a pariah leader whose government in the war-torn nation has been criticized for land seizures and corruption. "Bredenkamp has financially propped up the regime and provided other support to a number of its high-ranking officials," Treasury said in its letter. Treasury described Bredenkamp as a businessman with dealings in "tobacco trading, gray-market arms trading and trafficking ... and diamond extraction."
Treasury officials declined to talk about Bredenkamp or the golf course sale for this article. But news reports and investigations over the years paint a colorful picture. Bredenkamp has admitted that he evaded United Nations economic sanctions in the early 1970s when he bought aircraft for the Ian Smith-led white Rhodesian government during a civil war with black citizens. (Rhodesia would later become Zimbabwe.) A British TV documentary in 1994 claimed Bredenkamp was deep in the illegal arms trade, his companies selling land mines to Iraq and anti-aircraft guns to Iran. A 2002 UN National Security Council interim report looking into the diamond trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo accused a Bredenkamp company of supplying parts for Zimbabwean troops and war planes for missions in the Congo. He also was linked to questionable deals for rights to Congo diamond mines, home to so-called conflict or blood diamonds. Last year, the European Union joined the United States in blacklisting Bredenkamp.
Bredenkamp has not taken the criticism lightly. He frequently writes letters to British and African publications to complain about the stories detailing his alleged exploits. He also maintains JohnBredenkamp.com, which is aimed squarely at refuting the official record. He did not respond to an e-mail request for comment. On his site, Bredenkamp complains that he has never been given the chance to defend himself against the actions by US and EU governments. How someone gets on the list is difficult to discern, according to attorneys familiar with Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control. But once you get on the list, it is almost impossible to get off. And the evidence can be a national security secret. "They make it a complicated process," said Clif Burns, an economic sanctions attorney with Bryan Cave in Washington. Burns, who is not involved in the Bredenkamp case, said the sanctions list serves a worthy purpose, but can overreach. That appears to be the case with Kokopelli, Burns said, because it seems certain Bredenkamp would not benefit from the golf course's sale. "There is no reason on Earth why the people in this town should be caught up in this," Burns said.
Archerd said he has struggled to get Treasury officials on the phone. He and others recently enlisted the help of US Rep. Jerry Costello and Sen. Dick Durbin. Thanks to their help, Archerd is flying to Washington this week to talk with Treasury officials. He sounded hopeful. Hays, the restaurant owner, said he still wants to buy the golf course. He would run the restaurant. Another investor plans to build 90 homes on some unused acres. They want to retain the club's 200 dues-paying members. And there are some big tournaments coming up: a state open qualifier in June and PGA sectional in September. But they need to move quickly, Hays said. "Otherwise," he said, "the golf course is going to be in a true 'Twilight Zone.'"
20 February 2010
By Todd C. Frankel
Marion, Illinois - Until recently, people here had little reason to know the name John A. Bredenkamp or anything about his past, a tale worthy of a James Bond villain, filled with allegations of international arms deals, blood diamond trades and ties to despotic regimes in his native Africa. Bredenkamp had visited Marion just once, nine years ago, to look over the Bermuda grass fairways and 96 sand bunkers at the Kokopelli Golf Club he was about to buy. He flew out the same day. A low-profile owner, he sold the course to a Florida group in 2006. He kept only a right to split future profits if the course sold again, his one tenuous tie to this Southern Illinois city. His name might have been forgotten, except for what took place two years later. "It's just so absurd," said Fritz Archerd of Gainesville, Fla., head of the group that bought the course from Bredenkamp. "And it's all because of him."
Just as the golf course was to change hands, the US Department of Treasury blocked the sale - indefinitely. Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control had named Bredenkamp to its roster of terrorists and others deemed so undesirable they are targets of economic sanctions. They are called Specially Designated Nationals. Most of al-Qaida is on there. So are Colombian drug kingpins. Their US assets are frozen. US citizens are forbidden from conducting business with them. Now Marion's only golf course has been frozen, too, stuck in a perplexing legal limbo for the last 15 months. The current owners are desperate to unload the club, but can't. Last week, it effectively closed its doors. Seventy-five workers were let go. Just the golf pro remains, left to keep an eye on golf shirts and hats marked down 70 percent.
Meanwhile, the owners and politicians are rushing to hash out a deal with Treasury before the fairways turn, in the horrified words of the local chamber of commerce, to wheat fields. "Hard to believe that what he did has reached all the way to Southern Illinois," said David Hays, a local restaurant owner who leads a group of investors still hoping to buy the golf course. Hays added he had done some research on Bredenkamp since this all happened. "He's a bad dude." Bredenkamp, 69, is still barely known in the United States. He was born and reared in Africa. He was captain of the Rhodesian national rugby team in his younger days. He built a tobacco leaf company from scratch into one of the world's largest. He made the 1996 list of Great Britain's richest people (No. 76). His fortune was pegged at several hundred million.
About that time, he made a heavy foray into sports, at one point managing the careers of star golfers Ernie Els and Nick Price. Rumors of misdeeds swirled around Bredenkamp even then. But little was known for sure. Sports Illustrated called him "the most mysterious man in golf." "He's a charmer," said Steve Smyers, a noted golf course architect from Florida who designed Kokopelli and knew Bredenkamp. Smyers got Bredenkamp interested in buying the course in 2001. But Bredenkamp was not a golfer. After several years, the pair decided to sell the struggling Kokopelli. Archerd's investment group saw an opportunity. They structured a deal to buy out Bredenkamp and Smyers while giving them the right to share profits if Archerd's group made a killing. But Archerd said his group has taken a hit on Kokopelli. With the economy tanking, it was not a good time to invest in a golf course. So in late 2008, they were close to selling it to Marion-area investors.
The exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but both sides said it would have been a wash. The Marion group would pay off about $330,000 debt and tax liens, plus other expenses of Archerd's group. No profit remained. Archerd said he expects his investors will lose about $750,000 on the deal. "We are getting nothing out of this. Bredenkamp would get absolutely nothing out of this," Archerd said. "They're blocking a guy's interest that is worth zero." But they didn't get the deal done before Treasury's letter arrived in November 2008. The Treasury called Bredenkamp a crony of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, a pariah leader whose government in the war-torn nation has been criticized for land seizures and corruption. "Bredenkamp has financially propped up the regime and provided other support to a number of its high-ranking officials," Treasury said in its letter. Treasury described Bredenkamp as a businessman with dealings in "tobacco trading, gray-market arms trading and trafficking ... and diamond extraction."
Treasury officials declined to talk about Bredenkamp or the golf course sale for this article. But news reports and investigations over the years paint a colorful picture. Bredenkamp has admitted that he evaded United Nations economic sanctions in the early 1970s when he bought aircraft for the Ian Smith-led white Rhodesian government during a civil war with black citizens. (Rhodesia would later become Zimbabwe.) A British TV documentary in 1994 claimed Bredenkamp was deep in the illegal arms trade, his companies selling land mines to Iraq and anti-aircraft guns to Iran. A 2002 UN National Security Council interim report looking into the diamond trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo accused a Bredenkamp company of supplying parts for Zimbabwean troops and war planes for missions in the Congo. He also was linked to questionable deals for rights to Congo diamond mines, home to so-called conflict or blood diamonds. Last year, the European Union joined the United States in blacklisting Bredenkamp.
Bredenkamp has not taken the criticism lightly. He frequently writes letters to British and African publications to complain about the stories detailing his alleged exploits. He also maintains JohnBredenkamp.com, which is aimed squarely at refuting the official record. He did not respond to an e-mail request for comment. On his site, Bredenkamp complains that he has never been given the chance to defend himself against the actions by US and EU governments. How someone gets on the list is difficult to discern, according to attorneys familiar with Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control. But once you get on the list, it is almost impossible to get off. And the evidence can be a national security secret. "They make it a complicated process," said Clif Burns, an economic sanctions attorney with Bryan Cave in Washington. Burns, who is not involved in the Bredenkamp case, said the sanctions list serves a worthy purpose, but can overreach. That appears to be the case with Kokopelli, Burns said, because it seems certain Bredenkamp would not benefit from the golf course's sale. "There is no reason on Earth why the people in this town should be caught up in this," Burns said.
Archerd said he has struggled to get Treasury officials on the phone. He and others recently enlisted the help of US Rep. Jerry Costello and Sen. Dick Durbin. Thanks to their help, Archerd is flying to Washington this week to talk with Treasury officials. He sounded hopeful. Hays, the restaurant owner, said he still wants to buy the golf course. He would run the restaurant. Another investor plans to build 90 homes on some unused acres. They want to retain the club's 200 dues-paying members. And there are some big tournaments coming up: a state open qualifier in June and PGA sectional in September. But they need to move quickly, Hays said. "Otherwise," he said, "the golf course is going to be in a true 'Twilight Zone.'"
Precarious conditions in North Kivu for Congolese Tutsi refugees returning home.
Refugees International
19 February 2010
This week, the governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) signed a Tripartite Agreement, setting the stage to help more than 50,000 Congolese refugees return home after living in camps in Rwanda.
Consultant Steve Hege and I are currently on mission in the DRC, where we've been looking into the situation for returning refugees in North Kivu province. Before arriving, we heard that there were already some people who spontaneously returned to the area without assistance – from both inside and outside the UNHCR camps. More alarmingly, we also heard that there were large numbers of Rwandan citizens arriving to the DRC, who claimed to be returning Congolese refugees.
If true, ethnic tensions created by the presence of these Rwandans could jeopardize the official returns through the Triparite Agreement. This is especially of concern given the long history of Rwandan involvement in the conflict in eastern DRC and the widespread anxiety that the former CNDP rebel group is seeking to reconfigure the demographics of North Kivu.
In North Kivu, Steve and I made several field visits to Masisi and Rutshuru territories to see the situation first hand for ourselves. In Kahusa, we interviewed a number of individuals who claimed to come from the refugee camps in Rwanda. However, they did not speak either Swahili or French (widely used throughout eastern DRC) and the local traditional chief could not vouch for their claims of having fled from the locality in 1994.
We also met a curious character named Mike. Mike spoke perfect English, and said he fled the Congo when he was 10 years old. He told us that he was the representative of those Congolese refugees who had returned from the camps spontaneously, and were now living in Kahusa. A number of men were clearly instructing Mike in Kinyarwanda to tell us certain elements of his story. Mike showed us a list of names that he was rewriting after UNHCR asked for proof of their refugee status. He was supposedly matching the names of individuals to the camps in Rwanda where they had lived, but it looked as though he was just adding the new information himself rather than consulting with any returnees. UNHCR has already tried to verify some of the names from people like Mike, with the lists in the camps in Rwanda. Less than 5% have matched thus far.
In addition to the situation in Kahusa, in nearby Kirolirwe the local people told us that there is an area inside the Virunga National Park called "Coline Banyarwanda." This roughly means "the hill of those who come from Rwanda," a name which would not be given to Congolese Hutus or Tutsis, who are commonly referred to as "Rwandophones" and not "Banyarwanda."
I am concerned that conflict over land and resources will become increasingly problematic as long as these clandestine arrivals from Rwanda continue. In Bwiza and Matanda, we talked to local credible sources who also confirmed the presence of large numbers of Rwandans claiming to be Congolese refugee returnees. In Bwiza, a large group of Rwandans who recently arrived to the DRC are living illegally in a settlement inside the Virunga National Park, and are being protected by the local authorities, who told us "there would be war" if anyone tried to move them from this land. Bwiza produces over 20 tons of charcoal per week from the trees of the park, which roughly totals around $10,000 a month. In Matanda, we heard that armed cattle herders from Rwanda were occupying land by force.
It's important to note that these tensions are taking place in zones that are controlled by the former CNDP rebel group, who are clearly protecting these Rwandans. And although UNHCR and the Congolese government have made some efforts to investigate this population and clarify their status – most notably through plans to create community reconciliation committees that can assess whether or not a returnee is who they claim to be – the fear is that as long as the CNDP remains in control in certain areas , these structures will be co-opted.
Before the Tripartite agreement is fully implemented, it is critical for international donors and UNHCR to pressure the governments of Rwanda and DRC to resolve the status of new arrivals from Rwanda, and to look towards implementing stronger verification mechanisms to regulate all future population movements.
19 February 2010
This week, the governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) signed a Tripartite Agreement, setting the stage to help more than 50,000 Congolese refugees return home after living in camps in Rwanda.
Consultant Steve Hege and I are currently on mission in the DRC, where we've been looking into the situation for returning refugees in North Kivu province. Before arriving, we heard that there were already some people who spontaneously returned to the area without assistance – from both inside and outside the UNHCR camps. More alarmingly, we also heard that there were large numbers of Rwandan citizens arriving to the DRC, who claimed to be returning Congolese refugees.
If true, ethnic tensions created by the presence of these Rwandans could jeopardize the official returns through the Triparite Agreement. This is especially of concern given the long history of Rwandan involvement in the conflict in eastern DRC and the widespread anxiety that the former CNDP rebel group is seeking to reconfigure the demographics of North Kivu.
In North Kivu, Steve and I made several field visits to Masisi and Rutshuru territories to see the situation first hand for ourselves. In Kahusa, we interviewed a number of individuals who claimed to come from the refugee camps in Rwanda. However, they did not speak either Swahili or French (widely used throughout eastern DRC) and the local traditional chief could not vouch for their claims of having fled from the locality in 1994.
We also met a curious character named Mike. Mike spoke perfect English, and said he fled the Congo when he was 10 years old. He told us that he was the representative of those Congolese refugees who had returned from the camps spontaneously, and were now living in Kahusa. A number of men were clearly instructing Mike in Kinyarwanda to tell us certain elements of his story. Mike showed us a list of names that he was rewriting after UNHCR asked for proof of their refugee status. He was supposedly matching the names of individuals to the camps in Rwanda where they had lived, but it looked as though he was just adding the new information himself rather than consulting with any returnees. UNHCR has already tried to verify some of the names from people like Mike, with the lists in the camps in Rwanda. Less than 5% have matched thus far.
In addition to the situation in Kahusa, in nearby Kirolirwe the local people told us that there is an area inside the Virunga National Park called "Coline Banyarwanda." This roughly means "the hill of those who come from Rwanda," a name which would not be given to Congolese Hutus or Tutsis, who are commonly referred to as "Rwandophones" and not "Banyarwanda."
I am concerned that conflict over land and resources will become increasingly problematic as long as these clandestine arrivals from Rwanda continue. In Bwiza and Matanda, we talked to local credible sources who also confirmed the presence of large numbers of Rwandans claiming to be Congolese refugee returnees. In Bwiza, a large group of Rwandans who recently arrived to the DRC are living illegally in a settlement inside the Virunga National Park, and are being protected by the local authorities, who told us "there would be war" if anyone tried to move them from this land. Bwiza produces over 20 tons of charcoal per week from the trees of the park, which roughly totals around $10,000 a month. In Matanda, we heard that armed cattle herders from Rwanda were occupying land by force.
It's important to note that these tensions are taking place in zones that are controlled by the former CNDP rebel group, who are clearly protecting these Rwandans. And although UNHCR and the Congolese government have made some efforts to investigate this population and clarify their status – most notably through plans to create community reconciliation committees that can assess whether or not a returnee is who they claim to be – the fear is that as long as the CNDP remains in control in certain areas , these structures will be co-opted.
Before the Tripartite agreement is fully implemented, it is critical for international donors and UNHCR to pressure the governments of Rwanda and DRC to resolve the status of new arrivals from Rwanda, and to look towards implementing stronger verification mechanisms to regulate all future population movements.
Pres. Kabila Reshuffles and Shrinks Cabinet.
Radio Okapi
20 February 2010
Les vice-premiers ministres
1.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Emploi, Travail et Prévoyance Sociale: Monsieur François-Joseph NZANGA MOBUTU NGBANGAWE
2.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Intérieur et Sécurité: Monsieur Adolphe LUMANU MULENDA BWANA N’SEFU
3.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre des Postes, Téléphones et Télécommunications: Monsieur Simon BULUPIY GALATI
Les ministres
1. Ministre des Affaires Etrangères: Monsieur Alexis THAMBWE MWAMBA
2. Ministre de la Coopération Internationale et Régionale: Monsieur Raymond TSHIBANDA N’TUNGAMULONGO
3. Ministre de la Défense Nationale et Anciens Combattants: Monsieur Charles MWANDO SIMBA
4. Ministre de la Justice et Droits Humains: Monsieur LUZOLO BAMBI LESSA
5. Ministre de la Décentralisation et Aménagement du Territoire: Monsieur Antipas MBUSA NYAMWISI
6. Ministre des Relations avec le Parlement: Monsieur Richard MUYEJ MANGENZ
7. Ministre de la Communication et Médias: Monsieur Lambert MENDE OMALANGA
8. Ministre des Finances: Monsieur MATATA PONYO MAPON
9. Ministre du Budget: Monsieur Jean-Baptiste NTAHWA KUDERWA BATUMIKE
10. Ministre du Plan: Monsieur Olivier KAMITATU ETSU
11. Ministre du Portefeuille: Madame Jeannine MABUNDA LIOKO
12. Ministre de l’Economie Nationale: Monsieur Jean-Marie BULAMBO KILOSHO
13. Ministre des Infrastructures, Travaux Publics et Reconstruction: Monsieur Fridolin KASWESHI MUSOKA
14. Ministre de l’Energie: Monsieur Gilbert TSHIONGO TSHIBINKUBULA WA TUMBA
15. Ministre des Mines: Monsieur Martin KABWELULU LABILO
16. Ministre des Hydrocarbures: Monsieur Célestin MBUYU KABANGO
17. Ministre de l’Environnement, Conservation de la Nature et Tourisme: Monsieur José ENDUNDO BONONGE
18. Ministre des Transports et Voies de Communication: Madame Laure-Marie KAWANDA KAYENA
19. Ministre de la Santé Publique: Monsieur Victor MAKWENGE KAPUT
20. Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire: Monsieur Leonard MASHAKO MAMBA
21. Ministre de l’Enseignement Primaire, Secondaire et Professionnel: Monsieur Maker MWANGU FAMBA
22. Ministre de l’Agriculture: Monsieur Norbert BASENGEZI KATINTIMA
23. Ministre du Développement Rural: Monsieur Philippe UNDJI YANGYA
24. Ministre de l’Industrie: Monsieur Anicet KUZUNDA MUTANGIJI
25. Ministre du Commerce, Petites et Moyennes Entreprises: Monsieur Bernard BIANDO SANGO
26. Ministre du Genre, Femme et Enfant: Madame Marie-Ange LUKIANA MUFWANKOLO
27. Ministre des Affaires Foncières: Monsieur KISIMBA NGOY MAJ
28. Ministre de l’Urbanisme et Habitat: Monsieur César LUBAMBA NGIMBI
29. Ministre des Affaires Sociales, Action Humanitaire et Solidarité Nationale: Monsieur Ferdinand KAMBERE KALUMBI
30. Ministre de la Fonction Publique: Monsieur Dieudonné UPIRA SUNGUMA KAGIMBI
31Ministre de la Recherche Scientifique: Monsieur Jean-Pierre BOKOLE OMPOKA
32. Ministre de la Culture et Arts: Madame Jeannette KAVIRA MAPERA
33. Ministre de la Jeunesse et Sports: Monsieur Claude BAZIBUHE NYAMUGABO
Les vice-ministres
1. Vice-ministre de l’Intérieur: Monsieur Georges ZUKA MON’DO UGONDA-LEMBA
2. Vice-ministre des Affaires Etrangères: Monsieur Ignace GATA MAVITA WA LUFUTA
3. Vice-ministre des Finances: Monsieur Joas MBITSO NGEDZA
4. Vice-ministre du Budget: Monsieur André SHIKAYI LUBOYA BANKINA
5. Vice-ministre du Commerce: Madame Xaverine KAROMBA MITIMITUJE
6. Vice-ministre des Travaux Publics: Monsieur Gervais NTINUMENYERWA KIMONYO
7. Vice-ministre de l’Enseignement Professionnel: Monsieur Arthur SEDEA NGAMO ZABUSU
20 February 2010
Les vice-premiers ministres
1.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Emploi, Travail et Prévoyance Sociale: Monsieur François-Joseph NZANGA MOBUTU NGBANGAWE
2.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Intérieur et Sécurité: Monsieur Adolphe LUMANU MULENDA BWANA N’SEFU
3.Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre des Postes, Téléphones et Télécommunications: Monsieur Simon BULUPIY GALATI
Les ministres
1. Ministre des Affaires Etrangères: Monsieur Alexis THAMBWE MWAMBA
2. Ministre de la Coopération Internationale et Régionale: Monsieur Raymond TSHIBANDA N’TUNGAMULONGO
3. Ministre de la Défense Nationale et Anciens Combattants: Monsieur Charles MWANDO SIMBA
4. Ministre de la Justice et Droits Humains: Monsieur LUZOLO BAMBI LESSA
5. Ministre de la Décentralisation et Aménagement du Territoire: Monsieur Antipas MBUSA NYAMWISI
6. Ministre des Relations avec le Parlement: Monsieur Richard MUYEJ MANGENZ
7. Ministre de la Communication et Médias: Monsieur Lambert MENDE OMALANGA
8. Ministre des Finances: Monsieur MATATA PONYO MAPON
9. Ministre du Budget: Monsieur Jean-Baptiste NTAHWA KUDERWA BATUMIKE
10. Ministre du Plan: Monsieur Olivier KAMITATU ETSU
11. Ministre du Portefeuille: Madame Jeannine MABUNDA LIOKO
12. Ministre de l’Economie Nationale: Monsieur Jean-Marie BULAMBO KILOSHO
13. Ministre des Infrastructures, Travaux Publics et Reconstruction: Monsieur Fridolin KASWESHI MUSOKA
14. Ministre de l’Energie: Monsieur Gilbert TSHIONGO TSHIBINKUBULA WA TUMBA
15. Ministre des Mines: Monsieur Martin KABWELULU LABILO
16. Ministre des Hydrocarbures: Monsieur Célestin MBUYU KABANGO
17. Ministre de l’Environnement, Conservation de la Nature et Tourisme: Monsieur José ENDUNDO BONONGE
18. Ministre des Transports et Voies de Communication: Madame Laure-Marie KAWANDA KAYENA
19. Ministre de la Santé Publique: Monsieur Victor MAKWENGE KAPUT
20. Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire: Monsieur Leonard MASHAKO MAMBA
21. Ministre de l’Enseignement Primaire, Secondaire et Professionnel: Monsieur Maker MWANGU FAMBA
22. Ministre de l’Agriculture: Monsieur Norbert BASENGEZI KATINTIMA
23. Ministre du Développement Rural: Monsieur Philippe UNDJI YANGYA
24. Ministre de l’Industrie: Monsieur Anicet KUZUNDA MUTANGIJI
25. Ministre du Commerce, Petites et Moyennes Entreprises: Monsieur Bernard BIANDO SANGO
26. Ministre du Genre, Femme et Enfant: Madame Marie-Ange LUKIANA MUFWANKOLO
27. Ministre des Affaires Foncières: Monsieur KISIMBA NGOY MAJ
28. Ministre de l’Urbanisme et Habitat: Monsieur César LUBAMBA NGIMBI
29. Ministre des Affaires Sociales, Action Humanitaire et Solidarité Nationale: Monsieur Ferdinand KAMBERE KALUMBI
30. Ministre de la Fonction Publique: Monsieur Dieudonné UPIRA SUNGUMA KAGIMBI
31Ministre de la Recherche Scientifique: Monsieur Jean-Pierre BOKOLE OMPOKA
32. Ministre de la Culture et Arts: Madame Jeannette KAVIRA MAPERA
33. Ministre de la Jeunesse et Sports: Monsieur Claude BAZIBUHE NYAMUGABO
Les vice-ministres
1. Vice-ministre de l’Intérieur: Monsieur Georges ZUKA MON’DO UGONDA-LEMBA
2. Vice-ministre des Affaires Etrangères: Monsieur Ignace GATA MAVITA WA LUFUTA
3. Vice-ministre des Finances: Monsieur Joas MBITSO NGEDZA
4. Vice-ministre du Budget: Monsieur André SHIKAYI LUBOYA BANKINA
5. Vice-ministre du Commerce: Madame Xaverine KAROMBA MITIMITUJE
6. Vice-ministre des Travaux Publics: Monsieur Gervais NTINUMENYERWA KIMONYO
7. Vice-ministre de l’Enseignement Professionnel: Monsieur Arthur SEDEA NGAMO ZABUSU
Rwandan Opposition Parties Join Forces.
PROTOCOLE D’ACCORD
entre
Les partis politiques: FORCES DEMOCRATIQUES UNIFIEES-INKINGI, PARTI DEMOCRATIQUE VERT DU RWANDA, PARTI SOCIAL-IMBERAKURI
Préambule:
Devant la dégradation continue de la situation politique au Rwanda, caractérisée par la terrorisation de la population et l’entrave à l'exercice de ses droits politiques;
Face à un système de gouvernement qui a imposé au peuple rwandais des lois anti-démocratiques et liberticides;
Interpellés par une nécessité impérieuse d’assurer une véritable réconciliation nationale de toutes les composantes de la population rwandaise et une paix réelle, préalables à la reconstruction économique et au développement durable;
Considérant la teneur de:
-La Constitution telle que modifiée jusqu’au 13/8/2008;
-La loi organique n° 16/2003 du 27/06/2003 régissant les formations politiques et les politiciens;
-La loi organique n° 17/2003 du 07/7/2003 relative aux élections présidentielles et législatives: tel que modifié jusqu’au 25/07/2008
Décidés à tout mettre en œuvre pour offrir au peuple rwandais la possibilité de s’exprimer sur le type de gouvernance à instaurer au Rwanda pour mettre en place un véritable Etat de droit fondé sur une démocratie pluraliste;
Placés devant l'impérative obligation de revendiquer les droits de leurs membres et de leurs sympathisants conformément à la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques ainsi que d’autres instruments relatifs aux droits humains ratifiés par le Rwanda;
Fermement engagées à revendiquer la levée des entraves liées à l’inscription et au fonctionnement des partis pour mener leurs activités politiques librement et à participer aux élections;
Vu la nécessité d’avoir le droit inaliénable à la liberté de réunions pacifiques sur tout le territoire rwandais, notamment pour que chaque formation politique puisse présenter son projet de société à la population;
Nos Partis signataires du présent protocole décident de:
1. Créer un Concertation Permanente des Partis d'opposition, « Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties » (PCC/CCP), constitué des représentants numériquement paritaires.
2. Le CCP vise à renforcer le plaidoyer, à harmoniser et à dégager des positions communes dans des domaines touchant de près et de loin le processus d’inscription et d’agréation des partis, notamment : la Commission Nationale électorale, les conditions de participation aux élections et la justice, l’information et la communication.
3. Le CC P vise à coordonner les efforts dans le domaine de la diplomatie, de l’information et de la communication.
4. Le CCP est constitué de 2 représentants de chaque Parti. Il peut recourir à d’autres personnes ressources ayant l’expertise dans différents domaines nécessaires.
5. Les décisions du CCP sont prises par consensus faute duquel les membres s’en remettent aux responsables des Partis signataires du présent protocole.
Fait à Kigali, le 19 Février 2010.
Pour les Partis Partenaires:
Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Présidente des Forces Démocratiques Unifiées - Inkingi
Monsieur Frank Habineza
Président du Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda
Me Bernard Ntaganda
Président du Parti Social-IMBERAKURI
entre
Les partis politiques: FORCES DEMOCRATIQUES UNIFIEES-INKINGI, PARTI DEMOCRATIQUE VERT DU RWANDA, PARTI SOCIAL-IMBERAKURI
Préambule:
Devant la dégradation continue de la situation politique au Rwanda, caractérisée par la terrorisation de la population et l’entrave à l'exercice de ses droits politiques;
Face à un système de gouvernement qui a imposé au peuple rwandais des lois anti-démocratiques et liberticides;
Interpellés par une nécessité impérieuse d’assurer une véritable réconciliation nationale de toutes les composantes de la population rwandaise et une paix réelle, préalables à la reconstruction économique et au développement durable;
Considérant la teneur de:
-La Constitution telle que modifiée jusqu’au 13/8/2008;
-La loi organique n° 16/2003 du 27/06/2003 régissant les formations politiques et les politiciens;
-La loi organique n° 17/2003 du 07/7/2003 relative aux élections présidentielles et législatives: tel que modifié jusqu’au 25/07/2008
Décidés à tout mettre en œuvre pour offrir au peuple rwandais la possibilité de s’exprimer sur le type de gouvernance à instaurer au Rwanda pour mettre en place un véritable Etat de droit fondé sur une démocratie pluraliste;
Placés devant l'impérative obligation de revendiquer les droits de leurs membres et de leurs sympathisants conformément à la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques ainsi que d’autres instruments relatifs aux droits humains ratifiés par le Rwanda;
Fermement engagées à revendiquer la levée des entraves liées à l’inscription et au fonctionnement des partis pour mener leurs activités politiques librement et à participer aux élections;
Vu la nécessité d’avoir le droit inaliénable à la liberté de réunions pacifiques sur tout le territoire rwandais, notamment pour que chaque formation politique puisse présenter son projet de société à la population;
Nos Partis signataires du présent protocole décident de:
1. Créer un Concertation Permanente des Partis d'opposition, « Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties » (PCC/CCP), constitué des représentants numériquement paritaires.
2. Le CCP vise à renforcer le plaidoyer, à harmoniser et à dégager des positions communes dans des domaines touchant de près et de loin le processus d’inscription et d’agréation des partis, notamment : la Commission Nationale électorale, les conditions de participation aux élections et la justice, l’information et la communication.
3. Le CC P vise à coordonner les efforts dans le domaine de la diplomatie, de l’information et de la communication.
4. Le CCP est constitué de 2 représentants de chaque Parti. Il peut recourir à d’autres personnes ressources ayant l’expertise dans différents domaines nécessaires.
5. Les décisions du CCP sont prises par consensus faute duquel les membres s’en remettent aux responsables des Partis signataires du présent protocole.
Fait à Kigali, le 19 Février 2010.
Pour les Partis Partenaires:
Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Présidente des Forces Démocratiques Unifiées - Inkingi
Monsieur Frank Habineza
Président du Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda
Me Bernard Ntaganda
Président du Parti Social-IMBERAKURI
Rwandan Opposition political Parties have formed a “Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties”.
JOINT COMMUNIQUE
In our endeavour to strengthen the democratic process in Rwanda, encourage the current regime to accept the right of every Rwandan citizen to enjoy his or her full political rights; allow Rwandans to make a free choice between different political programmes and choose a leader who has convinced them that their political programme is viable and will deliver on its manifesto;
In view of the many barriers, both legal and administrative, that the regime has put in place to prevent political parties from being formally registered;
In the face of increasing threats, aggressive acts and harassment against opposition parties in the period leading up to presidential elections;
Taking into account the fact that the only party that has been registered has not been allowed to carry out its normal political activities among the general population at the grassroots level and have access to public media;
Considering the need to ensure the presidential elections planned for August 2010 are held in a free, democratic and transparent manner;
Convinced that combining our efforts is the best way to expand the political space for political opposition,
We the undersigned, representing the following political organizations: The United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, have decided to form a common political platform called the Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties, “Conseil de Concertation Permanent des Partis d’Opposition” (PCC/CCP).
The main objective of our platform is:
To articulate a common political platform and carry out the work of lobbying and advocacy at the national and international levels.
At this point in time, our areas of collaboration include:
1. Registration of political parties
2. Diplomacy
3. Information and communication
4. Justice
Other areas of collaboration will be examined later.
Done in Kigali, 19th February 2010,
Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Chairperson, United Democratic Forces
Mr. Frank Habineza
Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Me. Bernard Ntaganda
Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
In our endeavour to strengthen the democratic process in Rwanda, encourage the current regime to accept the right of every Rwandan citizen to enjoy his or her full political rights; allow Rwandans to make a free choice between different political programmes and choose a leader who has convinced them that their political programme is viable and will deliver on its manifesto;
In view of the many barriers, both legal and administrative, that the regime has put in place to prevent political parties from being formally registered;
In the face of increasing threats, aggressive acts and harassment against opposition parties in the period leading up to presidential elections;
Taking into account the fact that the only party that has been registered has not been allowed to carry out its normal political activities among the general population at the grassroots level and have access to public media;
Considering the need to ensure the presidential elections planned for August 2010 are held in a free, democratic and transparent manner;
Convinced that combining our efforts is the best way to expand the political space for political opposition,
We the undersigned, representing the following political organizations: The United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, have decided to form a common political platform called the Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties, “Conseil de Concertation Permanent des Partis d’Opposition” (PCC/CCP).
The main objective of our platform is:
To articulate a common political platform and carry out the work of lobbying and advocacy at the national and international levels.
At this point in time, our areas of collaboration include:
1. Registration of political parties
2. Diplomacy
3. Information and communication
4. Justice
Other areas of collaboration will be examined later.
Done in Kigali, 19th February 2010,
Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Chairperson, United Democratic Forces
Mr. Frank Habineza
Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Me. Bernard Ntaganda
Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
19 February, 2010
Update on Rwandan Political Situation: February 19, 2010
The United Democratic Forces–Inkingi, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and le Parti Social-IMBERAKURI have formed a common platform called the Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties (“Conseil de Concertation Permanent des Partis d’Opposition”) [PCC/CCP]. More to follow. In other developments, the Rwandan Ambassador to Holland has resigned and fled the country. Reports say he is seeking political asylum in Ireland and fears returning to Rwanda.
Stranded Bulgarian Commandos Leave Niger on Belgian Plane.
Sofia News Agency
19 February 2010
Ten Bulgarian officers from the special police unit for combating terrorism have left the Niger capital Niamey on a Belgian plane after being trapped in Thursday’s coup d’etat.
Bulgarian and Belgian special police officers, were trapped for 24 hours in a hotel in Niamey after Thursday’s coup d’etat.
The Bulgarian Interior Ministry confirmed that the ten officers had left Niger late Friday.
A coup took place in Niger on Thursday and the president was captured after a gun battle in Niamey.
In a television announcement, a spokesman for the plotters said Niger's constitution had been suspended and all state institutions dissolved.
19 February 2010
Ten Bulgarian officers from the special police unit for combating terrorism have left the Niger capital Niamey on a Belgian plane after being trapped in Thursday’s coup d’etat.
Bulgarian and Belgian special police officers, were trapped for 24 hours in a hotel in Niamey after Thursday’s coup d’etat.
The Bulgarian Interior Ministry confirmed that the ten officers had left Niger late Friday.
A coup took place in Niger on Thursday and the president was captured after a gun battle in Niamey.
In a television announcement, a spokesman for the plotters said Niger's constitution had been suspended and all state institutions dissolved.
Africa-US-China Trilateral Meeting on Investment.
Leon H. Sullivan Foundation
Press release
18 February 2010
Today, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation announced that it is partnering with the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and organizing a conference to discuss how companies can contribute to economic and social development in Africa.
The meeting, which will take place in Monrovia Liberia on February 24-25, will include representatives from Chevron Corporation, the CocaCola Companies, Marathon Oil, DeBeers Debswana (Pty) Ltd., Fina Bank, Rwanda, the China Export-Import Bank, the China-Africa Development Fund and the China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO).
The goal of the dialogue is to engage corporate leaders and analysts from Africa, China and the U.S. on lessons learned in corporate social responsibility and the best strategies to pursue accelerated economic development.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf will address the conference. Liberia is the first African nation to be validated by the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.
Leading the American delegation will be Ambassador Princeton Lyman of the Council on Foreign Relations and Dr. Witney Schneidman, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and Senior Advisor to the Sullivan Foundation. They will be joined by LHSF board member His Excellency John Kufor, former President of the Republic of Ghana. Dr. Greg Mills will lead the African delegation that will also include Mozambique's former Prime Minister, Her Excellency Luisa Dias Diogo and Ms. Sheila Khama, Chief Executive Officer of DeBeers Botswana (Pty) LTD. The Chinese delegation will be led by Professor Yang Guang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was created by Ms. Hope Masters and Ambassador Andrew Young to further the legacy and work of Reverend Leon Sullivan who created the Sullivan Principles, which helped to facilitate the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa, and the Global Sullivan Principles.
In 2006-2007, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brenthurst Foundation in Johannesburg and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing initiated a collaboration to examine how the U.S. and China were contributing to social and economic development on the African continent.
Please go to: http://www.cfr.org/publication/14998/africachinaus_trilateral_dialogue.html for a report on the collaboration.
Press release
18 February 2010
Today, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation announced that it is partnering with the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and organizing a conference to discuss how companies can contribute to economic and social development in Africa.
The meeting, which will take place in Monrovia Liberia on February 24-25, will include representatives from Chevron Corporation, the CocaCola Companies, Marathon Oil, DeBeers Debswana (Pty) Ltd., Fina Bank, Rwanda, the China Export-Import Bank, the China-Africa Development Fund and the China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO).
The goal of the dialogue is to engage corporate leaders and analysts from Africa, China and the U.S. on lessons learned in corporate social responsibility and the best strategies to pursue accelerated economic development.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf will address the conference. Liberia is the first African nation to be validated by the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.
Leading the American delegation will be Ambassador Princeton Lyman of the Council on Foreign Relations and Dr. Witney Schneidman, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and Senior Advisor to the Sullivan Foundation. They will be joined by LHSF board member His Excellency John Kufor, former President of the Republic of Ghana. Dr. Greg Mills will lead the African delegation that will also include Mozambique's former Prime Minister, Her Excellency Luisa Dias Diogo and Ms. Sheila Khama, Chief Executive Officer of DeBeers Botswana (Pty) LTD. The Chinese delegation will be led by Professor Yang Guang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was created by Ms. Hope Masters and Ambassador Andrew Young to further the legacy and work of Reverend Leon Sullivan who created the Sullivan Principles, which helped to facilitate the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa, and the Global Sullivan Principles.
In 2006-2007, the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brenthurst Foundation in Johannesburg and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing initiated a collaboration to examine how the U.S. and China were contributing to social and economic development on the African continent.
Please go to: http://www.cfr.org/publication/14998/africachinaus_trilateral_dialogue.html for a report on the collaboration.
FDIC Opens A Massive New Office Near Chicago Just To Handle The Coming Tidal Wave Of Midwest Bank Closings They Are Expecting.
By Michael Snyder
18 February 2010
Blacklisted News
Is the Midwest about to see a massive wave of bank closings? That is apparently what the FDIC is expecting. The FDIC is opening up a massive new satellite office in the Chicago area that will be dedicated to managing receiverships and liquidating assets from failed Midwest banks. This new facility will occupy 7 floors in an 11 floor building. The office space that the FDIC is leasing is well over 100,000 square feet and will employ approximately 500 temporary employees and contractors. This is a huge expenditure by the FDIC. So will there really be so many bank failures over the next couple of years in the Midwest that a 100,000 square foot facility is required to deal with it?
Apparently someone at the FDIC thinks so.
But this is not the first time the FDIC has done something like this.
The FDIC has already opened similar offices in Irvine, California and Jacksonville, Florida. Each time, the number of bank failures in those states increased dramatically after the FDIC opened those facilities.
So what is going to cause such a massive wave of bank failures that the FDIC will need hundreds of new employees just to deal with it?
Well, as we have reported previously, the financial powers in the U.S. are now moving to reduce the money supply, hoard cash and tighten credit. All of those things cause a slowdown in economic growth.
At the same time, a gigantic "second wave" of adjustable mortgages is scheduled to reset starting this year. This could push the U.S. economy into "part 2" of the housing crisis. Just check out the chart below....
In fact, one new study has been released that estimates that 5 million houses and condominiums on which mortgages are now delinquent will go through foreclosure and be put on the market within the next few years.
Another devastating housing crisis would absolutely destroy the vast majority of small to mid-size banks in the United States. In such a scenario, the FDIC would definitely be able to make use of the new facilities that they are opening up around the United States.
There are even rumors that the big bankers do not intend for most small and mid-size bankers to survive the coming crisis. There are whispers that the big bankers see all of this economic turmoil as a great opportunity to "consolidate" the banking industry.
So what should you and your family do to get prepared? Get out of debt and get rid of any unnecessary expenses. Try to start developing alternate streams of income and come up with a plan for what you will do if you lose your job.
The reality is that hard times are coming and a lot of people are going to lose their homes and their jobs. Don't just blindly trust "the system" - now is the time to make sure that you and your family will be prepared even if a total economic collapse happens.
18 February 2010
Blacklisted News
Is the Midwest about to see a massive wave of bank closings? That is apparently what the FDIC is expecting. The FDIC is opening up a massive new satellite office in the Chicago area that will be dedicated to managing receiverships and liquidating assets from failed Midwest banks. This new facility will occupy 7 floors in an 11 floor building. The office space that the FDIC is leasing is well over 100,000 square feet and will employ approximately 500 temporary employees and contractors. This is a huge expenditure by the FDIC. So will there really be so many bank failures over the next couple of years in the Midwest that a 100,000 square foot facility is required to deal with it?
Apparently someone at the FDIC thinks so.
But this is not the first time the FDIC has done something like this.
The FDIC has already opened similar offices in Irvine, California and Jacksonville, Florida. Each time, the number of bank failures in those states increased dramatically after the FDIC opened those facilities.
So what is going to cause such a massive wave of bank failures that the FDIC will need hundreds of new employees just to deal with it?
Well, as we have reported previously, the financial powers in the U.S. are now moving to reduce the money supply, hoard cash and tighten credit. All of those things cause a slowdown in economic growth.
At the same time, a gigantic "second wave" of adjustable mortgages is scheduled to reset starting this year. This could push the U.S. economy into "part 2" of the housing crisis. Just check out the chart below....
In fact, one new study has been released that estimates that 5 million houses and condominiums on which mortgages are now delinquent will go through foreclosure and be put on the market within the next few years.
Another devastating housing crisis would absolutely destroy the vast majority of small to mid-size banks in the United States. In such a scenario, the FDIC would definitely be able to make use of the new facilities that they are opening up around the United States.
There are even rumors that the big bankers do not intend for most small and mid-size bankers to survive the coming crisis. There are whispers that the big bankers see all of this economic turmoil as a great opportunity to "consolidate" the banking industry.
So what should you and your family do to get prepared? Get out of debt and get rid of any unnecessary expenses. Try to start developing alternate streams of income and come up with a plan for what you will do if you lose your job.
The reality is that hard times are coming and a lot of people are going to lose their homes and their jobs. Don't just blindly trust "the system" - now is the time to make sure that you and your family will be prepared even if a total economic collapse happens.
Adviser to Kenyan president calls on Zardari.
Daily Times
19 February 2010
Joe Kaman, an Adviser to the president of Kenya, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Thursday. The two sides discussed bilateral relations during the meeting, a press release said. Zardari appreciated the Kenyan government for providing Pakistanis the facility of visa on entry, an increase in the import duty on Pakistani rice, and the award of the Kenyan passport project to NADRA.
Zardari said the government was keen to explore new avenues for strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries, and for bilateral relations.Kaman thanked Zardari after the meeting, and conveyed best wishes of the Kenyan government and the people of Kenya for the people of Pakistan.
19 February 2010
Joe Kaman, an Adviser to the president of Kenya, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Thursday. The two sides discussed bilateral relations during the meeting, a press release said. Zardari appreciated the Kenyan government for providing Pakistanis the facility of visa on entry, an increase in the import duty on Pakistani rice, and the award of the Kenyan passport project to NADRA.
Zardari said the government was keen to explore new avenues for strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries, and for bilateral relations.Kaman thanked Zardari after the meeting, and conveyed best wishes of the Kenyan government and the people of Kenya for the people of Pakistan.
Barrick Gold $3.7bn African spin-off looks to join FTSE 100.
Daily Telegraph
18 February 2010
By Garry White
Canadian-listed Barrick, the world's largest gold miner, plans to list its Tanzanian assets as African Barrick Gold (ABG) on the London Stock Exchange. The new company will contain between 8pc to 10pc of Barrick's assets, valuing the business at about £2.4bn. This would make it one of the biggest gold producers listed in London, and a potential new entrant in the FTSE 100.
A series of floats – including New Look, Merlin Entertainments and Travelport – have been pulled recently, leaving the London new issues market reeling. But analysts say that demand for ABG shares could provide a shot in the arm for the stalling IPO market.
Xstrata sells 70pc stake in Chilean copper and gold project El Morro to Barrick Gold for £294m "Investors are crawling over me to buy shares in mining companies at the moment," said John Meyer, head of mining at broker Fairfax. "It's a really exciting time for the industry and the reaction at investor roadshows has been very strong. I think the listing will be a complete success."
However, the news comes hard on the heels of the International Monetary Fund's decision to sell a further 191.3 tonnes of gold on the open market as fears of a gold bubble mount. This is in addition to the 212 tonnes it has sold to central banks. Reacting to the IMF's move the price of the metal fell $1.30 to $1,119 yesterday
Gold hit an all-time high of $1,215.70 in December last year, but the price has eased back as the dollar strengthened against a basket of currencies. A strengthening dollar makes gold purchases more expensive in other currencies.
"Barrick's African assets have been difficult to grow because there are many projects in a company of this size vying for attention," Greg Hawkins, ABG's chief executive told The Daily Telegraph. "A separate listing will solve this problem."
Gold mining companies also trade on higher multiples in London, with Randgold Resources, the only pure gold miner in the FTSE 100, trading on an earnings multiple of 36 times compared Barrick Gold's earnings multiple of just 14 times in Toronto.
Barrick initially aims to list around 25pc of ABG, but there will be an over-allotment of an additional 10pc of the equity if demand is high. Barrick will retain the remainder of the group.
Following the flotation, ABG expects to have an initial cash balance of $280m and no debt, according to official documentation. The offering is expected to be priced in late March. ABG also intends to seek a future listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in Tanzania.
Parent Barrick Gold made a recommended offer for Australian-listed Tusker Gold last week - a company which also operates in Tanzania. This business will also be included in the London listing when it completes.
Proceeds from the IPO will go to the parent company, which plans to use them to fund development projects elsewhere in the group.
ABG produced 716,000 ounces of gold in 2009 and forecasts production of 800,000-850,000 ounces in 2010. It had total reserves of 16.8m ounces at the end of 2009 and plans to be producing 1m ounces within four years.
18 February 2010
By Garry White
Canadian-listed Barrick, the world's largest gold miner, plans to list its Tanzanian assets as African Barrick Gold (ABG) on the London Stock Exchange. The new company will contain between 8pc to 10pc of Barrick's assets, valuing the business at about £2.4bn. This would make it one of the biggest gold producers listed in London, and a potential new entrant in the FTSE 100.
A series of floats – including New Look, Merlin Entertainments and Travelport – have been pulled recently, leaving the London new issues market reeling. But analysts say that demand for ABG shares could provide a shot in the arm for the stalling IPO market.
Xstrata sells 70pc stake in Chilean copper and gold project El Morro to Barrick Gold for £294m "Investors are crawling over me to buy shares in mining companies at the moment," said John Meyer, head of mining at broker Fairfax. "It's a really exciting time for the industry and the reaction at investor roadshows has been very strong. I think the listing will be a complete success."
However, the news comes hard on the heels of the International Monetary Fund's decision to sell a further 191.3 tonnes of gold on the open market as fears of a gold bubble mount. This is in addition to the 212 tonnes it has sold to central banks. Reacting to the IMF's move the price of the metal fell $1.30 to $1,119 yesterday
Gold hit an all-time high of $1,215.70 in December last year, but the price has eased back as the dollar strengthened against a basket of currencies. A strengthening dollar makes gold purchases more expensive in other currencies.
"Barrick's African assets have been difficult to grow because there are many projects in a company of this size vying for attention," Greg Hawkins, ABG's chief executive told The Daily Telegraph. "A separate listing will solve this problem."
Gold mining companies also trade on higher multiples in London, with Randgold Resources, the only pure gold miner in the FTSE 100, trading on an earnings multiple of 36 times compared Barrick Gold's earnings multiple of just 14 times in Toronto.
Barrick initially aims to list around 25pc of ABG, but there will be an over-allotment of an additional 10pc of the equity if demand is high. Barrick will retain the remainder of the group.
Following the flotation, ABG expects to have an initial cash balance of $280m and no debt, according to official documentation. The offering is expected to be priced in late March. ABG also intends to seek a future listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in Tanzania.
Parent Barrick Gold made a recommended offer for Australian-listed Tusker Gold last week - a company which also operates in Tanzania. This business will also be included in the London listing when it completes.
Proceeds from the IPO will go to the parent company, which plans to use them to fund development projects elsewhere in the group.
ABG produced 716,000 ounces of gold in 2009 and forecasts production of 800,000-850,000 ounces in 2010. It had total reserves of 16.8m ounces at the end of 2009 and plans to be producing 1m ounces within four years.
18 February, 2010
Iraq to seize heavy weapons from private security firms in country.
Reuters
17 February 2010
Iraq will seize heavy weapons from foreign security firms and expel within days ex-Blackwater contractors still in the country, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said on Wednesday.
The decision follows Iraqi government outrage at the dismissal by a U.S. court of charges against Blackwater Worldwide guards accused of killing 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007.
It also comes ahead of a parliamentary election on March 7 in which Bolani is running at the head of his own coalition against a slate headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Bolani said he had "ordered that the heavy weapons used by some of the foreign security firms be collected." Speaking to Reuters at a campaign event, he gave no further details and did not clarify whether that included licensed weapons.
He reiterated that he had ordered all former employees of Blackwater, now known as Xe Services, to be kicked out of Iraq.
"We gave them a deadline to leave Iraq. It will expire in the next few days," he said. He declined to say what would happen to former Blackwater workers if they did not leave or how the Interior Ministry knew if someone had worked for Blackwater in the past.
He said most former employees had left when the company lost its license to operate last year. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh had previously said there was no official order expelling former Blackwater workers.
The Blackwater incident in 2007 came to symbolise for many Iraqis the impunity from prosecution in Iraq enjoyed by foreign security contractors after the 2003 U.S. invasion.
Their immunity from prosecution was lifted last year under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact that gave Iraq back its sovereignty.
Since then, Iraqi security forces and foreign contractors have come close to blows at checkpoints as Iraqi troops make clear to heavily armed foreigners that Iraqis are now in charge.
The decision by a U.S. federal court in December to dismiss charges against the Blackwater security guards accused of killing the civilians produced an immediate crackdown by Iraqi police on the operations of security contractors in Iraq.
Maliki's government has hired U.S. lawyers to prepare a law suit against Blackwater.
The guards said they shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred during some of the worst sectarian violence in Iraq. The U.S. government is appealing the dismissal.
(Editing by Michael Christie and Janet Lawrence)
17 February 2010
Iraq will seize heavy weapons from foreign security firms and expel within days ex-Blackwater contractors still in the country, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani said on Wednesday.
The decision follows Iraqi government outrage at the dismissal by a U.S. court of charges against Blackwater Worldwide guards accused of killing 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad in 2007.
It also comes ahead of a parliamentary election on March 7 in which Bolani is running at the head of his own coalition against a slate headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Bolani said he had "ordered that the heavy weapons used by some of the foreign security firms be collected." Speaking to Reuters at a campaign event, he gave no further details and did not clarify whether that included licensed weapons.
He reiterated that he had ordered all former employees of Blackwater, now known as Xe Services, to be kicked out of Iraq.
"We gave them a deadline to leave Iraq. It will expire in the next few days," he said. He declined to say what would happen to former Blackwater workers if they did not leave or how the Interior Ministry knew if someone had worked for Blackwater in the past.
He said most former employees had left when the company lost its license to operate last year. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh had previously said there was no official order expelling former Blackwater workers.
The Blackwater incident in 2007 came to symbolise for many Iraqis the impunity from prosecution in Iraq enjoyed by foreign security contractors after the 2003 U.S. invasion.
Their immunity from prosecution was lifted last year under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact that gave Iraq back its sovereignty.
Since then, Iraqi security forces and foreign contractors have come close to blows at checkpoints as Iraqi troops make clear to heavily armed foreigners that Iraqis are now in charge.
The decision by a U.S. federal court in December to dismiss charges against the Blackwater security guards accused of killing the civilians produced an immediate crackdown by Iraqi police on the operations of security contractors in Iraq.
Maliki's government has hired U.S. lawyers to prepare a law suit against Blackwater.
The guards said they shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred during some of the worst sectarian violence in Iraq. The U.S. government is appealing the dismissal.
(Editing by Michael Christie and Janet Lawrence)
Anadarko Aces First Deepwater Find Offshore Mozambique.
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
Press Release
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87970
Anadarko announced the Windjammer exploration well in the frontier Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique has reached an intermediate casing point and encountered more than 480 net feet of natural gas pay in high-quality reservoir sands, with a gross column of more than 1,200 feet. To date, this well has tested one of the seven identified play types in Anadarko's operated acreage offshore Mozambique.
"The intermediate results of the Windjammer well are positive for the partnership and the people of Mozambique," said Bob Daniels, Anadarko Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Exploration. "This is true rank wildcat exploration, and to have our first deepwater exploration well result in a discovery with more than 480 net feet of pay, thus far, is a strong indication of the potential of this basin. The Windjammer discovery de-risks a substantial portion of approximately 50 leads and prospects that we've identified across our 2.6-million-acre position in the basin."
To date, the Windjammer well has been drilled to a depth of approximately 14,000 feet in about 4,800 feet of water, approximately 30 miles east of the Mozambique coastline. The company anticipates drilling another 4,100 feet in this well to gain additional geological information prior to reaching total depth.
After testing the deeper objectives in the well, Anadarko plans to move the Belford Dolphin drillship to its Collier prospect less than 50 miles south-southeast of Windjammer. Anadarko also expects to drill two to four additional exploration wells in the Rovuma Basin this year, with initial well results from Windjammer and Collier determining which prospects are drilled next.
Anadarko is the operator with an approximate 43-percent paying interest in the well. Co-owners in the well are BPRL Ventures Mozambique B.V. (11.75 percent), Cove Energy Mozambique Rovuma Offshore, Ltd. (10 percent), Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1, Limited (23.5 percent) and Videocon Mozambique Rovuma 1 Limited (11.75 percent). Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, ep's 15-percent interest was carried through the exploration phase.
Press Release
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87970
Anadarko announced the Windjammer exploration well in the frontier Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique has reached an intermediate casing point and encountered more than 480 net feet of natural gas pay in high-quality reservoir sands, with a gross column of more than 1,200 feet. To date, this well has tested one of the seven identified play types in Anadarko's operated acreage offshore Mozambique.
"The intermediate results of the Windjammer well are positive for the partnership and the people of Mozambique," said Bob Daniels, Anadarko Sr. Vice President, Worldwide Exploration. "This is true rank wildcat exploration, and to have our first deepwater exploration well result in a discovery with more than 480 net feet of pay, thus far, is a strong indication of the potential of this basin. The Windjammer discovery de-risks a substantial portion of approximately 50 leads and prospects that we've identified across our 2.6-million-acre position in the basin."
To date, the Windjammer well has been drilled to a depth of approximately 14,000 feet in about 4,800 feet of water, approximately 30 miles east of the Mozambique coastline. The company anticipates drilling another 4,100 feet in this well to gain additional geological information prior to reaching total depth.
After testing the deeper objectives in the well, Anadarko plans to move the Belford Dolphin drillship to its Collier prospect less than 50 miles south-southeast of Windjammer. Anadarko also expects to drill two to four additional exploration wells in the Rovuma Basin this year, with initial well results from Windjammer and Collier determining which prospects are drilled next.
Anadarko is the operator with an approximate 43-percent paying interest in the well. Co-owners in the well are BPRL Ventures Mozambique B.V. (11.75 percent), Cove Energy Mozambique Rovuma Offshore, Ltd. (10 percent), Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1, Limited (23.5 percent) and Videocon Mozambique Rovuma 1 Limited (11.75 percent). Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, ep's 15-percent interest was carried through the exploration phase.
Uganda Asks Tullow to Trim Proposed Share of Oil Assets.
by Nicholas Bariyo
Dow Jones Newswires
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87977
The Ugandan government has asked U.K.-based Tullow Oil PLC to reduce the size of its proposed share in three of the country's oil blocks in order to diversify ownership of Uganda's oil resources, the ministry of energy and minerals development said Wednesday.
Tullow is awaiting final Ugandan government approval for its $1.5 billion purchase of a 50% stake in blocks 1 and 3A in Lake Albert, currently owned by Heritage Oil PLC. Tullow has previously said that if successful in the acquisition -- which would grant it full ownership of the three blocks -- it would sell on, or "farm out," half of the total assets to a third party.
However, the government's latest request would see Tullow's total share reduced to around 33% from the 50% currently proposed. Tullow owns the remaining shares in the two blocks, and 100% of the third block.
In a ministerial presentation to parliament's natural resources committee Wednesday, Kalisa Kabagambe, the permanent secretary of the ministry, said that government had asked Tullow Oil to let China National Offshore Oil Company (CEO), or Cnooc, and France-based Total SA operate a block each in the Lake Albert basin.
Tullow has selected Cnooc and Total as its preferred partners in developing the three blocks, where around 1 billion barrels of oil have been discovered.
"In recognizing the need to avoid a monopoly, Tullow has presented their plan to partner with both Total and Cnooc. However, government has asked Tullow to reconsider its proposal of operating two out of three exploration areas and instead let each partner operate an exploration area," he said.
The two areas earmarked by Tullow equate to 50% of the three blocks' total assets, according to a person familiar with the process.
In a statement, Tullow said that detailed discussions with government were progressing well and no final decision had been reached.
A Total spokesman confirmed that the French company is in talks with Tullow but declined to comment on the latest developments. Cnooc declined to comment.
The Ugandan government is still vetting the development plans presented by Total and Cnooc, after which a final decision will be made on Tullow's acquisition of the Heritage stake. According to people familiar with the situation, the whole process is likely to completed by the end of March.
Kabagambe further said that the Ugandan government would levy a capital gains tax of around $300 million to $400 million on the sale of Heritage's stakes in blocks 1 and 3A.
Last week, the Uganda Revenue Authority said that a 30% capital gains tax would be levied on the sale of Heritage's assets. Heritage declined to comment.
The government expects to earn a higher capital gains tax from the Tullow farm-out, Kabagambe said without providing the details of the tax applications.
However, a person familiar with the discussions told Dow Jones Newswires that the capital gains tax position is currently unclear because no price for the farm-out has been set. It is possible that Tullow could offset some of these tax liabilities against its expenditures in the country, the person added.
According to Kabagambe, the farm in and farm down transactions are extremely beneficial to the country since they raise the country's profile and provide the required large capital investments for the oil and sector.
Dow Jones Newswires
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87977
The Ugandan government has asked U.K.-based Tullow Oil PLC to reduce the size of its proposed share in three of the country's oil blocks in order to diversify ownership of Uganda's oil resources, the ministry of energy and minerals development said Wednesday.
Tullow is awaiting final Ugandan government approval for its $1.5 billion purchase of a 50% stake in blocks 1 and 3A in Lake Albert, currently owned by Heritage Oil PLC. Tullow has previously said that if successful in the acquisition -- which would grant it full ownership of the three blocks -- it would sell on, or "farm out," half of the total assets to a third party.
However, the government's latest request would see Tullow's total share reduced to around 33% from the 50% currently proposed. Tullow owns the remaining shares in the two blocks, and 100% of the third block.
In a ministerial presentation to parliament's natural resources committee Wednesday, Kalisa Kabagambe, the permanent secretary of the ministry, said that government had asked Tullow Oil to let China National Offshore Oil Company (CEO), or Cnooc, and France-based Total SA operate a block each in the Lake Albert basin.
Tullow has selected Cnooc and Total as its preferred partners in developing the three blocks, where around 1 billion barrels of oil have been discovered.
"In recognizing the need to avoid a monopoly, Tullow has presented their plan to partner with both Total and Cnooc. However, government has asked Tullow to reconsider its proposal of operating two out of three exploration areas and instead let each partner operate an exploration area," he said.
The two areas earmarked by Tullow equate to 50% of the three blocks' total assets, according to a person familiar with the process.
In a statement, Tullow said that detailed discussions with government were progressing well and no final decision had been reached.
A Total spokesman confirmed that the French company is in talks with Tullow but declined to comment on the latest developments. Cnooc declined to comment.
The Ugandan government is still vetting the development plans presented by Total and Cnooc, after which a final decision will be made on Tullow's acquisition of the Heritage stake. According to people familiar with the situation, the whole process is likely to completed by the end of March.
Kabagambe further said that the Ugandan government would levy a capital gains tax of around $300 million to $400 million on the sale of Heritage's stakes in blocks 1 and 3A.
Last week, the Uganda Revenue Authority said that a 30% capital gains tax would be levied on the sale of Heritage's assets. Heritage declined to comment.
The government expects to earn a higher capital gains tax from the Tullow farm-out, Kabagambe said without providing the details of the tax applications.
However, a person familiar with the discussions told Dow Jones Newswires that the capital gains tax position is currently unclear because no price for the farm-out has been set. It is possible that Tullow could offset some of these tax liabilities against its expenditures in the country, the person added.
According to Kabagambe, the farm in and farm down transactions are extremely beneficial to the country since they raise the country's profile and provide the required large capital investments for the oil and sector.
Eni Unlocks Oil in Deep Angolan Waters.
Petrobras
Press Release
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87974
Eni has made two new oil discoveries in Block 15/06, in deep Angolan waters. Eni is the operator of Block 15/06, holding a 35% working interest in the block.
Drilled by the Scarabeo 7, the discovery wells Nzanza-1 and Cinguvu-1 are located around 350 km northwest of Luanda, in a water depth of some 1,400 meters.
During production testing, the Nzanza-1 well produced oil with a density of 18 API gravity at rates above 1,600 barrels/day. At Cinguvu-1, the production test reached a maximum flow of 6,400 barrels/day of oil with a density of 23 API gravity.
The other partners are Sonangol P&P (15%), SSI Fifteen Limited (20%), Total (15%), Petrobras (5%), Falcon Oil Holding Angola AS (5%), and Statoil Angola Block 15/06 AS (5%).
Nzanza-1 and Cinguvu-1 results follow the success of Cabaça Norte-1 reaching a count of three consecutive oil discoveries in the block in 2009, and five in total, including Sangos and NGoma drilled by Block 15/06 partnership in 2008. Additional exploratory wells will be drilled in Block 15/06 yet this year.
Press Release
2/18/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87974
Eni has made two new oil discoveries in Block 15/06, in deep Angolan waters. Eni is the operator of Block 15/06, holding a 35% working interest in the block.
Drilled by the Scarabeo 7, the discovery wells Nzanza-1 and Cinguvu-1 are located around 350 km northwest of Luanda, in a water depth of some 1,400 meters.
During production testing, the Nzanza-1 well produced oil with a density of 18 API gravity at rates above 1,600 barrels/day. At Cinguvu-1, the production test reached a maximum flow of 6,400 barrels/day of oil with a density of 23 API gravity.
The other partners are Sonangol P&P (15%), SSI Fifteen Limited (20%), Total (15%), Petrobras (5%), Falcon Oil Holding Angola AS (5%), and Statoil Angola Block 15/06 AS (5%).
Nzanza-1 and Cinguvu-1 results follow the success of Cabaça Norte-1 reaching a count of three consecutive oil discoveries in the block in 2009, and five in total, including Sangos and NGoma drilled by Block 15/06 partnership in 2008. Additional exploratory wells will be drilled in Block 15/06 yet this year.
Amnesty International Condemns Rwanda's Oppression of Opposition Parties.
Amnesty International
Press Release
18 February 2010
Editor's Note: AI's Letter to President Kagame available upon request.
Amnesty International has strongly condemned a worrying attack on a Rwandan opposition group as the country prepares for presidential elections in August 2010.
In a letter to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Amnesty International urged him to use the elections as an opportunity to show the government's commitment to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
"Past elections have been marred by intimidation, however this year's vote gives Rwanda the chance to promote rights not repression," said Amnesty International's Africa Programme Deputy Director Tawanda Hondora.
The letter was prompted by a recent attack on two members of United Democratic Forces (Forces Démocratiques Unifiées, FDU-Inkingi) and harassment of the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda, DGPR).
"Amnesty International is concerned that these recent incidents are part of a wider pattern of intimidation and harassment to discourage and discredit opposition groups," said Tawanda Hondora.
On 3 February, Victoire Ingabire, president of the FDU-Inkingi, and her aide Joseph Ntawangundi were attacked in the capital Kigali while collecting documents needed for the party's registration from a government building.
During the attack Victoire Ingabire's passport was stolen and Ntawangundi was severely beaten.
Amnesty International has welcomed the police enquiry into the incident. However, Police Spokesman Eric Kayiranga confirmed, as of 15 February, that no charges were pressed and some of those arrested had been released.
"Opening an investigation is a good first step," said Tawanda Hondora, "but an effective investigation must be prompt, impartial and bring those responsible for the attack to justice."
Three days after the incident, the New Times alleged that Ntawangundi had been convicted of genocide in absentia in 2007 by a gacaca court – a community tribunal set up to try genocide cases. He was arrested the same day, 6 February, on charges of involvement in the 1994 genocide, which left as many as 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu dead.
A law criminalizing "genocidal ideology," whose terms are vague and ambiguous, was promulgated on 1 October 2008, unduly stifling freedom of expression. The offence is punishable by 10 to 25 years’ imprisonment.
Victoire Ingabire, has regularly been denounced in media close to the government as being "negationist" of the genocide or "divisionist" for public remarks made since her return from exile in January 2010 calling for the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Hutu by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
The leader of the Ideal Social Party (PS-Imberakuri, PSI), Bernard Ntaganda, was also called before the Rwandan Senate to answer accusations of genocide ideology in late 2009.
"Rwanda has an obligation to prohibit speech that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" said Tawanda Hondora, "but Rwanda's laws on genocide ideology too often conflate legitimate political dissent with such incitement."
Frank Habineza, the President of the Green Party, has also reported being threatened by a man he suspects to be a security agent on 4 February in a hotel in Kigali, the capital.
Habineza reported the incident to the police on 5 February and is awaiting further information on the status of investigations.
Amnesty International has called on the Rwandan government to investigate the intimidation of opposition groups, bring those responsible to justice and take immediate steps to respect the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly of opposition parties.
Press Release
18 February 2010
Editor's Note: AI's Letter to President Kagame available upon request.
Amnesty International has strongly condemned a worrying attack on a Rwandan opposition group as the country prepares for presidential elections in August 2010.
In a letter to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Amnesty International urged him to use the elections as an opportunity to show the government's commitment to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
"Past elections have been marred by intimidation, however this year's vote gives Rwanda the chance to promote rights not repression," said Amnesty International's Africa Programme Deputy Director Tawanda Hondora.
The letter was prompted by a recent attack on two members of United Democratic Forces (Forces Démocratiques Unifiées, FDU-Inkingi) and harassment of the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda, DGPR).
"Amnesty International is concerned that these recent incidents are part of a wider pattern of intimidation and harassment to discourage and discredit opposition groups," said Tawanda Hondora.
On 3 February, Victoire Ingabire, president of the FDU-Inkingi, and her aide Joseph Ntawangundi were attacked in the capital Kigali while collecting documents needed for the party's registration from a government building.
During the attack Victoire Ingabire's passport was stolen and Ntawangundi was severely beaten.
Amnesty International has welcomed the police enquiry into the incident. However, Police Spokesman Eric Kayiranga confirmed, as of 15 February, that no charges were pressed and some of those arrested had been released.
"Opening an investigation is a good first step," said Tawanda Hondora, "but an effective investigation must be prompt, impartial and bring those responsible for the attack to justice."
Three days after the incident, the New Times alleged that Ntawangundi had been convicted of genocide in absentia in 2007 by a gacaca court – a community tribunal set up to try genocide cases. He was arrested the same day, 6 February, on charges of involvement in the 1994 genocide, which left as many as 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu dead.
A law criminalizing "genocidal ideology," whose terms are vague and ambiguous, was promulgated on 1 October 2008, unduly stifling freedom of expression. The offence is punishable by 10 to 25 years’ imprisonment.
Victoire Ingabire, has regularly been denounced in media close to the government as being "negationist" of the genocide or "divisionist" for public remarks made since her return from exile in January 2010 calling for the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Hutu by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
The leader of the Ideal Social Party (PS-Imberakuri, PSI), Bernard Ntaganda, was also called before the Rwandan Senate to answer accusations of genocide ideology in late 2009.
"Rwanda has an obligation to prohibit speech that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" said Tawanda Hondora, "but Rwanda's laws on genocide ideology too often conflate legitimate political dissent with such incitement."
Frank Habineza, the President of the Green Party, has also reported being threatened by a man he suspects to be a security agent on 4 February in a hotel in Kigali, the capital.
Habineza reported the incident to the police on 5 February and is awaiting further information on the status of investigations.
Amnesty International has called on the Rwandan government to investigate the intimidation of opposition groups, bring those responsible to justice and take immediate steps to respect the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly of opposition parties.
MINDANAO: A SECOND MAYORAL CANDIDATE KILLED.
MISNA
18 February 2010
The police has proffered a political motive for the overnight murder of a mayoral candidate in a town close to Cotabato, capital of the province of Maguindanao, in the southern Philippines. The police suggests that two snipers traveling on a motorcycle approached mayoral candidate Errol Sinsuat (running in the city of Blah Sinsuat for the party of president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) in a central street of Cotabato, killing him with two gunshots and also wounding a police officer who was in the vicinity. Sinsuat is the second mayoral candidate to have been murdered in the past to weeks, despite the curfew that has been imposed in the province, which suffered, last November 23, a politically motivated massacre in which 63 people were killed and for which 200 people are now facing trail. In May, the people of the Philippines will be voting in general elections; while the presidential electoral campaign has already started, the local one will begin in March even if the politically motivated violence began some months ago.
18 February 2010
The police has proffered a political motive for the overnight murder of a mayoral candidate in a town close to Cotabato, capital of the province of Maguindanao, in the southern Philippines. The police suggests that two snipers traveling on a motorcycle approached mayoral candidate Errol Sinsuat (running in the city of Blah Sinsuat for the party of president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) in a central street of Cotabato, killing him with two gunshots and also wounding a police officer who was in the vicinity. Sinsuat is the second mayoral candidate to have been murdered in the past to weeks, despite the curfew that has been imposed in the province, which suffered, last November 23, a politically motivated massacre in which 63 people were killed and for which 200 people are now facing trail. In May, the people of the Philippines will be voting in general elections; while the presidential electoral campaign has already started, the local one will begin in March even if the politically motivated violence began some months ago.
Rwandan Embezzlement becoming more sophisticated – Auditor.
Rwandan News Agency
17 February 2010
Despite an improvement in accountability for taxpayers’ money, government officials embezzling public money are also becoming smarter – using tactics similar to “nuclear physics”, according to the Auditor General of State Finances (AG).
In the latest report for 2008 presented to both chambers of Parliament, Deputy AG Mr. Biraro. R. Obadiah described the nature in which government official are stealing state finances as “scandalous”, saying the techniques officials are using are similar to “nuclear physics”. He said embezzlers are becoming “smarter” and “more sophisticated”.
The Deputy AG, standing in for his boss Ms. Evelyn Kamagaju, who is on sick leave, also said embezzlement has increased tremendously as indicated by the cases detailed by the report, compared to previous years. He said contrary to previously when money sometimes got lost because due “skills gap” on the part of those making the accountability, this time they are stealing “openly”.
Some Rwf. 683million (about USD$2million) disappeared without any traces, according to Mr. Biraro. The biggest culprit is the Rwanda Institute of Administration and Managements (RIAM) – where some Rwf. 210million went off the books. Another is the Forest Conservation Project (PAFOR) where some Rwf. 180million is nowhere to be seen. Gasabo district is also singled out where some Rwf 190m is gone.
Other places named as bases for embezzlers by the Auditor General’s report included Gicumbi district (Rwf 63m); Kigali Institute of Science and Technology KIST (Rwf 33m); Gatsibo district; Kirehe district; and others.
Over the past year, officials from these institutions have been arrested and are facing prosecution. Mr. Marc Kabandanda and other senior staff at RIAM are in jail over embezzlement. PAFOR officials are also in court over graft. The entire senior administrative hierarchy of Kirehe district is also in court.
According to the Deputy Auditor General, in Kirehe district, the Executive Secretary managed to put himself as a “nurse” on the payment roll of Global Fund, from where funding is channeled for combating HIV/Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
On a positive not however, compared to 2007, the year in review saw an improvement in accountability for allocated finances by different government departments. In 2008, Rwf. 4.4billion is not accounted for, down from Rwf 6.5billion the previous year (2007).
The audit covered 69 percent of all state institutions – up from 60 percent in the previous year, according to the Auditor General.
Highlights of major cases
The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency has not submitted any books of accounts. The AG said no convincing reason has been given for the situation.
Districts with unnecessary account numbers: rural Nyamasheke district was found to own 42 accounts in different banks. Gatsibo district for its part has 37 account numbers. The AG described this situation as “hopeless”.
Government broadcaster ORINFOR – under which fall state TV, radio, two newspapers and a printery – has a “gap” of Rwf 718million in its accounts attributed to massive irregularities in its accounting methods. The AG also described the methods used to manage taxpayers’ money in ORINFOR, the Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and School of Finance and Banking, as “fraudulent”.
The Community Development Fund (CDF) – which supports local administrative units, was found to be having a “gap” of Rwf. 140million, and officials there are unable to explain where the money went.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and government have debts between them totaling Rwf5.8billion. This is not the end of the story because the two sides also have another debt shared dating back to before 1990 amounting to Rwf 25 billion. The AG described this situation as “fishing in troubled waters” because neither side has a clear plan of how this loophole will be rectified.
The Auditor General also found a problem in the management of the Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) in which government puts 5% of the annual budget, for helping survivors of the Tutsi massacre. The Ministries of Finance and Local Government withdrew Rwf 2.6billion but its accountability does not appear anywhere.
“There are no documents or receipts. No reconciliation statements,” said deputy AG Mr. Biraro, before adding that the audit team was told the computer of the “expert” who was employed to reconcile the expenditures for this Rwf 2.6billion has “exploded”, prompting lengthy laughter from lawmakers.
For the National University of Rwanda, the Auditor General said he has no words to describe what is happening there. According to him, NUR imported its own private auditors, a practice the AG criticized, saying as a government department, it must be audited. Mr. Biraro said there is an audit ongoing on NUR but that what has been discovered can only be described as “scandalous”.
17 February 2010
Despite an improvement in accountability for taxpayers’ money, government officials embezzling public money are also becoming smarter – using tactics similar to “nuclear physics”, according to the Auditor General of State Finances (AG).
In the latest report for 2008 presented to both chambers of Parliament, Deputy AG Mr. Biraro. R. Obadiah described the nature in which government official are stealing state finances as “scandalous”, saying the techniques officials are using are similar to “nuclear physics”. He said embezzlers are becoming “smarter” and “more sophisticated”.
The Deputy AG, standing in for his boss Ms. Evelyn Kamagaju, who is on sick leave, also said embezzlement has increased tremendously as indicated by the cases detailed by the report, compared to previous years. He said contrary to previously when money sometimes got lost because due “skills gap” on the part of those making the accountability, this time they are stealing “openly”.
Some Rwf. 683million (about USD$2million) disappeared without any traces, according to Mr. Biraro. The biggest culprit is the Rwanda Institute of Administration and Managements (RIAM) – where some Rwf. 210million went off the books. Another is the Forest Conservation Project (PAFOR) where some Rwf. 180million is nowhere to be seen. Gasabo district is also singled out where some Rwf 190m is gone.
Other places named as bases for embezzlers by the Auditor General’s report included Gicumbi district (Rwf 63m); Kigali Institute of Science and Technology KIST (Rwf 33m); Gatsibo district; Kirehe district; and others.
Over the past year, officials from these institutions have been arrested and are facing prosecution. Mr. Marc Kabandanda and other senior staff at RIAM are in jail over embezzlement. PAFOR officials are also in court over graft. The entire senior administrative hierarchy of Kirehe district is also in court.
According to the Deputy Auditor General, in Kirehe district, the Executive Secretary managed to put himself as a “nurse” on the payment roll of Global Fund, from where funding is channeled for combating HIV/Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
On a positive not however, compared to 2007, the year in review saw an improvement in accountability for allocated finances by different government departments. In 2008, Rwf. 4.4billion is not accounted for, down from Rwf 6.5billion the previous year (2007).
The audit covered 69 percent of all state institutions – up from 60 percent in the previous year, according to the Auditor General.
Highlights of major cases
The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency has not submitted any books of accounts. The AG said no convincing reason has been given for the situation.
Districts with unnecessary account numbers: rural Nyamasheke district was found to own 42 accounts in different banks. Gatsibo district for its part has 37 account numbers. The AG described this situation as “hopeless”.
Government broadcaster ORINFOR – under which fall state TV, radio, two newspapers and a printery – has a “gap” of Rwf 718million in its accounts attributed to massive irregularities in its accounting methods. The AG also described the methods used to manage taxpayers’ money in ORINFOR, the Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and School of Finance and Banking, as “fraudulent”.
The Community Development Fund (CDF) – which supports local administrative units, was found to be having a “gap” of Rwf. 140million, and officials there are unable to explain where the money went.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and government have debts between them totaling Rwf5.8billion. This is not the end of the story because the two sides also have another debt shared dating back to before 1990 amounting to Rwf 25 billion. The AG described this situation as “fishing in troubled waters” because neither side has a clear plan of how this loophole will be rectified.
The Auditor General also found a problem in the management of the Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) in which government puts 5% of the annual budget, for helping survivors of the Tutsi massacre. The Ministries of Finance and Local Government withdrew Rwf 2.6billion but its accountability does not appear anywhere.
“There are no documents or receipts. No reconciliation statements,” said deputy AG Mr. Biraro, before adding that the audit team was told the computer of the “expert” who was employed to reconcile the expenditures for this Rwf 2.6billion has “exploded”, prompting lengthy laughter from lawmakers.
For the National University of Rwanda, the Auditor General said he has no words to describe what is happening there. According to him, NUR imported its own private auditors, a practice the AG criticized, saying as a government department, it must be audited. Mr. Biraro said there is an audit ongoing on NUR but that what has been discovered can only be described as “scandalous”.
Iraq's oil revival could be a gusher for Houston firms.
By MONICA HATCHER
Houston Chronicle
February 17, 2010
Mr. Sabah Abdulkadhum Shibeeb Al-Saidi, of the Ministry of Oil in Iraq, expects Iraqi production to be ramped up significantly after three years.
With Iraq poised to begin the first major overhaul of its energy sector in decades, Houston stands to benefit in a big way from the multibillion dollar effort to redevelop the country's battered oil fields, a project one analyst described as the greatest opportunity in the oil patch today.
A 23-member delegation from the country's oil ministry visited Houston this week, meeting with officials of engineering and oil field services companies and other businesses likely to play a major role in the reconstruction efforts.
Iraq is finalizing contracts for 10 new development licenses recently awarded to foreign oil companies as it looks to convert its tremendous, yet neglected, oil reserves into wealth for rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
While only one U.S. oil major, Exxon Mobil Corp., has finalized a contract so far, experts say U.S. oil field services companies should gain handsomely when Iraq begins ramping up production. Many of them have principal offices, headquarters or manufacturing facilities in Houston.
Those companies were among numerous corporate sponsors of a panel discussion Tuesday hosted by the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. The session drew a standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 at the downtown law offices of Bracewell & Giuliani.
‘A lot of jobs'
In an interview afterward, Sabah Abdulkadhum Shibeeb Al-Saidi, deputy director of Iraq’s directorate for petroleum contracts and licensing, said that oil operators should significantly ramp up production outlined in their service contracts after three years. Iraq has the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves with 115 billion barrels, behind only Saudi Arabia and Canada.
To meet its goal of more than doubling production in the next five years, Iraq will need technical services provided by Houston firms, as well as equipment such as wellheads, blowout preventers, pipelines, pumps, and drill bits.
“It's going to mean a lot of jobs for Houston and a sizable amount of income for these major services companies,” said Wayne Kelley, managing director of RSK [UK] Ltd, an oil and gas advisory firm in Houston.
Iraq's ambassador to the U.S., Samir Sumaida'ie, was supposed to have joined the Houston delegation, but fell ill. He spoke to the group at the law offices via live video from Washington.
“The Iraqi budget is entirely dominated by oil revenue and oil revenue is still relatively limited and it is going into stabilizing Iraq by trying to pay people salaries across the country,” Sumaida'ie said. But as production increases, excess revenue will go into building the infrastructure. “This opens up a huge amount of work and opportunity,” the ambassador said.
The timetable for that is still uncertain, however. Security, while significantly improved over the past 18 months, remains a serious risk.
Oil operators also are expected to hold back major investments until it becomes clearer whether future Iraqi governments will honor contract terms, pass a hydrocarbon law and defuse other political mine fields.
Sumaida'ie said parliamentary elections March 7 will be pivotal in delivering the country into “a more sustainable period of politics.”
While analysts are skeptical of the country's ability to meet its stated targets, RSK's Kelley estimates that even an increase in production of 1 million barrels per day over a 10-year period could mean an additional $4 billion in yearly revenue for services companies, at least half of which could reasonably be expected to flow through Houston.
The estimate assumes what Kelley said is a conservative $5 per barrel development costs, and assumes it takes 8 billion barrels of reserves to support production of 1 million barrels per day.
Houston oil field services will be scrambling for a slice of the action to be sure. Halliburton CEO Dave Lesar has said he expects new drilling will spark a “land rush.”
Halliburton tour
On Sunday, the Iraqi delegation toured Halliburton's Edgar Ortiz Real Time Center in Houston, where the company monitors, measures and controls reservoir development.
“If all the licenses that were awarded actually get signed into contracts, the amount of spending will be staggering,” said Richard Ruggiero, an area manager for the Americas for Gaffney, Cline & Associates in Houston.
Gaffney, Cline, acquired by Baker Hughes in 2008, is advising the Iraqi oil ministry on negotiating contract terms .
James Williams, an energy economist with WTRG, said Iraq presents the “greatest opportunity that exists” in the oil business today.
But he noted that high-tech Houston firms will still have to compete in the global marketplace when bidding on work in Iraq, particularly because initial reconstruction efforts will likely require basic tools and services rather than state-of-the-art equipment.
Houston Chronicle
February 17, 2010
Mr. Sabah Abdulkadhum Shibeeb Al-Saidi, of the Ministry of Oil in Iraq, expects Iraqi production to be ramped up significantly after three years.
With Iraq poised to begin the first major overhaul of its energy sector in decades, Houston stands to benefit in a big way from the multibillion dollar effort to redevelop the country's battered oil fields, a project one analyst described as the greatest opportunity in the oil patch today.
A 23-member delegation from the country's oil ministry visited Houston this week, meeting with officials of engineering and oil field services companies and other businesses likely to play a major role in the reconstruction efforts.
Iraq is finalizing contracts for 10 new development licenses recently awarded to foreign oil companies as it looks to convert its tremendous, yet neglected, oil reserves into wealth for rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
While only one U.S. oil major, Exxon Mobil Corp., has finalized a contract so far, experts say U.S. oil field services companies should gain handsomely when Iraq begins ramping up production. Many of them have principal offices, headquarters or manufacturing facilities in Houston.
Those companies were among numerous corporate sponsors of a panel discussion Tuesday hosted by the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. The session drew a standing-room-only crowd of more than 150 at the downtown law offices of Bracewell & Giuliani.
‘A lot of jobs'
In an interview afterward, Sabah Abdulkadhum Shibeeb Al-Saidi, deputy director of Iraq’s directorate for petroleum contracts and licensing, said that oil operators should significantly ramp up production outlined in their service contracts after three years. Iraq has the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves with 115 billion barrels, behind only Saudi Arabia and Canada.
To meet its goal of more than doubling production in the next five years, Iraq will need technical services provided by Houston firms, as well as equipment such as wellheads, blowout preventers, pipelines, pumps, and drill bits.
“It's going to mean a lot of jobs for Houston and a sizable amount of income for these major services companies,” said Wayne Kelley, managing director of RSK [UK] Ltd, an oil and gas advisory firm in Houston.
Iraq's ambassador to the U.S., Samir Sumaida'ie, was supposed to have joined the Houston delegation, but fell ill. He spoke to the group at the law offices via live video from Washington.
“The Iraqi budget is entirely dominated by oil revenue and oil revenue is still relatively limited and it is going into stabilizing Iraq by trying to pay people salaries across the country,” Sumaida'ie said. But as production increases, excess revenue will go into building the infrastructure. “This opens up a huge amount of work and opportunity,” the ambassador said.
The timetable for that is still uncertain, however. Security, while significantly improved over the past 18 months, remains a serious risk.
Oil operators also are expected to hold back major investments until it becomes clearer whether future Iraqi governments will honor contract terms, pass a hydrocarbon law and defuse other political mine fields.
Sumaida'ie said parliamentary elections March 7 will be pivotal in delivering the country into “a more sustainable period of politics.”
While analysts are skeptical of the country's ability to meet its stated targets, RSK's Kelley estimates that even an increase in production of 1 million barrels per day over a 10-year period could mean an additional $4 billion in yearly revenue for services companies, at least half of which could reasonably be expected to flow through Houston.
The estimate assumes what Kelley said is a conservative $5 per barrel development costs, and assumes it takes 8 billion barrels of reserves to support production of 1 million barrels per day.
Houston oil field services will be scrambling for a slice of the action to be sure. Halliburton CEO Dave Lesar has said he expects new drilling will spark a “land rush.”
Halliburton tour
On Sunday, the Iraqi delegation toured Halliburton's Edgar Ortiz Real Time Center in Houston, where the company monitors, measures and controls reservoir development.
“If all the licenses that were awarded actually get signed into contracts, the amount of spending will be staggering,” said Richard Ruggiero, an area manager for the Americas for Gaffney, Cline & Associates in Houston.
Gaffney, Cline, acquired by Baker Hughes in 2008, is advising the Iraqi oil ministry on negotiating contract terms .
James Williams, an energy economist with WTRG, said Iraq presents the “greatest opportunity that exists” in the oil business today.
But he noted that high-tech Houston firms will still have to compete in the global marketplace when bidding on work in Iraq, particularly because initial reconstruction efforts will likely require basic tools and services rather than state-of-the-art equipment.
17 February, 2010
BP Launches Drilling Tenders for Iraq's Largest Oil Field, US Firms May Follow Suit.
by Hassan Hafidh
Dow Jones Newswires
2/17/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87629
UK oil major BP, along with Iraq's South Oil Co., has announced a tender to drill 56 wells and work on several others as part of the company's 2010 program to develop Iraq's largest oil field, Rumaila, a senior Iraqi oil official said Wednesday.
"A number of companies have been invited to bid for the drilling contract including Weatherford and Schlumberger," Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of the Iraqi oil ministry's petroleum contracts and licensing directorate, told Dow Jones Newswires.
He didn't name other companies, but separately an Iraqi oil official said Halliburton Co. and Baker Hughes Inc. were also invited.
Ameedi said that the development program of the field called for increasing production from the field by 110,000 barrels a day during this year. Rumaila, which is in southern Iraq and holds oil reserves of 17 billion barrels, is producing 1.07 million barrels a day.
BP and China National Petroleum Corp. signed a 20-year technical service contract in November last year to develop the field.
An Iraqi oil official said the BP/CNPC consortium also invited bids for purchasing rigs. He said there are already 10 rigs owned by the Iraqi Drilling Co. and Weatherford working in the field but that more rigs were needed. He gave no further details.
The BP-led consortium has pledged to almost triple production at the field to 2.85 million barrels a day. Under the deal, BP holds a 38% stake in the venture, while CNPC has 37% and Iraq's South Oil Co. the remaining 25%. The three contractors will receive a fixed fee of $2 for each additional barrel of oil produced from Rumaila.
The Rumaila deal is one of 10 deals signed with international oil companies late last year and early this year in a bid to revamp the country's war-hit oil industry and quadruple the country's production of 2.5 million barrels a day.I
Dow Jones Newswires
2/17/2010
URL: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=87629
UK oil major BP, along with Iraq's South Oil Co., has announced a tender to drill 56 wells and work on several others as part of the company's 2010 program to develop Iraq's largest oil field, Rumaila, a senior Iraqi oil official said Wednesday.
"A number of companies have been invited to bid for the drilling contract including Weatherford and Schlumberger," Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of the Iraqi oil ministry's petroleum contracts and licensing directorate, told Dow Jones Newswires.
He didn't name other companies, but separately an Iraqi oil official said Halliburton Co. and Baker Hughes Inc. were also invited.
Ameedi said that the development program of the field called for increasing production from the field by 110,000 barrels a day during this year. Rumaila, which is in southern Iraq and holds oil reserves of 17 billion barrels, is producing 1.07 million barrels a day.
BP and China National Petroleum Corp. signed a 20-year technical service contract in November last year to develop the field.
An Iraqi oil official said the BP/CNPC consortium also invited bids for purchasing rigs. He said there are already 10 rigs owned by the Iraqi Drilling Co. and Weatherford working in the field but that more rigs were needed. He gave no further details.
The BP-led consortium has pledged to almost triple production at the field to 2.85 million barrels a day. Under the deal, BP holds a 38% stake in the venture, while CNPC has 37% and Iraq's South Oil Co. the remaining 25%. The three contractors will receive a fixed fee of $2 for each additional barrel of oil produced from Rumaila.
The Rumaila deal is one of 10 deals signed with international oil companies late last year and early this year in a bid to revamp the country's war-hit oil industry and quadruple the country's production of 2.5 million barrels a day.I
Save Darfur President Visits Darfur Before Stepping Down.
Sudan Tribune
17 February 2010
Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler, currently visiting Darfur, was criticized by the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum today.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry played down the visit by the U.S.-based Jerry Fowler, who has voiced harsh criticism of the regime for years.
Muawya Osman Khalid, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, told Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that the president of the Coalition had asked to visit Sudan and the government allowed him in the context of visits allowed to NGO organizations.
But he claimed that the organization has been fabricating lies and allegations over the past five years without seeing the situation the ground first-hand or having any knowledge or familiarity with the situation in Darfur. Mr. Fowler previously visited the Chad-Sudan border in 2004.
The Save Darfur president said in an interview with Sudan Tribune earlier this month that he is still concerned about the conditions for civilians in Darfur. He explained that he is stepping down from his position next month but that he still believes in the mission of the organization he co-founded in 2004.
However, according to the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, the organization, which has used the slogan “Save Darfur”, is far from its activities.
He pointed out that trading with the cause of Darfur has become lost adding that talk about war in the region has ended and people speak now about development and stability, and thus he claims the alleged lies of the Coalition are no longer relevant.
The spokesman expressed the hope that the visit would be an opportunity for the Coalition to return to the voice of reason and see the situation on the basis of reality without falsification.
17 February 2010
Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler, currently visiting Darfur, was criticized by the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum today.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry played down the visit by the U.S.-based Jerry Fowler, who has voiced harsh criticism of the regime for years.
Muawya Osman Khalid, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, told Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that the president of the Coalition had asked to visit Sudan and the government allowed him in the context of visits allowed to NGO organizations.
But he claimed that the organization has been fabricating lies and allegations over the past five years without seeing the situation the ground first-hand or having any knowledge or familiarity with the situation in Darfur. Mr. Fowler previously visited the Chad-Sudan border in 2004.
The Save Darfur president said in an interview with Sudan Tribune earlier this month that he is still concerned about the conditions for civilians in Darfur. He explained that he is stepping down from his position next month but that he still believes in the mission of the organization he co-founded in 2004.
However, according to the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, the organization, which has used the slogan “Save Darfur”, is far from its activities.
He pointed out that trading with the cause of Darfur has become lost adding that talk about war in the region has ended and people speak now about development and stability, and thus he claims the alleged lies of the Coalition are no longer relevant.
The spokesman expressed the hope that the visit would be an opportunity for the Coalition to return to the voice of reason and see the situation on the basis of reality without falsification.
Georgia's rebel Abkhazia to allow Russian base.
Reuters
By Amie Ferris-Rotman
16 February 2010
Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region said on Tuesday it would allow sponsor Russia to build a military base on its soil for land troops, strengthening the region's dependence on Moscow and provoking ire from Tbilisi.
Abkhazia's leader Sergei Bagapsh, who arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, will sign the deal with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, separatist officials said.
The Kremlin confirmed the meeting would take place but declined immediate comment on any military agreement.
Moscow recognised the lush Black Sea territory in August 2008 after crushing an assault by U.S. ally Georgia on the other pro-Russian breakaway region of South Ossetia in a five-day war.
"The agreement on Wednesday will allow for one, united military base on Abkhaz territory, for Russian land troops," the rebel region's deputy defence minister, Garri Kupalba, told Reuters by telephone from the regional capital Sukhumi.
He said the new base, which would link several points across Abkhazia and accommodate at least 3,000 land troops, including units of Russia's FSB border guards, would be built "sometime in the near future".
The European Union and Western alliance NATO have repeatedly expressed concern that a Moscow-led military build-up in Abkhazia threatens Georgia's territorial integrity.
It is also watched with unease by Western powers for its proximity to crucial energy routes which flow to the EU.
Georgia decried the new plans for a land base as illegal.
"Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Georgian territories, and the deployment of foreign troops on the territory of another country is called an occupation," parliamentary speaker David Bakradze told reporters on Tuesday in Tbilisi.
"Since the Russian aggression in 2008, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have become one big military base for Russia."
Abkhazia's deputy foreign minister, Maxim Gvindzia, said the troops for the new base are already stationed in the region.
LAND, AIR AND NAVAL TROOPS
Tbilisi's pro-Western leaders accuse Russia of effectively annexing rebel Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgia in bloody separatist wars in the early 1990s.
Since Moscow recognised them as independent, Venezuela, Nicaragua and tiny island state Nauru followed suit.
Bagapsh, who was re-elected in December in a vote officially ignored by the West, is criticised by some Abkhaz for handing too much influence to former Soviet master Russia, on which Abkhazia depends for passports, pensions and half its budget.
In April 2009, Russia formally took control over the de-facto borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, provoking condemnation from Western powers.
Russia also installed land, air and naval troops in the rebel region of 200,000, and started work on several bases which are yet to be completed, causing NATO and the United States to call the moves a violation of international law.
A naval base is planned in Ochamchire on the northern coast, airborne troops for Gudauta on the coast just north of Sukhumi, and land troops in the Kodori Gorge area in the south of the region near the de-facto border with Georgia. It is not yet clear if the Kodori Gorge area will be included in the new projected land base, Kupalba said.
(Reporting by Amie Ferris-Rotman, additional reporting by Margarita Antidze in Tbilisi and David Brunnstrom in Brussels)
By Amie Ferris-Rotman
16 February 2010
Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region said on Tuesday it would allow sponsor Russia to build a military base on its soil for land troops, strengthening the region's dependence on Moscow and provoking ire from Tbilisi.
Abkhazia's leader Sergei Bagapsh, who arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, will sign the deal with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, separatist officials said.
The Kremlin confirmed the meeting would take place but declined immediate comment on any military agreement.
Moscow recognised the lush Black Sea territory in August 2008 after crushing an assault by U.S. ally Georgia on the other pro-Russian breakaway region of South Ossetia in a five-day war.
"The agreement on Wednesday will allow for one, united military base on Abkhaz territory, for Russian land troops," the rebel region's deputy defence minister, Garri Kupalba, told Reuters by telephone from the regional capital Sukhumi.
He said the new base, which would link several points across Abkhazia and accommodate at least 3,000 land troops, including units of Russia's FSB border guards, would be built "sometime in the near future".
The European Union and Western alliance NATO have repeatedly expressed concern that a Moscow-led military build-up in Abkhazia threatens Georgia's territorial integrity.
It is also watched with unease by Western powers for its proximity to crucial energy routes which flow to the EU.
Georgia decried the new plans for a land base as illegal.
"Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Georgian territories, and the deployment of foreign troops on the territory of another country is called an occupation," parliamentary speaker David Bakradze told reporters on Tuesday in Tbilisi.
"Since the Russian aggression in 2008, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have become one big military base for Russia."
Abkhazia's deputy foreign minister, Maxim Gvindzia, said the troops for the new base are already stationed in the region.
LAND, AIR AND NAVAL TROOPS
Tbilisi's pro-Western leaders accuse Russia of effectively annexing rebel Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgia in bloody separatist wars in the early 1990s.
Since Moscow recognised them as independent, Venezuela, Nicaragua and tiny island state Nauru followed suit.
Bagapsh, who was re-elected in December in a vote officially ignored by the West, is criticised by some Abkhaz for handing too much influence to former Soviet master Russia, on which Abkhazia depends for passports, pensions and half its budget.
In April 2009, Russia formally took control over the de-facto borders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, provoking condemnation from Western powers.
Russia also installed land, air and naval troops in the rebel region of 200,000, and started work on several bases which are yet to be completed, causing NATO and the United States to call the moves a violation of international law.
A naval base is planned in Ochamchire on the northern coast, airborne troops for Gudauta on the coast just north of Sukhumi, and land troops in the Kodori Gorge area in the south of the region near the de-facto border with Georgia. It is not yet clear if the Kodori Gorge area will be included in the new projected land base, Kupalba said.
(Reporting by Amie Ferris-Rotman, additional reporting by Margarita Antidze in Tbilisi and David Brunnstrom in Brussels)
Gasabo District Mayor Denies Permission for Green Party Inaugural Congress.
(Received on 15th Feb 2010)
Gasabo District
Done on 10th Feb 2010
Ref.No. 315/07.0102/2010
To: Mr. Frank Habineza
Re: Your Request for Permission
Dear Sir,
In reference to your letter dated 2nd Feb 2010 in which you requested permission to hold the inaugural congress of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda at CASABONITA-Kimironko on 12th March 2010 and requested the presence of the Public Notary to witness the signing of the official documents.
I would like to draw your attention to our earlier letter written to you, Ref No. 2985/07.0102/2009 of 6th November 2009. In said letter we requested you to give us police clearance indicating that the conflict that occurred during your meeting held at St. Paul on 30th October 2009 had been resolved.
Once again we would like to request you indicate to us how the conflict that occurred at St. Paul was resolved by the police since it is the National Police that intervened and solved the problem. This will give us assurance that the problems that occurred in Nyarugenge District will not happen again in Gasabo District.
As far as the Presence of the Public Notary from Gasabo District is concerned, I regret to inform you that she is on maternity leave.
Wishing you peace and good work,
NDIZEYE K. Willy
(Signed and stamped)
Mayor of Gasabo District
C.C:
- Minister of Local Government
- Mayor of Kigali City Council
- Commissioner General of Police
Editor's Note: Original Kinyarwandan copy of the letter available as a .pdf upon request.
Gasabo District
Done on 10th Feb 2010
Ref.No. 315/07.0102/2010
To: Mr. Frank Habineza
Re: Your Request for Permission
Dear Sir,
In reference to your letter dated 2nd Feb 2010 in which you requested permission to hold the inaugural congress of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda at CASABONITA-Kimironko on 12th March 2010 and requested the presence of the Public Notary to witness the signing of the official documents.
I would like to draw your attention to our earlier letter written to you, Ref No. 2985/07.0102/2009 of 6th November 2009. In said letter we requested you to give us police clearance indicating that the conflict that occurred during your meeting held at St. Paul on 30th October 2009 had been resolved.
Once again we would like to request you indicate to us how the conflict that occurred at St. Paul was resolved by the police since it is the National Police that intervened and solved the problem. This will give us assurance that the problems that occurred in Nyarugenge District will not happen again in Gasabo District.
As far as the Presence of the Public Notary from Gasabo District is concerned, I regret to inform you that she is on maternity leave.
Wishing you peace and good work,
NDIZEYE K. Willy
(Signed and stamped)
Mayor of Gasabo District
C.C:
- Minister of Local Government
- Mayor of Kigali City Council
- Commissioner General of Police
Editor's Note: Original Kinyarwandan copy of the letter available as a .pdf upon request.
16 February, 2010
Sit Rep: Rwandan Political Environment-February 16 2010.
Mr. Victoire Ingabre Umuhoza showed up to the CID headquarters for her second interrogation on time. She was accompanied by her lawyer inside, but outside was a congregation of national and international journalists along with the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Mr. Frank Habeneza, along with Mr. Bernard Ntaganda, President of the Parti Sociale(PS)-Imberakuri party, who waited outside for hours in the face of a police blockade. After several hours, Mrs. Umuhoza was released unharmed by the Rwandan police this evening (Rwandan time).
Victoire Igabire Calls for Reconciliation and Equal Distribution of Wealth for all in Rwanda (Interview).
Newstime Africa
16 February 2010
President Paul Kagame affirmed last week that the “honeymoon” of hard-talking opposition politician Ms. Ingabire Victoire will come to an end at some point with the law taking its course. Just day after the Monday 8th press conference, Ms. Ingabire was summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), a meeting whose details remain sketchy. Human Rights Watch slammed the Rwandan government for harassment of political opposition figures, urging the authorities to “loosen up control of the political space.” But the Rwandan government stands its ground saying no one will be allowed to break the law and make mincemeat of the country’s progress. Since her arrival on January 16th this year, Ms. Igabire has continued to draw sharp criticism from various quarters with regard to her position on the country’s law on genocide as well as being accused of inciting the public with inflammatory remarks. She sat down with Newstime Africa where the presidential hopeful reiterated that no amount of intimidation will make her back-track on her ambitions of one day becoming president of the land of 1000 hills.
Excerpts of the interview follow.
Igabire Victoire: The first day I came I visited the Gisozi Genocide Memorial (Kigali) where I talked about what happened back in 1994, the Genocide against the Tutsi. Our position as the United Democratic Forces (FDU) is that, we call for everybody who was involved in the genocide one way or another be made to face justice. But on the other hand we know that from 1990 to 1994 there were crimes against humanity committed against both Hutus and Tutsis and today the international justice and even justice here in Rwanda is only concentrated on the genocide crime. We cannot forget crimes against humanity committed in our country. If we want to achieve reconciliation for our country we need to understand and accept the pain of everybody in the country, which is the only way we will achieve total reconciliation.
The big problem we have in Rwanda; and that the difference between us and the regime of General (President) Paul Kagame, we think if we are to really achieve reconciliation of the Rwandese people, we need to fully talk about what happened, why genocide was committed in the country, why the crimes against humanity were committed, whose responsibility was it and what we have to do together as Rwandese people to avoid the same problem in the future.
Talking about it, we trust it is the only way to achieve total reconciliation. I don’t believe forbidding people to talk about what happened is the way to resolve the problem. You know the government denies the existence of ethnicity in Rwanda. We say ethnicity is not the problem here, the problem is the politicians. We have to find out a way to deal with this. We need an institution that provides security for all. We reiterate, there is no shame in saying I am Hutu or am Tutsi, there’s nothing wrong with that. The problem comes in when politicians exploit that difference to stay in power or acquire that power. We need to find a common ground, to work together. It should not be on the basis our ethnicity but on the basis of what we believe in. Now my talking about a taboo is what has caused all this criticism about me.
People must learn to accept the differences of the other person, if we have different visions or opinions; that doesn’t mean we are enemies; we can go ahead and see what common ground is there to work together. There is nothing wrong with having different ideas!
Newstime Africa: Your comments come out as you wanting to see the Hutus killed in that period also receive justice, elaborate?
Igabire Victoire: I never singled out any particular group as the ones to face justice. I said everybody who was involved in one way or another in the killing of the Rwandese people has to face justice. We don’t need to know which ethnic group he/she belongs to. That’s the only way to have equal justice for all and with it total reconciliation. I am not a law practitioner, I am a politician and I see what is wrong; the situation that the law needs to deal with. As a politician, I maintain we need equal justice for all.
Newstime Africa: The president last week said you are just campaigning as an individual as the law hasn’t yet allowed you to be called an opposition politician, what is taking so long to register your party, I mean what is their course of action?
Igabire Victoire: I am the leader of the Rwandese opposition, the media calls me so. I am the leader of the United Democratic Forces, and in September last year we decided to come back to the country. I was the chairperson back then and am here now to ask for the registration of my political party that’s first.
Secondly before I left the Netherlands, the party chose me as their flag bearer, now this means if my party is registered I will be their presidential candidate. It is not yet official because we have to first register our political party subsequently, as a presidential candidate. It was decision of the party, to have me represent them at the polls.
It is taking long to register my party because I had to start from scratch; I lived outside the country as a refugee. So when I came back the first thing I needed was an identity card, when I got the ID on the second day as you are aware, I was attacked and they stole my bag which had the ID card. Well now I have it back and today (15th Feb) I will send the letter to ask for authorization to meet the party members so as to collect signatures. With the signatures we can start the process of registration for our party. It takes two months to register a party and if we don’t have any more problems, we hope to make it for the June deadline.
Newstime Africa: Do you think the government is attacking you as a politician?
Igabire Victoire: Yes. What I saw when I came back to the country is that the government is not ready to accept opposition. We insist it is time to have a democratic process in our country. It is time people have freedom to say what they want, to freely organize meetings they need to discuss issues important to them, freedom of expression and freedom of association. We need political space, which is the only way to hear everyone’s point of view.
Newstime Africa: What is your response to accusations that you are deliberately provoking the government to arrest you and in turn raise your profile?
Igabire Victoire: Nothing could be further from the truth. I wouldn’t like to be arrested because if I am imprisoned I cannot do anything. I am here to be an active politician. Nobody would like to be arrested and that includes me. That is a very wrong opinion they have of me.
Of course the government has an agenda of mudslinging me to the population. What is puzzling me though is why they are afraid, why are they doing this? I cannot understand. I have been away for 16 years, time in which they have ruled the country, now why are they afraid of me? I don’t understand why they take such measures, you see tomorrow (today) I have to go back to the CID office.
Newstime Africa: When you first went to the CID office what did you talk about?
Igabire Victoire: They accused me of genocide ideology, that I am a divisionist and that I work together with the FDLR (Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda remnants of the Hutu militia highly blamed for the 1994 Rwanda genocide and still operating in eastern DRC). Of course I asked them what they mean by genocide ideology because it is vague, some word I cannot understand. They said I criticize Gacaca (locally organized courts that try category 2 genocide suspects, relying heavily on eye witness accounts and sentencing is mostly communal service) which amounts to genocide ideology, surely I don’t understand.
Regarding my criticism of Gacaca, as a politician I have to speak out when something is wrong. Now there are some innocent people tried by Gacaca and sentenced and they know of these cases. My criticism stems from the fact that genocide is a huge crime, one you cannot task people who know nothing about law to deal with. We say it is a heavy crime that has to be tried in normal courts not with people who know nothing about law.
On the other hand when something is good I appreciate it first. For example the Gacaca itself, I say it has allowed victims and perpetrators to meet. When someone meets the person who killed his whole family or a loved one, sit together, talk and find forgiveness; that is the reconciliation we need. That people can move on, is one tremendous achievement by the Gacaca courts that I laud and say is great.
Newstime Africa: When you talk to the people what do they tell you? And what is their response to your points of view?
Igabire Victoire: As we have not yet officially began the campaign period, I am limited to what I can say and do. But what I am currently doing, seeing I spent 16 years of my life outside the country, is going to market places and other public arenas to sit with the people and listen to them. Understand their problems, their queries and get to know what they need to see changed. I also need to understand really; what is problem in the country. I saw it fit to do things this way first because you know; when you’ve lived far and for so long, it is best to first listen to them and see things their way. Now when the campaigns begin, I will talk to them about our party manifesto, our vision for the country as a party, for say education or development.
Newstime Africa: What is your cause exactly? What are you offering the Rwandese people?
Igabire Victoire: My number one agenda is reconciliation, if the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) doesn’t want to talk about it, I will. We have to protect future generations. If we want to end the cycle of violence we know in Rwanda we have to achieve of reconciliation. We need to look at what is wrong with the politics of our country and of course how to deal with it. If RPF doesn’t accept it and start to talk about it, in 20 or 30 years we run the risk of future generations having the very same problem.
Secondly, I want development of the whole country. Poverty can be a source of conflict. Only 2% of Rwanda’s population has all the riches. The wealth of this country is with a few. The rest live in extreme poverty and for us this is a problem that needs to be addressed before it escalates into something bigger in the future. There must be an equal distribution of resources. People talk about how Rwanda is developing which to some extent is true, I mean look at the city of Kigali it is beautiful, but we need to do more.
Newstime Africa: As a woman politician in a country that has broken world record in empowering women in all areas, politics, business you name it, do you feel any support from your fellow women, and is this status of affairs making it any easier for you?
Igabire Victoire: To say Rwanda is a champion of women’s rights because we have many women in parliament and government, I don’t think that is the reality. In real sense I don’t think they have power to change anything, because when I see the pain of the Rwandese people and knowing as women we are sensitive beings, we relate easily to the other person’s pain; if really these women had power in government and in parliament, something ought to have changed and this is why I maintain if I win this election, something will definitely change, to reduce the pain the misery of our people.
Newstime Africa: Now do you see anything good done by the Kagame regime at all?
Igabire Victoire: Of course, Today Rwanda is a country recognized internationally for many great things. That is something they’ve really worked on. Look at Kigali; it is one beautiful city, the cleanliness. But behind the beauty many people live in extreme poverty.
In education, every child now has a chance to go to school. Due to poverty many parents weren’t able to pay the school fees but now the free nine year basic education is taking care of that.
Newstime Africa: What do you see as the future of Rwanda?
Igabire Victoire: My dream is to see a Rwanda where all differences are put together for the benefit of our nation. To work together despite our diversity, that nobody has to live in fear of being killed for who he is. I sincerely hope no more killings will happen here, I cannot understand why you would kill your neighbor because he is Tutsi or he is Hutu.
I also hope to see a situation where we have dialogue between ourselves, the political actors and the civil society. That we can sit down together and chart our way forward. That is the only heritage we can give the future generation.
When I came back, what was written in the media is that I only talk out is the ethnic problem, of course reconciliation is top on my agenda but we have many other problems to pay attention to, like poverty as I mentioned earlier, making healthcare affordable for all not a commercial sector for a few, agriculture and ensuring food security and what each and every one of us can do for the benefit of our great nation.
16 February 2010
President Paul Kagame affirmed last week that the “honeymoon” of hard-talking opposition politician Ms. Ingabire Victoire will come to an end at some point with the law taking its course. Just day after the Monday 8th press conference, Ms. Ingabire was summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), a meeting whose details remain sketchy. Human Rights Watch slammed the Rwandan government for harassment of political opposition figures, urging the authorities to “loosen up control of the political space.” But the Rwandan government stands its ground saying no one will be allowed to break the law and make mincemeat of the country’s progress. Since her arrival on January 16th this year, Ms. Igabire has continued to draw sharp criticism from various quarters with regard to her position on the country’s law on genocide as well as being accused of inciting the public with inflammatory remarks. She sat down with Newstime Africa where the presidential hopeful reiterated that no amount of intimidation will make her back-track on her ambitions of one day becoming president of the land of 1000 hills.
Excerpts of the interview follow.
Igabire Victoire: The first day I came I visited the Gisozi Genocide Memorial (Kigali) where I talked about what happened back in 1994, the Genocide against the Tutsi. Our position as the United Democratic Forces (FDU) is that, we call for everybody who was involved in the genocide one way or another be made to face justice. But on the other hand we know that from 1990 to 1994 there were crimes against humanity committed against both Hutus and Tutsis and today the international justice and even justice here in Rwanda is only concentrated on the genocide crime. We cannot forget crimes against humanity committed in our country. If we want to achieve reconciliation for our country we need to understand and accept the pain of everybody in the country, which is the only way we will achieve total reconciliation.
The big problem we have in Rwanda; and that the difference between us and the regime of General (President) Paul Kagame, we think if we are to really achieve reconciliation of the Rwandese people, we need to fully talk about what happened, why genocide was committed in the country, why the crimes against humanity were committed, whose responsibility was it and what we have to do together as Rwandese people to avoid the same problem in the future.
Talking about it, we trust it is the only way to achieve total reconciliation. I don’t believe forbidding people to talk about what happened is the way to resolve the problem. You know the government denies the existence of ethnicity in Rwanda. We say ethnicity is not the problem here, the problem is the politicians. We have to find out a way to deal with this. We need an institution that provides security for all. We reiterate, there is no shame in saying I am Hutu or am Tutsi, there’s nothing wrong with that. The problem comes in when politicians exploit that difference to stay in power or acquire that power. We need to find a common ground, to work together. It should not be on the basis our ethnicity but on the basis of what we believe in. Now my talking about a taboo is what has caused all this criticism about me.
People must learn to accept the differences of the other person, if we have different visions or opinions; that doesn’t mean we are enemies; we can go ahead and see what common ground is there to work together. There is nothing wrong with having different ideas!
Newstime Africa: Your comments come out as you wanting to see the Hutus killed in that period also receive justice, elaborate?
Igabire Victoire: I never singled out any particular group as the ones to face justice. I said everybody who was involved in one way or another in the killing of the Rwandese people has to face justice. We don’t need to know which ethnic group he/she belongs to. That’s the only way to have equal justice for all and with it total reconciliation. I am not a law practitioner, I am a politician and I see what is wrong; the situation that the law needs to deal with. As a politician, I maintain we need equal justice for all.
Newstime Africa: The president last week said you are just campaigning as an individual as the law hasn’t yet allowed you to be called an opposition politician, what is taking so long to register your party, I mean what is their course of action?
Igabire Victoire: I am the leader of the Rwandese opposition, the media calls me so. I am the leader of the United Democratic Forces, and in September last year we decided to come back to the country. I was the chairperson back then and am here now to ask for the registration of my political party that’s first.
Secondly before I left the Netherlands, the party chose me as their flag bearer, now this means if my party is registered I will be their presidential candidate. It is not yet official because we have to first register our political party subsequently, as a presidential candidate. It was decision of the party, to have me represent them at the polls.
It is taking long to register my party because I had to start from scratch; I lived outside the country as a refugee. So when I came back the first thing I needed was an identity card, when I got the ID on the second day as you are aware, I was attacked and they stole my bag which had the ID card. Well now I have it back and today (15th Feb) I will send the letter to ask for authorization to meet the party members so as to collect signatures. With the signatures we can start the process of registration for our party. It takes two months to register a party and if we don’t have any more problems, we hope to make it for the June deadline.
Newstime Africa: Do you think the government is attacking you as a politician?
Igabire Victoire: Yes. What I saw when I came back to the country is that the government is not ready to accept opposition. We insist it is time to have a democratic process in our country. It is time people have freedom to say what they want, to freely organize meetings they need to discuss issues important to them, freedom of expression and freedom of association. We need political space, which is the only way to hear everyone’s point of view.
Newstime Africa: What is your response to accusations that you are deliberately provoking the government to arrest you and in turn raise your profile?
Igabire Victoire: Nothing could be further from the truth. I wouldn’t like to be arrested because if I am imprisoned I cannot do anything. I am here to be an active politician. Nobody would like to be arrested and that includes me. That is a very wrong opinion they have of me.
Of course the government has an agenda of mudslinging me to the population. What is puzzling me though is why they are afraid, why are they doing this? I cannot understand. I have been away for 16 years, time in which they have ruled the country, now why are they afraid of me? I don’t understand why they take such measures, you see tomorrow (today) I have to go back to the CID office.
Newstime Africa: When you first went to the CID office what did you talk about?
Igabire Victoire: They accused me of genocide ideology, that I am a divisionist and that I work together with the FDLR (Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda remnants of the Hutu militia highly blamed for the 1994 Rwanda genocide and still operating in eastern DRC). Of course I asked them what they mean by genocide ideology because it is vague, some word I cannot understand. They said I criticize Gacaca (locally organized courts that try category 2 genocide suspects, relying heavily on eye witness accounts and sentencing is mostly communal service) which amounts to genocide ideology, surely I don’t understand.
Regarding my criticism of Gacaca, as a politician I have to speak out when something is wrong. Now there are some innocent people tried by Gacaca and sentenced and they know of these cases. My criticism stems from the fact that genocide is a huge crime, one you cannot task people who know nothing about law to deal with. We say it is a heavy crime that has to be tried in normal courts not with people who know nothing about law.
On the other hand when something is good I appreciate it first. For example the Gacaca itself, I say it has allowed victims and perpetrators to meet. When someone meets the person who killed his whole family or a loved one, sit together, talk and find forgiveness; that is the reconciliation we need. That people can move on, is one tremendous achievement by the Gacaca courts that I laud and say is great.
Newstime Africa: When you talk to the people what do they tell you? And what is their response to your points of view?
Igabire Victoire: As we have not yet officially began the campaign period, I am limited to what I can say and do. But what I am currently doing, seeing I spent 16 years of my life outside the country, is going to market places and other public arenas to sit with the people and listen to them. Understand their problems, their queries and get to know what they need to see changed. I also need to understand really; what is problem in the country. I saw it fit to do things this way first because you know; when you’ve lived far and for so long, it is best to first listen to them and see things their way. Now when the campaigns begin, I will talk to them about our party manifesto, our vision for the country as a party, for say education or development.
Newstime Africa: What is your cause exactly? What are you offering the Rwandese people?
Igabire Victoire: My number one agenda is reconciliation, if the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) doesn’t want to talk about it, I will. We have to protect future generations. If we want to end the cycle of violence we know in Rwanda we have to achieve of reconciliation. We need to look at what is wrong with the politics of our country and of course how to deal with it. If RPF doesn’t accept it and start to talk about it, in 20 or 30 years we run the risk of future generations having the very same problem.
Secondly, I want development of the whole country. Poverty can be a source of conflict. Only 2% of Rwanda’s population has all the riches. The wealth of this country is with a few. The rest live in extreme poverty and for us this is a problem that needs to be addressed before it escalates into something bigger in the future. There must be an equal distribution of resources. People talk about how Rwanda is developing which to some extent is true, I mean look at the city of Kigali it is beautiful, but we need to do more.
Newstime Africa: As a woman politician in a country that has broken world record in empowering women in all areas, politics, business you name it, do you feel any support from your fellow women, and is this status of affairs making it any easier for you?
Igabire Victoire: To say Rwanda is a champion of women’s rights because we have many women in parliament and government, I don’t think that is the reality. In real sense I don’t think they have power to change anything, because when I see the pain of the Rwandese people and knowing as women we are sensitive beings, we relate easily to the other person’s pain; if really these women had power in government and in parliament, something ought to have changed and this is why I maintain if I win this election, something will definitely change, to reduce the pain the misery of our people.
Newstime Africa: Now do you see anything good done by the Kagame regime at all?
Igabire Victoire: Of course, Today Rwanda is a country recognized internationally for many great things. That is something they’ve really worked on. Look at Kigali; it is one beautiful city, the cleanliness. But behind the beauty many people live in extreme poverty.
In education, every child now has a chance to go to school. Due to poverty many parents weren’t able to pay the school fees but now the free nine year basic education is taking care of that.
Newstime Africa: What do you see as the future of Rwanda?
Igabire Victoire: My dream is to see a Rwanda where all differences are put together for the benefit of our nation. To work together despite our diversity, that nobody has to live in fear of being killed for who he is. I sincerely hope no more killings will happen here, I cannot understand why you would kill your neighbor because he is Tutsi or he is Hutu.
I also hope to see a situation where we have dialogue between ourselves, the political actors and the civil society. That we can sit down together and chart our way forward. That is the only heritage we can give the future generation.
When I came back, what was written in the media is that I only talk out is the ethnic problem, of course reconciliation is top on my agenda but we have many other problems to pay attention to, like poverty as I mentioned earlier, making healthcare affordable for all not a commercial sector for a few, agriculture and ensuring food security and what each and every one of us can do for the benefit of our great nation.
AFRICOM, Nigerian Navy Begin Search and Seizure Training.
Daily Trusy
By Misbahu Bashir
16 February 2010
The United States Navy and its Nigerian counterpart last weekend commenced Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training on how best to tackle suspicious vessels.
The training which is being carried out at the non restricted areas of the Nigerian sea waters in Lagos involved the US war ship Samuel B. Robert (FFG58) and two Nigerian war ships, NNS Wamba and NNS Burutu.
Leader of the US naval VBSS personnel ENS William Burkland explained that at the end of the exercise the Nigerian trainees would acquire new tactics on maritime boarding actions needed to meet head-on with suspicious vessels. The exercise will provide an opportunity for expanding both the US and the Nigerian naval patrol officers' knowledge on how to tackle piracy and terrorism, smuggling and searching suspicious vessels.
Samuel B. Roberts which is berthing in Nigerian waters will depart middle of this week after the completion of the VBSS exercise.
Captain of the Nigerian war ship NNS Wamba, D.G. Albehu said the Nigerian team has acquired more knowledge on the VBSS especially at this time when patrol at the sea has been stepped up due to suspicious activities. He said Nigerian Navy had during their patrols used techniques on suspicious vessels including asking the sailors series of questions as well as boarding, searching and in some instances seizing vessels. He said the exercise was organised based of African Partnership with the US.
By Misbahu Bashir
16 February 2010
The United States Navy and its Nigerian counterpart last weekend commenced Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training on how best to tackle suspicious vessels.
The training which is being carried out at the non restricted areas of the Nigerian sea waters in Lagos involved the US war ship Samuel B. Robert (FFG58) and two Nigerian war ships, NNS Wamba and NNS Burutu.
Leader of the US naval VBSS personnel ENS William Burkland explained that at the end of the exercise the Nigerian trainees would acquire new tactics on maritime boarding actions needed to meet head-on with suspicious vessels. The exercise will provide an opportunity for expanding both the US and the Nigerian naval patrol officers' knowledge on how to tackle piracy and terrorism, smuggling and searching suspicious vessels.
Samuel B. Roberts which is berthing in Nigerian waters will depart middle of this week after the completion of the VBSS exercise.
Captain of the Nigerian war ship NNS Wamba, D.G. Albehu said the Nigerian team has acquired more knowledge on the VBSS especially at this time when patrol at the sea has been stepped up due to suspicious activities. He said Nigerian Navy had during their patrols used techniques on suspicious vessels including asking the sailors series of questions as well as boarding, searching and in some instances seizing vessels. He said the exercise was organised based of African Partnership with the US.
15 February, 2010
Rwandan Police Interrogate Mrs. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Again.
FDU-Inkingi
Press Release
We learned that the Rwandan Police summoned the Chairperson of the UDF (United Democratic Forces) to their office in Kacyiru District for the second time in less than a week. Like the last time, the reason for the summons has not been disclosed. She is ordered to report back tomorrow on Tuesday 16 February 2010 at 14:00.
UDF-INKINGI is very concerned about the relentless police grillings which appear to be conditioning public opinion for a politically motivated arrest at some point in the future. Last week, Mrs. Victorire Ingabre Umuhoza was questionned for about 4 hours. This is a strategy designed to delay the registration of the UDF-INKINGI party to ensure that it is not allowed participate in the presidential elections planned for August 2010. It is obvious that her case is politically motivated and has nothing to do with the law. Its aim is to eliminate a political problem rather than achieve justice because it was initiated by the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, during his latest press conference when he threatened to use Rwandan criminal law to go after the UDF-INKINGI.
Unrelenting persecution, coupled with numerous threats of arbitrary arrest are discouraging many Rwandans from returning to our country and contribute to its development and reconciliation. The UDF call on the Rwandan government to immediately end all acts of harassment directed toward the Chairperson of the UDF-INKINGI party aimed at blocking all attempts to initiate a peaceful and democratic political process in Rwanda.
Done in Brussels
February 15, 2010
For the UDF-INKINGI Coordinating Committee,
Nkiko Nsengimana
Contact in Rwanda : (+250) 078583600
Email : Fdu.inkingi.rwa@gmail.com
Press Release
We learned that the Rwandan Police summoned the Chairperson of the UDF (United Democratic Forces) to their office in Kacyiru District for the second time in less than a week. Like the last time, the reason for the summons has not been disclosed. She is ordered to report back tomorrow on Tuesday 16 February 2010 at 14:00.
UDF-INKINGI is very concerned about the relentless police grillings which appear to be conditioning public opinion for a politically motivated arrest at some point in the future. Last week, Mrs. Victorire Ingabre Umuhoza was questionned for about 4 hours. This is a strategy designed to delay the registration of the UDF-INKINGI party to ensure that it is not allowed participate in the presidential elections planned for August 2010. It is obvious that her case is politically motivated and has nothing to do with the law. Its aim is to eliminate a political problem rather than achieve justice because it was initiated by the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, during his latest press conference when he threatened to use Rwandan criminal law to go after the UDF-INKINGI.
Unrelenting persecution, coupled with numerous threats of arbitrary arrest are discouraging many Rwandans from returning to our country and contribute to its development and reconciliation. The UDF call on the Rwandan government to immediately end all acts of harassment directed toward the Chairperson of the UDF-INKINGI party aimed at blocking all attempts to initiate a peaceful and democratic political process in Rwanda.
Done in Brussels
February 15, 2010
For the UDF-INKINGI Coordinating Committee,
Nkiko Nsengimana
Contact in Rwanda : (+250) 078583600
Email : Fdu.inkingi.rwa@gmail.com
UDF-Inkingi Activity Report of February 14, 2010.
FDU-Inkingi
Press Release
Le tourisme est une des sources de revenus que notre pays peut utiliser dans les différents projets de développement.
Aujourd’hui, la présidente des FDU-Inkingi Mme Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, a visité l’Eglise du Christ Roi à Nyanza dans la Province du Sud. Après cette visite, avec sa délégation, elle s’est rendue au Musée National du Rwanda dans la ville de Huye de la même Province.
Une visite guidée leur a permis de parcourir l’histoire du Rwanda depuis l’époque coloniale jusqu’à aujourd’hui, à travers différents objets et thèmes qui ont marqué notre histoire ou qui caractérisent notre culture.
A 10 heures du soir, Mme Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza et Frank Habineza, le Président du Parti Démocratique Verts du Rwanda ont eu des entretiens téléphoniques avec des Rwandais habitant aux Etats-Unis d’Amérique. Leurs échanges ont porté sur les obstacles qu’ils rencontrent dans leur lutte démocratique et ils ont demandé aux Rwandais vivant aux Etats-Unis d’Amérique d’être les porte-parole de la lutte démocratique, car, la démocratie est un combat que personne ne peut gagner seul. Ces Rwandais vivant aux Etats-Unis ont accepté d’apporter leur soutien pour vaincre tous ces obstacles et parvenir à l’instauration de la démocratie pluraliste au Rwanda .
Le Bureau de la Présidente des FDU-Inkingi,
Kigali-Rwanda
Press Release
Le tourisme est une des sources de revenus que notre pays peut utiliser dans les différents projets de développement.
Aujourd’hui, la présidente des FDU-Inkingi Mme Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, a visité l’Eglise du Christ Roi à Nyanza dans la Province du Sud. Après cette visite, avec sa délégation, elle s’est rendue au Musée National du Rwanda dans la ville de Huye de la même Province.
Une visite guidée leur a permis de parcourir l’histoire du Rwanda depuis l’époque coloniale jusqu’à aujourd’hui, à travers différents objets et thèmes qui ont marqué notre histoire ou qui caractérisent notre culture.
A 10 heures du soir, Mme Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza et Frank Habineza, le Président du Parti Démocratique Verts du Rwanda ont eu des entretiens téléphoniques avec des Rwandais habitant aux Etats-Unis d’Amérique. Leurs échanges ont porté sur les obstacles qu’ils rencontrent dans leur lutte démocratique et ils ont demandé aux Rwandais vivant aux Etats-Unis d’Amérique d’être les porte-parole de la lutte démocratique, car, la démocratie est un combat que personne ne peut gagner seul. Ces Rwandais vivant aux Etats-Unis ont accepté d’apporter leur soutien pour vaincre tous ces obstacles et parvenir à l’instauration de la démocratie pluraliste au Rwanda .
Le Bureau de la Présidente des FDU-Inkingi,
Kigali-Rwanda
ICC deputy prosecutor to visit Guinea.
SAPA
15 February 2010
By Marie-Laure Michel
The Hague - The deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will visit Guinea this week to assess whether it can try those responsible for a 2009 opposition massacre if the government fails to do so.
"There is no alternative: either they (the government) must prosecute or us," prosecution aide Beatrice le Fraper claimed ahead of the three-day visit by Fatou Bensouda which starts on Wednesday.
Bensouda is set to visit Conakry stadium where human rights groups claim more than 150 people died and at least 1,200 were injured when government troops attacked opponents of Guinea's military junta gathered for a rally on September 28 last year.
Soldiers allegedly shot, stabbed and beat up protesters while publicly raping women. A UN report said junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and his aides bore direct responsibility for these alleged crimes against humanity.
The junta says 63 people died.
The deputy prosecutor will visit military camps and hospitals and meet Guinea's interim President General Sekouba Konate, transitional Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore, cabinet ministers, judges and representatives of victims' groups, said le Fraper.
"Co-operation is good," she added. "The Guinean authorities were not obliged to show us the places where potential crimes were committed, but they have been transparent."
Full scale investigation
The ICC said in October it had launched a "preliminary examination" of the violence to determine whether the alleged crimes fell within the court's jurisdiction and whether the facts warranted a full-scale investigation.
To this end, the court has to examine the nature and gravity of the crimes, whether or not there were national criminal proceedings, and the interests of justice in general, said le Fraper.
Guinea is a state party to the founding Rome Statute of the court, the world's only permanent tribunal for the adjudication of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It only acts when a member state is unwilling or unable to try individuals accused of serious violations.
A junta-appointed commission this month absolved Capt. Camara, who is convalescing in Burkina Faso since a December assassination attempt, of blame over the stadium incident.
Guinea has insisted it has the will and the means to prosecute those responsible for the killings.
"We are going there to tell them that by virtue of the Rome Statute, which they ratified, they are obliged to do so," said le Fraper.
"We will also verify that those individuals who they (the government) intend to prosecute are indeed the ones most responsible."
15 February 2010
By Marie-Laure Michel
The Hague - The deputy prosecutor of the International Criminal Court will visit Guinea this week to assess whether it can try those responsible for a 2009 opposition massacre if the government fails to do so.
"There is no alternative: either they (the government) must prosecute or us," prosecution aide Beatrice le Fraper claimed ahead of the three-day visit by Fatou Bensouda which starts on Wednesday.
Bensouda is set to visit Conakry stadium where human rights groups claim more than 150 people died and at least 1,200 were injured when government troops attacked opponents of Guinea's military junta gathered for a rally on September 28 last year.
Soldiers allegedly shot, stabbed and beat up protesters while publicly raping women. A UN report said junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and his aides bore direct responsibility for these alleged crimes against humanity.
The junta says 63 people died.
The deputy prosecutor will visit military camps and hospitals and meet Guinea's interim President General Sekouba Konate, transitional Prime Minister Jean-Marie Dore, cabinet ministers, judges and representatives of victims' groups, said le Fraper.
"Co-operation is good," she added. "The Guinean authorities were not obliged to show us the places where potential crimes were committed, but they have been transparent."
Full scale investigation
The ICC said in October it had launched a "preliminary examination" of the violence to determine whether the alleged crimes fell within the court's jurisdiction and whether the facts warranted a full-scale investigation.
To this end, the court has to examine the nature and gravity of the crimes, whether or not there were national criminal proceedings, and the interests of justice in general, said le Fraper.
Guinea is a state party to the founding Rome Statute of the court, the world's only permanent tribunal for the adjudication of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It only acts when a member state is unwilling or unable to try individuals accused of serious violations.
A junta-appointed commission this month absolved Capt. Camara, who is convalescing in Burkina Faso since a December assassination attempt, of blame over the stadium incident.
Guinea has insisted it has the will and the means to prosecute those responsible for the killings.
"We are going there to tell them that by virtue of the Rome Statute, which they ratified, they are obliged to do so," said le Fraper.
"We will also verify that those individuals who they (the government) intend to prosecute are indeed the ones most responsible."
India’s biggest arms fair kicks off today.
AFP
14 February 2010
Global armament giants are heading to an annual defence fair in India, which plans to spend billions of dollars to equip its million-plus military with new hardware.
Some 650 defence companies from 35 countries will take part in the sixth edition of DefExpo-India, which kicks off Monday (today), India’s Defence Production Secretary RK Singh told reporters.
The United States and Israel topped the list of participants in the four-day event in New Delhi while 41 other countries were sending delegations to hold discussions with Indian defence officials, Singh said. India buys 70 percent of its weaponry - mainly from former Cold War ally Russia, Israel, France and Britain. The United States now is vying for contracts but still only has a limited share of the Indian defence market.
The record number of participants at the DefExpo follows an announcement by Defence Minister AK Antony in 2009 that India would spend $50 billion on “acquisition and modernisation” of its technology-hungry military by 2015. India will also invest $10 billion separately on homeland security by 2016 to try and protect itself against terrorist attacks.
“India is now the most happening place,” commented Loic Piedevache, country head of European weapons consortium MBDA, which signed a pact with India in 2005 to manufacture anti-tank missiles.
14 February 2010
Global armament giants are heading to an annual defence fair in India, which plans to spend billions of dollars to equip its million-plus military with new hardware.
Some 650 defence companies from 35 countries will take part in the sixth edition of DefExpo-India, which kicks off Monday (today), India’s Defence Production Secretary RK Singh told reporters.
The United States and Israel topped the list of participants in the four-day event in New Delhi while 41 other countries were sending delegations to hold discussions with Indian defence officials, Singh said. India buys 70 percent of its weaponry - mainly from former Cold War ally Russia, Israel, France and Britain. The United States now is vying for contracts but still only has a limited share of the Indian defence market.
The record number of participants at the DefExpo follows an announcement by Defence Minister AK Antony in 2009 that India would spend $50 billion on “acquisition and modernisation” of its technology-hungry military by 2015. India will also invest $10 billion separately on homeland security by 2016 to try and protect itself against terrorist attacks.
“India is now the most happening place,” commented Loic Piedevache, country head of European weapons consortium MBDA, which signed a pact with India in 2005 to manufacture anti-tank missiles.
Saleh in MP race.
The New Vision
14 February 2010
By Frederick Kiwanuka
Senior presidential adviser on defence, Gen. Salim Saleh, has finally spoken out about his bid to contest for a parliamentary seat in Nakaseke district.
Saleh over the weekend told an NRM party meeting in Kasangombe sub-county that he would need one month of campaigning to accomplish the “small job” of winning the parliamentary seat.
Saleh expressed his intention to return to Parliament from which he had resigned in 2003 as the army representative. At that time, Saleh explained his resignation by saying that the MPs were not discussing real issues affecting the people.
President Yoweri Museveni recently promised to split Nakaseke, which is currently represented by finance minister Syda Bumba, into two counties. The Nakaseke district council has since passed a resolution approving the split.
Saleh, who is Museveni’s younger brother, is widely seen to be a favourite for the new Nakaseke South constituency.
Also aspiring for the proposed constituency is Edward Sengonzi, a former presidential advisor and son of the late Vitali Ddamulira, who was an aide to Museveni during the NRA guerrilla war.
Saleh said he had been reluctant to return to Parliament. “But now you are asking me to return there,” he toldover 250 NRM leaders from five parishes in the district.
He expressed fear that entering politics would affect his bigger plan of developing Nakaseke, noting that some people had started talking ill of his multi-million project to commercialise maize production in the area.
“I had come to Nakaseke with a big mission of developing this area but now you are turning my attention to this smaller job which I will accomplish in just one month,” he said.
Saleh owns a large chunk of land in Bulemezi, measuring three square miles, which he recently leased to the local communities to set up a commercial maize project.
Asked what they would expect from him once he is elected, the NRM leaders said they needed help to improve the road network.
Saleh urged the NRM team to avoid internal rows which threaten to affect development programmes in the district. Earlier, the district NRM boss, Sempala Kigozi, accused the LC5 chairperson of swindling public funds.
Saleh cleared the meeting expenses, amounting to about sh3m. He also distributed 2,000kg of his branded Nakaseke Flour
Saleh is a bush-war hero and former minister of state for microfinance, as well as commander of the reserve force. He owns several private businesses that include a private security company, Saracen Guards, which employs ex-servicemen. He owns land in Mbarara, Bulemezi, Njeru and Entebbe.
He, however, dismisses reports that he is among the richest men in Uganda and describes himself as a social entrepreneur.
“Between 1994 and 1999, I belonged to that class of money makers, wheeler-dealers and the rich. But in 1999, my revolutionary background reminded me and I got saved and categorically declared that I had abandoned that class.”
Recently, Gen. Saleh told journalists that he still rents a house in Kampala, and the only foreign bank account with HSBC has held £2,000 (about sh6m) since 2001.
14 February 2010
By Frederick Kiwanuka
Senior presidential adviser on defence, Gen. Salim Saleh, has finally spoken out about his bid to contest for a parliamentary seat in Nakaseke district.
Saleh over the weekend told an NRM party meeting in Kasangombe sub-county that he would need one month of campaigning to accomplish the “small job” of winning the parliamentary seat.
Saleh expressed his intention to return to Parliament from which he had resigned in 2003 as the army representative. At that time, Saleh explained his resignation by saying that the MPs were not discussing real issues affecting the people.
President Yoweri Museveni recently promised to split Nakaseke, which is currently represented by finance minister Syda Bumba, into two counties. The Nakaseke district council has since passed a resolution approving the split.
Saleh, who is Museveni’s younger brother, is widely seen to be a favourite for the new Nakaseke South constituency.
Also aspiring for the proposed constituency is Edward Sengonzi, a former presidential advisor and son of the late Vitali Ddamulira, who was an aide to Museveni during the NRA guerrilla war.
Saleh said he had been reluctant to return to Parliament. “But now you are asking me to return there,” he toldover 250 NRM leaders from five parishes in the district.
He expressed fear that entering politics would affect his bigger plan of developing Nakaseke, noting that some people had started talking ill of his multi-million project to commercialise maize production in the area.
“I had come to Nakaseke with a big mission of developing this area but now you are turning my attention to this smaller job which I will accomplish in just one month,” he said.
Saleh owns a large chunk of land in Bulemezi, measuring three square miles, which he recently leased to the local communities to set up a commercial maize project.
Asked what they would expect from him once he is elected, the NRM leaders said they needed help to improve the road network.
Saleh urged the NRM team to avoid internal rows which threaten to affect development programmes in the district. Earlier, the district NRM boss, Sempala Kigozi, accused the LC5 chairperson of swindling public funds.
Saleh cleared the meeting expenses, amounting to about sh3m. He also distributed 2,000kg of his branded Nakaseke Flour
Saleh is a bush-war hero and former minister of state for microfinance, as well as commander of the reserve force. He owns several private businesses that include a private security company, Saracen Guards, which employs ex-servicemen. He owns land in Mbarara, Bulemezi, Njeru and Entebbe.
He, however, dismisses reports that he is among the richest men in Uganda and describes himself as a social entrepreneur.
“Between 1994 and 1999, I belonged to that class of money makers, wheeler-dealers and the rich. But in 1999, my revolutionary background reminded me and I got saved and categorically declared that I had abandoned that class.”
Recently, Gen. Saleh told journalists that he still rents a house in Kampala, and the only foreign bank account with HSBC has held £2,000 (about sh6m) since 2001.
14 February, 2010
UPDF Tightens Border Security.
256 News
14 February 2010
Ugandan security agencies have stepped up surveillanceand entry and exit procedures following the latest threats of terrorist attacks on the sovereign territory of the East African country.
Uganda People’s Defence Forces Spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye has said the army and other security organs will leave no border unsecured.
This follows reports that the Al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia are further upping their belligerence against Uganda.
It also comes after a report that a UPDF soldier was arrested at the Eastern Malaba border with Kenya, selling a laptop containing very sensitive military secrets. The secrets were reportedly on transit to the hands of the Al Shabaab.
14 February 2010
Ugandan security agencies have stepped up surveillanceand entry and exit procedures following the latest threats of terrorist attacks on the sovereign territory of the East African country.
Uganda People’s Defence Forces Spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye has said the army and other security organs will leave no border unsecured.
This follows reports that the Al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia are further upping their belligerence against Uganda.
It also comes after a report that a UPDF soldier was arrested at the Eastern Malaba border with Kenya, selling a laptop containing very sensitive military secrets. The secrets were reportedly on transit to the hands of the Al Shabaab.
Black sites in the Afghan empire of bases.
Asia Times
11 February 2010
By Nick Turse
In the 19th century, it was a fort used by British forces. In the 20th century, Soviet troops moved into the crumbling facilities. In December 2009, at this site in the Shinwar district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, United States troops joined members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in preparing the way for the next round of foreign occupation. On its grounds, a new military base is expected to rise, one of hundreds of camps and outposts scattered across the country.
Nearly a decade after the George W Bush administration launched its invasion of Afghanistan, TomDispatch offers the first actual count of American, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other coalition bases there, as well as facilities used by the Afghan security forces. Such bases range from relatively small sites like Shinwar to mega-bases that resemble small American towns. Today, according to official sources, approximately 700 bases of every size dot the Afghan countryside, and more, like the one in Shinwar, are under construction or soon will be as part of a base-building boom that began last year.
Existing in the shadows, rarely reported on and little talked about, this base-building program is nonetheless staggering in size and scope, and heavily dependent on supplies imported from abroad, which means that it is also extraordinarily expensive. It has added significantly to the already long secret list of Pentagon property overseas and raises questions about just how long, after the planned beginning of a drawdown of American forces in 2011, the US will still be garrisoning Afghanistan.
400 foreign bases in Afghanistan
A spokesman for the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tells TomDispatch that there are, at present, nearly 400 US and coalition bases in Afghanistan, including camps, forward operating bases, and combat outposts. In addition, there are at least 300 ANA and Afghan National Police bases, most of them built, maintained, or supported by the US. A small number of the coalition sites are mega-bases like Kandahar airfield, which boasts one of the busiest runways in the world, and Bagram air base, a former Soviet facility that received a makeover, complete with Burger King and Popeyes outlets, and now serves more than 20,000 US troops, in addition to thousands of coalition forces and civilian contractors.
In fact, Kandahar, which housed 9,000 coalition troops as recently as 2007, is expected to have a population of as many as 35,000 troops by the time President Obama's surge is complete, according to Colonel Kevin Wilson who oversees building efforts in the southern half of Afghanistan for the US Army Corps of Engineers. On the other hand, the Shinwar site, according to Sergeant Tracy J Smith of the US 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, will be a small forward operating base (FOB) that will host both Afghan troops and foreign forces.
Last autumn, it was reported that more than US$200 million in construction projects - from barracks to cargo storage facilities - were planned for or in-progress at Bagram. Substantial construction funds have also been set aside by the US Air Force to upgrade its air power capacity at Kandahar. For example, $65 million has been allocated to build additional apron space (where aircraft can be parked, serviced, and loaded or unloaded) to accommodate more close-air support for soldiers in the field and a greater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Another $61 million has also been earmarked for the construction of a cargo helicopter apron and a tactical airlift apron there.
Kandahar is just one of many sites currently being upgraded. Exact figures on the number of facilities being enlarged, improved or hardened are unavailable but, according a spokesman for ISAF, the military plans to expand several more bases to accommodate the increase of troops as part of Afghan war commander Stanley McChrystal's surge strategy. In addition, at least 12 more bases are slated to be built to help handle the 30,000 extra American troops and thousands of NATO forces beginning to arrive in the country.
"Currently we have over $3 billion worth of work going on in Afghanistan," says Colonel Wilson, "and probably by the summer, when the dust settles from all the uplift, we'll have about $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion worth of that [in the South]." By comparison, between 2002 and 2008, the Army Corps of Engineers spent more than $4.5 billion on construction projects, most of it base-building, in Afghanistan.
At the site of the future FOB in Shinwar, more than 135 private construction contractors attended what was termed an "Afghan-Coalition contractors rodeo". According to Lieutenant Fernando Roach, a contracting officer with the US Army's Task Force Mountain Warrior, the event was designed "to give potential contractors a walkthrough of the area so they'll have a solid overview of the scope of work". The construction firms then bid on three separate projects: the renovation of the more than 30-year-old Soviet facilities, the building of new living quarters for Afghan and coalition forces and the construction of a two-kilometer wall for the base.
In the weeks since the "rodeo", the US Army has announced additional plans to upgrade facilities at other forward operating bases. At FOB Airborne, located near Kane-Ezzat in Wardak province, for instance, the army intends to put in reinforced concrete bunkers and blast protection barriers as well as lay concrete foundations for Re-Locatable Buildings (prefabricated, trailer-like structures used for living and working quarters). Similar work is also scheduled for FOB Altimur, an army camp in Logar province.
The Afghan base boom
Recently, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan District-Kabul, announced that it would be seeking bids on "site assessments" for Afghan National Security Forces District Headquarters Facilities nationwide. The precise number of Afghan bases scattered throughout the country is unclear.
When asked by TomDispatch, Colonel Radmanish of the Afghan Ministry of Defense would state only that major bases were located in Kabul, Pakteya, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif and that ANA units operate all across Afghanistan. Recent US Army contracts for maintenance services provided to Afghan army and police bases, however, suggest that there are no fewer than 300 such facilities that are, according to an ISAF spokesman, not counted among the coalition base inventory.
As opposed to America's fast-food franchise-filled bases, Afghan ones are often decidedly more rustic affairs. The police headquarters in Khost Farang district, Baghlan province, is a good example. According to a detailed site assessment conducted by a local contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Afghan government, the district headquarters consists of mud and stone buildings surrounded by a mud wall. The site even lacks a deep well for water. A trench fed by a nearby spring is the only convenient water source.
The US bases that most resemble austere Afghan facilities are combat outposts, also known as COPs. Environmental specialist Michael Bell of the Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District-South's Real Estate Division, recently described the facilities and life on such a base as he and his co-worker, Realty Specialist Damian Salazar, saw it in late 2009:
COP Sangar ... is a compound surrounded by mud and straw walls. Tents with cots supplied the sleeping quarters … A medical, pharmacy and command post tent occupied the center of the COP, complete with a few computers with Internet access and three primitive operating tables. Showers had just been installed with hot [water] ... only available from 8am to 10am and 2pm to 4pm.
An MWR [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] tent was erected on Thanksgiving Day with an operating television; however, the tent was rarely used due to the cold. Most of the troops used a tent with gym equipment for recreation ... A cook trailer provided a hot simple breakfast and supper. Lunch was MREs [meals ready to eat]. Nights were pitch black with no outside lighting from the base or the city.
What makes a base?
According to an official site assessment, future construction at the Khost Farang district police headquarters will make use of sand, gravel and stone, all available on the spot. Additionally, cement, steel, bricks, lime and gypsum have been located for purchase in Pol-e Khomri City, about 135 kilometers away.
Constructing a base for American troops, however, is another matter. For the far less modest American needs of American troops, builders rely heavily on goods imported over extremely long, difficult to traverse and sometimes embattled supply lines, all of which adds up to an extraordinarily costly affair. "Our business runs on materials," Lieutenant General Robert van Antwerp, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, told an audience at a town hall meeting in Afghanistan in December 2009. "You have to bring in the lumber, you have to bring in the steel, you have to bring in the containers and all that. Transport isn't easy in this country - number one, the roads themselves, number two, coming through other countries to get here - there are just huge challenges in getting the materials here."
To facilitate US base construction projects, a new "virtual storefront" - an online shopping portal - has been launched by the Pentagon's Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The Maintenance, Repair and Operations Uzbekistan Virtual Storefront website and a defense contractor-owned and operated brick-and-mortar warehouse facility that supports it aim to provide regionally-produced construction materials to speed surge-accelerated building efforts.
From a facility located in Termez, Uzbekistan, cement, concrete, fencing, roofing, rope, sand, steel, gutters, pipe and other construction material manufactured in countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan can be rushed to nearby Afghanistan to accelerate base-building efforts. "Having the products closer to the fight will make it easier for warfighters by reducing logistics response and delivery time," says Chet Evanitsky, the DLA's construction and equipment supply chain division chief.
America's shadowy base world
The Pentagon's most recent inventory of bases lists a total of 716 overseas sites. These include facilities owned and leased all across the Middle East as well as a significant presence in Europe and Asia, especially Japan and South Korea. Perhaps even more notable than the Pentagon's impressive public foreign property portfolio are the many sites left off the official inventory. While bases in the Persian Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are all listed, one conspicuously absent site is al-Udeid air base, a billion-dollar facility in nearby Qatar, where the US Air Force secretly oversees its ongoing unmanned drone wars.
The count also does not include any sites in Iraq where, as of August 2009, there were still nearly 300 American bases and outposts. Similarly, US bases in Afghanistan - a significant percentage of the 400 foreign sites scattered across the country - are noticeably absent from the Pentagon inventory.
Counting the remaining bases in Iraq - as many as 50 are slated to be operating after President Barack Obama's August 31, 2010, deadline to remove all US "combat troops" from the country - and those in Afghanistan, as well as black sites like Al-Udeid, the total number of US bases overseas now must significantly exceed 1,000. Just exactly how many US military bases (and allied facilities used by US forces) are scattered across the globe may never be publicly known. What we do know - from the experience of bases in Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea - is that, once built, they have a tendency toward permanency that a cessation of hostilities, or even outright peace, has a way of not altering.
After nearly a decade of war, close to 700 US, allied, and Afghan military bases dot Afghanistan. Until now, however, they have existed as black sites known to few Americans outside the Pentagon. It remains to be seen, a decade into the future, how many of these sites will still be occupied by US and allied troops and whose flag will be planted on the ever-shifting British-Soviet-US/Afghan site at Shinwar.
11 February 2010
By Nick Turse
In the 19th century, it was a fort used by British forces. In the 20th century, Soviet troops moved into the crumbling facilities. In December 2009, at this site in the Shinwar district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, United States troops joined members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in preparing the way for the next round of foreign occupation. On its grounds, a new military base is expected to rise, one of hundreds of camps and outposts scattered across the country.
Nearly a decade after the George W Bush administration launched its invasion of Afghanistan, TomDispatch offers the first actual count of American, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other coalition bases there, as well as facilities used by the Afghan security forces. Such bases range from relatively small sites like Shinwar to mega-bases that resemble small American towns. Today, according to official sources, approximately 700 bases of every size dot the Afghan countryside, and more, like the one in Shinwar, are under construction or soon will be as part of a base-building boom that began last year.
Existing in the shadows, rarely reported on and little talked about, this base-building program is nonetheless staggering in size and scope, and heavily dependent on supplies imported from abroad, which means that it is also extraordinarily expensive. It has added significantly to the already long secret list of Pentagon property overseas and raises questions about just how long, after the planned beginning of a drawdown of American forces in 2011, the US will still be garrisoning Afghanistan.
400 foreign bases in Afghanistan
A spokesman for the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) tells TomDispatch that there are, at present, nearly 400 US and coalition bases in Afghanistan, including camps, forward operating bases, and combat outposts. In addition, there are at least 300 ANA and Afghan National Police bases, most of them built, maintained, or supported by the US. A small number of the coalition sites are mega-bases like Kandahar airfield, which boasts one of the busiest runways in the world, and Bagram air base, a former Soviet facility that received a makeover, complete with Burger King and Popeyes outlets, and now serves more than 20,000 US troops, in addition to thousands of coalition forces and civilian contractors.
In fact, Kandahar, which housed 9,000 coalition troops as recently as 2007, is expected to have a population of as many as 35,000 troops by the time President Obama's surge is complete, according to Colonel Kevin Wilson who oversees building efforts in the southern half of Afghanistan for the US Army Corps of Engineers. On the other hand, the Shinwar site, according to Sergeant Tracy J Smith of the US 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, will be a small forward operating base (FOB) that will host both Afghan troops and foreign forces.
Last autumn, it was reported that more than US$200 million in construction projects - from barracks to cargo storage facilities - were planned for or in-progress at Bagram. Substantial construction funds have also been set aside by the US Air Force to upgrade its air power capacity at Kandahar. For example, $65 million has been allocated to build additional apron space (where aircraft can be parked, serviced, and loaded or unloaded) to accommodate more close-air support for soldiers in the field and a greater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Another $61 million has also been earmarked for the construction of a cargo helicopter apron and a tactical airlift apron there.
Kandahar is just one of many sites currently being upgraded. Exact figures on the number of facilities being enlarged, improved or hardened are unavailable but, according a spokesman for ISAF, the military plans to expand several more bases to accommodate the increase of troops as part of Afghan war commander Stanley McChrystal's surge strategy. In addition, at least 12 more bases are slated to be built to help handle the 30,000 extra American troops and thousands of NATO forces beginning to arrive in the country.
"Currently we have over $3 billion worth of work going on in Afghanistan," says Colonel Wilson, "and probably by the summer, when the dust settles from all the uplift, we'll have about $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion worth of that [in the South]." By comparison, between 2002 and 2008, the Army Corps of Engineers spent more than $4.5 billion on construction projects, most of it base-building, in Afghanistan.
At the site of the future FOB in Shinwar, more than 135 private construction contractors attended what was termed an "Afghan-Coalition contractors rodeo". According to Lieutenant Fernando Roach, a contracting officer with the US Army's Task Force Mountain Warrior, the event was designed "to give potential contractors a walkthrough of the area so they'll have a solid overview of the scope of work". The construction firms then bid on three separate projects: the renovation of the more than 30-year-old Soviet facilities, the building of new living quarters for Afghan and coalition forces and the construction of a two-kilometer wall for the base.
In the weeks since the "rodeo", the US Army has announced additional plans to upgrade facilities at other forward operating bases. At FOB Airborne, located near Kane-Ezzat in Wardak province, for instance, the army intends to put in reinforced concrete bunkers and blast protection barriers as well as lay concrete foundations for Re-Locatable Buildings (prefabricated, trailer-like structures used for living and working quarters). Similar work is also scheduled for FOB Altimur, an army camp in Logar province.
The Afghan base boom
Recently, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan District-Kabul, announced that it would be seeking bids on "site assessments" for Afghan National Security Forces District Headquarters Facilities nationwide. The precise number of Afghan bases scattered throughout the country is unclear.
When asked by TomDispatch, Colonel Radmanish of the Afghan Ministry of Defense would state only that major bases were located in Kabul, Pakteya, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif and that ANA units operate all across Afghanistan. Recent US Army contracts for maintenance services provided to Afghan army and police bases, however, suggest that there are no fewer than 300 such facilities that are, according to an ISAF spokesman, not counted among the coalition base inventory.
As opposed to America's fast-food franchise-filled bases, Afghan ones are often decidedly more rustic affairs. The police headquarters in Khost Farang district, Baghlan province, is a good example. According to a detailed site assessment conducted by a local contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Afghan government, the district headquarters consists of mud and stone buildings surrounded by a mud wall. The site even lacks a deep well for water. A trench fed by a nearby spring is the only convenient water source.
The US bases that most resemble austere Afghan facilities are combat outposts, also known as COPs. Environmental specialist Michael Bell of the Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District-South's Real Estate Division, recently described the facilities and life on such a base as he and his co-worker, Realty Specialist Damian Salazar, saw it in late 2009:
COP Sangar ... is a compound surrounded by mud and straw walls. Tents with cots supplied the sleeping quarters … A medical, pharmacy and command post tent occupied the center of the COP, complete with a few computers with Internet access and three primitive operating tables. Showers had just been installed with hot [water] ... only available from 8am to 10am and 2pm to 4pm.
An MWR [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] tent was erected on Thanksgiving Day with an operating television; however, the tent was rarely used due to the cold. Most of the troops used a tent with gym equipment for recreation ... A cook trailer provided a hot simple breakfast and supper. Lunch was MREs [meals ready to eat]. Nights were pitch black with no outside lighting from the base or the city.
What makes a base?
According to an official site assessment, future construction at the Khost Farang district police headquarters will make use of sand, gravel and stone, all available on the spot. Additionally, cement, steel, bricks, lime and gypsum have been located for purchase in Pol-e Khomri City, about 135 kilometers away.
Constructing a base for American troops, however, is another matter. For the far less modest American needs of American troops, builders rely heavily on goods imported over extremely long, difficult to traverse and sometimes embattled supply lines, all of which adds up to an extraordinarily costly affair. "Our business runs on materials," Lieutenant General Robert van Antwerp, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, told an audience at a town hall meeting in Afghanistan in December 2009. "You have to bring in the lumber, you have to bring in the steel, you have to bring in the containers and all that. Transport isn't easy in this country - number one, the roads themselves, number two, coming through other countries to get here - there are just huge challenges in getting the materials here."
To facilitate US base construction projects, a new "virtual storefront" - an online shopping portal - has been launched by the Pentagon's Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The Maintenance, Repair and Operations Uzbekistan Virtual Storefront website and a defense contractor-owned and operated brick-and-mortar warehouse facility that supports it aim to provide regionally-produced construction materials to speed surge-accelerated building efforts.
From a facility located in Termez, Uzbekistan, cement, concrete, fencing, roofing, rope, sand, steel, gutters, pipe and other construction material manufactured in countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan can be rushed to nearby Afghanistan to accelerate base-building efforts. "Having the products closer to the fight will make it easier for warfighters by reducing logistics response and delivery time," says Chet Evanitsky, the DLA's construction and equipment supply chain division chief.
America's shadowy base world
The Pentagon's most recent inventory of bases lists a total of 716 overseas sites. These include facilities owned and leased all across the Middle East as well as a significant presence in Europe and Asia, especially Japan and South Korea. Perhaps even more notable than the Pentagon's impressive public foreign property portfolio are the many sites left off the official inventory. While bases in the Persian Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are all listed, one conspicuously absent site is al-Udeid air base, a billion-dollar facility in nearby Qatar, where the US Air Force secretly oversees its ongoing unmanned drone wars.
The count also does not include any sites in Iraq where, as of August 2009, there were still nearly 300 American bases and outposts. Similarly, US bases in Afghanistan - a significant percentage of the 400 foreign sites scattered across the country - are noticeably absent from the Pentagon inventory.
Counting the remaining bases in Iraq - as many as 50 are slated to be operating after President Barack Obama's August 31, 2010, deadline to remove all US "combat troops" from the country - and those in Afghanistan, as well as black sites like Al-Udeid, the total number of US bases overseas now must significantly exceed 1,000. Just exactly how many US military bases (and allied facilities used by US forces) are scattered across the globe may never be publicly known. What we do know - from the experience of bases in Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea - is that, once built, they have a tendency toward permanency that a cessation of hostilities, or even outright peace, has a way of not altering.
After nearly a decade of war, close to 700 US, allied, and Afghan military bases dot Afghanistan. Until now, however, they have existed as black sites known to few Americans outside the Pentagon. It remains to be seen, a decade into the future, how many of these sites will still be occupied by US and allied troops and whose flag will be planted on the ever-shifting British-Soviet-US/Afghan site at Shinwar.
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