Rajapaksa says RAW rallied opposition to his presidency

Rajapaksa says RAW rallied opposition to his presidency- SUHASINI HAIDAR

ENB File Photo: Swamy MR

Claiming that the Research and Analysis Wing conspired with “Western agencies” CIA and MI-6 to rally the opposition led by President Maithripala Sirisena against his presidency, Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he does not, however, believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the government was responsible.

In an exclusive interview to TheHindu, his first to any Indian media organisation since his surprise defeat in the presidential polls in January, Mr. Rajapaksa says he raised concerns with the government over his belief of a conspiracy. “I said the man [RAW station chief] who is here in Colombo, should be moved out. They agreed, but only at the very last minute before the
election, and by then it was too late,” he said at his residence in Colombo.

In January, a report by international news agency Reuters had claimed that an Indian intelligence official at the Indian Embassy in Colombo had been recalled over allegations he was part of a plan to unite and organise the opposition to President Rajapaksa. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin had categorically denied that the transfer of the official was anything but routine, and “in natural course.”

While Mr. Rajapaksa alluded to the “RAW hand” in Sri Lankan politics in interviews to Dawn and South China Morning Post, this is the first time he has spelt out his accusation, saying that the plan to try and oust him began “two years ago”.

When asked pointedly if he felt the RAW was working under political guidance, he said, “No, no. I’ve never accused Mr. Modi.

“Because he only came in less than a year ago. It was a long term plan. They misunderstood me over the Chinese question. And that is why they planned this,” he added.

Mr. Rajapaksa’s comments come hours ahead of Mr. Modi’s visit to Colombo, where he is expected to meet the former President. Sources said the meeting was sought by Indian officials on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Modi met with President Rajapkasa three times last year, including the last meeting — reportedly very cordial — during the SAARC summit after the release of five Indian fishermen on death row in Sri Lanka.

Confirming that he will meet with Mr. Modi on March 14, Mr. Rajapaksa said, “Yes, I met him three times before. When he comes to my country, I felt I must meet him.”

Mr. Modi’s visit comes at a time of speculation in Sri Lanka over when parliamentary elections would be held by Mr. Sirisena. Under Sri Lanka’s system, while the Presidential poll is a direct contest between individuals, the Prime Minister is elected through Members of Parliament. This could lead to the hypothetical scenario of Mr. Rajapaksa, who still belongs to

President Sirisena’s party, the SLFP, returning to government if he were to win enough support from MPs.

Fuelling the speculation are Mr. Rajapaksa’s daily meetings with the public, while two big public rallies have been held in his absence by his supporters.

In the interview to The Hindu, Mr. Rajapaksa would not confirm that he was considering a political comeback, but was angered by the cases filed by Mr. Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremsinghe against his family members and associates. “If they didn’t, I would have just supported this government. But now they want to probe, put us in jail, take our passports
without any evidence. How can I retire like this? I never said I would retire. At the moment I am taking a rest.”

MR govt. defeated for standing up to India - Former Minister Amaraweera

MR govt. defeated for standing up to India - Former Minister Amaraweera

March 15, 2015, 10:11 pm

By Norman Palihawadane

Opposing Indian expansionism was the reason why the Mahinda Rajapaksa government was ousted, 
former Minister of Disaster Management and Hambantota District UPFA MP Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

 In a brief interview with The Island the former minister said the then government resisted India’s interference with Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and believed in home-grown solutions to the
country’s problems. "We wanted to solve our own problems without being a puppet in the hands of region’s Big Brother. We forged strong relations with China for that purpose and that
cost us state power," MP Amaraweera said.

"We extended a warm welcome to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came here as a guest of ours and appreciate his commitment to strengthening Indo-Lanka relations, but on no ground can we countenance India’s interference with our domestic affairs."

The MP admitted that the previous government’s foreign policy should have been balanced. "We see the incumbent government is doing the opposite and it is too early to predict repercussions of this new trend," he said adding that being servile to India would lead to more problems for Sri Lanka.

வீட்டடிமைத்தனத்தில் இருந்து விடுபடாத ஐரோப்பிய அன்னையர்கள்!

வீட்டடிமைத்தனத்தில் இருந்து விடுபடாத ஐரோப்பிய அன்னையர்கள்!

Mother's Day 2015: Forget the bunch of flowers, mothers deserve £172,000 a year

New study shows what mums would earn if they were paid for their parental labours
HANNAH BOLAND   Sunday 15 March 2015

Across Britain, burnt toast will be served to mothers in bed this morning as wayward older sons and daughters rush to deliver their supermarket bouquets. But, according to a new survey, we should be placing a higher value on motherhood all year.

Mothers have long known that their home workload was just as heavy as paid work. Now, a new study has shown that if they were paid for their parental labours, they would earn as much as £172,000 extra a year.

The, perhaps slightly  self-serving, study (commissioned by Interflora) looked at the range of jobs mothers do, as well as the hours they are working, to determine the figure. This would make their annual income £30,000 more than the Prime Minister earns.

By crunching the numbers, it found the average mother works 119 hours a week, 40 of which would usually be paid at a standard rate and 79 hours as overtime. After questioning 1,000 mothers with children under 18, it found that, on most days, mums started their chores at 7am and finished at around 11pm.

To calculate just how much mothers would earn from that labour, it suggested some of the roles that mums could take on, including housekeeper, part-time lawyer, personal trainer and entertainer. Being a part-time lawyer, at £48.98 an hour, would prove to be the most lucrative of the “mum jobs”, with psychologist a close second.

It also asked mothers about the challenges they face, with 80 per cent citing emotional demand as the hardest thing about motherhood.

Over a third of mums felt they needed more training and around half said they missed going out with friends.

Imogen Thompson, a campaigner for Mothers At Home Matter, a non-profit organisation aiming to get traditional family life recognised in the tax system, said: “Although light-hearted, it shows mothers matter all year long and not just on Mothering Sunday. The emotional, physical and mental energy mothers devote to their children can be relentless, but children are also sources of immense joy and happiness. Investing in time for parenting and nurturing relationships is money well spent.”
===================

பிற்குறிப்பு:
1) மேற்கண்ட விபரம் தன்னளவில் சொல்லுவது ஐரோப்பிய அன்னையர்களின் `குடும்ப உழைப்பு`, இன்னமும் ஊதியம் பெறாத உழைப்பாக உள்ளது அல்லது, அந்த உழைப்பு நேரத்துக்கு ஈடான ஓய்வு நேரம் அவர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் நிலை இல்லாதுள்ளது என்பதே.
2) உலகில் மிக வளர்ச்சியடைந்த பொருளாதார நிலை கொண்ட ஐரோப்பாவின் நிலை இது.
3) அரைக்காலனிய ஆசியாவில்,நிலப்பிரபுத்துவத்துக்கு முந்திய உற்பத்தி முறை இன்றும் கட்டிக் காக்கப்படும் இந்தியாவில்,
4) மத்தியகால அடிமைத்தனம் இன்னும் ஆட்சி செலுத்தும் மத்திய ஆசிய, ஆபிரிக்க  நாடுகளில்,
5) உலக மறுபங்கீட்டு யுத்தமும், தேசிய ஒடுக்குமுறை யுத்தங்களும் கட்டவிழ்க்கப்பட்ட நாடுகளில் ,
6) ஆட்சிக் கவிழ்ப்பு `புதிய அரசுகளின்`  பாசிச அடக்கு முறைகள் தொடரும் நாடுகளில்,
7)ரோன் மற்றும் வான் வெளி விமான இராணுவத் தாக்குதலுக்குள்ளாகி வரும் பிராந்தியங்கள், மற்றும் பிரதேசங்களிலும்,

வாழும் தாய்மார்கள் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் பிரசவ வலியில் அலறி அழுவதையே காண்கின்றோம்!
இத்தனைக்கும் காரணமான ஏகாதிபத்தியத்துக்கு முடிவு கட்டாமல், தாய்க்குலம் விடுதலை பெற முடியாது!!

ENB Admin

புத்திர சோகத்தில் புலம்பியழும் தாய்மார்-தினம்

கத்தி அலறும் காட்சி ஈழத்தில்,

இன்றும் தொடர்கிறது!

``புதிய அரசே`` காணாமல் போனவர்களுக்கு பதில் கூறு!!

மகிந்த ஆட்சியும், மைத்திரி ஆட்சியும் ஒன்றே! மோடி ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் யாழ் மக்கள் தீர்ப்பு!

மகிந்த ஆட்சியும், மைத்திரி ஆட்சியும் ஒன்றே! மோடி ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் யாழ் மக்கள் தீர்ப்பு!
தேர்தலைப் புறக்கணிப்போம் என எச்சரிக்கை!

Full text: PM Modi's address in Sri Lanka Parliament

Full text: PM Modi's address in Sri Lanka Parliament

March 13, 2015 19:05 IST

 On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Sri Lanka Parliament. He strongly pitched for enhanced cooperation in key areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

Below is the PM’s speech verbatim:

Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Mr Chamal Rajapaksa ji, 

Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Shrimaan Ranil Wickremesinghe ji, 

Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Mr Nimal Siripala De Silva, 

Honourable Members of Parliament, 

Distinguished guests, 

I am truly delighted to visit Sri Lanka - a land of beauty, culture and friendship. 

I am deeply honoured to be in this Parliament. I am conscious of its rich history. 

This Parliament represents one of Asia`s oldest democracies; and, one of its most vibrant. 

Long before many others in the world, Sri Lanka gave every individual a vote and voice. 

To the people of Sri Lanka, ayubuvan, Vanakkam. 

I bring the greetings of 1.25 billion friends; and millions of fans of Sri Lankan cricket. 

I bring the blessings from the land of Bodh Gaya to the land of Anuradhapura. 

I stand here in respect for our shared heritage; and, in commitment to our shared future. 

Last May, when I took the oath of office, I was honoured by the presence of South Asian leaders at the ceremony. 

Their presence was a celebration of democracy`s march in our region. It was also recognition of our common destiny. 

I am convinced that the future of any country is influenced by the state of its neighbourhood. 

The future that I dream for India is also the future that I wish for our neighbours. 

We in this region are on the same journey: to transform the lives of our people. 

Our path will be easier, the journey quicker and destination nearer when we walk step in step. 

As I stand here in Colombo and look north towards the Himalaya, I marvel at our region`s uniqueness – of our rich diversity and our common civilisational links. 

We have been formed from the same elements; and, from our interconnected histories. 

Today, we stand together as proud independent nations – sovereign and equal. 

India and Sri Lanka do not have a land boundary, but we are the closest neighbours in every sense. 

No matter where you look in India or Sri Lanka, the many strands of our links - religion, language, culture, food, customs, traditions and epics - come together into a deep and strong 

bond of familiarity and friendship. 

Ours is a relationship that is beautifully defined by the journey of Mahindra and Sanghamitra. They carried the message of peace, tolerance and friendship more than two millenniums ago. 

It is evoked by Kannagi, the central character of the great Tamil epic Silapathikaram, who is worshipped as goddess the Pattini in Sri Lanka. 

It lives in the Ramayan trail in Sri Lanka. 

It expresses itself in devotion at the dargah of the Nagore Andavar and the Christian shrine of Velankanni. 

It is reflected in the friendship of Swami Vivekananda and Anagarika Dharmapala, the founder of the Maha Bodhi Society in Sri Lanka and India. 

It lives in the work of Mahatma Gandhi`s followers in India and Sri Lanka. 

Above all, our relationship thrives through the inter-woven lives of ordinary Indians and Sri Lankans. 

Our independent life began at about the same time. 

Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress since then. 

The nation is an inspiration for our region in human development. Sri Lanka is home to enterprise and skill; and extraordinary intellectual heritage. 

There are businesses of global class here. 

Sri Lanka is a leader in advancing cooperation in South Asia. 

And, it is important for the future of the Indian Ocean Region. 

Sri Lanka`s progress and prosperity is also a source of strength for India. 

So, Sri Lanka`s success is of great significance to India. 

And, as a friend, our good wishes, and our support and solidarity have always been with Sri Lanka. 

And, it will always be there for you. 

For all of us in our region, our success depends on how we define ourselves as a nation. 

All of us in this region, indeed every nation of diversity, have dealt with the issues of identities and inclusion, of rights and claims, of dignity and opportunity for different sections of our 

societies. 

We have all seen its diverse expressions. We have faced tragic violence. We have encountered brutal terrorism. We have also seen successful examples of peaceful settlements. 

Each of us has sought to address these complex issues in our own ways. 

However we choose to reconcile them, to me something is obvious: 

Diversity can be a source of strength for nations. 

When we accommodate the aspirations of all sections of our society, the nation gets the strength of every individual. 

And, when we empower states, districts and villages, we make our country stronger and stronger. 

You can call this my bias. I have been a Chief Minister for 13 years; a Prime Minister for less than a year! 

Today, my top priority is to make the states in India stronger. I am a firm believer in cooperative federalism. 

So, we are devolving more power and more resources to the states. And, we are making them formal partners in national decision making processes. 

Sri Lanka has lived through decades of tragic violence and conflict. You have successfully defeated terrorism and brought the conflict to an end. 

You now stand at a moment of historic opportunity to win the hearts and heal the wounds across all sections of society. 

Recent elections in Sri Lanka have reflected the collective voice of the nation – the hope for change, reconciliation and unity. 

The steps that you have taken in recent times are bold and admirable. They represent a new beginning. 

I am confident of a future of Sri Lanka, defined by unity and integrity; peace and harmony; and, opportunity and dignity for everyone. 

I believe in Sri Lanka`s ability to achieve it. 

It is rooted in our common civilisational heritage. 

The path ahead is a choice that Sri Lanka has to make. And, it is a collective responsibility of all sections of the society; and, of all political streams in the country. 

But, I can assure you of this: 

For India, the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka are paramount. 

It is rooted in our interest. It stems from our own fundamental beliefs in this principle. 

Hon`ble Speaker and Distinguished Members, 

My vision of an ideal neighbourhood is one in which trade, investments, technology, ideas and people flow easily across borders; when partnerships in the region are formed with the ease 

of routine. 

In India, the growth momentum has been restored. India has become the fastest growing major economy in the world. 

The world sees India as the new frontier of economic opportunity. 

But, our neighbours should have the first claim on India. And I again repeat, the first claim on India is of our neighbours – of Sri Lanka. 

I will be happy if India serves a catalyst in the progress of our neighbours. 

In our region, Sri Lanka has the potential to be our strongest economic partner. 

We will work with you to boost trade and make it more balanced. 

India`s trade environment is becoming more open. Sri Lanka should not fall behind others in this competitive world. 

That is why we should conclude an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

India can also be a natural source of investments – for exports to India and elsewhere; and to build your infrastructure. We have made good progress today. Let us get together to harness the vast potential of the Ocean Economy. 

Our two nations must also take the lead in increasing cooperation in the South Asian Region and the linked BIMSTEC Region. 

Connecting this vast region by land and sea, our two countries can become engines of regional prosperity. 

I also assure you of India`s full commitment to development partnership with Sri Lanka. We see this as a responsibility of a friend and neighbour. 

India has committed 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in development assistance. Today, we have committed further assistance of up to 318 million dollars to the railway sector. 

We will continue our development partnership. We will be guided by your Government. And, we will do so with the same level of transparency that we expect in our own country. 

Last month we signed the agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

More than anywhere else in the region, I see enormous potential to expand cooperation with Sri Lanka in areas like agriculture, education, health, science and technology, and space. 

Indeed, we are limited only by our imagination. 

We hope that Sri Lanka will take full benefit of India`s satellite for the SAARC Region. This should be in Space by December 2016. 

People are at the heart of our relationship. When we connect people, bonds between nations become stronger. That is why we have decided to extend the visa-on-arrival facility to Sri Lankan citizens. 

We will also increase connectivity between our countries. We will strengthen ties of culture and religion. Last month we announced reduction in fees for Sri Lankan nationals visiting 

National Museum in Delhi to see the Kapilavastu Relics. We will bring our shared Buddhist heritage closer to you through an exhibition. Together, we will develop our Buddhist and Ramayana Trails. My birth place Varnagarh was an international centre of Buddhist learning in ancient times. Excavations have revealed a hostel for 2000 students and in plans to redevelop the centre. 

Mr Speaker, 

A future of prosperity requires a strong foundation of security for our countries and peace and stability in the region. 

The security of our two countries is indivisible. Equally, our shared responsibility for our maritime neighbourhood is clear. 

India and Sri Lanka are too close to look away from each other. Nor can we be insulated from one another. 

Our recent histories have shown that we suffer together; and we are more effective when we work with each other. 

Our cooperation helped deal with the devastation of Tsunami in 2004. As a Chief Minister, I was pleased to share our experience in reconstruction after the Bhuj earthquake in 2001. 

Our cooperation is also integral to our success in combating terrorism and extremism. 

For both of us, local threats remain. But, we see threats arising in new forms and from new sources. We are witnessing globalisation of terrorism. The need for our cooperation has never been stronger than today. 

The Indian Ocean is critical to the security and prosperity of our two countries. And, we can be more successful in achieving these goals if we work together; build a climate of trust and confidence; and we remain sensitive to each other`s interest. 

We deeply value our security cooperation with Sri Lanka. We should expand the maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to include others in the Indian Ocean area. 

I often say that the course of the 21st century would be determined by the currents of the Indian Ocean. Shaping its direction is a responsibility for the countries in the region. 

We are two countries at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean. Your leadership and our partnership will be vital for building a peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous maritime 

neighbourhood. 

In our deeply interconnected lives, it is natural to have differences. Sometimes, it touches the lives of ordinary people. We have the openness in our dialogue, the strength of our human 

values and, the goodwill in our relationship to resolve them. 

Mr.Speaker, 

Sri Lanka and India are at a moment of a great opportunity and responsibility – for realising the dreams of our people. 

This is also a time for renewal in our relationship; for a new beginning and new vigour in our partnership. 

We have to ensure that our proximity always translates into closeness. 

We were honoured that President Sirisena chose India as his first destination last month. I am honoured to be his first guest here. 

This is how it should be between neighbours. 

Tomorrow I will go to Talaimannar to flag off the train to Madhu Road. This is part of the old India –Lanka rail link. 

I recall the lines of a famous song ‘Sindu Nadiyin Misai’ composed by the great nationalist poet Subramanian Bharati in the early 20th century:

‘Singalatheevukkinor paalam ameippom’(we shall construct a bridge to Sri Lanka) 

I have come with the hope of building this bridge – a bridge that rests on strong pillars of our shared inheritance; of shared values and vision; of mutual support and solidarity; of friendly 

exchanges and productive cooperation; and, above all, belief in each other and our shared destiny. Thank you once again for the honour to be with you. 

Thank you very much

உலகமய உல்லாச துறை ஏற்படுத்தும் உள்ளூர் பேரழிவு!

 Rise of Sri Lanka’s luxury tourist resorts ‘fuels round of human rights abuses’

British-based TRAVEL AGENCIES among those named in report as hotel complexes hit traditional way of life

Mark Townsend

British-based travel agencies are among the European holiday firms criticised in a report that alleges tourism development in Sri Lanka is prompting new human rights abuses.

Large-scale tourism developments since the end of the civil war six years ago have had disastrous effects on local communities, including cases of fishermen losing their access to the sea and allegations of land grabbing by the military, says the report.

Among the TRAVEL AGENCIES criticised is Swiss-based Kuoni, which for nearly 50 years has run tours from the UK through 35 branded shops, although it recently unveiled plans to sell its British operation.

The report, Dark Clouds over the Sunshine Paradise, by human rights organisation the Society for Threatened Peoples, urges travel agents to be vigilant about human rights issues.

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading holiday destinations – in 2013 it was Lonely Planet’s top pick of countries to visit. More than 1.5 million tourists went there last year, with Britons making up the largest contingent from western Europe, with 144,168 visitors.

The Sri Lankan government has cultivated the image of a country back to normal after a 26-year war that killed an estimated 80,000-100,000 people, with claims that 40,000 Tamil civilians

died in the final weeks of the conflict, but the report says the reality is more complicated.

Campaigners examined three new tourist developments – at Kuchchaveli, Passikudah and Kalpitiya, in the north and east of the island, where much of the civil war fighting took place –

identifying hotels that they allege undermined the livelihoods of nearby families. They said they had identified 1,200 families that had been adversely affected by the construction of tourist complexes.

The scale of the developments is huge. The project at Kalpitiya aims to establish 10,000 beds in 17 LUXURY HOTELS although, the report alleges, “fishermen were denied access to the sea and other lucrative fishing areas” and acres of mangrove were “destroyed where previously women and children had caught prawns and shrimp”.

Researchers also found that land had been taken from locals without prior consultation, with one resident describing how construction work for a luxury hotel began on her land without her being informed.

Despite the claims of human rights infringements, at least 49 German and 21 Swiss TRAVEL AGENCIES and a few British subsidiaries offer hotels in the three areas, according to the report.

The Sri Lankan government has considerable ambitions for the tourism trade, drawing up a five-point plan that seeks to attract 2.5 million visitors in 2016, although campaigners say the local population will hardly PROFIT from them.

A Kuoni spokesman said the company was committed to “human rights due diligence” and had conducted impact assessments in a range of destinations. A spokeswoman added: “We
welcome the findings from the report and will CONTINUE to engage with partners in Sri Lanka to discuss issues and solutions.”

Even though the conflict is over, concerns have been raised over the situation in Sri Lanka, with the then United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, claiming in August 2013 that the country was displaying “signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction”.

Other sources claim that Tamils detained by Sri Lankan authorities following the end of the conflict suffered sexual and physical abuse, including forced oral sex, anal rape and water torture. The Sri Lankan government revealed recently that it was planning an investigation into accusations of human rights abuses in the late stages of the war.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was ousted as president in January, had refused to cooperate with any UN investigation into army atrocities.

Statement from the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees

PFLP- Women's Day 2015 Poster

International Women’s Day: Statement from the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees
Mar 11 2015

On March 8, International Women’s Day, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees extend our solidarity and commitment to joint struggle to all activists and campaigners for freedom around the world who are confronting the forces of colonialism, exploitation, occupation, discrimination and racism and struggling for freedom, equality, justice and dignity; to those who defend self-determination of peoples, sovereignty over their resources and capabilities, and liberation from all forms of oppression; and to those who seek true peace with justice.

On this International Women’s Day, the rights of women around the world are violated in numerous ways: through wars and armed conflicts, through the power and oppression of racism; through reactionary forces in many regions, including in the Arab world, where such forces carry the support of imperalism to benefit its clear colonial objectives for control of peoples and their resources. Imperialism in our region has resulted in an increasing number of victims of its policies and ever more risk to the lives of people, especially women and children.

In Palestine, which is still under the yoke of Zionist settler colonialism, the Zionist movement seeks to proclaim its “democracy” and “progressiveness,” but in reality is committed to a mission of racism, murder, destruction and criminality. Palestinian women are struggling for the freedom of their people, and their message is one of insistence on freedom and refusal to compromise our rights, whether national or social, and thus continue their legitimate struggle for the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, the right of return of Palestinian refugees, the right of self-determination, of full sovereignty, and the right to Jerusalem as capital of an independent Palestinian state. At the same time, Palestinian women struggle for full equality in all economic and social fields, ending all forms of discrimination against them in the legal and social fields and the development of laws in line with international conventions upholding the rights of women.

March 8, 2015 comes not long after months of barbaric aggression launched by “Israel” in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 2260 martyrs including many women and children, destroying tens of thousands of homes and displacing hundreds of thousands. Nearly 100,000 are still living without proper shelter, while the siege on Gaza has tightened, leading to further aggravation of the health, social and economic conditions of our people. In the West Bank, the occupation practices its strategy for control over all of Palestine through the brutal repression of our people, through ongoing land confiscation, home demolitions, military invasions, the targeting of our people for arrest, killing and wounding. The number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails has increased to 6500, including 22 women and about 200 children, suffering from harsh conditions of detention and many abuses committed against prisoners, especially as Israel refuses to recognize them as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. Simultaneously, the project to Judaize Jerusalem continues, as do the racist assaults on our people in the occupied lands of 1948 and the intensification of discrimination and oppression, and the apartheid wall continues to be built, intensifying racism and apartheid in Palestine.

In Diaspora, more than half of the Palestinian people are suffering as refugees, especially those displaced from the camps in Syria and especially the besieged Yarmouk camp. Palestinian
refugees in Lebanon are facing extremely difficult conditions that have only become more severe after tens of thousands of Palestinians and Syrians fleeing Syria have come to the overcrowded camps in Lebanon.

All of the above only confirms that the Palestinian people are confronting a criminal strategy of colonialism and demand that the world act to stop these crimes, applying international law and holding the Zionist state and its war criminals accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people.

The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees salutes March 8 this year and emphasizes the following:

* The continuation of the struggle of Palestinian women for freedom and self-determination until we achieve our national rights;

* The need to confront all crimes and violations by the occupation forces against Palestinian women;
The escalation of the boycott of Israel, divestment, and sanctions;

* The struggle for unity with a real national strategy to confront the occupation and support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people;

* The urgency of lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip and of reconstruction;

* The necessity to release Palestinian prisoners and force Israel to apply international conventions to their treatment, in particular the Geneva Conventions;

* The importance of developing the Palestinian social and economic structures to protect the rights of women and children and defend the equality of women, in line with international conventions signed by Palestinian officials, and to end all forms of discrimination against women;

* The need to confront the reactionary forces that practice terror against the people, especially women, through the use of religion, and the promotion of the progressive, democratic political trend.

PFLP stands in solidarity with Venezuela against US sanctions and threats.

PFLP stands in solidarity with Venezuela against US sanctions and threats.
Mar 11 2015

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - PFLP- expressed its full solidarity with Venezuela in confronting US sanctions aimed at overthrowing the democratic Bolivarian government of Venezuela and undermining the will of its people, who have continually resisted US capitalism and imperialism.

The US is making clear its ongoing and continuous policy seeking to return Venezuela under the boot of US imperialism and the dictates of US policy, as was the case in the past before the Bolivarian Revolution and the election of the late President Hugo Chavez. The Front expressed its solidarity with the people of Venezuela, the government and the President, Nicolas Maduro, in continuing to resist such attempts to undermine the future of Venezuela’s popular development.

Comrade Kayed al-Ghoul, member of the Political Bureau of the PFLP, urged all progressive and democratic movements in the world to stand with Venezuela, noting the mass support of the people – and governments – of Latin America for Venezuela’s self-determination and sovereignty, rejecting and resisting the US attempt to isolate the Bolivarian Republic for its leading role in Latin America and the world in rejecting US imperialism.

Al-Ghoul added that the Front is confident that Venezuela will continue to be a thorn in the side of US capitalism and global hegemony, and a country and people who consistently stand by the side of the Palestinian people and all peoples who stand for liberation and resistance to US imperialism, which pursues global policies of plunder, exploitation, underdevelopment, occupation, war and subjugation against the peoples and oppressed nations of the world in order to further its interests.

U.S. declares Venezuela a national security threat, sanctions top officials

U.S. declares Venezuela a national security threat, sanctions top officials
BY JEFF MASON AND ROBERTA RAMPTON
WASHINGTON Mon Mar 9, 2015 5:43pm EDT


(Reuters) - The United States on Monday declared Venezuela a national security threat and ordered sanctions against seven officials from the oil-rich country in the worst bilateral

diplomatic dispute since socialist President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013.

U.S. President Barack Obama issued and signed the executive order, which senior administration officials said did not target Venezuela's energy sector or broader economy. But the move

stokes tensions between Washington and Caracas just as U.S. relations with Cuba, a longtime U.S. foe in Latin America and key ally to Venezuela, are set to be normalized.

Declaring any country a threat to national security is the first step in starting a U.S. sanctions program. The same process has been followed with countries such as Iran and Syria, U.S.
officials said.

The White House said the order targeted people whose actions undermined democratic processes or institutions, had committed acts of violence or abuse of human rights, were involved
in prohibiting or penalizing freedom of expression, or were government officials involved in public corruption.

"Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome here, and we now have the tools to

block their assets and their use of U.S. financial systems," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.

"We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government's efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents. Venezuela's problems cannot be solved by criminalizing dissent," he
added.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez told reporters that Caracas would respond to the U.S. move soon and later tweeted that Venezuela was calling home its charge d'affaires in Washington for consultations.

The two countries have not had full diplomatic representation since 2008, when late socialist leader Hugo Chavez expelled then-U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy. Washington at the time responded by expelling Venezuelan envoy Bernardo Alvarez.

The list of sanctioned individuals includes: Gustavo Gonzalez, head of state intelligence service Sebin; Manuel Perez, director of the national police; and Justo Noguero, a former National Guard commander who now runs state mining firm CVG. It also includes three other military officers and a state prosecutor.

The individuals' would have their property and interests in the United States blocked or frozen and would be denied entry into the United States. U.S. citizens and permanent residents would be prohibited from doing business with them.

BLAME GAME

The White House also called on Venezuela to release all political prisoners, including "dozens of students," and warned against blaming Washington for its problems.

"We've seen many times that the Venezuelan government tries to distract from its own actions by blaming the United States or other members of the international community for events inside Venezuela," Earnest said in the statement. "These efforts reflect a lack of seriousness on the part of the Venezuelan government to deal with the grave situation it faces."

U.S. officials told reporters in a conference call that the executive order did not target the Venezuelan people or economy and stressed that upcoming legislative elections should be held without intimidation of the government's opponents.

The sanctions effectively confirm Venezuela as the United States' primary adversary in Latin America, a label that was for decades applied to Communist-run Cuba until Washington and

Havana announced a diplomatic breakthrough in December.

Washington said last week it would respond through diplomatic channels to Venezuela's demand for it cut the U.S. Embassy's staff in Caracas after the government called for a plan within

15 days to reduce staff to 17 from 100 at the American facility.

Commercial ties between Venezuela and the United States have largely been unaffected by diplomatic flare-ups, which were common during the 14-year-rule of Chavez.

The United States is Venezuela's top trading partner, and the OPEC member in 2014 remained the fourth-largest supplier of crude to the United States at an average of 733,000 barrels per day - despite a decade-long effort by Caracas to diversify its oil shipments to China and India.

Opposition leader and twice-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles told Reuters the sanctions were a problem for a corrupt elite in the Maduro government, but not ordinary Venezuelans.

"It's not a problem with Venezuela or with Venezuelans; it's a problem for the corrupt ones. It doesn't affect we Venezuelans."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton, additional reporting by Brian Ellsworth and Andrew Cawthorne in Caracas; editing by G Crosse)
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