Mass March in Gaza!

Mass march in Gaza remembers Abu Ali Mustafa, demands to break siege: Full remarks by Comrade Jamil Mizher

Aug 27 2017

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine organized a mass march in Gaza City on Saturday, August 26, marking the 16th anniversary of the assassination of PFLP General Secretary, Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa. This central mass rally in Gaza was led by the cadres of the Popular Army and a massive Palestinian flag.





Marchers proceeded from the Gaza City municipal park to the Square of the Unknown Soldier, raising Palestinian flags, PFLP banners and signs demanding an end to the siege on Gaza, Palestinian national unity and the liberation of Palestine. The march included a street vendor with a trolley representing the plight of Palestinian workers as well as a child laying in a hospital bed with health workers around him, highlighting the situation of Palestinian sick children denied medical treatment due to the killer policies of occupation and siege.



Comrade Jamil Mizher, member of the Political Bureau of the PFLP and leader of its branch in Gaza, delivered the main speech at the rally and march. The full text is below:



We come together today to commemorate the martyrdom of an exceptional leader of the Palestinian people with a rich experience ofstruggle and a leader among the great and dedicated leaders who gave his life to struggle and resistance as a model leader and symbol of the Palestinian revolution. In the spirit of national unity, his life and martyrdom were a living example of sacrifice and courage, marking a torch of struggle to illuminate the path of resistance and liberation. He is the national leader, Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who lived his life on the field of struggle and died as a martyr.

On this occasion, we must not forget the heroes of the operation in response to the assassination of Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa, the heroes of October 17, who took down the Zionist racist propagandist of “transfer” Rehavam Zeevi. Today, we salute the General Secretary of the Front, always consistent on the principles, Comrade Ahmad Sa’adat, and the struggling Comrades Ahed Abu Ghoulmeh, Majdi Rimawi, Mohammed Rimawi, Hamdi Qur’an and Basil al-Asmar.



The Zionist occupation is continuing its crimes and racist plans to deepen its occupation and control over more land and holy sites and attempt to establish the principle of the “Jewish state” amid frantic American and Western attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. The division and its repercussions continue to cast a shadow on the Palestinian scene, especially amid the catastrophic situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, which has only been exacerbated by the recent measures taken by the leadership of the PA. This has been done as it prepares to cook up a National Council in Ramallah and rush towards the projects of the U.S. administration that serve the interests of the occupation. Meanwhile, there is an attempt to transform the Palestinian land into a subsidiary or pawn in regional arenas of conflict and the situation in our Palestinian camps in Lebanon is degraded, the situation deteriorating amid attempts to make the camps battlefields for war and fighting.



We in the Popular Front for the Liberation emphasize the following on this occasion with full national concern and responsibility:

1) The fulfillment of our pledge to the martyr Abu Ali Mustafa and all the martyrs requires us to conduct a comprehensive political review that includes and ensures an in-depth understanding of the nature of the enemy as a settler-colonial Zionist project. Victory requires adherence to the strength of resistance and confrontation, not abandoning it or wasting time going down the wrong road. A comprehensive policy review means re-consolidating the slogan of the unity of the land, people and decision, in the sense that we, here in besieged Gaza, which continues to bleed, stand together with our people in Umm al-Fahm, in Dheisheh, in Yarmouk and Ain el-Helweh, and we refuse to be a weapon against the sons and daughters of the camps.

2) The need to adhere firmly to the resistance in word and deed as did the martyr Abu Ali Mustafa, not only as an option, but as a consistent presence, dignity and life of resistance and support for the steadfastness of our people. The Palestinian people’s legitimate resistance directs its blows toward the Zionist enemy. As the martyr Abu Ali Mustafa said, “Who says that there is a people in the world under occupation who will address their cause by sweet thoughts – this does not occur at all.” “Comrades, if the enemy presses the trigger with a finger, we must press the trigger with ten fingers and target the Zionist soldiers and the settlers.”



3) We must recognize that our strength is in our unity. National unity is the basis of the liberation of peoples. But no one should imagine that unity can be based on fraud, quotas or any approach that does not reflect the constants of our people. Instead, it must be based on democracy, honesty and ethics. An integrated national front begins with a comprehensive national dialogue and real implementation of its decisions.

4) The responsibility of this struggle requires our people and national and Islamic forces to maintain a national framework to organize the energies of our people. In light of this responsibility, we affirm our position to hold a national unity council that reinforces the prestige of the PLO as a tool that brings together the energies of our people on a national program that is popular and effective. It must re-examine the nature of the Authority, its function and its security policies and protect our people from the effects of the division and its repercussions. This National Council was agreed upon in Beirut with the participation of all national forces. In this context, we in the Popular Front warn the leadership of the dangers that would arise from convening the PNC in Ramallah, whether deepening the division or developing a high-level conflict over representation and legitimacy. We will confront the policy of monopoly over the Palestinian national decision and the kidnapping of the PLO and Palestinian national institutions away from the Palestinian national cause and program.



5) We renew our call to the Palestinian official leadership not to gamble on the mirage of settlement under American administration, noting that the visit of the American delegation to the region and its meetings with Arab leaders come to prepare a poisoned meal in the framework of a regional solution of normalization and liquidation of the Palestinian cause through the adoption of a Zionist “solution.” We in the PFLP stand with the masses of our people and we will form a blockade to confront all American-Zionist schemes that attempt to obliterate the identity and will of the Palestinian people.

6) In a few weeks, we will witness the anniversary of the signing of the Oslo Accords. In this context
and on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Abu Ali, from the land of Guevara Gaza, we affirm the death of the Oslo agreement for all eternity and that our people have the initiative to correct the course and confront everyone who relies on a return to the path of compromise and conciliation.



7) The need to put an end to the policies of collective punishment that have led to the aggravation of the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip. The siege is escalating on a daily basis, the social, humanitarian and economic crises are increasing and the Strip is on the verge of a real catastrophe impacting all aspects of life, from health to education to basic services. No electricity – no water – the rates of poverty and unemployment among the highest in the world as thousands of graduates and an army of unemployed are left to wander the streets, neglected. In light of the insistence of the leadership of the PA to intensify its attacks and sanctions in this war of starvation and threaten yet more, in this dangerous situation, the PFLP demands the PA to atone for its crimes and stop these attacks and work instead to strengthen the steadfastness of our people. In turn, we call on Hamas to dissolve the Administrative Committee to remove the pretexts being used to impose further actions against the Gaza Strip.

We demand that the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip be broken immediately as a national, Arab, Islamic and human mission. In light of this dangerous situation, international institutions must declare the Strip a disaster zone. We also call for the formation of a mass popular pressure campaign to push for completing the file of reconciliation in order to strengthen the steadfastness of our people.



8) We call on Egypt to end the siege imposed on Rafah crossing and to take a stand against the humiliation and indignities imposed upon Palestinians traveling from Cairo to the Rafah crossing and vice versa. Historically, Egypt stood with Palestine with the blood of its army and people.

9) The need to build on the achievements made in the city of Jerusalem, the popular victory and the situation of popular unity in the homeland and diaspora with our people there, contributing to the formation of a broad national front to unite and confront Zionist schemes and threats to the Palestinian cause.



The memory of the martyrdom of Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa will always remain an important milestone for our people, especially the oppressed classes, as an incubator of popular resistance in order to raise their voices loud with outrage against the occupation, its settler-colonial projects, the Authority and the projects of liquidation. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine will remain on this path, a thorn in the eye of the Zionist occupation and the enemies of the Palestinian cause, and we will continue to march confidently toward our national liberation despite the ongoing targeting of its leaders and cadres.

In conclusion, we salute the memory of a great revolutionary leader who emerged from the womb of the poor and working class to form a model and example of revolutionary struggle. We assure him that we are on his road to Haifa, Yafa and Jerusalem. We promise you and all of the martyrs that we will not allow the flag to fall and it will remain soaring high in the skies of Palestine. The resistance will remain with the rifle, which we will not give up or hand over. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine will continue to be a voice of the oppressed people and popular classes in Ain el-Helweh, Rafah, Jabaliya, Dheisheh, Balata and all of Palestine from the river to the sea. Long live the sacrifices of the Palestinian people – Victory is inevitable!

Of Islamophobia-Kalpita Das

Demonising a religion and its followers will only worsen the situation at the global level
Kalpita Das

Srinagar, Publish Date: Aug 30 2017 11:06PM | Updated Date: Aug 30 2017 11:06PM

File Photo Kalpita Das

Post 9/11 Islamophobia brought fear and insecurity among the Muslims the worldover as they were negatively perceived, suspiciously watched and unfairly targeted in the name of national security. This was more pronounced in western countries especially in the United States of America. In America there has been escalation of civil rights violations targeting Muslims in the workplace, at religious institutions and at the schools in addition to hate crimes post 9/11. Islam as a religion was vilified deeply hurting and alienating Muslims in a multicultural society like the US. India the largest democracy where Islam is the second largest religion and home to 172 million Muslims is no exception as anti-Muslim prejudices have risen that had a very demeaning effect on the moral of Muslims. From amongst many prejudices that the world holds against Islam, the prejudice that Islam is against modernity has been used as a propaganda tool to depict Islam in a poor light. This article probes into the relationship between Islam and modernity from historical perspective.

Modernism, the cultural form of modernity arose from far-reaching transformations in multiple theatres such as, state, society, culture, science etc. in the western world during late 19th and 20th centuries. It championed rationality, positivism, progress, free thinking and forcefully rejected metaphysical ideas. It also paved the way for technological developments. Interestingly Islam’s tryst with modernity and its philosophical position is much older, it goes back  to the period between 8th century to 13th century, considered as the golden years of Islam in which science, economy, democracy and culture flourished. During this era Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad had set up ‘Bait-ul-Hikmah’ (House of Wisdom) laying the foundation of rationality and sciences, which welcomed scholars of all creeds, religions and beliefs. Most of the scholars in this phase of Islamic history belonged to Mu’tazalite school of thought based on free thinking and rationalism. ‘Ijtihad’ or independent reasoning was the prerogative of the lay believer during the era rather than conformism. It was through Arab philosophers and scientists that the rich patrimony of the Greeks reached the leading lights of modern rationalism. The father of modern scientific research Roger Bacon was a disciple of the Arabs and George Sarton the father of the modern history of science strongly felt that Arabs not only transmitted ancient knowledge but they created new ones. It is even interesting to know that when Europe was stuck in dark-ages, science and philosophy flourished in the Islamic world. All through this golden period, Muslims flaunted the names of Al-Khawarizmi, Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd, Al-Razi and Omar Khayyam. These early scholars not only enriched Islamic civilization but also inspired the west towards science and modernity. As a matter of fact it’s not just the scholars who contributed towards proliferation of rational ideas in the wider society but even democratic Muslim rulers during the era helped nurturing a political environment conducive to growth of modern rationalism.

Moreover Islam’s relation with modernity goes even prior to the golden years (much prior to 8th century). Beginning with the holy Quran itself where it is evident that Islam has profound support for democracy, which is an inseparable aspect of modernity. The Quran lays emphasis on Shura meaning consultation. Even the messenger of Allah is required to consult people. Liberal scholars argue that the Quran does not support authoritarianism in any form and support their argument with the fact that the institutions of monarchy did not exist during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Similarly, integration of state and religion widely believed to be an essential aspect of Islam actually didn’t have any doctrinal position in Quran. Further like freedom of speech and freedom of conscience the Quran never denied individual rights, which are essential for functioning of liberal democracy. The Quran promotes pluralism by recognizing other faiths, differences of opinion and equality of sexes.
Then there are pertinent questions, which arise viz. if the holy Quran is not against modernity and Islam’s interface with modern rationalism dates back to 8th century then why radicalism and fundamentalism are the norms in the Islamic world or why most of the Islamic countries follow authoritarianism and not democracy? Amongst various other factors the dominant ullema culture that arose between the 11th Century and 12th Century could be responsible to a considerable extent for ‘decay’ in Muslim countries. It spearheaded the decline of modernity in Islam as the ullemas closed the doors on all kinds of free and rational thinking (Ijtihad) that had been flourishing in Islamic societies since 8th century. Ullemas vigorously advocated and enforced blind obedience (Taqlid) to ideas that appeared against science, democracy and modern rationalism through such interpretation of Quran, which suited their vested interests. It’s a well-established fact that there could be no single interpretation of religion and there should be multiple ways to know it. Religion Islam, which is based on text, provides more scope for such exploitations. Ulema, however collaborated with the authoritarian ruling class and gave legitimacy to all their actions in lieu of patronage. Unfortunately this ideological and political hegemony continued for centuries (from medieval to modern day)  resulting in near stagnation in the sphere of social, political and intellectual fields in Islamic countries. In 19th and 20th centuries Islamic scholars and modernizers like Syed Ahmed Khan, Jamaluddin-al-Afghani, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad etc spent their lifetimes engaging Islam with science and modernity while negating various myths and misconceptions that surrounded Islam. Unfortunately their impact on the community remained marginal in comparison to the orthodox ullemas who ruled the roost.

Even today the orthodox ideologues supportive of erstwhile Ullema tradition, relentlessly try to establish the idea through writings and discourses that Islam and modernity are antithetical to each other, and that modernity is imposition of western values; propagation of such ideas are not only befooling the Muslims but also contributing towards  radicalization of Muslim societies.

External factor like hegemony of western countries in general and American interference in particular have undeniably played an important role in shaping the socio-religious and political outlook of Muslim countries of the Middle East, however, ‘politicization of Islam’ that took place within the community is to large extent responsible for present situation. It has been responsible for purging all the humanitarian and pluralistic values of Islam and giving an interpretation to the world, which is ambiguous and misleading. The past glory can be restored by promoting ‘Ijtihad’ and modern thinking, which will eventually set up a liberal democratic culture. A democratic culture in return supports spread of liberal education, reform in cultural and traditional norms, which would comprehensively enhance rights and freedom bring transformations in overall quality of life. It has to be realized that democratization of Islamic countries is a gradual process that requires persistent efforts from within the community. The Arab Spring that spread across the Arab world in 2011 could be seen as a remarkable effort towards that process. The West could also contribute in that process by creating a global consensus on contentious geo-political issues concerning Muslims treatments to which hitherto appears discriminatory and prejudiced. People holding prejudices against Islam must understand that elements of radicalism are present in all religions and much depends on how those elements are engaged with by political dispensation. History stands witness to the fact that Christianity suffered from orthodoxy till 18th century and was opposed to democracy and modernity transformed itself by 19th century and supported Christian West in embracing modernity.

Demonising a particular religious community is dangerous to the extent that could intensify clashes between communities, societies and nations.

(Kalpita Das is Research Scholar JNU, New Delhi)

ISIS – Always-Always Claims Responsibility!

ISIS – Always-Always Claims Responsibility!

Whenever a terrorist attack hits somewhere in Europe or the world, wait a few hours and the police or media report ISIS / ISIL / Daesh claims responsibility. To enhance credibility, they usually say it was confirmed by ISIS news agency Amaq. As soon as this little piece of info is out, the upset populace takes a deep breath and falls at ease. It’s the usual culprits. It’s them, not us. We are fine. We can go back to business as usual.


This in Europe alone has happened more than 40 times since May 2014 – that’s as many ‘Muslim-induced terror attacks’ Western Europe has endured; from Paris to Nice, Brussels, London, Berlin, Munich, Würzburg, Copenhagen, Zvornik (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Moscow, Istanbul, and many more. And almost without fail, the alleged perpetrator(s) were killed, though most of them were not armed and could have been apprehended by police, questioned and brought to justice. Dead men don’t talk. That’s more convenient.

The latest Barcelona terror Amuck-run on the Rambla is not different. It is a case in point and a typical case for confusion. There were several chief-perpetrators suspected and killed. Many names circulated – and, of course, a passport, leading to a Spanish enclave in Morocco was found. The owner of the passport, immediately reported it to the police as stolen, with a solid alibi. But then, suitably his 17-year-old brother stole the passport and left it in the white van, when he fled on foot, injured from an explosion the night before, in a residency some 230 km south of Barcelona – or was that really him? – and several hours after the Rambla assault, he was caught by police in Cambrils, 120 km south of Barcelona in another attempted pedestrian run – and killed among one of five terrorists who happened to be squeezed into the same Audi. Ever wondered, why so many terrorists in one car? – Or was he really one of those killed?

By now, the people are really-really confused. Nobody knows up from down in this chaos. Better leave it to the authorities. They know best to handle the situation. Let us go back to normal – until the next terror attack hits – Allahu Akbar – very likely next in a theatre near you, somewhere in this old, purposefully and increasingly militarized police state, called Europe.

What happened to the real and innocent owner of the passport? – Does anybody know? Or can we ask ten ‘official’ sources and get ten different answers?

How come special police throughout Europe apply the same philosophy – kill to shut them up? Isn’t there a police ethics code – shoot only in self-defense? Most cases were no self-defense, as the ‘terrorists’ were visibly not armed. Have European secret and special police forces been receiving collective, well-focused training: no Muslim-Terrorist Survivors!

Why not? – That would also explain why never anybody questions the ISIS claim to murder and mayhem. Why would ISIS / ISIL / Daesh want to hurt those who fund them, train them, arm them, feed them? – It’s not even secret any more. Hillary said so already years ago, We created them, now we have to deal with them. Former CIA officials admitted that they recruited, funded, trained and armed them – later the ISIL / Daesh reign was expanded with additional financial backing by the Saudis, other Gulf States and Turkey – and, of course, all the holy western allies. – So, why would ISIS want to hurt the cow whose milk they drink? Strange – isn’t it?

Maybe what meets the eye is not reality. Could it be that ISIS / ISIL / Daesh, out of sheer gratitude to its benevolent sponsors have agreed to take the blame whenever a western orchestrated terror attack strikes somewhere in Europe or the world? Can’t be excluded, can it? It’s not even blackmail. After all, lending a helping hand to the Big Brothers, NATO, France, Germany, UK, US of A and many more lesser contributors, but contributors all the same – who keep you alive, would not be out of the world. – Right? – This is all done in connivance with massive support of European secret services, led by the usual villains, CIA, MI6, Mossad.

Is it therefore far-fetched to conclude that European governments are utterly complicit in instigating and executing these ‘false flag’ terror attacks, sacrificing the lives of hundreds of their citizens, just so they can pursue their goal of totally militarizing the Continent?  – That they are as faithful vassals following the pattern of their trans-Atlantic partners – aiming at Full Spectrum Dominance – World Hegemony, a New World Order under a One World Order governed by Washington and its Deep Dark handlers? – Barcelona, Paris, Berlin are mere little pebbles in the Big Picture mosaic of world dominion. And the people, the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children who are killed – they are just menial collateral damage. After all, slaves – what is their value?

Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a former World Bank staff and worked extensively around the world in the fields of environment and water resources. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research, ICH, RT, Sputnik, PressTV, The 4th Media (China), TeleSUR, The Vineyard of The Saker Blog, and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion – An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed – fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! – Essays from the Resistance.

The original source of this article is Global Research
Copyright © Peter Koenig, Global Research, 2017

 

Russia Fears New U.S. Bomb Ups Risk of Nuclear Strike



File Photo:B61-11 "Bunker Buster" bomb

Russia Fears New U.S. Bomb Ups Risk of Nuclear Strike
News Week- 30-08-20917

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs fears updated, high-precision U.S. models of nuclear bombs will lower inhibitions to use nuclear weapons in combat, Russian state news agency Itar-Tass reported on Tuesday.

The B-61 model 12 is a weapon that the U.S. has worked on for some time, testing a mock-up of it in 2015. The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration announced on Tuesday that it had carried out another non-nuclear test of the model 12 and would continue doing so in the next three years, hoping to clear it for service. The weapon is meant to be the first precision-guided atomic bomb, and Russia does not like the sound of it.

“The advantage of the new modification of the B61-12, according to U.S. military experts themselves lies in the fact that it will be, as they put it, ‘more ethical’ and ‘more usable’,” Mikhail Ulyanov, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Nonproliferation and Weapons Control Department told Tass.
Referring to comments made by former undersecretary of defense James Miller and ex-President Barack Obama’s key nuclear strategist General James E. Cartwright, Ulyanov expressed fears the U.S. may develop a more laissez-faire view of nuclear arms’ use, knowing they “cause less catastrophic consequences for the civilian population.

“From this we can conclude that the clearing of such bombs for service could objectively lead to lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear arms,” Ulyanov said. “This, we can imagine, is the main negative impact of the ongoing modernization.”

The upgrade is, in the eyes of some U.S. defense experts, a needed replacement of an integral part of U.S. nuclear capabilities whose design dates back to the 1960s. Former U.S. General Cartwright defended the program in 2016, noting that increasing precision and shrinking the size of the arms means fewer will be needed to act as a deterrent in the first place.

Ulyanov, however, felt the U.S. and any of its NATO allies that may benefit from the upgrade sought the B-61 model 12’s potential clearing in response to what they perceive as Russian nuclear posturing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have issued a handful of verbal reminders that Russia’s own nuclear capabilities exist to back up its foreign policy if needed.
North Korea’s current nuclear missile program has topped the list of concerns for the U.S. of late, with a missile test flying over Japan taking place on Tuesday morning. Though Russia formally opposes the North’s nuclear program, Moscow chose to once again condemn the U.S. for provoking the test by carrying out its annual defense drill with regional ally South Korea.

Mandaithivu boat tragedy

Mandaithivu boat tragedy Bodies of six youth handed over to families

By 2017-08-30

 

BY Mirudhula Thambiah

The bodies of the six Advanced Level students, who died when their boat capsized at sea, off Mandaithivu, Jaffna on Monday (28), were handed over to their families following an autopsy yesterday (29).

The incident occurred around 1.30 p.m. when seven students travelled to Mandaithivu for a boat ride to celebrate one of their birthdays.

Initially five out of seven students died due to drowning, one went missing and the other was rescued, Police said.

However, the body of the missing youth was also recovered from the Mandaithivu seas.

The deceased students were identified as Nanthan Rajeevan (18) Nagasilogan Sinnathamby (17)and Jayasanth Thinesh (17) from Urumpirai, Thanurathan (20) from Kokkuvil, Praveen (20) from Nallur and Thanushan (18) Sandilippay.

Preliminary Police investigations revealed the boat was not fit to be put to sea. Police also believe that the students had been under the influence of liquor.

However, Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director T. Sathiyalingam told the media that certain body samples of the deceased were sent to Colombo for further medico-legal examinations, which would reveal whether the students had been under the influence of liquor.

Altogether, 18 students had travelled to Mandaithivu to celebrate the birthday, however the boat in which seven of them travelled separately had capsized.

Meanwhile, another five students, of the 18, including the one who was rescued from the sea, were arrested by policeand later released following investigations and severe warnings.

Hayleys Group buys Sri Lanka Shipping for Rs. 4.9 billion

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Tuesday, 29 August 2017 00:40

Hayleys Advantis, the transportation and logistics arm of Hayleys Plc, has acquired 94.8% stake in the Sri Lanka Shipping Company Ltd. for Rs. 4.9 billion.

The company, a subsidiary of conglomerate Hayleys Plc, in a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange said the acquisition is in line with the group’s strategy on expanding its maritime operations and paving the way for the establishment of the largest marine and shipping company in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Shipping has enjoyed an excellent and respected position in the local shipping industry and is headquartered in its own building named after its founder Chairman Robert Senanayake.

The group of the company offers the local and international shipping community the full range of maritime services such as a liner and tramp ship agency, joint venture investment in ship agency companies, stevedoring, Customs house agents, clearing and forwarding, heavy lift haulage, towage and salvage, bagging of bulk fertiliser, warehousing and warehouse management and tea blending and other related services to the export of tea.

Its Board of Directors were Capt. Lester Paul Weinman (Chairman), Mrs. Sonia Weinman, Mohamed Reza (Managing Director) and Feroza Delpechitrea.

=================

Note:

Hayleys  is one of Sri Lanka’s largest multinational business conglomerates* with a history spanning 135 years. We drive a globally competitive business portfolio encompassing 12
defined sectors of enterprise cutting across manufacturing, agriculture and services. Commencing commercial operations in 1878 as Chas. P. Hayley and Company, we were
incorporated as Hayleys Limited 61 years ago. The Group accounts for 3.17% of Sri Lanka’s export income, and 4.5% of tea and 2.2% of rubber production.
(* Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company.)

About Us

Commencing commercial operations in 1878 as Chas. P. Hayley and Company, we were incorporated as Hayleys Limited 61 years ago. Embracing innovation and entrepreneurship,
we’ve added value for people and businesses across the country and beyond. It is this spirit that has characterised our growth and the building of a strong and successful enterprise
that is active in local and global markets. In addition to Sri Lanka, Hayleys today has manufacturing facilities in Indonesia and Thailand, and marketing operations in Australia, India,
Bangladesh, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, UK and USA. The Group accounts for 3.17% of Sri Lanka’s export income, and 4.5% of tea and 2.2% of rubber production.

பிணம் புதைக்க நிலம் இல்லா ஈழம்!

Source:Tamilnet Poster ENB

https://youtu.be/CkJIldM5Oas

David Petraeus: Allies will be in Afghanistan for decades

 

David Petraeus: Allies will be in Afghanistan for decades

 

Deborah Haynes, Defence Editor | Michael Evans

August 28 2017, 12:01am,

The Times UK

 

David Petraeus



American forces are likely to stay in Afghanistan for decades after an increase in troop numbers, a former commander of US and Nato troops in the country has indicated.

 

General David Petraeus, a former director of the CIA who is credited with quelling the insurgency in Iraq that came after the US-led invasion, pointed to the presence of US forces in South Korea ever since the Korean war and in Europe during the Cold War.

 

“The analogy with Afghanistan isn’t perfect, given that is a true shooting war, but when we have had significant national interests at stake we have sustained efforts, and I think that is why a sustained commitment is important here but also why that has to be sustainable,” he told The Times.

 

He “wouldn’t hazard a prediction” on how long Nato forces would be in Afghanistan, but indicated that the 16-year war, America’s longest, was set to last. “This is not the fight of a decade, much less a few years,” he said. “We are engaged in a generational struggle. That is why we need sustained commitments that are sustainable. I believe that this is a sustainable sustained commitment.”

 

General Petraeus, 64, a former candidate for secretary of state, declined to say whether President Trump or members of the administration, including Lieutenant-General HR McMaster, the national security adviser, who he knows well, had sought his opinion in devising their strategy for Afghanistan and the rest of south Asia, announced last week.

 

The Times UK Graphic Afghan 2017

However, he was supportive of the policy, which is expected to mean that an additional 3,900 American forces — taking the number of US troops to 12,300 — would be sent.

 

A second former US military chief said that the increase would be “helpful but not decisive”. General Jack Keane, who for family reasons turned down the chance to serve as secretary of defence, said that tens of thousands of troops were required to defeat the Taliban but realised that there was no longer support in Congress for action on such a scale.

 

Mr Trump’s goals in Afghanistan appear to be less ambitious that those of his predecessors, General Keane said. The president aims to stop the Taliban from overthrowing the Afghan government, not to defeat them. In time it is hoped that political reconciliation could be achieved with the insurgents.
 

There are already more than 12,000 Nato-led troops, more than half of them American, in Afghanistan helping to train and advise the Afghan security forces. A separate counterterrorism mission of up to 2,000 US special forces as well as elite British and other troops is focused on al-Qaeda, Islamic State and the Taliban.

 

General Petraeus welcomed the absence of an “artificial deadline” for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. He directed veiled criticism towards the Obama administration for constraining commanders by setting exit timelines. “I applaud the commitment to conditions-based decision-making,” he said.

 

The boost in numbers will enable Nato-led forces to reassert their presence lower down the Afghan chain of command, with officers offering more training and advice to counterparts who are closer to the frontline rather than focusing their efforts at the corps and divisional level. It could also mean more aircraft providing surveillance and reconnaissance as well as a greater capacity to launch airstrikes. Having Nato personnel closer to the front line will enable Afghan forces to take greater advantage of US jets and drones.

 

General Petraeus said he was confident that Britain and other Nato allies involved in Operation Resolute Support train and advise mission would follow the US lead by increasing troops. The required increase is thought to be up to 2,500 personnel. He would not be drawn on whether a British plan to add 85 troops, including special forces, on top of its 500-strong presence was adequate. “I think at the end of the day we will see Nato countries come through,” he said.

 

When judging the utility of continuing the campaign, which has cost the lives of more than 2,400 US military personnel, the former commander said that it had prevented al-Qaeda from launching another September 11-style attack from the country. “That remains a national security priority,” he said.
 

The US presence in Afghanistan also secures a launchpad for counterterrorism operations across the region, such as the raid into Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, he said.

 

General Petraeus said that the security situation in Afghanistan was “as a Brit would say, fraught” less than three years after Nato declared an end to combat operations. On Saturday the funeral took place of the latest American serviceman killed in Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Aaron Butler, a member of the Green Beret special forces, died in an explosion in Nangarhar province.

 

Yesterday at least 13 people were killed in a car bomb attack in Helmand.

 

General Petraeus attributed a rise in attacks and increase in Taliban-held territory to a number of factors, including the requirement, supported by Barack Obama and David Cameron when they were in power, for the withdrawal of combat troops.

 

A relaxing last year of the rules of engagement for airstrikes, taking away limitations on striking Taliban forces, would help the renewed push to support the Afghan government, according to the former general, now a partner at a private equity firm. He resigned as director of the CIA in 2012 after an extramarital affair was revealed but remains a highly regarded figure because of his military record.

 

Source:The Times UK-Subscription Article


பேரறிவாளன்: 26 ஆண்டு சிறைவாசத்துக்குப் பின் ஒரு மாத 'சிறைவாச நல்லொழுக்க விடுமுறை`!

ENB Editorial Poster PerarivaaLan

முன்னாள் பிரதமர் ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொலை வழக்கில் தண்டிக்கப்பட்டு 25 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக சிறையில் இருக்கும் பேரறிவாளன் முதல் முறையாக வியாழக்கிழமை சிறை விடுப்பில் (பரோலில்)* வெளியே வந்தார்.

தமிழக அரசு அவருக்கு 30 நாட்கள் சிறைவிடுப்பு அளித்து உத்தரவிட்டதைத் தொடர்ந்து அவர் வெளியே வந்துள்ளார்.

ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொல்லப்பட்ட வழக்கில் தற்போது 7 பேர் சிறையில் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். இவர்களில் பேரறிவாளனின் உடல்நிலையைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டும் உடல்நலமின்றி அவதிப்படும் அவரது தந்தையாரைப் பார்ப்பதற்காகவும் சில நாட்களாகவது சிறைவிடுப்பு அளிக்க வேண்டுமென அவரது தாயார் அற்புதமம்மாள் கோரிவந்தார்.

ஆனால் இந்தக் கோரிக்கையை பேரறிவாளன் அடைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள வேலூர் சிறையின் கண்காணிப்பாளர் நிராகரித்தார்.

இதையடுத்து, இந்த விவகாரம் குறித்து தமிழக அட்வகேட் ஜெனரலின் கருத்தை மாநில அரசு கேட்டது. பேரறிவாளன் மத்திய அரசுச் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் தண்டிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தாலும் அவர் தன் தண்டனைக் காலம் முழுவதையும் அனுபவித்துவிட்டதால், மாநில அரசில் உள்ள பொருத்தமான அதிகாரிகள் அவருக்கான சிறைவிடுப்பு குறித்து முடிவு செய்யலாம் என அட்வகேட் ஜெனரல் தன் கருத்தை அளித்தார்.

இந்நிலையில், அவருக்கு ஒரு மாத காலம் சிறைவிடுப்பு அளிப்பதாக தமிழக அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது.
இது தொடர்பாக தமிழக அரசின் கூடுதல் தலைமைச் செயலர் நிரஞ்சன் மார்டி வெளியிட்டுள்ள உத்தரவில், "1982-ஆம் ஆண்டின் சிறை தண்டனை நிறுத்திவைப்பு விதிமுறைகள் - விதி 19-ன் படி பேரறிவாளனுக்கு 30 நாட்கள் சிறை விடுப்பு அளிக்கலாம்.

அவர் சிறை விடுப்பில் இருக்கும் காலகட்டத்தில் அவருக்கு கடுமையான போலீஸ் பாதுகாவல் அளிக்க வேண்டும்" என்று குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

கடந்த 1991-ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூன் மாதம் கைது செய்யப்பட்ட பேரறிவாளன், 26 ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து சிறை விடுப்பு கிடைத்துள்ளது.

இந்த வழக்கில் தண்டனை அனுபவித்துவரும் சிலர் இதற்கு முன்பாக சிறைவிடுப்பு பெற்றுள்ளனர் என்றாலும் அவர்களுக்கு சில நாட்கள் மட்டுமே அவ்விடுப்பு கிடைத்தது. முதல்முறையாக இவ்வழக்கின் தண்டனைக் கைதி ஒருவருக்கு ஒரு மாதகால விடுப்பு கிடைத்துள்ளது.

ராஜீவ் காந்தி கொலைவழக்கில் சாந்தன், முருகன், பேரறிவாளன் ஆகியோருக்கு விதிக்கப்பட்ட தூக்கு தண்டனையை ஆயுள் தண்டனையாக உச்சநீதிமன்றம் குறைத்தது.

இந்த வழக்கில் தண்டிக்கப்பட்ட 7 பேரையும் குற்றவியல் நடைமுறைச் சட்டம் 435ன் கீழ் விடுவிக்கப்போவதாக 2014ஆம் ஆண்டில் அப்போதைய முதல்வர் ஜெயலலிதா அறிவித்தார்.

மத்திய அரசின் ஒப்புதலோடுதான் இந்தச் சட்டப்பிரிவைப் பயன்படுத்தி அவர்களை விடுவிக்க முடியும் என்று உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பளித்துள்ளதாலும், மத்திய அரசு ஒப்புதல் அளிக்க மறுத்ததாலும் ஏழு பேரையும் விடுதலை செய்யும் விவகாரம் கிடப்பில் உள்ளது.
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* parole

pəˈrəʊl/

noun

noun: parole

the temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour

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