Tag Archives: opinion
Brotherhood allies seek truce
Brotherhood allies seek truce (AP) / 26 August 2013 Two of Egypt’s former militant groups are offering an initiative to halt the country’s political violence, in which supporters of the ousted Islamist president will stop street protests if the military-backed government stops its crackdown on them, the groups’ leaders said on Monday. An Egyptian woman waits for her breakfast on a street fast food restaurant in Suleiman Gohar market in Dokki district in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday. -AP The initiative led by Egypt’s Gamaa Islamiya and Islamic Jihad movements, which waged an insurgency in the 1990s, aims to bring dialogue between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood, from which toppled President Mohammed Mursi hails. Mursi was overthrown by the military on July 3 after millions took to the street demanding that he step down. Mursi’s allies had previously insisted that he be restored to power as starting point for any talks, but Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed Abu Samra told The Associated Press that negotiations had no “red lines.” The groups do not speak for the Brotherhood, but the initiative is a new sign of flexibility from the pro-Mursi alliance of mostly Islamist groups. It comes as the Islamists’ protest campaign wanes and numbers at their formerly massive rallies dwindle. Hundreds of Brotherhood leaders and organisers have been arrested in the crackdown. Egypt’s worst bout of violence in its 2 ½ years of turmoil was set off when security forces backed by snipers and armoured vehicles moved in to break up two sprawling pro-Mursi protest camps on August 14. More than 1,000 people were killed in the raids and other violence over the next several days, mostly Mursi supporters. “We are paving the way for talks,” Abu Samra said over the phone. “We can’t hold talks while we are at the points of swords in the midst of killings and crackdowns.” He said the groups were “extending their hands” to avoid a bloodier confrontation with the military. He said that the Islamists will stop demonstrations so long as the military halts its crackdown and stops defaming the Brotherhood in mosques and in the media. Asked if Islamist groups would accept talks without demanding Mursi’s reinstatement, he said, “Blood is more valuable than the seat of power.” Top Muslim Brotherhood negotiator Amr Darrag said that the group is open for talks but after “confidence-building measures.” However, he added, “the other side didn’t show a single gesture or any sign that it is ready for dialogue. It only talks about it but no action.” It was not immediately possible to reach the interim president’s political advisers for comment. Egypt’s Interim Prime Minister Hazem El Beblawi had earlier told reporters that security measures will not be enough on their own and that Egypt “must go down the political path” to work out a democratic transition through reconciliation. However, he ruled out talks with anyone who had committed acts of violence. Continue reading
Karzai asks Pakistan to set up Taleban talks
Karzai asks Pakistan to set up Taleban talks (AFP) / 26 August 2013 Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked Pakistan on Monday to help arrange peace talks between his government and Taleban insurgents, and called for a joint campaign against extremism in both countries. Karzai was visiting Islamabad to hold his first talks with newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, despite a series of public rows that have hampered efforts to end 12 years of war in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attend a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony at The Prime Ministers House in Islamabad on Monday. -AFP Kabul was infuriated by the opening in June of a Taleban office in Qatar, considered a precursor towards talks with US officials. He now wants Pakistan to help open dialogue with the militia, which has publicly refused all contact with his government. Elements of the Pakistani state are widely accused of funding, controlling and sheltering the Taleban. Islamabad says publicly it will do anything to stop the fighting in Afghanistan. Karzai said Afghanistan expected Pakistan to provide opportunities or a platform for talks between the Afghan High Peace Council — Kabul’s official negotiators — and the Taleban. “We hope with this on top of our agenda we can move forward in bringing stability and peace to both countries,” he told reporters. In the past, the Afghan leader has identified Taleban havens in Pakistan as the main cause of increased violence in his country. On Monday, he acknowledged that the “continued menace of terrorism” was a primary concern for people in Pakistan, where thousands have been killed in the last decade, as well as in Afghanistan. “It is this area that needs to have primary and focused attention by both governments,” Karzai said. “It is with hope on this that I have come to Pakistan… to advance the course of action together… but also by having a common campaign against extremism, (to) make sure that the two countries are safer and prosperous towards a secure future.” Sharif wished Afghanistan well in the transition from Nato to Afghan security control and reiterated support for peace and reconciliation to be “Afghan-owned and Afghan-led”. “I assured President Karzai that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible facilitation to the international community’s efforts for the realisation of this noble goal,” he said. “I also reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong and sincere support for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.” But there are question marks over what Pakistan can deliver. Analysts say it can encourage and provide logistical support for Taleban peace talks, but cannot force them to negotiate against their will. The Taleban have publicly refused to have any contact with Karzai’s government, branding it a puppet of the United States. Afghan government peace negotiators accompanying Karzai have called for the release of the most senior Taleban figure detained in Pakistan, former deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar. No mention was made about prisoner releases in the short statements made by Sharif and Karzai. Questions were not allowed. Pakistan released 26 Taleban prisoners late last year, including the militants’ former justice minister Nooruddin Turabi. Afghan officials believe the releases can encourage former detainees to talk to the Kabul government, although observers say there is little evidence those hopes have been realised. Several prisoners are also understood to have returned to the battlefield. On Sunday, the Afghan Analysts Network think-tank said attempts to go through Pakistan to reach the Taleban leadership are not new and similar moves have been unsuccessful in the past. Last month Karzai’s chief of staff Karim Khorram claimed the Taleban office in Doha was part of a plot to break up Afghanistan, orchestrated by either Pakistan or the United States. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper on Monday warned of complications in Afghanistan and Pakistan working more closely together. Karzai is due to step down at presidential elections in April, Pakistan’s new government is still grappling with policy and its powerful army is preparing to change its commander later this year. “Hope for the best, but prepare for continuation of the status quo — that may be the best approach,” Dawn said. Continue reading
100-day Expo 2020 countdown begins
100-day Expo 2020 countdown begins Staff Reporter / 26 August 2013 The final countdown for deciding who gets to host World Expo 2020 has officially begun. In less than 100 days, representatives from 167 member nations of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will cast their votes to decide which city will host the World Expo 2020. An artist’s impression of the main site where World Expo 2020 will be held if Dubai’s bid succeeds. Voting will take place on November 27 as a team from the Dubai Expo 2020 team will focus on hosting a theme symposium in Dubai this October. The symposium, which will be held by each of the candidate cities, is an opportunity for the UAE to further demonstrate to BIE delegates the global relevance and timeliness of the bid theme. Dubai’s Expo 2020 bid is centered around the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Delegates will have the chance to explore the three sub themes — Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity — which represent the key drivers of global development. The event will also allow delegates to witness and experience first-hand unique advantages the UAE has to offer as a potential host nation, including the country’s robust infrastructure, warm hospitality and global connectivity. As a result of the country’s infrastructure and geographical positioning, Dubai Expo 2020 expects to attract 25 million visitors offering a diverse and exciting international profile. For the first time in the history of World Expo, more than 70 per cent of the visitors would stem from beyond the host nation. An Expo in Dubai would take place on the eve of the UAE’s 50th anniversary, starting countrywide celebrations. It would also be the first time that a World Expo is held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, presenting a significant opportunity. More than 277,000 jobs are forecast to be created by Dubai Expo 2020 and for each one of these, an additional 50 jobs are expected to be sustained across the wider region. Dubai Expo 2020 will leave a powerful legacy, both in terms of the Expo site itself and also as an inspiration for future generations. Dubai is competing against three other candidate cities in its bid to host World Expo 2020. The other candidate cities are Sao Paulo in Brazil, Yekaterinburg in Russia and Izmir in Turkey. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
