OT: Zimbabwe's Mugabe as UN's International Envoy of Tourism

From UK's Guardian (5/29/2012):

Robert Mugabe asked to be UN 'leader for tourism'

The Zimbabwe president, accused of ethnic cleansing and bankrupting his country, asked to champion tourism

With a line-up that includes Drew Barrymore, David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, and Ricky Martin, the UN's choice of ambassadors has been known to cause raised eyebrows or the odd smirk.

Seldom, however, has there been such anger, or questioning of the organisation's credibility, as that greeting the appointment of a new international envoy for tourism: Robert Mugabe.

Improbable as it seems, the Zimbabwean president, who is widely accused of ethnic cleansing, rigging elections, terrorising opposition, controlling media and presiding over a collapsed economy, has been endorsed as a champion of efforts to boost global holidaymaking.

Despite that fact Mugabe, 88, is under a travel ban, he has been honoured as a "leader for tourism" by the UN's World Tourism Organisation, along with his political ally, Zambian president Michael Sata, 75. The pair signed an agreement with UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai at their shared border at Victoria Falls on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper quoted Rifai urging tourists from around the world to visit : "I was told about the wonderful experience and the warm hospitality of this country … By coming here, it is recognition, an endorsement on the country that it is a safe destination."
The agreement will also see the two southern African countries co-host the UNWTO general assembly in August next year.

UNWTO said it had not appointed Mugabe to any formal position but acknowledged he would receive an open letter like other heads of state who have joined its leaders for tourism campaign.

(Full article at the link)

Well, the bigger the atrocities, the bigger the fame and recognition, it seems, for the power that be.

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#UN Authorizes No-Fly Zone Over #Libya (Updated)

(Update)

Voted Yes: United States, Britain, France, Bosnia&Herzegovina, Colombia, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa

Abstained: Russia, China, Germany, Brazil, India

Get those sick Gaddafis!!

Just heard on Fox News: Pilots of Britain and France will go in tonight.

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From Al Jazeera (3/17/2011):

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voted on a resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" - code for military action - to protect citizens.

Ten of the council's 15 members voted in favour of the resolution, with Russia, China and Germany the five that abstained.

No votes were recorded against the resolution, which was co-sponsored by France, Britain, Lebanon and the United States.

The resolution fulfills a long-standing demand from pro-democracy opposition forces in Libya asking for a no-fly zone to be established in order to prevent Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, from using fighter jets to bombard their positions, as they have been doing.

It comes just a few hours after Gaddafi warned residents of Benghazi, an opposition stronghold, that his forces would show "no mercy" in an impending assault on the city.

The draft of the resolution was prepared by the United Kingdom, France and Lebanon, and in the hours ahead of the meeting the United States appeared to have changed its stance on the issue by actively backing calls for not just a no-fly zone, but also strikes against Libyan military targets that could be mobilised against civilians.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, said there was not much time left for the international community to act.

"France is very much involved in this action and has prepared the draft resolution. We have one goal… we want to stop the attacks by the Gaddafi regime against civilian populations.

"And it's a question of days or hours because the pressure against Benghazi, especially, is now very tough."

The Libyan defence ministry on Thursday, before the vote, warned that any military intervention in Libya would endanger air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean Sea.

In a statement released by the state-run Jana news agency, the ministry said that both civilian and military targets in the Mediterranean will be attacked.

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Special Envoy to #Libya

So far Obama hasn't sent his special envoy to Libya, unlike in the case of Egypt.

Remember the disaster (though no one remembers now..) of an envoy that he sent to Egypt, who was the personal friend of Mubarak, ex-AIG vice chairman and Enron board member, who praised Mubarak for his work and insisted that Mubarak stay on to steer the changes for his wonderful legacy?

But UN's Ban Ki-Moon is apparently close to selecting his, according to Foreign Policy magazine (3/5/2011):

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is planning to name one of two former Jordanian foreign ministers, either Abdul-llah Khatib or Marwan Muasher, early next week as his special envoy to Libya, marking an escalation in the U.N.'s effort to address a potential humanitarian crisis in Libya and to prepare the groundwork for a transition of power, U.N.-based diplomatic sources told Turtle Bay.

Khatib is expected to organize a team of experts who will initially help coordinate the humanitarian response to Moammar Qaddafi's violent crackdown on anti-government protesters, which has led to the flight of tens of thousands of foreign nationals. But the mission will also take on a political role, seeking to build consensus among the various Libyan tribal factions and opposition groups, and helping to facilitate a political transition.

The move clearly shows the convergence of U.S. and U.N. efforts to help bring about an end of Qaddafi's 41-year rule in Libya. It appears unlikely that Ban will seek to promote mediation efforts between Qaddafi's government and anti-government rebels. Ban and the United States have questioned Qaddafi's right to rule. "In Libya, a regime that has lost legitimacy has declared war on its own people," Ban said last week during a visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. "It is up to us, the community of nations, to stand against this crime."

The U.N. chief had also approached Lakhdar Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister and U.N. trouble-shooter, and Kamal Dervis, a Turkish economist who previously headed the U.N. Development Program. But both men turned the job down. Ban has been in discussions with both Khatib and Muasher. U.N-based diplomats were divided over which candidate prevailed. But two council diplomats said they believed Muasher was the front runner.

A spokesman for Ban, Farhan Haq, declined to confirm or deny the pending appointment of Al-Khatib, saying a final decision has not been made. "As you might imagine, we can't comment officially on any of that, just to say that the search is ongoing and that we expect to make an announcement soon," Haq told Turtle Bay.

Ban discussed his plan to appoint a special representative in a White House meeting last week with President Barack Obama.

Read the full article at the link.

So a former Jordanian minister is going to do... what? Meet .... who? Gaddafi?

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#Libya: "No Foreign Intervention, Libyan People Can Manage It Alone"

That's the spirit! You do not want the US, or the UK, or the UN, on your soil. They are squawking louder now, because they see that you've done the most of the job already of taking down the madman and his family. Now they want to take the claim that the "international community" has "spoken with one voice" and rescued Libyans just in time.

Don't let them.

In the meantime, Gaddafi says everyone loves him (Al Jazeera Libya Blog 3/1/11):

"All my people love me," Muammar Gaddafi insists, ignoring mounting global pressure to step down and perhaps head into exile after four decades at the helm of his country.

"They love me. All my people with me. They love me all. They would die to protect me," the veteran Libyan leader said, speaking in halting English in an interview with Western media.

"No demonstrations at all in the streets," claimed Gaddafi, who has ruled his north African country for more than 41 years.

"No one is against us, against me for what?"

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Unanimous UN Security Council Vote on #Libya Sanctions

All 15 Security Council Members voted yes on the sanctions on Libya that include:

• Freezing of assets for the 6 Gadaffi family members (Aisha, Hannibal, Khamis Muammar, Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar, Mutassim and Saif al-Islam Gaddafi);

• Travel ban on the Gaddafi family members, government officials;

• A ban on selling weapons to the Libyan regime;

• Referral of the Libyan government officials to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

The last one, the referral to the International Criminal Court, was reportedly a center of contention among the Security Council members behind the closed doors. But in the end all members agreed to the referral, Al Jazeera reports.

The resolution (UN s/res/1970) also calls for an immediate lifting of restrictions "on all forms of media", although Libyans have no problem doing that themselves.

For more, read the Al Jazeera article here.

The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, is still reading from the Obama admin template with her remark "When atrocities are committed against innocents, the international community must act with one voice..", after Hillary and Obama.

With one voice. I have a slight problem here, Ms. Rice. When will the international community act with one voice for atrocities being committed by the US against innocents in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to name a few? You know, the places where the US killer drones have been blasting weddings and funerals? I know I know. Like ... never?

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Some Incredible Snippets from So-Called World Leaders on #Libya

From Al Jazeera Libya Live Blog for 2/23/2011:

"UN head, Ban Ki-Moon, makes a statement on Libya, saying the international community needs to speak with one voice"

[Hmmm, the community, sans so-called "leaders", has been speaking pretty much with "one voice" (=down with Gaddafi) for quite some time now...]

"[The same UN leader] welcomed moves by the UN Human Rights Council to set up a "possible international inquiry into events in Libya.""

[Possible? Inquiry? No kidding..]

Antonio Patriota, Brazil's foreign minister, expressed great concern about the situation in Libya, but added that it was "a positive thing" that there has not yet been any violence directed at foreigners in the country.

[Positive? No kiddin'...]

""We have joined with the international community to speak with one voice," Hillary Clinton said"

[Wait, UN Sec General said we're yet to speak with one voice. You got the wording right, Hillary, but wrong tense; you should have said "we may be joining ..... anywhere from a few days to a few months from now....or maybe a few years from now..."]

"PJ Crowley, the US state department spokesperson, says the country is looking at using "a full range of tools," including possible sanctions"

[Sanctions? No kiddin', PJ...]

"Libya's deputy foreign minister, Khaled Khaim, told EU ambassadors in Tripoli that Al-Qaeda had set up an Islamic emirate in Derna, led by a former US prisoner at Guantanamo Bay named Abdelkarim al-Hasadi."

[Al-Quaeda did it! Now they're talking like a true ally of the US.]

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Spineless Statement of the UN Security Council on #Libya

Total waste of everyone's time, waste of paper and ink (physical and digital).


"The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the situation in Libya. They condemned the violence and use of force against civilians, deplored the repression against peaceful demonstrators, and expressed deep regret at the deaths of hundreds of civilians. They called for an immediate end to the violence and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population, including through national dialogue.

[National dialogue. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha]

"The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Libya to meet its responsibility to protect its population. They called upon the Libyan authorities to act with restraint, to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and to allow immediate access for international human rights monitors and humanitarian agencies.

[Yeah that helps.]

"The members of the Security Council called for international humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya and expressed concern at the reports of shortages of medical supplies to treat the wounded. They strongly urged the Libyan authorities to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian and medical supplies and humanitarian workers into the country.

[Best humanitarian assistance is not the medical supplies. It is to STOP THE MADMAN and STOP THE KILLING!]

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need for the government of Libya to respect the freedom of peaceful assembly and of expression, including freedom of the press. They called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on all forms of the media.

"The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of accountability. They underscored the need to hold to account those responsible for attacks, including by forces under their control, on civilians.

[Who is going to hold whom accountable?]

"The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the safety of foreign nationals in Libya. They urged the Libyan authorities and all relevant parties to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals and facilitate the departure of those wishing to leave the country. The members of the Security Council will continue to follow the situation closely."

[Nothing. No No-Fly-Zone. No pressure whatsoever on the madman #Gaddafi.]

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To Be Expected, UN Security Council on #Libya Disappoints

Just "concern", call for an "end", ask for the safety of "foreigners" and more "concern".

And the Libyan delegation had to demand a meeting just to get this lame statement?

From AFP via Dow Jones Newswire via Zawya.com:

UNITED NATIONS (AFP)--The U.N. Security Council voiced "grave concern" Tuesday about the events unfolding in Libya and issued a statement calling for an "immediate end to the violence."

The council also urged Libyan authorities to ensure the safety of foreigners and make sure that humanitarian workers can get access to the wounded.

Those responsible for attacks on citizens in Libya should be "brought to account," added the statement issued at the end of a day of talks.

Libyan diplomats, who have broken with strongman leader Moammar Gadhafi, had demanded the meeting, and had called for a U.N. no-fly zone over the country as well as humanitarian action.

"There is even more concern after what was a very worrying speech by Moammar Gadhafi," a diplomat said before the meeting of the 15-nation council.

Kadhafi ordered his forces earlier to crush an uprising that has rocked his 41-year rule for the past week, warning armed protesters they will be executed and vowing to fight to the end.

In a defiant and rambling television speech, Kadhafi vowed to remain in Libya as leader, saying he would die as a martyr in the land of his ancestors and fight to the "last drop" of his blood.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

22-02-11 2304GMT

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#Gaddafi Declares War on #Libya, Would Die As 'Martyr'

In a rambling speech that went on for an hour and a half, the Libya's strongman Muammar Gaddafi called Libyans who dare rise up against him as "sick people", blamed the "US tyranny" and he would die a martyr's death than leave.

Aside from an inconvenient fact that a "martyr" would need a noble cause to die for, I sincerely hope he gets his death wish fulfilled, as fast and as soon as possible.

The UN is holding a closed-door meeting of the Security Council. The UN Libya delegation had to beg for a meeting, as the 'unrest' in Libya, no matter how violent it was, was not considered an "international" matter.

Oh excuse me! Gaddafi importing French-speaking 'African' (i.e. dark-skinned and foreign) mercenaries to kill Libyans is not "international" enough for the UN? That Egyptians, Tunisians, Chinese, Koreans in Libya have been attacked and robbed and injured (possibly killed) is not "international" enough for the UN?

It's interesting to note, in passing, that Russia seems to be obliquely siding with Gaddafi (and other dictators). Here's Putin's deputy, accusing Google for the toppling of Hosni Mubarak. The same article (link) also mentions China's Hu Jintao calling for a stricter control of the Internet in China to head off popular dissent.

Dictators of the world are shaking in their boots...

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Czech President to UN: Stay out of Economics and Science

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, speaking like an Austrian (economist, that is). I would go one step further and not leave the solutions to the member governments either; the solutions are to be found in free market capitalism. But I'm sure Professor Klaus knows that, as he is after all a follower of Friedrich Hayek.

From Reuters:

"UNITED NATIONS, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Saturday criticized U.N. calls for increased "global governance" of the world's economy, saying the world body should leave that role to national governments.

"The solution to dealing with the global economic crisis, Klaus told the U.N. General Assembly, did not lie in "creating new governmental and supranational agencies, or in aiming at global governance of the world economy."

""On the contrary, this is the time for international organizations, including the United Nations, to reduce their expenditures, make their administrations thinner, and leave the solutions to the governments of member states," he said.

""The anti-crisis measures that have been proposed and already partly implemented follow from the assumption that the crisis was a failure of markets and that the right way out is more regulation of markets," he said.

"Klaus said that was a "mistaken assumption" and it was impossible to prevent future crises through regulatory interventions and similar actions by governments.

"That will only "destroy the markets and together with them the chances for economic growth and prosperity in both developed and developing countries," he said.

"The Czech president, a vocal skeptic of global warming, said the United Nations should also keep out of science, including climate change. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made fighting climate change one of his top priorities."

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WHO Wants to Tax Everyone on the Planet

Just about.

U.N.'s World Health Organization Eyeing Global Tax on Banking, Internet Activity (George Russell, 1/16/2010 Fox News)

"The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering a plan to ask governments to impose a global consumer tax on such things as Internet activity or everyday financial transactions like paying bills online.

"Such a scheme could raise "tens of billions of dollars" on behalf of the United Nation's public health arm from a broad base of consumers, which would then be used to transfer drug-making research, development and manufacturing capabilities, among other things, to the developing world.

"The multibillion-dollar "indirect consumer tax" is only one of a "suite of proposals" for financing the rapid transformation of the global medical industry that will go before WHO's 34-member supervisory Executive Board at its biannual meeting in Geneva.

"... WHO's so-called Expert Working Group has also suggested asking rich countries to set aside fixed portions of their gross domestic product to finance the shift in worldwide research and development, as well as asking cash-rich developing nations like China, India or Venezuela to pony up more of the money." (The article continues.)

UN/WHO wants rich countries (i.e. developed countries who are not so rich any more) to set aside fixed portions of GDP to give to the poor countries under the guise of "global medical research and development". But that's not all. UN/WHO wants to tax citizens of the world, just about all of them.

How? This is from the executive summary of the scheme by WHO Executive Board, dated December 23, 2009 (page 9):

• a 10% tax on the international arms trade market, which might net about $5 billion per annum

• a digital tax or 'bit' tax [Fox article misquotes it as 'hit' tax]: Internet traffic is huge and likely to increase rapidly; this tax could yield tens of billions of U.S. dollars from a broad base of users
  
  
• Brazil's financial transaction tax: a tax on bank account transaction, set at 0.38% levied on paying bills online and major withdrawals, it was raising an estimated US$20 billion per year and funding some 87% of the Government's key social protection programme, before it was voted down [Good for Brazilians to vote that down!]
  
  
• UNITAID airline tax: an international solidarity micro-levy is well accepted by the public and causes no economic distortion [Solidarity levy on airline tickets raises almost all US$300 million UNITAID revenue.]
  

'Bit' tax proposal is nothing new. Back in 1999 during Clinton Administration, UN/WHO proposed the 'bit' tax to levy 1 cent per every 100 emails sent. They are at it again, and this time they may get away with it, at least in the U.S. where the proposals to tax every trade on financial instruments (stocks, options, futures, derivatives, etc.) and to tax the liabilities of nation's top 50 financial institutions are being considered and may be gaining support among the naive Congress who seem to think striking such a populist image would win them the support from their constituents. Both proposals are absurd, and will end up punishing the purported victims to be saved (i.e. the general public).

So, for the sake of transferring further wealth from developed and rich developing countries to the poor countries, everyone in the world who has Internet access and/or email account can be taxed. If your email account is hacked and someone is sending a million spam mails from your account, good luck to you. If you withdraw a chunk of money from your bank, you will be taxed. If you pay your bill online from your bank account, you will be taxed. If you fly, you will be forced to show international solidarity by paying additional airport tax.

I do not like the fact that these are being proposed by a supra-national organization like UN and WHO. IMF, another supra-national organization, has already floated the idea of global financial transaction tax. INTERPOL, whose U.S. branch is located within the U.S. Justice Department, now has full diplomatic immunity within the U.S. soil, thanks to President Obama. Though rebuffed for now, the Obama administration is pushing the new tax on financial institutions to be adopted worldwide. There is some uneasy theme here, isn't there?

Will it ever stop? We the proverbial frogs in a pot are being boiled very quickly and the heat are getting too uncomfortable. Will we able to stop this insanity?

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