Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Not that all environmentally related efforts on the planet should cease given Climategate but you gotta laugh at the timing. Unless the hacker(s) who exposed the AGW freaks for what they are eludes authorities successfully and forever (he/she/they) will not be laughing at things related to timing or time. Maybe the powers that be will at some point realize what a gift this hack was and give the perp a pass. Right.

As a sidenote, guess the WH had to feature this event since President Obama’s Asia trip is being ‘touted’ as a major bust. At least he’s consistent.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

PM-Obama: The next step

India, US Agree on Climate Change

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have launched what the White House is calling a “green partnership.”

Vidushi Sinha | Washington, DC
25 November 2009

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have launched what the White House is calling a green partnership, affirming the countries’ commitment to combating climate change and ensuring energy security and clean energy.

India and the United States have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding to increase cooperation on energy security, clean energy, and climate change.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on a state visit to Washington, said both countries will work together to make the environment cleaner.

“We welcome the president’s commitment to a major program for promotion of renewable energy, and I drew his attention to India’s own ambitious national action plan on climate change which has eight national missions covering both mitigation and adaptation,” Mr. Singh said.

The two leaders said their countries are committed to building a clean energy economy that will drive investment, job creation, and economic growth.

Ron Somers is president of the US-India Business Council. He says India and the United States will soon be close partners in promoting green technology.

“We will be focusing on new collaborations that are going to become platform not only for India to fight global warming or United States to fight global warming but a platform that we together develop to provide technologies for the world. So I see tremendous opportunities coming,” Somers said. “It’s all about low carbon emitting technology.”

But India and China have rejected mandated cuts in carbon emissions. Both countries say rich, developed nations should lead the way in cutting greenhouse gases.

They argue that their economic growth would be stunted if there were mandated cuts.

The US and India have agreed that the Copenhagen climate conference, in early December, should involve targets for emission cuts for developed countries but only mitigation actions — such as improving energy efficiency — for developing countries.

Recently, India announced it would produce 20 Gigawatts of solar power by 2022.

Bo Kong, directs the Global Energy and Climate Initiative at Johns Hopkins University. He says that target is impossible for India.

“Within such a short time frame - we are talking about building about 20 - 20 gigawatts of power plants which translates into at least over 10,000 solar power plants between 2009 to 2020 - in less than 10 years - so I am very suspicious,” Kong said.

Experts say India can only make inroads into green technology if it has financial and technological support from rich countries.

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama agreed to support public and private intiatives that will invest in clean energy projects in India.

While the recent decision by the Nobel committee to award the 2009 peace prize to President Obama focused more attention on the US leader no more will be said about it in this post. US diplomatic strategy, success or failure, foreign policy and the role of the US State Dept and White House will be. All the talk about rebuilding America’s image, hope and change, a nuclear free world and ends to conflict needs a reality check. How are things going so far?

Not necessarily in order of importance what is on most peoples’ minds these days in terms of international relations or foreign affairs? From the US perspective the countries of note would include Russia, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, North Korea and Iran. Of course the perennial favorites not yet mentioned would be any country in the Middle East. Israel and its neighbors are still without solutions. Russia and China are still vying for top dog honors with the US on the world stage. Upstarts Iran and North Korea at the very least want a seat at the cool kids table. So nothing much has changed.

Here’s a brief recap of events in US diplomatic strategy with a ‘new’ President and Secretary of State.

Still no progress in Palestinian/Israeli peace talks

NECN/ABC) - President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, left the region Sunday after failing again to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the bargaining table. The breakdown of peace talks is taking a toll on Obama’s prestige among Palestinians.

President Obama’s Middle East peace envoy on another trip to the region - more meetings - more handshakes with Israelis and Palestinians - but still no progress, no movement in the peace process.

Not a surprise to see a headline expressing failure in Middle East diplomacy no matter who is involved.

What about Iran?

Putin Says Iran Sanctions Talk Premature

By VOA News
14 October 2009

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says it is premature to discuss sanctions against Iran for its controversial nuclear program.

And the view from the US Secretary of State…..

“I believe if sanctions become necessary, we will have support from Russia,” Clinton told ABC television in an interview on Wednesday.

This is merely a continuation of the impotent international community’s response to Iran’s nuclear weapons program that was essentially confirmed again with yet another lie exposed with admission of the previously hidden enrichment facility already known to the Obama Administration. And no one will visit the plant until later this month. Like that will solve anything.

Which makes this next sham almost laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.

Obama to Preside at UN Security Council

By Margaret Besheer
The United Nations

The United States has taken over the rotating presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council for the month of September. U.S. President Barack Obama and other top U.S. political figures will be at the world body this month to highlight issues of importance to the United States.

Another rhetorical masterpiece expressing the desire for a nuclear free world without the substance to support such a notion. The exclamation point is provided by the appeasement strategy reminiscent of a similar process that helped usher in WWII.

And what was the defining achievement by press accounts for the SoS Hillary Rodham Clinton?

Hillary Clinton Helps Turkey, Armenia Open Border - ABC News

Clinton uses diplomatic muscle in Turkey-Armenia row | Politics …

Turkey, Armenia Agree to Ties; Clinton’s Skill Tested (Update1 …

The Daily Star - Politics - Clinton hails Turkey, Armenia steps …

Clinton Helps Save Historic Turkey, Armenia Accord - International …

A more accurate appraisal of Clinton’s participation may be the following…..

Clinton to Attend Turkey-Armenia Normalization Deal Signing

By David Gollust
State Department

The State Department said Thursday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will fly to Zurich to attend Saturday’s signing of accords to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia.

A simple visit to the US State Dept website would bear this out. At least in terms of demonstrating that this State Dept is essentially no different from any other feeble attempt by heads of state to display their conviction to foreign relations or determination to improve conditions in the world. A visit to the website while producing this post featured the following items:

Positive Future for U.S.-Russian Relations

Finding Common Ground With Russia

Secretary Clinton Travels to Europe

U.S. Supports Peace in Northern Ireland

U.S. Supports Emergence of Afghan Government

U.S.-U.K. Advancing Shared Values

U.S.-Ireland Working Together

and travel puff pieces?

So much for the hope and change of a new administration in the US and statements expressed to suggest foreign policy would be successful.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

During the 2008 US Presidential election campaign many noticed the personal history of candidate Barack Obama appeared cloaked in secrecy as little was uncovered about his earlier days growing up or attending college and the candidate was not offering any clarity on the topic. Surprisingly, the NY Times is offering an account of at least one aspect of student Obama’s thinking on nuclear arms. And Jennifer Rubin offers a report expanding on the concerns that President Obama may still hold these youthful idealistic notions. Unfortunately, Mr Obama may be operating without benefit of the practical realities that typically guide world leaders through the dangerous territory of foreign affairs.

The student was Barack Obama, and he was clearly trying to sort out his thoughts. In the conclusion, he denounced “the twisted logic of which we are a part today” and praised student efforts to realize “the possibility of a decent world.” But his article, “Breaking the War Mentality,” which only recently has been rediscovered, said little about how to achieve the utopian dream.

Twenty-six years later, the author, in his new job as president of the United States, has begun pushing for new global rules, treaties and alliances that he insists can establish a nuclear-free world.

With Iran, North Korea and surely others pursuing nuclear weapons arsenals and Russian leaders expressing concern over US missile defense proposals leading up to current arms negotiations the Obama mindset may be of concern to you. Especially if the new President has an obsession with youthful idealism.

Obama Has Gotten It Wrong for Twenty-Five Years

Jennifer Rubin - 07.05.2009 - 8:31 AM

Those who suspect the president is engaged in a bit of dangerous self-delusion and denial about certain unpleasant realities regarding the threats from rogue states won’t be heartened to read that his current non-proliferation fetish stems, at least according to the New York Times, from his college infatuation with the nuclear freeze movement.

The line below from the Rubin piece should feature prominently with any US position on arms negotiations.

And really, what excuse is there for Obama’s ludicrous worldview? Unlike student Obama, President Obama knows how the Cold War ended. And it wasn’t by disarming America.

The impotent ‘international community’ has done nothing to stop rogue states from pursuing an arms race in a time ideally suited for such a collective effort. That alone should raise suspicion about the intentions of those courting the US on disarmament. Other recent reports are offered below.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Russia Still Opposes US Plan for Missile Shield in Eastern Europe

Russia Wants Deeper Cuts in Numbers of Nuclear Warheads

Next Round of US-Russian Arms Talks Set for June 23

Russia Ready to Reduce Nuclear Arms

Russia, US Begin Talks Over New Arms Control Pact

Russia, US Work on New Missile Pact

Are U.S.-Russian Relations Warming?

Clinton, Russian FM Agree to Improve US-Russian Relations

Resurgent Russia Poses Challenge for Obama Administration

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to analyze the issue of nukes, North Korea and their ability to deliver them or cause other world powers to look impotent. As is the case with most international conflict there is plenty of blame to go around. You can criticize the current and former US Presidential administrations for appearing inept or acting that way. But it is equally fair to distribute criticism to all concerned. That would be the handful of countries engaged or not at one time or another in direct talks with North Korea on the issue of nuclear intentions not so different from that of Iran. It also includes the do nothing approach of the United Nations and members all.

Along with more than several countries in Africa, Iran, North Korea and examples from nearly every continent have presented problems international in scope that major powers and the UN have dropped the ball on numerous times. And then a couple of news reports of the last couple of days emphasize the fiasco that is the response to North Korean nukes.

The United States stressed its resolve to defend allies Japan and South Korea Wednesday, as it dismissed North Korea’s latest threats as “saber rattling” and “bluster.”

That is part of a report from the 27th you can read by clicking on the linked text. But the quoted dismissal of saber rattling and bluster is contradicted by the following story from the 28th.

South Korea and the United States have raised their defense alert levels on the Korean peninsula, a day after the North said it was willing to discard the 56-year old armistice that paused the Korean War. Analysts expect more tension in the days ahead.

This is a perfectly fine example of what is wrong with the relationships and operating performance among friendly and not so friendly countries around this frail planet. From time to time when some of the world’s children continuously demonstrate an inability to play well with others (even given the sad state of affairs in world politics) the rest of the children should be able to agree on an effective remedy to the situation.

When the safety of all concerned can be threatened by a few how much intelligence does it require to negotiate an arrangement that will end the stupidity? The tired old excuses that these matters are more complex than the ordinary citizen understands simply don’t hold water. If it is a matter of waiting to see who blinks first let this ordinary citizen be the first to inform you, that already happened. Now get on with it and solve the problem.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted to:
Maggie’s Notebook
Conservative Thoughts

This month President Barack Obama caused the eyes of many to glaze over with his wandering message expressing an interest in a world free of nuclear weapons. Those who applauded the announcement were from one of three groups. Those who share membership in the not so exclusive nuclear club of planet Earth or wannabees who are delighted the new American President will try to disarm the US. Or uber liberals with reality issues who still believe surrender and appeasement will bring peace to the world. Or really nice folks who thought it impolite not to applaud the person on stage accepting blame for everything on behalf of the country he represents.

Yo Barry. Here’s a heads up for you. Most people accept the events in history that led to the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China and France being the original, and for a time only, members of the group known as the Nuclear Club. Well, except maybe for France, but that’s another story. They’re the same ones who support the US strategy in Afghanistan but won’t send troops or ones that can fight. Oh ya, and they’re the ones like some others in the EU who support the G20 idea of providing a trillion in stimulus but are fine with the US contributing more than their share. And apparently, Mr Obama, you agree.

In addition to the original members of the Nuclear Club are India and Pakistan. Just like Iran and North Korea now, no one had a clue how to prevent these two countries from joining. And there are about a dozen other countries included in discussions of who has the ability to go nuclear. (Israel’s ability is assumed but not declared ) So the number is at or approaching a couple of dozen. Are you following this so far, Mr President?

If you understand the previous few paragraphs then why the hell are you making these public statements about a nuclear free world? This is one time most Americans would hope you are offering another promise you will break. Otherwise one can only assume the pressure is getting to you and you’re losing it. If the problem was so simple to solve and all the people of the planet could get along as you and your followers believe, don’t you expect it would have been achieved by now? Has it ever occurred to you that the reason the problem has not been corrected is that no one has the answer yet? It is fair to assume that what was once feared as the ultimate fate of a nuclear armed Earth still remains.

But a likely alternative expectation, given the UN’s typical failure to respond to the DPRK’s missile launch, is that with proper handling avoiding catastrophe can be achieved in much the same way as it was in the past. All parties will be attracted to their nuclear power of choice while the nuke powers will maintain a balance still based on mutual assured destruction if the worst would happen. At some point thereafter this game will be exhausted and other circumstances yet to arrive will cause nations of the world to abandon this stupidity. Not because we will then be wiser but some other equally scary threat will require extraordinary cooperation between all the people on this planet in order to survive. And no, Mr Gore, it’s not Global Scamming Warming. It’s those peaceful Muslims carrying suitcases. (hint, hint)

We may then have a taste of peace long enough to become addicted to its benefits. But it won’t happen due to some idealistic fantasy that we can all get along because that is the way ti is supposed to be. That may come within time but for now you are trying to put the cart before the horse at best or transforming the human race to an endangered species at worst. Starting with the United States for whom you took an oath. It may be time for you to read it again for the first time.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The report below suggests use of the word ‘global’ when referring to current economic troubles around the world not only describes the geographic nature of the problem but geopolitical as well. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s concern of money going to US automakers from US taxpayers putting German automakers at risk provides a substantially humorous face on this reverse order of trade subsidy worries. How many foreign countries place barriers to US goods all the while accepting US corporate outsourcing to spur growth in their own economies?

The early promise of ‘a new direction’ in France with the election of Nicolas Sarkozy may be giving way to the honeymoon is long over and the French are scurrying back to their old ways of sending up flares of impending doom and expecting external concessions. This blog’s suggestion that the best thing about Sarkozy leading France was the opportunity for more photo ops of Carla Bruni may end up being less comedy relief and more political reality.

Russia seems to be the only country in this report which relies greatly on the other part of the auto industry equation, energy. The recent dive in the price of oil from its July record highs leaves the nation with the split personality between cold war demon and new world democracy with a severe reversal of fortune in petro dollars.

The only thing missing from all this international intercourse is the predictable hope for world peace and global tranquility. The only common ground here is that all concerned are on equal footing when it comes to playing the game, ‘blank’ on your neighbor. But it is reassuring that good and evil in international politics is equally balanced among the nations described in the report. And that is only because the likes of Iran and similar nations are not noticeably involved. Maybe they are a little less noisy with the fall of oil prices too.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

European officials are taking a close look at how the United States is helping its ailing auto industry.

President George W. Bush welcomes Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she wants to make sure aid to the U.S. auto industry will not put Europe’s own auto companies at a competitive disadvantage.

Merkel’s comments came at a news conference Tuesday in the northern Italian city of Trieste with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Carmakers in both the U.S. and Europe have been asking for government help, with French automaker Peugeot, Europe’s second largest car company, warning the global auto industry is in danger of a collapse.

Meanwhile, France wants to see a stronger international response to the global financial crisis.

In a statement released today, French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France will host a summit in January because world leaders must show they can offer “concrete solutions.”

At a meeting of industrial and developing countries last week in Washington, leaders only managed to agree on a set of principles to prevent the global economy from getting worse.

The Paris summit will be co-hosted by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and will include world leaders as well as Nobel prize-winning economists.

Reuters news agency reports International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn says the list of countries asking for help is growing every day. And Russian President Dmitri Medvedev says his government may need to spend another $180 billion to stabilize the Russian economy.

Russia has already spent almost $200 billion on a series of measures to counter the economic meltdown. The World Bank today cut its growth forecast for the Russian economy in 2008 and 2009.

India is also worried about the effect of the global financial crisis on its economic growth. Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said Tuesday the government should cut interest rates. He also called on businesses to cut prices and accept lower profit margins to help stimulate the Indian economy.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the financial crisis is having an impact on donations from wealthy nations.

And migrant workers from the Philippines tell VOA the financial crisis is having an impact on how much money they are able to send to their families back home.

In 2007, Filipino migrant workers sent more than $14 billion to the Philippines, equal to 13 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

GOP bailout stooge to Cavuto: “It’s not your money” (Michelle Malkin) 

This picture of Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni could work for a caption contest. Lookin’ a little saggy there Nick, is the better half giving you the ‘what for’ starting on your wedding day? Wuz up, Nick, is she suggesting a beach diet? Gotta have some fun with a country’s leader when they marry a high profile celeb, current creds subject to debate, and then lectures the world on finance, Africa and who should or shouldn’t be subjected to the humiliating experience of membership in the UN.

But you have to give Sarkozy some credit. He’s done more to raise France’s reputation in the world since being elected than, uh, since, uh, I dunno, Napolean? Suggesting Marie Antoinette might be tasteless, but she was given a bad rap by the MSM or something.

Can’t be helped. On this blog any opportunity to exploit Carla Bruni at France’s expense is just too hard to resist.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

France Calls for Global Summit on Financial Crisis
By VOA News
23 September 2008
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an emergency summit of world leaders to address what he calls the most serious financial crisis the world has experienced since the 1930s.

In a speech at the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, Mr. Sarkozy said the international community has a political and moral responsibility to deal with the effects of such crises. He said world leaders should act now to create globalized institutions that will regulate financial activity and rebuild a system of capitalism where rules of caution apply to all.

Mr. Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, also called for solidarity between Europe and Russia. He said Europe wants a partnership with Russia, but he warned that Moscow must not compromise respect for international law or territorial sovereignty.

Mr. Sarkozy mediated a truce ending last month’s conflict between Russia and Georgia for control of Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

On Iran, the French leader said Europe respects Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear activity. But he said it cannot accept a nuclear-armed Iran that would endanger the peace and stability of the entire region.

Turning to Africa, Mr. Sarkozy said the world cannot wait to achieve peace and end the “tragedy” in Sudan’s western Darfur region. He said Europe also is committed to helping Somalia combat piracy off its coasts.

Mr. Sarkozy said Europe is working to ensure Africa has a place among the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, and in what is currently the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations.

The French president called for enlarging the U.N. Security Council and the G8 in an effort to make the institutions more representative. He said the world can wait no longer to bring India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil into the fold of international institutions.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.

By Steve Herman
New Delhi
Herman report - Download (MP3)
Herman report - Listen (MP3)

Most cooks do their best to keep rats out of the kitchen, but in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, officials are doing just the opposite. The welfare department there is on a quest to increase the popularity of rodent cuisine. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman in New Delhi has the story.

Bihar’s welfare department is hoping to solve several problems by putting rats into kitchens. Officials there believe increased human consumption of the rodent will ease the crisis of soaring food prices, provide increased employment for the state’s low caste rat catchers and get rid of a pest which eats half of Bihar’s precious grain stock.

Leading the quest is the state welfare department’s principal secretary, Vijay Prakash. He says rat can become the new chicken.

“Rat and chicken have equal food values, not only in protein, in fact, the entire spectrum of nutrition. You will find they are almost equivalent,” said Prakash.

Prakash tells VOA News that except for some of India’s most impoverished communities, rats, believed to outnumber people by a seven-to-one ratio here, are not considered enticing by Indians.

“We will have a massive media campaign. We will persuade people to just try it and see whether rats are different from other food,” added Prakash. “In fact, whoever has eaten rat says rat is more spongy and is better than even chicken meat.”

Prakash admits he has not tried rat himself although his mother finds it delicious. He promises to indulge soon, perhaps at one of Bihar’s roadside hotels where the rodent, served roasted, known as patal-bageri, is already a popular appetizer.

“Some of the hotels have now started selling rats, rat meat, here in Bihar. It is being used as a starter,” added Prakash.

The state welfare official hopes Bihar’s hotels will start a trend that will expand to India’s five-star hotels.

Chef P. Soundararajan in Chennai, who oversees food preparation for the 22 properties of the Mahindra resort chain, does not see that happening.

“No way. Indian culture is based on vegetarianism,” said Soundararajan. “Our culture, our custom is based on not harming any living beings.”

It appears the Biharis might have better luck exporting their rats to China, Southeast Asia, West Africa or even parts of France, where the rodent has traditionally been more welcome on the dinner table.

The stewed giant cane rat is popular in parts of Ghana. Rat is also eaten in Togo. In China the mountain rat is served garnished with ginger and onions. There are Thais who find the rodent a tasty snack served with red chili paste. And rat grilled with lemon grass is on the menu in some Vietnamese restaurants. Some diners say it goes down easier with a generous portion of home-brewed rice wine.

from MoreWhat.com:
There are plenty of items included in cuisine around the world that would not find a place on any table most of us know. Say all you want about escargot or Rocky Mountain oysters or any other bizarre or obscure ‘delicacy’ of the international palate, but please, RATS

Stanford Matthews

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Musharraf Allies Say Talks Could Lead to Resignation, Legal Immunity

By Barry Newhouse
Islamabad
Newhouse report - Download (MP3)
Newhouse report - Listen (MP3)

Allies of Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf say there are ongoing talks with his political opponents about allowing Mr. Musharraf to resign without facing impeachment charges. But VOA’s Barry Newhouse reports from Islamabad that the president’s spokesman continues to deny that Mr. Musharraf plans to step down.

Days before Pakistan’s coalition government says it will reveal several impeachment charges against Mr. Musharraf, some of the president’s allies say there are ongoing talks between the two sides that could allow Mr. Musharraf to quietly resign without facing impeachment or criminal charges.

A spokesman for the president, Rashid Qureshi, is denying that the president plans to step down or is seeking a deal for legal immunity.

But Senator Mushahid Hussein, a senior leader of the president’s Pakistan Muslim League Q party, confirms in an interview with VOA that there are talks under way for some sort of compromise agreement. He says “the next few days will be decisive” in the standoff.

“I don’t speak for the president but I can certainly say there are backchannels between the presidency and the government which are trying to reach an amicable settlement - so that the country can move on,” said Hussein.

Political analysts say a drawn out impeachment struggle against the man who has ruled Pakistan for nearly nine years would dredge up old controversies and consume the government’s attention when the country faces other serious economic and security problems.

But the coalition government, which spent months haggling over its policy toward the unpopular president, last week made unseating Mr. Musharraf its primary goal.

Since then, a series of lopsided no-confidence votes in the country’s four provincial assemblies that included some defections from traditionally pro-Musharraf parties have eroded the president’s political support.

With the two sides discussing terms under which Mr. Musharraf could resign, some Pakistani officials say U.S. diplomats have lobbied for a dignified exit for Mr. Musharraf. The U.S. embassy insisted the issue is an internal matter for the Pakistani people to decide.

Senator Mushahid Hussein called one possible option for Mr. Musharraf, the “Richard Nixon formula,” in reference to the U.S. president who resigned before his likely impeachment in 1974.

“A variation of that could be seen in Pakistan where perhaps there would be a quiet resignation, there would not be any impeachment and Mr. Musharraf would fade quietly into the night to his newly built residence on the outskirts of Islamabad,” he said. “And there would not be any kind of charges or prosecution afterward. People don’t want to see it as any kind of a blood feud - that’s not in the national interest.”

So far, members of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N party have insisted that the president stand trial for alleged crimes he has committed while in office even if he resigns. The stance of the Pakistan People’s Party on the issue has been unclear.

from MoreWhat.com:

Musharraf was more often than not playin’ ball with the US. As in most cases in the history of our foreign policy, we get the good with the bad. A question about Musharraf might include the obvious how much did he really do to quell terrorism or assist with rounding the bad guys. Did he keep the peace in his country and were Bhutto’s supporters largely made up of wealthy, educated liberals that ignored the less wealthy as much as Musharraf. But the more important questions deal with tensions between Pakistan and India and what may happen to American interests if someone really replaces Musharraf. Be careful what you wish for is a statement that comes to mind.

Stanford Matthews

Below is a press release for the Tata Nano and a news report about its debut. It is doubtful anyone has really had time to draw any conclusions about this vehicle or the implications of its introduction yet. There is probably enough speculation to go around and one cannot help but recall the Yugo at a time like this. But it seems reasonable to offer a post on this blog featuring this unique development in the automotive industry.

As far as the $2500 price tag is concerned that has to get someone’s attention. You could purchase a Ford Mustang in 1970 for about $3500. A Fiat 850 went for $2500 in 1972. So is the Tata Nano reliable? Is it really safe? Will it be reasonable to service? Will it be available in the US? How will the insurance industry respond? What are the performance characteristics? Is anyone interested in the US? Will it have an effect on automotive trends here? Is anyone reading this buying one?

Tata Motors unveils the People’s Car

Released on : 10th January, 2008
A comfortable, safe, all-weather car, high on fuel efficiency & low on emissions

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors, today unveiled the Tata ‘NANO’, the People’s Car from Tata Motors that India and the world have been looking forward to. A development, which signifies a first for the global automobile industry, the People’s Car brings the comfort and safety of a car within the reach of thousands of families. The People’s Car will be launched in India later in 2008.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, Mr. Ratan N. Tata said, “I observed families riding on two-wheelers – the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors’ engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Today, we indeed have a People’s Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. We are happy to present the People’s Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility.”

Stylish, comfortable
The People’s Car, designed with a family in mind, has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. It can comfortably seat four persons. Four doors with high seating position make ingress and egress easy.

Yet with a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres, with adequate ground clearance, it can effortlessly manoeuvre on busy roads in cities as well as in rural areas. Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the powertrain at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and manoeuvrability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.

When launched, the car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colours, and other accessories so that the car can be customised to an individual’s preferences.

Fuel-efficient engine
The People’s Car has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft. The lean design strategy has helped minimise weight, which helps maximise performance per unit of energy consumed and delivers high fuel efficiency. Performance is controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system.

Meets all safety requirements
The People’s Car’s safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. Tubeless tyres further enhance safety.

Environment-friendly
The People’s Car’s tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today. The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint.
(For more information: www.tatanano.com )

About Tata Motors
Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company, with revenues of US $ 7.2 billion in 2006-2007. With over 4 million Tata vehicles plying in India, it is the leader in commercial vehicles and the second largest in passenger vehicles. It is also the world’s fifth largest medium and heavy truck manufacturer and the second largest heavy bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America. Tata Motors and Fiat Auto have formed an industrial joint venture in India to manufacture passenger cars, engines and transmissions for the Indian and overseas markets; Tata Motors also has an agreement with Fiat Auto to build a pick-up vehicle at Córdoba, Argentina. The company already distributes Fiat branded cars in India. Tata Motors’ international footprint includes Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. in South Korea; Hispano Carrocera, a bus and coach manufacturer of Spain in which the company has a 21% stake; a joint venture with Marcopolo, the Brazil-based body-builder of buses and coaches; and a joint venture with Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company of Thailand to manufacture and market pick-up vehicles in Thailand. Tata Motors has research centres in India, the U.K., and in its subsidiary and associate companies in South Korea and Spain.

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- Ends -

Issued by:
Debasis Ray
Head - Corporate Communications
Tata Motors Limited
Phone: +912266657613
E-Mail: peoplescar@tatamotors.com
Website: http://www.tatanano.com

Indians Respond Enthusiastically to World’s Cheapest Car

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
15 January 2008

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The world’s cheapest car, made by an Indian manufacturer, has triggered unprecedented interest in a country where only eight people in every thousand own a car. From New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha has a report on how people in India are reacting to Tata Motors’ Nano.

Tens of thousands of people are flocking to the Auto Show in New Delhi - and the star attraction is a $2,500 car dubbed the “People’s Car”.

The Nano, produced by India’s Tata conglomerate, made its debut last week.

After a peek at the no-frills vehicle, with a 624 cubic centimeter engine, thousands say they want to buy it.

“I belong to middle class family, so it is very good thing for us, good news for us, because I can dream a good car in India,” said one person.

“This is very cheap, I want to buy for my son,” one gentleman said.

“Its cost is not too much, and I wish I have personal car and I cannot buy large one,” said one woman.

“It appeals [to] me just due to the parking situation available in India number one, number two the fuel efficiency, number three is price, number four it is very cute vehicle, seems to be very cute,” added yet another gentleman.

People have even flocked in from villages far from the city to see the Nano.

Balwan Ram took a bus from a village in Haryana state, 100 kilometers away from Delhi. Ram says he came especially to see the car and now is waiting to buy it to replace his motorbike.

The enthusiasm is not surprising in a country of more than a billion people, where a family outing can be a challenge because of dismal public transportation.

Tata chairman Ratan Tata says he conceived of the low-priced car for India’s masses when he saw a family traveling on a two wheeled scooter; the father driving, his child standing in front of him, and wife seated behind holding a baby - all getting wet in the rain.

“This has been referred to as one man’s dream,” sadi Tata. “And indeed it was.”

Now global automakers are watching to see how that dream pans out in the marketplace.

If the small car is successful after hitting the roads later this year, it could expand the car market in an unprecedented manner in developing countries.

But not everyone is happy. Although the manufacturers say the small car will meet strict emission standards, environmentalists worry about fuel use and the congestion it will cause on India’s crowded roads.

The head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, R.K. Pachauri, says the focus should be on more efficient public transportation.

“The problem is not with the product itself. The usage of the product and what that implies, how can we be blind to that?” he asked. “Where are we going to find road space to accommodate all these cars, not to speak of local pollution, not to speak of the fact that it is going to crowd out public transport options.”

But these concerns are of little interest to the millions eagerly waiting to become car owners for the first time.

Here’s a report on India about food and medicine safety. With all the offshore manufacturing from the US and the string of safety problems with products from China it seems there is a need to spend money on fixing safety issues in the country’s where American goods are now produced and sold back to American consumers. The businesses save money on labor, the offshore employees get puny wages, Americans lose jobs and pay the same or more for the products. Gee, exactly who is winning with this arrangement? And then there is the matter of less regulation or pesky labor and environmental laws and probably tax benefits as well for American corporations. And speaking of taxex, where do you suppose the money to train whoever on safety measures comes from….. US tax dollars perhaps?

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India and the United States have agreed to work together to improve standards for food and drugs. VOA correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi that the progress comes during a visit to India by the U.S. government official who oversees many of the agencies responsible for America’s health and safety standards.

Indian officials say New Delhi and Washington have agreed to form working groups to set standards for the import and export of medicine and food.

This comes after the United States signed two agreements with India’s economic rival, China - one concerning food, the other dealing with pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Both India and China have had problems with exports to the United States because health regulations and other standards were not being met.

Compared to other countries, India has the highest number of food products that are rejected as imports by the United States. Spices, seafood, fruit and additives have been especially troublesome in terms of high levels of bacteria or carcinogenic substances.

India also has a problem with widespread counterfeiting of prescription drugs.

The formation of the Indo-American working groups comes after meetings this week in India between U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and his Indian counterparts.

Leavitt tells VOA News enhancing health standards for products moving across borders has become vital.

“We’re at the early stages of a global market that is now maturing and requiring new tools that haven’t existed in the past to handle the substantial volume of trade that is beginning to occur,” he explained. “These were important conversations and I expect, in time, we will see action - not just at the government level, but among private vendors as well.”

Leavitt was speaking Friday in New Delhi right after administering polio vaccination drops to children in a local slum area.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contributed $2.3 million to India’s efforts to eradicate polio.

Leavitt also announced Friday that the U.S. government is willing to provide technical assistance to help create an Indian version of the Food and Drug Administration. In the United States, the FDA is the federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety of food, pharmaceutical products, medical devices, cosmetics and certain electronic products.
By Steve Herman
New Delhi

By Barry Newhouse
Islamabad
09 November 2007

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Pakistani forces have stopped former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto from leaving her home to lead a demonstration against the country’s emergency laws. VOA’s Barry Newhouse was at Ms. Bhutto’s Islamabad residence, where she spoke to reporters from behind coils of barbed wire.

Ms. Bhutto had hoped to speak before hundreds of thousands of supporters at a rally in Rawalpindi Friday, but instead addressed journalists and several hundred riot police outside her Islamabad residence.

She said the government had made strenuous efforts to prevent the protest, arresting 5,000 of her supporters, sealing off roads to Rawalpindi and dispatching thousands of troops to stop her from leaving her home.

“To stop one million people, they had to paralyze the whole government of Pakistan in the northern part of the country,” said Ms. Bhutto. “How long can they do this day after day? They can’t.”

Throughout the day, police arrested dozens of Ms. Bhutto’s supporters outside her home but allowed senior leaders of her party to move freely. Ms. Bhutto denied she had been placed under house arrest, but the police barred her from leaving her neighborhood.

Ms. Bhutto says that President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of elections by February 15 was merely a ploy to quiet dissent. She said there is growing opposition to Mr. Musharraf.

“And I think the regime is trying to break this momentum by making vague promises that will give hope,” she said.

She says unless General Musharraf agrees to step down as army chief, reinstate the constitution, and hold elections on schedule in January, she will not negotiate with him. “The regime has a choice - either paralysis or to stop putting obstacles in our path,” said Ms. Bhutto.

The former prime minister says she still plans to lead a protest march early next week from Lahore to Islamabad. But following the security crackdown Friday on the planned Rawalpindi protest, it is unclear if Ms. Bhutto’s party can carry out that plan.

Mr. Musharraf imposed emergency rule last Saturday. The government has detained more than two thousand opposition figures and critics, and has imposed strict limits on the news media.

The president has said the emergency rule is needed to combat growing violence by Islamic militants. However, witnesses and opposition leaders say most of those detained were moderate members of the community, including judges, lawyers and human rights activists.

World leaders, including President Bush, have called on Mr. Musharraf to end emergency rule, retire from the military and hold elections as originally scheduled in January.

The brief report below raises at least two questions. What do you think they are?
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Indian Court Allows ‘Harry Potter’ School Replica
By VOA News
An Indian court is allowing organizers of a Hindu festival to build a replica of the imaginary school depicted in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

A judge ruled Friday that the community group in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata will not have to pay compensation to Rowling.

Festival organizers argued the celebrations are for the public interest and not for profit.

The Harry Potter author and her publishers wanted $50,000 from the group for building a castle that resembles the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter books. The structure was set to be displayed during the annual festival for the Hindu goddess of Durga that begins on October 17.

The court is permitting organizers to display the structure until October 26, when the festival ends.

Rowling’s Harry Potter novels have enjoyed enormous commercial success. The last in the series was released in July.

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
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Indian exports, particularly those by small and medium companies, have been hit by the recent surge in the rupee against the dollar. Anjana Pasricha has a report from New Delhi.

The Farida Group, based in the southern city of Chennai, is one of India’s biggest footwear exporters. A large part of its production goes to the United States.

But Farida Group’s business has taken a beating due to an 11 percent appreciation in the value of the rupee against the dollar this year.

Companies like Farida are paid in dollars by their foreign customers, and those dollars now buy fewer rupees, reducing profit margins that are already quite small.

The group’s chairman, Rafeeque Ahmed, says he will not even be able to recover the cost of production from his American customers. As a result, his plans to expand capacity have been put on the back burner.

“Now we are committed to American dollar market, and we can’t go back, and we are going to lose, we have to take the loss for the season,” said Ahmed. “There is no question of profit, all our expansion plans, we have put it on hold now.”

Ahmed’s shoe business is not the only one reeling from an Indian currency that is continuing to strengthen. Small and medium exporters of textiles, gems and jewelry, sporting goods and brass also say their profits are being squeezed by the rising rupee. Many of these companies employ fewer than 50 workers and work on very small margins.

The rupee now stands at a near-decade long high against the dollar, something the small exporters had not anticipated when they signed export contracts earlier in the year.

The president of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, G.P. Gupta, says uncertainty about the currency has made Indian exporters wary of booking new orders.

He says exporters are also worried that they may lose out to competitors in other countries.

“Exporters are not in a position to book further order, because they do not know what will be the future position of the rupee against the dollar,” said Gupta. “The situation is worse because the neighboring country currency is not appreciating that much, and whatever India is manufacturing, it is manufactured by neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Their prices are more competitive, so that foreign buyers are shifting to other countries.”

However, industry analysts say exports in larger sectors, such as software and services, are expected to continue growing, but profit margins there will also be smaller.

Indian Authorities Step Up Security, Blame Islamic Militants for Saturday’s Blasts
By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
26 August 2007

In India, authorities are pointing to the involvement of Islamic militant groups for deadly bombings that have killed at least 42 people and injured more than 60 in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, security has been stepped up in Hyderabad, a well-known information technology hub.

The federal government rushed paramilitary troops and bomb detection equipment to Hyderabad a day after the explosions ripped through a roadside stall and an amusement park.

The extra troops deployed as police said they found 19 unexploded bombs in the city, which is capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

Authorities say the unexploded devices, fitted with timers, were planted at public places such as cinema houses and bus stops.

As police launched a search for those responsible for the attacks, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, pointed the finger at Islamic militant groups based in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He said information suggests that terrorist organizations based in those neighboring countries were not only responsible for Saturday’s deadly bombings, but also for a previous bomb attack in a city mosque that killed 11 people.

“As things stand today, available information with us points out to that not only this, the earlier Mecca Masjid bomb blast also, the available indications as of today point out to the organizations, to the terrorist organizations of Bangladesh and Pakistan,” said Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Chief Minister declined to give more detail.

India has blamed Islamic militant groups based in Pakistan, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, for attacks in New Delhi and Mumbai in recent years. Security experts say these groups use local Muslims to carry out the attacks.

Meanwhile, the city is trying to cope with the aftermath of the bombings. Friends and relatives have crowded hospitals where the injured are being treated and where efforts are being made to establish the identity of the victims.

Police say several people have been detained for questioning in the city, where I.T. companies such as Microsoft have large research centers.