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[Oracle]

Just like every Global Capital City has its own "MacDonald's" and "Starbuck's" so every country can soon boast of having its very own "American President" ... another great export!



The American who could be President of Afghanistan


More British dead in Afghanistan and I suspect we have reached a tipping point.

Because the Afghan war was so much less controversial than the Iraq conflict when it started, deaths there have not made the same impact on the media and public opinion. When someone died in Iraq it was thought to prove someone right and someone else wrong, whereas in Afghanistan the killing just meant they were, you know, dead.

Thankfully this thinking is about to change. We are about, I am sure, to have a big debate about what we do in Afghanistan and, from some, about whether we should be there.

In this debate a central feature will concern President Karzai and his ability to govern.

There are broadly two schools of thought, although it is possible to belong to both of them.

The first is that Hamid Karzai has to go. He is weak and allows too much corruption. He needs to be replaced. A name often mentioned as a successor is that of Zalmay Khalilzad. He has, it is suggested, a real base of support and could get himself elected as President.

One little, little problem. He isn't actually a citizen of Afghanistan.

Khalilzad is the US ambassador to the United Nations. He is, however, an ethnic Pashtun born in Mazari Sharif in northern Afghanistan and he was popular and effective as special envoy and then US ambassador to the country for the four years leading up to the end of 2005.

The theory is that he could renounce his US citizenship, run and win.

The second school of thought says that Karzai himself isn't really the issue. The problem is our failure to create proper state institutions.

Clare Lockhart, in a superb piece in Prospect, argues that we have given all the cash to bureaucratic and disengaged NGOs and starved the government. No chief exective can succeed without an executive to be chief of.

If you haven't heard any of these names or idea, I suggest you get used to them. They are about to become a familiar part of the political landscape.

Posted by Daniel Finkelstein on June 18, 2008 in Afghanistan ... The Times.

[Eliko]

It would appear that the greatest reason for Robert Mugabe's objections to the forthcoming run-off elections in Zimbabwe stem from the fact that he has certain objections.

The main one being that the MDC is acting solely in the interests of Great Britain (the former Colonial Power) and those of other Western nations.

Surely, under such circumstances, Robert Mugabe is entitled to have misgivings.

He need look no further than the front pages of any of the world's leading newspapers to be made aware of the plight of many other nations currently subjected to the 'Interests' of those Western Powers which are attempting the infiltration of his nation.

Of course HE (unlike most of the general populations of the world) is able to appreciate the amount of propaganda circulated on behalf of those opposing Powers.

If the British Government were to mind their own business (as Robert Mugabe has invited them to do on several occasions) and lift the sanctions (thus relieving suffering) and withdraw the threats of increasing such sanctions (thus ensuring even more suffering) perhaps the Zimbabwean people would have a better chance of making their nation great once again.

Strange how it seems to have gone downhill so rapidly since Robert Mugabe relieved the 'White Man' of his influential powers in another man's country.

Is not that the way the Western Powers operate ?, look no further than Cyprus (our own doorstep) to discover the answer to THAT simple question.

Unless myopia coupled with the intelligence of the lemming has taken control of your reasoning powers.

[Eliko]

Latest news on sanctions :- It is now proposed that the 'Electricity Supply' to Zimbabwe should be switched off and supplies further restricted.

These measures are being suggested by the 'Ex-Colonial Rulers' who would dearly love to regain control of that unfortunate nation.

Surely such measures will only serve to inflict MORE suffering on the Zimbabwean people, already facing deprivation and starvation.

I thought that those in opposition to Robert Mugabe were concerned about the 'Welfare' of those people, they certainly have a very srange way of demonstrating such concerns.

Why not lift every sanction, assist the people of Zimbabwe to grow crops and manufacture goods in order to develop (as with other nations) ?.

Or would such actions not suit those opposing powers who feign such sorrow for the sufferings of those who are subjected to the punishments already borne, by the very sanctions already imposed by them upon the Zimbabwean population (and about to be increased).

Try standing on the other side of the fence once in a while, it is quite surprising how much one can learn about 'Political Distortions' once you understand the rules of the game.

We of Cyprus (above many others) should be perfectly well aware of it's evil consequences.

In my humble opinion.

[miltiades]

At work now Eliko , cant answer in depth , suffice to say that I support ALL actions to ensure that this tin pot little despot bloody dictator is kicked out , allowing his people to recover from the pain and suffering that this despot has brought upon them.
Once again WRONG Eliko .

[Eliko]

At work now Eliko , cant answer in depth , suffice to say that I support ALL actions to ensure that this tin pot little despot bloody dictator is kicked out , allowing his people to recover from the pain and suffering that this despot has brought upon them.
Once again WRONG Eliko .

Absolutely predictable response miltiades, I assume you have read the newspapers again ?, relieves you of the neccessity to THINK for yourself eh ?.

[Eliko]

Support of ALL actions , is a clear indication that this member is in favour of the sufferings inflicted upon the nation of Zimbabwe by those empowered to do so (through sanctions etc).

Furthermore, since there have been (reportedly) many murders, deaths by sarvation, disease and deprivation, it follows that this member is in favour of those actions also.

A very sad admission from a man of advancing years.

In my humble opinion.

[miltiades]

I have put sanctions in place to stop me from entering this farcical debate fearing that my ability to restrain my self , faced with such utter shit , would perhaps render me vulnerable to being baned. Suffice to say WHAT A WASTE OF AN EDUCATION.
The whole world is holding this tyrant responsible and yet our ELIKO , bless his non existent common sense , blames the West !!!

[Eliko]

I have put sanctions in place to stop me from entering this farcical debate fearing that my ability to restrain my self , faced with such utter shit , would perhaps render me vulnerable to being baned. Suffice to say WHAT A WASTE OF AN EDUCATION.
The whole world is holding this tyrant responsible and yet our ELIKO , bless his non existent common sense , blames the West !!!

An interesting point you raise here miltiades.

I wonder if you would care to inform us of just WHO is imposing the 'Sanctions' (which are responsible for all the sufferings severally mentioned) if NOT the West ? (generalisation).

[repulsewarrior]

...hacking at your opposition's wife with knives is not a form of behaviour which inspires any confidence in me.

Mugabe is a revolutionary leader, and it has always nagged me how nkomo(sorry i dont remember the spelling) lost at Zimbawe's advent, the very first election. Mugabe was the "Western" choice of two "evils" at the time, how things have changed (once again).

[Eliko]

repulsewarrior, we have seen the machinations of politics at work so often. it is a wonder we even bother to discuss the subject.

What a breath of fresh air it would be if we were only made privy to the TRUTH now and again.

Quite frankly, politics sickens me.