Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines

Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Art of Peace Leadership: excerpt: Knowing the Art of War to toughen the Art of Peace Leadership (part 1) By Zara Jane Juan

The Art of Peace Leadership: excerpt: Knowing the Art of War to toughen the Art of Peace Leadership (part 1) By Zara Jane Juan:

"Why a study of war to strengthen peace work?

Because peace is war, in different form. War is based on deception while peace is based on inspiration. And there can never be true peace without justice. Justice is served when respect is given in a person's dignity.

To win the enemy and learn to love them unconditionally is to know how their minds work. What makes a General pursue war and how do they make a conviction in getting their justice through war, is a question that remains to be answered and with various opinions that goes along with it.

The series of study is meant to study the core and the root that shapes these warriors for decades and how can peace-makers and peace workers re-shape history not by guns and violence, but by tall order of faith, hope and love through change of heart."

Part 1:

What are the key points in the Art of War?

What is a Skilled General

When capable he feigns incapacity

When near he makes it appear he’s far

When far, near

His primary target is the mind of the opponent

Victorious situation is the product of his creative imagination

He cannot be manipulated

He may withdraw. But when he does, moves so swiftly that he cannot be overtaken

His retirements are designed to entice the enemy, to unbalance him, an to create a situation favorable for a decisive counter-stroke

Victory is the object of war not lengthy operations

He strikes only when the situation assumes victory

Five Fundamental Factors before engaging in war:

  1. Moral Influence- causes people to be in harmony with their leaders so that they will accompany them in life and unto death

“In happiness at overcoming difficulties, people forget the danger of death”

  1. Weather – the interaction of natural forces; the conduct of operation’s in accordance with the seasons

  1. Terrain – distances, is the ground traversed with ease or difficulty, is it open or constricted and the chances of life and death

  1. Command – Quality of a General:

Wisdom-able to recognize changing circumstances and act expediently

Sincere- his men will have no doubt of rewards and punishments

Humane- loves mankind, sympathizes with others, and appreciates their industry and toil

Courageous-gains victory by seizing opportunity w/o hesitation

Strict-his troops are disciplined because they are in awe of him and are afraid of punishment

  1. Doctrine – organization, control, assignment of appropriate ranks to officers, regulation of supply routes and provision of principal items used by the army

When he concentrates, prepare against him

Where he is strong avoid him

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance

Keep him under strain and wear him down

When he is united, divide him

Attack where he is unprepared

Sally out when he does not expect you

Calculate. With many calculations one can win, with few one cannot

Examine the situation and the outcome will be clearly apparent


Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. When troops attacked cities, their strength will be exhausted a treasure spent… Neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counselors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future

War is like unto fire; those who will not put aside weapons are themselves consumed by them

The reason the troops slay the enemy is because they are enraged

They take the booty from the enemy because they desire wealth

When fighting and won, reward those who take the first.

Replace the enemy’s flag and banners with your own

Mix the captured chariots with your own

Treat the captives well and take care of them

Winning the battle and becoming stronger

A general who understands war is the Minister of the people’s fate and arbiter of the nation’s destiny

Offensive Strategy

To capture the enemy’s army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a battalion, a company or a five man squad is better than to destroy them

To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill

Thus, the supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy

He who excels in resolving difficulties does so before they arise. He who excels in conquering his enemies before triumphs before threats materialize

Next, disrupt his alliances

Then attack his army

The worst policy is to attack cities the center , the principal

Subdue the enemy’s army without battle

Capture his cities without assaulting them

Overthrow his state without protracted operations

The aim is to take All-under-Heaven intact. Thus troops are not worn out and gains will be complete. This is the art of offensive strategy

The art of using troops:

When 10 is to 1 = surround him

When 25 is to 1 = attack him

When 100 is to 50 = divide him

When 1 is to 1 = engage him

If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing

A sovereign who obtains the right person, prospers

3 ways for a ruler to bring misfortune to his army

1. When the army cannot advance

2. when ignorant of military affairs

3. when ignorant of command problems

5 circumstances in which victory may predicted:

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot;

He who knows how to use small and large forces;

He whose ranks are united in purpose;

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not

He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the soverign will be victorious

Know the enemy and know thyself; in hundred battles you will never peril


Supreme Requirements of Generalship:

  1. Clear perception
  2. Harmony of host
  3. Profound Strategy coupled with far-reaching plans
  4. Understanding of the seasons;
  5. Ability to examine the human factors.

Elements of War:

  1. Measurement of space

-derived from the ground

  1. Estimation of Quantities

-derived from measurement

  1. Calculations of Figures

-derived from quantities

  1. Comparisons

-derived from figures

  1. Chances of Victory

-derived from comparisons


Energy

To manage a host, one first assign responsibilities to the generals and their assistants, and establish the strengths of ranks and files.

One man is single (1)

Two a pair (2)

Three a trio (3)

Pair + Trio = Five or Squad (5)

Two Squads = Section (10)

Five Sections = Platoon (50)

Two Platoons = Company (100)

Two Companies = Battalion (200)

Two Battalion = Regiment (400)

Two Regiments = Group (800)

Two Groups = Brigade (1,600)

Two Brigades = Army (3,200)


In battle, use the normal force to engage, use the extraordinary to win

Musical notes are only five but their melodies are numerous that one cannot hear them all;

Primary colors are only five but their combinations are so infinite that one cannot visualize them all;

Flavors are only five but their blends are so various that one cannot taste them all

Order and Disorder depends on Organization

Courage or Cowardice on Circumstances (Situation)

Strength or Weakness on Disposition (Attitude)

3 kinds of Situation:

  1. In Respect to Morale: -When his officers loves to fight and their ambitions soaring high and their spirits fierce
  2. In Respect to Terrain- When the enemy will have a hard time reaching you
  3. In Respect to Enemy – When taking advantage of enemy’s laxity, weariness, hunger or thirst

An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness

Five (5) Qualities which are Dangerous in the Character of a General

  1. If reckless, he can be killed;
  2. If coward, he can be captured’
  3. If quick-tempered, you can make a fool of him;
  4. If he has too delicate a sense of honor, you can calumniate him
  5. If he so compassionate, you can harass him

When an enemy speaks in humble terms, but he continues his preparation, he is advancing

When the envoy speaks in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite (break)

When at night, the enemy’s camp is clamorous (noisy), he is fearful

When his troops are disorderly, the general has no prestige

If the officers are short-tempered, they are exhausted

When the troops continually gather together, the general has lost confidence of the army

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources

Too frequent punishments of the general indicate that he is in acute distress

If the officers at first treat the men violently and later are fearful of them, the limit of indiscipline has been reached

If troops are loyal but punishment are not enforced, you cannot employ them

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops are satisfactory

A GENERAL WHO IS ADVANCING DOES NOT SEEK PERSONAL FAME, AND IN WITHDRAWING IS NOT CONCERNED WITH AVOIDING PUNISHMENT, BUT WHOSE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND PROMOTE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HIS SOVEREIGN, IS THE PRECIOUS JEWEL OF THE STATE.

Military Code: The General must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Security Council extends peace keeping mission in Sudan

coastweek.com: "The adoption comes after South Sudan voted to secede from the North in a landmark referendum in January.

The referendum marks the final phase of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which concluded 20 years of war between the northern-based government in Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) in the south—a war that claimed the lives of some 2 million people and left millions more displaced.

The Security Council resolution extends the mission’s mandate until July 9, 2011 -- coinciding with the day South Sudan will officially be able to declare independence.

Meanwhile, the resolution considers the request by the government of southern Sudan “for a continued United Nations presence in South Sudan .”

In the new resolution, the 15-nation Security Council said it plans to set up a successor mission to UNMIS and asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to submit a report by May 16 on the post-independence options for a UN presence."

Palestinian deal ends rift, hurts peace prospects

The Associated Press: Palestinian deal ends rift, hurts peace prospects: "CAIRO (AP) — Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a landmark reconciliation pact on Wednesday, ending a four-year rift that had divided the territory envisioned for a future Palestinian state. The deal plunged Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking deeper into uncertainty as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'mortal blow to peace.'
The agreement, which followed years of bitter acrimony between the two Palestinian movements, was made possible in large measure by the political changes sweeping the Arab world and the deadlock in U.S.-brokered peace talks with Israel.
A unity government foreseen by the accord would also allow the Palestinians to speak with a single voice if they go ahead with plans to ask the United Nations to recognize Palestine as a state during the annual General Assembly session in September.
With Wednesday's signing, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank, joined forces with Khaled Mashaal, the Syrian-based head of Hamas, which rejects Israel's existence and is backed by Iran.
The alliance set off ecstatic celebrations in the Palestinian territories — and warnings from both the Obama administration and international mediator Tony Blair that the new Palestinian government must recognize Israel or risk international isolation."

Thailand’s Abhisit Takes Aim at Thaksin’s Turf as ‘Brutal’ Election Nears - Bloomberg

Thailand’s Abhisit Takes Aim at Thaksin’s Turf as ‘Brutal’ Election Nears - Bloomberg: "Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will seek to extend those gains in Thaksin’s northern stronghold when Thais head to the polls in June or July as he pushes for the Democrat party’s first nationwide victory in two decades. For Khayan, it won’t be easy to repeat his by-election success.

“This election will be a brutal fight,” he said on May 7 while campaigning at a funeral in Lamphun, which neighbors Thaksin’s home province of Chiang Mai. “I’m afraid I’ll be targeted again.”

Violence involving Thaksin supporters and opponents in a country known for its beaches and Buddhist temples reflect divisions rooted in class and ethnicity, and the role rural voters play in determining the outcome of elections. Thaksin and his allies have won the past four elections on strong support in northern areas, only to see legal challenges and a military coup overturn the last three results."

Calm Needed In Cambodian Border Row | Editorials | Editorial

Calm Needed In Cambodian Border Row | Editorials | Editorial: "Fighting has flared again along the border dividing Cambodia and Thailand, displacing thousands of residents and heightening tensions in an already tense region. The United States is deeply troubled by the ongoing clashes, and is closely monitoring the situation. We are in close communication with both nations, urging them to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to cease hostilities and avoid further conflict and needless tragedy.

The latest fighting occurred around Ta Moan and Ta Krabey, religious sites that are hotly disputed by the two neighbors. A third temple complex in Preah Vihear has been the focus of armed tensions and military buildup since 2008, when the United Nations listed it as a World Heritage site under Cambodian administration. At least a dozen people have been killed and thousands of people uprooted on both sides of the border over several days of dueling artillery and small weapons fire."

Egyptian Copts, reeling from violence, want protection - CNN.com

Egyptian Copts, reeling from violence, want protection - CNN.com: "Cairo (CNN) -- Muslim-Christian sectarian violence intensified in Egypt this weekend, spurring an emergency meeting of the Cabinet and public exhortations from Coptic Christians for international protection.
At least 12 people were killed and 232 others were wounded in sectarian clashes outside a Cairo church, according to state TV. Officials said violence began over rumors that a Christian woman who converted to Islam was being held at the church against her will.
Prime Minister Essam Sharaf postponed a trip to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the church attack and hold the emergency meeting, according to EgyNews, Egypt's official news agency."

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tension Continues in Tibet's Ngaba, Parliament Appeals to the World

Tension Continues in Tibet's Ngaba, Parliament Appeals to the World: "The delegation expressed deep concern about military blockade imposed on the monastery, which has virtually turned the monastery into a jail. The delegation strongly disapprove it as the most undemocratic and uncivilized action on the part of the Chinese authorities.

'The Tibetan people's freedom of religion is threatened and their human rights grossly violated with over 300 monks forcibly taken away by the para-military forces to some unknown locations,' the delegation said.

'...the government authority instead of listening to the grievances of the people continues to use force and suppress the people', they added.

The appeal letter was send to the Embassy of France, Royal Danish Embassy, High Commission for Britain, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of Republic of Poland, Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, Embassy of Austria, Embassy of the United States of America, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Australian High Commission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Royal Norwegian Embassy and European Union Commission.

The foreign Embassies expressed their deep concern about the sufferings of the Tibetan people in Ngaba and assured their full support to bring an end to the repression."

Tensions escalate over the South China Sea

Tensions escalate over the South China Sea: "Geopolitical and military tensions have heightened sharply over the past four weeks in the South China Sea. China, Taiwan, and the Philippines have each escalated their rhetoric regarding the contested oil-rich Spratly Islands and deployed troops and military equipment to the region.
The Spratly Islands are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Two-fifths of global sea traffic travels through the South China Sea. Control of the region is of vital strategic interest to both the United States and China.
In February, Forum Energy concluded a two-year survey of the oil and natural gas resources in the region. Philippine President Benigno Aquino gave approval to the corporation, owned by Philippine billionaire and key political ally, Manny Pangilinan, to begin drilling. On March 2, Chinese patrol boats accosted a vessel belonging to Forum Energy in disputed waters. The Philippine Navy sent two jets to confront the Chinese patrol boats. Relations between the Philippines and China worsened with China’s execution of three Filipino drug couriers on March 30."

Groundbreaking Trial for Congo War Crimes - AlertNet

Germany: Groundbreaking Trial for Congo War Crimes - AlertNet: "On May 4, 2011, judges in Stuttgart, Germany, will begin hearing evidence against Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni, respectively president and vice president of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (Forces D�mocratiques de Lib�ration du Rwanda, FDLR). The FDLR is a predominately Rwandan Hutu armed group that has been operating in eastern Congo, under various names, since 1994.
'The trial of Murwanashyaka and Musoni is a powerful statement that courts - even thousands of miles away from where the atrocities occurred - can play a decisive role in combating impunity,' said G�raldine Mattioli-Zeltner, international justice advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. 'The German authorities took an important step in carrying out their legal obligation to prosecute these horrific crimes.'
Both men were arrested on November 17, 2009, in Germany, where they had been living for several years. They are charged with 26 counts of crimes against humanity and 39 counts of war crimes allegedly committed by FDLR troops on Congolese territory between January 2008 and November 2009. These charges were brought under the German Code of Crimes Against International Law (CCAIL).They are also charged with belonging to a terrorist group."

Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan endanger journalists, report says

The Canadian Press: Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan endanger journalists, report says: "A report by the International Federation of Journalists said threat levels to journalists also remain high in conflict-ridden areas of India's remote northeast, the Himalayan region of Kashmir and central India, where Maoist rebels have stepped up a decades-old insurgency.
The report titled 'Free Speech in Peril: press freedom in South Asia' also examines the threats and challenges faced by the media in Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives. It was released in New Delhi on Tuesday to mark World Press Freedom Day.
An upsurge in violence in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan has made the region among the most hazardous in the world for reporters, said Sukumar Murlidharan, the report's editor.
'Both sides of the conflict — the Baluch nationalist forces seeking to break free of the federal government, and the army and the paramilitary that have been deployed in strength to defeat the secessionist movement, have been known to pick on journalists with little respect for their status as noncombatants,' Murlidharan said.
He said the situation was the same in Pakistan's north, where killings, abductions and injuries from suicide bombings pose a major threat to reporters, contributing to the death of 14 journalists over the past year."

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Philippines

PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "TABUK CITY, Kalinga, May 2 (PIA) - - Acting promptly to prevent armed conflict between residents living on the disputed land located at the boundaries of Pinukpuk, Kalinga, and Tuao in Cagayan, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) decided to dispatch a composite peacekeeping force from the Philippine National Police and the Army to address to address the looming problem.
Barangay Pinococ, whose residents are a mix of Kalingas and Cagayanos, is being claimed by both Pinukpuk and Tuao with each imposing sanctions, which,according to Regional Trial Court staff John Dongui-is, is like a “pill box” that could explode anytime.
Governor Jocel Baac, who is also the PPOC chairman said “we must act now” as he appealed to the committee members to share the burden of peacekeeping in this particular community since the same will become a provincial problem and everyone will be affected if not solved early."

Who Are The Roma? (SLIDESHOW) - International Business Times

click to see slideshow Who Are The Roma? (SLIDESHOW) - International Business Times: "Roma have lived in Greece since the late 14th century and now number about 350,000. They are the largest ethnic minority group in the country and are known as “Tsiganes.” According to the Pelekas.com website, 'most Greek Roma are indigent, living either as nomads seeking seasonal employment, or in makeshift settlements with no infrastructure whatsoever.'
Pelekas adds: 'Living in a legal limbo, [Greek] Gypsy populations attempting to settle down have repeatedly faced social prejudice and harassment. In recent years, as land has become more expensive, forced and often illegal evictions of Gypsies from long-standing settlements by order of municipal authorities have become more frequent. '
It is estimated that 80 percent of Greek Gypsies are illiterate.
During the Athens Summer Olympics of 2004, Roma families and encampments were reportedly cleared out and bulldozed, respectively, by Greek authorities, in order to provide space for athletic events (and most likely to remove the poor Gypsies from public view)."

Bin Laden's Death Not to Change Plan of UN Mission in Afghanistan: Spokesman

Bin Laden's Death Not to Change Plan of UN Mission in Afghanistan: Spokesman: "After the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the strategy of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) remains consistent in urging a political solution for the Islamic republic, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Monday.

'The strategy in Afghanistan is very clear: there must be a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan,' Nesirky said, adding that 'armed conflict will not ultimately resolve political differences in the country.'

Nesirky pointed out that catching the mastermind of terrorism is an opportunity to move toward dialogue, and noted that the UN will continue to support Afghan-led peace efforts.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon earlier on Monday hailed bin Laden's death as a 'watershed moment' in the global anti-terror campaign, and once again condemned terrorism in all its forms.

The secretary-general said that the UN would continue to lead the global campaign against terrorism, drawing from the counter- terrorism strategy adopted by the UN General Assembly."

Complementary elections kick off in Sudan's South Kordofan State

Complementary elections kick off in Sudan's South Kordofan State: "KHARTOUM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The polling of the legislative and executive complementary elections in Sudan's South Kordofan State started Monday amid concerns that the elections could lead to armed conflicts between the north and south Sudan.

The elections maintain great importance as the oil-rich South Kordofan State has been a war scene between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) for over two decades, besides its position as a commercial gateway and a social bond between the north and south Sudan.

Over 600,000 voters are expected to head to the polling stations to select a state governor from among three candidates, Ahmed Haroun from the NCP, Abdul-Aziz Al-Hilo from the SPLM and independent candidate Telephone Koko.

Head of the state's higher elections committee Adam Abdin Ismail told reporters Monday that the committee has received all the necessary materials and the National Elections Commission (NEC) has trained 32 polling officers for the geographical constituencies and 666 chairpersons for 555 constituencies.

He stressed the keenness of the state's election committee to conduct fair and transparent elections, explaining that the NEC has issued 10,000 monitor cards for local political parties and 37 cards for foreign observers supervised by the Carter Center."

China announces naval buildup to enforce claims -- 2011/may/3

Manila Standard Today -- China announces naval buildup to enforce claims -- 2011/may/3: "BEIJING—China says it is adding 36 new ships in five years to beef up the enforcement of the country’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea.

China Marine Surveillance says it will add 1,000 officers this year to raise staffing to 10,000 and will buy 36 new ships over the next five years.

The official China Daily reported Monday that the agency now had 300 vessels of all types, along with 10 aircraft.

The paper said the increased capacity was needed to deal with a rising number of disputes involving China and other countries that share overlapping claims to the waters and island groups in the South China and East China seas.

The Philippines said in March that it planned to acquire patrol ships, aircraft and an air defense radar system to assert its claims.

Last month, Taiwan announced that the more than 100 coast guard troops stationed in a disputed area of the South China Sea would be trained by the Defense Ministry’s elite Marine Corps to carry out sea combat.

Some or all of the Spratly Islands and their surrounding waters are claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei."

"al Qaeda funded Abu Sayyaf

United by plot: John Paul II rises, Bin Laden falls on same day - World - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News: "al Qaeda funded Abu Sayyaf

Aside from plotting terrorist attacks, al Qaeda was purportedly instrumental in funneling funds to Abu Sayyaf, which ensured the group’s survival.

A Manila Times article in 2001 reported that both the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were receiving funding from Bin Laden, but the MILF said most of the money went to “building mosques, clinics and schools in many poor Muslim provinces.'

This was later confirmed by then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva who said he was certain that the Abu Sayyaf could not have operated for so long without the help of Bin Laden's al Qaeda network.

The one who had allegedly channeled al Qaeda money toward various terrorist efforts in the southern Philippines was Mohamed Jamal Khalifa, who was married to Bin Laden’s half-sister, Shaikha al-Attas."

Monday, May 2, 2011

Readings on bin Laden part 7: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "Bin Laden appointed Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian medical doctor as his successor. The former leader of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Ayman was head of the information committee of al-Qa'ida. His book, The Knights Under the Prophet's Banner, formed the blue-print for al-Qa'ida strategy. His wife and two children were killed in the US bombing of Tora Bora mountains. Although hardworking and bright, Ayman lacks the global charisma and appeal of bin Laden. Although al-Qa'ida is likely to seek revenge from Pakistan and the US for killing its leader, its strategy and tactics are unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Bin Laden will remain a hero for his followers and supporters. He will be memoralised and a few groups will carry out attacks in his name.

Bin Laden became such a prominent figure because of his ability and willingness to work together with disparate leaders and groups from different parts of the world. His key strength was to mount a few spectacular attacks, mobilise like-minded groups to join him and to galvanise public support for a sustained campaign."

Contrary to popular belief, he was not only a spiritual leader. He was an operational leader that actively planned and prepared attacks. He worked very closely with Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. However, after 9/11, the security environment forced him to play a low-profile role.

Nonetheless, through the release of audio and video tapes, he played a vital role in shaping the threat environment.

Readings on bin Laden part 6: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "The threat posed by al-Qa'ida and its associated groups is likely to persist. Bin Laden called for the creation of Islamic states wherever Muslims lived. Furthermore, his attack invited retaliation from the Western world. As the Western governments reacted rather than responded to the threat of terrorism, especially the US invasion of Iraq, more Muslims were radicalised than ever. In addition to sustaining two dozen groups, bin Laden has crafted an ideology that finds resonance in the Muslim world, especially in conflict zones. As there are conflicts in more than a dozen Muslim countries where al-Qa'ida's message finds resonance, the threat of ideological extremism and terrorism will persist."

Readings on bin Laden part 5: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "Among the terrorist groups in Southeast Asia trained and financed by al-Qa'ida was Jemaah Islamiah. Led by Abu Bakar Bashir, an Indonesian radical cleric, JI killed 202 innocent people, including 88 Australians, in Bali on October 12, 2002. Almost all the JI leaders who planned and prepared the Bali attack as well as the dozen other attacks staged in Indonesia were indoctrinated and trained by al-Qa'ida. After the Bali attack, the Australian government built an offshore counter terrorism capacity in Indonesia and in The Philippines to fight al-Qa'ida-associated groups such as JI and the Abu Sayyaf Group. As JI was particularly close to al-Qa'ida, both bin Laden and his associates threatened Australia for its role that gave a significant capacity to governments in the region to fight terrorism."

Readings on bin Laden part 4: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "The Australian threat environment significantly changed after 9/11. More than 100 Australian citizens travelled to The Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan and Afghanistan to receive training organised by al-Qa'ida and its associated groups. On their return, they radicalised a tiny segment of the Australian Muslim community. The Australian authorities detected and neutralised cells in Sydney and Melbourne.

The diaspora and migrant communities of Australia remain susceptible to ideology of al-Qa'ida and its associated groups. In the view of the radicalised few, bin Laden remains their hero for fighting the US, its allies and friends, in revenge for deliberately killing Muslims and purposely attacking Islam.

The threat to Australia from the followers and supporters of bin Laden is likely to persist in the foreseeable future."

Readings on bin Laden part 3: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "After al-Qa'ida's deadly attacks on the US on September 11, 2001, bin Laden directed most of his attacks in the global south, mostly in the Muslim world. Riding on the success of 9/11, al-Qa'ida inspired and instigated two dozen groups it had ideologised, trained and financed to emulate al-Qa'ida tactics. With the difficulty of attacking the US, Europe and Australia, al-Qa'ida attacked Western targets in the global south. However, more Muslims have been killed, maimed and injured in al-Qaida-directed and inspired operations and in conflict zones. Under criticism, bin Laden and his fellow ideologues argued that if a good Muslim were killed by accident, he would go to heaven."

Readings on bin Laden part 2: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "As the unofficial representative of the Saudi kingdom, bin Laden travelled to Pakistan in 1980 to support the decade long anti-Soviet multinational Afghan mujaheddin campaign. Having distinguished himself as the leader of the Arab mujaheddin, bin Laden drew support from a cadre of participants and supporters that fought in Muslim conflict zones. After a dispute with the Saudi regime over basing US troops in Saudi Arabia, he directed terrorist attacks against the Saudi regime. However, his prime target was the US. To fight US-supported Muslim regimes, bin Laden created a dozen camps for training young Muslim fighters in Sudan from 1991 to 1996 and in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001."

Readings on Bin Laden part 1: No end to leader's bloody legacy

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "OSAMA bin Laden influenced the contemporary wave of global terrorism more than any other terrorist figure. While his own group al-Qa'ida spearheaded the most devastating attacks, bin Laden built a global terror network by bringing together like-minded groups from conflict zones in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Both operationally and ideologically, al-Qa'ida influenced insurgent and terrorist groups and spawned a movement that will outlive its founder and leader.

For three decades straddling two centuries, bin Laden played a significant role in globalising terrorism. In the Muslim world, he played the most decisive role in spreading the tactic of suicide terrorism. Having conducted mass fatality attacks against the US, bin Laden provoked the US, its allies and friends to intervene in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Although puritanical in his belief, bin Laden also harnessed modern communications platforms to politicise, radicalise and mobilise millions of supporters and sympathisers.

Most importantly, he crafted an ideology of deep hatred against the West and against non-Muslims. He could communicate complex messages in simple words. Speaking softly with a Koran in one hand and an AK47 in the other, he built mass appeal across the Muslim world."

Weigh in on this issue. What can you say? Bin Laden Killing: the Legal Basis

Bin Laden Killing: the Legal Basis - Council on Foreign Relations: "The killing is not prohibited by the longstanding assassination prohibition in Executive Order 12333 because the action was a military action in the ongoing U.S. armed conflict with al-Qaeda and it is not prohibited to kill specific leaders of an opposing force. The assassination prohibition also does not apply to killings in self-defense. The executive branch will also argue that the action was permissible under international law both as a permissible use of force in the U.S. armed conflict with al-Qaeda and as a legitimate action in self-defense, given that bin Laden was clearly planning additional attacks.
Some critics of the administration's legal theory that the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qaeda might--if they were consistent with their past criticisms--argue that the United States did not have a right to use military force against bin Laden outside of Afghanistan, and that Washington should instead have sent an extradition request to Pakistan or asked the Pakistani government to arrest bin Laden. But such traditional critics may prefer to remain silent in this instance."

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 4

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "The annual Rental Money for Sabah with a land area of 73,711 square kilometers at Philippine Pesos 77,442.36 or US$1500 by Malaysia to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu is unjust and unfair. Malaysia derives US$100 billion GDP per year in Sabah, therefore, the Sultan of Sulu and Sultan of Sabah should receive at least 10% to 12% (US$10 billion to US$12 billion) as rent per annum so that such amount can be used for economic developments of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and Zamboanga. These areas lack roads, drinking water, electricity, hospitals, medicines, schools and mosques."

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 3

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "Based on facts, reality and history, His Majesty’s Government or the Government of the Sultan of Sulu and Sabah as owner never gave its consent to the 1963 British transfer of Sabah to Malaysia which means that the “Lease is breached” and based on point of Law, it can be stated that Sabah must and should be returned to the Lawful Owner namely to the Sultan of Sulu. Sabah is the private property of the Sultan of Sulu up to now and the Sabah occupation of Malaysia is unlawful. In 1906 and 1920 the USA formally reminded Great Britain that Sabah is still owned by the Sultan of Sulu and the Sultanate of Sulu but Great Britain ignored the USA and proceeded to the illegal transfer of Sabah to Malaysia in 1963."

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 2

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "The father of HM Sultan Jamalul Kiram II was HM Sultan Jamalul Ahlam Kiram (Sultan of Sulu and Sabah 1863 to 1881, great grandfather of HM Sultan Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I) who rented North Borneo/ Sabah to a British Company represented by the two Dent brothers and Gustavus Baron von Overbeck in 1878. This 1878 North Borneo Lease states: “The abovementioned territories are from today truly leased to Gustavus Baron von Overbeck and to Alfred Dent, Esquire, as already said, together with their heirs, their associates (company) and to their successors and assigns for as long as they choose or desire to use them, but the rights and powers hereby leased shall not be transferred to another nation, or a company of other nationality, without the consent of His Majesty’s Government.”"

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 1

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "To repeat, in June of 1658, the Brunei Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin awarded the northeast coast of Borneo (Sabah) including Palawan as gifts to the Sultan of Sulu, for helping settle a civil war dispute against Pengiran Bongsu Muhyuddin. Thus, the Sultan of Sulu owned Sabah since then up to now. The Sabah and Palawan gift bestowal to the Sultan of Sulu was also confirmed by Brunei Sultan Bongsu Muhyuddin when he ascended the throne as the Sultan of Brunei on the year 1673."