White House Memo – “Subject: Military Service by Transgender Individuals” (25.08.2017)

Trouble in Paradise Part III – Crackdown on the Opposition Continues in the Maldives!

There are more trouble at the high sea. In Male, Maldives, the President Abdulla Yameen and the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). Today, there we’re hold Court in secrecy where the Jumhooree Party leader Ibrahim Gasim to be sentenced for three years. There are even more MPs who has sentenced, since the President Yameen and his party really has an issue with the opposition, and their will to question the President. Therefore, he has attacked them and used the powers of office to silence them.  

As the Maldives Independent reports:

Officers from the Maldives Correctional Services meanwhile went to IGMH Friday afternoon to take custody of Gasim. According to lawyers, the criminal court has now lifted Gasim’s travel ban and the prisons authority has assured that arrangements will be made for his departure. The four-party opposition coalition has condemned Gasim’s jailing as “part of a relentless campaign of persecution” after the opposition secured a majority of parliament with defections from the ruling party last month. “The politically motivated charges and sentence were brazenly framed and fixed to strip MP Gasim Ibrahim of his Parliamentary seat,” the alliance said in a joint statement Friday. The opposition also highlighted “irregularities” noted by Gasim’s legal team, including the judge closing hearings to the media and the public, resuming the trial without preliminary hearings after the charges were resubmitted by the Prosecutor General’s office, and refusing to grant adequate time to prepare. The lawyers also noted that the prosecution only submitted excerpts from Gasim’s speech as evidence and failed to produce any witnesses to testify. “The sentencing of MP Gasim Ibrahim once again confirms the lack of transparency and independence of Maldives’ judiciary, and the breakdown of the entire criminal justice system,” reads the statement” (Maldives Independent, 2017).

It wasn’t only leader of Jumhooree leader Gasim who was sentenced during the day. There reports of 10 more Members of Parliament from the opposition. On of the news of Ahmed Mahloof MP, he was arrested while being interviewed by a journalist on Friday. This is while the Faris Maumoon MP is still lingering in jail. So the PPM and the President Yameen are really cracking down on the opposition.

Just take a look:

The Criminal Court on Thursday commenced trial proceedings of 12 opposition lawmakers over trespassing on parliament premises, issuing the official notice of the trial to the MPs. The opposition lawmakers are being charged with obstructing law enforcement officers for pushing past security barricades and forcefully entering the parliament building on July 24 despite the heavy army and police presence barring entry. This marks the first time for the state to prosecute such a high number of MPs simultaneously in a single case” (…) “The lawmakers charged with obstructing law enforcement officers are: Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Hithadhoo North Mohamed Aslam, Henveiru South MP Mohamed Abdul Kareem, Henveiru North MP Abdulla Shahid, Hithadhoo Central MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, Maafannu West MP Mohamed Falaah, Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain Kinbidhoo MP Abdulla Riyaz, Nolhivaram MP Hussain Areef, Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth, Villingili MP Saud Hussain, Thulusdhoo MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim” (…) “If convicted of the charge, the 12 MPs would face a jail sentence of four months and 24 days, but they will preserve their parliament seats” (Maldives Times, 2017).

So the opposition MPs are really under fire. The PPM are really wanting to get rid of the opposition. To take total control of the Parliament and the legislation. Because of this the people are reacting. Since the PPM are taking total control with force and misuse of power.

There are now reports that the opposition supporters and people are planning to demonstrate because of the crackdown on them. We should really worry about President Yameen, who are now fearing rule of law and justice. Since he cannot stand their possible votes in the Parliament. They cannot manage to have them there. The Parliament votes could oust speakers in the ‘No Confidence’. Therefore, the President are in fear of their powers and has to use his executive powers to silence them. Peace.

Reference:

Maldives Independent – ‘Gasim sentenced in absentia to three years, stripped of seat’ (25.08.2017) link:http://maldivesindependent.com/politics/gasim-sentenced-in-absentia-to-three-years-stripped-of-seat-132255

Maldives Times – ‘Court begins trial process of 12 opposition lawmakers’ (25.08.2017) link:https://maldivestimes.com/court-begins-trial-process-of-12-opposition-lawmakers/

Somali National Army conducted security operation near Bariire (25.08.2017)

South Sudan’s leaders bear ‘direct responsibility’ for conflict, UN Security Council told (25.08.2017)

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the conflict, fighting and instability have persisted.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, August 25, 2017 – A senior United Nations peacekeeping official today called on the leaders of South Sudan to show genuine political will to achieve sustainable peace in the strife-riven country, stressing that those whose long-time rivalry sparked the ongoing conflict can be the ones to resolve it.

“The conflict in South Sudan is a man-made conflict for which the leaders of South Sudan bear a direct responsibility,” Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping El-Ghassim Wane told the Security Council. “But the same leaders can also bring the country back from the impending abyss.”

He noted that the dire economic situation and continued conflict in the country have combined to create a dangerous and precarious situation for its citizens, and all that is needed is genuine political will to halt military operations, peacefully negotiate and make the necessary compromises.

“I would also urge the Security Council to pronounce itself in this regard. It is critical that the leaders of South Sudan hear the international community’s unified demand of what is expected of them,” he stated.

Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the signing of the South Sudan Peace Agreement between warring parties – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing then First Vice-President Riek Machar.

South Sudan, the world youngest country, which gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between the two leaders erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the conflict, fighting and instability have persisted.

According to Festus Mogae, Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), “little meaningful progress” has been achieved in the implementation of the agreement, Mr. Wane said.

“More than ever before there is a critical need for continued and close coordination” between Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the African Union, the UN and the larger international community to leverage collective influence to bring an end to the suffering of the civilian population and help put South Sudan on a more positive trajectory, he stated.

IGAD comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Security situation remains cause for ‘very serious concern’

Mr. Wane said the security situation in South Sudan remains a cause for “very serious” concern. The expected ceasefire remains elusive as military operations continued during the reporting period, mostly in Upper Nile.

In July, 136 access incidents were reported by the humanitarian community – the highest number recorded in any one month since December 2013.

Incidents of looting also spiked during July, with 15 incidents reported across the country. Of particular concern were the six major looting incidents of warehouses and trucks in transit leading to the loss of 670 metric tons of food meant for vulnerable communities in Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Upper Nile and Warrap.

In meetings between UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and South Sudan’s key government officials earlier this month, President Salva Kiir and his cabinet members expressed reservations on the inclusion of some personalities such as Riek Machar in any dialogue process, Mr. Wane said.

But there was, however, an acknowledgement that sizeable communities cannot be left out of a process just because they were led by or that they supported a particular individual, he added.

While the National Dialogue has made some progress, it continues to be criticized for its lack of inclusivity.

Briefing the Council via videoconference, Nicholas Haysom, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan and South Sudan, also expressed concern about the security situation and the trajectory and depth of the crisis.

Calling for a “clear commitment” to an inclusive and credible peace process, he described several recent international and regional support efforts – including Uganda’s initiative to reunify factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Kenya’s initiative to host opposition parties – which had achieved varying levels of success.

A ACLU Paper of October 1934: Teaches us how to address Nazis today!

It is hard to believe, but it is true that, President Donald J. Trump, who says there are good people and great people within groups of White Supremacists, White Nationalists and Nazis; because of this are obviously racist. There are only fools, that can deny that now. Those who do is apologists for the President and his fellow complicit aides. This could be said for a number of reasons, also because of the people around him, and not denouncing fellow leadership of organizations who spread hatred in the United States.

President Trump has clearly supported the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville and the way it has been done with violence. Clearly, shows the problems of the alt-right and the neo-Nazis. Still, the ACLU of old, are still with their wisdom showing how a just and free society should make sure their transgressions and their hatred get perceived in society. The ACLU in the 1934 shows their paper on free speech for Nazis are still relevant today. It shouldn’t be, but clearly it is. Because the ideals of the ACLU are noble and shows the openness, to a society where ideas get spread and get to streets. Still, there should be allowed to address the differences without breaching the laws and statutes of the law. If so, then the Nazis should serve for their crime, as all of the ones who breaks the law.

The ideal of ACLU of 1934, the argument and the approach are one of the best I have read, even if it is in defense of despicable, this was done before the holocaust and all the hatred of the Nazis was known. Before, they could do so, when they took to power in Germany and started their dictatorship that led to the second World War. Still, with the knowledge of the results of all the hatred and disgusting ideals and ideology, the ACLU shows with their paper, an understanding we should follow in this day. Not because the streets, the airways, the TV-Channels or any other platform should have Nazis and their teachings on their, but if should mock it or fact-check their ignorance. Than it needs to be in the open and not make it underground to grow into an unknown force, that can come with militias and destroy the freedom of speech.

This is what the ACLU of 1934 believed and we should be like that today. Just take a look!

To whose who advocate suppressing propaganda they hate, we ask – where do you draw the line? They can answer only the terms of revolutionists – at our political enemies. But experience shows that “political enemies” is a broad term, and has covered the breaking up even of working class meetings by rival work class organizations. It illustrates the danger, and the impractically of making any distinctions in defending rights sought by all” (…) “To those who urge suppression of meetings that may incite riot or violence, the complete answer is that nobody can tell in advance what meetings may do so. Where there is reasonable ground for apprehension, the police can ordinarily prevent disorder” (…) “To whose who would suppress meetings where race or religious hatred is likely to be stirred up, the answer is simple – that there is no general agreement on what constitutes race or religious prejudice. Once the bars are so let down, the fields is open for all-comers to charge such prejudice against any propagandists – Communists, Socialists, atheists, – even against Jews attacking the Nazis. On that ground the Union has opposed the anti-Nazi bills introduced in the New York and New Jersey legislature punishing propaganda which “stirs up race or religious hatred” or “domestic strife”. No laws can be written to outlaw Nazi propaganda without striking at freedom of speech in general” (…) “Further, we point out the inevitable effect of making martyrs by persecution. Persecute the Nazis, drive them underground, imitate their methods in Germany – and attract to them hundreds of sympathizers with the persecuted who would otherwise be indifferent. The best way to combat their propaganda is in the open where it can be fought by counter-propaganda, protest demonstrations, picketing, – and all the devices of attack which do not involve denying the rights to meet and speak” (…) “If and when Nazi meetings results in breaches of the peace, their organizers can be prosecuted under the criminal law. If their speakers libel individuals by reason of race and religion, recourse to the criminal libel statutes is open as a remedy. Short of that, and of overt acts of interference with others’ rights their freedom to carry on their agitation should be unrestricted” (ACLU, 1934).

It is proof that the knowledge and the arguments of old can be useful today as it was yesterday. The people, the organizations and their ideals might be the same, the problem might be a resurrected one. But the Nazis should be allowed to speak and have their meetings, as long as they are not breaching the law and the statutes. If they do, then they should be prosecuted!

The ACLU of 1934, have understood certain aspects of life and also the martyrdom of the political enemies and revolutionaries might give soil for further extremes. Also, give the platform and the leadership of these organization more power. Therefore, to silence them totally and ban them, does not make them go away, but make them underground.

This paper shows the importance of free speech, but also the grandeur of fighting the Nazis within just acts, to counter their propaganda and their ideology. That we should do, undress the hatred and white supremacy, which should be buried. Since the Nazi ideology shouldn’t be needed to be in our time, as it wasn’t needed even in the 1930s when the ALCU wrote this paper. Still, we should counter it and show the misgivings and the worthlessness of the Nazism, instead of banning it. The bans of their acts will only enforce it more.

It doesn’t help that President Trump defended the Charlottesville ‘Unite the Right’ rally and their violence. While attacking the counter-demonstrators. Also, neglecting the fear and the violence created by the right-extremists. That is why peaceful marches, the peaceful demonstrations and addressing the lacking clues of justification for their ideology and their belief is needed. Instead, of making them a fringe organizations, who can suddenly pop-up like wild-flowers. Therefore, the need to address them at public courts are more important than ever. To not give them a free-pass, but for their disgrace, their misunderstood arrogance of race and for their devilish ideology, who are to take total control and to terminate others. That cannot be shadow and put in the dark, the violence and viciousness of the Nazis, cannot be silenced and their will of doing evil. Should be known!

To say anything else is ignorant, they should not become martyrs, but make fooled and mocked. They should understand, that they are not all-powerful, but people we can bring down from the pedestal and put in the trash-bind of history. Peace.

Reference:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – ‘Shall we defend free speech for Nazis in America’ (October 1934

U.S. Representative Cicilline letter to Paul Ryan on “If President Donald Trump won’t take nuclear war off the table, Congress must” (11.08.2017)

Kenya: Status of Security (10.08.2017)

Opinion: the World does not need War-games on the Korean Peninsula!

The World never needs war, we have enough unsolved conflicts to handle in Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and so on. These are all going on right now. We don’t need another conflict, when the grand gentleman and the leadership of the world cannot fix the ones that are going-on. With all the innocent dying and killings going daily.

Therefore, the warmongering between President Donald J. Trump and President Kim Jong-Un. The possible warfare will be devastating. Not only for the Korean Peninsula, but for world in general. This will possible put lives in danger in South Korea, Japan and China. Not only American territories in the Pacific and on the Asian continent. United States playing a dangerous game with the tough tone.

North Koreans aren’t the most predictable pack of republics, third generation of dictatorship and militarism out of proportions. They can clearly damage their neighbors as the camps of production and total control of population can muster painful weapons who has force to hit Seoul, Tokyo and other major cities. This should worry anyone!

President Trump seems to just want to show his balls and be the biggest voice, not within reason or within thinking consequence. Since his army is placed THAAD missiles on South Korean soil, they might have a bigger nuclear submarines at ports in South Korea. Therefore, their forces are close by the North Korean borders.

No-one with a clear mind and spirit want to venture into a nuclear war, no one with a clear mind wants to venture into war. Because of the effects of the war and the possible destruction of lives. The possible hurt and devastation of society. This here will not only inflict possible hurt on North Korea, it most likely hit South Korea, Japan and China. Even other states who will be hit by random bombs and missiles sent to hurt either off them. For all we know Philippines could get a burner who was supposed to hit Guam. Bombs and missiles aren’t always hitting their targets.

Therefore, it is time for diplomacy and talk. Not enrich plutonium and uranium, while hoping the sanity of our leaders are there. It is time for slowing the rhetoric and talk. Discuss and maneuver in within measure. The end-game are so dire, so unnecessary and a conflict that will take decades to revive a possible positive outcome. Not like the Iraqi war the American’s ventured in are solved by now and that is decades after the invasion and killing of President Sadam Hussain. The history does not need to happen again, neither a similar destruction of a republic like the death of Muammar Al-Gaddafi and Libya. The same could happen in North Korea, with effects that would be mirrored in South Korea.

That is not a weird vision, that is most likely. It is time for Trump to play more golf, lay-off Twitter and stop his alarming statements. Actually shut-up and let his foreign officials work on peaceful means. The North Korean leadership will gain leverage and reason for their testing of more sophisticated equipment. Something the world doesn’t need! Peace.

Statement by H.E. Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK – North Korea) at 24th ASEAN Regional Forum (Manila, Philippines, 7 August 2017)

White House conflicting statement’s towards Russia, proves the problematic relationship Trump has with Russia!

Today’s two statements that was released shortly after each says something. Not about the sanctions the bipartisan bills in Senate and the House voted on a massive margin. There was relief or no positive way out for the President to not sign the act. If he had done so, the legislation and the sanctions towards Russia would be another proof of the collusion. We can still question the timing and the days that went from passing it.

The act that was signed today was introduced on the 24th July 2017, voted in the House on the 25th July 2017 with a 419-3. On the 27th July 2017, the Senate vote on the same Act, this time it was 98-2. Then on the 28th July 2017, it was presented to the President for signing. This after a fantastic majority of both chambers voting on it. So on 2nd August 2017 the President signed the Act on sanctions. That means 5 days it was waiting on his desk and he was wondering what to do about it.

Therefore, with the knowledge of the act and the passages damaging the trades and bilateral work that co-exists between the United States and Russia. They have never been true allies, only in need during the Second World War, ever since the Communists and the Americans has been enemies. Therefore today’s statements from the White House strikes out as strange!

The one written in old fonts looking like a typewriter says:

While I favor tough measures to punish and deter aggressive and destabilizing behavior by Iran, North Korea, and Russia, this legislation is significantly flawed”. Than, he continues to blast the part of Russia in the law: “My Administration will give careful and respectful consideration to the preference expressed by the Congress in these various provisions and will implement them in a manner consistent with the President’s constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations” (…) “Finally, my Administration particularly expects the Congress to refrain from using this flawed bill to hinder our important work with European allies to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and from using it to hinder our efforts to address any unintended consequences it may have for American business, our friends, or our allies”.

It is hard to believe that the U.S. Government under President Trump cares about the turmoil and conflict in Ukraine, as the ties to Moscow and Russia are so close. That is why the President calls these sanctions flawed, since the Capitol Hill already voted in majority that Trump couldn’t veto. The President might have disliked the whole sanctions, but he didn’t complain about the 700 people losing their jobs in Russia. As the Diplomatic Staff are removed as the Russian addressed the new sanctions with counter measures. But even with this the President didn’t complain. Not like he did to others like Nordstrom dropping Ivanka’s clothing-line or Meryl Streep’s aggressive speech and so on. The benign things has been addressed like the ratings of Apprentice with Arnold Schwarzenegger, who even got canceled. Still, this shows his mindset that he cannot attack or talk vicious of Russia or Putin, but everyone else. Like he address Senators or Representatives for either parties bad, until he needs their votes for his cause.

But before I start bickering more, here is important parts of Russian obsessions:

I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization” (…) “Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary” (…) “I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reasons I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress”.

Than as we look into the second statement that was fierce against the Congress. He even lectured them on the Russian sanctions. Since Trump believes he could make better deals than the Congress. So he has issues with the interference into the democratic process, he says so in the statement, but still wants to take steps into improving the relations. This proves that he wants to work closer to the Russians, even if he himself states they interfered. He also, wants to find a common ground to stop the problems between the nations, so that the American government can forgive what the Russians did during the last years election.

Than in the latest he has to state about his Trump Organization and his deal-making, that he believes he could do better than the Congress. Since the Congress put the sanctions in place and that hurt the relationship with Russia. One that President Trump wants to keep. It is strange that President Trump sounds like the Russians today on the Sanctions, just Mikhail Bogdanov said on the 1st August:

“You know our position, these actions are absolutely unlawful, they do not help reach an understanding and the necessary level of trust between us and the Americans,” the senior Russian diplomat pointed out” (…) “This is sad, it affects our bilateral relations [with the United States – TASS],” Bogdanov went on to say. “I think that it does not add optimism regarding the possibility for us to coordinate our approaches towards a whole range of regional issues, including our relations with such important partner and neighbor as Iran,” he added” (Tass, 01.08.2017, link: http://tass.com/politics/958614).

So even he call it unlawful and it’s sad. Just like Trump said, but in other words. Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke his peace after the votes and said this:

The president explained why response measures have been taken now. “Because the American side once again made an absolutely ungrounded, which is important, step to deteriorate the Russian-US relations, imposing illegal restrictions and trying to press other countries, including its allies, which are interested in the development and maintaining of relations with Russia,” he said, obviously referring to the US bill toughening the anti-Russian sanctions. “We have been waiting for quite a long time for any positive changes [in the United States’ attitudes to Russia], we have hoped that the situation will change somehow. But, to all appearances, even if it ever changes, it will not be soon,” he said in an interview with VGTRK host Vladimir Solovyov. “I thought we must demonstrate that we are not going to leave anything unanswered either” (TASS, 30.07.2017, link: http://tass.com/politics/958347).

So when President Trump doesn’t answer this and get’s insulted for the whole world to know. Than days later answer with two half-ass apology statements. There is something wrong in that picture. That the relationship between Trump Organization and Russia is destroying the relations. While Russia can answer the sanctions and apply clear stance on the subject. President Trump was silent. Said nothing and commented on other subjects. He didn’t even sign the bill. Trump even waited three days after the Putin televised interview.

Trump hopes this bill is a sign of Russian create a better relations between the nations and cooperate. The President also hopes the sanctions wont be necessary. The same that the Russian also says, but they have to say it, because they hurt the Russians. These sanctions doesn’t hurt Americans, but it hurts Trump’s relations. If Russia wasn’t important, he would have gone wild on them and kicked them on Twitter in a heart-beat. Like he done to China when talking about the problems in North Korea. Peace.