7 SEPTEMBER 2007

THE STRANGE CHINA-PHILIPPINES MILITARY COOPERATION

On September 3, Caroline shared one article http://e.sinchew-i.com/content.phtml?sec=2&artid=200709030008& sdate=

In that article, it is said that China is Beijing to give USD 6.6 million grant to Philippine military and that exchange of military students was on discussion after a five day goodwill visit by the Chinese Defense minister Cao Gangchuan.

That is a funny thing. For what that money ? The Philippines military have two kinds of problems :
1) To keep the Philippines sovereignty, and the main is with China in the Spratly island
2) To fight the inside insurrections and one of the main ones is the communist one.

On April 1967 (At the peak of China Cultural Revolution), the maoist Jose Maria Sison was expelled from the pro-Moskow PKP (Partido Komunista ng Filipinas) and on December 26, 1968 (the Mao 75th birthday) founded (he said restored) the Communist Party of Philipines (CCP) based on the Marxist-Leninist-Mao Zedong Thought.

On 1969, to follow the Mao strategy of a protracted people based on peasantry, he founded the NPA (New People Army), maoist oriented, but independent from Bejing, always very active in the Philippines even weakended by splits after Cory Aquino restored democracy (I met JMS at that time of truce)

Two points :

1) At the difference of other southeast Asia insurgencies, the NPA was independent from Beijing

2) Following Cao visit, is it a link ? on September 5 2007, President Macapagal-Arroyo signed amnesty proclamation 1377 for rhe CCP and NPA members for crimes commited on political beliefs.

Here a recent picture of Jose Maria Sison in the Netherland were he took refuge



Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/08 06:42<br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/08 10:10

11 september 2007

THE US-KOREA RELATIONS ARE WORSENING

The meeting between presidents Bush and Roh in marge of Apec summit in Australia show how two historic friends are separating.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6982820.stm

During his early political life, the current president of South Korea, Roh Moo-Hyun was an anti-US activist. When he became the president of his country he softened his position but he was not the one the US hoped as chief of state.

The main problem between Roh and Bush is what attitude to have towards North Korea. Contrary to the US position, in spite of the provocative attitude of Pyongyang, Roh Moo-hyun, as his predecessor Kim Dae-jung, is for a soft approch. It is because he did not be seen an anti-US that Seoul is the second nation military involved with the US in Irak after UK

Two things are irritating for the US autorities

1)Seoul accepted the Taleban conditions to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan

2)The coming second inter-korean summit starting on 2 october. The US are afraid that Roh Moo-hyun could give a lot to Pyonyang without nothing in exchange from the North.

With the coming presidencial elections in the two countries, we could see a more US democrat president and a more harline one in South Korea

PS : In addition, see this article plublished on 14th September in Asia Time http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/II15Dg01.html

<br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/17 00:02

12 SEPTEMBER 2007

EX-PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT ESTRADA JAILED FOR LIFE
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6989998.stm

So, finely Joseph Erercito Estrada has been found guilty of corruption and jailed for life.Born in 1937, he was president of the Philippines from 30 June 1998 to 20 January 2001.

His real name was Ejercito, but he adopted the name of Estrada and as a popular movies actor actor he was nicknamed Erap.

In the 1992 presidential elections, he was elected as vice-president and in 1998, he played a campaing &quot;Erap for the poor&quot; and became president on June 1998.

In a country where a small number of lordlands have the hight hand on politics, with the poor people left aside, he was the hope of million of peoples.

It is sade, that he just take advantage of his new position only for himself and his closed friends with who he was womanizing, drinking and gambling.

Betrayed by one of his ex-accomplice who revealed that he was gotting payoff from illegal gambling profits, the House of Representative, in November 13, 2000 voted his impeachment, but the Senate where his friends where in majority refused to look at the proof. Finely, on January 19, 2001, the Armed forces withdraw it support and the following day the Supreme Court declare the seat of presidency vacant.

What need the &quot;Masa&quot; is a genuine political and honest man, no an popular artist. Imelda Marcos was an Miss Philippines.

13 SEPTEMBER 2007

AFTER ERAPS, WHO WILL BE THE NEXT ?

When gloria Arroyo succeded to Joseph Estrada, I was very Happy.

She was petite with a husky voice as I like Look at her picture at that time. I falled in love (but since I change for Linsi )

She was an economist, so a long time, I thought that she was the good personn to save the Philippines from poverty.

She disappointed so many peoples, not only in her country, but in all the world, including me

The Eraps condemnation is maybe not a good news for her
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp; task=view&amp;id=696&amp;Itemid=31 <br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/13 16:09

18 SEPTEMBER 2007

WHAT COULD THREAT THE BURMA MILITARY JUNTA ?

Even if, on September 3, the military junta put an end to the National Conference who since 14 years was supposed writing a new constitution maintening the power of the Military and puting aside the leader of NLD Ang San Suu Kyi, the main threat for it is not the last month doubled fuel price increase and the following demonstrations, often politically oriented, but the involvementof the Buddhist monks in the demonstrations against the military government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6975631.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6999357.stm

18 SEPTEMBER 2007

WHAT COULD THREAT THE BURMA MILITARY JUNTA ?

Even if, on September 3, the military junta put an end to the National Conference who since 14 years was supposed writing a new constitution maintening the power of the Military and puting aside the leader of NLD Aung San Suu Kyi, the main threat for it is not the last month doubled fuel price increase and the following demonstrations, often politically oriented, but the involvementof the Buddhist monks in the demonstrations against the military government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6975631.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6999357.stm

And in addition :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7002732.stm

Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/18 02:41

Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/19 21:01 <br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/19 21:09

26 SEPTEMBER 2007

BURMA CRACKDOWN

As I told in another forum, I am very afraid of what the Junta could react. Now they are firing to the monks and pacific demonstating people.

There was nothing else to expect from them. They crushed the 1988 demonstrations. they refused to ackwnowledge the result of the elections they have organized.

Why expecting a more soft attitude this time ? they are challenging all the world democracies for almost 20 years with no bad concequences for them.

In Asia, they have the support of China and Singapore for economic reasons and I am always waiting for an Thailand and Asean reaction.

For me, for the monks, the most efficient move could be, not to be killed in the streets but to refuse the religious ceremonies for soldiers and for all to the Burma population to start an non-cooperation with the military

That have worked with Gandhi<br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/26 22:42

28 SEPTEMBER 2007

The Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN, expressed in an unusual strongly-worded comdamnation od a fellow member.

On the sidelines of UN General Assembly, the nine (on ten) foreign ministers od ASEAN have expressed revultion at the violent crackdown on anti-government protestors in Burma.

It was a tradition, since 1976, of no comment about internal affairs, even if there have someones during the 1997-1998 financial crisis.

Maybe it could be a good sign form the new ASEAN Chart to be appproved at the next ASEAN summit on next November and supposed to include democracy as a principle for membership.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CB8D900A-6EFE-4963-843E- 4BE73F8B80C3.htm

<br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/09/28 15:38

3 OCTOBER 2007

So, on October 1, general Sonthi has resigned from his position of leader of the Thailand Defense National Council, as the military junta decided to be call after the 2006, 19 military coup want to be called.

That's only meansz that one more time a retired Thailand general officer will enter in politics.

Is his purpose to confront the Thaksin remainded strong influence in Northen Thailand or to become a new political army oriented leader as Thailand knew a lot ?

What to think about his assignement as the the deputy of the Prime minister he chosed as the boss ?
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E946ABB0-5A54-444D-997C- D776866F5BCC.htm

Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/10/04 00:11<br><br>Post edited by: Jacques, at: 2007/10/04 00:57