text:
Korea: Rice Crisis in the past and at the present.  · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

Issues related to the rice crisis are appearing everywhere. There have been serious demonstrations against opening the rice market to other countries in Korea. A netizen who participated in demonstrations for the domestic rice market talks about the past and the present.
15년전 겨울, 쌀개방 반대 선전지를 다시 읽어보며.. [68]
93년 저는 새내기였습니다. 너도 농민의 아들이지? 라며 데모하러 가자던 선배를 따라 처음 아스팔트로 나가던 겨울. 그때 딱 하루만이다, 생각했던 것이 겨울 내내 이어졌습니다. 그때 거리에서, 공원에서 , 학교에서 나눠주던 유인물들을 파일에 담아두고 지금까지 …숱한 이사에도 요행이 창고 한 구석에서 살아남아 있더군요. 글은 누가썼는지, 편집은 누가 했는지…도무지 출처를 확인할 수 없는 유인물들. 지금 생각해보면 기관원들에게 정기구독을 권할 바보가 아닌 이상 당연한 일이죠. 공부도 할겸 시간 내서 내용을 그대로 두드려 봅니다. ( ) 안은 제가 덧붙이는 말입니다. 우리쌀은 꼭 지켜야 한다!!
I was the freshman in 1993. Following an older college student who asked me ‘Aren’t you also a son of a farmer?”and led me to join a demonstration, I thought it would be for one day to walk on the asphalt street in the winter. But it lasted whole winter. On the street, in the park, and at schools, I distributed a printed copy and until now I kept it in one of my files. Even though I moved in and out of several places, it has survived in a corner of a storage area. Who wrote it? Who edited it? Nobody knows who did it. It would be natural as long as the person didn’t want to be caught. For my own study, now I’m copying it here. Words in paranthesis are my own. Let’s protect our rice!!
쌀을 비롯한 농산물은 자유무역 대상이 아니다!
1948년 1월 23일 선진국이 모여 가트를 창설하여 자유무역을 추구할 대 농산물을 포함한 천연자원 및 일차상품에 대해서는 그 자연적, 생태적 특수성과 농업의 비교역기능을 감안하여 제외하였던 것인데 86년 9월에 열린 다자간 협상때부터 농산물을 협상대상에 포함시켰다. 이는 미국을 비롯한 선진강대국의 농업공황을 해결하기 위한 반칙인 것이다.(땅덩어리가 커서 밀,콩,옥수수등이 남아 돌았던 가 봅니다.)
On the 23rd of January in 1948, developed countries got together and founded GATT. At that time, they sought free trade, but they excluded natural resources including agricultural products and primary industry products giving consideration to natural and environmental characteristics. However, in September 1986, the multi-national negotiation started including agricultural products. It was a foul behavior in order to solve the agricultural market panic of developed countries including the U.S. (Maybe their lands were way too big, and so flour, beans, and corns were surplus.)
쌀 개방 여부가 UR협상의 걸림돌인가?
정부와 언론은(조중동인가 봅니다.) 마치 우리 나라가 쌀시장을 개방하지 않아서 UR이 타결되지 않는 것처럼 오도하는데 사실은 그렇지 않다. UR협상분야는 15개나 되고 농산물은 그 중 1개분야에 지나지 않으며 쌀은 그 1분야중의 한 부분에 불과하다. 125개 회원국중 쌀에 이해관계가 있는 나라는 10개 나라이다. UR협상의 걸림돌은 미국과 EC간 농업보조금 감축에 대한 이견 때문이며 그외 금융과 써비스 분야 때문이다.(제 기억으로도 그후 1~2년후 UR이라는 말이 사라지고 일대일 자유무역협정 체제로 간다고 했던 기억이 납니다. 현재의 FTA죠. 프랑스의 포도 농가뿐만 아니라 전유럽의 농민들이 격렬하게 시위를 하는 통에 미국과 유럽의 협상이 없던 일로 됨)
The government and media (cho-joong-dong conservative newspapers) tell us that because we don’t open the rice market the UR negotiation can’t be complete. It’s not true. Issues for the UR negotiations are all 15 parts and the agricultural markets are one of them. The rice market is one of the agricultural markets. Of 125 member nations, 10 countries are related to the issue of the rice market. The obstacle of the UR negotiation is the different opinion about the reduction of the agricultural subsidy between the U.S. and EC, and about finance and service sectors. (According to my memory, 1-2 years later, the term, UR, was gone and it changed to the FTA. Grape markets of France and other European farmers were aggressively against it and the negotiation between the U.S. and Europe was called off).
미국은 쌀시장 개방을 왜 집요하게 강요하나?
중국쌀이 미국쌀 값의 절반도 안되기 때문에 설사 쌀시장을 개방한다 해도 미국은 별볼일 없게 된다. 그런데도 물고 늘어지는 것은 나머지 14개 기초농산물의 빗장을 풀게 하기 위한 책략인 것이다. 그것도 모르고 쌀만 붙들고 통사정하면서 다른 농산물을 다 내준다면 우리는 미국의 책략에 그대로 말려든 꼴이다. 또한 농산물 외에 14개 분야에 대한 양보도 노리면서 우리의 가장 민감한 쌀 개방을 두드려 보는 것인데 지렛대 다 벗어버리니 한심한 노릇이다.( 오늘날 우리가 먹는 대부분의 밀가루 음식이 전부 미국산이죠. 콩과 옥수수도 그렇고, 그리고 쇠고기까지, 어쨋든 미국 덕분에 우리는 쌀 소비량이 혁명적으로 확 줄어드는 바람에 쌀 자급도 하게 되고)
Because Chinese rice is half cheaper than American rice, even though we open the rice market, America doesn’t get any benefits. Regardless of this, the reason why they keep insisting is the strategy in order to open other 14 basic agricultural products. Without knowledge, if we give up other agricultural products except rice, we are caught by their trick. In addition, they’re targeting other 14 agricultural sectors and started talking about the most sensitive issue, opening the rice market. (Today, flour products we have are mostly from the U.S., as well as beans, corn, and beef. Anyway, owing to the U.S., we could lessen the consuming portion of rice and could supply ourselves.)
값싼 쌀을 수입하고 공산품을 수출하는게 국익에 도움이 된다는데?- 국제 쌀 값이 항상 쌀까?
79년, 80년 우리나라가 냉해를 입었을 때 곡물메이져들은 톤당 200불하던 쌀을 225%나 인상하여 550불에 팔아먹었다. 금년에도 냉해입은 것을 알고 불과 1달새에 톤당 370불하던 미국의 아칸소주 중단립종 쌀이 551불로 48.9%나 뛰었다. 앞으로 얼마나 더 오를 지 모른다. 지금 한가마에 2만원이다. 1만원이다 하는 것을 우리의 농업기반을 파괴시키기 위한 떡밥에 불과한 것이다. 우리의 농업기반이 파괴된 후에는 그들의 요구하는 대로 사올 수 밖에 없는 처량한 신세가 될 것이다. 2000년에 세계인구는 63억으로 예상되고 이를 위한 농경지는 25억정보가 필요하나 현재 15억정보에 불과하여 식량위기를 초래할 것이다.( 15년 전이어서 그런지 이때는 바이오 에탄올로 인한 경작지 감소, 지구온난화 따른 경작지 사막화, 중국 인도의 경제성장에 따른 육류소비 증가와 같은 원인을 언급하지는 않고 있네요. 그러나 인구증가와 경작지의 급속한 감소로 식량위기가 올것이라는 예측은 정확합니다.)
In 1979 and 1980, when we went through the natural disaster, agricultural producers sold rice 550 dollars from 200 dollars, which was an increase of 225 percent. This year, knowing the natural disaster, the American rice market from Arkansas increased the price of rice from 370 dollars to 551 dollars, an increase of 48.9 percent. We don’t know how much it will increase more. A straw bag of rice is about 20,000 won (20 dollars) or 10,000 won (10 dollars). It’s just for destroying our agricultural base. After our agricultural base is corrupted, we can’t help but to buy the rice with the price as high as they demand. In 2000, the world population will be expected to be 6.3 billion. For this, we need 2.5 billion hectares of agricultural land, but now we have 1.5 billion hectares of agricultural land. It will cause the crisis of food. (it was 15 years ago. Therefore, at that time we didn’t even mention the decrease of the farming land due to bio ethanol, desertification of the farming land due to global warming, and increase of consuming means due to economic growth of China and India. But due to the sudden decrease of the farming land and increase of population, the food crisis will be expected).
우리나라 수출의 허상
적자 10.9% 이익 13.1% 본전 76% 옆의 표에서 보듯 수출에서 결코 돈을 벌지 못하고 있다. 70년대의 수출단가는 제조원가의 42~59%에 불과했으며 86년 이후 3저 현상으로 3~4년간 호황을 누렸을 뿐 90년부터 지금까지(93년까지) 내리막 길을 걷고 있다. ,VTR 1대를 120달러에 미국에 수출하면 우리나라는 겨우 1달러를 벌고 핵심부품과 기술을 제공하는 일본은 12달러를 벌어간다. 이런 상황에서 기업이 버티는 것은 장기 저리의 고액 융자(아마 은행?) 세제혜택(정부의 기업보조?) 수출가보다 2~3배 비싼 국내 시판(대표로 현대자동차) 과 부동산 투기등으로 메꾸기 때문이다. 저임금과 저곡가로 노동자들과 농민들에게 전가하기도 하였다. (한마디로 은행과 기업들이 덩치가 커진 것이 수출해서 돈을 벌었기 때문이 아니라 고리장사와 땅투기 그리고 저임금과 농민들의 희생때문이라는 것이네요… 정말로 우리나라는 그후 4년후에 ,IMF를 맞았습니다.)
Deficient 10.9%, profit 13.1%, principal sum 76%.. As you can see the table (no table shown), we don’t make money through exports. Per-unit cost of exports is 42-59% of manufacturing costs. After 1986, due to the Three Low Situation (decrease of international interest rates, of raw material costs, and dollar value), there was prosperity for 3-4 years. From 1990 to now (1993), it has been a downhill road. If we export a VTR with 120 dollars, we earn 1 dollar. But Japan, which provides essential accessories and skills, makes 12 dollars. Under this circumstance, the reason a company can survive is because the large loan with low interest rate (perhaps bank?), tax favor (support from the government for companies), 2-3 times more expensive domestic products than exported products (Hyundai Motor for example), and real estate speculation. They give all burdens to laborers and farmers with low salary and low grain price. (In other words, the reason why banks and enterprises got big is not due to make a lot of money through exports, but due to high interest, real estate speculation, low salary, and sacrifice from the farmers… and after 4 years, we faced IMF).
농민이 살아야 민족이 산다.!!농산물 수입액이 무역적자의 82.9% 차지
수출만이 살길이라는 구호가 얼마나 허황된 것인가를 옆의 도표에서 보면 알 수 있다. 질 높은 상품으로 이익을 보고 수출 하는 것이 아니라 오직 싼 값으로 수출을 하는데 이렇게 어렵살이 번돈으로 농산물을 수입해야 한다면 수출이 무슨 의미가 있나? 92년 총무역적자액 51억 4천3백만불 중 농산물 수입액이 차지하는 비중 42억 5천9백만불 82.9% ( 우리가 수입하는 농수산물이 엄청났다는 것인데요. 지금은 얼마나 차지할까요? 이제 식량위기가 시작단계인데 본격화되면 수출로 번돈 식량값으로 다 날아갈 판이 되지 않을까요)
The slogan to insist that exporting is the only way to survive is nonsense, as you can see the table (no table shown). We are not looking for benefits from good quality products through exporting, but exporting with cheap price. In 1992, the total trade deficit is 5,143,000,000 won and the amount of agricultural imports occupies 82.9 percent, which is 4,259,000,000 won. (Agricultural products that we import are a lot. Now it is the beginning stage of the grain crisis, and, when it gets regular, we might throw all benefits that we earned from exports away for grain price)
미국쌀이 싼 이유
우리나라의 살값이 미국살보다 4~5배 비싼 이유는 미국의 농민은(기업?) 우리나라보다 무려 54배나 싸게 농지를 구입하며 그 외에 막대한 수출보조금과 생산장려금을 받기 때문입니다. 우리나라는 쌀 생산비중 토지 용역비가 46%나 차지하는 데 미국은 14% 밖에 되지 않는다.
표- 89년 농가당 보조금 지급 현황
우리나라 44만원 EC(유럽연합)390만원 미국 747만원
The reason why Korean rice is 4-5 times more expensive than American rice is that American farmers (or enterprises) purchase the farming land 54 times cheaper than Korean farming land. In addition, they get the subsidy for exporting and production bounty. Of the cost of rice production in Korea, 46 percent is for service fee for the land. On the other hand, America needs 14 percent.
Table-subsidy per farmhouse in 1989.
Korea: 440,000 won (440 US dollars) EC: 3.9 million won (3,900 US dollars) America: 7.47 milion won (7,470 dollars)
유럽- 11개 회원국(당시엔 동유럽 국가들이 미가입)들이 공통농업법안을 만들어 수입농산물에 자국의 농산물가격차 만큼 관세를 매겨 전액을 농업부분에 투자하고 있다.또한 EC예산의 64%가 농업부문에 쓰여지고 있으며 농업부문 예산의 90%가 농산물가격지지에 쓰여지고 있다.
(유럽연합이 이렇게 농업을 유지하는데 관세 수입을 전액 쏟아부었던 이유가 미래를 내다보았던 때문인가 봅니다.)
쌀값을 10% 인상해도 도매물가는 0.4% 소매물가는 0.9% 인상요인 밖에는 안된다.
쌀값의 소비자 물가비중을 올해 5.34% 잡아 놓앗으나 이건 너무 높게 책정된 것이다. 실제 쌀값이 10% 오를 때마다 도매물가는 0.4% 소매물가는 0.9% 밖에 인상요인이 안된다.( 이 말이 맞다고 한다면 국제 쌀값이 3배 뛰었으니 80kg 현재의 소비자 가격 20만원으로 가정해도 몇개월 후에 쌀값은 27만원 정도가 되겠네요. 만약 당시 정부의 말 5,5%인상요인이 맞다면 몇개월 후의 쌀값은 55만원이 될 것입니다. 누구 말이 맞을까요? 한번 기다려 봅시다.)
Consumer price index of rice price is estimated at 5.34 percent this year, but it is estimated way too high. In reality, when the rice price goes up to 10 percent, wholesale price will go up to 0.4 percent and retail price will go up to 0.9 percent.(If this is right, the rice price in international market went up 3 times more, and if the current consumers’ price of the rice (80 kg) is 200,000 won (200 US dollars), it will go up to 270,000 won in several months. If the 5.5 percent increase that the government said is right, it will be 550,000 won in several months. Who will be right? Let’s see).
쌀농사 왜 지켜야 하는가?
0 우리 풍토에 가장 적합한 작물이다.
0 단백질이 풍부하고 콜레스테롤이 자장 적은 이상적인 식품이다.
0 단위 면적당 칼로리가 가장 높은 농작물이다.
0 농가의 주소득원이다. 농업소득의 44% 이며 전체농가의 84%가 재배하고 있다
0 홍수를 막아준다. 우리나라는 몬순기후지대로 여름철에 비가 집중적으로오는데 131만 5천 정보의 논은 최대 저수량이 23억톤이나 되어 홍수를 막아주고 있는 것이다. 6개 다목적 댐의 최대저수량은 15억 톤인 것과 비교해보자,
0 대기를 정화시켜 준다. 3천 7백만섬의 쌀을 생산하기 위해서는 벼는 671만톤의 탄산개스를 흡수하고 497만톤의 산소를 발생시키는 지대한 역할을 한다.1993년 11월 30일.(예년에 비해 유난히 집중호우가 많아지고 피해가 커지는 것이 지구 온난화 때문이라고 간단히 생각해 버리는데 농경지, 논의 급속한 감소가 한몫 거들고 잇는지 모를 일이네요 그리고 15년이 지나면서 아직도 쌀을 경작하는 논들이 얼마나 남아 있을 지 모르겠습니다.)
It is the most suitable product for our land.
It has abundant protein and has the lowest cholesterol.
Per unit, it has the highest number of calories.
It is the major income of farmhouseholds. It occupies 44 percent of agricultural income and 84 percent of all farmhouseholds cultivate it.
It protects from the flood. Korea has monsoon weather. In summer, there is a series of big raining and the rice fields with 2.3 billion ton reservoir can protect the flood. Compare that with 6 multipurpose dams that only reserve 1.5 billion ton.
It purifies the air. In order to produce 6,660,000,000 liter rice, rice will absorb 6.71 million ton carbonic acid gas and produce 4.97 million tons of oxygen. November 30, 1993. (Compared to last years, there have been heavy rainfalls and the damages are getting bigger. We think it is from global warming. Maybe it is because of the decrease of farming lands. After 15 years, I wonder there would be rice fields that we can cultivate)

author: Hyejin Kim


text:
South Africa: Mbeki, No Crisis in Zimbabwe? · Global Voices
Muhammad Karim

South African Bloggers are up in arms regarding the recent events in Zimbabwe as well as President Thabo Mbeki's statement recently that “There is no crisis in Zimbabwe”.
This is a round-up of a few rants on the Zimbabwe situation and its affect on South Africans.
A Patch Work of Stories
writes:
‘Harare – South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Saturday there was “no crisis” in Zimbabwe after holding his first face-to-face talks with Robert Mugabe since the country’s disputed March 29 elections’.
Phew! Thank goodness for that, we can rest a little easier now!
My Digital Life
There is no post-election crisis in Zimbabwe. So says our president. He even met with Bob on his way to the summit.We must wait patiently for the results.
Two weeks after the election and no result for the presidential vote doesn't constitute a crisis. Rigging votes doesn't make this a crisis. ‘War veterans’ driving farmers and workers off their land is no cause for concern.
The fact that the rest of the world considers this a crisis is of no consequence. We must wait. We must allow Zanu-PF enough time to amend the votes.
Zimbabwe was good to the ANC in the 80's. It allowed the ANC to establish bases. It provided support. So that support must be repaid with loyalty. Even if the leader has become a tyrant. Even when the leader refuses to submit to the will of the people.
Thabo Mbeki is the only leader anywhere that sounds totally confident about the Zimbabwe situation. He is quite unique in this respect. He will be quite happy when the ZEC announce fully amended results and continue their rule by force.
Mugabe and Zanu-PF have long lost the support of the Zimbabwean people. Ask any one of the three million plus Zimbabweans in South Africa.
Zimbabwe's economy has been brought to rack and ruin. The country has lost the ability to sustain itself. 80 percent of the population are unemployed. But to Thabo everything is fine. He has no problem with Mugabe's continued rule by force. He has no problem with stolen elections, farm invasions or the supression of the people.
Whatever happened to the freedom-loving democrat?
The Daily Comedy and Humour plays on the South African Slang by transforming South Africa into “Fokolwe” – (‘fokol’ is basically an Afrikaans version of the English expression “f**k all”)
South Africa is being renamed – like the plentiful Rhodesia was transformed into bleak Zimbabwe
The new name will be FOKOLWE.
This is because WE have FOKOL:
Fokol power,
Fokol petrol,
Fokol safety,
Fokol diesel,
Fokol law and order,
Fokol doctors,
Fokol jobs,
Fokol place in jail
Just plain fokol.
…and finally, The Voice of Reason points out an irony in South Africa's political figures in response to the Zimbabwe situation.
When Jacob Zuma starts sounding like the voice of reason in the whole Zimbabwe election-stealing saga, you know you’re in trouble.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Muhammad Karim


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Myanmar: Burma Democratic Diagram · Global Voices
May Hnin Phyu

Myanmar Genocide blog publishes the “Burma Democratic Diagram“, a brain storming diagram for political calculations for Burma. “This diagram is not the opinion of one person. This is an accumulated result of opinions of many people interviewed.”

author: May Hnin Phyu


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Paraguay: Where to Vote · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

“Do You Know Where To Vote?” asks Guillermo Verdún of Paraguayo [es] in preparation for this weekend's presidential elections.  To help out, he places a input on his blog that links to the Electoral Court's website to inform potential voters of the nearest polling center.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Peru: The State of Archaeological Sites · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The blog from the television program Presencia Cultural [es] posts a video about the UNESCO-declared “Day of Monuments and Sites,” which falls on April 18. The video shows and discusses the state of many archaeological sites in Peru.


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Philippines: Medical scandal · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

This Woman's Views is horrified that doctors in a Philippine hospital were caught laughing hysterically in an operating room while removing a can of cologne spray inside a patient’s bottom

author: Mong Palatino


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Puerto Rico: Shutting Down?   · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Shutdown Day is a Global Internet Experiment whose purpose is to get people to think about how their lives have changed with the increasing use of the home computer, and whether or not any good things are being lost because of this.”  Dondequiera from Puerto Rico asks: “What about if I just promise to think about it blog about it. Is that enough?”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Rare books on Southeast Asian histories burned · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Andy's Cambodia sadly writes that his colleague, Kent Davis, lost a collection of 2,000 antique books, many of which are rare Southeast Asian histories dating back to the 1830s


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Remembering Aimé Césaire · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

… when my turn comes into the air
I will raise up a cry so violent
that I will spatter the sky utterly
and by my shredded branches
and by the insolent jet of my solemn wounded bole
I shall command the islands to exist
– from “Lost Body”, by Aimé Césaire, trans. E. Anthony Hurley (via The Caribbean Review of Books)
*  *  *
Aimé Césaire – Martinican poet, politician and consummate West Indian – passed away today at the age of 94.  It is not often that politics and poetry go together, but when they do, the West Indies is as fertile an environment as any for the two to coexist.  Césaire seamlessly blended his love for language, ideas and writing into his political life, which spanned almost 60 years.
Like many Caribbean intellectuals of the time, he was passionate about redefining his black identity (and that of his countrymen) in the face of colonial stereotypes and was drawn to the Soviet Union as an alternative model for human progress.  He reportedly grew disillusioned with Communism, but remained firm in his anti-colonialism stance.
And today, a new generation of West Indians, whose freedoms can be at least partly attributed to the impact of his writings and political accomplishments, honours him…
Many have paid tribute with quotes or excerpts from Césaire's works.  In Martinique, le blog de [moi] [Fr] posts an excerpt from Return to my native land (Cahier d'un retour au pays natal).  In Trinidad, Nicholas Laughlin quotes a passage from Memorandum on My Martinique, while Antilles, the blog of The Caribbean Review of Books posts an excerpt from Lost Body.
Cap 21 Outre-Mer writes that Césaire was an “icon for a people in their quest for a post-colonial identity,” who will be remembered not only for his poetry, but for his politics:
A côté de son engagement littéraire et culturel, je tiens à saluer également son très fort engagement en politique, où, maire de Fort-de-France pendant 56 ans, Aimé Césaire aura été un exemple pour tous les hommes politiques antillais, l’exemple d’un homme politique qui a toujours gouverné avec grandeur, pour ses idées, pour ses concitoyens, pour son peuple et surtout pour un idéal commun.
C’est un grand homme qui nous quitte aujourd’hui ; la France, l’Outre-Mer, nous lui sommes tous reconnaissants.
Aside from his literary and cultural contributions, I would also like to honor his strong political engagement where, as mayor of Fort-de-France for 56 years, Aimé Césaire was an example for all Antillian politicians, an example of a politician who always governed with greatness for his ideas, for his fellow citizen, for his people and above all for a common purpose.
It is a great man who leaves us today; France, the Overseas Departments, we are all in his debt.
Of course, Césaire's reach extends far beyond his native Martinique or the Caribbean.
Senegalese blogger Souleymane Dieye [Fr] has several posts  honoring Césaire, including one with a photograph of the poet during a visit to Senegal.
In a post titled “Our Beloved Césaire” (Notre Césaire aimé), Dieye writes, “Papa poet is a magnificent man.  He is glorious.  This man of the people gave Martinique back her dignity…”  and quotes Senegalese writer and philosopher, Hamidou Dia, who told local media today, “Aimé Césaire gave us back our pride as Africans.”
In Congo-Kinshasa, Forum Realisance writes this tribute:
A mon frère le plus doué, mon maître, la voix de ma conscience et celle de notre éternel combat humain ; c´est bien de peine que tu ne sois plus des nôtres ! Et déjà, devant notre champ de bataille aux duels acharnés, ton départ nous attriste et nous esseule…
Repose en paix, enfant aimé du continent éternel. Puisse nos prières émues et attendries te bercer ce voyage silencieux et sans retour qui est maintenant le tien. Nous ne t´oublierons jamais, car au fond de l´amour chaleureux de tous les femmes et hommes de bonne foi, ta droiture restera légendaire.
To my brilliant brother, my master, the voice of my conscience and of our eternal human struggle; we are grieved you will no longer be among us!  Before our bitter battlefield, we are saddened and forsaken by your departure…
Rest in peace, beloved child of the eternal continent.  May our prayers and words nourish you in this silent journey which is now yours, and from which there is no return.  We will never forget you, because in the warm love of all the men and women of faith, your righteousness will remain legendary.
American bloggers Pierre Joris and Matthew Cheney both mark his passing.  Cheney shares this story:
Keith Walker told me a story that I only remember vague details of, but I'll tell what I can of it here. He used it to explain to me when he had fallen in love with Césaire's work himself. He was at school in France, and his roommate had covered the ceiling over his bed with writing — beautiful, stunning, strange words. Keith asked him what it was, and learned that it was lines from Césaire's great poem “Notebook of a Return to the Native Land” — his roommate had written those lines above his bed so he would see them just before he fell into sleep and be welcomed by them every morning. Keith was stunned that a poem could have such power for a person, and he sought out Césaire's work (and eventually Césaire himself). He said that in Martinique he went to a political rally that was as much like an interactive poetry reading as it was a political event, and that what really impressed him was that so many ordinary people held this supposedly “difficult” writing so close to their hearts.
Earlier this week in Togo, as the news of Césaire's hospitalization and declining health spread around the world, writer Kangi Alem wondered how best to honor his memory.  Alem wasn't too happy that some French politicians have called for Césaire's induction into the Pantheon (as they have other black luminaries):
Bien sûr qu’il va mourir, le poète rebelle, mais bien sûr, à cet âge-là, il ne reste aux poètes qu’à passer à l’immortalité. Pas finir au Panthéon, idée curieuse que certains brandissent ces jours-ci, et qui me paraît fumeuse et inutilement polémique, tant la stature de Césaire, son combat sont aux antipodes de ce type de reconnaissance-là. M’étonnerait d’ailleurs que le poète lui-même fût sensible à cet honneur. Mais trêve de blabla au chevet de l’illustre poète pas encore disparu. Mais il mourra, Césaire, et nous le célébrerons!
Alem continues:
Avec sa mort, disparaîtra la dernière figure du trio fondateur de la Négritude, mouvement littéraire et idéologique qui a tant fait couler et nous a tous marqué, artistes et écrivains africains, d’une manière ou d’une autre. Comment dire merci et adieu au poète martiniquais? Sur ce blog, Timba m’a donné l’idée. Et si chacun nous donnait une citation d’un texte d’Aimé Césaire qui l’a marqué? Façon de se souvenir de lui et de parcourir à notre façon son héritage en théâtre, poésie et essai. Adieu, poète, déjà immortel même de ton vivant. (K.A)
Alem chooses an excerpt from The Tragedy of King Christophe, a play Alem once performed at the Festival d'Avignon about Henri Christophe, a Haitian revolutionary leader who declared himself King of Haiti in 1811 and established a feudal system of lords.
Les mots du Roi Christophe, s’adressant à sa femme inquiète de le voir malmener son peuple, résonnent encore dans ma tête, violents, conjuratoires, inoubliables. Du grand Césaire, du bon Césaire, immanquablement poète même lorsqu’il écrit pour le théâtre.
Racisme et Histoire: Le Tabou writes:
Aimé Césaire est mort aujourd'hui. J'espère que son héritage ne sera ni sali, ni banni.  Monsieur Césaire, votre Humanité reste bien vivante dans mon coeur.
Caribbean Free Radio posted a photograph and just three simple words:
Adieu, Aimé Césaire.
How will you remember him?
Janine Mendes-Franco contributed to this post.

author: Jennifer Brea


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Russia, China: Ethnic Tension in Vladivostok · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia writes about issues surrounding the recent clash between Chinese and Russian students in Vladivostok.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Russia: “Gensek Putin”; Politkovskaya Case Update · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sean's Russia Blog writes about “Gensek Putin” (48 comments) – and posts an update on the investigation of Anna Politkovskaya's murder.


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Thailand and Myanmar’s army leaders compared · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Rule of Lords insists that Thailand’s army leaders are not better than Burma’s.


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Thailand: Olympic torch in Bangkok · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

As the Olympic Torch is coming to Bangkok, Camille's Samui Weather warns that any foreigner “caught protesting or rather disrupting the relay will be punished in a complete over the top way.”


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Ukraine, Russia: The Presidents’ Dads · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Some sources claim that Victor Yushchenko's father – “a POW in Auschwitz during WW2″ – was actually “a ‘polizei’ of Nazi concentration camps and an informer to the Nazis.” Other sources claim that Vladimir Putin's father “served in the Nazi-collaborating army led by Russian general Vlasov.” Kyiv Scoop writes about the controversies, here and here.


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Venezuela: The Simpsons Not Welcome Anymore · Global Voices
Laura Vidal

It seems that the Venezuelan government does not care much for Matt Groening’s show, “The Simpsons.” The American TV show, very popular for over ten years, was banned recently on one of Venezuela’s private networks by order of the government. Apparently some complaints were received at the government’s controlling agency for media because The Simpsons was being aired at 11 am. It seems strange that after decades of popularity, that this show could have any complaint in Venezuela. Nevertheless, the banning has come as breaking news and has become a scandal by public opinion, not only because of it happening so suddenly, but also because of its programming slot was substituted by Baywatch.
Actitud [es] says:
Los Simpson han sido considerados muy fuertes y por ende censurados en Venezuela. El tema es que por qué tomar esta decisión después de tanto tiempo de que existe la serie tan popular.
The Simpsons has been considered very rude and therefore, has been censured in Venezuela. The thing is why was this decision made after all this time, as this popular show has been on air for a long time.
From Argentina, with “Blogus”, an opinion comes more aggressively:
Ya está bien Chávez!, es increíble que te transformes en una ridícula y decadente caricatura de vos mismo, que todas las ideas socialistas se transformen en stalinistas, que los controles a la prensa sea casi igual a la censura empleada en regímenes dictatoriales. Ya está bien. Ya sabemos como latinoamericanos lo que pasa con los que se creen los salvadores del mundo; tarde o temprano la pagan. ¿No aprendiste la lección en el referendum que perdiste? No Chávez, Los Simpsons, no. ¿No te das cuenta que aunque el formato de familia que representan puede ser extrapolado a todas las familias occidentales, es más una crítica a la sociedad estadounidense? (…)Si vos querés que tu modelo de familia no sea el de Homer y compañía, dejá que la sociedad y los niños la comparen.
That’s enough Chavez! It is incredible that you transform yourself into a ridiculous and decadent cartoon on your own, that all Socialist ideas become Stalinists, that you control the press, just as it was censored during the dictatorial regimes. It is enough! We, as Latin Americans, know what happens with those that believe themselves to be the saviors of the world; they have to respond sooner or later. ¿Didn’t you learn the lesson with the referendum you lost? No, Chavez, not The Simpsons! Don’t you realize that what the show actually criticizes Western society? If you don’t want your family standards to be like Homer’s let society and kids decide.
The blog Noticias y entretenimiento [es] also responds:
Que!?!?
El organismo de control televisivo del país asegura que la serie es “una mala influencia” para los menores.
Los niños venezolanos ya no podrán ver Los Simpson. El gobierno de Chávez ha obligado a retirar de la programación Televen, un canal privado de televisión, la mítica serie protagonizada por Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa y Maggie.  La serie ya tiene sustituto, los musculosos socorristas enfundados en rojos bañadores de Los vigilantes de la playa. (O si… que buena influencia!!!)
What?!?!
The governmental institution that regulates the media assures us that the show “is a bad influence” to minors.
Venezuelan kids won’t be able to watch The Simpsons. Chavez’s government has forced them to withdraw Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie away from Televen’s schedule (a private network). The show has already lined up a substitute: the fit bodied lifeguards in red wet suits of Baywatch (Oh! This is a good influence!)
Periodista digital [es] says:
El presidente venezolano ha vuelto a meter mano en la tele. Ahora, por el bien de los niños. Piensa que la serie es una “mala influencia para los niños” y ha decidido que los infantes se entretengan viendo los tremendos escotes de las vigilantes de la playa; una, “menos controvertida”.
The Venezuelan president has mettled with television, now for the kids’ sake. He thinks the show is a “bad influence for children” and has decided that kids should entertain themselves with incredible cleavages in Baywatch, a “less controversial” show.

author: Laura Vidal


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Vietnam: Early rainy season · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

antidote to burnout explains why there will be an early start on the rainy season this year in Vietnam, and possibly in the Southeast Asian region as well


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Vietnam: Morning activities · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Virtual Doug observes that the Vietnamese get up early in the morning and that they like to spend their morning hours in different ways.


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Brazil: Debating race · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Alex Castro [pt] is generating an interesting debate in his series of posts about race, a matter that he considers of utmost importance in Brazil. “Each human being is, above all, who they think they are and who they are perceived as being.”

author: Paula Góes


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Iran: Green bloggers meeting · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to[Fa] Ecosystem, in two days,Green bloggers will meet each other in Tehran ,Iran.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran: Shirin Ebadi and the Threats · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohammad Ali Abtahi,former vice president and blogger,says that Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, has written a letter to police stating that she is threatened to death. Fortunately the president has emphasized on the need for her security in a letter.


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Iran:Cartoons about Persian Gulf · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Here are a series of cartoons about Persian Gulf done by several Iranian artists.


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Russia: Chechnya Photos · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

LJ user mnog posts photos from Chechnya: Grozny; Terek-CSKA football game (and the first anniversary of Ramzan Kadyrov's inauguration); Shali, Argun, Makhkety.


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Armenia: Wedding · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Kyle's Journey in Armenia attends a local wedding and offers a fascinating account of some of the traditions which make tying the knot a day to remember. Although Armenians pride themselves on being the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion, most of the customs take place outside Church and in this case, sometimes bypass it completely.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Azerbaijan: Seki · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Exerro  continues its journey through Azerbaijan with a fleeting visit to an observatory included. The travel blog says that despite the depressing relics and environmental damage of the Soviet era, the country is beautiful. In particular, the 17th or 18th century caravanserai hotel in Seki was a wonderful surprise. The blog also paid a visit to the Ateshgah Fire Temple on the Absheron Peninsular.


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Bahrain: Wanted – more vlogs! · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Yagoob has started vlogging (video blogging) and is encouraging other Bahraini bloggers to do the same.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Burkina Faso: Vegetarians need not apply · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

First, the news. In late March, Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister fired the long-serving minister of agriculture, and one-time right-hand of the country’s President Blaise Compoare, leading to a whole round of speculation and political second-guessing. Staying with Compaore, rumors have begun to swirl that the man who has spent more than 20 years as Burkina Faso’s president is sick – and, some say, journalists have been warned they will be punished for making continued reports on his health. Repercussions continue regarding what people feel is the government’s poor handling of price increases that have affected the country since the beginning of the year. On April 8, public and private sectors organized a general strike, which Burkina Mom reported was nothing much more than a quiet day (at least in Ouagadougou).
As much as Ouagalais love political intrigue, most people are much more preoccupied with the power cuts that have afflicted the city for the past five weeks or so. First, a galet poussoir, which translates as a roller tapet, failed at one of the city’s main power stations, forcing Sonabel, the local power company, to schedule rolling blackouts throughout the city every day for more than a week until someone was sent to France to pick it up a new piece.
That’s not all. March begins the hot season throughout West Africa, forcing people to use more electricity running fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. The power company found that Ouagadougou’s burgeoning urban population has finally begun to outstrip the city’s once regular power supply. Pressure is now so great on the power grid that Sonabel has scheduled rolling blackouts through 2009, leaving people unsure if their power will be on when they return from work.
From a bloggers perspective, let’s check in with Burkina Mom:
Once again, I blog to you from a cybercafé in (way too) sunny downtown Ouagadougou. The power cut out in our neighbourhood at about 7am this morning and who knows when it will be back on… My technique is to spend the maximum amount of time out running errands in cool places like banks and supermarkets. My car (repaired now!) is also a nice place to be, as the air-con works really well. Nothing else does, mind you, but the air-con is fine.
I am just hoping that we're not headed for a long, hot, electricity-less wekend.
Curse you, Sonabel!
Peace Corps volunteers are always fond of bragging how tough they are, reminding the rest of us they live in villages that suffer blackouts whenever the sun goes down. Watch out, however, when these people congregate in large numbers in a city.
A post from Jill in Jill and Marcus in Burkina Faso:
To throw a good PCV party you need:
-several cases of beer
-so that you can get the courage to slaughter an animal
-so that you can have meat.
That's it. We're currently in the middle of an Animal Slaughtering Cold War. PCVs try to outdo each other with bigger, squealier, bloodier slaughters. Chickens, turkeys, pigs, and sheep have all been victims of PCVs’ blood lust. And there's talk of slaughtering a cow. After that it'll be a slippery slope until slaughtering camels and elephants becomes the norm. And if that's not bad enough, it's also become standard to video the slaughter and even post it on the internet. Vegetarians need not apply.
For those who can’t make it into town, the hair-dryer-like heat that is currently slow cooking the region makes it a good time to hunker down at home and catch up on domestic projects, like building more shade for your house. For Clay’s most recent project, we’ll go to Notes From Burkina Faso:
This weekend I'm building a hangar to give my courtyard some much needed shade. I actually bought the “ceiling” (branches and grass) a while ago, but of course I haven't gotten around to it. A few days ago my neighbor told me that they'll spoil with the rain if I don't do something soon, so to make good on my 4 dollar investment I'll try to do it this weekend. I'll take a picture once it's done and try to get it on here.
I keep trying to buy a canari (sp?), but each week at my market they're too small. I'm talking about a terra cotta type vase that you surround with sand and fill up with water to make your water cold. Everyday between noon and 4 it is so hot that I'm drinking hot water. Not warm, hot. It's best to drink water right when you wake up in the morning. It's cold. Or cool.
During my last post, we debated the realism of former Peace Corps volunteer Sarah Erdman’s book Nine Hills to Nambonkaha, which took place in Cote d’Ivoire. In this week’s installment, Clay gives his two cents on the book he feels truly captures the spirit of Africa:
If you're at all curious about Africa, I recommend Kapuscinski's Shadow of the Sun. It is the best book I've read on Africa since I've been here. Not only is his style the closest thing I've seen to great minimalist writing since Hemingway (Sorry Raymond Carver fans, I just don't buy it, not completely anyway), he lived and traveled throughout Africa for close to forty years. He was a Polish journalist and possible Soviet spy, and was present through most major coups and revolutions during the sixties and seventies. Now this shouldn't give you a false impression about what I live through day to day, but it is a great book on African social life, the countryside, and the “African” mentality, if there is one (Africa being so large and all – no one says there's an American mentality which includes everything between Canada and Patagonia). Most PC volunteers will recommend Dark Star Safari by Theroux, but I liked Kapuscinski a lot more.
One way to escape the Sahelien furnace is to simply leave. Of course, that’s easier said than done for many who live here. Peace Corps volunteer Mac Wisdom was lucky enough to book a trip with his family to Spain. Walking through Madrid’s Prado Museum, he found that his mind couldn’t help but wander back to Burkina Faso and reflect on his good fortune.
But, as I always do, I am going to harp on the fortunate people, comme moi. We can do almost whatever we want to do. My neighbors and friends here, the villagers, some will never set foot out of the reality, the harsh reality, that they live day-to-day. They are tough. Some tell me I am tough because I come here to live a communal life with them. Bullshit. I will be here for another 17 months roughly, that's much different than a whole lifetime spent sitting on a cart lashed to a donkey, steering the poor ass towards the water pump. There I was, one day, walking through the Prado, listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers on my MP3 player. The next day, there I was back in Burkina. I realized how good I got it when I was flying over Aribinda. We probably flew really close to right over my village. Man, what a life I live. I am truly blessed.
It wasn’t long ago that Caleb was living rent free on a couch in a damp shed. One of the lessons he learned – other than the positive influence of not paying for housing – was when living amongst other creatures (read: creepy crawlies often found in sheds) one must not try to master the environment, but learn to live in harmony with these insects. It’s an important lesson learned because it’s come in handy for him in Burkina Faso.
From his blog Burkina Faso or Bust:
Having already had this ecosystem disturbance experience in the past, I had learned that spiders are our friends and can be allowed to live to catch flies, malaria carrying mosquitos and what not. Also, since I now had my protective mosquito net to sleep in, I had no worry of “bug attacks” throughout the night. I embraced my new ecosystem and integrated into it. After integration, I soon realized that it wasn't only the spiders that were helping out. If I killed something such as a centipede or roach, I left it were it met it's untimely end. Then, during the night, the other inhabitants of my house that either live in my walls or in my drop ceiling descend and dispose of the body and evidence by morning. It is like a well oiled machine. I believe it is the ants that are doing the majority of my dirty work, but now they have gotten to an annoying population level and have started to bite me, leaving welts on my skin that last for weeks. I need to introduce the lizards that live in my ceiling into the ecosystem to keep the ants under control, but then I would have a lizard problem. Eventually this wourld turn into an ”I know an old lady that swallowed a fly” type of situation and there would be no end in sight.
Changing subjects a bit, I recently recounted a tale told to me by a friend who had her house broken into. When her family awoke, they scared off the robbers, but not before they could make off with two laptops. The next morning, her husband went to report the crime at the police station, where he was asked a peculiar question: Did the robbers leave a phone number?
From Africa Flak:
Apparently, thieves have been breaking and entering into peoples’ houses, making off with their goods and then offering to sell the goods back to them. Rumors have it getting your laptop returned to you will only set you back around 100.000 FCFA, about $240. The reason for this, my friend says, is that thieves usually have to sell the purloined laptops out of the country to make a profit. So they may as well cut their losses and sell the computers back to their happy owners.
Needless to say no number had been left.
Let’s end with this, another crime story with a strange ending. It involves Girl Raised in the South, or GRITS, whose mother happened to be visiting  when hey were about to take a bus ride down to Ouagadougou from one of the country’s secondary cities. After reserving two seats in the back of the bus, she went to put their luggage on the seats. It should be known that GRITS’s luggage contained the following items:
She placed the bag in her seat, walked off the bus to say goodbye to her host family. By the time she re-entered the bus with her mother, the bag was gone. Everybody was embarrassed – a crime that took place right in front of a visitor. After everyone excited the bus to help search for the bag, and a quick trip to the police station, GRITS and her mother continued on the bus ride. From Ouagadougou she made frequent calls to her host family, who had taken out an ad regarding the theft on the local radio station.
From GRITS Heads to Burkina:
A week and a half later I am still in Ouaga working on training stuff with the new volunteers when I get a call. The most magical words I have ever heard come out of my host dad's mouth…”Stephanie, we found your bag!” WHAT?!?! In a city of over 300,000 people you found my bag?!?! With everything in it?!?! Oh yes! Truly, joy can not describe what I felt at that moment. Relief, gratefulness….it was amazing. As it turns out, 2 kids heard my radio announcement, and when they saw the kid with my iPod they called the station. Additionally, a teacher at the local high school had been informed about the laptop with missing cord, and saw two kids with my computer walking around looking for a power cord. When the teacher saw them, he stopped them and questioned them about it. They didn't have any good answers, so the teacher took their name, and called the police. Truly, it was a joint effort…a community effort…that I don't think would happen in the States… Oddly enough, all my valuables were in the bag, but all the small cheap stuff was missing.
…The kid who stole it was 17 years old, and evidently had followed me on the bus, and gotten off shortly after me. Since I wasn't in Ouahigouya when they found the bag I can't tell you what his consequences were, or what happened with him (a lot of people are asking me if he got his hands cut off…and honestly I don't know…although I did ask them not to physically abuse him–for what that's worth anyway).

author: John Liebhardt


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Damascus: The Destruction of The Old City · Global Voices
Yazan Badran

Damascus prides itself on being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The history of Damascus goes back well into 8000 BC. In every corner of its ancient alleys there's a taste of every historical era there was to be found. The city that had withstood everything from earthquakes to invasions for nearly 10 millennia, is now crumbling under the threat of… “Modernism“!
Sasa from the Syria News Wire, compiled a series of posts about the situation of the old city of Damascus, and the efforts taking place for the protection and conservation of the city.
Part one of the series deals with last year's plan to tear down the ancient neighborhood of Al-Amara in order to widen the roads outside the walls of the old city. The plan caused an outrage among Syrians, and protests were organized everywhere until they were quietly dropped, for now.
Shopkeepers were furious at the plans, a Facebook and Blogger campaign was launched. That led to a petition. And eventually journalists got wind of the proposals and it made the international news. Then the bombshell – just months before Damascus began its year as Arab Capital of Culture, UNESCO threatened to withdraw Damascus's World Heritage Site status unless more is done to protect the Old City.
Bab al-Faradis, al-Amara, Damascus
The second part is dedicated to the conservation works down in Medhat Pasha street (Street Called Straight), the longest and one of the oldest roads in old Damascus. Sasa aknowledges the importance of the this project as the street has been in shackles for a long time, but laments the ill-planning and the indiscriminate replacement of culturally important parts of the ancient market, like the old Ottoman-time roof, that has a special significance which he explains:
The tin roofs over Medhat Pasha and Souq Al-Hamidiyeh date from the Ottoman refurbishment of the main Souqs. During the insurgency against the French occupation, they were punctured by gunfire. And they've remained that way for almost one hundred years. The shafts of sunlight which pierce into the dark souqs are blindingly beautiful, and a daily reminder of Syria's struggle for independence.
But the centuries-old black Medhat Pasha roof, which was decorated by history, has been replaced by a new white one.
Part three, takes us on an open ended ride into the ancient quarter of Saroujah, a neighborhood that had witnessed some destruction in the past to make space for character-less apartment blocks. The plans to bulldoze the rest of the neighborhood were put on hold, and the decision to go through with them or not is to be taken by the end of this year, says Sasa:
But recently, the organisation which looks after the Old City – and works well with the European Union to do it – has taken over responsibility for Saroujah. So is a change in Saroujah's fortunes in store?
In the past few months, they have re-paved part of the area (with far less inconvenience than in Medhat Pasha).
So does this mean destruction is no longer on the cards?
Documents released by the Old City modernisation authorities show that they are going to make a decision on the future of Saroujah by the end of this year.
As the grip of the new corporate culture tightens around the old city, it seems the only way to saving it are the efforts of the civil society, and it has succeeded in reverting the disastrous plans in al-Amara, so there might still be hope at the end of the tunnel.
Photos courtesy of Sasa.

author: Yazan Badran


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D.R of Congo: Mobile game for conservation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Silverback is a mobile game to raise awareness about the plight of mountain gorillas in Congo DR: “Called “Silverback”, the game promotes understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain gorilla population and was extremely well received in the mobile press, as well as in the non-profit sector. The game was sold to mobile owners and income used to help gorilla conservation.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Georgia: Dubai of the Black Sea · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Registan comments on news that the United Arab Emirates plans to invest $100 million in Poti. With Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili promising to turn the port into a Eurasian Dubai, the blog wonders if this means foreign companies will move in to make a killing before finally leaving when new opportunities emerge.


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Hyejin Kim: A praised young novelist among GVO authors · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Global Voices celebrates, this month, Hyejin Kim‘s first anniversary as the GVO Korean Language editor. Settled now in Singapore after living in Korea, China, the United States and gaining her Rutgers University Ph. D. in Global Affairs, she works as a development adviser for the Singapore Korean School and as a technical interpreter facilitating exchange between Korean and Singapore markets and governments. Besides, she is a freelance writer: apart from the Global Voices articles, she has written for numerous publications, such as Asia Times and on OhmyNews.com.
Hyejin Kim is also a celebrated young novelist: her debut book, ‘Jia: A Novel of North Korea’, has been highly praised as a very vivid and moving novel set in 1990’s North Korea. Perhaps more poignantly, this was an experience that changed for ever Hyejin's typical post-war upbringing views about not considering ‘North Korean as a real country and North Koreans as real human beings’. But is this first book of hers just a novel? Hyejin lets us know in this interview.
When did you start blogging? What is Katong Couple about?
Honestly speaking, I'm really bad at blogging and the reason why I (and Erik, my husband) made a blog was due to Erik's efforts and Preetam's lecture on how good and how useful it is. I'm still a rookie. Katong Couple is about our lives in Southeast Asia, but not limited in Southeast Asian issues. I know I always have excuses not to write it. We always talk about issues together, but Erik is the only one who writes it. I feel pressure that the next post should be from me, but it hasn't happened yet.
It has been one year since you started collaborating for Global Voices. How did it all start?
I was a citizen reporter of the English section of OhmyNews.com, an online newspaper which citizens can participate in as journalists in Korea. At the OhmyNews Conference in 2006, I met Global voices staff members. For those staff members who have not been in Korea before, I took them to Seoul as a volunteer guide after the conference. It was the first time for me to get to know about what Global Voices is. At that time, I heard that they don't have a Korean editor. Several months later, Georgia contacted me whether I'm interested in participating as the Korean editor. Preetam Rai, Southeast Asian editor, was the one who supported to put me in.
Which is your most memorable post for GVO so far and why?
Hard to choose one. I like all posts when I can see what's really going on in other countries through GV authors and bloggers.
“While you travel to a new place, reading books about that area whenever you have time is a significant key to travel. Indulged in a book at Borobudur, Yokyakarta, Indonesia”
Which are the main issues reported by the Korean blogosphere?
It is interesting to observe the Korean blogsphere. Korean portal sites are always full of many colors and graphics. There are a lot of popular things that they talk about. Fashion, entertainment, graphics, and their private lives…. But one major issue that netizens love talking is about politic and social parts. Major portal sites have blog reporters. Netizens focus on talking about politics and express their opinions. Arguments over politics are always hot, hot, hot.
Your book has been described as the first novel about present-day North Korea to be published in the West. Is it true that ‘Jia’ is more than just fiction?
Long story… I went to China after finishing my master's degree in 2001. While I studied Chinese and taught English at schools in Northeast China, I had the chance to meet a person who helped North Korean defectors (I only learned this much later after I became a good friend of his). In addition, while I got used to living in Northeast China and traveling in the region, I encountered North Korean children who wandered around the streets. The longer I lived there, the more stories and gossip about North Korean defectors I heard. Another world existed, one that I hadn't recognized or had just ignored. During the time I stayed in Northeast China, by chance I joined a South Korean group who visited churches that were building up missionary activities in towns in the region. Even though I was not a Christian, I was allowed to join their travel after serious consideration (I was rejected twice; when I had given up, they contacted me the night before their travel started). Through the travel, I was able to obtain more stories about North Koreans through direct and indirect interviews.
At one point, my friend and I stayed with a North Korean family that had run away from North Korea. The father, according to his own story, escaped North Korea after the leader of an underground, anti-regime group to which he belonged was executed. During the interview with him, a professional soldier who had worked as a guard at one of the most famous hotels, the idea of writing a story first hit me. Around the same time, a North Korean woman I got to know through my friend became the inspiration for the character ‘Jia.’ In real life, she ran away from North Korea and married a Chinese man who could not communicate with her due to the language barrier. Even though she had a chance to go to a safer place, she rejected the opportunity to leave China because of the child she had left in North Korea. She wanted to live in a place closer to her hometown and child. Due to guilt and stress about being caught, she suffered from chronic headaches and depression, but never begged for financial support and never stopped putting on a cheerful face.
When I had chances to go back to South Korea, I started gathering information and research materials related to North Korean defectors and life in North Korea. Based on interviews and fieldwork, I framed the story. After returning to the U.S., I started writing the whole story.
Jia: A Novel of North Korea's paperback cover
What does it tell the world about North Korea, this country which is so closed to outside world?
The reason why I felt compelled to write this story was that I wanted to share what I have felt when I encountered North Koreans in a third place, not in North Korea and not South Korea. I also wanted to focus on PEOPLE's lives, not just repeat what the media tells us about how bad the North Korean regime is and how crazy Kim Jong Il is.
The novel format gave me the opportunity to relate the amazing stories of the North Koreans I met. Indeed, I hope readers come away from the book having learnt something about the kinds of struggles some North Koreans face. In addition, through ‘Jia’ I tried to allow North Koreans to tell their own stories. Too often we hear about North Koreans from the perspectives of others. Reports often portray North Koreans as ‘victims’ or North Korea as ‘evil,’ but those characterizations don't do justice to the experiences of individual North Koreans. I tried to allow the personal struggles of North Koreans to come though in ‘Jia,’ without obscuring those stories in the political lenses of international security, human rights, or the Korean desire for reunification.
Are you working on another book at the moment? As a writer, what inspires you?
I am working on an article for a book that is part of a series of a book, Reading Current TV, with Manchester Metropolitan University. It is about the role of broadcasting and language policies in Singapore. It will discuss how language policies that have been implemented in Singapore have been connected to major TV channels in Singapore. A little bit academic style…
Besides that, I'm jotting down several stories in my computer or my notebook now, but I don't know whether they will come out as a book. It's just my habit to write memos when ideas arise. I make a story based on my messy memos.
As a writer, talking with people from different cultures, and encountering them would be one of the biggest inspirations for me. It always makes me look at myself.
You have been “based in a different country almost every year”. Any good tips for packing and unpacking and traveling? Which is your favorite place in the world?
Now I'm based in one place and try to travel as much as possible whenever I have time. Good tips for packing and unpacking? Try not to pack so much. Try not to unpack so much!
My favorite place is anywhere I can see local people and anywhere I can see their lives. I love wet markets and small alleys. When I travel, I try to harass my feet as much as possible.
“Myself, exhausted after walking for several hours in a tropical area. Physical tiredness seems not to take my cheerfulness away”
About her book:
Jia: A Novel of North Korea
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Cleis Press (June 14, 2007)
Language: English
Read a review of Jia at the Asiance Magazine and see other reactions.


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Iran: A cleric criticise both USA and Islamic Republic · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohmmad Reza Zarei,an Iranian cleric, writes [Fa] that both USA and Islamic Republic lie. American government, contrary to Iranian one, says truth about small things and lies about big issues.


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Iran: A new site is filtered · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Iranian media,Fararu,an Iran based news site,was filtered and nobody knows why. A few months ago there was an article about Global Voices in Fararu.


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Iran: Woman activist faces prison and lashes · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Zannevesht says[Fa] that Nasrin Afzali, a woman activist, is sentenced to 10 lashes by whip and six months in prison in Iran.


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Iran: Save a Mother from Execution · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kamangir reports that Akram Mahdavi, 32 year old mother of a girl in her early teens is facing imminent execution for conspiracy to murder.The complaintaints in Akram's case have agreed to stop her upcoming execution in exchange for $60,000.


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Japan: About40, and what next? · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Changing times in Japan are opening the door for a new style of television. About40 (Japanese site), aired on Tokyo network TBS for the first time on April 11th, has done something novel for a Japanese TV drama: aim at the age bracket of 35 to 45 year old women, and hit it big [ja]. The new drama, which registered an average viewer rating of 15.7% with its first episode, targets the late-thirties demographic of single childless Japanese women who entered the work force during the 80s bubble, captured in the newly-coined term “arafo” (アラフォー). While this first wave of 30-something “makeinu” have featured as the regular butt of jokes in the media, their rising numbers are turning the tables, with one of four women  remaining single after turning 30.
About40 features actress Amami Yūki/橋部敦子 in the role of 39-year-old psychiatrist Ogata Satoko/緒方聡子 [ja], highly successful, single, and touchy about her age [ja]. Her friends include 35-year-old magazine editor Morimura Nao/森村奈央  [ja] (played by Otsuka Nene/大塚寧々 [ja]), who claims she will not marry, Okumura Natsumi/岡村恵太朗  [ja] (played by Fujiki Naohito/藤木直人), a 33-year-old male psychiatrist who has just joined the hospital where Satoko works, and housewife Takuchi Mizue/竹内 瑞恵 (played by Matsushita Yuki/松下 由樹). The show is produced by screenwriter Hashibe Atsuko/橋部敦子.
Blogger sugarvine82, who is herself single, reflects on the first couple episodes of the new show:
２週分見終わって、思った。「確かに身につまされる」
もちろん身近にあんなに綺麗な女医さんもいないし、セレブな（私この”セレブ”）って言葉大キライですが）
友人もいないけど、でもうちのダンナさまがその時言った台詞
「４０って折り返し地点やもんなあ。」
そう！そうなんだよな。なんとなく折り返し地点に近付いてるのかな、でも
まだまだ自分は若いと思っていたのにな、という複雑な気持ち。
今までは突っ走ってきたけど、ちょっと一息つけて「これでよかったのかな？」なんて
ふと思ってしまう気持ち。誰にでもあるんだろうな。
今子育てしている友人はまだ子供も小さいからそんな風に思うこともないのかも
しれないけれど。
After seeing two weeks [of the show], I thought: “This really hit close to home.”
Of course I don't have such beautiful women doctors like that in my immediate circle,
and I don't have any celebrity friends either (I really hate that word “celebrity” [see translator's note below]), but
the remark that my husband made when he saw it, that:
“40 years, I guess that's the halfway mark, right?”
Right! Exactly. I guess I am approaching the halfway mark,
although I felt that I'm still young — it was that kind of complex sensation.
I've been racing along up to now, but then just to suddenly take a pause and think:
“Have I been doing the right thing?” — that was the feeling. I guess everybody gets [that feeling].
Although I guess my friends who have kids right now don't think about this yet, because the kids are still young.
Note: “celebrity” in Japanese has a slightly different meaning from the English word, signifying someone who lives a rich and extravagant lifestyle.
Blogger poncoco on the other hand, a housewife, related more to the character of Matsuhita Yuki:
天海祐希は独身の医者の役なので私の今の人生には当てはまる事がないのですが
松下由樹の役どころは専業主婦。子育てにも一段落し、周りを見ると同じ世代の人達が
何かを始めている。
自分は？．．．と焦り出すわけですよ。
私もこの数年、同じような事を考えていました。
「このまま主婦で終わるのか？」「なにか出来る事は？」「社会から取り残されていないか？」
そして２年半前からパートを始めました。それでも何か足りなくて半年前からは雑貨屋も・・・
２０代から30代になる時には感じる事のなかったこの焦りや不安な気持ち、
アラフォーになると強く感じるのは何故なんでしょうねぇ～。
Not all bloggers were quite so moved by the show. Blogger Katsuragi Aoi (桂木碧) questioned points about the show's plot:
でも　なぜ年上の男性ばっかり紹介するんでしょう
なんだか　見ていて納得できません
しかも　相談員のひとも　コレ以上条件にあった方はあなたにはいません
とか　はっきり言っているし・・・・・
Blogger yomuchan2006, meanwhile, couldn't relate to the idea of “arafo” at all:
「Around４０」はちょっと見たけど、つまらなかったのでパスしました。
今後は見ないだろうと思います。やはり先週の１話目で、どうにも興味を
持てなかったということかも・・・。
４０前後の女性に感情移入できないし、「アラフォー」なんて新語を
流行らそうとしているあたりにも、なんか共感できないので・・・。

author: Chris Salzberg


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Japan: Why can’t I be an anarchist? · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Japanese university student Hasan at hasanhujairi[dot]com describes a class in which his professor, outlining the progression of the study of Economic History in Japanese academia, ends by telling his students: “Just don’t be Anarchists; we can’t have rebellious Anarchists running amok on campus.”


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Korea: Invincible Samsung Kingdom · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

Through the three-month investigation into alleged corruption at Samsung, Samsung snuck out of punishment again. Even though the special investigation team was established, and hidden bank accounts and illegal activities were found, it seems that it was not enough for categorizing it as a criminal act.
Manhouse shows what the end of this scandal means.
삼성특검결론은 기업하기 좋은 나라?
특검은 무려 4조 5000억에 달하는 돈을 비자금이 아닌 이건희 회장의 개인돈이라고 결론내렸다. 우스운 것은 범죄수사를 하면서 피의자측, 즉 범죄를 저지른 것으로 의심받는 측의 주장을 대부분 그대로 받아들였다는 것이다. 경찰과 검찰이 살인 용의자를 심문하면서 용의자의 말을 그대로 받아들인 것과 다를 것이 없다. 그래 좋다. 스스로 수사미진을 시인하는 무능력 함을 드러냈음에도 불구하고, 특검은 이회장과 임직원들이 에버랜드의 전환사채발행과 삼성 SDS의 신주인수권부사채 발행을 통해 회사에 손해를 끼쳤다는 사실을 밝히는 성과를 내기도 했다. 이건희 회장이 1194개에 이르는 차명 계좌를 이용해 4조 5000억이라는 막대한 재산을 숨겨두고 있었다는 것을 알아낸 것도 수사의 결실이라면 결실이다. 그 큰돈을 자신이 오너로 있는 회사의 임직원들 이름을 빌려 관리하고 여기에 다른 간부들이 개입한 것은 조직적 범죄다. 이회장은 이러한 수법으로 1000억이 넘는 세금을 포탈했고 5000억이 넘는 증여세도 내지 않았다.
‘오늘 공소제기하는 범죄사실은 배임행위로 인한 이득액이나 포탈한 세액이 모두 천문학적인 거액으로, 법정형이 무거운 중죄에 해당한다.’ 특검이 말한대로다. 그런데 아무도 구속기소는 하지 않았다. 핵심 임원들을 구속하면 기업경영에 엄청난 공백과 차질을 빚어 국익에 악영향을 끼칠 것이라는 것이 한 이유다. 중범죄자를 엄단하지 않는 것이 어떻게 국익에 보탬이 된단말인가? 범죄를 저지르려면 국익과 연관될 만큼 크게 저지르라고 국민에게 가르치려는 모양이다.[…]
특검은 이 많은 돈을 국가의 이익을 위해서 몰래 숨겨뒀다고 생각하는 모양이다. 만약 그렇다면 이돈이 미술품을 사는 것 외에 어떠한 용도로 쓰였으며, 그것이 어떻게 국익에 보탬이 됐는지 설명해야만 한다. 그러나 특검은 이 부분에 대해서는 아무런 설명도 하지 않았다. 1194개의 차명계좌가 있다는 것을 알아냈음에도 불구하고 비자금을 전혀 찾지 못한 특검은 정관계 로비의혹에 대해서는 무혐의 처분을 내렸다. 계좌추적은 제대로 해 보지도 않았다. 수사가 미진한 부분에 대해서는 검찰에 넘겨 더 철저한 수사를 잘 할 수 있음에도 불구하고 수사를 종결시키기까지 했다.
조준웅 특검은 ‘이번 수사를 계기로 삼성이 환부를 털어내고 명실상부한 초일류 글로벌 기업으로 거듭 태어나기를 바란다.’고 말했다. 검사가 수사를 마친 후 중범죄자에게 하는 이야기가 아니라 수술을 마친 의사가 환자에게 덕담을 하고 있는 것만 같다.
오늘, 4월 18일자, 조선일보 1면에서는 ‘이건희 회장 1128억 조세포탈’기사와 함께 ‘한국은 가장 기업친화적 나라가 될 것’이라는 이명박 대통령의 뉴욕 연설기사와 사진이 함께 실렸다. 굳이 이명박 대통령이 먼 미국까지 가서 말하지 않아도 됐을텐데 쓸데없는 수고를 하고 있는 것 같다. 세계 어느나라 사람들이라도 이번 수사 결과를 보면, 우리나라가 얼마나 기업친화적인 나라인가를 알 수 있을텐데 말이다.
The special investigation concluded that 4 trillion 500 billion won is not a slush fund, but Lee Kon Hee’s individual money. The funny thing is that while they investigate the crime, the investigation team rather believed the suspect. It is like while the police and investigation investigate him (or her), they believed what that suspect said. Ok, it’s fine. Anyway even though they proved themselves to be incapable investigators, the special investigation showed that Lee resulted into the damage of the company through issuing convertible bonds of Everyland and subscription right bonds of Samsung SDS. Using 1,194 false-name accounts, he covered 4 trillion 500 billion won. That was also an important fruit that the investigation found. He took care of the money borrowing other employees’ names and other high positioned employees also participated. It is organized crime. With these kinds of methods, he evaded more than 100 billion won tax and didn’t pay the donation tax, 500 billion won.
‘The crime that we prosecute today is an act in violation of their duty. The benefit that they got is tremendously abundant and it is regarded as a serious offense.’ What the special investigation team said is right. But nobody will be confined. The reason why is if they restrain those related people, the business will be deadlocked and it will damage the national interest. How does releasing those criminals keep the national interest? It seems that they teach if you would like to commit the crime, it will be fine as long as it is related to the national interest. […]
The special investigation team seems to think that Samsung hid this much money for the national interest. If it is true, they should explain how it is helpful for the national interest, including buying art works.
But the special investigation team didn’t explain anything about this part. Even though they knew there were 1194 false-name accounts, they couldn’t find any secret funds and cleared the lobbying politicians. They even didn’t track the account numbers. Even though they could convey the authority to the prosecution for more detailed investigations, they completed the investigation.
The special investigator, Cho joon-ung said, ‘From this moment after the investigation, I hope that Samsung got over the diseased part and is reborn as the tip-top global enterprise.’ It is not what investigators say to the serious criminal after the investigation, but the well-wishing remarks doctors make to patients.
Today, on the 18th of April, the Chosun Newspaper showed two articles, ‘Lee Kwon Hee evaded tax, 112.9 bilion won’ and ‘Korea will be the best country for being friendly to enterprises’ with the speech of President Lee Myung Bak in New York and the photo. It seems that Lee Myung Bak put so much effort to go to such a distant place and to talk about our intention. Any people all over the world must have already know how friendly country is to enterprises after the result of this investigation.
Not a few netizens are disappointed with this result.
역시 삼성은 무너지지 않는다. 혹시나 하는 기대감을 가졌지만, 역시나 하는 결과는 확실하게 다시한번 이 사회가 돌아가는 순리를 나에게 각인 시켜 줬다. 엊그제였나 [`BBK 의혹’ 김경준 징역 10년ㆍ벌금 150억(2보)]란 기사를 보고 역시 권력을 가지고 있으면 어떤 개ㅈㄹ을 해도 떵떵 거리며 잘 살 수 있고… 그렇지 못하고 권력에서 밀려나면, 바로 바보, 등신 되는 걸 느꼈는데… 오늘 사회는 내가 그걸 제대로 못 느꼈을까봐 다시한번 확인 시켜주고 재차 강조시켜 주고 있다.
이 세상 살면서 무엇이 진실인지 알지 못하고 헷깔리는 경우가 대부분인데..'유전무죄 무전유죄’ 그리고 ‘유권무죄 무권유죄'라는 말 하나만큼은 확실히 옳은 말임을 알게 되었다.그래도 만에하나 라는 실날같은 희망을 가지고 있었던 나는 바보가 되었다.바보로 이 세상을 살아가는 것도 나쁘지는 않아 보인다.[…] 이젠 나도 그만 할께…
Living in this world, I have been confused which one is true or not… Now I know that ‘Yujeonmoojoi Moojeonyujoi(having money not guilty-not having money guilty’and’Yugwonmoojoi Moogwonyujoi(having authority not guilty-not having authority guilty’ are absolutely true. Having a slight hope, I was a fool. Living as a fool might not be so bad.[…] I’m gonna give up as well.
Is it like an attempt to hit a rock with an egg?
삼성 특검이 무혐의 판결이 났다.사실 별 기대 안했다. 아니 이런 결과가 날줄 알았다. 특검 자체가 MB특검처럼 성의가 없어 보였으며, 전시용, 여론용 수색이 전부였기 때문이다.이러한 결과는 당연하듯 싶다.방송PD들이 짚어낸것을 특검 수사대는 전혀 짚어내지 못했으며, 짚어내도 한발 늦은 움직임을 보여주는데 그 어떤 좋은 결과가 나올리 있겠는가? […]
삼성이 무죄라는데 격한 반응을 보일 사람이 과연 몇일까?…그 누구도 삼성이 무죄라고 해서 피해볼 사람–일반 국민들–은 아무도 없다..
Who will be aggressively against the innocence of Samsung? The result is not going to give any damage—especially common people.
Or, will there be more people against buying Samsung products?
[…]삼성은 거대기업이다.노조가 있건 없건 좋은 기업 이미지로서 삼성맨이라는 자부심까지 있는 기업이지만 자신들의 이익을 위해 더 많은 지식을 가진 강자의 입장에서 약자를 배려해주는 것이 아니라 강자로서 약자의 약한 부분을 이용해 수익을 내려하고 있다는 점이 내가 ‘안티삼성'이 되게 만든 계기가 되었다. 검색도 네이버는 잘 사용하지도 않는다.마지막에 혹시나 해서 검색을 한다고나 할까.되도록이면 삼성제품은 사용하지 않으려고 노력한다.
나에게도 삼성제품이 없을 수가 없다. 조립했지만 램 3개중 2개가 삼성 것이고, 하드 3개중 1개가 삼성것이고,경품으로 받은 모니터가 삼성것이고,가전제품중 가장 비싼 LCD TV(결혼 혼수로 마누라가 사온 것이라 몰랐다) 역시 삼성이고 장인어른에게도 벽거리형으로 선물을 드린것도 삼성 TV (세일이라 20만원싸게 2대한정 특가로 팔아서 혹했다) 이다. 삼성을 싫어하게 되면서 좋아진 것은 지독한 국산 애호가였던 내가 소니나 도시바 등 외국 제품을 조금씩 쓰게 만들었고 이것은 어쩌면 속좁은 애국심에 질나뻐도 국산을 사용하던 내게 전세계 제품을 두루 쓰게 만들어준 고마운 일이기도 하다.[…] 나는 비록 ‘안티삼성’ 이지만 ‘삼성’ 이라는 그래도 우리나라 대표기업은 외국에서도 존경받을 수 있는 그런 기업이 되기를 바랬다.[…]
Of course, it is impossible not to have Samsung products. Even though I fabricated the computer, 2 of 3 rams are from Samsung and one of three hardware is from Samsung. The computer screen I got as an award is also from Samsung. The most expensive home appliance LCD TV (my wife bought it for marriage expenses) is also from Samsung. I bought a Samsung TV for my father-in-law (because of 200,000 won discount for two). The benefit I got through the hatred toward Samsung was the change of my characteristic from the extremely domestic product buyer to the international product buyer, such as Sony and Toshiba. I appreciate it because my biased patriotism could be changed.[…] Even though I’m the ‘anti-Samsung,’ I hoped that Samsung can be a respectable enterprise abroad as the representative of Korea.[…]
Look at this brave guy in front of a big Samsung screen in Time Square, New York.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Sudan’s Looming War · Global Voices
SudaneseDrima

Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement may possibly collapse if the bad pile up of misfortunes continues, but before we go into that, let's proceed with the good news first.
Drima is ecstatic about a new book by the Sudanese Muslim scholar Abdullahi An-Na'im whom Irshad Manji hosted as a guest recently at her latest initiative, the Moral Courage Project. An-Na'im's book is called “Islam and the Secular State” and here's what Drima had to say:
… from what I’ve read so far I know it will be super juicy.
These are some of the ideas Abdullahi presents in it:
* “I do believe that it is possible, indeed necessary, to reinterpret Islamic sources in order to affirm and protect freedom of religion and belief. This is my position as a Muslim, speaking from an Islamic perspective, and not simply because freedom of religion and belief is a universal human rights norm…”
* “The possibility of belief in anything logically requires choice in the matter, as one cannot believe in anything without the freedom and ability to disbelieve it.”
I don’t know about you but this certainly excites me – a book full of concrete Islamic arguments challenging the current Islamist status-quo of the Muslim world.
Amjad, a Sudanese student in Texas is impressed by the strict enforcement of rules on his university campus:
Our university police department is very strict regarding the speed limit on campus and parking at places you are not permitted to park at.
… I saw this car in front of my dorm with a locked wheel and a notice from the police department stuck in the window warning the owner of the car NOT to attempt to move his car
… Now this is really harsh but still great.
He's also amused by vending machines selling iPods.
On a totally random note, Zoulcolm X posted pictures of a Nubian pyramid in Northern Sudan and the burial place of a famous Sudanese Muslim religious leader. He seems to imply a relationship between the two photos:
Pyramids of The Royal City of Meroe (North Sudan) – Period: “Zaman lil deen” (too freakin old)
“Maqam” of Shikh Kabashy (Shrine) – A Sudanese Sufi Sheikh
what do you see?
And now for the bad news and worried sentiments.
Sudanese Returnee explains the dangerous situation eloquently:
Abyei, that oil rich region in the North-South border, is arguably one of the most sticky issues that threatens the CPA and could possibly draw the country back to the cycles of war!
Today, Northern troops entered Abyei after the NCP expressed their objection to the appointment of an SPLM Administrator for Abyei.
… Recently, SPLA soldiers were reportedly attacked by heavily armed Misseriya gunmen and fingers are being pointed at the NCP in Khartoum for arming them. Now the northern army is building up in Abyei and who knows what will happen tomorrow!
In case you're wondering, the Misseriya are a nomadic tribe regarded as ‘Arabs’ by Southern Sudanese. As for the potentially deadly situation, Kizzie has an idea:
Dear government of Sudan and SPLM,
If you are planning to  start another bloody civil war, evacuate a few villages and kill each other there.
Meanwhile John Akec isn't happy over Southern Sudan's seeming trend towards what he refers to as ‘assassination politics':
A well known South Sudanese secondary school teacher from Greater Bhar El Ghazal by name Mathon Mathon often said under Abakr Tree (The Wau's answer for London's Trafalgar Square):
“When a war breaks out in a county, it is not the earth that gets destroyed but people's morals.” In the South Sudan's war against the North, they did.
… Now, how far would you expect our morals to sink. All that because of our lust for power and feeling of extreme insecurity once in power. And a manner akin to King David of old, many of our leaders commit the sin and then murder to cover it up. Assassination is a virus once it infects, it spread like a wild fire and. Once started, it is hard to be stopped.
We now end this round up with another lovely short poem by Ras Babi:
she keeps her eyes down and whispers to me:
ras babi…
ras babi…
do you see this dressed in green and red man?
I feel her shaking from the in
I hold her hand in mine
she explodes crying
and crying
This man raped me with others
he killed my child
cut the head of my tent
that man is a devil son
do not buy their news
do something
tell the world

author: SudaneseDrima


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Turkey: Armenian Sportsmen · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped posts an entry on an online exhibition which depicts ethnic Armenian sportsmen in  Ottoman Turkey. The blog notes that not only were Armenian sporting events held during the priod 1911-14, but that the two ethnic Armenians represented Turkey in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.


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Uganda: Government refuses passport to transgender woman · Global Voices
Rebekah Heacock

A post by Gay in Uganda last week reveals the discrimination the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) population faces when applying for travel documents:
Ugandans know a guy called Brenda. A gal, because Brenda is a trans person. Meaning that biologically the birth was to a male baby, but growing up Brenda was more confortable in the female role, and ultimately embraced the female gender.
…
Recently, Brenda needed travel documents. They were denied. Reason, they don’t give them to ‘people who have changed themselves’. Julie Victor Mukasa (Note: a Ugandan lesbian activist) tells of the time that she had to prove that she was biologically female at the RDC’s office in Kampala, when she went to get passport forms filled. Use your imagination how she proved that.
Our constitution states that it is a citizens right to get a passport. Brenda is apparently not included in that definition of a citizen. But that is besides the point. Fact is, those of us who are in LGBTI activism, are suddenly finding problems getting travel documents.
…
Very likely I may have problems traveling next time that I need to do so. My passport may light up or something. Happened in Rwanda last month. Apparently, LGBTI activists need permission to leave the country!
Magintu, denied a passport renewal for entirely different reasons, vents:
I have been trying to get my passport renewed for three weeks now, to no avail. Over 8 years ago when they gave me my first one, I did not even show face in the passport office. And I got it two days later.
Now I want to renew my passport and Uganda is giving me shit about it. You would think they would recognise game and offer me the damn passport before I marry wisely and blow this joint. Or maybe they would nitpick about the fact that I was not born here; but no, they are more concerned about the fact that I have an occupation. Yes, I kid you not: they say that on my first passport I am listed as a student. Now in this application, I say I have a job. And they cannot understand how this can be. Depsite the fact that 8 years have passed between issuance of said first passport and request for a renewal, they still expect me to be a student.
Meanwhile, although Uganda's New Vision boasts several features committed to helping its readers find love, its focus seems to have switched from romance to finance.  The View from Kololo's Hannah laments:
Mystery Date: once a portrait of young dreamers looking for love, once filled with anticipation and over-dramatized emotions, now a business opportunity, now filled with indifference.
…
Take, for example, Julius and Stella, from the March 22 issue. Julius is a videographer; Stella an artiste. Stella has a boyfriend; Julius is married. Stella’s summary amounted to this: “When I told him I was an artiste, he was happy because he is a promoter. He said we could make good money since he knows the trade well.” Julius said, “We exchanged greetings and I realized she was familiar. I had seen her on stage, singing. She said she liked me and I was happy to meet her because, as a promoter, I can benefit from her talent.”
The trend is evident in personal ads as well, Glenna at Uganda's Scarlett Lion reports:
I'm working on a story related to personal adverts in the Ugandan daily newspapers. More details on the story later, but I thought I would share a few highlights I've found perusing “Meeting Point” in the New Vision.
I've removed the contact information from the ads, but should you want one of these winners, just leave me a comment and I'll get it to you.
UNIVERSITY drop out, 29, wants financially stable, caring, lady.
I know that most financially stable, caring ladies want someone whose only description of themselves is related to the fact that they're a University drop out.
DAN, 18 wants a sugar mummy.
Dan, where have you been all of my life??
Several other bloggers also have their minds on money.  Nathan of Muzungu! Muzungu! and Chris of Caked in Red Clay both posted this month about continuing to stockpile coins and small bills after leaving Uganda.  Chris notes:
I realized, while my weighed-down pockets had me swaggering down the street like John Wayne on his way to a western dust-up, that my Uganda approach to collecting small change is not as effective here in the UK.
In Uganda, small change is worth its weight in gold. It means you can pay a boda-boda or matatu taxi exact change, you can pay for your lunch without feeling bad about the server having to canvas the area for change and you can pay for phone air time without any hassles. The two largest denominations, the 20,000 shilling (about $11) and 50,000 shilling (just under $30) notes, are generally major hassles to break, since they are so much more than most day-to-day expenses. So when a group is out for dinner and all chipping in on the bill, any change and small bills tossed in are highly coveted by all others who want to break their bills.
…
The abundance of coins is mixed with a different economy, where things are of course more expensive so more money is coming and going from your pocket. In one coffee shop I didn’t have the right change for a 1.25 pound cup of tea and apologized profusely as I gave him a 10 pound note, apologizing for him having to break such a big note.
He laughed.
I was reminded, yet again, that I was not in Uganda any more.
For The-xposer's Kisiki, finding correct change presents more than a reminder of cultural differences: it is an obstacle to entrepreneurship.  He explains:
A few minutes before writing this piece, I was in Wandegeya on my way to town, and need for airtime arose. I went to an airtime stand, and order for 5,000 top up. A man in his late 40’s handed back my 20,000 note because he had no ‘chengi’ (change).
I moved to a next stand that was managed by an Asian, and I flashed my 20,000. The attendant took the note, handed me the airtime, and asked me to wait as he sought me ‘chengi’ from the business neighbours. Within two minutes, I was done and I walked away.
…
In doing a random survey, if both sellers have ten customers loaded big notes within 15 minutes, the earlier seller would have nothing. The second seller would have benefited from customers. Dominance of business mentality of the second seller is what entrepreneurs in Uganda should apply for their businesses realise advancement.
Sometime back, Bank of Uganda ordered the banks not to chase people who seek for change from banks. Today, some banks sell ‘chengi’, even in the Taxi Parks ‘chengi’ vending booms, but 10% off the money need change is quite high.
It will take a long while for Uganda business men and women to notice how much they lose by chase a customer because of ‘chengi.’

author: Rebekah Heacock


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Zimbabwe: Chinese troops Mutare? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Curly wonders what the Chinese troops are doing in Zimbabwe: “These blue suited marathon running highly trained policemen probably know the identities of the Chinese troops who have been reported as being seen on the streets of Mutare in Zimbabwe, after checking into a hotel resplendent with nice shining pistols. So why are the Chinese there? Have they been sent to protect and supervise the shipment of 77 tonnes of arms that is sitting off the coast of South Africa, waiting for someone to be brave enough to unload it? Are they the vanguard of a larger force that will help keep Harare’s streets quiet while Mugabe and the Zimbabwean electoral commission “officially” fiddle the result of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections?”


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Zimbabwe: Play your liberation songs at high volume · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Zimbabwe Independence Day Message: “Actions: Create your own ways of taking back Independence Day.
* Switch off ZBC/TV.
* Don’t buy state controlled newspapers.
* Play your own liberation songs at high volume.
* Write a letter to the editors of local and regional newspapers . . .”


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Zimbabwe: Take Action Against Chinese Ship Carrying Arms · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Call to action to stop a Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe: “Please can all those amazing people who have been following this issue – finding contact email addresses and brainstorming ideas – leave consolidated comments at the end of this post bringing us up to speed on what you have each done and have suggested. Once we’ve pulled all the threads together we should all be able to easily keep up with our progress by visiting this one post.”


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Zimbabwe: The endless game · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ethan discusses “the endeless game” in Zimbabwe: “It’ not very often that I find myself siding with Condoleeaza Rice. But she’s right – it’s embarrasing that the African continent’s leaders haven’t put more pressure on Robert Mugabe to step down… or at least to release election results.”


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11-year-old Chinese environmentalist and Circuit Board Recycling · Global Voices
Kelly Proctor

The blog “Crossroads,” which looks at corporate social responsibility in China, draws our attention to a an article about an 11-year-old environmentalist in southwest China. The youngster took it upon himself to search for the source of river pollution and caught the attention of reporters and officials.
Last October, Chen was playing on the bank of Jialing River with his parents and found refuse in the water. This spurred him to find out where it came from. After investigating for six months in his spare time, Chen wrote a report on pollution in the river and suggested some measures to clean it up.
Rich also writes about the 11 year old environmentalist, saying
This is another case of how I think China will eventually grow towards cleaning up its environment.  Individuals, and collectives, will be motivated on a personal level to investigate contaminations, conduct resaerch, develop solutions, and pressure local officials and businesses.
Meanwhile, China Environmental News Digest posts an article about recycling that may be bad for the environment; the dismantling of electronic circuit boards. The article cites a new study of electronics recycling in China from Hong Kong Baptist University. The study found that a town in southeastern China family-run recycling workshops had high levels of dangerous metals, and that people spread contaminated dust as they walked around.

author: Kelly Proctor


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Afghanistan: Farmers Displaced in Balkh Province · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Mohammad Fahim reports that dry spring, which shattered arable lands and increased the food prices, forced hundreds of farmers to leave their homes in agricultural Balkh province in order to survive.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Armenia: Homophobic Politics · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped: Gay Armenia expresses its concern with recent reports in the radical opposition Chorrord Ishkhanutyun newspaper implying that the newly appointed prime minister, Tigran Sargsyan, is homosexual. Although offering no proof that such speculation is true, the paper linked to former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, appears to be hoping to exploit entrenched homophobia in society as a political tool. The blog says that it shouldn't matter anyway, and laments such an attitude from whichever side it comes.


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Armenia: New Government? · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped comments on the formation of a new government by recently elected president, Serge Sargsyan. After what was seen as a handover of power from his predecessor, the blog says that nothing much has changed and foresees a power struggle brewing between forces supporting the previous president and his successor.


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Bahamas: Tax Write-Off?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Sidney Sweeting at WeblogBahamas.com was shocked that “the ex-Minister of State for Finance said that Government should write off the almost $410 million (that figure is not a misprint) owed to the Government for Real Property Tax.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bahrain: Can’t Spell New York · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Students at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in Bahrain cannot spell New York, complains Redbelt, who posts a picture to prove his point.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Bermuda: Freedom of the Press · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As Bermuda's Premier responds to international concern over the country's press freedoms, Vexed Bermoothes thinks that his letter “oozes with false sincerity and contorted logic.”


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Bhutan: A changing map · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Freedom in Bhutan on the changing face of Bhutan's map.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Brunei: Making a bank bag · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Spiritual Garden shows how she made a bank bag using a used envelope wrapped with papers torn from a fashion magazine.

author: Mong Palatino


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China: Effective Boycott Guideline · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A Carrefour staff member wrote a detail account of the company's business in China as an effective boycott guideline [zh].

author: Oiwan Lam


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Egypt: Blogger Sharqawi Released · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Egypt, Hossam El Hamalawy announced the release of blogger Mohammed Al Sharqawi – but is concerned about the welfare of other detainees who have gone ‘missing.’ Sharqawi was arrested during the April 6 strike, which was a protest against inflation and which called for better wages for workers.


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Egypt: Dairy Workers Stage Sit-In  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Five hundred dairy factory workers staged a sit in and Hossam El Hamalawy from Egypt posts a picture here. The protesters are worried they would lose their jobs – after reporting to work after a month's paid leave – only to be told that they should take another two weeks off, while maintenance work continues on the plant. Workers report that there is no work being done on the factory.


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Egypt: Detainees Update · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Egypt, blogger Hossam El Hamalawy updates us on the conditions of those arrested in the recent Al Mahalla protests and clashes, over inflation and increasing salaries. They include bloggers, journalists and activists.


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Egypt: Disappearing People · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

You may have heard about the April 6 strike that took place here in Egypt, and Esraa Abdelfattah, the creator of the strike Facebook Group, who was arrested then reportedly disappeared, minutes after she was released.
That's why Michaelitoo decided to write here about her and other Egyptians who have disappeared in the previous few years.
الاسم
رضا هلال..كاتب صحفي مشهور بجريدة الاهرام..كتب مؤلفات عديدة عن المسيحية الصهيونيه و عن الجماعات الاسلاميه و كتاباته دي لم تعجب الكثيرين فإختفي
:الاسم
وفاء قسطنين..زوجه قسيس قررت إعتناق الاسلام بمحض إرادتها فلم يعجب الامر المسيحيين في مصر فتظاهروا و إعتكف البابا ثم إختفت وفاء
:الاسم
إسراء عبد الفتاح..شابه مصريه كانت مخنوقه من موضوع الاسعار و طابور العيش و الفساد فعملت جروب ع الفيس بوك نادت فيه بالاضراب فتم القبض عليها ثم إختفت
Name: Reda Helal … A well known writer in Al-Ahram newspaper … he wrote many books about Christianity, Zionism, and Islamic Movements, and many didn't like what he writes, then he disappeared.
Name: Wafaa Costantine … A bishop's wife who decided to convert to Islam, with her own will. Many Christians didn't like it, and they arranged demonstrations and the Pope went on a strike, then she disappeared.
Name: Esraa Abdel Fattah … An Egyptian young lady, who wasn't happy with the mad prices and the shortage of bread in some areas, so she created a group on Facebook and called for a general strike, then she was arrested and after that she disappeared.

author: Tarek Amr


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Egypt: Food Prices More than Double  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The price of main staples such as rice, bread, beans, onions and even vegetable oil have more than doubled since 2004 and in some cases quadrupled in only a few months in Egypt, writes D B Shobrawy.


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Egypt: Handcuffed Patients  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Egypt, Mostafa Hussein, who posts pictures of patients arrested in the Al Mahalla protests, tells us why handcuffing patients to beds is not a good practice.


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Guyana: Walking Shoes · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guyana-Gyal goes for a walk.


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Indonesia: 15 years for terrorist leaders · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

jubaonline writes that Indonesian terrorists who were sentenced to only 15 years in jail will be able to “walk out early because they didn't get life sentences.” The blogger adds that “Every Idul Fitri and Independence Day, prisoners in Indonesia get reductions in their sentences for good behavior.


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Jamaica: Calabash 2008 · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Geoffrey Philp blogs about the 2008 Calabash literary festival in Jamaica and says that “Nobel Prize winning poet Derek Walcott is delighted about his upcoming appearance.”


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Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago: Lighting the Way · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp is still processing the news of Aimé Césaire's death: “For if the goal of any life is freedom, then Aimé Césaire was a light”…while Caribbean Free Radio remembers a podcast she did with “Césaire intoning, in his impeccably enunciated French, against a musical background, the first few verses of his epic ‘Notebook of a Return to My Native Land’, beginning with the famously ambiguous opening line ‘au bout du petit matin’ (‘at the end of dawn’)…”


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Japan: Comfort Women Video Calls Attention to a Still Unresolved Issue. · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

More than 60 years have passed since the World War II, but women who claim to have been abducted under Japanese Military's orders to serve as sexual slaves on military “Comfort Stations” are still waiting for the government's public apologies and material compensation even as the government still denies the claims that they were behind these brothels. After the war ended, the women who served the military were abandoned, adrift in a foreign country and in cases, murdered. Through online videos we can learn more about the plight of the “Military Comfort Women” and efforts elsewhere to bring this subject to the light.
On Witness’ The HUB, one of the most viewed videos is on Japan's Comfort women, women used as prostitutes for the Japanese army during the World War II who were often conscripted, kidnapped, coerced or forced to go into the sexual slave trade. This issue isn't only affecting women in Japan, but also women from China and Korea and others territories under Imperial Japanese possession at the time who were also used to supply the Japanese military brothels. The video combines photographs, text from letters and drawings to portray the extreme conditions these women had to live in. The video follows, or you can click here to see it at the HUB.
The subject is still under debate since the Japanese government has switched back and forth between accepting the charges and denying them. The public itself is also debating whether this happened or not, and whether it would be the military's responsibility or not that this took place if it did. Amnesty International has an ongoing campaign asking the Japanese government to apologize and compensate the women. In London, England, a presentation of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues were organized last March to raise awareness about the story of the Comfort Women of China, leoocunha shows us a piece of the presentation and you can see it by following this link.
Fallbluesky from Brazil has uploaded the following video showing the stories of these women along with footage of some of the Comfort Women in the present, ceaselessly trying to get the government to admit that it did wrong and they were victims of their actions.
Spritejune in Japan has posted a video of a manga comic book style vignettes depicting the stories of the Comfort women, with dialogues written in English. It is a two part video titled Born again as a flower (for the comfort women) which follows the main character from the moment she gets a job at a factory and is instead taken to a brothel, to the Wednesday Demonstrations these women have been doing since Wednesday January 8th in 1992 in front of the Japanese Embassy to ask for them to be recognized as victims and for their story to be recorded in history textbooks, among other points. Following, part one and part two.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Japan: Food Crisis added to G8 Agenda · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

The GLOCOM blog reports that the world food crisis will be placed on the agenda at the G8 Summit in Hokkaido, Japan this summer.


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Japan: Food Shortage · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Shisaku talked about his frustration about food shortage.


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Japan: Shadow Pictures · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Edo from Pink Tentacle introduces the traditional Japanese shadow pictures art form to the readers.


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Kazakhstan: Opposition’s Renaming Approved Officially · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Lena B-va reports that the major democratic opposition force of Kazkahstan, the “Azat” [Freedom] party celebrated official recognition of their new name by the Ministry of Justice.


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Kenya/Nigeria/South Africa: Top Visited Sites · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Collins highlights 10 most visited websites in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa: “Its interesting which sites are most visited by African surfers on the internet.One thing for certain though is that we are visiting more foreign based websites than local site!That is quite informative especially for investors in the Advertisement industry.”


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Kyrgyzstan: President’s Visit to Kazakhstan · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Elena summarizes the results of the visit of President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev to Kazakhstan, which came shortly after territorial concessions to the northern neighbor.