Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
AFGHANISTAN: TAPI and why Americans are dying in Afghanistan...
Central Asia has always been a region of great significance.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, importance of this region has substantially increased since it constitutes a part of the modern “Silk Road” & also neighbours the 21st Century power centres- Russia, India and China.
More so, when America is sitting in neighbouring Afghanistan and by way of that presence, is trying to extend its foothold in the region. In order to extend its sphere of influence to the region, the US is actively endorsing the Trans-Afghan gas Pipeline; better know as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline, proposed by the Asian Development.
Largely seen as a Western-backed rival to the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) Pipeline, the TAPI, with a length of 1680-km, will source the gas from Dauletabad gas field in Turkmenistan, completing its run at the Indian border town of Fazilka. This $ 7.6 billion project is likely to contribute immensely to the energy security of deficient downstream nations, provided it overcomes the challenges posed by huge investment costs and disturbed volatile areas en route.
For war-ravaged Afghanistan, this pipeline is expected to be a critical source of employment and revenue spinner, apart from contributing to the country’s energy security and thus boosting Afghan development.
Apart from providing a clean source of energy to the growing economies of India and Pakistan, the TAPI can be a possible peace catalyst between India and Pakistan. Moreover, it has the potential to kick-start a new era of inter-regional cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia.
Even though the Cold War is over and the sphere of influence of the Soviet successor Russia has significantly shrunk, the Central Asian region still holds much importance for the US- firstly, to contain a rising China, and secondly, to keep a check on resurgent Russia.
Also, the US involvement in the regional developmental projects will provide legitimacy to enhanced presence of its troops and military bases. Washington’s support for the project is also significant as it has, for the time being, successfully weaned India away from the IPI Pipeline.
Interestingly, the TAPI has also got the Russian backing and its gas giant Gazprom has expressed its willingness to participate in the consortium.
The partner states have also suggested that Gazprom become a supplier for the pipeline along with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
If Russia manages to become a part of the project, it will renew Moscow’s strategic influence in the region besides weakening the EU sponsored proposed Nabucco pipeline, aimed at reducing the European dependence on Russian gas, by depriving it of enough gas sources.
For a bigger role in the region, Russia is already involved in ambitious CASA-1000 project, aimed at transferring surplus electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan.
For India too, the TAPI means much more than ‘energy security’. India can get a strategic foothold in the energy-rich Central Asia where China is already present in a big way. So that, a much sought balance of power could be maintained in the region. Central Asia has thus become a fighting ring with all major world powers struggling for geopolitical gains.
A major factor deciding the fate of the project would be the political stability.
Since the birth of independent Central Asian states, the region has witnessed huge political instability and religious and ethnic conflicts. While the US has tried to engineer “Colour Revolutions” in the guise of spreading western style democracies; Russia, in order to maintain its writ, has always backed its favourite Soviet era autocrats.
Even today, despite the functioning democratic regime of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in Turkmenistan, the political situation remains fragile. Other determining factors include the agreement on transit fee and security mechanisms. Since the pipeline passes through the restive Afghan areas of Herat and Kandahar and Balochistan in Pakistan, it becomes imperative to have a well-defined legal institutional mechanism in place. The European Energy Charter Treaty of 1994, which provides a legal framework for energy transit across Europe, can be a guiding tool.
Notwithstanding this, India should keep its efforts on to make the IPI pipeline a reality as the TAPI alone is not sufficient for the appetite of energy-thirsty Indian economy.
India needs diversified energy sources so as to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Moreover, the IPI can bring much bigger geopolitical gains for India apart from causing a sea change in its ties with Pakistan.
At the same time, India needs to make sure that it is not being used by the US as its proxy in the Central Asian region to execute its imperial designs.
If all the above aspects are taken care of, the TAPI will indeed be a win-win for all stakeholders.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/tapi-pipeline-a-win-win-for-all-02022011/
ALL Stakeholders? including dead American soldiers...
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, importance of this region has substantially increased since it constitutes a part of the modern “Silk Road” & also neighbours the 21st Century power centres- Russia, India and China.
More so, when America is sitting in neighbouring Afghanistan and by way of that presence, is trying to extend its foothold in the region. In order to extend its sphere of influence to the region, the US is actively endorsing the Trans-Afghan gas Pipeline; better know as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline, proposed by the Asian Development.
Largely seen as a Western-backed rival to the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) Pipeline, the TAPI, with a length of 1680-km, will source the gas from Dauletabad gas field in Turkmenistan, completing its run at the Indian border town of Fazilka. This $ 7.6 billion project is likely to contribute immensely to the energy security of deficient downstream nations, provided it overcomes the challenges posed by huge investment costs and disturbed volatile areas en route.
For war-ravaged Afghanistan, this pipeline is expected to be a critical source of employment and revenue spinner, apart from contributing to the country’s energy security and thus boosting Afghan development.
Apart from providing a clean source of energy to the growing economies of India and Pakistan, the TAPI can be a possible peace catalyst between India and Pakistan. Moreover, it has the potential to kick-start a new era of inter-regional cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia.
Even though the Cold War is over and the sphere of influence of the Soviet successor Russia has significantly shrunk, the Central Asian region still holds much importance for the US- firstly, to contain a rising China, and secondly, to keep a check on resurgent Russia.
Also, the US involvement in the regional developmental projects will provide legitimacy to enhanced presence of its troops and military bases. Washington’s support for the project is also significant as it has, for the time being, successfully weaned India away from the IPI Pipeline.
Interestingly, the TAPI has also got the Russian backing and its gas giant Gazprom has expressed its willingness to participate in the consortium.
The partner states have also suggested that Gazprom become a supplier for the pipeline along with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
If Russia manages to become a part of the project, it will renew Moscow’s strategic influence in the region besides weakening the EU sponsored proposed Nabucco pipeline, aimed at reducing the European dependence on Russian gas, by depriving it of enough gas sources.
For a bigger role in the region, Russia is already involved in ambitious CASA-1000 project, aimed at transferring surplus electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan.
For India too, the TAPI means much more than ‘energy security’. India can get a strategic foothold in the energy-rich Central Asia where China is already present in a big way. So that, a much sought balance of power could be maintained in the region. Central Asia has thus become a fighting ring with all major world powers struggling for geopolitical gains.
A major factor deciding the fate of the project would be the political stability.
Since the birth of independent Central Asian states, the region has witnessed huge political instability and religious and ethnic conflicts. While the US has tried to engineer “Colour Revolutions” in the guise of spreading western style democracies; Russia, in order to maintain its writ, has always backed its favourite Soviet era autocrats.
Even today, despite the functioning democratic regime of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in Turkmenistan, the political situation remains fragile. Other determining factors include the agreement on transit fee and security mechanisms. Since the pipeline passes through the restive Afghan areas of Herat and Kandahar and Balochistan in Pakistan, it becomes imperative to have a well-defined legal institutional mechanism in place. The European Energy Charter Treaty of 1994, which provides a legal framework for energy transit across Europe, can be a guiding tool.
Notwithstanding this, India should keep its efforts on to make the IPI pipeline a reality as the TAPI alone is not sufficient for the appetite of energy-thirsty Indian economy.
India needs diversified energy sources so as to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Moreover, the IPI can bring much bigger geopolitical gains for India apart from causing a sea change in its ties with Pakistan.
At the same time, India needs to make sure that it is not being used by the US as its proxy in the Central Asian region to execute its imperial designs.
If all the above aspects are taken care of, the TAPI will indeed be a win-win for all stakeholders.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/tapi-pipeline-a-win-win-for-all-02022011/
ALL Stakeholders? including dead American soldiers...
The MORMONS helped him to power . SATAN BUSH , once again has lied to the American people, he told them he cares about womens rights in AFGHANISTAN ( brings a tear to the eye, such concern) and this is the reason we must not pull out now, we must stay strong. What he failed to mention.. why the Americans went there in the first place...'to fight the TALIBAN' I hear you cry....BUT what about the TAPI pipeline ,the real reason your men are dead ?...there is a meeting on April 30th, why not ask OBAMA about it before you give him any more support....
http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/172644.html
http://centralasianewswire.com/International/Turkmen-Afghan-presidents-discuss-TAPI-pipeline-in-Tehran/viewstory.aspx?id=3659
http://bushandblairbonesmeniwarcrimes.blogspot.com/2011/04/tapi-gas-pipline.html
http://centralasianewswire.com/International/Turkmen-Afghan-presidents-discuss-TAPI-pipeline-in-Tehran/viewstory.aspx?id=3659
http://bushandblairbonesmeniwarcrimes.blogspot.com/2011/04/tapi-gas-pipline.html
Monday, March 28, 2011 - The presidents of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan met Sunday on the sidelines of a regional celebration of the Novruz New Year holiday in the Iranian capital Tehran to discuss developments in a regional pipeline project.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met to discuss how the long-stalled Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline can actually be realized, according to the Trend news agency on Monday.
Karzai indicated his support of the project, which will transport Turkmen gas to partner countries. TAPI members signed an agreement in December 2010 to bring the project to fruition, but have yet to agree on a Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) that would set the prices for the Turkmen fuel.
According to the Pakistani news agency Online News, the four TAPI nations are expected to meet in India on April 30 in an attempt to negotiate final GSPA agreements. The summit will happen after a meeting from April 25-27 in the Indian capital New Delhi of the Technical Working Group.
The pipeline, which analysts believe will cost at least $7.6 billion to construct, will bring 38 million cubic meters of gas each to India and Pakistan. Afghanistan will receive up to 14 million cubic meters.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Afghan President Hamid Karzai met to discuss how the long-stalled Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline can actually be realized, according to the Trend news agency on Monday.
Karzai indicated his support of the project, which will transport Turkmen gas to partner countries. TAPI members signed an agreement in December 2010 to bring the project to fruition, but have yet to agree on a Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) that would set the prices for the Turkmen fuel.
According to the Pakistani news agency Online News, the four TAPI nations are expected to meet in India on April 30 in an attempt to negotiate final GSPA agreements. The summit will happen after a meeting from April 25-27 in the Indian capital New Delhi of the Technical Working Group.
The pipeline, which analysts believe will cost at least $7.6 billion to construct, will bring 38 million cubic meters of gas each to India and Pakistan. Afghanistan will receive up to 14 million cubic meters.
UTAH 2005: Police brutality..
This sort of news doesn’t usually make it out to the general public; it stays in the crowd to which it pertains, people just don’t tend to hear about it unless they’re actively searching. If you’re an unconnected party, especially if you’re an academic, please spread the word.
On August 20th, a 90-strong SWAT team raided an electronic music event – a rave – that was legitimately taking place an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City in Utah. They brutally beat people, pointed guns at their foreheads, drew Tasers. They proudly announced having confiscated many drugs, their largest drug “bust” being the stash of stuff that contracted security had confiscated from partygoers. There was at least one helicopter. There were dogs, and at least one person is claimed to have been attacked by a police dog.
Drug Policy Alliance article: According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah County detectives wanted to “get their point across that such activity was not welcome in their area”… Since when are police officially sanctioned to do anything but uphold the law?
Another article by the Daily Herald in Provo:
Another report stated that the young woman was “close to overdosing on Ecstasy”, whatever that means. Which Ecstasy? MDMA? GHB, sometimes referred to as “liquid ecstasy” and with markedly different effects? an unknown substance? Let’s assume MDMA, the most common. What are the symptoms of “overdosing” – hell, what are the effects considered to be within normal range for people taking a drug? What are the negative effects? Was she hospitalized? (No.) Her pulse was said to have been 176; hell, if she was on “Ecstasy” and saw SWAT all around her, I can see how she’d have an elevated heart rate. That last link above reports palpitations nowhere near as high as the report stated. We’re talking a difference of 85-100 beats per minute.
Salon has a great article on this, here. It’s free if you watch a short ad. They do present both sides of the story.
The ACLU got involved in a suit against the sherriff: a federal judge asked to prevent future raids on electronic music events. The ruling was in the sherriff’s favor.
Finally, here’s a two-minute video (.mov viewable with Quicktime, 15.76MB) shot by an attendee (I’ve put it on my own site just in case it ever gets taken off elsewhere). The police claim there was no brutality.
http://www.wordsend.org/2005/10/27/police-brutality-in-utah/
On August 20th, a 90-strong SWAT team raided an electronic music event – a rave – that was legitimately taking place an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City in Utah. They brutally beat people, pointed guns at their foreheads, drew Tasers. They proudly announced having confiscated many drugs, their largest drug “bust” being the stash of stuff that contracted security had confiscated from partygoers. There was at least one helicopter. There were dogs, and at least one person is claimed to have been attacked by a police dog.
Drug Policy Alliance article: According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah County detectives wanted to “get their point across that such activity was not welcome in their area”… Since when are police officially sanctioned to do anything but uphold the law?
Another article by the Daily Herald in Provo:
Recently released documents show Utah County Sheriff Jim Tracy made plans to break up an August party in Spanish Fork Canyon days before he had officers raid the event.Utah County Departmental News release about the rave bust: “A 17 year old female from West Jordan, found by officers, had overdosed on ecstasy. She was treated and released to her parents.”
The pages of documents, including police reports and memos from officers involved to co-workers and the sheriff’s office, indicated Tracy knew about the party as early as Aug. 18, two days before it happened, and contacted other law enforcement agencies for assistance in shutting down the event.
Several days after the raid, the Daily Herald sent a request to Utah County under the state Government Records Access Management Act for any documents relating to tactical planning received or sent by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Chris Yannelli, an attorney in the Utah County Attorney’s Office, told the newspaper at the time the documents didn’t exist.
But those documents do exist…
Another report stated that the young woman was “close to overdosing on Ecstasy”, whatever that means. Which Ecstasy? MDMA? GHB, sometimes referred to as “liquid ecstasy” and with markedly different effects? an unknown substance? Let’s assume MDMA, the most common. What are the symptoms of “overdosing” – hell, what are the effects considered to be within normal range for people taking a drug? What are the negative effects? Was she hospitalized? (No.) Her pulse was said to have been 176; hell, if she was on “Ecstasy” and saw SWAT all around her, I can see how she’d have an elevated heart rate. That last link above reports palpitations nowhere near as high as the report stated. We’re talking a difference of 85-100 beats per minute.
Salon has a great article on this, here. It’s free if you watch a short ad. They do present both sides of the story.
The ACLU got involved in a suit against the sherriff: a federal judge asked to prevent future raids on electronic music events. The ruling was in the sherriff’s favor.
Finally, here’s a two-minute video (.mov viewable with Quicktime, 15.76MB) shot by an attendee (I’ve put it on my own site just in case it ever gets taken off elsewhere). The police claim there was no brutality.
http://www.wordsend.org/2005/10/27/police-brutality-in-utah/
Disabled Utah woman Christina Harms murdered, tied up as if crucified, say police
(CBS/AP/KUTV) KEARNS, Utah - Three people supposedly caring for a disabled Utah woman found dead on Friday are now accused of murder and torture.
Christina Harms, 22, was found dead at her home near Friday afternoon after a 911 caller reported a possible overdose. Unified
Sherrie Beckering,Cassandra Sheppard, Dale Beckering
(Credit: Unified Police Dept.) They also say the woman had what is believed to be pepper seed in her eye lids and had her arms bandaged so she was unable to remove it, reports CBS affiliate KUTV.
Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal says investigators found Harms' body covered in bruises and marks on her wrists and ankles consistent with the use of restraints.
A cause of death is pending an autopsy by the state medical examiner's office.
Police say Harms had special needs and was unable to care for herself. Three of her caretakers are now facing charges in her death.
Cassandra Sheppard was booked in to the Salt Lake County Jail for domestic violence-murder and domestic violence-obstructing justice as she was the victim's legally documented guardian caretaker and cohabitant, according to Unified Police. Dale and Sherrie Beckering were booked on the charge of domestic violence abuse of a vulnerable adult.
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